Indian Antiquary Vol 31

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 61

FEBRUARY, 1902.J LETTERS FROM PORTUGUESE CAPTIVES IN CANTON.
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should be available, and go up the river, at the same time taking a quantity of artillery, and go burning as many paraos and junks and other things as they find in the way of towns and villages, causing great destruction and leaving nothing in existence, in order to put terror into the people; so that, even if the great mandarins came from above with some men, they would find no boat, nor would 'they find any food for the people [f. 127v] to eat. How much more do I believe that no one would or could descend ; because if the robbers are left there they would be bound to rise throughout the country, and to go plundering and killing everybody when they knew that this city was taken. They might also come to take refuge here; and the country would be put in such a turmoil that there would be a general alarm, so that the people would be certain at once to rise throughout the province, and there is not a mandarin that they would not kill. Wherefore let war be waged cruelly, wherever they are able. Since the king of China is bound to lose these three provinces, it will be necessary to make an agreement with his captains. It will be impossible to obtain sustenance, or to maintain the country, or to carry on the government, or to pay taxes to the king; because it will not be possible to sow or to carry on trade : wherefore, an agreement having been made, it will turn out greatly to the profit of our lord the king that the king of China should give him a ship laden with silver every year, in order that the whole fifteen provinces may not be im broiled, or lest he be removed, and so trade will be carried on as before.
And moreover, Sir, by the island of Viniaga the road goes direct to four or five cities of this province and many towns and villages half a league in extent with much population; the which cities are large and contain rich people and much silk, and all iron and tin come from there. And thus, Sir, it is a great trade that the king carries on with this, Sir, who obtains from it a large revenue. The which cities are situated along the coast with the sea beating on them; and these cities would give as much revenue as the king bas in the country to our lord the king, and would also be obedient so as not to be destroyed and that the population may not see themselves ruined. And they must not consent to their being governed by a mandarin of the country, but only that they make choice as to who shall be their captains, content to give the half of the revenues to our lord the king. For there is not (f. 128] a city that would not give forty or fifty thousand cruzados each year. I do not speak of towns; but the towns would have to do likewise, and would give according to the revenue twenty thousand and thirty thousand cruzados in tribute, and they would give a shipload of silver to our lord the king withont the spending in this conntry of a ceitil of our lord the king's; only they should take it to India to defray the expenses and freights of the ships for Portugal.
These cities - one can go to them in all seasons, as well in winter as in summer, it is all one ;. because all must be fine galleys and foists and vessels - everything that is rowed ; and. all go along the rivers and amongst islands, as the Chinese here navigate all the year round, both in one direction and in the other. And the province of this Cantão and that of Foquem are divided there by one of these cities that is called Coichenfu. Then in the province of Foquem there is a city that is called Camcheu : it is a fine and large city. It stands on the sea, and is rich in silk and tafetas, and in camphor and much salt, and is of grent traffic, and bas in it a great number of junks, which can come and go in all seasons. These go from this city in all seasons, and take from fifteen to twenty days by this route from the island. This is a beautiful route, having many towns and villages. There is also another arm of the sea between this land of Cantão by which they go and likewise a good route. Regarding all these matters it will be needful to question the Chinese. And there are many other rivers by which they go to other places,
* Chinchau-f0.
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Changohau (Chincheo or Chinobow). Seo Introd.