_The Spaniards are called before a iudge, who doth
examine them, and offer them great favour; he dooth
write vnto the vizroy, giuing credit vnto the persons
who sendeth commission vnto a iudge called Aytao, for
to examine their cause. The chiefe captaine of Machao
dooth accuse them in saying that they were spies, and
doth intreate of other strange matters._
Vpon Saint John baptist day they were called before a iudge, who (as
after this did vnderstand), was a superiour vnto the other past; but
when they came whereas he was in place of audience, his ministers did
straight wayes commande them to kneele downe at such time as they came
in sight of the iudge, which was vnto the religious men no small
torment. He demanded of them the same that the others did, and they
answered in briefe, that they came to preach the holy gospell, and
requested him to giue them licence to execute the same, and to remain in
that cittie of Canton for to learne the China tongue, whereby they might
giue them to vnderstande and knowe the trueth of the heauen. The
interpreter did falsifie their wordes as hee had doone vnto the other
iudges, and said no more but for so much that fortune and foul weather
had driuen them into that port, they would liue amongst them, although
it were to serue them as slaves; for that if they woulde returne vnto
the ilande of Luzon, or by another name called Manilla, they could not
for that they knewe not the way, neither had they anie pilot to conduct
them.
The iudge had pittie on them, and commanded that such thinges as they
had in their shippe should be brought on land, for that he woulde see
them; amongst the which, the thing which caused him most to maruell at
was when hee sawe the images, and ara (or alter stone), of blacke
jasper stone (of the which we have made large mention.) Hee requested
of the Spaniards that they woulde giue them two images, which when they
had given them they made shew to esteeme greatly of the present, for
that they were things that they have not amongst them. He talked with
them very friendly, and caused them to arise from the ground whereas
they did kneele, and to shewe them the more fauour he caused to be giuen
them to drinke, in his presence, a certaine beurage which they do vse
made of certaine hearbs, and vse it for a comfortable thing for the
heart, and is commonly vsed amongst them although they are not dry, and
amongst the Chinos is a shew of particular fauour.
[Sidenote: The Chinos most vpright in all their iudgements and in
execution of iustice.]
This iudge did more vnderstande the intent of the Spaniards than any of
the other past, for their interpreter had tolde unto him that they
woulde remaine in the countrie for to cure sicke persons and to bury the
dead, the which they could do excellent well. When the iudge heard these
wordes hee gaue with his hande a great stroke vppon the table that was
before him, and said with showes of great wonder unto other inferior
judges that were with him: Oh! what good people are these as it seemeth;
it would be vnto mee a great ioy, if that I coulde of mine owne
authoritie accomplish that which they do desire, but our lawes do forbid
the same and that with great rigour. All this did their interpreter tel
them afterward. At this time there entred into the place of audience
whereas they were, a man of China, one of the common sort, al imbrewed
with blood, crying out and making a great noise without any consort, who
prostrating himselfe upon the ground did complaine of other Chinos with
whom he had fallen out, and was beaten and buffeted in cruell sort. The
iudge when he saw him, did straight wayes command his officers to bring
the offenders before him, the which was done with a trice, and they
returned with the plaintife, bringing three other Chinos bound together
by the armes, and as it seemed they were men of base sort. The judge
incontinent made information wholly of all that passed, and condemned
them without writing any letter, in twenty sotes[40] or strokes a peece.
The officers forthwith took them with so great cruelty as though they
had bin diuels, and threwe them vpon the ground with their bellies
downwards to execute the sentence giuen by the iudge; and when they had
pulled off their hose, they began to whippe them vpon the calues of
their legges with a sot made of canes, in manner as hath beene told you
before. The religious people who were present all this while, and taking
pity on these condemned men fell downe at the feet of the iudge, and by
signes and tokens did craue of him for the love of God, that his
sentence might not be executed, who straightwayes commanded the
executioners to cease, condiscending vnto the petition of the friers,
and did pardon the offenders fifteene sottes or strokes of the twentie,
wherein they were condemned.
[40] The translator seems to have made this word himself from the
Spanish, "azote", a scourge.
The iudge did very much woonder at the pouertie of these religious men,
and at the sharpe and asper apparell that they weare: but the chiefest
thing that they did maruell at, was when that he vnderstoode howe they
had passed the fleete of ships that were put in the straight for to
defende and keepe the coast, and were neuer seene, which seemed vnto him
a thing impossible, except it were by permission of the heauen.
So when this examination and talke was finished, he commanded them to
returne unto their shippe, promising them for to write vnto the vizroy
(who was thirtie leagues from that place), and to giue him to vnderstand
that they were men without any suspection, and that he might wel giue
them licence for to come to his presence: vpon which relation hee woulde
commaunde what shoulde bee doone, either to tarrie or to go vnto him.
Within few dayes after they vnderstood that the iudge had accomplished
his promise, for that the vizroy had committed the matter vnto another
iudge called Aytao, whose office is for to examine and inquire the
causes of strangers: the wordes of the commission were as followeth.
[Sidenote: The vizroies commission.]
"I am written vnto from Canton, howe that there are come thither
certaine men apparelled very sharpe and asper, after the fashion of our
religious men in the wildernesse, who bringe no weapons, neither any
other thing that might seeme to pretend any euill intent: and for that
they are thy charge, examine them with care and diligence, and prouide
to doo therein that which shall be most requisite and conuenient: giuing
vs to vnderstand the large and true relation of that which shall
happen."
[Sidenote: A sacred thing no doubt of it.]
The verie same day of Saint Iohn, the Spaniards being verie merry and
vnmindfull of any thing, for that they had all that day receiued the
Sacrament: there came vnto them abord their shippe or frigat the
interpreters, and did euidently declare their euill purpose and intent,
(saying) that it was apparent what they had done for them, and in what
perill they did euery day put themselues in for their matters, and that
it was reason that they shoulde pay them for the same, and if not, they
would not helpe them any more, neither interpret or take paines in their
businesse: certifying them that if they did faile to satisfie them, that
they should not finde any that would doo it with so great good will and
diligence (as they should finde by experience); and how that they had
beene put in prison if they had not beene, for entring into that
kingdome without licence; and for that they enterpreted for them with
great curtesie and fauour, they had also been commaunded to returne back
againe from whence they came, which by their meanes was the cause that
the iudges did entreat them so friendly as they did. The father Costodio
when he vnderstoode their intente, and did evidently see that it was
wholly grounded vppon gaine; considering also the vrgent necessitie that
they had of them, and not satisfying them, it was difficult to find any
for to help them in that their necessitie, of two euils he chose the
best, and deliuered vnto them a pawne for their contentemente, one of
the two challices they brought with them, giuing them great charge to
vse and keep it as a sacred thing and dedicated for to consecrate the
blood of Christ. The principall interpreter did take it with great
content, and presently gaue it a newe master, in selling it vnto a gold
smith for as much as it was woorth, who did melt it, and made things
thereof according to his trade: yet they not being content therewith,
and that it seemed vnto them that those fathers could not but bring with
them much riches, they inquired of the China boy whom they brought to
bee their interpreter, with faire words to know if they had any golde or
siluer, or pretious stones, or any other thing of valure; but when they
vnderstoode that they brought none of those things but onely their
bookes and some other ornaments to say masse, they straightwayes
imagined in their mindes, and that with great care and diligence, to
procure some way to get from them the other challice which they had
seen; and the better to put it in execution, they repeated againe vnto
the friers that which before hath been told you, augmenting thereunto
many wordes and reasons, affirming that they had spent vpon them in
giuing them to eate twelue taes[41] more then the challice which they had
giuen them did weigh or amount to, which was twelue ducats of Spaine;
hauing before giuen them to vnderstand at such time as they did eate
they did it of almes and for God's sake, and with so great content, that
many times it happened when they saw the Spaniards would not eate any
dainty thing, but woulde feed and content themselues with base victuals,
he would say vnto them they shoulde eate without any grief or care, that
when it should so fall out that his subtance did fail him, hee woulde
then pawne one of his sonnes to buy victuals.
[41] Tael, Tale, or Taes, is the Portuguese word for Leang, the Chinese
word for ounce, usually ounce of silver, and about one-third more than
an ounce avoirdupois.
The father Costodio plainly seeing and vnderstanding that their intent
and purpose was wholly grounded for to get from him the other challice,
he answered that he had not for to giue them, and how that he had giuen
the other challice in pawn of that which they had spent in victuals, and
for their trauell that they had taken for them. The interpreter did
replie, saying, that if they had nothing, that they shoulde seeke it,
seeing that they ought it for their victuals which they had eaten; and
it was the vse of that countrie, that when any man did owe any thing,
and hath not for to pay the same, for to sell their children, or else to
become slaues vnto their creditor; they demanded the other challice that
remained, for that the other which they had giuen them did weigh but
sixteene taes, which was but a small matter in respect of their desert,
onely for their trauel in their enterpretations. This frier Costodio did
pacifie them in the best maner hee coulde, promising to pay both the one
and the other, hauing oportunitie for the same, and that they woulde
procure it with as great care as was possible, and requesting him for to
keepe the challice, that he had given him in pawne, in great veneration,
for that hee did esteeme it much more for the consecration and
dedication vnto the deuine Colto,[42] then for the value of that it
wayed, and more, promised him upon his worde to write vnto the Portugals
that were in Machao, signifying unto them their necessitie and to
demande their almes and charity, and looke whatsoever they did send
them, being little or much, should be giuen him. Then the interpreter,
who had his eyes fixed vppon gaine, saide, that they shoulde forthwith
write, and that hee woulde giue him a messenger for to carrie the
letter, and to bring answere of the same, as he had doone the like not
many dayes before. The father Costodio did write vnto the bishoppe that
was in Machao, giuing him to vnderstande of his comming and of his
companions vnto the cittie of Canton, and howe that his comming thither
was onelie to procure for to preach the holy gospel, and for to conuert
and turne to God those blinde idolaters. The which letter being receiued
by the bishop, he made answere, praysing their intent and purpose,
animating them with godly wordes of exhortation, and therewith did sende
and demand the copie of such authoritie as they brought from the holy
father touching that the which they pretended. This hee did for that all
the sayde countrie vnto the lande of Iapon was committed vnto him by the
holy father.
[42] Worship.
Unto this letter, the father Costodio answered, that hauing oportunitie,
he woulde obey his commandement, and shew vnto him the facultie he
brought, and also woulde him selfe in person go thether for to kisse his
handes, and to satisfie all the inhabitants of that towne, for that it
was giuen him to understande that they reported euill of them, and sayde
that they were vacabondes and lost men, and not true religious men,
neither sacerdotes nor priests; and how that they had requested certaine
Chinos, which at that time came vnto Machao, that at their returne
againe vnto Canton they should tell the iudges and aduertise them with
good aduisement, how that there were certaine Castillos come into their
cittie, whom they did certainely know not to be of their nation, but of
an other, and subiects vnto a different and strange king, whom they did
beleeue to come thether for some ill intent and purpose in counterfeit
attire, and came for spyes from the Castillos of Luzon, and that they
did beleeue that after them did come some armie to do hurt in some part
of that countrie, and that they should prevent it in time, for that if
so be that any thing should happen, the fault should not be imputed vnto
them.
All this the Portingales did (as afterwards they did plainely
vnderstande) for feare that the Castillos should take from them their
contractation and gaine which they had in that city; by which occasion
their intente did so proceede forward, that they did certifie the
Chinos, that the chiefe captaine of Machao, who was put there by the
king of Portingale, had presented a petition vnto a citie that was
ioyning to Canton, aduertising the iudges of that before spoken of, and
protesting that if any harme or damage should come to that country in
admitting the Castillos, that it should not be imputed vnto them.
But the iudge vnderstanding their euill intent, and that their
accusations were more vppon malice and enuie then of any trueth, he
answered vnto the same, that he was particularly informed of those
religious persons, against whom they did complaine, how that they were
men of whom they needed not to feare, and without any suspition; as it
did plainely appeare when they did visite their ship, wherein they came,
where they found nothing, but onely a fewe bookes and some other thinges
which did more signifie deuotion than to make any warre. This iudge
(notwithstanding the answere he made), for that afterwards the chiefe
captaine should not raise vp some inuention, tooke the originall
petition, and sent it with great securitie vnto the viceroy of the
prouince of Aucheo, that he might see and peruse it; who when that he
had easily perceiued it, and vnderstood the intent of him that presented
the same, and the innocencie of them that were therein complained of, he
sent and commanded the gouernor of Canton for to giue them good
intertainment, and not to permit any harme or hurt to be done vnto them,
and that he should send them vnto the city of Aucheo, for that he would
see them, for that it was tolde him that they seemed to be holy men, and
although that they had their apparell in the same forme, of the Austin
friers, (whome he had seene), yet their garments were of an other colour
and more asper.
The chief captaine seeing that his intent fell not out well with the
iudges of China, he commanded to be proclaymed publicke in Machao that
none should write vnto them, nor communicate with them vpon paine of
banishment, and to pay two thousande ducats. All this was not sufficient
for to coole the mindes of some deuout persons of the religion of the
glorious Saint Francis, but were rather incyted to offer their fauour
and helpe seeing they had neede thereof; but in particular the bishop
did helpe tham alwaies with his almes, and also an honorable priest
called Andres Cotino, who making small account of the proclamation did
write vnto them diverse times, although secretly, and sent their letters
with almes and many exhortations to proceed forward with their holy
zeale and intent. Besides this they sent vnto them a Spaniard called
Pedro Quintero, who had dwelt there many years amongest the Portingals,
and hauing oportunitie they sent him many times with comfortable things
and letters, but not signed, for if happily they should be met with all,
they might denie them to be theirs.
Now returning to our purpose, the interpreter, with desire to be payed
of that which hee saide he had spent and laide out, did bring the
messenger that he promised them to go vnto Machao to carrie their
letters vnto such religious men as they knewe; in the which he craued
their almes and helpe for to pay their interpreter, and praying them for
the love of God to sende them likewise so much as should redeeme their
challice (who at this time knew not how it was solde and broken).
This messenger went with all diligence and secrecie, and returned with
the like, and brought with him that which they sent for and other
iunkets of great content, the which came in very good season, for that
one of the sayde friers, called frier Sebastian, of S. Francis, was very
sick of a strong ague, whereof in few daies after he died, very wel and
with a strange desire to suffer martyrdome for God's sake. When this
messenger came, there was come thither the Aytao who is iudge of the
strangers, and was without the citie, vnto whom was committed the
examination of the Spaniards, who after that he had concluded other
matters, commanded them to be brought afore him with great love and
gentlenesse, for so the viceroy of Aucheo had commanded him.