Juan de Cuellar

[Endorsed:  “Matters discussed with the governor by Faranda, ambassador from Japon.”]

Antonio said that he heard that the emperor of Japon gave the conquest of these islands to Kunquyn.  He also heard the soldiers of the house of Kunquyn say that they would like to come to these islands; and they asked him if the people of Cagayan were subdued.  Upon Antonio replying “yes,” they said “no,” and that they knew it.  He has heard that the king of Japon gave the conquest of the island of Ermosa to a Japanese; and that, when this man shall come to these islands, he will come through them, island by island, and that they had already set out.  The greatest distance between any of these islands is about two days’ sail by sea, and one or two nights.  The Xaponese laughed when they heard Antonio say that these islands contained four or five thousand Spaniards.  They said that the defense of these islands was merely a matter for jest, for one hundred of the Japanese were worth two or three hundred of us; and that, therefore, the conquest of these islands presented no difficulty.  They declared that the natives of Cagayan were ill-disposed toward us; and that the Japanese would no sooner land in Cagayan, than the natives would deliver the Spaniards to them.  Antonio declared further that three large ships were being built in Japon; and he could not understand why, unless for these islands, as they had no need of them for other purposes.

Antonio Lopez declares further that he heard in Japon that the king ordered this ambassador to return with the news, if the people of Lucon should submit.  But if they did not submit, then he should order none of the Japanese here to return to Japon; as he would kill those who did return, for he wished them to live here.  Antonio thinks that caution regarding the Japanese here should still be maintained—­for, as I understand, there are three hundred or more Japanese here, and one hundred and fifty came in the ambassador’s ship.  According to Antonio’s opinion, no confidence should be placed in the infidel Sangleys; for many of them have been in Japon, and those most evil and most opposed to the Chinese are those very Chinese.  He declares that a Japanese, named Don Baltasar, conspired with Don Agustin at the time of the revolt.  This was told to Antonio Lopez by a Christian Sangley in Firando.  He declares that there are many of the Japanese here who came to Cagayan seven years ago, and that the pilot who has just arrived in this ship also went to Cagayan, to plunder.  He has many times heard the Japanese say that they would go to Ciuteui, thence to Cagayan; and that the king of Japon ordered the inhabitants of Liutai not to render homage any longer to China.  They recognized that country to the extent that, when the reigning king died, his successor had to be approved by China.  All the trees in Japon are assigned to the king; and no one may cut them without his permission.  Antonio