“On the twenty-ninth of July of this year (1627) they burned alive at Omura, together with another who wished to accompany them, a Dominican father and three domestics, who had been kept in close captivity since the year 1626.  This persecution was begun because, having confiscated the property belonging to the Franciscan fathers in Nangasaqui, they found a list in which those fathers enumerated the servants and houses which each one possessed in the land of Omura; and because they had sent a ship with a cargo of flour to Manila, in order to bring religious to Japon on its return—­although those of Omura were more than twice advised by the religious of Nangasaqui to consider that it was against the Japanese law, and that by so doing they were exposing themselves and others to the risk of destruction, by furnishing pagans and renegade Christians with a pretext to persecute them, especially the religious at the port from which the ship sailed.  Twenty-five of the constant ones were murdered—­of all ages, men and women—­some for having displayed their constancy, and others for admitting religious into their houses.  Among others who died by burning alive, one, a good laboring woman, was especially distinguished, whom, because she was discovered to have admitted religious to her house, they exposed to public shame, taking her in this manner for more than twenty leguas round about.  Finally, she was burned alive, ever displaying the most remarkable constancy.  The same fortitude was shown by three men, whom they buried up to their shoulders.  Another who saw some one being burned alive, displayed no less courage; for, filled with fervor, he voluntarily plunged into the flames, where he was entirely consumed.  All these were martyred at Omura for their faith, or for receiving religious into their houses.  More than forty were executed for sending the said ship, and even now the punishment is not concluded.  Thus that Christian community, one of the earliest in Xapon, is greatly afflicted [apparently some words missing in MS.] in order that it may be preserved and aided.

“From the kingdom of Figen, they passed to that of Fingo.  At Amacusa, in Fingo, there was no general persecution, leaving the chiefs and laborers, so that if it were conducted rigorously with all, some would be found to be weak-spirited.  However, they martyred one man, who showed unusual constancy.  At the end of this year 1627, this Christian church had devoted one hundred and eight martyrs to the Lord.  In other parts of Japon the Christians and their ministers were left in comparative quiet, so that in the year 1626 their ranks were increased by more than two thousand converts who were baptized by members of our Society, to say nothing of those who were baptized by religious of other orders.  We believe that in the year 27 there will be a still greater number of converts in the kingdom of Oxu, because in this kingdom (which is the farthest in Japan) many of the people are well disposed.  There are at present there four of Ours, five Franciscans, and one Augustinian.  May the Lord assist them there in all Xapon, opening doors so long locked, through which many others can enter.”