ABSTRACT
Jntroiiurtuin. The first letter sent by William Adams for England, he thus addresses: “ TO M Y VNKNO W N E FRINDS A N D C O U N TR I-M EN : dessiring this letter by your good meanes, or the newes or copie of this letter, may come into the hands of one, or manny of my acquayntance in L IM E H O V SE or else wheare, or in K E N T in G ILLIN GH AM , by ROCHES T E R ”
Probably through the agency of their Factors recently settled at Bantam, two copies of the letter were transmitted to the “ Worsliipfull Felowship of the Merchants of London trading into the East Indies” ; and in the sequel it will be perceived the communication led to the opening of com mercial intercourse between England and Japon.
