ashoar for Water but on a sudden the Cannon of the Town began to do great execution upon our Ships which drew off hastily not knowing the cause of this turn till some time after they understood 2000 men sent by the King of Ormuz for the defence of the place were newly arrived and their Officers refused to stand to the Peace Albuquerque had received no small damage from the great Cannon which was plaid very smartly but landing his men at break of day he assaulted the Town so couragiously and fortunately that as our men entred in at one Gate the Moors ran out at another The Place was plundered all except the Governours House saved because he received our men friendly and gave them notice to retire when the Relief came though he was killed in the confusion not being known This done he passed to Soar all the Inhabitants whereof fled except the Governour and some of the Principal Moors who offered it up to Albuquerque and received it back to hold of King Emanuel paying the same Tribute he had given to him of Ormuz 15 Leagues farther is Orfucam where he found little to do the Inhabitants having deserted it he sent after them his Nephew Don Antonio with 100 men who having received almost equal damage to what he did the Moors being numerous and fighting for their Wives and Children returned with 22 Prisoners The Town was plundered for the space of three days during which time he prepared to enter into the Harbour of Ormuz which was the Principal End of this Voyage and to which these exploits were but a prelude being small in his esteem though to others they might appear considerable 2. The City Ormuz is seated in a little Island called Gerum at the Mouth of the Persian Gulf about 3 Leagues in compass so barren that it produces nothing but Salt and Sulphur The Buildings of the City are sumptuous it is the great Market of all Goods brought thither from the East West and North which is the reason that though it have nothing of its own it abounds in all things and is plentifully supplied from the Province Mâ—…gostam and the Islands Quixome Lareque and others About the Year 1273 King Malec Caez possessed all the Land from the Island Gerum to that of Baharem and bordered upon the King of Gordunxa of the Province of Mogastam this King subtilly obtaining of Malec the Island of Gerum as a place of no worth after he was fortified therein drove him out of all his Country And translating the City Ormuz where the King kept his Court before to this Island he grew so formidable that the King of Persia fearing he would refuse to pay the Tribute the other had done prepared to invade him But he of Gordunxa prevented him by imposing on himself a yearly Tribute and offering to do him Homage by his Embassadors every five years In this Tyrant began the City and Kingdom of Ormuz afterwards possessed by his Heirs and others for the most part violently When Albuquerque arrived there Ceyfadim a Youth of 12 years of age reigned and over him his Slave Coje Atar a man subtil and couragious Who hearing what had been done by Albuquerque made preparations laying an embargo upon all the Ships in the Harbour and hiring Troops from the Neighbouring Provinces Persians Arabians and others so that when Albuquerque came there were in the Town 30000 Fighting-men among them 4000 Persians most expert Archers and in the Harbour 400 Vessels 60 of considerable bulk with 2500 men 3. Albuquerque was not ignorant of the reception designed him but to shew those People the greatness of his Resolution he entred that Port about the end of September and came to an Anchor between five of their greatest Ships For the more terror he fired his Cannon and the Shoar was soon covered with above 8000 men Seeing no Message came from the King he sent aboard the biggest of those Ships which was of Cambaya and seemed to ride Admiral the Captain whereof presently camâ—… to and was received by him with Civility and State He told him he had Orders from his King to take him of Ormuz into his Protection and grant him leave to Trade in those Seas provided he paid a reasonable Tribute but if he refused his Orders were to make War It was doubtless no small Presumption to offer a King the liberty of his own Seas and impose Conditions upon him with that handful of 460 men against 33000 and seven Ships to 400 but the success justified these proceedings and verified those Actions which to some have appeared fabulous The Moor delivered this Message to the King and his Governour Coje Atar and presently returned one Coje Beyrame excusing their not having sent to know what we demanded in that Port and promising the Governour would come next day to treat He came not but the Messages continued only in order to gain time to sortifie the City and receive further Supplies Albuquerque saw into the drift and told Beyrame he need only return with the acceptation of Peace as offered or the declaration of War He brought answer that City used not to pay but receive Tribute Night coming on it appeared they prepared to fight by the noise of Warlike Instruments and Shouts that was heard from the Walls and Ships The Morning discovered the Walls Shoar and Vessels covered with Armed Men the Windows and tops of the Houses filled with both Sexes and all Ages as Spectators of what should ensue Albuquerque having held a Council and given necessary Orders began to play his Cannon furiously and was answered by the Enemy They taking the advantage of the Smoak which hindred the sight attacked our Ships with 130 Boats well manned which did some damage with Showers of Arrows but received more many being sunk and the rest forced to retire by our Artillery Yet they made a second onset but were so received that the Sea was coloured with Blood By this time Albuquerque had sunk two of the great Ships and taken a third though with great opposition forcing the Moors to leap into thâ—… Sea The mean time the other Captains had mastered other Ships and perceiving themselves victorious ran along the Shoar and set fire to above 30 Ships which cutting their Cables were drove flaming upon the Persian Coast where they burnt others that lay aground This struck so great a terror into all that multitude that they fled to the shelter of the City and Coje Atar sent to offer all that Albuquerque had demanded He stopt further proceedings but perceiving the deceitfulness of the Moor threatned a greater effect of his Anger in case he persisted in his Wiles And comparing the damage found that with the loss of 10 men most of the Enemies Vessels with vast Riches were either sunk burnt or torn to pieces and 1700 of them killed The dead Bodies floating upon the Water many were seen with Ornaments of beaten Gold which our men fished for and
F. Pascalis was so well received by the King Iavira Pandar of Candea that desiring to become a Christian he was only deterred for fear of his Subjects rebelling and therefore desired assistance of the Governour in case of any Commotion Antony Moniz Barreto was sent to this effect Mean while the King of Cota persuades Iavira That he should no sooner be a Christian but the Portugueses would deprive him of his Kingdom The King giving Credit to this wicked Device resolved to kill all the Portugueses sent to his assistance But the better to execute it feigned himself still of the same Mind Barreto it is not known how had Intelligence of the Design and finding more danger in Returning to the Ships than going on to Ceitavaca where that King was our Friend he caused those One hundred and twenty Men he had Landed to burn all they had except some little Provision to let them know they were to save nothing but their Lives Three days they marched fighting with Eight thousand Men so fortunately that they arrived at Ceitavaca without losing one Man To the great Honour of their Captain 9. Our irreconcileable Enemy the King of Achem about this time sent against Malaca a Fleet of sixty Sail and in it Five thousand Land-men among which were Five hundred Orobalones commonly called Of the Gold Bracelets because they wear them and are very brave but his best Regiment was of Turks and Janizaries This Body was Commanded by a Valiant Moor who had the style of Dr. King of Pedir He Landed by Night at Malaca and found nothing but some Geese which he took to shew his Prince as a Testimony of his Landing But those Fowl alarming the City as formerly the Capitol caused all to be in readiness which was but little the Town being then very scarce of Men. 10. However the Enemy was forced to retire and imbark having burnt two Ships of ours that were ready to sail Without they took seven Fishermen and cutting off their Noses Ears and Feet sent them to the Commander Simon de Melo with a Challenge writ with their Blood The Challenge was made a Jest of because there was no Force there to Answer it But the Great St. Francis Xaverius who was zealous for the King's Honour as well as the Service of God being there then he disapproved the Jest and advised to meet the Enemy at any rate The Governour and others excused themselves urging there were in the Port but eight small Vessels which as being rotten and unfit for service lay aground This was true but the Cause of it was the Neglect and Avarice of the Government 11. The Great Xaverius took so much pains that he prevailed with some Merchants to fit out those Vessels prophetically promising two Galliots would come to their Aid The time prefixed was near expired when they appeared sailing for Patane and came into Malaca though they had not designed it The Saint went aboard found they were Commanded by Iames Suarez de Melo called the Gallego and his Son Baltasar he persuaded them to have a part in that Action These Ten poor Vessels being fitted and manned with Two hundred and thirty Men sailed to find out the Enemy under the Command of D. Francis Deça 12. Being about to return Home after two Months spent in search of the Enemy they found him in the River Parles and Engaged upon a Sunday Morning The Fight was desperate our Men behaved themselves with incredible Bravery and had a most compleat Victory killing Four thousand of the Enemy sinking several of their Ships and taking most of the rest whereof they carried away but Twenty five for want of Men and burnt the rest Three hundred Pieces of Cannon were taken and almost a Thousand Musquets This Victory cost us but Twenty five Men some say only four 13. At the time of this Fight St. Francis was Preaching at Malaca and pausing on a sudden related all the particulars of it to his Auditory who were in great Care for those Ships having had no News of them in two Months His Prediction was verified a few days after by their Arrival 14. In September arrived five Ships from Lisbon Six set out but the one was Cast-away at Angoxa the Men saved and distributed amongst the other Ships CHAP. V. The End of the Government of D. John de Castro 1. THe Governour began this Year with the utter destruction of the Coast subject to Hidalcan He had the same Fleet as before and began in Ianuary at the River Charopa two Leagues from Goa He spared neither Living Creature Vegetable nor the very Stones but burnt and slaughtered all as far as the City Dabul which was reduced to Ashes the Inhabitants being fled with the best of their Goods Hence he ran in the same manner to the River Cifardam which parts this Kingdom from that of Melique 2. The King of Campar who had taken the City Adem from the Turks being threatned by them had recourse to the Portugueses submitting himself to our King and to this effect D. Payo de Norona was sent to him with a Supply by the Commander of Ormuz D. Payo behaved not himself as he ought to have done on this Occasion for the King marching out to fight the Turks by whom he was beaten and slain and having left him to guard the City he over-fearful of Treachery retired to his Ship and returned not though he saw the Town Assaulted Some Turkish Galleys came and besieged the place and D. Payo having promised the Prince assistance left him carrying away the few Portugueses he had brought Emanuel Pereyra resolved to stay there and Francis Vieyra who was raising Men at Campar made his way in Both behaved themselves bravely but the Turks entring by Treachery the Prince and one of his Brothers were killed the Portugueses with another retired to Campar to expect the Succours were to come from India 3. D. Alvaro went with Three hundred Men in Thirty Vessels loaded with Ammunition The Governour was overjoyed with the News of the submission of Adem But this Joy was soon allayed by a dangerous Fever and a violent Mutiny raised for want of Bread Emanuel de Sousa Sepulveda prudently appeased it and the Governour being recovered caused his Hand to be cut off who Beat the Drum to Call the People and two others of the Chief to be imprisoned 4. D. Iohn de Ataide or Meneses sent before by D. Alvaro to Adem entring boldly as believing it to be in the possession of D. Payo lost two Vessels and all the Men that were in them who were either killed or made Slaves by the Turks Noronha met D. Alvaro at Canequirim and earnestly laboured to represent how great the Danger was that obliged him to quit that place But the dead Kings Embassadour and his own Silence when accused were Witnesses against him He came afterwards to Goa and one of his Servants having taken a Hen from a Slave the Slave was complaining at
any thing abroad because the Country swarmed with Enemies and there were but few Men in the Fort. But he training many Camponeses raised new Works and forced the Enemy to withdraw with great loss 8. Gaspar de Melo now commanded the Northern Squadron consisting of 16 Sail he went to Bacaim understanding there was most need of his Assistance The posture of our Affairs was much mended by this Relief the Enemy being kept more in awe till one day fighting from Sun to Sun our Men without losing one Man overcame a great multitude 9. The Fort of Manora four Leagues from the mouth of the River of Agaçaim being besieged by the Decariis and Bacaim in a good Posture Gaspar de Melo resolved to relieve it and Antony Pinto to bear him Company the chief of their Strength was 700 Portugueses Gaspar one night went himself to view the Enemies Camp and finding it stronger than he had imagined when he returned perswaded his Men it was much weaker He prepared them to fall on before day which was done so successfully that some fled at first with the surprize and many being killed the rest followed Thus that Siege was raised without the Loss of one Man 10. Hence Gaspar de Melo went to Damam again infested by the King of the Sarceta's and in sight of the Enemy cut down their Woods and Orchards they not daring to oppose him The heat of the Sun was then so violent that it caused a Soldier immediately to run mad and died soon after this was all the Loss sustained by us in that Action 11. Then Melo returned to Chaul where he found Ruy Freyre de Andrade successful over his Enemies They marched to destroy a Wood near Upper Chaul in defence whereof a great multitude of the Enemy met them and there ensued an obstinate fight Here Melo forgetting the Duty of a Captain acted more like a private Soldier which heat of his Ruy Freyre did endeavour to moderate he now gave the advice he would not afterwards take They returned victorious but not without losing some Men. 12. Freyre being left alone gave Orders to fall upon the Enemy Captain Peter Gomes Villano answered They had no Men. Advancing still he again orders them to fall on and at the same time received a Musket Shot in his Belly His Men seeing it began to give way but he running forward cryed out There is no cause to retire I am very well yet for some time his Life was in danger Here it was he wanted the Advice he gave to Melo yet that Resolution produced an honourable Victory 13. Melo again joins Pinto de Fonseca at Bacaim in order to relieve the Fort of Assarim that high Mountain that overtops the flight of Birds and is counted impregnable Tho' the Country swarm'd with Enemies they conducted 200 Waggons to that Mountain and having relieved it returned in safety 14. We had not the like success at Diu for Francis Sodre being sent against the Resbutos at Coche with 300 Men in 13 Ships behaved himself so indiscreetly that they slew many of his Men and forced him to retire to his Ships in haste but not cowardly for he still faced them and did all that could be expected at such a time 15. Our Affairs at Mombaça were in a very bad posture for King Sultan Hazen being persecuted by his Unkle Munganaje who armed at the Crown and by the Commander Emanuel de Melo who thirsted after his Riches was accused of Treason those being really the Traytors who accused him His feigned Crimes being laid before the Viceroy he rashly orders him to be brought to Goa directing Simon de Melo Pereyra who went to succeed Emanuel de Melo to seize him The King understanding the Design endeavoured to avoid being taken and the new Commander attacking his House obliged him again to fly to Arabaya of the Cafres Our Commander with Money prevailed to have him killed and cutting off his Head sent it to Goa as it had been a Trophy of some great Conquest Then he puts the Government into the Hands of the Traytor Munganaje joining with him Melinde Brother to the deceased But he who desired no Colleague laid Crimes to his Charge as was done to his Brother and caused him to be beheaded We shall hereafter see the Benefit reaped by this Tyranny and Treachery 16. Cojenitamo Commander of Suratte for the Mogol with 800 Horse and some Elephants on a sudden over-ran the Country of Damam burning the Villages and some of our Men endeavouring to put a stop to him were drawn into an Ambush and all slain The Enemy comes on again with a greater Power and was now absolute Master of the Field when Luis de Iâ—…ito Melo Admiral of the North-Sea came into that Port with his Squadron which consisted of 14 Sail and in them 350 Souldiers These joined 200 of Damam and 70 Horse and above 1â—…0 other Foot They attacked the Enemy who far exceeded them in numbers yet drove him out of those Lands killing above 400 of them 2 Elephants and their Commander in Chief Dalapute Rao on our side only Antony Godinno was slain 17. Luis de Brito pursued them to the Fort of Baroche and entring the Port burnt the Town and all the Vessels that lay there As he returned Victorious discovering the City of the Resbuto's called Barbute he resolved to attack it A great number of them met him and after a Fight which was long dubious were defeated with the loss of 450. On our side died one Captain and four others The City was burnt and the Heads of most of the Dead cut off which were cast ashore near Surat to be seen by the Moors of that place 18. At Bacaim and Chaul there were many Skirmishes which for brevity are omitted but many Towns were burnt much Plunder taken and the Enemy on all sides kept under 19. Emanuel Mascarennas Homem succeeded D. Francis de Meneses Rojo as General of Ceylon he had Orders to curb the Insolence of the Portugueses well known to the Viceroy since he Commanded there and which did us more hurt than the Enemies Sword We had not grown odious to the Chingala's had we not provoked them by oâ—… infamous Proceedings Not only the poor Soldiers went out to rob but those who were Lords of Villages adding Rapes and Adulteries which obliged that People to seek the company of Beasts on Mountains rather than be subject to the more beastly Villanies of Men. 20. The viceroy perceiving that India was not in a condition to withstand so great Enemies as was the Mogol and Xarife Melique Commander of Ponda and suspecting that Ibrahim Idalxa underhand supported him sent Antony Monteyro Corte Real Embassador to the latter with a Present for the King and another for his Favourite Being come to Visapor he had the desired Success which was to obtain that Melique should be Imprisoned at Ponda that the Hollanders who laboured to settle a Factory there should be
dispute 10. The time being come they must return to Siranagar the King would not permit them to depart till they swore they would return and then he promised they should have liberty to Preach and he would build them a Church being much pleased with a Picture they left him of our Lady with our Saviour sleeping in her Arms. The Fathers returned acccording to promise and the King in pursuance of his built the Church with great joy and was afterwards Baptized with the Queen notwithstanding the Lama's for their private Ends did all they could to oppose it The Fathers understood by Merchants who came from China that it was 60 Days Journey distant from that Court travelling through the Kingdom of Usanguâ—… 40 Days Journey from the same Court and thence 20 to China That there were two great Kingdoms where the Cross was much used That Cathay is not a Kingdom but a great City and Metropolis of a Province subject to the Grand Sopo very near China Hence perhaps some gave China the name of Cathay Perhaps this Empire of Tibet is that of Prester Iohn so much spoken of and not Ethiopia as was believed But let us return to India 11. In April 4. Malabar Parao's took a Portugues Ship carrying the Men into slavery under Arcolo a King of the Country opposite to the Place where the famous Fort of Cunnale once stood Among the Prisoners were two Franciscans one whereof proved so acceptable to the King that he was the cause of settling a firm Peace between him and the Viceroy 12. Two Ships arrived from Lisbon which returning home the next Year were lost with the whole Portugues Fleet upon the Coast of France in a terrible Storm and was the greatest Loss Portugal sustained since the time of King Sebastian 13. There being nothing remarkable this Year in India let us see what the Carmelites did in Persia where they got footing in the Year 1604. They soon erected several Convents and confirmed the Armenians who were in danger of falling from the Faith terrified with the Persecution raised by the King of Persia. F. Basil of St. Francis was very successful among those called of Saint Iohn about Bassora In the short space of six Months he Preached in the difficult Persian Arabian and Turkish Languages as if he had part of the gift of Languages peculiar to the Apostles and gained such Reputation that many neighbouring Princes permitted him to Preach and build Churches in their Dominions 14. F. Iohn Thadeus and F. Peter of Saint Thomas went to the City Xiras being sent for by the Sultan thereof where they converted some Mahometans others gave them their Doubts in Writing to be sent to Rome assuring if they were satisfied in those Points there would be no need of Preaching to convert them Veâ—…taviet Moses an Armenian Bishop acknowledged his Error in denying the Supremacy of the Church of Rome and promised to perswade all her Diocess to acknowledge it In fine these Fathers have laboured with great Profit and Success 15. Three Ships sailed this Year from Lisbon to India one of them at his return on this side the Cape Good Hope fought twice with three Dutch Ships and came off with Honour 16. Nunno Alvarez Botello sailing with his Galleons for Mascate there arose such a terrible Storm that it parted all his Company from him and he had much difficulty to perswade his Men in despair to work The Tempest ceasing their Provisions fell snort there was but one Pipe of Water for 500 Men and no Land near where they might be supplied Some died with Thirst others running mad leaped over-board After a Fortnight spent in this miserable Condition they discovered the Land of Rozalgatâ—… always fatal to the Portugueses The Men cried to go ashore but Nunno with fair words and kindness disswaded them and coming to Teve they were relieved without danger 17. Off Surat Nunno discovered six Dutch Ships he gave them câ—…ace but lost them He sailed to Bombaim to refit a Galleon and thence to the Bar of Diu. An English and Dutch Squadron both consisting of 17 Sail sailed to Bombaim thinking to find him there They battered the Fort and mâ—…ting no Opposition burnt the poor Towns along the Coast. A Dutch Captain entring the Church of Our Lady of Hope with his Sword cut to pieces a great Crucifix and burnt part of it He had soon after the Reward of this Barbarity his Ship being burnt by Ruy Freyre and he with all the Men slain Nunno hearing of this Action begged the Crucifix of the Rector vowing to carry it always with him till he had revenged the Wrong or died in the Execution of it So it fell out as will be seen hereafter 18. The King of Achem fitted out a Fleet of 35 Galleys against Malaca D. Francis Coutinno with 16. Sail burnt 34 of them killing or taking 3000 Men and bringing off 800 pieces of Cannon 19. On the 17th of Iune 4 Dutch Ships came before the Port of Macao designing to fall upon the Fleet was ready to sail for Iapan The King's Revenue being low our Commander could act nothing against them some rich Men undertook it in Merchant Ships They fitted out five and boarding the Enemy's Admiral burnt her killing 37 Men taking 50 24 pieces of Cannon a quantity of Ball some Money and much Provisions The other 3 fled 20. Ferdinand de Sousa commanded at Angola and after defending it against two Dutch Squadrons fortified the Coast the space of half a League raising 4 Works planted with Cannon and cast up a Trench at the Bar of Corimba which secured it against any attempt Zinga Queen of Angola went with a great Power to Besiege the Garrison of Ambaça but Iohn Carreyro sending a Company of Portugueses to assist that Lord who was our Friend the Queen was defeated A Body of Men marching to her aid was met by nine Portugueses with a number of Blacks who fled at first sight the nine Portugueses fought till their Pouder was spent and two being killed the other seven were taken which was no small Satisfaction to the Queen and many of the Blacks who before were our Friends hereupon became Neuters 21. Soon after the Queen was defeated and deposed and her Brother Airiquibange Crowned King being become a Christian as did many Persons of Note by his means At Congo the City Salvador was taken by the Prince of Sunne who killing the King placed in his stead D. Ambrose of the same Blood Royal. He proved a wise and religious Prince 22. The beginning of this Year went from Portugal for India but one Ship and a Pink. The latter as it return'd was burnt by the Dutch and the Men made Prisoners But in November 3 Ships more set sail The Viceroy returned to Portugal in the first Ship having resigned the Government to D. F. Luis de Brito Bishop of Cochim by reason D. Francis Mascarennas appointed to succeed him was gone to Spain The Count this second
and he sends no Embassador to them without some Servant of hers the second is Inahanda that sollicites for the Moors the third Nabuiza that lives in the same Apartment with him the fourth Navemba the fifth Nemangore the sixth Nizingoapangi the seventh Nemongoro the eight Nessani the ninth Necarunda each of them lives apart with as great state as the King and have several Revenues and Kingdoms for their expence As soon as one dies another succeeds in place and name they have power to reward and punish as well as the King sometimes he goes to them sometimes they come to him there are many Women waiting on them of whom he makes use as he pleases 11. The Principal People of Monomotapa and whereof the Emperor is are the Mocarangi not warlike nor furnished with any other Arms but Bows Arrows and Javelines they have no Religion nor Idols but acknowledge one only God and believe there is a Devil that he is wicked and they call him Muzuco They believe their Kings go to Heaven and call them Muzimos and call upon them in time of need as we on the Saints They speak of things past by tradition having no knowledge of Letters They give Ear to the Doctrine of Christianity the lame and blind they call the King 's Poor because maintained by him with great Charity and if they travel the Towns they go through are obliged to maintain and furnish them guides from one place to another A good example for Christians 12. Every Month has its Festival Days and is divided into three Weeks each of 10 Days the first Day is that of the New-Moon and the Festivals the fourth and fifth of each Week On these Days they put on their best Apparel the King gives publick Audience to all holding a Truncheon about three quarters of a Yard long in each hand as it were leaning upon it they who speak to him lye prostrate this lasts from Morning till Evening If he is indisposed Ningomoxa stands in his place no body can speak to him or go to Court on the 8th Day of the New-Moon because it is held most unlucky 13. On the Day the New-Moon appears the King with two Javelins runs about in his House as if he were Fighting the great Men are present at this pastime and it being ended a pot full of Indian wheat boyled whole is brought which he scatters about the Ground bidding them Eat because it is the growth of the Earth they know how to flatter for every one strives to gather most knowing that pleases him and they Eat it as savourly as if it were the greatest dainty 14. Their greatest Holy-day is the first Day of the Moon of May they call it Chuavo On this Day all the great Men which are a vast number resort to Court and there with Javelins in their Hands run about representing a Fight the sport lasts all Day then the King withdraws and is not seen in eight Days after during which time the Drums never cease beating On the last Day he orders the Nobleman he has the least affection for to be killed this is in the nature of a Sacrifice he offers to his Muzimos or Ancestors this done the Drums cease and every Man goes home The Mumbos Eat Man's flesh whereof there is a Publick Butchery Let this suffice for the Customs of this Empire for it would be endless to relate all CHAP. XVI Continues the Government of Francis Barreto in Monomotapa 1. SUch was the Country whether the Governour Francis Barreto was now going he set out from Mozambique with more Vessels than he brought and more Men Tools Camels Horses and other necessaries for War and for the work of the Mines having Sailed Ninety Leagues he went up the River Cuama called by our first discoverer De las buenas sennales he came to Sena or Fort St. Marcalis as F. Monclaros desired and repaired the Town Inaparapala which is near to another of the Moors they being always professed Enemies to the Christians began to undermine our designs as they had formerly done in India they attempted to poyson our Army and some Men and Horses began to Die and the cause being discovered by one of them they were all put to the Sword and the Chief of them torn to pieces at the mouths of Guns except one called Mahomet Iame who affirming the Blessed Virgin had appeared to him and commanded him to become a Christian by the name of Lawrence he had the favour to be strangled The discoverer was pardoned 2. Barreto sent an Embassador to the Emperor who for the more honour admitted him to his Presence not as other Embassadors were treated at this Court which is to go without Arms bare-footed on their Knees and when they come near prostrating themselves on the ground The effect of the Embassy was to desire leave to punish the King of Mongas who was in Rebellion and go on to the Mines of Butua and Manchica The first part was a piece of flattery to obtain the second because the Lands of Mongas lie between Sena and the Mines and it was necessary to make way with the Sword He consented to all and offered One hundred thousand Men Bareto accepted not of them because he would give him no share in the Honour gained in that War and thinking thereby to oblige him the more 3. He marched ten Days with Twenty three Horse and Five hundred and sixty Musquetiers enduring much by Hunger and Thirst for the most part along the River Zambeze over whose most rapid stream hang pieces of the high Mountain Lupata ninety Leagues distant from the Ethiopian Sea At the end of this tedious march they began to discover part of the Enemy and soon after saw the-Mountains and Valleys covered with Arm'd Men the Governor was not daunted seeing it was hard to discover the end of that multitude he drew up and gave the Van to Vasco Fernando Homem he had the Rear and between the bodies was the baggage and some Field pieces when they came to charge he removed the Canon to the Front and Flanks the two unequal bodies advanced the Enemy in the sorm of a half-Moon before they engaged an old Woman advanced and scattered some Powder towards our Men having perswaded the Enemy she was a notorious Witch that that Powder alone would gain the Victory 4. Barreto understanding the superstition having seen tâ—…e like in India ordered a Gunner to level a â—…iece at her which was so well performed the old Woman was torn to pieces the Cafres were astonished believing her immortal Barreto rewarded the Gunner with a Gold Chain the Enemy advance without order either through ignorance or relying on their multitude and clouds of Arrows and Darts begin to fly but our Musquetiers killing them by Hundreds they turned their backs many were killed in the pursuit and then our Men ordered to halt the Governor marches to the City Mongas and meets another multitude like the former which in
the Portugueses performed the Function and he was Christened Luis Then the Queen and many that came with him were Baptized which was celebrated with the Guns and Warlike Instruments of both People He of Sian moved by this Example was Baptized with his whole Family 4. Mean while the Governour fitted out a Fleet of 45 Sail in which were Three thousand Seamen and Souldiers The design was kept secret and was to rob the Pagod of Tremele which is twelve Miles up the Inland of St. Thomas Meliapor in the Kingdom of Bisnagar For which he had express Orders from King Iohn upon pretence India was wasted as if any pretence could justifie such a Robbery Nevertheless the Design was discovered or as others say disappointed by contrary Weather yet the Governour was persuaded to plunder other Pagods where it was thought there was no less Treasure 5. He took the Advice and by the way sent to the King of Iasanapatan in the Island Ceylon either to submit and pay Tribute to the King of Portugal or provide to â—…ppose that Fleet. The King was so unprovided he thought it a happiness the Governour was so content and agreed to â—…ay Four thousand Ducats yearly The King called Grande near Cape Comori for â—…ear sent him a Present He went on to â—…he Pagod Tebelicate near Calecoulam notâ—…ithstanding we were at Peace with that â—…ing and entred it with a few of his Confidents they brought two Casks so heavy they loaded many Men It was said they carried Water such as were not easie of belief affirmed it was pure Gold and Precious Stones The truth was never known Some Writings declare there was only a Pot of Gold found in which the Idol was bathed valued Four thousand Crowns which King Iohn Ordered to be restored much admiring this Action of Martin Alfonso as if it had been a greater Crime to rob at Tebilicarè without his Order than at Tremelè with it However it was whilst the Portugueses marched to their Ships the Pagod and Town flamed and Two hundred Nayres set out to Revenge this Loss Commanded by the Keeper of the Pagod They appeared on an Eminence over our Men who marched through a Defileé and poured their Shot and Arrows upon them which killed Thirty The Governour had been in danger had he not dismounted Our Men being got into the open Field put the Nayres to flight 6. No danger terrifies Avarice They went on to another Pagod Out of it was taken a Chest which was publickly opened and some Silver Mony that was in it distributed but of so little value that many believed thence proceeded the Liberality The Governour returned to Goa where four Ships arrived from Portugal soon after his departure expected him Five had set out from Lisbon but one was forced back by a Storm 7. The Governour had not returned so soon to Goa if D. Garcia de Castro had not sent to hasten him upon a sudden emergency which was thus Acedecam Lord of the Lands about Goa designing to depose Hidalcan prevailed by dint of Presents and Promises with D. Garcia to deliver up to him Meale Can Brother to Hidalcan pretending he held the Kingdom wrongfully This gave Hidalcan just cause of Complaint and drew on no contemptible danger The Governour heared both Parties and â—…ough both used equal Arguments offering equal Advantages to the Crown of Portugal the Governour inclined more to Acedacan who offered the Kingdom of Concam then possessed by Abraham a good Man and our Friend whose Revenue was above a Million It was the more valuable for being near Goa CHAP. XIV The End of the Government of Martin Alfonso de Sousa and of the First Part of this Tome 1. THe Governour Armed in defence of Meale and to possess him of the Crown Acedecan offered him This was a notorious act of Injustice and Martin Alfonso being led by Interest and naturally so haughty that none durst Advise him Peter de Faria resolved to do it encouraged by his Quality the great Offices he had born and his great Age being 80 years Old Late at Night he repaired to the Governour 's Tent and having prepared him to hear laid before him all the Motives that could persuade to desist from so unjust an Undertaking with much submission gravity and discretion 2. Martin Alfonso submitted to Faria's Reasons As soon as Day appeared the Governour pretending other Causes gave over the Design and returned to the City securing Meale Can. At this time died Acedecan the Promoter of this Discord and Hidalcan came down the Mountain-Gate with a powerful Army reducing his Rebels and in few days recovered the Kingdom of Concam which not long before we had hoped to possess if not dissuaded by the Experienced Faria to whom Martin Alfonso confessed he owed his Life and Honour For had he gone to Concham it was much to be doubted whether ever he had Returned Hidalcan still fearing Meale Can offered for him if he were delivered to him the Lands of Salsete and Bardez valued at Fifty thousand Ducats a Year It had been a breach of Trust to deliverup a Man that had put himself into our protection Therefore the Governour Answered If what was offered were given he would send him where he should not disturb Hidalcan He admitted this Condition and performed on his part but had not entire satisfaction from us for Meale was carried from Goa to Cananor and from Cananor to Goa in the Eyes of Hidalcan as the Politick said To keep in Awe but the State Criticks said It was a Bait to draw Presents Some were sent soon after 3. Hidalcan had moreover granted to the Governour upon this Treaty the vast Treasure Acedecan had laid up when he Rebelled and which at his Death fell into the hands of Cojecemazadim and was worth Ten Millions of Ducats He persuaded the Governour it was not above a Million and delivered so much to him One Record says He sent almost half of it to Portugal in Bars of Gold Another That he applied Two hundred and fifty thousand Ducats to the Kings use in India if we may not take into this Account One hundred thousand given by Hidalcan upon the late Accommodation But if these did make up the Sum he afterwards discharged a good Conscience discharging the King of some Debts 4. Hidalcan gave him Notice of the great Fraud used in delivering the Treasure persuading him to recover the Remainder of Cojeçemazadim who was at Cananor He used Means to take him but not succeeding resolved to endeavour it in person He fitted out Twenty four great Ships and many Vessels to row and without saying any thing what he intended landed at Cochin Putting to Sea again he steered several Courses and Anchored at Mount Delij At Night without making it known to the Fleet he went into a Barge with five or six Gentlemen and ordering three of the lightest Vessels to follow came with incredible speed to the Fort of Cananor where Iames Alvarez Tellez Commanded He
from the Year 1545 till the Year 1548 in the Reign of King JOHN the Third 1. ABOUT the latter end of August or beginning of September Arrived at Goa six Ships from Portugal Commanded by Don Iohn de Castro who went to Ease Martin Alfonso of the Government Immediately as is Customary in India Complaints were carried to the New Governour against the Old The chief the Crying-down the Value of Money which was immediately restored to its former Value This gave occasion to Martin Alfonso to go away dissatisfied and the other to remain so upon the manner of his Discontent falling out after having very well agreed These Governours and their Governments seem to resemble the Soul and Body which never part without great struglings 2. Don Iohn began his Government as is usual sending Commanders and Officers to several Forts and Towns Bernardin de Sousa went to succeed Iurdan de Freytas at Ternate carrying with him the King Aeiro to hold that Crown till other Orders came from Portugal it being left to our King by the deceased Tabarija as was said before Ferdinand de Sousa Tavora who was sent against the Spaniards Commanded by Villalobos reduced him to a necessity of surrendring himself and continuing at Ternate till the Season of sailing for India where he and his Men might either remain in the Portugues Service or return in their Ships to Europe This Difficulty surmounted Sousa resolved to take Revenge of Catabruno King of Gilolo for the Injuries he did the Portugueses and New Converts since he Tyrannically usurped the Crown killing his Lawful Sovereign 3. Sousa consulted his own Men and the new Guests who approved of his Resolution and Villalobos offered to bear him Company They made up Four hundred Spaniards and Portugueses and Fifteen hundred Ternatenses Coming to an Anchor in the Port they found the Tyrant ready to receive them well fortified and provided with Cannon The Christians began to batter them but received more damage than they did Sousa perceiving there was no way but by giving an Assault gave the first of the Attack to Iohn Galvan and Bernard de la Torre the first a Portugues the other a Spaniard who sticking in the Thorns the Tyrant had designedly strewed about and scarce able to move stood as a Mark to the Enemies Bullets and Arrows Catabruno Charges them with Three thousand Men. Sousa comes to their Relief and the Fight was desperate for both Spaniards and Portugueses did Wonders Night parted and Morning brought them together the Dispute was hot till Galvan being killed his Men were put in disorder all our Body came to their Relief and brought them off forcing the Enemy to retire to their Works Our Captain seeing no likelyhood of prevailing returned to Ternate whence he went to India with the Spaniards as had been Agreed only Villalobos excepted who died in the Fort. 4. Coje Zofar at Cambaya now his Princes Favourite kept a fair Correspondence with the Portugueses but with the natural Perfidiousness of a Moor. He persuaded the King a second time to endeavour the shaking off the Yoak of the Fort of Diu and to this effect drew together a great Number of Men yet had more hopes to succeed by Policy than strength He agreed with an Infamous Portugues called Ruy Freâ—…re to poyson the Cistern fire the Magazine and upon a Sign given admit him into the Fort. An Ethiopian a Turk and a Woman Slave discovered the Treachery Coje Zofar was astonished to see his Design discovered and began to Complement D. Iohn Mascarenhas Commander of the Fort pleading That the Cause of breaking the Peace had been because they obstructed building that Wall which D. Garcia de Noronha had so weakly allowed and Emanuel de Sousa had couragiously beat down Coje Zofar dissembled while he gathered a great Power and D. Iohn perceiving the Danger that threatned him prepared to meet it and gave Advice thereof to the Governour and Neighbouring Commanders 5. A considerable number of Men was already drawn together in the City Diu and among them Five hundred Turks sent from Mecha by the King of Zibit D. Iohn assigned every Man his Post and placed an Officer with 30 Men in each of the four Bastions his Lieutenant over the Gate with Twenty another with the like Number in a small Work reserving Fifty for himself to be wherever the greatest Danger called This was the Number of Men he had and thus ordered when Coje Zofar came on with all his Power resolving to attack the Bastion of the Sea with three Castles built upon a Ship of prodigious bigness well stored with Cannon to batter the Wall Within the Castles were Two hundred Turks who were to distract the Desendants by pouring in continually all sorts of Artificial Fire-works This Design succeeded not for our Commander having notice of it sent Iacome Leite to burn that Ship He took twenty Men in two Vessels and though he set out by Night was discovered yet did not desist but couragiously went on and set fire to it then retiring saw a great part of it fly into the Air with most of the Turks the Remainder casting such a Flame as at a distance discovered the Enemies Army running in Batalions to quench the Fire Iacome seeing them in Clusters let fly his Cannon and killed many of them In this Action he had seven Men wounded He went on to the Mouth of the River and took from the Enemy some Vessels of Provision with which he returned to the Fort much admired of all 6. Coje Zofar began to build the Wall that had been before beat down which could not be hindred though our Cannon killed many of the Workmen but was brought to such perfection that he planted â—…hereon Sixty great Cannon besides many small and one of such extraordinary bigness that it shook the whole Island and made pieces of the Fort fly it was managed by an expert French Renegado At this time arrived D. Ferdinand de Castro Son to the Governour sent by him with some Relief of Men. Mascarenhas wanted some Intelligence from the Enemies Camp Iames de Anaya Coutino a Gentleman of Note and Man of great strength knowing of it at Night putting a Helmet on his Head with a Sword by his side and Spear in his Hand let himself down the Wall and lying close at some distance from the Fort discovered two Moors who being come up to him he killed the one with the Spear and taking up the other in his Arms run with him to the Gate of the Fort and calling threw him in to the great admiration of those that beheld it This was much but what follows is more He had borrowed the Helmet he carried and promised on the word of a Gentleman to restore it or dye In this Scuffle it fell off and he mist it not till the Owner asked for it He said nothing but letting himself off the Wall again went to look for found and restored it Nothing
sent the year before by King Emanuel entered not upon the Government till the twenty second of Ianuary of this year King Iohn III. being on the Throne whose Father died the thirteenth of December foregoing He brought with him twelve Ships Having taken the Government and sent the Commanders to their Posts he began to feel the effects of his Predecessors putting Portugues Officers into the Custom-House of Ormuz He received advice the Moors had taken Arms killed some Men and besieged the Fort. D. Luis his Brother was immediately sent with relief and Simon de Andre made Commander of Chaul who began his Charge with taking two Turkish Gallies and a Victory in Dabul which reduced that City to pay Tribute Melique Az. terrified with this Success and the arrival of D. Luis of whose Actions in Africk he was informed withdrew his Vessels from before Chaul 2. The Cause of D. Luis his going to Ormuz was the Insurrection which was occasioned by the avarice of the Portugues Officers there Iames Lopez had placed them there against his Will in Obedience to the King's Commands and at the persuasion of Men who loved Novelties and said the reason the Tribute of Ormuz was not well paid was that the Officers cheated the King to prevent which it was convenient to place Portugueses in their stead To the avarice used by the Portugueses was added the Violence they offered to the persons and honor of those people forcing their Daughters and Wives from them D. Garcia Coutino then commanded that Fort with whom that King conferred about sending a Present and Embassy to our King to obviate the Inconveniences that Innovation produced This Means was prevented and so it broke out to the great loss of the Portugueses For sudddenly by night they were attacked by Sea and Land with Fire and Sword at Ormuz Baharem Mascate Curiate and Soar by private Order from the King and above one hundred and twenty of them killed Ruy Boto was put to great Torments by the Moors in defence of the Faith At morning some of our Men died endeavouring to relieve others All things being disposed the best the time would permit and the Ships secured under the shelter of the Fort D. Garcia sent advice to the Governor Mean while he was besieged had two Vessels burnt and feared Hunger and Thirst. Tristan Vaz de Vega and Manuel de Sousa received advice hereof at Mascate and prepared to carry Relief Tristan Vaz arrived first and made his way to the Fort through one hundred and sixty Sail that lay before it Two days after appeared Manuel de Sousa's Ship at an anchor two Leagues off It was dangerous for the Fort to relieve him and dangerous for all if he was not relieved Tristan Vaz with his Ship ventured to his Aid through the hundred and sixty Sail of Enemies eighty of them pursued him making way with full Sails and Manuel de Sousa thinking him an Enemy did some harm till undeceived he was taken into the Ship The King of Ormuz in a rage lays a heap of Gold on one side and a heap of Womens Attire on the other the one for such as should take Tristan and Emanuel Prisoners the other â—…or such as behaved themselves not couragiously Some being covetous of the Reward and others fearful of the Disgrace they manned one hundred and thirty Vessels and set upon that one which through Showers of Bullets and Arrows made its way to the Fort and brought new Life to the besieged with the Relief it had on Board 3. The King of Ormuz began to despair of shaking off the Portugues Yoke and fearing the punishment of his Revolt executed one more grievous upon himself than he could have received from those he had offended He resolved to quit the City and go over to the Island Queixome which lies fifteen Leagues in length close to the Perâ—… Shoar and three Leagues from Ormuz is fruitful but not healthy Privately he commanded all the Inhabitants to follow him and then barbarously set fire to that beautiful City which was four Days and Nights burning And yet some Gentlemen from our Fort held intelligence with the King advising how he should behave himself with the next Governour to be restored and this they did in hopes to be inriched by him Our Men tho astonished at this brutal Action were delivered from the danger of the Siege and going out to see if any thing were left in the City only found Water in Cisterns and Fire in all the Houses Soon after came in a Ship from India with Provisions and another with Ammunition 4. D. Luis de Meneses sent by the Goververnor his Brother to Ormuz did nothing of Note by the way but arrived at the Town of Soar with ten Sail. This Town they destroyed with Fire and Sword and then gave it to Xecâ—… Hozem to hold of the King of Portugal Mean while his own Favourites murdered the King of Ormuz at Queixome and crowned Mamud Xa a Youth of thirteen years of Age Son to the late King 5. D. Luis arrived at Queixome and after several Designs that took no effect came to aâ—… Treaty with the new King It was agreed that the King should return to Ormuz that he should pay the former Tribute of twenty thousand Xeraphins and the Arrears due that the Portugues Commanders should not meddle with the Government of his City and to conclude all that King sent D. Luis a Present of Pearls Gold Jewels and Silks for our King and another for himself which he accepted not but to be sent with the other as was publickly done Then D. Luis dispatched three Ships for Goa which were to take lading there for Portugal One of them perished in a violent storm on the Coast of Mascate D. Luis followed soon after and came to Goa 6. He found the Governor his Brother and all the City in Tears for the Death of King Emanuel the News whereof was brought by one of three Ships that came from Portugal this year whereof two had wintered at Mozambique The Goverâ—…or went over to Cochin to dispatch the trading Ships for Portugal and other parts At this time D. Pedro de Castro was not idle at Mozambique for being informed by Iohn de Mata who commanded that Fort that the Island Querimba and the adjacent denied the Tribute to those of Zanzibar and Pemba whereby they were disabled from paying theirs to us he went to Querimba with an hundred Men and after a shaâ—…p Fight burnt the City and obliged the Lord of it to pay the Tribute the others terrified by this Example submitted At his return he wasi n great danger by Storms and Hunger and his Cousin D. Christopher killed by the Blacks who defended the Fruit of certain Trees which our Men were carried to taste by Hunger not Curiosity D. Diego de Melo went now with him to Goa D. Pedro's Ship being at an Anchor in that Port suddenly sunk down right being very old whereby it
person of his Nephew who tho younger was of the Blood Royal of the Kings of Quiloa Nuno rightly judged that none better merited a Crown than he that coveted it not and reserved his Answer till he saw the Event of the Enterprize He set out with eight hundred Men and Mahomet with sixty and as many with Cide Bubac the King's Nephew the other had proposed to be King 5. As he drew near there met him the Lord of Otondo a neighbouring Town offering to accompany him with a well furnished Vessel being admitted shewing Silver Chains upon his Legs he said He wore them in remembrance that he had been wrongfully imprisoned by that King and had swore never to take them off till revenged that all the motive his Enemy had to use him so was for his affection to the Portugueses tho be never was so happy as to serve them The King of Monbaça knowing Cuna's Design prepared planting Guns on a Bulwark that kept the mouth of the River and bringing six hundred expert and resolute Archers into the City Nuno entred the River through Showers of Bullets that flew from the Bulwark which killed some Men and battered some Vessels Yet he anchored the Evening near the City all the Night the Enemy poured Arrows upon the Fleet which answered with their Cannon Day appearing the Attack began and Peter Vaz Brother to Nuno driving all before him was the first who set up the Portugues Colours in the highest place of the City which being seen far off the Ships began to celebrate the Victory Many Moors were killed the rest left the City D. Ferdinand de Lima was suddenly clasped by a stout Moor but his own Men coming in the Moor was slain fulfilling a Vow he had made to the King's Neece whom he loved For this Woman going out with others said to him Are these the brave men of Monbaça who suffer their Wives and Children to lose the City and go for refuge to the Cafres And he answered Since you affront me thus I swear by the Love I bear you before two days those who love shall weep for me and you if you value me shall not see me to reward my Love He fulfilled his Vow as did many more not one Portuguese was lost 6. The City was plundered twenty great pieces of Cannon taken D Ferdinand de Lima going to secure the Bulwark some Moors issued out of a Wood did harm for a few of our Men died of their poisoned Arrows Many of the Enemy were afterwards slain Hither came News of some of Cuna's Fleet who had been separated from him Nuno the better to secure and people the City which was great sent to Melinde whence presently came a Nephew of that King with five hundred Men many of Quality and he of Montangue with two hundred By this means the Natives were drove out of the Island tho Hunger afterwards forced back many The King of Monbaça sensible of his Ruin sent a Man of Note to treat of an Accommodaâ—…ion with Nuno offering to become Tributary and pay a Ransom for the City They came to Agreement 8. The King presently began the Payment and as soon fell off finding the Portugueses sickened and died Two hundred were already dead among them some Gentlemen and Peter Vaz de Cuna This and other Misfortunes pressed the disposing of the City The King of Melinde's Sons durst not undertake to maintain it without a number of Portugueses which could not be afforded after such a loss Nuno consumed the City to Ashes and returned to Melinde bringing with him those who were left before at Zanzibar and other places who joined him after the City was taken 9. At Melinde he left eighty sick Men to be carried to India by Tristan Homem who afterwards with them defended that King against him of Monbaça who sought to revenge there the harm done him by the Portugueses In May the Governor began to visit the neighbouring Places to Ormuz making Proclamation That all persons who had any Cause of Complaint against Portugueses should appear before him Many appeared with much Cause and the Offenders were obliged to make restitution to the great astonishment of the Moors not used to see such Justice executed At Ormuz he made a solemn Entry which being unusual was much admired by those People 10. He found that Raez Xarafo great Guazil or rather Tyrant over that King tho restored by Lope Vaz was not clear of those great Crimes he stood accused of The chief were Rapin and Murder and the Circumstances such that King Iohn had sent after Nuno de Cuna Emanuel de Macedo with Orders independent of the Government to take and bring him to Portugal They both had a Hand in securing him Nuno visited the King and gave him Letters from ours He qualified the King's Displeasure for imprisoning Xarafo and his fear for his own Offences received his Excuse and took leave The King presented him with rich Jewels Pieces of Cloth of Gold Silks and a stately Horse with fine Furniture after the Persian manner Nuno refused to accept but seeing the King was affronted at it received it in his King's Name The Gentlemen with him received rich Gifts 11. Nuno made some Inquiry into Xarafo's Crimes and sent him to Portugal The King for the Murder of Mahomet was sentenced to pay forty thousand Xeraphins over and above the sixty thousand he paid yearly It is true this Crime served only as a pretence to overload him with this Tribute being the third part of the Revenue of Ormuz Raez Xarafo tho guilty of heinous Offences carried enough Riches with him to purchase Favour in Portugal and be restored to his Employ 12. Whilst the Governor was thus employed at Ormuz Belchior Tavarez de Sousa came thither he had been to assist the King of Baçora with forty Men against him of Gizaira He was the first Portuguese that went up the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates Baçora is thirty Leagues from the mouth of these Rivers in thirty degrees somewhat more of Northern Latitude It is a new Foundation in memory of the ancient Baçora eight Leagues distant from it the Ruins whereof are still to be seen and in the opinion of a person of Judgment who did see them are twice as big as Grand Caire The Island Gizaira is formed by the two Rivers Tigris whose Springs are in Curdi of the greater Armenia and Euphrates whose Fountains are in Turkomania The Circuit of it forty Leagues it contains forty thousand Archers 13. The King of Baçora had received Sousa with State and Joy in a Court of his Palace so large that it contained two thousand Men without any Throng Next day gave him an account of his Condition desiring he would either bring the King of Gizaira to an honorable Peace or recover some Forts he had taken from him The King of Baçora set out with two hundred Dalacas or large Barques in them were five thousand Men six hundred whereof were Musqueteers seven
to flight Francis Tavares who carried Lope Sarmiento's Colours stripped and wrapped them about his Arm charging the Enemies with the Spear till being thrown down he lay upon the Colours so that they could not be taken from him but the Portugueses coming into his assistance he rose and tho' the Blood run from him fell in again among the Moors 17. During all this time the Moors shewed such respect to the Christian Churches as may well confound Christians themselves The Portugueses made use of two Churches dedicated to our B. Lady putting 50 Men into each and tho' thence they annoyed the Enemy yet the Moors never made one shot at them because some of them had there recovered their Health making Vows which they punctually paid CHAP. II. Continues the Government of the Viceroy D. Hierome de Azevedo in the Year 1613. 1. IT was the fate of the Fort of Mombaça to have insolent Commanders Emanuel de Melo Pereyra herein exceeded many of his Predecessors treating the King Sultan Hazen with unexpressible disrespect The chief Promoter of the Disagreement betwixt Melo and the King was his Unkle Munganaje an old Man who pretending much Zeal for our Affairs aimed at the Crown He vented his Malice one day by giving out in the Fort the King designed to kill them all 2. Melo resolved to attack the King's House but he being sensible how fruitless any excuses would be fled with the Christian Colours to the Town Quolifi of the Cafres seven Leagues distant That People pressed him to reinthrone himself by force but he several times withstood their Importunities 3. At length not able to prevail upon him they marched without him and entred the Town of the Moors but they were all retir'd into our Fort. The Cafres not thinking good to assault the Fort were upon their return when Emanuel de Melo who observed them pursuing and falling suddenly on them cut off the best Part. A few days after the King returned to his House and having excused himself to our Commander thought he was satisfied but he only dissembled his Malice as shall appear hereafter 4. Our Fortune in Pegn now declined with the same swiftness it had rise and it was just a wicked encrease should have a sudden detriment The violence committed by Philip de Brito Nicote on the King of Tangn provoked the Anger of the King of Ova under whose Protection he was Scarce had he heard the News when casting on the Ground his Gown and Veil he vowed to the Idol Biay of Degu he would not enter within his Gates till this Quarrel was revenged He marched with 120000 Men having put to Sea 400 Vessels of considerable strength in which were above 6000 of those Moors of noted Valour called de Caperuça or that wear Caps All that was without the Walls of Siriam he burnt but met with vigorous opposition at that Place notwithstanding Nicote was quite unprovided having suffered most of his Men to go for India and being scarce of Powder as who had fired the vast quantity of it found at Tangu In this distress he sent a Soldier to buy Powder at Bengala and he run away with the Money and having sent for some to the Town of St. Thomas they sent him none Besides those few Portugueses that were with him committed such Outrages Robberies and Murders as seemed to hasten his Ruine 5. For want of Powder there was no firing of Cannon they poured boiling Pitch and Oil upon the Enemy His number of Men might suffice having 100 Portugueses and 3000 Pegues Nicote sends out three Ships against the Fleet in one of them all the Men were slain the two retired with all theirs wounded The Enemy began to undermine the Works and the Besieged laboured much but to small purpose After the Siege had lasted 34 Days Nicote sent to beg Mercy but was not heard He thought to prevail by the means of the King of Tangu whom he had robbed of his Crown Riches and Liberty but the King of Ova understood and was resolved to punish him 6. The King of Arraçam whom he had so grievously offended sent 50 Sail to his Assistance which were all taken by the Besiegers The King of Ova gives an assault and they fought three days without intermission the end of it was that 700 of the Besieged were slain one Banna whom Nicote had always honoured having betrayed him Nicote was taken carried to the King and by him ordered to be impaled and set up in an Eminence above the Fort that he might the better look to it as the King said He lived two Days in that misery His Wife De Luisa de Saldanna was kept 3 Days in the River to be cleansed because the King designed her for himself but being brought before and exclaiming against him he ordered her Leg to be bored and that she should be sent to Ova among the other Slaves 7. Francis-Mendez and a Nephew of his were treated as Nicote Banna demanding a Reward was soon torn to pieces the King saying He could never be true to him that betrayed the Man who so much had honoured him Sebastian Rodriguez was cooped up with a Yoke about his Neck At first the King designed not to spare any of the Inhabitants of that Place but growing calm he sent many Slaves to Ova Then passing by Martavam he obliged that King to kill his own Daughter's Husband because he was Nicote's Son that none of the Race might remain This was the end of that Man's Avarice who being naked a few years before was raised to be worth 3 Millions he had one when he went to Goa brought another from Tangu and had got at least another since by Prizes and Trade The Enemy confessed they lost at that Siege 30000 Men. 8. But that it may appear that seldom any great Calamity happens without the help of a Woman it is necessary to show how Nicote's Wife was one of the Principal Causes of his Ruin She entertained one of his Captains as her Gallant and perceiving the Portugueses censured their familiarity they perswaded Nicote he had no need of them which was the reason they were dismissed and that the cause of his Ruine 9. Our Viceroy understanding the danger of Siriam and thinking to relieve it in time sent thither Iames de Mendoça Furtado with 5 Galliots He had orders to act something by the way and endeavour to strengthen himself by the addition of some other Ships and Men which he effected not till he came to Martavam where in the River he found a Fleet of 20 Sail which after a sharp Engagement fled except 4 that were taken with some Men from whom he heard what had happened at Siriam so that there was no need to go farther 10. Nor long before this set out from Goa for China Iohn Cayado de Gamboa with 3 Galleons and was to join Michael de Sousa Pimentel who was there with 4 others to secure our China Trade against the Hollanders who
expelled This was done by the assistance of Vincent Ribeyro a Portugues who lived at Visapor and had much interest with the Favourite 21. At Baçaim Luis de Brito Melo and D. Iohn de Almada Admiral of the Diu Squadron joyned Antony Pinto de Fonseca Commander of that place resolving to force the Enemies Camp They made up 1500 Men and marched toward the Enemy who had 1000 Horse and 1500 Foot well intrenched Our design was to surprize them but they had intelligence from some Portugueses in the City nevertheless their Trenches were forced with the loss of 6 or 7 of our Men and not above 500 of the Enemy escaped This Victory secured the Inhabitants of that Country and the Island of Salsete who had suffered much during the two last Years 22. Zamori possessed himself of the Kingdom of Upper Granganer which was of dangerous consequence to our Town of the same Name which he always coveted having an Eye upon a Pagod where the ancient Emperors of Malabar used to be Crowned This Neighbourhood became the more dangerous for that the little King of Paru a small Island relying on his Friendshop with Zamori had began the War in the Rivers between Cochim and Paliporto The King of Cochim not without cause offended at the Portugueses underhand kindled this Fire The Viceroy sent D. Lope de Almeyda with one Galley and ten Ships to relieve Cananor He came upon the King of Paru who terrified thereat concluded a Peace Only the King of Cochim and Zamori now remained an Embassy and Presents were sent to the latter both which he admitted but nothing was concluded 23. At this time arrived at Goa 4 Ships from Portugal five came thence but one was lost within two Leagues of Melinde Of 3000 Soldiers that were shipped aboard these Vessels not half the number came to India the rest dying by the way which was a great loss by reason of the want of Men there was there having so many Enemies upon them and because these same Ships should have come the Year before and were forced back to Lisbon Three Ships homeward bound had yet worse fortune for one was cast away at the Maldivy Islands another in which were all the Men of the former at the Island Fayal where above 200 Men perished the third arrived at Lisbon 24. The Viceroy with that small Recruit resolved to go in Person to the North to meet our European Enemies the English and Hollanders who were strong in these Seas he sent before D. Emanuel de Azevedo with 22 Sail who at Suratte joyned the two Squadrons under Luis de Brito and D. Iohn de Almada They landed and destroyed the Lands of Cifandam and Diva the Towns of Baroche and Goga were plundered and burnt as were six great Ships in that Bay Hence they sailed to the City Patane the Inhabitants whereof terrified by the Flames of Goga fled to the Woods so the Town was fired without any opposition 25. Mean while the Viceroy set out with 7 Galleons that in which he was so large it carried with ease 230 Men at Arms the 30 all Gentlemen There were besides two Pinks one Galley one Caravel and five other Vessels In all which were 1400 Portugueses and much Artillery but unskilful Gunners CHAP. IV. Continues the Government of D. Hierome de Azevedo 1. THE chief Design of this Squadron which at Suratte joyned those three under Azevedo Brito and Almeyda was to destroy four English Ships that lay in that Port. These Preparations seemed too great for such an Enterprize but the Event proved the contrary Being come in sight of the English the Viceroy ordered the two Pinks the Caravel and other smaller Vessels to lay aboard one of the Ships which was separated from the others Having all grappled and almost entred her the other three coming up beat them off The first three of our Vessels having taken fire endeavouring to burn that of the Enemy perished and the English escaped All this day was spent without any Success on our side and the next nothing was done because the Ships lay in a hole where only one of our Galleons could come at them at once and so might be one by one disabled by the Enemies Cannon Some said this was only a pretence of those who had no mind to come at them It was attempted to burn them with Fireships but without success 2. The Viceroy perceiving he only lost his Time there sailed to Diu to send thence Relief to Ormuz having received Advice from D. Luis de Gama Commander of that Place that the Fort of Comoran was besieged by a Persian Captain of Xirav with 14000 Men by Sea and Land This Siege was laid by order of Abas Xa of Persia on account that Gama did not pay him certain Duties due to the King of Lara and the Persian was now possessed of that Kingdom He was glad of this pretence of taking Arms as desiring to possess himself of Ormuz towards which he thought the Fort of Comoron was a good step Nor did he miss his aim for no sooner did the ancient Men of Ormuz hear that Fort was delivered but they concluded this lost D. Luis sent some Succour which hastened the Surrender because one half of it was cut off and the rest returned Andrew de Quadros commanded at Comoran he had but few Men and less Cannon for always our Aim was at trade and was forced to surrender upon Conditions which the Enemy never observed This was done when the Relief of 9 Sail sent by the Viceroy arrived under the command of Michael de Sousa Pimentel who having nothing to do there and to shun the Distasts that happened between him and D. Luis de Gama went away to Mascate 3. The Viceroy returning with his Fleet from Diu discovered the 4 English Ships a great way from Surat making all the sail they could and standing to the Southward He made the best of his way and in the afternoon came up alone within Cannon-shot of one of them because his Galleon was a better Sailer than the rest of the Fleet. His Gunner offered to sink her with two 40 Pounders many opposed it representing the other 3 Ships would come upon him and the Fleet being out of sight the Galleon would be lost which would be a great discredit besides the Damage at such a time when the Government was so poor The Viceroy submitted to their Opinions without obliging them to give it under their hands thinking they would never deny it which they did when he was accused for not doing what the Gunner proposed The English returned Thanks for this kindness firing their Cannon without Ball. 4. The Ships that this Year went from Portugal carried Orders to the Viceroy to sell all Commands and Employments that would yield Money there being no other means than to supply the Wants of that Government This was put in execution and much resented for three Reasons one That it had never been
no Towns but wander with their Cattle like the Hords of Arabs some carry Stakes and Mats to make a sort of Tents they use no Tillage and offered our Men a Cake that seemed to be made of Meal of Roots mixed with Cow-Dung they eat Flesh but almost raw just shewed to the Fire which is made by rubbing Sticks together their choicest Food is the Guts and Tripes the Filth only squeezed out their Weapons are Darts and Bows no sign of Religion was discovered among them But it was observed that on Midsummer or St. Iohn Baptist's Day they appeared crowned with Garlands of sweet Herbs and Flowers 12. The Soil is fruitful free from Stones produces all sorts of Herbs Plants sweet Flowers and variety of Trees It is watered by great Rivers and many Springs The Spring begins in November Summer and Winter in these Parts as also in India are not caused by the Sun coming near or going from the Zenith as in Europe but by the Winds It is Winter when it rains and then the Sun is in his greatest Altitude when in his greatest Declination it rains not and then it is Summer Winter begins about the end of May when the West Wind reigns which brings great Rain and lasts till September during which time all Navigation ceases From September till May the North East Winds blow which keep a serene Sky and this is the Summer when all put to Sea Let us return to the description of that Country and our Men there 13. There is an infinite number of wild Beasts and those very large as Deer Wolves Sea-Horses Bufaloes wild Boars Monkeys Tigers and Elephants and some Rabbets not unlike our Ferrets They have abundance of wild Turkeys Geese Pigeons Turtles and Partridges which last build their Nests hanging on Branches of Trees Thus much of the People and Country about the Cape of Good Hope There lived our Shipwreck'd Portugueses and had erected a sort of Church where Mass was said and there were frequent Sermons five Priests being in that Company 14. The Ships being built in stead of Tar they made use of Benjamin and Frankincense and wanting Oyl to dissolve them supplied it with that of Sea-Wolves Before their departure they erected a Cross on the top of a Mountain with an Inscription signifying their Misfortune The Vessels were launched the Men and Goods shipped one Party designing for Portugal the other for India The former after some days fruitless labour were almost in the same place they set out from and in that condition were taken up by Antony de Sousa Carvallo in that Ship which as was before said afterwards perished 15. D. Nunno Alvarez Pereyra was Commander of Moçambique and died this Year D. Philipa Christian was Emperor of Monomotapa with whom we were in league A Cafre called Capranzirle rebelled against him who falling upon a Body of our Men as they marched to Tete slew 300 Portugueses the chief cause whereof was a Dispute between our Captains about Superiority All had been lost but for Christopher de Brito Vasconelos who put a stop to the Current of the Victorious Enemy Iames de Sousa Meneses commanded Moçambique at that time in the Place of Pereyra Soon after it was known the Cafre died of a Musket Shot he had received and a Brother of the Emperor but 13 Years of Age and a Christian baptized by the Dominicans by the Name of Dominick was proclaimed King 16. About the end of this Year a great Danish Ship entred the Port of Coulam Emanuel de Camara Noronna Admiral of the Canara Coast went to meet her with a Galley and eight other Vessels she fled he gave her chace and coming up after a sharp Dispute fired and then took her what remained of her was carried to Coulam 17. In April 1631 D. Blas de Castro who commanded 12 Sail at Negapatam took a Dutch Ship and soon after in a Storm lost half his Ships and about 100 Portugueses who got ashore were left in slavery The excessive Covetousness of the Portugueses keeping the Prices of Spice so high moved our European Enemies to seek it at a cheaper Rate in India and their Insolencies inclined the Indians to receive those Holland Rebels into their Ports Covetousness couched under the Pretence of Religion carried the Portugueses to conquer those remote Countries and the insatiable Avarice of some expels and makes them esteemed less than Rebels and Pyrats 18. Two Ships that sailed from Lisbon for India after five Months Voyage were put back into the same River having lost many Men by sickness In November sailed two Pinks The Viceroy desiring to recover Ormuz sent Dominick de Toral and Valdez a a Spaniard to view the Place and confer with Ruy Freyre then at Mascate about it but it came to nothing However a Fort was built at Iulfar a Fishery of Pearl 50 Leagues distant from Mascate 19. This Year our European Enemies ranging the Seas without any opposition took many of our Ships and ruined our Trade Besides they incensed the Indian Princes against us we having no body at those Courts to disappoint their Designs The Ruine of our Affairs proceeds from the little regard the great ones have for the lesser sort and the covetousness of the small ones which made them forget their Country and their Honour 20. The Portugueses dispersed in Ceylon since the defeat of D. Constantine gathering again considerably annoyed the Enemy Hence it appears our own Disorders are our Ruine The Portugueses can recover what is lost but know not how to preserve what they gain which is the most glorious part it being the Work of Fortune to gain and that of Prudence to preserve CHAP. IX Of the Affairs of Ethiopia during the Government of the Viceroy D. Michael de Noronna Count de Linnares 1. THis being the last time we shall treat of Ethiopia it will not be amiss to relate some farther Particulars of the Reception of the Patriarch D. Alfonso Mendez though somewhat has been already said concerning it He sailed from Goa on the 17th of November 1624 and at Chaul received a Letter from the Emperor Congratulating his arrival in India 2. All the way he travelled in Ethiopia he was entertained by the Governors and principal Men was met by the Sons of those Portugueses who went thither with D. Christopher de Gama to the assistance of the Emperor then Reigning and came to Fremona the chief Residence of Catholicks on the 21th of Iune 1625. The Emperor much rejoyced at the News of his arrival and sent two Men of great Quality to Conduct him but could not then see him being in the Field with his Army against certain Rebels On the 6th of February 1626 he was sent for by the Emperor to the Army The Prince accompanied by the Viceroys and Nobility went out to meet and conduct him through a Lane of 18000 Men to a Tent provided for his reception There he put on his Pontifical Robes and
Calicut and was excused only because it appeared he was overswayed by the Votes of all the Captains contrary to his own Opinion The Viceroy immediately broke and sent them all to Portugal This severity much troubled his Son and obliged him afterwards endeavouring to restore himself to his Fathers esteem to lose his Life with as much Rashness as Valour 5. The King of Cananor desiring to break with the Portugueses was encouraged by the Zamori and grounded this Rupture upon finding on the Shoar the Body of a Nephew of Mamale a rich Merchant of Malabar which was one of those Gonçalo Vaz had thrown into the Sea sowed up in the Sail. This Action was not known there and the blame was laid upon Laurence de Brito Captain of the Fort whose Pass that Ship carried Brito having discovered the design and finding himself weak advertised the Viceroy The Message was delivered him at Church whilst he assisted at the Service of Maundy Thursday and he immediately left the Church and went about taking up from every one what Provisions they had and shipped the men with such haste that those who had lent their Arms to them who watched at the Sepulchre as the custom is went to the Church to disarm them Don Lorenço was Captain and had Oâ—…ders when he came to Cananor to obey Laurence de Brito But Brito insisted that the other as Son of the Viceroy and so Famous an Officer should command Don Lorenço was positive he would obey Brito as being Commander of the Fort and in pursuance of his Fathers Orders But finding Brito resolved to persist in that Courtesie and that it might prove dangerous he left the Relief and returned alone to Cochin The Besieged fortified and entrenched themselves the same was done by the Besiegers who were 20000 strong Much Blood was spilt about the Water of a Well but our men by the help of a Mine made themselves Masters of it The Moors after this loss retired to a Wood of Palm-trees to prepare Engines to batter the Fort. Our Commander had intelligence of it by means of a Nephew of the King of Cananor who endeavoured to gain our Friendship He prepared to receive them and when they gave the assault succeeded so well first with his Cannon and then with the Sword that he filled the Ditch with their Bodies which they intended to have done with Faggots They retired to the Wood and Brito sending out by Night 80 men commanded by one Guadalajara a Spaniard who was his Lieutenant the Sally was so vigorously executed by the firing of some small Pieces first in a cold rainy Night that the Enemy in a consternation knew not where to save themselves 300 were killed But this Joy was abated by the Magazine of Provisions taking fire so that Hunger began to rage and all Vermin was eaten The Garrison part sick and part famished was reduced to extremity but the Sea being then rough left abundance of Lobsters when it went off on the Point of Land where our Chappel was which were the only relief our men had The Zamori sent a powerful supply to the King of Cananor who gave the last assault to the Fort by Sea and Land with above 50000 men who were vigorously received and repulsed with great loss not one of our men being killed in this action But now arrives Tristan de Cunnaâ—… and the King of Cananor terrified with his coming and the defence made by Brito sues for Peace which was concluded with great honour to the Portugues Valour 6. Tristan de Cunna was upon his return home with the Merchant Ships and the Viceroy bore him company in order to fall upon Panane a Town subject to Calicut where our Enemies laded under the shelter of four Ships of the Zamori Commanded by Cutiale a Couragious Moor. The Viceroy and Tristan anchored at the Bar held a Councel and then sent both their Sons in two Barques with several Boats and they in a Gally followed them They all went up the River through Showers of Balls sent from the Shoar which is high The Moors run into the Water to meet our Boats and killed three men But the dispute was now come to their Trenches which some of ours mounted and Peter Cam set upon them Don Lorenços Colours The Colours were flying when the Viceroy seeing his Son Don Lorenço climing with some difficulty cried out Ah! Laurence Laurence what laziness is that and he very readily answered Sir I give way to him that has gained the Honour A large Moor encountred and wounded Don Lorenço and he gave him such a stroke as clove his Head to his Breast The Town being entred all were put to the Sword Then all the Ships in the Haven and Docks were fired We lost 18 Portugueses none of Note of the Enemy above 500 perished Though the Plunder was of great value it was all burnt to Ashes and only the Artillery saved After this Victory they returned to Cananor to take in some lading and Tristan de Cunna set sail for Portugal At Moçambique he met some Ships of 12 that came from Lisbon the year before Seven were to return with lading and five under the Command of Vasco Gomez de Abreu to cruise on the Coast of Melinde who was also to Command the Fort of Zofala There were also two Ships to joyn Albuquerque on the Coast of Arabia Iohn Chanoca with his Ship was lost in the River Zanaga Iohn Gomez and his in another Vasco Gomez de Abreu was cast away with four Vessels going for Moçambique Others with great danger and Storms were driven to several places Misfortunes terrible even in the remembrance but none sufficient to curb Human Avarice and Boldness CHAP. II. Conquests under King Emanuel the Year 1508. during the Government of the Viceroy Don Francisco de Almeyda and continuing the Exploits of Alfonso de Albuquerque 1. AFter the taking of Zocotora on the 20th of August Cunna and Albuquerque parted the former for India the latter for the Coast of Arabia and Persia in pursuance of the Orders they had from the King Albuquerque had with him 7 Sail and 460 Fighting-men The first place where he touched in the Kingdom of Ormuz was Calayate a Town once more Populous still Beautiful and strong the Buildings after the manner of Spain He sent a Message to the Governour who offered him Refreshment and established a Peace He went on to Curiate 10 Leagues farther and was ill received and storming the Town met with a Vigorous Opposition but entred with the death of 80 of the Enemy and loss of three Portugueses after the Plunder the Place was burnt and with it 14 Vessels that were in the Harbour Hence he sailed 8 Leagues farther to Mascate a place stronger than any of the others and well manned with People who resorted to it from all Parts hearing the destruction of Curiate The Governour fearing the like disaster made Peace and sent great store of Provisions and our men went