of the newe Mexico CHAP. XI Departing from the citie of Mexico they go vnto the port of Acapulco in the south sea whereas they doo imbarke themselues from the Ilandes Philippinas they passe by the Ilandes of theeues and do declare the rites and condition of that people FRom the citie of Mexico they go to imbarke themselues or take shipping at the port of Acapulco which is in the south sea and is eleuated from the poole nineteen degrées and ninetie leagues from the citie of Mexico in al which way there be many townes inhabited with Indians and Spaniards Being departed from this port they sayle towards the south west till they come into twelue degrées a halfe to séeke prosperous wind to serue their turne which the marriners do call Brizas and are northerly windes which are there of such continuance so fauourable that being in the moneths of Nouember December and Ianuarie they haue no néede to touch their sayles which is the occasion that they do make their voyages with so great ease So that for that for the fewe stormes that happened in that passage they do cal it the mar de Damas which is the sea of Ladies They sayle alwayes towards the west following the sunne when as she departeth from our hemispherie In this south sea they sayle fortie daies without séeing anie lande at the end whereof they came to the Ilandes of Velas which by an other name are called de los Ladrones there are seuen or eight of them they do lye north and south and are inhabited with much people in the order as you shall vnderstand These Ilands are in 12. degrées but there are different opinions of the leagues y t are betwixt the port of Acapulco those Ilands for vnto this day there is none that hath vnderstood the certâ—â—ntie thereof for that their nauigation lieth from the east vnto the west whose degrées there haue bin none y t â—uer could measure Some say this iourney hath a thousande and seuen hundred leagues others a thousand and eight hundred but the opinions of the first we vnderstand to be most certaine All these Ilands are inhabited with white people of comely faces like vnto those of Europa but not of their bodies for that they are as bigge as gyants and of so great force and strength for one of them hath taken two Spaniardes of a good stature the one by one foot and the other by the other with his handes hath lifted them both from the grounde with so great ease as though they had bin two children They go naked from top to too as well women as men yet some of them were woont to weare an aporne made of a deares skinne before them of halfe a yeard long for honesties sake but they are but a fewe in nuÌ„ber in respect of those y t weare nothing before them The weapons which they do vse be sâ—inges darts hardened in the fire and are with both the one and the other very expert throwers They do maintaine themselues with fish which they do take on the coast and of wild beasts which they do kill in the mountaines in ouertaking of them by swiftnesse of foot In these Ilands there is one the strangest custome that euer hath bin heard of or séene in all the whole world which is that vnto the young men there is a time limited for them to marrie in according vnto their custome in all which time they may fréely enter into the houses ofsuch as are married and be there with their wiues without being punished for y e same although their proper husbands should sée them they doo carrie in their handes a staffe or rodde when they do enter into the married mans house they doo leaue it standing at the doore in such sort that if any do come after they may plainly sée it which is a token that although it be her proper husband he cannot enter in till it be taken away The which custome is obserued and kept with so great rigour and force that whosoeuer is against this lawe all the rest do kill him In all these Ilands there is not as yet knowen neyther king nor lord whom the rest should obey which is the occasion that euery one do liue as he list and at his pleasure These Ilandes were woont to haue warre the one with the other when occasion did force them as it happened at such time as the Spaniardes were there in the port of the said Iland there came abord their ships to the number of two hundred small barkes or botes in the which came many of the inhabitants thereof to sell vnto them of the ships hens nuts called cocos patatas and other thinges of that Iland and to buy other such things as our people did carrie with them but in especiall yron vnto the which they are very much affectionated and vnto things of chrystall and such like of small estimation But there grew a great contention amongest them which people of what Ilande should first come vnto the shippes and was in such order that they fell vnto blowes and wounded the one the other maruellously more liker beastes than men of the which there were many slaine in the presence of the Spaniards and would neuer leaue off their contention a good while till in the end by way of peace they consented a conclusion amongest themselues but with a great noyse which was that those of one Iland should go to the larbord of the ship and those of the other Iland should go to the starbord with the which they were pacified and did buy and sel at their pleasure But at their departure from our people in recompence of their good intertainment they threw into the ship of their dartes hardened with fire with the which they did hurt many of theÌ„ that were aboue hatches yet went they not away scotfrée for that our people with their hargabushes did paye them in readie money their bold attempt These people do more estéeme yron than siluer or golde and gaue for it fruites nnames patatas fish rise ginger hennes and many gallant mattes very well wrought and all almost for nothing Thâ—se Ilandes are verie fertile and healthfull and very easie to bee conquered vnto the fayth of Christ. If that at such time as the ships doo passe that way vnto Manilla they would leaue there some religious men with souldiers to garde them till the next yeare and might be doone with small cost It is not as yet knowen what ceremonies and rites they do obserue for that there is none that doo vnderstande their language neither hath any béene on those Ilandes but onely as they haue passed by which is the occasion that they cannot be vnderstood The language which they doo vse to any mans iudgement is easie to be learned for that their pronunciation is verie plaine they call ginger asno and for to say take away your hargabush they say arrepeque
vertues hath this palme whereof I haue declared part for that they are notable do cause admiration vnto all men that passe into those partes I doo leaue to declare the rest because I would not be tedious Nigh to y e cittie of Manilla on the other side of the riuer there is a towne of Chinos that be baptized such as haue remained there to dwell to inioy the libertie of the gospel There are amongst them many handicrafts men as shoomakers taylors goldsmiths blacksmiths and other officers and some merchants CHAP. XIIII The barefoote Friers depart from the Iland of Luzon vnto China and is declared such as was there seene FOr that the principall intent of these religious men when they went out of Spaine was for to go vnto the mightie kingdome of China for to preach the holy gospell and did perseuer continually with that desire they woulde neuer intreat of any other thing but onely to put it in execution and for the accomplishing of the same they sought many meanes and waies sometimes in requesting the gouernor of his aide and helpe to procure the same for that it was an easie thing to be performed hauing continually ships of the merchants of China in the port of Manilla The gouernor did driue them off with many reasons but principally he laid before them that rigorous lawe which they knew was established against such as did enter into that kingdome without particular licence yet notwithstanding all this was not sufficient to abate the louing desire of those Friers which was onely setled in their mindes for to go and preach the holy gospel in that kingdome by one meanes or other although it were to put their liues in hazard and for the prosecuting hereof the comissary of those Ilands who was Frier Geronimo de Burgos did elect sixe religious men for the same purpose amongst them was the father Ignatio of whome I as I haue said vnderstood by writing and relation many thinges the which is declared in these Itinerario or comentarie so that there was with him seuen religious men all seruants of God and very desirous of the saluation of soules which was the occasion that they put themselues in so long and tedious a iourney leauing their owne countrie and quietnesse These seuen with the good will of the gouernor Don Gonsalo Ronquillo and of the bishop whom they did ouercome and winne with requests and perseuerance and carried in their company a Spaniard their friende called Iohn De Feria of Andolozia and other two souldiers that went with pretence to become friers one Portugall and sixe Indian Ilanders all the which the eight day after Corpus Christi which was the one and twentie day of Iune in anno 1582. they departed from the port of Cabite whereas they did imbarke themselues in a barke of the saide Iohn De Feria and making saile at fiue of the clocke in the afternoone in the morning betimes they founde themselues twentie leagues ouerthwart the port that is called Del Fraile whereas they determined to go to sea leauing the coast of the Ilande of Manilla which lieth North and South with China from the which Cittie which is as I haue saide in fourtéene degrées and a halfe vnto the Cape of Boxeador which is in ninetéene it is one hundreth leagues sailing and from this Cape to the firme land of China they count it scarce fourescore leagues And God was so pleased although they had two dayes calme the seuenth day which was the day before the apostle saint Peter and saint Paule at eight of the clocke in the morning they discouered the firme lande of China then straightwaies vpon the sight thereof the comissarie commaunded to bring foorth the habites which hee carried readie made for to put vpon the Friers for that when the Chinos shoulde see that they were all Friers they should be voide of all suspition to thinke them to be spies as they thought when the first Friers went thither as hath beene tolde you and not contented herewith hee threw all the souldiers apparell into the sea and one hargabus of Iohn De Feria with the Flaske wherein he carried his powder and all other thinges such as he thought woulde be a hurt and hindrance vnto them if it should so fall out that they shoulde erre out of the port whereas the Portugals doo vse and fall vppon the coast as afterwards it fell so out they left nothing but a match which they forgot which lacked very little to haue cost them full deere But when they had sight of the lande they did not well knowe it for that they had neuer séene it before were also ignorant of the ports although they were very neere to y e bay of Canton they tooke their course vnto the Northwest wheras they should haue gone to the Southwest which was y e occasion y t they came vnto the prouince of Chincheo This day at fiue a clocke in the afternoone they discouered a port that was not farre from them whither they sailed and entred in and came to an anker on the outmost side yet with great feare and dread for that they knew not the secuâ—itie thereof neither the trouble that might happen They were not so soone at an anker but they saw come forth of the said port many barkes both small and great and in them many souldiers with hargabusses lances swordes and targets and in their soreshippe some small péeces of ordinance And when they came nigh vnto the barke wherein the Spaniards were within musket shot they stayed and discharged great stoare of hargabus shot But they who carried no armor to offende others neither to defende themselues the answere that they gaue vnto the shot was making of many signes of peace calling them with their handes to come nearer vnto them that they might sée and vnderstand that they came not thither with any pretence to do harme Yet all was not sufficient to cause them to leaue off their shooting neither to come any nearer vnto their barke At this present there was amongst the souldiers one Chino that had béene at Luzon and did knowe the Spaniâ—rds being of God inspired hee made signes vnto the rest to leaue off their shooting which presently they did and hee came with his Brigantine vnto their barke and after him all the rest who when they sawe that they had neyther armour nor weapon neither will to flie from them they entered into the barke and with their naked swordes in their hands flourishing with them ouer the heads of the Spaniards with a great noise and tumult they carried them into the port which was called Capsonson whereas was a generall of a great armie of shippes that were at an anker in the saide port who straightwaies commanded that there should be carried on borde his admirall foure of the Spaniards the which they vnderstoode was doone to take their liues from them for the which by reason they did not name any
The Historie of the great and mightie kingdome of China and the situation thereof Togither with the great riches huge Citties politike gouernement and rare inuentions in the same Translated out of Spanish by R. Parke LONDON Printed by I. Wolfe for Edward White and are to be sold at the little North doore of Paules at the signe of the Gun 1588 AA To the Right worshipfull and famous Gentleman M. Thomas Candish Esquire increase of honor and happie attemptes IT is now aboue fiue and thirty yeares passed right worshipfull since that young sacred and prudent Prince king Edward the sixt of happie memorie went about the discouerie of Cathaia and China partly of desire that the good young king had to enlarge the Christian faith and partlie to finde out some where in those regions ample vent of the cloth of England for the mischiefs that grew about that time neerer home aswel by contempt of our commodities as by the arrestes of his merchantes in the Empire Flanders France and Spaine foreseeing withall how beneficiall ample vent would rise to all degrees throughout his kingdome and specially to the infinite number of the poore sort distressed by lacke of worke And although by a voyage hereuppon taken in hande for this purpose by Sir Hugh Willobie and Richard Chauncellour a discouerie of the bay of Saint Nicolas in Russia fell out and a trade with the Muscouites and after another trade for a time with the Persians by way of the Caspian sea ensued yet the discouerie of the principall intended place followed not in his time nor yet since vntill you tooke your happie and renowmed voyage about the worlde in hande although sundrie attemptes at the great charges of diuers honorable and well disposed persons and good worshipfull merchants and others haue beene made since the death of that good king in seeking a passage thither both by the North-east and by the Northwest But since it is so as wee vnderstande that your worshippe in your late voyage hath first of our nation in this age discouered the famous rich Ilandes of the Luzones or Philippinas lying neare vnto the coast of China and haue spent some time in taking good view of the same hauing brought home three boyes borne in Manilla the chiefe towne of the said Ilands besides two other young fellowes of good capacitie borne in the mightie Iland of Iapon which hereafter may serue as our interpretors in our first traficke thither and that also your selfe haue sailed along the coast of China not farre from the Continent and haue taken some knowledge of the present state of the same and in your course haue found out a notable ample vent of our clothes especially our kersies and are in preparing againe for the former voyage as hee that would constantly perseuer in so good an enterprise we are to thinke that the knowledge and first discouerie of the same in respect of our nation hath all this time beene by the Almightie to you onely reserued to your immortall glorie and to the manifest shew of his especiall fauour borne towards you in that besides your high and rare attempt of sailing about the whole globe of the earth in so short a time of two yeares and about two monethes you haue shewed your selfe to haue that rare and especiall care for your countrie by seeking out vent for our clothes that ought vpon due consideration to moue many thousands of English subiects to pray for you and to loue and honor your name and familie for euer For as you haue opened by your attempt the gate to the spoile of the great and late mightie vniuersall and infested enimie of this realme of al countries that profesâ—e true religion so haue you by your great care wrought a way to imploie the merchants of Englande in trade to increase our Nauie to benefite our Clothiers and your purpose falling out to your hoped effect to releeue more of the poorer sort then all the hospitals and almes houses can or may that haue beene built in this realme since the first inhabiting thereof And Sir if to this your late noble attempt it might please you by your incouragement and by the help of your purse to adde your present furtherance for the passage to be discouered by the northwest for proofe whereof there bee many infallible reasons and diuerse great experiences to â—e yeelded our course with our commodities to the rich Iland of Iapon to the mightie empire of China and to the Ilandes of the Philippinas for the vent that you haue found out should be by the halfe way shortened and you should double and manyfolde treble the credite of your fourmer late enterprise and make your fame to mount and your self to liue for euer in a much higher degree of glorie then otherwise it might be or that by any other mean you could possibly deuise In which action so highly importing the generall state of this lande I haue perfect experience that many worshipfull and wealthie marchants of this citie and other places would most willingly ioyne their purses with yours and to play the blabbe I may tell you they attende nothing with greater desire and expectation then that a motion hereof being made by some happie man your selfe and they might friendly and seriously ioyne together for the full accomplishing of this so long intended discouerie And to descende to â—ome particulars there is one speciall reason that giueth an edge vnto their desires proceeding from the late worthie attemptes of that excellent and skilful pilot M. Iohn Dauis made for the search of the aforesaid northwest passage these three late yeares hauing entred into the same foure hundred leagues further than was euer hitherto thoroughly knowen and returned with an exact description thereof to the reasonable contentment for the time of the aduenturers and chiefely of the worshipfull M. William Sanderson whose contributions thereunto although they haue beene verie great and extraordinarie yet for the certaine hope or rather assurance that he conceiueth vpon the report of the Captaine himselfe and all the rest of any skill employed in these voyages remayneth still constant and is readie to disburse as yet to the freshe setting on foote of this enterprise entermitted by occasion of our late troubles euen this yeare againe for the finall perfection of so profitable and honorable a discouerie a farre greater portion then in reason would be required of any other man of his abilitie And albeit sir that you haue taken in your late voyage besides the knowledge of the way to China the intelligence of the gouernement of the countrie and of the commodities of the territories and prouinces of the same and that at the full according to the time of your short abode in those partes yet neuerthelesse for that of late more ample vnderstanding hath beene in more length of time by woonderfull great endeuour taken by certaine learned Portingals and Spaniardes of great obseruation and not long agoe published
chance and haue bin séene of some there abouts declared vnto theÌ„ y e secret of y e mysterie froÌ„ whence I do gather that either this Iland is imagined or inchaunted or else there is in it other some great mysterie for the which to giue credite vnto it or to varie from the truth it shal be wisedome not to proceed any further but to conclude in y t which toucheth y e Ilandes of Canarias aforesaid The clyme and temperature of them all is excellent good and hath abundance of al necessary sustenance for mans life There is gathered in them verie much wheate and other séedes and wine there is also made verie much sugar there is nourished and brought vp great store of cattell and that verie good But in especiall Camelles whereof there is great store Also all kinde of sustenance is better cheape there then in Spaine All these Ilandes are inhabited with Spaniardes whereas they doo liue verie pleasantly amongest whome at this day there be some that be naturall of the Guanchas aforesaid who be verie much Spaniarde like The principall of all these seuen Ilandes is the Gran Canaria in the which is a bishoppe and a Cathedrall Church and counsell of the inquisition and royall audience from the which dependeth the gouernement of all the other sixe Ilands CHAP. II. They do depart from the Ilands of Canaria for the Ilande of Santo Domingo otherwise called Hispaniola and do declare of certaine things in the way thitherward AFtâ—r that the fléetes or shippes had taken refreshing in the Ilandes of Canarias aforesayde they departed from thence sayling by the same Rutter vntill they come vnto an Ilande called the Desseada which is fiftéene degrées from the Equinoctiall eyght hundreth and thirtie leagues from the Canarias all which is sayled without séeing any other land they are sayling of the same ordinarily eight and twentie and thirtie dayes This Iland Desseado was called by that name by reason that the gulâ—e is great and so many daies sayling that when they do sée it is that after that they haue verie much desired the same so that Desseado is as much to say as desired This Iland hath nigh about it many other Ilandes one of the which is that which is called La Dominica which is peopled and inhabited by certaine Indians who are called Caribes by such as do nauigate that way which are a kind of people that doo eate humaine flesh they are very expert archers very cruell they do annoint their arrowes with a deadly earth so ful of poison that the wound the which is made therewith can not be healed by any humaine remedie This Ilande is in fiftéene degrées It is verie little and not of much people yet notwithstanding it hath béene the death of many Spaniardes both men and women such as haue come thither in shippes not knowing the daunger thereof haue gone a shore for fresh water or else to wash their lynnen and vppon a soddaine vn looked for haue béene be set by the Indios who haue slaine them and after eaten them and they say that it is very sweete flesh and sauorie so that it be not of a Fryer for of fryers by no meanes they will eate nor would not after that happened vnto them as hereafter followeth There was a ship that was bound vnto the firme land and did arriue at that Ilande in the which went two religious Fryers of the order of Saint Francis and hauing no care as aforesayde but very desirous to be a lande they went a shore without any feare or suspition of any harme that might happen vnto them and being at a riuer side sporting themselues with great recreation by reason of the freshnesse thereof easing themselues of the long and painefull nauigation which they had comming from the Ilandes of the Canarias vnto that place when the Caribes did sée them without any feare vpon a soddaine they descended from a mountayne and did kill them all without leauing any person aliue Many dayes they made great feastes and bankets eating of those bodies which they had slaine some sodde and some roasted as their pleasure was So on a day they would amongest them eate one of the fathers who was very faire and white but all that did eate of him in a little space did swell marueilously and did die madde with great gaspings that it was woonderfull to sée so that from that time they remaine as warned neuer for to eate any more of the like flesh Of these euils they haue committed an infinite number and haue at this day with them many Spaniardes both men and women whose liues they pardoned for to serue their vses or euilles because they were verie young of the which they say that some haue fled away They go naked like vnto the Indians and doo speake their language and are almost conuerted vnto their nature This great inconuenience might be remedied if that it did please his maiestie to command some generall that were bound vnto the firme land or vnto the new Spaine to make abode there a fewe dayes and to roote â—ut and make cleane that Ilande of so euill wicked people which were a good déede and they doo well deserue it and to giue libertie vnto the poore Christians that are there captiue a great companie of them And it is saide of a truth that some of them be of good calling There can none goe a lande on this Ilande but straightwayes they are discouered by such ordinarie spyes as they doo put to watch And if they do sée that those which doo come a land are many in number and that they can not hurt them they doo remaine in the highest part of the mountayne or else amongest the thickest of woods and bushes till such time as the shippes do depart which is so soone as they haue taken fresh water or fire wood They are great traytors and when they sée oportunitie they giue the assalt in the manner as hath béene tolde you and doo very much harme Nigh vnto this Ilande Dominica towardes the northwest is the Ilande of S. Iohn de Puerto rico the which is in eightéene degrées it is fortie and sixe leagues long and fiue twentie leagues brode and in compasse about an hundred and fiftie leagues There is in it great store of kyne verie much sugar and ginger and yéeldeth very much wheate It is a lande of verie much golde and is not laboured nor taken out of the earth for lacke of people it hath verie good hauens and portes towardes the south and towardes the north onely one the which is sure and good in respect whereof the Spaniardes did giue the name vnto the whole Ilande Puerto rico taking the name of the port or hauen In it there is foure townes of Spaniardes a bishoppe and a cathedrall church and he that is prelat at this day is the reuerend father don fryer Diego de Salamanca of the order
of this booke These Tartarians haue had many times wars with them of China but at one time as you shall perceiue they got the whole kingdome of China and did possesse the same for the space of 93. yeares till such time as they of China did rebell and forced them out againe At this day they say that they are friends one with another and that is for that they bee all Gentiles and do vse all one manner of ceremonies and rites They doo differ in their clenes lawes in the which the Chinas doth excéede them very much The Tartarians are very yealow not so white and they go naked from the girdlested vpwards and they eate raw flesh and do annoint themselues with the blood of raw flesh for to make them more harder and currish by reason whereof they doo so stinke that if the aire doth come from that part where they be you shall smel them afar off by the strong sauor They haue for certainty the truth of the immortalitie of the soule although it be with error for they say that the soule doth enter into other bodies and that soule that liued well in the first bodie doth better it from poore to rich or from age to youth and if it liued euill to the contrarie in worse The sons of the Tartarians do very much obserue and kéepe the commandement in obeying their parents for that they doo wholly accomplish the same without failing any iot of their will vnder paine to be seuerly and publikelie punished They confesse one God whom they worship haue him in their houses carued or painted and euery day they doe offer vnto it incense or some other swéet smelles they do call him the high God do craue of him vnderstanding health They haue also another God which they say is son vnto the other they do call him Natigay this is their God of terestriall things They haue him likewise in their houses and euery time they go to eate they doo annoint his face with the fattest thing they haue to eate that being doone they fall to eating hauing first giuen their gods their pitance They are a kinde of people that verie seldome doo fable a lie although their liues should lie thereon and are verie obedient vnto their king but in speciall in their warres in the which euerie one doth that he is appointed to doo they are led by the sound of a drome or trumpet with the which their captaines do gouerne them with great ease by reason that they are trained vp in the same from their youth And many other things are amongst them in the which they do resemble them of China who if they did receiue the faith of our Lord Iesu Christ it is to be beléeued that the Tartarians would do the same for that they are taken for men very ducible and do imitate verie much them of China CHAP. II. Of the temperature of the kingdome of China THe temperature of this mightie kingdome is diuersly by reason that almost the whole bignesse thereof is from the South to the North in so great a length tâ—at the Iland of Aynan being néere vnto this land in 19. degrées of altitude haue notice of some prouinces that are in moâ—e then 50. degrées and yet they do vnderstand that beyond that there bée more vpon the confines of Tartaria It is a strange thing to be séene the strange and great difference betwixt the colours of the dwellers of this kingdome In Canton a mightie citie whereas the Portingales had ordinarie traficke with them of China for that it was nigh vnto Macao where as they had inhabited long since and from whence they do bring all such merchandise as is brought into Europe There is séene great diuersities in the colours of such people as doo come thither to traficke as the said Portingales do testifie Those which are borne in the citie of Canton and in al that cost are browne people like vnto them in the citie of Fez or Barberie for that all the whole countrie is in the said paralel that Barberie is in And they of the most prouinces inwards are white people some more whiter then others as they draw into the cold countrie Some are like vnto Spanyards and others more yealow like vnto the Almans yelow and red colour Finally in all this mightie kingdome to speake generally they cannot say that there is much cold or much heat for that the Geographers do conclude and say it is temperate and is vnder a temperate clime as is Italy or other temperate countries wherby may be vnderstood the fertilitie of the same which is without doubt the fortresse in all the world may compare with the Peru and Nuoua Espannia which are two kingdomes celebrated to be most fertill and for the verification you shall perceius in this Chapter next folowing wherin is declared such things as it doth yéeld and bring forth and in what quantitie And yet aboue all things according vnto the sayings of fryer Herrada prouinciall and his companions whose relation I will follow in the most part of this hystorie as witnesses of sight vnto whom we may giue certaine credite without any exception They say that the countrie is so full of youth that it séemeth the women are deliuered euerie moneth and their children when they are little are extreame faire and the countrie is so fertill and fat that it yeldeth fruit thrée or foure times in the yéere which is the occasion that all things is so good cheape that almost it séemeth they sell them for nothing CHAP III. Of the fertilitie of this kingdome and of such fruits and other things as it doth yeeld THe inhabitants in this countrie are perswaded of a truth that those which did first finde and inhabite in this lande were the Neuewes of Noe who after they had traueiled from Armenia wheras â—he Arke stayed wherin God did preserue their grandfather from the waters of the flood went séeking a land to their contentment and not finding a countrie of so great fertilitie and temperature like vnto this wherein was all things necessarie for the life of man without comparison they were compelled with the aboundance thereof for to inhabite therin vnderstanding that if they should search throughout all the world they should not finde the like and I thinke they were not deceiued according as now it is to be séene and what may be considered in the proces of this chapter of such fruits as the earth doth yéeld And although there is declared here of such as shall suffice in this worke yet is there left behind a great number more of whose properties as well of herbes and beasts which of their particulars may be made a great volume and I doo beléeue that in time there will be one set forth The great trauell and continual laboure of the inhabitants of this countrie is a great helpe vnto the goodnes and fertilitie thereof and is so much that they do neither
benefites and profites and likewise to request him if it were his pleasure to sende an ambassador to y e king of that kingdome the better to confirme their friendship to carrie with him some things which be vsed in his countrie which would be maruellous well estéemed of the Chinos be a way vnto the preaching of the gospel and bee a beginning that a farther contraction may growe betwixt the Christians and the Chinos of the which shall follow the aforesaid profite vnto other countries by the great quantitie of things as well of riches as of other curiosities that shalbe brought from theÌ„ce After they had well considered with great deliberation who should be the person that they shoulde send vpon so long a iourney for to request his maiestie of the aforesaid in the ende they did agrée vppon for to desire the prouinciall of the Augustine friers who was called Frier Dilho de Herrera a man of great learning and of great experience touching matters of those Ilands for that hee was one of the first discouerers of them they requested him for the loue of God and the good seruice to his maiestie and the benefite that might come thereby vnto these Ilands that he would take vpon him to go with this petition for they were fully perswaded for that he had trauailed so manie places of those Ilands as also for his office and vocation there was none that better coulde put in effect their desire and perswade with his maiestie the great importance of that ambassage and manie other things necessarie touching the gouernement of those Ilands This determination was liked well of them all and that they had chosen well in sending of the prouinciall who incontinent departed from the Ilands in a shippe that was pepared for Noua Hispania which was in the yeare of Christ 1573. At his inbarking hee was accompanied with the gouernour and all those of that citie of whom hee was maruellouslie well beloued for his holinesse and good condition Desiring him with all diligence to procure to returne with as much breuity as was possible vnto those ilands whereas they so much loued him and had néede of his presence He did promise them to make all the spéede possible and in paiment of the trauel that he did take vpon him for the benifite profite he requested them al that they would pray vnto God to giue a good voyage they promised him to doo it the which they did performe with particular care Then did the master command to weigh ankers and to set saile which was in the moneth of Nouember the same yeare and with reasonable whether they arriued at the new Spaine and came vnto the cittie of Mexico and from thence they went and embarked themselues in the North seas who with prosperous winds the xiii day of August the yeare following they ariued in San. Lucar debarameda in Spaine and caried me in his company From thence the day following we departed from Syuel from whence wee departed forthwith toward Madrid whereas his maiestie was at that present and we came thither the fiftéenth day of September in anno 1574. the same wéeke that they had newes of the losse of the Goleta Wée went straightwayes to kisse the kings hands and caried the letters which we brought from his gouernor and citie by whom both we and the letters were receiued with his accustomed benignitie and did heare the petition with great satisfaction for that the desire was holy and profitable and told vs that he would command his counsell to vnderstand in the same with a particular consideration and with so much breuitie as the thing required and gaue vs thankes for the great trauell and long iourney which we tooke vpon vs in his seruice for to giue him notice of the discouering of this great kingdome and of other things touching the Ilands Philippinas He straightwayes commanded that we should be prouided for of all things necessarie for our sustentation for the time that we should there remaine and that we should go and giue account of all things for the which we came thither vnto the counsel of the Indies who was Don Iuan de Obando vnto whom his maiestie did recommend the consideration to be done with great care and to consult vpon the same After that they had comuned with the roiall counsell of the Indies touching that which should be requisite and conuenient which was done as it appeared in effect for that they gaue vs facultie in a few dayes after of all things that was requested from the said Ilands except that which did touch the ambassage vnto the 〈◊〉 of China as a thing of greater importance and requested lonâ—â—r time to consider of the same so that they did referre it till they â—â—d a better occasion So that with this resolution and with fortie religious men and manie commissions from his maiestie touching the good gouernement of that new kingdome wee departed from Syuell in the moneth of Ianuarie the yeare following in 1575. whereas I remained by his order and for certaine respects But the aforesaid Prouinciall did imbarke himselfe with his fortie religious persons and departed in the moneth of Iuly with a faire winde and merrie passage till they came vnto newe Spaine and from thence into the South sea vntill they came in sight of the Ilands whereas the wether did alter and they were forced by the furie thereof to ariue at an Iland inhabited with Gentiâ—es by whome they were all slaine and none escaped but onely an Indian natural of the Ilands which wee carried from thence in our companie for Spaine He afterwards came vnto Manilla and gaue them to vnderstand how they were all slaine and how the Gentiles did teare all the papers and commissions in péeces and of all that happened to them This being knowne by the gouernor and by the rest that dwelt in the Ilands after that they had done the rytes with the funerall griefes as iustice required in such a case they finding themselues in the same necessitie that before they were in by reason of the losse of the aforesaid Prouinciall and his companions and also of the letters and prouisions sent from his maiestie they forthwith in the same determination did write new letters in requesting that which in part the king had granted although they had no knowledge thereof they did also therein write touching the ambassage that they did request for the king of China adding therunto new occasions wherby they should be moued to do them so much fauour as to send the ambassador afore requested which was a thing of great importanâ—s for all those Ilands When that these letters came in conformitie with the others before sent the king did ordaine for gouernor of those Ilands a Gentleman who was called Don Gonsalo de Mercado y Ronquillo a man of great valor discretion one that had serued the king as wel in the Peru. as in Mexico with great fidelitie who
Lopez de Legaspi who afteâ—warde died in the said Ilande with the title of Adelantado a yeare after that the fathers Fryer Martin de Herrada and Fryer Geronimo Marin and their companies did enter into China So after that our Spaniardes hadde discouered the sayde Ilandes and some of them populared to the vse of his Maiestie but in especiall that of Manilla which is fiue hunâ—red leagues in circuit in the which is situated the citie of Luson and is also called Manilla and as the metropolitane of all the Iland whereas the gouernours haue ordeined their place of abiding euer since the first discouery They haue also founded in that citie a cathedrall Church and erected a bishopricke And for Bishops of the same his maiestie did ordaine the most reuerend fryer don Domingo de Salazar of the ordâ—r of preachers in whom was comprehended some holinesse good life and learning as was requisite and necessarie for that prouince and was consecrated in Madrid the yeare of 1579. At this present there be thrée monasteries of religious men in that Iland the one of the order of S. Austen and were the first that by the coÌ„mandement of his maiestie did enter into this Ilands preaching the law of the gospell which was great profit vnto those soules yet great trauaile vnto them and cost many of them their liues in dooing it the other monasterie is of barefoote Fryers of the order of S. Francis of the prouince of S. Ioseph who haue béene great examples with great profit vnto them of those portes The third are of the order of S. Dominicke or preachers who haue done their dutie in all things so well as the other These thrée orders were alonely in those Ilands for certaine yeares till now of late time haue gone thither Iesuites which haue bin a great aide and helpe vnto their religion When these Spaniardes were come vnto these Ilands they had straightwaies notice of the mightie kingdome of China as well by the relation of them of the Ilands who tolde vnto them the maruels thereof as also within a fewe daies after they did sée and vnderstand by ships that came into those ports with marchants that brought marchandise and other things of great curiositie from that kingdome did particularly declare the mightinesse and riches therof all which haue béen declared vnto you in the first thrée bookes of this historie This beeing knowen vnto the religious people of S. Austin who at that time were alone in those Ilands but in especiall vnto the prouinciall Fryer Martin de Herrada a man of great valour and wel learned in all sciences who séeing y â— great capacitie or towardnesse which the Chinos had more then those of the Ilandes in all things but in especiall in their gallantnesse discretion and wit he straightwaies had a great desire to go thether with his fellow to preach the gospell vnto those people of so good a capacitie to receiue the same who with a pretended purpose to put it in vre effect he began with great care studie to learne that language the which he learned in few daies did make therof a dictionarie TheÌ„ afterwards they did giue great intertainmeÌ„t presents vnto the marchants that came froÌ„ China for to procure them to carie theÌ„ thether many other things the which did shew their holie-zeale yea they did offer themselues to bee slaues vnto the marchants thinking by y â— means to enter in to preach but yet none of these diligences did take effect till such time as the diuine maiestie did discouer a better way as shalbe declared vnto you in this chapter following CHAP. II. A rouer of this kingdome of China called Limahon doth make himselfe strong at the sea and doth ouercome an other rouer of the same countrie called Vintoquiam THe Spaniards did enioy their new habitation of Manilla in great quietnesse vâ—ide of all care of any accideâ—t that might disquiet theÌ„ or any strange treasons of enimies for to offende them for that those Ilandes were in great quietnes and in obedience vnto the Christian king Don Phillip and in continuall traficke with the Chinos which séemed vnto them a sufficient securitie for the continuance of the quiâ—tnesse they liued in And againe for that they vnderstoode that they had a law amongst them as hath bin told you in this historie y t it was forbidden to make any wars out of their owne countrie But being in this security and quietnes vnlooked for they were beset with a mightie great Armada or fléete of ships by the rouer Limahon of whose vocation thâ—re are coÌ„tinually on y â— coast the one by reason that y e country is full of people wheras of necessitie must be many idle persons and the other principall occasion by reason of the great tyranny y t the gouernorâ— doo vse vnto the subiects This Limahon came vpon theÌ„ with intent to do theÌ„ harme as you shal vnderstand This rouer was borne in the citie of Trucheo in the prouince of Cuytan which the Portingals do cal Catim He was of mean parentage and brought vp in his youth in liberty and vice hee was by nature warlike and euill inclinâ—d He would learne no oâ—cupation but all giuen to robbe in the high waies and became so â—xpâ—rt that many came vnto him and followed that trade He made himself Captain ouer theÌ„ which were more then two thousand wâ—re so strong y t they were feared in all that prouince where as they were This being knowen vnto the king and to his councell they did straight way coÌ„mand the viceroy of the prouince wher as the rouer was that with all the haste possible he should gather together all the garrisons of his Frontyers to apprehende and take him and if it were possible to carrye him aliue vnto the Citie of Taybin if not his head The Uiceroy incontinent did gather together people necessarie and in great haste to followe him The which being knowen vnto Limahon the rouer who saw that with the people he had he was not able to make resistance against so great a number as they were and the eminent danger that was therein he called together his companies and went from thence vnto a port of the sea that was a fewe leagues from that place and did it so quickly and in such secret that before the people that dwelt therein could make any defence for that they were not accustomed to any such assaultes but liued in great quietnesse they were lordes of the port and of all such ships as were there into the which they imbarked themselues straightwaies wayed anker and departed to the sea whereas they thought to bee in more securitie than on the lande as it was true Then hee séeing himselfe lorde of all those seas beganne to robbe and spoyle all shippes that he could take as well strangers as of the naturall people by which meanes in a small time hee was prouided of mariners and
other thinges which before hee lacked requisite for that new occupation He sacked robbed and spoyled all the townes that were vpon the coast and did verie much harme So he finding himselfe verie strong with fortie shippes well armed of those he had out of the port and other that he had taken at the sea with much people such as were without shame their handes imbrued with robberies and killing of men hee imagined with himselfe to attempt greater matters and diâ— put it in execution he assaulted great townes and did a thousand cruelties in such sort that on all that coast whereas hee was knowen he was much feared yea and in other places farther off his fame was so published abroad So he following this trade and exercise he chanced to meete with an other roouer as himselfe called Vintoquian likewise naturally borne in China who was in a port voide of any care or mistrust whereas Limahon finding opportunitie with greater courage did fight with the shippes of the other that although they were thréescore ships great and small and good souldiers therein hée did ouercome them and tooke fiue and fiftie of their ships so that Vintoquian escaped with fiue ships Then Limahon séeing himselfe with a fléete of nintie fiue shippes well armed and with many stout people in them knowing that if they were taken they should be all executed to death they therefore setting all feare a part gaue themselues to attempt new inuentions of euill not onely in robbing of great Cities but also in destroying of them CHAP. III. The king of China doth arme a fleete of shippes against the rouer Lymahon who withdraweth himselfe to Tonzuacaotican whereas he hath notice of the Philippinas THe complayntes increased euerie day more and more vnto the king and his counsell of the euils doone vnto the Chinos by this rouer Lymahon For the which commandement was giuen straightwaies vnto the Uiceroy of that prouince whereas he vsed to execute his euill that with great expedition he might be taken for to cut off this inconuenience who in few dayes did set foorth to sea one hundred and thirtie great shippes well appointed with fortie thousand men in them and one made generall ouer them all a gentle man called Omoncon for to go seeke and foâ—lowe this Rouer with expresse commandement to apprehende oâ— kill him although to the executing of the same he put both shippes and men in danger Of all this prouision Lymahon had aduertisement by some secrete friends who séeing that his enemies were many and he not able to counteruaile them neither in shippes nor men determined not to abide the comming but to retire and depart from that coast so in flying he came vnto an Ilande in secrete called Tonznacaotican which was fortie leagues from the firme land and is in the right way of nauigation to the Ilands Philippinas In this Iland was Lymahon retyred with his armie a certaine time and durst not returne to the firme land for that he knew that the kinges fléete did lie vpon the coast to defende the fame And although he did send foorth some ships a robbing yet did they not doo any thing of importance but rather camâ— flying away from the mightie power of the kinges From this Ilande they did goefoorth with some of their ships robbing and spoyling al such as they met with marchandice other things that they carried from one Ilande to an other and from the Iland vnto the firme comming from thence amongst them all they caused to take two ships of China which came froÌ„ Manilla and were bound to their owne countrie And hauing then in their power they searched them vnder hatches and found that they had rich things of golde and spanish ryalles which they had in truck of their marchandice the which they carried to the Ilandes They informed themselues in all points of the state and fertilitie of that countrie but in particular of the Spaniardes and how many there were of theÌ„ in the citie of Manilla who were not at that present aboue seuentie persons for that the rest were separated in the discouering and populing of other Ilands newly found and vnderstanding that these few did liue without any suspition of enimies and had neuer a fort nor bulwarke and the ordinance which they had although it was very good yet was it not in order to defend themselues nor offend their enemies hee determined to goe thither with all his fléete and people for to destroy and kill them and to make himselfe lorde of the saide Ilande of Manilla and other adiacent there nigh the same And there he thought himselfe to be in securitie from the power of the king which went séeking of him And so as he was determined he put it in vre with as much expedition as was possible CHAP. IIII. This rouer Limahon goeth to the Ilands Philippinas and commeth to the citie of Manilla THis Rouer Limahon determining to goe and to take the Ilands Philippinas and to make himselfe lord and king ouer them all but first to kill the Spaniardes which hee thought easely to be done for that there was so fewe And there he pretended to liue in securitie without feare that before he had of the kings great fléete for that it was so farre distant from the firme lande So with this determination hee departed from those Ilandes whereas hee was retyred and went to sea and sayling towardes the Ilandes Philippinas they passed in sight of the Ilandes of the Illocos which had a towne called Fernandina which was newe founded by the Captaine Iohn de Salzedo who at that instant was in the same for lieutenant to the gouernour Foure leagues from the same they met with a small galley which the said Iohn de Salzedo had sent for victuals There was in her but 25. souldiers besides y e rouers so that with the one the other they were but a fewe in number for that as they thought they did trauaile in places of great securitie and without any suspition to mâ—ete enemies So soone as Limahon had discouered the galley hee cast about towardes her and with great ease did take her and did burne and kill all that was in her and pardoned one of them This being done he did prosecute his voyage according vnto his determination and passed alongest but not in such secret but that hee was discouered by the dwellers of the towne of Fernandina who gaue notice thereof vnto the lieutenant of the gouernor aforesaide as a woonder to sée so many shippes together and a thing neuer séene before at those Ilands Likewise it caused admiration vnto him and made him to thinke and to imagine with great care what it might bee hee sawe that they did beare with the citie of Manilla and thought with himselfe that so great a fléete as that was could not goe to the place which they bare in with for any goodnesse towardes the dwellers therein who were voide of all
thing very much vsed in that countrie the Spaniards went vnto the Insuanto who was there with great company and maiestie hee entertained them very friendly and with chéerefull words making an outward shew that hee bare them great loue and that their departure was vnto him a great griefe Then hee requested them to giue him a remembrance of such thinges as was necessarie and néedfull for their prouision for the sea for that hee woulde giue order for the prouiding of the same the which he did and was with so great aboundance that they had for the voyage and remained a great deale to spare Hee then commaunded to bee brought thither cates to eat and drinke and gaue it them with his owne hands as well the one as the other hee himselfe did eate and drinke with them which is the greatest fauour that can be shewed amongst them The banquet being ended he commaunded them in his presence to go abord their shippes because that was a luckie day and also to accomplish that which the vizroy had commaunded which was that they should not depart from thence vntil they had first séene them imbarked The Spaniards obeyed the commandement and tooke their leaue of the Insuanto with great curtesie and reuerence and with outward shewes that they remained indebted for the great curtesie and good will that they had receiued and therewith they departed to the waters side towards the boat which was tarrying for them As they passed by the religious men that before we spake of they saw a great table set and vppon it a whole Oxe with his throte cut and hard by the same a Hogge and a Goate other thinges to bee eaten the which they had ordained for to make sacrifice which they do vse in the like affaires They being imbarked in the boate they were carried aborde the Admirall which was the shippe appointed for them to go in then presently they beganne to stirre the shippe from one place vnto another with certain boates and cables which they had there readie for the same purpose The shippe did not so soone begin to moue but the religious men a shore did beginne their sacrifice the which did indure vntill night ending their feastes and triumphes in putting forth of the cittie and vppon their gates many cressets and lights The souldiers shot off all their hargabushes and the ships that were in the port shot off all their artilerie and on the shore a great noise of droms and bels all the which being ended and done the Spaniards went a shore againe vnto their lodging but first the Insuanto was departed vnto his owne house with all the company that hee brought with him The next day the sayd Insuanto did inuite them vnto a banket which was as famous as any which had bene made them vnto that time He was at the banquet himselfe and the Captaine generall of all that prouince There was aboundance of meates and many pretie deuises to passe away the time which made the banquet to indure more then foure houres the which being done there was brought forth the present which the Insuanto did sende vnto the gouernor of Manilla in returne of that which was sent to him The present was fourtéene pieces of silke for the gouernor of Manilla and tenne péeces for the generall of the field hee also commanded to be giuen vnto the Friers each of them foure péeces and vnto the souldiers each of them two péeces and vnto their seruants and slaues certaine painted mantels and there with he tooke his leaue of them very friendly and gaue vnto them letters the which hee had wrote vnto the gouernor vnto the general of the field answere vnto those the which they had wrote vnto him said that all things necessarie for their departure was in a redinesse with victuals for ten monethes put a bord their ships so that when as winde and wether did serue they might depart Also that if in their voyage it should so fall out that any of the Chinos that went in their shippes shoulde do vnto them any euill either abrâ—de or at the Ilands that the gouernor therof should punish them at his pleasure and how that the vizroy will thinke well thereof in conclusion he saide vnto them that hee hoped to sée them there againe verie shortly and to returne againe with Limahon and then hee woulde supplie the wantes which nowe they lacked The Spaniards did kisse his hands and said that they had receiued in curtesie more then they deserued that in all thinges there did abound and not lacke that they remained greatly indetted vnto him for their friendship and would giue their king notice thereof that whensoeuer occasion shoulde bee offered to repay them with the like and therewith the Insuanto departed to his owne house leauing in the companie of the Spaniards fiue captaines those which should go with them in their company to sea and also Omoncon and Sinsay who were that day in the banquet with the habite and ensigne of Loytias for that the day before it was giuen vnto them by the Insuanto Upon Wednesday which was the fourtéenth of September the wind came faire wherewith they hoised vp their sailes and went to sea at their departure there was at the waters side the Insuanto and the Iustice of Chincheo to sée them saile the which Insuanto had conceiued so great loue and friendship of the Castillas that when he saw them depart he shedde great aboundance of teares as was affirmed by diuers Chinos that saw it to which the Spaniards gaue credite vnto for that they knew him to be a maruellous louing person and humaine of a good condition and of a gallant personage and did excéede all other that they had séene in all the time of their being in that prouince CHAP. XXX The Spaniardes departe from the port of Tansuso towards the Ilandes Philippinas and euery day they doo harbor themselues in Ilands by the way declaring what they saw in them BEing departed out of the port as aforsaide the Spaniards deuided themselues into two shippes to wit the two Friers and Michael de Loarcha Omoncon and thrée other captaines in one shippp And Peter Sarmiento Nicholas de Quenca and Iohn de Triana Sinsay and all their souldiers in another ship with eight other ships of warre which went with them for their safegard they sailed forwards directing their course towards a small Iland that was not farre off with determination there to take water for their ships for that it had in it many riuers of very swéete water Within a smal space they ariued there and it had a very faire and sure port wherein might ride in securitie a great Nauy of ships All Thursday they were there recreating and sporting themselues for that it was a pleasant Ilande and full of fresh riuers Uppon Friday being the sixtéenth of September the day being somwhat speÌ„t they made saile and tooke port foure leagues from
that place in another Ilande called Laulo for to put themselues in a newe course different and contrary vnto that which they brought when as they came vnto that kingdome for that the Chinos had by experience prooued that in those monethes the windes were more fauorable then in other monethes and for the most part North and Northeast winds al that night they remained in that Iland and the next day following they sailed vnto another Iland which was called Chautubo not farre distant from that of Laulo This Ilande was full of little townes one of them was called Gautin which had fiue fortes of towers made of lime and stone verie thicke and strongly wrought they were all foure square and sixe fatham high and were made of purpose for to receiue into them al the people of those little townes to defend themselues from rouers and théeues that daylie come on that coast These fortes were made with battlements as we do vse with space betwixt them and for that the forme and fashion of their building did like them verie well they were desirous to sée that if within them there were anie curious matter to bée séene wherewith they bent their artilerie towards them and went a shoore But when they which had the gard◠and kéeping off did sée them comming they did shut the gates and woulde not consent that they shoulde satisfie their desire for any intreating or promises that they could make They verie much noted that although this Ilande were rockie and sandie yet was it tilled and sowed full of Rice Wheate and other séedes and graine There was in it great store of Kine and Horse and they vnderstoode that they were gouerned not by one particular man to whom they were subiect neither by any other amongst themselues nor of China but in common yet notwithstanding they liued in great peace and quietnesse for that euerie one did content himselfe with his owne Uppon sunday in the afternoone they departed from this Ilande and sailed their course all that night and the next morning they ariued at another Iland called Corchu which was twentie leagues from the port of Tansuso from whence they departed The Spaniards séeing what leasure they tooke in this their voyage they requested the Captaines to commaunde the marriners that they shoulde not enter into so many portes or harbors for that they had no certaintie of the weather and not to detract the time but to take oportunitie before that contrarie weather do come for to saile in that order it seemed more for recreation then to achiue or obtaine a voyage The Captaines answered and requested them to haue patience for that in making their iournies as they did they doo accomplish and follow the order set downe by the vizroy and Insuanto who did expressely commaunde them with great charge for to direct their Nauigation by those Ilands with great deliberation and consideration because they might in safetie and health ariue at Manilla The same day the North winde beganne to blowe verie strongly in such sort that they thought it not good to go forth of that harbor as well for that aforesaid to be commanded to the contrarie as also for that the Chinos are very searefull of the sea and men that are not accustomed to ingulfe themselues too farre neither to passe anie stormes Néere vnto this Iland there was another somewhat bigger which is called Ancon wholly dispeopled and without anie dwellers yet a better countrie and more profitable for to sowe and reape then that of Corchu The Spaniards being at an anker there vnderstood by the Chinos that in times past it was very well inhabited vnto the which ariued a great fléete belonging to the king of China by a great storme were all cast away vpon the same the which losse and destruction being vnderstood by another generall that had the guard of that cost suspecting that the dwellers thereof had done that slaughter he came to the shore and slew many of the inhabitants and caried all the rest in their ships vnto the firme lande who afterwards would neuer returne thither againe although they gaue them licence after that they vnderstoode the truth of that successe so that vnto that time it remained dispeopled and full of wilde swine of the broode that remained there at such time as they were slaine and caried away as you haue heard This Iland and the rest adioyning thereunto which are very many haue very excellent and sure ports and hauens with great store of fish These Ilands endured vntill they came vnto a little gulfe which is fiue and fortie leagues ouer and is sailed in one day and at the ende thereof is the port of Cabite which before we haue spoken off and is neere vnto Manilla So when that winde and weather serued their turne they departed from the Iland of Ancon and sailed til they came vnto another Ilande called Plon whereas they vnderstoode by a shippe that was there a fishing howe that the rouer Limahon was escaped wheras he was besieged at Pagansinan the manner and forme of the policie hee vsed therein shalbe told you in the chapter following CHAP. XXXI They haue news how that the rouer Limahon was escaped and howe that he was in an Ilande there hard by some gaue iudgement to go and set vpon him but they resolued themselues to the contrarie and follow the voyage to Manilla BEing at an anker in the Iland of Plon tarrying for a wind to followe their voyage with great desire to come thither whereas they might vnderstande what had happened vnto Limahon at the same time entred into the saide harbor a shippe with fishermen they beléeuing that hee had béene one of the Ilands they went vnto him and asked of whence they were and from whence they came and what newes they coulde say of Limahon who was knowne vnto them all either by some harme that they had receiued or else by report of others that had receiued hurt These fishermen gaue them particular and whole relation by the which they vnderstoode that Limahon was fledde and not perceiued by the Spaniards he escaped in certaine barkes the which he caused to be made very secretlie within his forte of such timber and bords as remained of his shippes that were burnt the which was brought in by night by his souldiers on that side of the fort which was next vnto the riuer and were not discouered by the Castillas which which were put there with all care and diligence to kéepe the mouth that no succour might come in to helpe them And towards the land there whereas he might escape they were with out all suspection they were so strong and did not mistrust that any such thing shoulde bee put in vre as afterwards did fal out the which was executed with so great policie and craft that when they came to vnderstande it the rouer was cleane gone and in sauegard caulking his barkes at the Ilande of
Tocaotican the better for to escape and saue himselfe and they saide that it was but eight dayes past that hee fledde With this newes they all receiued great alteration but in especiall Omoncon and Sinsay who returned vnto the Spaniards and saide that the escaping of the rouer is not without some misterie and that it coulde not bee done without the will and knowledge of the Spaniards and that the rouer had giuen vnto the generall of the fielde some great gifts for to let him go for that otherwise it were a thing impossible for him to escape being besieged as hee was although the Spaniards had slept the Spaniards did giue their discharge in such prouable maner that the captaines of China were satisfied of the false opinion they had receiued as afterwards they were fully perswaded when they came to the cittie of Manilla and heard the generall of the fielde and other captaines and souldiers that were at tâ—e siege This Iland of Tocaotican whereas the rouer was mending and caulking of his barkes was distant from the Ilande of Plon whereas the Spaniards were onely twelue leagues and being by sea it séemed to be lesse for that very plainely you might see the one Ilande from the other The which with the great cholor that Omoncon and Sinsay had for the escaping of the rouer as also with the feare they receiued in that which might happen vnto them by reason hereof at their returne vnto China which at the least might bée to take away to their great shame the titles of Loytias which was giuen them in that respect did cause their stomakes and mindes to rise and to séeke occasion to go and fight with him for that it séemed vnto them they should get victorie with great ease for that hee was vnprouided and wearied with the long time of his siege Being in this determination there came vnto them the Captaine that was appointed generall ouer them and saide that the vizroy of Aucheo and the gouernor of Chincheo had sent them onely to carrie those Spaniards vnto Manilla and to bring with him aliue or deade the rouer Limahon if they woulde giue him vnto them and that hee woulde not digresse from this order by no manner of mâ—anes neither could they if that they wâ—re so disposed for that the shippes were pestered with the horses and againe their people they had brought with them was more for to saile and gouerne their shippes then for the sight Moreouer the sight would be very dangerous for that it was euident that the rouer and his companions would rather â—e al slaine then to yeelde themselues in any respect and for to put such an enterprise in effect it were requisite to haue both ships and men and not to go so vnprouided and pestred as they were All which reasons being considered they were all conformable vnto the opinion of the Generall and determined that so soone as winde and weather did serue to set saile and to passe the gulfe for to go vnto Manilla whither as they were bound and not to come vnto the Ilande of Tocaotican whereas the rouer was So after they had remained thrée wéekes in that harbour detained with a mightie North winde that neuer calmed night nor day in all that time The eleuenth day of October two houres before day they set saile and went to sea By reason of this great wind there was not one shippe of all thâ—se that were in the port of Plon coulde go foorth to giue any notice vnto the rouer of the going of the Spaniards neither of the captaines of China Sixtéene leagues from the port sailing towards the South they discouered a mightie Iland verie high land which was called Tangarruan and was of thrée score leagues about all inhabited with people like vnto those of the Ilands Philippinas they passed hard by it in the night with a sâ—iffe Norweâ—t winde which was the occasion that the shippe wherein the Friers went was constrained to go to sea and the other nine which were in their companie for their safegarde shrowded themselues hard vnder the Iland by reason whereof they were so farre separated the one from the other that in the morning they coulde not sée them They were in great daâ—ger because that night there was a great storme of winde in the which they lost the rudder of their shippe and almost without any hope to escape the fury thereof Being in this extremitie they commended themselues with contrite hearts vnto almightie God and put their shippe before the sea vntill such time as they had supplied their rudder the which they did although with great trauell and labour then straightwayes it was the will of God that this contrary wind was somewhat calmed and his furie abated and a prosperous winde fauoured them so that vppon sunday in the morning being the seuentéenth day of October they discouered the Iland of Manilla of them greatly desired yet could they not reach vnto it vntill saint Simon and Iudes day by reason that they returned backe vnto the riâ—er of Pagansinan to séeke the other nine shippes for that it was concluded amongst them that if it should so fall out they to be separated in any storme that they should come vnto that riuer and to méete togither as they did So they departed from thence vnto the port of Buliano not entring therin the captaine Omoncon did set a man on shore one that could speake the language of that Iland and gaue him charge to informe himselfe of all that had happened with the rouer Limahon for at that time he could not beléeue that which had béene told him Untill such time as he returned the shippes being without at the sea did play vnder fore sailes who did declare vnto them the verie same thing the which was tolde them at the Ilande of Plon without faultring any point the which caused Omoncon and Sinsay to receiue much more griefe then they did when they heard the first newes for as then they were doubtfull of the truth The Spanyards as then suspected that they would haue returned vnto the firme lande and not haue gone vnto Manilla but to haue left them there all alone vpon that Iland But it fell not out as they suspected For although that Omoncon and Sinsay did make an outward shew to doo it and sayde that they would sende the Spanyards in a shippe for that as then they were out of all danger and in sight of Manilla yet was the Generall of a contrarie opinion and sayd that for no manner of occasion that might happeâ— hee would not differ one point from the order which was giuen vnto him and therewith they sayled towards the Iland that they so long desired to sée and came thither the twentie eight day of October ss aforesaid So that from the port of Tansuso which is the first port of China till they came vnto the Iland of Manilla they were fiue and fortie dayes and is not in all
vnto the faith of the Christians that if it were not that he should be banished and loose his countrie house and landes without all doubt he would haue béene baptised the which he could not do without loosing of all for that they haue a law in their countrie the which is obserued and kept inuiolably by the which it is forbidden that none whatsoeuer can receiue any strange religion differing from theirs vpon paine of death without the consent of the king and his counsell This law was made to take away nouelties and to liue all in one vniformitie of religion with one manner of rites and ceremonies This only was the occasion that certaine marchants of China being affectioned vnto the law of the gospell were baptised at the Philippinas and there doo dwell at this day in the citie of Manilla amongest the Spaniardes and are become verie good Christians So with these offers and with promises to be great friendes vnto the Spaniardes the Generall departed from Manilla to goe vnto the firme lande and with him the other Captaynes Omoncon and Sinsay with great hope that verie shortly they should be all of one faith So the one tooke their leaue of the other with reasons of great affection and tokens of great loue signifying that in any thing that should be offered they should finde them friendly They being departed the Spaniardes remayned verie carefull in praying vnto the diuine maiestie desiring of him to direct all thinges in this their request that it might be to his holy seruice and also to inspire the catholike maiestie of king Phillip their Lorde for to sende his Embassador vnto the king of China offering his friendship and to admonish him to receiue the faith of Christ the which according vnto the report of the Austen Fryers that entred into that countrie of whom we haue made mention manie times in this booke with their companions and also the Generall of China tolde them that there was no other means but only that for to bring their purpose to effect This counsell with all the spéede possible they put in vre and sent vnto his maiestie one of purpose and in the name of all them of those Ilandes to request him and to declare how much it did import They sent vnto him this relation with manie particular persons for to mooue his most Christian minde for to sende an Embassador as in effect hee did in that sort as hath béene tolde you in the last Chapter of the thirde Booke of this historie whereas it is declared in particular and in what estate it doth remaine vnto this day God for his mercies sake direct all thinges that it may be to his seruice and glorie and the saluation of so many soules The end of the first booke of the second part The second booke of the second part of the historie of the mightie kingdome of China In the which is contayned the voyage that was into that kingdome in the yeare 1576. by the fathers Fryer Peter de Alfaro Costodio in the Ilandes Philippinas of the order of saint Francis of the prouince of S. Ioseph and other three religious men of the same order and their miraculous entring into that kingdome and what happened vnto them for the space of seuen monthes that they there remained and what they did see and vnderstand of all the which are notable and verie rare CHAP. I. The Fryers of Saint Francis came vnto the Ilandes Philippinas and procured to passe vnto the firme lande of the kingdome of China with zeale to preach the holy gospell THe day of the visitation of our Ladie in the yeare 1578. there came out of Spaine to the Citie of Manilla in the Ilandes Philippinas the father Fryer Peter de Alfaro who went for Costodio of that prouince and fourteene more other religious persons of the same order in his companie and were sent by the king of Spaine and his royall Counsel of the Indias for to be ayders and helpers of the Austen Fryers who vntill that time had béene there alone in those Ilandes occupied in the conuerting of the people in that countrie and were the first ministers of the gospell preaching the same with great zeale vnto the profite of their soules of the which people those Fryers had baptised when the others ariued more then one hundred thousande and the rest prepared and cathecised to receiue the like Because that at the first occasion that might be giuen they might enter into the kingdome of China to preach the holy gospell The which Fryers when that they had béen there the space of one yeare occupying themselues in the same exercise in preaching and conuerting the people of that countrie In the same time they were giuen to vnderstande by the relation of the selfe same Austen Fryers as also by many marchants of China which came vnto them with marchandice of things to be wondred at of that mightie kingdome and of the infinite number of soules which the diuell had deceiued and brought vnto his seruice with false Idolatrie The which being by them well vnderstood they did burne with great zeale and desire of their saluation and to goe and preach the gospell although it were to put their persons in whatsoeuer hazarde or danger So with this their great desire they did many and diuerse times communicate with the gouernor that was there at that time for his maiestie who was called the Doctor Francisco de Sandi desiring his fauour and licence for to goe vnto China in the companie of certaine marchants of that countrie that were at that present in the port with their ships offering themselues to get their good will although it were to offer themselues to be slaues or otherwise whatsoeuer And séeing that at all such times when as they did intreat of that matter they found him but luke warme and that he did as it were but to detract the time and feed them with hope then they calling to minde that the chiefest intent and cause of their comming out of Spayne was to enter into that kingdome caused a newe desire to grow in them what with the contractation they had with the sayde Chinos as well in conuersation as in talke and finding them to be a people of great abilitie and discretion and of verie good iudgements the which did greatly content their desire they did perswade themselues that it was an easie matter to make them to vnderstande the thinges appertayning vnto God So that they determined to put other remedies in practise because that which they required with the good will of the Gouernor séemed to be a large and long matter So it happened that vpon a time intreating of this matter and hauing requested of God with great instance for to direct them the readie way which was best for his seruice and for the profite of those soules there came to the Ilandes Philippinas a Chino who according as they did vnderstand was one of the priests
that it séemed a whole legion of diuels had taken holde on both sides of the shippe forcing the one against the other that it rowled in such sort that many times the halfe decke was in the water so that the marriners could not stand vpon their féete but were driuen to sustaine themselues by the ropes cavels But the religious men trusting in God whose zeale had caused them this great trouble did pray and desire him with many teares that hee would deliuer them out of the same daunger and not to giue place vnto the diuell for to disturbe them of their voyage and enterprise Those their orations and prayers did so much preuaile with certaine coniurations which they made against the diuels whoÌ„ they thought they did see visibly that after midnight the north winde ceased and began to blowe at the north east with the which the sea began to waxe calme so y t they might make their way to be east northeast for that they had intelligence that that course was the shortest cut to the firme land This winde which was so fauourable vnto theÌ„ did increase so much in two houres that the sea waxed loftie and caused them to forget the sorrowe past and constrained them for that the shippe was but small to cut their mast ouer borde and to put themselues vnto the courtesie of the sea with little hope to escape the danger But our Lorde whose zeale did mooue them to attempt that iourney did direct their voyage in such sort that the next day â—ollowing it came to be calme in such sort that they might set vp a newe mast in the place of that which was cut ouer borde in the storme and therewith to nauigate forwardes with their begunne voyage So vpon the fryday following at the breake of the day they sawe lande and thinking that it had béene the firme lande of China they gaue thankes vnto God and reioyced in such sort that they had cleane forgotten the troubles of the stormes and foule weather passed so they made towards it and came thither about noone but when they were a shore they found that it was but a small Iland and situated foure leagues from the firme lande and for that it was so nigh a farre off it séemed to be all one thing But when they came vnto this Ilande they did discouer many ships which were so many in nuÌ„ber that it séemed all the sea to be couered with theÌ„ The friers with the great desire they had for to knowe in what port they were they coÌ„manded to gouerne their ship towardes whereas they were who when they saw them could not know theÌ„ by the strangenes of their ship and sailes they did fly from them all that euer they could The which ouâ— men perceiuing could not imagine the cause thereof they were very much agréeued and sorrowfull and the more for that they could not learne nor vnderstand where they were But séeing nigh vnto them to the lewarde thrée ships they made towardes them and wheÌ„ they were somwhat nigh they put themselues as the others did In this sort they spent all the rest of the day in going from one port to an other vnto those ships for to infirme theÌ„selues where they were but all this diligence preuailed them nothing at all till it was almost sunne set they entred with their frigat into a gut vnder the shore whereas fell from a high rocke which was more than one hundreth fatham by estimation a streme of water which was as bigge as the bodies of two men together In this gut there was thrée other ships and they came to an anker in the middest amongest them the which beeing done they asked of them what countrie that was but they answered nothing nor made any semblance but looked the one vpon the other in beholding of the Spaniards they gaue great laughters In this gut they remained all that night almost amased to sée how those people were as though they were inchanted and they without any light of their desire which was to knowe wher they were So y e next day folowing which was saterday verie early in the morning they set sayle and went amongest a great sort of Ilandes alwayes bearing vnto them which they thought to be the firme lande being greatly amarueiled to sée the infinite number of shippes both great and small that they sawe some were a fishing and some vnder sayle and other some ryding at an anker The same day about noone there happened vnto them a strange miraculous thing and it was that passing through a straight that was but a quarter of a league of bredth which was betwixt the firme lande and a small Ilande in the which was continually foure score ships of warre sette there for watch and warde they passed thorough the thickest of them and were neuer seene for if they hadde without all doubt they had sonke them or slaine them their order and commission is so straight giuen them by their generalles of the sea in the which they are commanded that whatsoeuer kinde of people of strange nations that they do méete vpon the coast for to kill them or sinke them except they do bring licence from some gouernor of such Cities as be vpon the coast for that such as do meane to haue trafickâ— doo sende to demande the same leauing their ships a great way at sea This lawe for to watch and warde was made and ordayned as they do say in respect of the Iapones who did enter into certaine of their portes dissembling themselues to be Chinos being apparelled as they were and speaking their language they did vnto them great and strange hurtes and damages as is declared in the booke before this So when they were passed this straight they sayled almost sixe leagues forwardes into a verie fayre and great bay following other shippes that went before them for that it seemed that they would enter into some port and there they might informe themselues where they were which was the thing that they most desired When they had sayled about two leagues in this bay they ouertooke one of the thrée shippes and asked of the people that were within her by the interpreter they had with them whether they sayled and what lande that was which they sawe before them Then the principall that was in that ship did put himselfe into his boat the which hee had at sterne and came vnto the ship where the Spaniardes were the better to vnderstande what they did demand for they before by reason that they were somewhat farre off the one from the other could not vnderstande the Spaniards demand but by signes So when that he vnderstoode their request he answered them that it was the country of China how that he came laden with salt from the citie of Chincheo and went to make sale thereof vnto the citie of Canton which was so nigh hand that they might ariue there before night But when
there in that place till such time as they had giuen y e gouernor of the Cittie to vnderstand thereof he to send theÌ„ licence that they may enter in againe So after a good while that they had remained there wheras the guards had set them there came vnto theÌ„ a man who was a Chino called Canguin and could speake Portugal who knowing them to be Christians by their faces attire did aske them in the Portingal toong what they sought y e Spaniards answered him that their comming into that kingdom was for to shew declare to them the way to heauen to giue theÌ„ to vnderstand know y e true God the creator of heauen earth and that they would very faine talke with the gouernor to intreat therof This Chino by by brought to theÌ„ a man that could speak very good Portuges who as after they did vnderstaÌ„d both he his wife childreÌ„ were christened and although they were borne in China yet did they dwel 3. years with Portugals that were inhabited in Machao which is twenty leagues from that cittie of Canton This did demande the same question of them that the other did wherefore they came into that countrie they answered him the same as they did the other hee replied and asked them who was the Pilot that brought them thither they answered the will of God they not knowing howe nor from whence But after they had sailed at the sea certaine dayes they came vnto that place that according as it was giuen them to vnderstande is the cittie of Canton of the which they haue heard declared many straunge thinges the Chino asked howe the guardes of the sea and shippes that were in the straight aforesaid did let them passe they answered that they saw no guards nor any other that did trouble them their passage This last answere did cause the Christian Chino greatly to admire who being mooued with a good zeale said vnto them that they should returne againe vnto the shippe and not to come forth vntill such time as he had giuen aduice of their comming vnto the Mandelines of the sea which be certaine iudges appointed to giue aduice of all such matters to the gouernor that he may command what is to be done therein So the Spaniards returned vnto the shippe whereas they remained a good while and passed great heate for that it dooth excéede in that port So after a while they sawe come vnto a house which was néere vnto the gate of the Cittie a man of great authoritie who was brought in a litter Chaire much people came with him he stayed at that house and from thence sent to call vnto him the religious men and all the rest that came in their company before them all came one that carried a table all whited and thereon was written certaine great letters with blacke ynke the which as after they vnderstood was the licence that the gouernor of the cittie gaue them for to come a shoore without the which there is no stranger permitted The fathers did straightwayes obey it and came forth of their shippe with more companie then they desired of such as came to sée them who were so many in number that although the sergeants and officers of the iudge that sent for them did beate them for to make way yet was it a good while before they coulde come vnto the house whereas the iudge was although the way was but short So when they approched nigh one of â—he sergeants bad them knéele down before the iudge the which they did with great humilitie without any replication Hee was set in a verie rich Chaire with so great maiestie that they were greatly astonyed to sée it and the more when that they vnderstood by the christian Chino that he was not the gouernor neither of the supreme iudges hee was apparelled in a robe of silke close from aboue down to the foote with the sleeues very wide and a girdle imbossed and on his head a bonnet full brooches such as bishops doo vse on their mytres Before him was set a table whereon was paper and inke and on the one side and the other two rankes of men as though they were to guard him yet without weapons They had al of them in their hands long canes of foure fingers brode with the which as after they did vnderstand they do beat suâ—h as are offeÌ„ders vpon the calues of their legges with great crueltie as hath beene told you in the first bookes of this historie All these had vppon their heads a manner of helmet made of blacke leather and on them great plumes of Pecocks feathers with brooches made of mettal a thing vsed to be worne in that countrie of such as are executioners or ministers of iustice The iudge bad the interpreter to aske them of what nation they were and what they sought in that countrie and who was their guide to bring them into that port the which being vnderstoode by the religious men answered that they were Spaniards and subiect vnto the king Philip of Spaine and came thither to preach the holy gospel and to teach them to know the true God creator of the heauen and earth and to leaue off the worshiping of their Idols who haue no more power of themselues then that which is giuen them by him that doth make them the which worship is knowne and receiued by his holie law and declared by the mouth of his only begotten sonne and confirmed with diuine tokens from heauen in whose guarde doth consist the saluation of all soules And to the last touching who was their guide vnto that kingdome they answered that it was God vnto whose will all creature are subiect as vnto the true creator all the which as afterward it did appeare the interpreter did not truely interpret of the interpretation of the Spaniards vnderstanding that if hee should truely interpret what they saide the Iudge would forthwith sende them away which would be the occasion that he shuld get nothing of them So that he made his interpretatioÌ„ as it best séemed for his purpose fearing as after he did confesse that if he shuâ—d declaâ—e the truth of that which the Spaniards had said it would haue been verie odious to the Iudge afterward both vnto them and to himselfe might be the occasion of some great euill but to conclude he answered and told the Iudge that they were certaine religious men who liued in common a sharpe and asper life much after the manner of those of that kingdome and that going from the Iland of Luzon vnto the Ilands of the Illocos in a great storme and tempest that chanced them the ship wherin they were was cast away and al their people cast away sauing they who escaped by vsing great diligence and put themselues in that small ship which came in company with another greater shippe without Pilot or mariner for that they were almost all drowned and setting saile in the
they woulde liue amongst them although it were to serue them as slaues for that if they would returne vnto the Ilande of Luzon or by another name called Manilla they could not for that they knewe not the way neither had they anie Pilot to conduct them The Iudge had pittie on them and commanded that such thinges as they had in their shippe should bée brought on land for that hee woulde sée them amongst the which the thing which caused him most to maruell at was when hée sawe the Images and Ara or Alter stone of blacke Iasper stone of the which we haue made large mention hee requested of the Spaniards that they woulde giue them two Images which when they had giuen them they made shew to estéeme greatly of the present for that they were thinges that they haue not amongst them He talked with them very friendly caused them to arise from the ground whereas they did knéele and to shewe them the more fauour he caused to be giuen them to drinke in his presence a certaine beurage which they do vse made of certaine hearbs and vse it for a comfortable thing for the heart is commonly vsed amongst theÌ„ although they are not dry and amongst the Chinos is a shew of particular fauour This Iudge did more vnderstande the intent of the Spaniards then any of the other past for their interpreter had tolde vnto him that they woulde remaine in the countrie for to cure sicke persons and to bury the dead the which they could do excellent well When the Iudge heard these wordes hee gaue with his hande a great stroke vppon the table that was before him and said with showes of great wonder vnto other inferior Iudges that were with him Oh what good people are these as it séemeth it would be vnto mee a great ioy if that I coulde of mine owne authoritie accomplish that which they do desire but our lawes do forbid the same and that with great rigour All this did their interpreter tel them afterward At this time there entred into the place of audience whereas they were a man of China one of the common sort al imbrewed with blood crying out and making a great noise without any consort who prostrating himselfe vpon the ground did complaine of other Chinos with whom he had fallen out and was beaten and buffeted in cruell sort The Iudge when he saw him did straight wayes command his officers to bring the offenders before him the which was done with a trice they returned with the plaintife bringing thrée other Chinos bound togither by the armes and as it séemed they were men of base sort The Iudge incontinent made information wholly of all that passed and condemned them without writing any letter in twenty sotes or strokes a peece the officers forthwith tooke theÌ„ with so great cruelty as though they had bin diuels threwe them vpon the ground with their bellies downwards to execute the sentence giuen by the Iudge and when they had pulled off their hose they began to whippe them vpon the calues of their legges with a sot made of canes in manner as hath béene told you before The religious people who were present all this while and taking pitie on these condemned men fell downe at the féete of the Iudge and by signes and tokens did craue of him for the loue of God that his sentence might not be executed who straightwayes commanded the executioners to cease condiscending vnto the petition of the Friers and did pardon the offenders fiftéene sottes or strokes of the twentie wherein they were condemned The Iudge did very much woonder at the pouertie of these religious men and at the sharpe and asper apparell that they weare but the chiefest thing that he did maruell at was when that he vnderstoode howe they had passed the fleete of ships that were put in the straight for to defende and keepe the coast and were neuer seene which séemed vnto him a thing impossible except it were by permission of the heauen So when this examination and talke was finished he commandeâ—â—hem to returne vnto thâ—ir shippe promising them for to write vnto the vizroy who was thirtie leagues from that place and to giue him to vnderstand that they were men without any suspection and that he might wel giue them licence for to come to his presence vpon which relation hée woulde commaunde what shoulde bee doone either to tarrie or to go vnto him Within few dayes after they vnderstood that the Iudge had accomplished his promise for that the vizroy had committed the matter vnto another Iudge called Aytao whose office is for to examine and inquire the causes of strangers the wordes of the commission were as followeth I am written vnto from Canton howe that there are come thither certaine men apparelled very sharpe and asper after the fashion of our religious men in the wildernesse who bringe no weapons neither any other thing that might séeme to pretend any euill intent and for that they are thy charge examine them with care and diligence and prouide to doo therein that which shall be most requisite and conuenient giuing vs to vnderstand the large and true relation of that which shall happen The verie same day of Saint Iohn the Spaniards being verie merry and vnmindfull of any thing for that they had all that day receiued the Sacrament there came vnto them abord their shippe or frigat the interpreters and did euidently declare their euill purpose and intent saying that it was apparent what they had done for them and in what perill they did euery day put themselues in for their matters and that it was reason that they shoulde pay them for the same and if not they would not helpe theÌ„ any more neither interpret or take paines in their businesse certifying them that if they did faile to satisfie them that they should not finde any that would doo it with so great good will and diligence as they should finde by experience and how that they had béene put in prison if they had not béene for entring into that kingdome without licence and for that they enterpreted for them with great curtesie and fauour they had also béene commaunded to returne backe againe from whence they came which by their meanes was the cause that the Iudges did intreate them so friendly as they did The Father Costodio when he vnderstoode their intent and did euidently see that it was wholly grounded vppon gaine considering also the vrgent necessitie that they had of them and not satisfying them it was difficult to finde any for to helpe them in that their necessitie of two euils he chose the best and deliuered vnto them a pawne for their contentment one of the two Challices they brought with them giuing them great charge to vse and kéepe it as a sacred thing and dedicated for to consecrate the blood of Christ. The principall interpreter did take it with great content and
great ioy to sée them and to shew them the courtesie that was commanded him by the viceroy in their prouision or commission But by reason that the great number of people that would come to sée them should not be troublesome vnto theÌ„ he would passe ouer hâ—s content in séeing them for their better coÌ„moditie they shall depart in the same barke wherein they came vnto the port of Aytim wheras were certain ships that were bound vnto Luzon and that he would command they should be receiued into the said ships and to be carried with as much spéede as was possâ—ble and for the accomplishing of the same hee kept the commission of the viceroy and gaue an other commission vnto the gouernor of the port whether as hee sent them in the which he coÌ„manded to be accomplished all that he had promised The Spaniards although they would very gladly haue séene the citie of Chincheo and the mightinesse thereof yet did they accomplish that which the gouernor did coÌ„mand without anie reply for that they considered that it should come then better to passe So they came vnto the said port the next day folowing in the morning whereas they did remaine in the barke doing as they did at Chincheo sent their interpreter with the commission vnto the gouernor who presently after he had read the same sent coÌ„manded that the Spaniards should come a shore and come and sée him who did accomplish the same although with no lesse trouble than in other places by reason of the people that came to sée them The gouernor intertained them with great loue and faire words and before they departed from him he sent to call a captaine of one of the ships y t was there bound vnto Luzon and asked of him when he would depart from that place who answered within ten daies then the gouernor commanded that he should carrie them in his ship and to giue them the best intertainment that was possible who promised him to accomplish the same therwith he tooke his leaue of them and sent them with the said captaine who offered them all the fauour friendship that was requisite He presently carried them vnto his ship who after he had shewed theÌ„ the whole coÌ„moditie therof he made theÌ„ a colation or banket with great friendship They remained in this port more than fiftéene daies wheras they suffered very much colde and séeing that the ship wherein they were appointed to go was not redie neither any order for them to depart in many daies considering the great desire they had to be amongst their owne nation to take their ease and hauing knowledge of an other ship that was ready would depart they altogither went vnto the gouernor who was set in audience said vnto him with a loud voice as is vsed in al that countrie y t the captaine whom he had coÌ„manded to carrie them vnto Luzon was not readie to depart neither any signe that he would in many daies that he would giue them licence and command a captaine of an other ship that was there readie to depart and went vnto the same Iland of Luzon that he might carrie theÌ„ because they were so ill at ease and suffered so much colde that they felt great griefe When the Gouernor heard this he was very angry with great choler he commaunded one of his officers that was there with him to go presently bring before him that captaine vnto whom he had coÌ„mitted the carriage of the Spaniards y t which was accomplished and that in so short time that it caused great wonder who when he came before the gouernor had so great feare that he knew not whether he was in heauen or in earth The gouernor straighwaies asked him what was the occasion that he did not depart within the tenne daies as he had sayde The Captaine answered that they had had no wether neither at that present wherewith they might nauigate He asked him againe and saide séeing that the weather and time would not serue how is it that there is an other ship readie to depart The captaine at this demand did faulter in his spéech and answered friuolous wordes wherefore the Gouernor commanded that he should be whipped in his presence for the lie which he had tolde and as they were pulling off his apparell for to execute the commandement the Spaniards hauing pitie compassion of him for that he séemed to be an honest man they fell all vpon their knées at the gouernors féete and requested him to pardon his offence who did presently consent therunto with a good will and commanded to let him alone but he spake vnto him very sharpe wordes such as so farre foorth as the Spaniardes could perceiue by the semblance both of the one and of the other that was as much griefe vnto him as though he had béene whipped Then presently he commanded to call the captaine of that ship that was readie to depart and deliuered vnto him the commission that he had giuen vnto the other with a great penaltie and charged him to carrie the Spaniards vnto the Ilande of Luzon and charged him to bring a testimoniall from thence how that he had carried them in very good order and in saftie and left them at the place that they desired This Captaine vnderstanding what had passed with the other and because he would not sée himselfe in the like perplexitie did accept the commandement and thought the time long of his departure from thence and did promise them more than they did demand and made hast to depart â—ut of the hauen because hee would not be called backe againe CHAP. XV. The Spaniardes depart from China and go to Luzon they do passe some stormes at the sea the marriners doo call vpon the diuell by lots the religious men do reprehend them in the end they come to their desired port whereas they are receiued with much ioy THe second day of Ianuarie departed out of the port of Aytim with a prosperous wind the shippe wherein was imbarked the Spaniardes and two other which were their safe conduct but by reason it was winter the faire winde indured but a while yet came they that day vnto the Ilande of Amoy which was sixe leagues from the firme lande and there they stayed one day The next day following they went to sea to prosecute their voyage whereas they were taken with so terrible and foule weather that the ship did driue they knew not whither and many times in daunger to be drowned This storme indured four dayes although more stronger at one time than at an other in the which storme was separated the thrée ships the one from the other in such sort that euerie one tooke his way procuring to saue themselues as commonly in such cases is vsed without hauing any care the one of the other and God was so pleased that the ship wherin the Spaniards were and one of the other two entred into a
do beléeue will be pleasant to the reader and is intituled A Commentarie of the new world in the which is contayned many curious matters as you shall perceiue after the reading thereof and is declared in substance and effect by the relation of the father that did passe and sée them all who was named fryer Martin Ignacio a religious man of the order of S. Francis who after that he had compassed the whole worlde came hither to Rome with Martin Simion bishop of the Iland of Pepper in the orientall or east Indias with whom I haue had communication diuers times and is a Chalde borne and of the citie of Niniuie in Babylon and made bishop by the patriarke of Babylon The end of this booke A Commentarie or short discourse of all such notable thinges as be betwixt Spaine till you come vnto the kingdome of China and from China vnto Spaine returning by the Orientall or east Indias after that they had almost compassed the whole world Wherein is contayned all the rites ceremonies and customes of the people the riches fertilitie and strength of many kingdomes and the description of them Made and set forth by the Author of this book as well by that which he hath seene as also by true relation that he had of the religious and barefoot Fryers of the order of Saint Francis who trauailed the same the yeare 1584. CHAP. I. A Commentarie of the new world SAint Lucas de Barrameda and the Citie of Cadiz from whence ordinarily goeth foorth all such fléetes and shippes that go vnto the occident or west Indias are distant the one from the other onely fiue leagues and in thirtie seuen degrées of altitude from whence vnto the Ilandes called the Canarias is two hundred and thirtie leagues and alwayes doo Rut to the southwest and is ordinarily sailed in eight or ten dayes The seas are rough which causeth great waues for which cause it is called the gulfe of the Ieguas These Ilands which in ancient time were called Fortunadas are at this day called by the Spaniards y e Canarias which is deriued of Canes or dogs for that there was in them at such time as the Spaniardes did discouer them great quantitie of dogges very bigge fierce and braue There are of them seuen Ilands which are called Gran Canaria Tenerife Palma Gomera Yerro Lancarote and Forte Ventura and are in altitude twentie eight degrees lacking very little and haue in them many particular thinges of which I will declare some of them in briefe In the Iland of Tenerife at the farther part therof towards the north west there is a mountain called El Pico de Tereyra which vnto the iudgement of theÌ„ who haue séene it is the highest in all the worlde and is plainely seene before you come to it thrée score leagues so that a ship going from Spaine vnto those Ilandes doth discouer that mountaine first None can ascende or go vp that mountaine but in the moneths of Iuly August for that all other moneths of the yeare there is very much snow on it although in all those Ilandes it doth neuer snowe and to mount the height thereof is three daies worke on the top of the same there is a round plaine place and being thereon at such tune as it is faire weather and the seas calme and in quiet you may sée all the seuen Ilands and euerie one of them will séeme but a small thing in respect yet some of them are distant from that more than fiftie leagues it hath as much more in coÌ„passe as that In the two monethes aforesaid they do gather in the toppe thereof all the brimstone that is brought from that Iland vnto Spaine which is much in quantitie This mountaine belongeth to the duke of Maqueda by particular gift of the king In one of these seueÌ„ Ilands aforesaid called the Hierco there is a continuall woonder which in my iudgement is one of the greatest in all the worlde and worthie to be knowen amongest all meÌ„ wherby they may exalt the mightie prouidence of God and giue him thankes for the same This Iland being the greatest amongest the seuen is a countrie very asper and vnfruitfull and so drie that there is no water to be found in all the Iland but on the sea side and that in fewe places but very farre distant from the inhabitance of that Ilande But there naturall necessitie is remedied by the diuine prouidence of heauen as aforesaide and by a strange meanes which is there is a great and mightie trée vnknowen and the like hath not beene seene in any part of all the whole world whose leaues are narrowe and long and are continually gréene like Iuie vpon the which trée is séene continually a small cloud which neuer augmenteth nor diminisheth with the occasion that the leaues continually without ceasing doth distill drops of water very cleere and fine which doth fall into certaine sesâ—ernes which the inhabitantes of the townes haue made for the conseruation thereof to remedie their necessities and to sustaine thereby not onely themselues but also their cattell and beastes and is sufficient for them all yet doo they not knowe the originall and beginning of this continuall and strange miracle One hundreth leagues distant from these Ilandes towards the right hand there is an other thing of little lesse admiration then the other y t we haue spoken of which is that many times there is séen an Iland which they cal S. Borandon Many being lost at the sea haue chaunced vpon the same Iland do say that it is a very fresh and gallant Iland with great abundance of trées and sustinence inhabited with Christian people yet can they not say of what nation or language The Spaniards many times haue gone with intent to séeke it but neuer could finde it which is y e occasion that there be diuers opinions touching the same Some doo say that it is an inchanted Iland and is seene but certaine daies assigned or appointed others say that there is no other let or impediment for the finding therof but because it is so little and is continually couered with great cloudes that there runneth from it riuers which haue so great a current that it maketh it difficult to come vnto it My opinion is if it be any thing worth y t being true that which so many haue spoken of this Iland according vnto the common opinion which they haue in all the seuen Ilands of Canaria it can not be without some great mysterie for he which can cause it to be all in a cloud the swift current of the riuers to be an impediment to the finding therof can find remedie for the inhabitants to come forth if it be so for them y t be without at the sea not to go into it yet can it not be for theÌ„ within the Iland but at some time there should haue some come soorth by
of S. Austin When the Spaniardes went first vnto this Ilande according vnto y e report of the reuerende father de Las Casas bishop of Chiapa was in the yeare 1509. This Iland was so full of trées and fruite that they gaue it the name of the Guertas and there were in it sixe hundreth thousande Indios of the which at this day there remaineth not one From this Ilande vnto the Ilande of Santo Domingo is foure score leagues I say from one port vnto an other and from poynt to point but twelue leagues They doo ordinarilie go from one port to an other in thrée dayes but to returne they are more than a moneth for because the winde is contrarie CHAP. III. Of the Iland of Santo Domingo called Hispaniola and of their properties THe Iland Hispaniola which by an other name is called Santo domingo by reason that it was discouered as that day it is in eightéene degrées and was the first that was discouered in the Indias by the captaine Christopher Colon worthie of immortall memorie it was inhabited in the yeare of 1492. This Iland is in compasse more than sixe hundreth leagues it is diuided into fiue kingdomes the one of theÌ„ is now called the Vega which at the time that it was discouered was called Neagua it hath foure score leagues in compasse and stretcheth all of them from the north vnto the south out of the which sea as doth testifie the reuerende of Ciapa in his booke doth enter onely into the kingdome thirtie thousand riuers and running brookes twelue of them as great as Ebro Duero Guadalquiuir in Spaine The foresaide bishop doth also speake of an other maruaile which is that the most part of these riuers those which do distil and run from the mountaines which is towardes the west are very rich of gold and some of it very fine as is that which is takeÌ„ out of the mynes of Cibao which is very well knowen in that kingdome also in spaine by reason of the great perfectioÌ„ therof out of y e which myne haâ—h béene taken out a péece of virgin golde so bigge as a twopennie wheaten loafe and did weigh three thousand and sixe hundred Castillianos the which was sonke and lost in the sea in carrying of it into Spaine as doth testifie the aforesaid reuerend bishop In this Ilande there is greater quantitie of cattell than in the other Iland of Puerto rico there is made much sugar and gathered much ginger and Cannafistula and also manie sortes of fruits such as is in Spaine as others different of the countrie that in abundance there are also great store of hogs whose fleshe is as holesome and as sauorie as is mutton in Spaine and is verie good cheape a heyfor is bought for eight ryalles of plate and all other thinges of that countrie after the rate although that the marchandice of Spaine is verie deere It is a countrie of verie much golde if there were people for to take it out and manie pearles In all this Ilande they gather no wheate but in the bishopricke of Palensuela although in many other places the ground would yéeld it very well if they would sowe it But nature which was woont to supplie necessities dooth accomplish the lacke of wheate to giue them in stéede thereof a roote which dooth growe in that Ilande in great quantitie abundance and dooth serue them for bread as it did vnto the naturall people of that countrie when the Spaniards went thither It is white and is called Casaue the which being grinded brought into meale they doo make bread thereof for their sustinence the which although it is not so good as that which is made of wheat meale yet may they passe therwith and sustaine themselues This countrie is verie hoat by reason whereof their victuals are of small substance The principall citie of that Ilande is called Santo Domingo for the reason abouesaid in the which is an arch-bishop a royall audience or chauncerie this Citie is built on the sea side and hath to it a great riuer the which dooth serue them for their port or hauenâ— and is verie secure There is in it thrée monasteries of religious friers and two of Nunnes In this Ilande as saith the reuerende bishop of Chiapa in his booke there were wheÌ„ as the Spaniards came first thether thrée millions of men naturall Indians of the which at this day there is not two hundred left and yet the most part of them be sonnes vnto Spaniardes and blacke mores borne of the Indians women All their sugar milles and other places are inhabited with negros of the which there may be in that Ilande about twelue thousand It is a holsome countrie vnto theÌ„ that dwell therein The sea is ful of whales and that in abundance which are séene by such as do come in their ships many times they are in feare of them But aboue all other there is an infinit nuÌ„ber of great fishes called Tiburones are in great skule they are marueilously affected vnto humaine flesh wil folow a shippe fiue hundred leagues without leauing of it one day Many times they haue taken of the fishes and do finde in their bellies all such filth as hath béene throwne out of their shippe in many dayes sailing and whole shéepes heads with hornes and all If they chance to finde a man in the waters side he wil eate him all if not all that he doth fasten on he doth sheare it cleane away be it a legge or an arme or half his body as many times it hath béene séene and they doo it very quickly for that they haue many rowes of téeth in their heads which be as sharpe as Rasers CHAP. IIII. Of the way and the Ilandes that are betwixt this Iland of Santo Domingo and the kingdome of Mexico THe first Ilande that is after you are departed from Santo Domingo is that which ordinarily is called Nauala the which is one hundred and twelue leagues from y e cittie of Santo domingo and is seuentéene degrees and is but a small Iland and nigh vnto that is another which is called Iamayca of fiftie leagues in Longitude and fourtéene in Latitude there was wont to be about them many Vracanes which are spowts of water with many blustering winds This word Vracan in the Indian tongue of those Ilands is as much to say as the ioyning of all the foure principall winds togither the one forcing against the other the which ordinarily dooth blow vppon this coste in the monethes of August September and October by reason whereof such fléetes as are bound vnto the Indies doo procure to passe that coast before these thrée monethes or after for that by experience they haue lost many ships in those times From this Iland they go vnto the Ilande of Cuba which is in twenty degrées in the which is the port of Hauana
which is called the Cape of San Anton they doo put two hundreth and fiue and twenty leagues of Longitude and of Latitude sixe and thirty it is inhabited with Spaniards who conuerted all the rest vnto the faith of Christ there is in it a bishop and monasteries of religious Friers When that any ships do go vnto Noua Espania they haue sight of them likewise when they do returne all those which do come from the Peru do enter into the foresaid port of the Hauana which is a very good port and sure and there is to be had all kind of prouision necessary and belonging vnto the fleetes and ships some which the Ilande dooth yéeld it selfe and other some brought from other places but in particular there is great store of very good timber as wel for the repairing of ships as for other thinges with the which they do ordinarily balest their ships that come for Spaine The kinges maiesty hath in this a gouernor and a captaine with very good souldiers for the defence therof and of a fort which is in the same harbor the best that is in all the Ilands This Iland of Cuba was discouered in the yeare 1511. and was in it being of the bignesse aforesaid a great number of naturall people and now but a very fewe it hath a riuer wherein is very much gold according vnto the opinion of the natural people and was tolde by the fathers vnto their children the which was cast into that riuer by the natural people in this order following There was a Casique called Hatuey who for feare that hée had of the Spaniards came from the Iland Hispaniola vnto this Iland with many of his people and brought al their riches with much golde amongst them who by the relation of other Indians of Santo Domingo wheras he had béen king vnderstood that the Spanyardes were comming vnto that Iland whereupon he gathered togither all his people and many of that Iland and made a parley vnto them saying It is said of a certeintie that the Christians doo come into this Iland and you doo well vnderstand by experience what they haue done by the people of the kingdome of Aytim which was the Iland Hispaniola the like will they doo here by vs but doo you know wherfore they doo it they answered and saide because they were of their owne nature cruel The Casique saide no that they did it not therefore but because they had a God whom they did worship because they will haue him from vs they doo kil vs and in saying these words he tooke forth a basket with golde iewels which he brought thither in secret and shewed it vnto thē saying this is their God that I spake off let vs make vnto them Ateytos the which are sports and dances and possible we shall please them then wil they command their people not to do vs any harme For y e accomplishing furnishing of the same euery one of them brought that which they had in their houses made therof a great mountaine of wheate and danced rounde about the same till they were werie then the Casique saide I haue thought with my self whilest we were dancing that howsoeuer it be these that do come wil kil vs for whether we do kéep our treasure or giue it vnto them with couetousnes to séeke more from vs we shall die therefore let vs throw it into this riuer the which they did with a common consent and good will From thir point or cape of Sant Anton they saile to the port of San Iuan de Lua which is on the firme land of Mexico two hundreth and thirtie leagues from the said point in all that bay there is great fishing but in especial of one kind of fish which is called Mero the which are so easie to be taken that in one day they may lade not shippes but whole fléetes and many times it happeneth that they bring so many to their ships that that they throw them again into the sea for lack of salt to salt them with They passe in sight of an Iland called Campeche the which is a gallant fresh country nigh vnto the kingdom of Mexico in it is great store of victuals but specially hony and waxe and is thrée hundreth leagues compasse al the people of that Iland are conuerted vnto the law of our Lord Iesus Christ. There is in it a bishop and a cathedrall Church a gouernor for his maiestie and monasteries of Friers Within few dayes after they depart from this Ilande and come vnto the port of saint Iohn de Lua in the which by reason that it hath many flats it is requisite to be carefull for to enter into it his maiestie hath in it a fort which is good and strong Fiue leagues from this port is the Cittie of the Vera Cruz whereas is the whole trade traficke and there is resident the kings officers it is a hot country by reason that it is in ninetéene degrées but well replenished of all kinde of victuals it was wont to be vnholesome but now they say it is not so much they know not what shoulde bee the occasion whether it bee by the moouings of the heauens or by the good gouernement and discretion of them that do dwel in it This cittie is from the citie of Mexico y e which is metropolitā of al that kingdom and by whom al the rest is gouerned seuentie leagues al y e way inhabited ful of townes both of Indians Spaniards so great store of prouision y t it seemeth to be y e land of promission It is mauellous temperate in such sort that almost throughout al the whole yeare it is neither whot nor cold neither dooth night excéede the day nor the day the night but a very little by reason that it is almost vnder the Equinoctiall line The mightinesse of this kingdome and some particularities you shall vnderstand of in the Chapter following CHAP. V. Of the bignesse of the kingdome of Mexico and of some particular and notable things that are in it THis kingdome of Mexico is the firme land on the one side it hath the North sea and on the other side the South sea it is not possible to declare the bredth and length thereof for that vnto this day it is not all discouered Euery day they doo finde and discouer new countries as in the yeare of fourescore and thrée you may perceiue by the entry which was made by Antonio de Espeio who with his companions did discouer a countrie in the which they found fiftéene prouinces al ful of townes which were full of houses of foure and fiue stories high the which they did name Nueuo Mexico for that it doth resemble the old Mexico in many thinges It is towards the North and they do beleeue that that way by inhabited place they may come vnto that country which is called of the Labrador
The pronunciation of their wordes is neither in the nose nor in the throte It is vnderstood that they be all Gentiles by certaine signes and tokens that our people haue seene them do and that they doo worship Idols and the diuell vnto whom they do sacrifice such as they do take in the warres of their borderers It is thought that they doo descend of the tartares by some particularities that is found amongst theÌ„ the which do draw very nigh vnto some that they do vse These Ilandes are south north with the land of Labrador which is nigh vnto the new found lande and not farre distant from the Ilande of Iapon It is knowen for a trueth that they do deale with the Tartares and that they do buy yron for to sell it vnto them The Spaniards did giue name vnto these Ilandes as they passed by the Ilandes of Ladrones which is of théeues for that they are very bolde and subtile in their sâ—ealinges in the which facultie the Egyptians that are in our Europa may go to schoole with them for the verie facultie therof I will declare vnto you one thing that happened in the presence of many Spaniardes the which did cause them greatly to maruaile which is there was a marriner commanded by the captaine of the ship to kéepe the sterneborde side not to suffer any of them to enter therein and being as one amased to sée so many Canoas that came thether the which be small barkes or botes made all of one péece one of them diued downe vnder the water till he came there whereas the marriner was vnmindfull of any such matter should happen vpon a soddaine without séeing the other he snatched his sword out of his hand went vnder the water againe therwith the marriner made a noise declared the knauerie that y e Ilander had done vnto him whervpon there were certaine souldiers y t made their hargubushes ready to shoot at him when he appeared froÌ„ vnder y e water This Ilander perceiuing it came foorth swimmed aboue the water shewing his handes made signes y t he had nothing in theÌ„ which was the occasion that they did not shoot at him So after a while that he had beene there resting of himselfe he returned and diued vnder the water againe swam so farre as he thought that the bullet of the hargubush could not reach to hurt him and finding himselfe in securitie he tooke the sword from betwixt his legges whereas he did carrie it in secret and beganne to florish with the same mocking our people whom he had so easily deceiued This kind of stealing and many others which they had done and that with great subtiltie is the occasion that they beare the names of théeues and all the Ilandes whereas they doo dwell doo beare the name thereof the which they will easily pardon if they might ordinarily finde where as they might execute their inclination CHAP. XII They depart from the Ilandes of the Ladrones and come vnto them of Luzon or Philippinas by an other name and doo declare the particular thoughts of those Ilandes FRom this Iland of Ladrones nauigating towards y e west almost two hundred leagues till they came to a mouth called of the holy ghost they straightwaies doo enter into the Archipelago which is an infinite number of Ilands almost all inhabited with their own naturall people But many conquered by the Spaniardes eyther by force of warre or friendship Four score leagues from this is the citie of Manilla which is vpon the Iland of Luzon there whereas ordinarily dwelleth the gouernor of all those Ilandes the officers of his maiestie therein is a bishop and a cathedrall church This citie standeth in fourtéen degrées a quarter and round about the same there are so many Ilandes that vnto this day there is none that euer could number them they do extend all of them northwest and southwest north south in so much that the one part stretcheth vnto the straight of Sincapura which is fiue and twentie leagues from Malaca and the other part vnto the Malucos other Ilandes whereas they gather a great number of cloues pepper ginger of the which there are great mountaines full The first that discouered these Ilands were Spaniards which came to theÌ„ in the coÌ„pany of y e famous Magellanes made no conquest of theÌ„ for that they knew better to nauigate then to conquer by reason whereof after they had discouered and passed the straight which vnto this day beareth the title of his name and came vnto the Ilande of Zubu whereas they did baptise certaine of the inhabitance and afterwards in a banket the same Ilanders did kill him and other forty of his companions which was the occasion that Sebastian de Guetaria a naturall Biskin borne for to escape with his life did put himselfe in a shippe that remained of the voyage which afterwards was named the victorie and in her and with a few people that helped him with the fauour of God he came vnto Siuell hauing compassed the whole world from the Orient vnto the Ponient a thing which caused vnto all men great admiration but in particular vnto the Emperor Charles the fift of famous memorie who after he had giuen many gifts and fauours vnto the said Sebastian de Guetaria hee gaue order that a new armie should be made ready and to returne againe in demande of the said Ilands and to discouer that new world So when all things were in a redinesse for to depart on their voyage the which was done with great breuitie they ordained for generall of all that sleete one Villa Lobos commanding him to go by the Nueua Espania This Villa Lobos arriued at the Ilands of Malucas and at those of Terrenate at other Ilands ioyning vnto them the which Ilands were laid to gage by the aforesaid Emperor vnto the crowne of Portugal In these Ilands they had great wars by meanes of the Portugals and séeing themselues with little helpe and small resistance for to go forwards with their conquest they left it off and went to the most part of them with the aforesaide Portugals vnto the India of Portugall from whence afterwards they sent them as prisoners vnto the said king of Portugall as offenders that had entred his Ilands without his licence who did not onely leaue to do them any harme but did intreat them very well and sent them vnto their owne country of Spaine gaue them al thinges necessary for their iourney and that in aboundance Then certaine yeares after Don Philip king of Spaine being very willing that the discouering shoulde go forwards which the Emperor his father had so earnestly procured sent and commanded Don Luys de Velasco who was his vizroy of the Nuoua Espania that he would ordaine an army and people for to returne and discouer the said Ilands and to sende in the said fléete for gouernor of all
that should bée discouered Miguel Lopez de Legaspi who did accomplish all that his maiestie had commanded and made the discouerie thereof in such order as the first relation of the entrie of the fathers of the order of Saint Austen into the China dooth more at large appeare Of ancient time these Ilandes were subiect vnto the king of China vntill such time as hee did deliuer them vp of his owne frée will for such reasons as were spoken off in the first part of this historie that was the occasion that when y e Spaniards came vnto them they were without Lorde or heade or anie other to whom they shoulde shewe duetie but hee which had most power and people did most command so that this and that there were so many of equal power was the occasion that ciuill warres continued without any respect of nature kinred or any other duety but like vnto brute beasts killing spoiling and captiuing one another the which was a great helpâ— vnto the Spaniards for to subiect that countrie with so great ease vnto the king and called them the Ilands Philippinas in respect of his name They did vse amongst them to make captiues and slaues such as they did take in vnlawfull wars and for trifling matters the which God did remedie by the going thither of the Spaniards for you should haue a man with fortie or fiftie other friends in his company or seruants that vpon a sodaine would go and set vpon a small village of poore people and vnprouided and take and binde them all and carrie them away for slaues without any occasion or reason and make theÌ„ to serue them all the dayes of their life or else sell them to other Ilands And if it so chanced that one did lende vnto another a basket or two of Rice the which might bee woorth a ryall of plate with condition to returne it againe within ten dayes if the debter did not pay it the same day the next day following he should pay it dooble and afterward to double it euery day so long as he did kéepe it which in conclusion the debt would grow to be so great that to pay the same he is forced to yéeld himselfe for captiue and slaue But vnto all such as were captiued in this order or in such like the king of Spaine hath commanded to giue libertie yet this iust commandement is not in euery point fulfilled and accomplished because such as should execute the same haue interest therein All these Ilandes were Gentiles and Idolaters but now there is amongst them many thousands baptised vnto whom the king hath shewed great mercie in sending vnto theÌ„ the remedie for their soules in so good time for if the Spaniards had stayed any more yeares they had béene all Moores at this day for thâ—t there were come vnto the Ilande of Barneo some of that sect that did teach them and lacked little for to worship that false prophet Mahomet whose false peruerse and corrupt memory was with the Gospell of Christ easily rooted out In al these Ilands they did worshippe the sunne and moone and other second causes figures of men and women which are called in their language Maganitos at whose feastes which they do make veâ—y sumptuous with great ceremonies and superstition they doo call Magaduras But amongst them all they haue in most veneration an Idoll whome they called Batala the which reuerence they had for a tradition yet can they not say what should be the occasion that he should deserue more then any of the rest to bee had in so great estimation In certaine Ilands not farre off called the Illocos they did worship the diuell and made vnto him many sacrifices in recompence of a great quantitie of gold hee had giuen vnto them but nowe by the goodnesse of God and the great diligence put and done by the fathers of the order of saint Austen who were the first that passed into those parts and liued worthely and also by the friers of saint Francis which went thither tenne yeares after all these Ilands or the most part of them are baptised and vnder the ensigne of Iesu Christ and the rest which doo remaine and are not is more for lacke of ministers and preachers then for any obstinacie of their parts There is nowe gone thither certaine fathers of the order called Iesuits who will be a helpe vnto them with their accustomed zeale and labour And nowe goeth thither many other religious men very well learned and apostolike of the order of saint Dominicke who will doo their indeuour to conuâ—rt them vnto Christ as it behooueth Christians to do CHAP. XIII Here is declared of some notable things that are and haue beene seene in these Ilands Philippinas THey of these Ilandes were accustomed to celebrate their feastes aforesaid and to make sacrifices vnto their Idols by the order of certaine women which were witches whome they do call in their language Holgoi y t were had in as great estimation amongst theÌ„ as be the priests amongst Christians These did talke ordinarily with the diuell and many times in publike and do diuellish witchcrafts both in words and déeds into whom it is to be beléeued that the diuell did enter for that straightwayes they did answere vnto all things that were demanded of them although for the most part they woulde tell a lie or els such wordes that might bee giuen diuers interpretations of and of diuers vnderstandings They did also vse to cast lottes in such sorte as hath bene declared in the first part of this history they were great Agorismers or obseruers of times in so much that if they begin any iourney and at the beginning they méete with a Cayman or lyzarde or any other sauage worme they know it to be a signe of euill fortune whereupon they would straightwayes leaue off their iourney although it did import them very much and returne vnto their houses saying that the heauen will not that they shoulde go forwards on that iourney but all these lies and falsenes which béene taught them they perswaded to by the diuell is ouerthrowne and taken away by the law of the Gospel as aforesaide haue now amongst them many monasteries full of religious men of the order of saint Austen saint Francis and of Iesuits According vnto the common opinion at this day there is conuerted and baptised more then foure hundred thousand soules which is a great number yet in respect of the quantitie that are not as yet conuerted there are but a few It is left vndone as aforesaid for want of ministers for that although his maiesty doth ordinarily send thither without any respect of the great charge in doing the same yet by reason that there are so many Ilands and euerie day they doo discouer more more and being so far off they cannot come vnto them all as necessitie requireth Such as are baptised doo receiue the fayth with great firmenesse and are good Christians
did sée them do reuerence vnto their Idols or vnto the diuell or any other euill thing they did reprehend theÌ„ with great liberty who did not onely séeke to hurt theÌ„ for the same but did greatly reioyce to heare their reasons wherewith they did prohibite or forbid them The said frier did tell me that one day passing by an hermitage whereas dwelled an hermite who had vpon the altar in the same an Idoll for his saint before whom was there a Chino a principall man worshipping the same the said father without any feare went vnto him began to reprehende him and to spit at the Idoll caused him therewith to leaue off his worshipping whereof he was greatly amased both he all the rest of his companie to sée with what boldnes it was done and no harme done vnto him for the same eyther they supposed that y e Chino did thinke him to be a mad man or else which is most to be beléeued y t God did worke with his seruant wherby he would giue him his reward for thatwhich he had done in returning for his honor in mittigating the furie of that man to giue him vnderstanding y t he was reprehended with reason There are many Chinos conuerted to the faith as well in the Ilands Philippinas as in the citie of Machao and they baptise of them daily who giuetokens and outwarde showes to bee good christians and say that the greatest difficultie for to conuert all the whole kingdome will be in them that doo gouerne in the same for they had néede of a particular ayde and helpe of the mercie of God to bring them vnto the faith for that they are had in reuerence and obeyed as Gods vpon the earth Besides this they do giue themselues to all delightes that any humaine creature can imagine for that they put all their felicitie therein and doo it with so great extremitie that it is supposed there is no people in all the worlde that may be compared vnto them For besides that they are alwayes carried in little chayres and vpon mens shoulders which are couered with silke golde yet are they giuen much vnto bankets wherein they haue so many different sortes of meates as their appetites doo require And it is greatly to bee maruailed at that the women of this kingdome are marueilous chast and secret as any whatsoeuer and to the contrarie the men are as vicious but in especiall the Lords and Gouernors and for that our faith do reprehend with rigor and terror the excesse of these thinges it is to be beleeued that it will be a great impediment to the entrie of the gospell amongst them yet God may so touch them and in such sort that there will be no difficultie Amongest the common people there will be no such impedimeÌ„t but rather they will embrace with great content our holy law for y t it will be an occasion to cleare set them at libertie from the tyrannie of the diuell and from their Iudges and Lords who do intreate them as slaues This is the opinion of all them that haue entred into this kingdome and haue intreated of this matter with the Chinos They haue amongest them some good thinges and woorthie to be imitated and folowed of the which I will here set downe two which are thinges of great purpose to my iudgement The one is that vnto none they do giue the office to gouerne by no manner of wayes nor meanes although they be suborned by friendship but onely by his owne merites and sufficient abilitie The seconde that none can be viceroy gouernour nor Iudge of a prouince or citie in the which hee is naturall borne the which they say is done to take away the occasion of dooing any iniustice beeing carried away or led by parentes or friendshippe All other thinges of this kingdome I do remit vnto that which hath bin before declared for to passe vnto the rest the which in this Itinerario is promised to be mentioned and declared CHAP. XIX This chapter doth treate of the Ilands of Iapon and of other thinges in that kingdome THe Ilandes of Iapon are many and altogether make a mightie kingdome y t is diuided amongest many lords it is distant froÌ„ the firme land of China thrée hundred leagues in the middest betwixt both kingdoms is the prouince of Lanquin which is one of the fiftéene afore named although going froÌ„ Machao a city of the Portingals ioyning vnto Canton which is of the proper China they do make it but 250 leagues trauelling towards the north commonly they do account the same leagues froÌ„ the Ilands of Luzon or Philippinas vnto the said Ilands of Iapon whereunto they may go by noua hispania for y t it is the better surer nauigation and shorter voyage for according vnto the reckoning of the pylots that do nauigate those seas they make it no more theÌ„ 1750. leagues which is not halfe of that which the Portingals make in their nauigation These Ilands are many as afore said yet are they populared with much people who in their bodies faces differ very little froÌ„ the Chinos although not so politike by the which it séemed to be true y t which is found written in the histories of the kingdom of China saying that these Iapones in old time were Chinas that they came from that mightie kingdome vnto these Ilands wheras they do now diuell for this occasion folowing A kinsman of a king of China a man of great countenance and valour hauing conceiued within his brest for to kill the king thereby to make himselfe lorde of the countrie the better to put this in execution he gaue to vnderstand of his euill intent vnto others of his friends requesting their fauour to execute y e same promising that he would do his best This being done hauing them alwaies for his especiall friends vnto whom it seemed no difficult thing and againe moued with ambition they did promise him and for the better confirmation thereof they began to prepare souldiers to haue theÌ„ readie against y e day appointed And for y t this their pretence could not be brought to effect with such secrecie as the matter required their treason came to be discouered vnto the king at such good oportunitie y t he might very well séeke remedie for his owne safegarâ— at his pleasure vnlooked for of his kinsman the rest of his followers who were all taken with great ease Then was it determined by those of the royall councell that all the traitors should haue their throts â—ut according vnto the lawes of the countrie but when their sentence was carried vnto the king to be confirmed he vnderstanding y t they much repented were sorie for their sin and treason that they had pretended against him he determined to remedie the same with lesse damage fearing what might happeÌ„ by their deaths so y t he coÌ„manded they should not
die but be banished for euer out of the kingdome with precise band y t they their wiues children al that should come of them should for euer liue on those Ilands that are now called Iapon which were at y t time desert without people This sentence was executed the offenders did accept the same for mercie So they were caried to y e said Ilands wheras when they saw thēselues out of their naturall countrie without any possibility euer to returne againe they ordained their cōmon wealth as a thing to last for euer directing all their lawes which were for their conseruation gouernment contrarie vnto the Chinos from whence they came But in particular they made one wherin they did prohibite for euer their descendents to haue any frindship with the Chinos did admonish them to do them all the euill that was possible which is obserued kept vnto this day inuiolable shewing thēselues their contraries in all they may euen in their apparell spéech customes for the which there is no nation so abhorred of the Chinos as is the Iapones so that they are payd their hatred with the like And although at that time the said Iapones were subiectes and tributaries vnto the king of China and so continued long time after now at this day they are not but do all harme that may be vnto those of that kingdome They haue much siluer but not so fine as that is of our Indians likewise great abundance of rice and flesh and in some parts wheate although they haue all this with many fruits and herbes other things which be their ordinary victuals yet are they not so well prouided as are their cōfines or neighbors and no default in the lande for that it is verie good and fruitefull But that the naturall people do giue themselues verie little vnto the tilling and sowing thereof for that they are more affectioned vnto the warres then vnto that and this is the reason that many times they do lack prouision and victuals which is the verie same reason that the naturall people others do report of them There be in these Ilandes thrée score sixe kingdoms or prouinces and many kings although it may be better said rulers or principals such as the Spaniardes found in the Ilands of Luzō for which cause although they be called kings yet are they not neither in their cōtractation nor rent for they haue verie little in respect of the multitude of people The king Nobunanga who died in the yeare 1583. was the most principall and greatest Lord amongst them all as well of people as of riches who was slaine by a captaine of his and punished by God by this meanes for his luciferine pride for that it did farre excéede that of Nabuchadonozor and was come vnto that point that he would haue béene worshipped for a God for the which he commanded to make a sumptuous temple and to put in it thinges that did well declare and showe his follie of the which that you may sée how farre it did extend I will declare here onely that which he did promise vnto them that did visite his temple First the rich men that came vnto the saide temple and did worshippe his picture should be more richer and those that were poore should obtaine great riches and both the one and the other that had no successors to inherite their goods should also obtaine them and also long life for to enioy the same with great peace and quietnesse The second that their life should be prolonged to 80. yeares The third that they should bee hole of all their infirmities and diseases and shall obtaine full accomplishment of all their desires with health and tranquillitie And the last he commanded that euery month they should celebrate a feast for his birth day and therein to visite his temple with certification that all those that did beléeue in him and in that which hee promised should without all doubt sée it accomplished and those which in this life were faultie and did not doo in effect his commaundement in the other they should goe the way to perdition And the better to accomplish this his will he commaunded to be put in this temple al the Idols in his kingdomes that were most worshipped such as to whom frequented most pilgrimes the which being done he presently forbad rhat not one of them all should be worshipped but he onely that was the true Fotoque and vniuersall God the author and creator of nature This foolishnesse did this proud king a little before his miserable death and many other more that I do leaue out for feare that I should be too tedious in this Itinerario There did succéed this proude king in the kingdome his sonne called Vozequixama who for that he is very yong at this day it is gouerned by a worthy captaine called Faxiuandono All men that are borne in this land are naturally inclined to warres and robberies and it is vsed ordinarily amongst themselues alwayes he that hath most power and strength doth carry away the best part and yet he doth inioy it with little securitie for that as the prouerbe saith he findeth a last for his shoo or the length of his foote is found and another commeth when he thinketh least off and carrieth away their spoile with victorie reuenging iniuries the one for the other without being requested thereunto which is the occasion that they are neuer without ciuill warres that séemeth to bée the influence of the clime of that land This and the continual exercise in armes and in robberies hath giuen them the name of warriers and do terrifie all their borderers and neighbors They vse many weapons but especially hargabusses swords and lances and are very expert in them On the firme land of China they haue done many suddaine robberies and thefts and haue gone thorough therewith at their pleasure and would haue done the like at the Ilands of Luzon vsed for the same all meanes possible but yet it fell out contrary vnto their meanings and returned their backes full euill against their wils with their hands vpon their owne heads On a time they came vnto the Illocos who with the fauour of the Spaniards whose vassals they are did desende themselues worthily that the Iapones thought it best to returne vnto their houses and to leaue their begun pretence with determination neuer to put themselues in the like perill for that they had lost many of their companie Not many yeares since there happened vnto them the like disgrace in China there went tenne thousande of them to robbe and steale and at their going on lande they did sacke a cittie with little hurt and smal resistance who with the content of that pray forgot themselues and did not preuent the harme that might chance vnto them the Chinos being offended did compasse them about in such sort that when the Iapones remembred themselues they were in
that case that they were constrained to yéelde vnto their enimies who at their willes did repay themselues very well of the iniurie receiued and a very good warning vnto all those that shall heare thereof to slie from putting themselues into the like trance so the Chinos were very wel reuenged of the iniury by them receiued The faith of Christ is very well planted in some of these Ilands by the good diligence and trauell of the fathers and Iesuites but in particular by that which was doone by master Francisco Xabier one of the tenne companions of the father Ignacio de Loyola founder of the saide religion hee trauelled with great zeale in the conuerting of the saide Ilands and that which was a great helpe vnto the same was his holy doctrine and apostolike life as vnto this day the Iapones doo confesse attributing vnto him next vnto God the goodnesse that hath come vnto them by receiuing the baptisme whome the fathers of that companie haue followed in all pointes such as remained after his death as also such as haue gone thither since that time So that vnto them may bee attributed the thankes for the mollifying of such adamantine hearts as are those of y e natural people of these Ilandes whose wittes although they be good and subtill are naturally knowne to be inclined vnto warres robberies and doing of euill and at this day being Christians they do followe their euill inclinations yet notwithstanding by the good doctrine and ensample of the saide fathers they are much better Christians then those of the Orientall or East Indians I do not set downe here the number of those that are baptised in these Ilands for that there are therein diuers opinions as also for that the fathers of the name of Iesus or Iesuits doo distinctly declare in their letters The Portugals say that in respect of the number of people that are to bée conuerted the number that are baptised are very fewe and that there are many that are not for lacke of ministers and preachers the which may easily be remedied in commaunding to go thither more religious men of other orders for to aide and helpe the saide Iesuites the which shoulde be vnto them a particular content and comfort as I doo beléeue as hath béene seene by experience in all partes of the Indians whereas haue come religious men vnto places of their doctrine for that the quantitie of people is so great that are in these Ilandes that although there shoulde go thither many laborers of the Gospell and all the orders of religious men the one shoulde not be a let or hinderance vnto the other and they shoulde all of them finde enough to occupie themselues especially if that the successor of Nobunanga were conuerted with his subiectes All the men of these Ilands are well set and well proportioned and go well apparelled although not in so good order as those of China they liue verie healthfully and long by reason that they doo vse verie fewe diuersities of meates they doo not suffer amongst them any Phisitians and doo not cure themselues but with simples They haue amongst them many priests of their Idols whom they do call Bonsos of the which there be great couents Likewise they haue amongst them great witches who do ordinarily talke with the diuell and are not a small impediment for thē to receiue the lawe of God in that kingdome The women or wiues of these Iapones do kéepe themselues very close and very seldome go forth of their houses in the which they do resemble those of China much as hath béene said yet haue they many wiues for that by their lawes it is lawfull for them to haue as they please can sustaine yet are they so prudent that they do restraine themselues and liue in great peace Both men-seruants and women-seruants do serue their masters as though they were slaues they may kill them at their pleasure without incurring any penalty of their lawes a thing far different from any good policie Many other things more could I declare of this kingdome the which I do let passe for the reason aforesaid and againe for that the fathers of the company of Iesus haue intreated thereof at large and vere truely Not farre from these Ilands of Iapon they haue discouered of late certaine Ilandes which are called of the Amazones for that they are all inhabited by women whose ordinary weapons are bowes and arrowes and are very expert in the same they haue their right brest drie the better to exercise their bow Unto these Ilands in certaine monethes euery yeare goeth certaine shippes from Iapones with merchandice and they bring from thence such as they haue there in the which time the men do deale with the Amazones as with their own proper wiues for to avoide dangers that might happen amongst themselues they deale in this order following After that their shippes are aryued there goeth on shore two messengers for to giue aduice vnto the quéene of their arriuall and of the number of men that are in their shippes who dooth appoint a day when they shall all come on shoare the which day shee doth carrie to the waters side the like number of women as they bee of men but the saide women doo first come thither before the men doo disembarke themselues and euery one of them dooth carry in their hande a paire of shooes or a paire of slippers and on them their owne seuerall marke and do leaue them on the sands at the waters side without any confort or order and presently departe from thence Then the men come on shoare and euery one take the first paire of shooes that he commeth vnto and put them on then presently the women come forth and euery one of them carryeth with her him who hath fallen vnto her by lot to put on her shooes and maketh him her guest without any other particularitie although it chanceth vnto the most vilest of them all to méete with the quéenes shooes or otherwise to the contrarie So when the monethes are expired set downe by the quéene in the which are permitted the men aforesaid they doo depart euerie one leauing with his hostis his name and the towne where hee dwelleth for that if it so fall out that they bee with child and be deliuered of a sonne that hee may bee carried the yeare following vnto his father but the daughters do remaine with them This is very doubtfull to bee beléeued although I haue bin certified by religious men that haue talked with persons that within these two yeares haue béene at the saide Ilands haue séene the said women and that which causeth me more to stand in doubt is for that the fathers of the companie that dwell at the Iapones haue not in their letters made any particular mention of them therefore let euery one giue credite to this as liketh him best CHAP. XX. They haue notice of certaine kingdomes borderers vnto these
Ilands of Iapon and it treateth of some thinges of them according vnto the truest intelligence that hath come from those parts of certaine miracles that happened in the kingdome of Cochinchina that were notable FRom the Cittie of Machao which is inhabited by Portugals and situated on the skirt of the firme lande of China in two and twentie degrées the aforesaide father Ignacio did trauell for Malaca passing by the gulfe of Aynao which is an Ilande and prouince of China and fiue leagues from the firme lande and from the Philippinas one hundreth and fourescore It is a very rich prouince and of great prouision and in the straight that is betwixt them and the firme lande there is great fishing of pearles and Aliafar and those which are there founde do in many killats excéede them that are brought from Bareu which is on y e coast of Arabia or those that are brought from Manar which is another kingdome from whence is brought many vnto that of China This prouince of Aynao is very good and strong and the people thereof very docible and well inclined From this Ilande to the kingdome of Cochinchina is fiue and twenty leagues and from Machao one hundreth and twentie fiue it is a mightie kingdome and is in sixtéene degrées of altitude and the one part therof is ioyned with the firme land of China The whole is deuided into thrée prouinces The first dooth enter forty leagues into the lande and hath in it a mightie king The second is more farther within the land and he that is Lord thereof is a king of greater power then the first and ioyning vnto the sun more towards the Septentrion is the thirde the which is more greater and of more riches whose king in respect of the other two is an Emperor and is called in their language Tunquin which doth signifie the same Unto him be subiect y e other two kings yet notwithstanding his mighitinesse and called emperour hee is subiect vnto the king of China and dooth pay him tribute and parias It is a countrie very well prouided of victuals and as good cheape as in China There is great stoare of a wood called Palo de Agnila and of another woode called Calambay and both of them are verie odoriferous Great aboundance of silke and gold and of other things very curious all these kingdomes are at a very point to be reduced vnto our faith for that the principall he whom they giue title of Emperor hath sent diuers times to Machao and vnto other parts whereas are Christians and haue requested to send them persons both learned and religious for to instruct them in the law of God for that they are all determined to receiue it and be baptised and do desire it with so great feruentnesse that in manie citties they haue the timber ready to build edifie churches and in a redinesse all other kind of necessaries for the same There was in Machao a religious man of the order of barefoote Friers of saint Francis who vnderstanding the great and good desire of this king did send him by certaine Portugal merchants that did trade into his countrie a cloth whereon was painted the day of iudgement and hell and that by an excellent workeman and also a letter wherein hee did signifie vnto him the great desire he had with some other of his companions to go into his kingdome to preach the Gospel The which being receiued by the said king and informed the signification of the picture and of the religious man that sent it him he reioyced very much with the present and did send in returne of the same an other that was very good vnto the same religious man and a letter of great curtesie did accept the offer that hee sent in his letter and did promise that all that went thither shoulde haue good entertainement and that he would presently make them a house next vnto his This religious man although hâ— had a desire to put in execution the kings will yet at that time hee coulde not by reason that he had but few companions the which the king did vnderstande and caused him to sende vnto the bishoppe of Machao thrée or foure letters requesting him to send him the saide religious men with certification that hauing them there both hee and all the rest of his kingdome woulde receiue the faith of Christ and the holy baptisme vnto the which letters they did alwaies make answere with promises that he would send them vnto him but after because they did not accomplish the same the king did complaine of him vnto certaine Portugall merchants with great griefe saying this your bishop of Machao doth greatly lye for that I haue requested him by foure letters to send me religious men for to preach the law of the gospell he consenting vnto my wil did neuer accomplish nor performe his word Unto this day they haue not accomplished this desire for the great lacke they haue of such ministers as they doo demande are requisite in those parts and cannot supply their want and necessitie except they should leaue them vnprouided that bee already baptised They doo driue them off with faire words promises that with as great breuity as is possible their desire shalbe satisfied And this was the answere that was giueÌ„ in Machao vnto certaine messengers or ambassadors that were sent by the aforesaid king for the same demand the which was required with great instance The which messengers for their comfort for his who sent theÌ„ did carry with theÌ„ al such Images as they might haue but specially that of the crosse in which form likenes as hath bin informed they haue made in y e kingdome an infinite number and set them in all their stréets high-wayes houses wheras they are worshiped reuerenced with great humilitie as well for that it is in an ensigne of Christ whose faith they do desire to receiue as also for a notable miracle which happened in that kingdome worthy to make thereof a particular mention the which I will set downe here in such sort as the ambassadors aforesaide did declare in publike before the inhabitants of Machao when as they came to demande religious men for to instruct them in the gospel There was a man naturally borne in this kingdome who for certaine occasions went forth of the same and came dwelt amongst the Portugals who séeing the Christian ceremonies and being touched with the hand of God was baptised and remained certaine yeares in the same towne giuing outwâ—rde shewes to bee a good Christian and one that feared God at the end thereof hee changed his minde and determined to returne vnto his owne countrie and there to liue according vnto that which he had learned of the Christians the which he beléeued to doo with ease without any gainesaying or contradiction Whereas when hée came thither hee did obserue all such things as a Christian was bounde to
people doo say that with a good will they would againe returne and receiue the law of the gospell if they had it there preached From this Iland after they had passed a little gulfe they came vpon the coast of a kingdome called Tutucuriu and ran all alongest the cost of the same running from the cape of Comerin to Cuylan Here there is a Pagode or temple of their gods very great and rich thether come all the Gentiles of that kingdom at certain feasts in y e yeare with great deuotion there is in is it a triumphant chariot so great that 20. horse cannot mooue it they bring it foorth in publike vpō their festiual daies is carried by elephants by an infinite number of men who voluntarily do hale and pull at certaine roapes y t are made fast therunto Upon the highest of this chariot is made a tabernacle very richly adorned and within the same an Idol whom they do worship then immediatly vnder the same are y e kings wiues that go singing They doo bring it forth with much musick◠reioysings do carry it a good way in procession and amongest many thinges of honor that they doo vnto it they do vse one so brute and beastly as the reader may well iudge thereof which is that many of them doo cut péeces of their owne fleshe and doo throwe it vnto the Idoll and the other not contented with this doo throwe them selues on the grounde that the chariot may passe ouer them and there they remaine all to péeces Those that do die in this sort they account them for great saints and are had in singular veneration Many other maners and fashions of idolatrie is declared of this kingdome and more beastly than this we haue spokē of the which I let passe because I would not be tedious in this Itinerario All the people of this kingdom be very bad and ill inclined for which cause y e fathers of the company of Iesus that are in certaine townes nigh vnto the same cannot as yet bring them out of their errors although they haue put therein great care and diligence Upon the same cost a litle distant from this kingdom there is a towne of Portingals called Coulan and 25. leagues further a citie which is called Cochin in the which there are religious men of S. Francis of S. Dominicke of S. Austin of the companie of Iesus who haue there a very good studie or seminarie whereas they do bring foorth much fruite Nigh vnto this citie is Santo Tome whereas are many baptised and good christians very abstinent and chast vnto whom the patriarkes of Babylon doo prouide them of bishops the authoritie where with they do it is not knowen nor whence they haue it for that as I do vnderstand the seat apostolicke did neuer giue it them About the same matter at this present there is in Rome a bishop of this kingdome and one of the kingdome of Pimienta with whom I haue talked diuers times and is come thether to giue his obedience vnto the Pope and to knowe of him the order that his pleasure is should be obserued in receiuing of those bishops which come thether by the cōmandement of the patriarke In this kingdome there are many kings but the principallest of them is he of Cochin and next vnto him he of Coulan nigh vnto them are many petie kings as is hee of Mangate Cranganor and are all Gentils although amongst them there are mixed many Moores There hath bin found in this kingdome certaine Iewes that haue gone frō Palestina those parts There is in this countrie vniuersally a lawe verie strange and little heard of which is that the sonnes doo not inherite after their fathers but his brothers sonne and the reason they giue for the same is for y t they haue no certaintie of their children for that they haue no wiues proper nor appointed to thēselues I promise you it séemeth to me their reason to be as barbarous as their law for that the like inconuenience doth folow their brothers children They haue many rites blindnes amongst thē but one aboue all the rest which is y t in certaine feastes amongst them they do vse bathes after that they are bathed they say that they remaine frée cleare from all their sinnes They haue many augorismes of whom I will not intreat for that they are not worthy of memorie In this country is gathered most of the pepper that is brought into Europe for which cause this kingdome is called that of the Pimienta CHAP. XXVI The chapter doth treate of many kingdomes of the newe world and of the particular and curious things of them THe aforesaid father went from Cochin to the kingdome of Cananor passed by Tanaor Calicut which is called of the naturall people Malabar they are litle kingdomes but in them much people In that of Cananor there are inhabited many Portingals and religious mē of the order of S. Francis it is a countrie in all things like vnto Cochin for which cause and for that they obserue kéepe one maner of customs rites I remit the touching of this kingdome to the other aforesaide Then forwards on there are other two small kingdoms the one is called Barcelor the other Mangalor there be in them some christians it is a good countrie rich and hath it for certaine that within a little time they will be all baptised From this kingdome they went vnto Goa a principall citie and inhabited with Portingals is as the metropolitane of all those kingdomes it is in fiftéen degrées of height and is set from Cochin vnto it a hundreth leagues this citie is situated in a little Iland compassed round about with water and in compasse but onely foure leagues and is deuided from the firme land of Odialcan by a mightie riuer It is a good countrie peaceable and doth inioy a very faire and pleasant riuer In this Citie ordinarily is resident the viceroy of the India and the archbishoppe there are many Churches and couents besides the high church there are fourtéene parish churches besides fiftéen hermitages that are within and without the citie there be four couents all very sumptuous of S. Dominicke of S. Austin of saint Francis and of the company of Iesus And without the cittie there is another of Recoletos Franciscanos reformed Francis friers Nigh vnto this Iland are those of Salcete and Barde◠there whereas the religious men of saint Francis and the companie of Iesus haue certaine christian townes Few yeares past the Gentiles of Sancete did kill certaine fathers of the company of Iesus in abhorring the faith who died with great spirite and strength so that I beleeue they went into ioy with God Beyonde Goa on the same coast towardes the North is in eightéene degrées and a halfe from y e towne of Chaul beyond that Basayn nigh thereunto Damaun all these
Camelles The Iland called Desseada The Iland Dominica They which did eatefriers flesh did die madde Much kine sugar ginger wheat and gold Of sixe hundred thousand Indians there remaineth none The Iland Hispaniola or Santo Domingo Mightie riuers in spain A peece of virgin gold so bigge as a two pennie wheaten loaf Cannafistola Gold and pearles Bread of a roote called Casaue Of three millions of men not two hundred left Tiburones The Ilande of Nauala The Iland of Iamayca Uracans The Iland of Cuba anâ— the port Hauana The Spaniâ—rds God is â—old The Indians throwe all their gold and iewels into the riuer The port of saint Iohn de Lua The Iland of Campeche Hony waxâ— The Citie of Vera Cruz The kingdome of Mexico New Mexico Peru. Nombre de Dios. Acapulo Panama The straites of Magellanes It rayneth almost euery day The best horses in all the world An infinite number of siluer mines An Uniuersitie in Mexico A strange kind of tree Properties of the Indians Pictures made of fethers Hernando Cortes Medicinall hearbes They vse no compounds New Mexico The prouince of Tiguas The prouince of Conchas Great store of Conies Hares and venison Passaguates Mines of siluer Tobosos Iumanos Good salt Houses of 4. tories high They worship the diuel ich metals Rich metals The sea of Ladies White people as bigge as gyants without king or gouernor Iron more esteemed than siluer or gold Archipelago The Iland of Luzon and citie of Manilla Geeat mountains of pepper cloues and ginger The diueâ—â— was worshiped Vitches The Indians would not go into heauen because there were spanish souldiers Siuit Honie Sinamum Linseed Oile Cloues Saffron Pepper Nutmegs Cotton and Silke Powder Saltpeter Iron Steele Quicksiluer Brasse Copper Sixe months trauaile from Ierusalem vnto China Great ditches lakes A mightie lake More ships in one port than in all Spaine They neuer had the plague Mynes of golde siluer Siluer for his value more esteemeâ— than gold Amber gryce Wonderfull treasure Fleetes may be laden with silke Sugar ho ny and waxe A riuer that yeeldeth a million and a halfe euery yeare in salâ— All cities are walled They vse hargabushes bowes and lances Englande France Spaine and the Turke hath not so many souldiers as this kingdome Captaines of few and many souldiers Salamina where S. Thomas was martred Giuen to delightes Their womeÌ„ are chast but their men are vicious Iapon is 300 leagues from China The first inhabiting of the Iapon In the Iapones are 66. kingdomes A luciferine pride Many wâ—â—ches Ilands of Amazones A strange custome Great fishing of Pearles â—arias is a â—uetie for the â—inges owne â—erson Aboundance â—f silk gold A myracle Another myracle Their womeÌ„ are honest shamefast They neuer had plague pestilence nor hunger The kingdome of Champa Rich of drugs The kingdome of Câ—mboia The kingdome of Sian The mother of Idolatrie Faint hearted people The kingdome of Lugor and that of Patone Gold pepper and drugs The kingdomes of Paon and Ior. The straight of Malaca is vnder the lâ—ne A daintâ—e kind of meaâ— A tree of a wonderfull eâ—fâ—et Two contraries in one subiect The Iland of Samatra supposed to be the Iland of Ophir The richest Iland in the world An armie of a million and sixe hundred thousand meÌ„ The kingdome of Arracon The kingdome of Vangala A strange custome A diamond sold for a million of gold â—landes of Nicobar Anapes tooth for their God â— brutish vse The kingdome of Cananor Tanaor and Calicâ—t Ilandes Salcete Bardes The towns of Chaul Basayn Damaun Cambaya The cittie of Diu. The cittie of Oromuz Odialon Mogor Persia. Arabia Felix The red sea The lande of Abexin that of Prester Iohn Mazaubique The Ilands of Maldiuia The Ilandâ— of S. Lorenso The Cape oâ— Buena Esperansa The Ilandâ— of S. Elena Guinea