here give a Copy that the World may see our Arms in the East brought more Sons to the Church then Vassals to the State The King's Letter to Dom John de Castro FRiend and Governour The great Concernment which lies upon Christian Princes to look to matters of Faith and employ their Forces for its Preservation makes me advise you how sensible I am that not only in many parts of India under our Subjection but even in our City of Goa Idols are Worshipp't places in which our Faith might more reasonably be expected to Flourish and being as well inform'd with how much liberty they celebrate Heathenish festivals we command you to discover by diligent Officers all the Idols and to demolish and break 'em in pieces where ere they are found Proclaiming severe punishments against any one who shall dare to Work Cast make in Sculpture Engrave Paint or bring to light any Figure of an Idol in Metall Brass Wood Plaister or any other matter or bring them from other places and against those who publickly or privately Celebrate any of their sports keep by them any Heathenish Frankincense or assist and hide the Bramenes the sworn Enemies of Christian Profession whosoever of the fore-nam'd shall run into the like Crimes 't is our pleasure you Punish 'em with that severity the Law in that case or our Prolamation requires without admitting any appeal or dispensation in the least And that the Pagans may submit themselves to the yoak of the Gospel not only out of Conviction of the purity of its Faith and fed with the hopes of Eternal Life but be advantag'd too by some temporal favour shew'd 'em which doth very much work upon Subjects hearts you are with all Diligence to see that the new Christians may henceforward have and enjoy all the Exemptions and Liberties from Taxes enjoying those Privileges and places of Honour which the Pagans did hitherto use to do We have too been inform'd that many Indians are forc't to go in our Fleet and are for that at charges against their wills desiring that so great Exorbitancy should be remedy'd we order that the Christians be exempt from that Oppression and in case the necessity be very pressing you shall if they go with that trust we look for from your care and diligence provide that they be every day satisfy'd for their Labour Having known too from grave and credible Persons and what we particularly resented that some Portuguese buy Slaves for little that selling them to the Moors and other Infidel Merchants they may get by 'em which is done to the great Dammage of their Souls they being easily to be Converted to the Faith we command you to employ all your power for the preventing so great an evil by hindring such Sales for the great service which by it is done to God and you will do to us if with the rigor the case requires you remedy a thing which appears so foul to us You are to take care for the curbing the excessive liberty of some Usurers who as we are inform'd are amongst you under the protection of an old Law of Goa which we do at this present and you are also to revoke taking it away from the Body of the rest as contrary to Christian Religion you are to give order for the speedy Building a Church in Bacaim which is to be Dedicated to St. Joseph and upon our account to assign it rent for a Rector some Beneficiaries and Chaplains who may officiate there and because the Preachers and Ministers of our Faith by going about to Convert the Pagans are in Necessity we think it fitting and 't is our will to give 'em something towards defraying their Charges and only for that you are to lay a yearly Tax of three thousand Pardaos on all the Mosques the Moors have in our Territories You shall too out of our Customs and Rights for ever give three hundred Bushels of Rice for the maintenance of those whom the Vicar Miguel Vaz either hath or shall Convert about Chaul which quantity we order to be put into the Bishops hands that he as he sees necessity may distribute it We have too been inform'd that about Cochim Saint Thomas's Christians are cheated in their weights and measures by our Merchants who sell Pepper there and that they take from 'em the Surplusage they according to an old Custom ought to have over and above the just weight and measure whom for many respects 't were better to favour then oppress for that end you are to give order they may enjoy their old Customs you are also to treat with the King of Cochim that he cause to be tane away certain Pagan Rites and Superstitions which his South-sayers use to practice in the sale of Pepper his advantage by 'em being very little and the Scandal to the Christians who contract there very great and because we have been advis'd of the Cruelty that King useth against those Indians who receive our Faith by seising on their Estates you must zealously endeavour the said Kings to whom we have writ about it leaving that so Barbarous cruelty which so much injures the Souls and Bodies of his Subjects which being our Friend he will do you on your part employing that care we charge you with For that which by your Letters and Advises we have concerning the delivering the people of Socotora from the miserable Slavery in which they Live we are of opinion so to remedy it that the Turk whose Subjects they are shall not with his Fleets infest those Seas you are to look how that is most conveniently to be done by the advice of the Vicar Miguel Vaz whose Experience both in that and all other business of moment that shall occurr will very much help you We know that those who Fish for Pearl besides other wrongs and oppressions they lye under suffer in their Estates our Sea-Captains out of their little fear to God forcing 'em on very hard terms only to Fish for them upon which desiring that none of our Subjects should suffer any Violence or Oppression we order you to see that those people be not so hardly us'd and that our Captains usurp not so unjust a Power and further for the avoiding the like grievances and cruelties you are to look if those Coasts be sufficiently Guarded and if 't is possible for us to recover our Dues without having a Fleet there and finding it Feasible you are to withdraw thence our Captains commanding none to Sail along those Coasts by that means the Natives may enjoy their Estates and Cruelties and Extorsions be prevented above all we recommend to you the consulting with the Father Francisco Xaverius in what ever occurs chiefly what is to be done for the encrease of Christianity on the Fishing Coast that those who are newly Converted may not be employed in the Fishing if they be it may be upon knowledge that with their new Religion they have got new Manners and the great abuses
reported Dom Alvaro de Castro could not be missing a day having made the Fleet set out with this Order that no Ship should stay for an other The Souldiers for this News and Recruit kept Holy-day with Musick and continual Dancing which made the dangers of the Siege go onely for a pass-time 144. Rumecaon having notice there were already arriv'd some Recruits at the Fortress and thinking when the Weather opened the Portuguese would not be backward to assist one the other in the greatest Dangers began to despair of the design seeing hardships shook not our mens Resolutions and that his Souldiers in their Discourses did not allow the cause of the Warr accusing the Breakers of that Peace we kept so inviolably He was afraid of some dispositions he saw for a mutiny which by aggravating the miserable condition of Ours and the infallibility of their Victory he Labour'd to prevent He paid the Souldiers and commanded the Cacizes to Preach the certainty of Glory for all those who Dy'd in this Warr and the Rewards which for defending their Country they were to receive from the Sultan not forgetting to joyn the Temporal with the Spiritual And Mines not being so Dangerous as Storming and of more Execution he resolv'd to go on with them on this design he commanded the opening a great Mine in that tract of the VVall which from Saint Iohns work goes untill it end in Pecanha's Centry-house but our men being caution'd though subtil and contriving Rumecaon sap't under the other VVorks commanding his men by night to make a noise there by that diversion to keep from us his intention Dom Iohn Mascarenhas had notice of the Mine against which as at other times he secur'd himself the Gentlemen working to prevent it whose example eas'd the Labour of the Souldiers 145. VVhen 't was time to spring the Mine the whole Army mov'd and begun to surround the Fortress there came before two Sanjacks commanding a Company of Turks who were to enter at the Breaches presum'd upon at the playing of the Mine which with a hideous Noise carry'd into the Air the whole face of the Wall The Turks though blind with Smoak and Dust the force of the Fire had rais'd ran presently on but found the opposition of an other VVall the Fire either had not reach't or had prov'd too strong yet seeing Pecanha's Watch-house open in three places carrying thither their Arms they endeavoured to gain it but our men as to the weakest place came to its Relief stopping the Current of the Enemy 146. Here the dispute was for a while close and hot the Besiegers and Besieg'd as it were Fighting in a plain Campagnia and Rumecaon believing that there was all our force Commanded 'em to fall on the other VVorks where too the Portuguese entertain'd 'em with their Swords The Enemy that day shot infinite Bullets into the Fortress which though That was almost raz'd did no harm an accident which for its rareness look't like a miracle The Fight lasted some hours the Enemy retiring with his usual loss we with our ordinary good fortune 147. Rumecaon who now thought himself reproach'd by the length of the Siege as one who to justifie himself went in quest of dangers and difficulties the next day in Person fell upon Saint Thomas's work commanding several Officers to Scale the other vvorks which made those days Storming go for a successive assault The Moors fought here more Desperately then Valiantly making haste though run through with Lances and Swords at once to Dye and Kill readier to offend then save themselves seeking Death as the gate to that imaginary Glory promis'd 'em by the Cacizes who in favour of the design and to beget in the Souldiers a contempt of their Lives continually prest that Diabolical incentive In this heat did they for some hours endure the Crisis of the Battail with the loss of fourscore upon whose Bodies they continued Fighting forc't on by the grief and loss of their slain Camrades They in fine behav'd themselves with such resolution as to keep that part of the VVork where the Fight was planting on it their Colours covering themselves with Trenches and Barricados 148. The dispute in Saint Iames's work was not cooler the Enemies had twice got it but met with so gallant a resistance as at no little expence of Blood they again lost it The fire the Enemy cast amongst us here was so much that our men fought in Flames having no other remedy for their Relief then to cool themselves in Barrils of water Antonio Moniz Barretto was with but two other Souldiers on the VVork repelling the fury of the Enemy and Moniz stepping off to allay the heat of the Fire in the Barril was seis'd on by one of 'em saying Ah Signior Moniz will you let the King's work be lost I 'me all on Fire answered he and go to bathe in the Tubbs if your Arms reply'd the Souldier are well enough to Fight all the rest is nothing whose hints Moniz accepted so pleas'd with the Souldiers courage as he got him his discharge and brought him with him for Portugall generously confessing his own backwardness to the others advantage and always calling him by an honourable Title The Souldier of the Fire neither do the relations of this Action make him known to us by any other name 149. In this and the other VVorks they this day fought with equal courage and danger which we will not particularly relate because the Circumstances do so agree as looking like the same thing repeated the Writing and Reading would be tedious yet though the relation of this Siege doth not by its variety delight who will deny this Action to be one of the most famous in human Story which as so was valued by the most Warlick nations of Asia and Europe Upon the Enemies retiring we fortify'd our selves in the ruins of the Fortress where we were continually on our Guards 150. Dom Iohn Mascarenhas the next day sent out Antonio Correa with twenty Companions in a Carak a Souldier of great Courage whose Birth but by his Actions which deserve or suppose it Eminent we know not He got over the Barr and Coasting the Island as was commanded him without any Prize return'd but as stout Souldiers satisfie not themselves with brave unless successfull Actions Correa more desperate then obedient return'd to tempt Fortune five times on the same Errand but that which seem'd chance was Mystery and Heaven decreed or permitted the stout Souldier should be obstinate in the design who is to blame himself if his own fault procur'd his misfortune He in fine with too importune Curiosity return'd to provoke or know his Fortune and standing up with the Island perceiv'd a Fire at a distance which made it seem less but Rowing towards that place leaving his Companions in the Boat went on Shore and walk't a while alone till the light of the Fire discovered twelve
how stoutly you behav'd your self in the day of Battail and with what diligence you reliev'd that Fortress exposing for it your Sons in so Stormy weather the Notion his Majesty and we have of all these Actions and of the great benefit which is the consequence of 'em is very proportionable to their quality and greatness and we hope his Majesty will shew it so in the honour and thanks he intends to return you because all is your due and he gave no small sign of it by his pleasure and satisfaction immediately to begin it as you will see by his Letters to you and your Son Dom Alvaro We were not a little discontented at the Death of your Son Dom Fernando as well for our knowledge how you must take it as for the loss of his Person which as he shew'd in that Action was eminently great but we so well know you and your great Prudence and Virtue as to be certain that at whatsoever time our Lord God should take him to himself you would conform to his Will and accept it at his Hand especially it being then when for the defence of his Faith and in so signal Service for his Majesty he Dy'd so honourably and was not wanting to the Obligation of being what he was which are very convincing reasons that you ought so to take it and very much less resent his Death As for what you sollicit us in about your return in which your Wife Dona Leonor whom we were very joyfull to see for the deserts of her Person and Virtues and out of the great affection we have for her hath spoke to us in your behalf as in a business she so much desires we should be very glad if we could in that gratifie your self and her with the good liking and satisfaction of our Lord the King but for the good Service you have done his Majesty and the great miss might be there of your Person in such a time he hath thought good to make use of you there for three years longer as you will see by his Letter and we assure our selves that for those considerations you will take it well and we very much desire you it may be so and hope in our Lord he will give you health and vigour to perform it and will assist and strengthen you in all your difficulties because the result of 'em is so much for his Service and he knows the main design his Majesty hath in desiring it should be so is because of his knowledge that his Service will by you there be unfeignedly promov'd and by your remembring amongst so many troubles and so important businesses those things of Ours you took into your care it is evident how great a desire you have in that and all other things to serve us which we so look upon as is reason for what concerns Diogo Voz we have in an other Letter writ to you what we desire should be done We were very much pleas'd with that perfume of Benjoim de Boninas and with all the other things you sent us by Lourenco Pirez de Tavora all being so good as they seem to be sent with that good Will which we esteem the most and take all very well of you and about those Servants of Ours and Persons who as you write us have serv'd well there and about those things you think it necessary to provide we will mind our Lord the King as you desire it should be done That which his Majesty hath to look too in the Rewards he ought to bestow on all those who have there ferv'd him is to take notice of what you have writ to him and of what you desire as 't is reason he should we take very well of you the good Character you give his Majesty of those our Servants who were present at the Action of Dio and also the many Favours and great Civilities we know for our sake you shew'd them Pero Fernandez writ it in Lisbone the 30th of October 1547. The Queen The Letter the Infante Dom Lewis writ him is not less considerable as being from a Prince who knew how to make so profound an estimate of Deserts and Virtues The Infante Dom Lewis's Letter 97. HOnourable Vice-King I receiv'd your Letter which came in Tavora's Fleet in which you tell me you receiv'd mine I sent by Lewis Fiqueira and I take very well of you your telling me the advice I gave you seem'd good to you and the more your putting it in practice and though I had not known you I had sufficient cause to believe it was so by hearing what you do there and seeing you write so plainly your difficulties Poverty and Abstinence weapons by which are o'recome the World the Flesh and the Devil who reign so absolutely in those parts of India a Victory greater then that of the King of Cambaya or of all the Force of the Turk for which as long as you Live you ought to fear nothing but be confident in our Lord God that he will assist you as he hath lately done in the Defence and Battail of Dio for which Victory you have great cause to praise him who hath made you an Instrument of so much Service to himself and to my Lord the King of so much honour to your Self and to all the Portuguese to the absent as to those who were present And certain it is that in that expedition from the first day you had the News of the Siege of Dio till that of yours and our Victory according to my reach you have done what could be done by a Stout and Prudent Commander as well in your speedy Succours as in exposing your Sons as the marks of Fortune to the dangers of the Winter and Seas of India that others might less apprehend 'em by which is clearly evinc't how much a greater share the Service of my Lord the King and the Obligation of your charge have in you then the natural affections of a Father which are those most Tyrannically over-rule our Nature And by the patience you shew'd in the Death of your Son Dom Fernando de Castro you have eminently clear'd this opinion It 's certain I resented it for my self and you and by the certain signs I saw in him of an extraordinary Courage took it for a very great loss and believe God design'd in that to recompence him by taking him out of this so troublesome Life by so honourable means and so much for his glory which ought to be no little part of your Consolation Your Son Dom Alvaro de Castro employ'd not his time ill when through so many difficulties and dangers he reliev'd the Fortress of Dio at that time when its only remedy was his Arrival and for his Behaviour there his falling on the Enemies Posts and all the rest of his Carriage I do for my self and you give him many blessings And to return to your resolution of venturing your Person and the State of India for the relief of
the Souldiers as if he desir'd to Reign not for himself but for them Ambitiously making use of the whole Chain of Vertues not as necessary for Living but Reigning The great Ones at last offered him the Crown believing he would always remember he was his Subjects Creature and â—etain constantly in his Memory so signal a grace 45. Hidalcaon was Liberal and Stout and without doubt would have been a great Prince had he kept the Kingdome by the same Vertues he put on to atchieve it but seeing himself obey'd those affected Artifices not having any natural motion were at an end and broke out into ambition and pride the Vices of his Person He did not then speak of killing Meale either out of a counterfeit Clemency or an unheard of Cruelty intending perhaps that the poor Prince should by a servile obedience confirm the Scepter he had usurp'd from him The Nobility of the Kingdome repenting when 't was too late and seeing they now could not without danger be either Traitors or Loyal consulted how Meale might secure himself from the Tyranny of Hidalcaon as if the unfortunate Prince had had more right to his Life then his Kingdome some years past in these contrivances in which Meale arriv'd at Age to apprehend his danger and considering that his presence reproach'd the Tyrants guilty Conscience who plotted with his blood to quiet the memory of his usurping the Crown by the Counsel of those who took the Kingdome from him He went to Cambaya where he was well receiv'd both King and People shewing how much they resented the miseries of the Blood-Royal but as such favours have more ambition in them then charity they lasted not long for only the first days they treated him as a King the rest as one Persequuted but Meale still continu'd in Cambaya counting more tolerable the sleights of a Stranger then the injuries of a Tyrant 46. In the mean time Hidalcaon's great design was to destroy those who gave him the Crown whom for all they had a just title to his favour by being complices in his Treason he hated because they put him in mind either of his Obligation or faults and being now jealous of his own Actions he found that Cruelty would root him faster then Clemency so that his own Vice and necessity together made him doubly so upon pretence of correcting faults either imputed or forgot covering his Tyranny with a veil of Justice he inchroach'd upon the Estates of the great Ones to Level 'em with the common people Confident by pulling down the Nobility to get into the poorer sort who out of a natural dislike of their own Fortune do always delight in the fall of those above them and they seeing their patience work'd not their quiet consulted how they might restore Meale some were for Revenge others for Calling him in they had their private meetings where they took divers Resolutions which fear or the difficulty of the business harder to execute then design every day altered their forc'd obedience being at last wrack'd to the utmost stretch by new oppressions they endeavour'd by Hidalcaon's Death to redress their Error and hide the shame of their former Treason the Desperate not the Bold were of this opinion because now Hidalcaon liv'd with the strength of a King and the circumspection of a Tyrant He was assisted by the people who hating the King lov'd the Cruelties he us'd against the Gentry who for the disproportion of theirs and the others Fortunes are always obnoxious The Plotters fearfull of themselves and that their hatred would cool by delay their base servitude too turn Customary seeing their own Force not equal for the enterprize laid out for assistance from abroad they bethought themselves of imparting the business to Martin Affonso de Sousa then Governour of the State of India desiring him to send for Meale from Cambaya and let him be at Goa that though he refus'd the glory of restoring him he thereby would keep Hidalcaon in awe and inclinable to serve the States occasions 47. Martin Affonso being perswaded that 't was more convenient to increase then extinguish this Flame which begun to burst out 'twixt Hidalcaon and his Subjects and that the weakning of a Warlike and Powerfull neighbour would turn to the States advantage Cloaking these conveniences with more plausible pretences as the sheltering under our Arms a dispossest and persecuted Prince an Action glorious abroad and profitable at home resolv'd to find out Meale at Cambaya giving him notice of his Subjects inclinations for his Restauration who would be more eager when they saw the State protected both his Cause and Person The Moor upon the receit of so unlook'd for a message counting the pity of men not only different but contrary in Religion extraordinary betook himself to the faith and favour of the State and with his poor Family embarking himself arriv'd at Goa where he was by the Governour receiv'd with honours more befitting his Blood then Fortune by some construed to be done him more for effronting the Neighbour then respecting the Guest Meale's arrival who begun now to Reign in the hearts of a great many being voic'd all along that Coast his party began to be stronger among the Plotters who now saw his cause sheltered under the protection of our Arms and his name sounding better in the peoples Ears 48. Hidalcaon upon consideration that the State whose victorious Arms were the more dreadfull by their nearness did not send for Meale only to secure his Person but defend his Cause dispatch'd Embassadours to Martin Affonso de Sousa giving him notice that he understood Meale was in his power whom he thought Fortune preserv'd to disturb the peace of the East that he knew what Title some Seditious spirits gave him who being weary of Obeying strove to set up new Lords whom they might Command that Hidalcaon would not tell what mov'd him to seize on the Crown because if Princes were bound to give account of their Pretensions there were no difference 'twixt King and People that the right of Princes was to be judged of God not of Men that 't was the Worlds opinion now that there was no difference in Princes titles but only in their Persons that he deny'd not that Contemptible and Cowardly Meale was of the Royal blood but that the fault Nature committed Fortune would correct by giving the Kingdome to him who was Daring and Stout that nature to Lyons only gave a Crown by their Birth Men she let winn it and wear it that many things appearâ—d injust to the World because besides Custom that for a man who was worthy of it to possess himself of a Kingdome would at first be look'd upon as a Scandal afterwards as a Law that Meale was the basest Fellow ever Born in his Kingdome and he the most Fortunate and naturally all men hated natures Monsters and lov'd Fortunes prodigies that we should examine our selves how we came to Lord it in Asia
the sight of Iuzarcaon and other Commanders pinion'd who represented the Tragedy of their Fortune for them compassionate to us pleasant there were seen six hundred Prisoners dragging their Chains after them after them the Field-pieces with different and numerous Arms. The Ladies from their Windows sprinkled the Triumpher with distill'd waters of diverse Spices The Officers through whose hands past the Gold and other rich Commodities came and made him voluntary offerings the equal disposition of their affections being more Valuable then the Triumph The beautify'd and open Churches shew'd their acceptance and thanks In this order he went to Visit the Cathedral the Mother-Church of the East where the Bishop and Clergy receiv'd him with the Hymn Te Deum Laudamus being entred into the See with Religious offerings he acknowledg'd the Author of Victories and it being now late with little Ceremony retir'd to the Palace one days time being too narrow for the Majesty of the Triumph THE LIFE OF DOM IOHN DE CASTRO The Fourth BOOK THere were but few Kingdoms in the East which in the Government of Dom Iohn de Castro did not Alarme that State by diverse Rumours of Warr by either Arms against us or against one the other inviting our Forces to make Peace or forward the Victory the East also saw him often girt his Sword for the cause of Religion 1. King Iohn had sent to the Island of Zeilan some Franciscan Friars exemplary in their Lives and Doctrine that by Martyrdome and Preaching they might bear witness of the truth of the Gospel that being our Prince's greatest concernment whose Banners Asia saw oftner display'd in reverence to Religion then ambition of Empire These Friars on their Landing in the Island were by the King of Cotta civilly entertain'd the Sun of Righteousness beginning once more to rise in the East That Paganism began to Listen to the Voice of Heaven and that Barren ground to answer the pains by its Improvement by the coming in of infinite Sheep to the Sheep-fold of the Church 2. Those Embassadours of the Gospel went forward to give News of the Light to the King of Candea in the heart of the Island whom they found Courteous in the entertainment of their Persons flexible to the obedience of their Doctrine He was instructed in the mysteries of our Belief that with a stronger Faith he might wash in the waters of Baptism He gave the Friars ground Materials and Money for the Building a Church that being the first Fortress the Conquest of the Gospel rais'd in the Island against the delusions of Idolatry for of the Preaching of the Apostle Saint Thomas if it reach't so farr neither had their Understandings any light nor their Country memory 3. That Prince shew'd himself obedient to the precepts of our Religion but not constant for the fear of his Subjects revolting on his change of Doctrine made him not to lose what he Esteem'd forsake what he was Convicted of for as a Plant not yet Rooted the force of human perswasion enclin'd him either way The Religious men endeavour'd to take those Rubbs out of the way of Life by assuring him that under the protection of our Religion and Arms he might secure both Crowns for the State was at that time Govern'd by Dom Iohn de Castro who for the propagation of the Faith us'd to venture his Blood for his Friends the State 4. The King listned to the proposition saying if the Governour would send him Relief he would not only himself profess the Faith but preach it to his Subjects One of the Friars carry'd this resolution to Goa the Governour certify'd of the cause of his coming desir'd the Conversion of that Prince as his greatest business in the East not less zealous in giving Children to the Church then Victories to the State He immediately dispatch't Antonio Moniz Barretto with seven Fly-boats and Orders that if he found any of our Ships at Sea to carry 'em with him writ honourable Letters to the Prince which he accompany'd with several Presents but leaving Antonio Moniz at Sea we will to observe the order of time in the Relation of successes speak of the taking of Baroche 5. The Governour had dispatch't from Dio Dom Iorge de Menezes to commit all imaginable Hostilities in the Bay of Cambaya to show the Sultan the edge of our Arms was not Blunted by their former Execution Dom Iorge took some Vessels of Provision going to furnish the Enemies Ports that those the Sword had spar'd might be made an end of by Famine He came one Evening in sight of the City Baroche whose stately Buildings presented him with the Politeness of Europe 'T was situated on an Eminency surrounded with Brick-walls which were more for shew then defence yet were there diverse Bull-works to be seen made not without some in-sight in Fortification furnish't withstore of Ordnance which commanded the entrance into the Haven The height of the situation discovered the Gates to be of square Stone polish't and the correspondency of Turrets and Windows argued the wealth and policy of the Inhabitants The Trade of the place was in very fine Silks a Commodity exported thence to many Ports of the East Madre Maluco was Lord of the City and had Tributary the Neighbouring Villages which by their fertility and bigness made him up a moderate Seignory 6. Our men had by chance taken a little Boat of Fisher-men Natives of the place who upon enquiry told what we have related of the City and upon Iorge's desire to know what Garrison was in the place had said that Madre Maluco had carry'd all the Souldiery to Amadabat the Sultan's Court and at present were remaining only some Artisans and other Trades-men Dom Iorge thinking the occasion opportune for assaulting the City though his strength was not proportionable to such a design yet events depending on accidents resolv'd to run his Fortune and to amuse the Inhabitants in security steer'd an other course Sailing by a different Rumbe taking along with him the Fishermen to be his Pilots in the entrance At night the whole Fleet tacking about stood up with the Port and getting all on Shore the Enemies confidence or negligence being unprovided of any Defence or Sentinel fell upon the Unarm'd and weak Multitude when the Night Confusion and Sleep run 'em upon the danger they avoided miserably wandering they shun'd their own as Enemies flying from those who fled themselves The skreeks of the Children stirr'd not up in their Parents any Compassion less Vengeance for the suddain fear gave 'em over to the basest affections of Nature the Crys and Laments of the Women discovered them their Ah me being their greatest danger those who by flying into Houses scap't the Sword were in them consum'd by the Fire the poor people having no remedy against but choice of their Death the Invasion and Sack was at the same time the Slaughter as in a Fight
the Altar on the Gospel-side is the Monument of Dom Iohn de Castro in which before 't was clos'd were laid his Bones with the following Epitaph D. JOANNES DE CASTRO XX. PRO RELIGIONE IN UTRAQUE MAURITANIA STIPENDIIS FACTIS NAVATA STRENUE OPERA THUNETANO BELLO MARI RUBRO FELICIBUS ARMIS PENETRATO DEBELLATIS INTER EUPHRATEM ET INDUM NATIONIBUS GEDROSICO REGE PER SIS TUR CIS UNO PRAELIO FUSIS SERVATO DIO IMO REIPUB REDDITO DORMIT IN MAGNUM DIEM NON SIBI SED DEO TRIUMPHATOR PUB LICIS LACHRIMIS COMPOSITUS PUBLICO SUMPTU PRAE PAUPER TATE FUNERATUS OBIIT VIII ID JUNII ANNO 1548. AETATIS 48. Under the Arch adjoyning to this rest the Bones of his Wife Dona Leonor Coutinho 108. On the Epistle-side of the Altar under an Arch over against that where is Castro's Monument rests his Son Dom Alvaro where his Bones were put in the same manner on him is writ this following Epitaph D. ALVARUS DE CASTRO MAGNI JOANNIS PRIMO-GENITUS CUI PENE AB INFANTIA DISCRIMINUM SOCIUS PUGNARUM PRAECURSOR TRIUMPHORUM CONSORS AEMULUS FORTITUDINIS HAERES VIRTUTUM NON OPUM REGUM PROSTATOR IN SINAI VERTIGE EQUES FELICITER INAUGURATUS A REGE SEBASTIANO SUMMIS REGNI AUCTUS HONORIBUS BIS ROMAE SEMEL CASTELLAE GALLIAE SABAUDIAE LEGATIONE PERFUNCTUS OBIIT IV. KALEND SEPTEMB ANNO 1575. AETATIS SUAE 50. In the next Arch to this lies his Wife Dona Anna de Attayde under the Body of the Chapel is made a Vault with six stone Arches in one of which is an Altar to celebrate Mass the rest have Repartments for the Bones and Bodies of the Dead 109. The Bishop Inquisitor General Founder of this Chapel gave for the maintenance of those Religious who are to perform the Duties of it to the Convent of Bemfica two hundred and forty thousand Reis yearly to be paid out of the Chamber of this City of Lisbone which are thus distributed One hundred and twenty thousand Reis for three Masses to be daily Celebrated fifty though given before for the Anniversaries he shall appoint in his Will forty for the Fabrick and providing the Chapel thirty for supplying the necessities of those Religious men who reside in the Novicâ—ate for the looking to and cleaning the Chapel which besides this he Adorn'd with many rich and devout Pieces and gave to the Sachristy all things necessary for Divine Worship as well Ornaments for Holy-days as Work-days Linning Candlesticks of all sizes Lamps and other such like necessaries all in aboundance and perfection 110. Dom Iohn de Castro as Illustrious for his Family as Virtues was Born in Lisbone the 27th of February of the year one thousand five hundred He was second Son to Dom Alvaro de Castro Governour of the House of Civil and to Dona Leonor de Noronha the Daughter of Dom Iohn de Almeyda second Earl of Abrantes Grand-child to Dom Garcia de Castro who was Brother to Dom Alvaro de Castro the first Earl of Monsanto these two were Sons to Dom Fernando de Castro Grand-children to Dom Pedro de Castro and great Grand-children to Dom Alvaro Pirez de Castro Earl of Arrayolos and first Constable of Portugal Brother to the Queen Dona Inez de Castro Wife to King Dom Pedro the Cruel This Constable was Son to Dom Pedro Fernandez de Castro call'd in Castile the Man of Warr who coming into this Kingdome begun here the Illustrious house of the Castros which hath preserv'd it self in so much greatness Dom Pedro by the Male line descended from the Infante Dom Fernando Son to King Dom Garcia of Navarre who Married Dona Maria Alvarez de Castro the only Daughter of the Earl Alvaro Fanhez Minaya the fifth Grand-child in descent from Lain Calvo from whom this Family derives its beginning Dom Iohn de Castro when very young Marry'd Dona Leonor Coutinho his Cousin-German once remov'd greater for her Quality then Portion with whom retiring to the Town of Almada he by an Antidated old Age avoided the ambition of the Court He went to serve at Tangiers where he gave the first but extraordinary proofs of his Courage though of his Actions there we have more from his Fame then our Knowledge He return'd to Court re-call'd by the King Dom Iohn the third and the Kingdome being too narrow for his Gallantry went to India with Dom Garcia de Noronha He accompany'd Dom Estevaon de Gama in his expedition to the Mouth of the Red-Sea and made a Journal of his Voyage a usefull and acceptable work to Sea-men On his return to Portugal he retir'd to his Country-house at Sintra recreating himself by Reading in his Solitudes and employments always Exemplary He put on his Sword again to follow the Eagles of Charls the Emperour in the Battail of Tunez where he rais'd his name with new Glory when this design was over hiding himself from his own Fame he again retir'd to Sintra knowing how to avoid not keep himself from employments The King Dom Iohn made him Admiral of the Navy of the Coast a Service where his Courage was answered by Success He went last of all to Govern India where by the Victories we have related he secur'd and brought into reputation the State When the designs of Warr spar'd him he in a large Card describ'd all the Coast betwixt Goa and Dio marking the Flats and Shelves the height of the Pole in which the Cities lye the depth of Water Anchoring and Creeks which form the Havens the Trade-winds and Nature of those Seas the force of the Currents the swiftness of Rivers disposing the Lines in different Tables all with so minute and exact Geography as only this Work might serve to make him Famous if he were not so eminently for his great Fortitude He look't the same in his streights at Home and prosperity in the East appearing always the same Man in diverse Fortunes his Ambition was to deserve all things and ask nothing He equally did reason and justice to all men unbyast in his Punishments but so Justifiable that the Complaints were more against the Law then Minister He was free to the Souldiers sparing to his Children shewing more civility in his Office then Nature He us'd with a great deal of Ceremony the Actions of his Predecessours honouring even those he put not in practice without prostituting his Civility he preserv'd his Respect He appear'd above the Great ones and Father of the Meanest such was his Life as by that more then by Punishments he reform'd extravagancies his first Zeal was always in God's cause then in the States he past no Virtue without Reward some Vices without Punishment amending not a few some by Favours others by Clemency The presents he receiv'd from the Prince of Asia he put to the King's Revenue a Virtue all prais'd few imitated the maimed Souldiers found him Sollicitous in their Cure and Compassionate of their Condition He oblig'd every one yet seem'd obnoxious to
Studies of Dom Iohn de Castro He learnt the Mathematicks He goes to 〈◊〉 Dom Edward de Menezes Knights him and informs the King of his Desert The King sends for him and rewards him His behaviour at Court He marries Leonore Coutinho The Battail of Tunis The occasion of it The Infante Dom Lewis is there in Person * This was the Vessel which in the invasion 1588. was câ—ll'd the Caca-foogo Gentlemen who were at the Fight Civility betwixt the Emperour and Infante The Emperour would have Knighted Dom Iohn de Castro who refus'd it A Crusade worth 3 s. 8d. As the reward of Money He retires to Sintra He goes the first time for the Indâ—es See Barro's History of India Decade 5. Lib. 3. Cap. 8. No. 10. The King profers him a Reward and â—ow he accepts it Ibid. He carries his Son Dom Alvaro He embarks himself for the relief of Dio. History of India Dec. 5. Lib. 7. Cap. 1. History of India Dec. 5. Lib. 7. Cap. 5. He goes to the Red-Sea with Dom Estevaon dâ— Gama Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Dom Estevaon Knights Dom Alvaro History of India Dec. 5. Lib. 7. Cap. 8. Dom Iohn returns to the Kingdome Is made Admiral of the Coast. Defeats seven Ships of the Corsaires Brings in the Indian Fleet. The Emperour adviseth the King Desires aid of him against the Turk The King makâ—s Dom Iohn General He joyns with the Emperours General They discourse about the Battail Resolve to Fight The Spanish General changeth his mind Endeavours to bring off Dom Iohn He persists in Fighting with the Turks And stays for 'em three days in the Streight He sends his Son to relieve Alcacere Ceguer He returns to Lisbone and retires to Sintra Is propos'd by the Infant foâ— Governour in the Inlies See Barro's Hist. of India Dec. 6. Cap. 1. Fol. 1. The King chuseth him and speaks to him He finds fault with his Sons rich Cloaths A street in Lisbone where the Whole-sale-men sell Cloaths The Ships and their Commanders What time they set Sail. The Governours compassion When the Winds do not blow The danger his Ship was in Not feeling the Rudder He arrives at Mocambique Changeth the Foâ—â—â—â— seating it better He departs for Goa His arrival and reception What condition he found his Government in by the Alteration of the Bazaruccos He hears the City and People His resolution about it Hidalcaon's first Embassy Meale's is the better cause See Barro's Hist. of India Dec. 5. Lib. 10. Cap. 11. Hidalcaon's Embassage The Governours answer See Barro's History of India Dec. 6. Lib. 1. Cap. 2. Hidalcaon's first motion The Governour goes in Person He fights and routs the Enemy He returns to Goa His veneration to the Cross. A kind of Sedan in the Indies carry'd on mens Shoulders The finding St. Thomas's Cross. * A peculiar Feast in Spain and Portugall when the B. Virgin look't to bâ— brought to Bed A famous Miracle of the same Cross. How the Governour was affected with the News He sends his Son Dom Alvaro against Hidalcaon He goes out with six Ships His prize Dom Alvaro proposeth the Entry into Cambre He resolves to invest He gets on shore The largeness and strength of the place The Enemies resistance Ours enter and gain the City The Destroying and Plundring of it Dom Alvaro returns to Goa Hidalcaon profers Peace The Governour accepts it He looks to the affairs of the State and matters of Religion A miraculous success in the Mocuccas The King of Cambaya consulâ—s how he may take Dio. Is perswaded by Coge-Sofar What Coge-Sofar was How he come to Cambaya a The Portuguese having with infinite danger difficulty and expence employ'd 75 years in discovering the Western Coast of Africa Bartholomew Diaz in the year 1486. and in the Reign of King Iohn the second discovered the Cape of Good Hope so call'd by the King after the return of the Fleet from the hopes he had after that to discover the Indies so long design'd but by Diaz at first nam'd Capo Tormentoso from the Storms and foul Weather he met with there K. Emanuel who succeeded King Iohn in the year 1497. sent Vasco de Gama with a Fleet to the Indies who past the Cape and Sailing by the Island of Mocambique the Kingdome of Quiloa Mombaca and Melinde doubling the Cape Guardafu at the mouth of the Red-Sea and Cape Rasalgate at the Persian Gulf arriv'd at Calecut the chief City of Malabar Camoens Cant. 1. St. 12. of his Lusiade says of him Doâ—vos tambem aquelle illustre Gama Que para sy de Eneas toma à fama The illustrious Gama in the rear I name Who robb'd the wandring Trojan of his Fame So rendred by the Right Honourable Sir Richard Fanshaw Embassadour to Portugall in his excellent Translation of that Poem b Dom Francisco de Almeyda went with a great Fleet and the first Title of Vice-Roy to the Indies in the year 1505. April 6. His Son Dom Lourenco D' Almeyda obtain'd against the Samorim of Calecut in â—ight of Cananor an eminent Victory on the 26 of March 1506. The King of Calecut ' s Armado consisted of 208 Sail 84 great Ships and 124 others Vessels by 'em call'd Paraos on which were vast numbers of Moors and Naires The Portuguese had but eleven Sail and on 'em 800 men with whom they Destroyed the whole Fleet wâ—ich was well furnisht with Artillery See the relation of this Fight History of India Dec. 1. Lib. 19. Cap. 4. The Samorim to revenge this loss sent to the Soldan of Egypt and the King of Cambaya to assist him against the Portuguese and joyn'd with their Fleets set upon Dom Lourenco's in the River of Chaul who after his Ships striking and springing a Leak was Kill'd by a Canon shot History of India Dec. 2. Cap. 8. Campens Can. 10. St. 29 30. c Eys vem ò pay com Animo estupendo Trazendo furia magoa per antolhos Com que ò paterno amor lhe est a movendo Fogo no coracaon aqua nos olhos A nobre ira lhe vinha promettendo Que o sanque faraÌ„ dar pelos giolhos Nas inimigas naos Sentiloha ò Nilo Podelo ha ò Indo ver ò Gange ouvilo Camo Can. 10. St. 33. Behold the Father comes a Mad man like In whom for Mastry grief with fury strives Whilst at one time paternal Love doth strike Fire on his heart pumps water from his Eyes A noble anger whispers him his Pike Shall blood his Foes so that the Tide shall rise In their drown'd Decks Knee-deep Nilus shall bear Indus shall see his blows and Ganges hear Sir Richard Fanshaw's Translation d Dom Affonso D' Albuquerque went from Lisbone for the Indies was Commander of a Squadron design'd for the Coast of Arabia See his taking Malaca History of India Dec. 2. Lib. 5. Cap. 9. His reducing Ormus see History of India Dec. 2. Lib. 10. Cap. 3. How he got Goa see History of India Dec.
who with the standing Militia were according to their computation sufficient for their Defence 63. These came with their Colours flying and with so much resolution to hinder our men from Landing as for a good while they retarded us obliging us to Fight at a stand and so close as our Souldiers could not make use of their Musquets whose first charge only they receiv'd with notorious resolution Here Dom Alvaro notably shew'd his Valour and Conduct encouraging his men to Fight sometimes by Speeches sometimes by the Example of his own Actions Ours at last saw themselves so streightned as they fought more for Life then Victory The success for an hour hung doubtfull till a great many of the Inhabitants wounded with their own fear and our Swords quitted the Field shewing in the first encounter Valour above Men in the second below Women a thing very ordinary in raw Souldiers where the greatest fear follows the greatest daring the rest by this example were getting off in fear and disorder here the Moors receiv'd great loss falling with little or no Resistance those who drop't too were so many as they hindred the rest from Flying 64. Ours entred the City mingled with the Moors where the poor men stop't o'recome with the fondness and tears of Wives and Children who then with useless compassion bore 'em company rather Witnesses then Defenders of their Lives some there were who embracing their Husbands let themselves be run through with our Lances inventing fresh sadness by a new remedy Of our Souldiers some Robb'd 'em some Defended 'em some following the disposition of the Season others of their Nature Out of desperate Love some of those Women ran amongst our arm'd Squadrons to seek their Dead seeming not to valew their Lives full of tenderness for others Wounds without any for their own at last we gain'd the City with less loss then danger because resolving to enter under the Enemies Canon Dom Alvaro was more lead on by Courage then Discipline the greater part of the Moors was Destroy'd some in the Fight most in the Flight the VVomen shew'd more Courage then their Husbands These lost their Lives they could not defend the others despis'd theirs they might have sav'd of ours there Dy'd twenty two the VVounded were more of whose number was the General hurt by an Arrow 'T was necessary to end one Cruelty to begin an other their Anger ceast and their Covetousness began Dom Alvaro gave order to Plunder the City where the Booty was as great as the Victory because either out of Confidence or Carelesness the Moors had sav'd nothing and kept in the City those who were useless for the Defence of it out of contempt of our Forces or not to dishearten their own In fine the Prize was so great that it could not all be carry'd aboard the Souldiers took the best leaving the rest as Fuel for that Fire which was to Consume the City by Dom Alvaro given up to the merciless Flames which did not a little strike the Neighbouring Colonies that place being the Richest and most Tenable of all the Coast once as it were the Bulwark of the rest now their Lamentable example 65. The General with all the Fleet weigh'd Anchor and steer'd for Goa to unlade the Ships put out of their trim by too great a Burden resolving to leave there the Sick and VVounded and return to carry on the VVarr which the Souldiers content with the Liberality and Fortune of their new General very much desir'd The news arriv'd at Goa before the Ships the Governour very much valued the Victory the people the Plunder not long after came intelligence that those who had scap'd the Rout had been to acquaint Hidalcaon with the lamentable Destruction of their City who while they vented their first grief for their Children and Kindred could not keep in the second calamity of their Goods and Houses where the devouring Fire had so mingled the Ashes they could not with peculiar tears weep over their Dead they told Hidalcaon that if he resolv'd to continue the Warr with such a people they would go and Inhabit the Deserts where they should be out of sight of those Western Beasts Born for the reproach and ruine of Asia they told and curs'd our Victories one after the other which look't bigger in their Fears then our Books 66. Hidalcaon considering the fortune of our Arms the complaints and calamities of the Inhabitants and many disaffected to his Service whom the Warr and those Successes would more embolden was inclinable to Peace thereby to remedy the Dissentions and Seditions at home which might grow stronger by the liberty of men in Arms and communicating to his Councel the present condition of things all were of opinion they ought by a feignd peace to cloak their grievances expecting till time offered 'em a fairer opportunity to set upon the State joyning their Forces with other Kings who were offended And the Moors fighting more for their conveniency then quarrel Hidalcaon sent Embassadours to the Governour frivolously excusing the Warr he made and minding him of the benefit the State might receive by his Friendship 67. The Governour in publick and in great State gave audience to the Embassadours answering them that as he sought not for Warr so he could not deny it that the felicity of the State consisted in having many Enemies because with Spoils and Victories it grew always greater but that he never deny'd Peace to any one who by his Actions and faithfull Friendship deserv'd it that he would deprive his Souldiers of the conveniences they look't for from that Warr but Hidalcaon must know the first day he was to pass for a King was that in which he treated Peace with the Portuguese Thus did he dispatch the Embassadours aw'd with so great a Courage with the same neglect did he always manage the Warrs in the East in which his Valour was equal to his Fortune 68. He presently betook himself to the dispatching particular business rewarding the Souldiers who had serv'd him whom he parted with as well satisfy'd with the rewards he gave them as his acceptance of their Service He put Commanders into the void Forts which were unprovided by the King making so just an estimate of Deserts that he was Debtor neither to conveniency or the State a virtue hardly arriv'd at by Princes and very rare in their Ministers 69. He was not less fir'd with zeal for the honour of God then for that of the State in the confusion of Warr and the noise of Arms applying himself to matters of Religion as if he had been only sent to stickle for them And the King Dom Iohn knowing his Piety as well as his Valour commended to him the propagation of the Faith and Divine worship Out of a Letter which on this Subject the King writ him is well gathered how both King and Minister were inflam'd in God's cause of which we will