and their Doctrine and in the Year 1638 gave them 2000 Taes or Crowns to buy a House and Land He also granted them what was more than they could have wished to put over their Door this Inscription I the King Approve of and Protect the Science of Heaven 16. In fine there are now in China this Year 1640. above 100000 Catholicks and among them many Nobles Mandarines some Bonzos and Eunuchs Of Mandarines and Colao's the most admirable were 3 or 4 Pauls one Michael one Ignatius one Leo and one Stephen who were not only Converted but Preached the Faith with great Elegancy and much Profit The great Colao Paul herein surpassed all others 17. The Jesuits at this time in China have twelve principal Residences in the chief Provinces and capital Cities under these above 500 private Oratories with hundreds of Christians belonging to each They have also gained good footing about the Neighbouring Countries as in Tomking Cochinchina Cambodia Laos and other Kingdoms In these last Countries between 10 and 15000 Souls are converted every Year 18. The King of China himself casts down Idols and orders the Prince his Son to fall down before the Images of Iesus and Mary The Queen in her Apartment gives ear to what the converted Eunuchs say concerning our Religion Mass is often celebrated in the Palace and there is great hope of the King whose Piety and Zeal have inclined him to respect the Divine Law insomuch that our Religious have been joyed upon his Conversion 19. What wonderful Accidents have happened and Miracles been wrought in the Conversion of those Christians are set down in sundry particular Relations and in the History of China and are not so proper for this which is only a profane History Besides that being miraculous to some Readers they will appear as Fictions those who are curious may see them in the aforesaid History and Relations Having given the substance of what was writ on a Stone found in China at the end of the Second Volume it will be needless to repeat the whole which is long and is no more than the same thing in many more Words What has been said relating to China in these two Volumes may deserve the Credit of all Men as being the Observations of the Curious as well as Learned and Pious F. Alvaro Semmedo who spent 22 years Preaching and Teaching in that Country The End of the Second Part. THE PORTUGUES ASIA TOM III. PART III. CHAP. I. The Government of the Viceroy D. Hierome de Azevedo from the Year 1612 till 1617. 1. AT the end of last Year came to India the King's Orders for D. Hierome de Azevedo to succeed Ruy Lorenço de Tavora as Viceroy This Gentleman had purchased a great Name by many Years service and chiefly by 18 spent in Ceylon a Thing rare for one who had also gathered great Riches Not that Riches make a Man incapable of a good Name but because commonly the means of acquiring them contribute much to stain it The Fame of his Substance contributed as much as that of his Valour tâ—… his Promotion to this Employment it being thought that he who had so much would be less guilty of those Crimes that proceed from Avarice whereas Experience teaches that those who have most covet most But D. Hierome had offered to accept of that Post without the usual Salary yet afterwards he received it making that a Crime by breaking his Promise which had been none if not offered 2. On Christmas Eve Ruy Lorenço de Tavora delivered him the Sword and the first thing he did was to forbid the payment of Debts contracted by his Predecessor who resolved not to depart India till the payment of them was secured as well for his own Reputation as in respect no Viceroy for the future would be able to get any Money advanced upon the urgent Necessities of the State if that ill Precedent was given and his Debts were all on the account of the Publick At length it was concluded they should be paid as Tavora had ordered The next Action of the Viceroy was to dispatch Danisbeque Sedesable Embassador from Abas the Xa or King of Persia who falsly courted the Friendship of all those Princes he designed to spoil promising each great Advantages and stirring them up one against the other Thus he Treated with King Philip in Spain and King Iames in England which he found most suitable to his Designs Thus he had taken the Island Baharem and strove to possess himself of Ormuz 3. Danisbeque was returned from Spain with the Answer of his Embassy and besides what the King had given him in return for a Present of Silks he carried the Viceroy had Orders to add something at his discretion He added the value of 12000 Crowns in Spice which in Persia was worth much more and having nobly entertained him sent away with him D. F. Antony de Gouvea Bishop of Sirene who also came from Spain and went to propogate Christianity which had but a slender beginning there The Bishop went no farther than Ormuz for the Persians being already ill-affected towards him he feared it would be worse when the Embassador had delivered his Answer So it happened for the King finding the Embassador brought not the Return he expected caused him to be killed and obliged 6000 Armenians to renounce the Faith 4. The Viceroy as well versed in the Affairs of Ceylon gave the necessary Orders for its preservation recommending the putting them in execution to Antony Vaz Feyre Surveyor of the Revenue in that Island Antony Pinto de Fonseca who had served well in Flanders and was now Visitor of the Forts in India with the Viceroy's Leave went to perform the Duties of his Employ D. Henry de Noronna being confirmed in the Command of the Coast of Malabar given him by Ruy Lorenço united the Kings of Vanguel Sierra and Carnate against Ventapanaique on pretence of their safety whereas indeed it was to secure our selves against him in whose Dominions we held Braçalor and Onor 5. This done D. Henry steered for the Coast of Malabar with 28 Sail. Andrew Coello was sent by the late Governour with 3 Ships to relieve Palicate and Siriam and being now driven by stress of Weather to Columbo they were beaten to pieces on that Coast but the Men saved 6. When D. Hierome came from Ceylon to be Viceroy he gave the supream Command there to Fran. Rojo a Man of unknown Birth but noted Valour and by his Courage had attained to the greatest Preferments It was since found that he was of the Family of Meneses as being Son to D. Iames Count de Ericeyra and Grandson to D. Henry de Meneses who was Governour of India 7. This D. Francis de Meneses Rojo being General in that Island and understanding the King of Candea lay before the Fort of Balane and the Commander Emanuel Falcam was in some â—…anger he instantly set out with a very small number spreading his Orders for
found in him such an affection to our People and Religion that he sent with him to Portugal some Sons of his Chief Men desiring they should be baptized and being made Christians returned and with them Ministers to instruct them in the Faith They were baptized at Beja where the King and Queen were Godfather and Godmother to the chief of them and he called D. Iohn his Heathen Name being Zacuta the same was done by the Nobility with the others whose Names and Sirnames they took Betwixt the Fort of St. George and Congo is the Kingdom of Benin The King hereof covetous of the advantages he saw others reap by our Trade feigned he would be converted and desired Priests for his instruction but they being sent the design was discovered and so the effect ceased but not the covetousness for those Heathens bought Christned Slaves and we with the same avarice sold them after being baptized knowing their new Masters would again make them fall into Idolatry This lasted till the Religious King Iohn the Third forbid it though to his great loss but God who gives an hundred for one to requite him ordered that another Gold Mine should be discovered below that of St. George whence much more was gathered without a Crime than had been before by that so scandalous a Trafick 4. King Iohn was informed by the Benin Embassador who came to desire the Priests should be sent them that 250 Leagues beyond them was the most powerful Prince of all those Countries called Ogane by whom the Kings of Benin for their security were confirmed receiving of him a Staff with a Head and a Cross like that of Malta all of Brass curiously wrought An Embassador went with Rich Presents to solicit these Ensigns of Royalty who never saw Ogane because he speaks from behind Curtains but at their departure shews a Foot in token that he grants their Request Our King imagined this Prince might be he that is vulgarly called Prester Iohn by comparing these Formalities with what he had heard reported of him He fitted out three Ships commanded by Bartholomew Dias he set up a Cross in 24 degrees of South Latitude 120 Leagues beyond the other Discoverers in Sierra Parda He sailed in sight of the Bay they called de los Vaqueros or of Herdsmen because of the many Cows they saw there beyond this they touched at the small Island Santa Cruz or Holy Cross so called from one he set up 25 Leagues farther they came into the mouth of a River which they called del Infante the Sirname of the second Captain who was the first that saw it Being about returning they discovered that so many Ages unknown Promontory which they called Tormentoso or Stormy because of a great Tempest they met with there but our King gave it the name of Cabo de Buena Esperança or Cape of Good Hope for the great hopes it gave of discovering the Indies There was set up the Cross St. Philip. The two first Ships coasting along met the third with only three men aboard having lost it nine Months before with nine Men in it then With meer joy of seeing the others a strange but not unheard of death one of the three died the other six had been killed by the Blacks With various fortune observing the discovered Country they arrived in their own the extent of Land till then found out being 750 Leagues 5. Whilst these Discoverers conquered the difficulties of the Seas Peter de Covillam and Alfonso de Payva travelled by Land who came first to Naples then to Rodes to Alexandria Grand Cair then with a Caravan of Moors to Toro on the Coasts of Arabia Here they parted Payva towards India and Covillam for Aethiopia having appointed a time when to meet again at Grand Cair Covillam went to Cananor Calecut and Goa famous Cities in the East passed thence to Zofala in Aethiopia then to Aden at the Mouth of the Red Sea on the side of Arabia and at last to Grand Cair where he found his Companion had died After these had been sent out two Jews Rabbi Abraham of Beja and Ioseph of Lamego Covillam sent back the latter to inform the King of his success with the other he embarqued for Ormuz where having observed what was most remarkable he left the Jew to follow the Caravans of Aleppo and returning to the Red Sea came to discover the Court of Prester Iohn who detained him there as a Spie But while he was detained travelled from Rome Luke Mark an Aethiopian Priest sent by Prester Iohn to our King This Priest's information revived the Kings hopes and desires and he was sent back with an Account of what means had been used to settle a Correspondence and Projects for the perfecting of it 6. Before Luke Mark parted from Portugal was arrived Bemoi Prince of Ialof He came with State and was received accordingly being conducted to Court by Don Francisco Coutinno Count of Marialva His strangeness did not cause so much admiration as he conceived of the Majesty and Grandeur with which the King received him under his Royal Canopy This was the cause of his coming Biran who reigned in Ialof giving himself up to all manner of Vice resigned the Kingdom to his Brother Bemoi with the reputation of delivering it to a Person in all respects worthy of the Royal-dignity But Cibitah the elder Brother envious of Bemoi's happiness kills Biran and seizing the Government makes War upon Bemoi who with the assistance of Gonzalo Coello sent by King Iohn made some resistance This relief was sent him by reason of the hopes he gave of receiving the Faith But it being suspected he only designed to make use of the Portugues assistance the Captain was ordered to leave him which was a great grief to Bemoi He gave such excuses for not being presently baptized as seemed sufficient and losing soon after a Battle he went to Portugal to seek a more favourable turn of Fortune 7. It was no small part of his Fortune to be received by so great a Prince but above all to the hopes of Eternal Happiness being soon after baptized by the name of Iohn which he took from the King who was Godfather Next day he gave him Arms Purpure a Cross Or within an Orle of Portugal He in return did homage to the King for all the Lands he should be possessed of Twenty four Gentlemen of his Retinue were baptized with him There was great rejoycing our People shewing their grandeur in such divertisements as were most in use then and Bemoi with his Retinue giving a view of their Activity in Riding Alighting and Mounting upon a Speed standing upright on the Saddle Galloping and some in their Career took up Stones off the Ground and much more worthy admiration The King furnished him with twenty Caravels well manned and armed as well to forward his Restoration as to build a Fort on the River Zanaga 8. The Province of Ialof lies between
against those Confederates since they could not be brought to a Peace 2. The Weather being seasonable the King of Pimienta took the Field at Bardela wth 10000 Nayres the King of Cochin did the same with his Men and 600 Portugueses Commanded by the rash Francis de Sylva Captain of that Fort. The Armies being drawn up in sight the King of Pimienta at the Request of Sylva gave him a Meeting between them Sylva pressed for an Accommodation which the King condescending to upon reasonable Terms was broke off by our Captain who having more natural Strength than natural Reason acted more like a Brute than a Man The Armies charged each other Couragiously and the King of Pimienta was carried off Wounded and died before he knew the event of the Battle His Men fled and were pursued into their City with great slaughter the Royal Palace was fired which among them is the hainousest Affront whereupon they Rallied and fell upon the Victors with such Fury that they obliged them to retire in great disorder Sylva discharged some few that stood by him and rushing into the thickest of the Enemies was killed Above fifty Portugueses were lost here which abundantly countervailed for our Victory 3. Five thousand Nayres all sworn to Revenge the death of their King or dye entred the Country of Cochim killing many and forcing others to fly to the Fort. The Commander of the Fort Henry de Sousa marced out and finding them engaged with the Indians who fought desperately killed Five hundred Two strange and contrary Accidents hapned upon this occasion One was a Man that lay dying arose and taking a Lance did great Execution among the Enemies and perfectly recovered his health The other a Man in perfect health who fell down dead with the Fright 4. All the Joy of this Success vanished at the sight of Zamori who came attended by the Princes of Malabar with 140000 Men. He Encamped with 100000 at Chembe ordering those Princes who were eighteen in number and among them the King of Tanor lately so fond of us and our Religion with the other 40000 whereof 5000 had devoted themselves to pass over into the Island Bardela Our Governour upon the first Advice prepared to meet this Storm He sent before Emanuel de Sousa Sepulveda with four Ships and Orders That having joyned those that were at Cochim he should shut up those Princes in the Island till he came being resolved to follow at his Heels Sepulveda did his part and the Governour his for he sailed immediately the Cities of Goa Chaul and Baçaim furnishing what they had offered for the Expedition against the Turks which came to nothing The Fleet consisted of above 100 Sail and almost 4000 Landmen The first Execution was at Tiracole where many Houses Ships and Goods were burnt Coulete suffered the same Fate after a vigorous Resistance which cost the Lives of many of them and sixteen of ours At Panane the same and we lost eight 5. Our Governour Landed at Cochim and found that King with Forty thousand Men he had himself Six thousand Two thousand having joyned him there The Island being beset and Signal given to fall on those within began to waive a white Flag for a Parley It was concluded those eighteen Princes should put themselves into the Governours hands upon promise of Life He finding they delayed resolved to fight them the next day but was hindred by a great Flood yet he concluded he might put his design in execution the day after But what security is there in human Felicity Cabral was almost in possession of one of the most glorious Actions that had been seen in India when the sudden Arrival of the Vice-Roy D. Alfonso de Noronha ravished this Honour from him noâ—… suffering him to proceed nor concluding himself what was so well begun On the contrary he suffered all those Princes to escape with their whole Army 6. St. Francis Xaverius seeing how many great Enterprizes were disappointed through the malice or Envy of the Governours wrote a Letter to the King acquainting him therewith and advising to punish such Miscarriages with severity whereby they might for the future be prevented But Ministers serve as they please Saints advise well and Princes Eyes are never opened Commonly the want of due Punishment is the cause of publick Calamities 7. Whilst George Cabral was at Cochim waiting to embarque in the Ships that were bound to Portugal one Night about the middle of February there was a Report That Eight thousand sworn Nayres would enter the City Cabral run to the Gates with Emanuel de Sousa Sepulveda in order to march out and meet them at Break of Day but was hindred by the Council of the City He stayed with a competent Number of Men to guard the Town and sent Sepulveda with Fifteen hundred Portugueses and the Natives They found those desperate Men in a Neighbouring Town acting all that Rage and Malice could suggest They Charged them the Fight was very desperate fifty Portugueses were slain and above a Thousand of the Amouco's or devoted Nayres the rest fled 8. Let us see what was done during this time by the Captains sent by the Governour to several parts The King of Cota had asked Succour against his Brother Madune Pandar King of Ceitavaca who endeavoured to expel him his Kingdom he offered in requital for the Relief to pay a greater Tribute than before Caralea Pandar Prince of Candea not following the Example of his Father who was bent against the Religious Men who made him a Christian desired to be Baptized and fled with the Priests to a Fort from whence he sent to beg the Governour 's assistance Both these places being in the Island Ceylon he sent thither D. George de Castro with six hundred Men. Madune scarce saw him when he raised the Siege he had laid to Cota where his Brother was The King of Cota and D. George followed him and he so fortified the Passes they were forced in some places to fight their way through showers of Bullets Stones and Arrows with some loss of Men and no small slaughter of the Enemy Being come in sight of the City Madune met them and there ensued a bloody Battle desperately fought on both sides At length Madune was obliged to â—…y to the Mountains and leave his Brother in possession of that great City singularly adorned by a Pagod of wonderful magnificence The Plunder was very considerable Madune implored his Brother's Mercy who had little reason to shew him any yet did and left him possessed of his Kingdom 9. D. George did not meet with the like success at Candea whither he went after this Victory The Enemy came unexpectedly upon him with Forty thousand Men in a narrow Pass whence he could not escape and killed Eight hundred of his Men half of them Portugueses He got away with more grief for this Loss than honour by the late Victory For it is certain we are more sensibly grieved at
there the first day of that Month. Next day he saw the other two which he named St. Philip and St. Iacob The names of those not yet mentioned are Fuego Brava Boavista Sal St. Nicholas St. Lucy St. Vincent St. Antony in all ten They are commonly called of Cape Verde for that they lie 100 Leagues to the Westward of it Pedro de Cintra and Suero de Costa went as far as Sierra Leona 2. So great were the hopes of the Guinea Trade and the returns stirred up covetousness so that the King farmed this Trade to Fernando Gomez for 500 Ducats a small sum in comparison of their present greatness He was obliged to continue the discoveries 500 Leagues farther in five years He fortunately discovered the Trade of Oro de la Mina or the Gold of the Mine by Iohn de Santaren and Peter de Escobar They went as far as Cape St. Catharine 37 Leagues beyond Cape Lope Gonzales in two Degrees and half of South Latitude For this discovery was added to him the Sirname of Mina and he was made Noble Ferdinand Po discovered the Island which he called Hermosa or Beautiful which name it changed for the Discoverers The last discovery during the reign of King Alonso was that of Cape St. Catharine so called because discovered on her day There were other discoveries before this as the Coast from whence was brought the first Cochinilla which the Italians knowing the Value but not the Name call Grana del Paraiso or Scarlet of Paradise they had it from the Moors of this part of Guinea who crossing the Country Mandinga and Deserts of Libia brought it to the Port Mundibarca in the Mediterranean Now were found the Islands St. Thomas Anno Bueno and Principe all neglected the King being wholy bent upon Africk How little these places were minded may appear by this that a Spanish Fleet commanded by Garcia de Loaysa Knight of Malta arriving at the Maluco Islands the year 1525. he found there were Portugueses there before it was known in Portugal and found in two degrees of South Latitude the Island of St. Mathew not inhabited but with footsteps of the Portugues several Fruit-trees and tame Cattle carved on the Bark of a Tree that our men had been there 87 years before and the French Motto of Prince Henry Talent de bien Faire It was the custom of those Sailers to leave this Motto in all places where they landed CHAP. III. Discoveries and Conquests under King John the Second from the Tear 1481. till the Tear 1495. 1. KING Iohn the Second who succeeded his Father Alonso considering the Riches of the Countries discovered encreased his Revenue and finding the Natives inclined to receive the Faith ordered a Fort to be raised in that part where was the Trade of Gold called Mina To this end he fitted out twelve Vessels laden with all Materials for the Work from the Stones of the Foundation to the Tiles with Provisions for 600 Men 500 of them Souldiers the rest Workmen The Commander was Iames de Azambuja At his arrival he confirmed the Peace some time before concluded with that People He acquainted the Prince of it called Camaransa with his arrival and intention He landed to take possession and set up the Portugal Colours upon a Tree at the Foot of it he made an Altar and caused to be celebrated the first Mass that had been in those parts He prepared himself to receive the Black King who came attended with many of his Subjects naked save that from their Waste downward hung Monkies Skins or covering made of Palm-leaves All armed some with Shields and Javelins others Bows and Arrows some had Skins for Helmets in such manner they appeared more ridiculous than terrible The Prince's Legs and Arms were covered with plates of Gold on his Neck a Chain with many small Bells and Tags to his Beard Before him went a great number of Instruments more noisie than harmonious all that were known were Tabors Horns and Bells He met the Captain with a grave and pleasing Countenance the Captain received him with Gravity and Magnificence The Black took his hand in token of Peace the same the chief Men about him After the Ceremonies different in the Nations but all vain and impertinent Azambuja laid open his Kings design which was first to instruct him in the Christian Faith and conceal our Covetousness asking leave to build a House for our Men to live in which was to be a Fort to offend them upon occasion I do not pretend to persuade the World our only design was to Preach on condition it be believed it was not only to Trade 2. The Portuges Captain was heard with wonderful attention and the proposal of Religion admitted but that of the House or Fort rejected for they are Barbarians in our conceit but not for their own Interests Azambuja pressed and Caramansa yielded and retired The Workmen began to break a Rock for the Work and the Blacks who adored it taking that as an Affront drove them away Azambuja took the wisest course and running to them pacified them with many Gifts not of value but such as pleased The Fort finished was called St. George for the particular devotion the King had to that Saint As it encreased it gained the name and priviledge of a City Azambuja remained there with 60 men and sent back the Fleet laden with Gold He held that Government three years he gave it up with Honour a thing rare among the Portugueses and was honourably rewarded 3. The King began to take the Title of Lord of Guinea The Custom till now had been to set up Wooden Crosses in all the new Discoveries the King ordered for the future to carry them of Stone with the Kings and Captains Names the Time when by whom and by whose Order erected The first of these was Iames Cam who passing Cape Catharine the last of King Alonso's discoveries came to the River Congo in the Kingdom of the same Name by the Inhabitants called Zagre He went up the River and saw on both sides Blacks but were not understood by those he carried with him By signs he found they had a King and that he resided far off He sent him Presents the most powerful Arguments of Embassadors but finding the Men that carried them stay long he set sail bringing some Blacks home with him King Iohn was well pleased to see them and dispatched again the same Iames Cam sending back with him the Blacks joyful with many Presents he gave them but above all with the recovery of their Liberty The first part of his Instructions was the Conversion of those Infidels At his arrival he restored those Blacks to their Prince and received the Men he left behind with mutual admiration Following on the Discovery he ran 20 Leagues farther setting up the Cross he called St. Augustin in 13 degrees of South Latitude and another in 22. At his return to Congo having seen the King he
Vessels in the Port and battered the Town two days from the Ships doing great damage and killing above 500 men 8. Then sailed to Cochin the Metropolis of the Kingdom of the same Name having by the way burnt two Ships they met belonging to Calicut The King lived out of Town The Admiral sent to advertise him of his coming by a Bramen a Religious Malabar one of those who wander naked girt with Chains and daubed with Filth who if Heathens are called Iogues and if Moors Calandars this man was afterwards baptized and called Michael The King returned a favourable answer and permitted us to lade Spice It was done slowly but without interruption At Cranganor were found some Christians of St. Thomas under Armenian Bishops Two were brought to Portugal one died and the other returned Zamori of Calicut had gained the ill will of the Neighbouring Princes by his ill manner of proceeding with our men Those of Cochin and Cananor desiring an opportunity of breaking with him strove to draw the Portugues Fleet to their Ports The Governours of Coulan on the South of Cochin sent to this effect to the Admiral he returned thanks though the Offer was not accepted having already sufficient lading He left Goncalo Gil Barbosa as Factor at Cochin with others to provide lading for the next Ships should come 9. He had promised to take in some Ginger at Cananor he went thither to perform his word and shew he was not afraid to appear before Calicut he found that King well affected towards us who sent with him an Embassador he of Cochin sent two to King Emanuel with Presents and offer of a Free Trade About the middle of Ianuary the Admiral set out in order to return home On the Coast of Melinde one of the Ships was drove by bad Weather upon a Bank the men saved At Mozambique the rest were refitted and one sent to settle a Trade at the Mine of Zofala At Cabo Verde they found Peter Diaz and his Vessel which had been parted from them he had escaped many dangers by Sea and Land chiefly in Port Magadoxa near Cape Guardafu After the Admiral arrived also in Portugal Peter de Ataide who had been parted and the other sent to the discovery of Zofala with an account of it 10. In March before this Fleet returned sailed out of Lisbon four Ships with 400 men commanded by Iohn de Nova an able Seaman In eight Degrees of South Latitude he found the Island he called of the Conception Beyond the Cape of Good Hope at the place called Agoado de St. Bras they found in a Shoe a Letter writ by Peter de Ataide who Anchored there after the Storm before spoken of it gave an account of the Voyage of Peter Alvarez Cabrall In August they arrived at Mozambique then at Quiloa having found an Island which from the Commander was called of Iohn de Nova Short of Melinde they gave chase to two great Ships one was taken lightned and then burnt At length they arrived at Cananor and that King desirous they should stay there to oblige them discovered that the King of Calicut was sending against him forty great Ships This which he thought would detain them hastned their departure for Iohn de Nova lest the King should think he staid for fear sailed on towards Cochin leaving ashoar four Factors to prepare Goods against his return In the Road of Calicut they found the Fleet ready and falling on it lost never a Shot pouring it in all that day and night and part of the next there were sunk five great Vessels and nine Paraos which are small ones the rest fled to the City with the news At Cochin Nova took in his lading with speed it being provided by the Officers Cabrall had left there to that purpose He returned to Cananor and took the rest of his lading at his entrance into that Port he took a Ship of Calicut plundered and burnt it the same hapned to another as he came out In his return having passed the Cape of Good Hope he found the Island of St. Helena not inhabited it has proved since a most advantagious place to all that use the India Trade being provided with most excellent Water It lies in 15 Degrees of South Latitude distant from Goa 1549 Leagues from Mozambique 1100 from the Cape of Good Hope 520 from Angola 370 from St. George de la Mina 375 from Brazil 540. from Lisbon 1100. CHAP. VI. Conquests under King Emanuel from the Tear 1501 to the Tear 1503. 1. THE Account Peter Alvarez Cabral brought shewed it was requisite either to attempt making a great Fortune with a great Force or else to quit the attempt Some were of Opinion to desist but the credit of so great an Action prevailed and though many were lost the gain of those who returned was so great that it outweighed the consideration of the damage The King was inspired with the hope of carrying on what the Apostle St. Thomas had begun and planting the Christian Religion in those Countries and enlarging his Royal Titles by adding to them as he did those of Lord of the Navigation Conquests and Trade of Aethiopia Arabia Persia and India which were confirmed by the Pope 2. The King was sensible that to obtain a Great Name among so many so powerful and so distant Nations it was requisite to shew great Power therefore in March he set out Three Squadrons the first of ten Ships commanded by Vasco de Gama now on his Second Voyage The second of five Ships under Vincent Sodre which was to scour the Coast of Cochin and Cananor and hinder the Trade of the Ships of Meca watching the Mouth of the Red Sea The third was under Stephen de Gama but all subordinate to Vasco de Gama The whole consisted of twenty Ships and were gone before Iohn de Nova arrived The King delivered to Vasco de Gama the Flag with great Honour in the Cathedral Church giving him the Title of Admiral of the Eastern Seas With him returned the Embassadors of Cochin and Cananor much honoured by our King They met off Cabo Verde a Caravel bound for Lisbon with much Gold from the Mine Don Vasco shewed some to the Embassadors and they surprized said it did not agree with the account the Venetian Embassador in Portugal had given them that the Portugueses without the help of Venice could scarce put Ships to Sea This was envy because they were like to lose their Trade with Grand Cayre 3. The Admiral arrived the 12th of Iuly at Quiloa having lost two Ships in bad Weather He entred furiously firing all his Canon and battering the Town in revenge of the ill usage others had received from that King But he to prevent his total ruin came in a Boat to appease the Admiral offering to be subject and pay Tribute to King Emanuel Thus the Storm was converted into Joy Sailing thence he was put by the Port of Melinde and forced to
Caravels set out from Lisbon with the News of the King's Death one bound for Goa the other for Malaca 5. Henry the Cardinal succeeded in the Throne and from amidst those Ruines dispatched five Ships for India fearing lest the loss of King Sebastian being known new Troubles might arise if those Dominions were not timely supplied 5. The Viceroy understanding that Melique Tocan contrary to the Articles of the Peace concluded the Year before continued at Dabul publickly exercising his Office and was ready to Launch a great Ship to Trade to Meca he resolved to show how much he resented that wrong and to that purpose sent thither D. Paul de Lima Pereyra with ten Sail. 7. D. Paul coming to the Mouth of the River found all the Shore fortified and a great number of Cannon planted in all convenient Places He forces his way in through all the Batteries and sees Six thousand Horse and great number of Foot covering the Shore and pouring showers of Bullets and Arrows upon him nevertheless he attempts to burn two Ships belonging to Hidalcan but finding it impossible to come at them for the number of the Enemy's Cannon he runs up the River and spent some days in burning all the Towns along the Coast. 8. The Enemy calls in to their Aid Cartale and Mandaviray two Malabar Pyrats who were in the Sea of Chaul with five Galliots To these Melique joins other five Sail he had ready with Five hundred Turks Persians and other resolute Men. The Shore was cover'd with People that came to see this Action D. Paul prepared to receive them and after the Discharge of the Cannon they came up board and board and hand to hand 9. D. Paul boarded the first Galliot they were ten to ten though the Enemy had the advantage of the bigness of the Vessels and number of Men but our Captains following the Example of their Admiral behaved themselves so bravely that only one of the Enemy's Galliots escaped the rest were all taken We lost but two or three Men in this Action which was as fortunate as any we perform'd in Asia 10. Having taken this Revenge of Melique for his Crime and of Hidalcan for winking at it D. Paul sailed out of the River through the same Dangers he came in losing one Man Being come to Goa with Nineteen Sail whereas he went thence with only Ten the Viceroy came out to receive him and in the hearing of all that were present said What is it you mean D. Paul will you with such Acts of Bravery provoke my Envy to poison you Thus Heroes praise great Men and at the same time upbraid those who enviously Rail at noble Actions 11. The Emperor of Ceylon had some time since by his Ambassadors desired King Iohn III. to send him some Religious Men of the Order of St. Francis to instruct him in the Christian Religion They being come to him he recanted F. Iohn de Villa de Conde was this Year at his Court and had several times confuted the Bramenes disputing of Religion Yet they refusing to yield themselves overcome he offer'd with a lively Faith that he and one of them should be cast into a River full of great Crocodiles or into a great Fire and that his Religion who came out unhurt should be allowed to be the true They refused and the Franciscan immediately reaped the Fruit of this Victory baptising D. Iohn Parea Pandar King of Cota in the same Island 12. The Kingdom of Angola is near Monomotapa whereof we lately spoke and therefore will relate what happened there this Year because it is a remarkable Passage Paul Diaz undertook to War with that King who had treacherously kill'd a number of our Men This Captain with only two Galleys did Wonders on the Banks of the River Coanza till he fortified himself in an Island formed by this and the River Lucula Then joining the King of Congo and other Princes with only 150 Portugueses he several times defeated the Enemy But the most remarkable is the Battle wherein that King had a Million of Men which were put to flight in such Confusion they kill'd one another 13. At the beginning of this Year when the Ships sailed for India our Kingdom by the Death of the old Cardinal King Henry was under the Direction of five Governors who dispatched them They were four whereof one was forc'd back to Lisbon the last sent under a Portugues Government and the last our Viceroy saw For he having done no more than what is related or if he did having left no memory of it died the beginning of the Year having in some manner foretold it For some time before leave being asked of him to bury his Cousin Antony Rotello by his Brother D. Iohn de Ataide he refused it saying He had long since designed that place for himself 14. At the end of his first Government something was said of his Qualities and Merit and I have referred it to this place to speak of his undaunted Courage as a virtue most peculiar to him Some Proof of it has been given in the former Part of his Life I will now give another Instance At the attack as I think of Onor he sailed in a Brigantine sitting on a Chair and a famous Musician by him playing upon a Harp The Enemy's Cannon from the Fort reached the Vessels and grated the Musicians Ear D. Luis who was pleased to hear the Musick seeing him give over as if he had not seen the Cause asked him why he left off the Musician told him and he stretching out his hand said I pray let nothing disturb thee go on with that Tune for it is a very good one 15. One of the Gentlemen that were standing behind him seeing this was too great a Contempt of Danger said Tell that Man if he happens to be killed all will be lost And another answer'd Do not tell him so for if he be killed here are Men enough fit to succeed him 16. D. Luis this second time govern'd the Term of two Years and seven Months and may be reckoned in the number of Viceroys the Thirteenth in that of Governors the Twenty-ninth the First of the Name and Sirname CHAP. XX. The Government of Ferdinand Tellez de Meneses who was named by the Governors of Portugal upon the Decease of the Cardinal King Henry in the Year 1581. 1. THE Ships dispatched by the Governors of Portugal the last Year carried new Patents of Succession In the first was named Ferdinand Tellez de Meneses The Bishop of Malaca D. Iohn Ribeyro Gayo was President at this Ceremony which was celebrated with such Demonstrations of Joy as if there had been no Memory of their fresh Subjects of Tears 2. Whilst the Affairs of Portugal were in this miserable Condition those in the Kingdom of Visapor were no better the Succession being uncertain upon the decease of Hidalcan who died without Heirs in the 23d Year of his Reign and 50th of his Age. He
Stewards the third the Master of the Horses the fourth the Master of the Ceremonies of the Court the fifth of particular Rites the sixth of the Petitions given the King the other three of lesser Matters Every City has its own particular Council each Metropolis of a Province five distinct Tribunals Each Town has a private Court 6. The great Mandarines are carried about Town in Chairs adorned with Ebony and Gold by four Men with others by to relieve them before the Chiefest go Men by Pairs with long Staves always crying out two others follow these with Tables on which is writ the quality of the Person carried after these go six scattering Bamboes with which they use to bastinade Offenders and others with Fetters and Chains Near the Chair a Man with a silâ—… Umbrello three times as big as those we use â—…two just before the Chair carry a small Box with the Royal Seal on one side a great Fan that shades all the Chair behind go the Pages and other Attendance on Foot and Horseback 7. When one of these goes by all things are taken from the Windows the Images of Funerals are lowred the People stop on the sides of the Streets there is no noise and he passes without moving his Eyes When he goes to any City the ancient Men receive him at the Gate on their Knees The King bestows Honour on Magistrates Mothers as they rise and when they die buries them with Pomp and assigns them stately Pallaces while living 8. The Prisons are large and commonly near to the Palaces of the Mandarines thâ—…y belong to they have no Grates to the Street the Dungeons are terrible the other Part is in Rows sustained by Pillars with Planks along for Beds where every one lies with Fetters on his Hands and his Feet as it were in the Stocks over them all run long Chains so that they cannot turn The lesser Criminals are more favourably dealt with but all fare hard for the Prisons serve to punish as well as to secure Men. The Prisoners have much to do at their Entrance with the Keepers about their Fees for they pay none at going out 9. Their Punishments differ not much from ours but whipping is used before all other Penalties the Lashes are given on the bare Buttocks and Thighs as well to Women as Men and that before the Tribunal or in the Street when the Crime is done there no Body values the Shame but only the Smart They also have several ways of Racking 10. Military Science is very ancient among the Chineses They had tedious Wars with their Neighbours conquered the Island Ceylon and subdued One hundred and Fourteen Kings They always entertain a vast number of Souldiers in Nanking there are Forty thousand in Peking Eighty thousand all over the Kingdom above a Million but they are all Cowards Yet of late Years they beat the Iaponeses out of Corea and the Tartars out of the Province of Peking They use foolish Reviews in which like our Boys they represent Tartars and Chineses and the former are always beaten 11. Gun-Powder is of most ancient standing among them of it they make curious and costly Fire-works they have some Cannon but no Skill in the use of it only shoot at random Their most usual Arms are Lances Arrows and Cutlaces There is a sort of Back and Breast Pieces Proof against Arrows Their Civil Government is very just because bad Ministers are severely punished and the King hears Complaints against them Thus much may suffice for the Affairs of China CHAP. XIX The Division of the Dominions the Portugueses do or have possessed in those Parts commonly comprehended under the general Name of India Some Remarks on the Customs and Religion of those People with some Account of the Christians of St. Thomas and of the Island of Ceylon 1. THE Portugues Dominions generally comprehended under the Name of India though dispersed along the Coasts of Asia and Africk may well be divided into five Parts The first containing the Islands of that vast Ocean as those of Maldivia the King whereof being a Christian with his Wife and Family resided at Cochim that of Ceylon in which we have the Town of Columbo and a Right to the Kingdoms of Iafanapatan Cota and Candea by Donation from their natural Kings the Island of Manar with its Fort and Fishery of Pearl Eastward the Sovereignty of all that Archipelago the Moluco Islands and that of Macao on the Coast of China 2. The Second Part lies from Cape Corrientes to the Mouth of the Red Sea Peopled by Moors along the Coast and the Inland by Idolatrous and Brutal Cafres 3. The Third is divided from Persia by the Persian Golph inhabited by Moors of different Opinions 4. The Fourth contains the Kingdom of Ormuz and neighbouring Parts that Trade thither especially Baharem so famed for the Fishery of Pearl that draws all Mankind thither 5. The Fifth is called India within and without Ganges All that lies between Indus and Ganges which is above 550 Leagues along the Coast is inhabited by two Nations Pagans and Mahometans who for above three Ages have been possessed of that Tract called Indostan 6. In this Fifth Part is included the principal Part of the Portugues Patrimony It begins at Diu a City not inferior to many famous in Europe and was once the Metropolis of Cambaya Almost opposite to it is Damam both which almost shut up the Mouth of the Bay of Cambaya and extend their Command Twenty-four Leagues in which space are many Villages that yield a considerable Revenue 7. From the River of Agacaim to that of Bombaim are Eight Leagues and in that space the City 〈◊〉 â—…th its Forts and Villages as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agaçaim Bandora Tana Câ—…a and opposite to it the Island Salsete whose wonderful Structures prove it to have been the Metropolis of that Country and Court of Princes The Dominions of Cambaya once extended thither The next is Chaul a Place of Importance Then the Capital of our Empire that is the Island Goemaâ—…e which sigâ—…fies Happy Land corruptly called Goa and Trissuari signifying Thirty Villages for so many it contains which on the Continent commands the Lands of Salsete and Bardes There follow on the Coast of Camaran towards Cape Comori the Towns of Onor 〈◊〉 and Mangalor then in Malahar Cananor Cranganor Coulam and the chief Port of our Fleets Cochim Turning the Cape appears the Pearl Fishery and above it the Cities Negapatan St. Thomas and other Towns if not Subject to at least Inhabited and defended by Portugueses 8. The Exterior India begins at the River Ganges and reaches to China and Câ—…bodia and is terminated by the River Mecom It is inhabited by Heathens worse if possible than the others Here the Portugueses have the rich City of Malaca Metropolis of that Kingdom and the greatest Place of Trade of all those Eastern Provinces 9. Something has been already said of the Manners of all these People we will add
was within the Spanish Bounds and demand restitution of the Artillery he had taken and the Spaniards that were with him D. George granted the last and sent Advice to Goa and Portugal Villalobos dexterously began to draw near and plant himself in Tidore 3. Iordan de Freitas set out from Goa in April to succeed D. George in that Command and take possession of the Island Amboyna whereof he had a Grant from Tabarija King of Ternate wâ—…o had been unjustly sent Prisoner to Goa by Tristan de Atayde was there Baptized and now sent back by the Governour Martin Alfonso to be restored to his Crown Freyâ—…as being come to Malaca and considering that King would not be easily admitted by his Subjects for having changed his Religion left him there designing to take his Brother which would make his Re inthronement the more easie At Ternate D. George delivered him the Fort he Treated with Villalobos and they agreed upon a Truce for eight Months in which time they might consult their Superiours and during this time there was to be no Correspondence between them The Spaniards fell out among themselves in such manner that many of them went over to the Portugueses at Ternate F. Hierome of St. Stephen Confessor to Villalobos affirmed He was Excommunicated for entring the Portugues Limits but he remained obstinate 4. Freytas sent along with D. George who was going to Goa Aeiro the present King to make room for him he had left at Malaca not knowing he was since dead and had made the King of Portugal his Heir His Mother and Father-in-Law who had been with him went to Ternate with Ferdinand de Sousa who carried Relieâ—… to that Fort. Freytas received them in Mourning and then took possession of the Kingdom the Government whereof he committed to the Father-in-Law and Mother till other Orders came from Portugal Afterwards the Governour D. Iohn de Castro sent back Aeiro with the Title of KING to prevent the Disorders that happen by many Heads This last belongs to the Year 1545 but I insert it here not to break the Series of these Affairs 5. About this time in Ethiopia the Emperour marched against the King of Adel or Zeila He was followed by the Portugueses who escaped the former Defeat except 40 who were with Emanuel de Cuna in Barnagasso who being sent for could not come time enough Those with the Emperour were Ninety by whose Advice he marched towards the Enemy giving them the Van of his Army for the great Opinion he had of their Valour In the Province Ambea at the Foot of the Mountain Oenadias they met Seven hundred Horse and Two thousand Foot led by a Captain of Zeila to joyn the King Fifty Portugues Horse advanced to attack them the formost Antony Cardosa who killed the Enemies Captain the first stroak of his Lance the others following his Example slew many when Barnagais first and then the Emperour coming up Charged furiously and killing Eight hundred put the rest to flight who went rather to terrifie the Tyrant with this Relation than Reinforce him 6. He was a League off with his Army in Battalia it consisted of two Bodies of Foot Three thousand Men in each he marched in the Front with Five hundred Horse The Emperour met him with the like Number and in the same Order The Portugueses who were the Forlorn of this Body Charged the Five hundred and slew many losing two The Emperour in person behaved himself bravely till the Enemies Horse fled to the Wings of their Army The King was wanting in nothing shewing his Son Ten years of Age to stir up his Men to fight The Fight was renewed and the Emperour in great danger but a Portugues shooting the King in the Belly killed him and his Horse carried him about hanging being tied to the Saddle Only a few Turks chose rather to dye than fly and made a great slaughter of Ethiopians Iohn Fernandez Page to the Unfortunate D. Christopher at two stroaks of his Lance killed the Turkish Commander In fine Few of the Enemy escaped by flight the King's Head was cut off and his Son made Prisoner The Emperour acknowledging how great a share the Portugueses had in this and the late Victories did them great Favours Cuna returned to Goa with 50 only the rest stayed and married with Women of the Country whose Progeny still continues there 7. At Goa the Governour heard the Complaints of the King of Ormuz brought hither by D. Pedro de Castellobranco by Order of Martin Alfonso de Melo Iusarte Commander of that Fort. The Kings Complaints against him were most just having been used as the meanest of Madmen whereas his Madness was no other than the Avarice of those would make him so They endeavoured all they could to hinder his Restauration but seeing him Re-inthroned they poysoned him and what caused his Imprisonment and was the cause of his death was not punished After this Injustice followed the Justice executed upon Hierome Diaz a Portugues Physician of Jewish extraction he was burnt for Heresie CHAP. XIII Continues the Government of Martin Alfonso de Sousa 1. ABout forty Leagues off to the Eastward of the Moluco Islands is that of Macaçar rich and plentiful of Rice Salt Fish Flesh Fruit and Grain and yields Sandal Wax Ivory and Gold The People hardy and good Seamen The Soil pleasant and well Watered and has good Towns and Villages Some Portugueses hearing the Cstristian Faith was received there went thither and among them Antony de Payva that went as a Merchant not a Preacher but proved more Preacher than Mercahnt He had before had some Discourse with one of the Kings of the Island about Religion who seemed well pleased therewith Returning now he arrived in the Kingdom of Supa and had so much Discourse with that King who was 70 years of Age that he was very near being Converted 2. However the King remained dubious and Payva sailing thence went to the Port of Sian the King whereof on account of the grateful Conference they had before received him with kindness The Discourse of Religion was renewed and Payva at large explained all Points to him and at the same time urged the absurdness of the Adoration of Idols 3. The Conference ended the Sky till then being serene there arose a Storm of Thunder Lightning and Rain which was esteemed as a Heavenly Confirmation of the Truth of what Payva had said and he laying hold of that advantage urged the King to embrace the Faith He was inclinable but his Subjects and the Moors that Traded there obstructed him He demanded time to Consider At this time arrives the King of Supa and hearing he of Sian had desired time said A work so good ought rather to be put in execution than delayed that he was only sorry for the Time he had lost but would attone by being the first and desired to be immediately Baptized All stood amazed and there being no Priest the Ancientest of
Diu was gone for Lisbon to seek the Reward which now he missed in India The second named D. George Tello absent also In the third was Garcia de Sá a Person well versed in the Affairs of India At his first Entrance upon the Government he gave sufficient Tokens of his Zeal for the Publick and used some Liberality to gain the Hearts of the Souldiers much dejected with the lessening their Pay 2. He received an Embassadour from Hidalcan to Treat of Peace which was concluded much to our Advantage About the beginning of August came in eleven of the seventeen Ships sent from Portugal this year The other six were arrived before In this Fleet were the first Fathers of the Order of St. Dominick that went to build a Convent at Goa they were six and their Chief F. Iames Bernardez a Spaniard and a Learned and Pious Man 3. The Governour sent Martin Correa de Silva to Diu hastned the departure of the Trading Ships and sailed for Baçaim with some Men in thirty Vessels designing to gain some advantage over the King of Cambaya He was disappointed but it was some satisfaction that he had Advice there That the King of Tanor being Converted desired succour against such as should rebel upon his change of Religion Garcia de Sá the Governours Nephew was sent with Threescore Men of Note who had good success as shall appear in its place 4. At this time the Governour splendidly received the Embassadours of Zamori Canara Nizamaluco Cotumaluco and other Princes who came to confirm the former Peace At last Sultan Mamud King of Cambaya made Overtures tired with ill success and the Peace was established to our Credit 5. The Spiritual Conquest was now very successful Xaverius erected Churches and Converted many among the Patava's and two Kings with a multitude of People in Malaca Iohn Soarez Vicar of the Fort of Chale converted the King of Tanor with his Queen and Children He desiring to see the Offices of the Church solemnly performed at Goa and be confirmed by the Bishop came to the City was nobly received and departed well satisfied promising to make his Subjects follow his Example The Persuasions of Zamori wrought no effect upon him now but afterwards it seems they prevailed for we shall see him in Arms against those who received him with such Honour 6. One Bislald an Ethiopian and Favourite of the King of Ormuz rebelled against him at Manojam The King sent against him a good Body of his Men supported by 120 Portugueses to which were afterwards added 1000 of the first and 180 of the latter but all to no purpose for he still kept himself out of reach D. Emanuel de Lima finding he could not do any thing by open force resolved to reach him by Craft He agreed with a Gallego That he should counterfeit he fled from him and getting into Baslala's Camp kill him the first opportunity The Gallego soon performed and all was quiet 7. This Year we shall see a bloody War between Pegu and Siam for an Elephant The King of Siam had a white Elephant a Beast coveted by all the Princes of the East The King of Pegu demanded it by way of Superiority and he of Siam refused it not so much for the value of the Beast as for the manner of asking He of Pegu entred his Dominions and reduced him to desire a Peace upon any Terms so the Elephant were not comprehended They agreed the King of Pegu should have the Siam's Daughter and a Noble Woman every year as an acknowledgment But the latter not performing the other returned with 1500000 Men 4000 Elephants and an incredible Train with him came the Kings that depended on him and Iames Soarez de Melo with 180 Portugueses Above two Thousand Workmen went before who every Night set up a stately Wooden Palace richly painted and adorned with Gold He made a prodigious Bridge of Boats over the rapid River Menam a League over to pass his Army In his Way was a narrow Pass where the Siamite had raised a strong Wall guarded by 25000 Men. Iames Soarez was sent to gain it with 30000 which he performed with some loss to himself but utter destruction of the Enemy At length he sat down with his wonderful Army before the City Odia the Court or the King of Siam who was within with 60000 Men and 4000 Cannon some of a prodigious magnitude Odia is eight Leagues in compass about it a strong Wall and round that a wide and deep Water 8. The Battery began In the Town were 50 Portugueses Commanded by Iames Pereyra who behaved themselves to admiration The King of Pegu endeavoured to corrupt them with Bribes but they rejected all his Offers The King astonished despaired of gaining by the Sword what could not be bought with Gold and removed to the City Camambee where were the Siamites Treasures the Place strong and defended by 20000 Men. After many Attempts this vast Power was forced to march off without doing any thing 9. Xemindoo rebelled against the King of Pegu who sent Iames Soarez with Two hundred Portugueses to suppress him He followed him to the City Cevadi and he slipping by got into Pegu because the City sided with him The Queen fled to the Castle where she was defended by twenty Portugueses till the King came and put the Rebels to flight The Army entred the City and put to the Sword not only Men Women and Children but even the Beasts nothing escaped but what was within the liberty of Iames Soarez his House which the King had ordered should be exempted above Twelve thousand saved themselves therein The Plunder was unaccountable Iames Soarez alone got above three Millions At his Intercession the King pardoned a Portugues who had furnished Xemindoo with Ammunition 10. Though the King escaped the hands of Xemindoo he could not the Villany of Ximi de Zatan Ximi is equivalent to a Duke and he really was one of Satan's creating who murdered him in the delightful City Zatan The Traytor was immediately proclaimed King and falling among the murdered Princes Men killed three of those that belonged to Iames Soarez who fled to the City Ovà and afterwards at Pegu was reconciled to this New King till Xemindoo who fled before came on again with a powerful Army Ximi commanded Iames Soarez and his Portugueses to march with him against the Enemy but before he came thither the punishment of his great Insolencies reached him as shall be seen hereafter 11. Zatan was taken and Beheaded by Xemindoo who gave out it was for the killing of Soarez as if the murder of the King had not been a more justifiable Motive Thus the first Rebel possessed himself of the Crown till Mandaragri the late Kings Brother-in-Law claimed it in right of his Wife and coming to a Battle gave him such a total Defeat that Xemindoo fled to the Mountains where he married a poor Fellows Daughter He discovered himself to her and she revealed it
Insect to death The other two sorts are the Resbuti who are good Soldiers formerly the chief of this Kingdom They acknowledge one God and three persons and worship the Blessed Virgin a Doctrine preserved from the time of the Apostles The last are Mahometans called Lauteas that is Natives who embraced that Sect and those who came to conquer the Countrey The common people are very ingenious in Mechanicks in Works of Silk Gold Ivory Mother of Pearl Tortoise-shell Crystal Ebony and other things of Delight They follow the Rules of Pithagoras killing no Creature but rather buy all tho venemous from those who take them and set them loose again They entertain men whose only Business it is to look about the Towns and Fields for Beasts that are sick which they cure with great care in Hospitals erected for that purpose Notwithstanding all this Beastly Charity they have none that may be called human for they will not reach their Hand to assist any person in the greatest necessity 2. In the year 1292 and according to the Mahometan Account 700 the Pagan Galacama was in quiet possession of this Kingdom and disturbed it to deprive his Brother of the Kingdom of Champanel left him by his Father Galacarna employed two Brothers as Generals upon his Frontiers Madana one of them had the most beautiful Woman of that Country to Wife She was of the Race of Padaminii who are affirmed besides their comely Shape to have so sweet a Scent in their Skin that they communicate it to their Cloaths which makes them esteemed above all o others With much reason for it is a wonder to find a Woman that has a good smell Yet not impossible They say there are scarce any of these Women in this Kingdom but many in Orixa There is no mischief without a Woman even where they have an ill favour how much more where one smelt well The King in love with this Wife of Madana tried all means to gain her but she being chaste which was doubtless the sweet Smell acquainted her Husband and Brother who joining with Xiath Nosaradim King of Delhi on whom the Covetousness of that Kingdom prevailed they wasted the Kingdom of Cambaya till Galacarna was at last slain in Battel Nosaradim lest Habedxiath his General to conquer the Remainder He rewarded the two Brothers who brought him to this Conquest and retured home having made the Kings of Mandou and Chitor tributary Nosaradim soon after being killed by his Nephew Civil Wars ensued and several Governors revolting called themselves Kings as did Habedxiath to whom Moors succeeded Thus 3. The year 1330 Hamet the Mahomemetan Tartar who lived in the City Cambaya with the assistance of Arabs Persians Greeks and Rumes or Turks usurped great part of this Kingdom then possessed by Desingue Rao What he had tyrannically gained he prudently maintained Ale Cham succeeded him and had forty Sons and three of them were Kings The first Peruxiath who succeeded him the second Azeide Cham who by his Wife got the Kingdom of Mandou and the third Ale Cham who with his Wife had the Kingdom of Agimar bordering on that of Chitor Peruxiath followed his Father's Example in securing his Government and built the City Diu in memory of a Victory gained over a Chinese Fleet. Sultan Mahomet his Son succeeded him and reigned at the time that D. Vasco de Gama discovered India he left the Crown to his Son Madafor as worthy of it for his Actions as Birth Not to his Son Scander Cham who gave occasion to his Subjects to kill him and set up his youngest Brother Mahomet Cham. But the second Brother Latisa Cham to whom of right the Crown belonged made War but without success and it remained in the third his Name was Badur Cham. 4. Modafar divided the Possession of Melique Az the Lord of Diu among his three Sons This Distribution enraged the King 's own Sons who coveted those â—…ands But chiefly Badur who poisoned his Father by whom he was as much hated as loved by his Mother After this Murder he fled to the King of Chitor and killing one there in the King's presence in a Ball made to entertain him with the assistance of Crementii the Queen he fled to Delhi 5. There he made himself a Calandar or Religious Man to shun the punishment of his Crimes These Calandars go loaded with Iron Chains and feed very hard with this outward rigor they practise privately all sorts of Wickedness and Uncleanness They enter into no Towns but blow a Horn without that people may bring them Alms. Sometimes they go together to the number of two thousand Badur was one of these Hearing of the Distractions of the Kingdom of Cambaya he repaired thither with his Chains in search of the Crown In that manner he entred Cambaya and was proclaimed King by favour of the people who were pleased with those Tokens of Religion His Brother Destaâ—… C ham thought to escape by submitting but he caused his Head to be cut off as a Traitor Then he gave the Cities of Reyner and Surat to two rich Merchants and afterwards overcame in battel his Brother Latisa Cham. He caused Madremaluco to be fley'd alive because he had settled his younger Brother in the Kingdom in hopes to have the Administration of it then with his own Hand beheaded the Brother and two others that reproved that Act. 6. Badur desiring to take off Melique Saca Commander of Diu sent for him upon pretence of Business but he excused himself upon other pretences and so stopped the Execution and being pressed endeavoured to escape with his Riches but being disappointed went off poor and not without danger His Friends at Diu brought thither from Madrefahat his Brothor Melique Tocam Badur the other being fled had like to have killed this but for some Reasons was obliged to pardon him and others but he destroyed many He set out for Champanel the year 1527 where were brought to him sorty French Men and one Stephen Dias Brigas a Portuguese who for some Crimes done in his Country fled into France and came to India Captain of a Ship of that Nation at Diu they were all taken and sent to Badur by whom they were all miserably put to death 7. At Champanel came to Badur Embassadors from Babor Paxiath King of Delhi demanding homage for that Kingdom as part of the Dominion of their Prince Badur at first would have killed them but replyed he would himself carry the Answer and instantly composed an Army of one hundred thousand Men four hundred Elephants and a great Train of Artillery His Design was disappointed being forced to turn himself to Doitabad a great Town taken by Nizamaluco and tho he recovered it it was with great loss some by the Weather as being Winter and some by a Shower of Stones as big as Oranges At Champanel he found certain Men of the Kingdom of the Colii who said they came to receive Tribute which he paid by fleying them
visited the King of Borneo offering him liberty to trade at Malaca Borneo is an Island fruitful of Provisions rich in costly Merchandize and produces the finest Diamonds The King is powerful his Religion the Mahometan so his People The City of that Name is large has beautyful Buildings and strong Walls The Island has four principal Ports to which resort Merchants from sundry parts The Offer pleased the King Gonçalo Pereyra arriving at Ternate D. George de Meneses delivered him the Fort and King Cachil Daialo who was there prisoner The Queen his Mother who had fled from her City as was before related hearing of the new Commander sent to put him in mind how kindly the King her Husband had received the Portugueses how ungrateful the Return had been from them who caused his Son and Heir to die in a prison and now kept the other and obliged her their Mother to fly to the Mountains having lost the City where she was born and whereof she was Queen That she demanded Reparation of D. George his Cruelty and Liberty for her Son After some Scruples Gonçalo Pereyra solemnly swore he would set him at liberty as soon as opportunity served whereupon she returned to the City and they agreed as did the King of Tidore being eased of a Tribute imposed by D. George which he was not able to pay There was also an Accommodation with the Spanish Captain Ferdinand de la Torre Thus things were settled as was suitable to the Portugues Reputation 20. Gonçalo Pereyra in pursuance of the Governor's Orders made D. George a prisoner He was carried to Goa thence to Portugal whence he was banished to Brasil and killed by the Heathens there in a Battel After this Gonçalo Pereyra examined the Proceedings of the Portugues Officers of the Revenue and found them guilty of great Frauds They offended at this Discovery conspired with the Queen to kill him which they executed tho he defended himself with Resolution yet most of the Murderers were killed by the other Portugueses who maintained the Fort which was in great danger of being lost and Luis de Andrade kept the Command as Lieutenant 21. Bras Pereyra who commanded by Sea would have succeeded his Kinsman But the Conspirators elected Vincent Fonseca one of their Companions He having promised the Queen her Sons Liberty if she would assist him in obtaining that Post now loaded him with Irons and secured his Brothers and Family She withdrawing into the Country stopped all provisions from coming to the Fort and so obliged him to set her Son free and all was appeased for the present 22. This Quiet lasted not long for the King being near of Age to govern Pate Sarangue who governed for him finding his power expiring conspired with Fonseca to set up Tabarija the King's Bastard Brother who was younger To this effect they began to lay several scandalous Imputations upon the King and Fonseca attempted to secure him which he having notice of fled to the Mountain Fonseca follows pretending he had a Design upon the Fort. The King might have defended himself but forbore in respect to the Portugueses whom he loved He fled with his Mother to Tidore His Enemies set up Tabarija and following to Tidore oblige both Kings to seek security in the Mountains Fonseca was the more inraged against the King for that at his return a Moor had killed his Son and endeavoured to slay Tabarija who escaped and because many obeyed not the Usurper calling him Fonseca's King whereas they might more properly term Fonseca Tabarija's King He sent Pate Sarangue with Forces and subdued all He by treachery catched the Queen Mother and gave her as Wife to Sarangue and the deposed King's Wife to the Usurper The distressed King leaving his Mother and Friends had recourse to the King of Gilolo's Courtesie 23. Now Fonseca sends Blas Pereyra and others prisoners to India The Governor informed of the Insolences committed at Ternate sent Tristant de Altaide to command there who secured Fonseca and sent him to Goa With him went the Spaniards from Gilolo in order to be sent to Spain in the Portugues Ships But the King of Gilolo refusing to surrender the Spaniards Tristan was obliged to go with a power in which the Kings of Ternate Tidore and Bacham joined the City was abandoned and burnt and the Spaniards set at liberty 24. Tristan de Ataide at the instigation of Samarao put Tabarija in prison and set up his younger Brother Cachil Aeiro The King's Mother and Sarangue were also secured and the City became desolate the Natives of it finding no Comfort in their Neighbours who upbraided them for admitting so wicked a People as the Portugueses who since they had footing in this Island were guilty of the most exorbitant Villanies that could be imagined In fine Ataide sent those Prisoners to Goa for the Crimes he was guilty of himself and so Nuno de Cuna judged it taking care to send them back to their Country 25. Now Tristan de Ataide employed his Thoughts on the Profit he designed to make by the Sale of Cloves and ordered it so that the King of Bacham would not consent Tristan in a rage sent his Men armed the King protested he was a faithful Friend to the King of Portugal but they sought Spice for themselves not Friendship for their King So they were convinced by the Sword many killed and the rest were shamefully put to flight Tristan in a greater fury joining with the Kings of Ternate and Tidore forced him of Bacham to abandon his City which was destroyed and to sue for peace which was sold him for a Tribute to be paid in Cloves Yet at the same time this King conspires with those of Gilolo Tidore and the deposed of Ternate and with Samarao to kill Ataide and take the Fort. They began their Design by persuading him to send Ships several ways where he lost many Men and Cachil Daialo the deposed King of Ternate laying hold of the opportunity recovered part of his Kingdom with the assistance of those of Gilolo Tidore Bacham Maquiem and Moutel with whose aid the Ternates slew all the Portugueses about the Island Ataide prepared to take revenge when Simon Sodre arrived from Malaca with a Ship and many Men that brought new life to the desperate Ataide and put him in a posture to recover some places 26. The Moors endeavoured to burn some of our Vessels bringing to execute this design almost three hundred Sail they received some damage but would not desist nor hearken to Ataide who sued for Peace being in the Fort and reduced to eat all sorts of Vermin D. Ferdinand de Monroy a Spanish Gentleman who came from Banda with Provisions delivered him out of this danger This Success was answered by a Misfortune for all the Inhabitants fled from Ternate and the Moors killed some of his Men and took a Ship but now a new Captain comes to the Fort which stood in need of it Tristan de
the Coast of Arabia as far as Aden that they might all be informed of the true Causes of this Accident and that the Jealousies caused by the King's death might be allayed 9. For the greater satisfaction of the publick Nuno ordered the Mahometans should have the free Exercise of their Religion and Laws and that the Constitutions made by Badur should be observed as if he were present All Pensions or Salaries allowed by him were continued Among many that resorted to reap the Benefit of this unexpected Liberality was a Moor of Bengala who by authentick Informations was found to be three hundred and twenty years of Age. He was seen long after as shall be said when we speak of his death or vanishing He had at this time two Sons one ninety the other twelve years old His Beard and Teeth had fallen and grown again four or five times To appearance he seemed about sixty years of Age. Of person indifferent rather little than tall neither fat nor very lean He said that being one day in his first Century looking to his Cattle on the Bank of a River there appeared to him a Man cloathed in Grey girt with a Cord with Wounds in his Hands and Feet praying him to carry him over upon his Shoulders And that having done it he told him That as a Reward for that Act of Charity he should continue in the same disposition of Body till he saw him again The Portugueses after this coming into India and he into one of their Churches and seeing the Image of S. Francis cryed out with surprize This is this is the Man I carried over the River so many years ago This was the cause why Badur maintained him and why now Nuno de Cuna continued his Allowance 10. Mir Mahomet Zaman descended from the Kings of Delhi who had reigned in Cambaya hearing the death of Badur went to visit the Queen Mother at Novanaguer She fearing he came to rob her would not see him Zaman had no such intention then but came to offer her his Service and to revenge the death of the Son She thinking she was not secure there resolved to remove and he offended at her Contempt lay in wait for her with two thousand Horse and robbed her of all that was of Value which amounted to above two millions of Gold and gathering above five thousand Men was by them proclaimed King of Guzarate and with this Title entered Novanaguer Hence he sent to Nuno de Cuna acquainting him with the posture of his Affairs his Title to the Crown and desiring his Assistance in requital for which he offered the Portugueses all the Coast from Mangalor to Beth the Town of Damam as far as Baçaim the Royal Country-House of Novanaguer and other advantageous Conditions Nuno admitted them and caused him to be proclaimed King in the Mosque of Diu at the same time advising him to raise Forces and disperse the other Pretenders Zaman fearing the Advice was deceitful lay still and found the ill Consequence for the People set up Mahomet Nephew to the deceased and prepared to fall upon Zamam at Novanoguer but delayed the Execution because Cuna was so near At this time arrived five Ships from Portugal 11. The Governor being gone as the Princes of Guazarate desired the better to maintain Mahomets Title two of them marched towards Zamam with sixty thousand Men they corrupted most of his Officers He being sensible of it ordered his Friends to carry about them as much Gold and Jewels as they could to serve them in their flight Those who were corrupted did not fight the others did wonders particularly Zamam who fled to Omaum King of the Mogols of whom he received the Kingdom of Bengala The Conquerors called Antony de Silveyra Commander of Diu to an account for the King's death and being satisfied of the Causes proposed a Peace but refusing the Conditions granted by Zamam broke off Cuna hearing this News made ready to return to Diu dispatching the homeward bound trading Ships and sending Martin Alfonso de Sousa with forty Ships to guard the Coasts of Malabar 12. The greatest Enemies the Portugueses found in India were the Moors inhabiting from Chaul to C. Comori the space of 200 Leagues who had flocked hither in great numbers for the great Riches of the Sea in Pearls and vast Trade of all those Ports Pate Marcar a powerful Moor of Cochin offended that the Portugueses had taken some of his Vessels went over to Calicut the better to annoy them with the assistance of that King There he was furnished with above fifty Ships two thousand Men and four hundred Pieces of Cannon to go to the assistance of Madune Pandar against his Brother the King of Ceylon our Ally At Coulam he found a great Portuguese Ship lading with Pepper he beset her and after a sharp Engagement was forced to retire having killed the Captain of her Farther on he took a Ship and killed all that were in it Beyond C. Comori he destroyed a Town of the Christians Martin Alfonso hearing of this pursues and running up a River with only nineteen Barques offers him battel but he refused and got off It looked like a rashness to follow further so Martin returned to Cochin in order to set out again better provided 13. He set out with twenty three Vessels all to row and four hundred Men. At Beadala he met Pate Marcar careening in order to go over to Ceylon Pate seeing Alfonso gathered seven thousand Men and Alfonso with his four hundred resolved to fight him He ordered Gaspar de Lemos with seven Barges to stay till he gave the signal with a Cannon and then to come up with all the greatest noise he could to divert the Enemy on that side while he attacked them on the other A Piece being fired without order Lemos thinking it was the Signal came up and was killed with others before Martin Alfonso could relieve him At last he came and revenged the death of those killing above seven hundred of the Enemy and putting the rest to flight whereby he remained Master of the Sea and Field Thirty Portugueses were lost Among the Portugues Slaves here set at liberty was a Woman who was Mistress to one of them loaded with Chains who could not be prevailed upon by Threats nor Promises to renounce her Faith but with great Constancy much to be admired in such a Woman encouraged the Slaves to continue firm in the Faith in contempt of all Tortures The chief party of the Booty consisted of twenty three Barques four hundred Cannon fifteen hundred Musquets and many Prisoners This happened on the fifteenth of February Martin de Ayala was sent to the Governor in a Catur or Barge with fifteen Men who meeting near Chale a Galliot with two hundred Malabars fought them so long till both sides desisted through weariness Ayala being recovered found he had but four Men left alive and with them prosecuted his Voyage 14. Martin Alfonso
of Succession but being come for Portugal when they were opened was again here appointed with the Title of Vice-Roy The Season was so far advanced it was generally believed he could not go through but he caused himself to be Painted on his Colours standing upon Fortune and setting them up in his Ship said He would perform the Voyage in spight of her and did it About the time he entred upon the Government there sailed from Lisbon Iames Pereyra Tibao in a small Ship and in December Ruy Gomez de Gram in a Galleon and Gaspar Fagundez in a Caravel who were to be in India about the middle of this Year we now enter upon and about the end of it arrived there four Ships that set out about the beginning 2. The Vice-Roy understanding that the King of Iafanapatan assisted him of Candea against and delighted in Persecuting such as imbraced the Christian Religion calling himself King of Kings sent against him Andrew Furtado that great Commander with 20 Sail. 3. Off of Calicut he met three Ships of Meca after a hot Engagement he sunk two and took one Then he sailed in search of the Pirat Cotimuza Nephew and Admiral to Cunnale who with 14 some say 22 Galleys was become absolute on the Coast of Coromandel had taken several of our Ships and designed to take from us the Forts of Columbo and Manar At the Mouth of the River Cardiva Furtado met and fought him and he having behaved himself well escaped by swimming leaving us possessed of his whole Fleet. It is pity we want the Particulars of this fine Action 4. Our Admiral after this Victory entring the Port of Manar found there a great Fleet and made himself Master of it many of the Men swimming a-shore to join the King's Army Furtado Lands and marches toward the Town which was well fortified manned and provided He assaults the Works and drives the Defendants into the Town whence the King with severe Language made his Commander return to Charge the Portugueses without hearkning to the Advice he gave him to shift for himself because they would soon be in his Palace The General returned and was killed with all his Men. The Portugueses advancing slew the King and his eldest Son his younger Brother casting himself at Furtado's Feet begged his Life which was granted him and the Government of that Kingdom till the Vice-Roy should order it otherwise He was afterwards made King upon reasonable Terms 5. At this time Cunnale Marcar a Subject of the King of Calicut successfully scoured that Coast with a good Squadron Against him the Vice-Roy sent D. Alvaro de Abranchez with a considerable Fleet. F. Francis da Coâ—…a was then Prisoner at the Court of Zamori who inclined that Prince to treat of Peace with the Portugueses and to that effect sent the same Father to D. Alvaro who was then in that Sea D. Alvaro sent him to the Vice-Roy the Peace was concluded to the content of both Parties and Zamori not only released all the Slaves in his Kingdom but encouraged the Jesuits to build a Church himself laying the first Stone 6. The beginning of this Year sailed from Lisbon four Ships two whereof we shall see miserably perish at the latter end of the Year following 7. Let us go to Moçambique where there happened a great loss Our Commander of Tete had some Skirmishes with the Cafres our Enemies Tete is a Fort of that Authority that all the Neighbours for three Leagues about divided under eleven Captains obey the Commander of it as each does their own and upon the least signal given resort thither to the number of 2000 armed Men. With these Cafres and some Portugueses he marched against Quisura Captain of the Munbo Cafres who was at Chicarongo Six hundred of these gave him Battle and were cut off every Man of them whereby many Prisoners were released who were to have been slaughtered like Cattle for the Shambles theirs being of human Flesh. The Tyrant Quisura was also killed who used to pave the way to his Habitation with the Sculls of those he had overcome 8. Andrew de Santiago Commander of the Fort of Sena designing as much against the Muzimba's found them so well fortified he was obliged to send to Peter Fernandes de Chaves Commander of Tete for aid Chaves marched with some Portugues Musqueteers and the Cafres under his Command but the Muzimba's being informed of it and fearing the Conjunction of those Forces fell upon him so unexpectedly that they slew him and all his Portugueses being advanced before their Cafres who thereby had time to retire The Victors quarter'd the dead for Food and returned with them to their Works F. Nicholas of the Rosary a Dominican was reserved from this general slaughter and after shot to death with Arrows 9. Next day the Muzimba's marched out of their Works after their Leader who had put on the Casula or Vestment taken from the martyr'd Priest and holding a Dart in his Right hand and the Chalice in the Left The Men carried the Commander of Tete's Head on a Spear and the Quarters of the Portugueses on their Backs Andrew de Santiago astonished at that Sight thought to retire by Night but the Enemy falling upon him he was killed with most of his Men so that in both Actions above 130 of them were cut in pieces to be buried in those Barbarians Bellies 10. D. Peter de Sousa Commander of Moçambique under whose Jurisdiction Tete is set out with 200 Portugueses and 1500 Cafres to take Revenge on these Munzimba's He batter'd their Works but with no success and endeavouring to Scale them was repulsed Being likely to succeed by raising Gabions as high as their Trenches he was prevented by some cowardly Portugueses who to hide their fear pretended the Fort of Sena was in danger Our Commander drawing off to relieve it was attacked by the Muzimba's lost many of his Men the Cannon and other Booty Yet the Enemy offered a Peace which was concluded 11. Soon after one of these Muzimba's marching Eastward gather'd 15000 Men and killing all in his way that had Life set down before Quiloa which he entred by the Treachery of one of the Inhabitants and put them all to the Sword 12. This done he caused the Traytor and all his Family in his presence to be cast into the River saying It was not fit such base People who betrayed their Country should be spared nor yet eaten because they were venomous therefore he cast them to be Food for the Fish So odious is Treason even among Barbarians He designed to have done the same at Melinde but that King assisted by 30 Portugueses withstood him till 3000 of the Mosseguejo Cafres coming to the Relief of Melinde the Muzimba's were so slaughtered that of all that Army only 100 escaped with the general after they had ravaged 300 Leagues Behold the Chalice of this Muzimba 13. Maâ—…hew Mendez de Vasconcelos by force of Arms re-established the King
Wives wore a particular Mark to be known by that in Matrimony they used no other Formalities but the consent of Parties and the uniting the Couple by getting a Child that Women observed the time of the Old Law to be Churched that no Sacraments were administred gratis that Holy Water was made with Dust of Frankincense and some of the Earth where they believed St. Thomas had trod that they used Sorcery and Witchcraft and in fine that all was Error and Confusion 10. D. F. Alexius with great Labour and Toil convinced them of their Errors and reduced them to receive the true Doctrine Whole Towns were baptized and submited to the Roman See 11. He held a Provincial Synod at Diamper and all its Decrees were confirmed by the Pope and Francis Rodrigues a Jesuit who had assisted the Archbishop was made Bishop of that Diocess The Synod breaking up D. F. Alexius visited all those Churches 12. The Archbishop being in the Queen of Changanate's Country visiting the Church of Talavecare one of the ancientest in those Parts where they shewed him three Plates on which were ingraven the Priviledges and Revenues granted by the King of Ceylon when the Babylonians Xabro and Proâ—… built there met Topamuta Pandara King of Gundara Neighbouring on that place and presented him a Letter of King Philip in which he granted him the Title of Brother in regard he had allowed liberty for the Christian Religion in his Dominions 13. Towards the End of this Year arriv'd in India eight Ships from Portugal which brought the News of the Death of King Philip five of them being ready to Sail the Year before were detained because the Earl of Cumberland lay before the Mouth of Lisbon River with an English Squadron till the Season was spent One was lost on the Parcell de Zofala another at her return fought two Holland Ships near the Island St. Helena and worsted them 14. The Viceroy having dispatched the Homeward bound Ships and usual Squadrons began to think of carrying on the War against Cunnale There were Men enough but they wanted a Commander neither was such a one wanting but that the Envy of the Portugueses endeavoured to rob Andrew Furtado of that Glory or rather their Country of that Advantage 15. At length they were forced to comply and employ him to recover our lost Reputation for Cunnale Marcar proud of his late Success had added to his former as vain Titles calling himself Defender of Mahometanism and Expeller of the Portugueses Many Princes began to have an Eye upon his Success nevertheless D. Antony de Noronna who lay before the Port all Winter had perplexed him taking several Vessels laden with Provisions and killing above 100 of his Men that opposed him taking fresh Water 16. The Fleet Andrew Furtado was to Command consisted of 3 Gallies and 54 other Vessels By the way he diswaded the King of Banguel and Queen of Olala who designed to assist our Enemy from their Purpose and cut off the Relief five Ships of Meca were bringing to him 17. Our Commander being come to an Anchor in the Port of Cunnale set forward to treat with Zamori and he advanced to meet him on the Shore The King was naked from the Wast upwards about his middle a piece of Cloath of Gold that reached several times about him and hung down to his Knees fastned with a Girdle of the breadth of a Hand of an inestimable value his Arms cover'd to the Wrists with Gold Bracelets set with rich Stones the weight of this Treasure was so great that two Men supported his Arms about his Neck was an extraordinary rich Chain in his Ears hung so many Diamonds and Rubies as stretched them down with the weight his Age was about 30 Years his Presence very Majestick A little from his side came the Prince with his Sword naked held up behind him the Nobility and somewhat nearer F. Francis Rodriguez The King and Furtado embraced kindly and all the Cannon of the Fleet was fired Being come to the King's Tent they were seated and discoursed about the Affair in hand Furtado at taking his leave put a rich Collar about the King's Neck over the other and they parted very amicably 18. Zamori sent the Prince of Tanor and other great Men aboard the Admiral with full power to treat and conclude all things that were for the common Interest of both Parties This done there arrived from Goa and other Places one Galleon one Galley eleven Ships and twenty-one other Vessels with Ammunition and 790 Men. Furtado went himself to view the Enemies Works raised others Planted his Cannon and became absolute Master of the River He caused some Outworks to be attacked the Moors fled but Cunnale coming in Person to second them they made our Men give ground till Furtado landing came up with Sword in hand and renewed the Fight here he was in great danger but at length remained Victorious killing 600 Moors On our side were slain two Captains and nine Soldiers 19. Fort Blanco or the White Fort was next assaulted with greater Bravery than Success Here Captain Andrew Rodriguez Pallota loosing nine Teeth by a Musket Shot jesting said Doubtless the Moor knew I had no need of them Which he said in respect he was always so poor he wanted sustenance Cunnale being in distress bribed Zamori with great Presents to accept the Surrender upon Security of the Mens Lives Zamori was yielding and Furtado understanding it furiously assaults the Works the King perceiving it falls on on the other side with 6000 Nayres The Works were entred and the lower Town plundred and burnt Batteries were raised against the upper Town and Fort and doing great Execution reduced the Defendants to despair 20 In fine Cunnale Surrendred upon no Condition but Life and marched out with a black Veil on his Head carrying his Sword with the point down which he delivered to Zamori and he to our General Cunnale was about 50 Years of Age of a low Stature but well shaped and strong He and his Nephew Cinale and 40 Moors of Note were sent Prisoners aboard the Fleet and well treated Furtado dealt generously with Zamori for it being one of the Articles of Agreement that the spoil should be equally divided he said it was to be understood only in relation to Artillery and appeased the Soldiers who expected that Reward of their Labour The Fort and all other Works being levelled with the Ground Furtado returned to Goa 21. As soon as some of the Prisoners were set ashore they were torn to pieces by the Rabble How can they who are guilty of such Inhumanities call the much more honourable Indians Barbarians Cunnale and his Nephew Cinale were both publickly beheaded without any regard that they had articled for Life So did that Government and Rabble go hand in hand in Murder and breach of Faith CHAP. IV. The remarkable Revolutions of Pegu during the Government of D. Francis de Gama Count de
in Power would revenge the Affronts done to his Person but he carried himself with more moderation than was expected The Count thought of punishing Simon de Melo and Luis de Brito as the most guilty of the shameful loss of Ormuz Melo was fled over to the Moors and Brito in Prison this was Beheaded as was the other in Effigies 5. Gonçalo de Sequeira who was to have relieved Ormuz stayed with his Galleon at Mascate believing his Assistance necessary upon a Report that the Persians designed against that Place Hearing the Enemy fortified at Soar in Arabia he fitted out 7 Sail and coming before it expelled the Persians with much slaughter and not without loss because they defended it with more Valour than the Portuguezes had Ormuz Goncalo de Sequeyra remained there and again defeated the Enemy endeavouring to gain Mascate 8. The Dutch who had lain before the Bar of Goa being gone towards Triquilimale the Viceroy sent Constantine de Sa and Ruy Freyre with a Squadron to assist Sequeyra in the Sea of Ormuz They chased an English Ship which got away from them and returning to the Sea of Ormuz took two Ships of the Moors putting them all to the Sword 7. Three Galleots of Cochin defeated some Dutch and Pegu Ships at Paleacate D. Francis Mascarennas a Person of known Valour and Prudence was sent to Command at Macao to oppose the Hollanders and quiet the Disorders that were among the Citizens The Divisions among the Laity being made up there began others among the Clergy about the Government of that Cathedral for want of a Bishop 8. Three Ships three Galleons and two Pinks sailed from Lisbon for India One of the Ships returning home was lost at the mouth of Lisbon River the Men and some Goods saved another perished at Moçambique the third on the Island St. Helena part of her Loading being taken into the other Ships the rest fetched away from Brasil Two of the Galleons were also cast away at Moçambique and a Pink through the unskilfulness of the Pilot on the Coast of Arabia In these Vessels were 5000 Men whereof many died of Sickness besides what perished by Shipwrack 9. Now begins the Year 1624 famous for the Sufferings of Gativanda Queen of Dopoli at Xiras in Persia and Cruelty of the King Xa Abas But this having relation to the Religious of St. Augustin who laboured much in the conversion of Asia I will relate some Particulars of what they did in those Parts They resided at Ormuz where among many others the Heir of that Crown was converted and took their Habit by the Name of F. Hierome Iaete and afterwards Preached with much Zeal With him was Baptized D. Alfonso Nordim of the Blood Royal and his Sister Da. Philippa Morada 10. The Fathers preached also with success along the Skirts of Arabia Petrea When Ormuz was lost they went over to Baçora a City subject to the Turk below Babylon on the Borders of Arabia Felix with Orders from the Archbishop of Goa to endeavour chiefly the Reduction of the Armenian Schismaticks called Christians of St. Iohn in the Kingdom of Bombareca where F. Francis of the Presentation and F. Matthias an Englishman who died at Ormuz with a general Opinion of Sanctity had been before but with no success After them F. Nicholas de la Vega with the consent of the Turkish Bassa erected there a House and Chapel 11. F. Iohn de los Santos and F. Ioseph of the Presentation built a Church and Convent and many Schismaticks were reconciled to the Church The Bassa gave them Power over all the Christians Chaldeans Nestorians and Jews and many Chaldeans were Baptized Many Infidels Arabs Turks and Persians resorted to the Convent and some were converted In the City and the Neighbourhood there are about 70000 Inhabitants whereof about 5000 Christians of St. Iohn so called because they have a Tradition That their Forefathers were Baptized in the River Iordan by the Baptist. 12. The Portugueses after the loss of Ormuz setled their Trade in this City and founded a Seminary for Learning The Bassa very much countenanced the Religious and seeing a Christian Soldier in love with a Moorish Woman secured and delivered him up to them They sent him to Mascate she followed was baptized and married him He consented that a Girl should be taken from her Mother who seeing her go followed and both were reconciled to the Church 13. The first time Vespers were sung a Drum going about to gather the Christians all the Moors flocked thither in so much that the Cacizes said This was some particular Act of Divine Providence and cried The World must be at an end 14. These Religious first entred the Court of Ispahan in the time of King Sebastian afterwards 5 Armenian Bishops many Priests and a multitude of People submitted to the See of Rome The King offered the Fathers 2000 Ducats a Year which they refused lest it should be thought they went to enrich themselves not to plant Religion They were afterwards Imprisoned by the Moors ill Treated and sent to Xiras 100 Leagues distant The Governour of that Place sent them to the Convent with Fetters on their Feet and Yoaks on their Necks The Governour pretended the cause of their Imprisonment was That Ruy Freyre had secured three Moors at Ormuz and said They should be set at liberty if those were restored Brother Peter carried Advice hereof to Goa and the Moors were released 15. The Labours of these Fathers have been very succesful in Gorgistan or Georgia The first that undertook that Mission was F. William of St. Augustin who was well received by the Georgians but put to Death by the Sultan of Fabris and was buried by the Armenian Religious of the Order of St. Dominick 16. The King of Persia invading one of the Georgian Princes he sent his Mother called Gativanda to Treat with him who after giving an ambiguous Answer caused her on the way home to be apprehended and carried Prisoner to Xiras This Lady was kept in Prison 11 Years living always a most godly Life in Fasting and Penance her greatest Grief was to hear that some of the Captives of her Country wavered in the Faith 17. The Religious coming at that time to Xiras greatly comforted her The King of Persia being solicited to release Gativanda sent to advise her to turn Mahometan otherwise she must expect to endure the cruelest of Tortures She desiring a little time to recollect herself spent it in Prayer and that ended resolutely told the Officers They might fulfill their Orders They taking compassion endeavoured to perswade telling her The Torments would be insupportable and she replied The Delay was the most grievous Torture 18. Her Hands being tied the Executioners put on her Head a Copper Vessel made red hot and tore her Cheeks and Breasts with burning Pinchers Not a Sigh came from her till she was stripped to the Waste to have her Breasts cut off looking upon it more grievous
being mounted on a Horse led by the Emperor's High-Steward Sarta Christos and under a Canopy held up by Viceroys and Lords went to the Church where the Emperor sitting in a rich Chair with a Crown of Gold on his Head and rich Cushions at his Feet expected him The Emperor rising embraced him and then all the Cannon was fired 3. The Emperor went to his Palace the Patriarch to the Habitation of his Religious and having put off his Pontifical Ornaments returned to Court The Emperor made him sit expressed much Joy for his coming and appointed a Day for all the Nobility to meet and make their publick Submission to the Sea of Rome Wednesday the 11th of Ianuary being the Day prefixed the Emperor and Patriarch were equally seated and there appeared before them all the Princes Viceroys Lords Commanders Priests Religious Masters and Lawyers The Patriarch made an Harangue to them which was answered in the Emperor's name by his Nephew and High-Steward Viceroy of Semen Melcam Christos 4. The Speeches ended the Emperor turning to the Patriarch said I would not have your Lordship believe the thing I am going about is newly thought of for it is long since I made my Submission to to his Holiness by the means of Father Superior who is here present Then the Patriarch opening a Missal or Mass-Book the Emperor knelt and swore in these words We Sultan Segued Emperor of Ethiopia do believe and confess That St. Peter Prince of the Apostles was by our Lord Jesus Christ constituted Head of all the Christian Church throughout the World when he said to him Tu es Petrus super hanc Petram edificabo ecclesiam meam tibi dabo claves regni coelorum and again Pasce oves meas We believe and confess that the Pope of Rome duly elected is the true Successor of St. Peter the Apostle and has the same Power Dignity and Supremacy over all the Catholick Church And we do Promise and Swear to give true Obedience to and humbly submit our selves and our Empire at the Feet of the Holy Father Urban by the Grace of God the Eighth and our Lord So help us God and the Holy Evangelists 5. All there present Swore in the same manner and that done they took an Oath to the Prince as Heir apparent The Emperor allotted the Patriarch more and better Lands than his Predecessors had enjoyed and sent him a Present of 2000 Crowns There was a great resort of Ethiopians to be instructed in the true Catholick Doctrine their greatest difficulty was to be satisfied with one Wife and fast Lent nevertheless the number of Converts in a few Days amounted to 100000. 6. The Emperor after this taking the Field against the Rebels subdued them killing above 100000. Still the Empress continued obstinate and was a great favourer of the Schismaticks In the Years 1627 and 1628 above 160000 were converted There were nine Residencies of the Jesuits and in them above 200000 Communicants 7. Who would imagine this same Emperor Sultan Segued who had given such evident Signs of a real Conversion should endeavour to root out the Faith in his Dominions The same Emperor on the 24th of Iune 1632 by publick Proclamation banished the Catholicks and gave free liberty to all his Subjects to return to their antient Ceremonies and Errors 8. The chief Motives of this great Change were the natural inconstancy of the Ethiopians and their Inclination to Judaism Immediately after the Proclamation for banishment 4 Portuguezes suffered Martyrdom nor were there wanting Ethiopians who remained constant notwithstanding the severity of the Edicts Thus ended the great hope of reducing the Emperor to the Church CHAP. X. Continues the Government of the Viceroy D. Michael de Noronna Count De Linnares 1. IN its proper place we said the Portugueses would one day pay for the Insolence wherewith they treated the Kings of Mombaça and now the Day is come which was the 15th of August Peter Leytam de Gamboa was Commander of that Fort who using that King as if he had been his Slave provoked him to revolt and deliver himself from the Tyranny he was under The King was D. Hierome Chingulis who being bred a Catholick at Goa under the Religious of St. Augustin had submitted to the See of Rome as was related in the Year 1627. The memory of his Father's Death who was cruelly murdered by the Commander Simon de Melo Pereyra was no small incentive to stir up the King 2. He used often to visit his Father's Tomb and was once observed by a Portugues who seeing him weep and use some Ceremonies he thought savoured of Mahometanism gave an account thereof to the Commander Gamboa who told him privately he would the next Day secure and send the King to Goa As soon as that Man heard it he acquainted the King by whose Order he was slain in a Wood by the Cafres 3. The King having dispatched that Portugues gathered 300 Cafres and entring the Fort as it were to visit the Captain slew him and all the Guards making himself absolute Master of the Place The Wife and Daughter of the Commander were killed with a Priest for refusing to renounce the Faith 4. This done the King in his Fury put all the Portugueses to the Sword and fired their Town Some few escaping to the Convent of the Augustins held out 7 Days when for want of Provision they surrendred upon promise of their Lives but were all with their Wives and Children shot to Death Then the King declared himself a Mahomâ—…tan affirming he had long hated the name of a Christian. This was the effect of the Portugues Villanies for could he have lived among them he had never proceeded to commit all these Murders 5. After gathering the Plunder of the Dead the King came out a Horseback to view the Bodies of the slain which were 60 with their Families Some of the Converts died among the Portugueses the rest being assembled in the Church the King made a Speech advising them to return to their old Religion which some of the Auditory did such as refused were sent to Meca with Merchandize to be sold in order to bring some Turks to his Assistance All was sent in a good Ship which returned with a Flag the Cazices or Priests of theirs said would defend them against all Enemies being set upon the Fort. 6. The King putting to Death all that would not renounce the Faith only spared his Queen who was a Native of India and that at the request of his Aunt but treated her as a Slave and it was said afterwards when he fled to Arabia he prevailed with her to turn Mahometan In fine all that belonged to the Church was profaned and then the King applied himself to carry his Revenge farther advertising the neighbouring Kings of what he had done and advising them to kill all the Portugueses in their Dominions Those of Montangante Tanga and Motone put it in Execution others sent him