466 SJ^ANISH HISTORY ket of America, were of their importation. In the year 1590, the emperor of Japan sent a mission to the Philippines, claiming the vassalage of these islands, and desiring a more extended intercourse. The governor made a prudent reply, declining any discussion of the question of vassalage, but giv- ing every encouragement to the proffered exten- sion of commerce The emperor was not to be dissuaded from his scheme of acquiring the sove- reignty of the Philippines, and with this view was assembling an army for the conquest, when ' death arrested his ambitious designs. It was about this time that the dreadful persecution of the Chris- tians commenced ; and, no doubt, the hostility of the emperor towards the Philippines was excited by the imprudence of the Spanish and Portuguese priests within the empire. In 1602 the reigning emperor of Japan sent ambassadors to Manila, entreating a continuation of the intercourse between the two countries, and begging the assistanceof some Spanish shipwrights, which was declined, and in room of them a host of friars returned, whose imprudence contributed to the final expulsion of the Christians. In 1606 the Japanese, who appear to have had a permanent residence in Manila, revolted. These people, of a more lively curiosity, and quick- er imaginations than the phlegmatic Chinese, ap- pear to have adopted the Catholic religion. The 11
