Japan.] 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



517 



" The Japanese having thus, as they suppose, entirely disarmed us, the 

 next thing they take in hand is to muster the men, which is done every day 

 on hoard, both morning and evening, when the vessel is discharging or taking 

 in her lading. Each time the number of men that are gone on shore, is set 

 down very accurately, as well as the number of the sick, and the number of 

 those that remain on board. 



" On all those days, when any thing is carried on board, or taken out 

 of the ship, the banjoses, the interpreters, clerks, and searchers are on board 

 till the evening, when they all go on shore together, and leave the Europeans 

 on board to themselves. On such occasions, the flag on board the ship is 

 always hoisted, as well as that on the factory ; and when two ships arrive 

 here safe, business is transacted on board one or the other of them, by turns, 

 every day. The ship's long-boat and pinnace were also taken into the care 

 of the Japanese, so that both the people and the merchandise are carried to 

 and from the ship by the Japanese. To prevent the Dutch coming from the 

 ship, or the Japanese from going to it, and trafficking, especially under cover 

 of the night, and when no Japanese officers are cm board, several large guard- 

 vessels are placed round the ship, and at some distance from it ; and besides 

 this, there are several small boats ordered to row every hour- in the night 

 round the ship, and very near it. 



** A great number of labourers were ordered to attend to the discharge 

 and loading of the boats, and bringing them to and from the ship, others 

 being set as inspectors over them. The Dutch formerly took the lilverty to 

 punish and correct with blows these day-labourers, who were of the lowest 

 class of people; but at present this procedure is absolutely, and under 

 the severest penalties, forbidden by the Government, as bringing a disgrace 

 upon the nation. 



44 When an European goes to or from the ship, either with or without 

 any baggage, an officer is always attending with a permit, on which his name 

 is written, his watch marked down, &c. 



" On those days when there is nothing done towards discharging or 

 loading the ship, no Japanese officers, nor any other Japanese, come on 

 board, neither do any of the Dutch themselves go to or from the ship on 

 such days. The gate of the island also, towards the water-side, is locked at 

 this time. Should an urgent occasion require any of the officers to come on 

 board of the ship, such as the Captain or the surgeon, which is signified by 

 the hoisting of a flag, in such case leave must be first obtained from the 

 Governor of the town ; and should this be granted, still the gate towards the 

 sea-shore is not opened, but the person to whom leave is granted, is con- 



