Borneo lies between Malaca and the Moluccos, and according to the Opinion [Borneo describ'd.] of Gerard Mercator, is that which Ptolomy calls, the Island of Good Fortune. A Point of it lies under the Equinoctial, and the greater Part stretches out to 6 Degrees of North Latitude, taking up the two first Parallels. Thus it appears to be above 400 Leagues in Compass. It abounds in Provisions, and all other Necessaries for the Support of humane Life. And produces abundance of Camphire, Agarick Diamonds, vast Numbers of Horses, smaller than the Spanish; but it has not such plenty of Sheep, or Kine: There is a general Resort of Trade in all its Populous Cities and Ports. The Capital is Borneo, which gives Name to the Island, built on a Spacious Lake the Sea Forms, like Venice, and said to contain 23000 Houses: The King is a Mahometan; no man speaks to him but by the Interposition of an Interpreter. The Natives worship Idols. They are White, good Natur'd and sharp Witted. They have no certain Fashion of Cloaths. Many of them wear Cotton Shirts, and others of white common single Tabby, with red Lists.
Sirelela, Brother to this King, came to Manila, where Doctor Sandi being then Governour, he laid before him his Pretensions, and some Means he had for bringing his Designs to bear; but he put the main Stress upon [King of Borneo's Brothers at Manila.] his having a greater Party there, than the King his Brother. He promised which would be no difficult Matter, in Regard of the Hatred the People bore the King, that he would make the Kingdom Tributary to the Kings of Spain. The Governour having taken sufficient Precautions, condescended to his Request, and arming as many Spaniards, and Philippines as he thought convenient, with all Necessaries for a great Enterprize, ship'd them, and arriv'd happily at Borneo. He attack'd it in several Places; the best of the People immediately declar'd for the Brother. The King thinking himself weakest at Sea, reserv'd his Forces for the Land, and being deceiv'd [Spaniards overthrow that King.] in his Expectation, was forc'd to fly, his Army being routed, without any Remains to attend him in the Deserts, and Retreats of the Mountains, where he liv'd miserably. Sirelela ascended the Throne; the Victorious Spaniards return'd to the Philippine Islands loaded with Booty; and among other Things, if we may believe Relations, brought 600 Pieces of Artillery. However the depos'd King, a few Months after, got to a Head again. No Man ought to Despair in Adversity, for Fortune is nothing but the Will of God. Thus the King, with the Assistance of the Portuguses, [He is restored.] recover'd his Throne, casting down his Brother, and defeating him, till he was utterly destroy'd. Hatred is frequently no less intense than Love among those whom Nature has most closly link'd. In the Molucco Islands the War did not cease, nor the general Malice against Christians.