An embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham, Emperor of China deliver'd by their excellencies, Peter de Goyer and Jacob de Keyzer, at his imperial city of Peking : wherein the cities, towns, villages, ports, rivers, &c. in their passages from Canton to Peking are ingeniously describ'd / by Mr. John Nieuhoff ... ; also an epistle of Father John Adams their antagonist, concerning the whole negotiation ; with an appendix of several remarks taken out of Father Athanasius Kircher ; English'd, and set forth with their several sculptures, by John Ogilby Esq. ...

A NARRATIVE OF THE SUCCESS OF AN EMBASSAGE SENT BY Iohn Maatzuyker de Badem, GENERAL OF BATAVIA UNTO THE EMPEROR OF China and Tartary, The 20^th of Iuly 1655. Soliciting a Licence of Trade in the Ports of his Empire.

Dedicated to Antonio de Camera, Captain-General of the City of The Name of God, with the Magistrates thereof.

Written by a Iesuit in those Parts.

THREE things have I earnestly coverted ever since my first arrival in China, and frequently have implor'd them from Heaven: The first is, Union and Con∣cord among Christian Princes. The second, that I might live to see our native Country of Portugal Go∣vern'd by a natural King. The third, that I might also see before my departure hence, those Countries which the Hollanders have Conquer'd from us, reco∣ver'd out of their Hands. From the Object of these my Desires it will be easie to understand the Motive from whence they proceed, which is no other than to remove the Obstacles, and make the Way plain to the present Maintenance and farther Propagation of the Roman Catholick Faith.

Thus in the Year 1648. being newly deliver'd from that Imprisonment,

Famine, and other Calamities, which I endur'd within the Province of Sien∣chuen, under the Tyrant which there Rebell'd, I came to the Port at Peking, and was there encountred with the news of our new, or rather our old King (for he cannot cease to be a King, who continues such in his Subjects Breasts, and was always one by Birth-right) like a new Sun rising in the West in Lisbon: which although it came to pass contrary to the Laws of neighbor Kings, yet no ways contrariant to the Laws of Nature. I say, when I heard this News, it caus'd such a Iubilee to my Soul, and Ioy to my Heart, and rais'd in me such great hopes of spreading the Christian Religion, as I could then only feel with∣in my self, and am not able to express; being moreover satisfi'd, that our new King, and his glorious Atchievements in Brasile did promise no less in these Eastern Countries. May the Lord accomplish these Desires, and grant the happy End that my Heart longs for.

But that GOD might either shew us our Sins, which have so justly deserv'd Punishment; or that he might manifest the Bowels of his Mercy and singular Providence which he hath over his People, especially the Holy Catholick City of Maccow; he hath permitted the Hollanders to become her Rivals in this Em∣pire, and to Court it for their Establishment, Alliance, and Commerce with it. This indeed did rebate the edge of our Minds, and reduce your Favor to more remiss degrees, though not wholly extinguish it: for four of us, Bre∣thren of the Society of IESUS, then living at Court, resuming our Courage with blooming Hopes, resolv'd to leave no Medium unessay'd to overthrow those Hollanders Designs, and with all Diligence and Vigilancy to vacuate their Undertakings.

What Success the Hollanders had in their first Expedition to Canton many years past, I have already written to your Lordships; therefore I shall only meddle with the second Encounter, and by how much fiercer that was with an Enemy furnish'd with all the Habiliments of War, to wit, Plenty of Gold and Silver, the most prevailing Weapons for the conquering of Countries and Great Ones; and of all other Rarities adapted to satisfie both Covetousness and Curiosity, as the most powerful Engines against such Soldiers; by so much was our Conflict more grievous, and consequently the Victory more glorious: so hath it many things worthy to be publish'd. The Lord grant (for it hath ever been my faithful Petition to him, and may your Lordships make it yours, with your whole trust in him) that as your Lordships and my self also at a great distance have beheld with our Eyes the Hope of my second Desire fulfill'd (for we have seen the Desire of all Nations, our King, our Fa∣ther) so you may see the first and third part of my Wishes, to the Glory of God, the Honor of the Crown of Portugal, and the increase of Christianity.

Access to Canton being precluded to the Hollanders at their first Attempt, and Trade deny'd them, those Reguli which Rule that Province, allur'd with the hopes of that extraordinary Gain they expected to make by Commerce with the Dutch, Counsell'd them to return on a second Embassage, which they ac∣cordingly entred upon the 20^th of Iuly 1655. and arriv'd in Canton the fifth of September the same Year, where from those Reguli they had a very friendly Re∣ception; but because they could obtain no Audience above to their first Mes∣sage, they were fearful to proffer a second, lest the King and Council should suspect it to arise only from the hopes of their own Advantage and Self-inte∣rest; they therefore so wrought with the Vice-Roy of Canton, that he should send this second Memorial of their Desires, which, accompanied with many

Commendatory Letters to Courtiers, and strengthned a world of large Pro∣mises, came at length to Peking, about the Year 1655. and presently, no man opposing, it was decreed, That twenty Hollanders (to wit, two Captains, and eighteen others) should repair to the Court, where they were promis'd a con∣venient House, with many other Kindnesses; and that after their appearance, their Business should be transacted according to the Customs and Laws of the Realm.

Fifteen days after this Memorial came to the Court, we had notice of it, when Padrie Lodouicus Ballionies, and my self, immediately entred the Lists, and searched after all means possible to hinder the Hollanders access to the Court. We consulted with our Friends, both Christians and Heathens, who were all of opinion, that it was impossible for this time, (at least without vast Bribes) be∣cause those Reguli of Canton had corrupted the Great Mandorins, and open'd all the Dooas of the Court unto them.

Notwithstanding all this Zeal for the Publick Good, the Progress of Christi∣anity, the Love of our Country, and especially of this noble City (to which we allow so much) did invite, yea, compel us to an Undertaking, the accomplish∣ment of which seem'd impossible to all Men. By the Mediation of a certain Christian, of no contemptible Condition and Authority, we first compass'd to speak with one of these Mandorins, which the Chineses call Colli, and we may style The Master of Requests, whose Office is to acquaint the Emperor with the Misdemeanors of the whole Empire, and particularly with the Exorbitances of the Mandorins: He at our first Address readily undertook the Business, and seem'd to promise himself an happy issue of it. Hereupon we deliver'd him certain Heads to frame a Petition, of which he accepted; but a few days being pass'd, when we thought he had made some progress in the Business, he comes to the Christian before-mention'd, and thus excuses himself: Sir, if those Padrees who are Strangers be ignorant, yet you who are Natives must be acquainted with the man∣ner of doing Business in this Court, to wit, That whose Petitions either I, or any other in the same Office with me, do exhibit, proceeds always from these two Reasons; either that we may avenge our selves of our Enemies, or that we are hir'd to it by some great Reward from him in whose Name the Petition runs: Now I have receiv'd no Injury from the Hol∣landers to be aveng'd of, nor any Gratuity from those Padrees, that I should thrust my my self into so much difficulty and danger for them. This Man therefore we left, and apply'd our selves to anther, who plainly told us, That if we would give him two hundred Tays, he would plight his Faith to deliver our Petition, with whatever Arti∣cles we should insert, only he would not oblige himself that the Emperor should approve of them; but if we would give him six hundred Tays more, he would be bound they should be granted; and in case they were not, he would repay the whole Eight hundred Tays.

Considering the weightiness of the Mattir, and the Liberty which your Lordships gave us in your Letters, to undertake for any Sum of Money that we found necessary to effect this Business, with your Engagement that the City of Maccow should make good the Payment, we promis'd him the whole Sum: ••nd upon the rehearsed Conditions, before the Petition should be deliver'd ••according to this Country Custom) this Master of Requests would see the whole Sum of Money ready, and also receve some certain Tayes beforehand, as a Pledge and Earnest of the whole; which being impossible for us to do, he even excus'd himself as the former had done, and so forsook us: but we in∣sisted, and in stead of ready Money, which we wanted, produc'd two rich Vests that the Emperor had bestow'd upon us, and we had carefull preserv'd by us,

but never worn, because it was the Emperor's Gift to us, and that they were unsuitable to our Poverty and Religious Habit: These he accepted for a hun∣dred and fifty Tays of the Sum agreed on, with all the symptomes of a great Satisfaction; and really great was our Content, because we now seem'd to have laid a sure Foundation for that Work we so earnestly desir'd to finish. When lo this same Mandorin, we know not by what means, came to discover, or at least to suspect, the Vest to have been the Emperor's Gift unto us, which was an Argument sufficient for him to decline our Business, alledging not only, That he was not so barbarous to receive or wear them, but also, That it was unworthy in us to slight the Vests which had been Presented us by the Emperor, and therefore we might go look some other Person for our Business, which on such Terms he would not touch with his little Finger. Nor is this Answer any matter of wonder to any that are acquainted with the Dispositi∣ons of those Chineses; for so timerous are they in any thing relating to their Emperor, or rather so superstitious, that beyond all comparison they do more dread him than they do God or his Temple: But this fear and lowness is but external, in reference to their Hands, and where their want of Power forbids to do more; but if you respect their Hearts, there is no Chinese, especially of the Learned sort of ingenious and liberal Education, who is not a very Prince and carries not in his Plebeian Breast the Pride of the greatest Monarch. And this is the Source and Fountain whence such frequent Dissentions spring up among them, and the Cause of their often Changes. But this is a Digression, let us return.

Our Affliction and Trouble was not small, to see our Hopes thus plung'd; whereon, besides the many Sacrifices of the Mass which we offer'd to God, we appointed also some particular Devotions daily for this purpose. Our next Application was to all Princes and Noble-men, whom either we could take any occasion to visit, or who took any occasion to visit us (for no day pass'd wherein several Persons came not to adore the Holy Image, and to view our new Church and Habitation, which the Emperor had bestow'd upon us) these we spar'd not to acquaint with the villanous and perfidious Disposition of the Hollanders, with their Apostacy from their ancient profess'd Religion, and Re∣bellion against their lawful Soveraign; as also their Attempt upon the City of Maccow some years past, where they were repell'd, and indeed cut off by the brave Inhabitants, few in number, but mighty in Courage and Unanimity; whereunto we thought fit to add, That after their Repulse from Maccow, they made an Invasion upon some part of the Province of Fokien, and also seconded that with a forcible Seizure of an Island lying in that Sea, belonging to the Chineses, and by them call'd Taiwan, (but by us nam'd Formosa) where they had erected Warlike Forts, and where they had in no longer space than two or three years, murder'd more than three thousand Persons of the Chineses, some the ancient Inhabitants of the Island, and some Merchants of the Province of Fockin and Checkin, pass'd thither with their Merchandize: And it appear'd in the Records of their Iudicial Proceedings, that during the last King's Reign, thirteen of those Hollanders which chanc'd to be taken Prisoners upon the Coast of Fockin, being brought to the Court, were all there Condemn'd, and accor∣dingly Executed. In like manner we continu'd to alledge, That under the pre∣tence of Trade they had been admitted Footing upon the Island of Iava; that notwithstanding that King, weary of their Neighborhood, had a long time cut off all Relief of Provisions going to them from all parts of his Territories,

and sometimes Besieg'd them with puissant and numerous Armies, yet could he never prevail to turn them out of their Possessions, from whence he might at first easily have kept them: Nor was the Bond of any League strong enough to tie these Universal Robbers from offering, or to secure any of their Allies from suffering Injuries by them, who thought the Sea only their single due, ex∣cluding all others from any Right to it; and therefore never made distinction between Friend or Foe, when any Ship fell into their Hands they were able to master, as if Neptune had granted to them the only Patent of the Ocean. And upon all this we inferr'd, That to admit these Men the Exercise of a Free-Trade in China, besides the domestick Perils and Mischiefs it would contract, were likewise to condemn and scandalize all other Christian Princes and Rulers, when they should see the great Potentate of the World, embracing in the Bo∣som of his Country the Arch-Pyrates of all Seas, whom all other Principali∣ties did shun, as the most pernicious Danger in their Dominions; But here I omit, that all the Chief Persons about the Emperor admir'd at the Impudence of these Hollanders Undertakings, and astonishment at the Carelesness and Se∣curity of those Persons who were in Places of Trust in this Empire, or (more truly) at their Corruption, in letting such a kind of People have access into their Country. One amongst the Great Tartars, a Man of a precipitate Zeal, was so transported upon our Relation, that he cry'd out, 'Twere fit the Emperor did immediately command them to be Hang'd, as publick Thieves and Rebels to Mankind, to be sure to deter them from the like Attempts for the future: To whom we answer'd, That such a Course would be too rigorous and unjust, because they ought to enjoy the Privi∣leges and Immunity of Ambassadors; and since they had committed themselves to the Empe∣ror's Faith, were by all means to be preserv'd from Violence: 'twould better become the Emperor to shew them Grace and Favor, as to Strangers, especially since they had brought rich Presents, and to dismiss them peaceably to their Ships, only to be certain to grant them nothing they came for, so to discourage their Return. More moderate and wise was the Behavior of an Eunuch of the Emperor's, a great Councellor, who when he had heard our Character of the Dutch, said, Although they are a despicable sort of People, it were ignoble to Treat them ill; rather the Emperor should return them Presents, and dispatch them for their own Country, with a strict Order never to return to this. Our Report had soon spread it self so far within and without the Palace, that at length it came to their Ear who had the management of the Hollanders Business, and from thence to the Dutch themselves, who sent a Messenger to desire us to forbear exasperating these People against them, as Thieves and Vagrants, it being an Injury they could not bear: but before I give an Account of them here, something of their coming hither.

The Memorial from the Vice-Roy of Canton (as we have said) coming be∣fore, it was so contriv'd, that the Hollanders accompanied with Mandorins, and some Interpreters, beside a great company of the Vice-Roys People, who gave them Attendance and great Honor upon the Way, follow'd to the Court of Peking, where they arriv'd the 17. of Iuly 1656. and (to confess the truth) had they given as ample testimony in their Travels of their being Catholicks, at least Christians, as they did of their Munificence, and being Europeans, they had highly deserv'd every Man's Affection, and the Titles of Governors and Noble Per∣sons; for to all the Reguli, Nobles, and Mandorins which they met in their Way, and the Cities they pass'd through, their Presents were very rich and no∣ble, their Gifts very liberal, even to the meanest of the People, who brought them but a Coal of Fire to light their Tobacco, or did any such small Office;

whereby they purchas'd the Hearts of the Chineses, who unacquainted with such Silver Showers, thought they could never sufficiently admire and extol them.

That these Dutch prov'd not Catholicks is no great wonder, but that they should not appear Christians, was a great Infidelity and a grand Scandal. In a City through which they pass'd in their Iourney towards the Court, and where I Lodg'd in my going thence to Maccoa, a Father residing in a Church there, together with many other scandaliz'd Christians, told me, That the Dutch had there given to the Bonzians forty Tays towards the building of a Temple for their Prophane and Diabolical Sacrifices; which I endeavor'd to excuse, by alledging, That doubtless they gave it to some other end, but that the Chi∣nese Interpreter had taken the advantage thus to turn it, that thereby they might endear the Affections of the People (as is customary in that Country) at the Cost of Strangers: but if they did really what the same Father and those Chri∣stiuns related to me, it is manifest how much their Policy savors of Atheism; but however, if in this I have pleaded their Favor, yet for their Eating Flesh on Fridays and Saturdays I cannot do it, because it was a grievous Scandal to all the Christians here; but these are the Fruits of that Evil and Infernal Tree, Heresie, to wit, Scandal of the Brethren, Remissness in all Catholick and Christian Duties, Doubtings in Matters of Faith, Evil report of the Holy Law, and Schism in the Union of the Church; for these young Buds and tender Blossoms are not able to endure such blasting Winds, and nipping of Frosts: it is so far from entring into their Hearts, that an European Christian should err in matter of Faith, that they hardly believe he can fail in the Observation of any of the Laws of God: nor have an Affront to proffer at it, since 'tis impossible to ex∣cuse that next to be related. Amongst other curious and precious Gifts (a List whereof you have at the end of this Relation) they gave several Corral and Amber Beads, as well to the Queen-Mother, as to the King himself and his Royal Consort, and amongst these (as an Eunuch who receives and lays up all Presents in the Royal Treasure told me) there was the Image of the Child Iesus, our Lord and Savior, most admirably wrought in Amber; whereof since there is no particular mention among the Catalogue of the Presents, doubtless they included it among those several Pieces of Amber appointed for the King. My purpose here is not to Dispute, but to give a Narrative, there∣fore I shall only say, That it is an Infernal Policy of that Nation to accuse us for using Beads, and worshipping of Images, as Superstition and Idolatry; yet by the same in way of Present to make their Addresses to so Great and Emi∣nent Persons; intimating what they would (as to Religion) trample under their Feet, to be a part of their own Divine Worship.

About a years space before the Hollanders arriv'd at Court, came two of their Men, one a Chinese of Canton, the other an Interpreter, whether of Maccoa or no we cannot tell, because we would never visit either them or the Hollanders, though they much desir'd it; therefore these two espying Father Lodowick Ba∣lion, through inadvertency passing by their Door, call'd after him very earnestly, twice repeating Father, Father; but he kept on, as though he had neither heard nor seen them; and thenceforward we were more careful to avoid all passage near their House; for if no other Inconvenience arise from visiting them, yet it had been a kind of Contradiction to those Report which we made here to all People of them.

Now although we knew that these two had corrupted many Great Men

about the Court, and particularly a Tartar, the chief of these Coly (as they call them) President of the Tribunal of Hospitality (somewhat like our Master of the Ceremonies) whose Office is to receive Strangers, and to Negotiate their Business for them; yet we resolv'd not to be discourag'd, but rather taking the greater magnanimity, and trusting in Almighty God, who sometimes permits Difficulties to appear insupportable by Humane Strength, that we may ascribe our happy Success to him alone, and return him all Praise and Thanks who brings all our Works to pass; with erected Spirits therefore, and our Hearts advanc'd, we accosted a famous Chinese, who is likewise President of the Tribu∣nal of Hospitality (for now all their Courts have double Chiefs and Presi∣dents in them, the one a Tartar, and the other a Chinese) earnestly requesting his favorable assistance in this Business; for knowing his Authority, in his Fa∣vor lay our greatest Hopes, and he was ever a most friendly Person to us (as he had been to the Fathers our Predecessors) and one that had a good opinion of our Books and Sciences; to whom we Presented a Book written in Chinese Characters, a Mirror or Theatre of their part of the World, wherein I shew'd him a Description of the Island adjacent to the Province of Fokien; and among them a Geographical Map of the Island of Formosa, which they vulgarly call Tywan; and so took occasion to report those Mischiefs that had befall'n that Isle since the Hollanders invaded, and to declare the imminent Danger impend∣ing not only over that Province of Fokien, but the whole Empire of China, by the vicinity of such an Enemy; particularly, that so long as the Hollanders re∣main'd upon the Island of Formosa, neither Civencheu nor Cincheu (the Names of the Cities of the Province of Fokien) could ever be secure or flourish, but would be in perpetual hazard of decay. This Mandorin was wonderfully pleas'd with the Book, and promis'd me to shew it to the Council that was to be held about the Hollanders; and withal he added this word of Consolation, That these Hollanders shall never accomplish and bring to pass their Designs here, although I well know they have Brib'd the King of Canton, and many other great Officers about the Court: for I will never suffer them to enter into China, or to be allow'd any Commerce with it: And as he promis'd, so he likewise perform'd, with other Chineses of his Party withstanding the Tartars, and anon producing the Book to them, whereunto they all gave great estimation and credit, because it was written in the Chinese Language.

At length, from the Cognizance that all Great Men took of the Hollanders, and the Fame that was spread of them, it came to pass that the Tartars shut them up, and not only deny'd them liberty to sell any thing, or to buy any Necessaries for themselves, but also prohibiting them to receive those Enter∣tainments whereunto some of the Vice-Roy of Canton's intimate Friends had invited them; nor would they suffer any Man so much as to sit down at their Door: whence the Dutch despairing of any good issue of their Negotiations, plainly disown'd their Pretence of seeking any Commerce here, and pretended their Business to be only a Congratulation of the Emperor in his new Con∣quest; which having now perform'd, with their most hearty Wishes for the continuance and increase of his Posterity, they desir'd his Majesties leave to re∣turn to their Ships and Country.

Hitherto whatever Father Lodowick Balion and my self have done to defeat the Hollanders, if it were not according to our Wishes, it was according to our Power, and by Divine Assistance it prov'd sufficient in our laying open the Qualities of this Nation, to alienate the Affections of the Chineses from them,

and of many Tartars too, who before stood at the most but in a Neutrality, and to the striking some terror in those who had been corrupted by their Bribes: I say, That by Divine Assistance it prov'd sufficient; for without that it had been impossible for us to have advanc'd one step in a Business of this nature, as well for the vast Gifts and Presents, whereby they had gain'd upon Men whom they had found capable of furthering their Design; as for the contrary, Penury on our side, which lost us many Advantages that we could otherwise have taken: for at Peking, as at old Rome, all things are bought and sold.

We went often to the old Church, to confer with Father Iohn Adam about this Matter, and to animate him to acquaint the Emperor with it (for he had frequent access to the Emperor's Ear) I say, to animate him, not that he wanted either courage or good will, but because (as I have formerly written unto your Lordships) all Matters of great moment are entirely acted in the Tribu∣nals, from whence alone the Emperor is to be inform'd of the Administrations of his Empire, whereto he commonly conforms himself; yea, sometimes (if he would) he cannot alter the Determinations and Decrees of the sixth Tribu∣nal, who are become the Supreme Legislators of that Empire. When home∣bred and domestick Business of the Country is in question, and whereof the Emperor hath any knowledge, though it be but small, they commonly make their Addresses to his Majesty about it; but of Forein Business he hath no knowledge at all till they have finish'd it. Nor was it a thing of little danger to move the Emperor in, lest they who favor'd the Hollanders might be pro∣vok'd to plead, that what Father Iohn and we did, proceeded meerly from Envy and Covetousness to defame the Hollanders, because we would ingross the Trade of Canton in the Hands of the Portuguese, excluding all other Nations, who probably might be more advantageous to this Empire: Yet notwith∣standing all which, Father Adam did adventure to speak to the Emperor, who was always highly pleas'd to favor him, and now to entertain his Motion, and for his sake to incline to our Party; and it pleas'd God so to stop the Mouths of all Gainsayers, that none durst open after. Your Lordships owe much to Father Iohn Valleat, who although he could not negotiate with any abroad out of the Palace, (as he wish'd) was yet very behoveful in his constant solicitation of Father Iohn Adam, exhorting him to improve his Interest in the Emperor about our Business, and suggesting many Reasons to him of its feasibleness; and what he did herein, we have extracted out of an Epistle from him to Fa∣ther Visidore, as followeth:

THe twelfth of this present February I was with the Emperor, who be∣ing pleas'd (according to his wont) to honor me with familiar Dis∣course, among other Subjects, he fell upon the Hollanders; which gave me occasion to represent them in their proper Colours, and particularly to ad∣monish the Emperor of that great Lye, wherewith they had arm'd them∣selves upon their coming hither, in the poud boasting of their large Domi∣nions, as if they had been legal and ancient Owners of great Territories, when they, the truth is, were but violent Possessors of a small part of a Country, which they at first had traiterously usurp'd, and since rebelliously defended from their lawful Soveraign; and thereupon became Vagabonds upon the Sea, there seeking Rapine from all People to furnish themselves for maintenance of their Rebellion at home. Whereto his Majesty express'd his

credit, by telling me, That two years since, upon their Proffer at it, he had deny'd them Entrance into his Country, and that he knew not how they had now obtain'd it; signifying, that 'twas either through negligence, or sur∣reptitious dealing in his Officers; which I interpreted to him to be the Bri∣bing those of Canton: however, since there was a Licence sent for their co∣ming to Court, the best was to admit them, because it would seem light now to revoke it; only he should be cautious how he granted them any Com∣merce in his Country; for wheresoever they once got footing, they immedi∣ately so fortifi'd themselves, that there was then no expulsion of them, nor preserving the adjacent Parts from being infested with them. The Emperor was very well pleas'd at my Information, and said it should be remembred in its proper Season. A few days after their arrival here, I was Summon'd by the Mandorins to be present in the Tribunal, in the Hearing and Debating the Hollanders Proposals, and to give my Iudgment upon them: At their appearing there were twenty of them, the two chief being Peter de Goyer, and Iacob de Keyser, whom the Tartars call'd Compim, that is Captain, and shew'd them a fair Respect: they Saluted me very civilly after the European fashion, calling me by my Name, which they had learn'd in Canton or Couchinchina. Here they presently produc'd many Boxes and Fardels, which they open'd before the Mandorins and Tartars, and took out their Contents; but being ask'd concerning every Species, whether it were of Holland or any other Country, either because I was present, or to justifie themselves by the truth, they open∣ly acknowledg'd of what Place every Particular was; so that all things be∣ing seen and Examin'd, scarce one of ten was found to be of Holland, it be∣ing easie to perceive they were most of them Indian Commodities; yea, the Cloth, which they pretended to be made in Holland, and whereof they had a hundred Pieces, was really no other than Indian Bafta's: Then Demand being made of the length of the Voyage from thence hither, they said it did require sixteen Months, affixing the time spent in Sailing from Place to Place where they gather'd up Goods. All the Friends and Servants of the Kings of Canton were diligent Attendants unto the Dutch, perpetually prai∣sing and extolling them, and proclaiming the great Benefit which the Mando∣rins would receive by Commerce with these Men; by which it was appa∣rent, that those of Canton had undertaken the management of this Embassy, which they perform'd with all their Power, as if it had been their own pro∣per Business: At length they flock'd about me, to hear what I would say; and I thus deliver'd my self in the Chinese Language: Most certain it is, that these Hollanders are Europeans, who have now no King to Govern them, because they have cast him off; they have one only Prince that Commands their Armies, and he who Commands now is a Child about six years old, nor is it he who sends them hither; but, as they confess, by the Advice and Counsel of their Mandorins, they came first into India, and afterwards into China: The Traffick they bring with them is for the most part (that I say not all) of the Growth of other Countries, and not their own. But as I intended to have proceeded, a Messenger coming for me from the Emperor, I was forc'd to break off, only adding, That my Native Country was near theirs, so that I very well knew their Manners, and understood their Language, whereby I had discover'd from them, that in the Schedule which they deliver'd to the Mandorins, and in the Memorial to the Emperor, they had made a far different Relation from what they now have, had I been either absent, or ignorant of them: And though they found one President acting much in favor of them, yet seeing me sit near him, they suppos'd me to

have some Authority in the Court, which made them to forbear so much; and when I arose to go out, they all stood up, and the two Captains proffer'd me their utmost Service.

When I came to the Emperor, the first Observation I made to him, was the Calculation of the time of the Hollanders Travels; for being demanded, Whence they came to this Employment? they answer'd, From Holland, for a second Experiment of that Success whereof they had fail'd two years since. They had confess'd sixteen Months for their Voyage from Holland to China, and allowing other sixteen Months for their Passage from China to Holland, therein were thirty two Months for their Passage forward and backward; whereto adding eight Months, which have been spent between their arrival at Canton and this Court, the whole amounts to forty Months, whereby it is manifest, that they could not go hence home, and there wait for a Commis∣sion and Presents, to return hither with them, and all in the space of two years, as had been pretended; so that by this Lye the Emperor might judge what credit was to be given them in other Matters. The Emperor was somewhat amaz'd at this Argument; but approaching near, as if I had some Secret to whisper to him, I alledg'd a second, which much more astonish'd him, thus: If these People get footing in any Place, upon pretence of Com∣merce, immediately they raise Fortresses, and plant Guns. (wherein they are most expert) and so appropriate a Title to their Possessions. I admire how they come to be led through the Emperor's High-ways between Canton and this Court, and to be suffer'd to view all Places which may be most advan∣tageous to them: for supposing they have a Design to Invade the Kingdom of Cayo, if they come to that Island which is call'd The Golden Mountain, stand∣ing in the middle of the great River, where it empties it self into the Sea, and should there build a Castle, they would Command that Passage, and be capable of all Supplies from Sea, in despite of this whole Country: and thereabouts are four great Cities, which who could preserve from their In∣cursions, if they should Settle themselves upon the aforesaid Place, which they would be able to defend with a hundred Men, though it would put your Majesty to the Charge of keeping two or three thousand Men in Pay to at∣tend their Motions? and the like danger there would be in what Place so∣ever should be allotted them for Abode. Let not the Emperor take it ill that I do thus freely declare the sense of the Danger I apprehend him to be in; for I stand before my bounteous Lord and Master, to whom I am oblig'd to declare any thing that may prevent his ill, the fear whereof breeds no little anxiety in my Heart. The Emperor stood musing for a small space, and then signifi'd his clear apprehension of what I deliver'd, and presently ask'd me if the Muscovites were of the same Temper? whereto I answer'd quite contrary, That they were a very faithful and just People, one only Ex∣ception Law allow'd, which therefore they do not so perfectly observe as they ought; but they are Govern'd by a potent Prince, who could have no other Design in his Embassy hither, but a meer Congratulation of the Em∣peror's fortunate Conquest of this Empire, and happy Inauguration in the Throne: but because they understand not this Language, nor have any In∣terpreter careful of their Business, they are left as Men forlorn; it would be therefore like the Emperor's wonted Goodness, though here are but two of that Nation, seeing you have receiv'd their Message and Present, to do them some Honor, and with other Gifts to return them in Peace and Amity to their ow•• Country. The Emperor was pleas'd to approve whatever I

said, so that I thought it needless to press any thing farther; God grant he may be mindful (as I have already found him) of what I have now urg'd to him, as well as what I mov'd about the Hollanders some Months since. At length the Emperor commanded a Table to be furnish'd for me, and the chief Eunuch of the Palace to accompany me, and so withdrew.

Certain it is, that three thousand Tays were sufficient to make a Present to the Emperor, more acceptable than all the Dutch have brought, thereby to confirm the Emperor's Favor to us, and interclude all Ways to these Here∣ticks; but we are at too great a distance from Maccoa, to acquaint them with these Passages, and probably we might not be heard; nevertheless I assure your Reverend Fatherhood, that as far as my Power will extend, I will spare neither Art nor Labor to paint out these Hollanders in their true and native Colours. To do this Work now by the Hands of Subjects, seems very dif∣ficult unto me: insomuch that a thousand, now the Enemy by his Bribes has possess'd so many Hearts, would scarce do what a hundred would for∣merly have done; however, I trust in God, the Ruler of all Hearts, and hope in the Goodness and Favor of the Emperor, that as he hath been pleas'd to hearken unto me in other things, so he would vouchsafe me equal Grace in this present Business.

The first of August some Mandorins belonging to the Emperor, invited the Mandorin of Canton, with a great Mandorin of another Province (who both had accompanied the Dutch to Court) unto our Colledge, whither there came that day at least a hundred Men, most of them grave and eminent Persons, my ancient Acquaintance and Friends: Among other things they told me, that the Fraternity call'd Cin a vam, had resolv'd to invite the Dutch to a Feast, but they were not permitted to stir out of their Doors, which made them despair of effecting their Design, insomuch that they had declar'd against all seeking of Trade here; and having Saluted and Congratulated the Empe∣ror, were desirous to depart homewards, only they had a very choice Pre∣sent design'd for me, but for the same reason were not able to bring it; yet they hope I will do them no Injury to the Emperor.

The sixth of August the Emperor sent for me to come to Court with speed, to co-operate with the Coli in the Hollanders Business; and as soon as I came, they shew'd me a Copy of a Decree drawn up, but not confirm'd by the Emperor, who (they said) would have me consulted in it. Upon Examina∣tion I found it run much in favor of the Dutch, praising their Nobleness and Greatness, and extolling their Worthy Labors in coming from so remote a Country, to Visit and Congratulate his Imperial Majesty; upon which Considerations this Tribunal being to deliver their Opinions to the Em∣peror concerning the Commerce which they desire with his Countries, they declar'd an unanimous propensity to it: The President ask'd me if it were with my satisfaction? I answer'd Negatively, and gave him my Rea∣sons for it, that for thousands of years past, until this time, the Empire of China having never admitted the like, it was a pregnant Argument that it was not conceiv'd safe, but very dangerous; and greater Mischiefs were to fear'd from the Hollanders upon such a Contract, than from any other Nation under the Sun. But probably the Hollanders (said I) may be your Parents and Kindred, and so come hither for your Benefit wholly; yet if their Pre∣tences be well scann'd, they will appear to be grounded upon their own Profit: They boast what great Merchants they are, and I suppose it is their

Nature, as well as Trade, to enrich themselves from the Goods of others. The Tartar President was both amaz'd and incens'd at my Answer; he was Son-in-law to one of the Vice-Roys of Canton, and durst not contradict his Father-in-law; therefore to make trial whether I would change my Sen∣tence, he appointed three Chineses of the Coli to debate the Business more pri∣vately with me; who were so far from altering my Opinion, that with great alacrity they became all of my Mind, and express'd a great deal of Ioy that I had spoke so frankly, which they not daring to do, were resolv'd to absent themselves from Court. Hereupon I urg'd boldly that the Decree might be alter'd, and the Suffrage of the Court being taken, a definitive Sen∣tence drawn up, That seeing the Emperor had receiv'd Presents from the Hollanders, he should be desir'd to remunerate them away; but Contracts with, and Access to this Court, was not according to the ancient style of this Empire. To this they were all silent, and ignorant of the reason, albeit two days after a Decree was issu'd out with some small Alterations only; which mov'd me to go to the most ancient Chinese of the Coli, to know the reason thereof: who seeing my Constancy and Resolution, desir'd me to rest satisfi'd, and said it should be Concluded, that Commerce should be de∣ny'd the Dutch, only it should be confirm'd by general Suffrage, that there might be no occasion of offence to any.

The same day came the President to visit me, to be inform'd (as he said) about the Hollanders Business: I advis'd him to be very careful what he did in it, for I had spoken privately with the Emperor, who had commanded the Coli to consult with me about it; whereby he intended nothing else, than that they should follow my Sentence in it, and not recede from it. His Re∣ply was, That he would persuade them to be content; that the Emperor should reward them only, but not grant them any liberty of Trade. Thus far was only Consultation about it, but it is now become a Conclusion; for they despair'd of the Emperor's Approbation in their Favor without my Consent, and of that they despair'd much more: In few days the Decree will be Publish'd, and possibly before Father Gabriel Magelanus's Departure, who brings these.

The Letter from the General of Batavia, to the Emperor of China, and Vice-Roy of Canton; Translated out of Dutch into Por∣tuguese by Father Iohn Adam.

THE Omnipotent God, who created the Heavens, the Earth, and whatsoever is con∣tain'd in them, hath divided the Earth into several Kingdoms, Empires, Provin∣ces, Islands, and Dominions, and hath ordain'd by his Eternal Wisdom that no one Place should be stor'd with all manner of things, but that whatsoever is either necessary for the Life, or convenient for the Ornament of Mankind, whether Production of Nature, or In∣vention of Art, should be found partly in one Country, and partly in another, Divine Provi∣dence so disposing it, that the Wants of this Land should be supply'd by that, and the Defects of that retributed by another, that so by the means of Commerce Men might enjoy Society, and the common Wants of all Nations might, by receiving mutual Relief, knit themselves to∣gether in the Bonds of Friendship: And this is the reason which mov'd our Natiön, above all others, wholly to apply and devote it felf to Trade and Commerce through the utmost Parts of the Sea; and by this means are we come to Alliance and Friendship with Kings and Rulers of most Countries neighboring on China, whereby we came to receive Intelligence

of those triumphant Victories, and glorious Conquests which Almighty God hath given your Majesty over the renowned Emperor of China, by setling and establishing your Majesty in the Throne thereof: And by this we have been stirr'd up to appear in the Presence of your Majesty, to Congratulate those glorious Atchievements, and to wish a future Happiness and Prosperity thereunto; and withal, to desire your Majesties admittance of our Ships to enter with safety into the Ports of your Dominions, and to exercise a Trade with your Subjects, as we do with those of other Countries. We hope that your Majesty will grant us this Favor, seeing it is the Decree of Divine Providence, and an universal practice amongst all Men; whereby great Profit shall accrue to your Majesties Subjects and Countries. And to the end your Majesty may receive from us the greater Security and Satisfaction about our Proposals, we have sent two ancient and honest Men, Peter de Goyer and Iacob de Keyser, to at∣tend your Majesties Person and Pleasure, to whom we trust your Majesty will give Audience, and a convenient Dispatch. And thus we pray Almighty God to grant perfect Health, and to add many happy days to your Majesties Life.

From Batavia, Iuly 20. 1655.

Governor General, Iohn Maatzuyker.

This Letter, which by the Emperor's Order was Translated verbatim out of Dutch into the Chinese Language, came at first unseal'd, and without any manner of Glorious or Majestick Title, as if he had writ to one of his familiar Friends and Equals; but the Chineses in Canton did so dress it up and adorn it, that it appear'd with great Reverence and Humility: for other∣wise and different were the Letters formerly written to the Emperor's of China when we came hither, by Maximilian Duke of Bavaria, and Ranutius Fer∣nelius Duke of Parma, as well for the Paper, Style, and Superscription, as for the magnificent Titles and Encomiums which they gave him: but what Comparison between these Princes and a few Merchants in Iava? at length the World will be undeceiv'd.

Thus far Father Adam.

The Presents they brought they divided into four Parts, the first was for the Emperor, the second for his Mother, the third for the Empress; these three had their Superscriptions: the fourth was a particular Present for the two Ambassadors. This Division was subtilly enough contriv'd, to purchase the Favor, and to insinuate into the Affections of all Parties: but though the Hollanders are sufficiently Masters of that Art, this was not their own Con∣trivance, but the Vice-Roy of Canton, who, as they did not act the Transla∣tor's part, to mend and patch the General of Batavia's Letter, but Compos'd new ones in stead thereof, so they wholly order'd and dispos'd the Presents, supposing so to manage the whole Business, that it should not be capable of denial: Nor had they miss'd their aim, had they been Catholicks; for then they had met with no Opposition. That the method and alteration in the dispo∣sure of the Presents was the Chineses Invention, appears plain enough from this one Argument: When the Master of the Ceremonies had receiv'd the Presents from the Hollanders, he ask'd them how it came to pass that such and such were for the Queens, seeing there was no mention made thereof in their General's Letter or Memorial? To which they return'd this ridiculous Answer, That after they set Sail from their Port, and were far off at Sea, they found these things in the Ship, which they knew not of before, a••d therefore they had dis∣pos'd them for their Majesties. Happy Argonautes are these, to find Silk and

Purple woven in their Ships, without their own Labor; Corral and Amber, with all manner of precious things, without their knowledge! Let no Man think their Answer false or equivocal, because haply they found them in the Ships of some Portuguese Merchants or others they met with in their Voyage; for this they ordinarily do without any scruple of Conscience, or terror of Divine Vengeance.

No Man can doubt, but a Nation so remote, which was in no case de∣pendant upon, and never heard of before in the Empire of China, coming now with the specious Pretence of being Tributaries, their Hands full of Presents, (which though they had been of ordinary Quality, and things common in China, yet might have been sufficient for the multitude of them) whereby they endeavor'd to conquer the Emperor by the Vice-Roys of Canton, corrupt the Mandorins, and above all make sure of that Chief of the Coli, Son-in-law (as I have said) to the eldest Vice-Roy of Canton, and Bribe the Tartar President of the Tribunal of Hospitality (which was not hard to fasten on so sordid and covetous a Wretch) I say no Man can doubt, but that all this did promise to the Hollanders a very prevailing Success to their Negotiations. But the Hearts of Kings are in the Hand of the Lord: but though it must be confess'd, that Gifts will do much, yet much more the devout Prayers of the Servants of God, who has been pleas'd to fortifie the Minds of the Chinese Mandorins, to weaken and unbend those of the Tartars, and so to fix the Heart of a young Emperor, that he should deny the Hollanders the Commerce they sought, and with a remarkable Ingenuity, Affability, and Prudence, make them promise their Return hither once every eight Years to pay their Tribute.

Three things there are, whereof the Hollanders have no scarcity, which had they brought, would have been powerful Advocates for them: The first is, a Harpsichord, with a skilful Player on it; the second, a Trumpeter; the third, some Engineers and Officers to Train up and Exercise Soldiers. These things the Emperor doth much long for; but our God would not suffer them to bring them, that for the future the like may be brought by our Friends, which may redound very much to the benefit of the Catholick Religion.

Lastly, May your Lordships consider, that it was a peculiar Grace of God to blind the Eyes of these Hollanders (with their great Favorers and Interpreters in Canton) that they should not put a pleasing Title to their Memorials, that thereby the Chineses taking disgust at these innovating Hereticks, might be the more closely link'd to the Catholick Portuguese.

A Catalogue of the Presents which the Hollanders brought to the Court of China.

The Presents for the Emperor.

• A Suit of Armor Emboss'd with Gold.
• Twenty three Guns of several sorts and sizes, all richly and curiously wrought.
• Six broad Swords.
• Six other Swords, Hatch'd with Gold.
• Five Chests fill'd with Cloves.
• One Chest fill'd with Nutmegs.
• Two Pieces of fine Scarlet.
• Two Pieces of Broad-Cloth.
• One Piece of Cloth, Carnation Colour.
• ...

• One Piece of green Cloth.
• Two Pieces of Skie-colour Cloth.
• Two Pieces of Popingee Cloth.
• A hundred Ells of Holland.
• Three Fardels of Flowers of divers Colours.
• Three Fardels of Cinamon.
• Twelve Quilts.
• Fifty Pounds of Amber.
• Two Pound of choice Corral.
• Two Pound of Amber Beads.
• One Branch of polish'd Corral, weighing one Pound and a half.
• Ten Parcels of Sandal.
• Three Flasks for Powder.
• A Silver Optick Tube.
• Twelve Plumes.
• Four Looking-Glasses.
• One great Looking-Glass eight-square.
• One Suit of of Tapestry Hangings.
• Six Carpets.

The Presents for the Empress.

• A large Looking-Glass.
• A little Image of Tortoise-shell.
• A Piece of of green Cloth.
• A Piece of Scarlet.
• Eight Ells of Holland.
• A Piece of Skie-colour Cloth.
• A Piece of green European Satin.
• Two Quilts.
• Tapestry Hangings.
• Four-Pieces of Amber.
• Two Italian Tables of white Marble, Inlay'd with Pictures of divers Colours.
• Three Rosaries of Amber Beads.
• A Crystal Cabinet.
• A Cabinet of Wood of divers Figures.
• Ten Bottles of European sweet Waters.
• Six little Chests of divers Pictures.

The Presents for the Empresses Mother.

• A large Looking-Glass.
• A Tortoise-shell Cabinet Inlay'd with Silver.
• An Ebony Cabinet Inlay'd with Silver.
• Another little Ebony Cabinet.
• A great Scretore wrought with Crystal.
• Four Rosaries of Amber Beads.
• Three Rosaries of Corral Beads.
• Six Pieces of gross Amber.
• One Branch of Corral.
• Six Italian Tables of white Marble, Inlay'd with Pictures of divers Colours.
• Three Painted Carpets.
• ...

• One Piece of Scarlet.
• One Piece of Broad-Cloth, somewhat course.
• One Piece of black European Satin.
• One Piece of green European Satin.
• One Piece of blue Satin.
• Two Pieces of black European Damask.
• One Piece of European Velvet.
• Tapestry Hangings.
• Twenty six Ells of Holland.
• A Cabinet made after the fashion of an Eagle.
• Six Crystal Goblets.
• Twenty one curious Pinctadoes of Metchlajatam.
• Twelve Bottles of European Sweet-Water.
• One Piece of Broad-Cloth, very fine.

The Presents which Peter de Goyer and Iacob de Keyser, the two Holland Ambassadors, made to the Emperor.

• A Piece of Scarlet.
• A Piece of green Cloth.
• A Piece of green European Satin.
• A Piece of red European Satin.
• A Piece of white Satin.
• Twenty four Ells of Holland.
• Ten Pieces of Amber.
• Two Rosaries of Amber Beads.
• Two Rosaries of Corral Beads.
• A Looking-Glass.
• Four Looking-Glasses with Painting.
• Four Marble Tables of divers Colours.
• A Marble Cabinet.
• Two Guns.
• Two Launces.
• One Sword, with a Silver Hilt and rich Scabbard.
• Three Goblets of Venice Glass.
• Two Statues, Engraven with divers Flowers.
• A Sword Hatch'd with Gold and Silver.
• A pair of Knives.
• A Plume of Feathers.
• A Painted Parrot.
• Twenty Bottles of European Sweet-Water.
• Twelve Pots of Wine of divers Countries.

These are the Treasures wherewith the Hollanders intended to purchase the Chinese Trade; certainly the best Course for Merchants to take: But though these had good Skill, yet they had bad Success; and our God who suffer'd them to enter Iapan, so much to the destruction of Christianity, which before flourish'd on that Island, would not permit their Ingress into China, to the like damage of Religion here.

The Hollanders Reception in Canton was very Honorable, and their Enter∣tainment at this Court very Hospitable; and at last their Dismission thence

was withal possible Grace and Favor, as appears by their Passport, whereof the Translation followeth, viz.

A Remonstrance of the Court of Request to the Emperor.

IN the thirteenth Year of the Reign of the Emperor Canchy, on the eigh∣teenth Day of the sixth Month, came to this Court a Copy of a Petition of the Hollanders, who came here to tender their Homage and Vassalage to your Majesty; wherefore, according to our Duty, we have consulted there∣on: and although the truth be, that the Fame of your Majesties Greatness and Power be extended unto the utmost Parts of the habitable Earth; yet upon our strictest examination and search into the Laws and ancient Re∣cords of this Empire for this purpose, we cannot find in any Age past, that the Hollanders have ever sent to pay Tribute: Therefore seeing we have no President, nor establish'd Rule to follow in this Business, the result of our present Iudgment is, that your Majesty may do very well to continue this following Decree, to wit,

That considering the Voyage from the Hollanders Country hither is both tedious and perilous, your Majesty doth grant them leave, once every five years to come and pay their Tribute unto this Court, and not oftner: And this your Majesty doth, to shew the whole World your willingness to receive into your Bosom the remotest Strangers. For the Way of their approach hither, it is fit to be by the Province of Canton, and no otherwise: And for what relateth to grant Licence for their Commerce within your Majesties Dominions, there is already a clear Declaration publish'd for your Majesties Dislike thereof, so that more needs not be said of that Matter; yet notwithstanding, after their appearance before your Majesty, they may buy and sell some certain things, provided they have regard always to such Constitutions as are made concerning all Strangers within this Realm, and exactly conform themselves in the manner of Buying and Selling to the Laws and Ordinances esta∣blish'd in that behalf; and hereupon let all vigilancy he had, and all appointed Penalties se∣verely executed upon Default. As often as they shall come to pay-their Tribute, their whole number both of Masters and Servants not to exceed an hundred Persons; of those, only twenty shall repair unto the Court (the rest remaining behind at Canton) and of those twenty, let them observe to bring two Chiefs, whereof one may be a Man of Learning, the other a Soldier. Let the Mandorins provide strong Guards to accompany them to the Court, and to take care at their Return that they keep together, without stragling out of their Way; and upon their arrival at Canton, that they immediately repair for their own Country, their delays about the Coast and Seas of Canton appearing inconvenient.

This is the Opinion of your Majesties Court of Request, but not daring to take upon it any Determination of what is fit or not fit; therefore I the President thereof, do in all humble reverence offer this Remonstrance unto your Majesty, beseeching your Majesties Royal Decree for a final Determi∣nation hereon. Given in the thirteenth Year of his Imperial Majesty Can∣chy, on the seventh Day of the seventh Moon.

Two days after the Date of this Remonstrance, this following Decree of the Emperor was Publish'd.

The ultimate Decree of the Emperor.

To the Kingdom of Holland Health and Peace, which out of its Cordial Love to Iustice hath subjected it self to Us, and sent Ambassadors through the wide Sea to pay Us Tribute: We nevertheless weighing in Our Mind the length of the Voyage, with the Dangers incident thereunto, do heartily grant them leave to come once every eight years, to pay their Tribute unto this Court; and this We do to make known to the Universe Our Affections to the People of the remotest Parts: In all other things We give Our Royal Consent and Approbation to the Remonstrance of Our Court of Request.

Thus (you see) neither the Court nor Emperor have granted them Com∣merce in this Country; which being deny'd, there is little reason to think that they will return to pay their Tribute only, whence they shall reap neither Honor nor Profit, but contrarily Damage and Disgrace: for although the Emperor should have return'd them Gifts of equal value to their Presents, ac∣cording to the Custom of other Countries, yet the Expence of a Ship or two for the space almost of two years, would be burthensom and ridiculous; which however, allowing the denial of Commerce to them, if the Emperor had granted them their Return every year, they might well have made up by a private Trade, especially being so much in favor with the Vice-Roys of Can∣ton, and the Tartars thereabouts, who would ingross the Profits thereof. There∣fore did God stir up the Hearts of the Chinese Mandorins unanimously to oppose and contradict it; and at length, when both Tartars and Chineses had granted their Return every fifth Year, the Emperor by special Divine Providence hath augmented it to the eighth Year; and before that Revolution come, either the Emperor, the Vice-Roys of Canton, or the rest of their Favorers will be dead, or the Hollanders will be destroy'd, or the Times will be chang'd, and other Government will succeed: but if all these fail, and the Hollanders will be so abject to return at the eight years end, yet the Lord will minister some means to us for the ruining their Designs; albeit there is little probability of their Return, since they departed so highly discontented as they did, as well by the strict Watches that were set over them, as for that they were never admitted to the Emperor's Presence, as Father Balion hath acquainted me in an Epistle which he wrote to me by a Post after my departure to Nanking, wherein he thus writes:

The Hollanders may not come into the Kings Presence (nor the Muscovites) because they will not submit themselves to those Ceremonies of Reverence accustom'd in this Palace. They are Novices, and ignorant in Affairs, and obstinate in refusing to accommodate them∣selves to the Customs of the Country. God will at length discover his Mercies to the Ca∣tholick Portugueses here. The Court of Requests exhibited a Remonstrance to the Em∣peror, to grant them leave to return every fifth Year, but not any liberty of Trade; but the Emperor hath alter'd the fifth to the eighth Year, which is equivalent with a forbidding them ever to return again. The day before Publishing the Emperor's Decree (whereof I here send your Father-hood a Copy) Father Adam told me he had spoken with the Emperor. Thus far Father Balion.

Your Lordships may observe how much our God doth favor and assist true Catholick Christians; for the Tartars and Chineses are highly offended with the

Hollanders, and account them Barbarians, for refusing the Ceremonies and Re∣verence of the Court: and the Hollanders (with the Muscovites) are equally dis∣tasted, because they could not be admitted to the Emperors Presence without them; and very just is it, that Hereticks and Schismaticks should depart with hatred and disgust, that by their ill Example they might not give Scandal to the new Christianity here Planted, nor cause the Religion of Europe to be ill spo∣ken of.

Wherefore the most Noble Captain, and the rest of the Governors of the Holy City, be your Lordships of good Courage, and hope strongly in the Bowels of the Mercy of God, that as he hath suffer'd his City (most faithful to his Divine Majesty) of late Years to undergo so many Tribulations, he hath done it for Direction only, not for Destruction. Doth Gold melted in the Furnace come out wasted and consum'd? no, but more pure, bright, and precious. Can God forget the Piety of such a City, which maintains so ma∣ny Religious of all sorts, and where so many Masses and Oblations are daily Offer'd? Where is the Refuge and Sanctuary of Religion but in this City, which is gloriously call'd The Name of God? Can God forget his Promise? he hath promis'd Tribulations, and an hundred-fold for the Sufferings of his Saints, and an hundred he will pay.

FINIS.