46 VISIT OF THE ' RETURN.' [1845. 



early in 1613. Capt. Saris had letters of commendation 

 from James L, with which he repaired to the court of 

 Gongin at Surunga, where he was well received. He 

 subsequently paid his respects to the heir apparent at 

 Yeddo, and returned to Firando with full permission for 

 himself and countrymen to carry on a free trade. Saris 

 then returned to England, leaving Mr. Richard Cocks at 

 Firando as factor of the English E. I. Company, where he 

 remained until the establishment was given up, in 1623. 



" The civil wars of England had long been succeeded 

 by the restoration, when the ship ' Return ' was sent to 

 Japan in 1673. On his arrival at Nangaski, the captain 

 was asked what religion he was of ; and how long his 

 master had been married to a Portuguese princess ; and 

 if they had any issue ? Information as to the fact of 

 this state connection, the Japanese must, of course, have 

 derived from the Dutch. Inquiry was also made, why 

 forty-nine years had been permitted to elapse, and no 

 attempt been made by the English to renew the trade ? 

 The answer was, that the greater part of the interval had 

 been passed in civil convulsions and foreign wars. Several 

 conferences ensued, which turned chiefly on the Portu- 

 guese, and the difference between the English and the 

 Portuguese. A month after the arrival of the ' Return ', 

 it was announced, on the part of the Kubo, that ' his 

 subjects could not be permitted to trade with those of a 

 king who had married the daughter of his greatest 

 enemy ; and that the English must sail with the first fair 

 wind/ 



" Another century had nearly elapsed, when the last 

 expedition of Cook passed down the eastern coast of 



