Vessels in the Port and battered the Town two days from the Ships doing great damage and killing above 500 men 8. Then sailed to Cochin the Metropolis of the Kingdom of the same Name having by the way burnt two Ships they met belonging to Calicut The King lived out of Town The Admiral sent to advertise him of his coming by a Bramen a Religious Malabar one of those who wander naked girt with Chains and daubed with Filth who if Heathens are called Iogues and if Moors Calandars this man was afterwards baptized and called Michael The King returned a favourable answer and permitted us to lade Spice It was done slowly but without interruption At Cranganor were found some Christians of St. Thomas under Armenian Bishops Two were brought to Portugal one died and the other returned Zamori of Calicut had gained the ill will of the Neighbouring Princes by his ill manner of proceeding with our men Those of Cochin and Cananor desiring an opportunity of breaking with him strove to draw the Portugues Fleet to their Ports The Governours of Coulan on the South of Cochin sent to this effect to the Admiral he returned thanks though the Offer was not accepted having already sufficient lading He left Goncalo Gil Barbosa as Factor at Cochin with others to provide lading for the next Ships should come 9. He had promised to take in some Ginger at Cananor he went thither to perform his word and shew he was not afraid to appear before Calicut he found that King well affected towards us who sent with him an Embassador he of Cochin sent two to King Emanuel with Presents and offer of a Free Trade About the middle of Ianuary the Admiral set out in order to return home On the Coast of Melinde one of the Ships was drove by bad Weather upon a Bank the men saved At Mozambique the rest were refitted and one sent to settle a Trade at the Mine of Zofala At Cabo Verde they found Peter Diaz and his Vessel which had been parted from them he had escaped many dangers by Sea and Land chiefly in Port Magadoxa near Cape Guardafu After the Admiral arrived also in Portugal Peter de Ataide who had been parted and the other sent to the discovery of Zofala with an account of it 10. In March before this Fleet returned sailed out of Lisbon four Ships with 400 men commanded by Iohn de Nova an able Seaman In eight Degrees of South Latitude he found the Island he called of the Conception Beyond the Cape of Good Hope at the place called Agoado de St. Bras they found in a Shoe a Letter writ by Peter de Ataide who Anchored there after the Storm before spoken of it gave an account of the Voyage of Peter Alvarez Cabrall In August they arrived at Mozambique then at Quiloa having found an Island which from the Commander was called of Iohn de Nova Short of Melinde they gave chase to two great Ships one was taken lightned and then burnt At length they arrived at Cananor and that King desirous they should stay there to oblige them discovered that the King of Calicut was sending against him forty great Ships This which he thought would detain them hastned their departure for Iohn de Nova lest the King should think he staid for fear sailed on towards Cochin leaving ashoar four Factors to prepare Goods against his return In the Road of Calicut they found the Fleet ready and falling on it lost never a Shot pouring it in all that day and night and part of the next there were sunk five great Vessels and nine Paraos which are small ones the rest fled to the City with the news At Cochin Nova took in his lading with speed it being provided by the Officers Cabrall had left there to that purpose He returned to Cananor and took the rest of his lading at his entrance into that Port he took a Ship of Calicut plundered and burnt it the same hapned to another as he came out In his return having passed the Cape of Good Hope he found the Island of St. Helena not inhabited it has proved since a most advantagious place to all that use the India Trade being provided with most excellent Water It lies in 15 Degrees of South Latitude distant from Goa 1549 Leagues from Mozambique 1100 from the Cape of Good Hope 520 from Angola 370 from St. George de la Mina 375 from Brazil 540. from Lisbon 1100. CHAP. VI. Conquests under King Emanuel from the Tear 1501 to the Tear 1503. 1. THE Account Peter Alvarez Cabral brought shewed it was requisite either to attempt making a great Fortune with a great Force or else to quit the attempt Some were of Opinion to desist but the credit of so great an Action prevailed and though many were lost the gain of those who returned was so great that it outweighed the consideration of the damage The King was inspired with the hope of carrying on what the Apostle St. Thomas had begun and planting the Christian Religion in those Countries and enlarging his Royal Titles by adding to them as he did those of Lord of the Navigation Conquests and Trade of Aethiopia Arabia Persia and India which were confirmed by the Pope 2. The King was sensible that to obtain a Great Name among so many so powerful and so distant Nations it was requisite to shew great Power therefore in March he set out Three Squadrons the first of ten Ships commanded by Vasco de Gama now on his Second Voyage The second of five Ships under Vincent Sodre which was to scour the Coast of Cochin and Cananor and hinder the Trade of the Ships of Meca watching the Mouth of the Red Sea The third was under Stephen de Gama but all subordinate to Vasco de Gama The whole consisted of twenty Ships and were gone before Iohn de Nova arrived The King delivered to Vasco de Gama the Flag with great Honour in the Cathedral Church giving him the Title of Admiral of the Eastern Seas With him returned the Embassadors of Cochin and Cananor much honoured by our King They met off Cabo Verde a Caravel bound for Lisbon with much Gold from the Mine Don Vasco shewed some to the Embassadors and they surprized said it did not agree with the account the Venetian Embassador in Portugal had given them that the Portugueses without the help of Venice could scarce put Ships to Sea This was envy because they were like to lose their Trade with Grand Cayre 3. The Admiral arrived the 12th of Iuly at Quiloa having lost two Ships in bad Weather He entred furiously firing all his Canon and battering the Town in revenge of the ill usage others had received from that King But he to prevent his total ruin came in a Boat to appease the Admiral offering to be subject and pay Tribute to King Emanuel Thus the Storm was converted into Joy Sailing thence he was put by the Port of Melinde and forced to
in Power would revenge the Affronts done to his Person but he carried himself with more moderation than was expected The Count thought of punishing Simon de Melo and Luis de Brito as the most guilty of the shameful loss of Ormuz Melo was fled over to the Moors and Brito in Prison this was Beheaded as was the other in Effigies 5. Gonçalo de Sequeira who was to have relieved Ormuz stayed with his Galleon at Mascate believing his Assistance necessary upon a Report that the Persians designed against that Place Hearing the Enemy fortified at Soar in Arabia he fitted out 7 Sail and coming before it expelled the Persians with much slaughter and not without loss because they defended it with more Valour than the Portuguezes had Ormuz Goncalo de Sequeyra remained there and again defeated the Enemy endeavouring to gain Mascate 8. The Dutch who had lain before the Bar of Goa being gone towards Triquilimale the Viceroy sent Constantine de Sa and Ruy Freyre with a Squadron to assist Sequeyra in the Sea of Ormuz They chased an English Ship which got away from them and returning to the Sea of Ormuz took two Ships of the Moors putting them all to the Sword 7. Three Galleots of Cochin defeated some Dutch and Pegu Ships at Paleacate D. Francis Mascarennas a Person of known Valour and Prudence was sent to Command at Macao to oppose the Hollanders and quiet the Disorders that were among the Citizens The Divisions among the Laity being made up there began others among the Clergy about the Government of that Cathedral for want of a Bishop 8. Three Ships three Galleons and two Pinks sailed from Lisbon for India One of the Ships returning home was lost at the mouth of Lisbon River the Men and some Goods saved another perished at Moçambique the third on the Island St. Helena part of her Loading being taken into the other Ships the rest fetched away from Brasil Two of the Galleons were also cast away at Moçambique and a Pink through the unskilfulness of the Pilot on the Coast of Arabia In these Vessels were 5000 Men whereof many died of Sickness besides what perished by Shipwrack 9. Now begins the Year 1624 famous for the Sufferings of Gativanda Queen of Dopoli at Xiras in Persia and Cruelty of the King Xa Abas But this having relation to the Religious of St. Augustin who laboured much in the conversion of Asia I will relate some Particulars of what they did in those Parts They resided at Ormuz where among many others the Heir of that Crown was converted and took their Habit by the Name of F. Hierome Iaete and afterwards Preached with much Zeal With him was Baptized D. Alfonso Nordim of the Blood Royal and his Sister Da. Philippa Morada 10. The Fathers preached also with success along the Skirts of Arabia Petrea When Ormuz was lost they went over to Baçora a City subject to the Turk below Babylon on the Borders of Arabia Felix with Orders from the Archbishop of Goa to endeavour chiefly the Reduction of the Armenian Schismaticks called Christians of St. Iohn in the Kingdom of Bombareca where F. Francis of the Presentation and F. Matthias an Englishman who died at Ormuz with a general Opinion of Sanctity had been before but with no success After them F. Nicholas de la Vega with the consent of the Turkish Bassa erected there a House and Chapel 11. F. Iohn de los Santos and F. Ioseph of the Presentation built a Church and Convent and many Schismaticks were reconciled to the Church The Bassa gave them Power over all the Christians Chaldeans Nestorians and Jews and many Chaldeans were Baptized Many Infidels Arabs Turks and Persians resorted to the Convent and some were converted In the City and the Neighbourhood there are about 70000 Inhabitants whereof about 5000 Christians of St. Iohn so called because they have a Tradition That their Forefathers were Baptized in the River Iordan by the Baptist. 12. The Portugueses after the loss of Ormuz setled their Trade in this City and founded a Seminary for Learning The Bassa very much countenanced the Religious and seeing a Christian Soldier in love with a Moorish Woman secured and delivered him up to them They sent him to Mascate she followed was baptized and married him He consented that a Girl should be taken from her Mother who seeing her go followed and both were reconciled to the Church 13. The first time Vespers were sung a Drum going about to gather the Christians all the Moors flocked thither in so much that the Cacizes said This was some particular Act of Divine Providence and cried The World must be at an end 14. These Religious first entred the Court of Ispahan in the time of King Sebastian afterwards 5 Armenian Bishops many Priests and a multitude of People submitted to the See of Rome The King offered the Fathers 2000 Ducats a Year which they refused lest it should be thought they went to enrich themselves not to plant Religion They were afterwards Imprisoned by the Moors ill Treated and sent to Xiras 100 Leagues distant The Governour of that Place sent them to the Convent with Fetters on their Feet and Yoaks on their Necks The Governour pretended the cause of their Imprisonment was That Ruy Freyre had secured three Moors at Ormuz and said They should be set at liberty if those were restored Brother Peter carried Advice hereof to Goa and the Moors were released 15. The Labours of these Fathers have been very succesful in Gorgistan or Georgia The first that undertook that Mission was F. William of St. Augustin who was well received by the Georgians but put to Death by the Sultan of Fabris and was buried by the Armenian Religious of the Order of St. Dominick 16. The King of Persia invading one of the Georgian Princes he sent his Mother called Gativanda to Treat with him who after giving an ambiguous Answer caused her on the way home to be apprehended and carried Prisoner to Xiras This Lady was kept in Prison 11 Years living always a most godly Life in Fasting and Penance her greatest Grief was to hear that some of the Captives of her Country wavered in the Faith 17. The Religious coming at that time to Xiras greatly comforted her The King of Persia being solicited to release Gativanda sent to advise her to turn Mahometan otherwise she must expect to endure the cruelest of Tortures She desiring a little time to recollect herself spent it in Prayer and that ended resolutely told the Officers They might fulfill their Orders They taking compassion endeavoured to perswade telling her The Torments would be insupportable and she replied The Delay was the most grievous Torture 18. Her Hands being tied the Executioners put on her Head a Copper Vessel made red hot and tore her Cheeks and Breasts with burning Pinchers Not a Sigh came from her till she was stripped to the Waste to have her Breasts cut off looking upon it more grievous
found in him such an affection to our People and Religion that he sent with him to Portugal some Sons of his Chief Men desiring they should be baptized and being made Christians returned and with them Ministers to instruct them in the Faith They were baptized at Beja where the King and Queen were Godfather and Godmother to the chief of them and he called D. Iohn his Heathen Name being Zacuta the same was done by the Nobility with the others whose Names and Sirnames they took Betwixt the Fort of St. George and Congo is the Kingdom of Benin The King hereof covetous of the advantages he saw others reap by our Trade feigned he would be converted and desired Priests for his instruction but they being sent the design was discovered and so the effect ceased but not the covetousness for those Heathens bought Christned Slaves and we with the same avarice sold them after being baptized knowing their new Masters would again make them fall into Idolatry This lasted till the Religious King Iohn the Third forbid it though to his great loss but God who gives an hundred for one to requite him ordered that another Gold Mine should be discovered below that of St. George whence much more was gathered without a Crime than had been before by that so scandalous a Trafick 4. King Iohn was informed by the Benin Embassador who came to desire the Priests should be sent them that 250 Leagues beyond them was the most powerful Prince of all those Countries called Ogane by whom the Kings of Benin for their security were confirmed receiving of him a Staff with a Head and a Cross like that of Malta all of Brass curiously wrought An Embassador went with Rich Presents to solicit these Ensigns of Royalty who never saw Ogane because he speaks from behind Curtains but at their departure shews a Foot in token that he grants their Request Our King imagined this Prince might be he that is vulgarly called Prester Iohn by comparing these Formalities with what he had heard reported of him He fitted out three Ships commanded by Bartholomew Dias he set up a Cross in 24 degrees of South Latitude 120 Leagues beyond the other Discoverers in Sierra Parda He sailed in sight of the Bay they called de los Vaqueros or of Herdsmen because of the many Cows they saw there beyond this they touched at the small Island Santa Cruz or Holy Cross so called from one he set up 25 Leagues farther they came into the mouth of a River which they called del Infante the Sirname of the second Captain who was the first that saw it Being about returning they discovered that so many Ages unknown Promontory which they called Tormentoso or Stormy because of a great Tempest they met with there but our King gave it the name of Cabo de Buena Esperança or Cape of Good Hope for the great hopes it gave of discovering the Indies There was set up the Cross St. Philip. The two first Ships coasting along met the third with only three men aboard having lost it nine Months before with nine Men in it then With meer joy of seeing the others a strange but not unheard of death one of the three died the other six had been killed by the Blacks With various fortune observing the discovered Country they arrived in their own the extent of Land till then found out being 750 Leagues 5. Whilst these Discoverers conquered the difficulties of the Seas Peter de Covillam and Alfonso de Payva travelled by Land who came first to Naples then to Rodes to Alexandria Grand Cair then with a Caravan of Moors to Toro on the Coasts of Arabia Here they parted Payva towards India and Covillam for Aethiopia having appointed a time when to meet again at Grand Cair Covillam went to Cananor Calecut and Goa famous Cities in the East passed thence to Zofala in Aethiopia then to Aden at the Mouth of the Red Sea on the side of Arabia and at last to Grand Cair where he found his Companion had died After these had been sent out two Jews Rabbi Abraham of Beja and Ioseph of Lamego Covillam sent back the latter to inform the King of his success with the other he embarqued for Ormuz where having observed what was most remarkable he left the Jew to follow the Caravans of Aleppo and returning to the Red Sea came to discover the Court of Prester Iohn who detained him there as a Spie But while he was detained travelled from Rome Luke Mark an Aethiopian Priest sent by Prester Iohn to our King This Priest's information revived the Kings hopes and desires and he was sent back with an Account of what means had been used to settle a Correspondence and Projects for the perfecting of it 6. Before Luke Mark parted from Portugal was arrived Bemoi Prince of Ialof He came with State and was received accordingly being conducted to Court by Don Francisco Coutinno Count of Marialva His strangeness did not cause so much admiration as he conceived of the Majesty and Grandeur with which the King received him under his Royal Canopy This was the cause of his coming Biran who reigned in Ialof giving himself up to all manner of Vice resigned the Kingdom to his Brother Bemoi with the reputation of delivering it to a Person in all respects worthy of the Royal-dignity But Cibitah the elder Brother envious of Bemoi's happiness kills Biran and seizing the Government makes War upon Bemoi who with the assistance of Gonzalo Coello sent by King Iohn made some resistance This relief was sent him by reason of the hopes he gave of receiving the Faith But it being suspected he only designed to make use of the Portugues assistance the Captain was ordered to leave him which was a great grief to Bemoi He gave such excuses for not being presently baptized as seemed sufficient and losing soon after a Battle he went to Portugal to seek a more favourable turn of Fortune 7. It was no small part of his Fortune to be received by so great a Prince but above all to the hopes of Eternal Happiness being soon after baptized by the name of Iohn which he took from the King who was Godfather Next day he gave him Arms Purpure a Cross Or within an Orle of Portugal He in return did homage to the King for all the Lands he should be possessed of Twenty four Gentlemen of his Retinue were baptized with him There was great rejoycing our People shewing their grandeur in such divertisements as were most in use then and Bemoi with his Retinue giving a view of their Activity in Riding Alighting and Mounting upon a Speed standing upright on the Saddle Galloping and some in their Career took up Stones off the Ground and much more worthy admiration The King furnished him with twenty Caravels well manned and armed as well to forward his Restoration as to build a Fort on the River Zanaga 8. The Province of Ialof lies between
detained by Order of the Governour and finding himself Prisoner left seven of the twelve he had brought as Hostages He complained but to no effect the faithful Moor Moncayde solliciting for him with all possible diligence Gama being abroad and finding no fair means could prevail to have his men restored having called a Council it was resolved to apply force accordingly he sent out after some Fishermen and took twenty of them Immediately he let fly his Sails making shew of departing that they might send to stay him And accordingly it succeeded for the King informed of the reason why his Subjects were taken ordered the seven Portugueses to be exchanged for them and sent the Answer for our King and excused the treachery of his People The fortunate Gama steers homeward the Moor Moncayde came voluntarily with him and some of the Prisoners by force who were not restor'd it being thought convenient to bring some to shew promising them they should return 11. As he was leaving the Sea of Calicut sixty Vessels full of Armed Men set upon and pressed him but the Cannon being well played they went off Sailing along in sight of Land he set up the Cross of St. Mary in an Island between Baranor and Baticale which thence took name with admiration of the Inhabitants This was the sixth and last he set up this Voyage they were St. Raphael in the River Bons Sinays St. George at Mozambique St. Stephen at Melinde and St. Gabriel at Calicut Whilst he was erecting the last Cross he writ a Letter to the Zamori or King of Calicut by the hand of Moncayde and sent it by a Fisherman of that place In this Letter he excuses himself for carrying away those Prisoners which he did not in satisfaction of the Merchandise taken from him but as an earnest that he would return with them when he had shewed them to his Prince and they informed him of the state of their Country and that in recompence he would bring a perfect account of Spain In this Voyage he discovered 1200 Leagues drawing a strait Line from the River del Infante found by Bartholomew Diaz to the Port of Calicut for in sailing it is much more Here he found the Island the People of Canara call Anchediva near the Continent it is small well shaded with Trees of a wholsom Air and has good Water Anche or Ange singnifies Five and Diva Islands there being so many but the Chief has carried the Name He was here careening his Ships taking water and some respite when a Pirat attacked him with eight small Vessels so linked and covered with Boughs that they looked like a small floating Island He was somewhat surprized at first sight but perceiving the danger that approached under those Leaves he attacked it and having put to flight seven took one Vessel The Name of this Pirat was Timoja we shall hear of him hereafter The Prince of Goa by means of a Jew endeavoured to draw Gama to his ruin the Jew from shoar making signs with a Cross who being taken aboard and put upon the Wrack confessed he was sent with an ill design and repenting was baptized and called Gaspar de Gama Some of the men died whilst they were sailing acroâ—…s the Great Gulph between India and the Coast of Melinde He Anchored in sight of the Town of Magadoxa which stands on an open Coast but is beautiful and strong Not far from thence came out against him eight Boats well manned but were soon repulsed He came to Melinde and was received by that King as a Friend Being again under sail the Ship St. Raphael struck and was lost leaving that Name to those Sands The men were saved by the other two Ships and they parted by a Storm near Cabo Verde Nicholas Câ—…ello arrived at Lisbon believing his Commander was there before him but he was burying his Brother Paul de Gama in the Island Tercera Soon after he came up the Tagus having been out two Years and almost two Months He carried out 160 men and returned only with 55. They were all rewarded by the King Vasco de Gama had the priviledge of being called Don annexed to his Family to his Arms was added part of the Kings he had the Title of Admiral of the Eastern Seas 3000 Ducats yearly and afterwards the Title of Count Vidigueyra Nicholas Coello was made a Fidalgo which is Noble and had a 100 Ducats a year 12. Prince Henry the First Author of thefe Discoveries had built a Chappel on the Banks of the River a League below Lisbon for the conveniency of Sailers In the same place now did King Emanuel erect a stately Church to the same intent and with the same name it had before to wit Our Lady of Bethlehem placing the Statue of the Prince over the Great Gate his own and the Queens over the lesser This is a Monastery of the Order of St. Hierom and for its security was built in the Water a strong Tower called St. Vincent not great but sightly CHAP. V. Conquests under King Emanuel from the Year 1500 till the Year 1502. 1. THere were Publick Thansgivings through the Kingdom for the good success of this Voyage to these succeeded Feasts and Joyful Entertainments And all mens expectation being raised with the glory of the Action and hope of ensuing Profit it was consulted how to prosecute what was begun and resolved that according to the disposition they had found in the People of those Countries there was more need of Force than Intreaty in order whereunto thirteen Vesses of several sizes were fitted and Peter Alvarez Cabral was named Admiral On the 8th of March the King delivered with his own hand to the Admiral the Flag of the Cross. The Shoar was covered with People who flocked to see the Fleet sail It contained 1200 Men 8 Franciscan Friers 8 Chaplains and a Chaplain Major The substance of their Instructions was to begin by Preaching and if that failed to proceed to the decision of the Sword 2. Twelve days the Fleet sailed with a fair Gale but at Cape Verde a Storm arose and one of the Vessels returned to Lisbon In 10 degrees of South Latitude they saw a Tawny People with lank Hair and flat Faces They fled from our Men till halting all together upon â—…n eminence they were spoke to in several Languages and by Signs but all in vain The Fleet passed on and Anchored upon Easter Eve in a Port they called Seguro or Safe because it proved so to them The People being affable our Men landed and set up an Altar under a Tree where there was Mass said and a Sermon preached to which those Heathens were present with wonderful attention The Admiral sent a Vessel to advertise the King of this discovery and erected a Cross on a great Tree calling the Country Santa Cruz or Holy Cross. He also left there two Portugueses to enquire into the Customs Language and Product of the Country This is that large
Province of America called Brazill for the abundance of that Wood which it produces and hither had he been drove by Storms Having left this Port on the 12th of May he saw a Comet stretching its Tail to the Cape of Good Hope which vanished in eight days and was the forerunner of a terrible Storm insomuch that the day growing dark they could not see each other or hear with the horrid noise of the Winds 20 days this Tempest lasted and swallowed four Ships The Admiral arrived with only six Ships of all his Fleet upon the 16th of Iuly on the Coast of Zofala He chased two Ships the one was stranded the other taken they belonged to Moors and came from the Mine of Zofala commanded by Xeque Foteyma The Admiral treated him courteously restoring all that was taken because he was Uncle to the King of Melinde who deserved well of the Portugueses for the kind Offices Vasco de Gama had received of him in time of need Having quitted the Moor he arrived at Mozambique on the 20th of Iuly where he refitted and held on his Voyage 3. Coasting along he came to an Anchor before the antient and noble City Quiloa Abraham a Man renowed among his People and rich with the Trade of Zofala then reigned there The Admiral sent him word he had important Affairs to communicate to him from our King The Answer was that he should come ashoar and he would hear him He replied That according to his Instructions it was not permitted him to land unless to fight such as refused the Friendship of Portugal but that in respect to such a Prince he would meet him in a Boat in the middle of that Bay This Answer was surprising and Fear wrought more than Kindness Several Boats were set out on both sides richly adorned and filled with Musick Our Commander proposed Amity Trade and Religion The Moor gave good words but disguised ill designs This known a Councel was held the Resolution was to go on leaving the Revenge for a fitter opportunity and thus they arrived at Melinde the second of August where they were received with all kindness not only upon account of the Friendship established with Vasco de Gama but also for the Generosity wherewith Xeque Foteyma had been treated They visited and presented each other Ours which was considerable was carried by the Factor Ayres Correa together with a Letter from our King writ in Arabick which was so highly prised by that King that to the end he might keep the Bearer ashoar that night he sent the Admiral the Ring whereon was his Seal the greatest security of those Kings He told how much he was infested by the King of Monbaça for having admitted our Friendship renewed and confirmed it with words and actions Soon after our Ships sailed having taken in two Guzarat Pilots and set ashoar two Men in order to discover Prester Iohn's Country the antient desire of our Princes 4. On St. Bartholomew Eve they reached Anchediva The Vessels were wash'd and tallow'd they watered and dealt with the People by signs and left them satisfied Then they stood over for Calicut and discovered it the 17th of September The Natives beheld us with Pleasure and Admiration our Cannon was fired for joy but struck a terror into the People on the Shoar who fled Ayres Correa who had this employment at Melinde went to advertise the King Zamori He setled the manner how the King and Admiral should meet which was done with much circumspection There were given as Hostages for the safety of the Admiral and such as should land with him six of the Kings principal Ministers of the Family of the Bramenes whose Names he brought from Portugal by the advice of Moncayde The Prisoners that Vasco de Gama took were also returned in performance of what he had writ to Zamori and that they might give an account of what they had seen in Portugal 5. The Embassie was delivered with much state it tending only to the settling Peace and Commerce After much delay proceeding from Jealousie Peace was concluded and sworn to and a House in the Town with much difficulty granted for the conveniency of Trade Ayres Correa took possion of it with sixty able Men. The Merchants of Meca obstructed our getting lading complaint was made to the King but no redress 6. The cause of it was the enmity between two Moorish Governours one of the Sea the other of the Land Affairs the first called Coje Bequi the other Coje Cemireci This last was offended that our Factor had made greater application to the other than to him and contrived to be revenged as follows He was informed there sailed from Cochin a City distant about 30 Leagues a very great Ship of Ceylon bound for Cambaya with Elephants who must pass before us He therefore told the Factor that the King having desired one of those Beasts was refused it by the Owners that if our Men would take the Ship they would oblige the King forward their own business and possess themselves of a great quantity of Spice which the Merchants of Meca had there His design was that we should receive damage in the attempt that Ship being of great bulk and to this purpose gave notice to the Owners that they might be the better provided and in case that did not succeed at least hereby we should disoblige the Merchants of Cochin The Admiral sent after the Ship Peter de Ataide in the St. Peter who gave her chase she made no account of our Vessel till some of our Balls reaching her she bore upon us pouring in her shot then made away and was pursued and taken out of the Bay of Cananor There were aboard seven Elephants whereof one was killed by a Cannon Ball and eaten by our men This contrivance was of advantage to discover the Author to terrifie the King seeing such a Vessel taken by one that was not above the sixth part of her bulk and to gain the Friendship of the King of Cochin for the Admiral discovering the fraud restored the Ship to the Owners making satisfaction for the damage Here it was that Duarte Pacheco Pereyra gave the first marks of that Heroick Valour which after made him renowned in all the World 7. This evil design turned to our advantage but not the next for the Ships having been there three Months there were but two laden and at a dear rate and the Factor suspecting that the Ships of Meca laded by night which hindred ours complained to the King who ordered him to make Prize of such Boats They entred and found nothing for it was a contrivance of the Moors to incense the People against the Portugueses and so it fell out for the attempt being divulged the Rabble rises in search of the Factor and his Company whereof they suddenly slew forty the others with five Franciscan Fryers escaped that Storm The Admiral before the blood of those slain was cool in a rage burnt fifteen great
ashoar for Water but on a sudden the Cannon of the Town began to do great execution upon our Ships which drew off hastily not knowing the cause of this turn till some time after they understood 2000 men sent by the King of Ormuz for the defence of the place were newly arrived and their Officers refused to stand to the Peace Albuquerque had received no small damage from the great Cannon which was plaid very smartly but landing his men at break of day he assaulted the Town so couragiously and fortunately that as our men entred in at one Gate the Moors ran out at another The Place was plundered all except the Governours House saved because he received our men friendly and gave them notice to retire when the Relief came though he was killed in the confusion not being known This done he passed to Soar all the Inhabitants whereof fled except the Governour and some of the Principal Moors who offered it up to Albuquerque and received it back to hold of King Emanuel paying the same Tribute he had given to him of Ormuz 15 Leagues farther is Orfucam where he found little to do the Inhabitants having deserted it he sent after them his Nephew Don Antonio with 100 men who having received almost equal damage to what he did the Moors being numerous and fighting for their Wives and Children returned with 22 Prisoners The Town was plundered for the space of three days during which time he prepared to enter into the Harbour of Ormuz which was the Principal End of this Voyage and to which these exploits were but a prelude being small in his esteem though to others they might appear considerable 2. The City Ormuz is seated in a little Island called Gerum at the Mouth of the Persian Gulf about 3 Leagues in compass so barren that it produces nothing but Salt and Sulphur The Buildings of the City are sumptuous it is the great Market of all Goods brought thither from the East West and North which is the reason that though it have nothing of its own it abounds in all things and is plentifully supplied from the Province Mâ—…gostam and the Islands Quixome Lareque and others About the Year 1273 King Malec Caez possessed all the Land from the Island Gerum to that of Baharem and bordered upon the King of Gordunxa of the Province of Mogastam this King subtilly obtaining of Malec the Island of Gerum as a place of no worth after he was fortified therein drove him out of all his Country And translating the City Ormuz where the King kept his Court before to this Island he grew so formidable that the King of Persia fearing he would refuse to pay the Tribute the other had done prepared to invade him But he of Gordunxa prevented him by imposing on himself a yearly Tribute and offering to do him Homage by his Embassadors every five years In this Tyrant began the City and Kingdom of Ormuz afterwards possessed by his Heirs and others for the most part violently When Albuquerque arrived there Ceyfadim a Youth of 12 years of age reigned and over him his Slave Coje Atar a man subtil and couragious Who hearing what had been done by Albuquerque made preparations laying an embargo upon all the Ships in the Harbour and hiring Troops from the Neighbouring Provinces Persians Arabians and others so that when Albuquerque came there were in the Town 30000 Fighting-men among them 4000 Persians most expert Archers and in the Harbour 400 Vessels 60 of considerable bulk with 2500 men 3. Albuquerque was not ignorant of the reception designed him but to shew those People the greatness of his Resolution he entred that Port about the end of September and came to an Anchor between five of their greatest Ships For the more terror he fired his Cannon and the Shoar was soon covered with above 8000 men Seeing no Message came from the King he sent aboard the biggest of those Ships which was of Cambaya and seemed to ride Admiral the Captain whereof presently camâ—… to and was received by him with Civility and State He told him he had Orders from his King to take him of Ormuz into his Protection and grant him leave to Trade in those Seas provided he paid a reasonable Tribute but if he refused his Orders were to make War It was doubtless no small Presumption to offer a King the liberty of his own Seas and impose Conditions upon him with that handful of 460 men against 33000 and seven Ships to 400 but the success justified these proceedings and verified those Actions which to some have appeared fabulous The Moor delivered this Message to the King and his Governour Coje Atar and presently returned one Coje Beyrame excusing their not having sent to know what we demanded in that Port and promising the Governour would come next day to treat He came not but the Messages continued only in order to gain time to sortifie the City and receive further Supplies Albuquerque saw into the drift and told Beyrame he need only return with the acceptation of Peace as offered or the declaration of War He brought answer that City used not to pay but receive Tribute Night coming on it appeared they prepared to fight by the noise of Warlike Instruments and Shouts that was heard from the Walls and Ships The Morning discovered the Walls Shoar and Vessels covered with Armed Men the Windows and tops of the Houses filled with both Sexes and all Ages as Spectators of what should ensue Albuquerque having held a Council and given necessary Orders began to play his Cannon furiously and was answered by the Enemy They taking the advantage of the Smoak which hindred the sight attacked our Ships with 130 Boats well manned which did some damage with Showers of Arrows but received more many being sunk and the rest forced to retire by our Artillery Yet they made a second onset but were so received that the Sea was coloured with Blood By this time Albuquerque had sunk two of the great Ships and taken a third though with great opposition forcing the Moors to leap into thâ—… Sea The mean time the other Captains had mastered other Ships and perceiving themselves victorious ran along the Shoar and set fire to above 30 Ships which cutting their Cables were drove flaming upon the Persian Coast where they burnt others that lay aground This struck so great a terror into all that multitude that they fled to the shelter of the City and Coje Atar sent to offer all that Albuquerque had demanded He stopt further proceedings but perceiving the deceitfulness of the Moor threatned a greater effect of his Anger in case he persisted in his Wiles And comparing the damage found that with the loss of 10 men most of the Enemies Vessels with vast Riches were either sunk burnt or torn to pieces and 1700 of them killed The dead Bodies floating upon the Water many were seen with Ornaments of beaten Gold which our men fished for and
Xeraphins they were ready to pay it but would not consent to build the Fort. He therefore resolved again to besiege the Island and ordered Martin Coello with his Ship to guard the Point Turumbaca where the Wells are Iames de Melo he posted opposite to the Island Queixome he and Francis de Tavora lay before the City Thence he viewthe growth of the Fort for Coje Atar had finished it making use of what the Portugueses had began the better to oppose them The success was much the same as the other time but he was in great danger himself and Diego de Melo with 8 private men being killed he returned to India having taken a Ship that carried much Pearl from Baharem and Francis de Tavora took one of Meca 3. The Viceroy having sent Albuquerque to Cochin and dispatched the Trading Ships homeward-bound under Fernando Soarez and Ruy de Cunna who perished by the way and ordered other lesser matters he sailed on the 12th of December from Cananor towards Diu in pursuit of Mir Hozem He had with him 19 Vessels of several sizes and in them 1600 Souldiers and Seamen whereof 400 were Malabares All India was alarmed at this motion of the Viceroy but chiefly Zamori and Melique Az who had used all necessary precautions to secure himself against this danger The Viceroy being landed with his Officers in the delightful Island Anchediva made to them a grave and learned Speech touching upon the great Actions performed and reflecting upon the damage received from the Turks shewed how much they were obliged to God their King and Country to revenge that defect and the death of his Son with many more circumstances and concluded that the more to terrifie the Enemy it were convenient first to fall upon the City Dabul their Neighbour All that were present unanimously approved of his resolution 4. The City Dabul is one of the most noted of that Coast by reason of its Situation Greatness and Trade seated on a Navigable River 2 Leagues from the Mouth The Buildings were then stately the Inhabitants Pagans and Moors It is on the Boders of the Kingdom of Decan subject to Sabayo the King and was then held by a Governour of his with a good Garrison being in fear of our Power Upon notice of our approach 6000 men were sent in new Works raised and much Artillery planted The Viceroy appearing before it the Inhabitants though well provided began to send away their Goods the Governour forbid it upon pain of death and the more to encourage the People brought into the Town his own Wife who was in a Country House this example was followed by many of the Principal Men whose Wives were abroad in the Country On the 30th of December our Fleet entred the Port. The Viceroy ordered Peter Barreto to post himself among the Ships that were in the Harbour and following close endeavoured to be the first that landed but every one being inflamed with the same desire it was all confusion leaping over one another so that all or none was first of the Viceroy's Boat the first were Fernando Perez de Andrade and Iohn Gomez The Works being high the Shot flew over our Men. Our Cannon plaid not on the Enemy because our Men were under it The Portugueses having gained the Shoar divided themselves in order at once to attack three Gates which the Moors perceiving made so brave a resistance at all three that the dead Bodies caused a greater stop than the living Defendants or their Works The Place was narrow and the Confusion great ' every one thronging for fear of being last The Viceroy cleared all by sending Nunno Vaz Pereyra to gain entrance another way who after a hot dispute though the Moors came on in great numbers put them to flight some retiring to a Mosque others flying to the Mountain The Commander of the Enemies did all he could to hinder their flight seeing only ten Portugueses pursue a Multitude who through hast falling over each other retarded their own escape The Fight lasted about five hours in which time with the loss of 16 Portugueses were killed 1500 Enemies all hand to hand for the Cannon on neither side was plaid The Viceroy remained that Night in the Mosque he distributed his men about the Town with Orders to keep Guard George de Melo and his Company stood all Night at their Arms expecting the Enemy that fled to the Mountain would return Nor was he deceived for they by the favour of the Night stole into the Town hoping to recover their Wives Children and Goods Little was done till Morning when the Viceroy gave leave to Plunder which was hindred by the sudden firing of the Town so that in few hours it was only a heap of Ashes and therefore the Booty exceeded not 150000 Ducats It was afterwards known that the Viceroy was the cause of that Conflagration fearing the men taken up with those Riches might retard his other Design The Ships in the Harbour had the same end with no small confusion among ours scarce able to endure the Flames so near them The Viceroy had laid in no great store of Provisions not doubting to get enough along that Coast but very little was found here where most was expected the furious Flames perhaps fiercer than expected having devoured all He thought to remedy this by sending to the Neighbouring Villages but to no effect because all was destroyed by multitudes of Locusts whereof they found many kept in Pots that were Food to the Natives which some Portugueses tasting found pleasing to the Pallate not unlike our Shrimps which made them conclude these were Shrimps of the Land as the others of the Sea So in some places particularly the Vineyards about Rome are found Crabs not unlike those of the Sea So that if those Creatures came not so numerous as to destroy the Harvest they might be coveted as Food not dreaded as a Plague Such were the Locusts the Scripture mentions the Baptist fed on in the Desert 5. The Viceroy parted from Dabul without Provisions hoping to get them along the Coast. Payo de Sousa run up a River in his Gally having seen some Cattle upon the Shoar and hoping to take some of it the Owners opposed and killed him and George Guedez Iames Mendez succeeded in the Command of the Gally and met another passing from Diu to Dabul this was well manned and commanded by a Couragious and Expert Turk who no sooner discovered our Gally but keeping his men close so that only they that rowed were in sight he drew on Iames Mendez to board him without suspecting any danger when immediately the Turks that were hid rushing out had almost gained our Gally but our men recovering themselves gained their Gally with the death of all the Turks without losing one of ours The Chief Prize was a Noble Beautiful Hungarian Young Woman who was brought to the Viceroy and by him given to Gaspar de la India who gave her to Iames
Neck and the Head is that Sea which lies out between Cape Guardafu and Cape Fartaque and the Point of the Tail reaches to the Town of Suez it lies N. N. W. and S. S. E. The length of it 350 Leagues the breadth where widest 40. The Channel is in the middle and has Water enough to carry the greatest Ships but the sides arâ—… shoal full of little Islands and Banks of Sand. No River of any note falls into it By the Moors it is called Bahar Corzu that is closed in by others the Sea of Meca by us the Red Sea from the Colour it takes of the Bottom as was experienced by the Viceroy Don Iohn de Castro who caused to be taken up in some places a matter Red like Corral in others Green and in others White and in each the Water seemed of that Colour but the most is Red and the Water taken up is as clear as any other There are some fisheries of small Pearl in many parts of this Sea it abounds not in Fish The Mouth lies between 12 and 13 degrees of North Latitude and is as it were locked up by seven small Islands the greatest called Mehun and Perantonomasiam Island From the Mouth of the streight till Suez along the Coast of Arabia for the first 44 Leagues are some Ports of small note till we come to the Island Camaran subject to King of Aden Thence to Gezan a great Town 60 Leagues where are seven considerable Ports From Gezan to Imbo 130 Leagues all the Dominion of Meca wherein are good Towns and Ports among which Ziden a famous Town then Ioda much known and Meca 15 Leagues up the Country 60 Leagues from Imbo is Toro where it is said the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea which is here 3 Leagues over hence to Suez 40 Leagues and there ends the Coast of Arabia Let us now return from Suez to the streight where we began running along the opposite Coast of Egypt and Ethiopia 20 Leagues from Suez is Grand Cayr the vast Metropolis of Egypt but it lies upon the Nile not the Red Sea 45 Leagues from it to Alcozer thence 135 in which space are many Ports to the City Zuanquem 70 Leagues farther Mazua in a small Island as is the other and opposite to it Arquico hence 85 Leagues to the Mouth of the Sea Behind a ridge of Mountains that runs along this Coast lies the Empire of Prester Iohn which has always preserved Christianity after their manner and has of late been much supported therein by the Portugues Arms. 2. Albuquerque sailing along this Sea arrived at the Island Camaran abandoned by its Inhabitants for fear of his coming Here he took four Ships richly laden one belonging the Soldan of Cayr two more he had taken by the way From this Island he visited others and now appeared in the Sky visibly to all a Red Crols very bright seeming to be about a Fadom athwart and of a proportionable length They all knelt and Albuquerque made a devout Prayer and the Vision was Celebrated with Joy and sound of Musick and Cannon till by degrees it was covered by a bright Cloud He returned to Camaran designing to winter there the Wind having failed him to sail to Ioda as he had designed 3. Here they suffered extreamly by Famine and after many died by sickness caused by the ill Food Albuquerque parted hence when the Weather would permit which was in Iuly resolving to appear again before Aden He touched at the Island Mehun at the Mouth of the Streight and called it Vera Cruz because he erected there a very high Cross on an Eminence He dispatched two Ships to discover the City Zeyla where they burnt two Vessels in the Harbour and joyned him again at Aden 4. Albuquerque found this City newly fortified The Cannon on both sides was plaid with almost equal damage Nothing considerable was performed but some Ships taken and burnt and then sailed for India 5. About the middle of August he anchored off of Diu the Lord of it Melique Az more out of Fear than affection sent him some Provisions and a courteous Message Albuquerque knowing him dealt cautiously and demanded leave to raise a Fort there he excused himself with the King of Cambaya at the same time advising him to deny it if asked However it was agreed a Factor and some others should be left there to settle Trade and at parting Melique treated Albuquerque with such civility and cunning that he after said he had not seen a more perfect Courtier or fitter to deceive and at the same time please an understanding man Afterwards leave was obtained of the King of Cambaya to raise a Fort at Diu upon condition he might build another at Malaca and other reasonable Proposals which were admitted 6. Now arrived in India two Ships from Portugal a third being cast away but the men saved and taken up by the others at Melinde the Captain of her was after lost in a Boat Albuquerque went to Goa and sent his Nephew Noronha to dispatch these two and three other Ships homewards These Ships carried an Embassador from Zamori to King Emanuel he being now in amity with us and having permitted a Fort to be erected where it was desired They carried also the offers of several Princes and many Captives taken in War as Testimonies of what he had acted There went also a Portugues Jew an Inhabitant of Ierusalem sent by the Guardian of the Franciscans there to acquaint Albuquerque that the Soldan of Cayr threatned the destruction of all the Holy Places CHAP. IX A Continuation of the Conquests the Year 1513 till the Year 1514 the same King Reigning in Portugal and the same Governour Ruling India 1. THat Powerful Native of Iava Pate Quitir who had been honoured and preferred at Malaca by Albuquerque and at the time of his departure was in Rebellion improved his absence to carry on his Treason One Night he killed a Captain of ours and took some Cannon and fortified himself therewith and with what he had before and 6000 Men and two Elephants Ferdinando Perez and Alfonso Pessoa with 320 Men attacked him one by Land the other by Water after a vigorous defence many of his men being slain he fled to the Woods In his Fort was found much Artillery Ammunition and other Riches and all that part where he lived was burnt to the ground 2. Pate Quitir having received succour from Iava and King Mahomet who lost Malaca begins to raise another Fort in a convenienâ—… place appearing Powerful by Sea and Land in hopes to usurp the Dominion of the City Ferdinando Perez went again to oppose him but though he fought with the same resolution had not the same success as before being forced to retire with loss of three Captains and four private men Lacsamana a Commander of King Mahomet now enters the River with many Men and much Cannon in several Vessels Ferdinando Perez goes to meet him with three
Four thousand Men that were killed he set sail firing the Ships that were to spare by the loss of those Men. This great Success cost us but three Portugueses 8. The Commander D. Leonis bestow'd not only Praises but Money and Jewels on all that had signaliz'd themselves to the value of 15000 Crowns The Viceroy receiving advice of the danger the City was in sent to its relief Iohn de Silva Pereyra with Men and Ammunition in seven Ships but he came when the Siege was raised So the King of Ujantana our Neighbour with sixty Sail who visited our Captain in the Fort and was received with Royal Magnificence rejoycing at our Success not without trouble that he had no share in it 9. The Viceroy offended at the Insolence of the Natives of the Island Salsete who persecuted the new converted Christians fitted out a Fleet against them without letting his design be known When those of Salâ—…te least thought of it he fell upon them and destroyed 200 of their Idolatrous Temples Because we have sometimes mentioned this Island without speaking of an ancient and wonderful Structure that is in it it will not be amiss to say something of it here 10. In this Island is a high Mountain winding about which are 3000 Cells with each of them a Cistern all cut out of the solid Rock Under the same Mountain is a way cut through the same Rock with such Cells on the sides which is said to go as far as Cambaya which if so must run under the Sea F. Antony de Porto a Franciscan resolving to enquire into this Secret got Company Provision Torches and great quantity of strong Packthread and fastning an end at the Mouth of the way travelled seven days through it Then finding no end and the Provision growing short he returned by the help of the Thread having as he believed travelled fifty Leagues to his great admiration but not satisfied The Gentils said this was the Work of Bimilamansa who 〈◊〉 300 Years before was King of all that is between Bengala and the Mogol's Country Formerly a Learned Man of those Parts affirm'd this and some others were the Works of the holy Prince Iosaphat 11. The Affairs of the Molucos were not at all successful We left Gonâ—…alo Pereyra Marramaque on his Voyage to Amboyna he joined with the Kings of Bacham and 〈◊〉 set out for the Island Cebu where some Spaniards had settled under the Command of Michael Lopez de Lagaspa à Biscainer and a Man so valiant and subtle that he amuzed our Captain till he got together his Men that were dispersed and then expelled him the Island with shame for that if attacked at first the Spaniard had been utterly defeated To add to this Misfortune he lost almost Three hundred Men by a Sickness natural to that Country 12. Hence he passed to Amboina or Ito for it is called by both Names a most beautiful and pleasant Island abounding in Fish Flesh and Fruit of all sorts and delicious taste It is inhabited by two sorts of people the Ulimas who are native Mahometans and have three Towns the Ulensivas are Heathens and have four Our Captain found the Natives assisted by Six hundred of the Islanders of Iava and well fortified under the Command of Gemiro Governour of those Islands He attacked them with such peril and was so vigorously opposed he seemed rather to fight for Life than Victory 13. At length the Portugueses prevailing were in danger of being overcome by their great Disorder in plundering The Captain rectified all by firing the Booty and many of the Men were scorched whose Covetousness overcame the fear of the Flames The Enemy retired to a Mountain and there compounded only for Life laying down their Arms. But the People of Amboina having been the first among those Islands who admitted the Portugueses offering Subjection to our Crown Lands and leave to erect a Pillar in their Metropolis with the Royal Arms of Portugal and finally embracing our Religion and contracting Marriages with us it will be convenient to look a little back in order to proceed in the relation of these Affairs and particularly of one wonderful Passage that may serve as an Example to such as pretend to Plant Colonies CHAP. IV. The End of the Government of the Viceroy D. Anton. de Noronna 1. THEY who know with what kindness the People of Amboina at first received us will be earnest to understand the Cause why now they are become our mortal Enemies The worst is they had so just a Cause which was thus The People of Curon I suppose this should be Ceram became implacable Enemies to those of Amboina on no other account but that they received the Portugueses admitted their Religion and contracted Marriages with them Hereupon they resolved to expel not only the Portugueses but even the Natives out of the Island accordingly on a sudden came uponthem with a great Power Those of Amboina had been ruin'd but that the Portugues stood by them and to be short utterly defeated their Enemies 2. The People of Amboina to shew their Gratitude to those who had defended them invited them to a splendid Entertainment The Wives of those who made the Feast came abroad to see the Portugueses entertain'd One of these doubtless he was drunk was so charmed with the Beauty of one of those Women or so blinded with Lust that leaping suddenly from his Seat he catched her in his Arms with such insolence after being three times admonished without desisting that if Genulius a Man of great Authority had not interposed the Portugueses had there been all cut to pieces And well they had deserved it for it appears they did not hinder or obstruct so insolent and publick a lustful Extravagancy which openly in the sight of the World durst force a Hand to those Parts which even with consent are not touched but in private and without Witnesses 3. Those People burned with the desire of Revenge for the affront they had receiv'd and look'd upon as most hainous Nor could Genulius appease them but by expelling the impudent Guests which he desir'd as much as any looking upon himself equally concerned in that Injury and knowing it was a new offence every time the injured saw him that gave the wrong he therefore reproaching them with the hainousness of the Crime and shewing how greatly they were favour'd in having their Lives spared ordered them instantly to depart the Island and never more presume to set their feet upon it 4. The People overturning the Tables with furious Countenances gave them to understand they would by force execute what Genulius had directed if the Portugueses doubted doing of it by fair means There was nothing to do but submit so they went away to their Ships full of shame their general Confusion paying for the Impudence of one in which all had a share because none reproved it 5. Scarce had the Portugueses left the Shore when those of Amboina prescribed
to the Governor and be seated on a Chair without a Back He was the first also sent by King Sebastian after he was out of his Minority 2. With him went five Ships with a great number of Men and great part of them of Note He arrived at Goa in October and was received in the City with a general Satisfaction of all Men. Though he found the number of Shiping but small yet in few days he set out so many Sail as caused admiration and good Squadrons were sent to several Expeditions 3. Luis de Melo de Sylva went in February with thirteen Sail to relieve D. Leonis de Pereyra at Malaca the News of his Success not being yet come to Goa Alfonso Pereyra de la Cerda sailed towards the North with six in November And Martin Alfonso de Miranda with thirty six to scour the Coast of Malabar infested with Pyrats The Natives were oâ—… with a considerable Strength and lost five great Vessels many Men and much Ammunition but Martin being wounded with a Cannon Ball was carried to Cochin and died there D. George de Meneses set out with two Gallies and five small Vessels to seek the Pyrate Canatale whom he found not but discovering many Vessels in the River Carapatan he made to them and came up himself with a Gally in which 180 Mores fought so desperately that none being left alive but a Father and Son the former killed the latter and stabbing himself leap'd over-board 4. Ayrez Tellez de Meneses set out with seven Sail and D. Paul de Lima Pereyra with eight for the North. In the River Banda near Goa he found four Catures or Barges of Malabares who after losing many Men escaped Then he held on his Voyage which was to relieve Rostumecan besieged by the Mogols in Baroche which place he had Usurped laying hold of the Confusions of Cambaya since the Death of the King Badur in the Sea of Diu. Itimican now held that Government in his Hands by great Subtilty and Artifice having perswaded the Guzarates that a young Man his own Son was the last King's and therefore he secured that Crown in him for himself 5. Whilst Ayrez Tellez sailed D. Peter de Almeyda Commander of Damam went to Suratte to call to an account Agaluchem Lord of that Town by the same Title as Rostumecan for loading two great Ships without the Viceroy's leave the Ships were taken and valued above 100000 Duccats As Almeyda had done Tellez began to play his part which was to force the Mogols from Baroche He performed it effectually But Rostumecan being out of danger forgot his Promise to the Viceroy which was to become Tributary to us So easie it is to make promises in danger and to break them when delivered 6. D. Iames de Meneses on the Coast of Malabar did such Execution that Zamori was not in a condition to relieve Agaluchem who sent from Zuratte to beg his assistance being distressed by Nunno Vello Pereyra who was come from Damam to clear the Bay of Cambaya of Enemies He burnt two Villages and some Vessels and brought away many Prisoners Then with 400 Men he pursued a Body of Mogâ—…ls who were fled to a Mountain called Parnel almost impregnable by Art and Nature and three Leagues distant from Damam Nunno neither knew the strength of the place nor number of the Enemies who were above 800 and so began to Mount that difficult ascent whence great Stones were rowled down to hiâ—…der the Passage But the Souldiers climing upon Hands and Feet reached the first Intrenchment which after a vigorous opposition was entred Then they assaulted the Fort where both Parties fought desperately In some places they came so near as to lay hold of one another's Weapons Antony de Foâ—…seca was lifted up by his Lance which some of the Mogols held and he never quitted it but laughed Being afterwards asked what he laughed at he said To think the Barbarians believed they could get the Lance out of my hands At length they let him fall Nunno Vello seeing he strove in vain retired after losing seven Men having killed above thirty of the Enemy and taken much Provision fifty Horses some Camels and Oxen with which he drew off not without danger being pursued by 500 of the Enemy whereof 100 where Horse 7. He consulted this Affair with Alvarâ—… Perez de Tavora who had the Command of Damam the result was that Nunno marched with 100 Portugues and 50 Morish Horse 650 Foot half Portugues half Mores They went up the Mountain with great Labour through ways never before trod carrying three pieces of Cannon They met with considerable opposition five Cannon playing upon them from the Fort and some Horse breaking out of the Woods so they lost eight Men six killed and two taken Three days were spent in climing the Mountain being got to the top Nunno planted his Cannon and batter'd the Work with such fury that the Enemy the sixth Night abandoned it The Fort was razed 8. The great importance of the impregnable Fort of Azarim moved the Kings of Coles and Sarcetas to attempt the gaining of it They entred the Country of Bacaim in which it is and after doing great harm set down before it but Andrew de Villalobâ—… who commanded there bravely defended it till the Viceroy sent Relief Being then Eight hundred strong they fell upon the two Kings and not only forced them from the Siege but following into their Countries put all to Fire and Sword and returned Victorious The Viceroy now sent out D. Roderick de Sousa with six Ships from Cambaya Peter Lopez Rabelo and Giles de Goes with two Ships and three Galleons for Aden D. Iames de Meneses with twelve Gallies and thirty small Vessels for Malabar Peter de Silva de Meneses with thirteen Sail for Braçalor Braçalor is a new Fort between Goa and Malabar upon the Mouth of a River The Viceroy offended at the King of Tolar designed to possess himself of it and agreed with him that commanded to betray it Peter de Silva going to take possession of it by the way entred the River Sanguise which runs through the Lands of Hidalen where he burnt two Towns and some Vessels The Commander of Braçalor according to promise delivered up the Fort by Night and our Men falling upon the Town killed and took above Two hundred of the Inhabitants The Kings of Tolar and Cambolim came up that Night with 1500 Men and the next with 5000 in a hot Engagement they lost many Men and we five The place not being judged tenable was quitted with Honour bringing away twenty Cannon and a great quantity of Ammunition and Arms. 9. Mem Lopez Carrasco sailing for Sunda with only one Ship and only forty fighting Men in it passed in sight of the Port of Achem at such time as that King in person was setting out against Malaca with 20 Gallies as many Galleons and 160 other Vessels Carrasco finding it impossible to
like manner was put to flight above Six thousand Cafres were slain and two of our Men and the Governor was sorced to alight and lead his Men the City was entered without opposition being abandoned our Men entrench'd and in the Morning discovered an Army as great as both the former the Cafres were again routed and beg'd peace in the King's name The Governor received the Messenger with such Majesty that he was astonished and could not speak being come to himself and having delivered his Message Barreto promised he would see the King and mat ters should be adjusted 5. The next Day our Men marched and incamped in a convenient place where Embassadors came from the King to treat of Peace It happened one of our Camels broke loose and came so near the Governor that he stoped him till they came up that were in pursuit of him â—…e Cafres having never seen such a Beast admired it stopped at the Governor thinking it some submission it made to him and began to ask some questions He making his advantage of their ignorance told them he had many of those Beasts that only fed upon Man's flesh and having devoured all that were killed that Beast came from the rest to desire he would not make Peace because they would come to want Food they astonished hereat earnestly intreated him he would desire the Camels to be satisfied with good Beef and they would instantly bring them a great number He granted their request and marched on He was in great distress for Provision when news came his presence was required at Mocambique He gave the Command of the Forces to Vasco and departedâ—… The cause was this 6. Antony Pereyra Brandam who at the Molucos had committed Crimes that deserved the severest punishment in Portugal was condemned to banishment into Africk he desired the Governor he might be permitted to go with him to Monomotapa he did it and being come to Moçambique gave him the Command of that Fort. Brandam though Eighty Years of Age and under such obligations resolved to secure himself in the Fort and defame Francis Barreto with false informations sent to the King the Original Papers fell into the Governor's Hands who being come to Moçambique showed them to him and he falling down and kissing his Feet begg'd Pardon Barreto lifted up and forgave him then giving the Command of the Fort to Laurence Godino returned to prosecute his design 7. Our Governor being come to the Fort of Sena F. Monclaros came out in a great rage to tell him he should desist from that Conquest with which he had imposed upon the King that no more Men might be lost for he should be answerable to God for what had and should die It was most certain Barreto was not the promoter of that Conquest and Monclaros was in fault for all the miscarriage that had been committed Barreto took this insolence so much to Heart that he died within two Days without any other Sickness breathing out his Soul in sighs Doubtless the Jesuit had more to answer for his death than he for the miscarriages the Jesuit was guilty of 8. King Sebastian much resented this loss and particularly expressed it by the honourable Reception he made to his Body when brought to Lisbon So this great Man having escaped so many Bullets among the Indians so many Darts and Arrows among the Cafres and the Malice of a Villain fell by the Words of a religious Man CHAP. XVII The Government of Vasco Fernandez Homem in Monomotapa in the Reign of King Sebastian 1. THE Governor Francis Barreto being dead an order of the King 's found among his Papers was opened by which Vasco Fernândez Homem his Major was appointed to succeed him The Perswasions of F. Monclaros who now disliked the Conquest so far prevailed with him that forgetting his Duty he returned to Moçambique There some understanding Persons and chiefly Francis Pinto Pimentel his Kinsman represented this Affair in such manner to him that he returned to Monomotapa Being now delivered of that religious Man who went away to Portugal he set out by the way of Zofala as Francis Barreto would have done that being the properest Road for the Design in hand He marched directly towards the Mines of Manchica of the Kingdom Chicanga bordering by the Inland with that of Quiteyve the next in Power to Monomotapa With him was the same number of Men and sorts of Instruments his Predecessor had To oblige the King of Quiteyve he Complemented and sent him Presents and tho' these are the most efficacious means to make all things easie that Prince grew so jealous of these Solicitations that he received all very coldly 2. The Governor not making much account of his Answer marched into his Kingdom Several Bodies of Cafres attempted to stop his Passage but were routed with great slaughter The King seeing he did not prevail by force of Arms had recourse to Policy He caused all the People and Provisions to be withdrawn from the Towns and Country so that our Men suffered extream want till they came to Zimbaoe his Court whence he was fled and had fortified himself in inaccessible Mountains Vasco burnt the City and marched on to Chicanga the King whereof rather through fear than love received him with exterior signs of Affection and gave him free passage to the Mines Our Men marched to them many believing they should gather Gold by handfuls but seeing the Natives with much difficulty gather'd but little in a long time and not being expert at that work and that to make any thing of it more Men and Materials were requisite they return'd the way they came and parted Friends with that King 3. Though they obtained not what was sought this way yet the ease wherewith they came to the place designed evinced how great an Error it was to impose F. Monclaros as Director to the late Governor who only to follow his own extravagant Humour lead him a way so dangerous and tedious Vasco returned to Quiteyve and that King did now for fear what he refused before permitting the Portugueses to march to the Mines of Maninnas only upon condition they should pay him Twenty Crowns yearly Vasco passed thence to the Kingdom of Chicova bordering upon Monomotapa to the Norward along the Inland The cause of undertaking this March was the Account he had of rich Silver Mines Having encamped he ask the Cafres for the Mines and they seeing it was in vain to resist and fearing the discovery of the Mines would be their Ruine scattering some Ore far enough from the Mines shewed it telling them there they were 4. By this means the Cafres got time to escape for our Men giving credit to them let them go perhaps not desiring they should see what Treasure they got The Governor caused all round about to be dug and after much labour it was no wonder he did not find what was not there Provision growing scarce and finding no Fruit of his Labour he
sort of Buskins so streight the Foot never goes to the bottom and so they drag them The meanest sort of all wear Cow Hides either with or without the Hair dressed as soft as any Cloath 6. The Women of great Quality as the Oisoros that are of the Blood-Royal and others wear Shifts of Silk or rich Indian Linnen they cover the whole Body very close at the Wrist but the rest of the sleeve so wide it hangs down to the ground They use Bracelets of Gold and Silver Necklaces of Glass of several Colours from the Shoulders downwards they are covered with silk Veils of several Colours or white as the Men and they let them fall like them when they make Reverence they put nothing on their Heads their Hair hanging in many breadths or loose and divided fastned to the Skin ointed with Butter the ends are knotted Men and Women to avoid discomposing this so tedious dress when they sleep rest their Neck upon sticks so framed that the Head lies hollow They always carry Bodkins of Ivory Ebony or other things well wrought to scratch themselves with and are always stuck in the Hair 7. Round their Eyes and Lips they lay Colour makes them rather blew than black The Brides on the Marriage-day die their Hands blacker than they are naturally for as among us whiteness is beauty so blackness among them They wear Rings on their fingers on the little one they let the Nail grow so long it exceeds all the â—…ther fingers in their Ears great Rings of Gold or Silver 8. Their Weapons are Firelocks which they have from the Turks Darts of several sorts Maces Slings Swords Hangers Poiniards and for the defensive Coats of Mail Helmets and Bucklers of Bufalo and Sea-Horses Skins The warlike Instruments Trumpets and Kettle-drums the Musical Tabors great and lesser Guitars the first of five the others of three strings 9. They love Feasting and make more account of the Wine than the Meat the Tables round for Table-cloaths Cakes of Bread of several sorts of Grain generally three cover the Table and sometimes one Their Food much the same as ours When they wash their hands every one wipes on the Cloath he wears and when they eat on a piece of Bread The greatest Dainty without which the Feast is not compleat is Beef just killed and eaten raw and for the more delicacy instead of Mustard dipped in the Excrement of a certain Gut of the same Beast The Desert is parched Pease and other Grain Whilst they eat they drink little or nothing but as soon as dinner is done they go to another place to drink in which they spend more time than in the former The drink is Sava or Beer and that Liquor of Honey before-mentioned They drink and talk till being hot-headed they go out brandishing their Swords and promising to kill all the Master of the Feast 's Enemies The Feast is esteemed most splendid whence most come out drunk The Women go to Feasts with their Husbands and the Oisoros without them if they please 10. The Sons of Women of the Blood-Royal that is those Oisoros can never inherit the Crown nor they marry with Men of the Family though removed a hundred Degrees In this they agree with the Chineses All Men descended from the Male-Line can pretend to the Crown and he that is descended from a King that Reigned 200 Years ago has as good a Claim as the Son of the last The Oisoros Women pay no Reverence to any Body not to their own Husbands In this particular we have many Oisoros among us 11. There can be no fix'd Callendar of their Festivals for they are many according to every Man's Fancy those universally received are Saturday and Sunday in every week six days of every month one of the most holy Trinity another of our Saviour one of Our Blessed Lady one of St. Michael one of the Apostles and one of a Saint they call Guebramanisascodust Easter they keep fifteen days all the Festivals of the Year they observe according to the old Stile on the Feast of the Epiphany they also celebrate the Baptism of Christ and Men and Women repeat their Baptism in some River or Pool 12. They add more Days to the Lent than we do to make up the forty because the Saturdays as well as Sundays are kept holy Their way of Fasting is only to eat after Sun setting till the rising Throughout the Year they fast Wednesdays and Fridays They dreâ—…s their Herbs with Oil of Nuga having none of Olives and have little Fish which must be such as has Scales for in most things they retain somewhat of the Jewish Customs 13. The Weddings are celebrated with Trumpets Tabors and Dancing Some live together upon promise of Marriage if they have any Children The Women are common to the Husband's Brothers and Relations and the nearer of kin the more free to this beastliness If the Wife knows the Husband has to do with another Woman she recovers of her forty of every Creature she has upon the ground as Forty Cows Sheep Goats or any other thing and if she will the Husband is fined for her use many Cloaths which are delivered to her for the Wives have their Goods apart Adultery is not punished with death 14. In their Funerals they use the same Musick and Dancing as in the Weddings to signifie it is the same thing to die as to be born All the difference is the People that follow the Corps wear white Ribbands tied about their Foreheads and go without Priest or Cross. Instead thereof they carry the dead Man's richest Goods before him It is a great token of Grief to shave their Heads at the Death of their Kings all men are obliged to it but yet a greater to accompany the Corps naked from the Wast upwards 15. Their Mourning is a black Cloath died in a certain sort of mud for they have no other dying If a Man be found dead and the Murderer not known the Country is fined to make satisfaction to the Relations The same if any Cattle be lost the Country People are obliged to maintain the Viceroys and other People when they travel When two meet after a long absence their salutation is kissing commonly the Mouth sometimes the Cheek or Shoulder The Women neither spin nor soe the Husbands mend the Cloaths the Poorest Woman would be ashamed to wash her own Cloaths the Men do it and the Women bring the Water 16. They have many Churches I will say somewhat of the chiefest that of Acçum is the principal of all Ethiopia for its antiquity and because the Emperors must be Crowned in it and no other It stands in the middle of one of their greatest Towns Near Acçum are the Caves where the Holy King Cabeb and his Son did pennance They are buried in the Church of St. Pantalion which stands on the top of a high Mountain Pantalion was one of the 9 Saints they say went from Rome to
transparent From letters they proceed to composition such as are approved of are Printed every 3 Years and learners study them There are no Universities every Master reaches all that is requisite for a man to know as well in learning as manners and behaviour The Disciples of quality never go any where without the Master there are many Schools for the common sort but no Master can take more Schollars than he can teach himself for he is not to trust to another Their Days of recreation are the first 15 in the Year and some others but few in the 5th and 7th Moon The Masters that serve in great Houses Eat at their patrons Table 2. They have large and stately Halls richly adorned where they examine students whereof there are great numbers in every City and Town but chiefly in the Metropolis of Provinces where they take their Degrees These buildings for the most part are all of the same form some bigger than others but all large the greatest of our Pallaces is not equal to the least of them in every one is an infinite number of little rooms where such as are to be examined compose each by himself with a Soldier to attend him that the more learned may not help the ignorant The Hall of Quantung which is the least has 6000 of these Cels and the number of students is greater 3. There attend all the time of the examination Prefidents Magistrates Examiners Clerks and all sorts of Trades and all that are there are maintained ind yet and lodging the whole time upon the publick charge The Order and disposition of all things is much to be admired formerly Gentlemen were not admitted to take any degree because not imployed in the Government but they perceiving that only the learned rose obtained though with difficulty to be admitted to both such as are any way infamous cannot take a degree The degrees are 3 answerable to oâ—… of Batchelor Master of Arts and Doctor the Chancellor goes about the Townâ—…â—…d Cities to examine the first the second is done in the Metropolis of each Province once in 3 Years in each of these Acts there are above 7000 students and above 1500 take the degree of Master of Arts. The Doctors are only made at Court on a sudden a Bricklayer or Taylor is set up in state the marks of this dignity are given them and are a Cap Gown Tassels and Boots all put on with much Ceremony The King defrays the whole charge and every one that takes this degree stands him in 1000 Ducats 4. Of those that go to the Court to take their degree 350 are admitted to that of Doctors the marks of that honour except the Boots which are the same in all differ very much in the value besides those mentioned they have a girdle they wear them all in the employments they get and the last is still richer as they â—…e preferred There is another examination at which the King used to be present now a Colao supplies his place after it they go to salute the King who is on his Throne and gives with his own hand a premium to each of the three first presented the first of the 3 is superior over all the others and has a particular name as has the second and third this is so great an honour that soon after the whole Kingdom knows them by those names and their degree of honour is equal to our Dukes Out of the 350 are chosen 25 who have Pallaces assigned them and are subject to the Colao that is president of the great College of him they learn the speculative part of Government Hence they are preferred to employments superior to Viceroy ships only such as are of that College are admitted to the supream dignity of Colao when one of these 25 Doctors is made a Mandarin especially if he be one of the three presented by the King there is erected to him in his own Country a triumphal Arch all of Marble and very stately with his name on the front 5. Nothing can be said distinctly of their Sciences because in reality they know no distinction Three of their Kings were the masters of the â—…oral and Speculative learning under myâ—…ical numbers and Symbols they were also the Legislators Above 1000 Years before Christ two other Kings composed the book called Yequim being a comment upon those Symbols then followed Philosophers like the Stoicks The most famous Confucius composed 9 Books which are esteem'd chiefly 5 of them like our Holy writ many Doctors comment upon them he flourished 500 Years before Christ and aimed at the Reformation of Mankind and is held in veneration as the universal Master and a Saint with Temples dedicated to him The Government of the City where he was born remains in his Family the immediate successor has the title revenue and state of a Duke they are all as soon as born held in great veneration 6. The 5 principal Books are Yequim that treats of natural Philosophy fate and predictions the second Xoquim of Chronology the third Xiquim Poetically discourses of the Nature of things and Human Affections the fourth Liquin of Divine Worship the fifth Chunâ—…icu Examples of good and bad Kings There are 4 other Books of the same Author and another called Mencu that treat of Physicks and Morals out of these is taken a subject for the compositions of such as are examined there are also 9 Books of Comments upon those but only one of them is established by Law 7. They consider 3 principal objects in the World Heaven Earth and Man and accordingly their learning is divided into 3 Sciences that of Heaven treats of the Original of all things that of the Earth of its position product and variety that of Man of his manners and affections to whom they ascribe 5 Moral Virtues Piety Justice Policy Prudence and Felicity respecting 5 Orders of Persons in the Common-wealth Father and Son Husband and Wife King and Subject elder and younger Brother and friends among themselves 8. They have rules of Grammar understand Rhetorick are well skilled in Arithmetick and have knowledge of Geometry but know nothing of Dialectica and Algebra Astronomy is a profession only allowed to two Persons to study one in each Court and they leave it hereditary to their Sons they reckon 5 Elements Water Metal Fire Wood and Earth and appropiate to them as many Planets Mercury Venus Mars Iupiter Saturn The Zodiack they divide into 24 Signs the Year into 12 Moons and 354 Days making a Bissextile every three Years of 13 Moons and 383 Days it begins with the next Moon to the 5th of February Their Musick consists all of one sound the Bonzes sing after the manner of our plain Song their Instruments are of several sorts for the most part noisy and some like ours such as are played upon strings have them of Silk 9. Poetry was always much esteemed in China all that was published of this sort used to be sent to the
concluded little to our advantage which the Common Vogue I know not whether Infallible attributed to Covetousness 2. Ruy Lorenço de Tavora Commander of Bazaim was close shut up in his Fort by the Forces of the King of Cambaia who were Masters of the Field after having done all that could be expected from him The Vice-Roy sent to his Relief Tristan de Ataide late Commander of Malaca with a Galeon and 3 Barques well Manned The two being joyned repulsed the Enemy with very considerable loss of Men Baggage and Reputation Mean while the Vice-Roy prosecuted the Works at Diu and sent Martin Alfonso de Melo to Command at Ormuz Peter de Faria to Malaca the second time and Michael Ferreyra a Gentleman of Worth 70 years of Age with 12 small Vessels and 400 Men to assist the King of Cota in Ceylon against his Brother Madune Pandar King of Ceitavaca who distressed him Ferreira did great damage in several Towns abandoned by the Inhabitants In the Port of Putulam he surprized Pate Marcar's Fleet consisting of 16 Paraos and easily gained them and with the same Success carried the Works and Cannon ashoar though defended by 2000 Men. He Anchored in the Bay of Columbo with the Ships Cannon and other Booty Then he marched to Cota thence towards Ceitavaca at the head of the Army of the King he Relieved destroying all before him and seeking Madune who had 6000 Men saw them fly to the shelter of the Woods Thence he sent to beg Peace which was granted upon Condition he should send the Heads of some Morish Officers especially Patè and Cunale Marcar He opposed this Condition as much as he could but there being no other Medium to appease his Adversary consented and killing them two and others sent 9 Heads upon as many Spears a Present so acceptable to Ferreyra that he presently made Peace between him and Cota and went off himself with Honour 3. The same time the Vice-Roy sent Ferdinand de Morales with a great Galeon laden on the Kings account to Trade at Pegu. As soon as arrived at that Port the King won him with Promises and Favours to aid him against the King of Brama who invaded that Country with such a Power that the two Armies consistssed of two Millions of Men and 10000 Elephants Morales went into a Galliot and Commanding the Fleet of Pegu made great havock among the Enemies Ships Brama came on by Land like a Torrent carrying all before him and his Fleet covering the River though as great as Ganges With this Power he easily gained the City and Kingdom of Pegu. Ferdinand Morales met the Fleet with his in respect of the other scarce visible at the Point Ginamarreca where was a furious bloody and desperate Fight But the Pegu's overpowred by the Brama's deserted Morales who alone in his Galeot maintained himself against the Enemies performing Wonders with vast slaughter of them till oppressed by the Multitude he was killed But the memory of his Bravery still lives among those People 4. The cause of this Revolt of Brama who was Tributary to Pegu was this Above 30000 Brama's laboured in the King of Pegu's Works this being one Condition of their Vassalage The King used to Visit them with his Women because they delighted to see Foreigners and the notable Works and never carried any other Company The Labourers what Wickedness would not they in Idleness invent who thought so much in their Labour resolved to rob the Queens or Concubins and suddenly murdered the King stripped them and fled to their Country Dacha Rupi Heirto the deceased was not only deprived of Means of Revenging this Villany but even of maintaining himself for many of his Subjects rebelled Parà Mandarà King of the Brama's desiring to enlarge his Empire and seeing that his Pickaxes and Shovels had opened a Way to his Cimiters and Standards rushes out with that Violence and over-runs the Kingdoms of the Lanjoes Laos Iangoma's and others that like his were Tributaries to Pegu. Thus this Tyrant possessed himself of his ancient Kingdom of Ava that extends two Months Travel at ordinary Journeys and contains 62 Cities On the N. E. a Months Journey is that of the Turks containing as many Cities which the King of Pegu had taken from him of Cathay The Kingdom of Bimir lies West of Ava of the same extent and has 27 populous Cities North of this that of Lanjam of equal greatness has 38 Cities and great store of Gold and Silver On the East is that of Mamprom as great but has only 8 Cities on the East it borders on Cochinchina on the South with Siam afterwards conquered by Brama and East of this is the great Kingdom of Cambodia All the Inhabitants of these Kingdoms are Pagans and the most Superstitious of all the East They believe in one only God but in time of need have recourse to many Idols Of these they have some dedicated to the secret acts and necessities of Nature in the same form they are performed They hold the Immortality of the Soul are zealous in giving Alms and bear great Reverence to their Religious Men. These are very numerous follow a Rule and keep a Choir much like ours they live upon what is given them that day without keeping any thing for the next they eat neither Fish nor Flesh because they kill nothing that has Life their Cloaths are yellow Cassocks and Cloaks with Hats of oiled Paper they observe Lent and Easter after the Christian manner Whence may be inferred That these are some Remains of the Doctrine of St. Thomas the Apostle though mixed with many Errors The People are all white the Women very beautiful Their Bodies are all wrought Blue with hot Irons down to the Knees In general they are not only not Civilized but very Brutal 5. The Vice-Roy being at Goa D. Iohn de Albuquerque a Spaniard presented him King Iohn's Patent by which all the Conquests from the Cape of Good Hope to India were made subject to his Diocess with liberty to erect the Church of St. Catherine of that City into a Cathedral The Patent was obeyed and thus a Spaniard was the first Prelate of the Conquests as if Spain had now taken the Power in Spirituals it was afterwards to possess in Temporals At this time the Guzaratas streightned Ruy Lorenco de Tavora in Baçaim He sallies with 350 Men and put them to the rout Coje Zofar comes on with his Men and puts him into a dangerous condition George de Lima Commander of Chaul having Notice hereof sent 100 Men with speed with which assistance the Enemy was repulsed and time given to repair the damage received 6. Four Ships arrived in India from Portugal to return with Merchandize In one of them the Great Antony de Sylveyra imbarqued The Flag-Ship perished in her Return and was never heard of but Silveyra arrived safe at Lisbon and had scarce Anchored when the Great Men of the Court came aboard to Conduct him
Horse and about 400 Blacks Hearing the Enemy was lodged in the Village Baylam two Leagues up the Country he resolved to surprize him at Noon when they use to Bathe Half a League from the place he halted to Rest the Men and the Enemy having Intelligence thereof came on with such diligence and secrecy that they had put them to the Sword had not Ferdinand de Silva who led the Van with much Bravery given a check to their Fury Antony de Sotomayor relieved him already wounded in the Leg was himself wounded and lost some Men but did great Execution This gave Tavora time to make ready whose furious coming up made great havock Our Men turning Back to Back and facing the Enemy round did Wonders Ruy Lorenço with his Horse ranging about did them great harm till falling on their Flank many were slain the rest fled without hopes 4. Next he resolved to take a Great Ship of Bramaluco's that was newly finished in the Dock of Agaçaim He marched thither by Land and D. Luis de Ataide went by Water The latter by force of Arms made his way to the City at such time as the other was reducing it to Ruins breaking through a Multitude of Enemies who endeavoured to stop his Fury each of them lost six Men. D. Luis Landed and both together cleared the Field unpeopled the City and then set Fire to it The Ship was carried to the Port of Baçaim and for many years Traded to Lisbon Bramaluco sued for Peace and he being a suspected Subject of Cambaya our Governour treated with that King and by this means secured the former Peace and obtained a Grant of half the Customs whereof only the Third part was offered before 5. Let us now return to the Fleet in which the Governour was to sail His great Liberality brought him more Men than he desired whereof he chose the best The Fleet consisted of 80 Sail of sundry sorts and sizes and carried two Thousand Men. 6. While this Fleet was fitting the King of Achem falling upon the King of the Bataas unexpectedly made a great slaughter of his People killing among the rest three Sons he rather adored than loved The King desirous of Revenge sent his Brother-in-Law Embassadour to Peter de Faria then Commanding at Malaca The Embassy was to confirm the Peace before concluded and desire assistance of Arms and Ammunition and the better to obtain it sent him a rich Present and offered a free Trade in his Dominions which abound in Gold Pepper Benjamin and Camphir Faria who was intent upon Profit as well as his King's Service plentifully supplied him with Arms and Ammunition offering his utmost assistance and entertaining the Embassadour with splendour The King of Bataa attacked his Enemy with Resolution but was beaten after having almost gained the Victory and retired with great Grief to his City Panaaju Here he dispatched Pinto sent thither by Faria to Trade who narrowly escaped being lost in the River Parles of the Kingdom of Queda by reason of the Revolution had then hapned in the City of that Name the Court of that Prince who had murdered his Father and married his own Mother The first he denyed and pretended he had done the latter in Honour to her having refused many considerable Matches Pinto brought News of the Island del Oro or of Gold the great motive of his Voyage 7. But now our Governour enters the Red Sea with his Fleet. He found most of the Islands and Cities abandoned the People having had notice of his coming The chief Island was Maçua The principal City Suanquem in about 19 Degrees of North Latitude well built and rich The King who was fled a League up the Country entertained the Governour with shews of Peace that he might not destroy the Island But the greatest damage was that hereby he prevented the burning the Ships at Suez gaining so much time as carried thither the News of this Design The Governour in Revenge marched with his Brother D. Christopher and 1000 Men made a great slaughter was Master of the Field and took a great Booty Then turning to the City it was plundered and private Men got four or five thousand Ducats each then it was burnt to the ground The Waters being shoal the Governour resolved to go over to Alcoçer and other places with only sixteen Catures or Barges the rest of the Fleet he sent to Maçua under the Command of Lionel de Lima. There was a great dispute about who should go with D. Stephen and he had much difficulty to compose it They set out of the Bay for this Reason called De los Agraviados or Of the Offended Many Gentlemen went in the Barges as private Souldiers accepting any place so they were admitted such was their desire to be in this Action The number of Men was Two hundred and fifty At Alconçer which is in the Latitude of 25 Degrees they did the same as had been done before at Suanquem Crossing over to Tor or Toro they took some Vessels of the Enemy The Turks at first opposed the Landing but some being slain fled and abandoned the City in which nothing of Value was found The Governour would not burn it in reverence of St. Catharine and a Monastery found there with Religious Men under her Invocation which at their Instance he visited To his great glory he was the first European Commander that took that City where he Knighted several who held this Honour done them there in great esteem and it was afterwards envied by the Great Emperour Charles the Fifth as shall appear in its place Our People and those Religious testified great Regret at parting They are of the Greek Church and of the Order of St. Basil. The City is in the Latitude of 28 Degrees and is thought by Learned Geographers to be the ancient Elana 8. The Governour went over to Suez and after many brave Attempts made by several to sound and view the Harbour which all failed he resolved in Person and in open Day to discover the Gallies He saw them and desiring to do something considerable Landed the Enemies Shot flew from the Town and 2000 Turkish Horse broke out of an Ambush some few whereof were killed by our Canon but our Men obliged to Retire much grieved that this Voyage was disappointed The Governour returned to his Fleet at Maçua where he found the Severity of Emanuel de Gama had caused a Mutiny which gave occasion to 80 Men to run away with a Ship designing to go over to Ethiopia They were met by a Captain of the King of Zeila and after a vigorous Resistance most of them killed On a Gallows hung five whom Gama had Executed for concealing the design of the other 80 they at Execution summoned him to answer before the great Tribunal and he within a Month run Mad and died CHAP. IV. Goes on with the Government of D. Stephen de Gama 1. AT this time Grada Hamed King of the Country called
The Victors cruelly run hewing those that had any Life left them which moved one to set fire to a quantity of Powder that was in one of the Queens Tents and blew up all that were about it 9. The King overjoyed that D. Christopher was taken caused him to be brought to his presence and said What would you have done with me had I been defeated He Answered I would cut off your Head and divide your Body and the Limbs should be set up in Publick places for a Terrour to other Tyrants The King caused him to be buffeted with his Slaves Buskins his Body to be bathed in melted Wax and his Beard wove with waxed Threads which were fired and he led through the Army Being brought back the King himself cut off his Head his Body was quartered and set upon Poles It is said Where the Head fell there gushed out a Spring the Water whereof drank cured many Diseases The same hour the Air being calm a Tree was tore out by the Roots in the Garden of certain Religious Men and afterwards the same Hour the Emperour having vanquished this Tyrant caused his Head to be struck off the Tree that was then dry re-planted it self in the same place and was covered with Leaves 10. Most of the Portugueses that were taken perished in Slavery or Dungeons Alfonso Chaldeira with Thirty followed the Queen Emanuel de Cuna with Forty got to Barnagasso and was well received Others followed the Patriarch they made up in all One hundred and thirty Whereof Ninety because Cuna with his Forty Men were too far off went to the Emperour who then drew near and very much lamented the slaughter of that Body and loss of such a Commander What those Portugueses did in the Service of that Prince afterwards does not belong to this place because the Affairs of India whence we have made a long digression call upon us CHAP. X. The End of the Government of D. Stephen de Gama 1. THe Governour D. Stephen perceiving the Ships from Portugal stayed long and guessing they were at Mozambique resolved to make use of the Merchandize they brought To this purpose he sent Luis de Mendez to Vasconcelos in a Galley to give Orders about it and to Advertize him Whether a Successor was sent him in those Ships He guessed not ill for Martin Alfonso de Sousa sent to succeed him with five Ships was detained at Mozambique by the Weather and a tedious Sickness 2. This Fleet was happy in that it brought over to India one of the first Fathers of the Society of Iesus as well in respect of Time as that he was one of the Chief in Piety and Virtue This was the Famous St. Francis Xaverius who laboured much and was very successful in converting those Infidels 3. St. Francis was the first that had in the East the Dignity of Apostolick Legate in all Asia But because we shall hereafter have occasion to touch upon his great Virtues and wonderful Actions let this suffice here as to the time of his coming 4. Most of them that enter upon the Government of India look upon it as no small happiness if they can send off their Predecessor with Disgrace and therefore endeavour to come upon them by way of surprize Martin Alfonso desiring to compass that commanded Leuis Mendez not to acquaint D. Stephen that he had found him at Mozambique But Mendez who was D. Stephens Kinsman and resolved to do his Duty sent a man to carry him Advice Martin Alfonso heard of it and imprisoned him He met with bad Weather in his Way to Goa and light upon Iames Suarez de Melo called the Gallego who flying a Sentence of Death he had incurred was passed to India and with 120 Men in two Vessels was become a Pyrat Him Martin Alfonso received and pardoned because he pretended he could say much against D. Stephen Much he might have said that was honourable very little to his Discredit What ought to have procured him severer Punishment was the cause of his favourable Reception Let us remember this Suarez endeavouring to Rise more than was due to him by these hellish Contrivances and we shall hereafter see him rise to the highest pitch and then cast down to the depth of Misery 5. Martin Alfonso de Sousa being come to an Anchor in the Port of Goa sent Advice of his Arrival to D. Stephen at a very unseasonable Hour being the dead of Night and that in such manner as well signified the Ill-will he bore him Which obliged D. Stephen to send an Answer unworthy of them both and to make him a very uneasie Visit when he resigned up the Government to him Martin Alfonso sound nothing to lay to the Charge of D. Stephen as those desired who set him upon it for he being a Gentleman of much Honour could never desire it of himself 6. But whereas he ought to have checked himself finding nothing against him he grew the more obstinate For it is Natural to men in the wrong to persist and believe they take Wing when they are deepest stuck in the Mire He vented his Malice in allowing him the worst Conveniences for his Voyage and D. Stephen was so disgusted at these Proceedings that he never saw his Face after he resigned the Sword to him At length he Arrived in Portugal for his Enemies had no power on the Seas and Winds and was received with general Joy of the Court and with Favour by the King who offering him a Wife he refused her and thereupon as others for Accepting was put out of Favour He obtained leave and went to live at Venice for Portugal was always ready to despise or banish Great Men. The Emperour Charles the Fifth persuaded him to return to his Country assuring him of his Prince's Favour He returned and found none for Princes are more fixed in punishing a little omitted to please than in rewarding much done to serve them 7. This is what D. Stephen did in India this the Reward he had for Governing it well He was of a middle Stature thick and strong a thick Beard and black Hair his Complexion ruddy He was very Liberal and not a little Positive but not without cause A great Horseman In the number of Governours the Twelfth first of the Name second of the Sirname and held it two years and a Month. He made an Inventory of what he was worth when he entred upon the Government and so when he left it and was found 40000 Crowns the worse the full Value having been 200000. On his Tomb is only this Epitaph HE THAT MADE KNIGHTS ON MOUNT SINAI ENDED HERE So much did he value the Honour of that Action and not without Reason CHAP. XI The Government of Martin Alfonso de Sousa from the Year 1542 till the Year 1545 in the Reign of King JOHN the Third 1. THis Chapter must begin with what hapned in the time of both Governours one ending and the other commencing Homaum Paxa King of
was within the Spanish Bounds and demand restitution of the Artillery he had taken and the Spaniards that were with him D. George granted the last and sent Advice to Goa and Portugal Villalobos dexterously began to draw near and plant himself in Tidore 3. Iordan de Freitas set out from Goa in April to succeed D. George in that Command and take possession of the Island Amboyna whereof he had a Grant from Tabarija King of Ternate wâ—…o had been unjustly sent Prisoner to Goa by Tristan de Atayde was there Baptized and now sent back by the Governour Martin Alfonso to be restored to his Crown Freyâ—…as being come to Malaca and considering that King would not be easily admitted by his Subjects for having changed his Religion left him there designing to take his Brother which would make his Re inthronement the more easie At Ternate D. George delivered him the Fort he Treated with Villalobos and they agreed upon a Truce for eight Months in which time they might consult their Superiours and during this time there was to be no Correspondence between them The Spaniards fell out among themselves in such manner that many of them went over to the Portugueses at Ternate F. Hierome of St. Stephen Confessor to Villalobos affirmed He was Excommunicated for entring the Portugues Limits but he remained obstinate 4. Freytas sent along with D. George who was going to Goa Aeiro the present King to make room for him he had left at Malaca not knowing he was since dead and had made the King of Portugal his Heir His Mother and Father-in-Law who had been with him went to Ternate with Ferdinand de Sousa who carried Relieâ—… to that Fort. Freytas received them in Mourning and then took possession of the Kingdom the Government whereof he committed to the Father-in-Law and Mother till other Orders came from Portugal Afterwards the Governour D. Iohn de Castro sent back Aeiro with the Title of KING to prevent the Disorders that happen by many Heads This last belongs to the Year 1545 but I insert it here not to break the Series of these Affairs 5. About this time in Ethiopia the Emperour marched against the King of Adel or Zeila He was followed by the Portugueses who escaped the former Defeat except 40 who were with Emanuel de Cuna in Barnagasso who being sent for could not come time enough Those with the Emperour were Ninety by whose Advice he marched towards the Enemy giving them the Van of his Army for the great Opinion he had of their Valour In the Province Ambea at the Foot of the Mountain Oenadias they met Seven hundred Horse and Two thousand Foot led by a Captain of Zeila to joyn the King Fifty Portugues Horse advanced to attack them the formost Antony Cardosa who killed the Enemies Captain the first stroak of his Lance the others following his Example slew many when Barnagais first and then the Emperour coming up Charged furiously and killing Eight hundred put the rest to flight who went rather to terrifie the Tyrant with this Relation than Reinforce him 6. He was a League off with his Army in Battalia it consisted of two Bodies of Foot Three thousand Men in each he marched in the Front with Five hundred Horse The Emperour met him with the like Number and in the same Order The Portugueses who were the Forlorn of this Body Charged the Five hundred and slew many losing two The Emperour in person behaved himself bravely till the Enemies Horse fled to the Wings of their Army The King was wanting in nothing shewing his Son Ten years of Age to stir up his Men to fight The Fight was renewed and the Emperour in great danger but a Portugues shooting the King in the Belly killed him and his Horse carried him about hanging being tied to the Saddle Only a few Turks chose rather to dye than fly and made a great slaughter of Ethiopians Iohn Fernandez Page to the Unfortunate D. Christopher at two stroaks of his Lance killed the Turkish Commander In fine Few of the Enemy escaped by flight the King's Head was cut off and his Son made Prisoner The Emperour acknowledging how great a share the Portugueses had in this and the late Victories did them great Favours Cuna returned to Goa with 50 only the rest stayed and married with Women of the Country whose Progeny still continues there 7. At Goa the Governour heard the Complaints of the King of Ormuz brought hither by D. Pedro de Castellobranco by Order of Martin Alfonso de Melo Iusarte Commander of that Fort. The Kings Complaints against him were most just having been used as the meanest of Madmen whereas his Madness was no other than the Avarice of those would make him so They endeavoured all they could to hinder his Restauration but seeing him Re-inthroned they poysoned him and what caused his Imprisonment and was the cause of his death was not punished After this Injustice followed the Justice executed upon Hierome Diaz a Portugues Physician of Jewish extraction he was burnt for Heresie CHAP. XIII Continues the Government of Martin Alfonso de Sousa 1. ABout forty Leagues off to the Eastward of the Moluco Islands is that of Macaçar rich and plentiful of Rice Salt Fish Flesh Fruit and Grain and yields Sandal Wax Ivory and Gold The People hardy and good Seamen The Soil pleasant and well Watered and has good Towns and Villages Some Portugueses hearing the Cstristian Faith was received there went thither and among them Antony de Payva that went as a Merchant not a Preacher but proved more Preacher than Mercahnt He had before had some Discourse with one of the Kings of the Island about Religion who seemed well pleased therewith Returning now he arrived in the Kingdom of Supa and had so much Discourse with that King who was 70 years of Age that he was very near being Converted 2. However the King remained dubious and Payva sailing thence went to the Port of Sian the King whereof on account of the grateful Conference they had before received him with kindness The Discourse of Religion was renewed and Payva at large explained all Points to him and at the same time urged the absurdness of the Adoration of Idols 3. The Conference ended the Sky till then being serene there arose a Storm of Thunder Lightning and Rain which was esteemed as a Heavenly Confirmation of the Truth of what Payva had said and he laying hold of that advantage urged the King to embrace the Faith He was inclinable but his Subjects and the Moors that Traded there obstructed him He demanded time to Consider At this time arrives the King of Supa and hearing he of Sian had desired time said A work so good ought rather to be put in execution than delayed that he was only sorry for the Time he had lost but would attone by being the first and desired to be immediately Baptized All stood amazed and there being no Priest the Ancientest of
against those Confederates since they could not be brought to a Peace 2. The Weather being seasonable the King of Pimienta took the Field at Bardela wth 10000 Nayres the King of Cochin did the same with his Men and 600 Portugueses Commanded by the rash Francis de Sylva Captain of that Fort. The Armies being drawn up in sight the King of Pimienta at the Request of Sylva gave him a Meeting between them Sylva pressed for an Accommodation which the King condescending to upon reasonable Terms was broke off by our Captain who having more natural Strength than natural Reason acted more like a Brute than a Man The Armies charged each other Couragiously and the King of Pimienta was carried off Wounded and died before he knew the event of the Battle His Men fled and were pursued into their City with great slaughter the Royal Palace was fired which among them is the hainousest Affront whereupon they Rallied and fell upon the Victors with such Fury that they obliged them to retire in great disorder Sylva discharged some few that stood by him and rushing into the thickest of the Enemies was killed Above fifty Portugueses were lost here which abundantly countervailed for our Victory 3. Five thousand Nayres all sworn to Revenge the death of their King or dye entred the Country of Cochim killing many and forcing others to fly to the Fort. The Commander of the Fort Henry de Sousa marced out and finding them engaged with the Indians who fought desperately killed Five hundred Two strange and contrary Accidents hapned upon this occasion One was a Man that lay dying arose and taking a Lance did great Execution among the Enemies and perfectly recovered his health The other a Man in perfect health who fell down dead with the Fright 4. All the Joy of this Success vanished at the sight of Zamori who came attended by the Princes of Malabar with 140000 Men. He Encamped with 100000 at Chembe ordering those Princes who were eighteen in number and among them the King of Tanor lately so fond of us and our Religion with the other 40000 whereof 5000 had devoted themselves to pass over into the Island Bardela Our Governour upon the first Advice prepared to meet this Storm He sent before Emanuel de Sousa Sepulveda with four Ships and Orders That having joyned those that were at Cochim he should shut up those Princes in the Island till he came being resolved to follow at his Heels Sepulveda did his part and the Governour his for he sailed immediately the Cities of Goa Chaul and Baçaim furnishing what they had offered for the Expedition against the Turks which came to nothing The Fleet consisted of above 100 Sail and almost 4000 Landmen The first Execution was at Tiracole where many Houses Ships and Goods were burnt Coulete suffered the same Fate after a vigorous Resistance which cost the Lives of many of them and sixteen of ours At Panane the same and we lost eight 5. Our Governour Landed at Cochim and found that King with Forty thousand Men he had himself Six thousand Two thousand having joyned him there The Island being beset and Signal given to fall on those within began to waive a white Flag for a Parley It was concluded those eighteen Princes should put themselves into the Governours hands upon promise of Life He finding they delayed resolved to fight them the next day but was hindred by a great Flood yet he concluded he might put his design in execution the day after But what security is there in human Felicity Cabral was almost in possession of one of the most glorious Actions that had been seen in India when the sudden Arrival of the Vice-Roy D. Alfonso de Noronha ravished this Honour from him noâ—… suffering him to proceed nor concluding himself what was so well begun On the contrary he suffered all those Princes to escape with their whole Army 6. St. Francis Xaverius seeing how many great Enterprizes were disappointed through the malice or Envy of the Governours wrote a Letter to the King acquainting him therewith and advising to punish such Miscarriages with severity whereby they might for the future be prevented But Ministers serve as they please Saints advise well and Princes Eyes are never opened Commonly the want of due Punishment is the cause of publick Calamities 7. Whilst George Cabral was at Cochim waiting to embarque in the Ships that were bound to Portugal one Night about the middle of February there was a Report That Eight thousand sworn Nayres would enter the City Cabral run to the Gates with Emanuel de Sousa Sepulveda in order to march out and meet them at Break of Day but was hindred by the Council of the City He stayed with a competent Number of Men to guard the Town and sent Sepulveda with Fifteen hundred Portugueses and the Natives They found those desperate Men in a Neighbouring Town acting all that Rage and Malice could suggest They Charged them the Fight was very desperate fifty Portugueses were slain and above a Thousand of the Amouco's or devoted Nayres the rest fled 8. Let us see what was done during this time by the Captains sent by the Governour to several parts The King of Cota had asked Succour against his Brother Madune Pandar King of Ceitavaca who endeavoured to expel him his Kingdom he offered in requital for the Relief to pay a greater Tribute than before Caralea Pandar Prince of Candea not following the Example of his Father who was bent against the Religious Men who made him a Christian desired to be Baptized and fled with the Priests to a Fort from whence he sent to beg the Governour 's assistance Both these places being in the Island Ceylon he sent thither D. George de Castro with six hundred Men. Madune scarce saw him when he raised the Siege he had laid to Cota where his Brother was The King of Cota and D. George followed him and he so fortified the Passes they were forced in some places to fight their way through showers of Bullets Stones and Arrows with some loss of Men and no small slaughter of the Enemy Being come in sight of the City Madune met them and there ensued a bloody Battle desperately fought on both sides At length Madune was obliged to â—…y to the Mountains and leave his Brother in possession of that great City singularly adorned by a Pagod of wonderful magnificence The Plunder was very considerable Madune implored his Brother's Mercy who had little reason to shew him any yet did and left him possessed of his Kingdom 9. D. George did not meet with the like success at Candea whither he went after this Victory The Enemy came unexpectedly upon him with Forty thousand Men in a narrow Pass whence he could not escape and killed Eight hundred of his Men half of them Portugueses He got away with more grief for this Loss than honour by the late Victory For it is certain we are more sensibly grieved at
Lopez desiring he would make Peace with those People that had fled to his Protection He asked nothing in behalf of the Town because they were all Christians and because there was a Prophecy among them foretelling the coming of foreign Christians to settle a correspondence with them which he seeing the Christian colours looked upon to be fulfilled Iames Lopez returned a courteous answer and stood in to the shoar where some Christians came abroad to him They told him their Prince Prester Iohn had some years since sent an Embassadour whose name was Matthew to a King of the end of the World whose Fleet then conquered India to inform him of those remote Christians and demand succour against the Moors but that he never returned Sequeyra hearing this was convinced those Men dealt ingenuously because he brought that Embassadour with him and had orders from King Emanuel to land him safe in his Prince's Dominions The Embassadour was placed before them who received him with great respect and joy which was no less in him for being restored to his Country after ten years absence Next day came ten Religious Men from the neighbouring convent of the Vision with the same gladness to see him they were received by the Priests of the Fleet in their Surplices There were great demonstrations of Joy for the Union of two so distant Nations agreeing in the same Faith and the fruit of this meeting was that those who from the beginning had not acknowledged the Supremacy of the Roman Church now submitted to it CHAP. IV. A continuation of the Government of James Lopez de Sequeyra from the Year 1520 till the Year 1521 and reign of King Emanuel 1. THE Kingdom of Prester Iohn now discovered is most known by this name though improper and is properly called the Kingdom of Abassia or Empire of the higher Aethiopia It was so called from that great Iovarus corruptly Prester Iohn who came to it from the Christians of Tartary with a Cross before him like our Bishops And this King carried a Cross in his hand with the Title of Defender of the Faith as being a Iacobite Christian. The Dominions of this Prince lye between the Rivers Nile Astabora and Astapus On the East it runs along the Red-Sea 120 Leagues this being the least side which in all contain 670 Leagues On the West it borders on those Blacks who possess the great Mines of Gold for which they pay him Tribute On the North divided from the Moors by a Line drawn from the City Suanquem to the Island Meroe or Noba On the South it borders on the Kingdom Adea from whose mountains falls the River Obi that loses it self in the Sea at the Town of Quilmance in the Kingdom of Melinde 2. The Kings of Abassia pretend to be descended from Solomon and the Queen of Saba she being delivered on the way called the Child Meilech and sent him to his Father to be by him declared King of Ethiopia who when he anointed gave him the name of David his Grandfather He ordered his Houshold and gave him Officers of his own and for High-Priest Azaria the Son of Sadoc who stole the Tables of the Law out of the Temple and carried them with his new Prince They affirm that the Descendants of those same Officers still possess the same Employs They had knowledge of the Law of Christ by the means of Queen Candace in whom they glory as being of their Country But their true Apostles were S. Philip and S. Matthew The King in memory of his Descent begins his many Titles thus David beloved of God Pillar of the Faith of Kin to the Stock of Iuda Grandson of David Son of Solomon Son of the Pillar of Sion Son of the Progeny of Iacob Son of the Hand of Mary c. Emperor of the great and high Ethiopia c. The People are very religious have many Churches and many Monasteries of only two Religious Orders the one of S. Anthony the other the Canon Regulars They have no considerable Towns little practice of Learning no skill in Mechanicks and so are very rude in their Diet and Cloathing In such Houses as use more Grandeur all the Furniture is of other Countries There are as expert Thieves among them as our Gypsies in Europe The Religious Men who live in Convents wear long Habits of Cotton the others and their Priests and Nuns Skins which does not cover as much as Modesty requires Their Prince for the most part lives in the Field in a populous City of Tents often removing In his Messages he uses that style of Portugal I the King greet you This was what our Discoverers could then gather let others say what is since found and what Alterations have happened 3. Now came the Barnagax or Governor of that Province having received the News of the arrival of Matthew the Embassador and our Fleet. He appeared on the Shoar with two hundred Horse and two thousand Foot After some difference about the place for him and Iames Lopez to meet they met on the Edge of the Water and were seated on Chairs upon the Sand which then burnt with the heat of the Sun there Matthew the Embassador was delivered and with him D. Rodrigo de Lima sent Embassador by King Emanuel to Prester Iohn There they treated of building a Fort either on the Island Camaran or that of Maçua against the Moors Lastly they both swore the Sincerity of this Agreement on a Cross and after they parted sent some Presents on both parts D. Rodrigo de Lima set forward on his Journey without Matthew who soon after died in the Monastery of the Vision which he had earnestly desired to reach Iames Lopez erected a great Cross in that Port in memory of the arrival there of our Fleet and caused many Masses to be said in the Mosque of Maçua Hence he went to the neigbouring Island of Dalaca and having burnt the City deserted by its Inhabitants stood over to the Coast of Arabia One Galley and most of the Men were cast away by bad Weather and he came to an Anchor at Calayate where he found George de Albuquerque who waited his coming and going on to Mascate left him to winter there with the Ships and he went on with the Gallies to Ormuz 4. Whilst our Governor was in the Red Sea Chrisnarao King of Bisnagar covered the Hills and Plains and drank up Rivers with an Army of thirty five thousand Horse and seven hundred thirty three thousand Foot five hundred eighty six Elephants loaded with Castles in each of which were four Men and twelve thousand Water-carriers to supply all parts that the Men might not dispeâ—…se to seek it The Baggage was numberless and there were above twenty thousand common Women He led all this power to take the City Rachol belonging of right to his Ancestors who still left the Recovery of it as a Charge to their Successors and was possessed by Hidalcan with whom to this effect he waged
alive The year 1529 he marched with seventy thousand Horse and two hundred thousand Foot and did great harm in the Territories of Nizamaluco 8. Mean while Babor Paxiath King of the Mogols and Delhi marched upon account of the Answer given to his Embassadors the year before The King of Chitor denyed him passage and in a Battel there was such a slaughter the Mogol was forced to go back to raise new Forces to prosecute his first Design But the King of Chitor pursuing and doing him great damage in his own Country he desisted Badur fell upon the King of Mandou whom he treacherously slew Then imprisoned the Sons giving the Mother and Daughters to his Favourites Next he killed some Officers of that Kingdom who had helped to bring him in 10. Salabedin one pardoned by Badur fearful of his favour getting away secured himself in a strong Castle whence Badur drew him by policy and forced him to turn Mahometan Then he prepared to take the Fort and mountain Raosinga where Salahedin left his Son when he was deceived by Badur's promises and by the way designed to expel the King of Chitor Son to him who kindly entertained him when he fled for the Murder of his Father This young King bravely resisted Badur disappointed his Design and made him return to the other against Raosinga a place almost impregnable by art and nature Here eight Portugueses who followed him shewed their usual Valour Francis Tarares being the first who scaled a Bulwark 11. Botiparao the Son of Salahedin fearing his resistance might occasion his Father's death left that City and went to recover another the Besieged surrendered Badur perceiving Salahedin's Women came not out asked the cause of him and sent in to know it they answered They would not come out unless with him He was sent to that effect by the King His Wives and Slaves above five hundred in number as soon as they saw him exclaimed against his turning Mahemetan and shewing him a heap of Wood said They would sooner burn themselves with 〈◊〉 than be delivered to their Enemy So Salahedin with one hundred and twenty that were their Guard killed them all upon the Pile where they were burnt with their Riches Badur hearing of this hasted to save the Treasure but was stopped by Salahedin and his Men till all was consumed to Ashes and they all slain Yet Badur saved almost a million and half of the Remainder of this Destruction 12. Salahedin and those who died with him were honorably buried The mountain he gave to Sultan Alamo who came to him forced from that place whither Botiparao went from hence Hearing there was a Portugues Fleet at Diu he flew thither with precipitation But that being no matter of danger he returned to the Conquest of Chitor with one hundred thousand Horse innumerable Foot and six hundred Cannoh He incamped in the higher Grounds about that City tho it was like Raasinga it was battered the space of two months and capitulated and now Badur was possessed of three Kingdoms each of which was considerable 13. This was the time when Tristan de Ga was at the Court of Badur by Nuno de Cuna's Order to treat of Peace which was delayed by sundry Accidents chiefly the death of the King of the Mogols whom he much feared 14. Badur through Covetousness cut off the Pay of many that had served which occasioned above four thousand of Note to desert to the Mogol Mujate Cham a prudent and notable Man represented this to him and he to reward his Advice sent him on some other pretence to Diu with orders to Melique Tocam to kill him But Melique abominating the wickedness of Badur advised the innocent Mujate Cham to fly Mujate instead of flying to save himself returned to Badur before whom being prostrate and delivering his own Cymiter he said If I have deserved death of you here is the Traitor and the Sword If you please to kill me I can have no greater honor than to die by your Hand tho my Grandfather Father and self have deserved better The King was surprized received him with honor and bestowed new Favours on him 15. But his Rage was turned against Melique Tocam for discovering the private Order so he sent Rume Cham to kill him He got into Diu where Melique was not at that time but received advice of it at a Country-House where he was diverting himself and fled Badur came to the City and with his usual craft brought it under At the same time arrived there Nuno de Cuna in order to that Interview which took no effect 16. It took no effect because Badur never made any Proposals but to shift off a danger which he greatly feared from the Mogol and hoping to agree with him he was willing to break with the Portugueses But he was deceived for that Prince recalled his Embassadors and commenced the War Let us see who this Mogol is CHAP. VI. Continues the Government of Nuno de Cuna from the Year 1534 in the Reign of King John the Third 1. THE Mogols call themselves Chacatais in the same manner as the Spaniards call themselves Goths Chacata is the Name of the Province they inhabit near Turquestan and the Nobles suffer not themselves to be called Mogols The Persians write they are descended from Mogog Grandson to Noah from whom they received the Worship of one only God This Nation wandring through many Provinces got the best footing in Mogalia or Mogostan called by Ptolomey Paropanisus now they stretch farther and border upon the Kingdom Horacam which that Author calls Aria or Here now the Metropolis thereof The Mogols go from the North to drink the Waters of the River Geum that runs through Bactria so called from its Metropolis Bactria or Bohara a famous place for Learning being the Remains of great Zoroastes where Avicen got the Learning that made him so famous neighbouring upon Sogdiana now called Quiximir and mount Caucasus which divides India from other Northern Provinces This Kingdom now reaches to the mountainous Parveti and Bagous which they call Angou As there are in it great Mountains so there are most large and fruitful Plains watered by five Rivers which compose the famous Indus They are Bet Satinague Chanao Rave and Rea. The Cities are many the Men couragious 2. The Mogols are Mohometans their Language Turkish and Persian they are well shaped white and have small Eyes like the Tartars and Chineses The Nobility wear rich and gay Cloaths fashioned like the Persians their Beards long The Women are beautiful Their military Dress is no less costly their Arms being gilt and polished they are singular at the Bow In fight violent and of good conduct they use Artillery Their King is treated with great Majesty is seldom seen his Guard two thousand Horse every quarter 3. The Mogols and Patanes both equally strove to conquer India They were Neighbours The Event of War and Treachery brought the Patanes and Delhi under the Subjection of the
abandon the Fort and he set fire to it Whilst the Fort flamed the Kings fled to the Mountains with their Treasure and Antony marches to the City The Inhabitants abandon and he burns it down to the Ground levelling the Works so that scarce any memory of the City was left but the signs of the Ashes Many Moors were killed and many taken This unparallel'd Victory cost but one Slave 18. Those Kings thought to do us some harm with Ambushes at embarquing and afterwards at Sea but came off with loss He of Tidore afterwards came to a peace the Conditions honourable on our side Antony the more to oblige that King offered to rebuild the City which was immediately put in hand with these and other Courtesies he so much obliged him and his Subjects that they confided in him as an ancient tried Friend 19. Galvam found it was easier to overcome the greatest Army of Barbarians than the least Portugues Avarice He proposed to put in execution the King's Instructions relating to the Trade of Clove and the Portugueses opposed because they put a stop to their Frauds and Robberies Next he would have examined into the Crimes of Tristan de Ataide and he conscious of his own Guilt begged Mercy Tho undeserving Galvam took pity on and reconciled him with many that they might not be his Accusers Ataide requited his kindness by provoking most of the Portugueses to mutiny about the Trade of Clove Antony endeavouring to appease found them them all in Arms. At length Tristan sailed for India having hindered the loading Clove for the King's use and carrying away most of the Mutineers So the Fort was exposed to eminent danger If the Commanders were bad the Moors could not live with them if good they could not live with the Portugueses 20. The Kings of Gilolo and Bachan prepared a fresh to fall upon Galvam He being weak offered peace for the same Reason they refused it Galvam finding himself in no condition to withstand challenges them both to fight Man to Man They accept of the Challenge but the King of Tidore interposing came to an agreement The two Kings so religiously observed this Pacification that they refused to admit into their Ports two Spanish Ships forced thither by stress of Weather They were cast away upon the Coast and those few that escaped taken by the Natives and ransomed by Galvam who treated them courteously Their Captain was Ferdinand de Grijalva sent out the year 1537 by Ferdinand Cortes Now the Ternatenses were at variance refusing to obey Cachil Aeiro as King set up by Tristan de Ataide and clamouring for Tabarija by him imprisoned and sent to India They offered to make Galvam King till they had a lawful one He refused and endeavoured to make them agree This Action of his and the persuasions of the King of Tidore prevailed with them to admit Aeiro After this all things continued in a wonderful Calm 21. Galvam heared a great Fleet was coming upon Ternate he borrowed some small Ships of the King of Tidore into which he put forty Portugueses and gave the Command to the Priest Ferdinand Vinagre who behaved himself so well he beat that Fleet and killed their Admiral Then he quieted the Country sometimes handling the Sword sometimes putting on the Surplice he baptized many Galvam perceiving how great Fruit this Priest produced assisted him to prosecute the Conversion and he so treated the Converts that the Natives said It must needs be a true God that such a man adored and his Religion ought to be embraced by all men At this time Galvam was informed a great Fleet was coming from Iava Banda Macaçar and Amboina to load Clove at Maluco by force of Arms. To meet them he sent Iames Lopez de Azevedo with forty Portugueses and 400 Ternatenses and Tidores The Battel was fought at Amboina that Fleet defeated Vessels Cannon Arms and Men taken He scoured the Coast and baptized three whole Towns Ativa Matelo and Nocivel Two Brothers Gentlemen of the Island Macaçar came to Ternate to take Galvam for their Godfather in Baptism and took the Names of Antony and Michael with his Sirname They afterwards came to visit him with Ships richly laden and several young Gentlemen who were also baptized They gave an account much might be wrought in their Islands and those of Celebes both in Spirituals and Temporals Galvam sent sent Francis de Castro with two Priests who were drove by bad Weather to discover other Islands a hundred Leagues North of the Malucos The first they came to was Satigana the King and People Pagans Castro made Peace with him which was confirmed by drinking each the others Blood to which effect they had a Vein opened Then the King Queen a Son three Brothers and many Nobles were baptized Next they discovered the Island Mindanao where the same happened with the King Queen their two Daughters and many People After them were baptized the Kings of Butuano Pimilarano and Camisino the two first took the Name of Iohn the latter was called Francis Francis de Castro brought to Ternate many Sons of the new Converts for whom Galvam at his own expence erected a Seminary where they might be instructed which was the first in our Conquest The obstinate Mahometans were astonished at so many Conversions and endeavoured to persuade the Kings to put a stop to their progress but were quite amazed when they saw an Arab whom they reverenced almost as much as Mahomet from whom he was descended leave him to follow Christ. The term of Galvam's Command expiring those Kings begged of ours to continue him for life But wordly Felicities especially in Government are never lasting 22. Antony Galvam seeing all things settled and that it was unjust the Kings of that Island should always be Prisoners set at liberty Cachil Aeiro persuading him to choose a Queen This confirmed the great opinion the Ternatenses had of him and they made publick Songs in his Praise which are the only History or Records they use He composed all Differences between the Portugueses and Islanders and being now at leisure built the Fort and all the Houses after the manner of Spain After his Example the King beautified Ternate with Buildings and granted Lands to the Portugueses who began to make curious Orchards and Gardens and Country Houses the Moors did the same Now Antony Galvam seeing there wanted Water brought it from three Leagues distance Being told he consumed his own without making any advantage of the Trade of Clove he said He could not meddle with Cloves because it bore five Nobs which represents the Wounds of Christ and are the Arms of Portugal His Command at Ternate expiring he returned to Portugal full of Debts thinking but he thought ill if he knew his own Country that he should find some Reward of so much Valour such Service so great Parts and Merits He found Contempt and Misery which brought him to die in an Hospital This
Accident was but a just Punishment of Monteyro's Disobedience to the Commander of the City and the Enemy content with this success weighed Anchor and made away 20. The Enemy sailed thence to the City Ior and began furiously to batter it Regale the King seâ—… to Malaca to desire Succour it was sent him in twelve Ships which entred that Port so unexpectedly that before any resistance could be made they fired some of the greatest Gallies killing all that were in tâ—… and presented the King with the Headâ—… of one of those Commanders which being set up on the Shore so terrified the whole Fleet they all fled 21. â—…et us return to Damam Ferdiâ—… de Mirâ—…da put to Sea again with his Squadron consisting of twenty Sail. After most violent Storms they were forced to come to an Anchor at Suratte Setting out thence they attacked a mighty Ship of Balala which surrendred having articled for the Mens Lives CHAP. II. Continues the Government of D. Francis Mascarennas 1. MIranda's Men in a Rage that they were deprived of the Booty of that Ship which had submitted it self beset him to the number of Fourteen Sail and after much reproachful Language left him and sailed away to Damam putting that Town into a great fright because they had set up black Colours They landed and marched in warlike manner into the City committing extravagant Enormities Every one was astonished not knowing the cause nor daring to ask it and their Resolution was to kill Miranda as soon as he landed As soon as he entred the Porâ—… they ran to the Shore rashly wounded several instead 〈◊〉 him no Authority being suâ—…t to 〈◊〉 them Miranda privately withâ—… to the Convent of St. Francis and sent 〈◊〉 to offer them as much as could comâ—… to every Man's share of that booty whereâ—…th they were appeased It was not above 〈◊〉 Crowns a Man which they valued above their Honour and Duty 2. Miranda sailed hence with some small Vessels and took another Ship at Goga and then stood for Casteleâ—…e a Nest of Robbers long since threatned by the Portugueses He now coming furiously upon it demolished the Fort burnt the Town and put the Inhabitants to the Sword 3. Zamori seeing so many Villages on the Coast destroyed by Mathias de Albuquerque offered a Peace Albuquerque was Commissioned to treat of it he finding himself still amuzed with Delays fell again to acts of Hostility destroying all the Coast with Fire and Sword The City of Calicut felt this Fury being strongly cannonaded as were Paracale Capocaate and Chatua This done Mathias went away to Ormuz of which Place he was appointed Captain leaving his Squadron under the Command of D. Giles Yanes Mascarennas who came to succeed him with eight Ships 4. This Year Five Ships set out from Lisbon two 〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉 forced in again one was 〈◊〉 away aâ—… 〈◊〉 two â—…ed in India 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fought thâ—… or foâ—… 〈◊〉 Vessels and 〈◊〉 off with Honour 5. D. Hâ—…ome de 〈◊〉 and Ferdiâ—… de Miraâ—…a being 〈◊〉 with their Sqâ—…drons took each of them two Mâ—…ar Sâ—…ps Both tâ—…se Commanders were goâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Emanuâ—… de Saldanna Captain of 〈◊〉 against the King of the 〈◊〉 who 〈◊〉 over â—…he Camponeses of that Neighâ—… These Commanders being joined with 200 Horse 800 Musketeers almost 1000 â—…laves and Natives and the King of Sarceta at the request of the Vice-Roy with 150 Horse and 500 Foot they marched with great difficulty for the great heat and badness of the ways by Agaçaim Manora Assarim and at the end of Fifteen days discovered the City Tavar they sought for The City had beautiful Buildings and Gardens seated on a Hill that overlooks a very large Plain The King and Inhabitants being fled it was easily burnt with the neighbouring Villages and the Country People and Cattel carried away 6. Our Men advancing into narrow Defiles where two could not go abreast the King of the Coles with 6000 Men fell upon their Rear whilst some Parties annoyed them from the tops of the Hills Here they were brought into great danger and forced to make their utmost Efforts Many Gentlemen signalized themselves and the King of Sarceta appeared always in the greatest danger encouraging â—…e Men wâ—…h his Sword in hand At length our Men made their way through the Defiles and the K. â—…f the Coles defeated was forced to sue for Peace and accept of such a one as we were pleased to grant him 7. This year began with two greaâ—… Losses D. Iohn de Gama sailing from Malaca towards Goa with his Wife Children much Riches and many Men lost his Ship at midnight at Nicobar Above 50 Persons were lost and among them his eldest Son Another Son his Wife and almost 300 Persons were saved in an Island not inhabited He framed a Barque which held 90 and with great Hardships after being made Slaves they got to Coâ—…him the rest being left behind till they could return to fetch them Simon Ferreyra coming in a Ship richly laden from China was cast away in sight of the Coast of Ior. He desired that King to assist him with some Vessels to save part of the Goods and the King took them to himself 8. D. Giles Yanes Mascarennas who commanded the Squadron on the Coast of Malabar would not seem inferior to his Predecessor He made such havock along that Shore that nothing was heard but the Cries of the Inhabitants He twice set fire to Calicut Panane Calegate Marate Conche and the Island Daruti not without opposition with great slaughter of the Heathens 9. They came to the River Cunnale upon which is a Fort of the same Name the Refuge of Pirats subject to the Commander of the Fort. Two Malabar Ships were standing in and being attacked by two of ours the one was taken in the other 50 Men killed by one Ball that swept from Stem to Stern being boarded and almost taken she ungraâ—â—â—ed and made to the Shore that was covered with Mores and defended with Cannon Tavora who commanded our Ship pursued to save 6 Portugueses who were carried away by the Enemy till a Cannon Ball carried away his Leg of which he died Of the 6 only one was carried to Cunnale who at one stroke cut him in two The King of Chale to prevent his own Ruin agreed to pay Tribute assign a place and furnish Workmen and Materials to raise a Fort. Mascarennas on his way to Goa in the River Sal burnt the Villages of Aselonor and those of Cuenti in Salsete 10. Bracalor a City seated on the Coast of Canara in almost 14 Degrees of Latitude was once one of the most noted places of Trade in India in the form of a Common-wealth but much decayed since the Portugueses built a Fort there The People of this place observing that our Commander Francis de Mello Sampayo was wholly taken up in heaping Riches and pleasing his Wife resolved to rid themselves of that Clog They agreed to
Vidigueyra 1. THE Kingdom of Pegu before not very considerable was raised to be one of the greatest Empires in Asia by the King of Uva and Brama assisted by 1000 Portugueses under the Command of Antony Ferreyra de Braganca who served him as his natural Prince The Kingdom of Pegu properly so called borders on that of Arracam the Countries of the Brama's and Iungoma's on the West is bounded by they Sea of Bengala from the City Rei to that of Sidoa distant 90 Leagues from each other the breadth of the Kingdom is about the same and its true Name is Bagou 2. It is about 1000 Years since this Kingdom was first erected by a Seaman who was the first King then his Son who lived 80 Years next the Grandson called Tam these and all their Successors added to their Name the Title of Banna Caél Uca Talanna Inda Darar Mampla Ximindo the last who died the Year 1640 as was before related when Branginoco so far inlarged it by his Conquests that it extended to China and Tartary and was Sovereign of Twenty-four great Kingdoms beside Eighty Princes not inferior to Kings Thus it became the powerfullest Monarchy in Asia except that of China 3. This King for the Conquest of Martavam thirty Leagues distant from Pegu gathered 700000 Men and 1700 Ships The Siege lasted six Months in which died 160000 Men. The City being taken and the King killed 140000 Houses were burnt besides 1600 Temples in which were taken 60000 Idols most of Gold and precious Stones there were also taken 3000 Elephants 6000 Cannon and innumerable Prisoners The King's share of the Spoil was above 100 Millions of Gold 4. For the Conquest of Siam he led a greater Force possessed himself of the Kingdom and took the King and his two Sons called by reason of their different colour one the Black the other the White He was content to leave that King in Possession of the Crown as his Vassal having himself been till then his Subject carrying away his two Sons as Hostages 5. Branginoco returning Victorious to Pegu entred the City in Triumph many Waggons going before loaded with Idols and inestimable Booty He came at last in a Chariot with the conquered Queens loaden with Jewels at his Feet and drawn by the Captive Princes and Lords before him marched Two thousand Elephants richly adorned and after him his victorious Troops He built a Palace as big as an ordinary City The least part of its Beauty was rich Painting and Gilding for the Roofs of some Apartments were covered with Plates of solid Gold Some Rooms were set with Statues of Kings and Queens of massy Gold set with rich Stones as big as the Life He was carried on a Litter of Gold upon many Mens Shoulders the Reverence paid him was more like a God than a Prince 6. After some time the two Brothers asked leave of the King to go visit their Father which he granted and afterwards sending to demand the usual Tribute the black Prince refused to pay it The King in a Rage sends his great Favourite Banna with a powerful Army against him Banna ravaged the Country of Siam and Besieges the Prince in Hudixa who defended it so bravely that Banna being forced to draw off he fell upon and totally defeated him The King sends his Brother-in-Law with a greater Power and he receives a greater overthrow 200000 of his Men were cut in pieces with a great number of Elephants and Horses many more of both taken The black Prince remained Victorious his Men were enriched and all encouraged to follow their good Fortune 7. The King of Pegu raises another Army of 1700000 Men 1500 Elephants 80000 Horse and all Necessaries proportionable the Command of it he gave to Mapa Raja his Son with the Title of King of Siam not doubting of the Victory At the News of this Power all Siam trembled except the valiant Black now King who met his Enemy and gave him Battel The two Kings encountring on their Elephants fought and he of Pegu was cast dead off his Elephant at which sight his Men fled and the Siamites pursued them a Month destroying the greatest part of that vast Army 8. The King of Pegu in a Rage for the Death of his Son turned his Fury against the People and some days burnt above Ten Thousand throwing so many into thè River Ganga as stopped the Passage even of Boats He forbid them sowing which caused such a a Famine that they not only eat one another to which purpose there was a publick Butchery of Man's Flesh but devoured part of their own Bodies For want of Fuel they made fire of human Bones having first taken off the Flesh to eat It is wonderful all this Tyranny never obliged that People to rebel A good Example given by Heathens to those more barbarous Christians who dare fly in the Face of just Princes without the least shadow of Oppression 9. This was followed by a Pestilence that depopulated all the Kingdom The neighbouring Princes taking this advantage fell upon the King of Pegu covetous of his Treasures Among them was the Black of Siam who retired with the loss 100000 Men. The King of Tangu was he that possessed himself of all he promised Life Liberty and Estates to all that would come over to him The first that deserted were the Portugueses and Moors for some Portugueses are like Moors in Matters of Interest After them followed a Bastard Son of the King whose Head was cut off by Order of the King of Pegu's Sister Wife to him of Tangu saying That he who was false to his Father could not be true to her She said and did well but who will punish her for treating her Brother barbarously when taken 10. He in despair delivers himself up to the King of Tangu who being possessed of the City and Palace found such Treasure that he made no account of Silver and other Metals and Riches It is avouched for truth that he could not remove all the Jewels and Gold in twelve Caravans each consisting of Seven hundred Elephants and Horses The News of this Treasure drew thither the King of Arracam who contenting himself with what he of Tangu undervalued gathered above Three Millions and a great Train of large Cannon The King of Tangu presented him of Pegu to his Sister and she who having killed his Son for betraying him it was thought would comfort used him Reproachfully and afterwards seeing the King her Husband inclined to Mercy caused him to be beaten to Death 11. The King of Tangu in whose House he of Pegu was Murdered by his own Sister was his Creature and Son to a Carter So that Kingdom had its beginning in a Seaman or Waterman and ended in a Carter both Employs of the same Nature one by Land and the other by Water 12. This Year came into India from the remote Mountains of Scythia or Tartary the Prince Baxan Fourth Grandson of Tamerlain the Great was by the Augustin
Friars converted to the Faith lived some time and marryed a Woman of Quality at Goa and thence came over to live in Portugal 13. Four Ships arrived safe at Goa from Lisbon commanded by Ayres de Saldana who went Viceroy of India One of these Ships was taken coming home at the mouth of Lisbon River In another returned the late Viceroy D. Francis de Gama better beloved by the Elements than by the Portugueses as will appear by what follows 14. Matthias de Albuquerque one of the great Men of India who afterwards fell at variance with the Count before that happened sent him a Present of two Horses worth Two Thousand Crowns He accepted but upon the falling out returned them Albuquerque would not take them and the Count's Messenger left them by his Order tied at the Door of one of Mathias his Servants Albuquerque commanded his Servant to turn them loose and they run about the City till no Body receiving them they were by his Order tied at the Hospital Door with a Bill signifying they were given to the Poor 15. The Statue of the Great D. Vasco de Gama Grandfather to the Count of a large Proportion cut in Marble stood over the principal Gate of the City fastned to the Wall by a strong Iron Bar. The French Ingenier Sebastian Tibao at the Instigation of those Gentlemen the Count's Enemies in the Night applied to the Iron that Herb that has the quality of eating it by which means the next Night it was pulled down broke and the Quarters hung up in publick Places 16. The Day the Count was to Embarque Forty Men well armed got aboard before him and hanged up at the Yard Arm his Effigies made exactly like him in Face and Habit. He was going aboard as they returned and seeing that sight asked what it was they answered It is your Lordship and those are the Men that did it He only replied No more no more India He caused the Statute to be dropt into the Sea set sail and within two Days came again into the Port to take in Fowl for the Voyage because all he had before were poisoned This is a common Practice in India especially among the great Ones 17. But as was said the Elements loved the Count better than the Men for he was the first that ever came from India to Lisbon without furling Sail. The continual biting of the Yards upon the Masts had so fastned them that they were forced to out them down when they came 〈◊〉 Lisbon to lower them because they would not run 18. He set sail on the 25th of December and arrived at Lisbon the 27th of May so that he spent but 5 Months in the Voyage which equals the swiftness of the Winds themselves and could not have been performed but by running continually with them The Count was tall and well shaped of a grave Aspect his Complexion fair capable of the greatest Command and not Covetous He was the 17th Viceroy and 35th Governour 5th of the Name 3d of the Sirname and the 5th Count. CHAP. V. The Government of the Vice-Roy Ayres de Saldanna from the Year 1600 till 1604. 1. AS soon as Ayres de Saldanna had taken upon him the Government he dispatched the homeward bound Ships which were six under the command of D. Hierome Continno That called the St. Simon commanded by Iames de Sousa of Viana came first to the Island St. Helena where there were two great Holland Ships with each two tire of Guns They presently sent aboard our Ship to tell the Captain He must instantly yield and go aboard them unless he would soon be sent to the other World Sousa considering that Message required a loud Answer sent it from the mouth of a Cannon and they understanding it replied with 8 the Terror whereof made our Men drop from the Yards who were furling the Sails but they soon recovered themselves 2. The Enemies Cannon playing killed at first two of our Men and tore the Rigging and Masts at which our People were so frighted they sought to abandon the Ship Sousa with much Valour encouraged them and began to play his Guns with good success The Fight lasted without ceasing that afternoon all night and the next morning wherein the Hollanders receiving great Damage made away leaving ashore the Cask they had sent for Water Our 5 Ships came up afterwards and continued their Voyage together 3. The Viceroy found at Cochim great Complaints against the King of Iafanapatan for that contrary to the Treaty of Peace he gave Passage to the King of Candea through his Country The Commander of Manar Manuelâ—… Barreto de Silva was sent against him with 1000 Men. The King expected him with 12000. Being upon the point of ingaging the Difference was amicably made up by F. Emanuel of St. Matthias Religious Men are good to promote Peace between Lay-Governors but when they take upon them Secular Governments they confound all 4. This Year 4 Ships set out of Lisbon for India and were all drove back Five Galleons also sailed and two of them were forced in again one lost on the Coast of Zocotora Another returning next Year from India richly laden met at the Island St. Helen 3 Holland Ships of 30 Guns each ours had but 27 small ones yet could not avoid fighting 5. The Fight lasted some days till the Galleon was beaten to pieces and the Enemy got nothing by the Victory The Captain and most of the Men were taken and basely treated by the Hollanders who put them ashore in the Island of Ferdinand de Noronna whence they passed to Pernambuco and were there nobly entertained by Iames Botello provided with all Necessaries and sent home 6. The Ships that were forced back the last Year and two more arrived in India and brought the News That on the 24th of November 1602. there appeared over Italaca a Blue Cross seeming to the Eye about four Fathoms in length and two in breadth of a curious form with Green Boughs over it It continued two hours about day-break during which time it was seen by above forty Christians of Suneputat who were going to Mass to their Parish of St. Lazarus The following Year 5 Ships went from Portugal We have no farther account of the Occurrences of these Years and therefore must be content with what follows which happened about that time 7. Andrew Furtado went over to the Moluco Islands in hope to recover them He drove the Hollanders out of Amboina and Sunda restored the Rosatelos to our subjection gained many strong Places from those of Ito Nao and Veranula and then appeared before Ternate from which by bad Weather and other Accidents he was drove after having spent 5 Years in continual labour Let us leave him at Amboina while we treat of the Conquest of Pegu which happened about the same time 8. Xilimixa King of Arracam who had possessed himself of the Crown of Pegu to express his Gratitude to the Portugueses that served him
Achem richly laden The King of Arracam to the intent to possess himself of that Custom-house resolved to joyn with the King of Tangu and sent an Embassador to him with 20 Ialias or small Ships Nicote understanding it caused Bartholomew Ferreyra Captain of our small Craft to fall upon them who put them to flight so that they were sorced to make their escape to the King of Iangona's Country The Enemy thus exasperated gathered 700 small Vessels with 4000 Men under the command of the Prince his Son with whom were Ximicolia and Marquetam Sons to the then Emperor of Pegu. 21. Paul del â—…ego Pinnero set out to meet them with the Boats and 7 Ships and having taken 10 Boats that were advanced before the rest returned to secure them and set out again but observing the Enemy was too strong for him went in to gather more Force Being reinforced he meets the Prince routs him and takes several Vessels The Prince thinking to save himself by running up a River got into a small Creek where Pinnero took all the rest of his Vessels obliging him to escape by Land having lost One Thousand of his Men. Then he took the Fort of Chinim and in it many Prisoners among which was the Wife of Bâ—…unadala 22. Nicote was now abroad with Fourteen small Vessels in which were Sixty Portugueses and Two hundred Pegues he run up a River and hearing the Prince was on the Shore with Four thousand Men Nine Hundred of them Musqueteers he attacks him Ximitoto a valiant Pegu attempted to take the Prince and being himself hurt wounded the Prince in the Face which occasioned his being made Prisoner and gained us the Victory Two Thousand Men of the King of Pram came to the Prince's assistance as he was taken and were also defeated The Pegues seeing their Prince carried away to Captivity would all have gone with him striving to get into our Vessels Such as could not remained on the Shore cursing their hard Fortune that would not permit them to follow him a Prisoner as they had done in Liberty Christians may here learn the Duty they owe to their Princes 23. Nicote may also be a President to all Men how to use their Victories for he not forgetting he had been a Slave to the Prince now his Prisoner served him with the same respect now as he had done then He watched him sleeping holding his Buskins in his Hands with Arms across a Ceremony used by the meanest with their Kings in those Parts and himself attended him upon all Occasions This generosity may well equal him with great Men and purchased him together with other the like Proceedings the Name of Changa which as was before said signifies Good Man 24. But now ends the Government of Ayres de Saldanna by the arrival at Goa of Martin Alfonso de Castro who came to succeed him with the same Title of Viceroy He set out from Lisbon with five Ships whereof one was forced in again About the end of the same Year there sailed thence two Caravels 25. Ayres de Saldanna seems to have had more natural Goodness than Inclination to War for in his time nothing of this sort was set on Foot He was one of those few Viceroys and Governors who are believed not to have wronged the King On his re-return home he died in the Latitude of the Islands and the Ship that brought him was lost at the mouth of Lisbon River He was tall and somewhat corpulent of a tawny Complexion of Viceroys the 18th of Governors the 36th and First of the Name and Sirname 26. I have purposely reserved for the end of this Government the Discovery of Grand Cathay for which we are beholding to F. Nicholas Pimenta Visitor-General of the Jesuits in Asia He chose for this employ B. Benedict Goes a Man well versed in several Languages and particularly the Persian which was the most important for that Design B. Goes cloathed himself in the Habit of an Armenian Christian Merchant and after their manner took the Name of Abdula Isai which signifies Christian Lord. He set out from the Mogol's Court with that Prince's Favour and Merchandize In his Company went two Greeks well skilled in the manner of Travelling and were Leo Grimanus a Priest and Demetrius a Merchant These had four Mahometan Servants who were afterwards Christians which they left at Laor one of the Mogol's Courts as useless and took in their stead Isaac an Armenian who had a Wife and Children there and was there faithful Companion From Laor they set out on the 6th of Ianuary 1603. 27. With great Labour and Hardships they passed through the Cities Abec Passaur Caferstan Guideli and Cabuo Here they were forced to stay 8 Months and meeting a Sister of Hamet Can King of Cascar that was going a Pilgrimage to Meca and was taking up Money at Interest B. Benedict considering it would oblige that Princess and her Brother through whose Dominions he was to pass lent her 600 Ducats without Interest which afterwards stood him in good stead The Priest Grimanus spent with Labour turned back from Cabul The Caravan set forward and passed the Dominions of the Mogol's in sight of the Cities Characar and Parvam 28. They passed the high Mountains of Aingaran and entring Chalca saw a fair People like the Germans then went through Gialalâ—…bat Thalham Quenam Badaxaâ—… Carebumar Serpanil Sarchunar Tanguetar Iaconich in which Journey almost two years were spent with great Toils and Dangers Hence they Travelled to Hiarcan the Court of the King of Cascar and Place of great Trade They stayed a Year for another Carravan and then set out much favoured by the King for the Kingdom of Chalis The Son of the Pilgrim Lady they lent the Money to at Cabul was very serviceable to them and they were repaid in precious Jaspar-stone the richest Merchandize in that Country In their way they passed through these Towns Iolchi Hanchalix Alchegret Hagabareth Cambaxi Aconferset Chiacor and Acfu Acfu is a Town belonging to the King of Cascar where a Grandson of his only ten Years of Age then governed who favoured Goes the time he was obliged to stay there 29. B. Benedict and Isaac setting forward again for Demetrius stayed behind at Hiarcam and passing the famous Desert Caracatay that is The black Land of Catay and these Towns Oitograck Gazo Canani Delai Saraguebedal Ugan and Cucha they came to the City Chalis where a Son of the King of Cascar governed and where they were in great danger and stayed 3 months Here came in the Caravan from Cathay by whom our Discoverer heard of F. Matthew Rivius then residing at Peking and found that China and Cathay were the same Country and only the Names differed Goes joyful of this Discovery resolved to proceed On his way he passed through these Towns Puchan Turfan Arumuth Camul and Quiacioâ—… whence may be seen that famous Wall that parts China and Tartary and came to Sucheu where hearing much of
Mendoça Furtado returned to Goa where he found D. Hierome de Azevedo was then Viceroy Ruy Lorenço de Tavora was Viceroy three Years the 21th of that number 41th Governor and second of the Name and Sirname He had more Inclination to Peace than War which produced Concord with all the Kings of India of Stature tall his Complexion fair aged and a good Christian a rare thing among Men of Quality CHAP. XI Of the Propagation of the Christian Faith in China 1. THough these Affairs properly appertain to the Ecclesiastical History of which I design a particular Volume yet for the satisfaction of those who desire some Information herein and having at the end of the First Part said somewhat touching the first entrance of Christianity in China I will here briefly relate its Progress till the Year 1640 though it be anticipating the Time that the Relation may not be too much dismembred and because that Order is chiefly observed by me in Martial Affairs 2. The four Houses or Residences of Xancheu Nancham Nanking and Peking being setled F. Emanuel Diaz was sent as Visitor of the three first because F. Matthew Rivius could not be spared from the other which was the Soul of them all The Visitor-General Valiniano setled 30 Crowns a Year upon each Residence finding it sufficient to cloath and maintain the Religious who were to live there that they might not obstruct the advancement of the Faith by the necessity of asking any thing 3. The Visitor sent new Fathers to all the Residences In the Year 1604 Cuitayso was Baptized till then he only gave ear to it but was the cause that many were converted and procured the Foundation at Nanking He was called Ignatius In the Year 1606 died the Visitor Valiniano at Macao Nicholas Pimenta succeeded him 4. F. Matthew Rivius died at Peking in the Year 1610 the King appointed his place of Burial and allotted his Companions a House and Church The Mandarins and others celebrated his Funeral with great demonstrations of esteem He was the first buried in that country for all that died before were carried to Macao 5. The Year 1613 the Religious were expelled Hancheu and coming to the City Nanhiun built a Church there and afterwards others In the Year 1616 there were 7 Residences two at Peking one of them without the Walls one at Nanking one at Hancheu one at Nancham one at Caiyeu and one at Nanhiun In them all were 22 Fathers the Converts amounted to 6000 among them many Nobles Lawyers and Mandarines and some Bonzo's 6. The Year 1617 the Religious were expelled from all their Residences the Persecution began at Nanking Some escaped to Quantung and Macao 14 remained hid in China who were afterwards called by other Cities to erect new Foundations One was at Kiencham in the Province of Kiangsi through the means of a Lawyer who was converted and christned Stephen Another at Xambay in the Country of Paul the Doctor Another at Quartim in the Province of Nanking which City it could serve without a Residence there but the Fathers were restored to it by the assistance of Doctor Michael a great Admirer of them and of Christianity and afterwards one of the most famous Preachers of the Gospel By degrees the Persecution ceased and the Fathers were every where restored Two new Residencies were erected in the Cities of Xansi and Xensi and some of those that had been banished returned from Macao 7. The Year 1622 two other Residences were setled in the Province of Fokien another at Xansi another at Xensi another at Honan All things went on successfully and the Year 1630 the Converts came in by hundreds afterwards by thousands 8. In the Year 1634 there were in China 22 European Fathers and 4 Brothers greatly esteemed by the Mandarins and other Persons of Note A Prince of the Province of Xantung sent for some Fathers to hear their Doctrine so did other Provinces afterwards 9. At Peking there were 288 Converts among them Mandarines Lawyers and Soldiers one Eunuch and one Bonzo which is considerable they being a sort of Priests he converted his Father and some Relations 10. At Nanking 70 Converts and a Noble Eunuch of 75 Years of Age. The Christians here were so zealous that when the Fathers removed a Lawyer and his Nephew carrying the Vestments and other Church-stuff on their backs and being told by the Father The Servants might do it They replied It was not fit any body should carry the Things of the Church but they who were proud to be Porters to Iesus Christ. 11. At Kiamcheu and Pucheu almost 2000 Converts at a time when the three greatest Calamities of this World succeeded each other The first was Famine which raged to that degree they eat one another two Women were shot to Death being convicted of eating 40 Children A Father and Mother rather than see their Child perish in their Arms cast it into a River and themselves after it Others buried a Child alive a Christian call'd Peter saved both the Children and brought them up The next Calamity was War and the third the Plague 12. At Hancheu in the Province of Chekiang the Converts amounted not to 150. At Xamhay 400. At Narcham only 26. At Quiencham 80. In the City Fokien 257 and many in the Country At Singam not 100 by reason of the Famine that raged as at Quiamcheu they eat the Dead ground Stones and used the Dust in stead of Meal Some at Hoacheu and the Neighbourhood At Honan but 30. In the Kingdom of Hannam which the Portugueses call Tonking almost 100000. 13. Thomas a Native of Thinhoa laboured in the Kingdom of the Lao'â—… That People is white good conditioned and have no Thieves among them Those of Hannam undervalue them for eating of Vermin They wear narrow Gowns their Feet bare the Head commonly uncovered their Hair round and short like a Lay-Brother only one Lock on the Temples which is run through holes made to that purpose in the Ears they adore an Idol called Theica with the same Ceremonies those of Hannam worship their Tham. They Trade into this Kingdom their Merchandize Elephants Buda's Skins Benjamin and Amber 14. At Dangthan 2441 Converts and many at Thinhoa At Nighihan 4200 the Residence is at Rumo there are 26 Churches and the Divine Offices are celebrated with much magnificence In Bochinh a half Province next Cochinchina 130 were Baptized In an Orchard here was found a Tree brought from the Laos the Leaves whereof gain him that carries them the Affection of all he meets and Reconcile them if Enemies Being examined whether it was not Superstition it was judged to be a Natural Virtue 15. In the Year 1635 there were not above 3300 Converted among all the Residences The House at Chincheo was then first founded A Church was erected in the Town of Yunchum and another in the City Chancheu Now there will be a greater Fruit reaped because the King protects and countenances the Religious
hearing these Threats deserted him and returned home This set those two Enemies of ours at variance and was no small help to our Affairs 2. The two Commanders Emanuel Cesar and D. Constantine being joyned they marched towards Nicapeti and found the way he was to come very clean and strewed with Flowers A Chingala carried Nicapeti the News of our approach who caused him to be impaled saying There were no Portugueses left in Ceylon He was soon undeceived the two Vanguards coming in sight of each other Nicapeti instantly possesses himself of a Hill and intrenches with 7000 Men. Our Van attacks and enters his Works kill 1000 of his Men and force him laying aside the Regal Ornaments to fly to the Woods We lost only an Ensign The other part of the Enemies Army seeing this defeated fled over the River Laoa Night coming on our Men rested there and in the morning found themselves strengthen'd by 500 Chingala's who had deserted from the Enemy 3. At this time a Chingala who had been a Christian and Follower of the Portugueses by the Name of Antony Barreto served the King of Candea Though of base Birth his Valour advanced him to be General of that King's Forces with the Title of Prince and Governour of the Kingdom of Uva This Man laying hold of the opportunity of Nicapeti's Revolt came with a considerable Power to seize our Fort of Sofragan Barreto counterfeiting Friendship drew our Men which were but 60 under two Captains Faria and Matoso to a Conference and treacherously slew most of them Those that escaped retired to a Church where want of Ammunition obliged them to surrender and they were carried to the King of Candea 4. This misfortune was justly due to those Portugueses for murdering an Embassadour sent by that King to Treat of an Accommodation that they might joyntly carry on the War against Nicapeti The King who might justly have put to death Faria and his Men in Revenge for his Ambassadour Treated them courteously He sent two of them to Balane to advise our Garison there to deliver that Place to him being distressed by Nicapeti they went and having advised the contrary returned into Slavery 5. The King being informed by these Messengers that those of Balane would not sâ—…rrender fell upon them with 10000 Men and many Elephants Our Commander Emanuel Falcam held out some days but seeing 6 Portugueses had deserted and there was no hope of Relief was forced to Capitulate The King treated him and his better than they deserved He was so desirous of Peace that he presently sent an Ambassadour to Treat thereof with our General D. Nunno Alvarez Pereyra but the Success of that Negotiation belongs to the next Year 6. An Embassy came to Goa from the King of Siam acknowledging the Favours received of the Portugueses The Heads of the Message were that he had received a Letter from Iames de Mendoça who stayed not for the Answer that he offered the King of Portugal the Port of Martavam to build a Fort there that he would maintain the Garrison and a small Fleet to Cruize on that Sea against the King of Dua. The Ambassadors were splendidly entertained and F. Francis of the Annunciation a Dominican sent along with them with the same Character He set out the beginning of May with a costly Present for the King The King received the Ambassador with great Satisfaction who proposed to him how ambitious the Portugueses were of his Friendship that they should both join their Forces to subdue the King of Ava that there should be a free Trade between Siam and Malaca that he should not admit the Hollanders into his Country 7. The King answer'd That the Portugues Merchants might freely resort to his Ports and be exempt from all Duties and his Subjects should Trade to Malaca that the reason they had not done it of late was the ill usage they found there whereof he gave good Instances that he had admitted the English Dutch and Malayes into his Ports for the great respect they showed him and the need he had of them that he had assisted the Portugueses against the Hollanders that he was no way concerned for the harm those of Malaca had done the Queen of Patane because she was a Madwoman but she being now dead he had placed one of more Sense there and desired there might be free Trade with her as well as with Siam that the Goods of such Portugueses as died in his Dominions should go to their Heirs that he had ordered all Portugueses who committed any Crimes should be tried at his Court to prevent any wrong being done them by the prejudice of Magistrates Thus our Ambassador was answered and dispatched and the King sent with him two Siam Gentlemen to go his Ambassadors into Spain 8. There were great Complaints against the Commander of Moçambique Ruy de Melo Sampayo for that he robbed the Natives and did not pay the Soldiers having privately strangled some of them which caused a Mutiny Francis de Fonseca Pinto was sent from Goa to regulate these Disorders With him went Salvador Vaz de Gama to succeed Melo in case he were found Guilty Melo's Conscience accusing him he refused to admit the Judge who resolved to return to Goa but hearing that Melo had left open a Wicket of the Fort he rush'd in and deposing him gave the Command to Guerra contrary to what the Viceroy had ordered He was also to Victual the Fort at Tete and furnish it with Cloth that Fort being maintained to continue the discovery of the Mines of Monomatapa which gave great hopes of Profit But before we relate what happened at this time let us refresh the Memory of what was before 9. In the 10th Chap. of the 3d Part of the 2d Vol. we gave some account of what was acted by some of our Commanders in these Parts Chunzo a powerful King rebelled against the Emperor of Monomotapa and was subdued by the assistance of the Portugueses so other Rebels To gratifie these Favours he for ever gave all his Mines to the King of Portugal making a resignation of them to Iames Simoens Madera Commander of Tete who was then in his Service The substance of the Instrument was That he gave all his Mines of Gold Silver Copper Tin Iron Lead to the King of Portugal upon Condition he should support him in his Throne That the King should admit of him as his Brother That the next Year he would send his Son with an Ambassador to Goa That he had put two Sons and would soon two Daughters into the Custody of Iames Simoens to be bred Christians The Emperor ordered Simoens to have an Instrument made hereof and he asking how he would Sign it since in his Empire none could write the Emperor made three Crosses on the Ground one under the other and said he would sign it that way which accordingly he did 10. This done Simoens with his Men accompanied the Emperor who was
dispute 10. The time being come they must return to Siranagar the King would not permit them to depart till they swore they would return and then he promised they should have liberty to Preach and he would build them a Church being much pleased with a Picture they left him of our Lady with our Saviour sleeping in her Arms. The Fathers returned acccording to promise and the King in pursuance of his built the Church with great joy and was afterwards Baptized with the Queen notwithstanding the Lama's for their private Ends did all they could to oppose it The Fathers understood by Merchants who came from China that it was 60 Days Journey distant from that Court travelling through the Kingdom of Usanguâ—… 40 Days Journey from the same Court and thence 20 to China That there were two great Kingdoms where the Cross was much used That Cathay is not a Kingdom but a great City and Metropolis of a Province subject to the Grand Sopo very near China Hence perhaps some gave China the name of Cathay Perhaps this Empire of Tibet is that of Prester Iohn so much spoken of and not Ethiopia as was believed But let us return to India 11. In April 4. Malabar Parao's took a Portugues Ship carrying the Men into slavery under Arcolo a King of the Country opposite to the Place where the famous Fort of Cunnale once stood Among the Prisoners were two Franciscans one whereof proved so acceptable to the King that he was the cause of settling a firm Peace between him and the Viceroy 12. Two Ships arrived from Lisbon which returning home the next Year were lost with the whole Portugues Fleet upon the Coast of France in a terrible Storm and was the greatest Loss Portugal sustained since the time of King Sebastian 13. There being nothing remarkable this Year in India let us see what the Carmelites did in Persia where they got footing in the Year 1604. They soon erected several Convents and confirmed the Armenians who were in danger of falling from the Faith terrified with the Persecution raised by the King of Persia. F. Basil of St. Francis was very successful among those called of Saint Iohn about Bassora In the short space of six Months he Preached in the difficult Persian Arabian and Turkish Languages as if he had part of the gift of Languages peculiar to the Apostles and gained such Reputation that many neighbouring Princes permitted him to Preach and build Churches in their Dominions 14. F. Iohn Thadeus and F. Peter of Saint Thomas went to the City Xiras being sent for by the Sultan thereof where they converted some Mahometans others gave them their Doubts in Writing to be sent to Rome assuring if they were satisfied in those Points there would be no need of Preaching to convert them Veâ—…taviet Moses an Armenian Bishop acknowledged his Error in denying the Supremacy of the Church of Rome and promised to perswade all her Diocess to acknowledge it In fine these Fathers have laboured with great Profit and Success 15. Three Ships sailed this Year from Lisbon to India one of them at his return on this side the Cape Good Hope fought twice with three Dutch Ships and came off with Honour 16. Nunno Alvarez Botello sailing with his Galleons for Mascate there arose such a terrible Storm that it parted all his Company from him and he had much difficulty to perswade his Men in despair to work The Tempest ceasing their Provisions fell snort there was but one Pipe of Water for 500 Men and no Land near where they might be supplied Some died with Thirst others running mad leaped over-board After a Fortnight spent in this miserable Condition they discovered the Land of Rozalgatâ—… always fatal to the Portugueses The Men cried to go ashore but Nunno with fair words and kindness disswaded them and coming to Teve they were relieved without danger 17. Off Surat Nunno discovered six Dutch Ships he gave them câ—…ace but lost them He sailed to Bombaim to refit a Galleon and thence to the Bar of Diu. An English and Dutch Squadron both consisting of 17 Sail sailed to Bombaim thinking to find him there They battered the Fort and mâ—…ting no Opposition burnt the poor Towns along the Coast. A Dutch Captain entring the Church of Our Lady of Hope with his Sword cut to pieces a great Crucifix and burnt part of it He had soon after the Reward of this Barbarity his Ship being burnt by Ruy Freyre and he with all the Men slain Nunno hearing of this Action begged the Crucifix of the Rector vowing to carry it always with him till he had revenged the Wrong or died in the Execution of it So it fell out as will be seen hereafter 18. The King of Achem fitted out a Fleet of 35 Galleys against Malaca D. Francis Coutinno with 16. Sail burnt 34 of them killing or taking 3000 Men and bringing off 800 pieces of Cannon 19. On the 17th of Iune 4 Dutch Ships came before the Port of Macao designing to fall upon the Fleet was ready to sail for Iapan The King's Revenue being low our Commander could act nothing against them some rich Men undertook it in Merchant Ships They fitted out five and boarding the Enemy's Admiral burnt her killing 37 Men taking 50 24 pieces of Cannon a quantity of Ball some Money and much Provisions The other 3 fled 20. Ferdinand de Sousa commanded at Angola and after defending it against two Dutch Squadrons fortified the Coast the space of half a League raising 4 Works planted with Cannon and cast up a Trench at the Bar of Corimba which secured it against any attempt Zinga Queen of Angola went with a great Power to Besiege the Garrison of Ambaça but Iohn Carreyro sending a Company of Portugueses to assist that Lord who was our Friend the Queen was defeated A Body of Men marching to her aid was met by nine Portugueses with a number of Blacks who fled at first sight the nine Portugueses fought till their Pouder was spent and two being killed the other seven were taken which was no small Satisfaction to the Queen and many of the Blacks who before were our Friends hereupon became Neuters 21. Soon after the Queen was defeated and deposed and her Brother Airiquibange Crowned King being become a Christian as did many Persons of Note by his means At Congo the City Salvador was taken by the Prince of Sunne who killing the King placed in his stead D. Ambrose of the same Blood Royal. He proved a wise and religious Prince 22. The beginning of this Year went from Portugal for India but one Ship and a Pink. The latter as it return'd was burnt by the Dutch and the Men made Prisoners But in November 3 Ships more set sail The Viceroy returned to Portugal in the first Ship having resigned the Government to D. F. Luis de Brito Bishop of Cochim by reason D. Francis Mascarennas appointed to succeed him was gone to Spain The Count this second
old Men who said the Prince of Candea hearing the approach of our Men had the day before abandoned that Place All the Houses were burnt by D. George his Order 7. The Fame of these Actions made many come in and submit whom our General treated with kindness and rewarded but Fear and Malice being equally prevalent in them they hid themselves thinking to get away to their own People again which D. George understanding caused them to be apprehended gave some as Slaves to the Captains and delivering one to the Cafres they in sight of his Wife and Children immediately cut him in pieces which they divided among themselves to eat 7. The Army marched to Cardevola where were 2 Forts whence showers of Bullets flew The General having viewed them drew out 3 Battalions to give the assault These advanced and the whole Army ambitious of sharing the Honour followed of their own accord and D. George had much difficulty to stop them On a sudden the 3 Bodies crying St. Iames applied the scaling Ladders mounted and planted our Colours upon the Walls of both Forts We lost two Officers and four private Men and had some few wounded As our General entred one of these Forts a Chingala came and told him that of Tanqueyra Grande was abandoned by the Enemy he sent thither a Body of Men and found it was true and that they had left in that Fort good Brass and Iron Cannon many Muskets and Ammunition Those of Cardevola which were presently demolished were no worse provided one piece of Cannon was found with the Royal Arms of Portugal upon it 8. In several Parts of the River Bodies were afterwards found with Cymeters which showed many in confusion were drowned for haste The Enemy had strowed Crows-feet about the Fort to gall our Men which did them the greatest harm as they fled Our Army pursued the Enemy but could not come to any Action till they met at the Foor of the Mountains of Candea where they were defeated and we remained Masters of the Forts of Manicravate Sofragan Maluana and Caliture About Maturé where D. Theodosius lived as a King was the like Success 9. The same at Chilao a Sea-Port which our General assaulted by Sea and Land and took there a great Booty part whereof were 130 Vessels The King of Candea sent Ambassadors to sue for Peace the General was against it but being importuned by the religious in consideration of the Misery the Country was reduced to by those Troubles he granted the Ambassadors should go to Goa to treat with the Viceroy In fine D. George not only recovered our lost Reputation but encreased it 10. D. George found the Inhabitants of Columbo that ought to have worshipped him for delivering them from a deplorable Condition more dangerous Enemies than the Natives He endeavoured to put in Execution the King's Orders to prevent the Frauds committed by the Officers of the Revenue they arming made several Shots at him by one of which he lost a Finger This Mutiny being looked into those concerned were put out of their Places and the Island and it was declared in the Council of State that D. George had acted better then any before him and it was requisite for the King's Service he should be continued in that Post. Peter de Silva who was Viceroy after the Count de Linnares removed him only because it is a Custom for the new Viceroy to undo what his Predecessor has done But no sooner did D. George leave the Command of the Island Ceylon than all that he had gained was lost Returning to Goa poor and full of Merit he died in a low Condition rather as was believed through Grief than Age. CHAP. XII Of several Occurrences till the end of the Government of the Viceroy the Count De Linnares 1. AN Indian Woman married to a Portugues was delivered at Bardes of a Monster with two Heads and Teeth the Ears like a Monkey on the Forehead an Excrescency of Flesh like a Horn the Legs so joyned they looked like one leaping out of the Midwife's hands it seized a Black and bit out a piece of her Flesh. The Wife of a Heathen Barber brought forth much such another Creature and a Cow a third all successively one after the other These Prodigies were general through most of the World this Year 2. The Year 1633. was not quite unlike it the beginning of this Year we lost the Town of Golin in Bengala in this manner The Mogol having lost above 50000 Horse the last Year in several Engagements he had with Hidalcan attributed it to the Assistance the latter received from the Portugueses In Revenge thereof he now besieges Golin with almost 200000 Men by Land and a vast Fleet sent down the River Ganges In the Place were 200 Portugueses and their Slaves who defended themselves several days without out any Fortifications killing 50000 Mogols Being no longer able to hold out they attempted to escape in four Vessels two whereof full of Women and Children and vast Riches fell into the Enemies hands The Women rather than remain in Slavery fired the Vessels and were burnt with their Children and Treasure The other two Ships with the Men were also taken and the Mogol offering their liberty to such as were not Inhabitants of Cambolim they refused saying They would all share the same Fortune It is not known whether they were killed or made Slaves 3. The War continued in Ceylon with the King of Candea The false D. Theodosius had returned to our Friendship but with a design to deceive us but was at last killed The King sued for Peace and submitted to our Conditions but then again refused to ratifle it and Iames de Melo Castro offering him Battel if he persisted in the denial he signed the Treaty Thus we were again restored to all that had been lost in Ceylon 4. Last Year three Ships were ready at Lisbon to sail for India at the usual time which is about March but the Weather proved so bad they were disappointed In Iuly three others set out and two of them had the good fortune to make the Voyage without seeing Land till they came to Goa This Year we now treat of sailed the three Ships that were disappointed the last One of these coming back was cast away beyond the Cape of Good Hope but lost not one Man and very few of them died ashore Of the Wreck and some Wood cut in the Mountains they built two small Vessels that carried them off though not without difficulty the greatest to make the Men agree to this only means of saving themselves 5. On the 16th of February 1634 Antony Tellez de Silva sailed from Goa towards the North with 6 Galleons in search of the like number of Dutch Ships that came from Persia About Trapor he discovered them and giving chase they fled throwing overboard many Goods to lighten 6. The Viceroy was not so wholly taken up with the Military Affairs but he could
the two famous Rivers Gambea or rather Rio Grande and Zanaga so called by the Portugueses from a Prince of that Name whom they spoke with when they discovered it it has other names in the several Countries it runs through and makes many Islands most as being uncooth inhabited only by Wild Beasts It is navigable 150 Leagues up where a ridge of perpendicular Rocks crosses it in such manner that the Water falling down forms an Arch under which Travellers pass dry and pleasant to behold but makes a hideous noise with the fall The Gambea or Rio Grande runs 180 Leagues and carries more Water it is not all Navigable but runs with less noise though filled with many Rivers that water the Country Mandinga Both these Rivers flow out of the famous Niger and may as well be esteemed but so many Mouths thereof There is great variety of Fish in these Rivers and several other Creatures along them as Horses Crocodiles and Serpents with Wings the other Beasts that abound are Elephants Ounces Wild Boars and a many more Great are the numbers of them and wonderful their variety and different forms The Waters of the two Rivers mixt cause Vomiting yet each asunder does not In this part is that great Cape called Cabo Verde by Ptolome C. Assinarium in about 14 degrees of North Latitude The Country runs 170 Leagues Eastward is most fruitful and has many populous Cities To Tombotu the Mart of Mandingo Gold resort the Merchants of Grand Cair Tunez Oran Tremisen Fez Morocco and other places This trade moved King Iohn to build the Fort on the River Zanaga The 20 Caravels were commanded by Peter Vaz de Cunna who landing with D. Iohn Bemoi the King and beginning to raise the Fort in the place assigned either suspecting that he deceived him or fearing to die in that Country basely killed the King endeavouring with that Foul Crime to hide another not so hainous which was to return without finishing the Work and in fine he came back without any effect 9. The Congo Embassador being well instructed in the Faith was sent home with three Ships Sono was the first Land they made and arrived safe at Congo They were joyfully received by an Old Lord called Manisono Uncle to that King who desired to be baptized An Altar was erected in the Field and he was admitted to this Sacrament by the name of Manuel and his Son by that of Antony in the presence of 25000 of their People this being the first time that Sacrament was there administred The King of Congo Nephew to this Lord hearing what he had done added to his Estate and caused all the Idols within his Dominions to be destroyed The King made his residence at Ambasse Congo 50 Leagues distant where he received Ruy de Sousa the Portugal Commander on an Ivory Chair placed on a Lofty Throne From the Waste upwards he was naked the lower part wrapt in Sky-colour Damask on the Left Arm a Bracelet of Brass from his Shoulder hung a curious Horse-tail a Royal Badge among them on his Head a thing like a Miter of a delicate Webb made of Palm which resembles wrought Velvet After the Ceremonies he desired to see the Holy Vestments He viewed them with deliberation and respect in presence of his Queen Children and the Chief of the Court. Then he gave leave to build a Church which was done in few days of the invocation of the Holy Cross because begun the day of that Feast in May. In this Church was baptized the King and some of his People there being above 100000 present as well for that they flocked to see the Novelty as because they were preparing for a Neighbouring War The King was called Iohn and the Queen Ellenor in honour of our Sovereigns Afterwards were baptized the greatest part of those had flocked thither The New Christian King went to meet his Enemy relying more on his Conversion and the Cross in the Colours he had received from Ruy de Sousa than in 80000 men he had in Arms nor were his hopes vain he returned with Victory and Ruy de Sousa to Portugal with the honour of having compleated one of the most famous undertakings of this Crown leaving in that Kingdom People capable to labour the New Vineyard 10. Afterwards was baptized the Prince who had been absent in the Wars and called Alfonso Panso Aquitimo the King 's Second Son would not receive the Faith and the Father falling off because as a Christian he could be allowed but one Wife resolved to leave the Crown to the Heathen Aquitimo in wrong of the Prince who continued constant in the Faith Alfonso was abroad in banishment when his Father died but returning to Court was received as King Aquitimo having recourse to the Sword fell upon him when he had but thirty seven Christians as well-Portugueses as Blacks yet under the Banner of the Cross Alfonso overcame a vast multitude of Infidels Aquitimo being taken and then slain A Gentleman that accompanied Aquitimo desired to be baptized immediately declaring they had been overcome by a Glorious Army that was lead by a Cross and not by the thirty seven Christians Alfonso established in peace destroyed all Idols and propagated the Faith with great zeal He sent his Sons Grandsons and Nephews to Portugal to study Two of them were worthily afterwards Bishops in those parts In memory of that Victory and of the first Colours sent this King as also that the Faith was first planted on the day of the invention of the Cross he took for his Arms Gules a Cross Fleury Argent between two Crosses Pattee charged with the Arms of Portugal 11. The beginning of the Year 1493 came into the River of Lisbon Christopher Columbus who brought from an Island guessed to be that of Sipango some Men Gold and great tokens of Riches This Great Man some time before had offered his service to King Iohn who having slighted him then looked on him now with some regret and he provoked him with some extravagant words in revenge of the small regard made of him There were some who offered to kill him as well to punish his Boldness as to conceal from Spain his Discoveries But the King sent him away with honour Columbus was a Genoese and learned Navigation in Portugal he was employed by the King of Spain and he had sent him to the Discovery he now came from King Iohn did not envy the Fortune of Spain but feared that Discovery was part of what the Portugueses had been so long in quest of This caused him to fit out a Fleet commanded by D. Francisco de Almeyda in order to oppose those proceedings judging he had right on his side but it proved not so Several Embassies passed on both sides to agree the business and at last came to a conclusion 12. Though Prince Bemoi was dead the hopes of making a farther progress in that Country about Zanaga died not with him
hindred the Lord from visiting him These Lucky beginnings moved Gama to attempt entring the Harbour but meeting some danger he Anchored above the Town which lies in 14 Degrees and half of South Latitude and is encompassed by the Sea the Land about it is low and unhealthy the Houses of Hurdles that of the Lord and the Mosque of Mud Walls the Inhabitants were Strangers and Moors this being between Quiloa which lies above and the Mine of Zofala below it This place was ever much accounted of by our Seamen being a most secure place to Winter in The Natives of the Continent are Black Here came aboard Gama three Ethiopians who as soon as they spied St. Gabriel painted on the Poop sell on their Knees as those who had always preserved Christianity which was preached among thâ—…m in the Primitive times though now with some corruption Vasco de Gama sent other Presents to the Lord and they concluded a Peace which was confirmed on our part by erecting a Cross there by the name of Sâ—… George But the Barbarians having deâ—…lly concluded this Agreement our Men going for Wood fourteen Boats fell upon them pouring in abundance of Arrows but being answered by our Cross-Bows and Guns they never offered to molest us a second time They sailed hence the 11th of March with one Morish Pilot he had hired two but the other fled Bad Weather obliged him to come to an Anchor again at St. Georges Island He took in Water by force of Arms the Blacks opposing it And they encreasing to 2000 he fired some Cannon which killing some the other with the fright fled to the Continent leaving many in our hands 5. The Xeque or Governour at first refused a Pilot he they had being fled but fearing it might be revenged sent another so wicked that he run the Ships among some Islands which were called del Acotado because the Pilot was there severely whipped for this fault This punishment instead of amendment provoked him to another fraud He persuaded Gama to take the Port of Quiloa by telling him there were Christians there but believing our Ships might be destroyed The Currents drove the Ships off and they came to an Anchor at the City Monbaza which is an Island made by a River that falls into the Sea by two Mouths The Buildings like those of Spain the Inhabitants all Moors without any mixture of Christians as the Pilot affirmed Our Commander sent a Present to the King and he deceitfully offered a kind reception This inclined Gama to enter the Port but it being God's Will to deliver him the Ships fell off and our Seamen making some extraordinary cry to bring them about some Moors who were aboard thought they were discovered taking this for a signal of Battle they all leaped overboard which undeceived the Commander who sailing on and chasing two Boats he took one with 13 Moors By them he was informed that not far off was the City Melinde and there several Vessels from India 6. Melinde is seated on the plainest of a Rocky Coast encompassed with Orchards Palm-trees and Woods of Fruit-trees the Buildings great and sightly the Country as well stored with Cattle as Fruit the Natives Pagans of Colour Swarthy of Body Strong the Women are counted beautiful from the Waste downwards they wear Silks and Cottons on the Head Veils with Gold-Laces Most of the Merchants who trade here are of Guzarat who in return of their Spice carry Gold Ivory Amber and Wax The King is a Mahometan and is served with State and Splendor Gama gave him an account of his Voyage by a Souldier and how he stood in need of a Pilot. Some Presents and Complements having passed between them they met on the Sea where the King was pleased above all with thâ—… gift of the 13 Moors not long before taken The Portugues feared the Moors kindness was deceitful but it proved otherwise for the effect of this interview was a lasting Peace faithfully observed by the Portugueses and Moors Here Gama discoursed with some Merchants of Cambaya who aboard his Ship were seen to worship an Image of our Lady which shewed there were yet among them some foot-steps of the Preaching of St. Thomas the Apostle He carried with him Melemo Cana of Guzarat finding him so expert in Navigation that being shewn an Astrolabe he took little notice of it as one who was used to more considerable Instruments With this Able Pilot Gama set forwards having first erected a Cross which he called of the Holy Ghost and crossing that great Gulph of 700 Leagues in twenty two days anchored 2 Leagues below Calecut 7. Whilst our Discoverers rejoice at their arrival in India let us give a general description of it referring the particulars to the arrival of our Ships in those parts The Region properly called India is that which lies between the two noble Rivers Indus or the West and Ganges on the East Of the first it takes Name as does the most Ancient Kingdom of Delhi the best and most powerful of this Country Hence the Persians call it Indostan On the South it is all girt by the vast Ocean Encompassed by those Rivers it makes a sort of Peninsula almost in the form of a Lozenge or Rhombus of equal Sides but not equal Angles The two most distant opposite Angles lie North and South the latter is made by Cape Comori the other towards the Fountains of the Rivers which though distant in the Mountains called by Ptolomy Imao yet running down the Rivers come almost to meet The distance between these Angles in a streight Line is about 400 Leagues The other two opposite Angles which lie East and West and are distant 300 Leagues are formed by the Mouths of the Rivers They encompass as much Land on their two sides as does the Ocean on the other two Though all this Country be inhabited by Heathens and Mahometans yet they differ in their Opinions and Customs as they are divided into several Kingdoms as Multan Delli Cospetir Bengala Orixa Mando Chitor and Guzarat commonly called Cambaya The Kingdom of Decan is divided into many Sovereignties with Character of Kings with that of Pale divided between both That of Bisnagat to whom are subject many Petty Princes and all the Province of Malabar divided into small Territories some absolute some subject to those already named Had not Nature set Bounds to Human Ambition separating these Countries with vast Rivers Mountains Lakes Woods and Deserts inhabited by sundry and innumerable Wild Beasts they had all doubtless been under the Command of one Lord. The most remarkable Bounder of this vast Continent is a long Ridge of Hills which the Natives call Gate that is Mountains they run about 200 Leagues from North to South on both sides between the Sea and the Hill run two long but narrow Plains for about 80 Leagues that on the West is called Malabar on the shoar whereof is seated the City Calicut It was then inhabited by Pagans
Guenga and falls into the Sea near the Mouth of Ganges between the Cities Angali and Pisolta in about 22 degrees of Latitude The River Bate has his Springs in the Mount Gate and falls into the Sea by Bombaim parting the Kingdoms of Guzarata and Decan From the City Cambaya to the Mouth of this River are 70 Leagues From Chaul South of it to the River Aliga the southern extent of Decan 75 Leagues with these Towns Bandor Dabul Debetele Cintapori Coropatan Banda Chapora and Goa our Metropolis and Archiepiscopal See in India The third district begins where Canara parts from Decan and ends in Cape Comori and contains above 140 Leagues From this River to Mount Delli is about 46 Leagues with these Towns Onor Baticale Barcalor Baranor and others of the Province Canara subject to the King of Bisnaga Below this to Cape Comori are 93 Leagues and is called Malabar divided into three Kingdoms which own no Superior The Kingdom of Cananor has 20 Leagues of the Coast in which are these Towns Cota Coulam Nilichilam Marabia â—…olepatam Cananor the Metropolis in the Latitude of 12 degrees Tremapatan Cheba Maim and Purepatan Here begins the Kingdom of Calicut and runs 27 Leagues and has these Towns Calicut the Metropolis in about 11 degrees 70 minutes of Latitude Coulete Chale Parangale and Tanor the head of a Kingdom subject to the Zamori or Emperour of Calicut and Chatua the last Bound of this Empire Next is the little Kingdom of Cranganor which borders on that of Cochin then that of Coulan and lastly Travancor subject to Narsinga Near Travancor is the Famous Cape Comori the southermost Inland of this Province of Indostan or India within Ganges and 7 degrees and half of North Latitude where ends the Coast of Malabar and the fourth of the nine districts I now divide the Coast of Asia into From Cape Comori in the West to Cape Cincapura in the East which is the Southermost Land of the Aurea Chersonesus or Malaca are 400 Leagues and within this interval is contained the great Bay of Bengala called by some Sinus Gangeticus because the River Ganges after watering the Country of Bengala falls into this Bay about the Latitude of 23 Degrees This River is wonderful for the abundance of water it carries and esteemed Holy by the Neighbouring People who imagining it conduces to their Salvation when given over are carried and die with their Feet in its water which brings the King a great Revenue for none must wash there without paying a certain Duty Though this River has many Mouths the two most remarkable are called Satigan to the West and Chatigan to the East near 100 Leagues distant from each other and here will end the fifth of the nine Districts This may be subdivided into three parts The first the Kingdom of Bisnaga contains 200 Leagues and these Towns Tarancurii Manapar Vaipar Trechendur Caligrande Charcacale Tucucurii Benbar Calicare Beadala Manancort and Cannameira whence takes name that Cape that stretches out there in 10 degrees of North Latitude then Negapatan Hahor Triminapatan Tragambar Trimenava Colororam Puducheira Calapate Connumeira Sadrapatan and Meliapor now called St. Thomas because that Apostles Body was found there From St. Thomas to Palicata are 9 Leagues then go on Chiricole Aremogan Caleturo Caleciro Pentipolii where ends the Kingdom of Bisnagur and begins that of Orixa the second part of this District and contains about 120 Leagues to Cape Palmeiras with these Towns Penacote Calingan Vizipatan Bimilepatan Narsingapatan Puacatan Caregare and others Here begins the third part which is the Kingdom of Bengala and extends above 100 Leagues The sixth District of the nine begins at the East Mouth of Ganges or Chatigan and ends at Cape Cincapura in little more than one degree of North Latitude This Coast contains about 380 Leagues to Cape Negraes in the Latitude of 16 degrees 100 Leagues and these Towns Sore Satatolu Arracam Metropolis of the Kingdom so called and Dunadiva upon the Point Hence to Tavay in the Latitude of 13 Degrees 16 Leagues This is the bounds of the Kingdom of Pegu. From Tavay to Cincapura 220 the chief Towns along this Coast are Martaban Lugor Tanacerin Lungar Pedam Queda Solongor and Malaca Head of the Kingdom At Cincapura begins the seventh District and ends at the great River of Siam which falls into the Sea in the Latitude of 14 Degrees and has its rise in the Lake Chiammay called by the Natives Menam that is source of waters upon this Coast are the Towns Pam Ponciam Calantaon Patane Ligor Cuii Perperii and Bamplacot on the Mouth of the River The eighth District contains these Kingdoms that of Cambodia through which runs the River Mecon whose Springs are in China that of Champa or Tsiompa whence comes the true Aloes on this borders the Kingdom of Cochinchina then that of China divided into fifteen Provinces or Governments each of which is a great Kingdom those on the Sea are Quantung Fokien Chekiang where ends the eighth District The ninth begins with the Province Nanking and continues that of Xantung and Pecheli running to the farthest discovered Land of the Coast of Tartary I shall speak of the Islands that lie along this tract as they are discovered but the Names of the chief are these the Maldivy Islands Ceylon Sumatra Iava Borneo Banda Timori Celebes the Moluccoes Mindanao Luconia and Iapan Thus much of the Coast of Asia let us now see by whom inhabited and what it produces 2. Though there be many and very different manners of Worship in Asia as well as sundry Nations the chief Religions there may be reduced to these four Heads the Christian Jewish Mahometan and Gentile The first two for the most part under the slavery of the latter With the two latter the Portugues waged War their Power is thus divided All that tract from the River Cintacora opposite to Anchediva towards the North and West is subject to Mahometans thence Eastward to Pagans except the Kingdom of Malaca part of Sumatra and some parts of Iava and the Molucco Islands held by the Moors In that tract which is governed by these are the following Sovereign Princes The Kings of Aden Xael and Fartaque who have many Ports of great Trade and their Subjects the Arabs are couragious and warlike Next the King of Ormuz greater than the other three together and then he of Cambaya equal to Xerxes Darius or Porus in grandeur and warlike power From Chaul to Cinâ—…atora belonged to Nizamaluco and Hidalcan two powerful Princes not inferiour to great Kings who maintained great Armies composed of sundry warlike Nations well armed The Moors of Sumatra Malaca and the Moluccoes were well disciplin'd and much better stor'd with Artillery than we that attacked them The Heathens were the Kings of Bisnagar Orixa Bengala Pegu Siam and China all but chiefly the last so Powerful it is not to be expressed and if related scarce credible Siam extends above
500 Leagues and has seven Kingdoms subject which are Cambodia Como Lanchaam Cheneray Chencran Chiamay Camburii and Chaypumo The King has 30000 Elephants whereof he carries out 3000 armed to War and 50000 men only of the City Udia Metropolis of his Empire The King of China alone in extent exceeds them all and all the Princes of Europe put together China is above 700 Leagues in length it has abundance of all sorts of Metals and exceeds Europe in Manufactures some of their Works seem beyond Human Wit the Silks Provisions and Pleasures wherewith it abounds are beyond computation 3. All the Heathens of India chiefly between Indus and Ganges write upon Palm Leaves without Ink with Wooden or Steel Pens which easily cut the Letters on the Leaf whereof I have seen some in Rome curiously folded what they design should be lasting they carve on Stone or Copper they begin on the left Hand their Histories are fabulous 600 years before the arrival of the Portugueses in India there was a King so powerful in Malabar that the People began their Era or Computation of Time from his Reign as they did afterwards from our arrival He was persuaded by the Moors that traded in his Ports to turn Mahometan and gave them leave to build Calicut Being old he divided his Kingdoms among his Kindred To the Chief he gave that of Coulan where he placed the Head See of the Religion of the Bramens and called him Cobritim that is the same as High Priest to his Nephew he gave Calicut with all the Temporal Dominion calling him Zamori that is the same with Emperour This last Dignity continues in the same place the other was translated to Cochin Having disposed of his Dominions he resolved to die at Meca but was drowned by the way Calicut is a plain Country well watered plentiful of Pepper and Ginger all other Spice it has from its Neighbours The People are very Superstitious and do not suffer those of one Trade or Profession to marry into another or put their Children to Learn The Nayres who are their Nobles if they chance to touch any of the Commons cleanse themselves by washing as the Samaritans and Jews The Women of the Nayres are common to them all but chiefly the Bramens therefore know no Father nor is any bound to maintain them They are most expert at their Weapons beginning to exercise them at the age of seven years They use all the antient manners of Augury and Divination 4. The Viceroy Don Francisco de Almeyda had an interview ashoar with the King of Cananor who brought with him 5000 men well armed He acquainted him he came to reside some time in India by reason of some troubles that were so inflamed with the Zamori King of Calicut He asked leave to build a Fort in the Harbour and it was granted Having begun it he left there Lorenço de Brito to command with 150 men and two Vessels to cruise upon the Coast. Being arrived at Cochin he received the News that the Factor of Coulan with all his men were killed by the Moors He sent his Son Don Lorenço with three Ships and three Caravels with Orders to procure Lading without taking notice of what had past but in case of denial to revenge the slaughter The Messenger was answered by a Shower of Arrows and twenty four Ships of Calicut and other places prepared to receive ours Don Lorenço after pouring in his Shot liberally burnt them all only a few of the Moors were saved by swimming Don Lorenço then went to load in another Port. 5. He returned to Cochin where his Father according to his Instructions was preparing to Crown Triumpara that King in recompence of the Gallantry wherewith he had defended the Portugueses against their Enemies But he being retired to follow a Religious Life and his Nephew Nambeadâ—…ra left Successor it was thought fit to bestow the same Honour upon him He was Crowned with great Solemnity with a Crown of Gold set with Jewels carried from Portugal for that purpose This was a security for that Prince and a terror to others six Ships were now sent home richly laden 6. King Emanuel to secure the Trade of the Gold of Zofala had caused a Fort to be built at Quiloa another at Moçambique and a Factory at Melinde After Don Francisco he sent out Pedro de Annaya with six Ships to build a Fort at Zofala three of the Ships were to go on to India and return with lading the other three to cruise on the Coast of Zofala One of the Captains fell overboard and was lost another had 16 men killed in an Island where he landed The others found Don Pedro de Annaya in the Port of Zofala He obtained leave of that King and raised a Fort whereby the Trade was secured which that King never intended imagining that the Country being unhealthful the Portugueses would be obliged to quit it Here Annaya found twenty Portugueses in a miserable condition after travelling with great hardships from Cape Corientes where they were forced to run their Ship ashoar being no longer able to keep above water Their Captain was Lope Sanchez whom they would not obey ashoar but dividing travelled in several Companies through those unknown Countries They were all lost except these twenty and five found by Antony de Magallanes in the River Quiloame who brought them to Zofala CHAP. X. A Continuation of the Conquests the same Year 1506. and the Government of the same Viceroy Don Francisco de Almeyda 1. THE Kingdom of Zofala is a large tract of Land of 750 Leagues circumference subject to the Monomotapa that is Emperour of that South Part of Africk called by the same Name or Ethiopia Inferior it is watered by these two Famous Rivers Rio del Espiritu Santo and Cuama the latter Navigable 250 Leagues These and many other Rivers that fall into them have Golden Sands Most part of the Land enjoys a Temperate Air pleasant wholsom and fruitful In part it bears great flocks of Sheep of the Skins whereof the Natives are Cloathed because of the cold South Winds Along the Banks of Cuama the Country is Mountanous covered with Woods and watered with many Rivers which make it delightful and therefore the best Peopled and the common residence of the Monomopata It is abundantly stocked with Elephants and consequenty Ivory and Mines of Gold encompassed 30 Leagues about with Mountains on the tops whereof the Air is serene and clear They are called the Mines of Manica 50 Leagues South-west of Zofala there are others 150 Leagues distant none then much valued by their Owners Here are some Buildings of wonderful Structure with Inscriptions of unknown Characters but the Natives know nothing of their Foundation They believe in one God under the Name of Mozima and use no Idols Witchcraft Theft and Adultery are most severely punished by them They have as many Wives as they can maintain the Kings are above 1000 but the first commands the
first Proposals But still the Siege was carried on and April was began Seven hundred Mores attack a Pass Two hundred Portugueses at first opposed them but seeing they were relieved fled in such Disorder that neither their Officers nor the Viceroy could rally them Their two Captains were killed 6. The Action of D. Iames de Meneses relating to Zamori shall be referred to the Chapter of Chaul that of Luis de Melo is fit for this place He set out with Fourteen Sail in search of the Fleet of Achem and met it near that Port it consisted of Sixty Sail well Manned and provided with Cannon commanded by the King's Son and Heir Melo and he met first and our first Shot killed him and several of his Men. The Fleets met and fought resolutely on both sides but the Enemy was utterly destroyed three Galleys and six small Vessels taken all the rest sunk but one We lost not one Man of the Enemy Twelve hundred were killed and Three hundred made Prisoners Melo returned to Malaca with the Vessels and Cannon he had taken and thence sent some Men to the Malucos and came to Goa with Fifteen hundred and Vasco Lorenço de Barbuda whom he found at Cochim preparing to bring some Relief 7. These Commanders being come to Goa took their Posts Meneses executing his Office of Admiral was carried off wounded at such time as Three thousand of the Enemy began to enter the Island of Iohn Lopez Antony Fernandez de Cale with One hundred and twenty Men met and put them to flight killing a great number 8. During this time before Winter came on several Attempts were made upon the Enemies Quarters and Inroads into the Country always with success One Night One hundred and fifty Men beat the Enemy out of a Post at Benastarim and after another at Angoscan ruining all the Works they had raised They did the same at Xatiarâ—…ao Chatigan and Rachol burning Villages demolishing the Works and killing very many 9. Hidalcan though almost in despair began to plant Gardens and other Works as if he designed either to take Goa or live in that Field He resolved to enter the Island with Nine thousand Men at the Pass of Mercantor which was not guarded because the River is wide there Our Men hearing a Drum which never beats but when that Prince marches in Person run thither and saw him on the other side encouraging his Advice being brought to the Viceroy he sent several Parties and followed himself In spight of all opposition Five thousand Men got over under the Command of the Turk Soliman Aga Captain of the Guard Fresh Men still flocked to the Viceroy till he was Two thousand strong All the Posts which extended two Leagues were in Action 10. All the Thirteenth of April from Morning till Night the attack lasted and from the next Morning till the Day following Hidalcan all the while looking on cursing his Prophet Mahomet and throwing his Turbant on the Ground Of the Portugueses scarce Twenty were killed of the Enemy almost Four thousand and among them Soliman Aga Hidalcan's Brother-in-Law and other Persons of Note some Colours and Plunder were taken 11. F. George de St. Lucia a Dominican and Bishop of Malaca foretold this Success to the Viceroy Hidalcan raged and in publick vowed not to stir thence but in private wished a conclusion but used not the means He proposed a Pence and despaired of concluding it upon the Terms he offered one of them was the Surrender of Goa as if the Portugueses had all this while tought for any thing but to keep it Our Viceroy treated with Norican about killing the King offering him either the Crown of great Power in the Government Norican admits the Proposals and as the blow was ready to be given the Treachery was discovered he secured and so the other Conspirators desisted This was about the end of April 12. The treaty of Peace failing the Siege went on but not with the vigour as before The Enemies Cannon ruined our Buildings ours their Men and Parties of ours burnt all the Country Sebastian de Resende with only four Men attempts a Post of the Enemies and killing some would have brought away one alive but he making much opposition Resende was forc'd to kill him Lancelot Picardo and others with forty Men did great execution Antony Fernandez with thirty falling upon Rumercan's Quarters where there was eighty killed eighteen and retired without any damage received The Viceroy leaning one day on a Page a Ball took away his Prop. Being at rest one night he heared a great Noise and instantly came abroad and a Bullet hitting him on the Breast fell at his feet without doing the least hurt 13. Hidalcan to divide and weaken the Viceroy again perswades the Queen of Guarcopa to attack Onor She consents and joining Three thousand Men of her own to Two thousand sent by him besieges the Fort. It was the middle of Iuly the dead of Winter there when the Viceroy received Advice thereof He sent instantly Antony Fernandez de Chale with two Galleys and eight Vessels and what Men they could contain Antony in five days enters that Port and joining with George de Moura commanding there falls upon the Enemy and puts them to flight killing many and bringing all the Cannon into the Fort. About this time Zamori broke out in another place but that requires a particular Chapter 14. The Viceroy underhand endeavoured to stir up other Princes to invade Hidalcan's Dominions by that means to draw him from the Siege Both endeavoured to hide their desire of Peace Hidalcan made appear as if he resolved not to stir and the Viceroy as if he valued not his lying there In fine the whole Winter was spent and towards the end of August when Summer begins and the Enemy might better keep the Field the number of Tents was seen to decrease then the Men and lastly the Cannon vanished without coming to any accommodation after a Siege of ten Months wherein the Enemy lost Twelve thousand Men Three hundred Elephants Four thousand Horses and Six thousand Oxen part by the Sword and part by the Weather Thus Goa was suddenly delivered Let us now see what was done at Chaul by Nizamaluco the second Chief of this League CHAP. IX The Siege of Chaul 1. NIzamaluco keeping time with Hidalcan set down before Chaul at the same time the other did before Goa His General Faretecan invested the place with Eight thousand Horse and Twenty thousand Foot and on the last day of November the Enemy broke ground with a horrid noise of warlike Instruments 2. Luis Ferreyra de Andrade a Man well deserving such a Post commanded at Chaul and laboured long under great Wants of all Necessaries supplying those Defects with his and his Men's Valour till D. Francis Mascarennas came to his assistance with Six hundred Men in four Gallies and five small Vessels and some Barques loaded with Ammunition and Provision 3. The
undertake what does not belong to his profession There were two ways to the Mines the one through Monomotapa the other by Zofala Barreto was for this Monclaros for the other and carryed it notwithstanding all the Votes to the contrary and so the first step they gave was to their ruin 5. Now the Governor enters upon this Conquest let us say somthing of its Climate quality and extent The Coast from Cape Delgado to Mozambique is in the form of a bow it begins in 9 deg of S. lat and ends in 14 d. 3 m. in which space are the Islands Pajaros Mesa one at the Mouth of the River Paudagi Mocoloe Matemo Queriba Cobra near the River Menluane Quisve and Cabras or Del Açotado Then follow the Rivers Mâ—…cutii Mucululo Situ Habe Xanga Samoco Veloso Pinda Quizimaluco Tintagone Between these last are the Bays of Xanga and Fuego and the Sands of Pinda From Mocambique to the Port of the Bay of Cauea in 21 deg and half of S. lat The Continent runs to the Westward gathering the Waters where appears the Parcel de Zâ—…fala the dangerous Scylla and Caribdis of those Seas into which falls these Rivers Moeugo Bayones Mâ—…ge Mojuncoale Sangage Ambuzi here lie the three Islands of Angoxa Monca Macolonga with three other Islands Tondamaje Corombeca Quesungo Loranga Chimani Mogundo Mafusa between the last are the Ports of Quilimane and Luabo with the Island Chimgoma Tendicalu Quiloe Sabam Bagoe Miave Zofala with the opposite Island called Inbansato Quiloane Mambony Molimon Quilamancohi Between Cape Bâ—…siqua in 32 deg of S. lat and Cape Correntes in 23 is the great Bay of Sauâ—…a Into this Bay falls the River Inhambane where is the Trade of Ivory From these names I infer the Language of those People cannot be harsh being mostly compounded of the soft Letters L. and M. 6. The Empire of Monomotapa from the Mouth of Cuama in the East runs 250 Leagues is divided by the great River Zambere which falls into that of Chiri running through the Country of Borero where are many other large Rivers and on their banks many King 's some absolute some Subjects of Monomotapa the greatest of the first is Mongas bordering on Câ—…ama and Zambere which falls into the Sea between Mozambique and Zofala to the S. E. by four Mouths The first that of Quilimane 90 Leagues from Mozambique The second Cuama 25 to the Southward The third Luabo 5 Leagues lower and the fourth Luaboel 15 more to the South Between them are fruitful and large Islands whereof one is 60 Leagues in compass The River is Navigable the same number of Leagues up to the Town of Sena inhabited by Portugueses and as many more to Tete a Colony of theirs also The richest Mines are those of Musapa called Anfur the Ophir where the Queen of Saba had her Riches when she went to Hierusalem In these Mines has been found a lumâ—… of Gold worth 12000 Ducats and another of the value of 400000. It is not only found among Stones but grows up within the bark of several Trees to the top where the branches spread The Mines of Mancbica and Butica are not much inferior to these There are many others not so considerable There are three Fairs or Markets whither our People Trade for this Gold from the Castle of Tete on the River Zambeze 120 â—…ngues from the Sea the first is Luane four Days journey up the inland The second Buento farther distant and Masapa the third yet farther of This Gold was purchased for Cloth glass-beads and other things of no value among us At Masapa resides a Portugues Officer appointed by the Commander of Moçambique by consent of the Emperor of Monomotapa but upon condition not to go into the Country without his leave upon pain of Death He is Judge of the differences that arise there There are Churches of the Dominicans at Massapa Bocuto and Luanze 7. The Original number and time of the Reign of the Kings is not known it is believed there were several in the time of the Queen of Saba and that they were subject to her for thence she had her Gold In the Mountain Afur near Masapa are seen the ruins of stately buildings supposed to be Pallaces and Castles in Process of time the Empire was divided into three Kingdoms Quiteve Sabanda and Chiganga this last the most powerful as possessing the Mines of Manchica Butua and others its believed the Blacks of Butua of the Kingdom of Chicanga are those that carry the Gold to Angola because 't is thought there are but 100 Leagues distance between those two places this Country bears Rice and what we call Indian-wheat has abundance of all sorts of Cattle Fowl and Gardening Their chief care is Pastorage and Tillage this Empire is divided into 25 Kingdoms which are Mongas Baroe Manica Boesa Macingo Remo Chique Chiria Chidima Boquizo Inbanzo Chiruvia Condesaca Daburia Macurumbe Mungussi Antiovaza Cbove Chungue Dvia Romba Rassini Chirao Mocaranga and Remo de Beza there are many Lordships that have not the Title of Kings 8. The Emperor has a great Palace though of Wood the chief Apartments of it are three one for himself another for his Wife and a third for his menial Servants it has three Doors into a Court one for the Queen to go in and out at another for him and the Servants that attend his Person and are Sons of his Noblemen the third for the Cooks who are two great Men and his Relations and the under-Cooks who are also Men of Quality None of these must be above 20 Years of Age for till that Age they do not believe they have to do with Women and if any do they are severely punished after that time they are preferred to great imployments Those within Doors are governed by a Captain and those without by another as formerly in Spain the Alcalde de los Donçeles 9. The Principal Officers about the King are Ningomoxa Governor of the Kingdoms Mocomoaxa Captain General Ambuya great Steward to him it belongs when the Mazarira or the King 's Principal Wife dies to name another in her stead but it must be one of the King's Sisters or nearest Relations Inbantovo the head Musitian who has many under him and is a great Lord Nurucao Captain of the Van-guard Bucurumo which signifies the King's Right-hand Magande the chief Conjurer Netambe the Apothecary that keeps the Ointments and utencils for Sorcery Nebono chief Porter All these Offices are executed by Lords there is no delicacy in Cookery used they only Eat boyl'd and roasted they Eat the same as is usual among us with the addition of mice which they esteem as good as Partridge or Rabbet 10. The King has many Wives only nine called great Queens which are his Sisters or near Relations the others the Daughters of Nobles The chiefest is called Mazarira and Mother of the Portugueses who often present her because she sollicites their business with the King
Family who spent above 15000 Ducats at the Wedding of a Bull and a Heifer There was also a Baneane who making a Well in the Village Calegam for the use of Passengers and resolving to Marry this Water with some other despised all that was near and Marryed it to the River of Suratt above 30 Leagues distant and spent above 5000 Crowns in the Wedding 6. The Chatines Marry as the Bramenes but their Widdows cannot throw off the Tale because they must not Marry again nor keep a Gallant When they want Heirs they adopt one by drinking to the adopted who pledges in Coco-milk dyed with Safran If he is a Man they give him one of the names of the Sun if a Woman of the names of Gods Wife 7. The cause the families do not mix is because the Bramenes descended from the God Bramasface those of Chatrier that is Kings from the right Hand those of Vaixer from the Belly those of Chadrer they are the Nayres from the Foot At first they used to mix but afterwards the Bramenes obtained a priviledge of King Cheraman Perimal to the conrrary hence they are so much superior to others that they are polluted by coming near as well as touching them they must not Eat with those of a lower race nor any thing drest by them nor out of any Vessel of theirs if any of them Marries or has to do with inferiors they burn on his Forehead a mark like a daws soot and his kindred making a statue like him of straw and the Herb Dorpe burn it with ceremonies as if it were a dead Man The Bramenos loose their birthright of their Family by Eating Fish Flesh or Eggs and by Drinking Sura or Orraca by stealing or killing another Bramen provided it is not in Warâ—… among the other Families there are divers customs about being defiled 8. Saniade or Saniassi is a dignity greater then a King of which only the Bramenes are capable the elect is installed by another Saniassi in this manner The Image of the elect is made in Straw and burnt to show he is dead to the World then the Master leads him to a Bath cuts of his Corombi and dips him 72 times then takes off his piece of Net the mark of a Bramene cloaths him in red and he can never after wear white only on his back a Fota He delivers him a rod with a piece of the same cloath and a straw Hat for three or four Days he is under the Masters tuition must not Eat Fish Flesh chew Betle nor so much as look upon a Woman and if accidently he meets one he puts his Hat over his Eyes and goes on till she is out of sight He is to take what is given him without complaining lives in or near the Pagod succeeds and is Heir to his Master He bows only to the Idol and even the King and Bramenes do to him all his defence is in curses so much dreaded that every one endeavours to appease him he is not to handle Money none can carry his Hat when he goes a foot If he does any thing contrary to his institution the Bramenes accuse him before the King if convicted they stain him with Safran and depose him but he buys it off with bribes 9. They use no ceremony with those that die under the Age of 7 Years those that are above this Age are burnt towards the South from their Houses where lives Iemen King of the Devils that he may the sooner carry away the Soul For mourning they shave their Heads and Beards which they do not cut for a whole Year after nor have to do with Women Lye 15 Days on a mat and enter not into the Pagods the 15 Days expired they cast the Ashes into the Sea if near if not into some bye place and plant a Fig-tree where the funeral pile was then they wash and put on clean cloaths cast out all Earthen Vessels and one comes to purify the House sprinkling it with Cows piss and Milk 10. Every Day of the Fast he that purifies the House puts a little Rice upon a Fig leafe which the Rooks Eat or if they fail which is looked upon as a great misfortune 't is cast into the Water for the Fish The Anniversary is a Feast at which there must be no Poor On the Coast of Coromandel Goa and Cambaya the Women burn themselves with their Husbands unless such as have sucking Children Iâ—… any refuse the relations hold it as an affront to them and force her 300 burnt themselves with the Naique of Madure The manner of it is thus The Woman is carryed on Mens shoulders to the Pagod in her best attire and anointed with Sandal after praying to the Idol she dances all the way to the place where her Husband was burnt and casts her self into the Fire the relations standing round with forks to keep her in and making a noise with several iustruments that her cryes may not be heard and move compassion 11. The Original of this Custom was from King Pandues Wife who voluntarily burnt her self with him and it is upheld to secure the lives of the Husbands it having been observed that more died by means of the Wifes then by Sickness The Saniade or Saniassi is not burnt but buryed whole in the Pagod where he serves they make a hole and seat him in it upon the bench he used before he is quite Dead with a little Rice and some without for the Idol then cover him with Clay without any farther ceremonies believing he is suddenly gone to Heaven CHAP. VII Of the Empire of Aethiopia and first of the Kingdoms and Provinces into which it is divided of the Progress of Christianity therein and of the Product of the Land 1. EThiopia was the Second of our Three great Discoveries which were India Ethiopia and China and therefore shall be the Second described The Reader may be assured of its Truth as being delivered by an unbiassed and learned Person that spent a considerable time there travelling and examining into the Truth of things and being an Eye witness of the greatest part 2. The City Danoas was the Metropolis of this Empire seated on the top of a Mountain The Country about it is divided into Districts some mountainous but all fruitful Three Miles to the Northward is Ogara so fertile that the green and ripe Fruit hangs at once upon the Trees Westward is Dambia not inferior to the other then Amfras where our Patriarch resided and had Lands Next follows Dara and others till you come to the Nile 3. In all these Divisions are many Monasteries and Churches with Priests and Friars Ethiopia knâ—…w not the Sacrament of Confirmation The Country Tacussa was best disposed to receive Christianity because many Portugueses lived there and that of Gorgorro by the Labours of the Jesuits who had a Church there So the Heathen Agoâ—…s gave ear to our Doctrine these are a warlike People and possess a plentiful Country
those of my own Country The Kingdom of Portugal was founded by Three Heroes HENRY ALFONSO and SANCHO most visibly adorned with aâ—… those Virtues which merit to erect Imperial Thrones and from them to Command many Kings many Princes and many Nations Their Successors began to decline The Dominion the same Distributer of Power was pleased to give them in Asia was also founded on Three as appears in the beginning of this Work They were DUARIE PACHECO D. FRANCISCO DE ALMEYDA and ALFONSO DE ALBUQUERQUE Scarce had they one Successor who did not manifestly decline or at least had a mixture of Valour and Timerousness of Moderation and Covetousness with that unhappy distinction that still the Timerousness and Avarice were most predominant No Living Creature puts away his Young Ones till they can shift for themselves So Almighty GOD when He erects Monarchies cherishes them with particular Care till they gather strength and then tho' He does not wholly abandon puts them into the hands of Men that they may perceive the difference between the Divine and Human Care Let an unbiassed Judgment here reflect upon the Exploits of the Portugueses in gaining this Asiatick Crown and it will appear that only PACHECO could have forged it with that fiery Heart which melted the Arms and Riches of the obstinate Zamori That only ALMEYDA could have filed and polished it by applying his own and his Son's Sword which brought it into form by humbling the Turkish Pride And that only the Great ALBUQUERQUE giving the finishing stroaks could have set in it the most Precious Jewels of Goa Malaca and Ormuz For they so far removed from their Country that they had not only lost sight but even the hopes and memory of it entring with a few indifferent Vessels and a most inconsiderable number of Men where scarce a Tree offered them a secure shade amidst Numerous and well Armed Squadrons and Castles and through showers of heavy Ball and poisoned Arrows by the force of their Swords opened deep Trenches raised high Walls and secured to themselves famous Cities and large Countries Let those who have since acted less having so good a ground to perform much more not take it ill if we say That the Bounds of our Dominions in India are almost reduced to what they were in the Beginning It is true some of the Successors a few among so many added something to the Foundation but it was an inconsiderable Copy of the Great Original It is also true others valiantly desended that â—…dation but it was an indispensable Duty Let not timerous Spirits call this a Rash Iudgment which the Brave will only style Unbiassed or say We endeavour to lessen the Merits of Hero's our only Design is to shew the Ways and Means the Giver of Crowns takes to frame and deliver them to Mortals and how far less capable they are to Maintain than He to Form them The Divine Providence gave a sufficient Demonstration hereof in the erecting this Empire and they no less in diminishing of it Hereof we have seen much already and shall see yet more yet not without singular Acts of Valour That it may be manifest the Cause of our Ruin is That the Souls are not always the same for the Hearts always are THE CONTENTS TOM I. PART I. CHAP. I. THE Government of the Vice-Roy D. Garcia de Noronha from the Year 1538 till the Year 1540 in the Reign-of King John the Third Page 1 CHAP. II. Continues the Government of the Vice-Roy D. Garcia de Noronha p. 8 CHAP. III. The Government of D. Stephen de Gama from the Year 1540 till the Year 1542 in the Reign of King John the Third p. 6 CHAP. IV. Goes on with the Government of D. Stephen de Gama p. 24 CHAP. V. Sundry Exploits of Captain Antony Faria from the Year 1540 till that of 1542 during the Government of D. Stephen de Gama p. 31 CHAP. VI. Continues the Exploits of Antony de Faria p. 37 CHAP. VII Continues still the Exploits of Antony de Faria in the Government of D. Stephen de Gama and the Year 1642 p. 44 CHAP. VIII Concludes with the Actions of Antony de Faria p. 47 CHAP. IX Continues the Government of D. Stephen de Gama and contains the Actions of his Brother D. Christopher in Ethiopia p. 54 CHAP. X. The End of the Government of D. Stephen de Gama p. 63 CHAP. XI The Government of Martin Alfonso de Sousa from the Year 1542 till the Year 1545 in the Reign of King John the Third p. 67 CHAP. XII Continues the Government of Martin Alfonso de Sousa p. 76 CHAP. XIII Continues the Government of Martin Alfonsa de Sousa p. 81 CHAP. XIV The End of the Government of Martin Alfonso de Sousa and of the First Part of this Tome p. 86 TOM II. PART II. CHAP. I. THE Government of D. John de Castro from the Year 1545 till the Year 1548 in the Reign of King John the Third p. 95 CHAP. II. Continues the Government of D. John de Castro and Siege of Diu p. 103 CHAP. III. Continues the Siege of Diu the Governour D. John de Castro comes in Person to its Relief p. 109 CHAP. IV. Continues the Government of D. John de Castro and Reign of King John the Third p. 117 CHAP. V. The End of the Government D. John de Castro p. 125 CHAP. VI. The Government of Garcia de Sá from the Year 1548 till the Year 1549 in the Reign of King John the Third p. 132 CHAP. VII The Government of George Cabral from the Year 1549 till the Year 1550 in the Reign of King John the Third p. 140 CHAP. VIII Continues the Government of George Cabral p. 143 CHAP. IX The Government of the Vice-Roy D. Alfonso de Noronha from the Year 1550 till 1553 in the Reign of King John the Third p. 150 CHAP. X. Continues the Government of the Vice-Roy D. Alfonso de Noronha p. 563 CHAP. XI The Government of the Vice-Roy D. Peter de Mascarenhas from the Year 1554 till 1555 King John the Third still Reigning p. 174 CHAP. XII The Government of Francis Barreto from the Year 1555 till 1558 in the Reign of King John the Third p. 178 CHAP. XIII The End of the Government of Francis Barreto p. 186 CHAP. XIV The Government of the Vice-Roy D. Constantin de Braganza from the Year 1558 till 1561 in the Reign of King Sebastian p. 190 CHAP. XV. Continues the Government of the Vice-Roy D. Constantin in the Reign of King Sebastian p. 198 CHAP. XVI The End of the Government of the Vice-Roy D. Constantin p. 207 CHAP. XVII The Government of the Vice-Roy D. Francis Coutinho Count de Redondo from the Year 1561 till 1564 in the Reign of King Sebastian p. 215 CHAP. XVIII The Government of John de Mendoza for six Months of the Year 156â—… in the Reign of King Sebastian p. 222 TOM II. PART III. CHAP. I. THE Government of the Vice-Roy D. Anton. de
Inhabitants called them the Bearded People not but those People have Beards but theirs are short and thin ours then were at their full growth and some reached to the Waste By them the Captain was informed that River was formerly called Tauralachim that is Great Stock to express its Greatness it is deep for Eighty Leagues up to Moncalor then shallower and wide where is a Country for Eight days Journey Unpeopled by a multitude of Birds 40 years before the great Kingdom of the Chintaleuho's In the middle of it is the great Lake Cunabetee or Chiamay whence spring four great Rivers It is 180 Leagues in compass beset with Mines of Silver Copper Tin and Lead 8. Hence he directed his Course for the Island Hainan passed in sight of Champiloo in the Latitude of 13 Degrees and at the entrance of the Bay of Cochinchina Farther on he discovered the Promontory Pulocampas whence is seen the Point of Hainan Westward is a River up which Borrallo was sent in a small Vessel with 16 Men who discovered at least Two thousand Sail and a large Walled Town On their Return they saw a large Vessel at Anchor The Captain thinking it was Coja Hazem fell upon and took it But among the Prisoners he found an ancient Christian of Mount Sinai who told him it belonged to Quiay Tayjam a Pyrat who had killed above a Hundred Portugueses and now laid hid in the Fore-Castle with six or seven others who were all killed there In that Vessel were found 70000 Quintals or Hundred weight of Pepper much other Spice Ivory Tin Wax and Powder all valued at 60000 Crowns besides good Cannon Baggage and some Plate In the Hold were nine Children the biggest about nine years of Age loaded with Irons and starving with Hunger 9. Coasting along the Island Hainan he met some Fishers of Pearâ—… whom he used courteously They told him the Island belonged to the King of China Hence he went to the River Tanaâ—…quir where two great Vessels suddenly fell upon Faria both which after a long Dispute he took having killed 80 of their Men and lost 14 whereof one Portugues After a while they heard lamentable Cries in the Hold of one of those Vessels where they sound seventeen Prisoners two of them Portugueses One of which said those Vessels belonged to Necoda Xicaulem who after turning Christian at Malaca and marrying a Portugues had killed her and many more of her Country His Body being found was cut in pieces The Booty was valued at 50000 Crowns One of the Vessels was burnt for want of Men to sail it in both were seventeen Brass Guns most of them with the Arms of Portugal 10. He Anchored forty Leagues farther at C. Tilaumere where came up with our four Vessels four others in which was the Bride of a Noble young Man who had promised to meet her there with a like number of Ships and this mistake brought them to our Vessels Three of them were taken and in one of them the Bride Some Seamen were chose the rest set ashoar They came to Mutipinam and found it a most convenient place to sell their Prizes The Governour of the City somewhat obstructed the Sale so they were obliged to hasten it the Goods were paid for in Silver uncoyned and amounted to Two hundred thousand Crowns This was the beginning of the Year 1541. CHAP. VI. Continues the Exploits of Antony de Faria 1. ANtony de Faria sailed on in search of the Port of Madel in the Island Hainan and by the way took some Prizes Here he met Hinymilau a bold Pyrat and a great Enemy to Christians whom he delighted to put to cruel Deaths They had a bloody Fight with and at length took him He gave a bold Relation of the Cruelties he had exercised against the Portugueses and was therefore with four more immediately killed The Prize was valued at 70000 Ducats 2. This Action struck such a Terrour into many of those that were there in that River that they sent a Message to Faria offering him 30000 Crowns to take them into his Protection calling him King of those Seas and desiring of him Passes for their safe Trading therein He received the Mony and gave the Passes by only Writing of which in Twelve days time a Servant of his got 6000 Ducats The Governour of the City offered to make him Admiral of those Seas for the King of China with a Pension of 9000 Crowns if he would serve Such a Name had he already got in those parts 3. They run all along this Coast without any remarkable Occurrence only saw many though not large Towns and a very fruitful Country and were informed there were there Mines of Silver Tin Salt-Peter and Brimstone The Souldiers now weary of looking after the Pyrat Coja Hazem demanded their shares of the Prizes to be gone They agreed and directed their Course for the Kingdom of Siam By a furious Storm they were wrecked upon the Island De los Ladrones where of Five hundred Men only Eighty six got ashoar naked of these Twenty eight were Portugueses Here they were fifteen days almost without any thing to eat A Bird flying over them with a Fish dropt it and afterwards they saw many others that frighted at their Shouts let fall their Prey this and a Deer they found killed by a Tyger kept them awhile but some died with Want Being thus in despair because the Island was not Inhabited they discovered a small Vessel making to the shoar where they cast Anchor and presently Thirty Men landed some carried Wood and Water and others diverted themselves They were Chineses Our Men agreeing together upon a sign run furiously and possessed themselves of the Vessel and with the same swiftness put to Sea The Chineses were astonished at that unexpected Misfortune and our Men overjoyed finding in the Vessel good Provision and much Silk In the Barque they found only an Old man and a Child whose Father was left ashoar 4. Sailing for Liampo in Port Xamoy they took a Vessel of Chineses and went to the Island Luxitay where they stayed fifteen days went over to the great Vessel and Refitted the small one and then went on Upon the Coast of Lamau they discovered a great Vessel which as it came near began to fire Fifteen great Guns it carried but coming closer they discovered Crosses and Portugues Habits on both sides so they hailed each other and the Vessel appeared to belong to Quiay Panjau a Chinese and great Friend to the Portugueses whereof he had Thirty Souldiers aboard He came to Farias's Vessel and brought a present of Amber Pearls Gold and Silver worth Two thousand Ducats After other Discourse our Captain told him he was bound for Liampo to furnish himself with Necessaries in order to attempt the Mines of Quamjaparu where he was told he might get a Treasure Quiay Panjau offered to accompany him demanding for himself only the Third part of what should be taken which was agreed 5. At
of the great Stones the Enemy rouled down upon them Having heared Mass on Candlemass-day they returned to the Assault playing their Cannon and lost some Men by the Stones thrown down yet they came to the first Gates and broke them open making their way with much slaughter and loss of three Men to the second Gates Those who were within these and the third Gates seeing so few of our Men opened them and the Portugueses as freely rushed in where was a hot Dispute till D. Christopher and the others coming up pressed the Enemy so hard that many of them threw themselves headlong down the Rocks Many Women and Children were taken and there was a considerable Plunder The Queen and her Retinue went up with a general Admiration the Ethiopians having always held that Fort to be impregnable The Patriarch blessed a Mosque dedicating it to our Lady where Mass was celebrated with great Joy to both People 5. The Mountain being provided and garrisoned under the Command of an Ethiopian the Army marched As they entred the Country of the Rebel Iarse he submitted himself to the Queen and brought his Men to her Service thinking nothing could withstand those who had conquered Nature in such Esteem did they hold the taking the Mountain The King of Zeila came on now covering the Plains and Hills with his Numbers and joyful to have to do with our Men. D. Christopher Encamped in good Order near a Mountain both Armies in sight Palm Sunday and Monday were spent in Skirmishing with equal Loss only the Portugueses had so much the Advantage that the Enemy retired to their Works D. Christopher was forced to move his Camp for want of some necessaries chiefly Water The King of Zeila perceiving their motion from the higher Ground came down to encompass our Men who marched in good Order pouring their Shot in upon the Enemy Who pressing on D. Christopher ordered Emanuel de Cuna with his Men to face them who performed it so successfully that he obliged a Body of Turks to retire after losing many of their Men. They rallied and coming on again had somewhat distressed him till D. Christopher came in person to their Relief fighting with such Resolution that he felt not he was wounded in the Leg. The King himself came on thinking to put an end to the days Action and it turned to his loss for our Cannon cut off many of his Men. D. Christopher was in danger of being slain but still lost no Courage and the Fight continued till the Tyrant was struck down by a shot which pierced his Thigh His Men furled their Colours and fled with him as they thought dead though he was alive This Victory cost eleven Portugueses two of them Men of Note The Queen her self with great alacrity tended Don Christopher and all the wounded Men. 6. After a Weeks respit the Army marched towards the Enemy who was Encamped at no great distance and came to meet them carrying their King in an open Chair It was Resolutely fought on both sides A Turkish Captain with fifty Horse thinking to recover the Honour lost the other day Charged in the midst of our Men and was entirely cut off D Christopher mounting on Horseback led his Men with such fury into the Heat of the Battle that he obliged the Enemy with great slaughter to turn their Backs The King had infallibly been taken had there been more Horse to pursue him Eight Portugueses were lost in this Action The Victorious Army marching down to a pleasant River found it possessed by the Enemy who immediately quitted it the King flying at the sight of our Men. 7. The King sent an Embassy to the Bassa of Zibit acquainting him with his Distress He mollified by Presents sent him almost a Thousand Turkish Musqueteers D. Christopher Wintered in the City Ofar expecting the Emperour Here a Jew proposed That if he wanted Horses and Mules he would shew him a Mountain not far off inhabited by Jews where there was store of both The King of Zeyla had a Garrison of Four hundred Men there D. Christopher having enquired into the truth of this Information marched with two Companies of his own and some Ethiopians to the Foot of the Mountain which is twelve Leagues about In the Ascent some Moors who guarded the Passes were killed On the Top met him the Captain with all his Men. D. Christopher immediately rnnning at struck him down dead with his Lance. Our Shot being poured in among the Moors they soon quitted the place and fled leaving many dead Great quantity of Horses and Mules were found and about eight Thousand Jews who lived in six or seven Villages on that Mountain were brought under Obedience There was a Tradition That these Jews dispersed about Ethiopia and Nubia are descended from some of the dispersion of the Ten Tribes 8. The Jew who led our Men astonished at their Valour was Converted and Baptized and by common Consent appointed Governour of that Mountain which being called before Caloa was after known by the Name of the Iews Mountain The second day after D. Christopher returned to the Army the King of Zeila appeared now more bold with the increase of the Turkish Musqueteers D. Christopher's Youth now transported him as well as his Valour For whereas he ought to have retired to a Mountain till the Emperour joyned him it being impossible to withstand so great a force he never considered it till it was too late On the 29th of August the Turks gave the Onset and were repulsed by D. Christopher who lost four Men and went off wounded in the Leg Emanuel de Cuna did the like Service with loss of three Men. Francis de Abreu fighting like a Lion was killed and his Brother Humphry going to fetch him off fell down dead upon him D. Christopher returns like a furious Tyger and performed Wonders till a Musquet-Ball broke his Arm a couragious Souldier carried him off He was scarce drest when he heard Fonseca and Vello were killed and the Enemy entred the Works He caused himself to be carried where the greatest Danger was But the Tyrant being now undoubtedly Victorious some of our Men fled as did the Patriarch and the Queen on Fleet Mares each taking a different Way he for fear and she by choice D. Christopher sent after and obliged her to come back because her absence brought utter Ruin But at length seeing all lost in despair he grasped his Sword in the Left Hand and said Let who will follow me for I am going to dye amidst the Enemies He was drawn from that Resolution by meer force and carried out of the Field with only fourteen Men and the Queen and Barnagais among them seeking some place of Refuge The Night being dark they lost the Way but the Queen and Barnagais hit it better taking up a Mountain D. Christopher wandring with his Companions fell into the hands of the Enemy who carried him to the Tyrant who coveted no greater Prize
the Mogols prosecuting his Ambitious Designs of enlarging his Empire undertook the Conquest of the Kingdom of Patane then possessed by Xa Holan whom Fortune had once much favoured and now seemed to neglect Nothing withstood the Mogol till he came to the City Xamanea before which he fat down His Enemy encamped a League off on the other side of Ganges and entertained him with continual Skirmishes generally with equal Loss Homaum still pressed and Halon despairing of removing him by open Force had recourse to Stratagem wherein he was singular He endeavoured to protract the Time the best he could till the Season that Ganges overflows which generally drowns all the Plain for the space of eight Leagues Mean while he dug vast Ponds to receive the River and then dammed it up and as the Floods began to swell he broke the Damms which caused the Waters to spread abroad with the greater violence â—…us all on a sudden when the Mogol least thought of it they gushed out upon his Army and before he imagined it swallowed up 50000 of his Men and an infinite quantity of Baggage 2. Homaum by the help of a Carrier escaped upon a Mule and the Queen who was with Child on an Elephant The Queen was delivered of a Daughter and fearing her Husband should hate her because it was not a Son she changed it for one the Wife of a Cornaca had then brought forth Cornaca's are the Men that govern the Elephants Some said the Child thought to be changed was got on the Queen by the Cornaca there being a suspicion he had had to do with her upon the Elephant There is no need of disputing the Possibility of the thing for on the Elephants are Castles those Castles loansom and Solitude and Idleness produce wanton Thoughts Queens are Women and Women have ready Wits However it was Homaum esteemed the Son as his own and he was called Gelaldim Hacbar As to his person he was more like the Cornaca than Homaum but the Endowments of his Mind were equal with the Greatest of Men. This Prince when he came to the Crown being offended at the Innundations of Ganges prevented them by drawing it into several Channels and built there a Palace of such Wonderful structure that Ten thousand Men spent Thirty years in the Work Homaum being come to the City Delhi cloathed the Carryer in Royal Robes entertaining him with a splendid Train and made him sit three days in the Regal Throne during which time he enjoyed the whole Revenue of the Crown and had the full power of Government From this time forward a Mule was stamped upon all his Coyn that even the Beast might not pass unrewarded 3. About the same time Antony de Mota Francis Zeymoto and Antony Peixoto sailing for China were thrown by a Storm among the Islands of Nipongi or Nifon by the Chineses called Gipon and by us Iapan In one of these they were well received and had the Honour to be the first that discovered them though accidentally They lye far Eastward of all India opposite to China between 30 and 40 Degrees of North Latitude They are many the Principal Nipongi or Iapan in which is the City Meaco the Imperial Court According to the Natives the Length of the Island is 366 Leagues according to our computation One hundred less It is divided into Fifty six Governments The Chief Islands about it are Cikoko Tokoesi Sando Sisime Bacasa Vuoqui Taquixima and Firando The Japans have the vain Pride to esteem themselves descended from the Gods They say a great Giant made the World of a Cocks Egg and of the Earthly part a Woman who engendring with a Crocodile brought forth a Man from whom they descend And the Family of the Conguis among them to this day wear Tails like those of Crocodiles hanging at their Breeches in token they are the immediate Line The truth is they are descended from a Chinese Prince who being banished passed thither but they are so vain they would rather descend from a Cock and a Crocodile than from the Chineses In Matters of Religion they have several Sects That of the Xexuni who deny the Immortality of the Soul and is followed by the Nobility it is not only in Iapan they follow it That of the Foccenxuni who adore the Sun and allow a Second Life The Xodexuni that adore the Idol which they think saves them if they name it That of Xocoxu who believe there is a Reward for the Good and Punishment for the Wicked and is followed by the Country People That of Xamabuxe the Professors whereof adore the Devils and converse with them so familiarly that when one would be Revenged of another he orders them to enter into him they call them with a Horn. Their Priests are called Bonzes But above all they adore an Idol called Seuto who lives in Heaven and is the beginning of all things Parricide and Treason they hold as sins that cannot be forgiven Pity this Doctrin should not be held among those that pretend to be Christians 4. Fernan Mendez Pinto in his Travels appropriates this Discovery to himself Saying He came to the Island Tanixuma which I suppose to be Taquixima one of those about Iapan with his two Companions Christopher Borallo and James Zeimoto not by way of Shipwreck but designedly in the Service of a Pyrat who had taken them up when cast away Both Relations mention three Names one of them is the same in both and both agree upon the same Year 1542. I will say something I find in that Author because it is rare and worthy Admiration 5. Nautaquim was then Prince of that Island and seeing the three Portugueses he stood amazed and uttered these mysterious words Let me dye if these meaning the Portugueses be not the Chinchicogies our ancient Records speak of who flying over the Waters shall come to be Lords of the Lands where God placed the greatest Riches of the World and it will be very fortunate for us if they come as Friends Let us return to India 6. The first thing the Governour did was lessening the Souldiers pay for saving of Charges is a great means to gain the Favour of Princes And Ministers never express their Zeal by retrenching their own large Allowances but by cutting off the small ones of the Poor This caused great Discontent among the Commonalty However Two thousand Men were raised and imbarqued in Seventy Vessels of several sorts with which the Governour set out for Batecala a City seated on the Banks of a River upon the Coast of Canara well built and encompassed with a fruitful Country The occasion of this Voyage That the Queen refused to pay her Tribute and entertained Pyrats in her Port to the detriment of the Publick 7. The Fleet entred the Port and the Queen seeing so great a force and that the Governour demanded the Tribute and delivery of the Pyrats Ships that had retired thither and fortified themselves she designed to hold
spoke to him without being known to any other ordering him to endeavour to secure Cojeçemazadim or Pocarale Aderrajam who Governed him Then he returned to the Fleet and with it to Goa all men admiring the Voyage and Preparations without seeing the Design or Effect of them Tellez could not take Zemazadim for he was upon his Guard but he ordered Henry de Sousa Commander in Chief of Malabar to take Pocarale He attempted it and many coming in to his Relief Pocarale and a Brother of his were both killed This enflamed the King and People against the Fort and though they were appeased yet the Hatred to the Portugueses for this Action was not extinguished but raised one of the greatest Storms we weathered in India 5. The King of Xiraz caused some Disturbance at Ormuz appearing in the Neighbourhood with a considerable Power but he soon drew off coming to Agreement with that King Sultan Mamud King of Cambaya aimed at the Recovery of Diu not forgetting the Death of his Uncle Badur and being troubled to have us so near Neighbours One of the dishonourable Articles of Peace which the Vice-Roy D. Garcia had admitted was That the Kings Subjects might build a Wall between their Town and our Fort. The Wall was raising and displeased Emanuel de Sousa and Sepulveda who commanded there because it looked like somewhat more than a bare Partition which was the true intent of the Articles He fortified himself then beat off the Workmen threw down the Wall and made use of the Materials The King was heinously offended and at the instigation of his great Subject Coje Zofar he began secretly to stir up that Great Part of the World with Letters to the several Princes to unite and expel the Portugues not only Diu but all Asia 6. Let us see what hapned while this Storm was rising Hidalcan pressed the Governour either to restore what he had given him on that score or else to send away Mealeacan The Governour endeavoured to please him with Artifice rather than Performance and to this effect sent Iohn Fernandez de Negreyros Embassadour to him Him and all the Portugueses that were in his Court the King put in Prison keeping them as Hostages for the performance of what was before agreed and now demanded This was a great Provocation to the hot Nature of Martin Alfonso but submitting to Necessity he began to appease Hidalcan assuring him That as soon as the Season would permit Meale should be sent to Malaca Three Ships Arrived now from Portugal of five that sailed thence one was forced back and another Cast-away on the Coast of Melinde the Men saved 7. This Year the Tartar entred China and besieged Peking A great part of his numerous Army which consisted of almost Millions of Men Threescore thousand of them Horse marched to the City Quamsi and plundered it killing above Threescore thousand persons of all Sexes and Ages and then went on towards Peking By the way the Fort Nixiancoo defended it self so bravely that the General Nanticor thought it impregnable having lost Three thousand Men before it Among the Prisoners taken at Quamsi were Nine Portugueses one of them called George Mendez offered if he might have his and his Companions Liberty to put him in a way to take the Fort. The General admitted the Proposal and by this Man's Advice took it with the slaughter of above Two thousand Chineses and Mogols He went on to Peking and in pursuance of his Promise obtained of his Prince the Portugueses Liberty and did them great Honours endeavouring with large Gifts to detain them in his Service George Mendez stayed and was afterwards allowed a Pension of Six thousand Ducats These Accidents often cause the Portugueses in Asia to forget their Country and sometimes their Religion This was when they came to Tuymican the Tartar's Court whither he retired after the raising the Siege of Peking which lasted almost seven Months with the Loss of Four hundred and fifty Thousand Men most destroyed by Pestilence besides Three hundred thousand that deserted to the Chineses 8. Four small Vessels with One hundred Portugueses in them cruised upon the Coast of Tanauzarim and were much dreaded having among other Prizes taken three great Ships The Maritim Towns complained to their Sovereign the King of Siam and he sent out against them Heredim Mahomet a Turk with a Royal Galley four Galliots and five other Vessels that Rowed in which were Eight hundred Men Three hundred of them Janizaries the rest Turks Greeks Achems Malabars and Mogols all brave Men. A poor King of the Neighbouring Island Pulohinor who was newly Converted gave our Men notice of the Danger They left the Port and run up a Creek both because it was more hid and for that at the Mouth of it were some Ruins that might serve instead of a Fort to defend themselves The Turk missing them in the Port thought they were fled to some of the Neighbouring Islands and sent the Ships and Galliots in search of them staying behind with only the Galley They who were upon the Watch fell upon the Galley at Night and destroyed Three hundred Men that were in her and the Admiral with loss of only One Man Of the other Nine Vessels three were Cast-away and six were taken by our Men with great slaughter of the Enemy and only two killed on our side 9. The Governour dispatched the homeward bound Trading Ships whereof one was Cast-away at Zanzibar Those from Portugal arrived in India and brought him a Successor which he so earnestly desired that a few days before being at Mass with Iames Silveyra who was coming for Portugal he said to him at the Elevation of the Host Speak to the King to send one to succeed me for I dare not Govern India because Men are so changed from Truth and Honour Or else I swear by that Sacred Host and by the true Body of Christ I behold in it with the Eyes of Faith That I will open the Patents of Succession and resign the Government to whoever is named therein and desire his Highness not to expose such a Subject as I am to the danger of having his Head cut off This was the Condition of India almost past hope of Recovery For if the Governour was tolerable those that were governed were intollerable and the contrary Martin Alfonso had served well in Brasile and India in other Posts He was Violent in his Undertakings a great discoverour of Mens Humours and knew better than many to save what was superfluous and spend what was necessary He instituted those Officers of the King's Revenue that are called Surveyors in India He was of a handsom and large Stature his Complexion white his Beard Chestnut-colour He Governed three years and four Months was the 13th had the Title of Governour and first of the Name The End of the First PART of the Second Tome THE Portugues ASIA TOM II. PART II. CHAP. I. The Government of D. John de Castro
This was the occasion that Lope Soarez found Solyman at Gidda 4. The Port being dangerous Lope Soarez anchored a League from the City in which there was so good Cannon that three or four Peices reached the Ships at that distance There came a Messenger from Solyman offering a private Combat between Man and Man or as Soarez should propose The Challenge was received by Gaspar de Silva and D. Antonio de Meneses but the Governor would not permit saying he would answer ashore He sounded a Channel that goes up to the City which was terrified by the firing of a Galeon Solyman appeased the Tumult and appeared with some Men without the Walls whilst multitudes appeared on them filling the Air with loud Cries Lope Soarez delayed the landing two days till his Men began to complain of the delay He appeased them by shewing his Instructions wherein he was ordered to fight the Fleet which he could not compass not to attack that City where there might be much danger and little profit Tho Votes differed it was resolved in Council to desist He retired to the Island Camaran whence he sent some to several parts of that Sea Here died Duarte Galvam a studious and ingenious Man who had been Embassador in several parts of Europe and was going now in the same quality being above seventy years of Age to Prester Iohn At his death he said that his Son George Galvam and all his Men were cast away in their Vessel and that in the Island of Dalaca they had cut off the Heads of Laurence de Cosme and others that were sent thither It being impossible this News could be brought to the Island where he died yet was afterwards found true 5. After suffering much through Famine whereof some Men died and losing seventeen Portugueses taken by the Moors and carried to Gidda Lope Soarez set sail and appeared before the City Zeyla on the Mouth of the Red Sea and the African Shoar called by Ptolomy Emporium Avalite being the great Market of those parts The Town was easily taken being unprovided and burnt and then the Fleet bent its course to Aden 6. Here Soarez found how much he had been to blame in not taking possession when offered by Miramirzan for he finding his Enemy now weaker and the Wall repaired refused by forming Delays what afore he offered with haste Lope Soarez fearing to lose time durst not call Miramirzan to account but set sail designing to do the same at the City Barbora as he had done at Zeyla But the Fleet was scattered by Storms and drove to several Ports and when they came after to hear of one another it was found above eight hundred Men had perished by Hunger Sickness and Shipwrack All which Misfortunes made the loss of the most fortunate Albuquerque be the more lamented 7. Whilst these Disstasters attended Lope Soarez another threatened the City Goa where D. Gutierre de Monroy commanded According to the Orders left him by Soarez some Ships of the Enemy were taken of more Value than Reputation and with more Danger than Profit One Alvaro Madureira who was married in Goa fled to the Enemy and turned Moor then was reconciled and falling again brought the Indians to attack our Ships putting them in great danger And because Troubles seldom come alone it happened that one Ferdinando Caldera who also was married there flying the punishment of Crimes followed the Example of Madureira or as was said terrified by the Threats of D. Gutierre who desired his absence being in love with his Wife This is likely since there was scarce ever any great Mischief without a Woman at the end of it Caldera went to serve Ancostan an Officer of Hidalcan D. Gutierre demanded him because he desired not his absence that way Ancostan refused to deliver him The other challenged him but he accepted not De Gutierre sent one who pretending to be a Deserter should kill Caldera he executed it and was killed upon the Body by the Moors Lope Soarez arriving at Goa was informed by D. Gutierre what had passed and left it to him take the revenge he thought fit of Ancostan which produced the loss of Men and Reputation and brought upon the City a dangerous Siege It fell out thus 8. As soon as D. Gutierre had this leave of the Governor he prepared to put his Designs in execution and when he thought time sent out his Brother D. Fernando with one hundred and fifty Portugueses whereof eighty were Horse and a great number of Canaras against Ancostan At Ponda they routed the Moors who rallying obliged D. Ferdinando to retire having lost two hundred Men killed and taken This caused all the Country to rise in Arms against the Portugueses and Hidalcan pretending the Peace was broke to order his General Sufo Lari to besiege Goa Sufo Lari appeared with four thousand Horse and twenty six thousand Foot and attempted to pass into the Island but was repulsed Hunger began to press the Besieged till three Ships arrived one from Portugal another from Quiloa and another from China so Lari raised the Siege and the former Peace was confirmed 9. The same Misfortune attended Malaca through the ill Government of George de Brito and Animosities of others The People fled from Malaca because of their tyrannical Usage and the King of it that had been prepared to recover it sending before to this effect his General Cerilige de Raja with considerable Forces and some Cannon He intrenched himself and so pressed the Besieged that had not D. Alexius de Meneses come to take the Government with three hundred Men then had ended the Portugues Possession of Malaca 10. Anthony de Saldana arrived now in India with six Ships from Portugal In this Fleet went one Alcacova as Surveyor of the King's Revenue with such a Power as lessened that of Lope Soarez and with a will to take it all away There soon broke out the Flame of Contention between these two Alcacova bore down by such as envied him took revenge on himself by returning to Portugal and on them there by causing them to be called to account for their Proceedings Hence began the hearing Complaints against the Governors and Commanders of India and hence it was that many took more care to heap Riches than Honor knowing them to be a protection against all Crimes Lope Soarez sent D. Iohn de Silveira to the Maldivy Islands D. Alexius de Meneses to Malaca Manuel de la Cerda to Diu and Antony de Soldana with six Ships by the King's Order to the Coast of Arabia They arrived at the City Barbora near to Zeyla and not unlike to it but much less It was taken without resistance the Inhabitants being all fled It was burnt and the Fleet without doing any thing remarkable returned to India at such time as Lope Soarez was sailing for the Island Ceylon CHAP. II. A Continuation of what was done in India the same Year 1517 during the Government of the
same Lope Soarez de Albergaria 1. THE Island Ceylon is opposite to Cape Comori and is the Southermost Land of India within Ganges distant from the Continent sixteen Leagues once as some imagine join'd to it in length about eighty Leagues and forty five in breadth The Southermost Point is in the Latitude of six degrees the most Northerly in about ten In this Sea is a Fishery of precious Pearls The ancient Inhabitants of it called it Ilanare The Persians and Arabs Seradib It took the Name of Ceylon from the Sea that parts it from the Continent because being dangerous and the Chineses having lost a great Fleet there called it Chilam that is to say Danger it somewhat resembles Scylla and corruptly it was called Ceylon This is the ancient Trapobana and not Sumatra as some have imagined It produces many things Cinnamon better than that of all other places Rubies Saphires and other precious Stones much Pepper and Cardamum Brasil Wood and other Dyes great Woods of Palm-trees the Elephants bred there the most sensible much Cattle has good Ports and several Rivers of good Water The Mountains are covered with pleasant Woods one particularly rising the space of seven Leagues on the top whereof is a round plain of about thirty paces Diameter in the Center whereof rises a smooth Rock about six spans above the rest on the Superficies whereof is the Print of a Mans Foot about two spans in length This Footstep is held in great veneration being thought to be of a holy Man born at Delhi who lived many years on that Mountain preaching to the Inhabitants the Belief of one only God who afterwards returning to his own Country sent one of his Teeth to the Kings of that Island as a Token to remember him and they keep it as a Relict whereon they repose much Confidence in time of Danger On this account resort thither many Pilgrims from places a thousand Leagues distant The Island is divided into nine Kingdoms the chiefest Columbo on the West The others Gale on the South Iaula Tanavaca Cande Batecalon Vilacem Triquinamale and Iafanapatam 2. The King of Columbo in Ceylon had a Trade with the Portugueses desired their Friendship and furnished them with Cinnamon from the time of Albuquerque Lope Soarez went thither now with a Design to oblige him to pay Tribute and to build a Fort as King Emanuel desired He had with him seven Gallies two Ships and eight small Vessels with the Materials and Workmen for the Building and 700 Portugues Soldiers They had bad Weather but arrived safe The King presently granted leave to build a Fort and the Moors as soon altered his mind and he received Soarez going to begin the Work in such manner as put him to a streight but in the end the Enemies were put to flight They had fortified themselves to hinder the Work and Lope Soarez did the same now to begin it The King came to composition the Articles were that he should be a Subject to Portugal paying a yearly Tribute of twelve hundred Quintals of Cinnamon twelve Rings of Rubies and Saphires and six Elephants for Soarez would not admit his Excuses wherein he blamed the Foreign Merchants 3. At this time arrived from the Maldives Iohn de Silveyra with four Sail in his way he took two Ships of Cambaya and the King of the Island granted leave to erect a Factory He went with the same Design to Bengala where he was in great Danger for there a Bengalian young Man that sailed with him discovered the taking of the two Ships which were sent to Cochin and so he was looked upon as a Pyrate not worthy to be heard It had been worse with him had not Iohn Coello arrived then with his Ship from Pacem being sent on the same Errand by Ferdinando Perez de Andrade to the King of Bengala Don Iohn de Silveyra set Sail hence after passing the Winter with great hardship especially through Famine He was invited by the King of Arracam to his Port who with the Messenger sent him a Present but all his Kindnesses tended to destroy him at the instigation of the Governour of the other Port. This Treachery took no effect and he arriv'd at Ceylon at the time that Lope Soarez finished the Fort who gave him the command of it and left Anthony de Miranda de Azevedo with four Ships to cruise in that Sea 4. Whilst these things were acted at Maldivia Chatigam and Columbo D. Alexius Meneses secured Malaca being arrived with Men and Amunition and putting an end to the Divisions of the Portugueses about succeeding the Governour who lay dying Alfonso Lopez de Costa had the government and Duarte de Melo the command of the Sea Duarte Coello was sent with an Embassy and Present from King Emanuel to him of Siam the substance of it was to confirm the Peace and as a token of it that he would send People to inhabit Malaca that so the Moors whom he hated as much as we might be totally expelled He granted all with great satisfaction and as a testimony of his Sincerity caused to be erected in a remarkable place of the City Hudia where he then was a Cross with the Arms of Portugal on it Coello having thus succeeded was thrown by stress of weather upon the Coast of Pam the King whereof received him friendly and voluntarily submitted himself to the Crown of Portugal with an yearly tribute of a Gold Cup. This action was done rather in hatred to the King of Bintam than of any love to us 5. The Kingdom of Siam where Coello had now been setling Peace is one of the three greatest of Asia the others are that of China and that of Bisnagar The great River Menam runs through the middle of the Kingdom of Siam as it lies in length the River has its spring in the great Lake Chiamay in the Latitude of 30 Degrees and falls into the Sea in 13 Degrees so that the length of this Kingdom is 330 Leagues On the West of it is Bengala on the South Malaca on the East Cambodia and on the North China It contains much Mountain and Plain and in both sundry sorts of People some most barbarous and cruel who feed on human Flesh as the Guei who for ornament make figures on their Bodies with hot Irons Here are bred many Elephants black Cattle and Buffaloes It has many Sea-port Towns and populous Cities Hudia is the Metropolis or Court The Faith of the Siamites agrees in many considerable points with the Christian as one God Heaven and Hell Good and Bad Angels attending each body They build sumptuous Temples in which they place Idols of vast bigness They are very religious sparing in Diet much given to divination studious particularly in Astrology All the Land is most fruitful abounds in Gold and Silver and other Metals The memorable services of Subjects are recorded to be read to the Prinçes not the favours of the Kings Against this King
Mogol at the time when Babor Paxiath great Grandson to Tamerlane the Great reigned among them 4. Omaum Son of Babor now broke with Badur King of Cambaya who to begin the War sent twenty thousand Horse and a multitude of Foot upon his Enemies Frontiers Here it may appear that Ingratitude never escapes unpunished The Queen Crementii who had saved Badur's Life and in return was by him deprived of her Liberty and Kingdom of Chitor now revenged her self on him after this manner He by his Embassadors required her to send him her Son with what Men she could to serve against the Mogol The Queen desired he would restore her other Son whom he kept as an Hostage that she might not be deprived of both and that the mean while she would raise the Forces Badur not diving into her Design sent him and she immediately put her self into the protection of the Mogol Badur enraged at this Action gathered one hundred thousand Horse four hundred and fifteen thousand Foot a thousand Cannon many of great Bulk six hundred armed Elephants and six thousand Carriages This multitude marched in great order and was abundantly supplyed with all things 5. He besieged the City Chitor and battered it furiously but tho the besieged received great damage they did him much more Badur now raging received the News that the Mogols had slain twenty thousand of the Men he sent to ravage their Country He vented his passion upon the City and at last more by policy than strength became Master of it having lost fifteen thousand Men among them four Portugueses The Queen with the choice of her Riches fled Badur used no Cruelty towards the City but repaired it against future dangers leaving Minaâ—… Hozem to command in it with twelve thousand Men. Then he marched towards his Enemy who advanced victorious through the Kingdom of Mandou in order to relieve Chitor and being now informed it was in possession of Badur and that he was intrenched about Doçor Omaum marched thither and encamped 6. Badur found the greatest danger where he sought security for being incamped between a River and a Lake and Omaum before him the resort of Provisions was quite cut off so that in few days they suffered extreme Famine and such as went out to seek Relief fell into the Hands of the Enemy as did Coraçam Cham with two thousand Horse 7. This so disheartened Badur that he stole away and his Camp was plundered by the Mogols who found there vast Riches Badur with all speed fled towards Mandou accompanied by Rume Cham and some Portugueses being left by many persons of Note and particularly Melique Liaz for the murder of his two Brothers In fine very little of that mighty Army escaped the Sword or Famine and what did was dispersed and disarmed Badur got into Mandou having slipped ten thousand Mogols who thought to prevent his reaching that place 8. Badur fortified this City and gave the chief Command to Rume C ham his Favourite Omaum hearing of it lengthened his Marches to come upon him Rume Cham now fearful of his Master deserts to Omaum Rume's Wife Daughter and Riches were at Champanel Badur and Rume strove who should first secure Champanel the former having there one tho the least of his three Treasures which only in Copper-Mony was worth thirty Millions besides Pearls Precious Stones and other things of value with this Treasure he sent Rume's Family and Riches under a strong Guard to Diu whilst he himself hearing the approach of Omaum wasted the Country and destroyed the Artillery lest it should fall into the Enemies Hands The same he did at Cambayaâ—… Rume C ham seeing his Wife and Riches were carried away obtained of his new Master five thousand Horse to follow them As he entered one Gate of Cambaya Badur was going out at another who seeing himself so close pursued by Rume left his Women and Riches by the way that they might put a stop to his pursuit So it fell out for Rume Cham returned to Champanel and Badur got to Diu whilst Omaum was at Champanel dividing his Kingdom and conquering that impregnable place with Liberality 9. Champanel was impregnable by Art and Nature and the Mogols not used to spend time even in easie Sieges but Tyrants have nothing secure so these Rocks which might have been a secure Retreat to him turned against Badur This mountain is thirty Leagues from the Sea and yet visible thither the ascent of it being almost five Leagues Where Nature left any passage Art supplyed it with strong Walls The City stands on the side of it has sightly Buildings twenty thousand Families and a great Trade The City it self is not walled but there are many places upon the Mountain well fortified strongly garrisoned and stored with Cannon Somewhat higher is the Royal Palace wonderful for Structure and Greatness and on the top a Fort can terrifie the most daring Here Badur found no security for Tyrants can meet none in the World and think themselves between Sheets when they are between the strongest Walls and when between the finest Sheets they imagine they lie upon Thorns 10. These Misfortunes were the Motives that induced Badur to consent to our raising the Fort at Diu. Before to secure our Friendship against the Mogol he had surrendered Baçaim to Nuno de Cuna and now in hopes of our assistance to recover what was lost he offered Diu. Badur sent to dispose Martin Alphonso de Sousa who was at Chaul and he urged the necessity of raising the Fort giving advice hereof to Nuno and desiring leave to go treat about this important Affair Cuna refused him leave jealous that any but himself should compass a matter so much desired by his Prince and sent his own Secretary Embassador to Badur 11. Still Badur struggled with his Pride and thought to get assistance from the Turk to recover his Kingdom To this effect he sent Saf Cham Embassador with a rich Present but hearing the Mogol had taken Champanel utterly despaired He resolved to fly to Meca and there wait the Turks Answer but his Mother and Friends dissuaded him advising to grant leave to the Portugueses to raise the Fort at Diu and by their assistance his Fortune might be bettered Instantly he sent to offer it to Martin Alphonso at Chaul whither also came a Message from the Mogol with the same Offer 12. Martin Alfonso having sent advice to the Governor asked not a second time for leave but set out immediately for Diu as Badur desired At Sea he met the Secretary Simon Ferryra and both arrived at Diu on the twenty first of September They soon came to an agreement upon these Articles That Badur confirmed all that had been done relating to Baçaim that something which concerned Trade should be transferred thence to Diu that there should be a League offensive and defensive between the King of Portugal and him that the Fort should be raised where and in what manner the Governor should
Turks frequenting the Baths in the City fell out with some of the Inhabitants and being worsted by them stirred up the whole Army to revenge They left no sort of Villany unessayed but Murdered Ravished Robbed and marched out with an unspeakble Treasure The Prince of Persia in a Rage obtained of his Father 20000 Horse and falling upon the Turks at one time killed 8000 and soon after 20000. They decamped and began to march and the Prince desiring to recover the Treasure they had taken at Tauris was so successful that killing 20000 more he retired with 18000 Camels loaded with Riches and an infinite quantity of Arms and Ammunition He pursues them again but Fortune changing he did less harm than he received and was forced to retire with loss of 3000 Persians 9. Fifteen Years before this time there came upon the Country of Moçambique such an Inundation of Cafres that they could not be numbred They came from that Part of Monomotapa where is the great Lake out of which spring those great Rivers whose source was formerly unknown to these were joined the Cafres Macabires and Ambei and other Borderers upon Abissinia With them came their Wives and Families as those that sought new Countries to inhabit their own not being able to contain them Their choice Food human Flesh and for want of it that of Beasts They left no other signs of the Towns they passed by but the heaps of Ruins and Bones of the Inhabitants For want of them they eat their own beginning by the Sick and Aged so that doubtless Fathers became Food to their Children The Women deformed and hardy carry their Goods on their Backs and in fight use the Bow as dexterously as the Men these march in Armour and where-ever they halt fortifie themselves 10. Hierome de Andrade from the Castle of Tete sent out a Party of Musqueteers who firing among that Multitude killed some to their great astonishment having never before seen that sort of Arms that they fled without looking back in two Rancounters above 5000 were slain They stopped not till they came to the Country of Moçambique having destroyed all in their way like a fiery Inundation This Place was approved of by Mambea Commander of about 6000 and he began to build a Fort and Towns two Leagues from Moçambique The Fort of Cuama where Nunno Vello Pereyra commanded was much incommoded by them he therefore sent out Antony Rodrigues Pimentel or Pinto with 400 Men four of them Portugueses who unexpectedly falling on the Barbarians slew a vast number and burnt the Fort but retiring in disorder they fell upon and killed him and all his Men except three Portugueses and very few Blacks All the dead were eaten by the victorious Cafres except their Heads Hands and Feet 11. Since this Relation has brought us to Moçambique it will not be amiss to give some Account of that Country It is full of Orchards and Fruit-trees especially Citron Limon and Orange-trees has all sorts of tame and wild Beasts as in Europe an infinite number of Elephants The People feed on Indian-Wheat the Woods are of Ebony a high Tree bearing a Leaf like that of our Apple-trees the Fruit like Medlars but not eatable from the Ground upward it is so covered with Thorns it is difficult to come to it where one is cut down another never grows the Bark of it is as susceptible of Fire as tinder There is another sort of a yellowish Colour that is of value The best Manna is produced here Among the Fish of that River there is one as devouring as Crododils no Man in reach escapes them but they touch not Women so great is the Privilege of that Sex One of these of a prodigious bigness was taken that had Gold Rings in the Ears It was supposed to be some piece of Witchcraft of the Cafres to clear the River of those dangerous Monsters To confirm this Opinion Metude a learned Arabian relates in an account of Modern Prodigies That about the Year 863 in the Foundation of an Aegyptian Temple there was found a brazen Crocodile with certain Characters which being broke to pieces the Crocodils of Nile began to devour Men whence it was inferred that was a Charm upon the Crocodiles 12. Hatred conceived against the Favourites of Nizamaluco in Canara brought the Mogols upon the Kingdom of Verara who after much Plunder and Desolation possessed themselves of many Towns and Cities The occasion was that the King being ill of a contagious Distemper his Favourite Acedecan first and after him Calabatecan kept him up without suffering any Body to see him The Prince and People â—…ad recourse to Arms to oblige these Tyrants to give them a sight of the King and they perswading it was to depose him so far prevailed that he meeting them in hostile manner made a great slaughter of them and hereupon the Mogols were called in to their aid 13. Five Ships sailed this Year from Lisbon for India one of them was lost beyond the Cape of Good-Hope at the Place called Bajos de la India a Promontory that rises with many Points which at a distance look like Trees it is oval and three Leagues in length and abounds in Coral which being naturally soft and white grows hard and turns green grey black and red but being pounded to Dust resumes its whiteness 14. The Captain with a few Men got into a Boat and after six Days landed at Quilimane About sixty got into another Boat others put to Sea on Planks above two hundred were upon the Rocks expecting to be swallowed by the Sea or else scorched by the Sun or starved to Death 15. Those in the second Vessel chose Duarte de Melo de Baçaim to command them and being over-loaded were forced the first time to throw Seventeen into the Sea to save the rest and not being light enough afterwards some others among which the Lot fell upon one of two Brothers the youngest whereof freely leaped overboard but having swam three Leagues after the Boat was again taken up 16. A Boat built by the Pilot Roderick Migueys contained 40 Men as they were under Sail a great Storm arose at Night and is said to have ceased by casting into the Water a piece of the Holy Cross one of them carried Of 400 Men that were in the Ship only these mentioned are known to have escaped CHAP. IV. Continues the Government of D. Duarte de Meneses 1. THE Vice-Roy governed India and his Unkle Ruy Gonçalez de Camara him who desiring to engross all that was honourable endangered what was necessary It was requisite at the same time to send a Squadron into the Red Sea and another to build a Fort at Panane in Malabar and he would command the one and build the other The Work ought to be solid and of Stone yet the Vice-Roy agreed it should be slight and of Wood that being soon finished Camara might be free to take the other Command 2. Camara being come
the Name 20th Viceroy and 39th Governour for the Patent not the Possession make a Man so 3. But since this Viceroy has not afforded Matter for a Chapter let us make it up with one of the greatest Prodigies of the Portugues Fortune that Asia produced Three Years she was big with this Monster from 1605 till 1608. We shall see another Iames Suarez de Melo and another Philip de Brito Nicate famous for their incredible Rise and Insolence This was Sebastian Gonzalez Tibao a Man of obscure Extraction as born in the Village of St. Antony del Tojal near Lisbon a Place never yet produced any worth Note either for Parentage or worthy Actions In the Year 1605 he imbarqued for India went over to Bengala listed himself a Soldier and then fell to dealing in Salt which is a great Merchandise there By this Trade he soon gained as much as purchased a Ialia that is a sort of small Vessel In this Vessel he went with Salt to Dianga a great Port of the King of Arracam at such time as that King slew 600 Portugueses who resided there and suspected nothing less living quietly as good Subjects under his Protection The Motive of this Cruelty was That Philip de Brito Nicote being possessed of Siriam thought it would be for his Advantage to gain Dianga He fitted out some Vessels and sent in them his Son as Embassador to beg that Port of the King Some Portugueses perswaded the King Nicote's design in getting that Port was to deprive him of his Kingdom He orders the Son with his Officers to come to Court and there murders them the same was done in their Vessels and afterwards that Fury fell upon all the Inhabitants of Dianga This was in the beginning of the Year 1607. Some few escaped into the Woods and 9 or 10 Vessels got to Sea whereof one was that of Sebastian Gonzales 4. Emanuel de Mattos Commander of Bandel of Dianga who died not long before had been Lord of Sundiva an Island 70 Leagues in compass Fatecan a resolute Moor whom he had intrusted with the Island in his absence hearing of his Death makes himself Master of it and the more to secure himself murders all the Portugueses that were in it with their Wives and Children and such of the Natives as were Christians Then he gathered Moors and Patans to his assistance fitted out a Fleet of 40 Sail and plentifully maintained this Charge with the Revenue of the Island which is great Sebastian Gonzalez and his Companions with those 9 or 10 Vessels that escaped at Dianga having no Head to govern them lived by robbing in the Country of Arracam carrying their Booty to the King of Bacala's Ports who was our Friend Fatecan understanding they plyed thereabouts went out to seek them with such assurance of Success that he had this Inscription upon his Colours Fatecan by the Grace of GOD Lord of Sundiva shedder of Christian Blood and destroyer of the Portugues Nation 6. One evening he thought to surprize them and had effected it but that they quarrelling about dividing some Spoil they had taken this falling out proved their Preservation For Sebastian Pinto upon that account leaving them in a River of the Island Xavaspur met Fatecan's Fleet and gave them notice They ingaged and fought desperately all night the morning discovered 80 Portugueses victorious over 600 Moors and Patanes and 10 Vessels over 40. Not one Sail got off nor a Man escaped being killed or taken among the Dead was Fatecan Had they been under a Commander that knew how to make use of the Victory the Island must then have been their own This obliged them to choose a Head and they pitched upon Stephen Palmeyro a Man of Years Experience and Discretion He gave Proof hereof by refusing notwithstanding their repeated Instances to Command such wicked People However they desired him to appoint one and they would punctually obey him He named Sebastian Gonzales Tibao 6. As soon as the Commander was named they resolved to gain Sundiva More Portugueses were gathered from Bengala and other Neighbouring Ports Tibao articled with the King of Bacala That he would give him half the Revenue of the Island if he assisted him to conquer it The King sent some Ships and 200 Horse In March 1609 he had above 40 Sail and 400 Portugueses The Island having had time to provide for its Defence was full of Resolute Men. A great number of Moors commanded by Fâ—…tecan's Brother received them at Landing but were forced to retire into a Fort. The Portugueses besiege it and lying long before it were in danger of perishing not being able to come at the Provisions and Ammunition that were aboard their Vessels Gaspar de Pina a Spaniard delivered them from this Danger for he coming with his Ship to that Port and resolving to assist them landed 50 Men he was Captain of and marching by night with many Lights and great Noise made the Enemy believe he brought great Succour As soon as he came up the Fort was assaulted entred and all within that had life put to the Sword The Natives of the Island who before had been subject to the Portugueses presently submitted themselves to Sebastian Gonzales He received them upon condition they should deliver up to him all the Strangers that were in the Island They brought him above 1000 Moors and as they came he cut off their Heads about as many more were killed in the Fort. Thus Sebastian Gonzales became absolute Master of the Island and was obeyed by the Natives and Portugueses as an absolute Lord independent of any Prince and his Orders had the force of Laws 7. To recompence the chief Portugueses who had served him he gave them Lands in the Island and then repenting took them away In stead of giving the King of Bacala half the Revenue of the Island as had been agreed he made War upon him As he grew Great so he grew Insolent and Ungrateful and had now at Command 1000 Portugueses 2000 Natives well Armed 200 Horse and above 80 Sail with good Cannon Many Merchants traded thither and he erected a Custom-house The Neighbouring Kings surprized at his prodigious Success sought his Friendship From the King of Batecala to whom he owed so great Favours he took the Islands of Xavapur and Patelabauga and other Lands from others so that on a sudden he was possessed of vast Riches equal with many Princes and sovereign of many brave Men. But these Monsters are like Comets that last little and threaten lasting Ruin They are like Lightning that no sooner gives the flash but it is gone Let us proceed and we shall see this verified 8. Such was the fortune of Sebastian Gonzales in Sundiva when there happened a Difference between the Prince of Arracam and his Brother Anaporam the Occasion was that the latter refused to give the other an Elephant to which all other Elephants of that Country were said to allow a sort of Superiority and
and their Doctrine and in the Year 1638 gave them 2000 Taes or Crowns to buy a House and Land He also granted them what was more than they could have wished to put over their Door this Inscription I the King Approve of and Protect the Science of Heaven 16. In fine there are now in China this Year 1640. above 100000 Catholicks and among them many Nobles Mandarines some Bonzos and Eunuchs Of Mandarines and Colao's the most admirable were 3 or 4 Pauls one Michael one Ignatius one Leo and one Stephen who were not only Converted but Preached the Faith with great Elegancy and much Profit The great Colao Paul herein surpassed all others 17. The Jesuits at this time in China have twelve principal Residences in the chief Provinces and capital Cities under these above 500 private Oratories with hundreds of Christians belonging to each They have also gained good footing about the Neighbouring Countries as in Tomking Cochinchina Cambodia Laos and other Kingdoms In these last Countries between 10 and 15000 Souls are converted every Year 18. The King of China himself casts down Idols and orders the Prince his Son to fall down before the Images of Iesus and Mary The Queen in her Apartment gives ear to what the converted Eunuchs say concerning our Religion Mass is often celebrated in the Palace and there is great hope of the King whose Piety and Zeal have inclined him to respect the Divine Law insomuch that our Religious have been joyed upon his Conversion 19. What wonderful Accidents have happened and Miracles been wrought in the Conversion of those Christians are set down in sundry particular Relations and in the History of China and are not so proper for this which is only a profane History Besides that being miraculous to some Readers they will appear as Fictions those who are curious may see them in the aforesaid History and Relations Having given the substance of what was writ on a Stone found in China at the end of the Second Volume it will be needless to repeat the whole which is long and is no more than the same thing in many more Words What has been said relating to China in these two Volumes may deserve the Credit of all Men as being the Observations of the Curious as well as Learned and Pious F. Alvaro Semmedo who spent 22 years Preaching and Teaching in that Country The End of the Second Part. THE PORTUGUES ASIA TOM III. PART III. CHAP. I. The Government of the Viceroy D. Hierome de Azevedo from the Year 1612 till 1617. 1. AT the end of last Year came to India the King's Orders for D. Hierome de Azevedo to succeed Ruy Lorenço de Tavora as Viceroy This Gentleman had purchased a great Name by many Years service and chiefly by 18 spent in Ceylon a Thing rare for one who had also gathered great Riches Not that Riches make a Man incapable of a good Name but because commonly the means of acquiring them contribute much to stain it The Fame of his Substance contributed as much as that of his Valour tâ—… his Promotion to this Employment it being thought that he who had so much would be less guilty of those Crimes that proceed from Avarice whereas Experience teaches that those who have most covet most But D. Hierome had offered to accept of that Post without the usual Salary yet afterwards he received it making that a Crime by breaking his Promise which had been none if not offered 2. On Christmas Eve Ruy Lorenço de Tavora delivered him the Sword and the first thing he did was to forbid the payment of Debts contracted by his Predecessor who resolved not to depart India till the payment of them was secured as well for his own Reputation as in respect no Viceroy for the future would be able to get any Money advanced upon the urgent Necessities of the State if that ill Precedent was given and his Debts were all on the account of the Publick At length it was concluded they should be paid as Tavora had ordered The next Action of the Viceroy was to dispatch Danisbeque Sedesable Embassador from Abas the Xa or King of Persia who falsly courted the Friendship of all those Princes he designed to spoil promising each great Advantages and stirring them up one against the other Thus he Treated with King Philip in Spain and King Iames in England which he found most suitable to his Designs Thus he had taken the Island Baharem and strove to possess himself of Ormuz 3. Danisbeque was returned from Spain with the Answer of his Embassy and besides what the King had given him in return for a Present of Silks he carried the Viceroy had Orders to add something at his discretion He added the value of 12000 Crowns in Spice which in Persia was worth much more and having nobly entertained him sent away with him D. F. Antony de Gouvea Bishop of Sirene who also came from Spain and went to propogate Christianity which had but a slender beginning there The Bishop went no farther than Ormuz for the Persians being already ill-affected towards him he feared it would be worse when the Embassador had delivered his Answer So it happened for the King finding the Embassador brought not the Return he expected caused him to be killed and obliged 6000 Armenians to renounce the Faith 4. The Viceroy as well versed in the Affairs of Ceylon gave the necessary Orders for its preservation recommending the putting them in execution to Antony Vaz Feyre Surveyor of the Revenue in that Island Antony Pinto de Fonseca who had served well in Flanders and was now Visitor of the Forts in India with the Viceroy's Leave went to perform the Duties of his Employ D. Henry de Noronna being confirmed in the Command of the Coast of Malabar given him by Ruy Lorenço united the Kings of Vanguel Sierra and Carnate against Ventapanaique on pretence of their safety whereas indeed it was to secure our selves against him in whose Dominions we held Braçalor and Onor 5. This done D. Henry steered for the Coast of Malabar with 28 Sail. Andrew Coello was sent by the late Governour with 3 Ships to relieve Palicate and Siriam and being now driven by stress of Weather to Columbo they were beaten to pieces on that Coast but the Men saved 6. When D. Hierome came from Ceylon to be Viceroy he gave the supream Command there to Fran. Rojo a Man of unknown Birth but noted Valour and by his Courage had attained to the greatest Preferments It was since found that he was of the Family of Meneses as being Son to D. Iames Count de Ericeyra and Grandson to D. Henry de Meneses who was Governour of India 7. This D. Francis de Meneses Rojo being General in that Island and understanding the King of Candea lay before the Fort of Balane and the Commander Emanuel Falcam was in some â—…anger he instantly set out with a very small number spreading his Orders for
all Men to follow and marched â—…o Leagues afoot that day In three he reached Balane and the King at the sight of him raised the Siege D. Francis relieved the Fort and returned with Glory to his Quarters destroying all the Enemy's Country 8. The Tanadar of Chaul meditating Revenge for the Losses he had sustained by us the last Year hired some Moors Naytia's that lived in Caranja and were free with the Portugueses to kill Baltasar Rabello de Almeyda Commander of that Fort. They guided by Melique Balane entred suddenly when he was at Supper and killed him and a Sister-in-Law of his This done they shut themselves in but the Portugueses forcing the Gates put them all to the Sword Ferdinand de Sampaio Cunna succeeded in the Widow and Command About the middle of April Abascan General of the Enemy led a great Body of them to revenge the Death of the others on Caranja He could not be prevented entring the Town but being in disorder killing and plundering Simon Rangel with 17 Portugueses doing great Execution began to put the Moors to flight whilst Cunna coming on another way with few Men they made a great slaughter This was a warning to the Naytia's not to return to Caranja Afterwards Cunna not satisfied with what he had done ravaged their Country and brought away above 3000 Prisoners He shewed much Generosity when two Moors being brought to him for entring a Place forbid them upon pain of Death he set them at liberty because being asked How they durst come thither without a safe Conduct one of them answered That they had done it relying on the Fame of his Courtesie to ransom certain Kindred of theirs 9. Ruy Freyre de Andrade who cruized on that Coast with a Squadron of small Ships understanding that Nizamaluco since the War broke out at Chaul spread it as far as Salsete and Agacaim he repaired thither In a Village between Caranja and Tana he cut off some Moors that opposed him and put the rest to flight Higher they discovered 500 Moors and an Elephant with a Castle on his Back in which were two Cannons Twelve Soldiers landed a Captain with 80 Horse attacking them was shot dead our Men seeing the Enemy halt stood some time and then George Marino sent to challenge their Leader but he not accepting of it they returned aboard 10. From Tana Freyre sent some Ships to relieve the Town of Agaçaim which being indanger'd by the Moors run a greater hazard through the discord of the Inhabitants They were but 50 Families yet all full of Division and Ruy Freyre could no way reconcile them Every one said he was able to defend all their Houses and all together could not defend one for 2000 Moors soon forced them thence into the Monastery of St. Francis shewing them how great difference there is betwixt saying and doing between Animosity and Discretion Freyre carried the Women and Children to Baçaim and then relieved Manora passing through multitudes of Enemies who expected him ashore and sought resolutely insomuch that one laid hold of the Colours on which was the Picture of the Blessed Virgin carryed by Emanuel Ambrosio the Moor was shot dead He got into the Fort without losing one Man having killed and wounded many and after securing all things there returned to the Mouths of the Rivers of Tana where he behaved himself well 11. The Affairs of Agaçaim grew worse for fresh Troops of Melique resorting thither Ruy Freyre was obliged to return to their assistance At his coming he saw the Enemy was firing Iohn de Caldas his House where he had fortified himself and Iames Rodriguez Caldera a Soldier well known for his Valour was let down by a Rope to quench it as he did Freyre with much difficulty brought off those that were left and carried them to Baçaim There he landed and joining the Commander of the Fort and Men of the Northern and Diu Fleets they pursued a Body of Moors till it was thought fit to retire for fear of an Ambush A few Days after Freyre and the Northern Squadron being gone to convoy a Fleet that lay at Damam for fear of Pirats Andrew Pereyra de Sousa with three Companies was drawn into an Ambush and not a Man of them escaped 12. The Moors at the upper Chaul were drawn into the like snare by D. Emanuel de Azevedo Commander of that Place a Man well skilled in Military Affairs having gained Experience by several Years Service in Ceylon 13. The Necessities of Damam represented by the People and their Commander Nunno Alvarez Pereyra obliged Ruy Freyre to make some stay there The Case was that among other Enemies the King of the Sarcetas who lives in intricate Woods which serve him for defence had sent out Parties of Horse and Foot which destroyed and carried away all they found in the neighbouring Villages Freyre gathering about 200 Men from Damam Maim and Trapor fell upon 600 of the Enemy in their Woods and Works before Day when they were all asleep slew a great number of them and retired with a considerable Booty burning all that could not be carried away Above 700 of the Enemy pursued him but not daring come too near he retired in good Order and got into Damam with Honour 14. D. Henry de Noronna had detached George de Castilo with some small Vessels towards Cape Comori to convoy the Fleet of Turocori There he discovered a Galliot that carried 170 Moors Francis de Soufa Pereyra with his little Ship in which were but 16 Souldiers bore down upon her Castillo sends two more to second him and they discovering some Ships of Bengala leave him to follow them Those of the Galliot seeing our small Vessel forsaken fire their Cannon upon her which killed three of the Men that rowed and the rest leaped into the Sea The Moors board her and all our Men were either killed or taken 15. In May Nunno de Cunna sailed from Goa for Baçaim to succeed Ruy Dias de Sampayo as Admiral of the North Sea his Squadron consisted of 13 Ships in which were 400 chosen Souldiers designed to carry on the War against Melique who was grown strong By the way he had some Encounters not considerable enough to be related and at the City Galiana after entring the Enemies Works taking some Cannon and killing many with the loss of one Man was forced by a Storm to desist from his Design of burning some small Vessels 16. Being at Baçaim he kept the Enemy in great awe notwithstanding they had 400 Horse and as many Foot whereas we had but 30 Horse and 160 Foot Several were killed in Skirmishes this Winter the number of theirs not known on our side 40. On All Saints Day the Enemy came on through a Plain having to distract us made a feint of coming through the Water Their Horse having made Antony Pinto de Fonseca give way were bogged and our Men rallying upon them killed and took some putting the rest
marching towards Ancone that was in Rebellion Gaspar Pereyra Cabral being left behind wounded was carried by Cafres who run away from him Simoens understanding it went back with one Slave and helped to carry him on his own back An Act worthy of memory from a Captain to a Souldier The Rebel being subdued Simoens returned to Tete with the Emporor's two Sons They were baptized by the Names of Philip and Iames. The latter remained there the other went back to his Father 11. The Emperor thinking he could now overcome his Enemies without the assistance of Portugueses marched to the Kingdom of Baroe and was there defeated at Mongas he had a Son killed and Matuzianne usurped the whole Empire Iames Simoens restored him and possessed himself of Chicova Matuzianne raising new Forces was defeated and killed by the Portugueses D. Stephen de Ataide raised a Fort at Massapa and gave that Command to Iames Carvallo whom he sent to Monomotapa with a present to obtain the Delivery of the Mines 12. Carvallo went and told the Emperor he had a great Present but gave him none and he seeing the Portugueses entred his Lands for Gold without his consent caused all they had to be taken from them and many to be killed Carvallo had with him some Forces belonging to the Emperor with whose assistance he curbed the Robbers of Quizinga and supported himself He resolved to revenge the spoiling of the Portugueses by a horrid Treachery against those that served him for joining with the Quizinga's he one Night fell upon the Cafres and killing many put the rest to flight who justly cursed the falseness of the Portugueses 13. Carvallo fearful of his own Wickedness abandoned the Fort of Massapa and went to Tete leaving all the Country in Arms against the Portugueses All he acted was by order of D. Stephen de Ataide who in stead of appeasing the Emperor threatned him with War He sent out from Sena and by his order Carvallo raised another Fort on the Banks of Zambeze two days Journey from Tete Iames Simoens Madera was left to Command at Tete because Ataide returned to Moçambique hearing the Hollanders were coming thither D. Stephen perceiving no Dutch appeared in 6 months returned to Tete The Emperor sent to offer him Chicova if he would send the ordinary Present which was a Debt and no Gift D. Stephen would not so much as hear the Embassadors refusing to give a Present of 5000 Crowns which might have saved much greater Charges for above 30000 were already lost at Massapa to no purpose 14. D. Stephen set forward with 150 Men but being better advised expected News from Portugal and India In Iuly he received the King's Orders to go to Goa and give the Command of Tete to Iames Simoens and that of Moçambique to D. Iohn de Ataide the Viceroy's Brother D. Stephen obeyed against his Will leaving Simoens 140 Soldiers without any thing to maintain them in that dangerous Conquest However Simoens made the best on 't and resolved to proceed beginning with Chombe a powerful Cafre demanding of him what he owed as our Tributary and the Restitution of the Portugueses he had Some infamous Portugueses advised Chombe to take no notice of Simoens because he could do him no harm This caused that King first to slight and then to molest him in the Vessels wherein he sailed for Tete Simoens landing drove the Cafres so that they troubled him no more CHAP. X. Continues the Government of the Viceroy D. Hierome de Azevedo in the Year 1616. 1. JAmes Simoens Madera raising 6000 Cafres marched with them and his Portugueses against Chombe at the beginning of September One night they heard a Voice that said Chombe rejoyces at your coming and desires you will make haste for he is hungry and expects to feast upon your Bodies Simoens marched on and fortified himself close under the Enemies Works which were half a League in length and in breadth proportionable furnished with 8000 Men. Simoens attacks them twice but to no effect Next night a Cafre fled to the Enemy and from them a Christian Black Woman to us with Advice That Chombe would fall upon our Men before day Simoens expected them with silence and killing 1000 put the rest to flight 2. The Enemy proposes a Peace but nothing is concluded Simoens attempts their Works but without success he sends to the Commander of Senna for Succour who sends him 40 Portugueses and 3000 Cafres The Works were again assaulted in vain soon after some Deserters informed the Intrenchment was weakest on the side of a Lake Here the Assault was renewed the Works entred Chombe put to flight and the Place given to Quitamho a Cafre who faithfully served us on condition to pay what Chombe had denied 3. Iames Simoens was now bent upon the Conquest of the Silver Mines in Chicova The Emperor sent to acquaint him He again resigned those Mines to him upon condition he should not go thither with an Armed Power Simoens desired he would send one to put him in Possession thereof and to receive Cloth to the value of 4000 Ducats he had to present him The Emperor was satisfied and Simoens with Applause of all the Cafres took possession of Chicova on the 8th of May 1614. being put into it by Onanxangue a great Man Nephew to the Emperor The first thing he did was to raise a Fort there the next to joyn Friendship with a powerful Cafre called Sapoe and his Country Borore 4. The Lord of Chicova now subject to the Portugueses by virtue of the Emperor's Resignation withdrew himself from them so that Complaint was made thereof to the Emperor who gave leave to Depose him and put another in his Place sending a Cafre called Cherema to shew the Mines This Man twice deceived Simoens causing him to dig in Places where he had hid some Ore for which reason he was confined and then shewed another place of which some hope was conceived he excusing himself what was done had been by the Emperor's Order Nevertheless Simoens sent him a Present he detained the Messengers and sent word He would have Needles Pins Knives Looking-Glasses Candles Soap Zafran Pepper and some rich Silks He repented the giving of Chicova and sought occasion of Disagreement thinking that Simoens could not send what he damanded But he sending all things the Emperor seemed satisfied 5. That D. Philip the Emperor's Son whom Iames Simoens caused to be Baptized attempted several times to make his escape to the Portugueses and was taken at length he got to the Fort of Chicova and was joyfully received Hearing there that Chirema was fled to avoid discovering the Mines he sent for him pretending to be sent Embassador by his Father and having rebuked and secured him went himself to Tete The Emperor hearing hereof proffered great Rewards to any would kill his Son At the same time it fell out that a Soldier gathering some Fruit the Son of the Owner who was a powerful Man
forbid him the Soldier complains to his Captain Iames Teyxera Barroso who without farther examination shot the young Man The Father in Revenge of his Son's Death did the Portugueses much harm and the Emperor declared War because they entertained his Son against his will 6. In March 1615. 10000 Cafres assault the Fort but were forced thence with great loss Iames Simoens coming in time with Succour The Country being clear Simoens sent some Men with Cherema to discover the Mines after some days digging they discovered Ore whereof one half was pure Metal and some scarce wanted casting It appeared to be no cheat some being grown into the Roots of a Tree 7. Our Commander being assured there were rich Silver Mines resolved to send three great clods of Ore for a Proof to Spain The Messengers and Ore were received with great joy at Madrid Gaspar Bocarro was so ambitious of carrying this News that after the others were gone he gave 2000 Ducats to purchase the Employ and offered to go by Land at his own Expence but he ended his days at Moçambique 8. The excessive Heat caused a Sickness in the Fort of Chicova whereof the Soldiers died in 3 or 4 days Next followed a Famine which gave occasion to the Cafres who served the Fort and dug in the Mines to run away so that there was no Silver to buy Cloth and consequently no Cloth to purchase Provisions with at Sape it being the only Coin that passed there Iames Simoens had acquainted the Viceroy That Conquest could not be maintained without Relief The chief Sustenance of that Garison for some days was a small Fruit so harsh they could not swallow it unless rowled in Ashes 9. The Supplies were sent by the Viceroy to Moçambique but never reached Chicova which thereupon was abandoned The hatred the Lawyer Francis de Fonseca Pinto to whom the Viceroy had given the whole Charge of the Affair bore to Iames Simoens was the cause he was not Relieved and that important Place lost 10. This is that Francis de Fonseca Pinto who as was said before took the Command of Moçambique from Ruy de Melo Sampayo and had all Necessaries for Chicova as well of Provisions as Tools to work in the Mines But his hatred to Simoens diverted him from sending those Succors besides he sold all that was to relieve that Place and converted it to his own use and seized upon Ruy de Melo's Effects Iames Simoens pressed him by Letters for Relief in his last protesting with all his Men If the Place were lost the fault would lie upon him 11. All the Answer that insolent Fellow returned was putting Simoens his Nephew sent to conduct him in Irons Then he entred his Lands and destroyed all that was there selling his Slaves he forbid the Inhabitants on pain of Death corresponding with or relieving those of Chicova and sent word to the Emperor that he might freely kill Simoens for entring his Dominions without Orders from the Viceroy Not satisfied to procure his Ruin by those means he marched towards Chicova with intention to murder him Simoens understanding it withdrew thence and Pinto hearing of it though so near would not relieve the Fort not examine the Mines as he had in Orders but returned hastily to Tete fearing Iames Simoens should meet him But going back to the Fort caused the Notary to draw an Instrument containing the Causes why that Fort was abandoned to which they all signed This done they marched with their Women and Children towards Tete 12. Weakness caused them to march very slow and two Soldiers fell dead for want At Marenga Simoens received a Summons from Pinto to appear before him at Tete in 9 Days to answer for himself But knowing now he had quitted the Fort sent 2000 Cafres commanded by a Portugues to murder him they tho' the opportunity was presented would not do it Simoens stayed in the Country of Inambanzo which was his own and all the Company went to Tete There Pinto inquired of them whether there were any Mines at Chicova they all unanimouslâ—… answered there were But he in hatred to Simoens desiring to conceal them with Threats and Rewards prevailed with each of them single to swear there were none Then he gave Sentence against Simoens for abandoning the Fort not considering if there were no Mines there as he endeavoured to made out it was no Crime and that if any fault were it was his own since the other held it longer than could be required 13. This done Pinto Promises the Emperor a considerable Present if he would fall upon Simoens at Inambanzo The Emperor not only expelled Simoens those Lands but so distressed Tete that they were forced to make up the Present promised by Pinto to buy his absence the Emperor positively requiring it at their hands Iames Simoens afterwards returned to Tete being utterly ruined by his good Service and Pinto who had ruined all was enriched by his Villanies and Rapine This is what happened about the Mines of Monomotapa I will only add that the first Commander there Francis Barreto was undone by a Divine and now Iames Simoens the last by a Lawyer and the King by employing such Gownmen in things they understand not lost the great Advantages might be expected from those Mines CHAP. XI Continues the Government of the Viceroy D. Hierome de Azevedo the same Year 1616. 1. THE Inhabitants of the City Meliapor commonly called St. Thomas were all divided killing one another without any regard of Human or Divine Laws or any Shame that even the Moors and Gentiles abominated their Wickedness The occasion was what they call Points of Honour To appease these Disorders the Viceroy sent Ruy Diaz de Sampayo with 7 Sail and 250 Soldiers 2. Ruy Diaz performed all that was given in Charge to him and having reconciled the Citizens of S. Thomas sent 6 of his Ships to scour the Coast of Carriero under the Command of Peter Gomez de Sousa a Man more couragious than discreet At Montepoli he made cruel havock surprizing the Inhabitants As he returned with great Booty and many Women and Children an ancient Moor appeared upon the Shore who coming to our Men told them he was much wronged by Cotamuza King of Goloconda and therefore would not only turn Christian but show them a Fort meaning that of Carriero they might easily surprize This was all a Fiction devised by a Moor who seeing what was done by our Men had gathered 600 Moors and lay in Ambush to see whether Peter Gomez would suffer himself to be deceived by this Messenger 3. Peter Gomez though warned that all this was Treachery gave Credit to the Moor followed him a League and there fell into the Ambush where he and all his Captains save one that was left at St. Thomas with 130 Portugueses were all slain 25 taken and only 30 escaped by flight 186 Indians were killed in the Action 4. Ioseph Pereyra de Sampayo who was left Prisoner by
Kingdom whereby they should lose the Advantages they made of them in the way of Trade represented it to the Magistrates as a thing dangerous to introduce those Strangers into the Kingdom and under-hand bribing the Mandarins prevailed with those very Men who had advised the King to send for the Portugueses with so great Expence to send them back saying It was not convenient to make use of them 3. The King answered It is not long since you proposed making use of these Men against the Tartars now you say it is not convenient When you propose any thing again consider of it better and if they are not for our service let them return It is remarkable that whereas the Chineses are so jealous they suffer no Strangers even Ambassadors to view their Towns especially the Court these Soldiers had liberty to see all Things at thier pleasure without any lett The same liberty 〈◊〉 given to the Ambassadors sent by the City Macao and to the Jesuits 4. The Jesuits made at this time good progress in the propagation of the Faith and were informed of a certain People called of the Cross as being descended from ancient Christians Two Fathers had this Intelligence from certain Jews in the City Caifumfir These Jews had there a Synagogue as big as a large Church well adorned and the Bible in Hebrew Syriack and Chaldaick 5. They gave some account of those People of the Cross who were then dispersed and their Church converted to a Heathen Pagod The Jesuits inquiring in the Neighbouring Towns found some footsteps of that People though they concealed themselves fearing this search after them was upon some ill design One of these had the Pictures of St. Peter and St. Paul 6. Four Galliots sailing from Macao wâ—… attacked by a Holland Ship and being boarded by them fired herself One Iaponese was saved who said That Ship carried Money to supply their Forts and that there were aboard some Chineses of Quality taken not long before Five Portugueses were lost in the Ship 7. Constantine de Sa Noronna succeeded D. Nâ—…o Alvarez Pereyra who was gone to the Conquest of the Mâ—… of Câ—…ma in the Post of General of Ceylon He built the Fort of Sofragam because the Neighâ—… hood was in Arms and left there 100 Portâ—… gueses and 200 Lascarines Then he maâ—… ched towards Madune who was fortified at the two Corla's the ancient â—…trimony of his Forefathers a Mountainous Couâ—… well watred bearing much Rice and aboâ—… 7 Leagues in compass Noronna stayed some days at Ceytavaca to get Provisions and settle 30 Portugueses in a high Tower the only part standing of that great City After a month's march through the Enemies Country where Hunger began to pinch he underderstood Madune fled He follows to his City and finding 〈◊〉 abandoned burns it A Budiame was here destroyed that is a Tree those People highly esteem saying Their God Budum leaned against it whence it takes its Name On the foot of this were the Images of several Idols curiously carved 9. Noronna finding no Enemy was upon his return when 500 of Madune's Men appeared in his Rear commanded by Chacatien Zala Our General laid a few Portugueses and 1000 Lascarines in ambush and though some of our Men at first fled he broke the Enemy killing maâ—… and taking 35 Men of great Note whereof one was Câ—…atien The Enemy seeking Revenge another day had 30 principal Men slain and among them the Prince of Uva who called himself King 10. The Hollanders this Year took several good Prizes the Portugueses endeavouring to gather Wealth but not providing the means to defend it The Particulars are too inconsiderable to be related I will say somewhat of the Malabar Pirats whom our Carelesness and Presumption made bold 11. Whilst our Admiral of the Malabar Sea was upon that Coast D. Pedro a Cousin of that Cunnale who was beheaded at Goa after becoming a Christian fled from that City and commanding 5 Parao's took several of our Ships hindred the Trade and took the Island De las Vacas and that of Tristan Golayo Our General D. Coâ—…tine de Sa from Columbo sent 40 Galliots to Manar to joyn 18 small vessels there and destroy that Pirat They set out on the Eve of the Ascension and being parted by a Storm the 18th met at the Island of Golayâ—… Vitorio de Abreu commanded them who being informed by two Blacks left there by the Owner of the Island that the 5 Parao's were gone to some Place near for Ammunition and that before they returned he might possess himself of Goods to the value of 30000 Ducats lâ—…t there by D. Pedro in a House he made light of this Intelligence and staying for the Enemy lost 12 of the 18 Sail and about 300 Men besides those that were taken whereof he was one 12. Mean while our Squadâ—… convoyed the Merchant Fleet after such a manner that the same Pirate took a Vessel without their offering to desend it The Merchants of Nâ—…an 〈◊〉 the Captains of the Conâ—…oy to recover that Ship but they would or dâ—… not A Spanish Flyboat accidentally pâ—…g by at the request of that City retook it 13. Constantine de Sa ever since he was General of 〈◊〉 had intelligence that Câ—…li Câ—…are King of Iâ—…tan and 〈◊〉 â—…ect assisted Maâ—… He offered 〈◊〉 Money to wave receiving the Price of the Elephants due as Tribute Câ—…li privily Armed and Constantine sent Philip de Olivoyra witâ—… â—…o Portugueses and 3000 Lâ—…es 〈◊〉 demanded the value of the Elephants and 〈◊〉 answered not to the purpose relying on 8000 Men well Armed and his strong Walls Oliveyrâ—… advanced and the King understanding it by a treacherous Portugues sent to him not to proceed and he would stand by the former Capitulation This was only a â—…gem to cut off our Van which was far advanced under Lâ—… Cabral de Faria 14. Oliveyra credited the Fraud and sent Orders to Faria to come back but at such time as the Enemy had attacked him he answered It was then too late and breaking a Body of 1000 Blacks advanced Two thousand that followed him were defeated by Oliveyra who hearing the noise marched with all speed Changali flying over the River was taken and with him 8000 Crowns our Men undecently treating the Princesses that were in his company The King seeing his Brother in-Law's Ears cut off for the Ear-Rings took out his own and gave them to the next Man Oliveyra ordered him at Iafanapatan to make a List of the Portugueses he held Correspondence with He made one and among the many named was Oliveyra himself with the allowance of 2000 Crowns and the late General D. Nunno Alvarez Pereyra with 9000. The King was carried to Goa Oliveyra was left to govern the Kingdom Madune wanting this Friend submitted himself 15. Andrew Botello de Costa coming to Iafanapatan with 6 Sail understood there was a great Danish Ship at Gale that had taken some Prizes he found out and after
got off This done our Ship cast Anchor in an advantageous Place but next day received Orders to put to Sea where she would find the Fleet to defend her She was no sooner out but the Turks attack her yet after a desperate fight again left her But the third Day the Enemy coming on again burnt her few of the Men escaping Death and those remaining in Captivity 16. The Ship called St. Iohn another of the two built in India had no better Fortune for springing a leak she was with much labour of Pumping brought as far as the Cape of Good Hope where three Holland Ships pursued her 20 Days whereof 8 were spent in fight Our Ship being totally disabled offered to surrender upon Conditions but whilst they treated a Storm parted them and she was drove aground full of Water two Leagues from the Shore in the Bay of Lagoa which is in the Lat. of 32 Deg. The Captain was forced with his own hand to kill a troublesom Pilot who to save himself and 30 more would expose all the rest to perish inevitably 17. The Captain landed the Ammunition and Provisions with the loss of 9 Men and marched with 260 towards Zofala having burnt the Ship and saved the Diamonds Pearls Amber and Musk. They marched in sight of the Sea carrying the Women on their Shoulders Having set forward the beginning of September about the end of November being weary of carrying those things of value they cast into a River all the Musk. 18. Those who carried the Women could no longer hold out tho' many thousand Ducats were promised them A Maid not able to go a foot was left to the Mercy of Cafres or Fury of wild Beasts A young Man her Brother would have stayed with her but was not permitted and he soon after died for Grief 19. Some Men died with Fatigue and the strongest conspired to take all the Diamonds and march faster The Captain being informed of it slew him he thought to be the Ringleader of that Contrivance About the middle of December those who carried four Women would do it no longer 10000 Ducats were offered to any to undertake it but none accepted the offer Sixteen were left behind with their Slaves who murdered them and afterwards overtaking the Company and being examined were hanged Hunger forced them to eat these and others that died The Captain Morales died and Francis Vaz de Almada succeeded him There were but 150 Men left and half of them not able to fight when the King of Mocaranga assails them with 1000 Cafres and robs them killing some Those that escaped came to Moçambique having travelled 500 Leagues with unspeakable Misery 20. At this time Ruy Freyre de Andrade who had but Three hundred Portugueses in the Fort of Queixome with some of the Natives and Arabs that came afterwards was besieged by the Sultan of Xiras with 20000 Men and the Fort began to be undermined Freyre defended himself with much valour but the News being brought that the English Succours were at hand the Defendants dismayed CHAP. XIX Continues the Government of Ferdinand de Albuquerque 1. FReyre being besieged by Sea and Land the English and Persians being joined Simon de Melo came from Goa with 13 Sail rather to affront than relieve them 2. The Commander of Ormuz who somewhat comforted Freyre in these Troubles died and Simon de Melo by the Governor's Order succeeded him which was another wrong done to Freyre because according to the ancient Custom he being Admiral of that Sea ought to have succeeded This was the Ruin of Ormuz for had he been there it had not been lost Freyre nevertheless desisted not from sending advice to Ormuz which Melo slighted relying on the Strength of the Place though it was in no posture of Defence the Commanders of it for many Years having only taken care to enrich themselves so that there was but little Cannon and that lay on the Ground without Carriages and stopped up with Earth 3. The English offered Freyre honourable Conditions if he would surrender but he refused thinking Ships would have come that Night from Ormuz to carry him off and dismantle the Fort. D. Gonzalo de Silveyra came with only one Barque carrying some Ammunition a small Relief in that Distress Freyre seeing this sent fresh Advice to Melo how to act in his own defence and he taking it in ill part writ to the Governor accusing Freyre of Arrogance and Ignorance for pretending from Queixome to instruct and terrifie him 4. Freyre no longer able to withstand the English and Persians resolved to burn the Fort and die honourably in the Field but his Men crying they would not cast away their Lives to no purpose designed to deliver him up to the English and some leaped from the Wall into the Sea to save themselves Freyre was forced to capitulate to march out on the side of Arabia with his Colours Arms and Ammunition the Capitulation was not observed for the Portugueses were stripped the Natives delivered to the Persians who put them to the Sword Freyre and four Captains sent Prisoners to Surat 5. Melo at Ormuz thinking the Enemy would be satisfied with the taking of Queixome began to treat of Peace with the Persians but to no effect Above 12000 Persians came over in their Barques and the English in 6 Ships besieging the Town and furiously battering it 6. Luis de Brito agreeing with others who loved not to expose their Lives was let down from the Wall by a Rope concluded Articles of Surrender with the English and returned to the Town to put them in Execution Simon de Melo seemed to oppose the Surrender but the Soldiers feigning to mutiny for it was supposed to be done by his Direction the Enemy entred the Town above 2000 Portugueses of both Sexes and all Ages were sent stripped to Mascate leaving a great Treasure and the Honour of their Country in the Enemies Hands 7. Mean while Freyre who was Prisoner with the four Captains made his Escape and having lost one of them with the other three got to Damam thence to Baçaim and at last to Mascate Constantine de Sa was then there with Succours for Ormuz and they were upon going thither when the People that were dispossessed of that Place appeared Freyre insisted to go on hoping to surprize the Enemy but could not prevail upon Sa so he went away to Goa and Embarqued for Portugal 8. At this time the Mogol was highly respected by all the Eastern Princes and there resided at his Court several Ambassadors who carried him rich Presents One sent by the King of Massanapatan was valued at Two Millions consisting of Elephants with costly Trappings Camels and precious Sâ—…ones 9. The Portugueses who in the Years 1â—…42 and 1â—…45 had escaped the Destruction of the Cities Liampo and Chincheo lived in the Island Lampaçau till the Year 1557 they then built the City Macao the greatest we have in Asia next to Goa The manner was thus
coming up fell upon those 800 and slew them all with the loss of 12000 of his Army and then beheaded the Traytor Xemin 17. After this Victory he went up the River Queytor with 60000 Men in 1000 Boats and coming to the Port of Avaa about the middle of October burnt above 2000 Vessels and some Villages with the loss of 8000 Men and among them 62 Portugueses He understood the City was defended by 20000 Moors 30000 of which People had at Meleytay slain 150000 of his Army and that the King of Siam was preparing to come to their Relief Upon this News he returned with speed to Prom and fortified himself whilst an Ambassador went to purchase Succours from the Emperor of Calaminam with rich Presents and the offer of certain Lands 18. The Empire of Calaminam is said to be 300 leagues in length and as much in breadth formerly divided into 27 Kingdoms all using the same Language beautified with many Cities and great Towns and very fruitful In it is to be found all that Asia produces The Metropolis is called Timpham seated on the River Pitui which is covered with multitudes of Boats It is girt by two strong and beautiful Walls contains 400000 Inhabitants the Buildings good especially some stately Palaces with fine Gardens in and about it are 2500 Temples belonging to 24 several Sects Some use bloody Sacrifices and some of the Priests abstain from Women but satisfie their Lust by such ways it were better they did not abstain The Women are well shaped fair and beautiful though beautiful they are chast two Qualifications seldom go together Their Habit suitable to their Quality not the Purse The great ones are served in Gold In their Law Suits O happy Country they use no Attorneys Sollicitors not Prâ—…ctors all Things are decided at one Hearing The Kingdom maintains 1700000 Soldiers 400000 of them Horse 6000 Elephants whereof the Emperor styles himself Lord by reason of their numerousness his Revenue is above 20 Millions There remain some footsteps of Christianity from ancient Times among them as that they believe the Blessed Trinity and make the sign of the Cross when they sneeze 19. This was the Empire of Calaminnam whither the King of Brama sent his Ambassador He being returned the King sent 150000 Men in 1300 Boats against the City Sebadii 130 leagues distant towards the North-East The General Chaunigrem having lost many Men in several Assaults raised two Mounts whence he did great harm in the City but the Besieged sallying killed at once 8000 another time 5000 of his Men. Let us a while leave the King of Brama's Affairs in this condition to see what was done at Siam in order to treat of them both together 20. The King of Cheammay after destroying 30000 Men that guarded the Frontiers besieged the City of Guitirvam belonging to the King of Siam who immediately gathered 500000 Men among which were 120 Portugueses much honoured by him This multitude was conveyed along the River in 3000 Boats and by Land marched 4000 Elephants and 200 Pieces of Cannon He found the Enemy had about 300000 Men and 2000 Boats The Siammite gave the Command of his Army to three Generals two Turks and one Portugues called Dominick Seixas At first the Siammite was worsted but recovering defeated his Enemy killing 130000 Men whereof almost 40000 were good Horse This Victory cost him 50000 but of the worst of his Army 21. This done he marched against the Queen of Guibem who had given the Enemy passage through her Country and entring the City Fumbacor spared neither Sex nor Age. The Queen being besieged in her Court of Guiror agreed to pay a Tribute of 60000 Ducats and gave her Son as Hostage Then he advanced towards the City Taysiram whither he thought the King of Chiammay was fled putting all to Fire and Sword only sparing the Women then Winter coming on returned home 22. Being come to his Court of Oiaa or Odiaz he was poisoned by the Queen then big with Child by one of her Servants but before he died caused his eldest Son then young to be declared King He left 30000 Ducats to the 120 Portugueses that served him and ordered they should pay no Duties in any of his Ports for 3 Years to come 23. The Adulterous Queen being near the time of her Delivery poisoned her lawful Son married her Servant and caused him to be proclaimed King But they enjoyed not the Crown long being both slain at a Feast on the second of February by the King of Cambodia and Oya Pansiloco with all their Adherents CHAP. V. Continues the Affairs of the Kings of Siam and Pegu. 1. THERE being no lawful Heir to the Kingdom of Siam Pretiel a Religious Talagrepo bastard Brother to the poisoned King was by common Consent received as such in the beginning of the Year 1549. The King of Brama or Pegu for it is the same seeing the Affairs of Siam in Consusion resolved to conquer that Kingdom He raised an Army of 800000 Men among which were 1000 Portugueses 40000 Horse 60000 Musqueteers 20000 Elephants 1000 Cannon drawn by as many Yoke of Oxen and Abadas and 1000 Waggons of Ammunition drawn by Bufaloes The Portugueses were commanded by Iames Suarez de Melo called the Gallego who came to India in the Year 1538 in 1542 was Pyrating about Moçambique in 1547 was at the Relief of Malaca and in 1549 being in the Service of this King was worth four Millions in Jewels and other things of value had a Pension of 200000 Ducats yearly and the Title of the King's-Brother was supream Governour of all his Dominions and General of his Army 2. The King marched with that prodigious multitude and after one repulse took the Fort of Tapuram defended by 2000 Siammites putting all to the Sword with the loss of 3000 of Men. By the way the City Iuvopisam surrendred and he sate down before Odiaa the Capital of Siam which seemed to make no account of that great Power Iames Suarez who commanded in chief surprized hereat gave an assault and lost 10000 Men. Another attempt was made with Elephants but with no better success 3. The King offered 500000 Ducats to have a Gate of the City delivered to him Oya Pasiloco who commanded in the Town understanding it opened a Gate and sent to tell him he might bring the Money for he was ready to receive it The Tyrant had no answer to make but continuing the Siege with vigour was forced to flacken upon the coming of the new King Five Months being spent with the loss of 150000 Men News was brought that Xemindoo a Man of great Parts had rebelled at Pegu and killed 15000 Men that opposed him As soon as this was known in the Camp 120000 Pegues deserted in hatred to that Foreign Ring that oppressed and to the Insolence of Iames Suarez who commanded them 4. Xemindoo was of the ancient Blood Royal of Pegu a great Preacher and esteemed a Saint He
no Towns but wander with their Cattle like the Hords of Arabs some carry Stakes and Mats to make a sort of Tents they use no Tillage and offered our Men a Cake that seemed to be made of Meal of Roots mixed with Cow-Dung they eat Flesh but almost raw just shewed to the Fire which is made by rubbing Sticks together their choicest Food is the Guts and Tripes the Filth only squeezed out their Weapons are Darts and Bows no sign of Religion was discovered among them But it was observed that on Midsummer or St. Iohn Baptist's Day they appeared crowned with Garlands of sweet Herbs and Flowers 12. The Soil is fruitful free from Stones produces all sorts of Herbs Plants sweet Flowers and variety of Trees It is watered by great Rivers and many Springs The Spring begins in November Summer and Winter in these Parts as also in India are not caused by the Sun coming near or going from the Zenith as in Europe but by the Winds It is Winter when it rains and then the Sun is in his greatest Altitude when in his greatest Declination it rains not and then it is Summer Winter begins about the end of May when the West Wind reigns which brings great Rain and lasts till September during which time all Navigation ceases From September till May the North East Winds blow which keep a serene Sky and this is the Summer when all put to Sea Let us return to the description of that Country and our Men there 13. There is an infinite number of wild Beasts and those very large as Deer Wolves Sea-Horses Bufaloes wild Boars Monkeys Tigers and Elephants and some Rabbets not unlike our Ferrets They have abundance of wild Turkeys Geese Pigeons Turtles and Partridges which last build their Nests hanging on Branches of Trees Thus much of the People and Country about the Cape of Good Hope There lived our Shipwreck'd Portugueses and had erected a sort of Church where Mass was said and there were frequent Sermons five Priests being in that Company 14. The Ships being built in stead of Tar they made use of Benjamin and Frankincense and wanting Oyl to dissolve them supplied it with that of Sea-Wolves Before their departure they erected a Cross on the top of a Mountain with an Inscription signifying their Misfortune The Vessels were launched the Men and Goods shipped one Party designing for Portugal the other for India The former after some days fruitless labour were almost in the same place they set out from and in that condition were taken up by Antony de Sousa Carvallo in that Ship which as was before said afterwards perished 15. D. Nunno Alvarez Pereyra was Commander of Moçambique and died this Year D. Philipa Christian was Emperor of Monomotapa with whom we were in league A Cafre called Capranzirle rebelled against him who falling upon a Body of our Men as they marched to Tete slew 300 Portugueses the chief cause whereof was a Dispute between our Captains about Superiority All had been lost but for Christopher de Brito Vasconelos who put a stop to the Current of the Victorious Enemy Iames de Sousa Meneses commanded Moçambique at that time in the Place of Pereyra Soon after it was known the Cafre died of a Musket Shot he had received and a Brother of the Emperor but 13 Years of Age and a Christian baptized by the Dominicans by the Name of Dominick was proclaimed King 16. About the end of this Year a great Danish Ship entred the Port of Coulam Emanuel de Camara Noronna Admiral of the Canara Coast went to meet her with a Galley and eight other Vessels she fled he gave her chace and coming up after a sharp Dispute fired and then took her what remained of her was carried to Coulam 17. In April 1631 D. Blas de Castro who commanded 12 Sail at Negapatam took a Dutch Ship and soon after in a Storm lost half his Ships and about 100 Portugueses who got ashore were left in slavery The excessive Covetousness of the Portugueses keeping the Prices of Spice so high moved our European Enemies to seek it at a cheaper Rate in India and their Insolencies inclined the Indians to receive those Holland Rebels into their Ports Covetousness couched under the Pretence of Religion carried the Portugueses to conquer those remote Countries and the insatiable Avarice of some expels and makes them esteemed less than Rebels and Pyrats 18. Two Ships that sailed from Lisbon for India after five Months Voyage were put back into the same River having lost many Men by sickness In November sailed two Pinks The Viceroy desiring to recover Ormuz sent Dominick de Toral and Valdez a a Spaniard to view the Place and confer with Ruy Freyre then at Mascate about it but it came to nothing However a Fort was built at Iulfar a Fishery of Pearl 50 Leagues distant from Mascate 19. This Year our European Enemies ranging the Seas without any opposition took many of our Ships and ruined our Trade Besides they incensed the Indian Princes against us we having no body at those Courts to disappoint their Designs The Ruine of our Affairs proceeds from the little regard the great ones have for the lesser sort and the covetousness of the small ones which made them forget their Country and their Honour 20. The Portugueses dispersed in Ceylon since the defeat of D. Constantine gathering again considerably annoyed the Enemy Hence it appears our own Disorders are our Ruine The Portugueses can recover what is lost but know not how to preserve what they gain which is the most glorious part it being the Work of Fortune to gain and that of Prudence to preserve CHAP. IX Of the Affairs of Ethiopia during the Government of the Viceroy D. Michael de Noronna Count de Linnares 1. THis being the last time we shall treat of Ethiopia it will not be amiss to relate some farther Particulars of the Reception of the Patriarch D. Alfonso Mendez though somewhat has been already said concerning it He sailed from Goa on the 17th of November 1624 and at Chaul received a Letter from the Emperor Congratulating his arrival in India 2. All the way he travelled in Ethiopia he was entertained by the Governors and principal Men was met by the Sons of those Portugueses who went thither with D. Christopher de Gama to the assistance of the Emperor then Reigning and came to Fremona the chief Residence of Catholicks on the 21th of Iune 1625. The Emperor much rejoyced at the News of his arrival and sent two Men of great Quality to Conduct him but could not then see him being in the Field with his Army against certain Rebels On the 6th of February 1626 he was sent for by the Emperor to the Army The Prince accompanied by the Viceroys and Nobility went out to meet and conduct him through a Lane of 18000 Men to a Tent provided for his reception There he put on his Pontifical Robes and
for want of another they called it The Law of Light That in the Year of Chinquon Kieiça there came from Iudea a Man of great Virtue called Olopuem with the true Doctrine That this was received throughout all the Kingdom and Churches erected that afterwards some change of Affairs happening it grew weak but in the Time of the Great Tam the Holy Gospel returned to China That in the Year of Ximbie the Priests Iohn and Paul redressed all and new Churches were erected That in the Reign of the Great Tam the second Year Kienchum on the seventh day of the Month of Autumn this Stone was set up Kinçin Governor of the Church of China being Bishop 13. By this venerable Piece of Antiquity it appears that the Christian Faith was planted in China about the Year Six hundred thirty-one From it also may be inferr'd that St. Thomas first Preached there but that Christianity being almost forgot those Priests of Iudea and Kings of China restored it as has been shown it happened in India So that what the Portugueses assisted by other European Religious Men now perform is a second Re-establishment of the Faith 14. About the Year 1543 Fernan Mendez Pinto had this following Information in China He was Travelling from the City Mindoo to that of Peking and seeing by the way the Ruins of another was informed that about Two hundred Years before it was a most flourishing Place That a Holy Man coming thither raised some dead to life and Preached of Jesus Christ and his Vicar upon Earth that the Heathen Priests designing to burn him he quenched the fire making the sign of the Cross over it that they stoned him to Death and being thrown into a River the Stream stood still five days the holy Body being born upon the Superficies all the time that this occasioned the Conversion of many People of which there was a great number in that Province Further upon a Mountain was a Stone Cross which this Writer saw some People Worship pronouncing these Words Christ Iesus Mary conceived him being a Virgin brought him forth a Virgin and remained a Virgin These were Disciples descended from a Weaver called Iohn in whose House that Holy Martyr was entertained They preserve a Book of his Life which says his Name was Matthew Escandel by Birth an Hungarian and had been an Heremite on Mount Sinai That History related that he being taken out of the River and buried nine days after the City was swallowed up with Four thousand Bonzos who only durst stay in it the People having abandoned it by reason of the Earthquakes that happened before 15. At the same time the same Writer found in the Cities Sampitay and Quiangsi of China many Christians who had been converted Twenty-five Years before which was Sixty Years before the Jesuits entered China which is now One hundred and fourteen Years since And this is the Reason those Fathers found some Monuments of Christianity but so obscure that little could be made out by them 16. The same Feruand Mendez relates That in the City Timplan the Court of the Emperor of Caminam a Borderer on China he found most ancient Monuments of the Christian Faith and some account of the Holy Scripture Those People said That the Creation of the World was the work of the Will of the Creator That he was not visible nor to be felt That there were Eighty-two thousand Moons since the Earth was separated from the Water That on Earth God had created a most delightful Garden and placed therein the first Man called Adda and his Wife Baragom That he forbid them the Fruit of the Tree Hisaforam and they transgressing this Command all Men became liable to the Punishment of that Guilt That the Man broke the Precept being deceived by the Woman and she by the Serpent Lupantoo That for this Disobedience they were cast out of that delightful Place That by reason of the Sinfulness of Man God had drowned the World That only one just Man with his Family escaped in a Wooden House and by them Mankind was restored That God would punish the Wicked and reward the Good That one Iohn a Disciple of Thomas Modeliar a Servant of God whom the Citizens of Digun killed because he preached that God became Man and suffered Death for the Sins of Men had Preached the same in that Country and lost his Life for so doing Thomas Modeliar is the Apostle St. Thomas The People of Calaminam own the Blessed Trinity when they Sneeze they say some Words that declare it and they make the sign of the Cross. 17. The last Testimony was discovered in the Year 1635 but the thing in it self is at least as antient as the Stone already spoken of Some Heathens passing through a Street in a Village near the City Civencheâ—… of the Province of Fokien by Night saw Lights on some Stones that lay there and turning them up found on that part which had lain next the Ground Crosses carved A Jesuit examining into it caused the Stone on which the greatest Light appeared to be fixed in a decent place as a Monument of the Miracle and of our Religion in those Parts 18. We shall speak of what was done by the Religious of the Society of Jesus in order to the Reparation of Christianity in this Empire in the proper place and Third Tome of this our Asia They entred upon this undertaking in the Year 1579 which was the the last under our Portugues Princes who yet expired not without this Glory In the Year 1583 they Founded the first Church at Xauking The rest of their Proceedings we refer to the Third Tome beginning under the Spanish Monarchs as this has ended with the Portugueses The End of the Second Tome The Portugues Asia OR THE HISTORY OF THE Discovery and Conquest OF INDIA BY THE PORTUGUES CONTAINING All their Discoveries from the Coast of Africk to the farthest Parts of China and Iapan all their Battels by Sea and Land Sieges and other Memorable Actions a Description of those Countries and many Particulars of the Religion Government and Customs of the Natives c. In Three Tomes Written in Spanish by Manuel de Faria y Sousa Knight Of the Order of Christ. Translated into English by Capt. Iohn Stevens Tome the Second LONDON Printed for C. Brome at the Sign of the Gun at the West-End of St. Pauls 1695. DEDICATED TO HER MOST SACRED MAJESTY CATHERINE QUEEN DOWAGER OF ENGLAND c. THE PREFACE WHen Almighty GOD the only Founder of Empires is so pleased with a People as to possess them of a New one He generally Endows the first Founders with a wonderful proportion of Heroick Virtues as Sincerity Magnanimity Valour Majesty and an almost more than Mortal Staidness The solid Foundations to support the greatest Monarchies Such Founders rarely exceeded Three in Number Let the Learned by the help of this not yet Vulgar Remark seek Foreign Examples it shall be my Care only to shew