pass but Ixora commanding her to give it way the Wind flying the more impetuous for having been detained tore up a Mountain which falling into the Sea formed the Island Ceylon Other Islands are encompassed with Seas they call of Sugar Milk Butter and sweet-Sweet-Water Happy the Sailers that could find such pleasant Seas 6. The Bases or Grounds of the Elements are of several matters that of the Earth of Copper that of the Water of Silver that of the Fire of Gold that of the Air of a Pretious Stone that of Heaven of another Stone of more value They are Gods and move on the first waits the Bird Anam on the second Guereram on the third a Cart on the fourth an Ox on the fifth a Horse 7. There are seven large Subterranean dwellings called Padalas where live People who have no other light but that of certain bright Stones which Snakes have in their Foreheads One Day of ours is a Year in Heaven and one of our Years Three hundred and sixty five there The Days of the Week as among us take their names from the Planets and one of them is a Festival They believe the transmigration of Souls 8. The God Givem or Ixora is of the colour of Milk besides the usual two he has one Eye in the Forehead which being of Fire consumes all things his Body of such a length that Brama though he endeavoured it could never find the beginning or end of it The other Brother Vistnu who is God of the Transmutations converted himself into a Hog and turned up the Earth with his snout but could never find his Feet He is so thick that the Snake that girts the World cannot encompass one of his Arms â—…e has Sixteen Hands all employed with Deer Chairs a Guitar a Bell a Bason a Trident a Rope a Hook an Ax Fire a Drum Beads a Staff a Wheel a Snake on his Forehead a horned Moon his Apparel skins of Beasts laid down with Snakes he has two Wifes the Goddess of the Water and Chati who has already dyed One and twenty times and because every time she dies he puts one of her Bones upon his Neck he now wears One and twenty Bones there Having shared his Body with his Wife and she hers with him he is halfe Man halfe Woman his care is to finish all things Bramâ—… to Create and Vistnu's to govern them 9. The God Ixora lives in Calaya a most delicious Mountain for Woods Gardens Fountains Birds and Nymphs among them there is nothing but Harmony The desert parts of it are inhabited by Riâ—…is Hermits much esteemed for sanctity in a private and most pretious Tabernacle is the Silver Rose with two Musical white Nymphs and among them the Linga or Eternal God placed on a Lion of inestimable value and invisible 10. Brama and Vistnu envying Ixoras's greatness set themselves against him he said if they could find his beginning or end they should be his Superiors Vistnu looked for his Feet and Brama and for his Head the first was deterred by a Snake the second disswaded by Roses he brib'd them to testifie he had seen his Head which they did Vistnu sensible of the fraud turn'd them into Beasts and cut off one of his Heads of his Blood sprang a Man with Five hundred Heads and One thousand Hands Ixora did penance for this crime and travelling came to a place where they threw several Beasts at him he catched â—…ead them and cloathed himself with their Skins being over-powered Vistnu came to his Aid in the shape of a beautiful Maid and his Enemies were astonished at her form Ixora having to do with her a Son was born Ixora and Vistnu differed about whom it should belong too and a Heavenly Spirit reconciled them taking it to himself He bred him an expert Archer and kept him as his guard against Sagatracavaxem the Giant of Five hundred Heads and One thousand Hands sprung from Bramas Head cut off by Ixora This pilgrimage of Ixora gave the Original to the Pilgrims called Iogues who wander about living upon Charity wearing Periwigs and strewed with Ashes 11. Ixora has four Children the first has the Face of an Elephant the second of a Monkey the third is Superbenia with six Faces and twelve Arms the fourth a young Woman called Patracali The Father and his Wife Chati converted into Elephants begot a Son with an Elephant's Head and four Arms he is wonderful big and rides on a Mouse The first fruits of all that is sowed are offered to him 12. The Bramones who are the Masters of their Ceremonies abstain from Fish Flesh Eggs and Wine of other things they Eat and Drink without measure they celebrate the Aniversaries of their Dead with great Banquets they are so much afraid of the Moon on the fourth Day after the full that they shun seeing even the reflection of her in the Water 13. Chati washing her self in the time of her courses produced a Man Her Husband cut of his Head which rowling to the foot of his Mountain Calaya brought forth the Tree on which grow the Coco's which therefore have the resemblance of Eyes Nose and Mouth But the Wife complaining Ixora cut of an Elephants Head and put it to the Body which remained Man and Elephant Then both converting themselves into Monkeys begot one but she ashamed to bring it forth desired the Wind to translate it to another Womb and it was removed to that of the Wife of the Heavenly Spirits She was delivered of and Ixora gave him great power calling him Anuman This is the Reason the Indians adore Monkeys 14. Patracali Ixoras's Daughter is black she has eight Faces and sixteen Arms great round Eyes Hogs Teeth two Elephants for pendants she is cloathed with Snakes her Hair like the Peacocks Tails has several things in her hands particularly Arms the Devil Medala waits on her she seeing her Father could not overcome the Giant Daridabaxada Conquered him by Policy Ixora to deliver her from Enemies sent her to live invisible among Men. At Sea she overcame some Fishermen and landed at Coulam and marryed the Prince of Coulett who being falsly accused of stealing the Queen of Pande's Bracelets was impaled Patracali brought him to Life caused Sacrifice to he offered to him and thus freed from the bands of wedlock remained a Virgin 15. Ixora in a passion threw his Wig on the ground which became an Armed fierce Man who cut off the Head of Lecxaprazava King of the Peringales and the Hand of the God of Fire and the Sun's Teeth Ixora put on a Goats-head upon Lecxaprazava's Shouldiers instead of his own CHAP. II. The Metamorphoses or Transformations 1. THE God Vistnu is black he has four Hands and always lies sleeping on his back in the Sea of Milk yet so he governs the whole World his Bed is the Snake Ananta which has five Heads on four he lays his Hands on the other his Head the Snake asked him in case she had
them all the Year some grow in the dead of Winter when the leaves are fallen off the Plants these are called Lamui and are more agreeable to the smell than sight being yellow like wax 11. Their Apparel Beds and other furniture is made of Wollen Linnen Silk and Cotton of which they have abundance and work it curiously China supplies strangers with the richest commodities of the East as Gold in thread beaten anâ—… in bars Rubies Zasires Pearl Musk Silk raw and wrought Porcelane Quick-silver Copper Tinn Tortoise-shell Vermillion Salt Peter and Sulphur Sugar and other things of less value Their gilding either for use or curiosity is well known the vilest things are not lost among them The Kingdom is rich but not private Persons there are not so many rich Men as in Europe nor so many Poor few possess very much many have plenty and scarce any want 12. Money is scarce as may appear by the price of all things Servants wages hire of Work-men and allowances to Ministers of State A pound of Mutton is worth a half penny a Pidgeon not a farthing a Man's wages not above a Crown a Year some things alter the Prizes but all are reasonable and much about these rates CHAP. XIII Of the Provinces into which China is divided 1. THis vast Empire is divided into two parts the Northern and the Southern and they into 15 Provinces To the Southern part belong 9 which are Quantung Quansi Yunnan Fokien Kiangsi Suchuen Huquang Chekiang and Nanking Quantung is the most Southerly and lies between 20 and 25 deg of lat it is large and Rich and abounds in Wheat and Rice of the latter though differing in kind the Earth gives two crops a Year Here is much Sugar Iron Copper and Tiâ—… all which are wrought with great perfection as also the works of Charam and gildings brought to us The People are very ingenious at handicrafts easily imitate what they see but are not good at invention Our Merchants repair twice a Year to the Capital City Quangcheu 75 Leagues distant from Macao and Macao is 18 from the Islands and is about 5 Leagues in circumference This is the most frequented Port of the whole Kingdom The Portugues alone export hence Yearly 53000 Chests of Silks 22000 bars of Gold each weighing 12 Ounces 7 Picos of Musk which is 8 Hundred and three quarters Pearl Sugar Porcelane China wood Reubarb and other lesser commodities in vast quantity The Island Haynan belongs to this Province about it is a great Fishery of Pearl it is well Peopled on the Northern Coast on the Southern is a Town that owns no subjection to any body It produces several sorts of precious Wood. 2. On the N. E. side of Quantung lies the Province of Quangâ—… between 23 and 27 deg of lat it differs not from the other in any thing considerable That of Yunnan to the Eastward in the same lat is the farthest from the Center of China 't is large but not rich its principal Commodity being Amber for Beads and such uses Here contrary to the custom of all the rest of the Kingdom the Women go abroad to buy and sell. On the other side of Quantung to the E. N. E. is the Province of Fokien between 24 and 28 deg of lat it is for the most part Mountanous the Natives contrary to the general Law travel and trade abroad It yields Gold Sugar Hemp and Paper of several soâ—…ts the goodness plenty and cheapness of it very remarkable Printing here is very â—…eap and as Ancient as shalâ—… be mentioned hereafter it is not done with loose letters as among us but cut in Wood so that the Original remains there are an infinite number of Printing Houses every one may Print what he pleases without a Licence and notwithstanding this liberty they never publish any scandalous or immodest Book This Province lies on the Sea and thence are exported infinite quantities of Merchandize for Manila Iapan and the Island Formosa which is in sight the Dutch trade here 3. The Province of Kiangsi lies North of Quantung between 25 and 30 deg of lat It is hemm'd in with great Mountains from which fall two Rivers one running to the Southward all the way Navigable another to the Northward which after running through great part of this Province receives another great one coming from the Province of Huquang and is the famous Kiang The feet of these Mountains are adorn'd with good Cities at convenient distances for travellers and carrying of goods which are generally on Men's backs and the concourse is incredible the Innkeepers give an account of all that comes in to their Houses and are obliged to give two Meals to all such Passengers having other ways to be payed every Man carries his own Bed for the lodgings find nothing but bedsteads In the Custom-house which is here very great they do not visit the goods but take everyMans word and the Duties are very easy a traveller that is no Merchant is Custom-free the strangers that come to Macao pay according to the Tunnage of their Vessels without searching 4. This Province is so populous they miscal it Laocha that is little Mice because they spread all over the Kingdom serving all sorts of Trades particularly Taylors they are very Poor the Province has abundance of Rice and Fish it is famous for large Soles but more for Porcelane The Clay 't is made of is only found in one Village and in another place the Water to work it for if they use any other it proves not so good In this work there is none of the mystery generally represented to us it is meer Clay but of a most rare quality it is wrought after the same manner as ours in the same time and of all colours This Province Fokien and Quantung meet in an Angle formed of many Mountains among which is a small Kingdom the King whereof owes no obedience to him of China they allow the use of Phisitians in sickness but of no Lawyers in their suits If any scarcity happen they go a Robbing in the nature of open War 5. The Province of Suchuen is much in the same Latitude and has nothing singular that of Huquang is in the same lat more plentiful of Rice than any has much Oyl and Fish in its great Rivers and Lakes like Seas The Province Chekiang lies between 27 and 32 deg upon the Sea is plain and fruitful and watered with many Rivers some whereof run through the Towns it is much Richer than the others particularly in Silk which is exported only from thence Hangcheu is the Metropolis the most populous of China so delicious and pleasant that it is a Proverb Glory in Heaven and Hangcheu on Earth Three things make it most famous the Lake called the rarest in the World about two Leagues in compass beset round with curious Pallaces and they with delightful Hills the Water runs in at one end and out at the other across it
Ialof took four Blacks who were fishing in an Almadie or Boat Sailing forward he discovered the famous Cabo Verde and returned satisfied with this exploit and having killed a great many Goats in an Island 10. Antony Gonzales Garcia Mendez and Iames Alonso though separated by a Storm met again in the Islands of Arguim Falling upon a Village they took 25 Moors they flying he that ran best took most as Laurence Diaz who took seven whilst others took but one and some none They called this Point Cabo del Resoate or Cape of Ransom because some Blacks were ransomed there The joy was the more for that they found Iohn Fernandez who was left there the last Voyage he was fat and in health though rough like the Inhabitants He told them that the Country being all plane and open they often lost their way and therefore were guided as at Sea by the Stars the Winds and by Birds That the Inhabitants lived miserably feeding on a certain Grain which the Earth produces without tilling on some Herbs Lizards and Locusts all scorched in the Sun which is predominant that place lying under the Tropick of Cancer That they used much Milk not only as Meat but Drink by reason of the scarcity of Water and therefore when they eat any Meat they never kill the Female because of the Milk those near the Sea eat some Fish When they were acquainted with our People and they gave them Corn they eat it whole The Land is Barren being all Sand bears a few Palm and Wild Fig-trees they have no Houses but Tents their Cloaths are Skins and the better and neater sort wear Alhaiques which is not unlike our Crape and the best some better sort of Cloath but none good their Employment is the care of Cattle their Language and Writings the same with those of the Coasts of Barbary with only about as much difference as is between the Castillians and those of Gallicia they have no King and live by Hords or Companies Returning home with this Account of Iohn Fernandez at Cabo Blanco they killed some Moors and took 55. 11. Dinisianez da Gram Alvaro Gil and Mafaldo de Setubal with each a Caravel landed in the Island Arguim where they took seven Moors and by the help of them forty seven afterwards They ran along the Coast of the Continent eighty Leagues and at several times took fifty Slaves losing seven Portugueses whose Boat being left dry by the Ebb in the Island de las Garzas they were all killed Lancelot who once before had commanded a small Fleet sailed from Lagos again towards Arguim as Admiral of fourteen Vessels At the same time set out from Madera Alvaro and Dinis Fernandez and Iohn de Castilla and others who all together with the former fourteen made up twenty seven Sail Nine of the fourteen of Lagos came to Arguim where Dinisianez was who persuaded them to destroy the Island in revenge of the seven that had been killed but the Moors understanding the danger fled so that only twelve were found whereof only four could be taken the rest killed as also one of our men Alvaro de Freytas returned with his three Ships Lancelot with his sailed to the Island Tider landed and finding no People returned aboard where seeing some Moors from the Shoar jearing our men because they could not find them two of our men were so provoked that they leaped into the Water with their Arms and swam to shoar to the Moors who ran down to receive them Others of our men seeing the danger those two were in leaped after them and on the shoar was a sharp skirmish many of the Moors were killed and sixty taken This done Suero da Costa and three more returned home In a Village at Cape Blanco they took nine Moors among them a Woman who promising a great Ransom deceived Suero for at the Island Tider the bold Woman who could swim very well leaped over-board and gained her liberty by swimming ashoar Lancelot and others unwilling to return without some Loading as light as they came out designed to sail to Zahara of the Azanagi and Guinea but after some small attempts resolved for the Island of Palma They touched at Gomera and were received by two Commanders Piste and Brucho in acknowledgment of some kindness they had received from Prince Henry They discovered to them the design and taking them along landed in Palma all they got was seventeen Prisoners but among them was a very large Morish Woman who was said to be Queen of part of that Island They returned to Gomera and Iohn de Castilla dissatisfied with the small Prize base and ingratefully carried away Captives about twenty Islanders who were his Friends and had assisted him Which wrong the Prince amended by sending them back well cloathed 12. Gomera and Palma are of the number of the Canary Islands The Canaries were discovered for King Henry the Third of Spain by Iohn de Betancour a Frenchman among them he conquered those called Lancarote Fuerteventura and Ferro In them he left Masiot de Betancour his Nephew who conquered Gomera and exchanging them with Prince Henry for some Land in Madera he went and lived there And because the Islands being twelve in number there remained eight not conquered viz. Gran Canaria Palma Graciosa Infierno Alegranca Santa Clara Roche and Lobos the Prince sent a Fleet in which were 2500 Foot and 120 Lances commanded by Don Fernando de Castro who landing there converted many Infidels But there being complaints made from Spain to whom that Conquest appertained it was given over Afterwards King Henry the Fourth of Portugal gave them to D. Martin de Ataide Count of Atonguia And lastly in the Treaty between Alfonso of Portugal and Ferdinand of Castile it was agreed they belonged to Castile The Inhabitants of these Islands were governed by a certain number of Persons they varied in their Worship in Fight they used no Weapons but Sticks and Stones their Cloathing upwards was Skins the lower part a covering made of Palm-leaves of divers Colours they took off their Beard with sharp Stones their Governours had the Maidenheads of all Women that married they feasted their Guests with them at their visits the Children sucked Goats their common food Wheat and Barley Milk Herbs Mice Lizards and Snakes 13. Lancelot being homeward bound discovered the River Ovedec which he called Sanaga because a Black of that name was released there It was then believed to be one of the Branches of Nile because they were informed it ran far to the Eastward Stephen Alonso in a small Boat went up the River and took two Blacks with considerable opposition made by their Father Roderick Anez and Dinis Diaz were here separated from the rest by a great Storm and arrived in Portugal Lancelot steering toward Cape Verde went ashore upon an Island where he found nothing but Goats and these words cut on the Bark of a Tree TALENT DE BIEN FAIRE This was
detained by Order of the Governour and finding himself Prisoner left seven of the twelve he had brought as Hostages He complained but to no effect the faithful Moor Moncayde solliciting for him with all possible diligence Gama being abroad and finding no fair means could prevail to have his men restored having called a Council it was resolved to apply force accordingly he sent out after some Fishermen and took twenty of them Immediately he let fly his Sails making shew of departing that they might send to stay him And accordingly it succeeded for the King informed of the reason why his Subjects were taken ordered the seven Portugueses to be exchanged for them and sent the Answer for our King and excused the treachery of his People The fortunate Gama steers homeward the Moor Moncayde came voluntarily with him and some of the Prisoners by force who were not restor'd it being thought convenient to bring some to shew promising them they should return 11. As he was leaving the Sea of Calicut sixty Vessels full of Armed Men set upon and pressed him but the Cannon being well played they went off Sailing along in sight of Land he set up the Cross of St. Mary in an Island between Baranor and Baticale which thence took name with admiration of the Inhabitants This was the sixth and last he set up this Voyage they were St. Raphael in the River Bons Sinays St. George at Mozambique St. Stephen at Melinde and St. Gabriel at Calicut Whilst he was erecting the last Cross he writ a Letter to the Zamori or King of Calicut by the hand of Moncayde and sent it by a Fisherman of that place In this Letter he excuses himself for carrying away those Prisoners which he did not in satisfaction of the Merchandise taken from him but as an earnest that he would return with them when he had shewed them to his Prince and they informed him of the state of their Country and that in recompence he would bring a perfect account of Spain In this Voyage he discovered 1200 Leagues drawing a strait Line from the River del Infante found by Bartholomew Diaz to the Port of Calicut for in sailing it is much more Here he found the Island the People of Canara call Anchediva near the Continent it is small well shaded with Trees of a wholsom Air and has good Water Anche or Ange singnifies Five and Diva Islands there being so many but the Chief has carried the Name He was here careening his Ships taking water and some respite when a Pirat attacked him with eight small Vessels so linked and covered with Boughs that they looked like a small floating Island He was somewhat surprized at first sight but perceiving the danger that approached under those Leaves he attacked it and having put to flight seven took one Vessel The Name of this Pirat was Timoja we shall hear of him hereafter The Prince of Goa by means of a Jew endeavoured to draw Gama to his ruin the Jew from shoar making signs with a Cross who being taken aboard and put upon the Wrack confessed he was sent with an ill design and repenting was baptized and called Gaspar de Gama Some of the men died whilst they were sailing acroâ—…s the Great Gulph between India and the Coast of Melinde He Anchored in sight of the Town of Magadoxa which stands on an open Coast but is beautiful and strong Not far from thence came out against him eight Boats well manned but were soon repulsed He came to Melinde and was received by that King as a Friend Being again under sail the Ship St. Raphael struck and was lost leaving that Name to those Sands The men were saved by the other two Ships and they parted by a Storm near Cabo Verde Nicholas Câ—…ello arrived at Lisbon believing his Commander was there before him but he was burying his Brother Paul de Gama in the Island Tercera Soon after he came up the Tagus having been out two Years and almost two Months He carried out 160 men and returned only with 55. They were all rewarded by the King Vasco de Gama had the priviledge of being called Don annexed to his Family to his Arms was added part of the Kings he had the Title of Admiral of the Eastern Seas 3000 Ducats yearly and afterwards the Title of Count Vidigueyra Nicholas Coello was made a Fidalgo which is Noble and had a 100 Ducats a year 12. Prince Henry the First Author of thefe Discoveries had built a Chappel on the Banks of the River a League below Lisbon for the conveniency of Sailers In the same place now did King Emanuel erect a stately Church to the same intent and with the same name it had before to wit Our Lady of Bethlehem placing the Statue of the Prince over the Great Gate his own and the Queens over the lesser This is a Monastery of the Order of St. Hierom and for its security was built in the Water a strong Tower called St. Vincent not great but sightly CHAP. V. Conquests under King Emanuel from the Year 1500 till the Year 1502. 1. THere were Publick Thansgivings through the Kingdom for the good success of this Voyage to these succeeded Feasts and Joyful Entertainments And all mens expectation being raised with the glory of the Action and hope of ensuing Profit it was consulted how to prosecute what was begun and resolved that according to the disposition they had found in the People of those Countries there was more need of Force than Intreaty in order whereunto thirteen Vesses of several sizes were fitted and Peter Alvarez Cabral was named Admiral On the 8th of March the King delivered with his own hand to the Admiral the Flag of the Cross. The Shoar was covered with People who flocked to see the Fleet sail It contained 1200 Men 8 Franciscan Friers 8 Chaplains and a Chaplain Major The substance of their Instructions was to begin by Preaching and if that failed to proceed to the decision of the Sword 2. Twelve days the Fleet sailed with a fair Gale but at Cape Verde a Storm arose and one of the Vessels returned to Lisbon In 10 degrees of South Latitude they saw a Tawny People with lank Hair and flat Faces They fled from our Men till halting all together upon â—…n eminence they were spoke to in several Languages and by Signs but all in vain The Fleet passed on and Anchored upon Easter Eve in a Port they called Seguro or Safe because it proved so to them The People being affable our Men landed and set up an Altar under a Tree where there was Mass said and a Sermon preached to which those Heathens were present with wonderful attention The Admiral sent a Vessel to advertise the King of this discovery and erected a Cross on a great Tree calling the Country Santa Cruz or Holy Cross. He also left there two Portugueses to enquire into the Customs Language and Product of the Country This is that large
Weather and one lost but the men saved He entred that Port and saluted as usual but was not answered whereupon he complained to the King He at first framed excuses and avoided coming to a Conference though Don Francisco attended in the place appointed which set him upon studying revenge After a Council held it was resolved to erect a Fort in that place as was desired by King Emanuel Having promised some description of all such places as we took possession of it will be fit to insert here that of the Country City and Fort of Quiloa 4. From Cape Guardafu the most Western point of Africk to Mocambique are 550 Leagues a hollow Coast like a Bow when bent From Cape Mozambique to Cape Corrientes 170 Leagues thence to the Cape of Good Hope 340 Leagues hence the Coast runs bowing to the Westward as far as the Borders of the Kingdom of Congo but by reason of its great length appears to the Eye to run strait to the Northward Drawing a Line from the Southern borders of Congo cross the Continent Eastward there remains to the Southward that great portion of Africk to which the Barbarous Inhabitants have given no name but was called by the Persians Caffaria and the Inhabitants Cafres which signifies a Rude People without Law or Government and our late Geographers call it Ethiopia Inferior Above this on the East runs for above 200 Leagues that Coast which we call Zanguebar but the Arabians and Persians give this name to all the Coast as far as the Cape of Good Hope Above Zanguebar as far as Point Guardafu and Mouth of the Red Sea is that which the Arabs call Aiam or Aiana inhabited by the same Arabs and the Inland by Heathen Blacks Most of this Coast is very low and subject to inundations covered with impenetrable Woods which made it excessive hot and unhealthy The Natives are black of curled Hair Idolaters so gi-given to Superstition that upon frivolous motives they give over the most important Designs as it hapned to the King of Quiloa at this time who because a Black Cat crossed him at his coming out failed of meeting Don Francisco de Almeyda The Cattle Fruit and Grain is answerable to the wildness of the Country The Moors who inhabit the Coast and adjacent Islands are little given to Tilling and feed upon Wild Beasts and some loathsom things those who live in the Inland and have commerce with the Barbarous Cafres make use of some Milk Nature has stored the Country with much Gold that those People might inhabit it and our Covetousness though at such distance find them out It was Covetousness that first drew thither the Arabs called Emozaydii that is subjects of Zayde who built two considerable Towns only sufficient to secure them against the Cafres These continued so till great numbers of other Arabs who were Neighbourers of the City Laçab 40 Leagues from the Island Baharem in the Persian Gulph came over thither whose first Plantation was Magadoxa and after Brava the former became the Metropolis The first Arabs separated from these and mixing with the Cafres were called Baduiis The first that had the Trade of the Mine of Zofala were those of Magadoxa who discovered it accidentally Thence they spread themselves but never durst pass Cape Corrientes a Point opposite to the Westermost part of the Island Madagascar or St. Laurence and takes its name from the violent Current of Water which often endangers Ships there But along these Coasts they possessed themselves of Quiloa Monbaça Melinde the Isles of Pemba Zanzibar Monfia Comoro and others Quiloa was the chief of all their Plantations and thence many were spread particularly on the Coast of Madagascar The Sea by degrees wearing away both sides made Quiloa an Island It bears many Palm and Thorn-trees and divers Herbs and Plants Cattle Wild Beasts and Birds much after the same manner as Spain the Buildings also after our manner flat at the Top with Gardens and Orchards behind On one side is the Royal Palace built in the manner of a Fort the Gate to the Sea opposite to the Anchoring place where ours at that time were 5. Don Francisco de Almeyda having resolved to land was the first that touched the Shoar with 500 men He and his Son Laurence at the same time attacked the City in two places Our men had enough to do to cover themselves with their Shields from the showers of Arrows that flew yet they advanced but finding the greatest damage they received was from the tops of the Houses they entred and gained some of them and thereby so much advantage that the King fled and set up in the Field Portugues Colours which stopt the Current of the Conquerors till he had got over to the Continent with his Wives and Riches The City was plundered and not one man lost in this Action though a considerable number of the Enemies was killed 6. Mir Abraham now overcome was but an Usurper but the 44th Possessor of that Island of which number many were Tyrants like him A Kinsman of this Abraham called Mahomet Anconii had been very faithful and serviceable to the Portugueses to requite him Don Francisco ordered when the City was plundered that nothing appertaining to him should be touched And after all was setled sent for and declared him King of that place putting a Crown of Gold upon his Head with much Pomp and Ceremony It was a wonderful act of Moderation in this Barbarian that as soon as the Crown was on his Head he declared that had the lawful King Alfudail murdered by the late Usurper been living he would have resigned that Crown to him but since he could not do it he desired the Son of the said Alfudail might be sworn hereditary Prince though he himself had Children for whom he might covet that Inheritance This Example in a Heathen might confound the inhuman insolence and barbarity in Christians at least those who pretend to the name who wade through Seas of Blood â—…end the most Sacred Bonds of Consanguinity and Alliance spoil Provinces oppress the Good exalt the Wicked make Honesty Treason and Perjury Duty and Religion a property to work their ambitious cursed ends to wit to snatch Scepters and Crowns from the Hands and Heads where the Eternal Providence has most worthily placed them 7. All things being again setled Don Francisco in twenty days raised a Fort the Gentlemen Captains and he himself working at it He put into it 550 men and left a Caravel and a Brigantine to cruise there The 8th of August he set sail for Mombaça and arrived there with 13 Sail. The City Mombaça is seated in an Island which is about 14 Leagues in circumference it is beautiful and strong before it is a large Bay capable of many Ships Before he entred two Vessels were sent to sound the Bar which is commanded by a Platform with eight Pieces of Cannon which began to play upon them that were fadoming but they
repaid the Courtesie so fortunately that a Ball falling among the Enemies Powder did great harm and they quitted the Work The like success was against two lesser Works so that our Fleet entred without further resistance Don Francisco was told the King was prepared and had hired 1500 Archers of the Cafres besides his own men He sent a message to him but was not hearkned to and only answered that the Moors of Mombaça were not to be frighted with the noise of Cannon like those of Quiloa Don Francisco enraged that some men had been wounded attempting to burn the Ships of Cambaya in the Port without succeeding landed his men and marched to the City 8. He entred the Town the 15th of August and drove the Enemy out at the other end and among them the King whose Pallace he had possessed himself of and planted thereon a Cross and here received the News of the Victory at Sea the Ships having been burnt as he ordered In this Action were lost five Portugueses of the Moors 1513 killed and 1200 taken whereof he kept but 200 discharging the rest the Ships being heavy with Plunder after which the City was burnt to the ground Some of the Ships which had been separated by the Storm joyned the Fleet here Don Francisco dispatched two before him to carry the News of what he had done and the necessary Orders till he came He set out for India with 14 Ships and anchored in the Bay called Angra de Santa Elena where he found Iohn Homem Captain of a Caravel who having been distressed by Weather had discovered some Islands and met some of the Ships that had lost the Fleet. Sailing thence the first Port of India where he touched was Anchediva 9. Anchediva as was said before is the chiefest of five Islands where the King had ordered a Fort to be built which was now put in execution Hither the King of Onor sent Embassadors to Don Francisco with Presents Hither came to meet him Considerable Men though Merchants assuring him of the Good Affection of their Prince to the Portugueses Hither the Neighbouring Moors of Cincatora brought Gifts to him All was the effects of Fear produced by the Fame of his Actions He was informed there was not far from him a Fort strong by Nature as well as Art built by the Prince Sabago and garrisoned with 800 men being seated on the Banks of the River Aliga and Borders of Onor he sent his Son Don Lorenço on pretence of a Friendly Visit to take a view of it which he effected remaining there some days 10. The Fort being finished he put a Captain and 80 men into it leaving a Galeon and two Brigantines to cruise there and then sailed to the Port of Onor He was ill received and resolved to shew himself as terrible there as he had done at Mombaça and Quiloa The Inhabitants perceiving it amused him with excuses till they had secured their Wives Children and Goods in a neighbouring Mountain and then appeared with shouts and motions endeavouring to terrifie rather than seem fearful Don Francisco marched by land and sent his Son with 150 men in Boats to burn some Ships and though innumerable Arrows flew and Don Francisco was wounded with one the Town and Ships were fired at the same time The Wind being in our mens Faces the Smoak of the Fire did them much harm but Don Lorenço taking a compass avoided it and fell upon 1500 of the Enemy The confusion was great on both sides but more on ours our men beginning to give ground till Don Francisco coming up they took heart and drove the Enemy to the Mountain Timoja Governour of the City and Owner of some of the Ships that were burnt and a man of Graceful Presence with discreet words appeased Don Francisco and stopt the ensuing ruin He excused his King and in his Name offered Vassalage to Portugal This done Don Francisco sailed to Cananor CHAP. IX Conquests under King Emanuel in the Year 1506 and Government of the Viceroy Don Francisco de Almeyda 1. BEcause the Government of Don Francisco de Almeyda was the Foundation of our Security and Conquests in India it will be necessary here to say some things of its Ports and Chief Places along the Sea Coasts Asia is divided from Europe by the River Don or Tanais and the Euxine or Black Sea and Streights of the Dardanels From Africk by the Red Sea and a Line drawn from Suez the utmost Port thereof to the Mediterranean cross that narrow Neck of Land which joyns these two parts of the World and is 24 Leagues in length The different Religions there practised may be reduced to four principal ones the Christian the Mahometan the Pagan and the Jewish That part of Asia which makes most to our purpose may be divided into nine parts as it runs along the Coast. The first beginning to the Westward commences at the Mouth of the Red Sea in 12 d. 40 m. of North Latitude and reaches to the Gulf of Persia. From the Mouth of the Red Sea to the City Aden is 44 Leagues thence to Cape Fortaque in 14 d. 30 m. Latitude 100 Leagues with these Towns Abian Ax Canacan Brun Argel Zehel the Metropolis Herit Cayem Fartach Hence to Curia Muria 70 Leagues in which are the City Dolfor famous for Frankincense and 20 Leagues beyond it Norbate From Curia Muria to Cape Raâ—… Alegate in 22 d. 30 Latitude 120 Leagues all barren and desert Here begins the Kingdom of Ormus and hence to Cape Mozandan are 90 Leagues with these Cities Colagate Curiate Mascate Soar Calata Orfacam Doba and Lima 8 Leagues from Monbazam which Ptolomy calls Cape Assaborum in 26 degrees of North Latitude All this tract the Arabs call Ayaman and we Arabia Felix because the most fruitful and best inhabited of all Arabia The second division contains 200 Leagues from Cape Iaques to the Mouth of Indus is called Chirman divided into the two Kingdoms Macran and Madel with these Towns Guadel Calara Tibique Calamate Goadel and Diul this Coast is barren and much of it desert because of the shoal Water The third contains 150 Leagues 38 from Diul to Cape Iaquete thence to Dio in the Kingdom Guzarata 50 with these Towns Cotinna Mangalor Chervar Patan and Corinar from Dio to Cambaya 50 Leagues and these Towns Madrafavat Moha Talica Goda and Gundin Between Cambaya and Iaquete is included a part of the Kingdom of Guzarata and the Mountain Country of the Resboutos The fourth contains 290 Leagues and is the most pretious part of India and most frequented by the Portugueses This division is subdivided into three parts by two Rivers that run from East to West The first separates the Kingdom of Decan from that of Guzarat which lies North of it the second parts Decan from Canara on the South There are other Rivers which all have their Springs in the Mountain Gate The chief of all those Rivers is called Ganga or
Guenga and falls into the Sea near the Mouth of Ganges between the Cities Angali and Pisolta in about 22 degrees of Latitude The River Bate has his Springs in the Mount Gate and falls into the Sea by Bombaim parting the Kingdoms of Guzarata and Decan From the City Cambaya to the Mouth of this River are 70 Leagues From Chaul South of it to the River Aliga the southern extent of Decan 75 Leagues with these Towns Bandor Dabul Debetele Cintapori Coropatan Banda Chapora and Goa our Metropolis and Archiepiscopal See in India The third district begins where Canara parts from Decan and ends in Cape Comori and contains above 140 Leagues From this River to Mount Delli is about 46 Leagues with these Towns Onor Baticale Barcalor Baranor and others of the Province Canara subject to the King of Bisnaga Below this to Cape Comori are 93 Leagues and is called Malabar divided into three Kingdoms which own no Superior The Kingdom of Cananor has 20 Leagues of the Coast in which are these Towns Cota Coulam Nilichilam Marabia â—…olepatam Cananor the Metropolis in the Latitude of 12 degrees Tremapatan Cheba Maim and Purepatan Here begins the Kingdom of Calicut and runs 27 Leagues and has these Towns Calicut the Metropolis in about 11 degrees 70 minutes of Latitude Coulete Chale Parangale and Tanor the head of a Kingdom subject to the Zamori or Emperour of Calicut and Chatua the last Bound of this Empire Next is the little Kingdom of Cranganor which borders on that of Cochin then that of Coulan and lastly Travancor subject to Narsinga Near Travancor is the Famous Cape Comori the southermost Inland of this Province of Indostan or India within Ganges and 7 degrees and half of North Latitude where ends the Coast of Malabar and the fourth of the nine districts I now divide the Coast of Asia into From Cape Comori in the West to Cape Cincapura in the East which is the Southermost Land of the Aurea Chersonesus or Malaca are 400 Leagues and within this interval is contained the great Bay of Bengala called by some Sinus Gangeticus because the River Ganges after watering the Country of Bengala falls into this Bay about the Latitude of 23 Degrees This River is wonderful for the abundance of water it carries and esteemed Holy by the Neighbouring People who imagining it conduces to their Salvation when given over are carried and die with their Feet in its water which brings the King a great Revenue for none must wash there without paying a certain Duty Though this River has many Mouths the two most remarkable are called Satigan to the West and Chatigan to the East near 100 Leagues distant from each other and here will end the fifth of the nine Districts This may be subdivided into three parts The first the Kingdom of Bisnaga contains 200 Leagues and these Towns Tarancurii Manapar Vaipar Trechendur Caligrande Charcacale Tucucurii Benbar Calicare Beadala Manancort and Cannameira whence takes name that Cape that stretches out there in 10 degrees of North Latitude then Negapatan Hahor Triminapatan Tragambar Trimenava Colororam Puducheira Calapate Connumeira Sadrapatan and Meliapor now called St. Thomas because that Apostles Body was found there From St. Thomas to Palicata are 9 Leagues then go on Chiricole Aremogan Caleturo Caleciro Pentipolii where ends the Kingdom of Bisnagur and begins that of Orixa the second part of this District and contains about 120 Leagues to Cape Palmeiras with these Towns Penacote Calingan Vizipatan Bimilepatan Narsingapatan Puacatan Caregare and others Here begins the third part which is the Kingdom of Bengala and extends above 100 Leagues The sixth District of the nine begins at the East Mouth of Ganges or Chatigan and ends at Cape Cincapura in little more than one degree of North Latitude This Coast contains about 380 Leagues to Cape Negraes in the Latitude of 16 degrees 100 Leagues and these Towns Sore Satatolu Arracam Metropolis of the Kingdom so called and Dunadiva upon the Point Hence to Tavay in the Latitude of 13 Degrees 16 Leagues This is the bounds of the Kingdom of Pegu. From Tavay to Cincapura 220 the chief Towns along this Coast are Martaban Lugor Tanacerin Lungar Pedam Queda Solongor and Malaca Head of the Kingdom At Cincapura begins the seventh District and ends at the great River of Siam which falls into the Sea in the Latitude of 14 Degrees and has its rise in the Lake Chiammay called by the Natives Menam that is source of waters upon this Coast are the Towns Pam Ponciam Calantaon Patane Ligor Cuii Perperii and Bamplacot on the Mouth of the River The eighth District contains these Kingdoms that of Cambodia through which runs the River Mecon whose Springs are in China that of Champa or Tsiompa whence comes the true Aloes on this borders the Kingdom of Cochinchina then that of China divided into fifteen Provinces or Governments each of which is a great Kingdom those on the Sea are Quantung Fokien Chekiang where ends the eighth District The ninth begins with the Province Nanking and continues that of Xantung and Pecheli running to the farthest discovered Land of the Coast of Tartary I shall speak of the Islands that lie along this tract as they are discovered but the Names of the chief are these the Maldivy Islands Ceylon Sumatra Iava Borneo Banda Timori Celebes the Moluccoes Mindanao Luconia and Iapan Thus much of the Coast of Asia let us now see by whom inhabited and what it produces 2. Though there be many and very different manners of Worship in Asia as well as sundry Nations the chief Religions there may be reduced to these four Heads the Christian Jewish Mahometan and Gentile The first two for the most part under the slavery of the latter With the two latter the Portugues waged War their Power is thus divided All that tract from the River Cintacora opposite to Anchediva towards the North and West is subject to Mahometans thence Eastward to Pagans except the Kingdom of Malaca part of Sumatra and some parts of Iava and the Molucco Islands held by the Moors In that tract which is governed by these are the following Sovereign Princes The Kings of Aden Xael and Fartaque who have many Ports of great Trade and their Subjects the Arabs are couragious and warlike Next the King of Ormuz greater than the other three together and then he of Cambaya equal to Xerxes Darius or Porus in grandeur and warlike power From Chaul to Cinâ—…atora belonged to Nizamaluco and Hidalcan two powerful Princes not inferiour to great Kings who maintained great Armies composed of sundry warlike Nations well armed The Moors of Sumatra Malaca and the Moluccoes were well disciplin'd and much better stor'd with Artillery than we that attacked them The Heathens were the Kings of Bisnagar Orixa Bengala Pegu Siam and China all but chiefly the last so Powerful it is not to be expressed and if related scarce credible Siam extends above
Cambaya Albuquerque rejoyced more than at his Victories to see his Nephew Don Garcia with that Command the great succour he and Melo brought the Captives released and all things concurring to further his designs His satisfaction was increased by the arrival of Antony de Sadanna with the Garrison of Quiloa which Place being of small importance they had quitted At the same time came an Embassador from the King of Persia and one from him of Ormuz to go to Portugal Albuquerque ordered the affairs of Cochin to pass to Goa and by the way left George de Melo in the Fort of Cananor 4. He was received at Goa as a publick Father and being informed of the past as well as present posture of Affairs he visited the Fortifications and studied how to drive Rotzomo Cam from his Works The sixth day from his arrival being on an eminence with some Gentlemen viewing 4000 Moors and 200 Horse who diverted themselves in the Field it being Friday which is their Sabbath he could not hinder our men from rushing upon them and driving them up to their Fortifications where was a hot Skirmish and our men victorious with some Booty having killed above 100 and lost one Captain and another man and some wounded 5. Albuquerque resolving to take that Fortress from the Enemy gave the assault by Land and Sea and thinking it was not vigorously carried on by Sea he leaped into a Boat and came so near that a Cannon Ball killed a Canara that steered the Vessels dashing his Brains and Blood on his Beard This so inflamed him that he promised a reward to any that should break that Cannon and immediately one of our Gunners directed a Ball into the Mouth of it wherewith it flew in pieces and killed the Canonier This made way for our men to come up the River and lay the siege closer when Zufolari appearing on the Continent with 7000 men coming to the relief of it but finding nothing could be done he retired with some loss sustained by our Cannon Albuquerque set down before the place with 4000 men whereof 3000 were Portugueses in two Bodies one Commanded by himself the other by his Nephew Don Garcia de Noronha At first we received some damage but afterwards did so much that Rotzomo Cam surrendred upon condition to leave the Fort with all the Cannon and Ammunition and deliver all the Slaves and Renegadoes which last Albuquerque punished by cutting off their Noses Ears Right Hands and Thumbs of the Left and sending them so maimed to Portugal One of these was Ferdinando Lopez who to do Pennance for his Sins voluntarily staid with a Black in the Island St. Helena where he was afterward serviceable to some Ships and began to sow that Island Albuquerque endeavoured to bring Rotzomo Cam over to the Portugues Service but succeeded not But this his Fortune terrified many Princes The King of Calicut concluded a Treaty with Don Garcia de Noronha whom his Uncle had sent to Cochin to take charge of Affairs there Those of Narsinga and Bisa Hidalcam and others sent Embassadors to all which he answered extolling the value of the Portugueses Amity and the terror of their Arms and being dispatched sent after them Messengers of his own to inform those Princes and gain intelligence of them Now arrived at Goa Mathew Embassador from Prester Iohn in order to go to Portugal he brought with him a piece of the Holy Cross and Letters from Queen Helena who Governed that Kingdom during the minority of her Son David The design of this Embassie was to settle Amity with our King and ask Aid against the Moors who ever infested that Empire The Embassador said that at his Masters Court there were then three Portugueses one called Iohn who stiled himself Embassador of the King of Portugal and two who said they had been lately set ashoar at Cape Guardafu to discover the Country These were Iohn Gomez and Iohn Sanchez set ashoar there by Order of Albuquerque himself with a Moor for that discovery 7. Finding the Affairs of Goa in so good a posture he resolved to put in execution an Enterprize he had been charged with by King Emanuel This was the Conquest of the City Aden He fitted 20 Ships without acquainting any body with the design When ready to sail he acquainted the Captains with his intentions The number of the men was 1700 Portugueses and 800 Canaras and Malabars They set sail the 18th of February and arrived safe at Aden Miramirzan Governour of the Town sent to complement Albuquerque and a Present of Provision Several Messages passing and no hopes of a surrender appearing it was resolved to give the assault 8. The City Aden is seated on the Coast of Arabia Felix near the Mouth of the Red Sea called by Ptolomy Modocan Over it appears the Mountain Arzira all a barren Rock in many Cliffs The Town from the Sea looks beautiful and strong It is rich and famous for the great resort thither of many Nations The Soil so scarce of Water that it has only a few Wells and Cisterns Even from the Clouds it is scarce watered above once in two or three years whence it is void of all Trees Plants and Orchards the delight and pleasure of other Towns 9. Albuquerque found the Enterprize was more difficult than it had been represented On Easter-Eve in the Morning our men landed with Scaling Ladders this being thought the proper method for gaining the place It was doubtful who first mounted the Wall but several being already upon it the Ladders overburdened with the multitude that pressed to get up broke several times so that there was no hope of relieving those who had gained the top and stood in great danger and Albuquerque was forced to order them down making one out of the broken Ladders some fighting while the others came off After four hours engagement they retired with great danger and loss more sustained by the accident than the Enemy George Silveyra and five men were killed some died after of their wounds and some with the fall from the Wall 10. Albuquerque complying with his ill fortune and the persuasions of his Captains and to save time resolved to give over that attempt and sail towards the Mouth of the Red Sea But first they took a Bulwark that guarded the Port where many Moors were killed and 37 great pieces of Cannon found The Ships were all first plundered and then burnt The fourth day after their arrival they sailed out of this Port and arrived at the Mouth of the Red Sea next the Coast of Arabia which was much celebrated with great signs of Joy by Albuquerque as being the first of our Nation that had entred those Seas CHAP. VIII A Continuation of the Conquests of the Year 1513 the Reign of King Emanuel and Government of Alfonso de Albuquerque 1. THE Form of the Red Sea is not unlike to that of a Crocodile the Mouth of it is the place answerable to the narrow
Neck and the Head is that Sea which lies out between Cape Guardafu and Cape Fartaque and the Point of the Tail reaches to the Town of Suez it lies N. N. W. and S. S. E. The length of it 350 Leagues the breadth where widest 40. The Channel is in the middle and has Water enough to carry the greatest Ships but the sides arâ—… shoal full of little Islands and Banks of Sand. No River of any note falls into it By the Moors it is called Bahar Corzu that is closed in by others the Sea of Meca by us the Red Sea from the Colour it takes of the Bottom as was experienced by the Viceroy Don Iohn de Castro who caused to be taken up in some places a matter Red like Corral in others Green and in others White and in each the Water seemed of that Colour but the most is Red and the Water taken up is as clear as any other There are some fisheries of small Pearl in many parts of this Sea it abounds not in Fish The Mouth lies between 12 and 13 degrees of North Latitude and is as it were locked up by seven small Islands the greatest called Mehun and Perantonomasiam Island From the Mouth of the streight till Suez along the Coast of Arabia for the first 44 Leagues are some Ports of small note till we come to the Island Camaran subject to King of Aden Thence to Gezan a great Town 60 Leagues where are seven considerable Ports From Gezan to Imbo 130 Leagues all the Dominion of Meca wherein are good Towns and Ports among which Ziden a famous Town then Ioda much known and Meca 15 Leagues up the Country 60 Leagues from Imbo is Toro where it is said the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea which is here 3 Leagues over hence to Suez 40 Leagues and there ends the Coast of Arabia Let us now return from Suez to the streight where we began running along the opposite Coast of Egypt and Ethiopia 20 Leagues from Suez is Grand Cayr the vast Metropolis of Egypt but it lies upon the Nile not the Red Sea 45 Leagues from it to Alcozer thence 135 in which space are many Ports to the City Zuanquem 70 Leagues farther Mazua in a small Island as is the other and opposite to it Arquico hence 85 Leagues to the Mouth of the Sea Behind a ridge of Mountains that runs along this Coast lies the Empire of Prester Iohn which has always preserved Christianity after their manner and has of late been much supported therein by the Portugues Arms. 2. Albuquerque sailing along this Sea arrived at the Island Camaran abandoned by its Inhabitants for fear of his coming Here he took four Ships richly laden one belonging the Soldan of Cayr two more he had taken by the way From this Island he visited others and now appeared in the Sky visibly to all a Red Crols very bright seeming to be about a Fadom athwart and of a proportionable length They all knelt and Albuquerque made a devout Prayer and the Vision was Celebrated with Joy and sound of Musick and Cannon till by degrees it was covered by a bright Cloud He returned to Camaran designing to winter there the Wind having failed him to sail to Ioda as he had designed 3. Here they suffered extreamly by Famine and after many died by sickness caused by the ill Food Albuquerque parted hence when the Weather would permit which was in Iuly resolving to appear again before Aden He touched at the Island Mehun at the Mouth of the Streight and called it Vera Cruz because he erected there a very high Cross on an Eminence He dispatched two Ships to discover the City Zeyla where they burnt two Vessels in the Harbour and joyned him again at Aden 4. Albuquerque found this City newly fortified The Cannon on both sides was plaid with almost equal damage Nothing considerable was performed but some Ships taken and burnt and then sailed for India 5. About the middle of August he anchored off of Diu the Lord of it Melique Az more out of Fear than affection sent him some Provisions and a courteous Message Albuquerque knowing him dealt cautiously and demanded leave to raise a Fort there he excused himself with the King of Cambaya at the same time advising him to deny it if asked However it was agreed a Factor and some others should be left there to settle Trade and at parting Melique treated Albuquerque with such civility and cunning that he after said he had not seen a more perfect Courtier or fitter to deceive and at the same time please an understanding man Afterwards leave was obtained of the King of Cambaya to raise a Fort at Diu upon condition he might build another at Malaca and other reasonable Proposals which were admitted 6. Now arrived in India two Ships from Portugal a third being cast away but the men saved and taken up by the others at Melinde the Captain of her was after lost in a Boat Albuquerque went to Goa and sent his Nephew Noronha to dispatch these two and three other Ships homewards These Ships carried an Embassador from Zamori to King Emanuel he being now in amity with us and having permitted a Fort to be erected where it was desired They carried also the offers of several Princes and many Captives taken in War as Testimonies of what he had acted There went also a Portugues Jew an Inhabitant of Ierusalem sent by the Guardian of the Franciscans there to acquaint Albuquerque that the Soldan of Cayr threatned the destruction of all the Holy Places CHAP. IX A Continuation of the Conquests the Year 1513 till the Year 1514 the same King Reigning in Portugal and the same Governour Ruling India 1. THat Powerful Native of Iava Pate Quitir who had been honoured and preferred at Malaca by Albuquerque and at the time of his departure was in Rebellion improved his absence to carry on his Treason One Night he killed a Captain of ours and took some Cannon and fortified himself therewith and with what he had before and 6000 Men and two Elephants Ferdinando Perez and Alfonso Pessoa with 320 Men attacked him one by Land the other by Water after a vigorous defence many of his men being slain he fled to the Woods In his Fort was found much Artillery Ammunition and other Riches and all that part where he lived was burnt to the ground 2. Pate Quitir having received succour from Iava and King Mahomet who lost Malaca begins to raise another Fort in a convenienâ—… place appearing Powerful by Sea and Land in hopes to usurp the Dominion of the City Ferdinando Perez went again to oppose him but though he fought with the same resolution had not the same success as before being forced to retire with loss of three Captains and four private men Lacsamana a Commander of King Mahomet now enters the River with many Men and much Cannon in several Vessels Ferdinando Perez goes to meet him with three
infringed 3. The Viceroy upon this occasion shew'd an undaunted Spirit It was generally agreed Chaul should be abandoned for the greater security of Goa but the Viceroy resolved the Enemy should have nothing but what was dearly bought He immediately sent D. Francis Mascarennas with 600 Men in four Gallies and five small Vessels to the Relief of Chaul Among these went many Gentlemen of Note to serve as private Souldiers They set out about the end of September 4. Next the Viceroy applied himself to provide for the defence of Goa He posted Ferdinand de Sousa de Castellobrance an old Souldier in Asia in the Pass of Benastarim with 120 Men D. Paul de Lima at Rachol with 60 and thus in other places he distributed 1500 Natives of the Island There were not compleat 700 Portugueses in it these he reserved to relieve where ever the greatest danger threatned The City he put into the Hands of the Dominicans Franciscans and Clergy who exceeded not 300 assisted by 1000 Slaves Captain Iohn de Sousa with 50 Horse was to be ready to appear where-ever there was occasion D. George de Meneses â—…rnamed Barroche was to keep the River with 25 Sail. At the same time the Viceroy caused Ammunition and Provisions to be brought from all Parts the Works to be repaired and about the middle of December he took his Post upon the Bank of the River No sooner was he there than several Bodies of Men appeared coming down the Mountain Gate and encamping at Ponda commanded by Norican Hidalcan's General About the end of December he advanced and encamped over-against the Pass of Benastarim pitching his Master's Tents who spent eight days in coming down the Mountain by reason of the greatness of his Army At night he lighted so many Fires to discover the Paths of the Mountain that at a great distance the multitude of his men could be seen Being come to Ponda he covered those vast Plains with rich and costly Tents 6. This Army consisted of 100000 fighting Men besides an infinite number of Followers 35000 Horse 2140 warlike Elephants 350 pieces of Cannon most of an extraordinary bigness and some great Barques brought upon Mules to be lanched for all occasions upon the River The chief Commanders of this multitude were Norican called Hener Maluco of such quality that he never appeared with his Prince but in the Field Rumercan and Cogercan who for their quality had distant Quarters on the edge of the Water The Army encamped in such manner it looked rather like a regular City than a Camp Their order of Battle was thus Hidalcan at Ponda with 4000 Horse 6000 Musqueteers 300 Elephants 220 Cannons Cogercan Rumercan and Mortazacan near the Mouth of the Channel Ganja with 3000 Horse 130 Elephants and nine Cannons Norican opposite to the Island of Iohn Lopez with 7000 Horse 180 Elephants and eight great Cannons Camilcan and Delirracan facing the Pass of Benastarim with 9000 Horse 200 Elephants and 32 battering Pieces Solyman Aga on a height above Benastarim with 1500 Horse and two Field Pieces Anjozcan opposite to the Island of Iohn Bangâ—…l with 2500 Horse 50 Elephants and six Cannons Xatiarviatan in sight of Sapal with 1500 Horse 6 Elephants and 6 Cannons Danlatecan Xatiatimanaique Chitican and Codemenacan facing the Pass of Agaçaim with 9000 Horse 200 Elephants and 26 Cannons The rest of the Army covered the Mountains capable to strike a Terror into the boldest Spirits 7. The Viceroy viewed all the Posts offering his Person to the greatest danger The ranging of the Enemies Army caused him to alter his first method being now reinforced with some men come from several Parts he posted his men thus The dry Pass which he had designed for himself he committed to D. Peter de Almeyda and D. George Deça with 120 men and went himself to that of Benastarim where Ferdinand de Sousa de Castellobranco was with the like number taking to himself the Command of one of the lesser Posts there rather than remove that Officer D. Michael de Castro not far from Madre de Dios with 150 Iames Barradas on the point of the dry Pass with 60 D. Peter de Castro towards Benastarim with 120 maintained at his own Charge Iames de Azambuja hard-by with 50 Francis Pereyra a little farther with 20 Vincent Diaz Villalobos at Sapal with 60 next Gaspar Fernandez with 50 then D. Luis de Almeyda D. Ferdinand Monroy and D. Martin de Castellobranco with each 60 Francis Marquez Botello with 50 Alvaro Mendoça between the Viceroy and Pass of Mercantor with 10 a little farther Simon de Mendoça with 120 Emanuel Rolim at St. Iohns Pass with 100 In the Pass of Marque the City placed 80 Iohn de Sousa with his 50 Horse went from Agacaim to the Bar to receive and execute his Orders Baltasar Lobo de Sousa at Pardâ—… with 50 Peter Alvarez de Faria near him with 80 Vasco Perez de Faria at Necra with a Company Damian de Sousa at Bachol with the like Body and Francis de Silveyra at Norva with 30. 8. Several Vessels with small Guns were to run along the River to relieve all these Posts Thus the number of the Viceroy's Men was not above 1600 and he had but 30 Cannons in all those Posts This was the force we had to oppose that great Power the like was at Chaul 9. For Nizamaluco set down before it at the same time as Hidalcan did before Goa They two being suspitious of each other kept time in their Preparations Setting out and Marches But that we may not confound the Actions by mixing them we will first relate those at Goa and then proceed to Chaul The Cannon began to play the flashes whereof enlightned the Night and the smoak darkned the day The Enemy spent their first Fury on the Fort and Works of Benastarim and did great harm but could not perceive it for whatever they ruined by day was repaired by night They poured in showers of Bullets for only in Alvaro de Mendoça his Post 600 were found some of them of two Spans diameter we could not answer with the like number but could see we did great execution And our Vessels sailing nimbly about plied their small Guns with good effect Ferdinand de Sousa de Castellobranco one night by the help of a great number of Torches that went before spied an Officer of the Enemies crosing a height opposite to him with young Women a dancing before Sousa desirous to untune their harmony caused a Cannon to be so luckily levelled at them that the Officer some of those that lighted and two couple of the young Women were seen to fly into the Air. 10. This was the time for the return-Ships to sail for Portugal and every Body advised the Viceroy to stop them because they would carry 400 Men that might be a great help in the present distress But the Viceroy ambitious of making his Glory the greater by conquering the greater difficulties answer'd There was
undertake what does not belong to his profession There were two ways to the Mines the one through Monomotapa the other by Zofala Barreto was for this Monclaros for the other and carryed it notwithstanding all the Votes to the contrary and so the first step they gave was to their ruin 5. Now the Governor enters upon this Conquest let us say somthing of its Climate quality and extent The Coast from Cape Delgado to Mozambique is in the form of a bow it begins in 9 deg of S. lat and ends in 14 d. 3 m. in which space are the Islands Pajaros Mesa one at the Mouth of the River Paudagi Mocoloe Matemo Queriba Cobra near the River Menluane Quisve and Cabras or Del Açotado Then follow the Rivers Mâ—…cutii Mucululo Situ Habe Xanga Samoco Veloso Pinda Quizimaluco Tintagone Between these last are the Bays of Xanga and Fuego and the Sands of Pinda From Mocambique to the Port of the Bay of Cauea in 21 deg and half of S. lat The Continent runs to the Westward gathering the Waters where appears the Parcel de Zâ—…fala the dangerous Scylla and Caribdis of those Seas into which falls these Rivers Moeugo Bayones Mâ—…ge Mojuncoale Sangage Ambuzi here lie the three Islands of Angoxa Monca Macolonga with three other Islands Tondamaje Corombeca Quesungo Loranga Chimani Mogundo Mafusa between the last are the Ports of Quilimane and Luabo with the Island Chimgoma Tendicalu Quiloe Sabam Bagoe Miave Zofala with the opposite Island called Inbansato Quiloane Mambony Molimon Quilamancohi Between Cape Bâ—…siqua in 32 deg of S. lat and Cape Correntes in 23 is the great Bay of Sauâ—…a Into this Bay falls the River Inhambane where is the Trade of Ivory From these names I infer the Language of those People cannot be harsh being mostly compounded of the soft Letters L. and M. 6. The Empire of Monomotapa from the Mouth of Cuama in the East runs 250 Leagues is divided by the great River Zambere which falls into that of Chiri running through the Country of Borero where are many other large Rivers and on their banks many King 's some absolute some Subjects of Monomotapa the greatest of the first is Mongas bordering on Câ—…ama and Zambere which falls into the Sea between Mozambique and Zofala to the S. E. by four Mouths The first that of Quilimane 90 Leagues from Mozambique The second Cuama 25 to the Southward The third Luabo 5 Leagues lower and the fourth Luaboel 15 more to the South Between them are fruitful and large Islands whereof one is 60 Leagues in compass The River is Navigable the same number of Leagues up to the Town of Sena inhabited by Portugueses and as many more to Tete a Colony of theirs also The richest Mines are those of Musapa called Anfur the Ophir where the Queen of Saba had her Riches when she went to Hierusalem In these Mines has been found a lumâ—… of Gold worth 12000 Ducats and another of the value of 400000. It is not only found among Stones but grows up within the bark of several Trees to the top where the branches spread The Mines of Mancbica and Butica are not much inferior to these There are many others not so considerable There are three Fairs or Markets whither our People Trade for this Gold from the Castle of Tete on the River Zambeze 120 â—…ngues from the Sea the first is Luane four Days journey up the inland The second Buento farther distant and Masapa the third yet farther of This Gold was purchased for Cloth glass-beads and other things of no value among us At Masapa resides a Portugues Officer appointed by the Commander of Moçambique by consent of the Emperor of Monomotapa but upon condition not to go into the Country without his leave upon pain of Death He is Judge of the differences that arise there There are Churches of the Dominicans at Massapa Bocuto and Luanze 7. The Original number and time of the Reign of the Kings is not known it is believed there were several in the time of the Queen of Saba and that they were subject to her for thence she had her Gold In the Mountain Afur near Masapa are seen the ruins of stately buildings supposed to be Pallaces and Castles in Process of time the Empire was divided into three Kingdoms Quiteve Sabanda and Chiganga this last the most powerful as possessing the Mines of Manchica Butua and others its believed the Blacks of Butua of the Kingdom of Chicanga are those that carry the Gold to Angola because 't is thought there are but 100 Leagues distance between those two places this Country bears Rice and what we call Indian-wheat has abundance of all sorts of Cattle Fowl and Gardening Their chief care is Pastorage and Tillage this Empire is divided into 25 Kingdoms which are Mongas Baroe Manica Boesa Macingo Remo Chique Chiria Chidima Boquizo Inbanzo Chiruvia Condesaca Daburia Macurumbe Mungussi Antiovaza Cbove Chungue Dvia Romba Rassini Chirao Mocaranga and Remo de Beza there are many Lordships that have not the Title of Kings 8. The Emperor has a great Palace though of Wood the chief Apartments of it are three one for himself another for his Wife and a third for his menial Servants it has three Doors into a Court one for the Queen to go in and out at another for him and the Servants that attend his Person and are Sons of his Noblemen the third for the Cooks who are two great Men and his Relations and the under-Cooks who are also Men of Quality None of these must be above 20 Years of Age for till that Age they do not believe they have to do with Women and if any do they are severely punished after that time they are preferred to great imployments Those within Doors are governed by a Captain and those without by another as formerly in Spain the Alcalde de los Donçeles 9. The Principal Officers about the King are Ningomoxa Governor of the Kingdoms Mocomoaxa Captain General Ambuya great Steward to him it belongs when the Mazarira or the King 's Principal Wife dies to name another in her stead but it must be one of the King's Sisters or nearest Relations Inbantovo the head Musitian who has many under him and is a great Lord Nurucao Captain of the Van-guard Bucurumo which signifies the King's Right-hand Magande the chief Conjurer Netambe the Apothecary that keeps the Ointments and utencils for Sorcery Nebono chief Porter All these Offices are executed by Lords there is no delicacy in Cookery used they only Eat boyl'd and roasted they Eat the same as is usual among us with the addition of mice which they esteem as good as Partridge or Rabbet 10. The King has many Wives only nine called great Queens which are his Sisters or near Relations the others the Daughters of Nobles The chiefest is called Mazarira and Mother of the Portugueses who often present her because she sollicites their business with the King
follows is more His Men seeing the Portugueses come loaded with Riches advised him to make use of that Opportunity and not show too much Weakness or Pity And he fearing lest Covetousness should make them Disobedient laboured with soft Expressions and sweet Words to disswade them from their wicked Design 12. They all submitted themselves to their Officer's Reasons and with kind Usage much comforted the Disconsolate Portugueses who continued there till Alibec being gone they returned to Mascate always relating and admiring how honourably that Moor treated them without suffering the least wrong to be offered to their Persons or Goods 13. The News of the Ruine of Mascate being brought to Ormuz The Commander D. Gonçalo de Meneses caused the Gallies to be closely watched and Ships to be fitted out immediately to follow them He made Luis de Almeyda Commander in chief giving him a Galleon a Galley and six other vessels with Four hundred good Men. But he not observing the Orders of Meneses that were to follow the Galleys fell into the Coast of the Naytaques where they intended to Surprize the beautiful and rich City Pesani But Francis Machado having given the Alarm by falling upon some People that were passing in two Boats the Inhabitants all fled 14. They plundered the City without Honour or Danger and after burnt it and near Fifty Sail that were in the Bay The very same Fate attended the City Guadel not inferior to Pesani and that of Teis of the Abindos a barbarous and fierce Nation the last of Gedrosia on the Banks of the River Calamen the People of it join with the Naytaques in their Piracies 15. All these Things were begun though not absolutely transacted when D. Francis de Mascarennas arrived in India with the Title of Viceroy being the first sent by our first King Philip who was second of Spain Ferdinand Tellez left the Government in a peaceable Condition and the Sea of Goa well furnished with good Ships He was the last Governor appointed by the Portugues Authority in Number the Thirtieth held it Six Months the First of the Name and Fourth of the Sirname The End of the Third Part. THE PORTUGUES ASIA TOM II. PART IV. CHAP. I. Of the Gods Surpestitions and Opinions of the Asiaticks particularly the Indians and among them the Malabars 1. I Have purposely omitted giving so particular an Account and Description of the People and Countries mentioned in this History as will be expected from me to avoid interrupting the series of Affairs and connexion of Matter reserving it still for a more proper place The grand Revolution of the Kingdom of Portugal now brought under a foreign Prince puts a Period to the Proceedings of our own that we may begin again with what was transacted under our new Sovereigns Here then it will not be amiss to give the Curious the Satisfaction of some further Information touching the Indians Ethiopians Chineses and Iapans but still with my usual brevity dividing among them this Fourth Part of this Second Volume As Asia is divided into several Empires so it is inhabited by many very different sorts of People and each People distinguished by very opposite Customs Yet those that are of one Belief agree in the essential Part though they differ in Form It is so in India as well as any other considerable Portion of the World and therefore the Malabars one of the Nations thereof may inform us of the Religion and Government of all the rest 2. As to the Frame of the World they believe it had a beginning and will have an end but then begin again and in that manner will be everlasting that all things after having encreased diminish that in the beginning as One thousand and Animals were produced One thousand died but now for One thousand produced One thousand and one die that the reason why more die is because the heat of the Sun increases that in the end a violent Wind shall dissolve all things that nothing shall then remain but the Deity Ixoreta as in the first Chaos that he shall be reduced to the bigness of an Egg and this to the quantity of a Dew drop scarce discernable that after it has sounded like a Cricket it shall increase by the same measure it diminished and shall produce within it self the five Elements for they reckon the Heaven the fifth that their increasing shall burst the Egg in the middle that there shall appear in it seven shels put together like an Onion that the Egg being divided into two unequal parts the biggest will be the Heavens and the lesser the Earth that the Gods were and shall be so formed again The Egg being open the Deity will be placed in the upper part on the Earth will appear a Mountain of Silver on the top whereof will be seen the instruments of Generation which they call the true Ixoreta or Deity the true God and Causa Causarum because all things in the World proceed from the Union of the instruments of Generation therefore they particularly adore the noblest that it is the Male and place its Image in their Pagods and on their ways This they reign to have three Rines from which proceed the three Gods Bramá Vistâ—… and Givem or Ixora 4. Of the superior and inferior productions this is their Opinion Ixora with this instrument of Generation which was of a prodigious bigness plowed up the Earth for the space of Seven hundred thousand loxenas each of these when greatest is four Leagues and when least a League and a halfe from the Furrows sprung seven Seas and seven Lands the ridges were the Mountains the furrows the Vales and Waters Then from Ixoras back came the Woman called Cbati this has some resemblance with Eve's being made of Adams Rib and was separated from it by virtue of some words and they resolved to have copulation The length of the Generating Instrument called Linga wherewith Ixora had plowed the Ground hindred he cut it into eighteen pieces whereof were made the Weapons they use as the Spear Sword Bow and Buckler Then Ixora with his Finger opened the way of Generation in Chati which shed much Blood he received it in his Hands and throwing it up into the Air suddenly of it were produced the Sun Moon Stars Roses Flowers Sweet-herbs and Snakes which they use in their Ceremonies both being then fit for Copulation by them the World was Peopled the Beasts and Devils produced and Heaven filled with Spirits which they say are Thirty three Millions 5. The Heaven is fixt upon the Earth not the Earth the Center of it The Sun and Moon move like the Fish in the Water by Day from East to West by Night they run about the Northward not under the Earth but along the edge of the Horrizon they doubt whether the Earth be supported upon a Bulls-horns or upon the Snake called Ananta their Paradize is in some Mountain The Snake Bassagui fighting with the Wind would not let it
Estate so that some have above 1000 this sacrifice is to obtain Riches for themselves revenge and destruction of their Enemies Many have in their Houses familiar Devils which they call Cutichates every Day they offer something to them they get by them and some have 300 of them They make them enter into the bodies of those they would be revenged of whereof they make great advantage for many pay to be delivered from them By the help of them converted into the shapes of Beasts they hurt People and infest whole Towns There are those living who have seen the Town of Cranganor burnt by this means At Pudiangale near Calicut a Woman had one of these and saw it in the shape of a Cock a Monkey and a little black Boy with a Truncheon in his Hand these are not punished in Malabar but their Kings make use of them in danger The very Heathens observe that all those who follow that course live and die miserably 3. In sickness they consult Wizards not Doctors they say a Devil causes the Disease and bringing him into the Sick Man make him tell the Reason of molesting him then they promise him something to go out again and he does it They think the Small-pox is Cured with an offering to Patracale who they affirm causes them The Gout they believe is caused by â—…ive she Devils like Sows tothem they offer Food fit for such Beasts that they may transfer the Disease to their Enemies 4. They adore and offer Sacrifice to venemous Snakes that they may not hurt with their Poyson The Lawyers on the first Day of September do the same to their Books 5. Their Baths are used rather to cleanse the Soul than the Body they know the ten Commandments but think not themselves bound by them It is a great Sin if a Nobleman is touched by one that is not such though he be never so great by learning by the Sword or by Virtue And even Riches there cannot prevail to gain this point The King of Travancoâ—… being resolved to become a Bramene though not of that descent was told he must first be bore of a Cow be made one of Gold so big that going into it he was born out of it he offered it to the Bramenes with a great Snm of Gold and obtained the dignity but not Hereditary 6. They purge themselves from venial Sins by putting their Heads under Water one of these is a Nobleman touching a Plebean and to prevent it the latter cries as he goes Po po po that is have a care another is touchâ—…ng the Dead or their Friends within fifteen Days another to touch Meat with the right Hand when they Eat another to touch them so touched or their Houses or Wells to touch another with the right â—…and whilst Eating to touch a grain of Rice fallen as it is taken up to touch a drop of Water disturbed by one not so noble Mortal Sins are not forgiven so he who commits them remains subject to Death and the Lord of the Earth as long as he lives The mortal are these To use Pots touched by Men deâ—…led to Eat Rice before Purification to Eat it boyled by a Man of base race to have to do with a Woman of that sort to Eat Rice into which is fallen the least grain out of another Man's plate 7. Their bathing is thus They believe the stone of the bath is the God Brama the lips of it Vistnu and all together Ixora When they go in their nakedness is covered with a rag or leafe in the Water they write Om with one Finger and throw Water over it with three believing the three Gods bathed there Then dividing the Water dip their Heads and after cast up some towards eight parts of the World offering Water to the eight Guardians thereof They call upon Siri Pagod and wash their Faces three times they also cast Water up towards Heaven offering it to the Sun then wash their Hands and Feet On the Palm of their left Hand they put Ashes of Cows-dung and sprinkle it and believe the left Hand is the Earth the right Heaven and and the Palm the place of Generation laying one Hand upon the other and shutting them close they say Let the end of the World come 8. This they do in imitation of Ixoras's Egg and think the upper Hand when opened represents Heaven the lower the Earth with the right Thumb they write upon the Ashes Iara that is the Fight that was in the Egg between Fire and Water Then that all their limbs may be sanctified they touch with their Hand the principal parts of the Body from the privy parts to the crown of the Head and the Ears Elbows Knees and great Toes They hold their hands as if they gave something to two Spirits who they say attend on us writing our good works on the right Hand and the bad on the left the same they do to the eight Guards of the World turning about The last ceremony is to rub the Forehead Shoulders and Breast with Ashes taken with two Fingers and the Thumb of the right Hand in honour of the three Gods 9. The bathing called Titan performed in the Sea is very solemn before it they perform a ceremony in which they offer 〈◊〉 a sort of flowers prostrating themselves three times on the ground once in reverence to the Pagod once to the Sun and once to the Sea The chief places they resort to for this bathing are three on the Coast of Travancor viz. Baçora Rettorâ—… and 〈◊〉 the Days appointed are the first of each Moon chiefly those of Iuly and Ianuary but if the New-Moon fall on a Wednesday it adds so much to this devotion that the Mountains and Valleys can scarce contain the multitude of Pilgrims that resort from above Five hundred Leagues distance of all Sexes Ages and conditions and all a foot Above all others the Ganga of Bengala is held in veneration for this washing 10. Ashes of Cows dung is their chief Purgation powdering their Forehead Shoulders and Breast with it the more of it their Iogues or Religious Men have upon them the more Holy they are reputed they carry it in purses to recompence the Alms that are given them The Reason they esteem this Powder is this Ixora was sanctified by the Ashes of Gevelinga Vistnu desiring to partake of this blessing and impart it to Mankind carryed a Cow to 〈◊〉 where she got a mouthful of that dust Vistnu took her dung in which was that Ashes she had Eaten and burning it made more Ashes which he shared with Man 11. They also dissolve the same dung and sprinkle their Houses and Highways with it to purify them with this is the way dayly sprinkled through which Zamâ—…ri goes from his Pallace to the Pagod and his Table cloth and a Gold dish on which the Meat is brought As soon as they see a Cow piss they run and catch it in their hands drink part and sprinkle
are set Dogs of Stone for People to go over upon many Vessels ply about it some very large being built for pleasure and feasting with Kitchins fore and aft in the Midship rooms with Tables above floors for Women the windows covered with close nets that they may not be seen all painted and gilded the abundance of Meat in them is wonderful in these many spend what they have The second thing famous is the Silk and man ner of working it the third the worship of their Idols and magnificence of their Temples 6. The last of these 9 Southern Provinces is Nanking between 29 and 36 deg of lat the best in the whole Kingdom It permits no Foreign Trade the Merchants to enhance the value of their goods say they are of Nanking in only the Town of Xanham 't is said there are 200000 loomes for Cotton which yearly yield the King 450000 Ducats The Court long resided here and all the tribunals and priviledges of a Court still remain in the capital City called as my Author will have it Ymthienfu but I find it is by all others named Kiangning This City is the best in the Kingdom for sumptuous buildings spacious streets trade and abundance of all things it has twelve stately Gates well defended with Canon without the walls runs another at a great distance much ruined the outward circumference will take up a Horseman two Days journey travelling a good pace the inward is 6 Leagues between the two walls are buildings and tillage the crop whereof is appropriate to the Souldiery that reside within to the number of 40000 In one quarter of the Town is a Mount and thereon a sphear of a vast bigness of curious workmanship but stands not on a frame there is also a rare Tower 7 stories high with all appurtenances made of Porcelane a most wonderful work The River runs by the foot of it called according to my Author Yamcuquiam by all others I find it named Kiang but Yamcuquiam signifies Son of the Sea because it is one of the greatest in the World and may perhaps for brevity generally be called Quiam or Kiang it has great store of Fish 7. The Northern Provinces are 6 their names Honan Xensi Xansi Xantung Peking and Leavâ—…ung The first lies between 33 and 37 deg of lat and produces the most delicious fruit which is prodigiously cheap so that One hundred of Apricocks is worth about half a Farthing A Prince lives here in as great state as the King 8. The Province Xensi lies to the Eastward of the last in near the same Latitude it is large but dry as the three next to it bears little Rice much Barley common and Indian Wheat Their Sheep are shorn three times a Year Spring Summer and Autum but the first shearing is the best The Wool serves for Hats and such like work but is not fit to spin The Goat's Hair is spun and of it they weave Stuffs richer than of Silk but it is only of a sort of Down that grows next the Skin under the long Hair This Province yields Musk which grows in the Navel of a Beast like a little Deer the Flesh whereof is eaten The Purses brought hither are not all the same in which it grows because the Musk mixed with other Drugs is too much to be contained by them only and so Purses are made for it of the Skin Scarce any Musk comes over pure Here is also some Gold gathered but in Rivers for the Mines of it and Silver are not open Most of the Rhubarb in the World seems to come from hence for that which is brought from Persia cannot be of the Prodâ—…ct of that Country because none that have travelled there relate they ever saw this Herb grow there It grows high and bears Leaves bigger than those of Cabbage requires much care and grows not wild as some would have it 9. This is a Province of great Trade for the numerous Caravans some of above One thousand Men which repair to its two Western Cities Socheu and Xancheu In them come Ambassadors from the Mahometan Princes to the King of China every three Years is an ordinary Embassy and every fifth one extraordinary they always bring Presents The Princes are the Turk the Arabs Camul Samarâ—…an and Tarsan but none of them except the last know any thing of these Embassies or Presents the Merchants do it at their own cost for the more security of their Trade The Present consists of a quantity of precious Stones Three hundred and forty Horses Three hundred small Sparks of Diamonds some sine Blew Six hundred Knives and as many Files The King returns for each Horse two pieces of Cloath of Gold Thirty of yellow Silk Thirty Pounds of Cha Ten of Musk Fifty of a Medicine called Tienyo and Fifty of Silver 10. Cha which I suppose to be our Tea is the Leaf of a Tree like Myrtle in some places bigger than others they dry it in Iron Pots over the Fire and so it runs up together There is of it from a Ducat the Pound to less than a Halfpenny such is its variety It is their common drink steeped in hot Water with it they treat Strangers and relate many Virtues of it 11. The Province of Xansi lies between 36 and 42 deg of Lat. the many Mountains make it barren therefore bears little Wheat less Rice and most of Indian Wheat it supplies the Kingdom with Resins Here are Wells of Fire for the use of Houses like those of Water in other Parts They make small Mouths and over them boil any thing They have Coal-Pits as in England The Province of Xantung lies between 35 and 38 deg of Lat. it is poor subject to Locusts and often to Famine It bears a sort of Apples which is carried over most of the Kingdom 12. The Province of Peking between 36 and 42 degrees of Latitude is now honoured with the Court in the City of the same name but more properly Xuntâ—…ienfu or Xuntien the Moors call it Cambalud The People as all those of the North are not so ingenious but more laborious and warlike The Land dry and healthy but barren yields Indian Corn but little Rice or Wheat The Rice used at Court comes from Nanking it is pleasant only boiled in Water without any other Addition The King keeps One thousand Sail that trade to the South for Provisions This Province sends abroad no Commodities but Pensils and Persumes The City is not so large as Nanking but far exceeds it in populousness The Walls are so thick twelve Horsemen ride abreast on them they are guarded with as much care in Peace as War At the Gates are Officers to receive the Duty of all things brought in and that belongs to the Queen 13. The Magistrates of this City have but very little State in their Persons and Houses only the chief of them can go in Chairs the others on Horseback All People have their Faces covered along the
somewhat in general of India whereof much relates to the greatest Part of Asia Those Heathens have a Book they believe in and esteem as we do the Holy Scripture It is writ in Verse as they say that understand it pleasing and ingenious but it seems strange to us there should be any Harmony in Verses composed of Seventy-five Syllables for so many an Author say they contain 10. They believe in one God Creator of all Things yet allow other increated Gods that there is Heaven and Hell and that the Souls of such as die in Sin go into Beasts and stay there till being purged they go to Eternal Rest. They esteem Cows as properest for this Transmigration When one is dying they bring one to him and put the Tail into his Hand that when his Soul departs it may be near the Door it is to enter at 11. They allow no Free Will and some are of Opinion That the Souls return from Hell into other Bodies till they merit Heaven and that there is an indifferent Place without Reward or Punishment for such as live indifferently The Sins they esteem most hainous are Murder Theft Drinking of Wine taking away another Man's Wife The First is wiped off with Pilgrimages the second with Alms the third with Fasting and the fourth with Sacrifices some are of Men the greatest of Cows Some will lie down under the Wheels of the heavy Carts of their Idols which crush them to peices Others wear irons with Spikes that run into them Others hang themselves on a Hook and there sing Verses to their Idols 12. They maintain Hospitals where they look after sick Birds and Beasts and send Men abroad to bring them in but have no Comâ—…assion for Men saying Those Afflictions are sent them for their Sins There are Men employed to buy Birds or other Creatures only to restore them to their Liberty They believe God has five Regents that govern the World and every one of them a Wife those are called Xadaxivam Rudra Maescura Visnu and Brabema the Wives Humani Parvadi Maenomadi Lacami and Exarasvadi The first governs the first Heaven where are all the Planets the second the Fire the third the Air the fourth the Water the fifth the Earth Brahema Visnu and Rudra are the Chief and form a Body with three Heads called Mahamurte signifying the three Chiefs Hence it is inferred the Indians had some knowledge though imperfect of the Blessed Trinity 13. They are much addicted to Witchcraft and Superstition and believe there are Fourteen Worlds and that this we live in is an Image of that in Heaven Their several Families touch not one another not eat together Tradesmen cannot marry out of their own Trade The most renowned Families among them are the Raja's an ingenuous People that rather lose their Lives than their Arms in Battle The Bramenes who contend for Precedence with the Raja's The Chatines which are the richest Merchants The Bâ—…lalas or Country People held in such esteem that Kings marry their Daughters to them saying They are the Publick Substance From these four Roots â—…pring One hundred ninety-six Branches divided into Valangas that is of the Right-hand and Elanges of the Left but none of these are honoured as the other four 14. Let us say somewhat of the Christians of St. Thomas Four Leagues from Cochim on the Malabar Coast is the City Cranganor almost encompassed by a River inhabited by Christians Gentiles Mahometans and Iews The whole Kingdom takes Name from the City it has a great Trade is frequented by Merchants from Siria Egypt Persia and Arabia by reason of the plenty of Pepper brought thither At the arrival of the Portugueses in India it was governed in the form of a Commonwealth but subject to Zamori whom they cast off seeing him weakned by our Arms. 15. Their Heathen Rites are the same with those of the other Malabars The Christians called of St. Thomas who inhabit from this Câ—…ty to Coromandel and Meliapor the place where that Apostle was buried have Churches like ours in Europe on the Altars and Walls Crosses painted but no other Images no Bells the People meet on Sundays to hear Sermons and other Service Their head Bishop resides in Chaldea has twelve Cardinals two Patriarchs Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates and Fathers 16. The Priests are shorn in the form of a Cross they consecrate leavened Bread and Wine made of Rasins for want of other Baptize after Forty Days unless there be danger of Death instead of extream Unction the Priests bless the Sick use Holy Water bury after our manner the Relations and Friends eat together eight Days while the Ceremonies last If there be no Will the next of Kin inherits the Widows recover their Portion but forfeit it if they Marry within a Year 17. They have all our Holy Scripture in Hebrew and Caldaick with Expositions which they Read in Schools their Divines interpret it well chiefly the Prophets which they study most They observe the same Lent and Advent as we do Oâ—… the Eve of the Resurrection they neither eat nor drink and keep that Day with great Solemnity as also the Sunday of Pastor Bonus in remembrance that on that Day St. Thomas felt our Saviour's side they observe our very Festivals as Sundays the Feasts of our Lord Lady and Apostles and have the same Bissextile or Leap Year as the Latines Both they and the Gentiles keep the Feast of the Apostle on the first Day of Iune There are Monasteries of Monks and Nuns cloathed in black and religiously observe their Rules The Priests observe conjugal Chastity and marry not a second time There is no Divorce allowed beween Man and Wife 18. In the Year 1544 came to Cochim Iacob a Caldean Bishop of Cranganor where being dangerously sick he sent for the Treasurer Peter de Sequeyra and told him Necessity had obliged him to pawn two Copper-Plates with Characters engraven on them which were Original Grants and Privileges bestowed on the Apostle St. Thomas by the Sovereigns of those Countries when he Preached there that he desired him to release them least they should be lost if he died for if he lived he would take them out himself This Prelate found the only way to lose them in trusting the Portugueses for Sequeyra paid the Two hundred Royals they were pawned for put them into the Treasury and they were never more heard of 19. The Governor Martin Alfonso de Sousa after long search for some Body that could understand them had found a retired Jew on the Mountain who said they were writ in the Caldean Malabar and Arabian Languages and the Substance of them was That the Prince then Reigning of his free Gift granted to Thomas at Cranganor such a Parcel of Ground to build a Church for the Maintenance whereof he assigned the Fifths of Merchandize 20. Very much might be said of the Island Ceylon but I will only add a little to what is already said About five hundred Years
Inhabitants called them the Bearded People not but those People have Beards but theirs are short and thin ours then were at their full growth and some reached to the Waste By them the Captain was informed that River was formerly called Tauralachim that is Great Stock to express its Greatness it is deep for Eighty Leagues up to Moncalor then shallower and wide where is a Country for Eight days Journey Unpeopled by a multitude of Birds 40 years before the great Kingdom of the Chintaleuho's In the middle of it is the great Lake Cunabetee or Chiamay whence spring four great Rivers It is 180 Leagues in compass beset with Mines of Silver Copper Tin and Lead 8. Hence he directed his Course for the Island Hainan passed in sight of Champiloo in the Latitude of 13 Degrees and at the entrance of the Bay of Cochinchina Farther on he discovered the Promontory Pulocampas whence is seen the Point of Hainan Westward is a River up which Borrallo was sent in a small Vessel with 16 Men who discovered at least Two thousand Sail and a large Walled Town On their Return they saw a large Vessel at Anchor The Captain thinking it was Coja Hazem fell upon and took it But among the Prisoners he found an ancient Christian of Mount Sinai who told him it belonged to Quiay Tayjam a Pyrat who had killed above a Hundred Portugueses and now laid hid in the Fore-Castle with six or seven others who were all killed there In that Vessel were found 70000 Quintals or Hundred weight of Pepper much other Spice Ivory Tin Wax and Powder all valued at 60000 Crowns besides good Cannon Baggage and some Plate In the Hold were nine Children the biggest about nine years of Age loaded with Irons and starving with Hunger 9. Coasting along the Island Hainan he met some Fishers of Pearâ—… whom he used courteously They told him the Island belonged to the King of China Hence he went to the River Tanaâ—…quir where two great Vessels suddenly fell upon Faria both which after a long Dispute he took having killed 80 of their Men and lost 14 whereof one Portugues After a while they heard lamentable Cries in the Hold of one of those Vessels where they sound seventeen Prisoners two of them Portugueses One of which said those Vessels belonged to Necoda Xicaulem who after turning Christian at Malaca and marrying a Portugues had killed her and many more of her Country His Body being found was cut in pieces The Booty was valued at 50000 Crowns One of the Vessels was burnt for want of Men to sail it in both were seventeen Brass Guns most of them with the Arms of Portugal 10. He Anchored forty Leagues farther at C. Tilaumere where came up with our four Vessels four others in which was the Bride of a Noble young Man who had promised to meet her there with a like number of Ships and this mistake brought them to our Vessels Three of them were taken and in one of them the Bride Some Seamen were chose the rest set ashoar They came to Mutipinam and found it a most convenient place to sell their Prizes The Governour of the City somewhat obstructed the Sale so they were obliged to hasten it the Goods were paid for in Silver uncoyned and amounted to Two hundred thousand Crowns This was the beginning of the Year 1541. CHAP. VI. Continues the Exploits of Antony de Faria 1. ANtony de Faria sailed on in search of the Port of Madel in the Island Hainan and by the way took some Prizes Here he met Hinymilau a bold Pyrat and a great Enemy to Christians whom he delighted to put to cruel Deaths They had a bloody Fight with and at length took him He gave a bold Relation of the Cruelties he had exercised against the Portugueses and was therefore with four more immediately killed The Prize was valued at 70000 Ducats 2. This Action struck such a Terrour into many of those that were there in that River that they sent a Message to Faria offering him 30000 Crowns to take them into his Protection calling him King of those Seas and desiring of him Passes for their safe Trading therein He received the Mony and gave the Passes by only Writing of which in Twelve days time a Servant of his got 6000 Ducats The Governour of the City offered to make him Admiral of those Seas for the King of China with a Pension of 9000 Crowns if he would serve Such a Name had he already got in those parts 3. They run all along this Coast without any remarkable Occurrence only saw many though not large Towns and a very fruitful Country and were informed there were there Mines of Silver Tin Salt-Peter and Brimstone The Souldiers now weary of looking after the Pyrat Coja Hazem demanded their shares of the Prizes to be gone They agreed and directed their Course for the Kingdom of Siam By a furious Storm they were wrecked upon the Island De los Ladrones where of Five hundred Men only Eighty six got ashoar naked of these Twenty eight were Portugueses Here they were fifteen days almost without any thing to eat A Bird flying over them with a Fish dropt it and afterwards they saw many others that frighted at their Shouts let fall their Prey this and a Deer they found killed by a Tyger kept them awhile but some died with Want Being thus in despair because the Island was not Inhabited they discovered a small Vessel making to the shoar where they cast Anchor and presently Thirty Men landed some carried Wood and Water and others diverted themselves They were Chineses Our Men agreeing together upon a sign run furiously and possessed themselves of the Vessel and with the same swiftness put to Sea The Chineses were astonished at that unexpected Misfortune and our Men overjoyed finding in the Vessel good Provision and much Silk In the Barque they found only an Old man and a Child whose Father was left ashoar 4. Sailing for Liampo in Port Xamoy they took a Vessel of Chineses and went to the Island Luxitay where they stayed fifteen days went over to the great Vessel and Refitted the small one and then went on Upon the Coast of Lamau they discovered a great Vessel which as it came near began to fire Fifteen great Guns it carried but coming closer they discovered Crosses and Portugues Habits on both sides so they hailed each other and the Vessel appeared to belong to Quiay Panjau a Chinese and great Friend to the Portugueses whereof he had Thirty Souldiers aboard He came to Farias's Vessel and brought a present of Amber Pearls Gold and Silver worth Two thousand Ducats After other Discourse our Captain told him he was bound for Liampo to furnish himself with Necessaries in order to attempt the Mines of Quamjaparu where he was told he might get a Treasure Quiay Panjau offered to accompany him demanding for himself only the Third part of what should be taken which was agreed 5. At
of them D. Alvaro the Governours Son sent with Supplies seemed to sail in opposition to the Seas and Winds through Storms almost incredible Yet they all arrived at Baçaim and Antony Moniz Barreto with 8 Gentlemen got first into Diu who though so few by their Bravery were no small comfort to the besieged One of these called Michael Darnide a Man of prodigious Strength Barreto refusing to take him into his Boat leaped into the Water with his Musquet in his Mouth and swam after him so he was obliged to take him up 6. Next came Luis de Melo Mendoça with nine Men then D. George and D. Duarte de Meneses with seventeen after them D. Antony de Ataide and Francis Guillerme with fifty each and lastly Ruy Freyre Factor of Chaul with Twenty four All together fell upon the Enemy then possessed of some of our Works and among them the Bastion Santiago The Dispute was hot yet the Enemy set up their Colours on the Walls Antony Moniz Barreto made good his Post with only two Souldiers and was going to quench his Flames in the Water but one of the two who was in the same condition detained him and both did things worthy admiration Antony Correa sallied out with Twenty Men to discover the Enemy and saw Twelve Moors sitting about a Fire he exhorted his Men to fall upon them but they seeing him go on fled however he went on thinking to take one that might give Intelligence He fell on and behaved himself bravely yet he was taken and carried to Rumecan who Examined him about the posture the Fort was in which being then very miserable he represented so powerful as drove him into despair and moved him to cause the unfortunate Prisoner to be dragged through the Streets and his Head cut off which was set upon a Pole next day in sight of the Fort. 7. The Enemy had now lost Five thousand Men the Besieged Two hundred and had not so many more left and not above half them able to do Duty when D. Alvaro arrives with the Supplies which consisted of Four hundred Men and a sufficient quantity of Ammunition having by the way taken a Ship of Cambaya richly laden The Joy of this Relief was soon allayed for the Souldiers that came with D. Alvaro fearing the Mines proposed to meet the Enemy in open Field But the Governour prudently refusing they broke out into open Mutiny in contempt of all Military Discipline scarce known or at least not respected by the Portugues Nation D. Iohn seeing himself in danger of perishing in the Fort by his own Men chose rather to dye in the Field among the Enemies He sallied with almost Five hundred Men in three Bodies At one heat they gained the Enemies advanced Post forcing them to retire to their Works Those who insolently forced their Commander to this Extravagancy stood heartless at the Foot of the Trenches seeing others mount who had said less D. Iohn seeing them in this posture cried out Whether it was thus they had promised to fight Where was now that Boldness that obliged him to come into the Field Where the Threats that they would fight the Enemy without him Behold your Commander you accused of Cowardize calls you to the danger And who is there follows me of those that would have led me hither Within the Walls you were fierce and now in the Field timorous Your Courage suits with your Tongues for those who said much always acted little They ashamed to be thus justly upbraided took Heart and mounted The whole Army came down upon them and the Portugueses having done wonders were forced to retire in disorder This was the time the Enemy had possessed himself of the Fort had not Mascarenas with his Prudence and Valour prevented Mojatecan who with Five thousand attempted to enter and was valiantly opposed by Luis de Sousa in St. Thomas's Bulwark Threescore Men were lost in this Action D. Alvaro de Castro was mortally Wounded in the Head This was the fruit of that insolent Disobedience 8. The Moors had taken the Cannon of the Bastion Santiago when Vasco de Cuna and Luis de Almeyda brought a fresh Relief The latter immediately went out with Payo Rodriguez and Peter Alfonso in three Caravels and as soon returned with two great Ships of Meca and some other Vessels whose Loading was worth Fifty thousand Ducats At the Yard-Arms hung many Moors whose Heads were then cut off as was the Captains who was a Janizary and offered Three thousand Ducats for his Ransom CHAP. III. Continues the Siege of Diu the Governour D. John de Castro comes in Person to its Relief 1. NOw begins the Month of November and the Siege had lasted eight Months when the Governour D. Iohn de Castro covers the Sea with a great Fleet of all sorts of Vessels for the Relief of Diu. All Goa admired the Constancy wherewith he received the News of the Death of his Son D. Fernando for though he highly resented it he dissembled his Grief and dressing himself gayer than ordinary went in Procession to give God Thanks That Diu was still in the possession of the Portugueses and then went to a publick Feast which is an Imitation of a Fight wherein they use Canes instead of Lances 2. The Fleet consisted of above Ninety Sail besides three of the Ships that then came from Portugal and several Gentlemen that came in them went in other Vessels 3. The Governour being come to Baçaim waited the coming up of the Vessels that were scattered and the mean while sent D. Emanuel de Lima to scour the Coast. On the Coast of Damam he took several Ships and cutting the Moors that were in them in pieces threw them into the Mouths of the Rivers that the Tide carrying them up they might strike a Terrour in all that Coast. Entring the River of Suratt after a vigorous Resistance made he destroyed all that belonged to the Town called Of the Ethiopians The same was done at the City Ansote not far distant without sparing Beauty the finest Women of the Bramens and Baneans being slaughtered So in other Neighbouring Towns and then D. Emanuel withdrew leaving an Universal Terrour all along that Shoar 4. The Fleet appearing in the Sea of Diu the Enemy stood amazed though they had just then received a supply of Five thousand fresh Men sent by the King The Governour went privately into the Fort and afterwards Landed his Men. He proposed in Council Whether it was fit presently to march out and fight the Enemy The Question was debated till the Experienced Garcia de Sa put an end to it saying They â—…ught to fight They marched in this order D. Iohn Mascarenas Commander of the Fort led the Van consisting of Five hundred Men D. Alvaro led as many Don Emanuel de Lima the like number The Governour led the rest which were One thousand and a Body of Indians Among the Men were some Portugues Women in mens Cloaths to assist the
Gold after loading the Vessels with one of the richest Booties that had been taken in Asia He lost not one Man in this Action He spent eight days destroying all on both sides Indus The Fort of Bandel made some Resistance but being taken was demolished 13. Gaspar de Monterroyo a Souldier of Note going accidentally into a Wood met some Blacks who bid him go no farther for hard-by there was a Serpent had just then devoured a Bullock He desiring to see such a Monster as they described went on till he discovered the Head which was of a wonderful bigness and not satisfied came so near as to touch it with the Point of his Sword and the Monster lifted up its Head and he gave it such a fortunate stroak on a soft place that it soon after died It was thirty Foot long and proportionable in bigness Barreto returned thus Victorious over Men and Monsters to Chaul There he found Orders to go to Dabul where he would find Antony Pereyra Brandam Admiral of that Coast. They were to joyn in order to destroy that City in part of Revenge for the damage Hidalcan did us Being joyned they attacked the City and though vigorously defended it was taken and wholly reduced to a heap of Rubbish Then they did the same to all the Villages upon the shoar of that River CHAP. XIII The End of the Government of Francis Barreto 1. HIdalcan's General Nazer Maluco entred the Lands of Salsete and Bardes with 2000 Horse and 18000 Foot The Governour with 3000 Portugueses 1000 Canara's and 200 Horse met him in the Fields of Ponda having then but 17000 Men and a Mountain on his back He furiously attacked put him to flight and returned victorious to Goa D. Peter de Meneses who Commanded the Fort of Rachol did what he could which was not much because the Enemy was too numerous Iohn Peixoto vigorously opposed Moratecan in the Lands of Bardes A Renegado Portugues who had fortified himself doing him much harm he assaulted and routed him twice killing 200 of his Men and 〈◊〉 Captain Nazer Maluco intrenched himself again at Ponda 2. Five Ships arrived now from Portugal three of them were Cast-away in their Return home one at Tierra del Natal another at the Island St. Thomas and the third at Madagascar The arrival of these Ships and some damage we had done Hidalcan obliged him to conclude a Peace which we sued for yet was not dishonourable 3. D. Duarte Deça Commander of Ternate was not idle He was harsh and covetous so easily falling out with the King he Unchristian-like Imprisoned him his Mother and Brother Cachil Guzarate using them very unworthily and to compleat his Cruelty ordered they should have nothing to eat Publick Complaints obliged him to consent the Hospital of Misericordia should maintain them and his desire of killing them made him so base as to poison their Water which was discovered by a Stone the King had in a Ring The Ternatenses took Arms and called in the Tidores so that the Fort was in great danger 4. D. Duarte having received Relief ventured to fight at Sea with as good success as if Justice had been on his side But the Portugueses themselves no longer able to endure his Obstinacy put him into Custody and discharged the Prisoners which put an end to that Discord No Man would take upon him the Command of the Fort till Antony Pereyra Brandam was forced by the People to accept of it in Trust till the Governour disposed of it Whilst some Portugueses in the Maluco's by their Actions appeared most barbarous Heathens some Infidels became Christians a thing to be admired having such ill Examples before them The King of the Island Bacham was converted by F. Antony Vaz a Jesuit 5. The War continued at Goa A Moor with Five hundred Men waded over the Ford of Zacorla in the Island Choram and surprizing those few Portugueses that were in it gained some advantage till others coming in from several Parts drove them headlong into the Water where many of them were drowned The Governour hearing of this marched to their Relief and sent before George Mendoça Commander of the City with some Gentlemen who behaved themselves well and brought many Heads of Moors to the Governour All was kept quiet afterwards by D. Francis Mascarenhas who was left in the Island with 300 Men. 6. The Governour desiring to secure the Promontory of Chaul asked leave of the King Nizamuxa to fortifie it He not only refused it but secured the Messenger and sent 30000 Men who began to build an impregnable Fort there The Governour sent Alvaro Perez de Sotomayor with some Ships to keep the Mouth of the Port till he came which was soon after He brought 4000 Portugueses besides Natives The Enemy better advised proposed a Peace which was concluded to our content on Condition the Work of the Fort should not advance The Governour returned home A Miracle was seen here which was That the Moors could never cut down or remove with force of Elephants a small Wooden-Cross that was fixed upon a Stone 7. The Governour having setled Affairs at Goa was wholly employed in fitting out a mighty Fleet against the King of Achem who is the only Terrour of Malaca In a few Months he provided 25 Galleons 10 Gallies and 80 Galliots all so well furnished it renewed the hopes of fixing our Empire in India But all this Industry falls to nothing for now a new Governour comes and the New ones never prosecute the designs of the Old However this Force was well employed though not as our Governour designed 8. Francis Barreto brought to Lisbon a Jewel wrought by the hand of Nature A Portugues Souldier on the Coast of the Island Ceylon met a Iogue that is a sort of Penitent Heathen who among other things had picked up a brown Pebble of the shape and bigness of an Egg on which were represented the Heavens in several Colours and in the midst of them the Image of our Blessed Lady with our Saviour in her Arms. The Souldier gave him some small thing for this Stone and afterwards it came to the hands of Francis Barreto who presented it to Queen Catherine and by virtue of it God wrought several Miracles in India and Portugal 9. Francis Barreto was a couragious discreet and generous Gentleman and such a Governour as India now mourns for He afterwards returned as Governour and Conquerour of the Empire of Monomotopa where he died as shall be seen in its proper place He had a stately Presence his Complexion tawny and black Hair He Governed three years was the 19th Governour and second of the Name CHAP. XIV The Government of the Vice-Roy D. Constantine de Braganza from the Year 1558 till 1561 in the Reign of King SEBASTIAN 1. ABout the End of the Government of Francis Barreto died King Iohn the Third In him ended the good Fortune of Portugal as did that of India in the Vice-Roy
them and that in that of Coulam was the burying place of Sibila Indica by whose advice King Perimal of Ceylon went to the Coast of Mascate to meet the other two Kings that were going to adore Christ newly born at Bethlehem That the same King at the Intreaty of the Sibil brought her the Picture of the Blessed Virgin which was kept in the same Tomb. This was the Invention of the Relicts of that Heavenly Messenger in India And gave occasion to build the City at this time called S. Thomas a Portugues Colony in the Port of Paleacate seven Leagues from the Ruins of the most ancient Meliapor CHAP. VIII Continues the Government of D. Duarte de Meneses from the Year 1522 till the Year 1524 King John then reigning 1. ANtony de Miranda de Azevedo was this year Commander of the Fort of Pacem in the Island Sumatra On the Western Coast of this Island are six Moorish Kingdoms The chief was that of Pedir to which were subject those of Achem and Daga But falling to War that of Achem gained the Superiority He of Pedir took the protection of our Fort against his ill Fortune D. Andres Enriquez then commanded it sent to that Post from Portugal with D. Duarte de Meneses 2. The Tyrant of Achem scoured the Sea and Land with a great Power till coming to the City Pedir he endeavoured to draw to his snare the King who had taken the Portugues Protection To compass his Design he prevailed with the Men of that City to write a Letter to the King telling him he might safely come thither his Enemy being already expelled and that he might easily destroy him with the assistance of the Portuguses He gave credit to the letter desired the assistance of the Commander who gave him eighty Portugueses and two hundred Moors commanded by his Brother D. Emanuel in small Vessels of Oars The King marched along the Shore with above a thousand armed Elephants He was received at Pedir with feigned Joy and a Design to take him Prisoner that night which was deferred to secure the Portugueses The King being informed of the danger next day fled with two Elephants and some Men. The Portugueses were left on the Shore exposed to the Enemies Darts and Arrows D. Emanuel and thirty five of them were killed the rest fled With this loss D. Andres lost also the hopes of maintaining the Fort. He asked Provisions of Raphael Perestello who was at Charigam the chief Port of Bengala Dominick Seixas was immediately sent with a Ship who was stopped by thirty Portugueses who were turned Pirates in that Sea commanded by Games Iago Seixas landed at Tenacari to get Provisions and one Brito making himself Captain of the Pyrats Gago being dead and flying with a Vessel that was laden in the Port left Seixas and seventeen Portugueses ashore who were afterwards Slaves in the Kingdom of Siam Such is the Fate of those who trust them that have violated all human and divine Laws 3. D. Andres advertised the Governor of the Condition he was in desiring a Successor to command the Fort Lope de Azevedo was sent to whom he would not deliver the Post through Covetousness of acquiring more having already gained much there Azevedo returned to India The King of Achem over-runs all that Country with Fire and Sword enters the City Pacem with fifteen thousand Men and summons D. Andres to quit the Fort. He after sustaining three Assaults to save the Riches he had there withdraws leaving the Command to his Brother-in law Ayres Coello who couragiously took upon him this danger he saw the other shun But the Sea forced back D. Andres to the danger he avoided 4. D. Andres sailing for India met Sebastian de Sousa and Martin Correa with two Ships bound for the Island Banda to load Spices Sousa came from Madagascar whither he was sent by King Emanuel to build a Fort in Port Matatane which was not executed because the Ship wherein were the Materials for the Work was cast away These two Captains hearing by D. Andres the Condition of Pacem went directly to that Port. Ayres Coello had then stood a furious Assault with loss of a Post. The Enemy seeing this Relief abated of their heat and D. Andres after eight days resisting was forced back by the Weather Above eight thousand Enemies one night encompassed the Fort in which were three hundred and fifty Portugueses some sick some wounded and all spent with labour and watching With great silence they applied above seven hundred scaling Ladders and mounted with great Shouts The Dispute was hotly maintained on both sides till some Ships being fired gave light to each other and to level our Cannon which killed many of the Enemy and two Elephants The morning discovered two thousand Men slain about the Fort on our side only one Woman killed by an Arrow in her Chamber The remaining six thousand retired leaving half their scaling Ladders and Fire-works Nevertheless the Difficulties of maintaining the place considered it was resolved in counsel to abandon the Fort shipping all the Men and Goods and then giving fire to the rest The great Cannon were left full of Powder that when the Fire reached them they might burst Most of the Fort was destroyed but the Enemy coming in saved some Cannon which afterwards did us great harm The Portugueses lost some Goods in shipping and embarqued up to the Necks in Water with the Fright losing more Reputation by this Action than they had gained by the former This they were more sensible of when they met at Sea a more powerful Relief sent by our Friend the King of Aru who marched by Land with four thousand Men and Lope de Azevedo from whom D. Andres ill deserved it embarqued at Malaca with Ammunition to come to his Succour Sebastian Sousa prosecuted his Voyage to Banda and the Tyrant Achem followed the Fortune which had raised him above his own Hopes 5. At this time Martin Alfonso de Melo Coutino was gone for China not knowing what had been done by the Portugueses at Quantung He had four Ships and two joined them by the way They sent ashore for fresh Water and returned with Blood the Chineses being in Arms to receive them This drew them to a Battel in which most of the Portugueses perished some drowned some torn by the Cannon and some taken part whereof died miserably in the Prison at Quantung and twenty three were cut in peices as Spies and Robbers the last part of the Accusation being the truest Martin Alphonso and Duarte Coello returned to India 6. All things cannot be exactly related in order as they happened Malaca was streightned by the King of Bintam who sent a greater power against it and George de Albuquerque what he could against him under the Command of D. Sancho Enriquez whilst they prepared for a Sea-Fight there arose a violent storm which destroyed seventy Portugueses the whole being two hundred the Remainder escaped Let us
of them killed 9. This Relief could not reach Calicut but was forced back to Cochin The Governor joined two Squadrons he had prepared and they both appeared to the distressed Fort when Rage and Despair acted more in its Defence than Valour or Conduct Hector de Silveyra commanded one of the Squadrons containing seven Ships and Peter de Faria the other of twenty five and three hundred and thirty Men. They encouraged our Men and did harm to the Enemy from the Water because they could not land till the Governour arrived with twenty Sail and 1500 Men besides some Catures or small Craft and Antony de Miranda coming at the same time all the Sea of Calicut was covered with Ships A Council was held about landing all the Votes were in the negative D. Enrique spent four days in considering what to do then came to this Resolution 10. One night he put one hundred and fifty Men into the Fort under the valiant Hector de Silveyra and the next as many more under D. Iames de Lima. By break of day he landed clearing the Shore of throngs of Enemies with Shoâ—… Granados and all sorts of Weapons In some Intrenchments they burnt two hundred in others three hundred Moors Many Gentlemen particularly signalized themselves upon this Occasion Hector de Silveyra did wonders D. George de Meneses with a two handed Sword made great slaughter till losing the Right Hand he took a less Sword in the Left and went on without losing the Cutlace But who can recount the Actions of this day In fine three thousand of the Enemy were killed of ours thirty none of Note D. Enrique remained Master of the Field and pitched his Tents to give there the necessary Orders Zamori sent to desire peace the Treaty held four days and broke up without any effect The Fort was demolished as King Iohn had commanded because it was of no importance Having shipped all that was in it of Value with great care and privacy they laid Trains to blow it up and all drew off to the Ships The Moors finding the Coast clear and no Body in the Fort run in Clusters to pillage but the Powder suddenly taking fire blew up the whole Fabrick with great slaughter of them This shews how much must be ventured rather than hazard Reputation since all this Labour and Prepararation served only to raze that Fort because it should not be thought it was rather Fear than Conveniency forced us to quit it CHAP. X. Concludes the Government of D. Enrique de Meneses in the Year 1526 King John the Third Reigning 1. THE Fort of Calicut being demolished and Peter de Faria left with his Ships to scour the Coast of Malabar the Governor went to Cochin to dispatch the homeward bound trading Ships which were five and whereof two were lost two also of sour that came this year from Portugal perished After this Expedition D. Enrique designed to fall upon Diu. He sent out Hector de Silveyra upon other pretences to Ormuz with instructions that other things failing he should enter the Red Sea and take up at Arquico D. Rodrigo de Lima who by that time was returned from his Embassy to Prester Iohn On the Coast of Arabia he assaulted and took the strong City Dofar which he destroyed with the loss of two Men. Then he entered the Red Sea and reduced the Islands Maçua and Dalaca to pay Tribute Thence sailed to Arquico where the Governor delivered to him D. Rodrigo de Lima who was there waiting for a passage with an Embassador sent by Prester Iohn to Portugal They went to rest at Ormuz 2. Peter Mascarenas who the foregoing year went to succeed George de Albuquerque in the Command of Malaca found it in some distress after performing honorable Actions Martin Alfonso de Sousa scouring that Coast with six Ships and two hundred Men had done great execution among the Natives After returning to Malaca he again went out to meet Lacxemena who ravaged the Neighbourhood with thirteen hundred Moors after a bloody Fight they were defeated and Martin being mortally wounded died in the City The King of Linga our Ally had asked relief of George Albuquerque against the King of Bintam by whom he was besieged Eighty Men were sent who falling upon the Besiegers killed six hundred the rest fled This Victory cost but one Man 3. Here Peter Mascarenas heard of a Renegado Portugues who commanding three thousand Men of the King of Bintam had done much harm to the City in which there were but a hundred yet obliged him to retire with shame Two hundred and fifty solemnly vowed to carry the Head of George de Albuquerque or that of the Factor Garcia Chaino to the King of Bintam all Vows are easier to make than perform they lay in ambush in a close Wood six Portugueses whereof one was Francis Correa fell into it He seeing no possibility of escaping encouraged the other five and falling desperately upon the two hundred and fifty killed fourteen the others fled One of the six died 4. Antony de Brito at Maluco seeing he was not relieved desired the last year a Successor might be sent him D. Garcia Enriquez who then commanded the Cruisers upon the Coast of Malaca went thither 5. He arrived at Ternate where some Differences arose between him and Brito They agreed among themselves and by consent sent a Portugues with a small Vessel to discover the Islands called Celebes where they heard was great plenty of Gold The Discoverer found the Islands but not the Gold and being upon his return was carried away by a storm to the Eastward till he lost his Account and unexpectedly fell into a great and beautiful Island The Inhabitants most simple and treated them with great affection Of Colour more inclined to white of Body strong and comly lank Hair and long Beards their Cloaths of very fine Mats their Food Roots Cocos and Figs. Their Language was not understood but they dealt by signs By tokens they gave to understand that in the mountain there was Gold whereof they made no use they had no knowledge of Iron or any other Metal They left this Island which they called of Iames Lopez de Sequeyra the Name of the Pilot and returned to Ternate after eight months whence Antony de Brito was then departed leaving D. Garcia the Command of the Fort. 6. Peter Mascarenas at Malaca considering how much had been done by his Predecessors in defence of that place and that it was no less insupportable than dangerous to suffer the King of Bintam to lie safe in his Works and continue his hopes proposed to deprive him of both He immediately began to put in execution his Designs tho they proved unsuccessful 7. George de Albuquerque sailing from Malaca towards Cochin with only one Vessel met Arel de Porca with twenty five Barques of Calicut who was seeking Revenge for that D. Enrique had treated him as he deserved for his Cowardliness at the Assault
great a Force was not requisite and dismissed half the Fleet. But there had been use for all when he met Pati Marcar a Commander of Calicut sailing for Mangalor with sixty Paraos The Weather prevented fighting then so he waited their Return and gave Battel at Mount Delii where six Paraos were sunk then went to Cochin 8. Antony de Silveyra to whom the Coast of Cambaya was allotted had now under his Command fifty one Sail whereof three were Gallies and two Galliots and in them nine hundred Portugueses He went up the River Taptii on whose Banks are two Cities the chiefest of that Coast. On the one side Surat containing ten thousand Families most Handycrafts and all of no Courage called Bancanes On the other side Reyner of six thousand Houses but warlike Men and well fortified The River being sounded it was found there was not Water enough for the greater Vessels which were left at the Barr under Francis de Vasconcellos With the rest Antony de Silveyra returning to the Mouth of the River and having sailed four Leagues discovered Surat Three hundred Horse and almost ten thousand Foot opposed the Landing armed with Bows and Musquets they spent their-Shot and fled without expecting an Answer The City was entred without any farther resistance and nothing left in it that had life or was of Value Then the City and some Ships that lay in the Arsenal were burnt A little higher on the other side was the City Reyner inhabited by the Nayteas Moors of more Courage and Policy who nevertheless scarce essayed our Fire when they fled leaving all in the Hands of the Portugueses who had all been rich could they have carried away all the Plunder They carried what they could the rest was all burnt with twenty Ships and many lesser Vessels that were in that Port. Emanuel de Sousa was in both Actions the foremost at landing not without great danger especially in the latter the Enemy playing much great Cannon at him 9. Antony de Silveyra returning to the Mouth of the River found that whilst he burnt those Cities Francis de Vasconcellos had not been idle but taken six Vessels laden with Provisions bound for Diu. Now they sailed together to Damam a Town great and strong yet terrified by the Disaster of the others quitted by the Inhabitants and burnt by our Men. On the contrary the Town of Agaçaim fourteen Leagues from Chaul dared the Portugues Fury with four hundred Horse and five thousand Foot At first shock they killed five Portugueses and the rest began to flie but being rallied by the Captains the Town was taken and in it much Cannon and Riches Many were killed above two hundred taken The Fire of the Town took hold of the Vessels which were three hundred 10 Whilst Antony de Silveyra was thus employed Francis Pereyra de Berredo Commander at Chaul overcome by the Intreaties of the Inhabitants oppressed by Badur King of Cambaya who was Master of the Field marched with fifty Horse and one hundred and fifty Foot till he met Popaterao with five thousand of the former and twelve thousand of the latter The multitude weariness and heat so disordered the Portugueses that most of them were slain Francis Pereyra seeing the Fort in danger called Antony de Silveyra who instantly with care relieved it in person which preserved it from falling into the Hands of King Badur which it must have done if assaulted at that time Francis Pereyra was punished for that loss and rashness by being deprived of his Command and imprisoned by the Governor who gave that Post to Antony Silveyra whose Diligence had saved it 11. Hector de Silveyra who sailed from Goa on the twenty first of Ianuary with ten Sail and six hundred Men for the Red Sea spread his Ships cross the Mouth of it from Cape Guardafu on the Coast of Asia to Xael in Arabia that no Enemy might escape him Most of them had some Success chiefly Hector and Martin de Castro who took two great and rich Ships killing the Defendants who made a brave resistance A Brigantine of twelve Men that accompanied the Ship taken by Hector to Mascate made up to a great Barque supposing her a Portuguese and discovered not the mistake till it was not possible to avoid fighting thirty valiant Turks that were in her They fought till both parties tired were forced to rest and having recovered Breath all the Turks were slain Of the Portugueses three died the nine carrying off the Barque as a Trophy of this brave Exploit The Fleet being joined appeared before Aden where Hector managed that King with such Dexterity that he consented to pay a Tribute of twelve thousand Xeraphins yearly to the Crown of Portugal offering him immediately a Crown of Gold The Agreement was solemnly signed on both sides and Antony Botello left in that Port with a Brigantine and thirty Men. In the same manner the King of Xael submitted who not long before had accompanied Mustapha a Turkish Captain with twenty thousand Men to make war upon Aden In the Month of September arrived at Goa six Ships from Portugal 12. Let us look upon the Indian Sea now covered with a Wood of Ships the product of the Governor 's great care now full of his Design upon Diu. This Fleet consisted of above four hundred Sail many large more indifferent and the greatest number small several of them were only Sutlers fitted out by the Natives for private Gain In the Island Bombaim was made a general Review of the Fleet and found to contain three thousand six hundred Soldiers and one thousand four hundred and fifty Seamen all Portugueses above two thousand Malabars and Canaras eight thousand Slaves fit for Service and almost five thousand Seamen The Governor landed at Damam a Fort of Cambaya which was immediately quitted by the Moors Mass was said there and the general absolution given Then three Rewards were proposed to the three first that should mount the Walls of Diu at the scaling of it Hither came the News that the Arabs Turks and others to the number of two thousand fortified themselves in the Island Beth seven Leagues from Diu. It was by Nature and Art so begirt with Rocks and Walls and stored with Cannon that Nuno de Cuna gave no Credit to the Relation till he saw it 13. On the seventh of February he came to the Island and having in person viewed all Difficulties besieged it He summoned the Barbarians to surrender but they were so resolute that many of them shaved their Heads a Token that they fear not death but are devoted which they call making themselves Amoucos Their Commander gave them a brutal Example of Resolution making a great Fire and throwing into it his Wife Son Goods and Family that if the Portugueses overcame they might find nothing but a heap of Ashes Others followed the Example Nuno ordered the Island to be attacked at once in six several places At Break of Day each
alive The year 1529 he marched with seventy thousand Horse and two hundred thousand Foot and did great harm in the Territories of Nizamaluco 8. Mean while Babor Paxiath King of the Mogols and Delhi marched upon account of the Answer given to his Embassadors the year before The King of Chitor denyed him passage and in a Battel there was such a slaughter the Mogol was forced to go back to raise new Forces to prosecute his first Design But the King of Chitor pursuing and doing him great damage in his own Country he desisted Badur fell upon the King of Mandou whom he treacherously slew Then imprisoned the Sons giving the Mother and Daughters to his Favourites Next he killed some Officers of that Kingdom who had helped to bring him in 10. Salabedin one pardoned by Badur fearful of his favour getting away secured himself in a strong Castle whence Badur drew him by policy and forced him to turn Mahometan Then he prepared to take the Fort and mountain Raosinga where Salahedin left his Son when he was deceived by Badur's promises and by the way designed to expel the King of Chitor Son to him who kindly entertained him when he fled for the Murder of his Father This young King bravely resisted Badur disappointed his Design and made him return to the other against Raosinga a place almost impregnable by art and nature Here eight Portugueses who followed him shewed their usual Valour Francis Tarares being the first who scaled a Bulwark 11. Botiparao the Son of Salahedin fearing his resistance might occasion his Father's death left that City and went to recover another the Besieged surrendered Badur perceiving Salahedin's Women came not out asked the cause of him and sent in to know it they answered They would not come out unless with him He was sent to that effect by the King His Wives and Slaves above five hundred in number as soon as they saw him exclaimed against his turning Mahemetan and shewing him a heap of Wood said They would sooner burn themselves with 〈◊〉 than be delivered to their Enemy So Salahedin with one hundred and twenty that were their Guard killed them all upon the Pile where they were burnt with their Riches Badur hearing of this hasted to save the Treasure but was stopped by Salahedin and his Men till all was consumed to Ashes and they all slain Yet Badur saved almost a million and half of the Remainder of this Destruction 12. Salahedin and those who died with him were honorably buried The mountain he gave to Sultan Alamo who came to him forced from that place whither Botiparao went from hence Hearing there was a Portugues Fleet at Diu he flew thither with precipitation But that being no matter of danger he returned to the Conquest of Chitor with one hundred thousand Horse innumerable Foot and six hundred Cannoh He incamped in the higher Grounds about that City tho it was like Raasinga it was battered the space of two months and capitulated and now Badur was possessed of three Kingdoms each of which was considerable 13. This was the time when Tristan de Ga was at the Court of Badur by Nuno de Cuna's Order to treat of Peace which was delayed by sundry Accidents chiefly the death of the King of the Mogols whom he much feared 14. Badur through Covetousness cut off the Pay of many that had served which occasioned above four thousand of Note to desert to the Mogol Mujate Cham a prudent and notable Man represented this to him and he to reward his Advice sent him on some other pretence to Diu with orders to Melique Tocam to kill him But Melique abominating the wickedness of Badur advised the innocent Mujate Cham to fly Mujate instead of flying to save himself returned to Badur before whom being prostrate and delivering his own Cymiter he said If I have deserved death of you here is the Traitor and the Sword If you please to kill me I can have no greater honor than to die by your Hand tho my Grandfather Father and self have deserved better The King was surprized received him with honor and bestowed new Favours on him 15. But his Rage was turned against Melique Tocam for discovering the private Order so he sent Rume Cham to kill him He got into Diu where Melique was not at that time but received advice of it at a Country-House where he was diverting himself and fled Badur came to the City and with his usual craft brought it under At the same time arrived there Nuno de Cuna in order to that Interview which took no effect 16. It took no effect because Badur never made any Proposals but to shift off a danger which he greatly feared from the Mogol and hoping to agree with him he was willing to break with the Portugueses But he was deceived for that Prince recalled his Embassadors and commenced the War Let us see who this Mogol is CHAP. VI. Continues the Government of Nuno de Cuna from the Year 1534 in the Reign of King John the Third 1. THE Mogols call themselves Chacatais in the same manner as the Spaniards call themselves Goths Chacata is the Name of the Province they inhabit near Turquestan and the Nobles suffer not themselves to be called Mogols The Persians write they are descended from Mogog Grandson to Noah from whom they received the Worship of one only God This Nation wandring through many Provinces got the best footing in Mogalia or Mogostan called by Ptolomey Paropanisus now they stretch farther and border upon the Kingdom Horacam which that Author calls Aria or Here now the Metropolis thereof The Mogols go from the North to drink the Waters of the River Geum that runs through Bactria so called from its Metropolis Bactria or Bohara a famous place for Learning being the Remains of great Zoroastes where Avicen got the Learning that made him so famous neighbouring upon Sogdiana now called Quiximir and mount Caucasus which divides India from other Northern Provinces This Kingdom now reaches to the mountainous Parveti and Bagous which they call Angou As there are in it great Mountains so there are most large and fruitful Plains watered by five Rivers which compose the famous Indus They are Bet Satinague Chanao Rave and Rea. The Cities are many the Men couragious 2. The Mogols are Mohometans their Language Turkish and Persian they are well shaped white and have small Eyes like the Tartars and Chineses The Nobility wear rich and gay Cloaths fashioned like the Persians their Beards long The Women are beautiful Their military Dress is no less costly their Arms being gilt and polished they are singular at the Bow In fight violent and of good conduct they use Artillery Their King is treated with great Majesty is seldom seen his Guard two thousand Horse every quarter 3. The Mogols and Patanes both equally strove to conquer India They were Neighbours The Event of War and Treachery brought the Patanes and Delhi under the Subjection of the
de Lima's Captains snatched him out of the Enemies Hands being penned up between Palisades with only Seventeen Souldiers and gained him time to retire to his Ships 9. The City Iâ—…r is seated on the heighth of a Point of Land in the Country of Malaca in one degree and half of North Latitude not far distant from the Shore girt with thick Walls though of Wood yet strong being composed of vast Beams well knit together at small distances are Bastions all well stored with Artillery and defended by great numbers of Malays Manancabo's and Islanders of Iava and other Warlike Places some of them commanded by their Kings as those of Tringale Dragut Campar and others The River adds much to this strength embracing the City with two Arms. 11. D. Paul being come consulted the manner of attempting the place and began a Battery with good success The Enemies Fleet endeavoured a Diversion but in vain The Battery was continued till the day of the Assumption of our B. Lady to which D. Paul had a peculiar Devotion 11. The morning of that day he landed 600 Portugueses in three Bodies D. Antony de Noronna who led one had a hot Dispute about landing with a Number of the Enemies Musketiers who being repulsed still rallied but at length our Men made their way to attempt the Town where some of them were killed endeavouring to force a passage where there was none 12. In the mean while D. Paul cutting through 2000 of the Enemy in a Wood joyned D. Antony and both together broke into the City The Enemy no longer able to sustain our Fury gave way and was pursued by those two Bodies into the City The third of our Battalions had the same success in getting in and with equal danger being charged by one of the Kings upon an Elephant with a strong and resolute Party But the Beast being shot by D. Nunno Alvarez Pereyra so disordered them that our Men had the opportunity to advance 13. The Fight was very desperate in the Streets many Arrows and Darts flying from the Windows yet our Men advanced till they came to the place where the King was with his Allies and there the Battle was renewed D. Paul encouraged his Men not only with Words but with his Example leading them on with Sword in hand 14. After 6 hours Combat the fortune of the Day still seemed dubious till Matias Pereyra who had only 15 Men left with him of 150 attacked and entred the Fort Botabato which gave new Life to our Men almost spent with continual Labour 15. Luis Martines Pereyra who was left to command the Fleet ceased not battering the Town hearing only the noise of the Fight and seeing the Enemies Colours upon the Walls but seeing the Christian set up on the Fort Cotabato he desisted The Kings also discovering them and other signs of their Ruin mounted on Elephants with their Wives and fled up the Inland 16. After the Victory the City was fired which being great and of combustible matter raised a terrible Flame Many People were burnt chiefly Women and Children who in the Confusion could not escape The Booty was very great the Prisoners many and the number of Slain by the Portugueses amounted to 4000 besides near 3000 killed by those that came to assist Rajale when they saw he was defeated on our side 80 were lost Almost 1000 Pieces of Cannon were found some very large 1500 Muskets and 2200 Vessels D. Paul of all the Booty took to himself only an Image of our B. Lady found by a Soldier in the Wood where he was first ingaged 17. The City Malaca resolved to receive D. Paul in Triumph D. Antony de Noronna for the share he had in this Victory desired he would let him go by his Side and he replied Gloriam meaâ—… alteri non dabo D. Antony offended hereat acquainted his Soldiers and they resolved to anticipate the Triumph They landed with found of Drums Trumpets and noise of Cannon and covering the way with their Cloaths led him to the Church D. Paul landed in the same manner he had done at Ior was received by the Religious Orders with their Crosses and singing placed under a Canopy and crown'd by the Bishop with a Garland of Roses and Flowers CHAP. VI. The End of the Government of D. Duarte de Meneses 1. THE Tyrant Raju resolving to possess himself of our Fort of Colombo in Câ—… to this effect gathered â—…0000 fighting Men 60000 Pioniers and near as many Artificers and other Labourers 2200 Elephants 40000 Oxen 150 Pieces of Câ—…on 50000 Axes Shovels Pickâ—…s and Spades an innumerable quantity of spare Arms and Tools two Castles carried each upon a great Cart with 9 Wheels and almost 500 Sail. He thought fit first to consult the Idols about the Success and having placed Men behind them who should say as he had directed them the Answer was That if he would enter Columbo he mâ—…st shed innocent Blood 2. The People was astonished at this familiarity between their Prince and Idols and he pretending Obedience to the Divine Commands caused 500 Children to be snatched from their Mothers Arms which were all slaughtered and the Idols sprinkled with their Blood 3. Thus prepared he marched and sate down before the Town choosing the Ground he best liked there being no body to hinder him Our Commander Iohn de Brito knowing this Storm was like to fall upon him had made the best provision he could He had but 300 Portugueses the third part of them useless being old Men or Children and 700 Natives and Slaves which he posted to the best advantage about that Wall the Circumference whereof is very great reserving 50 to be ready with himself wherever the greatest Danger called Raju spent a month in dreining a Lake that on one side secured the Town about this Work and securing some Boats we had upon that Water there were many Skirmishes in which the Enemy came off with great loss 4. The Fort was much weakened by the want of that Water which was the chief Defence on that side Our Commander gave Advice of the Danger he was in to the Neighbouring Places The first that sent Relief was Iohn de Melo Commander of Manar it consisted of 40 Men under the Command of his Nephew Ferdinand and Ammunition Ferdinand was posted on the side of the Lake Whilst Raju prepared for the Attack there was a Skirmish between the Besiegers and Besieged in which the former lost many Men and had some of their Works levelled 5. On the 4th of August before day Raju advanced to give the first Assault with such silence he could not be heard and the Darkness was such he could not have been seen but the Musketiers lighted Matches discovered them They laid their Ladders and mounted the Bastions St. Michael St. Goncalo and St. Francis 2000 Pioniers at the same time working below to undermine the Wall many of the former were cast down upon these last and abundance of them in
and embracing her and she him they said many words not understood By the help of an Interpreter it was known that that Man was the Bridegroom who being abroad when the Bride was taken came to be a Slave with her rather than live without her And she said That since he by that demonstration of Love had made her happier than all the Chingala Women for they were of those People she esteemed her Slavery rather a Blessing than a Misfortune Sousa hearing hereof resolved not to part such real Lovers and taking hold of both their hands said God forbid two such Lovers for my private Interest should be made unhappy Love has sufficiently captivated you I freely give you your Liberties Then he ordered them to be set ashore but they two seeing his unexpected Bounty requited it by despising their Liberties and replied They only desired to be his and die in his Service They lived afterwards in Columbo where the Man on sundry occasions faithfully served the Portugueses 19. The Viceroy careful of the security of Columbo sent to the Relief of it Emanuel de Sousa Continno and D. Paul de Lima. Scarce did Raju see Sousa enter that Port after he had ruined all the Coast and the great City Chilao and was informed that D. Paul was coming some of his Ships being already in the Port but despairing of Success when the Bâ—…d least expected it he decamped and bâ—…gan to march away 20. Yet our Men not to suffer him to go quietly away fell upon his Rear and in several Skirmishes cut off many of his Men. During this Siege some say he lost 10000 Men others not above half the Number Many Towns Cities Villages and Ships were burnt and destroyed The Cannon Prisoners and other Booty taken were considerable This rendred Raju very contemptible in the Eyes of those Princes who waited the Success of his Undertakings On our side were killed 140 Men 30 of them Portugueseâ—… Of the Sickness before mentioned died 500. 21. D. Paul came the day after the Siege was raised Eight days were spent in levelling Raju's Works They repaired the Damage done to the Fort and furnished it with 600 Men and Ammunition 22. The Viceroy after receiving the joyful News of this Victory and honouring Emanuel de Sousa and D. Paul died of a violent Sickness in the beginning of May. He was little of Stature but Graceful Couragious Prudent in Counsel and of great Authority a good Latinist and Italian and so addicted to Poetry that he writ good Verses a lover of Justice and free from Avarice The Fault laid to his Charge is that he suffered himself to be governed by one less capable of Government than himself He was the 15th Viceroy and 32d Governour for the space of almost four Years the 2d of the Name and 5th of the Sâ—…name CHAP. VII The Government of Emanuel de Sousa Coutinno from the Year 1588 till 1590. 1. THE Viceroy being dead and Patents of Succession opened they first appointed Matthias de Albuquerque who was gone for Portugal the second Emanuel de Sousa Coutinno then present who took upon him the Government and was well qualified for it as being very brave and well experienced in the Affairs of India 2. Soon after arrived 5 Ships from Portugal D. Paul de Lima weary of the Toils of War and much more troubled that he was so ill rewarded resolved to return to Portugal 3. The Ships that were homeward bound being dispatched D. Paul imbarked in that called The St. Thomas whereof Stephen de Vega was Captain On the Coast of Natal she sprung aleak in the Stern and a Storm raging she could not be kept above Water though they threw over board all the Riches that was in her 4. The Boat being lanched all strove to perish in it because they would have it hold all that the Ship contained Several were killed upon this occasion and D. Paul standing on the side with his Sword drawn could no way prevent it At length those that the Boat could not contain returned to the Ship The Women were let down and almost drowned before they were taken in because it could not come to the Ship 's side Da. Ioanna de Mendoca going in to it left behind a Daughter but two Years old and calling for her afterwards could not get her because the Nurse would not let the Child go unless they would take her with it 5. The Boat was not far from the Ship when they saw it swallowed up by the Sea It was yet worse that being over-loaded with 120 Persons and there being no other Remedy left they were forced to throw some into the Sea who immediately sunk The Boat came to the Shore 6. Ninety eight Persons Men and Women landed several of them Gentlemen of Note their Wives and some Friers one of which after having confessed the People in the Ship would have stayed to die with them that he might be aiding to them in that last hour They marched in good order a Frier going before with a Crucifix on high The Women put themselves into Men's Habit after the Indian manner that their Coats might not be a hinderance to them in going 7. The Place where they landed by the Portugueses is called The Country of the Fumos by the Natives of the Macomates being inhabited by Cafres of this Name It is in the Latitude of 27 deg 20 min. beyond the River of Simon Dote 50 Leagues South of the Bay of Lorenzo Marquez All the Land of the Fumos belongs to the King of Viraâ—…gune and runs 30 Leagues up the Inland bordering on the South with the Country of Mocaâ—…apata the King whereof extends his Domiâ—…on to the upper part of the River St. Lucia in the Latitude of â—…8 deg 15 min. and to the Kingdom of Vambe that contains a great part of Terra del Natal From hence to the Cape of Good Hope there are no King but Ancozes or Lords of Villages Next the Kingdom of Viraâ—…gune is that of Innaca towards the N. E. to the Point of the Bay S. Laurence in 25 deg 45 min. of South Latitude and has two Islands opposite to it called Choambone and Sâ—…timuro the last not inhabited is the receptacle of the Portugueses that resort thither to buy Ivory About the Bay many great Rivers fall into the Sea as Beligane Mannica Spiritu Santo Vumo Anzate and Angomane At Vumo died D a Leonor and her Children and Emanuel de Sousa was lost Anzate runs along the edge of vast inaccessible Mountains covered with Herds of Elephants the People of a Gigantick Stature In the Latitude of 25 degrees the River De lâ—…s Reyes or Del Oro falls into the Sea West of which are the Kingdoms of 〈◊〉 and Mannuca From this place to Cape Corrientes the Sea makes a great Bay along which inhabit the Moeranges notable Thieves Opposite to the Point St. Sebastian are the Islands of Bazaruta and not far from it the Kingdom of Inâ—…abuze
Hollanders out of Tidore and cut off their hopes of ever settling in those Islands which from that time forward remained subject to Spain 12. Though the Hollanders lost Tidore yet they aspired to greater Conquests To this purpose they made a League with seven of the Neighbouring Kings about Malaca thinking to gain that Place They gathered a Fleet of One hundred and fifty Sail in which were 16000 Men. There were but few above One hundred Portugueses in a condition to oppose this Power but they were Commanded by the Great Andrew Furtado de Mendoça He sent out several Parties to discover the Enemy's Designs The first was but of four Soldiers with Gaspar de Fonseca the Enemy thinking they Deserted gave them free Passage but were undeceived receiving considerable damage from only those five Men. Next Captain Ferdinand de Costa de Andria with Forty Men some of them Iaponeses cut off a good Party of them and retired without any loss 13. The Enemy having taken their Ground began to batter the City and those within to feel the Miseries of a Siege being in want of all Necessaries To this was added that the Master-Gunner was a Hollander who designedly burst many pieces of Cannon having under-hand Intelligence with the Enemy A Moor who commanded some Men acted no less treacherously but being discovered they were both hanged over the Wall Many of our Men signalized themselves by brave Actions and particularly Iohn Rodriguez Camelo who with great danger brought a number of Men and did good Service with them The Enemy lost so many Men during four Months the Siege lasted in which time they spent above Fifty thousand Cannon Balls that despairing of success they raised the Siege the Kings returning home and the Hollanders to their Ships 14. The News that D. Martin Alfonso de Castro our Viceroy was coming with twelve Galleons four Galleys and seventy other Vessels caused the Siege to be sooner raised He set out of Goa in May on St. Antony's Day in Iune came to Anchor at Achem where he took three of the Enemy's Ships loaden with Provisions and resolved to take Revenge on that King for receiving the Hollanders into his Ports contrary to a former Agreement On the 29th the Men landed the Enemy's opposed them in great numbers with many Elephants but after a brave resistance were forced to their Works Our Men mounted and planted their Colours and had they followed their Victory the City had been that day destroyed Yet the fight lasted all that and next day when the Viceroy perceiving no Benefit accrued shipped his Men much afflicted that he had slipped such an Opportunity 15. After suffering much for want of Water and loosing some Vessels by bad Weather the Fleet came before Malaca where Andrew Furtado acquainted the Viceroy the Siege was carried on by Sea and Land on the Sea were eleven Ships and seven Galliots of the Hollanders and Three hundred small Vessels of the Natives by Land eleven neighbouring Kings in their Persons with 14000 Men. Both of them during those four Months the Siege lasted had destroyed many Buildings and committed great Outrages against Images and other holy Things On the 17th of August the 〈◊〉 Ships went out to receive our Fleet playing their Cannon furiosly and were answer'd in like manner with equal loss till Night parted them 16. Morning appearing the Fight was renewed with great Fury but the Damage was greater on our side because the Enemies Ships exceeded us in strength swiftness number of Cannons and goodness of Gunners Sebastian Suarez boarded one and burnt it after having killed many Hollanders Alvaro de Carvallo would have done the like to another and Duarte de Guerra coming up to second him they all three were consumed by fire and none of the Men saved 17. D. Henry de Noronna boarded the Admiral Cornelius Madclif and being both in danger of being burnt they parted by consent promising if they met again they would not encounter Whereupon Noronna quitted his Command telling the Viceroy He had rather serve as a private Man than be obliged to perform the Promise he had made to the Enemy D. Peter Mascarennas succeeded him in the Command who did Wonders for the Dutch Admiral coming up to salute him supposing it had been Noronna they engaged furiously and after the fight Four hundred Cannon shot were found in the Galleon which had done no other harm than the killing one Cafâ—…e The Fleets were engaged eight Days and our Vessels very much disabled On the 24th of August the Viceroy again offered the Enemy Battel but they all fled 18. The Viceroy entred Malaca which had been ruined during the Siege Andrew Furtado was of Opinion the Fleet should be kept together lest the Enemy might destroy it being separated Others advised it should divide the worst Advice was followed D. Alvaro de Meneses had a Squadron of seven Galleons to go meet the Ships that were expected from Portugal at the Islands of Nicobar Nunno Alvarez Pereyra another of five to secure the Ships of Iava that brought Provisions to Malaca through the Streight of Singapura but having met the Enemy he returned into the Port. 19. The Hollanders having refitted and hearing our Fleet was divided came again before Malaca and finding there the five Galleons they began a desperate fight on the twenty-second of October Many Men of Note of our side were killed one of our Vessels blew up and only seven Men were saved In fine the whole Squadron was destroyed Of the Hollanders about Five hundred were killed The Viceroy soon after died at Malaca it was believed that of Grief for this Loss 20. The Hollanders met not with the like Success in the Bay of Polobutum where D. Alvaro de Meneses was with his Squadron of seven Galleons for after a bloody Fight they were forced to give way having lost three Ships But since the Viceroy is dead and we must enter upon a new Government it will be fit to mention what Ships sailed from Lisbon for India during his Life In the Year 1605 7 Ships Before them three Galleons which were with the Fleet at Malaca After the 7 Ships set out Belchior Rodriguez in a Caravel with some fresh Advice who overtaking them under the Line returned to Lisbon 21. In the Year 1606 3 Ships were to have gone but were prevented by a Dutch Squadron that lay at the mouth of the River till the Season was past Thus much of the Government of D. Martin Alfonso de Castro who was Viceroy two Years and a half the 19th of that Number and 37th Governour the second both of Name and Sirname Of Stature somewhat tall of Complexion sallow a good Christian a good Gentleman well beloved in India and Zealous of the Kings's Service a Thing now rare in the World CHAP. VII The Government of the Archbishop D. F. Alexius de Meneses who was Governour from the Year 1607 till 1609. 1. DOn Martin Alfonso de Castra the Viceroy being
were this Year very strong in those Seas One of the 3 Galleons was cast away near Sancham 60 Leagues from Macao the Sea then running so high that it drowned several Towns There were above 200 Men in that Vessel whereof about 60 Portugueses and 80 others escaped They chose Gonzalo Machado a noted Souldier to command them and having the good Fortune to be well treated cloathed and fed by the Chineses came to a City where they were so nobly entertained they had almost forgot the end of their Voyage Their common Food was three Pullets a day each they were feasted on the River in stately Boats like Palaces with several Apartments and garnished with Gold In fine on their way thence to Macao they were attended as if they had been Chinese Colaos or Mandarines At the Inns they were treated with a sort of Food most pleasant and delicious which afterwards they were informed was made of Toads and Worms What chiefly they admired after this Journey was the Chastity of the Chinese Women for tho' they are beautiful and Beauty be inclined to Wantonness and though our Men were long among them and familiarly entertained yet they could never by any means prevail with any of them to yield to their Desires At Macao they found the other two Galleons which had escaped the Storm having more Sea room 11. Near the end of this Year Luis de Brito Melo entred the Port of Goa from Cruizing in the Sea of Diu and brought with him a rich Ship of the Mogol's that came from Meca He took her off of Suratt after a vigorous resistance in which he lost some Men and was forced to send to Ruy Freyre for aid This provoked the Mogol to Besiege Damam and destroy the Country about it The King of Decan did the same about Chaul and Bacaim at the Instigation of the Mogol who thought to drive us out of Asia 12. A Letter writ by D. Luis de Gama from Ormuz with more Passion than Discretion moved the Persians on the other side to gather 300 Barques in order to take the Port of Bandel and stop the Course of the Water that goes to Ormuz Ferdinand de Silva Admiral of that Sea went to quell them and as he ingaged his Powder taking fire was blown up D. Nunno Alvarez Pereyra succeeded him who drove them away with such slaughter that the Xa of Persia excused himself to the viceroy saying that attempt was made only by the Sultan of Lara 13. Francis Lopez Calleyros brought into Malaca a Dutch Pink that had taken a rich Portugues Ship The News of the Hollanders taking that Prize was the occasion of his setting out in a Ship of his own with 28 Soldiers 14. This Year expired with great dissatisfaction in India tho' the like had happened other times for the Ships from Portugal which were expected with impatience the better to oppose the English and Hollanders were forced back to Lisbon after having been five Months abroad they were four 15. D. Hierome de Almeyda returning to Portugal with the Ships of the last Year in the Bay of St. Helena met four mighty Holland Ships They sought with much equal Courage and Loss The Dutch Admiral was sunk and ours beginning to take fire Emanuel de Prado Magallanes rowled himself upon it till he quenched it For this Action the Command of the Fort of Mascate was given him with the Privilege of leaving it to whom he pleased in his Will We shall see him hereafter serve well and die valiantly in fight CHAP. III. Continues the Government of D. Hierome de Azevedo in the Year 1614. 1. THE King of Ova grown Proud with his success against the Portugueses at Siriam resolved to conquer all the neighbouring Princes He caused himself to be Crowned at Bagou and by the Conduct of his Brother with 50000 Men was soon Master of the Kingdom of Tavay This General moves to Tenasarim and Besieges it by Sea and Land Christopher Rabelo who had fled from his House at Cochim for some Crimes durst attack his Fleet of 500 Sail with only 40 Portugueses and 70 Slaves in 4 Galliots and put it to flight after burning many Vessels and killing 2000 Men. 2. The King of Siam to whom that Town belonged for joy of this Action highly honoured the Victorious Portugueses and offered them leave to build a Fort in any part of his Kingdom they would chuse to this intent sending for Iames de Mendoça Furtado who was in that Sea with a Squadron and offering him the Title of an Earl with a suitable Revenue but there being too much then on our hands these offers could not be accepted of Furtado in his way to Maâ—… destroyed the Towns of Queda and Paâ—… with Fire and Sword 3. D. Iames de Vasconcelos sailed from Gao with the Squadron for the North consisting of 17 Sail he had orders to take in D. Emanuel de Azevedo at Chaul and carry him to Diu being appointed Commander of that Place By the way landing at the River Sifardam in Melique's Lands he destroyed a Town abandoned by the Inhabitants 4. Azevedo being come to Diu. seized on the Goods of his Predecessor Sebastian de Macedo for the Money he was indebted to the King Next he resolved to fall upon the People of Por for the Damage the Trade of Diu sustained by their means Gaspar de Melo Sampayo was sent with a Squadron to this Expedition who came before that City 40 Leagues distant with much difficulty because our Vessels could go but one at a time up a narrow Creek that leads to it and the Enemy pour'd in showers of Bullets and Arrows from the Shore and from the Bastions killing 18 of our Men. The Walls were scaled on the one side whilst our Men entred at a Breach on the other notwithstanding the vigorous opposition of 4000 resolute Enemies whereof many were slain the rest fled some into the Fields and others to a Fort standing in the middle of the Town 5. Those in the Fort offered Forty thousand Crowns if we would not batter the Place It was denied they attacked to no purpose and our Men forced to depart with double dissatisfaction for refusing the offer and suffering the repulse The City was plundered 1000 killed and 300 taken the Houses then fired being full of Perfumes cast a delightful smell 6. Iames de Vasconcelos from Diu sailed with 9 Ships to the mouth of the River of Agaçaim where 16 Paraos of Malabars set upon him Without the Loss of one Man he slew many took several Prisoners and all the Paraos Vasconcelos himself took one of them thinking their Commander Porcasse had been in it but that Honour fell to Michael Ferran de Castellobranco 7. Ruy Freyre de Andrade went from Damam to Chaul to succeed in that Command to D. Emanuel de Azevedo who was gone to that of Diu. He was ordered by the Viceroy only to secure himself within the Walls and not attempt
4000 Ducats for the King and Prince They set out in the beginning of February and being forced to water at the Island Del Cisne or The Swan they saw three Ships sunk at the mouth of a River Our Men landing found 2 leagues from the Shore 20 Hollanders guarding the Goods they had saved They made some opposition but being overcome Freyre carried them to his Pink with a great quantity of Clove Pepper Arms Ammunition and Provision then fired all that was left The Hollanders said They came from the Molucco Islands with a Pass from their Admiral Lawrence Ales. 11. Freyre coming into Port St. Lucas the two Jesuits came to him both sick affirming it was impossible to live there and that those who had been left with them were dead The Captain sent the King the Letters he had for him and a Present by his Nephew D Hierome's Servants The King in return sent 100 fat Oxen much Fowl Honey and 6 Slaves but would not come himself and it was found that his Son D. Andrew fell off from the Faith into Mahometanism The Sadio's and Fansayrâ—…'s are Mahometan Cafres and love the liberty of having many Wives The King was a Fansayrâ—… and now designed to destroy Freyre by Treachery The cause of this Change was a Chingala Slave to the Jesuits who running away from them perswaded the King the Portugueses would deprive him of his Kingdom and undertook to destroy them Many Cafres coming to the Shore to this purpose began a Fray giving F. Almeyda a cuff then Stones and Darts began to fly but our Bullets also flying some were killed and their Quarters hung upon the Trees for an Example and one of their Towns was burnt 12. Emanuel Freyre carried away with him the King's Nephew D. Hierome and a Brother of his taken in the Skirmish with the Cafres who was converted and died at Goa All the Jesuits agreed to desist from that Mission and depart with the Captain though he opposed them and came to Goa where the Viceroy not allowing their weak Excuses much condemned their remisness in that Affair 13. Towards the end of this Year arrived in India D. Iohn Coutinno Count de Redondo who was to succeed the Viceroy D. Hierome de Azevedo and of whom we shall next treat D. Hierome returned to Portugal in the same Ship that had carried the Count and no sooner anchored at Lisbon but he was made Prisoner and put into the Dungeon of the Castle He was disrespectfully treated after a long Imprisonment had a Hearing and then again was worse used The chief Crime laid to his Charge was not fighting the Hollanders 14. He was so rich at his entring upon the Government that Nunno de Cunna telling him after all his Misfortunes he was still worth 4 or 500000 Ducats he answered I am worth that in Cattle Notwithstanding all this Riches he died poor in Prison and the King got nothing by it His Liberality was so great he gave the value of several thousand Ducats in one Present of Curiosities at Ceylon He was of the Ancient and Noble Family of Azevedo a Soldier of Valour and wise Commander and zealous Viceroy 15. But it is not amiss to observe that though this Gentleman could not justly Suffer for the Crimes laid to his Charge yet these his Misfortunes were a Judgment from the Hand of GOD for his extraordinary Cruelty In the height of his Success in Câ—…ylon he forced Mothers to cast their Children between Mill-stones and having seen them ground to Mash they were afterwards Beâ—…eaded 16. He caused the Soldiers to take up Children on the Points of their Pikes and hearing them cry bid them hark how those Cocks crowed Playing upon the likeness of the Names those People being called Gala's and Cocks in Portugues Galo's He caused many Men to be cast off the Bridge of Mâ—…vana for the Souldiers to see the Crocodils devour them And those Creatures were so used to this Food that at a Whistle they would lift their Heads above Water 17. D. Hierome was of a middle Stature thick and swarthy his under Lip hanging and always moist a certain Token of Cruelty He was reduced to such Extremity in Prison that the Society of Iesus maintained and after his Death decently buried him He held the Government almost five Years and was one of them who best deserved it Of Viceroys he is the 22th of Governors the 42th the 1st of the Name and Sirname CHAP. XV. The Government of the Viceroy D. John Coutinno Count de Rodendo from the Year 1617 till 1619. 1. THis Year sailed from Lisbon D. Iohn Coutinno Count de Rodondo with sour Ships one whereof was forced back from the Line During his Government which lasted not two Years compleat there happened wonderful Prodigies Storms Dearths and other Judgments I will give an account of the most remarkable dividing that from what relates to his Government which shall be first spoke of 2. The War continued at Mangalor where Salvador Ribeyro Marinno commanded who being assisted by D. Iames Coutinno Commander in Chief of Malabar took the Field against 11000 Natives and destroyed many with the loss of 6 Men. The little King of that Banguel or District who was our Friend not able to maintain it against his Enemy Bentacanayque made it over to us to defend it Antony de Saldanna was left to command there afterwards D. Francis de Meneses de Bacaim was sent to his assistance with an allowance of 4000 Crowns for now the Wages were grown greater than the Employments The Men landing in disorder the Moors who lost no advantage slew some but the others forming themselves put them to flight For some time they were kept under by 300 Portugueses and 1000 Indians 3. Soon after another Skirmish happening with the Canara's the Plain was covered with the dead Bodies In August the Viceroy sent thither Francis de Miranda Enriquez with 8 sail and by the end of the same Month 4000 of the Enemy were slain with the loss of 800 Portugueses Miranda having taken a rich Ship of the Queen of Olala coming from Meca gave her occasion to assist our Enemy with a good Body of Men they besieged our Fort of Banguel burnt the Town and hereupon followed so sharp an Engagement that though many of the Enemy were slaughtered it was with such loss on our side we had no cause to rejoice Miranda thought to have taken the Fort of Olala by Storm but was repulsed The beginning of the next Year was more unfortunate for Bentacanayque with 12000 Canara's falling upon Luis de Brito Melo who carried Succors and D. Francis de Miranda killed them both with 180 Portugueses and above 60 Slaves The day after the News of this Disaster came to Goa there was found a Lampoon upon the Viceroy the Secretary the Surveyor of the Revenue and the Chancellor laying that and other Misfortunes to their Charge 4. It has been related how Ruy de Melo and
the King of Mombaça saw the Coast clear he made use of his own and our two Ships left there to get away He imbarqued all the Artillery razed the Fort and City destroyed all Fruit-trees and then sailed with his Treasure some Moors and some Native Christians to the Coast of Arabia That Place lay 2 Months desolate before any of our People knew it and might have been so much longer had not some Moors advertised Peter Rodriguez Botello who was at Zanzibar and immediately went over to Mombaça where beginning to build he found 5 or 6 Servants of Portugueses that had lain hid in the Woods when that Destruction happened 15. Mean while at Goa the Viceroy was accused for sending D. Francis de Mourâ—… upon that Expedition and he for want of Conduct and coming away too soon The Viceroy excused himself and put the other upon his Tryal desiring Toral to take the Guilt upon himself by saying he had voted for coming away which he refused and was 2 Months in Prison without any cause shown At last he was released to accompany D. Roderick de Costa who towards the end of this Year was going to discover certain Islands but meeting two Dutch Ships about Damam had his Head struck off by a Cannon Ball the first Charge so the Fleet returned without doing any thing D. Francis de Moura was cleared of that Impeachment being honoured at Madrid 16. The Hollanders lying at Pulolaor intercepted most of our China Fleet which enabled them to relieve all their Forts and Factories This great Booty cost them no Blood because we had no fighting Ships on that Sea all being imployed at Mombaça and Ceylon 17. The Persecution of the Christians continued at Iapan but there were hopes it would cease the Emperor lying very ill In China they were alarmed by the Tartars Nababo Azafacan Father-in-Law to King Corran with the Army of the Mogol besieged Visapor and some time after drew off with great loss sustained by Want and Sickness The Mogol so highly resented this Misfortune that he removed Nababo though his Favourite and preferred to that place Mobatecan his Enemy a Man of great Repute among the Soldiers Thus ended this Year much dreaded in India without any known reason every Body saying before it came Ob that the Year 32 were past CHAP. XI Of the Recovery of Ceylon during the Government of the Viceroy the Count de Linnares 1. AFter the Natives had left but a small part of the Island Ceylon in our Possession the Kings of Matale Uva and Candea with 20000 Men came to Besiege Columbo the chief Place then in our hands The Besieged were reduced to that Extremity it is said they eat the Dead and some Mothers their own Children Then came in five Ships sent by the Viceroy rather to take up the Cinnamon was to be sent to Portugal than relieve the Place But the Besiegers thinking it was Relief raised the Siege D. Philip de Mascarennas went over from Cochin to Ceylon with a Pink loaden with Provisions and well manned at his own expence which was a great help to that Place 2. The Viceroy gave the Command of General of Ceylon to D. George de Almeyda who set out on the 19th of February 1631 in the great Galley taken by Nunno Alvarez Botello when he destroyed the Fleet of Achem This Vessel tho' large being not sound enough to endure any Storm might rise a Flyboat that went loaded with Provisions was ordered to keep close always with D. George which soon left him and was the cause that many perished 3. The Galley having coasted as far as Cape Comori and then striking over to Ceylon a Storm arose and it appeared impossible to save her D. George perceiving she must perish launched the Boat and got into it with 29 Persons whereof 4 were Religious This was done so late and with such precipitation that there was not in the Boat Provision for one meal The Night was spent in lading out the Water the Sea and Rain brought into the Boat In the Morning discovering a Sail at a distance tho' D. George assured them in 3 or 4 Days he would bring them to Maldivia they made towards it and coming near found it was their own Galley then sinking 4. With much trouble on the 4th Day they reached one of the Maldivia Islands about evening This was at a time that the Natives keep a Fast of 30 Days during which time they eat nothing between Sun and Sun and do nothing but gormandise all the Night Here D. George stayed 30 days spending what he had got to maintain his Men and got some Shipping to go over to the Coast of India The Men made a sort of Habitation but D. George lay in his Boat to be always the readier against the Moors who kept them always upon their Guard There was a vast number of Mosquitoes or Gnats that made the Blood run where they stung next followed a Sickness which none were free from and was cured by Bleeding two died of it one a Franciscan The King of the Islands writ to D. George condoling his Misfortunes and sending him a parcel of Rice 5. Being provided with all Necessaries they sailed to Cochim where D. George lay sick a long time When he was somewhat recovered there came to that Port 2 Pinks sent by the Viceroy to the Relief of Ceylon with 500 Cafres 800 Canaraes some Portugueses 40000 Xerasins which are worth about a piece of Eight each Provisions and Ammunition D. George embaâ—…qued with them having raised some more Men sailed from Cochim on the 17th of October and arrived at Columbo the 21th He marched not presently towards the Enemy though censured upon that account by reason the Season being wet that Country which is for the most part plain is boggy and overflowed Besides the Trees are full of Leeches which drop down upon Men as they pass and bleed them to Death 6. The Season being somewhat more favourable D. George marched on the 5th Day of Ianuary 1632 and passed the River Calane towards the North. Six Ships were ordered to go up the River with several Pieces of Cannon but only two could perform it The first day they could march but one League and quartered at Calane Next Morning having heard Mass they marched with great difficulty by reason of the Bogs and Waters through which they waded up to the Breast Besides the Enemies Musketiers endeavoured to hinder our Passage about the Fort called Tranqueyragrande but many of them were slain our General giving 3 or 4 Pistols for every Head that was brought him This Pass being cleared they advanced to another where the Enemy appeared again Our General went himself to view it and returning disposed his Men to attack those Works in which were almost 6000 Men. It was done with such fury that many of the Enemy being killed the rest fled firing all they left behind Our Army advanced to Maluana where they found only 3