kinde of lots they doo vse in putting a great number of little stickes into a pot and vpon euerie one of them is written a letter and after that they haue tumbled and tossed them together in the pot they cause a child to put in his hand and take out one and when they haue séene the letter they séeke in a booke which they haue for that purpose the leafe that beginneth with that letter and looke what they doo finde written therein they doo interpret of it conformable vnto the thing that they cast their lots for Generally in all this country when they finde themselues in any trouble they do inuocate and call vpon the diuell with whom they do ordinarily talke euen as we do cal vpon God in our néede of him they doo demande what way and order they might take to cléere themselues thereof as they did in the presence of frier Pedro de Alfaro of the order of saint Francis in the yeare of our Lorde 1580. at such time as he came from China as may bee séene in his relation The order that they haue in inuocating or calling on the diuell is as followeth They cause a man to lie vpon the ground his face downwards then another beginneth to reade vpon a booke singing and part of them that are present do answere vnto him the rest do make a sound with little bels and tabers then within a little while after the man that lieth on the ground beginneth to make visages and iestures which is a certaine token that the diuell is entred within him then do they aske of him what they doo desire to know then he that is possessed doth answere yet for the most part they bee lies that hee dooth speake although hee doo kéepe it close yet doth hée giue diuers reasons vnto that which hee dooth answere for that alwayes they doo answere either by worde or by letters which is the remedie they haue when that the diuell will not answere by worde And when that hée doth answere by letters then do they spread a redde mantle or couerlet vpon the ground and throw thereon a certaine quantitie of rice dispersed equally in euery place vpon the couerlet then do they cause a man that cannot write to stand there with a sticke in his hand then those that are present do begin to sing and to make a sounde as at the first inuocation and within a little while the diuell doth enter into him that hath the sticke and causeth him to write vpon the rice then do they translate the letters that are there formed with the sticke and being ioyned altogether they finde answere of that they do demaunde although for the most part it falleth out as aforesaide as vnto people that do communicate with the father of all lying and so do their answeares fall out false and full of leasings If that at any time he do tell them the trueth it is not for that he dooth it by nature or with his will but to induce them vnder the colour of a truth to perseuer in their errors and they do giue credite vnto a thousand lies in this sort doo they inuocate the diuell and it is so ordinarie a thing throughout al the kingdome that there is nothing more vsed nor knowne CHAP V. Of the opinion they haue of the beginning of the worlde and of the creation of man ALthough the Chinos be generally verie ingenious and of a cléere vnderstanding yet in their owne respect they say that all other nations in the worlde be blinde except the Spaniards whom they haue knowne but of late time they haue amongst them both naturall and morall philosophie the which is read publikely amongst them and also astrologie But nowe touching the beginning of the worlde and the creation of man they haue many errors wherof some of them shalbe declared in this chapter taken out of their owne books and specially out of one that is intituled the beginning of the world They say that at the beginning the heauen the earth the water were a masse or lumpe ioyned in one And that there is one resident in heauen whom they call by name Tayn hee by his great science did separate heauen and earth the one from the other so that the heauen remained hie in the state that it is and the earth following his naturall inclination as graue and heauie did remaine whereas it is They say that this Tayn did create a man of nothing who they call Pauzon and likewise a woman who they call Pauzona This Pauzon by the power that was giuē him by Tayn did create of nothing another man who they call Tanhom with thirtéene other brothers This Tanhom was a man of great science in so ample sort that hée did giue name vnto all created things and did know by the assignement and doctrine of Tayn the vertue of them all and to apply them to heale all manner of diseases and sicknesses this Tanhom and his brethren but especially the eldest who was called Teyencom he had twelue his first begotten called Tuhucom had nine so had al the rest very many They do beléeue that the linage and generation of these did indure for more then ninty thousand yéeres And in the end conclusion of them did end all humaine nature for that it was the will of Tayn who did first create the man woman of nothing for to be reuenged on certaine iniuries that they did vnto him and for euery one that he had shewed vnto them they did almost knowe so much as himselfe and would not acknowledge any superioritie as they did promise him at such time as hée did giue vnto him the secreat of all his science At that time did the heauen fall downe then did Tayn raise it vp againe and created another man vpon the earth named Lotzitzam hee had two hornes out of the which proceeded a verie swéete sauour the which swéet smell did bring forth both men and women This Lotzitzam vanished away and left behind him in the world manie men and women of whom did procéede all nations that now are in it The first that this Lotzitzam brought foorth was called Alazan and liued nine hundred yeares then did the heauen create another man called Atzion whose mother called Lutim was with childe with him onely in séeing a lyons heade in the aire he was borne in Truchin in the prouince of Santon and liued eight hundred yeares at this time was the worlde replenished with much people and did féede on nothing but on wilde hearbs and raw things then was there borne into the worlde one called Vsao who gaue them industrie to make and do many things as to vse the trées to make defence to saue them from wilde beasts which did them much harme and to kill them and make garments of their skinnes After him came one called Huntzui who did inuent the vse of fire and instructed them what they should doo and
them the seruant of the Aytao and the interpreter yet would they not open the gate vntill such time as it was acknowledged and newe firmed by another Iudge the which being done they presently did open the gates did conduct them vnto the house of one which is to be compared to a Iudge of the court called in their language Tequisi that he might go with them to the Aytao for so it was commanded ordained Unto this Tequisi they gaue their petition that they had made without giuing the interpreter to vnderstand therof requesting him by signes some words which they had learned of the language that he woulde giue it to the Aytao to procure that hee might accept grant that which by y e same they did demand but wheÌ„ they gaue it him it caused great alteration in the interpreter for that they told the Iudge y t he was a théefe a traitor how that he had sold them to the captaine general of Machao how that hee had presented a petition in their name howe that they would go thither not to the Iland of Luzon where all their desire is to returne and this hath he done by gifts that the saide captaine general hath promised to giue him if that he do accomplish his desire The Tequisi when he heard this he forthwith departed with vs from his owne house towards the house of the Aytao which was hard by and as he went by the way he read their petition and sawe that it was different to that which the interpreter had giuen before vnto the Aytao he being present whereat he made a sâ—ay began to consider of the same as also of that which the Spaniards had said vnto him at such time as they gaue him their petition for by the signes and tokens they made as by their semblant in spéech it séemed to him that they were maruellously indigned against the interpreter but he did not wel vnderstand them for that they could not plainly declare it in their language till such time as hee found the contrarietie that was in the petitions the turbation of y e interpreter whom presently hee called vnto him and asked him what the matter was hee trembling for feare answered and saide that hée vnderstood that the father Costodio whome all the rest doo obey as their head and with whom he alonely did comunicate that it was his pleasure and gaue order to go vnto Machao and that hee was certaine that all the rest were of that opinion wherein he thought he had done well and therefore he presented that petition in asking licence whereby they might doo it liberallie with this discharge and againe the Spaniards séeing how he was terrified and how that he requested them so humblie they would not procéede any farther with their complaint wherewith the Tequisi was satisfied who said vnto the Spaniards being in the gallerie of the Aytao his house that they shoulde tarry there and hee entred in with the petition in his hand So within a while after they were commanded to enter into the hall there whereas the Iudges were and had séene the petition and comoned about the same And at their entring into the hall whereas the Aytao was there were signes made vnto them that they should knéele downe the which they did almost twenty paces before they came to the table that was before him hee had in hande the petition that Tequisi had giuen vnto him and although that he had read it before yet did he returne and looked againe vppon it and asked which were they that would go vnto Machao The father Costodio signified himselfe and frier Iohn Baptista his companion and said that they for that they were old and timorous of the sea they would go thither for that it was nearer hande and howe that the rest that were not of such yeares neither so timorous they woulde returne vnto the Iland of Luzon from whence they came and there dwell with other of their brethren and friends that were there The interpreter whose euill conscience did accuse him for the euils which he had done was so timorous that all men might sée plainly his default and without al doubt the Iustices are so right in executing the same that if their complaint had gone forwards they would haue punished him and his companion and that very cruelly but the religious Friers woulde not consent that the souldiers shoulde declare against them although their will was good but thought it a sufficient punishment to sée in what affliction the poore men were in and tooke pittie on them The Aytao was desirous to sée their Images and book which was the chiefest occasion wherefore hee sent to call them and when he saw them he receiued great content and called the Fa Costodio to come nigh vnto him and asked the signification of some of them such as séemed vnto him most strangest and being satisfied thereof hee commanded the Frier Costodio to reade on one of these bookes hée harkening vnto it with great attention and as one amased to sée those letters and the forme of them so farre different vnto theirs which are all in manner of caractes as hath béene told you So after that they had passed away the time a while in this hee saide that those which woulde go vnto Machao shoulde put themselues on the one side and they that woulde go vnto Luzon on the other the which being doone hee tooke his leaue of them verie louinglie and saide that hee would giue them the licence which they did aske at all times whensoeuer they woulde although hee coulde not grant it them without first to consult with the vizroy of Aucheo yet he would doo it within tenne dayes and then those which woulde go vnto Macheo might presently depart and those which would go vnto Luzo he would send them vnto Chincheo that from thence the gouernour shoulde cause them to be sent in the first passage that goeth with merchandice This Aytao was very peaceable and humaine who hauing compassion on the Spaniards for that they séemed vnto him to be good men he commanded to bee giuen to them ouer aboue the kings alowance a Hogge and Rice and other kind of victuals So here with they went vnto their lodgings with content and also the interpreter who thought that hée was new borne againe that day CHAP. XIII The Spaniards remaine certaine dayes in Canton whither came certaine Portugals from Machao at the first they feared them but afterwards they were assured by the contractation they had the one with the other that they were friendes the vizroy of Aucheo commeth to Canton and dispatcheth the Spaniards giueth them good prouision and intertainment AFter that the ten daies were past appointed by the Aytao and some more séeing that no more mention was made of them but as though they had neuer séene theÌ„ they were very sorowfull in ielousie that the captaine general of Machao
there be that bee verie curiouslie wrought and faire which may bée of such which the Captaine Artieda did sée who in a letter that hee wrote vnto king Phillip giuing him to vnderstande of the secreats of this countrie amongst which hee saide the Chinos doo vse all armour as wee doo and the artilerie which they haue is excellent good I am of that opinion for that I haue séene vessels there of huge greatnesse and better made then ours and more stronger In euerie Citie they haue certaine houses where they make their ordinance and artilerie continuallie they doo not plant them on Castles for that they haue not the vse of them in all the kingdome but vppon the gates of their cities which hath mightie great and thicke walles and déepe ditches which they doo fill with water out of the next riuer at all times when néede requireth which they account the greatest strength in all the kingdome At euerie gate of the Citie there is a Captaine with manie souldiours that keepeth watch and warde night and daie to suffer no stranger to enter in without especiall lycence of the gouernour of the Citie or towne By this that I haue alredie saide as seemeth vnto mée is apparantlie shewed and declared the antiquitie of Artilerie in this kingdome and howe that they there were the first inuenters thereof Likewise it dooth plainely appéere that there was the first inuention of printing a thing as strange as the other whose antiquitie in that kingdome shalbe shewed in the Chapter following CHAP. XVI Of the antiquitie and manner of printing of bookes vsed in this kingdome long before the vse in our Europe THe admirable inuention and the subtill ingenie of printing is such that for lacke of the vse thereof should haue béene forgotten the worthinesse of manie excellent men and of their déedes doone in the happie daies and times long past and manie in these our daies woulde not trouble themselues so much as they doo in learning to get honour and promotion or in feates of warres if that their fame should no longer continue in writing then their liues on the earth Leauing apart the woonderfull effectes of this subtile inuention least speaking thereof I shoulde be ouer tedious I will heere onelie goe about to prooue that which this Chapter dooth propounde with some ensamples whereof manie are found in their histories and likewise in ours It doth plainelie appeare by the vulgar opinion that the inuention of printing did beginne in Europe in the yeare 1458. the which was attributed vnto Toscan called Iohn Cutembergo and it was saide of trueth that the first mould wherewith they doo print was made in Maguncia from whence an Almaine called Conrado did bring the same inuention into Italie And the first booke that was printed was that which saint Austine did write intituled De ciuitate Dei wherein manie authors agrée But the Chinos doo affirme that the first beginning was in their countrie and the inuentour was a man whome they reuerence for a saint whereby it is euident that manie yeares after that they had the vse therof it was brought into Almaine by the way of Ruscia and Moscouia from whence as it is certaine they may come by lande and that some merchants that came from thence into this kingdome by the redde sea and from Arabia Felix might bring some â—ooks from whence this Iohn Cutembergo whom the histories dooth make authour had his first foundation The which béeing of a trueth as they hauâ— authoritie for the same it dooth plainelie appeare that this inuention came from them vnto vs and for the better credite heereof at this day there are found amongst them many bookes printed 500. yeares before the inuention began in Almanie of the which I haue one and I haue séene others as well in Spaine and in Italie as in the Indies The Frier Herrada and his companions when they came from the China vnto the Philippinas did bring with them manie printed bookes of diuers matters which they did buy in the Citie of Aucheo the which were printed in diuers places of the kingdome Yet the most part of them were printed in the prouince of Ochian whereas is the best print and as they did report they woulde haue brought a great number more if that the vizroy had not disturbed them for they haue great libraries and very good cheape but hée suspected that those bookes might be a meane to giue them to vnderstande the secrets of their kingdome the which they doo indeuour to kéepe close from strangers The vizroy vsed a policie and sent them word how that he was certified that they went about buying of bookes for to carry them into their countrie and howe they shoulde not spende their many on them for hée woulde giue them for nothing so manie bookes as they woulde haue which afterward hée did not performe possible for the reason aforesaide or else he did forget his promise At such time as this commandement came vnto them they had bought a good number out of the which are taken the most things that wée haue put in this small historie for to giue a briefe notice of them and of that kingdome till such time as by a true certificate the experience of manie shall cause more credite thereunto for that vnto this day by reason of the small notice wée haue we cannot with so great authoritie make it so credible as wee hope that time hereafter will doo The which hath mooued mee yea and constrained me to leaue to intreat of manie things which in those parts are to bée credited yea and are most true and for the same I haue béene blamed and reprehended by such as haue had perfite notice thereof And nowe for that I will not go from my purpose you shall vnderstand in the Chapter following whereof these bookes that they brought doo intreat that the better you may giue credite vnto the curiositie and policie of that kingdome as in manie places I haue declared and hereafter will declare CHAP. XVII The substance and manner of those bookes that Frier Herrada and his companions brought from China THey brought with them a great number of bookes as wée haue said that did intreate of diuers matters as you shall perceiue in the sequele Of the description of all the whole kingdome of China and the placing of the 15. prouinces and the length and bredth of euerie one of them and of other kingdomes bordering vppon them Of all tributes and rentes belonging vnto the king and of all the orders of his royall pallace and of his ordinarie pensions that hee giueth and the names of all officers in his house and how far euery office doth extend How many tributaries euerie prouince hath and the number of such as are frée from tribute and the order and time how and when they are to be recouered For the making of ships of all sorts and the order of nauigation with the altitudes of euery port and the quantitie of
those officers that came with him to remaine about their ship at the waters side for their guard more for that none should doo to them any harme then for any euill suspition they had of them Al that day that the Spaniards were in their ship the countrie men came downe to the water side to sée them and that in so great number that they did woonder to sée them and on the other side they greatly reioyced to sée so many soules there ioyned togither hoping that when it should bee the will and pleasure of GOD to giue them oportunitie to baptise them all The next day following in the morning they sawe another Mandelin or Iudge comming towards their shippe accompanied with much people and with little lesse maiestie then the other had who entred into their shippe and commaunded to search both aboue and belowe to sée whether they brought any armour weapon or any other kinde of merchandize and séeing that they coulde finde nothing else but their bookes and their ornament aforesaide hée commaunded it to bée brought before him who did peruse the same péece by péece with great admiration and shewed great contentment that hee receiued to sée their bookes and Images although that which did most content him was to sée the Ara of blacke stone as was said before Then hee commanded one of the Fathers for to reade in one of the saide bookes and for to write the which was done before him with so great facilitie that the Iudge receiued great contentment to sée it Then hée asked them if that with the said letters they could write any other language that were different vnto theirs The Fathers answered yea that they coulde write any language and for a plainer proofe they wrote on a péece of paper certaine reasons in the Iudges language the which did cause him greatly to maruell and said turning his face to some of them that came with him these men are not barbarous nor of any euill condition so farre as I can see With this he departed out of their shippe and went to giue the gouernour who sent him to vnderstand of that he had séene and coulde vnderstande of the Spaniards in this his visitation who straightwayes did sende them a licence vpon a table that they shoulde come on shore and bee suffered to enter into the cittie freely at their will CHAP. IIII. The Spaniards go forth of their ship and go into the Citie vnto the christened Chinos house and are carried before another superior Iudge in common audience and manie other passe with them SO soone as they had their licence they went forth of their ship and entred in at the gate of the Cittie although with great trouble by reason of the great number of people that came to sée them as a thing neuer séene before then they went to the christened Chinos house hee that serued for their interpreter who made very much of them and giuing them to vnderstande that hée had made a true report of all that they had commanded him and did offer himselfe to do so much with the Iustices that he would procure to get licence of the gouernor for them to remaine in the countrie and to giue them a house wherein to remaine and dwel and did admonish them that at that time they should not deale for to make the Chinos Christians vntil such time as they were better knowne and coulde speake the language and then should they doo it with a great deale more ease All these promises with the falsifying of that the Spaniards spake before to the Iudges was to content the Friers as in discourse of time they did vnderstande and onely to get monie from them for that it séemed vnto him that it could not be but that they shoulde haue good stoore for that they came from a rich countrie whereas it was and againe to come about businesse of so great importance about the which they shoulde remaine there a long time as aforesaide as they afterwarde did more at large vnderstande If that interpreter had declared in fidelitie all that which they had spoken without al doubt they woulde not haue suffered them to haue come on shoare else haue put them in some prison for that they came on lande without licence and to haue shewed them the most fauour they woulde haue caused them to returne from whence they came whereas the guardes of the straight of whome we haue spoken off before woulde either in secrete or publike sinke them at the sea for that they were all greatly in hatred against them the reason was that the Aytao who is as is declared in the first booke of this historie the president of the counsell of warre and had vnderstanding howe that they passed thorough the fléete and were not séene which was a thing that they all wondred at This Aytao did forthwith make secret information of the same and founde it to bée true whereuppon hee did Iudge the Captaines to perpetuall prison where they were well whipped and did secrest all their goods for the which all their kinâ—folkes and the rest of the guards had great indignation against the Spaniards and woulde with great ease haue béene reuenged on them but that they did feare the punishment that should bee doone on them after that it shoulde bee knowne In the which they doo execute their iustice in this kingdome more then in any place in all the world In the house of this Christened Chino they dined that day as they did many more afterwarde but euery night they returned to their fregat to bed for that they durst not leaue their things alone neither to lie out of their shippe for that one of the Iudges had so commanded CHAP. V. The Spaniards are called before a Iudge who doth examine them and offer them great fauour he dooth write vnto the vizroy giuing credit vnto the persons who sendeth commission vnto a Iudge called Aytao for to examine their cause the chiefe captaine of Machao dooth accuse them in saying that they were spies and doth intreate of other strange matters VPon Saint Iohn baptist day they were called before a Iudge who as after this did vnderstand was a superiour vnto the other past but when they came whereas hee was in place of audience his ministers did straight wayes commande them to knéele downe at such time as they came in sight of the Iudge which was vnto the religious men no small torment Hee demanded of them the same that the others did and they answered in briefe that they came to preach the holy Gospell and requested him to giue them licence to execute the same and to remaine in that Cittie of Canton for to learne the China tongue whereby they might giue them to vnderstande and knowe the trueth of the heauen The interpreter did falsifie their wordes as hee had doone vnto the other Iudges and said no more but for so much that fortune and fowle weather had driuen them into that port
hystories of the said Chinos whereas they do make mention of the mightinesse thereof and of the 15. prouinces that are comprehended in the same The which bookes and hystories were brought vnto the citie of Manilla printed and set forth in China and were translated into the spanish toong by interpreters of the saide nations And for that they were baptised and became Christians they remaine as dwellers amongest vs in these Ilandes the better to obserue and keepe the lawes of baptisme and to flie the paine punishment the which they should receiue for dooing the same for that they turned Christians and receiued the faith without the license of the king and counsell which is forbidden vppon paine of death and is executed with great violence and without remission This mightie kingdome is in circuit or compasse about 69516. Die which is a kind of measure that they do vse which being reduced into the spanish account is almost 3000. leagues and in length 1800. leagues this is to be vnderstood the whole 15. prouinces the which are garnished with many cities and townes besides a great number of villages as you may plainely see in the chapter following By the said booke it is found that the Chinos haue amongst them but only three kind of measures the which in their language are called Lii Pu and Icham which is as much to say or in effect as a forlong league or iorney the measure which is called Lii hath so much space as a mans voice in a plaine grounde may bee hearde in a quiet day halowing or whoping with all the force and strength he may and ten of these Liis maketh a Pu which is a great spanish league and ten Pus maketh a dayes iourney which is called Icham which maketh 12. long leagues By the which account it is founde that this kingdome hath the number of leagues as aâ—ore is saide Yet by the account of other bookes they do finde it bigger and of more leagues Yet frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the austen friers in the Ilands Philippinas who is an excellent Geometrician and Cosmographer did cast the account with great diligence by their owne descriptions and doth finde it to amount vnto the sum aforesaid to be 1800. leagues long and 3000. leagues in compasse beginning at the prouince of Olam which is that towards the South and nearest vnto Malacia and so alongst the countrie towards the North east for the space of 600. leagues CHAP. VII Of the 15. prouinces that are in this kingdome THis mightie kingdome is deuided into fiftéene prouinces that euery one of them is bigger then the greatest kingdome that we doo vndâ—rstand to be in all Europe Some doo esteeme those cities to be metropolitans where as is resident the gouernors presidents or viz Rées which in their natural toong are called Cochin of the prouinces two of them which are called Tolanchia and Paguia are gouerned by the king in person with his royall counsel The occasion why the king is alwayes resident or abiding in one of these two prouinces which are two of the mightiest and most popularst of people is not for that in them he is most at his content or receiue more pleasure in them then in any of the other but onely for that they doo conâ—ine vpon the kingdome of Tartaria with whom in times past they had ordinary and continuall wars and for that the king might with more ease put remedie in such harmes receiued and defend with better oportunitie the rage of his enimie he did ordaine and situate his pallace and court in them two And for that it hath béene of antiquitie many yeeres past it hath remained hitherto and appeareth to continue still the habitation of the kings of that kingdome as by desert for the excellencie of the clime and aboundance of all things necessarie The names of the fiftéene prouinces are as followeth Pagâ—ia Foquiem Olam Sinsay Sisuam Tolanchia Cansay Oquiam Aucheo Honan Xanton Quicheâ— Chequeam Susuam and Saxij Almost all these prouinces but in particular tenne of them which are alongst the sea costs are full of déepe riuers of swéete water and nauigable vpon whose branches are situated many cities and townes whereof you may not onely haue the number of them but also their names for that these Chinos are so curious people that in their books are named besides the cities and townes the banketing houses and houses of pleasure which the gentlemen haue for their recreation And for that it will be more trouble then profite to inlarge any further in this matter I will refer it vnto the next chapter where I will intreate of the cities and townes that either of these prouinces hath and passe ouer all the rest as not necessarie for our intent is to set forth the bignes of this kingdome CHAP. VIII Of the cities and townes that euery one of these prouinces hath in himselfe THese fiftéene prouinces which with better truth might be called kingdomes according vnto the greatnes of them as you may perceiue by the number of cities and townes that each of them hath besides villages the which if I should adde herevnto would be an infinite number The number of cities townes that euery prouince hath First the prouince of Paguia where as ordinarily the king and his counsel is resident hath 47. cities and 150. townes Canton hath 37. cities and 190. townes Foquien hath 33. cities and 99. townes Olam hath 90. cities and 130. townes Synsay hath 38. cities and 124. townes Sisuan hath 44. cities and 150. townes Tolanchia hath 51. cities and 123. townes Cansay hath 24. cities and 112. townes Ochian hath 19. cities and 74. townes Aucheo hath 25. cities and 29. townes Honan hath 20. cities and 102. townes Xaton hath 37. cities and 78. townes Quicheu hath 45. cities and 113. townes Chequeam hath 39. cities and 95. townes Susuan hath 42. cities and 105. townes By which account appeareth to be 591. cities and 1593. townes beside villages and houses of pleasure which are an infinite number by the which you may consider that this kingdome doth deserue to be called great and compared with the best and principalâ—t that is heaâ—d of in al the whole world The Chinos doe vse in their pronunciation to terme their cities with this sylable Fu that is as much to say citie as Taybin fu Canton fu and their townes with this sylable Cheu They haue some villages that are so great that it lacketh but onely the name of a towne All their cities for the most part are situated by the riuers sides such as are nauigable the cities are moted rounde about which make them to bee verie strong not only the cities but townes are walled round about with high and strong wals of stone one faddome high and all the rest is of bricke but of so hard a substance that it is not to be broken almost with pickaxes Some cities hath their wals so broad that 4.
both of his first wife and of all the other wiues For lacke of a sonne by his first wife the first borne of the other wiues doth inherite the most part so that fewe times or neuer there is none that dieth without heyres eyther by his first wife or by the others And if it so fall out that any of these his wiues do commit adulterie the which seeldome chaunceth by reason of their kéeping in and great honestie as also it is great infamie vnto the man that doth offer any such thing then may the husband finding them togither kill them but after that first furie being past he cannot but complaine of the adulterers vnto the Iustice and although it be prooued verie apparant yet can they giue them no more punishment but beate them cruelly vppon their thyghes as is the custome and lawe of the countrie as shalbe declared vnto you in his place Then may the husband afterwardes sell his wife for a â—laue and make money of her for the dowrie he gaue her notwithstanding there be amongst them that for interest will dissemble the matter yea and will séeke oportunities and occasion Yet if such be spied or knowen they are righteously punished They say in the prouinces that be néere vnto Tartaria and in the selfe same Tartaria they doo vse a custome and manner of marriage very strange that is the vizroyes or gouernors doo limit and appoint a time when that all men and women shall méete together such as will marie or receiue the order of religion The time being accomplished all such as would be married do méete together in a citie of that prouince appointed for that purpose and when they come thether they doo present themselues before 12. auncient and principall men appointed there by the king for the same purpose who doo take a note of their names both of men and women and of what state and degrée they are and of their substance for to dowrie their wiues with whom they shalbe married Then do they number all the men and women that be there if they do find more men than women or to the contrarie more womeÌ„ than men then they cast lots do leaue the number that doth so beare in register til the next yeare y t they may be the first that shalbe married Then sixe of those ancient men do put the men in thrée parts the rich they put in one part without any consideration of gentilitie or beautie and those that are rich in a meane in an other parte and the poore in the thirde part In the meane time that these sixe men be occupied in the reparting of the men the other sixe doe repart the women in thrée parts to say in this manner the most fairest in one part and them not so faire in an other and the fowlest in an other This diuision being made theÌ„ do they marrie them in this order vnto the riche men they doo giue the fairest and they doo giue for them the prise that is appointed by the Iudges and vnto them that are not so rich they do giue them that are not so faire without paying for them anye thing at all and vnto the poore men they giue the fowlest with all that which the rich men do pay for the faire women diuiding it into equall partes Sure it is a notable thing if it bee true This being done they are all married in one daie and holpen although peraduenture not all content the marriages being doone there is great feastes made in such houses as the king hath ordeyned in euerye citie for the same purpose the which are furnished with beds and all other necessaries belonging thereunto for that the new married people may be serued of all that is néedfull for the time that the feast do indure This solemnitie beeing finished which they saye doth indure fiftie dayes these newe married people doo goe vnto their owne houses You must vnderstande that this custome of marriage is ordeyned for the coÌ„mon and poore people and not for Lords nor gentlemen who are not bound to obey this ordinaunce but to marrie whereas they like best euerie one to séeke and marrie with his equall or else by an order which the king hath set downe vnto the viceroyes and gouernors what to be done therein When that the king of China is married then dooth hee choose thirtie concubines the principallest persons in all his kingdome the which hee dooth kéepe and maintayne within his pallace so long as hee doth liue But after that hee is dead and his funerall ended as is accustomed then doth the heire or successor of the kingdome apparell these thirtie women maruelous gorgeously with many iewelles then doth hee cause them to set in an Estrado or rich pallet gallantly dressed and furnished in one of the thrée halles as shall be declared in the second chapter of the third booke with their faces couered in such sort as they may not be séene nor knowen and being set in this order then doth there enter in thirtie gentlemen of the principallest of the kingdome those whom the king left named in his testameÌ„t the which goeth by antiquitie or according vnto order set by the king and eyther of them doth take one of these Ladies by the hand and looke howe they found theÌ„ so they doo carrie them with their faces couered till they bring them home to their houses whereas they haue them for their wiues and do maintaine and kéepe them all the dayes of their liues towards the mainteyning of them the king doth leaue in his testament great reueneues and the successor in the kingdome doth accomplish and performe the same with great diligence and care In old time when that the kinges of China would marrie anie of his children or kinsfolkes he did make in his pallace a great and solemne banket to the which he did inuite all the principallest Lordes and gentlemen of his court commaunding to bring with them their sonnes and daughters who did accomplish the same striuing who should apparell their children most richest and most gallantest The banket being done the young princes do go whereas are these young Ladies euerie one placed in order according to their age and there he doth chuse his wife according to his owne will or desire and where he liketh best Likewise the infants or kings daughters doe the like in choosing their husbands amongst the young lords and gentlemen But at this time this custome is left off for that the princes and gentlemen do marry with their kinsfolkes so that it be not in the first or seconde degrée yet many times they do not kéepe the second CHAP. X. How that in all this mightie kingdome there is no poore folks walking in the streets nor in the teÌ„ples a begging the order that the king hath giuen for the maintayning of them that cannot worke MAnie things of great gouernment hath béene and shall be declared in this historie worthie to be
of those later times who for to conquere strange countries did separate themselues so farre from their natural that they lost their owne countries at home But these of this kingdome being forewarned as y e prouerbe saith Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum By the hurt of another c. they haue found by experience y t to go forth of their owne kingdome to conquer others is the spoile and losse of much people and expences of great treasures besides the trauaile and care which continually they haue to sustaine that which is got with feare to be lost againe so that in the meane time whilest they were occupied in strange conquests their enimies the Tartarians and other kings borderers vnto them did trouble and inuade them doing great damage and harme And more considering that they do possesse one of the greatest best kingdomes of the world as well for riches as for fertilty by reason whereof and by the great aboundance of things that the country doth yéeld many strange nations do profite themselues from them and they haue néed of none other nation for that they haue sufficient of all things necessarie to the mainteining of humane life In consideration whereof they called a generall court of parliament whether came all vizroyes and gouernours and other principall men of all the fiftéene prouinces and there they did communicate to put remedy in this great inconuenience in the best manner possible Then after they had wel considered of the same with great care diligēce taking the iudgement particular of euery one in generall by common consent they found it requisit for their quietnes profite a thing most conuenient for the common wealth to leaue al y t they had got gained out of their owne kingdome but specially such countries as were farre off And from that day forwards not to make any wars in any place for that from thence did procéed a knowne damage a doubtfull profite and being altogether conformable they did request the king that was at that present that he would cal home al such people as he had in other kingdomes bordering there about vnder his obedience perswading him that in so doing he should remaine a mightie prince more richer more in quiet and in more securitie Then the king perceiuing the request and petition of his kingdome subiects and being fully satisfied that this perswasion was requisite to be put in execution he straightwayes set it a worke and commanded vpon great penalties that al his subiects and vassals naturall that were in any strange countries that in a time limited they should returne home to their own country and houses and likewise to the gouernours of the same countries that they should in his name abandon leaue the dominion and possession that he had of them excepting such as would of their owne good will acknowledge vassalage and giue him tribute remaine friends as vnto this day the Lechios other nations do This law was then established and is inuiolablie kept to this day in the which it is first commanded that none whatsoeuer vpon paine of death shall make or begin warre in any part without his licence Also on the said penaltie that no subiect of his shall nauigate by sea out of the kingdome without the said licence Also that whosoeuer will go from one prouince to another within the said kingdome to traficke in buying and selling shall giue suerties to returne againe in a certaine time limited vpon paine to bee disnaturalled of the country Likewise that no stranger whatsoeuer shal come in by sea nor by land without his expresse licence or of the gouernours of such ports or places whereas they shall come or ariue And this licence must be giuen with great consideration aduising the king therof Al which lawes haue béene so inuiolablie kept and obserued that it hath béene the occasion that this mightie kingdome hath not come to notice and knowledge but of late yeares All the which that is said séemeth to be true for that it is cléerely found in their histories and books of nauigations of old antiquitie whereas it is plainely séene that they did come with their shipping vnto the Indies hauing conquered al that is from China vnto the farthest part thereof Of all the which they indured possessers in great quietnes till such time as they ordeined the law of abandoning of their owne good will as aforesaid So that at this day there is great memory of them in the ilands Philippinas and on the cost of Coromande which is the cost against the kingdome of Norsinga towards the sea of Cengala whereas is a towne called vnto this day the soile of the Chinos for that they did reedifie make the same The like notice memory is there in the kingdom of Calicut wheras be many trées and fruits that the naturals of that countrie do say were brought thither by the Chinos when that they were lords and gouernours of that countrie Likewise in those dayes they were of Malaca Siam and Chapaa other of their borderers Also it is to be beléeued of y e Ilands of Iapon for that there are many tokens of the Chinos vnto this day the naturals of the country are much after the fashion of the Chinos and many particular things that do giue vs to vnderstand and some lawes that are obserued and kept in China But now in these dayes the gouernours of the sea ports do dispence with the law that forbiddeth y e going out of the kingdome by certain giftes which is giuen thē by merchants to giue them secret licence that they may go and traficke in Ilands bordering there about as vnto the Philippinas whither come euery yeare many ships ladē with merchandise of great riches of the which is brought many times into Spaine Likewise they do trauaile vnto other parts and places wheras they vnderstand they may profite themselues Yet they do not giue any such licence vntill they haue giuen suerties to returne within one whole yeare The desire of gaine hath caused them to traueile to Mexico whither came the yeare past in anno 1585. thrée merchants of China with very curious things neuer staied till they came into Spaine and into other kingdomes further off Likewise the said iudge and gouernours doo giue licence vnto strangers in the order aforesaid for to enter into their ports to buy sel but first vpon examination and charge that they should haue a great care not to demand any licence but to the same intent Then haue they their licence with a time limited and with condition that they shall not procure to goe about their cities neither to see the secrets thereof And this is giuen in writing vpon a whited table which is set vpon the fore partes of their ships that when they come to an anker in any port it may be séene of the kéepers and guards that they sinke them
vnderstanding the earnest request wherâ—with those of the Ilands did aske the ambassage howe much it did import to haue it as a man then elected for gouernor of those Ilands a matter that touched him very much did put the king and his counsell in memorie of the same and in conclusion they answered that hee should foorthwith depart with the souldiers that were prouided for those parts for that it was coÌ„uenient so to be doone by reason of great necessitie that they had of them in the said Ilands and as for the ambassage for that there was no such great necessitie nor haste it should be intreated of at more leasure when that the counsell wil aduertise themselues of al that shalbe conuenient touching that matter that they would consult and confer with his maiestie that he may as the right owner of them command that which shuld be to the seruice of God and his benefite So with this answere the said gouernor departed It happened that in the moneth of August in the yeare following before that this gouernor was ariued at the Ilands there came newe letters from thence of supplications requesting with greater instance that which before at other times they had requested sending with their petition the whole relation of the entrie of Frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the Augustine Friers and his companions into the kingdome of China and of such things as they had seene and heard of as may be séene at large in the said declaration which is in the second part of this booke This being séene by his maiestie he was resolued to send the ambassage which so many times they haue requested this chanced at that time that he began to go vppon Portugall a time of trouble but yet a great token that it was the will of God in whose hands as the wise man saith are the hearts of kings For the appointment of one for to go on this ambassage the king did remit it vnto his roial counsel of the Indies whose president was Don Antonio de Padilla y meneses who had communicated with me diuers times touching matters of that kingdome of Mexico whereas I was alwayes resident euer since I was seuentéene yeares of age and by reason of matters that was committed vnto me out of that country was the occasion that I did vse to visit him the oftener the which large conuersation and the good wil that hée did beare me did perswade him that I could put in execution the ambassage of his maiestie for that his will was that some religious person should do it and they being fully perswaded that my good will and desire was for the saluation of those soules and in all respects willing to serue his maiestie all the which with the knowledge that I had of that large nauigation and the qualitie of that countrie and people was a great helpe to the accomplishing in effect the will of his maiestie and desire of those that dwelt in Philippina So after this charge being committed vnto me and his maiestie readâ—e to depart on his voiage for Portugal as aforesaid he did remit my dispatch vnto the lords of the royall counsell who were at that time the Liceneiado gasca de salacaâ— and doctor Gomez de Santisteuan the Licenciado Espadero The Licenciado don Diego de Zuniga the doctor Vaillo the Licenciado Euao the Licenciado Gedeon de Hinonsosa By whose commandement I depart from the court vnto Syuell where as order was giuen that all such things should be prouided that I should carrie vnto the king Whereas I was procuring the same certaine dayes and for that they were many the which I should carry it was not possible by any meanes that they should be made readie against the departure of the fléete Then the Licenciado Gasca de Salacar aforesaide who was at that present resident in the coÌ„tractation house of Syuel gaue his maiestie to vnderstand thereof who was at Badaioz occupied in matters touching the kingdome of Portugal as aforesaid and requested him to giue order what his pleasure was to be done therein who commanded that the fleete should depart and that I should stay till such time as all things were made and concluded that I shoulde carrie with me for the king of China as in ample manner as hee had commanded And when that all things were in good order that they should cause â— sâ—ippe or galeon to bée made readie wherein I should make my voyage â—or to ouertake or méete at the newe Spaine such shippes as euerie yeare dooth depart for the Ilands Philippinas which is at Christmas time this commandement was delayed vntill the beginning of Lent as well for that the thinges were manie that shoulde bée made and coulde not be dispatched in the time as also for a generall sicknesse that was amongst them in Spaine called the Cattarre or murre Then after that all thinges were in order by the commandement of the Licenciado Gasca hée deliuered vnto me the kinges letter and all other thinges The which for that they were manie and againe I haue beene tedious in this Chapter I doo not declare it for that the prudent lector may of himselfe conceiue if hee doo weigh the magnanimitie of the Catholike king that dooth sende them and the mightinesse and richnesse of him to whome it is sent of the which we haue declared enough in this small historie I would I could particularly declare it vnto you as also the copie of the letter that his maiestie did send vnto that Heathen or Gentile king a thing worthie of the author but for that it came not to effect neither had I anye licence of him that all oâ—elye might grant it and againe in place whereas I could not aske it therefore I dare not for that I will not excéede the limits of fidelitie which I owe vnto my prince But it is sufficient that the letter and the present sent by his maiestie vnto the king of that countrey was to no other intent but to procure him and all his subiects to acknowledge the true God and to exhort them to receiue our catholike faith and to giue them to vnderstand the error wherein they are and how ignorant they are of the knowledge of the true God the creator of hâ—auâ—n and earth and of all the creatures of the world visible and inuisâ—ble sauiour and redéemer of all such as with a true knowledge doo beléeue in him and obey his holy lawe declared by his worde and confirmed by his deuine tokens and other thinges in effect So being dispatched I prosecuted my iourny and order till I came vnto the kingdome of Mexico whereas I found a certaine inconuenience touching a matter néedful in that voiage whereof his maiestie in the commission he gaue me willed me to be well â—duertised and if it were néedfull to giue him notice thereof before I did passe any farther The vizroy of that kingdome who was the Earle of Coruma thought it good that I
shoulde returne vnto Lysborne whereas the king was at that instant and to giue him to vnderstand of the difficultie that was found in a meeting that the vizroy had caused to bee made of the most grauest personages of all that kingdome about the prosecuting of that ambassage With this resolution I departed from that kingdome and returned for Spaine and left the present in Mexico in the power of the kings officers till such time as order was giuen what shoulâ— be done therewith I found his maiestie in Lisborne whereas I did deliuer him the letters that were written touching the same matter and did declare vnto him my iudgement touching the meeting aforesaid who incontinent did take the â—harge vpon him to seeke occasion for to put in effect his most christâ—an intent and zâ—ale the which I doo beléeue he hath procured and will by al waies possible and that very shortly we shall sée in that kingdâ—me planted the Catholike faith and their false idolatrie banished And I hope in God it will bee very shortly for that there be within that kingdome religious men of the order of saint Augustine and barefoote friers of saint Francis and of the order of Iesus or Iesuits who are called there the fathers of Saint Paule of whom there is placâ—d fiue or sixe in the citie of Xauquin whereas the vizroy doth dwell and hath erected a couent in that citie euer since the yeare 1583. with a Church whereas they doo say masse ordinarily And it is said of a truth that they haue got license of the saide vizroy for to passe fréely thorough out all the whole kingdome of China But if it bee so you must thinke that hee did it after that he had consulted with the king and doone by his authoritie otherwise I am perswaded he durst not grant any such liceâ—se At this present dooth there go out of Spaine by the order and commandement of his maiestie and his royall counsell of the Indies a companie of religious men of the order of saint Dominicke for to aid and helpe the rest that are there to conclude this enterprise from whom can procéed nothing but that which tends to great effect by reason of their great zeale learning and the better if that they doo ioyâ—e togither in charitie as seruants to one Lord and master and as they which are boundâ— to doo all one worke By which meanes with the fauour and helpe of Almightie God putting to their diligence and industrie they shall easily conquest their hearts good willes shall frustrate the diuell from the possession that so long time he hath possessed in that kingdome and râ—duce them to their true Lord by creation and redemption It will not bee a small helpe the manie and euident tokens which the Chinos doo giue of desire of their saluation For as it is said that they haue read in their bookes that from the Occident shall come the true and perâ—ite law to diâ—ect them to heauen where they shalbe angelâ— And they séeing that those religious people which are câ—me into their kingdome doo come from the Occident they are perswaded without doubt that the law that they doo declare vnto them is the truth by which meanes shall redowne vnto them great goodnesse They are greatly affâ—ctioned vnto the commandements of the Catholike faith and vnto the catechisme which is translated into their language and is abrode in manie parts of that kingdome which is the occasion as the fathers of the companie that are in the citie Xuquien dooth write that many principal persons are conuerted vnto the catholike faith and others being holpen by the heauens and encited by the ensample of them doo demande the holy baptisme which is left vndone because they will not cause any vprore in the countrie And againe when they shall better conceiue thereof they may receiue it with more firme faith God for his mercie cause to go forwards and with his deuine fauour this good worke for his honour and glorie and exalting his holy faith and that so great and infinite a number of soules redéemed by his pretious blood might be saued and to put in the hart of christian kings to procéed forwards in that which he hath begun putting alwaies in their breasts a greater augmentation to the concluding of the same and to put apart from him all such perswasions as shoulde cause him to leaue it off which the diuell will procure by all the wayes and meanes that he may But against God and his diuine will there is neither power nor wisedome The end of the first part The second part of the historie of the mightie kingdome of China that is deuided into three parts The first containeth such thinges as the fathers frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the order of Saint Augustine in the Ilands Phlipinas and his companion fryer Geronimo Martin and other soldiers that went with them did see and had intelligence of in that kingdom The second containeth the miraculous voiage that was made by frier Pedro de Alfaro of the order of S. Francis and his companions vnto the said kingdome The third containeth a breefe declaration by the said frier and of frier Martin Ignacio that went out of Spaine vnto China and returned into Spaine againe by the Orientall India after that he had compassed the world Wherein is contained many notable things that hee did see and had intelligence of in the voiage The Argument of the first part Wherein is declared the cause that moued Frier Martin de Herrada and Frier Geronimo Martin and such souldiers as went in their companie for to passe from the Ilands Phillipinas vnto the kingdome of China in the yeare 1577 and of the entrie they made therein and what they did see there for the space of foure monethes and sixteeâ—e daies that they remained and of what they vnderstood of al things that happened vnto them till they returned againe vnto the Ilands from whence they went all the which are notable and strange CHAP. I. The Spaniardes departe from Mexico vnto the Ilandes Philippinas where they had intelligence of the mightie kingdome of China GOuerning in the kingdom of Mexico don Luys de Velasco who was viceroye and lieftenant in that place for the Catholike king don Phillip king of Spaine was coÌ„manded by his maiestie to prepare a great armie in the south sea and to leuie â—ouldiers necessarie for the same and to send them to discouer the Ilands of the west those which that famous captaine Magallanes did giue notice of when he did compasse the world in the ship called the Victorie The viceroy with great care and diligence did performe the kinges commandement This fléete and armie being prepared readie which was not without great cost hee caused them to depart out of the port at Christmas time in the yeare of 1564. and sent for general of the same fléete and for gouernour of that countrie which they should discouer the worthie Miguel
Lopez de Legaspi who afteâ—warde died in the said Ilande with the title of Adelantado a yeare after that the fathers Fryer Martin de Herrada and Fryer Geronimo Marin and their companies did enter into China So after that our Spaniardes hadde discouered the sayde Ilandes and some of them populared to the vse of his Maiestie but in especiall that of Manilla which is fiue hunâ—red leagues in circuit in the which is situated the citie of Luson and is also called Manilla and as the metropolitane of all the Iland whereas the gouernours haue ordeined their place of abiding euer since the first discouery They haue also founded in that citie a cathedrall Church and erected a bishopricke And for Bishops of the same his maiestie did ordaine the most reuerend fryer don Domingo de Salazar of the ordâ—r of preachers in whom was comprehended some holinesse good life and learning as was requisite and necessarie for that prouince and was consecrated in Madrid the yeare of 1579. At this present there be thrée monasteries of religious men in that Iland the one of the order of S. Austen and were the first that by the coÌ„mandement of his maiestie did enter into this Ilands preaching the law of the gospell which was great profit vnto those soules yet great trauaile vnto them and cost many of them their liues in dooing it the other monasterie is of barefoote Fryers of the order of S. Francis of the prouince of S. Ioseph who haue béene great examples with great profit vnto them of those portes The third are of the order of S. Dominicke or preachers who haue done their dutie in all things so well as the other These thrée orders were alonely in those Ilands for certaine yeares till now of late time haue gone thither Iesuites which haue bin a great aide and helpe vnto their religion When these Spaniardes were come vnto these Ilands they had straightwaies notice of the mightie kingdome of China as well by the relation of them of the Ilands who tolde vnto them the maruels thereof as also within a fewe daies after they did sée and vnderstand by ships that came into those ports with marchants that brought marchandise and other things of great curiositie from that kingdome did particularly declare the mightinesse and riches therof all which haue béen declared vnto you in the first thrée bookes of this historie This beeing knowen vnto the religious people of S. Austin who at that time were alone in those Ilands but in especiall vnto the prouinciall Fryer Martin de Herrada a man of great valour and wel learned in all sciences who séeing y â— great capacitie or towardnesse which the Chinos had more then those of the Ilandes in all things but in especiall in their gallantnesse discretion and wit he straightwaies had a great desire to go thether with his fellow to preach the gospell vnto those people of so good a capacitie to receiue the same who with a pretended purpose to put it in vre effect he began with great care studie to learne that language the which he learned in few daies did make therof a dictionarie TheÌ„ afterwards they did giue great intertainmeÌ„t presents vnto the marchants that came froÌ„ China for to procure them to carie theÌ„ thether many other things the which did shew their holie-zeale yea they did offer themselues to bee slaues vnto the marchants thinking by y â— means to enter in to preach but yet none of these diligences did take effect till such time as the diuine maiestie did discouer a better way as shalbe declared vnto you in this chapter following CHAP. II. A rouer of this kingdome of China called Limahon doth make himselfe strong at the sea and doth ouercome an other rouer of the same countrie called Vintoquiam THe Spaniards did enioy their new habitation of Manilla in great quietnesse vâ—ide of all care of any accideâ—t that might disquiet theÌ„ or any strange treasons of enimies for to offende them for that those Ilandes were in great quietnes and in obedience vnto the Christian king Don Phillip and in continuall traficke with the Chinos which séemed vnto them a sufficient securitie for the continuance of the quiâ—tnesse they liued in And againe for that they vnderstoode that they had a law amongst them as hath bin told you in this historie y t it was forbidden to make any wars out of their owne countrie But being in this security and quietnes vnlooked for they were beset with a mightie great Armada or fléete of ships by the rouer Limahon of whose vocation thâ—re are coÌ„tinually on y â— coast the one by reason that y e country is full of people wheras of necessitie must be many idle persons and the other principall occasion by reason of the great tyranny y t the gouernorâ— doo vse vnto the subiects This Limahon came vpon theÌ„ with intent to do theÌ„ harme as you shal vnderstand This rouer was borne in the citie of Trucheo in the prouince of Cuytan which the Portingals do cal Catim He was of mean parentage and brought vp in his youth in liberty and vice hee was by nature warlike and euill inclinâ—d He would learne no oâ—cupation but all giuen to robbe in the high waies and became so â—xpâ—rt that many came vnto him and followed that trade He made himself Captain ouer theÌ„ which were more then two thousand wâ—re so strong y t they were feared in all that prouince where as they were This being knowen vnto the king and to his councell they did straight way coÌ„mand the viceroy of the prouince wher as the rouer was that with all the haste possible he should gather together all the garrisons of his Frontyers to apprehende and take him and if it were possible to carrye him aliue vnto the Citie of Taybin if not his head The Uiceroy incontinent did gather together people necessarie and in great haste to followe him The which being knowen vnto Limahon the rouer who saw that with the people he had he was not able to make resistance against so great a number as they were and the eminent danger that was therein he called together his companies and went from thence vnto a port of the sea that was a fewe leagues from that place and did it so quickly and in such secret that before the people that dwelt therein could make any defence for that they were not accustomed to any such assaultes but liued in great quietnesse they were lordes of the port and of all such ships as were there into the which they imbarked themselues straightwaies wayed anker and departed to the sea whereas they thought to bee in more securitie than on the lande as it was true Then hee séeing himselfe lorde of all those seas beganne to robbe and spoyle all shippes that he could take as well strangers as of the naturall people by which meanes in a small time hee was prouided of mariners and
he sealed it vp and sent it vnto the Citie of Taybin vnto the king and his counsell and therewith that which the Gouernour of Chincheo did sende him as shall be tolde you for that they haue a rigorous lawe in that kingdome that dooth prohibite all such as haue any office of gouernement to receiue any present of what qualitie so euer it be without lycence of the king or of his counsell vpon paine to be depriued of bearing anie office all the dayes of their liues and to bee banished and condemned to weare red bonnets as wee haue declared the effect thereof This is conformable vnto that which the gouernor of Chincheo did in the presence of our people at such time as they went to take their leaue of him for to goe vnto Aucheo which was that in their presence they commanded to take foorth all that they brought him in present and shewing it vnto them péece by peece He asked if it were that which they had brought and they aunswered that it was the same although it was with troubled mindes beléeuing that it was to checke them because it was so small in respect of their mightinesse he asked them if there lacked any thing they answered no then straightwayes he commanded to put it againe whereas it was taken out in their presence and before a notarie and witnesses the which being doone was mailed and sealed and so sent vnto the viceroy of Aucheo in their companie and saide that hee could not receiue it without the licence aforesaid So our souldiers séeing that they could not be suffered to enter in with the present they tooke it for a great discourtesie and disfauour and therewith departed vnto their lodging to giue the fathers to vnderstande thereof who liked not well thereof but yet they concluded amongest themselues to suffer for a while and to commit vnto God the direction thereof as it best may be for his holy seruice The next day following the viceroy did send to visite them and to aske of them a sword a hargubush and a â—laske for that he would cause others to be made by them the which they did send and afterwardes vnderstood that they had counterfeited the same although not in so perfect manner Then after a time our people seeing that their beeing in that citie séemed to be long and like to be longer they did procure to driue away the time in the best manner they could and went abroad into the citie and did by eyther of them that which they thought best Whereof they found great abundance and of so small price that they bought it almost for nothing They bought many bookes that did intreat of diuerse matters which they brought with them to the Ilands as appeareth more at large in the chapter for the same The next day they went to sée the gates of the Citie and all such curious thinges as were to be séene so farre as they could learne or vnderstande which were many But amongst them all they sawe a sumptuous temple of their Idolles in whose chiefe chappell they counted one hundred and eleuen Idols besides a great number more that were in other particular chappels all were of carued worke verie well proportioned and gilted but in especiall thrée of them that were placed in the middest of all the rest the one had thrée heads procéeding out of one bodie the one looking on the other in full face The second was the forme of a woman with a childe in her armes the third of a man apparelled after the forme and fashion that the Christians doo paint the Apostles Of all the rest some had foure armes and some had sixe and other eight and other some marueilous deformed monsters Before them they had burning lamps and many swéete parfumes and smelles but in especiall before the thrée aboue specified But when that the viceroy did vnderstande that our people did go viewing the Citie gates and temples and perceiueth that they that gaue him the notice did suspect it that it was to some ill intent therewith he straightwayes commanded that they should not goe â—oorth out of their lodging without â—is licence and likewise commanded the Captaine that was their garde not to consent thereunto as he had done and likewise that none should carrie them any thing for to sell for he that did it should be punished with whipping Yet notwithstanding they had euerie day verie sufficient necessaries for their personages in such ample wise that there did alwayes remaine and not lacke In this closenesse and kéeping in they suffered many dayes with much sadnesse and oppressed with melancholick humors to sée that their purpose wherefore they went thether séemed to be long and euerie day was worse worse Yet noâ—withstanding they did passe it ouer in the best wise they could in coÌ„mitting it with heartie zeale vnto God for whose honor and glorie they did attempt that voyage prayed vnto him for to mooue their hearts to consent that the religious fathers might remaine in that countrie for to learne the language as they had begun many daies before by which meanes their soules might be saued and clearely deliuered from the tyrannie of the diuell who of truth had them in possession So after many dayes that they had remained in that close estate as aforesaide they determined for to goe and talke with the viceroy and to bee fully resolued either to tarry or returne from whence they came They straightwayes did put it in vre and what ensued thereof you shall vnderstande in the chapter following CHAP. XXVI The Spaniardes talke with the Viceroy and not being suffered they do write to him a letter and he doth answere it by word of mouth with other particular matters IT hath béen declared vnto you that the same day y t the Spaniardes did talke with the viceroy he asked them if they had brought any letter for their king they answered no he tolde them that he would write vnto the court and hauing answere they should be fully satisfied of their pretence and demaund But they séeing that his aunswere was long a comming and great delaye made therein and that they had them as halfe prisoners they determined to go and speake with the viceroy to be fully satisfied of his determinate will pretence and to haue some order eyther to goe vnto the court or to remaine in that citie or else to returne vnto the Ilands and there to tarrie the time till it pleased God to open a gate in that kingdome wherein might enter his holy gospell With this their pretended purpose they did perswade with their captaine to permit them so much libertie as for to go and speake with the viceroy who for that hee bare them loue and good will did consent therevnto So they went but when they came thether they that kept the gates would not consent y t they should enter which was the occasion that they returned vnto their lodgings verie sad and sorrowfull
and almost without any hope to bring their matter to passe for the which they went thether for that it séemed vnto them although they did plainely declare vnto them their pretence yet did they worke in such order for to cause them to depart In this order they remained in the citie certaine daies and for to conclude either to stay there or depart the kingdome they were resolute and determined to write a letter vnto the viceroy and therein to giue him to vnderstand particularly that their comming thether into y e countrie was to intreat that betwixt theÌ„ the Castillos there should be peace friendship and being concluded that their souldiers should with that newes depart vnto the Ilandes from whence they came to giue the gouernor to vnderstand therof they to remaine in that countrie preaching y e holy gospell They could finde none that would write this letter for them although they would haue payed them very well for their paines Till in the end by great request and prayings the captaine Omoncon did write it for them and straightwaies departed vnto the citie of Ampin that was not farre off making an excuse for to go sée the visitor of the prouince whom they doo call Sadin he would very faine haue carried with him two of our people y t he might haue séene them but none would go with him This iourney which Omoncon made hee did it to put away the suspition they might conceiue that he did write the letter if that peraduenture the viceroy would take it in ill part Their letter being written they found great difficulty in the sending the same for that there was nâ—ne that would carie it neyther would they consent that our men should enter into the pallace to deliuer it But in conclusion what with requestes and giftes they perswaded their Captayne of their gard to carrie it who did deliuer the same vnto the viceroye in name of the Castillos saying that hee tooke it of them to bring it vnto him for that they did certifie him that it was a thing that did import verie much Hauing read the letter hee answered that he would giue the king to vnderstande thereof as he saide at the first time And in that touching the Fryers remayning in that countrie to preach at that time hee could make them no answere for that in such matters it was first requisite to haue the good will of the Royall Counsell Yet would hee make answere vnto the letter they brought from the Gouernour of Manilla and that they might depart and returne againe at such time as they brought Limahon prisoner or dead the which being done then shall the friendshippe be concluded which they doo pretende and to remaine and preach at their will With this answere they remained without all hope to remayne there and did incontinent prepare themselues for to depart from Manilla and bought manie bookes to carie with them wherein was comprehended all the secrets of that kingdome By reason whereof they might giue large notice vnto the royall maiestie of king Phillip The which being vnderstoode by the Uiceroy who had set spies to watch their doings did sende them worde that they should not trouble themselues in the buying of bookes for that hee would giue them fréely all such bookes as they would desire to haue the which afterwardes he did not accomplish whether it was for forgetfulnesse or other occasion as wee haue more at large declared vnto you we know not yet did the Uiceroy send and demanded to sée some of those bookes that the Fryers had bought who after that he had séene them did returne them again and requested of them some writing of their owne handes who did accoÌ„plish his request and sent them written in spanish and in their owne language the Lords prayer the aue maria and the ten commandements who according vnto the relation of him that did carrie the same saide that after hee had reade it he made showes that he receiued great content therewith and said that all which was there written was good In the time that they stayed in this Citie amongst all other things that they vnderstoode to driue away the time was one it was giuen them to vnderstande that in one of the prisons there was a Portingale prisoner who was taken in a shippe of the Iapones with others of his nation who were all dead in the prison and none left aliue but he alone Our people being verie desirous for to see him and to learne of him some secrets of that countrie for that he had béene there a great while they did procure to talke with him asking licence of the supreme Iudge and lieutenant vnto the viceroy who did not onely refuse to grant it them but did make diligent inquirie who they were that did giue them to vnderstande thereof for to punish them which without all doubt should be executed with sharpe and seuere punishment Yet our people would neuer tell them of whom they had it although it was demanded of them diuerse times and with great intreatie They had so great desire to know it that they did vse all meanes possible as it appeared in the boldnesse of their demandes CHAP. XXVII There came newes vnto Aucheo that there was a rouer vpon the coast of Chincheo which did much harme and had sacked a towne The viceroy doth suspect him to be Limahon and how that our people with Omoncon and Sinsay had not declared vnto him the truth THe Spaniards remained in the Citie of Aucheo twentie days in the order as hath béen told you without any hope that the religious fathers should remaine in that countrie for to preach the holy gospell which was the principall occasion of their going into that kingdome Upon a suddaine there came newes vnto the citie that the rouer Limahon was vpon the coast of Chincheo vsing his olde accustomed cruelties and how that he had spoiled and robbed a towne vpon the sea coast This newes was throughout all the citie and appeared to be true touching the effect of the dead yet false touching the person for that the rouer was called Taocay an enimie and contrarie vnto Limahon but a friend vnto Vintoquian of whom we haue spoken of But thereupon the viceroy and all them of the citie were conformable in the suspition that they had receiued which was that our people were come into that kingdome vpon some euill pretence and to sée the secrets thereof to some euil end which was the occasion y t froÌ„ that time forwards they shewed them not so good countenance as they did before These newes was not so soone come but straightwayes the viceroy did sende for Omoncon who was then returned from his visiting and Sinsay vnto whom he had done courtesie and giuen them the title of Loytias and captaynes and he did reprehende them verie sharpely for that they had brought ouer people thether and sayde that they had tolde him a lye in
best manner they could or knewe being holpen and constrained by necessitie they let their ship saile and go whither as fortune did cary them So after many dangers and stormes at the sea according to the will of the heauens they came vnto this port whose name as yet they knew not The Iudge asked them where they had that Chino that they brought in their company for an interpreter They answered that he was in Luzon captiue vnto a Spaniard they tooke him and set him frée and hée vnderstanding that they were bound vnto the firme land of China which was his naturall countrie he requested them to carrie him thither the which they did with a very good will for that they had neede of him to vtter their desire if néede did so require All the which the other interpreter fearing that if he should tel vnto y e Iudge how that he was captiue vnto the Christians hée woulde bée offended and therefore hee did falsifie the same and saide that comming vnto an Iland to take in fresh water they found the boy there where he was captiue eight yeares before and came thither forced with a great storme in the which was drowned a merchants shippe that was bound to Luzon and he alone escaped by swimming and so hee came aborde the shippe in the which were the fathers not knowing whither they went All these vntruthes he did inuent for to dissemble and go forwards with his knauish pretence and would not declare the true intent of the Friers the which he had decréed with himselfe how to doo before the Iudge did sende to call them Moreouer the Iudge did aske them what they brought in their small shippe they answered that they brought nothing but one chest and two little fardels of bookes and an ornament for to say masse This did the interpreter declare truely vnto the Iudge for that experience might be made thereof So the Iudge forthwith commanded that it should be brought before him the which being done he caused it to be vndone and he perused euery thing by it selfe the which being strange vnto him for that he neuer saw the like he made signes vnto them that he receiued great contentment in the séeing of thē but specially of the Images they brought but that which did best please him was an Ara or sopre-altar of a blacke stone the which did shine so bright that they might sée themselues therein as well as in a glasse These Friers did bring the same with them out of the kingdome of Mexico whereas you haue great aboundance but specially in the prouince of Mechuacan So after that hee had seene all and sawe that it was drie without any signe or token that it had béene in the sea hée called to remembrance the wordes of the interpreter in the name of the fathers touching the storme wherein their shippe was cast away and howe that they escaped by swimming and put themselues in that small shippe in the which they came and considering of the same it séemed vnto him that they did fable in that which they had saide so that he did replie and asked if it were true that which they had before declared and howe it shoulde bee that their bookes and other things were not wet at the sea which was an euident token and plainely to be vnderstood that they had fabled and told lies and so he beléeued they did in all the rest The interpreter fearing least by that argumēt his falshod would be discouered he fel in talke a while w t the Friers asking answering things very different to that which y e Iudge had cōmanded him Thē he w t a strange sharpe boldnes answered to y e difficulty proponed by y e Iudge said That as all merchants at such time as their shippes are readie to sinke and to be lost they doo procure first to saue such thinges as are of most estimation forgetting all the rest euen so these religious men did procure with great care and diligence to saue those books and that ornament which is all their treasure and yet for all their diligences done they lost a great number mo All these fables and lies after many dayes the religious fathers came to haue the knowledge of The Iudge did aske them if they brought any armor or weapons in their shippe they answered that they were no men to bring them neither according vnto their profession they coulde not weare nor vse them for that they were religious and professed other matters contrary vnto the vse of armor or weapon promising and auowing vnto God perpetuall pouertie and chastitie and vnto their superior prelates obedience all the dayes of their liues The Iudge returned and asked them if they had any monie and where withall they did eate and apparell themselues and bought those bookes and ornaments they answered that all that which they had was giuen them by secular Christians for Gods sake whome they did serue for that they should pray for them and for the saluation of their soules The Iudge when he heard this was greatly astonied for that the interpreter did declare the truth and made signes that he receiued griefe and had pittie on them although he gaue not full credite to that which he heard but said that he would go aborde their shippe to sée if they did say the truth in not bringing anie armor or weapon neither siluer nor merchandize This did hée straightwayes put in vre and commaunded them that brought him in the litter Chaire vppon their shoulders to go thitherward all those people did beare him companie as also a great number that were there ioyned togither to heare the examination of those strangers and also the Spaniards he commanded to go next vnto him So when that he was in their shippe set in his Chaire his ministers beganne to search the shippe in all places both aboue and below and could finde nothing but a little Rice which was left of tha◠which they brought with them they gaue y e Iudge to vnderstande thereof who looking vpon the Spaniards said that all they that were in the shippe might heare him these do speake the truth and they doo seeme vnto me to bee good people and without any superstition and without all doubt they doo come and will be after the manner of our religious men according as is to be séene in the vniformitie of their aprarell as also in their heads and beardes Then he beganne to demaunde of them certaine thinges more of curiositie then of suspection who answered him casting vp their eies vnto heauen for that their talke was thereof they saw that the Iudge did greatly reioyce and had pleasure therein for that it séemed that they had the heauens for their God as they haue by reason they did so much looke vpwards After this the Iudge came foorth of the shippe but the religious men remained behind at his commandement with his companions and likewise hee commaunded certaine of
presently gaue it a newe master in selling it vnto a gold-smith for as much as it was woorth who did melt it and made things thereof according to his trade yet they not being content therewith and that it séemed vnto them that those fathers could not but bring with them much riches they inquired of the China boy whom they brought to bee their interpreter with faire words to know if they had any gâ—lde or siluer or pretious stones or any other thing of valure but when they vnderstoode that they brought none of those things but onely their bookes and some other ornaments to say masse they straightwayes imagined in their mindes and that with great care and diligence to procure some way to get from them the other Challice which they had seene and the better to put it in execution they repeated againe vnto the Friers that which before hath beene tolde you augmenting thereunto many wordes and reasons affirming that they had spent vpon them in giuing them to eate twelue Taes more then y e Challice which they had giuen them did weigh or amount to which was twelue ducats of Spaine hauing before giuen them to vnderstaÌ„d at such time as they did eate that they did it of almes and for Gods sake and with so great content that many times it happened when they sawe that the Spaniards woulde not eate any dainty thing but would féede and content themselues with base victuals he would say vnto them that they shoulde eate without any griefe or care that when it should so fall out that his substance did saile him hee woulde then pawne one of his sonnes to buy victuals The father Costodio plainly séeing and vnderstanding that their intent purpose was wholly grouÌ„ded for to get from him y e other challice he answered that he had not for to giue them how that he had giuen the other challice in pawn of that which they had spent in victuals and for their trauell that they had taken for them The interpreter did replie saying that if they had nothing that they shoulde séeke it séeing that they ought it for their victuals which they had eaten and that it was the vse of that countrie that when any man did owe any thing hath not for to pay the same for to sell their children or else to become slaues vnto their creditor they demanded the other Challice that remained for that the other which they had giuen theÌ„ did weigh but sixtéene Taes which was but a small matter in respect of their desert onely for their trauel in their enterpretations This Frier Costodio did pacifie them in the best maner hee coulde promising to pay both the one and the other hauing oportunitie for the same and that they woulde procure it with as great care as was possible and requesting him for to keepe the Challice that he had giuen him in pawne in great veneration for that hee did estéeme it much more for the consecration and dedication vnto the deuine Colto then for the value of that it wayed and more promised him vpon his word to write vnto the Portugals that were in Machao signifying vnto theÌ„ their necessitie and to demande their almes charity and looke whatsoeuer they did send them being little or much should bee giuen him Then the interpreter who had his eyes fixed vppon gaine saide that they shoulde forthwith write and that hee woulde giue him a messenger for to carrie the letter and to bring answere of the same as hee had doone the like not many dayes before The Father Costodio did write vnto the Bishoppe that was in Machao giuing him to vnderstande of his comming and of his companions vnto the Cittie of Canton and howe that his comming thither was onelie to procure for to preach the holy Gospel and for to conuert and turne to God those blind Idolaters The which letter being receiued by the bishop he made answere praysing their intent and purpose animating them with godly wordes of exhortation and therewith did sende and demand the copie of such authortie as they brought from the holy father touching that the which they pretended This hee did for that all the sayde countrie vnto the lande of Iapon was committed vnto him by the holy father Unto this letter the father Costodio answered that hauing oportunitie he would obey his commandement and shew vnto him the facultie he brought and also would him selfe in person go thether for to kisse his handes and to satisfie all the inhabitants of that towne for that it was giuen him to vnderstande that they reported euill of them and sayde that they were vacabondes and lost men and not true religious men neither sacerdotes nor priestes and how that they had requested certaine Chinos which at that time came vnto Machao that at their returne againe vnto Canton they should tell the Iudges and aduertise them with good aduisement how that there were cerâ—â—ine Castillos come into their Citie whom they did certainely know not to be of their nation but of an other and subiectes vnto a different strange king whom they did beléeue to come thether for some ill intent and purpose in counterfeit attire and came for spyes from the Castillos of Luzon and that they did beléeue that after them did come some armie to do hurt in some part of that countrie and that they should preuent it in time for that if so be that any thing should happen the fault should not be imputed vnto them All this the Portingales did as afterwarde they did plainely vnderstande for feare that the Castillos shoulde take from them their contractation and gaine which they had in that city by which occasion their intent did so procéede forward that they did certifie the Chinos that the chiefe Captaine of Machao who was put there by the king of Portingall had presented a petition vnto a Citie that was ioyning to Canton aduertising the Iudges of that before spoken of and protesting that iâ— any harme or damage should come to that country in admitting the Castillos that it should not be imputed vnto them But the Iudge vnderstanding their euill intent and that their accusations were more vppon malice and enuie then of any trueth he answered vnto the same that he was particularly informed of those religious persons against whom they did complaine howe that they were men of whom they néeded not to feare and without any suspition as it did plainely appeare when they did visite their ship wherein they came where they found nothing but onely a fewe bookes and some other thinges which did more signifie deuotion than to make any warre This Iudge notwithstanding the answere he made for that afterwards the chiefe captaine should not raise vp some inuention tooke the originall petition and sent it with great securitie vnto y e viceroy of the prouince of Aucheo that he might sée peruse it who when that he had easily perceiued it and vnderstood the intent of
you and the countrie beeing fertile is the occasion that they haue all thinges in great abundance and at a lowe price Now to returne to their voyage the which they made verie well and with great recreation as well in the townes alongst the riuer side as vpon the riuer whereas they were cherished with great care in the end of foure dayes which was the twentith day of August they entred into the suburbes of the Citie of Aucheo but so late that they were constrayned to remaine there till the next day whereas they found all thinges necessarie and in good order aswell for their bedding as for their supper to passe away the night The next day very early in the morning he that was their conduct and guide made great haste for to goe and sée what the viceroy would command They trauailed through a great and long stréete which séemed vnto them to be more than a league and thought that they had gone through the citie So when they had passed that street they came vnto the gate of the citie and there they vnderstoode that the rest which they had gone and passed was the suburbes The mightinesse of this citie and the great admiration they had with the multitude of people a wonderfull great bridge the which they passed with many other thinges of the which they made mention we do let passe for that it is declared vnto you more at large in the relation giuen by the Augustin friers in the booke before this at their entrie into the sayd citie So when they came to the pallace of the viceroy he was not stirring neither was the gate open for as it hath béene tolde you it is open but once a day Their guide séeing that it would be somewhat long before that they would open it he carried the Spaniardes into a court of an other house which was ioyning vnto that of the viceroy In the meane while they were there came all the Iudges to sit in audience but when they vnderstoode of the comming of the strangers they commanded that they should be brought before them who greatly marueiled at the aspernesse of their apparell and not at any other thing for that they had séene there before the Austin fryers Straightwayes the gate of the pallace was open with great noyse of artilerie and musicall instruments as trumpets bagpipes sackebuttes and hoybukes with such a noyse that it séemed the whole citie would sincke At the entrie in the first court there were many souldiers armed and had hargubushes and lances and in a very good order In an other court more within which was very great railed round about with timber painted blacke and blew which a far off séemed to be yron and was in height a mans stature there they sawe also many other souldiers placed in the same order and in liuerie as the others were but they séemed to be men of a gallanter disposition When they came into this court there was brought vnto them a commandement from the viceroy in the which they were commanded to returne and come thether againe in the after noone for that he could not speake with theÌ„ before by reason of certaine businesse he had with the Lords of the counsell which could not be deferred With this answere they departed out of the pallace and returned againe in the after noone as they were commanded and into the same court aforesaide out of y e which they were carried into a mightie great hall very richly hanged and adorned at the ende thereof was thrée doores that in the middest was great but the other two but small the which did correspond vnto other thrée doores that were in an other hall more within wherein was the viceroy right ouer against the doore in the middest in at y t which there is none permitted to enter nor go foorth Hee was set in a marueilous rich chayre wrought with iuorie and gold vnder a canopie or cloth of state all of cloth of gold in the middest was embrodered the kings armes which were as we haue said cerâ—aine serpents woond in a knot together He had also before him a table whereon were two candles burning for y t it was somewhat late and a standish with paper Right before the viceroy the wall was verie white whereon was painted a fearce dragon who did throwe out fire at his mouth nose and eyes a picture as was giuen them to vnderstand that all the Iudges of that countrie coÌ„monly hath it painted before their tribunall seates whereas they sit in Iustice and is there to the intent to signifie vnto the Iustice the fearcenesse that he should haue sitting in that seat to do Iustice vprightly without feare or respect to any The order they haue in giuing audience is with the ceremonies in all points as it hath béene shewed you in the relation of the fathers of S. Augustin All people when they talke with the viceroy are knéeling on their knées although they be Iudges or Loytias as the Fryers did sée them many times This day they séeing that the Spaniardes remained looking alwaies when they should be coÌ„manded to enter in the viceroy gaue audience vnto y e scriueners or notaries to certifie him selfe if they did their offices well commanded fiftie of them at that present to be sotted or beaten for that they were found culpable in their detayning of matters and others the like for that they had receiued gifts bribes of their clyents the whâ—ch is prohibited and forbidden vnder gréeueous penalties for that the king doth giue vnto theÌ„ all sufficient stipend for their maintenance for that they should not incroch nor demand any thing of their clyentes The sets or stripes which were giuen them were with great crueltie and executed with certaine caâ—es and in that order as in other places it hath béene told you The viceroyes gard were in number more than two thousand men placed all on a ranke all apparelled in one liuery of silke on their heads helmets of yron very bright glystering and euerie one his plume of feathers These souldiers made a lane from the gate of the hall there whereas the viceroy was vnto the principal gate of the pallace wheras they did first enter Those which were in the hals vpon the staires had swords girt vnto theÌ„ they in the courtes had lances and betwixt euery one of them a hargubusher All this gard as was giuen them to vnderstand were Tartaros and not Chinos but the reason wherefore they could not learne although they did inquire it with diligence CHAP. VIII The Spaniards are brought before the viceroy he asketh of them certaine questions and doth remit them vnto the Timpintao his deputie who receiueth them well and giueth them good speeches AT that present came forth a seruant of the viceroyes a maÌ„ of authoritie and made signe vnto the Spaniards to enter into the hall instructing them that at the first entry they should knéele downe
do beléeue will be pleasant to the reader and is intituled A Commentarie of the new world in the which is contayned many curious matters as you shall perceiue after the reading thereof and is declared in substance and effect by the relation of the father that did passe and sée them all who was named fryer Martin Ignacio a religious man of the order of S. Francis who after that he had compassed the whole worlde came hither to Rome with Martin Simion bishop of the Iland of Pepper in the orientall or east Indias with whom I haue had communication diuers times and is a Chalde borne and of the citie of Niniuie in Babylon and made bishop by the patriarke of Babylon The end of this booke A Commentarie or short discourse of all such notable thinges as be betwixt Spaine till you come vnto the kingdome of China and from China vnto Spaine returning by the Orientall or east Indias after that they had almost compassed the whole world Wherein is contayned all the rites ceremonies and customes of the people the riches fertilitie and strength of many kingdomes and the description of them Made and set forth by the Author of this book as well by that which he hath seene as also by true relation that he had of the religious and barefoot Fryers of the order of Saint Francis who trauailed the same the yeare 1584. CHAP. I. A Commentarie of the new world SAint Lucas de Barrameda and the Citie of Cadiz from whence ordinarily goeth foorth all such fléetes and shippes that go vnto the occident or west Indias are distant the one from the other onely fiue leagues and in thirtie seuen degrées of altitude from whence vnto the Ilandes called the Canarias is two hundred and thirtie leagues and alwayes doo Rut to the southwest and is ordinarily sailed in eight or ten dayes The seas are rough which causeth great waues for which cause it is called the gulfe of the Ieguas These Ilands which in ancient time were called Fortunadas are at this day called by the Spaniards y e Canarias which is deriued of Canes or dogs for that there was in them at such time as the Spaniardes did discouer them great quantitie of dogges very bigge fierce and braue There are of them seuen Ilands which are called Gran Canaria Tenerife Palma Gomera Yerro Lancarote and Forte Ventura and are in altitude twentie eight degrees lacking very little and haue in them many particular thinges of which I will declare some of them in briefe In the Iland of Tenerife at the farther part therof towards the north west there is a mountain called El Pico de Tereyra which vnto the iudgement of theÌ„ who haue séene it is the highest in all the worlde and is plainely seene before you come to it thrée score leagues so that a ship going from Spaine vnto those Ilandes doth discouer that mountaine first None can ascende or go vp that mountaine but in the moneths of Iuly August for that all other moneths of the yeare there is very much snow on it although in all those Ilandes it doth neuer snowe and to mount the height thereof is three daies worke on the top of the same there is a round plaine place and being thereon at such tune as it is faire weather and the seas calme and in quiet you may sée all the seuen Ilands and euerie one of them will séeme but a small thing in respect yet some of them are distant from that more than fiftie leagues it hath as much more in coÌ„passe as that In the two monethes aforesaid they do gather in the toppe thereof all the brimstone that is brought from that Iland vnto Spaine which is much in quantitie This mountaine belongeth to the duke of Maqueda by particular gift of the king In one of these seueÌ„ Ilands aforesaid called the Hierco there is a continuall woonder which in my iudgement is one of the greatest in all the worlde and worthie to be knowen amongest all meÌ„ wherby they may exalt the mightie prouidence of God and giue him thankes for the same This Iland being the greatest amongest the seuen is a countrie very asper and vnfruitfull and so drie that there is no water to be found in all the Iland but on the sea side and that in fewe places but very farre distant from the inhabitance of that Ilande But there naturall necessitie is remedied by the diuine prouidence of heauen as aforesaide and by a strange meanes which is there is a great and mightie trée vnknowen and the like hath not beene seene in any part of all the whole world whose leaues are narrowe and long and are continually gréene like Iuie vpon the which trée is séene continually a small cloud which neuer augmenteth nor diminisheth with the occasion that the leaues continually without ceasing doth distill drops of water very cleere and fine which doth fall into certaine sesâ—ernes which the inhabitantes of the townes haue made for the conseruation thereof to remedie their necessities and to sustaine thereby not onely themselues but also their cattell and beastes and is sufficient for them all yet doo they not knowe the originall and beginning of this continuall and strange miracle One hundreth leagues distant from these Ilandes towards the right hand there is an other thing of little lesse admiration then the other y t we haue spoken of which is that many times there is séen an Iland which they cal S. Borandon Many being lost at the sea haue chaunced vpon the same Iland do say that it is a very fresh and gallant Iland with great abundance of trées and sustinence inhabited with Christian people yet can they not say of what nation or language The Spaniards many times haue gone with intent to séeke it but neuer could finde it which is y e occasion that there be diuers opinions touching the same Some doo say that it is an inchanted Iland and is seene but certaine daies assigned or appointed others say that there is no other let or impediment for the finding therof but because it is so little and is continually couered with great cloudes that there runneth from it riuers which haue so great a current that it maketh it difficult to come vnto it My opinion is if it be any thing worth y t being true that which so many haue spoken of this Iland according vnto the common opinion which they haue in all the seuen Ilands of Canaria it can not be without some great mysterie for he which can cause it to be all in a cloud the swift current of the riuers to be an impediment to the finding therof can find remedie for the inhabitants to come forth if it be so for them y t be without at the sea not to go into it yet can it not be for theÌ„ within the Iland but at some time there should haue some come soorth by
of S. Austin When the Spaniardes went first vnto this Ilande according vnto y e report of the reuerende father de Las Casas bishop of Chiapa was in the yeare 1509. This Iland was so full of trées and fruite that they gaue it the name of the Guertas and there were in it sixe hundreth thousande Indios of the which at this day there remaineth not one From this Ilande vnto the Ilande of Santo Domingo is foure score leagues I say from one port vnto an other and from poynt to point but twelue leagues They doo ordinarilie go from one port to an other in thrée dayes but to returne they are more than a moneth for because the winde is contrarie CHAP. III. Of the Iland of Santo Domingo called Hispaniola and of their properties THe Iland Hispaniola which by an other name is called Santo domingo by reason that it was discouered as that day it is in eightéene degrées and was the first that was discouered in the Indias by the captaine Christopher Colon worthie of immortall memorie it was inhabited in the yeare of 1492. This Iland is in compasse more than sixe hundreth leagues it is diuided into fiue kingdomes the one of theÌ„ is now called the Vega which at the time that it was discouered was called Neagua it hath foure score leagues in compasse and stretcheth all of them from the north vnto the south out of the which sea as doth testifie the reuerende of Ciapa in his booke doth enter onely into the kingdome thirtie thousand riuers and running brookes twelue of them as great as Ebro Duero Guadalquiuir in Spaine The foresaide bishop doth also speake of an other maruaile which is that the most part of these riuers those which do distil and run from the mountaines which is towardes the west are very rich of gold and some of it very fine as is that which is takeÌ„ out of the mynes of Cibao which is very well knowen in that kingdome also in spaine by reason of the great perfectioÌ„ therof out of y e which myne haâ—h béene taken out a péece of virgin golde so bigge as a twopennie wheaten loafe and did weigh three thousand and sixe hundred Castillianos the which was sonke and lost in the sea in carrying of it into Spaine as doth testifie the aforesaid reuerend bishop In this Ilande there is greater quantitie of cattell than in the other Iland of Puerto rico there is made much sugar and gathered much ginger and Cannafistula and also manie sortes of fruits such as is in Spaine as others different of the countrie that in abundance there are also great store of hogs whose fleshe is as holesome and as sauorie as is mutton in Spaine and is verie good cheape a heyfor is bought for eight ryalles of plate and all other thinges of that countrie after the rate although that the marchandice of Spaine is verie deere It is a countrie of verie much golde if there were people for to take it out and manie pearles In all this Ilande they gather no wheate but in the bishopricke of Palensuela although in many other places the ground would yéeld it very well if they would sowe it But nature which was woont to supplie necessities dooth accomplish the lacke of wheate to giue them in stéede thereof a roote which dooth growe in that Ilande in great quantitie abundance and dooth serue them for bread as it did vnto the naturall people of that countrie when the Spaniards went thither It is white and is called Casaue the which being grinded brought into meale they doo make bread thereof for their sustinence the which although it is not so good as that which is made of wheat meale yet may they passe therwith and sustaine themselues This countrie is verie hoat by reason whereof their victuals are of small substance The principall citie of that Ilande is called Santo Domingo for the reason abouesaid in the which is an arch-bishop a royall audience or chauncerie this Citie is built on the sea side and hath to it a great riuer the which dooth serue them for their port or hauenâ— and is verie secure There is in it thrée monasteries of religious friers and two of Nunnes In this Ilande as saith the reuerende bishop of Chiapa in his booke there were wheÌ„ as the Spaniards came first thether thrée millions of men naturall Indians of the which at this day there is not two hundred left and yet the most part of them be sonnes vnto Spaniardes and blacke mores borne of the Indians women All their sugar milles and other places are inhabited with negros of the which there may be in that Ilande about twelue thousand It is a holsome countrie vnto theÌ„ that dwell therein The sea is ful of whales and that in abundance which are séene by such as do come in their ships many times they are in feare of them But aboue all other there is an infinit nuÌ„ber of great fishes called Tiburones are in great skule they are marueilously affected vnto humaine flesh wil folow a shippe fiue hundred leagues without leauing of it one day Many times they haue taken of the fishes and do finde in their bellies all such filth as hath béene throwne out of their shippe in many dayes sailing and whole shéepes heads with hornes and all If they chance to finde a man in the waters side he wil eate him all if not all that he doth fasten on he doth sheare it cleane away be it a legge or an arme or half his body as many times it hath béene séene and they doo it very quickly for that they haue many rowes of téeth in their heads which be as sharpe as Rasers CHAP. IIII. Of the way and the Ilandes that are betwixt this Iland of Santo Domingo and the kingdome of Mexico THe first Ilande that is after you are departed from Santo Domingo is that which ordinarily is called Nauala the which is one hundred and twelue leagues from y e cittie of Santo domingo and is seuentéene degrees and is but a small Iland and nigh vnto that is another which is called Iamayca of fiftie leagues in Longitude and fourtéene in Latitude there was wont to be about them many Vracanes which are spowts of water with many blustering winds This word Vracan in the Indian tongue of those Ilands is as much to say as the ioyning of all the foure principall winds togither the one forcing against the other the which ordinarily dooth blow vppon this coste in the monethes of August September and October by reason whereof such fléetes as are bound vnto the Indies doo procure to passe that coast before these thrée monethes or after for that by experience they haue lost many ships in those times From this Iland they go vnto the Ilande of Cuba which is in twenty degrées in the which is the port of Hauana
and very dangerous for ships that passe thorough it for very few times it is without stormes or some other greater danger as it happened vnto a verie great shippe in the mouth of the straight in the presence of Frier Martin Ignacio the which in verie little space was swallowed vp with the sea in it more theÌ„ thrée hundred thousand ducats in merchandice that was within her although the successe thereof our people did attribute it more vnto the iust iudgement of God than vnto the storme for that according as they were informed they had committed grieuous offences at the time when she sanke for being very nigh with his shippe in the which he went and many other more they felt not neither had any suspition of any danger From this straight to go vnto Malaca you coast alongest the sea fiue and twentie leagues all which coast is full of great mightie and thicke woods by reason whereof as also for that it is not inhabited there are many tygers elephants and mightie great lysards and other furious beastes The citie of Malaca in our pole articke is eleuated from the equinoctiall onely one degrée of ancient time it was the most principallest citie of all these kingdomes and resident therein a mightie king a Moore but after it was conquered by the Portingals who in these wars did wonderfull things of great force courage they did driue foorth all the Moores out of the same and out of all the borders and made of their Mezquita or temple which was a singular péece of worke a high church as it doth remaine vnto this day there are also thrée monasteries of religious men one of S. Dominicke an other of S. Francis and the third of the companie of Iesus or Iesuites It is a verie temperate countrie being so nigh the equinoctiall line the reason is for that euery wéeke ordinarily it rayneth thrée or foure times which is the greatest cause of health in all that countrie and thereby is made woonderfull fruitfull and with great abundance of prouision but particularly of fruites for there is great store and some sortes neuer séene in Europe amongst the which there is one y t is called in the Malaca tongue Durion and is so good that I haue heard it affirmed by manie that haue gone about the worlde that it doth excéede in sauour all others that euer they had séene or tasted it is in forme like vnto a mellon whose ryne is somewhat harde and hath vpon it little white prickes which séemeth like haire and within the fruite be partitions which be of the colour like vnto maniar blanco and of so good sauour and tast as it Some do say that haue séene it that it séemeth to be y t wherwith Adam did transgresse being carried away by the singular sauour The leaues which this trée yéeldeth are so bigge that a man may couer himselfe with one of them which mee thinketh is but coniecture or defining but there is Cannafistola for to lade fléetes very bigge and good and of a singular effect one of the notablest things in this kingdome is a maruellous trée of an admirable vertue the which putteth foorth so many rootes of so contrarie vertue that those which grow towards the orient be good against poyson agues and many infirmities that do war against humaine life those rootes that growe â—owards the west be ranke poyson in effect all cleane contrarie vnto the first So that it seemeth here to be founde two contraries in one subiect a thing which in philosophie they were woont to count impossible This citie is of great contractation for that there come thether all the kingdomes that we haue spoken of and from many other more that are nigh thereabouts but in particular a great number of great ships from the Indians Canton Chincheo and froÌ„ many other places likewise the Iapones carry thether their siluer to sell those of the kingdome of Syan carry many things very curious but especially cloues and pepper of the Iland Malucas and those of Burneo bring much sanders nutmegs and those of Iaba Pegu bring the wood of aguila and those from Cochinchina Cham bring great store of wrought silke drogges and spicerie and those of Samatra or Trapouana much golde and wrought things fine cloth of Vengalas Coromandel All these and other thinges make this citie famous and plentifull as also very much enlarged of the Portingals that go thether ordinarily euery yeare and traficke there CHAP. XXIII Of some kingdomes of the newe worlde and of particular things that haue beene seene in them and treateth of the citie and riuer of Ganies OUer against this famous citie of which so many thinges may be spoken of is that mightie kingdome and Iland of Samatra called by the ancieÌ„t cosmogrosers Trapouana which is as some say the Iland of Ophir whether y e fléet went which king Salomon sent of which there is particular mention made in the scripture in the third booke of the kings cap. 9. 10. and in the Paralipomenon cap. 9. that went returned againe ladeÌ„ with gold rich tymber for to adorne the temple of Ierusalem and of many other curious things whose memorie doth remain vnto this day amongst the naturall people although diffusedly But not so much as those that haue it out of the holy scripture neither so true This Iland is vnder the equinoctial line so that the one halfe doth extend vnto the pole artick the other halfe vnto the poole antarticke It hath in longitude 230. leagues and in latitude three score seuen leagues and is so nigh vnto Malaca that in some parts it is lesse than ten leagues In this kingdom there are many lords rulers yet he y t hath the greatest part thereof is a Moore and is called Achan it is one of the richest Ilands in al the world for y t it hath many mynes of fine golde of the which although there is a law y t they cannot take out of theÌ„ more than is necessarie yet there is great abundance carried from thence to Malaca Turkie and many other places There is gathered vpon this Iland great abundance of pepper and beniewyn of Boninas in great quantity out of whose trées whereof there is great woods there come foorth so swéet a smel that it seemeth an earthly paradice and was wont to be smelled twenty leagues at sea for which respect the ships that saile that way do come so nigh the lande as they may to haue the comfort of that smell There is also much Camphora and all kinde of spices by reason wherof there commeth vnto this kingdome to traficke many Turkes that come in ships and foystes out of the red sea Also there doth traficke thether those of the kingdom of Sunda Iaua the great and Ambayno and others that are there nigh vnto them Unto this Iland came certaine Portingals to buy and sell whereas they were