Cachil Salama a Lover of Quisagra, his Bravery. Cachil Salama, a Subject and near Kinsman of his, well known for his Valour in the Wars, was more deep in Love with Quisayra than all the Rest, and listen’d to all the Reports of their endeavouring to comply with her Expectation. He entirely keeping his own Council, a Thing rare in Lovers, to be secret without Affectation, that no Notice might be taken of him, one Night fitted out a Baroto, so they call a Sort of small Boat, putting into it five Tydore Soldiers, he could confide in. Thus he cross’d over the Channel to the Leeward, and landed on Ternate; where he left the Boat ready, but hid on the Shore. Then Cachil Salama, conceal’d among the Croud of trading People in the City, went to the chief Part they call Limathas, and set Fire to a House in that Ward he thought stood most convenient for his Purpose. The Flame, which had taken hold of the Roof gathering Strength, threatned a greater Conflagration. Having done this Mischief, whilst the People flock’d together, and endeavour’d to put a Stop to it with Water, and other means, Cachil return’d to his Boat, on the Inside the Ridge of Rocks there is about the Island, and went away to the other Side of the Fort, where he began to beat an Alarm, to cause the greater Confusion. This done he went ashore again, with only his Campilan, or Cimiter, ordering three of his Men to follow him at some small Distance. He found the King’s Prison almost abandon’d, the Guards being gone to help at the House that was a Fire. He went in boldly, breaking open Doors, and Bolts, till he came to the Prisoners Chamber, He rescues the King of Tydore. who scarce believing what he saw, ask’d him, with much Amazement, how he came thither, and whether the Fort of Tydore was lost? Cachil answer’d, he must be quick, and go along with him, and should afterwards be satisfy’d as to his Questions; for if he refus’d he would strike off his Head. Then laying hold of the end of the Chain, and the other three Tydores being now come up to them, they forc’d their Passage out of the House, making way with their Swords and killing such as offer’d to oppose them. The same Valour and good Fortune carry’d them through the Streets, to the Port, and leaping into their little Boat, put all their Hands to the Oars. In those Islands it is usual for Kings to row, without being compell’d to it by Necessity; for as in Spain the Nobility learn to ride, so the Island Princes in all those Eastern Parts value themselves upon handling the Oars, and Sails. They cross’d over the Streight, and being pursu’d too late, by the light Vessels of Ternate, arriv’d unexpected at Tydore. The Fame of his arrival was soon spread abroad, and when certainly known, the Cannon was fir’d, the flat Drums in the Temples were beaten, and the Bells rung, the Sound whereof uses to draw the People of the Moluccos together, and in short there was a general Rejoycing, without quitting their Arms. All Men cry’d up Cachil Salama to the Skies, calling him the Deliverer of Tydore, and Neza Maluco, Neza signifies a Spear, and Maluco a Kingdom, and both together the Spear, that is, the Defence of the Kingdom.
Only Quisayra was troubled at this Event, because the general Promise Quisayra contrives to murder Cachil Salama. she had made of marrying, whosoever perform’d it, was only design’d for Ruy Diaz de Acunha. She was not able to conceal this Truth; especially when Cachil Salama boldly press’d the Performance of the Promise, the King himself seconding him. She delay’d him, alledging some specious Pretences to gain Time. She would willingly have made her Complaint to Ruy Diaz himself, either to shame, or provoke him to Passion. She easily compass’d to meet him at her Aunts, where, as soon as she began to Discourse, there was nothing but Tears, Complaints, Excuses, and Contrivances to murder Salama, to conclude a Reconciliation. Rocque Pinheyro the Commander’s Nephew, and a Soldier of reputed Valour, was present at this Discourse. Quisayra trusting him with her secret Thoughts, he Pinheyro undertakes to murder him and his own Unkle. boldly, and with Art, gave her to understand that his Unkle was as slack as before; and since he had been so in the other Affair, what could be expected from him in what he now promis’d. He said, if she could prevail upon her self to be sensible of the Ingratitude of Ruy Diaz, and to substitute him in his Place, he would not only murder Cachil, but his own Unkle too. That out of the Respect due to her high Qualities, he had not till then presum’d to let her know how deeply he was in Love with her Beauty; but that he now thought himself absolv’d from all human Tyes, and wholly confin’d by that. Pinheyro had a full hearing, an Advantage not far remote from being admitted; and tho’ he was not commanded to murder his Unkle, yet he perceiv’d he had not left him so well in the Princesses Esteem as he was before.
In the mean while, Cachil Salama was not idle, pressing the Business hastily, Salama convey’d into Quisayra’s Bed Chamber. and having got some Inkling, or suspecting the Cause of the Delay, like a true Lover who is seldom deceiv’d in this Sort of Jealousy, he found out the Truth. By the Contrivance of one of Quisayra’s Women, he durst presume to hide himself in her Bedchamber; and in the dead of the Night, he suddenly appear’d before her, his Fiercness being overcome by a Superior Power. The Princess was surpriz’d, but dissembled it, and prepar’d to defend herself in Case Violence were offer’d. She threatned to cry out; utter’d Complaints with Tears, and bewail’d the loss of her Reputation, saying, how could they think her Innocent, who saw him either come in, or go out. Salama all the while in humble Posture, and on his Knees, assur’d her he had no other Design, than to put her in Mind of the Obligation she lay under, and that since it was known he was to be her Husband, his being seen was of no Consequence. That her Reputation suffer’d more, by the delaying of the marriage; and that to convince her of his Affection, he would be gone as obediently as he had always done. He went He gains her Affection. out immediately, comforted with Thanks, and Hopes; and deliver’d her from the Fear she had conceiv’d of him. She was so taken with this Courteous Action, that resolving it in her Mind, it wrought so much, as to settle her Affection on Salama; so that she would have marry’d him, tho’ he had not oblig’d her before.
At this time Pinheyro, who was already engaged in her Love, either to obtain its Reward, or because his Unkle did not Favour him as he expected, Pinheyro murders his Unkle, and is kill’d by Salama. or for both Reasons, contriv’d his Death. As he was going one Day to the Palace, to acquaint Quisayra that the Murder was already committed, Cachil happened than to come from a Fort to see his Mistress. He seeing Pinheyro coming out of her Apartment, drew his Campilan, or Cymiter, and tho’ the Youth fought Manfully, and like a Lover, yet Cachil, who had the same Qualifications, and was Jealous over and above, at the first onset clove his Head, so furiously, that he dropt down dead of the Wound. Then proceeding as he had begun, he went in where Quisayra was, whom He marries Quisayra. he easily perswaded to be gon with him, and leaving the Palace full of Confusion, they Imbark’d in the Baroto, or small Boat that brought him. They Marry’d with the good liking of the King and Kingdome, and the Loss of those two Gentlemen’s Lives. And since among the Portuguese Nation, as much Account is made of Honour gain’d, or lost in Love Affairs, as was formerly of Victories obtain’d in Greece, at the Olympick Games, the Vindication of these Lovers shall be left to the Management of those who are well skil’d in that Matter, to whom we refer our selves.
The Portugueses were much griev’d at this Disaster, as being Publick, and the King was so incens’d, that one of them having accidentally kill’d A Portuguese hang’d. a Horse he had a great Value for, he caus’d him to be Hang’d, without hearkning to any thing that could be said for him. This gain’d Cachil Mole so generally the Affections of all Men, that tho’ Cachil Cota was Elder, and Son to the principal Queen, by them call’d Putriz, under colour that the latter was a Friend to the King of Ternate, and about to contract Affinity with him, the other gain’d the greater Party, which advanc’d him to Succeed in the Throne of Tydore, as we shall soon see.
The Portuguese Galeons arrived at Malaca, and in them Cachil Naique returning from Spain, and having stay’d there some Months for the Monsons, Nayque returns to Ternate. he had a good Voyage, and arrived safe at Ternate, when he had by the way sollicited the Javaneses, and the People of Achem and Borneo, not to admit of the Spanish Domination. He brought no acceptable Answer from King Philip, and found the King who had employ’d him Dead, and in his Place another, so different from the Former, that he entertain’d no Thoughts of restoring the Forts to the Portugueses, but on the contrary, aim’d at casting off all Obedience, and obliterating their Name. To this effect he Confederated with the English, who, with other Northern English at Ternate. Nations, Lorded it in the Island. Five Leagues from it lay at Anchor an English Ship, waiting for two others that came out with her. They Anchor’d in the Port, and went ashore, as if they had been in London, being well receiv’d by the Sultan, with whose Leave they settled a Factory in the City, where they left Officers, who under the name of Trade, were more absolute Masters of it than the Natives. They dispers’d to gather in the Clove for the Goods they brought to Barter; and on the 21st. of August dispatch’d their Ships, loaded with that Spice, and with those Nuts they call of Molucco, and excellent Preserves of them both. In these Ships went Embassadors to Queen Elizabeth, and to the Prince of Orange, carrying Presents suitable to those Persons, of the most valuable Things in India. They were order’d to offer the Queen his Kingdome in Vassalage, and his Friendship to the Prince of Orange. The Advantage of these Embassies afterwards appear’d; yet he did not on that Account give any hopes of Restoring Christianity; for besides that the Persecution grew more violent, he had at that time brought over into his Kingdome, a great number of Arabian and Persian false Prophets, all of them Mahomet’s Priests and Ministers, Mahometan Preachers at Ternate. to strengthen that Sect. Besides, being inform’d by his Spies, That it was given out in the Philippine Islands, That they would make War on him that way, and that in Spain the King promis’d the Union of the two Crowns should produce the Conjunction of their Power and Arms, for the punishing of disobedient Tyrants, he slighted no Alliance, nor contemn’d the Weakest Enemy. For this Reason, he gave Entertainment, and allow’d the planting of Colonies to Europeans, and Leagued with Idolaters and Mahometans, who hate Spain, as their common Enemy. The English Ships now frequented India, facilitating the Passage, and shewing an Example to the French and Dutch, which encourag’d them all to venture out far from their Countries, and seek for Treasure in strange ones.
Sultan Capabaguna did not long enjoy his Liberty at Tydore. He was King of Ternate dies. taken ill at an Entertainment. Some believe he had a slow Poison given him; because he was very moderate in Eating, and those motions of his Arms, the gnashing of his Teeth, and losing of his Senses, which attend the Falling-Sickness, and are Simptoms of Apoplexies, could not naturally proceed from his Temperate way of Living; but are always caused by much Excess, which Occasions this violent Distemper. He came to himself after that first Fit, but his Vigour wasted, and he linger’d on to the end of his Life. Cachil Cotta should have Succeeded him, but they were suspicious of his Correspondence with the Ternates; and they all so openly favour’d his Brother Cachil Mole, that there was not the least Difficulty made about the Succession. He often remember’d his Fathers unfortunate Death, and in Regard that this raging Desire of Revenge, might prove instrumental for the Recovery of Ternates; as soon as his Unkle Dy’d, which was on the 24th of April 1599, the Portuguese Commander in Chief, Ruy Gonzalez de Sequeyrao repair’d to his Palace, and by Means of the Portuguese Cachil Mole King of Tydore. Power and Arms, caused Cachil Mole to be sworn King, as being a most faithful Friend to his Nation, and no less an Enemy to the Ternates. He immediatly dispatch’d Captain Palma with this News to Manila, and with it an Account of the Molucco Islands, of their Neighbours, and of their Preparations; because they were then providing in the Philippine Islands for this War, to extirpate this Receptacle of Sects, where all sorts of Apostasies are admitted, and particularly the vile Doctrines of Mahomet. Ever since the Year 1555, when the Dutch enter’d those Seas, they have not, till this Time, ceas’d bringing in Sectaries, and Captains of Pyrates: These Men carry away the Wealth of Asia, and in Lieu of it leave behind them that false Doctrine, which renders the Conversion of so many Souls Fruitless.
The Forgetfulness, or Contempt the Governours of India show’d for Moluccos slighted at Goa. the Molucco Islands, seem’d fatal; since they refus’d, or with-held the usual Succours, abandoning the Commanders, and Forts, for so many Years, as if they had not been in the World. This was not remedy’d by the Union of the Crowns of Spain and Portugal; on the contrary, the great Success of the Adelantado, or Lord Lieutenant Legaspe, in the Islands Luzones, which he call’d Philippines, being known in Spain, King Philip the IId. thought fit as we shall soon see, that the Molucco Islands, and Parts adjacent, whither he was Zealous to send Evangelical Preachers, should be sensible of the Advantage of his Neighbouring Empire. This was Relief order’d from the Philippines, and why. speedily order’d, and tho’ the Effects were not sutable, by Reason of the many Accidents great Undertakings are liable to, yet Time has shown how convenient it was to fix that Resolution. For the better understanding of the Reasons on which it was grounded; since one of them proceeded from the various Disposition, Qualities, and Interests of the Nations throughout those Seas and Lands; it will be absolutely necessary in this Place to make them known, before we come to Particulars.
Description of China. The Country of the Sinæ, whom we call Chineses, is the uttermost of the Continent of Asia. On the East and South it is encompass’d by the Ocean, which the Ancients call’d Sericus. On the West, it reaches to the Borders of the farther India; and on the North to those of the Massagetes and Scythians. Their Ancient Annals, Writings and Traditions informs us, that the Chineses extended their Empire much further. This is verify’d by the Remains of sumptuous Structures; and not only in Ruins, wherein their former Magnificence is still apparent, but even in Cities, which Time has preserv’d, tho’ not inhabited, and yet to be seen in the Provinces they have excluded their Limits. There are many which take there Denomination, and own their Original from China. For that immense Empire finding it self labouring under its own Power, and overburden’d with its Magnitude, like a judicious Patient, to prevent more Harm, it breath’d the Veins, and brought down the Redundancy of the Body. The same we read the Carthagenians did, when in the like Condition, and for the same Reasons. It confin’d it self to a narrower Compass, proportionable to the Extent of humane Providence, that so their Prince’s Light might reach to shine over, and be communicated to them; which cannot be, when the Circumference is too great for the Darting of the Beams. They publish’d indispensable Decrees against such as go out Chineses contract their Empire. of China, without leave from the Magistrates. They abandon’d vast Provinces, which being left expos’d to Tyranny, and Infidelity, after tedious Wars, submitted to the most Potent. Hence the Kings of India took their Original, being oblig’d never to lay down their Arms, nor keep any Faith, so to support themselves one against another, till a greater Power subdues them.
15 Kingdoms in China. In China they reckon 15 maritime Kingdoms, or Provinces of an extraordinary Extent, with each its Metropolis, or Capital; the rest are up the Inland. The most part of it lies within temperate Climates, and receives into its pure and open Bosome the Sun’s vital Rays, having a healthful, and serene pleasant air. This favourable Disposition renders it so fruitful, Fertility, Air, Populousness. that it yearly yields two or three crops. The great Industry of the Tillers, is a considerable Addition to its Fertility. The Number of them is infinite, being a People that daily multiply exceedingly, because they are forbid going into foreign Countries. Neither is any among such a numerous Multitude of Men allow’d to live idle. Idleness is not only exposed Idleness punish’d. to private Contempt, and the Scoffs of Neighbours, but punish’d by publick Custome and Law. Thus the Peasants leave not the least Spot of Ground untill’d. The Hills and deep Bottoms produce Vines and Pine-Trees; the Plains, Rice, Barley, Wheat, and other common Grain. Tho’ they do not press the Grapes for the Wine, as we do, yet they keep them Product, Tea. to eat; and of the Herb call’d Chia, they make a wholesome hot Liquor. This they drink, as do the Japoneses, and it preserves them from Colds, Head-Aches, Rheums in the Eyes, and makes them live long and healthy. Some Parts of the Country want Olive-Trees, but they are not destitute of other Plants, which yield a Liquor to anoint them. There is a perpetual Abundance of Pasture, Fruits, Flowers, and all Products of Gardens. Rivers, Ports, &c. There are many Navigable Rivers, carrying Ships of great Burden, and full of excellent Fish; the Banks cover’d with perpetual Greens, spacious Harbours, and a Trade in them of all Things necessary for humane Life. The Fowl are of various colour’d Feathers, and pleasant and nourishing to eat; great Numbers of large Deer; vast Lakes, Woods and Mountains, and Mines of Gold, Silver, Iron, and other Metals; besides Pearls and precious Stones. Its Purcelane, or Earthen Ware, is not to be imitated in the World; and it affords rich Furs against the Cold, Silks, Wooll, Cotton, and Flax; nor is there any End of its Sugar, Honey, Amber, Vermilion, and Lake. Musk, whereof no mention is found among Greek and Latin Authors, is more plentiful in China than in other Parts.