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
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.
we do call holy men They likewise doo sacrifice vnto the diuell not as though they were ignorant that he is euill or condemned but that he shoulde doo them no harme neither on their bodies nor goods They haue manie strange gods of so great a number that alonely for to name them is requisite a large hystorie and not to be briefe as is pretended in this booke And therefore I will make mention but of their principals whom besides those which I haue named they haue in great reuerence The first of these they doo call Sichia who came from the kingdome of Tranthlyco which is towards the west this was the first inuenter of such religious people as they haue in their countrie both men and women and generally doth liue without marrying in perpetuall closenesse And all such as doo immitate this profession do weare no haire which number is great as hereafter you shall vnderstand and they greatly obserue that order left vnto them The next is called Quanina and was daughter vnto the king Tzonton who had thrée daughters two of them were married and the third which was Quanina hee woulde also haue married but she would neuer consent thereunto saying that she had made a vow to heauen to liue chast whereat the king her father was verie wroth and put her into a place like vnto a monasterie whereas she was made to carrie wood and water and to worke and make cleane an orcharde that was there The Chinos do tell many tales of this maide for to be laughed at saying that the apes came from the mountaines for to helpe her and how that saints did bring her water and the birds of the aire with their bylles did make cleane her orchard and that the great beastes came out of the mountaines and brought her woode Her father perceiuing that imagining that she did it by witchcraft or by some art of the diuell as it might well bee commanded to set fire on that house whereas she was then she séeing that for her cause that house was set on fire she would haue destroyed her selfe with a siluer pinne which she had to trim vp her haire but vpon a sodaine at that instant there fel a great shower of raine and did put out the fire and shee departed from thence and hid her selfe in the mountaines whereas she liued in great penance and led a holy life And her father in recompence of the great sinne and euill he committed against her was turned to a lepar and full of wormes in such sort that there was no phisition that could cure him by reason whereof hee was constrained to repaire vnto his daughter to séeke cure which being aduised of the same by reuelation of a deuine spirit then her father being certified thereof did craue pardon at her handes and did repent him verie much of that which he had done and did worshippe vnto her the which she séeing resisted her father therein and put a saint before him that he should worship it and not her and therewith shee straight waies returned vnto the mountaines whereas she died in great religion This they haue amongest them for a great saint and doe pray vnto her to get pardon for their sinnes of the heauen for that they do beleeue that she is there Besides this they haue another saint which they call Neoma and was borne in a towne called Cuchi in the prouince of Ochiam This they saye was daughter vnto a principall man of that Towne and would neuer marrie but left her owne naturall soyle and went vnto a little Iland which is right ouer against Ingoa whereas she liued a verie straight life and shewed manie false miracles· The occasion why they haue her in reputation of a saint is There was a certaine Captaine of the king of China whose name was Compo he was sent vnto a kingdome not farre from thence to make warre against the king It so chaunced that he with his nauie came to an anker at Buym and being readie to departe hee would haue wayed his ankers but by no meanes he could not mooue them being greatly amazed thereat and looking foorth he sawe this Neoma sitting on them Then the Captaine came vnto her and told her with great humilitie that hee was going to warres by commandement of the king And that if so be she were holie that she would giue him counsell what were best for him to do to whom she answered and sayd that if he would haue the victorie ouer them that hee went to conquer that he should carrie her with him He did performe that which she said and carried her with him vnto that kingdome whose inhabitantes were great Magicians and threw oyle into the sea and made it séeme that their shippes were all on fire This Neoma did worke by the same art and did vndoe that which the other did practise or imagine in such sort that their magicke did profitte them nothing neither could they doe anie harme vnto them of China The which being perceiued by them of y ◠kingdome they did yeeld themselues to be subiectes and vassales vnto the king of China The Captaine beléeued this to be a myracle yet notwithstanding he did coniure her as one of good discretion for that thinges might fall out to the contrarie and the better to certifie his opinion whereby hee might the better giue relation thereof vnto the king he said Ladie turne me this rodde the which I haue in my hand drie to become gréene and florishing and if you can so do I will worship you for a saint Then she at that instant did not onely make it gréene but also to haue an odoriferous smell The which rod hee put vpon the poope of his ship for a remembrance and for that he had a verie prosperous and good viage he did attribute it vnto her So that vnto this day they haue her in reputation of a saint and carrie her picture vpon the poope of their ships and such as be traueilers to the sea doo offer vnto her sacrifices These aforesaide they doo estéeme for their principall saints yet besides all these they haue an infinite number of carued idols which they doo place vpon alters in their tempels the quantitie of them is such that in my presence it was affirmed by frier Geronimo Martin he that entred into China and is a man of great credite woorthy to giue credite vnto that amongst many other things he was in one of their temples in the cittie of Vcheo where as hee did count one hundred and twelue idols and besides this they haue manie in the high wayes and stréetes and vppon their principall gates of the citie the which they haue in small veneration as you shall perceiue in this chapter following whereby it is plainelie to be séene in what subiection they are vnto errours and Idolatrie such as doo lacke the trueth of true Christian religion CHAP. III. How little they doo esteeme their Idols whome they worshippe
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
of those later times who for to conquere strange countries did separate themselues so farre from their natural that they lost their owne countries at home But these of this kingdome being forewarned as y e prouerbe saith Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum By the hurt of another c. they haue found by experience y t to go forth of their owne kingdome to conquer others is the spoile and losse of much people and expences of great treasures besides the trauaile and care which continually they haue to sustaine that which is got with feare to be lost againe so that in the meane time whilest they were occupied in strange conquests their enimies the Tartarians and other kings borderers vnto them did trouble and inuade them doing great damage and harme And more considering that they do possesse one of the greatest best kingdomes of the world as well for riches as for fertilty by reason whereof and by the great aboundance of things that the country doth yéeld many strange nations do profite themselues from them and they haue néed of none other nation for that they haue sufficient of all things necessarie to the mainteining of humane life In consideration whereof they called a generall court of parliament whether came all vizroyes and gouernours and other principall men of all the fiftéene prouinces and there they did communicate to put remedy in this great inconuenience in the best manner possible Then after they had wel considered of the same with great care diligēce taking the iudgement particular of euery one in generall by common consent they found it requisit for their quietnes profite a thing most conuenient for the common wealth to leaue al y t they had got gained out of their owne kingdome but specially such countries as were farre off And from that day forwards not to make any wars in any place for that from thence did procéed a knowne damage a doubtfull profite and being altogether conformable they did request the king that was at that present that he would cal home al such people as he had in other kingdomes bordering there about vnder his obedience perswading him that in so doing he should remaine a mightie prince more richer more in quiet and in more securitie Then the king perceiuing the request and petition of his kingdome subiects and being fully satisfied that this perswasion was requisite to be put in execution he straightwayes set it a worke and commanded vpon great penalties that al his subiects and vassals naturall that were in any strange countries that in a time limited they should returne home to their own country and houses and likewise to the gouernours of the same countries that they should in his name abandon leaue the dominion and possession that he had of them excepting such as would of their owne good will acknowledge vassalage and giue him tribute remaine friends as vnto this day the Lechios other nations do This law was then established and is inuiolablie kept to this day in the which it is first commanded that none whatsoeuer vpon paine of death shall make or begin warre in any part without his licence Also on the said penaltie that no subiect of his shall nauigate by sea out of the kingdome without the said licence Also that whosoeuer will go from one prouince to another within the said kingdome to traficke in buying and selling shall giue suerties to returne againe in a certaine time limited vpon paine to bee disnaturalled of the country Likewise that no stranger whatsoeuer shal come in by sea nor by land without his expresse licence or of the gouernours of such ports or places whereas they shall come or ariue And this licence must be giuen with great consideration aduising the king therof Al which lawes haue béene so inuiolablie kept and obserued that it hath béene the occasion that this mightie kingdome hath not come to notice and knowledge but of late yeares All the which that is said séemeth to be true for that it is cléerely found in their histories and books of nauigations of old antiquitie whereas it is plainely séene that they did come with their shipping vnto the Indies hauing conquered al that is from China vnto the farthest part thereof Of all the which they indured possessers in great quietnes till such time as they ordeined the law of abandoning of their owne good will as aforesaid So that at this day there is great memory of them in the ilands Philippinas and on the cost of Coromande which is the cost against the kingdome of Norsinga towards the sea of Cengala whereas is a towne called vnto this day the soile of the Chinos for that they did reedifie make the same The like notice memory is there in the kingdom of Calicut wheras be many trées and fruits that the naturals of that countrie do say were brought thither by the Chinos when that they were lords and gouernours of that countrie Likewise in those dayes they were of Malaca Siam and Chapaa other of their borderers Also it is to be beléeued of y e Ilands of Iapon for that there are many tokens of the Chinos vnto this day the naturals of the country are much after the fashion of the Chinos and many particular things that do giue vs to vnderstand and some lawes that are obserued and kept in China But now in these dayes the gouernours of the sea ports do dispence with the law that forbiddeth y e going out of the kingdome by certain giftes which is giuen thē by merchants to giue them secret licence that they may go and traficke in Ilands bordering there about as vnto the Philippinas whither come euery yeare many ships ladē with merchandise of great riches of the which is brought many times into Spaine Likewise they do trauaile vnto other parts and places wheras they vnderstand they may profite themselues Yet they do not giue any such licence vntill they haue giuen suerties to returne within one whole yeare The desire of gaine hath caused them to traueile to Mexico whither came the yeare past in anno 1585. thrée merchants of China with very curious things neuer staied till they came into Spaine and into other kingdomes further off Likewise the said iudge and gouernours doo giue licence vnto strangers in the order aforesaid for to enter into their ports to buy sel but first vpon examination and charge that they should haue a great care not to demand any licence but to the same intent Then haue they their licence with a time limited and with condition that they shall not procure to goe about their cities neither to see the secrets thereof And this is giuen in writing vpon a whited table which is set vpon the fore partes of their ships that when they come to an anker in any port it may be séene of the kéepers and guards that they sinke them
enter into the royall hall whereas they were examined al richly apparelled and being assembled then do enter in al those that shal receiue degrées galantly apparelled without any vpper garment and before euerie one of them go the Padrines and after them the Graduates with garments very finely made riding on Gennets very sumptuously couered with cloth of gold and silke that do carie the ensignes that shalbe giuen vnto him the which hee dooth demande of the visitor knéeling vpon his knées with great humilitie Who first sweare them that in all offices committed vnto them they shall with all care and diligence doo iustice equallie vnto all men and that they shall not receiue â—anie bribes or presents whatsoeuer that they shall be true and loyall vnto the king and that they shall not conspire in any confederacie or treason against him and manie other things which ceremonies he standeth long about This oth being taken the visitor who presenteth the kings person dooth put on them the ensignes aforesaide with the facultie belonging thereunto and then hée and all the Loytias imbrace them presently This doone they depart out of the hal in verie decent order at which instant all the belles in the citie are rong and great store of ordinance and artilerie discharged which continueth a good space Then they carrie these newe Loytias throughout the citie accompanied with a multitude of people in manner following There go first before them many souldiers marching in good order with drommes and trompets and other musicall instruments verie melodious after them are borne many Maces then follow all the Loytias some on horsebacke and some are carried in litter chaires in most gallant order after which follow the Padrines Then the new commenced Loytias with out any vpper garment as before is saide all mounted vppon white horses verie richly couered with cloth of Golâ—e hauing euerie one of them a tippet of taffeta vpon his shoulder and on his head a hat with two small tippets hanging downe behinde much after the fashion of those that hang on the bishops miter this is permitted vnto none but vnto those of their orders abouesaide vpon their hats they haue two branches of golde or of siluer and guilt made like vnto a bunch of fethers Before euerie one of them are carried sixe frames couered with â—atten and euerie one is carried by foure men in these frames are written in letters of golde their disputation facultie and title giuen them for the same and their armes with manie other things which I omit for breuitie sake because this marching and passing holdeth eight houres togither The Citizens there kéepe this day festiuall and do ordeine manie dances and sportes And the better sort doo celebrate three or foure daies after banquetting the newe made Loytia and giuing him ioy of his newe preferment euerie man seeking his good will and fauour From this day forwards hée is of abilitie to take vppon him any office and gouernement whatsoeuer and therefore straight wayes he goeth vnto the court to procure the same and carrieth with him the ensignes of his commencement and is apparelled so that he may be knowne wherefore they doo him great honour in the way as hee goeth and lodge him in such houses as the king hath appointed in euerie towne for such as they be When he commeth to the court hee goeth and dooth his duetie vnto the president and vnto the rest of the royall counsell who euerie one a part doo giue him ioy of his new dignitie and with many words of great curtesie praise promise him as occasion shall serue to prouide him a place as they by their examination doo vnderstande his abilitie and againe as they see his discréete dealing and care in such matters as they do giue him in charge so will they preferre him to better dignitie and honour So the next day following they register him in their booke of memorie which is alwayes in the counsell chamber and they remaine there waiting and seruing them vntill they haue prouided them of some gouernement which is not long after for that the kingdome is great with manie prouinces and Citties as by this historie you shal vnderstand CHAP. XV. How that with them they haue had the vse of Artilery long time before vs in these parts of Europe AMongst many things worthie to bée considered which haue béene and shalbe declared in this historie amongst manie other which of purpose I omit because I would not be tedious vnto the reader no one thing did cause so much admiracion vnto the Portugals when that they did first traficke in Canton neither vnto our Spaniards who long time after went vnto the Philippinas as to finde in this kingdome Artilerie And wee finde by good account taken out of their histories that they had the vse thereof long time before vs in Europe It is said that the first beginning was in the yeare 1330. by the industrie of an Almane yet howe he was called there is no historie that dooth make mention but the Chinos saie and it is euidently séene that this Almaine dooth not deserue the name of the first inuentor but of the discouerer for that they were the first inuentors and from them hath the vse therof béene transported vnto other kingdomes where it is nowe vsed The Chinos saie that their first king called Vitey did first inuent the same and that he was taught the manner how to make them by a spirite that came out of the earth for to defende himselfe and his kingdome from the Tartares that did much molest him with warres for according vnto the tokens giuen him as it dooth appeare in their histories and the industrie for the same it appeareth that it was some spirit enimie vnto mankind onely for to destroy them as in these daies the experience thereof is apparant vnto vs. All the which carieth a similitude of the trueth for that this king was a great sorcerer inchanter as you may well vnderstande by the herbe that he had growing in y e court of his pallace whereof before I haue told you And if this be not credible because so many yeres are past since this kings raigne yet it is of truth y t when these Chinos went to the kingdom of Pergu to coÌ„quest y e east Indies more then 1500. yeares since they caried with them y e like instruments of warre which did serue them in their conquest the which conquest being ended they left behind them certaine péeces of artilerie which were found afterwards by the Portugals wheron were grauen the armes of China and in what yeare they were made agréeing iust with the time of the conquest Such Artilerie as the Frier Gerrada and his companions did sée at their being there they say it was of antiquitie and very ill wrought and was for the most part péeces to shoote stones or murderers but it was giuen them to vnderstande that in other prouinces of the kingdome
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
of their guestes they doo set a table euerie table standing one along by an other making a difference of the number of them according vnto the qualitie of the persons vpon the first table where sitteth he that is inuited they set the victualâ—es readie dressed swéete meates or marchpanes which is the last seruice and on the rest although they be twentie they set great store of diuerse kindes of meates all rawe as capons duckes teales hennes peeces of salt martlemas biefe gammons of bacon and many other thinges All these doo remaine vppon the tables till the banket be ended and the guestes departed then doo the seruantes of him that made the banket take all these rawe meates and carrie them before their guestes till they come vnto their houses or lodges where they doo leaue it with great ceremonies When they do make any banket to a viceroy or to any Embassadour it is with so great cost and sumptuousnes that they spend a great substance therein These bankets do commonly indure twentie daies together continuing vntill the last day as royally and as plentifully as at the first day They do celebrate all their festiual dayes in the night which is ordinarily their newe moones and they doo solemnise them with much musicke and newe inuentions But more particularly they doo celebrate the first day of the yeare which is after their account the first day of the moneth of March on this day they apparell themselues verie costlye and sumptuouslie both men and women and doo adorne themselues with all their iewelles and newe toyes and doo hang their houses and doores with carpettes and clothes of silke and cloth of golde and dresse them vppe trimme with Roses and other flowers for at that time there is great store in that Countrey likewise they doo sette at all their doores great trées on the which they doo hang manye lightes and all the triumphall arckes that bee in the streetes which bee verye manie as wee haue sayde are decked with bowes this day wherein they put manie lightes and set full of canapies of cloth of gold damaske and manie other sundrie sorts of silâ—es Their Priestes doo assist them in these â—eastes very richly apparelled and doo offer sacrifice vpon their altars vnto the heauen and vnto their idolles and they sing many songes This day dooth all people generally sport themselues with great singing and sounding of instruments in the which they are very cunning Such instruments as the Augustine fryers did sée were lutes gytternes vyalles rebbukes wayghtes virginalles harpes and flutes and other instrumentes which we doo vse although they doo differ something in the fashion of them but yet easie to be knowen They do tune their voyces vnto their instrumentes with great admiration they haue all commonly very good voyces In these feasts they do make many representations of great pastime according vnto nature with vestimentes that they haue for the purpose All the dayes that these feastes do indure their tables be full of diuerse sorts of meates as well of fish as of flesh and of all sortes of fruites and excellent good wine the which they make of the palme trée with certaine mixtures which maketh it haue an excellent good taste All the day they and their Priestes do eate drinke so much till they can no more They haue it for a thing most certaine amongest them that looke how they are in disposition that day so shall they passe the whole yeare eyther sorrowfull or merrie I omit the feastes which they make at mariages and at any good successe though they be in great number and very sumptuous because I would not be tedious in all things they couet to auoyde melancholy CHAP. XIX How they salute one an other in this countrie and of some part of their ceremonies THere is no nation in all the worlde be it neuer so barbarous that hath béene found out vntill this day without a maner of courtesie or some ceremony of salutatioÌ„ in their méetinges and visitinges or when they do assemble in any particular businesse whereof wee haue large notice by auncient histories and sufficient experience in that wee haue séene and vnderstoode in these kingdomes and prouinces which in our dayes hath béene discouered although herein as I am fully perswaded those of this kingdome do excéede all nations of the world as is affirmed by them that haue had the experience for they haue so many ceremonies and vsages of courtesie and ciuilitie amongest themâ— that they haue bookes to teach them only how they should behaue themselues in making difference of persons Of all the which such as shall séeme expedient to giue notice of I will declare in this chapter vsing therein the breuitie that this historie requireth They estéeme it a great discourtesâ—e not to salute one an other wheÌ„ they sée or meete one an other although the acquaintance betwixt them be but small The salutation that the common people do vse is when they do meete the one with the other to shut the left hande and to couer it with the right ioyning therewith their breastes together with much bowing their heades downewardes signifying that loue and amitie is as firme betwéene them as their handes are fast And that their friendshippe is not alonely in the ceremonie but also in the heart the which they giue them to vnderstande by woordes at the same time But amongest Courtyers and Gentlemen they vse an other manner of courtesie which seemeth vnto them of much more curiositie that is at such time as they doo meete they make a little staye then they cast abroad their armes and claspe their fingers together remayning in compasse humbling themselues manie times and contending one with an other about their parting for to prosecute his waye and the higher estate they are of the more is their contention When that anie meane person doth meete with a principall man who for dignitie or for any other occasion dooth acknowledge superioritie straight wayes hee dooth stay with great silence declining his head till such time as he is past by although the most part of them dooth it more for feare than for courtesie for that experience hath taught them that he that dooth it not is straightwayes punished and whipped cruelly When that any of these commeth to speake with any Loytia at the entring in at the hall whereas he is â—hee knéeleth downe declyning his head and looking vpon the ground and on this sort he goeth vpon his knees till hee come into the middest of the hall and there he stayeth and declareth his petition by worde of mouth with an humble and méeke voyce or else presenteth it by writing and hauing receiued aunswere hee dooth returne on his knées backwardes without turning his backe to the Loytia vntill hee bee quite out of the hall And if they which do méete or visite one an other be equall in dignity they shew great courtesie on both sides contending who shall surpasse in courtesie and
vnderstanding the earnest request wherâ—with those of the Ilands did aske the ambassage howe much it did import to haue it as a man then elected for gouernor of those Ilands a matter that touched him very much did put the king and his counsell in memorie of the same and in conclusion they answered that hee should foorthwith depart with the souldiers that were prouided for those parts for that it was coÌ„uenient so to be doone by reason of great necessitie that they had of them in the said Ilands and as for the ambassage for that there was no such great necessitie nor haste it should be intreated of at more leasure when that the counsell wil aduertise themselues of al that shalbe conuenient touching that matter that they would consult and confer with his maiestie that he may as the right owner of them command that which shuld be to the seruice of God and his benefite So with this answere the said gouernor departed It happened that in the moneth of August in the yeare following before that this gouernor was ariued at the Ilands there came newe letters from thence of supplications requesting with greater instance that which before at other times they had requested sending with their petition the whole relation of the entrie of Frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the Augustine Friers and his companions into the kingdome of China and of such things as they had seene and heard of as may be séene at large in the said declaration which is in the second part of this booke This being séene by his maiestie he was resolued to send the ambassage which so many times they haue requested this chanced at that time that he began to go vppon Portugall a time of trouble but yet a great token that it was the will of God in whose hands as the wise man saith are the hearts of kings For the appointment of one for to go on this ambassage the king did remit it vnto his roial counsel of the Indies whose president was Don Antonio de Padilla y meneses who had communicated with me diuers times touching matters of that kingdome of Mexico whereas I was alwayes resident euer since I was seuentéene yeares of age and by reason of matters that was committed vnto me out of that country was the occasion that I did vse to visit him the oftener the which large conuersation and the good wil that hée did beare me did perswade him that I could put in execution the ambassage of his maiestie for that his will was that some religious person should do it and they being fully perswaded that my good will and desire was for the saluation of those soules and in all respects willing to serue his maiestie all the which with the knowledge that I had of that large nauigation and the qualitie of that countrie and people was a great helpe to the accomplishing in effect the will of his maiestie and desire of those that dwelt in Philippina So after this charge being committed vnto me and his maiestie readâ—e to depart on his voiage for Portugal as aforesaid he did remit my dispatch vnto the lords of the royall counsell who were at that time the Liceneiado gasca de salacaâ— and doctor Gomez de Santisteuan the Licenciado Espadero The Licenciado don Diego de Zuniga the doctor Vaillo the Licenciado Euao the Licenciado Gedeon de Hinonsosa By whose commandement I depart from the court vnto Syuell where as order was giuen that all such things should be prouided that I should carrie vnto the king Whereas I was procuring the same certaine dayes and for that they were many the which I should carry it was not possible by any meanes that they should be made readie against the departure of the fléete Then the Licenciado Gasca de Salacar aforesaide who was at that present resident in the coÌ„tractation house of Syuel gaue his maiestie to vnderstand thereof who was at Badaioz occupied in matters touching the kingdome of Portugal as aforesaid and requested him to giue order what his pleasure was to be done therein who commanded that the fleete should depart and that I should stay till such time as all things were made and concluded that I shoulde carrie with me for the king of China as in ample manner as hee had commanded And when that all things were in good order that they should cause â— sâ—ippe or galeon to bée made readie wherein I should make my voyage â—or to ouertake or méete at the newe Spaine such shippes as euerie yeare dooth depart for the Ilands Philippinas which is at Christmas time this commandement was delayed vntill the beginning of Lent as well for that the thinges were manie that shoulde bée made and coulde not be dispatched in the time as also for a generall sicknesse that was amongst them in Spaine called the Cattarre or murre Then after that all thinges were in order by the commandement of the Licenciado Gasca hée deliuered vnto me the kinges letter and all other thinges The which for that they were manie and againe I haue beene tedious in this Chapter I doo not declare it for that the prudent lector may of himselfe conceiue if hee doo weigh the magnanimitie of the Catholike king that dooth sende them and the mightinesse and richnesse of him to whome it is sent of the which we haue declared enough in this small historie I would I could particularly declare it vnto you as also the copie of the letter that his maiestie did send vnto that Heathen or Gentile king a thing worthie of the author but for that it came not to effect neither had I anye licence of him that all oâ—elye might grant it and againe in place whereas I could not aske it therefore I dare not for that I will not excéede the limits of fidelitie which I owe vnto my prince But it is sufficient that the letter and the present sent by his maiestie vnto the king of that countrey was to no other intent but to procure him and all his subiects to acknowledge the true God and to exhort them to receiue our catholike faith and to giue them to vnderstand the error wherein they are and how ignorant they are of the knowledge of the true God the creator of hâ—auâ—n and earth and of all the creatures of the world visible and inuisâ—ble sauiour and redéemer of all such as with a true knowledge doo beléeue in him and obey his holy lawe declared by his worde and confirmed by his deuine tokens and other thinges in effect So being dispatched I prosecuted my iourny and order till I came vnto the kingdome of Mexico whereas I found a certaine inconuenience touching a matter néedful in that voiage whereof his maiestie in the commission he gaue me willed me to be well â—duertised and if it were néedfull to giue him notice thereof before I did passe any farther The vizroy of that kingdome who was the Earle of Coruma thought it good that I
Lopez de Legaspi who afteâ—warde died in the said Ilande with the title of Adelantado a yeare after that the fathers Fryer Martin de Herrada and Fryer Geronimo Marin and their companies did enter into China So after that our Spaniardes hadde discouered the sayde Ilandes and some of them populared to the vse of his Maiestie but in especiall that of Manilla which is fiue hunâ—red leagues in circuit in the which is situated the citie of Luson and is also called Manilla and as the metropolitane of all the Iland whereas the gouernours haue ordeined their place of abiding euer since the first discouery They haue also founded in that citie a cathedrall Church and erected a bishopricke And for Bishops of the same his maiestie did ordaine the most reuerend fryer don Domingo de Salazar of the ordâ—r of preachers in whom was comprehended some holinesse good life and learning as was requisite and necessarie for that prouince and was consecrated in Madrid the yeare of 1579. At this present there be thrée monasteries of religious men in that Iland the one of the order of S. Austen and were the first that by the coÌ„mandement of his maiestie did enter into this Ilands preaching the law of the gospell which was great profit vnto those soules yet great trauaile vnto them and cost many of them their liues in dooing it the other monasterie is of barefoote Fryers of the order of S. Francis of the prouince of S. Ioseph who haue béene great examples with great profit vnto them of those portes The third are of the order of S. Dominicke or preachers who haue done their dutie in all things so well as the other These thrée orders were alonely in those Ilands for certaine yeares till now of late time haue gone thither Iesuites which haue bin a great aide and helpe vnto their religion When these Spaniardes were come vnto these Ilands they had straightwaies notice of the mightie kingdome of China as well by the relation of them of the Ilands who tolde vnto them the maruels thereof as also within a fewe daies after they did sée and vnderstand by ships that came into those ports with marchants that brought marchandise and other things of great curiositie from that kingdome did particularly declare the mightinesse and riches therof all which haue béen declared vnto you in the first thrée bookes of this historie This beeing knowen vnto the religious people of S. Austin who at that time were alone in those Ilands but in especiall vnto the prouinciall Fryer Martin de Herrada a man of great valour and wel learned in all sciences who séeing y â— great capacitie or towardnesse which the Chinos had more then those of the Ilandes in all things but in especiall in their gallantnesse discretion and wit he straightwaies had a great desire to go thether with his fellow to preach the gospell vnto those people of so good a capacitie to receiue the same who with a pretended purpose to put it in vre effect he began with great care studie to learne that language the which he learned in few daies did make therof a dictionarie TheÌ„ afterwards they did giue great intertainmeÌ„t presents vnto the marchants that came froÌ„ China for to procure them to carie theÌ„ thether many other things the which did shew their holie-zeale yea they did offer themselues to bee slaues vnto the marchants thinking by y â— means to enter in to preach but yet none of these diligences did take effect till such time as the diuine maiestie did discouer a better way as shalbe declared vnto you in this chapter following CHAP. II. A rouer of this kingdome of China called Limahon doth make himselfe strong at the sea and doth ouercome an other rouer of the same countrie called Vintoquiam THe Spaniards did enioy their new habitation of Manilla in great quietnesse vâ—ide of all care of any accideâ—t that might disquiet theÌ„ or any strange treasons of enimies for to offende them for that those Ilandes were in great quietnes and in obedience vnto the Christian king Don Phillip and in continuall traficke with the Chinos which séemed vnto them a sufficient securitie for the continuance of the quiâ—tnesse they liued in And againe for that they vnderstoode that they had a law amongst them as hath bin told you in this historie y t it was forbidden to make any wars out of their owne countrie But being in this security and quietnes vnlooked for they were beset with a mightie great Armada or fléete of ships by the rouer Limahon of whose vocation thâ—re are coÌ„tinually on y â— coast the one by reason that y e country is full of people wheras of necessitie must be many idle persons and the other principall occasion by reason of the great tyranny y t the gouernorâ— doo vse vnto the subiects This Limahon came vpon theÌ„ with intent to do theÌ„ harme as you shal vnderstand This rouer was borne in the citie of Trucheo in the prouince of Cuytan which the Portingals do cal Catim He was of mean parentage and brought vp in his youth in liberty and vice hee was by nature warlike and euill inclinâ—d He would learne no oâ—cupation but all giuen to robbe in the high waies and became so â—xpâ—rt that many came vnto him and followed that trade He made himself Captain ouer theÌ„ which were more then two thousand wâ—re so strong y t they were feared in all that prouince where as they were This being knowen vnto the king and to his councell they did straight way coÌ„mand the viceroy of the prouince wher as the rouer was that with all the haste possible he should gather together all the garrisons of his Frontyers to apprehende and take him and if it were possible to carrye him aliue vnto the Citie of Taybin if not his head The Uiceroy incontinent did gather together people necessarie and in great haste to followe him The which being knowen vnto Limahon the rouer who saw that with the people he had he was not able to make resistance against so great a number as they were and the eminent danger that was therein he called together his companies and went from thence vnto a port of the sea that was a fewe leagues from that place and did it so quickly and in such secret that before the people that dwelt therein could make any defence for that they were not accustomed to any such assaultes but liued in great quietnesse they were lordes of the port and of all such ships as were there into the which they imbarked themselues straightwaies wayed anker and departed to the sea whereas they thought to bee in more securitie than on the lande as it was true Then hee séeing himselfe lorde of all those seas beganne to robbe and spoyle all shippes that he could take as well strangers as of the naturall people by which meanes in a small time hee was prouided of mariners and
that it séemed a whole legion of diuels had taken holde on both sides of the shippe forcing the one against the other that it rowled in such sort that many times the halfe decke was in the water so that the marriners could not stand vpon their féete but were driuen to sustaine themselues by the ropes cavels But the religious men trusting in God whose zeale had caused them this great trouble did pray and desire him with many teares that hee would deliuer them out of the same daunger and not to giue place vnto the diuell for to disturbe them of their voyage and enterprise Those their orations and prayers did so much preuaile with certaine coniurations which they made against the diuels whoÌ„ they thought they did see visibly that after midnight the north winde ceased and began to blowe at the north east with the which the sea began to waxe calme so y t they might make their way to be east northeast for that they had intelligence that that course was the shortest cut to the firme land This winde which was so fauourable vnto theÌ„ did increase so much in two houres that the sea waxed loftie and caused them to forget the sorrowe past and constrained them for that the shippe was but small to cut their mast ouer borde and to put themselues vnto the courtesie of the sea with little hope to escape the danger But our Lorde whose zeale did mooue them to attempt that iourney did direct their voyage in such sort that the next day â—ollowing it came to be calme in such sort that they might set vp a newe mast in the place of that which was cut ouer borde in the storme and therewith to nauigate forwardes with their begunne voyage So vpon the fryday following at the breake of the day they sawe lande and thinking that it had béene the firme lande of China they gaue thankes vnto God and reioyced in such sort that they had cleane forgotten the troubles of the stormes and foule weather passed so they made towards it and came thither about noone but when they were a shore they found that it was but a small Iland and situated foure leagues from the firme lande and for that it was so nigh a farre off it séemed to be all one thing But when they came vnto this Ilande they did discouer many ships which were so many in nuÌ„ber that it séemed all the sea to be couered with theÌ„ The friers with the great desire they had for to knowe in what port they were they coÌ„manded to gouerne their ship towardes whereas they were who when they saw them could not know theÌ„ by the strangenes of their ship and sailes they did fly from them all that euer they could The which ouâ— men perceiuing could not imagine the cause thereof they were very much agréeued and sorrowfull and the more for that they could not learne nor vnderstand where they were But séeing nigh vnto them to the lewarde thrée ships they made towardes them and wheÌ„ they were somwhat nigh they put themselues as the others did In this sort they spent all the rest of the day in going from one port to an other vnto those ships for to infirme theÌ„selues where they were but all this diligence preuailed them nothing at all till it was almost sunne set they entred with their frigat into a gut vnder the shore whereas fell from a high rocke which was more than one hundreth fatham by estimation a streme of water which was as bigge as the bodies of two men together In this gut there was thrée other ships and they came to an anker in the middest amongest them the which beeing done they asked of them what countrie that was but they answered nothing nor made any semblance but looked the one vpon the other in beholding of the Spaniards they gaue great laughters In this gut they remained all that night almost amased to sée how those people were as though they were inchanted and they without any light of their desire which was to knowe wher they were So y e next day folowing which was saterday verie early in the morning they set sayle and went amongest a great sort of Ilandes alwayes bearing vnto them which they thought to be the firme lande being greatly amarueiled to sée the infinite number of shippes both great and small that they sawe some were a fishing and some vnder sayle and other some ryding at an anker The same day about noone there happened vnto them a strange miraculous thing and it was that passing through a straight that was but a quarter of a league of bredth which was betwixt the firme lande and a small Ilande in the which was continually foure score ships of warre sette there for watch and warde they passed thorough the thickest of them and were neuer seene for if they hadde without all doubt they had sonke them or slaine them their order and commission is so straight giuen them by their generalles of the sea in the which they are commanded that whatsoeuer kinde of people of strange nations that they do méete vpon the coast for to kill them or sinke them except they do bring licence from some gouernor of such Cities as be vpon the coast for that such as do meane to haue trafickâ— doo sende to demande the same leauing their ships a great way at sea This lawe for to watch and warde was made and ordayned as they do say in respect of the Iapones who did enter into certaine of their portes dissembling themselues to be Chinos being apparelled as they were and speaking their language they did vnto them great and strange hurtes and damages as is declared in the booke before this So when they were passed this straight they sayled almost sixe leagues forwardes into a verie fayre and great bay following other shippes that went before them for that it seemed that they would enter into some port and there they might informe themselues where they were which was the thing that they most desired When they had sayled about two leagues in this bay they ouertooke one of the thrée shippes and asked of the people that were within her by the interpreter they had with them whether they sayled and what lande that was which they sawe before them Then the principall that was in that ship did put himselfe into his boat the which hee had at sterne and came vnto the ship where the Spaniardes were the better to vnderstande what they did demand for they before by reason that they were somewhat farre off the one from the other could not vnderstande the Spaniards demand but by signes So when that he vnderstoode their request he answered them that it was the country of China how that he came laden with salt from the citie of Chincheo and went to make sale thereof vnto the citie of Canton which was so nigh hand that they might ariue there before night But when
there in that place till such time as they had giuen y e gouernor of the Cittie to vnderstand thereof he to send theÌ„ licence that they may enter in againe So after a good while that they had remained there wheras the guards had set them there came vnto theÌ„ a man who was a Chino called Canguin and could speake Portugal who knowing them to be Christians by their faces attire did aske them in the Portingal toong what they sought y e Spaniards answered him that their comming into that kingdom was for to shew declare to them the way to heauen to giue theÌ„ to vnderstand know y e true God the creator of heauen earth and that they would very faine talke with the gouernor to intreat therof This Chino by by brought to theÌ„ a man that could speak very good Portuges who as after they did vnderstaÌ„d both he his wife childreÌ„ were christened and although they were borne in China yet did they dwel 3. years with Portugals that were inhabited in Machao which is twenty leagues from that cittie of Canton This did demande the same question of them that the other did wherefore they came into that countrie they answered him the same as they did the other hee replied and asked them who was the Pilot that brought them thither they answered the will of God they not knowing howe nor from whence But after they had sailed at the sea certaine dayes they came vnto that place that according as it was giuen them to vnderstande is the cittie of Canton of the which they haue heard declared many straunge thinges the Chino asked howe the guardes of the sea and shippes that were in the straight aforesaid did let them passe they answered that they saw no guards nor any other that did trouble them their passage This last answere did cause the Christian Chino greatly to admire who being mooued with a good zeale said vnto them that they should returne againe vnto the shippe and not to come forth vntill such time as he had giuen aduice of their comming vnto the Mandelines of the sea which be certaine iudges appointed to giue aduice of all such matters to the gouernor that he may command what is to be done therein So the Spaniards returned vnto the shippe whereas they remained a good while and passed great heate for that it dooth excéede in that port So after a while they sawe come vnto a house which was néere vnto the gate of the Cittie a man of great authoritie who was brought in a litter Chaire much people came with him he stayed at that house and from thence sent to call vnto him the religious men and all the rest that came in their company before them all came one that carried a table all whited and thereon was written certaine great letters with blacke ynke the which as after they vnderstood was the licence that the gouernor of the cittie gaue them for to come a shoore without the which there is no stranger permitted The fathers did straightwayes obey it and came forth of their shippe with more companie then they desired of such as came to sée them who were so many in number that although the sergeants and officers of the iudge that sent for them did beate them for to make way yet was it a good while before they coulde come vnto the house whereas the iudge was although the way was but short So when they approched nigh one of â—he sergeants bad them knéele down before the iudge the which they did with great humilitie without any replication Hee was set in a verie rich Chaire with so great maiestie that they were greatly astonyed to sée it and the more when that they vnderstood by the christian Chino that he was not the gouernor neither of the supreme iudges hee was apparelled in a robe of silke close from aboue down to the foote with the sleeues very wide and a girdle imbossed and on his head a bonnet full brooches such as bishops doo vse on their mytres Before him was set a table whereon was paper and inke and on the one side and the other two rankes of men as though they were to guard him yet without weapons They had al of them in their hands long canes of foure fingers brode with the which as after they did vnderstand they do beat suâ—h as are offeÌ„ders vpon the calues of their legges with great crueltie as hath beene told you in the first bookes of this historie All these had vppon their heads a manner of helmet made of blacke leather and on them great plumes of Pecocks feathers with brooches made of mettal a thing vsed to be worne in that countrie of such as are executioners or ministers of iustice The iudge bad the interpreter to aske them of what nation they were and what they sought in that countrie and who was their guide to bring them into that port the which being vnderstoode by the religious men answered that they were Spaniards and subiect vnto the king Philip of Spaine and came thither to preach the holy gospel and to teach them to know the true God creator of the heauen and earth and to leaue off the worshiping of their Idols who haue no more power of themselues then that which is giuen them by him that doth make them the which worship is knowne and receiued by his holie law and declared by the mouth of his only begotten sonne and confirmed with diuine tokens from heauen in whose guarde doth consist the saluation of all soules And to the last touching who was their guide vnto that kingdome they answered that it was God vnto whose will all creature are subiect as vnto the true creator all the which as afterward it did appeare the interpreter did not truely interpret of the interpretation of the Spaniards vnderstanding that if hee should truely interpret what they saide the Iudge would forthwith sende them away which would be the occasion that he shuld get nothing of them So that he made his interpretatioÌ„ as it best séemed for his purpose fearing as after he did confesse that if he shuâ—d declaâ—e the truth of that which the Spaniards had said it would haue been verie odious to the Iudge afterward both vnto them and to himselfe might be the occasion of some great euill but to conclude he answered and told the Iudge that they were certaine religious men who liued in common a sharpe and asper life much after the manner of those of that kingdome and that going from the Iland of Luzon vnto the Ilands of the Illocos in a great storme and tempest that chanced them the ship wherin they were was cast away and al their people cast away sauing they who escaped by vsing great diligence and put themselues in that small ship which came in company with another greater shippe without Pilot or mariner for that they were almost all drowned and setting saile in the
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
those officers that came with him to remaine about their ship at the waters side for their guard more for that none should doo to them any harme then for any euill suspition they had of them Al that day that the Spaniards were in their ship the countrie men came downe to the water side to sée them and that in so great number that they did woonder to sée them and on the other side they greatly reioyced to sée so many soules there ioyned togither hoping that when it should bee the will and pleasure of GOD to giue them oportunitie to baptise them all The next day following in the morning they sawe another Mandelin or Iudge comming towards their shippe accompanied with much people and with little lesse maiestie then the other had who entred into their shippe and commaunded to search both aboue and belowe to sée whether they brought any armour weapon or any other kinde of merchandize and séeing that they coulde finde nothing else but their bookes and their ornament aforesaide hée commaunded it to bée brought before him who did peruse the same péece by péece with great admiration and shewed great contentment that hee receiued to sée their bookes and Images although that which did most content him was to sée the Ara of blacke stone as was said before Then hee commanded one of the Fathers for to reade in one of the saide bookes and for to write the which was done before him with so great facilitie that the Iudge receiued great contentment to sée it Then hée asked them if that with the said letters they could write any other language that were different vnto theirs The Fathers answered yea that they coulde write any language and for a plainer proofe they wrote on a péece of paper certaine reasons in the Iudges language the which did cause him greatly to maruell and said turning his face to some of them that came with him these men are not barbarous nor of any euill condition so farre as I can see With this he departed out of their shippe and went to giue the gouernour who sent him to vnderstand of that he had séene and coulde vnderstande of the Spaniards in this his visitation who straightwayes did sende them a licence vpon a table that they shoulde come on shore and bee suffered to enter into the cittie freely at their will CHAP. IIII. The Spaniards go forth of their ship and go into the Citie vnto the christened Chinos house and are carried before another superior Iudge in common audience and manie other passe with them SO soone as they had their licence they went forth of their ship and entred in at the gate of the Cittie although with great trouble by reason of the great number of people that came to sée them as a thing neuer séene before then they went to the christened Chinos house hee that serued for their interpreter who made very much of them and giuing them to vnderstande that hée had made a true report of all that they had commanded him and did offer himselfe to do so much with the Iustices that he would procure to get licence of the gouernor for them to remaine in the countrie and to giue them a house wherein to remaine and dwel and did admonish them that at that time they should not deale for to make the Chinos Christians vntil such time as they were better knowne and coulde speake the language and then should they doo it with a great deale more ease All these promises with the falsifying of that the Spaniards spake before to the Iudges was to content the Friers as in discourse of time they did vnderstande and onely to get monie from them for that it séemed vnto him that it could not be but that they shoulde haue good stoore for that they came from a rich countrie whereas it was and againe to come about businesse of so great importance about the which they shoulde remaine there a long time as aforesaide as they afterwarde did more at large vnderstande If that interpreter had declared in fidelitie all that which they had spoken without al doubt they woulde not haue suffered them to haue come on shoare else haue put them in some prison for that they came on lande without licence and to haue shewed them the most fauour they woulde haue caused them to returne from whence they came whereas the guardes of the straight of whome we haue spoken off before woulde either in secrete or publike sinke them at the sea for that they were all greatly in hatred against them the reason was that the Aytao who is as is declared in the first booke of this historie the president of the counsell of warre and had vnderstanding howe that they passed thorough the fléete and were not séene which was a thing that they all wondred at This Aytao did forthwith make secret information of the same and founde it to bée true whereuppon hee did Iudge the Captaines to perpetuall prison where they were well whipped and did secrest all their goods for the which all their kinâ—folkes and the rest of the guards had great indignation against the Spaniards and woulde with great ease haue béene reuenged on them but that they did feare the punishment that should bee doone on them after that it shoulde bee knowne In the which they doo execute their iustice in this kingdome more then in any place in all the world In the house of this Christened Chino they dined that day as they did many more afterwarde but euery night they returned to their fregat to bed for that they durst not leaue their things alone neither to lie out of their shippe for that one of the Iudges had so commanded CHAP. V. The Spaniards are called before a Iudge who doth examine them and offer them great fauour he dooth write vnto the vizroy giuing credit vnto the persons who sendeth commission vnto a Iudge called Aytao for to examine their cause the chiefe captaine of Machao dooth accuse them in saying that they were spies and doth intreate of other strange matters VPon Saint Iohn baptist day they were called before a Iudge who as after this did vnderstand was a superiour vnto the other past but when they came whereas hee was in place of audience his ministers did straight wayes commande them to knéele downe at such time as they came in sight of the Iudge which was vnto the religious men no small torment Hee demanded of them the same that the others did and they answered in briefe that they came to preach the holy Gospell and requested him to giue them licence to execute the same and to remaine in that Cittie of Canton for to learne the China tongue whereby they might giue them to vnderstande and knowe the trueth of the heauen The interpreter did falsifie their wordes as hee had doone vnto the other Iudges and said no more but for so much that fortune and fowle weather had driuen them into that port
presently gaue it a newe master in selling it vnto a gold-smith for as much as it was woorth who did melt it and made things thereof according to his trade yet they not being content therewith and that it séemed vnto them that those fathers could not but bring with them much riches they inquired of the China boy whom they brought to bee their interpreter with faire words to know if they had any gâ—lde or siluer or pretious stones or any other thing of valure but when they vnderstoode that they brought none of those things but onely their bookes and some other ornaments to say masse they straightwayes imagined in their mindes and that with great care and diligence to procure some way to get from them the other Challice which they had seene and the better to put it in execution they repeated againe vnto the Friers that which before hath beene tolde you augmenting thereunto many wordes and reasons affirming that they had spent vpon them in giuing them to eate twelue Taes more then y e Challice which they had giuen them did weigh or amount to which was twelue ducats of Spaine hauing before giuen them to vnderstaÌ„d at such time as they did eate that they did it of almes and for Gods sake and with so great content that many times it happened when they sawe that the Spaniards woulde not eate any dainty thing but would féede and content themselues with base victuals he would say vnto them that they shoulde eate without any griefe or care that when it should so fall out that his substance did saile him hee woulde then pawne one of his sonnes to buy victuals The father Costodio plainly séeing and vnderstanding that their intent purpose was wholly grouÌ„ded for to get from him y e other challice he answered that he had not for to giue them how that he had giuen the other challice in pawn of that which they had spent in victuals and for their trauell that they had taken for them The interpreter did replie saying that if they had nothing that they shoulde séeke it séeing that they ought it for their victuals which they had eaten and that it was the vse of that countrie that when any man did owe any thing hath not for to pay the same for to sell their children or else to become slaues vnto their creditor they demanded the other Challice that remained for that the other which they had giuen theÌ„ did weigh but sixtéene Taes which was but a small matter in respect of their desert onely for their trauel in their enterpretations This Frier Costodio did pacifie them in the best maner hee coulde promising to pay both the one and the other hauing oportunitie for the same and that they woulde procure it with as great care as was possible and requesting him for to keepe the Challice that he had giuen him in pawne in great veneration for that hee did estéeme it much more for the consecration and dedication vnto the deuine Colto then for the value of that it wayed and more promised him vpon his word to write vnto the Portugals that were in Machao signifying vnto theÌ„ their necessitie and to demande their almes charity and looke whatsoeuer they did send them being little or much should bee giuen him Then the interpreter who had his eyes fixed vppon gaine saide that they shoulde forthwith write and that hee woulde giue him a messenger for to carrie the letter and to bring answere of the same as hee had doone the like not many dayes before The Father Costodio did write vnto the Bishoppe that was in Machao giuing him to vnderstande of his comming and of his companions vnto the Cittie of Canton and howe that his comming thither was onelie to procure for to preach the holy Gospel and for to conuert and turne to God those blind Idolaters The which letter being receiued by the bishop he made answere praysing their intent and purpose animating them with godly wordes of exhortation and therewith did sende and demand the copie of such authortie as they brought from the holy father touching that the which they pretended This hee did for that all the sayde countrie vnto the lande of Iapon was committed vnto him by the holy father Unto this letter the father Costodio answered that hauing oportunitie he would obey his commandement and shew vnto him the facultie he brought and also would him selfe in person go thether for to kisse his handes and to satisfie all the inhabitants of that towne for that it was giuen him to vnderstande that they reported euill of them and sayde that they were vacabondes and lost men and not true religious men neither sacerdotes nor priestes and how that they had requested certaine Chinos which at that time came vnto Machao that at their returne againe vnto Canton they should tell the Iudges and aduertise them with good aduisement how that there were cerâ—â—ine Castillos come into their Citie whom they did certainely know not to be of their nation but of an other and subiectes vnto a different strange king whom they did beléeue to come thether for some ill intent and purpose in counterfeit attire and came for spyes from the Castillos of Luzon and that they did beléeue that after them did come some armie to do hurt in some part of that countrie and that they should preuent it in time for that if so be that any thing should happen the fault should not be imputed vnto them All this the Portingales did as afterwarde they did plainely vnderstande for feare that the Castillos shoulde take from them their contractation and gaine which they had in that city by which occasion their intent did so procéede forward that they did certifie the Chinos that the chiefe Captaine of Machao who was put there by the king of Portingall had presented a petition vnto a Citie that was ioyning to Canton aduertising the Iudges of that before spoken of and protesting that iâ— any harme or damage should come to that country in admitting the Castillos that it should not be imputed vnto them But the Iudge vnderstanding their euill intent and that their accusations were more vppon malice and enuie then of any trueth he answered vnto the same that he was particularly informed of those religious persons against whom they did complaine howe that they were men of whom they néeded not to feare and without any suspition as it did plainely appeare when they did visite their ship wherein they came where they found nothing but onely a fewe bookes and some other thinges which did more signifie deuotion than to make any warre This Iudge notwithstanding the answere he made for that afterwards the chiefe captaine should not raise vp some inuention tooke the originall petition and sent it with great securitie vnto y e viceroy of the prouince of Aucheo that he might sée peruse it who when that he had easily perceiued it and vnderstood the intent of
eyes as we would say cats eyes in the which they do differ from them For it is a great maruaile to finde a man amongst them with more then twentie heares in his beard little more or lesse flat noses and their eyes very little so that when they will mocke a man or doo him any iniurie by word they will call him cats eyes Now for that the desire of the Spaniardes was nothing else but to remaine in that countrie for to bring to effect their good zeale they did gratifie the interpreter for the great fauour hee shewed them and did earnestly intreat him for to present the petition thinking thereby their desire should be vnderstood and Gods cause iustified so that they first would enter into them by the way of preaching He presented the petition when that all the Iudges were together who had great pitie and compassion ouer the Spaniardes and willed that they should come before them for that they would sée and vnderstande the roote and foundation of their will They obeyed their commandement with great ioy and when they were come into the hall one of the Iudges who was superiour ouer all the rest and a man of great authoritie did aske of them by way of the interpreter what was their pretence in that they did aske a house to dwell in the Frier Costodio did answere that he did desire it for to learne the language well by which meanes they might the better learne them to know the true God and to set them in the true way to goe and glorie with him because it was his office and his profession The Interpreter tolde all this truely the which fewe times before he had done as hath béene tolde you Then the Iudge in name of all the rest sayde that in that their demand they could not grant neyther had they any such authoritie to giue licence This being spoken the Interpreter replyed without tarrying to heare what the Spaniardes would say and said that at least wayes they would giue them licence to remaine there till such time as the Portingals did come thether for to lade their marchandice which would be within few daies with whom they would go for that they were all of one law faith The Iudge did againe aske theÌ„ if that the Portingals Spaniards were al one The father Costodio answered that in religion lawes there was no difference but the one were subiects to one king the other to another although they were kinsmen and thaâ— very nigh This last petition seemed to the Iudge to be more reasonable and iust than the first and that they might grant it theÌ„ with lesse difficultie although he answered them and said that he could not grant it vnto them but he would write vnto the viceroy for to grant it them For that the Portugals would bee there at the farthest within foure or fiue moneths that in the meane time he would giue them a prouision that they may go fréely abroad and none to hurt nor harme them So the next day following which was the second of August he did accomplish his word and promise and sent vnto the viceroy their petition and therewithall his iudgement and of all the rest that were there with him what they thought touching that matter The answere staied many daies after came not but in the ende there came a commandement from the viceroy vnto the gouernor of Canton in the which hee willed that the Spaniards should be sent vnto Aucheo whereas he was and that there should be carried with them all such thinges as they brought with them which was their bookes and ornaments The Iudge did straightwaies send gaue them to vnderstande of this new order because they should make themselues readie for to trauaile the which they did with great ioy and diligence as you shall vnderstand in the chapter following CHAP. VII The Spaniardes take their iourney towards Aucheo declare what happened in the way thitherwarde THe next day following which was the sixtéenth day of August the Spaniards departed froÌ„ Canton towards Aucheo to sée the viceroy with great hope and confidence that he would giue them licence for y t which they pretended But at their departure they would haue left there two Indians for to kéepe their ship or frigat but the Iudges that were present said that it was not néedefull for them to haue any such care for that they would take the care vppon them to see all thinges in good order So presently they sent certaine writing in papers and commaunded them to bee glewed vppon the hatches of their shippe in such sort that they could not bee open but they must be perceiued Then presently was brought for the Spaniardes foure barkes verie gallant and wide with verie fayre galleries and windowes and beeing imbarked they charged them verie much to make all haste possible to accomplish the commandement of the viceroy and sent with them conuenient persons for to be their guides and to giue them all thinges necessarie for their iourney They traueiled continually in a mightie riuer against the current in the which they did sée many thinges woorthie to be noted for the space of foure daies that their iourney indured There was alongest the riuer side manie Cities and townes verie great which were so many in number that they could not make any memorie of them by reason that they passed manie of them by night To obserue the tides and to auoid the heate which was great vppon the water Alongest the riuer side whereas it was not inhabited was full of corne fieldes whereas they sawe them go to plough with many Bufalos much different vnto the vse of Spaine for that one alonely buffe did drawe the plough with one vpon his backe who did gouerne and guide him with great ease whether hee would they should go with a corde made fast to a ring at his nose which serued in steede of a bridle They sawe also flockes of géese in the which were more then â—â—entie thousand with whom they did weede and tooke away the grasse which did growe amongst the rice and other graine and seedes driuing them in the middest of their fieldes it seemed that they had the vse of reason considering how they did separate and make a distinction betwixt the good seede and the bad and the great care they had to feede and do no harme neither to plucke vp the good plant which was a thing that they wondred at aboue all the rest All the countrie is verie populous and the townes one so néere an other that it may better be sayde to be all one towne and not manie and might with more propertie be called the Citie of China and not the kingdome of China In all the whole countrie there is not one foot of ground vnoccupied by reason of the great abundance of peo-people that there is and they permit amongest them no idle people as more at large it hath béene declared vnto
on their knées the which they did presently from that place vnto the seat of the viceroy was more thaÌ„ a hundreth foot in length yet did the viceroy himself make signes with his hand that one of the religious men should come nearer him the which the father Costodio did and knéeled downe againe wheÌ„ he drew nigh vnto the table that was before him The viceroy did consider and beholde him a good while and that with great grauitie maiestie and then asked him of whence he was and what he came to seeke in that kingdome into the which none might come vpoÌ„ paine of death without expresse licence of some of the Iudges alongst the sea coast The father Costodio answered that he and the rest of his companions were Spaniards and that they were come into that kingdome mooued with the zeale of God for the saluation of their soules for to preach the holy gospell show theÌ„ the way vnto heauen Hauing declared the interpreter this although they did not vnderstand whither he did vse fidelitie in the declaration or not but rather by that which the viceroydid forthwith demand it is to be beléeued that he did it with falshood as he had done many times before for y e without replying vnto that which he had saide of the preaching of y e gospel he asked them what marchandice they brought with theÌ„ the said father answered that they brought none for y t they were not men that did deale in any marchandice but in declaring of things appertaining to heauen to direct their soules to that place Hearing this answere or that which the interpreter would imagine to be better for his purpose the viceroy did bid them depart commanded them to returne againe y e next day and to bring with them their Images the other things wherof he was certified from Canton that were founde in their frigat for that he would sée it all They did accomplish his coÌ„mandement returned the next day in the morning at such time as it was tolde them that the pallace gates would be opened the which was done in the same maner order as the day before with the noyse of musicke and artillerie as aforesaid So when that the viceroy was giuen to vnderstande how that the Castillos were come he coÌ„manded that one of them with alonely the interpreter should enter there wheras he was and to bring in such thinges as he had commanded to be brought the which was presently accomplished Hee straightwaies began to looke vpon the images euery one by it selfe and the bookes made a stay betwixt euerie one to consider well thereof and made a showe of great content he receiued in the sight of theÌ„ Although aboue all the rest the Ara of blacke Iasper did most content him and caused a marueilous strangenesse in the rest of the Iudges that had séene it All this while was the father Costodio vpon his knées and the interpreter by him and hee neuer asked of theÌ„ any question neyther did they say any thing They that did bring those thinges vnto him for to sée them seemed to be principall and ancient men who when they gaue it him into his handes they did it knéeling So after that he had seene them al at his pleasure he coÌ„manded to put them againe in the place that they were taken out and made signe vnto the father Coistodio to the interpretâ—r y t they should depart and to carry with theÌ„ al those things which they had brought One of the ancient men that were with him did go foorth with the Spaniards told them when they came into the second hall that the viceroy did reioyce much to see theÌ„ and all those which they brought said that they should repaire vnto y e Timpintao who was his deputy he would dispatch al such matters as were asked of the viceroy by petition following the same till it was concluded that he would consult with the viceroy who would set down such orders as shold be obserued They straightwaies did put in execution this order coÌ„ming vnto the house of the deputie vnto the viceroy the which was very great faire they found that he had a garde very little lesse then y t of the viceroy almost with as great maiestie So after they had remained in the court a good while abiding his coÌ„maÌ„dement to whom it was giuen to vnderstand y t the viceroy had sent them vnto him he coÌ„manded them to ascend into the place wheras he was which was into a hall very well dressed in the which was almost al such things as they had séene in the hall of the viceroy and he himselfe in the same manner sate in a rich chaire with a table before him He coÌ„manded to take out those things which they brought in their chestes and did behold them with great consideration péece by péece as the viceroy had done and reioysing much to sée the Images he did demande of them with curiositie the signification of some of them but in especiall a crucifixe that after that he had considered with great attention he asked what man was that which was vppon the crosse and what those letters did signifie that were tituled ouer his head But when the father Costodio had declared it vnto him he beganne to laugh thereat as though he had heard some foolish fable Hee came and féeled the habites of our religious men and made signes of great woonder to see the aspernesse thereof The father Costodio séeing his affabilitie and as it séemed by outwarde showe that he did very much pitie them he requested to helpe and fauour him with the viceroy that he would aske licence that they might remaine and dwell in that countrie in any place where his pleasure was to appoint for y t they were men without any hurt and would put all their care and diligence to do workes of charitie and to procure y e men might go to inioy the happie estate to the which they were borne The interpreter dealt here in his office with as great fidelitie as at other times in saying that which the fathers did request of him was that he should be a meanes vnto the viceroy that he would let them to remaine in that countrie two or thrée moneths for that as theÌ„ it was an ill time to nauigate the sea and that without great danger of their liues they could not returne vnto the Ilands Philippinas The Iudge answered that they should not feare but remaine with content for y t he would procure that there should be giuen theÌ„ a house for those thrée or foure moneths with a commandement that none whatsoeuer should do them any harme The Interpreter tolde them y t the deputie to the viceroy was very glad y t they would remaine in that countrie for y t they séemed vnto him men of good example necessarie in their coÌ„mon weale that they might fréely learne the
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
vnderstand but straightwaies they were carried out of the temple and brought by the souldiers before a iudge who was the chiefe and principall of all the sea of that prouince and was sixe leagues from the place in a Cittie called Quixue the way thither was very plaine and brode and paued and vpon both sides there were fields both of corne and flowers So with the helpe of God the Spaniards came before the presence of this general in eight days although it was with great trauell by reason they had neither force nor strength for to trauell for that they had lost it with the heauie and sorowfull newes as aforesaid Yet notwithstanding at their comming to the citty Quixue the souldiers had them in continuall guard and kéeping till the next day following then they were carried before the generall where he was in a very great faire house the which had two couâ—ts one of them was next vnto the doore of the stréete and the other was towards the farther partes of the house both of them were railed round about in manner of grates they were planted full of diuers sortes of great trées wherein did féed a great number of déere and other wilde beasts but yet as tame as sheepe Right ouer against the inwarde court there was a gallerie whereon was many soulidiers which did guarde and keeâ—e the person of the generall who was in a mightie great and gallant hall set in an Iuorie chaire with great maiestie Before they entred into the seconde court there was discharged within both artilerie and habagus shot and played vpon a drum which was as bigge as those which they vse in Spaine that being doone there was a great sounde of hoybuckes and trumpets and of many other instruments the which being doone they straightwayes opened the gates of the innermost court whereas the gallerie was aforesaide from whence they might sée the throne whereas the generall was set There was before him a table whereon was paper and other necessaries for to write a thing commonly vsed in all that countrie the souldiers that were his guarde were all in one liuerie of silke were in so gallant consort had so great sylence which made the Spaniards greatly to maruell The first order was of the hargabushes and the seconde were pikes and betwixt the one and the other was placed a sworde and a target there might be about foure hundred souldiers Behinde them were placed the officers of iustice or executioners with their instruments for to whippe and punish offenders and in the midst of them were the scriueners and proctors About thirtie paces more or lesse from the chaire where the generall was set was placed certaine Gentlemen and to the number of a dosen pages bare headed verie gallantlie apparelled in silke and golde In the middest amongst these souldiers were the Spaniards carried and before them such tokens and shewes as they doo vse when as they doo present before the Iudges such as bee condemned vnto death A good way before they came nigh vnto the place whereas the general was they caused them to knéele downe at which instant there was brought foorth certaine Chinos that were prisoners to be iudged and so soone as their inditement was read and iudgement giuen the executioners did execute the rigour of the sentence in the presence of the Spaniards first pulling off their apparell and then making fast their hands and féete verie fast with cordes in such sort that they shriked that the noise reached vnto heauens they kept them so bounde vntill they sawe farther what the Iudge woulde commaunde who when hee had heard his inditement if hee woulde that hee should bée whipped hée striketh a blow with his hand vppon the table that is before him then the executioners doo strike fiue blowes vppon the calues of the legges of the offender with a broad cane in the order as hath béene saide and is so cruell that none can suffer fiftie of them but he dieth The blowe being giuen vppon the table by the generall straightwayes one of the proctors maketh a crie or noise where at presently commeth the executioner for to execute his office And if the offender dooth deserue more then the Iudge dooth strike another blowe vppon the table then is there giuen him other fiue blowes and in this sort dooth the Iudge so manie times as his offence dooth deserue At the lamentations and shrikes that these miserable offenders doo giue the Iudges shewe no more signe of pittie then if they were stroken vppon a stone So the audience being concluded and doone with the naturals of the countrie the generall commaunded that the Spanyardes shoulde come a little nearer and looked and searched their garments and all the rest as also their Breuiarios books that being done they were informed by those that brought them how and in what order they were apprehended and of all other thinges touching their comming into that kingdome vnderstanding thereof hee commaunded them to be carried vnto prison where they were put in sure holde and with great watch and guard for certaine dayes in the which time they passed incredible trouble as well of hunger as of thirst and heat which was the occasion that the most part of them fell sicke of agues and of the laske So after these dayes that they were in prison they were carried once againe to the audience and many other more were brought forth to be visited all people beléeuing that the Spaniards should no more returne but bee executed for the which they receiued great coÌ„tent to be cleared by one death of so many as dayly they had before their eyes In the conclusion of this audience the generall did decrée that they should be carried by sea vnto the Cittie of Canton whereas was the vizroy of that prouince and he to commande them to be executed or punished according as hee thought best according vnto the penalty put vppon whatsoeuer straunger that should enter into that kingdome without licence as they did enter But when they saw that they were carried out of the prison vnto the sea they verelie beléeued that it was to drowne them therin for the which hauing a newe confessed themselues and commended themselues vnto God they did animate one another with the representation of the reward which was prepared for them but when they came vnto the barre whereas they should imbarke themselues vppon a suddaine the sea beganne to waxe verie loftie and troublesome that it séemed almost a myracle and it increased in such sort that the souldiers and mariners said that neuer before they had séene the like torment the which endured the space of tenne dayes the which was the occasion that they did not imbarke themselues and that the generall did change his pretence and determined that they shoulde be carried by lande vnto the great Cittie of Saucheo Fu the which was presently put in vre they were manie dayes on this iourney with fiftie souldiers that did