506 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, peror of China, renewed overtures of protection ; and the embassy 
which he sent to the court of Tsay-tou acquitted itself so creditably, 
May, that the offer was accepted. The kinss of the other districts of Loo 
1827 ^ ^ 
Choo were no sooner apprised of the conduct of Tsay-tou, than they 
also put themselves under the protection of China ; and thus Loo Choo 
once more became tributary to the Celestial Empire. 
The Emperor Hong-vou was so much pleased with this conduct of 
the kings of Loo Choo, that he sent them large presents of iron, porce- 
lain, and other articles which he knew to be scarce in their dominions ; 
and also settled in the middle province thirty-six families from Fo- 
chien, who established themselves at a place called Kumi, a little to 
the northward of Napa-kiang. These people introduced into Loo 
Choo the Chinese written character, and ceremonies in honour of Con- 
fucius. On the other hand, the kings of Loo Choo sent several youths 
to Pekin, among whom w'ere the sons and brothers of Tsay-tou, who 
were educated and brought up at the expense of the emperor. 
The best understanding now existed between the kings of Loo 
Choo and the court of China ; and while the emperor was receiving 
ambassadors from Loo Choo, that country had the satisfaction of seeing 
several islands to the northw^ard and southward of its own position 
added to its dominions. On the death of Tsay-tou, which happened in 
1396, his son Au-ning was installed king by the emperor in the place 
of his father. He reigned ten years, and was succeeded by his son 
Is-tchao. The reigns of these two princes were not distinguished by 
any remarkable events ; but that of their successor, Chang-patche, will 
ever be remembered by the Loo Chooans from the advantageous union 
of the three provinces, which for nearly a century had been agitated 
by a continued state of warfare ; and from the estimation in which the 
king of the island w^as held by Suent-song, then Emperor of China, who 
made him large presents of silver, and bestowed upon him the title of 
Chang, which has ever since been the patronymic of the royal family 
of Loo Choo. 
The three following reigns present no occurrences worthy of notice. 
In 1454, Chang-tai-kieou ascended the throne amidst difficulties and 
disaffection. His ambitious brother disputed the elevated rank he had 
