The estates, empires, & principallities of the world Represented by ye description of countries, maners of inhabitants, riches of prouinces, forces, gouernment, religion; and the princes that haue gouerned in euery estate. With the begin[n]ing of all militarie and religious orders. Translated out of French by Edw: Grimstone, sargeant at armes.

[ D] THey do number seuen Islands of the Asores, or Flamands, that is to [ I] say, the Tercere, saint Michaell, saint Marie, saint George, Gracio∣sa, Pico, and Fayall. Flores and Corues are not comprehended vn∣der the name of Asores, notwithstanding that at this day the nine Islands are put vnder one gouernment. They were called Asores, of the multitude of goshaukes that were found there in the beginning, for that Açor in Spaine signifies a goshauke: but at this day there are not any of them to be found. They haue also beene called the Flemish Islands, for that the Flemings dwelt first in the Island of Fayall, where there are yet some families [ E] whose 〈◊〉〈◊〉 resemble Flemings in their haire and complexion, and they call a Torrent 〈…〉〈…〉 well Ribera dos Framengos, that is to say, the riuer of Flemings.

The chiefe of all these Islands is the Tercere, called commonly the Island of Iesus [ II] Christ of Tercere: it containes about fifteene or sixteene miles, and hath not any Port 〈…〉〈…〉 to defend the ships: yet the sea bending like a halfe Moone before the towne of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 makes a kind of Port, and hereof comes the name of the towne, for that the 〈…〉〈…〉 ••all this forme of the Moone Angra. Of the one side whereas it stretcheth out like 〈…〉〈…〉 there are two mountaines called Bresijl, which aduance into the sea in such 〈…〉〈…〉 off they seeme separated from the Island. Moreouer they are so high as they [ F] 〈…〉〈…〉 fifteen miles when as the skie is cleere. There are two Pillars of stone, from 〈…〉〈…〉 is in guard, giues notice of the comming of ships; for he markes those 〈…〉〈…〉 from the West and South, that is to say, from both the Indies, from Bresil, 〈…〉〈…〉 and Cape Verd, by the pillar vpon the West side, setting vp certaine flags, 〈…〉〈…〉 aboue fiue in number, he lets them know it, by their principall flag, and a 〈…〉〈…〉 sounds: from the pillar of the East side they discouer the ships which

〈…〉〈…〉 Portugall, and other places of the East or North, by meanes of the flags [ A] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he sets vp, the which are seene throughout all the towne by reason of the height of these pillars. The chiefe ••••wne of this Island i•• Angra, which is also the chiefe of the Island of Acores: ••hree mil•••• from thence is the towne of Praye, which is to say, the downe vpon the shore, it hath ••ood wall••, but it is not well peopled. The Tercere hath also the B••roughs of saint Sebastian, saint Barba, Altares, Gualue, Vil••••noua, and others. The Island of saint Michael is almost twentie miles long, and hath many boroughs and hamlets: the chiefe towne of this Island is called Punta del Gada: there is not any port 〈…〉〈…〉 ••angerous, than about the Tercere: but the ships haue 〈…〉〈…〉 to hinder them at the comming of any storme, to [ B] put to 〈…〉〈…〉 the danger, the which is not allowed at the Tercere; for which 〈…〉〈…〉 stri••s 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••o••monly go to ••aint Michael. The Island of saint Mary hath 〈…〉〈…〉 is inhabited by Spaniards. Gratiosa containes about fiue or six miles: they 〈…〉〈…〉 which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there. The Island of saint George is twelue miles 〈…〉〈…〉 broad. The Island of Fayal containes seuenteene or 〈…〉〈…〉 of greatest note next to the Tercere and saint Michaell. The Island of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 containes seuen miles: about 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from then••e lies the little Island of Coruo, the which is two or three miles in circuit. The Tercere is in the nine and thirtieth degree of height, and lies from Lisbone Westward two hundred and fiftie Spanish leagues.

¶ The Qualitie of the Islands. [ C]

ALl the Island of Terce••e beares store of wheat and wine; but their wines cannot be transported far, by reason of their weakenesse, for which cause, rich men vse Made∣ra, and Ca••••rie wines: the Island hath fish, flesh, and other things necessarie to suffice. They 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o••ely oyle that comes from Portugal▪ and it also wants salt, pots, dishes, and 〈…〉〈…〉 ve••sell, and such like; i•• beare•• aboundance of peaches, of diuers sorts, but there 〈…〉〈…〉 cherries, 〈…〉〈…〉. There is reasonable good store of apples, ••eares, oranges, 〈…〉〈…〉 f••uit, and the ground doth heare cabbages, tur∣••ups, [ III] and all kindes of hearbe•• in their season. The chiefe fruit of this Island grows vn∣dergro••••d [ D] like 〈…〉〈…〉 of this plan•• are in forme like a vine, but their l••••ues 〈…〉〈…〉 they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ese fruits Batates, which are of a pound weight, and 〈…〉〈…〉 price•• it i•• 〈…〉〈…〉 food the people haue: they are much more estee∣med in 〈…〉〈…〉 doth hinder the estimation there. There is ano∣ther kind of 〈…〉〈…〉 vnto wheat, which grows round in some, almost like vnto a pease, they 〈…〉〈…〉 this fruit hath a pleasing tast, but the skin is harder than that of a pease▪ they 〈…〉〈…〉 e••••eeme it in other countries, but in the Island they ca••t it to their hog••. They 〈…〉〈…〉 find in the same Island a plant of the height of a man, which beares 〈…〉〈…〉 do••h it yeeld them any profit, but that the root being ten∣der and 〈…〉〈…〉 by the inhabitants, wherewith they fill their mat∣teresses [ E] and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ••••stead of feathers and wooll. The Island hath not many foules in it that m••k•• their prey. There are many of those, which they call Canarie birds, so as many bu••i•• ••h••mselues to take them to sell. There are many quailes, with store of cockes and hens of Af••i••ke. In Sommer they take much fish, but in winter the Sea will not suf∣•••••• them: for in Ianuarie, Februarie, March, and Aprill, yea and in September they are neuer in a manne•• without stormes. The countrie is hillie, and there are rocks 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my sides, the which sticke vp like pointed Dyamonds, able to cut the soles of any 〈…〉〈…〉 shall passe ouer them: but yet these rockes are full of vines, with whose 〈…〉〈…〉 all couered in Som••••r▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a•• it is a wonder to see this plant take root there. 〈…〉〈…〉 no vines in the Cha••pian countrie: but the plaine countrie abounds [ E] with 〈…〉〈…〉 ••oad, especially neere vnto the towne of Praye. But it is an ordina∣rie thing, 〈…〉〈…〉 wonderfull, that wheat, and other fruits of this Island, should not continue good 〈…〉〈…〉. This Island is verie subiect to earthquakes, and to the brea∣••••i••g ou•• of fire: and 〈…〉〈…〉 Island, and also in that of S. Michaell, there are places from

[ A] which there ascend fuming vapors continually, and the ground is all burnt there. There are fountaines to be seen in which the•• may boyle an egge, as if it were on the fire. Three miles from the towne of Angra there is a fountaine, which in time doth turne the wood which is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 i••, into storie. The Island of Tercere hath such store of Cedars, as they vse 〈…〉〈…〉 ships, and also for their ••••ing. There is another kind of wood, which they 〈…〉〈…〉, which is of the colour of ••••oud, and verie beautifull. There is also ano∣th•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 wood, which is white and yellow, whose colours are verie liuely. In the 〈…〉〈…〉, there grows a tree called Tri••o, which is of such greatnesse as the people ar•• ••orbidden by the king of Spaines Edict to touch i••; the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is onely allowed to [] the king of Spaines officers: it is exceeding hard, red within, wa••ed▪ and of an admirable beautie, the which doth increase with time.

The ayre is generally good, and there are verie few disease•• pecu••iar to the ••ou••trie, [ IIII] amongst the which is that which the Portugals call 〈…〉〈…〉 which makes a man weake and benui••med of all his bodie, or of some one of his members. The•••• is also another dis∣ease which the Portugals call the bloud, the which doth cause certaine apostumes of bloud to breake forth about the eyes, or else in some other part of the bodie. These are the two chiefe inconueniences, which proceed from the stormes, humiditie of places, and the great windes, the whi•••• are such, a•• in time they blead downe the stones of houses, and consume yron: for there hath beene seene barres of yron as big as a mans arme, in the [ C] house where the kings treasure lies, the which in six yeares grew as little as a straw, and the verie walls were eaten and consumed to nothing in the same time. Wherefore, they are all in a manner accustomed, to put in the forefro••t of their houses certaine stones which they gather vpon the shore from vnder the water: these last longer against the violence of the winds. The Island of Gratiosa hath store of diuers fruits, whereof they send much to Tercere. The Island of S. George hath many forrests and mountaines, and some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 woad; there are also many Cedars. The Island of Fayal yeelds all things ne∣cessarie for the life of man, it abounds in fish and cattell, which it sends to the Tercere. The Island of Pico hath store of all sorts of fruit, and many Cedar trees, and Teixo which i•• so much esteemed. There is store of cattell, wine sufficient, and excellent fruits, among [ D] which, there are Oranges whose tast is exceeding pleasant. The Island of Flores hath much ca••tell, and verie good places to feed them.

¶ The Manners.

THe ••••••••••itans of Tercere are either Portugals, which liue after the manner of their [ V] cou••••••••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 borne in the Island, which follow the manners of the Portugals and Spaniards which rule ouer them. They are not giuen to hunting, for that the countrie hath no•• any beasts, but some few conies. The first inhabitants of the Island of Fayal were Flemings, so as they retaine something of the humor of the Flemish Nation, whom [] they doe affect aboue all others. The inhabitants of the Tercere are laborious, and gi∣ue•• to ma••ure the ground; so as they make vines to grow vpon the rocks, which seeme nothing fit for that vse. They are accustomed, for the preseruing of their corn, (which cor∣rupts within the yere) to hide it vnder the ground for the space of foure of fiue moneths. All the inhabitants, of the towne of Praye especially, haue a great round hole in a certain 〈…〉〈…〉 which a man may enter, and vpon the top of it there is a couering with the 〈…〉〈…〉 Maister: Euerie man puts his wheat into this hole after haruest, which is in Iulie, an•• ••••aues it so couered vntill Christmas: then the inhabitants take it forth sound and vn••••••••••pted, yet some draw it forth but as they spend it, and leaue the rest: hauing beene thus kept in these holes or wells during the said time, the rest of the yere they pre∣serue [] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coffers, hauing no need of stirring. They are accustomed to giue a name to 〈…〉〈…〉 ••hich is taught to know when his maister calls him. There are many artizans 〈…〉〈…〉 themselues to make many prettie toyes of wood; but they work not so neatly 〈…〉〈…〉 in Germanie. The labourers of Tercere imploy themselues 〈…〉〈…〉 of woad. They of Sancte Maria are giuen much to make earthen vessell.

¶ The Rich••••▪ [ A]

THe English, Scot••ish and French▪ ••ra••••••cke much for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Isl••••d of Tercere, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for, th•• which 〈…〉〈…〉▪ T••e inhabitants doe also make some••••oney 〈…〉〈…〉 ••r••at numbers, which other pro∣uin•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉 this countrie which 〈…〉〈…〉 an•• other i•• Europe o•• ••he inhabi∣tants 〈…〉〈…〉 Ioyners 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and other woodden 〈…〉〈…〉 West Indies bu•• as they passe to sell it [ B] afterwards in Spa••ne.

[ IIII] 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ituation to receiu••all the rich ••••eets that come from 〈…〉〈…〉 of that th••y like, leauing there also some of 〈…〉〈…〉 b•• which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they make this Island rich, like 〈…〉〈…〉 o•• that which is good. The Englishmen 〈…〉〈…〉 to liue in tho••e seas, and to spoyle all ships that bent their 〈…〉〈…〉 so as many did a••oid these Islands▪ fearing to meet with 〈…〉〈…〉 great hinderance of the Isla••der•• and ship••. The Island of Fayal is common∣•••• ••••equen••ed by English mercha••ts, who trafficke there yerely for woad. The inhabi∣••ants of Flores and Co••o are poore by reason of pirats which annoy them, and spoyle [ C] them daily lying betwixt these two Islands.

¶ The Forces of the Islands.

[ VI] THe Island of Tercere is strong of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 selfe, by reason of the rockes which do inuiton 〈…〉〈…〉 sides▪ like vnto a wall▪ a••d at the ••nd of these rockes is a good Fort. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Angra is compassed 〈…〉〈…〉 a reasonable good wall. At the foot of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Bresil, there is 〈…〉〈…〉 doth aunswere dia••••trally vnto another, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••fence of the h••rb••r, so 〈…〉〈…〉 can come in or go 〈◊〉〈◊〉 without the permissi∣••nd these 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Th•• king 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••aine doth commonly entertaine fourteene compa∣nies [ D] in the Island of Tercere. In former times there were none but Portugals for the guard of these Islands: but since the last troubles of Portugal, they haue put a garrison of Spaniards into the Tercere, with a gouernor of the same Nation. This garrison re∣maines continually in the Castles or Forts, and do no displeasure vnto the Portugals, for 〈…〉〈…〉 the ••ou••d 〈…〉〈…〉 ••orbid 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to go abroad, a••d therefore a man may go throughout the Island with great ••••fetie. There is a companie of Spa••i••••d•• in garrison at Punta del Gada. In the Island of Saint Marie, there is not any garrison; for that being enuironed with••rockes, it may be easily kept by the Inhabitants. The Island of Gratiosa is also with∣out souldiers, for that it is not able to beare the charge of a garrison. In the towne of Dortain the Island of ••••yall, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is a Fort, bu•• not very good, and for that the Inhabi∣tants [ E] did once complaine of the great charge of the garrison, and of the trouble they had by it, promising to guards themselues, the king of Spaine retired his souldiers. But the Earle of Cumberland an English Nobleman, comming thither with a fleet, after some little resistance, and a debate which fell among the Islanders, tooke the Island, ruined the Castle, and carried away the Artillerie, with some Carauells; so as the king of Spaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forced to send souldiers againe thither in garrison, after that he had punished the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 authors of all this mischiefe.

¶ The Gouernement. [ F]

[ VII] THe 〈…〉〈…〉 of all the Islands is Angra, whereas the Gouernour makes his resi∣dence, 〈…〉〈…〉 there is a seat of justice, which hath authoritie ouer all the rest. All strangers are forbidden to go about the Island, or to view the approaches: The Por∣••••••••ls Edicts doe expressly forbid i••▪ and in former times there was a certaine street ap∣pointed

[ A] in the towne of Angra, for merchant strangers where they should sell their mer∣chandise, and out of which they might not go, but when they were readie to depart: but at this day they haue more libertie, so as they may walke vp and downe the towne, and into the fields, but they may not go about the Island.

¶ The Religion.

THe Inhabitants of these Islands are Romanists, and nothing giuen to the reformed religion, nor infected with Mahometisme. There is a Cathedral Church in the town [ B] of Angra, whereas the Archbishop makes his aboad.

A generall consideration of the Islands described, and places which the Spaniards hold in Africke, Asia, and at the Indies. Of the profit, riches, and forces of these Estates. Of the Islands of Philippines. Of Princes which are friends and Tributaries to the king of Spaine, and neighbours to this countrie, and of his great enemies which pretend.

FIrst the Islands of Açores are so important for the crowne of Spaine, in regard of their [ C] scituation, as without them the nauigation of Aethiopia, the Indies, Brasil, and the new world, could not be continued: for that the fleets which come from the said countries to ••euille or Lisbonne, must in a manner of force touch there, that is to say, those of the West to follow their course, and those of the East to recouer those windes which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••ourable vnto them. After this (besides Seuta and Tanger, which the king of Spaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon the Straight of Gibraltar, and Mazagan without the Straight) he hath 〈…〉〈…〉 ••oas•• Africke, from Cape d'Aguerro vnto Gardasou two ••orts of Estates: for that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are immediatly vnder him, and others are in the power of his Allies. Hee 〈…〉〈…〉 him the Islands of Madera, Porto Sancto, Cape Verd, the Canaries, Aeguin, Saint Thomas, and others neere adiacent: these Islands maintaine themselues with their [] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••uall•• and prouisions, whereof they send some into Europe, especially sugars 〈…〉〈…〉, whereof the Island of Madera doth chiefely abound, and also of wine: and the Island of saint Thomas doth also impart great store of sugars vnto other coun∣••rie••▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Estates haue beene much troubled by men of war, both English and Dutch, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ost part haue not passed the Island of Cape Verd. The Portugals haue two 〈…〉〈…〉 I••lands of Arquin, and of Saint George de la Mine, and two places like 〈…〉〈…〉 they traffick with the neighbour nations of Guinee and Libia, 〈…〉〈…〉 Mandinque and other neere places. Among the princes his Allies, the 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••werfull is the king of Congo, who doth possesse the most temperat, and 〈…〉〈…〉 realme in Aethiopia. The Portugals haue two colonies there, the one in the [] 〈…〉〈…〉 Sauiour, and the other in the Island of Loande. They draw great riches 〈…〉〈…〉 thi•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ but the chiefest is that of fiue thousand slaues which they haue 〈…〉〈…〉 sen•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Islands and the New World: they are bound to pay a certaine 〈…〉〈…〉 ••o••ey to the king of Spaine, for euerie slaue that goes forth. They may passe 〈…〉〈…〉 realme, to that of Prester Ian, for that they hold it not to be far off: and it 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ephants, and of all sorts of victualls and other necessaries, as it were verie 〈…〉〈…〉 for this enterprise. Congo confi••es with Angola; with whose king, Paul 〈…〉〈…〉 contend touching certaine mines of siluer.

〈…〉〈…〉 had as much esteemed things that were neere them, as they did those 〈…〉〈…〉, and had imploied their forces, with the which, hauing passed the Cape of 〈…〉〈…〉 they arriued at the Indies at Malacca and at the Moluccos; if I say they had 〈…〉〈…〉 them to the enterprise of Africke they might with more ease, and lesse charge 〈…〉〈…〉 treasures: for that there is no countrie in the world richer of gold and 〈…〉〈…〉 realme•• of Mandique, Aethiopia, Congo, Angola, Butuë, of Toros, 〈…〉〈…〉, Monomotapa, Caphati, and Monoemugi: but the couetousnesse

of man esteemes another mans more than his owne, and things afar off seeme better [ A] than those which are neere. The Portugals haue, betwixt the Cape of Good Hope, and ••••rdafou, the forts of Cefala and Mozambique; with the one they maintaine them∣selues masters of the trafficke of the countries thereabouts, which abound with gold and Iuorie; and with the other they make their nauigation to the Indies easie, for that their armies in passing doe some times winte•• these, and sometimes but refresh themselues. They haue on this side the king of Melinda for their great friend, and them of Quiloa and their neighbour Islands for their tributaries. To conclude, the Portugals want no∣thing but 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ for besides the other Islands, which remain al••ost abandoned, they leaue that of Saint Laurence, which is one of the greatest in the world, or it may be the grea∣test [ B] (for that it is one thousand and two hundred miles long, and foure hundred and eigh∣tie broad) in a manner vnmanured, the which is fit to beare any thing, for the goodnesse of the ••oil••▪ and nature hath giuen it good riuers, good pores, and verie co••modious 〈◊〉〈◊〉. These estats of the crowne of Portugal, haue no cause to dread any thing but ar∣mi•••• 〈…〉〈…〉, which cannot come but from the Turke: but the continuall going and com∣••i••g of the i••••leets assure them; for in the yeare 1••89, they tooke neere vnto Monbazze foure galleis and a galion of Turkes which had come into those parts.

As for the Estates of Asia, they are diuided into them of Persia, Cambaia and the Indies. The Portugals haue in Persia the realme of Ormuz, and in Cambaia the Islands of Diu, of Daman, and Bazain. At the Indies they hold Chaul, the Island of Goa, with others [ C] that lie about i••▪ the sorts of Co••hin and Colari, the Island of Ma••••r, and the Port of Colomban in the Island of Zeilan; but the principall is Goa▪ whereas the Viceroy re∣maines, with the forces of the Indies. Ormuz and Diu ••re ••••ch esteemed for the com∣maund of the sea, and the trafficke of the gulphes of Persia and Ga••baia Cochin and Colari are commended for the aboundance of ••epper which they lade there: Manar for the fishing of pearles which they vse in that sea. Daman and Bazain for the bountie of the neighbour countries▪ by reason where of Iohn the third, king of Portugal assigned this countrie to old souldiers. G••a is of very great importance for the commoditie of the ••••ituation, together with the fertilitie of the soile. The king of Spaine hath here also some Princes his friends, and some others that are his tributaries. The first and the richest [ D] is he of Co••hi••▪ at the first he wa•• vass••ll to the king of Callicut, and was of n•• great power: but now by the friendship and trafficke of the Portugals, he hath gotten so great rich••s and is of such force as the neighbour kings doe enuie him. The king of Colan is also a friend to the king of Spaine, who hath ••or••s of importance in both these realmes. There is also the realme of Mallacca, which extends two hundred and seuentie miles, but it is not well peopled: notwithstanding the towne which is so called vnites all their traf∣ficke, yea in a manner all the voiages▪ which are made in that great sea, from the mouthes of the red sea vnto the Cape of Liampo; and hither comes all the riches of the firme land, and of many Islands, all which together do not yeeld in greatnesse to Europe. Mal∣lacca hath two mightie enemies, the kings of Yo•• and Achen, wherof the first is mightie [ E] by land, and the second by sea: it hath beene twice besieged, and brought to great extre∣mitie: but with the succours that came vnto it from the Indies it was alwaies relieued, with great losse vnto the enemies. Last of all Paul de Lima defeated the king of Yor, and took from him a sort which he had made neere vnto Mallacca, where among other things he found nine hundred peeces of brasse ordnance: yet this Estate is in great danger for that the king of A••hen is so powerfull, whose only desire is to ruine it.

As for the Philippines they belong vnto new Spaine, not that they are comprehen∣ded within the co••fines of the New world; but for that they were discouered in the yeare 156•• by Michael Lopes of Legaspe, who was sent to discouer them by Don Lewis of Velasco Vi••eroy of New Spaine. Some thinke that in this sea (which extends it selfe [ F] betweene New Spaine and Sumatra) there are one thousand and one hundred Islands as well great as small▪ and although the Spaniards comprehend them all vnder the name of Philippines, yet this name agrees more properly to them that lie most Northerly: Of these they haue alreadie conquered about fortie with a million of Inhabitants. These

[ A] Islands abound generally with gold, victualls, and synamon, whereof they carrie a great quantitie into new Spaine, and so into Spaine it selfe. The king of Spaine hath caused bulls, kine, horses and mares, to be carried thither for to multiplie. The number of Spa∣niards which haue conquered, and which defend these countries amount at this day to one thousand six hundred, and of these there are not aboue nine hundred souldiers. These estates are of greater importance than is thought; for that besides the aboundance of victualls and gold which they find there, the scituation is verie fit to subdue the neigh∣bour Islands, and to bring in a trafficke betwixt them of this sea and of new Spaine, and to make easie the commerce betwixt China and Mexico, all which are of great impor∣tance. [ B] But that which imports more is, that they haue begun on this side to curbe the Mahometans, who sought by little and little to make themselues maisters of the Islands and of the coast of Asia. This enterprise is more easie for the Spaniards by new Spaine, and by Perou, than for the Arabians by their countries; for that (besides that the first are the stronger) there haue been ships which in two moneths haue come from Peru to the Philippines, (the distance from Acapulco and Salisco is lesse) whereas a ship cannot come from Arabia in halfe a yere: not only for that the first is neerer than the later; but also, for that the generall winds doe much more fauor the nauigation of the Spaniards than of the Moores; for that the one goe by a direct line, and the other by an oblique. Moreouer, the first goe the voyage at one time, and the others make many voyages; for [ C] that at the Cape of Comorin they find the sommer changed into winter, & the like doth in a manner happen vnto them at Malacca, where they are forced to stay. Moreouer, the Spaniards faile alwaies with a forewind, and in a calme sea, but the Arabians enter into a sea where for the great number of Islands they find a thousand dangerous currents, and diuers winds which surprise them, and moreouer, many pirats which incounter them. We must add hereunto, that the Portugals and Spaniards being vnited at this day, will ma••e a great resistance in those countries; and therefore the Chinois stand vpon their guard, and feare the neighbourhood and forces of Christians.

The force of the Spaniard in these estates consists in two things, the one is, the strong scituation of places, the other, the number and bountie of armies: For as for scituations, the Portugals knowing that they could not for their small number imbrace any enterpri∣ses [ D] of importance within a countrie, nor resist the power of the Persians, Guzarates, of the princes of Decan, Narsingue and others, were carefull to possesse themselues of such places as they thought fittest, to make themselues maisters of the sea and trafficke, for that few men might make defence there against great armies. And for that they are mai∣sters of the ports and seas, they haue meanes to draw together so great forces by sea, as there is not any one able to oppose himselfe: and their ships are such, and so well furni∣shed, as one of theirs will not dread three or foure enemies; and all that they may feare is the furie of the Hollanders, if they breake againe with them. And to make it in some sort appeare what they may doe at the Indies, Francis of Almeyda with one and twentie [ E] ships or few more did put to rout the Mamelus, neighbours to Diu▪ Alphonso of Albu∣querque assailed Callicut with an armie of thirtie great ships, he tooke Goa with one and twentie, recouered it with foure and twentie, and tooke Malacca with three and twen∣tie ships; he entred into the red sea with twentie, and recouered Ormuz with two and twentie. Nugno of Acugna went to the enterprise of Diu with three hundred saile, where there were three thousand Portugals, and fiue thousand Indians, besides seruants that were armed, of which they were accustomed to haue great numbers. D. Constantine of Bragance had at the enterprise of Onor one hundred and sixtie saile, and as many at that of Ionesapatan.

Besides the Princes which are freinds and tributaries to the king of Spaine, he hath [ F] verie mightie enemies neere vnto these estates. The Sophi of Persia pretends vpon Or∣muz, which was sometimes one of his vassals; the king of Cambaia vpon Diu, which did belong vnto him, and to other lands which (as we haue said) were his: the Nizzama∣l•••• and the Idalcan (the Portugals doe thus terme two mightie Princes of the realme of D••••an) and the kings of Callicut and Narsingue. But the king of Persia and he of Nar∣singue

haue neuer attempted any thing against the Portugals, for that they haue had al∣waies [ A] to doe with greater enemies. The others had made great attemps to recouer Diu, Chaul, Goa, and other places, but they could not preuaile in any other enterprise of importance; for that the scituations of places are wonderfull commodious to receiue succours by sea: and although that these enemies haue made their enterprises in winter to hinder their succours, yet their pollicie hath preuailed nothing, for that the Portugals were so couragious, and their ships so good as they feared no daunger: so as the besie∣ged and their countriemen striuing, the one to vanquish with patience, and the other to endure all the daungers of wind and sea to succour them, they haue made their enemies attempts frustrat. But the Spaniards haue none so great an enemie as the Turke, who [ B] hath often attempted by the red sea, with the commoditie which the towne of Aden giues him, to chase them out of the Indies, being inuited thereunto, sometimes by the king of Cambaia, and sometimes by his owne ambition. The greatest armie which he hath made was of sixtie foure vessells, which he sent to Diu, but it was shamefully put to flight, and another of seuen and twentie great ships which he sent to the enterprise of Ormuz: They haue no other thing in the Island of Zeiland, but a fort called Colombo, for that the king, who was their tributarie, was dispossest of his realme by a Moore cal∣led Singa Pandar, and now he maintaines himselfe with the aid which the Portugals giue him. [ C] [ D] [ E] [ F]