The Black Lion, one of their ships, of 900 tons burden, was sent away for Bantam, fully laden with raw silk and other rich Chinese commodities.  Another, called the Flushing, of 700 or 800 tons, is gone for the Moluccas, fully laden with provisions and money.  The Sun, a ship of 600 or 700 tons, with a galliass of above 400 tons, are left to scour the coast of China, to make what booty they can, and to return next monsoon.  The galliass has sailed already, but the Sun waits for the Macao ship departing from Nangasaki, that she may endeavour to take her.  The Macao ship had actually sailed, but seeing the galliass, she returned to Nangasaki, and will, as I think, hardly venture to sail this year.  As I said before, the Dutch have always robbed the Chinese under the name of Englishmen, which has greatly injured our endeavours to procure trade in that country; so that we have been obliged to send people to give notice to the Chinese governors, that they were Hollanders who have taken and plundered their junks, and not Englishmen.  In fine, I have advised the worshipful company at large of every thing of moment, which I doubt not will be communicated to you.  I send you here inclosed a copy of my last year’s letter; and so, committing you to God, I rest your loving friend at command,

RICHARD COCKS.

No. 6. Extract of a Letter from Richard Cocks, without Date or
Address.

There came two friars in that ship as ambassadors from the viceroy of New Spain, with a present for the emperor; but he would neither receive the present, nor speak with them that brought it, even sending Mr Adams to order them to quit his dominions, as he had formerly banished all men of their cloth, and continued still in the same mind.  It is said that Fidaia Same had promised to receive the jesuits again into Japan, if he had got the victory and been settled in the empire.  Had this taken effect, we and the Hollanders had doubtless been turned out of Japan, so that it is better as it is.

Last year, when we fitted out our junk, we employed a Spaniard, called Damian Marina, the same person who thought to have gone with you in company with George Peterson.  This Damian was a good helmsman, and was therefore employed by us, and another Spaniard, named Juan de Lievana, went with them as passenger.  The junk however lost her voyage, and they returned to Nangasaki, where the carrak of Macao soon afterwards arrived.  Understanding that these two Spaniards had gone in our vessel, the Portuguese arrested them and put them in irons in their ship, condemning them to death as traitors to their king and country, for serving their English enemies.  I took their defence in hand, and procured an order from the emperor to set them at liberty, to the great displeasure of the Spaniards and Portuguese; and these two men are going passengers to Bantam in the Hosiander.

We have had great troubles in Japan, in consequence of the wars, by transporting our goods from place to place, to save them.  Mr Adams is gone again in the junk for Siam, accompanied only by Mr Edmond Sayer.  Mr Nealson is very sick; but Mr Wickham and Mr Eaton are both well.  I long to hear from you, and I pray you to deliver the inclosed to my brother.  Yours, most assured at command,