War betwixt Spaniards and Portugueses. They proceeded through the Gulph of Camafo, where they were Inform’d by the Ship of Don George de Meneses, who had been forc’d thither by the Currents, that the Portugueses held the Fort of Ternate, and Don Garcia made War on Tydore. Iniguez, and Bustamante offer’d them the Assistance of Spain, by which, coming so opportunely, they gain’d the Affections of them all, and furnished themselves with Necessaries. Don Garcia being already provided against the new Enemy, gather’d some Carcoas, and tho’ he could not perswade Daroes, the Tutor, to go along with him, oppos’d the Spaniards. First the Portuguese sent an Admonition, wherein he offer’d them Peace, and Entertainment, as Subjects to the Emperor, who was so near Ally’d to the King of Portugal; protesting, That the Molucco Islands were within his Limits. This avail’d nothing, and Daroes Embarking in 12 Carcoas, with Emanuel Falcao, sent that Protestation in Writing, and in case it was Rejected, to declare War. The Spanish Commander receiv’d the Lawyer that was to make the Protestation, with much Civility Portuguese and Spanish War. and Respect, and answer’d, That the Molucco Islands belong’d to the Crown of Castile, and therefore he, in the Emperors Name, required Don Garcia not to break the Peace establish’d between their Kings. After all they were oblig’d to have recourse to Arms. Iniguez Landed on Tydore, strengthen’d the Works, and furnish’d them with Canon. The Portuguese follow’d, and both sides Firing, there was a great Slaughter; but those of Ternate retir’d so disorderly, that the Tydores remain’d Victors. However neither the Protestations, nor the War ceas’d, the Spaniards urging Magellan’s Discovery, and the Portuguese, Serrano’s, and Brito’s. The Tydores and Spaniards took some Carcoas belonging to Gilolo, in which they kill’d a Portuguese, and some Ternates, as also a Champan Laden with Provisions for Talangame.
In the Philippine Islands they give the Name of Carcoas to a sort of Carcoas, what sort of Vessels, and others. Vessels that use Oars, open, and bigger than our Barks, and are Steer’d by two Rudders, the one ahead, and the other astern. The Ternates call’d them Janguas, which differ from the Carcoas only in having two Half-Moons of Wood, Painted, or Guilt, rising above the Keel at the Head and Poop. About 100 Men Row in each of them, to the sound of a Tabor, and a Bell. They carry twenty Soldiers, and six Musketiers. The rest are employ’d about four or five little Brass Guns. Both the Men that Row, and the Soldiers are Arm’d with Campilanes, that is Cymiters, and Shields, and abundance of Calabays, and Sagus, being long Canes burnt in the Fire, to harden them; which they throw, without tacking, as the Moors do their Darts. Their way of Fighting is to come within Gun-shot, and as soon as they have Fir’d, both sides fly with all speed, till they have Loaded again, and then return to the same Post. They set three Men to each Gun, the one Levels, the other Charges, and the third Fires it. This is the way among the Islanders; for when they have to do with Europeans, our Example has Improv’d them in the Art of War. But in their Carcoas they are always expos’d to be kill’d by our Cannon, because they have no Fights to cover them; and the same is in the Champanes, which differ but little from the others.
The Victory we have spoken of Encourag’d the Tydores, and with the Assistance of the Spaniards, they Arm’d, and falling upon Gaca, a Town of Ternate, Plunder’d and Burnt it; but at their Return, they met with Martin Correa, whom they Fought, plying their Carcoas, the Success remaining doubtful. Whilst this War was at the hottest, Don George de Meneses Don George de Meneses at Ternate. came from the Papuas to Ternate, to whom Don Garcia presently resign’d the Post, tho’ the Hostilities continu’d, with Burning and Slaughter on both sides, which it was expected would be greater when the Portuguese Succours came from Malaca, and the Castilian from Spain. The new Portuguese Commander in Chief, and Martin Inniguez came to a Conference, and with much Courtesy, and desire of Peace, concluded a Truce, which lasted not long, tho’ not on account of the main cause.
There were many Battles between the Spanish and Portuguese Nations, from Gilolo and other adjacent Islands, about the Possession of the Moluccos, and they were under several Commanders, the Event whereof we shall see in its Place. Therefore, and because others have Treated of them Copeously, they shall be now pass’d by, that we may return to the Actions of those Kings, which ought to be distinctly deliver’d now at the Beginning, for the better Understanding of the Causes why they came to be Lost.
King of Tydore makes Peace. The King of Tydore was less Supported by Spain than he had been before, and was therefore oblig’d to sue for Peace, laying some Burden of Tribute, on his own Revenue proceeding from the Cloves. He also promis’d never to admit of any Spanish Succours; besides some other Conditions, which put an end to the Wars for a time.
We have already observ’d, That Cachil Boleyfe, King of Ternate, left three lawful Sons, viz. Cachil Bayano, Cachil Dayalo, and Cachil Tabarija. The Eldest of them was not above six Years of Age; besides whom there Daroes, and the Queen govern Ternate. were seven Bastards, the Eldest of them, Cachil Daroes, was Governor of the Kingdom, in Conjunction with the Queen. When Brito, in the Year 1521, Built the Fort, to secure the Subjection of the Island, tho’ he had another Pretence for it, he took the Infant King, and the Queen his Mother, into it. She generously resenting this Violence, as not able to endure, that they should oppose the course of her Government, which she manag’d, together with her Step-Son, loudly Complain’d, and Threatned, as a Queen, and as a Mother. She wanted no Conveniencies for the Education of the Children; but there being Wrong disguiz’d among all that seeming Kindness, neither her Family, nor the Nurse, nor the Perswasions of Great Persons, could appease her Anger. The Natives observ’d the Difference of the Portuguese Domination, and that since their building of that Fort, they us’d intolerable Rigor, and consequently began to grow cold in their Affection, Portuguese Insolent. and to slacken in their Respect; especially when they perceiv’d that Brito’s Successor continu’d to keep the Royal Family under Oppression. The young King was bred up in the Fort, till he was of Age to enter upon the Government of his Kingdom; and being 18 years old, soon dy’d, not without the usual suspition of Poison, but it was affirm’d to be given by private order of Cachil Daroes. O the wonderful Effects of the Desire of Rule!
Sultan Bayano being Dead, order was taken that the People should immediatly Swear Cachil Dayalo; but Don George found also means to get him into the Fort; the Mother demanding him, as fearing his Death, by the example of the Elder. Don George condescended, not so much in compliance They Insult the Natives. to her Fears, as to oblige Cachil Daroes, with whose Government he was well-satisfy’d; and it was he that had interven’d in, and advis’d that way of Breeding the Princes. Soon after there happen’d an Accident, which broke off their good Intelligence; for Daroes grew jealous of the Commander in chiefs Behaviour, observing him much to favour Cachil Bayaco, a Man of note, whose Friendship he was suspicious of, and he with reason fear’d, that the Commander would in time value Bayaco more than him. This well grounded Fear grew up in his Breast, till it turn’d to down right Hatred, and he contriv’d to kill Don George. The Design could not be carry’d on so private, as to be conceal’d from him, and he to disappoint it, retir’d into the Fort. Daroes puffed up with the Applause of the People, sent immediatly to require him to deliver up Bayaco, to try him upon some Complaints he had against him, being his Judge, as Governour, and oblig’d to do Justice. Don George was desirous to save Cachil Bayaco, and to that purpose assembled the Alcayde, and other Officers. Some said he ought to deliver him, others advis’d to appease Daroes by fair means. Bayaco, who hated him so mortally, that he woul’d chuse any sort of Death, rather than fall into his Hands, being lock’d up in a Room of the Fort, understood that his Case was doubtful, for they Consulted without any great Privacy. This made him Resolve what to do, and going to a high Window, he threw himself out with such Fury, that he beat himself to Pieces. Don George was troubl’d at the Accident, and thought himself oblig’d to Revenge it; which he began upon finding a Sow kill’d, either to spight him, or because the Neighbours were Mahometans, and had done it as she graz’d, or went about the Courts of the Fort. This was a rediculous Occasion, but of Moment enough among those People; Enquiry was made who had kill’d her, and it appear’d, or Don George would have it, that the Fault belong’d to Cachil Baydua, a near Kinsman to Cachil Daroes, very Learned, and Zealous in the Law of Mahomet, as also a Caciz, or Priest, and of great Authority in the Kingdom. He was seiz’d by Don George, and carry’d into the Fort, without regard to the publick Peace. Daroes, in a great Consternation, went with the chief Men of the Kingdom, to desire he would release that Sacred Person. Whilst they were discoursing this Point, Peter Fernandez, a mean Fellow, Servant to the Commander in Chief, by his Masters Order, or of his own Accord, in the Presence of them all, went up to Cachil Baydua, and rubb’d his Mouth, Rudeness. and Face with a fat Collop of the same Sow, neither the Opposition he made, nor his Complaints to God, and the Commander in Chief availing him; but on the contrary, the Portugueses laugh’d out aloud, approving the Action by their Applause. Daroes on his part, cast himself on the Ground, and Weeping, prevail’d to have Baydua restor’d to him, whom, Don George being satisfy’d, or appeas’d, and taking Security, sent to his House. Daroes attended him, and all the Prime Men; and Baydua, by Reason it is an Abomination among them to touch Swines-Flesh, presently used their Purifications; and the more to express his Concern, voluntarily left the Island for some Years, and travel’d about all the others in the Neighbourhood, preaching, and magnifying the Affront offer’d to one of Mahomets Priests, thus stirring up the Natives, and perswading them to Unite in Defence of their Honour.
This Accident, which as a Disgrace to their Religion, exasperated the People, was seconded by another much worse, which quite render’d the Portugueses Odious. The contrary Winds kept back the Trading Galeon, Portugueses become odious for Rapine, &c. that us’d to carry the Soldiers Pay, and their Wants increasing, they began to seek Relief, breaking into the Natives Shops, and Store-Houses, and taking away their Provisions, without Paying for them. Daroes, offended at it, order’d, That no Provisions should be brought into the City to sell, and that the Shops which dealt in them, should be shut up. This was accordingly done, and reduc’d those in the Fort to such Distress, that the Soldiers mutinying, rail’d at their own Commander, and the Governour of India, demanding Relief with their Arms in their Hands. Don George being hard press’d, and blaming the Avarice of his Country Men, sent some Carcoas with Soldiers, under the Command of Gomez Ariaz, to barter Goods in the adjacent Islands for Provisions. They Landed on an Island near by, where, being desperate with Hunger, they Plunder’d the Town of Tabona, the Inhabitants whereof, no longer able to endure such Affronts, and Robberies, running to Arms, fell upon them, and kill’d the greatest Number, and most of the rest being Wounded, were Disarm’d. They embark’d for Ternate, where their Wounds and Nakedness spoke what had befallen them, as much as their Words. Don George, who, besides his being naturally Passionate, was now quite enrag’d, threatned Daroes, That if he did not deliver up the principal Actors in this Mischief, he would seek his Revenge other ways. He was obey’d, and tho’ Cachil Daroes knew that all the Fault belong’d to the Portugueses, yet he deliver’d up the Governor of Tabona, and two other Chief Men of the Place, to Don George, thinking he would be satisfy’d with keeping them Prisoners for Barbarous Cruelty. some Days. As soon as they were brought before him, he order’d the Hands of the two to be cut off, and that they should be then set at liberty. The Governors Punishment was answerable to the Cruelty of him that was his Judge; they ty’d his Hands behind his Back, and exposing him on the Shore, set two fierce Woolf-Dogs upon him, he having no way to withstand their Fury, made several vain attempts to slip aside from them, and endeavour’d to defend himself with what little Power was left him in those Limbs that were not Bound. The Multitude with Horror beheld the Spectacle, touch’d with Compassion, and admiring the Inhumanity of the Punishment. The wretched Man attempted to Fly, but perceiving that the arm’d Soldiers, had shut up every way, on the Land side, he cast himself into the Sea, the only Refuge accidentally left him, to seek some uncertain Hope of Safety. However the Dogs being already blooded, left him not; but barking and howling, bit and tore him, tho’ he still swam with his Legs. At last, being desperate, and almost in the last Agony, he took a horrid Resolution and fell upon those fierce Creatures with his Teeth; such was the Effect of Pain and Despair. Thus the unhappy Man took hold of one of the Dogs by the Ear, and holding fast, sunk with him to the Bottom. The like Barbarity had never before been seen in any of those Countries to which the Portugueses Traded; and by it they lost the Reputation they had before gain’d, to their great Applause, that they inflicted Punishments, as it were by Compulsion, and Oblig’d to it, and that with Mildness, and Compassion, to shew their Generosity.
Conspiracy to destroy the Portugueses. This Action brought them into general Hatred, and all the People of the Molucco Islands being exited by Cachil Daroes, contriv’d to kill Don George, with all the Portugueses and Spaniards, and so deliver themselves from their Yoke. Daroes undertook to Unite all the Kings of those Islands in a League against the Christians; sent away trusty Persons to stir up the Confederates; and particularly to Cachil Catabruno, Governor of Gilolo, during that Kings Minority, advising him, at a Time appointed, to rise in Arms against the Spaniards inhabiting his Dominions, and then to kill the Infant King, and Usurp the Crown; for the compassing whereof he promis’d his Assistance, for they should both make that their common Cause, because he design’d the same Slaughter upon the Portugueses, and upon the Infant King Sultan Dayalo, whom he would Succeed in the Throne, and never submit to any Spanish Tyranny. At this time the Voice of the Gospel resounded in the Ears of the Barbarous Nations of the Archipelago, by the Preaching of the Religious Men of the Orders of St. Augustin, St. Dominick, and St. Francis, and of Father Francis Naverius, a Jesuit, and his Companions; Churches were built, and therefore God, who was taught by them, would not suffer the Ministers of the Gospel to be extirpated. Don George was inform’d of the Conspiracy, and the Preparations that were making to put it in Execution, which he kept to himself. Daroes, the better to disemble it, never absented himself, but resorted to the Fort, and paid Visits to the Governour; sometimes when sent for by him, and others, of his own Accord. He sent one Day desiring he would come to him, and bring Cachil Tamarano, Admiral of the Island, and Cachil Boio, the chief Justice of the Kingdom, to treat about some important Affairs. Cachil Daroes knowing nothing of Don George’s Design, took those two Cachils with him, and went away to the Fort. Don George receiv’d them courteously, Daroes and others put to Death. and with a chearful Countenance; but being come into a Room where all Things were prepar’d for the Purpose, they were seiz’d and put to the Rack, on which they discover’d the Conspiracy. Immediately he pass’d Sentence upon them in Form, and at the same time caus’d a Scaffold to be erected, adjoyning to the Fort, on the Outside, where the People were already gather’d in a Crowd. Then Cachil Daroes being brought out, and plac’d high on the Scaffold, a Cryer proclaim’d his Crimes, and the Penalty he was condemn’d to. His Head was cut off, and his Companions put to a less honourable Death; but what that was, no History or Relations inform us.
The Queen and all the Natives, were so terrify’d by this Action, that Natives fly, and streighten the Portugueses. they fled out of the City, to a craggy strong Mountain at the Town of Toruto: Thence the Queen sent to demand her Son, whom the Governour kept as a Prisoner; but he not answering her Letter, she was so offended at, and jealous of his Silence, that she caus’d Proclamation to be made, forbidding all the People of the Island, upon Pain of Death, to sell any Provisions, or other Necessaries, to the Portugueses. Her Orders were readily obey’d, and the Portugueses press’d by Hunger, found it a more powerful Enemy, than those they had wrong’d. Their Skins began to shrivel, they grew Lank and Weak, and must have perish’d, had not Gonzalo Pereyra arriv’d then with the Trading Galeon. Gonzalo Pereyra came from Malaca to succeed Don George de Meneses in the Post of Ternate; and improving the Opportunity, touch’d at Borneo, where he visited the King, with whom, the Spaniards not obstructing, he settled perpetual Peace and Amity; thence he set out immediately for Ternate, where he arriv’d in Safety. He presently took Possession of the Fort, and paid the weak Soldiers. The Queen went to visit him, and to complain of Don George, New Governour. and demand her Son Cachil Dayalo, which was her greatest Concern. Gonzalo Pereyra answer’d her generously, promis’d to do her Justice; and to begin, secur’d Don George in the Principal Tower, to appease the Queen, engaging i i. Word, That he would restore her Son, as soon as the Fort was in a good Posture. He sent to intreat her to return to the City, and former Amity; that Justice might be peaceably administer’d. She seeing some Effects of his Promise, in the Imprisonment of her Enemy, and the Expectation of Releasing the King her Son, turn’d past Sorrow into Joy, return’d to Court, and Gonzalo Pereyra reform’d Abuses, repair’d the Fort, and built Bastions of Square Stone, which till then had been unhew’d, the Queen furnishing Workmen and Materials. Still Cachil Dayalo was detain’d in the Fort, without being restor’d to his Liberty; and the Queen and People help’d to build the Fort, as the sure Means of obtaining their King’s Liberty. Gonzalo Pereyra, when he thought it a proper Time, resolv’d to execute some Orders he had brought from Goa, which were the same that had before endanger’d the Disturbance of those Kingdoms.