Hereupon the Emperor gave him the Command of a Squadron, with which he sail’d from Sanlucar, on the 21st. of September, 1519. He stay’d Sets out on his Discovery. four days at the Canaries, where a Caravel overtook him, with private Intelligence, that his Captains went with a Design not to Obey him particularly John Cartagena, who had the same Commission as Magellan. He bravely seem’d to take no notice, and sailing away with a fair Wind, being pass’d Rio de Janeyro, in the Province of Santa Cruz, commonly call’d Brazil, the Sea growing very cold, and much more the River of Plate, which is in 35 Degrees of South Latitude, the Captains question’d him about the Voyage, since they could nor find the Cape, or Streight, they went in search of. He answer’d, as to Men that were entirely Subordinate to his Direction and Authority, That they must go on, for he knew what he was about, and the Coasts of Norway and Ireland were in a greater Latitude, and yet Ships sailed along them. These Contests lasted almost all the Voyage, and increas’d with the cold and dreadful Winds, and the hideous sight of the Mountains of Snow and Ice, grown old, which they met in the Latitude of 52 and 53 Degrees. They magnify’d these Difficulties, alledging, That it requir’d six, or seven Months to come from Castile, cross the Line, and run all along the Coast of Brazil, through such diversity of Climates, in each of which the Weather vary’d. That this was throwing away Men and Ships, which were more valuable than all the Cloves in the Molucco Islands.
The Astrologer, Ruy Faleyro, being Distracted, was left in the Mad-House He discovers the Streight of his Name. at Sevil; and in his Place went Andrew de San Martin, to whom Magellan gave Ear, as to what he said of the Weather; but not in other Cases, as some lay to his Charge, and with such Moderation and Integrity, as becomes Christian Piety. Nor is it to be believ’d, That Magellan should consult such a Deceitful a Science as Judiciary Astrology, upon such difficult Points, or should prefer it before Astronomy, amidst such dreadful Dangers. The Hardships became intollerable; and Discord so far prevail’d with the Captains, John de Cartagena, Gaspar Quesada, and Lewis de Mendoza, that they resolved either to Kill, or Secure Magellan. This Conspiracy coming to his Ears, as he lay at the Mouth of the River of St. Julian, having contriv’d what was to be done, as John de Barros writes, he caus’d Lewis de Mendoza to be Stab’d, which was done by Gonzalo de Espinosa. Next Gaspar de Quesada was Quarter’d Alive; and a Servant of his, who was concern’d, had his Pardon. Cartagena he condemned to a lingering Death, leaving him in that Desert Country, with a Clergy Man, guilty of the same Crime, which was High Treason against their King. So say the Portuguese Histories; but the Spanish inform us, That they were privately proceeded against, and the Judgment was Read to them. This done he made some Speeches to Justify the Fact, and Comfort his Companions. Cartagena, and the Clergy-Man, who were left with some Provisions, got away a few days after, in one of the Ships of the same Squadron, which return’d to Spain. Magellan overcoming incredible Difficulties, found the Streight, and Passage, which makes the Communication between the two Seas, and preserves his Name to this Day. He there took Giants above fifteen Spans high, who wanting raw Flesh, which they us’d to feed on, soon Dy’d; then he passed the Streight successfully. But tho’ he got under the Equinoctial, either by reason of the Currents, or the Faultiness of the Sea Charts, he Sail’d round about, and almost in sight of the Molucco Islands, yet could never come at them. He Touch’d at others, where he was oblig’d to Fight; and went on to those of Zebu, or the Manilas. At this same time his Friend Serrano was sailing for India, and tho’ it happen’d in several Places, yet they both Dy’d on the same Day, and much after the same Manner.
It would be superfluous to dilate upon the Story of Magellan, his tedious Navigation, and the many Difficulties he met with, before and after he pass’d through his Streight into the Pacifick, or South-Sea; his Arrival at the Island of Zebu, and perswading the Idolatrous King to embrace the Christian Faith, and the Battles he fought on his account, with his Enemies; for besides that these things are Related by very good Authors who Treat of the Discovery of the Molucco Islands, which was the main Object of his desperate Undertaking, we must be brief in repeating them, to show how eager several Princes, and Nations were for these Islands, and the Notion they had of what great Consequence they would be to them.
The King of Zebu was Baptiz’d, rather to make his Advantage of the Spanish Arms, than out of any Zeal, or that he knew the Faith he Embrac’d. He took the Name of Ferdinand in Baptism, to flatter his Godfather, who He is Murder’d with others. was Ferdinand Magalhaens, himself. After obtaining several Victories by his Assistance, thinking he could shake off the second Yoke he expected those Strangers might lay on him, he turn’d against them. He contriv’d an Entertainment, in Honour of Magellan and Thirty five Spaniards being at it, he fell upon them at a time appointed, with a Multitude of Barbarians, and confounding the Feast, murder’d his Guests, who handled their Arms to defend themselves, which only serv’d to render their Deaths more Honourable. The rest of the Spaniards, who escap’d because they were at Sea, for their better Government under that Misfortune, presently chose Barbosa, a Kinsman of Magalhaens, for their General, and Lewis Alfonso, a Portuguese to be Captain of the Ship, call’d the Victory. The perfidious King, thinking to conceal his Treachery and Apostacy, as if it were possible to keep it secret, sent to invite Barbosa, saying he would deliver him the Jewel he had promis’d for the King of Spain. John Serrano, thinking it a Rashness, to trust a Man again, whose Hands were still Bloody with the late Execution, disswaded Barbosa from accepting of the Invitation; but was not regarded. Barbosa went with the other Guests, and Serrano himself, who, to show it was not Fear that mov’d him to give such Advice, was the first that got into the Boat. They were conducted into a Wood of Palm-Trees, where the King expected them, with a small Retinue, the Tables being spread in the Shade, amidst the Musick of Bag-Pipes. When they were seated, and began to Eat, a great number of Archers that lay in Ambush, rush’d out, and shot our Men. They saved Serrano, whom they lov’d, not out of Kindness, for they show’d him bound to those that were at Sea, demanding for his Ransom, two Brass Guns, and then he told them, the Slaughter that had been made. Our Men, not trusting to them, any longer, set Sail, and did not only see the Indians carry Serrano back to their Town, but soon after heard mighty Shouts in it; and it was afterwards known that they gave them when they killed Serrano, and ran to throw down a great Cross, set up before the New-Church, which they could not perform. The Spaniards wanting Men, burnt the Ships, call’d the Conception, and chose John Caravallo for their General, and Gonzalo Gomez de Espinosa, Captain of the Ship the Victory. They came to Borneo, on the Coast whereof they found those Peoples Fleet of Carcoas, Painted, and the Prows of them like Serpents Heads gilt.
The Soldiers appear’d well Arm’d, who having spy’d our Ship, acquainted Soldiers of Borneo, and Reception of Spaniards. their King with it. He order’d 2000 of his Guard to go out, and receive them, before they reach’d the City. These Men came brandishing their Bows and poison’d Arrows, Trunks, Cymitars, and Sheilds, and wore Breast-plates made of Tortois Shells, and encompass’d an Arm’d Elephant, on whose Back there was a wooden Castle. When the Spaniards came up the Elephant stoop’d down, and six arm’d Men coming out of the Castle, put Gonzalo Gomez de Espinosa, who was then General, into it. Thus attended, he went to Visit the King, in whose Presence his Secretary spoke to him through a Trunk, and Espinosa gave him an Account of the King of Zebu’s Perfidiousness. All condol’d the Accident, and our Men taking Leave Sail’d away for the Molucco Islands, being reliev’d with what they wanted, and furnish’d with able Pilots.
Not far from Borneo, they met 150 Sail, whereof they took two Junks, Spaniards at Tydore. in which they found an Hundred Men, five Women, a Son of the King of Luzon, and an Infant two Months Old. This they thought would be a sufficient Ransom to recover their Companions; so they let go the Prince upon his Parole, he promising to restore them the Captive Spaniards. They had some Storms; but arriv’d at Tydore, on the 8th of November 1521. When Almanzor heard the salute of the Canon, he sent to enquire what People they were, and presently after he came to our Ships in a little Boat. His Shirt appear’d woven with Gold and Silk, a white Cloth which trail’d being girt over it. About his Head a fine Veil of several Colours, made like a Persian Miter: Being Aboard the Commodore, the Relations of that Voyage say, he stopp’d his Nose with his Fingers, either at the Smell of our Meat, or of the Ship. Mahometanism was newly come into his Island, and most of his Subjects, especially those Inhabiting the Mountains, ador’d Idols. He bid our Men wellcome, gave them good Words, and afterwards was as kind in his Actions; and being inform’d of their past Sufferings, gave them leave to load Cloves. They presented him with a Chair of Crimson Velvet, a Robe of Yellow Velvet, a great Loose Coat of false Cloth of Gold, a piece of Yellow Damask, four Yards of Scarlet Cloth; Handkercheifs, and Towles, wrought with Silk, and Gold; Drinking-Glasses, Glass Beads, Looking-Glasses, Knives, Scizers, and Combs. They gave his Son another parcel of Gifts, and a Cap, and did the like by his Cachiles and Sangiacks. When they ask’d the Kings leave in the Emperors Name to Trade, he granted it, adding they should kill any that offer’d to hinder them. He seriously view’d his Majesty’s Picture and Arms on the Standard, and desired to see our Coin. And pretending to be an Astrologer, or Soothsayer, or as others say, having Dreamt, or Guess’d it, or being told it by Chinese Priests, he said, He knew the Christians were to come to his Lands for Spice; and desired that they would not leave him. Ally with that King. They treated about an Alliance, and when they were agreed, two Tydores brought something in their Hands to the Ships, which they afterwards understood was the Alcoran, tho’ at first they did not, because cover’d with Silks, and Strings. Almanzor lay’d his Hands on it, and then on his Head, and Breast; and this was the Ceremony of his Swearing Friendship, and Fealty to the Crown of Castile, and that he would allow them Cloves, and all Commerce for ever. Then the General Espinosa, in the Emperor’s Name, before an Image of the blessed Virgin, swore to protect them both in Peace and War, and presented King Almanzor with Thirty Indians he had taken Prisoners. Soon after, as some Authors affirm, Corala, Prince of Ternate, Nephew to Almanzor, came to Tydore to swear Fealty in like manner, as did Luzuf, King of Gilolo, of whom it is Written, That he had Six Hundred Sons, and that Almanzor had Two Hundred Wives. These Kings Writ to the Emperor; ratifying their Fealty, and Sebastian del Cano sail’d away in the Ship, the Victory, by the way the Portugueses use, with the Letters and Instruments; the General Espinosa returning towards Panama, for Castilla del Oro on the Continent of America, to pass thence to Spain.
At this time the new Governor, Don Garcia Henriquez, was under Sail, to succeed Antony Brito, and being come to Banda, waited for the Monson to carry him to Ternate. Monson is the Name by which the Portuguese Monson, what it is. call the Wind, which blows six Months to carry them to India, and then six Months again to bring them back. There he furnished himself with all Necessaries for the Fort built by Brito. He had need so to do, for he received Advice, That Spanish Ships were sailing thro’ the Bays, and openest Parts of the Archipelago. He sent to discover them, by the Industry of his Soldiers, and being receiv’d at Ternate, view’d the Fort, and observ’d the posture of the Government. He proposed a Peace with Cachil Almanzor, King of Tydore. We shall have frequent Occasion to repeat these Words Cachil and Sangiack. Cachil is perhaps deriv’d from Katil, which in Arabick Cachil and Sangiack, their significations. is the same as among us, a Valiant Soldier. In the Molucco Islands they Honour their Nobility with this Title, which is something more than Don in Spain. The Title of Sangiack, which answers to that of Duke, or Earl, might come from Senchaq; which in the Turkish Language, imports a Commander: To conclude this Peace, he thought it convenient to secure the Royal Family; which he accordingly executed, and though he colour’d it with fair Pretexts, they plainly perceived this was an Introduction towards Oppressing them, and show’d a mistrust. We may safely affirm, This was the first Distaste which, as being a notorious Wrong, Portugueses, why hated. disturb’d that Nation, and from that time they grew Cold, and Jealous, thinking themselves oblig’d to seek Revenge; and this Action was the occasion of all the ensuing Slaughters, as we often see a great Fire rise from one small Spark.
Cachil Daroes endeavour’d to obstruct this Peace, as Tutor, and Governor, fearing the Trade of Cloves would be transferr’d to Tydore, to the Destruction of the Infant King’s Dominions. But notwithstanding this Opposition, the Peace was concluded, upon certain Conditions, as, That the King of Tydore should deliver a Ship he had taken, the Canon, and some More of their Outrages. runaway Portuguese. Almanzor, who stood in need of a Peace, and the Friendship of the Portuguese, to gain the Affection of Cachil Daroes, propos’d to Marry him to one of his Daughters. Don Garcia believing that this Union among them would produce that of their Forces, and less Submission to the Portuguese’s Dominion, to obstruct this dangerous Alliance, sent to the King of Tydore to borrow the Canon. That King excus’d himself, alledging, that he had lent it a few days before, to the King of Bachian. Cachil Daroes complying with him, agreed to all the Articles. Don Garcia being dissatisfy’d, waited an opportunity to break all that Contrivance, and be Reveng’d. Almanzor fell Sick, and desir’d Don Garcia to send him a Physician; who sent an Apothecary, and he either not understanding Physick, or, as was believ’d, by order of Don Garcia, kill’d the Patient. Manifest tokens of Poyson afterwards appear’d. The Funeral was order’d, and at the same time the Commander, Don Garcia, appear’d in the Morning, in a parcel of Carcoas, before Tydore. He sent Baldaya, the Clerk of the Fort, to demand the Canon, threatning War, in case of denial. The Regents excusing themselves at that time, with just Reasons, and particularly the Funeral Solemnity, when they were in the Height of the Ceremony of Burying their King, they heard the Shouts of Don Garcia’s Men giving the Assault. The Portuguese enter’d the City, firing the Houses, plundering and killing, which oblig’d the Tydores to abandon their King’s Body, and fly to the Mountains. During their Absence, Don Garcia seized the Canon, and carry’d it away to Ternate. Those who had fled return’d, with some Apprehension, and found the City ruin’d hideous, and almost reduc’d to Ashes; but recovering from their Fright; they proclaim’d Cachil Raxamira, the Son of Almanzor, King. They committed the Education of him to Cachil Rade, his Kinsman, the War being declared between Ternate and the New King of Tydore, who was seasonably supported by the Spaniards that came to his Country.
Spanish Ship first round the World. The Ship Victory returning into Spain, with the Letters from the King of the Molucco Islands, which the Emperor receiv’d, he was more fully convinc’d, that these Islands were within his Limits. Their Wealth, and his Right to them were so lively represented to him, that he order’d another Squadron of four Ships, two Galloons, and an Advice Boat to be made ready at Corunna, to be Commanded by the Commendary Fray Garcia de Loaysa, a Gentleman of Biscay, and under him, as Vice-Admiral, Sebastian del Cano, and the Captains Don Rodrigo de Acunna, James de Vera, &c. They Sail’d on the Eve of St. James the Apostle, 1525, touch’d at Gomera, and running along the Coast of Guinea, could not make Cape St. Augustine for want of Wind. By reason of this Calm, all agreeing to it, he alter’d his Course to the Cape of Good Hope. A Portuguese Ship guided them to
Another Squadron passes Magellans Streights. the Island of St. Matthew, which is Desert, and full of lofty Orange Trees, where they saw Hens, the Track of wild Boars, and some Portuguese Words carv’d on Trees, which shew’d they had pass’d that way. The Ships leaving them, they pass’d Cape St. Augustine, making for the Streights of Magellan. In this Course they endur’d Storms, and Err’d in their Accounts. Sebastian del Cano struck on a Shoal, and was reliev’d. The Galloons and Advice Boat made New Spain. The Admiral, by the Advice of Cano, pass’d the Equinoctial, upon information, That in 12 Degrees of South Latitude, he would find certain Islands that were rich in Gold and Silver. All the Men sickn’d, the Admiral, and Cano dy’d, with some others. The remains of the Squadron choosing Toribio de Salazar for their Commander, return’d under the Line; but he dy’d at the Islands de las Velas, now call’d Ladrones, or of Thieves. After some Strife, Martin Iniguez, and Ferdinand de Bustamante succeeded him, and agree’d to Command by turns. Thus divided they came in sight of Mindanao, and thence to the Molucco Islands, took in some Refreshment at Cope, a Town of the Island Moratay, whence they went on to Camafo, of Morotoja, whose Sangiack is Subject to the King of Tydore.