Extract from Saris’s Log, 30th July 1613

In which Saris is witness to more gruesome scenes and also a tricky extrication with some Spanish acquaintances of William Adams…

The Clove
The Clove

“In the morninge one of the younge kinges governours, was by his order cutt in peeces in the streete for beinge (as it was thought) too familier with his mother, a slave of his died with him, for indeavouringe to defend his master.

This daie there came to Firando certen Spaniardes of Mr Adames his acquaintance, to desire passage in our shipp to Bantam. These Spaniardes had bene belonginge to a spanish gentleman theire Generall, whoe about a yeare past, were come (vppon the kinge of Spaines charge) from Noua Hispania, to discover to the N.wardes of Iapan, and ariving at Edoo, attending Monson, to goe to the N.ward, which beginneth in the ende of Maye, his Companie (whereof these were two) mutined against him, everie man takinge his own waie, leavinge the shipp vtterlie vnmanned, wherefore I thought it best to keep them out of my shipp.” (pp. 168 – 169)

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