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
sort remained the kingdome in diuision a while til such time as Cuythey sonne vnto Laupy did reigne in his fathers stéede Then did there a tyrant rise vp against him called Chimbutey and slew him he by his great valour did bring the kingdome all in one as before after that it had bin in diuision 41. yeares and reigned after that alone 25. yeares his sonne named Fontey did succéede him and reigned 17. yeares And to make short of this linage there was 15. kinges and reigned 176. yeares against the last of them who was called Quioutey there did arise against him tyrannously Tzobu Of this linage there was eyght kinges who reigned 62. yeares against the last of them called Sutey there arose one called Cotey of whose lynage there was fiue kings and reigned twentie foure yeres the last of them called Otey was slaine by Dian There was of this lynage foure kings that reigned 56. yeres against the last of them rose vp Tym and there was of his race fiue kinges and reigned one and 30. yeares against the last of this house rose vp Tzuyn And there was of this linage thrée kings and reigned seuen and thirtie yeares against the last of these rose vp Touco This and all the rest of his lynage did gouerne maruelous well which was the occasion that they endured the longer time There was of them one and twentie kinges and reigned 294. yeares the last of them called Troncon did marrie with one that had béene his fathers wife called Bausa a verie faire woman hee tooke her out of a monasterie where she was a Nunne onely to marrie with her she vsed such policie that he was slaine and did gouerne the kingdome after alone one and fortie yeares The historie sayth that she was dishonest and that with extremitie and vsed the companie of the best and principallest of the realme and not content with that she married with one of base lynage one fit for her purpose because she was so vicious They say that before she did marrie she caused to be slaine the sonnes she had by her first husbande for that she had a desire that a nephew of hers should succéede her in the kingdome Then those of the kingdome perceiuing her intent and wearie of her by reason of her ill liuing sent out to seeke a bastard sonne of her husbandes who was fledde away and with a common consent they raysed him for king He was called Tautzon he caused cruell and rigorous Iustice to be done vpon his stepmother as was reason for her euilles and an example to all those of the kingdome who by a president of her ill liuing beganne to straggle there was of his lynage seuen kinges that reigned 130. yeares against the last called Concham arose Dian of this linage there were but two kinges and reigned eighteene yeares Against the second and last arose Outon and was of his linage thrée kinges and reigned but fiftéene yeares against the last there arose Outzim of this there was but two kinges and reigned nine yeares and thrée monethes there arose against the last Tozo he and his sonne reigned foure yeares with the sonne of this one Auchin did fight and slewe him in the combat and succéeded him in the kingdome hee with other two of his lynage reigned tenne yeares against the last of these arose vp one of the lynage of Vitey the first king and slewe him hee was called Zaytzon there was of this lynage seuentéene kinges and reigned with all peace and quietnesse thrée hundred and twentie yeares the last of this lynage was called Tepyna with whom did fight the gran Tartaro called Vzon who entred into China with a mightie armie and got all the kingdome and it was possessed with nine Tartare kings the which reigned 93. yeares and intreated the inhabitantes with great tyrannie and seruitude the last of these was called Tzintzoum this was more cruell vnto the Chinos then any of the rest which was the occasion that all the kingdome did ioyne together in one and did elect a king called Gombu a man of great valour and of the lynage of auncient kinges past who by his great woorthinesse and ioyning much people together did so much that hee did driue all the Tartaros out of the kingdome with the death of many thousands of them who obstinately and without Iustice did with all tyrannie kéepe that kingdome in possession there was of this lynage twelue kinges with this that now reigneth the eleuen kinges past reigned two hundreth yeares he that now possesseth the kingdome is called Boneg who by the death of his elder brother that died by a fall hee had from his horse did inherite the kingdome he is of 23. yeares of age as they saye and hath his mother aliue of whom as yet there is nothing written so that I can write nothing in particular but that they say he is a gallant gentleman and welbeloued of his subiects and a great friende vnto Iustice. He is married with a cosen of his and hath one sonne Those of his linage hath got of the Tartares many countries since they were driuen out of China the which are on the other side of the mightie wall God for his mercies sake bring them to the knowledge of his holy lawe and accomplish a prophesie that they haue amongst them by the which they are giuen to vnderstand that they shall be ruled and brought in subiection by men with great eyes and long beards a nation that shall come from countries farre off by whom they shalbe commanded which signifieth to be Christians The king of this countrie is had in so great reputation amongest his subiectes that in all the prouinces where he is not resident in the chiefe cities whereas are the vizroyes or gouernors they haue a table of gold in the which is portred the king that nowe reigneth and couered with a curtin of cloth of golde verie riche and thether goeth euerie day the Loytias which are the gentlemen men of lawe and ministers of Iustice and do by duetie reuerence vnto it as though the kinge were personally present This table and picture is discouered the first day of their feasts which they doo celebrate and is at the newe moone of euerye month on the which day all people do repaire and do reuerence vnto the picture with the same respect as they would doo if hee were present they do call the king Lorde of the worlde and sonne of heauen CHAP. II. Of the court and pallace of the king and of the citie where as he is resident and how that in all the kingdome there is not one that is Lord ouer subiectes by propertie THe habitation of this king and almost of al his predecessors hath bin and is commonly in the citie of Taybin or Suntien the occasion is as they saye for that it is néerest vnto the Trtarians with whom continually they haue had wars that they might the better put remedie in any necessitie that
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
aforesaid frier Ignacio did sée in Malaca a present y t the king of this kingdome of Camboia did send vnto another friend of his and amongst many things contained therin of great riches curiositie there were two crosses very great and wel made of a gallant wood very swéete and all garnished very richly with siluer and gold with their titles enamiled Nigh vnto this kingdome is that of Sian in the hight of fourtéene degrées from the pole Artike and thrée hundred leagues from Machao wheras the Portugals do go to trade It is the mother of all Idolatrie and the place from whence hath procéeded many sectes vnto Iapon China and Pegu. It is a flourishing countrie and well replenished of all such things as be requisite for to merite the name to be good There be in it maniâ— Elephants and Abadas and other beasts that are nourished in that countrie besides this it is very rich of mettals and gallant swéete woode The people of this kingdome for the most part are faint-hearted or cowards for which occasion although they are infinite in number yet are they subiect vnto the king of Pegu who ouercame them long time since in a battell as afterwards shall be declared and they doo pay him ordinarily great and heauy tributes They would be conuerted very easâ—ly vnto the faith of Iesu Christ and would leaue their Idols if they had any to preach vnto them yea would subiect themselues vnto any king or Lord that woulde fauour them and not vnto this whom now they do obey for that hee dooth intreate them tyrannously They haue amongst them many religious men after their fashion who doo liue in common and leade an asper and sharp life for the which they are had of al the rest in great veneration The penance which they do is wonderfull strange as you may iudge by some things that I will declare here amongst a great number that be tolde of them there are none of them that can marrie neither speake to any woman if by chance he do they arewithout remissioÌ„ punished by death They go alwayes barefoote very poorely apparelled do eate nothing but rice gréene herbes and this they do aske for charitie euery day going from doore to doore with their wallet at their backes alwayes with their eyes looking on the ground w t such modesty honesty that it is to be wondred at they doo not craue their charity neither take it with their hands nor do any other thing but cal or knocke stand still till such time as they giue them their answer or put some thing into their wallets It is told them for a truth that many times for penance they do put themselues starke naked in the heate of the sunne which is there very great for that y e country is in twenty sixe degrees of the Equinoctiall whereas they are much troubled there with gnats whereof there is an infinite number and is a thing that if they did passe it for Gods sake it is a kinde of martyrdome of great desert God for his mercy lighten them with his grace that this which they do smally vnto the profite of their soules may bee the occasion that after they are baptised they may deserue for the same many degrées of glory Likewise in secreat they doo great penance and doo rise vp at midnight to praie vnto their Idols and they do it in quiers as is vsed amongst vs Christians It is not permitted them any rentes nor any other kinde of contractation and if they bée séene to deale in any they are detested and hated as an heretike is amongst vs. For this kind of asper liuing the which they do according vnto the report for the loue of the heauen and that with great zeale they are respected of the common people for saints and for such they do reuerence them and do commit them vnto their praiers when they are in any trouble or infirmity These and many other things mo be declared of them in like order which may serue for to confound vs that confessing we do not obserue kéepe hauing for the same our sure reward not of humain interest but that which God hath prepared for the good in heaueÌ„ The law of the Gospell in this kingdome would bring foorth much fruite for that the people are charitable and louers of vertue and of them that haue it This experience had the father Ignacio and his companions in China at such time as they were prisoners where there were in a city certain ambassadors from the king of Syan who were bound to the court and there they vnderstood that the Spaniards were sentenced to death for entring into that country without licence they went to visite them when they saw them with their asper habites and very poore did resemble very much the habit of their religious men they had so great affection vnto them that ouer and aboue they sent theÌ„ good charity the which was two bags of rice much fish fruits they did offer to theÌ„ al the mony they would desire to ransome them in al that the Iudges would demand â—or them in recompeÌ„ce of this good wil they shewed vnto y e Spaniards they did verifie that aforesaide that they are great louers of vertue CHAP. XXII Of many other kingdomes that are in this new world and of their names and properties but in espiciall of that famous Cittie of Malaca NIgh vnto this kingdome of Syan there are two kingdomes togither the one of them is called Lugor and the other Patane they belong both vnto one king who is a Moore and of the linage Malaya yet notwithstanding the people of these kingdomes are Gentiles and doâ— vnderstande in them to haue great good will to become Christians if they had anie to preach vnto them the Gospell The lande is very rich of golde Pepper and of drugges but the people faint hearted and cowards and for little for which occasion they are more giuen vnto thinges of contentment and pleasure then vnto wars or brawlings At the ende of this kingdome is the straite of Malaca in the which there are two small kingdomes the one of them is called Paon and the other Ior the people of the first are the most traiterous that are in all the whole worlde as the Portugals haue many times experimented and those of the second kingdome sometimes they are in peace and sometimes in warre with the said Portugals They will haue peace when they do sée themselues in necessity of the same but war ordinarily These two kingdomes are halfe Moores by reason whereof it séemeth that with an euil wil they wil be reduced vnto the law of the gospel if that by the help of God they be not mollified of their hearts This straight of Malaca is vnder the Equinoctiall line and is accounted from the kingdome of Cochinchina vnto it 376. leagues this is an euill straight
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
sure port although with great trouble and with so great a leake that they could scarce kéepe her aboue water but in especiall that which came in their safe conduct And afterwarde they vnderstood that the other ship had taken port fiftie leagues from that place with the like perill and danger In this port they remained certaine dayes trimming their ships and tarrying for a faire winde So they departed from thence the thrée and twentie day of Ianuarie and to their iudgementes with a setled and good winde with the which they sayled fiue dayes in the end wherof they discouered the Iland of Luzon with a singular ioy vnto them all for the which the Spaniards gaue thankes vnto God by whose fauour they had escaped the storme past But it so fell out as they were going alongest the coast of the Iland for to enter into the port of Manilla and being within fiue leagues of the entrie thereof vpon a soddaine there arose the north wind with so great furie and caused so great a sea that they found themselues in a great deale more danger than in the other storme past in such sort that they sponed before the winde with their foresayle halfe mast hie shaking it selfe all to péeces and in euerie minute of an houre readie to be drowned The Chinos for that they are superstitious and witches beganne to inuocate and call vpon the diuell for to bring them out of that trouble which is a thing commonly vsed amongest them at all times when they finde themselues in the like perplexitie also they doo request of him to showe them what they should doo to bring themselues out of trouble But when the Spaniards vnderstoode their dealinges they did disturbe them that they shoulde not perseuer in their lottes and inuocations and beganne to coniure the diuelles which was the occasion that they would not answere vnto the inuocation of the Chinos who did call them after diuerse manners as hath béene declared in the first part of this historie yet they heard a diuell saye that they should not blame them because they did not answere vnto their demaunde for they could not doo it for that they were disturbed by the coniuration of those spâ—nish Fathers which they carried with them in their shippe So presently when the night was come God was so pleased that the storme ceased and became in fewe houres very calme although it indured but a while for as they beganne to set sayle to nauigate towardes the port and almost at the point to enter into the same a newe storme seised on them and with so great force that they were constrayned to returne vnto the sea for feare to be broken in péeces vpon the shore At this time they wanted both water and victualles which was vnto them a newe torment they were brought into so great extremitie that for ninetie and sixe persons that were in the shippe there was not left victuals for two dayes The Chinos beganne a newe to inuocate the diuels by writing which is a way that they neuer let but doo answere them as they did at this instant and were not disturbed by the coniurations of the fathers yet notwithstanding they lyed in their answere for that they saide that within thrée dayes they should be within the citie of Manilla and after it was more then four dayes In conclusion hauing by the fauour of almightie God ouercome all their trauayles by the sea and the necessitie of the lacke of water and victualles they ariued at the desired port the second day of Februarie Anno 1580. whereas they were receiued by the gouernour and of all the rest with great ioy in pardoning them the offence they had committed in going without licence and showed vnto them particular fauours were very sorrowfull that the father Costodio and his companions remained in Machao for that hee was welbeloued of all and that with great desert for his vnderstanding learning holy life Who within fewe dayes after did write a letter vnto the rest of the religious men in Manilla aduertising them how that in a short time they came vnto Machao in good health how that the bishoppe and the Captaine generall with all the rest of the towne were verie glad and ioyfull of their comming and fully resolued to the contrarie of the false opinion that they had conceiued of them and that he was in gâ—â—at hope to sée his desire accomplished for that he was daily in place wheras they did sée comon with the Chinos whom so soone as he can speake y e language he doth pretend to instruct them in maâ—ters touching the faith Also he wrote that he vnderstood by good originall or information although it was coÌ„mitted in secret that the kingdom or prouince of Cochin China which is four daies iourney from Machao whereas the Portingals hath contraction and port for all their ships that come from the Indias hath sent vnto the bishop of Machao doth demand of him priests for to baptise them with such determination good will to be christians that in some portes they haue alreadie timber cut downe for to edifie churches This you may beléeue for that the bishop himselfe hath tolde him and in the latter end of his letter was written as foloweth They haue inuited me to this enterprise and for to put my selfe therein I would gladly haue with me many companions which is the treasure that we go to séeke It is a firme lande there whereas God hath prepared a great haruest Thâ—y are politike people and more easie to be conuerted then the Chinos for that the diuell hath not put so manie disturbances against the gospell of Christ as in China although it doth ioyne vpon it and once entring the faith therein with the fauour of God their great difficult doings which now they haue among them will be broken with great ease for they are not so many nor so great whereby wee should be discomforted to sée theÌ„ ouercome and principally they being men of so good wisedome and vnderstanding as we haue séene by experience in the time that we haue béene amongest them and so full of mercie and pitie that although wee entred into the lande without licence and for dooing of the same wee ranne in great daunger of our owne liues they did intreat vs well and gaue vs all that was néedefull and also did suffer vs to preach if we could the language the which with the fauour of God we will quickly learne for that we are whereas continually we doo common and talke with the Chinos wee doo verie earnestly commit it vnto our Lord to direct and guide the same that his holy name may bee exalted and the soules of these blinde Gentiles may knowe and beléeue and beléeuing may be saued This was the substance of the letter with the which it séemeth vnto vnto me great reason to conclude this second relation And to begin the third the which I
doo but amongst other signes and tokens of the same he made a crosse and set it by the doore of his house wherunto he did reuerence at all times when he passed by the same with great deuotion His neighbours when as they saw that signe a thing of them neuer séene before and howe that that Christian did make particular reuerence they beganne to mocke and scorne him and the crosse and pulled it downe from the place whereas it was set did other things in dispite thereof and of him that had set it there in that place whose hatred and discourtesie was so much that they determined in their minds to burne it and to put the same in execution who at the same instance did all miraculously die I say those that would haue burnt the same the which was séene of many other who haue giuen sufficient testimony therof And within fewe dayes after all the whole linage of those dead persons did follow the same way and not one escaped This miracle being spread throughout all the kingdome the naturals thereof did set vp many crosses in all parts This they say was the principall motion that God put into their hearts for to moue them to demande for such as shoulde baptise them and preach the holy gospell Likewise a great helpe vnto the same was the declaration of the painted cloth which the aforesaid religious man did send to the king Since that time there hath gone vnto the Cittie of Machao certaine naturals of that kingdome who being affectioned vnto our faith were baptised there with the which and with the hope aforesaid they are all sustained till such time as it is y e pleasure of God to send them the remedie for their soules the which hée hath caused them to desire which cannot be long according vnto that which hath béene séene and the miracles that God doth worke the more for to kindle their desire as the myracle of the crosse before spoken off and others the which certaine Cochinchinos did declare in the Cittie of Machao in anno 1583. and happened the same yeare and was very fresh in the memorie of all those of the saide kingdome The one of them was that one of the Christians aforesaid went to visite a principall man that had the palsie and kept his bed many yeares before and conferring with his long sickenesse he told of certaine myracles such as he had vnderstanding that was done by Christ our redéemer when that he was man amongst men whome hée redéemed but in particular those which he did in the healing of the like infirmities such as he lay sicke of alonely with his deuine vertue in touching of them with any part of his garmeÌ„ts or shadow The Iudge hearing this hee had a particular faith deuotion to him that had doone these myracles that the christian had told him asked what his name was what signes tokens he had he told him that his name was Iesus of Nazareth redéemer of the worlde the sauiour and glorifier of men And the better to declare vnto him his signes he shewed to him an Image or picture that he had of his y t which was giuen him such time as he was baptised printed in paper of Iesu Christ when he ascended vp into heauen the which for lacke of Churches and other of greater volume hee should haue continually with him make his praiers thereunto This sicke man tooke it and fixed his eies thereon with so great deuotion and faith in requesting him to giue him his health that he would presently beleeue in him bée baptised At the same instant in the sight of them all he felt himselfe whole of y e infirmitie that he had suffered so many yeares before and neuer could find any humaine remedy for the same although he had prooued an infinite number He straightwayes willed the Christian to baptise him vnto whome hée gaue a great summe of monie the which hee receiued against his will and spent it in workes of mercie and with part thereof he bought a bigge barke in the which at this day he dooth passe people thorough a riuer whereas they were wont to passe great perill and danger and hee doth it for Gods sake and receiueth nothing for the same A fewe dayes after in another part of this kingdome there happened another myracle of no lesser substance then the first that is there was a Cochinchina in the said citie of Machao who did aske to bee baptised of a barefoote Frier which after y t hee had catechised sufficiently hée gaue it vnto him and after a great time that hee had béene in his company and had experience of his Christianitie deuotion he gaue him licence for to returne vnto his country with a good token that at his comming thither he would procure to augment the desire of Christianitie the which God had begunne to kindle in their brest This good new christian did procure the same with so great care that he did profite very much being holpen with the fauor of God who made him his instrument hee healed certaine infirmities in shewing vnto the patients an Image of our ladie the which he had continually about his necke and had therunto great deuotion and woulde declare to them with great zeale the Lords prayer or Pater noster His fame was so much spred abrode in all parts of this prouince wherein he dwelled that it came vnto the eares of a Mandarin or principall Iudge of the same who was many dayes in his bedde a leaper both of handes and féete and neuer coulde finde any phisition nor medecine that could giue him his health nor any other humaine remedie who being verie desirous to be healed hée sent â—or the saide Christian and asked if hée would take vppon him to heale him of that infirmitie as it was affirmed that hee had done by others of greater importance The Christian saide hée would then the Iudge did promise vnto him for the same great giftes and rewardes but hee made no account thereof but oneliâ— requested of him for reward that after hee should bee hole that he would be baptised and become a Christian the which he did accept and principally he shewed vnto him the Image that hée had of our lady saying If thou wilt beléeue in this lady that is heere ingraued and in her most holy sonne Iesus Christ the redéemer of the whole world thou shalt presently be made hole This Mandarin or Iudge did beholde the same with great attention and thought on the words which he had heard spoken And in determining with himselfe to beléeue the same at the very point that he did put it in execution he was healed of al his infirmitie a thing which caused great admiration in all that prouince These myracles and that of the crosse in a short time being knowne abrode haue caused such a desire vnto the inhabitants of that kingdome to become Christians that by all manner of meanes
possible they do procure the same the which is not followed for lacke of ministers as aforesaid and is no smal griefe vnto them that Christianly doo put themselues to consider how the diuel our aduersary doth carry vnto his infernal mansion those soules which séeme to bee well disposed for to inioy the benefite of God and his eternal goodnesse all the which is for lacke of ministers and not for any other default God remedie the same for his mercies sake The said father Ignacio whom as I haue said I do follow in many things of this Itinerario did tell me that as he passed by this kingdome for to go vnto Spaine he saw the deuotion of the people thereof and the great desire they had to bee Christians and how that the people were ready and bent for to receiue the holy Gospell very humble and of good vnderstanding Hee would haue tarried for to baptise them and would haue done it onely for charity and compassion séeing with what deuotion they did demand the same and the great number of soules that were condemned but hee was constrained by force to go vnto Malaca and againe it séemed vnto him that amongst so many people his smal force might do little good and that it were better for him to go vnto Spaine and to procure more companions to helpe him as he did and returned with them and with many other rewards of Pope Gregory the thirtéenth receiued and he also receiued great fauours of the king of Spaine and with great hope that his maiestie will giue his particular aide for to go thorow with this enterprise which will not be of small effect I do beléeue of a truth that in small time all that kingdome shall bee subiect vnto the Catholike saith of Rome and to be the gate whereby to enter the lawe of the Gospel into the mightie kingdome of China for that this of Cochinchina is vpon the same firme land and their language and customes are almost in one manner They are verie white people of this kingdome and are apparelled like vnto those of China their women are verie honest and shamefast and their apparell is very curius and gallant The men weare their haire dispersed and doo combe and trim it with too much care In all the countrie almost all of them are apparelled in silke for that they haue there verie much and excellent good the countrie is verie holesome and full of old folkes and children which is a sufficient proofe for the goodnesse thereof They say that they neuer had amongst them neither pestilence nor hunger which is the like as we haue said of the kingdome of China Let him that can do it in such sort that so great and infinite a number of soules that at this day are vnder the tyranny of the diuell may see them in the Christian libertie and in the other life inioy their creator CHAP. XXI In this chapter is declared of such kingdomes as are adioyning vnto that of Cochinchina and of some notable thinges in them with the rites and customes of the inhabitants NIgh vnto this kingdome of Cochinchina there is another called Champa that although it be poore of gold and siluer yet is it very rich of drugges and gallant wood and great stoare of prouision This kingdome is very great and full of people they somewhat whiter then those of Cochinchina they are as nigh as willing to become Christians as their neighbors but for the performance thereof they doo lacke that which the other doo They haue the same lawes and ceremonies as well the one as the other and are all Idolaters and doo worship the second causes in the same order as the Chinos do vnto whom likewise they do make one manner of acknowledging From this Iland you may go with ease vnto Malaca leauing on the right hand a kingdome which is called Camboia the which is great very full of people and all of them affectioned to go to sea and nauigation by reason whereof they haue an infinite number of vessels It is a very fertill country with great stoare of prouision there are Elephants in great number Abadas which is a kind of beast so big as two great buls and hath vppon his snowt a little horne At this day there is one of them at Madrid the which was brought out of the Indians to his maiesty and many do go to sée it for a strange thing and neuer the like séene in Europe whose skinne is so hard according vnto the report that no man although he be of great force and strength can passe it with a thrust Some haue saide that it is an Unicorne but I take it for the contrarie and they are of my opinion almost all those that haue béene in those partes and haue séene the true Unicorne In this kingdome there is a religious man of the order of S. Dominicke called frier Siluester whome God did carrie into those parts for to remedy the soules that are therein hee dooth imploy himselfe to learne their naturall language and to preach the holy gospell in the same tongue and hath them likewise prepared that if he had any companions for to help hym they should obtayne much fruite for the heauens he hath sent and requested for some vnto the India of Portingall but they would neuer send him anie peraduenture by some sinister information by men which the diuell doth marke as instruments for to stay and let the saluation of those soules for euer to remayne in his tirannicall power This fryer did write a letter vnto Malaca vnto fryer Martin Ignacio and vnto oâ—her religious men intirely requesting them for the loue of God to giue such order that hee might be holpen with some religious men of what order soeuer with certification that therein they shall doe great seruice vnto God and put remedie in those soules whome he dare not baptise for feare that after lacking the euangelical refreshing to water and cherish them they returne to bring forth that euill fruit of Idolatrie This petition did not take effect according to his desire for y t there was not to serue his turne nor any that was vnoccupied They vnderstood of him that brought this letter that the king of that kingdome had in great veneration the sayd father Siluestro in so ample manner as was the patriarck Ioseph in Egipt hee had in all that kingdome the seconde place and euery time that the king would speak with him he gaue him a chaire and gaue him great priuiledges and licence for to preach the holy gospell throughout all the kingdome without any contradiction and for to edifie the churches and all other thinges whatsoeuer he thought necessarie this king himselfe helping thereunto by giuing of great gifts and charitie He said also that in al y e kingdome there were erected many crosses and were had in great reuerence And for y e confirmation of the truth hereof the