1845.] EXPULSION OF THE PORTUGUESE. 43 



remainder of the reign of Gongin,* and that of his suc- 

 cessor, up to his division of the royal authority with his 

 son in 1623. Persecutions had been the lot of the 

 Romish clergy through the greater part of this interval, 

 but it does not appear that any substantial preference 

 was yet given commercially to the Dutch, over the 

 Portuguese flag. Both parties came under restriction 

 in 1623.f 



" About this time the Dutch renewed their prayer that 

 the Spaniards and Portuguese might be driven from the 

 country, promising to supply Japan with goods, and, 

 moreover, offering to transport Japanese troops to capture 

 Macao. Here is the ' Nuit's ' spirit again, seeking satis- 

 faction for the failure of the attempt on Macao, in 1623. 



" The Portuguese were now shut up in Desima, and 

 we may form some idea of the extent and minuteness of 

 the official measures resorted to, to abolish every me- 

 mento of their religion, from the fact that the Dutch 

 were required to erase the date of their erection from 

 their factory gates. Their full compliances, and especially 

 their distinguished services at the siege of Simabara, in 

 1638, deserved a better recompense; if there be, as it is 

 said there is, a kind of honour, a social compact, kept 



" * It seems to tell against the tendency of Catholicism in Japan, 

 that Taico and Gongin, two great princes, should stoop to persecution 

 to guard against a disputed succession, or to ensure the quiet reign 

 of a son, without taking pleasure in such cruelties during their lives. 

 We are prepared to make allowance for selfishness or passion, but we 

 cannot refuse a certain respect to actions done to prevent evil conse- 

 quences to others, to a father's provision for his son, when he himself 

 shall be no more." 



"f The Portuguese had no ships in Japan in 1623, they being kept 

 back by an attack of the Dutch (and English?) in Macao." 



