Lewdness of the King of Ternate and Cachil Amuxa. Thus was Ternate bandy’d in the Councils of Spain, whilst at home it abounded in Trade, yet stood upon its Guard, and particularly the King, whose Prosperity gave him Occasion to indulge his Inclinations, of Cruelty towards the Christians, and private Satisfaction to himself. He gave himself up to the Love of Celicaya, yet being divided among so many Women, it had not the usual Power over him, but allow’d of other Diversions. Cachil Amuxa, the bravest of his Commanders, and his Cousin German, was newly Marry’d to a Daughter of the King of Mindanao, a singular Beauty, not of the Asiatick Sort, but of the Spanish or Italian. The King, who was us’d to observe no Rules, courted her as a Gallant, and as a King, persisting, and presenting her; and was soon admitted by the Indian Lady. Her Husband, tho’ their Privacy for a while conceal’d his Wrong; at length, by the King’s contriving to keep him abroad, and the Interposition of Time, which reveals all Secrets, found out who it was defil’d his Bed. What could the unfortunate Man do? He durst not kill his Wife, for the Love he bore her, and for Fear of the King’s Displeasure. He resolv’d to be reveng’d, as if it had been in a Money Concern. In order to it, he dissembled the best he could, and whensoever he had an Opportunity to talk to Queen Celicaya, either feign’d, or profess’d Love, till he had inculcated it as he desir’d. He bore with the Disdain and Threats, which are the Weapons Nature bestow’d on that Sex; and Perseverance prevail’d, for Celicaya rewarded Cachil’s Love. This Intrigue continu’d Amuxa Cuckolds the King in Revenge. a considerable Time, till the King found it out, and both Rivals took Notice of it. Tho’ the King more deeply resented the Reprisal his Kinsman had made, to be reveng’d; yet they did not fall out on that Account, nor forbear conversing together. They preserv’d Peace and Friendship in their Houses; and the King stood so much in need of Cachil Amuxa, for his Wars, which in those Parts are no less frequent, than Peace, the special Blessing of Heaven, is among us, that he durst not declare against him, and what is more, not so much as displease Celicaya. She, as if the Abuse tolerated in Men had been allow’d to Women, justify’d herself by alledging the Wrong the King had done her in courting the other. However, The King’s Revenge. the King being once in the Field, under one of their Arbours, and Cachil Amuxa coming in, without his Campilan, or Cymiter, the Guards upon a Signal given them, handled their Arms, fell upon, and gave him many Wounds on his Head, Face, Arms and Body, none daring to defend him. He was sensible of the Occasion, and Revenge, and suddenly drawing a small Criz, or Dagger, he happen’d to have about him, did not only defend himself against many Cuts and Thrusts, but assaulted the Murderers, and with great Activity, wounded some, bore down others, and put the rest to Flight, killing four. Nor had his Fury stopp’d there, but that the King slipp’d away; tho’ now his Wounds had weaken’d Amuxa by Reason of the great Quantity of Blood that ran from them. He was left for dead; but an Uncle of his, hearing the Noise, came in to his Assistance, with his Followers; who all bound up his Wounds, and carry’d him to his House, where he was cur’d, by the King’s Permission. This was the Effect of his Fear, rather than good Nature, for all his Kindred took the Injury upon themselves, and began to meditate Revenge; which they would certainly have compass’d, and made fair Way for the Pretension of Spain, had not those who were apprehensive of another War soon reconcil’d those Animosities. The Cachil was cur’d, but with such Scars in his Face, and so many deep Gashes and Seams in his Head, that he was nothing like the Man he had been before. So say they who knew him, and have seen him in our Days at Manila and Ternate. He was restor’d to the King’s Favour, and both of them to that of their Wives, without Notice taken of the Accident, or as if it had been a Secret. So great is the Difference in the Humours of Nations.
The End of the Eighth Book.
THE
HISTORY
OF THE
Discovery and Conquest
OF THE
Molucco and Philippine Islands, &c.
BOOK IX.
Preparations in Spain against the Moluccos. The continual Application of the President and Council to expedite the Enterprize, seem’d to be a Presage of the late ill Success at the Molucco Islands. The true Account of it was brought in Don Pedro de Acunna’s Letters. The King and his Ministers were concern’d at it; but at the same Time, it was a Motive to hasten the Preparations, recover the lost Reputation, and put an End at once to that Strife. Some attributed the Miscarriage to Disagreement between Gallinato and Furtado; others suspected the Discord had been between the Spanish and Portuguese Nations. None urg’d that it might be for Want of Necessaries for carrying on the Work. These Debates ended, and the President espousing the Business with the Resolution that was requisite, represented the Matter in a lively Manner to the King, recounting what the General Furtado had done, the Succours sent by Don Pedro de Acunna under Gallinato, and how, tho’ the Officers and Soldiers The Presidents Remonstrance to the King. did their Duty, the Success fail’d. That it was look’d upon as most certain, That the Molucco Kings, who still continu’d under Subjection, had acted coldly. That this Failure in them was occasion’d by a Sort of State Policy, easy to be seen thro’; which was the Protracting of the War, and making use of our Arms for their private Advantage, without desiring it should be fully concluded. That if Means were not us’d for expelling the Dutch out of Ternate, they would become absolute Masters of the Archipelago of the Conception, and deprive his Majesty of all the Revenue of the Spice, as they had almost done in the most considerable Parts of India.
The King’s Answer. The King having consider’d it, approv’d of what was laid before him; and being sensible of its mighty Importance, judg’d the Number of Ships, Men and Arms demanded, too small; and therefore added more with his own Royal Hand, without fixing a certain Proportion; and order’d, that no Time should be lost, seeming very earnest to have his Decree put in Execution. In the same Manner he directed, thro’ the Intervention of the Duke of Lerma, that the Design in Hand should be carry’d on. Hereupon the Council pass’d the Necessary Orders, and the President sent Letters and Instructions to the Viceroy of New Spain, and the Governour of the Philippine Islands, that they might with the same Diligence fulfil the Commands they should receive as to this Point. The King in his Order sent to this Effect, declar’d his Will, and the Method he was pleas’d should be observ’d as follows.
Don Pedro de Acunna, my Governour, and Captain General of the Philippine The King’s Letter to Don Pedro de Acunna. Islands and President of my Royal Court in them. On the 20th of September of the last Year 1603, I writ to you by an Advice Boat, which carry’d Gaspar Gomez, of the Society of JESUS, to New Spain, acquainting you with the Resolution I had taken concerning what you writ to me from New Spain, when you went to serve me those Posts, relating to the Expedition of Ternate. Pursuant to it, I have order’d 500 Men to be rais’d in these Kingdoms, who shall be sent aboard the Fleet that is to go this Year to New Spain. I writ to the Viceroy, directing him to raise 500 more, that so you may have at least 800 sent you for this Enterprize. I have appointed four Captains to carry them from this Kingdom; one of whom is the Vice-Admiral John de Esquivel, to be Commander in Chief of the said Men; besides six in half Pay, who are skillful and experienc’d Soldiers, that in Case any of the said Captains dye by the Way, they may supply their Places; and that they may take Charge of the Companies to be rais’d in New Spain, as I write to the Viceroy. I have appointed the said Captains 40 Captains and their Pay. Ducats a Month Pay, and the Vice-Admiral John de Esquivel 60. Those in half Pay are to have 25 Ducats; and from that Time forward, the said John de Esquivel, in Case I order him to have the Title of Collonel, shall have 120 Ducats a Month; and whilst he serves under the Title of Commander in Chief of the said Men, to have 90 Ducats a Month; the Captain: 60, and those in half Pay 40. The Soldiers, as well those rais’d in Spain, Soldiers Pay. as those from New Spain, shall have Eight Ducats a Month; the Viceroy being order’d to send to those Islands as much Money as is requisite for a Years Pay, according to those Rates. And, if they shall be longer detain’d upon other Occasions of my Service, he shall also furnish what is Necessary, upon Advice from you. Concerning which I have thought fit to acquaint, charge and command you, that in Case this Pay of the Soldiers can be moderated, The Viceroy to furnish Money, Powder and Cannon. with Regard to what is usually paid there to Men of this Sort, you accordingly reform it, as may be justifiable, acquainting me, and the Viceroy of New Spain with it. However you shall make no Alteration in the Pay of the Vice-Admiral John de Esquivel, nor of the Captains, Ensigns, and those in half Pay. I have also directed the Viceroy to furnish you with whatsoever shall be requisite, as far as 120000 Ducats you have demanded for this Expedition, six Pieces of Battering Cannon, and 500 Quintals, or hundred Weight of Musket Powder. The Men from hence go arm’d with Muskets and Firelocks. You must be very careful that there be due Order, Rule and Method in the Distribution of the said Money, and every Thing besides. You shall endeavour to perform what is intended, as I expect you Don Pedro to go in Person. will, with the Men sent from hence and from New Spain, and those you may have rais’d in those Islands for the Expedition against Ternate. If it be possible you shall go in Person, as you have offer’d to do, leaving those Islands in the best Order that may be. And in case the Affairs there should be in such a Posture, that you cannot go in Person upon this Expedition, you shall appoint another of sufficient Experience, and well quallify’d, to take the whole Command, for I impower you so to do. And it is my Will, That in Case you should miscarry, either going upon the Expedition, or thro’ any other Accident, or the Person you shall appoint for it, that then the John de Esquivel to succeed Don Pedro. Vice-Admiral John de Esquivel succeed and prosecute it; and that all such as go upon the said Expedition, as well as Seamen and Landmen, obey him, as they would you, if there. And I declare that in this Case, and if you should miscarry, and the said John de Esquivel succeed in the Command of the Expedition, he shall be subject and subordinate to my Royal Sovereign Court of those Islands. I have made Choice of the Captains, who have the Command of the Foot rais’d in those Kingdoms, as Persons of Merit and Service; and therefore do command you to honour and favour them as far as may be allowable, and in so doing you will please me; and that you do not reform them, nor take away their Companies, to give them to others, unless it be to advance them to higher Posts. Nevertheless, if they shall be guilty of any Crimes, you may punish them, as their Superior Officer. It is to be suppos’d, That when these Men come to those Islands, and they shall set out in the first Ships that sail from New Spain, after the Arrival of the Flota, you will have all Things in such Forwardness, that the Enterprize may be Charge of Martial Discipline, &c. gone upon immediately. I charge you strictly to undertake it with all the Precaution, Maturity, and Consideration I can expect from so able a Soldier; and that the Men be well disciplin’d and exercis’d, and all Things so well dispos’d, that you may meet with the wish’d Success, which is of such Consequence, and you are sensible how much is hazarded, and of the great Expence that is made. You are to take Care, as I charge you, that the necessary Order be taken in the Distribution and Management of my Treasure; and that all superfluous Charges be avoided. You shall from Time to Time give me an Account of whatsoever happens, as Occasion shall offer. When you have recover’d the Fort of Ternate, you shall take the necessary Measures for the Security of the same, and of the Island. I have order’d the Viceroy of New Spain to send you Advice, as soon as the Men that go from hence arrive there, if there be conveniency so to do; and that he particularly inform you of what Force he has gather’d there, and will be effective any other Way; as also when they shall sail thence, that you may dispose Things there accordingly; and if you shall think fit that the Men be left any where, before they come to Manila, you may order it, or do as you shall think most Expedient in all Respects. Valladolid, June the 20th 1604.
After the Dispatching of this Order, or Letter, the Contents of it began to be executed in Spain. In the foregoing Year 1603, whilst Don Pedro Dreadful Fire at Manila. de Acunna was busy in making Preparations to this Effect, an Accident happen’d in the Philippine Islands, which threatned the Ruin of them, and greater Calamaties. A Fire broke out at Manila in April, which consum’d the best Part, and above half the City, without being able to save the Goods, which had been landed from the Ships newly arriv’d from New Spain, and laid up in the safest Part of the Houses, whereof 270 of Timber and Stone were burnt, as also the Monastery of S. Dominick, House and Church, the Royal Hospital of the Spaniards, and the Magazines, no Building that lay betwixt them escaping. Fourteen Spaniards were burnt, and among them, the licenciate Sanz, a Canon of the Cathedral, with some Indians and Blacks. The Loss was valu’d at a Million. It seem’d to be an Omen of what was to follow, which agreed with the Signs seen in the Sky.
In the foregoing March, a Chinese Ship came into the Bay of Manila, Three Chinese Mandarines at Manila. in which, as the Out-Guards gave the Account, there came three great Mandarines, with suitable Pomp and Retinue, about their Monarch’s Business. The Governour gave them leave to land, and come into the City. As soon as landed, they were carry’d directly to the King’s House, in Palankines of Ivory, and curious Sorts of Wood gilt, on the Shoulders of their Servants, who were clad in Red. There the Governour expected them, with the Members of the Royal Court, and a great Number of Officers and Soldiers, who also lin’d the Streets, and publick Places. When they came to the House, they were set down by their Servants, and leaving their Colours, Umbrelloes, Launces, and other Tokens of Grandeur, went into a spacious Room magnificently adorn’d. As soon as they saw the Governour, who expected them standing, the Mandarines, making their Obeysance, and performing Ceremonies of Civility after the Chinese Fashion, made up to him. Don Pedro return’d their Courtesy after the Manner of Spain. They, pursuant to their Commission, with the Interposition Their Extraordinary Message. of Interpreters, told him; “That their King had sent them with a Chinese, they brought along with them in Chains, that they might with their own Eyes see a Golden Island, call’d Cabit, near Manila, of which that Subject of his had given him an Account, telling him, it was not possess’d by any Body, and therefore ask’d of him a Number of Ships, to seize it, promising to bring them back loaden with Gold, and if he did not he should take his Head. That they were come to fulfill that Promise to their King, and to satisfy him of the Truth of the Existence of so strange an Island; which being an Affair of such Consequence, their King would not commit it to any Persons of less Note than themselves.” Don Pedro de Acunna answer’d them in a few Don Pedro’s Answer. Words. “That they were Welcome; that they might rest them in the House prepar’d for their Entertainment in the City, and they would afterwards discourse about that Affair more at Leisure. Thus they took their Leave, and at the Door got up again into their Palankines, on the Shoulders of their Slaves, who carry’d them to their Lodgings. There the Governour order’d them to be plentifully furnish’d with Provisions, and all Dainties as long as they staid.