And for to haue the fruition of this benefite all the yeare in the winter they must vse an artificiall helpe to giue a little warmenes vnto the doong for the bringing forth of their egs they do vse thē an other inuentiō as ingenious as the first that is this they take a great number of canes tied one by another whereon they do laye the doong then vppon that they doo lay their egges and do couer them verie well with the same this being done they put vnder the canes straw or some other like thing and set it on fire but in such sort that it dooth not burne but kéepeth a naturall heat all the time till they thinke that they are readie to be taken out Then doo they take and breake them as aforesaide so that their pultrie dooth increase in such number as though they were antes Then doo they put thē into an other cage for the same purpose wheras be old duckes brought vp for no other purpose but to couer the little ones vnder their winges and kéepe them warme and there they doo féede them euery day till such time as they can féede themselues and go abroad into the fieldes to profit themselues in the companie of the olde duckes Many times they haue in number aboue twentie thousand yet do they maintain them with a small-cost and it is in this order euerie morning they do giue them a small quantitie of boyled rice then do they open a doore of the cage which is towardes the riuer and doo put a bridge of canes that doth reach vnto the water then doo they come foorth with so great haste one vpon an other that it is a pastime to sée them All the day after they do passe the time vpon the water and in the fieldes of rice vpon the land wheras they do féede the owners of the rice doo giue vnto the owners of the duckes somewhat to let their duckes go into their fields for that they do destroy all the grasse and other wéeds in it And hurt nothing of the rice When that the euening draweth on then they of the barke do make a sound with a taber or such like y t which being heard of his duckes they throwe thēselues with great spéede into the water and swimme straight vnto their owne barke whereas their bridge is readie put for them and euerie flocke doth know his owne barke by the sounde without missing at any time although there be many flockes together For euerie barke doth vse a different sound the one from the other to the which the duckes are vsed and their eares full thereof so that they neuer fayle their owne barke This manner of liuing is greatly vsed in all that countrie and verie profitable for that it is a victuall most vsed amongst them and is esteemed as a thing of great sustentation and of small price by reason that at al times there is bréeding of them and of small cost Likewise in this Countrey they doo vse a kinde of fishing that is of no lesse industrie then the bringing vppe of these duckes and a thing to be séene The king hath in euerie Citie founded vppon the riuers houses wherein euerie yeare is brought vp many Cormorantes or sea Rauens with whome they doo fishe in those monethes that the fish dooth spawne and that is in this maner following They take the Cormorantes out of their cages and carrie them vnto the riuer side whereas they haue many barkes ordeyned for their fishing and they are halfe full of water Then they take their Cormorantes and with a corde they doo binde their mawes in such sort that no fish can fall into it then they do cast them into the riuer to fish the which they do with such good will and couetousnesse that it is a woonder to sée they throwe themselues into the water with great swiftnesse and diue whereas they do fill their throate with fish Then they come foorth and with the like hast they go vnto the barkes that are halfe ful of water and the fish which they haue taken they put in that water which is put there for that purpose that the fish may not die the which being done they returne againe vnto their fishing as they did before In this order they do indure their fishing foure houres together in such sort that the one doth not trouble the other and when y t their boates with water are ful of fish then do they vnbind them and turne them againe into the riuer for to fish for themselues for they haue neede thereof for that alwayes the day before that they will fish they kéepe thē from their ordinarie victualles which is a litle Millio that they may y e better do their office So after a while that they haue filled their bellies and recreated themselues they take them out of the water and carrie them vnto the ordinarie places whereas they art kept and euerie third day during the time of this fishing they doo take them forth for the same exercise which for them is so great pastime that they would it should indure all the yeare In these thrée monethes they do take so much fish that they do prouide the whole kingdome for all the yeare as in the chapter past it hath béene tolde you which is the occasion that they are as well prouided of fish as of any other thing so that if they please they may eate euerie day fresh fish although they are farre from the sea CHAP. XXIII Of the curtesie that the king of this mightie kingdome doth vnto the Ambassadors that come to him from anie other king prince or comonaltie WE should in the chapter following intreate of the ambassage that king Philip of Spaine with the Christian zeale that he had to sende vnto the king of this kingdome who being mooued by certaine causes and reasons did referre it till a better occasion and we do beléeue that it will be offered shortly Therefore now it shall not be from our purpose to declare in this chapter the honour and curtesie that this king doth vnto the ambassadours of kings princes or any other prouince that doth come vnto him in what sort so euer it be and for that it is of great curiositie it shall be necessarie to declare it with the circumstance wherewith it is done All such as doo enter into this kingdome with the title of ambassadour be it from a king that is a friend or enimie they are respected intreated and made of with so great care and diligence as though they came themselues in person that doo send them Unto whome besides the obseruing the law of nations which is obserued kept among all kings in the worlde in especiall that their persons shall not receiue neither incurre any danger although their ambassage bringeth discontent or harme vnto the king besides all the which there is granted vnto them great and particular priuiledges When that he doth enter into the kingdome by any of
them at all times when they shalbe demaunded of him by the iudges or vizroies They are shakled and manakled and put in wards that do answere into the court whereas the officers of the prison do make them to lie with their face downewarde vppon a floore made of bords for the same purpose and do draw ouer them iron chaines drawne through great iron rings that are placed betwixt prisoner and prisoner wherewith they are so strait crushed that they cannot moue nor turne them from one side to another also they doo lay on them a certaine couering of timber wherein remaineth no more space of hollownesse then their bodies doth make thus are they vsed that are condemned to death This prison is so painefull and grieuous that many doo dispaire and kill themselues because they cannot suffer it In the day time they do take them forth and take off their manacles that they may worke for to sustaine themselues all such as haue nothing to maintaine themselues nor any other that wil help them them the king dooth giue a pittance of rice to sustaine them Likewise they do worke what they may to better the same There is neuer no execution done vpon such as are condemned to die but at the comming of the visiters or iudges of residence whom they do call Chenes and Leuchis the which do◠make their visitation in secret as you doo vnderstande in the chapter where I spake of them These doe visite the prisoners and demaund a note of the names of all them that are condemned and the cause wherefore and although that some of their sentences are confirmed by the king and his counsell yet they will sée them againe in the presence of these iudges that did condemne them or such as did gouerne in their absence for to be informed of them the faults of euerie one whereby he may sée and vnderstand whether his sentence of condemnation bee done with iustice or not This diligence being done they doo choose out among them fiftie condemned men such whose faults are most odious and commande the iayler to put all things in order for to doo execution on them the which being done they do examine them a new and looke vpon the causes and faults to see if by any meanes they can saue them And if they do finde in any of them any iot of discharge they do apart them from the rest and straightwayes command three pieces of ordinance to be shot off which is to giue warning to bring forth them that shalbe executed Then againe when they doo bring them forth they doo a new enter in counsell to sée if they can saue any of them and when not they command other three péeces of ordinance to be shot off to cause them to be brought out into the fielde and yet before they do breake vp their counsell they doo turne and sée once againe all their faults to sée if that by any meanes possible there might bee some remedie to saue them If they do finde any or any suspect of indicion they do returne out of the field that person and sende him againe to the prison Some doo returne with an euill will for that they had rather die at once then for to suffer the straightnes and crueltie of the prison In the meane time while they are perusing their causes and concluding the same they do cause these condemned prisoners to sit vpon heaps of ashes and do giue them to eate So when all y t these diligences are concluded and they can finde no remedy to saue any of them according vnto iustice they doo commande thrée péeces of artilery more bee shot off then do they execute iustice according vnto their sentence giuen them The deathes that they do execute is hanging setting vppon stakes quartering and burning but there is none that is burned but such as are traitors to the king When the last thrée of artilerie is shot off then the belles do ring and a great rumor is in the cittie for that this execution is done but seldome The day of execution all their shops are shut in and there is none that doth worke vntill sun be set which is after that the executed men are buried the which is done with the companie of much people The next day after this is done the visitors do make the second visitation which is of the théeues a thing verie much abhorred amongst them and such as they doo finde culpable hee is whipped throughout the common stréetes with great shame with a borde hanging about his necke as aforesaide whereon is written his fault and therewith they are carried throughout the stréetes thrée or foure dayes They do beate them on the calues of their legges with a broade and thicke cane of foure fingers broad and as thicke as a mans finger the which they do lay in water before the more for to torment them they are bound with their hands behind them and their faces downewards to the earth two hangmen do execute this whipping of them the one at one legge and the other at the other and it is done with so great crueltie that after they haue giuen sixe blowes they cannot stande vppon their féete and many times it chanceth that with fiftie blowes they die The most part of these théeues do die in the punishments and many times there is whipped togither of théeues two hundred So that with these and others that are punished in the prisons is of a verie truth that there do die euerie yeare in one of these principall cities of the prouince more then sixe thousande persons At these punishments the iudges are alwaies in presence and for that they should not be mooued to compassion in the meane time that execution is done they do occupie themselues in banquettings or other pastimes Adulteries are death and such as do consent to be coockoldes which is neuer founde but amongst them of the basest sort are punished with exemplar punishments ordained for the same CHAP. XIII Of the characters and letters that the Chinos do vse and of the colleges and scholes that are in this kingdome and of other curious things The king hath in euerie citie colledges or schooles at his owne cost in the which they doo learne to write read count as well as to studie naturall or morall philosophie Astrologie lawes of the countrie or any other curious science They that doo teach in these schooles be such persons as excell in euerie facultie such as may be found none better but speciallie in writing and reading for that there is none although he be neuer so poore but dooth learne to write and read because amongst them he is accounted infamous that cannot doo both Unto higher studies come a great number of students and doo trauaile all they may possiblie to profite for that it is the best course and surest way to obtaine the name of a Loytia or gentleman or other dignitie as more plainelie shall bée shewed you in the chapter
shoulde returne vnto Lysborne whereas the king was at that instant and to giue him to vnderstand of the difficultie that was found in a meeting that the vizroy had caused to bee made of the most grauest personages of all that kingdome about the prosecuting of that ambassage With this resolution I departed from that kingdome and returned for Spaine and left the present in Mexico in the power of the kings officers till such time as order was giuen what shoulâ— be done therewith I found his maiestie in Lisborne whereas I did deliuer him the letters that were written touching the same matter and did declare vnto him my iudgement touching the meeting aforesaid who incontinent did take the â—harge vpon him to seeke occasion for to put in effect his most christâ—an intent and zâ—ale the which I doo beléeue he hath procured and will by al waies possible and that very shortly we shall sée in that kingdâ—me planted the Catholike faith and their false idolatrie banished And I hope in God it will bee very shortly for that there be within that kingdome religious men of the order of saint Augustine and barefoote friers of saint Francis and of the order of Iesus or Iesuits who are called there the fathers of Saint Paule of whom there is placâ—d fiue or sixe in the citie of Xauquin whereas the vizroy doth dwell and hath erected a couent in that citie euer since the yeare 1583. with a Church whereas they doo say masse ordinarily And it is said of a truth that they haue got license of the saide vizroy for to passe fréely thorough out all the whole kingdome of China But if it bee so you must thinke that hee did it after that he had consulted with the king and doone by his authoritie otherwise I am perswaded he durst not grant any such liceâ—se At this present dooth there go out of Spaine by the order and commandement of his maiestie and his royall counsell of the Indies a companie of religious men of the order of saint Dominicke for to aid and helpe the rest that are there to conclude this enterprise from whom can procéed nothing but that which tends to great effect by reason of their great zeale learning and the better if that they doo ioyâ—e togither in charitie as seruants to one Lord and master and as they which are boundâ— to doo all one worke By which meanes with the fauour and helpe of Almightie God putting to their diligence and industrie they shall easily conquest their hearts good willes shall frustrate the diuell from the possession that so long time he hath possessed in that kingdome and râ—duce them to their true Lord by creation and redemption It will not bee a small helpe the manie and euident tokens which the Chinos doo giue of desire of their saluation For as it is said that they haue read in their bookes that from the Occident shall come the true and perâ—ite law to diâ—ect them to heauen where they shalbe angelâ— And they séeing that those religious people which are câ—me into their kingdome doo come from the Occident they are perswaded without doubt that the law that they doo declare vnto them is the truth by which meanes shall redowne vnto them great goodnesse They are greatly affâ—ctioned vnto the commandements of the Catholike faith and vnto the catechisme which is translated into their language and is abrode in manie parts of that kingdome which is the occasion as the fathers of the companie that are in the citie Xuquien dooth write that many principal persons are conuerted vnto the catholike faith and others being holpen by the heauens and encited by the ensample of them doo demande the holy baptisme which is left vndone because they will not cause any vprore in the countrie And againe when they shall better conceiue thereof they may receiue it with more firme faith God for his mercie cause to go forwards and with his deuine fauour this good worke for his honour and glorie and exalting his holy faith and that so great and infinite a number of soules redéemed by his pretious blood might be saued and to put in the hart of christian kings to procéed forwards in that which he hath begun putting alwaies in their breasts a greater augmentation to the concluding of the same and to put apart from him all such perswasions as shoulde cause him to leaue it off which the diuell will procure by all the wayes and meanes that he may But against God and his diuine will there is neither power nor wisedome The end of the first part The second part of the historie of the mightie kingdome of China that is deuided into three parts The first containeth such thinges as the fathers frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the order of Saint Augustine in the Ilands Phlipinas and his companion fryer Geronimo Martin and other soldiers that went with them did see and had intelligence of in that kingdom The second containeth the miraculous voiage that was made by frier Pedro de Alfaro of the order of S. Francis and his companions vnto the said kingdome The third containeth a breefe declaration by the said frier and of frier Martin Ignacio that went out of Spaine vnto China and returned into Spaine againe by the Orientall India after that he had compassed the world Wherein is contained many notable things that hee did see and had intelligence of in the voiage The Argument of the first part Wherein is declared the cause that moued Frier Martin de Herrada and Frier Geronimo Martin and such souldiers as went in their companie for to passe from the Ilands Phillipinas vnto the kingdome of China in the yeare 1577 and of the entrie they made therein and what they did see there for the space of foure monethes and sixteeâ—e daies that they remained and of what they vnderstood of al things that happened vnto them till they returned againe vnto the Ilands from whence they went all the which are notable and strange CHAP. I. The Spaniardes departe from Mexico vnto the Ilandes Philippinas where they had intelligence of the mightie kingdome of China GOuerning in the kingdom of Mexico don Luys de Velasco who was viceroye and lieftenant in that place for the Catholike king don Phillip king of Spaine was coÌ„manded by his maiestie to prepare a great armie in the south sea and to leuie â—ouldiers necessarie for the same and to send them to discouer the Ilands of the west those which that famous captaine Magallanes did giue notice of when he did compasse the world in the ship called the Victorie The viceroy with great care and diligence did performe the kinges commandement This fléete and armie being prepared readie which was not without great cost hee caused them to depart out of the port at Christmas time in the yeare of 1564. and sent for general of the same fléete and for gouernour of that countrie which they should discouer the worthie Miguel
who also was verie well learned and of the Cittie of Mexico the souldiers that were appointed to beare them companie were called Pedro Sarmiento chiefe sargeant of the Cittie of Manilla of Vilorado and Miguel de Loarcha both principall men and good Christians as was conuenient for that which they tooke in hand These fathers did carrie them for this purpose that if they did remaine there with the king preaching of the Gospell then they shoulde returne with the newes thereof to giue the Gouernour to vnderstande of all that they had séene and happened vnto them and likewise vnto the king of Spaine if néede did so require This offer of the captaine Omoncon and the appointment which was made by the gouernour and the prouinciall was knowne throughout al the Citie and after that they had made great reioycings and feasts for the same it was approued of all men that those that were named were principall persons as aforesaid and were fully certified that there should nothing be neglected of that they did commaunde them neither let passe any occasion for that it was that which they did all desire but in particular for the â—eruice and honor of God and for the benefite and profite that shoulde redowne vnto them all by the mutuall contractation betwixt the one nation the other and also giue the king to vnderstande of so good newes as this is The Gouernâ—â— did straightwayes call those persons that were named and appointed to come before the captaine Omoncon and tolde them what was determined the which they did accept with great ioy and gaue great thankes and the gouernor in token of gratitude did giue vnto the Captaine Omoncon in the presence of them all a gallant chaine of golde and a rich robe of crimson in graine a thing that hee estéemed verie much and much more estéemed in China for that it is a thing that they haue not there Besides this they did ordaine a reasonable present for to sende vnto the gouernor of Chincheo he that dispatched Omoncon by the commandement of the king to go and séeke the rouer also another present for the vizroy of the prouince of Ochian who was at that present in the citie of Aucheo And for that Sinsay shoulde not finde himselfe agréeued who was a merchant well knowne amongst them and perhappes might bee the occasion of some â—uill and disturbance of their pretence they gaue vnto him also another chaine of golde as well for this as also for that hee was euer a sure and perfite friend vnto the Spaniards Then straightwayes by the commaundement of the Gouernor there were brought togither all such Chinos as were captiue and taken from Limahon out of the fort aforesaide at Pagansinan and gaue them vnto Omoncon to carrie them free with him and gaue likewise commaundement that the Generall of the fielde and all such Captaines and souldiers that were at the siege of the forte shoulde giue vnto him all such as did there râ—maine binding himselfe to paye vnto the souldiers to whome they did appertaine all whatsoeuer they should be valued to be worth all the which being done he commanded to bee put in a redinesse all that was necessarie for the voyage and that in ample manner the which was doone in a short time CHAP. X. Omoncon departeth with certificate in what perplexitie he left Limahon the rouer and doth carrie with him the Fathers of S. Augustine THe twelfth day of Iune in the yeare of our Lord 1575. being sunday in the morning the aforesaid Gouernor and all that were in the cittie did ioyne and go together vnto the monasterie of saint Augustine where was deuout prayers made vnto the holy ghost and after they had all of them requested of God so to direct the voyage that it might be to the honor and glorie of his deuine maiestie and to the saluation of the soules of that kingdome whome lucyfer hath so long possessed Omoncon and Synsay did take their leaue of the Gouernour and of the rest giuing them thankes for their good entertainement that they made them and did promise them in recompence thereof to bee alwayes their assured friends as shall appeare by his works and to carrie them whome he did request of his owne good will with securitie as vnto himselfe that he would first suffer wrong himselfe before any should bee doone vnto those whom he had on his charge The Gouernor and all the rest did thankfully accept his new offer giuing him to vnderstand that they were fully perswaded that his word déede should be all one and therewith they tooke their leaue of them and of the religious men with the two souldiers their companions not lacking teares to be shed on both parts Then did they al imbarke themselues in a ship of the Ilands which was made readie for the same effect and went out of the port in the company of another shippe with merchants of China that were at Manilla into the which Sinsay put himselfe with all their victuals for to carry it vntill they came vnto the port of Buliano whereas was the great shippe of Omoncon wherin they should make their voyage which was that which was forced to returne backe againe by reason of foule wether they aryued at the same port the sunday following for that the winde was somewhat contrarie and had lost the shippe that carried their victuals but after founde her at an anker in the port for that she was the bigger shippe and sailed better they founde also in her two Spanish souldiers whom the generall of the fielde had sent from Pagansinan for that from the place whereas he was he did sée the saide ship to enter into the port with commandement for to carrie them vnto him This did cause vnto the religious men and souldiers a suspition that the generall of the fielde woulde procure to stay them vntill such time as he did sée the ende of the siege of the fort which euerie day was looked when they would yeelde for that they shoulde carry with them Limahon the rouer a liue or dead Uppon the which almost euery one gaue his iudgement that it were better to depart without obeying his commandement neither to take their leaue of him but to prosecute their voyage so much desired for they thought euerie houre of their staying to bee a whole yeare fearing that euerie thing woulde be an impediment to disturbe their intent and purpose but better perswading themselues knowing the good condition and great Christianitie of the generall of the fielde whom Frier Martin had alwayes in place of his sonne for that he was Neuew vnto the Adelantado Legaspi the first gouernor and discouerer of the said Philippinas whom he brought with him from Mexico being but a childe they were agréed to go vnto him and shewe their obedience and to take their leaue of him and of all the rest of their friends that were in the campe So with this determination they put
people were in this agonie and great feare Omoncon considered of them and of the charge that he had to bring them thither therewith he sent one of his seruants to giue them to vnderstand of all that they had heard and séene wherewith they did quiet themselues and put away al the feare that they had conceiued with their suddain putting downe in the cabine and the shooting off of those péeces The which the better to giue you to vnderstand I will first declare vnto you the occasion and then after the rest Limahon had not so soone taken his course towards the Ilands but straightwaies it was knowne in the kingdome of China And the vizroy of Ochian by the order that he had from the roiall counsell did command all gouernors of such cities that were nigh vnto the coast to dispatch away shipping for to go follow and séeke him with aduertisement that hee who did accomplish this diligence with the first shuld be very wel rewarded and estéemed for that they feared that if the rouer shuld ioine with y e Castillas for so they do cal the Spaniards in that country of whom they haue had great notice might thereby grow some great harme and inconuenience which afterwards could not be well remedied which was the occasion that they made the more haste for that if it were possible to take him or else to spoile his shiping before that he should come vnto the said Ilands In accomplishing of this commandement the gouernor of Chincheo did prouide shipping and did sende the Captaine Omoncon with them but yet he could not prouide them of souldiers and other necessaries till certaine dayes after that he was gone foorth so he went till hee came and met with the Spaniards nigh vnto Buliano as aforesaid About the same time the general of the bay that was there to defend the cost did dispatch another ship for to enquire and know where the rouer was and to bring relation therof that straightwayes they might go and assalt him with all the whole armie This ship was the fathers of Sinsay he that was friend vnto the Castillas who came in companie with the Friers from the Ilands as it is said and he went in the said ship for Pilot who although hee went out of the port with great spéede yet with greater hast hee returned againe without mastes or yardes for that they lost them in a great storme and torment that tooke them in the gulfe whereas they thought to haue béene lost At the same time that the Friers departed from Buliano to Pagansinan being requested to come thither by the master of the field as aforesaid there was in the same port a ship of China that came vnto the Ilands to traficke and being well informed of all things as well in what extremity the Spaniards had the rouer as also of y e going of Omoncon and how that he carried vnto the firme lande the foresaide Friers and their companions The saide shippe departed in a morning very secretly ten dayes before that Omoncon did make saile came to the firme land the saide ten daies before gaue notice thereof vnto the gouernor of all that they had vnderstood as wel by relation as by sight and how that ther came with Omoncon the Spaniards Sinsay who was he that in al things touching Limahon was the dooer that whatsoeuer shall happen good in this relation they ought to giue the praise and thanks vnto him and not vnto Omoncon This he spake for the good affection he had vnto Sinsay by way of friendship for that he was of the same profession a merchant The Gouernour of the bay being verie desirous to haue the rewarde and thankes of the king with occasion to say that the sonne of him whom he sent to follow and séeke Limahon was the chiefe and principall meanes of that good successe Straight wayes so soone as hee heard the newes of the shippe that ariued there tenne dayes before as aforesaide he commaunded sixe shippes to goe foorth of the baye to the sea with order and commission to bring the ship to an anker in the sayd bay and not to suffer him to go into any other place and otherwise they could not at least wayes they would bring with them Sinsay for that they would send him post vnto the Uiceroy for to declare vnto him all that had passed particularly These sixe ships came verie nigh vnto that wherein was the Generall aforesaid at such time as our Spaniardes were with the Generall and they neuer could perceiue it for that there were many in the baye some going and some comming but when that hee had discouered them then he caused our people to be put vnder hatches because they should not be séene commanded those that were in the shippe to arme themselues for their defence if néed required In the meane time that they made resistance with this ship one of the sixe ships did borde that shippe wherein came Omoncon pretending to take her and beléeued to doo it with great â—ase But it happened vnto them cleane contrarie for that the souldiers that were within did defende their ship valiantly Sinsay with a very good will would haue suffered the ship wherein his father came to haue carried away the other if the souldiers of Omoncon would haue consented therunto They did not only misse of their purpose but also many of them were hurt in the attempting to enter the ship the saide ship did fall aborde there whereas was their captaine Omoncon who at that instant did call our Spaniardes in his shippe out of the generalles shippe whereas they were which was dooone with such spéede that it was accomplished before any of the other ships could come vnto them although they did procure it Then did Omoncon arme himselfe to the warre for to defend himselfe his ship and all that were therein or to die there The Fryers and their companions when they vnderstoode the cause of their strife and fighting partly by suspition in that they had séene as by that which Omoncon did sende them worde did offer themselues vnto him promising him to die with him iâ— neede did so require and requested him to appoint them what they should do and they would accomplish it with a very good will At this time all the ships were about that of Omoncon who was not idle but put foorth his artilerie for their defence asking powder of the Spaniardes for that they had little left the Generall did not depart from the shippe from the time that the Spaniardes went vnto him neither did hee remooue out of his chayre although all the rest that were in the ship were armed At this time the Captayne of the sixe shippes of Chincheo did put himselfe in a boate and came towardes the shippe of Omoncon for to haue commoned with him but he would not suffer them to come nigh but shot at them and caused them to depart against their willes and
that it séemed a whole legion of diuels had taken holde on both sides of the shippe forcing the one against the other that it rowled in such sort that many times the halfe decke was in the water so that the marriners could not stand vpon their féete but were driuen to sustaine themselues by the ropes cavels But the religious men trusting in God whose zeale had caused them this great trouble did pray and desire him with many teares that hee would deliuer them out of the same daunger and not to giue place vnto the diuell for to disturbe them of their voyage and enterprise Those their orations and prayers did so much preuaile with certaine coniurations which they made against the diuels whoÌ„ they thought they did see visibly that after midnight the north winde ceased and began to blowe at the north east with the which the sea began to waxe calme so y t they might make their way to be east northeast for that they had intelligence that that course was the shortest cut to the firme land This winde which was so fauourable vnto theÌ„ did increase so much in two houres that the sea waxed loftie and caused them to forget the sorrowe past and constrained them for that the shippe was but small to cut their mast ouer borde and to put themselues vnto the courtesie of the sea with little hope to escape the danger But our Lorde whose zeale did mooue them to attempt that iourney did direct their voyage in such sort that the next day â—ollowing it came to be calme in such sort that they might set vp a newe mast in the place of that which was cut ouer borde in the storme and therewith to nauigate forwardes with their begunne voyage So vpon the fryday following at the breake of the day they sawe lande and thinking that it had béene the firme lande of China they gaue thankes vnto God and reioyced in such sort that they had cleane forgotten the troubles of the stormes and foule weather passed so they made towards it and came thither about noone but when they were a shore they found that it was but a small Iland and situated foure leagues from the firme lande and for that it was so nigh a farre off it séemed to be all one thing But when they came vnto this Ilande they did discouer many ships which were so many in nuÌ„ber that it séemed all the sea to be couered with theÌ„ The friers with the great desire they had for to knowe in what port they were they coÌ„manded to gouerne their ship towardes whereas they were who when they saw them could not know theÌ„ by the strangenes of their ship and sailes they did fly from them all that euer they could The which ouâ— men perceiuing could not imagine the cause thereof they were very much agréeued and sorrowfull and the more for that they could not learne nor vnderstand where they were But séeing nigh vnto them to the lewarde thrée ships they made towardes them and wheÌ„ they were somwhat nigh they put themselues as the others did In this sort they spent all the rest of the day in going from one port to an other vnto those ships for to infirme theÌ„selues where they were but all this diligence preuailed them nothing at all till it was almost sunne set they entred with their frigat into a gut vnder the shore whereas fell from a high rocke which was more than one hundreth fatham by estimation a streme of water which was as bigge as the bodies of two men together In this gut there was thrée other ships and they came to an anker in the middest amongest them the which beeing done they asked of them what countrie that was but they answered nothing nor made any semblance but looked the one vpon the other in beholding of the Spaniards they gaue great laughters In this gut they remained all that night almost amased to sée how those people were as though they were inchanted and they without any light of their desire which was to knowe wher they were So y e next day folowing which was saterday verie early in the morning they set sayle and went amongest a great sort of Ilandes alwayes bearing vnto them which they thought to be the firme lande being greatly amarueiled to sée the infinite number of shippes both great and small that they sawe some were a fishing and some vnder sayle and other some ryding at an anker The same day about noone there happened vnto them a strange miraculous thing and it was that passing through a straight that was but a quarter of a league of bredth which was betwixt the firme lande and a small Ilande in the which was continually foure score ships of warre sette there for watch and warde they passed thorough the thickest of them and were neuer seene for if they hadde without all doubt they had sonke them or slaine them their order and commission is so straight giuen them by their generalles of the sea in the which they are commanded that whatsoeuer kinde of people of strange nations that they do méete vpon the coast for to kill them or sinke them except they do bring licence from some gouernor of such Cities as be vpon the coast for that such as do meane to haue trafickâ— doo sende to demande the same leauing their ships a great way at sea This lawe for to watch and warde was made and ordayned as they do say in respect of the Iapones who did enter into certaine of their portes dissembling themselues to be Chinos being apparelled as they were and speaking their language they did vnto them great and strange hurtes and damages as is declared in the booke before this So when they were passed this straight they sayled almost sixe leagues forwardes into a verie fayre and great bay following other shippes that went before them for that it seemed that they would enter into some port and there they might informe themselues where they were which was the thing that they most desired When they had sayled about two leagues in this bay they ouertooke one of the thrée shippes and asked of the people that were within her by the interpreter they had with them whether they sayled and what lande that was which they sawe before them Then the principall that was in that ship did put himselfe into his boat the which hee had at sterne and came vnto the ship where the Spaniardes were the better to vnderstande what they did demand for they before by reason that they were somewhat farre off the one from the other could not vnderstande the Spaniards demand but by signes So when that he vnderstoode their request he answered them that it was the country of China how that he came laden with salt from the citie of Chincheo and went to make sale thereof vnto the citie of Canton which was so nigh hand that they might ariue there before night But when
that hee was entred into the spanish ship saw the friers the rest that were in their cōpanie saw that their apparell spéech was strange vnto him he asked of them what they were and from whence they came whether they went and when y e he vnderstood y t they were Castillos of the Ilands Philippinas came frō the said Ilands were bound vnto China with intent to preach the holy gospell he asked thē whose licence they had to conduct them vnto the firme lande But when he vnderstood that they had none hee asked them howe they passed and escaped the fléete of ships that was in the straight aforesayde The Spaniards answered that they found no impediment nor let So he being greatlie amazed as well of the one as of the other entred into his owne boate and with great furie departed from their shippe and went into his owne but at his departure the Spaniards did request him that he would conduct them vnto the cittie who gaue them to vnderstande by signes that he woulde although he feared the rigorous punishment that in that kingdome is executed vppon all such as doo bring into the same any man of a strange nation as hath béene tolde you in the first part of this historie So hee fearing that if hée shoulde enter with him into the port the fault would be imputed vnto him therefore at such time as hee came within halfe a league of the riuers mouth he cast about his shippe and sailed to sea and went so farre that in a short time the Spaniards had lost the sight of them who when they saw that they had no guide they followed the course of another shippe that they had discouered before the other did cast about to sea for which occasion the other two ships that wee spake off before were departed So a little before the sunne-set they discouered the mouth and entrie of a great and mightie brode riuer out of the which came two great streames or armes and in them many ships entering in and going forth and considering how they had the winde which serued them well they entered into the same but when they had sailed forwards a quarter of a league they discouered so great a multitude of barkes that it seemed vnto them a groue or some inhabited place and as wee drewe nigh vnto them they not knowing our shippe all began to flie and run away with so great noise as though they should haue béene all set on fire or smoke in that place The Spaniards séeing that they were the occasion of this feare amongst them they withdrew themselues into the middest of the riuer whereas they strooke saile and came to an anker there they did ride all that night and it was in such a place that none of al the other barks and boates came nigh them by a great way The next day following which was sunday the one twentith day of Iune they weighed anker and went vnder their foresaile vp that arme of the riuer the which within a little while they had sailed did ioine with the other arme aforesaide and was in that place of so great widenesse that it séemed to bée a sea there sailed in and out many shippes barkes and boates of whome the Spaniards demaunded how farre the port was off from that place but they answered nothing at all but with great laughter and wonder to sée the Spaniards and their kind of attyre they departed But when they had sailed two leagues vp the riuer they discouered a high towre and very faire vnder the which were at an anker a great number of shippes thither they sailed right on So when as they came right ouer against the towre they saw on shore a great mighty crane to discharge merchandize withall whereat lay many ships but when they came to the point fearing that some ordinance would be shot at them they strooke all their sailes according vnto the vse custome in y e ports of Spaine They after a while that they had remained in that sort saw that neither the towre nor y e ships did make any motion towards them they turned and hoised vp againe their sailes and went wheras al the ships were when they came amongst them they let fall their anker wheras they did ride looking when they would come to demand of them any thing CHAP. III. The Friers and their companions came vnto the Cittie of Canton they went on shore and praised God for that it had pleased him to let thē see their desire fulfilled There comes a Iustice to visite them and hath with them great communication THe Spaniards séeing that they were there at an anker a good while that there was none that came vnto them to demand any questiō they hoised out their boate went in it on shore wheras they al knéeled downe vpon their knées and with great deuotion did say Te Deum laudamus giuing thankes to God for that he had so myraculously brought them into y e kingdome of China of them so much desired without any Pilot or other humane industrie the which being doone they began to walke along by the crane aforesaid nigh vnto the which were certaine houses whereas were kept ropes and tackling belonging vnto the shippes so they procéeded forwards with intent to séeke the gates of the Citie the which after they had gone the space of foure hargabus shot they found the gate which was verie great and sumptuous of a strong and gallant edifice The people of the country séeing them at their comming a shore how they did knéele downe and how that their manner of attire was different from the people of the same not knowing from whence they did come did cause in them great admiration and to ioyne togither a great troope of people and followed them with great desire to sée the end of their enterprise This great multitude of people was the occasion that they entred in at the gates of the Cittie without being discouered of the guards ports that were put there for that purpose neither were they disturbed of the entry by reason of the great throng of people and strangenesse of the matter So after they had gone a while in the stréete the people increasing more and more to sée them they staied in the porch of a great house there where as the iustices of the sea or water bailies do kéepe their courts of audience and in the meane time that they remained there which was a pretty while the guardes of the gate vnderstood that amongst y e presse throng of the people did enter certaine strangers contrary to the precept giuen them vpon great penalties they straightway with great feare that their ouersight should be discouered ran laid hands vpon y e Spaniards carried them backe againe put them out of the gate of the citie without doing any euil or harme vnto their persons willed them to stay
they woulde liue amongst them although it were to serue them as slaues for that if they would returne vnto the Ilande of Luzon or by another name called Manilla they could not for that they knewe not the way neither had they anie Pilot to conduct them The Iudge had pittie on them and commanded that such thinges as they had in their shippe should bée brought on land for that hee woulde sée them amongst the which the thing which caused him most to maruell at was when hée sawe the Images and Ara or Alter stone of blacke Iasper stone of the which we haue made large mention hee requested of the Spaniards that they woulde giue them two Images which when they had giuen them they made shew to estéeme greatly of the present for that they were thinges that they haue not amongst them He talked with them very friendly caused them to arise from the ground whereas they did knéele and to shewe them the more fauour he caused to be giuen them to drinke in his presence a certaine beurage which they do vse made of certaine hearbs and vse it for a comfortable thing for the heart is commonly vsed amongst theÌ„ although they are not dry and amongst the Chinos is a shew of particular fauour This Iudge did more vnderstande the intent of the Spaniards then any of the other past for their interpreter had tolde vnto him that they woulde remaine in the countrie for to cure sicke persons and to bury the dead the which they could do excellent well When the Iudge heard these wordes hee gaue with his hande a great stroke vppon the table that was before him and said with showes of great wonder vnto other inferior Iudges that were with him Oh what good people are these as it séemeth it would be vnto mee a great ioy if that I coulde of mine owne authoritie accomplish that which they do desire but our lawes do forbid the same and that with great rigour All this did their interpreter tel them afterward At this time there entred into the place of audience whereas they were a man of China one of the common sort al imbrewed with blood crying out and making a great noise without any consort who prostrating himselfe vpon the ground did complaine of other Chinos with whom he had fallen out and was beaten and buffeted in cruell sort The Iudge when he saw him did straight wayes command his officers to bring the offenders before him the which was done with a trice they returned with the plaintife bringing thrée other Chinos bound togither by the armes and as it séemed they were men of base sort The Iudge incontinent made information wholly of all that passed and condemned them without writing any letter in twenty sotes or strokes a peece the officers forthwith tooke theÌ„ with so great cruelty as though they had bin diuels threwe them vpon the ground with their bellies downwards to execute the sentence giuen by the Iudge and when they had pulled off their hose they began to whippe them vpon the calues of their legges with a sot made of canes in manner as hath béene told you before The religious people who were present all this while and taking pitie on these condemned men fell downe at the féete of the Iudge and by signes and tokens did craue of him for the loue of God that his sentence might not be executed who straightwayes commanded the executioners to cease condiscending vnto the petition of the Friers and did pardon the offenders fiftéene sottes or strokes of the twentie wherein they were condemned The Iudge did very much woonder at the pouertie of these religious men and at the sharpe and asper apparell that they weare but the chiefest thing that he did maruell at was when that he vnderstoode howe they had passed the fleete of ships that were put in the straight for to defende and keepe the coast and were neuer seene which séemed vnto him a thing impossible except it were by permission of the heauen So when this examination and talke was finished he commandeâ—â—hem to returne vnto thâ—ir shippe promising them for to write vnto the vizroy who was thirtie leagues from that place and to giue him to vnderstand that they were men without any suspection and that he might wel giue them licence for to come to his presence vpon which relation hée woulde commaunde what shoulde bee doone either to tarrie or to go vnto him Within few dayes after they vnderstood that the Iudge had accomplished his promise for that the vizroy had committed the matter vnto another Iudge called Aytao whose office is for to examine and inquire the causes of strangers the wordes of the commission were as followeth I am written vnto from Canton howe that there are come thither certaine men apparelled very sharpe and asper after the fashion of our religious men in the wildernesse who bringe no weapons neither any other thing that might séeme to pretend any euill intent and for that they are thy charge examine them with care and diligence and prouide to doo therein that which shall be most requisite and conuenient giuing vs to vnderstand the large and true relation of that which shall happen The verie same day of Saint Iohn the Spaniards being verie merry and vnmindfull of any thing for that they had all that day receiued the Sacrament there came vnto them abord their shippe or frigat the interpreters and did euidently declare their euill purpose and intent saying that it was apparent what they had done for them and in what perill they did euery day put themselues in for their matters and that it was reason that they shoulde pay them for the same and if not they would not helpe theÌ„ any more neither interpret or take paines in their businesse certifying them that if they did faile to satisfie them that they should not finde any that would doo it with so great good will and diligence as they should finde by experience and how that they had béene put in prison if they had not béene for entring into that kingdome without licence and for that they enterpreted for them with great curtesie and fauour they had also béene commaunded to returne backe againe from whence they came which by their meanes was the cause that the Iudges did intreate them so friendly as they did The Father Costodio when he vnderstoode their intent and did euidently see that it was wholly grounded vppon gaine considering also the vrgent necessitie that they had of them and not satisfying them it was difficult to finde any for to helpe them in that their necessitie of two euils he chose the best and deliuered vnto them a pawne for their contentment one of the two Challices they brought with them giuing them great charge to vse and kéepe it as a sacred thing and dedicated for to consecrate the blood of Christ. The principall interpreter did take it with great content and
eyes as we would say cats eyes in the which they do differ from them For it is a great maruaile to finde a man amongst them with more then twentie heares in his beard little more or lesse flat noses and their eyes very little so that when they will mocke a man or doo him any iniurie by word they will call him cats eyes Now for that the desire of the Spaniardes was nothing else but to remaine in that countrie for to bring to effect their good zeale they did gratifie the interpreter for the great fauour hee shewed them and did earnestly intreat him for to present the petition thinking thereby their desire should be vnderstood and Gods cause iustified so that they first would enter into them by the way of preaching He presented the petition when that all the Iudges were together who had great pitie and compassion ouer the Spaniardes and willed that they should come before them for that they would sée and vnderstande the roote and foundation of their will They obeyed their commandement with great ioy and when they were come into the hall one of the Iudges who was superiour ouer all the rest and a man of great authoritie did aske of them by way of the interpreter what was their pretence in that they did aske a house to dwell in the Frier Costodio did answere that he did desire it for to learne the language well by which meanes they might the better learne them to know the true God and to set them in the true way to goe and glorie with him because it was his office and his profession The Interpreter tolde all this truely the which fewe times before he had done as hath béene tolde you Then the Iudge in name of all the rest sayde that in that their demand they could not grant neyther had they any such authoritie to giue licence This being spoken the Interpreter replyed without tarrying to heare what the Spaniardes would say and said that at least wayes they would giue them licence to remaine there till such time as the Portingals did come thether for to lade their marchandice which would be within few daies with whom they would go for that they were all of one law faith The Iudge did againe aske theÌ„ if that the Portingals Spaniards were al one The father Costodio answered that in religion lawes there was no difference but the one were subiects to one king the other to another although they were kinsmen and thaâ— very nigh This last petition seemed to the Iudge to be more reasonable and iust than the first and that they might grant it theÌ„ with lesse difficultie although he answered them and said that he could not grant it vnto them but he would write vnto the viceroy for to grant it them For that the Portugals would bee there at the farthest within foure or fiue moneths that in the meane time he would giue them a prouision that they may go fréely abroad and none to hurt nor harme them So the next day following which was the second of August he did accomplish his word and promise and sent vnto the viceroy their petition and therewithall his iudgement and of all the rest that were there with him what they thought touching that matter The answere staied many daies after came not but in the ende there came a commandement from the viceroy vnto the gouernor of Canton in the which hee willed that the Spaniards should be sent vnto Aucheo whereas he was and that there should be carried with them all such thinges as they brought with them which was their bookes and ornaments The Iudge did straightwaies send gaue them to vnderstande of this new order because they should make themselues readie for to trauaile the which they did with great ioy and diligence as you shall vnderstand in the chapter following CHAP. VII The Spaniardes take their iourney towards Aucheo declare what happened in the way thitherwarde THe next day following which was the sixtéenth day of August the Spaniards departed froÌ„ Canton towards Aucheo to sée the viceroy with great hope and confidence that he would giue them licence for y t which they pretended But at their departure they would haue left there two Indians for to kéepe their ship or frigat but the Iudges that were present said that it was not néedefull for them to haue any such care for that they would take the care vppon them to see all thinges in good order So presently they sent certaine writing in papers and commaunded them to bee glewed vppon the hatches of their shippe in such sort that they could not bee open but they must be perceiued Then presently was brought for the Spaniardes foure barkes verie gallant and wide with verie fayre galleries and windowes and beeing imbarked they charged them verie much to make all haste possible to accomplish the commandement of the viceroy and sent with them conuenient persons for to be their guides and to giue them all thinges necessarie for their iourney They traueiled continually in a mightie riuer against the current in the which they did sée many thinges woorthie to be noted for the space of foure daies that their iourney indured There was alongest the riuer side manie Cities and townes verie great which were so many in number that they could not make any memorie of them by reason that they passed manie of them by night To obserue the tides and to auoid the heate which was great vppon the water Alongest the riuer side whereas it was not inhabited was full of corne fieldes whereas they sawe them go to plough with many Bufalos much different vnto the vse of Spaine for that one alonely buffe did drawe the plough with one vpon his backe who did gouerne and guide him with great ease whether hee would they should go with a corde made fast to a ring at his nose which serued in steede of a bridle They sawe also flockes of géese in the which were more then â—â—entie thousand with whom they did weede and tooke away the grasse which did growe amongst the rice and other graine and seedes driuing them in the middest of their fieldes it seemed that they had the vse of reason considering how they did separate and make a distinction betwixt the good seede and the bad and the great care they had to feede and do no harme neither to plucke vp the good plant which was a thing that they wondred at aboue all the rest All the countrie is verie populous and the townes one so néere an other that it may better be sayde to be all one towne and not manie and might with more propertie be called the Citie of China and not the kingdome of China In all the whole countrie there is not one foot of ground vnoccupied by reason of the great abundance of peo-people that there is and they permit amongest them no idle people as more at large it hath béene declared vnto
incredible and so nigh the one vnto the other that they séemed to be al one so in the end of foure dayes they landed at one of the cities where came so much people to sée those strangers that it séemed al the kingdom were there assembled togither were so many in number that before they could get to y e Inne wheras they should be lodged there passed more then foure houres and was in distance but a quarter of a league but when they came thither they were verie faint with the great thrust aâ—d throng of the people They stayed in this Cittie one day and the next day very early in the morning was brought vnto them horse for to trauel by land other two daies y e which was almost continually in villages townes the third day they were imbarked in a small barke wherein they passed a riuer which had but litle water y e space of two houres theÌ„ after they were shipped in a bigger barke and entred into another riuer which seemed to be an arme of the sea in the which they sailed fiue dayes and sawe sailing vp and downe the said riuer so many barks and boats that it made them to be greatly amased These riuers were as wel replenished of cities and townes as the other riuer whereof we haue spoken Al which is a helpe to beleeue that which hath béene said of the mightinesse and the great number of people that are in that mighty kingdom Concluding this riuer they entred into another but not so broade as the last but a swifter current and beset with mightie trées both on the one side and the other and were so thick that almost they could not sée the sunne thorough them and although the country very asper there alongst the riuers side yet was there many walled citties an infinite number of townes and vilages in such sort that the suburbs did almost ioyne the one vnto the other So when they were disembarked out of this riuer they trauelled by land other foure dayes and greatly maruelled to see the great fertilitie of the country and many other things more which they do passe ouer for that in the relation of y e Augustine friers it hath béene declared vnto you In the ende of those foure daies they came to a cittie ten leagues from Chiâ—cheo and were lodged in the suburbs of the same whether resorted so much people to sée them that although they did shut y e gates to defend themselues from the prease yet could they not be disturbed of the entry for y t they broke the gates climed vp the wals windowes to sée them The host of the house where as they were lodged when he saw that the people did spoile and distroy his house he requested the Spaniards to go forth into a greene fielde which was there harde by placed amongst a company of Orchards the which they did to satisfie him also to satisfie the multitude of people that were come thither only to sée them The noise of the people was so great that the gouernor feared there had bin some other matter commanded a Iudge to go examine the cause and know the truth but when that hee was certified thereof hee commaunded the Spaniards to come vnto his house for that hee was desirous and would sée them They presently did accomplish his commandement and went their way and as they passed thorough the stréete there were certaine representing a comedie but so soone as the people that were there did sée the Spaniardes they left the players all alone and followed them They entred into the gouernors house and found him with great maiestie of seruants and souldiers of his gard he entertayned them with great loue and asked them who they were and from whence they came The interpreter presently shewed the prouision they brought from the viceroy which was in summe their licence giuen by him for them to go vnto Chincheo and that none should disturbe them in their iourney But to ayde and giue them all fauor possible that which was néedefull for their iourney And when that he had read the same he saide that thereby he did vnderstand that which he desired to know how that the viceroy did command all gouernors him as one of them they should offer to do all that lay in them the which he did accomplish and shewed them great fauour and friendship The dext day following they departed out of this citie by land being giuen vnto them by the gouernor very good prouision for the way The same day they came vnto a towne that was very fresh and fiue leagues from the place they departed there they determined to tarrie all that night fearing y e passage through a citie which was but a league before suspecting that they should be as much troubled with the people as they were in the other citie the day before And although this was but a small towne yet was there so great a concourse of people that came from the villages there abouts that it caused them to depart the next morning more early than they thought and all the night they could not sléepe because of the great noyse of the people So within a while after they departed from that towne they came vnto the citie aforesaide the which for situation and gallant buildings was the fairest in all that prouince Through the midst thereof ranne a mightie riuer ouer the which were many bridges very great and most faire Here were they so oppressed with much people that came to sée them that they were detayned in the presse a good while before they could enter into the citie and after they were within they were compassed about in such sort that they could not goe to seeke to eate but were constrained to enter into a barke and go downe the riuer and shroud themselues amongst a company of trées although they did vse this policie Yet the number of people were so great that leapt into the same barke that they were readie to sinke till such time as they that had entred the barke to auoid that perill returned and lept a shoore leauing them all alone with the barkemen and marriners that did rowe who went to seeke and bring them to eate and they remained in the barke all that night So the next day in the morning before the people could come to disturbe them they rowed towards the great and huge citie of Chincheo and entred into the same vppon a sunday in the morning being the sixt day of December They remained still in the barke for their owne quietnesse and security and sent their interpreter with their prouision vnto the Gouernour that he might ordaine at his pleasure that which was therein commanded The Gouernor when he had receiued commission he said vnto the interpreter that he should tell the Spaniards that he was very glad that they were come thither in safetie and in good health and that hee should receiue
neighbors with as much prouision and as well gouerned Fiftéene leagues from this prouince trauelling coÌ„tinually towards y e northwest they came to a great towne called Acoma it had in it more than sixe thousande soules it was situated and placed vpon a high rock the which was more than fiftie fadam in height and had no other entry but by a payre of staires the which was made cut out of the same rocke a thing the which did cause great admiration vnto the Spaniardes all the water that they had in this towne was in cesterns The principallest hereof came with peace for to sée the Spaniards brought theÌ„ many mantles and shamwayes very well dressed and great quantitie of prouision they haue their corne fields two leagues from that place and for to water them they take water out of a small riuer there harde by Upon the saide riuer side they sawe many fields with roses like vnto those that are in Spain there are many mountaines which shewe to haue mettals although they went not vp to sée it for that the Indians be many very warrelike people The Spaniards remained in this place thrée daies in one of the which the naturall people thereof did make vnto them a solemne dance came foorth in the same with gallant apparell and with maruellous ingenious pastimes with the which they reioyced excéedingly So four twentie leagues from this place they came vnto a prouince called in their naturall language Zuny and the Spaniards do call it Cibola there is in it a great number of Indians In the which was Francisco Vazquez Coronado and left there erected many crosses and many other signes and tokens of christendome which continually did remaine standing They found there three christened Indians which were left there at that time whose names were Andres de Cuyoacon Gasper de Mexico and Antonio de Guadalaiara who had almost forgotten their own language could speake very well that of this countrie yet with a little vse after they had talked with theÌ„ they did easily vnderstand them Of these they vnderstood that thrée score iourneyes from thence was there a lake very great about the which was situated many excellent good townes that the natural people thereof had very much gold it séemed to be true for that they did all weare braslets eareringes of the same The foresaide Francisco Vazques Coronado hauing certaine intelligence of the same he departed from this prouince of Cibola went that way and hauing trauelled twelue iourneyes his water did faile him so y t he determined to returne backe againe as he did with pretence to returne an other time wheÌ„ better oportunity should be had the which afterwards he did not put in executioÌ„ for that by death all his determinations preteÌ„ces were cut off CHAP. X. Still doth he prosecute the discouery of the new Mexico VPon the newes of this great riches aforesaide the sayde captaine Antonio de Espeio determined to go thether where were of his opinioÌ„ the most part of his coÌ„panions but y e religious fryer was of the contrarie opinion sayd that it was high time to returne vnto new Bizcaya froÌ„ whence they came for to giue notice of all that they had séene the which they did put in execution within few daies after the most part of them and left the captain with alonely nine companions that would follow him Who after that hee had fully certified himselfe of the riches aboue said and of the great quantitie of good metals that were there He departed out of this prouince with his companions and trauelled towardes the northwest So after that they had trauelled eight and twentie leagues they came into an other prouince the which was very great in the which to their iudgmeÌ„t were more thaÌ„ fifty thousand soules whose inhabitants when they vnderstood of their coÌ„ming they sent theÌ„ a messenger which said y t if they would not be slaine of them y t they should not approch any nearer vnto their townes Unto the which the said captaine answered that they came not thether to do them any harme as they should well perceiue and also did request them that they would not disturbe them in the prosecuting of their pretence and gaue vnto the messenger certaine things such as they carryed with them who did praise so much the Spaniards that he did appease the troubled minds of the Indians in such sort that they did of their owne good wil grant them licence for to enter into their townes The which they did with one hundreth and fiftie Indians their friends of the Prouince of Cibola aforesaide and with the thrée Indians of Mexico of whom we made mention Before they came vnto the first towne by a league there went foorth to méete and receiue the Spaniards more than two thousande Indians laden with victualles and prouision vnto whome our Captaine did giue thinges of small price yet it seemed vnto them to be of great estimation more than golde So when they came nigher vnto the towne called Zaguato there came foorth to receiue them a great number of Indians and amongest them their Caciques and made a great showe of mirth and ioy and threw vppon the ground much flower of Maiz that their horse might tread vpon it With these feastes ioy and pleasure they entred into the towne whereas they were very well receiued lodged and made much of the which the captaine did partly recompence in giuing vnto all the principallest amongest them hattes and glasse beades and many other thinges more which they carried with them to serue the like oportunitie The Caciques did foorthwith dispatch and send aduice vnto all those of that prouince giuing them to vnderstande of the comming of their new guestes and how that they were verie curteous men did no harme Which was occasion sufficient to cause them all to come laden with presentes vnto the Spaniardes and did request them for to goe vnto their townes to sport and recreate themselues the which they did but alwaies with great care and respect of what so euer might happen For the which tâ—e captaine did vse a policie with them which was that he tolde vnto the Caciques that for so much as his horse were verie fierce and furious and that they had told them that they would kill them therefore for to shunne the damage and harme that might happen vnto the Indians it were requisite to make a fort with lyme and stone to put them in The Caciques did giue such credite vnto his words that in a few houres they had ioyned together so much people that they made a fort according as the Spaniardes did request that with an incredible breuitie Besides this when the captaine sayd y t he would depart they brought vnto him a present of fortie thousand maÌ„tles of cotton some white and some painted and a great quantitie of hand towels with tassels at the corners and many other thinges and amongst them
and would be better if that they were holpen with good ensamples as those which haue béene there so long time are bounde to doe that the lacke thereof doth cause some of the inhabitantes so much to abhorre them that they would not sée them once paynted vpon a wall For proofe whereof and for to moue such as haue power and authoritie to put remedie in the same I will declare vnto you here a strange case the which Royally did passe of a trueth in one of these Ilandes and is verie well knowne amongst them that is there chanced to die an Ilander a principall man amongst them a few dayes after that he was baptised being very contrite for his sinnes the which hee had done against God before he was baptised and after hee died So after by the deuine permission of God he appeared vnto many of that Ilands whom he did perswade forthwith to receiue the baptisme with reasons of great efficacie and declared vnto them as one that had experienced the same the rewarde of that good déede which without all doubt shoulde bee giuen vnto them if they would receiue the same and liue after conformable and according vnto the commandements of Christ for the which he told them and said that forthwith so soone as he was dead he was carried by the Angels into glorie there whereas all things were of delite pleasure and content and did communicate onely in the sight of God and that there was none that entred therein neither coulde enter except hee were baptised according vnto the preaching of the Spaniards of whome and of others that were like vnto them there was an infinite number Therefore if so be that they would go and inioy of those benefites and delights it is necessarie that first they should be baptised and afterwards to obserue and kéepe the commandements that be preached vnto them by the fathers that are amongst the Castillas and therewith he vanished away and they remained treating amongst themselues concerning that which they had hearde and was the occasion that some of them forthwith receiued the baptisme and that others did delay it saying that because there were Spaniard souldiers in glory they would not go thither because they would not be in their company All this hurt is done by one peruerse or impious man and with one euill ensample the which amongst many good as you haue in those parts but in especiall amongst them in particular it ought to bée reprehended and punished seuéerely with rigour These Ilands at the first discouery of them had the fame to bée Mal Sanos or vnholesome but since experience hath shewed and prooued it to the contrarie It is a countrie maruellous fertill and yeeldeth very much Rice wheate goates hennes deere buffes kine and great stoare of hogges whose flesh is so sauorie as the mutton they haue in Spaine there be also manie cattes that yeelde siuet great stoare of fruites which be very good and sauorie great aboundance of Honie and fish and all solde at so small a price that almost it is solde for nothing Also there is great stoare of Synamom but no Oile of Oliues but that which is carried thither out of the Nuoua Espania they haue much Oyle of Algongoli and of Flaxe sâ—ede the which they doo spende ordinarily in that countrie so that the Oyle of Oliues is not missed with them There is great stoare of Cloues Saffron Pepper Nutmegges and many other drugges great stoare of cotton and silke of all colours the which is brought vnto them by merchants of China euerie yeare a great quantitie from whence commeth more then twenty shippes laden with péeces of silkes of all colours and with earthen vessell powder saltpeter Iron stéele and much quicke-siluer brasse copper wheate flower walnuts bisket dates linnen cloth counting chestes very gallantly wrought calles of networke Buratos Espumillas basens and ewres made of tinne parchment lace silke fringe and also of golde the which is spunne and twisted after a fashion neuer sâ—ene in all Christendome and manie other thinges of great curiositie and all this aforesaide is solde verie good cheape Likewise such things as the Ilands do yéelde are sold very good cheape for you shall haue foure roues of wine which commeth of the Palme trée for foure rials of plate the which for lacke of that made of grapes is very good twelue haneges of Rice for eight rials of plate three hennes for one rial a whole hogge for eightéene rials a whole buffe for foure rials a deere for tâ—o rials and yet it must be both great and good foâ—re roues of suger for sixe rials a â—otiia of Oile made of Algongoli for thrée rials two baskets of saffron for two rials sixe pounds of pepper or cloues for one riall two hundred nutmegs for one rial a roue of synamum sixe for rials a kintal of iron or stéele for tenne rials thirtie dishes of very fine earth foure rials and all other things after this rate But amongst all other notable thinges that these Spaniards haue séene in those Ilands and in the kingdome of China and other places whereas they passed there is one thing which hath caused them most to maruel at and to haue it most in memory which is a trée ordinarily called Palma de Cocos but doth differ from that which beareth the dates and with great reason for that it is a plant so full of mysterie and profite that there hath come a ship vnto these Ilands and the said ship and all that was in her to be sold with ropes cords masts sailes and nailes were made of this trée and the merchandice that she brought was mantels made of the rind of the saide trée with great subtiltie and fine works Likewise all the victuals that was in the said ship for the sustentation of thirtie meÌ„ that came in her yea their water was of the same trée The merchants that came in this ship did certifie of a truth in all the Iland of Maldiuia from whence they came they haue no other sustainment but onely that which this tree yeeldeth they do make houses hereof and tyles for to couer the same the fruit doth yéeld a Meollio or curnell which is very sauory and healthfull the sauor thereof is much like to gréene hasell nuts and if you do cut the branch there whereas the Coco commeth forth is the principall fruite and euery one of them hath ordinarily a pinte of water the which is very swéet delicate al the said substance doth returne into the trunke of the tree whereas they doo bore a hole and thereat they do draw out all that water which is much and mingling it with other thinges they make thereof good wine the which is drunk in al those Ilands and in the kingdome of China Of the same water they make vineger and of the Meollio kernell aforesaid oile verie medicinall milke like vnto Almon milke hony and suger very sauorie These and many other
die but be banished for euer out of the kingdome with precise band y t they their wiues children al that should come of them should for euer liue on those Ilands that are now called Iapon which were at y t time desert without people This sentence was executed the offenders did accept the same for mercie So they were caried to y e said Ilands wheras when they saw thēselues out of their naturall countrie without any possibility euer to returne againe they ordained their cōmon wealth as a thing to last for euer directing all their lawes which were for their conseruation gouernment contrarie vnto the Chinos from whence they came But in particular they made one wherin they did prohibite for euer their descendents to haue any frindship with the Chinos did admonish them to do them all the euill that was possible which is obserued kept vnto this day inuiolable shewing thēselues their contraries in all they may euen in their apparell spéech customes for the which there is no nation so abhorred of the Chinos as is the Iapones so that they are payd their hatred with the like And although at that time the said Iapones were subiectes and tributaries vnto the king of China and so continued long time after now at this day they are not but do all harme that may be vnto those of that kingdome They haue much siluer but not so fine as that is of our Indians likewise great abundance of rice and flesh and in some parts wheate although they haue all this with many fruits and herbes other things which be their ordinary victuals yet are they not so well prouided as are their cōfines or neighbors and no default in the lande for that it is verie good and fruitefull But that the naturall people do giue themselues verie little vnto the tilling and sowing thereof for that they are more affectioned vnto the warres then vnto that and this is the reason that many times they do lack prouision and victuals which is the verie same reason that the naturall people others do report of them There be in these Ilandes thrée score sixe kingdoms or prouinces and many kings although it may be better said rulers or principals such as the Spaniardes found in the Ilands of Luzō for which cause although they be called kings yet are they not neither in their cōtractation nor rent for they haue verie little in respect of the multitude of people The king Nobunanga who died in the yeare 1583. was the most principall and greatest Lord amongst them all as well of people as of riches who was slaine by a captaine of his and punished by God by this meanes for his luciferine pride for that it did farre excéede that of Nabuchadonozor and was come vnto that point that he would haue béene worshipped for a God for the which he commanded to make a sumptuous temple and to put in it thinges that did well declare and showe his follie of the which that you may sée how farre it did extend I will declare here onely that which he did promise vnto them that did visite his temple First the rich men that came vnto the saide temple and did worshippe his picture should be more richer and those that were poore should obtaine great riches and both the one and the other that had no successors to inherite their goods should also obtaine them and also long life for to enioy the same with great peace and quietnesse The second that their life should be prolonged to 80. yeares The third that they should bee hole of all their infirmities and diseases and shall obtaine full accomplishment of all their desires with health and tranquillitie And the last he commanded that euery month they should celebrate a feast for his birth day and therein to visite his temple with certification that all those that did beléeue in him and in that which hee promised should without all doubt sée it accomplished and those which in this life were faultie and did not doo in effect his commaundement in the other they should goe the way to perdition And the better to accomplish this his will he commaunded to be put in this temple al the Idols in his kingdomes that were most worshipped such as to whom frequented most pilgrimes the which being done he presently forbad rhat not one of them all should be worshipped but he onely that was the true Fotoque and vniuersall God the author and creator of nature This foolishnesse did this proud king a little before his miserable death and many other more that I do leaue out for feare that I should be too tedious in this Itinerario There did succéed this proude king in the kingdome his sonne called Vozequixama who for that he is very yong at this day it is gouerned by a worthy captaine called Faxiuandono All men that are borne in this land are naturally inclined to warres and robberies and it is vsed ordinarily amongst themselues alwayes he that hath most power and strength doth carry away the best part and yet he doth inioy it with little securitie for that as the prouerbe saith he findeth a last for his shoo or the length of his foote is found and another commeth when he thinketh least off and carrieth away their spoile with victorie reuenging iniuries the one for the other without being requested thereunto which is the occasion that they are neuer without ciuill warres that séemeth to bée the influence of the clime of that land This and the continual exercise in armes and in robberies hath giuen them the name of warriers and do terrifie all their borderers and neighbors They vse many weapons but especially hargabusses swords and lances and are very expert in them On the firme land of China they haue done many suddaine robberies and thefts and haue gone thorough therewith at their pleasure and would haue done the like at the Ilands of Luzon vsed for the same all meanes possible but yet it fell out contrary vnto their meanings and returned their backes full euill against their wils with their hands vpon their owne heads On a time they came vnto the Illocos who with the fauour of the Spaniards whose vassals they are did desende themselues worthily that the Iapones thought it best to returne vnto their houses and to leaue their begun pretence with determination neuer to put themselues in the like perill for that they had lost many of their companie Not many yeares since there happened vnto them the like disgrace in China there went tenne thousande of them to robbe and steale and at their going on lande they did sacke a cittie with little hurt and smal resistance who with the content of that pray forgot themselues and did not preuent the harme that might chance vnto them the Chinos being offended did compasse them about in such sort that when the Iapones remembred themselues they were in
and very dangerous for ships that passe thorough it for very few times it is without stormes or some other greater danger as it happened vnto a verie great shippe in the mouth of the straight in the presence of Frier Martin Ignacio the which in verie little space was swallowed vp with the sea in it more theÌ„ thrée hundred thousand ducats in merchandice that was within her although the successe thereof our people did attribute it more vnto the iust iudgement of God than vnto the storme for that according as they were informed they had committed grieuous offences at the time when she sanke for being very nigh with his shippe in the which he went and many other more they felt not neither had any suspition of any danger From this straight to go vnto Malaca you coast alongest the sea fiue and twentie leagues all which coast is full of great mightie and thicke woods by reason whereof as also for that it is not inhabited there are many tygers elephants and mightie great lysards and other furious beastes The citie of Malaca in our pole articke is eleuated from the equinoctiall onely one degrée of ancient time it was the most principallest citie of all these kingdomes and resident therein a mightie king a Moore but after it was conquered by the Portingals who in these wars did wonderfull things of great force courage they did driue foorth all the Moores out of the same and out of all the borders and made of their Mezquita or temple which was a singular péece of worke a high church as it doth remaine vnto this day there are also thrée monasteries of religious men one of S. Dominicke an other of S. Francis and the third of the companie of Iesus or Iesuites It is a verie temperate countrie being so nigh the equinoctiall line the reason is for that euery wéeke ordinarily it rayneth thrée or foure times which is the greatest cause of health in all that countrie and thereby is made woonderfull fruitfull and with great abundance of prouision but particularly of fruites for there is great store and some sortes neuer séene in Europe amongst the which there is one y t is called in the Malaca tongue Durion and is so good that I haue heard it affirmed by manie that haue gone about the worlde that it doth excéede in sauour all others that euer they had séene or tasted it is in forme like vnto a mellon whose ryne is somewhat harde and hath vpon it little white prickes which séemeth like haire and within the fruite be partitions which be of the colour like vnto maniar blanco and of so good sauour and tast as it Some do say that haue séene it that it séemeth to be y t wherwith Adam did transgresse being carried away by the singular sauour The leaues which this trée yéeldeth are so bigge that a man may couer himselfe with one of them which mee thinketh is but coniecture or defining but there is Cannafistola for to lade fléetes very bigge and good and of a singular effect one of the notablest things in this kingdome is a maruellous trée of an admirable vertue the which putteth foorth so many rootes of so contrarie vertue that those which grow towards the orient be good against poyson agues and many infirmities that do war against humaine life those rootes that growe â—owards the west be ranke poyson in effect all cleane contrarie vnto the first So that it seemeth here to be founde two contraries in one subiect a thing which in philosophie they were woont to count impossible This citie is of great contractation for that there come thether all the kingdomes that we haue spoken of and from many other more that are nigh thereabouts but in particular a great number of great ships from the Indians Canton Chincheo and froÌ„ many other places likewise the Iapones carry thether their siluer to sell those of the kingdome of Syan carry many things very curious but especially cloues and pepper of the Iland Malucas and those of Burneo bring much sanders nutmegs and those of Iaba Pegu bring the wood of aguila and those from Cochinchina Cham bring great store of wrought silke drogges and spicerie and those of Samatra or Trapouana much golde and wrought things fine cloth of Vengalas Coromandel All these and other thinges make this citie famous and plentifull as also very much enlarged of the Portingals that go thether ordinarily euery yeare and traficke there CHAP. XXIII Of some kingdomes of the newe worlde and of particular things that haue beene seene in them and treateth of the citie and riuer of Ganies OUer against this famous citie of which so many thinges may be spoken of is that mightie kingdome and Iland of Samatra called by the ancieÌ„t cosmogrosers Trapouana which is as some say the Iland of Ophir whether y e fléet went which king Salomon sent of which there is particular mention made in the scripture in the third booke of the kings cap. 9. 10. and in the Paralipomenon cap. 9. that went returned againe ladeÌ„ with gold rich tymber for to adorne the temple of Ierusalem and of many other curious things whose memorie doth remain vnto this day amongst the naturall people although diffusedly But not so much as those that haue it out of the holy scripture neither so true This Iland is vnder the equinoctial line so that the one halfe doth extend vnto the pole artick the other halfe vnto the poole antarticke It hath in longitude 230. leagues and in latitude three score seuen leagues and is so nigh vnto Malaca that in some parts it is lesse than ten leagues In this kingdom there are many lords rulers yet he y t hath the greatest part thereof is a Moore and is called Achan it is one of the richest Ilands in al the world for y t it hath many mynes of fine golde of the which although there is a law y t they cannot take out of theÌ„ more than is necessarie yet there is great abundance carried from thence to Malaca Turkie and many other places There is gathered vpon this Iland great abundance of pepper and beniewyn of Boninas in great quantity out of whose trées whereof there is great woods there come foorth so swéet a smel that it seemeth an earthly paradice and was wont to be smelled twenty leagues at sea for which respect the ships that saile that way do come so nigh the lande as they may to haue the comfort of that smell There is also much Camphora and all kinde of spices by reason wherof there commeth vnto this kingdome to traficke many Turkes that come in ships and foystes out of the red sea Also there doth traficke thether those of the kingdom of Sunda Iaua the great and Ambayno and others that are there nigh vnto them Unto this Iland came certaine Portingals to buy and sell whereas they were