other thinges which before hee lacked requisite for that new occupation He sacked robbed and spoyled all the townes that were vpon the coast and did verie much harme So he finding himselfe verie strong with fortie shippes well armed of those he had out of the port and other that he had taken at the sea with much people such as were without shame their handes imbrued with robberies and killing of men hee imagined with himselfe to attempt greater matters and diâ— put it in execution he assaulted great townes and did a thousand cruelties in such sort that on all that coast whereas hee was knowen he was much feared yea and in other places farther off his fame was so published abroad So he following this trade and exercise he chanced to meete with an other roouer as himselfe called Vintoquian likewise naturally borne in China who was in a port voide of any care or mistrust whereas Limahon finding opportunitie with greater courage did fight with the shippes of the other that although they were thréescore ships great and small and good souldiers therein hée did ouercome them and tooke fiue and fiftie of their ships so that Vintoquian escaped with fiue ships Then Limahon séeing himselfe with a fléete of nintie fiue shippes well armed and with many stout people in them knowing that if they were taken they should be all executed to death they therefore setting all feare a part gaue themselues to attempt new inuentions of euill not onely in robbing of great Cities but also in destroying of them CHAP. III. The king of China doth arme a fleete of shippes against the rouer Lymahon who withdraweth himselfe to Tonzuacaotican whereas he hath notice of the Philippinas THe complayntes increased euerie day more and more vnto the king and his counsell of the euils doone vnto the Chinos by this rouer Lymahon For the which commandement was giuen straightwaies vnto the Uiceroy of that prouince whereas he vsed to execute his euill that with great expedition he might be taken for to cut off this inconuenience who in few dayes did set foorth to sea one hundred and thirtie great shippes well appointed with fortie thousand men in them and one made generall ouer them all a gentle man called Omoncon for to go seeke and foâ—lowe this Rouer with expresse commandement to apprehende oâ— kill him although to the executing of the same he put both shippes and men in danger Of all this prouision Lymahon had aduertisement by some secrete friends who séeing that his enemies were many and he not able to counteruaile them neither in shippes nor men determined not to abide the comming but to retire and depart from that coast so in flying he came vnto an Ilande in secrete called Tonznacaotican which was fortie leagues from the firme land and is in the right way of nauigation to the Ilands Philippinas In this Iland was Lymahon retyred with his armie a certaine time and durst not returne to the firme land for that he knew that the kinges fléete did lie vpon the coast to defende the fame And although he did send foorth some ships a robbing yet did they not doo any thing of importance but rather camâ— flying away from the mightie power of the kinges From this Ilande they did goefoorth with some of their ships robbing and spoyling al such as they met with marchandice other things that they carried from one Ilande to an other and from the Iland vnto the firme comming from thence amongst them all they caused to take two ships of China which came froÌ„ Manilla and were bound to their owne countrie And hauing then in their power they searched them vnder hatches and found that they had rich things of golde and spanish ryalles which they had in truck of their marchandice the which they carried to the Ilandes They informed themselues in all points of the state and fertilitie of that countrie but in particular of the Spaniardes and how many there were of theÌ„ in the citie of Manilla who were not at that present aboue seuentie persons for that the rest were separated in the discouering and populing of other Ilands newly found and vnderstanding that these few did liue without any suspition of enimies and had neuer a fort nor bulwarke and the ordinance which they had although it was very good yet was it not in order to defend themselues nor offend their enemies hee determined to goe thither with all his fléete and people for to destroy and kill them and to make himselfe lorde of the saide Ilande of Manilla and other adiacent there nigh the same And there he thought himselfe to be in securitie from the power of the king which went séeking of him And so as he was determined he put it in vre with as much expedition as was possible CHAP. IIII. This rouer Limahon goeth to the Ilands Philippinas and commeth to the citie of Manilla THis Rouer Limahon determining to goe and to take the Ilands Philippinas and to make himselfe lord and king ouer them all but first to kill the Spaniardes which hee thought easely to be done for that there was so fewe And there he pretended to liue in securitie without feare that before he had of the kings great fléete for that it was so farre distant from the firme lande So with this determination hee departed from those Ilandes whereas hee was retyred and went to sea and sayling towardes the Ilandes Philippinas they passed in sight of the Ilandes of the Illocos which had a towne called Fernandina which was newe founded by the Captaine Iohn de Salzedo who at that instant was in the same for lieutenant to the gouernour Foure leagues from the same they met with a small galley which the said Iohn de Salzedo had sent for victuals There was in her but 25. souldiers besides y e rouers so that with the one the other they were but a fewe in number for that as they thought they did trauaile in places of great securitie and without any suspition to mâ—ete enemies So soone as Limahon had discouered the galley hee cast about towardes her and with great ease did take her and did burne and kill all that was in her and pardoned one of them This being done he did prosecute his voyage according vnto his determination and passed alongest but not in such secret but that hee was discouered by the dwellers of the towne of Fernandina who gaue notice thereof vnto the lieutenant of the gouernor aforesaide as a woonder to sée so many shippes together and a thing neuer séene before at those Ilands Likewise it caused admiration vnto him and made him to thinke and to imagine with great care what it might bee hee sawe that they did beare with the citie of Manilla and thought with himselfe that so great a fléete as that was could not goe to the place which they bare in with for any goodnesse towardes the dwellers therein who were voide of all
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
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
he sealed it vp and sent it vnto the Citie of Taybin vnto the king and his counsell and therewith that which the Gouernour of Chincheo did sende him as shall be tolde you for that they haue a rigorous lawe in that kingdome that dooth prohibite all such as haue any office of gouernement to receiue any present of what qualitie so euer it be without lycence of the king or of his counsell vpon paine to be depriued of bearing anie office all the dayes of their liues and to bee banished and condemned to weare red bonnets as wee haue declared the effect thereof This is conformable vnto that which the gouernor of Chincheo did in the presence of our people at such time as they went to take their leaue of him for to goe vnto Aucheo which was that in their presence they commanded to take foorth all that they brought him in present and shewing it vnto them péece by peece He asked if it were that which they had brought and they aunswered that it was the same although it was with troubled mindes beléeuing that it was to checke them because it was so small in respect of their mightinesse he asked them if there lacked any thing they answered no then straightwayes he commanded to put it againe whereas it was taken out in their presence and before a notarie and witnesses the which being doone was mailed and sealed and so sent vnto the viceroy of Aucheo in their companie and saide that hee could not receiue it without the licence aforesaid So our souldiers séeing that they could not be suffered to enter in with the present they tooke it for a great discourtesie and disfauour and therewith departed vnto their lodging to giue the fathers to vnderstande thereof who liked not well thereof but yet they concluded amongest themselues to suffer for a while and to commit vnto God the direction thereof as it best may be for his holy seruice The next day following the viceroy did send to visite them and to aske of them a sword a hargubush and a â—laske for that he would cause others to be made by them the which they did send and afterwardes vnderstood that they had counterfeited the same although not in so perfect manner Then after a time our people seeing that their beeing in that citie séemed to be long and like to be longer they did procure to driue away the time in the best manner they could and went abroad into the citie and did by eyther of them that which they thought best Whereof they found great abundance and of so small price that they bought it almost for nothing They bought many bookes that did intreat of diuerse matters which they brought with them to the Ilands as appeareth more at large in the chapter for the same The next day they went to sée the gates of the Citie and all such curious thinges as were to be séene so farre as they could learne or vnderstande which were many But amongst them all they sawe a sumptuous temple of their Idolles in whose chiefe chappell they counted one hundred and eleuen Idols besides a great number more that were in other particular chappels all were of carued worke verie well proportioned and gilted but in especiall thrée of them that were placed in the middest of all the rest the one had thrée heads procéeding out of one bodie the one looking on the other in full face The second was the forme of a woman with a childe in her armes the third of a man apparelled after the forme and fashion that the Christians doo paint the Apostles Of all the rest some had foure armes and some had sixe and other eight and other some marueilous deformed monsters Before them they had burning lamps and many swéete parfumes and smelles but in especiall before the thrée aboue specified But when that the viceroy did vnderstande that our people did go viewing the Citie gates and temples and perceiueth that they that gaue him the notice did suspect it that it was to some ill intent therewith he straightwayes commanded that they should not goe â—oorth out of their lodging without â—is licence and likewise commanded the Captaine that was their garde not to consent thereunto as he had done and likewise that none should carrie them any thing for to sell for he that did it should be punished with whipping Yet notwithstanding they had euerie day verie sufficient necessaries for their personages in such ample wise that there did alwayes remaine and not lacke In this closenesse and kéeping in they suffered many dayes with much sadnesse and oppressed with melancholick humors to sée that their purpose wherefore they went thether séemed to be long and euerie day was worse worse Yet noâ—withstanding they did passe it ouer in the best wise they could in coÌ„mitting it with heartie zeale vnto God for whose honor and glorie they did attempt that voyage prayed vnto him for to mooue their hearts to consent that the religious fathers might remaine in that countrie for to learne the language as they had begun many daies before by which meanes their soules might be saued and clearely deliuered from the tyrannie of the diuell who of truth had them in possession So after many dayes that they had remained in that close estate as aforesaide they determined for to goe and talke with the viceroy and to bee fully resolued either to tarry or returne from whence they came They straightwayes did put it in vre and what ensued thereof you shall vnderstande in the chapter following CHAP. XXVI The Spaniardes talke with the Viceroy and not being suffered they do write to him a letter and he doth answere it by word of mouth with other particular matters IT hath béen declared vnto you that the same day y t the Spaniardes did talke with the viceroy he asked them if they had brought any letter for their king they answered no he tolde them that he would write vnto the court and hauing answere they should be fully satisfied of their pretence and demaund But they séeing that his aunswere was long a comming and great delaye made therein and that they had them as halfe prisoners they determined to go and speake with the viceroy to be fully satisfied of his determinate will pretence and to haue some order eyther to goe vnto the court or to remaine in that citie or else to returne vnto the Ilands and there to tarrie the time till it pleased God to open a gate in that kingdome wherein might enter his holy gospell With this their pretended purpose they did perswade with their captaine to permit them so much libertie as for to go and speake with the viceroy who for that hee bare them loue and good will did consent therevnto So they went but when they came thether they that kept the gates would not consent y t they should enter which was the occasion that they returned vnto their lodgings verie sad and sorrowfull
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
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
which is called the Cape of San Anton they doo put two hundreth and fiue and twenty leagues of Longitude and of Latitude sixe and thirty it is inhabited with Spaniards who conuerted all the rest vnto the faith of Christ there is in it a bishop and monasteries of religious Friers When that any ships do go vnto Noua Espania they haue sight of them likewise when they do returne all those which do come from the Peru do enter into the foresaid port of the Hauana which is a very good port and sure and there is to be had all kind of prouision necessary and belonging vnto the fleetes and ships some which the Ilande dooth yéeld it selfe and other some brought from other places but in particular there is great store of very good timber as wel for the repairing of ships as for other thinges with the which they do ordinarily balest their ships that come for Spaine The kinges maiesty hath in this a gouernor and a captaine with very good souldiers for the defence therof and of a fort which is in the same harbor the best that is in all the Ilands This Iland of Cuba was discouered in the yeare 1511. and was in it being of the bignesse aforesaid a great number of naturall people and now but a very fewe it hath a riuer wherein is very much gold according vnto the opinion of the natural people and was tolde by the fathers vnto their children the which was cast into that riuer by the natural people in this order following There was a Casique called Hatuey who for feare that hée had of the Spaniards came from the Iland Hispaniola vnto this Iland with many of his people and brought al their riches with much golde amongst them who by the relation of other Indians of Santo Domingo wheras he had béen king vnderstood that the Spanyardes were comming vnto that Iland whereupon he gathered togither all his people and many of that Iland and made a parley vnto them saying It is said of a certeintie that the Christians doo come into this Iland and you doo well vnderstand by experience what they haue done by the people of the kingdome of Aytim which was the Iland Hispaniola the like will they doo here by vs but doo you know wherfore they doo it they answered and saide because they were of their owne nature cruel The Casique saide no that they did it not therefore but because they had a God whom they did worship because they will haue him from vs they doo kil vs and in saying these words he tooke forth a basket with golde iewels which he brought thither in secret and shewed it vnto thē saying this is their God that I spake off let vs make vnto them Ateytos the which are sports and dances and possible we shall please them then wil they command their people not to do vs any harme For y e accomplishing furnishing of the same euery one of them brought that which they had in their houses made therof a great mountaine of wheate and danced rounde about the same till they were werie then the Casique saide I haue thought with my self whilest we were dancing that howsoeuer it be these that do come wil kil vs for whether we do kéep our treasure or giue it vnto them with couetousnes to séeke more from vs we shall die therefore let vs throw it into this riuer the which they did with a common consent and good will From thir point or cape of Sant Anton they saile to the port of San Iuan de Lua which is on the firme land of Mexico two hundreth and thirtie leagues from the said point in all that bay there is great fishing but in especial of one kind of fish which is called Mero the which are so easie to be taken that in one day they may lade not shippes but whole fléetes and many times it happeneth that they bring so many to their ships that that they throw them again into the sea for lack of salt to salt them with They passe in sight of an Iland called Campeche the which is a gallant fresh country nigh vnto the kingdom of Mexico in it is great store of victuals but specially hony and waxe and is thrée hundreth leagues compasse al the people of that Iland are conuerted vnto the law of our Lord Iesus Christ. There is in it a bishop and a cathedrall Church a gouernor for his maiestie and monasteries of Friers Within few dayes after they depart from this Ilande and come vnto the port of saint Iohn de Lua in the which by reason that it hath many flats it is requisite to be carefull for to enter into it his maiestie hath in it a fort which is good and strong Fiue leagues from this port is the Cittie of the Vera Cruz whereas is the whole trade traficke and there is resident the kings officers it is a hot country by reason that it is in ninetéene degrées but well replenished of all kinde of victuals it was wont to be vnholesome but now they say it is not so much they know not what shoulde bee the occasion whether it bee by the moouings of the heauens or by the good gouernement and discretion of them that do dwel in it This cittie is from the citie of Mexico y e which is metropolitā of al that kingdom and by whom al the rest is gouerned seuentie leagues al y e way inhabited ful of townes both of Indians Spaniards so great store of prouision y t it seemeth to be y e land of promission It is mauellous temperate in such sort that almost throughout al the whole yeare it is neither whot nor cold neither dooth night excéede the day nor the day the night but a very little by reason that it is almost vnder the Equinoctiall line The mightinesse of this kingdome and some particularities you shall vnderstand of in the Chapter following CHAP. V. Of the bignesse of the kingdome of Mexico and of some particular and notable things that are in it THis kingdome of Mexico is the firme land on the one side it hath the North sea and on the other side the South sea it is not possible to declare the bredth and length thereof for that vnto this day it is not all discouered Euery day they doo finde and discouer new countries as in the yeare of fourescore and thrée you may perceiue by the entry which was made by Antonio de Espeio who with his companions did discouer a countrie in the which they found fiftéene prouinces al ful of townes which were full of houses of foure and fiue stories high the which they did name Nueuo Mexico for that it doth resemble the old Mexico in many thinges It is towards the North and they do beleeue that that way by inhabited place they may come vnto that country which is called of the Labrador
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
die but be banished for euer out of the kingdome with precise band y t they their wiues children al that should come of them should for euer liue on those Ilands that are now called Iapon which were at y t time desert without people This sentence was executed the offenders did accept the same for mercie So they were caried to y e said Ilands wheras when they saw thēselues out of their naturall countrie without any possibility euer to returne againe they ordained their cōmon wealth as a thing to last for euer directing all their lawes which were for their conseruation gouernment contrarie vnto the Chinos from whence they came But in particular they made one wherin they did prohibite for euer their descendents to haue any frindship with the Chinos did admonish them to do them all the euill that was possible which is obserued kept vnto this day inuiolable shewing thēselues their contraries in all they may euen in their apparell spéech customes for the which there is no nation so abhorred of the Chinos as is the Iapones so that they are payd their hatred with the like And although at that time the said Iapones were subiectes and tributaries vnto the king of China and so continued long time after now at this day they are not but do all harme that may be vnto those of that kingdome They haue much siluer but not so fine as that is of our Indians likewise great abundance of rice and flesh and in some parts wheate although they haue all this with many fruits and herbes other things which be their ordinary victuals yet are they not so well prouided as are their cōfines or neighbors and no default in the lande for that it is verie good and fruitefull But that the naturall people do giue themselues verie little vnto the tilling and sowing thereof for that they are more affectioned vnto the warres then vnto that and this is the reason that many times they do lack prouision and victuals which is the verie same reason that the naturall people others do report of them There be in these Ilandes thrée score sixe kingdoms or prouinces and many kings although it may be better said rulers or principals such as the Spaniardes found in the Ilands of Luzō for which cause although they be called kings yet are they not neither in their cōtractation nor rent for they haue verie little in respect of the multitude of people The king Nobunanga who died in the yeare 1583. was the most principall and greatest Lord amongst them all as well of people as of riches who was slaine by a captaine of his and punished by God by this meanes for his luciferine pride for that it did farre excéede that of Nabuchadonozor and was come vnto that point that he would haue béene worshipped for a God for the which he commanded to make a sumptuous temple and to put in it thinges that did well declare and showe his follie of the which that you may sée how farre it did extend I will declare here onely that which he did promise vnto them that did visite his temple First the rich men that came vnto the saide temple and did worshippe his picture should be more richer and those that were poore should obtaine great riches and both the one and the other that had no successors to inherite their goods should also obtaine them and also long life for to enioy the same with great peace and quietnesse The second that their life should be prolonged to 80. yeares The third that they should bee hole of all their infirmities and diseases and shall obtaine full accomplishment of all their desires with health and tranquillitie And the last he commanded that euery month they should celebrate a feast for his birth day and therein to visite his temple with certification that all those that did beléeue in him and in that which hee promised should without all doubt sée it accomplished and those which in this life were faultie and did not doo in effect his commaundement in the other they should goe the way to perdition And the better to accomplish this his will he commaunded to be put in this temple al the Idols in his kingdomes that were most worshipped such as to whom frequented most pilgrimes the which being done he presently forbad rhat not one of them all should be worshipped but he onely that was the true Fotoque and vniuersall God the author and creator of nature This foolishnesse did this proud king a little before his miserable death and many other more that I do leaue out for feare that I should be too tedious in this Itinerario There did succéed this proude king in the kingdome his sonne called Vozequixama who for that he is very yong at this day it is gouerned by a worthy captaine called Faxiuandono All men that are borne in this land are naturally inclined to warres and robberies and it is vsed ordinarily amongst themselues alwayes he that hath most power and strength doth carry away the best part and yet he doth inioy it with little securitie for that as the prouerbe saith he findeth a last for his shoo or the length of his foote is found and another commeth when he thinketh least off and carrieth away their spoile with victorie reuenging iniuries the one for the other without being requested thereunto which is the occasion that they are neuer without ciuill warres that séemeth to bée the influence of the clime of that land This and the continual exercise in armes and in robberies hath giuen them the name of warriers and do terrifie all their borderers and neighbors They vse many weapons but especially hargabusses swords and lances and are very expert in them On the firme land of China they haue done many suddaine robberies and thefts and haue gone thorough therewith at their pleasure and would haue done the like at the Ilands of Luzon vsed for the same all meanes possible but yet it fell out contrary vnto their meanings and returned their backes full euill against their wils with their hands vpon their owne heads On a time they came vnto the Illocos who with the fauour of the Spaniards whose vassals they are did desende themselues worthily that the Iapones thought it best to returne vnto their houses and to leaue their begun pretence with determination neuer to put themselues in the like perill for that they had lost many of their companie Not many yeares since there happened vnto them the like disgrace in China there went tenne thousande of them to robbe and steale and at their going on lande they did sacke a cittie with little hurt and smal resistance who with the content of that pray forgot themselues and did not preuent the harme that might chance vnto them the Chinos being offended did compasse them about in such sort that when the Iapones remembred themselues they were in
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
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
tribute and it is affirmed that there are as many more such as are frée and and do pay no tribute The Loytians and ministers of iustice all sorts of souldiers both by sea and land which is an infinite number are frée and do pay nothing the number as followeth The prouince of Paguia hath two millions seuen hundred and foure thousand that doth pay tribute to the king The prouince of Santon 3. millions and 700. thousand tributers The prouince of Foquien two millions foure hundred and seuen thousand tributers The prouince of Olam two millions two hundred foure thousand tributers The prouince of Sinsay thrée millions thrée hundred foure score thousand The prouince of Susuan two millions and fiftie thousand The prouince of Tolanchia there where as the king is resident and is the biggest of them al sixe millions fourescore and ten thousand The prouince of Causay two millions thrée hundred and fiue thousand The prouince of Oquiam thrée millions and eight hundred thousand The prouince of Aucheo two millions eight hundred and foure thousand The prouince of Gonan one million and two hundred thousand The prouince of Xanton one million nine hundred fortie and foure thousand The prouince of Quicheu two millions thirtie and foure thousand The prouince of Chequeam two millions two hundred and fortiefoure thousand The prouince of Sancii which is the least of all the prouinces hath one million sixe hundred thréescore and twelue thousand tributers By this account it is found that the tribute payers are verie many and it is approoued in manie places of this historie whereas they do treate of the greatnes of this kingdome that it is the mightiest and biggest that is to bee read of in all the world God for his mercies sake bring them to the knowledge of his lawe and take them out from the tyrannie of the diuell wherein they are wrapped CHAP. IIII. The tribute that the king hath in these fifteene prouinces according vnto the truest relation ALthough this kingdome is great and very rich yet there is none that doth pay so little tribute ordinarily vnto their king as they do neither amongst Christians Moores nor gentiles that we know The extraordinary and personall seruice is very much that in some respect wee may say that they are more slaues then frée men for that they do not possesse one foote of land but they pay tribute in respect whereof as also for the great misusing of them by their gouernours will bee a great part and occasion to inuite them to receiue the lawe of the gospell and that with great facilitie to inioy the the libertie of the same The ordinarie tribute that euery one dooth pay that dooth kéepe house is two Mases euery yeare which is as much as two spanish rials of plate This tribute is verie little yet the Loytians which is a great part of the kingdome do pay none neither their gouernours nor ministers captaines nor souldiours the multitude of the people is so great and the kingdome so bigge that alonely that which they giue for expences of the king and his court is woonderfull with customes dueties portages and other rents not accounting that which is paide vnto garisons and souldiers of that kingdome neither in that which is spent in repairing of walles of particular cities and in men of warre at sea and camps by land to gouernours and iustices which doth not enter into this account The rent which remaineth vnto the king ordinarily is this that followeth and is taken with great regard out of the booke of his excheker Yet the Chinos do say that it is much lesse thē that they do pay at this time for that this is of old antiquitie when as the tributes were lesse the tributes as followeth Of pure golde from seuentéene to two and twentie killates they giue him foure millions and two hundred fiftiesixe thousand and nine hundred Taes euerie one is worth ten rials and foure and twentie marauadies spanish mony Of fine siluer thrée millions one hundred fifty thrée thousand two hundred and ninetéene Taes The mines of pearles whereof you haue many in this kingdome although they are not verie round is woorth vnto him commonly two millions sixe hundred thirtie thousand Taes Ofprecious stones of all sorts as they come from the mines one million foure hundred thrée score and ten thousand Taes Of muske and amber one million and thirtie fiue thousande Taes Of earthen dishes and vessell fourescore thousand taes Besides all this the king doth put forth verie much ground to his subiects and they do pay him with part of the croppe that they gather or with the cattle that they bring vp on y e same grounde The quantitie that they pay him is as followeth Of cleane rice which is a common victuall throughout all the kingdome of the countries adioyning to them they paie him thréescore millions one hundred thrée score eleuen thousand eight hundred thirtie and two hanegges Of barley twentie nine millions thrée hundred foure score and eleuen thousand nine hundred fourescore two hanegges Of wheat like vnto that in Spaine thirtie thrée millions one hundred twentie thousand and two hundred hanegges Of salt twentie fiue millions thrée hundred and fortie thousand foure hundred hanegges which is made in his owne salt pits and is of a great rent Of wheat called Mayz twentie millions two hundred and fiftie thousand hanegs Of Millio twentie foure millions of hanegges Of Panizo fourtéene millions and two hundred thousande hanegges Of other different graine and séeds fortie millions and two thousand hanegges They doo pay him in péeces of silke of fourtéene vares long the péece two hundred fiue thousand and fiue hundred ninetie péeces Of raw silke in bundles fiue hundred and fortie thousande pounds Of cotton wooll thrée hundred thousand pounds Of mantles wrought of all colours eight hundred thousand foure hundred mantles of Chimantas Made of rawe silke that waieth twelue pound a péece thrée hundred thousand sixe hundred and eightie of them Ofmantles made of cotton of fourty vares sixe hundred seuenty eight thousand eight hundred and seuentie Of Chimantas of cotton thrée hundred foure thousand sixe hundred forty eight All this aforesaide is for expenses of the court which is great The Chinos y t come vnto the Philippinas do affirme the same do not differ in the report which is a signe to be true likewise they do receiue of it in his tresurie whereas is many millions cannot be otherwise considering his great rents CHAP. V. Of the men of war that are in the fifteene prouinces as wel footmen as horsemen and of the great care they haue in the gard of the kingdome LOoke what care and diligence this mightie king hath that iustice should be ministred with right equitie so likewise yea much more he hath touching matters that
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
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
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
euill intent and straight way commanded to â—eigh anker and to enter into a port called Cabiâ—e which is but two leagues from the Citie of Manilla Thither they of the citie might plainely sée them to enter CHAP. VI. The gouernour of Manilla purposeth himselfe to abide the assault of the Chinos to whome they gaue the repulse then Limahon returned and planted himselfe vppon the plaine nigh the riuer Pagansinan AT this time by the order of his Maâ—â—â—â—ie was elected for Gouernour of these Ilandes Philippinas Guido de Labacaâ—es after the death of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi who vnderstanding the great fléete and power of Lymahon the Roâ—er and the small resistance and defence that was in the Citie of Manilla with as much spéede as was possible he did call together all their Captaynes and dwellers therein and with a generall consent they did determine to make some defence for to resist them as well as they could for the time that the enemie did remaine in the port aforesaide for to the conâ—rarie the Spaniardes should loose great credite if that they should forsake and leaue the towne so long as their liues did indure For in no other place in all the Ilandes thâ—re about they couâ—d haue any securitie With this determination they put this worke in execution and spared no person of what qualitie and degree so euer he was but that his hande was to helpe all that was possible the which indured two dayes two nightes for so long the Rouer kept his shippes and came not abrode for these woorthie souldiers vnderstoode that remayning with their liues their labour and trauaile would soone be eased In which time of their continuall labour they made a fort with pipes and bordes filled with sande and other necessaries thereto belonging such as the time would permit them they put in carriages foure excellent peeces of artilerie that were in the citie All the which being put in order they gathered together all the people of the citie into that little fort which they made by the prouidence of God our Lorde as you may beléeue for that it was not his pleasure that so many soules as were in those Ilands baptised and sealed with the light and knowledge of his holy faith should returne againe to be ouercome with the deuill out of whose power hee brought them by his infinite goodnes mercie neither would hee that the friendship should be lost that these Ilandes had with the mightie kingdome of China By which meanes we may coniecture that the diuine power had ordained the remedie of saluation for all that countrie The night before the enemie did giue assault vnto the Citie came thether the Captayne Iohn de Salzedo lieutenant vnto the Gouernour of the Townes of Fernandina who as aforesayde came with purpose to ayde and helpe the Spaniardes that were then in Manilla Whose comming without all doubt with his companions was the principall remedie as well vnto the Citie as vnto all those that were within it for considering that they were but fewe and the great paines they tooke in making the last resistance and the labor and trauaile they had in the ordayning of the fort for their defence with other necessaries against that which was to come ioyning therewith the feare that was amongst them of the assalt past surely they had néede of such a succour as this was and surely by the opinion of all men it was a myracle of God doone to bring them thether So with the comming of this Captaine with his people they all recouered newe courage with great hope valiantly to resist their enimies for the which incontinent they did put all thinges in good order for that the Rouer the morning following before the breake of the day which was the second day after hee gaue the first assalt was with all his fléete right against the port and did put a lande sixe hundreth souldiers who at that instant did sâ—t vpon the Citie the which at their pleasure they did sacke and burne for that it was left alone without people as aforesaide by the order and commaundement of the gouernour which for their more securitie were retyred into the fort So hauing fired the Citie they did assalt the fort with great crueltie as men fleshed with the last slaughter thinking that their resistance was but small But it fell not out as they did beléeue for that all those that were within were of so valiant courage that who so euer of their enemies that were so bolde as to enter into their fort did paye for their boldnesse with the losse of their liues Which being séene by the Chinos they did retire hauing continued in the fight almost all the day with the losse of two hundreth men that were slaine in the assalt and many other hurt and of the Spaniardes were slaine but onely two the one was the Ancient bearer called Samho Hortiz and the other was the Bayliefe of the Citie called Francisco de Leon. All which being considered by Lymahon the Rouer who being politike and wise and sawe that it was losse of time and men to goe forwardes with his pretence against the valiauntnesse of the Spaniardes which was cleane contrarie vnto that which had proued vnto that day he thought it the best way to embarke himselfe and to set sayle and goe vnto the porte of Cabite from whence he came But first hee gathered togither all his dead people and after did burie them at the Ilande aforesaid where as he stayed two dayes for the same purpose That being doone he straightwayes departed from thence and returned the same way that he came till they ariued in a mightie riuer fortie leagues from the Citie of Manilla that is called Pangasinan the which place or soyle did like him verie well and where he thought he might be sure from them who by the commaundement of the king went for to seeke him There hee determined to remayne and to make him selfe lorde ouer all that countrie the which hee did with little trauaile and built himselfe a fort one league within the ryuer where as he remayned certayne dayes receauing tribute of the inhabitants there abouts as though he were their true and naturall lorde and at times went foorth with his ships robbing and spoyling all that he met vpon the coast And spred abroade that hee had taken to him selfe the Ilandes Philippinas and howe that all the Spaniardes that were in them were eyther slaine or fledde away wherewith hee put all the Cities and Townes bordering there aboutes in great feare and also how that he had setled himself vpon this mightie riuer Pangasinan whereas they did receiue him for their lord and so they did obey him and paide him tribute CHAP. VII The Generall of the fielde called Salzedo doth set vppon Limahon he doth burne his fleete and besiege his fort three moneths from whence this Rouer dooth escape with great industrie THe Gouernour vnderstanding by the Ilanders and of
not let to imagine newe matters against the poore fathers to haue occasion to apprehend them and imagined in his minde for to write a letter vnto the interpreters in the which hee did offer them great quantities of mony if that they would do so much as giue order that the Iudges woulde sende the religious men and Spanish souldiers that were in Canton vnto the Cittie of Machao aduertising them howe and which way they shoulde vse the matter to put it in effect and was that he should tell the Iudges that the first time when as they went to speake with the gouernor whereas they did aske and say that they would depart for the Ilands Philippinas that they did interpret it contrary for that their demand was for to go vnto Machao The interpreters straightwayes with the desire of gaine did take the charge vppon them and did vse the matter in such sort that the Iudges did sende them vnto Machao whether it were with or against their willes But God who woulde not permit those his seruantes and Christians to bee deceiued remedied the same at such time as it should haue béene put in execution in the manner as you shall vnderstande in the Chapter following CHAP. XII A Portugall of the Cittie of Macheo doth discouer the euill intent of the captaine general he giueth the Spaniards warning thereof by a letter without seale by the which they remedie the danger that was so nigh at hand they are called before the Aytao of the Cittie he declareth vnto them such matters as haue passed with him and the licence that was graunted for some of them to go vnto Machao and the other vnto Luzon BEing vnderstood by a Portugall a good Christian of the towne of Machao of such things as the captaine generall did imagine against the poore religious fathers that were in Canton and their companions the souldiers of whose holie zeale he was fully certified and being gréeued at the very soule that one Christian shoulde hurt and harme another and more in the disturbing of the saluation of soules hée determined with himselfe to giue them aduice therof with all spéed that was possible as in effect hee did by sending them a letter without anie name wherein he gaue them to vnderstand that the Captaine generall by meanes of the interpreters did pretende that they should be sent thither wheras he might apprehend them send them vnto the king of Portugall or else to doo some hurt vnto their person with some false information and willed them to be wel aduised to kéepe themselues from the deceit ordained The letter being séene and wel aduised of all that was therein contained they determined to giue notice thereof vnto a Chino a verie friende of theirs and perfite in the Portugall tongue whome diuers times they prooued by experience and founde him a very honest man and one that had doone them friendshippe who promised them that before many houres he would bring al things to light and to know whether that were true or not So with this desire he went there whereas the Iudge did sit in audience and was there as one that knew nothing vntill such time as he saw come thither one of the interpreters with a petition in his hand and presented it vnto the supreme Iudge who was the Aytao the which being read by a scriuener hée prouided that all things should be granted and doone that was therein contained This petition the Chino aforesaid saw and after that the interpreter was departed with contentment and found that in the same petition he did request in the name of the Spaniards of the Iudge to giue them leaue for to go vnto Machao which was more for their purpose then to go vnto the Ilands Philippinas which was granted by the iudge and lacking nothing but to seale or signe the petition but was delated vntill the euening by reason of certaine businesse that chanced at that present but sure it was the ordinance of God for that if it had béene signed they must néeds of force haue accomplished the same without any replication So with this certaintie he went straightwayes vnto the Spaniards to whom the interpreter had told that by petition he had asked licence for them to go to the Ilands Philippinas from whence they came but the Iudge woulde not graunt vnto that but for to go vnto Machao which was néerer hand who commanded them to accomplish the same without any replication vppon paine that they should be carried thither perforce The Spaniards asked councell of the Chino their friende what meanes might be taken to auoide the danger that the interpreter had begun to bring them in and was alredie gone to conclude the same The Chino said that he was fully perswaded that the Aytao loued them well and that he vnderstood hée did them great fauour and curtesie to graunt vnto the petition the which the interpreter did present in their name But notwithstanding for so much as it was not signed there was remedie to bee had if that they woulde present another which hee would giue them and go presently vnto the Aytao and present the same and say when they giue it him that they woulde go vnto Luzon and not vnto Machao and that he himselfe would go with them for the good will he bare vnto them if it were not for the great paine that is put vppon all them whosoeuer that shall speak for any stranger without licence of the Iustice or is called and ordained for the same So they being fully perswaded in this conclusion with the petition made all ready there entred in at the gate wheras they were a seruant to the Aytao who in the behalfe of his master came to cal the Spaniards to come before him for that he would sée and talke with them before their departure They straightwayes went forth in his cōpany and came vnto the gates of the cittie after they had gon a good wayes in the suburbs and there they were staied till such time as another came and brought their licence writtē vpon a table in such sort as in other places it hath béene told you So whē they had passed the gate they passed thorough a long stréet in the which they saw so great riches of so great curiosity that the father Costodio with great admiration said I haue béene in the principallest citties of all Flanders and Italie and in all them I haue not séene so great curiositie and riches as in this stréete alone and according vnto the report of them all hee had great reason to maruell thereat So they comming vnto the end of this stréete and in sight of another gate they sawe that the souldiers which kept and garded the same did shut them in their presence with great hast and let fall a percullis of yron before the gate and demanded to sée their licence at a window out of the saide percullis and when they had it although they saw with
of the newe Mexico CHAP. XI Departing from the citie of Mexico they go vnto the port of Acapulco in the south sea whereas they doo imbarke themselues from the Ilandes Philippinas they passe by the Ilandes of theeues and do declare the rites and condition of that people FRom the citie of Mexico they go to imbarke themselues or take shipping at the port of Acapulco which is in the south sea and is eleuated from the poole nineteen degrées and ninetie leagues from the citie of Mexico in al which way there be many townes inhabited with Indians and Spaniards Being departed from this port they sayle towards the south west till they come into twelue degrées a halfe to séeke prosperous wind to serue their turne which the marriners do call Brizas and are northerly windes which are there of such continuance so fauourable that being in the moneths of Nouember December and Ianuarie they haue no néede to touch their sayles which is the occasion that they do make their voyages with so great ease So that for that for the fewe stormes that happened in that passage they do cal it the mar de Damas which is the sea of Ladies They sayle alwayes towards the west following the sunne when as she departeth from our hemispherie In this south sea they sayle fortie daies without séeing anie lande at the end whereof they came to the Ilandes of Velas which by an other name are called de los Ladrones there are seuen or eight of them they do lye north and south and are inhabited with much people in the order as you shall vnderstand These Ilands are in 12. degrées but there are different opinions of the leagues y t are betwixt the port of Acapulco those Ilands for vnto this day there is none that hath vnderstood the certâ—â—ntie thereof for that their nauigation lieth from the east vnto the west whose degrées there haue bin none y t â—uer could measure Some say this iourney hath a thousande and seuen hundred leagues others a thousand and eight hundred but the opinions of the first we vnderstand to be most certaine All these Ilands are inhabited with white people of comely faces like vnto those of Europa but not of their bodies for that they are as bigge as gyants and of so great force and strength for one of them hath taken two Spaniardes of a good stature the one by one foot and the other by the other with his handes hath lifted them both from the grounde with so great ease as though they had bin two children They go naked from top to too as well women as men yet some of them were woont to weare an aporne made of a deares skinne before them of halfe a yeard long for honesties sake but they are but a fewe in nuÌ„ber in respect of those y t weare nothing before them The weapons which they do vse be sâ—inges darts hardened in the fire and are with both the one and the other very expert throwers They do maintaine themselues with fish which they do take on the coast and of wild beasts which they do kill in the mountaines in ouertaking of them by swiftnesse of foot In these Ilands there is one the strangest custome that euer hath bin heard of or séene in all the whole world which is that vnto the young men there is a time limited for them to marrie in according vnto their custome in all which time they may fréely enter into the houses ofsuch as are married and be there with their wiues without being punished for y e same although their proper husbands should sée them they doo carrie in their handes a staffe or rodde when they do enter into the married mans house they doo leaue it standing at the doore in such sort that if any do come after they may plainly sée it which is a token that although it be her proper husband he cannot enter in till it be taken away The which custome is obserued and kept with so great rigour and force that whosoeuer is against this lawe all the rest do kill him In all these Ilands there is not as yet knowen neyther king nor lord whom the rest should obey which is the occasion that euery one do liue as he list and at his pleasure These Ilandes were woont to haue warre the one with the other when occasion did force them as it happened at such time as the Spaniardes were there in the port of the said Iland there came abord their ships to the number of two hundred small barkes or botes in the which came many of the inhabitants thereof to sell vnto them of the ships hens nuts called cocos patatas and other thinges of that Iland and to buy other such things as our people did carrie with them but in especiall yron vnto the which they are very much affectionated and vnto things of chrystall and such like of small estimation But there grew a great contention amongest them which people of what Ilande should first come vnto the shippes and was in such order that they fell vnto blowes and wounded the one the other maruellously more liker beastes than men of the which there were many slaine in the presence of the Spaniards and would neuer leaue off their contention a good while till in the end by way of peace they consented a conclusion amongest themselues but with a great noyse which was that those of one Iland should go to the larbord of the ship and those of the other Iland should go to the starbord with the which they were pacified and did buy and sel at their pleasure But at their departure from our people in recompence of their good intertainment they threw into the ship of their dartes hardened with fire with the which they did hurt many of theÌ„ that were aboue hatches yet went they not away scotfrée for that our people with their hargabushes did paye them in readie money their bold attempt These people do more estéeme yron than siluer or golde and gaue for it fruites nnames patatas fish rise ginger hennes and many gallant mattes very well wrought and all almost for nothing Thâ—se Ilandes are verie fertile and healthfull and very easie to bee conquered vnto the fayth of Christ. If that at such time as the ships doo passe that way vnto Manilla they would leaue there some religious men with souldiers to garde them till the next yeare and might be doone with small cost It is not as yet knowen what ceremonies and rites they do obserue for that there is none that doo vnderstande their language neither hath any béene on those Ilandes but onely as they haue passed by which is the occasion that they cannot be vnderstood The language which they doo vse to any mans iudgement is easie to be learned for that their pronunciation is verie plaine they call ginger asno and for to say take away your hargabush they say arrepeque
vertues hath this palme whereof I haue declared part for that they are notable do cause admiration vnto all men that passe into those partes I doo leaue to declare the rest because I would not be tedious Nigh to y e cittie of Manilla on the other side of the riuer there is a towne of Chinos that be baptized such as haue remained there to dwell to inioy the libertie of the gospel There are amongst them many handicrafts men as shoomakers taylors goldsmiths blacksmiths and other officers and some merchants CHAP. XIIII The barefoote Friers depart from the Iland of Luzon vnto China and is declared such as was there seene FOr that the principall intent of these religious men when they went out of Spaine was for to go vnto the mightie kingdome of China for to preach the holy gospell and did perseuer continually with that desire they woulde neuer intreat of any other thing but onely to put it in execution and for the accomplishing of the same they sought many meanes and waies sometimes in requesting the gouernor of his aide and helpe to procure the same for that it was an easie thing to be performed hauing continually ships of the merchants of China in the port of Manilla The gouernor did driue them off with many reasons but principally he laid before them that rigorous lawe which they knew was established against such as did enter into that kingdome without particular licence yet notwithstanding all this was not sufficient to abate the louing desire of those Friers which was onely setled in their mindes for to go and preach the holy gospel in that kingdome by one meanes or other although it were to put their liues in hazard and for the prosecuting hereof the comissary of those Ilands who was Frier Geronimo de Burgos did elect sixe religious men for the same purpose amongst them was the father Ignatio of whome I as I haue said vnderstood by writing and relation many thinges the which is declared in these Itinerario or comentarie so that there was with him seuen religious men all seruants of God and very desirous of the saluation of soules which was the occasion that they put themselues in so long and tedious a iourney leauing their owne countrie and quietnesse These seuen with the good will of the gouernor Don Gonsalo Ronquillo and of the bishop whom they did ouercome and winne with requests and perseuerance and carried in their company a Spaniard their friende called Iohn De Feria of Andolozia and other two souldiers that went with pretence to become friers one Portugall and sixe Indian Ilanders all the which the eight day after Corpus Christi which was the one and twentie day of Iune in anno 1582. they departed from the port of Cabite whereas they did imbarke themselues in a barke of the saide Iohn De Feria and making saile at fiue of the clocke in the afternoone in the morning betimes they founde themselues twentie leagues ouerthwart the port that is called Del Fraile whereas they determined to go to sea leauing the coast of the Ilande of Manilla which lieth North and South with China from the which Cittie which is as I haue saide in fourtéene degrées and a halfe vnto the Cape of Boxeador which is in ninetéene it is one hundreth leagues sailing and from this Cape to the firme land of China they count it scarce fourescore leagues And God was so pleased although they had two dayes calme the seuenth day which was the day before the apostle saint Peter and saint Paule at eight of the clocke in the morning they discouered the firme lande of China then straightwaies vpon the sight thereof the comissarie commaunded to bring foorth the habites which hee carried readie made for to put vpon the Friers for that when the Chinos shoulde see that they were all Friers they should be voide of all suspition to thinke them to be spies as they thought when the first Friers went thither as hath beene tolde you and not contented herewith hee threw all the souldiers apparell into the sea and one hargabus of Iohn De Feria with the Flaske wherein he carried his powder and all other thinges such as he thought woulde be a hurt and hindrance vnto them if it should so fall out that they shoulde erre out of the port whereas the Portugals doo vse and fall vppon the coast as afterwards it fell so out they left nothing but a match which they forgot which lacked very little to haue cost them full deere But when they had sight of the lande they did not well knowe it for that they had neuer séene it before were also ignorant of the ports although they were very neere to y e bay of Canton they tooke their course vnto the Northwest wheras they should haue gone to the Southwest which was y e occasion y t they came vnto the prouince of Chincheo This day at fiue a clocke in the afternoone they discouered a port that was not farre from them whither they sailed and entred in and came to an anker on the outmost side yet with great feare and dread for that they knew not the secuâ—itie thereof neither the trouble that might happen They were not so soone at an anker but they saw come forth of the said port many barkes both small and great and in them many souldiers with hargabusses lances swordes and targets and in their soreshippe some small péeces of ordinance And when they came nigh vnto the barke wherein the Spaniards were within musket shot they stayed and discharged great stoare of hargabus shot But they who carried no armor to offende others neither to defende themselues the answere that they gaue vnto the shot was making of many signes of peace calling them with their handes to come nearer vnto them that they might sée and vnderstand that they came not thither with any pretence to do harme Yet all was not sufficient to cause them to leaue off their shooting neither to come any nearer vnto their barke At this present there was amongst the souldiers one Chino that had béene at Luzon and did knowe the Spaniâ—rds being of God inspired hee made signes vnto the rest to leaue off their shooting which presently they did and hee came with his Brigantine vnto their barke and after him all the rest who when they sawe that they had neyther armour nor weapon neither will to flie from them they entered into the barke and with their naked swordes in their hands flourishing with them ouer the heads of the Spaniards with a great noise and tumult they carried them into the port which was called Capsonson whereas was a generall of a great armie of shippes that were at an anker in the saide port who straightwaies commanded that there should be carried on borde his admirall foure of the Spaniards the which they vnderstoode was doone to take their liues from them for the which by reason they did not name any
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
people doo say that with a good will they would againe returne and receiue the law of the gospell if they had it there preached From this Iland after they had passed a little gulfe they came vpon the coast of a kingdome called Tutucuriu and ran all alongest the cost of the same running from the cape of Comerin to Cuylan Here there is a Pagode or temple of their gods very great and rich thether come all the Gentiles of that kingdom at certain feasts in y e yeare with great deuotion there is in is it a triumphant chariot so great that 20. horse cannot mooue it they bring it foorth in publike vpō their festiual daies is carried by elephants by an infinite number of men who voluntarily do hale and pull at certaine roapes y t are made fast therunto Upon the highest of this chariot is made a tabernacle very richly adorned and within the same an Idol whom they do worship then immediatly vnder the same are y e kings wiues that go singing They doo bring it forth with much musick◠reioysings do carry it a good way in procession and amongest many thinges of honor that they doo vnto it they do vse one so brute and beastly as the reader may well iudge thereof which is that many of them doo cut péeces of their owne fleshe and doo throwe it vnto the Idoll and the other not contented with this doo throwe them selues on the grounde that the chariot may passe ouer them and there they remaine all to péeces Those that do die in this sort they account them for great saints and are had in singular veneration Many other maners and fashions of idolatrie is declared of this kingdome and more beastly than this we haue spokē of the which I let passe because I would not be tedious in this Itinerario All the people of this kingdom be very bad and ill inclined for which cause y e fathers of the company of Iesus that are in certaine townes nigh vnto the same cannot as yet bring them out of their errors although they haue put therein great care and diligence Upon the same cost a litle distant from this kingdom there is a towne of Portingals called Coulan and 25. leagues further a citie which is called Cochin in the which there are religious men of S. Francis of S. Dominicke of S. Austin of the companie of Iesus who haue there a very good studie or seminarie whereas they do bring foorth much fruite Nigh vnto this citie is Santo Tome whereas are many baptised and good christians very abstinent and chast vnto whom the patriarkes of Babylon doo prouide them of bishops the authoritie where with they do it is not knowen nor whence they haue it for that as I do vnderstand the seat apostolicke did neuer giue it them About the same matter at this present there is in Rome a bishop of this kingdome and one of the kingdome of Pimienta with whom I haue talked diuers times and is come thether to giue his obedience vnto the Pope and to knowe of him the order that his pleasure is should be obserued in receiuing of those bishops which come thether by the cōmandement of the patriarke In this kingdome there are many kings but the principallest of them is he of Cochin and next vnto him he of Coulan nigh vnto them are many petie kings as is hee of Mangate Cranganor and are all Gentils although amongst them there are mixed many Moores There hath bin found in this kingdome certaine Iewes that haue gone frō Palestina those parts There is in this countrie vniuersally a lawe verie strange and little heard of which is that the sonnes doo not inherite after their fathers but his brothers sonne and the reason they giue for the same is for y t they haue no certaintie of their children for that they haue no wiues proper nor appointed to thēselues I promise you it séemeth to me their reason to be as barbarous as their law for that the like inconuenience doth folow their brothers children They haue many rites blindnes amongst thē but one aboue all the rest which is y t in certaine feastes amongst them they do vse bathes after that they are bathed they say that they remaine frée cleare from all their sinnes They haue many augorismes of whom I will not intreat for that they are not worthy of memorie In this country is gathered most of the pepper that is brought into Europe for which cause this kingdome is called that of the Pimienta CHAP. XXVI The chapter doth treate of many kingdomes of the newe world and of the particular and curious things of them THe aforesaid father went from Cochin to the kingdome of Cananor passed by Tanaor Calicut which is called of the naturall people Malabar they are litle kingdomes but in them much people In that of Cananor there are inhabited many Portingals and religious mē of the order of S. Francis it is a countrie in all things like vnto Cochin for which cause and for that they obserue kéepe one maner of customs rites I remit the touching of this kingdome to the other aforesaide Then forwards on there are other two small kingdoms the one is called Barcelor the other Mangalor there be in them some christians it is a good countrie rich and hath it for certaine that within a little time they will be all baptised From this kingdome they went vnto Goa a principall citie and inhabited with Portingals is as the metropolitane of all those kingdomes it is in fiftéen degrées of height and is set from Cochin vnto it a hundreth leagues this citie is situated in a little Iland compassed round about with water and in compasse but onely foure leagues and is deuided from the firme land of Odialcan by a mightie riuer It is a good countrie peaceable and doth inioy a very faire and pleasant riuer In this Citie ordinarily is resident the viceroy of the India and the archbishoppe there are many Churches and couents besides the high church there are fourtéene parish churches besides fiftéen hermitages that are within and without the citie there be four couents all very sumptuous of S. Dominicke of S. Austin of saint Francis and of the company of Iesus And without the cittie there is another of Recoletos Franciscanos reformed Francis friers Nigh vnto this Iland are those of Salcete and Barde◠there whereas the religious men of saint Francis and the companie of Iesus haue certaine christian townes Few yeares past the Gentiles of Sancete did kill certaine fathers of the company of Iesus in abhorring the faith who died with great spirite and strength so that I beleeue they went into ioy with God Beyonde Goa on the same coast towardes the North is in eightéene degrées and a halfe from y e towne of Chaul beyond that Basayn nigh thereunto Damaun all these
Camelles The Iland called Desseada The Iland Dominica They which did eatefriers flesh did die madde Much kine sugar ginger wheat and gold Of sixe hundred thousand Indians there remaineth none The Iland Hispaniola or Santo Domingo Mightie riuers in spain A peece of virgin gold so bigge as a two pennie wheaten loaf Cannafistola Gold and pearles Bread of a roote called Casaue Of three millions of men not two hundred left Tiburones The Ilande of Nauala The Iland of Iamayca Uracans The Iland of Cuba anâ— the port Hauana The Spaniâ—rds God is â—old The Indians throwe all their gold and iewels into the riuer The port of saint Iohn de Lua The Iland of Campeche Hony waxâ— The Citie of Vera Cruz The kingdome of Mexico New Mexico Peru. Nombre de Dios. Acapulo Panama The straites of Magellanes It rayneth almost euery day The best horses in all the world An infinite number of siluer mines An Uniuersitie in Mexico A strange kind of tree Properties of the Indians Pictures made of fethers Hernando Cortes Medicinall hearbes They vse no compounds New Mexico The prouince of Tiguas The prouince of Conchas Great store of Conies Hares and venison Passaguates Mines of siluer Tobosos Iumanos Good salt Houses of 4. tories high They worship the diuel ich metals Rich metals The sea of Ladies White people as bigge as gyants without king or gouernor Iron more esteemed than siluer or gold Archipelago The Iland of Luzon and citie of Manilla Geeat mountains of pepper cloues and ginger The diueâ—â— was worshiped Vitches The Indians would not go into heauen because there were spanish souldiers Siuit Honie Sinamum Linseed Oile Cloues Saffron Pepper Nutmegs Cotton and Silke Powder Saltpeter Iron Steele Quicksiluer Brasse Copper Sixe months trauaile from Ierusalem vnto China Great ditches lakes A mightie lake More ships in one port than in all Spaine They neuer had the plague Mynes of golde siluer Siluer for his value more esteemeâ— than gold Amber gryce Wonderfull treasure Fleetes may be laden with silke Sugar ho ny and waxe A riuer that yeeldeth a million and a halfe euery yeare in salâ— All cities are walled They vse hargabushes bowes and lances Englande France Spaine and the Turke hath not so many souldiers as this kingdome Captaines of few and many souldiers Salamina where S. Thomas was martred Giuen to delightes Their womeÌ„ are chast but their men are vicious Iapon is 300 leagues from China The first inhabiting of the Iapon In the Iapones are 66. kingdomes A luciferine pride Many wâ—â—ches Ilands of Amazones A strange custome Great fishing of Pearles â—arias is a â—uetie for the â—inges owne â—erson Aboundance â—f silk gold A myracle Another myracle Their womeÌ„ are honest shamefast They neuer had plague pestilence nor hunger The kingdome of Champa Rich of drugs The kingdome of Câ—mboia The kingdome of Sian The mother of Idolatrie Faint hearted people The kingdome of Lugor and that of Patone Gold pepper and drugs The kingdomes of Paon and Ior. The straight of Malaca is vnder the lâ—ne A daintâ—e kind of meaâ— A tree of a wonderfull eâ—fâ—et Two contraries in one subiect The Iland of Samatra supposed to be the Iland of Ophir The richest Iland in the world An armie of a million and sixe hundred thousand meÌ„ The kingdome of Arracon The kingdome of Vangala A strange custome A diamond sold for a million of gold â—landes of Nicobar Anapes tooth for their God â— brutish vse The kingdome of Cananor Tanaor and Calicâ—t Ilandes Salcete Bardes The towns of Chaul Basayn Damaun Cambaya The cittie of Diu. The cittie of Oromuz Odialon Mogor Persia. Arabia Felix The red sea The lande of Abexin that of Prester Iohn Mazaubique The Ilands of Maldiuia The Ilandâ— of S. Lorenso The Cape oâ— Buena Esperansa The Ilandâ— of S. Elena Guinea