Chapter XIX: Book VIII (3)

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.

THE
HISTORY
OF THE
Discovery and Conquest
OF THE
Molucco and Philippine Islands, &c.