INTERCOLONIAL COMMERCE. 809 who ever traded to Japan. An edict in favour of their trade was obtained from the emperor by Captain Saris, chiefly through the influence of Adams, an Englishman, residing in the coun- try. The edict was highly favourable to a free intercourse, and, indeed, not only conceded many favourable conditions, but some that ought never in modesty or good policy to have been asked for, as for example, a total exemption from import and export duties, and an exemption from the control of the laws of the empire. * Jn 1619, five years after its establishment, the English factory was removed by order of the go- vernment to Nangasaki ; and, in l6l^3, the fac- tory, under the usual pretexts, was withdrawn. The English, at that time, having, in fact, no ma- nufactures of their own fit for a foreign market, and no intercourse with China from whence they miixht obtain commodities fit for the market of Japan, were in no condition to compete with the Spaniards, Portuguese, and Dutch. Fifty years applied his hand gently to my back ; but when this occa- sioned me to look earnestly at him, he withdrew, nor did they ever renew the attempt." — Krusensterns Voyage round the World, Vol. I. p. 261, 262.
- " And that all offences committed by them shall be pu-
nished by the Cape merchant, according to his discretion, and our laws to take no hold of their persons or goods ! !" — Pur- chas*s Pilgrims.
