I receved a box by the _Adviz_ with a certen roote in it, which came 287 from Cape Bona Speranza; but it proveth here worth nothing, it being dried that no substance remeaneth in it. Herewithall I send your Wors. som of it, with an other peece of that which is good and cometh out of Corea. It is heare worth the wight in silver, but very littell to be had in comune mens handes, for that all is taken up for the Emperour by the Kyng of Tushma, whome only hath lycense to trade with the Coreans, and all the tribute he payeth to the Emperour is of this rowte. Yt is helde heare for the most pretious thing for phisick that is in the world, and (as they thinke) is suffitient to put lyfe into any man, yf he can but draw breath; yet must be used in measure, or else it is hurtfull.
The China captens which labour to get us entrance into China doe tell me that your Wors. canot send a more pretiouser thing to present the Emperour of China withall then a tree of currall, ether white or red. They say the Portingales of Macau gave a white corrall tree to the Emperour of China many yeares past, which he doth esteem one of the ruchest jewells he hath. Also they say that earelings or jewelles to hang in hattes, that are greate pearls and of an orient culler, are esteemed much in China. And som very greate looking glasses and fyne Semian chowters and white baftas are good for presentes, with som guns well damasked, but not soe hevie as these are which ordenarely are sent; and som dagges or pistalls, som short and others more longer.
The three peeces currall your Wors. sent for a triall were disposed of as followeth, viz. 1 branch containing 1 _ta._ 1 _ma._ 5 _co._, and 1 branch containing 9 _ma._ 2 _co._, both geven the Emperour in his present; 1 branch containing 1 _ta._ 2 _co._, sould for ten _tais_ two _mas_ plate. But yf much com it will not sell at that rate. The biger the peces or branches are, and of a red culler well polished, are most in esteem; for they make buttens or knots of them to hange their 288 purces at.
I know not what else to write, but that my greatest sorrow is I lye in a place which hitherto hath byn chargable and not benefitiall to your Wors., by reasons of the presentes contynewally geven, it being the fation of the contrey, or else there is noe staying for us yf we doe not as other strangers doe. And were it not for the hope of trade into China, or for procuring som benefit from Syam, Pattania, and (it may be) from Cochinchina trade, it were noe staying in Japon. Yet it is certen here is silver enough, and may be carried out at pleasure; but then must we bring them comodeties to ther lyking, as the Chinas, Portingales, and Spaniardes doe, which is raw silke and silke stuffs, with Syam sapon and skins; and that is allwais ready money, as price goeth, littell more or lesse.