BOOK III.

[Cessation of Arms.] Both Sides now took the Breathing of a short

Cessation; advantagious to Ternate for the Liberty of Trade, and

to the Portugueses, because it gain'd Time to their Hope of Relief,

which they concluded must be near at Hand, by Reason it had been long

expected. They were not discouraged by Events, those having prov'd

alternatively Successful and Unfortunate, and Victory was toss'd to

and fro; besides that the Interruption of Commerce had knit some the

closer together in Friendship. I could mention several Instances of

this Sort, contain'd in Letters, and other Spanish and Portuguese

Relations, sent by Religious Men from the Moluccos, to the Governours

of the Philippine Islands, whose Papers have, upon this Occasion,

been lay'd before me, for my better Information, for which Reason

we may make Use of some of them, without departing from the main

Subject. The gravest of the Greek and Latin Historians sometimes

intermix private Adventures, as it were short Episodes to divert the

Reader. The Example of great Masters is a sufficient Authority for

Learners, for which Reason I may well be allow'd this Freedom.

One Duarte, a brave Ensign, had contracted strict Friendship with

Cachil [A Love Story.] Tudura, which was no way obstructed by the

Difficulties of the Seige, nor so much as interrupted. Duarte was wont

in the dead of the Night, to go safely into the City in the Habit of

the Country, and by the Help of the Language, being Master of it,

where he was privately admitted into his Friend's House, and well

receiv'd there on another Account by Tudurisa, his only Daughter,

who, being prevail'd on by the Love she bore Duarte, imbrac'd the

Christian Religion. The Father was not unacquainted with their Love,

but he also knew that it was attended by Modesty in Tudurisa, and

true Courtesy in Duarte. Returning to the Fort, he used to be taken

in the same dangerous way, by those Persons who had let him down

with a Rope. He brought with him some Intelligence and Provisions;

but he came not so entire himself, for the Indian Woman, who was to be

his Wife, had robb'd him of his Heart. Nuno Pereyra going the Rounds

miss'd the Ensign at his Post, and enquiring into it, understood the

Cause of his Absence; in Respect to which, considering the mighty

Power it often has over great Souls, he conniv'd at the Breach of

Martial Discipline, assigning that to the Passion, without reproving

the Lover. Whether he follow'd the Example we read of Quintus Fabius

Maximus, in the like Case, or on Account that Experience shows, there

is Nothing can hold a Lover so fast as the Presence of the lov'd

Object; Pereyra enjoining all Persons to keep the Secret, contriv'd,

without offending Tudura, that his Daughter should come privately into

the Fort, which she consented to, without many Perswasions. Having

so done, the Commander in Chief, calling his Ensign, said to him,

I am inform'd, that at certain Times, and that when the Danger is

greatest, you forsake us; but that it is not for want of Affection,

or not knowing the Duty of your Post; tho' we were not confin'd

to these narrow Walls, I would not punish your Failure, because

Mildness has ever been more efficacious for correcting of Generous

Souls, than Rigour. It will not be convenient for the Future, that

we be left without you, and in Fear for what may befall you: Here is

your Wife, and then she appear'd, brought hither without any Force,

or Opposition from her Father. Take her to you lovingly, and do not

suffer the Honour of Portugal, depending on these few Men, to want the

Bravery of so able an Officer. Duarte was amaz'd, generously out of

Countenance, full of Love, and knew not what to say; but was excus'd

by his Friends, and even by Nunno Pereyra.

[Hopes and Despair of the Besieged.] It was now the Year 1575,

when the Besieged began to conceive some Hopes of their Deliverance;

because the Saugiacks and Cachils of the King of Ternate's Race

were divided into Factions, and there wanted not some among them,

who endeavour'd to draw the Portugueses over to their Party. These

Misunderstandings made them act less vigorously; and did not they

look on theirs as the Common Cause, the Design had succeeded. The

Portugueses in this Condition, despairing of all Relief, the Natives

of Ternate on the other Side of the Island, next those of the Meaos,

discover'd a Galeon coming from Malaca, having coasted about Borneo;

they concluded it was that which brought the Succours from Portugal,

and being assur'd it was so, they became unanimous again, and press'd

on the Seige; but Force little prevailing against the Resolution of

[Proposals of Accommodation, and Reasons for it.] the Besieged, Cachil

Tulo, by Permission, propos'd some Terms, which the Commander in Chief

had long listen'd to from the Wall. One Day making several Overtures,

Tulo told him, That the King, his Brother, was willing to put an End

to that tedious Seige, upon any Conditions. That to this Effect had

concluded a Peace with the King of Tydore, that he might not relieve

them for the Future. That the King of Bachian had joyn'd him for the

same Purpose; to the End, that since they were all convinc'd that

was their common Cause, they might with their joynt Power make their

utmost Efforts. That the Cessation which had lasted till then, tho'

advantages to the King, as encouraging the Trade with the Javaneses,

and Rumes, who came to Load Clove, must of Necessity cease. He

ask'd how long they would expose their Lives to the utmost Dangers,

only to gain an empty Name of Loyal Subjects, which, perhaps, would

never be known to him that was to reward it. He bid them consider the

Villany of his Father, King Aerio's Death, and that by their Obstinate

holding out they made the Murderers Cause more Criminal. That they

thus show'd they approv'd of anothers Treachery, whose Punishment they

would compass by other Means. That they ought to be very thankfull,

that the King would not involve them in the Guilt of that Wretch, who

contrary to his solemn Oath, to the Laws of Friendship, and the Honour

of the Portuguese Nation, or rather to Nature it self, had Murder'd

that King, who most inviolably observ'd the Faith he had engag'd to

him. Besides, that they were sensible how little Comfort uncertain

Hopes could afford amidst real Wants; and how impracticable it was

for Relief to come from so great a distance, through such boisterous

Seas, causing so many Shipwrecks, and which seem'd to have conspir'd

against those who had oppress'd and injur'd Ternate.

He concluded his Discourse requiring the Commander in Chief, to deliver

up the Fort, or expect the utmost Rigour; for if he once refus'd the

Terms offer'd, and provok'd them, they would spare neither Sex, nor

Age. The Besieg'd were not free from Jealousie, that there was Fraud

in these Offers; [The Besieged Surrender.] yet, perceiving that

the Succours never came from India, either because retarded by the

African War, in which King Sebastian had engag'd himself, or by the

Difficulties of that dangerous Voyage; and believing that the two Kings

of Tydore and Ternate were reconcil'd, as Tulo told them, thinking he

of Tydore, without whose support they could not subsist, had forsaken

their Friendship, the Proposals were accepted by unanimous Consent,

after Nuno Pereyra had return'd a resolute Answer, suitable to that

Part of Cachil Tulo's Words, which contain'd any Threats, signifying

to him, how little they mov'd himself, or his Men; and that he would

hearken to no Conditions to the disservice of his God, or his King,

or to disparage the Bravery of his Soldiers, which had been so often

try'd to the cost of the Natives of Ternate; nevertheless upon some

other Considerations, he would [The Capitulation.] surrender the Fort,

provided that all the Portugueses might march out in a Body, Colours

Flying, with their Wives, Children, Slaves, and all their Goods, having

first Hostages given them to their content, that no Harm, or Injury

should be done them. That the King should secure them their Passage to

Amboyna, and find them Vessels; and that such as should happen to be

left in Dominions for want of them, should have no Ransome demanded of

them, either then, or at the time of their departure. That the Fort

and Guns should be deliver'd to King Babu, upon express Condition,

That he should hold it for the King of Portugal, and in his Name,

to whom he should restore it, whensoever he effectually punish'd the

Murder of King Aerio. The King easily Granted, and Swore to perform

all those Conditions, being eager to possess himself of the Fort,

before the Succours arriv'd, [The Fort Deliver'd.] which were now

near at hand. On the Day appointed, which was Saint Stephen's, the

Ternates took up all the advantageous Posts to view the Portugueses,

who march'd out as if they had been Conquerors; and no sooner were they

out of the Fort, than the Natives running in, possess'd themselves

of the Guns, with loud Laughter and Shouts, Scoffing at those that

left it; for the third Day after the Galeon arriv'd, well Mann'd,

and furnish'd with Guns, and all Necessaries, and James de Azambuja

in it, as Commander in Chief. They had thoughts of Recovering the

Fort, but it was too late, because the Enemy was possess'd of all

Things, without any Opposition. Pereyra then perceiv'd how great

an Obstacle Precipitation is to the chusing of the safest Advice,

and how infallibly it is follow'd by fruitless Repentance; since had

he delay'd but never so little longer, tho' it were only to weigh

the Enemies Proposals, who ought never to be suppos'd Sincere,

he might have sav'd himself and Destroy'd them. For this Reason,

tho' he wanted not an honourable Excuse, he resolv'd not to return

to Goa, having private Intelligence that the Viceroy would not fail

to secure him, in Order to cut off his Head. Azambuja protected him

in his Galeon, and he went over with many others to Amboyna. The rest

spread themselves throughout the Neighbouring Islands, in Vessels they

begg'd. Some return'd to Malaca, and only sixteen Portuguese Families

remain'd in Ternate for want of Shipping; who at first submitted to

the change of their Fortune: but could not afterwards comply with

the Difference there is betwixt Domination and Servitude. The King of

Tydore a [Portugueses settle at Tydore.] most trusty Friend to the

Spaniards in their greatest Affliction, offer'd them his Islands,

Houses, and Trade of Spice. He sent them a good Number of Carcoas,

which carry'd them over to his Dominions, and soon after assign'd

them a convenient Place to build their Houses and Churches. This

Colony was increased, and the Number of its Inhabitants augmented by

Sancho de Vasconselos, who sent others from Malaca, being Commander

in Chief of Goa and afterwards of Amboyna, in the Year 1578. At last

he came thither himself, and erected a Fort, a quarter of a League

from the City of Tydore, which gives its Name to the Island.

[Tydore describ'd.] Tydore, in the Language of those Parts, which

was formerly spoken, signifies, Fertility and Beauty. Europeans

generally give it this Name; but its King, as appears by his Arabick

and Persian Subscriptions, Writes Tudura, and not Tydore. It is not

inferior to Ternate for Fruitfulness, and Delight, but far exceeds

it in Magnitude and Populousness; and yields the same Aromatick

Product. Curious Persons have there try'd to improve the Clove,

watering and pruning the Tree at proper Seasons, and it appears to

embrace the Helps of Art, by growing bigger, more active in its Vertue,

and the Scent stronger. The white Sanders here come to more Perfection,

than in any other of the Eastern Parts. In this, as well as the other

Molucco Islands are found those Birds, they, in their Language, call

[Birds of Paradice.] Manucodiatas, signifying Birds of Paradise, from

a Fable, credited by those superstitious People, that they came down

from Heaven. The Fort here was afterwards enlarg'd by Nuno Pereyra,

not far from the Port, and then by James de Azambuja. The latter did

not only contribute with his Industry, [Fort of Tydore.] but with his

Labour, carrying the Materials himself, when it was requisite to set

the Soldiers an Example, and forward the Work; which the King often

view'd, and was well pleas'd to see the Fortifications. He discours'd

familiarly with the Officers, advis'd with them in his Wars, and

comforted the Christians, and they far'd best, for from that Time

forward, there being none in Ternate, and that Fort in the Hands

of the Natives, the Heathens and Mahometans seem'd to be Superior

and Conquerors throughout all those Provinces. They strengthen'd

themselves with Works and other Preparations, erected Forts on high

Places, and bending their Minds against the Christians, put many to

cruel Martyrdoms; that so the Foundation of our Faith may be in all

Parts cemented with the Blood of the Faithful. They dismember'd the

Bodies, and burnt the Legs [Persecution.] and Arms in the sight of the

still Living Trunks. They impal'd the Women, tore out their Bowels,

and they surving themselves, beheld their still moving Flesh in the

Hands of their Executioners. Children were pull'd Piecemeal before

their Mothers Eyes, and Infants still in Embrio were rent from their

Wombs. It has been made out, that above 60000 Christians fell by the

Sword in only the King of Ternate's Dominions. This is asserted in

the Annual Relations of the Fathers of the Society, who preach'd

in those Parts. They give an Account of this dismal Persecution,

with all the Circumstances of the Cruelties; as how the persecuted

Persons fled to the Mountains, seeking for Compassion among the wild

Beasts, others cast themselves into the Sea, where they perish'd,

either devour'd by its Monsters, or swallow'd by the Waves themselves,

not being able to reach the other Islands. A considerable Number of

these religious Fugitives, as they swam met a Portuguese Ship, coming

to the Relief of those at Amboyna, and with dismal Voices cry'd out,

Help, Relieve us, for we are Christians. They carefully took them up

in their Boats, and having view'd them at Leasure, found that none of

them were above 12 Years of Age. Yet at this same Time, when cruelty

advanc'd God's Glory, Providence seem'd to act Counter in the very

Cities, and Deserts. Idolaters and Mahometans were converted, and our

Religious Men preach'd and catechis'd, without any Fear of Punishment,

which they rather coveted, and thought themselves unworthy of it;

encouraging one another with the Examples the Tyrant made, for several

Purposes. But all those People looking upon it as their Duty to seek

Revenge, their Cruelty gaining Applause under that Name, and Europe

being involv'd in Dismal Troubles, they met with no Opposition in

the Execution of their Vengeance, and the Calamity ran so high, that

in the space of thirty Years, they either quite obliterated, or much

obscured the Name of Christianity in those Eastern Parts, destroy'd

our Churches, and, like those who prepare to hunt wild Beasts, arm'd

themselves against the Faithful who liv'd in more security among those

savage Creatures, or in Deserts never penetrated by Men, feeding on

Herbs, and gaining Time, by that lawful Retreat for the sake of the

Gospel, for the Wrath of Heav'n, whose Executioners those Men were,

to pass over. Above 36 Towns, of each 800 Inhabitants in Gilolo and

Celebes a spacious and populous Country, and in those of the two Kings

of Sian and Sanguil, [Many Apostatize.] who profess'd Christianity,

with most of their Subjects, in the Kingdom of Cauripana; in that

of Bachian, whose King and his People were Sons of the Church; in

the Islands of Amboyna, where Forty Towns worshipped CHRIST, in the

Bosom of his Faith, and in those of Tydore, which were not without

this Light; in all those Places they fell off from Christianity,

and were utterly lost; first through the Insolency of the Portuguese

Commanders, and lastly on Account of the Death of Sultan Aerio; who,

as was prov'd, had given no real, nor so much as a likely Token of

Falshood, for which they might be provok'd to destroy him. However

the Christians dy'd with such Resolution, that the Persecuters took

not away any Life but what became a fresh Example of Magnanimity,

and perhaps Providence might permit that Accident of Aerio, with a

Design to advance the Churches Glory.

[Augustin Nunez sent to Command at Amboyna.] Sultan Babu making his

present Victory an Instrument to obtain others, Ship'd his Men, in

Order to besiege Tydore and Bachian; and tho' he met with a vigorous

Defence in both Places, and the Portuguese Auxiliaries made some Amends

for his Superiority of Power, yet they submitted to the Tyrant. This

Revenge made him stick at no Cruelty. In November, this same Year, a

Galeon came to Malaca from India, to carry Succours for the Moluccos,

commanded by Captain Augustin Nunez, the Eldest and Bravest Commander

in those Days, as he made it appear in the Expedition of Chaul, when it

was besieged by Niza Molucco, when Don Luys de Atayde was Viceroy of

India, in the year 1578. The Galeon was stor'd with all Necessaries,

and in it James [James Lopez de Mezquita sent Prisoner to Ternate.]

Lopez de Mezquita, the Murderer of Aerio, design'd for Punishment, in

Satisfaction for the Wrong done. He was so strong, and fierce, that

to secure him, he was fetter'd with a great Chain, the End whereof

was made fast to a heavy Piece of Brass Cannon. Augustin Nunez had

Orders to convey him to the new King of Ternate, to be deliver'd

to him bolted, like a Criminal, that he might pass such a sentence

of Death on him as he thought fit, which should be executed in his

Presence, pursuant to the Orders sent by the King of Portugal. They

put him on double Fetters, Manacles, and Chains, and kept him in the

Steeridge. Augustin Nunez went to succeed Sancho de Vasconcelos, in

the Fort of Amboyna; but a storm rising, he was forc'd into the Port

of Japara, of Sunda, in the greater Java. The Galeon wanting water,

and Refreshment, he there sent for it; which the Native Javaneses

brought him in 40 Vessels. Among them came 150 Soldiers in the

Habit of Peasants, and Fishermen; who making many words as is usual

among Buyers and Sellers, drew the Ponyards they brought conceal'd,

and surprizing the Portugueses, fell on with such Fury and Cruelty,

that they [The Murderer kill'd.] kill'd them all. Among them dy'd

James Lopez de Mezquita, but fighting with extraordinary Bravery,

tho' held by his Chain, hinder'd by his Fetters, and other heavy

Encumbrances, and restrain'd by the Cannon, to which his Chain was

made fast. However he got a Sword and a Buckler wherewith he cut

down ten Javaneses, revenging on them the Death of the Portugueses,

and they on him, that of King Aerio of Ternate, which had occasion'd

so much Slaughter. Seventy three Christians were kill'd and above

the same Number of Javaneses, and their Vessels had been taken,

but that others came to their Assistance from the Shore in the Heat

of the Action, in which there were Men with Fire-Locks and Lances,

six Yards and a Quarter long, the Points of them poison'd. The Galeon

was taken without any Succour, nor was the Cannon of any Use.

It is but reasonable that so manly and honourable a Death should,

as is usual, render all this Gentlemans Life honourable; and that his

Fetters, and Sufferings joyn'd to it, excite Compassion and Affection

in the minds of the [His Vindication.] Readers, so to blot out the

Hatred they have conceiv'd against him on Account of Sultan Aerio's

Death. It is to be observ'd, for his justification that it does

not appear, not is it reported, he was incens'd to perform that Act

through Interest, Ambition, or any other private Motives; but was

mov'd to it by Informations which perswaded him it was convenient,

for the Establishing and Advancement of Religion, and the publick

Peace. Very brave men must also be allow'd some Excesses of Fierceness,

which proceed from an extraordinary Force in the irascible Part of

the mind, and wherein Valour is subdu'd. When these Persons find

themselves encompass'd by great Numbers, and streightned by wrongful

Violence; if they are not to be daunted and overcome, it comes to pass

that Patience often provok'd turns that Courage into Fury and Rage,

which causes them to make mighty Slaughters, and Examples of Cruelty;

led to it not only by Passion, but also by Judgment and Thought, which

directs them to cause themselves to be dreaded even to Astonishment,

to save themselves and their People from other great Cruelties which

usually mean Souls attempt and practice upon those they stand much

in Fear of. Let this Reflection serve for a general Excuse to other

Offences of this sort mention'd, or blam'd in our History.

This Accident, in as much as related to the Death of James Lopez de

Mezquita, was forgot, or at least not known for many Years, for in

1603 the King of Ternate demanded Justice of our King, against that

Man not knowing that God had summon'd him before a more upright

Tribunal. The News being brought to Malaca, the Commander Arias

de Saldana immediately [Peter Lopez de Sousa sent to Moluccos.]

sent away another Galeon, he call'd S. Peter and S. Paul, for the

Moluccos under command of Peter Lopez de Sousa, and a Galley with

150 Soldiers to relieve Sancho de Vasconcelos at Amboyna, where he

wanted Provisions, and was streightned. They sail'd in May 1579, to

touch at Borneo, there to take in all Necessaries for the Design. He

arriv'd on that Island in June, and found it in an Uproar, occasion'd

by the Spaniards [Spaniards at Borneo.] who came thither with Doctor

Sandi, Governour of the Philippine Islands in 30 rowing Vessels. He

took the City, and put the King to flight, who was a Lover of the

Portugueses, and from that time Manila began to be look'd upon as

a place of Arms, for the recovering of the Molucco Islands; and if

Sandi had then employ'd those, he carry'd to this other Expedition

against them, he would have found the Tyrant less settled, and

consequently his Revenge more easy. Vasconcelos died at Amboyna, and

James de Azambuja succeeded him, so that nothing came now from India

but fair Promises. In the Philippine Islands they had no Orders at

that Time to intermeddle in those Wars, because they then belong'd to

another Sovereign, and therefore they were only Lookers on to those

Martyrdoms, and Revolutions and employ'd themselves as they us'd in

Camboxa, Mindanao, Japan and China, and then particularly in Borneo,

without regarding those other Successes.

Borneo lies between Malaca and the Moluccos, and according to the

Opinion [Borneo describ'd.] of Gerard Mercator, is that which

Ptolomy calls, the Island of Good Fortune. A Point of it lies under

the Equinoctial, and the greater Part stretches out to 6 Degrees of

North Latitude, taking up the two first Parallels. Thus it appears

to be above 400 Leagues in Compass. It abounds in Provisions, and

all other Necessaries for the Support of humane Life. And produces

abundance of Camphire, Agarick Diamonds, vast Numbers of Horses,

smaller than the Spanish; but it has not such plenty of Sheep, or

Kine: There is a general Resort of Trade in all its Populous Cities

and Ports. The Capital is Borneo, which gives Name to the Island,

built on a Spacious Lake the Sea Forms, like Venice, and said to

contain 23000 Houses: The King is a Mahometan; no man speaks to

him but by the Interposition of an Interpreter. The Natives worship

Idols. They are White, good Natur'd and sharp Witted. They have no

certain Fashion of Cloaths. Many of them wear Cotton Shirts, and

others of white common single Tabby, with red Lists.

Sirelela, Brother to this King, came to Manila, where Doctor Sandi

being then Governour, he laid before him his Pretensions, and some

Means he had for bringing his Designs to bear; but he put the main

Stress upon [King of Borneo's Brothers at Manila.] his having a

greater Party there, than the King his Brother. He promised which

would be no difficult Matter, in Regard of the Hatred the People bore

the King, that he would make the Kingdom Tributary to the Kings of

Spain. The Governour having taken sufficient Precautions, condescended

to his Request, and arming as many Spaniards, and Philippines as he

thought convenient, with all Necessaries for a great Enterprize, ship'd

them, and arriv'd happily at Borneo. He attack'd it in several Places;

the best of the People immediately declar'd for the Brother. The

King thinking himself weakest at Sea, reserv'd his Forces for the

Land, and being deceiv'd [Spaniards overthrow that King.] in his

Expectation, was forc'd to fly, his Army being routed, without any

Remains to attend him in the Deserts, and Retreats of the Mountains,

where he liv'd miserably. Sirelela ascended the Throne; the Victorious

Spaniards return'd to the Philippine Islands loaded with Booty; and

among other Things, if we may believe Relations, brought 600 Pieces

of Artillery. However the depos'd King, a few Months after, got to

a Head again. No Man ought to Despair in Adversity, for Fortune is

nothing but the Will of God. Thus the King, with the Assistance of

the Portuguses, [He is restored.] recover'd his Throne, casting down

his Brother, and defeating him, till he was utterly destroy'd. Hatred

is frequently no less intense than Love among those whom Nature has

most closly link'd. In the Molucco Islands the War did not cease,

nor the general Malice against Christians.

The News of what had happened there was not known in Europe, where,

and in Africk greater Dangers were apprehended; of the Event whereof

[A Prodigy.] Providence thought fit to inform our free Wills, by

stupendious Prodigies. On the 15th of June 1580, about the declining

of the Day, there appear'd to certain Sailers a Large Crucifix in the

Body of the Sun the Foot of the Cross standing on Mount Calvary, as

we see in common Pictures; on the Right Side of it a Figure clad in

White, and another on the left in a deep Red. The Crucifix ascended

upwards, and was still seen to mount till the Sun Setting, the Day shut

in. This was seen by all those who came in a Caravel, from the Island

of St. Michael ten Leagues before they came to that of St. George,

the Bishop whereof residing in that of Angla, sent the Affidavit of

it to King Philip the Second, which was receiv'd and much talked of

by the Judge Freytas, a grave Person. All the Men of the Caravel

sign'd it, as Eye-Witnesses, who affirm, That being touch'd with

it, they confess'd their Sins at the Sight of the Prodigy, begging

Mercy with Sighs and Tears. Our Understandings ought to stand amaz'd,

and praise, him that produces both what is Natural, and Miraculous,

and who by so many Warnings shows us, that he has reserv'd Times,

and Moments in his own Hand.

King Sebastian, at that Time, had other Conquests in View. The Loss

or the Recovery of Ternate and the neighbouring Moluccos concern'd

him alone; but he referr'd that to the Governour of India; whilst

he himself, solicited by the Xerif Muley Mahomet, whom he design'd

to set upon the [King Sebastian prepares for the War in Africk.]

Throne of Morocco, tho' with a good Design, joyn'd the African Army,

with another of Catholicks, consisting of the Portuguese Gentry,

of Spaniards, Italians, and Germans. And, if we may believe those

who committed that Expedition to writing, he went over into Africk,

contrary to all the known Rules and Maxims of Martial Prudence,

which Proportions the Strength to the Undertaking, to ascertain the

Success and forecasts, in Case Things prosper, to secure and preserve

them. This he did upon the Assurances the Xerif gave him, that as soon

as ever the Portuguese Forces appear'd, the People would submit to

him. But God permitted that most Christian Prince [Is Kill'd there.]

to be kill'd, the Xerif perishing with him; and their Armies to be

routed, Muley Moluc the third Person remaining Victorious, tho' he

also dy'd in the same Battel, and was bury'd in triumphant Manner. The

Prodigies, and Fears of the wiser sort were verify'd in the King of

Portugal, and particularly that which happen'd before his Birth. It is

certainly reported, that the Princess Joanna his Mother, one Night saw

a great Number of Moors come into her Chamber, in the Palace at Lisbon,

clad in several Colours; [Prodigy.] she believ'd or fancy'd they might

be those they call Monetros, who are such as do the Duty of Guards

in the Royal Apartment. Some went out to enquire, and found them all

still, as husht as at other Times. The Princess seeing the imaginary

Moors come in again, swoon'd away in her Ladies Arms. Afterwards at

the proper Time, she was deliver'd of King Sebastian, whose singular

Virtues, supported by the Loyalty of his Subjects, might have

shin'd as bright as his natural Magnanimity, had not that hasten'd

his End. That was mourn'd for and lamented by all Christendom, and

brought Trouble to all its Princes, who began seriously to discourse

about the Successor to the Crown of Portugal. There they presently

swore [Henry the Cardinal King.] Henry, the Prince Cardinal, Unkle

to the late King, then Eighty Years of Age, and the last Lawful Male

of that Royal House, which began in another of his Name. Antony,

Prior of Crato, Son to Prince Lewis, pretended to succeed him,

and tho' declar'd illegitimate, there was a Party that follow'd

him. This Revolution, and the Hurry in such difficult Exigences,

were the Occasion, that Care was not taken to supply other Places,

much nearer than Ternate. Besides that dismal Accounts brought 5000

Leagues, tho' they were represented by Demosthenes, would come cold

from his Mouth and scarce move the best dispos'd Prince, when never

so much at Leasure; and King Henry, had no Power, but only his Zeal

for Religion, to oppose the Tyranny practis'd in the Archipelago of

the Moluccos. The Cardinal King thought all his Forces little enough,

and necessary considering the extraordinary Jealousie he had conceiv'd,

upon our King Philip's declaring himself a Pretender to those Kingdoms,

and having order'd a considerable Army to make up to the frontiers,

which he had drawn together during the said Cardinal's Life. The

Generals were the Duke of Alva, and the Marquess de Santa Cruz, the

first at Land, the other at Sea; and in the mean while the ablest

Divines and Civilians of Europe, in all the Schools, and Parliaments

writ concerning his Right.

[First English Voyage to the Moluccos.] The Year before, being

1579, about the Beginning of it, Q. Elizabeth of England, seeing the

Princes of Europe, particularly those in the Western Parts, make

Warlike Preparations, as being divided in Opinions; form Leagues,

and direct all their Designs towards the Kingdom of Portugal, she

to make some Diversion with Security, had on a sudden fitted out

four Ships, of eighteen Brass Guns each, and in them two hundred

Men, and ten young Gentlemen, who besides employing their Valour,

on such Occasions as it should offer, were to be very intent upon

the Business of Navigation for greater Ends. She appointed Francis

Drake of the County of Devon their Commander in Chief; who at his

own, or at the Charge of John Hawkins, from whom he stole a great

Quantity of Gold and Silver at S. John de Ulva, [Sir Francis Drake

his Voyage.] in the Year 1566, added some more Ships. He set sail

from the Port of Plymouth, for the South Sea, and to find out that

Streight of Magellan, scarce believed by the Vulgar, and declar'd by

several Cosmographers. He promis'd to sail as much as might be to the

Northward, and to take rich Prizes, infesting all those remote Seas,

and to return Victorious into England, through the same Streight. This

presumptuous Hope he grounded on his own Valour, on the Negligence of

the Spaniards, who are intrusted with the Places of Strength; on our

want of Ships; and above all on that Opportunity, or Season so full

of sundry and extraordinary Commotions. He touch'd on the Coast of

Africk, and refitted all his Ships at Cape Bojador. The Moors took

two of his Men, and a Portuguese Ship pay'd for it, he robbing her

at Cabo Blanco of an hundred Quintals, or hundred Weight of Bisket,

besides much Fish, and many Arms. He touch'd at the Islands of Cabo

Verde, where he took another small Portuguese Vessel, richly Laden

with Wine, Cloth, Holland, and several other Commodities, with Sylva,

the Pilot in it, who was well acquainted with those Seas, and better

on the Coast of Brazil. But six or seven Days after the Vessel sunk,

and not a Man was sav'd except only the said Pilot. Drake went on to

the River of Plate, and Winter'd for some Months in S. Julians Bay,

which is not well shelter'd, but expos'd to excessive cold Winds,

in 50 Degrees of South Latitude, where he lost some Men.

One Thomas Haughton rais'd a Mutiny there, in order to Debauch the

Squadron, Drake laid hold of him, and struck off his Head. Here they

[Giants.] saw eight Indian Giants to whom the tallest Englishman

look'd like a Dwarf. They show'd their Bows and Arrows, and an

Englishman, who valu'd himself upon his Dexterity at those Weapons,

breaking the Peace establish'd with those People, let fly an Arrow

at one of them, which pierced him through, and he dropt; the others

in Revenge discharged theirs, and kill'd two of the English. The rest

then assail'd the Indians, but they fled so swiftly that they seem'd

not, to those English who saw and writ this, to set their Feet on

the Ground. They departed thence, as soon as the North Winds they

had expected to blow, and holding on their Course to the Southward,

in fifteen Days came to the Mouth of the Streight. From thence to the

second Narrowing they spent five Days, by reason of the Currents and

Shoals; at a small distance from them they found no Bottom. They met

with some Calms and Storms, and being come into the South-Sea had one

which lasted forty Days, and in it lost some Ships. The Vice-Admiral

return'd through the same Streight into England, where the Queen

order'd him to be Hang'd for having forsaken his Admiral; but he was

repriev'd till Drakes Return, and the Pardon'd, at his Request. He

went on with only his own and some other Ships, but wanted not Men,

Provisions, nor Ammunition, he took some belonging to private Persons,

and the Kings, loaded with the Plate they were bringing for Spain,

a Robbery of [Drake takes the Kings Plate.] great Consequence,

not so much for the Quantity of the Treasure, as for the Use it

is apply'd to in our Monarchy, which is the Advancement of the

Catholick Church, and which thereby ceas'd, and deplorable for the

unjust Abuses it was to be apply'd to in Scismatical Kingdoms. Having

wander'd, Steering various Courses, in which his Pilots made their

Observations by Sounding and their Charts, he touch'd at six Islands,

to some whereof he gave Names, in Imitation of the fabulous Heroes,

and even of true Catholicks, who assign such Names according to their

particular Devotion. One he call'd S. Bartholomew, another S. James,

and a third, which [He gives Names to Islands.] he thought larger and

more fruitful, New Albion, from the Ancient Name of England, this is

California. There he stay'd a Month and a half, refitting his Ships,

and sailing thence to those call'd de los Ladrones, or of Thieves,

in nine Degrees of North Latitude, kill'd 20 Indians, because they

attack'd him with 100 Canoas. Twenty Days after, he came to an Anchor

at the Molucco Islands, having before touch'd at others, without any

Action [Arrives at the Moluccos.] worth remembering. His Cruelties,

and Robberies might well gain him the Title of the greatest of Pyrates,

in those remotest Parts, as he had it in Europe. He came to Ternate,

but succeeded not at first, that People being War-like, and at that

time Arm'd by their own Malice, and an implacable King. He attempted

to barter for Clove, without his Leave, was inform'd how severely

he handled such as Transgress'd, and slighting the Advice, the King

came to hear of it, and order'd him to be Kill'd. It came very near

the Execution; but Drake, whose Genious well experienced in Frauds

was no Stranger to Dissimulation, retir'd to his Ships, to make his

Escape by Flight. Thence he contriv'd to appease the King, which was

no difficult Matter, by means of some Presents he sent him. With them

he purchas'd the good Will, and an Audience of that cunning Tyrant,

and going ashore several Times to visit him, agreed he should enter

into Amity with the Queen, and Nation of England, and that Factories

should be settled out of Hand. The King consented, and Drake promis'd

him the Protection and Arms of England; and taking with him, among

other Gifts, a rich Ring the King gave him for the Queen, he sail'd

homewards, with a great quantity of Clove. He met a Portuguese Ship

crossing the small Channel of Tydore, but either durst not, or thought

not fit to attack her, whether it was for being Inferior in Strength,

or out of a Desire of securing the new acquir'd Wealth. Scarce was

he got clear of Ternate, before the Winds began to toss him, in that

Sea full of Flats, whence they forc'd him, in order [Is in a Storm.]

to deliver him quite up to Tempests. He was oblig'd to lighten his

Ships, and among other Things of Value, threw over-Board a Cannon, of

an extraordinary Bigness, which the King of Ternate, hearing afterwards

of the Storm, caused to be taken out of the deep Sea. Then he built

a House before his Palace, on the Roof whereof he planted it openly,

and pointing over, either on Account of its Magnitude, or by way of

Ostentation, and in Memory of the first Englishman, that came into

his Kingdoms, from whom and the Sea he had taken that new offensive

Booty. Drake went on to the greater Java, where he laid in Provisions

of Cazabi, Plantans, and Floul, in exchange for Cloth. Next he put

into another Island, in four Degrees of North Latitude, where he

stay'd six Weeks. There he left a Woman, and two Men, all Blacks,

that belong'd to him, giving them Fire, Rice, and some Grain, that

they might People the Place. An Heroick Foundation of a Colony. Then

he continu'd his Voyage, turning in and out to several Places, with

unexpected Dammage to all those he touch'd at.

It is to be observ'd, that it being possitively believed in Spain

and the Indies, [Reflection of the Spanish Author.] that none had

ever pass'd the Streights of Magellan, since the first Discoverer,

except F. Garcia de Loaysa, and one of the Ships sent by Don Gutierre

de Vargas, Bishop of Palencia, to the Spice-Islands, it was look'd

upon as incredible, that any Pyrates were come into the South-Sea,

especially through the Streight, and to the Islands of Ternate, and

that Archipelago. This Man was the first that open'd the Passage to the

Sectaries Hugonots, Lutherans, and Calvinists, who afterwards pierc'd

into those Seas, with Ship Loads of perverted Texts, Heretical Bibles,

and other Books of unsound Doctrine; but the Divine Providence has

given Proofs, that it is so much Offended at this Hellish Innovation,

tho' it permits Idolatry, and Mahometanism, that it has not suffer'd

those Souls which through its profound Judgments, lie involv'd

in the Shades and Darkness of Ignorance, to imbibe that Poyson,

till it sent them the Gospel in its Purity. It has Oppos'd those

new Apostacies making use of, as Instruments of Spanish Religious

Men, giving Strength to our King, who protects them, his main Design

being the Support of Religion. This Truth plainly appears in the many

Victories the Church has obtain'd through his Officers, and the Armies

maintain'd in the remotest Parts of the Monarchy, for the Propagation

of the Faith preach'd to the most distant Indians.

But the better to demonstrate this true Forecast and Care, I think

it a [Reason for this Digression.] necessary Digression, so far from

being superfluous, to relate the Preparations made by the Viceroy Don

Francisco de Toledo, directing his Actions to this End, as became a

Minister who follow'd his Princes Designs, in Order to secure himself

against Drake's surprizing Celerity and Boldness; for as much of this

as concerns the Molucco Islands, obliges us to write it, and we will

slightly run over all the particular Passages.

[Preparations of the Viceroy.] The Viceroy of Peru was of Opinion,

That in Order to secure the Indies, their Peace and Religion, and

for the removing, at first, of all Obstacles to its Exaltation, and

making Examples for a Warning, it was of the greatest Consequence to

erect Forts, as divine and humane politick Precautions, and to Arm

against that Pyrate, so to give a Check to the Northern Parts by his

Punishment. To this Purpose, and in Order to his Destruction, a more

exact Observation was to be taken of the Passes into the South-Sea,

and more particularly of the Way he was to take, to return into his

own Country. He was egg'd on by Fear, or the Loss of Reputation,

because some English Ships, Part of Drake's Squadron, ran along

the Coasts of Chile and Arica, obliging the People to Arm; it being

apprehended that Drake had erected Forts to secure the Passage, for

carrying on the Trade of Spice and Jewels, and the bringing in of

perverting Ministers with their poisonous Doctrines. For this Effect,

he pitch'd upon Peter Sarmiento de Gamboa, a Gentleman of Galicia,

who had twice already engag'd with that Pyrate. The first in the Port

of Callao near Lima, where he took from him a Spanish Ship, laden

with Commodities of Spain; the second a few Days after, pursuing

him as far as Panama. The Viceroy resolv'd he should go to discover

the Streights of Magellan, an Enterprize look'd upon as impractable

by the South Sea, by Reason of the many Mouths and Channels which

obstruct the Access to it, where many [Difficultie of the Streight of

Magellan.] Discoverers sent by the Governours of Peru and Chile have

been lost. Others have attempted it, entering from the North Sea, and

miss'd of the Streight; some were cast away, or beaten back by Storm,

and all generally despair'd of finding it. But now that Terror being

remov'd, they can take a fix'd Latitude, settle a Rumb, and steer

a safe Course to the Streight, so to secure the Passage before an

Enemy possesses himself of it. The Viceroy made Choice of two Ships,

which he took Care to see well rigg'd, arm'd and provided. Sarmiento

call'd the Bigger, Our Lady of Hope, which was Commodore; the other

being subordinate, had the Name of S. Francis. Two Hundred Seamen and

Soldiers were put into them, with virtuous and learned Religious Men,

fit for that Employ. [Sarmiento sent after Drake with two Ships.]

Captain John de Villalobos was appointed Vice-Admiral. Ferdinand

Lamero Head Pilot, and under him Ferdinand Alonso and Antony Pablo,

all of them very able Pilots in both Seas. These took an Oath of

Fidelity, and the Viceroy gave the Admiral particular Instructions,

the Purport whereof was, That they should pursue the Pyrate, fight

him till taken or kill'd, and recover the great Booty he had taken

upon the King's Lands [His Instructions.] and Ships, whatsoever the

Hazard might be, since they had sufficient Men, Arms and Ammunition

to overcome the Enemy. That they should sail into 50 or 54 Degrees

of South Latitude, as might be most Advantageous, about the Mouth of

the Streights of Magellan. That both Ships should have Lights out at

Night, that so they might not lose Sight of one another in the Dark,

but always keep together. He charg'd them to be unanimous in their

Consultations, particularly the two Commanders; which Direction was not

so well observ'd, as it ought to have been, thro' the Vice-Admiral's

Fault. They were commanded to lay down the Ports, and Seas in exact

Draughts. To take Possession of any Country they landed on for his

Majesty. When they met with any Towns of Indians, to mollify and

endear them by discreet Courtesy, and gain their Affections with such

Gifts, as should for that Purpose be deliver'd to the Commodore, being

Sissars, Combs, Knives, Fishing-Hooks, Buttons of several Colours,

Looking-Glasses, Hawks-Bells, Glass-Beads, &c. To carry with them some

Indians to serve for Interpreters; and so provided discreetly for

all other material Points. Then to encourage them he made a Speech,

intermixing it with Hopes and Exhortations. The Commodore having

conferr'd with his Vice-Admiral and Pilots, concerning the Design of

their Voyage; they agreed, That if any Stress of Weather should happen

to part the one Ship from the other, they should carefully seek one

another out, or make the Mouth of the Streight in the South-Sea to the

Westward, there to wait for one another. The next Day being Sunday,

the 11th of October, 1579, when they had all confess'd and receiv'd

the Holy Eucharist, they embark'd in order to introduce the Faith into

those Nations void of all Worship. On Board the Capitana, or greater

Ship, the General, or Commodore Sarmiento, F. Antony de Guadramiro,

of the Order of S. Francis, and Vicar-General of this Expedition; the

Ensign John Gutierrez de Guevara, Antony Pablos, and Ferdinand Alonso,

Pilots, with 54 Soldiers. In the other Ship, with John de Villalobos,

F. Christopher de Merida, of the said Order of S. Francis, Ferdinand

Lamero, chief Pilot of that Ship, [His Strength.] with whom, and

the Seamen and Soldiers, they made 54; and the whole Number in both

Vessels as was said above.

They sail'd from the Port of Callao, belonging to the City of Lima, and

that Night came to an Anchor at the Island, two Leagues from Callao, in

[His Voyage.] 12 Degrees and a half of South Latitude. On the first

of November they pass'd in Sight of those they call Unfortunate,

in 25 Degrees, 20 Minutes, which were accidentally discover'd by

the Pilot John Fernandez, being bound for Chile the second Time,

immediately after Magellan's Discovery, since the Year 1520. They

are now call'd, the Islands of S. Felix, and S. Ambor. Here Sarmiento

observ'd the Difference, betwixt this Course, which he calls the True

one, and the Imaginary. This he noted down [His Care and Capacity.]

with extraordinary Curiosity, employing all the Care and Art of

his Pilots, and his own, which was not inferior to theirs, nor to

others in any Martial Knowledge, as will appear by his Treatises,

if publish'd, of Navigation, casting great Guns and Bullets,

Fortification, and Knowledge in Astronomy, for failing in all

Seas. They never quitted the Lead, the Astrolabe, and the Charts,

either in the Deep, in Ports, Bays, or among Mountains, and Currents,

which produc'd a very ample Relation he sent to King Philip, whence

we took this Abridgement. There he sets down the Points in the Heaven

answering to the Earth, the Dangers, Islands, Promontories and Gulphs,

Geographically and Corographically. He lays down the Rumbs that are to

be follow'd, and those to be avoided; and thus distinctly leads us into

and thro' the Streight, giving visible Signs, and also invisible of

the Winds for all Ports. At the first unknown Land, where he anchor'd,

they found the Latitude to be 49 Degrees and a half [Land at the

Mouth of the Streights.] South. They saw no People, but Tokens of

them, as the Prints of Mens Feet, Darts, Oars, and little Nets. They

climb'd up vast high Mountains, above two Leagues in the Ascent, over

Stones, some of them so sharp, that they cut their Shoes. Others,

to avoid them, made their way on the Boughs of Trees. From the

Top they discover'd great Channels, Inlets, Rivers, and Harbours,

and all the Land as far as their Sight could reach, seem'd to them

cut and rent asunder. They judg'd it to be an Archipelago. It is

to be observ'd, that our Discoverers give the Name of Archipelagos,

to Seas in the New World, which are strew'd thick with Islands, as

it were great Stones, like the Archipelago of Greece, so well known

to all Nations in the Egean Sea, which contains the Cyclades, tho'

the Name is not ancient. They perceiv'd the Channel to run on, Wide,

Spacious, Open and Clean; and were satisfi'd that Drake came out that

Way into the South Sea. They found the Latitude by three Astrolabes

to be 50 Degrees. The Harbour they call'd of, Our Lady of the Rosary,

and the Island of the most Holy Trinity.

The next Sunday, Sarmiento order'd all the Men to land, in order to

take Possession, and perform'd all that is contain'd in the Authentick

Instrument [Sarmiento takes Possession of the Land.] of what happen'd

that Day, the express Words whereof are thus,

'In the Name of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

three Persons, and one only God, who is the Beginning, Maker and [The

Form of it.] Creator of all Things; without whom nothing that is Good

can be done, began, or preserv'd. And in regard that a good Beginning

must be in God, and through God, and in him it is requisite to begin,

to his Honour and Glory, and in his most Holy Name, Be it known to

all those who shall see this Instrument, that this Day, being Sunday

the 22d of November, 1579, this Royal Navy of the Mighty Renowned

Lord, King Philip of Spain, and its other Dominions, my Sovereign,

being arriv'd in this Country by Order of the most Excellent Lord,

Don Francisco de Toledo, Viceroy, Governour, and Captain General

of Peru, to discover the Streight of Magellan, under the Command of

the General Peter Sarmiento, the Land by him nam'd, Our Lady of the

Rosary, and the Bay of, The most Holy Trinity. The said Lord General

having landed with most of the Sea and Landmen belonging to his Navy,

and the Religious Men, he brought ashore a Cross, which he devoutly

worshipp'd, with all his Men. The Religious Men sang the Hymn Te

Deum laudamus, and he with a loud Voice, said, That in the Name of

his Majesty Philip the Second, our Lord, King of Castile and Aragon,

and their Dependencies, whom our Lord God long preserve, with the

Addition of greater Kingdoms and Dominions, for the Glory of God,

and Good and Prosperity of his Subjects; and in the Name of the most

Potent Kings his Heirs and Successors for the Time being; he, as his

Commander in chief, and Admiral of this same Navy, and by Virtue of

the Order and Instructions given him in his Majesty's Royal Name, by

the said Lord Viceroy of Peru, took, did take, seiz'd, and did seize

the Possession of this Land on which he is now ashore, and which

he has discover'd for evermore, in the said Royal Name, and of the

said Crown of Castile and Leon, as has been said, as being his own,

and really belonging to him, by Virtue of the Donation and Gift the

Holy Father Alexander the Sixth, Pope of Rome, pass'd Motu proprio,

in Favour of their Catholick Majesties Ferdinand the Fifth and Isabel

his Wife, King and Queen of Castile and Leon of glorious Memory, and

to their Heirs and Successors, of the one half of the World, being

180 Degrees of Longitude, as is more fully contain'd in the said

Bull, dated at Rome, on the 4th of May, 1493. By Virtue whereof,

these said Lands fall, lye, and are included within the Limits

and Meridian of the said Partition of 180 Degrees of Longitude,

belonging to the said Royal Crown of Castile and Leon. And as such

he takes, and did take Possession of these said Lands, and their

Territories, Seas, Rivers, Creeks, Ports, Bays, Gulphs, Archipelagos,

and of this said Harbour of the Rosary, where at present this Navy

is at Anchor. And he subjects, and did subject them to the Power,

Possession and Dominion of the said Royal Crown, as has been said, as

being their own Property. And in Token of Possession, or as it were,

drawing the Sword he had by his Side, with it he cut Trees, Branches,

and Grass, and remov'd Stones, and walk'd over the Fields and Shores,

without any Opposition; requiring such as were present to be Witnesses

thereof, and me the underwritten Notary, to give him a Testimonial

thereof in publick Form. And immediately, taking up a great Cross,

and the Men belonging to the Navy being drawn up in a martial Manner,

with Muskets and other Arms, they carry'd the Cross in Procession, the

Religious Men, F. Antony de Guadramiro, the Vicar and his Companion,

singing the Litany, and all the others answering. And the said

Procession being ended, the said Lord General planted the Cross on

a hard Rock, and rais'd a heap of Stones at the Foot of the Cross,

in Token, and as a Memorial of Possession of all the Lands and Seas,

discover'd, adjacent, and contiguous. And he gave the Name of Our

Lady of the Rosary to this Port, as has been said. And as soon as

the Cross was set up, they worshipp'd it a second Time; and they

all pray'd, beseeching and intreating our Lord JESUS CHRIST, would

be pleas'd that what they did might be for his Glory, and to the End

that our Holy Catholick Faith might be exalted and dilated, and the

Holy Gospel preach'd and spread abroad among these barbarous Nations,

which have hitherto been remote from the true Knowledge and Doctrine;

that it may defend and deliver them from the Frauds and Dangers of

the Devil, and from the Blindness they are in, that their Souls may

be sav'd. And then the Religious Men sung in Honour of the Cross,

the Hymn Vexilla Regis. Next the Father Vicar said Mass on an Altar

there erected, being the first that was ever said in that Country, to

the Honour and Glory of our Almighty Lord God, and for the Extirpation

of the Devil and all Idolatry. And he preach'd to that Purpose, and

some confess'd and communicated. And as soon as the Mass was said,

the General, for a more absolute Token and Memorial of Possession,

caus'd a large Tree to be trimm'd, and on it caus'd a very high

Cross to be made, and on it plac'd the most Holy Name of our Lord

JESUS CHRIST. J. N. R. I. And under it, Philippus Secundus Rex

Hispaniarum. Of all which, I John de Esquivel, Royal Secretary to

this Navy and Admiral Ship, do give Affidavit and true Testimony,

that it was so done as is said. Then follows Esquivel's Subscription.'

[Sarmiento gives Names to Places.] Four Days after, Sarmiento, in

the Vice-Admiral's Boat, with the Pilots, Pablos and Lamero, and ten

Sailors and Soldiers, with Muskets, Bucklers and Swords, and four Days

Provision, set out of this Port to discover the Channels they saw, that

they might not endanger the Ships. Going out by the Ridges of Rocks,

he run along the Gulph, close to the Shore, all which he observ'd,

and sounded the Harbours, giving Names to them and the Mountains,

according to their Shapes, such as Sugar-Loaves, Pitchers, Guinea

Peppers, and the like. He observ'd the Trees, the Plants and the

Birds. At one Place on the Shore he found several Tracts of People,

and two Poniards or such Weapons made of Bone, with a Cross on the

Handles, near a small Stream of fresh Water, whose Sands are Red,

and therefore he call'd it the Red-River, which falls into a Harbour,

and that also took the same Name. They saw abundance of Fish, and

among the Shells thrown up by the Sea, vast Quantities of Oysters and

Mussels, and in those that were left upon the Rocks above the Water,

great and small Pearls, some Grey, others White. This Sort of [Pearls

despis'd for Hunger.] Fish, at certain Times, the Shells being first

open, gape with their Mouths, and receive the pure and substantial

Dew, which, as it were, impregnates them with Pearls, which are in

Colour answerable to the Nature of the Dew. If they receive it pure,

they produce them white; if disturb'd, they are of a Dark, or other

Muddy Colours. Sarmiento describes the Vexation that tormented him

and his Men; for being eager to satisfy their Hunger with Oysters

and Mussels, and they being unfit to Eat, because of the Hardness of

those Pearls they found in them, they threw them away, cursing the

Inventors of putting a Value on those Productions, or Hornynesses

of Fishes, which Nature had trebly hid in the Waters of the Sea,

in Shells, and in the Fish it self. They said, that true Wealth

consisted in tame Cattle, Fruit, and Corn brought up by Tillage,

as they had in Spain; for that precious Obstacle to feeding, then

not valu'd, depriving them of the Sustenance of the Shell-Fish,

and being forc'd to live ten Days on the Provision they brought for

four, the Fast made them all Philosophers. From this Red Harbour,

he was obliged to return to the Ships left in that of the Rosary, no

Day passing without violent Storms; when they had run backward, and

forward, above 70 Leagues, landing on Islands, and taking Possession

of them. They were Fruitful and Habitable, but till then Untill'd and

Desart. From a very high Hill, he discover'd the main Chanel, which

runs out into the great Ocean, and so many other Channels and small

Islands, that they could not be reckon'd up in a long Time. Whilst he

staid, he sounded Harbours, Deeps, Channels, Creeks, Inlets, Flats,

Roads and Bays, making Draughts of, and giving them Names. He settled

the Latitude, and certain Course to be steer'd, in the Presence,

and with the Opinion of the Pilots, Seamen, and Soldiers, in order to

reconcile those disagreeing Persons by examining all that were present.

Here the Vice-Admiral began to cavil, saying, They were imbay'd, and

[Vice-Admiral disagrees with Sarmiento.] that it was impossible to

hold on their Voyage that Way; and would have quitted his Admiral,

as he did afterwards. From Red-Port they held on their Course,

trying those in other Islands. Sarmiento came to a Bay, which he

call'd S. Francis's, where, as they were taking their Station,

a Soldier fired a Piece at some Birds, and in Answer to the Gun,

certain Indians, near a Mountain, on the other Side of the Bay,

gave horrid Shouts. By the first Noise, the Spaniards thought it

had been made by Sea-Wolves, till they discover'd the naked Red

Bodies. They afterwards [Painted Indians.] found the Reason of that

Colour, for they daub'd themselves from the Head to the Feet with a

glutinous Red-Earth. Sarmiento took some of his Company into a Boat,

and coming to a Thicket, found them in the closest of the Trees,

without any other Cloathing but that Clay as Red as Blood. Only

one old Man, who talk'd to, and commanded, and was obey'd by them,

appear'd cover'd with a Cloak of the Skins of Sea-Wolves. Fifteen

Youths came out upon the open Shore, near the Sea and drawing near,

with peaceable Demonstrations, very earnestly pointed, lifting up

their Hands towards the Place where the Ships remain'd. The Spaniards

did the same. The Indians came close, and Sarmiento giving them two

Towels and a Night-cap, for he had nothing else then, and the Pilots

some other Trifles, they were well pleas'd. They gave them Wine,

which they tasted and then threw away. They eat of the Bisket, but all

this did not satisfy them; for which Reason, and because they were on

an open Shore, in Danger of losing the Boat, they return'd to their

Station, making Signs to the Indians to go to the Boat. They did so,

and Sarmiento posted two Sentinels for the more Security, then forcibly

seiz'd one of the Indians for an Interpreter, put him into his Boat,

embrac'd him lovingly, cloath'd and fed him. This Place he call'd,

The Point of People, as being the first where he found any. Thence

he proceeded to Three small Islands, lying in a Triangle, and lay

there. They went on, taking Draughts of the Lands, and being before a

very craggy Country, the Indian who had never ceas'd shedding Tears,

throwing off a Shirt they had put him on, leap'd over-board, and

swam away. They held on their Way, quite weary of seeing so many

Islands, containing strange Productions of Nature, but without any

Inhabitants. Only in one of them, which they call'd, The Cleft Rock,

near a deep Cave, they found much Tract of Men's Feet, and the whole

Skeleton of a Man or Woman. They went on thence with Storms through

incredible Solitudes, which it would be too much to describe, tho'

our Design were to treat only of this Voyage. At another Land, where

they arriv'd full of Uncertainty, as it were by Accident, in the Bay

they call'd, Our Lady of Guadalupe, thinking to discover whether

one Channel ran to the East, and another to the North; they saw a

[A Piragua.] Piragua, being a Vessel made of Planks put together,

without any Sides, and sometimes of Rushes, and of Calabashes, and

properly a Float, coming along on the Water, and in it five Indians,

who getting to the Shore, left the Piragua, and ran up a Mountain in

a Consternation. The Pilot went into the Piragua, with four Soldiers,

and the Boat proceeded further.

Coming to another Point, where they thought there were more People,

[A Cottage and what in it.] they only found a low round Cottage,

made of Poles, and cover'd with broad Barks of Trees, and the Skins

of Sea-Wolves. In it were little Baskets, Shell-Fish, small Nets, and

Bones for Sticking of Fish, like Harping Irons and Scrips full of that

Red Earth wherewith they dye their Bodies, instead of Cloaths. This is

all the Gayity and Habit they use, instead of the Gold and Silks worn

in the Courts of Princes. Sarmiento left the Piragua, and return'd to

the Ships with only the Boat, because his Provisions were spent. In

this small Vessel, and a Brigantine, he found newly built by his

Company, whilst they were viewing those most desart Islands, with

the Advice of the Vice-Admiral, he went from the Red Harbour, and

finding no other safe for the Ships, return'd to the same. Then in

the Boat call'd Nuestra Senora de Guia, or Our Lady of the Guide, he

went away to make Tryal of the Mouth which appear'd to the Eastward

under a mighty long Ridge of Snowy Mountains, so various, that

they saw some Tops cover'd with white, others with blew, and others

[Snow of several Colours.] with black Snow. Sarmiento calls that the

Continent. There is no Number of the Islands he took Possession of,

and those he discover'd, being inaccessible in other Archipelagos, from

the Top of a Mountain rising above those about it, and cover'd with

blew Snow, which he compares to the Colour of the Turky Stones. This

Height he call'd Anno Nuevo, that is, New Year, because he found it

on the first Day of the Year, 1580. He left no Saints Name, or the

Resemblance of any natural Thing, but what he apply'd to distinguish

those Islands he touch'd at, erecting Crosses on them all, and writing

as he did in the first. He saw Men, only in these here mention'd.

He ran again in his Boat through those Seas, where Nature seem'd

to set up new Islands every Day; and Anchor'd in a Harbour, where,

among [Sarmiento's Industry.] other Precautions for Navigation, he

drew a Meridian Line on the Earth, and mark'd the Magnetick Needles,

refreshing them by touching again, because they had receiv'd some

Damage by the Storms and Damps. How weak a Guide have Men for mighty

Enterprizes! He prosecuted his Discovery of little Islands, and taking

Possession; and observ'd an Eclipse for the Benefit of Navigation, in

the Port of Misericordia, or Mercy, as he nam'd it. The Vice-Admiral

not coming to him, he suppos'd he was return'd to Lima, however he

waited for him ten Days, and five more in another newly discover'd,

and call'd, Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, or Our Lady of Candlemas,

three Leagues from the other. This Time having been agreed upon between

them to expect one another, which when expir'd, each was to make the

best of his Way into Spain; Sarmiento being positive, contrary to

the Opinion of the Pilots, that there was the Streight of Magellan.

On St. Agnes's Day he Anchor'd at the Island which forms that Harbour,

for which Reason he gave it that Saint's Name. From the Ridge of a

Hill, which hangs bending like a Bow over a River, he perceiv'd five

Native Indians, who with Cries and Signs desired him to come to them;

the Spaniards answering them in the same Manner, the Indians held up a

[Indians by Signs show that Drake pass'd that Way.] white Scarf, and

our Men another. When they were come down to the Shore, they seem'd to

request they would draw near. Sarmiento sent them his Ensign, and the

Pilot Ferdinand Alonso, with only four Men, that they might not fear;

however they durst not come near the Boat. One of our Men went ashore,

and yet they would not trust him, yet drawing nearer because he was

alone, he gave them Chaquiras, that is, Glass-Beads, Hawks-Bells,

Combs, Ear-Rings, and Hempen-Cloth. Observe what mighty Designs were

couch'd under those Childish Gifts. Then the Ensign and Pilot came

ashore, cherishing and giving them other Toys, and show'd them what

every Thing was for, by applying it to the Use before them. This

pleas'd them extreamly, as did some little Linnen Flags, or Bannors,

our Men carry'd, made of narrow Slips of French Linnen, Canvas, and

Silesia Cloth. This made Sarmiento judge that they had before seen

Europeans, and they, without being ask'd, signify'd by intelligible

Tokens, that two Ships like ours had pass'd that Way, or were still

thereabouts, pointing to the South East, and in them bearded Men,

clad and arm'd after the same Manner. This was the first Intelligence

they found of the English Ships under Drake. The Indians with smiling

Countenances promis'd to come again. They went up the Land, and our

Men aboard the Ship, which not being far off, Sarmiento came ashore

to take Possession, with the usual Religious and Civil Ceremony.

The next Day the Ensign and Ferdinand Alonso were with six Soldiers

by break of Day in the Harbour, carrying a considerable Quantity of

Toys, to gain the Affections of the Natives, who came also; but would

not draw [Spaniards catch three Indians.] near our Men. They made

the same Signs they had the Day before. The Spaniards to be better

informed of what Course the English Steer'd, ran at the Indians,

and took three of them, every two Soldiers holding one of them, and

tho' they gave our Men many Blows and Bangs, struggling to get loose,

they could not prevail, and yet were very strong. The Spaniards put

up all that they might get them to the Ship, where Sarmiento receiv'd,

and treated them Courteously. They Eat and Drank, and Kindness so far

prevail'd, that they laid aside all Fear, and Laugh'd. Being show'd

the narrow Slips of Linnen, they pointed with their Hands to a Bay,

where the Ships had Anchor'd, with the bearded People, who had Arrows,

and Partesans. One of them show'd two, and another one Wound they

had receiv'd fighting against the Men of that Fleet.

[Vice-Admiral returns to Chile.] The Vice-Admiral was now gone back

to Chile, and among other Accidents which happen'd in his Return,

he was wont to tell, that being come to Island Mocha, he sent his

Boat thither to ask some supply of Provisions, and understanding

how Friendly they behav'd themselves towards Drake, and that the

Hatred those People bear the Spaniards might be an Obstacle to him,

his Messengers, by Order, conceal'd their being such, pretending

they were Lutherans. The Islanders gave Credit to the Fiction, being

desirous [He deceives the Indians.] to gain Friends, for preserving

of their Liberty. Accordingly they sent them Flesh, Bread, and Fruit,

with a Letter, in answer to theirs, the Superscription thereof in

English run thus, To the very Magnificent Lords, the Lutherans, in

the South Sea. Our Men answer'd, That since they had supplied them

with such plenty of Provisions, they desir'd they would come and

partake. About 30 of the Prime Caciques accepted of the Invitation,

and came very Joyfully, in a Canoe, to our Ship. No sooner were they

Aboard, than the Vice-Admiral, not regarding their Complaints, gave

order to loose the Sails, which were ready, and carry'd them away

Prisoners to Chile. Some things that befell him, might justify his

deserting his Superior, but they must be left to those who write a

particular History of those Actions.

[Sarmiento press'd to go back.] To return to Sarmiento. In the

aforesaid Port of Candelaria, or Candlemass, the Pilots press'd him

hard, with Intreaties and Protestations, to do as his Vice-Admiral

had done, representing how much his Men were harrass'd and his Ship

disabled, and that he had done more than all the Discoverers before

him. That they wanted Anchors, Cables, and Rigging; that the Winds

oppos'd him, without which it was impossible to proceed. This was a

Dangerous Tryal, because amidst the Complaints, and almost Threats

of the Pilots, there was a mixture of Flattery, commending him, for

that no other Discoverer had ventur'd so far; so that Sarmiento was no

[He is resolute, and goes on.] less mov'd by their Praises than by

their Anger. However he bore up against both, and severely check'd the

Pilots: Who knows but he might conceal the same Fears they urg'd? And

in short, he appear'd so Resolute against all they could say, that

he brought them to his Beck. He sail'd thence, keeping the Channel,

and about a League to the South-East, the Indians show'd him the

way the Bearded Men took, of whom, after killing many, they, as was

afterwards known, sav'd one Catherine, and a Boy, both English, who

[Account of Drake's Passage.] still liv'd among those wild Beasts,

which they were more like than Rational Creatures. Somewhat farther

in another Island, which the Indians said was call'd Puchachailgua,

full of extraordinary high grey Rocks, the bearded Men again fought

the Natives without Success. They went on to another Island Nam'd

Capitloilgua, on the Coast call'd Cayrayxaxiilgua. Sarmiento did not

change the Ancient Names of Countries, when he could learn them. They

were sufficiently dismay'd in the next they came at, thinking they

were Imbay'd; but presently after they took Heart again, at the Sight

of the Channel, which begins at the Mouth called Xaultegua, and it

widen'd, bringing them out to a most spacious Sea, full of thousands

of Islands. Passing by, in Sight of one of them, they perceiv'd high

Smokes; and the Captive Indians began to Weep, and they saw it was

for Fear of the Natives, expressing that they were Giants, and fought

desperately. Our Men encourag'd them, giving them to understand that

they should be able to deal with those People. They went ashore on

that Country, which is call'd Tinquichisgua. Sarmiento alter'd it, in

Honour of the Cross he [Several Islands.] erected there, calling it,

the Island of the Cross. There he saw Abundance of Whales, Wolves,

and other Sea-Monsters, and great Clods of Snow, on the Waves. He

made ready his Cannon, and small Arms, providing against both Pirates

and Natives, for he expected to find the English possessed of the

Land. From that Time he stood upon his Guard, and no Man quitted

his Arms. They went on to a third Island, which is the biggest,

heard Humane Voices, and saw some Piraguas, with the People that

cry'd out, who were crossing from one Island to another. Our Men

drew near in the Boat to take a View, and all of them put into a

clean Harbour, whence they discover'd a Town, not Barbarous, but

Decent and Lofty, like ours in Europe, and abundance of People, who

having sunk the Piraguas, [Populous Islands.] and standing on the

Mountains, with their Arms in their Hands, call'd to our Men from

a Wood, to Land, as ours did them to draw near the Sea. Among the

Trees appear'd many more of those Islanders, with Bows and Arrows,

as if they intended to fall on. This made our Men discharge some

Muskets at them, the Noise whereof so terrify'd the Indian Women,

that they set up hideous Shrieks, and therefore the Spaniards forbore

Firing, for fear of losing all hopes of gaining their Affections. By

this time the Ship which had been Cruizing up and down, came into

the Harbour. Sarmiento made a Gun ready, and the Boat came Aboard,

Towing a Piragua after it. Having writ the Instrument of Possession,

tho' he had not inquir'd into the Government of the Inhabitants

of that great Town, he Landed on the Shore, whence is discover'd a

vast high Mountain, all white with aged Snow, and encompass'd with

Rocks. Ancient Relations call'd it Orlanro's Bell, he being one of

Magellan's Companions. He Sail'd on to 54 Degrees Latitude, at the

Point he call'd of S. Isidorus. Near to it the Natives call'd out to

him, and coming up to our Men, Embrac'd them familiarly. [Tractable

Indians.] Sarmiento, besides Hawks-Bels, and other Toys, sent them

Bisket and Flesh from the Ships. They sat down to Converse, by Signs,

with the Ensign, the Pilot, and Eight other Christians, signifying,

that they were pleas'd with their Friendship, and those rich Gifts;

and gave such confuse Tokens of the English having pass'd that

way, as the others had done. Then they return'd to their Huts,

and the Admiral having taken Possession, and found the Latitude

to be 53 Degrees, and 40 Minutes, advanc'd in sight of the Coast,

which eight Leagues from thence lies flat with the Sea, and forms a

Shore of white Sand. Before he came to it he Discover'd a prodigious

high burning Mountain, cover'd with Snow; where the Fire and the Snow

seem, out of natural Courtesy, to Respect one another, and to confine

within themselves their Force, and Effects; for neither is the one

Quench'd, nor the other Melted by their near Neighbourhood. The Channel

carry'd him to the Point he call'd of S. Anne, in 53 Degrees and a

half of Latitude. He took possession, and rais'd a heap of Stones,

at the Foot of a Cross, and left a Letter written with Charcole-Dust,

which he thought incorruptible, in the Shards of an Earthen Vessel,

well Pitch'd, among those Stones. In it he declared to all Nations,

That those Lands and Seas belong'd to the King of Spain, and by

what Title he held them. In the same Letter, he left Orders for his

Vice-Admiral, to return to Peru, and give the Viceroy an Account of all

that happen'd, till they discover'd the Streight. [Indian Presents.]

The Ship steer'd off with the Ebb, and the Indians when it was gone

came down with their Wives and Children, and a Present of great

pieces of Sea Wolves, stinking Meat, Sea Foul, call'd Minnos, which

are White and Yellowish, Murtina, a sort of Fruit like Cherries,

and bits of Flint, bor'd through and Painted, in a small Box of

Gold and Silver. Being ask'd, what that was for, and they answering,

To strike Fire, one of them took some Feathers he brought, and with

them lighted it, as if it were Tinder. A little before, when our Men

made a Fire to melt the Pitch, for securing the Vessel the Letter

was in, which was left stopp'd at the Foot of the Cross, the Flame

spread upon the Mountain, and rais'd a Smoke. The Indians believing

they were Fires made by those so much dreaded Enemies of theirs,

went away and could not be stopp'd by any means; nor was their Fear

groundless, for they answer'd immediatly in the opposite Island,

with great Smokes. The River which falls into the Sea at the Point

Sarmiento call'd S. John's; and the Streight dividing these Islands,

which is the very Old one of Magellan, look'd and sought after with

so much Danger, he nam'd of The Mother of God, changing its first

Appellation, that through this Devotion she may obtain of her Son

the Salvation of those numberless Provinces, extending the Voice of

his Gospel to them, that it might reach the Ears of so many Souls,

most of which are Ignorant of their own Immortality, without knowing

any more than common Nature has taught them.

[Possession taken.] Sarmiento was so well pleas'd with having thus

express'd his Devotion, that when he return'd to Spain, he intreated

the Kings, to direct that Streight to be generally so call'd, and

his Majesties Orders. The Possession of this so remarkable Place was

taken with extraordinary Joy, inserting in the Instrument the Clause

of Pope Alexander the 6th's Bull, the Title that gives the Kings of

Castile, and the Limits assigned by the Line he drew through both the

Poles of the World, as Gods Vicar. F. Guadramiro said Mass, and they

all heard it devoutly, considering it was the first offer'd up in

that Place by Man to his Creator. It was intended as a Thanksgiving,

and they all took Courage to undertake any difficult Enterprize. They

saw the Track of Tigers, and Lions, and also White and Grey Parrots,

with Red Heads; and they heard the sweet Notes of Goldfinches, and

other Birds. Holding on their Course along the Channel, with excessive

hot Weather, they came into a Bay, that was cover'd with white Weeds,

and Anchor'd at the Point, on which a Company of Giants immediatly

appear'd, who call'd out to them, lifting up their Hands Unarm'd; our

Men imitated their Actions, which denoted Peace on both sides. They

being come to the Boat, which was Guarded by ten Musketeers, the

Ensign leap'd Ashore, with four others. The Giants made Signs to him

to lay down his Leading-Staff, and then they withdrew, to the place

where they had hid their Bows and Arrows. The Ensign did as they

directed, and then shew'd them the Toys and Gifts he design'd for

them. This withheld them, but still they were jealous, wherefore our

Men supposing their jealousy proceeded from what they had suffer'd

before, and guessing they had receiv'd some dammage from the English

Pyrate, to be the better enform'd of it, ten of our men fell upon one

of the Giants, whom they took; but had enough to [A Giant Taken.]

do to secure him. The others running to their Arms, return'd so

quick upon the Spaniards, that they had scarce time to get into their

Boat. They shot their Arrows, which flying thick, and our Men taking

care to avoid them, they dropt two Muskets. The Steward of the Ship was

shot in the Eye with an Arrow. The Indian they took was a Giant even

among the other Giants, and the Relation says, he look'd to them like

one of the Cyclops. Other Relations assure us, each of these Giants

is above three Yards high, and they are proportionably spread and

brawny. Being brought into the Ship, he was extraordinary melancholy,

and tho' they offer'd him the best they had to Eat, he would take

nothing all that Day. They set Sail, crossing Channels, and passing

by Islands, in most of which they saluted them with Smokes. In the

narrowest Part, which they call'd of Our Lady of Grace, through which

they must pass of Necessity, and is [Other Indians.] in 53 Degrees

and a half Latitude, Sarmiento was of Opinion, Forts might be erected

on the two Capes to secure the Passage. They made haste thro' it,

and again saw the Natives on another Point of Land, calling out, and

shaking their Cloaks, or Woolly Blankets. Sarmiento went to them with

eighteen Soldiers. Only four Indians appear'd with Bows and Arrows,

and making Signs of Peace with their Hands, said, Xiitote, which,

as was afterwards known, signifies Brothers. They posted themselves

on a rising Ground, and when the Spaniards were landed, made Signs to

them for one of our Men to come to them. One went unarm'd, with some

Gifts, as Glass-Beads, Hawks-Bels and Combs, which they receiv'd

pointing to him to go down again. He did so, and the Ensign went

up in his stead, obliging them with other Presents. They accepted

of them, and yet neither they, nor any Courtesie could dispel their

Jealousie. Sarmiento left them, to avoid provoking them, and going up

the Mountain another way, to view the Ridge, Plains, and Channels,

the four Archers appear'd before him, and without any Provocation

receiv'd, but on the contrary after receiving the aforesaid Gifts,

they furiously assaulted our Men, wounding the General with two Arrows

in the Side, and betwixt his Eyes; and another Soldier had an Eye

put out. The rest of the Spaniards covering themselves with their

Bucklers ran at them, but the Giants fled up the Country so swiftly,

that a Musket Ball would scarce over-take them. This Action seems to

verifie the Cowardice the Authors of Fabulous Books, commonly call'd

Romances, ascribe to their Giants. Sarmiento view'd the Land, call'd

it Nuestra Senora del Valle, or Our Lady of the Vale, discovering

betwixt two spacious Ridges, some delightful Plains, numerous Towns,

lofty Buildings, Towers and Pinacles, and to his Thought sumptuous

Temples of so Majestick an Appearance, that he scarce believ'd his

own Eyes, and judg'd it an imaginary City.

The End of the Third Book

THE

HISTORY

OF THE

Discovery and Conquest

OF THE

Molucco and Philippine Islands, &c.