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. X.

A Continuation of the Conquests the same Year 1506. and the Government of the same Viceroy Don Francisco de Al∣meyda.

1. THE Kingdom of Zofala is a large tract of Land, of 750 Leagues cir∣cumference, subject to the Monomotapa, that is Emperour of that South Part of Africk, called by the same Name, or Ethiopia Infe∣rior; it is watered by these two Famous Ri∣vers, Rio del Espiritu Santo, and Cuama, the latter Navigable 250 Leagues. These, and many other Rivers that fall into them, have Golden Sands. Most part of the Land en∣joys a Temperate Air, pleasant, wholsom and fruitful. In part it bears great flocks of Sheep, of the Skins whereof the Natives are Cloathed, because of the cold South Winds. Along the Banks of Cuama, the Country is Mountanous, covered with Woods, and watered with many Rivers, which make it delightful, and therefore the best Peopled, and the common residence of the Monomo∣pata. It is abundantly stocked with Ele∣phants, and consequenty Ivory, and Mines of Gold encompassed 30 Leagues about, with Mountains, on the tops whereof the Air is serene and clear. They are called

the Mines of Manica 50 Leagues South-west of Zofala, there are others 150 Leagues di∣stant, none then much valued by their Owners. Here are some Buildings of won∣derful Structure, with Inscriptions of un∣known Characters, but the Natives know nothing of their Foundation. They believe in one God, under the Name of Mozima, and use no Idols. Witchcraft, Theft and Adultery are most severely punished by them. They have as many Wives as they can maintain; the Kings are above 1000, but the first commands the others, and her Children inherit. In their Funerals they are superstitious; their Cloathing Cotton, the better sort mixed with some Gold Threads; the Houses of Wood. The Kings Atten∣dance is more ceremonious than great; his Guard 200 Dogs, and is always followed by 500 Jesters. He is Sovereign over many Princes, and because they rebel, always keeps their Heirs about him. There are no Law Suits among them; they fight a foot; their Arms are Arrows, Javelins or Darts, Daggers and small sharp Hatchets. The Women are so much respected, that if the King's Son meets one, he gives her the way, and stops till she pass.

2. The Moors of Magadoxa were the first that possessed these Mines of Zofala; after them, those of Quiloa, whose Kings were possessed thereof, till Yçuf, one of their Go∣vernours rebelled, and usurped the Sove∣reignty to himself, with the Title of King, and was the same with whom Pedro de Annaya

now treated; and in this place he built the Fort so much desired by King Emanuel, strong though of Wood. The three tra∣ding Ships sailed toward India, under the Command of Peter Barreto. Francisco de Annaya was ordered by his Father to secure the Coast up to Cape Guardafu with two Ships; both Vessels were lost, and the Cap∣tains saved in their Boats.

3. Whilst the Sea swallowed the Guard of the Coast, the Moors studied the destru∣ction of Peter de Annaya at Zofala. The King's Son-in-law persuaded him to get rid of them, at such time as they were so weak, through Diseases contracted by the strange Air, that they joined six of them to bend a Cross-bow. The King laying hold of this opportunity, surrounds the place with 5000 Cafres, and fills the Ditch with Faggots, then gives the assault, darkning the Sun with Showers of Arrows; but our Cannon being well played made such havock, that they filled with their Carcases the part of the Ditch they had not levelled with Wood. Only 35 Portugueses, who were able to carry Arms, did all this execution. After∣wards Peter de Annaya sallied with 15 or 20 Moors and drove the Cafres first to a Wood of Palm-trees, and then to their Dwellings, with such consternation, that they cried, out, the King of Zofala bad called them to fight against God. Peter de Annaya with a few men attacks the Town by night, and entring the King's House, he stood behind the Door with a Cimiter, and as Annaya en∣tred,

wounded him in the Neck, but was soon killed with many more. Next day his Sons with all the Moors assaulted the Fort, but in vain, for the fright cured many of the sick, who joyning in the common de∣fence, the Enemy was repulsed. The two Brothers fell out about the Succession to the Crown, and Solyman gaining Annaya, was by him Crowned; and for his own security made a strong Alliance with, and support∣ed the Portugueses.

2. Whilst these things hapned at Zofala, in India, the Zamori of Calicut had stirred up the Soldan of Cayre, and hoped with his assistance to drive us out of these Seas; this was not so private but the King of Cochin had intelligence of it, and advertised the Viceroy Don Francisco, who sent his Son Laurence with 11 Sail to prevent or put a stop to the design. As he visited some Ports, news was brought him, that in the Road of Cananor was a Fleet of 260 Paraos, where∣of 60 exceeded our Ships in bulk. He directs his course towards them, and after a very sharp engagement they were put to flight, pursued, and some taken, but many sunk and obliged to run aground, with great loss to the Enemy, and of his own only five or six men; the chiefest part of the Booty was four Ships laden with Spice. Don Lorenço had scarce time to breath after this Victory, when he understood the Fort of Anchediva was beset by 60 Vessels of Moors and Gen∣tiles well armed and resolute, commanded by a Renegado. The besieged behaved

themselves gallantly, and no less the Besie∣gers; but having lost some Vessels tore by our Cannon, and hearing of the relief Don Lorenço was about to bring, they went off with all possible speed.

5. The Moors perceiving their Trade was cut off by the Portugueses, thought to shun them by keeping out at Sea in their Voya∣ges to Sumatra and Malaca where they went for Spice, striking through the Maldivy Islands, and bearing away South of Ceylon. The Viceroy sent his Son from Cochin with nine Ships to infest that Course. But the Pi∣lots wandring through unknown Seas, dis∣covered the Island Ceylon, formerly called Trapobana. They anchored at the Port Gale, where many Moors were lading Cin∣namon, and taking in Elephants for Cam∣baya. They fearful of Don Lorenço's anger, presented him in the name of the King with 400 Bahares of Cinnamon. He well understood the contrivance, but thought it at that time better to dissemble and content himself with the Present, and discovery of the Island, planting there a Cross, with an Inscription, signifying his arrival there. In his return to Cochin he fell upon the Town of Biramjam, which he burnt down, putting all to the Sword, in revenge for the Portu∣gueses killed at Coulan, because this Town belonged to that Crown.

6. Cide Barbudo and Peter Quaresma com∣ing with two Ships from Portugal, after ma∣ny misfortunes, arrived at Zofala, where they found Peter de Annay, and most of his

men w•…•…re dead, and the rest sick. Quarisma remained there to relieve the Fort, and Bar∣budo sailing towards India, found Quiloa in the same condition whereof he gave the Viceroy an account. He sent with all speed Nunno Vaz Pereyra to the relief of the Fort, who having repaired it, and given necessa∣ry Orders, went on to Zofala. Neverthe∣less the Fort of Quiloa was afterwards razed by the same hands that built it, after having cost many Lives, all the effect of the ill usage of the Portugueses towards the Natives, proceeding from their unlimited Pride and Boundless Avarice.