1658
October
Departure of the Domburg, Trouw and Kalf
24 Before noon, with the permission of both governors, Merchant Hendrick Indijck, several other members of this factory and I sailed to our ships. Boucheljon, who was on the Domburg on which he will sail to Batavia, and I dispatched the Kalf, which will sail to Tayouan. This was completed in three hours. At the insistence of the bongioisen and the interpreters, the ships set sail together. We returned to Tsukishima, our island and usual residence.
25 We were told that the three ships had sailed out of sight on a fine easterly wind. May the Almighty provide them and the ships before them with a safe and propitious journey. According to annual custom, all our interpreters, the money weighers and the clerks have looked over and calculated the funds from which their ordinary wages are derived and they found that this year the sum of 4891 taels has been collected from the commodities we have traded, which they can divide. For all merchants in this country are obliged to have 5 mas subtracted from every 100 taels when they come to pay downstairs in the Geldkamer for goods they have received, but this sum is paid to us in full. According to custom, both city administrators then divide this sum, in this case, in the following way:
26 In spite of the heavy rain and hard winds, Governor Yohyōe left overland for Edo.
27 The rain continued. In the afternoon, the wind veered easterly and in the evening southerly. Around midnight it gathered force, with steady rain and all the houses shook and trembled.
28 Early in the morning we found that last night the strong storm wind had blown over a new fence on the island and in front of the city a large Chinese junk has capsized.
29–30 Nothing noteworthy happened. We have been busy cleaning the island and all the warehouses and living quarters.
31 I asked Sukezaemon and Magobei, both our best interpreters, for advice. Notwithstanding my own suggestion that the Kalf’s cargo be left here till next year after her late arrival from Tayouan, would it not be possible to request Governor Kiemon to sell the coarse wares, consisting of white sugar, cinnabar, Cambodian sappanwood and red sappanwood [quantities given]) to the highest bidder? There were still several merchants present in Nagasaki who would like to buy these.
November
1 In the company of two bongioisen, all the lacquerers – seventeen men in all – came with our interpreters. When they had seated themselves upstairs in front of my room, I showed them the model from Bengal of a light small palanquin, according to which one should be made six feet long, three feet wide and no more than two feet high. It should be made curiously, lacquered black and decorated around with foliage of fine gold. They promised to make one just like it, but these unreasonable people dared ask 1600 taels for the work. Even the interpreters were taken aback, saying that it exceeded the bounds of fairness. I offered them first 500 and then 600 taels, but they mocked the offer. Because we have received just thirty of the one hundred cabinets which have been ordered from the fatherland, I also told them that next year we would like to have forty or fifty more such cabinets if they would supply them at 50 taels a piece, of the same size and fine quality lacquer – even though nothing was painted on top – as we received this year. But they also thought that this was too little and I offered them the price we paid this time, namely 60 and finally 65 taels a piece. But when these hard heads notice that one wants something from them, there is no reasoning with them and they left without having come to an agreement.
3 A Chinese junk left for Amoy, loaded with many kinds of porcelain and a good batch of cotton.
4 Another Chinese junk left for Quanzhou with various commodities.
5–8 Notwithstanding the cold and unpleasant weather, the Chinese have been pressed by the governor to prepare for departure. In the past four days, seven junks have left, all for Amoy and Anhai, loaded with much coarse porcelain of various kinds. In former days, the Japanese themselves had to try to obtain much of this earthenware from the Chinese trade.
9 [Saturday] After a long and sad wait for the decision whether we could sell the sugar, sappanwood and red sappanwood which we received from Tayouan after the last trade had ended this year, our otona came with Sukezaemon and Magobei and told me that since I had made my proposal – as noted on 31 October – they had given it much thought. But because, while the second governor Yohyōe was still here, I myself had proposed that the aforesaid goods remain here unsold till the next trading season, it would be unfair to make a new proposal now and it would only annoy Governor Kiemon who is now in sole charge, the more so because no regard could be paid to my proposal, the decision already having been made before the departure of Yohyōe and Edo having already been informed.
10 When we were about to sit down for lunch, all the Miyako lacquerers came to my room for the second time with the two bongioisen and our interpreters. They asked if we could pay them more than 65 taels a piece for the thirty large cabinets which I had told them I would order. I told them that the offer was already too high and they should not expect 1 candareen more. After much arguing they finally accepted this price. I also contracted for twenty smaller cabinets – but with the same fine raised work – at 50 taels a piece and six Bengal shields at 8 taels each. According to custom, they wrote out a contract that they would deliver everything well and curiously made next year. But I could not reach an agreement with these stub-born people on the woman’s palanquin for Bengal, in spite of having increased my last offer by 50 taels. I would even have increased it to 700 and finally even to 800 taels, in order that the object be made, but when they stood solid as a rock on 1300 taels, I let them go. The unreasonableness of these men is getting worse and worse, because they presume that we cannot do without them. Even the Japanese who have some knowledge of this kind of work state that these men are trying to cheat and rob us. In the afternoon, the governor sent Magobei to me.
11 [Monday] The sappanwood and red sappanwood mentioned before have been taken from the sappanwood yard to a warehouse. Nothing else happened. Saturday another junk left for China.
12 One hour before dawn, I first felt the earth shaking softly and then severely. Magobei came around nine o’clock to ask on behalf of the governor for the cap, which had been made for Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami by our tailor, and also for a book on anatomy, some essential oils and 2 taels’ weight of mumia. I handed everything over to him at once, because they will be sent to the commissioner in Edo today. The four sampans have been taken to the other side of the bay where they will be beached, breamed and repaired if necessary. Merchant Indijck and three other members of the factory also went there for some recreation. In the afternoon, I felt a terrifying earthquake and I expected the houses to collapse with all the shaking and rocking.
13 Cold and misty weather and nothing happened.
17 Shortly after lunch, Sukezaemon came to announce that Governor Kiemon would shortly visit the island. Fifteen minutes later he approached with Burgemeester Sakuemon and his usual suite. His Honour went first to the water-gate and he had his men look for some rare quay stones, which had been placed there as useless ballast from our ships. But none were to his liking and he came to my room. He sat down for half an hour and enjoyed himself with a small kaffir boy. Then he went downstairs to the garden and had a look at both Bengali oxen, which had been harnessed to the carriage for this purpose. Then he said goodbye and returned home with his suite.
18 Fine clear and fresh weather. Two junks left for China, loaded with bar-copper and porcelain.
19 On behalf of the governor and Burgemeester Sakuemon, Otona Kurōzaemon and Interpreters Hachizaemon and Sukezaemon came to inform me that tomorrow the heads of the five shogunal cities would leave for Miyako. These gentlemen had heard that every year there were many arguments between us and the Japanese merchants about the light or the heavy weights of our daatsen both in delivering and receiving goods. Thus they advised us, in order not to be subject to these problems in future, to discard the old daatsen and to have the heads order new ones in Miyako instead, which would be stamped as proof. We would be able to use these new ones for at least twenty years without any extra costs added.
20–28 Six Chinese junks left for China, all loaded with coarse porcelain, fox and badger furs and other goods. One is carrying the rich nachoda Lipsien with some money. A cold, stiff north-westerly wind was blowing, accompanied by much rain and hailstones, thus some of the junks had to lie in front of the bay for four or five days and wait for a more favourable wind. When the weather abated, we felt several heavy and terrifying earthquakes.
29 Magobei told me that Kaga-no-kami, a powerful lord of three large domains, had died.1 His death will be immensely mourned by the Court in Edo.
30 Around noon, on behalf of the governor, Sukezaemon came to warn me that the Lord of Arima would visit me shortly.
December
2 At noon a junk arrived from Quanzhou in China. It is the first of this northern monsoon. [List of cargo.]
3 Governor Kiemon sent to fetch four chests of the fine, white powdered sugar which the Kalf brought from Tayouan on account of the Lord of Saga. At his request they will be sent as soon as possible to Edo.
4–11 Nothing noteworthy happened. Fine, warm weather every day with some feeble earthquakes.
12 Magobei told me that yesterday the governor received letters from Edo in which he had been notified that thirteen streets of newly-built houses had been destroyed by a sudden fire.
13 The governor sent Magobei to fetch a piece of white plush for Mito-sama. When he heard that there were two pieces left which were being kept as gifts for His Majesty, he also sent for them, claiming that the Shogun was still a young man and did not need them. He would offer them to some other great lords who had asked for them.
20 Some years ago there was a significant mortality among the cattle here. This accident has stupidly been attributed to the Dutch alone, because people say that they like to eat such meat. As a consequence, it has been forbidden on penalty of corporal punishment to kill any cattle much less sell their meat to us. This has been strictly observed. Because this country does not have any sheep or goats, our usual fare for the entire year consists of fowl and duck, except in winter, when now and again we get a piece of dry venison or wild boar. This increases our daily expenditure for food without us receiving proper nourishment nor the most enjoyment from it. Therefore I thought it necessary to cut down on the expenses for food by implementing some changes and I ordered our steward that from now on he should serve chicken just three days a week and the other four days fish, with some other dishes in between. I handed him the following memorandum to this end. [Memorandum for Junior Merchant and Steward Cornelis Mulock regarding the provision of food. Over the past two months Wagenaer has noticed that the daily expenses are running high. Five or six taels are spent on food every day, but he is not aware that it is being spent on any excess food or drink.
21 A small Chinese junk from Fuzhou arrived. Its cargo consists of white Chinese silk, white pelangs, rugs and some medicinal herbs [quantities given].
In the afternoon, Sukezaemon came with a horse doctor. The governor had sent him expressly to look at the two small rare Bengali oxen, which can be harnessed to a carriage and which have been brought from Batavia as a gift for the Shogun. One of them has little appetite and is losing weight noticeably. But after this cow-master had inspected their tongues, he said that nothing was wrong, it was just the cold. These animals were not accustomed to it and if they were given boiled barley mixed with beans to eat every day, they would gain weight again.
24 The strong but very warm southerly wind brought us heavy rain but also a few barges loaded with rice. The citizens here are happy, because this grain is very expensive at present and difficult to come by. It is said that the cause is the storm winds which struck the crops in the fields too early and destroyed them.
25 Christmas Day. To our surprise the wind has been blowing from the south since last night, bringing heavy rains and this in the middle of the northern monsoon.
26–31 Nothing important happened. We have been hearing nothing but moaning and groaning about the high price of rice and other grains. The prices keep rising. One bale now costs 17 or 18 mas. If no relief is sent from the northern regions within a few days, it might well be that a bale will cost more than 2 taels. This will cause distress and affliction among these poor people.
1659
January
1 Merchant Hendrick Indijck, a few other members of this factory and I have decided to better our lives in the new year and to begin with our religion. Every evening we shall come together in one of the most suitable warehouses and glorify God’s name, notwithstanding
3 Two large richly-laden junks arrived from Anhai in China. [List of cargo.] Together with the goods the other junk brought yesterday, they are estimated to be worth over 270,000 taels. Within a few days five more are expected. This will be very bad news for many Miyako merchants and especially those who recently bought our Bengal silk. Before the arrival of these junks, some of them sold their silk at a loss of 20 taels a picul. I also heard that a certain rich old Chinese nachoda, named Siouniquan – who for at least fifteen years had sailed between China, Quinam and Japan – was on his way from Quinam to Anhai about six months ago and heavy weather had forced him to seek shelter off the islands of Macao.
4 Sukezaemon mentioned our impending Edo journey and asked when we intended to set off. Would we prefer to travel from here to Shimonoseki overland or would we like to sail to Osaka on a barge? The governor would prefer us to send just the gifts for His Majesty and the high officials in Edo ahead on a barge to Shimonoseki. After we had received news of the safe arrival of the barge, we should follow overland. This way we would avoid any peril to our lives such as we had experienced last year off the coast of Hakata. I replied that if we could choose, we would rather wait till the unpleasant cold winter weather was behind us and travel at the end of next month, that is February. We would then reach Edo after the Japanese Shōgatsu or New Year’s holiday, during which there usually are many fires. Otherwise we would comply with the governor’s wishes and travel overland. I added that this change would burden us with greater expenses, because the owner of the barge would undoubtedly still want his freightage of 250 taels, we would have to hire bearers and horses from here to Shimonoseki, provision them on the way and send some servants with the barge. Our travel expenses would increase significantly. The interpreter said that this could not be much, because instead of supplying the barge with enough provisions for two months, we need supply it only for a few days
5 Nothing noteworthy happened.
6 In the afternoon, the governor sent Burgemeester Sakuemon with an important priest so that they could view the Bengali oxen and some rarities.
8 The moon was shining and we were ready to attend evening prayers. Then we saw the otona and all our seven interpreters come onto the island and walk towards us. We were apprehensive that we had incurred someone’s displeasure either in connection with our worship or something else. But when they had been seated in my room, Sukezaemon said that half an hour ago they had been summoned by the governor. On his behalf they should inform us that this evening he had received a letter from his confrère Governor Yohyōe in Edo in which he advised him that he had kept his promise and had proposed to the first councillor, Izu-no-kami, that this year and in future we be allowed to travel from Nagasaki to Edo after the Japanese New Year’s holiday, when the harsh winter season and the short days had passed. But the councillor did not want to be responsible for such a change and had replied that he would ask His Majesty first and he would inform Yohyōe of the decision. But the governor and our old commissioner Chikugo-no-kami were of the opinion that His Majesty should not be bothered with such a trifling matter. Thus he had requested the councillor to let it pass, claiming that we preferred to stick to the established custom and depart before their Shōgatsu rather than propose it to His Majesty. This then was the decision which the governor had received this evening from Edo.
9 The governor sent three interpreters to inform me that he had reconsidered his intention of letting us travel overland to Shimonoseki. The reason was the objection Councillor Izu-no-kami had raised against the later date of our departure which Yohyōe had proposed. Thus he thought it best to adhere to the old way and travel from here to Osaka by sea and from there overland to Edo. We should be ready to travel in sixteen days. I told the interpreters that these were strange and inconvenient changes. We had already made preparations to travel overland, as the governor had wished. I did not know if we could prepare everything for the journey by sea in such a short time. The interpreters replied that we could not disobey the governor’s order, but should comply fully. I promised to do my best. These timorous animals stood up and left.
10 Early in the morning, I sent for some coolies and in the presence of our daily pesterers, I had the goods selected for the Edo gifts packed. All the lakenen and other woollen and silk fabrics, the beautiful large silk alcatief, both large globes, the mirrors and other rarities have been properly packed, sealed and stowed in one of the warehouses.
15 Our interpreters informed me that the Chinese nachoda Rocquan was set to leave directly for Siam, without stopping anywhere along the China Coast, in five or six days. If I wished to send some letters, I should prepare them in time. I said I would do so, even though Rocquan had delivered these letters too late for two years in a row and they stayed over for a whole monsoon or were even returned. In the evening, a strong wind started to blow and shortly after, when the wind dropped, thick snow started to fall and it began to freeze.
16 Early in the morning, we saw that all the houses and the mountains surrounding the city and the bay were covered in half a foot of snow. The water in the jars was frozen.
17 In the morning, the snow was still falling heavily and I think that it must have snowed the whole night, for it is now lying over a foot thick on the roofs. The clouds are still so swollen with this cold vapour that one cannot distinguish between water, air and land. This bitter cold will cause misery for these poor naked land folk.
18 Last night it froze the thickness of one finger on top of the snow. Our interpreters all declared that they had heard of such a severe winter up north, but that they had never experienced this before down here in Nagasaki.
19 The governor sent all our interpreters to give me the message that he had just received a letter from Commissioner Chikugo-no-kami in Edo, in which he urged us to set off on our journey and to bring the things he had asked for.
20 Today the weather is noticeably less inclement and it has started to thaw. Three remarkable things occurred together with the change, which have never been heard of at one time during the winter. Firstly, at noon we heard many heavy thunderclaps.
22 Today I had the interpreters inform the governor of the contents of the letters I wrote to Batavia via Siam on the 20th of this month. They were given orders to receive the package and to see to it that the letters were delivered properly.
23 In the dark evening, in a downpour, another junk from Anhai arrived. [List of cargo.] This will hinder us substantially in our forthcoming trade.
26 In the afternoon, our barge, which will take us to Osaka, was brought in front of the water-gate. I trust this means the end of the changes and the foot-dragging.
27 According to established custom, I invited our otona or burgemeester and all the interpreters with their sons. They were entertained in our fashion seated at the table.
28 I had asked Burgemeester Sakuemon for a loan for expenses during the journey. He sent Magobei and Sukezaemon with 2000 taels, on condition that I could keep the money for two months without interest, but if I wished to keep it longer, I should pay him the usual interest. I gave him a written agreement.
29 In the morning a Chinese junk left for Siam via Anhai. It is carrying various coarse lacquerwares, many printed fabrics, some jars of confitures, much silverware and other small things made here. But the aforesaid Chinese Rocquan – who should be leaving straight for Siam with our letters –
30 Two bongioisen came to open the water-gate. The governor wants to have the gifts and provisions for the impending journey to Edo taken on board. Within three hours everything had been loaded and stowed properly on our new barge, except for the two Bengali oxen and the cart, which will be loaded on a special vessel.
February
1 In the afternoon, I went with Merchant Indijck and Junior Merchants Carpentier, Hogenhouck and Mulock to the governor to take my leave. I thanked him for his assistance with regard to my journey and commended the remaining residents on Deshima to his care and protection. He offered his further assistance if needed and wished me a happy journey. Then I had the two Bengali oxen – which at his request had been brought outside with the carriage – brought within his view. When he saw that the old copper horns of the animals had been gilded and that they were bedecked and betasselled with quite a few bells and silk trimmings, he burst out laughing and said that His Majesty would be extremely pleased with them if only they arrived in Edo as smooth and fat as they were now. Back home, I contracted for the palanquin for Bengal with two citizens of this city for 700 taels. The lacquerers of Miyako refuse to accept the work for less than 1300 taels. But because this is something new, this governor could not agree to it on his own authority, Governor Yohyōe’s permission is also needed. Thus no one dares to accept the work before permission from Edo arrives.
Court journey
In the barge
2 Just when we were about to rise from the table after lunch, our appointed bongiois, or nobleman and senior escort named Goffij, entered the dining room with his two onderbongioisen or city officials. He asked if we could be ready in two hours for boarding, because the governor would like us to leave in time.
5 We left in the morning with a cutting wind, but shortly after, it started to drizzle and our faint-hearted sailors wanted to take a break. We dropped anchor off the village of Fukuda.
7 We left in the morning and got as far as Seto.
8 In the moonlight, one hour before dawn, we left the bay. There was a northerly wind and we rowed to the Bay of Nanatsugama.
10 In the afternoon, we left with a fine southerly wind and an overcast sky. When we were some way offshore, we found that the sea was running very rough, but nonetheless many barges were sailing ahead of us on this favourable wind. But because the warm southerly wind also brought some drops of rain, our lazy nautical heroes did not want to go any further but instead of making good progress, would rather look for a dry resting place in the Bay of Omodaka. We dropped anchor there. After having spent seven days in this bay and having endured cold, hail and showers, we left in the company of more than fifty barges.
17 We left in fine weather. In the afternoon, we arrived in Hirado in front of our old lodge.
18 We set sail at dawn. We enjoyed fine weather, but did not get any further than
27 About two hours before daybreak we could sail with a fine westerly wind. We sailed forty-two Japanese miles today and around nine in the evening, we dropped anchor off Shimonoseki in beautiful moonlight.
March
1 While we were waiting for suitable weather, we went ashore with our bongioisen and went to a furo or bath. We refreshed and warmed ourselves and in the evening we went back to our barge.
3 We tried again to take the Bengali oxen ashore for some exercise, but there was no suitable beach to be found and we had to leave the animals in their small barge.
5 In the afternoon, a sweet westerly breeze tempted us and at least 300 other vessels outside, but then a dead calm set in and all of us were forced to return to our old anchorage off Shimonoseki.
7 Around nine o’clock we dropped anchor off Tsuwa. In the afternoon, we left and we reached the Bay of Karōdo in the evening.
9 It rained heavily, but we left the bay with a southerly wind. Around midnight we had to drop anchor, but we have made good progress.
10 We proceeded on our journey. We had to use the oars, but the current helped us along and we passed the beautiful castle of Mihara and in the evening Tadanoumi.
11 We lay at anchor in the Bay of Shiraishi for four hours. The current carried us along and in the evening we dropped anchor off an unknown stony hole in a blinding rain.
12 In the afternoon, we rowed on and in the evening we reached the city of Ushimado.
14 We had to wait here a day and a half for a fair wind. We tried to row on, but when we were outside the bight, there was such a dense mist that we could not see within a stone’s throw and we had to drop anchor again. In the afternoon, it cleared and we rowed on and in the evening we reached the Bay of Ōta. In sum, all we meet on this journey is adversity and misery.
15 In the morning we rowed out of the bay. In the afternoon, a fine wind helped us and in the evening we passed Akashi. In the night three rented vessels towed us to Hyōgo.
16 Around nine in the morning we set sail with a stiff breeze, but our joy was short-lived and lasted just an hour. Then a headwind forced us to apply the oars again.
In Osaka
17 Early in the morning the weather was fine and we left our barge. The boat took me, our escorts and the interpreters ashore. In the river, right in front of a gruesome place of execution where fourteen people were hanging crucified, our Osaka landlord of old, Shirōemon, came to meet us with two fine covered vessels. We boarded them and we arrived safely at our inn. The journey from Nagasaki to here took us forty-four days. This has never happened before. How much we enjoyed this time in such a low vessel in which one cannot stand or move but only sit or lie can only be judged by those who have experienced it.
18 All our luggage has been brought ashore and stored in the warehouse of our landlord. In the afternoon, we went to visit both city officials, Tanba-no-kami and Hayato-sama, with the usual gifts. In the evening, both governors sent two noblemen with a document or pass which allows us to hire thirty men or more to carry the Bengali oxen to Edo.
19 Early in the morning, we were told that yesterday a fierce fire had broken out in Miyako which had destroyed over 40 streets. We hired 89 Japanese bearers and 44 riding and pack-horses to carry the gifts and other goods overland to Edo. We had to re-pack most of the packages. I wrote a letter to our friends on Deshima and had Sukezaemon mail it.
20 I had Shirōemon, our caseros, contract for various provisions that were ordered for several regions. I also had him pay the wages for the bearers and the pack-horses. Everything needed for our journey overland, which we hope to start tomorrow, has been prepared.
On the highway
In Miyako
22 In spite of the rain we prepared for our departure. But the rain grew heavier and we were forced to unpack again. In the meantime, I contracted with the landlord Saburōemon for the manufacture of seventy-five silk gowns and with a certain citizen to have some fabrics printed for the Company.
23 The rain persisted during the night and today as well. Our senior escort, fearing that if we had to spend another day in this city – and in particular in our cramped inn which can easily burn, being now full of careless people – we might be surprised by fire, urgently requested that we leave. I also thought that this would be safer and around noon we mounted our horses – after we had covered our luggage with straw bags and had dressed ourselves as scarecrows. In the steady rain we travelled over a difficult and slippery road and in the evening we arrived in Kusatsu.
24 The rain did not cease. No change is forecast. We were told that the two rivers which are near had swollen so much that they could not be crossed without jeopardy. Thus we were forced to stay here.
26 We proceeded on our journey. We arrived in Ishiyakushi around ten and had lunch there. Then we mounted our horses and in a dense rain we arrived in Kuwana at the house of Burgemeester Jorock, who died five months ago. We spent the night there.
27 Around two in the morning, at high tide, we loaded our horses, oxen and luggage on a barge and sent them ahead to Miya across a broad bay – about seven miles wide – in the southern sea. At seven we followed in two large barges and at noon we arrived in Miya in fine weather. The goods were unloaded and packed on the horses. After a short pause, we travelled on and arrived in Chiryū in the evening.
28 We left early and had breakfast in Okazaki. We spent the night in Akasaka.
29 Today we have a long stretch ahead of us. We left two hours before dawn and arrived early in Arai. There we had lunch and sailed across a wide bay in the southern sea. At three in the afternoon, we reached Hamamatsu.
30 We left the city in broad daylight. We arrived in Fukuroi at eleven, where we spent an hour for refreshments. We travelled on and passed the swiftly running dangerous Ōi-gawa without any accident. We had hired more than two hundred farmers to help us across with all our luggage, people and horses. The persistent rain had made the river swell so much on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th, that yesterday and the day before more than thirty people had been swept away and had drowned. We reached Shimada in the evening and spent the night there.
31 It started to pour in the morning, but we travelled on nonetheless. We had some refreshments in Okabe and in the evening we arrived at the inn in Ejiri.
April
2 Last night we hired more people and horses to take us over the Hakone Mountains today. We left being drenched in heavenly water – which we are used to by now – and in the afternoon, with great difficulty, we reached Hakone. It was still covered in snow. We enjoyed some refreshments and descended this icy mountain. In the evening, we arrived in Odawara and spent the night there.
3 We started at dawn, lunched in Ōiso and spent the night in Totsuka.
Arrival in Edo
4 In the morning the weather was fine and clear, but cold. We left Totsuka, had a meal in Kawasaki and around five o’clock we arrived safely in the large shogunal city of Edo. According to custom I sent our interpreters to Chikugo-no-kami and Yohyōe to announce our arrival and to ask them to promote an early dispatch, in view of our prolonged journey. On their return the interpreters reported that Yohyōe had not been at home, but they had spoken to Chikugo-no-kami, who was greatly surprised at our long delay, because he had been notified four times of our timely departure from Nagasaki. He did not doubt that we would be received in audience soon.
5 Chikugo-no-kami’s interpreter, Senoosje, came to my room and asked what I had brought for his master on his last order. I gave him a list. He asked if he could take some of the goods with him. I said yes if I could get to them.
6 Like yesterday, today it was cold, rainy and windy. This was the reason that apart from a few visitors, we could unpack, inspect and count our goods at leisure. They were all in order and dry.
7 This morning I sent Sukezaemon to Councillor Mino-no-kami’s home with Dodonæus’ herbal, a large telescope and a few painted panes of glass which he had ordered. He also took other things which some other gentlemen had ordered but Mino-no-kami had been the only one at home. In the afternoon, a strong south-easterly wind gathered force. Our opperbongiois seemed to fear a new fire and came up to my room. He said he would not rest easy until the gifts for the Shogun had been stored in a more secure place. Thus he requested that everything be packed and sent to the Nagasaki Governor, Yohyōe. After we had received permission, this was done. At the request of Councillor Izu-no-kami’s eldest son and of Governor Kiemon on behalf of his son Denpachirō, I had two caps made of scarlet cloth, trimmed with gold and silver braids, before we left Nagasaki. I had also had one made for Yohyōe’s son – to prevent any jealousy arising – and I had brought all three to Edo. I sent Sukezaemon to the young gentlemen with them.
8 This morning we selected the gifts for His Majesty and the high officials. In the past our interpreters used to show the list first to our old patron Chikugo-no-kami, but now they took it to our Nagasaki Governor, Yohyōe. He inspected the list and said that few changes needed to be made. Some red and black lakenen needed to be added. But we shall consult our old commissioner Chikugo-no-kami first, for we did not think it necessary this year to enlarge His Majesty’s gift, which consists of many costly rarities, with European woollen cloth.
9 We had many visitors today, including for the first time that impudent courtier Uneme-dono, who first bothered us and then our interpreters downstairs till past ten o’clock in the evening.
10 Today we ordered the presentation trays, for it is said that we shall appear before His Majesty on the 19th.
11 Governor Yohyōe’s son came with some other noblemen to have a look at the oxen.
12 A few visitors came to have a look at our oxen. In the evening, Yohyōe had us informed that the date for the presentation of the Company’s gifts to His Majesty had been set on the 19th.
15 Nothing happened.
16 This year Chikugo-no-kami did not seem to wish to be involved as before in our affairs, principally as regards the list of gifts for the Court, and we had to consult Governor Yohyōe on everything. He had us informed that two of our party should go to him tomorrow. They should help sort and divide the gifts, which will be taken from his house to the shogunal court early in the morning on the 19th.
17 Indijck and Carpentier went with our interpreters to Yohyōe to divide the goods. On their return in the evening, they reported that everything had been settled. The interpreters and our landlord had made some changes in the minor gifts, which were advantageous to the Company. Yohyōe had entertained them well and had treated them to hot food and drinks.
18 For the second time Yohyōe let us know that we would appear before His Majesty tomorrow. We should prepare ourselves. Both his and Kiemon’s son came with a crowd of other visitors. I hope that all this coming-and-going will end soon.
Audience
19 Very early in the morning, I had the Bengali oxen beautifully caparisoned and harnessed to the carriage and they were sent ahead to the castle. We followed around half past eight. In the second castle we were taken to a fine new house which belongs to the Lord of Okazaki, a close friend of Yohyōe. We could wait there till Yohyōe sent for us. We spent an hour there and then we went on foot to the third castle, where we were taken to the old palace on the west side – whence His Majesty had fled from the fire two years ago. We had to sit in an ante-room. After a while Yohyōe – who was in charge now, because Chikugo-no-kami did not show himself on account of his advanced age and failing eyesight – led me before His Majesty and ordered me to prostrate myself. This time I was awarded a better opportunity than two years ago to behold His Majesty. I observed him well – standing upright with bared head. I thought that he had become more manly. He was dressed in just a plain black gown covering dark blue baggy trousers.
20 Today I took our gifts to the councillors and other officials in the castle, but no one was at home, which is the way it goes every year. Their servants accept the gifts on their behalf.
21 In the afternoon, Yohyōe had me informed that we should go to his house after lunch. While we were dressing, there was such a frightful and long earthquake, that we thought that everything would tear, break and collapse. When the Japanese saw how shaken and surprised we were by this forceful act of God, they began to laugh and said: ‘Look how frightened the Dutch are!’ When we arrived at Yohyōe’s house, he congratulated us on the early audience. We were treated to some sakana and warm sake. After an hour we left and we visited the sons of the second Nagasaki Governor Kiemon, who also treated us to sakana and sake. After an hour we took our leave and returned to the inn.
22 I had the remaining goods brought from Yohyōe’s house to the inn. According to annual custom, from these I selected some gifts for the bongioisen, the clerk, the cook, a few servants and our landlord. The governor has changed his mind and he let us know that we can hand them over to anyone who wishes to have them.
23 I had Sukezaemon deliver a few gifts to some minor persons. Now all the gifts that had to be presented have been presented.
24 Our interpreter had gone to Governor Yohyōe to request permission to leave. But Yohyōe had told him that tomorrow I should go first to the house of a certain gentleman. He would be there with Chikugo-no-kami and the new commissioner who had been appointed to take care of our affairs. I should then instruct them on the use of the two globes. Then we would surely be given permission to leave. I replied that if my physical health permitted, I would be present. But neither I nor anyone else of my companions had any knowledge of the use of the globes. In the afternoon, Mino-no-kami returned the large telescope – which I had brought from Batavia for him – together with Dodonæus’ Cruydt-boeck, like he did last year with another similar telescope. He claims that it is too dark and useless. But we think that his servants – whom we have instructed how to adjust and use it – have not understood the matter and have instructed their lord wrongly. Regarding the book he ordered, it was all right, but the illustrations of the herbs were too small and not well executed. Would it be possible to send him another larger book next year with larger illustrations? Oh these poor people! How little do they know of the excellence of such or other kinds of books, for they think that such books are available in many kinds, such as shoes in the shop of a shoemaker!
25 In the morning, Sukezaemon reminded me of Yohyōe’s request to be present at the house which would be pointed out to me. But I felt such grave pain in my side, caused by gravel, that I had to excuse myself and Indijck went instead. After an hour he returned and told me that he had been taken to the house of one Hōjō Awa-no-kami – who has been appointed in Chikugo-no-kami’s place. This gentleman had been in the company of Yohyōe and Chikugo-no-kami. They had just asked him how both large celestial and terrestial globes should be used.
26 In the morning, our surgeon was summoned to Chikugo-no-kami’s house. He went there with Sukezaemon. He was shown a book on anatomy. He had to explain some of the illustrations of the inner parts of the human body. He had been asked many rude and shameless questions. Chikugo-no-kami would like the surgeon to return tomorrow, when he would have to assist in the dissection of a pig in their presence. In the evening, after dinner, Yohyōe sent Bongiois San’emon to inform me that tomorrow or the day after I would receive the reciprocal gift of gowns – which is also our permission to depart. If I could go to the castle in person and receive them from the councillors, this would be all the better. I replied that I was pleased and hoped that it would be done tomorrow, for I was fit enough to perform this last duty at the Court.
27 I waited in vain for further news about our departure from Yohyōe. In the meantime, I sent the clerk, Niemon, to collect our old debts. Many were left undischarged.
28 In the afternoon, our interpreters received a note from Yohyōe in which he announced that we should be ready at ten o’clock tomorrow morning to go to the castle, where we would receive the Shogun’s reciprocal gift and also permission to depart. This is good news.
29 At the appointed time I went to the Court with Indijck and Carpentier. We spent an hour in the ordinary ante-room. Then we were summoned by Yohyōe and I was ordered to enter the large audience hall alone with the interpreter and to sit in the inner gallery. I did so and I found the four councillors sitting there with a group of other important gentlemen.
30 Very early in the morning, I received ten silk gowns as a reciprocal gift from the first councillor, Uta-no-kami. In the afternoon, both other councillors Bungo-no-kami and Mino-no-kami sent me twenty [gowns] and a few other lower officials also sent some. Thus we can leave the day after tomorrow, if we can receive payment for some of the goods we have delivered and part of the old debts.
May
1 I sent reminders to some people for payment for the goods they received, but nothing was forthcoming.
2 We have hired fresh horses and a number of bearers in the hope that we can leave tomorrow. Everything has been prepared, but our bongioisen and interpreters advised me to visit old Chikugo-no-kami, whom I had not visited before on account of my poor health, before our departure. For this reason and because half of our debts have not yet been settled, I decided to stay another day and to begin our journey back home the day after.
3 Yohyōe lent me 200 koban which I promised to repay him in Nagasaki this year without interest. In the afternoon, I went to Chikugo-no-kami with Sukezaemon and said farewell. I offered him my services in Batavia or in Nagasaki. He said that he would let me know what he needed. He would like some garden seed sent to him from Nagasaki as soon as possible. He treated us to food and drink. After having spent an hour at his home, we said farewell. Shortly after, Councillor Bungo-no-kami sent me 10 schuiten of silver for a grey woollen riding-coat which Boucheljon had made in Nagasaki at his request and had sent to him last year. I have also settled with our landlord Gen’emon for lodging, rent of his warehouse and food and drink, apart from the usual gift. I hope to be able to leave tomorrow at dawn, otherwise we shall not be able to pass through, for the Shogun will go hunting tomorrow and then all the street gates will be closed. In the evening, Chikugo-no-kami sent Senoosje, his interpreter, with three gowns as a memento and he wished us a happy journey.
Departure from Edo
On the highway
4 The Shogun’s hunting trip has been postponed. We left Edo around half past nine in a light rain. Shortly after noon, we reached Kawasaki.
5 We left this bare inn – where no food or drink could be had – early and at noon we reached Ōiso. There we also had a sober meal and we left quickly. We arrived in Odawara in the afternoon, where we hired new bearers and horses to carry us across the high mountains of Hakone tomorrow.
6 We left Odawara and around eleven o’clock we arrived on top of the mountain in the city of Hakone. We lunched there and descended the slippery mountain and in the afternoon we reached the inn in Mishima.
7 We left at daybreak, but we had to cross the Fuji-gawa first and we reached Kanbara past noon and in the evening we lodged in Ejiri.
8 We left Ejiri early, lunched in Okabe, crossed the dangerous Ōi-gawa easily and a short while later, we reached Kanaya, where we spent the night.
9 We set off in a light rain, but it steadily increased and we arrived dirty and wet in Fukuroi. We had to stay there.
10 Fine weather, but cold. We left Fukuroi by dawn and lunched in Hamamatsu. We had to wait an hour before we could cross the Tenryū River, which had swollen because of the rain. We had to look for a new inn in Futagawa when evening fell.
11 We travelled on, had breakfast in Akasaka and slept in Chiryū.
12 We left at sunrise and reached Miya in time, but the water which we had to cross was already receding and thus we had a quick lunch and boarded three vessels. We arrived in Kuwana at four. On the water, we met the powerful Lord of Satsuma with many vessels. I wish we could have seen him travel overland with his usual pomp and circumstance.
14 We lunched in Minakuchi and slept in Kusatsu. I had some luggage sent to Fushimi. Tomorrow it will be loaded on the barge and taken down the river to Osaka.
In Miyako
15 Around three o’clock in the morning, by the soft light of the moon, we left Kusatsu. We did not have breakfast in Ōtsu as usual, but we passed by the inn and arrived in Miyako around nine o’clock. We notified the Grootrechter, Makino Sado-no-kami, of our arrival. In the afternoon, he sent me five gowns and 10 schuiten of silver as a reciprocal gift.
16 We left Miyako in the afternoon. When we had almost reached the outskirts of the city, our landlord took us to a delightful pleasure house, where he treated us to sakana. As was customary, he also took us to visit some antiquities and temples. Then we travelled on and in the evening we reached our inn in Fushimi.
In Osaka
17 Our travelling gear has been loaded on three vessels. At seven in the morning we sailed down the river. We reached Osaka at five in the evening. An hour after our arrival, the powerful Lord of Kinokuni sent a bongiois with two samples of wooden musket barrels. He would like six similar barrels made in Holland and sent to him at the first opportunity. I promised to pass on the order.
18 We have loaded the necessary food and drink on the barge, which will take us to Nagasaki. We have also visited a theatre and the temples of Tennōji with our bongioisen and interpreters.
19 I have made a contract with a certain copper supplier that in the coming trading season he will deliver 150 piculs of goki or broodcooper at 9.7 taels each to us in Nagasaki. I had expected to go on board tonight, because we have no other business here, but our opperbongiois had to attend to some matter for his master, the Nagasaki Governor Kiemon, and we are forced to spend the night here.
20 It rained last night and this morning, but in the afternoon it cleared and our luggage was taken on board. I settled up with our landlord and we went on board at four. But the low tide forced us to stay at the mouth of the river.
On the land road to Nagasaki
29 It rained the whole night and morning. We still left Kokura around eight and all dirty and wet we arrived at a poor inn in Koyanose. We hired fresh horses. The ones we had hired in Kokura were too weak and lean to carry us any further. As soon as we had finished our meagre meal of a cup of sandy rice and a bowl of thin bean soup, we mounted the horses and arrived in Iizuka in the evening, which was no improvement.
30 Last night we hired other plough horses to make better progress. We left at five in the morning and we had to ride over a difficult road full of stones across a mountain, but at least there was no rain. We came to a beautiful large house in the village of Yamae. It seemed to be occupied by rich people, but we found they could offer us nothing but a bowl of vegetable soup. If our own cook had not provided us with some biscuits and cheese, we would have had to continue on hungry, empty stomachs. In the afternoon, in a drizzle, we came to the village of Todoroki and a fairly large house, but the poor devil also kept house there.
31 We left at six in the morning and around ten o’clock we came to a village called Sakaibara. We spent an hour in the house of a poor priest – who seemed to occupy the finest house. He was also penurious and we sent out for some eggs and salt fish. It was prepared in a hurry and after we had eaten the meal, we travelled on. We passed through the city of Hizen, where the lord resides in a beautiful castle, and around four o’clock we reached the village of Ushizu, drenched by the constant drizzle. We had expected to stay in a certain well-built house, but when we came to the gate, we were told that a nobleman had already taken it. Thus we had to divide ourselves and be satisfied with farmhouses.
June
1 Today is Whitsun. We stayed in the village till nine because of the continuous rain. But, as we could not expect the weather to improve, we travelled on. Our newly-rented weak farm horses could not make much headway on the bad roads and almost got stuck in the mud, often toppling over with their riders. Stumbling and falling we managed to reach the village of Shiota, seven miles away. We found a fairly suitable house to stay in and after we had eaten the food we had prepared beforehand, we went to bed.
Arrival in Nagasaki
2 We left early in the morning in rainy conditions. Around noon the weather turned fine and on the road we saw an extraordinarily large camphor tree, which is said to be nine fathoms in circumference.2 In the village of Sonogi, situated on a large bay, we enjoyed a sober peasant’s meal. Then we boarded two small barges and crossed the bay, which is seven miles wide. In less than three hours we reached the village of Tokitsu on the other side. We had to travel three more miles overland to Nagasaki. But the horses had to be fetched from the field first and it was six o’clock already when we left.
Back on Deshima
3 Today we noticed that for two days running a northerly wind has been blowing. I trust that it will help bring our barge here. I also read the notes kept by Junior Merchant Ernst van Hogenhouck on the events that happened here. I saw that he and Junior Merchant Cornelis Mulock have written a letter to Tonkin to the resident, Gustavus Hansz, on 16 February, which they sent with Nachoda Kouquan or Itchien. In the letter they ordered twenty pieces of silk plush for several high officials here, to wit, ten white ones and ten dark blue ones, which should be sent here as soon as possible. Furthermore, on 4 March Governor Kiemon had informed them through our interpreters that permission had come from Edo to have the palanquin for Bengal made here and all other lacquerware that we wish to contract for in future. We could do so with anyone we liked, without being committed to the Miyako lacquerers or anyone else. This is excellent for us. The governor had visited the island on 2 April with the Lord of Ōmura and several gentlemen. They had enjoyed themselves in our garden and had watched a game being played on the billiard table. On 10 May, the governor had asked the two residents in charge here for the use of some of our empty warehouses for a short while for the benefit of the Shogun. He would like to store 15,000 bales of rice there, which were expected from Bungo. Because of the high price of rice at present, on behalf of the Shogun, they would be sold to the poor citizens here for a civil price. They had told him that all the warehouses on the island were at the service of His Majesty.
4 Around five o’clock in the morning we saw our barge sail into the bay. After it had dropped anchor in front of the island, I had the luggage and provisions brought ashore.
5 Nothing noteworthy happened. Last night and this morning it poured with rain.
6 The last junk or wankang left for Anhai in China. In the evening, Sukezaemon notified me that I should go to the governor tomorrow to thank him for his recommendations in Edo.
7 At the appointed time I went with Junior Merchant Hogenhouck and all our interpreters. After a short wait, we were shown in and His Honour started to speak first. He was sorry that the journey by water had taken us forty-four days and that I had suffered from gravel in Edo. But he was happy that I was better and that I had beheld the countenance of the Shogun so soon. He congratulated me on this.
8–15 At the governor’s request, our surgeon had to attend to a certain citizen, head of a street, who is suffering from a dangerous abscess. He visited the sufferer every day, accompanied by an interpreter and two soldiers. Nothing noteworthy happened. It rained every day.
16 Sukezaemon came to ask if I was willing to take delivery of and pay the 80 barrels of camphor which had been brought from Satsuma in partial fulfilment of the 200 piculs ordered. If I refused, the supplier would sell it to others, because he can get 12 taels per picul instead of the 10 taels we are paying. I told him that we had not discussed such an early delivery of this volatile substance. In the past it had been delivered during the trading season, like copper, grain and all other commodities. Only then was payment made. If we accepted it now, four months early, it would lose a substantial amount of its weight during that time. But if he wished to store it on the island for lack of warehouse space in the city, he could do so for that period. When our ships arrived, it would then be weighed, accepted and paid. The interpreter took my message to him.
20 The rainy weather is beginning to change, it now being the turn of the southern monsoon. Instead of unhealthy vapours, we are now enjoying a clear sky and pleasant sunshine. Nothing happened. Our surgeon is still attending to his patient.
21 At noon the governor sent Sukezaemon to inform me that the Lord of Hirado would visit me in an hour. I prepared myself and was expecting him with his party. But he seemed to have changed his mind and sent only his most important noblemen and some priests. We entertained them as best as we could and showed them everything they wished to see.
25–30 A stiff wind has been blowing from the south and the last two days we had a violent storm with downpours. This happens every year around this time.
July
1 Last night we heard several cannon shots from afar. At daybreak we saw that it was a Chinese junk, which was sailing into the bay firing its cannon. It dropped anchor close to the city. About an hour later our interpreters told me that the junk came from Cambodia and brought little good news for us. The King of Quinam had attacked the kingdom of Cambodia with a mighty army both by land and by water. On 5 October he had massacred both the Chinese and the native people. In this fury the Company’s lodge had also been attacked and 16 of its occupants had been killed. The King is said to have been captured alive and has been taken to Cochin China or Quinam. Two of our men who had been kept alive are said to have been handed over to our ship, which had lain below and had apparently come from Tayouan. They were taken to Siam or Batavia – the Chinese did not know for sure. We shall receive confirmation of this distressing news with the ships from Siam or Batavia.
2 With the governor’s permission, Junior Merchants Hogenhouck and Mulock went with a carpenter to the other side of the bay to inspect our four sampans – which are beached there – to see if they can be used in the coming trading season for loading and unloading the ships or if they need any repairs. On their return, the junior merchants reported that the two new ones just needed to have a few boards replaced, but the two oldest sampans were virtual hulks, but by patching them up here and there they might serve this season. In the afternoon, I was told what the cargo of the Chinese junk contained. [List.]
4 Before noon the southerly wind brought two Chinese junks, one from Anhai and the other from Fuzhou. [List of cargoes.]
6 In the evening, another junk arrived from Canton via Anhai. [List.] The Chinese brought the news that Admiral Coxinga had made peace with the Tartars. We hope to find out from Tayouan shortly whether it is true.
Arrival of the Brouwershaven
9 Around seven o’clock in the morning, a tsūsen or dispatch boat hurried into the bay. It moored off the steps of the governor’s landing. Half an hour later, the governor had me informed that a ship with white sails had been spotted at sea. It was thought to be a Dutch ship, although it could not be seen clearly because of the dark weather and overcast sky. He advised us to send a boat to find out. But just when I was about to do so, we saw the ship sail into the bay. I sent two junior merchants there with a letter of instruction. We saw them climb over to the ship midway across the bay. On their return they reported that it was the yacht the Brouwershaven and Boucheljon was on board. This is his third appointment as opperhoofd. The ship is carrying a costly cargo worth 478,566 guilders, consisting of Bengal silk, Dutch commodities and goods from the Coast. It left Batavia on 28 May. Two more ships with more such commodities are to follow this month. In the afternoon, the yacht was inspected, mustered and Boucheljon came ashore.
10 In the morning the water-gate was opened and we started to unload the yacht.
11 Last night and today it poured with rain and we could not proceed with the unloading of the yacht.
12 Around nine in the morning, the weather was dry and we started to unload. We were finished in the evening.
13 The bongioisen have inspected the yacht. All the loads have been sealed. I went there in the afternoon and in their presence I inspected all the books and returned them to their owners. In the afternoon, the governor sent for the guns which had been ordered, some plush, gilded leather, cha cups and other rarities which the yacht has brought, in order to view them.
14 Today the sugar, the red sappanwood and sappanwood which the Kalf brought from Tayouan last year have been moved so that we shall have more space in our warehouses when other merchandise arrives.
16 With the governor’s permission, we went out sailing with our otona and interpreters. When we stepped out at the north end of the bay, we passed the gruesome place of execution where 98 heads of rebellious farmers – so they are called – had been stuck on iron spikes. We also visited a few temples and we had lunch in one of them. In the evening, we returned to our island.
19 In the afternoon, the governor sent our interpreters to our island with a long list with several curious questions. He would like them answered. He would like to know the size – length, width, height and depth – in fathoms, of one of our largest ships, like the Breda, which has been here in the past. He would also like to know the length and the width of the headknee in front and the stern at the back of such a ship. Also the length and thickness of the masts, the topyards and the yards. How long and how wide should the sails of each yard on such a ship be?
20 In the afternoon, the interpreters brought the long list. On behalf of the governor, they would like to be given in writing the same particulars of one of our smallest ships, like the Vink, Breukelen, Urk or Rode Vos. We did so promptly. Neither the interpreters nor we have any idea what the governor has in mind. Last night and today a stiff southerly wind brought seven Chinese junks, six from Anhai and one from Canton. [List of cargoes.]
22 I have given our otona and interpreters Batavia’s order for the porcelain for Mocha to be made according to the samples sent. Two or three pieces of each kind should be made first and then a price would be fixed. I hope that this year the major part of the order, 32,300 pieces, can be produced and be sent to Malacca via Tayouan. The camphor supplier has sold the 80 barrels which he brought too early – mentioned on 16 June – to the Chinese. Our interpreters have promised to see to it that this year at least two hundred to three hundred barrels are burnt in Satsuma for us and are delivered in time. In the afternoon, another Chinese junk arrived from Anhai. [List.]
26 A Chinese junk arrived from Cambodia. [List.] It left on 22 May and the Chinese brought the news that our people there were still alive, but the lodge had been destroyed by the canaille. The reason given was that the Quinamese, now master of the whole kingdom, had hosted a banquet and our people had also been invited. They had accepted the invitation and had been entertained well. If this is the Chinese or Japanese truth, or just rumours, we shall learn shortly from Siam.
27 A very large junk arrived from Anhai. Its cargo is said to be worth 130,000 taels. This year more commodities have been imported from China and are still expected than have been imported for some years.
30 At daybreak, on behalf of the governor, Interpreter Nihyōe came to inform me that last night another ship with white sails had been spotted. I sent two junior merchants. In the afternoon, they reported that they had seen two Chinese junks but no Dutch ship. Shortly after, both junks sailed into the bay. The one is from Siam with Nachoda Rocquan, who took our letters there recently and the other from Anhai.
August
1 The governor sent me a pass to inspect. The aforesaid nachoda brought it from Siam together with a prince’s flag.
2 A junk arrived from Anhai with little silk, but plenty of silk fabrics, sugar, sappanwood and other commodities.
5 The governor sent for a gantang of olive oil to use as ointment. So we still have 1½ gantang left for this factory to use as ointment for the stomach.
10 In the morning, the governor sent an opperbongiois and Burgemeester Sakuemon to air the goods belonging to the deceased Lord of Karatsu – which the Shogun has confiscated and which are being kept in three of our warehouses – according to custom. I took this opportunity to have our interpreters request these caretakers to clear two or at least one of the warehouses for us to store our own goods there. They thought this request fair and gave orders to clear one warehouse, but when they saw that all the goods could easily be stowed in the largest of the three, they ordered two be cleared for us. This was done in the evening. Today two junks arrived, one from Siam with a pass from our opperhoofd there and one from Anhai. Both brought a lot of sugar, sappanwood, namrak, wax, elephant’s teeth, cowhides, rayskins and some silk fabrics.
Arrival of the Hilversum
15 Around seven in the morning, the governor had me informed that a Dutch ship had been spotted off the Bight of Ōmura. I sent our interpreters with two Dutchmen to find out. They reported that it was the flute the Hilversum, which had left Tayouan on 3 August with a cargo of lakenen, cloth rash, stametten, sugar and skins, worth 27,027 guilders. We saw it drop anchor in front of the island at three o’clock.
16 The flute has been mustered and inspected. We started to unload. With the governor’s permission, I went with Boucheljon, Merchant Indijk and Master Pieter Jonasz to the Brouwershaven to interrogate two men, one of whom had asked the other to commit sodomy. We found that the accuser – a rash young boy – had thought up this obscenity out of revenge for a – thoroughly deserved – hiding he had received from the accused, a boatswain’s mate. As punishment for his false accusation we had the young rascal tied to the capstan and had a couple of ship’s boys give him a thorough beating on his hind quarters. This put an end to the case and both were released from their irons. Today two Chinese junks arrived, one from Siam and the other from Quinam via Anhai. They brought a lot of sugar, sappanwood and namrak.
17 Early in the morning, we started to unload the Hilversum. It was empty by the afternoon. We inspected it and the Japanese sealed the hatches. We took the rudder ashore with us to have it repaired.
18 In the afternoon, the governor sent Hachizaemon to show me an old printed pass, which Governor-General Maetsuyker issued last year to one of the nachodas of the Temenggong Sournatta, Governor of Demak on the coast of Java. It permitted him to sail from Batavia to Cambodia. But because the nachoda had later used the same pass
21 The Chinese nachoda Lipsien arrived from Siam via Anhai. [List.]
22 The governor sent the pass and the prince’s flag which the Chinese of the Siamese junk had received from our representatives there for me to inspect. For the past few days the weather has been calm, which is apparently the reason for the delay of our ships. Yesterday I asked the governor for permission to allow the copper merchants – who are all present here now – to come onto the island to negotiate a new contract with them. We would like to receive part of the copper in this quiet time and ship it. But he had replied that it was nine or ten days too early. Because all the old copper merchants have been here for some time and we have been waiting for this, we cannot imagine what the governor has in mind with this delay.
23 Another Chinese junk arrived from Anhai with various commodities. This makes up a total of fifty junks which have arrived this southern monsoon. This excessively large import will hinder us substantially in our trade this year.
Arrival of the Nieuwpoort
24 Early in the morning, the governor had us informed that a Dutch ship had been spotted far off Fukahori. I sent two barges with some men. They returned around ten o’clock at night and reported that it was the large flute the Nieuwpoort from Tayouan. At sunset she had to drop anchor between Iōshima and the Papenberg because of a calm.
25 This morning the wind blew from a northerly direction, as it has been doing for the past few days and the sky turned dark. This made us fear that the fully-laden Nieuwpoort might be in danger. Thus I sent the ship’s officers there with Magobei and thirty tow-boats. In the evening, they towed the ship safely into the roadstead.
26 Before we mustered the crew of the ship, we sent the four young buffaloes for the Lord of Kinokuni, which he had ordered, ashore. Then we started to unload the ship with four sampans and today we managed to bring ashore 1000 bundles of hides and almost 400 chests of sugar.
27 We started to unload sugar, but because the sampans have to load stones first for ballasting the ship, the work progresses slowly. We still brought 600 chests ashore. In the evening, we received notice that the governor wished to see the two pairs of young buffaloes which arrived two days ago from Tayouan for the Lord of Kinokuni. I sent a pair with Interpreter Magobei. Today I also urged Magobei and Sukezaemon to request permission from the governor for the copper merchants to visit us to negotiate on the price for copper. We can now receive it and divide it over the three ships. Yesterday and today three junks arrived from Anhai with silk, silk fabrics, sappanwood, sugar and other commodities.
28 In the evening, the Nieuwpoort was empty. We have loaded only stones for ballast.
29 I inspected the ship and the Japanese sealed the hatches. The rudder and the munitions have been brought ashore. In the afternoon, I sent our interpreters again to the governor to ask him for the third or fourth time that the copper merchants be allowed to come onto the island to set a price.
Arrival of the Breukelen
31 The governor notified us that another ship had been spotted. I sent a barge out and it reported that it is the flute the Breukelen, coming from Tayouan with a cargo of sugar and skins worth 16,002 guilders. Shortly after she dropped anchor in front of the lodge.
September
1 Today the Japanese are celebrating the Bon Festival. They hang a burning candle or lamp on each grave. Thus we could not unload the flute.
2 The governor notified us that last night another ship had been spotted off the Bight of Ōmura. I sent some men out, but on their return at midnight they reported that they had indeed seen a ship from the mountain at Ōmura, but it was so far west that they could not discern through their telescope what kind of ship it was. We have been busy unloading the Breukelen and we were finished in the evening.
3 I have inspected the books and the papers of the ship. Then the munitions were brought ashore and the hatches were sealed.
5 For three weeks we have been suffering from the almost unbearable heat. In the evening, it started to pour with rain and we had terrible thunder and lightning.
Arrival of the Ulysses
6 The governor notified us that this morning two ships had been spotted. I sent a few men out there. They met one of the ships halfway through the bay. After they had handed over the letter of instruction, they sailed on to meet the other ship.
Arrival of the Harp
7 The governor wanted us to send out someone again to look for the ship. I sent Junior Merchant Carpentier with a letter of instruction. In the meantime, I went to the Ulysses and mustered the crew. Then we started to unload the ship. In the evening, Carpentier returned and told us that the second ship was the flute the Harp from Tayouan. She followed shortly and dropped anchor in front of the island. The ship’s officers were unfamiliar with the coast and if our men had not reached them in time to guide them, they would have lost their way and might have sailed to Seto. The flute had met a fierce storm off Cape Sumber, off the coast of China. The enormous amount of water that had swept over the deck had made them fear that the ship might sink. However, she had sustained little damage, just a split in the foremast and the tiller was broken. But they had to throw the hides which had been stowed on the orlop and which had been drenched overboard to prevent illness among the crew because of the penetrating stench.
8 I have mustered the crew and we started to unload the flute. The skins which have been damaged by water were removed from the hold and brought ashore. They caused such an unbearable stench that no one would go near. But I had some of the worst damaged bundles untied and spread out to dry in the air. About six in the evening, all our interpreters were summoned by the governor, apparently to receive orders about our impending trade
9 I saw another tsūsen or dispatch boat come rowing fast with a bongiois. The governor notified me that a ship had been spotted off the Gotō Islands this morning. I sent Indijck and Carpentier there with Master Pieter Jonasse. In the afternoon, Sukezaemon came with a servant of the Lord of Kokura. On behalf of the lord, he asked me to take back the 3 gantang of tent wine which he had fetched in July and to return the money he had paid to his servant. The reason was that the tent wine was too thin. He thought that it had been mixed with Spanish wine. Although this is a rude request from such a powerful lord, I accepted the tent wine and returned him his money. It is true that the tent wine which was brought here last year is rather bad and thin, which is the reason that less than 10 gantang have been sold in the entire year. These people like it thick and black. I would know how to please them, if only we had enough ink available. The governor sent Nihyōe to inform us that another ship had been spotted off the Bight of Nomo. But it was too late to send a barge there and we shall do so tomorrow. Around eight in the evening, while we were still at the table, I received an open note from Indijck, in which he notified me that the ship which he had been looking for was still three miles off shore. It seemed that they were unfamiliar with the coast. Therefore, they had decided to spend the night in the barge and to row over there at daybreak. He would like to have a fine telescope, some provisions and some bedding. I sent them to him.
When the governor learnt of this, he objected and
Arrival of the Vogelzang
10 Early in the morning, at the wish of the governor, I sent the master and the junior merchant out again. They returned in the afternoon with the flute the Vogelzang. It had taken her sixty-seven days to reach here from Siam. They had met with a terrible storm at 28 degrees latitude. The ship had sustained some damage: the spar and especially the foremast had almost broken in two. Her cargo consists mainly of skins, sappanwood and namrak and is worth 64,952 guilders. They knew nothing of the second ship. All the copper suppliers appeared again. I had Sukezaemon ask them if they had thought over the fair price which I offered them yesterday. They replied that there was nothing for them to consider as long as we remained below 12 taels. I knew their ways in such matters and thought I could go as far as 11.7 or 11.8 taels, but after I had been forced to listen to their cackling and protestations that they would be losing on it for two hours, I offered them 11:9 taels. But they were not satisfied and wanted 12.3 or they would leave. Thus finally I offered 12 taels and this was the end of it.
11 I mustered the crew of the flute which arrived yesterday from Siam. We started the unloading. On my way back to Deshima, I went to the Harp and inspected the books and papers. In the afternoon, the governor had me informed that the ship which had been mentioned two days ago, had been spotted this morning off the island of Amakusa. Another is said to be drifting 8–9 miles off the Bight of Nomo. He advised us to send two vessels there tomorrow. The copper that was brought on the island yesterday has been weighed in four different places and packed.
Arrival of the Spreeuw
12 While we were preparing to send a vessel with water and some refreshments to look for our two ships which are said to be drifting off shore, the governor sent Sukezaemon to tell us that last night he had received a note from Nomo, in which the guards on the mountains there informed him that the two ships had separated and one had drifted to the south and the other to the west and they were barely visible. Thus he advised us to postpone the trip till further news came. They are probably the last two ships, Bul and Spreeuw, which we are expecting from Batavia and Tonkin. I am afraid that both ships are in jeopardy, for they keep drifting with the tide. The Bul especially is in danger, for she has been under way from Batavia for seventy-seven days and is short of water and provisions. May God protect them. Around ten o’clock the governor informed me that a ship was approaching and might be near Iōshima.
13 I have mustered the crew on the Spreeuw and we started to unload the silk, consisting of 592 packages, right away. It was done within three to four hours. We have also loaded 1000 piculs of copper for the fatherland on the Vogelzang. Both flutes have been inspected according to custom.
14 I had to borrow 1000 taels for a month from our interpreter Sukezaemon to pay the daily coolie wages, which mount up with the loading and unloading of the ships and other necessities. In the evening, a Chinese junk from Patani arrived via Anhai. It carried white silk, pelangs, pansies and other goods. In the afternoon, the stadsburgemeesters had the interpreters ask us if we could start trading in a day or two. The governor would like us to do so before his confrère Yohyōe has arrived from Edo. I told him yes, we were ready. They said they would go to the governor with Burgemeester Sakuemon. Half an hour later, the interpreters returned and told me that the governor had now given his permission and tomorrow we could make up the kanban or sales notice and start trading the day after.
15 We selected the goods for the first sale. Tomorrow we shall display some coarse goods such as sugar, namrak, sappanwood, cowhides, deerskins and buffalo-horns. We have weighed a fair batch of copper. We have already received and packed 4000 piculs.
16 I hired a good number of coolies and had them spread out all the Siamese and 30,000 Tayouanese deerskins on the streets. In the afternoon, the island was opened to all and sundry. More rascals and thieves than true merchants came.
17 In the morning Magobei told me that the nachoda who arrived here from Patani via Anhai on the 14th had told him that he and his crew had seen a Dutch ship sailing off the island of Hainan in severe weather on 9 August. The ship had lost its mast. It might have been trying to reach the Pescadores. The nachoda himself had lost his mast and rudder during the storm. If he had not managed to reach a harbour on the aforesaid island and had repaired his junk, he would not have been able to sail any further. In the afternoon, when we thought that there were enough merchants on the island, we went to the auction house and sold fifteen kinds of coarse goods. The Tayouanese and Siamese skins raised the best prices. One of the merchants must have written down too high a bid for 5625 cowhides, because when he was called out, he would not acknowledge his bid and we were left stuck with the hides.
18 Today we delivered all the Siamese skins – except for the cowhides – and a fair part of the Tayouanese ones. Also large quantities of namrak and sugar. But because it was found when we were weighing the sugar that the bottom chests were rather damp and some of them were very dark – having lain there for a whole year – the buyers refused to accept them. They claimed that the chests with white sugar had been put on top to be displayed and those with the brownest had been put below – which they could not reach. After many protests and plenty of unnecessary cackling, they requested that fifty to sixty chests from the bottom layers be opened and inspected. I allowed them to do so and they found that most of them contained fine white sugar which was ready for delivery. This silenced them.
19 Most of the goods which we sold on the 16th have been delivered today. We selected other coarse goods for sale in two days. We do not think it a good idea to begin selling the Dutch woollen cloth, the Bengal silk and the goods from the Coast, because we still hope that the Bul will arrive shortly with more of such goods and then we shall sell them together.
20 It poured with rain in the morning and the dark sky forecast more rain. Thus we dared not spread out the skins on the street, but we just displayed the goods which could be viewed dry under the roof. But after the kanban or sales notice had been hung up in front of the gate, it started to rain again. This was the reason that many decent merchants came. We have also weighed a fine batch of copper on three daatsen.
21 Today we passed a resolution that the Harp will be the last to sail straight to Siam. In the resolution, the order of departure of the other ships to Batavia and Tayouan is stated. In spite of the rain we held the second sale. Because we offered only nine batches for sale, it was over quickly. We made a good profit, except for the Siamese cowhides.
22 We have delivered the goods we sold yesterday. The weighing of the Formosan sugar and the namrak went rather slowly.
23 Nothing noteworthy happened.
25 In the afternoon, we held the third sale of Formosan sugar, Formosan skins, red sappanwood, mercury and pepper. We have not yet dared bring out the Dutch woollen cloth and the Bengal silk because we are expecting more with the Zwarte Bul from Batavia. Otherwise it may turn out that we sell ourselves and the Japanese merchants short. At the start of the sale, a merchant was called out who had entered a bid of 42 taels per hundred on his bidding slip for a lot of 30,000 bariga deerskins. But when he noticed that he had offered too much, he kept quiet. Thus we are stuck with this large batch and have to store them back in the warehouses.
26 We have been busy delivering some goods, which we sold yesterday, to the owners. We have also packed away a good batch of porcelain, such as dishes, jugs, plates, flasks and tea cups to send them on the first ship straight to Batavia.
27 Early in the morning, the governor sent the otona with the interpreters to ask whether we could sell more goods of which there are no similar kinds in the last ship we are expecting or if we preferred to wait a few more days. I replied that there were many different kinds of goods we could sell
28 The governor asked me again which goods we could sell. I gave the interpreters the particulars in writing and sent it to the governor. He approved it and let me know that tomorrow we should bring out the goods on the list and put them on display. The day after we should sell them. If the last ship from Batavia did not arrive, we could sell the remaining goods freely.
29 We put the goods which have been selected for the fourth sale on display. Because they include much silk fabrics such as pelangs, hockins, chouwerons, coutenijs and also some fine linen, I placed four or five men in each warehouse to keep a close eye on proceedings. Two thieves were caught who had tried to steal some of the chouwerons by wrapping them around their legs during the jostling. One escaped, but the other was apprehended by a bongiois and thrown into prison. In the evening, between five and six o’clock, a sad accident befell Bada Kurōzaemon, our old otona or supervisor of this island. Half an hour before, this man had been upstairs in the room of Boucheljon. He had kept the burgemeesters of the city, who are usually present here during the trading season on the days of displaying the goods and the sales, company. When he retired for a while downstairs to his own house he suffered a severe stroke. He was found lying dead on the floor, before the burgemeesters and his closest friends could be warned. The otona, who was rather corpulent, was thus seen alive and dead within the space of half an hour. Shortly after, his body was placed in a norimono and taken to his wife’s house in the city. This death might easily bring about a change for the worse among the Japanese who serve us daily.
October
1 Today the goods which were displayed yesterday have been delivered. The buyers rejected some piece-goods because they were damaged.
2 Early in the morning, I had the interpreters inform the governor of our resolution. The governor was pleased, because he also wants the trade to be concluded. For the further assurance of all the merchants, he sent us a deed – maybe even drawn up by a few of the principal merchants or citizens here – which he would like both Boucheljon and me to sign. Because our intentions are sincere, we signed the deed and sent it to the governor. The difference between us and the sugar merchants about the fixing of the tare has been settled after mediation by the Nagasaki burgemeesters. The first tare of the old sugar of last year which had been fixed at 48½ catties will stand. The tare of the second sale will be reduced to 47 catties. But the buyers of any sugar sold in the third, fourth, fifth or later sale, will be bound to settle the tare anew with us.
3 We have selected goods for a fifth sale, consisting of twenty-one batches in all, of Bengal cabessa silk, all Tonkinese silk, Tonkinese pelangs, hockins and chouwerons, also some lakenen and other European woollen cloth. The bales of silk have been untied and put on display with all the other goods.
4 Last night, around two o’clock, a fire started in the city behind the house of Burgemeester Sakuemon. It was calm and the fire was extinguished within an hour. After we had affixed our kanban on the front of the gate, the merchants were allowed inside to view the goods which we had put out yesterday. The copper merchants came to my room and asked if we wanted more than 8000 piculs of copper this year. They could supply us a good batch. But we told them that we did not need more this year. We had informed them of this in good time. It would be irresponsible to buy more copper at such a high price without express orders.
5 The sale of our goods proceeded well. We lost only on the Tonkinese hockins because the quality is too poor. We intend to send back half of it. In the evening, the second governor of Nagasaki, Yohyōe, arrived from Edo. Our interpreters went to welcome him.
6 The Tonkinese silk which we sold yesterday has been weighed out for the buyers. When we were finished, we noticed to our surprise that there was a loss of 7 per cent. Today we would also have delivered the Bengal cabessa silk to the buyers, but because there was a difference about the choice of a copper daats, which they thought would give them some advantage, we desisted. Because Burgemeester Sakuemon had advised us to visit both governors in two days to present them with gifts according to annual custom, we opened some packs and chests to select some gifts.
7 At the insistence of the interpreters, we had to change and enlarge the gifts which we selected yesterday for the governors and burgemeesters.
8 Around ten o’clock the interpreters and I went to the governor. I presented our customary gifts. We also went to Shogunal Intendant Heizō, First Burgemeester Sakuemon and the three lower-ranking burgemeesters.
9 In the afternoon, we selected some goods for the sixth sale. We were busy till into the evening rolling over 200 bales of Bengal cabessa silk from the warehouses and taking them upstairs to the usual rooms for display, so that they can be viewed tomorrow.
10 The kanban was written out and hung in front of the gate. The viewers were then allowed in to view the displayed goods.
11 At the usual time and place, we held the sixth sale of a good batch of Bengal cabessa and bariga silk and the remainder of the Dutch woollen cloth. The cabessa silk was sold for 322 taels but the bariga for an unexpectedly low price, namely 174.1 taels. The other goods sold fairly well, except for some coloured lakenen, which we received last year from Tayouan.
12 This morning we started to weigh out the second batch of the Bengal cabessa silk which we sold yesterday, but another squabble erupted about the loss of a daats. We had to meet the buyers halfway and allow them that half of the silk be weighed with the daats which they had selected and which they thought would give them an advantage. We shall select the other half and give it to them. Most of the European cloth, such as lakenen, stametten, rassetten and perpetuanas, has been delivered. In the afternoon, the governors sent to ask me why we would not accept the rest of the fine copper that had been brought here. The merchants had brought it for us and if they had to carry it back, it would mean a great loss for them. I told the interpreters that we did not need more than 8000 piculs this year. I had informed the suppliers of this in good time.
13 Early in the morning, a junior surgeon was found missing from his room. He is a young mestizo, born on the island of Formosa, named Marten Remeij. He arrived lately from Tayouan on the flute the Nieuwpoort. We found that he was wearing only a katabira and a black cloth around his head. In the afternoon, we found a note written in his own hand in which he said that he intended to take his own life on account of a whore whom he could not have, notwithstanding the fact that the day before he had already spent three nights in a row with her in unbridled lust and debauchery, as he confessed in the note, also telling us all the things that he had given her. After we had searched the whole island in vain, we had to notify the governors. They gave orders that all strangers and the pedlars should leave the island first and then we should look for him. Everyone, including us, crept on all fours searching all corners and crannies above and below, but in vain. Then they started to look for him around the island in small boats and with fishing nets and went to all eight ships, but with the same result. The interpreters then came to my room with ten or twelve proprietors to take down the particulars of this young fellow: his physical appearance, profession, name and age, birth, faith and life. Then they took the document to the governor. In the meantime, this incident prevented us from taking the rudders of the Harp and the Nieuwpoort – which had been repaired on shore – to the ships. We also could not weigh out and deliver the silk and other goods which had been sold.
14 Early in the morning, the interpreters came to tell us that the governors had been told that the missing Remeij and his keisei both speak and understand Chinese. Therefore, last night not only had all the Chinese junks been searched from top to bottom, but also thousands of Japanese citizens,
15 As soon as the water-gate had been opened, we started to load the Vogelzang. We also loaded a further 500 piculs of bar-copper and 200 piculs of coarse goki copper, 1500 bales of fresh wheat and other goods so that she was better ballasted. In the evening, we were offered about 80 piculs of camphor at 15 taels each. In order that we shall not be deprived of the batch, I offered 11 taels and then 12 taels per picul, but they refused. Finally we agreed to 12.5 taels. But because it will take three or four days before it is delivered and re-packed, it cannot be sent to Batavia and then to the fatherland now, but together with another 200 piculs – which the suppliers claim will arrive in two or three days –
Departure of the Vogelzang
16 When we were busy dispatching the flute, both governors, Yohyōe and Kiemon came on the island. When they were still below on the street, they saw that we were still busy weighing sugar and also carrying sacks and packs on board. They wanted to turn back, but we assured them that they were not in our way – although this was contrary to the truth – and they came up to my room. I offered them some almonds and a cup of tent wine and they looked at some rarities. After a quarter of an hour they stood up and left. In the afternoon, the Vogelzang was loaded and ready to sail. I had also finished my papers for Batavia. I went aboard the ship with the master and mustered the crew. Around five o’clock the ship set sail with a north-westerly breeze. May the Good Lord be their guide.
17 Around eight o’clock, the Lord of Arima came on the island with a large suite, including four blind young priests. He wished to look at some rarities.
18 We have selected the remainder of our goods for the seventh and last sale and put them on display. In the evening, according to annual custom, our gifts were presented to our interpreters, the clerks and the accountant of the Geldkamer. Although Kurōzaemon, our otona who died suddenly recently, does not need our gifts now, I presented the same quantity as that given to the senior interpreters to his widow.
19 In the afternoon, the last goods were sold. The Bengal cabessa silk was sold for 13 taels and the bariga for 14 taels per picul less than in the last sale. This must be attributed to the large imports of Chinese silk, because that has not yet been sold. We received permission to have the hatches of the Brouwershaven, Ulysses and the Breukelen unsealed and to arrange the holds so that the ships can take on their cargoes of copper tomorrow.
20 We started to load the Brouwershaven and the Breukelen. We shipped 1500 piculs of copper on the former and 500 piculs of copper and 500 bales of wheat on the latter. Today we caught two Japanese thieves who had made a hole in the ceiling of an empty warehouse and had pulled out eight skeins of Bengal cabessa silk. They were locked up for a few hours and released in the evening. If the governors hear of it, they will be put to death.
21 The Spreeuw has taken on 1500 piculs of copper and the provisions for Tayouan. The ships are ready to sail, but they cannot be dispatched till the 25th, because of the holiday, which starts tomorrow and lasts three days.3 Late in the evening, the governors sent Interpreter Magobei to inform us that tomorrow we could go out freely into the city and view the festive procession and performances without being escorted by a bongiois. This is truly remarkable and seems a sign of more freedom in the future.
23 The camphor which we bought on the 15th at 12.5 taels per picul was weighed yesterday and consists of 96.5 piculs. Today we pasted the barrels in which it was delivered carefully to prevent any air from getting in. In the afternoon, Magobei announced that about 150 piculs of camphor had been brought, which we shall accept at the aforesaid price and have them delivered onto the island. They will be shipped for the fatherland and the coast of India. In the evening, 100 chests of schuitzilver from the Geldkamer were weighed and after we had received them, they were packed properly, weighed again and then stored away.
24 At dawn the interpreters tried to get us all to go to the city to watch the second procession, but because everyone was busy preparing the shipment to Tayouan, only Boucheljon went with a few masters to avoid offending the governors. In the evening, we received a further 55,000 taels from the Geldkamer. Tomorrow, together with the other silver which has been set ready, the money will be divided between the three ships sailing to Tayouan.
Departure of the Brouwershaven, Spreeuw and Breukelen
25 The money has been shipped and divided between the three ships: the yacht the Brouwershaven received 100,000 taels, the Spreeuw 100,000 taels and the Breukelen 80,000 taels. In the evening, after the crews had been mustered, they sailed together with a capital of 925,727 guilders. May the Almighty be their guide.
27 We have weighed the remainder of the copper and in all we have received 8000 piculs. I asked the governors permission to load 3000 piculs on the flutes the Ulysses and the Nieuwpoort tomorrow. They gave their permission.
28 The remainder of the copper and the other goods were loaded on the two flutes. They have to remain here for one more day, because we have not received full payment for the goods we sold, which money the ships will have to carry to Tayouan.
29 In the afternoon, we received 50 piculs of crude unrefined copper for Surat at 11.5 taels, which is almost as much as we paid for the fine copper. We have also inspected the porcelain for Mocha, which we received yesterday. Tomorrow it will be taken on board. We still have not received all the money. We are ten chests short, which we think will be supplied in the Geldkamer tomorrow.
Departure of the Nieuwpoort and the Ulysses
30 The crude bar-copper for Surat has been weighed and put in chests. It has been shipped to the last two ships which will sail to Tayouan, the Ulysses and the Nieuwpoort, together with the camphor, the porcelain for Mocha and three cases of other kinds of small porcelain for Surat, Coromandel and Bengal. After they had also taken on 220 chests of silver and our letters, they were mustered and they left in the evening. Both are carrying a cargo of silver, copper, camphor and porcelain worth 741,926 guilders. Together with the other three ships, a capital of 1,667,654 guilders will be carried to Tayouan alone. May God protect them against all dangers. After the Nieuwpoort had been mustered, I left with the Japanese and sailed to the Ulysses. We learnt that a sad accident had happened on this ship.
31 Around noon I saw one of the two ships which left yesterday sail back into the bay, but she dropped anchor near the corner. Two of our interpreters went there and reported back that it was the Ulysses, which could not put to sea because of the scanty westerly wind. In the afternoon, the wind veered and we saw the ship set sail. I started to settle the accounts, paid the money we borrowed at interest, and had many shipped goods paid out of the Geldkamer.
November
1 Because the flute the Harp, which will sail to Siam, will carry nothing but 30,000 taels of silver, I had five or six sampans-full of stones loaded as ballast.
2 Today I had the Geldkamer pay the lacquerers for the cabinets and several other people for their goods. I settled as many accounts as possible. In the evening, the interpreters told me that the Chinese and the supposed owners of the junk wrecked in Tayouan had received a reply from the governors that they could do nothing but advise them to go to Batavia to seek compensation there, for they would not obtain any in Tayouan.
3 We have started to load the last two ships which will leave this year, the Harp and the Hilversum. We were finished in the afternoon. But because I shall not be able to close the books tomorrow and need to do many other things, I shall be forced to ask the governors that I be allowed to drop anchor around the corner and stay a day longer.