Of the People of Tydore as many were taken as did not in Time save themselves by Flight; as also a Junk in the Port, and several other small Vessels. The Enemies afterwards perish’d in other smaller Actions. The daunted King, hasted Home to secure their own Lands, disolving the Confederacy, and being sufficiently warn’d, gave Ear to, and Peace concluded. embrac’d Proposals of Peace; taking leave of him of Tydore, and agreeing with Galvam, whose Vertue and Discretion gain’d so much upon Cachil Rade, that King’s Brother, that he came to a Conference with him and concluded a Peace upon certain Conditions. The King of Tydore oblig’d himself to restore Galvam the Cannon; not to assist the Enemies of Portugal; not to permit the Clove to be dispos’d of into any other Hands than the Portuguese Officers; and to sell it as was usual at Ternate. Galvam went over next to subdue Gilolo, and the other Kings, all which he compass’d successfully. The Queen also submitted, either on Account of the King of Tydore’s Falshood, or that, as she said, she grew weary of the War, or else because the depos’d King was kill’d. Catabruno was appeas’d by Galvam’s good Behaviour, and accepted of Conditions, among which the chiefest was, that Galvam should set Sultan Aerio at Liberty. Thus the Confederacy was dissolv’d, and the Maluccos laying down Arms, submitted again. Provisions were furnish’d as before, and the Crops, and Trade of Spice were restor’d.
Sultan Aerio King of Ternate. Sultan Aerio attended by the Christians and Gentiles, Dancing, and making other demonstrations of Joy, went from the Fort to his Palace, where he remain’d with his Guard, and Family. Before he Marry’d, tho’ he never wanted for Concubines, he in Person took a Progress to the principal places in his Dominions of Ternate, Moutil, and Machian. Those in the Fort attended and assisted him, together with the Sangiacks, who went all about that Archipelago, first on that side they call Del Moro, that is towards Batochina, and is distant from the Moluccos 60 Leagues Northward, beginning at the Isles of Doe, two Leagues to the Point of Bicoe. All these are Inhabited by Wild People.
Batochina, that is Gilolo describ’d. Batochina is 250 Leagues in Compass, and Subject to two Kings, which are those of Gylolo, and Lolada. This last is Ancienter than all those of the Moluccos, or in those Seas, and formerly was the most Powerful; but now the Weakest. The Inhabitants of the North part of Batochina are Savage, without any King, Laws, or Towns, living in Deserts. Those on the East-side have populous Towns, on the Sea Shore; and tho’ they speak several Languages, yet they understand one another. This Coast they call’d Morotia, that is, Land Moor. The other Islands opposite are call’d Morotay, that is, Sea-Moor, and all those Isles breed deceitful, brutal and dastardly Men. Only the City Moncoya is Warlike. It ever wanted Laws, Weights, Measures, Coin, Gold, Silver, and all other Metals, and a King; but it is overstock’d with Provisions, Arms, Idols, and Devils speaking in them. The Women Till the Land. Each of these Towns is Govern’d by a Magistrate chosen by the People; they pay him no Taxes, but have Regard to his Descent. The Molucco Kings conquer’d them, and every one kept what he could get; the better part belongs to him of Ternate, and less to the King of Tydore, whose Dominions were enlarg’d by the Power of Spain. They went on to establish their Possessions among the Papuas, or Papous, East from the Moluccos, being Islands little resorted to, because many of them are all encompass’d with Flats and Shoals. The Natives of them are Black, like the Cafres; they wear their Hair wound about in large curl’d Papuas, or Papous. Locks, their Visages lean and ugly. The Name of Papuas in their Language signifies Blacks, being a stern People, enur’d to Labour, and fit for any piece of Treachery. All their Islands are subject to Kings, and abound in Gold, which they do not Transport, because no Man lays up any more of it than is us’d in their Ornaments. Among these Black-men there are some as White and fair as the Germans; if these go out in the Sun, they are struck blind, tho they do not look at it. Those in Spain are call’d Albinos; yet some of them are strong, and can behold any Object. Among these Papuas there are many deaf. As to the Extent of this Country, if we may believe the Accounts of Spanish Pilots, who have sail’d that way, these Islands run along a vast Continent, which terminates at the Streights of Magellan. These Kings entertain Friendship with Ternate, whither they sent Embassadors, and as much as was here subject to the Moluccos, had no Share in the desperate Fury of the League. So did those of Celebes to the Westward, being many notable Islands, the great Island Celebes it self, as also Mindanas; so those of Bisaya, abounding in Iron; Mascaga, and Masbate, which have much Gold, as well as Mindanas; that of Sologo, and others producing Provisions, Spice, Sanders, Eaglewood, Other Islands. Cinnamon, Camphire, Tortoshell, Ginger, and Long Pepper. Some of these Islands are subject to the King of Borneo, others to those of Tydore and Bachian, but the most to him of Ternate. The People are generally treacherous; many of them go naked, painting their Bodies in Falcage, and other Figures; their Hair long, hanging on their Backs, or else knotted, and cut short over the Forehead, like our Peasants; their Faces large; their Teeth well shap’d and black; and their Ears bor’d. The Natives of Celebes. Celebes are filthy, and vile in their Behaviour; the Æquinoctial passes over their Island, which is full of little Towns; a whole Race living in every House. On their Walls they hang the Hair of those they have kill’d in War; and the greatest number of them is most Honourable. There are among them several sorts of Monstrous Productions. One of these is a Tree bearing a vast Head, the shade whereof kills any Man that lyes down under it on the West-side, unless he immediately lye down on the East-side; the same shade at only a Yard distance being an Antidote against its opposite Malignity. In these Towns there are horrid Stews of Sodomy; tho there are no such at Ternate; but they have gone as far as Amboyna, which lyes South of it. Among the Moluccos there are many Islands subject to their own Chiefs, full of excellent Waters, and delightful Banks. Formerly they were free, afterwards conquer’d by the Kings of Ternate and Tydore; against whom they also rebell’d, and submitted to the Queen of Japara, and many Christian Towns were subject to the Portugueses. They yield above 2000 Hundred Weight of Cloves Yearly; which the Jaos are Masters of, none being to obstruct them; they go over and Barter, and carry it away in their Junks. We speak elsewhere of their Fertility. Our Relations tell us, they produce a fort of Reeds, or Canes, above fifty fathom long, and no thicker than a mans little finger. South from Amboyna lye the Islands of Banda; and about 300 Leagues to the Eastward; some affirm, there is one which is all over an entire Mine of Gold, and the Natives not above a Yard high. If this be so, and these the true Pigmies, who will look upon the Battels mention’d in Homer’s 3d Iliad, betwixt them and the Cranes, as Fabulous. Those scatter’d Dominions were again united and submitted to Sultan Aerio, whose Marriage Solemnities, Building of Masques, Publick Festivals, and other Works of Peace, we must pass over in silence, as not proper for our purpose, they being only a pleasing sort of Digressions.
Mezquita Governs at Ternate. The Kings of Portugal sent several Commanders in Chief to Ternate, and last in the Year 1570; James Lopez de Mezquita, who had commanded on the Molucco Seas, took Possession of the Fort. In his Time Sultan Aerio, a courteous and affable Man, continu’d in Subjection to Portugal, valuing himself upon being true to his Word in all his Actions. Nevertheless, there wanted not some ill-meaning Persons, who mislik’d his Government, and pretended that he did not exercise his Power legally. They said, he had given way to those Vices, into which luxurious Princes are wont to fall; those being generally the Fruits of a long Peace. They fancy’d, he retained the Memory of past Tragedies; and particularly his Mother’s inhuman End, and therefore persecuted our Religion; tho at the Pretences to destroy King Aerio. same Time the Memories of those Days do not charge him with any Temporal Disobedience, or want of Fidelity; but they rather compar’d him to Massinissa, King of Numidia; and say the Portugueses ought to have respected him, as the Romans did the other. The Commander hearing of those Abuses, and fearing greater might ensue, some Religious Men encreasing his Jealousie, he endeavour’d to redress them by Friendly Admonitions, and other Contrivances. Those Methods had no effect on him, for he answer’d, he was in his own Dominions, where, without offence to the Portuguese Sovereignty, he might live as he pleas’d. Mezquita resolving to try harsher means, since the others did not at all move the King, nor make him uneasie, as relying on his Innocency; began to deprive him of his Revenue, and the Income of the Spice; threatning also, that he would, in all other Respects, execute the last Will made by his Brother Tabarija, wherein he appointed the King of Portugal for his Heir; or at lest would treat him so like an inferior Person, that he should scarce be able to assume the Name of King; for such is the Punishment they are lyable to, who do not observe that Decorum which was inviolable in their Ancestors.
Cachil Babu, Son to Sultan Aerio, taking a Progress about this Time, through his Father’s Islands, a Subject came to complain to him against certain Portugueses, who had taken away his Daughter; for which fault he order’d them all to be kill’d, as if they had been accessary to the ravishing of the Maid. He had no Directions, nor so much as the consent of King Aerio for this exorbitant Command, which took no effect. On the contrary he afterwards so generously resented it, that he order’d the Prince to be seiz’d, and would have punish’d him severely, had he not been hindred by those the wrong was offer’d to. This plain Demonstration was The Portugueses seize and send him to Goa. not sufficient to divert the Portuguese Commander from imputing the Sons Fault to the Father, contrary to all Reason and Likelihood. All discreet Methods us’d by well-meaning Persons to reconcile them two, failing; James Lopez by his King’s Authority, which generally is most unreasonable, the farther it is from the Prince, from whom it is deriv’d, presum’d to imprison the Sultan; being dragg’d away from a Pleasure-House, where he was passing the Heat of the Day, among his Women; His Subjects lov’d him, and their Resentment for this wrong was proportionable to their Affection; nor did the Portugueses approve of the Fact. The Commander perceiving that all Men were against him, and that after all Enquiries and Examinations, the King’s Cause still appear’d the better, and his Fidelity was more visibly made out, he gave him his Liberty, to the great Satisfaction of his Kingdoms, which were attentive to the Event; but upon Condition he should go to Goa to clear himself, where he expected they would cut off his Head, upon the Informations he would send against him. The King set out, and before he came to Malaga, the Viceroy The Viceroy acquits him. writ to him, begging he would return to his Kingdom, for he was fully convinc’d of his Innocence, and promis’d to punish the Causer of those Troubles; but at that Time, for some Considerations, was satisfy’d with reproving him. The K. returning to Ternate, the Commander was sent Prisoner to Goa, and had been more severely punish’d; but that Fortune preserv’d him, to be an Instrument of the loss which has lasted till our Days.
Within a Year after his Imprisonment he was restor’d to his Command in Ternate, where be again practic’d against that King; for there are some Pretended Reconciliation. Dispositions which never part with the Jealousies they have once conceiv’d. Ternate was as it were the Metropolis in Religious matters, and King Aerio had never offer’d any Affront to us either in Spirituals or Temporals, for which Reason there never wanted some grave Persons in his Court. These Zealously reconcil’d them two, and that perfectly, as to outward Appearance, and that their renew’d Amity might be lasting, the King assur’d the Commander upon Oath, according to his Sect, that he would never privately harbour the least Jealousie of him; but before he admitted of any, would discover it to him, that so he might either receive, or make Satisfaction; to the end no Accidents might revive any Mistrusts. The Falshood of Mezquita. Commander made the King the same solemn Promise, both of them being thus pacify’d, and in the Opinion of all those who mediated betwixt them, so Friendly, that none could imagine such perfect Amity could ever be dissolv’d. But there being nothing less permanent among Men than Reconciliations, the Portuguese Commander reassuming the Hatred which never was extinct, or perhaps so much as lay’d aside, resolv’d to destroy Sultan Aerio when only five Days were elaps’d since the Re-establishment of their Friendship sworn to on both sides. This could not be kept so private, as not to come to the Sultan’s Ears; but the Consideration that he was a King, his own Sincerity, and the fresh Reconciliation, made him think he was secure. But if the Nature of Man be such as not to forgive when it has done a Wrong, what can be less secure than injur’d Innocence? The Commander feigns himself Sick, and sends to desire the King, that since he is not able to wait on him in his Palace, he will be pleas’d to honour him with a Visit in the Fort, there to confer with his Highness about some important Affairs which concern the King of Portugal, his Master, and are not fit to be communicated to any other. All the Answer the King return’d, was to go himself to Visit the Sick Man, tho’ he had Information better grounded than on bear Surmises, that Martin Antonio Pimentel, the Commanders Nephew, had Orders to murder him, as soon as ever he came into the Fort. Aerio’s Innocent Bravery. He could not prevail upon himself to believe a Treacherous Design; so far does Innocence prevail over a generous Soul. But when he saw that at the Gate, they stopp’d his Guards, the Sangiacks and Cachiles, that attended him, he then began to be convinc’d of the Villany, yet went on without being disorder’d, and showing an undaunted Countenance. And tho’ he could not forbear dropping some Tears, when he took leave of his Sons, however he presently compos’d his Countenance, so that he was not at all dismay’d, tho’ in the Commanders Nephew’s Looks he saw visible Tokens of his Unkles Commission. He would have complain’d to the Commander of the Disrespect of those who stopp’d his Attendance, but they would not suffer him to go on. The Mask being now laid aside, and the true Design appearing, in Violence he call’d out to the Sangiacks, but the Gate was shut against him and them. Pimentel came up to him with a Naked Ponyard, and begg’d his Pardon like an Executioner. The King, without showing any Surprize, or Disorder, Bid him consider what he was going to do; for there were many left to revenge his Death, besides his Sons and Subjects, all the Kings of the Archipelago, as well the Sovereigns who were in Alliance, as those who ow’d Fealty to the Crown of Portugal. This Instance, said he, will make them dread every Capricious Humour of a Commander in chief. If still that Jealousie survies, which has so often been prov’d groundless, I will deliver my self up to the King of Portugal; and if my Death be of such Consequence to you, yet respite the Execution but a little, for at my Age, Time will soon perform what your Swords are to do. They He is murder’d. now began to fall upon him, and he seeing a Brass Cannon, on which were the Arms of Portugal, clasping his Arms about it, said, Christians, at least show some respect to these Arms; for you kill a King that has paid the greatest Deference to your Crown. This last Testimony of his Innocence was of no Force to appease those Murderers; though formerly in Rome, the embracing the Statues of the Emperors was sufficient to deliver Slaves from being punish’d by their Masters. It may be a Question whether his Soul was sav’d; for there are those who affirm, he intreated the Murderer to permit him to be Baptiz’d; who answering, It was then too late, without granting his Request, or any Respite, ran furiously upon that Antient Prince, who made no Resistance, and stabb’d him in several Places. They carry’d the Body into a Vault. The King’s Kindred and Servants heard the Noise, and suspecting the worst; went away in great Disorder, to the City, where there was already a confused Rumour of what had happen’d, and being Distracted, ran shrieking about the Streets, where nothing was to be heard but Weeping, Threats, Complaints and Disorder.
The Principal Queen, with the Kings other Wives, and Slaves, his Sons, and Brothers, laying a side all State, came out of the Palace, already surrounded by the Multitude, in Confusion and Dispair, and being follow’d by most of the Portugueses, who no less abhorr’d the Fact, ran to the Fort, crying out to let them see their King, as still doubting of what they heard. Mezquita’s Inhumanity. The Commander appear’d in Armour on the Wall, and said, They should see him immediatly; and then came up a Soldier, bringing the Kings Head with the Royal Turbant on it. After him came others, with his Arms, Legs, and Body cut into small pieces, all which they hung upon the Battlements in the sight of his People. Afterwards they Salted them, as if the perpetuating of the Wrong had been requisite. This was what most provok’d the injur’d People, who no longer able to behold so inhumane a Spectacle, and being beside themselves, and fearing more Mischief, return’d with their Family. The Sons out of Respect to their Fathers Body, went away from Ternate to several Islands, tho’ in Reality they departed to excite others by their Presence, representing the Hideousness, and Horror of the Fact; and to dispose their Revenge. For the present they were satisfied with sending to complain of the Commander in Chief.
Complain’d of at Goa. Their Embassador arriv’d at Goa clad in White, which is the Mourning of the Molucco Islands, and upon the Faith of his Credentials, acquainted the Viceroy with the whole matter; proving the Innocency of the Murder’d Sultan; representing the Wrong done to, and the Sorrow of his Family, and Kingdoms, who so passionately Lov’d him; and beseeching him, in the name of them all, to Right them against the Man, who with the Power and Authority of the Portuguese Arms, had Violated the publick Faith and the Laws of Nature. The Viceroy gave him a favourable hearing, tho’ by that Time the matter was otherwise represented at Goa, at least among the Portuguese Nation. They said, That King Aerio going to visit the Commander False pretences of the Portugueses. in Chief, Martin Antonio Pimentel, went in with him, and they contended in Words upon some Point, when the Portuguese answering him angrily, they fell to their Weapons, and the King was kill’d in the Quarrel. They added, That he was Advis’d so to do, by some of our Religious Men, who were offended at the Persecution of the Christians, and the Obstructing of the King of Portugal’s Service. Pimentel made his Defence with the Original Letters, of those who perswaded him to commit the Fact, and who afterwards sav’d him. However the Viceroy did not Reject the Plaintifs; but promis’d to Right them; and to shew that he design’d them farther satisfaction than a bare Promise, he sent away the necessary Supplies for the Security of the Fort of Ternate, and Nunno Pereyra de la Cerda, a Gentleman of Courage, and the necessary Sagacity to succeed the other in a Post where all things were in Confusion. He also writ to King Sebastian of Portugal, acquainting him with the Death of King Aerio; how Cruelly and Unjustly he had been kill’d; what a Revolution there was cause to fear it might produce; whom he had sent to succeed Mezquita; the Orders he had to Secure him, as also Pimentel, if he could find him.
Pereyra succeeds Mezquita. Nunno Pereyra arriv’d at Malaco with the Molucco Embassador, whence, at the proper Season, they Sail’d to Ternate, where as soon as they Landed, order was taken for Correcting the Insolency of those in the Garrisons, who robb’d, and obstructed Trade. When he had settled these Affairs, he seiz’d the late Commander in Chief, James Lopez; but did not punnish him there, in the sight of those who had been wrong’d, which would have appeas’d them. The new Commander sollicited the Kings Sons to return to Ternate, and endeavour’d to give them, and the Kingdom Satisfaction. He easily convinc’d them, that the Publick was no way guilty of their Fathers Death, but only the Commander Mezquita, who should be severely punish’d. That He fawns. he deliver’d them the Kings Body, to be Bury’d with due Honour. That they should settle the Succession, offering it to Cachil Guarate, Aerio’s Eldest Son. He told them, the King of Portugal did not send his Commanders to be Enemies, but Protectors of the Royal Family and State of Ternate, and therefore they should make use of his Arms, as their own. They return’d apparent Thanks for what Pereyna did, and being indifferently satisfy’d with his Promises, took the Kings Body. A few Months after, on the Day appointed for the Barbarous Obsequies, Embassadors from the neighboring Kings, and Kingdoms landed at the City, who all repair’d to the Palace, clad in White, with the dead Kings Sons, and Brothers, the Sangiacks and Soldiers, and the Chiefest of them, going into the Room where the Coffin was before the Mourners, who are Officers of the Grave, began their Lamentations Revenge vow’d. and Cryes, they all swore upon the dead Body, to take a Revenge suitable to the Wrong; but because this Resolution requir’d a more deliberate Preparation, they suspended it for a Year. It is reported, that Heaven anticipated them within that time, punishing Pimentel, striking him to the Heart with the Disease call’d Berber, whereof he dy’d swelling up, and raving.
Assembly of the Indians to consent. The Funeral Rites being perform’d, the Prince took leave of Nunno Pereyra, to go over to the Island Ires, where they have a most stately Country-House, and the principal Mosque. There they all met on pretence of Diverting themselves after their Sorrow, tho it was now almost two Years since the occasion of it happened. The Cachilas and Sangiacks repair’d thither under the same Colour, and without loosing any Time, they proposed the Uniting the Forces of their Kingdoms, and shaking off the Portuguese Yoke. What shall we, said they, value the Portugueses, if once we come to be sensible of our own Strength? What can we Fear, or not Dare to attempt? The Portugueses value him who Robs most, and is guilty of the greatest Crimes and Enormities. The forcing away of our Product, their one lewd Pleasures, and our Wrongs, are Occasion for them to make War; ours are our Country, and the Defence of our Parents, our Wives, our Children, and our Liberty. It is necessary to expedite the Execution, because a Secret is not lasting among many, and in Affairs of this Nature, there is more Danger in Consulting, than even in Execution. We have been already too long in Confusion, without a Head. No Man contradicted; but neither Cachil Guarate, the Eldest of the Brothers, nor the Second, durst take upon them so difficult an Enterprize. Cachil Babre, the Third, undertok it, with the usual Ingagement, either to Conquer, or to Dye. They presently lifted him up, with general Applause, and his Election being made publick, the Kingdom easily submitted to him, through the desire of Revenge; tho’ according to the Custom of the Molucco Islands, as soon as the King has any Son born, they swear him his Successor, in his turn, and there was then no need of any other Oath, yet they again swore to Cochil Babu. This done, they went out to their Mosque, in Procession, to offer Sacrifice. A Boy went foremost with a naked Sword on his Shoulder, and with the other Hand Sacrifice. leading a Kid, which was to be the Victim, with the little Horns Gilt. The Alcoran forbids Sacrifising; but these Islanders receive the Rites of Mahometanism so confus’dly, that with them they also retain those of their ancient Idolatry, and intermix the Ceremonies. He that conducts the Sacrifize, is, according to their Custom, follow’d by part of the Kings Soldiers, with their Pikes advanc’d, and after them goes one holding up on high a small Gold Vessel, or Pan, with burning Coals in it, the Frankincense they throw in Smoking. Next to him was the new King, over whose Head they always carry an Umbrello, made of Feathers of several Colours, in shape of a large Semicircle. The King was encompass’d by those Soldiers, that are given him by his Subjects by way or Acknowledgement, like the Turkish Janizaries. In this Order they came to the Mosque, at whose Gates, whensoever they are to enter, they find Kettles and Pots full of Water, to wash their Hands and Feet before they go in. As soon as the King was upon the Threshold the Musick play’d, and they spread Milk-white Carpets, as is the Custome: Kneeling on them, they mutter out their vain Prayers, bowing their Heads down to the Ground. In the midst of the Mosque stands a Pulpit, cover’d with white Cloth. Instead of a Bell, there hangs up the holy great flat Drum, which they beat with Sticks; tho each Mosque has a great Bell, without a Clapper, which they strike with a Stone, or piece of Iron, when requisite. All that hear it, of what Condition soever, repair to the Temple, with Pikes, Shields, Cymitars, and Muskets. The profane Sacrifice being ended, they conducted the new King to the Harbour; he went into his Carcoa, with his Family, and the other Sangiacks, and The King’s Carcoa. great Men, into many others. The King’s is so contriv’d, that there is a Gang-way all round it, made of Canes. There are two Slaves to each Oar; others do the Service of the Vessel, and near every one lies a Number of Arrows. Instead of Oars they use a sort of great Paddles, like Spoons, with which they also lade out the Water the Vessel takes in. On the upper part they make Musick with their Tabors, and Sounding-Basons of Metal, according to which they Row faster or slower, as we Dance to our Musick. In the same Place there are seven Brass Guns; a considerable number of Pikes advanc’d, longer than ours, and a Bed adorn’d with Quilts interwoven with Gold, and by it hung the King’s Helmet, Breast, and Back Plates. He sat, or lay on that rich Bed, the Servants of his Bed-Chamber Fanning him with a large Wing, made of various colour’d Feathers of the Birds that fly about his Islands; thus he Coasted about, the Sea and Shore resounding with Guns, Shouts, and Barbarous Instruments.