as much as he could, he went and found him out, assuring him ashis protection, and
that having already forgotten all unkindnesses past, he would do him all the favour he
possibly could; wherein he gave sufficient proofe, that he sully understood the true
are of Reigning, the principall Ornaments whereof are, pardoning, gendenesse, and
Clemencie.
From the East Indics the 3 of July 1648.
If any Island deserve the name of Colchos, from whence the Argonauts are said to have
fetched the golden fleece, tis surely that of Goa; not only in respect of the excessive
riches found, and traded for, in that Haven, (a scantling whereof you may have in the
fraught of three Ships lately come thence to Lisborne, loaden partly with Ingots at
wedges of Gold, Ambergris, Diamonds, and other precious Stones) wherein no Port
in the World is able to compare with it, but because there is no place that affords more
hope of discoverie of Mines of Gold and Silver, the soyle there of being necre of the colour
of the better of those mettals: which hath perswaded many philosophers that they
shall find there stuffe enough for the Phylosophers Stone, their great work. And in
truth, notwithstanding many Inhibitions to the contrary made by the Portugall Viceroy,
fearing that the reputation thereof will excite th' envie and appetite of other Princes
and States to come and attempt the gaining of it, even at this present many Alchymists
and men experienced in Manes, are very busie in that place.
This Island (whose principall Town beares the name of it, and is the Metropolis of
all the Indies) is watered all about by a River three miles broad, and so farre distant
from the maine land; the Houses of the Town are built a la Portugais, though not so
high rooffed because of th' excessive heat of th' Ayre; yet very much tempered by the
shadow of the Gardens belonging to every House, and replenished with Trees bearing
most delicious fruits.
The Portingals are there in peace with all the world, and yet they keepe their Frontiers
continually in a state of Defence whatsoever should happen; especially since the
Moores endeavoured to get the Forteresse of Chuell, by surprizall (for otherwise they
could not get it.) In the meane while we are told that the Hollanders being returned
unto the Philippines to attempt againe the investing of Manilla (the principall Forteresse
held by the Spaniards in that Countrey) have in that Encerprize lost may ships, and a
great number of men. And that they are also driven from Mangnazachi, a Haven in
Japan, because they were not punctuall enough in their payments, which otherwise, as
tis said were not always found lawfull.
The best, and greatest part of China is yet in the power of the Tartarians, a Nation
farre more, warlike then, but not so politick as these, chineses whose King holds now, no
more but the Province of cantan in the confines whereof is the Town of Macas possessed
by the Portingals, between whom and the Spaniards of Manill a Commerce being established,
both th' one and th' other, carry their commodities to mocassar, whose King being
Newter. is become a surety for both Nation.
The English, on the contrary, have abandoned the bufinesse of Coreari, a Forteresse
within the kingdome of Cawara (neete to this Island of Goa) wherein there grow many
Spices, because, they say they got but little by it.
The Trade of Mata in the Red Sea is also well nigh destroyed, by reason of too great
a number of English, Portingale, and Holland Ships, which bring thither any
their March[unr]ndice, growen, by that meanes, almost out of request. The like is also become
of the Trassick of Ormus, by which the English heretofore gained so much. On
th' other side, that of the Fortefesse of Mascots (which belongs to the Portingals, and