The seuenth of Ianuary following 1605. we anchored vnder the Shore of Veranula, a peo∣ple that deadly hate the Portugals, and therefore had sent to the Hollanders for ayde against them, promising to become subiect vnto them, if they expeld the Portugals; in summe, the Hol∣landers prepared to assault the Castle of Amboyna, and the Portugals to defend it, the one purpo∣sing to recouer, the other to hold it; The Hollanders summoning them in the Prince of Orange his name to deliuer it that day by two of the clocke, and the Portugals denying it. Yet in the end after many attempts and defences, it was yeelded to the Hollanders by composition, wherevpon the Gouernour of the Towne, after the surrender of the Castle, bard vs of all trade by the com∣mand of the Hollanders.
The warre continuing betweene the Tarnatans and Tydorians, the first assisted by the [ 10] Hollanders, the other by the Portugals, shortly after we got vnder the land of Tydore, where we might espie betweene Pulocanally and Tydore, two Gallies of Tarnata making great speed to∣wards vs, weauing vnto vs with a white flagge to strike sayle and to tarry for them. At the same time came seuen Gallies of Tydore, rowing betwixt vs and the shore to assault the Tarnatans, our Generall seeing the danger they were in, lay by the lee to know what the matter was; The for∣most of these Gallies or Coracoras, wherein the King of Tarnata with diuers of his Nobles, and three Dutch Merchants were, being full of feare, desired our Generall for Gods sake to saue them from their enemies the Tydorians, from whom they looked for no mercy if he did not help them, & withall, that he would be pleased to rescue their other Coracora that came after, wherin there were diuers Dutchmen who were to expect nothing but death, if he did not releeue them. Whereupon our Generall commanded his Gunner to shoote at the Tydore Gallies, yet they de∣sisted [ 20] not but boarded them within shot of our Ordnance, and put them all to the sword, but three that saued themselues by swimming, and were taken vp by our men into their boat.
Our Genenrall being determined to goe for Tydore, the Dutch desired him that he would no•• let the King of Tarnata and them fall into their enemies hands, from whom he had so lately de∣liuered them, promising mountaines of Cloues and other Commodities at Tarnata and Makeu, but performing Mole-hils, (verifying the prouerbe, The danger escaped, the Saint is deceiued.) One thing I may not forget, the King of Tarnata comming aboard the Generall, trembled for feare, which the Generall supposing to be for cold, put a blacke Damaske gowne laid with gold lace, and lined with vnshorne Veluet, on his backe, which at his departure, he had not the manners to restore, but kept it as his owne: But see how this kindnesse was shortly after recompensed [ 30] by these vnthankefull men. Our Generall arriuing at the Portugals towne in Tydore; the Gouernour of the Fort sent one Thomas de Torres, and others with a letter, the effect whereof was, that the King of Tarnata and the Hollanders reported, that there was nothing but treason and villany to be expected at our hands, but that he conceiued better of vs, beleeuing their re∣ports to be nothing but malice. To second this, not long after, our Generall arriuing at the Kings towne, sent Master Graue aboard the Dutch Admirall, who found but could entertaine∣ment at their hands, affirming that we had assisted the Portugals in the last warres against the King of Tarnata and them, with Ordnance and other Munition, which our Generall proued to the contrary by some Portugals that were taken prisoners by them in that conflict; & then being ashamed of the slaunder, the Generall affirmed he had it from a Renegado Gussarat, but did not [ 40] thinke it to be true.
To fill vp full measure, not long after the King of Tarnata seeming to affect our Nation, they threaned him that they would forsake him and ioyne with the deadly enemie the King of Tydo∣re, if he suffered the English either to haue a Factory, or any trade with them, affirming that the English were theeues and robbers, and no other he should find them, and that the King of Hol∣land was stronger by Sea, then all Christendome besides, with many other disgracefull spee∣ches of our Nation, and all other Christian Princes (a iust consideration for all Nations to thinke what this insolent frothy Nation will doe, if they attaine to the possession of the East Indies) To which insolent speeches our General replied: That what Hollander soeuer he were that so re∣ported, he lyed like a traitor▪ and that he would make it good against any one that should so re∣port; [ 50] affirming that if the Queenes Maiestie of England had not taken pitty of them, they had beene vtterly ruined by the King of Spaine, and branded for slaues and traitors. The particular wrongs done by them to our Nation, if they were laid open, would fill volumnes, and amaze the world to heare. I will conclude, to shew the esteeme had of our Nation in the East India, with the true Copies of sundry letters seni by their Kings to his Maiestie of Great Brittaine, and first of the King of Tarnata.
[ 60]
The King of Tarnatas Letter to the King.
HEaring of the good reports of your Maiestie by the comming of the great Captaine Sir Francis Drake, in the time of my father, which was about some thirtie yeeres past: by the which Captaine