kinde of lots they doo vse in putting a great number of little stickes into a pot and vpon euerie one of them is written a letter and after that they haue tumbled and tossed them together in the pot they cause a child to put in his hand and take out one and when they haue séene the letter they séeke in a booke which they haue for that purpose the leafe that beginneth with that letter and looke what they doo finde written therein they doo interpret of it conformable vnto the thing that they cast their lots for Generally in all this country when they finde themselues in any trouble they do inuocate and call vpon the diuell with whom they do ordinarily talke euen as we do cal vpon God in our néede of him they doo demande what way and order they might take to cléere themselues thereof as they did in the presence of frier Pedro de Alfaro of the order of saint Francis in the yeare of our Lorde 1580. at such time as he came from China as may bee séene in his relation The order that they haue in inuocating or calling on the diuell is as followeth They cause a man to lie vpon the ground his face downwards then another beginneth to reade vpon a booke singing and part of them that are present do answere vnto him the rest do make a sound with little bels and tabers then within a little while after the man that lieth on the ground beginneth to make visages and iestures which is a certaine token that the diuell is entred within him then do they aske of him what they doo desire to know then he that is possessed doth answere yet for the most part they bee lies that hee dooth speake although hee doo kéepe it close yet doth hée giue diuers reasons vnto that which hee dooth answere for that alwayes they doo answere either by worde or by letters which is the remedie they haue when that the diuell will not answere by worde And when that hée doth answere by letters then do they spread a redde mantle or couerlet vpon the ground and throw thereon a certaine quantitie of rice dispersed equally in euery place vpon the couerlet then do they cause a man that cannot write to stand there with a sticke in his hand then those that are present do begin to sing and to make a sounde as at the first inuocation and within a little while the diuell doth enter into him that hath the sticke and causeth him to write vpon the rice then do they translate the letters that are there formed with the sticke and being ioyned altogether they finde answere of that they do demaunde although for the most part it falleth out as aforesaide as vnto people that do communicate with the father of all lying and so do their answeares fall out false and full of leasings If that at any time he do tell them the trueth it is not for that he dooth it by nature or with his will but to induce them vnder the colour of a truth to perseuer in their errors and they do giue credite vnto a thousand lies in this sort doo they inuocate the diuell and it is so ordinarie a thing throughout al the kingdome that there is nothing more vsed nor knowne CHAP V. Of the opinion they haue of the beginning of the worlde and of the creation of man ALthough the Chinos be generally verie ingenious and of a cléere vnderstanding yet in their owne respect they say that all other nations in the worlde be blinde except the Spaniards whom they haue knowne but of late time they haue amongst them both naturall and morall philosophie the which is read publikely amongst them and also astrologie But nowe touching the beginning of the worlde and the creation of man they haue many errors wherof some of them shalbe declared in this chapter taken out of their owne books and specially out of one that is intituled the beginning of the world They say that at the beginning the heauen the earth the water were a masse or lumpe ioyned in one And that there is one resident in heauen whom they call by name Tayn hee by his great science did separate heauen and earth the one from the other so that the heauen remained hie in the state that it is and the earth following his naturall inclination as graue and heauie did remaine whereas it is They say that this Tayn did create a man of nothing who they call Pauzon and likewise a woman who they call Pauzona This Pauzon by the power that was giuē him by Tayn did create of nothing another man who they call Tanhom with thirtéene other brothers This Tanhom was a man of great science in so ample sort that hée did giue name vnto all created things and did know by the assignement and doctrine of Tayn the vertue of them all and to apply them to heale all manner of diseases and sicknesses this Tanhom and his brethren but especially the eldest who was called Teyencom he had twelue his first begotten called Tuhucom had nine so had al the rest very many They do beléeue that the linage and generation of these did indure for more then ninty thousand yéeres And in the end conclusion of them did end all humaine nature for that it was the will of Tayn who did first create the man woman of nothing for to be reuenged on certaine iniuries that they did vnto him and for euery one that he had shewed vnto them they did almost knowe so much as himselfe and would not acknowledge any superioritie as they did promise him at such time as hée did giue vnto him the secreat of all his science At that time did the heauen fall downe then did Tayn raise it vp againe and created another man vpon the earth named Lotzitzam hee had two hornes out of the which proceeded a verie swéete sauour the which swéet smell did bring forth both men and women This Lotzitzam vanished away and left behind him in the world manie men and women of whom did procéede all nations that now are in it The first that this Lotzitzam brought foorth was called Alazan and liued nine hundred yeares then did the heauen create another man called Atzion whose mother called Lutim was with childe with him onely in séeing a lyons heade in the aire he was borne in Truchin in the prouince of Santon and liued eight hundred yeares at this time was the worlde replenished with much people and did féede on nothing but on wilde hearbs and raw things then was there borne into the worlde one called Vsao who gaue them industrie to make and do many things as to vse the trées to make defence to saue them from wilde beasts which did them much harme and to kill them and make garments of their skinnes After him came one called Huntzui who did inuent the vse of fire and instructed them what they should doo and
considered and in my opinion this is not the least that is contayned in this chapter which is such order as the king and his counsell hath giuen that the poore may not go a begging in the stréetes nor in the temples whereas they make orations vnto their Idols for the auoyding therof the king hath set downe an order vpon great and gréeuous penaltie to be executed vpon the saide poore if they do begge or craue in the stréetes and a greater penaltie vpon the citizens or townes men if they do giue vnto any such that beggeth but must incontinent go and complaine on them to the Iustice who is one that is called the Iustice of the poore ordayned to punish such as doo breake the lawe and is one of the principallest of the citie or towne and hath no other charge but only this And for that the townes be great and many and so full of people and an infinite nomber of villages whereas it cannot be chosen but there is many borne lame and other misfortunes so that he is not idle but alwaies occupied in giuing order to remedie the necessities of the poore without breaking of the lawe This Iudge the first day that hee doth enter into his office hee commaundeth that whatsoeuer children be borne a créeple in any part of his members or by sicknes be taken lame or by any other misfortune that incontinent their fathers or mothers doo giue the Iudge to vnderstande thereof that he may prouide for all things necessarie according vnto the ordinance and will of the king and his counsell the which is the man child or woman child being brought before him and seene the default or lacke that it hath if it be so that with the same it may exercise any occupation they giue and limit a time vnto the parents for to teach the child that occupation ordayned by the Iudge and it is such as with their lamenes they may vse without any impediment the which is accomplished without faile but if it so be that his lamenes is such that it is impossible to learne or exercise any occupation this Iudge of the poore doth commaund the father to sustaine and maintaine him in his owne house all the dayes of his life if that hee hath wherewithall if not or that hee is fatherlesse then the next rich kinsman must maintaine it if he hath none such then doth all his parents and kinsfolkes contribute and pay their partes or giue of such thinges as they haue in their houses But if it hath no parentes or they be so poore that they cannot contribute nor supply any part therof then doth the king maintaine them in verie ample manner of his owne costes in hospitalles verie sumptuous that he hath in euerie citie throughout his kingdome for the same effect and purpose in the same hospitalles are likewise maintayned all such néedie and olde men as haue spent all their youth in the wars and are not able to maintaine themselues so that to the one and the other is ministred all that is néedefull and necessarie and that with great diligence and care and for the better accomplishing of the same the Iudge doth put verie good order and dooth appoint one of the principallest of the citie or towne to be the administrator without whose licence There is not one within that hospitall that can goe foorth of the limittes for that licence is not granted vnto anie neyther doo they demaund it for that there they are prouided of all thinges necessarie so long as they doo liue as well for apparell as for victualles Besides all this the olde folkes and poore men within the hospitall doo bring vpp hennes chickens and hogges for their owne recreation and profit wherein they doo delight themselues The Iudge doth visite often times the administrator by him appointed Likewise the Iudge is visited by an other that commeth from the court by the appointment of the king and the counsell to the same effect and to visite all such hospitalles as bee in the prouinces limited in his commission and if they doo finde any that hath not executed his office in right and iustice then they doo displace them and punishe them verie rigorouslie by reason whereof all such officers haue great care of their charges and liue vprightly hauing before their eyes the straight account which they must giue and the cruell rewarde if to the contrarie The blinde folkes in this countrie are not accounted in the number of those that of necessitie are to bee maintayned by their kinsfolkes or by the king for they are constrayned to worke as to grind with a querne wheate or rice or to blowe smythes bellowes or such like occupations that they haue no néede of their sight And if it be a blind woman when the commeth vnto age she doth vse the office of women of loue of which sorâ—e there are a great number in publike places as shall bee declared in the Chapter for that purpose These haue women that doo tende vpon them and doo paint and trim them vp and they are such that with pure age did leaue that office So by this order in all this kingdome although it be great and the people infinite yet there is no poore that doo perish nor begge in the stréetes as was apparant vnto the austen and barefoote fryers and the rest that went with them into that countrie The third booke and historie of the great and mightie kingdome of China in the which is contayned many notable things woorthie to be considered of touching morall and pollitike matters CHAP. I. How manie kinges hath beene in this kingdome and their names IN the fourth Chapter of the first booke I did promise particularly to declare howe many kinges haue béene in this kingdome and their names Nowe to accomplish the same I will beginne and declare the succession of them from Vitey who was the first that did reduce the kingdome to one empire gouernment vnto him that dooth reigne at this daye remitting that which shall lacke vnto the Chapter aforesaide whereas shall be found the number of the kinges and how many yeares since the first beginning of this kingdome and the manner of the succession This Vitey was the first king of China as it appeareth by their histories where as they doo make particular mention But amongest other thinges that they do declare of the kinges person they do say that he was in height so much as seuen mesures which is accustomed in China and euerie measure is two thirdes of a Spanish vare which is by good account foure vares and two terses in length he was sixe palmes broade in the shoulders and was as valiant in his déedes as in bignesse of his bodie he had a Captaine called Lincheon who was not onely valiant but politike and of great wisedome by reason whereof with his valour and strength he did subiect vnto Vitey all the whole countrie that he doth nowe possesse and
caused all people to feare him They do attribute that this Vitey did first inuent the vse of garmentes for to weare and the dying of all manner of colours of making of shippes hee likewise inuented the saw◠to sawe tymber but aboue all thinges he was a great Architector and an inuenter of buildinges whereof hee made verie manie and verie sumptuous which doo indure vnto this day in the remembraunce of his name he did also inuent the whéele to turne silke the which is vsed to this day in all the kingdome hee was the first that did vse to weare golde pearles and precious stones for iewelles and to weare cloth of golde siluer and silke in apparell he did repart all the people of the countrie into cities townes and villages and did ordaine occupations and commaunded that no man should vse any other but that which his father did vse without his particular licence or the gouerners of his kingdome And that shuld not be granted without great occasion for the same All of one occupation were put in stréetes by themselues the which order is vsed vnto this day throughout al the kingdome so that if you doo desire to knowe what occupation is in anye stréete it is sufficient to sée the first house thereof although it be very long for it is verie certaine that they be all of one occupation and not mingled with any other Amongst all other things he ordeyned one thing of great consideration that was no woman to be idle but to worke either in her husbands occupation or in sowing or spinning This was a law so generall amongst them that the Quéene her selfe did obserue kéepe it They saye that he was a great Astrologician and had growing in the court of his pallace a certaine hearbe the which did make a manner of demonstration when that any did passe by it whereby it did shewe if any were euill intentioned against the king Many other things they do declare which I let passe because I would not be tedious vnto the reader referring the dreames and fondnesse of these Idolaters vnto the iudgement of your discretion for vnto the discréete is sufficient to touch of euerie thing a little Hee had foure wiues and by them fiue and twentie sonnes he reygned a hundreth yeares there was betwixt this king and he which did build the great wall that was spoken of in the ninth chapter of the first booke one hundreth and sixtéene kinges all of the lynage of this Vitey All the which did raigne as appeareth by their histories two thousande two hundreth and fiftie seuen yeares I do not here declare their names because I would not be tedious although they be particularly named in their histories but here I will set downe them that I finde necessarie to bee spoken of for the succession vnto him that nowe reygneth The last king of the lynage of this woorthie Vitey was called Tzintzon this did make the mightie and great wall aforesaide finding himselfe to be greatly troubled with the king of Tartarie who did make warre vppon him in many places of his kingdome he did ordaine the making thereof and for the furnishing of the same he did take the third man of the countrie to the worke and for that manie people did die in this tedious worke by reason they went so farre from their owne houses and in diuers climes cleane contrarie vnto that where as they were bred and borne it grew that the king was hated and abhorred of all people in such sort that they did conspire his death which in effect they did accomplish and slew him after he had reigned fortie yeares and also his sonne and heyre who was called Aguizi After the death of this Tzintzon and his sonne they did ordaine for their king one that was called Auchosau a man of great valour and wisedome hee reigned twelue yeares a sonne of his did succéede him in the kingdom called Futey he reigned seuen yeares After the death of this king who died very young his wife did reigne and gouerne and was of his owne linage she did maruelously gouerne that kingdome for the space of 18 yeares and for that shee had no issue naturall of her bodie a sonne of her husbands y t he had by an other wife did succéede in the kingdome and reigned thrée and twentie yeares a son of his did succéede him called Cuntey and reigned 16. yeares eight monthes a son of his called Guntey did reigne 54. yeares a sonne of his did succéede him called Guntey and reigned thirtéene yeares his sonne called Ochantey did succéede him and reigned 25. yeares and thrée monthes his son called Coantey succéeded him reigned 13. yeares two monthes After him reigned his sonne Tzentzey 26. yeares 4. monthes then succéeded his son called Anthey and reigned no more but 6. yeares his sonne Pintatey did inherite reigned 5. yeares this Pintatey when he died was not married and therefore a brother of his did succéede him called Tzintzumy reigned but 3. yeares 7. monethes after him succéeded a younger brother called Huy hannon reigned sixe yeares his sonne called Cubum did succéede him reigned 32. yeares his son Bemthey did inherite reigned 18. yeares after him his son Vnthey reigned 13. yeares O they succéede him reigned 17. yeres his sonne called Yanthey reigned but 8. monethes and left a sonne called Antey who reigned 19. yeares whose eldest sonne called Tantey died incontinent after his father and reigned only 3. monthes his brother called Chytey reigned one yeare his son called Linthey reigned 22. yeares his sonne called Yanthey did succeede him reigned 31. yeares This Yanthey the historie saieth was a man of small wisedome which was the occasion that he was abhorred and hated of those of his kingdome A Nephew of his called Laupy did rebell against him he had two sociates for to helpe him gentlemen of the court they were two brethren verie valiant the one was called Quathy the other Tzunthey these two did procure to make Laupy king His vncle the king vnderstoode thereof and was of so litle valor discretion that he could not neither durst he put remedie in the same which caused commotions and common rumors amongst the people But in especiall there was foure tyrantes ioyned in one and all at one time they wer called Cincoan Sosoc Guansian Guanser Against these Laupy did make warre vnder colour to helpe his vncle but after a while that the warre indured he concluded and made peace with Cincoan and he married with one of his daughters who straight wayes made warre against the other thrée tyrants with the helpe of his father in lawe At this time this mightie kingdome was diuided in thrée partes and beganne the tyrannie as you shall vnderstande the one and principall part fell vnto Laupy by the death of his vncle the other to Sosoc the other vnto Cincoan his father in law In this
and very dangerous for ships that passe thorough it for very few times it is without stormes or some other greater danger as it happened vnto a verie great shippe in the mouth of the straight in the presence of Frier Martin Ignacio the which in verie little space was swallowed vp with the sea in it more theÌ„ thrée hundred thousand ducats in merchandice that was within her although the successe thereof our people did attribute it more vnto the iust iudgement of God than vnto the storme for that according as they were informed they had committed grieuous offences at the time when she sanke for being very nigh with his shippe in the which he went and many other more they felt not neither had any suspition of any danger From this straight to go vnto Malaca you coast alongest the sea fiue and twentie leagues all which coast is full of great mightie and thicke woods by reason whereof as also for that it is not inhabited there are many tygers elephants and mightie great lysards and other furious beastes The citie of Malaca in our pole articke is eleuated from the equinoctiall onely one degrée of ancient time it was the most principallest citie of all these kingdomes and resident therein a mightie king a Moore but after it was conquered by the Portingals who in these wars did wonderfull things of great force courage they did driue foorth all the Moores out of the same and out of all the borders and made of their Mezquita or temple which was a singular péece of worke a high church as it doth remaine vnto this day there are also thrée monasteries of religious men one of S. Dominicke an other of S. Francis and the third of the companie of Iesus or Iesuites It is a verie temperate countrie being so nigh the equinoctiall line the reason is for that euery wéeke ordinarily it rayneth thrée or foure times which is the greatest cause of health in all that countrie and thereby is made woonderfull fruitfull and with great abundance of prouision but particularly of fruites for there is great store and some sortes neuer séene in Europe amongst the which there is one y t is called in the Malaca tongue Durion and is so good that I haue heard it affirmed by manie that haue gone about the worlde that it doth excéede in sauour all others that euer they had séene or tasted it is in forme like vnto a mellon whose ryne is somewhat harde and hath vpon it little white prickes which séemeth like haire and within the fruite be partitions which be of the colour like vnto maniar blanco and of so good sauour and tast as it Some do say that haue séene it that it séemeth to be y t wherwith Adam did transgresse being carried away by the singular sauour The leaues which this trée yéeldeth are so bigge that a man may couer himselfe with one of them which mee thinketh is but coniecture or defining but there is Cannafistola for to lade fléetes very bigge and good and of a singular effect one of the notablest things in this kingdome is a maruellous trée of an admirable vertue the which putteth foorth so many rootes of so contrarie vertue that those which grow towards the orient be good against poyson agues and many infirmities that do war against humaine life those rootes that growe â—owards the west be ranke poyson in effect all cleane contrarie vnto the first So that it seemeth here to be founde two contraries in one subiect a thing which in philosophie they were woont to count impossible This citie is of great contractation for that there come thether all the kingdomes that we haue spoken of and from many other more that are nigh thereabouts but in particular a great number of great ships from the Indians Canton Chincheo and froÌ„ many other places likewise the Iapones carry thether their siluer to sell those of the kingdome of Syan carry many things very curious but especially cloues and pepper of the Iland Malucas and those of Burneo bring much sanders nutmegs and those of Iaba Pegu bring the wood of aguila and those from Cochinchina Cham bring great store of wrought silke drogges and spicerie and those of Samatra or Trapouana much golde and wrought things fine cloth of Vengalas Coromandel All these and other thinges make this citie famous and plentifull as also very much enlarged of the Portingals that go thether ordinarily euery yeare and traficke there CHAP. XXIII Of some kingdomes of the newe worlde and of particular things that haue beene seene in them and treateth of the citie and riuer of Ganies OUer against this famous citie of which so many thinges may be spoken of is that mightie kingdome and Iland of Samatra called by the ancieÌ„t cosmogrosers Trapouana which is as some say the Iland of Ophir whether y e fléet went which king Salomon sent of which there is particular mention made in the scripture in the third booke of the kings cap. 9. 10. and in the Paralipomenon cap. 9. that went returned againe ladeÌ„ with gold rich tymber for to adorne the temple of Ierusalem and of many other curious things whose memorie doth remain vnto this day amongst the naturall people although diffusedly But not so much as those that haue it out of the holy scripture neither so true This Iland is vnder the equinoctial line so that the one halfe doth extend vnto the pole artick the other halfe vnto the poole antarticke It hath in longitude 230. leagues and in latitude three score seuen leagues and is so nigh vnto Malaca that in some parts it is lesse than ten leagues In this kingdom there are many lords rulers yet he y t hath the greatest part thereof is a Moore and is called Achan it is one of the richest Ilands in al the world for y t it hath many mynes of fine golde of the which although there is a law y t they cannot take out of theÌ„ more than is necessarie yet there is great abundance carried from thence to Malaca Turkie and many other places There is gathered vpon this Iland great abundance of pepper and beniewyn of Boninas in great quantity out of whose trées whereof there is great woods there come foorth so swéet a smel that it seemeth an earthly paradice and was wont to be smelled twenty leagues at sea for which respect the ships that saile that way do come so nigh the lande as they may to haue the comfort of that smell There is also much Camphora and all kinde of spices by reason wherof there commeth vnto this kingdome to traficke many Turkes that come in ships and foystes out of the red sea Also there doth traficke thether those of the kingdom of Sunda Iaua the great and Ambayno and others that are there nigh vnto them Unto this Iland came certaine Portingals to buy and sell whereas they were
hystories of the said Chinos whereas they do make mention of the mightinesse thereof and of the 15. prouinces that are comprehended in the same The which bookes and hystories were brought vnto the citie of Manilla printed and set forth in China and were translated into the spanish toong by interpreters of the saide nations And for that they were baptised and became Christians they remaine as dwellers amongest vs in these Ilandes the better to obserue and keepe the lawes of baptisme and to flie the paine punishment the which they should receiue for dooing the same for that they turned Christians and receiued the faith without the license of the king and counsell which is forbidden vppon paine of death and is executed with great violence and without remission This mightie kingdome is in circuit or compasse about 69516. Die which is a kind of measure that they do vse which being reduced into the spanish account is almost 3000. leagues and in length 1800. leagues this is to be vnderstood the whole 15. prouinces the which are garnished with many cities and townes besides a great number of villages as you may plainely see in the chapter following By the said booke it is found that the Chinos haue amongst them but only three kind of measures the which in their language are called Lii Pu and Icham which is as much to say or in effect as a forlong league or iorney the measure which is called Lii hath so much space as a mans voice in a plaine grounde may bee hearde in a quiet day halowing or whoping with all the force and strength he may and ten of these Liis maketh a Pu which is a great spanish league and ten Pus maketh a dayes iourney which is called Icham which maketh 12. long leagues By the which account it is founde that this kingdome hath the number of leagues as aâ—ore is saide Yet by the account of other bookes they do finde it bigger and of more leagues Yet frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the austen friers in the Ilands Philippinas who is an excellent Geometrician and Cosmographer did cast the account with great diligence by their owne descriptions and doth finde it to amount vnto the sum aforesaid to be 1800. leagues long and 3000. leagues in compasse beginning at the prouince of Olam which is that towards the South and nearest vnto Malacia and so alongst the countrie towards the North east for the space of 600. leagues CHAP. VII Of the 15. prouinces that are in this kingdome THis mightie kingdome is deuided into fiftéene prouinces that euery one of them is bigger then the greatest kingdome that we doo vndâ—rstand to be in all Europe Some doo esteeme those cities to be metropolitans where as is resident the gouernors presidents or viz Rées which in their natural toong are called Cochin of the prouinces two of them which are called Tolanchia and Paguia are gouerned by the king in person with his royall counsel The occasion why the king is alwayes resident or abiding in one of these two prouinces which are two of the mightiest and most popularst of people is not for that in them he is most at his content or receiue more pleasure in them then in any of the other but onely for that they doo conâ—ine vpon the kingdome of Tartaria with whom in times past they had ordinary and continuall wars and for that the king might with more ease put remedie in such harmes receiued and defend with better oportunitie the rage of his enimie he did ordaine and situate his pallace and court in them two And for that it hath béene of antiquitie many yeeres past it hath remained hitherto and appeareth to continue still the habitation of the kings of that kingdome as by desert for the excellencie of the clime and aboundance of all things necessarie The names of the fiftéene prouinces are as followeth Pagâ—ia Foquiem Olam Sinsay Sisuam Tolanchia Cansay Oquiam Aucheo Honan Xanton Quicheâ— Chequeam Susuam and Saxij Almost all these prouinces but in particular tenne of them which are alongst the sea costs are full of déepe riuers of swéete water and nauigable vpon whose branches are situated many cities and townes whereof you may not onely haue the number of them but also their names for that these Chinos are so curious people that in their books are named besides the cities and townes the banketing houses and houses of pleasure which the gentlemen haue for their recreation And for that it will be more trouble then profite to inlarge any further in this matter I will refer it vnto the next chapter where I will intreate of the cities and townes that either of these prouinces hath and passe ouer all the rest as not necessarie for our intent is to set forth the bignes of this kingdome CHAP. VIII Of the cities and townes that euery one of these prouinces hath in himselfe THese fiftéene prouinces which with better truth might be called kingdomes according vnto the greatnes of them as you may perceiue by the number of cities and townes that each of them hath besides villages the which if I should adde herevnto would be an infinite number The number of cities townes that euery prouince hath First the prouince of Paguia where as ordinarily the king and his counsel is resident hath 47. cities and 150. townes Canton hath 37. cities and 190. townes Foquien hath 33. cities and 99. townes Olam hath 90. cities and 130. townes Synsay hath 38. cities and 124. townes Sisuan hath 44. cities and 150. townes Tolanchia hath 51. cities and 123. townes Cansay hath 24. cities and 112. townes Ochian hath 19. cities and 74. townes Aucheo hath 25. cities and 29. townes Honan hath 20. cities and 102. townes Xaton hath 37. cities and 78. townes Quicheu hath 45. cities and 113. townes Chequeam hath 39. cities and 95. townes Susuan hath 42. cities and 105. townes By which account appeareth to be 591. cities and 1593. townes beside villages and houses of pleasure which are an infinite number by the which you may consider that this kingdome doth deserue to be called great and compared with the best and principalâ—t that is heaâ—d of in al the whole world The Chinos doe vse in their pronunciation to terme their cities with this sylable Fu that is as much to say citie as Taybin fu Canton fu and their townes with this sylable Cheu They haue some villages that are so great that it lacketh but onely the name of a towne All their cities for the most part are situated by the riuers sides such as are nauigable the cities are moted rounde about which make them to bee verie strong not only the cities but townes are walled round about with high and strong wals of stone one faddome high and all the rest is of bricke but of so hard a substance that it is not to be broken almost with pickaxes Some cities hath their wals so broad that 4.
the viceroy or gouernour doth vse himselfe in his gouernment and how all other officers do execute their offices without knowing from whence he came nor whether he will neither what he doth pretend So after that hee hath passed thoroughout all the prouince and is fullie certified of all his desire then doth hee goe vnto the chiefe or metropolitane citie whereas are resident all those Iudges against whom hee hath made his visitation and there he dooth remaine and abide till such time as the Tutam or viceroy doth make a generall counsell which is once a month at the least and at such time as they are in their counsell hall and peraduenture without thought of any such Iudge that should come then this Uisitor doth goe vnto the doore and sayth vnto the porter goe and tell them of the councell that here is a Uiâ—itor that must and will come in to notifie vnto them a commandement from the king then the viceroy vnderstanding by these words what he might be doth commaund the doores to be open and doth himselfe and the rest that are with him rise vp from their seates and doth goe and receiue him as their superiour Iudge who doth enter with his prouision open in his handes which dooth not cause a small feare amongest them all but in especiall vnto suche as their owne conscience doth accuse them he doth read his prouision in the presence of them all and at the instant of the conclusion the viceroy doth arise from his place and dooth vnto him great reuerence and complementes and so doo all the rest acknowledging their duties Then dooth this Uisitor place himselfe in the principallest seate of counsell and maketh his oration as the common vse is amongst them wherein he doth giue them to vnderstande the cause of his comming and with what care and diligence he did vse in his visitation to search out the trueth of matters after which with well pondred wordes he doth laude and prayse all such as haue well executed their offices and according thereunto he doth straight waies place them in their counsels in the higher seates and promising them to giue the king his counsell large account of their good seruice that they might bee rewarded according as they do deserue Likewise he doth sharply reprehende all such as haue neglected their bounden dueties Then doth he read there before them all the sentence pronounced against them declaring in summe all such thinges wherein he hath found them culpable which hath caused him to pronounce that sentence against them the which although it be neuer so rigorous it is foorthwith executed without any replication or appellation for from these visitors there is no appellation All such as shalbe punished or reprehended thâ—y do first take away from them the ensignes of Iustice which be as I haue told you the girdle bonnet or narrowe brimd hat with the which they can neither punish nor hurt him and if that any wil absolutely do it he shall for the same be depriued of his office and loose his head So being cleare of these things then do they execute the rigour of the sentence pronounced against the malefactor But if there be any doubt in the sentence giuen then doth he straight waies vppon the same doubt ordaine nine Iudges to sit vpon it admonishing them with the present before their eyes to vse well their offices wherewith hee doth charge them in the name of the king Many times these visitors do carrie power for to reward all such as doo well execute their offices in giuing theÌ„ roomes and offices of greater honor so that the present and knowen reward which is done vnto the good and the rigorous punishment for the malefactors is the occasion that this mighty kingdome is one of the best ruled and gouerned of any that is at this time knowen in all the world waying the gouernment of the one as in many places of this historie it is expressed and ioyne it vnto the long and great experience which we haue had in the other and then you will say as I say Many times these visitors do visite the colleges and schooles such as the king hath ordained of his owne cost in euerie prouince as in the processe of this booke you shall vnderstand do examine the schoollers of the same animating them to promotion all such as doo profite themselues in their studies and do whip and put in prison yea and thrust them out of the schooles all such as are to the contrarie Of all the which and of their commencing and rewardes which is giuen vnto such as they do find sufficient shall be at large declared vnto you in a particular chapter for the same CHAP. XII Of their prisons they doo vse and the order they haue in the executing of iustice vpon the culpable EUen as the iudges and ministers are seuere and cruell in punishing euen so they are in putting them in prisons the which are as terrible and as cruell with the which they doo kéepe in peace and iustice this mightie kingdome and as there is much people so haue they many prisons and verie great There are in euery principal citie throughout al these prouinces thirtéene prisons inclosed coÌ„passed about with high wals and of so great largenesse within that besides the lodgings of the kéeper and his officers and for a garison of souldiours that are there continually there are fish ponds gardeines courts whereas the prisoners do walke and recreate themselues all the day such as are in for small matters Likewise there are victualling houses and shops whereas is solde all manner of such things as the prisoners doo make for to sustaine themselues which if they did not vse their whole substance were not sufficient for their maintenance the time is so long that they lie there although it be for a small matter the occasion is for that the iudges take deliberation in their sentences and againe their cities are great and ful of other matters Likewise they are slowe in the execution of any sentence So that many times it doth fall out that men being condemned to die doo remaine so long in prison after their condemnation that they die with pure age or some other sicknesse or infirmitie or by the crueltie of the straight and asper prison Of these thirtéene prisons aforesaide alwayes foure of them are occupied with prisoners condemned vnto death and in euerie one of them there is a captaine ouer one hundred souldiers which are reparted and dooth kéepe watch and warde day and night euery one of these condemned prisoners hath a bord tied about his necke that hangeth downe vnto his knées a third of a yarde brode it is made white with a certaine whiting and written vpon it the occasion wherefore he was condemned to die The kéeper of the prison hath a booke wherein is written all the names of them that are condemned and the occasion wheâ—fore for to be accountable of
there be that bee verie curiouslie wrought and faire which may bée of such which the Captaine Artieda did sée who in a letter that hee wrote vnto king Phillip giuing him to vnderstande of the secreats of this countrie amongst which hee saide the Chinos doo vse all armour as wee doo and the artilerie which they haue is excellent good I am of that opinion for that I haue séene vessels there of huge greatnesse and better made then ours and more stronger In euerie Citie they haue certaine houses where they make their ordinance and artilerie continuallie they doo not plant them on Castles for that they haue not the vse of them in all the kingdome but vppon the gates of their cities which hath mightie great and thicke walles and déepe ditches which they doo fill with water out of the next riuer at all times when néede requireth which they account the greatest strength in all the kingdome At euerie gate of the Citie there is a Captaine with manie souldiours that keepeth watch and warde night and daie to suffer no stranger to enter in without especiall lycence of the gouernour of the Citie or towne By this that I haue alredie saide as seemeth vnto mée is apparantlie shewed and declared the antiquitie of Artilerie in this kingdome and howe that they there were the first inuenters thereof Likewise it dooth plainely appéere that there was the first inuention of printing a thing as strange as the other whose antiquitie in that kingdome shalbe shewed in the Chapter following CHAP. XVI Of the antiquitie and manner of printing of bookes vsed in this kingdome long before the vse in our Europe THe admirable inuention and the subtill ingenie of printing is such that for lacke of the vse thereof should haue béene forgotten the worthinesse of manie excellent men and of their déedes doone in the happie daies and times long past and manie in these our daies woulde not trouble themselues so much as they doo in learning to get honour and promotion or in feates of warres if that their fame should no longer continue in writing then their liues on the earth Leauing apart the woonderfull effectes of this subtile inuention least speaking thereof I shoulde be ouer tedious I will heere onelie goe about to prooue that which this Chapter dooth propounde with some ensamples whereof manie are found in their histories and likewise in ours It doth plainelie appeare by the vulgar opinion that the inuention of printing did beginne in Europe in the yeare 1458. the which was attributed vnto Toscan called Iohn Cutembergo and it was saide of trueth that the first mould wherewith they doo print was made in Maguncia from whence an Almaine called Conrado did bring the same inuention into Italie And the first booke that was printed was that which saint Austine did write intituled De ciuitate Dei wherein manie authors agrée But the Chinos doo affirme that the first beginning was in their countrie and the inuentour was a man whome they reuerence for a saint whereby it is euident that manie yeares after that they had the vse therof it was brought into Almaine by the way of Ruscia and Moscouia from whence as it is certaine they may come by lande and that some merchants that came from thence into this kingdome by the redde sea and from Arabia Felix might bring some â—ooks from whence this Iohn Cutembergo whom the histories dooth make authour had his first foundation The which béeing of a trueth as they hauâ— authoritie for the same it dooth plainelie appeare that this inuention came from them vnto vs and for the better credite heereof at this day there are found amongst them many bookes printed 500. yeares before the inuention began in Almanie of the which I haue one and I haue séene others as well in Spaine and in Italie as in the Indies The Frier Herrada and his companions when they came from the China vnto the Philippinas did bring with them manie printed bookes of diuers matters which they did buy in the Citie of Aucheo the which were printed in diuers places of the kingdome Yet the most part of them were printed in the prouince of Ochian whereas is the best print and as they did report they woulde haue brought a great number more if that the vizroy had not disturbed them for they haue great libraries and very good cheape but hée suspected that those bookes might be a meane to giue them to vnderstande the secrets of their kingdome the which they doo indeuour to kéepe close from strangers The vizroy vsed a policie and sent them word how that he was certified that they went about buying of bookes for to carry them into their countrie and howe they shoulde not spende their many on them for hée woulde giue them for nothing so manie bookes as they woulde haue which afterward hée did not performe possible for the reason aforesaide or else he did forget his promise At such time as this commandement came vnto them they had bought a good number out of the which are taken the most things that wée haue put in this small historie for to giue a briefe notice of them and of that kingdome till such time as by a true certificate the experience of manie shall cause more credite thereunto for that vnto this day by reason of the small notice wée haue we cannot with so great authoritie make it so credible as wee hope that time hereafter will doo The which hath mooued mee yea and constrained me to leaue to intreat of manie things which in those parts are to bée credited yea and are most true and for the same I haue béene blamed and reprehended by such as haue had perfite notice thereof And nowe for that I will not go from my purpose you shall vnderstand in the Chapter following whereof these bookes that they brought doo intreat that the better you may giue credite vnto the curiositie and policie of that kingdome as in manie places I haue declared and hereafter will declare CHAP. XVII The substance and manner of those bookes that Frier Herrada and his companions brought from China THey brought with them a great number of bookes as wée haue said that did intreate of diuers matters as you shall perceiue in the sequele Of the description of all the whole kingdome of China and the placing of the 15. prouinces and the length and bredth of euerie one of them and of other kingdomes bordering vppon them Of all tributes and rentes belonging vnto the king and of all the orders of his royall pallace and of his ordinarie pensions that hee giueth and the names of all officers in his house and how far euery office doth extend How many tributaries euerie prouince hath and the number of such as are frée from tribute and the order and time how and when they are to be recouered For the making of ships of all sorts and the order of nauigation with the altitudes of euery port and the quantitie of
vnto the faith of the Christians that if it were not that he should be banished and loose his countrie house and landes without all doubt he would haue béene baptised the which he could not do without loosing of all for that they haue a law in their countrie the which is obserued and kept inuiolably by the which it is forbidden that none whatsoeuer can receiue any strange religion differing from theirs vpon paine of death without the consent of the king and his counsell This law was made to take away nouelties and to liue all in one vniformitie of religion with one manner of rites and ceremonies This only was the occasion that certaine marchants of China being affectioned vnto the law of the gospell were baptised at the Philippinas and there doo dwell at this day in the citie of Manilla amongest the Spaniardes and are become verie good Christians So with these offers and with promises to be great friendes vnto the Spaniardes the Generall departed from Manilla to goe vnto the firme lande and with him the other Captaynes Omoncon and Sinsay with great hope that verie shortly they should be all of one faith So the one tooke their leaue of the other with reasons of great affection and tokens of great loue signifying that in any thing that should be offered they should finde them friendly They being departed the Spaniardes remayned verie carefull in praying vnto the diuine maiestie desiring of him to direct all thinges in this their request that it might be to his holy seruice and also to inspire the catholike maiestie of king Phillip their Lorde for to sende his Embassador vnto the king of China offering his friendship and to admonish him to receiue the faith of Christ the which according vnto the report of the Austen Fryers that entred into that countrie of whom we haue made mention manie times in this booke with their companions and also the Generall of China tolde them that there was no other means but only that for to bring their purpose to effect This counsell with all the spéede possible they put in vre and sent vnto his maiestie one of purpose and in the name of all them of those Ilandes to request him and to declare how much it did import They sent vnto him this relation with manie particular persons for to mooue his most Christian minde for to sende an Embassador as in effect hee did in that sort as hath béene tolde you in the last Chapter of the thirde Booke of this historie whereas it is declared in particular and in what estate it doth remaine vnto this day God for his mercies sake direct all thinges that it may be to his seruice and glorie and the saluation of so many soules The end of the first booke of the second part The second booke of the second part of the historie of the mightie kingdome of China In the which is contayned the voyage that was into that kingdome in the yeare 1576. by the fathers Fryer Peter de Alfaro Costodio in the Ilandes Philippinas of the order of saint Francis of the prouince of S. Ioseph and other three religious men of the same order and their miraculous entring into that kingdome and what happened vnto them for the space of seuen monthes that they there remained and what they did see and vnderstand of all the which are notable and verie rare CHAP. I. The Fryers of Saint Francis came vnto the Ilandes Philippinas and procured to passe vnto the firme lande of the kingdome of China with zeale to preach the holy gospell THe day of the visitation of our Ladie in the yeare 1578. there came out of Spaine to the Citie of Manilla in the Ilandes Philippinas the father Fryer Peter de Alfaro who went for Costodio of that prouince and fourteene more other religious persons of the same order in his companie and were sent by the king of Spaine and his royall Counsel of the Indias for to be ayders and helpers of the Austen Fryers who vntill that time had béene there alone in those Ilandes occupied in the conuerting of the people in that countrie and were the first ministers of the gospell preaching the same with great zeale vnto the profite of their soules of the which people those Fryers had baptised when the others ariued more then one hundred thousande and the rest prepared and cathecised to receiue the like Because that at the first occasion that might be giuen they might enter into the kingdome of China to preach the holy gospell The which Fryers when that they had béen there the space of one yeare occupying themselues in the same exercise in preaching and conuerting the people of that countrie In the same time they were giuen to vnderstande by the relation of the selfe same Austen Fryers as also by many marchants of China which came vnto them with marchandice of things to be wondred at of that mightie kingdome and of the infinite number of soules which the diuell had deceiued and brought vnto his seruice with false Idolatrie The which being by them well vnderstood they did burne with great zeale and desire of their saluation and to goe and preach the gospell although it were to put their persons in whatsoeuer hazarde or danger So with this their great desire they did many and diuerse times communicate with the gouernor that was there at that time for his maiestie who was called the Doctor Francisco de Sandi desiring his fauour and licence for to goe vnto China in the companie of certaine marchants of that countrie that were at that present in the port with their ships offering themselues to get their good will although it were to offer themselues to be slaues or otherwise whatsoeuer And séeing that at all such times when as they did intreat of that matter they found him but luke warme and that he did as it were but to detract the time and feed them with hope then they calling to minde that the chiefest intent and cause of their comming out of Spayne was to enter into that kingdome caused a newe desire to grow in them what with the contractation they had with the sayde Chinos as well in conuersation as in talke and finding them to be a people of great abilitie and discretion and of verie good iudgements the which did greatly content their desire they did perswade themselues that it was an easie matter to make them to vnderstande the thinges appertayning vnto God So that they determined to put other remedies in practise because that which they required with the good will of the Gouernor séemed to be a large and long matter So it happened that vpon a time intreating of this matter and hauing requested of God with great instance for to direct them the readie way which was best for his seruice and for the profite of those soules there came to the Ilandes Philippinas a Chino who according as they did vnderstand was one of the priests
best manner they could or knewe being holpen and constrained by necessitie they let their ship saile and go whither as fortune did cary them So after many dangers and stormes at the sea according to the will of the heauens they came vnto this port whose name as yet they knew not The Iudge asked them where they had that Chino that they brought in their company for an interpreter They answered that he was in Luzon captiue vnto a Spaniard they tooke him and set him frée and hée vnderstanding that they were bound vnto the firme land of China which was his naturall countrie he requested them to carrie him thither the which they did with a very good will for that they had neede of him to vtter their desire if néede did so require All the which the other interpreter fearing that if he should tel vnto y e Iudge how that he was captiue vnto the Christians hée woulde bée offended and therefore hee did falsifie the same and saide that comming vnto an Iland to take in fresh water they found the boy there where he was captiue eight yeares before and came thither forced with a great storme in the which was drowned a merchants shippe that was bound to Luzon and he alone escaped by swimming and so hee came aborde the shippe in the which were the fathers not knowing whither they went All these vntruthes he did inuent for to dissemble and go forwards with his knauish pretence and would not declare the true intent of the Friers the which he had decréed with himselfe how to doo before the Iudge did sende to call them Moreouer the Iudge did aske them what they brought in their small shippe they answered that they brought nothing but one chest and two little fardels of bookes and an ornament for to say masse This did the interpreter declare truely vnto the Iudge for that experience might be made thereof So the Iudge forthwith commanded that it should be brought before him the which being done he caused it to be vndone and he perused euery thing by it selfe the which being strange vnto him for that he neuer saw the like he made signes vnto them that he receiued great contentment in the séeing of thē but specially of the Images they brought but that which did best please him was an Ara or sopre-altar of a blacke stone the which did shine so bright that they might sée themselues therein as well as in a glasse These Friers did bring the same with them out of the kingdome of Mexico whereas you haue great aboundance but specially in the prouince of Mechuacan So after that hee had seene all and sawe that it was drie without any signe or token that it had béene in the sea hée called to remembrance the wordes of the interpreter in the name of the fathers touching the storme wherein their shippe was cast away and howe that they escaped by swimming and put themselues in that small shippe in the which they came and considering of the same it séemed vnto him that they did fable in that which they had saide so that he did replie and asked if it were true that which they had before declared and howe it shoulde bee that their bookes and other things were not wet at the sea which was an euident token and plainely to be vnderstood that they had fabled and told lies and so he beléeued they did in all the rest The interpreter fearing least by that argumēt his falshod would be discouered he fel in talke a while w t the Friers asking answering things very different to that which y e Iudge had cōmanded him Thē he w t a strange sharpe boldnes answered to y e difficulty proponed by y e Iudge said That as all merchants at such time as their shippes are readie to sinke and to be lost they doo procure first to saue such thinges as are of most estimation forgetting all the rest euen so these religious men did procure with great care and diligence to saue those books and that ornament which is all their treasure and yet for all their diligences done they lost a great number mo All these fables and lies after many dayes the religious fathers came to haue the knowledge of The Iudge did aske them if they brought any armor or weapons in their shippe they answered that they were no men to bring them neither according vnto their profession they coulde not weare nor vse them for that they were religious and professed other matters contrary vnto the vse of armor or weapon promising and auowing vnto God perpetuall pouertie and chastitie and vnto their superior prelates obedience all the dayes of their liues The Iudge returned and asked them if they had any monie and where withall they did eate and apparell themselues and bought those bookes and ornaments they answered that all that which they had was giuen them by secular Christians for Gods sake whome they did serue for that they should pray for them and for the saluation of their soules The Iudge when he heard this was greatly astonied for that the interpreter did declare the truth and made signes that he receiued griefe and had pittie on them although he gaue not full credite to that which he heard but said that he would go aborde their shippe to sée if they did say the truth in not bringing anie armor or weapon neither siluer nor merchandize This did hée straightwayes put in vre and commaunded them that brought him in the litter Chaire vppon their shoulders to go thitherward all those people did beare him companie as also a great number that were there ioyned togither to heare the examination of those strangers and also the Spaniards he commanded to go next vnto him So when that he was in their shippe set in his Chaire his ministers beganne to search the shippe in all places both aboue and below and could finde nothing but a little Rice which was left of tha◠which they brought with them they gaue y e Iudge to vnderstande thereof who looking vpon the Spaniards said that all they that were in the shippe might heare him these do speake the truth and they doo seeme vnto me to bee good people and without any superstition and without all doubt they doo come and will be after the manner of our religious men according as is to be séene in the vniformitie of their aprarell as also in their heads and beardes Then he beganne to demaunde of them certaine thinges more of curiositie then of suspection who answered him casting vp their eies vnto heauen for that their talke was thereof they saw that the Iudge did greatly reioyce and had pleasure therein for that it séemed that they had the heauens for their God as they haue by reason they did so much looke vpwards After this the Iudge came foorth of the shippe but the religious men remained behind at his commandement with his companions and likewise hee commaunded certaine of
them the seruant of the Aytao and the interpreter yet would they not open the gate vntill such time as it was acknowledged and newe firmed by another Iudge the which being done they presently did open the gates did conduct them vnto the house of one which is to be compared to a Iudge of the court called in their language Tequisi that he might go with them to the Aytao for so it was commanded ordained Unto this Tequisi they gaue their petition that they had made without giuing the interpreter to vnderstand therof requesting him by signes some words which they had learned of the language that he woulde giue it to the Aytao to procure that hee might accept grant that which by y e same they did demand but wheÌ„ they gaue it him it caused great alteration in the interpreter for that they told the Iudge y t he was a théefe a traitor how that he had sold them to the captaine general of Machao how that hee had presented a petition in their name howe that they would go thither not to the Iland of Luzon where all their desire is to returne and this hath he done by gifts that the saide captaine general hath promised to giue him if that he do accomplish his desire The Tequisi when he heard this he forthwith departed with vs from his owne house towards the house of the Aytao which was hard by and as he went by the way he read their petition and sawe that it was different to that which the interpreter had giuen before vnto the Aytao he being present whereat he made a sâ—ay began to consider of the same as also of that which the Spaniards had said vnto him at such time as they gaue him their petition for by the signes and tokens they made as by their semblant in spéech it séemed to him that they were maruellously indigned against the interpreter but he did not wel vnderstand them for that they could not plainly declare it in their language till such time as hee found the contrarietie that was in the petitions the turbation of y e interpreter whom presently hee called vnto him and asked him what the matter was hee trembling for feare answered and saide that hée vnderstood that the father Costodio whome all the rest doo obey as their head and with whom he alonely did comunicate that it was his pleasure and gaue order to go vnto Machao and that hee was certaine that all the rest were of that opinion wherein he thought he had done well and therefore he presented that petition in asking licence whereby they might doo it liberallie with this discharge and againe the Spaniards séeing how he was terrified and how that he requested them so humblie they would not procéede any farther with their complaint wherewith the Tequisi was satisfied who said vnto the Spaniards being in the gallerie of the Aytao his house that they shoulde tarry there and hee entred in with the petition in his hand So within a while after they were commanded to enter into the hall there whereas the Iudges were and had séene the petition and comoned about the same And at their entring into the hall whereas the Aytao was there were signes made vnto them that they should knéele downe the which they did almost twenty paces before they came to the table that was before him hee had in hande the petition that Tequisi had giuen vnto him and although that he had read it before yet did he returne and looked againe vppon it and asked which were they that would go vnto Machao The father Costodio signified himselfe and frier Iohn Baptista his companion and said that they for that they were old and timorous of the sea they would go thither for that it was nearer hande and howe that the rest that were not of such yeares neither so timorous they woulde returne vnto the Iland of Luzon from whence they came and there dwell with other of their brethren and friends that were there The interpreter whose euill conscience did accuse him for the euils which he had done was so timorous that all men might sée plainly his default and without al doubt the Iustices are so right in executing the same that if their complaint had gone forwards they would haue punished him and his companion and that very cruelly but the religious Friers woulde not consent that the souldiers shoulde declare against them although their will was good but thought it a sufficient punishment to sée in what affliction the poore men were in and tooke pittie on them The Aytao was desirous to sée their Images and book which was the chiefest occasion wherefore hee sent to call them and when he saw them he receiued great content and called the Fa Costodio to come nigh vnto him and asked the signification of some of them such as séemed vnto him most strangest and being satisfied thereof hee commanded the Frier Costodio to reade on one of these bookes hée harkening vnto it with great attention and as one amased to sée those letters and the forme of them so farre different vnto theirs which are all in manner of caractes as hath béene told you So after that they had passed away the time a while in this hee saide that those which woulde go vnto Machao shoulde put themselues on the one side and they that woulde go vnto Luzon on the other the which being doone hee tooke his leaue of them verie louinglie and saide that hee would giue them the licence which they did aske at all times whensoeuer they woulde although hee coulde not grant it them without first to consult with the vizroy of Aucheo yet he would doo it within tenne dayes and then those which woulde go vnto Macheo might presently depart and those which would go vnto Luzo he would send them vnto Chincheo that from thence the gouernour shoulde cause them to be sent in the first passage that goeth with merchandice This Aytao was very peaceable and humaine who hauing compassion on the Spaniards for that they séemed vnto him to be good men he commanded to bee giuen to them ouer aboue the kings alowance a Hogge and Rice and other kind of victuals So here with they went vnto their lodgings with content and also the interpreter who thought that hée was new borne againe that day CHAP. XIII The Spaniards remaine certaine dayes in Canton whither came certaine Portugals from Machao at the first they feared them but afterwards they were assured by the contractation they had the one with the other that they were friendes the vizroy of Aucheo commeth to Canton and dispatcheth the Spaniards giueth them good prouision and intertainment AFter that the ten daies were past appointed by the Aytao and some more séeing that no more mention was made of them but as though they had neuer séene theÌ„ they were very sorowfull in ielousie that the captaine general of Machao
of S. Austin When the Spaniardes went first vnto this Ilande according vnto y e report of the reuerende father de Las Casas bishop of Chiapa was in the yeare 1509. This Iland was so full of trées and fruite that they gaue it the name of the Guertas and there were in it sixe hundreth thousande Indios of the which at this day there remaineth not one From this Ilande vnto the Ilande of Santo Domingo is foure score leagues I say from one port vnto an other and from poynt to point but twelue leagues They doo ordinarilie go from one port to an other in thrée dayes but to returne they are more than a moneth for because the winde is contrarie CHAP. III. Of the Iland of Santo Domingo called Hispaniola and of their properties THe Iland Hispaniola which by an other name is called Santo domingo by reason that it was discouered as that day it is in eightéene degrées and was the first that was discouered in the Indias by the captaine Christopher Colon worthie of immortall memorie it was inhabited in the yeare of 1492. This Iland is in compasse more than sixe hundreth leagues it is diuided into fiue kingdomes the one of theÌ„ is now called the Vega which at the time that it was discouered was called Neagua it hath foure score leagues in compasse and stretcheth all of them from the north vnto the south out of the which sea as doth testifie the reuerende of Ciapa in his booke doth enter onely into the kingdome thirtie thousand riuers and running brookes twelue of them as great as Ebro Duero Guadalquiuir in Spaine The foresaide bishop doth also speake of an other maruaile which is that the most part of these riuers those which do distil and run from the mountaines which is towardes the west are very rich of gold and some of it very fine as is that which is takeÌ„ out of the mynes of Cibao which is very well knowen in that kingdome also in spaine by reason of the great perfectioÌ„ therof out of y e which myne haâ—h béene taken out a péece of virgin golde so bigge as a twopennie wheaten loafe and did weigh three thousand and sixe hundred Castillianos the which was sonke and lost in the sea in carrying of it into Spaine as doth testifie the aforesaid reuerend bishop In this Ilande there is greater quantitie of cattell than in the other Iland of Puerto rico there is made much sugar and gathered much ginger and Cannafistula and also manie sortes of fruits such as is in Spaine as others different of the countrie that in abundance there are also great store of hogs whose fleshe is as holesome and as sauorie as is mutton in Spaine and is verie good cheape a heyfor is bought for eight ryalles of plate and all other thinges of that countrie after the rate although that the marchandice of Spaine is verie deere It is a countrie of verie much golde if there were people for to take it out and manie pearles In all this Ilande they gather no wheate but in the bishopricke of Palensuela although in many other places the ground would yéeld it very well if they would sowe it But nature which was woont to supplie necessities dooth accomplish the lacke of wheate to giue them in stéede thereof a roote which dooth growe in that Ilande in great quantitie abundance and dooth serue them for bread as it did vnto the naturall people of that countrie when the Spaniards went thither It is white and is called Casaue the which being grinded brought into meale they doo make bread thereof for their sustinence the which although it is not so good as that which is made of wheat meale yet may they passe therwith and sustaine themselues This countrie is verie hoat by reason whereof their victuals are of small substance The principall citie of that Ilande is called Santo Domingo for the reason abouesaid in the which is an arch-bishop a royall audience or chauncerie this Citie is built on the sea side and hath to it a great riuer the which dooth serue them for their port or hauenâ— and is verie secure There is in it thrée monasteries of religious friers and two of Nunnes In this Ilande as saith the reuerende bishop of Chiapa in his booke there were wheÌ„ as the Spaniards came first thether thrée millions of men naturall Indians of the which at this day there is not two hundred left and yet the most part of them be sonnes vnto Spaniardes and blacke mores borne of the Indians women All their sugar milles and other places are inhabited with negros of the which there may be in that Ilande about twelue thousand It is a holsome countrie vnto theÌ„ that dwell therein The sea is ful of whales and that in abundance which are séene by such as do come in their ships many times they are in feare of them But aboue all other there is an infinit nuÌ„ber of great fishes called Tiburones are in great skule they are marueilously affected vnto humaine flesh wil folow a shippe fiue hundred leagues without leauing of it one day Many times they haue taken of the fishes and do finde in their bellies all such filth as hath béene throwne out of their shippe in many dayes sailing and whole shéepes heads with hornes and all If they chance to finde a man in the waters side he wil eate him all if not all that he doth fasten on he doth sheare it cleane away be it a legge or an arme or half his body as many times it hath béene séene and they doo it very quickly for that they haue many rowes of téeth in their heads which be as sharpe as Rasers CHAP. IIII. Of the way and the Ilandes that are betwixt this Iland of Santo Domingo and the kingdome of Mexico THe first Ilande that is after you are departed from Santo Domingo is that which ordinarily is called Nauala the which is one hundred and twelue leagues from y e cittie of Santo domingo and is seuentéene degrees and is but a small Iland and nigh vnto that is another which is called Iamayca of fiftie leagues in Longitude and fourtéene in Latitude there was wont to be about them many Vracanes which are spowts of water with many blustering winds This word Vracan in the Indian tongue of those Ilands is as much to say as the ioyning of all the foure principall winds togither the one forcing against the other the which ordinarily dooth blow vppon this coste in the monethes of August September and October by reason whereof such fléetes as are bound vnto the Indies doo procure to passe that coast before these thrée monethes or after for that by experience they haue lost many ships in those times From this Iland they go vnto the Ilande of Cuba which is in twenty degrées in the which is the port of Hauana