Japan and the Japanese

SPEX'S CHARTER. 157
jfrom Jedo they proceeded to a port eighteen leagues distant,
(probably Uragawa), where Adams had another house, and where
tney found the Spanish ship which had brought the ambassador
from New Spain. The ambassador himself was also there.
He sent them a very civil message, to which they responded with
equal civility. Pressing invitations for a visit passed between them,
but neither party would be the first to call on the other. By some
Flemings, however, attached to the ambassador's suite, they were
assured that the ambassador had no authority to demand the ex
elusion of the Dutch, which he had done on his own authority.
The embassy, they said, had been fitted out at an expease of fifty
thousand dollars.
Upon their return to Seruga, October 1st, Adams brought them
the patent which the emperor had granted for their commerce, and
which, being translated, proved to be in the following
words :
" All Dutch ships that come into my empire of Japan, -whatever place or
port they put into, we do hereby expressly command all and every one of
our subjects not to molest the same in any way, nor to be a hindrance to
them ; but, on the contrary, to show them all manner of help, favor and
assistance. Every one shall beware to maintain the friendship in assurance
of which we have been pleased to give our imperial word to these people ; and
very one shall take care'that our commands and promises be inviolably kept.
" Dated (according to the Japanese calendar equivalent to) August 30,
1611."*
The Dutch were very much troubled to find that the clause
guaranteeing freedom from the visits of inspectors and guards,
and interference with their trade by the government, which had
been the great object of their mission, was omitted. They made
representations on the subject to Konsequidono, who advised them
not to press it. But as they conceived it of the greatest impor-
tance, they drew up a Japanese memorial, which Adams presented
to the emperor, and the request of which Konsequidono seconded
with such effect that the emperor ordered an edict granting the
wishes of the Dutch to be drawn up, which he immediately proceeded
to sign. Such is the statement in Spex's narrative j but no such
* Kampfer gives this translation, and also a fac-simile of the original
Japanese. The same translation is also given by Spex.
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