TESTIMONIES OF COREA a.d. 



1591-92- 

 Omura ; yea, and that the said two princes had notice 



thereof: yet almightie God with the eyes of his infinite 

 mercy hath vouchsafed to regard the prayers of his faith- 

 full servants (who for this cause were most perplexed and 

 sorowfull) and to provide this remedie following. 



The Corayans having intelligence, that their king and 

 the forces which hee caried with him were in safety, went 

 the greatest part of them, with as much victuals as they 

 could get, and hidde themselves in the mountains and 

 woods, remaining there with such hate and indignation 

 against the Japonians, that with promise of safe conduct 

 they could by no meanes be drawen out of their starting 

 holes. Wherefore albeit the Japonians have all the 

 castles and places of defence in their owne possession, yet 

 because they want people to tille the ground, and to 

 doe them other necessary services, they cannot chuse but 

 foregoe all that which they have woon. Moreover, the 

 common high wayes are so pestered with theeves and 

 murtherers, that unlesse the Japonians march in whole 

 troopes all together, they are suddenly oppressed with 

 swarmes of Corayans issuing foorth of the woods. Many 

 of the Corayans also have retired themselves unto the 

 neighbour-islands, from whence with numbers of great Hc^nds neere 

 ships, to the mighty losse of the Japonians, they assaile ^'^^^ Cora^. 

 their small and weake ones, and have already sunke many 

 of them. Wherefore all the Japonian lords whi h re- 

 maine in Coray have written unto Quabacondono, that his 

 army must for a certaine time in no wise remoove from 

 the place where it is, for avoyding of such imminent 

 dangers as in proceeding further it may incurre. Upon 

 these advertisements Quabacondono being ready to take 

 his journey to Coray, to divide the whole kingdome, was 

 hindred from his purpose, and sent most friendly letters 

 to all his nobles, willing them to be of good cheere, for 

 that he would not deale about altering of their estates, 

 till 3. yeres were expired: whereupon they were eased of 

 exceeding great care and grief. For albeit there is no 

 great trust to be given to his words, yet we hope that 



437 



