of power.

"For all the above reasons, it was nevertheless doubted whether the
capture and burning of the said junk were unjust, if, now that it
has been done, the king our sovereign could avail himself of these
wrongs as a beginning and part of the compensation; and if those
who govern these islands in the name of his Majesty could remain
firm, and order the person who committed the injury not to give any
satisfaction so long as they make no reparation in Japon--or at least
so long as they do not desist from the aforesaid injuries, by opening
commerce, or in some other manner that may be advantageous to these
islands. In virtue of that doubt the discussion of the question of
satisfaction for the injuries has been neglected until now by the
government. The government has contented itself with the aforesaid
measures of granting liberty and accommodations to the Japanese,
and a message which was sent to the Japanese--to which the reasons
and consequences of state that existed for it obliged us.

"One of these reasons was that one now urged by the correspondence
with Macan, upon whose commerce Japon might perhaps fall in order to
obtain reparation for the injury which this government might inflict
upon them, as we see has been attempted. The city and commandant
of Macan request these islands to make reparation immediately for
the goods, so that the difficulty may not recoil upon them, to the
damage of their goods and of the commerce between Yndia and Japon,
which they declare to be of great importance for the preservation of
Christianity in those islands."

And having finished reading the said paper in the said meeting, his
Lordship requested those present to give him their opinions in regard
to its contents, so that the most advisable measures might be taken
for the service of his Majesty and for the relief of his conscience.

All the said assembly having heard and understood the contents
of the said paper, above incorporated, and conferred regarding it
and what in conscience they ought and could do, voted unanimously
and as one man that the king our sovereign and these islands have
sufficient cause in law to avail themselves of these wrongs which
were committed by our galleons without their orders, and to take
them as a beginning and part of the reparation; and that, so long
as the Japanese did not give satisfaction for the aforesaid wrongs,
the lord governor ought not to order any reparation to be given;
for the ri