Storia do Mogor 338.19
Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 338.19
- Language
- English
338.19.1
These Dutch ships were attacked by two galleons, one the Bom Jesus, commanded by Antonio Nunes Barretto. Two of the enemy came against this galleon, but it so damaged them by its heavy guns that they were forced to draw off, and to avoid the loss of all their lives they ran their ships ashore. The Dutch admiral then engaged the galleon, hoping to overcome it; but it did not turn out as he expected. For the Portuguese drew alongside when the combat grew fierce, and they (the Dutch) had almost surrendered to the enemy. Then the admiral's galleon, N. S. de Graça, commanded by Francisco Machado, came to his companion vessel's support. He had already damaged the two other ships, one of which was forced to run ashore like the others. As Machado's ship came close, Antonio Nunes Barretto shouted to him to stand off and not rob him of his glory. These words threw the fighters into some disorder, when the Dutch admiral seized the chance and got away, continuing his voyage as best he could in company of the others. The Portuguese remained victors.
338.19.2
The other three ships of war (galleons) reached their destination with the supplies they had convoyed. The captains quarrelled, and the crews set to killing each other, each man taking the part of his captain. The general in command of the fortress, Antonio de Souza Coutinho, of whom I have already spoken in my Third Part (III. 230), annoyed by this outbreak, transposed the commands, making the admiral a captain, and the captain the admiral. He made the same changes in the other galleons. Upon this interference these officers considered themselves insulted, and, declining to obey any order, each became his own lord and master. They set sail for Goa one by one, just as they took it into their heads [202]. These facts could not be concealed from the Dutch, and the next year (? 1655) they blockaded the place (? Colombo) with twelve ships. They disembarked six thousand Europeans, of whom the majority were Frenchmen. On learning of this landing, the general sent a message to Gaspar de Araújo, who commanded in the field, asking why he had permitted the disembarkation when he could have prevented it.
338.19.3
This commander, being over-confident in his valour, without making use of prudence and occasion, replied that he had let them land and would take care to make them re-embark; if not, it would cost them their lives. But just the contrary happened, for when battle was delivered, the said Gaspar de Araújo was routed with great loss of men. The Dutch invested the fortress and took it. This was on the 18th of May, 1656. They were aided by the King of Cândia (Kandy), who brought forty thousand men. He carried off to his court over three thousand souls, including whole families, priests, servants, Caffres, Chinese, Japanese, and men of several other nations. Their descendants are to this day subjects of the King of Kandy, and have never been released. After this conquest the Dutch proceeded to take the fortress of Jafanapatão in '58 [1658]. It was then in charge of Urbano Fialho. He might have saved his life, but refused to do so, uttering insults against the conquerors, and, declining to surrender, he was killed.
338.19.4
The inhabitants of Negapatão (Negapatam) had been invested by the ruler of the country, who was the prince of Tanjor. It was not long before the Dutch appeared. They invited the inhabitants to make over the place to them on condition of being left at liberty and retaining all their property. The victors went next against the city of Cochim (Cochin). They invested it, and after nine months occupied the fortress, with assistance from the rulers of the country; for, being disaffected [to the Portuguese], they all rushed to join the Dutch. When they had fortified all these new conquests, the Dutch conceived the idea of seizing the city of Goa. This was in the year 1660. They came with nine ships and a dispatch-boat, blockading the mouth of the river, but lying out of the range of the shore cannon. No one was allowed out or in, and no one could catch them. At this period, owing to this blockade, a disaster fell upon the Jesuits. They tried to send off a dispatch-boat (pataxo) destined for China in company of another vessel starting for Portugal. To avoid being seen they left at night, and crossed the river bar. The vessel for Portugal went on its way during the night and escaped in safety [203]. The other, taking a southern course, was seen by the Dutch as day broke. They pursued.
338.19.5
The fugitive ship was manned — captain, pilot, and sailors — by those of the Society. It was a sight to see the efforts they made, coming and going in their black gowns. The Dutch, observing that the vessel was lightly laden, and that they could not overhaul it, fired their guns at the prow. To the misfortune of the Jesuits a heavy shot struck them near the helm, which had been blessed with holy water. This shot caused their vessel to go to the bottom, without any profit from it to the Dutch. One Jesuit escaped on a plank, and the Dutch ship picked him up. Not having had any dealings with men of that nation, he was angry, shouting out curses, and using other such misplaced terms. The whole ship's company lost their temper at such insults, and bound the man, who was thereby still more enraged and shouted the worst curses you can imagine. The captain issued an order to emasculate him, which was done accordingly. He said that was how they dealt in his country with a stallion that was unmanageable.
338.19.6
Finding themselves thus invested, the Portuguese prepared nine galleons and a dispatch-boat, all thoroughly armed, and came out to seek the Dutch. The latter, seeing that these ships sailed in good order, began to retire, discharging a few guns. The Portuguese followed, until, finding the Dutch declined to accept battle, they retired in the same way, while the Dutch turned again and anchored where they had been at first. The next day the Portuguese resumed the same tactics and the Dutch acted as before. The same thing was done for three days, and still the Dutch declined to fight, the galleons being very large and powerful, and thus they could not hope to come out of it well. Foreseeing that the prudence of these people (the Portuguese) would come to an end, they bided their time, in order to carry out their plan more safely.
338.19.7
The fourth time the Portuguese advanced to the attack their commander's ship sailed slowly, while the galleon São Thome forged ahead. Senhor Luis de Mendouça Furtado considered himself aggrieved and drew in sail. Seeing the opening they had been waiting for, the Dutch attacked. The galleon São Thome [204] fought with great valour, believing that the other galleons would do likewise, but instead of that they hung back and hesitated. At this critical moment the galleon flew the admiral's flag as a signal to Senhor Luiz de Mendouça Furtado to put on all sail, also for the others to follow him. The Portuguese fleet was puzzled, not knowing whom to obey, and they dispersed in all directions.
338.19.8
Upon this the captain of the galleon São Thome, seeing that he was lost for want of support, set fire to his powder magazine, so that no one escaped alive. The Dutch hastened in pursuit of the others, who withdrew, firing a shot from time to time to persuade themselves they were winning, and then came to an anchor in the waters of Marmagão under cover of their forts. Thereupon the Dutch let go their anchors in their usual place. During the following night there came a boat from the Dutch and set fire to a galleon lying under cover of the guns of Marmagão. There was not a living creature on board ; all had gone on shore. Then came news of the peace between Portugal and Holland, and the ships of the latter nation then sailed away from the river-mouth at Goa, and the Portuguese were delivered from them. But to this day the Portuguese are interfered with by the Arabs of Masqat, as will have been seen already in my statements (IV. 154). They go in great fear of them, as I have myself experienced. Coming from the town of Damão (Damān) in a ship of war on my way to Goa, during the voyage a sail was seen. At once they all exclaimed that it must be an Arab ship, began to commend themselves to God, and hugged the shore, with the idea that if any ship made for them they could run for the land and save their lives. But God was pleased to bring us safely to port without anyone having hailed or overhauled us.