Chapter XXII (2)

The Order of the Province being read to the Generall, or his Generall Chapter, then are Letters Patents granted unto this Procurator from the Generall, naming him his Vicar Generall for such a Province, and declaring his sufficiency and worthy parts, (though none at all in him, as I have beene witnesse of some) the great paines hee hath taken in the new planted _Indian_ Church, and how fit hee hath been judged to convey to those parts, a Million of such as shall voluntarily offer themselves for the propagation of Christianity amongst those Barbarians. Then the tauny _Indian_ Fryer being well set out with high Commendations, and fairly painted with flattering Elogies, presents these his Patents (and with them peradventure a little wedge of Gold, a Box of Pearles, some Rubies or Diamonds, a Chest of Cochinill, or Sugar, with some boxes of curious Chocolatte, or some feather works of _Mechoacan_, some small fruits of his great paines and labour) to the Pope; who for his first reward gives him his Toe and Pantofle to kisse, seconding this honour with a joyfull countenance to behold an Apostle, judging him worthy of the best of the _Indian_ wealth, and his soule peradventure fit for the title of a Saint; This complacency in the gift and the giver, breeds immediately a _motus proprius_ in his Holinesse to grant a Bull with a degree of the Popes Commissary, wherein this poore Mendicant Fryer is inabled to runne over all the Cloisters of his Profession in _Spain_, to gather up his thirty or forty yong Preachers. Who for their better encouragement are at their first listing by the Popes Authority absolved _à culpa et à poena_, from all sinne, and from their Purgatory and Hell due unto it, by a plenary Indulgence. And whosoever shall oppose, or any way discourage this Popes Commissary, or those that are or would be listed by him, are _ipso facto_ excommunicated with an Anathem reserved only to this Commissary or his Holiness himself. O what is it to see, when such a Commissaries coming is knowen, how the young birds, that as in Cages are shut up within the walls of a Cloister, leap and cherish themselves with hopes of liberty? What is it to see disordered Fryers, who for their misdemeanours, and leaping over their Cloister wals in the night to find out their wanton harlots, have been imprisoned, now rejoyce at the coming of a Popes Commissary, and Plenary Indulgence, freeing them from sinnes past, and fitting them for the Conversion of souls, though there be not one averted from their Harlot, nor as yet truly and unfainedly converted to the love of God? True it is, I have knowne some that have written their names in the list of _Indian Missionaries_, men of sober life and Conversation, moved onely with a blind zeale of encreasing the Popish Religion: yet I dare say and confidently print this truth without wronging the Church of _Rome_, that of thirty or forty which in such occasions are commonly transported to the _India's_, the three parts of them are Fryers of leud lives, weary of their retired Cloister lives, who have beene punished often by their Superiours for their wilfull back-sliding from that obedience which they formerly vowed; or for the breach of their poverty in closely retaining money by them to Card and Dice, of which sort I could here namely insert a long and tedious Catalogue; or lastly such, who have been imprisoned for violating their vow of chastity with leud and lascivious women, either by secret flight from their Cloisters, or by publike Apostatizing from their Order, and cloathing themselves in Lay-mens Apparell, to run about the safer with their wicked Concubines. Of which sort it was my chance to bee acquainted with one Fryer _John Navarro_ a Franciscan in the City of _Guatemala_, who after hee had in secular apparell enjoyed the leud company of one _Amaryllis_ a famous Woman player in _Spain_ for the space of a year, fearing at last hee might bee discovered, listed himselfe in a Million to _Guatemala_, the year 1632, there hoping to enjoy with more liberty and lesse feare of punishment any lustfull or carnfull object. Liberty, in a word, under the Cloak of Piety and Conversion of Soules, it is, that drawes so many Fryers (and commonly the younger sort) to those remote _American_ parts; where after they have learned some _Indian_ language, they are licenced with a Parish Charge to live alone out of the sight of a watching Prior or Superiour, out of the bounds and compasse of Cloister walls, and authorized to keep house by themselves, and to finger as many Spanish Patacones, as their wits device shall teach them to squeeze out of the newly Converted _Indians_ wealth. This liberty they could never injoy in _Spain_, and this liberty is the Midwife of so many foule falls of wicked Fryers in those parts. For the present onely, I shall return again to my Fryer _John Navarro_, who at his comming to _Guatemala_, being made for his wit and learning, Master and Reader of Divinity, and much esteemed of for his acute Preaching, among many others got the estimation and love of a chief Gentlewoman, (_Qua semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem, testa diu_) who continued in _Navarro_ his heart the former sent of the unchast love of _Amaryllis_, so far that the Fryer being blinded and wounded with _Cupids_ Arrow sticking in his heart, ran headlong to quench his lustfull thirst upon St. _James_ his day, 1635. for bitter memory of the Tragical event (being the Spaniards common Advocate, and speciall Patron of that City, named _St. Jago de Guatemala_) where cruell _Mars_ oppressing _Venus_ in her wanton Acts, the injured husband acting _Mars_, & finding _Navarro Cupids_ page saluting his _Venus_ upon her bed, drew his sword, cutting the Fryer first in the head and face, who strugling with death, and purchasing his life with a swift and nimble flight to a Garden, where his own brother a Fryer of the same Order, & Pander to that foul act, entertained the Motherlesse children; for the husband having missed his fatall blow (willingly as some imagined, or unwillingly as others judged) in the Fryers heart, wilfully laid it in the throat of his unchast Wife, scarce leaving way for breath to make a speedy Confession of her sinne to _Navarro_ his Brother; who tendring her soule as much as his Brother had tendred her body absolved her from her sinne, finding signes, though no uttering speech of Repentance, while the murderer fled, and the murdered lay in the doore of her house for a sad object to all, that immediately flocked thither to see that bloody Tragedy. The Wife being the same day buried, the Husband being retired to a close Sanctuary, _Navarro_ was carried to his Convent to bee cured; and after his Cure was banished that Country; whom two yeares after it was my chance to meet in _Cartagena_ returning to _Spain_ with his scard face, bearing the marke of his lascivious life, and of that liberty which hee had injoyed in _America_. Such are the fruits of the zeale of those wretches, who upbraid our Church and Ministers for want of zeale to labour in the Conversion of Infidels. Who when they arrive to those parts, are entertained with ringing of Bells, with sounding of Trumpets most part of the way as they travaile, and as Apostles are received by the _Indians_, though soon like _Judas_ they fall from their calling, and for pleasure and covetousnesse sell away Christ from their Soules. _England_ may here learn to beware of such Converters, who are daily by name of Missionaries sent hither by the Pope to preach among us Popery; but like _Navarro_ come to feed and cherish their wanton lusts, as I could give many instances, might I not be censured for long digressions in mingling English Histories with my _American_ Travailes.

CHAP. IV.

_Shewing to what Provinces of the East and West_ India's _belonging to the Crown of_ Castilia _are sent Missions of Fryers and Jesuites. And specially of the Mission sent in the yeare_ 1625.

In all the Dominions of the King of _Spain_ in _America_, there are two sorts of Spaniards more opposite one to another then in _Europe_ the Spaniard is opposite to the French, or to the Hollander, or to the Portingall; To wit, they that are born in any parts of _Spain_ and goe thither, and they that are borne there of Spanish parents, whom the Spaniards, to distinguish them from themselves, terme _Criolio's_, signifying the Natives of that Countrey. This hatred is so great, that I dare say, nothing might bee more advantagious then this, to any other Nation that would conquer _America_. And nothing more easily gained, then the Wils and affections of the Natives of the Country, to joyne with any other Nation to free and rescue themselves from that subjection, or kind of Slavery, which they suffer under the hard usage of the Spaniards, and their partiall Government and justice toward them, and those that come from _Spain_. This is so grievous to the poore Criolio's or Natives, that my selfe have often heard them say, They would rather bee subject to any other Prince, nay to the _Hollanders_, then to the _Spaniards_, if they thought they might enjoy their Religion; and others wishing the _Hollanders_, when they tooke _Truxillo_ in _Honduras_, had stayed in it and entred further into the land, they should have been welcome to them; and that the Religion they enjoyed with so much slavery, was nothing sweet unto them. This mortall hatred betwixt these two sorts of _Spaniards_, made the Criolio's so ready to joyn against the Marquesse of _Gelves_ Viceroy of _Mexico_, in the tumult and mutiny of that City, wherein they cleaving to _Don Alonso de Zerna_, the Arch-Bishop caused the Viceroy to escape for his life by flight, and would then have utterly rooted out the Spanish Government, had not some Preists disswaded them from it; but of this I shall speak more largely hereafter. The cause of this deadly hatred hath proceeded from a jealousie which the _Spaniards_ have ever had of the Criolio's, that they would faine withdraw themselves first from the commerce with _Spain_, and secondly, from the Government which is laid upon them; which is such, that the Criolio's must be alwaies under, and a subject, alwaies governed, but scarce any a Governour. Never yet was there seen any Criolio made Viceroy of _Mexico_, or _Peru_; or President of _Guatemala_, or _Santa fe_, or S. _Domingo_; or Governour of _Yucatan, Cartagena, Havana_; or _Alcalde Mayor_ (as they call them) of _Soconusco, Chiapa, San Salvador_, and such like places of credit. So likewise in the Courts of Chancery, as _Sto. Domingo, Mexico, Guatemala, Lima_, and the rest, where commonly there are Six, called _Oydores_ and one _Fiscal_, scarce one of them to be found a Criolio, or native of the Countrey; though there be among them those that descended of the chief Conquerors; as in _Lima_ and _Peru_ the _Pizarros_, in _Mexico_ and _Guaxaca_ the house of the Marquesse _Del Valle, Ferdinando Cortez_ his Successors, others of the house of _Giron_, others of the house of _Alvarado_, others of the _Guzmanes_, finally many of the chiefest houses of _Spain_; yet none of these ever preferred to any dignity. And not onely thus are they kept from offices, but daily affronted by the _Spaniards_ as uncapable of any Government, and termed halfe _Indians_ by them.

Which generall contempt hath also spread it selfe in the Church, where no Criolio Preist is scarce ever preferred to be a Bishop, or Canon in a Cathedrall Church, but all such as come from _Spain_. So likewise in the religious orders they have many years indeavored to keep under and suppress such as have bin admitted to their orders of the natives of the Countrey, lest the number of them should prevail against those that are brought from _Spain_; they have been very nice in choosing of them, & though they have been forced to admit of some, yet stil the Provincials, the Priors, and all Superiors have been _Spaniards_ born in _Spain_. Till now lately some Provinces have got the upper hand and prevailed against the _Spaniards_, & have so filled their cloisters with Criolio's or natives, that they have utterly refused to admit the supplies of _Spanish_ Missions which formerly were sent unto them, and till this day are sent to others. In the Province of _Mexico_ there are Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustines, Carmelites, Mercenarians, and Jesuites, whereof the Jesuites and Carmelites only to this day prevail against Criolio's, bringing every two or three years Missions from _Spain_. The last Mission that was sent to the Mercenarians was the year 1625. and then was the opposition such between that Mission and the Criolio's, that in the election of the next Provinciall in their Cloister of _Mexico_, the Fryers drew knives one against another, and were like to kill each other, had not the Viceroy gone to their Cloister to make peace, and imprison some of them. Yet at last by the multitude of voices the native party prevails, and till this day have exempted themselves from _Spanish_ Missions, alleadging (as others have done) that they have Fryers enough in their Cloisters, and need none to be sent them from _Spain_; submitting themselves to the Pope, and presenting to him as stately gifts as ever _Spaniards_ did before them. In the Province of _Guaxaca_ none admit of Missionaries from _Spain_; true it is the Dominicans are but newly subdued by the Criolian party; and as yet are strongly pleading at _Rome_ for _Spanish_ Fryers, alleadging that the glory and lustre of their Religion hath been much blurred since the non-admittance of supplies of their zealous Compatriots. The Province of _Guatemala_, (which is of a large extent) containing _Guatemala, Chiapa_, the _Zoques_, part of _Tabasco_, the _Zeldales_, the _Sacapulas_, the _Vera Paz_, all the coast lying to the South sea _Suchutepeques_ and _Soconusco, Comayagua, Honduras, S. Salvador, Nicaragua_ hath in it these orders chiefly, Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustines, (who are subject to _Mexico_ being one poore Cloister in _Guatemala_) Jesuites also in _Guatemala_ subject to the government of _Mexico_ and Mercenarians; whereof the three orders of Dominicans, Franciscans, and Mercenarians, are the only Preachers and parish Preists throughout all the forenamed Provinces. And these three Orders have still kept under the Criolian party, never as yet suffering any of them to be Provinciall, bringing every two or three years some one year and some another, Missions of Fryers from _Spain_ to maintain and keep up their faction against the Criolians. The Provinces of _Peru_ being more distant from _Spain_, and hard to come to by sea, have no Missions sent unto them. There are of the most Romish religious orders, yet the chief are Dominicans; and they all live above their vow of poverty, abounding in wealth, riot, liberty and pleasures. In the Kingdome of _Nuevo reino de Granada_, and _Cartagena, Santa fee, Barinas, Popayan_, and the government of _St. Martha_, are Dominicans, Jesuites, Franciscans, Carmelites, Augustines and Mercenarians, whereof the Dominicans, Jesuites and Franciscans till this day admit of Missions from _Spain_. The Island of _Cuba, Jamaica, la Margarita, Puerto rico_, all are subject to the head Provinciall of _Santo Domingo_, being Dominicans, Jesuites, and Franciscans, and have all now and then Missions from _Spain. Yucatan_ hath in it only Franciscans, who live most richly and plentifully, and strongly uphold the _Spanish_ faction with _European_ Missions: _Mechoacan_ belongeth to the _Mexican_ Fryers, and is in the same condition as was said before of _Mexico._ Thus have I briefly run over all _America_ that pertains to the Crown of _Castilia_: for the _East-India's_ they belong to the Crown of _Portingall_ and _Brasill_, as first discovered and possessed by the _Portingalls_, and now doubtlesse are subject to King _John_, the new King of _Portingall_. Yet the Islands of _Philippinas_ are subject to the King of _Spain_, and there are Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustines, and Jesuites, all which lie still in wait in _Manila_ the Metropolitan City, for some sure shipping to _Japan_, to convert that Kingdome. And though they admit of some few Criolio's among them, especially some of their Converts of _China_ and _Japan_; yet their chief number and strength is of Spanish Missionaries, who are more frequently conveyed thither then to the parts afore-mentioned of _America_. First they are sent in the ships that are bound for _Nueva Espana_ and _Mexico_; and after they have rested two or three moneths in _Mexico_, they are sent to _Acapulco_, lying on the _Mar del Zur_, there they are shipped in two great Caracks which yearly go and come richly laden with _China, Japan_, and all _East-India_ ware from _Manila_ to _Acapulco_ to enrich _Mexico_ with farre greater riches then any are sent by the North sea from _Spain_. The voiage from _Acapulco_ thither, is longer then from _Spain_ to _Mexico_, and easy and pleasant, though the return is farre longer and most dangerous. The year of our Lord 1625. there were four Missions sent; the one of Franciscans to _Yucatan_, the other of Mercenarians to _Mexico_, the other two of Dominicans and Jesuites to _Philippinas_. At which time it was my fortune to reside among the Dominicans in _Xerez_ in _Andaluzia_. The Popes Commissary for that Mission was Fryer _Matheo de la Villa_, who having a Commission for thirty and having gathered some 24 of them about _Castilia_ and _Madrid_, sent them by degrees well stored with mony to _Cales_, to take up a convenient lodging for himselfe and the rest of his crew, till the time of the setting forth of the _Indian_ Fleet. This Commissary named one Fryer _Antonio Calvo_ to be his substitute, and to visit the Cloisters of _Andaluzia_ lying in his way; namely _Cordova, Sevill, St. Lucar_, and _Xerez_, to try if out of them he could make up his compleat number of thirty, which was after fully compleated. About the end of _May_ came this worthy _Calvo_ to _Xerez_, and in his Company one _Antonio Melendez_ of the Colledge of _St. Gregory_ in _Valladolid_, with whom I had formerly neer acquaintance. This _Melendez_ greatly rejoyced when he had found mee; and being well stocked with _Indian_ Patacones, the first night of his coming invited me to his chamber to a stately supper. The good _Xerez_ Sack which was not spared, set my friend in such a heat of zeale of converting _Japonians_, that all his talke was of those parts never yet seen, and at least six thousand leagues distant. _Bacchus_ metamorphosed him from a Divine into a Orator, and made him a _Cicero_ in parts of Rhetoricall eloquence. Nothing was omitted that might exhort mee to joyne with him in that function, which he thought was Apostolicall. _Nemo Propheta in patria sua_, was a great argument with him; sometimes he propounded Martyrdome for the Gospel sake, and the glory after it, to have his life and death printed, and of poore Fryer _Antony_ a Clothiers son of _Segovia_ to bee stiled _St. Anthony_ by the Pope, and made collaterall with the Apostles in heaven; thus did _Bacchus_ make him ambitious of honor upon the earth, and preferrement in heaven. But when he thought this Rhetoricke had not prevailed, then would he act a _Midas_ and _Croesus_, fancying the _India's_ paved with tiles of gold and silver, the stones to be Pearls, Rubies, and Diamonds, the trees to bee hung with clusters of nutmegs bigger then the clusters of grapes of _Canaan_, the fields to be planted with Sugar Canes, which should so sweeten the _Chocolatte_, that it should farre exceed the milke and hony of the land of promise; the silkes of _China_ hee conceited so common, that the sailes of the Ships were nothing else; finally he dreamed of _Midas_ happinesse, that whatsoever he touched should be turned to gold: Thus did _Xerez_ Nectar make my friend and mortified Fryer, a covetous worldling. And yet from a rich covetous Merchant did it shape him to a Courtier in pleasures; fancying the _Philippinas_ to be the _Eden_, where was all joy without teares, mirth without sadnesse, laughing without sorrow, comfort without griefe, plenty without want, no not of _Eves_ for _Adams_, excepted only that in it should be no forbidden fruit, but all lawfull for the taste and sweetning of the palate; and as _Adam_ would have been as God, so conceited _Melendez_ himselfe a God in that _Eden_, whom travelling, _Indian_ Waites and trumpets should accompany; and to whom, entring into any Town, nosegaies should be presented, flowers and boughes should be strowed in his way, Arches should be erected to ride under, Bels for joy should be rung, and _Indian_ knees for duty & homage, as to a God, should be bowed to the very ground. From this inducing argument, and representation of a Paradise, he fell into a strong Rhetoricall point of curiosity; finding out a tree of knowledge, and a Philosophicall maxime, _Omnus homo naturaliter scire desiderat_, man naturally inclines to know more and more; which knowledge he fancied could be no where more furnished with rare curiosities then in those parts; for there should the Gold and Silver, which here are fingered, in their growth in the bowels of the earth be known; there should the pepper be known in its season, the nutmeg and Clove, the Cinnamon as a rine or bark on a tree; the fashioning of the Sugar from a green growing Cane into a loaf; the strange shaping the _Cochinil_ from a worme to so rich a Scarlet die; the changing of the _Tinta_ which is but grasse with stalke and leaves into an _Indigo_ black dye, should be taught and learned; and without much labour thus should our ignorance be instructed with various and sundry curiosities of knowledge and understanding. Finally, though _Xerez_ liquor (grapes bewitching tears) had put this bewitching eloquence into my _Antonies_ brain, yet he doubted not to preferre before it his wine of _Philippinas_, growing on tall and high trees of _Coco_, wherein he longed to drinke a Spanish Brindis in my company to all his friends remaining behind in _Spain_. Who would not bee moved by these his arguments to follow him, and his _Calvo_, or ball pated Superiour? Thus supper being ended my _Melendez_ desired to know how my heart stood affected to his journey; and breaking out into a _Voto a Dios_ with his converting zeal, he swore he should have no quiet nights rest untill he were fully satisfied of my resolution to accompany him. And having learned the Poets expression, _Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, Auri sacra fames?_ he offered unto me halfe a dozen of Spanish pistols, assuring me that I should want nothing, and that the next morning _Calvo_ should furnish me with whatsoever monies I needed, for to buy things necessary for the comfort of so long and tedious a journy. To whom I answered, suddain resolutions might bring future grief and sorrow, and that I should that night lye down and take counsell with my pillow, assuring him that for his sake I would doe much, and that if I resolved to goe, my resolution should draw on an other friend of mine, an Irish Fryer, named _Thomas Deloon_. Thus tooke I my leave of my _Melendez_, and retired my self to my chamber and bed, which that night was no place of repose and rest to me as formerly it had been. I must needs say _Melendez_ his arguments, though most of them moved me not; yet the opportunity offered me to hide my self from all sight and knowledge of my dearest friends, stirred up in me a serious thought of an angry and harsh letter, which not long before I had received out of _England_ from mine own father, signifying unto me the displeasure of most of my friends and kindred, and his own grievous indignation against me, for that having spent so much money in training me up to learning, I had not only utterly refused to be of the Jesuites Order (which was his only hopes) but had proved in my affections a deadly foe and enemy unto them. And that he would have thought his money better spent, if I had been a Scullion in a Colledge of Jesuites, then if I should prove a Generall of the Order of Dominicans; that I should never think to be welcome to my Brothers nor kindred in _England_, nor to him; that I should not expect ever more to heare from him, nor dare to see him if ever I returned to _England_; but expect that he would set upon mee even Jesuites, whom I had deserted and opposed, to chace mee out of my Country; that _Hailing_ house though hee had lost it with much more meanes for his Religion during his life; yet with the consent of my Eldest Brother (now Governour of _Oxford_, and Masse-founder in that our Famous University) hee would sell it away; that neither from the Estate, or money made of it, I might injoy a childs part due unto mee. These reasons stole that nights rest from my body, and sleep from my eyes, teares keeping them unclosed and open, lest _Cynthia's_ black and mourning Mantle should offer to cover, close and shut them. To this Letters consideration was joyned a strong opposition, which serious Studies & ripenesse of Learning, with a carefull discussion of some Schoole-points and Controversies had bred in mee against some chief of the Popish Tenents. Well could I have wished to have come to _England_, there to satisfie and ease my troubled Conscience; well considered I, that if I stayed in _Spain_, when my Studies were compleatly finished, the Dominicans with a Popes Mandamus would send me home for a Missionary to my Country. But then well considered I the sight of a wrathfull Father, the power of a furious Brother a Colonell, who (as now landed in _England_ to search me out, and do me mischief) then, when _Zephryus_ with a pleasant gale seconded his Popish zeale, might violently assault mee. Well considered I the increased rout and rable of both their great friends, the Jesuites, who what with Court friends power, what with subtile plots and Policies would soone and easily hunt me out of _England_. Lastly, well considered I my _Melendez_ his last inducing Argument of the increase of knowledge naturall by the insight of rich _America_ and flourishing _Asia_, and of knowledge spirituall by a long contemplation of that new planted Church, and of those Church Planters lives and Conversations. Wherefore after a whole nights strife and inward debate, as the glorious Planet began to banish nights dismall horror, rising with a bright and cheerefull countenance, rose in my minde a firme and setled resolution to visit _America_, and there to abide till such time as Death should surprise my angry Father, _Ignatius Loiola_ his devoted Mecænas, and till I might there gain out of _Potosi_ or _Sacatecas_ treasure that might Counterpoise that Childs part, which for detesting the foure Cornered Cap, and black Coat of Jesuites, my Father had deprived mee of. So in recompence of the Supper which my friend _Anthony_ had bestowed upon mee, I gave him a most pleasing breakfast by discovering unto him my purpose and resolution to accompany him in his long and Navall journey. And at noon I feasted him with a dinner of one dish more then his breakfast, to wit, the company also of my Irish friend _Thomas Deloon_. After dinner wee both were presented to _Calvo_ the bald pate Superiour; who immediately imbraced us, promised to us many curtesies in the way, read unto us a Memorandum of what dainties he had provided for us, what varieties of fish and flesh, how many Sheep, how many Gammons of Bacon, how many fat Hens, how many Hogs, how many barrels of white Bisket, how many Jars of wine of _Casalla_, what store of Rice, Figs, Olives, Capars, Raysins, Lemmons, sweet and sowre Oranges, Pomegranates, Comfits, Preserves, Conserves and all sorts of _Portingall_ sweet meates; hee flattered us that hee would make us Masters of Arts, and of Divinity in _Manila_; then opened hee his purse, and freely gave us to spend that day in _Xerez_, and to buy what most we had a mind to, and to carry us to _Cales_; Lastly hee opened his hands to bestow upon us the holy Fathers Benediction, that no mischiefe might befall us in our way; I expected some Relique or naile of his great toe, or one of his velvet Pantofles to kisse; But peradventure with frequent kissing through _Italy_ and all _Castilia_ it was even worn thredbare. Much were wee frowned at by the Dominicans our chiefest friends of _Xerez_, but the liberty which with _Melendez_ we injoyed that day about the City of _Xerez_ tooke from us all sad thoughts, which so suddaine a departure from our friends might have caused in us. And _Calvo_ much fearing that the love of some Nuns (too powerfull with Spanish Fryers) might yet keep us back from pursuing our purposed journey, with cunning policy perswaded us to depart from _Xerez_ the next morning. Which willingly wee performed in company of _Melendez_ and another Spanish Fryer of that City (leaving our Chests and Bookes to _Calvo_ to send after us) and that day wee travailed like Spanish Dons upon our little Boricoes, or Asses towards _Puerto de Santa Maria_, taking in our way that stately Convent of _Cartusians_, and the River of _Guadalethe_, the former Poets River of oblivion, tasting of the fruits of those _Elysian_ fields and Gardens and drinking of _Guadalethes_ Crystall Streams, that so perpetuall oblivion might blind and cover all those Abstractive Species which the intuitive knowledge of _Spains_ and _Xerezes_ pleasant objects had deeply stamped in our thoughts and hearts. At evening wee came to that _Puerto_ so famous for harbouring _Spains_ chief Gallies, and at that time _Don Frederique de Toledo_; who hearing of the arrivall of foure _Indian_ Apostles, would not loose that occasion of some Soule-Sanctification (which he thought might bee his purchase) by entertaining us that night at Supper. The Town thought their Streets blessed with our walking in them, and wished they might injoy some Reliques from us, whom they beheld as appointed to Martyrdome for Christ and Antichrists sake together; the Galley slaves strived who should sound their Waits and Trumpets most joyfully, _Don Frederique_ spared no cost in Fish and Flesh that night, doubting not but that receiving foure Prophets, hee should receive a fourefold reward hereafter. Supper being ended, wee were by _Don Frederique_ his Gentlemen conveyed to the Cloister of the _Minims_ appointed by _Don Frederique_ to lodge us that night, who to shew their brotherly love washed our feet, and so recommended us to quiet and peaceable rest. The next morning after a stately breakfast bestowed upon us by those poor Mendicant Fryers, a boat was prepared for us and _Don Frederique_ his Gentlemen to wait on us, and to convey us to _Cales_. Where wee found out our fellow Apostles, and the Popes Commissary Fryer _Mathew De la Villa_, who welcomed us with _Romes_ Indulgences, _a culpa & a poena_, and with a flourishing Table stored with Fish and Flesh for dinner. There wee continued in daily honour and estimation, enjoying the sights most pleasant which _Cales_ both by Sea and Land could afford unto us, untill the time of the Fleets departing. Which when it drew neere, our Grand Apostle Fryer _Mathew De la Villa_, (whom wee thought burned with zeal of Martyrdome) tooke his leave of us; shewing us the Popes Commission to nominate in his place whom hee list, and naming bald _Calvo_ for Superiour, returning himselfe to _Madrid_ with more desire to enjoy a Bishoprick in _Spain_ (as wee understood) then to sacrifice his life in _Japan_. His departure caused a Mutiny among us, and cooled the spirit of two of our Missionaries, who privily fled from us. The rest were pleased with honest _Calvo_, for that hee was a simple and ignorant old man, (whom they could more jeere then any way respect) more Scullion-like in daily greazing his white habit with handling his fat Gammons of Bacon, then like a Popes Commissary; for his Masters Toe the proudest of our Missioners then would willingly have kissed; yet _Calvoes_ greazy fists the humblest would loath to have kissed. Thus under a sloven was that Apostolicall Mission to bee conveyed first to _Mexico_ three thousand _Spanish_ Leagues from _Spain_, and afterwards three thousand Leagues further from thence to _Manila_ the Metropolitan and Court City of the Islands of _Philippinas_.

CHAP. V.

_Of the_ Indian _Fleet that departed from_ Cales, Anno Dom. 1625. _And of some remarkable passages in that Voiage._

Upon the first of _July_ in the afternoon, _Don Carlos de Ybarra_ Admirall of the Galeons that then lay in the Baye of _Cales_ gave order that a warning Peece should be shot off to warne all Passengers, Souldiers, and Mariners to betake themselves the next morning to their Ships. O what was it to see some of our Apostolicall company who had injoyed much liberty for a moneth in _Cales_, who had began to entangle their hearts with some young Nuns love, now hang down their heads, and act with sad and demure lookes loath to depart, and cry out, _Bonum est nos hic esse_, it is good for us to be here? and amongst them one Fryer _John De Pacheco_ made the warning Peece to be a warning to him to hide himself (who could no more be found amongst his fellow Missioners) thinking it a part of hard cruelty to forsake a young Franciscan Nun to whom he had engaged and wholly devoted his heart. What was it to see others with weeping eyes piercing through the Iron grates the tender Virgins hearts, leaving and bequeathing unto them some pledges of their wanton love, and receiving from them some Cordialls against Sea-sicknesse, Caps, Shirts and Hand-kerchiefs, to eye them or weare them when _Æolus_ or _Neptune_ should most oppose them? The second of _July_ in the morning early notice was given unto us, that one Fryer _Pablo de Londres_, an old crab faced English Fryer living in St. _Lucar_ had got the Duke of _Medina_ his letter and sent it to the Governour of _Cales_ charging him to search for me & to stay me, signifying the King of _Spains_ will and pleasure, that no _English_ should passe to the _India's_, having a Countrey of their own to convert; this did that old fryer to stop my passage, having before wrote unto me many letters to the same purpose, and got a letter from that father _Master_ that was in _England_ before, with the Count of _Gondomar, alias_ Fryer _Diego de la Fluente_, then Provinciall of _Castilia_, and sent it unto mee, wherein that Superiour offered mee many kind offers of preferrement, if I would desist from my journey, and return to him to _Castilia_; but none of these letters could prevail with mee; nor the Governours searching stop mee; for immediately I was conveyed alone to our ship, and there closely hid in a barrell that was emptied of Bisquet to that purpose; so that when the Governour came a ship-board to enquire for an _English_ man, Fryer _Calvo_ having the father of liers in my stead about him, resolutely denyed mee, who would not be found, because not sought for in a barrells belly. This found our Apostles sport and talk that first day. Then went out the ships one by one crying _A dios, A dios_, and the Towne replying _Buen viaie, buen viaie_; when all were out and no hopes of enjoying more _Cales_ pleasures and liberty, then began my young Fryers to wish themselves again a Land, some began presently to feed the fishes with their Nuns sweet dainties; others to wonder at the number of stately ships, which with eight Galeons that went to convey us beyond the Islands of _Canaria_ were fourty one in all; some for one Port of the _Indiaes_, and some for another. To _Puerto Rico_ went that year two ships; to _Santo Domingo_ three, to _Jamaica_ two, to _Margarita_ one, to the _Havana_ two, to _Cartagena_ three, to _Campeche_ two, to _Honduras_ and _Truxillo_ two, and to _St. John de Ulhua_, or _Vera Crux_ sixteen; all laden with Wines, Figs, Raisins, Olives, Oyle, Cloth, Carsies, Linnen, Iron, and quick silver for the Mines, to fetch out the pure silver of _Sacatecas_ from the earthen drosse from whence it is digged. The persons of most note that went that year, was first the Marquesse _de Serralvo_ with his Lady, who went for Viceroy of _Mexico_, in stead of the Conde _de Gelves_ then retired to a Cloister for feare of the common people, who the year before had mutinied against him; this Marquesse went in the ship called _St. Andrew_, and with him in the same ship went _Don Martin de Carillo_ a Preist, and Inquisitor of the Inquisition of _Valladolid_; who was sent for Visiter Generall to _Mexico_, to examine the strife between the Conde _de Gelves_ and the Arch-Bishop, and the mutiny that for their sakes had happened, with full Commission and Authority to imprison, banish, hang and execute all Delinquents. In the ship called _Santa Gertrudis_ went _Don John Nino de Toledo_, who was sent to be President of _Manila_ in _Philippinas_; and in the same ship with him went the whole Mission of thirty Jesuites sent to _Philippinas_; who had already got the favour of the President, and politickly sought to be passengers in the same ship, that so they might the more ingratiate themselves to him; for this cunning generation studies purposely how to insinuate themselves with Kings, Princes, Great men, Rulers, and Commanders. In the ship called _St. Antony_ went my Dominican Mission of 27 Fryers. In the ship called _Nostra Sennora de Regla_ went four and twenty Mercenarian Fryers bound for _Mexico_; part of those that afterwards drew their knives to slash and cut the Criolio's of their Profession. Thus with the Convoy of eight Galeons for fear of _Turkes_ and _Hollanders_ (whom the Spanish _Dons_ shake and tremble at) set forward our fleet with a pleasant and prosperous gale, with a quiet and milken sea, untill we came to the Golfe, called _Golfo de Yeguas_, or of _kicking Mares_, whose waves and swelling surges did so kick our ships, that wee thought they would have kicked our _St. Anthonies_ gilded image out of our ship, and bereaved my _Antonio Melendez_ of his gilt and painted idol, (to whom hee daily bowed and prayed against the mercilesse element,) and that all our ships galleries would have been torn from us with these spurnings and blowes of that outragious Golfe. But at last having overcome the danger of this Golfe, the eight Galeons took their leave of us, and left our Merchant ships now to shift for themselves. The departure of these Galeons was most solemnly performed on each side, saluting each other with their Ordnance, visiting each other with their Cock-boates, the Admirall of the Fleet feasting with a stately dinner in his ship, the Admirall of the Galeons; and the like performing most of the other ships to the severall Colonells and Captains and other their allied friends that were of the Roiall Fleet. Here it was worth noting to heare the sighes of many of our _Indian_ Apostles, wishing they might return again in any of those Galeons to _Spain_; their zeal was now cold, and some endeavoured many waies for _Calvo_ his licence to returne (which could not be granted) others imployed themselves most of that day in writing letters to their friends, and Sisters in _Cales_. Thus dinner being ended, and the two Admiralls solemnly taking their leaves, the warning piece being shot off for the Galeons to joyn together, and turne their course to _Spain_, we bad mutuall adieu, crying one to another _Buen Viaie, Buen passage_; we kept our course towards _America_, sailing before the wind constantly till we came to _America_; a thing worth noting in that voiage from _Spain_ to the _Indies_; that after the Islands of _Canaria_ are once left, there is one constant wind, continuing to _America_ still the same without any opposition or contrariety of other winds; and this so prosperous and full on the sailes, that did it blow constantly, and were it not interrupted with many calmes, doubtlesse the voiage might be ended in a moneth or lesse. But such were the calmes that many times we had, that we got not to the sight of any land till the twentieth day of _August_; so that neer six weeks we sailed as on a river of fresh water, much delighting and sporting our selves in fishing many sorts fishes, but especially one, which by the _Spaniards_ is called _Dorado_, the golden fish, for the skin and scales of it that glitter like gold; of this sort we found such abundance, that no sooner was the hooke with any small bait cast into the sea, when presently the _Dorado_ was caught, so that we tooke them many times for pleasure, and cast them againe into the sea, being a fish fitter to be eaten fresh then salted. Many were the feasts and sports used in the ships, till wee discovered the first land, or Island called _Desseada_. The last day of _July_ (being according to the Jesuites Order, and _Romes_ appointment, the day of _Ignatius_ their Patron and founder of their Religion) the gallant ship called _Sta. Gertrudis_ (wherein went 30 Jesuites) for theirs and their Saints sake made to all the rest of the Fleet a most gallant shew, shee being trimmed round about with white linnen, her flags and top gallants representing some the Jesuites arms, others the picture of _Ignatius_ himself, and this from the evening before, shooting off that night at least fifty Shot of Ordinance, besides four or five hundred squibs (the weather being very calme) and all her masts and tacklings hung with paper Lanthornes having burning lights within them; the waits ceased not from sounding, nor the _Spaniards_ from singing all night. The daies solemne sport was likewise great, the Jesuites increasing the _Spaniards_ joy with an open procession in the ship, singing their superstitious Hymnes and Anthemes to their supposed Saint, and all this seconded with roaring Ordnance, no powder being spared for the compleating of that daies joy and triumph. The fourth of _August_ following, being the day which _Rome_ doth dedicate to _Dominick_, the first founder of the Dominicans or Preachers Order, the ship wherein I was, named _St. Anthony_, strived to exceed _Sta. Gertrudis_, by the assistance of the 27 Dominicans that were in her. All was performed both by night and day; as formerly in _Sta. Gertrudis_, both with powder, squibs, lights, Waits and musick. And further did the Dominicans joy and triumph exced the Jesuites, in that they invited all the Jesuites, with _Don John Nino de Toledo_ the President of _Manila_, with the Captaine of the ship of _Sta. Gertrudis_, to a stately dinner both of Fish and Flesh; which dinner being ended, for the afternoones sport they had prepared a Comedy out of famous _Lope de Vega_, to be acted by some Souldiers, Passengers and some of the younger sort of Fryers; which I confesse was as stately acted and set forth both in shewes and good apparell, in that narrow compasse of our ship, as might have been upon the best stage in the Court of _Madrid_. The Comedy being ended, and a banquet of sweet meates prepared for the closing up of that daies mirth, both ours, and _Sta. Gertrudis_ Cock-boat carried backe our invited friends, bidding each other adieu with our Waits and chiefest Ordnance. Thus went we on our Sea Voiage without any storme, with pleasant gales, many calmes, dayly sports and pastimes till we discovered the first land called _Desseada_ upon the twentieth day of _August_.

CHAP. VI.

_Of our discovery of some Islands, and what trouble befell us in one of them._

The Admirall of our Fleet wondring much at our slow sailing, who from the second of _July_ to the 19 of _August_ had seen nor discovered any land, save only the Islands of _Canaria_; the same day in the morning called to Councell all the Pilots of the ships, to know their Opinions concerning our present being, and the neernesse of Land. The Ships therefore drew neere unto the Admirall one by one, that every Pilot might deliver his opinion. Here was cause of laughter enough, for the passengers to heare the wise Pilots skil; One saying, we were three hundred miles, another two hundred, another one hundred, another fifty, another more, another lesse, all erring much from the truth (as afterward appeared) save onely one old Pilot of the smallest Vessell of all, who affirmed resolutely, that with that small gale wherewith wee then sailed, wee should come to _Guadalupe_ the next morning. All the rest laughed at him, but he might well have laughed at them, for the next morning by Sun-rising wee plainly discovered an Island called _Desseada_ by the _Spaniards_, or the desired Land, for that at the first discovery of the _India's_ it was the first Land the _Spaniards_ found, being then as desirous to find some Land after many dayes sailing as wee were. After this Island presently we discovered another called _Marigalante_, then another called _Dominica_, and lastly, another named _Guadalupe_, which was that wee aimed at to refresh our selves in, to wash our foule cloathes, and to take in fresh water, whereof wee stood in great need. By two or three of the clock in the afternoone wee came to a safe Rode lying before the Island, where wee cast our Anchors, no wayes fearfull of the naked Barbarians of that and the other Islands, who with great joy doe yearly expect the _Spanish_ Fleets coming, and by the Moones doe reckon the Moneths, and thereby make their guesse at their comming, and prepare some their sugar Canes, others the Plantin, others the Tortois, some one Provision, some another to barter with the _Spaniards_ for their small Haberdash, or Iron, Knives, or such things which may help them in their Wars, which commonly they make against some other Islands. Before our Anchors were cast, out came the _Indians_ to meet us in their Canoa's, round like Troughes, some whereof had beene painted by our _English_, some by the _Hollanders_, some by the _French_, as might appeare by their severall Armes, it being a common Rode and harbour to all Nations that saile to _America_.