studied less to have Wives to get Children than young Men instead of Wives A Youth of 18 Years of Age who had more Honour than to consent to such Baseness killed him as he was endeavouring to allure him to his brutal Appetite Abraham Son of Xatamas one of two Brothers not long before slain by him succeeded in the Throne Quiâ—…balechan a powerful Man conspiring with others enters Visapor with Forces and seizes that Prince Not long after the Ethiopians who are the Guard of those Princes did the same under three Heads chose by themselves to this purpose who were Acalachan Armichan and Delarnachan This last secures the other two and takes all the Power into his own hands Our Governor kept a watchful Eye over all these Proceedings knowing the Happiness of our Affairs depended much upon the Event of those 3. At this time were brought to India new Instructions from the Governors of Portugal and Philip the Second then sworn King and First of the Name there The Governor was order'd to tender the Oath there Ferdinand Tellez performed the Ceremony with great Solemnity in the Church of Goa on the third of September 4. The Captains then commanding our Forts there were at Goa D. Tristan de Meneses at Zofala and Moçambique D. Peter de Castro at Ormuz D. Gonzalo de Meneses at Damam Martin Alfonso de Melo at Baçaim D. Emanuel de Almada at Chaul D. Ferdinand de Castro at Cananor George Toscano at Cochim D. George de Meneses Baroche at Columbo Emanuel de Sousa Coutinno at Tidore Iames de Azambuja and at Malaca D. Iohn de Gama 5. The Governor understanding that four Galliots of Malabar Pyrats were harboured in some of the Rivers about Goa immediately sent Mathias de Albuquerque with ten small Merchant Ships that were the readiest at hand after them He found them in the River Carapatan three of our Vessels that were foremost falling violently upon them forced the Malabars to leap into the Water and by that time Albuquerque came up each of them had taken one 6. There were at Mazulopatan two Ships of the bigness of ours that Trade to India one belonging to the King of Achem loaded with Ammunition design'd as was believed against Malaca the other to the King of Pegu richly loaden The Governor sent Gonçalo Vaz de Camoens with four Ships to seize upon them The first of the two had notice of it and went off and Gonçalo Vaz being informed of the great Force of the other by the consent of his Men left that Design and went over to the Coast of Pegu where the Malabar Pyrats took one of his Ships Commanded by Francis Serram and a Galliot of Ferdinand de Lima. They came to the Mouth of the River Negraes just at such time as the Ship they feared to Encounter at Mazulapatan was entring They could not in Honour avoid engaging her though they were but two Galliots After a desperate Fight which lasted almost two days the Ship was sunk our Men having first rifled her with such covetousness that our Vessels had sunk had not the Captain thrown many of the Goods over-board 7. The Galliots setting out again were for some time carried about by the Weather it being the beginning of Winter till about the place where they sunk the Ship they discover'd the Prince of Fegu with a Fleet of 1300 Sail design'd for the Conquest of the Kingdom of Arracam The Prince desired to meet with these Galliots having advice they were thereabouts and that his Father would be as much pleased with taking of them as the Conquest of that Kingdom Sixteen of the best Sailers advancing began to play their Cannon and were as well answer'd till they came to Board After a sharp Engagement three of the Enemy's Ships were disabled some entred many Prisoners and 18 Pieces of Cannon taken then our Men seeing all that Multitude was coming upon them making all the Sail they could and plying their Oars got into the Port of Arracam The King rejoycing for the share he had in this Success and well pleased that Gonçalo Vaz made him a present of some of his Subjects taken in the great Ships gave liberty to some Portugueses he had long kept in Prison 8. About this time three Turkish Gallies set out of the Port at Moca sent by the Bassa Mirazenam to plunder Moscate having Intelligence from Moors living there that the Town was Rich and unprovided of Defence Alibec a Turk used to Robbing undertook this Design Mirazenam was born at Otranto of Christian Parents and was Governor of all that Part of Arabia Felix and Petrea which the Natives call Ayaman he resided in the City Cana the Center of Arabia Felix 60 Leagues North of Moca and as many from Xael Cana is built upon a Hill encompassed with a good Wall and thought to be the Foundation of Cham the Son of Noah and to have been the Court of the famous Queen of Saba The Province is most fruitful called by the Ancients Siria Mumifera because it produces Frankincense Myrrh and Storax 9. Alibec being before Mascate landed his Men ordering those that remained in the Galleys to enter the Port and as soon as they were in to play their Cannon furiously that so the Inhabitants being imployed on that side he might come in upon their Backs It succeeded as he desired for most Men saved themselves by flight but few their Goods and he in an instant entred and plundred the Town Iames Machado going out to bury some Treasure was killed and himself and Money deprived of Burial 10. Let us in some manner describe the situation of this Town Extend the right Hand with the Palm of it down stretch out the Thumb from the fore-finger and separate that from the middle Finger keep that close to the other two The space between the middle and fore-fingers is a Bay called Seabo running up as the hand represents The distance between the Thumb and Fore-finger is another Bay not so deep along the Shore whereof the Town is bailt shut in by two Mountains one rises at the point of Seabo next that part where the three Fingers are together it has only one Path that leads to Mascate so narrow that two Men cannot pass it a-breast This way Alibec come into the Town no Body imagining he would attempt it for four Men with one Cannon might maintain it against the Universe 11. Let us not deny any Man the Honour that is due to him They that fled from Mascate to Mataro a Town a League distant not thinking themselves safe there went to Bruxel a Fort four Leagues up the Inland belonging to Catani Head of a Hord of Arabs This place at that time was commanded by an Officer of his a Man so Just and Honourable that hearing the Misfortune of those People who came to him for Refuge for in great Dangers the lesser is a Refuge he went out to receive comfort and entertain them This was much but what
him Ferdinando Gomez with a Present of double the value of that he had received He was to give an account of what had been done at Ormuz He was well received and brought a favourable Answer 6. It requires a larger History to give an account of the Affairs and Kings of Persia. Let it suffice to say that the Valiant Prince Reigning at this time was embroiled in War with the Turk which was one cause of sending this Embassie hoping to make an advantage of our Arms against his Enemy 7. Whilst the Fort was building or rather finishing Albuquerque persuaded the King it was for the safety of the City to put all their Cannon into the Fort pretending thereby to secure them against their Enemies but in reality to disable them from offending him Security is a Powerful Argument where there is Fear The King and his Governours though with some reluctancy consented to all was demanded The Command of the Fort was given to Peter de Albuquerque So was that Rich and Powerful Kingdom brought under the Portugues subjection rather to the advantage than detriment of its Natural Kings more oppressed before by the tyranny of their Ministers than by the Tribute they afterwards paid Besides the security it enjoyed being protected by our Arms but that Liberty is sweeter than all other Conveniencies 8. These Affairs settled Albuquerque applied himself to dispatch the Trading Ships homeward-bound He sent to this purpose his Nephew Don Garcia de Noronha with most of the Fleet to Cochin staying behind himself to conclude such affairs as required his Presence Soon after he fell sick and the Disease increasing was persuaded for the recovery of his health to go to India which he consented to to the great grief of the King who looked upon him as a Father By the way he met the News that there were arrived in India 12 Ships from Portugal who brought Orders for him to return home Lope Soarez who Commanded them being appointed his Successor hearing this he cried out Lope Soarez Governour of India this is he it could be no other Dâ—… Iames Mendez and Iames Pereyra whom I sent Prisoners for hainous Crimes return the one Governour of Cochin the other Secretary It is time for me to take Sanctuary in the Church for I have incurred the Kings displeasure for his Subjects sakes and the Subjects anger for the King's sake Old Man fly to the Church it concerns your Honour you should die and you never omitted any thing that concerned your Honour Then lifting his Eyes and Hands to Heaven gave God thanks a Governour came so opportunely not doubting he should die He was seized with a profound Melancholy and arrived at Dabul almost in the Arms of Death and there writ these last Lines to the King This is Sir the last Letter which I write to your Highness now under the Pangs of Death of many that I writ full of Life because mine was then free from the Confusion of the last Hour and employed in your Service I left in that Kingdom a Son called Blas de Albuquerque I beg your Highness will make him as great as my Service deserves As to the Affairs of India it will answer for it self and me Upon the Bar of Goa which he called his Land of Promise he gave up the Ghost on the 16th of December in the 63d year of his Age in his Perfect Senses and like a Good Christian. He was buried in a Chappel built by himself at the City Gate and called Sennora de la Sierra or Our Lady of the Mountain He was Second Son to Gonçalo de Albuquerque Lord of Villaverde and of Donna Leonor de Meneses Daughter of Alvaro Gonzales de Atayde first Count of Atouguia He had been Master of the Horse to King Iohn the Second Of a moderate Stature his Countenance pleasing and venerable by the Beard which reached below his Girdle to which he wore it knotted that and his Complexion very White his Picture shews his Breeches Doubleâ—… Cloak Cap and Coif all Black with Gold Trimming the Wastcoat striped with Green Velvet with small Spots like Studs It was doubted whether he was a better Man or Officer When Angry his Looks somewhat Terrible when Merry Pleasant and Witty He was twice before Ormuz twice before Goa and twice before Malaca three Famous Islands and Kingdoms in Asia whereof he gloriously Triumphed 9. After a long resistance made by the People of Goa his Bones were brought to Lisbon and buried in the Church of Our Lady of Grace He was the first had the Title of Governour of India as Don Francisco de Almeyda the first of Viceroy End of the Second Part of the First Tome THE PORTUGUES ASIA TOM II. PART III. CHAP. I. The Government of the Viceroy D. Anton. de Noronna from the Year 1564 till 1568 in the Reign of King Sebastian 1. WE concluded the Second Part with the Arrival at Goa of the Viceroy D'Anton de Noronna His good Service in India preferred him to the command of Ormur and his wise Conduct there to the Government of India 2. With him went four Ships and he was received with a general Satisfaction He immediately sent Relief to Cananor which was Besieged giving the Command of the Land to D. Antony de Noronna and that of the Sâ—…a to Gonçalo Pereyra Marramaque with a good Fleet. D. Francis Mascarenas who was there with a Squadron before deliver'd it to him and went away to his Command of Moçambique This was occasion'd by that Morish Woman spoke of in the end of Iohn de Mendoça his Government 3. Peter de Silva and Meneses had the command of seven Ships given him to secure the Boats that brought Provisions to Goa whereof their was a scarcity About the River Cannaroto he lost sight of three of his Ships by stress of Weather and after found them encreased to six for the three had met and taken as many of the Malabars and were sailing after their Admiral Returning to the Place where they were dispersed between the Islands and the Continent they met the More Murimuja with seventeen Paraos well provided to meet all dangers He instantly made to our Ships and after the discharge of Cannon on both sides they boarded and having received some damage the Portugueses sunk two and took five one of them being Murimujas who was kill'd the others flying were pursued to the River Pudepatan where three Paraos and above fifty Almadies or great Boats came to their Relief Ouâ—… Cannon repulsed them and they run up the River Of the Enemy five hundred were killed and three Portuguses 4. The Viceroy being in care for Cananor sent thither D. Paul de Lima Pereyra with four Ships Being at Anchor in the Bay of Bateâ—…ala the Malabar Pyrat Canatali came upon him with seven Paraos loaded with Booty taken on the Northern Coast. Paul seeing him come sets out to meet him After the usual Salutes with their Cannon Canatale with three
Covenants of the League but we shall see him at length in the Government of D. Antony de Noronna performing what he so long delayed The Queen of Guarcopa and others as has been related made up what was wanting in him 9. This was the end of that mighty League this the Government Valour and Fortune of our Viceroy who opposing all the united Power of India re-established the Portugues Reputation so much decayed For which he deserves an everlasting Fame 10. D. Luis de Ataide Lord of Atouguia was of unquestioned Valour had great Experience in Military Affairs to which he had applied himself from his Youth and of a Spirit so free from the Infection of Avarice that as others brought from Asia to Portugal heaps of Treasure he brought four Jars of Water from the four famous Rivers Indus Ganges Tigris and Euphrates which were preserved many Years in his Castle of Penicbe 11. After serving in Europe and Africk he went over to India and served there and at the Age of twenty-two was Knighted at Mount Sinai by the Governor D. Stephen 〈◊〉 Gama Returning to Portugal he went Aâ—… bassador to the Emperor Charles V. and was in that Battle in which the Emperor defeated the Lutherans under the Landtgrave and Duke of Saxony where he behaved himself so well that Charles V. offered to Knight him and he said He had already received that Honour at Mount Sinai and was therefore sorry he could not admit it then The Emperor in the hearing of all answer'd He more envyed that Honour than he rejoyced in his Victory 12. At his arrival at Lisbon King Sebastian caused him to be received under a Canopy yet afterwards like King Emanuel and Duarle Pacheco very much slighted him We shall see it when he is made the second time Viceroy being the first that was so twice D. Antony de Noronna succeeded him now He was the Tenth that had this Title and of Governours the Twenty-fourth The First of the Name and Sirname the Third Count that had that Post He was of the larger size had a good Meen his Complexion white CHAP. XII The Government of the Viceroy D. Antony de Noronna from the Year 1571 till 1573 in the Reign of King Sebastian 1. KING Sebastian thinking the Government of India as it was then extended too great a Burden for one Man divided it into three Parts The first from Cape Guardafu to the Island Ceylon which is that of India The second from Cape Corrientes to Guardufu which is Monomotapa The third from Pegu to China which is that of Malaca The first was given to D. Antony de Noronna with the Title of Viceroy the second to Francis Barreto and the third to Antony Moniz Barreto both stiled Governors Though it may alter things as to point of time I will speak of them in distinct Chapters beginning with D. Antony de Noronna 2. He set out from Lisbon with five Ships and was followed by two more They arrived at Goa the beginning of September safe as to the number of Ships for none was lost but not so as to Men 2000 dying at Sea of sickness of 4000 that set out D. Antony came before Hidalcan had raised the Siege and thereby obtained part of the Honour of obliging him to quit it Hidalcan lest Commissioners to conclude the Peace with the new Viceroy It was proclaimed with great Joy on the 13th of December and so the Year and the War ended together 3. The first care of the new Viceroy was to send Relief to Chale in two Galleys one Galleon and four Ships and after them two Galleys and tâ—…ee other Vessels But these were soon applied to other uses D. Iames de Meneses coming from Chale he sent him back with 1500 Men who came too late the Fort being already delivered to Zamori upon Conditions This surrender was made contrary to the plurality of Votes by the Commander D. George de Castro overcome by the Prayers and Tears of his Wife and other Ladies that were there without considering that he was Eighty Years of Age and ought rather to chuse an honourable Death than a short term of infamous Life Nor was this all his fault for the Provision had lasted longer had not he put it into his Wife's Hands and she into those of her Slaves Thus she was the first Eve among the Portugueses of India that tempted her Husband to a Crime of this nature this being the first place so delivered by them to the Enemy And the Viceroy could not but lose more Honour by loss of Chale than he could justly pretend to by the raising the Siege of Goa 4. D. Iames gathering the People that came out of Chale and were under the Protection of the King of Tanor left them at Cochin Then dividing his Fleet with Mathiâ—… de Albuquerque they clear'd the Sea of Pyrats and secured the Coasts next they took and demolished a Fort built by a Nayque subject to Hidalcan at the mouth of the River Sanguicer Here was killed Antony Fernandez Chale a Malabar who for his Valour and Conduct had often the Honour to Command many of the bravest Gentlemen that were in India at that time He was of the Order of Christ was carried to Goa and there buried with greater State than any till that day that had not been Governor of India 5. When the Viceroy accepted this Command in Portugal so much lessened by the Division of Governments his great aim was to get an Estate being poor and having Children He thought India might mend his broken Fortune and that Antony Moniz Barrâ—…to would be satisfied with less than was ordered to fit him out for the Government of Malaca he was deceived for Moniz was not satisfied with what could be done nor was India in a Condition to give what was promised him in order to go to Malaca nor Malaca in a posture for a Man who look'd upon his Reputation to go thither with that Title without a considerable Force The one would not go with what was given him and the other could not give more Difficulties hard to be composed 6. Moniz resolved not to go to Malaca and writ to Portugal that the Reason was because the Viceroy would not furnish him with what was requisite as not desiring he should go Malicious Whispers are generally grateful to Princes and great Men. Those who govern'd King Sebastiaâ—… unhappy Kingdom whose King is a Child without any other Information besides this Gentleman's which all tended to his own Advantage committed the weakest Act that has been heard of Moniz himself will shame them and himself as shall appear in its proper place 7. The Vice-Roy after fitting out several Squadrons as usual and receiving four Ships from Portugal two whereof were lost in their Return was obliged to make ready a considerable Succour for Damam threatned by the Mogol on account that that Place and Baâ—…aim both belonged to the Kingdom of Cambaya whereof he was now possessed
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
set up four Colours The Portugueses wounded and burnt run for ease and dipped themselves in Jars of Salt Water where they perished seeking Refreshment with hellish Torture Antony de Silveyra indefatigably repaired to all places encouraging all Here a Soldier wanting Ball pulled out one of his Teeth to load his Musquet The Enemy had much the better this second Assault which a few Gentlemen perceiving furiously rushed upon them Iohn Rodrigues a Man of great Body and as great Courage run out with a Barrel of Powder crying Clear the way for here I carry my own and many a Man's death He threw the Barrel among the Enemies and suddenly above a hundred were carried up into the Air torn in peices twenty lay burnt upon the ground Iohn himself came off without hurt and doing other considerable Actions deserved afterward some of the first Rewards and Honours gained this Siege Other Fireworks burnt the four Ensigns who had set up the Colours Two of our Cannon cleared the place of Enemies and two Bullets threw down two Ensigns that succeeded the former The Enemy withdraws and fresh comes on the third time and place their Colours The Commander of these Son-in-law to Coje Zofar being killed his Men dismayed and turned their Backs These Assaults lasted above four hours the same small number of Portugueses withstanding still fresh and numerous Enemies Our Women in the Fort and theirs on the Walls of the City being Spectators of the whole Action The Portugueses all smeared with Powder looked more like Moors and were known by their Cloaths not Colour and among themselves by the Voice every one looking as if he came out of Hell their black hue wrought with Fire Blood and Sweat In fine the Enemy carried off above a thousand wounded and left above five hundred Men killed Of ours fourteen were killed and two hundred lay useless for want of Blood Only forty remained able to bear Arms and the Arms lay broken to pieces about the Ground some serving such as could not stand on their Legs for Crutches No hope was left if the Enemy renewed the Attack The Walls were all shattered and no Powder left Nothing but horror appeard Only the brave Silveyra's Countenance was what encouraged all Men. 17. Solyman put an end to all these Calamities for not knowing the Condition the Fort was in and terrified with this ill success he raised the Siege Antony Silveyra seeing them weigh anchor and hoise sail thought it was still counterfeit and prepared to resist as if he had any thing to trust to He posted the forty Men and caused some that were wounded to lean against the Walls to shew a number those who could not rise ordered themselves to be carried in their Beds saying It was to die in an honourable place Some of the Women also armed themselves and appeared upon the Works The Night was spent upon the watch but the Morning was more comfortable to the afflicted for Solyman was under Sail without any thought of returning Tho fear did much yet a Device of Coje Zofar did more towards removing Solyman Coje was moved to it by two Reasons one that he was weary of the unsupportable Pride of that Turk another an Order that he had from his King in case he found the Turk would keep that City and Fort as was feared he should rather endeavour to leave it to the Portugueses Coje's Device was that he framed a Letter which came to Solyman's Hands who finding it contained that the Viceroy of India would be there the next day with a vast Fleet he thought not fit to delay his Departure and so sailed away on the fifth of November The same night Coje's Men fired the City and marched away This was the first Siege of Diu which was admired throughout the World and added new Lustre to the Portugues Glory all due to the invincible Courage of the ever renowned Antony de Silveyra and those valiant Gentlemen who were with him and whose Fame will last from Generation to Generation 18. Solyman touched at the Ports on the Coast of Arabia and took up some Portugueses he found there He gathered above 140 and cutting off their Heads then the Ears and Noses salted and sent them to the great Turk to shew what he had done Among these was Francis Pacheco who had not the Courage to die like a Gentleman in his Bulwark Solyman being come to the great Turk and not well agreeing with one who aspired to his Post was reduced to kill himself Such is generally the end of Tyrants 19. This famous Siege was far advanced when the Viceroy D. Garcia de Noronha arrived in India to whom Nuno de Cuna immediately resigned the Government His arrival with so considerable Relief as he brought might well have bettered the Affairs of Diu yet on the contrary it much endamaged them For had he not come Nuno had relieved Diu with eighty Sail he had in a readiness for that purpose and prevented so many Miseries and the death of so many brave Men. Still fresh Advice was brought of the danger the besieged were in and still D. Garcia wasted the time in considering of means to relieve them without chusing any or taking the advise of Cuna Thus the Siege was raised before he found the method of relieving having gathered one hundred and sixty Sail for that purpose 20. D. Garcia wanted not Courage having given good demonstrations of it under Alfonso de Albuquerque But he chose rather to commit an Error through his own wilfulness than act rightly by the advice of Nuno de Cuna 21. It soon appeared Noronha was not at all disposed to take advice of Cuna treating him in such manner at Goa as obliged him to go to Cochin to order his Affairs in order to return to Portugal At Cochin he refused him a convenient Ship contrary to an Order he had from the King to act as Governor and chuse such Vessel as he liked He was forced to set out in a Merchant-Galeon hired for himself and Family Tho the Viceroy treated him ill there no less ill usage was designed him here and doubtless the knowledge D. Garcia had of the ill will the Ministers of State here bore him was the cause of his hard usage there 22. Nuno de Cuna by the way fell sick and died He protested at his death that he had nothing belonging to the King but five Pieces of Coin or Medals of Gold found among the dead King Badur's Treasure which for their Beauty â—…e carried to shew to the King A Chaplain asked How he would have his Body ordered to be brought home And he answered Since God is pleased I should die at Sea let the Sea be my Grave Since the Land would not have me I will not give it my Bones He died like a good Christian. Ordered a sufficient Weight should be tied to his Feet to carry him to the bottom Thus ended an excellent Governor of India His Age fifty two years
Provisions to the Fort. Now comes our Squadron commanded by D. Luis de Gama Brother to the Viceroy both unfortunate the one in choosing the other in being chose 6. D. Luis his Squadron consisted of 4 Galleys and 35 smaller Vessels 10 more brought by private Gentlemen at their own charge three full of Men and Ammunition sent by the City of Cochim Besides there were two large Barques with heavy Cannon to batter the Fort. 7. The King of Cochim fearing that great Power that was falling upon Cunnale might be his Ruin by entirely uniting Zamori and the Portugueses gave out That Zamori had agreed with Cunnale to cut off all our Men at one stroke when they should be deepest ingaged in the Assault D. F. Alexius de Meneses Archbishop of Goa who was there on his way to the Mountains of St. Thomas at first was fearful imagining this might be a faithful Discovery but considering better perceived it was the Politick Product of the King's Jealousie answered the King modestly diverting him from any other designs seeing this fail He assured the City their Ships might safely set sail yet sent Advice to proceed with Caution All our Fleet now joyned they found Cunnale had added to the former Works a Line of Galiots on the edge of the Water under the Fort imagining he might be attacked that way 8. It was resolved in Council to enter the River and draw up the Ships in a Line with their Stems to the Shore that they might cover the Men who attacked the Fort. This Resolution was sent to Goa and approved of by the Viceroy who ordered his Brother to put it in execution He over-perswaded by some Gentlemen that sought his Disgrace disobeyed and carried the 〈◊〉 by thâ—… side of Ariole believing the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might be fatal and his 〈◊〉 lay 〈◊〉 not â—…g it 9. Zamori who was battering the Town desired some Portugueses might be sent him D. Luis being suspicious of him deâ—…ed Hostagâ—…s which were presently sent being 6 principal Men and among them the Princes of 〈◊〉 Chale 〈◊〉 and the chief Judge of his Kingdom The 〈◊〉 taken 300 Portugueses were sent to him under the command of Belchior Ferreyra On the 3d of May at night our Men began to land Luis de Silva led the van with 600 Men and among them the Major D. Antony de Leyvâ—… The Sign for both Armies to fall on was a burning Lance. Before this was lighted there appeared one in the Air which running along swiftly at last vaâ—…ed in Sparks 10. The Besieged took this for a good Omen as the Besiegers for a bad Belchior Caâ—…aca who was to give the Sign with the Lance mistaking the hour gave it too soon and all began to be in confusion For Ferreyra who was in Zamori's Army waiting the Signal as soon as he saw the Flame fell on with his Portugueses and 5000 Nayres and assaulting the Works lost at the first onset 28 Men. 11. But Luis de Silva though he was ready seeing it was not past midnight stirred not then which proved of ill consequence to the others the Enemy not being diverted on this side Towards morning he passed the Creek of Balyçupe in 60 Almadies or Boats with 500 Men. Benedict Correa was the first that Landed and was killed Luis de Silva as soon as ashore was slain by a Musket Shot The Ensign Antony Dias concealed his Death by stripping the Colours off the Staff and covering him therewith 12. Thus they landed without Colours or Commander D. Francis Pereyra who succeeded D. Luis in the Command followed him also in Death The next was the famous Major Leyva and he seeing all lost chose rather to die than stain his Honour by flight and having performed incredible Feats was slain with many other Gentlemen that stuck by him 13. F. Francis Baptista a Capuchin who encouraged the Men holding up a Crucifix till it was shot to pieces after moistening it with Tears bathed it with his Blood being killed with it in his Arms. So Luis Cardoso who getting from under a Vessel that overset upon the Keel defended his Companions that were swimming from the Moors 14. Whilst those mentioned and many other Gentlemen died honourably performing Actions beyond all belief about 150 shamefully fled many of them meeting Death where they sought an Inglorious Life no Perswasions being of force to bring them back Doubtless these were some condemned Malefactors who were pardon'd on account to serve in this Expedition for none are greater Cowards than infamous wicked Men. Our Commander in chief who had left the Fleet to D. Vasco and had posted himself on the other side the River opposite to the Fort running into the Water up to the Waste spent himself calling upon and incouraging the Men but could send no Relief for want of Boats So this proved the greatest Disgrace the Portugueses received in Asia next to that of Ruy Gonzales de Camera at Ormuz Three hundred Men were lost the greatest part drowned the others piercing up to the Fort had burnt the Mosque and part of the Town and killed 500 Moors and Malabars well revenging their Deaths Among the Enemies Dead there was above 40 of Note 15. The Commander in chief D. Luis resolved to retire to Cochim and leave somebody to guard the entrance of the River but no body would accept of that Post except D. Francis de Sousa who perceiving some of his Men intended to forsake him and swim away ordered a Boat to be brought to the side of the Galley for them and said He would keep none by force nor have them go away with danger This made them ashamed and they all stayed and he more by Policy than Force hindred the Vessels resorting with Provision to the Fort. D. Francis perswaded Zamori to assault the Town believing the late Slaughter had so weakened the Defendants it might be easily carried and he desiring to have all the Booty he supposed was within to himself gave the assault with 20000 Men but was repulsed 16. This bad News being carried to Goa Orders were sent to D. Luis for him to â—…eturn to Cunnale and there settle a Peace with Zamori to his content that he might not raise the Siege that Winter but lie till our Fleet could return the beginning of Summer and take the Town He returned and D. Ferdinand de Noronna went to swear the Peace to the liking of Zamori The first Article was That he should permit the Faith to be preached in his Kingdom and Churches erected The Peace concluded the same D. Ferdinand was left there with 12 Ships 17. D. Luis de Gama returning to Goa refreshed the ill-will all Men bore him and his Brother because he was going to be Commander of Ormuz which they looked upon as a Reward of his ill Success whereas it was the King's Grant before he came from Portugal whereof he could not be deprived without being found guilty of some Misdemeanour To fix
were this Year very strong in those Seas One of the 3 Galleons was cast away near Sancham 60 Leagues from Macao the Sea then running so high that it drowned several Towns There were above 200 Men in that Vessel whereof about 60 Portugueses and 80 others escaped They chose Gonzalo Machado a noted Souldier to command them and having the good Fortune to be well treated cloathed and fed by the Chineses came to a City where they were so nobly entertained they had almost forgot the end of their Voyage Their common Food was three Pullets a day each they were feasted on the River in stately Boats like Palaces with several Apartments and garnished with Gold In fine on their way thence to Macao they were attended as if they had been Chinese Colaos or Mandarines At the Inns they were treated with a sort of Food most pleasant and delicious which afterwards they were informed was made of Toads and Worms What chiefly they admired after this Journey was the Chastity of the Chinese Women for tho' they are beautiful and Beauty be inclined to Wantonness and though our Men were long among them and familiarly entertained yet they could never by any means prevail with any of them to yield to their Desires At Macao they found the other two Galleons which had escaped the Storm having more Sea room 11. Near the end of this Year Luis de Brito Melo entred the Port of Goa from Cruizing in the Sea of Diu and brought with him a rich Ship of the Mogol's that came from Meca He took her off of Suratt after a vigorous resistance in which he lost some Men and was forced to send to Ruy Freyre for aid This provoked the Mogol to Besiege Damam and destroy the Country about it The King of Decan did the same about Chaul and Bacaim at the Instigation of the Mogol who thought to drive us out of Asia 12. A Letter writ by D. Luis de Gama from Ormuz with more Passion than Discretion moved the Persians on the other side to gather 300 Barques in order to take the Port of Bandel and stop the Course of the Water that goes to Ormuz Ferdinand de Silva Admiral of that Sea went to quell them and as he ingaged his Powder taking fire was blown up D. Nunno Alvarez Pereyra succeeded him who drove them away with such slaughter that the Xa of Persia excused himself to the viceroy saying that attempt was made only by the Sultan of Lara 13. Francis Lopez Calleyros brought into Malaca a Dutch Pink that had taken a rich Portugues Ship The News of the Hollanders taking that Prize was the occasion of his setting out in a Ship of his own with 28 Soldiers 14. This Year expired with great dissatisfaction in India tho' the like had happened other times for the Ships from Portugal which were expected with impatience the better to oppose the English and Hollanders were forced back to Lisbon after having been five Months abroad they were four 15. D. Hierome de Almeyda returning to Portugal with the Ships of the last Year in the Bay of St. Helena met four mighty Holland Ships They sought with much equal Courage and Loss The Dutch Admiral was sunk and ours beginning to take fire Emanuel de Prado Magallanes rowled himself upon it till he quenched it For this Action the Command of the Fort of Mascate was given him with the Privilege of leaving it to whom he pleased in his Will We shall see him hereafter serve well and die valiantly in fight CHAP. III. Continues the Government of D. Hierome de Azevedo in the Year 1614. 1. THE King of Ova grown Proud with his success against the Portugueses at Siriam resolved to conquer all the neighbouring Princes He caused himself to be Crowned at Bagou and by the Conduct of his Brother with 50000 Men was soon Master of the Kingdom of Tavay This General moves to Tenasarim and Besieges it by Sea and Land Christopher Rabelo who had fled from his House at Cochim for some Crimes durst attack his Fleet of 500 Sail with only 40 Portugueses and 70 Slaves in 4 Galliots and put it to flight after burning many Vessels and killing 2000 Men. 2. The King of Siam to whom that Town belonged for joy of this Action highly honoured the Victorious Portugueses and offered them leave to build a Fort in any part of his Kingdom they would chuse to this intent sending for Iames de Mendoça Furtado who was in that Sea with a Squadron and offering him the Title of an Earl with a suitable Revenue but there being too much then on our hands these offers could not be accepted of Furtado in his way to Maâ—… destroyed the Towns of Queda and Paâ—… with Fire and Sword 3. D. Iames de Vasconcelos sailed from Gao with the Squadron for the North consisting of 17 Sail he had orders to take in D. Emanuel de Azevedo at Chaul and carry him to Diu being appointed Commander of that Place By the way landing at the River Sifardam in Melique's Lands he destroyed a Town abandoned by the Inhabitants 4. Azevedo being come to Diu. seized on the Goods of his Predecessor Sebastian de Macedo for the Money he was indebted to the King Next he resolved to fall upon the People of Por for the Damage the Trade of Diu sustained by their means Gaspar de Melo Sampayo was sent with a Squadron to this Expedition who came before that City 40 Leagues distant with much difficulty because our Vessels could go but one at a time up a narrow Creek that leads to it and the Enemy pour'd in showers of Bullets and Arrows from the Shore and from the Bastions killing 18 of our Men. The Walls were scaled on the one side whilst our Men entred at a Breach on the other notwithstanding the vigorous opposition of 4000 resolute Enemies whereof many were slain the rest fled some into the Fields and others to a Fort standing in the middle of the Town 5. Those in the Fort offered Forty thousand Crowns if we would not batter the Place It was denied they attacked to no purpose and our Men forced to depart with double dissatisfaction for refusing the offer and suffering the repulse The City was plundered 1000 killed and 300 taken the Houses then fired being full of Perfumes cast a delightful smell 6. Iames de Vasconcelos from Diu sailed with 9 Ships to the mouth of the River of Agaçaim where 16 Paraos of Malabars set upon him Without the Loss of one Man he slew many took several Prisoners and all the Paraos Vasconcelos himself took one of them thinking their Commander Porcasse had been in it but that Honour fell to Michael Ferran de Castellobranco 7. Ruy Freyre de Andrade went from Damam to Chaul to succeed in that Command to D. Emanuel de Azevedo who was gone to that of Diu. He was ordered by the Viceroy only to secure himself within the Walls and not attempt
Portugueses were all dead who not far from thence had built a Town of Stone and worshipped a Cross on the foot whereof were unknown Characters He drew all on the Sand repeated Portugues Sirnames and demanded much Gold for telling his knowledge herein Some of his Men wore Crosses and informed our People there were two Holland Ships in Port St. Lucy or Mangascafe 13. In a small Island here was found a square Stone Fort and at the foot of it carved on a piece of Marble the Arms of Portugal with this Inscription REX PORTUGALENSIS ☉ S. Many Judgments were made of that Circle between the two last S's but nothing of certainty can be concluded 14. The King Chambanga desired a Portugues might be sent to his Court to treat about important Affairs leaving a Nephew Hostage for his safe return The Master Antony Gonçalez and F. Peter Freyre were sent who at 12 leagues distance found his Court called Fansaria very populous and magnificent He Treated them well at first then coldly but they making him a considerable Present they were good Friends and he delivered them his eldest Son to be carried to Goa desiring as Hostages for him the two Jesuits and four other Portugueses to whom he gave the Island of St. Cruz to live in 15. These People are descended from the Moors and call themselves Zelima's they use the Alcoran in Arabick and have Faquies who teach them to write and read they eat no Bacon are Circumcised and some marry several Wives CHAP. XIV Continues the Discoveries in the Island Madagascar under the Vice-Roy D. Hierome de Azevedo 1. THE same King told the Portugueses That in his Father's time a Ship of theirs was cast away on that Coast that about 100 of the Men came ashore some brought their Wives others married there and left a numerous Offspring He repeated several of their Names and shewed a Book writ in Portugues and Latin and some Maps and concluded saying There were more Portugueses on that Coast 7 days Journey Northward 2. Inquiring further our Men found an old Man 90 Years of Age who had known the Portugueses that were cast away there and could remember still some odd Words of our Language The Ships that were lost and never known where since the discovery of India were as follows In the Year 1504 three Ships one in the Year 1505 in 1527 two were cast away on the Island Madagascar and the Men remained there for want of Vessels to transport them four were lost the Year 1534 not known where one more in the Year 1538. The Portugueses those People spoke of must belong to some of these Ships 3. Our Men all set their hands to work and built a small Chapel and House for the four Portugueses and two Religious Men who were to remain there The Work done Mass was said and many of the Natives came to learn to make the sign of the Cross. The King seeing some Men labour under a Cross that was to be set upon a Rock run half naked and bare footed and carried it alone to the Place appointed The Portugueses might say they had found another Emperor Heraclius for after this pious Action he became wicked in this manner 4. Our Captain being ready to sail demanded that Son the King had promised to send with him and he not only refused to perform but denied he had made any such Promise and offered a Slave The Captain seeing this change sent the Master and Pilot with some Men to demand Hostages that a Portugues might go to Port St. Lucy to sound it and see an Inscription the Natives said was in that place If the King granted this they were to require no more if not to endeavour to bring away by force one of his Sons 5. The Peace thus broke and some Attempts of getting one of the King's Sons failing some Portugueses marched with their Muskets The King dreaded them but kept his Men in readiness a Fray ensuing they catched one of his Sons 11 Years of Age who was his Darling The King endeavoured to rescue him but was repulsed by our Shot The Subjects of another King came to offer any thing for the Boy 's Ransom but being told it was the Viceroy's Command the King's Promise and that they should lose their Heads if they did not carry him they went away satisfied Thus ended the Year 1613. The Child came to Goa about the middle of the Year 1614 the Viceroy caused him to be well instructed in the Faith by the Jesuits and was his Godfather in Baptism giving him the Name of Andrew because it was on that Apostle's day and the Sirname of Azevedo as his God-child 6. The Viceroy treated him with all Honour and Magnificence hoping to gain him that when he succeeded his Father he might forward the Propagation of the Gospel and believing he was sufficiently grounded sent him away with four Jâ—…s The Vessels were a Pink and a Caravel commanded by Peter de Almeyda Cabral and Iohn Cardoso de Pinâ—… who set out on the 17th of September 1616 and on the 20th of March they discovered the Island Del Cisue or The Swâ—…n a most delightful Place watered with pure Springs and bearing several unknown Plants and Herbs besides many known both Sweet and Medicinal The Religious on the Barks of the Trees carved the time of their arrival there and planted some Crosses 7. In this Island there are two Mountains that overtop the Clouds The Wreck of two Holland Ships was found there Our Ships entred Port St. Lucas in the Island of Madagascar The King and Queen came 〈◊〉 receive their Son with great joy and delivered Hostages at taking him away 8. With the Prince went the Fathers and six Soldiers He was every where till he came to the Court received with demonstrations of Joy which to us seem ridiculous as those used by us would appear to them This done the King made the same Agreement with our Captain that had been with the former which was that the Religious should inhabit the Island of Santa Cruz and thence have the liberty to go out and Preach the Gospel that there should be a League Offensive and Defensive between the King and Portugueses So the Fathers Almeyda and Costa went to the Fort of Santa Cruz and D. Andrew the King's Son sent them Workmen and Provisions 9. The Captain Peter de Almeyda had Orders to carry the King to Goa or if he refused another Son which if not consented to should be taken by force A Son being demanded he answered He had but one who was too young for that Voyage Almeyda thinking this was but an Excuse began to commit Hostilities but being informed it was true desisted Yet he carried away Anria Sambo the King's Nephew who was Baptized at Goa by the Name of Hierome 10. Being now a Christian he was sent to his Country in a Pink commanded by Emanuel Freyre de Andrade with 100 Soldiers 2 Jesuits and a Present worth
Caravels set out from Lisbon with the News of the King's Death one bound for Goa the other for Malaca 5. Henry the Cardinal succeeded in the Throne and from amidst those Ruines dispatched five Ships for India fearing lest the loss of King Sebastian being known new Troubles might arise if those Dominions were not timely supplied 5. The Viceroy understanding that Melique Tocan contrary to the Articles of the Peace concluded the Year before continued at Dabul publickly exercising his Office and was ready to Launch a great Ship to Trade to Meca he resolved to show how much he resented that wrong and to that purpose sent thither D. Paul de Lima Pereyra with ten Sail. 7. D. Paul coming to the Mouth of the River found all the Shore fortified and a great number of Cannon planted in all convenient Places He forces his way in through all the Batteries and sees Six thousand Horse and great number of Foot covering the Shore and pouring showers of Bullets and Arrows upon him nevertheless he attempts to burn two Ships belonging to Hidalcan but finding it impossible to come at them for the number of the Enemy's Cannon he runs up the River and spent some days in burning all the Towns along the Coast. 8. The Enemy calls in to their Aid Cartale and Mandaviray two Malabar Pyrats who were in the Sea of Chaul with five Galliots To these Melique joins other five Sail he had ready with Five hundred Turks Persians and other resolute Men. The Shore was cover'd with People that came to see this Action D. Paul prepared to receive them and after the Discharge of the Cannon they came up board and board and hand to hand 9. D. Paul boarded the first Galliot they were ten to ten though the Enemy had the advantage of the bigness of the Vessels and number of Men but our Captains following the Example of their Admiral behaved themselves so bravely that only one of the Enemy's Galliots escaped the rest were all taken We lost but two or three Men in this Action which was as fortunate as any we perform'd in Asia 10. Having taken this Revenge of Melique for his Crime and of Hidalcan for winking at it D. Paul sailed out of the River through the same Dangers he came in losing one Man Being come to Goa with Nineteen Sail whereas he went thence with only Ten the Viceroy came out to receive him and in the hearing of all that were present said What is it you mean D. Paul will you with such Acts of Bravery provoke my Envy to poison you Thus Heroes praise great Men and at the same time upbraid those who enviously Rail at noble Actions 11. The Emperor of Ceylon had some time since by his Ambassadors desired King Iohn III. to send him some Religious Men of the Order of St. Francis to instruct him in the Christian Religion They being come to him he recanted F. Iohn de Villa de Conde was this Year at his Court and had several times confuted the Bramenes disputing of Religion Yet they refusing to yield themselves overcome he offer'd with a lively Faith that he and one of them should be cast into a River full of great Crocodiles or into a great Fire and that his Religion who came out unhurt should be allowed to be the true They refused and the Franciscan immediately reaped the Fruit of this Victory baptising D. Iohn Parea Pandar King of Cota in the same Island 12. The Kingdom of Angola is near Monomotapa whereof we lately spoke and therefore will relate what happened there this Year because it is a remarkable Passage Paul Diaz undertook to War with that King who had treacherously kill'd a number of our Men This Captain with only two Galleys did Wonders on the Banks of the River Coanza till he fortified himself in an Island formed by this and the River Lucula Then joining the King of Congo and other Princes with only 150 Portugueses he several times defeated the Enemy But the most remarkable is the Battle wherein that King had a Million of Men which were put to flight in such Confusion they kill'd one another 13. At the beginning of this Year when the Ships sailed for India our Kingdom by the Death of the old Cardinal King Henry was under the Direction of five Governors who dispatched them They were four whereof one was forc'd back to Lisbon the last sent under a Portugues Government and the last our Viceroy saw For he having done no more than what is related or if he did having left no memory of it died the beginning of the Year having in some manner foretold it For some time before leave being asked of him to bury his Cousin Antony Rotello by his Brother D. Iohn de Ataide he refused it saying He had long since designed that place for himself 14. At the end of his first Government something was said of his Qualities and Merit and I have referred it to this place to speak of his undaunted Courage as a virtue most peculiar to him Some Proof of it has been given in the former Part of his Life I will now give another Instance At the attack as I think of Onor he sailed in a Brigantine sitting on a Chair and a famous Musician by him playing upon a Harp The Enemy's Cannon from the Fort reached the Vessels and grated the Musicians Ear D. Luis who was pleased to hear the Musick seeing him give over as if he had not seen the Cause asked him why he left off the Musician told him and he stretching out his hand said I pray let nothing disturb thee go on with that Tune for it is a very good one 15. One of the Gentlemen that were standing behind him seeing this was too great a Contempt of Danger said Tell that Man if he happens to be killed all will be lost And another answer'd Do not tell him so for if he be killed here are Men enough fit to succeed him 16. D. Luis this second time govern'd the Term of two Years and seven Months and may be reckoned in the number of Viceroys the Thirteenth in that of Governors the Twenty-ninth the First of the Name and Sirname CHAP. XX. The Government of Ferdinand Tellez de Meneses who was named by the Governors of Portugal upon the Decease of the Cardinal King Henry in the Year 1581. 1. THE Ships dispatched by the Governors of Portugal the last Year carried new Patents of Succession In the first was named Ferdinand Tellez de Meneses The Bishop of Malaca D. Iohn Ribeyro Gayo was President at this Ceremony which was celebrated with such Demonstrations of Joy as if there had been no Memory of their fresh Subjects of Tears 2. Whilst the Affairs of Portugal were in this miserable Condition those in the Kingdom of Visapor were no better the Succession being uncertain upon the decease of Hidalcan who died without Heirs in the 23d Year of his Reign and 50th of his Age. He