PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 219 



Clioo became a comparatively great commercial na- 

 tion. Many vessels were sent to Formosa, to the 

 coasts of Bungo, Fionga, Satzuma, Corea, and other 

 places. Her vessels became the carriers of Japanese 

 produce to China, and vice versa ; and one of them 

 even made the voyage to Malacca. 



By this extensive trade, and by being the entrepot 

 between the two empires of China and Japan, Loo 

 Choo increased in wealth and rose into notice ; espe- 

 cially as it was found convenient by both these two 

 great nations to have a mediator on any differences 

 arising between them. The advantage thus derived by 

 Loo Choo was particularly manifested on the occasion 

 of a remonstrance on the part of China against rob- 

 beries and piracies committed upon the shores of that 

 country by a prodigious number of vessels manned by 

 resolute and determined seamen, principally Japanese, 

 who landed upon all parts of the coast, and spread 

 consternation along the whole of the western shore of 

 the Yellow Sea, even down to Canton. The Emperor 

 of China on this occasion sent ambassadors to Loo 

 Choo ; and a representation was made to the Court 

 of Japan of the numerous piracies committed in the 

 dominions of the Emperor of China by the subjects of 

 that country ; and succeeded so far that the sovereign 

 of Japan gave up to the King of Loo Choo a number 

 of vessels and slaves which had been captured ; but as 

 none of these marauding vessels had been fitted out 

 by his command, and as they were the property of in- 

 dividuals over whom he had no control, it was out of 

 his power to put a stop to the depredations. The Em- 

 peror of China rewarded the King of Loo Choo for 

 this important service by sending him large presents 

 of silk, porcelain, and silver, and brass money ; and 



