King Tydore Bongue’s Successor, was his Son Cachil Boleyfe, no less A false Prophesie.Supersticious than the Father, but in another way. He pretending to the Spirit of Prophecy, gain’d such Reputation, by the Experience and Foresight of his Riper Years, that he came to be Honour’d by his Subjects as a Prophet; or by the least Credulous, as a Person of singular Prudence, so that all Men gave Ear to him, as to an Oracle. Puffed up with this Vanity, he pretended to Fore-tell future Events; which when no particular Persons, or set Times are appointed, is a safe way of Predicting, without Danger of being found False; either because in process of Time something Accidentally happens, that may be adapted to the Prophecy, or in regard, that is always expected which will never come to pass. For this Reason, as in most Countries there are some current Notions of future Expectations, conceiv’d upon trivial Occasions, rather than any Observation of the Stars; therefore Boleyfe us’d to tell those about him, That the time would come, when Iron Men should arrive at Ternate, from the remotest parts of the World, and settle in its Territory; by whose Power the Glory, and Dominion of the Molucco Islands should be far extended.
In the Reign of King John the first, of Portugal, his Son, Prince Henry, First Discoveries. having employ’d several Persons on Discoveries, John Gonzales, and Tristan Vaz found the Island of Madera, in the Year 1419, and others soon after those of the Azores, and Cabo Verde, and ran along the Coast of Guinea and Africk. Afterwards, in the Reigns of King Edward, and Alonso the V. those Discoveries were continu’d, till under King John the II. they proceeded as far as the Cape of Good Hope, and a Hundred Leagues beyond it, along the Coast, call’d Rio del Infante. The honour of this Discovery is due to that famous Seaman Bartholomew Diaz, if we may believe the Manuscript Memoirs of Duarte Resende, for the Historian Barros. This rais’d Emulation in the Spanish Nation, already engag’d in such Voyages, as having Discover’d the Western Islands, call’d Antilles, or Caribbee Islands. This Discovery occasion’d a Controversy about the Right to them, Portugal pretending to, and Spain defending its Possession. After much Contention, the Difference was adjusted by Ruy de Sousa, and Don John his Son, and Arias de Almada, Commission’d by Portugal, who in the Year 1404. agreed with the Spanish Embassador, That, since this inferior Globe, consisting of Earth and Water, answers to the Degrees into which the Celestial Sphere is divided, it should be equally parted between the two Kings, by a Meridian Line drawn through the North and South Poles, and compassing the Land and Sea, so as to cut them into two halves. It was appointed, That the Share to the Eastward should belong to the Crown of Portugal, and the other to the Westward, to that of Castile; and that it should be so mark’d down on the Sea Charts; the Line passing through a fixt Point on the Earth, which was to be the Boundary of both Nations. This was by mutual Consent settled 360 Leagues West from Cabo Verde, and so the Line, or Meridian, fell upon the Country we call Brazil, about the most Westerly part of the Mouth of the River Maranhao, which disembogues there to the Northward. This Line cuts through that Country, and to the Southward runs off beyond the River of Plate, from whence the Spaniards begin to reckon their Degrees of Longitude Westward, and the Portugueses Eastward, 180 belonging to each of them, for as much as the whole Circumference of the Earth contains three hundred and sixty Degrees.
Vasco de Gama discovers India.Vasco de Gama, employ’d by King Emanuel of Portugal, to Discover and Conquer India, prosecuted this Enterprize, look’d upon by Ptolomy, as impracticable; he travers’d the main Ocean, within the Portuguese Division, where he Discover’d, and since the Portuguese Commanders have Conquer’d so many Kingdoms, Nations, and Islands, so distinct in Customs, Manners, Laws, Languages, and Colours. They returning home admir’d what they had seen, and lay’d it down in Maps, but stretching out the Longitude, that is the Distance from West to East, beyond what it really was; thus Craftily providing for the Controversy which might arise upon this Occasion, as it soon happen’d, through the Falshood of the Sea Charts.
Champan
Iunck
Portugueses Pretentions to the Moluccos.By virtue of this practice, and by the Pope’s subsequent Authorizing of it, the Portugueses pretend that the Molucco Islands, and those of Banda, and Amboyna, are within their Bounds, as they were adjudg’d, and settled by experienc’d Sailers, calculating the Extent of that Meridian, and they even stretch it 15 Degrees further. Resende complains, That Magalhaens, whom the English call Magellan, magnify’d the Opinion conceiv’d of the Eastern Seas, when in the Year 1519 he went away Disgusted into Spain. Magellan grew up in the service of Queen Ellenor, then serv’d King Emanuel, and went over into India with that Alonso de Albuquerque, of whose Bravery, and Conduct, we have written Histories, besides what Fame, and Tradition have deliver’d. This Man, not satisfy’d with the first Conquests, sent Antony de Abreu, Francis Serrano, and Ferdinand de Magalhaens from Malaca, with three Ships, to Discover the Molucco Islands. All these three Commanders steer’d several Courses. We shall soon speak of Magellan again. Antony de Abreu arriv’d at Banda, and returning towards Malaca, richly Laden with Spice of that Country, Serrano was parted from him in a Storm, and Shipwrack’d on the Islands of Lucopino, signifying Islands of Tortoises, so call’d from the Plenty and Bigness of those Creatures.
There the Tempest left the Portugueses, only their Lives and Arms sav’d, Serrano cast on the Islands of Lucopine. for their Junck, which is a sort of light Vessel, was Stav’d. The Lucopine Islands were Horrid, by reason of their want of Water, and being Desert; for their Rocks lying under Water, and the many Sea Robbers that frequent them, and always keep Sentinels posted to discover any Sailing by, that they may fall upon, and plunder them. Had not Hunger and Thirst threatned the Portuguses with speedy Death, they had reason to expect it at the Hands of those Pyrats; but that which had been the Destruction of others, at this time prov’d their Safety. Those Miscreants had observ’d the Shipwreck, and Rowing up in a Vessel call’d a Caracoa, as it were to a certain Booty, drew near to those who had so narrowly escap’d perishing in the Sea; but the Malaca Pilots, and Mariners were not ignorant of their design. They acquainted their Captain with the Danger, desiring him to take such Measures as might be for his own, and their Safety. Serrano, like a Man of Valour and Discretion, having view’d the Shore, conceal’d his Men in a hidden Place. The Pyrates landed to pursue them; but as soon as ever they were at some distance from the Shore, the Strangers rush’d out, and possess’d themselves of the Caracoa. The Barbarians thus surpris’d, reflecting on their Mismanagement, and perceiving they were lost Men, gave over the thoughts of Robbing, and had recourse to Intreaties, throwing down their Bows and Arrows, and begging they would not leave His Escape. them in that Island, but rather take pity, and pardon what they had done; and promising, if he would carry them off, to conduct him to another place, where Strangers were well receiv’d, and there was Trade. Serrano granted their Request, and admitted them, and having repair’d the shatter’d Junck, and Embarking together, they directed their Course to the Island of Amboyna, where they were well receiv’d by the People of Rucutelo, who were ancient Enemies to those of Veranula, a Neighboring City of Batochina, with whom those of Rucutelo coming to a Battle, they obtain’d Arrives at Amboyna. the Victory, through the Assistance of the New-comers. The Fame of this Success flew over to the Molucco Islands, at the Time when Boleyse Reign’d in Ternate, and Almanzor in Tydore, who were both not long before Idolaters, and then Mahometans. These two were at Variance about the Limits of their Dominions, and understanding that the Portugueses were at Amboyna, each of them desiring to Strengthen himself against his Enemy, sent Embassadors, and Ships, to invite, and bring over to them those Forreign Soldiers; thinking it also convenient upon other accounts, to enter into Alliance with those People, whose great Actions were then so fresh in the Mouths of all Men. Boleyse was quicker than Almanzor, and sent ten Ships for Serrano, with a Thousand well Arm’d Soldiers for their Defence, the whole under the Command of his Kinsman Cachil Coliba. The Tydore Embassadors return’d from Rucutelo disappointed. It is but a short Cut between Amboyna, and Ternate, and therefore Boylese’s Ships soon return’d with the Portugueses. That King went out attended by his Subjects, to receive the new Guests; all of them concluding, That they went to see the fulfilling of their so long expected Prophecy. Serrano Landed in bright white Armour, and his Companions in the same manner. Settles at Ternate. When the King saw them, he embrac’d every Man, with a Countenance full of Pleasure and Admiration, shedding Tears, and lifting up his Hands to Heaven, bless’d God, and gave hearty Thanks, for that he had granted him to see that which had been Predicted so many Years before. These, said he, my Friends, are the Warriers you have so long wish’d for, on account of my Prophecy. Honour them, and let us all vie in Entertaining them; since the Grandeur of our Country depends on their Arms. The Portugueses, well pleas’d to be thought worthy of a Prophecy, the Beleif whereof was a Politick Invention, conducing to their Reputation, made no less Courteous Returns, expressing their singular Affection. They settle Amity, and Trade in the Moluccos; whence they spread it to the adjacent, and remoter Islands, which it will be now requisite breifly to Describe, for the better Understanding of this History.
Archipelago describ’d. The Eastern Archipelago, not to speak of the Division of those Oriental Parts into Northern, and Southern, Contains so many Islands, that the certain Number of them is not yet known. Hence Modern Authors distribute it into five Divisions, being so many Archipelagos, under the names of Molucco, Moro, Papuas, Celebes, and Amboyna. The Name of the First, in their Language, is Moloc, signifying, the Head, because it is the Chief of all about it. Others will have to be Malucco, which, in Arabick, imports, the Kingdom, as the Principal of them. It Contains five most Remarkable Islands, all of them under the same Meridian, one in sight of another, their whole Extent being 25 Leagues; the Equinoctial crossing them, so that the most Northern of them has but half a Degree of Latitude that way, and the most Southern, one Degree on the other side. Near to them, on the East, is the Island Gilolo, by the Portugueses call’d Batochina de Moro, and by the Moluccos, Alemaera. Among all the others lying about them, call’d also Moluccos, as we say the Canaries, the Terceras, or the Oreades, these are the most Remarkable, for their great Plenty of Spice. The Names of them, beginning with the Northermost, are, Ternate, Tydore, Motiel, Machian, and Bachian; by the ancient Heathens call’d, Cape, Duco, Moutil, Mara, and Seque. This last, which is Bachian, is divided into many Islands, seperated from one another by little Channels, Navigable only in small Vessels; for which reason, as also because it is under one Soveraign, it has but one Name, and all the Molucco Islands are Subject to three Kings. They are divided by small Arms of the Sea, and some Desert little Islands, as also by their Antient Enmity. The Coast both near the Shore, and farther off at Sea, full of Dangerous Shoals; among which there are some Inlets, where the Ships Ride in Safety. The Soil of them all is generally Dry and Spungy, sucking up all the Water, tho’ it Rains never so much, and in many Places the Brooks that run down from the Mountains do not reach the Sea. According to that grave Historian John de Barros, these Islands afford an ill Prospect, and are no way pleasant to behold; because the Sun being always so near them, sometimes passing over towards the Northern, and some times towards the Southern Solstice, the natural Damp of the Earth fills them so full of Trees, and Plants, that it thickens the Air, and hinders the Sight; for by reason of the Earthly Vapours, the Trees are never naked of Leaves; but before one falls another has sprung out; and the same is among Herbs. Others affirm, they are Pleasant to look to, but not Healthy, especially for Strangers, who are all subject to the Disease call’d Berber, which is common in that Country. This Malady swells the Body, and disables the Limbs, but is cur’d with Cloves, the Wine of the Philippine Islands, drank with Ginger, and the use of a certain Herb, known to the Natives; and the Dutch do it with the juyce of Lemmons, a Remedy found by their own Apprehension, and Experience.
Providence has stor’d these Spice-Islands with Bananas, Coco-Nuts, Product of the Moluccos. Oranges, Lemmons, Lignum-Aloes, Sanders, Cinamon, Mace, Mastick-Trees, but above all, with abundance of Cloves, and other Plants; all of them valuable for their Fruit, or delightful for their Ornaments. They have neither Wheat nor Rice; but Nature gave them Industry, and Matter to supply this Defect. They beat a sort of Tree, like the Wild-Palm, with Mallets made of strong Canes; and those dry Trunks, so batter’d, yield an extraordinary white Flower, coming from the bruized Pith; which they mould up in square Pipkins, and this is the Sagu, or Landan, so made into square Loaves, Sagu. like the Castile Sope. This Plant is about Fifteen Foot high, and from the Top of it sprout out some Branches, like those which produce the Tamarinds. These bear a Fruit like the Cypress-Nuts, in which there are certain fine Hairs, which if they touch a Man’s Flesh, burn it. From the tender Branches of the same Plant cut, flows the Liquor which serves them for Drink, putting the Ends of the said Branches so cut into narrow Mouth’d Vessels, which are fill’d in a Night, and the Liquor so gather’d, is like Milk Whipped, and Frothy, which they call Tuac. When Drank new, it is Sweet and very Fat’ning; boil’d like new Wine it tastes like Wine, and after grows sharp as Vinegar. The same Advantage they reap from two other Plants call’d Nipo, and Coco; the last of them yields also Oyl, Boards, and Timber to build Houses. They also Drink another pleasant Liquor, which Nature has shut up in the Hollow of the Canes they call Bambooes, so large that the Knots are a Yard a sunder. They abound in Flesh; but the People are more affected to Fish; notwithstanding Hugo, the Dutchman, says they want both. Providence afforded them no Mines, either of Gold, or Silver; whether it was a Punishment, or Mercy we do not decide. Neither have they found any, of other less precious Metals; but not far from them is Lambuco, an Island abounding in Iron and Steel; whence, and from the Mines of Sula and Butva, the people of the Maluccos bring them, to make their Caampilanes, which are sharp heavy Cymiters, and their Crises, being small Daggers. The Portugueses and Dutch have now furnish’d those Islands with small Fire-Arms, and Cannon of all sorts known among us.
Ternate is the Capital City, and Court of that King, near to which a A burning Mountain in Ternate. dreadful burning Mountain Flames out, about the Equinoxes, because at those Times the Winds blow; which kindle that natural Fire, on the Matter that has fed it so many Ages. The Top of the Mountain, which exhales it, is cold, and not cover’d with Ashes, but with asort of light cloddy Earth, little different from the Pomice-Stone burnt in our Fiery Mountains. Descending thence to the Foot of the Hill, which stretches out like a Piramid, down to the Plain; it is all uncooth, being thick with Trees, whose Verdure is spar’d by the Flames, and the very Fire, Waters and Moistens them with Brooks, which it draws together in the Hollow of the Mountain, and forces it to Sweat, and pour out.