At the same time that they seem’d to be wholly taken up with Sports and Diversions, in the Island Ires, they Vow’d an irreconciliable Enmity War Proclaim’d. to the Portuguese Nation, with the same Solemnity as they had sworn Allegiance to their King; and this Secret having been inviolably observ’d, when the new K. thought convenient he caused it to be Publish’d throughout all his Dominions, which consists of seventy two Islands in that Archipelago, betwixt those of Mindanao, on the North; Bima and Corca on the Dominions of Ternate. South; and the Continent of the Papuas, or Papous, otherwise call’d New Guinea on the East: The Inhabitants whereof pay him their Tribute in Gold, Amber, and Birds of Paradise; all which Provinces have been Usurped from other Kings, on whose Ruins his Pride is swollen so high, that he stiles himself in his own Language, Emperor of the Archipelago. In most of them there were at that Time some Christian Towns, Churches, and Preachers, and the Gospel was receiv’d in the eight principal Nations. Idolater and Mahometan Embassadours came from them all to acknowledge, and swear Fealty to Cachil Rabu. In this great Assembly the Desire of Revenge was made the Cause of Religion, and in it began the longest Persecution the true Faith has undergone in our Days. It will be therefore requisite, distinctly to describe the remote, and neighbouring Countries and Nations that carry’d it on; and the Strength, and standing Forces, Forces of the Kings of Ternate and Provinces. they have ready at all times upon any Occasion.

The sixteen greater Towns of Ternate furnish their K. with 3000 Arm’d Men; the Island of Montil, distant from it six Leagues South, 200; that of Machian, eight Leagues distant, 1500; that of Caioa four Leagues from Mechian, the same way, 300; those of Gazea, twelve Leagues from Caioa, 300; those of Xula, fifty Leagues from Ternate, 4000; those of Burro, seventy Leagues distant, 4000; those of Veramula eighty Leagues from Amboina, and are the same Number of Leagues in compass 50000; those of Buaro, and Manipa, lying betwixt those of Veranula and Burro, 3000; those of Na, Nolo, and New Guinea, which are many, and very populous, fifty Leagues East from Ternate, send no certain, but numerous Forces; that of Ires, where the King then was, 400; and pays Tribute in Amber, and Birds of Paradise. Those of Meaos and Tasure, on the North, 400. Those of Doe, distant thirty Leagues some way, 900. Those of Rao and Saquita, seventy Leagues North, 1000. The great Batochina, or Gilolo, four Leagues from Ternate, 10000. The large Island Matheo, contains several Kingdoms, thirty Leagues to the Westward, each of them subject to its own King, and all of them to him of Ternate; send him Arm’d Troops. Totole and Bool 6000 Men; Guayduda 7000; Gorontano and Iliboto, 10000; Tomine, 12000; Manado, 2000; Dondo, 700; Labague, 1000; Fulo, and Jaqua, 10000; Gape, Tobuquo, and Butu are all subject to him, and the number of their supplies is uncertain; but Sanguien and its King, 40 Leagues from Ternate, serve him with 3000 Men. This was not the standing Force, which without adding to it the uncertain number, nor the multitude of slaves, amounts to 120300 Men. This particular F. Martin sent to the Governor Gamez Parez, and the original was deliver’d to me. Since then, that Kings Power is increased, and because more Formidable, by reason of his Alliances with several Princes, entering Amity with some, and Oppressing others, and practising the Rules of Tyranny among them all, as Artfully as was formerly done by Greece, Rome, and Carthage. Of their Game, Fish, Rice, Sagu, and other Stores of Fruit and Spice, and the Royal Mines, we shall speak when the Subject in Hand requires it; and so of their Weapons, of which last it is to be observ’d once for all, that those they Dart, are all poison’d, and the Fire-Arms differ not from ours.

For managing of this great Design, the King privately sent about his Brothers, Pereyra prepares his Defense. and Sangiacks; but so great an Army could not be contracted from such distant Parts, without being heard of by the Christians, and particularly Nunno Pereyra. He suspecting that the Desire of Revenge still prevail’d in the injur’d Parties, and that the first Effects of it would fall upon his Fort, tho’ the Sultan’s Murderer was not then in it, strengthned it proportionably to the Siege he expected. Prudence supplies the Place of Prophesy. The Fort was not then erected, which is since to be seen in Ternate, on a high Ground of difficult Ascent, next the Sea, and the Back of it defended by a Lake, next the Mountain; being three Miles distant from the first Fort: It was afterwards built to defend themselves against great Fleets; not satisfy’d with that they had before on the Plain, The Portuguese Fort. next the Sea, made of dry Stones, without Mortar; which being since improv’d in all Respects, is now built with Lime, the Walls a Yard and half thick, and Fifteen in Height; Forty in Length next the Sea, with a round Tower at each Angle, like the ancient Spanish Fortresses. Nunno Pereyra endeavour’d with all possible Diligence, to shut up in it the greatest Number he could of all the Christian Families, and to be in a Readiness to stand the Siege, which soon ensu’d. He sent Advice to India and Portugal of the Intelligence he had receiv’d, demanding Succours, as in a certain Danger; but it could never have come in Time; for some Part of those Forces being assembled in the Island Ires, the Rest staying on Botochina, in that Part which is properly call’d Gilolo, and is remote from the Portugueses, they there began to persecute Christianity by publick Decree.

The Apprehension of these Mischiefs, had much perplex’d all the Governours of those Provinces, because it was daily confirm’d by visible Proofs of an open Insurrection. James Lopez de Marquita was already kept Prisoner in the Fort of Benastarim at Goa, those confin’d, and the Viceroy expected Orders from Spain to dispose of him, and the Forces; because it was fear’d the King of Ternate might make use of the great Supplies which could be sent him from China; especially if that were certain which was then discoursed in Spain. It was reported, Project of abandoning the Philippine Islands. That the Council of State, observing that the Philippine Islands were rather an Expence, than an Advantage to the Crown, being many, and hard to be maintain’d, had propos’d to King Philip, to quit them, and withdraw the Court of Justice, and the Garrisons that defend them. They added the Example of the Chineses, who abandon’d them, tho’ they are such near Neighbours, and can relieve them with as much Ease, as if they were joyning to their Continent. That as Spain governs them, the Loss they occasion is considerable, without any Hopes that it can ever be alter’d for the better; a vast Quantity of Silver being sent thither from New Spain, both for the usual Expences, and to buy Commodities; that so all that Treasure is convey’d by the Hands of the Chineses into the Heart of those Dominions, render’d intractable by the Severity of their Laws, by Reasons for it. which they are trench’d in, as it were with Fortification, against all Commerce with Strangers. They alledg’d that a Monarchy dispers’d, and divided by so many Seas, and different Climates, could scarce be united; nor could humane Wisdom, by settled Correspondence, tye together Provinces so remov’d from one another by Nature. That these Arguments are not the Ofspring of Wit, but of Experience, and Truths obvious to the Senses. That all such as might be urg’d against them, were only grounded upon Honour, and full of a generous Sound, but difficult in the Execution; and therefore the best Expedient, was for the King to strengthen himself in Europe, where his Forces can be ready to meet all Dangers, without being expos’d to the Hazards of the Sea, and the Dominions of others. Each of these Arguments was so fully represented by the Officers of the Revenue, that the Proposal was thought worthy to be debated and consider’d; and had God permitted the King to exclude the Philippine Islands his Monarchy, leaving them expos’d to the first that would take Possession, the Moluccos had so far been strengthen’d, as to become unconquerable.

The same Thing has been propos’d at other Times, and in the Days of King Philip the IIId. who sticking to his Father’s Answer, has always rejected that King Philip rejects it. mischievous Advice. That most prudent Monarch answer’d, That the Philippines should be maintain’d, in the same Manner they were, and the Court should be invested with more Authority, that Justice might prevail, for he laid the Stress of Government, on its being upright, and impartially administer’d. That in the same manner the Troops should be kept up there, and maintain’d out of the Revenues of New-Spain, or any other of his Kingdoms, since all the Treasures discover’d, or still hid in the Bowels of the Mines, ought to be apply’d to the Propagation His Reasons. of the Gospel. For what would the Enemies of Christ say, if they perceived that the Philippine Islands were left destitute of the true Light, and its Ministers to propagate it, because they did not produce rich Metals, and other Wealth, like the Rest of the fruitful Islands in Asia and America? That all the Power of Kings, ought to be subservient to this Sovereign End, as becomes Sons of the Church, and Promoters of the Apostolical preaching, which is continu’d by Succession. That since he had refused to mitigate the least Point of his Severity towards his Northern Subjects, or to grant them Liberty of Conscience; why should he remit any thing among Heathens, and Mahometans, which were the Harvest God had assign’d him, to enrich the Church with those Children, so remote? Thus the Project was put down, and this has always been the glorious Resolution, when mistaken Zeal, or worldly Interests have propos’d the quitting of those Dominions. This seems to have been a peculiar Providence of Heaven, which knew how soon they were all like to belong to the same Master, and that the Right and Conquests should be all United in his Person, the one being the Means to recover the other, as has been seen in our Days.

Product of Asia. King Philip was govern’d by this Religious Motive; but there were others urg’d by such as were acquainted with the Riches of Asia, which are chiefly Diamonds, Rubies, large and Seed Pearl, Amber-Greece, Musk, Civet, Camphir of Borneo and China, Vermillion, Coral, Quick-Silver, Copper, fine Muslins, and Calicoes of Cambaya and Bengala, Carpets, Coverlets, and fine Quilts. Persian Silks, Brocard, Ivory, Rheubarb, Cardamome, Cassia Fistula, Frankincense, Benjamin, Wax, China-Ware, Arguments against quitting the Philippines. Lake for dying, and Physick, Cloves, Mace, Gold, Silver, Medicinal Plants, Aloes, Eagle Wood, Calamba, Ebony, and very many more rare Trees, Drugs, Spices, and Ornaments. All this they said, Venice lost, when the Trade was remov’d to Portugal; and this same stir’d up the Sultan of Egypt, as well knowing therein consisted all substantial Wealth, to enter into a Confederacy with all the Kings of India; who were already alarm’d by the Portuguese Fleets; so that they at the common charge fitted out a Navy of Galleys, and other Vessels, in the Port of Suez furnish’d it with Cannon, and put aboard 3000 Mamelucks, besides a great Number of Venetian and Genoese Renegadoes. With this Power the Sultan enter’d India, in the Year 1508, and tho’ the King of Cambaya assisted him, he was vanquish’d by the Portugueses in the Port of Chaul. They urg’d, That at present these Riches are still more valuable, and that if the Trade of them were once brought into the Way of the Philippine Islands, it would save all the Dangers met with, by the way of Amboyna, Banda, Borneo, and the many Shoals about them, as also the many Storms those narrow Seas are subject to. For the Clove particularly was brought by the Portugueses, in their Trading Galeon, which goes from Goa to the Moluccos, to pay their Garrisons. In this Ship they every year carry’d away to Malaca and Goa, 24000 Quintals, or Hundred Weight of Cloves, little more or less. At those Ports it was dealt to Persians, Turks, Chineses, and Africans, so that scarce the third Part came to Europe. The King of Achem, in Sumatra, secur’d another Part, whence it was sent to Alexandria. All these Commodities, when they come to Malaca, pay eight per Cent. The Spice that comes into Spain is distributed into all the Kingdoms of Europe; and it might be easily contriv’d, say these People, to bring the greatest Part to Spain from the Philippine Islands; which would be one of the noblest Projects, that will be thought of for the improving of the Revenue, considering what a great Price Clove bears in Spain, and how cheap it is in the Molucco. This was the Opinion when those Islands belong’d to another Master, and it was no easie Matter to divert the Trade of Spice, and other Goods, from the usual India Voyage. Besides the Religious Men of the Orders of St. Augustin and St. Dominick, had already propagated the Faith in those and other Islands, whence that which flourish’d, and advanc’d in Ternate and Tydore was Fed.

Cachil Babu sail’d with his Brothers, and a great Number of Vessels from Ires for Ternate, with much Joy, and forebodings of Victory; greater Forces continually joyning him, through the earnest Desire they had all of delivering those Parts from the Portuguese Domination. As soon as ever they arriv’d at Ternate, they landed, and immediately invested the Fort, which they call’d the Seat of Servitude. Portuguese Fort besieg’d. They assaulted the Houses of the Portugueses, and that so suddenly, that though they had Notice before, and lived in Fear, they scarce stood upon their Defence. Rage and Success made a more than Barbarous Havock. They set Fire to the Houses with Fury, and popular Tumult; so that whatsoever was not within a Wall and Ditch, perish’d that Day. Those in the Fort attempted to succour their People; but greater Numbers of Ternates coming on, kill’d some of those, who had sally’d out, not only with Darts of solid Canes, which they cast most dexteriously, with Arrows, Cymiters and Shields, which they us’d when Idolaters; but with Muskets and other Fire Arms. The rest of the Portugueses routed, fled to their Fort; for those who had gain’d Reputation by so many brave Exploits, were that Day depriv’d of their Courage, by the Injustice of the Action they had been concern’d in. They sent again to Goa to desire Relief, and to represent the Desolation. Distress, not only of the Fort of Ternate, but of all the others the King of Portugal held in those Eastern Parts; for they had cast off Subjection to him in most of them. They forgot not to mention the persecution of the Religion, and the scarcity of Arms and Provisions, of both which the Ternates had deprived them. These News were flown into India and Spain by other Ways; and all the while the Siege lasted Goa sent Succours to the Moluccos, in their trading Galeons; but Tydore and Ternate mortal Enemies. the vast Distance, the many Shoals, and the violent Storms those Seas are subject to, occasion’d the Loss of those Ships, or put them by their intended Voyage.

The Commanders in those Eastern Ports, who follow’d the Example of those of Ternate were not Idle; for the Portuguese, tho’ the reducing of those Rebels succeeded not at that Time, did not miss of obtaining other Victories, which should we relate them here, would make this look more like a History of all India than of one small part of it; besides that the Portugueses Nation has not wanted Learned Authors, who have transmitted them to us, where they may be seen at large. The Spaniards have also done the like, in a much more loftier Stile than mine. We must therefore circumscribe our selves, and return to the Moluccos, where the Besieged, as it were forsaken, and abandon’d by all the Earth, endure the Hardships and Perils of Places so streightned.

Thus all their Hopes, under Heaven, depended on their own Valour, and the inviolable Friendship of the King of Tydore, so implacable an Enemy to him of Ternate, that neither the Neighbourhood of the Kingdoms, divided only by an Arm of the Sea, a League and half over, in the midst whereof is a small Desart Island, which almost joyns them, nor the ancient and reiterated Alliances, do in the least abate of their Hatred, which seems to be fatal, and consequently unavoidable betwixt those two Kings and Nations.

However, the Ternates being always intent upon War, and thinking no Practice Practices of Babu with Tydore. unlawful, that may secure their Success, they ply’d their Weapons on one Hand, and on the Other, carry’d on their Intrigues, for a Pacification with the King of Tydore; not so much out of any Desire of coming to a Conclusion with him, as to the End that being amaz’d with the Hopes of Peace, he might grow slack in Relieving and Assisting the Besieged. They offer’d to restore him some Places, taken from him during the late Wars; and to give him those and others, as a Portion with a Daughter to the King of Ternate; besides other Advantages, of which Accommodation the King of Bachian was the chief Manager. To these fair Offers, they added Threats; and both the Kings and their Nations agreeing in Religion, and it being easy to cover any Occasion of War under fair Pretences; it happen’d that the Tydores, at least while this Politick Game was playing, did not afford their Succours with the same Zeal as they had done at first; and that King, who till then had been a constant Friend, upon another Consideration, deferr’d Policy of the K. of Tydore. his coming to a Resolution. He waited, as well as the Besieged, the Arrival of the Portuguese Succours, and several of his Carcoas often touch’d at the Islands of Borneo, to enquire what Ships pass’d that Way from India. They examin’d every Vessel they met, and every slight Intelligence puff’d them up, or quite cast them down. In short, both Parties protracted the Time, with so little Regard to any other Principles, that all their Courage and Fidelity, depended on it alone.