The Portugues Asia, or, The history of the discovery and conquest of India by the Portugues containing all their discoveries from the coast of Africk, to the farthest parts of China and Japan, all their battels by sea and land, sieges and other memorable actions, a description of those countries, and many particulars of the religion, government and customs of the natives, &c. : in three tomes / written in Spanish by Manuel de Faria y Sousa ... ; translated into English by Cap. John Stevens.

CHAP. XII.

Of several Occurrences till the end of the Government of the Viceroy the Count De Linnares.

1. AN Indian Woman married to a Portu∣gues was delivered at Bardes of a Monster with two Heads and Teeth, the Ears like a Monkey, on the Forehead an Ex∣crescency of Flesh like a Horn, the Legs so joyned they looked like one, leaping out of the Midwife's hands; it seized a Black, and bit out a piece of her Flesh. The Wife of a Heathen Barber brought forth much such another Creature, and a Cow a third, all successively one after the other. These Pro∣digies were general through most of the World this Year.

2. The Year 1633. was not quite unlike it; the beginning of this Year we lost the Town of Golin in Bengala in this manner. The Mogol having lost above 50000 Horse the last Year in several Engagements he had with Hidalcan, attributed it to the Assistance the latter received from the Portugueses. In Revenge thereof he now besieges Golin with almost 200000 Men by Land, and a vast Fleet sent down the River Ganges. In the Place were 200 Portugueses and their Slaves, who defended themselves several days with∣out

out any Fortifications, killing 50000 Mogols. Being no longer able to hold out, they at∣tempted to escape in four Vessels, two whereof full of Women and Children, and vast Riches, fell into the Enemies hands. The Women, rather than remain in Slavery, fired the Vessels, and were burnt with their Children and Treasure. The other two Ships with the Men were also taken; and the Mogol offering their liberty to such as were not Inhabitants of Cambolim, they re∣fused, saying, They would all share the same Fortune. It is not known whether they were killed or made Slaves.

3. The War continued in Ceylon with the King of Candea. The false D. Theodosius had returned to our Friendship but with a design to deceive us, but was at last killed. The King sued for Peace, and submitted to our Conditions, but then again refused to ratifle it, and Iames de Melo & Castro offering him Battel if he persisted in the denial, he signed the Treaty. Thus we were again restored to all that had been lost in Cey∣lon.

4. Last Year three Ships were ready at Lisbon to sail for India at the usual time, which is about March, but the Weather pro∣ved so bad, they were disappointed. In Iuly three others set out, and two of them had the good fortune to make the Voyage without seeing Land till they came to Goa. This Year we now treat of sailed the three Ships that were disappointed the last. One of these coming back, was cast away beyond

the Cape of Good Hope, but lost not one Man, and very few of them died ashore. Of the Wreck, and some Wood cut in the Moun∣tains, they built two small Vessels that car∣ried them off, though not without difficulty, the greatest to make the Men agree to this only means of saving themselves.

5. On the 16th of February 1634, Antony Tellez de Silva sailed from Goa towards the North with 6 Galleons, in search of the like number of Dutch Ships that came from Per∣sia. About Trapor he discovered them, and giving chase they fled, throwing overboard many Goods to lighten.

6. The Viceroy was not so wholly taken up with the Military Affairs, but he could attend adorning and beautifying the City. He built a Church dedicated to St. Laurence near the Bar, and gave it to the Francis∣cans. Then he founded and endowed an Hospital for the Poor in the Field of St. La∣zarus, which made four Hospitals at Goa. He rebuilt the Council-house of the Inqui∣sition, and Palace of the Viceroys, which were going to ruin.

7. For Military Works, at Panelim he finished that called the Powder-house, where are daily made 14 Quintals of Powder. Repaired the Fortifications of Mascate, and others. These Works seem sufficient to have made him beloved, but either some Humours made him odious, or else it was impossible to please the Portugueses. Some discontented Persons, when the Viceroy was about to depart, set up several scandalous

Libels against him in publick Places, and hanged his Effigies on the publick Gibbet. Yet after all it was voted, that an honou∣rable Statue should be erected to him in the same place where the other had been hang'd, but it succeeded not, for when the Pedestal was set up, there arrived a new Viceroy, and the arrival of such always reverses whatso∣ever was done before.

8. Now died the famous Commander Ruy Freyre de Andrade full of Merit unrewarded; we have already spoke of his Actions, his Qualities were a mixture of good and bad, more Politick than Conscientious. He was Prudent and Generous. Gave all his Orders in doubtful terms, to reserve a Meaning to justifie himself by in case of ill success. Was familiar with no body, choosing rather to be feared than beloved. He heard all Soldiers standing, or made them sit. Any breach of Orders he never pardoned, but beheaded a Captain for saving a beautiful young Woman, being commanded to put all to the Sword. It is needless to repeat more Extravagancies of this kind.

9. Two Ships sailed from Lisbon, carrying a new Viceroy to India. The Count De Linarez returned with them, one whereof was cast away near Lisbon; the other, in which he was, went to Malaga, where many of the Men died, much of the Loading was wasted, and the Ship was broke up.

10. The Count went to Court, and was the first that presented his Prince with part of what he had gained. To the King he

gave a Hatband, to the Queen a pair of Pendants, both valued by some 100000, by others 80000 Crowns. He was at first re∣ceived with Hononr, and after Imprisoned. The Count was of a beautiful Presence, and comely Aspect, discreet and well inclined, of Viceroys the 27th, of Governours the 51st, and 6th of the Sirname.

11. This Year was remarkable in Cochin∣china for a Dearth, which caused such a Famine as had not been known in the me∣mory of Man, and for repeated Treasons. About the beginning of the Year a Bastard Son of the King, but Adopted by the Queen, went to govern the Provinces between Ca∣cham and Chapa; he had before his depar∣ture conspired with eight principal Men to bring the Government of the Kingdom into his and his Brothers hands, which then was managed by the Sons of another Woman. As soon as he came to his Government he began to make Warlike Preparations; the King understanding it sent for him, and he kept off till the Kind died, and the Princes possessed themselves of the Palace. The Conspirators came to celebrate the Funeral Rites. An Uncle of those young Princes was present, who understanding those Trai∣tors design to murder his Nephews, called up the Guards that were ready to execute his Orders, but he thought it enough to terrifie those Conspirators. The Funeral ended, the Prince having with difficulty got the Royal Seal from the Queen, tendred it to his Uncle, offering to acknowledge him as

King; but the old Man unwilling to be out∣done by the Youth, refused the Offer, only desiring him to remember his Children.

12. The News of the King's Death being brought to the Bastard at the City Cacham, he ordered the deepest Mourning according to the custom of that Country, which was to cut their Hair short. This to them is a great Affliction, for they wear their Hair at length like Women, and think it makes them beau∣tiful, whereas they are very ugly. This done, he raised Men, and fortified himself at Turam. The young King's two Brothers soon came upon him, and were Masters of all. He fled, and being taken, attempted to kill himself with a Knife; but failing, was committed to Prison, where he poisoned himself. After his Death many Persons of great Note, being Accomplices in the Trea∣son, were put to Death.