A. D. 1550. 107 



quered thofe iflands, the chriftian (hips frequented them no more, till 

 their refpedive fovereigns concluded commercial treaties with the Ot- 

 toman Porte. And this trade to thofe eaftern territories of Ve- ice gra- 

 dually brought on a dired trade to Turkey, as will be Teen in its proper 

 place *. 



We have feen that the Portuguefe were acquainted with Japan ever 

 fince the year 134 ; they had got very great footing there about the 

 year 1550, or perhaps a little later: but, in the end, the intemperate 

 zeal of their priefts and miffionaries for the propagation of their reli- 

 gion, alarmed the Japanefe to fuch a degree, that after they had found 

 means to gain the emperor's favour, and had (as their liiflorians allege) 

 converted about a third part of the people of that empire, they were all 

 put to the mofi: cruel deaths, and together with them all the poor japan- 

 efe converts. Had the Portuj^uefe contented themfelves with enjoying 

 a toleration of their own relig-on for themfelves, they might probably 

 have remained there to this day. 



The Portuguefe and others have accufed the Hollanders of having 

 been inftrumental in this maflacre, becaufe rhey were the only chriftians 

 excepted out of it. What is certain is, that they alone, of all chriftians, 

 are permitted to trade thither to this day, although indeed they are fo 

 very ftridly watched, that it is faid their guns, tackle, rudders, &c. are 

 brought on iliore as foon as they ai'rive, ever iince the year 1640, that 

 they landed fome cannon and aurmunition in a private manner, and" 

 had, it feems, actually begun to erect a fort, under the colour of its be- 

 ing only a large warehoule ; which d'.li ;n, however, the Japanele dif- 

 covered in good time. Since then, the Dutch commerce to Japan is 

 faid not to be near fo gainful as before, being only what they call in In- 



* Tlie following palTage from the Journal of ' forfeit all his goods, farms, and Icafcs to the ufe, 



King Edward VI is -well worthy of attention. — ' one half of the finder, the other ha i of the king ; 



' '55°' September 22. A proclamation was fet ' whofo brought not in corn to the market as he 



' forth, by the which it was commanded, I. That ' was appointed, ihould forfeit Lio, except the 



' no kind of viftual, no wax, tallow, candles, nor no ' pntvtyors took it up, or it were fold to his 



* fuch thing (honld be canied over, except to Ca- ' neighbours.' 



' Jais, putting in fureties to go thither. 2. That It turiier appeals from the fame Journal, that 



' no man fliould buy or lell the fame things again, on the 15th oi October 1550, piices were fet bv 



' except broakers, who fhould not hare more than authority of government on corn, buttci, poultry, 



' 10 quarters of grain at once. 3. That all par- &c. ; and that letters were feiit on the 20th of 



' ties ihouid divide themfelves into hundreds, rapes, November to the gentlLvr.en of every fhire, dcfir- 



' and wapentakes, to look in their quartei'S what ing them to enforce obedience to the proclama- 



' fupcrfluous corn were in every barn, and appoint tion tor biinging provifious to markets. But the 



' it to be fold at a reafonable price. Alfo, that anfwers to thoie letters rtprtlcnted that it would 



' one of tlieni mull be in every market to fee the be impufuble to compel! the people to fell their 



' corn bought. Furthermore, whoever fhipped goods for liie ba(e money then in circulation, 



' over anything aforefaid to the parts beyond lea, (fee the tabic ot ironey in the appendix. No. II) 



' or Scotland, after eight days following the pub- and the proclamation was annulled by a fubfe- 



' licaiion of the ptocliimation, {liould forfeit his quent one of the 29th of November. Such mull 



' ihip and the ware therein, half to the lord of the ever be the late of auy attempt to force the people 



' franchize, and half to the finder thereof; whoio to fell their goods without a fatisf:id.ory price; for 



■* bought to fell again after the day aforefaid, (hould people are never nviii'wg to be robbed. A'l. 



O 2 



