nt (_vide_
Chap. vi.). The want of men, ships, and war material obliged them
to seek conciliation with dignity. The Japanese Ambassador, Farranda
Kiemon, was received with great honours and treated with the utmost
deference during his sojourn in Manila.

The Governor replied to the Emperor, that being but a lieger of the
King of Spain--a mighty monarch of unlimited resources and power--he
was unable to acknowledge the Emperor's suzerainty; for the most
important duty imposed upon him by his Sovereign was the defence of
his vast domains against foreign aggression; that, on the other hand,
he was desirous of entering into amicable and mutually advantageous
relations with the Emperor, and solicited his conformity to a treaty
of commerce, the terms of which would be elucidated to him by an envoy.

A priest, Juan Cobo, and an infantry captain were thereupon accredited
to the Japanese Court as Philippine Ambassadors. On their arrival
they were, without delay, admitted in audience by the Emperor; the
treaty of commerce was adjusted to the satisfaction of both parties;
and the Ambassadors, with some Japanese nobles, set sail for Manila
in Japanese ships, which foundered on the voyage, and all perished.

Neither the political nor the clerical party in Manila was, however,
dismayed by this first disaster, and the prospect of penetrating
Japan was followed up by a second expedition.

Between the friars an animated discussion arose when the Jesuits
protested against members of any other Order being sent to Japan. Saint
Francis Xavier had, years before, obtained a Papal Bull from Pope
Gregory XIII., awarding Japan to his Order, which had been the first to
establish missions in Nagasaki. Jesuits were still there in numbers,
and the necessity of sending members of rival religious bodies is not
made clear in the historical records. The jealous feud between those
holy men was referred to the Governor, who naturally decided against
the Jesuits, in support of the King's policy of grasping territory
under the cloak of piety. A certain Fray Pedro Bautista was chosen as
Ambassador, and in his suite were three other priests. These embarked
in a Spanish frigate, whilst Farranda Kiemon, who had remained in
Manila the honoured guest of the Government, took his leave, and went
on board his own vessel. The authorities bade farewell to the two
embassies with ostentatious ceremonies, and amidst public rejoicings
the two ships started on their jo