_The Timpintao dooth call the Spaniards before him,
and dispatcheth them for to go to Canton; they tooke
their leaue of him, and goeth from Aucheo: and at
their comming to Canton, they are commaunded to make
themselues readie to departe the kingdome._
The next day following, which was the thirde day of September, the
timpintao did sende to call the Spaniards before him, who as we haue
said was deputie vnto the vizroy, and he gaue them certaine dispatches,
in saying, that there was in them all that they did aske, and gaue
commandement to the gouernor of Canton that he should not neglect, but
accomplish al things therin comprehended, so that they might depart when
they pleased. When hee tooke his leaue of them, hee did intreate them
verie curteously with words of great curtesie. The Spaniards departed
his presence with incredible ioy: beleeuing that he had agreed and
granted all that they did aske, and to remaine in the countrie to
preach, so that the next day following they made all thinges in a
redinesse to take their voyage, the which they finished in short time,
by reason of their great contentment they had with themselues, as also
for the good intertainement and good cheere they had by the way, which
was made and giuen them by the commandement of the timpintao. So when
they came vnto Canton, they went straightwayes to visite the gouernour,
and to giue him the dispatches which they brought, who after that he had
read the same, he bad them welcome, and saide that hee was very glad
that the vizroy had shewed them so much fauour, and that the same was
committed to his charge, for the execution of his commission, that they
should perswade themselues that hee would performe it according vnto his
commandement, without failing anie thing. And for to beginne the same,
hee shewed vnto them a house of the kings which should be for their
dwelling, which was in the suburbs halfe fallen downe, and there they
were lodged, with a commandement that they should not go foorth, neither
enter into the cittie without particular licence. Heere they remained
many dayes being deceiued of their purpose, and maruelled very much that
the gouernor would not giue them licence for to reedifie a monastery,
neither for to enter into the cittie for to giue order in that which
they beleeued was granted them by the vizroy, til such time as they
vnderstood what was done by their interpreters, and relation giuen by
the Chino boy which came with them from the Philippinas, who declared to
them the truth in all things: how that the interpreters had neuer told
the iudges how that they would remain in the countrie, neither made any
mention thereof, but that they came thither as lost men, and that their
request was to remaine in the country til it were faire wether, or the
comming of the Portugall shippes. And this was that which the vizroy and
his deputie had granted, and no other thing. But when the father
Costodio and his companions (who verely beleeuing that their desire
woulde take effect) vnderstoode the craft and wile of the interpreters,
and the great falshood that they had vsed, they were very sadde, and
beganne amongst themselues to remedie the same: so they determined to
seeke a new interpreter, one that should faithfulle and truely declare
their will vnto the gouernor. And although they did finde some that
could doo it, for that they did reasonably vnderstande the Portugall
tongue, yet there were none that woulde accept it, for any request or
giftes that they did promise them.
The father Costodio seeing this, and that the time appointed did passe
away without doing of any thing, one day hee and the rest of his
companions did ioine togither, and entred in counsell to see what was
best to be done, according vnto the necessitie in the which they were
driuen. There was amongst them diuers opinions, for that of the father
Costodio and of another religious man was, that they woulde go vnto
Machao, which was not farre off, and there would administer the
sacraments, and preach the holy gospel vnto the christened Chinos, and
to learne the China language, and to tarrie there and abide the first
occasion that should bee offered, or else they themselues to procure it,
for, hauing the language, it were an easie thing to doo it: and they
should not haue neede of any interpreter, neither feare to be deceiued
as they had beene before. And besides this, they put the Portugals out
of all doubt of the false opinion that the captaine generall had
published abroade of them, and of other matters of like effect and
purpose. The other two religious men and souldiers were of a contrarie
opinion: which was, that they should returne vnto the Ilands
Philippinas, and not vnto Machao, and saide, that they had departed
without licence of the gouernor, and did aduenture themselues into the
harme and damage that might happen vnto them by that enterprise, and all
for to plant the faith of Christ in that kingdome. And now seeing that
by the iust iudgement of God wee cannot put it in execution, wee are
greatly bounde to returne againe vnto him, of whome we doubt not but
with ease to get our pardon for the error passed, representing the zeale
wee had to the honour of God, and the saluation of so manie soules, who
did incite vs to giue that great enterprise: with the which we shall
remaine blamelesse with them that had giuen wrong iudgement of vs, and
accomplish our bounden duetie and obedience which wee doo owe vnto the
gouernor. And in going vnto Machao wee shall runne in great danger to be
holden and iudged for traitors to the king: and the intent wherewith wee
went vnto China, euery one wil construe and interpret thereon at his
pleasure.
The resolution of these contrary opinions, was by a common consent
delated certaine dayes, in the which they prayed vnto God to put into
their hearts that which was best for His deuine seruice. So in the end
the father Costodio, and the religious man, who was of his opinion, did
determine to go forwards with their pretence, and to go vnto Machao, as
aforesaid, and the rest to returne vnto the ilands with the first
oportunitie they might finde: but when it should come to effect, one of
the religious friers that shoulde haue gone vnto Manilla was deade of an
infirmitie that chanced him. They staid there longer then they did think
they should, by reason that the iudges of the cittie were occupied with
the examinations of students, the which is accustomed euery three
yeares, and is in that manner and order as hath beene tolde you in the
proper chapter for the same: the which examinations endured more then
fiue and fortie dayes, with great feastes and banquets, without medling
in any other particular businesse.