Since this Gentleman’s own Actions, and the great Opinion his very Enemies had conceiv’d of them, are sufficient Testimonies of his Valour, let us proceed to say something of his Quality. Don Pedro had the Surname of Bravo, as being Son to Don Lewis Bravo, who serving under the Don Pedro’s Father. Emperor Charles the fifth, on the Day the Prince of Orange dy’d, ask’d Leave to assault S. Desir, a strong Town in the Low Countries, on the Banks of the River Matrone. The History of that War informs us, that some Friends of his Father’s, hearing of it, endeavour’d to obstruct it, either by disswading the Son, or prevailing with the Emperor not to grant him Leave. His Father was Sancho Bravo de Lagunas, a Gentleman of Quality by Birth, and no less by his own Actions, at that Time Inspector General of the Emperor’s Forces by Sea and Land, and one of his Council of War. All Men honour’d, and lov’d him entirely. They consider’d he had no other Son but Don Lewis, and the manifest Danger he expos’d himself to; but he perceiving what his Fathers Friends were contriving, took upon him to lead the Van, before they could have Time to prevent his gaining the Honour he expected; and assaulted the Place with Success, tho’ not without some Imputation of Rashness. His Son Don Pedro did not degenerate, for the Brave are the Off-spring of the Brave, and the Eagle does not breed Doves.
The Name of Acunna he took from his Mother, according to the His Mother. Custom of the Kingdoms of Castile, where noble Families, to keep up the Honour of the Quality they acquire by Matrimony, use to revive the Names of their Progenitors even in the Grand-Children. Don Lewis Bravo, marry’d Donna Isabel de Acunna, Daughter to Don Pedro de Acunna, call’d in those Days el Cabezudo, signifying, either the Head-strong, or Great-Headed, great Grand-Son to the first Earl of Buendia, a Family of known Antiquity. Among his Sons, Don Sancho Bravo, the eldest, is now, when this History was writ, Adelantado, or Lord Lieutenant of Ternate, and Knight of the Order of Alcantara; Don Garcia, is Knight of Santiago; Don Lewis, of Calatrava; Don John, bred in the principal Colledge of Alcala, went thence to be Gentleman of the Bed-chamber to the most serene Arch-Duke Albertus, and is since Cannon of the Holy Church of Toledo, besides other Church Affairs he is always employ’d in. Our Don Pedro Knight of Malta. Don Pedro was Knight of Malta, and Commendary of Salamanca.
He departed Cartagena, leaving that Government disconsolate, and full of the Desire of his Continuance among them. He had a good Passage, Comes to Mexico. and being come to Mexico, and entertain’d by the Viceroy, Don Gaspar De Zunnigay Azevedo, Earl of Monterey, consulted with him about the Expedition and Recovery of the Molucco Islands, beginning with Ternate, the Head of them. They admitted to their Consultations some experienc’d Commanders in those Countries. The Result was, the Viceroy’s being well affected to the Expedition, and to the Governour, who was going to undertake it, which was of no small Consequence, towards rend’ring the Preparations made in New Spain effective. Don Pedro writ to the King, to his Confessor, to the Duke of Lerma, and to other Ministers of State, especially the supreme Councellors of the Indies, very largely, in Relation to this War, showing how difficult it was, and how great a Dishonour, to permit a Tyrant to reign so long, he being so near a Neighbour. He said, he could not secure any Ships, nor even the Provinces, against the Moluccos; and that, had he not been promis’d to be enabled to recover them, he would never have accepted of the Government of the Philippine Islands. He sent Brother Gaspar Gomez, a Jesuit, Arrives at the Islands Ladrones. with these Letters into Spain, And set out himself from Mexico, for Acapulco, the Sea-Port-Town of that Kingdom. Thence he proceeded, with four Ships of New Spain, to the Islands de los Ladrones, that is of Thieves, otherwise call’d de las Velas, or of Sails, from the great Multitude of Little Sails seen about them, belonging to Abundance of Boats that come out to meet the Ships.
He directed his Course to the Isles of Carpana, and that of Guan, that no Time might be lost without doing good to others. His Design was to bring off from among those barbarous People, such Men as had escap’d Rich Ships lost. of the Ship Margarita, cast away there the Year before, with above 1200000 Ducats; and as true Virtue never wants Matter to work on, he Twenty five Men sav’d. deliver’d twenty five Men of the many that suffer’d Shipwrack in that Place. Having perform’d this good Work, in twenty six Days he came to the Mouth of the Streight of the Philippines, and anchor’d at Cabite, three Don Pedro at Manila. Leagues from Manila; where he was receiv’d with incredible, and universal Joy. His first Care was to be inform’d of the Condition his Predecessor left the Government in. He view’d every Part, and cast off the Sangleys, or Chineses, as thinking they exceeded the large Number allowed of by the King’s Order. Some interpreted the Exclusion of those People, was only to condemn the extravagant Liberties they took; but Time soon show’d, that there were other great Advantages reap’d by it. In Don Pedro all Men believ’d the Security of the Philippine Islands was come; for the Governour’s Reputation was equal to the Necessities of his Province; which requir’d the Government of an experienc’d Commander, of great Name, and so vigilant as he was.
Don Francis Tello resign’d up the Power into his Hands, and staying Don Francis Tello dyes. there to give an Account of his Administration, dyed in April, the following Year. The new Governour was much concern’d to find the King’s Treasury empty, and himself under an Obligation of supporting the King’s and his own Credit. To this Consideration belong’d the Moluccos, the reducing whereof he had in Charge. However he took Courage, believing he might with Industry and Labour, make amends for the Want of Cash. He attended all the Works in Person, as he had been wont to do, both at Manila and in the Country about, building Galleys, and other Vessels, whereof there was then a great Want, to secure the Sea, at that Time infested Don Pedro visits his Government. by the Neighbouring Pirates and Enemies, especially those of Mindanao. Next he visited the Provinces of the Pintados, and supply’d the Wants he found in those Parts. In these Passages betwixt the Islands, besides the Storms, his little Vessel, which had only three Soldiers in it, escap’d, he fell into another notable Danger. Two and twenty English Vessels enrich’d with the Booty they had taken in the Islands belonging to that Government, attempted to inclose and take him, but the Tide failing them, they stuck on Ground, and could not get off. Don Pedro saw them Cruelty of English. throw over-board above 2000 Spaniards, and Natives they had made Prisoners, to lighten their Vessels. They also cast into the Sea a beautiful Spanish Maid, about 17 Years of Age. Afterwards the Fleet from Manila sail’d in quest of them, and chastis’d some, tho’ the Punishment was inferior to their Cruelty.
Don Pedro would fain have remov’d all Obstacles that lay in the Way to the Enterprize he had in Hand; but was oblig’d to put off for some Months that which he was most intent upon, and to dispatch the Affairs Japonese Embassador at Manila. of Xolo and Japan. Chiquiro, a Japonese Embassador, was newly arriv’d at Manila, with a Present of the Product and Manufactures of that Island, and orders to treat with the Governour, and settle Amity and Commerce, between the Subjects of the Emperor of Japan, whose Name was Dayfusama, and the Philippines and New-Spain. The Neighbourhood of those Provinces, the Power of the Japonese Kings, their natural Disposition, and other Considerations, which Experience had shown to be of great Moment, made against refusing of that Commerce; and yet there were Opinions to the contrary, for those very Reasons. However that barbarous Prince having once espous’d that Affair, it was not easy to find out an Expedient to settle it, without any Jealousy or Disgust. Dayfusama demanded, that the Spaniards should trade to Quanto, a Port in one of his Provinces, and that such Friendship might be establish’d, that the Japoneses might go over to New-Spain. That the Governour should send him Ship-wrights, and Workmen to build Ships in Japan, for performing of that His Proposals. Voyage, upon which Dayfusama was very intent, being perswaded to it by a Religious Man of ours, of the Order of St. Francis, whose Name was F. Jerome of JESUS, and for whom that Monarch had a great Esteem.
Objections to them. This was a Matter of great Weight, and on several Accounts most prejudicial to the Philippine Islands, whose greatest Security for so many Years, has consisted in the Japonese’s wanting of Ships and Pilots, and being ignorant in the Art of Navigation. Men of Experience observ’d, that whensoever the said haughty barbarous Prince has attempted to arm against Manila, he has still been obstructed by this Want. They said, that to send him Ship-Wrights, and Men to build him Ships after the Spanish Manner, would be no other than arming him against the Spaniards themselves; and that their Voyages would be destructive to the Philippines and New-Spain; for that the making the Japoneses capable of Trading far off, was not only inconvenient, but unsafe. The Governour Don Pedro de Acunna seriously weighing all these Reasons, order’d the Embassador Chiquiro to be magnificently entertain’d, made him some Presents for his King and for himself, and sent a Ship with another moderate Present, lest it should be interpreted to proceed from Fear, if it had been too considerable. This Ship sail’d with Dayfusama and his Embassador, both of them loaded with Commodities to barter. Don Pedro’s Letters contain’d many Compliments, and Thanks for the good Will he show’d towards establishing more solid Friendship; but that, tho’ he had ample Commission for all Things relating to the Government of the Philippine Islands, yet he could not satisfy that Part of his Embassy, which concern’d the furnishing of him with Sailors and Workmen to build Spanish Ships, without acquainting the Viceroy of New-Spain, nor could the Viceroy do it, without special Orders from the King of Spain. That he promis’d to write to them about it, for promoting the Accomplishment of his reasonable Demands; but that he must consider, it would be above three Years before they had an Answer, because of the great Length, and many Accidents of such Voyages. It was order’d that the aforesaid F. Jerome should himself deliver these Letters, to Dayfusama. The Fryar himself had a private Letter sent him with a Reproof for what he had done, and Instructions how to mend it; and that he should signify to the Japonese Monarch, how highly Instructions to F. Jerome. the Governour valu’d the Inclination he show’d to settle Peace and Commerce with the Spaniards, and his Kindness to them; and at the same Time perswade him to continue that good Correspondence, which the Governour would inviolably observe; but that he should endeavour to divert the King’s Thoughts from such Designs, and never go about to facilitate the Execution of them; because, tho’ perhaps the Emperor then reigning entertain’d no sinister Meaning, nor had any farther Thought than promoting a sincere Friendship, yet that might be very prejudicial in the Days of a more mischievous Successor; who might make an ill Use of his Skill in Navigation, and improve it against the Persons that taught it him. The Governour promis’d he would soon send another Ship with Commodities to barter; and he might put the King in Hopes it would carry over some Spanish Ship-Carpenters to build Ships after their Manner. That he should desire Dayfusama to wait with Patience, and consider how heinously he would be offended himself, if any of his Governours should presume to make any new Settlements in Trade without his Privity or Order.
Japonese Embassador cast away. Chiquiro return’d for Japan with this Answer; but when he was off the Head of the Island Formosa, such a dreadful Storm overtook him, that he was swallow’d up, and neither Men, Goods, nor Arms sav’d; and this happen’d in so remote a Place, that it was not known till many Days after. Dayfusama, at the Request of F. Jerome, had granted Leave for Preaching of the Gospel, throughout his Dominions, building of Churches, and such as would professing Christianity by publick Authority. Don Pedro the Governour Religious allow’d to Preach in Japan. took the necessary Measures, that so favourable an Indulgence might not be lost, and that not only barefoot Franciscans, but also Religious Men of other Orders should go over thither. They made use of the Japonese Captains and Ships, newly come to Manila with Meal. The Dominicans sent over to the Kingdom of Zazuma four Fryars, and F. Francis de Morales, Prior of Manila for their Superior, saying the King of that Province sent for them, being the only one, who had not yet submitted to Dayfusama. The Order of S. Augustin sent two Religious Men, and F. James de Guevara, Prior also of Manila for their Superior, and these went to the Kingdom of Firando. Those of the Order of S. Francis, sent F. Augustin Rodriguez, who had been Witness to the Martyrdom of his Companions in Japan, to Nangasaqui, for him to go thence with a Lay-Brother to Miaco, and bear F. Jerome of Jesus Company. Many perswaded Don Pedro, not to send away these Religious Men; but tho’ those Perswasions were well grounded, and some Difficulties occur’d against their Departure, he resolv’d to dismiss them. The Zeal of true Glory overcomes all Opposition. These Religious Men found no Signs of those Desires that had been signify’d to them in the Provinces they went to. Very few Japoneses were converted, and there was less Disposition to advance, because the Kings, and Tonos, which are Princes had no Affection for our Religion, nor were any Way disgusted with their Idols. They only aspir’d to settle Commerce, and to trade with the Spaniards, for their private Interest.
Another Ship to Japan. Don Pedro sent the Ship he had promis’d to Japan, well stor’d with Cannon, and call’d it S. James the Less. The Captain, Officers, and Sailors were all Men of Experience; and she was laden with Commodities to barter, Red-Wood, Deer’s-Skins, raw Silk, and several other Sorts. The Govenour order’d them to dispose of what they carry’d at the Port of Quanto, and to furnish the Religious Men they found there, and then return with the Produce and Dayfusama’s Leave. Thus Provision was made for all the Affairs of Japan, according to the present Exigences. The Ship-Wrack of the Embassador Chiquiro was known, and by the good Management of F. Jerome, Dayfusama was acquainted with the Answer he carry’d, and rested satisfy’d; so that the preaching of the Gospel went on in his Dominions.
Furtado’s Letter to Don Pedro concerning the Expedition. Don Pedro’s Thoughts were all bent upon Recovering of the Molucco Islands, and his other Business did not make him neglect that Enterprize. Andrew Furtado de Mendoza, Admiral of those Seas for the Crown of Portugal had writ him Word, that he had Orders from his Majesty to repair to Ternate; but that he did not expect the Viceroy would set him out, as was requisite for that Expedition. Don Pedro answer’d him, to his Content, with Assurance, that he should be supported. These Letters came to the Hands of the Portuguese Admiral at Malaca, when he was ready to set out. He presently answer’d both those of the 22d of September, and the 22d of December, signifying how acceptable they were to him. Because, says he, I love your Lordship entirely, tho’ I have never seen you, on Account of your being a brave Commander, and so zealous for his Majesty’s Service; not to mention other Reasons for which I am yours. I was much troubled for the Loss of the Ship, and the ill Fortune of the other, for the want you will find of the Return you expected by them: But it is to be suppos’d, that the Viceroy of New-Spain, seeing how long those Ships were missing, would impute it to some very considerable Causes, and therefore will Assist you Powerfully, for nothing less can be expected from such a Viceroy who, I am told, is a very worthy Gentleman. I am experimentally sensible of what your Lordship writes to me; for after being in those Parts five Years, without receiving any Succours from India, when I expected these Disorders should end, and considerable Supplies would be sent me, the Viceroy furnish’d me so poorly, as will appear to your Lordship by the List of what he sends, and thence you may infer, how his Majesty is serv’d in those Parts, that your Lordship may acquaint him with it, and we may joyntly so order it, that all this may not be overthrown in one Hour.