ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[Japan. 



It may not be superfluous to insert an account of the mode in which 

 the Dutch conduct their commerce with Japan, as given by the accurate 

 Thunberg, who visited Japan in 1775: — 



<£ On anchoring at the entrance of the harbour, all the prayer-books 

 and Bibles belonging to the sailors were collected, and put into a chest, which 

 was nailed down. This chest was afterwards left under the care of the 

 Japanese, till the time of our departure, when every one received his book 

 again. This is done with a view to prevent the introduction of Christian or 

 Roman Catholic books into the country. 



" A muster-roll of the ship's company, consisting of about 110 men and 

 34 slaves, was made out, mentioning the age of every individual, which roll 

 was given to the Japanese. The birth-place of each individual was not 

 marked in the list, as they were all supposed to be Dutchmen, although 

 many of them were Swedes, Danes, Germans, Portuguese, and Spaniards. 

 According to this muster-roll, the whole ship's company is mustered im- 

 mediately on the arrival of the Japanese, and afterwards every morning and 

 evening of such days as the ship is either discharging or taking in her cargo, 

 and when there is any intercourse between the ship and the factory. By 

 these precautions the Japanese are assured that no one can either get away 

 without tlietr knowledge, or remain in the factory without their leave. 



"As soon as we bad anchored in tbe harbour, and saluted the town of 

 Nangasacki, there came immediately on board two Japanese superior officers 

 (banjoses) and some subaltern officers, as also the interpreters and their 

 attendants. The business of these banjoses was, during the whole time of 

 our ship's lying in the road, to take care that all the wares, and the people 

 that went on shore, or came on board, were strictly searched ; to receive 

 orders from the Governor of the town ; to sign all passports and papers which 

 accompanied the merchandise, people, Sic. 



" After having several times fired our cannon, in saluting the Imperial 

 guards, and on the arrival and departure of the Dutch principal officers, we 

 were obliged to commit to the care of the Japanese the remainder of our 

 powder, as also our ball, our weapons, and the above-mentioned chest full of 

 books. For this purpose were delivered in a certain quantity of powder, 

 six barrels full of ball, six muskets, and six bayonets, which we made them 

 believe were all the ammunition we had remaining. All these articles are 

 put into a storehouse till the ship leaves the road, when they are faithfully 

 restored by the Japanese. They have of late years had the sense to leave 

 the rudders of our ships untouched, and the sails and cannon on board. They 

 were likewise weary of the trouble with which the fetching them back was 

 attended, and which was by no means inconsiderable. 



