Indian Antiquary Vol 31

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

Page 63

FEBRUARY, 1902.) LETTERS FROM PORTUGUESE CAPTIVES IN CANTON.
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who know the entrance to the bar; the which island is populated and has on it many junks. The boats (f. 129v] and foiste must go and burn the junks if they have not fled; and there are also many paraos: they must not destroy these paraos, which at first will be very necessary, as every one of these paraos can carry three bergoglo and five or six Portuguese men, not counting rowers. All this, Sir, should be destroyed, in order that all may be made clear, so that the ships that remain at the bar may find all safe, and the boats will be able to come and go every time that shall be needfal. Without fear of any harm's being done to them from any direction they will be able to come and go. Noting, Sir, that all has been well considered and no mistake can be made in anything : as in these terms and by Christovão Vieyra has been set forth, let everything, Sir, be well looked at, not departing from what is said here. Let all be destroyed, and let not these enemies remain to cause trouble.
From this province, Sir, when fortresses and everything else have been settled, they should go to Foquem, which is a province by itself, and is of importance in the matter of silk and merchandise that is carried on in it; the whole year through they come and go, and all the cities and towns are near the sea. When there has been formed a fleet of galleys and foists to the number of forty or more, in which might go sit or seven hundred men, they should make a demonstration there, by which they would make all tributary to our lord the king, all these cities and towns, and take away every year as tribute a shipload of silver: they can do no less. In order that the land may not be destroyed and lost the revenues must by agreement be divided in half with onr lord the king. As this people has no means of defence, when they hear a bombard roar they are sure to go and place themselves on the mounts and see what the Portuguese intend to do. It may be seen how great wealth there is without its having to be fetched, nor would it be exhausted: they could simply carry it (f. 180] openly to Portugal. Another India would be won, and of as great profit; and in time much more so, as more people would spring up; and thus they would go on gaining more and would subjugate more ; and so all the Portuguese would become very rich, which the country permits of. Moreover they must go to this Foquem by the side of the island where they carry on trade, where there are cities and towns and villages and hamlets belonging to this city and province and also to Foquem. With this fleet all intercourse is carried on, both from this Cantão to the land and also that of Foquo. The whole, Sir, with one stroke of the sword they may make tributary at once, and there must be caused great destructions in the burning of junks, which this Foque possesses to the number of millions, and also by sending bombards into the cities from the prows of the galleys and foists. Even if they come to beg for morcy, do not let them grant it to them, Sir, at first, so that they may know what they can do and the power of our lord the king in the country, in order that the full tribute may come in, without their refusing at any time what their captains order. For this they must have acquaintance with what they can do to them.
Moreover, Sir, in the sea off this Foquem are the Lequeos,19 who every year sell merchantdise at Patane and Sogão and in the time of the king of Malaca used to go to Malaca. They are many islands, and where the king is, is a very large island ; and it cannot, Sir, be less, because the people are civilized and build very large junks. The which islands have much gold and copper and iron and many articles of merchandise that there are in Malaca end Patane ; for they bring and have damasks and much silk and porcelains. From this province of Foquem to reach the first islands takes three days of sea. These Lequeos come every day to carry on trade with this country of Foque, and from Foquem they go secretly (f. 130v] thither to carry on trade. In which place in time they may come to carry on trade with them, and they come híther to carry on trade; and there would be seen, Sir, business being transacted in this city from all parts, from Pacé and Patane; and by means of the
10 A short annon. 11 Cy. the Chinese saying quoted by Gaspar da Crus (Purghas, Pilg. II. p. 173). 15 The Liakid islanders, (Farther on he repeats the information here given, in almost identical words)