they had departed from that vnknowen Countrey where they were before And the Barbarous people of that Prouince did not maruayle too see the Portugales as they of the other Coūtrey did but rather whē they sawe them kneele on their knees in the time of seruice they kneled downe after the same maner making the sayde shewe of prayers At the which sight the sayde Pedraluarez and all the rest of his people marueiled muche and were very glad to see them offer themselues to receyue their doctrin of saluation if they had had any to instruct them because he coulde not remaine there nor let to follow his iourney he dispatched foorth with the Captaine Gasper de Glemos that with his small shyp hee might returne backe too Portugale to geue newes to the king Don Emanuel of the discouerie of that Countrey which he had named Sancta Crus whiche nowe is called the Brasill by the name of the Woode that is brought from thence And when he had taken in fresh water and sawe the weather fayre hee determined to departe from thence towardes the Cape of Buena Esperanca and there hapned to him in the Goulfe so great stormes of wether that in his sight the Sea did swallowe vp foure of his ships with out the escaping of any of the people of the same and with the rest hee ran many dayes without bearyng any sayle vntil the sixtienth day of Iuly he found him selfe onely with sixe of his shippes a great way beyonde the Cape in the Coast of Zofala so beaten with weather and spoyled of theyr Masses yards Sayles and Tackles that they were more likely to returne then to passe foorth vppon their voyage But the General beyng a man of so great courage did set little by all these inconueniences so they came to Mosambike where they did repayre them selues of the hurtes whiche they had receiued in the tormentes of wether as also they were better receiued of the king then Don Vasco de Gama was They continued frō thence their voiage touching in Quiloa where they fel out with the king who was a Moore and that greeued to see any Christians in that coast But the king of Melindes who was their friend receiued them with great contentment confirmyng anew the friendship and the trade that Don Vasco had agreed vpon with him and from thence they ran at whart ouer the gulfe vntill they came to Calicut And although they were well receiued of the king yet things did happe in such sort that Pedraluarez fell out with him and in the ende there were staine certaine Portugales whiche were a land and for to reuenge their deathes he set fire on al the shippes that he found in the Port shot at the Citie and killed many of the people threw down many houses and buildinges ▪ so made sayle towardes Cochin which was xxx leages distant from that place lower in y course towards the South where he was well receiued of the king who offered to him all the Spicerie which he had neede of for to lade his shippes Also the king of Cana nor sent him the like worde because these Princes were enimies to the king of Calicut who was a greater Lorde than they were and they did acknowledge vnto hym superioritie And because they thought that the trade with the Portugales woulde bee profitable for them Pedraluarez did lade his shippes of as muche as they coulde carry wherewith he returned into Portugale by the same way that hee came which is different of that as is nowe vsed For that they do returne among an infinite number of Ilands of Maldiuia and those of the seuen brethren running to the South southwest Southwest and to the West Southwest hauing sight of many other Ilandes which are in those Seas And so they come along towardes the Cape of Buena Esperanca leauing the Ilande of Saint Laurence North of the side of the land And when Pedraluarez came to Portugale the king had sente the Captaine Iohn de Noua a Gallego borne with foure shippes vnto the same trade of the Spicerie And from that time forwarde they continued more and more in the saide Nauigation hauing alwayes shipyes of warre in those Indian Seas against the Moores of the streight of Mecha and the rest of the Ports of Arabia and against the king of Calicut who came and made warre with him of Cochin for the frendship and trade hee had with the Portugales and the Captaine Edward Pacheco shewed himselfe very valiant in his defence who was left therewith certaine souldiers for that purpose Alonso Alburquerque the most valiant knight and of most wisedome of as many of the gouernours as haue gone out of Portugale to that countrey For he being captaine general of the shippes of warre of that Sea did conquer the Citie of Ormos and many other places as well of those which are in the Coaste of Arabia as of Persia and made the king Zofadin too pay tribute who at that time was Lorde of that Realme and he burned and destroyed Calicut and gate of the Moores the Citie of Goa which is now the most principal place that the kinges of Portugale haue in the India whiche standeth more towarde the North then Calicut in the same Coast in fifteene degrees of height ▪ and Malaca standeth in that famous point in two degrees and a halfe of the Northside the whiche Prolome and the rest of the ancient Geographers did intitle Aurea Chersonesus in respect of the Ilande Samatra which is neere too him and one chanel doth deuide them vnderstanding that they were ioyned in one yeuen as the Morea is with the firm lande The longest part of this Ilande lyeth Northweast and Southeast and the Equinoctiall Line standeth ouer the middest of it And there remayneth behinde towardes the Weast neere to the Cape Camorie in the same Coaste the Ilande called Zeilan and by Prolome named Taprobana in distaunce of foure hundred leages from the one to the other according to the opinion of Portugale sailers and not by situation Geographicall by reason that the course lyeth East and West Betwene the which there is a great bay which is called the gulfe of Bengala which is the realme that Ganges doth run through al alōg the coast frō the cape Canori foure hundred ten leages towards the Northeast vnto the mouth of him and from them it returneth running towardes the South vnto the poynt of Malaca where Alonso de Alburquerque had knowledge of the Malucas and of the rest of the Ilandes and Realmes of that Sea and particularly of the great Realme of China which standeth in the same Coaste beginning his limits fiue hundred leages more forwarde towardes the West and there remaining in the middest of this precinct the Realmes of Siam Cambaia Champa and Guachinchina ¶ The sixth Chapter sheweth of the discription of the lande of China and the notable Prouinces and Realmes that are in it conteyned THis great kingdome whiche the
departe for Portugale hee met with two Iewes of that Realme which went to seeke after him with the king Don Iohn his order because that one of them had beene in Babylon which are called Bagodad amongest those small Riuers of the riuer Euphrates that doe run iointly with that of Tiger into Sinus Persicos hee shoulde refourme him of the Trade and Traffike of the Ilande of Armos which was in the entrie of it in twentie and niene degrees of height of the North side where hee saide that thyther came all the Spices and Riches of the India with expresse coÌ„maundement to Covillana that if hee had not 〈◊〉 Prester Iohn â—…ee shoulde not returne without knowledge of him and that with the other Iewe hee woulde sende him relation of all that hee had seene and vnderstoode in his voyage the whiche hee did very effectually and when hee had dispatched hym hee returned with the other to Adem where they dyd embarke them selues to returne to Ormos â–ª And the thinges of that Ilande beeyng noted he left him there that hee might returne by lande with the Cafilas â–ª which are Carriers that carried Spices from thence to the Cities of Alexandrie â–ª Damasco in Suria â—… that he should continue goyng vppon his iourney vntill hee came to Portugale Hee returnyng to the red Sea â–ª and wente towardes the Courte of the Emperour of Aethiopia called by his owne people Alexander of whom bee was receiued with countenance of great contentinent esteeming much the embassage because it came from a Christian Prince from the partes of Europe And although that with all speede Covillana returned yet he had not in this good hay â–ª For that within a fewe dayes died the Emperour AlexaÌ„der And Nantâ—… his brother which did succeede him kept him there by force wherewithall he loste the hope to returne anye more too Portugale â–ª And by the aduice and relation hee sente with the Iewes and with others by diuers wayes the king Don Iohn determined too sende some Shippes by the Nauigation of the 〈◊〉 of Buena Esperanca vntoo the Trade of the Spicerie of the India And because that in this time which was in the yeere of one thousande foure hundred nientie and two they begunne too discouer the Weast Indias by Christopher Coloâ—… beyng a â—…inoues â—…orne who was the first that durst take so valiaunt an enterprise â–ª in â—…ande by the commaundement of the Catholike kinges Don Fernando and Ladie Elizabe These kings for the auoyding of differences made sâ—…te to the high Bishop Alexander the sixth who then was President in the Catholike Church that it woulde please him to appoint out and confirme to them theyr discoueries And the Pope beyng informed did graunt too the kynges of Castile the conquest of the Indias Ilandes and landes that should be discouered in the West parts and to the kings of Portugales that of Affrica and the Countries of the Caste partes in equall portions so that it might bee vnderstoode the Nauigation from one hundred leagues more too the Westwarde of the Ilandes of Cape verde whereof the king Don Iohn found him selfe agreeued because he gaue him no more space or Circuite towardes the West And so it was graunted with the will and consent of the Catholike kinges other three â—…undred and sixtie leages more towardes the West The king Don Iohn not vnderstanding at that time howe hurtful it would be to his successours for the pretence of the Ilandes of Malâ—…cas and because his life is waxed shorts it fortuned not in his time this Nauigation should be begun â–ª but was reserued by a diuine prouidence for the king Don Emanuel his Cosin that shoulde succeed him in those Realmes The fourth Chapter how that the king Don Emanuel sent by the way of Cape Buena Esperanca Don Vasco â–ª de Gama with an embassage to the king of Calicut of the successe he had vntil he returned to Portugal AND although that the King Don Iohn had prepared ships for the NauigatioÌ„ of the India â–ª WheÌ„ he died yet y king Don Iohn Emanuel coulde not see forward this iourney vntil the 2. yeere of his raigne with was in the yeare 1491 when as he sent although that they of his counsell were of contrarie opinion yet theÌ„ I say he sent Don Vasco de Gama a knight of his house and other twoo captaines in three shippes with ambassadge vnto the king of Calicut too the ende be might bee in league with him and with other kings of the same coast of India to obteine of them that hee and his successors might haue the trade of the spicerie graunted vnto them Nowe you shal vnderstand that the said Don Vasco departed with these shippes leauing the king and his court and al others very sad bicause he went vpon a voiage so long so daungerous so vnknowen And hee was fyue monethes in the Sea before hee coulde get as farre as the cape of Buena Esperanca by reason in those daies the Portugales sailed not by the Bowlyng in the hye Seas in such sort as they do now but alwaies weÌ„t neere to the coast of Ginea For although that in the tyme of the king Don Iohn they had knowledge of degrees and of the Astrolobe yet the Pilots which they caried with them durst not put themselues into any gulfe as they now do which doo runne from the tyme that they departe from Lishebron towards the southwest vntil they passe the Ilands of Puerto Sancto and the Medera and from thence towardes the south southeast to the sight of the Ilands of Canaria and then south passing betweene the firme lande and the Ilands of Cape Verde and South and by East vntill they put themselues in the height of the lyne and although that the cape of Buena Esperanca do fal Southeast of them they cannot make their way good by reason that in those Seas are many leuantes which are Eastsoutheast and Southeast windes that doeth cause them to fal ouer neere too the coast of Brasil and therefore they go by the Boweling running towardes the South Southeast South and Southwest according as winde and weather do giue them leaue vntill they put themselues intoo thirtie and six degrees sometymes in sight of the Ilandes of Tristan de Acunna which lye from the West parte of the cape Buena Esperanca foure hundreth and fiftie leages and at other tymes they runne into fourtie fourtie fiue degrees vntil they â—…nde Westerly windes wherewith they returne and runne towards the East and Eastnortheast too seeke the cape When Don Vasco de Gama passed he ran towards the Northeast along the coast and bicause he would put himselfe into the Sea when hee came to the cape of the currentes or tydes for feare he should put himselfe intoo any baie or shallow place and bicause he woulde passe along the coaste with al the vanâ—…age hee could he past and had no sight of the inhabitantes of Zofala betweene the Iland of Saincte Lorence
the Earle Don Ramon sonne to WilliaÌ„ earle of Burgondie and Don Ramon Earle of Tolosa S. Gill in Fraunce Don Henry of Vezancon his cosin according to the opinion of some writers as Christian Princes desirous of honour and fame that came too serue him with many other knightes in those warres that he had against Lucef Abendesim king of the Amorabides who at that time had past from Affrica and had made him selfe Lord of the Moores of Spaine which were resident in Andaluzia and too shew him selfe thankful to these Lords after they had shewed theyr valiâ—…untnesse and vertue on theyr meetinges and fightes that they had with the Almorabides and to binde them to greater enterprises and to allure other straunge Princes knightes also to come to his ayde hee ioyned him selfe to them in marriage and affinitie Mariyng the Earle Don Ramon of Burgondie with the Lady Vrraca his legittimate daughter and inheritour of his Realmes geuing hym the title of the Earle and Gouernour of Galizia and the Earle of Tolosa and Don Henrie with the Lady Elvira and the Lady Tereâ—… his bastarde daughters whiche he had of Lady Ximena muuez de Guzma geuing to Don Henry certayne lande which the king Don Fernando his father the firste king of Castile and other kinges his predecessours had gotten of the Moores in the borâ—…ers of the Realmes of Leon and Galizia which were the Cities of Coimbra Viseo and Lanego with the Prouince of Vera and the Cities of the Porte Braga and Guimareus and all that precinct which is betweene the two Riuers Duero and Minoâ—… with title of Earle of Portugale because hee shoulde be a defender of them making to him a firme gift of the right of the inheritaunce too him and too his succession descending of this Matrimonie With condition that they shoulde bee bounde in knowledge of Superioritie to go to the Parliaments of Leon into whose precinct that Countrey doeth fall and at all times when the kinges had warres with the Moores that they shoulde be bounde to gâ—…e and serue them with three hundred horsemen which was at that time all the power that might be in Portugale and thâ—… they shoulde also pay certaine yeerely Tribute vppon paine and that yf they fayled any thing of this they should loofe the state and that it shoulde be returned backe too the kingdome of Leon. And although that all these burdens were set at libertie by a gifte that the king Don Alonso the wise made in Seuil against the will of the Earle Don Nunon de Lara of other knightes beyng Spaniardes to the Infante Don Dionis sonne to the Ladie Beateris his naturall daughter which â—…ee had by the Ladie Mayor Guillen de Gusman and of Don Alonso the fifth kyng of Portugale which married with heâ—… and had in dowry the Countreis of Algarve which the kyng Don Alonso and the holy king Don Fernando gate alwayes the king Don Dionis and his successours as Catholique and true Princes continueâ—… the Warres against the Moores of Spayne finding theÌ„selues sometimes in the fauor of the kings of Castile and particularly the king Don Alonso called the â–ª Braue when he gaue the battel neere to Tarifa vntyll that the king Don Iohn the famous being the first of this name by the battel of Aliubaâ—…ota and by other subtil practiseâ—… worthie of his name â–ª hee determined as a most warlike Prince to passe into Affrica to coÌ„quer the Townes of the Sea Coast nere adioyning to him on the West side carriyng with him in his companie the Infantes Don Edward his 〈◊〉 sonne â–ª and heire apparant and Don Peter Duke of Coimbra and Don Henry his other sonnes and many other Lords Knightes of his Realme where withall hee might get the Citie of Cevta standing in the Streighte where the two Seas do meete the Ocean and Mediterrane and where Affrica Europa are deuided right ouer against Gibralter in the distaunce of foure leages ouerthwart ¶ The seconde Chapter sheweth of the diligence that the infante Don Henry did vse as well to knowe of the Moores of Cevta and the Prouinces of the blacke people of Ialofe as also for his armed ships which he sent in the discouerie of the coasts of Ginea euen vnto his death c. HE that did best shewe himselfe for the getting of Cevta was Infant Don Henry with the Knightes and Gentlemen of his bande And as hee was a Prince 〈◊〉 religious and destrous to augment the Christian faith with his valiauntnesse So hee did much indeuour to enquire of the Mores the Proinces and Nations nearest adioyning to them wherof hee came to haue knowledge and specially of the Moores nearest adioyning to the Desertes which they call Sahara and of the Azeneges with the blacke people of Ialofe and hee did it with the better will because hee woulde haue his name spred abroade in the world by so great an enterprise so taken in hande and also by sending shippes in the discouerie of the Coaste of Ginea whereof he had some knowledge by Geographie to the which he was affectioned And so in returning the kyng his former victories to Portugall hee went to bee Resident in Algarue in a small Towne of his owne to geue order for this Nauigation for the which certaine Captaines of his did continue there for certaine yeeres and durst not passe from the Cape Boiador which lieth in twentie seuen degrees and a half of height on the North side East and West from the gran Canaria in thirteene Leagues ouerthwarte and for to come foorth of the sight of the Coaste which they leaue behinde them more then fortie Leages into the Sea in the West course with a certaine pointe vnder that water which doeth come foorth in length of sixe Leages that by reason of the Tydes that ruÌ„neth there the water is so moued in such sort that it seemeth to leape and to seethe which did put them in great feare thinking that they had ben shouldes and then it was a newe thing for them and difficulte that they had so gone from the land for to â—…bble it wherewith all they returned without hope to passe forward making some entraunce into the habitations of the Moores that dwelt in the Sea Coaste for to satisfie the infant In one of these voyages they discouered in foule weather which did open vnto theÌ„ from the firme land the Ilandes which are called Puerto sancto and the Madera whiche Ilandes the infant dyd commaunde to inhabite because hee was certified that they were temperate and fruitfull and for that they were not inhabited with the people that were Barbarous as the Ilands of Canaria wrre The which Ilands â–ª they had knowledge of how that they were discouered by a Frenche knight called Iohn de Betancur which had conquered them with the licence of the Tutors of the king Don Iohn the seconde of Castile whiche were the queene Ladie Caterin his mother and the infant Don
the other Princes of those Countries was too heare no man if they did not first giue and present him with some present and the more straunge the Embassador was the longer tyme they caused him to tarry and if hee wil be dispatched shortly that he should vse that way which hee had tolde him giuing some gift to the Officers which had moste authoritie and especially in businesse of the estate the which he foorthwith put in practise excusing himselfe with the King and with the nobilitie that by reason of the vncertainty of the voyage and long Nauigation the thing which he offered too them were not of estimation or valewe that he wished but in the end they were taken as sufficient and were caried to the king and hee was receiued with more familiarity and gladnes then the first time signifying too him that by the Letter of the king Don Emanuel he had vnderstoode the cause of his comming and there vpon he should speake what he would Then Don Vasco begā with great discretion and wisedome asking the libertie and trade of the spices and the entercourse of the trade of Merchādize from one realme to thother The king answered with showes of gladnes that he would dispatch him wel in short tyme. And although that this Prince were an Idolater ▪ yet hee did suffer in his Townes too dwell people of the sect of Mahomet and especially in the portes of the Sea coaste where came many for the trade of the spicery from Meca and other portes of Arabia foelix as wel from the redd Sea as frō the Sea called Sinus Persicos which people were much agreeued at the Embassadge and pretence of Don Vasco vnderstanding the hurt and losses which woulde ensue vnto them in their trades if that the trade of merchaundise shoulde reremayne established as the king was purposed and resolued to haue it Wherevppon they made many consultations with order too kill the Portugales and too sinke their shippes but they durst not gyding it by the most sure way giuing bribes too the Catual who was a Gentleman that had the charge of the Portugales that with false reasons and deceites the king might bee angrie and displeased with them Yet this Gentlemā vsed the matter so discretely that although that the king was very wyse and vnderstood wel the profit that might follow by this trade for the dispatch of the merchandise of his realme hee was persuaded too beleeue this Catual and too take the Portugales for spyes And heerevppon the King commaunded too cal Don Vasco general of the Portugales too bee called before him so hee asked him many questions and although hee had satisfied him of all that was demaunded him yet there was no remedie but in fine hee counseled him that hee should foorthwith go aboord his shippes leste he should receiue any hurte of the Moores pretending that they were ready too make an insurrection against him and promised that he woulde sende him too his ships the answere of his Embassadge in a letter too the king Don Emanuel his lorde and maister Wherein hee saide that the cause wherefore his Embassadour departed so discontent from his Countrie was by reason of the olde controuersies that were betweene the Moores and the Christians and that hee woulde receiue greate contentment with his friendship and with the trade of the merchaundyse of his realme so that it might not bee done with reproch considering that he tooke the Moores for natural people of his Country and that ordinarily they came too his portes in the trade of spicery wherevppon foorthwith Don Vasco made sayle towardes Portugal by the same way that hee went where he arryued at the end of twoo yeeres and a fewe dayes after he departed from Lishebron beeing receiued of the king Don Emanuel with great honor rewarding him and his greate seruice The V. Chapter sheweth howe the king Don Emanuel did send a greate fleet of shippes to the Indias with a knight called Pedraluarez Cabral and howe hee discouered in this voyage the coast of Brasil and of other armies of ships which are sent after vntil the tyme he gate Malaca and had knowledge of the realme of China AND the king Don Emanuel being enformed by Don Vasco de Gama of all thinges which happened to him in his voyage he determined to send too the India thirteene sayles of shippes so well furnished and prouided both of men and munition that if it happened when they should come too the king of Calicut to the rest of the Lords of those Coūtries that they should be defended frō their ports that thē his powre force should be shewed that Pedraluarez Cabral a knight of great wisedom and valiant shoulde go for general of the saide fleete of shippes who departed from Lishebron the nienth day of Marche the yeere 1500. Too whome there happened betweene the Ilandes of Cape verde such a vehement storme that one of the ships departed from the reste of her company and returned backe againe and with the rest he toke his course and sailed farre intoo the Sea bicause hee woulde flye away from the calmes which are accustomed too bee vppon the coast of Ginea and that he might with more assurance double the cape of Buena Esperanca running towards the Southsouthwest as neere as the Eastsoutheast and Southeast winds would giue them leaue And at the end of one Moneth rūning that course they foūd themselues so much to leewarde by reason of the tydes which runne towardes the Northwest that they came to discouer an other coast of firme land towardes the West and according to the iudgement of the Pilots it seemed to them that it might be distant from the coast of Ginea foure hundreth and fiftie leags in ten degrees towards the Southside and to put them out of doubt if it should be any great Ilande they ranne along by the coast all one day and finding a place for their purpose where they might cast ankor they caused one boate to be hoysed out for to discouer what lande it might bee and immediatly did appeare vnto them by the Riuer where they were many naked people which did differ from those of Ginea in colour haire and faces and they procured to speake with thē and to knowe what people they were but they could not for they retired all to the mountaynes and so the Portingales returned to their shippes without any knowledge and departed the same night being forced with a storme which caused them to departe without order and sayled along the coast towardes the South vntill they came into a Bay where they harbored them selues which they named Puerto Segnero and is asmuch to say The sure porte or hauen which standeth in seuentie Degrees and halfe of height and forthwith Pedraluarez commaunded to hoyse out the Boates and he went a lande in them where he caused seruice too bee sayde at the foote of a Tree with great deuotion of them all geuing thankes vnto GOD that
yeallowe they are made of a white softe stone and some are red but the red is not so good bicause it is of a more strong and base clay the which being ground is layed in certaine ponds of water which they haue made of free stone and some ▪ l◅ked vppon but very cleane and after they haue it well wet and turned two and fro in the water of the creme or skimme that remaines vpon the water they make those which are moste fine and the lower they go so much the more course and of that which remaineth lowest they make the grossest or coursest whereof the common people are serued and they are fashioned euen in the sorte and maner as our earthen dishes are made heere and they dry them in the sonne and after they paint them as they liste with the inke of Anil which is fyne as by them you may perceiue and when they are drye they glase them and they bake them In the Prouince called Saxij are made the beste and the greatest Fayre and sale of them where they are moste sold is in Liampo which is a Citie of the same Prouince The artificers and craftesmen are dwelling in the open places and streetes as they are here There are goldesmithes that woorke vppon golde and siluer curiously and maruellous gilders and grauers of gold which haue great shoppes full of counting houses and painted garnished Chestes and many Chayres gilded with gold some with siluer of such as they cary theyr gouerners and other chiefe Officers of theyr common wealthes on theyr shoulders which are very rich and of great pryce and specially one sorte of them which are made very high and couered with windowes made with a lattesse of Iuory that they which are within may see those that are without they not seene These do serue to carry women when they passe in the Citie They haue many rich beddes tables stooles smal chestes so gilded and curiously wrought and painted with gold and other materialls that it is wonderful to our great artificers that we haue here I ◅ad in my custodie a small counting cheste and I shewed it in Lishebron where I bought it and in Seuil vnto the most curious men and of most knowledge in al artes that were in those Cities at that present with great admiration they saide to mee that in all Europe was none that would take vppon them to make the lyke nor vnderstande the woorke that was in it There are many woorkemen of laten which doo woorke an infinite number of al sortes of vesselles of the which they serue and prouide al the Ilandes of those Seas and of other vesselles of Iron whereof they are great and cunning artificers and they melt them according as they melt the latten in Norwey but it is more lyke too glasse for it breaketh easilie There are more shoemakers then of any other science bicause it is a thing that is much vsed and spent In the Cytie of Canton there are twoo greate streetes of them without any other person of any other occupation that dwel amongst them but there are many scatered abroade in other places of the Citie In one of these streetes are solde riche stuffe wherewith they make bootes and shoes that are couered without with silke of coullours with riche stringes which is made very gallantly There are Bootes of ten Ducats price and of a Ducat according to theyr goodnesse and shoes of two Ducats and so downewarde vntoo a maruedie which is the vi parte of a pennie and are of strawe that the riche and poore may weare euery one as he listeth and as theyr abilitie serueth In al other artes there are a greate number of craftesmen very curious and of all thinges greate abundance And they are so giuen too theyr owne profit that of dogges bones and of other beastes they serue themselues therewith in steede of Iuory and of olde ragges and rindes of trees and of canes they make paper and of small peeces of silke of this they serue themselues too wryte vppon and the rest for too rolle peeces of Damaske and Taffetas and other silkes in They buy the dung of the houses for theyr grownd in the fieldes and especially for theyr garden hearbes They bring vpp byrdes too singe and they teache them too make visages they apparel themselues of diuers fashions They make all these inuentions and many other too get mony wherewithall too passe theyr life The mony that is among them is of copper but that which most runneth amongest them is golde and siluer which is chaunged for the valewe in waight as it is in the Peru. All of them bring theyr Ballaunce and broken siluer too buy meate and the reste of the thinges which they haue neede of And when they buy any thing of greate quantitie they haue Ballances in theyr houses and greate waightes made iust and marked They bring their siluer commonly full of drosse too make it increase whiche is the cause that although they haue many mynes they carrie it as merchaundise from Iapaon and much golde out of the Ilandes called Lechios These Ilandes are one hundreth leages more towardes the East from the Citie of Chincheo which is in the Prouince of Foquiem The first Ilād standeth in xxv degrees of heigth and there are many other folowing in the course of the East Northeast towardes the North they are all fruiteful and temperate and of meruellous good waters the people that dwell on them are more whyte then tawnie and well apparelled and vse armor They were subiect in the olde tyme too the people of China and therefore they are much of theyr manners but nowe they are of themselues and beeing in the middest of the Sea yet they giue themselues little too nauigatiō Of the fruites that the people of the China do gather and the merchandise which they trade in they paie too the King a tribute very easie The greatest burden they haue is that they which keepe houses by themselues doo pay for euery person of theyr housholde the valewe of three score maruedies which is here xi pence And with this all theyr goods and landes are free too do with them what they list and too leaue them to theyr children and childrens children after their deaths which is the cause that they labour so much as they doo too encrease them The tenth Chapter sheweth of the nauigation that the people of China haue in the Seas and also in the fresh Riuers THere are in this Realme an infinite number of Shippes and Barkes wherein they sayle by the Ilandes and coastes of the same which are large and by those great riuers which do run through many partes of the same in such sort as it is thought there doe dwell fewe lesse people on the water than on the lande the great store of timber that they haue doe helpe them much therevnto and the mineralles of yron and other necessarie things for the arte of nauigation by the
abundance whereof it is easie to make their Shippes and Barkes with verie little cost The greatest shippes they haue are called Iuncos which are verie great and are made for the warres with Castels very high in the poope prore like to the Shippes of Leuant There are so manie of these ▪ that it is easie for any generall of the Sea to ioyne together in little time a nauie from fiue hundreth to a thousande of them of the same making and greatnesse They haue others for loading but they are lower of poope and prore Other smaller Shippes they haue which they call Bancoens which doe carie three great Oares in euerie side with foure or sixe men to euerie Oare and such serueth them much for to go in and come forth of the barde hauens And others there are called Lanteas that row with seuen or eight Oares These two sortes of small Shippes although they bee for lading yet the Pirates and theeues vse them for there are manie in all these coasts and Ilands by reason they saile well Also they vse other small shippes that are long like to Gallies wherein they lade great store of marchandize to carie vp and downe by the riuers within the lande these drawe little water after the fashion of Flanders Hoyes There are an other sort of small Shippes and Barkes different to these and such great numbers bee of them that is wonderfull but the relation thereof is knowne notoriously and all serueth to carie marchandize from one place to another within the saide realme bicause it is forbidden that any man shall go foorth of it for any forraine place although that in olde time they sayled much abroade and conquering the Ilandes and Realmes of that Sea vntill they came to the India and at this day there is memorie of them in the coast of Coromandell which is ouer against the Realme of Narsinga on the side of the Sea of Bengala where Saint Thomas built his house where by report remaynes to this day the reliques of his bodie There is a great Temple of Idolles which serueth for a marke to such as do saile in that Sea coast which is lowe as Holland is and is called the coast of the Chinas bycause the people of Chinas built it in times past And in the realm of Calicut be trees of fruite which haue bene there of long time and the naturall borne people of the Countrey ◅o say that their Nation planted them And in the Shouldes of Chiloa which doth extende vnto the Iland of Ceilam towards the west part of Coromādel it is affirmed by those of the land that there was lost a great fleete of their Shippes which came vpon the India ▪ by meane they were not perfect in the nauigation of those Seas And it is also sayd that they were Lordes of Laoa and of the Realmes of Malaca Siā and Chapaa as commonly it is affirmed And it semeth to be so by reason that all the people of these Realmes are in maners and conditions like to those of the China But in this point as it seemeth they had more wisdome then the Grekes Oarthaginenses and Romaines the which for to conquer other straunge Countreys farre off went so farre from their owne that they came to lose their owne Countreys at home And considering this they woulde not so experiment their harmes and hurts any longer but seeing how the India did consume them much people also great riches of their owne Realme and that they were much troubled and tired of their neighbours at such time as they went abroade conquering other kings landes and hauing in their owne Countrey golde siluer and all other metall and much naturall riches of their owne Country and such great store of marchandize that all other forraine nations did profite by and themselues not profite of the benefites of any other Countrey Al the gouernours of these Prouinces determined to consult hereabout and to bee humble sutors to their owne king which at that time wast o yeeld a remedie in this case Who did establish by law and at this day it is kept verie precisely that no subiect of his should sayle forth of his Realme vpon paine of his life and that neither by Sea nor lande no straunger should come to his lande without the expresse licence of the gouernours of the Countrey where they ariue With this order and maner the Portingales which go thither doe nowe trade And when the naturall people of the Countrey will go from one Prouince to another they giue sureties to returne within a certaine time which is appointed them And they suffer them not to carie with them any shippes aboue the burthen of one hundreth tonnes or one hundreth and fiftie bicause they should not go farre of And to the ende the shippes of the realme other strange ships that come thither in the trade of marchandize may go safe come safe for that purpose the king hath great shippes armed and warlike which runne by all these coastes and Ilandes to seeke out theeues and pirots and within the Riuers they haue for this purpose many smal armed shippes verie good of sayle and especially those that runne by the Prouince of Cansi which standeth right ouer against the Laos and the Bramenez their enemies and also by other prouinces where need is for to assure in safety such as are traders with their goodes and marchandizes And bicause they may haue good dispatch in the ports they haue established by law of the realme that the first ship which shall come in shall first be laden and dispatched and the rest as they come in by their order They carie in all these shippes galleries verie curious in the poope ouer the helme and by imitation whereof the Portingales doe vse the like now in their galleons ships that go for the India And also they vse a kind of Bitumen or pitch which they learned of them which they call the pitch that is made of lime and oyle of fishe and common sort of pitch made very smal and so incorporate which is put betweene the sides of the shippes and an other newe lining of boordes that is made vpon the olde vnto the place where the waters do ordinarily come which is as much to say the lading marke when they are laden and after that in place of pitch they turne to couer the newe liuing with the said newe kinde of pitch which is so profitable to the boorde or table that neuer after entereth into it any worme and within short time it is made so hard with the water as a stone And with this the ships of China endure a long time in such sort that they haue put to some of their shippes called Iuncos the same kinde of pitch foure or fiue times that their side is as hard as a wall but they remaine with this kinde of fortification verie heauy to go with the saile They vse
preache the Gospell too these people but by reason that it is not permitted vntoo straungers too stay manie dayes in this Countrey they were compelled too returne foorthwith without yelding that fruite whiche they desired notwithstanding they found thē very apt to be caught and willing to learne and easie to be reformed of theyr false Idolatrie and with al humilitie they receiue it and acknowledged the corrections of theyr filthines He that first began this Catholike woorke was Maister Frauncis Xauierre one of the seuen Religious men of the firste confirmation of the saide companie and was the first that came intoo Portingal and that past intoo India and from thence to China But before he began to execute his Catholyke desire he died in Canton and was brought from thence too Goa where his body lyeth buried in the Colledge of Saincte Paule of the same Religion The Religious Dominike declareth that throwing downe certaine stones vpon the ground which they did woorshippe they came vnto him with such rage as if they woulde haue killed him but he pacified them foorthwith in geuing them to vnderstand theyr little constancie their vaine Idolatrie and as they are of excellent witt they forthwith fell in to the matter and thought well of his iudgement saying that no man had euer taught them the like vntill that time And with the selfe same excuse they excused them selues withall when he did reprehende them of the filthie sinne not too bee named vntoo the which they are much giuen thinking that they do not euil therein But the greatest difficultie that these religious men founde was that the gouerners and ordinary Iudges do attende with great care that no newe thing be taught amongst them without order licence of theyr king and as they are rigorous and readie to chasten no man darre to bee a Christian without licence although that they vnderstand it to be conuenient for theyr saluation therefore it doth import with expedition that these inconueniēces be taken away and that there be sent an Embassador too this greate Prince And in that Embassadge might go learned men and Religious that should giue them to vnderstande the darkenes wherein they liue and too perswade them to bee Christians and that he shoulde permit thē too preach the Gospel throughout al his Realme and howe that it is not hurteful too take from him his Lordshippe and gouernement but rather fauorable wherby his subiects may obey him the better This wil be easily obteined of him otherwaies for to attempte it by way of conquest it will be so harde a matter as it may bee vnderstoode by his power and greatnes and by that which is conteined in a Chapter of the relatiō that the Captaine Artieda gaue to his Maiestie who was present at the cōquest of the West Ilandes with are called Philippinas treating of this realme which worde for worde speaketh as foloweth There are also to the Northwarde of these Ilāds the firme lād which they cal China It is a great Countrie insomuch that it is certainely knowen that it bordereth with Tartaria for the people that trade thither say that they haue ware with them They are a people very politike they worke Iron with percers of steele I haue seene golde and siluer wrought so well with Iron as coulde bee in the worlde and in this sorte they woorke thinges of timber and all other thinges They saye that the Portingales are good people and that they haue a littel light of the world but in comparison too them they see but with one eye They spin golde as they doo in Milan and weaue Damaske and other silkes with it They haue all kind of armour as wee haue and artillery Iudging it by certaine vesselles that I haue seene come from thence that it is plaine and better cast thē our is They haue so good gouernment that they say they make neither Gouernor nor Captaine which is not a greate Astronomer And first they shal pronosticate the tyme and chaunce that is too come and it shall be prooued and seene to fall out true that hee may preuent any thing that is to come In euery Citie and Prouince there are garrisons of men of warre they goe wel apparelled they are as whyte as we are and weare there beards long The womē are very faire although that all of them haue little eyes they weare their coates and gownes so long that they touche the grounde and they make their heare red with collours and it is saide that they painte theyr faces They say this king is of so great powre that hee doeth bring into the fielde three hundreth thousande men and twoo hundreth thousande of them horsemen In thinges that are painted ▪ I haue seene brought from thence wherein are painted on horsebacke armed men with harnesse and salets and lances The countrie is so good and so well furnished with vittaile that it is thought to be the best most fertile soyle of the world The Moores that I haue spoken withall doo affirme that they bee not so warrelike as wee are They haue Mouldes and haue printed bookes tyme out of mynde If it please your Maiestie that this Country bee seene with the sight of the eyes I doo offer my self therevnto geuing mee twoo Shippes of two hundreth and fiftie tōnes a peece little more or lesse and 40. Souldiers in euery shippe and the Artillarie Munition and Uittaile sufficient and necessarie with Gods healpe carying some order of Embassadge to the Lorde of the Countrie to enter in with my person and too returne all along the coast by the newe Spayne And too see the order they haue as well for the trade with in the lande as for all the reste if that will please your Maiestie And in that which this Captaine saith that the king doth bring three hundreth thousande men intoo the fielde besides the garrisons that he hath ordinarily in the Cities townes that doo border neerest other Princes in this my opinion remaineth verefied And although they be not so warrelyke as wee are as the Moores haue declared I knowe not what powre were sufficient for so great a number of horsmen and against people so wel armed the Artillarie being so common to them as it is to vs And seeing there is required that there shoulde passe thither so greate a nauigation and seeing this great Countrie doth fal within the compas of the conquest of our Catholike king it wil be a thing of importaunce that his Maiestie doo commaunde too ordeine this Embassadge with the good will of his holynes whereby this Prince may reduce it to the gouernment of the holy Catholike Churche whereof may growe greate effectes in the increasing of the Christian Religion And this is very easie to be done seeing that our Spayniardes are become so neere neighbors to that realme and the Nauigation soo neere and certaine as here in it is declared There is in the new Spayne in the South part thereof
twoo portes or hauens the one is called Acapulco which standeth in xvii degrees a half of heigth which wil holde many shippes although they bee greate and thother is called the Puerto de Naâ—…edad which hath the entry in of it very lowe and standeth in nynetiene degrees and a terce large From these portes do goe foorth the shippes that doo sayle too the Philippinas and they goe too put themselues in the heighth that the course of the Iland is in for the tyme when they goo foorth vpon this Nauigation which is in the ende of October the windes are alwaies Northerly in that coast vntil the end of April Wherewithal they goe with the winde in theyr poope running west and from the ende of April vntil the ende of October they turne too blowe at West Southwest which serueth them too returne rising vpp intoo a higher degree that they lack no height They met at their going with the Ilands called Barbudos for they were so named for bicause such as do inhabite there do let their beards grow long These people are apparelled with mattes made of the bowes of date trees very fine and they haue no weapons nor warre with any CouÌ„trie and theyr vittaile are Cocos and rottes and fishe they haue hennes lyke to those of Spaine more towards the west They turne meete with the Ilands which they cal of the theeues which be xiii and they lye in length North and South the greatest may bee little greater then fourtie leages They are al wel neere after one fashion and trade The weapoÌ„s they haue he sâ—…ings roddes dryed with the fire which doo serue them in place of lances They shootte so farre with the sâ—…ings that no hargubuse can shoott fo far They liue with Ryce and fish Cocos rootes there are in theÌ„ great quaÌ„titie of Ginger so beyonde that more towardes the West they fal with the Ilandes of the Philippinas which are many The IlaÌ„d of Mindanas which is the firste of the South side it beginneth in fiue degrees in the height of the North and it lyeth out shewing it selfe in length as the rest do which stande as a company of trees in the Northnorthwest course vntil you come into xiii degrees and a terce where you meete with the Iland of Luzon This Iland is in length out vnto the nynetiene degree in the same course there is in it three places inhabited with Moores they know not perfectly of what secte they are of but they giue reuerence to Mahoma they eate no porke They haue many riuers wherein they gather golde it is distant from this firme land of China lesse then one hundreth leages and from the Cytie of Canton which falleth too the North part of it one hundreth thirtie little more Our Spaniards are in possession of the said Iland and by reason the trade is greate from it too the firme land and for the curious things that are come froÌ„ thence to the new Spayne and from thence too his maiestie now they cal him China Ann. 1279. Ann. 148 â–ª â—…nno 1516. Ann. 1492. â—…ausies very â—…otable Timber died Tyle not gathering filth A Tower. â—…o Beggers 〈◊〉 descripâ—… of the seâ—… all sorts of 〈◊〉 barkes 〈◊〉 gallies The coast of China is low like as Flaun ders coast is Shouldes anâ—… flats perilous to strange fleetes A pollitike â—…aw that purâ—…haseth insiâ—…ute benesites The kings nauie to cleare the coastes froÌ„ enemies and pirots dispath at thâ—… portes Galleries A pitch of lime and oyle of fishe This pitch is defensiue against the wormes DiscoÌ„moditie of the pitch Pumpes artificial Barkes innumerable Multitudes of families alwayes liuing on the water They breede â—…oultrie and â—…oule in the Barkes Gardens Water foule Rosiers Rewardes The foule returne by noise of the drum Egges hatched by 〈◊〉 perate heaâ—… of dâ—…urg a also by warmth of fire The politik increase aâ—… breeding oâ—… fishe â—…acrowes to 〈◊〉 fish with Astraungâ—… thing worâ—… the noting â—…traunge efâ—…ct in their riting â—…ree scholes The lawes â—…aught in Schooles Astronomers A not able â—…all Visitours of Schooles Ample houses with Princely pleasures Painted gates Graduating Choise of the Captaines Rare coÌ„ming of the king abroade Betwene gate 〈◊〉 than a dâ—… iourney 〈◊〉 horsebacâ—… A table oâ—… golde The kings title An arguâ—… of a largâ—… dominion 〈◊〉 officers prouince AL that is written of the great lordship of China in this woorke I haue gathered my selfe with great diligence and care of men worthie of faith Portingals that haue bene there with merchauÌ„dise of other buzines as also of the saide people of China which haue come too Spayne of whome I tooke that which I thought to be certaine most meete for this shorte discourse â–ª The 〈◊〉 of the Chapters 〈◊〉 are conteyned in this Booke THe first Chapter sheweth of the beginning that the kingdome of Portingale had and of the successe it had vntil that the king Don Iohn the first conquered Ceuta in Barbarie The second Chapter sheweth of the diligence that the Infant Don Henry did make to come to the knowledge of the Moores of Ceuta and of the Prouince of the Negros of Iolofe and of the armed shippes which he sent in the discouerie of the coast of Ginnea euen to his death The third chap. sheweth of the discouerie of the coast of Ginnea in the time of king Don Alonso eueÌ„ vnto his death and of the persons which king Don Iohn his sonne sent by the Mediterrane Sea that they might bring him relation of the state and trade of India and of the Embassage hee sent to the king of Aethiopia The fourth Chapter sheweth howe the king Don Emanuel sent by the nauigation of the cape of Buena Esperanca Don Vasco de Gama with an Embassage to the king of Calicute and of the successe he had vntill hee returned too Portingale The fifth Chapter sheweth how the king Don Emanuel sent an other great army vnto the India with Pedraluarez Cabral and how he discouered in this voyage the coast of Brasil as also of the rest of the shippes that continually went vntil they gat Malaca and so had knowledge of the coast of China The sixth Chapter sheweth of the description of the Countrey of China and of the Prouinces and notable Realmes that are conteyned in it The seuenth Chapter sheweth of the temperature of the land and the notable things that it bringeth forth The viij Chapter sheweth of the greatnes of the cities and temples buildings that are in all the Countrey of China The nienth Chapter sheweth of their faces apparel and conditions of this people The tenth Chapter sheweth of the nauigation the Chinas do make in the Sea and in the Riuers The eleuenth Chapter sheweth of the letters figures of the Chinas and of their studies ingenerall The xij Chapter sheweth how that of this great realme of China is King and lorde one onely Prince and of his counsaile and Maiestie and of his house and Court. The xiij Chapter sheweth of the Presidents and Ministers that are in euerie Prouince and the order which they haue in the gouernment of them The xiiij Chapter sheweth of the gouernment and preuention that the king hath and doth for the successe of his warres The xv Chapter sheweth of the Religion and Rites they haue and the Ceremonies they vse The xvj Chapter sheweth of the order that may be had whereby these people might become Christians and of the nauigation which is made from the newe Spaine vnto the Ilandes of the west partes called Philippinas Imprinted at London by Thomas Dawson dwelling at the three Cranes in the Vine-tree 1579.
and the firme land vntill hee came too Moscanbique which standeth in fifteene degrees of height of the South side sixe hundreth leages beyonde the cape of Buena Esperanca which place is nowe themoste principall porte that the Portugales haue in all those Seas Don Vasco taried a smal tyme in this place bicause it was then inhabited with Merchauntes of the secte of Mahoma which were come thither in the trade of merchandize and so hee ran along the coaste and touched in Mōbasa and in Melinde where he was well receiued of the king although hee were a Moore with whome hee concluded a peace and amytie in the name of the king Don Emanuel his Lord and maister And hauing well enformed and instructed himselfe of the coast of the India hee tooke experte Pilotes for the Nauigation and went along vppon his voiage passing ouer a gulfe of seuen hundreth leages in twenty and two dayes vntill hee came too the Citie of Calicut put in eleuen degrees and a quarter of the North side with greate ioy and gladnes too see himselfe at the end of his iorney And beeing at Anker without hee sent woorde too the king of his comming where hee was in a place fiue leages from the Citie who sent him woorde that hee was very glad of his comming and of his Embassadge tooke order that he shoulde passe his shippes too the Porte of Capocate a place moste sure where they might ryde at Anker by reason that it was in the Moneth of May which is in that Coūtry the coldest and hardest tyme of Winter in the yeere and when hee thought good he would aduise him to come to the Court. This region that commonly is called India is the Country with in which is conteined the two famous riuers Indus and Ganges which doo spring in the twoo mountaines Dalanguer and Nangracot so being ioyned one to thother that they are thought to be one and the people of that Country do thinke that they spring out of one common vaine and so runne into the great Ocean Seas The riuer Indus of whom al this Prouince tooke the name by the realme of Guacarate which commonly is called the west part of Cambaya and the riuer Ganges by that of Beugala towards the e◅stparts lying East and West vnder the tropike of Caucer ▪ ◅trauise of threehundreth leages from one mouth to thother from the which commeth out a point of the lande farre in to the Sea and sheweth it self very sharpe euen vntil it come to the cape Camori which lieth Noorth and South from the fountaines of these riuers in distaunce of 400. leages of length in seuen degrees and two terces of heigth of the North side And although that amongst the Princes of these Countries are but twoo differences of lawes Idolaters and Mahomets al the Coūtry is deuided in to many realmes states For although they are very warlyke and of littel fayths yet the height and sharpnes of the hilles and mountaines and the greate nūber of fearce bests which are not to be made tame the riuers the entering of the Seas do make it inuincible is the cause cause that al this region is not brought subiect to the Prince which is of most powre and principally by reason of a long tract and rowe of mountaines which the natural people of the Coūtry do cal Gates stretching from the North to the south in the length of 200. leages from one coast to thother as doeth the high mountains Apenino in Italie beginning at the west part at the riuer Caruants passing vnto the mountain called Delij very wel knowen of the sailers of that coast which standeth in xii degrees and a halfe in height of the North side where is a plaine peece of ground ouerflowen with water of sixe or ten leages as it seemeth by the bayes neere adioyning thervnto which may bee eightie leages long and the natural people of the Country do cal it Malabar where standeth the realme and Citie of Calicut this king beeing the greatest of powre of those of this prouince and therefore hee is intituled Camori which is asmuch too say as Emperour Two daies after that Don Vasco had placed his ships in the port of Capacote there came for him a seruant of the king to bring him too his presence whome they cal their Catual accompanied with 200. men of his garde who put him selfe into his iorney carying with him onely xii Portugales and one Moore called Monzaide ▪ This Monzaide was of the realme of Tunez who did him greate pleasure by reason hee was a faythful interpreter of whome he vnderstood the secrets of the land and the gouernement thereof and in the way came to receiue him another Catual of higher degree who did accompanie him vntil he came to the king who when he should receiue him put himselfe for Maiestie at the ende of a great chamber in a bed which they cal Catel appareled with a certaine kind of fine cloth made of cotton wool burnished set with roses of beaten gold and on his head a long high cap of cloth of gold of the fashion of a close mytre ful of pearles on his legges and armes he had great store of bracelets of golde and stone hee had his head lying vppon a Pillowe of plaine silke wrought with golde firisied there was leaning to the bed a Gentleman which helde a plater of golde in his handes with the leafe of Betely with which kind of leafe they vse to comfort the stomack And Don Vasco entring into the chamber there rose very neere vnto the king a man of great yeeres with whyte garments representing great honor who was his heigh Priest being the chiefe of the religious men of his gentilitie and tooke him by the hande and caried him to the kings presence who receiued him with a mery countenaunce and with a shewe of greate and seuere Maiestie without mouing himselfe more then lifting vp his head a little frō the Pillowe and when he layed down his head againe hee made signes to the high Priest that he should cause him to sit downe by the bed side ▪ And hauing spoken certaine generall woords with Don Vasco and receiued the Letter of Don Emanuel he saide that he woulde see it and woulde heare him when he was at more leysure and for that tyme he shoulde go to take his rest commaunding a Gentleman to haue care too lodge him see him wel vsed with good entertainemēt The next day Don Vasco would returne to speake with him and declare his embassadge but the Gentlemen which kept him company kept him backe declaring to him that the Embassadors which came to that Country were accustomed not too go to speake with the king but when it pleased his Maiestie to cal them but the Moore Monzaide as one which knewe wel the order that was vsed in these causes said vnto him that the most certaine order and custom of that Prince and of