LETTER FROM THE CHAMBERLAIN, TIAU KIT[1]
Although we have never before had any correspondence, I am writing this present letter in all courtesy. Next year, our great prince, Quampec,[2] is going to make war on China; and unless it renders homage to him, together with all the other kingdoms (notwithstanding their distance from here), and pays him tribute, he will send his soldiers to seize their land. On this account, all the neighboring kingdoms have rendered homage to him and obeyed his commands. Likewise he was thinking of making war on that rich kingdom of yours; but Guantien informed a certain member of the council, who in turn informed Quanpec, that war would be unnecessary, if without it tribute were sent, and that this would certainly be done, if you were advised of the
- ↑ This letter, as found in the archives, is written on a separate sheet and is inserted in the fold of the following letter.
- ↑ A corruption of Kuwambaku, the Japanese designation of a regent appointed by the Mikado. The holder of this office at the time here referred to was Hideyoshi, one of the most notable rulers of Japan. Born in 1536, he entered the army when a youth, and rapidly rose to its head. He was appointed regent in 1586, but in 1591 abdicated in favor of his adopted son, Hidetsugu—retaining, however, actual authority until his death in 1598. This embassy to the Spaniards in the Philippines was but one evidence of Hideyoshi's insatiate arrogance and ambition; for he planned to subjugate China and all the other countries within his reach. For the history of his reign, see J. J. Rein's Japan (London, 1884), pp. 277-294; David Murray's Story of Japan (N. Y., 1894), pp. 184, 190-226; and W. E. Griffis's Mikado's Empire (5th ed., N. Y., 1887), pp. 236-243.
As the governor states in his letter, they are alike in essentials. The first letter is dated "The year nineteen of Tienche, in the ninth month, and on the nineteenth day of the month. The Quanpec of the kingdom of Japon." See another version (in Spanish) of the second letter, with still other variations, in Santa Inés's Crónica, ii, pp. 545-547; the editor of that work states that the date of the letter—which, however, is there given as "the 13th year of Tenjo, 11th month"—corresponds to the year 1591.
