By the destruction of the power of Pegu, Siam recovered its independence, and hath since brought under subjection the kingdoms of Cabodia, Laniangh,[383] Jangoma, Lugor, Tanasserim, Patane, and several others.  In 1605 Rajah Ahi, or the Black King, died without issue, and left the kingdom to his brother called the White King, who was a covetous prince, yet enjoyed his kingdoms in peace.  He died in 1610, leaving several children behind him, on which great troubles arose in the kingdom.  While he was on his deathbed, he caused his eldest son to be slain, a young prince of great hopes, at the traitorous instigation of one of the chief lords of Siam, named Jockrommeway, who having many slaves thought to make himself king.  The presently reigning king was the second son of the White King, and soon after his accession put the traitor to death who had occasioned the slaughter of his elder brother.  Among his numerous slaves Jockrommeway had 280 Japanese, who, thinking to revenge the death of their master, and to atchieve some memorable exploit, went immediately in arms to the palace, which they surprised, getting possession of the king and all his court, and compelled him to deliver up to them four of his principal nobles, whom they immediately slew, as the chief causes of their master’s death.  Having the king in their hands, they forced him to subscribe with his own blood to such agreement as they pleased to dictate, taking some of the chief palapos [384] or priests for hostages, and so departed with much treasure after much violence, the Siamese being unable to right themselves.  On this occasion the kingdoms of Cambodia and Laos rebelled, as did also one Banga de Laa in Pegu.  The king of Laniangh, or Lanshang, in Laos, came last year, 1611, with an army into Siam, within three days journey of Odija,[385] hoping to have found the kingdom still involved in the broils occasioned by the Japanese slaves.  But as they were gone, the king of Siam went out with an army to meet him, and he retired to Laos.  These two kings, of Cambodia and Laos, are said to have confederated together, and to have resolved to march together next April, 1613, in hopes to dispossess the young king of Siam, who is about twenty-two years of age; but which they are not likely to effect unless by the aid of treason among his principal subjects.  Thus it was our hard fate to hit upon these bad times, so ill fitted for trade.

[Footnote 383:  Probably Laos, the capital of which is named Laushang.—­E.]

[Footnote 384:  Called by other writers Tale-pois, or Tale-poius.—­Astl.  I. 440. a.]

[Footnote 385:  Called likewise Judia, or Siam.—­E.]