§. V. [ 30]

WHat the Iesuites haue done for the aduancing of Christian Religion with the Abassines, yee haue heard. In the yeere 1560. Consaluus Sylueria a Portugall Iesuite with two * companions, went from Goa for Manamotapa, a Region abounding with gold, but deare bought by reason of the Ayres vnwholsomnesse, and the want of necessaries for food and health. They came first to Inhambane, and there fell sicke, but recouering proceeded to Tonge, and there baptised the King, his Wife, Sister, Children, Kindred, and great Men, with * most of the People in few dayes. Thence Consaluus went to Manamotapa, leauing his Fellowes [ 40] with the King which built the Church of the Assumption: one of them by want of health was forced backe to India, the other stayed there two yeeres. Gonsaluus passed by Mozambique, and came to the Riuer Mafuta ninetie leagues from thence, where escaping a dreadfull tempest, hee went on shoare with his folding Altar, and said Masse on the Strand, the heate being so vehe∣ment that the Portugals could scarse indure to tread on the ground, and Consaluus his head brake out with pushes as he was in his Holies: which when they would haue medicined, praeclaro sui ipsius*odio incensus, hee refused all, and permitted himselfe to the cure of Nature and Time. Thence they went to the Riuer Colimane, and were well entertayned by Mingoaxanes, King of Giloa a Moore, little caring for his Mahumetrie, and giuing them leaue to preach in his Kingdom. [ 50] But they hasted to Manamotapa, and so passed to Cuama, and then gaue himselfe to priuate deuo∣tions eight dayes, onely once a day eating a handfull of parched Corne and drinking a draught of Water.

From Sena he sent to the Manamotapa; meane while the King of *Inhanior offered himselfe to Christianitie, but he comforted him, and refused till he had first beene with the Manamotapa. Antonie Caiado was sent for him, who trussed vp his Holies, carrying them on his shoulders. When he was comne, the Manamotapa sent him Presents, Gold, Kine and Seruants, which all he thankfully refused. When he came, he entertayned him as neuer any man, and bringing him into his inner roome, caused him to sit on the Carpet by his Mother. Hee offered him his choise of Grounds, Kine, Gold, Women; Consaluus answered, that hee would haue nothing but him∣selfe; [ 60] the King thereat wondring and friendly with promises dismissing him. One had seene on the Altar a fayre picture of our Lady, and told the King that Consaluus had brought with him a Page  1557 beautifull Lasse, for which the King sent, and he carried it wrapped in a precious cloth, and tels him it is the picture of the Mother of God, the King of Kings. He worships it and begs it; Con∣saluus grants, and placeth it in the Kings house, and trimmes vp as it were a Chappell for it. Fiue nights, say the Portugals, the blessed Virgin appeared to the King in that forme in his sleepe; and fiue and twentie dayes after his comming, the King was baptised by the name of Sebastian, the Queene his Mother by the name of Marie. The same day he sent one hundred Kine to Consaluo, which were distributed by Caiado to the poore. Three hundred of his chiefe men followed his example. Much victuall was sent into Consaluus, but he ate no flesh, liuing only on wild fruits, herbs, and boyled Corne in small quantitie.

But foure Moores enuying these proceedings, and being gracious with the King, perswade * him that Consaluus was sent from India to betray him, and to make way for the Portugals to take [ 10] away his State; adding, that Consaluus was a Sorcerer, and whomsoeuer hee washed on the head with his forme of words, he made to become his. And if Consaluus went away in safetie, his Subjects would kill one another like mad men. By their perswasions the King caused Con∣saluus to be murthered, his strangled body being throwne into the Riuer, and fiftie others were * slaine, which on that last day of his life he had baptised. Two dayes after repenting of this fact he slue two of the Moores, the other two being fled. Long after, no Iesuites (saith Iarric) were * sent hither, because the Dominicans had vndertaken the Conuersion of those parts, of whose labours yee haue heard somewhat before in Santos, which was one of them. Iarric hath since * told vs of Petrus Toarius and Ludouicus Goez (in respect of these better hopes) sent An. 1562. [ 20] and to them was ioyned Andrew Fernandez the companion of Consaluus, who had stayed at In∣ambane. These three went to the Manamotapa, and stayed there certayne yeeres, till they were sent for back to India, King Sebastian intending to warre on the Manamotapa, for the said Con∣saluus Syluerius his death (being the sonne of the Count Sortellane) and for other causes. Thus after their returne An. 1570. Francis Barret was sent with a strong Fleet; who being dead of poyson (with others) Fernand Monroy succeeded, who dying soone after, the Iesuites then in the * Campe could doe nothing. An. 1608. the people rebelling, the Manamotapa fled to the parts neere Tete a Portugall Fort, and by helpe of the Portugals subdued the Rebels. Whereupon he gaue the King of Portugall the siluer Mines of Achicoua, Iacobus Simonesius taking possession in his name. Hee gaue them leaue also to build Forts where they pleased. The Portugals thinke [ 30] meete not to forget the Iesuites in this occasion, and Francis Gonsalues with Paulus Alexius are destined to that designe, the whole Kingdome seeming a field white to the Christian Haruest, and onely wanting Labourers.

Of Angola and Congo you heard before: the state of Angola (for of Congo we haue no later in∣telligence * then that of Lopez) after the death of Paul Diaz receiued some alteration. It is the manner in those parts that the Soba or Gouernours are as Princes of their Prouinces, and in the * Kings Court, whom they acknowledge their supreme Lord, haue one of his Grandes, to whom they haue recourse in all difficulties (like the Protectors amongst the Cardinals) who in some manner disposeth them and their states. Thus Diaz appointed ouer the Angolan Sobae by him subdued, some of his Portugall Gentlemen, sometimes some Iesuite at the request of the sub∣dued, [ 40] seeing in what respect they were beld with the Generall. But some Courtiers in Spaine perswaded the Catholike King, that this dependance of mediate Patrons should bee taken away from them all: whereupon ensued commotions, and contempt of the Portugall name; that in the yeere 1600. Iohn Rhoderick Cotinius being sent Gouernour, of one hundred and fiftie Sobae sti∣pendaries before to the Portugall Crowne, not one continued his allegeance. Hee reduced some, but (with many others running like Fates) the vnwholsomnesse of the ayre killed him; the Suc∣cessor being named in a Boxe (the key whereof was kept by George Pererius a Iesuite) Emmanuel Pererius. Hee ouerthrew Cafucheus the chiefe Soba with the Cambamban, whose Countrey is rich in Mines, in which he built a Fort neere the Riuer Coaxa seuentie leagues from Sea (all na∣uigable * from Loanda thither in fiue dayes) and placed therein two hundred and fiftie men, being [ 50] but thirteene leagues from Dongo the seate of the King of Angola, who confirmed to him that his Conquest. This Conquest of Mines make hope of the conquest of Mindes to the Christian Faith (how many are by these Thornes choked, and reconquered from it?) and the Iesuites are said to study the language that they may preach the Gospell to them. In the Ile of Loanda are said to bee twentie thousand Christians of the Natiues, besides the Inhabitants of Saint Paul and Massangaro.

Anno 1606. Francis Gois, Edward Vaz, and Antonie Barrius Iesuites, were sent thither; their Ship was taken in the way by the Hollanders, who set them in the Boat which brought them to Loanda, being terrified by two Whales which rising neere the Boa•, yet passed without hurt. Now were new missions of Iesuites; one of which comming to the next Soba, taught their chil∣dren [ 60] * their prayers, helping their memories with knots tyed in cords. There were in that Town two thousand baptised, persons all ignorant of the Faith. There was an Idoll Temple with I∣mages of Men and Women; with the heads of Goats and Snailes, and the feet of Elephants, and other wilde Beasts, which the Iesuite caused to be burned, the people being before made beleeue Page  1558 that if any touched them, they should die suddenly. He baptised thirtie and taught the rest their Catechise, and proceeded to the next Soba, Lord of foure other Sobas, who had beene before bap∣tised of Secular Priests, yet onely had the bare name of a Christian. This Soba had three hundred wiues for oftentation of his greatnesse. No man could make the signe of the Crosse. And when the Priest would build a Church there, the Soba said he would consult about it, but gaue no an∣swer. He found two Idoll Oratories, but no Idols in them, the people hauing before hidden them in the Woods, lest they should haue like fiery fortune with the former. Hee found here also cer∣tayne Chibadi, which are Men attyred like Women, and behaue themselues womanly, ashamed to be called men; are also married to men, and esteeme that vnnaturall damnation an honor. *

About the same time, an Embassador from the King of Cacongo came to Loanda, with a Pre∣sent to the Bishop and Request from the King, to send some Iesuites to baptise him, and all his [ 10] Kingdome. The Captaine therefore with the Bishop, goe to the Rector of our Colledge, and obtayne Gaspar Azeuered, and Francis Gois to bee sent thither. Cacongo is adjoyning to Congo, and to the great Macoco King of the Anziqui, hauing also the Kings of Angola, Bungo and Bian∣go* Neighbours. It is a large Kingdome, and by the Towne of Pinda eightie leagues distant from Saint Thome, is entrance vp the Riuer Zaire in foure dayes vnto it. The King of Loango hath also sent for Iesuites, to bee by them instructed and baptised: but what is done in both these Kingdomes, I haue not (saith Iarric) receiued intelligence.

Now concerning Guinea, that name is giuen to all the Atlantike Coast of Africa, from Senega, called by the Ancients Stachiris, in sixteene degrees of North latitude, to Angola in thirteene * South: and is diuided into the Higher from Senega to Congo, and The lower, contayning Congo and Angola. Ouer against the higher Guinea are the Ilands of Cape Verd (Ptolemie calls it Ar∣sinarium)Page  1559 which An. 1446. the Portugals first inhabited, twelue in number, the chiefe that of Saint Iames, in which is a fortified Citie, chiefe ouer those Forts and Habitations which the Portugals hold in that higher Guinea; the Bishop thereof subiect to the Archbishop of Lisbon.* It is in fifteene degrees Mountaynous, hauing no rayne but in August, September and October, fertile of fruits, hath store of Pompons (euery moneth) Sugar Canes, Horses.

Saint Thome is of vnwholsome ayre, and Praia vnsafe against the enemie. In all the Coast of Guinea are Tangos maos, or Lancados, of Portugall originall, but degenerated into barbarous rites * and customes, which trade in all those parts for Hides, Iuory, Wax, Gold, Gumme, Ambar∣grise: in some places they are also naked and raced like the Sauages.

King Philip the third procured by Letters to Aquauira, the Generall of the Iesuites A. 1604. * that of that Order should be sent into this Guinea, Balthasar Barerius, Emmanuel Barrius, Em∣manuel [ 10] Fernandius. These came to Saint Iames, and remedied the custome of visiting Wisards and Sorcerers, which was there common, and the wicked abuse of Baptisme, in which three or foure hundred sometimes, seuen hundred of their Slaues were at once washed without any Do∣ctrine * of Christian dutie premised, and presently transported to Brasile or India, ignorant of all things. Likewise they procured libertie to many Free-men, which had beene by the Tangos maos or Guineans stollen, and vniustly sold, they intending and attending such preyes, no lesse then Hunters and Hawkets their game. One of them dyed of the sicknesse of the Countrey: *Barerius was sent to the Continent, and writ thence to Barrius that in Ianuarie hee came to Bissan, where the Kings eldest sonne professed his willingnesse to be a Christian, but that he must then leaue off his gainfull man-stealing. Thence they sayled to Guinala, where the King was * [ 20] sick and dyed. The manner is to kill Wiues and Seruants, and a Royall Horse for his seruice in the other World, which Barerius did what he could to hinder. Thence they set sayle to Bi∣guba* a very healthfull place; but some Ethiopians professing Mahomet were hinderance to him.

Iuly thirteene, 1605. he came to Sierra Leona, and arriuing at Pagono, the petty King there∣of * tributarie to Fatema, imitated in all things the Christian Rites, but durst not be such (hee said) except he saw Fatema first. The Portugals in these parts liued liker Ethnikes then Christians, nei∣ther hauing Sacraments nor Word of God in many yeeres past, so that they had almost quite for∣gotten them. Passing by the Ile Tamarena, he came to the Kingdome of Buran, the King where∣of * is also subiect to Fatema: he would be present also at Masse, and name Iesus; was desirous of Baptisme, but I thought fittest to begin with Fatema. I Confessed some Portugals liere, which [ 30] in ten, twentie, thirtie yeeres had neuer beene Confessed, 〈◊〉 the Christians there little differing from Ethnikes.

The King of Sierra Leona desired my stay there, which I doing, contrary to my former pur∣pose, * he sent all the people of the Towne to cut timber for a Church, was wonderfull desirous also of Baptisme, whereto I told him the multiplicitie of wiues was impediment. Hee yeelded to this, but wished he had knowne it sooner, for then would he haue had none of these, but an∣other which he sent for. I hindred not, because their marriages for the most part are by the law of Nature vnlawfull. When the maide came, her friends refused the conditions of our Baptisme and rites: and vpon his importunitie, the King was baptised, and clothed now like a Portugal. [ 40] Hee was named Philip, and is called Philip Leonis, for his Countrey. I baptised also the daughter of another King, and ioyned her in marriage to him. His brethren also and children were bap∣tised. The Kings Aunt is of great authoritie, and in manner ruleth all: and should but for her * sexe haue raigned. Shee leads the reare when they goe to warres, carrying a Bowe, Quiuer, and military Club, and compells them to keepe their rankes. Philips father being dead, when they would haue obserued the Rite of killing fome of his wiues and seruants, Philip interceded, and tooke away those infernall Exequies: The King of Toras sonne was present at Masse, Baptisme, * and Sermon, and relating the same to his father; this (said he) is a Father indeed, and not those (Priests) which hitherto haue comne into these parts no lesse following the merchandising of Slaues and other things then the other Portugals. This King is one hundred yeeres old, original∣ly * of the Cumbae (called also Manes) which conquered these parts; as fresh as if hee were but [ 50] fortie. At Christmas he was present at our solemnitie, the Altar adomed with faire clothes, the image of our Lady with the Child Iesus on one side, the Crucifixe on the other, foure Can∣dlestickes with Tapers, the wall and pauement trimmed with boughes. Moued with admira∣tion he desired Baptisme, and a place was designed for building a Church. Their building of houses and Churches is to fasten posts in the ground close together, fastning them with timbers * layde ouerthwart, couered with clay, and then laying on a plaister of earth white as milke; the roofe is thatch and leaues of Palmes. I haue two of his sonnes, and two of Philips my perpe∣tuall companions, whom besides the Catechisme I teach to reade. The old King cleaues only to one of his wiues the sister of Philip; and at Easter he is to be baptised.

The King of Beni, the Lord of seuen Kingdomes hath written to mee for Baptisme: but I can∣not [ 60] forsake these two Kings till I haue other helpe. This Countrey is as healthfull as any I euer came in, and Sierra Leona would be a fit place for a plantation of the Society: for which King Philip wrote to the Catholike King, offering a place to erect a Fort, and commending the large∣nesse, Page  1560 wholsomnesse, and fertilitie of his Countrey. An. 1607. Emanuel Aluares and his Bro∣ther went to Guinea, to Bissan, and perswaded the King to forsake his China, (so they call God, and whatsoeuer is pretious to them) to wit, a Fagot of stickes bound together, which they wor∣ship: * likewise to leaue those infernall inferies of killing at the Graue of the deceased, Wiues, Friends, Seruants, cutting their fingers and toes in pieces, and stamping the bones in a Mor∣ter; leauing the bodies meane while in torture, and when they were at the point of death * thrusting a stake thorow their neckes, others looking on with vndaunted countenance, which were to vndergoe the same butchery. The Kings of Bigub and Besegui also desired Baptisme, which both (as hee of Guinala) are Beafares. Bigub hath three Kings vassals, Besequi fiue, and * the Guinalan seuen, although the Bijagi haue taken sixe Kingdomes from him. These Bijags are fierce people, in seuenteene Ilands ouer against these Kingdomes, alway warring with the Bea∣fares [ 10] and the Portugals; with their boats entring the frequent Riuers, and spoyling all. These Ilands are rich and fertile, pleasant with Trees and Riuers, fruitfull in Palmes, Wine, Oyle; stored with Cattell great and small, Iuorie, Fish, Rice, Waxe, Iron, and on the shoare Amber∣grise, but to them vncouth and vnkissed; long Pepper enough to lade yeerely two ships.

The King of Beni hearing of Philip and Peter (the King of Tora) that they were baptised, sent * his best beloued sonne to be instructed and baptised. Hee is the chiefe King of all that Coast. To him Barerius trauelled, hardly escaping the treachery of another King in the way; the way was wooddy Mountaines, pleasant Vallies, an Iron-coloured earth, the Iron exceeding that of Europe. The King entertayned him ioyfully; and first at his perswasion commanded by publike Edict, that marriageable Virgins should hide Natures secrets. Hee was present (but entreated [ 20] to stay without the Church) when Masse was celebrated, and heard the Sermon (for he vnder∣stood the Portugall tongue) made great shewes of Christianitie, promised to burne his Idols; yea, perswaded his Vassall-kings to Christianitie; but all on a sudden by a Mahumetan was altered, pretended to feare the Concha (chiefe Emperour of the Sousae) and the great Bexerine would in∣cite * him to warre against him. The King is said to haue receiued of him certaine Charmes, where∣by to bewitch any that offended him. Barerius also saw him stroking a Serpent as big as a mans thigh, rolled vp in diuers gyres, so beautified with various colours, as hee neuer had seene any creature: this he stroked and dalied with. They call this the King of Serpents, and make much account of it: but Barerius thought it was the Deuill in this forme. Thus were the blossoms of his hopes blasted; and he hasted away to his former friends. [ 30]

It will not be amisse to relate the funerall mournings (worthie mournings and funerall) a∣mongst * the Manes. Farma the King of the Logui, had seuentie two sons and fiftie daughters, so that his progenie (most suruiuing) was aboue three thousand. The old Grandsire being dead, newes is sent to all the kindred in their seuerell habitations, euery Village mourning, and the kindred visit the corps with presents, Gold, Clothes, and what they can, accomplishing all with lamentable lamentations. Part of the presents is put in the Graue, another part goeth to the King of the place, the third to the Heire: but the Kings themselues are buried secretly by night, with a few friends attending, hauing all their life heaped treasure to that funerall pur∣pose, * and are therefore buried in vnknowne places, as in the bottoms of Riuers, turning meane∣while the streame on the other side. They lose much Gold this way, and if they die suddenly, [ 40] no man knowes where they haue prepared and treasured that treasure. That the wiues and ser∣uants are added to the Exequies, we need not repeat. They hope to finde all ready to serue them in the next life. Some great men haue Houses set ouer their Graue couered with Cloth, and o∣ther things there left to waste with time, and hither the kindred make recourse to consult with the dead, and acquaint them with their affaires. The funerall ended, they returne with so many stalkes of straw as there reruayne moneths to the yeeres end: against which time they prouide store of Rice, Wine, Hennes, and (if the deceased were rich) of Kine, and then assemble to a funerall feast, lasting day and night with all excesse in eating, drinking, dancing, and such a noise, that none in the Village can sleepe. For which cause the Iesuites which haue their Churches in [ 50] the Villages, haue their houses out of them. Their greatest glorie is the number of Meats be∣yond mouthes, and of Drunkards beyoud tale. King Peter was inuited to one of these riots, yet rioted not, but by his modest example wanne good opinion to his Religion. They had sacri∣ficed a maide, and certaine Kine with Diabolicall rites to their Ancestors, in a Wood closely be∣fore hee came.

Barerius went to Fatema the King of the Boulons, and was lighted to him by night with * Torches of straw, which they vse, and not wax, though the Countrey haue store. Hee sent after him a gold Chaine which he refused. An Ethnike Doctor, and King Peters sonne were conuer∣ted soone after. They doe not beleeue any Hell, but thinke that the deceased goe to Gods house, and there liue and vse the same things they did here, and in the same ranke and reputation. [ 60]

This King Peter was of the Manes or Cumbae, which are the same (sayth the Iesuite) which in Congo were called Giachae (Iagges,) in Angola, Gindae; that they were the same with the *Imbiae or Zimbae, of which you reade in Santos, or with the Gallae amongst the Abissines, he sayth, without my subscription. These left their Countries, about An. 1550. and pierced to these Page  1561 parts of Sierra Leona: of which Man-eating Nation none there remayned but this Peter, who now became a Zealous Christian, and procured the commission of others. They which are to be baptised bring first their Idols, and cast them in the fire. Besides which Statues, they haue Chi∣nas, which are Pyramides with Cells within, wherein are kept white Ants; of so religious e∣steeme with those Guineans, that when they buy a slaue, they set him before a China-pyramide, * hauing offered thereto Wine and other things, praying that if hee runne away Tigres and Ser∣pents may deuoure him. Which threats fasten them to the cruellest masters. In euery Coun∣trey they haue a place sacred to the Deuill. That which King Philip had, was in an Iland, where they offered Rice, Oyle, or what they carried, casting it into the Sea. No man durst venture on the Iland for feare of Camassono, the Deuill-Idoll. Once a yeere the King went [ 10] and sacrificed Hennes, and Goats, (which there liued securely) on a Rocke. The cruell spe∣ctacle of the Selfe-whippers on Mandy thursday was terrible to the Ethnikes, thinking them (not without cause) mad so to rage against their owne flesh; and Christopher sonne of King Pe∣ter would not be behinde the rest herein. Another thought the blood had beene onely the red ioyce of a certaine Tree. These are the Iesuiticall Relations till the yeere 1610. with other like, which I omit.