Chapter XXII (9)

The language of the _Indians_ is most elegant and copious, and they tall, strong, active, and of very good wits, as may be seen in all their workes, but especially in those of feathers, which are so curious, that they are presented for rich presents to the King and Nobles of _Spaine_. The chiefe City of this Province is _Valladolid_ a Bishops-seat; and the best Townes are _Sinfonte_, which was the residence of the Kings of this countrey. There is also _Pascuar_ and _Colima_ very great Townes inhabited by _Indians_ and _Spaniards_. There are also two good havens, called _St. Anthony_, and _St. James_, or _Santiago_. This country of _Mechoacan_ was almost as great as the Empire of _Mexico_, when _Cortez_ conquered those parts. The King that was then of _Mechoacan_ was called _Caconzin_, who was a great friend unto _Cortez_, and a servitor to the _Spaniards_, and willingly yeelded himselfe as vassall to the King of _Spaine_; yet such was the cruelty of _Don Nunio de Guzman_, the first Ruler and President of the Chancery of _Mexico_ after the conquest, that understanding he was put out of his office, he tooke his journey against the _Teuchichimecas_, and carried in his company five hundred _Spaniards_, with whom and six thousand _Indians_ which by force he tooke out of _Mechoacan_, he conquered _Xalixco_ which is now called the new _Galicia_. And as for this purpose hee passed through _Mechoacan_, he tooke Prisoner the King _Caconzin_, (who was quiet and peaceable and stirred not against him) and tooke from him ten thousand markes of plate, and much gold and other treasure, and afterwards burned him, and many other _Indian_ Gentlemen and principall persons of that Kingdome, because they should not complaine, saying that a dead dog biteth not. They were in this Kingdome as superstitious and idolatrous as in the rest of _America_. No divorcement was permitted amongst them, except the party made a solemn oath, that they looked not the one on the other stedfastly and directly at the time of their marriage. In the burying likewise of their Kings they were superstitious, cruell, and Idolatrous. When any King of _Mechoacan_ happened to be brought to such extremity of sicknesse that hope of life was past; then did he name and appoint which of his sons should inherit the state and Crown, and being known the new King or heir presently sent for all the Governours, Captains, and valiant souldiers, who had any office or charge, to come unto the buriall of his father, and he that came not, from thenceforth was held for a Traitour, and so punished. When the death of the old King was certaine, then came all degrees of estates, and did bring their presents to the new King for the approbation of his Kingdome: But if the King were not throughly dead, but at the point of death, then the gates were shut in, and none permitted to enter; and if he were throughly dead, then began a generall cry and mourning, and they were permitted to come where their dead King lay, and to touch him with their hands. This being done the carkasse was washed with sweet waters, and then a fine shirt put upon him, and a payre of shooes made of Dear skinne put on his feet, and about his ankles were tied bells of gold, about the wrists of his hands were put bracelets of Turkises and of gold likewise; about his neck they did hang collars of pretious stones and also of gold, and rings in his eares, with a great Turkise in his neither lip. Then his body was laid upon a large Beere whereon was placed a good bed under him; on his one side lay a bow with a quiver of arrowes, and on his other side lay an Image made of fine mantles of his own stature or bignesse, with a great tuffe of fine feathers, shooes upon his feet, with bracelets and a collar of gold. While this was a doing, others were busied in washing the men and women, which should be slain for to accompany him into hell. These wretches that were to be slain, were first banqueted and filled with drinke, because they should receive their death with lesse paine. The new King did appoint those who should die for to serve the King his father; and many of those simple soules esteemed that death so odious for a thing of immortall glorious. First six Gentlewomen of noble birth were appointed to die; the one to have the office of keeper of his jewels, which he was wont to weare; another for the office of cup-bearer; another to give him water with a bason and Ewer; another to give him alwaies the Urinall; another to be his Cooke; and another to serve for Landress. They slew also many women, slaves, and free-maidens for to attend upon the Gentlewomen, and moreover one of every occupation within the City. When all these that were appointed to die were washed, and their bellies full with meat and drinke, then they painted their faces yellow, and put garlands of sweet flowers upon each of their heads. Then they went in order of procession before the Beere, whereon the dead King was carried; some went playing on instruments made of Snail shells, and others played upon bones and shells of Sea Tortois, others went whistling, and the most part weeping. The sons of the dead King and other Noble men carried upon their shoulders the Beere where the Corps lay, and proceeded with an easie pace towards the Temple of the God called _Curicaveri_; his kinsmen went round about the Beer singing a sorrowfull song. The officers and houshold-servants of the Court, with other Magistrates and Rulers of justice bare the Standards and divers other Arms. And about midnight they departed in the order aforesaid out of the Kings Palace with great light of fire-brands, and with a heavy noyse of their trumpets and drummes. The Citizens which dwelt where the Corse passed, attended to make clean the street. And when they were come to the Temple, they went four times round about a great fire which was prepared of Pine tree to burn the dead body. Then the Beer was laid upon the fire, and in the meane while that the body was burning, they mawled with a club those which had the garlands, and afterward buried them four and four as they were apparelled behind the Temple. The next day in the morning the ashes, bones and jewels were gathered and laid upon a rich mantle, the which was carried to the Temple gate, where the Preists attended to blesse those divellish reliques, whereof they made a dow or paste, and thereof an Image, which was apparelled like a man, with a visor on his face, and all other sorts of jewels that the dead King was wont to weare, so that it seemed a gallant Idoll. At the foot of the Temple staires they opened a grave ready made, which was square, large, two fadome deepe, it was also hanged with new mats roundabout, and a faire bed therein, in the which one of the Preists placed the Idoll made of ashes with his eyes towards the East part, and did hang round about the walls Targets of gold and silver, with bowes and arrows, and many gallant tuffes of feathers with earthen vessels, as pots, dishes, and platters, so that the grave was filled up with houshold-stuffe, chests covered with leather, apparel, Jewels, meate drinke and armour. This done, the grave was shut up and made sure with beames, boardes, and floored with earth on the top. All those Gentlemen who had served or touched any thing in the buriall, washed themselves and went to dinner in the Court or yard of the Kings house without any table, and having dined they wiped their hands upon certain lockes of Cotton-wooll, hanging downe their heads, and not speaking any word, except it were to aske for drinke. This ceremonie endured five daies, and in all that time no fire was permitted to be kindled in the City, except in the Kings house and Temples, nor yet any corne was ground, or market kept, nor any durst goe out of their houses, shewing all the sorrow that might be possible for the death of their King. And this was the superstitious manner of burying the Kings of _Mechoacan_. This people did punish adultery most rigorously; for to commit it was death as well for the man as the woman. But if the adulterer were a Gentleman, his head was decked with feathers, and after that he was hanged, and his body burned; and for this offence was no pardon, either for man or woman. But for avoiding of adultery they did permit other common women, but no publike and ordinary stewes. Now the _Indians_ of _Mechoacan_ are greatly taken with the popish devices, and are strong in that religion, as any part of _America_.

The fourth and last Province of the Countrey or Empire of _Mexico_, is called _Galicia nova_, and is watered with two very great rivers, the one named _Piastle_, and the other _San Sebastian_. This Province glorieth in many great Townes of _Indians_; but especially in six, inhabited both by _Indians_ and _Spaniards_; the first and chiefest is _Xalisco_, taken by _Nunio de Guzman_ 1530. when he fled from _Mexico_ in a rage, and tooke prisoner and burned the King of _Mechoacan_. The second is _Guadalaiara_. The third _Coanum_. The fourth _Compostella_. The fifth, _St. Espirit_. The sixth, _Capola_, which now is called _Nova Mexico_, new _Mexico_. And here it is that the _Spaniards_ are daily warring against the _Indians_ which live Northward, and are not as yet reduced nor brought under the _Spanish_ yoake and government. They are valiant _Indians_, and hold the _Spaniards_ hard to it; and have great advantage against them in the rocks and mountaines, where they abide and cut off many _Spaniards_. Their chief weapons are but bowes and arrowes, and yet with them from the thick Woods, hils and rockes they annoy and offend the _Spaniards_ exceedingly. I have heard some _Spaniards_ say that they flie and climbe up the rocks like Goates; and when they draw nigh unto them, then they cry out with a hideous noise shooting their arrowes at them, and in an instant are departed and fled unto another rock. The reason why the _Spaniards_ are so earnest to pursue and conquer these _Indians_, more then many others of _America_, which as yet are not brought in subjection to the _Spaniards_, is for the many Mines of silver and treasure of gold which they know to bee there. They have got already sure possession of part of those riches in the Mines, called St. _Lewis Sacatecas_, from whence they send all the silver that is coyned in the Mint houses of _Mexico_ and the City of _Angels_, and every yeere besides to _Spain_ in silver wedges at least six Millions. But the further the _Spaniards_ goe to the North, still more riches they discover; and faine would they subdue all those Northern parts (as I have heard them say) lest our _English_ from _Virginia_, and their other plantations, get in before them. I have heard them wonder that our _English_ enter no further into the maine land; surely say they, either they feare the _Indians_, or else with a little paultry Tobacco they have as much as will maintaine them in lazinesse. Certainly they intend to conquer through those heathenish _Indians_, untill by land they come to _Florida_ and _Virginia_, (for so they boast) if they bee not met with by some of our Northern Nations of _Europe_, who may better keep them off then those poor _Indians_, and may doe God greater and better service with those rich Mines, then the _Spaniards_ hitherto have done.

Thus having spoken somewhat of the foure Provinces of _Mexico_, which was the first member of the division _Mexican_ and _Peruan_; Now I shall briefly say somewhat further of three more Countries belonging to the _Mexican_ or Northern Tract as opposite to the _Peruan_, omiting _Florida, Virginia, Norumbega, Nova Francia Corterialis_, and _Estotilandia_, because I will not write as many doe by relation and hearsay, but by more sure intelligence, insight and experience. In my first division next to _Mexico_, I placed _Quivira, Jucatan_, and _Nicaragua_; of these three therefore I shall say a little, and then some what of the _Peruan_ part. _Quivira_ is seated on the most Western part of _America_, just over against _Tartary_, from whence being not much distant some suppose that the Inhabitants first came into this new World. And indeed the _Indians_ of _America_ in many things seeme to bee of the race and progenie of the _Tartars_, in that _Quivira_ and all the West side of the Country towards _Asia_ is farre more populous then the East towards _Europe_, which sheweth these parts to have been first inhabited. Secondly, their uncivility, and barbarous properties tell us that they are most like the _Tartars_ of any. Thirdly, the West side of _America_ if it bee not continent with _Tartary_, is yet disjoyned by a small straight. Fourthly, the people of _Quivira_ neerest to _Tartary_, are said to follow the seasons and pasturing of their cattell like the _Tartarians_. All this side of _America_ is full of herbage, and injoyeth a temperate aire. The people are desirous of glasse more then of gold; and in some places to this day are Cannibals. The chief riches of this Country are their Kine, which are to them as we say of our Ale to drunkards, meat, drink and cloth, and more too. For the Hides yeeld them houses, or at least the coverings of them; their bones bodkins, their hair thred, their sinews ropes; their horns, mawes and bladders, vessels; their dung, fire; their Calve skinnes, budgets to draw and keepe water; their blood, drink; their flesh, meat.

There is thought to bee some traffique from _China_, or _Cathaya_, hither to those parts, where as yet the _Spaniards_ have not entred. For when _Vazquez de Coronado_ conquered some part of it, hee saw in the further Sea certaine ships, not of common making; which seemed to bee well laden, and bare in their prowes, Pelicans, which could not bee conjectured to come from any Country, but one of these two. In _Quivira_ there are but two Provinces knowne unto us, which are _Cibola_, and _Nova Albion. Cibola_ lyeth on the Eastside, whose chief City is of the same name, and denominates the whole Province. The chief Town next to _Cibola_ is called _Totontaa_, which is temperate and pleasant, being situated upon a River so called. The third Town worth mentioning is called _Tinguez_, which was burnt by the _Spaniards_; who under the conduct of _Francisco Vasquez de Coronado_ made this Province subject to the King of _Spain, Anno Dom._ 1540. And since this Town of _Tinguez_ hath been rebuilt and inhabited by the _Spaniards_; There is a goodly Colledge of Jesuites, who only preach to the _Indians_ of that country. _Nova Albion_ lyeth on the West side towards _Tartary_, and is very little inhabited by the _Spaniards_, who have found no wealth or riches there. Our ever Renowned and Noble Captain Sir _Francis Drake_ discovered it, entred upon it, and hee named it _Nova Albion_, because the King that then was, did willingly submit himself unto our Queen _Elizabeth_.

The Country abounds with fruits pleasing both the eye and the Palate. The people are given to hospitality, but withall to witchcraft and adoration of devils. The bounds between this _Quivira_ and _Mexico_ Empire is _Mar Virmiglio_, or _Californio_. The third Kingdome belonging to the _Mexican_ part and Northern Tract is _Jucatan_; which was first discovered by _Francisco Hernandez de Cordova_, in the year 1517. It is called _Jucatan_, not as some have conceited from _Joctan_ the son of Heber, who they thinke came out of the East, where the Scripture placeth him, _Gen._ 12. 23. to inhabite here, but from _Jucatan_ which in the _Indian_ tongue, signifieth, what say you? for when the _Spaniards_ at their first arriving in that Country did aske of the _Indians_ the name of the place, the Savages not understanding what they meaned, replyed unto them _Jucatan_, which is, what say you? whereupon the _Spaniards_ named it, and ever since have called it _Jucatan_. The whole Country is at least 900 miles in circuit, and is a _Peninsula_. It is situated over against the Isle of _Cuba_; and is divided into three parts, first _Jucatan_ it selfe, whose Cities of greatest worth, are _Campeche, Valladolid, Merida, Simaricas_, and one which for his greatnesse and beauty, they call _Caire_. This Country among the _Spaniards_ is held to bee poor; the chief Commodities in it are hony, wax, Hides, and some Sugar, but no Indigo, Cochinil, nor Mines of silver; There are yet some drugs much esteemed of by the Apothecaries, _Cana fistula, Zarzaparilla_ especially; and great store of _Indian Maiz_. There is also abundance of good Wood and Timber fit for shipping, whereof the _Spaniards_ doe make very strong ships, which they use in their voiages to _Spain_ and back again. In the yeer 1632. the _Indians_ of this Country in many places of it were like to rebell against their _Spanish_ Governour, who vexed them sorely, making them bring in to him their Fowles and Turkies (whereof there is also great abundance) and their hony and wax, (wherein hee traded) at the rate and price which hee pleased to set them for his better advantage; which was such a disadvantage to them, that to enrich him they impoverished themselves; and so resolved to betake themselves to the Woods and Mountaines; where in a rebellious way they continued some Months, untill the Franciscan Fryers, who have there great power over them, reduced them back, and the Governour (lest hee should quite lose that Country by a further rebellion) granted to them not onely a generall pardon in the Kings name, but for the future promised to use them more mildly and gently.

The second part of it is called _Guatemala_, (wherein I lived for the space of almost twelve yeers) whose Inhabitants have lost formerly halfe a million of their kinsmen and friends by the unmercifull dealing of the _Spaniards_; and yet for all the losse of so many thousands, there is no part of _America_ more flourishing then this with great and populous _Indians_ Townes. They may thank the Fryers who defend them daily against the _Spaniards_ cruelty, and this yet for their owne ends; for while the _Indians_ flourish and increase, the Fryers purses flourish also and are filled. This Country is very fresh and plentifull. The chief Cities are _Guatemala, Cassuca_, and _Chiapa_; whereof I shall speak more largely hereafter. The third part of _Jucatan_ is _Acasamil_, which is an Island over against _Guatemala_ which is now commonly called by the _Spaniards Sta Cruz_, whose chief Towne is _Sta. Cruz_.

The fourth and last Country of the division of the _Mexican_ part and Northern Tract of _America_ (which is under the _Spanish_ Government, and my best knowledge and experience) is _Nicaragua_, which standeth South East from _Mexico_, and above foure hundred and fifty leagues from it. Yet it agreeth somewhat with _Mexico_ in nature both of soile and Inhabitants. The people are of good stature, and of colour indifferent white. They had, before they received Christianity, a setled and politick forme of Government; Onely, as _Solon_ appointed no Law for a mans killing of his father, so had this people none for the murtherer of a King, both of them conceiting, that men were not so unnaturall, as to commit such crimes. A theef they judged not to death, but adjudged him to be slave to that man whom hee had robbed; till by his service hee had made satisfaction: a course truely more mercifull and not lesse just, then the losse of life.

This Countrey is so pleasing to the eye, and abounding in all things necessary, that the _Spaniards_ call it _Mahomets_ Paradise. Among other flourishing trees, here groweth one of that nature, that a man cannot touch any of its branches, but it withereth presently. It is as plentifull of Parrets, as our Countrey of _England_ is of Crowes; Turkies, Fowles, Quailes and Rabbets are ordinary meat there. There are many populous _Indian_ Townes (though not so many as about _Guatemala_) in this Countrey; and especially two Cities of _Spaniards_, the one _Leon_, a Bishops Seat, and the other _Granada_, which standeth upon a Lake of fresh water, which hath above three hundred miles in compasse, and having no intercourse with the Ocean, doth yet continually ebbe and flow. But of this Countrey, and of this City especially I shall say somewhat more, when I come to speake of my travailing through it.

Thus I have briefly touched upon the _Mexican_ part, and so much of the Northern Tract as is under the King of _Spain_ his Dominion, leaving more particulars, untill I come to shew the order of my being in and journeying through some of these Countries. I will now likewise give you a glimpse of the Southern Tract, and _Peruan_ part of _America_. Which containeth chiefly five great Countries or Kingdomes, some in whole, and others in part, subject to the Crown of _Spain_ and _Portugal_, which are, first _Castella aurea_; secondly, _Gujana_; thirdly, _Peru_; fourthly, _Brasile_; fifthly, _Chille_. But I will not fill my History with what others have written of the foure last named Countries, wherein I was not much; but what I could learne of _Peru_, I will briefly speak, and so come to the first _Castella aurea_, through which I travailed. _Peru_ is held to be yet more rich a Countrey then is _Mexico_; for although it hath not the conveniency of trafique by the North Sea, which _Mexico_ hath; but doth send the Commodities in it to _Panama_, and from thence transports them either over the straight _Isthmus_, or by the River _Chiagre_ to _Portabel_ upon the North Sea; yet the Countrey is farre richer then _Mexico_, by reason of the more abundance of Mines of silver which are in it. The mountaines named _Potosi_ are thought to be of no other metall, which the King of _Spain_ will not have to be opened until they have exhausted those which are already discovered and digged, and have found the _Spaniards_ worke enough, and yeelded them treasure enough ever since they first conquered those parts. The soile is very fruitfull of all such fruits as are found in _Spain_. The Olives are bigger then those of _Spain_, the oyle sweeter and cleerer. The Grapes yeeld also a wine farre stronger then any of _Spain_, and there is much made, by reason it cannot conveniently bee brought from _Spain_. There is likewise wheat in great store; and all this fruitfull soile lyeth low under high Mountaines which divide betwixt _Indians_ not as yet conquered and _Brasile_. But those Mountaines are a great helpe unto those pleasant Valleys with the waters that fall from them; for in all those parts inhabited by _Spaniards_ towards the South Sea, it is most certain and most observable that it never raineth, in so much that the houses are uncovered on the tops, and onely matts laid over them to keep off the dust, and yet is this Countrey what with the waters that fall from the Mountaines, what with the morning and evening dewes, as fruitfull and plentifull as any Countrey in the World. The chief City is called _Lima_, where there is a Viceroy and a Court of Chancery, and an Arch-Bishop. It hath a Port some two miles from it named _Callau_; where lie the ships that convey yearly the treasure of that Kingdome to _Panama_. There lie also other ships, which trafique to the _East-India's_, and to all the Coasts of _Guatemala_, and to _Acapulco_ the Southern Haven of _Mexico_. This Port of _Callau_ is not so strong as the great, nay inestimable wealth that is commonly in it and in the City of _Lima_ should require, for I have heard many _Spaniards_ say, that in the yeare 1620. a few ships of _Hollanders_ (as some say) or of _English_ (as others affirme) appeared before the Haven waiting for the ships that were to convey the Kings revenews to _Panama_, and hearing that they were departed (though by a false report) followed them, and so forsooke the attempting to take the _Callau_; which certainly had they manly attempted, they had taken it, and in it the greatest treasure that in any one part of the world could have beene found. But the _Spaniards_ seldome see thereabout foraine ships, and so live more carelesly in securing or strengthning that Coast. Though _Peru_ bee thus rich in fruits and Mines, yet _Chille_ farre exceedeth it in gold; which edgeth the _Spaniards_ to a constant and continuall Warre with the Inhabitants, which are a strong, warlike, and most valiant people. They are grown as skilfull in the use of weapons, swords, Pistols and Muskets as the _Spaniards_, and have taken many _Spaniards_, men and women prisoners; and or the _Spanish_ women have had so many children, called _Mestizoes_, that by them (who have proved most valiant) they have much increased both their strength and skill. They hold the _Spaniards_ hard to it, and the War is become the most dangerous of any the _Spaniards_ have; in so much that the Counsell of _Spain_ doth pick out from _Flanders_ and _Italy_, the best souldiers to send them thither. And a Captaine that hath served long, well and faithfully in _Flanders_, by way of credit and promotion is sent to the Warres of _Chille_, to fight for that great treasure of gold, which certainly is there. The _Spaniards_ have in it three faire Cities; the _Conception_ (which is a Bishops Seat) and _Santiago_, and _Valdivia_. This last is so named from one _Valdivia_, who was Governour of it, and the first cause and author of those Wars.

This man was so extraordinarily covetous of the gold of that Countrey, that hee would not let the _Indians_ possesse or injoy any of it themselves; but did vex them, whip, and beat, yea and kill some of them, because they brought him not enough, and imployed them daily in seeking it out for him, charging them with a tax and imposition of so much a day: which the _Indians_ not being able to performe, nor to satisfie an unsatiable minde and greedy covetousnesse, resolved to rebell, but so that first they would fill and satiate his heart with gold so that hee should never more covet after that yellow and glittering metall. Wherefore they joyned and combined themselves together in a warlike posture, and tooke some quantity of gold and melted it, and with it resolutely came upon _Valdivia_ the Governour, saying, O _Valdivia_ we see thou hast a greedy and unsatiable minde and desire after our gold; wee have not been able to satisfie thee with it hitherto; but now wee have devised a way to satiate this thy greedy covetousnesse; here is now enough, drink thy full of it; and with these words they tooke him, and powred the melted gold downe his throat, wherewith he died, never more coveting after that bright and shining drosse, and naming with his name and death that City of _Valdivia_, and with his covetousnesse leaving a rebellion which hath continued to a cruell and bloody War unto this day.

_Guiana_ and _Brasile_ I shall omit to speak of, not having been in any part of them. _Brasile_ is little talked of by the _Spaniards_, belonging to the Crowne of _Portugall_, and now part of it to the high and mighty States of the _Netherlands_, who will better satisfie by their Histories, and acquaint _Europe_ with the riches that are in it.

I return unto the first part mentioned by me in the Southern and _Peruan_ Tract, which was said to bee _Castella aurea_, golden _Castile_, so called for the abundance of gold that is found in it. This containeth the Northern part of _Peruana_, and part of the _Isthmus_, which runneth between the North and South Sea. Besides the gold in it, yet it is admirably stored with silver, Spices, Pearls, and medicinall Herbes. It is divided into foure Provinces. The first is called _Castella del oro_; the second, _Nova Andaluzia_; the third _Nova Granada_; the fourth, _Carthagena. Castella del oro_ is situated in the very _Isthmus_, and is not very populous by reason of the unhealthfulnesse of the aire, and noisome savour of the standing pooles. The chief places belonging to the _Spaniards_, are first _Theonimay_, or _Nombre de Dios_ on the East; the second, which is six leagues from _Nombre de Dios_ is _Portabel_, now chiefly inhabited by the _Spaniards_ and Mulattoes, and Blackmores, and _Nombre de Dios_ almost utterly forsaken by reason of its unhealthfulnesse. The ships which were wont to anchor in _Nombre de Dios_, and there to take in the Kings treasure, which is yeerly brought from _Peru_ to _Panama_, and from thence to the North Sea, now harbour themselves in _Portabel_; which signifyeth _Porto bello_, a faire and goodly Haven, for so indeed it is, and well fortified at the entrance with three Castles, which can reach and command one another. The third and chiefe place belonging to the _Spaniards_ in _Castella del oro_ is _Panama_, which is on the Westside and upon the South Sea. This City and _Nombre de Dios_ were both built by _Didacus de Niquesa_. And _Nombre de Dios_ was so called, because _Niquesa_ having been crossed with many mischances and misadventures at Sea, when hee came to this place greatly rejoyced, and bad his men now goe on shore in _Nombre de Dios_, in the name of God. But as I have before observed, the aire being here very unhealthy, the King of _Spain_ in the yeare 1584. commanded the houses of _Nombre de Dios_ to be pulled downe, and to be rebuilt in a more healthy and convenient place: which was performed by _Peter Arias_ in _Portabel_. But being now upon _Nombre de Dios_, I should wrong my Country if I should not set out to the publike view the worth of her people shewed upon this place, and to this day talked on and admired by the _Spaniards_, who doe not only remember Sir _Francis Drake_, & teach their children to dread and fear even his name for his attempts upon _Carthagena_ and all the coast about, and especially upon _Nombre de Dios_, and from it marching as farre as the great mountaine called _St. Pablo_ towards _Panama_: but furthermore keep alive amongst them (and in this my History it shall not die) the name of one of Sir _Francis Drake_ his followers and Captains named _John Oxenham_, whose attempt on this coast was resolute and wonderfull.

This Noble and gallant Gentleman arriving with threescore and ten souldiers in his company as resolute as himselfe, a little above this Towne of _Nombre de Dios_ drew a land his ship, and covering it with boughes, marched over the land with his Company guided by _Black-mores_, untill he came to a river. Where he cut downe wood, made him a Pinnace, entred the South-sea, went to the Island of Pearles, where hee lay ten daies waiting for a prize, which happily he got (though not so happily after kept it) for from that Island he set upon two _Spanish_ ships, and finding them unable to fight, he speedily made them yeeld, and intercepted in them threescore thousand pound weight of gold, and two hundred thousand pound weight in barres or wedges of silver, and returned safely again to the maine land. And though by reason of a mutiny made by his owne Company he neither returned to his country nor to his hidden ship; yet was it such a strange adventure as is not to be forgotten, in that the like was never by any other attempted, and by the _Spaniards_ is to this day with much admiration recorded.

Much part of this _Castella aurea_ as yet is not subdued by the _Spaniards_, and so doubtlesse a great treasure lieth hid in it for that people and nation whose thoughts shall aspire to find it out. In the year 1637. when I chanced to be in _Panama_ returning homewards to my Country, there came thither some twenty _Indians_ Barbarians by way of peace to treate with the President of the Chancery concerning their yeelding up themselves to the government of the King of _Spaine_. But as I was informed afterwards at _Carthagena_, nothing was concluded upon, for that the _Spaniards_ dare not trust those _Indians_, whom they have found to have rebelled often against them for their hard usage and carriage towards them. These _Indians_ which then I saw were very proper, tall and lusty men, and well complexioned; and among them one of as red a haire as any our nation can shew; they had bobs of gold in their eares, and some of them little pieces of gold made like a halfe moone hanging upon their neither lips, which argues store of that treasure to be amongst them. Unto this country is joyning _Nova Andaluzia_, which hath on the North side _Castella del oro_, and on the South _Peru_; The best Cities in it are _Tocoio_, now by the _Spaniards_ called _St. Margarets_, and another called _S. Espiritu. Nova Granada_ is situated on the South side of _Carthagena_, and from the abundance and fertility of _Granada_ in _Spaine_ it hath taken its name. The chiefe Townes and Cities in it are six. First _Tungia_, which is supposed to be directly under the _Æquator_. The second is _Tochaimum_. The third, _Popaian_, the richest of them all. The fourth, _Sta. Fee_, or _St. Faith_, an Archbishops seat, and a Court of Justice and Chancery, governed like _Panama_ and _Guatemala_, by a President and six Judges, and a Kings Attorney and two high Justices of Court, who have six thousand duckats a yeer allowed them out of the Kings treasure. The fifth City is _Palma_; and the sixth _Merida_. From _Carthagena_ through this countrey of _Granada_ lieth the rode way to _Lima_ in _Peru_, all by land. This Country is very strong by reason of the situation of it much amongst stony rockes, which compasse and environ it, and through which there are very narrow passages. Yet it is full of pleasant valleys which do yeeld much fruit, Corne and _Indian_ Maiz. There are also in it some Mines of silver, and many golden sanded rivers. _Carthagena_, which is the last Province of _Castella aurea_, hath also a very fruitfull soil, in the which groweth a tree, which if any one do touch, he will hardly escape a poysoning.

The chiefe Cities in it are, first _Carthagena_, which Sir _Francis Drake_ in the yeer 1585. surprised, and (as the _Spaniards_ affirme) burned most part of it, and besides inestimable sums of money, took with him from thence 230 peeces of Ordnance. I dare say now it hath not so many; yet it is reasonable well fortified; though not so strong as _Portabel_. It is a faire and gallant City and very rich, by reason of the pearles which are brought to it from _Margarita_, and the Kings revenues, which from all _Nova Granada_ are sent thither. It is a Bishops seat, and hath many rich Churches and Cloisters. It is not governed by a Court of Justice and Chancery as _Sta. Fee_ is, but onely by one Governour. It hath been often moved to the Councell of _Spaine_ to have some Galleys made to runne about those Seas, and that _Carthagena_ bee the chiefe harbour of them. From this City received _England_ the losse of that little Island named _Providence_ by us, and by the _Spaniards Sta. Catalina_, which though but little, might have been of a great, nay greater advantage to our Kingdom, than any other of our plantations in _America_; which the _Spaniards_ wel understood when they set al their strength of _Carthagena_ against it; but I hope the Lord hath his time appointed when we shall advantage our selves by it again. To this City of _Carthagena_ cometh every yeer also in small Frigots most of the Indigo, Cochinil & Sugar, which is made in the country of _Guatemala_, the _Spaniards_ thinking it safer to ship these their goods in little Frigots upon the lake of _Granada_ in _Nicaragua_, & from thence to send them to _Carthagena_ to be shipped with the Galeons that come from _Portabel_ with the treasure of _Peru_, than to send them by the ships of _Honduras_, which have often been a prey unto the _Hollanders_. These frigots were thought by the _Spaniards_ to come too neer the reach of _Providence_, and therefore it hath been their care and providence to remove us from this reach of their Frigots. The second great Towne of this Countrey of _Carthagena_ is _Abuida_. The third _Sta. Martha_, which is a rich government of _Spaniards_, and doth much fear our _English_ and _Holland_ ships; it is seated on the river _de Abuida_, otherwise called _St. John_ and _Rio di Grand_. There is also _Venezuela_ and _New-Caliz_, great, rich, and strong Townes. And these three last regions, _Andaluzia Nova, Nova Granada_, and _Carthagena_ are by the _Spaniards_ called _Tierra firme_, or firme land, for that they are the strength of _Peru_ from the North, and the basis of this reversed _Pyramis_.

Thus have I brought thee, Gentle Reader, round about _America_, and shewed thee the Continent of that biggest part of the world; from the which thou mayst observe the power and greatnesse of the King of _Spain_, who hath got under his Scepter and Dominion so many thousand miles, which were they reckoned up, would be found to be more then are about all _Europe_. But not only is _America_ great and spatious by land, but also by sea, glorying in more and some greater Islands, then any other part of the world. It would but cause tediousnesse, and seem prolixity to number them all up, which is a worke hard and difficult, for that many as yet are not knowne nor inhabited, and whose goodnesse and greatnesse is not discovered; for the Islands called _Lucoidas_ are thought to be foure hundred at least. Therefore I will omit to be over tedious and prolixe, and will but briefly speake of the best and chiefe of them, taking them in order from that part of the Continent, _Carthagena_, where even now I left thee. But in the first place calls upon my pen the Jewel Island called _Margarita_, which is situated in the sea nigh unto _Castella aurea_, and not farre distant from two other Islands, named _Cubagna_ and _Trinidado_. True it is this Island of _Margarita_ is by some much slighted for want of corne, grasse, trees and water; in so much that it hath been knowne sometime that an inhabitant of that Island hath willingly changed for a Tun of water a Tunne of wine. But the great abundance of pretious stones in it maketh amends for the former wants and defects; for from them is the name of _Margarita_ imposed on that Island. But especially it yeeldeth store of pearles, those gemmes which the Latine writers call _Uniones_, because _nulli duo reperiuntur indiscreti_, they alwaies are found to grow in couples. In this Island there are many rich Merchants, who have thirty, fourty, fifty _Black-more_ slaves only to fish out of the sea about the rockes these pearles. These _Black-mores_ are much made of by their Masters, who must needs trust them with a treasure hidden in the waters, and in whose will it is to passe by of those they find, none, few, or many. They are let downe in baskets into the Sea, and so long continue under the water, untill by pulling the rope by which they are let downe, they make their sign to taken up. I have heard some say that have thus dealt in pearles, that the chief meat they feed their _Black-mores_ with, is roast-meat, which maketh them their wind & breath longer in the water. From _Margarita_ are all the pearles sent to be refined and bored to _Carthagena_, where is a faire and goodly street of no other shops then of these Pearle-dressers. Commonly in the moneth of _July_ there is a ship or two at most ready in that Island to carry the Kings revenue, and the Merchants pearles to _Carthagena_. One of these ships are valued commonly at threescore thousand, or fourscore thousand duckats, and sometimes more; and therefore are reasonable well manned; for that the _Spaniards_ much feare our _English_ and the _Holland_ ships. The yeare that I was in _Carthagena_, which was 1637. a ship of these laden with pearles was chased by one of our ships from the Island of _Providence_ (by some it was thought to be our ship called the _Neptune_) which after a little fighting had almost brought the poore _Spaniard_ to yeeld his pearles, and had certainly carried away that great treasure (as I was informed in _Carthagena_ foure daies after the fight by a _Spaniard_ who was in the ship of _Margarita_) had not two other ships of _Holland_ come between to challenge from our _English_ man that prize, alleadging their priviledge from the mighty States united for all prizes upon those seas and coast. And whilst our _English_ and _Hollander_ did thus strive for the Pearles, the _Spanish_ ship ran on shore upon a little Island, and speedily unladed and hid in the woods part of the treasures, and perceiving the _Hollander_ coming eagerly in pursuit of it, the _Spaniard_ set on fire the ship, and neither _Spaniard, English_, nor _Hollander_, enjoyed what might have been a great and rich prize to _England_. From _Carthagena_ was sent presently a man of Warre to bring home the pearles hid in the wood, which were not the third part of what was in the ship.

_Jamaica_ is another Island under the power of the _Spaniards_, which is in length 280. miles, and 70. in breadth, which though it exceed _Margarita_ in sweet and pleasant streames and fountaines of water, yet is far inferiour to it in riches. Some Hides, some Sugar, and some Tobacco are the chiefe commodities from thence. There are only two Townes of note in it, _Oristana_ and _Sevilla_; here are built ships which have proved as well at sea, as those that are made in _Spaine_. This Island was once very populous, but now is almost destitute of _Indians_; for the _Spaniards_ have slain in it more then 60,000; in so much that women as well here as on the Continent did kill their children before they had given them life, that the issues of their bodies might not serve so cruell a nation. But farre beyond the two former is the Island of _Cuba_, which is three hundred miles long, and seventy broad, which was first made knowne to _Europe_ by _Columbus_ his second navigation. This Island is full of Forrests, Lakes, and mountaines. The aire is very temperate, the soile very fertill, producing brasse of exact perfection, and some gold though drossie hath formerly been found in it. It aboundeth also with Ginger, Cassia, Masticke, Aloes, some Cinnamon, Cana fistula, Zarzaparilla, and Sugar, and hath of flesh, fish, and fowles great plenty; but especially such store of sea Tortois, and Hogs, that the ships at their returne to _Spaine_ make their chiefe provision of them. My selfe chanced to take physicke there, and whereas I thought that day I should have a fowle or rabbet after my physicks working, they brought me a boyled peece of fresh young Porke, which when I refused to eat, they assured me it was the best dish the Doctors did use to prescribe upon such daies.

The chiefe Cities of this Island are _Santiago_ on the Northerne shore, built by _James de Valasco_, a Bishops seat, and secondly, _Havana_, which is also on the Northerne shore, and is a safe Rode for ships, and the staple of merchandize, and (as the _Spaniards_ call it) the key of all the _West-India's_, to lock up or unlock the doore or entrance to all _America_. Here rideth the King of _Spaines_ Navy, and here meet all the Merchant ships from severall ports and Havens of all those Countries afore-named, whether from the Islands or from the Continent: in a word here commonly in the month of _September_ is joyned all the treasure as I may say of _America_, all the King of _Spains_ revenews, with as much more of Merchant goods, which the yeer that I was there were thought to be in all the worth of thirty millions. And the ships which that yeer there did meet to strengthen one another were 53. saile, and set out sooner that yeer then any other upon the 16. of _September_, having that day a faire wind to wafte them homewards through the Gulf of _Bahama. Havana_ therefore being the store-house of all _Americaes_ treasure, it hath been the _Spaniards_ chiefe care to fortifie that; and truely it is so strong, that the _Spaniards_ hold it impossible to be taken, and doe boast of foure impregnable forts, to wit at _Antwerp, Millan, Pamplona_, and _Havana_. This hath two strong Castles, the one at the point or entrance of the Haven toward the Sea; the other more within, on the other side almost over against it; which two Castles (the passage in the mouth of the haven being so narrow, that one onely ship in breast may enter) will keep and defend the Port from many hundred saile. I was my selfe in the great and chiefe Castle, and truly found it very strong, though by land I judged it might be as easily taken, as other strong Castles here in _Europe_ have been overpowerd by a great and powerfull army. It hath in it besides many others, twelve peeces of Ordnance of brasse exceeding great, which they call The twelve Apostles. But for all this strength of the _Havana_, it could not once defend six or seven millions (according to the _Spaniards_ owne account) which the one part of the Kings Navy brought from St. _John de Ulhua_ to the sight of this impregnable fort, and protected with such twelve Apostles. It was as I take it the yeer 1629. when that ever renowned _Hollander_ (whom like unto our _Drake_ the _Spaniards_ to this day fear and tremble at, calling him _Pie de Palo_, that is, wooden leg) waited at the Cape of _St. Anthony_ for the _Spanish_ fleet of _Nova Hispania_; which according to his expectation coming, he manly set upon it, saluting and welcoming the great treasure in it with a full side of roaring Ordnance; the sound was more dolefull then joyfull and welcome to the _Spaniards_, who thought it safer sleeping in a whole skinne, then to be unquieted by fighting, and with the sight of torne and mangled bodies, by _Mars_ his furious and fiery balls, and so called a Councell of warre to resolve what they should doe to save the Kings great treasure which was intrusted to them in those ships. The result of the Councell was to flie and with some discharging of their Ordinance to defend themselves, untill they could put into a river in the Island of _Cuba_, not far from _Havana_ called _Matanzos_. There were in that fleet of _Spaine_ many gallants and Gentlemen, and two Judges of the Chancery of _Mexico_, which were that yeer sent to _Madrid_ as guilty in the mutiny before mentioned, there was in it of my acquaintance a Dominican Frier, named Frier _Jacintho de Hozes_, who had been sent to those parts to visit all the Dominican Cloisters of _New-Spaine_, and had got of bribes at least eight thousand duckats (as I was informed the yeer after by a Frier his companion, whom he sent from _Havana_ to _Guatemala_ to make knowne to his friends his losse of all that hee had got, and to beg a new contribution to helpe him home) there was also in that fleet _Don Martin de Carillo_; who was the Inquisitor and Commissioner to judge the Delinquents in the fore-mentioned mutiny of _Mexico_, who was thought to have got twenty thousand duckats cleer; besides these a Bishop, and many rich Merchants, all under the command of _Don Juan de Guzman y Torres_ Admirall to all the fleet. They all fled for their lives and goods; but the gallant _Hollanders_ chased them. The _Spaniards_ thinking the _Hollanders_ would not venture up the river after them, put into _Matanzos_; but soone after they had entred, they found the river too shallow for their heavy and great bellied Galeons, and so run them up on ground; which done, the better and richer sort escaped to land, endeavouring to escape with what wealth they could; some got out Cabinets, some bags; which the _Hollanders_ perceiving came upon them with bullet messengers, which soone overtooke and stopt their flying treasures. Some few Cabinets were hid, all the rest became that day the gallant _Pie de Palo_ or the wooden legd Captaines prize for the mighty States of _Holland_. The Frier _Hozes_ was got into a boat with his Cabinet under his habit, which had in it nothing but chaines of gold, diamonds, Pearles and pretious stones; and halfe a dozen _Hollanders_ leapt into the boat after him, and snatched it from him, as his owne friend and companion related after to us in _Guatemala. Don Juan de Guzman y Torres_ the Admirall when he came to _Spaine_ was imprisoned, lost his wits for a while, and after was beheaded. Thus in the sight of impregnable _Havana_ and of those 12 brazen Apostles, was _Holland_ glorious and made rich with a seven million prize.

But before I end this Chapter, I may not forget the chiefest of all the Islands of this new world, which is called _Hispaniola_, & formerly by the natives _Hatie_, which lamenteth the losse of at least three millions of _Indians_ murthered by her new Masters of _Spaine_. This Island is the biggest that as yet is discovered in al the world; it is in compasse about 1500. miles, and enjoyeth a temperate aire, a fertill soile, rich mines; and trades much in Ambar, Sugar, Ginger, Hides, and Wax. It is reported for certaine that here in twenty daies herbes will ripen and roots also and be fit to be eaten, which is a strong argument of the exact temperature of the aire. It yeeldeth in nothing to _Cuba_, but excelleth it in three things especially; first in the finenesse of the gold, which is here more pure and unmixed; secondly, in the increase of the Sugar, one Sugar Cane here filling twenty and sometimes thirty measures; and thirdly, in the goodnesse of the soile for tillage, the corne here yeelding an hundred fold. This fertility is thought to be caused by four great rivers, which water and enrich all the four quarters of the Island; all four doe spring from one only mountaine, which standeth in the very midst and center of the Country, _Juna_ running to the East, _Artihinnacus_ to the West, _Jacchus_ to the North, and _Naibus_ to the South.

This Countrey is so replenished with Swine and Cattell, that they become wild among the woods and Mountaines, so that the ships that saile by this Island, and want provision, goe here a shore where it is little inhabited and kill of Cattell, wild swine and bores, till they have made up a plentifull provision. Much of this Countrey is not inhabited, by reason that the _Indians_ are quite consumed. The chief places in it are first St. _Domingo_, where there is a _Spanish_ President and Chancery with six Judges and the other officers belonging to it, and it is the Seat of an Archbishop, who though hee enjoy not so much yeerly rent and revenues as other Archbishops, especially they of _Mexico_ and _Lima_; yet hee hath an honour above all the rest, for that hee is the primate of all the _India's_, this Island having been conquered before the other parts, and so bearing antiquity above them all. There are also other rich Townes of trading, as _Sta. Isabella, S. Thome, S. John, Maragna_, and _Porto_. And thus hath my pen run over Sea and Land, Islands and most of the Continent that is subject to the _Spaniards_ to shew thee, my Reader, the state of _America_ at this time. It is called _America_ because _Americus Vespusius_ first discovered it; though afterwards _Columbus_ gave us the first light to discern these Countries both by example and directions. Besides the factions spoken of before between the Native _Spaniards_ and those that come from _Spain_, there is yet further in most parts of it, but especially in _Peru_ a deadly faction and mortall hatred between the _Biscains_ and the _Spaniards_ of _Castile_ and _Estremadura_, which hath much shaken the quiet state of it, and threatned it with rebellion and destruction.