Zamori signifies Cæsar. After this they bent their Thoughts upon greater Matters, to which End they sent an Embassy to the Zamori, which Name imports as much as Cæsar among us, and he is King of Calicut, a Friend and Confederate with the Dutch. Having agreed upon an Interview, they fell to Trade, and whilst the rest attended Commerce, and private Gain, the Admiral consulted about State Affairs, concerting to carry on the War against the Spaniards, and more particularly the Portugueses. They settled the Time, and the Forces they were to joyn for that Effect. Then they diverted themselves with Feasting Joins with the Dutch. and Treats. At one of which, by way of Farewel, Zamori gave Admiral Drage an Emeraud, thought to be the largest and beautifullest in the World. They went on, and took some Prizes on the Coast of Java, and among them a small Ship, in which were Don Manuel de Melo, Commander in Chief of the Moluccos, and his Wife, who was oblig’d to fight as well as her Husband, and yet they could not escape Captivity. The nearer they drew to Ternate, the more considerable Encounters they had, for in They take a Portuguese Frigat at Amboyna. Sight of Amboyna they fell in with a Frigat coming from the Moluccos to Anchor in that Island, which they took, and in her Captain Antony Machado, her Commander. They stay’d at Amboyna, hoping to recover what they had lost, either by Treachery, or Force. The Year 1605 had now commenced, and they began their Work on the 23rd of February.
Drage takes Amboyna. Eight Ships and six Tenders enter’d the Port, and the Fort was surrender’d to them without much Difficulty, or Opposition. They also possess’d themselves of the Portuguese Colony. Those People seeing the Dutch so strong in Men and Cannon, durst not, nor could they well oppose them. Forty Portugueses took an Oath of Fidelity to the Prince of Orange’s Bastard Son. They put the Commander in Chief into Irons, and deliver’d the Fort to the Dutch, alledging, for an Excuse, that they had not Ammunition to defend themselves. There was another greater Mischief, which was, that the Natives favour’d the Dutch, as their Deliverers from the Portuguese Yoke; and they are well belov’d there, and in all Places where they Trade, because Fits out 40 Carcoas. of late they have taken this Course, not to meddle with their Religion, nor so much as mention it, unless, where any will embrace Christianity on their own Accord. They neither wrong’d nor distur’d any Body; and to show they would always maintain them in that Security, within five Days, they fitted out 40 Carcoas, to defend the Natives against any Enemy.
Indians well affected to the Dutch. The Admiral pick’d out three of the Ships, and went himself with them to the Islands of Banda, to load Nutmeg, Mace, and Clove, there and at Amboyna. The Fame of this Success, and the Hatred conceived against the Spaniards, were so favourable to this Nation, that at this Time the People of Amboyna, Ito, Veranula, and other Places, had their Embassadors at Sunda, to expect this Fleet, which came from Home at their Request. Before they set out from Holland they had receiv’d Embassadors from the King of Achem in Sumatra, to the same End. For this Reason the Dutch give out, that they come to revenge the Wrongs, the Portugueses and Spaniards have done to the Natives, and to restore them to their Liberty. The Designs of these perfidious People were no longer a Secret; for the Admiral Drage refitted five of his Ships, and sent them to the Moluccos, to take the Fort and Kingdom of Tydore, the only one that continu’d in Subjection to Spain; and it was publickly reported, that the King of Ternate would forward the Enterprize with his Ships and Men. The Dutch Vice-Admiral sail’d with these Ships stopping by the Way to make his Advantage, take in the Refreshments in their Factories, and lade Pepper, and other Spice. Every Thing The Dutch prosperous. succeeded as they could with, tho’ they aspir’d to some Matters which requir’d a greater Power than they brought. They intended to pass by the Streight of Acapulco, and there to lie in wait for the Ships belonging to the Philippines going and coming, because they knew them to be Rich, and might take them. To this End they delay’d Time, till they could be joyn’d by the two Ships they expected from Sunda, laden with Pepper, from that plentiful, and secure Factory of theirs.
Aboard the eight Ships there was great Store of Bricks, Lime, and squared Stones, Wheele-Barrows, and other Tooles and Materials for Building; Materials for Building in the Dutch Ships. all which was to be carry’d from the aforesaid Streight, tho’ they had already began to build it at Amboyna, and landing a considerable Part of those Materials, they left there 130 Soldiers, to carry on the Works, and Garrison the Fort. At the Heels of this Fleet they expected another to lay Siege to Malaca; designing from thence to Govern India, as the Portugueses have Their Design against Malaca. done. In Order to this, they had before confederated with the Kings of Jor, Achem, and Sunda, with whose Assistance, and that of other Native Sangiacks, they were to overthrow the Power of Portugal; for they were resolv’d not to quit India, and since its Commodities enrich’d them, they would pay for the Expence of the War; besides, that they were already so wealthy, that even in Flanders the Soldiers deserted from the Arch-Duke Albertus, to serve them. Notwithstanding this extraordinary Affection, The English give the Spaniards Intelligence. wherewith the Dutch are entertain’d in all those Countries, before they came to Amboyna, two English Ships came to an Anchor near by, and acquainted the Natives, that a Dutch Squadron was coming to possess itself of the Island; but bid them not to fear, for it had none but poor scoundrel Men; and therefore they should defend themselves, offering them their Assistance, and acquainting them that the Crowns of Spain and England were then in Amity; and therefore the Subjects of them both ought to be so of Course. They slighting this favourable Opportunity, chose rather to become Their just Dealing after the Peace. Subjects to Prince Maurice, and undergo the Dutch Yoke. The English demanded Clove, and offer’d them their own Price for it, and were so just, that they never joyn’d with the Dutch. In short, Amboyna remain’d in the Enemies Hands. The People dispers’d, many of them went to Malaca, and among the rest, the Commander in chief, Don Emanuel de Melo, with some Portugueses. Others repair’d to the Island of Cebu, part of the Philippines and other Places, for they had all their Liberty. They all departed Amboyna about the middle of May, but without their Goods, or Spice; being positively forbid that Trade, the Dutch alledging it was all their own.
They give Intelligence of the Dutch at Tydore. One of those English Ships sailing along those Coasts, and escaping the Ridges of Rocks, got before-hand to the Port of Tydore. They call’d the Commander in Chief of the Fort, Peter Alvarez Abreu, and inform’d him, that they left the Dutch Squadron fortifying the strong Holds at Amboyna; and that when they had reduc’d all in those Seas, they would come to fall upon Tydore. The Commander in Chief return’d Thanks for that friendly Intelligence; and among other Civilities that pass’d between them, desir’d to know the Motive that induc’d them to show such Kindness. Then the English told him, That their Kings were Friends, and to convince him of it, and the Danger he was in, offer’d him as much Ammunition as he stood in need of. They gave him Six Barrels of Powder, 100 Cannon Balls, and a Number of Head-Pieces. This made the Tydores and Portugueses begin to fortify themselves, and was the Product of the late Peace.
Four Dutch Ships at Tydore. A Month after, four great Dutch Ships, and four Tenders, came to the Island, where two of the King’s Galleons lay at Anchor, with the Portuguese Ships laden with Goods and Provisions. The Dutch Admiral sent the King of Tydore Word, That if he would deliver him that Fort, and expell the Portugueses, he would be his Friend; and desiring he would not Their Message to the King. start any Difficulties, since he might easily do it, being a peaceable King in his own Dominions; besides that, they had Men and Strength enough aboard that Squadron, to force them to consent to what they now courteously demanded. The King of Tydore sent him a Cow, and answer’d, His Answer. That he neither could, nor ought to put the Portugueses out of their Forts, nor to admit of any other Nation in their Place, till they had either voluntarily, or by Force of Arms, abandon’d their Possession. That whilst they Bravery of the Portuguese Commander. two decided the Quarrel, he would look on as Neuter. The Portuguese Commander in Chief, understanding what Messages pass’d, interrupted them, sending to let the Dutch Men know. That it was in vain to talk of surrendring the Fort, whilst he was alive, and present. That he was to treat with him, and the marry’d Men that liv’d in it about that Affair.
Dutch take two Galleons. Being come to this Resolution, the next Morning the Dutch Ships remov’d, and went to board the Portugueses that were at Tydore, two Cannon Shot from the Fort. They fought above two Hours, and so constant was Fortune to one Side, that in so short a Time, the Portugueses that remain’d alive were fain to throw themselves into the Sea, and their Galleons Bold Answer of the Portugueses. were taken, one of which they immediately burnt. The next Day another Message was sent to Tydore, wherein the Dutch directed the King to propose the surrendring of the Fort to the Portugueses, and he would give them the Galleon he had spar’d, to carry them and their Effects, wheresoever they should think fit. The Portugueses taking Courage, Dutch and Ternates joyn and burn a Town. where others would be dismay’d, answer’d, That the Loss of the Galleons had not daunted them; for they would rather dye all of them, than deliver up the Fort. The Dutch durst not batter it alone, but resolv’d to joyn the King of Ternate, who was already set out with abundance of Carcoas to that Effect. They met him a League from the Fort, and spending little Time in Ceremonies return’d together, burning a Town of Tydore by the Way, came the next Morning before the Fort.
They landed 800 Dutch and Ternate Soldiers, and having made a Trench with Barrels fill’d with Earth, batter’d the Fort for three Days from that Work, with two Pieces of Cannon. At the same Time they play’d upon it from their Ships, firing above 1500 Shot. The third Day they Batter the Fort and are repuls’d. drew nearer; and the fourth in the Morning began to batter more furiously. They kill’d the Constable of the Castle, and in the midst of the Confusion, the King of Ternate and the Dutch, that were ashore, advanc’d, drawing the Cannon under the very Fort, having surpriz’d the Portugueses, and falling on them unexpectedly. They soon recovering themselves, attack’d the Dutch afresh, who turning their Backs, behav’d themselves so basely, that they ran into the Water; abandoning the Guns they had ashore. In the Height of this Success, many Dutch being slain, and only four Portugueses, on a sudden they spy’d all the Fort in a Flame, which roar’d from The Fort Burnt. the Ground to the Tops of the Houses, till a considerable Part was blown up, and almost all the rest consum’d, and lay’d flat. Six and twenty Portugueses were burnt, and it could never be discover’d or guess’d, how, or which Way the Powder was set a fire, to cause that mighty Destruction. The Portugueses, who just before were joyful for their Victory, having no Walls to shelter them, were forc’d to retire to the City of Tydore, and the Dutch and Ternates rallying, pursu’d them thither. The King receiv’d them in friendly Manner, and he himself went the same Day Tydore taken by the Dutch. aboard the Dutch Ship that lay at Anchor before it, and calling the Dutch Admiral, propos’d to him the Affair of the Fort, and that if those who defended it had ships allow’d them, they would go away to other Parts. He agreed to it, and though it cost the Portugueses all they had, they accepted of three small Tenders, a Galliot that had been the King’s, and a Dutch Tender to secure them against the Ternates. The Dutch settled Amity with the King of Tydore; that they should continue in his Dominions; and erect Factories, and Trade for Clove, as the Portugueses had done. Thus the Conquer’d having bought some Ships dispers’d themselves about those Islands. Many of them went to the Philippines, where Don Pedro, the Governour, examin’d them, in order to get Information concerning the Moluccos.
Antony de Silva, a Portuguese, was one of them that escap’d from the Dutch design to take the Ships of the Philippines. Fort of Ternate, and came to the Town of Arevalo in the Philippines; Besides being a Soldier, he was also a Naguatato, or Interpreter. This Man gave an Authentick Relation of that Affair, and added, That being brought Prisoner from Amboyna, the Dutch Admiral having a Sea-Chart before him, look’d for Mindoro, Manila, and for Cabite; and being ask’d by Silva, why he look’d for it, was inform’d, That his Design was, in Case he did not succeed at the Moluccos, to try to take some of the Ships that trade betwixt New Spain, and the Philippines. Silva reply’d, That Silva gives Intelligence of it. he had not the Time to meet either; because those that come to the Philippines arrive about the 10th of May, and the others set out on the 10th of June. However that was the Design of the Dutch Admiral, who intended to get Intelligence at Mindoro, thence to sail to Macao, send an Embassador into China, and revenge the Wrong Don Pablos de Portugal had done them in those Countries. Then to load Pepper at Patane; next at the Streight of Sincapura, to endeavour to take the Chinese Ships that resort to Malaca; and whatever happen’d, to hold on his Voyage to Holland that Way, loaden with Treasure. All this the Dutch Admiral communicated to Antony de Silva, as to one that was to go with him into Holland, because he was a Soldier, and able Interpreter in both Languages; and therefore Stephen Drage made much of him. This Intelligence was confirm’d All the Moluccos lost to Spain. by some others, who had fought and escap’d the Slaughter at Tydore. Don Pedro hearing so much, was concern’d, as a Man zealous for the Church, and for his King; and it griev’d him to consider, that the Crown of Spain had not a Foot of Land left it in the Moluccos; and that a Rebel was in quiet Possession of them all.
Prosperity having embolden’d, and strengthen’d the Dutch, Don Pedro Don Pedro’s Precautions. assembling his Council of War, order’d that the Captains Antony Freyle, Commander of the Squadron belonging to the Pintados, Peter Sevil, Stephen de Alcazar, and Bernardine Alfonso, should repair to the Forts of the Pintados, and other Islands that were in Danger, with their Companies. He refitted the Ships, and prepar’d his Cannon, as being so near a victorious Enemy, who so successfully put in Execution all their Threats. Antony Dutch Letters and Present to the King of Ternate. de Sylva show’d an Original Letter, written by another Dutch Admiral at the Island of Borneo, to the King of Ternate, and sent by Philip Bissegop, Captain of a Ship, with a Present of a Quantity of fine Holland; Six Bales of several Vessels with Musk; Twelve Bottles of Rose-Water; Six Pounds of Dutch Anfion, that is, Opium, which, as has been said, disturbs the Senses, and is us’d by those People to encourage them to fight; and six Barrels of Powder. He gave him an Account of Andrew Furtado’s unfortunate Voyage, the Obstacles, Storms, and Enemies he had met with, since his Departure from Ternate, till he came to Malaca. He gave him the Title of Most Serene Prince, and Potent King of the Moluccos, Bandas, Amboyna, and innumerable other Islands. He congratulated with him for the Event of his Arrival at the Moluccos; promising he would return to Ternate with a greater Power, he expected from Holland, and take Possession of the Forts, to extirpate the common Enemy, the King of Spain; and encourag’d him with these Hopes, to hold out till then. He assur’d him, that he should scour all those Seas from the Moluccos, and extend his Dominions as far as China, without being hinder’d by the Philippines or Japoneses. To this End, he desired him to renew his Friendship with Mindanao, and to acquaint the King of those Islands, that he was a Friend to the Dutch, so to give them Admittance to those Ports, Freedom of Trade, and amicable Entertainment, as was requisite for their Undertakings; this being a Thing most Expedient, above all other Politick Considerations. He added, he might observe, and be assur’d, that nothing was so little regarded in Spain, as to contrive that their many Provinces should preserve some Sort of Union. That therefore all those which are very remote, and subject to that Crown, ought to take much Notice of the great Delays there, in coming to a Resolution, and sending Succours from Spain; because before they believe, or examine the News brought them in order to believe them, Affairs have taken a new Turn, and consequently neither the Spanish Councils, nor their Arms come seasonably. That Experience had made most of these Things known to his Highness, and his Zeal for his Service oblig’d him to mention them. Antony de Silva, added, that he was very sure the King of Ternate had not omitted doing any Thing of what the Dutch Man recommended to him; and that he had already propos’d to his People to go abroad to fight, far from their own Islands. Tho’ it was never apprehended he would do so, yet at that Time it much troubled Don Pedro, because he was so spent with the Affair of the Sangleyes, the Want of whom he labour’d so to supply, that no such Mischief might happen again, it being so necessary to support the Trade of the Philippines another Way, and procure safety at Home in Order to make War, and keep up a Reputation.