BOOK VIII. (continued 2)

On the 22d of May News was brought to Tydore, that the King of Ternate, had fitted out 50 Carcoas in his Harbour, and expected the Dutch Ships. He, at the same Time, made Rejoycings, in a triumphant Manner for the Departure of the Spaniards. It was requisite to leave some Men and Provisions in the Fort of Tydore, which being done, Gallinato, who Fort of Tydore supply’d. had before writ by an Advice-Boat, to the General and Governour of the Philippine Islands, left the Moluccos, and sail’d himself that Way. This was the Event of that so long intended and threatned Undertaking, which I have deliver’d impartially, having search’d after, and even guess’d at some Excuses to justify the Behaviour of so great a Commander as Andrew Furtado; enquiring of those very Officers who were present at the Attacks, and in the Councils. Neither by them, nor by the General’s own Memorials Impartiality of the Author. and Papers, can be found or made out any more than what appears by those which have been here inserted; but to judge of these Affairs is not the Part of an Historian.

Earl of Lemos President of the Council of the Indies. This same Year, about the beginning of April, the Presidentship of the Council of the Indies was conferr’d on Don Pedro Fernandez de Castro, Earl of Lemos and Andrade, Marquess de Sarria, Chief of his Family, whose Royal Antiquity is well known, Nephew and Son-in-law to the Duke of Lerma. In his Youth he gave such Hopes, as were afterwards fulfill’d by his Actions. He was then Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to our King. The World made the same Judgment of him, that the Senate of Rome had in his Time of Scipio, afterwards call’d Africanus, when it made a Scruple of entrusting him with Matters of great Difficulty, because he was so young. But Experience soon made appear in the Earl, as well as in Scipio, that Prudence, which regulates all other Virtues, often anticipates grey Hairs. It is no Merit of the Off-spring to be descended from Noble, or Plebeyan Families; but such was the Vivacity of this great Man’s Spirit, and Judgment, that had he been born Mean, he might by his own natural This was writ when he was living. Parts have made his Fortune. No Man can say he wanted publick or private Accomplishment. In him appears a settled Magnanimity; with a courteous Sincerity; yet temper’d with that Justice we extol in the severe Austereness of some of the Ancients. These Virtues are interwoven with Religion, a Zeal for its Propagation, and the universal Agreement, which is the Product of publick Tranquility. Thus he serv’d his King, with Care and Solicitude; without Intermission, or seeking himself and his Advantage. It will be requisite to be brief in this Particular, because his singular Modesty is not pleas’d with the Soothings of Commendation; but is as averse to Flattery, as remote from standing in need of it.

Member of the said Council, at that Time. The Earl found the Council fill’d with zealous and grave Men; the Lords Benedict Rodriguez Valtodano, Peter Bravo de Sotomayor, Alonso Molina de Medrano, Knight of the Order of Santiago, or S. James the Apostle, James de Armenteros, Gonzalo de Aponte, Don Thomas Ximenes Ortis, Don Francisco Arias Maldonado, Benavente de Benavides, John de Villagutierre, Lewis de Salcedo, and Ferdinand de Villagomez; all of them qualify’d by Extraction, noted for Learning, and having taken the highest Degrees in it. These were Counsellors, and the last of them Solicitor General of that Assembly. To which also belong’d John de Ybarra, Knight of the Order of Calatrava, and Commendary of Moratalaz, and Peter de Lodesma, the King’s Secretaries. In the Places of the Licenciates, Molina de Medrano, and Gonzalo de Aponte, whom his Majesty afterwards employ’d in his Royal Council of Castile, and in those of some who dy’d, his Majesty, at several Times put in the Licenciates, Lewis de Salcedo, Gudiel, and Don Francis de Texada y de Mendoza, Doctor Bernard de Olmedilla, and John de Ybarra, &c. All these amidst that Multitude of Business they dexterously dispatch’d, laid all their main Designs, for the restoring his Majesty’s Monarchy to its Fulness, in those utmost Limits of it; a Project suitable to the Genius of the new President. He enquiring into the general and particular Posture of all Things then depending, met with that of the Molucco Islands, and finding it of Consequence, and almost forgotten, inclin’d to give it a helping Hand.

Br. Gaspar Gomez informs the Council. Much about this Time, Brother Gaspar Gomez came into Spain, being sent by Don Pedro de Acunna, to solicite that Enterprize. The Brother at several tedious Audiences, gave the President full Information of all that concern’d the Molucco Islands, their Wealth, the great Treasure Spain has expended in Attempts to recover them, to restore persecuted Christianity, where it had been so much receiv’d; and what Consequence it was, that this should be done by Way of the Philippine Islands. The Earl undertook that Cause, as such ought to be supported, and consulted about it with the Council, with the Duke of Lerma, and most particularly with the King’s Confessor. He never desisted, till it was brought to bear, and in such a Forwardness, that it might be effectually dispatch’d. The Members of the supream Council, with the same Zeal, and considering the repeated Disappointments of this Enterprize, forwarded the Expedition, and all of them agreed that Don Pedro de Acunna should undertake it in Person. This favourable Disposition of theirs, was fully confirm’d, by the News brought a Year after, of the ill Success of the united Forces of India under Furtado, and those of the Philippine Islands, under Gallinato. It was writ by Don Pedro de Acunna, describing it to the Life, with Duplicates for his Majesty, and the prime Ministers, and though he left much to Brother Gaspar Gomez, he was very particular himself.

He complain’d that they had let slip such an Opportunity of Recovering Ternate, and chastising the Dutch, who resort thither to the Trade of Don Pedro de Acunna’s letter concerning the Enterprize on Ternate. Clove, Mace, and other Spice, and Drugs. He represented the Danger the Philippine Islands were in, after that Neighbouring Tyrant’s Victory; and that having more particularly weigh’d the Circumstances of that Affair, besides the Necessity of regaining the Reputation lost there, he found that whatsoever has been yet said, was short. For not to mention the principal End, which was the Propagation of the Faith, but only with Regard to the King’s Revenue, he show’d, That Ternate being reduc’d it would be easie to subdue the Islands of Banda, which are above thirty, lying about a hundred Leagues from the Moluccos, full of valuable Mace, and possess’d by an unwar-like People, would add that Income to Spain, and take it from the Dutch, who carry all away, with little or no Opposition. He promis’d the same as to the Islands Papuas, which are many, not far distant from Ternate, some of them Subjects to that King, and yielding him a considerable Quantity of Gold, Amber, and other valuable Tribute. Then he extended to the Great Batochina, or Gilolo, describing its Fertility, and how that Tyrannical King oppress’d it. Those of Celebes 45 Leagues from Ternate, where he had strong Garrisons. The Greater and Lesser Javas, whose Kings would again submit to Spain, as soon as the Moluccos were brought under. He earnestly recommended Secresie and Expedition. To evince the Necessity of both, besides the usual Reasons, he urg’d that as soon as those Rebels and the Dutch hear of any War-like Preparations, they spare neither Cost, nor Labour, to make all necessary Provision; and that they never sail by the Coasts of India without ruining, and plundering them. He affirm’d, that the General Furtado was no way to blame for having abandon’d that Enterprize; for as it plainly appear’d, and Captain Gallinato declar’d he had always behav’d himself like a brave Gentleman, and discreet Commander; but that besides the Want of Provisions and Ammunition, he could not relie upon his own Men; and that if the Succours sent him from Manila had been more considerable, he would have hazarded all with only them. He said, the King of Tydore had sent him great Complaints against the General Furtado, and that it was a common saying with him. That before he came to the Moluccos the King of Tydore Slept, and he of Ternate Watch’d; but now the Case was alter’d, and the contrary might be said. Yet he believ’d he was not heartily sorry for the Disappointment. The same he urg’d in Relation to the Kings of Bachian and Sian. He concluded, offering to undertake that Affair in Person, provided he might be furnish’d with what was necessary, that he might not be Distress’d as his Predecessors had been. Then he went on, by way of Answer to the Objections, or Accusations of the Spanish Commanders, who being us’d to the Wars in Europe, despis’d all other Enemies, who made War without all those Engines, and Fire-Arms us’d in Flanders, France, and England. He says, none of those Eastern Provinces wanted any of the Inventions we have in Europe; and that besides the great Numbers they have, and the Dexterity in using them of the Japoneses, Chineses, Mindanaos, and Moluccos, they are no less expert at their Bows, and Arrows; especially the Javaneses, who conquer when they fly, and that they are not destitute of such Strategems, that the Spaniards have need of all their Valour against them, and their numerous Armies. He owns the Molucco Islands can not stand in Competition, with the strong and populous Cities taken in our Parts, but that nevertheless, so many Christian Churches as have been polluted in them; the banishing of our Religion; the Persecution of its Ministers; the continual Tyrannical Practices; and Alliance of those People, with the Dutch, his Majesties last Rebels, ought not to be cast into Oblivion. And that, were there no other Motive but this, the King ought to retrieve his Honour, which is concern’d for the loss of so many of his Fleets, and Commanders. It is very remarkable, that tho’ in these Letters he gave an Account of the Posture of Affairs, either as to Peace, or War, of so many several Kings, among whose Territories the Spanish Arms appear, not without Glory; yet he insists not so much on any Point, as that of Ternate, which was grown Old by above thirty Years standing, to the Discredit of our Nation. From all this may be inferr’d, how necessary it is always, in Affairs of great Difficulty, to bend the entire Understanding to them, and to be in Love with the Design conceiv’d, that so the Event may answer the Expectation. He at the same Time sent long Reflections, and Projects of the Count de Monterey, then Viceroy of Peru, relating to the Execution of that Affair, wherein it plainly appear’d, by the Consonancy of the Reasons, And the Opinions of Men well acquainted with those Parts, that the Expedition was of greater Concern and Importance, than all the Arguments made use of upon the like Occasions do ever amount to.

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.