OF THE ARCHIPELAGO. 407 It was not, however, until the year 1521, ten years after their establishment at Malacca, that the Portuguese appeared in force in the Moluccas. Antonio de Britto commanded a squadron of nine ships, which appeared in the Spice Islands, for the tyr, belonging to the king of Ternate, his deputie, or vice-kiug, seeing us at sea, came with his canoa to us, tvithout allfeare^ and came aboord ; and, after some conference with our Qe^ nerall, willed him in any wise to runne in with Ternate, and jiot with Tydore, assuring him that the king would be glad of his comming, and would be readie to doe what he would re- quire ; for which purpose he himselfe would that night be with the king, and tell him the newes, with whom, if hee once dealt hee should find, that, as hee toas a kingy so his 'wor4 should stand. In the mean time the vice. king had been with the king, according to his promise, signifying into him what good things he might receive from us by traffique : whereby the king was moved with great liking towards us, and sent to our Ge- nerall with special message that he should have what things he. needed and would require, with peace and friendship ; and, moreover, that he would yeeld himselfe and the right of his island, to be at the pleasure and commandment of so famous a prince as we served. In token whereof he sent our General a signet, and within short time after came in his owne person, with boats and canoas to our shippe, to bring her into a better and safer road than shee was in at that present. Our Gene- rail's messenger being come to the court, was met by certaine noble personages, with great solemnitie, and brought to the king, at tvhose hands he tvas most friendly and graciously en^ tertained" Drake's Voyage in Purchas, Vol. I. Kook 11, p. 54, 55.
