that the emperor was in the presence-chamber.  They then led me to the door of the room where the emperor was, making signs for me to go in, but dared not even to look up themselves.  The presents sent from our king to the emperor, and those which I offered as from myself according to the custom of the country, had all been placed in a very orderly manner upon mats in the presence-chamber, before the emperor came there.

Going into the chamber, of presence, I made my compliments to the emperor according to our English fashion, and delivered our king’s letter to the emperor, who took it in his hand and raised it towards his forehead, and commanded his interpreter, who sat at a good distance behind, to desire Mr Adams to tell me that I was welcome from a long and wearisome journey, that I might therefore rest me for a day or two, and then his answer should be ready for our king.  He then asked me if I did not intend to visit his son at Jedo.[18] Answering, that I proposed to do so, the emperor said, that orders should be given to provide me with men and horses for the journey, and that the letters for our king should be ready against my return.  Then, taking leave respectfully of the emperor, and coming to the door of the presence-chamber, I found the secretary and admiral waiting to conduct me down the stairs where they formerly met me, when I went into my palanquin and returned with my attendants to our lodgings.

[Footnote 18:  Always called Edoo in Purchas, but we have thought it better to use the form of the name now universally adopted in geography; but which name, from the orthography used by Captain Saris, is probably pronounced in Japan, Idu, or Eedoo.—­E.]

On the 9th I sent the present intended for the secretary to be delivered to him, for which he heartily thanked me, but would in no wise receive it, saying, the emperor had so commanded, and that it was as much as his life was worth to accept of any gift.  He took, however, five pounds of Socotorine aloes, to use for his health’s sake.  I this day delivered to him the articles of privilege for trade, being fourteen in number, which we wished to have granted.  These he desired to have abbreviated into as few words as possible, as in all things the Japanese are fond of brevity.  Next day, being the 10th September, the articles so abridged were sent to the secretary by Mr Adams; and on being shown by the secretary to the emperor, they were all approved except one, by which, as the Chinese had refused to trade with the English, we required permission, in case of taking any Chinese vessels by force, that we might freely bring them into the ports of Japan, and there make sale of the goods.  At the first, the emperor said we might take them, since they refused to trade with us; but, after conference with the Chinese resident, he altered his mind, and would not allow of that article.  All the rest were granted and confirmed under his great seal, which is not impressed in wax as with us in England, but is stamped in print with red ink.  These articles of privilege were as follow:—­