Doubtless the enemies of the Spaniards likewise brought to Iyeyasu’s notice a disagreeable little episode which occurred at about that time, and cited it as an example of Spanish commercial dishonesty. It seems that no less a personage than a son of the commander of the junks had entrusted a member of Don Rodrigo Vivero’s suite with a quantity of valuable merchandise, which was taken to Mexico and sold there. From the proceeds the Spaniards were to buy certain woolen stuffs and fine cloths for the Japanese nobleman’s household. The latter learned, on Viscaino’s arrival, that the Japanese goods had been sold in Mexico, and also that Vivero’s follower had sent him nothing in return. It seems that it was with difficulty that the ambassador pacified the incensed creditor, and tried to exonerate Vivero from all blame, stating that he doubtless knew nothing about his follower’s affairs. In order to hush the matter up, however, Viscaino and the Franciscan friars jointly compensated the Japanese lord with woolen stuffs of the value of seven hundred dollars. Commenting on this, Viscaino expresses himself as follows, unconsciously rendering a tribute to Japanese commercial honesty, at that period:-- “This transaction was wrong and deserving of punishment--especially with people like these, who are so punctual and exact, and are unacquainted with such dealings.” Unfortunately, about this period, a high official in the house of the aged emperor was found guilty of an unprecedented act of deceitfulness and treachery, and, on being tortured, confessed that not only he but his wife and other fellow servants had been converted to Christianity by the Spanish friars. All were arrested and threatened with punishment and the confiscation of their property if they did not abjure their new faith. Many remained firm and incurred disgrace and loss of property, among them the lady Julia, who was expelled from the palace with shorn head and exiled to an island. Shortly afterwards, under pretext of having to extend the boundaries of the town, the Franciscan monastery at Yedo was destroyed, and throughout the country the Christian churches and monasteries were razed to the ground. An ill-timed speech delivered by Viscaino during his visit to a Japanese lord was also doubtless reported to the emperor, and must have prejudiced him still more against the Spanish influence. Viscaino had assured his Japanese host “that the latter could not give greater satisfaction to the King of Spain than by allowing the friars to enter his domain and preach to his vassals--thus establishing permanent peace. For the King of Spain,” he said, “did not care about trade with Japan, nor any temporal interests, for God had given him many kingdoms and dominions. The only inducement that his Christian Majesty had (to enter into relations with Japan) was a pious desire that all nations should be taught the holy Catholic faith, and thus be saved.”