REPORTS OF CHINA 



A.D. 



c. 1565. 



Certaine reports of the province of China learned 

 through the Portugals there imprisoned, and 

 chiefly by the relation of Galeotto Perera, a 

 Gentleman of good credit, that lay prisoner 

 in that Countrey many yeeres. Done out of 

 Italian into English by Richard Willes. 



His land of China is parted into 13. 

 Shires, the which sometimes were ech 

 one a kingdome by it selfe, but these 

 many yeeres they have bene all subject 

 unto one King. Fuquien is made by the Fuquien. 

 Portugals the first Shire, because there 

 their troubles began, & they had occasion 

 thereby to know the rest. In this shire be 8. cities, but 

 one principally more famous then others called Fuquieo, 

 the other seven are reasonably great, the best knowen 

 whereof unto the Portugals is Cinceo, in respect of a Cinceo. 

 certaine haven joyning thereunto, whither in time past 

 they were wont for marchandise to resort. 



Cantan is the second shire, not so great in quantitie, Cantan. 

 as well accompted of, both by the king thereof, and also 

 by the Portugals, for that it lieth neerer unto Malacca 

 then any other part of China, and was first discried by 

 the Portugals before any other shire in that province : 

 this shire hath in it seven Cities. 



Chequeam is the third shire, the chiefest Citie therein Chequeam. 

 is Donchion, therein also standeth Liampo, with other 13. 

 or 14. boroughes : countrey townes therin are too too 

 many to be spoken of. 



The fourth shire is called Xutiamfu, the principall Xutiamfu. 

 Citie thereof is great Pachin, where the King is alwayes 

 resident. In it are fifteene other very great Cities : of 

 other townes therein, and boroughes well walled and 

 trenched about, I wil say nothing. 



The fift shire hath name Chelim : the great Citie Chelim. 

 Nanquin chiefe of other fifteene cities was herein of 



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