were privately slandered to Ieyasu by "the Iesuites and the Portingalls," who were at that time the only other Europeans in the country, probably did him more good than harm in the Japanese ruler's eyes. He was retained at the Japanese court, and employed as a shipbuilder, and also as a kind of diplomatic agent when other English and Dutch traders began to arrive. In fact, it was by his good offices that the foundations were laid both of English trade in Japan and also of the more permanent Dutch settlement. During his latter years, he for a time exchanged the Japanese service for that of the English factory established by Captain John Saris at "Firando" (Hirado) near Nagasaki; and he made two voyages, one to the Luchu Islands and another to Siam. His constantly reiterated desire to see his native land again, and his wife and children, was to the last frustrated by adverse circumstances. So far as the wife was concerned, he partially comforted himself, sailor fashion, by taking another,—a Japanese with whom he lived comfortably for many years on the estate granted him by Ieyasu at Hemi, where their two graves are shown to this day. Hemi, at that time a separate village, has since become a suburb of the bustling modern seaport, Yokosuka, and a railway station now occupies the site of the old pilot's abode. Another adventurer, who visited him there, describes Will Adams's place thus: "This Phebe[1] is a Lordshipp geuen to Capt. Adames pr. the ould Emperour,[2] to hym and his for eaver, and confermed to his sonne, called Joseph. There is above 100 farms, or howsholds, vppon it, besides others vnder them, all which are his vassalls, and he hath power of lyfe and death ouer them they being his slaues; and he hauing as absolute authoritie ouer them as any tono (or king) in Japan hath over his vassales." From further details it would seem that he used his authority kindly, so that the neighbours "reioiced (as it should seeme) of Captain Adames retorne."
