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
vertues hath this palme whereof I haue declared part for that they are notable do cause admiration vnto all men that passe into those partes I doo leaue to declare the rest because I would not be tedious Nigh to y e cittie of Manilla on the other side of the riuer there is a towne of Chinos that be baptized such as haue remained there to dwell to inioy the libertie of the gospel There are amongst them many handicrafts men as shoomakers taylors goldsmiths blacksmiths and other officers and some merchants CHAP. XIIII The barefoote Friers depart from the Iland of Luzon vnto China and is declared such as was there seene FOr that the principall intent of these religious men when they went out of Spaine was for to go vnto the mightie kingdome of China for to preach the holy gospell and did perseuer continually with that desire they woulde neuer intreat of any other thing but onely to put it in execution and for the accomplishing of the same they sought many meanes and waies sometimes in requesting the gouernor of his aide and helpe to procure the same for that it was an easie thing to be performed hauing continually ships of the merchants of China in the port of Manilla The gouernor did driue them off with many reasons but principally he laid before them that rigorous lawe which they knew was established against such as did enter into that kingdome without particular licence yet notwithstanding all this was not sufficient to abate the louing desire of those Friers which was onely setled in their mindes for to go and preach the holy gospel in that kingdome by one meanes or other although it were to put their liues in hazard and for the prosecuting hereof the comissary of those Ilands who was Frier Geronimo de Burgos did elect sixe religious men for the same purpose amongst them was the father Ignatio of whome I as I haue said vnderstood by writing and relation many thinges the which is declared in these Itinerario or comentarie so that there was with him seuen religious men all seruants of God and very desirous of the saluation of soules which was the occasion that they put themselues in so long and tedious a iourney leauing their owne countrie and quietnesse These seuen with the good will of the gouernor Don Gonsalo Ronquillo and of the bishop whom they did ouercome and winne with requests and perseuerance and carried in their company a Spaniard their friende called Iohn De Feria of Andolozia and other two souldiers that went with pretence to become friers one Portugall and sixe Indian Ilanders all the which the eight day after Corpus Christi which was the one and twentie day of Iune in anno 1582. they departed from the port of Cabite whereas they did imbarke themselues in a barke of the saide Iohn De Feria and making saile at fiue of the clocke in the afternoone in the morning betimes they founde themselues twentie leagues ouerthwart the port that is called Del Fraile whereas they determined to go to sea leauing the coast of the Ilande of Manilla which lieth North and South with China from the which Cittie which is as I haue saide in fourtéene degrées and a halfe vnto the Cape of Boxeador which is in ninetéene it is one hundreth leagues sailing and from this Cape to the firme land of China they count it scarce fourescore leagues And God was so pleased although they had two dayes calme the seuenth day which was the day before the apostle saint Peter and saint Paule at eight of the clocke in the morning they discouered the firme lande of China then straightwaies vpon the sight thereof the comissarie commaunded to bring foorth the habites which hee carried readie made for to put vpon the Friers for that when the Chinos shoulde see that they were all Friers they should be voide of all suspition to thinke them to be spies as they thought when the first Friers went thither as hath beene tolde you and not contented herewith hee threw all the souldiers apparell into the sea and one hargabus of Iohn De Feria with the Flaske wherein he carried his powder and all other thinges such as he thought woulde be a hurt and hindrance vnto them if it should so fall out that they shoulde erre out of the port whereas the Portugals doo vse and fall vppon the coast as afterwards it fell so out they left nothing but a match which they forgot which lacked very little to haue cost them full deere But when they had sight of the lande they did not well knowe it for that they had neuer séene it before were also ignorant of the ports although they were very neere to y e bay of Canton they tooke their course vnto the Northwest wheras they should haue gone to the Southwest which was y e occasion y t they came vnto the prouince of Chincheo This day at fiue a clocke in the afternoone they discouered a port that was not farre from them whither they sailed and entred in and came to an anker on the outmost side yet with great feare and dread for that they knew not the secuâ—itie thereof neither the trouble that might happen They were not so soone at an anker but they saw come forth of the said port many barkes both small and great and in them many souldiers with hargabusses lances swordes and targets and in their soreshippe some small péeces of ordinance And when they came nigh vnto the barke wherein the Spaniards were within musket shot they stayed and discharged great stoare of hargabus shot But they who carried no armor to offende others neither to defende themselues the answere that they gaue vnto the shot was making of many signes of peace calling them with their handes to come nearer vnto them that they might sée and vnderstand that they came not thither with any pretence to do harme Yet all was not sufficient to cause them to leaue off their shooting neither to come any nearer vnto their barke At this present there was amongst the souldiers one Chino that had béene at Luzon and did knowe the Spaniâ—rds being of God inspired hee made signes vnto the rest to leaue off their shooting which presently they did and hee came with his Brigantine vnto their barke and after him all the rest who when they sawe that they had neyther armour nor weapon neither will to flie from them they entered into the barke and with their naked swordes in their hands flourishing with them ouer the heads of the Spaniards with a great noise and tumult they carried them into the port which was called Capsonson whereas was a generall of a great armie of shippes that were at an anker in the saide port who straightwaies commanded that there should be carried on borde his admirall foure of the Spaniards the which they vnderstoode was doone to take their liues from them for the which by reason they did not name any
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
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
runneth from the West vnto East The king of that countrie which made it was called Tzintzon and it was for his defence against the Tartaries with whome he had warres so that the wall doth shut vp all the frontier of Tartaria But you must vnderstande that foure hundred leagues of the saide wall is naturall of it selfe for that they be high and mightie rockes verie nigh together but the other hundred leagues is comprehended the spaces or distance that is betwixt the rockes the which he caused to be made by mens handes of verie strong worke of stone and is of seuen fathom brode at the foote of it and seuen fathom high It beginneth at the partes of the sea in the prouince of Canton and stretcheth foorth by that of Paguia and Causay and doth firnish in the prouince of Susuan This king for to finish this wonderful worke did take of euerie thrée men one thorough his kingdome and of â—iue two who for that they trauailed in their labour so long a iourney and into different clymes although that out of those prouinces that were nearest there came great store of people yet did they almost all perish that followed that worke The making of this superbious and mightie worke was the occasion that his whole kingdome did rise vp against the king and did kill him after that he had raigned fortie yeares and also a sonne of his that was called Aguitzi The report of this wall is helde to be of a verie truth for that it is affirmed by all the Chinos that doo traficke to the Ilands Philippinas and to Canton and Machao and bee all confirmable in their declaration as witnesses because they haue seene it and it is the farthest parts of all the kingdome whereas none of vs vnto this day hath béene CHAP. X. Of the dispositions countenance with apparell and other exercises of the people of this countrie BOth men and women of this countrie are of a good disposition of their bodies well proportioned and gallant men somewhat tall they are all for the most part brode faced little eyes and â—lat noses and without bearde saue onely vppon the ball of the chinne but yet there be some that haue great eyes and goodly beardes and their faces well proporcioned yet of these sorts in respect of the others are verie few and it is to bée beléeued that these kinde of people doo procéede of some strange nation who in times past when it was lawfull to deale out of that countrie did ioyne one with another Those of the prouince of Canton which is a whot country be browne of colour like to the Moores but those that be farther within the countrie be like vnto Almaines Italians and Spanyardes white and redde and somwhat swart All of theÌ„ do suffer their nailes of their left hande to grow very long but the right hand they do cut they haue long haire estéeme it very much maintaine it with curiositie of both they make a superstition for that they say thereby they shalbe carried into heauen They do binde their haire vp to the crowne of their heade in calles of golde verie curious and with pinnes of the same The garments which the nobles and principals do vse bee of silke of different colours of the which they haue excellent good and verie persite the common and poore people doo apparell themselues with another kinde of silke more courser and with linnen serge and cotton of all the which there is great aboundance And for that the countrie for the most part is temperate they may suffer this kinde of apparell which is the heauiest that they doo vse for in all the whole kingdome they haue no cloth neither doo they suffer it to bee made although they haue great aboundance of woolles and very good cheape they do vse their coates according vnto our old vse of antiquitie with long skirts and full of plaites and a flappe ouer the brest to be made fast vnder the left side the sleeues verie bigge and wide vpon their coates they doo vse cassockes or long garments according vnto the possibilitie of either of them made according as wee do vse but only their sleeues are more wider They of royall bloode and such as are constituted vnto dignitie do differ in their apparell from the other ordinarie Gentlemen for that the first haue their garments laide on with gold and siluer downe to the waste and the others alonely garnished on the edges or hem they do vse hose verie well made and stitched shooes and buskins of veluet verie curious In the winter although it be not verie colde they haue their garments furred with beasts skins but in especiall with Martas Ceuellinas of the which they haue great aboundance as aforesaide and generally they do vse them at all times about their necks They that be not married doo differ from them that be married in that they do kirrle their haire on their foreheade and weare higher hattes Their women doo apparell themselues verie curiousâ—ie much after the fashion of Spaineâ— they vse many iewels of gold pretious stones their gownes haue wide sleeues that wherwith they do apparell themselues is of cloath of gold and siluer and diuers sorts of silkes whereof they haue great plentie as aforesaid and excellent good and good cheape and the poore folkes doo apparell themselues with veluet vnshorne veluet and serge They haue verie faire haire and doo combe it with great care and diligence as do the women of Genouay and do binde it about their heade with a broad â—ilke lace set full of pearles and pretious stones and they say it doth become them verie well they doo vse to paint themselues and in some place in excesse Amongst them they account it for gentilitie and a gallant thing to haue little féete and therefore from their youth they do swadell and binde them verie straight and do suffer it with patience for that she who hath the least féete is accounted the gallantest dame They say that the men hath induced them vnto this custome for to binde their féete so harde that almost they doo loose the forme of them and remaine halfe lame so that their going is verie ill and with great trauell which is the occasion that they goe but little abroad and fewe times doo rise vp from their worke that they do and was inuented onely for the same intent This custome hath indured manie yeares and will indure many more for that it is stablished for a law and that woman which doth breake it and not vse it with her children shalbe counted as euill yea shalbe punished for the same They are very secreat and honest in such sort that you shall not sée at any time a woman at her window nor at her doores and if her husband doo inuite any person to dinner she is neuer séene nor eateth not at the table except the gest be a kinsman or a very friende when they go abroade
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
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
euill intent and straight way commanded to â—eigh anker and to enter into a port called Cabiâ—e which is but two leagues from the Citie of Manilla Thither they of the citie might plainely sée them to enter CHAP. VI. The gouernour of Manilla purposeth himselfe to abide the assault of the Chinos to whome they gaue the repulse then Limahon returned and planted himselfe vppon the plaine nigh the riuer Pagansinan AT this time by the order of his Maâ—â—â—â—ie was elected for Gouernour of these Ilandes Philippinas Guido de Labacaâ—es after the death of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi who vnderstanding the great fléete and power of Lymahon the Roâ—er and the small resistance and defence that was in the Citie of Manilla with as much spéede as was possible he did call together all their Captaynes and dwellers therein and with a generall consent they did determine to make some defence for to resist them as well as they could for the time that the enemie did remaine in the port aforesaide for to the conâ—rarie the Spaniardes should loose great credite if that they should forsake and leaue the towne so long as their liues did indure For in no other place in all the Ilandes thâ—re about they couâ—d haue any securitie With this determination they put this worke in execution and spared no person of what qualitie and degree so euer he was but that his hande was to helpe all that was possible the which indured two dayes two nightes for so long the Rouer kept his shippes and came not abrode for these woorthie souldiers vnderstoode that remayning with their liues their labour and trauaile would soone be eased In which time of their continuall labour they made a fort with pipes and bordes filled with sande and other necessaries thereto belonging such as the time would permit them they put in carriages foure excellent peeces of artilerie that were in the citie All the which being put in order they gathered together all the people of the citie into that little fort which they made by the prouidence of God our Lorde as you may beléeue for that it was not his pleasure that so many soules as were in those Ilands baptised and sealed with the light and knowledge of his holy faith should returne againe to be ouercome with the deuill out of whose power hee brought them by his infinite goodnes mercie neither would hee that the friendship should be lost that these Ilandes had with the mightie kingdome of China By which meanes we may coniecture that the diuine power had ordained the remedie of saluation for all that countrie The night before the enemie did giue assault vnto the Citie came thether the Captayne Iohn de Salzedo lieutenant vnto the Gouernour of the Townes of Fernandina who as aforesayde came with purpose to ayde and helpe the Spaniardes that were then in Manilla Whose comming without all doubt with his companions was the principall remedie as well vnto the Citie as vnto all those that were within it for considering that they were but fewe and the great paines they tooke in making the last resistance and the labor and trauaile they had in the ordayning of the fort for their defence with other necessaries against that which was to come ioyning therewith the feare that was amongst them of the assalt past surely they had néede of such a succour as this was and surely by the opinion of all men it was a myracle of God doone to bring them thether So with the comming of this Captaine with his people they all recouered newe courage with great hope valiantly to resist their enimies for the which incontinent they did put all thinges in good order for that the Rouer the morning following before the breake of the day which was the second day after hee gaue the first assalt was with all his fléete right against the port and did put a lande sixe hundreth souldiers who at that instant did sâ—t vpon the Citie the which at their pleasure they did sacke and burne for that it was left alone without people as aforesaide by the order and commaundement of the gouernour which for their more securitie were retyred into the fort So hauing fired the Citie they did assalt the fort with great crueltie as men fleshed with the last slaughter thinking that their resistance was but small But it fell not out as they did beléeue for that all those that were within were of so valiant courage that who so euer of their enemies that were so bolde as to enter into their fort did paye for their boldnesse with the losse of their liues Which being séene by the Chinos they did retire hauing continued in the fight almost all the day with the losse of two hundreth men that were slaine in the assalt and many other hurt and of the Spaniardes were slaine but onely two the one was the Ancient bearer called Samho Hortiz and the other was the Bayliefe of the Citie called Francisco de Leon. All which being considered by Lymahon the Rouer who being politike and wise and sawe that it was losse of time and men to goe forwardes with his pretence against the valiauntnesse of the Spaniardes which was cleane contrarie vnto that which had proued vnto that day he thought it the best way to embarke himselfe and to set sayle and goe vnto the porte of Cabite from whence he came But first hee gathered togither all his dead people and after did burie them at the Ilande aforesaid where as he stayed two dayes for the same purpose That being doone he straightwayes departed from thence and returned the same way that he came till they ariued in a mightie riuer fortie leagues from the Citie of Manilla that is called Pangasinan the which place or soyle did like him verie well and where he thought he might be sure from them who by the commaundement of the king went for to seeke him There hee determined to remayne and to make him selfe lorde ouer all that countrie the which hee did with little trauaile and built himselfe a fort one league within the ryuer where as he remayned certayne dayes receauing tribute of the inhabitants there abouts as though he were their true and naturall lorde and at times went foorth with his ships robbing and spoyling all that he met vpon the coast And spred abroade that hee had taken to him selfe the Ilandes Philippinas and howe that all the Spaniardes that were in them were eyther slaine or fledde away wherewith hee put all the Cities and Townes bordering there aboutes in great feare and also how that he had setled himself vpon this mightie riuer Pangasinan whereas they did receiue him for their lord and so they did obey him and paide him tribute CHAP. VII The Generall of the fielde called Salzedo doth set vppon Limahon he doth burne his fleete and besiege his fort three moneths from whence this Rouer dooth escape with great industrie THe Gouernour vnderstanding by the Ilanders and of
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
depart vnto the rest of the fléet And for that they looked euerie day for the death or imprisonment of the rouer the better to informe himselfe hee determined for that it was so nigh hand to go and sée the Generall of the fielde in Pagansinan and carry with him Sinsay one that was knowne both of the one and the other by whose meanes they might treate of such things that best accomplished the confirmation of the peace and friendship betwixt the Chinos the Spaniards as also of the death or imprisonment of Limahon With this resolution the one departed vnto Pagansinan whereas they ariued the same day and the others vnto Manilla whether they went for victuals CHAP. IX Omoncon is well receiued of the Generall of the field and lodged in Manilla with the gouernor whereas they doo conclude the going of the fathers of Saint Augustine to China WHen that the Generall of the field vnderstood wherfore the comming of Omoncon was hee did entertaine him with great curtesie and after that hee had giuen him to vnderstand in what extremitie he had brought the rouer which was a thing impossible for him to escape except it were with wings hee did counsell him that for the time till hee brought his purpose to effect which could not be long that he would go vnto Manilla which was not farre from thence and there to recreate and sport himselfe with the gouernor and other Spaniards that were there for that hee alone was sufficient to accomplish his preteÌ„ce without the comming thither of the kings fléete neither for to remoue out of the port whereas they were in securitie And for his going thither he should haue a shippe of his the which did row and was for to bring victuals and other prouision and he shoulde go in the company of the Captaine Pedro de Chaues that was bound vnto Manilla and promised him that within few dayes he would giue him the Rouer aliue or deade which vnto the iudgement of all men coulde not bée long Omoncon considering that this offer might come well to passe did put it straightwayes in vre did imbarke himselfe in the company of y e captain sent his ship wherin he came alone by sea because it was big drew much water the which was constrained to turne backe againe into the part from whence he went by reason of stormie windes and wether and was no impediment in the other with Ores for that hee went alongst the shoore and was shrowded with the land from the force of the wind so that in few dayes they arriued in the port of the cittie of Manilla whereas they were well receiued and feasted of the gouernor Omoncon remained ther certaine dayes after the which he séeing that the siege did long endure and that his staying might cause suspition of his death and againe that the whole fléete did tarrie his comming to his intelligence of the rouer being fully perswaded and certaine that hee coulde not escape the Spaniards hand they had him in such a straight that they would without all doubt sende him vnto the king aliue or dead as they promised him hee was determined to returne vnto China with the good newes that he had vnderstood with a determinate intent to râ—turne againe and carrie the rouer after that they had him prisoner With this resolution in the end of certaine dayes he went vnto the gouernor certifying him of his pretence whereby he might giue him license to put it in execution The gouernor did like wel of his pretence and did promise him the same the which the generall of the fielde did offer vnto him and which was so soone as the rouer should be taken prisoner or slaine to sende him vnto the king without any delay or else to put him whereas he should be foorth comming and to giue them aduertisement to send for him or come himselfe and did offer him more that for his voyage he should be prouided forthwith of all things necessarie without lacking of any thing Omoncon did giue him great thankes for the same and in recompence therof did promise vnto the gouernor for that he vnderstoode and had intelligence of the fathers of S. Augustine that his honor and his antecessor and the Adelanâ—ado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi had desired many times to sâ—â—d vnto the kingdome of China some religâ—ous men to intreat of the preaching of the Gospel and to see the wonders of that kingdome and howe that they neuer coulde put this their desire in execution for that those Chinos which came thither although they did offer them whatsoeuer they would demand fearing the punishment that should be executed on them according vnto the lawes of the kingdome he did promise him that he would carrie them with him vnto China such religious men as his honour would command and some souldiers such as would go with them hoping with the good newes that hée carried to runne in no daunger of the Law neither the vizroy of Aucheo to thinke euill thereof and for a more securitie that they should not be euill intreated hee woulde leaue with him pledges to their content The gouernor reioyced verie much at this his offer for that it was the thing that he and all those of the Ilands most desired of long time since and did straightwayes accept his offer saying that he did clearely disâ—harge him of his pledges for that he was fully satisfied of his valor and worthines and that hee would not doo the thing that should not be decent vnto his person and office The gouernor being verie ioyful of these newes did therewith sende for the prouinciall of the Augustine friers who was elected but fewe dayes past his name was Frier Alonso de Aluarado a man of a sincere life and one of them that was sent by the Emperor in the discouerie of the newe Guinea vnto whome hee declared the offer that the Captaine Omoncon had made vnto him whereat he reioyced so much that being an old man hee would himselfe haue gone thither to which the gouernor would not consent in respect of his age and other particularities but entred in counsel who were best to go and to finde one that were fitte to execute that which they had pretended which was as wée haue saide to bring in and plant in that kingdome the holie Catholike faith they determined that there shoulde go but two religious men by reason that at that time there was but a â—ewe of them and two souldiers in their companie The religious men shoulde bee Frier Martin de Herrada of Pamplona who left off the dignitie of Prouinciall and was a man of great learning and of a holy life and for the same effect had learned the China tongue and manie times for to put his desire in execution did offer himselfe to bee slaue vnto the merchants of China onely for to carrie him thither and in companie with him should go Frier Hieronimo Martin
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
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
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
thing very much vsed in that countrie the Spaniards went vnto the Insuanto who was there with great company and maiestie hee entertained them very friendly and with chéerefull words making an outward shew that hee bare them great loue and that their departure was vnto him a great griefe Then hee requested them to giue him a remembrance of such thinges as was necessarie and néedfull for their prouision for the sea for that hee woulde giue order for the prouiding of the same the which he did and was with so great aboundance that they had for the voyage and remained a great deale to spare Hee then commaunded to bee brought thither cates to eat and drinke and gaue it them with his owne hands as well the one as the other hee himselfe did eate and drinke with them which is the greatest fauour that can be shewed amongst them The banquet being ended he commaunded them in his presence to go abord their shippes because that was a luckie day and also to accomplish that which the vizroy had commaunded which was that they should not depart from thence vntil they had first séene them imbarked The Spaniards obeyed the commandement and tooke their leaue of the Insuanto with great curtesie and reuerence and with outward shewes that they remained indebted for the great curtesie and good will that they had receiued and therewith they departed to the waters side towards the boat which was tarrying for them As they passed by the religious men that before we spake of they saw a great table set and vppon it a whole Oxe with his throte cut and hard by the same a Hogge and a Goate other thinges to bee eaten the which they had ordained for to make sacrifice which they do vse in the like affaires They being imbarked in the boate they were carried aborde the Admirall which was the shippe appointed for them to go in then presently they beganne to stirre the shippe from one place vnto another with certain boates and cables which they had there readie for the same purpose The shippe did not so soone begin to moue but the religious men a shore did beginne their sacrifice the which did indure vntill night ending their feastes and triumphes in putting forth of the cittie and vppon their gates many cressets and lights The souldiers shot off all their hargabushes and the ships that were in the port shot off all their artilerie and on the shore a great noise of droms and bels all the which being ended and done the Spaniards went a shore againe vnto their lodging but first the Insuanto was departed vnto his owne house with all the company that hee brought with him The next day the sayd Insuanto did inuite them vnto a banket which was as famous as any which had bene made them vnto that time He was at the banquet himselfe and the Captaine generall of all that prouince There was aboundance of meates and many pretie deuises to passe away the time which made the banquet to indure more then foure houres the which being done there was brought forth the present which the Insuanto did sende vnto the gouernor of Manilla in returne of that which was sent to him The present was fourtéene pieces of silke for the gouernor of Manilla and tenne péeces for the generall of the field hee also commanded to be giuen vnto the Friers each of them foure péeces and vnto the souldiers each of them two péeces and vnto their seruants and slaues certaine painted mantels and there with he tooke his leaue of them very friendly and gaue vnto them letters the which hee had wrote vnto the gouernor vnto the general of the field answere vnto those the which they had wrote vnto him said that all things necessarie for their departure was in a redinesse with victuals for ten monethes put a bord their ships so that when as winde and wether did serue they might depart Also that if in their voyage it should so fall out that any of the Chinos that went in their shippes shoulde do vnto them any euill either abrâ—de or at the Ilands that the gouernor therof should punish them at his pleasure and how that the vizroy will thinke well thereof in conclusion he saide vnto them that hee hoped to sée them there againe verie shortly and to returne againe with Limahon and then hee woulde supplie the wantes which nowe they lacked The Spaniards did kisse his hands and said that they had receiued in curtesie more then they deserued that in all thinges there did abound and not lacke that they remained greatly indetted vnto him for their friendship and would giue their king notice thereof that whensoeuer occasion shoulde bee offered to repay them with the like and therewith the Insuanto departed to his owne house leauing in the companie of the Spaniards fiue captaines those which should go with them in their company to sea and also Omoncon and Sinsay who were that day in the banquet with the habite and ensigne of Loytias for that the day before it was giuen vnto them by the Insuanto Upon Wednesday which was the fourtéenth of September the wind came faire wherewith they hoised vp their sailes and went to sea at their departure there was at the waters side the Insuanto and the Iustice of Chincheo to sée them saile the which Insuanto had conceiued so great loue and friendship of the Castillas that when he saw them depart he shedde great aboundance of teares as was affirmed by diuers Chinos that saw it to which the Spaniards gaue credite vnto for that they knew him to be a maruellous louing person and humaine of a good condition and of a gallant personage and did excéede all other that they had séene in all the time of their being in that prouince CHAP. XXX The Spaniardes departe from the port of Tansuso towards the Ilandes Philippinas and euery day they doo harbor themselues in Ilands by the way declaring what they saw in them BEing departed out of the port as aforsaide the Spaniards deuided themselues into two shippes to wit the two Friers and Michael de Loarcha Omoncon and thrée other captaines in one shippp And Peter Sarmiento Nicholas de Quenca and Iohn de Triana Sinsay and all their souldiers in another ship with eight other ships of warre which went with them for their safegard they sailed forwards directing their course towards a small Iland that was not farre off with determination there to take water for their ships for that it had in it many riuers of very swéete water Within a smal space they ariued there and it had a very faire and sure port wherein might ride in securitie a great Nauy of ships All Thursday they were there recreating and sporting themselues for that it was a pleasant Ilande and full of fresh riuers Uppon Friday being the sixtéenth of September the day being somwhat speÌ„t they made saile and tooke port foure leagues from
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
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
they woulde liue amongst them although it were to serue them as slaues for that if they would returne vnto the Ilande of Luzon or by another name called Manilla they could not for that they knewe not the way neither had they anie Pilot to conduct them The Iudge had pittie on them and commanded that such thinges as they had in their shippe should bée brought on land for that hee woulde sée them amongst the which the thing which caused him most to maruell at was when hée sawe the Images and Ara or Alter stone of blacke Iasper stone of the which we haue made large mention hee requested of the Spaniards that they woulde giue them two Images which when they had giuen them they made shew to estéeme greatly of the present for that they were thinges that they haue not amongst them He talked with them very friendly caused them to arise from the ground whereas they did knéele and to shewe them the more fauour he caused to be giuen them to drinke in his presence a certaine beurage which they do vse made of certaine hearbs and vse it for a comfortable thing for the heart is commonly vsed amongst theÌ„ although they are not dry and amongst the Chinos is a shew of particular fauour This Iudge did more vnderstande the intent of the Spaniards then any of the other past for their interpreter had tolde vnto him that they woulde remaine in the countrie for to cure sicke persons and to bury the dead the which they could do excellent well When the Iudge heard these wordes hee gaue with his hande a great stroke vppon the table that was before him and said with showes of great wonder vnto other inferior Iudges that were with him Oh what good people are these as it séemeth it would be vnto mee a great ioy if that I coulde of mine owne authoritie accomplish that which they do desire but our lawes do forbid the same and that with great rigour All this did their interpreter tel them afterward At this time there entred into the place of audience whereas they were a man of China one of the common sort al imbrewed with blood crying out and making a great noise without any consort who prostrating himselfe vpon the ground did complaine of other Chinos with whom he had fallen out and was beaten and buffeted in cruell sort The Iudge when he saw him did straight wayes command his officers to bring the offenders before him the which was done with a trice they returned with the plaintife bringing thrée other Chinos bound togither by the armes and as it séemed they were men of base sort The Iudge incontinent made information wholly of all that passed and condemned them without writing any letter in twenty sotes or strokes a peece the officers forthwith tooke theÌ„ with so great cruelty as though they had bin diuels threwe them vpon the ground with their bellies downwards to execute the sentence giuen by the Iudge and when they had pulled off their hose they began to whippe them vpon the calues of their legges with a sot made of canes in manner as hath béene told you before The religious people who were present all this while and taking pitie on these condemned men fell downe at the féete of the Iudge and by signes and tokens did craue of him for the loue of God that his sentence might not be executed who straightwayes commanded the executioners to cease condiscending vnto the petition of the Friers and did pardon the offenders fiftéene sottes or strokes of the twentie wherein they were condemned The Iudge did very much woonder at the pouertie of these religious men and at the sharpe and asper apparell that they weare but the chiefest thing that he did maruell at was when that he vnderstoode howe they had passed the fleete of ships that were put in the straight for to defende and keepe the coast and were neuer seene which séemed vnto him a thing impossible except it were by permission of the heauen So when this examination and talke was finished he commandeâ—â—hem to returne vnto thâ—ir shippe promising them for to write vnto the vizroy who was thirtie leagues from that place and to giue him to vnderstand that they were men without any suspection and that he might wel giue them licence for to come to his presence vpon which relation hée woulde commaunde what shoulde bee doone either to tarrie or to go vnto him Within few dayes after they vnderstood that the Iudge had accomplished his promise for that the vizroy had committed the matter vnto another Iudge called Aytao whose office is for to examine and inquire the causes of strangers the wordes of the commission were as followeth I am written vnto from Canton howe that there are come thither certaine men apparelled very sharpe and asper after the fashion of our religious men in the wildernesse who bringe no weapons neither any other thing that might séeme to pretend any euill intent and for that they are thy charge examine them with care and diligence and prouide to doo therein that which shall be most requisite and conuenient giuing vs to vnderstand the large and true relation of that which shall happen The verie same day of Saint Iohn the Spaniards being verie merry and vnmindfull of any thing for that they had all that day receiued the Sacrament there came vnto them abord their shippe or frigat the interpreters and did euidently declare their euill purpose and intent saying that it was apparent what they had done for them and in what perill they did euery day put themselues in for their matters and that it was reason that they shoulde pay them for the same and if not they would not helpe theÌ„ any more neither interpret or take paines in their businesse certifying them that if they did faile to satisfie them that they should not finde any that would doo it with so great good will and diligence as they should finde by experience and how that they had béene put in prison if they had not béene for entring into that kingdome without licence and for that they enterpreted for them with great curtesie and fauour they had also béene commaunded to returne backe againe from whence they came which by their meanes was the cause that the Iudges did intreate them so friendly as they did The Father Costodio when he vnderstoode their intent and did euidently see that it was wholly grounded vppon gaine considering also the vrgent necessitie that they had of them and not satisfying them it was difficult to finde any for to helpe them in that their necessitie of two euils he chose the best and deliuered vnto them a pawne for their contentment one of the two Challices they brought with them giuing them great charge to vse and kéepe it as a sacred thing and dedicated for to consecrate the blood of Christ. The principall interpreter did take it with great content and
a monastery neither for to enter into the cittie for to giue order in that which they beléeued was granted them by the vizroy til such time as they vnderstood what was done by their interpreters relation giuen by the Chino boy which came w t them from the Philippinas who declared to thē the truth in all things how y e the interpreters had neuer told the Iudges how that they would remain in the countrie neither made any mētion thereof but that they came thither as lost men that their request was to remaine in the country til it were faire wether or the comming of the Portugall shippes And this was that which the vizroy and his deputie had granted and no other thing But when the father Costodio and his companions who verely beléeuing that their desire woulde take effect vnderstoode the craft and wile of the interpreters and the great fashood that they had vsed they were very sadde and beganne amongst themselues to remedie the same so they determined to séeke a new interpreter one that should faithfulle and truely declare their will vnto the gouernor And although they did finde some that could doo it for that they did reasonably vnderstande the Portugall tongue yet there were none that woulde accept it for any request or giftes that they did promise them The Father Costodio séeing this and that the time appointed did passe away without doing of any thing one day hee and the rest of his companions did ioine togither entred in counsell to sée what was best to be done according vnto the necessitie in the which they were driuen There was amongst them diuers opinions for that of the father Costodio and of another religious man was that they woulde go vnto Machao which was not farre off and there would administer the sacraments and preach the holy Gospel vnto the christened Chinos and to learne the China language and to tarrie there and abide the first occasion that should bee offered or else they themselues to procure it for hauing the language it were an easie thing to doo it they should not haue néede of any interpreter neither feare to be deceiued as they had béene before And besides this they put the Portugals out of all doubt of the false opinion that the Captaine generall had published abroade of them and of other matters of like effect and purpose The other two religious men and soulders were of a contrarie opinion which was that they should returne vnto the Ilands Philippinas and not vnto Machao and saide that they had departed without licence of the gouernor and did aduenture themselues into the harme and damage that might happen vnto them by that enterprise and all for to plant the faith of Christ in that kingdome And now séeing that by the iust iudgement of God wee cannot put it in execution wee are greatly bounde to returne againe vnto him of whome we doubt not but with ease to get our pardon for the error passed representing the zeale wee had to the honour of God and the saluation of so manie soules who did incite vs to giue that great enterprise with the which we shall remaine blamelesse with them that had giuen wrong iudgement of vs and accomplish our bounden duetie and obedience which wee doo owe vnto the gouernor And in going vnto Machao wée shall runne in great danger to be holden and iudged for traitors to the king and the intent wherewith wee went vnto China euery one wil construe and interpret thereon at his pleasure The resolution of these contrary opinions was by a common consent delated certaine dayes in the which they prayed vnto God to put into their hearts that which was best for his deuine seruice So in the end the father Costodio and the religious man who was of his opinion did determine to go forwards with their pretence and to go vnto Machao as aforesaid and the rest to returne vnto the Ilands with the first oportunitie they might finde but when it should come to effect one of the religious Friers that shoulde haue gone vnto Manilla was deade of an infirmitie that chanced him They staied there longer then they did think they should by reason that y e Iudges of the Cittie were occupied with the examinations of students the which is accustomed euery thrée yeares and is in that manner and order as hath béene tolde you in the proper chapter for the same the which examinations endured more then fiue and fortie dayes with great feastes and banquets without medling in any other particular businesse CHAP. XI The Father Costodio sendeth a messenger vnto Machao he he writeth vnto the bishop and vnto a priest for to bestow their almes on them for their departure The captaine generall doth vnderstand therof and commandeth them not to aid nor succour the Spaniards and other matters appertaining vnto them IN the meane time of this their examination the father Costodio did sende a messenger vnto the bishop of Machao declaring vnto him his determination and he also did write vnto the deuout priest of whome we haue made mention before and craued of them their almes wherewith they might make prouision for them that would depart for the Ilands Philippinas and how that he and his companyon would go and see his lordship This was not done so secretly but it came vnto the vnderstanding and knowledge of the captaine generall of the Portugals who with great choller went and demanded the letters of the priest those that were giuen him by the Chino threatning him that if hee did not hee woulde punish him with great rigor and banish him out of the countrie as a suspected person He answered him that of truth he had receiued certaine letters but that at the very instant hee sent them vnto the Bishoppe vnto whome they were directed about the which there was great holde and kéepe vntill it came to effect that the captaine did lay holde vppon the priest for to apprehende him but when the bishop vnderstood thereof hee with all spéed possible went to remedy the danger that might insue and to take him out of his power The captaine séeing that hee could not perseuer with his intent and purpose he made many notifications vnto the bishop requiring that he would not permit that any letters shoulde bée receiued from those religious Spaniards for that he knew by very certaine relation that they were spies and no friers and if so be that any damage should happen vnto them by their order that hée woulde lay the whole fault vppon him as a consenter and a helper The bishoppe answered that he was fully perswaded and certified that they were true religious men and seruants of God and that he with a very good will would take vpon him the burthen of any damage that should happen to the country by their meanes or vnto the king of Portugall With this the captaine was somewhat quieted but not so much but that continually hee did
incredible and so nigh the one vnto the other that they séemed to be al one so in the end of foure dayes they landed at one of the cities where came so much people to sée those strangers that it séemed al the kingdom were there assembled togither were so many in number that before they could get to y e Inne wheras they should be lodged there passed more then foure houres and was in distance but a quarter of a league but when they came thither they were verie faint with the great thrust aâ—d throng of the people They stayed in this Cittie one day and the next day very early in the morning was brought vnto them horse for to trauel by land other two daies y e which was almost continually in villages townes the third day they were imbarked in a small barke wherein they passed a riuer which had but litle water y e space of two houres theÌ„ after they were shipped in a bigger barke and entred into another riuer which seemed to be an arme of the sea in the which they sailed fiue dayes and sawe sailing vp and downe the said riuer so many barks and boats that it made them to be greatly amased These riuers were as wel replenished of cities and townes as the other riuer whereof we haue spoken Al which is a helpe to beleeue that which hath béene said of the mightinesse and the great number of people that are in that mighty kingdom Concluding this riuer they entred into another but not so broade as the last but a swifter current and beset with mightie trées both on the one side and the other and were so thick that almost they could not sée the sunne thorough them and although the country very asper there alongst the riuers side yet was there many walled citties an infinite number of townes and vilages in such sort that the suburbs did almost ioyne the one vnto the other So when they were disembarked out of this riuer they trauelled by land other foure dayes and greatly maruelled to see the great fertilitie of the country and many other things more which they do passe ouer for that in the relation of y e Augustine friers it hath béene declared vnto you In the ende of those foure daies they came to a cittie ten leagues from Chiâ—cheo and were lodged in the suburbs of the same whether resorted so much people to sée them that although they did shut y e gates to defend themselues from the prease yet could they not be disturbed of the entry for y t they broke the gates climed vp the wals windowes to sée them The host of the house where as they were lodged when he saw that the people did spoile and distroy his house he requested the Spaniards to go forth into a greene fielde which was there harde by placed amongst a company of Orchards the which they did to satisfie him also to satisfie the multitude of people that were come thither only to sée them The noise of the people was so great that the gouernor feared there had bin some other matter commanded a Iudge to go examine the cause and know the truth but when that hee was certified thereof hee commaunded the Spaniards to come vnto his house for that hee was desirous and would sée them They presently did accomplish his commandement and went their way and as they passed thorough the stréete there were certaine representing a comedie but so soone as the people that were there did sée the Spaniardes they left the players all alone and followed them They entred into the gouernors house and found him with great maiestie of seruants and souldiers of his gard he entertayned them with great loue and asked them who they were and from whence they came The interpreter presently shewed the prouision they brought from the viceroy which was in summe their licence giuen by him for them to go vnto Chincheo and that none should disturbe them in their iourney But to ayde and giue them all fauor possible that which was néedefull for their iourney And when that he had read the same he saide that thereby he did vnderstand that which he desired to know how that the viceroy did command all gouernors him as one of them they should offer to do all that lay in them the which he did accomplish and shewed them great fauour and friendship The dext day following they departed out of this citie by land being giuen vnto them by the gouernor very good prouision for the way The same day they came vnto a towne that was very fresh and fiue leagues from the place they departed there they determined to tarrie all that night fearing y e passage through a citie which was but a league before suspecting that they should be as much troubled with the people as they were in the other citie the day before And although this was but a small towne yet was there so great a concourse of people that came from the villages there abouts that it caused them to depart the next morning more early than they thought and all the night they could not sléepe because of the great noyse of the people So within a while after they departed from that towne they came vnto the citie aforesaide the which for situation and gallant buildings was the fairest in all that prouince Through the midst thereof ranne a mightie riuer ouer the which were many bridges very great and most faire Here were they so oppressed with much people that came to sée them that they were detayned in the presse a good while before they could enter into the citie and after they were within they were compassed about in such sort that they could not goe to seeke to eate but were constrained to enter into a barke and go downe the riuer and shroud themselues amongst a company of trées although they did vse this policie Yet the number of people were so great that leapt into the same barke that they were readie to sinke till such time as they that had entred the barke to auoid that perill returned and lept a shoore leauing them all alone with the barkemen and marriners that did rowe who went to seeke and bring them to eate and they remained in the barke all that night So the next day in the morning before the people could come to disturbe them they rowed towards the great and huge citie of Chincheo and entred into the same vppon a sunday in the morning being the sixt day of December They remained still in the barke for their owne quietnesse and security and sent their interpreter with their prouision vnto the Gouernour that he might ordaine at his pleasure that which was therein commanded The Gouernor when he had receiued commission he said vnto the interpreter that he should tell the Spaniards that he was very glad that they were come thither in safetie and in good health and that hee should receiue
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
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
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
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
person foure religious men did offer themselues to goe and after they had confessed themselues they tooke their leaue of their companions and carried euery one of them a crosse in his hande and his breuiarie without any other thing else So when they came before the captaine they founde him more meeker and milder then they thought to haue done surely a worke done by God in recompence of the great perill that those his seruants did put themselues in to doo his seruice and commandement He asked of them from whence they came and wherefore with many other questions in effect but when that hee was certified of the truth hee commanded them to returne againe vnto their barke without doing vnto them anie other harme yet with a straite precept that they should not go forth without his expresse licence So with this commandement they remained in their barke thrée dayes guarded with many barkes and souldiers and the last of them the Captaine sent for two of the religious men and when they came before him he commanded them to be carried before a Iustice a friend of his there hard by These Iustices did talke with them with so great grauitie and signes of cruelty that euery time they came before them they thought verely that forthwith they would command them to be carried to be executed and without all doubt either they had wil to do it or else to put them in great feare of death for that it was plainely seene in diuers things they commanded but especially in one day there came vnto them a Iudge with many armed men and compassed their barke round about with a great number of Brigandines with plaine signes to giue theÌ„ assalt or else to sinke them but within a little while they were all in quiet and the Iudge entred into a shippe that was thereby at anker and being set in a rich chaire guarded with many souldiers about him hée commanded the rest that were in the Brigandines forthwith to go to visite and search their barke and sent with them an interpreter one of Chincheo who did a little vnderstande the Portugall tongue These souldiers carried in their handes blacke banners and other heauie and sorowfull signes which is vsed in that kingdome when at any time they doo execute anie person So after they had made their vâ—sitation although they founde in their barke not anie prohibited thing but oneâ—y the match which I haue spoken off they commaunded that they shoulde forâ—hâ—ith hée imbarked two and two into the Brigandines whereas the armed souldiers were who did direct their foreshippes towardes a towre which was a prison wherein was put all such sheeues as were taken vpon the coast out of the which there commeth none â—â—rth but vnto execution But when the Indians of the Ilands saw it they wept bitterly which mooued the Spaniards vnto great compassion although they were themselues in the same trance and perill and as nigh their death made no other reckoning insomuch that two of the religious men séeing them so nigh â—he towre although when as they were farre off they made shewe as though they cared not for it yet at that time they were so farre from all reason and vnderstanding that al y e night one of them knewe not what he did without any knowledge of the people wherin he was but lay as a deade man and the other with pure imagination melancholike humor fel into a great infirmitie whereof within a few dayes after he died in the cittie of Canton but in conclusion the stowtest of them all had feare enough would haue giuen his life for a small matter for that he was without all hopeâ— and thought verely that they carried them vnto execution which was the occasion that a Spaniard one of them that went with pretence to be a frier the habite on hauing in his power â— thousand sixe hundred rials of plate he threw them into the sea saying seeing that I am going to dye I wil that it be in the habite of saint Francis with the pouerty in which the glorious saint liued and died for to follow him in his steps aright With this feare aforesaid they were carried towards the tower but when they came nigh to it there followed after the souldiers that carried them a skiffe with many oares in great hast called a loud vnto theÌ„ saying y t the captaine general commanded y t they should bring back againe those prisoners to his shippe the which forthwith they accomplished after he had demanded of them certain questions he commanded to carry them to the said tower the which was done as they could perceiue for to put them in more feare So after they had feared scared them with this rigorous teÌ„tation The saide captaine himselfe went into one of y e Brigandines went with them on land whereas presently when he came on shoare hee carryed the Spaniards into a temple of their Idols vnto whome hee did his accustomed reuerence yet the religious men although they were with great feare of death as afore saide they woulde not imitate him but turned their faces from their Idols and did spit at them giuing the captain to vnderstand by signes that he should not worshippe them for that they had no more goodnesse in them then was giuen by man so that by good reason to the contrary those Idols should giue reuerence vnto men because they made them and to whome they ought to giue their true worship is vnto the true God the creator of heauen and earth By this act it is plainely to bee séene the gift of strength the which the holy Ghost doth giue vnto his baptized Christians as in these religious men that were at deathes doore yet had they strength and spirit for to resist and reprehende them that could take away their liues The captaine although he made a shew that he was offended with that which hee had séene them do yet hee did them no harme but presently brought them out of the temple and commanded the souldiers to remaine there and guard them all that night the which they passed lying vpon the grounde and yet thought themselues happie and gaue thankes to God for that hee had deliuered them from the death that was so nigh vnto them CHAP. XV. Here hee doth prosecute in things which the saide fathers did see and vnderstand the second time they entred into the kingdome of China and of the troubles they passed THe next day in the morning the Priest of the Idols did open the temple whereas presently they put in the Spanish religious men who sawe him and his ministers lighting of little candels and making perfumes vnto their Idols with manie superstitious ceremonies the which being done they cast certaine lottes a thing much vsed amongst them as they vnderstoode it was done for to consult with the diuel who was within those Idols to know what they should do with them yet this they could not perfectly
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
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
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
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
people doo say that with a good will they would againe returne and receiue the law of the gospell if they had it there preached From this Iland after they had passed a little gulfe they came vpon the coast of a kingdome called Tutucuriu and ran all alongest the cost of the same running from the cape of Comerin to Cuylan Here there is a Pagode or temple of their gods very great and rich thether come all the Gentiles of that kingdom at certain feasts in y e yeare with great deuotion there is in is it a triumphant chariot so great that 20. horse cannot mooue it they bring it foorth in publike vpō their festiual daies is carried by elephants by an infinite number of men who voluntarily do hale and pull at certaine roapes y t are made fast therunto Upon the highest of this chariot is made a tabernacle very richly adorned and within the same an Idol whom they do worship then immediatly vnder the same are y e kings wiues that go singing They doo bring it forth with much musick◠reioysings do carry it a good way in procession and amongest many thinges of honor that they doo vnto it they do vse one so brute and beastly as the reader may well iudge thereof which is that many of them doo cut péeces of their owne fleshe and doo throwe it vnto the Idoll and the other not contented with this doo throwe them selues on the grounde that the chariot may passe ouer them and there they remaine all to péeces Those that do die in this sort they account them for great saints and are had in singular veneration Many other maners and fashions of idolatrie is declared of this kingdome and more beastly than this we haue spokē of the which I let passe because I would not be tedious in this Itinerario All the people of this kingdom be very bad and ill inclined for which cause y e fathers of the company of Iesus that are in certaine townes nigh vnto the same cannot as yet bring them out of their errors although they haue put therein great care and diligence Upon the same cost a litle distant from this kingdom there is a towne of Portingals called Coulan and 25. leagues further a citie which is called Cochin in the which there are religious men of S. Francis of S. Dominicke of S. Austin of the companie of Iesus who haue there a very good studie or seminarie whereas they do bring foorth much fruite Nigh vnto this citie is Santo Tome whereas are many baptised and good christians very abstinent and chast vnto whom the patriarkes of Babylon doo prouide them of bishops the authoritie where with they do it is not knowen nor whence they haue it for that as I do vnderstand the seat apostolicke did neuer giue it them About the same matter at this present there is in Rome a bishop of this kingdome and one of the kingdome of Pimienta with whom I haue talked diuers times and is come thether to giue his obedience vnto the Pope and to knowe of him the order that his pleasure is should be obserued in receiuing of those bishops which come thether by the cōmandement of the patriarke In this kingdome there are many kings but the principallest of them is he of Cochin and next vnto him he of Coulan nigh vnto them are many petie kings as is hee of Mangate Cranganor and are all Gentils although amongst them there are mixed many Moores There hath bin found in this kingdome certaine Iewes that haue gone frō Palestina those parts There is in this countrie vniuersally a lawe verie strange and little heard of which is that the sonnes doo not inherite after their fathers but his brothers sonne and the reason they giue for the same is for y t they haue no certaintie of their children for that they haue no wiues proper nor appointed to thēselues I promise you it séemeth to me their reason to be as barbarous as their law for that the like inconuenience doth folow their brothers children They haue many rites blindnes amongst thē but one aboue all the rest which is y t in certaine feastes amongst them they do vse bathes after that they are bathed they say that they remaine frée cleare from all their sinnes They haue many augorismes of whom I will not intreat for that they are not worthy of memorie In this country is gathered most of the pepper that is brought into Europe for which cause this kingdome is called that of the Pimienta CHAP. XXVI The chapter doth treate of many kingdomes of the newe world and of the particular and curious things of them THe aforesaid father went from Cochin to the kingdome of Cananor passed by Tanaor Calicut which is called of the naturall people Malabar they are litle kingdomes but in them much people In that of Cananor there are inhabited many Portingals and religious mē of the order of S. Francis it is a countrie in all things like vnto Cochin for which cause and for that they obserue kéepe one maner of customs rites I remit the touching of this kingdome to the other aforesaide Then forwards on there are other two small kingdoms the one is called Barcelor the other Mangalor there be in them some christians it is a good countrie rich and hath it for certaine that within a little time they will be all baptised From this kingdome they went vnto Goa a principall citie and inhabited with Portingals is as the metropolitane of all those kingdomes it is in fiftéen degrées of height and is set from Cochin vnto it a hundreth leagues this citie is situated in a little Iland compassed round about with water and in compasse but onely foure leagues and is deuided from the firme land of Odialcan by a mightie riuer It is a good countrie peaceable and doth inioy a very faire and pleasant riuer In this Citie ordinarily is resident the viceroy of the India and the archbishoppe there are many Churches and couents besides the high church there are fourtéene parish churches besides fiftéen hermitages that are within and without the citie there be four couents all very sumptuous of S. Dominicke of S. Austin of saint Francis and of the company of Iesus And without the cittie there is another of Recoletos Franciscanos reformed Francis friers Nigh vnto this Iland are those of Salcete and Barde◠there whereas the religious men of saint Francis and the companie of Iesus haue certaine christian townes Few yeares past the Gentiles of Sancete did kill certaine fathers of the company of Iesus in abhorring the faith who died with great spirite and strength so that I beleeue they went into ioy with God Beyonde Goa on the same coast towardes the North is in eightéene degrées and a halfe from y e towne of Chaul beyond that Basayn nigh thereunto Damaun all these
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
vnderstand but straightwaies they were carried out of the temple and brought by the souldiers before a iudge who was the chiefe and principall of all the sea of that prouince and was sixe leagues from the place in a Cittie called Quixue the way thither was very plaine and brode and paued and vpon both sides there were fields both of corne and flowers So with the helpe of God the Spaniards came before the presence of this general in eight days although it was with great trauell by reason they had neither force nor strength for to trauell for that they had lost it with the heauie and sorowfull newes as aforesaid Yet notwithstanding at their comming to the citty Quixue the souldiers had them in continuall guard and kéeping till the next day following then they were carried before the generall where he was in a very great faire house the which had two couâ—ts one of them was next vnto the doore of the stréete and the other was towards the farther partes of the house both of them were railed round about in manner of grates they were planted full of diuers sortes of great trées wherein did féed a great number of déere and other wilde beasts but yet as tame as sheepe Right ouer against the inwarde court there was a gallerie whereon was many soulidiers which did guarde and keeâ—e the person of the generall who was in a mightie great and gallant hall set in an Iuorie chaire with great maiestie Before they entred into the seconde court there was discharged within both artilerie and habagus shot and played vpon a drum which was as bigge as those which they vse in Spaine that being doone there was a great sounde of hoybuckes and trumpets and of many other instruments the which being doone they straightwayes opened the gates of the innermost court whereas the gallerie was aforesaide from whence they might sée the throne whereas the generall was set There was before him a table whereon was paper and other necessaries for to write a thing commonly vsed in all that countrie the souldiers that were his guarde were all in one liuerie of silke were in so gallant consort had so great sylence which made the Spaniards greatly to maruell The first order was of the hargabushes and the seconde were pikes and betwixt the one and the other was placed a sworde and a target there might be about foure hundred souldiers Behinde them were placed the officers of iustice or executioners with their instruments for to whippe and punish offenders and in the midst of them were the scriueners and proctors About thirtie paces more or lesse from the chaire where the generall was set was placed certaine Gentlemen and to the number of a dosen pages bare headed verie gallantlie apparelled in silke and golde In the middest amongst these souldiers were the Spaniards carried and before them such tokens and shewes as they doo vse when as they doo present before the Iudges such as bee condemned vnto death A good way before they came nigh vnto the place whereas the general was they caused them to knéele downe at which instant there was brought foorth certaine Chinos that were prisoners to be iudged and so soone as their inditement was read and iudgement giuen the executioners did execute the rigour of the sentence in the presence of the Spaniards first pulling off their apparell and then making fast their hands and féete verie fast with cordes in such sort that they shriked that the noise reached vnto heauens they kept them so bounde vntill they sawe farther what the Iudge woulde commaunde who when hee had heard his inditement if hee woulde that hee should bée whipped hée striketh a blow with his hand vppon the table that is before him then the executioners doo strike fiue blowes vppon the calues of the legges of the offender with a broad cane in the order as hath béene saide and is so cruell that none can suffer fiftie of them but he dieth The blowe being giuen vppon the table by the generall straightwayes one of the proctors maketh a crie or noise where at presently commeth the executioner for to execute his office And if the offender dooth deserue more then the Iudge dooth strike another blowe vppon the table then is there giuen him other fiue blowes and in this sort dooth the Iudge so manie times as his offence dooth deserue At the lamentations and shrikes that these miserable offenders doo giue the Iudges shewe no more signe of pittie then if they were stroken vppon a stone So the audience being concluded and doone with the naturals of the countrie the generall commaunded that the Spanyardes shoulde come a little nearer and looked and searched their garments and all the rest as also their Breuiarios books that being done they were informed by those that brought them how and in what order they were apprehended and of all other thinges touching their comming into that kingdome vnderstanding thereof hee commaunded them to be carried vnto prison where they were put in sure holde and with great watch and guard for certaine dayes in the which time they passed incredible trouble as well of hunger as of thirst and heat which was the occasion that the most part of them fell sicke of agues and of the laske So after these dayes that they were in prison they were carried once againe to the audience and many other more were brought forth to be visited all people beléeuing that the Spaniards should no more returne but bee executed for the which they receiued great coÌ„tent to be cleared by one death of so many as dayly they had before their eyes In the conclusion of this audience the generall did decrée that they should be carried by sea vnto the Cittie of Canton whereas was the vizroy of that prouince and he to commande them to be executed or punished according as hee thought best according vnto the penalty put vppon whatsoeuer straunger that should enter into that kingdome without licence as they did enter But when they saw that they were carried out of the prison vnto the sea they verelie beléeued that it was to drowne them therin for the which hauing a newe confessed themselues and commended themselues vnto God they did animate one another with the representation of the reward which was prepared for them but when they came vnto the barre whereas they should imbarke themselues vppon a suddaine the sea beganne to waxe verie loftie and troublesome that it séemed almost a myracle and it increased in such sort that the souldiers and mariners said that neuer before they had séene the like torment the which endured the space of tenne dayes the which was the occasion that they did not imbarke themselues and that the generall did change his pretence and determined that they shoulde be carried by lande vnto the great Cittie of Saucheo Fu the which was presently put in vre they were manie dayes on this iourney with fiftie souldiers that did