Then he complains, That they have not sent him his Majesty’s Letter, More of the Letter. nor the Archbishop of Goa had not receiv’d his; and says, He had rather be at Plow in Old Castile, than a Witness to the ill Disposition of what is committed to his Charge: And proceeding, says thus, Your Lordship tells me, That as soon as I draw near the Moluccos, you will do me the favour to have in readiness for me 300 Soldiers, with Captain Gallinato, and another Captain, and two Galleys, four Brigantines, and all the Carcoas that shall be requisite. I know not what his Majesty appoints for me; but, for the Sins of these Dominions, Time has put Things into such a Posture, that I must be forc’d to repair to the Moluccos, as well to recover what is Lost, as to save what is Gain’d, which cannot be done, unless both Powers, from hence and thence, be United. Twelve Dutch Ships anchor’d this Year at the Bar of Goa: They took the Viceroy so unprovided, that they lay at Anchor a Month at the said Bar, without any Attempt made to remove them. They made great Havock amongst the Merchants Ships on the Coast of India, without any Opposition. They came from the other Sea, by the Back of Sumatra, to the Streight of Sunda. Seven of them arriv’d at Amboyna, the others being Baseness of a Portuguse Govenour. then parted from them. When they enter’d over the Bar, the Governour sent two Men, to ask, whether Don Emanuel was aboard. The Ships hearing of it, went and Anchor’d under the Fort. Then the Governor sent three or four other Men, who made the Agreement for the surrendering of the Fort. When it was sign’d the Dutch drew near: the Gates were open’d to them, and they admitted without standing one Musket Shot, or firing a Cannon. They took an Oath of Fidelity to Prince Maurice, and the Governor after committing the Treason, commanded a Black of his own to put him into Irons, saying, The People of the Town had done it. Since that he came hither, and skulks about the Mountains, and I am very earnest to take him, that I may make an Example of him. I have already secur’d some of the Marry’d Men that came hither, being fully convinc’d that the Governor and they are Enemies and Traytors. When the Dutch were possess’d of the Fort, they put more Cannon into it, with a Garrison of 140 Men, and Provisions for two Years. I have also received Intelligence, That they sent five Ships against Tydore, and I am very jealous of that Place, because of the Divisions there; wherefore I immediately sent away two Galiots, well Man’d, Arm’d, and Provided. God grant they find that Fort in the King’s Possession. Thus, if his Majesty well send hither the Galeons he writes of, and commands me to serve him in these Southern Parts, I must of necessity go over that way; for since Amboyna is in the Possession of the Dutch, we may conclude Tydore will soon follow. If they extend their Dominion, from that Port, which God avert, they will thence put an End to the Affairs of the Moluccos, and of China, and with the Assistance of the Ternates must of necessity Infest those Parts about Manila; and therefore we are all oblig’d, as Christians, and his Majesty’s Subjects, to Oppose such a mighty Misfortune. And since the Lot has fallen between your Lordship, and this Soldier of yours, we seem to be in some measure both of us under an Obligation to spare no Pains for the Recovering of those Parts of the Molucco Islands. For my part I will labour for the Success, tho’ I were to lose ten Lives, if I had so many. But because I shall not have an Opportunity to send your Lordship Intelligence, till a Year hence, I now intreat you to have what Soldiers you can in Readiness, and the greatest Number of Natives, that we may not fall short when the work is half done, and be forced, for want of them, to put our selves into the Hands, and expect the Assistance of Traytors. The same I beg, as to Provisions; for there are none where I am at present. But since Captain Gallinato has seen all, and knows what is Necessary in those Parts, whereof he has before now given your Lordship ample Information, it will be needless to repeat it in this, being your Lordship tells me in yours, you do me the Favour to appoint him for my Companion; and he is so able a Commander, that when your Lordship orders him to prepare for this Expedition, he will take with him all he thinks proper for it. Tho’ his Majesty should send several Galeons, and many Men, I shall not be able to do any thing with them in those Parts, because the main Thing there, is to have Vessels that Row, and Men that have Serv’d, whereof I am very destitute. From India none can come, tho’ the Viceroy were never so willing to furnish me. However, confiding in your Lordship’s Worth, and in what you have signify’d to me by Letter, I will undertake this Expedition, believing I shall find all Things in such Readiness, that they will set out from thence the Moment your Lordship receives Advice from me. I am told your Lordship expects a Gentleman in those Parts, who comes to Conquer Camboxa. If he happens to come, I must put your Lordship in Mind, that the best Conquest is that of the Moluccos, where his Majesty’s Forts will be restor’d, and there the said Gentleman may shew his Valour, and merit a considerable Reward from the King. Before the Dutch came to Amboyna, two English Ships passed by that Island, which sent a Letter to the Governor of the Fort, to acquaint him, that the Dutch were coming after them, with a Design to possess themselves of the said Fort, and therefore they advised him to behave himself well, because the Dutch they spoke of, were a poor faint-hearted People. That, if they had Occasion for Powder, Ball, and all other Necessaries, they were ready to supply him, because they were then at Peace with Spain, and the Constable of Castile was already sent into England, by his Majesty, to Ratify it: And the Post-Master-General was Embassador in Ordinary. This Intelligence leaves the Rebels no pretence to any Excuse. Furtado’s Letter goes on, to other Particulars, recommending Religious Men, and Commanders and he concludes with Abundance of Compliments, and Courteous Expressions.

Don Pedro having receiv’d these Letters, order’d and hasten’d all necessary Preparations, with the utmost Diligence, pressing the Business in Spain, and with the Viceroy at Mexico, and thought all Delays tedious; but the Approbation of his Advice, and the Supplies to put it in Execution, being to come from a Center so remote, and where there lay an Obligation of being no less attentive to all Parts of the Circumference, the Expedition could Brother Gaspar Gomez forwards the Expedition. not possibly be brought about sooner. Brother Gaspar Gomez, whose Intelligence in this Affair, was always very material, had presently Intimation of what had been resolv’d on, by Letters from Don Pedro; and he was so diligent in promoting it, that to advance this Cause, he cross’d the greatest Oceans as readily, as if they had been the Narrow-Seas, which part those Islands; having solicited the Viceroy at Mexico, and then the Counsellors, and Ministers of State in Spain. His Arguments and Motives were the same we have several Times mention’d in this Work. Dividing the Wealth of the South into three fixt Kinds, precious Stones, and Pearls, Metals, and Spice, and Drugs; all which were distributed among Enemies, English and Dutch. That the King had no Spice left, but only that of Tydore, which must be lost, unless speedily and powerfully supported, and the same Forces would recover Ternate, Banda, Amboyna, and what had been held in Celebes, Batochina, and the Places wrested by the Tyrants of Sumatra. All this the Jesuit made out by Demonstration, for he grounded not the least Information upon any thing less than Experience.

Succeeds in his Negociation. He was heard in the Council of the Indies, and the Council of State for the Crown of Portugal, and dispatch’d for the Philippines, by the way of New-Spain. By the other Way, the King order’d, that the Captain General Furtado, taking with him the necessary Fleet from Goa, should sail for the Moluccos, by special Commission, by Virtue whereof he afterward sent to ask Assistance at the Philippine Islands, as we have seen, and such Supplies were to be furnish’d on both Sides, as being united, might secure the Conquest of the Moluccos. However the Event must of Necessity be tedious, the Dutch being already possess’d of all the King’s Forts in the Archipelago; and their numerous Fleets of all the Ports, Fairs, and Trade, with Factories conveniently settled for their Intercourse between India and their own Country. We shall not enter upon the Account of those Affairs, because no more of them than have been already mention’d, as yet related to the Moluccos. Much Time, and many Precautions were requisite, for these two Commanders to joyn, amidst so many Obstacles: They sent frequent Advice backward and forward, and neither Part was idle in the mean while.

Furtado Sails from Goa. At length, notwithstanding all Difficulties, Furtado sail’d from Goa with six Galeons, eighteen Galiots, and one Galley, with the King’s Orders, and in his Name those of the Viceroy Arias de Saldania, to fight the Dutch, and any other Enemy, and to proceed to Sunda, to chastize that King, and the Rebels in Java. He was directed to place Garrisons there, and having Disabled by Storms. settled the Affairs of India, to proceed to the Moluccos. They went out with good Hearts to undertake that Work, but were hinder’d by Storms and Tempests. In the Gulph of Ceylon, he lost the Galley, and seventeen Galiots that were under the Conduct of Francis de Sousa, and Andrew Roiz, and in them the greatest Strength he had to compass his Designs. He was three whole Years without any Succours to proceed on his Enterprize. At Malaca he recruited the best he could; and in December, 1601, Steering his Course for Sunda, relying on the Succours he expected from the King of Palimbam, in Java, suppos’d to be our Friend and Confederate; but he was deceived, for that Infidel was so far from espousing our Party, that he had taken up with the King of Sunda, whom he intended, and afterwards actually did succour with 30000 Men. This did not dismay Furtado, but he sail’d on towards Sunda, referring the Punishment of the King of Palimbam Sails for Sunda. to another Time: There, on the Bar, he discover’d seven Dutch Ships, which he pursu’d, tho’ to little purpose, they being excellent Sailers. However the Galeon Commanded by Thomas de Sousa Aronches, fought five of them, killing many Dutch, without losing one Man; but her Rigging was torn, and she could not board the Enemy, who fled, drawing our Ships after them in such a manner, that Furtado could not possibly recover the Bar, tho’ he anchor’d in a Road, from whence he might have return’d to the Port.

This was a special Providence, for the Enemy did not seem dispos’d to stand, and they had already been upon both Bars; and therefore reflecting Arrives at Amboyna. on the Tears, and Groans of the Commanders, and Christians at Amboyna, he directed his Course towards those Islands, where he arriv’d on the 10th of February without being detain’d by some Victories he gain’d in his Way. The Natives and those in the Fort were alarm’d, believing they had been Enemies, but the Admiral giving a Signal, they knew the Christian Fleet. The Joy spread abroad, and the Shore was cover’d with People expressing it. Furtado first apply’d himself to repair the Fort, and refit the Ships. He also built four Ships, two Galiots, and twelve Carcoas. Then he set out, without losing Time, to make War on the Itos, and other Towns Subdues the Itos. that had rebell’d against the Fort, sending Joseph Pinto, with 200 Portugueses by Land. The Fleet sail’d round the Island, and lay a Month in the Bay call’d Bacacio. Texeyra, Commander in Chief of the Fort, went before, with a good Number of Carcoas, to reduce some rebellious Towns, especially those which are on the Mountains call’d Gunos, where there are excellent sweet Waters, and large Woods of Orange Trees. These Towns acknowledge their Fault, and came to make their Submission. Seven or The Gunos submit. Eight of the principal Men came from each Town. Every Town brought a Flag, and three large valuable Basons of bright Metal, and in them a little Earth, with Branches of Clove-Trees in Blossom, in Token that they deliver’d up the Land, with the most precious of its Product. Some brought Goats, and Hens, and such Fruit as their Country afforded to denote the same.

Furtado knew there was a private Alliance between the Rebels of Amboyna and the Dutch, and that ten Ships were to come to take that Fort, Ten Dutch Ships at Amboyna. and the other we had left us at Amboyna. They were so deeply engag’d in this Contract, that those at Sunda, seeing Furtado set sail towards those Parts, they did the same, and on the 10th of March, the ten Ships appear’d in Sight of the Islands, three of them coming on and treating with the Natives; yet for fear of us, they stood off to the Island Burro, and the other seven to Banda, to sail over to the Moluccos. All this was known to Furtado by good Intelligence, besides that he receiv’d from F. Lewis Fernandez, Rector of the Society of JESUS, who was newly come from Tydore, with Letters from that King, and the Christians residing there, bidding him welcome, and pressing that he would come to their Assistance; Three of them at Ternate. because three of the seven Ships that escap’d from him at Sunda, were together at Ternate. He was also inform’d, that those Ships, had found out a Way to relieve those Forts, passing between Borneo and Macossar, A new Passage to the Molucco. which is a shorter Cut by a Year; and that they were fortifying Ternate where they would not suffer the Dutch to leave them, but oblig’d them to stay and ingage in the War they expected. Furtado follow’d that in Amboyna, daily reducing some Towns that had revolted. The Inhabitants of Rosatelo, built on an Eminence, and well fortify’d discovering our Ships, People of Rosatelo burn their Town. and Carcoas, set fire to all their Goods, and then to their Houses, and fled to a high Mountain, where their Wives and Children were before. The Way up to it was by tying to the Trees certain Rotas, which are slender tough Canes, that may be knotted like Ropes, a slow and almost useless Hold, which render’d the Mountain never the less inaccessible. Yet our Men making their Way thro’ Clefts, attain’d the Top two days after. The Rebels perceiving they were lost, came to receive the Conquerors with Submit. white Flags, but the King, not daring to trust to that Security, fled to remoter Parts.

People of Ito fly to the mountain. The Infidels of Ito, puff’d up with the Dutch Supplies they expected, made no Doubt of routing the Christians, as soon as they landed; but perceiving they were disappointed of the Succour of the ten Ships, which sail’d by without staying, and that Rosatelo was reduc’d; yet they were not quite dejected, but committed their Safety to the Strength and Tops of the Mountains. They abandon’d their chief City, properly call’d Ito. and the Fort there erected by the Dutch, retiring with all their Families to the highest and most impregnable Part of the Country call’d Nao and Bemnao, being two Rocks, one above another, like the Round-Tops in a Ship one over the other; whence the Shore appears near at Hand tho’ Nao strong place, whither the Rebels fled. half a League distant, by Reason of the Windings of the Ways. Nao is all encompass’d with upright Rocks, with pleasant Planes below. There are three Ways to get up to it, but all of them so difficult, that the very Lizards can scarce climb it. On these three Passes they threw up double Trenches, with strong Ramparts, and a good Number of Brass Sakers, and Demy-Falconets to secure them. At each of them was a considerable Number of Men, with their Colours flying, and all Sorts of offensive and defensive Arms, wherewith the Dutch have furnish’d those Southern Seas. The greatest Danger threatned was from a great Number of mighty Stones, or Pieces of Rocks, which being roul’d down from such a Height can bear down and destroy an Army. All the Enemy’s Power was now reduc’d to this single Place, and the Town standing on the first of the Pleasant Country of Nao, and Bemnao. two Rocks, being built on a large round Spot it forms, like an European City with good large Houses, after their Manner. All the Country about beautify’d with Clove Trees, like our Olive Trees, but with greater Heads. Among which there ran up Branches of the Male and Female Trees, and underneath all Sorts of thorny Plants, Orange, Lemmon, Citron and Zamboa Trees, with six, or eight Springs, each of them gushing out curious Streams of Water. All the Mountain look’d like a delicious pleasure House and Garden. On the Top of it appear’d the Town of Bemnao, which signifyes, the Son of Nao, exceeding the other in Number of Houses, and Extent of Woods.

The General came to this Place on Palm-Sunday, order’d a Trench to be Furtado encamps at Bemnao. cast up, and Tents to be pitch’d, for a Defence against the Sun, and the Rain, which sometimes falls unexpected. He commanded an Enemy Amboynese, that had fallen into his Hands, attended by some Christians, to go enquire into the Designs of the People of Ito, and to guide the Way. When they were come within hearing, and had deliver’d their Message, Haughty Answer of the Itos. the Infidels answer’d, That they were the King of Ternate’s Subjects, and own’d none but him. That they would trade with the Dutch, and all other Nations they thought fit. That they would also sell Clove to the Spaniards; but that the King of Spain had a very long Neck. Having return’d this Answer, they began to fire the Cannon. Our Men were forc’d to put up the Affront, and pass by their Fury; but the General regarding neither, order’d a Captain, on Monday, to view the Situation of the Place; because his Soldiers had gone up disorderly to their Trenches, and been repuls’d with Shot, and throwing of Stones, which made them retire down the Mountain with many wounded. The next Night he sent 200 Men, to possess themselves of a Mount that overlook’d the Enemies Trenches. They did so, and as soon as the Day appear’d, our Musketiers pour’d in Portugueses gain Ground. their Volleys of Shot, firing at the same Time with two Drakes, they had carry’d up with a Design to cast up another Trench, and thus they put the Enemy to Rout. The Trench was thrown up, and the next Night they remov’d the Drakes to it, drawing nearer, to make the greater Slaughter. Gonzalo Vaz de Castello-Branco commanded at this Pass. The Men here that Night talk’d with the besieg’d, and assur’d them, they would take their Fort the next Night, as they actually did.

They attack the Enemies Fort. On Wednesday Morning the General order’d the Drums to beat to Arms, to go up himself to the Hill where his Men were, leaving Trajano Ruiz de Castello-Branco below, with 50 Men, to guard the Camp; but without any Design of attacking the Fort that Day; but only to order the Men, and assign them their Posts. Whilst he was concerting this Affair with his Officers, Gonzalo Vaz came to them with a dangerous Shot in one of the Calves of his Legs, and five other Wounds running Blood. The Soldiers were incens’d, at the Sight of him, and signify’d they would fall on. It was given out, where the General was, that the Victorious Enemy was falling upon our Drakes, and Posts; and he improving Necessity cry’d out, with a loud Voice, Santiago, that is, S. James, the Cry given by the Spaniards when they fall on. The Soldiers were so encourag’d by this Cry, that they immediately gave the Assault, with much Fury and Alacrity, climbing those smooth Rocks, upon their Hands and Feet: The Barbarians Drums and Bag-Pipes rattled in their Ears, and the Noise of their Cannon and small Shot eccho’d among all the Rocks. The Enemy threw Stones, which wounded, and knock’d down our Men, and many tumbled, without being able to help themselves: Some single Stones carry’d two or three Men down the Side of a Hill, till they stopp’d at some Tree. A Captain was stunn’d with a Pebble, tho’ he receiv’d it on a Steel Buckler; but he soon recover’d, and was seen upon the Enemies Works. The Cries and Shouts rent the Air. Many tumbling down forc’d out the sharp Pointed Stakes that were drove into the Ground; and presently after, as if they had flown, were seen Fighting above. Those who were left to guard the Camp, look’d on with Emulation. Among them a Religious Man of The Fort taken. the Order of S. Dominick, fell on his Knees to say the Litany, all the Men answering, and God heard him, for before it was ended, they saw our Colours display’d above, and the Enemies cast down, the Fort and Works being Demolish’d.

A brave Christian, who carry’d the foremost of our Colours, was laid hold of by an Amboynese, yet he, tho’ shot thro’ the Body with a Musket-Ball, whereof he soon after Dy’d, defended them bravely. However, notwithstanding his Resistance, and that his Captain came to his Succour, the Infidel carry’d off a Part of the Staff, which was recover’d when the Victory was Amboyneses abandon their highest Fort. gain’d. The Amboyneses, seeing their Works taken, and their Colours dragg’d about, withdrew to the upper-Part, leaving only three Men behind them, who dy’d Fighting, with honourable Obstinacy. They did not fortifie themselves in that Place, but abandoning their Town and Goods, and slipping down Precipices, and upright Heights with Ropes, made their Escapes; and though they burnt some of their Goods, yet many of value remain’d. The General gave Order for curing of the wounded Men, which were above 200, besides those run through by the sharp Stakes pitch’d all about the Field.