Letter From Will Adams, 1611

This is an excerpt from a letter written by Will Adams in 1611 that I
just came across, pretty interesting:

"It was agreed that we should leave the coast of Peru and direct our
course for Japan, having understood that cloth was good merchandise
there and also how upon that coast of Peru the king's ships were out
seeking us, having knowledge of our being there, understanding that
we were weak of men, which was certain, for one of our fleet for
hunger was forced to seek relief at the enemies' hands in Saint Ago.
So we stood away directly for Japan, and passed the equinoctial line
together, until we came in twenty-eight degrees to the northward of
the line, in which latitude we were about the twenty-third of
February, 1600. We had a wondrous storm of wind as ever I was in,
with much rain, in which storm we lost our consort, whereof we were
very sorry. Nevertheless with hope that in Japan we should meet the
one the other, we proceeded on our former intention for Japan, and in
the height of thirty degrees sought the northernmost cape of the fore-
named island, but found it not by reason that it lay false in all
cards and maps and globes; for the cape lies in thirty-five degrees
and one half, which is a great difference. In the end, in thirty-two
degrees and one half we came in sight of the land, being the
nineteenth day of April. So that between the Cape of St. Maria and
Japan we were four months and twenty-two days; at which time there
were no more than six besides myself that could stand upon his feet.

So we in safety let fall our anchor about a league from a place
called Bungo. At which time came to us many boats and we suffered
them to come aboard, being not able to resist them, which people did
us no harm, neither of us understanding the one the other. The king
of Bungo showed us great friendship, for he gave us a house and land,
where we landed our sick men, and had all refreshing that was
needful. We had when we came to anchor in Bungo, sick and whole, four
and twenty men, of which number the next day three died. The rest for
the most part recovered, saving three, which lay a long time sick,
and in the end also died.

In the which time of our being here, the emperor hearing of us sent
presently five galleys, or frigates, to us to bring me to the court
where His Highness was, which was distant from Bungo about eighty
English leagues. So that as soon as I came before him, he demanded of
me of what country we were. So I answered him in all points, for
there was nothing that he demanded not, both concerning war and peace
between country and country; so that the particulars here to write
would be too tedious. And for that time I was commanded to prison,
being well used, with one of our mariners that came with me to serve
me.

A two days after, the emperor called me again, demanding the reason
of our coming so far. I answered: We are a people that sought all
friendship with all nations, and to have trade in all countries,
bringing such merchandise as our country did afford into strange
lands in the way of traffic. He demanded also as concerning the wars
between the Spaniards or Portugal and our country and the reasons;
the which I gave him to understand of all things, which he was glad
to hear, as it seemed to me.

In the end I was commanded to prison again, but my lodging was
bettered in another place. So that thirty-nine days I was in prison,
hearing no more news, neither of our ship nor captain, whether he
were recovered of his sickness or not, nor of the rest of the
company; in which time I looked every day to die, to be crossed
[crucified] as the custom of justice is in Japan, as hanging in our
land. In which long time of imprisonment, the Jesuits and the
Portuguese gave many evidences against me and the rest to the emperor
that we were thieves and robbers of all nations, and, were we
suffered to live, it should be against the profit of His Highness and
the land; for no nation should come there without robbing; His
Highness's justice being executed, the rest of our nation without
doubt should fear and not come here any more: thus daily making
access to the emperor and procuring friends to hasten my death. But
God, that is always merciful at need, showed mercy unto us and would
not suffer them to have their wills of us. In the end, the emperor
gave them answer that we as yet had not done to him nor to none of
his land any harm or damage; therefore against reason and justice to
put us to death. If our countries had war the one with the other,
that was no cause that he should put us to death; with which they
were out of heart that their cruel pretense failed them. For which
God be forever-more praised.

Now in this time that I was in prison the ship was commanded to be
brought so near to the city where the emperor was as she might be
(for grounding her); the which was done. Forty-one days being
expired, the emperor caused me to be brought before him again,
demanding of me many questions more, which were too long to write. In
conclusion he asked me whether I were desirous to go to the ship to
see my countrymen. I answered very gladly, the which he bade me do.
So I departed and was free from imprisonment. And this was the first
news that I had that the ship and company were come to the city. So
that with a rejoicing heart I took a boat and went to our ship, where
I found the captain and the rest recovered of their sickness; and
when I came aboard with weeping eyes was received, for it was given
them to understand that I was executed long since. Thus, God be
praised, all we that were left alive came together again.

From the ship all things were taken out, so that the clothes which I
took with me on my back I only had. All my instruments and books were
taken. Not only I lost what I had in the ship, but from the captain
and the company generally what was good or worth the taking was
carried away; all which was done unknown to the emperor. So in
process of time having knowledge of it, he commanded that they which
had taken our goods should restore it to us back again; but it was
here and there so taken that we could not get it again, saving 50,000
R in ready money was commanded to be given us and in his presence
brought and delivered in the hands of one that was made our governor,
who kept them in his hands to distribute them unto us as we had need
for the buying of victuals for our men with other particular charges.
In the end the money was divided according to every man's place; but
this was about two years that we had been in Japan, and when we had a
denial that we should not have our ship, but to abide in Japan. So
that the part of every one being divided, every one took his way
where he thought best. In the end, the emperor gave every man, much
as was worth eleven or twelve ducats a year, namely, myself, the
captain, and mariners all alike.

So in process of four or five years the emperor called me, as divers
times he had done before. So one time above the rest he would have me
to make him a small ship. I answered that I was no carpenter and had
no knowledge thereof. "Well, do your endeavor," said he; "if it be
not good, it is no matter." Wherefore at his command I built him a
ship of the burden of eighty tons or thereabout; which ship being
made in all respects as our manner is, he coming aboard to see it,
liked it very well; by which means I came in favor with him, so that
I came often in his presence, who from time to time gave me presents,
and at length a yearly stipend to live upon, much about seventy
ducats by the year with two pounds of rice a day daily. Now being in
such grace and favor by reason I learned him some points of geometry
and understanding of the art of mathematics with other things, I
pleased him so that what I said he would not contrary. At which my
former enemies did wonder, and at this time must entreat me to do
them a friendship, which to both Spaniards and Portuguese have I
done, recompensing them good for evil. So to pass my time to get my
living, it hath cost me great labor and trouble at the first; but God
hath blessed my labor.

In the end of five years I made supplication to the king to go out of
this land, desiring to see my poor wife and children according to
conscience and nature. With the which request the emperor was not
well pleased, and would not let me go any more for my country, but to
bide in his land. Yet in process of time, being in great favor with
the emperor, I made supplication again, by reason we had news that
the Hollanders were in Shian and Patania; which rejoiced us much with
hope that God should bring us to our country again by one means or
other. So I made supplication again, and boldly spoke myself with
him, at which he gave me no answer. I told him if he would permit me
to depart, I would be a means that both the English and Hollanders
should come and traffic there. But by no means he would let me go. I
asked him leave for the captain, the which he presently granted me.
So by that means my captain got leave, and in a Japan junk sailed to
Pattan; and in a year's space came to Hollanders. In the end, he went
from Patane to Ior, where he found a fleet of nine sail, of which
fleet Matleef was general, and in this fleet he was made master
again, which fleet sailed to Malacca and fought with an armado of
Portugal; in which battle he was shot and presently died; so that, as
I think, no certain news is known whether I be living or dead.
Therefore I do pray and entreat you in the name of Jesus Christ to do
so much as to make my being here in Japan known to my poor wife, in a
manner a widow and my two children fatherless; which thing only is my
greatest grief of heart and conscience. I am a man not unknown in
Ratcliffe and Limehouse, by name to my good Master Nicholas Diggines
and M. Thomas Best and M. Nicholas Isaac and William Isaac, brothers,
with many others; also to M. William Jones and M. Becket. Therefore
may this letter come to any of their hands or the copy, I do know
that compassion and mercy is so that my friends and kindred shall
have news that I do as yet live in this vale of my sorrowful
pilgrimage; the which thing again and again I do desire for Jesus
Christ his sake."