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CHAP. IV.

Of his Revenues and Treasure.


[The King's rents brought three times in the year.] Three times in the
year they usually carry their Rents unto the King. The one is at the
New-year called Ourida cotamaul. The other is for the First fruits,
Alleusal cotamaul. And the last is at a certain Sacrifice in the Month
of November to their God, called Ilmoy cotamaul. But besides these,
whatsoever is wanting in the King's House at any other time, and they
have it, they must upon the King's Order bring it. These Rents are but
little Money, but chiefly Corn, Rice, or what grows out of the Ground.

[The first is accompanied with a great Festival.] To speak a little
of first time, Viz. at the beginning of the New year, when the King's
Duties are brought him. Their New year is always either the 27th,
or the 28th, or the 29th of March: At this time upon a special and
good day (for which the Astrologers are consulted) the King washes
his head, which is a very great Solemnity among them. The Palace is
all adorned with Tor-nes, a sort of Triumphal Arches, that make a very
fine shew. They are high Poles standing in rows before all the Gates
of the Palace, either nine or seven in a row, the middlemost being
the highest, and so they fall lower and lower on each side. Thro
the middle of them there is an arched passage which serves for a
Door. On the top of the Poles are Flags flying, and all about hung
full of painted Cloth with Images, and Figures of Men, and Beasts,
and Birds, and Flowers: Fruits also are hanged up in great order and
exactness. On each side of the entrance of the Arch stand Plantane
Trees, with bunches of Plantanes on them as if they were growing.

There are also in some places single Poles of an exceeding height
standing by, with long Penons of divers colours flying, and a Bell
at the end of each, as in the Figure B. And now they say, The Palace
is adorned beyond Heaven.

All the Army is summoned in to stand and wait at the Palace, for
the greater State. In the mean time he goes to his Washing-houses,
houses built on purpose for him to wash in, called Oulpungi, here
are Baths, and Streams and Conveyances of Water, and many Servants,
whose Office it is to wait upon the business of these houses. Here he
washes his head. Which when he has done, he comes forth into Public
view, where all his Militia stand in their Arms. Then the great Guns
are fired. [How the Nobles bring their Gifts, or Duties.] Now all the
great Men, the Nobles and the Governors of the Countrey make their
appearance before him with their Dackini, their New-years Gifts,
which are due and accustomed Presents, for Persons in their Places
and Offices to give. There is a certain Rate for it. Their manner of
bringing these Gifts or rather Duties is thus, Their Servants bring
them wrapt up in white Cloth to the Court, and then they take them at
their hands, put them upon their heads, and so come in humble manner,
and lay them at the King's feet. These Presents are Gold, Jewels,
Plate, Arms, Knives, Cloth, each one by a rate according to the Place
he is in, and the Countrey he hath under him: And most of them are to
present a Sum of Money besides. And if they can procure any precious
Stone, or Rarity, or any other thing, which they think the King will
accept, that also they bring, and glad they are to be honoured with
the favour of his acceptance. These New-years Gifts for these many
years he thinks scorn to receive, and bids them carry them away again
till another time. Thus they come with them time after time presenting
them, which he as often refusing; at last they bring them no more.

[Inferior Persons present their New-years Gifts.] All sorts of
Tradesmen also, and such as by their Skill can any ways get Money,
at the New year are to pay into the Treasury each one a certain
rate. Which now adayes he accepts not, though formerly he always did.

[What Taxes and Rents the People pay.] At this and the other times the
things which the People carry as their Rents and Taxes, are Wine, Oyl,
Corn, Honey, Wax, Cloth, Iron, Elephants Teeth, Tobacco, Money. They
bring themselves, and wait at Court with them commonly divers Months,
before they be received. The great Officers tell the King, the People
have brought their Rents. The King saith, 'Tis well. But if he give
no order withal to receive the things brought (as he seldom does)
there is no remedy, but there they must wait with them. And this
he doth out of State. The Rents and Duties brought at the two other
times are after the same manner; the great Men do only bring theirs
once at the New year.

[The accidental Incomes of the Crown.] There are other Revenues the
King hath, which are accidental; but bring in great wealth; That
whensoever any man dies, that hath a stock of Cattel, immediately
out thence must be paid a Bull and a Cow with a Calf, and a Male and
Female Buffalo, which tax they call Marral. And there are Officers
appointed, whose place it is, to come and carry them away. Also at
Harvest yearly there is a certain rate of Corn to be paid by every
man according to the Land they hold and enjoy. Heretofore the King
granted, that upon Payment of a Sum of Money, they should be clear
from this yearly Tax of Corn so long, till the present Possessor
died, and the Land descended to his Son or some body else. And then
the Estate became liable again to the forementioned Duties. But now
of late there is no mention of any discharge by Money. [The Profits
that accrue to the King from Corn-Lands.] So that in time all Houses
and Families in the Kingdom will be liable to the Payment of this
Tax of Corn; which will bring in no small quantity of Provision to
the King. Only Soldiers that are slain in the Wars, their Lands are
free from the Payment of this Tax; but if they die naturally they
are not. The Farmers all in general, besides their measures of Corn,
pay a certain Duty in Money, with their Rents.

If they Sell or Alienate their Inheritances, the Kings accustomed
Duties must not be diminished, whosoever buyeth or enjoyeth
them. Neither is here any Land which doth not either pay, or do some
Duty to the King. Only one case excepted, and that is, if they give
or dedicate Land to a Priest, as an Alms or Deed of Charity in God's
Name. On that there is never any more Tax or Duty to be imposed,
as being Sacrilegious to take ought from one that belongs to the
Temple. [Custom of goods imported formerly paid.] Formerly the King
had the Benefit of the trade of two Ports Cotiar and Portalone, unto
each of which used to come yearly some twenty or thirty Sail of small
Vessel, which brought considerable Customs in. But now the Hollander
has deprived him of both, suffering no Vessels to come.

[His Treasuries.] The King hath several Treasure-houses, in several
places, in Cities and Towns, where always are Guards of Soldiers to
watch them both day and night. I cannot certainly declare all that is
contained in them. There are Precious Stones such as his Land affords,
many, but not very much, Cloth, and what he hath got by Shipwrack,
Presents, that have been sent him from other Nations, Elephants-teeth,
Wax, good store of Arms, as Guns, Bowes and Arrows, Pikes, Halberds,
Swords, Ammunition, store of Knives, Iron, Tallipat-Leaves, whereof one
will cover a large Tent, Bedsteads, Tables, Boxes, Mats of all sorts. I
will not adventure to declare further the Contents of his Treasuries,
lest I may be guilty of a mistake. But sure I am he hath plenty of all
such things, as his Land affords. For he is very Provident, and Careful
to be well furnished with all things. And what he does abound with,
he had rather it should lye and rot, then be imbezelled and wasted,
that is, distributed among his Servants, or Slaves; of which he hath
great store.

[He has many Elephants.] He hath some hundreds of Elephants, which he
keepeth tame, and could have as many more as he pleaseth; but altho
not catched, yet they are all his, and at his Command when he pleaseth.

[Great Treasure thrown into the River formerly.] It is frequently
reported and I suppose is true, that both he and his Predecessors,
by the distress they have been driven to by the Portuguezes, have
cast some store of Riches into the great River, Mavelagonga, running
by the City, in deep holes among Rocks, which is irrecoverable,
and into a made Pond by the Palace in the City of Cande, or
Hingodegul-neur. Wherein are kept to this day two Alligators, so that
none dare go into the water for fear of being devoured by them. And
often times they do destroy Cows, that go to drink there. But this
Pond by cutting the Bank might easily be drained.

[The Treasure he most valueth.] To conclude, the Land that is under
his jurisdiction, is all his, with the People, their Estates, and
whatsoever it affords, or is therein. But that which he doth chiefly
value and esteem, are Toys and Novelties, as Hawks, Horses, Dogs,
strange Birds, and Beasts, and particularly a spotted Elephant,
and good Arms, of which he hath no want.






CHAP. V.

Of the Kings great Officers, and the Governours of the Provinces.


[Two greatest Officers in the Land.] There are two, who are the
greatest and highest Officers in the Land. They are called Adigars,
I may term them Chief Judges; under whom is the Government of the
Cities, and the Countries also in the Vacancy of other Governours. All
People have liberty in default of Justice to appeal to these Adigars,
or if their causes and differences be not decided by their Governours
according to their minds.

To these there are many Officers and Sergeants belonging. All which,
to be known, carry staves in their hands like to Bandyes, the crooked
end uppermost, which none but they dare carry. The sight of which
staves upon what message soever they be sent, signifies as much as
the Adigars Hand and Seal. If the Adigar be ignorant in what belongs
to his place and office, these men do instruct him what and how to
do. The like is in all other places which the King bestows: if they
know not what belongs to their places, there are Inferiour Officers
under them, that do teach and direct them how to Act.

[The next great Officers.] Next under the Adigars, are the Dissauva's,
who are Governours over Provinces and Counties of the Land. Each
Province and County has its Governour; but all Governours are not
Dissauva's, nor other great Officers known by other names or Titles,
as Roterauts and Vidanies. But all these Generals or Chief Commanders,
who have a certain number of Soldiers under them. These great men
are to provide, that good orders be kept in the Countries over which
they are placed, and that the Kings accustomed dutie be brought in
due season to the Court. They have Power also to decide controversies
between the People of their Jurisdiction, and to punish contentious
and disorderly persons, which they do chiefly by amercing a Fine
from them, which is for their Profit for it is there own: and also by
committing them Prison. Into which when they are once fallen, no means
without mony can get them out again. But be the fact never so hainous
(Murther it self) they can put none to death. [None can put to death
but the King.] The sentence of death being pronounced only by the
King. They also are sent upon expeditions in War with their Soldiers,
and give Attendance, and watch at Court in their appointed Stations.

These Dissauva's are also to see that the Soldiers in their Countries
do come in due season and order for that purpose.

[These Dissauva's are durante bene placite.] They are appointed by
the King himself, not for life, but during his good pleasure. And when
they are dead or removed, oftentimes their places lay void, somtimes
for months, somtimes perhaps for years; during which time the Adigar
rules and governs those Countries; and for his labour receiveth all
such Incoms and Profits as are accustomed and of right do belong to
the Governour.

[Whome the King makes Dissauva's And their Profits and Honours.] The
King when he advances any to be Dissauva's, or to any other great
Office regards not their ability or sufficiency to perform the same,
only they must be persons of good rank, and gentile extraction: and
they are all naturally discreet and very solid, and so the fitter
for the Kings employment. When he first promotes them, he shews them
great testimonies of his Love and Favour, (especially to those that
are Christians, in whose service he imposeth greater confidence than
in his own people, concluding that they will make more conscience
of their ways, and be more faithful in their Office) and gives them
a Sword, the hilt all carved and inlaid with Silver and Brass very
handsomly, the Scabberd also covered with Silver, a Knife and Halberd;
and lastly, a Town or Towns for their maintenance. The benefit of
which is, that all the Profits which before the King received from
those Towns, now accrues unto the Kings Officer. These Towns are
composed of all sorts of Trades and People that are necessary for his
service to whom the King hath given them a Potter, a Smith, a Washer,
And there is a piece of Land according to the ability of the Town,
which the Townsmen are to Till and manure, and to lay up the Corn for
his use. Which matters I mentioned before in the third Chapter. And
besides the Customs or Taxes that all other free Towns pay to the
King, there is a due, but smaller, to be paid to the Governour out
of them. But these are not all his advantages.

[Other Benefits belonging to other Officers.] When there is a new
Governour made over any Countrey, it is the Custom that that whole
Countrey comes up to appear before him at the Court, for there his
Residence is. Neither may they come empty handed, but each one must
bring his Gift or Present with him. These also are expected at other
times to be brought unto him by the people, tho they have no business
with him, no suits or causes to be decided: even private Soldiers
at their first coming tho to their due watch, must personally appear
before their Commander, and if he have nothing else, he must Present
him with forty leaves of green Betle, which he with his own hand
receiveth, and they with both their and delivers into his, which is
taken for an honour he vouchsafes them.

[They must always reside at Court.] These Governours, nor any other
admitted to Court into the Kings service, are never after to return
home, altho they are not employed at present, and might be spared,
neither are they permitted to enjoy their wives: and they are day and
night to stand guard in certain stations, where the King appoints them.

[The Officers under them.] Things thus standing with them, they
cannot go in Person to visit and oversee their several Charges
themselves. They have therefore several Officers under them to
do it. The chief of whom is the [Courlividani.] Courlividani. This
person beside his entertainment in the Countrey unto which he is sent
to Govern under the Dissauva, hath a due revenue, but smaller then
that of the Governour. His chief business is to wrack and hale all
that may be for his Master, and to see good Government, and if there
be any difference or quarrel between one or other, he takes a Fine
from both, and carrieth to the Governour, not regarding equity but
the profit of himself and him that imploys him. But he hears their
case and determines it. And if they like not his sentence, they may
remove their business unto the Governour himself, whose desire is not
so much to find out the right of the cause, as that that may be most
for his own interest and profit. And these carriages cannot reconcile
them much love among the people; but the more they are hated by the
people for their rigorous government, the better they please the
King. For he cares not that the Countrey should affect the Great men.

The Dissauva's by these Courlividani their Officers do oppress and
squeez the people, by laying Mulcts upon them for some Crimes or
Misdemeanors, that they will find and lay to their Charge. In Fine
this Officer is the Dissauva's chief Substitute, who orders and
manages all affairs incumbent upon his Master.

[Congconna, Courti-atchila.] Next to him is Congconna, An Overseer. Who
is to oversee all things under the Courlividani. But besides him,
there is a Courti-A-chila like our Cunstable, who is to put that in
execution that the Governour orders, to dispatch any thing away that
the Land affords for the Kings use, and to send persons to Court,
that are summoned. And in the discharge of this his Office, he may
call in the assistance of any man.

[The Liannah.] The next Officer under the Governor is the Liannah, The
Writer. Who reads Letters brought, and takes accounts of all Business,
and of what is sent away to the Court: He is also to keep Registers,
and to write Letters, and to take notice of things happening.

[The Undia.] Next to him is the Undia. A word that signifieth a
lump. He is a Person that gathers the King's Money: and is so styled
because he gathereth the King's Monies together into a lump.

[The Monnannah.] After him is the Monnannah, The Measurer. His Place
is to go and measure the Corn that grows upon the King's Land. Or
what other Corn belongeth to him.

The Power of these Officers extends not all a whole County or Province
over, but to a convenient part or division of it. To wit, so much
as they may well manage themselves. And there are several sets of
the like Officers appointed over other Portions of the Countrey. As
with us there are divers Hundreds or Divisions in a County. To each
of which are distinct Officers belonging.

[Some Towns exempt from the Dissauva's Officers.] These Officers
can exercise their Authority, throughout the whole Division over
which they are constituted, excepting some certain Towns, that are of
exempt jurisdiction. And they are of two sorts. First, such Towns as
belong to the Idol-Temples, and the Priests, having been given and
bestowed on them long ago by former Kings. And secondly, The Towns,
which the King allots to his Noblemen and Servants. Over these Towns,
thus given away, neither the forementioned Officers, nor the chief
Magistrate himself hath any Power. But those to whom they are given
and do belong to, do put in their own Officers, who serve to the same
purposes as the abovesaid do.

[Other Officers yet.] But these are not all the Officers; there are
others, whose place it is, upon the Death of any Head of a Family to
fetch away the King's Marrals, Harriots as I may call them; Viz. a
Bull and a Cow, a Male and Female Buffalo, out of his Stock. Which is
accustomably due to the King, as I have mentioned before. And others,
who in Harvest time carry away certain measures of Corn out of every
Man's Crop according to the rate of their Land.

[These Places obtained by Bribes.] These Inferior Officers commonly
get their Places by Bribery; Their Children do pretend a right to
them after their Father's Death, and will be preferred before others,
greazing the Magistrate.

[But remain only during pleasure.] None of these have their Places for
life; and no longer than the Governor pleaseth. And he pretty often
removes them or threatens to do so upon pretence of some neglects,
to get Money from them. And the People have this privilege, that upon
Complaint made of any of these Officers, and request that they may be
changed and others made, They must be displaced, and others put in;
but not at their Choice, but at the Choice of the Chief Magistrate,
or Owner of the Town.

[Countrey-Courts.] For the hearing Complaints and doing Justice among
Neighbours, here are Countrey-Courts of Judicature, consisting of
these Officers, together with the Head-Men of the Places and Towns,
where the Courts are kept: and these are called Gom sabbi, as much as
to say, Town-Consultations. But if any do not like, and is loath to
stand by what they have determined, and think themselves wronged,
they may [They may appeal.] appeal to their Head-Governor, that
dwells at Court; but it is chargeable, for he must have a Fee. They
may appeal also from him to the Adigars, or the Chief Justices of the
Kingdom. But whoso gives the greatest Bribe, he shall overcome. For
it is a common saying in this Land, That he that has Money to see the
Judge, needs not fear nor care, whether his cause be right or not. The
greatest Punishment that these Judges can inflict upon the greatest
Malefactors, is but Imprisonment. From which Money will release them.

[Appeals to the King.] Some have adventured to Appeal to the King
sometimes; falling down on the ground before him at his coming
forth, which is the manner of their obeisance to him, to complain of
Injustice. Sometimes he will give order to the great ones to do them
right, and sometimes bid them wait, until he is pleased to hear the
Cause, which is not suddenly: for he is very slow in all his Business:
neither dare they then depart from the Court, having been bidden to
stay. Where they stay till they are weary, being at Expence, so that
the Remedy is worse than the Disease. And sometimes again when they
thus fall before him, he commands to beat them and put them in Chains
for troubling of him; and perhaps in that Condition they may lay for
some years.

[How these great Officers Travel upon publick Business.] The King's
great Officers when they go abroad into the Countries about the
King's Business, they go attended with a number of Soldiers armed
both before and behind them; their Sword if not by their side, a Boy
carrieth after them, neither do they carry their Swords for their
safety or security. For in travelling here is little or no danger
at all. But it is out of State, and to shew their greatness. The
Custom is that all their journey Victuals be prepared for them ready
dressed; and if their Business requires hast, then it is brought on a
Pole on a Man's shoulder, the Pots that hold it hanging on each end,
so that nothing can be spilt out into the road; and this is got ready
against the great Man's coming. So that they are at no charge for Diet:
It is brought in at the charge of the Countrey. But however this is
not for all his Soldiers that attend him (they must bring their own
Provisions with them) but only for himself, and some of his Captains.

[Their Titles and Signs of State.] The greatest Title that is
allowed in the City to be given to the greatest Man is Oussary, which
signifieth Worshipful. But when they are abroad from the King, men call
them Sihattu and Dishondrew, implying, Honour and Excellency. These
Grandees whensoever they walk abroad, their manner is in State to
lean upon the arm of some Man or Boy. And the Adigar besides this
piece of State, wheresoever he goes, there is one with a great Whip
like a Coach-whip goes before him slashing it, that all People may
have notice that the Adigar is coming.

[The misery that succeeds their Honour.] But there is something comes
after, that makes all the Honour and Wealth of these great Courtiers
not at all desirable: and that is, that they are so obnoxious to
the King's displeasure. Which is a thing so customary, that it is no
disgrace for a Nobleman to have been in Chains, nay and in the Common
Goal too. And the great Men are as ready when the King Commands,
to lay hold on one another, as he to command them: and glad to have
the Honour to be the King's Executioners, hoping to have the Place
and Office of the Executed. When any of these are thus dispatched,
commonly he cuts off or imprisoneth all the Male kind, that are near
of kin, as Sons or Brothers, fearing they should plot revenge, and
seizes on all the Estate. And as for the Family, after Examination
with Punishment to make them confess where the Estate lyes, they have
Monthly Allowance out of the same. But the Wife or Women-Kindred
are now nothing at all in esteem for Honorable Ladies as they were
before. Yet sometimes he will send for the Sons or Brothers of these
whom he hath cut off for Traitors, and remand them out of the Prisons
where he had committed them; and prefer them in honorable Employment.

[The foolish ambition of the Men and Women of this Countrey.] It
is generally reported, and I have seen it so, that those whom he
prefers unto the greatest and weightiest Imployments are those
whom he intends soon to cut off, and contrariwise those whom he
doth affect, and intends to have longer Service of, shall not be
so laden with Places and Honours. Howbeit altho they know and see
this before their eyes daily, yet their hearts are so haughty and
ambitious, that their desires and endeavours are to ascend unto the
highest degrees of honour: tho that be but one remove from Death
and utter Destruction. And the Women's ambition is so great also,
that they will put their Husbands on to seek for Preferment, urging
how dishonorable it is for them to sit at home like Women, that so
they may have respect, and be reputed for great Ladies.






CHAP. VI.

Of the King's Strength and Wars.


[The King's Military Affairs.] It remains now that I speak a little
of the King's Military Affairs. His Power consists, in the natural
Strength of his Countrey, in his Watches, and in the Craft, more than
the Courage, of his Soldiers.

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