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
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
benefites and profites and likewise to request him if it were his pleasure to sende an ambassador to y e king of that kingdome the better to confirme their friendship to carrie with him some things which be vsed in his countrie which would be maruellous well estéemed of the Chinos be a way vnto the preaching of the gospel and bee a beginning that a farther contraction may growe betwixt the Christians and the Chinos of the which shall follow the aforesaid profite vnto other countries by the great quantitie of things as well of riches as of other curiosities that shalbe brought from theÌ„ce After they had well considered with great deliberation who should be the person that they shoulde send vpon so long a iourney for to request his maiestie of the aforesaid in the ende they did agrée vppon for to desire the prouinciall of the Augustine friers who was called Frier Dilho de Herrera a man of great learning and of great experience touching matters of those Ilands for that hee was one of the first discouerers of them they requested him for the loue of God and the good seruice to his maiestie and the benefite that might come thereby vnto these Ilands that he would take vpon him to go with this petition for they were fully perswaded for that he had trauailed so manie places of those Ilands as also for his office and vocation there was none that better coulde put in effect their desire and perswade with his maiestie the great importance of that ambassage and manie other things necessarie touching the gouernement of those Ilands This determination was liked well of them all and that they had chosen well in sending of the prouinciall who incontinent departed from the Ilands in a shippe that was pepared for Noua Hispania which was in the yeare of Christ 1573. At his inbarking hee was accompanied with the gouernour and all those of that citie of whom hee was maruellouslie well beloued for his holinesse and good condition Desiring him with all diligence to procure to returne with as much breuity as was possible vnto those ilands whereas they so much loued him and had néede of his presence He did promise them to make all the spéede possible and in paiment of the trauel that he did take vpon him for the benifite profite he requested them al that they would pray vnto God to giue a good voyage they promised him to doo it the which they did performe with particular care Then did the master command to weigh ankers and to set saile which was in the moneth of Nouember the same yeare and with reasonable whether they arriued at the new Spaine and came vnto the cittie of Mexico and from thence they went and embarked themselues in the North seas who with prosperous winds the xiii day of August the yeare following they ariued in San. Lucar debarameda in Spaine and caried me in his company From thence the day following we departed from Syuel from whence wee departed forthwith toward Madrid whereas his maiestie was at that present and we came thither the fiftéenth day of September in anno 1574. the same wéeke that they had newes of the losse of the Goleta Wée went straightwayes to kisse the kings hands and caried the letters which we brought from his gouernor and citie by whom both we and the letters were receiued with his accustomed benignitie and did heare the petition with great satisfaction for that the desire was holy and profitable and told vs that he would command his counsell to vnderstand in the same with a particular consideration and with so much breuitie as the thing required and gaue vs thankes for the great trauell and long iourney which we tooke vpon vs in his seruice for to giue him notice of the discouering of this great kingdome and of other things touching the Ilands Philippinas He straightwayes commanded that we should be prouided for of all things necessarie for our sustentation for the time that we should there remaine and that we should go and giue account of all things for the which we came thither vnto the counsel of the Indies who was Don Iuan de Obando vnto whom his maiestie did recommend the consideration to be done with great care and to consult vpon the same After that they had comuned with the roiall counsell of the Indies touching that which should be requisite and conuenient which was done as it appeared in effect for that they gaue vs facultie in a few dayes after of all things that was requested from the said Ilands except that which did touch the ambassage vnto the 〈◊〉 of China as a thing of greater importance and requested lonâ—â—r time to consider of the same so that they did referre it till they â—â—d a better occasion So that with this resolution and with fortie religious men and manie commissions from his maiestie touching the good gouernement of that new kingdome wee departed from Syuell in the moneth of Ianuarie the yeare following in 1575. whereas I remained by his order and for certaine respects But the aforesaid Prouinciall did imbarke himselfe with his fortie religious persons and departed in the moneth of Iuly with a faire winde and merrie passage till they came vnto newe Spaine and from thence into the South sea vntill they came in sight of the Ilands whereas the wether did alter and they were forced by the furie thereof to ariue at an Iland inhabited with Gentiâ—es by whome they were all slaine and none escaped but onely an Indian natural of the Ilands which wee carried from thence in our companie for Spaine He afterwards came vnto Manilla and gaue them to vnderstand how they were all slaine and how the Gentiles did teare all the papers and commissions in péeces and of all that happened to them This being knowne by the gouernor and by the rest that dwelt in the Ilands after that they had done the rytes with the funerall griefes as iustice required in such a case they finding themselues in the same necessitie that before they were in by reason of the losse of the aforesaid Prouinciall and his companions and also of the letters and prouisions sent from his maiestie they forthwith in the same determination did write new letters in requesting that which in part the king had granted although they had no knowledge thereof they did also therein write touching the ambassage that they did request for the king of China adding therunto new occasions wherby they should be moued to do them so much fauour as to send the ambassador afore requested which was a thing of great importanâ—s for all those Ilands When that these letters came in conformitie with the others before sent the king did ordaine for gouernor of those Ilands a Gentleman who was called Don Gonsalo de Mercado y Ronquillo a man of great valor discretion one that had serued the king as wel in the Peru. as in Mexico with great fidelitie who
vnderstanding the earnest request wherâ—with those of the Ilands did aske the ambassage howe much it did import to haue it as a man then elected for gouernor of those Ilands a matter that touched him very much did put the king and his counsell in memorie of the same and in conclusion they answered that hee should foorthwith depart with the souldiers that were prouided for those parts for that it was coÌ„uenient so to be doone by reason of great necessitie that they had of them in the said Ilands and as for the ambassage for that there was no such great necessitie nor haste it should be intreated of at more leasure when that the counsell wil aduertise themselues of al that shalbe conuenient touching that matter that they would consult and confer with his maiestie that he may as the right owner of them command that which shuld be to the seruice of God and his benefite So with this answere the said gouernor departed It happened that in the moneth of August in the yeare following before that this gouernor was ariued at the Ilands there came newe letters from thence of supplications requesting with greater instance that which before at other times they had requested sending with their petition the whole relation of the entrie of Frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the Augustine Friers and his companions into the kingdome of China and of such things as they had seene and heard of as may be séene at large in the said declaration which is in the second part of this booke This being séene by his maiestie he was resolued to send the ambassage which so many times they haue requested this chanced at that time that he began to go vppon Portugall a time of trouble but yet a great token that it was the will of God in whose hands as the wise man saith are the hearts of kings For the appointment of one for to go on this ambassage the king did remit it vnto his roial counsel of the Indies whose president was Don Antonio de Padilla y meneses who had communicated with me diuers times touching matters of that kingdome of Mexico whereas I was alwayes resident euer since I was seuentéene yeares of age and by reason of matters that was committed vnto me out of that country was the occasion that I did vse to visit him the oftener the which large conuersation and the good wil that hée did beare me did perswade him that I could put in execution the ambassage of his maiestie for that his will was that some religious person should do it and they being fully perswaded that my good will and desire was for the saluation of those soules and in all respects willing to serue his maiestie all the which with the knowledge that I had of that large nauigation and the qualitie of that countrie and people was a great helpe to the accomplishing in effect the will of his maiestie and desire of those that dwelt in Philippina So after this charge being committed vnto me and his maiestie readâ—e to depart on his voiage for Portugal as aforesaid he did remit my dispatch vnto the lords of the royall counsell who were at that time the Liceneiado gasca de salacaâ— and doctor Gomez de Santisteuan the Licenciado Espadero The Licenciado don Diego de Zuniga the doctor Vaillo the Licenciado Euao the Licenciado Gedeon de Hinonsosa By whose commandement I depart from the court vnto Syuell where as order was giuen that all such things should be prouided that I should carrie vnto the king Whereas I was procuring the same certaine dayes and for that they were many the which I should carry it was not possible by any meanes that they should be made readie against the departure of the fléete Then the Licenciado Gasca de Salacar aforesaide who was at that present resident in the coÌ„tractation house of Syuel gaue his maiestie to vnderstand thereof who was at Badaioz occupied in matters touching the kingdome of Portugal as aforesaid and requested him to giue order what his pleasure was to be done therein who commanded that the fleete should depart and that I should stay till such time as all things were made and concluded that I shoulde carrie with me for the king of China as in ample manner as hee had commanded And when that all things were in good order that they should cause â— sâ—ippe or galeon to bée made readie wherein I should make my voyage â—or to ouertake or méete at the newe Spaine such shippes as euerie yeare dooth depart for the Ilands Philippinas which is at Christmas time this commandement was delayed vntill the beginning of Lent as well for that the thinges were manie that shoulde bée made and coulde not be dispatched in the time as also for a generall sicknesse that was amongst them in Spaine called the Cattarre or murre Then after that all thinges were in order by the commandement of the Licenciado Gasca hée deliuered vnto me the kinges letter and all other thinges The which for that they were manie and againe I haue beene tedious in this Chapter I doo not declare it for that the prudent lector may of himselfe conceiue if hee doo weigh the magnanimitie of the Catholike king that dooth sende them and the mightinesse and richnesse of him to whome it is sent of the which we haue declared enough in this small historie I would I could particularly declare it vnto you as also the copie of the letter that his maiestie did send vnto that Heathen or Gentile king a thing worthie of the author but for that it came not to effect neither had I anye licence of him that all oâ—elye might grant it and againe in place whereas I could not aske it therefore I dare not for that I will not excéede the limits of fidelitie which I owe vnto my prince But it is sufficient that the letter and the present sent by his maiestie vnto the king of that countrey was to no other intent but to procure him and all his subiects to acknowledge the true God and to exhort them to receiue our catholike faith and to giue them to vnderstand the error wherein they are and how ignorant they are of the knowledge of the true God the creator of hâ—auâ—n and earth and of all the creatures of the world visible and inuisâ—ble sauiour and redéemer of all such as with a true knowledge doo beléeue in him and obey his holy lawe declared by his worde and confirmed by his deuine tokens and other thinges in effect So being dispatched I prosecuted my iourny and order till I came vnto the kingdome of Mexico whereas I found a certaine inconuenience touching a matter néedful in that voiage whereof his maiestie in the commission he gaue me willed me to be well â—duertised and if it were néedfull to giue him notice thereof before I did passe any farther The vizroy of that kingdome who was the Earle of Coruma thought it good that I
shoulde returne vnto Lysborne whereas the king was at that instant and to giue him to vnderstand of the difficultie that was found in a meeting that the vizroy had caused to bee made of the most grauest personages of all that kingdome about the prosecuting of that ambassage With this resolution I departed from that kingdome and returned for Spaine and left the present in Mexico in the power of the kings officers till such time as order was giuen what shoulâ— be done therewith I found his maiestie in Lisborne whereas I did deliuer him the letters that were written touching the same matter and did declare vnto him my iudgement touching the meeting aforesaid who incontinent did take the â—harge vpon him to seeke occasion for to put in effect his most christâ—an intent and zâ—ale the which I doo beléeue he hath procured and will by al waies possible and that very shortly we shall sée in that kingdâ—me planted the Catholike faith and their false idolatrie banished And I hope in God it will bee very shortly for that there be within that kingdome religious men of the order of saint Augustine and barefoote friers of saint Francis and of the order of Iesus or Iesuits who are called there the fathers of Saint Paule of whom there is placâ—d fiue or sixe in the citie of Xauquin whereas the vizroy doth dwell and hath erected a couent in that citie euer since the yeare 1583. with a Church whereas they doo say masse ordinarily And it is said of a truth that they haue got license of the saide vizroy for to passe fréely thorough out all the whole kingdome of China But if it bee so you must thinke that hee did it after that he had consulted with the king and doone by his authoritie otherwise I am perswaded he durst not grant any such liceâ—se At this present dooth there go out of Spaine by the order and commandement of his maiestie and his royall counsell of the Indies a companie of religious men of the order of saint Dominicke for to aid and helpe the rest that are there to conclude this enterprise from whom can procéed nothing but that which tends to great effect by reason of their great zeale learning and the better if that they doo ioyâ—e togither in charitie as seruants to one Lord and master and as they which are boundâ— to doo all one worke By which meanes with the fauour and helpe of Almightie God putting to their diligence and industrie they shall easily conquest their hearts good willes shall frustrate the diuell from the possession that so long time he hath possessed in that kingdome and râ—duce them to their true Lord by creation and redemption It will not bee a small helpe the manie and euident tokens which the Chinos doo giue of desire of their saluation For as it is said that they haue read in their bookes that from the Occident shall come the true and perâ—ite law to diâ—ect them to heauen where they shalbe angelâ— And they séeing that those religious people which are câ—me into their kingdome doo come from the Occident they are perswaded without doubt that the law that they doo declare vnto them is the truth by which meanes shall redowne vnto them great goodnesse They are greatly affâ—ctioned vnto the commandements of the Catholike faith and vnto the catechisme which is translated into their language and is abrode in manie parts of that kingdome which is the occasion as the fathers of the companie that are in the citie Xuquien dooth write that many principal persons are conuerted vnto the catholike faith and others being holpen by the heauens and encited by the ensample of them doo demande the holy baptisme which is left vndone because they will not cause any vprore in the countrie And againe when they shall better conceiue thereof they may receiue it with more firme faith God for his mercie cause to go forwards and with his deuine fauour this good worke for his honour and glorie and exalting his holy faith and that so great and infinite a number of soules redéemed by his pretious blood might be saued and to put in the hart of christian kings to procéed forwards in that which he hath begun putting alwaies in their breasts a greater augmentation to the concluding of the same and to put apart from him all such perswasions as shoulde cause him to leaue it off which the diuell will procure by all the wayes and meanes that he may But against God and his diuine will there is neither power nor wisedome The end of the first part The second part of the historie of the mightie kingdome of China that is deuided into three parts The first containeth such thinges as the fathers frier Martin de Herrada prouinciall of the order of Saint Augustine in the Ilands Phlipinas and his companion fryer Geronimo Martin and other soldiers that went with them did see and had intelligence of in that kingdom The second containeth the miraculous voiage that was made by frier Pedro de Alfaro of the order of S. Francis and his companions vnto the said kingdome The third containeth a breefe declaration by the said frier and of frier Martin Ignacio that went out of Spaine vnto China and returned into Spaine againe by the Orientall India after that he had compassed the world Wherein is contained many notable things that hee did see and had intelligence of in the voiage The Argument of the first part Wherein is declared the cause that moued Frier Martin de Herrada and Frier Geronimo Martin and such souldiers as went in their companie for to passe from the Ilands Phillipinas vnto the kingdome of China in the yeare 1577 and of the entrie they made therein and what they did see there for the space of foure monethes and sixteeâ—e daies that they remained and of what they vnderstood of al things that happened vnto them till they returned againe vnto the Ilands from whence they went all the which are notable and strange CHAP. I. The Spaniardes departe from Mexico vnto the Ilandes Philippinas where they had intelligence of the mightie kingdome of China GOuerning in the kingdom of Mexico don Luys de Velasco who was viceroye and lieftenant in that place for the Catholike king don Phillip king of Spaine was coÌ„manded by his maiestie to prepare a great armie in the south sea and to leuie â—ouldiers necessarie for the same and to send them to discouer the Ilands of the west those which that famous captaine Magallanes did giue notice of when he did compasse the world in the ship called the Victorie The viceroy with great care and diligence did performe the kinges commandement This fléete and armie being prepared readie which was not without great cost hee caused them to depart out of the port at Christmas time in the yeare of 1564. and sent for general of the same fléete and for gouernour of that countrie which they should discouer the worthie Miguel
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
vpon the sunday following which was the thirde of Iuly we had sight of the land of China so that we found all our voyage from the port of Buliano from whence we departed vnto the firme land to be one hundred and fortie leagues twenty leagues before they came in the sight thereof they had sounding at thrée score and tenne and fourscore fathome and so waxed lesse and lesse vntill they came to the lande which is the best and surest token they haue to be nigh the land In al the time of their voiage the Captain Omoncon with his companie shewed such great curtesie and friendship to our men as though they had béene the owners of the saide ship and at such time as they did imbarke theÌ„selues he gaue his own cabin y t was in the sterne to y e friers and vnto Pedro Sarmiento and to Miguel de Loarcha he gaue another cabin that was very good coÌ„manded his company in the ship that they should respect them more then himselfe the which was in such sort that on a day at the beginning of their voyage the fathers founde them making of sacrifice vnto their Idols and told them that all which they did was a kinde of mockage and that they shoulde worshippe but onely one God and willed them to doo so no more Who onely in respect of them did leaue it off and not vse it after in all the voyage whereas before they did vse it euerie day manie times Besides this they woulde worshippe the images that the Friers did carrie with them and knéele vpon their knées with great shew of deuotion who nowe hauing sight of the firme lande in so short time and passed that small gulfe so quietly which was wont to bee verie perilous and full of stormes they did attribute it vnto the orations of the Friers their companions and souldiers The like curtesie was shewed vnto them by Sinsay who was the seconde person in the shippe and hée that did best vnderstande that Nauigation and voyage So as they drewe nearer the land they might discouer from the sea a verie gallant and well towred Cittie that was called Tituhul whereas the king hath continually in garrison tenne thousande souldiers and is vnder the gouernement of the prouince of Chincheo So the next day following wee came vnto a watch towre which was situated vppon a rocke at the entrie into a bay who had discouered our shippe and knew the standart or flagge to bee the kings and made a signe vnto seuen shippes which were on the other side of the point which was part of a company ordeined for to kéepe and defende the cost which were more then foure hundred Straightwayes the Captaine of the seuen shippes came foorth to knowe what we were and what chanced shalbe told you in this chapter following CHAP. XII The Captaine Omoncon is come to the prouince of Chincheo but before he doth come vnto an anker he dooth passe some trouble with another Captaine of the sea THis Captaine Omoncon when he saw that the ships did make towards him hee cast about his shippe and passed alongst by the watch towre making his way towards the towne where he was a natural subiect and nigh at hand being but two leagues from the point which being perceiued bythe generall of that bay which was in a râ—dinesse who imagined by his working that it should be some shippe of euill demeanor and their enimies without any delation hee issued forth from behind the point with thrée ships that did row with Oares verie swift and gaue them chase cutting them off from their pretence and when he came nigh vnto them hee shot at them to make them to amaine the which Omoncon would not doo for that hee supposed as afterwards hee did confesse that hee should be some man of little estimation and not the generall of the coste But as he drew nigher vnto him hee did know him by the flagge he bare on the sterne in the foist wherein he was himselfe with his souldiers straightwayes caused to amaine his sailes and tarried for him The generall did the like and stayed behinde sending a boate for to bring the captaine vnto him and to declare what he was and from whence hee came Omoncon did forthwith imbarke himself into his boate without any resistance but rather with feare that hee should be punished for that hee did flie from him The generall when hee saw him did straightwayes know him and in that the fathers did vnderstand by signes hée was verie glad of his comming and gaue him good entertainment This generall was a goodly man of person and was verie well apparelled and did sit in a chaire in the sterne of his ship the which was all couered to kéepe away the sunne hee commanded the captaine Omoncon to sit downe by him vpon the hatches without chaire or any other thing who did obey him although first hee did refuse it with great modestie as not woorthie to haue that honour which was not estéemed a little After that he was set he gaue him to vnderstand in effect of all his voyage and successe and in what extremitie he left Limahon and also howe that hee carried with him the Friers and other Spaniards which went to carrie the newes and to intreate of peace with the vizroy of Aucheo vnto whome and vnto the gouernor of Chincheo hee carried presents sent from the gouernor and generall of the fielde of the Ilands Philippinas When the generall had heard this relation he commanded the â—oate to returne and to bring them before him that hée might sée what manner of men they were of person and the vse of the apparell and likewise to satisfie himselfe of other desires that came into his mind by that which Omoncon had saide of them The fathers and their companions did obey the commandement and did imbarke themselues in the boatâ— although it were with some feare and came vnto the shippe whereas the generall receiued them with great curtesie after his fashion and shewed them a good countenance and tokens that he very much reioyced to sée them and the vse of their apparell they ware But after a while hee commanded that they shoulde bée put vnder hatches which was the occasion to augment the feare they conceiued when they were sent for and the more when they saw that they were commanded to be shut vp in a cabin with the interpreter that they brought with them This being done they were in great care howe they might vnderstand the Generals pretence and at a close doore that was before the cabin whereas they were vppon a sudden they might sée that all those that were in the shippe did arme themselues in great haste and the captaine Omoncon amongst them then they heard bases and hargubus shot with a great noise of people which did verie much alter them in such sort that they looked euery moment when they should come and cut of their heads Whilst that our
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
The pronunciation of their wordes is neither in the nose nor in the throte It is vnderstood that they be all Gentiles by certaine signes and tokens that our people haue seene them do and that they doo worship Idols and the diuell vnto whom they do sacrifice such as they do take in the warres of their borderers It is thought that they doo descend of the tartares by some particularities that is found amongst theÌ„ the which do draw very nigh vnto some that they do vse These Ilandes are south north with the land of Labrador which is nigh vnto the new found lande and not farre distant from the Ilande of Iapon It is knowen for a trueth that they do deale with the Tartares and that they do buy yron for to sell it vnto them The Spaniards did giue name vnto these Ilandes as they passed by the Ilandes of Ladrones which is of théeues for that they are very bolde and subtile in their sâ—ealinges in the which facultie the Egyptians that are in our Europa may go to schoole with them for the verie facultie therof I will declare vnto you one thing that happened in the presence of many Spaniardes the which did cause them greatly to maruaile which is there was a marriner commanded by the captaine of the ship to kéepe the sterneborde side not to suffer any of them to enter therein and being as one amased to sée so many Canoas that came thether the which be small barkes or botes made all of one péece one of them diued downe vnder the water till he came there whereas the marriner was vnmindfull of any such matter should happen vpon a soddaine without séeing the other he snatched his sword out of his hand went vnder the water againe therwith the marriner made a noise declared the knauerie that y e Ilander had done vnto him whervpon there were certaine souldiers y t made their hargubushes ready to shoot at him when he appeared froÌ„ vnder y e water This Ilander perceiuing it came foorth swimmed aboue the water shewing his handes made signes y t he had nothing in theÌ„ which was the occasion that they did not shoot at him So after a while that he had beene there resting of himselfe he returned and diued vnder the water againe swam so farre as he thought that the bullet of the hargubush could not reach to hurt him and finding himselfe in securitie he tooke the sword from betwixt his legges whereas he did carrie it in secret and beganne to florish with the same mocking our people whom he had so easily deceiued This kind of stealing and many others which they had done and that with great subtiltie is the occasion that they beare the names of théeues and all the Ilandes whereas they doo dwell doo beare the name thereof the which they will easily pardon if they might ordinarily finde where as they might execute their inclination CHAP. XII They depart from the Ilandes of the Ladrones and come vnto them of Luzon or Philippinas by an other name and doo declare the particular thoughts of those Ilandes FRom this Iland of Ladrones nauigating towards y e west almost two hundred leagues till they came to a mouth called of the holy ghost they straightwaies doo enter into the Archipelago which is an infinite number of Ilands almost all inhabited with their own naturall people But many conquered by the Spaniardes eyther by force of warre or friendship Four score leagues from this is the citie of Manilla which is vpon the Iland of Luzon there whereas ordinarily dwelleth the gouernor of all those Ilandes the officers of his maiestie therein is a bishop and a cathedrall church This citie standeth in fourtéen degrées a quarter and round about the same there are so many Ilandes that vnto this day there is none that euer could number them they do extend all of them northwest and southwest north south in so much that the one part stretcheth vnto the straight of Sincapura which is fiue and twentie leagues from Malaca and the other part vnto the Malucos other Ilandes whereas they gather a great number of cloues pepper ginger of the which there are great mountaines full The first that discouered these Ilands were Spaniards which came to theÌ„ in the coÌ„pany of y e famous Magellanes made no conquest of theÌ„ for that they knew better to nauigate then to conquer by reason whereof after they had discouered and passed the straight which vnto this day beareth the title of his name and came vnto the Ilande of Zubu whereas they did baptise certaine of the inhabitance and afterwards in a banket the same Ilanders did kill him and other forty of his companions which was the occasion that Sebastian de Guetaria a naturall Biskin borne for to escape with his life did put himselfe in a shippe that remained of the voyage which afterwards was named the victorie and in her and with a few people that helped him with the fauour of God he came vnto Siuell hauing compassed the whole world from the Orient vnto the Ponient a thing which caused vnto all men great admiration but in particular vnto the Emperor Charles the fift of famous memorie who after he had giuen many gifts and fauours vnto the said Sebastian de Guetaria hee gaue order that a new armie should be made ready and to returne againe in demande of the said Ilands and to discouer that new world So when all things were in a redinesse for to depart on their voyage the which was done with great breuitie they ordained for generall of all that sleete one Villa Lobos commanding him to go by the Nueua Espania This Villa Lobos arriued at the Ilands of Malucas and at those of Terrenate at other Ilands ioyning vnto them the which Ilands were laid to gage by the aforesaid Emperor vnto the crowne of Portugal In these Ilands they had great wars by meanes of the Portugals and séeing themselues with little helpe and small resistance for to go forwards with their conquest they left it off and went to the most part of them with the aforesaide Portugals vnto the India of Portugall from whence afterwards they sent them as prisoners vnto the said king of Portugall as offenders that had entred his Ilands without his licence who did not onely leaue to do them any harme but did intreat them very well and sent them vnto their owne country of Spaine gaue them al thinges necessary for their iourney and that in aboundance Then certaine yeares after Don Philip king of Spaine being very willing that the discouering shoulde go forwards which the Emperor his father had so earnestly procured sent and commanded Don Luys de Velasco who was his vizroy of the Nuoua Espania that he would ordaine an army and people for to returne and discouer the said Ilands and to sende in the said fléete for gouernor of all
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
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
of this booke These Tartarians haue had many times wars with them of China but at one time as you shall perceiue they got the whole kingdome of China and did possesse the same for the space of 93. yeares till such time as they of China did rebell and forced them out againe At this day they say that they are friends one with another and that is for that they bee all Gentiles and do vse all one manner of ceremonies and rites They doo differ in their clenes lawes in the which the Chinas doth excéede them very much The Tartarians are very yealow not so white and they go naked from the girdlested vpwards and they eate raw flesh and do annoint themselues with the blood of raw flesh for to make them more harder and currish by reason whereof they doo so stinke that if the aire doth come from that part where they be you shall smel them afar off by the strong sauor They haue for certainty the truth of the immortalitie of the soule although it be with error for they say that the soule doth enter into other bodies and that soule that liued well in the first bodie doth better it from poore to rich or from age to youth and if it liued euill to the contrarie in worse The sons of the Tartarians do very much obserue and kéepe the commandement in obeying their parents for that they doo wholly accomplish the same without failing any iot of their will vnder paine to be seuerly and publikelie punished They confesse one God whom they worship haue him in their houses carued or painted and euery day they doe offer vnto it incense or some other swéet smelles they do call him the high God do craue of him vnderstanding health They haue also another God which they say is son vnto the other they do call him Natigay this is their God of terestriall things They haue him likewise in their houses and euery time they go to eate they doo annoint his face with the fattest thing they haue to eate that being doone they fall to eating hauing first giuen their gods their pitance They are a kinde of people that verie seldome doo fable a lie although their liues should lie thereon and are verie obedient vnto their king but in speciall in their warres in the which euerie one doth that he is appointed to doo they are led by the sound of a drome or trumpet with the which their captaines do gouerne them with great ease by reason that they are trained vp in the same from their youth And many other things are amongst them in the which they do resemble them of China who if they did receiue the faith of our Lord Iesu Christ it is to be beléeued that the Tartarians would do the same for that they are taken for men very ducible and do imitate verie much them of China CHAP. II. Of the temperature of the kingdome of China THe temperature of this mightie kingdome is diuersly by reason that almost the whole bignesse thereof is from the South to the North in so great a length tâ—at the Iland of Aynan being néere vnto this land in 19. degrées of altitude haue notice of some prouinces that are in moâ—e then 50. degrées and yet they do vnderstand that beyond that there bée more vpon the confines of Tartaria It is a strange thing to be séene the strange and great difference betwixt the colours of the dwellers of this kingdome In Canton a mightie citie whereas the Portingales had ordinarie traficke with them of China for that it was nigh vnto Macao where as they had inhabited long since and from whence they do bring all such merchandise as is brought into Europe There is séene great diuersities in the colours of such people as doo come thither to traficke as the said Portingales do testifie Those which are borne in the citie of Canton and in al that cost are browne people like vnto them in the citie of Fez or Barberie for that all the whole countrie is in the said paralel that Barberie is in And they of the most prouinces inwards are white people some more whiter then others as they draw into the cold countrie Some are like vnto Spanyards and others more yealow like vnto the Almans yelow and red colour Finally in all this mightie kingdome to speake generally they cannot say that there is much cold or much heat for that the Geographers do conclude and say it is temperate and is vnder a temperate clime as is Italy or other temperate countries wherby may be vnderstood the fertilitie of the same which is without doubt the fortresse in all the world may compare with the Peru and Nuoua Espannia which are two kingdomes celebrated to be most fertill and for the verification you shall perceius in this Chapter next folowing wherin is declared such things as it doth yéeld and bring forth and in what quantitie And yet aboue all things according vnto the sayings of fryer Herrada prouinciall and his companions whose relation I will follow in the most part of this hystorie as witnesses of sight vnto whom we may giue certaine credite without any exception They say that the countrie is so full of youth that it séemeth the women are deliuered euerie moneth and their children when they are little are extreame faire and the countrie is so fertill and fat that it yeldeth fruit thrée or foure times in the yéere which is the occasion that all things is so good cheape that almost it séemeth they sell them for nothing CHAP III. Of the fertilitie of this kingdome and of such fruits and other things as it doth yeeld THe inhabitants in this countrie are perswaded of a truth that those which did first finde and inhabite in this lande were the Neuewes of Noe who after they had traueiled from Armenia wheras â—he Arke stayed wherin God did preserue their grandfather from the waters of the flood went séeking a land to their contentment and not finding a countrie of so great fertilitie and temperature like vnto this wherein was all things necessarie for the life of man without comparison they were compelled with the aboundance thereof for to inhabite therin vnderstanding that if they should search throughout all the world they should not finde the like and I thinke they were not deceiued according as now it is to be séene and what may be considered in the proces of this chapter of such fruits as the earth doth yéeld And although there is declared here of such as shall suffice in this worke yet is there left behind a great number more of whose properties as well of herbes and beasts which of their particulars may be made a great volume and I doo beléeue that in time there will be one set forth The great trauell and continual laboure of the inhabitants of this countrie is a great helpe vnto the goodnes and fertilitie thereof and is so much that they do neither
spare nor leaue mountaines nor vallies neither riuers but they do sow and plant all such things as they perceiue that the place wil yéeld according vnto the goodnesse thereof as orchards with fruite great fields of wheat barlie rice flaxe and hempe with many other things all which traueile vnto them is verie easie remembring with what great libertie they do inioy their goods and the great infinit number of people that there is as well for handie craftes as for to till and cultiuate the grounde In all this mightie countrie they doo not suffer vacabunds nor idle people but all such ouer and aboue that they are gréeuouslie punished they are holden for infamous neither doo they consent nor permit any of them that are naturally borne there to go out of their countries into other strange countries neither haue they any wars at this present which was the thing that in times past did consume much of their people The king dooth content himselfe onely with his owne kingdome as one that is helde the wisest in all the world Beside all this they are naturally inclined to eate and drinke wel and to make much of themselues in apparell to haue their houses well furnished with houshold stuffe and to the augmenting hereof they doo put themselues in great labor trauaile and are great dealers and trafickers al which with the fertilitie of the countrie aboue said is the occasion that iustlie it may haue the name to be the most fertilest in all the whole world This country doth yéeld all kind of herbs as doth Spaine and of many kindes mo also all manner of fruites like as in Spaine with diuers other sorts the names whereof are not yet knowne for that they do differ very much from ours but yet the one and the other are of a marueilous excellent tast as they doo say They haue thrée sorts of Orenges the one verie swéete which doth excéede sugar in their swéetnesse the other sort not so swéet as the first the third sort are somewhat sower but verie delightfull in the tast Also they haue a kinde of plummes that they doo call Lechias that are of an excéeding gallant tast and neuer hurteth any body although they should eate a great number of them It yeldeth great aboundance of great melons and of an excellent sauour and tast and verie bigge Also a kinde of russet appels that be very great of a good tast I doo not heere declare of other fruites nor of their names because I will not séeme tedious vnto the reader nor spende the time herein but will treat of other things of more importance In all parts of this kingdome there is great store of sugar which is the occasion that it is so good cheape for you shall haue a quintall of verie excellent white and good sugar when it is most déerest for the value of sixe ryals of plate There is great abundance of honie for that their delight is in hiues by reason whereof not only honie but waxe is very good cheape and there is so great quantity therof that you may lade ships yea fléetes thereof They do make great store of silke and excellent good and giue it verie perfite colours which dooth exceed very much the silke of Granada and is one of the greatest trades that is in all that kingdome The veluets damaskes sattens and other sortes of webs which is there made is of so small price that it is a wonder to speake it in especiall vnto them that doo know how their prises be in Spaine and in Italie They do sell none of their silkes there by the yard neither any other kinde of websterie though it be lynnen but by the waight wherin there is least deceit They haue great store of flaxe wherwith the common people doo apparell themselues also hempe for the cawlking of their ships and to make ropes and hasers And on their drie and tough landes although they be stonie they gather great stoore of cotton wooll They doo sowe wheate barlie rye and oates and manie other kindes of graine and the one and the other doo yeelde great increase In the marrish groundes of which there be many by reason of moyst and great aboundance of riuers that be in this countrie they doo sowe rice which is a common victuall or mantiniment vnto all people of the kingdome and vnto them that dwell neere them and they doo gather so greate aboundance that when it is most dearest you shall haue a haneg for a ryall of plate of the which and of all other graines aforesaid the countrie was woont to yéeld thrée and foure times in the yéere there increase On their high grounds that are not good to be sowne there is great store of pine trées which yéelde fruit very sauorie chestnuts greater and of better tast then commonly you shall â—inde in Spaine and yet betwixt these trees they do sow Maiz which is the ordinarie foode of the Indians of Mexico and Peru and great store of Panizo so that they doe no leaue one foote of grounde vnsowen And of trueth almost in all the whole countrie you shall not finde any ground that is barren or without profite what by the naturall vertue of the country and also by the manuring and helping of it CHAP. IIII. Here I do proceed in the fertiltie of this kingdome and of such things as it doth yeeld BEsides the fertilitie of this countrie beforesaide all the fields be verie faire to behold and yeelde maruelous odoriferous smelles by reason of the great quantitie of sweete flowers of diuers sorts It is also garnished with the greene trees that he planted by the riues sides and brookes whereof there is great quantitie And there is planted there orchards and gardens with banketing houses of great pleasure the which they doo vse verie much for their recreation and auoyding the troubles of minde The Loytias or Gentlemen doo vse to plant great forrests and thicke woods whereas doo bréed many wilde boores bucks hares and conyes and diuers other beasts of whose skins they make very excellent furres but in especiall of Martas Ceuellinas of which there is a great number There is great aboundance of muske the which they do make of a little beast that doth feede of nothing else but of a roote which is of a maruellous smell that is called Camarus as big as a mans finger They do take them beat them with blowes till they be brused all to peeces then they do put them in a place whereas they may soonest putriâ—ie but ffâ—st they do bind very fast such parts whereas the blood may run out of their brused bones all to peeces remaining within them Then after when they thinke they be putrified then they do cut out smal peeces with skinne and all and tie them vp like â—als or cods which the Portugals who doth by them do call Papos And this is the finest that is
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
haue very ill saddels so that they be al verie ill horsemen The like prouision hath the king for the sea hée hath great fléetes of ships furnished with captaines and men that doo scoure and defend the costs of the countrie with great diligence and watchings The souldiers as well by land as by sea are paid with great liberalitie and those that do aduantage themselues in valor are very much estéemed and haue great preferment and rewards When these Chinos doo take anie prisoner in the wars they doo not kill him nor giue him more punishment but to serue as a souldier in that countrie in the farthest parts from their naturall the king paying him his wages as other souldiers are paid These for that they may be knowne doo weare redde bonnets but in their other apparell they do differ nothing from the Chinos Likewise such as be condemned by iustice for criminall offences to serue in any frontier as is vsed much amongst them they also weare redde caps or bonnets and so it is declared in their sentence that they do condemne them to the red bonnet CHAP. VI. More of the men of war which are in al these fifteene prouinces and how many there be in euerie one of them as well horsemen as footemen IN the chapter past you do vnderstande what care these Chinos haue in the time of peace as well as in warre for to defend their citties and what preparations they haue generally throughout al the countrie Now lacketh to let you know particularly the number that euery prouince hath in it selfe the better to vnderstand the mightinesse therof They haue in euerie prouince in their chiefe or metropolitan citie a counsell of warre with a president and foure counsailers all the which are such as haue bin brought vp from their youth in the wars with experience of the vse of armour and weapon so that vnto them is giuen the charge for the defence of their prouince These counsellers doo ordaine captaines and prouide other officers and all necessaries for the warres and send them vnto such cities and townes whereas they sée it is néedfull And for that in the accomplishing thereof there shalbe no lacke the treasurer is commanded to deliuer vnto them whatsoeuer they do aske without any delay The number of the souldiers that euery prouince had in the yeare 1577. at such time as frier Martin de Herrada and his companie entered into China hauing no wars but great peace and quietnesse is as followeth The prouince of Paguia whereas ordinarily the king is resident hath two millions and one hundred and fiftie thousand footemen and foure hundred thousand horsemen The prouince of Santon hath one hundred and twenty thousand footemen and fortie thousand horsemen The prouince of Foquieu hath eight and fiftie thousande and nine hundred footemen and twentie two thousand foure hundred horsemen The prouince of Olam hath thrée score and sixtéene thousand footemen and twentie fiue thousande fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Cinsay hath eightie thousand thrée hundred footemen but of horsemen verie few or none for that this prouince and the other that followe are all mountaines and ful of rockes and stones The prouince of Oquiam hath twentie thousande and sixe hundred footemen and no horsemen for the reason aforesaide The prouince of Susuan foure score and sixe thousande footemen and foure and thirtie thousande and fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Tolanchia which is that which doth border vpon the Tartarians with whom the kings of China haue had wars as aforesaid hath two millions eight hundred thousād footmen two hundred ninty thousand horsemen are the most famous and best in all the whole kingdome for that they are brought vp in the vse of armour from their youth and many times exercised the same in times past when they had their ordinarie war with their borderers the Tartarians The prouince of Causay hath fiftie thousand footemen and twentie thousand two hundred and fiftie horsemen The prouince of Aucheo there whereas the friers were hath foure score and sixe thousand footemen and fortie eight thousand horsemen The prouince of Gonan fortie foure thousand footemen and fouretéene thousand fiue hundred horsemen The prouince of Xanton hath fiftie two thousand footemen and eightéene thousand nine hundred horsemen The prouince of Quincheu hath fortie eight thousand and seuen hundred footemen and fiftéene thousande thrée hundred horsemen The prouince of Chequeam thirty foure thousand footmen and thirtéene thousand horsemen The prouince of Saucii which is least of them all hath forty thousand footemen and sixe thousand horsemen All these people aforesaid euerie prouince is bound by an order set downe in parlement to haue in a redinesse the which is an easie thing to be done the one is for that the king doth pay them roiallie the other for that they do dwel in their owne natural countries and houses wheras they do inioy their patrimonies and goods leauing it vnto their sonnes who doo inherite the same and his office as aforesaid In the time of wars they are bounde to assist the place that hath most necessitie By this account it plainely appeareth that all these prouinces which may better be called kingdomes considering their greatnes haue fiue millions eight hundred fourtie sixe thousand fiue hundred footemen nine hundred fortie eight thousand thrée hundred fifty horsemen All the which if in valor and valiantnes might be equalled vnto our nations in Europe they were sufficient to conquer y e whole world And although they are more in number equal in policies yet in their valiantnesse courage they are far behind Their horse for the most part are little but great traueilers Yet they say within the countrie there are verie great excellent good horse I do not here declare the industrie that might with the fauour of God be vsed to win and ouercome this people for that the place serueth not for it and I haue giuen large notice thereof vnto whom I am bound And againe my profession is more to bee a meanes vnto peace then to procure any warres and if that which is my desire might be doone it is that with the word of God which is the sworde that cutteth the hearts of men wherewith I hope in the Lorde to sée it CHAP. VII Of a law amongst the Chinos that they cannot make anie wars out of their owne countrie neither go forth of the same neither can any stranger come in without licence of the king ALthough in many things that haue bin séene in this kingdome is shewed and declared the sharpe and ripe witts of these men and with what wisedome and prudence they doo gouerne their countries yet wherein they doo most manifest the same in my iudgement is in that which shalbe declared in this chapter They without all doubt séeme to excéede the Gréekes Carthagenians Romanes of whom the old ancient histories haue signified to vs also
of those later times who for to conquere strange countries did separate themselues so farre from their natural that they lost their owne countries at home But these of this kingdome being forewarned as y e prouerbe saith Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum By the hurt of another c. they haue found by experience y t to go forth of their owne kingdome to conquer others is the spoile and losse of much people and expences of great treasures besides the trauaile and care which continually they haue to sustaine that which is got with feare to be lost againe so that in the meane time whilest they were occupied in strange conquests their enimies the Tartarians and other kings borderers vnto them did trouble and inuade them doing great damage and harme And more considering that they do possesse one of the greatest best kingdomes of the world as well for riches as for fertilty by reason whereof and by the great aboundance of things that the country doth yéeld many strange nations do profite themselues from them and they haue néed of none other nation for that they haue sufficient of all things necessarie to the mainteining of humane life In consideration whereof they called a generall court of parliament whether came all vizroyes and gouernours and other principall men of all the fiftéene prouinces and there they did communicate to put remedy in this great inconuenience in the best manner possible Then after they had wel considered of the same with great care diligēce taking the iudgement particular of euery one in generall by common consent they found it requisit for their quietnes profite a thing most conuenient for the common wealth to leaue al y t they had got gained out of their owne kingdome but specially such countries as were farre off And from that day forwards not to make any wars in any place for that from thence did procéed a knowne damage a doubtfull profite and being altogether conformable they did request the king that was at that present that he would cal home al such people as he had in other kingdomes bordering there about vnder his obedience perswading him that in so doing he should remaine a mightie prince more richer more in quiet and in more securitie Then the king perceiuing the request and petition of his kingdome subiects and being fully satisfied that this perswasion was requisite to be put in execution he straightwayes set it a worke and commanded vpon great penalties that al his subiects and vassals naturall that were in any strange countries that in a time limited they should returne home to their own country and houses and likewise to the gouernours of the same countries that they should in his name abandon leaue the dominion and possession that he had of them excepting such as would of their owne good will acknowledge vassalage and giue him tribute remaine friends as vnto this day the Lechios other nations do This law was then established and is inuiolablie kept to this day in the which it is first commanded that none whatsoeuer vpon paine of death shall make or begin warre in any part without his licence Also on the said penaltie that no subiect of his shall nauigate by sea out of the kingdome without the said licence Also that whosoeuer will go from one prouince to another within the said kingdome to traficke in buying and selling shall giue suerties to returne againe in a certaine time limited vpon paine to bee disnaturalled of the country Likewise that no stranger whatsoeuer shal come in by sea nor by land without his expresse licence or of the gouernours of such ports or places whereas they shall come or ariue And this licence must be giuen with great consideration aduising the king therof Al which lawes haue béene so inuiolablie kept and obserued that it hath béene the occasion that this mightie kingdome hath not come to notice and knowledge but of late yeares All the which that is said séemeth to be true for that it is cléerely found in their histories and books of nauigations of old antiquitie whereas it is plainely séene that they did come with their shipping vnto the Indies hauing conquered al that is from China vnto the farthest part thereof Of all the which they indured possessers in great quietnes till such time as they ordeined the law of abandoning of their owne good will as aforesaid So that at this day there is great memory of them in the ilands Philippinas and on the cost of Coromande which is the cost against the kingdome of Norsinga towards the sea of Cengala whereas is a towne called vnto this day the soile of the Chinos for that they did reedifie make the same The like notice memory is there in the kingdom of Calicut wheras be many trées and fruits that the naturals of that countrie do say were brought thither by the Chinos when that they were lords and gouernours of that countrie Likewise in those dayes they were of Malaca Siam and Chapaa other of their borderers Also it is to be beléeued of y e Ilands of Iapon for that there are many tokens of the Chinos vnto this day the naturals of the country are much after the fashion of the Chinos and many particular things that do giue vs to vnderstand and some lawes that are obserued and kept in China But now in these dayes the gouernours of the sea ports do dispence with the law that forbiddeth y e going out of the kingdome by certain giftes which is giuen thē by merchants to giue them secret licence that they may go and traficke in Ilands bordering there about as vnto the Philippinas whither come euery yeare many ships ladē with merchandise of great riches of the which is brought many times into Spaine Likewise they do trauaile vnto other parts and places wheras they vnderstand they may profite themselues Yet they do not giue any such licence vntill they haue giuen suerties to returne within one whole yeare The desire of gaine hath caused them to traueile to Mexico whither came the yeare past in anno 1585. thrée merchants of China with very curious things neuer staied till they came into Spaine and into other kingdomes further off Likewise the said iudge and gouernours doo giue licence vnto strangers in the order aforesaid for to enter into their ports to buy sel but first vpon examination and charge that they should haue a great care not to demand any licence but to the same intent Then haue they their licence with a time limited and with condition that they shall not procure to goe about their cities neither to see the secrets thereof And this is giuen in writing vpon a whited table which is set vpon the fore partes of their ships that when they come to an anker in any port it may be séene of the kéepers and guards that they sinke them
such as are poore widowes and driuen by necessitie cannot sustaine themselues they may for the supplying of their want sell their children and binde them to perpetuall seruitude the which is permitted in such sort that there are amongst them rich merchants that deale in no other thing and all the maiden children that they buy so bee brought vp with great care and taught to plaie and sing and other things appertaining vnto pleasure Then after when they are of yeares they carrie â—hem vnto the houses aforesaid ordained for common women The first day that they doo dedicate her to this ill office before shée is put into this common house they carrie her before a iudge which the king hath ordained for euerie house appertaining to any cittie or towne appointed to bée their kéeper and sée that there bee no euill rule kept amongst them and this iudge dooth place her in the house himselfe and from that day forwards her master hath no more to doo with her but to go euerie moneth vnto the iudge to recouer his tribute which is a certaine summe set downe by the iudge by agréement made betwene them both he appointeth besides this the time when hée shall be paide for her and for that was spent in her bringing vp and teaching These women be very much haunted and passe away the time maruellous pleasantly by reason of their singing and playing which they doo with great cunning and according vnto the report of the Chinos they apparell themselues with great curiositie and paint themselues They haue amongst them many blinde women that are frée and not bonde these are trimmed dressed and painted by others that haue their sight and such as haue spent all their youth in these houses can not goe foorth so long as they liue as is commaunded by a lawe publike least by their dishonest demeanure they should be an occasion of some harme and an euill example to others Whatsoeuer proâ—ite dooth remaine vnto these women when they haue payed their maister they giue vnto the Iudge their superiour who doth keepe it faithfully and carefully and giueth a good account thereof euerie yeare vnto the Uisitors And afterwardes when these women waxe olde it is repaâ—ed vnto them againe by order of the said Iudge But it is bestowed in such sort that they shall not lacke neither haue vrgent necessitie But if it so fall out that they should lacke they will giue them a stipend to maintaine them onely for to dresse and trimme the blinde women or else they will put them into the kinges hospitall a place ordeyned for such as can not helpe themselues The men children which they buy and are solde to supplie their necessitie in the order aforesaide of the women they put to learne some occupation and after that they are expert therein they doo serue a master in the same trade for a certaine time the which being expired their masters are not only bound to giue them their libertie but also to prouide them of wiues and to marrie them prouiding also for them houses and necessaries wherewith they may get their liuing Which if they doo not of their owne frée will they are compelled by Iustice to doo whether they will or no. And they for a token of gratefulnesse must come vnto their masters the first day of the yeare and other dayes appointed and bring him some present The children of these be all frée and subiect to no bondage for the benefite â—oone vnto their father for their bringing vp CHAP. XXI The fashion of their ships aswell of those that passe the seas as of those that doo roade riuers which are manie and great and howe they doo prouide themselues of fish for all the yeare THere is in this kingdome a great number of shippes and barkes with the which they sayle all a long their coastes and vnto Ilandes neere hande and into their riuers the which doo runne cleane through the most part of all their prouinces and there dwelleth so much people vpon these riuers in shippes and barkes that it séemeth to be some great Citie there is so many of theÌ„ that they do esteeme that there is almost as many people that dwell vpon the water as vpon the lande They make them slightly and with small cost for they haue in all partes of this countrie great aboundance of tymber iron and other thinges necessarie for this vse but in especiall a kinde of glew wherewith they doo â—awbe and trimme their shippes that is much more tougher and stronger then the pitch which wee vse which after it is layde on sticketh fast and maketh their shipping as harde as stones the aboundance whereof and the great number of shipwrightes and againe for that there is not on the lande roome enough for the people to inhabite being so many in number causeth them to build so great a number of shippes and barkes They vse their shippes and barkes of many fashions euery one hath his proper name Such ships as they haue to saile long voiages be called Iuncos but for the warre they make huge mightie vessels with high castles both on the prowe and sterne much after the fashion of them that come out of the Easterne seas and vnto those with which the Portingales sayle into the east India They haue these in so great number y t a generall may ioine together in 4. dayes an armie of more than 600. Those which they do commonly vse for burden and to lade are made much after y e same fashion greatnes and smal difference there is betwéene them but that they are lower both before at the sterne There is an other sort of lesser vessels are much like vnto pâ—nases haue foure great ores on ech side whereat row sixe men at euery ore foure at the least These are excellent good to rowe in and out ouer their hard hauens or into any place where is litle water they do call theÌ„ Bancoens There is an other sort that is more brode than these which they call Lanteas carie eight ores on a side with sixe men at euerie ore Of these two last sorts of vessels pirates rouers at the sea do coÌ„monly vse for in those seas there be very many for that they be very nimble to fly to giue assalt as occasion doth serue They haue an other sort of vessels y t are long like vnto a galley but more square being very brode néede little water they do vse theÌ„ likewise to transport merchandise froÌ„ one place to an other they are swift run vp the riuers with smal force of the armes Many other sorts of barks they haue besides the aforesaid some with galleries windows painted and gylt but chiefely those which the Uiceroyes and Gouernours doo make for their recreation Of those sortes of shipping afore sayd which they call Iuncos the king hath in al his prouinces great armies and in them souldiers with their Captaines to defend
the coastes that as well all ships of their owne Countrie as those that doo come from other places to traficke with them may goe and come in safetie and not bee spoyled and robbed of the roauers that be there abouts In the riuers there are pynases well equipped appointed for the same purpose And the king doth out of his rentes pay all these ordinarie souldiers and that with great liberalitie The pitch wherewith they doo trimme their shippes as we haue sayde is founde in that kingdome in great aboundance it is called in their language Iapez and is made of lyme oyle of fish and a paste which they call Vname it is verie strong and suffereth no wormes which is the occasion that one of their shippes dooth twise out last one of ours yet dooth it hinder much their sayling The pumpes which they haue in their shippes are much differing from ours and are farre better they make them of many péeces with a whéele to draw water which whéele is set along the shippes sides within wherewith they do easily clense their shippes for that one man alone going in the wheele doth in a quarter of an houre cleanse a great shippe although she leake verie much Many men be borne and brought vp in these shippes and barkes as is aforesayde and neuer in all their liues haue béene on lande and doo knowe none other occupation wherewith to liue but that which they doo inherite of their fathers which is to goe in one of these shippes or barkes carrying and recarrying of merchandise from place to place or to ferrie people ouer the riuers They haue in them their wiues their children and haue like neighborhood amongst theÌ„ on the riuers as in their cities and townes of whom they stand in little néed for they do bring vp within their ships all things necessarie for their sustenance as hens duckes pigeons and other foules good to be eaten and if they do lacke any thing they haue it in victualing houses shops which they haue amongst theÌ„ on the same riuers in great abundance and of other superfluous thinges such as may bee founde in a citie they are well furnished as of many sorts of silkes amber and muske and other things more curious then needefull They haue also in their shippes pots with little orange trées and other fruits and gardins with flowers and other herbes for their recreation and in the wide shippes pooles of water wherein they haue great store of fish aliue and yet doo dayly fishe for more with nettes This kingdome is the best prouided of fish of any that is knowen by reason of the great number of these barkes as also because they haue many fisher men at Sea and in the riuers that continually fish with nettes and other engines for the same purpose and doo carrie the same fishe in infinite number aliue into their pooles fiue hundreth leagues vp into the lande by the riuers which they doo with great ease in shifting the water euerie day and doo féede them with thinges fit for the nature of the fish The chiefe and principallest time of fishing in this countrie is in three moneths of the yeare which is Februarie March and Aprill at such time as are the spring tides which do bring the fish out of the mayne sea into the riuers and there they do spawne and leaue their young then these fisher men who doo liue by that facultie doo take them and put them into their pondes and féede and nourish them in the ships till they come to bignesse to be solde Unto these fishermen repayre many barkes from diuerse partes of the Countrie to buye their fishe and doo bringe with them wicker baskets lyned with a certaine thicke paper for that purpose and annoynted with oyle so that the water can not goe out wherein they doo put their fish and do shift them euerie day and feede them as aforesaide All people doo buye of this fish although they bee verie small and leane and doo put them in their pondes which euerie one hath in his house as common vse in all that countrie is whereas in a small time they waxe great fitte to be eaten They doo féede them with a paste made of cowes doung buffes doung and pigins doong Likewise they doo throwe of these small fishes into the moâ—tes of their Cities which is the occasion that they are so full of fish But all that bréede in them do appertaine vnto the Gouernors or Iudges of the cities so that none without their expresse commandement dare fish for them These Gouernors and Iudges doo vse much to recreate themselues vppon the riuers and haue for the same purpose barkes made close chambers in them verie curiously wrought with windowes and galleries likewise hanged with rich clothes and many other thinges for their contentment and pleasure CHAP. XXII A curious order that these Chinos haue to bring vp ducks in great abundance and with small cost and of a pleasant and ingenious order of fishing which they vse THe great number of people that is in this countrie and not permitting any idle people to liue therein is the occasion that it doth stirre vp the wits of poore men being constrained thereunto by necessitie the inuenter of manye thinges to séeke new inuentions to get their liuing to relieue and supply their necessities So that many of this kingdome séeing the whole countrie so throughly inhabited tilled that there is not one foote without an owner they do take them vnto the riuers which are verie great and there they do make their dwellinges in ships and barkes as is aforesaide where they haue their whole families vnder borde to defende them from the sunne and rayne and inclinations of the heauens There they do vse the occupation that they do knowe or that which they did inherite of their father and many misteries to liue by verie strange whereof the most principall is to bring vp in some of their barkes so great quantitie of duckes that they sustaine a great part of the countrey therewith and the vse thereof is as followeth They haue cages made of canes so bigge as the vpper most holde of the barke in the which may be foure thousand duckes at once They haue in certaine places of these cages made nestes where these duckes do almost euerie day laye egges the which they take and if it be in the sommer they doo put them in buffes doong or in the doong of those duckes which is verie warme where they leaue them so many dayes as experience hath taught them that they will come foorth Then they doo take them out of the doong and do breake them one by one and take a little ducklin the which they do with so great cunning that almost none of theÌ„ doth perish which is y t which causeth great admiration vnto some that go to sée it although they bée but few for that it is an auncient custome vsed of long time in that countrie
And for to haue the fruition of this benefite all the yeare in the winter they must vse an artificiall helpe to giue a little warmenes vnto the doong for the bringing forth of their egs they do vse thē an other inuentiō as ingenious as the first that is this they take a great number of canes tied one by another whereon they do laye the doong then vppon that they doo lay their egges and do couer them verie well with the same this being done they put vnder the canes straw or some other like thing and set it on fire but in such sort that it dooth not burne but kéepeth a naturall heat all the time till they thinke that they are readie to be taken out Then doo they take and breake them as aforesaide so that their pultrie dooth increase in such number as though they were antes Then doo they put thē into an other cage for the same purpose wheras be old duckes brought vp for no other purpose but to couer the little ones vnder their winges and kéepe them warme and there they doo féede them euery day till such time as they can féede themselues and go abroad into the fieldes to profit themselues in the companie of the olde duckes Many times they haue in number aboue twentie thousand yet do they maintain them with a small-cost and it is in this order euerie morning they do giue them a small quantitie of boyled rice then do they open a doore of the cage which is towardes the riuer and doo put a bridge of canes that doth reach vnto the water then doo they come foorth with so great haste one vpon an other that it is a pastime to sée them All the day after they do passe the time vpon the water and in the fieldes of rice vpon the land wheras they do féede the owners of the rice doo giue vnto the owners of the duckes somewhat to let their duckes go into their fields for that they do destroy all the grasse and other wéeds in it And hurt nothing of the rice When that the euening draweth on then they of the barke do make a sound with a taber or such like y t which being heard of his duckes they throwe thēselues with great spéede into the water and swimme straight vnto their owne barke whereas their bridge is readie put for them and euerie flocke doth know his owne barke by the sounde without missing at any time although there be many flockes together For euerie barke doth vse a different sound the one from the other to the which the duckes are vsed and their eares full thereof so that they neuer fayle their owne barke This manner of liuing is greatly vsed in all that countrie and verie profitable for that it is a victuall most vsed amongst them and is esteemed as a thing of great sustentation and of small price by reason that at al times there is bréeding of them and of small cost Likewise in this Countrey they doo vse a kinde of fishing that is of no lesse industrie then the bringing vppe of these duckes and a thing to be séene The king hath in euerie Citie founded vppon the riuers houses wherein euerie yeare is brought vp many Cormorantes or sea Rauens with whome they doo fishe in those monethes that the fish dooth spawne and that is in this maner following They take the Cormorantes out of their cages and carrie them vnto the riuer side whereas they haue many barkes ordeyned for their fishing and they are halfe full of water Then they take their Cormorantes and with a corde they doo binde their mawes in such sort that no fish can fall into it then they do cast them into the riuer to fish the which they do with such good will and couetousnesse that it is a woonder to sée they throwe themselues into the water with great swiftnesse and diue whereas they do fill their throate with fish Then they come foorth and with the like hast they go vnto the barkes that are halfe ful of water and the fish which they haue taken they put in that water which is put there for that purpose that the fish may not die the which being done they returne againe vnto their fishing as they did before In this order they do indure their fishing foure houres together in such sort that the one doth not trouble the other and when y t their boates with water are ful of fish then do they vnbind them and turne them againe into the riuer for to fish for themselues for they haue neede thereof for that alwayes the day before that they will fish they kéepe thē from their ordinarie victualles which is a litle Millio that they may y e better do their office So after a while that they haue filled their bellies and recreated themselues they take them out of the water and carrie them vnto the ordinarie places whereas they art kept and euerie third day during the time of this fishing they doo take them forth for the same exercise which for them is so great pastime that they would it should indure all the yeare In these thrée monethes they do take so much fish that they do prouide the whole kingdome for all the yeare as in the chapter past it hath béene tolde you which is the occasion that they are as well prouided of fish as of any other thing so that if they please they may eate euerie day fresh fish although they are farre from the sea CHAP. XXIII Of the curtesie that the king of this mightie kingdome doth vnto the Ambassadors that come to him from anie other king prince or comonaltie WE should in the chapter following intreate of the ambassage that king Philip of Spaine with the Christian zeale that he had to sende vnto the king of this kingdome who being mooued by certaine causes and reasons did referre it till a better occasion and we do beléeue that it will be offered shortly Therefore now it shall not be from our purpose to declare in this chapter the honour and curtesie that this king doth vnto the ambassadours of kings princes or any other prouince that doth come vnto him in what sort so euer it be and for that it is of great curiositie it shall be necessarie to declare it with the circumstance wherewith it is done All such as doo enter into this kingdome with the title of ambassadour be it from a king that is a friend or enimie they are respected intreated and made of with so great care and diligence as though they came themselues in person that doo send them Unto whome besides the obseruing the law of nations which is obserued kept among all kings in the worlde in especiall that their persons shall not receiue neither incurre any danger although their ambassage bringeth discontent or harme vnto the king besides all the which there is granted vnto them great and particular priuiledges When that he doth enter into the kingdome by any of
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
those that dwelt in the Citie of Manilla of the fame that the Rouer Limahon did publish abroad in all places where as he went howe that he had ouerthrowen and slaine the Spaniardes and being of them well considered that if in time they did not preuent the same it might be the occasion of some great euill that afterwardes they should not so easely remedie as presently they might and those which were their friendes and subiectes in all those Ilandes giuing credite vnto that which the Rouer declared might be an occasion that they should rebell against them by reason that the naturall people were many and they but a few for that vnto that time they had sustained themselues onely by the fame to be inuincible With this consideration they entred into counsell and did determine to ioyne together all the people they could and being in good order to follow and séeke the Rouer for that they vnderstood of necessitie he must abide and repayre himself in some place nigh there aboutes for that he durst not goe vnto China for feare that he had of the kings fleete and fearing that they should vse such policies as hee hath vsed they might come on him vnwares and destroy him as he had done others And séeming vnto them that although they could not destroy him altogether yet at the least theyshould be reuenged of the harme that they had receiued thereby to giue to vnderstand that the fame y t he hath giuen out of himselfe was a lie and should be an occasion for to remaine in their old securitie also had in better estimation and opinion of the dwellers there abouts as also to cause great friendship with the king of China for that it is against a traytor and one that hath offended him This determination they put in vre and effect according as the time would permit in which time they had certaine newes howe that the Rouer was in the riuer of Pagansinan and there did pretende to remaine These newes were very ioyfull vnto the Spaniardes Then the Gouernours commanded to be called together all people bordering there abouts and to come vnto the Citie where as hee was Likewise at that time he did giue aduice vnto such as were Lordes and Gouernours of the Ilandes called Pintados commanding them to come thither with such shippes and people as they could spare as well Spaniardes as the naturall people of the countrie All this was accomplished and done with great spéede the people of the countrie came thither with great good will but in especiall those of the Ilandes of the Pintados After the death of Martin de Goyti who was slaine in the first assault of the Chinos as aforesayde in the Citie of Manilla the Gouernor did ordaine in his roome for generall of the fielâ— in the name of his maiestie Iohn de Salzedo who with all this people and with those that were in the citie went foorth leauing the gouernor no more ayde theÌ„ that which was sufficient for the defence of the citie the fort that they had new made which was verie sâ—rong and carried in his company two hundred fiftie spanish souldiers two thousand fiue hundred Indians their friends All which went with great good will courage to be reuenged on the iniurie receiued or to die in the quarrell All which people were embarked in small ships and two foygattes that came from the Ilandes there borderers for that the shortnes of time would not permit them to prouide bigger shipping neyther should they haue found theÌ„ as they would for that at such time as the inhabitants therabouts did sée the rouer in assâ—lt against the citie they did set fire on a small galley and other bigge ships that were in the same port and did rise against the Spaniards beléeuing that it had not béene possible for them to escape so great and mightie a power although since the first entrie of the Spaniardes in those Ilandes they were verie subiect The Generall of the fielde with the people aforesaide did depart from Manilla the thrée twentith day of March Anno 1575 and ariued at the mouth of the riuer Pagansinan vpon tenable wednesday in the morning next following without being discouered of any for that it was doone with great aduice as a thing that did import verie much Then straightwaies at that instant the generall did put a lande all his people and foure péeees of artilerie leauing the mouth of the riuer shutte vp with his shipping in chayning the one to the other in such sort that none could enter in neyther yet goe foorth to giue anie aduice vnto the Rouer of his ariuall hee commaunded some to goe and discouer the fléete of the enimie and the place whereas hee was fortified and charged them verie much to doo it in such secrete sort that they were not espied for therein consisted all their whole worke The Captaines did as they were commanded and found the Rouer voyde of all care or suspition to receiue there any harme as hee found them in the Citie of Manilla when he did assault them This securitie that hee thought himselfe in did proceede from the newes that hee had from his friendes at the China that although they did prouide to sende against him yet could they not so quickly haue any knowledge where hee was neyther finde out the place of his abiding and againe hee knewe that the Spaniards of the Philippinas remained without shippes for that they had burnt them as you haue heard and that they had more néede to repayre themselues of their ill intreatie the yeare past then to séeke any reuengement of their iniuries receiued The Generall of the fielde being fully satisfied of his negligence and voide of care and giuen to vnderstande of the secretest way that was to goe vnto the fort whereas the Rouer was he commaunded the Captayne Gabriell de Ribera that straightwayes he should depart by lande and that vppon a suddaine he should strike alarum vpon the enemie with the greatest tumult that was possible Likewise hee commanded the Captaynes Pedro de Caues and Lorenso Chacon that either of them with fortie souldiers should goe vp the riuer in small shippes and light and to measure the time in such sort that as well those that went by lande as those that went by water should at one instant come vppon the fort and to giue alarum both together the better to goe thorough with their pretence and he himselfe did remaine with all the rest of the people to watch occasion and time for to ayde and succour them if néede required This their purpose came so well to passe that both the one and the other came to good effect for those that went by water did set fire on all the fléetâ— of the enemie and those that went by lande at that instant had taken and set siâ—s on a trench made of tymber that Lymahon had caused to bee made for the defence of
his people and the fort and with that furie they slewe more then one hundreth Chinos and tooke prisoners seuentie women which they founde in the same trench but when that Lymahon vnderstoode the rumour he tooke himselfe straightwayes to his fort which he had made for to defend himselfe from the kinges nauie if they should happen to finde him out and there to saue his life vpon that extremitie he commaunded some of his souldiers to goe foorth and to skirmish with the Spaniardes who were verie wearie with the trauaile of all that day and with the anguish of the great heate with the burning of the ships and the trench which was intollerable for that they all burned together The Captaines séeing this and that their people were out of order neither could they bring them into any for that they were also weary although y e general of the field did succour theÌ„ in time the which did profite them much yet did they sound a retraite did withdraw themselues with the losse of fiue Spaniards and thirtie of the Indians their friends and neuer a one more hurt Then the next day following the Generall of the fielde did bring his souldiers into a square battle and began to march towards the fort with courage to assalt it if occasion did serue thereunto hee did pitch his campe within two hundreth paces of the fort and founde that the enimie did all that night fortifie himselfe verie well and in such sort that it was perilous to assalt him for that he had placed vpon his fort thrée péeces of artilerie and many bases besides others ingins of fire worke Seing this that his péeces of artilerie that hee brought were very small for to batter and little store of munition for that they had spent all at the assalt which the rouer did giue them at Manilla the Generall of the fielde and the captaines concluded amongst themselues that séeing the enimie had no ships to escape by water neither had hee any great store of victuals for that all was burnt in the ships it was the best and most surest way to besiege the fort and to remaine there in quiet vntill that hunger did constraine them either to yéeld or come to some conclusion which rather they will then to perish with hunger This determination was liked well of them all although it fell out cleane contrarie vnto their expectation for that in the space of thrée monethes that siege indured this Limahon did so much that within the fort he made certaine small barks and trimmed them in the best manner he coulde wherewith in one night hee and all his people escaped as shall bee tolde you a thing that séemed impossible and caused great admiration amongst the Spaniards and more for that his departure was such that he was not discouered neither by them on the water nor on the lande What happened in these thrée monethes I doo not here declare although some attempts were notable for that my intent is to declare what was the occasion that those religious men and their consorts did enter into the kingdome of China and to declare of that which they said they had séene for the which I haue made relation of the comming of Limahon and of all the rest which you haue heard CHAP. VIII Omoncon captain of the king of China commeth to seeke Limahon and doth meete with Spaniards IN the meane time that the siege indured at the fort as you haue vnderstood there went and came certaine vessels which brought victuals and other necessaries from the cittie of Manilla which was but fortie leagues from the mouth of that riuer of Pagasinan as hath béene tolde you It happened vppon a day that a shippe of Myguel de Loarcha wherein was Frier Martin de Herrada Prouinciall of the Augustine Friers who was come vnto the riuer Pagansinan for to sée the Generall of the fielde and in the same shippe returned vnto Manilla to hold Capitulo or court in the saide Ilande and port of Buliano Seuen leagues after they were out of the mouth of Pagasinan they mette with a shippe of Sangleyes who made for the port and thinking them to bée enimies they bore with them hauing another shippe that followed them for their defence and had no more in them but the saide prouinciall and fiue Spanyards besides the mariners This shippe of Sangley séeing that hee did beare with them woulde haue fledde but the winde woulde not permit him for that it was to him contrarie which was the occasion that the two shippes wherein the Spanyards were for that they did both saile and rowe in a small time came within Cannon shot In one of the shippes there was a Chino called Sinsay one that had béene many times at Manilla with merchandise and was a verie friend and knowne of the Spanyards and vnderstoode their language who knowing that shippe to be of China and not to be a rouer did request our people not to shoote neither to doo them any harme vntill such time as they were informed what they were in that same shippe This Sinsay went straight wayes into the fore shippes and demaunded what they were and from whence they came and bing well informed he vnderstoode that he was one of the ships of warre that was sent out by the king of China to séeke the rouer Limahon who leauing the rest of the fléet behinde came forth to séeke in those Ilands to see if he coulde discouer him to be any of them and the better to bee informed thereof they were bounde into the port of Buliano from whence they came with their two shippes from whome they woulde haue fledde thinking they had béene some of the rouers shippes Being fully perswaded the one of the other they ioyned togither with great peace and friendshippe the Spanyards straightwayes entred into their boate and went vnto the shippe of the Chinos and carried with them the aforesaid Sinsay for to be their interpreter and â—o speake vnto the Chinos In the saide shippe came a man of great authoritie who was called Omoncon who brought a commission from their king and shewed it vnto the Spanyards and vnto the father Prouinciall in the which the king and his councell did pardon all those souldiers that were with Limahon if that forthwith they would leaue him and returne vnto the kings part and likewise did promise great gifts and fauour vnto him that did either take or kill the aforesaid rouer Then did Sinsay declare vnto him of the comming of the rouer vnto the Ilands and all that happened in the siege of the Cittie as aforesaide and howe they had him besieged in the riuer of Pagansinan from whence it was not possible for him to escape The captain Omoncon reioyced very much of these newes and made many signes of great content and did embrace the Spanyards many times and gaue other tokens wherby he diâ— manifest the great pleasure he receiued and woulde therewith straight-waies
their shippe into the riuer Pagansinan which was but seuen leagues from the saide port They had not sailed thrée leagues but a contrary winde so charged them that they were constrained to returne into the port from whence they came and there concluded amongst themselues to send Pedro Sarmiento in the barke wherein came the two souldiers aforesaid for that it was little went with Oares they might with lesse daunger enter into the riuer of Pagansinan rowing vnder the shoâ—re and that hee in the name of them all should conferre with the generall of the field and so take his leaue of him and of all the rest of their friends whome they did request that they would not forget them in their prayers to commend them vnto God to bee their aider and helper in this their pretence so much desired of them all and gaue him great charge to bring with him the interpreter that they shoulde carrie with them which was a boy of China that was baptised in Manilla and could speake Spanish very well he was named Gernando This Pedro Sarmiento came thither and did accomplish all that was commended vnto him verie faithfully but the Generall of the field was not therewith satisfied neither the Captaines and souldiers that were with him for that the father friers were very wel beloued of them for they deserued it so they dâ—termined to send for them and to request them to come thither and sée them being so nigh as they weâ—e They being vnderstood by the Friers not without the suspition aforesaid and séeing that they could not excuse to go vnto them to accomplish their commandement and gentle request they departed out of Buliano with a faire wind for that the storme was done although the sea was a little troubled and therewith they ariued at Pagansinan whereas they were well receiued of the generall of the fielde and of all the rest with great ioy and pleasure Their suspition fell out cleane contrarie as they thought for that the Generall of the fielde woulde not stay them but did dispatch them with al spéede possible and did deliuer vnto them at the instant all such captiues as the gouernour had commanded and the souldiers that had them did with a verie good will deliuer them séeing to what intent it did extende and also the interpreter with all other thinges that was necessarie and requisite for the voyage and writ a letter vnto Omoncon who remained in Buliano that hée woulde fauour and cherish them as he did not thinke to the contrarie and did ratifie that which the gouernour had promised him for to send the rouer aliue or deade after they had ended their siege by one meanes or other He also requested of Frier Martin de Herrada that hee would carrie with him one Nicholas de Cuenca a souldier of his company for to buy for him certaine things in China who did accept the same with a verie good wil and promised to intreat him as one of his owne and haue him in as great regard and therewith they departed and wâ—nt vnto the port of Buliano from whence they came taking their leaue of the general of the field and of all the rest of the campe with no lesse â—â—ares then when they departed from Manilla He sent to beare them company til they came vnto the port the sergeant maior who caried with him a letter vnto the captaine Omoncon and a present of victuals and other things and other two letters the one for the gouernor of Chincheo and the other for the vizroy of the prouince of Ochian wherein he doth giue them to vnderstand how that he hath burnt al the fléete of Limahon and slaine many of his companions and howe that he hath besieged him so straightly that it is not possible for him to escape neither indure long without yéelding of himself and then either aliue or dead he would send him as the gouernor of Manilla had writ promised These two letters were accompanied with two presents wherein was a basen and an ewre of siluer and certaine robes of spaniâ—h cloth the which the Chinos doo estéeme very much as also other things of great valew that they haue not in their country crauing pardon because he did not send more The occasion was for that he was in that place and all his goods in the cittie of Manilla The same day with a faire winde they came vnto the port Buliano whereas they founde Omoncon abiding their comming and receiued all such things as the sergeant maior did carrie him in the name of the generall of the field and rendred vnto him great thanks and made a new promise to accomplish that offer made vnto the gouernor CHAP. XI The Spaniards do depart with the captain Omoncon from the port of Buliano and ariue at the firme lande of China THe desire was so much of this father frier Martin de Herrada to be in China as well for to preach in it the holy gospel as also for to sée the wonders that haue béene reported to be in that countrie that although he was dispatched by the gouernor and generall of the fielde yet hee thought that their voyage would be interrupted and therefore to see himselfe frée from this feare and suspition so soone as he came vnto the port of Buliano to the captaine Omoncon hee requested him with great vehemencie that he would straightwayes set saile for that the winde serued well for their purpose Then Omoncon who desired no other thing but thought euery houre that he tarried to be a whole yeare commanded forthwith the mariners to make all thinges in a redinesse to set saile and to bring home all their ankers and ride apicke râ—die to depart after midnight the which was done as hee had commanded So vppon a sunday at the breake of day being 25. of Iune they tooke a Spaniard souldier into their company who was called Iohn de Triana and vsed him in their seruice for that hee was a mariner So at the same time after they had praied vnto God to direct their voyage they set saile with a prosperous winde there was with the Friers souldiers and men of seruice twentie persons besides the Chinos that were captiues and the people of the Captaine Omoncon They were not so soone off from the coste but the winde abated and they remained becalmed certaine dayes but afterwards they had a lustie gale that carried them forwards The Chinoâ— doo gouerne their ships by a compasse deuided into twelue partes and doo vse no sea cardes but a briefe description or Ruter wherewith they doo nauigate or saile and commonly for the most part they neuer go out of the sight of land They maruelled very much when that it was told them that comming from Mexico vnto Philippinas they were thrée monethes at the sea and neuer sawe land So it pleased God that although it was verie calme and little winde stirring that we made but little way yet
people were in this agonie and great feare Omoncon considered of them and of the charge that he had to bring them thither therewith he sent one of his seruants to giue them to vnderstand of all that they had heard and séene wherewith they did quiet themselues and put away al the feare that they had conceiued with their suddain putting downe in the cabine and the shooting off of those péeces The which the better to giue you to vnderstand I will first declare vnto you the occasion and then after the rest Limahon had not so soone taken his course towards the Ilands but straightwaies it was knowne in the kingdome of China And the vizroy of Ochian by the order that he had from the roiall counsell did command all gouernors of such cities that were nigh vnto the coast to dispatch away shipping for to go follow and séeke him with aduertisement that hee who did accomplish this diligence with the first shuld be very wel rewarded and estéemed for that they feared that if the rouer shuld ioine with y e Castillas for so they do cal the Spaniards in that country of whom they haue had great notice might thereby grow some great harme and inconuenience which afterwards could not be well remedied which was the occasion that they made the more haste for that if it were possible to take him or else to spoile his shiping before that he should come vnto the said Ilands In accomplishing of this commandement the gouernor of Chincheo did prouide shipping and did sende the Captaine Omoncon with them but yet he could not prouide them of souldiers and other necessaries till certaine dayes after that he was gone foorth so he went till hee came and met with the Spaniards nigh vnto Buliano as aforesaid About the same time the general of the bay that was there to defend the cost did dispatch another ship for to enquire and know where the rouer was and to bring relation therof that straightwayes they might go and assalt him with all the whole armie This ship was the fathers of Sinsay he that was friend vnto the Castillas who came in companie with the Friers from the Ilands as it is said and he went in the said ship for Pilot who although hee went out of the port with great spéede yet with greater hast hee returned againe without mastes or yardes for that they lost them in a great storme and torment that tooke them in the gulfe whereas they thought to haue béene lost At the same time that the Friers departed from Buliano to Pagansinan being requested to come thither by the master of the field as aforesaid there was in the same port a ship of China that came vnto the Ilands to traficke and being well informed of all things as well in what extremity the Spaniards had the rouer as also of y e going of Omoncon and how that he carried vnto the firme lande the foresaide Friers and their companions The saide shippe departed in a morning very secretly ten dayes before that Omoncon did make saile came to the firme land the saide ten daies before gaue notice thereof vnto the gouernor of all that they had vnderstood as wel by relation as by sight and how that ther came with Omoncon the Spaniards Sinsay who was he that in al things touching Limahon was the dooer that whatsoeuer shall happen good in this relation they ought to giue the praise and thanks vnto him and not vnto Omoncon This he spake for the good affection he had vnto Sinsay by way of friendship for that he was of the same profession a merchant The Gouernour of the bay being verie desirous to haue the rewarde and thankes of the king with occasion to say that the sonne of him whom he sent to follow and séeke Limahon was the chiefe and principall meanes of that good successe Straight wayes so soone as hee heard the newes of the shippe that ariued there tenne dayes before as aforesaide he commaunded sixe shippes to goe foorth of the baye to the sea with order and commission to bring the ship to an anker in the sayd bay and not to suffer him to go into any other place and otherwise they could not at least wayes they would bring with them Sinsay for that they would send him post vnto the Uiceroy for to declare vnto him all that had passed particularly These sixe ships came verie nigh vnto that wherein was the Generall aforesaid at such time as our Spaniardes were with the Generall and they neuer could perceiue it for that there were many in the baye some going and some comming but when that hee had discouered them then he caused our people to be put vnder hatches because they should not be séene commanded those that were in the shippe to arme themselues for their defence if néed required In the meane time that they made resistance with this ship one of the sixe ships did borde that shippe wherein came Omoncon pretending to take her and beléeued to doo it with great â—ase But it happened vnto them cleane contrarie for that the souldiers that were within did defende their ship valiantly Sinsay with a very good will would haue suffered the ship wherein his father came to haue carried away the other if the souldiers of Omoncon would haue consented therunto They did not only misse of their purpose but also many of them were hurt in the attempting to enter the ship the saide ship did fall aborde there whereas was their captaine Omoncon who at that instant did call our Spaniardes in his shippe out of the generalles shippe whereas they were which was dooone with such spéede that it was accomplished before any of the other ships could come vnto them although they did procure it Then did Omoncon arme himselfe to the warre for to defend himselfe his ship and all that were therein or to die there The Fryers and their companions when they vnderstoode the cause of their strife and fighting partly by suspition in that they had séene as by that which Omoncon did sende them worde did offer themselues vnto him promising him to die with him iâ— neede did so require and requested him to appoint them what they should do and they would accomplish it with a very good will At this time all the ships were about that of Omoncon who was not idle but put foorth his artilerie for their defence asking powder of the Spaniardes for that they had little left the Generall did not depart from the shippe from the time that the Spaniardes went vnto him neither did hee remooue out of his chayre although all the rest that were in the ship were armed At this time the Captayne of the sixe shippes of Chincheo did put himselfe in a boate and came towardes the shippe of Omoncon for to haue commoned with him but he would not suffer them to come nigh but shot at them and caused them to depart against their willes and
will do all that he will commande them according vnto the custome of the countrie otherwise they could not be permitted to intreat of such things wherefore they came thither from farre countries and with so great trauell CHAP. XVIII The Spaniards haue a louing and fauorable audience of the gouernor of Chincheo to whom they do giue the letters they brought from the Ilands Philippinas WHen that the Insuanto vnderstood that the spaniards woulde enter with the reuerence accustomed and in such order as was declared vnto them hee straightwaies commanded that they should come into the hall whereas he was which was a thing to be séene as well for the bignes as for the riches that was in it the which I do let passe because I would not be tedious The spaniards were carried foorth out of that hall whereas they were first and after that they had passed the court whereas they came in they entred into another hall as bigge as the first whereas were many souldiers with their weapons in their hands in verie good order and richly apparelled and next vnto them were many tipstaues and sergeants with different ensignes or badges all apparelled with long robes of silke garded and embroidered with gold and euery one of them had a helme on his heade some of siluer and other some of tynne guilt ouer which was a gallant thing to sée all had long haire and dyed yealow which hong downe behinde their eares vpon their backes they were placed in very good order and made a lane that the Spaniards might passe thorough then they came into a gallerie which was ioyning vnto the chamber where the gouernor was and there they heard such a noise of instruments of diuerse sorts which indured a good while and was of so great melodie that it séemed vnto them that they neuer before heard the like which caused vnto them great admiration to see so great maiestie amongst Gentiles When the musicke was ended they entered into the hall aforesaid and had not gone many steps when as they met with the counsailer that met with them in the stréete aforesaid and with him other two of his companions all on foote and bare headed before the gouernor their ensignes of maiestie left off which is generally vsed in all the kingdome the inferior to make anie shewe when that hee is before his superior Then they made signes vnto them for to knéele downe for that the Insuanto was nigh at hande in a rich tower vnder a canapie of great riches and did represent so great maiestie as the king himselfe he did entertaine them with tokens of great loue and humanitie and tolde them by their interpreter that they were verie well welcome and that he did greatly reioyce to sée them with many other words of great fauour This gouernor was a man of goodly person well fauored and of a merrie countenance more then any that they had séene in all that countrie He caused to be put vpon the shoulders of the fathers and of the souldiers â—hat were with him euery one of them two péeces of silke which was crossed about them like skarfes and likewise to either of them a branch of siluer the like curtesie he did vnto the captaine Omoncon and vnto Sinsay and commanded to giue vnto all their seruants euery one of them a mantle of cotton painted This ceremonie is vsed in that kingdome vnto al captaines and other men that haue done some valiant exploit as we haue tolde you before This being doone the fathers did giue vnto him the letters which they carryed from the gouernor and generall of the fielde and a note of the present that was sent him crauing pardon for that it was so smal but time and oportunitie would not serue as then to sende vnto him a thing of greater price and valor certifying him that if the friendship which they pretended did go forwards come to be established that then all things should be amended and amplified He answered vnto their profers with words of great fauor and made signes vnto them to arise and to go and take their rests there whereas they were lodged the which they did and sounde all thinges in verie good order and well furnished as well of beddes as of all other neâ—essaries which was done by the commandement of the gouernour Before they departed out of the pallace the captaine of the guard did carrie them vnto his lodging which was within the court and there he made them a banquet with conserues and fruits in abundance the which being doone hee and other Gentlemen of the pallace did beare them companie vntill they came to their lodgings which they greatly desired for that they were wery of their iourney also with the trouble of the great presse of people that pressed on theÌ„ in the stréets and otherwise for to sée them the which captaine of the guard did appoint a company of souldiers for to gard theÌ„ both night and day the which was done more for maiesty then for necessitie or securitie of their persons They had a steward appointed to prouide them and all their company of all thinges necessarie and that in abundance and not to take of them any thing which was giuen by particular commandement by the gouernour CHAP. XIX The Spaniards are visited by the principals of Chincheo the gouernor did send for Pedro de Sarmiento and Myguel de loarcha and giueth them particular audience and doth wel informe himselfe of all things touching Limahon the rouer THe next day following which was sunday the twelfth of Iuly many of the Gentlemen of the cittie did go vnto the Spaniards to visite them vsing many ceremonies according to their custome with fauorable words promising to performe it in déeds when as néede did so require and such as could not go themselues did send their seruants bidding them welcome and to knowe of their good healthes and howe they did like of their citties and country The Spaniards did make answere and gratified them all as well those that came in person as the other that sent their seruants in the which visitation they spent all the whole day hauing great admyration to sée the good behauior nurture and gallant demeanure of those Gentlemen and the great discreation they had in the demanding of anie thing they would knowe as also in their answers made to our requests The next day the Insuanto sent a commandement wherein he willed the two fathers to remaine in their lodgings and take their case but the two souldiers Pedro Sarmiento and Miguel de Loarcha should come and speake with him and that they should bring with them their interpreter for that hée had one there with him who was a Chino and vnderstood the language of the Philippinas but so badly that they coulde not by his interpretation talke of any matter of importance So when they came thither they were brought whereas hee was but with lesse ceremony then on the first day
but yet they found him with the like maiestie as before He asked of them how the fathers did and they themselues and if they were refreshed of the trauell in the iourney and howe they did like of the countrie and other thinges which did demonstrate great affâ—bilitie Being by them satisfied of his demands he requested them to declare vnto him the whole circumstance of the comming of Limahon the rouer vnto the Ilands and how the Spaniards dealt with him that although hee had béene informed paâ—ticularly in all thinges by the Captaine Omoncon and Sinsay yet he was in a ielousie that they tolde him not the trâ—eth Hée was nothing deceiued in that hee suspected for after that our souldiers had made a true relation of the comming of the rouer vnto Manilla and of all the rest as you haue heard in the discourse thereof in this booke he found that they differed very much the one from the other for that they did attribute it wholly vnto themselues to get honour and benefite but the Insuanto like a wise man straightwayes vnderstood their pretence But when that he perceiued that Limahon was neither dead nor prisoner but onely besieged he offered vnto them that if they would returne againe vnto Pagansinan vpon him whereas he was hée would giue vnto them fiue hundred ships of warre with people sufâ—â—cient to serue both by sea and lande and more if they would request They answered him that all such cost and labour were but in vaine for that the generall of the fielde who hath him in siege with the people and ships that he hath are sufficient to ende that enterprise and to send him hither aliue or deade and that long before that their fleete should come thither And besides this their Ilands were poore of victuals and could not sustaine so great an armie many dayes Being satisfied with these reasons hee gaue place that the interpreter which they brought should come in where as they were for hee remained at the doore without for that he would be fully certified to auoid the suspitious doubt he had before he come in presence yet he did help them very much So when their interpreter was come in the Spaniards séeing good occasion and oportunitie for to declare that which passed the day before betwixt them and the fathers touching the speaking vnto him on their knées and séeing as it seemed vnto theÌ„ that he was at that time in a good mind for to heare them they did vtter vnto him all the whole contention after that they had declared many reasons of great consideration to giue them to vnderstand that it was not conuenient to do it but especially to religious men who were there as principals ouer the rest vnto whom the king of Spaine their lord himselfe doth stand on foote when as they do intreat of any matter although it be but of small importance for that they are priests and ministers of God whom he doth worship and reuerence The Insuanto with a merry countenance did answere them that vnto that time he vnderstood no more of them then in that he was informed by the captaine Omoncon and did not acknowledge them to be any other but Castillas without knowinâ— wherefore they came nor from whom for lacke of the lettâ—â—â— sent from their gouernor and generall of the fielde the first time that he spake with them neither had he any knowledge of the custome of their countrie yet notwithstanding that which hath passed heere without any exception of person if they would take it in good part in that which is to come shall be amended and from that day forwards at al times whensoeuer it were their pleasure to come of themselues or at such time as they were sent for for to talke with him as they doo vse in Castilla or Spaine vnto such of their dignitie and vocation the which he granted with a very good will aâ—though hee not grant vnto any that preheminence no not vnto a vizroy except he were an ambassador sent from some king With this resolution and with many other good wordes they tooke their leaue of him and went ioyfull and content vnto their lodgings wheras they sound the friers wearie with entertaining of such as did visite them and with great desire to sée them to knowe wherefore the Insuanto did send for them with whome they had béene so long time But after that that they vnderstoode the effect of the whole and how that the gouernor did permit that they should talke with him after their owne fashion they were maruellously glad thereof and had a very good hope to conclude their pretence wherefore they went and praised God for the good successe of that which they pretended CHAP. XX. The gouernor doth banquet the Spaniards and afterwards make all thinges in a redinesse for to go vnto Aucheo whereas the vizroy tarieth their comming THe next day following the gouernor called a Gentleman of his house vnto him and commanded him to go and visite the Spaniards and to informe himselfe of them if that that they lacked any thing as well in their victuals as in their lodgings and to know if they did require any thing particular to themselues to aduise him therof and he would furnish them forthwith for the loue that hee bare vnto them for their good contractation and for the great seruice that they had done vnto the king in the businesse of Limahon And also that he should in his name inuite them for the next day folowing to dine with him in his house This Gentleman went vnto them and accomplished his message and the Spaniards answered kissing his hande for the great care hée had of them saying that they were furnished in all thinges aboundantly as in trueth they were and how they were maruellously well lodged chéered and lacked nothing and that the great care hee had of them was agréeable vnto the hope they had of his good presence and gentlenesse accepting the inuiting for the next day the which was giuen them and accomplished in this forme following The next day when they went vnto the pallace which was at dinner time they were caried into a hall that was below in the second court whereas were many chaires of veluet tables that were painted with their frontals before they had no table clothes on them for that they doo not vse any in that countrie as hath beene told you in the first part of this historie neither is it néedfull for their maner of feeding In the first chaires they caused the Friers to sit downe euery one at a table by himselfe and each of them other sixe tables placed in order compassing â—ounde like a circle then were the Spanish souldiers set in the same manner and each of them had fiue tables and next vnto them the captaine of the guard bâ—longing vnto the gouernor and two other Captaines and euerie one of them had three tables For that it is the custome of that
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
represented a comedie which was very excellent good whose argument was first declared vnto them as followeth There was a young man newly married and there chanced difference betwixt him and his wife hee determined to go vnto certaine warres the which was ordained in a countrie not farre from that whereas he dwelled whose acts and déeds was therein so valorous that the king did shewe him great fauour and being fully certified of his worthinesse he sent him for chief Captaine of the most importunate enterprises that might bée offered who did accomplish his charge with conclusion thereof with great content and satisfaction to the king and his counsailers for the which he made him his captaine generall and in his absence did commit vnto his charge his whole campe with the same authoritie that he had himselfe The warres being doone and hee hauing a desire to returne vnto his owne countrie and house there was giuen vnto him thrée cart loads of golde and many iewels of an inestimable price with the which hee entered into his owne countrie with great honour and riches wheras they receiued him with great honour All the which they did represent so naturally with so good apparell and personages that it séemed a thing to passe in act There was not in this banket the vizroy but those captaines which were there the first time and another captaine vnto whome was giuen the charge to bring the Spaniards vnto Manilla who was called Chautalay a principall Captaine of that prouince So when the banquet was ended they were carried with great company from the hall whereas the banquet was made vnto the house of the Cogontoc who was the kings tresuror and dwelt there hard by of whom they were maruellously wel receiued with louing words and great curtesie in saying that he hoped very shortly to sée them againe at such time as they shall returne with Limahon and that as then their friendship should be fully concluded and would intreat with them in particular of other matters This being doone he gaue vnto them a present for to carrie vnto the gouernor of Manilla in recompence of that which was sent vnto the vizroy the present was fortie péeces of silke and twenty péeces of Burato a litter chaire and guilt and two Quitasoles of silke and a horse Likewise he sent the like present vnto the generall of the fielde and to either of thâ—m a letter in particular these things were put in chestes which were very faire and guilt Besides this hee gaue other fortie peeces of silke of all colours for to bée partâ—d amongst the Captaines and other officers that were at the siege of Limahon with thrée hundred blacke mantles and as many Quitasoles to be parted amongst the souldiers Besides all these hée gaue vnto the friers ech of them eight péeces of silke and vnto the souldiers their companions foure péeces of ech of them and to euery one his horse and a Quitasol of silke their hâ—rse were verie good to trauell by the way this being done the Cogontoc tooke his leaue of them and willed them to go and take leaue and licence of the vizroy and the visitor that they might depart for that all thinges were in a redinesse for their voyage the which commandement they did straightwayes accomplish being very well content and satisfied of the great fauours and curtesies the which they receiued both of the one and the other Likewise of the Totoc who is captaine generall whome they also did visite tooke their leaue These visitations and leaue taking being doone they returned vnto their lodging with great desire for to toke their ease whereas they remained til the next day following wherin they departed vnto the port of Tansuso after they had remained in Aucheo seuen and forty daies CHAP. XXIX The Spaniards departe from Aucheo and come vnto Chincheo wheras the Insuanto was he commanded theÌ„ to depart vnto the port of Tansuso whither he went himself for to dispatch them at whose departure he sheweth great fauor and maketh them great feastes THe Spaniards departed from the Citie of Aucheo vpon a Tewsday being the 23. of August in the sight of all the people of the Citie who came foorth to sée them with so great presse and thronge as they did when they first came thither into the countrie they were al carried in litter chaires yea their verie slaues for that it was so commaunded by the vizroy the Friers were carried by eight men a péece and the souldiers by foure men a péece and all their seruants and slaues were caried by two men a péece Looke so many men as was to carrie them there went so many more to help them when they waxed weary besides foure and twentie that carried their stuffe There went alwayes before theÌ„ a harbinger for to prouide their lodgings with him went a paimaster whose charge was to ordain prouide men for to cary their litter chaires to giue them for their trauell that which is accustomed to pay all costs charges spent by the Spaniard After that they departed from Aucheo they made of two daies iourney one which was y e occasion that they came to Chincheo in foure daies At their entring into the citie they found a seruant of the Insuanto with order commandemeÌ„t that they shuld proceed forwards on their iourney not to stay in the citie but to go vnto the port of Tansuso whither he wil come the next day following They obayed his coÌ„mandement made so much haste y t in two dayes they came vnto the village of Tangoa wheras they had bin before particular mention made thereof In the same village they were lodged wel entertained and had great good chéere from thence they went in one day to Tansuso which was y e first port wheras they did disembarke theÌ„selues when as they came from the Ilands vnto that firme land the Iustice of the town did lodge them in y e same house whereas they were first lodged did prouide for them of all things necessary néedfull that in aboundance til y e comming of the Insuanto which was within foure dayes after for that he could not come any sooner although his desire was for that it was very foule weather The next day after his comming thither which was y e thirde of September he sent and commanded the Spaniards that they should imbarke themselues for that it was that day the coniunction of the moone although at that time y e ships were not fuâ—ly in a redines They obayed his commandement the Insuanto himself went to the water side in whose presence came thither certain religious men of their maner after their fashion they made sacrifice with certain Orations and praiers in the which they craued of the heauens to giue good and faire weather and a sure voyage and fauorable seas vnto al those that saile in those shippes This ceremony being done which is a
that place in another Ilande called Laulo for to put themselues in a newe course different and contrary vnto that which they brought when as they came vnto that kingdome for that the Chinos had by experience prooued that in those monethes the windes were more fauorable then in other monethes and for the most part North and Northeast winds al that night they remained in that Iland and the next day following they sailed vnto another Iland which was called Chautubo not farre distant from that of Laulo This Ilande was full of little townes one of them was called Gautin which had fiue fortes of towers made of lime and stone verie thicke and strongly wrought they were all foure square and sixe fatham high and were made of purpose for to receiue into them al the people of those little townes to defend themselues from rouers and théeues that daylie come on that coast These fortes were made with battlements as we do vse with space betwixt them and for that the forme and fashion of their building did like them verie well they were desirous to sée that if within them there were anie curious matter to bée séene wherewith they bent their artilerie towards them and went a shoore But when they which had the gard◠and kéeping off did sée them comming they did shut the gates and woulde not consent that they shoulde satisfie their desire for any intreating or promises that they could make They verie much noted that although this Ilande were rockie and sandie yet was it tilled and sowed full of Rice Wheate and other séedes and graine There was in it great store of Kine and Horse and they vnderstoode that they were gouerned not by one particular man to whom they were subiect neither by any other amongst themselues nor of China but in common yet notwithstanding they liued in great peace and quietnesse for that euerie one did content himselfe with his owne Uppon sunday in the afternoone they departed from this Ilande and sailed their course all that night and the next morning they ariued at another Iland called Corchu which was twentie leagues from the port of Tansuso from whence they departed The Spaniards séeing what leasure they tooke in this their voyage they requested the Captaines to commaunde the marriners that they shoulde not enter into so many portes or harbors for that they had no certaintie of the weather and not to detract the time but to take oportunitie before that contrarie weather do come for to saile in that order it seemed more for recreation then to achiue or obtaine a voyage The Captaines answered and requested them to haue patience for that in making their iournies as they did they doo accomplish and follow the order set downe by the vizroy and Insuanto who did expressely commaunde them with great charge for to direct their Nauigation by those Ilands with great deliberation and consideration because they might in safetie and health ariue at Manilla The same day the North winde beganne to blowe verie strongly in such sort that they thought it not good to go forth of that harbor as well for that aforesaid to be commanded to the contrarie as also for that the Chinos are very searefull of the sea and men that are not accustomed to ingulfe themselues too farre neither to passe anie stormes Néere vnto this Iland there was another somewhat bigger which is called Ancon wholly dispeopled and without anie dwellers yet a better countrie and more profitable for to sowe and reape then that of Corchu The Spaniards being at an anker there vnderstood by the Chinos that in times past it was very well inhabited vnto the which ariued a great fléete belonging to the king of China by a great storme were all cast away vpon the same the which losse and destruction being vnderstood by another generall that had the guard of that cost suspecting that the dwellers thereof had done that slaughter he came to the shore and slew many of the inhabitants and caried all the rest in their ships vnto the firme lande who afterwards would neuer returne thither againe although they gaue them licence after that they vnderstoode the truth of that successe so that vnto that time it remained dispeopled and full of wilde swine of the broode that remained there at such time as they were slaine and caried away as you haue heard This Iland and the rest adioyning thereunto which are very many haue very excellent and sure ports and hauens with great store of fish These Ilands endured vntill they came vnto a little gulfe which is fiue and fortie leagues ouer and is sailed in one day and at the ende thereof is the port of Cabite which before we haue spoken off and is neere vnto Manilla So when that winde and weather serued their turne they departed from the Iland of Ancon and sailed til they came vnto another Ilande called Plon whereas they vnderstoode by a shippe that was there a fishing howe that the rouer Limahon was escaped wheras he was besieged at Pagansinan the manner and forme of the policie hee vsed therein shalbe told you in the chapter following CHAP. XXXI They haue news how that the rouer Limahon was escaped and howe that he was in an Ilande there hard by some gaue iudgement to go and set vpon him but they resolued themselues to the contrarie and follow the voyage to Manilla BEing at an anker in the Iland of Plon tarrying for a wind to followe their voyage with great desire to come thither whereas they might vnderstande what had happened vnto Limahon at the same time entred into the saide harbor a shippe with fishermen they beléeuing that hee had béene one of the Ilands they went vnto him and asked of whence they were and from whence they came and what newes they coulde say of Limahon who was knowne vnto them all either by some harme that they had receiued or else by report of others that had receiued hurt These fishermen gaue them particular and whole relation by the which they vnderstoode that Limahon was fledde and not perceiued by the Spaniards he escaped in certaine barkes the which he caused to be made very secretlie within his forte of such timber and bords as remained of his shippes that were burnt the which was brought in by night by his souldiers on that side of the fort which was next vnto the riuer and were not discouered by the Castillas which which were put there with all care and diligence to kéepe the mouth that no succour might come in to helpe them And towards the land there whereas he might escape they were with out all suspection they were so strong and did not mistrust that any such thing shoulde bee put in vre as afterwards did fal out the which was executed with so great policie and craft that when they came to vnderstande it the rouer was cleane gone and in sauegard caulking his barkes at the Ilande of
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
he would let him haue some Fryer for to sende vnto the riuer of Cagayan whether not long before he had sent certaine Spaniards for to inhabite The fryer Costodio promised him one and that he should go with him in companie till he came to the prouince of Illocos whether he went and that from thence he would dispatch him vnto the riuer of Cagayan according vnto his worships commandement requesting of him to haue in his coÌ„panie to kéepe watch warde in that iourney the ensigne Francisco de Duennas Iohn Diaz Pardo the souldier his friend as aforesaide with pretence to depart froÌ„ thence vnto China as in effect they did as shall be tolde you The gouernor being very willing for to pleasure him did grant his request So with great spéede he departed and carried with him the foresaide souldiers and for companion a religious man called Frier Austin de Tordesillas he who afterwards did put in memorie all thinges y t passed with them in China out of the which hath béene taken this small relation So when they came vnto the Illocos they found fryer Iohn Baptista and fryer Sebastian of S. Francis of his owne order occupied in the teaching and instructing the people of that prouince which was the fourth day of Iune The next day following they called a counsell where it was concluded that all those that were there present would venture themselues for to go vnto China to conuert those Gentiles or else to die in the quarrell And the better to bring their purpose to passe they thought it good to speake vnto an other souldier that was there with theÌ„ called Pedro de villa Roel not telling vnto him their pretence because they would not be discouered but asked him in this manner if he would beare him coÌ„panie the other two souldiers who altogether went about a busines of great honour and seruice of God and the benefite sauing of many soules and that he would declare vnto them whether he would go or not without asking whether nor from whâ—t place for that as then they could not giue him to vnderstand till time did serue His answere was that straightwaies he would beare them companie and would neuer leaue them to death So foorthwith they all together with singular ioy went to the ship wherin the father Costodio and his companion with the other two souldiers came in froÌ„ Manilla to y e place with a reasonable Frigat although but with fewe marriners they not verie expert So being altogether in the shippe with all such thinges as they could get together in that small time for their prouision in that iourney they made all thinges in a readinesse to set sayle the same day which was the twelfth day of the sayâ— moneth of Iune So after they had sayde masse and commended themselues vnto God requesting him â—o direct their voyage that it might be to his glorie and seruice they set sayle vppon a fryday in the morning with intent to goe foorth of that port but they could not by no meanes possible for that the sea went verie loftie vpon the barre and contending with the sea for to get foorth they were in great danger to haue béene cast away which was the occasion that with great sorrow they returned into the port whereas they remayned all day CHAP. II. The Fryers and their companions depart from the port of Illocos after they had committed vnto God the direction of their voyage They passe great daungers and troubles do ouercome them all with the confidence they haue in God and came vnto the kingdome of China miraculously SO the next day after they had committed theÌ„selues to God with great deuotion they embarked themselues and made sayle and by the will of God they went out of the harbour although with great danger they carryed with them an other barke a sterne their ship in the which they did determine for to set a lande such Indians as they carried with them from the Esquipazon to helpe them out of the harbour the which they did not for feare they should be drowned So when they were out of that riuer they sayled towards the little Iland that was but one league from that place and there they put the Indians a shore with theÌ„ a young man a Spaniard that they brought from Manilla to serue them So those which should go on that voyage remained there the same night who were the frier Costodio frier Peter de Alfaro borne in Siuel frier Iohn Baptista borne in Peâ—aro in Italy fryer Sebastian de san Francisco of the citie of Boecia and frier Augustin de Tordesillas of the same towne whereof he hath his name all these foure were priestes of the masse The Fryer Costodio would with a very good will haue carried more of them but he durst not for two causes the one for that hee would not haue béene discouered and the other which was the principal occasioÌ„ because he would not leaue that prouince of the Illocos without such as shold instruct them wheras were many baptised for which respect he left some behind him which afterwarde hee would haue béene very glad that they had béene in his companie There were thrée Spaniards souldiers that did beare them companie the one was called the ancient Francisco de Duennas of Velez Malaga the other Iohn Diaz Pardo of Saint Lucas de Barameda the third Pedro de Villa-roel of the Citie of Mexico Besides these they had a boy of China who could speake the spanish tongue and was one of them that were taken at the siege of Limahon the Rouer and other foure Indians of Manilla They departed from this little Ilande vpon a munday the first quarter in the morning which was the fiftéene day of the said moneth of Iune and sayled that way so nigh as they could gesse to be the way vnto China without pilot or any other certaintie more then that which God did shewe and put into their mindes with their great desire which séemed vnto them to comprehende and bring it to passe This day the winde was contrarie and against them which was the occasions that they sayled but little Towardes the euening the winde changed and blewe at the north the which winde vppon that coast is verie dangerous which made them greatly afrayde yet was that feare driuen away by an other feare much greater then that which was that they should be discouered and that they should be pursued by the commandement of the gouernour of Manilla for which occasion whereas they should haue shrowded themselues vnder the land they wrought contrary and cast about vnto the sea in great danger to haue béene cast away but it was the will of God that when as night came the winde did calme which commonly falleth out to the contrary but the sea remayned very rough and loftie that they thought verily to haue béene drowned with the furie thereof for it tossed the Frigatta in such sort
that it séemed a whole legion of diuels had taken holde on both sides of the shippe forcing the one against the other that it rowled in such sort that many times the halfe decke was in the water so that the marriners could not stand vpon their féete but were driuen to sustaine themselues by the ropes cavels But the religious men trusting in God whose zeale had caused them this great trouble did pray and desire him with many teares that hee would deliuer them out of the same daunger and not to giue place vnto the diuell for to disturbe them of their voyage and enterprise Those their orations and prayers did so much preuaile with certaine coniurations which they made against the diuels whoÌ„ they thought they did see visibly that after midnight the north winde ceased and began to blowe at the north east with the which the sea began to waxe calme so y t they might make their way to be east northeast for that they had intelligence that that course was the shortest cut to the firme land This winde which was so fauourable vnto theÌ„ did increase so much in two houres that the sea waxed loftie and caused them to forget the sorrowe past and constrained them for that the shippe was but small to cut their mast ouer borde and to put themselues vnto the courtesie of the sea with little hope to escape the danger But our Lorde whose zeale did mooue them to attempt that iourney did direct their voyage in such sort that the next day â—ollowing it came to be calme in such sort that they might set vp a newe mast in the place of that which was cut ouer borde in the storme and therewith to nauigate forwardes with their begunne voyage So vpon the fryday following at the breake of the day they sawe lande and thinking that it had béene the firme lande of China they gaue thankes vnto God and reioyced in such sort that they had cleane forgotten the troubles of the stormes and foule weather passed so they made towards it and came thither about noone but when they were a shore they found that it was but a small Iland and situated foure leagues from the firme lande and for that it was so nigh a farre off it séemed to be all one thing But when they came vnto this Ilande they did discouer many ships which were so many in nuÌ„ber that it séemed all the sea to be couered with theÌ„ The friers with the great desire they had for to knowe in what port they were they coÌ„manded to gouerne their ship towardes whereas they were who when they saw them could not know theÌ„ by the strangenes of their ship and sailes they did fly from them all that euer they could The which ouâ— men perceiuing could not imagine the cause thereof they were very much agréeued and sorrowfull and the more for that they could not learne nor vnderstand where they were But séeing nigh vnto them to the lewarde thrée ships they made towardes them and wheÌ„ they were somwhat nigh they put themselues as the others did In this sort they spent all the rest of the day in going from one port to an other vnto those ships for to infirme theÌ„selues where they were but all this diligence preuailed them nothing at all till it was almost sunne set they entred with their frigat into a gut vnder the shore whereas fell from a high rocke which was more than one hundreth fatham by estimation a streme of water which was as bigge as the bodies of two men together In this gut there was thrée other ships and they came to an anker in the middest amongest them the which beeing done they asked of them what countrie that was but they answered nothing nor made any semblance but looked the one vpon the other in beholding of the Spaniards they gaue great laughters In this gut they remained all that night almost amased to sée how those people were as though they were inchanted and they without any light of their desire which was to knowe wher they were So y e next day folowing which was saterday verie early in the morning they set sayle and went amongest a great sort of Ilandes alwayes bearing vnto them which they thought to be the firme lande being greatly amarueiled to sée the infinite number of shippes both great and small that they sawe some were a fishing and some vnder sayle and other some ryding at an anker The same day about noone there happened vnto them a strange miraculous thing and it was that passing through a straight that was but a quarter of a league of bredth which was betwixt the firme lande and a small Ilande in the which was continually foure score ships of warre sette there for watch and warde they passed thorough the thickest of them and were neuer seene for if they hadde without all doubt they had sonke them or slaine them their order and commission is so straight giuen them by their generalles of the sea in the which they are commanded that whatsoeuer kinde of people of strange nations that they do méete vpon the coast for to kill them or sinke them except they do bring licence from some gouernor of such Cities as be vpon the coast for that such as do meane to haue trafickâ— doo sende to demande the same leauing their ships a great way at sea This lawe for to watch and warde was made and ordayned as they do say in respect of the Iapones who did enter into certaine of their portes dissembling themselues to be Chinos being apparelled as they were and speaking their language they did vnto them great and strange hurtes and damages as is declared in the booke before this So when they were passed this straight they sayled almost sixe leagues forwardes into a verie fayre and great bay following other shippes that went before them for that it seemed that they would enter into some port and there they might informe themselues where they were which was the thing that they most desired When they had sayled about two leagues in this bay they ouertooke one of the thrée shippes and asked of the people that were within her by the interpreter they had with them whether they sayled and what lande that was which they sawe before them Then the principall that was in that ship did put himselfe into his boat the which hee had at sterne and came vnto the ship where the Spaniardes were the better to vnderstande what they did demand for they before by reason that they were somewhat farre off the one from the other could not vnderstande the Spaniards demand but by signes So when that he vnderstoode their request he answered them that it was the country of China how that he came laden with salt from the citie of Chincheo and went to make sale thereof vnto the citie of Canton which was so nigh hand that they might ariue there before night But when
there in that place till such time as they had giuen y e gouernor of the Cittie to vnderstand thereof he to send theÌ„ licence that they may enter in againe So after a good while that they had remained there wheras the guards had set them there came vnto theÌ„ a man who was a Chino called Canguin and could speake Portugal who knowing them to be Christians by their faces attire did aske them in the Portingal toong what they sought y e Spaniards answered him that their comming into that kingdom was for to shew declare to them the way to heauen to giue theÌ„ to vnderstand know y e true God the creator of heauen earth and that they would very faine talke with the gouernor to intreat therof This Chino by by brought to theÌ„ a man that could speak very good Portuges who as after they did vnderstaÌ„d both he his wife childreÌ„ were christened and although they were borne in China yet did they dwel 3. years with Portugals that were inhabited in Machao which is twenty leagues from that cittie of Canton This did demande the same question of them that the other did wherefore they came into that countrie they answered him the same as they did the other hee replied and asked them who was the Pilot that brought them thither they answered the will of God they not knowing howe nor from whence But after they had sailed at the sea certaine dayes they came vnto that place that according as it was giuen them to vnderstande is the cittie of Canton of the which they haue heard declared many straunge thinges the Chino asked howe the guardes of the sea and shippes that were in the straight aforesaid did let them passe they answered that they saw no guards nor any other that did trouble them their passage This last answere did cause the Christian Chino greatly to admire who being mooued with a good zeale said vnto them that they should returne againe vnto the shippe and not to come forth vntill such time as he had giuen aduice of their comming vnto the Mandelines of the sea which be certaine iudges appointed to giue aduice of all such matters to the gouernor that he may command what is to be done therein So the Spaniards returned vnto the shippe whereas they remained a good while and passed great heate for that it dooth excéede in that port So after a while they sawe come vnto a house which was néere vnto the gate of the Cittie a man of great authoritie who was brought in a litter Chaire much people came with him he stayed at that house and from thence sent to call vnto him the religious men and all the rest that came in their company before them all came one that carried a table all whited and thereon was written certaine great letters with blacke ynke the which as after they vnderstood was the licence that the gouernor of the cittie gaue them for to come a shoore without the which there is no stranger permitted The fathers did straightwayes obey it and came forth of their shippe with more companie then they desired of such as came to sée them who were so many in number that although the sergeants and officers of the iudge that sent for them did beate them for to make way yet was it a good while before they coulde come vnto the house whereas the iudge was although the way was but short So when they approched nigh one of â—he sergeants bad them knéele down before the iudge the which they did with great humilitie without any replication Hee was set in a verie rich Chaire with so great maiestie that they were greatly astonyed to sée it and the more when that they vnderstood by the christian Chino that he was not the gouernor neither of the supreme iudges hee was apparelled in a robe of silke close from aboue down to the foote with the sleeues very wide and a girdle imbossed and on his head a bonnet full brooches such as bishops doo vse on their mytres Before him was set a table whereon was paper and inke and on the one side and the other two rankes of men as though they were to guard him yet without weapons They had al of them in their hands long canes of foure fingers brode with the which as after they did vnderstand they do beat suâ—h as are offeÌ„ders vpon the calues of their legges with great crueltie as hath beene told you in the first bookes of this historie All these had vppon their heads a manner of helmet made of blacke leather and on them great plumes of Pecocks feathers with brooches made of mettal a thing vsed to be worne in that countrie of such as are executioners or ministers of iustice The iudge bad the interpreter to aske them of what nation they were and what they sought in that countrie and who was their guide to bring them into that port the which being vnderstoode by the religious men answered that they were Spaniards and subiect vnto the king Philip of Spaine and came thither to preach the holy gospel and to teach them to know the true God creator of the heauen and earth and to leaue off the worshiping of their Idols who haue no more power of themselues then that which is giuen them by him that doth make them the which worship is knowne and receiued by his holie law and declared by the mouth of his only begotten sonne and confirmed with diuine tokens from heauen in whose guarde doth consist the saluation of all soules And to the last touching who was their guide vnto that kingdome they answered that it was God vnto whose will all creature are subiect as vnto the true creator all the which as afterward it did appeare the interpreter did not truely interpret of the interpretation of the Spaniards vnderstanding that if hee should truely interpret what they saide the Iudge would forthwith sende them away which would be the occasion that he shuld get nothing of them So that he made his interpretatioÌ„ as it best séemed for his purpose fearing as after he did confesse that if he shuâ—d declaâ—e the truth of that which the Spaniards had said it would haue been verie odious to the Iudge afterward both vnto them and to himselfe might be the occasion of some great euill but to conclude he answered and told the Iudge that they were certaine religious men who liued in common a sharpe and asper life much after the manner of those of that kingdome and that going from the Iland of Luzon vnto the Ilands of the Illocos in a great storme and tempest that chanced them the ship wherin they were was cast away and al their people cast away sauing they who escaped by vsing great diligence and put themselues in that small ship which came in company with another greater shippe without Pilot or mariner for that they were almost all drowned and setting saile in the
on their knées the which they did presently from that place vnto the seat of the viceroy was more thaÌ„ a hundreth foot in length yet did the viceroy himself make signes with his hand that one of the religious men should come nearer him the which the father Costodio did and knéeled downe againe wheÌ„ he drew nigh vnto the table that was before him The viceroy did consider and beholde him a good while and that with great grauitie maiestie and then asked him of whence he was and what he came to seeke in that kingdome into the which none might come vpoÌ„ paine of death without expresse licence of some of the Iudges alongst the sea coast The father Costodio answered that he and the rest of his companions were Spaniards and that they were come into that kingdome mooued with the zeale of God for the saluation of their soules for to preach the holy gospell show theÌ„ the way vnto heauen Hauing declared the interpreter this although they did not vnderstand whither he did vse fidelitie in the declaration or not but rather by that which the viceroydid forthwith demand it is to be beléeued that he did it with falshood as he had done many times before for y e without replying vnto that which he had saide of the preaching of y e gospel he asked them what marchandice they brought with theÌ„ the said father answered that they brought none for y t they were not men that did deale in any marchandice but in declaring of things appertaining to heauen to direct their soules to that place Hearing this answere or that which the interpreter would imagine to be better for his purpose the viceroy did bid them depart commanded them to returne againe y e next day and to bring with them their Images the other things wherof he was certified from Canton that were founde in their frigat for that he would sée it all They did accomplish his coÌ„mandement returned the next day in the morning at such time as it was tolde them that the pallace gates would be opened the which was done in the same maner order as the day before with the noyse of musicke and artillerie as aforesaid So when that the viceroy was giuen to vnderstande how that the Castillos were come he coÌ„manded that one of them with alonely the interpreter should enter there wheras he was and to bring in such thinges as he had commanded to be brought the which was presently accomplished Hee straightwaies began to looke vpon the images euery one by it selfe and the bookes made a stay betwixt euerie one to consider well thereof and made a showe of great content he receiued in the sight of theÌ„ Although aboue all the rest the Ara of blacke Iasper did most content him and caused a marueilous strangenesse in the rest of the Iudges that had séene it All this while was the father Costodio vpon his knées and the interpreter by him and hee neuer asked of theÌ„ any question neyther did they say any thing They that did bring those thinges vnto him for to sée them seemed to be principall and ancient men who when they gaue it him into his handes they did it knéeling So after that he had seene them al at his pleasure he coÌ„manded to put them againe in the place that they were taken out and made signe vnto the father Coistodio to the interpretâ—r y t they should depart and to carry with theÌ„ al those things which they had brought One of the ancient men that were with him did go foorth with the Spaniards told them when they came into the second hall that the viceroy did reioyce much to see theÌ„ and all those which they brought said that they should repaire vnto y e Timpintao who was his deputy he would dispatch al such matters as were asked of the viceroy by petition following the same till it was concluded that he would consult with the viceroy who would set down such orders as shold be obserued They straightwaies did put in execution this order coÌ„ming vnto the house of the deputie vnto the viceroy the which was very great faire they found that he had a garde very little lesse then y t of the viceroy almost with as great maiestie So after they had remained in the court a good while abiding his coÌ„maÌ„dement to whom it was giuen to vnderstand y t the viceroy had sent them vnto him he coÌ„manded them to ascend into the place wheras he was which was into a hall very well dressed in the which was almost al such things as they had séene in the hall of the viceroy and he himselfe in the same manner sate in a rich chaire with a table before him He coÌ„manded to take out those things which they brought in their chestes and did behold them with great consideration péece by péece as the viceroy had done and reioysing much to sée the Images he did demande of them with curiositie the signification of some of them but in especiall a crucifixe that after that he had considered with great attention he asked what man was that which was vppon the crosse and what those letters did signifie that were tituled ouer his head But when the father Costodio had declared it vnto him he beganne to laugh thereat as though he had heard some foolish fable Hee came and féeled the habites of our religious men and made signes of great woonder to see the aspernesse thereof The father Costodio séeing his affabilitie and as it séemed by outwarde showe that he did very much pitie them he requested to helpe and fauour him with the viceroy that he would aske licence that they might remaine and dwell in that countrie in any place where his pleasure was to appoint for y t they were men without any hurt and would put all their care and diligence to do workes of charitie and to procure y e men might go to inioy the happie estate to the which they were borne The interpreter dealt here in his office with as great fidelitie as at other times in saying that which the fathers did request of him was that he should be a meanes vnto the viceroy that he would let them to remaine in that countrie two or thrée moneths for that as theÌ„ it was an ill time to nauigate the sea and that without great danger of their liues they could not returne vnto the Ilands Philippinas The Iudge answered that they should not feare but remaine with content for y t he would procure that there should be giuen theÌ„ a house for those thrée or foure moneths with a commandement that none whatsoeuer should do them any harme The Interpreter tolde them y t the deputie to the viceroy was very glad y t they would remaine in that countrie for y t they séemed vnto him men of good example necessarie in their coÌ„mon weale that they might fréely learne the
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
sure port although with great trouble and with so great a leake that they could scarce kéepe her aboue water but in especiall that which came in their safe conduct And afterwarde they vnderstood that the other ship had taken port fiftie leagues from that place with the like perill and danger In this port they remained certaine dayes trimming their ships and tarrying for a faire winde So they departed from thence the thrée and twentie day of Ianuarie and to their iudgementes with a setled and good winde with the which they sayled fiue dayes in the end wherof they discouered the Iland of Luzon with a singular ioy vnto them all for the which the Spaniards gaue thankes vnto God by whose fauour they had escaped the storme past But it so fell out as they were going alongest the coast of the Iland for to enter into the port of Manilla and being within fiue leagues of the entrie thereof vpon a soddaine there arose the north wind with so great furie and caused so great a sea that they found themselues in a great deale more danger than in the other storme past in such sort that they sponed before the winde with their foresayle halfe mast hie shaking it selfe all to péeces and in euerie minute of an houre readie to be drowned The Chinos for that they are superstitious and witches beganne to inuocate and call vpon the diuell for to bring them out of that trouble which is a thing commonly vsed amongest them at all times when they finde themselues in the like perplexitie also they doo request of him to showe them what they should doo to bring themselues out of trouble But when the Spaniards vnderstoode their dealinges they did disturbe them that they shoulde not perseuer in their lottes and inuocations and beganne to coniure the diuelles which was the occasion that they would not answere vnto the inuocation of the Chinos who did call them after diuerse manners as hath béene declared in the first part of this historie yet they heard a diuell saye that they should not blame them because they did not answere vnto their demaunde for they could not doo it for that they were disturbed by the coniuration of those spâ—nish Fathers which they carried with them in their shippe So presently when the night was come God was so pleased that the storme ceased and became in fewe houres very calme although it indured but a while for as they beganne to set sayle to nauigate towardes the port and almost at the point to enter into the same a newe storme seised on them and with so great force that they were constrayned to returne vnto the sea for feare to be broken in péeces vpon the shore At this time they wanted both water and victualles which was vnto them a newe torment they were brought into so great extremitie that for ninetie and sixe persons that were in the shippe there was not left victuals for two dayes The Chinos beganne a newe to inuocate the diuels by writing which is a way that they neuer let but doo answere them as they did at this instant and were not disturbed by the coniurations of the fathers yet notwithstanding they lyed in their answere for that they saide that within thrée dayes they should be within the citie of Manilla and after it was more then four dayes In conclusion hauing by the fauour of almightie God ouercome all their trauayles by the sea and the necessitie of the lacke of water and victualles they ariued at the desired port the second day of Februarie Anno 1580. whereas they were receiued by the gouernour and of all the rest with great ioy in pardoning them the offence they had committed in going without licence and showed vnto them particular fauours were very sorrowfull that the father Costodio and his companions remained in Machao for that hee was welbeloued of all and that with great desert for his vnderstanding learning holy life Who within fewe dayes after did write a letter vnto the rest of the religious men in Manilla aduertising them how that in a short time they came vnto Machao in good health how that the bishoppe and the Captaine generall with all the rest of the towne were verie glad and ioyfull of their comming and fully resolued to the contrarie of the false opinion that they had conceiued of them and that he was in gâ—â—at hope to sée his desire accomplished for that he was daily in place wheras they did sée comon with the Chinos whom so soone as he can speake y e language he doth pretend to instruct them in maâ—ters touching the faith Also he wrote that he vnderstood by good originall or information although it was coÌ„mitted in secret that the kingdom or prouince of Cochin China which is four daies iourney from Machao whereas the Portingals hath contraction and port for all their ships that come from the Indias hath sent vnto the bishop of Machao doth demand of him priests for to baptise them with such determination good will to be christians that in some portes they haue alreadie timber cut downe for to edifie churches This you may beléeue for that the bishop himselfe hath tolde him and in the latter end of his letter was written as foloweth They haue inuited me to this enterprise and for to put my selfe therein I would gladly haue with me many companions which is the treasure that we go to séeke It is a firme lande there whereas God hath prepared a great haruest Thâ—y are politike people and more easie to be conuerted then the Chinos for that the diuell hath not put so manie disturbances against the gospell of Christ as in China although it doth ioyne vpon it and once entring the faith therein with the fauour of God their great difficult doings which now they haue among them will be broken with great ease for they are not so many nor so great whereby wee should be discomforted to sée theÌ„ ouercome and principally they being men of so good wisedome and vnderstanding as we haue séene by experience in the time that we haue béene amongest them and so full of mercie and pitie that although wee entred into the lande without licence and for dooing of the same wee ranne in great daunger of our owne liues they did intreat vs well and gaue vs all that was néedefull and also did suffer vs to preach if we could the language the which with the fauour of God we will quickly learne for that we are whereas continually we doo common and talke with the Chinos wee doo verie earnestly commit it vnto our Lord to direct and guide the same that his holy name may bee exalted and the soules of these blinde Gentiles may knowe and beléeue and beléeuing may be saued This was the substance of the letter with the which it séemeth vnto vnto me great reason to conclude this second relation And to begin the third the which I
do beléeue will be pleasant to the reader and is intituled A Commentarie of the new world in the which is contayned many curious matters as you shall perceiue after the reading thereof and is declared in substance and effect by the relation of the father that did passe and sée them all who was named fryer Martin Ignacio a religious man of the order of S. Francis who after that he had compassed the whole worlde came hither to Rome with Martin Simion bishop of the Iland of Pepper in the orientall or east Indias with whom I haue had communication diuers times and is a Chalde borne and of the citie of Niniuie in Babylon and made bishop by the patriarke of Babylon The end of this booke A Commentarie or short discourse of all such notable thinges as be betwixt Spaine till you come vnto the kingdome of China and from China vnto Spaine returning by the Orientall or east Indias after that they had almost compassed the whole world Wherein is contayned all the rites ceremonies and customes of the people the riches fertilitie and strength of many kingdomes and the description of them Made and set forth by the Author of this book as well by that which he hath seene as also by true relation that he had of the religious and barefoot Fryers of the order of Saint Francis who trauailed the same the yeare 1584. CHAP. I. A Commentarie of the new world SAint Lucas de Barrameda and the Citie of Cadiz from whence ordinarily goeth foorth all such fléetes and shippes that go vnto the occident or west Indias are distant the one from the other onely fiue leagues and in thirtie seuen degrées of altitude from whence vnto the Ilandes called the Canarias is two hundred and thirtie leagues and alwayes doo Rut to the southwest and is ordinarily sailed in eight or ten dayes The seas are rough which causeth great waues for which cause it is called the gulfe of the Ieguas These Ilands which in ancient time were called Fortunadas are at this day called by the Spaniards y e Canarias which is deriued of Canes or dogs for that there was in them at such time as the Spaniardes did discouer them great quantitie of dogges very bigge fierce and braue There are of them seuen Ilands which are called Gran Canaria Tenerife Palma Gomera Yerro Lancarote and Forte Ventura and are in altitude twentie eight degrees lacking very little and haue in them many particular thinges of which I will declare some of them in briefe In the Iland of Tenerife at the farther part therof towards the north west there is a mountain called El Pico de Tereyra which vnto the iudgement of theÌ„ who haue séene it is the highest in all the worlde and is plainely seene before you come to it thrée score leagues so that a ship going from Spaine vnto those Ilandes doth discouer that mountaine first None can ascende or go vp that mountaine but in the moneths of Iuly August for that all other moneths of the yeare there is very much snow on it although in all those Ilandes it doth neuer snowe and to mount the height thereof is three daies worke on the top of the same there is a round plaine place and being thereon at such tune as it is faire weather and the seas calme and in quiet you may sée all the seuen Ilands and euerie one of them will séeme but a small thing in respect yet some of them are distant from that more than fiftie leagues it hath as much more in coÌ„passe as that In the two monethes aforesaid they do gather in the toppe thereof all the brimstone that is brought from that Iland vnto Spaine which is much in quantitie This mountaine belongeth to the duke of Maqueda by particular gift of the king In one of these seueÌ„ Ilands aforesaid called the Hierco there is a continuall woonder which in my iudgement is one of the greatest in all the worlde and worthie to be knowen amongest all meÌ„ wherby they may exalt the mightie prouidence of God and giue him thankes for the same This Iland being the greatest amongest the seuen is a countrie very asper and vnfruitfull and so drie that there is no water to be found in all the Iland but on the sea side and that in fewe places but very farre distant from the inhabitance of that Ilande But there naturall necessitie is remedied by the diuine prouidence of heauen as aforesaide and by a strange meanes which is there is a great and mightie trée vnknowen and the like hath not beene seene in any part of all the whole world whose leaues are narrowe and long and are continually gréene like Iuie vpon the which trée is séene continually a small cloud which neuer augmenteth nor diminisheth with the occasion that the leaues continually without ceasing doth distill drops of water very cleere and fine which doth fall into certaine sesâ—ernes which the inhabitantes of the townes haue made for the conseruation thereof to remedie their necessities and to sustaine thereby not onely themselues but also their cattell and beastes and is sufficient for them all yet doo they not knowe the originall and beginning of this continuall and strange miracle One hundreth leagues distant from these Ilandes towards the right hand there is an other thing of little lesse admiration then the other y t we haue spoken of which is that many times there is séen an Iland which they cal S. Borandon Many being lost at the sea haue chaunced vpon the same Iland do say that it is a very fresh and gallant Iland with great abundance of trées and sustinence inhabited with Christian people yet can they not say of what nation or language The Spaniards many times haue gone with intent to séeke it but neuer could finde it which is y e occasion that there be diuers opinions touching the same Some doo say that it is an inchanted Iland and is seene but certaine daies assigned or appointed others say that there is no other let or impediment for the finding therof but because it is so little and is continually couered with great cloudes that there runneth from it riuers which haue so great a current that it maketh it difficult to come vnto it My opinion is if it be any thing worth y t being true that which so many haue spoken of this Iland according vnto the common opinion which they haue in all the seuen Ilands of Canaria it can not be without some great mysterie for he which can cause it to be all in a cloud the swift current of the riuers to be an impediment to the finding therof can find remedie for the inhabitants to come forth if it be so for them y t be without at the sea not to go into it yet can it not be for theÌ„ within the Iland but at some time there should haue some come soorth by
chance and haue bin séene of some there abouts declared vnto theÌ„ y e secret of y e mysterie froÌ„ whence I do gather that either this Iland is imagined or inchaunted or else there is in it other some great mysterie for the which to giue credite vnto it or to varie from the truth it shal be wisedome not to proceed any further but to conclude in y t which toucheth y e Ilandes of Canarias aforesaid The clyme and temperature of them all is excellent good and hath abundance of al necessary sustenance for mans life There is gathered in them verie much wheate and other séedes and wine there is also made verie much sugar there is nourished and brought vp great store of cattell and that verie good But in especiall Camelles whereof there is great store Also all kinde of sustenance is better cheape there then in Spaine All these Ilandes are inhabited with Spaniardes whereas they doo liue verie pleasantly amongest whome at this day there be some that be naturall of the Guanchas aforesaid who be verie much Spaniarde like The principall of all these seuen Ilandes is the Gran Canaria in the which is a bishoppe and a Cathedrall Church and counsell of the inquisition and royall audience from the which dependeth the gouernement of all the other sixe Ilands CHAP. II. They do depart from the Ilands of Canaria for the Ilande of Santo Domingo otherwise called Hispaniola and do declare of certaine things in the way thitherward AFtâ—r that the fléetes or shippes had taken refreshing in the Ilandes of Canarias aforesayde they departed from thence sayling by the same Rutter vntill they come vnto an Ilande called the Desseada which is fiftéene degrées from the Equinoctiall eyght hundreth and thirtie leagues from the Canarias all which is sayled without séeing any other land they are sayling of the same ordinarily eight and twentie and thirtie dayes This Iland Desseado was called by that name by reason that the gulâ—e is great and so many daies sayling that when they do sée it is that after that they haue verie much desired the same so that Desseado is as much to say as desired This Iland hath nigh about it many other Ilandes one of the which is that which is called La Dominica which is peopled and inhabited by certaine Indians who are called Caribes by such as do nauigate that way which are a kind of people that doo eate humaine flesh they are very expert archers very cruell they do annoint their arrowes with a deadly earth so ful of poison that the wound the which is made therewith can not be healed by any humaine remedie This Ilande is in fiftéene degrées It is verie little and not of much people yet notwithstanding it hath béene the death of many Spaniardes both men and women such as haue come thither in shippes not knowing the daunger thereof haue gone a shore for fresh water or else to wash their lynnen and vppon a soddaine vn looked for haue béene be set by the Indios who haue slaine them and after eaten them and they say that it is very sweete flesh and sauorie so that it be not of a Fryer for of fryers by no meanes they will eate nor would not after that happened vnto them as hereafter followeth There was a ship that was bound vnto the firme land and did arriue at that Ilande in the which went two religious Fryers of the order of Saint Francis and hauing no care as aforesayde but very desirous to be a lande they went a shore without any feare or suspition of any harme that might happen vnto them and being at a riuer side sporting themselues with great recreation by reason of the freshnesse thereof easing themselues of the long and painefull nauigation which they had comming from the Ilandes of the Canarias vnto that place when the Caribes did sée them without any feare vpon a soddaine they descended from a mountayne and did kill them all without leauing any person aliue Many dayes they made great feastes and bankets eating of those bodies which they had slaine some sodde and some roasted as their pleasure was So on a day they would amongest them eate one of the fathers who was very faire and white but all that did eate of him in a little space did swell marueilously and did die madde with great gaspings that it was woonderfull to sée so that from that time they remaine as warned neuer for to eate any more of the like flesh Of these euils they haue committed an infinite number and haue at this day with them many Spaniardes both men and women whose liues they pardoned for to serue their vses or euilles because they were verie young of the which they say that some haue fled away They go naked like vnto the Indians and doo speake their language and are almost conuerted vnto their nature This great inconuenience might be remedied if that it did please his maiestie to command some generall that were bound vnto the firme land or vnto the new Spaine to make abode there a fewe dayes and to roote â—ut and make cleane that Ilande of so euill wicked people which were a good déede and they doo well deserue it and to giue libertie vnto the poore Christians that are there captiue a great companie of them And it is saide of a truth that some of them be of good calling There can none goe a lande on this Ilande but straightwayes they are discouered by such ordinarie spyes as they doo put to watch And if they do sée that those which doo come a land are many in number and that they can not hurt them they doo remaine in the highest part of the mountayne or else amongest the thickest of woods and bushes till such time as the shippes do depart which is so soone as they haue taken fresh water or fire wood They are great traytors and when they sée oportunitie they giue the assalt in the manner as hath béene tolde you and doo very much harme Nigh vnto this Ilande Dominica towardes the northwest is the Ilande of S. Iohn de Puerto rico the which is in eightéene degrées it is fortie and sixe leagues long and fiue twentie leagues brode and in compasse about an hundred and fiftie leagues There is in it great store of kyne verie much sugar and ginger and yéeldeth very much wheate It is a lande of verie much golde and is not laboured nor taken out of the earth for lacke of people it hath verie good hauens and portes towardes the south and towardes the north onely one the which is sure and good in respect whereof the Spaniardes did giue the name vnto the whole Ilande Puerto rico taking the name of the port or hauen In it there is foure townes of Spaniardes a bishoppe and a cathedrall church and he that is prelat at this day is the reuerend father don fryer Diego de Salamanca of the order
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
there is written a large historie and my intent is to declare by way of a comentary that which the said father Costodio Frier Martin Ignacio did comon with me by word of mouth and that I saw written and vnderstood of him at his returne from trauelling almost the whole world and of other things that I my selfe haue experimented in certaine parts of it so that this my discourse may more properly be called an Epitome or Itinerario then a historie In this kingdome there are bred and brought vp more cattell then in any other parts knowne in all the world as wel for the good climate and temperature of the heauen as also for the fertility of the country The kine and shéepe many times bring foorth twise a yeare and the goates ordinarily thrise a yeare so that because they haue many fields in that countrie and much people that doo giue themselues vnto that kinde of gâ—ttings as grasiers is the occasion that there is so great abundance and solde for a small price and manie times it happeneth that the bringers vp of them doo kill tenne thousand head of them onely to profite themselues with the skinnes in sending of them into Spaine and leaue the flesh in the fieldes to féede the foules of the ayre without making any more account thereof There is great aboundance of many sorts of fruites some of them very different from those which are gathered in our Europa the most part of them but amongst all notable things which are to be considered off in that kingdome which are manie one of them is a plant called Magâ—ey and an ordinarie thing in all those prouinces townes of the which they make so many things for the seruice and vtilitie of them that do dwel therin that it is hard to be beléeued of them that haue not séene it although in al places you haue many witnesses to it They take out of this plant wine which is that which the Indians doo drinke ordinarily and the Negros also excellent good vineger honie a kinde of thride or yarne wherewith they doo make mantels to apparel the naturals and for to sow the same apparell the leafe haue certaine pricks whereof they do make needels wherewith they sow their apparel their shooes and slippers The leaues of that plaint ouer and aboue that they are medicinal they do serue to couer there in the place of tyles and being dipped in the water they make thereof a certaine thing like hempe which serueth for many thinges and make thereof repasse and the trunke of this plant is so bigge and strong that it serueth for ioystes and beames whereon they doo build their houses which commonly is couered with strawe or else with brode leaues of trées as is that of this plant All this although it séemeth much yet in respect it is nothing considering y e great profite that is made of this plant as shalbe declared vnto you when we come to intreat of the Ilands Philippinas where as there is great aboundance of them as I refer it vnto the iudgment of the reader CHAP. VI. This Chapter doth prosecute in the things of the kingdom of Mexico THe Indians of this kingdome are maruellous ingenious and doo sée nothing but they imitate the same whereof commeth that they are very good singers and plaiers vpon all sorts of instruments yet their voices doo heale them nothing They are very much affectioned vnto matters touching ceremonies of the Church and giuen vnto the deuine culto and therein they doo very much excéede the Spaniards In euery towne there are singers appointed which repaire euery day vnto the Church to celebrate the offices vnto our Lady the which they do with great consort and deuotion Touching the dressing and adorning of a church with flowers and other curiosities they are maruellous politike they are reasonable good painters in some places they make images of the feathers of small birdes which they call in their language Cinsones which haue no féete and féede of nothing else but of the dewe that falleth from heauen and is a thing greatly to be séene and was wont in Spaine to cause great admiration but in especiall vnto such as were famous painters to sée with what curiositie and subtiltie they did make their pictures in applying euery colour of the feathers in his place They are people of great charitie but in especiall vnto the Ecclesiasticals which is the occasion that one of them may trauell from sea to sea which is more then fiue hundred leagues without the spending of one riall of plate in victuals or in any other thing for that the naturals doo giue it them with great good will and affection for the which in all their common places of resort which is an Inne for strangers they haue men appointed for to prouide for all Ecclesiastical men that doo trauel of all that they haue néede and likewise vnto the common people for their money They doo not onely receiue great content with them but they themselues doo go and request them to come vnto their townes at the entrie whereof they make them great entertainement they go all foorth of the towne both small and great in procession and manie times more then halfe a league with the sounde of trumpets flutes and hoybuckes The principallest amongst them go forth with bowes and nosegayes in their hands of the which they doo make a present vnto such religious as they doo receiue and sometimes they cast them more flowers then they woulde willingly they shoulde Generally they doo reuerence all Ecclesiasticals but in particular those of such religious houses which in that kingdome were the first that did conuert them and baptise them they do it in such sort that if the religious man will for any offence punish or whippe any of them they do it with such facilitie as a master of a schoole doth beate his schollers that he doth learne This great reuerence and subiection was planted amongst them by the worthy captaine Hernando Cortes marques del Valle hee who in the name of the Emperor Charles the fift of famous memorie did get and made conquest of that mightie kingdome He who amongst other vertues that be spoken of him and doo indure vnto this day in the memory of the naturall people of that countrie as I do beléeue his soule is mounted many degrées in glory for the same hee had one that surmounted the other in excellency which was that he had great reuerence and respect vnto priestes but in especial vnto religious men his will was that the same should bée vsed amongst the Indians at all times when hee did talke with any religious person he did it with so great humilitie and respect as the seruant vnto his master If he did at any time méete with any of them in the stréete he being on foote a good space before hée came vnto them hée woulde put off his cappe and when hee
came vnto them hee would kisse their handes and if hee were on horsebacke hee had the like preuention and woulde alight and doo the like By whose example the naturall people of that countrie doo remaine with the same custome and is obserued and kept in all that countrie vnto this day and with so great deuotion that in what towne so euer that any Ecclesiasticall or religious man doth enter the first that doth sée them before they enter therein doo runne vnto the Church and ring the bell which is a token knowne amongst them all that a religious man is comming so that foorthwith all the women go forth into the stréete whereas they do passe with their children in their armes and bringe them before the religious men that they should blesse them although he be on horseback and do passe a long thorow the towne In all this countrie there is great aboundance of victuals and fruit that the mony being of so small estimation by reason they haue so much a ryall of plate is no more woorth there then a Quartillo in Spaine you shall buy there a verie â—â—ire heafor for twelue rials of plate and fiftie thousand if you will at the same price and a calfe for sixe or eight rials of plate a whole shéepe for foure rials and two hennes such as you haue in Spaine for one riall and of Ginny hennes otherwise called Turkey cockes and in Spanish Pauos you shall haue an hundred thousande if you please for a riall and a halfe of plate a péece and after this rate all other sortes of victuals whatsoeuer you will buy although they be neuer so good wine and oyle is very deare for that it is brought out of Spaine not for that the countrie will not yéeld thereof and that in great aboundance as hath béene séene by experience but they wil not consent to it for diuers respectes There be thorough out all the whole kingdome many hearbes that are medicinall and the Indians very much experimented in them and do always cure with them in such sort that almost there is no infirmitie but they haue a remedy for the same and do minister it by reason whereof they do liue very healthfull and do die verie seldome but of leanenes or when the radicall moistnesse is consumed They vse little lettings of bloode and lesse of compounded purgations for that they haue amongst them other simples which they bring out of the fielde wherewith they do euacuate their humors applying them vnto the pacient They bee for little trauell and doo passe with little meate and verie seldome sléepe but on a matte vpon the ground but the most part in the fields in the open aire which as wee haue saide hurteth not neither themselues nor yet the Spaniards But now to speake in few words that which requireth a great discourse many words and yet notwithstanding not expresse well that which might be said of this mightie kingdome I will conclude in comparing it vnto the most greatest and richest of all that is now knowne in all the world except that of China of the which in this historie hath béene mentioned so many thinges and shall be more spoken off when as we shall come to intreate of it for that wée will intreat of the new Mexico as I haue promised in the fift Chapter and because it is a new thing I do beléeue it wil be of great content CHAP. VII Of the new Mexico and the discouering thereof and what they do know of it IN the said Chapter I said that in the yeare 1583. there was discouered fifteene prouinces the which the discouerers therof doo call the newe Mexico vppon the firme lande of Nueua Espania and I did promise to giue notice of the discouering thereof the which I will do with as much breuitie as is possible for that if I shoulde difusely declare all that they did see and knowe it were requisite to make of it a newe historie the substance thereof is that in the yeare of our Lord 1581 hauing notice there of a religious man of the order of saint Francis who was called Frier Austen Ruyz who dwelt in the valley of saint Bartholmew by the relation of certaine Indians called Conchos who did communicate with others their neighbors called Pasaguates who said that towards the parts of the North trauelling continually by lande there were certaine Ilandes very great and neuer knowne nor discouered by the Spaniards who being remoued with great zeale of charitiâ— for the saluation of those soules did aske licence of the Counte of Corunnia Uizroy of the saide Nueua Espania and of his owne superious for to go togither and to procure to learne their language and knowing it necessarie to baptise and preach vnto them the holie Euangelist hauing obtained the licence of the aforesaide persons taking with him other two companions of the same order with eight other souldiers who of their owne good wil would beare them company he departed to put in execution his Christian zeale and intent who after a few dayes that they had trauelled they came into a prouince which was called of y e Tiguas distant from the mines of saint Bartholmew from whence they began their iourney two hundred and fiftie leagues towardes the North in the which by a certaine occasion the naturall people thereof did kill one of the Friers companions who as also the souldiers that went with him séeing and perceiuing the successe and likewise fearing that thereof might happen some other greater danger they determined with a common consent to returne vnto the mines from whence they departed with consideration that the company which went with him were very fewe to make resistance against such successes as might happen being so farre distant from the dwellings of the Spaniards and from their necessarie succour The two religious men which remained did not onely refuse their determination but rather séeing good occasion to put their good desire in execution and so much ripe Mies or dainties for the Lordes table and séeing they could not perswade y e souldiers to procéed forwards in the discouering thereof they alone remained in the said prouince with their Indian boyes and a Mestizo that they carried with them thinking that although they did remaine alone yet were they there in securitie by reason of the great affabilitie and loue wherewith the naturall people did intreat them So when the eight souldiers came vnto the place that they desired they straight wayes sent the newes of al that happened vnto the Cittie of Mexico vnto the vizroy which is distant from the mines of Saint Barbora one hundred and thrée score leagues But the Friers of S. Francis were very much agréeued for the remaining there of their brethren and fearing least they should be slaine for that they were there alone they began to moue the hearts minds of other souldiers that were in the company of another religious Frier of that order called
that should bée discouered Miguel Lopez de Legaspi who did accomplish all that his maiestie had commanded and made the discouerie thereof in such order as the first relation of the entrie of the fathers of the order of Saint Austen into the China dooth more at large appeare Of ancient time these Ilandes were subiect vnto the king of China vntill such time as hee did deliuer them vp of his owne frée will for such reasons as were spoken off in the first part of this historie that was the occasion that when y e Spaniards came vnto them they were without Lorde or heade or anie other to whom they shoulde shewe duetie but hee which had most power and people did most command so that this and that there were so many of equal power was the occasion that ciuill warres continued without any respect of nature kinred or any other duety but like vnto brute beasts killing spoiling and captiuing one another the which was a great helpâ— vnto the Spaniards for to subiect that countrie with so great ease vnto the king and called them the Ilands Philippinas in respect of his name They did vse amongst them to make captiues and slaues such as they did take in vnlawfull wars and for trifling matters the which God did remedie by the going thither of the Spaniards for you should haue a man with fortie or fiftie other friends in his company or seruants that vpon a sodaine would go and set vpon a small village of poore people and vnprouided and take and binde them all and carrie them away for slaues without any occasion or reason and make theÌ„ to serue them all the dayes of their life or else sell them to other Ilands And if it so chanced that one did lende vnto another a basket or two of Rice the which might bee woorth a ryall of plate with condition to returne it againe within ten dayes if the debter did not pay it the same day the next day following he should pay it dooble and afterward to double it euery day so long as he did kéepe it which in conclusion the debt would grow to be so great that to pay the same he is forced to yéeld himselfe for captiue and slaue But vnto all such as were captiued in this order or in such like the king of Spaine hath commanded to giue libertie yet this iust commandement is not in euery point fulfilled and accomplished because such as should execute the same haue interest therein All these Ilandes were Gentiles and Idolaters but now there is amongst them many thousands baptised vnto whom the king hath shewed great mercie in sending vnto theÌ„ the remedie for their soules in so good time for if the Spaniards had stayed any more yeares they had béene all Moores at this day for thâ—t there were come vnto the Ilande of Barneo some of that sect that did teach them and lacked little for to worship that false prophet Mahomet whose false peruerse and corrupt memory was with the Gospell of Christ easily rooted out In al these Ilands they did worshippe the sunne and moone and other second causes figures of men and women which are called in their language Maganitos at whose feastes which they do make veâ—y sumptuous with great ceremonies and superstition they doo call Magaduras But amongst them all they haue in most veneration an Idoll whome they called Batala the which reuerence they had for a tradition yet can they not say what should be the occasion that he should deserue more then any of the rest to bee had in so great estimation In certaine Ilands not farre off called the Illocos they did worship the diuell and made vnto him many sacrifices in recompence of a great quantitie of gold hee had giuen vnto them but nowe by the goodnesse of God and the great diligence put and done by the fathers of the order of saint Austen who were the first that passed into those parts and liued worthely and also by the friers of saint Francis which went thither tenne yeares after all these Ilands or the most part of them are baptised and vnder the ensigne of Iesu Christ and the rest which doo remaine and are not is more for lacke of ministers and preachers then for any obstinacie of their parts There is nowe gone thither certaine fathers of the order called Iesuits who will be a helpe vnto them with their accustomed zeale and labour And nowe goeth thither many other religious men very well learned and apostolike of the order of saint Dominicke who will doo their indeuour to conuâ—rt them vnto Christ as it behooueth Christians to do CHAP. XIII Here is declared of some notable things that are and haue beene seene in these Ilands Philippinas THey of these Ilandes were accustomed to celebrate their feastes aforesaid and to make sacrifices vnto their Idols by the order of certaine women which were witches whome they do call in their language Holgoi y t were had in as great estimation amongst theÌ„ as be the priests amongst Christians These did talke ordinarily with the diuell and many times in publike and do diuellish witchcrafts both in words and déeds into whom it is to be beléeued that the diuell did enter for that straightwayes they did answere vnto all things that were demanded of them although for the most part they woulde tell a lie or els such wordes that might bee giuen diuers interpretations of and of diuers vnderstandings They did also vse to cast lottes in such sorte as hath bene declared in the first part of this history they were great Agorismers or obseruers of times in so much that if they begin any iourney and at the beginning they méete with a Cayman or lyzarde or any other sauage worme they know it to be a signe of euill fortune whereupon they would straightwayes leaue off their iourney although it did import them very much and returne vnto their houses saying that the heauen will not that they shoulde go forwards on that iourney but all these lies and falsenes which béene taught them they perswaded to by the diuell is ouerthrowne and taken away by the law of the Gospel as aforesaide haue now amongst them many monasteries full of religious men of the order of saint Austen saint Francis and of Iesuits According vnto the common opinion at this day there is conuerted and baptised more then foure hundred thousand soules which is a great number yet in respect of the quantitie that are not as yet conuerted there are but a few It is left vndone as aforesaid for want of ministers for that although his maiesty doth ordinarily send thither without any respect of the great charge in doing the same yet by reason that there are so many Ilands and euerie day they doo discouer more more and being so far off they cannot come vnto them all as necessitie requireth Such as are baptised doo receiue the fayth with great firmenesse and are good Christians
and would be better if that they were holpen with good ensamples as those which haue béene there so long time are bounde to doe that the lacke thereof doth cause some of the inhabitantes so much to abhorre them that they would not sée them once paynted vpon a wall For proofe whereof and for to moue such as haue power and authoritie to put remedie in the same I will declare vnto you here a strange case the which Royally did passe of a trueth in one of these Ilandes and is verie well knowne amongst them that is there chanced to die an Ilander a principall man amongst them a few dayes after that he was baptised being very contrite for his sinnes the which hee had done against God before he was baptised and after hee died So after by the deuine permission of God he appeared vnto many of that Ilands whom he did perswade forthwith to receiue the baptisme with reasons of great efficacie and declared vnto them as one that had experienced the same the rewarde of that good déede which without all doubt shoulde bee giuen vnto them if they would receiue the same and liue after conformable and according vnto the commandements of Christ for the which he told them and said that forthwith so soone as he was dead he was carried by the Angels into glorie there whereas all things were of delite pleasure and content and did communicate onely in the sight of God and that there was none that entred therein neither coulde enter except hee were baptised according vnto the preaching of the Spaniards of whome and of others that were like vnto them there was an infinite number Therefore if so be that they would go and inioy of those benefites and delights it is necessarie that first they should be baptised and afterwards to obserue and kéepe the commandements that be preached vnto them by the fathers that are amongst the Castillas and therewith he vanished away and they remained treating amongst themselues concerning that which they had hearde and was the occasion that some of them forthwith receiued the baptisme and that others did delay it saying that because there were Spaniard souldiers in glory they would not go thither because they would not be in their company All this hurt is done by one peruerse or impious man and with one euill ensample the which amongst many good as you haue in those parts but in especiall amongst them in particular it ought to bée reprehended and punished seuéerely with rigour These Ilands at the first discouery of them had the fame to bée Mal Sanos or vnholesome but since experience hath shewed and prooued it to the contrarie It is a countrie maruellous fertill and yeeldeth very much Rice wheate goates hennes deere buffes kine and great stoare of hogges whose flesh is so sauorie as the mutton they haue in Spaine there be also manie cattes that yeelde siuet great stoare of fruites which be very good and sauorie great aboundance of Honie and fish and all solde at so small a price that almost it is solde for nothing Also there is great stoare of Synamom but no Oile of Oliues but that which is carried thither out of the Nuoua Espania they haue much Oyle of Algongoli and of Flaxe sâ—ede the which they doo spende ordinarily in that countrie so that the Oyle of Oliues is not missed with them There is great stoare of Cloues Saffron Pepper Nutmegges and many other drugges great stoare of cotton and silke of all colours the which is brought vnto them by merchants of China euerie yeare a great quantitie from whence commeth more then twenty shippes laden with péeces of silkes of all colours and with earthen vessell powder saltpeter Iron stéele and much quicke-siluer brasse copper wheate flower walnuts bisket dates linnen cloth counting chestes very gallantly wrought calles of networke Buratos Espumillas basens and ewres made of tinne parchment lace silke fringe and also of golde the which is spunne and twisted after a fashion neuer sâ—ene in all Christendome and manie other thinges of great curiositie and all this aforesaide is solde verie good cheape Likewise such things as the Ilands do yéelde are sold very good cheape for you shall haue foure roues of wine which commeth of the Palme trée for foure rials of plate the which for lacke of that made of grapes is very good twelue haneges of Rice for eight rials of plate three hennes for one rial a whole hogge for eightéene rials a whole buffe for foure rials a deere for tâ—o rials and yet it must be both great and good foâ—re roues of suger for sixe rials a â—otiia of Oile made of Algongoli for thrée rials two baskets of saffron for two rials sixe pounds of pepper or cloues for one riall two hundred nutmegs for one rial a roue of synamum sixe for rials a kintal of iron or stéele for tenne rials thirtie dishes of very fine earth foure rials and all other things after this rate But amongst all other notable thinges that these Spaniards haue séene in those Ilands and in the kingdome of China and other places whereas they passed there is one thing which hath caused them most to maruel at and to haue it most in memory which is a trée ordinarily called Palma de Cocos but doth differ from that which beareth the dates and with great reason for that it is a plant so full of mysterie and profite that there hath come a ship vnto these Ilands and the said ship and all that was in her to be sold with ropes cords masts sailes and nailes were made of this trée and the merchandice that she brought was mantels made of the rind of the saide trée with great subtiltie and fine works Likewise all the victuals that was in the said ship for the sustentation of thirtie meÌ„ that came in her yea their water was of the same trée The merchants that came in this ship did certifie of a truth in all the Iland of Maldiuia from whence they came they haue no other sustainment but onely that which this tree yeeldeth they do make houses hereof and tyles for to couer the same the fruit doth yéeld a Meollio or curnell which is very sauory and healthfull the sauor thereof is much like to gréene hasell nuts and if you do cut the branch there whereas the Coco commeth forth is the principall fruite and euery one of them hath ordinarily a pinte of water the which is very swéet delicate al the said substance doth returne into the trunke of the tree whereas they doo bore a hole and thereat they do draw out all that water which is much and mingling it with other thinges they make thereof good wine the which is drunk in al those Ilands and in the kingdome of China Of the same water they make vineger and of the Meollio kernell aforesaid oile verie medicinall milke like vnto Almon milke hony and suger very sauorie These and many other
guarde them in the which they sawe so manie curious thinges and of so great riches that they iudged it to bée the best countrie in all the world So when they came vnto the citty with so small trouble and werinesse by reason of their long iourney and euill intreatings by the souldiers they were presently carried as might be sayde from Herode to Pylate and escaped not one day but they were carried to the publike audience or else before some particular Iudge This citie was very fresh both within and without and full of many orchards whereas were an infinite number of fruite with gardens stanges of water and other thinges of great recreation This citie is thrée times so bigge as Siuell and compassed about with a mightie strong wall their houses are very great and well wrought their stréetes are excéeding faire brode and long and so straight that from the one end vnto the other they may sée a man In equall distance the one from the other there are built many triumphall arkes which is an ordinarie and common thing vsed in the cities of that kingdome vpon their gates there are little towers wheron is planted all the artilerie that they haue for the defence of the citie as hath béen said all the which is inuironed and compassed about with a riuer which is great and faire on the which is ordinarily sayling an infinite number of barkes and brigandines and is of so great depth they may come lye harde vnto the wall yea ships of great burden On the one side of the citie there is a little Iland of great recreation vnto the which they do passe by a very faire bridge the one halfe made of stone and the other of timber and is of so great a length that on the part that is made of stone the father fryer Ignacio did tell thirtie Innes or victualing houses wheras was to be bought not only flesh and fish but also great store of marchandice of great estimation and valure as amber musk e péeces of silke and cloth of golde CHAP. XVI The Spaniardes are sent vnto the citie of Hucheofu doo declare what happened there vnto them FRom the citie of Saucheofu they were sent vnto Hucheofu the which is more principall and great than the first alwayes hauing with them in companie and garde the number of souldiers aforesaid sometimes they trauailed by lande and sometimes by water whereas they saw so many rich thinges which in respect to them all that they had séene vnto that time was nothing Of the which although I haue had particular relation of many of them I leaue off heere the declaring thereof for that of an Itinerario or commentarie I will not make a historie But principally for that many of them doo séeme to be incredible and will be more vnto those that haue not had any notice of the mightinesse of this kingdome In the discourse of this their iourney the cities and townes they sawe were many and verie bigge and all compassed with strong walles and at one of them there was a mightie riuer on the which was edified more than fiue hundreth engynes or whéeles and they were made with so much art that alonely with the violence of the streame of the riuer that dooth force them they water all the groundes there abouts for the space of two leagues and more without any other helpe or humaine force In this citie they were certaine daies in visiting and complementes after the which they were commaunded to goe vnto Canton of the which in the two relations before is made particular mention So when they came vnto the Citie they were carried vnto the prison of the Thequixi which is whereas are put such as are condemned to die the which they plainely perceiued There they remayned verie manie dayes and the most part of them were carried vnto the tribunall seate of the Iudges in companie with others that were condemned to die At this time there was in the citie the Tutan who was the viceroye of the prouince and the Chacu who is the generall visitor and that was at such time as was doone great Iustice for to cleare the prisons whereas were thousandes of men and some that had béene there more than tenne yeares There was some day at that time that in the presence of our people were brought foorth to be iudged two thousand prisoners some to the death and others to be whipped and other to be banished with other kinde of penalties according vnto the disposition rigor of their lawes That day wherein they make capitall audience they vse particular ceremonies as shooting of certaine péeces of artilerie and to shut the gates of the citie not permitting anie to enter in neither go foorth till such time as that act and Iustice be finished and many other things as hath béene declared in the first part of this historie The Spaniards being in the citie at this time of so great calamitie it so fell out that the same time there was a gentleman of Portingall called Arias Gonsalo de Miranda chiefe captaine of the citie of Machao very deuout vnto religious men and a friende vnto Spaniardes who vnderstanding the great trouble and danger wherein they were hee tooke order by all meanes possible to set them at libertie and had so great care therein that hee went through with his intent in such sort that they were deliuered out of pryson and from the great feare in which they were and all by the intercession of this gentleman who did vse so good persuasions for the loue he did bears vnto them that he made voyde the euill opinion they had against them and with compulsion to reuoke the rigorous sentence of death pronounced against them I do not here in particular treate of such thinges as happened vnto these religious men the seruants of God as well in the prison as on their iourney for that they were many and to declare them is requisite a long time and to make a new historie And although in the bookes before haue béen declared the riches of that kingdome and all thinges in particular yet for the better certification I thought it good and not without purpose to declare in the chapter following some of thâ—se which the father fryer Martin Ignatio did communicate with me vsing in the treating thereof so much breuitie that it shall séeme rather an Epilogo then a new relation And for a more verification of the truth whereby better credite may be giuen thervnto séeing that the persons who did sée it doo agrée in that which shall be here declared and againe for that the saide father and his companions did sée more thinges than the others whose relations be alreadie set downe The occasion wherefore they put confidence in them and to let them sée and vnderstand many secretes was for that they were sentenced and condemned to die for without all doubt if they had vnderstood that they should haue returned out of
the kingdom they should neuer haue séene them for they haue great care that any other nations should know their secrets their manner of gouernâ—ment and liuing CHAP. XVII Here it doth intreat of the mightinesse goodnesse riches and fortitude of the kingdome of China THis kingdome is vnder the tropike of Capricorne and stretched foorth on the sea coast south west and northeast more than fiue hundreth leagues it hath on the partes south west the kingdome of Cochinchina and on the north east it dooth confine on Tartaria a kingdome which dooth compasse the most part of the lande on the other part to the northwest there is an other mightie kingdome of white people which is beyonde the kingdome of Persia it is called Catay there be in it Christians and the king thereof is called Manuell It is sayd of a truth that from the furthest part of this kingdome vnto Ierusalem is sixe moneths trauaile by lande the which they vnderstoode by certaine Indians which came from that kingdome by Persia whose testimonials were made in Ierusalem sixe moneths before wherein was declared how that they had trauelled by Arabia felix and passed the red sea The other fourth part of this kingdome is compassed with a verie asper and high mountaine which is fiue hundreth leagues vpon a right line but nature had left certaine places open towards the northwest which might be fourscore leagues little more or lesse towards the sea of Iapon which is towards the Septentrion The great riches of this countrie and the great number of people that be therein did supplie the same as in the first part of this historie is more at large declared And for that the king of this countrie séeing himselfe oppressed and troubled by the mightie Tartaro seemed that easily he might defende himselfe from him in shutting vp of those gates which nature had left open betwixt the mountaines he did shut it vp with the death of many thousande of people for that hee vsed therein great tyrannie which afterwardes was the occasion of his owne death This mountaine with the supply by man is the famous wall of the kingdom of China that is of fiue hundred leagues long yet you must vnderstande it in the manner aforesaide the better to giue credite thereunto for alonely fâ—ure score leagues were made by mans handes with great industrie and there is vpon it an infinite number of bulwarkes which maketh it the more fayrer and stronger But yet not so strong as is the other four hundreth and twentie leagues which were made by nature Nigh vnto the same there is a great desert full of ditches and lakes of water which is the occasion that this kingdome hath béene conserued for more than two thousand yeares as doth appeare by their owne histories which they holde to bee verie true All is imparted into fiftéene prouinces with that of Aynao and euerie one of them hath a principall Citie of the which it beareth the name In the middest of this kingdome there is a great lake out of the which proceedeth many great and mightie riuers which runne through all the kingdome and are so big that there sayleth vp and downe in them barkes sregats brigandines and many other vessels of an other kinde of making This great abundance of water is the occasion that it is so sertile and so well prouided of all thinges and againe the most part of their cities and townes are situated on the riuers side so that by them the one prouince doth communicate with an other carrying the one vnto the other great store of marchandice and other thinges of great curiositie and is done with little cost for that all things are done very good cheape This sea cost of this kingdome is the biggest and the best that is knowen in all the world there is vpoÌ„ it fiue prouinces which be these of Canton Chincheo Liampon Nanquin and that of Paquian which is the furthest towardes the northwest in the which is resident the king and his counsel with all his court ordinarily and the most part of the men of warre that it hath for that this prouince doth confine vpon the Tartaros their enimies Some will say that the kings ordinarie dwelling there is for that it is the best and most fertilest of all the kingdome But I beleeue according to the saying of some of the Chinos that he doth it not but because it is so nigh vnto Tartaria and to finde himselfe there whereas hee may supply all necessities which might happen vpon a soddaine by his enimies In these riuers there are certaine Ilandes the which are very profitable vnto all the kingdome for that there is nourished brought vp in them great store of deare hogges and other beasts which is the occasion that the cities are so well prouided and serued But one of the things which causeth most admiration to theÌ„ that go to this kingdome is to see so infinite a number of ships and barkes that be in euerie port thereof and are so many that there hath béene a man in the citie of Machao that hath layde a wager that alonely in the riuer of Canton there be more ships and vessels than in all the cost of Spaine One thing I may affirme that I haue heard declared by persons of great credite that haue béene in that kingdome but in especiall of the father Ignacio whom I do follow in this Itinerario that it is an easie thing in any one of these fiue prouinces that be vpon the sea cost to ioyne together a thousande ships of warre and all of them as they say in Spaine dedicated for that purpose The occasion why there be so many is alreadie declared in his proper chapter There are diuers opinions touching the greatnesse of this kingdome but the most are conformable with the father fryer Martin de Herrada who like a good Geomatrician and Mathematician went nighest the pricke This opinion is declared in the first part of this historie whereunto I referre me and in that which toucheth in particular things of that kingdom for that it is there declared at large as it was taken out of their bookes But one thing I cannot let passe but declare for that it séemeth woorthie to make thereof a particular memorie and I vnderstood it by the mouth of the said father Ignacio which is that he doth affirme it to bee certaine true approued that euery day in the yeare one with an other besides wars and the plague the which in this countrio they remember not to haue any neither do they find written in their histories for 2000. yeares neither by famin nor any other accidentall occasions to consume the people yet doth there die many thousands of people both smal great in al the fiftéen prouinces of this kingdome which is no small griefe vnto theÌ„ who with a christian zeale doth consider this heauie tribute of so many soules that the diuell doth recouer eueriâ—
did sée them do reuerence vnto their Idols or vnto the diuell or any other euill thing they did reprehend theÌ„ with great liberty who did not onely séeke to hurt theÌ„ for the same but did greatly reioyce to heare their reasons wherewith they did prohibite or forbid them The said frier did tell me that one day passing by an hermitage whereas dwelled an hermite who had vpon the altar in the same an Idoll for his saint before whom was there a Chino a principall man worshipping the same the said father without any feare went vnto him began to reprehende him and to spit at the Idoll caused him therewith to leaue off his worshipping whereof he was greatly amased both he all the rest of his companie to sée with what boldnes it was done and no harme done vnto him for the same eyther they supposed that y e Chino did thinke him to be a mad man or else which is most to be beléeued y t God did worke with his seruant wherby he would giue him his reward for thatwhich he had done in returning for his honor in mittigating the furie of that man to giue him vnderstanding y t he was reprehended with reason There are many Chinos conuerted to the faith as well in the Ilands Philippinas as in the citie of Machao and they baptise of them daily who giuetokens and outwarde showes to bee good christians and say that the greatest difficultie for to conuert all the whole kingdome will be in them that doo gouerne in the same for they had néede of a particular ayde and helpe of the mercie of God to bring them vnto the faith for that they are had in reuerence and obeyed as Gods vpon the earth Besides this they do giue themselues to all delightes that any humaine creature can imagine for that they put all their felicitie therein and doo it with so great extremitie that it is supposed there is no people in all the worlde that may be compared vnto them For besides that they are alwayes carried in little chayres and vpon mens shoulders which are couered with silke golde yet are they giuen much vnto bankets wherein they haue so many different sortes of meates as their appetites doo require And it is greatly to bee maruailed at that the women of this kingdome are marueilous chast and secret as any whatsoeuer and to the contrarie the men are as vicious but in especiall the Lords and Gouernors and for that our faith do reprehend with rigor and terror the excesse of these thinges it is to be beleeued that it will be a great impediment to the entrie of the gospell amongst them yet God may so touch them and in such sort that there will be no difficultie Amongest the common people there will be no such impedimeÌ„t but rather they will embrace with great content our holy law for y t it will be an occasion to cleare set them at libertie from the tyrannie of the diuell and from their Iudges and Lords who do intreate them as slaues This is the opinion of all them that haue entred into this kingdome and haue intreated of this matter with the Chinos They haue amongest them some good thinges and woorthie to be imitated and folowed of the which I will here set downe two which are thinges of great purpose to my iudgement The one is that vnto none they do giue the office to gouerne by no manner of wayes nor meanes although they be suborned by friendship but onely by his owne merites and sufficient abilitie The seconde that none can be viceroy gouernour nor Iudge of a prouince or citie in the which hee is naturall borne the which they say is done to take away the occasion of dooing any iniustice beeing carried away or led by parentes or friendshippe All other thinges of this kingdome I do remit vnto that which hath bin before declared for to passe vnto the rest the which in this Itinerario is promised to be mentioned and declared CHAP. XIX This chapter doth treate of the Ilands of Iapon and of other thinges in that kingdome THe Ilandes of Iapon are many and altogether make a mightie kingdome y t is diuided amongest many lords it is distant froÌ„ the firme land of China thrée hundred leagues in the middest betwixt both kingdoms is the prouince of Lanquin which is one of the fiftéene afore named although going froÌ„ Machao a city of the Portingals ioyning vnto Canton which is of the proper China they do make it but 250 leagues trauelling towards the north commonly they do account the same leagues froÌ„ the Ilands of Luzon or Philippinas vnto the said Ilands of Iapon whereunto they may go by noua hispania for y t it is the better surer nauigation and shorter voyage for according vnto the reckoning of the pylots that do nauigate those seas they make it no more theÌ„ 1750. leagues which is not halfe of that which the Portingals make in their nauigation These Ilands are many as afore said yet are they populared with much people who in their bodies faces differ very little froÌ„ the Chinos although not so politike by the which it séemed to be true y t which is found written in the histories of the kingdom of China saying that these Iapones in old time were Chinas that they came from that mightie kingdome vnto these Ilands wheras they do now diuell for this occasion folowing A kinsman of a king of China a man of great countenance and valour hauing conceiued within his brest for to kill the king thereby to make himselfe lorde of the countrie the better to put this in execution he gaue to vnderstand of his euill intent vnto others of his friends requesting their fauour to execute y e same promising that he would do his best This being done hauing them alwaies for his especiall friends vnto whom it seemed no difficult thing and againe moued with ambition they did promise him and for the better confirmation thereof they began to prepare souldiers to haue theÌ„ readie against y e day appointed And for y t this their pretence could not be brought to effect with such secrecie as the matter required their treason came to be discouered vnto the king at such good oportunitie y t he might very well séeke remedie for his owne safegarâ— at his pleasure vnlooked for of his kinsman the rest of his followers who were all taken with great ease Then was it determined by those of the royall councell that all the traitors should haue their throts â—ut according vnto the lawes of the countrie but when their sentence was carried vnto the king to be confirmed he vnderstanding y t they much repented were sorie for their sin and treason that they had pretended against him he determined to remedie the same with lesse damage fearing what might happeÌ„ by their deaths so y t he coÌ„manded they should not
that case that they were constrained to yéelde vnto their enimies who at their willes did repay themselues very well of the iniurie receiued and a very good warning vnto all those that shall heare thereof to slie from putting themselues into the like trance so the Chinos were very wel reuenged of the iniury by them receiued The faith of Christ is very well planted in some of these Ilands by the good diligence and trauell of the fathers and Iesuites but in particular by that which was doone by master Francisco Xabier one of the tenne companions of the father Ignacio de Loyola founder of the saide religion hee trauelled with great zeale in the conuerting of the saide Ilands and that which was a great helpe vnto the same was his holy doctrine and apostolike life as vnto this day the Iapones doo confesse attributing vnto him next vnto God the goodnesse that hath come vnto them by receiuing the baptisme whome the fathers of that companie haue followed in all pointes such as remained after his death as also such as haue gone thither since that time So that vnto them may bee attributed the thankes for the mollifying of such adamantine hearts as are those of y e natural people of these Ilandes whose wittes although they be good and subtill are naturally knowne to be inclined vnto warres robberies and doing of euill and at this day being Christians they do followe their euill inclinations yet notwithstanding by the good doctrine and ensample of the saide fathers they are much better Christians then those of the Orientall or East Indians I do not set downe here the number of those that are baptised in these Ilands for that there are therein diuers opinions as also for that the fathers of the name of Iesus or Iesuits doo distinctly declare in their letters The Portugals say that in respect of the number of people that are to bée conuerted the number that are baptised are very fewe and that there are many that are not for lacke of ministers and preachers the which may easily be remedied in commaunding to go thither more religious men of other orders for to aide and helpe the saide Iesuites the which shoulde be vnto them a particular content and comfort as I doo beléeue as hath béene seene by experience in all partes of the Indians whereas haue come religious men vnto places of their doctrine for that the quantitie of people is so great that are in these Ilandes that although there shoulde go thither many laborers of the Gospell and all the orders of religious men the one shoulde not be a let or hinderance vnto the other and they shoulde all of them finde enough to occupie themselues especially if that the successor of Nobunanga were conuerted with his subiectes All the men of these Ilands are well set and well proportioned and go well apparelled although not in so good order as those of China they liue verie healthfully and long by reason that they doo vse verie fewe diuersities of meates they doo not suffer amongst them any Phisitians and doo not cure themselues but with simples They haue amongst them many priests of their Idols whom they do call Bonsos of the which there be great couents Likewise they haue amongst them great witches who do ordinarily talke with the diuell and are not a small impediment for thē to receiue the lawe of God in that kingdome The women or wiues of these Iapones do kéepe themselues very close and very seldome go forth of their houses in the which they do resemble those of China much as hath béene said yet haue they many wiues for that by their lawes it is lawfull for them to haue as they please can sustaine yet are they so prudent that they do restraine themselues and liue in great peace Both men-seruants and women-seruants do serue their masters as though they were slaues they may kill them at their pleasure without incurring any penalty of their lawes a thing far different from any good policie Many other things more could I declare of this kingdome the which I do let passe for the reason aforesaid and againe for that the fathers of the company of Iesus haue intreated thereof at large and vere truely Not farre from these Ilands of Iapon they haue discouered of late certaine Ilandes which are called of the Amazones for that they are all inhabited by women whose ordinary weapons are bowes and arrowes and are very expert in the same they haue their right brest drie the better to exercise their bow Unto these Ilands in certaine monethes euery yeare goeth certaine shippes from Iapones with merchandice and they bring from thence such as they haue there in the which time the men do deale with the Amazones as with their own proper wiues for to avoide dangers that might happen amongst themselues they deale in this order following After that their shippes are aryued there goeth on shore two messengers for to giue aduice vnto the quéene of their arriuall and of the number of men that are in their shippes who dooth appoint a day when they shall all come on shoare the which day shee doth carrie to the waters side the like number of women as they bee of men but the saide women doo first come thither before the men doo disembarke themselues and euery one of them dooth carry in their hande a paire of shooes or a paire of slippers and on them their owne seuerall marke and do leaue them on the sands at the waters side without any confort or order and presently departe from thence Then the men come on shoare and euery one take the first paire of shooes that he commeth vnto and put them on then presently the women come forth and euery one of them carryeth with her him who hath fallen vnto her by lot to put on her shooes and maketh him her guest without any other particularitie although it chanceth vnto the most vilest of them all to méete with the quéenes shooes or otherwise to the contrarie So when the monethes are expired set downe by the quéene in the which are permitted the men aforesaid they doo depart euerie one leauing with his hostis his name and the towne where hee dwelleth for that if it so fall out that they bee with child and be deliuered of a sonne that hee may bee carried the yeare following vnto his father but the daughters do remaine with them This is very doubtfull to bee beléeued although I haue bin certified by religious men that haue talked with persons that within these two yeares haue béene at the saide Ilands haue séene the said women and that which causeth me more to stand in doubt is for that the fathers of the companie that dwell at the Iapones haue not in their letters made any particular mention of them therefore let euery one giue credite to this as liketh him best CHAP. XX. They haue notice of certaine kingdomes borderers vnto these
aforesaid frier Ignacio did sée in Malaca a present y t the king of this kingdome of Camboia did send vnto another friend of his and amongst many things contained therin of great riches curiositie there were two crosses very great and wel made of a gallant wood very swéete and all garnished very richly with siluer and gold with their titles enamiled Nigh vnto this kingdome is that of Sian in the hight of fourtéene degrées from the pole Artike and thrée hundred leagues from Machao wheras the Portugals do go to trade It is the mother of all Idolatrie and the place from whence hath procéeded many sectes vnto Iapon China and Pegu. It is a flourishing countrie and well replenished of all such things as be requisite for to merite the name to be good There be in it maniâ— Elephants and Abadas and other beasts that are nourished in that countrie besides this it is very rich of mettals and gallant swéete woode The people of this kingdome for the most part are faint-hearted or cowards for which occasion although they are infinite in number yet are they subiect vnto the king of Pegu who ouercame them long time since in a battell as afterwards shall be declared and they doo pay him ordinarily great and heauy tributes They would be conuerted very easâ—ly vnto the faith of Iesu Christ and would leaue their Idols if they had any to preach vnto them yea would subiect themselues vnto any king or Lord that woulde fauour them and not vnto this whom now they do obey for that hee dooth intreate them tyrannously They haue amongst them many religious men after their fashion who doo liue in common and leade an asper and sharp life for the which they are had of al the rest in great veneration The penance which they do is wonderfull strange as you may iudge by some things that I will declare here amongst a great number that be tolde of them there are none of them that can marrie neither speake to any woman if by chance he do they arewithout remissioÌ„ punished by death They go alwayes barefoote very poorely apparelled do eate nothing but rice gréene herbes and this they do aske for charitie euery day going from doore to doore with their wallet at their backes alwayes with their eyes looking on the ground w t such modesty honesty that it is to be wondred at they doo not craue their charity neither take it with their hands nor do any other thing but cal or knocke stand still till such time as they giue them their answer or put some thing into their wallets It is told them for a truth that many times for penance they do put themselues starke naked in the heate of the sunne which is there very great for that y e country is in twenty sixe degrees of the Equinoctiall whereas they are much troubled there with gnats whereof there is an infinite number and is a thing that if they did passe it for Gods sake it is a kinde of martyrdome of great desert God for his mercy lighten them with his grace that this which they do smally vnto the profite of their soules may bee the occasion that after they are baptised they may deserue for the same many degrées of glory Likewise in secreat they doo great penance and doo rise vp at midnight to praie vnto their Idols and they do it in quiers as is vsed amongst vs Christians It is not permitted them any rentes nor any other kinde of contractation and if they bée séene to deale in any they are detested and hated as an heretike is amongst vs. For this kind of asper liuing the which they do according vnto the report for the loue of the heauen and that with great zeale they are respected of the common people for saints and for such they do reuerence them and do commit them vnto their praiers when they are in any trouble or infirmity These and many other things mo be declared of them in like order which may serue for to confound vs that confessing we do not obserue kéepe hauing for the same our sure reward not of humain interest but that which God hath prepared for the good in heaueÌ„ The law of the Gospell in this kingdome would bring foorth much fruite for that the people are charitable and louers of vertue and of them that haue it This experience had the father Ignacio and his companions in China at such time as they were prisoners where there were in a city certain ambassadors from the king of Syan who were bound to the court and there they vnderstood that the Spaniards were sentenced to death for entring into that country without licence they went to visite them when they saw them with their asper habites and very poore did resemble very much the habit of their religious men they had so great affection vnto them that ouer and aboue they sent theÌ„ good charity the which was two bags of rice much fish fruits they did offer to theÌ„ al the mony they would desire to ransome them in al that the Iudges would demand â—or them in recompeÌ„ce of this good wil they shewed vnto y e Spaniards they did verifie that aforesaide that they are great louers of vertue CHAP. XXII Of many other kingdomes that are in this new world and of their names and properties but in espiciall of that famous Cittie of Malaca NIgh vnto this kingdome of Syan there are two kingdomes togither the one of them is called Lugor and the other Patane they belong both vnto one king who is a Moore and of the linage Malaya yet notwithstanding the people of these kingdomes are Gentiles and doâ— vnderstande in them to haue great good will to become Christians if they had anie to preach vnto them the Gospell The lande is very rich of golde Pepper and of drugges but the people faint hearted and cowards and for little for which occasion they are more giuen vnto thinges of contentment and pleasure then vnto wars or brawlings At the ende of this kingdome is the straite of Malaca in the which there are two small kingdomes the one of them is called Paon and the other Ior the people of the first are the most traiterous that are in all the whole worlde as the Portugals haue many times experimented and those of the second kingdome sometimes they are in peace and sometimes in warre with the said Portugals They will haue peace when they do sée themselues in necessity of the same but war ordinarily These two kingdomes are halfe Moores by reason whereof it séemeth that with an euil wil they wil be reduced vnto the law of the gospel if that by the help of God they be not mollified of their hearts This straight of Malaca is vnder the Equinoctiall line and is accounted from the kingdome of Cochinchina vnto it 376. leagues this is an euill straight
and very dangerous for ships that passe thorough it for very few times it is without stormes or some other greater danger as it happened vnto a verie great shippe in the mouth of the straight in the presence of Frier Martin Ignacio the which in verie little space was swallowed vp with the sea in it more theÌ„ thrée hundred thousand ducats in merchandice that was within her although the successe thereof our people did attribute it more vnto the iust iudgement of God than vnto the storme for that according as they were informed they had committed grieuous offences at the time when she sanke for being very nigh with his shippe in the which he went and many other more they felt not neither had any suspition of any danger From this straight to go vnto Malaca you coast alongest the sea fiue and twentie leagues all which coast is full of great mightie and thicke woods by reason whereof as also for that it is not inhabited there are many tygers elephants and mightie great lysards and other furious beastes The citie of Malaca in our pole articke is eleuated from the equinoctiall onely one degrée of ancient time it was the most principallest citie of all these kingdomes and resident therein a mightie king a Moore but after it was conquered by the Portingals who in these wars did wonderfull things of great force courage they did driue foorth all the Moores out of the same and out of all the borders and made of their Mezquita or temple which was a singular péece of worke a high church as it doth remaine vnto this day there are also thrée monasteries of religious men one of S. Dominicke an other of S. Francis and the third of the companie of Iesus or Iesuites It is a verie temperate countrie being so nigh the equinoctiall line the reason is for that euery wéeke ordinarily it rayneth thrée or foure times which is the greatest cause of health in all that countrie and thereby is made woonderfull fruitfull and with great abundance of prouision but particularly of fruites for there is great store and some sortes neuer séene in Europe amongst the which there is one y t is called in the Malaca tongue Durion and is so good that I haue heard it affirmed by manie that haue gone about the worlde that it doth excéede in sauour all others that euer they had séene or tasted it is in forme like vnto a mellon whose ryne is somewhat harde and hath vpon it little white prickes which séemeth like haire and within the fruite be partitions which be of the colour like vnto maniar blanco and of so good sauour and tast as it Some do say that haue séene it that it séemeth to be y t wherwith Adam did transgresse being carried away by the singular sauour The leaues which this trée yéeldeth are so bigge that a man may couer himselfe with one of them which mee thinketh is but coniecture or defining but there is Cannafistola for to lade fléetes very bigge and good and of a singular effect one of the notablest things in this kingdome is a maruellous trée of an admirable vertue the which putteth foorth so many rootes of so contrarie vertue that those which grow towards the orient be good against poyson agues and many infirmities that do war against humaine life those rootes that growe â—owards the west be ranke poyson in effect all cleane contrarie vnto the first So that it seemeth here to be founde two contraries in one subiect a thing which in philosophie they were woont to count impossible This citie is of great contractation for that there come thether all the kingdomes that we haue spoken of and from many other more that are nigh thereabouts but in particular a great number of great ships from the Indians Canton Chincheo and froÌ„ many other places likewise the Iapones carry thether their siluer to sell those of the kingdome of Syan carry many things very curious but especially cloues and pepper of the Iland Malucas and those of Burneo bring much sanders nutmegs and those of Iaba Pegu bring the wood of aguila and those from Cochinchina Cham bring great store of wrought silke drogges and spicerie and those of Samatra or Trapouana much golde and wrought things fine cloth of Vengalas Coromandel All these and other thinges make this citie famous and plentifull as also very much enlarged of the Portingals that go thether ordinarily euery yeare and traficke there CHAP. XXIII Of some kingdomes of the newe worlde and of particular things that haue beene seene in them and treateth of the citie and riuer of Ganies OUer against this famous citie of which so many thinges may be spoken of is that mightie kingdome and Iland of Samatra called by the ancieÌ„t cosmogrosers Trapouana which is as some say the Iland of Ophir whether y e fléet went which king Salomon sent of which there is particular mention made in the scripture in the third booke of the kings cap. 9. 10. and in the Paralipomenon cap. 9. that went returned againe ladeÌ„ with gold rich tymber for to adorne the temple of Ierusalem and of many other curious things whose memorie doth remain vnto this day amongst the naturall people although diffusedly But not so much as those that haue it out of the holy scripture neither so true This Iland is vnder the equinoctial line so that the one halfe doth extend vnto the pole artick the other halfe vnto the poole antarticke It hath in longitude 230. leagues and in latitude three score seuen leagues and is so nigh vnto Malaca that in some parts it is lesse than ten leagues In this kingdom there are many lords rulers yet he y t hath the greatest part thereof is a Moore and is called Achan it is one of the richest Ilands in al the world for y t it hath many mynes of fine golde of the which although there is a law y t they cannot take out of theÌ„ more than is necessarie yet there is great abundance carried from thence to Malaca Turkie and many other places There is gathered vpon this Iland great abundance of pepper and beniewyn of Boninas in great quantity out of whose trées whereof there is great woods there come foorth so swéet a smel that it seemeth an earthly paradice and was wont to be smelled twenty leagues at sea for which respect the ships that saile that way do come so nigh the lande as they may to haue the comfort of that smell There is also much Camphora and all kinde of spices by reason wherof there commeth vnto this kingdome to traficke many Turkes that come in ships and foystes out of the red sea Also there doth traficke thether those of the kingdom of Sunda Iaua the great and Ambayno and others that are there nigh vnto them Unto this Iland came certaine Portingals to buy and sell whereas they were
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
three townes are inhabited with Portugals and the farthest is the prouince of Cambaya subiect vnto the grand Tartar or Mogor by an other name Two and fortâ—e leagues beyond that is the cittie called Diu whereas is a very faire and good fortresse of Portugals with a very great hauen and sure whose name doth extend thoroughout all Turkey Two hundred and seuentie leagues beyond that is the Citie of Oromuz on the â—oast of Persia and in the same hath y e saide Portugals an other fortresse much better then that of Diu and more inexpugnable it is the biggest in al the Indians but not of so great name as that of Diu. In this cittie of Oromuz they gather nothing else but salt and that in great aboundance yet notwithstanding it is replenished of all that may be imagined for that there is brought thither from Persia and Arabia great prouision and many other curiosities They say that from this place they may easily go to Uenice taking their way to Aleph and to Tripoli in Soria All this coast of the Indias vnto Persia is inhabited with many and mightie kingdomes in the which there an infinite number of people one of them is that of Odialon the which is very rich and of much people and all Moores Nigh vnto this is another called Disamaluco harde by the kingdome of the great Tartar which in their language is called Mogor the which next vnto that of China I doo thinke is the greatest in all the world as may be collected in that which is declared of the mightinesse thereof both in ancient and latter histories On the other side of Oromuz is the kingdome of Persia whose king is Xactamas or Ismael Sophi great Soldan of Egypt descending by lyneall desent from the Soldan Campson Gaurio whom Selim Emperor of the Tartaros did ouercome in battell nigh vnto Damasco in the yeare 1516. All those of this kingdome are Moores although they the Turkes are as the Christians and heretikes for that the Persians do follow the interpretation of the lawe of Mahomet of certaine Alieâ— or doctors And the Turkes go a different way and do follow others This contractation and different interpretation of the lawe is the occasion that betwixt the one and the other there is ordinarily cruell warres and it is the great mercy of God for that the Turke may not haue any space to come and do euil vnto his Christians or if he do come he shalbe ouertaken with the Persians his enimy the Sophi and intrapped with all the euill they can do vnto him who that although he be a Moore and of the sect of Mahomet yet he is a friend vnto Christians CHAP. XXVII Of other kingdomes and notable things that are vntill you come into Spaine and to conclude the compassing of the world NEere vnto the straite of Oromuz is Arabia Felix where as all the inhabitants are of the sect of Mahomet and doo follow the same interpretatioÌ„ that the Sophi doth So running a long by Arabia you come straight vnto the red sea or Arabico the which hath foure hundred and fiftie leagues of Longitude and in some partes it is of a mightie depth the water thereof seemeth to bee red although taking it out thereof it is white the cause thereof is for that the ground vnder the water is of the same colour By reason whereof when as the sun doth shine thereon it séemeth red and thereby it hath got the name the which it hath vnto this day By this sea and by that of Basora the great Turk doth carrie much spiceriâ— silkes and cloth of golde and all riches out of the Orientall Indias the which may easily be disturbed but the way how is not for this place nor time On the other side is the land of Abexin which is that of Prester Iohn a kingdome although it is very great yet it extendeth very litle on this coast From this kingdome or poynt going to the southwest is six hundreth leagues to Mazaubique whereas there is inhabitance of Portingals All this coast is blacke people gentiles and Idolaters and is in fiftéene degrées in altitude towardes the south and in the same maner are all the rest that are inhabited from Mazaubique vnto the cape of Buena Esperansa They are without memorie of the preaching of the gospel if that God for his mercy doe not take pitie on them and put into the heartes of some to goe thither and to procure the remedie of so infinite number of soules So after the sayd father had informed himselfe of all that is sayde and of many other thinges more which is left out for to euitate tediousnes till such time as of them may bee made a particular historie hee departed from Goa and Cochin towardes Portingall and passed by the Ilandes of Maldiuia which are many all are inhabited with Moores nigh vnto the which they doe enter the poole Antartico crossing the equinoctiall from the coast of Arabia from thence they sayled with a faire winde till they came right against the Iland of sainct Lorenso which is very great for that it hath two hundreth seuentie and fiue leagues of longitude and fourescore and tenne of latitude All inhabited with much people very quiet and ciuill the faith of Christ was neuer preached amongest them yet I doe beleue that if it were they would quietly receiue the same Passing from this Ilande they came vnto the Cape of Buena Esperansa y t which is another very good Iland whose inhabitants and dwellers are much like to those of saint Lorenso it is in the temperate Zona nigh vnto the straights of Magellanes This Cape of Buena Esperansa is called by another name the Cape Tormentorio it is fiue and thirtie degrées large from the pole Antartico And from Cochin vnto this Cape they put one thousand thrée hundred fiftie and eight leagues that way which they do ordinarliy Nauigate When they doo passe by this cape they were wont to haue great and strong winds They go from thence to the Iland of S. Elena which is beyond the Cape forwards fiue hundred and seuentie leagues It is not inhabited with people but ful of swine goats and great aboundance of partriges and in all the coast is great store of fish the which is taken with great ease it is but a little Iland and hath circuit no more then fiue lâ—â—gues From this Ilande they do Nauigate foure hundred leagâ—es vntill they come vnder the Equinoctial vpon the coast of Guinea returning vnto the pole Artike in foure and forty degrées in altitude which was almost at the same place from whence he departed at his going foorth after hee compassed the world They passed in sight of the lande and from thence they sailed forwards and sawe other land vntill they came vnto Lisborne hauing after they had crossed the equinoctiall sayled a thousand foure hundred and fifty leagues
which being séene by the roiall councell and considering with what title they entred into that kingdome did not onely make voide the sentence and woulde not confirme the same but did send commandement vnto the vizroy to set them at libertie and to returne fréely back againe vnto the India from whence they came and that hee shoulde furnish them with all things necessarie in aboundance til they were entred into the same although in this time the ambassadors of the king of Malaca who were in the court did still perseuer in their malicious intent In which commandement although it were true all that which the foresaide ambassadors did testifie and that they for feare of death did confesse it yet it is sufficient that they entred into this kingdom the title of ambassador whereby they should receiue any harme But nowe let vs returne tâ— our purpose So after this ambassador hath refreshed himselfe of his iourny and receiued many banquets and orations of the Gentlemen of the court vpon a day appointed he goeth to speake with the king accompanied with all the Gentlemen of the court and with the president of the councell who doth giue him audiâ—nce in one of the thrée rich hals aforesaide at all times as his businesse doth require So when that all his busines is dispatched and gratified with many gifts he returneth backe againe from whence he came and looke with what curtesie they did receiue him at his comming the like they doo vnto him at his returne But if an ambassador doo come from any common wealth of the said kingdome they doo not giue him the intertainement abouesaid but cleane contrarie thereunto for that he dooth enter into the citie accompanied onely with the iustice whose charge it is to lodge him in such houses as the king hath ordeined to the same effect and to giue him all that is necessarie taking of him the summe and effect wherefore he doth come and he doth giue relation thereof vnto the president of the councell and the president doth giue the king to vnderstand therof then doo they appoint the day of audience with this condition that when he dooth go thither hée must go on foote or else on horseback without a bridle with onely a halter on his horse head in token of humility and acknowledging to be a subiect The day of his audience he commeth forth obseruing the order and condition aforesaid accompanyed with the iustice And when hée doth come into a great place which is right against the pallace of the king he staieth there till an officer of the king doth come vnto him who is master of the ceremonies and hee dooth cause him to procéede forwards and doth shew him the place whereas hee must first kneele downe with his handes ioyned togither in token of adoration or worship and all the time of this ceremonie his eies must bee fixed on that part where as they say the king is In this sort hee goeth onwards his way making in it other fiue adorations like vnto the first vntill such time as he do come into the first hall of the pallace which is at the staires heade whereas the president is set with great maiestie and doth represent the kings person who after that hee hath hearde the effect of his ambassage dooth sende them away without answering one word at that time but after that hee hath giuen the king to vnderstande hée dooth sende him answere by that iustice who hath the charge to lodge him and to prouide him of all things necessarie for the time that hée is in the court CHAP. XXIIII Of the ambassage that the king of Spaine did send vnto the king of this kingdome and the occasions that did moue him thereunto as also wherefore it was declared FOr to conclude this small historie in the which I haue declared in summe all such things as I haue vnderstoode of this kingdome of China vnto this I meane such as I might wel set forth leuing a great number more of the which I haue particular note some for that they are vnknowne and others for that they will cause admyration because they haue not béene séene And according vnto the counsell of the wise they should not be intreated of vntill that time that experience dooth make them more credible And againe I doo hold it for a lesse euill to be reprehended for breuitie as some haue béene then to bee prolix and tedious in the declaring although it bee hurtfull vnto this worke from the which I doo take away much that I might put in Nowe letting all passe I will in this last chapter declare of the letter present and ambassage wherewith the king of Spaine did sende mee in the yeare of our Lorde one thousande one hundred and fourescore for that in company of other religious men of my order I should passe from his mightie kingdome of Mexico to China and to present it vnto the king of that countrie in his name of all the which I will declare that which I doo vnderstande and know not excéeding the limits of fidelitie by reason that the ambassage was not ended nor no conclusion in effect of that which was pretended but doo hope in the deuine maiestie and with the care and diligence that is put therein by the king of Spaine shortlie to haue a conclusion of that they desire for the which the letter and the rest was sent Béeing considered of by the Spaniards such as were dwellers in the Ilands Philippinas which by another name are called the Ilands of the Ponent or West the thinges of great valour and riches as of golde and silkes and many other thinges which is brought from the kingdome of China and out of their ports and how those which brought it did sel it for a small quantitie in respect as they did estéeme it and being certified by the saide Chinos of many other things which were in the firme land wherof some of them haue béene made mention in this historie being mooued with the conuerting of these soules and with the profite that might come of traficke that they might haue with the Chinos it was concluded by the gouernour and principals of the Citie of Manila with the iudgement of the prouinciall of the order of saint Augustine and of many other religious men that were both graue wise such as were the first that in those parts did preach the Gospel and did baptise a great number of the dwellers therein and did many other thinges of the which I might say much if it were to my purpose and that my part were not therein so that I say it was concluded amongst them to sende vnto the Catholike king graue personages vnto whome intire credite might be giuen for to giue relation what they vnderstoode of that kingdome and also of the euident necessitie that all those Ilands that were his had for their conseruation to holde to friendes the Chinos their borderers whereof might growe vnto them great