ERRATA.
Page 11, Note, for “Massana”, read “Massaua”.
„ 57, Note,„ “Seameux”,„ “Scameux”
„ 234, Note, after “Great Fish River”, insert “or the Keiskamma River”.
T. RICHARDS, PRINTER, 37, GREAT QUEEN STREET.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] See Appendix V, pp. 392–396, to De Morga’s Philippine Islands, Hakluyt Society, with respect to the negotiations about the Moluccas.
[2] This opinion may be recommended to those who war on “pious founders”.
[3] Thus Hazelrigg, Hampden, Cromwell, and Pym, are said to have been prevented by the Government from emigrating to New England in 1638. See Palfrey’s Hist. of New England, vol. i, pp. 502, 503.
[4] “Escoras.”
[5] “Perdeo sua pobreza.”
[6] “Moradia.”
[7] Albuquerque did not arrive before Goa till the 24th November. Correa, tom. ii, p. 145.
[8] A facsimile of this signature is given in the plate.
[9] This document has been abridged here; it is taken from a copy in the Torre do Tombo, made from another copy, which is very illegible. The Spanish is rather antiquated, and much debased, apparently by Portuguese copyists, who have mixed up their own orthography. The Secretary’s name was Francisco, not Fernan.
[10] From this it appears that Magellan anticipated that America would end like Africa.
[11] D. Jorge of Portugal, Bishop of Siguenza.
[12] The date of the year is not given; however, as the despatch mentions this year as the year of the marriage, it must be assumed to have been written in 1518. D. Manuel married the daughter of Philip I, Da. Leonor, in Villa do Crato, 24th November, 1518. The treaty of the marriage was made at Saragossa 22nd May, 1518, and ratified in Saragossa 16th July, 1518.
[13] Literally, the road to Coimbra.
[14] Meaning, he could become a hermit.
[15] This contemporary document confirms Osorio as to the cause of Magellan’s being disgusted with the King of Portugal; some historians have represented the quarrel as arising from a distribution of plundered cattle. Gaspar Correa uses a similar phrase to that in this despatch, “a hundred reis, more or less”.
[16] Compare this statement with that in the second line of the fifth paragraph of this despatch.
[17] Diego Ribeiro was, later, the cosmographer of Charles V, and, with Martin Centurion in 1524, he translated into Spanish the Book of Duarte Barbosa and Magellan on the coasts of the Indian Ocean.
[18] Id est, never be heard of again. See Major’s Pce. Henry, p. 374.
[19] The fame of Vasco da Gama.
[20] The nymphs of the Ilha namorada, or Fame.
[21] From the rather free translation of Mickle.
[22] A fuller treatise of navigation, as then practised, is contained in a book written by Francisco Faleiro, probably a brother of Ruy Faleiro, thus described by Barbosa Machado, in his Biblioteca Lusitana:—“Francisco Faleiro, who was equally well versed in astronomy and navigation, gave a clear statement of his science in those arts in the following work: Tratado de la Esfera y del Arte de Marear, con el Regimento de las Alturas. Sevilla, por Juan Cronberger, 1535. 4to.” This book is very rare; there is a copy in the Hydrographer’s office at Madrid.
[23] This name is omitted in the prologue of the edition of 1536.
[24] Greswell, A View of the Early Parisian Greek Press, vol. i, p. 94.
[25] The 10th of August was a Wednesday, and Monday was the 8th of August: all the other dates of the week and month agree and are consistent with each other.
[26] According to Albo’s Log-Book; according to Pigafetta, May 6.
[27] These dates are according to the ship’s time, which differed by a day from the time at the Cape Verde Islands and Seville.
[28] Pigafetta says the fleet went out of Seville on the 10th of August, 1519; that it sailed from S. Lucar on the 20th of September, and reached Tenerife on the 26th, and continued its voyage thence on the 3rd of October, navigating to the South. Lisbon Academy note.
[29] The Paris MS. has “south-west.” This must be the true reading. Lisbon Ac. note. The Madrid MS. also has south-west.
[30] Pigafetta mentions this river, which is the Plata, in 34 deg. 20 min. Lisbon Ac. note.
[31] Paris MS. “And they found themselves amongst some shoals.” Lisbon Ac. note. The Madrid MS. is the same.
[32] Paris MS. “is in 24 degrees,” which seems clearly an error of the copyists. Lisbon Ac. note. The Madrid MS. is in this case similar to the Paris MS.
[33] Paris MS. “the bay.” Lisbon Ac. note. Madrid MS. “the bay.”
[34] We have not found mention of this name of “Bahia dos trabalhos” in any other writer. Lisbon Ac. note.
[35] Pigafetta puts this port in 49 deg. 30 min. The Transylvan in 49 and 1⁄3; Barros in 50 deg., and says they arrived there on the 2nd of April. Lisbon Ac. note.
[36] Paris MS. “eight hours.” Lisbon Ac. note. The Madrid MS. has “seven hours.”
[37] The ship Victoria.
[38] The ship Conception.
[39] Alvaro de Mesquita was a cousin of Magellan.
[40] The ship which was here lost was the Santiago, the captain of which was Joāo Serrāo. Lisbon Ac. note.
[41] There seems to be some mistake here or transcriber’s error. It is seen by the narrative that the navigators, having arrived at Port St. Julian at the end of March, or beginning of April, and going out of it on the 24th of August, they wintered there for the space of four months and twenty-four days, and this is what Pigafetta says: “they passed there nearly five months.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[42] “E havia delles ao sull 73 gr. menos 10 minutos.” It has been impossible for us to understand the calculations of the writer in this place. Lisbon Ac. note. A possible explanation of this passage may be found in a passage of Castanheda, lib. 6, cap. 13, which describes St. Julian as distant from Seville 71 deg. from North to South, and this calculation would refer to the distance from Seville.
[43] The anonymous Portuguese, the companion of Duarte Barbosa, says they gave it the name of “Santa Cruz,” because they arrived there the 14th of September, the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Lisbon Ac. note.
[44] In the Illustrated News of March 27th, 1869, there is a drawing of some Patagonians: these are represented almost exactly as they are described in the text, for some of them have their shoulders bare, and the skins let down below the waist as here described.
[45] Probably in the ship which fled away, as will be mentioned later. Lisbon Ac. note.
[46] Amoretti, the editor of Pigafetta, observes, that whilst the fleet was in the river of Santa Cruz, between 50 deg. and 40 deg. South latitude, there was, on the 11th of October, an eclipse of the Sun, “which (he says) the Portuguese and Spanish writers mention, and which is registered in the astronomical tables:” and he judges it to be an error of Castanheda putting this phenomenon on the 17th of April, and his attributing to Magellan the calculation of longitude of which he speaks. Barros also mentions an eclipse of the sun in April. It is noteworthy that neither our pilot’s narrative nor Pigafetta mentions a phenomenon which still in those times did not happen without causing some impression on men’s minds, or at least without exciting public curiosity. Lisbon Ac. note.
I am indebted to the courtesy of the Astronomer Royal, Mr. G. B. Airy, for the following information, which confirms Castanheda and Barros: “1520, April 17. There was certainly (from our own calculations) a total solar eclipse about 1.20 p.m. Greenwich time. But in the Art de verifier les dates, in which the extreme Southern eclipses are not included, none is mentioned for April 17: consequently the eclipse was a Southern eclipse, crossing the South Atlantic.”
[47] This is the famous strait which till this day is named the Strait of Magellan, for the eternal and glorious memory of the famous Portuguese who discovered it. Castanheda says that Magellan, on account of arriving there on the 1st of November, gave it the name of All Saints’ bay, and in the answer which André de S. Martin gave to the inquiries made to him about that navigation, he also names the channel that of All Saints’ (Barros, Dec. 3, liv. 5, cap. 9). The anonymous Portuguese, the companion of Duarte Barbosa, whom we have quoted above, and who sailed in the “Victoria,” says that at first the navigators called it the Strait of the Victoria, because that ship was the first which sighted it. (Ramusio, 3rd edition, tom. i. page 370). Lisbon Ac. note.
[48] Alvaro de Mesquita, a Portuguese, and cousin of Magellan, was captain of this ship which went to explore the passages of the Straits, and did not return, and its pilot was Estevan Gomes, also a Portuguese. This Estevan Gomes had been requesting the Emperor Charles V. to confide to him a few caravels to go and discover new lands; but as the proposal and enterprise of Mazellan then interposed itself, and was preferred and accepted, Estevan Gomes continued after that to be a great enemy of the illustrious captain, and now profited by the opportunity to revenge himself on him, and to give vent to his rabid envy. He conspired, therefore, with others against the captain of his ship, Alvaro de Mesquita; they put him in irons, and brought him thus to Spain with the ship, telling the Emperor that Magellan was crazy, and had lied to His Majesty, because he did not know where Banda was, nor Maluco. Besides this, they brought accusations against Mesquita of having counselled and persuaded Magellan to use the severity and cruelty with which he punished the first conspirators, etc. (V. the Letter of Transylvanus and Castanheda, liv. 6, cap. 8). Lisbon Ac. note.
[49] The ships S. Antonio and Conception were sent on this exploration of the Straits; they were with difficulty able to double the Cape Possession, named thus in Bougainville’s map, and in others. They at length entered a narrow opening, which in the maps is named the first gut, and they proceeded thence to another bay, which is named Boucant bay, or Boucam. At the end of this they entered into another strait, named the second gut, and having passed that, they came out into another bay larger than the former ones. Then, seeing that the strait was prolonged and offered an outlet to the ships, they returned with the good news to Magellan, who was waiting for them, and on seeing him, they fired off all their artillery and shouted for joy. The fleet then sailed together as far as the third bay, and as they found two channels, Magellan despatched the two vessels, S. Antonio and Conception, to examine whether the channel, which took the S.W. direction, would issue into the Pacific sea. Here it was that the ship S. Antonio deserted, going ahead of its companion for that purpose. The other two ships, Victoria and Trinity, meanwhile entered the third channel, where they waited four days for the explorers. During this interval, Magellan despatched a well equipped boat to discover the cape with which the strait ought to terminate: this having been sighted, and the boat returning with the news, all shed tears of consolation, and they gave to this cape the name of Cape Desire; it is that which is at the outlet of the strait on the South side. They then turned back to seek for the ships Conception and S. Antonio, and leaving marks by which this one might steer, in case of its having lost the way (for they were still ignorant of its desertion), they sailed forward until they came out into the Pacific Ocean. Lisbon Ac. note.
[50] The Paris Manuscript has “fully in 52 degrees.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[51] Pigafetta remarks: In the strait in which they were, in the month of October, the night was only of three hours; and Transylvan says that, in November the navigators found the night of little more than five hours; and that on one night they saw to the left hand many fires. It is from this that that country came to be called Terra do fogo. Lisbon Ac. note.
[52] The Paris MS. has, and also others which were, &c. Pigafetta places these two islands in 15 deg. and 9 deg. South latitude. See Amoretti’s note, p. 45, upon their situation, in which he supposes them to be in the archipelago of the Society Islands. In some maps they are designated by the name of Infortunadas. Lisbon Ac. note.
[53] Some writers remark that Magellan gave to these islands the name of Ilhas das velas, on account of the many vessels with sails which he observed in that neighbourhood. But they continued to be commonly called Ladrones; later they took the name of Mariannas, in honour of the Queen D. Marianna of Austria, widow of Philip IV, and Regent during the minority of D. Carlos II. of Castile. Lisbon Ac. note.
[54] Parós: so our manuscripts always write it. In the edition of Pigafetta it is constantly written praós. It is the same kind of vessel that our writers of the affairs of Asia name paraó, which is of various sizes, and is much used in the South Sea Islands. Pigafetta says it is a kind of fusta or galliot. Lisbon Ac. note.
[55] The Paris manuscript has “much refreshments of fruit.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[56] “A primeira;” the Paris manuscript has “da primeira;” this means, which was first sighted. See the Relation of Pigafetta, Amoretti, p. 54, March 16, 1521. Lisbon Ac. note.
[57] Pigafetta says: “We named the watering place of Good Signs, because here we found two springs of excellent water, and the first signs of there being gold in the country.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[58] Paris MS. Guoroos. Lisbon Ac. note.
[59] Paris, “Chinas.”
[60] Paris MS.: “To which they gave the name of Archipelago of St. Lazarus.” We suspect there is some error of the copyist here in our text, not only on account of the novelty of the name Vall Sem Periguo, but also on account of its impropriety. The Paris MS. says simply Archipelago of St. Lazarus. Pigafetta also says, “They gave the name of Archipelago of St. Lazarus,” as they arrived there on the 5th Sunday of Lent, which is named of Lazarus. Now, these islands are named Philippines, which was given them in the year 1542, in honour of D. Philip of Austria, son of Charles V, and afterwards King of Castile. They are between 225 deg. and 235 deg. W. long. of Ferro, consequently between 195 deg. and 205 deg. from the line of demarcation. Lisbon Ac. note.
[61] Paris MS.; “They ran a matter of 25 leagues from that.”
[62] Madrid MS., 9 degrees.
[63] Paris MS., Maçaguoa. Madrid MS., Maquamguoa.
[63] It appears this cross was set up in the island of Massaua, where Mass was celebrated on the last day of March, which in this year was Easter Sunday. The island is set down by Pigafetta in 9 deg. 40 min., and the editor puts it in 192 deg. W. long. from the line of demarcation.
[65] This island, which is named and written Cabo in both MSS., is the island Zebu, one of the Philippines, which others write Çabu, Zabu, Subsuth, Zubut, Cubo, Subo, and Zubo, for it is found in all these forms in different writings. Lisbon Ac. note.
[66] Paris MS.: “And burned a village of those who would not yield the said obedience.” The narrative of Pigafetta states: “He burned twenty or thirty houses of the village.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[67] Pigafetta says: “We were 60 armed men, 48 went on shore with Magellan; the 11 remained to guard the boats.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[68] Paris MS.: “And went against the said place, and it was on the 27th day of April.” Pigafetta also places this event on the 27th of April, and observes that it was on Saturday, which in truth took place that year on the 27th, and not on the 28th of April. Lisbon Ac. note.
[69] Pigafetta says: “With eight of our men there perished four Indians of those who had become Christians, and we had many wounded, I being one of them; of the enemy there fell only fifteen men.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[70] Pigafetta says: “We then chose instead of the captain, Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese, his relation, and John Serrano, a Spaniard. The first commanded the flagship.”
[71] Paris MS.: “They killed the two captains, and also 26 men with them.” It was on this occasion that Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese, and brother-in-law of Magellan, was killed. He was one of the captains here mentioned. Some of our writers have said, or conjectured, that Duarte Barbosa was killed by poison; but this is a mistake. The barbarians, indeed, drew the Castilians ashore under the pretext of giving them a banquet, but it does not follow from that that they poisoned them. The Transylvan says: inter epulandum, ab iis, qui in insidiis collocati fuerant, opprimuntur. Fit clamor undique: nuntiatur protinus in navibus nostros occisos. See Barros, 3, 5, 10. The other captain, who was John Serrano, was not killed, but remained alive in the hands of the barbarians at the time the boats made off, because, notwithstanding the most mournful supplications which he made from the shore for rescue, Joan Lopes de Carvalho feared further treachery, and ordered the anchor to be weighed. Lisbon Ac. note.
[72] Paris MS.: “One Yoam Lopez de Carvalho.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[73] Paris MS.: “Gonzalo Gomez Despinosa.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[74] Barros says 180 men, and this seems more probable, considering the number of the men who sailed in the fleet and of those who might then have been lost, and those who were lost later, and also of those who at last reached Ternate and Europe. Lisbon Ac. note. The Madrid MS. has 180 men, written in full, “Semte he oytēta homēs.”
[75] Pigafetta says they burned the ship Conception.
[76] Paris MS., “Quype.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[77] Paris MS. has “two islets.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[78] Paris MS.: “which is named Cagujam, and is in seven degrees; from this they went on further to the West North-west.” Lisbon Ac. note. Madrid MS. seven degrees.
[79] Paris MS., “to the North-east.” Madrid MS., “North-east.” The Lisbon Academy copyist has North-west, and has mistaken the Paris MS. on this point.
[80] This position seems to indicate the island of Palavan, which Pigafetta places in 9 deg. 20 min. Lisbon Ac. note.
[81] Paris MS., “Degameāo.” Lisbon Ac. note. Madrid MS., “Dygamçam.”
[82] Paris MS., “ypalajra cara canāo.” Lisbon Ac. note. I read this, “y palay cu cara canāo:” the Madrid MS. has “fulay cucara cabam.” The word palay, Tagal for rice, and the next sentence in the text seem to indicate that an offer to trade was mistaken for the name of this island.
[83] Paris MS., “one hundredweight and fourteen pounds.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[84] Paris MS., “Digaçāo;” it is also written Digamcā and Digāçā. Lisbon Ac. note.
[85] Paris MS., “21st day of June.” Lisbon Ac. note. Madrid MS., “21st day of June.”
[86] Paris MS. “The island to the North is named Bolava, and that to the South Bamdill.” Lisbon Ac. note. Madrid MS., “Bolina and Bamdill.”
[87] Paris MS., “the neighbourhood of the port of Borneo.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[88] Paris MS., “Gonzalo Gomez Despinosa.”
[89] Paris MS., “with seventeen men.” Lisbon Ac. note. I read twenty-seven in the Paris MS.
[90] Sem se aproveitar nada delle, or, without their having made any use of it.
[91] Paris MS. “And so remained a matter of fourteen hours, for it was low water, by which it was clearly seen that the tide was of fourteen hours.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[92] Paris MS., “Cagamja.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[93] Paris MS., “Solloque.” Ibid.
[94] Paris MS., “Tamgyma.” Ibid.
[95] Paris MS., “Sagu.” Ibid.
[96] Paris MS., “Samyns.” Ibid.
[97] Paris MS., “light.” Lisbon Ac. note. The Paris MS. seems to me to have “fresquo,” and not “ffraquo.”
[98] Paris MS., “Calibes.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[99] Paris MS., “five hundred.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[100] Paris MS., “in these discussions.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[101] Paris MS. “of Tidore.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[102] Pigafetta says: “On Friday, 8th of November, 1521, three hours before sunset, we entered the port of an island called Tadore ... 27 months less two days had passed that we had been seeking Maluco.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[103] Pigafetta puts this island in 0 deg. 27 min. Lisbon Ac. note.
[104] In the Paris MS. this word tem is wanting. Lisbon Ac. note.
[105] Paris MS., “another bahar.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[106] Paris MS., “Tarnate.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[107] This clause seems to have been added to the text by the copyist; because the fortress of Ternate was only begun in the year 1522, on St. John’s day, when Antonio de Brito was captain. (Castanheda, 1. 6, cap. 12). Lisbon Ac. note. This clause may belong to the writer, the pilot, since he mentions the fortress and Antonio de Brito later, subsequent to July of 1522.
[108] The Portuguese here mentioned seems to be Pedro Affonso de Lourosa, who betrayed the Portuguese and passed over to the Castilians, according to Pigafetta’s account. Lisbon Ac. note.
[109] Paris MS., “Bargāo.” Lisbon Ac. note. I read this Bachāo; this is the correct spelling.
[110] The flagship was the Trinidade. Lisbon Ac. note.
[111] Pigafetta says the King sent five divers, and afterwards three more, who could not stop the water. Lisbon Ac. note.
[112] Pigafetta sailed in this ship the Victoria. The Trinidade, after refitting, took the opposite course and sailed for Yucatan and the isthmus of Darien, which is here called land of the Antilles; but it found itself obliged to put back to the Moluccas, and whilst about to discharge its cargo at Ternate, was cast on shore. Lisbon Ac. note.
[113] Paris MS., “Tydore.” Lisbon Ac. note. The correct reading.
[114] Paris MS., “North-north-east.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[115] Paris MS., “Domy.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[116] Paris MS. “The large one is named Chāol, and the small one Pyliom.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[117] Paris MS., “Quemarre.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[118] Paris MS., “agoa,” water, but hava or ava is a drink used in those countries. Lisbon Ac. note.
[119] Paris MS., “Camarro.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[120] Paris MS., “25th.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[121] Paris MS., “steered seventeen leagues eastwards.” Lisbon Academy note.
[122] Paris MS., “Chao.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[123] Paris MS., “Batechina.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[124] Paris MS., “West.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[125] Paris MS., “islands of St. John:” it also says they made them on the 6th. Lisbon Ac. note.
[126] Paris MS., “Chyquom.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[127] Paris MS., “11th of June.” Lisbon Ac. note. July will be the correct reading.
[128] Paris MS., “Magregua.” Lisbon Ac. note.
[129] Paris MS., “Māo.” Ibid.
[130] Paris MS., “the black man and three Christians.” Ibid.
[131] Paris MS., “Gelolo.” Ibid.
[132] Paris MS., “certain men with letters.” Ibid.
[133] Paris MS., “Dom Garcia.” Garcia, and not Gonzalo, was the name of this gentleman. See Barros and Castanheda. Lisbon Ac. note.
[134] Paris MS., “Sam Joze.” Lisbon Ac. note. I read this “Sam Jorge.”
[135] Paris MS., “a squall at night.” Lisbon Ac. note. I read this “do norte” from the north, and not “de noite.”
[136] It is easily seen that this note does not belong to the Roteiro, and that it was added by the copyist: we have already noticed the difference which there is between it and another similar note of the Paris MS. It seems that the person who wrote it made some mistake, owing to there having been many gentlemen of the name of Menezes at that time in India.... D. Henrique de Menezes succeeded Vasco da Gama, in 1524, as Governor of India, and therefore could not be the D. Amrique de Menezes who came to the kingdom in 1524, as the note says. This deserving Governor died at Cananor on the day of the Purification of 1526. Lisbon Ac. note.
[137] Son Seigneur osservatissime.
[138] Charles V was elected Emperor the 28th June, 1519.
[139] Chiericato. Milan edition.
[140] Clement VII (Medici) was elected Pontiff in 1523, and died in 1534.
[141] Monterosi. Milan edition.
[142] The Milan edition attributes this desire to the Pope.
[143] Fortunes.
[144] Jonq.
[145] Estrenque, made of esparta.
[146] Bonnette = stun sail, formerly added below the square sail.
[147] Groupade.
[148] Milan edition adds here, formerly.
[149] 1519.
[150] Garbin and Libeccio.
[151] South-east.
[152] Donnassent à travers.
[153] La grande gabbe.
[154] N’avoyent point de fondement.
[155] In reality this bird swallows the fish which it forces the fishing bird to disgorge.
[156] The Milan edition has “flesh of the Anta, like that of a cow”; and a note says the anta is the tapir.
[157] Haim.
[158] Aigueillette, same as esquillette.
[159] Coffin.
[160] Naveau, for navette.
[161] Le jour de Saincte Lucie aux auantz de Noël.
[162] Par zenit.
[163] Or of Lespere.
[164] Rabotent.
[165] Papegaulx.
[166] Fabre’s French printed edition, and the Italian edition of 1536, both include the women and children:—
“Quasi tous tant homes que femmes que enfants ont trois pertuis en la levre dembas,” etc. “Tutti gli huomini donne et fanciulli hanno tre buchi.” etc.
[167] Tané.
[168] De petites chattes maymounes.
[169] Leur lombric sur leschine.
[170] Milan edition calls it wood of Brasile.
[171] Musser.
*–*: This passage is from MS. No. 68, the Regent Louisa’s copy, for whom it appears to have been adapted; that in No. 5650, and in Amoretti and Fabre’s editions, is less fit for publication: the words from * to [172] are omitted in No. 68.
[172] The 1536 edition omits the story of the girl, and instead says:—
“Nella prima costa di terra che ariuammo, ad alcune femine schiave che haueuamo leuate ne le naui d’altri paesi, & erano grauide vennero le doglie del parto, per il che loro sole si uscirono di naue, & smontorono in terra, & partorito che hebbero con li figluoli in braccio se ne ritornarono subito in nave.”
Fabre says:—
“En la première coste que passerent aulcunes esclaves enfanterent et quant estoient en traveil se mirent hors du basteau et après retournerent au basteau et nourrirent leurs enfans.”
This story is improbable, as women were not allowed to come on board ship. Fabre then relates the story of the young girl.
[173] Canibali.
[174] Solis.
[175] “Contremont.”
[176] Falkner (1774, Hereford) in his account of Patagonia, says he saw men among the Puelches seven feet six inches high.
[177] “Combien.”
[178] The guanaco, a kind of Lama.
[179] “Empanées.”
[180] “Besongnes.”
[181] “Brasse.”
[182] “Sayon.”
[183] “Bragues marinieres.”
[184] “Bouffer”, to be angry, also to blow, to puff.
[185] Setebos, though represented by the Spaniards as a demon, would, no doubt, be the Patagonian name of the Deity. Shakespeare has twice brought in Setebos in the Tempest, as invoked by Caliban. There can be no doubt of his having got the name of Setebos from the account of Magellan’s voyage.
[186] “Carvalho.”
[187] “Escouppetes.”
[188] “Collère.”
[189] “Et lient leur membre dedans le corps pour le très grand froid.”
[190] On account of their large feet.
[191] “Egiptiens.”
[192] Coffin.
[193] Milan edition calls him “vehadore”, overseer or purveyor.
[194] “Contador.” Milan edition.
[195] “Quesada.”
[196] Maximilian, the Transylvanian, relates that when Gomez abandoned Magellan in the Straits, he returned by this spot and picked up these two men.
[197] “Capres,” mussels or oysters; the Milan edition adds, that they were not eatable.
[198] “Connins.”
[199] “Plus petites assez que les notres:” “assai piu piccoli”. Milan edition.
[200] “Scameux.”
[201] The MS. is thus divided, but without numbers to the chapters.
[202] “Et quasi autant de largeur moins de demye lieue.”
[203] “La mer paisible.”
[204] “Surgir.”
[205] “De mettre les proysses en terre.”
[206] Martin Behaim, who lived at Fayal and Nuremberg. A globe was constructed at Nuremberg under the instructions of Martin Behaim in 1492, and given by him to the town of Nuremberg. This globe disproves the idea that Martin Behaim or his maps had indicated to Magellan any straits, for the whole continent of America is absent from it.
[207] “Trauerse.”
[208] “Chevaucher.”
[209] “Entrer à sec.”
[210] “Canton.”
[211] (“Comme abandonnans.”)
[212] “Souspecon.”
[213] His name was Estevan Gomez.
[214] Cousin.
[215] “A la fin.”
[216] “Apium dulce.”
[217] Golondrina in Spanish, a swallow.
[218] In the Milan edition “Barba”, the beard.
[219] “Flairer, odorat,” to smell.
[220] A parrot, not in the Milan edition.
[221] “Lapis lazuli”, in the Milan edition “Gemma”.
[222] In the Milan edition “nieve”, snow.
[223] In the Milan edition “coprire, couvrir”.
[224] An ostrich, not in the Milan edition.
[225] Not in the Milan edition.
[226] Food, the root used as bread.
[227] This passage is not quite clear:—“Quand il me veyt escripre ces noms après luy demandant des aultres il mentendoit auecq la plume en main.”
[228] The printed edition of Milan has: “ammalato dell’ infermità di cui mori.”
[229] “Antena magiore.”
[230] “Sartia.”
[231] “Segature de asse.” “Segature di tavole.” Milan.
[232] “Escu, mezzo-ducato.” Milan edition.
[233] Effects of scurvy. Gama’s seamen suffered in the same way, after passing the Cape of Good Hope.
[234] “Nous allasmes en ung goulfe.”
[235] “En tirant au vent haustral.” For these islands, see the log book of Francisco Albo.
[236] The Milan edition has here: “According to the reckoning we made with the chain astern.”
[237] “Aulcunesfoys a lorce on autrement.”
[238] The Milan edition has here the words: “All round the earth,” which makes the meaning clearer.
[239] “Car on y veoit plusieurs estoilles petites congregées ensemble qui sont en guise de deux nuées ung peu separées l’une de l’autre, et ung peu obfusquées.” The Magellanic clouds.
[240] “Au milieu desquelles sont deux estelles non trop grandes ne moult reluysantes, et petitement se mouvent.” The Milan edition has: “Due stulle molto grande e rilucenti, che hanno poco moto.”
[241] “Nostre calamite ung peu tiroit toujours a son pol arctique. Neantmoins navoit point tant de force comme de son coste et sa bande.” Milan edition has: “La nostra calamita volgeasi sempre al polo artico, deviando però alcun poco dal punto del settentrione.”
[242] “Goulfe, in mezzo al mare.”
[243] “Le captaine-general demanda a tous les pillotz allant tousiours a la voyle par quel chemyn nauigant on puntuast es cartes. Lesquelz tous respondirent par sa voye punctuellement donnée. Et il respondit quilz punctuoyent faulsement (chose qui estoit ainsi), et quil conuenoit auister laigueille du nauiguer porce que ne recepuoit tant de force comme de sa part.” The Milan edition has: “Cïo ben sapeva il nostro capitano generale, e perciò, quando ci trovanno veleggiando in mezzo al mare, egli domando a tutti i piloti, ai quali già indicato aveva il punto a cui doveano tendere, per qual cammino puntassero nelle loro carte; risposer tutti, che puntavano al luogo da lui ordinato: ed egli disse che puntavano falso; e che conveniva ajutare l’ago calamitato, il quale in tal posizione non era attrato con tanta forza, quanto lo è dalla sua parte, cioè nell’ emisfero boreale.”
[244] “Et sont tres justes l’une avecques laultre.” Milan: “Ed esattamente disposte in forma di croce.” Dante may have heard of the S. Cross through Marco Polo.
[245] “Du vent de midy.”
[246] “Le mydy.”
[247] “Vers le leuant”; it should be “ponant.”
[248] Cattigara. Cape Comorin, in 8 deg. 27 min. N. latitude.
[249] The Milan edition has seventy.
[250] “La volte du vent de maestral.”
[251] The Milan edition has here: “Which did not fail to cause compassion.”
[252] The Milan edition has for “I believe”, “certainly”.
[253] Bananas, or plantains.
[254] Stores.
[255] “Nattes.”
[256] “Baston.”
[257] Milan edition, “fusiniere”: boats named after Fusine, from which people are ferried to Venice.
[258] For paddles.
[259] Now called Samar, in the Philippine group.
[260] Instead of these words the Milan edition has: “Which later we learned was named Humunù.” Amoretti says this island is situated near Cape Guigan of the Island of Samar.
[261] Amoretti presumes this sow was brought from the Ladrones. Desbrosses, t. 11, p. 55.
[262] “Congé.”
[263] “Apparant.” Milan edition, “principale”.
[264] “Apparant.” Milan edition, “ornati”.
[265] The Milan edition adds here: “We learned that the island which they came from was named Zuluan, and it is a small island.”
[266] Milan: “Sociable.”
[267] Arrak.
[268] Bananas. The Milan edition has: “More than a palm in length.”
[269] Cocoa-nuts.
[270] “Verdeur.”
[271] Here the Milan edition adds: “And reduced it to flour.”
[272] Milan edition has: “Takes the consistency of honey.”
[273] Milan edition has: “Thick as butter.”
[274] Here the Milan edition adds: “But its trunk, without being smooth, is less knotty.”
[275] Milan edition has: “We were told that one of these trees lasts,” etc.
[276] *–* Here omitted in Milan edition.
[277] “Matia.”
[278] “Aquade des bons signes.”
[279] This word is not in the Milan edition, nor in the Tagal Dictionary.
[280] “Picquetez”, not in Ste. Palaye’s Glossary.
[281] “Tanez.”
[282] “Giongioli.”
[283] “Fascines,” “faxina.” “Foscine,” Milan edition.
[284] Milan edition: “Like our rizali.”
[285] “Chambre des munitions.” “Mezza de guarnigione.” Milan edition.
[286] “Ponnant et le garbin.”
[287] Malay.
[288] “Aez = ais.” Milan edition: “Tavola.”
[289] “Sporta”, Milan edition: “basket.”
[290] “Intimate friends,” Tagal Dictionary.
[291] The Milan edition represents the King as making the request, and the captain-general consenting to it.
[292] The Milan edition adds here: “At each mouthful we drank a cup of wine, and whatever remained in the cup, though that rarely happened, was put into another vase.”
[293] “Brouet.” “Brodo,” Milan edition.
[294] It will be seen further on that these brothers were kings or lords of two cities on the coast of Mindanao, of which one was named Butuan, the other Calagan. The first place retains its name, the other is named Caragua. The King of Butuan was also King of the Island of Massaua, between Mindanao and Samar. Note, Milan edition.
[295] The Milan edition adds here: “On each of his teeth he had three spots of gold, so that his teeth appeared to be bound with gold.”
[296] Massaua.
[297] Milan edition: “Siagu.”
[298] “Pourpoints.”
[299] Ceylon is the island of Leyte, and Zzubu is Sebu. Milan edition.
[300] “Malle adventure.”
[301] If Massaua is the island Limassava of Bellin’s map, it is in 9 deg. 40 min. N. latitude, but in 190 deg. W. longitude from the line of demarcation. Note, Milan edition.
[302] “Gatighan.” Milan edition.
[303] “Pipistrelli.” Milan edition.
[304] “Bien une brassée.”
[305] “Haulsent.”
[306] “Massava.”
[307] “Illecques.”
[308] “Nourry.” Milan edition: “Un suo allievo.”
[309] Siam.
[310] “Cata Raja chita.” Milan edition.
[311] That is the hereditary prince.
[312] “Bariselle.” Milan edition: “Bargello maggiore.”.
[313] The usage of drinking through a tube was also observed by Van Noort among these peoples. Note, Milan edition.
[314] “Gens de bon temps.”
[315] “Pardeça;” that is to say, “Par de ça la Loire,” or “Langue d’oil.” Languedoc was called “Par de la.” The Milan edition describes the scales as a wooden pole suspended in the middle, with a basin suspended by three cords at one end, and a cord at the other end with a weight equal to the basin to which weights are attached.
[316] “Sonnent de zampogne.”
[317] Perhaps this should be Sulin. Vide Marsden, Malay Dictionary.
[318] Lagan, a largo sea snail. Tagal Dictionary.
[319] The Milan edition says he was before named Raja Humabon.
[320] After the death of Magellan the image of the Infant Jesus was preserved as an idol until the year 1598, in which the Spaniards returned to that place with missionaries, who, having found it, not only placed it in veneration, but gave to the city which they founded there the name of City of Jesus, which it still preserves. Note of Milan edition.
[321] Here ends the translation made from the French MS.; what follows is from the Milan edition.
[322] “Si” is a prefix of honour to a proper name.
[323] Spear, like a partisan, but larger. French MS. of Nancy.
[324] The text of this appeal has been given by M. Denis in the Univers Pittoresque, from the MS. of Nancy, now of Sir Thomas Phillipps’ library.
[325] “Compadre.”
[326] See Note, p. 95.
[327] This island is still named Bohol.
[328] Panilongon, now called Panlao.
[329] Mindanao. The French edition of the year IX calls it “Butuan”.
[330] A river which comes into the Bay of Kipit.
[331] Probably two hours after nightfall.
[332] See p. 78.
[333] Luçon.
[334] The author speaks of this nation further on.
[335] Borneo.
[336] This paragraph is not in Amoretti’s edition, and is taken from the French edition of 1802.
[337] Borneo.
[338] That is to say, “To move against the stream on account of the contrary currents.” Note to Amoretti’s edition.
[339] Ramusio has five leagues, but the Milan MS. has fifty, which is the real distance.
[340] This number seems exaggerated. Now it has only two or three thousand houses. Hist. Générale des Voyages, tom. xv, p. 138. Note, Milan edition.
[341] They do likewise now at high tide. Note, Milan edition.
[342] “Cherita-tulis,” writers of narratives.
[343] The Portuguese introduced Christianity into this country, which lasted till 1590. Now the Gentiles have been obliged to abandon the sea-coast, and have retired to the mountains. Sonnerat, Note of Milan edition.
[344] Here some details are omitted, which, with the whole of this paragraph, have been written by Pigafetta, because he was an Italian, and not a Spaniard or Portuguese, in which case he would have been better informed.
[345] An error natural enough in an Italian.
[346] Brass or bronze. Note, Milan edition.
[347] “Pitis”, small coin, 600 to a dollar at Achin.
[348] The Milan edition has added to the text, “which project outside for a counterpoise”; and supposes this refers to an outrigger. Junks have no outriggers; prahus have projecting gunwales, which widen the deck.
[349] This latitude is that of the northern point of Borneo; the longitude is much diminished, as usual. Pigafetta has taken care to mark in his map of the island of Borneo, his voyage of fifty leagues from the point to the port, and has placed Laöe at the southern point of the island. Note, Milan edition.
[350] Now named Balaba. Note, Milan edition.
[351] The Babi-rusa, or hog deer.
[352] “Picciulo.”
[353] Other travellers have seen similar leaves, and being more versed in natural history than our Pigafetta, soon knew that the motion of these leaves came from the insect which lived inside. (Hist. Gén. des Voy., tom. xv, p. 58.) Note, Milan edition.
[354] In the isle of Mindanao.
[355] Islets.
[356] Sulu.
[357] Now named Basilan.
[358] Mindanao.
[359] From this probably comes the word “Cinnamomum”.
[360] This receipt was recently attributed, in some newspaper paragraph, to the Battas of Sumatra, 1874.
[361] Cape Benaian is the most northern cape of the island, and has still the same name. Note, Milan edition.
[362] The islands here mentioned belong to that group in which modern geographers reckon Kararotan, Linop, and Cabrocana; after which is found Sanghir, the beautiful island of the author: others name it Sanguil. This island has many islets to the S.W., which Pigafetta mentions later. Cabiu, Cabalussu, Limpang, and Nussa, are mentioned in the list of islands which in 1682 belonged to the King of Ternate. Note, Milan edition.
[363] In the list of islands belonging to the King of Ternate, are found Karkitang, Para, Sangaluhan, Siau.
[364] Pangazara, Talaut, and Mahono, are in the above quoted list.
[365] Tidore.
[366] A testoon was worth half a ducat. Note, Milan edition.
[367] When the Portuguese, Brito, was sent to govern the Moluccas in 1511, this Raja Abuleis lived, and he names him Raja Beglif. Note, Milan edition.
[368] “Chechil” or “Cachil”, a title.
[369] A hundredweight.
[370] Pedro Alfonso de Lorosa.
[371] The northern cape at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata.
[372] Gilolo.
[373] The Dutch observed later that this does not happen. Note, Milan edition.
[374] This refers to the dress of men at arms of the period, which was not decent.
[375] Perhaps these are what the Malays use for pens.
[376] Chingké, Chinese for “odorous nails”.
[377] “Subhan”, or giving praise.
[378] “A furia.”
[379] S. Barbara is the patroness of powder magazines, which on board French ships are called Sainte Barbe.
[380] “Frixeto,” “nastro” or “settuccia,” “ribbon,” is so called now in Genoese. Note, Milan edition.
[381] Marcello, a coin struck at Venice by the Doge Nicolò Marcello in 1473, of silver, weighing as much as a sequin, and worth about sixpence. Note, Milan edition.
[382] “Verzi.”
[383] Yucatan.
[384] Or minister.
[385] A kind of Ananas. Note, Milan edition.
[386] The longitude is wrong, as usual. Note, Milan edition.
[387] The volcanoes of Ternate and Machian, which caused such havoc in the last century by their explosions, did not then emit flames or smoke, since Pigafetta would not have omitted to mention them.
[388] Laboan, an islet considered now as part of Bachian. Note, Milan edition.
[389] “Xulla” of Robert’s Atlas, and “Xoula” of the Dutch. Note, Milan edition.
[390] Comparing this with what the author writes a little further on, there is another proof that he took down the names of the islands, and laid down their positions, as he thought he understood the pilots who spoke a language which he little understood. He here notes ten islands, and he has drawn six without names to the North of Sulach, where other geographers also lay down a few islets; but of these ten, Tenetum, Kalairuru, Mandan, and Benaia, are again named and drawn further on; and Leytimor is a peninsula attached to Amboina. Note, Milan edition.
[391] The jack fruit, called Nangka throughout the Malay seas.
[392] Amboina. Pigafetta appears to refer to the large island of Ceram. Note, Milan edition.
[393] The Milan MS. says “longitude”, which must be an error of the scribe. Note, Milan edition.
[394] Solor.
[395] “Cornioli.”
[396] Strabo (Geogr., lib. xv).
[397] The Italian method of reckoning time.
[398] Luzon.
[399] Bomare says that those who cut sandal wood fall ill from the miasma exhaled by the wood. Note, Milan edition.
[400] A note to the Milan edition suggests that it was too early in the century for this to be the Frank disease, and that it must have been leprosy. This is more probable.
[401] Ende, or Flores.
[402] Majapahit.
[403] Gresik.
[404] Surabaya.
[405] “Campong anghin,” the place of wind.
[406] Sanscrit and Malay, a griffin.
[407] Pigafetta has confounded rhubarb with the decayed wood of a tree found in Siam, which, when burnt, gives a very sweet perfume, and which sells at a high price.
[408] Cochin.
[409] Kwantung or Canton.
[410] “Satu orang,” one man.
[411] “Anjing,” a dog.
[412] “Pokoh bisi,” club of iron.
[413] “Panah,” a bow.
[414] “Tombak,” a lance.
[415] “Harimau,” a tiger; not a lion. All these words are Malay, the language in which the whole of this information must have been conveyed to Pigafetta.
[416] “Laut Kidol,” Javanese, the Southern Ocean.
[417] See statement of Herrera, p. 175.
[418] Francis I.
[419] Now the declination of the ecliptic, which answers to the poles of the eighth sphere of Pigafetta, is 23 deg. 28 min. 30 sec. Note, Milan edition.
[420] Supposing that the surface of the globe under the equator were half land and half sea, and then giving to each league three and a half miles, we should have 22,050 miles for the circumference of the earth: a measure very little differing from that which results from giving to each degree at the equator sixty Italian miles, by which the circumference is 21,600 miles. Note, Milan edition.
[421] The guard stars are β and γ of Ursa Minor, which form a triangle with the pole and pole star; now γ of the belt of Cassiopeia is used. Note, Milan edition.
[422] This means the arm of the instrument used; it might be the meteoroscope of Regiomontano, which had a cross in the middle: or an astrolabe like it; or the common astrolabe with a dioptron, or mediclino, as Pigafetta calls it, placed on the equator. Note, Milan edition.
[423] That is the meridian line from the pole to the equator. Note, Milan edition.
[424] Though the radius of the circle which the pole star goes round is now little more than a degree and a half, in the time of Pigafetta it was 3 deg. 17 min. 37 sec., so that if he reckoned it at 3 deg. 30 min. it is wonderful that he should have made so small an error, notwithstanding the imperfection of his instruments. Note, Milan edition.
[425] These three methods are probably those which, according to Castañeda, Faleiro taught to Magellan. Note, Milan edition.
[426] That is to say, the knot where the orbit of the moon cuts the ecliptic. Note, Milan edition.
[427] The fleur-de-lys placed at the north.
[428] That is, where it coincides with the meridian and begins to deviate or vary. Note, Milan edition.
[429] That is, varies east or west.
[430] Or of midday.
[431] I do not find any mention of the mediclino in any writer of the times near that of Pigafetta who have treated of the astrolabe, such as Regiomontanus, Appianus, Gimma Frisius, Danti, Clavius, etc.; but from what our author says here and elsewhere, it appears that the mediclino is that movable rule, fixed on the centre of the astrolabe, which turns round it, and is named sometimes albidade, or dioptron, or traguardo, or linea di fiducia. Note, Milan edition.
[432] Amoretti, in his introduction to this Treatise of Navigation, in the Milan edition, observes that Pigafetta was misled by a false theory when he supposes that there is in the heavens a point in repose to which the magnetic needle tends, but that the exact direction of the magnetic needle coincided, or at least approximated, to the meridian of the isle of Ferro, which is not now the case; and that in some other places the variations of the compass had been observed to correspond with that of the longitude. By the table of variations of the compass published by Lambert in the Ephemerides of Berlin (Astronomische Jahrbuch) for the year 1779, it is seen by an easy calculation that at the beginning of the sixteenth century the magnetic equator or zero of deviation was very near the isle of Tenerife. Now it is further off, and the distance increases. M. de Bougainville found there the deviation to the west to be 14 deg. 41 min.; and Staunton, the companion of Lord Macartney, found it to be 17 deg. 35 min.
[433] We have two astrolabes in our museum constructed with several plates: one is of brass, and another of card, for more easy manipulation. Note, Milan edition.
[434] “Traguardo,” level or traverser.
[435] “Rosa dei venti.”
[436] Or flag, as appears from the drawing.
[437] It was written in French. See Introduction.
[438] “Tenistitan,” Ramusio.
[439] Gulf of Siam.
[440] Cape Verde Islands.
[441] Literally, with funereal or lugubrious state; but Maximilian and his translators appear to have thought that feralis is derived from fera. Ramusion translates: “Dando loro a mangiar carne di fiere;” and the Spanish version in Navarrete has: “Con su aparato y cerimonias bestiales.” Ducange has an adverb, feraliter, with the sense of beastly.
[442] “Feralis,” again.
[443] Or, Caurus.
[444] Bohol.
[445] Bandan.
[446] “Tanto abante.” These words are doubtful.
[447] The MS. of the British Museum has “9”, which must be an error.
[448] Query, east.
[449] “Papahigos.”
[450] It is 37° 52′. This is the northernmost of the two islands, St. Paul’s and Amsterdam. The Dutch call the N. Island Amsterdam, and the English call it St. Paul’s in ordinary maps.
[451] The Great Fish River or the Keiskamma River.
[452] This Gomez was the alguazil who assisted Magellan so much in putting down the mutiny in the port of St. Julian.
[453] Literally, of cord and knife.
[454] Diogo Barbosa.
[455] Correa seems to have made a mistake here. Quesada helped to make Alvaro de Mezquita, Magellan’s relation, and captain of the S. Antonio, a prisoner; but what Correa relates may have been part of the plot and a stratagem of Juan de Carthagena.
[456] His name was Gonzalo Gomes de Spinosa; he returned to Spain.
[457] “Que fizesse grande toa.”
[458] The reader will observe that this account of Magellan’s death is incorrect.
[459] Andres de San Martin.
[460] Probably the Genoese pilot, whose narrative commences this volume.
[461] Road to Coimbra—straight road.
[462] Pessoas.
[463] Varas.
[464] Nuno.
[465] 4,000.
[466] 20,000.
[467] Globe.
[468] Sic.
Transcriber’s Notes:
- Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.
- Errata have been applied.