from going to relieve our Men whom he held in great Distress or if he were gone to possess themselves of those Islands They being too late to stop him besieged the People of Ulate in the Islands of Iliacer They had been forty days shut up when D. Duarte de Meneses with Sancho de Vasconcelos who commanded at Sea came to their Relief They of Ulate encourag'd with this Succor fell upon the Besiegers and put them to flight They presented our Captain with Baskets of Heads and he returning to Amboina found D. Duarte dead and succeeded him in that Command The Command of the Sea he gave to Simon de Abreu call'd Papabierro that is Sword-swallower because being concern'd in many Duels he always disarm'd his Adversary 6. Being abroad with his Squadron he met that of Ternate and there began a furious Battle but the other Vessels in the heat of the Action forsook him and he overpower'd by the Multitude was killed and 25 men with him Autony Lopâ—…z de Resende who went not off with those Cowards came to succour him but it being too late the Enemy offer'd him Quarter and he refused it saying He bad rather die as his Commander had done The Admiral of Ternate attacks him and he taking a Cannon upon his Shoulder I suppose it was a little one order'd a Souldier to give fire to it so succesfully that it broke the Admiral 's Leg. His Men thought him dead and whilst they were busie about him Resende had time to make his escape having lost four Men in this great Action 7. The little King of Atua a new Convert who had fought bravely was betrayed to Reboanje Commander of the Ternatenses who offer'd him his Life if he would renounce the Faith and threatned him with a new sort of Martyrdom if he refused He continued firm and being hung by a Rope between two Vessels Reboanje's Galley run with all its force at and tore him to pieces 8. Iohn de Silva succeeded in the Command of the Sea All our Men seeing so many misfortunes befal us in those Islands were for quitting them Only Sancho de Vasconcelos protested he would not abandon the Christians of those Islands affirming if no Body would bear him Company he would stay alone and defend them with the Natives They were all asham'd and yielded to his Resolution They quitted Ito and fortified themselves upon the Point of Rosanive where the Land makes a Bay of four Leagues in Length and three Leagues over at the mouth and runs up still narrower like a Pyramid on one side of the Point is the pleasant and plentiful Town of Rosanive the Inhabitants thereof and the neighbouring Places were our Friends There the new Fort was built the Atives and Tavires labouring at it with great Fidelity to the Portugueses by whom they were reduced to the Faith which they firmly adhered to Iohn de Silva went to Malaca for Succor which was granted him by Francis de Costa commanding there and was cast away in the Bay of Tapara where the Men were made Slaves 9. Though these were lost yet some Supplies came to Amboina sent by the Viceroy Our Enemies at Atua falling on a sudden upon the Portugueses killed five and an Italian â—…esuit Mascarennas fled into the Woods whence he was brought out at the end of eight days almost famished Sancho gathering our Friends fell upon Atua and killed not only the Children at their Mother's Breasts but the very Beasts In the Island 〈◊〉 twelve Leagues distant he did the same some of the Natives retiring to a Mountain 10. At this time time arrived at Goa four Ships from Portugal under the Command of D. Francis de Sousa who as soon as he landed went to the Archbishop D. Gasper and deliver'd to him a Letter from the King and other Papers Scarce had that ancient and learned Man seen them when without any consideration he committed a great weakness putting those Orders in Execution for there being several Circumstances that ought to be weighed by a Person of his Years and Profession he instantly with great disorder called together several persons appointed for this extravagant Action into the Church 11. The Orders were read by a Cryer they contain'd That D. Antony de Noronnâ—… should be deposed from the Viceroyship and that Antony Moniz Barreto should immediately succeed him with the Title of Governour All Noronna's Crime whereby he merited to be thus deposed was that he gave not to Moniz what was not in his power to give and all the Merit of Moniz that he promised that which afterwards he could not perform D. Antony return'd to Portugal though slighted not inglorious for extravagant Injuries done by Superiors are rather Honours than Affronts to the Person that receives them Yet he not well considering it died for Grief as did his Wife and Brother-in-law and that Minister 〈◊〉 State who was the cause of their Death by crediting so slightly the Information of Antony Moniz being sensible of the wrong he had done broke his Heart And King Sebastian hearing of the Death of D. Antony declared he was sorry it happen'd before 〈◊〉 had made him reparation of his Honoâ—… D. Antony was a Man of great Honour Siâ—… cerity and Prudence and who according to the Rules of the World deserved his ill Fortune His Visage long and disagreeable his Body large and gross In the number of Viceroys he was the 11th in that of Governors the 25th the 1st of the Name and 4th of the Sirname he held the Government â—…wo Years and deserved to hold it many CHAP. XIV The Government of Antony Moniz Barreto from the Year 1573 till 1576 in the Reign of King Sebastian 1. SCarce had the Bishop concluded that Act so misbecoming the Pastoral Staff when he took out another Order wherein Gonçalo Pereyra Marramaque was appointed to succeed Antony Moniz Barreto in the Government of Malaca and in default of him D. Leonis Pereyra was named The latter succeeded for the other died after relieving of Ternate This done that Pharisaical Cabaâ—… broke up and hasted to carry the News to â—…he Viceroy who received it with such unconcernedness as might well put them all out of Countenance 2. Advice is now brought that Malaca â—…s again in danger the Kâ—…ng of Achem being again before it assisted by the Queen of Iaâ—…a The new Governor orders D. Leonis Perâ—…yra to be gone to his Government to â—…ccour that place D. Leonis demands of â—…im what he had before demanded of D. Aâ—…tony and he returns the same answer Noâ—…a had given him without remembring what he had writ to the King or considering he had now less reason to refuse D. Lâ—…onis than Noronna had to deny him for then India was threatned by all the Power of the East and was now deliver'd of that danger D. Leonis to take all manner of excuse from him would have been satisfied with much less now than Moniz demanded before But even that was
Cloaths only instead of a Cap they wear a small Crown which holds the knot of their Hair at the top They own one great God and others lesser but all Corporeal allow of Heaven and Hell the Felicity with the body and even in this World they feign that through certain excercises Men become young again they say and believe any thing that comes into their fancy they have Musick and good Instruments and are therefore called to Funerals and Sacrifices they pretend to Sorcery and promise Rain which always fails to their shame 11. They also pretend to lay Devils that haunt Houses and are as successful as in the other their chief study is a quiet and long Life but more for the long which they endeavour to purchase at any rate 12. The third Sect as its Author is called Xaca he is said to be son of Maga and a dream for that she dreamed she conceived looking upon a white Elephant was delivered of him through her side and died immediatly Xaca did pennance for this misfortune on the snowy Mountain and had there in 12 Years 4 Masters became learned in the Science of the first causes and had many Disciples who spread his Sect through all Asia This Doctrine was brought into China about the Year of Grace 63 at the instance of the Emperor Hamin the followers of this Opinion once amounted to three Millions now they are but few 13. Their Priests wear neither Hair nor beard adore Idols believe there is Reward and punishment in the next Life and live in community 500 together they are called to Sacrifices and Burials and wear a sort of Copes Eat no Flesh Fish Eggs nor drink Wine have large inclosures in Villages and live under a superior others live in Caves Dens and on Rocks some do most rigid pennance Some lock themselves in narrow Houses or rather boxes of Wood full of spikes the points inward and live in these a Month without being able to lean for the spikes or Eating only Drinking Cha. But others affirm they go in provided with lumps of Beef hard baked which they dissolve in that hot liquor there is another sort called Vagabonds that are generally villanous fellows guilty of all crimes especially Robberies There are also Nuns of these Orders their Heads shorn they are but few and not enclosed 14. They believe the transmigration of Souls that they descend and pass through nine Hells then return to be Men at best or else beasts like Men or what is worst of all Birds The wisest of them direct all their study toward the Prima causa after the last death they believe there is neither reward nor punishment 15. Of Transmigration they believe if a Man was courteous he becomes Man again if subject to passion a Lion if cruel a Tiger if unchast a Hog and if given to stealing a Bird of Prey From these proceed many other Sects it is a Proverb of these three Sects that the Lawyers govern the Kingdom the Taucus the Body and the Bonzot the Heart 16. In their Sacrifices are offered a beast like a Goat Swine Oxen Cocks and Hens all sorts of Fish chiefly the Barble Rice Grain and Wine If the King sacrifice the offering is divided among Mandarines if great Men among their Relations if ordinary People they Eat it among them All other things offered are burnt as Silk leaves of Gold and Silver cut Paper Candles Perfumes c. there are no Priests appointed for this every one does it for himself 17. The Chineses are great admirers of virtue and have a sort of Commandments written in their Houses much of the same nature as ours There are strangers in China who differ in point of belief but not considerable We have already mentioned those barbarous Inhabitants of a part of the Island Hainan and others in the Mountains of Quantung Hucheu and Quiangsi these follow the Opinions of the rest of the Kingdom In the Province of Yunnan there is a large tract of Land inhabited by a People differing in language and customs having a King of their own but tributary to China In some parts there are Mahometans who have their Mosques but ill observe their law Tney marry their Sons ro Chinese Women but the Daughters only marry among themselves because Women follow the opinion of the Husbands and these never change Their first coming into China was about 800 Years since being called in by a King to assist him in his Wars and having served well such as would were allowed to â—…le there There are Jews in the Province of Honan and in the Metropolis of it Caifumfu they have a neat Synagogue which shall be described hereafter For want of Priests they are become very ignorant In their law and many beâ—… Mahometans and Pagans CHAP. XVII Of the Original of the Kingdom of China the Pallace and Government of it 1. THere is no certain account of the Original of this Kingdom though their Histories begin at the Universal flood The first three Kings are esteemed Saints since that time the succession has been in 22 families this now reigning has continued 300 Years the first of it did all that was possible to secure his line he abolished all Royalties forbid under severe Penalties any of the blood Royal to have any hand in Government and gave all the power to Lawyers who were to attain it by learning and virtue the Monarchy continues as he left it 2. They reckon Years from the beginning of the last Reign the first actions of it are coining of Money Crowning of the Queen giving her and the Concubines names offering great Sacrifices giving Alms treating Magistrates setting open Prisons turning the Ladies out of the Court taking in new ones all the states acknowledging the King giving him a new name He is stiled Emperor the Courtiers call him Son of Heaven and pay him a respect more than Human 3. The reason the Ladies are turned out of Court is because many are old and the deceased may have had to do with the young and therefore the successor must not venture coming where he has been beautiful Maids are sought for this purpose all over the Kingdom and the Fathers strive to marry them off that they may not be carryed to Court 4. The Women turned out are all sold at the Pallace Gaâ—… to the best bidders who take them for 〈◊〉 none but mean People buy them their Faces and hands are covered and the buyer sees them not till he carries them home and takes them for better for worse 5. There are about 3000 of these Women who live in four Pallaces one King tired with choosing was drawn in a Chariot by Goats and wherever they stopped he took up another chose by the Pictures of the beautifullest 6. Formerly the Kings were more familiar with their subjects and visited the Kingdom giving publick Audience this custom decayed by degrees and the common way of doing business is by petition but still the King gives
the Prince gave him the Island and afterwards the Spiritualities thereof to the Military Order of Christ. 4. The Prince had spent twelve years endeavouring the discovery of Guinea and was now much encouraged by the discovery of these two Islands though many condemned his undertakings objecting That the Land he looked for was only Deserts like those of Libia that if any reached those Parts they would turn black that King Iohn his Father had invited Strangers to plant in Portugal so far from sending out people of which the Country was in want that God had appointed those Countries for the habitation of Wild Beasts which might appear by that they were expelled that new Island by the Rabbets All this time the Prince's undertakings were not only censured but almost fruitless till he sent Galianez in a Barque who passed that till then Invincible Cape Boxador which action was then in the common Opinion looked upon not inferior to the labours of Hercules 5. Gilianes returned in his Barque with Alonso Gonzales Balday in a bigger Vessel than the former and passed 30 Leagues beyond the Cape where landing they saw a great track of Men and Camels Without any further knowledge they returned home giving the name of Angra de Ruyvos to that Bay in English Bay of Gurnets because they found there great quantity of that Fish The next year the Design was continued and they passed twelve Leagues farther Here putting ashore two Men on Horseback who going on till the Afternoon saw nineteen Men with Javelins who fled and were pursued and some wounded and one of the Portugueses the first Blood spilt in those Parts Baldaya having notice thereof went ashore but in vain for the Moors fled in the Cave where the Moors had been were found some things of inconsiderable value but esteemed as an Omen of greater advantages They run on twelve Leagues farther where at the Mouth of a River they saw so many Sea-Wolves they judged them to be 5000 they killed many and brought the Skins which being a novelty were then had in esteem Going farther into the Land they found Fishing Nets drying but no People and their Provisions being spent they were obliged to return to their Prince without any further progress 6. Antony Gonzales was sent back to the place of the Sea-Wolves with orders to load his Vessel with their Skins One night he went up the Country eight Leagues with ten Men and spying a naked Man with two Darts in his hand driving a Camel he came up and took him the Man with the fright neither defending himself nor endeavouring to escape In his return he met a company of forty Moors and one Woman whom they also took in their sight without resistance these were the first taken on that Coast. Returning aboard they found another Ship was arrived there from Portugal under Command of Nunno Tristan with this addition of strength they went ashore again and met people at night and being so close that they lost the use of their Weapons clasped each other in Arms and knew not whom they held but by being naked and cloathed and the strangeness of the Language they killed three and returned to their Ships with ten Prisoners This Place they called Puerto del Cavallero or the Knights Port Antony Gonzales being there knighted by Nunno Tristan An Arab that was on board understood these Moors him and the Woman they put ashore to perswade the Inhabitants to redeem the Prisoners Next day appeared about 150 some on Camels some on Horseback provoking our Men to Land but finding they did not discharged a Volley of Stones at them and went off Antony Gonzales returned to Portugal with some Slaves Tristan having first careen'd coasted on as far as Cabo Blanco or White Cape where though he saw the track of People meeting none he returned home 7. Antony Gonzales returns carrying with him the chief of the Moors he had brought he promising to give seven Guinea Slaves for his ransom but once ashore forgot his promise yet giving notice in the Country others came to redeem the two Young Men that were Prisoners giving for them ten Blacks of several Countries and a considerable quantity of Gold Dust which was the first brought from those parts Therefore a Rivulet that runs up about six Leagues was called Rio del Oro or River of Gold This and a Shield of Buck-skin and some Ostriches Eggs they brought home all men admiring the colour of the Slaves The Gold stirred up covetous desires and encouraged Nunno Tristan to undertake again the Voyage and passing farther discovered the Island Adeget one of those of Arguim and saw twenty Almadies or Boats passing over from the Continent four men in each sitting in such manner that they rowed with their Legs Tristan launching his Boat with seven men chased them and brought fourteen aboard and going back for the rest they had reached the Island Hence they went over to another Island which they called De las Garcas or Island of Hauks because of the vast numbers they saw there and took some 8. The Profit encreasing the desire of it also encreased Some came from several parts to Portugal to admire those Rarities the Natives brought Lancelot the Prince's Servant Galianes who first passed Cape Bojador Stephen Alonso Roderick Alvarez and Iohn Diaz erected a Company in the Town of Lagos paying an acknowledgment to the Prince they asked leave to pursue these discoveries and set out with six Caravels whereof the first was Commander in chief arriving at the Island de las Garzas Martin Vincent and Giles Vasquez with each fourteen Souldiers in their Boats went over to the Island Nar where falling upon a Town they killed many and brought away 155 Prisoners all Moors The Captain Lancelot desiring to do the like attacked Tider and other Islands where he took above forty Prisoners which he presented to the Prince and was well rewarded 9. Gonzalo de Cintra set out with one Ship and coming to the Island Arguim run up a Creek at night intending to go ashore but the Tide ebbing he stuck and in the morning 200 Moors coming upon him he was killed with seven of his company These were the first Portugueses killed in these Attempts and from the Captain that place took name being called Angra de Gonçalo de Cintra fourteen Leagues beyond Rio del Oro. Antony Gonzales Iames Alonso and Gomez Perez set out in three Caravels bound for that River with orders to treat of the conversion of these Barbarians of Peace and Trade The Proposals were not received and they returned bringing back one of the People of the Continent who came voluntarily to see our Country and one of ours called Iohn Fernandez remained there with the same design Next Nunno Tristan made another Voyage and brought twenty Slaves from a neighbouring Village Dinis Fernandez in another Vessel passing the Mouth of the River Sanaga which divides the Azanagi from
Ialof took four Blacks who were fishing in an Almadie or Boat Sailing forward he discovered the famous Cabo Verde and returned satisfied with this exploit and having killed a great many Goats in an Island 10. Antony Gonzales Garcia Mendez and Iames Alonso though separated by a Storm met again in the Islands of Arguim Falling upon a Village they took 25 Moors they flying he that ran best took most as Laurence Diaz who took seven whilst others took but one and some none They called this Point Cabo del Resoate or Cape of Ransom because some Blacks were ransomed there The joy was the more for that they found Iohn Fernandez who was left there the last Voyage he was fat and in health though rough like the Inhabitants He told them that the Country being all plane and open they often lost their way and therefore were guided as at Sea by the Stars the Winds and by Birds That the Inhabitants lived miserably feeding on a certain Grain which the Earth produces without tilling on some Herbs Lizards and Locusts all scorched in the Sun which is predominant that place lying under the Tropick of Cancer That they used much Milk not only as Meat but Drink by reason of the scarcity of Water and therefore when they eat any Meat they never kill the Female because of the Milk those near the Sea eat some Fish When they were acquainted with our People and they gave them Corn they eat it whole The Land is Barren being all Sand bears a few Palm and Wild Fig-trees they have no Houses but Tents their Cloaths are Skins and the better and neater sort wear Alhaiques which is not unlike our Crape and the best some better sort of Cloath but none good their Employment is the care of Cattle their Language and Writings the same with those of the Coasts of Barbary with only about as much difference as is between the Castillians and those of Gallicia they have no King and live by Hords or Companies Returning home with this Account of Iohn Fernandez at Cabo Blanco they killed some Moors and took 55. 11. Dinisianez da Gram Alvaro Gil and Mafaldo de Setubal with each a Caravel landed in the Island Arguim where they took seven Moors and by the help of them forty seven afterwards They ran along the Coast of the Continent eighty Leagues and at several times took fifty Slaves losing seven Portugueses whose Boat being left dry by the Ebb in the Island de las Garzas they were all killed Lancelot who once before had commanded a small Fleet sailed from Lagos again towards Arguim as Admiral of fourteen Vessels At the same time set out from Madera Alvaro and Dinis Fernandez and Iohn de Castilla and others who all together with the former fourteen made up twenty seven Sail Nine of the fourteen of Lagos came to Arguim where Dinisianez was who persuaded them to destroy the Island in revenge of the seven that had been killed but the Moors understanding the danger fled so that only twelve were found whereof only four could be taken the rest killed as also one of our men Alvaro de Freytas returned with his three Ships Lancelot with his sailed to the Island Tider landed and finding no People returned aboard where seeing some Moors from the Shoar jearing our men because they could not find them two of our men were so provoked that they leaped into the Water with their Arms and swam to shoar to the Moors who ran down to receive them Others of our men seeing the danger those two were in leaped after them and on the shoar was a sharp skirmish many of the Moors were killed and sixty taken This done Suero da Costa and three more returned home In a Village at Cape Blanco they took nine Moors among them a Woman who promising a great Ransom deceived Suero for at the Island Tider the bold Woman who could swim very well leaped over-board and gained her liberty by swimming ashoar Lancelot and others unwilling to return without some Loading as light as they came out designed to sail to Zahara of the Azanagi and Guinea but after some small attempts resolved for the Island of Palma They touched at Gomera and were received by two Commanders Piste and Brucho in acknowledgment of some kindness they had received from Prince Henry They discovered to them the design and taking them along landed in Palma all they got was seventeen Prisoners but among them was a very large Morish Woman who was said to be Queen of part of that Island They returned to Gomera and Iohn de Castilla dissatisfied with the small Prize base and ingratefully carried away Captives about twenty Islanders who were his Friends and had assisted him Which wrong the Prince amended by sending them back well cloathed 12. Gomera and Palma are of the number of the Canary Islands The Canaries were discovered for King Henry the Third of Spain by Iohn de Betancour a Frenchman among them he conquered those called Lancarote Fuerteventura and Ferro In them he left Masiot de Betancour his Nephew who conquered Gomera and exchanging them with Prince Henry for some Land in Madera he went and lived there And because the Islands being twelve in number there remained eight not conquered viz. Gran Canaria Palma Graciosa Infierno Alegranca Santa Clara Roche and Lobos the Prince sent a Fleet in which were 2500 Foot and 120 Lances commanded by Don Fernando de Castro who landing there converted many Infidels But there being complaints made from Spain to whom that Conquest appertained it was given over Afterwards King Henry the Fourth of Portugal gave them to D. Martin de Ataide Count of Atonguia And lastly in the Treaty between Alfonso of Portugal and Ferdinand of Castile it was agreed they belonged to Castile The Inhabitants of these Islands were governed by a certain number of Persons they varied in their Worship in Fight they used no Weapons but Sticks and Stones their Cloathing upwards was Skins the lower part a covering made of Palm-leaves of divers Colours they took off their Beard with sharp Stones their Governours had the Maidenheads of all Women that married they feasted their Guests with them at their visits the Children sucked Goats their common food Wheat and Barley Milk Herbs Mice Lizards and Snakes 13. Lancelot being homeward bound discovered the River Ovedec which he called Sanaga because a Black of that name was released there It was then believed to be one of the Branches of Nile because they were informed it ran far to the Eastward Stephen Alonso in a small Boat went up the River and took two Blacks with considerable opposition made by their Father Roderick Anez and Dinis Diaz were here separated from the rest by a great Storm and arrived in Portugal Lancelot steering toward Cape Verde went ashore upon an Island where he found nothing but Goats and these words cut on the Bark of a Tree TALENT DE BIEN FAIRE This was
THE King of Calicut envying the advantage he of Cochin made of our Trade got together 50000 men at Patane 16 Leagues from Cochin with other preparations for War The People of Cochin fearing that Power were for delivering up the Portugueses to him of Calicut who demanded nothing more But Triumpara King of Cochin refused and went out with three Nephews and small force to meet the Enemy At the first charge he was forsaken by some of his Nobles yet assisted by the Portugueses valiantly maintained a Pass till his Nephews being killed whereof one was General he was forced to fly and secure himself in the Island Vaipi near to and more tenable than Cochin which was burnt and he persisted in not delivering up the Portugueses a notable example of Fidelity in a Heathen scarce to be parallel'd among Christians 2. Whilst the People of Cochin were beseiged in the Island there sailed from Lisbon nine Ships under three distinct Commanders The first was Alfonso de Alburquerque the second Francis de Alburquerque and the third Antony de Saldanna The three last were to cruise in the Mouth of the Red Sea against the Ships of Meca the others to return with their lading Francis de Alburquerque arrived first with more Ships than he brought out having met with those of Vincent Sodre who was cruising upon the Indian Coast and distressed by Storm as also a Vessel that had been separated from D. Vasco de Gama Sodre had taken four Ships of Calicut which he carried to Cananor and burnt several small Vessels but this hapned before the invasion of Cochin to whose King he had offered his assistance but was not admitted and sailing thence touched at Zocotora and Guardafu and on the Coast of Arabia took some Vessels of Cambaya and Calicut Winter coming on he took shelter in a Bay near the Islands Curiamuria and found the Moors of that Coast called Baduiis who live by their Cattle were tractable and after two Months they advised Sodre to seek a better Harbour because about that time there arose such Storms in that place that he would be lost He would not credit them believing they said it only to be rid of him but sound they spoke truth being lost with his Brother and all the men in a sudden Tempest the other Vessels with great danger and suffering much through hunger and thirst escaped met Francis de Alburquerque and arrived with him at Cochin The Commander sent the King a Present into the Island part whereof was 10000 Ducats in Mony Then going ashoar the King ran and embraced him crying Portugal Portugal and all the People with great cries repeat Portugal Portugal and the Portugueses to return the civility cried Cochin Cochin The Commander comforted the King giving him assured hopes in the assistance of his Ships and the others he expected Not to lose time he fell upon those who held the Island of Cochin for the King of Calicut and killing many expelled the remainder then passed to Vaipi restoring that Country to its lawful Prince The Lord of Repelim his Lands were wasted with Fire and Sword and only four Portugueses lost in this action The joy Triumpara conceived in being restored by our assistance moved him to grant us leave to build a Fort in Cochin The work was begun when Alfonso de Albuquerque arrived and it was called the Fort of St. Iames and a Church then built dedicated to St. Bartholomew 500 men were put aboard some Vessels taken from the Enemy who burnt Repelim after a stout defence made by 2000 Nayres Alfonso de Albuquerque ambitious of performing some notable Exploit by himself advanced against a Town when a multitude of expert Heathens issuing brought him into great danger and the more by the assistance of thirty three Vessels of Calicut but Francis his Brother coming up they were put to flight and many killed as were 700 in the Island Cabalam where they thought to secure themselves Duarte Pacheco destroyed another Town killing many of the Inhabitants As our men sailed though victorious spent with fatigue fifty Ships of Calicut met them the number surprized them but our Cannon being well played the Enemy fled Antonio do Campo carried the news of this success to Portugal 3. Pepper was bought with some expence of blood The Queen of Coulam offered lading for two Ships Alburquerque went thither and setled a Trade as in Cochin and to manage it left there a Factor and twenty six men The King of Calicut perceiving our success desired Peace it was granted upon our Conditions some being put in execution he put a stop to the rest He loved the Conveniency but hated the Means and again prosecuted the War The King of Cochin representing how just he had been to us desired some able Commander might be left there with a number of men to his assistance The demand was reasonable it was therefore resolved that Duarte Pacheco with his Ship and two Caravels and 100 men should be left there Alfonso and Francis de Alburquerque returned towards home The first arrived safe and among other things brought the King forty pound of Pearls and four hundred of the small a Diamond of wonderful bigness and two Horses one a Persian the other an Arab which were held in great esteem being the first that were brought to the Kingdom Francis de Alburquerque and the Ships under his Command were never more heard of Peter de Ataide who followed them having escaped a Storm was found with his men at Melinde 4. Antony de Saldanna the last of the three Commanders and who was sent to cruise in the Mouth of the Red Sea having lost Diego Fernandez Peteâ—…a came to an Anchor at St. Thomas Short of the Cape of Good Hope was made famous a place by the name of Aguada del Saldanna or Saldannas watering place not for any Water he took but the Blood of his Men shed there endeavouring to land At this time a Storm had parted from him Ruy Lorenço driving him up to Mozambique whence he held his course to Quiloa where he took some small Prizes An ambition of doing something more remarkable carried him to the Island Zanzibar 20 Leagues short of Monbaça where he took twenty small Vessels Then he appeared before the Town of that name The King of it designed to take the Ship with a number of Paraos or Boats but our Long Boat going out with thirty men killed several and took four Paraos The King appeared on the Shoar with 4000 men commanded by his Son who was killed with some others by the first Volley Their loss produced our safety for one of them running from their Croud with Colours bearing the Arms of Portugal Peace was concluded that King agreeing to pay 100 Meticales of Gold yearly as tributary to Portugal Thence he visited Melinde whose King was oppressed by him of Monbaça for his friendship to us This obliged Ruy Lorenço to stand in by the way he took two Ships
500 Leagues and has seven Kingdoms subject which are Cambodia Como Lanchaam Cheneray Chencran Chiamay Camburii and Chaypumo The King has 30000 Elephants whereof he carries out 3000 armed to War and 50000 men only of the City Udia Metropolis of his Empire The King of China alone in extent exceeds them all and all the Princes of Europe put together China is above 700 Leagues in length it has abundance of all sorts of Metals and exceeds Europe in Manufactures some of their Works seem beyond Human Wit the Silks Provisions and Pleasures wherewith it abounds are beyond computation 3. All the Heathens of India chiefly between Indus and Ganges write upon Palm Leaves without Ink with Wooden or Steel Pens which easily cut the Letters on the Leaf whereof I have seen some in Rome curiously folded what they design should be lasting they carve on Stone or Copper they begin on the left Hand their Histories are fabulous 600 years before the arrival of the Portugueses in India there was a King so powerful in Malabar that the People began their Era or Computation of Time from his Reign as they did afterwards from our arrival He was persuaded by the Moors that traded in his Ports to turn Mahometan and gave them leave to build Calicut Being old he divided his Kingdoms among his Kindred To the Chief he gave that of Coulan where he placed the Head See of the Religion of the Bramens and called him Cobritim that is the same as High Priest to his Nephew he gave Calicut with all the Temporal Dominion calling him Zamori that is the same with Emperour This last Dignity continues in the same place the other was translated to Cochin Having disposed of his Dominions he resolved to die at Meca but was drowned by the way Calicut is a plain Country well watered plentiful of Pepper and Ginger all other Spice it has from its Neighbours The People are very Superstitious and do not suffer those of one Trade or Profession to marry into another or put their Children to Learn The Nayres who are their Nobles if they chance to touch any of the Commons cleanse themselves by washing as the Samaritans and Jews The Women of the Nayres are common to them all but chiefly the Bramens therefore know no Father nor is any bound to maintain them They are most expert at their Weapons beginning to exercise them at the age of seven years They use all the antient manners of Augury and Divination 4. The Viceroy Don Francisco de Almeyda had an interview ashoar with the King of Cananor who brought with him 5000 men well armed He acquainted him he came to reside some time in India by reason of some troubles that were so inflamed with the Zamori King of Calicut He asked leave to build a Fort in the Harbour and it was granted Having begun it he left there Lorenço de Brito to command with 150 men and two Vessels to cruise upon the Coast. Being arrived at Cochin he received the News that the Factor of Coulan with all his men were killed by the Moors He sent his Son Don Lorenço with three Ships and three Caravels with Orders to procure Lading without taking notice of what had past but in case of denial to revenge the slaughter The Messenger was answered by a Shower of Arrows and twenty four Ships of Calicut and other places prepared to receive ours Don Lorenço after pouring in his Shot liberally burnt them all only a few of the Moors were saved by swimming Don Lorenço then went to load in another Port. 5. He returned to Cochin where his Father according to his Instructions was preparing to Crown Triumpara that King in recompence of the Gallantry wherewith he had defended the Portugueses against their Enemies But he being retired to follow a Religious Life and his Nephew Nambeadâ—…ra left Successor it was thought fit to bestow the same Honour upon him He was Crowned with great Solemnity with a Crown of Gold set with Jewels carried from Portugal for that purpose This was a security for that Prince and a terror to others six Ships were now sent home richly laden 6. King Emanuel to secure the Trade of the Gold of Zofala had caused a Fort to be built at Quiloa another at Moçambique and a Factory at Melinde After Don Francisco he sent out Pedro de Annaya with six Ships to build a Fort at Zofala three of the Ships were to go on to India and return with lading the other three to cruise on the Coast of Zofala One of the Captains fell overboard and was lost another had 16 men killed in an Island where he landed The others found Don Pedro de Annaya in the Port of Zofala He obtained leave of that King and raised a Fort whereby the Trade was secured which that King never intended imagining that the Country being unhealthful the Portugueses would be obliged to quit it Here Annaya found twenty Portugueses in a miserable condition after travelling with great hardships from Cape Corientes where they were forced to run their Ship ashoar being no longer able to keep above water Their Captain was Lope Sanchez whom they would not obey ashoar but dividing travelled in several Companies through those unknown Countries They were all lost except these twenty and five found by Antony de Magallanes in the River Quiloame who brought them to Zofala CHAP. X. A Continuation of the Conquests the same Year 1506. and the Government of the same Viceroy Don Francisco de Almeyda 1. THE Kingdom of Zofala is a large tract of Land of 750 Leagues circumference subject to the Monomotapa that is Emperour of that South Part of Africk called by the same Name or Ethiopia Inferior it is watered by these two Famous Rivers Rio del Espiritu Santo and Cuama the latter Navigable 250 Leagues These and many other Rivers that fall into them have Golden Sands Most part of the Land enjoys a Temperate Air pleasant wholsom and fruitful In part it bears great flocks of Sheep of the Skins whereof the Natives are Cloathed because of the cold South Winds Along the Banks of Cuama the Country is Mountanous covered with Woods and watered with many Rivers which make it delightful and therefore the best Peopled and the common residence of the Monomopata It is abundantly stocked with Elephants and consequenty Ivory and Mines of Gold encompassed 30 Leagues about with Mountains on the tops whereof the Air is serene and clear They are called the Mines of Manica 50 Leagues South-west of Zofala there are others 150 Leagues distant none then much valued by their Owners Here are some Buildings of wonderful Structure with Inscriptions of unknown Characters but the Natives know nothing of their Foundation They believe in one God under the Name of Mozima and use no Idols Witchcraft Theft and Adultery are most severely punished by them They have as many Wives as they can maintain the Kings are above 1000 but the first commands the
ashoar for Water but on a sudden the Cannon of the Town began to do great execution upon our Ships which drew off hastily not knowing the cause of this turn till some time after they understood 2000 men sent by the King of Ormuz for the defence of the place were newly arrived and their Officers refused to stand to the Peace Albuquerque had received no small damage from the great Cannon which was plaid very smartly but landing his men at break of day he assaulted the Town so couragiously and fortunately that as our men entred in at one Gate the Moors ran out at another The Place was plundered all except the Governours House saved because he received our men friendly and gave them notice to retire when the Relief came though he was killed in the confusion not being known This done he passed to Soar all the Inhabitants whereof fled except the Governour and some of the Principal Moors who offered it up to Albuquerque and received it back to hold of King Emanuel paying the same Tribute he had given to him of Ormuz 15 Leagues farther is Orfucam where he found little to do the Inhabitants having deserted it he sent after them his Nephew Don Antonio with 100 men who having received almost equal damage to what he did the Moors being numerous and fighting for their Wives and Children returned with 22 Prisoners The Town was plundered for the space of three days during which time he prepared to enter into the Harbour of Ormuz which was the Principal End of this Voyage and to which these exploits were but a prelude being small in his esteem though to others they might appear considerable 2. The City Ormuz is seated in a little Island called Gerum at the Mouth of the Persian Gulf about 3 Leagues in compass so barren that it produces nothing but Salt and Sulphur The Buildings of the City are sumptuous it is the great Market of all Goods brought thither from the East West and North which is the reason that though it have nothing of its own it abounds in all things and is plentifully supplied from the Province Mâ—…gostam and the Islands Quixome Lareque and others About the Year 1273 King Malec Caez possessed all the Land from the Island Gerum to that of Baharem and bordered upon the King of Gordunxa of the Province of Mogastam this King subtilly obtaining of Malec the Island of Gerum as a place of no worth after he was fortified therein drove him out of all his Country And translating the City Ormuz where the King kept his Court before to this Island he grew so formidable that the King of Persia fearing he would refuse to pay the Tribute the other had done prepared to invade him But he of Gordunxa prevented him by imposing on himself a yearly Tribute and offering to do him Homage by his Embassadors every five years In this Tyrant began the City and Kingdom of Ormuz afterwards possessed by his Heirs and others for the most part violently When Albuquerque arrived there Ceyfadim a Youth of 12 years of age reigned and over him his Slave Coje Atar a man subtil and couragious Who hearing what had been done by Albuquerque made preparations laying an embargo upon all the Ships in the Harbour and hiring Troops from the Neighbouring Provinces Persians Arabians and others so that when Albuquerque came there were in the Town 30000 Fighting-men among them 4000 Persians most expert Archers and in the Harbour 400 Vessels 60 of considerable bulk with 2500 men 3. Albuquerque was not ignorant of the reception designed him but to shew those People the greatness of his Resolution he entred that Port about the end of September and came to an Anchor between five of their greatest Ships For the more terror he fired his Cannon and the Shoar was soon covered with above 8000 men Seeing no Message came from the King he sent aboard the biggest of those Ships which was of Cambaya and seemed to ride Admiral the Captain whereof presently camâ—… to and was received by him with Civility and State He told him he had Orders from his King to take him of Ormuz into his Protection and grant him leave to Trade in those Seas provided he paid a reasonable Tribute but if he refused his Orders were to make War It was doubtless no small Presumption to offer a King the liberty of his own Seas and impose Conditions upon him with that handful of 460 men against 33000 and seven Ships to 400 but the success justified these proceedings and verified those Actions which to some have appeared fabulous The Moor delivered this Message to the King and his Governour Coje Atar and presently returned one Coje Beyrame excusing their not having sent to know what we demanded in that Port and promising the Governour would come next day to treat He came not but the Messages continued only in order to gain time to sortifie the City and receive further Supplies Albuquerque saw into the drift and told Beyrame he need only return with the acceptation of Peace as offered or the declaration of War He brought answer that City used not to pay but receive Tribute Night coming on it appeared they prepared to fight by the noise of Warlike Instruments and Shouts that was heard from the Walls and Ships The Morning discovered the Walls Shoar and Vessels covered with Armed Men the Windows and tops of the Houses filled with both Sexes and all Ages as Spectators of what should ensue Albuquerque having held a Council and given necessary Orders began to play his Cannon furiously and was answered by the Enemy They taking the advantage of the Smoak which hindred the sight attacked our Ships with 130 Boats well manned which did some damage with Showers of Arrows but received more many being sunk and the rest forced to retire by our Artillery Yet they made a second onset but were so received that the Sea was coloured with Blood By this time Albuquerque had sunk two of the great Ships and taken a third though with great opposition forcing the Moors to leap into thâ—… Sea The mean time the other Captains had mastered other Ships and perceiving themselves victorious ran along the Shoar and set fire to above 30 Ships which cutting their Cables were drove flaming upon the Persian Coast where they burnt others that lay aground This struck so great a terror into all that multitude that they fled to the shelter of the City and Coje Atar sent to offer all that Albuquerque had demanded He stopt further proceedings but perceiving the deceitfulness of the Moor threatned a greater effect of his Anger in case he persisted in his Wiles And comparing the damage found that with the loss of 10 men most of the Enemies Vessels with vast Riches were either sunk burnt or torn to pieces and 1700 of them killed The dead Bodies floating upon the Water many were seen with Ornaments of beaten Gold which our men fished for and
Four thousand Men that were killed he set sail firing the Ships that were to spare by the loss of those Men. This great Success cost us but three Portugueses 8. The Commander D. Leonis bestow'd not only Praises but Money and Jewels on all that had signaliz'd themselves to the value of 15000 Crowns The Viceroy receiving advice of the danger the City was in sent to its relief Iohn de Silva Pereyra with Men and Ammunition in seven Ships but he came when the Siege was raised So the King of Ujantana our Neighbour with sixty Sail who visited our Captain in the Fort and was received with Royal Magnificence rejoycing at our Success not without trouble that he had no share in it 9. The Viceroy offended at the Insolence of the Natives of the Island Salsete who persecuted the new converted Christians fitted out a Fleet against them without letting his design be known When those of Salâ—…te least thought of it he fell upon them and destroyed 200 of their Idolatrous Temples Because we have sometimes mentioned this Island without speaking of an ancient and wonderful Structure that is in it it will not be amiss to say something of it here 10. In this Island is a high Mountain winding about which are 3000 Cells with each of them a Cistern all cut out of the solid Rock Under the same Mountain is a way cut through the same Rock with such Cells on the sides which is said to go as far as Cambaya which if so must run under the Sea F. Antony de Porto a Franciscan resolving to enquire into this Secret got Company Provision Torches and great quantity of strong Packthread and fastning an end at the Mouth of the way travelled seven days through it Then finding no end and the Provision growing short he returned by the help of the Thread having as he believed travelled fifty Leagues to his great admiration but not satisfied The Gentils said this was the Work of Bimilamansa who 〈◊〉 300 Years before was King of all that is between Bengala and the Mogol's Country Formerly a Learned Man of those Parts affirm'd this and some others were the Works of the holy Prince Iosaphat 11. The Affairs of the Molucos were not at all successful We left Gonâ—…alo Pereyra Marramaque on his Voyage to Amboyna he joined with the Kings of Bacham and 〈◊〉 set out for the Island Cebu where some Spaniards had settled under the Command of Michael Lopez de Lagaspa à Biscainer and a Man so valiant and subtle that he amuzed our Captain till he got together his Men that were dispersed and then expelled him the Island with shame for that if attacked at first the Spaniard had been utterly defeated To add to this Misfortune he lost almost Three hundred Men by a Sickness natural to that Country 12. Hence he passed to Amboina or Ito for it is called by both Names a most beautiful and pleasant Island abounding in Fish Flesh and Fruit of all sorts and delicious taste It is inhabited by two sorts of people the Ulimas who are native Mahometans and have three Towns the Ulensivas are Heathens and have four Our Captain found the Natives assisted by Six hundred of the Islanders of Iava and well fortified under the Command of Gemiro Governour of those Islands He attacked them with such peril and was so vigorously opposed he seemed rather to fight for Life than Victory 13. At length the Portugueses prevailing were in danger of being overcome by their great Disorder in plundering The Captain rectified all by firing the Booty and many of the Men were scorched whose Covetousness overcame the fear of the Flames The Enemy retired to a Mountain and there compounded only for Life laying down their Arms. But the People of Amboina having been the first among those Islands who admitted the Portugueses offering Subjection to our Crown Lands and leave to erect a Pillar in their Metropolis with the Royal Arms of Portugal and finally embracing our Religion and contracting Marriages with us it will be convenient to look a little back in order to proceed in the relation of these Affairs and particularly of one wonderful Passage that may serve as an Example to such as pretend to Plant Colonies CHAP. IV. The End of the Government of the Viceroy D. Anton. de Noronna 1. THEY who know with what kindness the People of Amboina at first received us will be earnest to understand the Cause why now they are become our mortal Enemies The worst is they had so just a Cause which was thus The People of Curon I suppose this should be Ceram became implacable Enemies to those of Amboina on no other account but that they received the Portugueses admitted their Religion and contracted Marriages with them Hereupon they resolved to expel not only the Portugueses but even the Natives out of the Island accordingly on a sudden came uponthem with a great Power Those of Amboina had been ruin'd but that the Portugues stood by them and to be short utterly defeated their Enemies 2. The People of Amboina to shew their Gratitude to those who had defended them invited them to a splendid Entertainment The Wives of those who made the Feast came abroad to see the Portugueses entertain'd One of these doubtless he was drunk was so charmed with the Beauty of one of those Women or so blinded with Lust that leaping suddenly from his Seat he catched her in his Arms with such insolence after being three times admonished without desisting that if Genulius a Man of great Authority had not interposed the Portugueses had there been all cut to pieces And well they had deserved it for it appears they did not hinder or obstruct so insolent and publick a lustful Extravagancy which openly in the sight of the World durst force a Hand to those Parts which even with consent are not touched but in private and without Witnesses 3. Those People burned with the desire of Revenge for the affront they had receiv'd and look'd upon as most hainous Nor could Genulius appease them but by expelling the impudent Guests which he desir'd as much as any looking upon himself equally concerned in that Injury and knowing it was a new offence every time the injured saw him that gave the wrong he therefore reproaching them with the hainousness of the Crime and shewing how greatly they were favour'd in having their Lives spared ordered them instantly to depart the Island and never more presume to set their feet upon it 4. The People overturning the Tables with furious Countenances gave them to understand they would by force execute what Genulius had directed if the Portugueses doubted doing of it by fair means There was nothing to do but submit so they went away to their Ships full of shame their general Confusion paying for the Impudence of one in which all had a share because none reproved it 5. Scarce had the Portugueses left the Shore when those of Amboina prescribed
are set Dogs of Stone for People to go over upon many Vessels ply about it some very large being built for pleasure and feasting with Kitchins fore and aft in the Midship rooms with Tables above floors for Women the windows covered with close nets that they may not be seen all painted and gilded the abundance of Meat in them is wonderful in these many spend what they have The second thing famous is the Silk and man ner of working it the third the worship of their Idols and magnificence of their Temples 6. The last of these 9 Southern Provinces is Nanking between 29 and 36 deg of lat the best in the whole Kingdom It permits no Foreign Trade the Merchants to enhance the value of their goods say they are of Nanking in only the Town of Xanham 't is said there are 200000 loomes for Cotton which yearly yield the King 450000 Ducats The Court long resided here and all the tribunals and priviledges of a Court still remain in the capital City called as my Author will have it Ymthienfu but I find it is by all others named Kiangning This City is the best in the Kingdom for sumptuous buildings spacious streets trade and abundance of all things it has twelve stately Gates well defended with Canon without the walls runs another at a great distance much ruined the outward circumference will take up a Horseman two Days journey travelling a good pace the inward is 6 Leagues between the two walls are buildings and tillage the crop whereof is appropriate to the Souldiery that reside within to the number of 40000 In one quarter of the Town is a Mount and thereon a sphear of a vast bigness of curious workmanship but stands not on a frame there is also a rare Tower 7 stories high with all appurtenances made of Porcelane a most wonderful work The River runs by the foot of it called according to my Author Yamcuquiam by all others I find it named Kiang but Yamcuquiam signifies Son of the Sea because it is one of the greatest in the World and may perhaps for brevity generally be called Quiam or Kiang it has great store of Fish 7. The Northern Provinces are 6 their names Honan Xensi Xansi Xantung Peking and Leavâ—…ung The first lies between 33 and 37 deg of lat and produces the most delicious fruit which is prodigiously cheap so that One hundred of Apricocks is worth about half a Farthing A Prince lives here in as great state as the King 8. The Province Xensi lies to the Eastward of the last in near the same Latitude it is large but dry as the three next to it bears little Rice much Barley common and Indian Wheat Their Sheep are shorn three times a Year Spring Summer and Autum but the first shearing is the best The Wool serves for Hats and such like work but is not fit to spin The Goat's Hair is spun and of it they weave Stuffs richer than of Silk but it is only of a sort of Down that grows next the Skin under the long Hair This Province yields Musk which grows in the Navel of a Beast like a little Deer the Flesh whereof is eaten The Purses brought hither are not all the same in which it grows because the Musk mixed with other Drugs is too much to be contained by them only and so Purses are made for it of the Skin Scarce any Musk comes over pure Here is also some Gold gathered but in Rivers for the Mines of it and Silver are not open Most of the Rhubarb in the World seems to come from hence for that which is brought from Persia cannot be of the Prodâ—…ct of that Country because none that have travelled there relate they ever saw this Herb grow there It grows high and bears Leaves bigger than those of Cabbage requires much care and grows not wild as some would have it 9. This is a Province of great Trade for the numerous Caravans some of above One thousand Men which repair to its two Western Cities Socheu and Xancheu In them come Ambassadors from the Mahometan Princes to the King of China every three Years is an ordinary Embassy and every fifth one extraordinary they always bring Presents The Princes are the Turk the Arabs Camul Samarâ—…an and Tarsan but none of them except the last know any thing of these Embassies or Presents the Merchants do it at their own cost for the more security of their Trade The Present consists of a quantity of precious Stones Three hundred and forty Horses Three hundred small Sparks of Diamonds some sine Blew Six hundred Knives and as many Files The King returns for each Horse two pieces of Cloath of Gold Thirty of yellow Silk Thirty Pounds of Cha Ten of Musk Fifty of a Medicine called Tienyo and Fifty of Silver 10. Cha which I suppose to be our Tea is the Leaf of a Tree like Myrtle in some places bigger than others they dry it in Iron Pots over the Fire and so it runs up together There is of it from a Ducat the Pound to less than a Halfpenny such is its variety It is their common drink steeped in hot Water with it they treat Strangers and relate many Virtues of it 11. The Province of Xansi lies between 36 and 42 deg of Lat. the many Mountains make it barren therefore bears little Wheat less Rice and most of Indian Wheat it supplies the Kingdom with Resins Here are Wells of Fire for the use of Houses like those of Water in other Parts They make small Mouths and over them boil any thing They have Coal-Pits as in England The Province of Xantung lies between 35 and 38 deg of Lat. it is poor subject to Locusts and often to Famine It bears a sort of Apples which is carried over most of the Kingdom 12. The Province of Peking between 36 and 42 degrees of Latitude is now honoured with the Court in the City of the same name but more properly Xuntâ—…ienfu or Xuntien the Moors call it Cambalud The People as all those of the North are not so ingenious but more laborious and warlike The Land dry and healthy but barren yields Indian Corn but little Rice or Wheat The Rice used at Court comes from Nanking it is pleasant only boiled in Water without any other Addition The King keeps One thousand Sail that trade to the South for Provisions This Province sends abroad no Commodities but Pensils and Persumes The City is not so large as Nanking but far exceeds it in populousness The Walls are so thick twelve Horsemen ride abreast on them they are guarded with as much care in Peace as War At the Gates are Officers to receive the Duty of all things brought in and that belongs to the Queen 13. The Magistrates of this City have but very little State in their Persons and Houses only the chief of them can go in Chairs the others on Horseback All People have their Faces covered along the
Stewards the third the Master of the Horses the fourth the Master of the Ceremonies of the Court the fifth of particular Rites the sixth of the Petitions given the King the other three of lesser Matters Every City has its own particular Council each Metropolis of a Province five distinct Tribunals Each Town has a private Court 6. The great Mandarines are carried about Town in Chairs adorned with Ebony and Gold by four Men with others by to relieve them before the Chiefest go Men by Pairs with long Staves always crying out two others follow these with Tables on which is writ the quality of the Person carried after these go six scattering Bamboes with which they use to bastinade Offenders and others with Fetters and Chains Near the Chair a Man with a silâ—… Umbrello three times as big as those we use â—…two just before the Chair carry a small Box with the Royal Seal on one side a great Fan that shades all the Chair behind go the Pages and other Attendance on Foot and Horseback 7. When one of these goes by all things are taken from the Windows the Images of Funerals are lowred the People stop on the sides of the Streets there is no noise and he passes without moving his Eyes When he goes to any City the ancient Men receive him at the Gate on their Knees The King bestows Honour on Magistrates Mothers as they rise and when they die buries them with Pomp and assigns them stately Pallaces while living 8. The Prisons are large and commonly near to the Palaces of the Mandarines thâ—…y belong to they have no Grates to the Street the Dungeons are terrible the other Part is in Rows sustained by Pillars with Planks along for Beds where every one lies with Fetters on his Hands and his Feet as it were in the Stocks over them all run long Chains so that they cannot turn The lesser Criminals are more favourably dealt with but all fare hard for the Prisons serve to punish as well as to secure Men. The Prisoners have much to do at their Entrance with the Keepers about their Fees for they pay none at going out 9. Their Punishments differ not much from ours but whipping is used before all other Penalties the Lashes are given on the bare Buttocks and Thighs as well to Women as Men and that before the Tribunal or in the Street when the Crime is done there no Body values the Shame but only the Smart They also have several ways of Racking 10. Military Science is very ancient among the Chineses They had tedious Wars with their Neighbours conquered the Island Ceylon and subdued One hundred and Fourteen Kings They always entertain a vast number of Souldiers in Nanking there are Forty thousand in Peking Eighty thousand all over the Kingdom above a Million but they are all Cowards Yet of late Years they beat the Iaponeses out of Corea and the Tartars out of the Province of Peking They use foolish Reviews in which like our Boys they represent Tartars and Chineses and the former are always beaten 11. Gun-Powder is of most ancient standing among them of it they make curious and costly Fire-works they have some Cannon but no Skill in the use of it only shoot at random Their most usual Arms are Lances Arrows and Cutlaces There is a sort of Back and Breast Pieces Proof against Arrows Their Civil Government is very just because bad Ministers are severely punished and the King hears Complaints against them Thus much may suffice for the Affairs of China CHAP. XIX The Division of the Dominions the Portugueses do or have possessed in those Parts commonly comprehended under the general Name of India Some Remarks on the Customs and Religion of those People with some Account of the Christians of St. Thomas and of the Island of Ceylon 1. THE Portugues Dominions generally comprehended under the Name of India though dispersed along the Coasts of Asia and Africk may well be divided into five Parts The first containing the Islands of that vast Ocean as those of Maldivia the King whereof being a Christian with his Wife and Family resided at Cochim that of Ceylon in which we have the Town of Columbo and a Right to the Kingdoms of Iafanapatan Cota and Candea by Donation from their natural Kings the Island of Manar with its Fort and Fishery of Pearl Eastward the Sovereignty of all that Archipelago the Moluco Islands and that of Macao on the Coast of China 2. The Second Part lies from Cape Corrientes to the Mouth of the Red Sea Peopled by Moors along the Coast and the Inland by Idolatrous and Brutal Cafres 3. The Third is divided from Persia by the Persian Golph inhabited by Moors of different Opinions 4. The Fourth contains the Kingdom of Ormuz and neighbouring Parts that Trade thither especially Baharem so famed for the Fishery of Pearl that draws all Mankind thither 5. The Fifth is called India within and without Ganges All that lies between Indus and Ganges which is above 550 Leagues along the Coast is inhabited by two Nations Pagans and Mahometans who for above three Ages have been possessed of that Tract called Indostan 6. In this Fifth Part is included the principal Part of the Portugues Patrimony It begins at Diu a City not inferior to many famous in Europe and was once the Metropolis of Cambaya Almost opposite to it is Damam both which almost shut up the Mouth of the Bay of Cambaya and extend their Command Twenty-four Leagues in which space are many Villages that yield a considerable Revenue 7. From the River of Agacaim to that of Bombaim are Eight Leagues and in that space the City 〈◊〉 â—…th its Forts and Villages as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agaçaim Bandora Tana Câ—…a and opposite to it the Island Salsete whose wonderful Structures prove it to have been the Metropolis of that Country and Court of Princes The Dominions of Cambaya once extended thither The next is Chaul a Place of Importance Then the Capital of our Empire that is the Island Goemaâ—…e which sigâ—…fies Happy Land corruptly called Goa and Trissuari signifying Thirty Villages for so many it contains which on the Continent commands the Lands of Salsete and Bardes There follow on the Coast of Camaran towards Cape Comori the Towns of Onor 〈◊〉 and Mangalor then in Malahar Cananor Cranganor Coulam and the chief Port of our Fleets Cochim Turning the Cape appears the Pearl Fishery and above it the Cities Negapatan St. Thomas and other Towns if not Subject to at least Inhabited and defended by Portugueses 8. The Exterior India begins at the River Ganges and reaches to China and Câ—…bodia and is terminated by the River Mecom It is inhabited by Heathens worse if possible than the others Here the Portugueses have the rich City of Malaca Metropolis of that Kingdom and the greatest Place of Trade of all those Eastern Provinces 9. Something has been already said of the Manners of all these People we will add
the Mogols prosecuting his Ambitious Designs of enlarging his Empire undertook the Conquest of the Kingdom of Patane then possessed by Xa Holan whom Fortune had once much favoured and now seemed to neglect Nothing withstood the Mogol till he came to the City Xamanea before which he fat down His Enemy encamped a League off on the other side of Ganges and entertained him with continual Skirmishes generally with equal Loss Homaum still pressed and Halon despairing of removing him by open Force had recourse to Stratagem wherein he was singular He endeavoured to protract the Time the best he could till the Season that Ganges overflows which generally drowns all the Plain for the space of eight Leagues Mean while he dug vast Ponds to receive the River and then dammed it up and as the Floods began to swell he broke the Damms which caused the Waters to spread abroad with the greater violence â—…us all on a sudden when the Mogol least thought of it they gushed out upon his Army and before he imagined it swallowed up 50000 of his Men and an infinite quantity of Baggage 2. Homaum by the help of a Carrier escaped upon a Mule and the Queen who was with Child on an Elephant The Queen was delivered of a Daughter and fearing her Husband should hate her because it was not a Son she changed it for one the Wife of a Cornaca had then brought forth Cornaca's are the Men that govern the Elephants Some said the Child thought to be changed was got on the Queen by the Cornaca there being a suspicion he had had to do with her upon the Elephant There is no need of disputing the Possibility of the thing for on the Elephants are Castles those Castles loansom and Solitude and Idleness produce wanton Thoughts Queens are Women and Women have ready Wits However it was Homaum esteemed the Son as his own and he was called Gelaldim Hacbar As to his person he was more like the Cornaca than Homaum but the Endowments of his Mind were equal with the Greatest of Men. This Prince when he came to the Crown being offended at the Innundations of Ganges prevented them by drawing it into several Channels and built there a Palace of such Wonderful structure that Ten thousand Men spent Thirty years in the Work Homaum being come to the City Delhi cloathed the Carryer in Royal Robes entertaining him with a splendid Train and made him sit three days in the Regal Throne during which time he enjoyed the whole Revenue of the Crown and had the full power of Government From this time forward a Mule was stamped upon all his Coyn that even the Beast might not pass unrewarded 3. About the same time Antony de Mota Francis Zeymoto and Antony Peixoto sailing for China were thrown by a Storm among the Islands of Nipongi or Nifon by the Chineses called Gipon and by us Iapan In one of these they were well received and had the Honour to be the first that discovered them though accidentally They lye far Eastward of all India opposite to China between 30 and 40 Degrees of North Latitude They are many the Principal Nipongi or Iapan in which is the City Meaco the Imperial Court According to the Natives the Length of the Island is 366 Leagues according to our computation One hundred less It is divided into Fifty six Governments The Chief Islands about it are Cikoko Tokoesi Sando Sisime Bacasa Vuoqui Taquixima and Firando The Japans have the vain Pride to esteem themselves descended from the Gods They say a great Giant made the World of a Cocks Egg and of the Earthly part a Woman who engendring with a Crocodile brought forth a Man from whom they descend And the Family of the Conguis among them to this day wear Tails like those of Crocodiles hanging at their Breeches in token they are the immediate Line The truth is they are descended from a Chinese Prince who being banished passed thither but they are so vain they would rather descend from a Cock and a Crocodile than from the Chineses In Matters of Religion they have several Sects That of the Xexuni who deny the Immortality of the Soul and is followed by the Nobility it is not only in Iapan they follow it That of the Foccenxuni who adore the Sun and allow a Second Life The Xodexuni that adore the Idol which they think saves them if they name it That of Xocoxu who believe there is a Reward for the Good and Punishment for the Wicked and is followed by the Country People That of Xamabuxe the Professors whereof adore the Devils and converse with them so familiarly that when one would be Revenged of another he orders them to enter into him they call them with a Horn. Their Priests are called Bonzes But above all they adore an Idol called Seuto who lives in Heaven and is the beginning of all things Parricide and Treason they hold as sins that cannot be forgiven Pity this Doctrin should not be held among those that pretend to be Christians 4. Fernan Mendez Pinto in his Travels appropriates this Discovery to himself Saying He came to the Island Tanixuma which I suppose to be Taquixima one of those about Iapan with his two Companions Christopher Borallo and James Zeimoto not by way of Shipwreck but designedly in the Service of a Pyrat who had taken them up when cast away Both Relations mention three Names one of them is the same in both and both agree upon the same Year 1542. I will say something I find in that Author because it is rare and worthy Admiration 5. Nautaquim was then Prince of that Island and seeing the three Portugueses he stood amazed and uttered these mysterious words Let me dye if these meaning the Portugueses be not the Chinchicogies our ancient Records speak of who flying over the Waters shall come to be Lords of the Lands where God placed the greatest Riches of the World and it will be very fortunate for us if they come as Friends Let us return to India 6. The first thing the Governour did was lessening the Souldiers pay for saving of Charges is a great means to gain the Favour of Princes And Ministers never express their Zeal by retrenching their own large Allowances but by cutting off the small ones of the Poor This caused great Discontent among the Commonalty However Two thousand Men were raised and imbarqued in Seventy Vessels of several sorts with which the Governour set out for Batecala a City seated on the Banks of a River upon the Coast of Canara well built and encompassed with a fruitful Country The occasion of this Voyage That the Queen refused to pay her Tribute and entertained Pyrats in her Port to the detriment of the Publick 7. The Fleet entred the Port and the Queen seeing so great a force and that the Governour demanded the Tribute and delivery of the Pyrats Ships that had retired thither and fortified themselves she designed to hold
struck him out of his Books never to â—…e received into Service This also was put in execution Almeyda's Crime was That he had seemed to undervalue the Kings Favour refusing some Grace offered him The Vice-Roy was concerned that the differences between the Kings of Pimienta and Cochiâ—… grew daily greater Towards the End of November the Vice-Roy sailed with a good Fleet to assist the latter who was our Friend He was met at Sea by D. Iames de Noronha and his Fleet with whom came Gonçalo Pereyra Marramaque who was received with much Joy for his great Bravery in the late Action with the Turks It was agreed after some Consultation to land in the Islands called Alagada's belonging to the King of Pimienta The Natives in crowds opposed our Men landing with showers of Arrows but the Cannon made way After a vigorous Resistance all was destroyed with Fire and Sword only one Man was lost on our side 12. Gomes de Silva was left to prosecute the War which he did so successfully that the King sued for Peace which was concluded to our advantage and he was satisfied with the restitution of the Islands his Wife and the People taken in them The Vice-Roy dispatched the Ships for Portugal That of Ferdinand Alvarez Cabral was Cast-away at Aguada de S. Blas some of the Men got ashoar in Boats After a tedious Journey by Land Cabral and D. Alvaro de Noronha with his Family were drowned in a River The Vice-Roy sent his Son D. Ferdinand with a good Fleet to the Red-Sea He attempted to gain the Fort of Dofar but was repulsed with loss of seven or eight Men so he returned without any effect 14. At Diu arose New Troubles on account of the death of the King Sultan Manaud He was bred with Poison like Mithridates that none might hurt him When his Women were near their time he opened them to take out the Children He was one day hunting a Deer with some of them and falling off from his Horse hung by the Stirrup the Horse dragged him and one of the Women running cut the Girts with a Cimiter in requital he killed her saying A Woman of such courage had enough to kill him A Page in whom he had great confidence murdered him for Tyrants always dye by the hands of those they trust A Child accounted his Son succeeded him The Nobility offended at the Insolence of Madre Maluco who with the Title of Governour managed the Affairs of the Crown rebelled in several parts One of these was Abixcan at Diu who suffering his Men to Affront ours obliged D. Iames de Almeyda to enter the City with Five hundred Men killing a great number and plundering their Houses Abixcan though late saw his Error and came to Composition and was afterwards more submissive than had been at first desired of him 14. D. Iames de Noronha succeeded Almeyda in that Post in pursuance of the Kings Order before-mentioned The Moors forgetting their Fault and the Punishment they had incurred relapsed again Noronha with Six hundred Men so refreshed their Memories that they abandoned the City Cide Elal who Commanded in the Castle that was in the City offered to defend himself but seeing our Men begin to scale it submitted to march away without Arms. The Castle was demolished Scarce was it done when Abixcan appeared with Four hundred Men. Ferdinand de Castanoso advanced to meet him with One hundred and twenty but Three hundred of the Enemies Horse obliged him to retire in such disorder that on a sudden he found he had but seventeen Men left He posted himself where the Horse could not come and the Three hundred Enemies dismounting beset the 18 who back to back defended themselves till they were all killed their Hearts cut out and carried to the General 15. D. Iames de Norona marched on with the rest of the Men ignorant of what had happened but so impatient to engage with Abixcan that he could no way be dissuaded from pressing forward Meeting the Three hundred Horse he fell on furiously and put them to flight but Abixcan coming on with his Cannon D. Iames was forced to retire rather losing than gaining Reputation in this Action Common Conveniency brought them to an Accommodation Noronha this day lost by his Rashness what he often deserved for his Valour for the Factor endeavouring to stop his fury and saying to him He ought to consider the King's Fort would be lost He Answered in a Passion No matter when I am gone all is gone This saying was remembred when he was in election to be Vice-Roy of India and deprived him of that Post because it was thought so great a Trust could not with safety be reposed upon so rash a Man 16. The Great Turk hearing Miradobec was come off worse than the Unfortunate Pirbec and Alechelubij making great boast of what he would do gave him the Command of fifteen Galleys D. Ferdinand who was come out of the Red-Sea went after them On the 25th of August he had sight of them near Mascate Alechelubij not daring to give Battle endeavoured to get off with all his Galleys but six of them could not escape being taken by our Caravels 17. D. Ferdinand put into Mascate refitted the Galleys bought the Slaves and appointed them Captains Alechelubij pursued by some of our Vessels was drove into Suratt with seven of his nine Galleys and there shut up by D. Hierome de Castellobranco Nuno de Castro and D. Emanuel Mascarenhas The other two were pursued by D. Ferdinand de Monroy and Antony Valadares till they were beaten to pieces on the Coast of Damam and Daru 18. But because one is coming to succeed our Vice-Roy let us say somewhat of him He was modest easie and not active which was the Cause his Government answered not expectation As to his Person he was of a middle Stature a graceful Countenance and agreeable Behaviour his Complexion swarthy his Hair black In the number of Vice-Roys he was the 5th in that of Governours the 17th and held it four years the second of the Name and Sirname CHAP. XI The Government of the Vice-Roy D. Peter de Mascarenhas from the Year 1554 till 1555 King JOHN the Third still Reigning 1. DOn Peter de Mascarenhas was of one of the best Families of Portugal and had born the most considerable Offices in the Kingdom and was 70 years of Age when named Vice-Roy of India He set out of Lisbon with six Ships one of them was drove back and that in which he went as soon as he Landed at Goa sunk downright In these Ships were Two thousand Land-men The first thing the Vice-Roy did he appointed his Nephew Ferdinand Martinez Admiral to the great dissatisfaction of all Men. Martinez had 32 Sail given him and Orders to bring to Goa the 7 Turkish Galleys that were blocked up at Suratt Cáraçen Commander of that place would not permit it and gave good sufficient Reasons for his refusing so by
same Lope Soarez de Albergaria 1. THE Island Ceylon is opposite to Cape Comori and is the Southermost Land of India within Ganges distant from the Continent sixteen Leagues once as some imagine join'd to it in length about eighty Leagues and forty five in breadth The Southermost Point is in the Latitude of six degrees the most Northerly in about ten In this Sea is a Fishery of precious Pearls The ancient Inhabitants of it called it Ilanare The Persians and Arabs Seradib It took the Name of Ceylon from the Sea that parts it from the Continent because being dangerous and the Chineses having lost a great Fleet there called it Chilam that is to say Danger it somewhat resembles Scylla and corruptly it was called Ceylon This is the ancient Trapobana and not Sumatra as some have imagined It produces many things Cinnamon better than that of all other places Rubies Saphires and other precious Stones much Pepper and Cardamum Brasil Wood and other Dyes great Woods of Palm-trees the Elephants bred there the most sensible much Cattle has good Ports and several Rivers of good Water The Mountains are covered with pleasant Woods one particularly rising the space of seven Leagues on the top whereof is a round plain of about thirty paces Diameter in the Center whereof rises a smooth Rock about six spans above the rest on the Superficies whereof is the Print of a Mans Foot about two spans in length This Footstep is held in great veneration being thought to be of a holy Man born at Delhi who lived many years on that Mountain preaching to the Inhabitants the Belief of one only God who afterwards returning to his own Country sent one of his Teeth to the Kings of that Island as a Token to remember him and they keep it as a Relict whereon they repose much Confidence in time of Danger On this account resort thither many Pilgrims from places a thousand Leagues distant The Island is divided into nine Kingdoms the chiefest Columbo on the West The others Gale on the South Iaula Tanavaca Cande Batecalon Vilacem Triquinamale and Iafanapatam 2. The King of Columbo in Ceylon had a Trade with the Portugueses desired their Friendship and furnished them with Cinnamon from the time of Albuquerque Lope Soarez went thither now with a Design to oblige him to pay Tribute and to build a Fort as King Emanuel desired He had with him seven Gallies two Ships and eight small Vessels with the Materials and Workmen for the Building and 700 Portugues Soldiers They had bad Weather but arrived safe The King presently granted leave to build a Fort and the Moors as soon altered his mind and he received Soarez going to begin the Work in such manner as put him to a streight but in the end the Enemies were put to flight They had fortified themselves to hinder the Work and Lope Soarez did the same now to begin it The King came to composition the Articles were that he should be a Subject to Portugal paying a yearly Tribute of twelve hundred Quintals of Cinnamon twelve Rings of Rubies and Saphires and six Elephants for Soarez would not admit his Excuses wherein he blamed the Foreign Merchants 3. At this time arrived from the Maldives Iohn de Silveyra with four Sail in his way he took two Ships of Cambaya and the King of the Island granted leave to erect a Factory He went with the same Design to Bengala where he was in great Danger for there a Bengalian young Man that sailed with him discovered the taking of the two Ships which were sent to Cochin and so he was looked upon as a Pyrate not worthy to be heard It had been worse with him had not Iohn Coello arrived then with his Ship from Pacem being sent on the same Errand by Ferdinando Perez de Andrade to the King of Bengala Don Iohn de Silveyra set Sail hence after passing the Winter with great hardship especially through Famine He was invited by the King of Arracam to his Port who with the Messenger sent him a Present but all his Kindnesses tended to destroy him at the instigation of the Governour of the other Port. This Treachery took no effect and he arriv'd at Ceylon at the time that Lope Soarez finished the Fort who gave him the command of it and left Anthony de Miranda de Azevedo with four Ships to cruise in that Sea 4. Whilst these things were acted at Maldivia Chatigam and Columbo D. Alexius Meneses secured Malaca being arrived with Men and Amunition and putting an end to the Divisions of the Portugueses about succeeding the Governour who lay dying Alfonso Lopez de Costa had the government and Duarte de Melo the command of the Sea Duarte Coello was sent with an Embassy and Present from King Emanuel to him of Siam the substance of it was to confirm the Peace and as a token of it that he would send People to inhabit Malaca that so the Moors whom he hated as much as we might be totally expelled He granted all with great satisfaction and as a testimony of his Sincerity caused to be erected in a remarkable place of the City Hudia where he then was a Cross with the Arms of Portugal on it Coello having thus succeeded was thrown by stress of weather upon the Coast of Pam the King whereof received him friendly and voluntarily submitted himself to the Crown of Portugal with an yearly tribute of a Gold Cup. This action was done rather in hatred to the King of Bintam than of any love to us 5. The Kingdom of Siam where Coello had now been setling Peace is one of the three greatest of Asia the others are that of China and that of Bisnagar The great River Menam runs through the middle of the Kingdom of Siam as it lies in length the River has its spring in the great Lake Chiamay in the Latitude of 30 Degrees and falls into the Sea in 13 Degrees so that the length of this Kingdom is 330 Leagues On the West of it is Bengala on the South Malaca on the East Cambodia and on the North China It contains much Mountain and Plain and in both sundry sorts of People some most barbarous and cruel who feed on human Flesh as the Guei who for ornament make figures on their Bodies with hot Irons Here are bred many Elephants black Cattle and Buffaloes It has many Sea-port Towns and populous Cities Hudia is the Metropolis or Court The Faith of the Siamites agrees in many considerable points with the Christian as one God Heaven and Hell Good and Bad Angels attending each body They build sumptuous Temples in which they place Idols of vast bigness They are very religious sparing in Diet much given to divination studious particularly in Astrology All the Land is most fruitful abounds in Gold and Silver and other Metals The memorable services of Subjects are recorded to be read to the Prinçes not the favours of the Kings Against this King
and embracing her and she him they said many words not understood By the help of an Interpreter it was known that that Man was the Bridegroom who being abroad when the Bride was taken came to be a Slave with her rather than live without her And she said That since he by that demonstration of Love had made her happier than all the Chingala Women for they were of those People she esteemed her Slavery rather a Blessing than a Misfortune Sousa hearing hereof resolved not to part such real Lovers and taking hold of both their hands said God forbid two such Lovers for my private Interest should be made unhappy Love has sufficiently captivated you I freely give you your Liberties Then he ordered them to be set ashore but they two seeing his unexpected Bounty requited it by despising their Liberties and replied They only desired to be his and die in his Service They lived afterwards in Columbo where the Man on sundry occasions faithfully served the Portugueses 19. The Viceroy careful of the security of Columbo sent to the Relief of it Emanuel de Sousa Continno and D. Paul de Lima. Scarce did Raju see Sousa enter that Port after he had ruined all the Coast and the great City Chilao and was informed that D. Paul was coming some of his Ships being already in the Port but despairing of Success when the Bâ—…d least expected it he decamped and bâ—…gan to march away 20. Yet our Men not to suffer him to go quietly away fell upon his Rear and in several Skirmishes cut off many of his Men. During this Siege some say he lost 10000 Men others not above half the Number Many Towns Cities Villages and Ships were burnt and destroyed The Cannon Prisoners and other Booty taken were considerable This rendred Raju very contemptible in the Eyes of those Princes who waited the Success of his Undertakings On our side were killed 140 Men 30 of them Portugueseâ—… Of the Sickness before mentioned died 500. 21. D. Paul came the day after the Siege was raised Eight days were spent in levelling Raju's Works They repaired the Damage done to the Fort and furnished it with 600 Men and Ammunition 22. The Viceroy after receiving the joyful News of this Victory and honouring Emanuel de Sousa and D. Paul died of a violent Sickness in the beginning of May. He was little of Stature but Graceful Couragious Prudent in Counsel and of great Authority a good Latinist and Italian and so addicted to Poetry that he writ good Verses a lover of Justice and free from Avarice The Fault laid to his Charge is that he suffered himself to be governed by one less capable of Government than himself He was the 15th Viceroy and 32d Governour for the space of almost four Years the 2d of the Name and 5th of the Sâ—…name CHAP. VII The Government of Emanuel de Sousa Coutinno from the Year 1588 till 1590. 1. THE Viceroy being dead and Patents of Succession opened they first appointed Matthias de Albuquerque who was gone for Portugal the second Emanuel de Sousa Coutinno then present who took upon him the Government and was well qualified for it as being very brave and well experienced in the Affairs of India 2. Soon after arrived 5 Ships from Portugal D. Paul de Lima weary of the Toils of War and much more troubled that he was so ill rewarded resolved to return to Portugal 3. The Ships that were homeward bound being dispatched D. Paul imbarked in that called The St. Thomas whereof Stephen de Vega was Captain On the Coast of Natal she sprung aleak in the Stern and a Storm raging she could not be kept above Water though they threw over board all the Riches that was in her 4. The Boat being lanched all strove to perish in it because they would have it hold all that the Ship contained Several were killed upon this occasion and D. Paul standing on the side with his Sword drawn could no way prevent it At length those that the Boat could not contain returned to the Ship The Women were let down and almost drowned before they were taken in because it could not come to the Ship 's side Da. Ioanna de Mendoca going in to it left behind a Daughter but two Years old and calling for her afterwards could not get her because the Nurse would not let the Child go unless they would take her with it 5. The Boat was not far from the Ship when they saw it swallowed up by the Sea It was yet worse that being over-loaded with 120 Persons and there being no other Remedy left they were forced to throw some into the Sea who immediately sunk The Boat came to the Shore 6. Ninety eight Persons Men and Women landed several of them Gentlemen of Note their Wives and some Friers one of which after having confessed the People in the Ship would have stayed to die with them that he might be aiding to them in that last hour They marched in good order a Frier going before with a Crucifix on high The Women put themselves into Men's Habit after the Indian manner that their Coats might not be a hinderance to them in going 7. The Place where they landed by the Portugueses is called The Country of the Fumos by the Natives of the Macomates being inhabited by Cafres of this Name It is in the Latitude of 27 deg 20 min. beyond the River of Simon Dote 50 Leagues South of the Bay of Lorenzo Marquez All the Land of the Fumos belongs to the King of Viraâ—…gune and runs 30 Leagues up the Inland bordering on the South with the Country of Mocaâ—…apata the King whereof extends his Domiâ—…on to the upper part of the River St. Lucia in the Latitude of â—…8 deg 15 min. and to the Kingdom of Vambe that contains a great part of Terra del Natal From hence to the Cape of Good Hope there are no King but Ancozes or Lords of Villages Next the Kingdom of Viraâ—…gune is that of Innaca towards the N. E. to the Point of the Bay S. Laurence in 25 deg 45 min. of South Latitude and has two Islands opposite to it called Choambone and Sâ—…timuro the last not inhabited is the receptacle of the Portugueses that resort thither to buy Ivory About the Bay many great Rivers fall into the Sea as Beligane Mannica Spiritu Santo Vumo Anzate and Angomane At Vumo died D a Leonor and her Children and Emanuel de Sousa was lost Anzate runs along the edge of vast inaccessible Mountains covered with Herds of Elephants the People of a Gigantick Stature In the Latitude of 25 degrees the River De lâ—…s Reyes or Del Oro falls into the Sea West of which are the Kingdoms of 〈◊〉 and Mannuca From this place to Cape Corrientes the Sea makes a great Bay along which inhabit the Moeranges notable Thieves Opposite to the Point St. Sebastian are the Islands of Bazaruta and not far from it the Kingdom of Inâ—…abuze
succeed F. Matthew in the Archbishoprick of Goa 11. About this time the Religious of St. Dominick to secure the Preaching of the Gospel in their District raised a Fort at Solor which grew so considerable it was afterwards found convenient to send a Commander thither The first or among the first were Antony de Vellegas and Antony de Andria who put to the Sword many of the Natives that had killed some Religious Men. This Punishment in stead of Amendment made them worse for two years after conspiring together they agreed to kill the Commander and Friers They fell furiously upon the Town and Fort in the Town they did much harm the Commander withdrew himself out of the Fort and could not be found They imagining he had forsaken it entred and Andria with a few Portugueses coming upon them through a private Door they knew not of killed most of them 12. A Galley and five other Vessels of ours cruizing off Cape Comori to secure our Traders from Coromandel were so surprised by the Malabars that they entred and burnt the Galley The 5 Sail that were at some distance coming up time enough to have taken the Enemies Vessels suffered them to go away without molestation 13. On the 5th of February happened the Death of the 7 Franciscan Martyrs of Iapan They suffered at Nangataqui under the cruel Cambaco in revenge for the Numbers they had converted Their Names were F. Peter Baptista the Commissary F. Martin of the Assumption F. Francis Blanco and the Brothers Philip of Iesus and Francis de Barrilla and Gonzalo Garzia with 20 Iaponneses among which were 3 Brothers Jesuits and 3 Children Thomas Antony and Lewis They were Crucified and then shot with Arrows 14. On the Coast of Malabar between the Cities of Goa and Cochim 77 Leagues from the one and 33 from the other is the little Port of Pudepatam within which the Creeks form a Peninsula joyning to the Land on the South side On the North of it are the Ariores or Lords of Baragare and Motonge They are all divided by a Rivulet and towards the East a River falls there from the Mountain Gate and another called Capocape on the South The Moor Pate Marca perceiving how convenient a place this was to shelter Pirats that might scour all that Coast obtained Leave of Zamori whose Subject he was and the Peninsula his to build a Fort there 15. He went over thither with his Kindred and Followers and began to raise a square Fort on the East Point of it From hence he began to make War upon us taking many of our Ships richly laden He assaulted the Village of Tana in the Island Salsete near Baçaim and carried away a rich Booty taking the opportunity of doing it when those who should defend it were at the Devotions of the Holy Week 16. Mahomet Cunnale Marca succeeded him in the Sovereignty of that Fort finished and increased it and foreseeing the Portugueses would seek Revenge he fortified the Town called also Cunnale by Sea and Land On the Land side he made a deep Ditch with double Trenches 2 Yards and a half thick from Sea to Sea At distances he raised Towers that flanked the Work and on the Towers by them called Zarames planted small Cannon Between the two Creeks he built a strong Wall which secured the Town with two Towers one at each end and along the Sea-shore stuck Palisadoes where were also two Bastions one greater than the other planted with gross Cannon to secure the entrance of the Harbour which besides was made very difficult even to small Vessels by Masts strongly chained together 17. Being thus secure he took upon him the Style and Title of King and carried on his Uncle's Design against the Portugueses with greater success He took one of our Galleys a Ship coming from China and many lesser Vessels assisted the Queen of Olaba when she revolted and Melique at the last Siege of Chaul and now robbed not only the Portugueses but the Malabars also filling his Peninsula with Riches 18. Our Viceroy concerned at the increase of his Power resolved towards the end of his Government to weaken it and by D. Alvaro de Abranches Admiral of that Sea advertised Zamori how that Pirat was equally prejudicial to him as to the Portugueses and therefore it would be convenient they should both joyn to extirpate him That Prince being made sensible of this Truth a new Peace was concluded and they agreed That he by Land and the Portugueses by Sea should joyntly undertake the expulsion of Cunnale and razing the Fort. Both Parties provided for this Expedition when a new Viceroy coming the prosecution of it was carried on as shall be seen in his Government 19. Matthias de Albuquerque was one of the most deserving Men that arrived to this Command as well for his Fortune and Valour as his Prudence and Justice In the Treasury he left 80000 Ducars in Money and Jewels of Ceylâ—…n of great value He thought no body could cheat him and a Soldier to undeceive him received his Pay three times in three several Shapes and by as many Names Matthias afterwards hearing of it sent for him and was kind to the Man advising him to use that Art no more 20. He was of a middle Stature lame of one Foot but not lame in Manners being as much a Christian as a Gentleman of Viceroys the 16th of Governours the 34th first of the Name and second of the Sirname CHAP. X. Of the Propagation of the Gospel in the Empire of China during these later Years 1. THE manner of the introducing and propagating the Gospel in China from the Year 1580 till 1600 was so remarkable and worthy of memory that thô I descend not to the Particulars I cannot but give â—…ome general Account of it 2. Some Religious Orders had with Courage and Profit laboured therein before the Holy Society of Iesus appeared in India The first that set foot there was the Order of the most Holy Trinity in the Person of D. Vasco de Gama his Confessor who as is before said was of that Congregation The second was that of St. Francis and the third of St. Dominick's who trampling all Difficulties sowed the Doctrine of Life there watering iâ—… with their Blood Afterwards some Secular Priests and even Lay-men made themselves famous by this Spiritual Work 3. This was the Estate of Christianity in Asia till its new Apostle St. Francis Xaverius came thither who from the Year 1541 till 1552 never ceased Preaching to those People and died in the Island Sancham with an ardent desire of entring China By his Death the design of instructing the Chineses was laid aside till the Year 1580 when F. Alexandrinus de Valiniano an Italian and Visitor of the Society in Asia undertook it notwithstanding all the Difficulties that obstructed 4. None of the smallest was the hardness of the Chinese Language more uncouth to us than all the others of Asia Yet at
the Court of Peking he was throughly satisfied that China and Cathay where the same thing 30. Then ended the Year 1606. The 4th of these Travels now grown pleasing to B. Benedict for that he had compassed his end found his Order where it was least to be expected and could relieve them with what he had got by his Merchandize which amounted to 2500 Crowns and at that time was a considerable Treasure He gave advice of his arrival to F. Matthew at Peking and he sent B. Iohn Fernandez a Novice of the Converts to conduct him forward He arrived at Sucheâ—… the latter end of March 1607 and 11 Days after our Discoverer died not without suspicion of Poison given by the Moors to rob him as they did abusing Isaac and B. Fernandez who having buried the deceased went to Peking CHAP. VI. The Government of the Viceroy D. Martin Alfonso de Castro from the Year 1604 till 1607. 1. DON Martin Alfonso de Castro entring upon the Government gave some signs of being ambitious of Glory but Fortune was not favourable to him or as some say his own Humour was an impediment Therefore let us proceed with the Affairs of the Conquest of Pegu. 2. Ximilica King of Arracam considering his Son was Prisoner thought good to treat with Nicote and he to come to an agreement the better to make his advantage of the Profits of the Custom-House sent Advice of all to Goa and received Orders thence to return the Prince without any Ransom But Interest being his greatest aim neither Obedience to the Viceroy nor the Respect he owed that King whose Creature he was could prevail to hinder him from selling that Prince for 50000 Crowns pretending it was for the Charge of the Fleet the King had obliged him to fit out 3. The King of Arracam justly offended hereat set out a small Fleet against Siriam which was easily defeated but gave him occasion to enslave 100000 Christians and treat them with great rigour which nevertheless moved not many of them though but new Converts Afterwards he combines with the King of Tangu who Besieges the Town with a great Army by Land while he shuts it up by Sea with 800 Sail in which he had 10000 Men. Paul del Rego met him with 80 Ships and failing of the success he had formerly setting Fire to the Powder blew up himself and all that were with him rather than fall into the Hands of the Enemy The Siege continued so long till the besieged were ready to surrender when on a sudden upon some suspicion the King of Tangu quits the Field by night and he of Arracam found it to no purpose to lie longer upon the Sea 4. Some of the neighbouring Princes startled at this success of Nicote sought his Friendship and an Alliance with the King of Portugal The first that effected it was the King of Tangu Nicote marries his Son Simon to a Daughter of the King of Martavam thereby to strengthen himself and have the opportunity of gathering more Riches And being now desirous to rob the King of Tangu tho actually then in Peace with him to colour his wicked Design he pretends that King was overcome by him of Ova as indeed he was and made Tributary since the Treaty as if that could absolve him for breach of Faith In fine with the King of Martavam's assistance he fell upon took and robbed him of Tangu and returned with him and above a Million of Gold without hearkning to the Protestations he made of his continuing a faithful Vassal to the Crown of Portugal 5. Let us keep in mind these his unjust Proceedings and in its place we shall see them rewarded as they deserve for all these Particulars happened not at this time but it is anticipated to prevent too much dismembring the Relation of them Indeed it is to be admired a Christian Government should support such Unchristian Proceedings 6. It will be fit to return to the Affairs of the Moluco Islands The Hollanders were now strong in those Seas and well backed by the Islanders who tired out with our insatiable Avarice joined with those Rebels to expel us 7. The Hollanders about this time having forced us thence had possessed themselves of Amboina Gaspar de Melo commanded there whom absolute Necessity obliged to quit it yet being unjustly accused and in danger of suffering with Disgrace his Wife poisoned him A strange Government where notorious Criminals were not punished and an innocent Person was so Persecuted that she who loved him took away his Life least they should take away his Honour who had none of their own The Portugueses who were at Tidore since the loosing of Ternate seeing the King did not deliver them up to the Hollanders who demanded them and had nine Ships in the Harbour but that he was resolved to stand by them took such Courage that they withstood the continual Batteries of 120 Cannons which played on them without intermission 8. The King of Ternate sends a Fleet to assist the Hollanders and Landing batters the Fort on the other side All we had to oppose this Power was 10 or 12 pieces of Cannon and but a small number of Men able to bear Arms. After four days Battery the Enemy gives the Assault our Men encouraged by their Captain Peter Alvarez de Abreu with Sword in Hand bravely repulse them In the midst of their hopes that this defeat would oblige the Enemy to desist the Powder by some accident taking fire blew up the greatest part of the Fort and most of the Men so that the Enemy entred it when they least expected and our Men were forced to accept of some Vessels to go where they thought fit 9. About Four hundred Persons of all sorts were shipped and got to the Philippine Islands where D Peter de Cunna Commanded Neither was their Voyage without danger the enraged Sea being ready to swallow them but the Mercy of God brought them safe ashore by virtue of certain Reliques thrown into the Water by a Jesuit which laid the Storm and after their landing were brought and laid upon the Sand by a Fish 10. In February Cunna sailed from the Philippine Islands towards Ternate with One thousand Spaniards and Four hundred of the Natives He Besieged the Fort in which was the King himself and had above One hundred Cannons The Hollanders and Ternatenses thinking to surprize the Besiegers made a Sally and were so received by Iohn Rodriguez Camelo who commanded a Company of Portugueses that he not only beat them back but entred the Fort along with them So that when the Spanish Commander came up fearing some mischance might be occasioned by that heat Camelo met him at the Gate with the Keys of the Fort and Cunna to honour him for that Action put about his Neck a Gold Chain he had upon his own 11. The Ternatenses in the fright abandoned the City as they had done the Fort. The Spanish Commander losing no time drove the
the Name 20th Viceroy and 39th Governour for the Patent not the Possession make a Man so 3. But since this Viceroy has not afforded Matter for a Chapter let us make it up with one of the greatest Prodigies of the Portugues Fortune that Asia produced Three Years she was big with this Monster from 1605 till 1608. We shall see another Iames Suarez de Melo and another Philip de Brito Nicate famous for their incredible Rise and Insolence This was Sebastian Gonzalez Tibao a Man of obscure Extraction as born in the Village of St. Antony del Tojal near Lisbon a Place never yet produced any worth Note either for Parentage or worthy Actions In the Year 1605 he imbarqued for India went over to Bengala listed himself a Soldier and then fell to dealing in Salt which is a great Merchandise there By this Trade he soon gained as much as purchased a Ialia that is a sort of small Vessel In this Vessel he went with Salt to Dianga a great Port of the King of Arracam at such time as that King slew 600 Portugueses who resided there and suspected nothing less living quietly as good Subjects under his Protection The Motive of this Cruelty was That Philip de Brito Nicote being possessed of Siriam thought it would be for his Advantage to gain Dianga He fitted out some Vessels and sent in them his Son as Embassador to beg that Port of the King Some Portugueses perswaded the King Nicote's design in getting that Port was to deprive him of his Kingdom He orders the Son with his Officers to come to Court and there murders them the same was done in their Vessels and afterwards that Fury fell upon all the Inhabitants of Dianga This was in the beginning of the Year 1607. Some few escaped into the Woods and 9 or 10 Vessels got to Sea whereof one was that of Sebastian Gonzales 4. Emanuel de Mattos Commander of Bandel of Dianga who died not long before had been Lord of Sundiva an Island 70 Leagues in compass Fatecan a resolute Moor whom he had intrusted with the Island in his absence hearing of his Death makes himself Master of it and the more to secure himself murders all the Portugueses that were in it with their Wives and Children and such of the Natives as were Christians Then he gathered Moors and Patans to his assistance fitted out a Fleet of 40 Sail and plentifully maintained this Charge with the Revenue of the Island which is great Sebastian Gonzalez and his Companions with those 9 or 10 Vessels that escaped at Dianga having no Head to govern them lived by robbing in the Country of Arracam carrying their Booty to the King of Bacala's Ports who was our Friend Fatecan understanding they plyed thereabouts went out to seek them with such assurance of Success that he had this Inscription upon his Colours Fatecan by the Grace of GOD Lord of Sundiva shedder of Christian Blood and destroyer of the Portugues Nation 6. One evening he thought to surprize them and had effected it but that they quarrelling about dividing some Spoil they had taken this falling out proved their Preservation For Sebastian Pinto upon that account leaving them in a River of the Island Xavaspur met Fatecan's Fleet and gave them notice They ingaged and fought desperately all night the morning discovered 80 Portugueses victorious over 600 Moors and Patanes and 10 Vessels over 40. Not one Sail got off nor a Man escaped being killed or taken among the Dead was Fatecan Had they been under a Commander that knew how to make use of the Victory the Island must then have been their own This obliged them to choose a Head and they pitched upon Stephen Palmeyro a Man of Years Experience and Discretion He gave Proof hereof by refusing notwithstanding their repeated Instances to Command such wicked People However they desired him to appoint one and they would punctually obey him He named Sebastian Gonzales Tibao 6. As soon as the Commander was named they resolved to gain Sundiva More Portugueses were gathered from Bengala and other Neighbouring Ports Tibao articled with the King of Bacala That he would give him half the Revenue of the Island if he assisted him to conquer it The King sent some Ships and 200 Horse In March 1609 he had above 40 Sail and 400 Portugueses The Island having had time to provide for its Defence was full of Resolute Men. A great number of Moors commanded by Fâ—…tecan's Brother received them at Landing but were forced to retire into a Fort. The Portugueses besiege it and lying long before it were in danger of perishing not being able to come at the Provisions and Ammunition that were aboard their Vessels Gaspar de Pina a Spaniard delivered them from this Danger for he coming with his Ship to that Port and resolving to assist them landed 50 Men he was Captain of and marching by night with many Lights and great Noise made the Enemy believe he brought great Succour As soon as he came up the Fort was assaulted entred and all within that had life put to the Sword The Natives of the Island who before had been subject to the Portugueses presently submitted themselves to Sebastian Gonzales He received them upon condition they should deliver up to him all the Strangers that were in the Island They brought him above 1000 Moors and as they came he cut off their Heads about as many more were killed in the Fort. Thus Sebastian Gonzales became absolute Master of the Island and was obeyed by the Natives and Portugueses as an absolute Lord independent of any Prince and his Orders had the force of Laws 7. To recompence the chief Portugueses who had served him he gave them Lands in the Island and then repenting took them away In stead of giving the King of Bacala half the Revenue of the Island as had been agreed he made War upon him As he grew Great so he grew Insolent and Ungrateful and had now at Command 1000 Portugueses 2000 Natives well Armed 200 Horse and above 80 Sail with good Cannon Many Merchants traded thither and he erected a Custom-house The Neighbouring Kings surprized at his prodigious Success sought his Friendship From the King of Batecala to whom he owed so great Favours he took the Islands of Xavapur and Patelabauga and other Lands from others so that on a sudden he was possessed of vast Riches equal with many Princes and sovereign of many brave Men. But these Monsters are like Comets that last little and threaten lasting Ruin They are like Lightning that no sooner gives the flash but it is gone Let us proceed and we shall see this verified 8. Such was the fortune of Sebastian Gonzales in Sundiva when there happened a Difference between the Prince of Arracam and his Brother Anaporam the Occasion was that the latter refused to give the other an Elephant to which all other Elephants of that Country were said to allow a sort of Superiority and
done before another Because many were debarred thereby the Right to those Places they had purchased by long Service and the third Because by this means those who had Money though never so undeserving would get those Posts 5. The Ships that this Year sailed from Lisbon for India in which the abovesaid Order went were four D. Antony Tello Captain of one of them being ashore when they set sail and not able to get aboard though he followed in another Vessel as far as the Island Madera returned to Lisbon and taking with him Captain Emanuel de Prado de Magallanes travelled to India by Land found his Ship there and returned in her to Portugal Francis Lopez Carrasco Captain of another of those Ships was left behind through neglect at Goa when the Ships came away and Francis de Magallanes came in his Place Iohn Pereyra Cortereal a third Captain of the same Ships returned not without Trouble which he overcame like a good Commander for some of his Men mutinying he with his own hand slew one of them and caused two to be hanged for which good Service he was rewarded 6. This Year also set out from Goa another Ship commanded by Francis de Brito which was lost off of the Islands of Querimba where and at Moçambique the Men were saved with the Fatigues usual in those Shipwrecks D. Hierome Manuel who commanded the 4 Ships that came from Lisbon returned next Year when we shall speak of him 7. Abas Xa King of Persia desiring to settle some Trade with us to vend his Silks writ to our King telling him He was weary of receiving Friers as Ambassadors and desiring him to send some Gentleman of Note for he should better know how to treat with such a one and God and his Majesty would be better served because a Religious Man out of his Cell was like a Fish out of the Water D. Garcia de Silva Figueroâ—… a Spanish Gentleman well qualified for that Employment was sent to him He carried a rich and beautiful Present and of rare Workmanship in Silver and Gold set with precious Stones He went from Madrid to Lisbon thence to India where he was to receive further Instructions and 20000 Crowns consigned on the Custom-house of Ormuz for his expence besides what he had before received because his Equipage was very great Thus far we had an account of this Embassy hereafter we shall see that Ormuz was lost which was what the Persian coveted so that it seems the Embassy did not divert him from that Thought 8. The Blacks besieged the City of St. Thomas and raising a Fort they put in Ammunition and 600 Men spreading 20000 about the Town which they battered from the Pagod near St. Francis Captain Emanuel de Frias besieges the Fort which was surrendred to him for want of Water Among the Cannon found in it there was one Piece of 25 Spans that is 6 Yards and a quarter in length that carried a Ball of 50 Pounds weight 9. A Peace was concluded between the Mogul and us through the sollicitation of Hierome Xaverius of the Society of Iesus CHAP. V. Continues the Government of the Vice-Roy D. Hierome de Azevedo in the Year 1615. 1. DON Iohn de Silva commanded for the Spaniards at Manila who demanded Succors of the Portugueses to defend the Moluco Islands against the Rebellious Hollanders The Viceroy sitted out 4 Galleons for this Expedition under the Command of Francis de Miranda Enriquez It was easie to foresee they would be unfortunate because most of the Souldiers were Outlaws Men who have Courage to commit Villanies but in dangers of Honour are meer Cowards as has always been found by Experience and was at this time for many deserted as soon as they had received their Pay at Goa and many at Malaca the Admiral contrary to his Orders having touched there 2. Between the Islands of Nicobar they were some time becalmâ—…d Not far from those of Diu they met two Holland Ships coming from Paliacate our Admiral prepared to fight and they having made show of standing to it after some Cannon-shot exchang'd stood away Being pursued very close they threw many Goods overboard to be the lighter among other things they cast over some Pigeons the weight whereof could not much hinder them but in the Confusion they knew not what they did Our Galleons could not make up with them and in the morning they were not to be seen It was afterwards known they skulked behind the Island of Pulopinam 3. The Galleons being in the Road of Malaca the Admiral landed D. Gonçalo de Silva Bishop of that City whom he carryed to this intent and thought to hold on his Voyage having already been out above 2 Months and it being about the middle of Iuly Going out of the streight there arose a storm and the Vice-Admiral springing a Leak they were forced to put into Malaca where they all stayed resolving to prosecute their Voyage the next Year not knowing the ill Fortune that attended them there 3. When they came in Iames de Mendoça Furtado Commander in Chief by Sea and Land was ready to set out with 6 Galleons and 12 Jalia's or small Vessels They were manned by the Garrison of Malaca and went to meet the Ships that were expected from China and at the same time to discover whether any Fleet of Achem appear'd as was reported They discovered it about 〈◊〉 Leagues from the streight it consisted of above 500 Sail whereof above 100 Galleys greater than ours and above 150 less yet considerable The King came himself in this Fleet with his Wives the best of his Treasure and 60000 Men. He carried no Colours but Globes of massy Gold as was the Throne whereon he sate He was four Years in fitting out this Fleet. 5. Iames de Mendoça Furtado having well viewed that fleet designed to fight and in order thereto called all his Captains to Council it was resolved he should not fight but return to Malaca which was weak for want of those Men they had drawn out He stood thither sending Advice to the Galleons to prepare to fight The Admiral Fr. de Miranda Enriquez received the Advice and with Furtado's Squadron on the 4th day met that vast Fleet which was standing for Malaca Both Parties drew themselves into order of Battel and after Noon Miranda began to play his Cannon without losing a Shot the Enemy stood so thick and they received all his Fire without making any return as it were in contempt of him 6. Furtado and Ferdinand de Costa with their two Galliots attack 7 Galleys one they boarded and burnt another was blown up by a Ball that fell into their Powder Room Several of the Enemymade up to the Galliots our Galleons move to succour them and then the whole Enemies Fleet comes on This was towards Evening when a Storm rising so separated our small Vessels that they could not join the Galleons till next day at Noon Being joined they
made towards the Enemy who not regarding them stood in for Malaca Our Galleons being ill manned because many of the Men were fled to the Woods it was found expedient to take those out of the Galliots who were of try'd Valour Thus they prepared for Battel which the Enemy accepted drawn up in the form of a half Moon This happened on a Sunday in the Afternoon about the middle of November 7. The Admiral and D. Iohn de Silveyra's Galleons were boarded Ant. Rodrigues de Gamboa with his Galliot came to assist Silveyra his Brother-in-Law but the Galliot taking fire fired the Galleon and both perished There were 50 Men in them 20 of them died and the other 30 were taken The Admiral Miranda was three times boarded and tho' he had but few Men still cleared the Decks killing numbers of the Enemy and sinking some of their Galleys Ships were fired on both sides and the labour to quench them was great especially on our side The fight lasted till midnight the flaming Ships and other fires lighted of purpose by the King affording them light 8. In fine the Admiral 's Galleon during this time was attacked by the whole Fleet 14 times fired 18 and as often quenched Men wrapped in wet Blankets rowling themselves in the fire Miranda being struck down by a great Splinter a Soldier cried out he was killed but he instantly arose saying I am not dead here I am alive fight couragiously my brave Lions for Heaven promises us a glorious Victory The 3 Galleons were in a Line at about a Musket shot distance from each other and for want of Wind the 2 could not come up to succour the Admiral against whom the Enemy bent all his Force Could they have come up the Enemy had been utterly ruined for they were so disabled that they retired towards Bancales 9. Day appearing and the Enemy gone our Galleons thought to pursue them but could not Their Loss was computed to 20000 Men and 50 Sail of all Sorts Iames de Mendoça Silva being upon discovery with his small Vessels found the King had sent out his Boats for Water he fell in among them and took them all and 200 Prisoners The King after this loss asked the Prisoners he had taken whether an Embassy to treat of their Liberty would be acceptable at Malaca and being by them assured it would he writ to the Admiral and Commander of the Town affirming our Ships had attacked him without cause when he was going only to subdue his rebellious Subjects expressing concern for the loss of our Galleon and Galliot offering to restore the Prisoners without Ransom if they sent for them This King being very subtle and false it was not fit to give two much Credit to him yet his Ambassadors were well received and it was answered that the King's Designs not being known it could not but he believed he designed against Malaca They sent him all his Subjects taken by Iames de Mendoça and a good Present thanking him for the offer of restoring the Portugueses and desiring he would deliver them to him that carried the others The King being under sail when our Messenger came to him said he would answer after he had treated him as became a Portugues Ambassador He had rather have taken his answer there being suspicious of the King but was forced to follow The King being come home received the Embassy friendly and a Month after dispatched him well satisfied with the Prisoners 10. The reason why as was before hinted the 3 Galleons could not pursue the Achem Fleet was because they had advice that 8 Holland Ships were sailing towards Malaca Mendoça was of opinion to repair to the City for the security thereof but Miranda was for pursuing the Enemy and having destroyed them they might retire to Polubutum or Gale which would have ruined the Achem Fleet and saved our Galleons which were destroyed afterwards by the Hollanders These drawing near Ferdinand de Costa was for securing the Galleons at Gale Miranda for fighting and Furtado advised to draw the Galleons close to the little Island so that the Hollanders might not pass between them and the Land so they might do the more Execution bringing all their Cannon over to one side This Opinion being approved of was scarce put in Execution when the 8 Ships appeared and made at them Every Ship exceeded each of our Galleons in number of Men and Cannon able Seamen and Gunners The order of drawing under the Island was so ill executed that the Hollanders took the Post ours aimed at 11. The Battel began and continued all that day with equal Loss Next day one of Galleons after losing 3 Captains and being torn to pieces even with the superficies of the Water was quitted by those Men that were left The 3d day only 10 Men being left in another Galleon they fired it and got ashore The Admiral Miranda would defend himself tho' wounded in the Leg with only 6 but they and a Jesuit by force carried him into the Island leaving the Galleon on fire About 200 Men were lost in them all The loss of the Hollanders was considerable but being Masters of the Sea they sailed to the Mouth of the Streight to intercept the Ships that were expected from China till understanding that D. Iohn de Silva Governor of Malina was coming that way with his Fleet they quitted that Sea which was no small comfort after so great a Loss 12. Francis de Miranda Enriquez went to Goa where he walked upon Crutches by reason of the hurt received in his Legs when he fought the Hollanders However he was brought to a Tryal for not sailing directly for Manila according to his Instructions or not retiring where they might have been secured In the Conclusion he was cleared and having behaved himself so bravely it was but reason he should 13. D. Iohn de Silva being informed that the four Galleons could not go to Manila did all that could be expected of a good Commander to join us in order to suppress the Hollanders He sent Ammunition to our Fleet aâ—… Malaca and advice for our Ships to avoid falling into the Enemies hands But all failed the advice by the ill Conduct of him that carried it and the Ammunition because our Galleons were lost when it came Without knowing hereof he put to Sea with 10 strong Galleons the product of his great Care and Industry Eight days after his departure 6 Holland Ships came to the Bay of Maribeles and were the first of that Nation that passed the Streights of Magellan Had D. Iohn set out 10 days sooner he had taken the 8 Ships that defeated Francis de Miranda and 10 Days later those other 6. Ships On the Sea of Pulatinam he found the Galleon commanded by Captain Antony Homen de Azevedo and the Plate Ship coming from China Having passed the Streight of Singapura he left the Galleons with his Vice-Admiral and with two Galleys he had went himself and
Peter Gomez carried the remainder of the Men and Ships to S. Thomas The Moors sent the Portugueses they had taken to the King of Goloconda who complained to F. Bartholomew Dias sent to him by the Bishop of Meliapor that the Portugues should enter his Country in hostil manner at the same time they treated amicably with him The King admitted the weak excuse that it was not done by order of the Government and delivered the Prisoners upon condition those of Montepoli should be restored 5. D Emanuel de Meneses sailed from Lisbon with 3 Ships for India one of them springing a Leake was forced to put into the Port again another arrived safe at Goa after being parted from D Emanuel by a Storm on the Coast of Guinea D. Emanuel near the Island of Madagascar met 4 English Ships the Commander of them sent to order our Captain aboard who refused but sent an Understanding Man to view their Strength and he returning said publickly that the Enemy's Admiral alone was too strong for our Ship D. Emanuel taking him aside blamed his Indiscretion for disheartning the Men then he sent word to the English that since their Kings were at Peace there was no reason the Subjects should break it that they should bear off and not come a head of him Nevertheless the least of the 4 did he fired at her and then all the 4 at him 6. Night came on our Ship held her Course and in the Morning found her self among some Islands near the Head of that called Mannoto The Enemy coming on and the Wind calming we were forced to engage our Vessel was soon unmasted and made the best it could for the Island Angagiza The English sent to tell D. Emanuel he was running to his Ruine that if he would surrender himself all the Men should be landed at Suratte whence they might travel by Land to Goa he answered if any more such Message were sent him he would hang him that carried it The Ship driving towards the Shore with the Tide stuck between two Rocks which proved the saving of all the Men who got ashore leaping a narrow Gut into which many fell for haste 7. As soon as landed the Cafres received them with showers of Stones They were appeased with some Gifts and the help of some Musket Balls let fly among them by Ioseph Alvarez Torres who though it was plain their Safety consisted in their Arms advised they should be cast into the Sea because the Cafres would not furnish them with Provisions as long as they were armed D. Emanuel consented and scarce were they seen next day unarmed when the Cafres stripped them even of their Shirts Some travelled up the Country and others along the Shore the latter in two Days found no Water to drink were consumed with the heat of the Sun and some died for want 8. The 3d Day they met other Cafres who seeing nothing to take from them gave them Milk and Water with Signs of Compassion Sebastian Prestes the Pilot of the Ship attempted to save himself with a few Men in the Boat and coasting along the Island met Chande a Noble Moor of Pate who was sailing for the Island Madagascar with two Pangayos He told the Pilot that King was his Friend and for his sake would use them all well The Pilot sent to acquaint D. Emanuel and it appeared those Cafres with whom he was were that King's Subjects They all came to the Port and the Moor gave each of them a Cloath to cover his Nakedness Here it appeared how little the Cafres esteem what we most value they gave many Pieces of Eight for a Rag scarce worth a Farthing and fetching Bags full of Money out of the Ship scattered it about the Rocks and putting their Heads into the Bags were very well pleased 9. It may well be doubted whether a Portugues would have done with 600 Moors as this Moor did with 600 Portugueses in that miserable Condition He maintained them gave them Cloaths which sold to the Cafres had been worth much Money justly restored them Jewels of great value wherewith they entrusted him and gave them his two Pangayos to go over to Mombaça They arrived thither on the 4th of September and were maintained and clothed by the Charity of that little Town On the 10th of that Month they Embarqued and arrived safe at Goa The Viceroy sent Presents to D. Emanuel de Meneses and comforted him for his Loss D. Hierome Manuel who commanded the homeward bound Ships about the Islands of Flores fought with 4 Pirats and put into the Island Tercera whence he came to Portugal with the Ship that was put back the Year before 10. The Trade of the Port of Soar in Arabia much lessened the Customs of Ormuz and Mascate To remedy this the Viceroy sent D. Francis Rolim with a Galley and five other Vessels who joined D. Vasco de Gama Admiral of that Sea with five Sail more at Mascate Amer Head of a Hord of Arabs to revenge himself upon Mahomet King of Soar took part with us and marched by Land with 1200 Men. Our Men landed and possessed themselves of some Mosques to secure themselves till the Cannon was set ashore 11. A Fort on a Hill was first attacked but so well defended it could not be entred that Day tho' Mahomet who commanded it was killed with a Musket-Ball We lost a Captain and 6 Men. In the Morning the Trenches were entred then a Mosque and lastly a Town where many Women and Children were made Prisoners and much Booty found In this Action we lost 6 Men more The Fort not able to hold out for want of Men surrendred and the King's Brother being taken was put to Death Our Men violated the Articles they had made killing and plundering many of them that marched out And having agreed with Amer that there should â—…e no Prisoners made yet they took several Girls on pretence of Breeding them Christians as if that were an excuse for Breach for Faith Iohn de Sousa was left to Command that Fort and Antony Pimenta joined with him as skilled in the Affairs of that Country 12. At Cananor happened an accident sad enough and yet ridiculous The Nayres show no Mercy to a Thief tho' the thing stolen be of no value They impale the Criminal and leave him to be eaten by the Birds An Indian that was turned Christian stole a Knife the Nayres apprehended him and sent to acquaint the Judge of the Portugueses at Cananor He returned answer they should kill him They instantly cut off his Head thinking it was a piece of Civility being he was a Christian to kill him our way Our Commander Nicholas Soveral sent some Soldiers to fetch the Body and revenge his Death on the Nayres as if they had not obtained leave for what they did The Soldiers killed a Nayre which provoked them in great numbers to besiege the Fort with great Threats if Satisfaction was not given them Our Cammanders made
They resorted to the Island Sanchuan on the Coast of China to Trade where they lived in Huts made of the Boughs of Trees and covered with Sails during their stay 10. From this Island to another called Gaoxama are 18 Leagues closer in upon the Coast of China The Island being inâ—…icate and mountainous was the Refuge of Robbers who infested the Continent The Chineses who had twice expelled the Portugueses thinking them a more tolerable Evil than those Outlaws offered them the Island if they could root out that Generation of Thieves The Portugueses undertook and performed it without losing a Man 11. The Island being cleared every one began to build where he liked best there being no Proprietor to sell the Land which afterwards was sold at a great Rate the Trade and Fame of this City increasing This caused the Hollanders to have an Eye always upon it desiring to make themselves Masters thereof 12. It contains about 1000 Portugues Inhabitants all Rich and of the best in India because the Portions being there very considerable many Persons of Quality resort thither for Wives There is besides a considerable number of Christian Chineses who are cloathed and live after the manner of Portugal and of Heathens being Artificers Shopkeepers and Merchants about 6000. They have a Bishop and a Judge The Duties of the Ships trading thence to Iapan amount to 300000 Xeraphins at 10 per Cent. A Xeraphin is almost a piece of Eight The Yearly Expence of the City to maintain their Fortifications and Garrison is above 40000 Ducats At the Fair of Quantung is paid the like Sum for Duties at six and seven per Cent. The Voyage of Iapan with Embassies and Presents for the King and Tonos costs 25000. The House called La Misericordia spends 8 or 9000 in Works of Charity The City maintains two Hospitals three Parish Churches five Monasteries besides the continual Alms it sends to the neighbouring necessitous Christians in China Aynam Iapan Tunquim Cochinchina Cambodia and Siam 13. On the 19th of Iuly 17 some say 23 Sail of Hollanders came before this City hoping to take the Fleet that was there ready to sail for Iapan having taken several Chineses and Portugues Ship about the Philippine Islands They had aboard 2000 fighting Men. Their Admiral Cornelius Regers intending to gain the City battered the Fort of St. Francis the space of five Days On Midsummer Day in the Morning he landed Eight hundred Men and without much opposition made himself Master of an Intrenchment 14. The Enemy marched towards the City thinking to meet no resistance but Iohn Suarez Vivas seeing them advance to gain a considerable Post prevented them with 160 Men. After a Discharge of their fire-Arms they fell to the Sword the Hollanders â—…ed with precipitation to their Ships leaving 300 dead on the Shore seven and their Colours were taken one piece of Cannon and all their Arms which they threw away when swiming to their Ships Mean while the Ships battered the Fort which answered so effectually some of them were sunk and 60 Men killed This Victory cost us 6 Portugueses and some few Slaves A Cafre Woman a Slave had share in it who fighting in Man's Cloaths with a Halbard killed 3 Hollanders 15. The Citizens seeing themselves exposed to such Attempts built a Wall round the Town with six Bastions On that of St. Paul which overtops the City they planted six large Cannons on that of the Bar fourteen some 50 Pounders eight on that of Our Lady of Good Deliverance five on that of St. Peter eight on that of St. Francis that looks towards the Sea and three on that of St. Iohn And because the Mountain of Our Lady of the Guide overtops the Bastion of St. Paul they fortified it planting thereon 10 large pieces 16. This Year were computed to be converted in India 10000 Souls Some with such pure Zeal that five being condemned to Death and desiring first to be Baptized they were told it should not save their Lives they answered They knew it and only sought the Salvation of their Souls They were all Baptized under the Gallows and died with Resolution and Stedfastness in the Faith though they saw the others hanged before them 17. The Government of Ferdinand de Albuquerque in what related to the Civil Administration was inferior to none in the Military especially what concerned Ormuz unfortunate It was observed how little care was had of this Government in Spain for that during the whole time of his Government he had not one Letter from the King He was of a middle Stature a good Christian the 44th Governor 2d of the Name and 3d of the Sirname CHAP. XX. Of the Viceroy D. Alfonso de Noronna in the Year 1621. 1. IN the Year 1597 D. Alfonso de Noronna commanded the Ships that went for India and was now chose Viceroy as well in respect of his good Services â—…s his Birth and Experience He set out the 29th of April with four Ships and six Galleons of all which only one reached India by being a little a head of the others which were all put back to Lisbon This makes good that notable Saying of an able Seaman who being asked when was the best time for the Ships to Sail answered The last Day of February is too soon and the first of March too late 2. In fine D. Alfonso was put back with all that Relief whereof India stood in great want he his Ship and the Captain of her were used to this Misfortune having been put in the Year before Some would attribute this to the ill Fate of the Captain or Ship 3. This was the last Governor of India named by the Pious Philip III. but Second of Portugal and the first that sailing from Lisbon with that Command was forced in again D. Alfonso de Noronna was ancient and well qualified for that Post affable and courteous moderating the gravity of his Age. As soon as the News was brought to Lisbon of the shameful Surrender of the City Baya in Brasil to the Hollanders without regarding his Quality Age and Commands he had bore he listed himself a private Centinel for that Service A bravery well deserving eternal Fame and an Example that moved many to follow it 4. As we have hitherto reckoned the Viceroys and Governors who were chosen tho' they enjoyed not the Command we will account D. Alfonso de Noronna the 24th of the former and 45th of the latter the 3d of the Name and 5th of the Sirname CHAP. XXI Of the Propagation of the Faith in Japan and Aethiopia about this Time 1. SOme small hints have been already given of the Progress of Christianity in Iapan since their Apostle St. Francis Xaverius began to Preach there The Proceedings there are much like those in China save that the latter has not been so much sprinkled with the Blood of Martyrs I will only touch upon some Martyrdoms that happened in Iapan 2. At Firando in the Year 1622 F.
This was the occasion that Lope Soarez found Solyman at Gidda 4. The Port being dangerous Lope Soarez anchored a League from the City in which there was so good Cannon that three or four Peices reached the Ships at that distance There came a Messenger from Solyman offering a private Combat between Man and Man or as Soarez should propose The Challenge was received by Gaspar de Silva and D. Antonio de Meneses but the Governor would not permit saying he would answer ashore He sounded a Channel that goes up to the City which was terrified by the firing of a Galeon Solyman appeased the Tumult and appeared with some Men without the Walls whilst multitudes appeared on them filling the Air with loud Cries Lope Soarez delayed the landing two days till his Men began to complain of the delay He appeased them by shewing his Instructions wherein he was ordered to fight the Fleet which he could not compass not to attack that City where there might be much danger and little profit Tho Votes differed it was resolved in Council to desist He retired to the Island Camaran whence he sent some to several parts of that Sea Here died Duarte Galvam a studious and ingenious Man who had been Embassador in several parts of Europe and was going now in the same quality being above seventy years of Age to Prester Iohn At his death he said that his Son George Galvam and all his Men were cast away in their Vessel and that in the Island of Dalaca they had cut off the Heads of Laurence de Cosme and others that were sent thither It being impossible this News could be brought to the Island where he died yet was afterwards found true 5. After suffering much through Famine whereof some Men died and losing seventeen Portugueses taken by the Moors and carried to Gidda Lope Soarez set sail and appeared before the City Zeyla on the Mouth of the Red Sea and the African Shoar called by Ptolomy Emporium Avalite being the great Market of those parts The Town was easily taken being unprovided and burnt and then the Fleet bent its course to Aden 6. Here Soarez found how much he had been to blame in not taking possession when offered by Miramirzan for he finding his Enemy now weaker and the Wall repaired refused by forming Delays what afore he offered with haste Lope Soarez fearing to lose time durst not call Miramirzan to account but set sail designing to do the same at the City Barbora as he had done at Zeyla But the Fleet was scattered by Storms and drove to several Ports and when they came after to hear of one another it was found above eight hundred Men had perished by Hunger Sickness and Shipwrack All which Misfortunes made the loss of the most fortunate Albuquerque be the more lamented 7. Whilst these Disstasters attended Lope Soarez another threatened the City Goa where D. Gutierre de Monroy commanded According to the Orders left him by Soarez some Ships of the Enemy were taken of more Value than Reputation and with more Danger than Profit One Alvaro Madureira who was married in Goa fled to the Enemy and turned Moor then was reconciled and falling again brought the Indians to attack our Ships putting them in great danger And because Troubles seldom come alone it happened that one Ferdinando Caldera who also was married there flying the punishment of Crimes followed the Example of Madureira or as was said terrified by the Threats of D. Gutierre who desired his absence being in love with his Wife This is likely since there was scarce ever any great Mischief without a Woman at the end of it Caldera went to serve Ancostan an Officer of Hidalcan D. Gutierre demanded him because he desired not his absence that way Ancostan refused to deliver him The other challenged him but he accepted not De Gutierre sent one who pretending to be a Deserter should kill Caldera he executed it and was killed upon the Body by the Moors Lope Soarez arriving at Goa was informed by D. Gutierre what had passed and left it to him take the revenge he thought fit of Ancostan which produced the loss of Men and Reputation and brought upon the City a dangerous Siege It fell out thus 8. As soon as D. Gutierre had this leave of the Governor he prepared to put his Designs in execution and when he thought time sent out his Brother D. Fernando with one hundred and fifty Portugueses whereof eighty were Horse and a great number of Canaras against Ancostan At Ponda they routed the Moors who rallying obliged D. Ferdinando to retire having lost two hundred Men killed and taken This caused all the Country to rise in Arms against the Portugueses and Hidalcan pretending the Peace was broke to order his General Sufo Lari to besiege Goa Sufo Lari appeared with four thousand Horse and twenty six thousand Foot and attempted to pass into the Island but was repulsed Hunger began to press the Besieged till three Ships arrived one from Portugal another from Quiloa and another from China so Lari raised the Siege and the former Peace was confirmed 9. The same Misfortune attended Malaca through the ill Government of George de Brito and Animosities of others The People fled from Malaca because of their tyrannical Usage and the King of it that had been prepared to recover it sending before to this effect his General Cerilige de Raja with considerable Forces and some Cannon He intrenched himself and so pressed the Besieged that had not D. Alexius de Meneses come to take the Government with three hundred Men then had ended the Portugues Possession of Malaca 10. Anthony de Saldana arrived now in India with six Ships from Portugal In this Fleet went one Alcacova as Surveyor of the King's Revenue with such a Power as lessened that of Lope Soarez and with a will to take it all away There soon broke out the Flame of Contention between these two Alcacova bore down by such as envied him took revenge on himself by returning to Portugal and on them there by causing them to be called to account for their Proceedings Hence began the hearing Complaints against the Governors and Commanders of India and hence it was that many took more care to heap Riches than Honor knowing them to be a protection against all Crimes Lope Soarez sent D. Iohn de Silveira to the Maldivy Islands D. Alexius de Meneses to Malaca Manuel de la Cerda to Diu and Antony de Soldana with six Ships by the King's Order to the Coast of Arabia They arrived at the City Barbora near to Zeyla and not unlike to it but much less It was taken without resistance the Inhabitants being all fled It was burnt and the Fleet without doing any thing remarkable returned to India at such time as Lope Soarez was sailing for the Island Ceylon CHAP. II. A Continuation of what was done in India the same Year 1517 during the Government of the