5 The SINDAE or SELEBES.
Neer the Moluccoes, and almost intermingled with them, are a set of Ilands which Ptolomy calleth SINDAE, and the Moderns, SELEBES, many in tale, but not above four of any weight, that is to say, 1. SELEBES. 2. Gilolo, 3. Amboina. 4.Macasser, of which the two first are si∣tuate under the Aequator, and the last somewhat on the South of it: all of them in the time of Ptolomy inhabited by Anthropophagi, and a long time after; insomuch as the Kings of the Moluccoes, did use to send their condemned persons into these Ilands, there to be devoured. Which said in generall, we will take a more particular view of them as they lie before us.
1. SELEBES, which gives name to the rest, and hath under it many lesser Ilands, is large and rich. The foil thereof exceeding fertile, the people tall and comely, and of color, not so much black, as ruddy. Much given to Piracy, and all Idolaters till of late. Governed by many Kings or petit Princes, the cause of much contention, and many quarrels: three of which are said to have been converted to Christi∣anity, and for that cause much hated by their heathenish Subjects, who thereupon rebelled against them. It is situate West of the Moluccos, and hath therein a Town called Sion, honoured with the abode of one of their Christian Kings: but possibly not so called untill their conversion; the proper name thereof be∣ing Cian. 2. Nibon, in the South, and 3. Terolli, in the North parts of it.
2. GILOLO, called also ••atachina, is one of those Islands, which our late Navigators include under the name of Del Mor. Of large extent, conceived to be half as bigge as Italy. By that ac∣compt (the truth whereof I do very much doubt) greater than Ze••lan is in compass, though of less repu∣tation: that being governed by its own Princes, this subject for the most part to the king of Ternate. Si∣tuate East of the Moluccos, exceeding plentiful of Rice, well stored with wild hens, and on the shores provided of a kind of Shell-fish, which in tast much resembleth mutton. A tree they have which they call by the name of Sag••••, of the pith whereof they make their bread, and of the sap or juice of it they com∣pose a pleasing drink which serveth them instead of wine. The air intemperately hot; the people well pro∣portioned, but rude and savage; some of them Gentiles,some Malome••ans, of which last Religion is their king. The chief Town of it is Batchame or Batachina,(whence the new name unto the Iland) in which the Hollanders have a Fort to defend their Factory.
3. AMBOINA, South of the Aequator, and the third of the Sinda, hath many Ilands of less note which depend upon it, and do communicate in the name. In compass about five hundred miles, said by Maginus to be extremely rough and barren; which must be understood with reference to some kinds of grain. For otherwise it is very fertile, abundantly productive of Rice, Citrons, Limons, O∣renges, Coquo-nuts, Sugar-Canes, and other fruits; and very plentiful of Cloves. Which last, as it makes some to reckon it amongst the Moluccos, so may it be the reason why the Iland is defective in such fruits as require much moisture: the Clove being of so hot a temper, as before was noted, that it draweth to it all the moisture of the Earth which is neer unto it.
The people much given to Piracy, wherewith they do infest all the neighboring Ilands. Defamed for Cannibals, or man-caters: it being here a constant custome, that when their parents are grown old, or sick of any incurable disease, they give them unto one another to be eaten by them. They have one Town of more note than other, which they call Amboyna, by the name of the Iland. First taken by the Portu∣gals, and by them secured with a strong fortress: during whose power here, the Jesuites who had in it their several Residences converted many to Christianity. But in the year 1605. the Iland and the Fort both were conquered by Stephen of Hagan for the States of the united Provinces: who having cleered the Countrey of the Portugal Forces, possessed themselves of it. Received by the natives at their first comming with joy and triumphs: but they got little by the change, as they found soon after; their new Masters being more burden some and unsufferable than the old had been. For clai∣ming in the right of conquest, they think they may oppress the Natives by the law of Arms, and ingross all trade unto themselves as the true Proprietaries. Infamous even amongst the rude and savage Indians for their barbarous inhumanity executed upon some of the English (the greatest Patrons under God which they have in the world) whom in the year 1618 they most cruelly tortured, and most wickedly murdered, under colour of some plot to betray their Fortress: but in plain truth for no other reason but because they were more beloved by the Inhabitants, and began to gain upon their trade.
4. West of Amboina, and South-west of Celebes, lieth the 4th of these Ilands called MACAS∣SAR, said to contain from East to West 600 miles; plentiful of Rice, Flesh, Fish, Salt, and Cot∣ton-wool; not destitute of Gold and Pearls, and well stored with Sanders (Sandalum it is called in L••tin) a medicinal wood, growing like a Nut-tree: of several colours, white, red, yellow, but the red, the best: the fruit in making, like a Cherry, but of no esteem. In some parts overgrown with woods, in which certain fierie Flies make nightly such shining light, as if every twig or bough were a burning Candle. In the midle covered with high Mountains, out of which flow many navigable Rivers.