Heaven was now hastening the Reduction of the Molucco Islands, and the Neglect of the Moluccos in Spain. punishing the Persecution of the faithfull, tho the Tyrants appear’d never so haughty; however the Talk of it was discontinu’d for some Time; because the Enterprize was to be concerted, and carry’d on in the Philippine Islands, and to be resolv’d on, and encourag’d in the supreme Council of the Indies, and it was requisite that the President and Councellors should be well affected to the Cause, which had then no Body to support it, as being despair’d of by Reason of so many unfortunate Attempts: and therefore the Papers of Reflections, and Informations relating to it, lay by, forgotten, in Heaps. This was the Posture of those Affairs till Providence dispos’d the Means for bringing it about, that a Matter which was difficult on so many several Accounts, might fall into the Hands of a Sovereign, who being well affected, might with special Zeal bring it to Perfection.
No Body now disturb’d the King of Ternate. The English settled on his Lands, and Trade enrich’d the Sovereign and the Subjects. He, tho’ he had many Sons, and the Prince his Successor was of Age to bear Arms, did not cease equally to increase his Wives and Concubines. Lust was never circumscrib’d by any Laws among those People. The Relations of curious Persons inform us, That among the rest of this Kings Wives, there was Queen of Ternate in Love with the Kings Son. one very young, and singular for Beauty, with whom the Prince her Son-in-Law, whose Name was Gariolano fell in Love, and she rejected not his Courtship tho’ she was Wife to his Father: But that Nearness of Blood secur’d their Familiarity, and under the Shelter, and Cover of it, she admitted both Father and Son.
Sangiack of Sabubu Father to her. This Queen was Daughter to the Sangiack of Sabubu, a potent Prince in the great Island Batochina, who came to Ternate, upon some slight Occasion. He being lodged in the Palace, and entertain’d as a Father, and Father-in-Law, easily saw into the Incestuous Life of his Daughter. He resolv’d to be thoroughly convinc’d, yet concealing his Jealousy from both the Lovers, he was satisfy’d of the Truth, learnt who were the Parties privy to it, abhorr’d the Baseness, and condemn’d his own Blood. He pretended one day he would Dine in private, and sent only for his Daughter; who being free He Poisons her. from all Jealousy or Suspition, swallow’d a Poison, which soon took away her Life, in that Food which she us’d most to delight in. Endeavours were us’d to help the unhappy Queen, and compose the Father; but he angrily obstructing that last act of Compassion, put away the Physitians, and Women, and being left alone with the King, who, upon hearing the News, was come to give his Assistance, said, This Woman, whom Nature gave to me for a Daughter, and I to you for a Wife, has, with her Life, satisfy’d a Debt she had contracted by her inordinate Passions. Do not Lament her, or believe she dy’d of any Natural Distemper. I killd her, taking the Revenge off your Hands. The Prince, your Son, had a Love Intrigue with her? Being in your House I had full Proof of it, and not being able to endure, that my Blood should wrong you, I could lay aside all Fatherly Affection, and take away the Stain that on my Side is laid upon the Law of Nature, and your Honour. I have honourably finish’d the first Part of this Example. Now, if you think your self wrong’d by your Son, he is in your Power, and I have no Right to deliver him up to you, as I do this false Body. It lies upon you to finish this Work upon the Offender, for I have perform’d all that was my Duty in giving you this Information, and depriving my self of the Daughter I lov’d best.
The King was astonish’d, without knowing how to return Thanks, or perform any other Act becoming a King; and having lamented the Misfortune for some time, order’d Prince Gariolano to be secur’d; but he, who was no less belov’d by the Guards than his Father, Guessing at the Consequences, The Prince Flies. which might certainly be deduc’d from the Queens violent Death, sparing no Horse-flesh, made to the Sea-Port, where he withdrew, with some of his Relations, from his Fathers Presence and Anger, till it naturally cool’d. It happen’d as he expected, for he was appeased before a Year expir’d, and the Is Restor’d to Favour. Prince was restor’d to his Favour; the King then making a Jest of the Stains of his Honour, and saying, He well knew his ill Luck in Wives and Concubines. But what Laws does he observe, who is guided by his Appetite? And how can he weigh the Duties of Honour, who Thinks that only the common Actions of the Sense have any solid being?
The End of the Sixth Book.
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
Discovery and Conquest
OF THE
Molucco and Philippine Islands, &c.
BOOK VII.
The Governour Don Francis Tello, to attend other Neighbouring D. Francis Tello neglects the Moluccos. Provinces, where greater Commotions were threatned, turn’d his Arms that Way; sending some inconsiderable Part, at several Times to the Moluccos; for he never went seriously about recovering those Islands, either because he apprehended, or had Intelligence of Dangers threatned by the haughty Japoneses, Mindanaos, and Chineses, or that he would not tread in the Track of those who ruin’d themselves in the Expeditions against Ternate. Yet our Men fought that Nation in other Parts; for being the most Warlike, and averse to the very Name of Spaniards, it never let pass any Opportunity of doing them Harm.
We have already mention’d the first coming of the English into those Seas, and the Care that was taken to obliterate the Example set by their Voyage, by fortifying the Streights of Magellan. It could not be effected, nor did our Fleet succeed in punishing, as was intended, those who had the Boldness to attempt that unthought-of Passage. Since then, the Hollanders Dutch at the Moluccos. and Zealanders, supported by Rebellion and Disobedience, have sail’d into India, possess’d themselves of strong Holds, and erected Factories, transporting the Drugs, Precious Stones and Silks of Asia; and what is worse, possessing themselves of several Places, and rending the Spanish Monarchy. They have made several Voyages. What Island have they not pry’d into? What Barbarous Nation have they not encourag’d to Rebellion and Tyranny; especially since Maurice of Nassau is possess’d of those Provinces, by the Title of Governour.