Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 04).djvu/171

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1576-1582]
ACCOUNT OF EXPEDITIONS
167

a large house which was there, and below the said river, said to be the house of a son of the said king of Borney. This house contained a large and well-finished piece of artillery, and a number of culverins, frecones, and other offensive arms. Advancing toward the houses where it was reported that the old king of Borney lived, near the said house, they saw a large galley with more than twenty-four benches on each side. It contained a large swivel-gun and another smaller piece, both loaded, and having on them some quinas,[1] which appeared to be the arms of the king of Portugal, and each one furnished with two handles. The said galley contained also four other culverins mounted in the place where the cargo is stored; and the galley carried a quantity of ammunition for the said pieces. Some four or five galleots of sixteen or eighteen benches each were found also, with many falcons, and culverins, and one of them with a half sacre.[2] After disembarking, the said governor entered a house reported to be that of the old king of Borney. There he found a large gourd filled with papers, among which were three letters—two written in the characters and language of Borney, one bearing a signature, namely, "Don Leonis Pereyra Martin Ferreyras;" the third was written in Portuguese, beginning, "Noble and honored king of Borneo." It was dated at Ebora, March seven, one thousand five hundred and seventy-three, and bore a signature, namely, "El Rey" ["The King"]. By order of his Lordship, I, the said notary, took possession of the said letters. The said governor went

  1. The arms of Portugal, consisting of five scutcheons, in memory of the five wounds of Christ.
  2. One of the numerous appellations of small cannon.