an, and Elen. [77] Farther up the coast is a large bay with
many islets at its mouth, one of which is called Amyhu. Within the
bay there is a fort and a town called Aycum. Farther inland there is
a very broad river that leads to Canton; about two leagues up there
is another fort and town called Cionciu, from which ships also come
hither for our trade, because, as I learned from the natives, that
is a large province, and has a great amount of commerce. About ten
leagues farther up the coast there is a broad river with a fort and
a town named Tisciu. Opposite this river there is an island called
La Mao. About fourteen leagues farther is the great river of Canton
where it is said there is a large fort with an ordinary garrison--as
nearly as I could make out, of about six or seven hundred soldiers,
who guard the fort, and their captain and governor, from the city and
province of Canton. Opposite this river are islets where the Portuguese
go to trade, because they are not allowed to enter Canton. [78] The
first of these islets, as one enters the river, is called Tanquian;
and then come the islands where the Portuguese anchor their ships,
where there are neither houses nor anything else; but it serves as
a harbor for their vessels. The place where they are is called the
_quiao_ of Canton. Even as far as Paquin [Peking], which is the city
of the king of China, it is said that one would have to be on the
road a year; and all the route would be found full of cities and
large provinces. Those on the road are Chincheo, Cantun, Hinchiu,
Mimipou, Ouchiu, Yrinari, Sisvan, Conceonau, Nanguin, and Paquin,
where the court and the king reside. There are other provinces, namely
Suchiu, Veou, Histau, Cencay. The last king, who died two years ago,
was named Ontee, and his son who succeeded him is called Taycii. [79]
The latter has issued a general pardon for all those, who were out
of their native lands, who should return freely to the condition in
which they were during the life of his father; for, before, there was
a law that he who did not return to his country within a year should
be condemned to death, and his goods confiscated for the expenses
of justice. But this new law ordered that the former law would not
be enforced for four years, within which time those who wished to
return to their former conditions might do so freely. Therefore some
of those converted to our holy faith, who were in the city of Manila,
have returned with their