In January 1614, the English East India factory in Bantam received a long letter from William Adams, written in December. The English were very pleased to hear that the Japanese ruler had accepted they could establish a base in Japan, at Uraga or Hirado or wherever they wished. They appreciated Adams’ advice on choosing Uraga and were inclined to follow it. However, in his report to both the factory in Bantam and the company in London, Saris dismissed Adams’ letter asserting that William Adams was unable to read Japanese and was entirely ignorant about the business of trade. Eventually, the company took Saris’ advice. It was an epic mistake. They were rejecting an opportunity to outflank the Dutch East India Company, who had invested nearly four times as much as the English in establishing a foothold in Japan. Most of the English investment in establishing their factory in Hirado would in time be lost.

Meanwhile, following Captain Saris’ last instructions, Tempest Peacock and his deputy Walter Carwarden hired two junks in Manila and Pattani. Adams was posted as captain of the junks and interpreter. Richard Wickham was assigned together with an interpreter to the Edo branch of the English East India Company. Captain Saris had designated him as chief factor in the event of Richard Cocks’ death. In December 1613, Adams, Wickham and Eaton loaded goods onto a junk and sailed first for Osaka. Eaton was dropped off in Osaka, where he was to be in charge of a branch of the Company. When Adams and Wickham arrived in Edo, Adams left Wickham with all responsibilities at the Edo branch and returned to his house in Hemi to spend New Year's Day with his family, as was the custom in Japan.

In April 1614, Adams visited Ieyasu in Sumpu to request a Red Seal licence or Shuin for a voyage to Siam. To his surprise and delight, Ieyasu ordered from the Company three large woollen rugs, one Calverin cannon, one Sacar cannon and 600 cannon shot, at a total cost of ￡350,000 in today's money. In June, Adams returned to receive the licence, issued by Ieyasu on 16 May. On the way back to Hirado, Adams picked up Eaton in Osaka and on 21 July they arrived safely at the Hirado Port.