the king.  This witness has heard it said that some of the prisoners who remained there escaped, but were caught again.  The king ordered their toes to be cut off because they had escaped.  The said king of Chanpan is a very great pirate, and usually goes about with a large fleet, robbing and assaulting all the ships possible, making prisoners of all their crews, along all those coasts, which he can do because he is on the regular route.  This witness has heard it said that the said king has a large store of artillery and other arms from the vessels that he has seized.  It is the opinion of this witness that, since the damage which the said king of Chanpan does every year to the trading-vessels of Canboja, Cian, Patan, China, and other neighboring places, is so great, valuable service would be done to God and the king our sovereign, by attacking and crushing him as so dangerous an enemy, and thus ensure the safety of that route.  This witness has also heard it said that the said king of Chanpan is so cruel, that every year he orders the death of many of his own people, in order to bathe in the bile of those killed.  This has actually been witnessed by many persons who have been captives there, from whom this witness has heard it.  Everything that he has said he knows to be the truth, according to the oath he has sworn.  His age is twenty-two.

Signed, Pantaleon Carnero

Before me: 

Jhoan de Cuellar

Testimony:  On this said day an oath was received for the further investigation of the aforesaid, from Fernan Caravallo, at present in this city.  He, having sworn in due legal form, promised under this charge to tell the truth regarding everything he knew.  When questioned concerning the subject aforementioned, this witness said that he is a citizen of Macan, and that there he has heard it said by many persons, sailing on trading-ships from Macan to Malaca, Canboja, China, and other countries, that the king of Chanpan is a very great pirate, usually cruising about with a large fleet, assaulting the merchants whom he meets and robbing them of their ships, imprisoning their crews, and stealing their property; and that he does them great violence and injury.  About five years or so ago, Sebastian de Araujo, an inhabitant of Macan, sent some men to Chanpan to build a junk there.  When it was almost finished, the king of Chanpan seized it, and imprisoned the said men who were building it.  Two or three of them were killed; and for those who remained in captivity, the said Sebastian de Araujo procured ransoms.  Some fled with the said ship, when opportunity offered.  Witness has also heard it said that the king has seized many other Portuguese ships that have gone ashore there in storms, and others that he deceitfully causes to enter his ports by offering them a safe harbor, but whom he afterward imprisons, robs of their goods, and treats with great cruelty.  All the above this witness has heard said by certain persons who