caused all people to feare him They do attribute that this Vitey did first inuent the vse of garmentes for to weare and the dying of all manner of colours of making of shippes hee likewise inuented the saw◠to sawe tymber but aboue all thinges he was a great Architector and an inuenter of buildinges whereof hee made verie manie and verie sumptuous which doo indure vnto this day in the remembraunce of his name he did also inuent the whéele to turne silke the which is vsed to this day in all the kingdome hee was the first that did vse to weare golde pearles and precious stones for iewelles and to weare cloth of golde siluer and silke in apparell he did repart all the people of the countrie into cities townes and villages and did ordaine occupations and commaunded that no man should vse any other but that which his father did vse without his particular licence or the gouerners of his kingdome And that shuld not be granted without great occasion for the same All of one occupation were put in stréetes by themselues the which order is vsed vnto this day throughout al the kingdome so that if you doo desire to knowe what occupation is in anye stréete it is sufficient to sée the first house thereof although it be very long for it is verie certaine that they be all of one occupation and not mingled with any other Amongst all other things he ordeyned one thing of great consideration that was no woman to be idle but to worke either in her husbands occupation or in sowing or spinning This was a law so generall amongst them that the Quéene her selfe did obserue kéepe it They saye that he was a great Astrologician and had growing in the court of his pallace a certaine hearbe the which did make a manner of demonstration when that any did passe by it whereby it did shewe if any were euill intentioned against the king Many other things they do declare which I let passe because I would not be tedious vnto the reader referring the dreames and fondnesse of these Idolaters vnto the iudgement of your discretion for vnto the discréete is sufficient to touch of euerie thing a little Hee had foure wiues and by them fiue and twentie sonnes he reygned a hundreth yeares there was betwixt this king and he which did build the great wall that was spoken of in the ninth chapter of the first booke one hundreth and sixtéene kinges all of the lynage of this Vitey All the which did raigne as appeareth by their histories two thousande two hundreth and fiftie seuen yeares I do not here declare their names because I would not be tedious although they be particularly named in their histories but here I will set downe them that I finde necessarie to bee spoken of for the succession vnto him that nowe reygneth The last king of the lynage of this woorthie Vitey was called Tzintzon this did make the mightie and great wall aforesaide finding himselfe to be greatly troubled with the king of Tartarie who did make warre vppon him in many places of his kingdome he did ordaine the making thereof and for the furnishing of the same he did take the third man of the countrie to the worke and for that manie people did die in this tedious worke by reason they went so farre from their owne houses and in diuers climes cleane contrarie vnto that where as they were bred and borne it grew that the king was hated and abhorred of all people in such sort that they did conspire his death which in effect they did accomplish and slew him after he had reigned fortie yeares and also his sonne and heyre who was called Aguizi After the death of this Tzintzon and his sonne they did ordaine for their king one that was called Auchosau a man of great valour and wisedome hee reigned twelue yeares a sonne of his did succéede him in the kingdom called Futey he reigned seuen yeares After the death of this king who died very young his wife did reigne and gouerne and was of his owne linage she did maruelously gouerne that kingdome for the space of 18 yeares and for that shee had no issue naturall of her bodie a sonne of her husbands y t he had by an other wife did succéede in the kingdome and reigned thrée and twentie yeares a son of his did succéede him called Cuntey and reigned 16. yeares eight monthes a son of his called Guntey did reigne 54. yeares a sonne of his did succéede him called Guntey and reigned thirtéene yeares his sonne called Ochantey did succéede him and reigned 25. yeares and thrée monthes his son called Coantey succéeded him reigned 13. yeares two monthes After him reigned his sonne Tzentzey 26. yeares 4. monthes then succéeded his son called Anthey and reigned no more but 6. yeares his sonne Pintatey did inherite reigned 5. yeares this Pintatey when he died was not married and therefore a brother of his did succéede him called Tzintzumy reigned but 3. yeares 7. monethes after him succéeded a younger brother called Huy hannon reigned sixe yeares his sonne called Cubum did succéede him reigned 32. yeares his son Bemthey did inherite reigned 18. yeares after him his son Vnthey reigned 13. yeares O they succéede him reigned 17. yeres his sonne called Yanthey reigned but 8. monethes and left a sonne called Antey who reigned 19. yeares whose eldest sonne called Tantey died incontinent after his father and reigned only 3. monthes his brother called Chytey reigned one yeare his son called Linthey reigned 22. yeares his sonne called Yanthey did succeede him reigned 31. yeares This Yanthey the historie saieth was a man of small wisedome which was the occasion that he was abhorred and hated of those of his kingdome A Nephew of his called Laupy did rebell against him he had two sociates for to helpe him gentlemen of the court they were two brethren verie valiant the one was called Quathy the other Tzunthey these two did procure to make Laupy king His vncle the king vnderstoode thereof and was of so litle valor discretion that he could not neither durst he put remedie in the same which caused commotions and common rumors amongst the people But in especiall there was foure tyrantes ioyned in one and all at one time they wer called Cincoan Sosoc Guansian Guanser Against these Laupy did make warre vnder colour to helpe his vncle but after a while that the warre indured he concluded and made peace with Cincoan and he married with one of his daughters who straight wayes made warre against the other thrée tyrants with the helpe of his father in lawe At this time this mightie kingdome was diuided in thrée partes and beganne the tyrannie as you shall vnderstande the one and principall part fell vnto Laupy by the death of his vncle the other to Sosoc the other vnto Cincoan his father in law In this
sort remained the kingdome in diuision a while til such time as Cuythey sonne vnto Laupy did reigne in his fathers stéede Then did there a tyrant rise vp against him called Chimbutey and slew him he by his great valour did bring the kingdome all in one as before after that it had bin in diuision 41. yeares and reigned after that alone 25. yeares his sonne named Fontey did succéede him and reigned 17. yeares And to make short of this linage there was 15. kinges and reigned 176. yeares against the last of them who was called Quioutey there did arise against him tyrannously Tzobu Of this linage there was eyght kinges who reigned 62. yeares against the last of them called Sutey there arose one called Cotey of whose lynage there was fiue kings and reigned twentie foure yeres the last of them called Otey was slaine by Dian There was of this lynage foure kings that reigned 56. yeres against the last of them rose vp Tym and there was of his race fiue kinges and reigned one and 30. yeares against the last of this house rose vp Tzuyn And there was of this linage thrée kings and reigned seuen and thirtie yeares against the last of these rose vp Touco This and all the rest of his lynage did gouerne maruelous well which was the occasion that they endured the longer time There was of them one and twentie kinges and reigned 294. yeares the last of them called Troncon did marrie with one that had béene his fathers wife called Bausa a verie faire woman hee tooke her out of a monasterie where she was a Nunne onely to marrie with her she vsed such policie that he was slaine and did gouerne the kingdome after alone one and fortie yeares The historie sayth that she was dishonest and that with extremitie and vsed the companie of the best and principallest of the realme and not content with that she married with one of base lynage one fit for her purpose because she was so vicious They say that before she did marrie she caused to be slaine the sonnes she had by her first husbande for that she had a desire that a nephew of hers should succéede her in the kingdome Then those of the kingdome perceiuing her intent and wearie of her by reason of her ill liuing sent out to seeke a bastard sonne of her husbandes who was fledde away and with a common consent they raysed him for king He was called Tautzon he caused cruell and rigorous Iustice to be done vpon his stepmother as was reason for her euilles and an example to all those of the kingdome who by a president of her ill liuing beganne to straggle there was of his lynage seuen kinges that reigned 130. yeares against the last called Concham arose Dian of this linage there were but two kinges and reigned eighteene yeares Against the second and last arose Outon and was of his linage thrée kinges and reigned but fiftéene yeares against the last there arose Outzim of this there was but two kinges and reigned nine yeares and thrée monethes there arose against the last Tozo he and his sonne reigned foure yeares with the sonne of this one Auchin did fight and slewe him in the combat and succéeded him in the kingdome hee with other two of his lynage reigned tenne yeares against the last of these arose vp one of the lynage of Vitey the first king and slewe him hee was called Zaytzon there was of this lynage seuentéene kinges and reigned with all peace and quietnesse thrée hundred and twentie yeares the last of this lynage was called Tepyna with whom did fight the gran Tartaro called Vzon who entred into China with a mightie armie and got all the kingdome and it was possessed with nine Tartare kings the which reigned 93. yeares and intreated the inhabitantes with great tyrannie and seruitude the last of these was called Tzintzoum this was more cruell vnto the Chinos then any of the rest which was the occasion that all the kingdome did ioyne together in one and did elect a king called Gombu a man of great valour and of the lynage of auncient kinges past who by his great woorthinesse and ioyning much people together did so much that hee did driue all the Tartaros out of the kingdome with the death of many thousands of them who obstinately and without Iustice did with all tyrannie kéepe that kingdome in possession there was of this lynage twelue kinges with this that now reigneth the eleuen kinges past reigned two hundreth yeares he that now possesseth the kingdome is called Boneg who by the death of his elder brother that died by a fall hee had from his horse did inherite the kingdome he is of 23. yeares of age as they saye and hath his mother aliue of whom as yet there is nothing written so that I can write nothing in particular but that they say he is a gallant gentleman and welbeloued of his subiects and a great friende vnto Iustice. He is married with a cosen of his and hath one sonne Those of his linage hath got of the Tartares many countries since they were driuen out of China the which are on the other side of the mightie wall God for his mercies sake bring them to the knowledge of his holy lawe and accomplish a prophesie that they haue amongst them by the which they are giuen to vnderstand that they shall be ruled and brought in subiection by men with great eyes and long beards a nation that shall come from countries farre off by whom they shalbe commanded which signifieth to be Christians The king of this countrie is had in so great reputation amongest his subiectes that in all the prouinces where he is not resident in the chiefe cities whereas are the vizroyes or gouernors they haue a table of gold in the which is portred the king that nowe reigneth and couered with a curtin of cloth of golde verie riche and thether goeth euerie day the Loytias which are the gentlemen men of lawe and ministers of Iustice and do by duetie reuerence vnto it as though the kinge were personally present This table and picture is discouered the first day of their feasts which they doo celebrate and is at the newe moone of euerye month on the which day all people do repaire and do reuerence vnto the picture with the same respect as they would doo if hee were present they do call the king Lorde of the worlde and sonne of heauen CHAP. II. Of the court and pallace of the king and of the citie where as he is resident and how that in all the kingdome there is not one that is Lord ouer subiectes by propertie THe habitation of this king and almost of al his predecessors hath bin and is commonly in the citie of Taybin or Suntien the occasion is as they saye for that it is néerest vnto the Trtarians with whom continually they haue had wars that they might the better put remedie in any necessitie that
shoulde happen or paraduenture for that the temperature or clime of that place is more healthfull then the other prouinces or the dwelling to be of more pleasure as it is giuen to vnderstand by that worde Suntien which in their language is as much to say the celestiall citie it is of such bignesse that for to crosse it ouer from gate to gate a man must traueile one whole day and haue a good horse and put good diligence or else he shal come short this is besides the subburbes which is as much more ground Amongst the Chinos is founde no varietie in the declaration of this migâ—tie city and of the great riches that is in it which is a signe to be of a truth for that they agree all in one There is so much people in it what of citizens and courtiers that it is affirmed y t vpon any vrgent occasion there may be ioyned together two hundreth thousand men and the halfe of them to bee horsemen At the entring into this citie toward the orient is situated the mightie and sumptuous pallace of the king where he remaineth ordinarily although hee hath other two the one in the midst of the citie and the other at the end towards the West This first pallace they do testifie is of such huge bignesse and so much curiositie that it is requisite to haue foure dayes at the least to view and sée it all First it is compassed about with seuen walles very huge and the space that is betwixt one wall and another doth containe ten thousand souldiers which doo watch and gard the kings house dayly there is within this pallace thrée score and ninetéene halles of a marueilous rich and and curious making wherein there are many women that doo serue the king in the place of pages and squires but the principallest to be seene in this pallace is foure halles verie rich whereas the king giueth audience vnto such ambassadours as come vnto him from other kingdomes or prouinces or vnto his owne people when they call any court of parliament which is very seldome for that he is not séene by his commons out of his owne house but by great chance and yet when they doo sée him for the most part it is by a glasse window The first of these hals is made al of mettall very curiously wrought with manie figures and the seconde haththe séeling and the floore wrought in the order of masons worke all of siluer of great valure the thirde is of fine golde wrought and inamiled verie curiously The fourth is of so great riches that it much excéedeth all the other thrée for that in it is represented the power and riches of that mightie kingdome and therfore in their language they do cal it the hall of the kings treasure and they do affirme that it deserueth to haue that name for that there is in it the greatest treasure that any king hath in all the world besides many iewels of an inestimable price and a chaire wherein he dooth sit of great maiesty made of Iuory set full of pretious stones and carbuncles of a great price that in the darkest time of the night the hall is of so great clearenesse as though there were in it manie torches or lights the wals are set full of stones of diuers sorts verie rich and of great vertue wrought verie curiously and to declare it in fewe words it is the richest and principalst thing to be séene in all the kingdome for therein is the principallest thereof In these foure halles are heard such ambassadours as are sent from other countries according vnto the estate and qualitie of the king and prouinces from whence they come so that according as they are estéemed so are they entertained into one of these foure hals If that from whence they come is from a king of small power he hath audience in the first hall if he be of a reasonable power in the second hal and in this order in the rest Within this mightie pallace the king hath all that any humane vnderstanding can desire or aske touching this life in pleasures for to recreate his person and for their quéene for that neuer or by great chance they go foorth of the same and it hath béene a customable vse amongst the kings of that countrie that it is as a thing inherited by succession neuer to go forth They say their reason why they doo keepe themselues so close not to go abroade is to conserue the mightie estate of their estade and also to auoide for being slaine by treason as many times it falleth so out for which occasion you haue had kings that in all the time of their reigne haue not gone out of their pallace but onely the day of their oath and crownation and besides this their close kéeping yet haue they tenne thousande men continually as aforesaide in garde of the pallace both day and night besides others that are in the courtes staires and halles and other places Within the gates and wals of this mightie pallace they haue gardines orchards woodes and groues whereas is all manner of hunt and foule and great pondes full of fish And to conclude they haue all manner of pleasures and delites that may be inuented or had in any banketting house in the fielde In all this kingdome there is not one that is lorde ouer any subiect or vassales as they of Turkie neither haue they any iurisdiction proper but that which is his patrimonie and moueables or that which the king doth giue them in recompence of good seruice or gouernement or for any other particular respect all the which dooth end with the person and is returned againe vnto the king except he will giue it into the sonne of him that is dead in curtesie more then by obligation or duetie giuing to vnderstande that it is to auoyd inconueniences and occasions of treasons which might grow if that there were any lords that were rich or of power not for couetousnes or any other intent Those whom he dooth put in authoritie whether they are vizroyes gouernours or captaine generals or whatsoeuer they be hée giueth vnto them large wages sufficient to sustaine them in their office in so ample sort that it is rather ouerplus vnto them then lacke for that he will not that their necessitie compell them to take presents or bribes which thing doth blinde them that they cannot do iustice vprightly and vnto him that doth receiue or take any such although it be but of smal prise he is cruelly punished CHAP. III. The number of such subiects as doo pay vnto the king tribute in all these fifteene prouinces VNderstanding the greatnesse of this kingdome of China and the infinite number of people that is therein it is an easie thing to bee beléeued the number that euery prouince hath of such as do pay tribute as is taken out of the booke that the officers haue whereby they do recouer that
haue very ill saddels so that they be al verie ill horsemen The like prouision hath the king for the sea hée hath great fléetes of ships furnished with captaines and men that doo scoure and defend the costs of the countrie with great diligence and watchings The souldiers as well by land as by sea are paid with great liberalitie and those that do aduantage themselues in valor are very much estéemed and haue great preferment and rewards When these Chinos doo take anie prisoner in the wars they doo not kill him nor giue him more punishment but to serue as a souldier in that countrie in the farthest parts from their naturall the king paying him his wages as other souldiers are paid These for that they may be knowne doo weare redde bonnets but in their other apparell they do differ nothing from the Chinos Likewise such as be condemned by iustice for criminall offences to serue in any frontier as is vsed much amongst them they also weare redde caps or bonnets and so it is declared in their sentence that they do condemne them to the red bonnet CHAP. VI. More of the men of war which are in al these fifteene prouinces and how many there be in euerie one of them as well horsemen as footemen IN the chapter past you do vnderstande what care these Chinos haue in the time of peace as well as in warre for to defend their citties and what preparations they haue generally throughout al the countrie Now lacketh to let you know particularly the number that euery prouince hath in it selfe the better to vnderstand the mightinesse therof They haue in euerie prouince in their chiefe or metropolitan citie a counsell of warre with a president and foure counsailers all the which are such as haue bin brought vp from their youth in the wars with experience of the vse of armour and weapon so that vnto them is giuen the charge for the defence of their prouince These counsellers doo ordaine captaines and prouide other officers and all necessaries for the warres and send them vnto such cities and townes whereas they sée it is néedfull And for that in the accomplishing thereof there shalbe no lacke the treasurer is commanded to deliuer vnto them whatsoeuer they do aske without any delay The number of the souldiers that euery prouince had in the yeare 1577. at such time as frier Martin de Herrada and his companie entered into China hauing no wars but great peace and quietnesse is as followeth The prouince of Paguia whereas ordinarily the king is resident hath two millions and one hundred and fiftie thousand footemen and foure hundred thousand horsemen The prouince of Santon hath one hundred and twenty thousand footemen and fortie thousand horsemen The prouince of Foquieu hath eight and fiftie thousande and nine hundred footemen and twentie two thousand foure hundred horsemen The prouince of Olam hath thrée score and sixtéene thousand footemen and twentie fiue thousande fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Cinsay hath eightie thousand thrée hundred footemen but of horsemen verie few or none for that this prouince and the other that followe are all mountaines and ful of rockes and stones The prouince of Oquiam hath twentie thousande and sixe hundred footemen and no horsemen for the reason aforesaide The prouince of Susuan foure score and sixe thousande footemen and foure and thirtie thousande and fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Tolanchia which is that which doth border vpon the Tartarians with whom the kings of China haue had wars as aforesaid hath two millions eight hundred thousād footmen two hundred ninty thousand horsemen are the most famous and best in all the whole kingdome for that they are brought vp in the vse of armour from their youth and many times exercised the same in times past when they had their ordinarie war with their borderers the Tartarians The prouince of Causay hath fiftie thousand footemen and twentie thousand two hundred and fiftie horsemen The prouince of Aucheo there whereas the friers were hath foure score and sixe thousand footemen and fortie eight thousand horsemen The prouince of Gonan fortie foure thousand footemen and fouretéene thousand fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Xanton hath fiftie two thousand footemen and eightéene thousand nine hundred horsemen The prouince of Quincheu hath fortie eight thousand and seuen hundred footemen and fiftéene thousande thrée hundred horsemen The prouince of Chequeam thirty foure thousand footmen and thirtéene thousand horsemen The prouince of Saucii which is least of them all hath forty thousand footemen and sixe thousand horsemen All these people aforesaid euerie prouince is bound by an order set downe in parlement to haue in a redinesse the which is an easie thing to be done the one is for that the king doth pay them roiallie the other for that they do dwel in their owne natural countries and houses wheras they do inioy their patrimonies and goods leauing it vnto their sonnes who doo inherite the same and his office as aforesaid In the time of wars they are bounde to assist the place that hath most necessitie By this account it plainely appeareth that all these prouinces which may better be called kingdomes considering their greatnes haue fiue millions eight hundred fourtie sixe thousand fiue hundred footemen nine hundred fortie eight thousand thrée hundred fifty horsemen All the which if in valor and valiantnes might be equalled vnto our nations in Europe they were sufficient to conquer y e whole world And although they are more in number equal in policies yet in their valiantnesse courage they are far behind Their horse for the most part are little but great traueilers Yet they say within the countrie there are verie great excellent good horse I do not here declare the industrie that might with the fauour of God be vsed to win and ouercome this people for that the place serueth not for it and I haue giuen large notice thereof vnto whom I am bound And againe my profession is more to bee a meanes vnto peace then to procure any warres and if that which is my desire might be doone it is that with the word of God which is the sworde that cutteth the hearts of men wherewith I hope in the Lorde to sée it CHAP. VII Of a law amongst the Chinos that they cannot make anie wars out of their owne countrie neither go forth of the same neither can any stranger come in without licence of the king ALthough in many things that haue bin séene in this kingdome is shewed and declared the sharpe and ripe witts of these men and with what wisedome and prudence they doo gouerne their countries yet wherein they doo most manifest the same in my iudgement is in that which shalbe declared in this chapter They without all doubt séeme to excéede the Gréekes Carthagenians Romanes of whom the old ancient histories haue signified to vs also
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
such as are poore widowes and driuen by necessitie cannot sustaine themselues they may for the supplying of their want sell their children and binde them to perpetuall seruitude the which is permitted in such sort that there are amongst them rich merchants that deale in no other thing and all the maiden children that they buy so bee brought vp with great care and taught to plaie and sing and other things appertaining vnto pleasure Then after when they are of yeares they carrie â—hem vnto the houses aforesaid ordained for common women The first day that they doo dedicate her to this ill office before shée is put into this common house they carrie her before a iudge which the king hath ordained for euerie house appertaining to any cittie or towne appointed to bée their kéeper and sée that there bee no euill rule kept amongst them and this iudge dooth place her in the house himselfe and from that day forwards her master hath no more to doo with her but to go euerie moneth vnto the iudge to recouer his tribute which is a certaine summe set downe by the iudge by agréement made betwene them both he appointeth besides this the time when hée shall be paide for her and for that was spent in her bringing vp and teaching These women be very much haunted and passe away the time maruellous pleasantly by reason of their singing and playing which they doo with great cunning and according vnto the report of the Chinos they apparell themselues with great curiositie and paint themselues They haue amongst them many blinde women that are frée and not bonde these are trimmed dressed and painted by others that haue their sight and such as haue spent all their youth in these houses can not goe foorth so long as they liue as is commaunded by a lawe publike least by their dishonest demeanure they should be an occasion of some harme and an euill example to others Whatsoeuer proâ—ite dooth remaine vnto these women when they haue payed their maister they giue vnto the Iudge their superiour who doth keepe it faithfully and carefully and giueth a good account thereof euerie yeare vnto the Uisitors And afterwardes when these women waxe olde it is repaâ—ed vnto them againe by order of the said Iudge But it is bestowed in such sort that they shall not lacke neither haue vrgent necessitie But if it so fall out that they should lacke they will giue them a stipend to maintaine them onely for to dresse and trimme the blinde women or else they will put them into the kinges hospitall a place ordeyned for such as can not helpe themselues The men children which they buy and are solde to supplie their necessitie in the order aforesaide of the women they put to learne some occupation and after that they are expert therein they doo serue a master in the same trade for a certaine time the which being expired their masters are not only bound to giue them their libertie but also to prouide them of wiues and to marrie them prouiding also for them houses and necessaries wherewith they may get their liuing Which if they doo not of their owne frée will they are compelled by Iustice to doo whether they will or no. And they for a token of gratefulnesse must come vnto their masters the first day of the yeare and other dayes appointed and bring him some present The children of these be all frée and subiect to no bondage for the benefite â—oone vnto their father for their bringing vp CHAP. XXI The fashion of their ships aswell of those that passe the seas as of those that doo roade riuers which are manie and great and howe they doo prouide themselues of fish for all the yeare THere is in this kingdome a great number of shippes and barkes with the which they sayle all a long their coastes and vnto Ilandes neere hande and into their riuers the which doo runne cleane through the most part of all their prouinces and there dwelleth so much people vpon these riuers in shippes and barkes that it séemeth to be some great Citie there is so many of theÌ„ that they do esteeme that there is almost as many people that dwell vpon the water as vpon the lande They make them slightly and with small cost for they haue in all partes of this countrie great aboundance of tymber iron and other thinges necessarie for this vse but in especiall a kinde of glew wherewith they doo â—awbe and trimme their shippes that is much more tougher and stronger then the pitch which wee vse which after it is layde on sticketh fast and maketh their shipping as harde as stones the aboundance whereof and the great number of shipwrightes and againe for that there is not on the lande roome enough for the people to inhabite being so many in number causeth them to build so great a number of shippes and barkes They vse their shippes and barkes of many fashions euery one hath his proper name Such ships as they haue to saile long voiages be called Iuncos but for the warre they make huge mightie vessels with high castles both on the prowe and sterne much after the fashion of them that come out of the Easterne seas and vnto those with which the Portingales sayle into the east India They haue these in so great number y t a generall may ioine together in 4. dayes an armie of more than 600. Those which they do commonly vse for burden and to lade are made much after y e same fashion greatnes and smal difference there is betwéene them but that they are lower both before at the sterne There is an other sort of lesser vessels are much like vnto pâ—nases haue foure great ores on ech side whereat row sixe men at euery ore foure at the least These are excellent good to rowe in and out ouer their hard hauens or into any place where is litle water they do call theÌ„ Bancoens There is an other sort that is more brode than these which they call Lanteas carie eight ores on a side with sixe men at euerie ore Of these two last sorts of vessels pirates rouers at the sea do coÌ„monly vse for in those seas there be very many for that they be very nimble to fly to giue assalt as occasion doth serue They haue an other sort of vessels y t are long like vnto a galley but more square being very brode néede little water they do vse theÌ„ likewise to transport merchandise froÌ„ one place to an other they are swift run vp the riuers with smal force of the armes Many other sorts of barks they haue besides the aforesaid some with galleries windows painted and gylt but chiefely those which the Uiceroyes and Gouernours doo make for their recreation Of those sortes of shipping afore sayd which they call Iuncos the king hath in al his prouinces great armies and in them souldiers with their Captaines to defend
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
small stature as they for the most part bee in all that prouince hee alighted and came vnto the fathers and his companions who likewise did alight from their little chayres and did salute the one the other with great courtesie And the Captayne tolde them how that the Gouernour did sende him with those souldiers for to receiue him and to beare him companie and howe that hee was in the Citie tarrying their comming with great desire to sée them and commaunded that with all spéede possible they should shorten the way The Captaine came verie well apparelled with a chayne of golde about his necke a man of a good audacitie and vnderstanding Harde vnto his stirryp hee had a page that went with him and carried a great Tira sol made of silke that did shadowe him all ouer The bunnet that this Captaine did weare was like vnto them that before they had séene others weare hee had before him great musicke of trompets and hoybukes wheron they played in great concorde This Captaine with his foure hundreth souldiers did continually garde them till they came vnto the Citie of Chincheo and neuer departed from them a iot the which was done more for pompe and to showe their maiestie then of necessitie for that although the people are infinite without number yet do they weare no weapons for that they are commanded by the lawe of the countrie to the contrarie vpon paine of death of what state or degrée so euer he be but onely the souldiers such as are in euerie towne for the gard thereof and the garrisons that the king hath continually readie to come foorth when that any occasion shall serue In this hie way continually there went and came manye packe horses laden with mâ—rchandice and other thinges but the most parte of them were Mules The hie wayes are verie brode that twentie men may ride together on a ranke and one not hinder an other and are all paued with great stones and they say that the wayes thoroughout all the other Prouinces be in the same order and was done by a king of that countrie who spent vpon the same a great part of his treasure And it séemeth to be true for that our Spaniards traueling in that countrie ouer high and mightie mountaines yet did they finde the waies plaine in such sort as hath béene told you CHAP. XVI Our Spaniardes ariued at the Citie of Chincheo whereas they were receiued and lodged and what they sawe in that Citie VPon a Saterday being the eleuenth of Iuly came our Spaniards vnto the citie of Chincheo four houres before it was night This citie is of the common sorte in that kingdome and may haue seuentie thousande housholdes It is of great traficke and well prouided of all things for that the sea is but two leagues from it it hath a mightie riuer running alongest by it downe into the sea by which is brought by water and carried downe all kinde of marchandice There is a bridge ouer the sayde riuer which is supposed to bee the fayrest that is in all the worlde it hath a drawe bridge to serue in time of warres or for any other necessitie the bridge is eight hundreth paces long and all wrought with stones of two and twentie foote long and fiue foote broade a thing greatly to bee marueiled at at the entrie thereof there were manie armed souldiers readie to fight who when they came within hargubush shoote did salute them in verie good order There was nigh vnto the sayde bridge in the riuer riding at an anker more than a thousande shippes of all sortes and so great a number of boates and barkes that all the riuer was couered and euerie one full of people that had entred into them for to sée the Castillas for so they did call the Spaniardes in that countrie for the stréetes in the suburbes nor in the Citie could not hold them the number was so great yet their streets are as broade as our ordinarie streetes in anye Citie in all Spaine This Citie is compassed with a strong wall made of stone and is seuen fadam hie and foure fadam broade and vpon the gates many towers wherein is placed their artilerie which is all their strength for that they doo not vse in their kingdome strong castels as they doo in Europe The houses of the Citie are all built after one sorte and fashion but faire and not verie hie by reason of the earth quakes which are ordinarily in that countrie All the stréetes but especially that wherein they passed at their comming thether haue on the one side and on the other sheddes vnder the which are shoppes full of riche marchandice and of great value and verie curious They haue in equal distance the one from the other many triumphant arches which doo set out the stréetes verie much and is vsed in euerie principall streete thorough out all the kingdome in the which they haue excellent market places whereas is to bee bought all thinges that you will desire to be eaten as well of fish as of fleshe fruites herbes comfits conserues and all thinges so good cheape that it is almost bought for nothing Their victualles are verie good and of great substance their hogges flesh whereon they doo féede much is so holsome and good as the mutton in Spaine The fruites that wee did sée some were like vnto them we haue in Spaine and others neuer the like séene by vs afore but of an excellent taste and sauour But in especiall one kinde of fruite which is bigger than a muske million but of the same fashion but of maruellous excellent and precious victuall and pleasant to be eaten a kinde of plummes that is of a gallant taste and neuer hurteth anie bodie although they eate neuer so manie a thing prooued by our Spaniardes many times The stréete that they came in at was so full of people that if a graine of wheate had béene throwne amongest them it would scarce haue fallen to the grounde And although they were carried in little chayres vpon mens backes and the Captaine of whome we speake of before them making way yet were they a great while before they could passe the stréete and be brought vnto a great house which was a couent wherein dwelt religious men of that countrie thether they were brought and lodged beeing verie wearie of the presse of people that did trouble them verie much with desire to take their ease CHAP. XVII The gouernor of Chincheo doth call the Spaniards before him and sheweth vnto them the ceremonies that they must vse to haue aundience THe same day that they came into the cittie as aforesaide was a good while before night with more desire to take rest and ease themselues of their iourney and of the trauell they had in the stréets by reason of the great number of people that came to sée them then to make any visitation that night but the Insuanto or
represented a comedie which was very excellent good whose argument was first declared vnto them as followeth There was a young man newly married and there chanced difference betwixt him and his wife hee determined to go vnto certaine warres the which was ordained in a countrie not farre from that whereas he dwelled whose acts and déeds was therein so valorous that the king did shewe him great fauour and being fully certified of his worthinesse he sent him for chief Captaine of the most importunate enterprises that might bée offered who did accomplish his charge with conclusion thereof with great content and satisfaction to the king and his counsailers for the which he made him his captaine generall and in his absence did commit vnto his charge his whole campe with the same authoritie that he had himselfe The warres being doone and hee hauing a desire to returne vnto his owne countrie and house there was giuen vnto him thrée cart loads of golde and many iewels of an inestimable price with the which hee entered into his owne countrie with great honour and riches wheras they receiued him with great honour All the which they did represent so naturally with so good apparell and personages that it séemed a thing to passe in act There was not in this banket the vizroy but those captaines which were there the first time and another captaine vnto whome was giuen the charge to bring the Spaniards vnto Manilla who was called Chautalay a principall Captaine of that prouince So when the banquet was ended they were carried with great company from the hall whereas the banquet was made vnto the house of the Cogontoc who was the kings tresuror and dwelt there hard by of whom they were maruellously wel receiued with louing words and great curtesie in saying that he hoped very shortly to sée them againe at such time as they shall returne with Limahon and that as then their friendship should be fully concluded and would intreat with them in particular of other matters This being doone he gaue vnto them a present for to carrie vnto the gouernor of Manilla in recompence of that which was sent vnto the vizroy the present was fortie péeces of silke and twenty péeces of Burato a litter chaire and guilt and two Quitasoles of silke and a horse Likewise he sent the like present vnto the generall of the fielde and to either of thâ—m a letter in particular these things were put in chestes which were very faire and guilt Besides this hee gaue other fortie peeces of silke of all colours for to bée partâ—d amongst the Captaines and other officers that were at the siege of Limahon with thrée hundred blacke mantles and as many Quitasoles to be parted amongst the souldiers Besides all these hée gaue vnto the friers ech of them eight péeces of silke and vnto the souldiers their companions foure péeces of ech of them and to euery one his horse and a Quitasol of silke their hâ—rse were verie good to trauell by the way this being done the Cogontoc tooke his leaue of them and willed them to go and take leaue and licence of the vizroy and the visitor that they might depart for that all thinges were in a redinesse for their voyage the which commandement they did straightwayes accomplish being very well content and satisfied of the great fauours and curtesies the which they receiued both of the one and the other Likewise of the Totoc who is captaine generall whome they also did visite tooke their leaue These visitations and leaue taking being doone they returned vnto their lodging with great desire for to toke their ease whereas they remained til the next day following wherin they departed vnto the port of Tansuso after they had remained in Aucheo seuen and forty daies CHAP. XXIX The Spaniards departe from Aucheo and come vnto Chincheo wheras the Insuanto was he commanded theÌ„ to depart vnto the port of Tansuso whither he went himself for to dispatch them at whose departure he sheweth great fauor and maketh them great feastes THe Spaniards departed from the Citie of Aucheo vpon a Tewsday being the 23. of August in the sight of all the people of the Citie who came foorth to sée them with so great presse and thronge as they did when they first came thither into the countrie they were al carried in litter chaires yea their verie slaues for that it was so commaunded by the vizroy the Friers were carried by eight men a péece and the souldiers by foure men a péece and all their seruants and slaues were caried by two men a péece Looke so many men as was to carrie them there went so many more to help them when they waxed weary besides foure and twentie that carried their stuffe There went alwayes before theÌ„ a harbinger for to prouide their lodgings with him went a paimaster whose charge was to ordain prouide men for to cary their litter chaires to giue them for their trauell that which is accustomed to pay all costs charges spent by the Spaniard After that they departed from Aucheo they made of two daies iourney one which was y e occasion that they came to Chincheo in foure daies At their entring into the citie they found a seruant of the Insuanto with order commandemeÌ„t that they shuld proceed forwards on their iourney not to stay in the citie but to go vnto the port of Tansuso whither he wil come the next day following They obayed his coÌ„mandement made so much haste y t in two dayes they came vnto the village of Tangoa wheras they had bin before particular mention made thereof In the same village they were lodged wel entertained and had great good chéere from thence they went in one day to Tansuso which was y e first port wheras they did disembarke theÌ„selues when as they came from the Ilands vnto that firme land the Iustice of the town did lodge them in y e same house whereas they were first lodged did prouide for them of all things necessary néedfull that in aboundance til y e comming of the Insuanto which was within foure dayes after for that he could not come any sooner although his desire was for that it was very foule weather The next day after his comming thither which was y e thirde of September he sent and commanded the Spaniards that they should imbarke themselues for that it was that day the coniunction of the moone although at that time y e ships were not fuâ—ly in a redines They obayed his commandement the Insuanto himself went to the water side in whose presence came thither certain religious men of their maner after their fashion they made sacrifice with certain Orations and praiers in the which they craued of the heauens to giue good and faire weather and a sure voyage and fauorable seas vnto al those that saile in those shippes This ceremony being done which is a
him that presented the same and the innocencie of them that were therein complained of he sent commanded the gouernor of Canton for to giue them good intertainment and not to permit any harme or hurt to be done vnto theÌ„ that he should send them vnto the city of Aucheo for that he would sée them for that it was tolde him that they seemed to be holy men and although that they had their apparell in tho same forme of the Austin friers whom he had séene yet their garments were of an other colour and more asper The chiefe captaine séeing that his intent fell not out well with the Iudges of China he commanded to bee proclaymed publicke in Machao that none should write vnto them nor coÌ„municate with them vpon paine of banishment and to pay two thousande ducats All this was not sufficient for to coole the mindes of some deuout persons of the religion of the glorious saint Francis but were rather incyted to offer their fauour helpe séeing they had néede thereof but in particular the bishop did helpe them alwaies with his almes and also an honorable priest called Andres Cotino who making small account of the proclamation did write vnto them diuerse times although secretly and sent their letters with almes and many exhortations to procéed forward with their holy zeale intent Besides this they sent vnto theÌ„ a spaniard called Pedro Quintero who had dwâ—lt there many yeares amongest the Portingals and hauing oportunitie they sent him many times with comfortable things and letters but not signed for if happily they should be met with all they might denie them to be theirs Now returning to our purpose the interpreter with desire to be payd of that which hee saide he had spent and laide out did bring the messenger that he promised them to go vnto Machao to carrie their letters vnto such religious men as they knewe in the which he craued their almes and helpe for to pay their interpreter and praying them for the loue of God to sende them likewise so much as should redéeme their challice who at this time knew not how it was solde and broken This messenger went with all diligence and secrecie and returned with the like brought with him that which they sent for other iunkets of great coÌ„tent the which came in very good season for that one of the sayde friers called frier Sebastian of S. Francis was very sick of a strong ague wherof in few daies after he died very wel with a strange desire to suffer martyrdome for Gods sake When this messenger came there was come thither the Aytao who is Iudge of the strangers and was without the citie vnto whom was coÌ„mited the examination of the Spaniards who after that he had concluded other matters coÌ„manded them to be brought afore him with great loue genâ—lenesse for so the viceroy of Aucheo had commanded him CHAP. VI. The Spaniards seing themselues in great necessitie hauing not to maintaine themselues they go into the streetes to aske almes the gouernor vnderstanding thereof coÌ„mandeth to giue them a stipend out of the kings treasure the interpreter goeth forwardes with his couetousnes deceit they be carried before the Iudges of the citie with whoÌ„ they do intreat of diuers matters they do aduise the the viceroy of al who coÌ„mandeth to send theÌ„ to Aucheo BEcause they would not sée themselues in the like danger with the interpreter as y t which was past they would not go any more to eate at his house but rather to giue an example vnto those of the citie they went foorth euery day by two and two to aske almes and although they were infidels yet they gaue them with great contentment and ioie because it was a rare thing in that kingdome to sée them begge in the stréetes by reason as hath béene tolde you that they haue no poore folk neither are they permitted if there be any to aske in y e streetes nor in their temples When that the Gouernor vnderstoode thereof and how that they did it for pure necessitie and had no other waies to maintaine themselues hee commanded to be giuen them euerie day a certaine stipend vpon the kinges cost the which was with so great abundance that mainteining the souldiers that came with them and all the rest yet had they to spare for that their stipende was giuen theÌ„ in money which was sixe Mayesses of siluer whereof they had to spare for that all thinges in that countrie is so good cheape as hath béen told you in many places Their interpreter séeing the good newes that was brought from Machao for the Spaniardes by a bill that a certayne deuout man had sent him in secret whereupon would be giuen vnto him all that was néedefull with protestation to pay all that should be giuen vnto them although it should amount vnto a great summe with the which hee wrote a letter vnto the Fryer Costodio of great comfort in strengthening him and all the rest to perseuer in their intent which God had put in their mindes for the saluation of those soules the Interpreter I say beganne to imagine that for to profite himselfe it was conuenient for to delate and detract the departure of the Spaniardes and did exact vpon them euery day in the buying of their victuals the halfe of the money that was giuen them So vpon a day he came verie much out of order and fayned that the Aytao had commanded that they should foorthwith depart out of the kingdome but yet notwithstanding he would present a petition in their name saying that for as much as time did not serue them to nauigate neither was their shippe in plight for to make their iourney that it would please them to get them a house whereas they might remaine thrée or foure monethes in the which time they might prouide them of all thinges necessarie for their voyage and possible it may so fall out that in this time they séeing their manner of liuing to bée good and to shew good examples they may let them to remaine in the countrie liberally and to learne the language and then beginne to preach and declare the right way vnto heauen All this he spake with great dissimulation for to profite himselfe for he knewe verie well that the Aytao had willed him to tell them that they could not remaine in that countrie with the pretence they had for that there was a lawe ordayned to the contrarie without expresse licence from the king the which will last of all be granted vnto the Spaniardes or Portingals for that there is a prophesie amongest theÌ„ spoken by the mouth of the diuell and estéemed amongest them for a very truth for that other thinges which he spake when that was spoken hath béene verified in the which he doth pronounce that a time shall come that they shall be subiect vnto a nation whose men shall haue great beardes and long noses and sharpe broade
the kingdom they should neuer haue séene them for they haue great care that any other nations should know their secrets their manner of gouernâ—ment and liuing CHAP. XVII Here it doth intreat of the mightinesse goodnesse riches and fortitude of the kingdome of China THis kingdome is vnder the tropike of Capricorne and stretched foorth on the sea coast south west and northeast more than fiue hundreth leagues it hath on the partes south west the kingdome of Cochinchina and on the north east it dooth confine on Tartaria a kingdome which dooth compasse the most part of the lande on the other part to the northwest there is an other mightie kingdome of white people which is beyonde the kingdome of Persia it is called Catay there be in it Christians and the king thereof is called Manuell It is sayd of a truth that from the furthest part of this kingdome vnto Ierusalem is sixe moneths trauaile by lande the which they vnderstoode by certaine Indians which came from that kingdome by Persia whose testimonials were made in Ierusalem sixe moneths before wherein was declared how that they had trauelled by Arabia felix and passed the red sea The other fourth part of this kingdome is compassed with a verie asper and high mountaine which is fiue hundreth leagues vpon a right line but nature had left certaine places open towards the northwest which might be fourscore leagues little more or lesse towards the sea of Iapon which is towards the Septentrion The great riches of this countrie and the great number of people that be therein did supplie the same as in the first part of this historie is more at large declared And for that the king of this countrie séeing himselfe oppressed and troubled by the mightie Tartaro seemed that easily he might defende himselfe from him in shutting vp of those gates which nature had left open betwixt the mountaines he did shut it vp with the death of many thousande of people for that hee vsed therein great tyrannie which afterwardes was the occasion of his owne death This mountaine with the supply by man is the famous wall of the kingdom of China that is of fiue hundred leagues long yet you must vnderstande it in the manner aforesaide the better to giue credite thereunto for alonely fâ—ure score leagues were made by mans handes with great industrie and there is vpon it an infinite number of bulwarkes which maketh it the more fayrer and stronger But yet not so strong as is the other four hundreth and twentie leagues which were made by nature Nigh vnto the same there is a great desert full of ditches and lakes of water which is the occasion that this kingdome hath béene conserued for more than two thousand yeares as doth appeare by their owne histories which they holde to bee verie true All is imparted into fiftéene prouinces with that of Aynao and euerie one of them hath a principall Citie of the which it beareth the name In the middest of this kingdome there is a great lake out of the which proceedeth many great and mightie riuers which runne through all the kingdome and are so big that there sayleth vp and downe in them barkes sregats brigandines and many other vessels of an other kinde of making This great abundance of water is the occasion that it is so sertile and so well prouided of all thinges and againe the most part of their cities and townes are situated on the riuers side so that by them the one prouince doth communicate with an other carrying the one vnto the other great store of marchandice and other thinges of great curiositie and is done with little cost for that all things are done very good cheape This sea cost of this kingdome is the biggest and the best that is knowen in all the world there is vpoÌ„ it fiue prouinces which be these of Canton Chincheo Liampon Nanquin and that of Paquian which is the furthest towardes the northwest in the which is resident the king and his counsel with all his court ordinarily and the most part of the men of warre that it hath for that this prouince doth confine vpon the Tartaros their enimies Some will say that the kings ordinarie dwelling there is for that it is the best and most fertilest of all the kingdome But I beleeue according to the saying of some of the Chinos that he doth it not but because it is so nigh vnto Tartaria and to finde himselfe there whereas hee may supply all necessities which might happen vpon a soddaine by his enimies In these riuers there are certaine Ilandes the which are very profitable vnto all the kingdome for that there is nourished brought vp in them great store of deare hogges and other beasts which is the occasion that the cities are so well prouided and serued But one of the things which causeth most admiration to theÌ„ that go to this kingdome is to see so infinite a number of ships and barkes that be in euerie port thereof and are so many that there hath béene a man in the citie of Machao that hath layde a wager that alonely in the riuer of Canton there be more ships and vessels than in all the cost of Spaine One thing I may affirme that I haue heard declared by persons of great credite that haue béene in that kingdome but in especiall of the father Ignacio whom I do follow in this Itinerario that it is an easie thing in any one of these fiue prouinces that be vpon the sea cost to ioyne together a thousande ships of warre and all of them as they say in Spaine dedicated for that purpose The occasion why there be so many is alreadie declared in his proper chapter There are diuers opinions touching the greatnesse of this kingdome but the most are conformable with the father fryer Martin de Herrada who like a good Geomatrician and Mathematician went nighest the pricke This opinion is declared in the first part of this historie whereunto I referre me and in that which toucheth in particular things of that kingdom for that it is there declared at large as it was taken out of their bookes But one thing I cannot let passe but declare for that it séemeth woorthie to make thereof a particular memorie and I vnderstood it by the mouth of the said father Ignacio which is that he doth affirme it to bee certaine true approued that euery day in the yeare one with an other besides wars and the plague the which in this countrio they remember not to haue any neither do they find written in their histories for 2000. yeares neither by famin nor any other accidentall occasions to consume the people yet doth there die many thousands of people both smal great in al the fiftéen prouinces of this kingdome which is no small griefe vnto theÌ„ who with a christian zeale doth consider this heauie tribute of so many soules that the diuell doth recouer eueriâ—
did sée them do reuerence vnto their Idols or vnto the diuell or any other euill thing they did reprehend theÌ„ with great liberty who did not onely séeke to hurt theÌ„ for the same but did greatly reioyce to heare their reasons wherewith they did prohibite or forbid them The said frier did tell me that one day passing by an hermitage whereas dwelled an hermite who had vpon the altar in the same an Idoll for his saint before whom was there a Chino a principall man worshipping the same the said father without any feare went vnto him began to reprehende him and to spit at the Idoll caused him therewith to leaue off his worshipping whereof he was greatly amased both he all the rest of his companie to sée with what boldnes it was done and no harme done vnto him for the same eyther they supposed that y e Chino did thinke him to be a mad man or else which is most to be beléeued y t God did worke with his seruant wherby he would giue him his reward for thatwhich he had done in returning for his honor in mittigating the furie of that man to giue him vnderstanding y t he was reprehended with reason There are many Chinos conuerted to the faith as well in the Ilands Philippinas as in the citie of Machao and they baptise of them daily who giuetokens and outwarde showes to bee good christians and say that the greatest difficultie for to conuert all the whole kingdome will be in them that doo gouerne in the same for they had néede of a particular ayde and helpe of the mercie of God to bring them vnto the faith for that they are had in reuerence and obeyed as Gods vpon the earth Besides this they do giue themselues to all delightes that any humaine creature can imagine for that they put all their felicitie therein and doo it with so great extremitie that it is supposed there is no people in all the worlde that may be compared vnto them For besides that they are alwayes carried in little chayres and vpon mens shoulders which are couered with silke golde yet are they giuen much vnto bankets wherein they haue so many different sortes of meates as their appetites doo require And it is greatly to bee maruailed at that the women of this kingdome are marueilous chast and secret as any whatsoeuer and to the contrarie the men are as vicious but in especiall the Lords and Gouernors and for that our faith do reprehend with rigor and terror the excesse of these thinges it is to be beleeued that it will be a great impediment to the entrie of the gospell amongst them yet God may so touch them and in such sort that there will be no difficultie Amongest the common people there will be no such impedimeÌ„t but rather they will embrace with great content our holy law for y t it will be an occasion to cleare set them at libertie from the tyrannie of the diuell and from their Iudges and Lords who do intreate them as slaues This is the opinion of all them that haue entred into this kingdome and haue intreated of this matter with the Chinos They haue amongest them some good thinges and woorthie to be imitated and folowed of the which I will here set downe two which are thinges of great purpose to my iudgement The one is that vnto none they do giue the office to gouerne by no manner of wayes nor meanes although they be suborned by friendship but onely by his owne merites and sufficient abilitie The seconde that none can be viceroy gouernour nor Iudge of a prouince or citie in the which hee is naturall borne the which they say is done to take away the occasion of dooing any iniustice beeing carried away or led by parentes or friendshippe All other thinges of this kingdome I do remit vnto that which hath bin before declared for to passe vnto the rest the which in this Itinerario is promised to be mentioned and declared CHAP. XIX This chapter doth treate of the Ilands of Iapon and of other thinges in that kingdome THe Ilandes of Iapon are many and altogether make a mightie kingdome y t is diuided amongest many lords it is distant froÌ„ the firme land of China thrée hundred leagues in the middest betwixt both kingdoms is the prouince of Lanquin which is one of the fiftéene afore named although going froÌ„ Machao a city of the Portingals ioyning vnto Canton which is of the proper China they do make it but 250 leagues trauelling towards the north commonly they do account the same leagues froÌ„ the Ilands of Luzon or Philippinas vnto the said Ilands of Iapon whereunto they may go by noua hispania for y t it is the better surer nauigation and shorter voyage for according vnto the reckoning of the pylots that do nauigate those seas they make it no more theÌ„ 1750. leagues which is not halfe of that which the Portingals make in their nauigation These Ilands are many as afore said yet are they populared with much people who in their bodies faces differ very little froÌ„ the Chinos although not so politike by the which it séemed to be true y t which is found written in the histories of the kingdom of China saying that these Iapones in old time were Chinas that they came from that mightie kingdome vnto these Ilands wheras they do now diuell for this occasion folowing A kinsman of a king of China a man of great countenance and valour hauing conceiued within his brest for to kill the king thereby to make himselfe lorde of the countrie the better to put this in execution he gaue to vnderstand of his euill intent vnto others of his friends requesting their fauour to execute y e same promising that he would do his best This being done hauing them alwaies for his especiall friends vnto whom it seemed no difficult thing and againe moued with ambition they did promise him and for the better confirmation thereof they began to prepare souldiers to haue theÌ„ readie against y e day appointed And for y t this their pretence could not be brought to effect with such secrecie as the matter required their treason came to be discouered vnto the king at such good oportunitie y t he might very well séeke remedie for his owne safegarâ— at his pleasure vnlooked for of his kinsman the rest of his followers who were all taken with great ease Then was it determined by those of the royall councell that all the traitors should haue their throts â—ut according vnto the lawes of the countrie but when their sentence was carried vnto the king to be confirmed he vnderstanding y t they much repented were sorie for their sin and treason that they had pretended against him he determined to remedie the same with lesse damage fearing what might happeÌ„ by their deaths so y t he coÌ„manded they should not
Ilands of Iapon and it treateth of some thinges of them according vnto the truest intelligence that hath come from those parts of certaine miracles that happened in the kingdome of Cochinchina that were notable FRom the Cittie of Machao which is inhabited by Portugals and situated on the skirt of the firme lande of China in two and twentie degrées the aforesaide father Ignacio did trauell for Malaca passing by the gulfe of Aynao which is an Ilande and prouince of China and fiue leagues from the firme lande and from the Philippinas one hundreth and fourescore It is a very rich prouince and of great prouision and in the straight that is betwixt them and the firme lande there is great fishing of pearles and Aliafar and those which are there founde do in many killats excéede them that are brought from Bareu which is on y e coast of Arabia or those that are brought from Manar which is another kingdome from whence is brought many vnto that of China This prouince of Aynao is very good and strong and the people thereof very docible and well inclined From this Ilande to the kingdome of Cochinchina is fiue and twenty leagues and from Machao one hundreth and twentie fiue it is a mightie kingdome and is in sixtéene degrées of altitude and the one part therof is ioyned with the firme land of China The whole is deuided into thrée prouinces The first dooth enter forty leagues into the lande and hath in it a mightie king The second is more farther within the land and he that is Lord thereof is a king of greater power then the first and ioyning vnto the sun more towards the Septentrion is the thirde the which is more greater and of more riches whose king in respect of the other two is an Emperor and is called in their language Tunquin which doth signifie the same Unto him be subiect y e other two kings yet notwithstanding his mighitinesse and called emperour hee is subiect vnto the king of China and dooth pay him tribute and parias It is a countrie very well prouided of victuals and as good cheape as in China There is great stoare of a wood called Palo de Agnila and of another woode called Calambay and both of them are verie odoriferous Great aboundance of silke and gold and of other things very curious all these kingdomes are at a very point to be reduced vnto our faith for that the principall he whom they giue title of Emperor hath sent diuers times to Machao and vnto other parts whereas are Christians and haue requested to send them persons both learned and religious for to instruct them in the law of God for that they are all determined to receiue it and be baptised and do desire it with so great feruentnesse that in manie citties they haue the timber ready to build edifie churches and in a redinesse all other kind of necessaries for the same There was in Machao a religious man of the order of barefoote Friers of saint Francis who vnderstanding the great and good desire of this king did send him by certaine Portugal merchants that did trade into his countrie a cloth whereon was painted the day of iudgement and hell and that by an excellent workeman and also a letter wherein hee did signifie vnto him the great desire he had with some other of his companions to go into his kingdome to preach the Gospel The which being receiued by the said king and informed the signification of the picture and of the religious man that sent it him he reioyced very much with the present and did send in returne of the same an other that was very good vnto the same religious man and a letter of great curtesie did accept the offer that hee sent in his letter and did promise that all that went thither shoulde haue good entertainement and that he would presently make them a house next vnto his This religious man although hâ— had a desire to put in execution the kings will yet at that time hee coulde not by reason that he had but few companions the which the king did vnderstande and caused him to sende vnto the bishoppe of Machao thrée or foure letters requesting him to send him the saide religious men with certification that hauing them there both hee and all the rest of his kingdome woulde receiue the faith of Christ and the holy baptisme vnto the which letters they did alwaies make answere with promises that he would send them vnto him but after because they did not accomplish the same the king did complaine of him vnto certaine Portugall merchants with great griefe saying this your bishop of Machao doth greatly lye for that I haue requested him by foure letters to send me religious men for to preach the law of the gospell he consenting vnto my wil did neuer accomplish nor performe his word Unto this day they haue not accomplished this desire for the great lacke they haue of such ministers as they doo demande are requisite in those parts and cannot supply their want and necessitie except they should leaue them vnprouided that bee already baptised They doo driue them off with faire words promises that with as great breuity as is possible their desire shalbe satisfied And this was the answere that was giueÌ„ in Machao vnto certaine messengers or ambassadors that were sent by the aforesaid king for the same demand the which was required with great instance The which messengers for their comfort for his who sent theÌ„ did carry with theÌ„ al such Images as they might haue but specially that of the crosse in which form likenes as hath bin informed they haue made in y e kingdome an infinite number and set them in all their stréets high-wayes houses wheras they are worshiped reuerenced with great humilitie as well for that it is in an ensigne of Christ whose faith they do desire to receiue as also for a notable miracle which happened in that kingdome worthy to make thereof a particular mention the which I will set downe here in such sort as the ambassadors aforesaide did declare in publike before the inhabitants of Machao when as they came to demande religious men for to instruct them in the gospel There was a man naturally borne in this kingdome who for certaine occasions went forth of the same and came dwelt amongst the Portugals who séeing the Christian ceremonies and being touched with the hand of God was baptised and remained certaine yeares in the same towne giuing outwâ—rde shewes to bee a good Christian and one that feared God at the end thereof hee changed his minde and determined to returne vnto his owne countrie and there to liue according vnto that which he had learned of the Christians the which he beléeued to doo with ease without any gainesaying or contradiction Whereas when hée came thither hee did obserue all such things as a Christian was bounde to
a kingdome that hath great abundance of prouision and lacke of things of contractation or marchandice which is the occasion that they are little knowen Trauailing a little forwardes is the kingdome of Coromandel whose chiefe citie is called Calamina and nowe vulgarly Malipur and is there whereas was martyred the happie Apostle S. Thomas And they say that at this day there remaineth some of his relickes by whom God did many myracles The naturall people therefore haue a particular memory vntill this day of that saint This citie at this day is populared with Portingals and with the naturall people there is in it a church wherein is comprehended the house whereas was and died the holy Apostle this countrie belongeth vnto the king of Visnaga who although he be a Gentile he hath great reuerence and respect vnto the house of the holy Apostle and for particular deuotion he doth giue euerie yeare a certaine charitie There is in this citie two couentes of religious men the one of the companie of Iesus and the other of the order of S. Francis From this citie of Calamina to that of Visnaga there wheras the king is it is fiue and thirtie leagues by land This king is mightie and his kingdome very great and full of people and hath great rentes They say that onely the rent he hath of fine gold is worth vnto him thrée millions of the which he spendeth but one onely and doth keepe euerie yeare two millions in his treasorie the which according vnto the report fame is at this day with many millions He hath twelue principall or chiefe captaines and euerie one of them hath the gouernement of an infinite number of people hath great rent for the same for he that hath least rent hath sixe hundred thousand ducats yearely Euerie one of them are bound to giue the king to eate and all the people of his house one month in the yeare so that by this account the twelue captaines which are the lordes of the kingdome and as wee might say dukes doo beare his cost all the whole yeare The million the which he doth spend is in giftes and in extraordinarie thinges The king hath in his house what with wiues seruants and slaues nigh about fourtéene thousand persons and in his stable ordinarily a thousand horse and for his seruice and garde eight hundreth Elephants of whoÌ„ he doth spend euerie day eight hundreth ducats The garde of his person is â—oure thousand horsemen to whoÌ„ he giueth great wages He hath also in his house thrée hundreth wiues besides a great number of concubines they goe all gallantly apparelled and with rich iewels of the which there are of great estimation in y e kingdome they do almost euerie three daies change newe colors of apparell They do ordinarily vse colors of precious stones such as are called in spaine ojo de gato cats eies They haue great store of saphires pearles diamonds rubies many other stones y t are in that kingdome in great abundance Amongest all these wiues there is one that is as legitimate whose children doo inherite and if it so fall out that she is barren the first that is borne of any of y e other doth inherite which is the occasion that they neuer lacke a successor in that kingdome When the king of this kingdome doth die they do carrie him foorth into a mightie fielde with great sadnesse and mourning apparell and there in the presence of those twelue péeres a fore saide they do burne his bodie with wood of Sandalo which is of a great smell with the which they do make a great fire After that the bodie of the king is burned and consumed they throwe into the same the wiues that hee best loued with seruants and slaues those that he most estéemed in his life time the which they do with so great content that euery one dooth procure to be the first for to enter into the fire and they that are last do thinke themselues vnhappie All these do say that they go to serue the king in the other life whereas they shalbe with great ioy This is the occasion that they goe with so good a will to die and carrie with them the most richest and festiuall apparell they haue Of this is gathered that they do beléeue the immortalitie of the soule for that they doo confesse there is an other life and that thither they do returne and liue for euer without ende They are people that would be conuerted with the like facilitie vnto the holy gospell as their neighbours if there went any thether to preach Thrée score and tenne leagues from this citie there is a Pagode or temple of Idols whereas is a rich faire euery yeare it is a very sumptuous building and edified in a place so high that it may be séene many leagues before you come vnto it It hath ordinarily foure thousande men of garde who are paide with the rent of the temple the which is rich and verye good There is nigh vnto the same many mynes of golde and precious stones and that is taken out of them is rent vnto the temple There is in it a prâ—est of the Idolles whom they call in their language brama and is as the high priest in that countrie All the people of the land do come vnto him to vnderstand the doubtes of their manner of liuing and he doth dispence with them in many things that be prohibited by their lawes y e which he may do according vnto the sayd lawes and manie times he doth dispence with certaine of theÌ„ But here one to be laughed at which is that when a woman cannot suffer the condition of her husbande or is wearie of him for other occasions she goeth vnto this Brama and giuing vnto him a péece of golde which may be to the value of a ducat in Spaine he doth vnmarry theÌ„ and setteth her at libertie that she may marry with an other or with many if she please in token of this she is giuen a marke with an yron vpon her right shoulder so that with that alone she remaineth at libertie and her husband cannot do vnto her any harme for the same neither compell her to returne againe to his company There are in this kingdome many mynes of verie fine diamonds and are had in great estimation and very well knowen in Europe There hath béene found in them a stone so fine and of so great value that but few yeares past the king did sell the same vnto an other mightie king his borderer called Odialcan for a million of golde besides other thinges of value that hee gaue him ouer and aboue It is a healthfull countrie with very goâ—d and fresh ayres rich of prouisions and of all other necessaries not only for the humaine life but also for curiositie and delightes that be therein It is in fourtéene degrées towardes the pole artico All the people therein are faint hearted and cowards and for
So that after the aforesaid father frier Martin Ignacio had made his account of all that he had trauelled from the time he departed from Siuel til he returned vnto Lysborne in compassing the world he found that it was nine thousand and forty leagues by sea by lande besides many other leagues that he trauelled in China and in other parts of the which hee dooth make no account All these leagues are full of mightie kingdomes and al or the most part of them are subiect vnto the tyranny of lucyfer God for his infinite mercy conuert them and take pittie on them as hee did when that he came from heauen vppon the earth to die for all put into the heart of the king of Spaine that amongst other good workes the which with his most Christian zeale dooth intend and do for to procure this which will bee so much vnto the glory of God and great desert of honor vnto himselfe the which he may do very commodiously being as he is at this day Lord of all the Indies and of the biggest part of all that newe world This petition is worthy that all we Christians doo desire of God for that his holy name in all the world may be praised and exalted and the sonnes of Adam who for their sinnes are so dispersed and forgotten of God and first beginning they may go and inioy the happy and glorious kingdome for the which they were created FINIS Excellent â—lummes Excellent white sugar good cheape Honie wax Excellent good silke Great store of flaxe and hempe CottoÌ„ wool wheat and barlie rie oates Great abundance of rice Chestnuts All kind of beasts Excellent furres Muske Great store of buffes Deere hogs and goates Great store of wildfoule Foule soâ—de by waight A penie Reubarbe and other medicinall hearbs Foure hundred of Nutmegs for sixe pence Cloues sixe pound for 3 pence the like of pepper Sinamom 25. pound for two shilings Mines of gold and siluer other mettals Iron and steele 4. shilling a quintal Siluer is more worth then gold Great store of pearles 243. kings The mightie city of Causie The China is in compas 3000. leagues and 1800. â—eagues long The mightie citie called Suntien or Quinsay A wal of 500 leagues long Great abundance of wool and good cheape Shooes and bus kines of veluet Great abundance of Marters furres An il vse and custome A good custome to auoid inconueniences Ingenious people WagoÌ„s with sailes Cloth of gold tissue silke Porâ—â—an All occupations bee in streetes by themselues The son inherits his fathers occupation A strange image A mysterie of the trinitie S. Thomas preached in this kingdome The martyrdome of saint Thomas A false myracle They cast lottes They throw their gods vnder their feete A hogs head for a sacrifice Another kind of lots Inuocation to the diuell The diuell telleth lies Strange opinions Marueilous barieties The first inuention of â—â—re Strange opinions The inuention of plough and spade The first king of China The soule is immortall Strange ob sequies They make their sacrifices in the night Great superstition Gallant colours for religious men Gallant bels The eldest sonne is prohibited to take orders A straung kindof buriall They that haue most daughters are most richest They may marrie with many wiues Honest women A straung kind of marriage A good order to auoid idle people I would the like were with vs. A very good order A mirror for vs to looke vpon Vitey the first king of China Which is foure yeardes quarter and halfe The first inuention of garments and dying oâ— colours No women to be idle A strange kind of hâ—â—rb A citie of a daies iourney long Foure curious halles Punished for taking bribes The rent of the king Puregold Fine siluer Pearles Precious stones Muske and amber Rice Barley Wheate Salt Mayz Millo Panizo Other graine Peeces of silke Raw silke Cotton wool Mantels Great care for to defend their countrie Uerie ill horsemen The number of souldiers in all China The souldier is roially paid The number of footemen horsemen They haue no neede of other nations Straight lawes Councellers must be expert in sciences Euery prouince hath his viceroy Captaine generall A very good propertie of Iustices A very good order A very good consideration An occasion of amitie betwixt neighbours Cruell tormentes A more cruelâ— torment A great care to do true Iustice. Ceremonies in performing of their oth Thirteene prisons in euery great cittie Uictualing houses in the prisons and shops Adulterie is death Paper made of the filme of canes Pens made of canes Any good thing gratified The order of their commencement in schooles The first inuenting of armor Artilerie 1300. yeares before vs. A strange kind of courtesie Where Limahon was bornâ— One rouer robbed an other One hundred and thirtie great ships of warre with fortie thousand men They do more estâ—eme honoâ— than losse of ships or men A good praise of others The captaine generall of the king of China Omoncon promiseth to carrie the friers vnto China A good pretence The Friers names that weÌ„t to China A token that fine cloath is esteemed They departed towards China Their compasses diuided into 12. parts They leaue the worshiping of one Idol to worship another They call the Spaniards Castillias Ensignes to knowe the Iustices â—e first lanâ—ing of the Fryers The vse of their bankets Wine of a palme tree A thing to keepe away the sunne The people of the countrie weare no weapons but the souldiers Chincheo hath seuentie thousand housholds A thousand ships in one riuer They haue no vse of castles Earth quaks in this countrey Rich marchandice Triumphant arches Great maiâ—stie He offered 500. shippes of warre Note the spaniards â—nsolencie A citie of three hundred thousand housholds A city bigger theÌ„ the other and requireth three daies to go from one gate to an other Seuentie leagues compasse The wall of the Citie is fiue fadam high fourâ— broad The citie double mooted A strange â—eremonie Comedies vsed amongest them Tomblers The argument of theâ—â— comedie All things good cheape 111. Idols in one chappell People in great subiecâ—ion Suspition of euill The vse of their mustering Souldiers are punished Their mustering is one throughout the whole kingdome SuperstitioÌ„ To keepe away the sun Sâ—range sacrifices Mine kine and horse The Chinos are fearefull of the sea From the Philippinas to the China is two hundred leagues The papists and â—hâ— Infidels â—eremoniâ—s much alike The Spaniards rise at thei midnight mattens and whip themselues They were in great perill The Friers vsed certaine coniurations for that S. Antonie was a sleepe Marke the Friers conâ—fession of Images The Chinos most vpright in all their iudgements and in execution of iustice The vizroies commission A sacred thing no doubt of it A prophesie Canarias Fortunadas The names of the Canarias Much snow Great quantitie of brimstone Thedropping from a tree doth seruethe whole Iland with water Opinions of this Iland
The Historie of the great and mightie kingdome of China and the situation thereof Togither with the great riches huge Citties politike gouernement and rare inuentions in the same Translated out of Spanish by R. Parke LONDON Printed by I. Wolfe for Edward White and are to be sold at the little North doore of Paules at the signe of the Gun 1588 AA To the Right worshipfull and famous Gentleman M. Thomas Candish Esquire increase of honor and happie attemptes IT is now aboue fiue and thirty yeares passed right worshipfull since that young sacred and prudent Prince king Edward the sixt of happie memorie went about the discouerie of Cathaia and China partly of desire that the good young king had to enlarge the Christian faith and partlie to finde out some where in those regions ample vent of the cloth of England for the mischiefs that grew about that time neerer home aswel by contempt of our commodities as by the arrestes of his merchantes in the Empire Flanders France and Spaine foreseeing withall how beneficiall ample vent would rise to all degrees throughout his kingdome and specially to the infinite number of the poore sort distressed by lacke of worke And although by a voyage hereuppon taken in hande for this purpose by Sir Hugh Willobie and Richard Chauncellour a discouerie of the bay of Saint Nicolas in Russia fell out and a trade with the Muscouites and after another trade for a time with the Persians by way of the Caspian sea ensued yet the discouerie of the principall intended place followed not in his time nor yet since vntill you tooke your happie and renowmed voyage about the worlde in hande although sundrie attemptes at the great charges of diuers honorable and well disposed persons and good worshipfull merchants and others haue beene made since the death of that good king in seeking a passage thither both by the North-east and by the Northwest But since it is so as wee vnderstande that your worshippe in your late voyage hath first of our nation in this age discouered the famous rich Ilandes of the Luzones or Philippinas lying neare vnto the coast of China and haue spent some time in taking good view of the same hauing brought home three boyes borne in Manilla the chiefe towne of the said Ilands besides two other young fellowes of good capacitie borne in the mightie Iland of Iapon which hereafter may serue as our interpretors in our first traficke thither and that also your selfe haue sailed along the coast of China not farre from the Continent and haue taken some knowledge of the present state of the same and in your course haue found out a notable ample vent of our clothes especially our kersies and are in preparing againe for the former voyage as hee that would constantly perseuer in so good an enterprise we are to thinke that the knowledge and first discouerie of the same in respect of our nation hath all this time beene by the Almightie to you onely reserued to your immortall glorie and to the manifest shew of his especiall fauour borne towards you in that besides your high and rare attempt of sailing about the whole globe of the earth in so short a time of two yeares and about two monethes you haue shewed your selfe to haue that rare and especiall care for your countrie by seeking out vent for our clothes that ought vpon due consideration to moue many thousands of English subiects to pray for you and to loue and honor your name and familie for euer For as you haue opened by your attempt the gate to the spoile of the great and late mightie vniuersall and infested enimie of this realme of al countries that profesâ—e true religion so haue you by your great care wrought a way to imploie the merchants of Englande in trade to increase our Nauie to benefite our Clothiers and your purpose falling out to your hoped effect to releeue more of the poorer sort then all the hospitals and almes houses can or may that haue beene built in this realme since the first inhabiting thereof And Sir if to this your late noble attempt it might please you by your incouragement and by the help of your purse to adde your present furtherance for the passage to be discouered by the northwest for proofe whereof there bee many infallible reasons and diuerse great experiences to â—e yeelded our course with our commodities to the rich Iland of Iapon to the mightie empire of China and to the Ilandes of the Philippinas for the vent that you haue found out should be by the halfe way shortened and you should double and manyfolde treble the credite of your fourmer late enterprise and make your fame to mount and your self to liue for euer in a much higher degree of glorie then otherwise it might be or that by any other mean you could possibly deuise In which action so highly importing the generall state of this lande I haue perfect experience that many worshipfull and wealthie marchants of this citie and other places would most willingly ioyne their purses with yours and to play the blabbe I may tell you they attende nothing with greater desire and expectation then that a motion hereof being made by some happie man your selfe and they might friendly and seriously ioyne together for the full accomplishing of this so long intended discouerie And to descende to â—ome particulars there is one speciall reason that giueth an edge vnto their desires proceeding from the late worthie attemptes of that excellent and skilful pilot M. Iohn Dauis made for the search of the aforesaid northwest passage these three late yeares hauing entred into the same foure hundred leagues further than was euer hitherto thoroughly knowen and returned with an exact description thereof to the reasonable contentment for the time of the aduenturers and chiefely of the worshipfull M. William Sanderson whose contributions thereunto although they haue beene verie great and extraordinarie yet for the certaine hope or rather assurance that he conceiueth vpon the report of the Captaine himselfe and all the rest of any skill employed in these voyages remayneth still constant and is readie to disburse as yet to the freshe setting on foote of this enterprise entermitted by occasion of our late troubles euen this yeare againe for the finall perfection of so profitable and honorable a discouerie a farre greater portion then in reason would be required of any other man of his abilitie And albeit sir that you haue taken in your late voyage besides the knowledge of the way to China the intelligence of the gouernement of the countrie and of the commodities of the territories and prouinces of the same and that at the full according to the time of your short abode in those partes yet neuerthelesse for that of late more ample vnderstanding hath beene in more length of time by woonderfull great endeuour taken by certaine learned Portingals and Spaniardes of great obseruation and not long agoe published
in the Spanish tongue I haue for the increase of the knowledge of the subiectes of Englande and specially for the illuminating of the mindes of those that are to take the voyage next in hande to Iapan China and the Philippinas translated the same worke into english and committed it to print passing ouer Paulus Venetus and sir Iohn Mandeuill because they wrote long agoe of those regions which labour to say trueth I haue vndertaken at the earnest request and encouragement of my worshipfull friend Master Richard Hakluit late of Oxforde a gentleman besides his other manifolde learning and languages of singular and deepe insight in all histories of discouerie and partes of Cosmographie who also for the zeale he beareth to the honour of his countrie and countrimen brought the same first aboue two yeares since ouer into this court and at this present hath in hande a most excellent and ample collection of the sundrie trauailes and nauigations of our owne nation a matter long intended by him and seruing to the like beneficiall and honorable purpose which I hope will shortly come to light to the great contentation of the wiser sort In the meane season hauing nowe at length finished according to my poore skill and leasure this my translation I thought best to dedicate and commende the same to your worshipfull patronage as the man that I holde most worthie of the same and most able of our nation to iudge aright of the contentes thereof and to correct the errors of the author whensoeuer you shall meete with them beseeching you to accept in good part the trauaile and good meaning of the translator and so wishing vnto you health increase of knowledge with fortunate and glorious successe in your further couragious attempts I leaue you to the protection of the almightie From London the first of Ianuarie 1589. Your worships alwaies to command Robert Parke The Printer to the Christian reader WHereas good courteous Reader in this historie describing the kingdome of China with the countries there adiacent thou shalt finde many times repeated and that in some things too gloriously the zeale of certaine Spanish Friers that laboured in discouerie of the saide China and the declaration of certaine myracles but falsely reported by them to haue beene wrought togither with examples of diuerse their superstitious practises which happily may giue offence vnto some in reading thou must vnderstande that this is to be rather imputed vnto the first writer of this historie in spanish than to any fault of mine for the Spaniardes following their ambitious affections doo vsually in all their writinges extoll their owne actions euen to the setting forth of many vntruthes and incredible things as in their descriptions of the conquestes of the east and west Indies c. doth more at large appeare Notwithstanding all which our translator as it seemeth hath rather chosen to be esteemed fidus interpres in truely translating the historie as it was though conteyning some errors then to be accounted a patcher or corrupter of other mens workes But howsoeuer either our first authour or the translator haue shewed themselues affectioned sure I am that the knowledge of thiâ— kingdome will not onely be pleasant but also verie profitable to our English nation and by playing the good Bee in onely accepting herein that which is good I doubt not but the reading of this historie will bring thee great contentment and delight Vale. The Historie of the mightie kingdome of China in the which is contained the notable things of that kingdome touching that which is naturall CHAP. I. The description of the kingdome and the confines that it hath belonging THis great and mightie kingdome of China which we do meane to treat of in this Historie hath béene discouered by cléere and true notice within this tenne yeares by Spanyards that were dwellers in the Ilands Philippinas that are three hundreth leagues distant from the said kingdome Notwithstanding that long time before there was relation giuen by way of the Portingall Indias by such as dwelt in Macao and did traâ—â—ke to Canton a citie of the same kingdome of China But this was by relation so that the one nor the other could satisfie for that there was founde varietie in that which was true till the yeere of 1577. Frier Martin de Gorrada prouincial of the Augustine friers who were the first discouerers of the said Ilands Philippinas and ministred first the holy baptisme amongst them with his companions frier Hieronimo Martin Pedro Sarmiento and Myghell de Loarcha chéefe officers of the citie of Marrila in the said Ilands by the order and commandement of Guido de Labassares gouernour thereof did enter into the saide kingdome of China Led and gouerned by a captaine belonging to the king of the said kingdome called Omoncon Of the comming of this Omoncon vnto the Ilands Philippinas and of his hardines to carrie the aforesaid vnto the firme land he being commanded to the contrarie vpon paine of death and how he was receiued and great courtesie shewed and of other things verie curious you shall â—inde in the second part of this historie where as is the substance and whole relation of all that was brought vnto the king of Spaine You shall vnderstande that this mightie kingdome is the Orientalest part of all Asia and his next neighbour towards the Ponent is the kingdome of Quachinchina whereas they doo obserue in whole all the customes and rites of China The greatest part of this kingdome is watred with the great Orientall Ocean sea beginning at the Iland Aynan which is hard by Quachinchina which is 19. degrées towards the North and compassing towards the South whereas their course is Northeast And beyond Quachinchina towards the North the Bragmanes do confine which are much people and verie rich of golde siluer and pretious stones but in especiall Rubies for there are infinit They are proude and hawtie men of great corage wel made but of browne colour they haue had but few times warre with them of China in respect for that betwixt both the kingdomes there are great and mightie mountaines and rockes that doth disturbe them And harde vnto this nation ioyneth the Patanes and Mogores which is a great kingdome and warlike people whose head is the Gran Samarzan They are the true Scythas or Massagetas of whom it is affirmed that they were neuer ouercome by any other nation they are a people well proportioned and white by reason they dwel in a cold countrie Betwixt the West and the South is the Trapobana or Samatra a kingdome very rich of gold pretious stones pearles and more towards the South are the two Iauas the great and the lesse and the kingdome of the Lechios and in equall distance are the Iapones yet notwithstanding those that are more indifferent to this kingdome are the Tartarians which are on the selfe firme land or continent and are alonely deuided by a wal as shalbe declared in the 9 chapter
of this booke These Tartarians haue had many times wars with them of China but at one time as you shall perceiue they got the whole kingdome of China and did possesse the same for the space of 93. yeares till such time as they of China did rebell and forced them out againe At this day they say that they are friends one with another and that is for that they bee all Gentiles and do vse all one manner of ceremonies and rites They doo differ in their clenes lawes in the which the Chinas doth excéede them very much The Tartarians are very yealow not so white and they go naked from the girdlested vpwards and they eate raw flesh and do annoint themselues with the blood of raw flesh for to make them more harder and currish by reason whereof they doo so stinke that if the aire doth come from that part where they be you shall smel them afar off by the strong sauor They haue for certainty the truth of the immortalitie of the soule although it be with error for they say that the soule doth enter into other bodies and that soule that liued well in the first bodie doth better it from poore to rich or from age to youth and if it liued euill to the contrarie in worse The sons of the Tartarians do very much obserue and kéepe the commandement in obeying their parents for that they doo wholly accomplish the same without failing any iot of their will vnder paine to be seuerly and publikelie punished They confesse one God whom they worship haue him in their houses carued or painted and euery day they doe offer vnto it incense or some other swéet smelles they do call him the high God do craue of him vnderstanding health They haue also another God which they say is son vnto the other they do call him Natigay this is their God of terestriall things They haue him likewise in their houses and euery time they go to eate they doo annoint his face with the fattest thing they haue to eate that being doone they fall to eating hauing first giuen their gods their pitance They are a kinde of people that verie seldome doo fable a lie although their liues should lie thereon and are verie obedient vnto their king but in speciall in their warres in the which euerie one doth that he is appointed to doo they are led by the sound of a drome or trumpet with the which their captaines do gouerne them with great ease by reason that they are trained vp in the same from their youth And many other things are amongst them in the which they do resemble them of China who if they did receiue the faith of our Lord Iesu Christ it is to be beléeued that the Tartarians would do the same for that they are taken for men very ducible and do imitate verie much them of China CHAP. II. Of the temperature of the kingdome of China THe temperature of this mightie kingdome is diuersly by reason that almost the whole bignesse thereof is from the South to the North in so great a length tâ—at the Iland of Aynan being néere vnto this land in 19. degrées of altitude haue notice of some prouinces that are in moâ—e then 50. degrées and yet they do vnderstand that beyond that there bée more vpon the confines of Tartaria It is a strange thing to be séene the strange and great difference betwixt the colours of the dwellers of this kingdome In Canton a mightie citie whereas the Portingales had ordinarie traficke with them of China for that it was nigh vnto Macao where as they had inhabited long since and from whence they do bring all such merchandise as is brought into Europe There is séene great diuersities in the colours of such people as doo come thither to traficke as the said Portingales do testifie Those which are borne in the citie of Canton and in al that cost are browne people like vnto them in the citie of Fez or Barberie for that all the whole countrie is in the said paralel that Barberie is in And they of the most prouinces inwards are white people some more whiter then others as they draw into the cold countrie Some are like vnto Spanyards and others more yealow like vnto the Almans yelow and red colour Finally in all this mightie kingdome to speake generally they cannot say that there is much cold or much heat for that the Geographers do conclude and say it is temperate and is vnder a temperate clime as is Italy or other temperate countries wherby may be vnderstood the fertilitie of the same which is without doubt the fortresse in all the world may compare with the Peru and Nuoua Espannia which are two kingdomes celebrated to be most fertill and for the verification you shall perceius in this Chapter next folowing wherin is declared such things as it doth yéeld and bring forth and in what quantitie And yet aboue all things according vnto the sayings of fryer Herrada prouinciall and his companions whose relation I will follow in the most part of this hystorie as witnesses of sight vnto whom we may giue certaine credite without any exception They say that the countrie is so full of youth that it séemeth the women are deliuered euerie moneth and their children when they are little are extreame faire and the countrie is so fertill and fat that it yeldeth fruit thrée or foure times in the yéere which is the occasion that all things is so good cheape that almost it séemeth they sell them for nothing CHAP III. Of the fertilitie of this kingdome and of such fruits and other things as it doth yeeld THe inhabitants in this countrie are perswaded of a truth that those which did first finde and inhabite in this lande were the Neuewes of Noe who after they had traueiled from Armenia wheras â—he Arke stayed wherin God did preserue their grandfather from the waters of the flood went séeking a land to their contentment and not finding a countrie of so great fertilitie and temperature like vnto this wherein was all things necessarie for the life of man without comparison they were compelled with the aboundance thereof for to inhabite therin vnderstanding that if they should search throughout all the world they should not finde the like and I thinke they were not deceiued according as now it is to be séene and what may be considered in the proces of this chapter of such fruits as the earth doth yéeld And although there is declared here of such as shall suffice in this worke yet is there left behind a great number more of whose properties as well of herbes and beasts which of their particulars may be made a great volume and I doo beléeue that in time there will be one set forth The great trauell and continual laboure of the inhabitants of this countrie is a great helpe vnto the goodnes and fertilitie thereof and is so much that they do neither
spare nor leaue mountaines nor vallies neither riuers but they do sow and plant all such things as they perceiue that the place wil yéeld according vnto the goodnesse thereof as orchards with fruite great fields of wheat barlie rice flaxe and hempe with many other things all which traueile vnto them is verie easie remembring with what great libertie they do inioy their goods and the great infinit number of people that there is as well for handie craftes as for to till and cultiuate the grounde In all this mightie countrie they doo not suffer vacabunds nor idle people but all such ouer and aboue that they are gréeuouslie punished they are holden for infamous neither doo they consent nor permit any of them that are naturally borne there to go out of their countries into other strange countries neither haue they any wars at this present which was the thing that in times past did consume much of their people The king dooth content himselfe onely with his owne kingdome as one that is helde the wisest in all the world Beside all this they are naturally inclined to eate and drinke wel and to make much of themselues in apparell to haue their houses well furnished with houshold stuffe and to the augmenting hereof they doo put themselues in great labor trauaile and are great dealers and trafickers al which with the fertilitie of the countrie aboue said is the occasion that iustlie it may haue the name to be the most fertilest in all the whole world This country doth yéeld all kind of herbs as doth Spaine and of many kindes mo also all manner of fruites like as in Spaine with diuers other sorts the names whereof are not yet knowne for that they do differ very much from ours but yet the one and the other are of a marueilous excellent tast as they doo say They haue thrée sorts of Orenges the one verie swéete which doth excéede sugar in their swéetnesse the other sort not so swéet as the first the third sort are somewhat sower but verie delightfull in the tast Also they haue a kinde of plummes that they doo call Lechias that are of an excéeding gallant tast and neuer hurteth any body although they should eate a great number of them It yeldeth great aboundance of great melons and of an excellent sauour and tast and verie bigge Also a kinde of russet appels that be very great of a good tast I doo not heere declare of other fruites nor of their names because I will not séeme tedious vnto the reader nor spende the time herein but will treat of other things of more importance In all parts of this kingdome there is great store of sugar which is the occasion that it is so good cheape for you shall haue a quintall of verie excellent white and good sugar when it is most déerest for the value of sixe ryals of plate There is great abundance of honie for that their delight is in hiues by reason whereof not only honie but waxe is very good cheape and there is so great quantity therof that you may lade ships yea fléetes thereof They do make great store of silke and excellent good and giue it verie perfite colours which dooth exceed very much the silke of Granada and is one of the greatest trades that is in all that kingdome The veluets damaskes sattens and other sortes of webs which is there made is of so small price that it is a wonder to speake it in especiall vnto them that doo know how their prises be in Spaine and in Italie They do sell none of their silkes there by the yard neither any other kinde of websterie though it be lynnen but by the waight wherin there is least deceit They haue great store of flaxe wherwith the common people doo apparell themselues also hempe for the cawlking of their ships and to make ropes and hasers And on their drie and tough landes although they be stonie they gather great stoore of cotton wooll They doo sowe wheate barlie rye and oates and manie other kindes of graine and the one and the other doo yeelde great increase In the marrish groundes of which there be many by reason of moyst and great aboundance of riuers that be in this countrie they doo sowe rice which is a common victuall or mantiniment vnto all people of the kingdome and vnto them that dwell neere them and they doo gather so greate aboundance that when it is most dearest you shall haue a haneg for a ryall of plate of the which and of all other graines aforesaid the countrie was woont to yéeld thrée and foure times in the yéere there increase On their high grounds that are not good to be sowne there is great store of pine trées which yéelde fruit very sauorie chestnuts greater and of better tast then commonly you shall â—inde in Spaine and yet betwixt these trees they do sow Maiz which is the ordinarie foode of the Indians of Mexico and Peru and great store of Panizo so that they doe no leaue one foote of grounde vnsowen And of trueth almost in all the whole countrie you shall not finde any ground that is barren or without profite what by the naturall vertue of the country and also by the manuring and helping of it CHAP. IIII. Here I do proceed in the fertiltie of this kingdome and of such things as it doth yeeld BEsides the fertilitie of this countrie beforesaide all the fields be verie faire to behold and yeelde maruelous odoriferous smelles by reason of the great quantitie of sweete flowers of diuers sorts It is also garnished with the greene trees that he planted by the riues sides and brookes whereof there is great quantitie And there is planted there orchards and gardens with banketing houses of great pleasure the which they doo vse verie much for their recreation and auoyding the troubles of minde The Loytias or Gentlemen doo vse to plant great forrests and thicke woods whereas doo bréed many wilde boores bucks hares and conyes and diuers other beasts of whose skins they make very excellent furres but in especiall of Martas Ceuellinas of which there is a great number There is great aboundance of muske the which they do make of a little beast that doth feede of nothing else but of a roote which is of a maruellous smell that is called Camarus as big as a mans finger They do take them beat them with blowes till they be brused all to peeces then they do put them in a place whereas they may soonest putriâ—ie but ffâ—st they do bind very fast such parts whereas the blood may run out of their brused bones all to peeces remaining within them Then after when they thinke they be putrified then they do cut out smal peeces with skinne and all and tie them vp like â—als or cods which the Portugals who doth by them do call Papos And this is the finest that is
brought out of all Indies iâ— there be no deceit vsed in it for many times they will put amongst it small peeces of lead and other things of weight There is also great store of kyne that are so little worth that you may buy a very good one for eight â—ials of plate beefes that are bought for halfe the mony one whole venison is bought for two rials great store of hogs whose flesh is as holesome and good as our mutton in Spaine There is great aboundance of goates of other beasts that are to be eaten which is the occasion that they are of little value The flying foules that doo breed about the lakes riuers are of so great quantitie that there is spent daily in small villages in that countrie many thousands and the greatest sort of them are Teales The fashion how they do breed and bring them vp shalbe declared in a chapter particularly for that which is said shal not séeme impossible They be sold by waight likewise capons and hens for so smal value that two pounds of their flesh being plucked is woorth ordinarily two Foys which is a kinde of mony like vnto the quartes of Spaine hogs flesh two pounds for a Foy and a halfe which is 6. marauadiz Likewise all other victuals after the same rate as it doth plainly appeare by the relation made by the friers There are also many herbs for medicines as very fine Reubarbe and of great quantitie and wood called Palo de china great store of Nutmegs with the which they may lade fleetes and of so lowe a price that you may buy foure hundreth for a ryall of plate and cloues sixe pound for halfe a ryall of plate and the like in pepper Synamom one roue which is 25. pound for foure ryals of plate and better cheape I do leaue to speake of many oâ—her hearbs medicinable profitable for the vse of man for that if I should write the particular vertue of euerie of them it would require a great volume Of fish both swimming and shell fish of all sorts that they haue with them is to be wondred at not onely vpon the sea coasts but also in the remote places of that kingdome by reason of the great riuers which be nauigable vnto such places Besides all this it is verie rich of mines of golde and siluer and other mettals the which gold and siluer excepted they do sell it so good cheape that a quintal of Copper yron or stéele is to be bought for eight rials of plate Golde is better cheape there then it is in Europe but siluer is more woorth There is founde great store of pearles in all this kingdome but the most part of them are not rounde by the which you may gather and vnderstande the goodnesse and fertilitie of the same And that the first that did discouer and inhabite that kingdome were not deceiued for that they founde all things necessarie vnto the preseruing of the life of man and that in aboundance for the which with iust reason the inhabitants may thinke themselues to possesse the best and fertilest kingdome in all the whole world CHAP. V. Of the antiquitie of this kingdome AS before is said this kingdome is of so ancient antiquity that there is opinion that the first that did inhabite this countrie were the Neuewes of Noe. But the light which is found in the histories of China is that from the time of Vitey who was their first king and did reduce their kingdome vnto an empire and hath and doth indure vnto the king that now rayneth as you shall vnderstand in the place where we shall make mention of the kings of that countrie whereas you shal vnderstand by iust computation that vnto this day there hath reyned naturall and vsurped to the number of 243. kings The sonne doth succeede the father in the kingdome and for want of a sonne the next kinsman doth succéed and for that they do take after the vse of the emperors of Turkie so many wiues as pleaseth them it seldome falleth out to lacke heires for that the first sonne that is borne of either of his wiues is right heire vnto the kingdome and the rest of his sonnes he doth appoint them cities where as they do dwel priuately and there they are prouided of all things necessarie for them conformable vnto their degrées with expresse commission vpon'paine of death neuer to go out of them neither to returne vnto the court except they be sent for by the king So after this conclusion all those that are kinsâ—olke vnto the king are resident and kept in a mightie and populous citie called Causi whereas those whome the king and his counsel do thinke and sâ—e to be men of great wisedome or giuen to martiall affaires they doo commande that they neuer goe forth of their houses to auoide occasions of suspition whereby might grow alterations and treasons against the king The dwelling places of these prouinces are mightie and of a huge bignesse for that within the compasse of them they haue all manner of contentment necessary for them as gardens orchards fishing ponds of diuers sorts parkes and groues in the which are all kinde of flying foules fish and beasts as are to be found in the mountaines and riuers And it is walled round about with a stone wall so that euery house of these séemeth to be a towne They giue themselues much vnto musike wherewith they doo passe away the time And for that they are giuen to pleasure and ease they are commonly corpulent and fatte verie faire conditioned and quiet liberall vnto strangers These princes in what place so euer they are the gouernours of the cities are bound to visite them euery festiuall day Likewise if they doo passe on horsebacke by their doores they must alight and walke on foote while they haue passed it and if they be borne in a litle chaire likewise to come out of the same and to walke on foote with silence till they be past And for that they shall not plead ignorance the gates of these princes houses are all painted red so that they being brought vp from their youth in this straight close and idle life it is not vnto them tedious but dooth rather reioyce in the same CHAP. VI. The bignesse of this kingdome of China and of such measures as they do vse in trauaile THis mightie kingdome which we commonly call China without knowing any cause or foundation wherefore we should so cal it Those countries neere ioyning vnto the same do call it Sangley and they in their naturall toonge do cal it Taybiner the which is to be vnderstood nothing but a kingdome and is the most biggest and populous that is mentioned in all the world as it shalbe apparant in the discourse of this hystorie and in the wonderfull things that shalbe treated of in the next chapter following All the which is taken out of the bookes and
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.
runneth from the West vnto East The king of that countrie which made it was called Tzintzon and it was for his defence against the Tartaries with whome he had warres so that the wall doth shut vp all the frontier of Tartaria But you must vnderstande that foure hundred leagues of the saide wall is naturall of it selfe for that they be high and mightie rockes verie nigh together but the other hundred leagues is comprehended the spaces or distance that is betwixt the rockes the which he caused to be made by mens handes of verie strong worke of stone and is of seuen fathom brode at the foote of it and seuen fathom high It beginneth at the partes of the sea in the prouince of Canton and stretcheth foorth by that of Paguia and Causay and doth firnish in the prouince of Susuan This king for to finish this wonderful worke did take of euerie thrée men one thorough his kingdome and of â—iue two who for that they trauailed in their labour so long a iourney and into different clymes although that out of those prouinces that were nearest there came great store of people yet did they almost all perish that followed that worke The making of this superbious and mightie worke was the occasion that his whole kingdome did rise vp against the king and did kill him after that he had raigned fortie yeares and also a sonne of his that was called Aguitzi The report of this wall is helde to be of a verie truth for that it is affirmed by all the Chinos that doo traficke to the Ilands Philippinas and to Canton and Machao and bee all confirmable in their declaration as witnesses because they haue seene it and it is the farthest parts of all the kingdome whereas none of vs vnto this day hath béene CHAP. X. Of the dispositions countenance with apparell and other exercises of the people of this countrie BOth men and women of this countrie are of a good disposition of their bodies well proportioned and gallant men somewhat tall they are all for the most part brode faced little eyes and â—lat noses and without bearde saue onely vppon the ball of the chinne but yet there be some that haue great eyes and goodly beardes and their faces well proporcioned yet of these sorts in respect of the others are verie few and it is to bée beléeued that these kinde of people doo procéede of some strange nation who in times past when it was lawfull to deale out of that countrie did ioyne one with another Those of the prouince of Canton which is a whot country be browne of colour like to the Moores but those that be farther within the countrie be like vnto Almaines Italians and Spanyardes white and redde and somwhat swart All of theÌ„ do suffer their nailes of their left hande to grow very long but the right hand they do cut they haue long haire estéeme it very much maintaine it with curiositie of both they make a superstition for that they say thereby they shalbe carried into heauen They do binde their haire vp to the crowne of their heade in calles of golde verie curious and with pinnes of the same The garments which the nobles and principals do vse bee of silke of different colours of the which they haue excellent good and verie persite the common and poore people doo apparell themselues with another kinde of silke more courser and with linnen serge and cotton of all the which there is great aboundance And for that the countrie for the most part is temperate they may suffer this kinde of apparell which is the heauiest that they doo vse for in all the whole kingdome they haue no cloth neither doo they suffer it to bee made although they haue great aboundance of woolles and very good cheape they do vse their coates according vnto our old vse of antiquitie with long skirts and full of plaites and a flappe ouer the brest to be made fast vnder the left side the sleeues verie bigge and wide vpon their coates they doo vse cassockes or long garments according vnto the possibilitie of either of them made according as wee do vse but only their sleeues are more wider They of royall bloode and such as are constituted vnto dignitie do differ in their apparell from the other ordinarie Gentlemen for that the first haue their garments laide on with gold and siluer downe to the waste and the others alonely garnished on the edges or hem they do vse hose verie well made and stitched shooes and buskins of veluet verie curious In the winter although it be not verie colde they haue their garments furred with beasts skins but in especiall with Martas Ceuellinas of the which they haue great aboundance as aforesaide and generally they do vse them at all times about their necks They that be not married doo differ from them that be married in that they do kirrle their haire on their foreheade and weare higher hattes Their women doo apparell themselues verie curiousâ—ie much after the fashion of Spaineâ— they vse many iewels of gold pretious stones their gownes haue wide sleeues that wherwith they do apparell themselues is of cloath of gold and siluer and diuers sorts of silkes whereof they haue great plentie as aforesaid and excellent good and good cheape and the poore folkes doo apparell themselues with veluet vnshorne veluet and serge They haue verie faire haire and doo combe it with great care and diligence as do the women of Genouay and do binde it about their heade with a broad â—ilke lace set full of pearles and pretious stones and they say it doth become them verie well they doo vse to paint themselues and in some place in excesse Amongst them they account it for gentilitie and a gallant thing to haue little féete and therefore from their youth they do swadell and binde them verie straight and do suffer it with patience for that she who hath the least féete is accounted the gallantest dame They say that the men hath induced them vnto this custome for to binde their féete so harde that almost they doo loose the forme of them and remaine halfe lame so that their going is verie ill and with great trauell which is the occasion that they goe but little abroad and fewe times doo rise vp from their worke that they do and was inuented onely for the same intent This custome hath indured manie yeares and will indure many more for that it is stablished for a law and that woman which doth breake it and not vse it with her children shalbe counted as euill yea shalbe punished for the same They are very secreat and honest in such sort that you shall not sée at any time a woman at her window nor at her doores and if her husband doo inuite any person to dinner she is neuer séene nor eateth not at the table except the gest be a kinsman or a very friende when they go abroade
two the which being interpreted christianly may be vnderstoode to be the mysterie of the holy trinitie that wee that are christians doo worship and is part of our faith the which with other things séemeth somwhat to be respondent to our holy sacred and christian religion so that of verie truth we may presume that saint Thomas the Apostle did preach in this kingdome who as it is declared in the lesson on his day After that he had receiued the holy ghost and preached the holy gospel vnto the Parthes Medes Persas Brachmanes and other nations he went into the Iudias whereas he was martyred in the citie of Calamina for his faith and holy gospel that he preached It is verified that when this glorious apostle did passe into the Indies hee trauelled through this kingdome of China where as it appeareth he did preach the holy gospel and mysterie aforesaid of the holy trinitie whose picture in the manner aforesaid doth indure vnto this day although those people by the great and long blindnesse which they are in with their errors and idolatrie doo not perfectly knowe what that figure with thrée heads doth represent or signifie The better for to beléeue that which is said or at least to vnderstande that it is so is that it is found in the writings of the Armenians that amongst them are in reputation and of great authoritie there it saith that this glorious apostle did passe through this kingdome of China when he went into the Indies where he was martyred that he did preach there the holy gospell although it did profite verie little for that the people were out of order and occupied in their warres and therefore this Apostle did passe into the Indies and left some of the countrie although but a few baptised and instructed that when it should please God they might haue occasion to perseuer in that which was taught them They haue also amongst them as it is said certaine pictures after the fashion and with the ensignes of the twelue apostles which is a helpe to the verifying of that aforesaide although if you doo aske of the people who they are they doo answere that they were men and great philosophers that did liue vertuouslie and therfore they are made angels in heauen They doo also vse amongst them the picture of a woman verie faire with a man childe in her armes whereof they say shée was deliuered and yet remained a virgine and was daughter vnto a mightie king they doo reuerence her verie much and do make prayer vnto her more then this they cannot say of this mysterie but that she liued a holy life and neuer sinned Frier Gaspar de la Cruz a Portugall of the order of saint Dominicke was in the citie of Canton where he did write many things of this kingdome and with great attention whom I do follow in many things in the proces of this hystorie and he saith that he being vpon a small Iland that was in the middest of a mightie riuer there was a house in manner of a monastery of religious people of that country and being in it he saw certaine curious things of great antiquitie amongst them he saw a chappel like vnto an oratorie or place of prayer verie well made and curiouslie dressed it had certaine staires to mount into it and compassed about with gilte grates and was made fast and looking vpon the altar the which was couered with a cloth verie rich hee sawe in the midedst of the same an image of a woman of a meruailous perfection with a childe hauing his armes about hir necke and there was burning before her a lampe he being amased at this sight he did demande the signification but there was none that could declare more thereof then that which is saide before Of this which hath ben said it is easily to be beléeued how that the apostle S. Thomas did preach in this kingdom for that it is séene these people haue conserued these traditions many yeares past and doo conserue the same which is a signe token that they had some notice of the true God whose shadows they do represent There is amongst them many errors and without anie foundation and is not of them to be séene nor perceiued til such time as by faith they shall knowe the right God as may bee séene in the chapters where we shall speake of these matters CHAP. II. I do prosecute the religion they haue and of the Idols they do worship OUer and aboue that which is saiâ—e these Idolaters and blind people being men so prudent wise in the gouernement of their common wealth and so subtill and ingenious in all arts yet they do vse many other things of so great blindnes and so impertinent that it doth make them to woonder which attentiuelie doo fall in the consideration yet is it not much to be meruailed at considering that they are without the cléere light of the true Christian religion without the which the subtilest and delicatest vnderstandings are lost and ouerthrowne Generally amongst them they doo vnderstand that the heauen is the creator of all things visible and inuisible and therefore they do make a shew of it in the first caract or letter of the crosse row that the heauen hath a gouernour to rule all such things as are comprehended there aboue whom they call Laocon Tzautey which is to be vnderstood in their language the gouernour of the great and mightie God this they do worship as the principall next vnto the sun They say that this gouernour was not begotten but is eternal and hath no body but is a spirit Likewise they do say that with this there is another of the same nature whom they call Causay and is like wise a spirit and vnto this is giuen power of the lower heauen in whose power dependeth the life and death of man This Causay hath thrée subiectes whom he doth commande and they say they bee likewise spirites and they doo aide and helpe him in things touching his gouernement They are called Tauquam Teyquam Tzuiquam either of them hath distinct power the one ouer the other they say that Tauquam hath charge ouer the raine to prouoke water for the earth and Teyquam ouer humane nature to bring forth mankinde ouer warres sowing the ground and fruites And Tzuiquam ouer the seas and all nauigators They doo sacrifice vnto them and doo craue of them such things as they haue vnder their charge and gouernement for the which they do offer them victuals swéete smels frontals and carpets for their altars likewise they promise many vowes and represent plaies and comedies before their Idols the which they do verie naturallie Besides this they haue for saints such men as haue surmounted other in wisedome in valour in industrie or in leading a solitarie or asper life or such as haue liued without doing euill to any And in their language they cal them Pausaos which be such as
we do call holy men They likewise doo sacrifice vnto the diuell not as though they were ignorant that he is euill or condemned but that he shoulde doo them no harme neither on their bodies nor goods They haue manie strange gods of so great a number that alonely for to name them is requisite a large hystorie and not to be briefe as is pretended in this booke And therefore I will make mention but of their principals whom besides those which I haue named they haue in great reuerence The first of these they doo call Sichia who came from the kingdome of Tranthlyco which is towards the west this was the first inuenter of such religious people as they haue in their countrie both men and women and generally doth liue without marrying in perpetuall closenesse And all such as doo immitate this profession do weare no haire which number is great as hereafter you shall vnderstand and they greatly obserue that order left vnto them The next is called Quanina and was daughter vnto the king Tzonton who had thrée daughters two of them were married and the third which was Quanina hee woulde also haue married but she would neuer consent thereunto saying that she had made a vow to heauen to liue chast whereat the king her father was verie wroth and put her into a place like vnto a monasterie whereas she was made to carrie wood and water and to worke and make cleane an orcharde that was there The Chinos do tell many tales of this maide for to be laughed at saying that the apes came from the mountaines for to helpe her and how that saints did bring her water and the birds of the aire with their bylles did make cleane her orchard and that the great beastes came out of the mountaines and brought her woode Her father perceiuing that imagining that she did it by witchcraft or by some art of the diuell as it might well bee commanded to set fire on that house whereas she was then she séeing that for her cause that house was set on fire she would haue destroyed her selfe with a siluer pinne which she had to trim vp her haire but vpon a sodaine at that instant there fel a great shower of raine and did put out the fire and shee departed from thence and hid her selfe in the mountaines whereas she liued in great penance and led a holy life And her father in recompence of the great sinne and euill he committed against her was turned to a lepar and full of wormes in such sort that there was no phisition that could cure him by reason whereof hee was constrained to repaire vnto his daughter to séeke cure which being aduised of the same by reuelation of a deuine spirit then her father being certified thereof did craue pardon at her handes and did repent him verie much of that which he had done and did worshippe vnto her the which she séeing resisted her father therein and put a saint before him that he should worship it and not her and therewith shee straight waies returned vnto the mountaines whereas she died in great religion This they haue amongest them for a great saint and doe pray vnto her to get pardon for their sinnes of the heauen for that they do beleeue that she is there Besides this they haue another saint which they call Neoma and was borne in a towne called Cuchi in the prouince of Ochiam This they saye was daughter vnto a principall man of that Towne and would neuer marrie but left her owne naturall soyle and went vnto a little Iland which is right ouer against Ingoa whereas she liued a verie straight life and shewed manie false miracles· The occasion why they haue her in reputation of a saint is There was a certaine Captaine of the king of China whose name was Compo he was sent vnto a kingdome not farre from thence to make warre against the king It so chaunced that he with his nauie came to an anker at Buym and being readie to departe hee would haue wayed his ankers but by no meanes he could not mooue them being greatly amazed thereat and looking foorth he sawe this Neoma sitting on them Then the Captaine came vnto her and told her with great humilitie that hee was going to warres by commandement of the king And that if so be she were holie that she would giue him counsell what were best for him to do to whom she answered and sayd that if he would haue the victorie ouer them that hee went to conquer that he should carrie her with him He did performe that which she said and carried her with him vnto that kingdome whose inhabitantes were great Magicians and threw oyle into the sea and made it séeme that their shippes were all on fire This Neoma did worke by the same art and did vndoe that which the other did practise or imagine in such sort that their magicke did profitte them nothing neither could they doe anie harme vnto them of China The which being perceiued by them of y ◠kingdome they did yeeld themselues to be subiectes and vassales vnto the king of China The Captaine beléeued this to be a myracle yet notwithstanding he did coniure her as one of good discretion for that thinges might fall out to the contrarie and the better to certifie his opinion whereby hee might the better giue relation thereof vnto the king he said Ladie turne me this rodde the which I haue in my hand drie to become gréene and florishing and if you can so do I will worship you for a saint Then she at that instant did not onely make it gréene but also to haue an odoriferous smell The which rod hee put vpon the poope of his ship for a remembrance and for that he had a verie prosperous and good viage he did attribute it vnto her So that vnto this day they haue her in reputation of a saint and carrie her picture vpon the poope of their ships and such as be traueilers to the sea doo offer vnto her sacrifices These aforesaide they doo estéeme for their principall saints yet besides all these they haue an infinite number of carued idols which they doo place vpon alters in their tempels the quantitie of them is such that in my presence it was affirmed by frier Geronimo Martin he that entred into China and is a man of great credite woorthy to giue credite vnto that amongst many other things he was in one of their temples in the cittie of Vcheo where as hee did count one hundred and twelue idols and besides this they haue manie in the high wayes and stréetes and vppon their principall gates of the citie the which they haue in small veneration as you shall perceiue in this chapter following whereby it is plainelie to be séene in what subiection they are vnto errours and Idolatrie such as doo lacke the trueth of true Christian religion CHAP. III. How little they doo esteeme their Idols whome they worshippe
THese miserable Idolaters doo so little estéeme their Idols that it is a great hope and confidence that at what time so euer the gospel shal haue any entry into that country straightwayes they will leaue off all their superstitions in particular in casting of lots which is a thing much vsed throughout all that kingdome also this will be a great helpe thereunto for that they are generally men of good vnderstanding and ducible and subiect vnto reason in so ample sort as is declared by that religious dominicke aforesaid he being in Canton in a temple whereas they were sacrificing vnto their Idols being mooued with great zeale to the honour of God did throw certaine of them downe to the grounde When these Idolaters did sée his boldnesse which séemed vnto them to be without reason they laide hands on him with an infernall furie with determination for to kill him then he did request of them that before they did execute it that they would heare what he would say the which his petition séemed vnto the principals that were there to bee iust and commanded all the people to withdrawe themselues and to heare what he woulde say Then he with the spirit that God did put in him said that they should aduertise themselues for that God our Lorde and creator of heauen and earth had giuen vnto them so good vnderstandings and did equall them vnto the politikest nations in all the world that they should not imploy it vnto euil neither subiect themselues to worship vnto stones and blocks of wood which haue no discourse of reason more then is giuen them by the workmen that did make them and it were more reason the idols should reuerence worship men because they haue their similitude likenesse with these words and other such like in effect they were all quieted and did not only approoue his saying to be true but did giue him great thankes excusing themselues saying that vntill that time there was none that euer did giue them to vnderstand so much neither how they did euill in doing their sacrifices and in token of gratefulnes leauing their idols on the ground and some broken all to pieces they did beare him company vnto his lodging Hereby you may vnderstand with what facilitie by the helpe of almightie God they may be reduced vnto our catholike faith opening by the light of the gospel the doore which the diuell hath kept shut by false delusions so long time although the king with all his gouernors and ministers hath great care that in all that kingdome there be none to induce nouelties neither to admit strangers or any new doctrin without license of the said king of his roial counsel vpon pain of death the which is executed with great rigor They are people very ducible and apt to bee taught and easie to bee turned from their idolatrie superstition false gods the which they haue in smal veneratiō as aforesaid With great humility they do receiue approoue corrections of their weaknes do know the vauntage that is betwixt the gospell and their rites and vanities and do receiue the same with a verie good will as it hath béene and is séene in manie Chinos that haue receiued baptisme in the Citie of Manila vpon one of the Ilands Philippinas whereas they do dwell and leaue their owne naturall countrie for to enioy that which they vnderstande to bee for the saluation of their soules So that those who haue receiued baptisme are become verie good Christians CHAP. IIII. Of lots which they doe vse when they will doe anie thing of importance and howe they doe inuocate or call the diuell THe people of this countrie do not alonely vse superstitions but they are also great Augurisers or tellers of fortunes and do beléeue in auguries as a thing most certaine and infallible but in especiall by certaine lots which they do vse at all times when they beginne any iorney or for to doe any thing of importaunce as to marie a sonne a daughter or lend anie money or buy any lands or deale w t merchandise or any other thing whose end is incertaine or doubtfull In all these matters they do vse lottes the which they do make of two sticks flat on the one side and round on the other and being tyed togither with a small thréede throwe them before their Idols But before they do throwe them they do vse great ceremonies in talke and vse amorous and gentle wordes desiring them to giue them good fortune For by them they doe vnderstand the successe to be good or euill in their iourney or any other thing that they do take in hande Likewise they do promise them if they do giue them good fortune to offer vnto them victuales frontalles or some other thing of price This being done they throwe downe their lots and if it so fall out that the flat side be vpper or one flat side and the other round they haue it for an euill signe or token Then they returne vnto their Idols and say vnto them manie iniurious words calling them dogs infamous villaines and other names like in effect After they haue vttered vnto them all iniuries at their pleasure then they beginne againe to fawne vpon them and intreat them with milde and swéet words crauing pardon of that which is past and promising to giue them more gifts then before they did if their lot do fal out wel Then in the like manner as before they do procéed and throw the lots before the idols but if it fal not out according vnto their expectation then they returne againe with vituperous and vile words but if to their desire then with great praises and promises But when that in matters of great importance it is long before their lots do fall well then they take them and throwe them to the grounde and treade vppon them or else throwe them into the sea or into the fire whereas they let them burne a while and sometimes they doo whippe them vntill such time as the lottes doo fall as they woulde haue them which is the rounde side vpwards and is a token of good successe vnto that for which they do cast their lottes Then if the lottes doo fall out vnto their content they doo make vnto them great feastes with musicke and songes of great praise and doo offer vnto them géese duckes and boyled rise But if the thing whereon they doo cast their lottes bée of importance then they doo offer vnto them a hogges heade boyled dressed with hearbes and flowers the which is estéemed aboue all other thinges and therewith a great pot with wine Of all that they doo offer they doo cut off their billes and the clawes of the fowles and the hogges snowte and do throw vpon it graines of rise and sprinkling it it with wine they set it in dishes vpon the altar and there they do eate and drinke making great feast and chéere before their idols Another
making that the soule dooth mooue out of one into another as certaine old philosophers did affirme it to bee who were as blind and as far from the truth as they CHAP. VII Of their temples and of certaine manner of religious people both men and women and of their superiours THere are found in this kingdome many moral things the which do touch verie much our religion which giueth vs to vnderstand that they are people of great vnderstanding in especial in naturall things and that it should be of a certainty that the holy apostle of whom we haue spoken did leaue amongst them by his preachings occasion for to learne manie things that do shew vnto vertue one of the which is that there is found amongst them many monasteries in their cities and townes and also in the fieldes wherein are manie men and women that do liue in great closenes and obedience after the fashioÌ„ of other religious monasteries They haue amongst theÌ„ that is knowne onely foure orders euery one of theÌ„ hath their generall who dwelleth ordinarily in the citie of Suntien or Taybin wheras is the king his counsel These their generals they doo call in their language Tricon who doo prouide for euery prouince a prouinciall to assist visite all the conuents correcting and amending such faults as is found according vnto the institution and manner of liuing This prouinciall doth ordaine in euery conuent one which is like vnto the prior or guardian whom al the rest do reuerence and obey This generall is for euer till he doo die except they doo finde in him such faults that he doth deserue to be depriued yet they do not elect their prouincials as we do vse but it is doone by the king his counsell alwayes choosing 〈◊〉 that is knowne to be of a good life and fame so that fauour carrieth nothing away This generall is apparelled all in silke in that colour that his profession dooth vse either blacke yeallow white or russet which are the fower colours that the foure orders doo vse hee neuer goeth foorth of his house but is carried in a little chaire of Iuorie or golde by foure or sixe men of his habite When any of the conuent doth talke vnto him it is on their knées they haue also amongst them a seale of their monasterie for the dispatching of such businesse as toucheth their religion These haue great rentes giuen them by the king for the sustayning of themselues and their seruants All their conuents hath great rentes in general part giuen them by the king and part of charitie giuen them in those cities or townes whereas they haue their houses the which are many and verie huge They doo aske their charitie in the stréets singing with the sounde of two little â—ords and other instruments Euery one of them when they do begge doth carrie in their hands a thing wherin are written certaine praiers that they say is for the sins of the people and all that is giuen them in charitie they lay it vpon the said thing wherewith they do vnderstand in their blinde opinion that their spirit is cleare of all sinne In general their beards and heads are shauen and they weare one sole vesture without making any difference according vnto the colour of their religion They do eate altogether haue their sels according to the vse of our friers their vestures or apparel is ordinary of serge of the saide foure colours They haue beads to pray on as the papists vse although in another order they doe assist al burials for to haue charity they do arise two houres before day to pray as our papists do their mattins and do continue in the same vntill the day doo breake they doo praie all in one voice singing in verie good order and attention and all the time of their praying they do ring belles whereof they haue in that kingdome the best and of the gallantest sounde that is in all the world by reason that they are made almost all of stéele they pray vnto the heauen whom they take for their God and vnto Sinquian who they say was the inuenter of that their manner of life and became a saint They may leaue their order at all times at their pleasure giuing their generall to vnderstand thereof But in the time that they are in that order they cannot marrye neither deale with anye women vpon paine to bee punished asperly At such time as one doth put himselfe in religion the father or next kinsman of him that taketh the order doth inuite all them of the conuent and doth make them a great and solemne banket yet you must vnderstand that the eldest sonne of any man cannot put himself in any monasterie but is prohibited by the lawes of the countrie for that the eldest sonne is bound to sustaine his father in his olde age When that any of these religious men do die they doe wash him and shaue him before they do burie him do all weare mourning apparell for him The religious man or woman that is once punished for any fault cannot afterward turne and receiue the habite at any time They haue a certaine marke giuen vnto them in token of their fault and that is a bordâ— put about their necke so that it is séene of all people Euerie morning and euening they do offer vnto their Idolles frankensence beniamin wood of aguila and cayolaque the which is maruelous swéete and other gummes of swéet and odoriferous smels When that they will lanch any ship into the water after that it is made then these religious men all apparelled with rich roabes of silke do go to make sacrifices vpon the poopes of them wheras they haue their oratories and there they doe offer painted papers of diuers figures the which they doe cut in peeces before their idols with certaine ceremonies and songes well consorted and ringing of little belles they do reuerence vnto the diuell And they do paint him in the fore castle for that he shall do no harme vnto the ships that being done they do eate and drinke till they can no more And with this they thinke it is sufficient for the shippe that all such viages as shee shall make shall succéede well the which they haue amongst them for a thing most certaine and if they did not blesse them in this order all things would fall out to the contrarie CHAP. VIII The order that they haue in burying of the dead and the mourning apparell they haue IT séemeth vnto me not farre from our purpose to declare in this place how they vse in this kingdome to burie the dead it is surely a thing to be noted the maner is as foloweth WheÌ„ that any one doth die at the very instant y t he yéeldeth vp y e gost they do wash his bodie all ouer from top to toe then do they apparell him with the best apparell that he had all perfumed with swéet smels TheÌ„ after he
is apparelled they do set him in y e best chaier that he hath then coÌ„meth vnto him his father mother brethren sisters children who knéeling before him they do take their leaue of him shedding of many teares making of great moane euery one of theÌ„ by themselues Then after them in order commeth all his kinsfolkes friends and last of all his seruants if â—e had any who in like case do as the other before This being done they do put him into a coffin or chest made of verie swéete wood in that countrie you haue verie much they do make it very close to auoid the euil smel Then do they put him on a table with two bankes in a chamber verie gallantly dressed and hanged with the best clothes that can be gotten couering him with a white shéete hanging downe to the ground whereon is painted the dead man or woman as naturall as possible may be But first in the chamber whereas the bead bodie is or at the entrie they set a table with candles on it and full of bread fruits of diuers sorts And in this order they kéepe him aboue ground 15. daies in y t which time euery night commeth thether their priests religious men whereas they sing praiers and offer sacrifices with other ceremonies they bring with them many painted papers and do burne them in the presence of the dead bodie with a thousand superstitions witchcraftes they do hang vpon cordes which they haue for the same purpose of the same papers before him many times do shake them make a great noyse with the which they say it doth send the soule straight vnto heauen In the end of the 15. daies all which time the tables are continually furnished with victuals wine which the priests their kinsfolkes and friends that do come to visite theÌ„ do eat These ceremonies being ended they take the coffin with the dead bodie carrie him into the fields accompanied with all his kinsfolks friends with their priests religious men carrying candles in their hands wheras ordinarily they do burie theÌ„ on a mountaine in sepultures that for the same purpose in their life time they caused to be made of stone masons worke that being doone straight waies haâ—d by y e sepulture they do plant a pine trée in y e which place there be many of them they be neuer cut downe except they be ouerthrowne with the weather after they be fallen they let them lie till they consume of theÌ„selues for that they be sanctified The people y t do beare him company to the graue do go in very good order like a procession haue with them many instruments which neuer leaue playing till such time as the dead is put into the sepulcher And that burial which hath most priests musicke is most sumptuous wherin they were woont to spend great riches They sing to the sound of the instrumeÌ„ts many orations vnto their Idols and in the end they do burne vpon the sepulcher many papers whereon is painted slaues horse gold siluer silkes many other things the which they say that the dead body doth possesse in the other world whether he goeth to dwell At such time as they do put him into y e graue they doe make great bankets sports with great pastime saying of a truth that looke what soeuer they do at that time the angels saints that are in heauen doe the like vnto the soule of the dead that is there buried Their parents familiars and seruants in all this time doo weare mourning apparell the which is verie asper for that their apparell is made of a verie course wolle weare it next vnto their skins girt vnto them with cords and on their heads bunnets of the same cloth with verges brode like vnto a hat hanging downe to their eyes for father or mother they do weare it a hole yeare and some two yeares if his son be a gouernor with licence of the king he doth withdraw himself many times leauing the office he hath the which they estéeme a great point of honor haue it in greaâ— account and such as are not so much in aliance do apparell theÌ„ in died linnen certaine monethes Likewise their parents and friendes although these doo weare it but for the time of the buriall CHAP. IX Of their ceremonies that they vse in the celebrating the marriages THe people of this kingdome haue a particular care to giue state vnto their children in time before that they be ouercome or drowned in vices or lasciuious liuing The which care is the occasion that in this countrie being so great there is lesse vice vsed than in any other smaller countries whose ouer much care doth cause them many times to procure to marrie their children being verie yoong yea and to make consort before they bee borne with signes tokens making their writings and bandes for the performance of the same in publike order In all this kingdome yea and in the Ilands Philippinas it is a customable vse that the husband doth giue dowrie vnto the wife with whom he doth marrie and at such time as they doe ioyne in matrimonie the father of the bride doth make a great feast in his owne house and doth inuite to the same the father and mother kinsfolkes and friends of his sonne in lawe And the next day following the father of the bridegrome or his next parent doth the like vnto the kinsfolkes of the bride These bankets being finished the husbande doth giue vnto his wife her dowrie in the presence of them all and she doth giue it vnto her father or mother if she haue them for the paines they tooke in the bringing her vp Whereby it is to be vnderstoode that in this kingdome and in those that doe confine on it those that haue most daughters are most richest so that with the dowries their daughters do giue them they may well sustaine themselues in their necessitie and when they die they doo giue it that daughter that did giue it them that it may remaine for their children or otherwise vse it at their willes A man may marrie with so manie wiues as he can sustaine so it be not with his sister or brothers daughter and if any doo marrie in these two degrées they are punished very rigorously Of all their wiues the first is their legitimate wife and all the rest are accompted but as lemanes or concubines These married men doo liue and kéepe house with his first wife and the rest he doth put in other houses or if he be a merchant then he doth repart them in such villages or townes whereas hee doth deale in who are vnto him as seruantes in respect of the first When the father doth die the eldest sonne by his first wife doth inherite the most part of all his goods and the rest is reparted in equall partes amongest the other children
considered and in my opinion this is not the least that is contayned in this chapter which is such order as the king and his counsell hath giuen that the poore may not go a begging in the stréetes nor in the temples whereas they make orations vnto their Idols for the auoyding therof the king hath set downe an order vpon great and gréeuous penaltie to be executed vpon the saide poore if they do begge or craue in the stréetes and a greater penaltie vpon the citizens or townes men if they do giue vnto any such that beggeth but must incontinent go and complaine on them to the Iustice who is one that is called the Iustice of the poore ordayned to punish such as doo breake the lawe and is one of the principallest of the citie or towne and hath no other charge but only this And for that the townes be great and many and so full of people and an infinite nomber of villages whereas it cannot be chosen but there is many borne lame and other misfortunes so that he is not idle but alwaies occupied in giuing order to remedie the necessities of the poore without breaking of the lawe This Iudge the first day that hee doth enter into his office hee commaundeth that whatsoeuer children be borne a créeple in any part of his members or by sicknes be taken lame or by any other misfortune that incontinent their fathers or mothers doo giue the Iudge to vnderstande thereof that he may prouide for all things necessarie according vnto the ordinance and will of the king and his counsell the which is the man child or woman child being brought before him and seene the default or lacke that it hath if it be so that with the same it may exercise any occupation they giue and limit a time vnto the parents for to teach the child that occupation ordayned by the Iudge and it is such as with their lamenes they may vse without any impediment the which is accomplished without faile but if it so be that his lamenes is such that it is impossible to learne or exercise any occupation this Iudge of the poore doth commaund the father to sustaine and maintaine him in his owne house all the dayes of his life if that hee hath wherewithall if not or that hee is fatherlesse then the next rich kinsman must maintaine it if he hath none such then doth all his parents and kinsfolkes contribute and pay their partes or giue of such thinges as they haue in their houses But if it hath no parentes or they be so poore that they cannot contribute nor supply any part therof then doth the king maintaine them in verie ample manner of his owne costes in hospitalles verie sumptuous that he hath in euerie citie throughout his kingdome for the same effect and purpose in the same hospitalles are likewise maintayned all such néedie and olde men as haue spent all their youth in the wars and are not able to maintaine themselues so that to the one and the other is ministred all that is néedefull and necessarie and that with great diligence and care and for the better accomplishing of the same the Iudge doth put verie good order and dooth appoint one of the principallest of the citie or towne to be the administrator without whose licence There is not one within that hospitall that can goe foorth of the limittes for that licence is not granted vnto anie neyther doo they demaund it for that there they are prouided of all thinges necessarie so long as they doo liue as well for apparell as for victualles Besides all this the olde folkes and poore men within the hospitall doo bring vpp hennes chickens and hogges for their owne recreation and profit wherein they doo delight themselues The Iudge doth visite often times the administrator by him appointed Likewise the Iudge is visited by an other that commeth from the court by the appointment of the king and the counsell to the same effect and to visite all such hospitalles as bee in the prouinces limited in his commission and if they doo finde any that hath not executed his office in right and iustice then they doo displace them and punishe them verie rigorouslie by reason whereof all such officers haue great care of their charges and liue vprightly hauing before their eyes the straight account which they must giue and the cruell rewarde if to the contrarie The blinde folkes in this countrie are not accounted in the number of those that of necessitie are to bee maintayned by their kinsfolkes or by the king for they are constrayned to worke as to grind with a querne wheate or rice or to blowe smythes bellowes or such like occupations that they haue no néede of their sight And if it be a blind woman when the commeth vnto age she doth vse the office of women of loue of which sorâ—e there are a great number in publike places as shall bee declared in the Chapter for that purpose These haue women that doo tende vpon them and doo paint and trim them vp and they are such that with pure age did leaue that office So by this order in all this kingdome although it be great and the people infinite yet there is no poore that doo perish nor begge in the stréetes as was apparant vnto the austen and barefoote fryers and the rest that went with them into that countrie The third booke and historie of the great and mightie kingdome of China in the which is contayned many notable things woorthie to be considered of touching morall and pollitike matters CHAP. I. How manie kinges hath beene in this kingdome and their names IN the fourth Chapter of the first booke I did promise particularly to declare howe many kinges haue béene in this kingdome and their names Nowe to accomplish the same I will beginne and declare the succession of them from Vitey who was the first that did reduce the kingdome to one empire gouernment vnto him that dooth reigne at this daye remitting that which shall lacke vnto the Chapter aforesaide whereas shall be found the number of the kinges and how many yeares since the first beginning of this kingdome and the manner of the succession This Vitey was the first king of China as it appeareth by their histories where as they doo make particular mention But amongest other thinges that they do declare of the kinges person they do say that he was in height so much as seuen mesures which is accustomed in China and euerie measure is two thirdes of a Spanish vare which is by good account foure vares and two terses in length he was sixe palmes broade in the shoulders and was as valiant in his déedes as in bignesse of his bodie he had a Captaine called Lincheon who was not onely valiant but politike and of great wisedome by reason whereof with his valour and strength he did subiect vnto Vitey all the whole countrie that he doth nowe possesse and
may preuent wars which be offered by princes adiacent vnto him or anie other whatsoeuer But in especiall with the Tartarians with whom they haue had continuall wars many yeare Although at this day that the Tartarians doo feare him very much in such sort as he thinketh it best to kéepe him for his friende and doth acknowledge vnto him a certain maner of vassalage And although at this present and long time since he hath bin and is without any occasion of wars that should come vpon a sodain yet hath he the selfsame care diligēce of preuention as though he had many grieuous enimies to defend himselfe from or to offend them as you shall perceiue in this that followeth For besides that he hath in euery prouince his president counsell of war captaine generall and others ordinarie to take vp people and ordaine their campes squadrons as well by sea as by land to serue at all assaies when that occasion shall serue So likewise he hath in euery city captaines and souldiers for their particular garde defence and doo range watch to set their garde in order both day night as though their enimies were at the gates This military order they do vse and maintaine in such sort that no nation knowne may be compared vnto them Although speaking generally according vnto the relation of certaine spanish souldiers that were there and did many times sée them there be other nations that do excéed them both in valiantnesse courage and worthinesse of mind They haue at the gates of all their cities their squadrons who let the entrie and going out of any whatsoeuer except he haue licence of the iustice of that citie or towne brought them in writing the which gates they do shut and open by order and licence of their captaines which is sent vnto them euery day written in whited tables and their fine vnto it These gates are the force of all the cittie and thereon is planted all the artilerie they haue nigh vnto the which gate is ordinarily the house whereas they are sounded or made At night when they do shut their gates they do glew papers vpon the ioinings of them then they doo seale the papers with the seale that the gouernour or iudge of that cittie doth weare on his finger the which is done by himselfe or by some other in whom he hath great confidence and trust and they cannot open them againe in the morning vntill such time as it bee séene and acknowledged that it hath not béene touched since the night that it was put on So that if any haue any iourney to ride verie early in the morning he must go forth of the citie ouer night before the gates be shut and remaine in the suburbes for out of the cittie it is not possible to goe vntill the gates be open which is not till the sunne be vp ordinarily They do not vse any castles nor forts but great bulwarkes and gun bankes whereas they haue continuall watch and doo change by quarters according as wee do vse and the officers with a great number of souldiers do range throughout the city and bulworkes and commonly the captaines be naturall of those prouinces whereas they haue their charge giuen them in consideration that the loue they haue to their countrie doo binde them to fight to the death for the defence thereof And for that there should be more quietnesse and rest in the cities it is not permitted that any do weare weapons defensiues nor offensiues but onely such souldiers as haue the kings pay neither do they consent they should haue them in their houses neither vse any in trauaile by sea nor lande Besides all this the king hath in the citie of Taybin and Suntiem whereas hee is resident and in such cities lying there about a great number both of horsemen and footemen alwaies in a readinesse for to go with him into any place for the safegarde of his person in time of necessitie The souldiers of this kingdome are in two sorts and manners the one sort are such as bee and are naturals of the citie whereas they haue their charge and these be called in their language Cum in this place the sonne doth succéed the father and for lacke of an heire the king doth prouide one in the dead mans place Euery one of them hath his name written vpon the post of his doore and the place appointed whither he shal go when occasion shall serue enimies being against that cittie or towne The other sort of souldiers are strangers and are consorted for yeares or monethes to serue These be they that ordinarily make their watches musters and ioyne companies for the receit of the captaines these be called in their language Pon. These goe from one place vnto another whereas they are commanded to go One captaine and ancient hath charge of a thousand and a meaner captaine with his ancient a hundreth that doo depend vpon the other So that for to knowe the number of people that is in a great campe it is done with great ease in accounting the ensignes of a thousand men which are easily knowne Euery chiefe or petie captaine of these hath his house vpon the cittie wal and his name put on it and there he dwelleth so long as the warres indureth These captaines euery moneth do exercise their souldiers in marching and putting them in order sometime with quick spéed and other times more slower and to giue assalt and retyre as they are taught by the sound of the drum this they do vse continually in the time of peace as wel as in the time of warre Also how to vse their weapons which are ordinarie hargabuses pikes targets faunchers brushebilles holbards dagars and armour The horsemen do vse in the warres to carrie foure swords hanging at their saddell bowes and doo fight with two at once with great dexteritie and gallant to behold These do accustome to go into the wars accompanied with many seruants and familiar friends on foote all wel armed after the gallantest manner that possible they may These footemen be marueilous full of pollicie and ingenious in warlike or martiall affaires and although they haue some valor for to assalt and abide the enimie yet doo they profite themselues of policies deuises and instruments of fire of fire workes Thus do they vse as wel by land in their wars as by sea many homes of fire full of olde iron and arrowes made with powder fire worke with the which they do much harme and destroy their enimies The horsemen do fight with bowes and arrowes and lances and with two swordes as I haue saide before and some with hargabuses They cannot gouerne their horses very wel for that they haue but one péece of iron that is crosse in their mouthes that serueth for a bridle and for to make them stay they pull but one raine and with clapping their hands together and making of a noise before them They
following where the order howe they doo giue them the title Loytia shall bée spoken off and is amongst vs after the fashion of procéeding or commencing doctor Unto the Colleges as well Maiors as Minors the king dooth sende euerie yéere Uisâ—ters for to sée and vnderstande howe the studentes doo profite and what the masters bée with other matters touching their good gouernement In their vsitation they doo honour in wordes those whome they finde of abilitie animating them to perseuer in the same and doo put in prison and punish such as they knowe to haue abilitie and doo not profite themselues thereof and such as haue none nor will not learne they put out of the Colleges that others may occupie their places that better will imploy themselues They haue great abundance of paper the which is made of the filme of canes and with great facilitie it is verie good cheape their printed bookes are made thereof the most part of it can be written but on the one side for that it is so thinne they doo not write with pennes as wée doo made of quilles but with pennes made of canes and at the ende like a fine brush like vnto a painters pensill and although this bée their order yet haue they amongst them excellent Scriueners that grow thereby to bée verie rich When they write letters vnto anie principall person they gilde the margent of the paper and limbe it and they put the letter written into a purse made of the same paper all guilt and painted the which they shut and seale so that the letter is onely contained therein This they doo vse verie much that although one go to visite another in person yet they doo carrie a letter written in their sléeues and possible there shall not bee written in the same tenne letters and that signifieth that they doo come to kisse their handes these things are to bée solde at the bookebinders of all sortes as well for principall persons and men of authoritie as for others of meaner estate for to desire reprehend or discommende and to concluâ—e for all thinges that they will desire or haue néede of yea if it bée to defie anie bodie so that the buyer hath no more to doo but to close it vp and seale it so sende it whither his pleasure is These and manie other curiosities they doo vse as you haue heard and shall heare in the discourse of this small hystorie or at the least somewhat touched for that the breuitie that I doo pretend and will vse will not permit that I shoulde enter so farre for to declare at large but to be briefe in that I shall declare CHAP. XIIII Of the examination of such whome they preferre to the degree of Loytia which is with vs the degree of a doctor and howe they doo commence them and howe they doo beare him companie THese Uisitours of whome wee haue spoken the king and his counsaile doo sende them to viâ—ite his prouinces and amongest the greatest things that are giuen them in charge is the visitation of the Colledges and schooles which the king hath in all the principall citties as is saide the which visitour hath a particular authoritie for to commence or graduate such students as haue finished their course and are of abilitie and sufficiencie to perfourme the same They doo make them Gentlemen if they bée capable of anie charge of iustice or gouernement And for that the vse of their ceremonies is a thing woorthie to bée knowne I will heere declare the same order which Frier Martin de Herrada and his companions did sée in the citie of Aucheo at the time of their commencement At such time as the visitor hath concluded the visitation of his prouince and hath punished the malifactours and rewarded the good in the metropolitane cities hée dooth straight wayes cause proclamation to bee made that all students and scholers that doo finde themselues sufficient and haue a corage to be examined to take the degrée of Loytia the which although amongst them is vnderstoode to bee made a gentleman yet amongst vs is a doctour The day appointed being come they are all presented before the visitour who taketh all their names in a scrowle and appointeth another day for their examination This day for honour of the feast the visitor dooth inuite all the learned Loytias that are in the citie who ioyntly with him do make the examination with great rigour alwayes putting forwardes and preferring those that are skilfull in the lawes of the countrey by which they do gouerne all other faculties whatsoeuer and that they be therewithall good and vertuous And all those that they doo finde with these properties they do write their names in an other scrowle and doo appoint the day of commencement the which is done with great ceremonies and much people in whose presence the visitor in the name of the king doth giue vnto them the ensignes of degrée and dignitie to be a Loytia that is a waste or girdle bossed with gold or siluer and a hat with certaine thinges on it as shall be shewed you in the chapter following which is a signe and token that doth make the difference from the vulgar people without the which none can shewe himselfe in publike And although al be called Loytias I meane those that come to it by letters or learning and others by the warres and others by a gift of the king yet they differ the one from the other in estimation For that those of the royall counsell viceroyes gouernors and visitors are made Loytias by disputation in learning And the generall Captaines Maiors Bailifes and Testators are a gift of the kinges in recompence of some good seruice that they haue done These haue no more preheminence but onely that they haue the benefite of their priuileges and haue the dignitie of that vocation but these are neuer preferred to greater honours as the other Loytias are of these you haue in euery citie very many There be others likewise of great estimation and are put in the second degrée and are those that are made by desert in the warres and are elect and chosen by the generals by authoritie of the king for some act or worthie déede done in the wars by force of armes or such like approued by witnesse of great credite vnto whom besides the title and honour giuen vnto them they doo giue them great liuings for that no valiant or worthie déede but is had in estimation and gratified with great liberalitie which is the occasion that those which are meane souldiors are animated to imitate those that be most principall and valiant According vnto my promise I will here with as much breuitie as may bee declare vnto you the order of their commencements and how they do accompanie them after that they are made Loytias for that it is a thing worth the hearing The day appointed being come for to commence or giue degrées all the Loytias with the visitor doo
of their guestes they doo set a table euerie table standing one along by an other making a difference of the number of them according vnto the qualitie of the persons vpon the first table where sitteth he that is inuited they set the victualâ—es readie dressed swéete meates or marchpanes which is the last seruice and on the rest although they be twentie they set great store of diuerse kindes of meates all rawe as capons duckes teales hennes peeces of salt martlemas biefe gammons of bacon and many other thinges All these doo remaine vppon the tables till the banket be ended and the guestes departed then doo the seruantes of him that made the banket take all these rawe meates and carrie them before their guestes till they come vnto their houses or lodges where they doo leaue it with great ceremonies When they do make any banket to a viceroy or to any Embassadour it is with so great cost and sumptuousnes that they spend a great substance therein These bankets do commonly indure twentie daies together continuing vntill the last day as royally and as plentifully as at the first day They do celebrate all their festiual dayes in the night which is ordinarily their newe moones and they doo solemnise them with much musicke and newe inuentions But more particularly they doo celebrate the first day of the yeare which is after their account the first day of the moneth of March on this day they apparell themselues verie costlye and sumptuouslie both men and women and doo adorne themselues with all their iewelles and newe toyes and doo hang their houses and doores with carpettes and clothes of silke and cloth of golde and dresse them vppe trimme with Roses and other flowers for at that time there is great store in that Countrey likewise they doo sette at all their doores great trées on the which they doo hang manye lightes and all the triumphall arckes that bee in the streetes which bee verye manie as wee haue sayde are decked with bowes this day wherein they put manie lightes and set full of canapies of cloth of gold damaske and manie other sundrie sorts of silâ—es Their Priestes doo assist them in these â—eastes very richly apparelled and doo offer sacrifice vpon their altars vnto the heauen and vnto their idolles and they sing many songes This day dooth all people generally sport themselues with great singing and sounding of instruments in the which they are very cunning Such instruments as the Augustine fryers did sée were lutes gytternes vyalles rebbukes wayghtes virginalles harpes and flutes and other instrumentes which we doo vse although they doo differ something in the fashion of them but yet easie to be knowen They do tune their voyces vnto their instrumentes with great admiration they haue all commonly very good voyces In these feasts they do make many representations of great pastime according vnto nature with vestimentes that they haue for the purpose All the dayes that these feastes do indure their tables be full of diuerse sorts of meates as well of fish as of flesh and of all sortes of fruites and excellent good wine the which they make of the palme trée with certaine mixtures which maketh it haue an excellent good taste All the day they and their Priestes do eate drinke so much till they can no more They haue it for a thing most certaine amongest them that looke how they are in disposition that day so shall they passe the whole yeare eyther sorrowfull or merrie I omit the feastes which they make at mariages and at any good successe though they be in great number and very sumptuous because I would not be tedious in all things they couet to auoyde melancholy CHAP. XIX How they salute one an other in this countrie and of some part of their ceremonies THere is no nation in all the worlde be it neuer so barbarous that hath béene found out vntill this day without a maner of courtesie or some ceremony of salutatioÌ„ in their méetinges and visitinges or when they do assemble in any particular businesse whereof wee haue large notice by auncient histories and sufficient experience in that wee haue séene and vnderstoode in these kingdomes and prouinces which in our dayes hath béene discouered although herein as I am fully perswaded those of this kingdome do excéede all nations of the world as is affirmed by them that haue had the experience for they haue so many ceremonies and vsages of courtesie and ciuilitie amongest themâ— that they haue bookes to teach them only how they should behaue themselues in making difference of persons Of all the which such as shall séeme expedient to giue notice of I will declare in this chapter vsing therein the breuitie that this historie requireth They estéeme it a great discourtesâ—e not to salute one an other wheÌ„ they sée or meete one an other although the acquaintance betwixt them be but small The salutation that the common people do vse is when they do meete the one with the other to shut the left hande and to couer it with the right ioyning therewith their breastes together with much bowing their heades downewardes signifying that loue and amitie is as firme betwéene them as their handes are fast And that their friendshippe is not alonely in the ceremonie but also in the heart the which they giue them to vnderstande by woordes at the same time But amongest Courtyers and Gentlemen they vse an other manner of courtesie which seemeth vnto them of much more curiositie that is at such time as they doo meete they make a little staye then they cast abroad their armes and claspe their fingers together remayning in compasse humbling themselues manie times and contending one with an other about their parting for to prosecute his waye and the higher estate they are of the more is their contention When that anie meane person doth meete with a principall man who for dignitie or for any other occasion dooth acknowledge superioritie straight wayes hee dooth stay with great silence declining his head till such time as he is past by although the most part of them dooth it more for feare than for courtesie for that experience hath taught them that he that dooth it not is straightwayes punished and whipped cruelly When that any of these commeth to speake with any Loytia at the entring in at the hall whereas he is â—hee knéeleth downe declyning his head and looking vpon the ground and on this sort he goeth vpon his knees till hee come into the middest of the hall and there he stayeth and declareth his petition by worde of mouth with an humble and méeke voyce or else presenteth it by writing and hauing receiued aunswere hee dooth returne on his knées backwardes without turning his backe to the Loytia vntill hee bee quite out of the hall And if they which do méete or visite one an other be equall in dignity they shew great courtesie on both sides contending who shall surpasse in courtesie and
wordes wherein they are verie ceremonious When one doth goe to visite an other he that is visited after the visitation done doth bring the other vnto the stréete doore This custome is vsed most amongest the common people being equall in degrée or differing little Likewise they vse one thing verie strange and neuer heard of amongest other nations that is if that one doo come out of the countrie to visite an other that is in the citie or towne although he be a nigh kinsman and long time acquainted if that knocking at the doore or in the stréete hee doo meete with him whome he dooth come to visite hee beeing not well apparelled although he speake vnto him yet will hee not make any aunswere nor any resemblance that euer he sawe or knewe him before but straightwayes returneth home to his house in all haâ—te possible and doth apparell him selfe with the best apparell that he hath and then he goeth foorth and receiueth his guest and friend dissembling as though he had not before méete nor séene him This Ceremonie amongest them is infalliblie kept for that it is amongest them an auncient tradition and founded vppon their religion They giue great intertainement vnto their guestes and make them straightwayes a beuer or collation with manie sortes of conserues and fruites and good wine and an other kinde of drinke that is generally vsed thorough out the whole kingdome and is made of diuerse physicall hearbes good to comfort the heart the which they warme when they drinke thereof These Ceremonies they vse when that one neighbour dooth visite an other But when that one of the Towne dooth meete with a stranger that hee dooth knowe and hath beene in the towne certaine dayes and he not séene him then hee of the towne dooth aske of the other if that hee hath eaten any thing if he aunswere no he dooth by and by without any delay carrie him to the next victualling house whereas hee dooth banket him deliciously for in euerie towne there is good opportunitie for the same by reason that in the market places and stréetes and in the suburbes there is great store of victualling houses that doo kéepe tabling verie ordeâ—ly and for little cost for there as we haue sayde all kinde of victualles are verie good cheape But if the stranger dooth aunswere that he hath eaten then dooth the Citizen or townesman carrie him to an other kinde of victtualing houses where are to be had all sortes of conserues and iunkettes fruites and marchpanes and there dooth hee make him a banket with great loue and good will Of the women as well strangers as towneborne or of what degrée soeuer they haue great respect but especially of the married women vnto whome if any man giue an ill or dishonest woorde he is accounted infamous and likewise if he doo not offer to them courtesie and giue them place or way when they passe the stréetes which is seeldome séene But when they doo passe they behaue themselues so discreetly that they giue no occasion that anye shoulde misuse them towardes strangers they vse verye great courtesie but especially the principallest as you shall perceiue in the relation of the seconde part of this historie where it shall be declared by experience CHAP. XX. Of the great closenesse that the women of this kingdome do liue in and with what condition they permit common women THe principall intent that this king his gouernors haue as is gathered by their lawes is to preserue their common weale from vices for the which he dooth set downe great penalties executeth the same without any remission and least any should offend they vse great vigilancie and do iudge that the libertie and dishonestie of the women is most preiudiciall thereunto is the occasion that their common wealth falleth to decay being neuer so well gouerned therefore they haue ordained many preseruatiues and remedies by their lawes customes to preuent the same which is the only occasion that although it is so long since this kingdome first began and againe being so great as you may vnderstande yet in this one point there is lesse inconuenience or preiudice than in any other countrey of lesse antiquitie and fewer people So that a dishonest woman is knowen by name although it be in a great citie the which is seldome séene and a rare thing And the best way they haue to preuent this is that all people that haue daughters are commaunded by expresse order that they shall bring them vp after they haue the vse of reason in their owne houses very close and not be seene but alwayes to doo something to auoide idlenesse for that it is the mother of all vices whereby it may take no rooâ—e in them This lawe dooth comprehende married women and is kept in such sort that the wiues of the viceroyes and gouernours do obserue it yea they say that the Quéenes themselues doo obserue it and that they are alwayes spinning golde silke or flaxe or doing some other exercise with their handes esteeming all idle persons woorthie to be hated and contemned so that the children being brought vp in this manner seeing the good example of their mothers is the occasion that this vertuous exercise worthie to be imitated is conuerted vnto a dayly and perpetuall custome in such sort that they thinke it a perpetuall torment to commaunde them to be idle These ordinarie and voluntarie exercises haue the women of this kingdome in such sort that it is newes and a strange thing to meete a woman in the streetes of any citie or towne neither at the windowes which is a signe that they liue honest If it so fall out that of force they must go abroad as to the buriall of parents and kinsfolkes or to visite any one being sicke or vpon any like occasion then are they carried in littâ—r chaires where they are seene of none as we told you before but other superfluous visitations or méetings of gossips are not there vsed Albeit tendering the conseruation of this honest crewe and to eschewe greater euils in the common wealth they permit common women as a necessarie thing yet they do allowe them in such sort that their euill example may not be hurtfull vnto the honest state of theÌ„ which liue chast And therfore they do build for them houses out of the cities and townes in the suburbes giuing them straight commandement there to remaine in the said houses not to sâ—raggle go abroad at all And whilest they liue there they are prohibited vppon paine of death to enter into the gates of the Citie or any part thereof Such women as doo vse this facultie are nothing estéemed amongst them for they are for the most part of the basest sort as strangers slaues or such as haue béene bought of their mothers being yoonge which is a kinde of perpetuall bondage yea a great crueltie which is vsed amongst them there and yet suffered amongst them You shall vnderstande that
the coastes that as well all ships of their owne Countrie as those that doo come from other places to traficke with them may goe and come in safetie and not bee spoyled and robbed of the roauers that be there abouts In the riuers there are pynases well equipped appointed for the same purpose And the king doth out of his rentes pay all these ordinarie souldiers and that with great liberalitie The pitch wherewith they doo trimme their shippes as we haue sayde is founde in that kingdome in great aboundance it is called in their language Iapez and is made of lyme oyle of fish and a paste which they call Vname it is verie strong and suffereth no wormes which is the occasion that one of their shippes dooth twise out last one of ours yet dooth it hinder much their sayling The pumpes which they haue in their shippes are much differing from ours and are farre better they make them of many péeces with a whéele to draw water which whéele is set along the shippes sides within wherewith they do easily clense their shippes for that one man alone going in the wheele doth in a quarter of an houre cleanse a great shippe although she leake verie much Many men be borne and brought vp in these shippes and barkes as is aforesayde and neuer in all their liues haue béene on lande and doo knowe none other occupation wherewith to liue but that which they doo inherite of their fathers which is to goe in one of these shippes or barkes carrying and recarrying of merchandise from place to place or to ferrie people ouer the riuers They haue in them their wiues their children and haue like neighborhood amongst theÌ„ on the riuers as in their cities and townes of whom they stand in little néed for they do bring vp within their ships all things necessarie for their sustenance as hens duckes pigeons and other foules good to be eaten and if they do lacke any thing they haue it in victualing houses shops which they haue amongst theÌ„ on the same riuers in great abundance and of other superfluous thinges such as may bee founde in a citie they are well furnished as of many sorts of silkes amber and muske and other things more curious then needefull They haue also in their shippes pots with little orange trées and other fruits and gardins with flowers and other herbes for their recreation and in the wide shippes pooles of water wherein they haue great store of fish aliue and yet doo dayly fishe for more with nettes This kingdome is the best prouided of fish of any that is knowen by reason of the great number of these barkes as also because they haue many fisher men at Sea and in the riuers that continually fish with nettes and other engines for the same purpose and doo carrie the same fishe in infinite number aliue into their pooles fiue hundreth leagues vp into the lande by the riuers which they doo with great ease in shifting the water euerie day and doo féede them with thinges fit for the nature of the fish The chiefe and principallest time of fishing in this countrie is in three moneths of the yeare which is Februarie March and Aprill at such time as are the spring tides which do bring the fish out of the mayne sea into the riuers and there they do spawne and leaue their young then these fisher men who doo liue by that facultie doo take them and put them into their pondes and féede and nourish them in the ships till they come to bignesse to be solde Unto these fishermen repayre many barkes from diuerse partes of the Countrie to buye their fishe and doo bringe with them wicker baskets lyned with a certaine thicke paper for that purpose and annoynted with oyle so that the water can not goe out wherein they doo put their fish and do shift them euerie day and feede them as aforesaide All people doo buye of this fish although they bee verie small and leane and doo put them in their pondes which euerie one hath in his house as common vse in all that countrie is whereas in a small time they waxe great fitte to be eaten They doo féede them with a paste made of cowes doung buffes doung and pigins doong Likewise they doo throwe of these small fishes into the moâ—tes of their Cities which is the occasion that they are so full of fish But all that bréede in them do appertaine vnto the Gouernors or Iudges of the cities so that none without their expresse commandement dare fish for them These Gouernors and Iudges doo vse much to recreate themselues vppon the riuers and haue for the same purpose barkes made close chambers in them verie curiously wrought with windowes and galleries likewise hanged with rich clothes and many other thinges for their contentment and pleasure CHAP. XXII A curious order that these Chinos haue to bring vp ducks in great abundance and with small cost and of a pleasant and ingenious order of fishing which they vse THe great number of people that is in this countrie and not permitting any idle people to liue therein is the occasion that it doth stirre vp the wits of poore men being constrained thereunto by necessitie the inuenter of manye thinges to séeke new inuentions to get their liuing to relieue and supply their necessities So that many of this kingdome séeing the whole countrie so throughly inhabited tilled that there is not one foote without an owner they do take them vnto the riuers which are verie great and there they do make their dwellinges in ships and barkes as is aforesaide where they haue their whole families vnder borde to defende them from the sunne and rayne and inclinations of the heauens There they do vse the occupation that they do knowe or that which they did inherite of their father and many misteries to liue by verie strange whereof the most principall is to bring vp in some of their barkes so great quantitie of duckes that they sustaine a great part of the countrey therewith and the vse thereof is as followeth They haue cages made of canes so bigge as the vpper most holde of the barke in the which may be foure thousand duckes at once They haue in certaine places of these cages made nestes where these duckes do almost euerie day laye egges the which they take and if it be in the sommer they doo put them in buffes doong or in the doong of those duckes which is verie warme where they leaue them so many dayes as experience hath taught them that they will come foorth Then they doo take them out of the doong and do breake them one by one and take a little ducklin the which they do with so great cunning that almost none of theÌ„ doth perish which is y t which causeth great admiration vnto some that go to sée it although they bée but few for that it is an auncient custome vsed of long time in that countrie
And for to haue the fruition of this benefite all the yeare in the winter they must vse an artificiall helpe to giue a little warmenes vnto the doong for the bringing forth of their egs they do vse thē an other inuentiō as ingenious as the first that is this they take a great number of canes tied one by another whereon they do laye the doong then vppon that they doo lay their egges and do couer them verie well with the same this being done they put vnder the canes straw or some other like thing and set it on fire but in such sort that it dooth not burne but kéepeth a naturall heat all the time till they thinke that they are readie to be taken out Then doo they take and breake them as aforesaide so that their pultrie dooth increase in such number as though they were antes Then doo they put thē into an other cage for the same purpose wheras be old duckes brought vp for no other purpose but to couer the little ones vnder their winges and kéepe them warme and there they doo féede them euery day till such time as they can féede themselues and go abroad into the fieldes to profit themselues in the companie of the olde duckes Many times they haue in number aboue twentie thousand yet do they maintain them with a small-cost and it is in this order euerie morning they do giue them a small quantitie of boyled rice then do they open a doore of the cage which is towardes the riuer and doo put a bridge of canes that doth reach vnto the water then doo they come foorth with so great haste one vpon an other that it is a pastime to sée them All the day after they do passe the time vpon the water and in the fieldes of rice vpon the land wheras they do féede the owners of the rice doo giue vnto the owners of the duckes somewhat to let their duckes go into their fields for that they do destroy all the grasse and other wéeds in it And hurt nothing of the rice When that the euening draweth on then they of the barke do make a sound with a taber or such like y t which being heard of his duckes they throwe thēselues with great spéede into the water and swimme straight vnto their owne barke whereas their bridge is readie put for them and euerie flocke doth know his owne barke by the sounde without missing at any time although there be many flockes together For euerie barke doth vse a different sound the one from the other to the which the duckes are vsed and their eares full thereof so that they neuer fayle their owne barke This manner of liuing is greatly vsed in all that countrie and verie profitable for that it is a victuall most vsed amongst them and is esteemed as a thing of great sustentation and of small price by reason that at al times there is bréeding of them and of small cost Likewise in this Countrey they doo vse a kinde of fishing that is of no lesse industrie then the bringing vppe of these duckes and a thing to be séene The king hath in euerie Citie founded vppon the riuers houses wherein euerie yeare is brought vp many Cormorantes or sea Rauens with whome they doo fishe in those monethes that the fish dooth spawne and that is in this maner following They take the Cormorantes out of their cages and carrie them vnto the riuer side whereas they haue many barkes ordeyned for their fishing and they are halfe full of water Then they take their Cormorantes and with a corde they doo binde their mawes in such sort that no fish can fall into it then they do cast them into the riuer to fish the which they do with such good will and couetousnesse that it is a woonder to sée they throwe themselues into the water with great swiftnesse and diue whereas they do fill their throate with fish Then they come foorth and with the like hast they go vnto the barkes that are halfe ful of water and the fish which they haue taken they put in that water which is put there for that purpose that the fish may not die the which being done they returne againe vnto their fishing as they did before In this order they do indure their fishing foure houres together in such sort that the one doth not trouble the other and when y t their boates with water are ful of fish then do they vnbind them and turne them againe into the riuer for to fish for themselues for they haue neede thereof for that alwayes the day before that they will fish they kéepe thē from their ordinarie victualles which is a litle Millio that they may y e better do their office So after a while that they haue filled their bellies and recreated themselues they take them out of the water and carrie them vnto the ordinarie places whereas they art kept and euerie third day during the time of this fishing they doo take them forth for the same exercise which for them is so great pastime that they would it should indure all the yeare In these thrée monethes they do take so much fish that they do prouide the whole kingdome for all the yeare as in the chapter past it hath béene tolde you which is the occasion that they are as well prouided of fish as of any other thing so that if they please they may eate euerie day fresh fish although they are farre from the sea CHAP. XXIII Of the curtesie that the king of this mightie kingdome doth vnto the Ambassadors that come to him from anie other king prince or comonaltie WE should in the chapter following intreate of the ambassage that king Philip of Spaine with the Christian zeale that he had to sende vnto the king of this kingdome who being mooued by certaine causes and reasons did referre it till a better occasion and we do beléeue that it will be offered shortly Therefore now it shall not be from our purpose to declare in this chapter the honour and curtesie that this king doth vnto the ambassadours of kings princes or any other prouince that doth come vnto him in what sort so euer it be and for that it is of great curiositie it shall be necessarie to declare it with the circumstance wherewith it is done All such as doo enter into this kingdome with the title of ambassadour be it from a king that is a friend or enimie they are respected intreated and made of with so great care and diligence as though they came themselues in person that doo send them Unto whome besides the obseruing the law of nations which is obserued kept among all kings in the worlde in especiall that their persons shall not receiue neither incurre any danger although their ambassage bringeth discontent or harme vnto the king besides all the which there is granted vnto them great and particular priuiledges When that he doth enter into the kingdome by any of
the prouinces whatsoeuer The iudge or gouernor of the first towne dooth in person go forth to méete and receiue him and giue him his welcome with great complement of words câ—remonies all the Loytias Captaines souldiers and the inhabitants of the towne doo accompanie the iudge or gouernour when that they go to receiue him But at his disembarking to come a shore they will not suffer him to set his féete vppon the ground although it be but a little way that he should go but hath at the waters side in a readinesse eight men with a chaire made of yuorie or of some other pretious thing with the curteines of veluâ—t damaske or cloth of golde which for the like oportunitie they haue in euerie cittie or principall towne appointed by the king wherein they do carrie him to his lodging Likewise they haue in euerie citie and great towne throughout all the kingdome a principall house and sufficient for to lodge such like personages It is also vsed to lodge such iudges as are sent by the king to execute his commandement when they passe by anie of such cities or townes There is in euery one of these houses a Lieutenant he hath in it maruellous and excellent houshold stuffe as hangings beddes seruants and all other necessaries not 〈◊〉 to lodge one ambassador but many if they shoulde there méete and not one to disturbe an other So as aforesaide they doo beare him company either on horsebacke or in a chaire which is the ordinarie carriage amongst them till hee come vnto this house whereas they doo leaue him with much curtesie and many ceremonies alonelie with them that waite vppon him and serue him And also a Captaine with a thousand or two thousande souldiers for to garde him continuallie and to beare him companie till hee returne againe out of the kingdome Then the next day following the iudge or gouernour that did receiue him dooth go and visite him And after that they haue demanded of him such ordinarie thinges as is vsed in such like visitations then doo they learne of his estate and of the prince that hath sent him and in summe the effect of his comming and ambassage then doo they straightwayes at the houre dispatch a post vnto the gouernour or vizroy of the prouince who is alwayes resident in the chiefe or metropolitan Citie thereof and hée at the same instant dooth dispatch another post with that message vnto the king and his roial counsel And he dooth sende order vnto the ambassador either to stay or a safe conduct for him to go vnto the place whereas hee is Likewise hée sendeth order vnto the iudge howe hée shall intreate that ambassador which is giuen according vnto the relation sent him wherein hée did vnderstande the state of the king and prince that sent him Likewise the number of souldiers y t shall beare him companie and of all other thinges néedefull for him in his iourney all the which is set downe in order and in particular as what they shall giue euery man to eate for him and his seruants and in what townes and howe hee shall be lodged His safe conduct is brought him written vppon a whited table after the fashion as we haue tolde you heere before in manie places and is with great lâ—tters wherein is contained from what king that ambassador is sent This table is borne alwayes before him wheresoeuer hee dooth go But that pasport which is sent him afterwards from the royall councell with facultie that hée may go vnto the court is after another sort for that it is written in parchment and gallantlie lymned and with the kings seale of Golde hanging at it which is neuer giuen but at such like occasion or for some prouision giuen to a vizroy Looke what is spent vppon this ambassadour in all his iourney and vppon them that doo beare him companie for all necessaries is vppon the kings cost and charges and is paide by the kinges treasurers in euerie place where as they doo go Generallie in all partes they doo make him great feastes and banquets with pastimes and presents that day that hee dooth enter into the Cittie of Taâ—bin or Paquin whereas the king is There goeth foorth to méete him without the citie all the Gentlemen of the court with the royall councel and president who according vnto the saying of the Chinos goeth forth with little lesse maiestie and companie then the king who if the ambassadour bee from a king that is mightie they giue him the right hand if not they giue him the left hand and in this sort they go ether talâ—ing with himselfe or by interpreters demaunding of him of his health and of his trauaile in comming and other thinges till hée come into the court of the pallace whereas he is lodged and there they doo leaue him with some to beare him companie and hee dooth returne vnto his house with all this company aforesaid But when they do depart from him they doo giue him power in the name of the king to make a certaine number of Loytias and to set at libertie a certaine number of prisoners such as are condemned to die and other good déeds particular Those that doo enter in this kingdome with the title of an ambassador they cannot do him any griefe for anie delight or euill that he doth although they can make good proofe thereof And for that it is of a truth you shall vnderstande the proofe by experience There was sent vnto this king one Bartholmew Perez a Portugall and his company by order of the vizroy of the India with an ambassage from the king Don Manuel of Portugall they were accused before the vizroy of the prouince of Canton by the ambassadors of the king of Malaca that were there present who were bounde vnto the court to treat of matters of their king they did testifie that the ambassage that the Portugal did bring was false and they were spies sent from the vizroy of the India for to view the fortresses of the citie that they might come afterwards and take it as they had done in many places of the India they perseuering still in the euill and mischieuous intent did will the vizroy to apprehend them and to punish them as such spies did deserue offâ—ing themselues to giue good information for the same Who after that he had well considered thereof and consulted with the Loytias of the citie and with his counsailors they commanded that they should be apprehended and put in straite prison whereas their declarations were taken with great care deceit and pollicie and by reason that in them they found contrarieties some for feare confessed much more then that which was demanded and other saide that it was of truth so that by their confessions according vnto the lawes of the countrie they were condemned to die and sent their iudgement vnto the roiall councell for to confirme the same with intent and great desire for to execute the same The
which being séene by the roiall councell and considering with what title they entred into that kingdome did not onely make voide the sentence and woulde not confirme the same but did send commandement vnto the vizroy to set them at libertie and to returne fréely back againe vnto the India from whence they came and that hee shoulde furnish them with all things necessarie in aboundance til they were entred into the same although in this time the ambassadors of the king of Malaca who were in the court did still perseuer in their malicious intent In which commandement although it were true all that which the foresaide ambassadors did testifie and that they for feare of death did confesse it yet it is sufficient that they entred into this kingdom the title of ambassador whereby they should receiue any harme But nowe let vs returne tâ— our purpose So after this ambassador hath refreshed himselfe of his iourny and receiued many banquets and orations of the Gentlemen of the court vpon a day appointed he goeth to speake with the king accompanied with all the Gentlemen of the court and with the president of the councell who doth giue him audiâ—nce in one of the thrée rich hals aforesaide at all times as his businesse doth require So when that all his busines is dispatched and gratified with many gifts he returneth backe againe from whence he came and looke with what curtesie they did receiue him at his comming the like they doo vnto him at his returne But if an ambassador doo come from any common wealth of the said kingdome they doo not giue him the intertainement abouesaid but cleane contrarie thereunto for that he dooth enter into the citie accompanied onely with the iustice whose charge it is to lodge him in such houses as the king hath ordeined to the same effect and to giue him all that is necessarie taking of him the summe and effect wherefore he doth come and he doth giue relation thereof vnto the president of the councell and the president doth giue the king to vnderstand therof then doo they appoint the day of audience with this condition that when he dooth go thither hée must go on foote or else on horseback without a bridle with onely a halter on his horse head in token of humility and acknowledging to be a subiect The day of his audience he commeth forth obseruing the order and condition aforesaid accompanyed with the iustice And when hée doth come into a great place which is right against the pallace of the king he staieth there till an officer of the king doth come vnto him who is master of the ceremonies and hee dooth cause him to procéede forwards and doth shew him the place whereas hee must first kneele downe with his handes ioyned togither in token of adoration or worship and all the time of this ceremonie his eies must bee fixed on that part where as they say the king is In this sort hee goeth onwards his way making in it other fiue adorations like vnto the first vntill such time as he do come into the first hall of the pallace which is at the staires heade whereas the president is set with great maiestie and doth represent the kings person who after that hee hath hearde the effect of his ambassage dooth sende them away without answering one word at that time but after that hee hath giuen the king to vnderstande hée dooth sende him answere by that iustice who hath the charge to lodge him and to prouide him of all things necessarie for the time that hée is in the court CHAP. XXIIII Of the ambassage that the king of Spaine did send vnto the king of this kingdome and the occasions that did moue him thereunto as also wherefore it was declared FOr to conclude this small historie in the which I haue declared in summe all such things as I haue vnderstoode of this kingdome of China vnto this I meane such as I might wel set forth leuing a great number more of the which I haue particular note some for that they are vnknowne and others for that they will cause admyration because they haue not béene séene And according vnto the counsell of the wise they should not be intreated of vntill that time that experience dooth make them more credible And againe I doo hold it for a lesse euill to be reprehended for breuitie as some haue béene then to bee prolix and tedious in the declaring although it bee hurtfull vnto this worke from the which I doo take away much that I might put in Nowe letting all passe I will in this last chapter declare of the letter present and ambassage wherewith the king of Spaine did sende mee in the yeare of our Lorde one thousande one hundred and fourescore for that in company of other religious men of my order I should passe from his mightie kingdome of Mexico to China and to present it vnto the king of that countrie in his name of all the which I will declare that which I doo vnderstande and know not excéeding the limits of fidelitie by reason that the ambassage was not ended nor no conclusion in effect of that which was pretended but doo hope in the deuine maiestie and with the care and diligence that is put therein by the king of Spaine shortlie to haue a conclusion of that they desire for the which the letter and the rest was sent Béeing considered of by the Spaniards such as were dwellers in the Ilands Philippinas which by another name are called the Ilands of the Ponent or West the thinges of great valour and riches as of golde and silkes and many other thinges which is brought from the kingdome of China and out of their ports and how those which brought it did sel it for a small quantitie in respect as they did estéeme it and being certified by the saide Chinos of many other things which were in the firme land wherof some of them haue béene made mention in this historie being mooued with the conuerting of these soules and with the profite that might come of traficke that they might haue with the Chinos it was concluded by the gouernour and principals of the Citie of Manila with the iudgement of the prouinciall of the order of saint Augustine and of many other religious men that were both graue wise such as were the first that in those parts did preach the Gospel and did baptise a great number of the dwellers therein and did many other thinges of the which I might say much if it were to my purpose and that my part were not therein so that I say it was concluded amongst them to sende vnto the Catholike king graue personages vnto whome intire credite might be giuen for to giue relation what they vnderstoode of that kingdome and also of the euident necessitie that all those Ilands that were his had for their conseruation to holde to friendes the Chinos their borderers whereof might growe vnto them great
benefites and profites and likewise to request him if it were his pleasure to sende an ambassador to y e king of that kingdome the better to confirme their friendship to carrie with him some things which be vsed in his countrie which would be maruellous well estéemed of the Chinos be a way vnto the preaching of the gospel and bee a beginning that a farther contraction may growe betwixt the Christians and the Chinos of the which shall follow the aforesaid profite vnto other countries by the great quantitie of things as well of riches as of other curiosities that shalbe brought from theÌ„ce After they had well considered with great deliberation who should be the person that they shoulde send vpon so long a iourney for to request his maiestie of the aforesaid in the ende they did agrée vppon for to desire the prouinciall of the Augustine friers who was called Frier Dilho de Herrera a man of great learning and of great experience touching matters of those Ilands for that hee was one of the first discouerers of them they requested him for the loue of God and the good seruice to his maiestie and the benefite that might come thereby vnto these Ilands that he would take vpon him to go with this petition for they were fully perswaded for that he had trauailed so manie places of those Ilands as also for his office and vocation there was none that better coulde put in effect their desire and perswade with his maiestie the great importance of that ambassage and manie other things necessarie touching the gouernement of those Ilands This determination was liked well of them all and that they had chosen well in sending of the prouinciall who incontinent departed from the Ilands in a shippe that was pepared for Noua Hispania which was in the yeare of Christ 1573. At his inbarking hee was accompanied with the gouernour and all those of that citie of whom hee was maruellouslie well beloued for his holinesse and good condition Desiring him with all diligence to procure to returne with as much breuity as was possible vnto those ilands whereas they so much loued him and had néede of his presence He did promise them to make all the spéede possible and in paiment of the trauel that he did take vpon him for the benifite profite he requested them al that they would pray vnto God to giue a good voyage they promised him to doo it the which they did performe with particular care Then did the master command to weigh ankers and to set saile which was in the moneth of Nouember the same yeare and with reasonable whether they arriued at the new Spaine and came vnto the cittie of Mexico and from thence they went and embarked themselues in the North seas who with prosperous winds the xiii day of August the yeare following they ariued in San. Lucar debarameda in Spaine and caried me in his company From thence the day following we departed from Syuel from whence wee departed forthwith toward Madrid whereas his maiestie was at that present and we came thither the fiftéenth day of September in anno 1574. the same wéeke that they had newes of the losse of the Goleta Wée went straightwayes to kisse the kings hands and caried the letters which we brought from his gouernor and citie by whom both we and the letters were receiued with his accustomed benignitie and did heare the petition with great satisfaction for that the desire was holy and profitable and told vs that he would command his counsell to vnderstand in the same with a particular consideration and with so much breuitie as the thing required and gaue vs thankes for the great trauell and long iourney which we tooke vpon vs in his seruice for to giue him notice of the discouering of this great kingdome and of other things touching the Ilands Philippinas He straightwayes commanded that we should be prouided for of all things necessarie for our sustentation for the time that we should there remaine and that we should go and giue account of all things for the which we came thither vnto the counsel of the Indies who was Don Iuan de Obando vnto whom his maiestie did recommend the consideration to be done with great care and to consult vpon the same After that they had comuned with the roiall counsell of the Indies touching that which should be requisite and conuenient which was done as it appeared in effect for that they gaue vs facultie in a few dayes after of all things that was requested from the said Ilands except that which did touch the ambassage vnto the 〈◊〉 of China as a thing of greater importance and requested lonâ—â—r time to consider of the same so that they did referre it till they â—â—d a better occasion So that with this resolution and with fortie religious men and manie commissions from his maiestie touching the good gouernement of that new kingdome wee departed from Syuell in the moneth of Ianuarie the yeare following in 1575. whereas I remained by his order and for certaine respects But the aforesaid Prouinciall did imbarke himselfe with his fortie religious persons and departed in the moneth of Iuly with a faire winde and merrie passage till they came vnto newe Spaine and from thence into the South sea vntill they came in sight of the Ilands whereas the wether did alter and they were forced by the furie thereof to ariue at an Iland inhabited with Gentiâ—es by whome they were all slaine and none escaped but onely an Indian natural of the Ilands which wee carried from thence in our companie for Spaine He afterwards came vnto Manilla and gaue them to vnderstand how they were all slaine and how the Gentiles did teare all the papers and commissions in péeces and of all that happened to them This being knowne by the gouernor and by the rest that dwelt in the Ilands after that they had done the rytes with the funerall griefes as iustice required in such a case they finding themselues in the same necessitie that before they were in by reason of the losse of the aforesaid Prouinciall and his companions and also of the letters and prouisions sent from his maiestie they forthwith in the same determination did write new letters in requesting that which in part the king had granted although they had no knowledge thereof they did also therein write touching the ambassage that they did request for the king of China adding therunto new occasions wherby they should be moued to do them so much fauour as to send the ambassador afore requested which was a thing of great importanâ—s for all those Ilands When that these letters came in conformitie with the others before sent the king did ordaine for gouernor of those Ilands a Gentleman who was called Don Gonsalo de Mercado y Ronquillo a man of great valor discretion one that had serued the king as wel in the Peru. as in Mexico with great fidelitie who
care and a small number of people as aforesaid Wherewith hee determined with himselfe with so great spéede as it was possible to ioyne togither such Spaniards as were there which were to y e number of fiftie foure and to depart and procure although they did put themselues in danger of inconuenience to get the forehande of them to aduertise them of Manilla and to ayde and helpe them to put their artilerie in order and all other thinges necessarie for their defence This determination the Captayne did put in vre verie spéedily which was the occasion that the citie and all those that were in it was not destroyed and slayne yet they could not eschue all the harme for that the ships that carried them were small and a few rouers not verie expert for that the suddennesse of their departure would not afforde better choice as also they went from one place to an other procuring of victuals all which was the occasion that they did not come thither in such time as they desired and as was conuenient This Lymahon was well prouided of prouision and al other thinges necessarie and hauing the wind fayre he was alwaies in the fore front and came in the sight of Manilla vppon saint Andros eue in the yeare 1574. whereas he came to an anker that night with all his whole fléete And he séeing that the end of his pretence consisted in expedition before that they should be séene of those of the citie or discouered by them on the coasts The nightes at that time being very darke which was a great helpe vnto them he choose foure hundred of his best souldiers such as hee was fully perswaded of their valour and stout courage and put them in small vessels and charged those that went with them for Captaines to make such expedition that they might come vnto the Citie before it was day and the first thing that they did was to set fire on the Citie and not to let escape one man liuing therin promising them that at the break of the day he would bewith them to giue them aide and succour if néede did require which they did But for that nothing is done without the will and permission of God it went not with Limahon and his foure hundred souldiers according as he did make reckoning for that all that night the winde was of the shoore and the more the night came on the more the wind encreased which was such a contradiction vnto their expectation that they could not by night disembarke themselues although they did procure by all meanes possible by policie and force for to do it Which of certaintie and without all doubt if this had not bâ—ene at great ease they had brought to a conclusion their euill pretence with the spoyle and losse of the citie and all that dwelt therein for their pretence was for to destroy and beat it downe as it might well appeare by the commaundement hee gaue vnto his Captaines CHAP. V. Limahon doth send 400. souldiers before for to burne the citie of Manilla and they were resisted by other men FOr all the contradiction of the winde this same night the foure hundred Chinos did put themselues within a league of â—he citie vpon S. Andrewes day at eight of the clocke in the morning whereas they left their boates and went a land and in great haste beganne to march forwardes in battaile a raye deuided in two partes with two hundred hargabuses afore and immediatly after them other two hundred pickemen and by reason that they were manie and the Countrie verie plaine they were straightwayes discouered by some of the Citie who entered in with a great noyse crying arme arme arme the enemies come The which aduice did little profite for that there was none that would beléeue them but beléeued that it was some false larum doone by the people of the countrie for to mocke them But in conclusion the enemies were come vnto the house of the Generall of the fielde who was called Martin de Goyti which was the first house in all the Citie that wayes which the enemies came And before that the Spaniardes and souldiers that were within the Towne could bee fully perswaded the rumour to be true the enemies had set fire vpon his house and slewe him and all that were within that none escaped but onely the goodwife of the house whom they left naked and verie sore wounded beléeuing that she had béene dead but afterwardes shee recouered and was healed of her woundes In the meane time that they were occupied in their first crueltie they of the Citie were fully resolued of the trueth although all of them with this successe vnlooked for were as people amased and from themselues yet in the end they sounded to armour and did prouide to saue their liues Some souldiers went foorth vppon the sandes but in ill order as the time did permitte and slewe all the Chinos that they did méete and none escaped which was the occasion that the rest did ioyne themselues together and put thâ—mselues in order to make some resistance against their enemies who with great furie entred into the Citie burning and destroying all before them and crying victorie This is the proper resistance of the Spaniâ—rdes when they doo finde themsâ—lues in such like perilles and this was doone with such great courage that it was sufficient to staye the furie of those which vnto that time had the victorie and to make them to retyre although there was great difference in number betwixt the one and the other The Chinos in retyring lost some of their souldiers but vnto the Spaniardes no great harme and in this their defence did notable aâ—tes This being considered of the Chinos and that their boates were farre off for that time would not giue them place to bring them any nearer they did resolue theÌ„selues to leaue assault in the state that it was in and put them selues in couert and there to refresh themselues of the trauaile past and afterwarde to returne with their generall Captaine Lymahon to prosecute their intent which they thought to bee comprehended with great ease So when they came vnto their boates to avoyde any danger that might happen they embarked themselues and returâ—ed vnto their fléete whereas they left them And not lâ—ng after they were departed they might sée them rowe with great furie towardes their shippes and when they came vnto their Captaine Limahon they did aduertise him in particular of all that had happened and how that by reason of the contrarie winde they could not come thether in time as he had commanded them and according vnto their desire which was the occasioâ— that they could not bring to passe their pretence and that by reason of his absence they had referred it till a better occasion did serue Their Captaine did comfort them and gaue them great thankes for that which they had doone promising them in short time to bring to effect their
those that dwelt in the Citie of Manilla of the fame that the Rouer Limahon did publish abroad in all places where as he went howe that he had ouerthrowen and slaine the Spaniardes and being of them well considered that if in time they did not preuent the same it might be the occasion of some great euill that afterwardes they should not so easely remedie as presently they might and those which were their friendes and subiectes in all those Ilandes giuing credite vnto that which the Rouer declared might be an occasion that they should rebell against them by reason that the naturall people were many and they but a few for that vnto that time they had sustained themselues onely by the fame to be inuincible With this consideration they entred into counsell and did determine to ioyne together all the people they could and being in good order to follow and séeke the Rouer for that they vnderstood of necessitie he must abide and repayre himself in some place nigh there aboutes for that he durst not goe vnto China for feare that he had of the kings fleete and fearing that they should vse such policies as hee hath vsed they might come on him vnwares and destroy him as he had done others And séeming vnto them that although they could not destroy him altogether yet at the least theyshould be reuenged of the harme that they had receiued thereby to giue to vnderstand that the fame y t he hath giuen out of himselfe was a lie and should be an occasion for to remaine in their old securitie also had in better estimation and opinion of the dwellers there abouts as also to cause great friendship with the king of China for that it is against a traytor and one that hath offended him This determination they put in vre and effect according as the time would permit in which time they had certaine newes howe that the Rouer was in the riuer of Pagansinan and there did pretende to remaine These newes were very ioyfull vnto the Spaniardes Then the Gouernours commanded to be called together all people bordering there abouts and to come vnto the Citie where as hee was Likewise at that time he did giue aduice vnto such as were Lordes and Gouernours of the Ilandes called Pintados commanding them to come thither with such shippes and people as they could spare as well Spaniardes as the naturall people of the countrie All this was accomplished and done with great spéede the people of the countrie came thither with great good will but in especiall those of the Ilandes of the Pintados After the death of Martin de Goyti who was slaine in the first assault of the Chinos as aforesayde in the Citie of Manilla the Gouernor did ordaine in his roome for generall of the fielâ— in the name of his maiestie Iohn de Salzedo who with all this people and with those that were in the citie went foorth leauing the gouernor no more ayde theÌ„ that which was sufficient for the defence of the citie the fort that they had new made which was verie sâ—rong and carried in his company two hundred fiftie spanish souldiers two thousand fiue hundred Indians their friends All which went with great good will courage to be reuenged on the iniurie receiued or to die in the quarrell All which people were embarked in small ships and two foygattes that came from the Ilandes there borderers for that the shortnes of time would not permit them to prouide bigger shipping neyther should they haue found theÌ„ as they would for that at such time as the inhabitants therabouts did sée the rouer in assâ—lt against the citie they did set fire on a small galley and other bigge ships that were in the same port and did rise against the Spaniards beléeuing that it had not béene possible for them to escape so great and mightie a power although since the first entrie of the Spaniardes in those Ilandes they were verie subiect The Generall of the fielde with the people aforesaide did depart from Manilla the thrée twentith day of March Anno 1575 and ariued at the mouth of the riuer Pagansinan vpon tenable wednesday in the morning next following without being discouered of any for that it was doone with great aduice as a thing that did import verie much Then straightwaies at that instant the generall did put a lande all his people and foure péeees of artilerie leauing the mouth of the riuer shutte vp with his shipping in chayning the one to the other in such sort that none could enter in neyther yet goe foorth to giue anie aduice vnto the Rouer of his ariuall hee commaunded some to goe and discouer the fléete of the enimie and the place whereas hee was fortified and charged them verie much to doo it in such secrete sort that they were not espied for therein consisted all their whole worke The Captaines did as they were commanded and found the Rouer voyde of all care or suspition to receiue there any harme as hee found them in the Citie of Manilla when he did assault them This securitie that hee thought himselfe in did proceede from the newes that hee had from his friendes at the China that although they did prouide to sende against him yet could they not so quickly haue any knowledge where hee was neyther finde out the place of his abiding and againe hee knewe that the Spaniards of the Philippinas remained without shippes for that they had burnt them as you haue heard and that they had more néede to repayre themselues of their ill intreatie the yeare past then to séeke any reuengement of their iniuries receiued The Generall of the fielde being fully satisfied of his negligence and voide of care and giuen to vnderstande of the secretest way that was to goe vnto the fort whereas the Rouer was he commaunded the Captayne Gabriell de Ribera that straightwayes he should depart by lande and that vppon a suddaine he should strike alarum vpon the enemie with the greatest tumult that was possible Likewise hee commanded the Captaynes Pedro de Caues and Lorenso Chacon that either of them with fortie souldiers should goe vp the riuer in small shippes and light and to measure the time in such sort that as well those that went by lande as those that went by water should at one instant come vppon the fort and to giue alarum both together the better to goe thorough with their pretence and he himselfe did remaine with all the rest of the people to watch occasion and time for to ayde and succour them if néede required This their purpose came so well to passe that both the one and the other came to good effect for those that went by water did set fire on all the fléetâ— of the enemie and those that went by lande at that instant had taken and set siâ—s on a trench made of tymber that Lymahon had caused to bee made for the defence of
their shippe into the riuer Pagansinan which was but seuen leagues from the saide port They had not sailed thrée leagues but a contrary winde so charged them that they were constrained to returne into the port from whence they came and there concluded amongst themselues to send Pedro Sarmiento in the barke wherein came the two souldiers aforesaid for that it was little went with Oares they might with lesse daunger enter into the riuer of Pagansinan rowing vnder the shoâ—re and that hee in the name of them all should conferre with the generall of the field and so take his leaue of him and of all the rest of their friends whome they did request that they would not forget them in their prayers to commend them vnto God to bee their aider and helper in this their pretence so much desired of them all and gaue him great charge to bring with him the interpreter that they shoulde carrie with them which was a boy of China that was baptised in Manilla and could speake Spanish very well he was named Gernando This Pedro Sarmiento came thither and did accomplish all that was commended vnto him verie faithfully but the Generall of the field was not therewith satisfied neither the Captaines and souldiers that were with him for that the father friers were very wel beloued of them for they deserued it so they dâ—termined to send for them and to request them to come thither and sée them being so nigh as they weâ—e They being vnderstood by the Friers not without the suspition aforesaid and séeing that they could not excuse to go vnto them to accomplish their commandement and gentle request they departed out of Buliano with a faire wind for that the storme was done although the sea was a little troubled and therewith they ariued at Pagansinan whereas they were well receiued of the generall of the fielde and of all the rest with great ioy and pleasure Their suspition fell out cleane contrarie as they thought for that the Generall of the fielde woulde not stay them but did dispatch them with al spéede possible and did deliuer vnto them at the instant all such captiues as the gouernour had commanded and the souldiers that had them did with a verie good will deliuer them séeing to what intent it did extende and also the interpreter with all other thinges that was necessarie and requisite for the voyage and writ a letter vnto Omoncon who remained in Buliano that hée woulde fauour and cherish them as he did not thinke to the contrarie and did ratifie that which the gouernour had promised him for to send the rouer aliue or deade after they had ended their siege by one meanes or other He also requested of Frier Martin de Herrada that hee would carrie with him one Nicholas de Cuenca a souldier of his company for to buy for him certaine things in China who did accept the same with a verie good wil and promised to intreat him as one of his owne and haue him in as great regard and therewith they departed and wâ—nt vnto the port of Buliano from whence they came taking their leaue of the general of the field and of all the rest of the campe with no lesse â—â—ares then when they departed from Manilla He sent to beare them company til they came vnto the port the sergeant maior who caried with him a letter vnto the captaine Omoncon and a present of victuals and other things and other two letters the one for the gouernor of Chincheo and the other for the vizroy of the prouince of Ochian wherein he doth giue them to vnderstand how that he hath burnt al the fléete of Limahon and slaine many of his companions and howe that he hath besieged him so straightly that it is not possible for him to escape neither indure long without yéelding of himself and then either aliue or dead he would send him as the gouernor of Manilla had writ promised These two letters were accompanied with two presents wherein was a basen and an ewre of siluer and certaine robes of spaniâ—h cloth the which the Chinos doo estéeme very much as also other things of great valew that they haue not in their country crauing pardon because he did not send more The occasion was for that he was in that place and all his goods in the cittie of Manilla The same day with a faire winde they came vnto the port Buliano whereas they founde Omoncon abiding their comming and receiued all such things as the sergeant maior did carrie him in the name of the generall of the field and rendred vnto him great thanks and made a new promise to accomplish that offer made vnto the gouernor CHAP. XI The Spaniards do depart with the captain Omoncon from the port of Buliano and ariue at the firme lande of China THe desire was so much of this father frier Martin de Herrada to be in China as well for to preach in it the holy gospel as also for to sée the wonders that haue béene reported to be in that countrie that although he was dispatched by the gouernor and generall of the fielde yet hee thought that their voyage would be interrupted and therefore to see himselfe frée from this feare and suspition so soone as he came vnto the port of Buliano to the captaine Omoncon hee requested him with great vehemencie that he would straightwayes set saile for that the winde serued well for their purpose Then Omoncon who desired no other thing but thought euery houre that he tarried to be a whole yeare commanded forthwith the mariners to make all thinges in a redinesse to set saile and to bring home all their ankers and ride apicke râ—die to depart after midnight the which was done as hee had commanded So vppon a sunday at the breake of day being 25. of Iune they tooke a Spaniard souldier into their company who was called Iohn de Triana and vsed him in their seruice for that hee was a mariner So at the same time after they had praied vnto God to direct their voyage they set saile with a prosperous winde there was with the Friers souldiers and men of seruice twentie persons besides the Chinos that were captiues and the people of the Captaine Omoncon They were not so soone off from the coste but the winde abated and they remained becalmed certaine dayes but afterwards they had a lustie gale that carried them forwards The Chinoâ— doo gouerne their ships by a compasse deuided into twelue partes and doo vse no sea cardes but a briefe description or Ruter wherewith they doo nauigate or saile and commonly for the most part they neuer go out of the sight of land They maruelled very much when that it was told them that comming from Mexico vnto Philippinas they were thrée monethes at the sea and neuer sawe land So it pleased God that although it was verie calme and little winde stirring that we made but little way yet
will do all that he will commande them according vnto the custome of the countrie otherwise they could not be permitted to intreat of such things wherefore they came thither from farre countries and with so great trauell CHAP. XVIII The Spaniards haue a louing and fauorable audience of the gouernor of Chincheo to whom they do giue the letters they brought from the Ilands Philippinas WHen that the Insuanto vnderstood that the spaniards woulde enter with the reuerence accustomed and in such order as was declared vnto them hee straightwaies commanded that they should come into the hall whereas he was which was a thing to be séene as well for the bignes as for the riches that was in it the which I do let passe because I would not be tedious The spaniards were carried foorth out of that hall whereas they were first and after that they had passed the court whereas they came in they entred into another hall as bigge as the first whereas were many souldiers with their weapons in their hands in verie good order and richly apparelled and next vnto them were many tipstaues and sergeants with different ensignes or badges all apparelled with long robes of silke garded and embroidered with gold and euery one of them had a helme on his heade some of siluer and other some of tynne guilt ouer which was a gallant thing to sée all had long haire and dyed yealow which hong downe behinde their eares vpon their backes they were placed in very good order and made a lane that the Spaniards might passe thorough then they came into a gallerie which was ioyning vnto the chamber where the gouernor was and there they heard such a noise of instruments of diuerse sorts which indured a good while and was of so great melodie that it séemed vnto them that they neuer before heard the like which caused vnto them great admiration to see so great maiestie amongst Gentiles When the musicke was ended they entered into the hall aforesaid and had not gone many steps when as they met with the counsailer that met with them in the stréete aforesaid and with him other two of his companions all on foote and bare headed before the gouernor their ensignes of maiestie left off which is generally vsed in all the kingdome the inferior to make anie shewe when that hee is before his superior Then they made signes vnto them for to knéele downe for that the Insuanto was nigh at hande in a rich tower vnder a canapie of great riches and did represent so great maiestie as the king himselfe he did entertaine them with tokens of great loue and humanitie and tolde them by their interpreter that they were verie well welcome and that he did greatly reioyce to sée them with many other words of great fauour This gouernor was a man of goodly person well fauored and of a merrie countenance more then any that they had séene in all that countrie He caused to be put vpon the shoulders of the fathers and of the souldiers â—hat were with him euery one of them two péeces of silke which was crossed about them like skarfes and likewise to either of them a branch of siluer the like curtesie he did vnto the captaine Omoncon and vnto Sinsay and commanded to giue vnto all their seruants euery one of them a mantle of cotton painted This ceremonie is vsed in that kingdome vnto al captaines and other men that haue done some valiant exploit as we haue tolde you before This being doone the fathers did giue vnto him the letters which they carryed from the gouernor and generall of the fielde and a note of the present that was sent him crauing pardon for that it was so smal but time and oportunitie would not serue as then to sende vnto him a thing of greater price and valor certifying him that if the friendship which they pretended did go forwards come to be established that then all things should be amended and amplified He answered vnto their profers with words of great fauor and made signes vnto them to arise and to go and take their rests there whereas they were lodged the which they did and sounde all thinges in verie good order and well furnished as well of beddes as of all other neâ—essaries which was done by the commandement of the gouernour Before they departed out of the pallace the captaine of the guard did carrie them vnto his lodging which was within the court and there he made them a banquet with conserues and fruits in abundance the which being doone hee and other Gentlemen of the pallace did beare them companie vntill they came to their lodgings which they greatly desired for that they were wery of their iourney also with the trouble of the great presse of people that pressed on theÌ„ in the stréets and otherwise for to sée them the which captaine of the guard did appoint a company of souldiers for to gard theÌ„ both night and day the which was done more for maiesty then for necessitie or securitie of their persons They had a steward appointed to prouide them and all their company of all thinges necessarie and that in abundance and not to take of them any thing which was giuen by particular commandement by the gouernour CHAP. XIX The Spaniards are visited by the principals of Chincheo the gouernor did send for Pedro de Sarmiento and Myguel de loarcha and giueth them particular audience and doth wel informe himselfe of all things touching Limahon the rouer THe next day following which was sunday the twelfth of Iuly many of the Gentlemen of the cittie did go vnto the Spaniards to visite them vsing many ceremonies according to their custome with fauorable words promising to performe it in déeds when as néede did so require and such as could not go themselues did send their seruants bidding them welcome and to knowe of their good healthes and howe they did like of their citties and country The Spaniards did make answere and gratified them all as well those that came in person as the other that sent their seruants in the which visitation they spent all the whole day hauing great admyration to sée the good behauior nurture and gallant demeanure of those Gentlemen and the great discreation they had in the demanding of anie thing they would knowe as also in their answers made to our requests The next day the Insuanto sent a commandement wherein he willed the two fathers to remaine in their lodgings and take their case but the two souldiers Pedro Sarmiento and Miguel de Loarcha should come and speake with him and that they should bring with them their interpreter for that hée had one there with him who was a Chino and vnderstood the language of the Philippinas but so badly that they coulde not by his interpretation talke of any matter of importance So when they came thither they were brought whereas hee was but with lesse ceremony then on the first day
countrie to make a difference in the qualitie of the guestes by the nâ—mber of the tables All these were placed in circle or compasse as aforesaide that they might see one another In the midest betwixt them there was a round compasse wheras was represented a comedie with much pastime and indured all the dinnner time and a good while after There was also great store of verie good and excellent musicke accompanied with gallant voyces also iesters with puppets and other thinges of great pastime to driue the time away On the first table was set to euery one of the guestes little baskets wrought with golde and siluer wyre full of swéete meates made of sugar as Marchpanes Castels Pitchers Pots Dishes Dogges Bulles Elephants and other things verie curious and all guilt besides this there were many dishes full of flesh as Capons Hennes Géese Teales gamons of Bacon peeces of Béefe and other sortes of flesh wherewith all the tables were replenished sauing that whereat they did sit to dine which was replenished with victuals that was dressed for all the other was rawe and was of so great aboundance that there was at times more then fiftie dishes and they were serued with great curiositie They had wine of diuers sortes and of that which they doo make in that countrie of the Palme trée but of so great excellencie that they founde no lacke of that which was made of Grapes The dinner endured foure houres and according vnto the aboundance and diuersitie they had in victuals it might haue indured eight houres for it was in so good order that it might haue béene giuen vnto any prince in the world Their seruants and slaues that they brought with them at the same time did dine in another hal nigh vnto the same with so great abundance as their masters When dinner was done the gouernor commanded the people to come vnto him with whom he did talke and comon with great friendship and good conuersation and would not consent that they shoulde kneele downe neither to bee bare headed So after that hee had made vnto them tokens of friendshippe and deteined them a while in demaunding of many thinges lastly he told them that there was an order come from the vizroy of Aucheo that they shuld go thither with great spéede so that it did require that they shoulde depart the next day following for the which they were verie glad and ioyfull for that they had great desire the one to sée the other and againe with him they might treate and comon tguching their comming into that countrie and for what intent and for all other things néedfull for that he was a man fit for their purpose and one welbeloued of the king So hee tooke his leaue of vs with great friendship and curtesie who did surrender the same after our custome putting of our cappes and making reuerence for the which hee made shewe that it greatly contented him At their going foorth out of the hall they found the captaine that did dine with them and with him many other Gentlemen that tarried their comming for to beare them company vnto their lodging going before them many seruants that did carie the raw meate that was vpon the other tables ouer and aboue that which they did eate on the which was done for great maieâ—tie and a ceremony verie much vsed in that kingdom so many times as they do make any banquet So when they came vnto their lodging they founde that the Insuanto had sent them a very good present in the which was for euery one of them foure péeces of silke and counting chestes with other thinges and certaine painted mantels for the seruants and slaues So after they had taken their leaue of the captaines and Gentlemen that did beare them companie home they beganne with great ioy to put all thinges in order for their iourney the next day following CHAP. XXI The Spaniards departe from the Cittie of Chincheo and commeth to that of Aucheo whereas the vizroy did tarrie their comming THe next day in the morning before that the Spaniards were stirring there was within the house all thinges necessary for their iourney as well of litter chaires as of horses and men for to carrie them and their stuffe the which they did with so good a will as aforesaid that they did fall out and striue amongst themselues who should be the first that should receiue their burthen So all things being in good order they departed hauing in their companie the same captaine and souldiers that vnto that time had béene their guard vntil they came vnto the cittie of Aucheo whereas the vizroy was This iourney was vnto them ioyfull as well for to entreate of matters touching their comming and to be resolued what they shuld do as also to depart out of Chincheo whereas they passed much trouble by reason of the great number of people that came for to sée them who neuer would be satisfied and y t was in such extremity that some dayes at tenne of the clocke in the night the stréete round about their lodging were full of people and onely to sée them which caused great trouble and heate with their rumor presse amongst them This day by reason they vnderstood that they should depart the prease and multitude of the people was so great that although they had tip staues before them to beate the people away and to make roome yet was it almost night before they could get out of the citie so that they were constrained to remaine in a towne there hard by all that night where as by the commandement of the gouernour they were verie well lodged and their supper made readie in verie good order as it was in seauen dayes together till such time as they came vnto Aucheo without taking for the same or for anie other thing necessarie for their sustentation anie price or value There went continuallie before them a Post with a prouision from the gouernour written in a great borde wherein was declared who they were and from whence they came and commanding that there should bee prouided for them all things necessarie in abundance vppon the kings cost which was the occasion that so much people came for to sée them that in the high waies they were many times disturbed so with great trouble the thirde day they came vnto a citie which was called Megoa which was sometimes the head gouernement the which was offortie thousand housholds but a great part thereof was dispeopled the occasion thereof they tolde vs and was that about thirtie yeares past the Iapones who brought for their guides thrée Chinos who doo nowe dwell in Manilla and are become Christians and came vpon that cittie to reuenge themselues of an iniurie that was done vnto them the which they put in execution with so great secrecie and policie that they made themselues lords of the citie without any daunger or hurt vnto themselues for that fiftie Iapones men fit for that purpose did
apparell themselues in Chinos apparell without being knowne and came vnto a gate of the Cittie whereas the souldiers that had the charge thereof were voide of all suspition of any enimies that woulde come which was the occasion that their armor and weapon was not all in a redinesse And within a little while after that followed two thousand that did disembarke themselues in a secreat and vnknowne place and came in verie secret order because they would not be discouered and did beset that gate of the cittie whereas their companions were which they sent before who so soone as they saw them nigh at hande drewe out their weapons the which they caried hid vnder their apparell and set vpon the souldiers that were voide of feare and vnarmed with so great furie and force that they being amased were easilie slaine so that they were lordes of the gate whereas they left verie good guard and followed their victorie and made themselues lordes of the Cittie without any daunger vnto their persons and did possesse the same certaine dayes and did sacke the same in spite of them all with great harme and losse vnto the inhabitants thereof vntill such time as the vizroy of Aucheo did lâ—uie an armie togither of thrée score and tenne thousande men and went vpon them with courage for to bée reuenged on the iniurie receiued with the death of all the Iapones but they séeing that they coulde not defend themselues against so manie in one night they left the Cittie and went vnto their shippes whereas they had left them in verie good order and carried with them the spoile of the Cittie leauing it beaten downe and dispopulared the greater part thereof in which sort the Spaniards founde it and the iniurie receiued so fresh in their minds as though it had béene doone the day before In this Citie they were lodged in the kings house the which was of verie great faire buildings there was giuen them to dine and suppe in very good order and with aboundance So soone as they came thither the Friers remained in their lodgings but Pedro Sarmiento and Miguel de Loarcha went to visite the gouernor vsing the spanish curtesie with him and he receiued them with great ioy and curtesie After they had taken their leaue and returned vnto their lodgings the gouernor sent to visite them El Tyu who is the auncientest of his counsaile who was with them a good while verie friendly and offered his seruice in all thinges that were néedfull and so departed to his house maruellously well accompanied The gouernor sent vnto the two souldiers that went to visite him eâ—h of them two péeces of silke At their departure from this Cittie trauelling towards Aucheo they passed ouer a mightie great ryuer by a bridge all made of stone the goodliest and greatest that euer they had séene whose greatnesse did cause wonderful admiration so that they stayed and did measure it from one end to another that it might be put amongst the wonders of that country which they tooke a note of They found that it was one thousand and thrée hundred foote long and that the least stone wherewith it was built was ofseuentéene foote and many of two and twentie foote long and eight foote broad and séemed vnto them a thing impossible to be brought thither by mans art for that all round about so farre as they could sée was plaine ground without any mountaines by which they iudged them to be brought from farre When they were passed that bridge they trauelled al the rest of the day till night vpon a causie that was very broad and plaine and on both sides many victualling houses and the fieldes sowed with Rice wheate and other séeds and so full of people as in the stréetes of a good towne or cittie So when they came into the suburbes of the citie of Aucheo they founde order and commandement from the vizroy what should be done as more at large shalbe declared vnto you in the chapter following CHAP. XXII The entrie of the Spaniards into the Cittie of Aucheo and how the vizroy did entertaine and receiue them AFter they had trauelled more then halfe a league in the suburbs of the cittie of Aucheo they met with a post that came from the vizroy who brought order that they should reremaine in a house that was appointed for them in the said suburbs and there to be lodged for that night for that it was late they could not come vnto the house appointed in the cittie for them or else peraduenture to giue content vnto many that had great desire to sée those strangers for that they must passe thorough the Cittie and better to bee séene in the day then in the night So soone as they were alighted there came a gentleman to visite them sent from the vizroy to bidde them welcome and to know howe they did with their iourney and also to sée that they were well prouided for that night of all things necessarie and that in aboundance After all the which being done he told them that the viceroy did verie much reioyce of their comming and for that it was late and the Citie farre off it was his pleasure that they shoulde bee lodged that night in the suburbes vntill the next day then will he giue order that they may enter into the Cittie with the authoritie conuenient vnto their persons After this Gentleman came other Captaines to visite them and brought with them great store of conserues wine and fruit which is a common custome amongst them when that they go in the like visitation and it is carried by their seruants in little baskets very curiously wrought or else in barrels made of earth all guilt Within two houres after their comming thither there came another messenger from the vizroy with many men laden with Capons Hens Géese Teales gamons of Bacon and conserues of diuers sorts and of great abundance sufficient for one hundreth men to sup that night and for their dinner the next day The next day in the morning very early there came much people vnto their lodging sent by the vizroy and brought with them two rich Chaires for to carrie the fathers in and the curtines tied vp that they might the better be seene and for their companions verie good horses sadled after the fashion which they doo vse They forthwith made haste for to depart and although they made great spéed yet were they a good houre and a halfe before they coulde come vnto the gates of the Cittie and séemed vnto them that they had trauelled two leagues in the suburbes the which was so well peopled so faire houses and many shoppes full of merchandise that if it had not beene told them they would not haue beléeued it to be the suburbes but the cittie it selfe Before they came vnto the gates they passed a mightie riuer thrée times ouer bridges that were great and verie faire and the riuer so déepe that great shippes came vp
full two hundred leagues which may bee made with reasonable wether in tenne dayes at the most CHAP. XXXII The captaines Chinos ariued with the Spaniardes at the citie of Manilla the Gouernor and those of the citie doo receiue them with great ioy and triumphes and after they had remained there certaine dayes they returned vnto the firme land being instructed and satisfied of many things touching our holy catholike faith with great desire to receiue the same AFter that it was knowen vnto the Gouernor of the citie of Manilla and vnto the generall of the fielde as also vnto the rest of the captaines and souldiers of the ariuall of the Spaniardes whom they with great care desired to heare of as well for the particular loue they deare vnto them as also for to vnderstand and heare the newes from that mightie kingdome of China to be declared by witnesses of so great faith and credite They altogether went foorth to receiue them with great ioye and pleasure and likewise all such captaynes and souldiers as came in their companie They were straightwaies conueighed vnto their lodginges to rest themselues of their long iourney which they had by sea for it was requisite and néedefull for the which afterwardes there was great feastes and bankets which was made by the Gouernor the generall of the field and other particular persons vnto the Chinos in recompence of that which was done vnto the Spaniards in their countrie All which feastes did giue them little content when as they did remember the flying and escape of the Rouer but in especiall Omoncon and Sinsay who continually euery moment did call vpon the generall of their fleete to make haste to shorten the time that they might depart from the firme land where giuing notice vnto the Gouernor of Chincheo of the estate of Limahon he might giue order that before he had reedified and repayred himselfe they might take him which is a thing most desired in all that kingdome The generall was verie glad and reioyced of their good intertainement and answered vnto Omoncon Sinsay saying that by reason of the great storme and foule weather past their ships had great néede of reparation and likewise the marriners to ease themselues the which being done he would with all his heart depart The generall of the fielde was verie sorrowfull and much gréeued for that the Rouer Limahon was so escaped and the more when he vnderstoode that he was suspected that hee did consent vnto his departure for which occasion if that the Captaynes had not béene verie much wearied with the long siege and euill weather which happened in that time without all doubt he would haue followed him and neuer to haue left him till he had taken or slaine him Although they were fully perswaded that Limahon was so terrified with the great perill and danger in the which he was and againe with so small number of people that rather hee would desire to put himselfe in securitie then to offende or doo any harme neyther to put himselfe in any place whereas hee might receiue damage of any of them to whom hee had doone so open wrong who were so much desirous to be reuenged who for to preuent all that might happen as after we vnderstoode hauing made readie his barkes and boates which he ordayned in his fort and put in them victualles for their iourney he departed with his small number of people vnto an Ilande farreâ—off and vnknowen there whereas he vnderstoode that none would goe to séeke him and there hee remayned a time whereas he fell sicke of a melancholicke infirmitie which grewe by an imagination that hee had to remember in what state he was at that time and howe he had séene himselfe at other times feared throughout al the kingdome of China which was an imagination sufficient for to bring him to his ende his companions were dispersed abroad so that we neuer heard more of them Now returning to our purpose after that the China Captaines had recreated them selues with the feastes and sportes that was made vnto them and taken recreation many dayes and tarryed hoping that the weather would proue fayrer to prepare themselues to depart In the same time they did intreat of many thinges in particular touching Christian religion whereof with great care they did informe themselues of our religious men and tolde them some secret things that were vnknowen vnto them of their countrie for that they were strangers So when as time and weather did serue they did take their leaue with many signes and tokens of griefe for to depart and leaue the conuersation of so good companions and did promise vnto them to procure all that was possible that the friendshippe begunne betwixt them and the Chinos should continue and perseuer for that it was a thing that did content them all Their generall himselfe did take this particular charge vnto himselfe with a determinate purpose for to declare in effect to the Gouernour of Aucheo whose priuate seruant he was the good meaning of the Castillos and what principall people they were and the ceremonies they vsed with the which hee was marueilously in loue Likewise hee would giue him to vnderstande of the flying of the Rouer Limahon how and in what manner and order it was and how that the generall of the field and the other captaines were in no fault thereof This he would do in respect that if it should so fall out that Omoncon and Sinsay for their owne credite should declare any thing against the Spaniardes that was not true that they might not be beléeued Besides all this he tolde the Gouernour certaine thinges in secret how they might with great ease purchase the friendship they pretended And amongest them all one was that hee should make a supplication vnto the catholike king in requesting him to write a letter vnto their king and sende him Embassador and such as shoulde giue vnto them the light of the Catholike and Christian faith with the which diligence â—here was no doubt that not onely the friendshippe betwixt the kinges and their subiectes shoulde bee established but also the king and all his kingdome would receiue the Catholike faith for that there are manye ceremonies vsed amongest them which doo much resemble those of our Christian religion and againe in their liuing morally they doo obserue in manie thinges the tenne commandementes of Gods lawe of the which in particular he did informe himselfe so that the greatest difficultie was in the entring in of the preaching of the holy gospell and beeing by this meanes ouer come in a short time all the whole kingdome would turne Christians And considering that in their worshipping as they doo worship all thinges in the seconde essence with great facilitie they would change their adoration and giue it vnto the first as most worthie and vnto whom it is their duties The generall did adde more thereunto and saide that he was so much affâ—ctioned
vnto the faith of the Christians that if it were not that he should be banished and loose his countrie house and landes without all doubt he would haue béene baptised the which he could not do without loosing of all for that they haue a law in their countrie the which is obserued and kept inuiolably by the which it is forbidden that none whatsoeuer can receiue any strange religion differing from theirs vpon paine of death without the consent of the king and his counsell This law was made to take away nouelties and to liue all in one vniformitie of religion with one manner of rites and ceremonies This only was the occasion that certaine marchants of China being affectioned vnto the law of the gospell were baptised at the Philippinas and there doo dwell at this day in the citie of Manilla amongest the Spaniardes and are become verie good Christians So with these offers and with promises to be great friendes vnto the Spaniardes the Generall departed from Manilla to goe vnto the firme lande and with him the other Captaynes Omoncon and Sinsay with great hope that verie shortly they should be all of one faith So the one tooke their leaue of the other with reasons of great affection and tokens of great loue signifying that in any thing that should be offered they should finde them friendly They being departed the Spaniardes remayned verie carefull in praying vnto the diuine maiestie desiring of him to direct all thinges in this their request that it might be to his holy seruice and also to inspire the catholike maiestie of king Phillip their Lorde for to sende his Embassador vnto the king of China offering his friendship and to admonish him to receiue the faith of Christ the which according vnto the report of the Austen Fryers that entred into that countrie of whom we haue made mention manie times in this booke with their companions and also the Generall of China tolde them that there was no other means but only that for to bring their purpose to effect This counsell with all the spéede possible they put in vre and sent vnto his maiestie one of purpose and in the name of all them of those Ilandes to request him and to declare how much it did import They sent vnto him this relation with manie particular persons for to mooue his most Christian minde for to sende an Embassador as in effect hee did in that sort as hath béene tolde you in the last Chapter of the thirde Booke of this historie whereas it is declared in particular and in what estate it doth remaine vnto this day God for his mercies sake direct all thinges that it may be to his seruice and glorie and the saluation of so many soules The end of the first booke of the second part The second booke of the second part of the historie of the mightie kingdome of China In the which is contayned the voyage that was into that kingdome in the yeare 1576. by the fathers Fryer Peter de Alfaro Costodio in the Ilandes Philippinas of the order of saint Francis of the prouince of S. Ioseph and other three religious men of the same order and their miraculous entring into that kingdome and what happened vnto them for the space of seuen monthes that they there remained and what they did see and vnderstand of all the which are notable and verie rare CHAP. I. The Fryers of Saint Francis came vnto the Ilandes Philippinas and procured to passe vnto the firme lande of the kingdome of China with zeale to preach the holy gospell THe day of the visitation of our Ladie in the yeare 1578. there came out of Spaine to the Citie of Manilla in the Ilandes Philippinas the father Fryer Peter de Alfaro who went for Costodio of that prouince and fourteene more other religious persons of the same order in his companie and were sent by the king of Spaine and his royall Counsel of the Indias for to be ayders and helpers of the Austen Fryers who vntill that time had béene there alone in those Ilandes occupied in the conuerting of the people in that countrie and were the first ministers of the gospell preaching the same with great zeale vnto the profite of their soules of the which people those Fryers had baptised when the others ariued more then one hundred thousande and the rest prepared and cathecised to receiue the like Because that at the first occasion that might be giuen they might enter into the kingdome of China to preach the holy gospell The which Fryers when that they had béen there the space of one yeare occupying themselues in the same exercise in preaching and conuerting the people of that countrie In the same time they were giuen to vnderstande by the relation of the selfe same Austen Fryers as also by many marchants of China which came vnto them with marchandice of things to be wondred at of that mightie kingdome and of the infinite number of soules which the diuell had deceiued and brought vnto his seruice with false Idolatrie The which being by them well vnderstood they did burne with great zeale and desire of their saluation and to goe and preach the gospell although it were to put their persons in whatsoeuer hazarde or danger So with this their great desire they did many and diuerse times communicate with the gouernor that was there at that time for his maiestie who was called the Doctor Francisco de Sandi desiring his fauour and licence for to goe vnto China in the companie of certaine marchants of that countrie that were at that present in the port with their ships offering themselues to get their good will although it were to offer themselues to be slaues or otherwise whatsoeuer And séeing that at all such times when as they did intreat of that matter they found him but luke warme and that he did as it were but to detract the time and feed them with hope then they calling to minde that the chiefest intent and cause of their comming out of Spayne was to enter into that kingdome caused a newe desire to grow in them what with the contractation they had with the sayde Chinos as well in conuersation as in talke and finding them to be a people of great abilitie and discretion and of verie good iudgements the which did greatly content their desire they did perswade themselues that it was an easie matter to make them to vnderstande the thinges appertayning vnto God So that they determined to put other remedies in practise because that which they required with the good will of the Gouernor séemed to be a large and long matter So it happened that vpon a time intreating of this matter and hauing requested of God with great instance for to direct them the readie way which was best for his seruice and for the profite of those soules there came to the Ilandes Philippinas a Chino who according as they did vnderstand was one of the priests
that hee was entred into the spanish ship saw the friers the rest that were in their cōpanie saw that their apparell spéech was strange vnto him he asked of them what they were and from whence they came whether they went and when y e he vnderstood y t they were Castillos of the Ilands Philippinas came frō the said Ilands were bound vnto China with intent to preach the holy gospell he asked thē whose licence they had to conduct them vnto the firme lande But when he vnderstood that they had none hee asked them howe they passed and escaped the fléete of ships that was in the straight aforesayde The Spaniards answered that they found no impediment nor let So he being greatlie amazed as well of the one as of the other entred into his owne boate and with great furie departed from their shippe and went into his owne but at his departure the Spaniards did request him that he would conduct them vnto the cittie who gaue them to vnderstande by signes that he woulde although he feared the rigorous punishment that in that kingdome is executed vppon all such as doo bring into the same any man of a strange nation as hath béene tolde you in the first part of this historie So hee fearing that if hée shoulde enter with him into the port the fault would be imputed vnto him therefore at such time as hee came within halfe a league of the riuers mouth he cast about his shippe and sailed to sea and went so farre that in a short time the Spaniards had lost the sight of them who when they saw that they had no guide they followed the course of another shippe that they had discouered before the other did cast about to sea for which occasion the other two ships that wee spake off before were departed So a little before the sunne-set they discouered the mouth and entrie of a great and mightie brode riuer out of the which came two great streames or armes and in them many ships entering in and going forth and considering how they had the winde which serued them well they entered into the same but when they had sailed forwards a quarter of a league they discouered so great a multitude of barkes that it seemed vnto them a groue or some inhabited place and as wee drewe nigh vnto them they not knowing our shippe all began to flie and run away with so great noise as though they should haue béene all set on fire or smoke in that place The Spaniards séeing that they were the occasion of this feare amongst them they withdrew themselues into the middest of the riuer whereas they strooke saile and came to an anker there they did ride all that night and it was in such a place that none of al the other barks and boates came nigh them by a great way The next day following which was sunday the one twentith day of Iune they weighed anker and went vnder their foresaile vp that arme of the riuer the which within a little while they had sailed did ioine with the other arme aforesaide and was in that place of so great widenesse that it séemed to bée a sea there sailed in and out many shippes barkes and boates of whome the Spaniards demaunded how farre the port was off from that place but they answered nothing at all but with great laughter and wonder to sée the Spaniards and their kind of attyre they departed But when they had sailed two leagues vp the riuer they discouered a high towre and very faire vnder the which were at an anker a great number of shippes thither they sailed right on So when as they came right ouer against the towre they saw on shore a great mighty crane to discharge merchandize withall whereat lay many ships but when they came to the point fearing that some ordinance would be shot at them they strooke all their sailes according vnto the vse custome in y e ports of Spaine They after a while that they had remained in that sort saw that neither the towre nor y e ships did make any motion towards them they turned and hoised vp againe their sailes and went wheras al the ships were when they came amongst them they let fall their anker wheras they did ride looking when they would come to demand of them any thing CHAP. III. The Friers and their companions came vnto the Cittie of Canton they went on shore and praised God for that it had pleased him to let thē see their desire fulfilled There comes a Iustice to visite them and hath with them great communication THe Spaniards séeing that they were there at an anker a good while that there was none that came vnto them to demand any questiō they hoised out their boate went in it on shore wheras they al knéeled downe vpon their knées and with great deuotion did say Te Deum laudamus giuing thankes to God for that he had so myraculously brought them into y e kingdome of China of them so much desired without any Pilot or other humane industrie the which being doone they began to walke along by the crane aforesaid nigh vnto the which were certaine houses whereas were kept ropes and tackling belonging vnto the shippes so they procéeded forwards with intent to séeke the gates of the Citie the which after they had gone the space of foure hargabus shot they found the gate which was verie great and sumptuous of a strong and gallant edifice The people of the country séeing them at their comming a shore how they did knéele downe and how that their manner of attire was different from the people of the same not knowing from whence they did come did cause in them great admiration and to ioyne togither a great troope of people and followed them with great desire to sée the end of their enterprise This great multitude of people was the occasion that they entred in at the gates of the Cittie without being discouered of the guards ports that were put there for that purpose neither were they disturbed of the entry by reason of the great throng of people and strangenesse of the matter So after they had gone a while in the stréete the people increasing more and more to sée them they staied in the porch of a great house there where as the iustices of the sea or water bailies do kéepe their courts of audience and in the meane time that they remained there which was a pretty while the guardes of the gate vnderstood that amongst y e presse throng of the people did enter certaine strangers contrary to the precept giuen them vpon great penalties they straightway with great feare that their ouersight should be discouered ran laid hands vpon y e Spaniards carried them backe againe put them out of the gate of the citie without doing any euil or harme vnto their persons willed them to stay
there in that place till such time as they had giuen y e gouernor of the Cittie to vnderstand thereof he to send theÌ„ licence that they may enter in againe So after a good while that they had remained there wheras the guards had set them there came vnto theÌ„ a man who was a Chino called Canguin and could speake Portugal who knowing them to be Christians by their faces attire did aske them in the Portingal toong what they sought y e Spaniards answered him that their comming into that kingdom was for to shew declare to them the way to heauen to giue theÌ„ to vnderstand know y e true God the creator of heauen earth and that they would very faine talke with the gouernor to intreat therof This Chino by by brought to theÌ„ a man that could speak very good Portuges who as after they did vnderstaÌ„d both he his wife childreÌ„ were christened and although they were borne in China yet did they dwel 3. years with Portugals that were inhabited in Machao which is twenty leagues from that cittie of Canton This did demande the same question of them that the other did wherefore they came into that countrie they answered him the same as they did the other hee replied and asked them who was the Pilot that brought them thither they answered the will of God they not knowing howe nor from whence But after they had sailed at the sea certaine dayes they came vnto that place that according as it was giuen them to vnderstande is the cittie of Canton of the which they haue heard declared many straunge thinges the Chino asked howe the guardes of the sea and shippes that were in the straight aforesaid did let them passe they answered that they saw no guards nor any other that did trouble them their passage This last answere did cause the Christian Chino greatly to admire who being mooued with a good zeale said vnto them that they should returne againe vnto the shippe and not to come forth vntill such time as he had giuen aduice of their comming vnto the Mandelines of the sea which be certaine iudges appointed to giue aduice of all such matters to the gouernor that he may command what is to be done therein So the Spaniards returned vnto the shippe whereas they remained a good while and passed great heate for that it dooth excéede in that port So after a while they sawe come vnto a house which was néere vnto the gate of the Cittie a man of great authoritie who was brought in a litter Chaire much people came with him he stayed at that house and from thence sent to call vnto him the religious men and all the rest that came in their company before them all came one that carried a table all whited and thereon was written certaine great letters with blacke ynke the which as after they vnderstood was the licence that the gouernor of the cittie gaue them for to come a shoore without the which there is no stranger permitted The fathers did straightwayes obey it and came forth of their shippe with more companie then they desired of such as came to sée them who were so many in number that although the sergeants and officers of the iudge that sent for them did beate them for to make way yet was it a good while before they coulde come vnto the house whereas the iudge was although the way was but short So when they approched nigh one of â—he sergeants bad them knéele down before the iudge the which they did with great humilitie without any replication Hee was set in a verie rich Chaire with so great maiestie that they were greatly astonyed to sée it and the more when that they vnderstood by the christian Chino that he was not the gouernor neither of the supreme iudges hee was apparelled in a robe of silke close from aboue down to the foote with the sleeues very wide and a girdle imbossed and on his head a bonnet full brooches such as bishops doo vse on their mytres Before him was set a table whereon was paper and inke and on the one side and the other two rankes of men as though they were to guard him yet without weapons They had al of them in their hands long canes of foure fingers brode with the which as after they did vnderstand they do beat suâ—h as are offeÌ„ders vpon the calues of their legges with great crueltie as hath beene told you in the first bookes of this historie All these had vppon their heads a manner of helmet made of blacke leather and on them great plumes of Pecocks feathers with brooches made of mettal a thing vsed to be worne in that countrie of such as are executioners or ministers of iustice The iudge bad the interpreter to aske them of what nation they were and what they sought in that countrie and who was their guide to bring them into that port the which being vnderstoode by the religious men answered that they were Spaniards and subiect vnto the king Philip of Spaine and came thither to preach the holy gospel and to teach them to know the true God creator of the heauen and earth and to leaue off the worshiping of their Idols who haue no more power of themselues then that which is giuen them by him that doth make them the which worship is knowne and receiued by his holie law and declared by the mouth of his only begotten sonne and confirmed with diuine tokens from heauen in whose guarde doth consist the saluation of all soules And to the last touching who was their guide vnto that kingdome they answered that it was God vnto whose will all creature are subiect as vnto the true creator all the which as afterward it did appeare the interpreter did not truely interpret of the interpretation of the Spaniards vnderstanding that if hee should truely interpret what they saide the Iudge would forthwith sende them away which would be the occasion that he shuld get nothing of them So that he made his interpretatioÌ„ as it best séemed for his purpose fearing as after he did confesse that if he shuâ—d declaâ—e the truth of that which the Spaniards had said it would haue been verie odious to the Iudge afterward both vnto them and to himselfe might be the occasion of some great euill but to conclude he answered and told the Iudge that they were certaine religious men who liued in common a sharpe and asper life much after the manner of those of that kingdome and that going from the Iland of Luzon vnto the Ilands of the Illocos in a great storme and tempest that chanced them the ship wherin they were was cast away and al their people cast away sauing they who escaped by vsing great diligence and put themselues in that small ship which came in company with another greater shippe without Pilot or mariner for that they were almost all drowned and setting saile in the
eyes as we would say cats eyes in the which they do differ from them For it is a great maruaile to finde a man amongst them with more then twentie heares in his beard little more or lesse flat noses and their eyes very little so that when they will mocke a man or doo him any iniurie by word they will call him cats eyes Now for that the desire of the Spaniardes was nothing else but to remaine in that countrie for to bring to effect their good zeale they did gratifie the interpreter for the great fauour hee shewed them and did earnestly intreat him for to present the petition thinking thereby their desire should be vnderstood and Gods cause iustified so that they first would enter into them by the way of preaching He presented the petition when that all the Iudges were together who had great pitie and compassion ouer the Spaniardes and willed that they should come before them for that they would sée and vnderstande the roote and foundation of their will They obeyed their commandement with great ioy and when they were come into the hall one of the Iudges who was superiour ouer all the rest and a man of great authoritie did aske of them by way of the interpreter what was their pretence in that they did aske a house to dwell in the Frier Costodio did answere that he did desire it for to learne the language well by which meanes they might the better learne them to know the true God and to set them in the true way to goe and glorie with him because it was his office and his profession The Interpreter tolde all this truely the which fewe times before he had done as hath béene tolde you Then the Iudge in name of all the rest sayde that in that their demand they could not grant neyther had they any such authoritie to giue licence This being spoken the Interpreter replyed without tarrying to heare what the Spaniardes would say and said that at least wayes they would giue them licence to remaine there till such time as the Portingals did come thether for to lade their marchandice which would be within few daies with whom they would go for that they were all of one law faith The Iudge did againe aske theÌ„ if that the Portingals Spaniards were al one The father Costodio answered that in religion lawes there was no difference but the one were subiects to one king the other to another although they were kinsmen and thaâ— very nigh This last petition seemed to the Iudge to be more reasonable and iust than the first and that they might grant it theÌ„ with lesse difficultie although he answered them and said that he could not grant it vnto them but he would write vnto the viceroy for to grant it them For that the Portugals would bee there at the farthest within foure or fiue moneths that in the meane time he would giue them a prouision that they may go fréely abroad and none to hurt nor harme them So the next day following which was the second of August he did accomplish his word and promise and sent vnto the viceroy their petition and therewithall his iudgement and of all the rest that were there with him what they thought touching that matter The answere staied many daies after came not but in the ende there came a commandement from the viceroy vnto the gouernor of Canton in the which hee willed that the Spaniards should be sent vnto Aucheo whereas he was and that there should be carried with them all such thinges as they brought with them which was their bookes and ornaments The Iudge did straightwaies send gaue them to vnderstande of this new order because they should make themselues readie for to trauaile the which they did with great ioy and diligence as you shall vnderstand in the chapter following CHAP. VII The Spaniardes take their iourney towards Aucheo declare what happened in the way thitherwarde THe next day following which was the sixtéenth day of August the Spaniards departed froÌ„ Canton towards Aucheo to sée the viceroy with great hope and confidence that he would giue them licence for y t which they pretended But at their departure they would haue left there two Indians for to kéepe their ship or frigat but the Iudges that were present said that it was not néedefull for them to haue any such care for that they would take the care vppon them to see all thinges in good order So presently they sent certaine writing in papers and commaunded them to bee glewed vppon the hatches of their shippe in such sort that they could not bee open but they must be perceiued Then presently was brought for the Spaniardes foure barkes verie gallant and wide with verie fayre galleries and windowes and beeing imbarked they charged them verie much to make all haste possible to accomplish the commandement of the viceroy and sent with them conuenient persons for to be their guides and to giue them all thinges necessarie for their iourney They traueiled continually in a mightie riuer against the current in the which they did sée many thinges woorthie to be noted for the space of foure daies that their iourney indured There was alongest the riuer side manie Cities and townes verie great which were so many in number that they could not make any memorie of them by reason that they passed manie of them by night To obserue the tides and to auoid the heate which was great vppon the water Alongest the riuer side whereas it was not inhabited was full of corne fieldes whereas they sawe them go to plough with many Bufalos much different vnto the vse of Spaine for that one alonely buffe did drawe the plough with one vpon his backe who did gouerne and guide him with great ease whether hee would they should go with a corde made fast to a ring at his nose which serued in steede of a bridle They sawe also flockes of géese in the which were more then â—â—entie thousand with whom they did weede and tooke away the grasse which did growe amongst the rice and other graine and seedes driuing them in the middest of their fieldes it seemed that they had the vse of reason considering how they did separate and make a distinction betwixt the good seede and the bad and the great care they had to feede and do no harme neither to plucke vp the good plant which was a thing that they wondred at aboue all the rest All the countrie is verie populous and the townes one so néere an other that it may better be sayde to be all one towne and not manie and might with more propertie be called the Citie of China and not the kingdome of China In all the whole countrie there is not one foot of ground vnoccupied by reason of the great abundance of peo-people that there is and they permit amongest them no idle people as more at large it hath béene declared vnto
on their knées the which they did presently from that place vnto the seat of the viceroy was more thaÌ„ a hundreth foot in length yet did the viceroy himself make signes with his hand that one of the religious men should come nearer him the which the father Costodio did and knéeled downe againe wheÌ„ he drew nigh vnto the table that was before him The viceroy did consider and beholde him a good while and that with great grauitie maiestie and then asked him of whence he was and what he came to seeke in that kingdome into the which none might come vpoÌ„ paine of death without expresse licence of some of the Iudges alongst the sea coast The father Costodio answered that he and the rest of his companions were Spaniards and that they were come into that kingdome mooued with the zeale of God for the saluation of their soules for to preach the holy gospell show theÌ„ the way vnto heauen Hauing declared the interpreter this although they did not vnderstand whither he did vse fidelitie in the declaration or not but rather by that which the viceroydid forthwith demand it is to be beléeued that he did it with falshood as he had done many times before for y e without replying vnto that which he had saide of the preaching of y e gospel he asked them what marchandice they brought with theÌ„ the said father answered that they brought none for y t they were not men that did deale in any marchandice but in declaring of things appertaining to heauen to direct their soules to that place Hearing this answere or that which the interpreter would imagine to be better for his purpose the viceroy did bid them depart commanded them to returne againe y e next day and to bring with them their Images the other things wherof he was certified from Canton that were founde in their frigat for that he would sée it all They did accomplish his coÌ„mandement returned the next day in the morning at such time as it was tolde them that the pallace gates would be opened the which was done in the same maner order as the day before with the noyse of musicke and artillerie as aforesaid So when that the viceroy was giuen to vnderstande how that the Castillos were come he coÌ„manded that one of them with alonely the interpreter should enter there wheras he was and to bring in such thinges as he had commanded to be brought the which was presently accomplished Hee straightwaies began to looke vpon the images euery one by it selfe and the bookes made a stay betwixt euerie one to consider well thereof and made a showe of great content he receiued in the sight of theÌ„ Although aboue all the rest the Ara of blacke Iasper did most content him and caused a marueilous strangenesse in the rest of the Iudges that had séene it All this while was the father Costodio vpon his knées and the interpreter by him and hee neuer asked of theÌ„ any question neyther did they say any thing They that did bring those thinges vnto him for to sée them seemed to be principall and ancient men who when they gaue it him into his handes they did it knéeling So after that he had seene them al at his pleasure he coÌ„manded to put them againe in the place that they were taken out and made signe vnto the father Coistodio to the interpretâ—r y t they should depart and to carry with theÌ„ al those things which they had brought One of the ancient men that were with him did go foorth with the Spaniards told them when they came into the second hall that the viceroy did reioyce much to see theÌ„ and all those which they brought said that they should repaire vnto y e Timpintao who was his deputy he would dispatch al such matters as were asked of the viceroy by petition following the same till it was concluded that he would consult with the viceroy who would set down such orders as shold be obserued They straightwaies did put in execution this order coÌ„ming vnto the house of the deputie vnto the viceroy the which was very great faire they found that he had a garde very little lesse then y t of the viceroy almost with as great maiestie So after they had remained in the court a good while abiding his coÌ„maÌ„dement to whom it was giuen to vnderstand y t the viceroy had sent them vnto him he coÌ„manded them to ascend into the place wheras he was which was into a hall very well dressed in the which was almost al such things as they had séene in the hall of the viceroy and he himselfe in the same manner sate in a rich chaire with a table before him He coÌ„manded to take out those things which they brought in their chestes and did behold them with great consideration péece by péece as the viceroy had done and reioysing much to sée the Images he did demande of them with curiositie the signification of some of them but in especiall a crucifixe that after that he had considered with great attention he asked what man was that which was vppon the crosse and what those letters did signifie that were tituled ouer his head But when the father Costodio had declared it vnto him he beganne to laugh thereat as though he had heard some foolish fable Hee came and féeled the habites of our religious men and made signes of great woonder to see the aspernesse thereof The father Costodio séeing his affabilitie and as it séemed by outwarde showe that he did very much pitie them he requested to helpe and fauour him with the viceroy that he would aske licence that they might remaine and dwell in that countrie in any place where his pleasure was to appoint for y t they were men without any hurt and would put all their care and diligence to do workes of charitie and to procure y e men might go to inioy the happie estate to the which they were borne The interpreter dealt here in his office with as great fidelitie as at other times in saying that which the fathers did request of him was that he should be a meanes vnto the viceroy that he would let them to remaine in that countrie two or thrée moneths for that as theÌ„ it was an ill time to nauigate the sea and that without great danger of their liues they could not returne vnto the Ilands Philippinas The Iudge answered that they should not feare but remaine with content for y t he would procure that there should be giuen theÌ„ a house for those thrée or foure moneths with a commandement that none whatsoeuer should do them any harme The Interpreter tolde them y t the deputie to the viceroy was very glad y t they would remaine in that countrie for y t they séemed vnto him men of good example necessarie in their coÌ„mon weale that they might fréely learne the
language as they sayd for to shew instruct them the way vnto heauen The Spaniards hauing heard this if made them very much to maruaile frō that time forwards they had good hope to prosecute that which they did pretend So with this with great spirituall corporal ioy they tooke their leaue of the Iudge and went vnto their lodging wheras they gaue thanks vnto God for the good directing of their busines did pray vnto him to helpe thē that they might sée a finall conclusion of their desire All this falsenes that the interpreter did vse was by the diuine permission as afterwards they did gather when that by himselfe they were put out of all doubt and did declare what he did pretend by the way order he tooke For without all doubt if that the Iudges had plainly vnderstood that they would haue there remained they would not haue suffered them to haue entred and séene the countrie And the viceroy being aduertised thereof would haue caused them to depart in that troublesome wether whereas possible they should haue béene all drowned for that the moneths of Iuly August and September in that countrie are ordinarily full of stormes and tempestes CHAP. IX The Spaniards remained certaine daies in Aucheo they go to visite the beautie of that citie but in especiall the captaine generall of the sea who was so affectioned vnto the Ara of blacke stone they brought that hee did with all care and diligence procure it of gift ALl the time that they remained in Aucheo they did occupie thēselues in visiting of the principals of y t court amōgst whom he that did most reioice to see them was the captaine generall of the men of war of that prouince who after that he had intreated them very friendly and louingly he desired them that they would returne the next day to visite him to bring with them the Ara of blacke stone which they had shewed vnto the viceroy that he might sée it for that he had praised it very much and to bring also of their painted Images They did obey his commandement and came vnto him when that he was at dinner with great maiestie Then so soone as he had dined he commanded that they should enter into the hal there where he was The interpreter when he drew nigh vnto him did knéele down and made signes vnto the Spaniards to follow him and do the like but the captaine commanded them to arise to couer their heads did very much behold the Ara or altar stone making a showe of great admiration to beholde it hee demanded of the Fryers many things of great curiositie and asked them if they would sell him that stone and he would giue them for it what they would demande The father Costodio answered saying that they solde nothing and much lesse that for that it was consecrated and dedicated to the diuine colto or sacrifice The Captaine replied and saide that if they would not sell it that they should giue it him and hee would be gratefull vnto them in some other thing that they should thinke well of The father Costodio answered that by no maner of meanes he could not do it for that vpon the same they did celebrate and say masse at such time as they did sacrifice vnto the true God At that instant the captaine did put his handes vppon it to féele it and the father Costodio made signes vnto him to take away his handes for that he sinned greatly therein Then he séeing that they would not giue it him he tooke his leaue saying that they should leaue it there with him for that hee would looke vppon it more at leasure promising to returne it them againe afterwardes The father Costodio did consent thereunto but first he requested him not to touch it with his handes So after that he had satisfied himselfe in the beholding of it his affection was then much more to remaine therewith and for to accomplish the same not fayling of his word and promise that he had made hee deuised with himselfe a certaine slight and policie and sent for the father Costodio who came vnto him with great content thinking verily that he would haue returned their Ara. When he came vnto him he did intertaine him verie ioyfully and said that he was vpon his iorney to certain warres by the commandement of the king that amongst those seruants that he carried with him for his seruice there were two christened Chinos which had beene captiues vnto the Portugales of the citie of Machao from whence they ran away of whom he had had vnderstanding in all thinges of the ceremonies of the Christians and that their comming thether was to baptise such as would receiue the same and hee being fully certified in many thinges touching the same he liked well thereof and gaue great content and hoped to be one of them that first should receiue the faith when the king should grant licence for the same All this as it séemed was that they should let him haue the Ara vnto the which he was so affectioned as aforesaid But the father Costodio vsed the matter in such sort that hee got it out of his fingers which was no small matter Within a few dayes after the Captaine being readie to imbarke himselfe for to make his iourney he sent vnto the Spaniardes that two of them should come vnto him and that they should bring with them the blacke stone for there were certaine friendes of his that would sée it The father Costodio did straightwayes accomplish his commandement and carried with him the Ara or altar stone for that he durst not do otherwise yet they did beléeue that in giuing him some pretie or curious thing they should content him and quiet his mind they carried also with them the Image of Marie Magdalen made of feathers which was more woorthie than the Ara setting a part the consecration So whē the religious fathers came wheras he was he went foorth to méete them more then tenne paces with signification of great ioy and carrying them aside he saide vnto them once againe that the captiues had told him so many things of their vertuous maner of liuing of other things touching the heauen that he had great affection vnto them desired that they might remaine in the countrie for to baptise the inhabitants therof that he wold be the first but the cause wherfore he did delay the time is for to eschew the paines y t is pronounced against all those that do receiue any law or strange ceremonie without particular licence of the king And for that he went in hast to go inhabite a certaine prouince that he was ready to depart in y e which so soone as it was possible he would do so much y t al they should become Christians for as much as he tolde him that the blacke stone vnto the which he was affectioned was consecrated that he would let him haue
it to carry with him that he might put it in the first church that the baptised should edifie being made christians the which would be very shortly for y t he was determined before many daies to send to Machao for two friers such as were there to be fully informed of them in thinges touching the Christian faith Then the father Costodio sayde if that which he had spoken came from his heart that hee would foorth with depart and goe with him and all his companie The Captaine answered that as then hee could not doo it till such time as the Church was built and licence had for the same of the king or vizroy the which at that time he coulde not demande for the great hast that he had to depart The father Costodio replied and said that his church being built he would promise him of his worde to sende it him and not to giue it to any other and in pledge and token of the same he should carry with him the Image of Marie Magdalene made of feathers The captaine receiued the same with great content greatlie maruelling at the subtill and fine worke wherewith it was wrought and after did so much that almost perforce he remained also with the Ara and commanded to bee brought foorth two rich péeces of Damaske and to giue them vnto the Father Costodio for to make an ornament in truck and ful satisfaction for the same but the father Costodio woulde not receiue them but was very much gréeued to sée howe that hee did remaine therewith and with the Image of feathers The Captaine did contende with him for to take the Damaske but hée would not Afterward they vnderstood that that the interpreter was bribed by a seruant of the Captaines for to alter the friers words and to offer the captayne the Ara and any thing els that hee would desire For to the contrary he durst not by any meanes to take it against the will of the fathers To conclude he did imbarke himselfe vpon his voyage and caried with him the Ara and the image with great ioy to himselfe but vnto the fathers and their companions discomfort and sorrow for that they had lost the two thinges that they so much estéemed The captayne at his departure did vse great thinges and curtesie taking his leaue of them with signes that signified he bare them great loue and good will and that it gréeued him to depart and could not carie them with him as they requested The interpreter did comfort the Spaniardes and sayd that they should not be sorrowfull that the captaine had taken those two pieces for that he was a mightie prince and that he would fauour and helpe them with the vizroy and that hee was certaine that he would accomplish that which he promised that is to become a christian for that he did beare great good will and affection vnto them in the which the interpreter did not lie for that it was told them by the seruants of the Captaine that were christened a I told you before The Frier Costodio remained so sad and sorowfull for the carrying away of the Ara and Madlin of feathers as though he had lost a great treasure and being desirous to recouer them againe he did recommend the same vnto S. Antonio de Padua who for thinges that were lost they knewe by experience to bee the onely saint for aduocate and did promise the better to obtaine their desire for to celebrate vnto him certaine masses when they should come into place fit for the same Straightwayes it so fell out that the chiefe and principall interpreter did fall out with the other that did helpe him about certaine proâ—ite that was comming to him and did threaten him that he would tell the gouernor howe that they had giuen him much siluer for to conclude the matter about the Ara for that the fathers had giuen it them more by force then any good will The interpreter fearing that hee shoulde bée for the same gréeuously punished and finding himselfe culpable in y e things that the other threatned him for he went vnto the captain who was imbarked and readie to depart tarrying onely for wether and tolde him the falling out in all points as it passed and of his threatnings who likewise fearing what might succéede or happen if it shoulde come to the vnderstanding of the Aytao of the cittie of Canton as coulde not be by any meanes excused hee called vnto him one of his seruants and commanded him to take the Ara and the Image and to carry them vnto the Fathers who accomplished his commande and they receiued them with great comfort and gaue great thankes vnto God for the same and S. Antonio de Padua by whose intercession they beléeued that they were restored CHAP. X. The Timpintao dooth call the Spaniards before him and dispatcheth them for to go to Canton they tooke their leaue of him and goeth from Aucheo and at their comming to Canton they are commaunded to make themselues readie to depart the kingdome THe next day following which was the thirde day of September the Timpintao did sende to call the Spaniards before him who as we haue said was deputie vnto the vizroy and he gaue them certaine dispatches in saying that there was in them all that they did aske and gaue commandement to the gouernor of Canton that he should not neglect but accomplish al things therin comprehended so that they might depart when they pleased When hee tooke his leaue of them hee did intreate them verie curteously with words of great curtesie The Spaniards departed his presence with incredible ioy beléeuing that he had agréed and granted all that they did aske and to remaine in the countrie to preach so that the next day following they made all thinges in a redinesse to take their voyage the which they finished in short time by reason of their great contentment they had with themselues as also for the good intertainement and good cheere they had by the way which was made and giuen them by the commandemeÌ„t of the Timpintao So when they came vnto Canton they went straightwayes to visite the gouernour and to giue him the dispatches which they brought who after that he had read the same he bad them welcome and saide that hee was very glad that the vizroy had shewed them so much fauour and that the same was committed to his charge for the execution of his commission that they should perswade themselues that hee would performe it according vnto his commandement without failing anie thing And for to beginne the same hee shewed vnto them a house of the kings which should be for their dwelling which was in the suburbs halfe fallen downe and there they were lodged with a commandement that they should not go foorth neither enter into the cittie without particular licence Héere they remained many dayes being deceiued of their purpose and maruelled very much that the gouernor would not giue them licence for to reedifie
a monastery neither for to enter into the cittie for to giue order in that which they beléeued was granted them by the vizroy til such time as they vnderstood what was done by their interpreters relation giuen by the Chino boy which came w t them from the Philippinas who declared to thē the truth in all things how y e the interpreters had neuer told the Iudges how that they would remain in the countrie neither made any mētion thereof but that they came thither as lost men that their request was to remaine in the country til it were faire wether or the comming of the Portugall shippes And this was that which the vizroy and his deputie had granted and no other thing But when the father Costodio and his companions who verely beléeuing that their desire woulde take effect vnderstoode the craft and wile of the interpreters and the great fashood that they had vsed they were very sadde and beganne amongst themselues to remedie the same so they determined to séeke a new interpreter one that should faithfulle and truely declare their will vnto the gouernor And although they did finde some that could doo it for that they did reasonably vnderstande the Portugall tongue yet there were none that woulde accept it for any request or giftes that they did promise them The Father Costodio séeing this and that the time appointed did passe away without doing of any thing one day hee and the rest of his companions did ioine togither entred in counsell to sée what was best to be done according vnto the necessitie in the which they were driuen There was amongst them diuers opinions for that of the father Costodio and of another religious man was that they woulde go vnto Machao which was not farre off and there would administer the sacraments and preach the holy Gospel vnto the christened Chinos and to learne the China language and to tarrie there and abide the first occasion that should bee offered or else they themselues to procure it for hauing the language it were an easie thing to doo it they should not haue néede of any interpreter neither feare to be deceiued as they had béene before And besides this they put the Portugals out of all doubt of the false opinion that the Captaine generall had published abroade of them and of other matters of like effect and purpose The other two religious men and soulders were of a contrarie opinion which was that they should returne vnto the Ilands Philippinas and not vnto Machao and saide that they had departed without licence of the gouernor and did aduenture themselues into the harme and damage that might happen vnto them by that enterprise and all for to plant the faith of Christ in that kingdome And now séeing that by the iust iudgement of God wee cannot put it in execution wee are greatly bounde to returne againe vnto him of whome we doubt not but with ease to get our pardon for the error passed representing the zeale wee had to the honour of God and the saluation of so manie soules who did incite vs to giue that great enterprise with the which we shall remaine blamelesse with them that had giuen wrong iudgement of vs and accomplish our bounden duetie and obedience which wee doo owe vnto the gouernor And in going vnto Machao wée shall runne in great danger to be holden and iudged for traitors to the king and the intent wherewith wee went vnto China euery one wil construe and interpret thereon at his pleasure The resolution of these contrary opinions was by a common consent delated certaine dayes in the which they prayed vnto God to put into their hearts that which was best for his deuine seruice So in the end the father Costodio and the religious man who was of his opinion did determine to go forwards with their pretence and to go vnto Machao as aforesaid and the rest to returne vnto the Ilands with the first oportunitie they might finde but when it should come to effect one of the religious Friers that shoulde haue gone vnto Manilla was deade of an infirmitie that chanced him They staied there longer then they did think they should by reason that y e Iudges of the Cittie were occupied with the examinations of students the which is accustomed euery thrée yeares and is in that manner and order as hath béene tolde you in the proper chapter for the same the which examinations endured more then fiue and fortie dayes with great feastes and banquets without medling in any other particular businesse CHAP. XI The Father Costodio sendeth a messenger vnto Machao he he writeth vnto the bishop and vnto a priest for to bestow their almes on them for their departure The captaine generall doth vnderstand therof and commandeth them not to aid nor succour the Spaniards and other matters appertaining vnto them IN the meane time of this their examination the father Costodio did sende a messenger vnto the bishop of Machao declaring vnto him his determination and he also did write vnto the deuout priest of whome we haue made mention before and craued of them their almes wherewith they might make prouision for them that would depart for the Ilands Philippinas and how that he and his companyon would go and see his lordship This was not done so secretly but it came vnto the vnderstanding and knowledge of the captaine generall of the Portugals who with great choller went and demanded the letters of the priest those that were giuen him by the Chino threatning him that if hee did not hee woulde punish him with great rigor and banish him out of the countrie as a suspected person He answered him that of truth he had receiued certaine letters but that at the very instant hee sent them vnto the Bishoppe vnto whome they were directed about the which there was great holde and kéepe vntill it came to effect that the captaine did lay holde vppon the priest for to apprehende him but when the bishop vnderstood thereof hee with all spéed possible went to remedy the danger that might insue and to take him out of his power The captaine séeing that hee could not perseuer with his intent and purpose he made many notifications vnto the bishop requiring that he would not permit that any letters shoulde bée receiued from those religious Spaniards for that he knew by very certaine relation that they were spies and no friers and if so be that any damage should happen vnto them by their order that hée woulde lay the whole fault vppon him as a consenter and a helper The bishoppe answered that he was fully perswaded and certified that they were true religious men and seruants of God and that he with a very good will would take vpon him the burthen of any damage that should happen to the country by their meanes or vnto the king of Portugall With this the captaine was somewhat quieted but not so much but that continually hee did
incredible and so nigh the one vnto the other that they séemed to be al one so in the end of foure dayes they landed at one of the cities where came so much people to sée those strangers that it séemed al the kingdom were there assembled togither were so many in number that before they could get to y e Inne wheras they should be lodged there passed more then foure houres and was in distance but a quarter of a league but when they came thither they were verie faint with the great thrust aâ—d throng of the people They stayed in this Cittie one day and the next day very early in the morning was brought vnto them horse for to trauel by land other two daies y e which was almost continually in villages townes the third day they were imbarked in a small barke wherein they passed a riuer which had but litle water y e space of two houres theÌ„ after they were shipped in a bigger barke and entred into another riuer which seemed to be an arme of the sea in the which they sailed fiue dayes and sawe sailing vp and downe the said riuer so many barks and boats that it made them to be greatly amased These riuers were as wel replenished of cities and townes as the other riuer whereof we haue spoken Al which is a helpe to beleeue that which hath béene said of the mightinesse and the great number of people that are in that mighty kingdom Concluding this riuer they entred into another but not so broade as the last but a swifter current and beset with mightie trées both on the one side and the other and were so thick that almost they could not sée the sunne thorough them and although the country very asper there alongst the riuers side yet was there many walled citties an infinite number of townes and vilages in such sort that the suburbs did almost ioyne the one vnto the other So when they were disembarked out of this riuer they trauelled by land other foure dayes and greatly maruelled to see the great fertilitie of the country and many other things more which they do passe ouer for that in the relation of y e Augustine friers it hath béene declared vnto you In the ende of those foure daies they came to a cittie ten leagues from Chiâ—cheo and were lodged in the suburbs of the same whether resorted so much people to sée them that although they did shut y e gates to defend themselues from the prease yet could they not be disturbed of the entry for y t they broke the gates climed vp the wals windowes to sée them The host of the house where as they were lodged when he saw that the people did spoile and distroy his house he requested the Spaniards to go forth into a greene fielde which was there harde by placed amongst a company of Orchards the which they did to satisfie him also to satisfie the multitude of people that were come thither only to sée them The noise of the people was so great that the gouernor feared there had bin some other matter commanded a Iudge to go examine the cause and know the truth but when that hee was certified thereof hee commaunded the Spaniards to come vnto his house for that hee was desirous and would sée them They presently did accomplish his commandement and went their way and as they passed thorough the stréete there were certaine representing a comedie but so soone as the people that were there did sée the Spaniardes they left the players all alone and followed them They entred into the gouernors house and found him with great maiestie of seruants and souldiers of his gard he entertayned them with great loue and asked them who they were and from whence they came The interpreter presently shewed the prouision they brought from the viceroy which was in summe their licence giuen by him for them to go vnto Chincheo and that none should disturbe them in their iourney But to ayde and giue them all fauor possible that which was néedefull for their iourney And when that he had read the same he saide that thereby he did vnderstand that which he desired to know how that the viceroy did command all gouernors him as one of them they should offer to do all that lay in them the which he did accomplish and shewed them great fauour and friendship The dext day following they departed out of this citie by land being giuen vnto them by the gouernor very good prouision for the way The same day they came vnto a towne that was very fresh and fiue leagues from the place they departed there they determined to tarrie all that night fearing y e passage through a citie which was but a league before suspecting that they should be as much troubled with the people as they were in the other citie the day before And although this was but a small towne yet was there so great a concourse of people that came from the villages there abouts that it caused them to depart the next morning more early than they thought and all the night they could not sléepe because of the great noyse of the people So within a while after they departed from that towne they came vnto the citie aforesaide the which for situation and gallant buildings was the fairest in all that prouince Through the midst thereof ranne a mightie riuer ouer the which were many bridges very great and most faire Here were they so oppressed with much people that came to sée them that they were detayned in the presse a good while before they could enter into the citie and after they were within they were compassed about in such sort that they could not goe to seeke to eate but were constrained to enter into a barke and go downe the riuer and shroud themselues amongst a company of trées although they did vse this policie Yet the number of people were so great that leapt into the same barke that they were readie to sinke till such time as they that had entred the barke to auoid that perill returned and lept a shoore leauing them all alone with the barkemen and marriners that did rowe who went to seeke and bring them to eate and they remained in the barke all that night So the next day in the morning before the people could come to disturbe them they rowed towards the great and huge citie of Chincheo and entred into the same vppon a sunday in the morning being the sixt day of December They remained still in the barke for their owne quietnesse and security and sent their interpreter with their prouision vnto the Gouernour that he might ordaine at his pleasure that which was therein commanded The Gouernor when he had receiued commission he said vnto the interpreter that he should tell the Spaniards that he was very glad that they were come thither in safetie and in good health and that hee should receiue
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
of which shal be spoken more at large hereafter This kingdome towards the Orient dooth ioyne vnto the country of Peru and so running by the North sea and reacheth vnto Nombre de Dios which is a port of the saide kingdome and from thence vnto Acapulco which is a port in the kingdome of Mexico and in the South sea it reacheth vnto Panama a port of the said Peru and in the same sea it extendeth nigh vnto the straights of Magellanes and not farre from the riuer of Plata and Brasill To conclude this kingdome is so great that vnto this day they cannot find the end therof but euery day doth discouer new countries whereas all the Indians that they do finde are verie easie to bee reduced vnto the Catholike faith for that they are people very docible ingenious and of a good vnderstanding There is amongst them diuers languages and verie different climes although all generally doo vnderstande the Mexican tongue which is most common There are many prouinces inhabited by Indians and Spaniards that euery one of them is as bigge as a reasonable kingdome yet the greatest and most principall is that of Mexico whereas are many Indians and Spaniards which doo excéed all the rest in number the names of them are Honduras Guatimala Campeche Chiapa Guaiaca Mechuacan Nueua galicia Nueua Viscaya Guadiana and others mo which I leaue out because I woulde not be tedious in all the which they haue either a royall audience and gouernors or other Iustices all Spaniards The naturall people whereof neuer since they were conuerted haue béene found in any heresie nor in any thing contrarie vnto the Romish faith All these prouinces are subiect and doo acknowledge that of Mexico as the principall there whereas his maiestie hath his vizroy an inquisition an archbishop and a royall audience or court of Chancerie This Cittie of Mexico is one of the best that is in all the whole world and is situated vpon water after the manner and fashion of Uenice in Italie in all this kingdome almost you cannot know when it is winter or when it is summer for that in al the whole yeare there is smal difference betwixt the daies and the nights by reason of the temperature of the countrie the fieldes are gréene almost all the whole yeare and trées beare fruit also almost all the whole yeare for when it is winter in Europa then doo their fall dewes from heauen which dooth cause all things to budde and flowre and in the summer it doth ordinarily raine but especially in the monethes of Iune Iuly August and September in the which monethes it is a maruel when it raineth not euery day and it is to bee wondred at for that almost it neuer rayneth but from noone forwards and neuer passeth midnight so that it neuer troubleth them that doo trauell by the way for that they may beginne their iourney at midnight and trauell vntill the next day at noone It raineth vnreasonably and with so great furie and force that the time that it dooth indure it is requisite to flie from the showers for that many times they are so hurtfull that one sole shower taketh away the life of a man Almost all the whole yeare in this kingdome they do sowe and gather as wel wheaâ—e wherof they haue great abundance as Maiz which is the ordinary sustentation of al the Indians blacke moores horse of the which they haue great abundance very gallant good both to y e eye indéed as in any kingdom in al the whole world that is knowne vnto this day The brood of them was carried out of Spaine thither when first they did discouer that country for that effect were chosen the best that could bee found and for that they doo eate all the whole yeare greene grasse Maiz which is wheat of y e Indians is the occasion that they do deserue to haue the praise aboue all other In fine this kingdome is one of y e fertilest of victuals of al that euer we haue heard off and of riches for that there is in it an infinite number of siluer mines out of the which is taken great abundance as it is to be séene euery yeare when as the shippes doo come vnto Syuell It is vnder the Torrida Zona yet notwithstanding it is of the temperature as I haue said contrarie vnto the opinion of ancient Philosophers who said that it was not inhabited But now to excuse them it shal not be from our purpose to declare the cause wherefore they were deceiued and is that in the foure monethes aforesaide wherein the sunne hath his most force it doth continually rayne which is the occasion that the country is so temperate and besides this God doth prouide that it is visited with fresh windes which come both out from the South and North sea and is so ordinarie a thing that it is a maruell to see it calme by reason whereof the whole kingdome is of that propertie and although the sunne be very strong and causeth great heate yet putting himselfe vnder any shadowe although it bee but little they straightwayes feele a fresh and comfortable winde by reason of the temperature of the heauen in the manner aforesaid The inhabitants of this kingdome throughout al the whole yeare néede not to augment nor diminish their apparell neither their beddes Also the aire and clime is so holesome that you may lie and sléepe in the fieldes without any thing vppon you as in any house be it neuer so well hanged and close All that is discouered of this kingdome except it be the lande of the Chichimecos which is a kind of Indians that liueth as the Alarbes do in Africa without any house or towne all the rest I say are in peace and quietnes baptised and doctrined and furnished with many monasteries of diuers orders of religious men as of the order of S. Dominicke of S. Francis of S. Austen of Iesuits besides a great number of priests that are reparted in al parts of that kingdome so that the one and the other are continually occupied in doctrining of the naturall people and other Spaniards that are in that kingdome of whome although they be but a few in respect of the Indians yet do they surmount in number more then fiftie thousand In the principall citie of this kingdome which is that of Mexico as aforesaid there is a vniuersitie and in it be many schooles whereas is red any facultie as is in Salamanca that by men of great sufficiencie whose trauel is gratified with great rentes honor There bee also in it many great hospitals as well of Spaniards as of Indians wheras the sicke men are cured with great charitie comfort for that euery one of them haue great rents and reuenues I do not intreat of the Churches and monasteries both of Friers and Nunnes which are in that cittie nor of other particular thinges for that thereof
the Spaniardes many dayes alwayes traueling alongst the riuer side aforesayde where as were many townes of Indians of this nation the which indured twelue dayes iourney in all the which the Caciques gaue aduice from one towne to another out of the which they came forth and entertained the Spaniards without their bowes and arrowes and brought with them victuals and other prouision and gifts but in especiall hides and shamway skins very well dressed so that those of Flanders do nothing excéed them These people are all clothed they found that they had some light of y e holy faith for that they made signe vnto God looking vp vnto heauen and they do cal him in their language Apalito and doo acknowledge him for Lord by whose mightie hand and mercie they confesse to haue receiued life to be a natural man and al temporall goods There came many of them with their wiues children to the religious Frier that came with the captaine and souldiers of whom we haue spoken off for to crosse blesse thē of whom being demanded from whence of whom they had y e knowledge of God they answered that of thrée christians one Negro that passed that way remained there certaine daies amongst them who according to the signes tokens they gaue them should be Aluar Nunnez Cabesa de Vaca Dorantes Castillo Maldonado one Negro the which escaped out of y e fléete wherewith Panfilo de Naruaz entred into Florida after that they had bin many dayes captiue slaues they escaped came vnto these townes wheras God by them did shew many myracles in healing by the onely touching with their handes many diseases sicke persons by reason thereof they left great fame in all that countrie All this Prouince remained in peace and quietnesse by which demonstration they did accompanie and serued the Spaniardes certaine dayes trauelling alongest the riuer side aforesaide Within few dayes after they came vnto a great inhabitation of Indians where they came foorth to receiue them by newes that they had of their neighbours and brought with thē many curious thinges made of feathers of different colours and many mantles made of cotton barred with blewe and white like vnto them that are brought from China to truck for other thinges All of them as well the men as women and children were clothed with shamway skins very good and well dressed yet could the Spaniardes neuer vnderstande what nation they were for lacke of an interpreter that vnderstood their language they dealt with them by signes and they shewed vnto thē certaine stones of rich metall and being demaunded if they had of the same in their countrie they answered by the same signes that fiue dayes iourney from thence towardes the north west there was great quantitie thereof and howe that they would conduct them thether and showe it vnto them as afterwardes they did performe did beare them companie two and twentie leagues the which was all inhabited with people of the same countrie So following the saide riuer they came vnto an other inhabitance of much more people than the other past of whom they were well receiued and welcomed with many presents especially of fish for that they haue great store by reason of certaine great lakes not farre from thence wherein is bred great abundance They were amongest these people thrée dayes in the which both day and night they made before them many dances according vnto their fashion with a particular signification of great ioy They knew not how this nation was called for lack of an interpreter But yet they vnderstoode that it extended very farre and was very great Amongest this nation they found an Indian a Concho by nation who tolde and made signes that fiftéene iourneyes from thence towardes the north west there was a lake which was verie broad and nigh vnto it very great townes and in thē houses of thrée and foure stories high the people well apparelled and the countrie full of victuals and prouision who did offer himselfe to bring them thether wherat the Spaniards reioyced but left to giue the enterprise only for that they would accomplish their intent and begon voiage which was to go to the north to giue ayde vnto the two religious men aforesaide The chiefe principall thing that they noted in this prouince was that it was of a good temperature and a rich countrie great store of hunt both of foot and wing many rich metals and other particular thinges of profite From this prouince they folowed their iourney for the space of 15. daies without méeting any people they trauelled amōgst high mightie pine trées like those of Spaine at the end wherof after they had traueiled to their iudgmēts four score leagues they came vnto a small village of very few people very poore their houses made of strawe they had great quantity of déere skins as well dressed as those y t are brought out of Flanders great store of excellent white good salt They gaue them good intertainment for the space of two daies y t they remained there after the which they did beare thē companie 12. leagues vnto certaine great habitations alwayes trauelling alongst the riuer side towarde the north as aforesaide till such time as they came vnto the countrie which is called the new Mexico All alongst this riuer side was planted full of white salow trées and in some place it was foure leagues brode Likewise there was many walnut trées and peare trées like vnto those in Spaine In the ende of two dayes trauaile amongest these trées they came vnto tenne townes the which were situated alongst this riuer side on both partes besides others that appeared but farther distant It seemed vnto them to haue much people and as appeared to be more than tenne thousande soules In this Prouince they did receiue them courteously and carried them vnto their townes whereas they gaue them great store of prouision and hennes of the countrie with many other things and that with a great good will In these townes were houses of foure stories high verie well wrought and gallant chambers and most of them had steuues or hote houses for the winter They are all apparelled with cotton and of deares skinnes the manner and apparell both of the men and of the women is much like vnto the Indians of the kingdome of Mexico But that which did cause them most for to woonder was to sée both men and women to weare both bootes and shooes of very good lether with thrée sooles of neates leather a thing which they haue not séene but onely there The women go without any thing vpon their heades but their haire trimly kembed and dressed Euerie one of these townes had Caciques by whom they were gouerned as amongest the Indians in Mexico with sergeantes and officers to execute their commandement who goe through the stréetes of the towne and declare with a loude voice the will of
the Caciques the which is straight wayes put in vre In this prouince the Spaniardes sounde many Idolles that they worshipped and in euery house they had a temple wherein they do worship the diuell wheras ordinarily they do carrie him to eat Likewise as amongst Christians in the high wayes they doo put crosses so haue they chappelles whereas they say the diuell doth recreate and rest himselfe when as he trauelleth from one towne to an other the which chappelles are maruellously well trimmed and painted In all their tyllages and ploughed groundes of the which they haue many and very great they haue on the one side of them a portall or shedde built vppon foure pillers whereas the labourers doo eate and passe away the heate of the day and are people verie much giuen to labour and doo continually occupie themselues therein it is a countrie full of mountaynes and woods of pine trées Their weapons are strong bowes and arrowes with their heads or pointes made of flint stone wherwith they will pierce and passe a shirt of mayle or plate coate They vse also Macans the which is a staffe of half a yeard long made of flint and verie smoth wherewith they may cut a man a sunder in the midst they vse also bucklers and targets made of rawe hides CHAP. IX Still doth hee prosecute the new Mexico and declareth of such things as were there seene SO after they had béene foure dayes in this prouince they departed not farre distant from the same they came vnto an other which was called the prouince of the Tiguas in the which they found sixtéene townes in the one of the same called Poala they vnderstood that the Indians had slaine the two Friers Francisco Lopez and Frier Augustine whome they went to seeke and with them thrée boyes a Mestizo But when they of this towne their neighbours vnderstoode being pricked in conscience fearing that the Spaniards came to plague them and to be reuenged for the death of the saide fathers they durst not abide but left their houses voide and fled vnto the mountaines that were nighest hande from whence they could neuer cause them to descende neither by giftes nor policie They founde in their houses great store of victualles and an infinite number of hennes of the countrie diuers sortes of metals and some of them séemed to be very good they could not perfectly vnderstande the number of people that were in that countrie for that they were fled vnto the mountaines as aforesaid Being fully certified of the death of them that they went to séeke for they entred into counsell to determine whether they should returne vnto new Bizcaya from whence they came or to procéede forwarde in the which there were diuers opinions But by reason that they vnderstoode there that towardes the port of the orient from that place and not farre distant from that prouince there were very great townes and rich and finding themselues so nigh them the captaine Antonio de Espero with the consent of the religious Fryer aforesaide called Bernardino Beltran and the most part of his souldiers companions determined to procéede forwardes in the discouerie thereof till such time as they did sée to what end it would come that they might the better giue perfect and iust notice therof vnto his maiestie as witnesses that had séene it So being in conformitie they determined they remayning there sentenela or royall companie the captaine with other two companions with him should go forwardes in the demand of their desire which foorthwith they put in execution So at the end of two dayes of their trauaile they came vnto a prouince where they discouered aleuen townes and much people in them which in their iudgement did passe fortie thousand soules It was a countrie very well replenished fertile whose confines are ioyned vnto the lande of the Cibola whereas is great store of kyne of whose skins they do apparell themselues and with cotton hauing the vse of gouernement amongest theÌ„ as their neighbours haue there are signes and tokens of many rich mynes and found in their houses certaine mettalles these Indians do worship Idols they receiued the Spaniardes with peace and gaue them to eate Seéing this and the disposition of the countrie they returned vnto their sentenela from whence they departed to giue notice vnto their companions of all that hath béene saide So when they were come vnto their companions aforesaid they had notice and vnderstanding of an other prouince called the Quires which was vp the riuer on the north sixe leagues distant So they departed thitherwardes and when they came within a league of the place there came foorth in peace a great companie of Indians and requested that they would goe with them vnto their townes the which they did and were verie well entertayned and had great cheare In this prouince they sawe but onely fiue townes in the which there was a great number of people which vnto their iudgement did passe fiftéene thousand soules and doo worship Idolles as their nâ—ighbours doo They found in one of these townes a Pye in a cage as is the vse in Spaine Tirasoles as those which are brought from China and painted on them the sunne the moone with many starres and taking the altitude thereof they founde it to be in seuen and thirtie degrées and a halfe vnder the north poole They departed from this prouince and trauelling by the same course or Rutter fourtéene leagues from thence they came to an other prouince called the Cunames whereas they discouered other fiue townes and that which was the principal and biggest of them is called Cia which was of such huge bignesse y t it had in it eight places their houses be plastered with lyme and painted with diuerse colours much better than they had séene in any prouince past It séemed that the people that were there did passe in number twentie thousande soules they gaue presentes vnto the Spaniardes with many curious mantelles and of victualles to eate maruellously well dressed and iudged the people to be more curious and of more estimation of themselues than any that thitherto they had séene and of greater gouernement They shewed vnto them rich metalles and the mountaines that were hard by whereas they did take it out Here they had notice of an other prouince which was towards the north west and determined to go thither So after they departed froÌ„ thence had trauailed sixe leagues they came to y e said prouince which was called Arneias in the which was seueÌ„ great townes in theÌ„ according to their iudgment thirtie thousand soules they said that one of these seuen townes was very great faire the which they would not go to see for y t it was situated behinde a mountaine as also they feared some euill successe if that they should be deuided the one froÌ„ the other They are people after y e fashion of the other prouince their
that should bée discouered Miguel Lopez de Legaspi who did accomplish all that his maiestie had commanded and made the discouerie thereof in such order as the first relation of the entrie of the fathers of the order of Saint Austen into the China dooth more at large appeare Of ancient time these Ilandes were subiect vnto the king of China vntill such time as hee did deliuer them vp of his owne frée will for such reasons as were spoken off in the first part of this historie that was the occasion that when y e Spaniards came vnto them they were without Lorde or heade or anie other to whom they shoulde shewe duetie but hee which had most power and people did most command so that this and that there were so many of equal power was the occasion that ciuill warres continued without any respect of nature kinred or any other duety but like vnto brute beasts killing spoiling and captiuing one another the which was a great helpâ— vnto the Spaniards for to subiect that countrie with so great ease vnto the king and called them the Ilands Philippinas in respect of his name They did vse amongst them to make captiues and slaues such as they did take in vnlawfull wars and for trifling matters the which God did remedie by the going thither of the Spaniards for you should haue a man with fortie or fiftie other friends in his company or seruants that vpon a sodaine would go and set vpon a small village of poore people and vnprouided and take and binde them all and carrie them away for slaues without any occasion or reason and make theÌ„ to serue them all the dayes of their life or else sell them to other Ilands And if it so chanced that one did lende vnto another a basket or two of Rice the which might bee woorth a ryall of plate with condition to returne it againe within ten dayes if the debter did not pay it the same day the next day following he should pay it dooble and afterward to double it euery day so long as he did kéepe it which in conclusion the debt would grow to be so great that to pay the same he is forced to yéeld himselfe for captiue and slaue But vnto all such as were captiued in this order or in such like the king of Spaine hath commanded to giue libertie yet this iust commandement is not in euery point fulfilled and accomplished because such as should execute the same haue interest therein All these Ilandes were Gentiles and Idolaters but now there is amongst them many thousands baptised vnto whom the king hath shewed great mercie in sending vnto theÌ„ the remedie for their soules in so good time for if the Spaniards had stayed any more yeares they had béene all Moores at this day for thâ—t there were come vnto the Ilande of Barneo some of that sect that did teach them and lacked little for to worship that false prophet Mahomet whose false peruerse and corrupt memory was with the Gospell of Christ easily rooted out In al these Ilands they did worshippe the sunne and moone and other second causes figures of men and women which are called in their language Maganitos at whose feastes which they do make veâ—y sumptuous with great ceremonies and superstition they doo call Magaduras But amongst them all they haue in most veneration an Idoll whome they called Batala the which reuerence they had for a tradition yet can they not say what should be the occasion that he should deserue more then any of the rest to bee had in so great estimation In certaine Ilands not farre off called the Illocos they did worship the diuell and made vnto him many sacrifices in recompence of a great quantitie of gold hee had giuen vnto them but nowe by the goodnesse of God and the great diligence put and done by the fathers of the order of saint Austen who were the first that passed into those parts and liued worthely and also by the friers of saint Francis which went thither tenne yeares after all these Ilands or the most part of them are baptised and vnder the ensigne of Iesu Christ and the rest which doo remaine and are not is more for lacke of ministers and preachers then for any obstinacie of their parts There is nowe gone thither certaine fathers of the order called Iesuits who will be a helpe vnto them with their accustomed zeale and labour And nowe goeth thither many other religious men very well learned and apostolike of the order of saint Dominicke who will doo their indeuour to conuâ—rt them vnto Christ as it behooueth Christians to do CHAP. XIII Here is declared of some notable things that are and haue beene seene in these Ilands Philippinas THey of these Ilandes were accustomed to celebrate their feastes aforesaid and to make sacrifices vnto their Idols by the order of certaine women which were witches whome they do call in their language Holgoi y t were had in as great estimation amongst theÌ„ as be the priests amongst Christians These did talke ordinarily with the diuell and many times in publike and do diuellish witchcrafts both in words and déeds into whom it is to be beléeued that the diuell did enter for that straightwayes they did answere vnto all things that were demanded of them although for the most part they woulde tell a lie or els such wordes that might bee giuen diuers interpretations of and of diuers vnderstandings They did also vse to cast lottes in such sorte as hath bene declared in the first part of this history they were great Agorismers or obseruers of times in so much that if they begin any iourney and at the beginning they méete with a Cayman or lyzarde or any other sauage worme they know it to be a signe of euill fortune whereupon they would straightwayes leaue off their iourney although it did import them very much and returne vnto their houses saying that the heauen will not that they shoulde go forwards on that iourney but all these lies and falsenes which béene taught them they perswaded to by the diuell is ouerthrowne and taken away by the law of the Gospel as aforesaide haue now amongst them many monasteries full of religious men of the order of saint Austen saint Francis and of Iesuits According vnto the common opinion at this day there is conuerted and baptised more then foure hundred thousand soules which is a great number yet in respect of the quantitie that are not as yet conuerted there are but a few It is left vndone as aforesaid for want of ministers for that although his maiesty doth ordinarily send thither without any respect of the great charge in doing the same yet by reason that there are so many Ilands and euerie day they doo discouer more more and being so far off they cannot come vnto them all as necessitie requireth Such as are baptised doo receiue the fayth with great firmenesse and are good Christians
and would be better if that they were holpen with good ensamples as those which haue béene there so long time are bounde to doe that the lacke thereof doth cause some of the inhabitantes so much to abhorre them that they would not sée them once paynted vpon a wall For proofe whereof and for to moue such as haue power and authoritie to put remedie in the same I will declare vnto you here a strange case the which Royally did passe of a trueth in one of these Ilandes and is verie well knowne amongst them that is there chanced to die an Ilander a principall man amongst them a few dayes after that he was baptised being very contrite for his sinnes the which hee had done against God before he was baptised and after hee died So after by the deuine permission of God he appeared vnto many of that Ilands whom he did perswade forthwith to receiue the baptisme with reasons of great efficacie and declared vnto them as one that had experienced the same the rewarde of that good déede which without all doubt shoulde bee giuen vnto them if they would receiue the same and liue after conformable and according vnto the commandements of Christ for the which he told them and said that forthwith so soone as he was dead he was carried by the Angels into glorie there whereas all things were of delite pleasure and content and did communicate onely in the sight of God and that there was none that entred therein neither coulde enter except hee were baptised according vnto the preaching of the Spaniards of whome and of others that were like vnto them there was an infinite number Therefore if so be that they would go and inioy of those benefites and delights it is necessarie that first they should be baptised and afterwards to obserue and kéepe the commandements that be preached vnto them by the fathers that are amongst the Castillas and therewith he vanished away and they remained treating amongst themselues concerning that which they had hearde and was the occasion that some of them forthwith receiued the baptisme and that others did delay it saying that because there were Spaniard souldiers in glory they would not go thither because they would not be in their company All this hurt is done by one peruerse or impious man and with one euill ensample the which amongst many good as you haue in those parts but in especiall amongst them in particular it ought to bée reprehended and punished seuéerely with rigour These Ilands at the first discouery of them had the fame to bée Mal Sanos or vnholesome but since experience hath shewed and prooued it to the contrarie It is a countrie maruellous fertill and yeeldeth very much Rice wheate goates hennes deere buffes kine and great stoare of hogges whose flesh is so sauorie as the mutton they haue in Spaine there be also manie cattes that yeelde siuet great stoare of fruites which be very good and sauorie great aboundance of Honie and fish and all solde at so small a price that almost it is solde for nothing Also there is great stoare of Synamom but no Oile of Oliues but that which is carried thither out of the Nuoua Espania they haue much Oyle of Algongoli and of Flaxe sâ—ede the which they doo spende ordinarily in that countrie so that the Oyle of Oliues is not missed with them There is great stoare of Cloues Saffron Pepper Nutmegges and many other drugges great stoare of cotton and silke of all colours the which is brought vnto them by merchants of China euerie yeare a great quantitie from whence commeth more then twenty shippes laden with péeces of silkes of all colours and with earthen vessell powder saltpeter Iron stéele and much quicke-siluer brasse copper wheate flower walnuts bisket dates linnen cloth counting chestes very gallantly wrought calles of networke Buratos Espumillas basens and ewres made of tinne parchment lace silke fringe and also of golde the which is spunne and twisted after a fashion neuer sâ—ene in all Christendome and manie other thinges of great curiositie and all this aforesaide is solde verie good cheape Likewise such things as the Ilands do yéelde are sold very good cheape for you shall haue foure roues of wine which commeth of the Palme trée for foure rials of plate the which for lacke of that made of grapes is very good twelue haneges of Rice for eight rials of plate three hennes for one rial a whole hogge for eightéene rials a whole buffe for foure rials a deere for tâ—o rials and yet it must be both great and good foâ—re roues of suger for sixe rials a â—otiia of Oile made of Algongoli for thrée rials two baskets of saffron for two rials sixe pounds of pepper or cloues for one riall two hundred nutmegs for one rial a roue of synamum sixe for rials a kintal of iron or stéele for tenne rials thirtie dishes of very fine earth foure rials and all other things after this rate But amongst all other notable thinges that these Spaniards haue séene in those Ilands and in the kingdome of China and other places whereas they passed there is one thing which hath caused them most to maruel at and to haue it most in memory which is a trée ordinarily called Palma de Cocos but doth differ from that which beareth the dates and with great reason for that it is a plant so full of mysterie and profite that there hath come a ship vnto these Ilands and the said ship and all that was in her to be sold with ropes cords masts sailes and nailes were made of this trée and the merchandice that she brought was mantels made of the rind of the saide trée with great subtiltie and fine works Likewise all the victuals that was in the said ship for the sustentation of thirtie meÌ„ that came in her yea their water was of the same trée The merchants that came in this ship did certifie of a truth in all the Iland of Maldiuia from whence they came they haue no other sustainment but onely that which this tree yeeldeth they do make houses hereof and tyles for to couer the same the fruit doth yéeld a Meollio or curnell which is very sauory and healthfull the sauor thereof is much like to gréene hasell nuts and if you do cut the branch there whereas the Coco commeth forth is the principall fruite and euery one of them hath ordinarily a pinte of water the which is very swéet delicate al the said substance doth returne into the trunke of the tree whereas they doo bore a hole and thereat they do draw out all that water which is much and mingling it with other thinges they make thereof good wine the which is drunk in al those Ilands and in the kingdome of China Of the same water they make vineger and of the Meollio kernell aforesaid oile verie medicinall milke like vnto Almon milke hony and suger very sauorie These and many other
guarde them in the which they sawe so manie curious thinges and of so great riches that they iudged it to bée the best countrie in all the world So when they came vnto the citty with so small trouble and werinesse by reason of their long iourney and euill intreatings by the souldiers they were presently carried as might be sayde from Herode to Pylate and escaped not one day but they were carried to the publike audience or else before some particular Iudge This citie was very fresh both within and without and full of many orchards whereas were an infinite number of fruite with gardens stanges of water and other thinges of great recreation This citie is thrée times so bigge as Siuell and compassed about with a mightie strong wall their houses are very great and well wrought their stréetes are excéeding faire brode and long and so straight that from the one end vnto the other they may sée a man In equall distance the one from the other there are built many triumphall arkes which is an ordinarie and common thing vsed in the cities of that kingdome vpon their gates there are little towers wheron is planted all the artilerie that they haue for the defence of the citie as hath béen said all the which is inuironed and compassed about with a riuer which is great and faire on the which is ordinarily sayling an infinite number of barkes and brigandines and is of so great depth they may come lye harde vnto the wall yea ships of great burden On the one side of the citie there is a little Iland of great recreation vnto the which they do passe by a very faire bridge the one halfe made of stone and the other of timber and is of so great a length that on the part that is made of stone the father fryer Ignacio did tell thirtie Innes or victualing houses wheras was to be bought not only flesh and fish but also great store of marchandice of great estimation and valure as amber musk e péeces of silke and cloth of golde CHAP. XVI The Spaniardes are sent vnto the citie of Hucheofu doo declare what happened there vnto them FRom the citie of Saucheofu they were sent vnto Hucheofu the which is more principall and great than the first alwayes hauing with them in companie and garde the number of souldiers aforesaid sometimes they trauailed by lande and sometimes by water whereas they saw so many rich thinges which in respect to them all that they had séene vnto that time was nothing Of the which although I haue had particular relation of many of them I leaue off heere the declaring thereof for that of an Itinerario or commentarie I will not make a historie But principally for that many of them doo séeme to be incredible and will be more vnto those that haue not had any notice of the mightinesse of this kingdome In the discourse of this their iourney the cities and townes they sawe were many and verie bigge and all compassed with strong walles and at one of them there was a mightie riuer on the which was edified more than fiue hundreth engynes or whéeles and they were made with so much art that alonely with the violence of the streame of the riuer that dooth force them they water all the groundes there abouts for the space of two leagues and more without any other helpe or humaine force In this citie they were certaine daies in visiting and complementes after the which they were commaunded to goe vnto Canton of the which in the two relations before is made particular mention So when they came vnto the Citie they were carried vnto the prison of the Thequixi which is whereas are put such as are condemned to die the which they plainely perceiued There they remayned verie manie dayes and the most part of them were carried vnto the tribunall seate of the Iudges in companie with others that were condemned to die At this time there was in the citie the Tutan who was the viceroye of the prouince and the Chacu who is the generall visitor and that was at such time as was doone great Iustice for to cleare the prisons whereas were thousandes of men and some that had béene there more than tenne yeares There was some day at that time that in the presence of our people were brought foorth to be iudged two thousand prisoners some to the death and others to be whipped and other to be banished with other kinde of penalties according vnto the disposition rigor of their lawes That day wherein they make capitall audience they vse particular ceremonies as shooting of certaine péeces of artilerie and to shut the gates of the citie not permitting anie to enter in neither go foorth till such time as that act and Iustice be finished and many other things as hath béene declared in the first part of this historie The Spaniards being in the citie at this time of so great calamitie it so fell out that the same time there was a gentleman of Portingall called Arias Gonsalo de Miranda chiefe captaine of the citie of Machao very deuout vnto religious men and a friende vnto Spaniardes who vnderstanding the great trouble and danger wherein they were hee tooke order by all meanes possible to set them at libertie and had so great care therein that hee went through with his intent in such sort that they were deliuered out of pryson and from the great feare in which they were and all by the intercession of this gentleman who did vse so good persuasions for the loue he did bears vnto them that he made voyde the euill opinion they had against them and with compulsion to reuoke the rigorous sentence of death pronounced against them I do not here in particular treate of such thinges as happened vnto these religious men the seruants of God as well in the prison as on their iourney for that they were many and to declare them is requisite a long time and to make a new historie And although in the bookes before haue béen declared the riches of that kingdome and all thinges in particular yet for the better certification I thought it good and not without purpose to declare in the chapter following some of thâ—se which the father fryer Martin Ignatio did communicate with me vsing in the treating thereof so much breuitie that it shall séeme rather an Epilogo then a new relation And for a more verification of the truth whereby better credite may be giuen thervnto séeing that the persons who did sée it doo agrée in that which shall be here declared and againe for that the saide father and his companions did sée more thinges than the others whose relations be alreadie set downe The occasion wherefore they put confidence in them and to let them sée and vnderstand many secretes was for that they were sentenced and condemned to die for without all doubt if they had vnderstood that they should haue returned out of
day and carrie them vnto his mansion or dwelling All this kingdome is so fertile as well for the ordinarie watring as also for the temperature of the heauen that almost all the whole yeare they do gather fruits but in especiall of wheat and rice so that both the one and the other are very good cheape that our people in the discourse of their trauaile or pilgrymage did buy one pyco of rice or of wheate meale which is fiue rouâ—s of Spaine for one ryall and a halfe according vnto this rate al other thinges beare their prices as hath béene before declared They say that in this countrie there be many elephants lyons tygres ownses other brute breastes of the which these friers sawe verie few aliue but many skins of them which is a signe that it is of truth There are many beasts whereof come the muske the which are of the tygres like vnto a litle dogge the which they do kill put them vnder the ground certaine dayes and after that it is putrified rotten the flesh and bloud is conuerted into that swéete powder There be also many cyuet cats little worth a great number of horse although those which the said friers did sée were litle yet is it a common voice fame that in some of the fiftéene prouinces there are very good but they were not there so that they can not say they had seene theÌ„ But the hens géese duckes and other poultrie that are in all partes of this kingdome are without number which is the occasion that they are of small estimation the abundance of fish ia no lesse as well of the sea as of the riuers in the which they are conformable All they that do declare of the thinges of this countrie and the small price that it is solde for is such that the saide Frier doth affirme and others that haue bin in that kingdome that for the value of sixe marauadies which is a pennie may four companions eat very wel of flesh fish rice and fruits and drinke good wine of that countrie In all this kingdome there are many mynes both of gold and siluer and all verie rich but the king will not let them be labored but with great lymitation saying that which is in those mynes be in his house and that they should procure to bring it from other kingdomes yet notwithstanding the abundance is so great both of the one and the other and so coÌ„mon that there is no man although he be of an occupation but hee hath in his house things both of gold and siluer and other very rich iewels They do estéeme for his value more the siluer than the golde and they say the cause is for that the prices of golde are variable as in Italie but the siluer is alwaies at one sâ—aye and price There are great store of pearles but in especiall in the Iland of Aynao and great abundance of quickesiluer copper yron steele laton tyn lead salt peter brimstone and other things which were woont to beautifie a kingdome but aboue all there is very much muske and amber gryce The king of this kingdome besides the great rent the which he hath it is saide that he hath great treasories in all the principall cities those which are the head cities of the prouinces for the confirmance thereof it was affirmed vnto the saide fryer for a verie certaintie that in the citie of Canton all the money that hath entred into the same for y e space of fiue hundred yeres as well by way of the Portingals as by those of the kingdom of Cyan and others their borderers and all the tributes of that prouince is altogether in the kings treasure house of that citie which amounteth vnto by good account many more millions than may be well numbred for to giue credite thereunto It is as common for the people of this countrie to weare silke as in Europe to weare lynnen yea they do make their shooes thereof some of satten and many times of cloth of golde of verie gallant colours the cause is by reason of the great abundance that they haue therof and is of so great quantitie that it is carried from the Citie of Canton vnto the Protingall Indians more than thrée thousand kintals euery yeare besides a great quantitie which is carried vnto Iapon and ordinarily more than â—iftéene ships laden for the Ilandes of Luzon The Sianes and other nations doo also carrie away a great quantitie and although there are carried away ordinarily as afore saide yet there remaineth so great quantity in that kingdome that many fleetes may be laden therewith There is also great store of â—laxe cotton and other kinde of webstrie and also good cheape that the aforesaide Fryer dooth affirme that he hath seene solde a canga which is fiftéene fadam for foure ryals of plate The fine earthen dishes that are in this countrie cannot be declared without many wordes But that which is brought from thence into Spaine is verie course although vnto them that hath not séene the finer sort it seemeth excellent good but they haue such with them that a cubbaâ—d thereof amongest vs would be esteemed as though it were of golde The finest cannot be brought foorth of the kingdome vpon paine of death neyther can any haue the vse therof but onely the Loytias which be there gentlemen as hath béen tolde you There is great quantitie of sugar honie and waxe and verie good cheape as aforesaide And in conclusion I say that they liue with so great abundance that all things do flow so that they lacke nothing necessarie for their bodies but for their soules which is the principallest they do lack as you haue vnderstoode in the discourse of this historie God remedie the same at his pleasure The rent which the king of this kingdome hath is declared vnto you in a proper chapter of it selfe so that in this I will declare that which the sayde fryer tolde me and is onely of one riuer which is called the riuer of the salt and is in the prouince of Canton and is worth vnto him euerie yeare a million and a halfe And although the ordinarie rent the which he hath euery yeare dooth exceede the greatest king that is nowe knowen in all the world in quantitie yet in his treasories which be gathered together and kept if it be true that the Chinos do say in euery principall citie of these fiftéene prouinces is more than a great number of kings togither haue or can procure no nor come nigh vnto it by a great deale All the cities and townes of this kingdome are walled about with stone walles and at euerie fiftéene paces a bulwarke and without the wall commonly all of them haue a riuer or else a great déepe moote wherein they may bring water at all times with the which they are very strong they doo vse no fortes neyther haue they any but
doo but amongst other signes and tokens of the same he made a crosse and set it by the doore of his house wherunto he did reuerence at all times when he passed by the same with great deuotion His neighbours when as they saw that signe a thing of them neuer séene before and howe that that Christian did make particular reuerence they beganne to mocke and scorne him and the crosse and pulled it downe from the place whereas it was set did other things in dispite thereof and of him that had set it there in that place whose hatred and discourtesie was so much that they determined in their minds to burne it and to put the same in execution who at the same instance did all miraculously die I say those that would haue burnt the same the which was séene of many other who haue giuen sufficient testimony therof And within fewe dayes after all the whole linage of those dead persons did follow the same way and not one escaped This miracle being spread throughout all the kingdome the naturals thereof did set vp many crosses in all parts This they say was the principall motion that God put into their hearts for to moue them to demande for such as shoulde baptise them and preach the holy gospell Likewise a great helpe vnto the same was the declaration of the painted cloth which the aforesaid religious man did send to the king Since that time there hath gone vnto the Cittie of Machao certaine naturals of that kingdome who being affectioned vnto our faith were baptised there with the which and with the hope aforesaid they are all sustained till such time as it is y e pleasure of God to send them the remedie for their soules the which hée hath caused them to desire which cannot be long according vnto that which hath béene séene and the miracles that God doth worke the more for to kindle their desire as the myracle of the crosse before spoken off and others the which certaine Cochinchinos did declare in the Cittie of Machao in anno 1583. and happened the same yeare and was very fresh in the memorie of all those of the saide kingdome The one of them was that one of the Christians aforesaid went to visite a principall man that had the palsie and kept his bed many yeares before and conferring with his long sickenesse he told of certaine myracles such as he had vnderstanding that was done by Christ our redéemer when that he was man amongst men whome hée redéemed but in particular those which he did in the healing of the like infirmities such as he lay sicke of alonely with his deuine vertue in touching of them with any part of his garmeÌ„ts or shadow The Iudge hearing this hee had a particular faith deuotion to him that had doone these myracles that the christian had told him asked what his name was what signes tokens he had he told him that his name was Iesus of Nazareth redéemer of the worlde the sauiour and glorifier of men And the better to declare vnto him his signes he shewed to him an Image or picture that he had of his y t which was giuen him such time as he was baptised printed in paper of Iesu Christ when he ascended vp into heauen the which for lacke of Churches and other of greater volume hee should haue continually with him make his praiers thereunto This sicke man tooke it and fixed his eies thereon with so great deuotion and faith in requesting him to giue him his health that he would presently beleeue in him bée baptised At the same instant in the sight of them all he felt himselfe whole of y e infirmitie that he had suffered so many yeares before and neuer could find any humaine remedy for the same although he had prooued an infinite number He straightwayes willed the Christian to baptise him vnto whome hée gaue a great summe of monie the which hee receiued against his will and spent it in workes of mercie and with part thereof he bought a bigge barke in the which at this day he dooth passe people thorough a riuer whereas they were wont to passe great perill and danger and hee doth it for Gods sake and receiueth nothing for the same A fewe dayes after in another part of this kingdome there happened another myracle of no lesser substance then the first that is there was a Cochinchina in the said citie of Machao who did aske to bee baptised of a barefoote Frier which after y t hee had catechised sufficiently hée gaue it vnto him and after a great time that hee had béene in his company and had experience of his Christianitie deuotion he gaue him licence for to returne vnto his country with a good token that at his comming thither he would procure to augment the desire of Christianitie the which God had begunne to kindle in their brest This good new christian did procure the same with so great care that he did profite very much being holpen with the fauor of God who made him his instrument hee healed certaine infirmities in shewing vnto the patients an Image of our ladie the which he had continually about his necke and had therunto great deuotion and woulde declare to them with great zeale the Lords prayer or Pater noster His fame was so much spred abrode in all parts of this prouince wherein he dwelled that it came vnto the eares of a Mandarin or principall Iudge of the same who was many dayes in his bedde a leaper both of handes and féete and neuer coulde finde any phisition nor medecine that could giue him his health nor any other humaine remedie who being verie desirous to be healed hée sent â—or the saide Christian and asked if hée would take vppon him to heale him of that infirmitie as it was affirmed that hee had done by others of greater importance The Christian saide hée would then the Iudge did promise vnto him for the same great giftes and rewardes but hee made no account thereof but oneliâ— requested of him for reward that after hee should bee hole that he would be baptised and become a Christian the which he did accept and principally he shewed vnto him the Image that hée had of our lady saying If thou wilt beléeue in this lady that is heere ingraued and in her most holy sonne Iesus Christ the redéemer of the whole world thou shalt presently be made hole This Mandarin or Iudge did beholde the same with great attention and thought on the words which he had heard spoken And in determining with himselfe to beléeue the same at the very point that he did put it in execution he was healed of al his infirmitie a thing which caused great admiration in all that prouince These myracles and that of the crosse in a short time being knowne abrode haue caused such a desire vnto the inhabitants of that kingdome to become Christians that by all manner of meanes
possible they do procure the same the which is not followed for lacke of ministers as aforesaid and is no smal griefe vnto them that Christianly doo put themselues to consider how the diuel our aduersary doth carry vnto his infernal mansion those soules which séeme to bee well disposed for to inioy the benefite of God and his eternal goodnesse all the which is for lacke of ministers and not for any other default God remedie the same for his mercies sake The said father Ignacio whom as I haue said I do follow in many things of this Itinerario did tell me that as he passed by this kingdome for to go vnto Spaine he saw the deuotion of the people thereof and the great desire they had to bee Christians and how that the people were ready and bent for to receiue the holy Gospell very humble and of good vnderstanding Hee would haue tarried for to baptise them and would haue done it onely for charity and compassion séeing with what deuotion they did demand the same and the great number of soules that were condemned but hee was constrained by force to go vnto Malaca and againe it séemed vnto him that amongst so many people his smal force might do little good and that it were better for him to go vnto Spaine and to procure more companions to helpe him as he did and returned with them and with many other rewards of Pope Gregory the thirtéenth receiued and he also receiued great fauours of the king of Spaine and with great hope that his maiestie will giue his particular aide for to go thorow with this enterprise which will not be of small effect I do beléeue of a truth that in small time all that kingdome shall bee subiect vnto the Catholike saith of Rome and to be the gate whereby to enter the lawe of the Gospel into the mightie kingdome of China for that this of Cochinchina is vpon the same firme land and their language and customes are almost in one manner They are verie white people of this kingdome and are apparelled like vnto those of China their women are verie honest and shamefast and their apparell is very curius and gallant The men weare their haire dispersed and doo combe and trim it with too much care In all the countrie almost all of them are apparelled in silke for that they haue there verie much and excellent good the countrie is verie holesome and full of old folkes and children which is a sufficient proofe for the goodnesse thereof They say that they neuer had amongst them neither pestilence nor hunger which is the like as we haue said of the kingdome of China Let him that can do it in such sort that so great and infinite a number of soules that at this day are vnder the tyranny of the diuell may see them in the Christian libertie and in the other life inioy their creator CHAP. XXI In this chapter is declared of such kingdomes as are adioyning vnto that of Cochinchina and of some notable thinges in them with the rites and customes of the inhabitants NIgh vnto this kingdome of Cochinchina there is another called Champa that although it be poore of gold and siluer yet is it very rich of drugges and gallant wood and great stoare of prouision This kingdome is very great and full of people they somewhat whiter then those of Cochinchina they are as nigh as willing to become Christians as their neighbors but for the performance thereof they doo lacke that which the other doo They haue the same lawes and ceremonies as well the one as the other and are all Idolaters and doo worship the second causes in the same order as the Chinos do vnto whom likewise they do make one manner of acknowledging From this Iland you may go with ease vnto Malaca leauing on the right hand a kingdome which is called Camboia the which is great very full of people and all of them affectioned to go to sea and nauigation by reason whereof they haue an infinite number of vessels It is a very fertill country with great stoare of prouision there are Elephants in great number Abadas which is a kind of beast so big as two great buls and hath vppon his snowt a little horne At this day there is one of them at Madrid the which was brought out of the Indians to his maiesty and many do go to sée it for a strange thing and neuer the like séene in Europe whose skinne is so hard according vnto the report that no man although he be of great force and strength can passe it with a thrust Some haue saide that it is an Unicorne but I take it for the contrarie and they are of my opinion almost all those that haue béene in those partes and haue séene the true Unicorne In this kingdome there is a religious man of the order of S. Dominicke called frier Siluester whome God did carrie into those parts for to remedy the soules that are therein hee dooth imploy himselfe to learne their naturall language and to preach the holy gospell in the same tongue and hath them likewise prepared that if he had any companions for to help hym they should obtayne much fruite for the heauens he hath sent and requested for some vnto the India of Portingall but they would neuer send him anie peraduenture by some sinister information by men which the diuell doth marke as instruments for to stay and let the saluation of those soules for euer to remayne in his tirannicall power This fryer did write a letter vnto Malaca vnto fryer Martin Ignacio and vnto oâ—her religious men intirely requesting them for the loue of God to giue such order that hee might be holpen with some religious men of what order soeuer with certification that therein they shall doe great seruice vnto God and put remedie in those soules whome he dare not baptise for feare that after lacking the euangelical refreshing to water and cherish them they returne to bring forth that euill fruit of Idolatrie This petition did not take effect according to his desire for y t there was not to serue his turne nor any that was vnoccupied They vnderstood of him that brought this letter that the king of that kingdome had in great veneration the sayd father Siluestro in so ample manner as was the patriarck Ioseph in Egipt hee had in all that kingdome the seconde place and euery time that the king would speak with him he gaue him a chaire and gaue him great priuiledges and licence for to preach the holy gospell throughout all the kingdome without any contradiction and for to edifie the churches and all other thinges whatsoeuer he thought necessarie this king himselfe helping thereunto by giuing of great gifts and charitie He said also that in al y e kingdome there were erected many crosses and were had in great reuerence And for y e confirmation of the truth hereof the
aforesaid frier Ignacio did sée in Malaca a present y t the king of this kingdome of Camboia did send vnto another friend of his and amongst many things contained therin of great riches curiositie there were two crosses very great and wel made of a gallant wood very swéete and all garnished very richly with siluer and gold with their titles enamiled Nigh vnto this kingdome is that of Sian in the hight of fourtéene degrées from the pole Artike and thrée hundred leagues from Machao wheras the Portugals do go to trade It is the mother of all Idolatrie and the place from whence hath procéeded many sectes vnto Iapon China and Pegu. It is a flourishing countrie and well replenished of all such things as be requisite for to merite the name to be good There be in it maniâ— Elephants and Abadas and other beasts that are nourished in that countrie besides this it is very rich of mettals and gallant swéete woode The people of this kingdome for the most part are faint-hearted or cowards for which occasion although they are infinite in number yet are they subiect vnto the king of Pegu who ouercame them long time since in a battell as afterwards shall be declared and they doo pay him ordinarily great and heauy tributes They would be conuerted very easâ—ly vnto the faith of Iesu Christ and would leaue their Idols if they had any to preach vnto them yea would subiect themselues vnto any king or Lord that woulde fauour them and not vnto this whom now they do obey for that hee dooth intreate them tyrannously They haue amongst them many religious men after their fashion who doo liue in common and leade an asper and sharp life for the which they are had of al the rest in great veneration The penance which they do is wonderfull strange as you may iudge by some things that I will declare here amongst a great number that be tolde of them there are none of them that can marrie neither speake to any woman if by chance he do they arewithout remissioÌ„ punished by death They go alwayes barefoote very poorely apparelled do eate nothing but rice gréene herbes and this they do aske for charitie euery day going from doore to doore with their wallet at their backes alwayes with their eyes looking on the ground w t such modesty honesty that it is to be wondred at they doo not craue their charity neither take it with their hands nor do any other thing but cal or knocke stand still till such time as they giue them their answer or put some thing into their wallets It is told them for a truth that many times for penance they do put themselues starke naked in the heate of the sunne which is there very great for that y e country is in twenty sixe degrees of the Equinoctiall whereas they are much troubled there with gnats whereof there is an infinite number and is a thing that if they did passe it for Gods sake it is a kinde of martyrdome of great desert God for his mercy lighten them with his grace that this which they do smally vnto the profite of their soules may bee the occasion that after they are baptised they may deserue for the same many degrées of glory Likewise in secreat they doo great penance and doo rise vp at midnight to praie vnto their Idols and they do it in quiers as is vsed amongst vs Christians It is not permitted them any rentes nor any other kinde of contractation and if they bée séene to deale in any they are detested and hated as an heretike is amongst vs. For this kind of asper liuing the which they do according vnto the report for the loue of the heauen and that with great zeale they are respected of the common people for saints and for such they do reuerence them and do commit them vnto their praiers when they are in any trouble or infirmity These and many other things mo be declared of them in like order which may serue for to confound vs that confessing we do not obserue kéepe hauing for the same our sure reward not of humain interest but that which God hath prepared for the good in heaueÌ„ The law of the Gospell in this kingdome would bring foorth much fruite for that the people are charitable and louers of vertue and of them that haue it This experience had the father Ignacio and his companions in China at such time as they were prisoners where there were in a city certain ambassadors from the king of Syan who were bound to the court and there they vnderstood that the Spaniards were sentenced to death for entring into that country without licence they went to visite them when they saw them with their asper habites and very poore did resemble very much the habit of their religious men they had so great affection vnto them that ouer and aboue they sent theÌ„ good charity the which was two bags of rice much fish fruits they did offer to theÌ„ al the mony they would desire to ransome them in al that the Iudges would demand â—or them in recompeÌ„ce of this good wil they shewed vnto y e Spaniards they did verifie that aforesaide that they are great louers of vertue CHAP. XXII Of many other kingdomes that are in this new world and of their names and properties but in espiciall of that famous Cittie of Malaca NIgh vnto this kingdome of Syan there are two kingdomes togither the one of them is called Lugor and the other Patane they belong both vnto one king who is a Moore and of the linage Malaya yet notwithstanding the people of these kingdomes are Gentiles and doâ— vnderstande in them to haue great good will to become Christians if they had anie to preach vnto them the Gospell The lande is very rich of golde Pepper and of drugges but the people faint hearted and cowards and for little for which occasion they are more giuen vnto thinges of contentment and pleasure then vnto wars or brawlings At the ende of this kingdome is the straite of Malaca in the which there are two small kingdomes the one of them is called Paon and the other Ior the people of the first are the most traiterous that are in all the whole worlde as the Portugals haue many times experimented and those of the second kingdome sometimes they are in peace and sometimes in warre with the said Portugals They will haue peace when they do sée themselues in necessity of the same but war ordinarily These two kingdomes are halfe Moores by reason whereof it séemeth that with an euil wil they wil be reduced vnto the law of the gospel if that by the help of God they be not mollified of their hearts This straight of Malaca is vnder the Equinoctiall line and is accounted from the kingdome of Cochinchina vnto it 376. leagues this is an euill straight
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
little trauaile which is the occasion that they are nothing affectionate vnto warres and is vnderstoode with great facilitie they would receiue the gospell Nigh vnto the same there is an other little kingdome called Mana in the which there is a towne with Portingals y e which is called in their language Negapatan there is in the same a couent of the order of S. Francis whose religious fryers although they are but a few do occupie themselues in the conuerting of the naturall people thereof and it is to be beléeued that they shall reape much fruite and doo good for they haue giuen showes of the same for that about thrée yeares past the prince of that countrie was conuerted by the preaching of the same fryers who went now to receiue the holy baptisme with great and incredible ioy vnto the christians All the rest of the kingdome as it is beléeued will shortly imitate him In this Iland there are many pearls and aliofer al very good round and fine CHAP. XXV This chapter treateth of manie kingdomes of that newe worlde the rites and customes of the inhabitants and of some curious thinges THe afore saide father Martin Ignacio departed with his companions from this cost and went towards the Ilands of Nicobar wheras are many Moores gentiles al mingled the one with y e other They did not stay there but presently passed to the town of Cuylan which is inhabited with Portingals from Malaca 416. leagues This Iland is situated froÌ„ sixe vnto ten degrées vnder our pole hath in longitude thrée score and sixe leagues and nine and thirtie of latitude Of oldâ— time it was an Iland much celebrated in those partes had in great reuerence for that it is saide that there dwelt died there in times past men whose soules are in heaueÌ„ and are celebrated honored by theÌ„ of the countrie as though they were gods with many sacrifices and orations the which they do ordinarily There come from other kingdomes bordering therupon vnto this Ilande many pilgrimes but our people could neuer vnderstand the ground occasion thereof neither how they liued whom they doo hold for saints There is vpon the same Iland a very high mountaine which is called Pico de adan which father Martin did sée did heare the naturall people thereof say that it had that name for that by the same Adam went vp into heauen but what Adam it was they could not declare There is on this Pico like a monasterie the which the naturall people doo call Pagode At one time they had therein an Apes toâ—th the which they did worship for their God and therâ— came thither vnto that effect some two hundred and thrée hundred leagues It so happened in the yeare 1554. the vizroy of India called Don Pedro Mascarenas sent an army vnto this kingdome with many Portugals with intent to reduce them vnto the obedience of the king of Portugall all of that country as they were before who few yeares past did rise against them and tooke away and denied their fewter The souldiers did sack that Pagode or monastery and thinking to finde some treasure therein they broke it and beat it downe vnto the foundation and there they found the aforesaid apes tooth the which they did worship put in a chest of golde and stones and carried it vnto Goa vnto the said vizroy When that this was vnderstood and knowne to other kings their borderers and vnto him of Pegu of this losse the which of them was iudged to bee great they sent their Ambassadors to the said vizroy that they might in the name of them all demaunde the saide tooth the which they did worship to offer for the ransome thereof seuen hundred thousand ducats of gold The viceroy woulâ— haue giuen it them for that quantitie of gold which they did offer would haue done it in effect if it had not bin for the archbishop of Goa who was called Don Gaspar other religious meÌ„ who did disturbe him putting great scrupulositie laide vnto his charge the hurt that come by their Idolatrie in giuing them the same of the which he should giue a straight account vnto God The which did so much in him y t he dispatched away the embassador without any regard of the gold y t they would haue giuen him in their presence he did deliuer y e same vnto the said archbishop religious men they before their eies did break it burnt it threw the dust thereof into the sea which was not a little woonder vnto the said embassadors to sée how little they did estéeme so great a quantitie of golde and for a thing which they estéemed not but threw it into the sea with so great liberalitie This Ilande is fertile peaceable healthfull and all full of woods and there are mountaines very thicke of orenge trees siders Limas Plantanos Palmas and many synamon trées which be the best in all the world of most strength effect for y e which they go to buy for to bring it vnto Europe they giue it for a small price Likewise there is pepper but the naturall people did pull vp certaine hils that were ful of it of sinamon because they saw there came from farre to buy these two coÌ„modities fearing y t it would be an occasion y t their country would be taken from them It is a countrie of great prouision doth bring foorth mightie elephants and they say that there is many mynes of diamoÌ„ds rubies other stones y t are called girasolis In no part of this orientall Indies there was none of so good a beginning in the coÌ„uersion of the soules as was in this Iland for that certaine religious friers of the order of S. Francis did labor very much and did baptise in a few daies more than fiftie thousand soules which gaue to vnderstand that with a verie good will they did receiue the law of the gospell and had ediâ—ted many churches and fourtéene monasteries of the same religion but few yeares past a king of that kingdome being weary of certaine things which in all that Indians are very publicke he forsooke the religion faith he had receiued and did rase destroy many portingals y t where there inhabited thrusting forth all y e religious men that did baptise minister the sacraments This euill king was called Raxu Many of them y t were christened content w t the faith of Iesu Christ they had receiued detesting y t which this tirannous king had done they went dwelt in y e company of the portingals others did build a town the which is called in their language Columbo whereas is a great number of them vnto this day do indure throughout al that kingdom the crosses in token of their ancient christianitie alongst all the coast they doe vse many Galiotas or gallyes goe with them robbing and spoyling al thereaboutes The naturall
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
vnderstand but straightwaies they were carried out of the temple and brought by the souldiers before a iudge who was the chiefe and principall of all the sea of that prouince and was sixe leagues from the place in a Cittie called Quixue the way thither was very plaine and brode and paued and vpon both sides there were fields both of corne and flowers So with the helpe of God the Spaniards came before the presence of this general in eight days although it was with great trauell by reason they had neither force nor strength for to trauell for that they had lost it with the heauie and sorowfull newes as aforesaid Yet notwithstanding at their comming to the citty Quixue the souldiers had them in continuall guard and kéeping till the next day following then they were carried before the generall where he was in a very great faire house the which had two couâ—ts one of them was next vnto the doore of the stréete and the other was towards the farther partes of the house both of them were railed round about in manner of grates they were planted full of diuers sortes of great trées wherein did féed a great number of déere and other wilde beasts but yet as tame as sheepe Right ouer against the inwarde court there was a gallerie whereon was many soulidiers which did guarde and keeâ—e the person of the generall who was in a mightie great and gallant hall set in an Iuorie chaire with great maiestie Before they entred into the seconde court there was discharged within both artilerie and habagus shot and played vpon a drum which was as bigge as those which they vse in Spaine that being doone there was a great sounde of hoybuckes and trumpets and of many other instruments the which being doone they straightwayes opened the gates of the innermost court whereas the gallerie was aforesaide from whence they might sée the throne whereas the generall was set There was before him a table whereon was paper and other necessaries for to write a thing commonly vsed in all that countrie the souldiers that were his guarde were all in one liuerie of silke were in so gallant consort had so great sylence which made the Spaniards greatly to maruell The first order was of the hargabushes and the seconde were pikes and betwixt the one and the other was placed a sworde and a target there might be about foure hundred souldiers Behinde them were placed the officers of iustice or executioners with their instruments for to whippe and punish offenders and in the midst of them were the scriueners and proctors About thirtie paces more or lesse from the chaire where the generall was set was placed certaine Gentlemen and to the number of a dosen pages bare headed verie gallantlie apparelled in silke and golde In the middest amongst these souldiers were the Spaniards carried and before them such tokens and shewes as they doo vse when as they doo present before the Iudges such as bee condemned vnto death A good way before they came nigh vnto the place whereas the general was they caused them to knéele downe at which instant there was brought foorth certaine Chinos that were prisoners to be iudged and so soone as their inditement was read and iudgement giuen the executioners did execute the rigour of the sentence in the presence of the Spaniards first pulling off their apparell and then making fast their hands and féete verie fast with cordes in such sort that they shriked that the noise reached vnto heauens they kept them so bounde vntill they sawe farther what the Iudge woulde commaunde who when hee had heard his inditement if hee woulde that hee should bée whipped hée striketh a blow with his hand vppon the table that is before him then the executioners doo strike fiue blowes vppon the calues of the legges of the offender with a broad cane in the order as hath béene saide and is so cruell that none can suffer fiftie of them but he dieth The blowe being giuen vppon the table by the generall straightwayes one of the proctors maketh a crie or noise where at presently commeth the executioner for to execute his office And if the offender dooth deserue more then the Iudge dooth strike another blowe vppon the table then is there giuen him other fiue blowes and in this sort dooth the Iudge so manie times as his offence dooth deserue At the lamentations and shrikes that these miserable offenders doo giue the Iudges shewe no more signe of pittie then if they were stroken vppon a stone So the audience being concluded and doone with the naturals of the countrie the generall commaunded that the Spanyardes shoulde come a little nearer and looked and searched their garments and all the rest as also their Breuiarios books that being done they were informed by those that brought them how and in what order they were apprehended and of all other thinges touching their comming into that kingdome vnderstanding thereof hee commaunded them to be carried vnto prison where they were put in sure holde and with great watch and guard for certaine dayes in the which time they passed incredible trouble as well of hunger as of thirst and heat which was the occasion that the most part of them fell sicke of agues and of the laske So after these dayes that they were in prison they were carried once againe to the audience and many other more were brought forth to be visited all people beléeuing that the Spaniards should no more returne but bee executed for the which they receiued great coÌ„tent to be cleared by one death of so many as dayly they had before their eyes In the conclusion of this audience the generall did decrée that they should be carried by sea vnto the Cittie of Canton whereas was the vizroy of that prouince and he to commande them to be executed or punished according as hee thought best according vnto the penalty put vppon whatsoeuer straunger that should enter into that kingdome without licence as they did enter But when they saw that they were carried out of the prison vnto the sea they verelie beléeued that it was to drowne them therin for the which hauing a newe confessed themselues and commended themselues vnto God they did animate one another with the representation of the reward which was prepared for them but when they came vnto the barre whereas they should imbarke themselues vppon a suddaine the sea beganne to waxe verie loftie and troublesome that it séemed almost a myracle and it increased in such sort that the souldiers and mariners said that neuer before they had séene the like torment the which endured the space of tenne dayes the which was the occasion that they did not imbarke themselues and that the generall did change his pretence and determined that they shoulde be carried by lande vnto the great Cittie of Saucheo Fu the which was presently put in vre they were manie dayes on this iourney with fiftie souldiers that did