since waited upon this Province under the Government of the King of Spain Guiana is bounded on the East with the main Atlantick Ocean on the West it is hem'd in with the Mountains of Peru or rather some undiscovered Countries interposed betwixt them on the North with the River of Orenoque and on the South with that of the Amazons it is assirmed by Authors of approved Esteem that it is called Wiana from the River Wia and by the Dutch who cannot melt the W into A in their Dialect Guiana the G. being more naturally proportioned and shaped to the Genius of their proâ—â—nciation Rioâ—e â—as Amazones called likewise Orellana was first discovered by Orellana Lieutenant to Gonzales Pizarro from whom it extracted its Name This Pizarro moved with the noise of some rich Countries beyond the Andes he collected a considerable Force and passed those Mountains where being necessitated by the want of Provisions they framed a Boat and employed Orellana abovesaid to bring in Provisions but the River he engaged in was of that course that being debarr'd of Return he obey'd his Fate and follow'd the Stream from the beginning of January to the end of August 1540. and at last descended into the Sea and arriving in the Isle of Cubagna sailed into Spain in his passage some Masculine Women shewed themselves active to oppose his Landing inter-mixt with Men and in some places he found Men with long Hair like women either of which relations might foment that report which affirmed these parts to be held by Amazons But to return in the Year 1549. he obtained a Commission from the Court of Spain for the Conquest of these Countries and immediately undertook the Employment But though he found one of the Mouthes of the River yet he could never attaque that Channel though often attempted which conducted him before to the Sea This ill successe waited on with the losse of his Fame and Fortune filled him with that Regret and discomposure that the Lord of Sorrow sunk him into his Sepulchre having bequeathed to Posterity the Honour of the first Discovery This Enterprize was prosecuted with the same fruitlesse successe by one Pedro de Orsna in the Year 1560. since which the Spanish Hopes being blasted with these Discouragements they have abandoned the design and given it over The Coast and River of Orenoque with the several Nations that dwell on the Margin and Fringes of it as namely the Capuri and Macureos with the Tivitivas Assawy Saymae Wikeri Aroras and Arâ—acâ— were first Discovered by Diego de Ordas Anno Doâ— 1531. furnished with a Patent for the Conquest of this Track by Charles the fifth but missing the true Channel and being not able to level those Difficulties which did intercept his Design he returned into Spain effecting nothing but opening the way to others Followed herein by Hierome de Ortal Anno 1533. and after Anno 1536. by Herrera who advanced his progresse farther then the others and finally by Gonsalvo Ximenes de Quesada and Antonio Berreo with more auspicious Fortune waiting upon their designs who commencing their Journy from the new Realm of Granada in the search of Guiana sell casually into this great River as Orellana did before into that of the Amazons But yet not perfectly Discovered untill the Year 1595. in which Sir Walter Raleigh having taken Prisoner this Antonio Berreo and taking an Account of him of his Expedition resolved upon the undertaking and searched so far into the Country by the course and Conduct of this River that some have since imposed the Name of Raliana upon it The businesse next year was prosecuted by Capt. Lawrence Keâ—is who by the Influence and employment of Sir Walter Raleigh embarqued himself in that Attempt but the Spaniard having unravel'd his Design dispersed and scattered the Natives which favored the English and made good their Interest here with such vigorous opposition that he was forced to return without any other effect of his Journy then the finding out the true Mouth of the River of Orenoque which owes it self to his Discovery After this the Spaniards the more to secure their Concernment here erected St. Thome situate on the main Channel of the River a Town consisting in the Bulk of it but of 140. Houses stretched out in extent though meanly built the distance of half a mile which in the Year 1617. was sack'd by Sir Walter Raleigh not without the losse of his Son and a considerable part of his Forces who at his return into England to expiate this Affront offered to the Spaniurd was excuted upon a former Attainder Octob. 29. 1618. though some Lawyers of that Age did assert that the investing him by Commission with the power of General did absolve him from all former guilt of High Treason upon whose Tomb stone the Character dropped upon his Memory by the learned Cambdeâ— in his Annals may be endorsed as an eternal Epitaph Vir erat nunquam sat is Laudato Studio Regiones remot as detegendi navalem Gloriam promovendi And so having opened the Sepulchre of this great Man I again close it up and leave him in his bed of Rest and proceed In the Year 1629. the Town of St. Thome above-mentioned was again Invaded and ransacked by the Hollander but being abandoned not long after it was repossessed by the Spaniard and remains in obedience with the Country adjacent at this instant under the Crown of Spain There is an Island at the Mouth of the River of Orenoque called Trinidado or Insula Trinitatis being situated opposite to Paria from which it is divided by a Frith or Straight by Columbus who in his third Voyage Anno 1497. first discovered this Island called Boca del Drago or the Dragons mouth from the Difficulty and danger of the passage of it the Frith or Straight is but three miles over yet made more narrow by the Interposition of four or five little Islands which the Sea breaks thorough with great impetuousnesse leaving only two entrances for Shipping into the Gulf called the Gulf of Paria There is nothing more memorable in the story and fortunes of this Island but that it abounds with Maiz Sugar-canes Cotten-wooll excellent Tobacco sufficiencie of Fruit and Cattel for the use of the Natives and some Veins of Gold and other Metals as likewise such abundance of Pitch that innumerable Ships might be laden with it but that it is conceived to be unfit for the Calking of Ships because it â—oftens in the Sun The principal Town of the Island is Joseph's patch'd up of forty Houses yet the Spanish Governour who hath here his Residence besides this Island stretches his Command as is intimated by his Titles over the two Provinces of El Dorado and Guiana Paraguay is bounded on the South with Magellanica on the East with the main Atlantick on the North with Brasil on the West it is shut in with some unknown Countries that interpose between it and Chile It hath borrowed this
Appellation from Paraguay one of the greatest Rivers in the World which runneth through this Province which with the adjacent Country is by the Spaniards christned by the Name of Rio de Plata from the great abundance of Silver they expected from it It is divided into the three Provinces of Rio de Plata Tucuman and S. Crux de Sierra The Soil is productive of Maiz Wine Sugar-Canes and other American Fruits blest with an increase of Cattel especially of Kine and Horses brought out of Spain multiplying here to a strange Improvement Not unfurnished of Mines of Brasse and Iron some Veins of Gold and Silver and great plenty of Amethists It contains likewise great plenty of Stags and of Monkeys incredible numbers not to say any thing of Lions Tygers and other such destructive Animals a few of this noxious Register being thought too many These Provinces were first Discover'd by John Diaz de Solis Anno 1515. Afterwards the Discovery was reduced to a more eminent Perfection by a farther prosecution by Sebastian Cabot in the Year 1526. but wanting that happy Conclusion that a Design of this nature did seem to exact its Discovery was reassum'd by Pedro de Mendosa in the Year 1535. but still his undertakings were not so matur'd and digested but that they were left to be brought to a final period by Alvarez Nonnez who in the Year 1540. having fully perfected the Discovery and Conquest of these Territories hath left the Possession ever since to be enjoyed by the succeeding Kings of Spain Chile is shut in on the North with the Desart of Alacama extended 90. Leagues in length interposing betwixt it and Peru on the West with Mare del Zur on the South with the Straights of Magellan and on the East as far as to Rio de la Plata with the main Atlantick Ocean The Soile hereof towards the Midland is Mountainous and unfruitfull towards the Sea-side levell and fertile made so by Rivers distilling from the Mountains productive of Maiz Wheat and excellent Pasturage not defective in plenty of Gold abundance of Hony store of Cattel and Wine enough for the use of the people the Vines and all other Plants which are transported hither out of Spain enriching the Industry of the Inhabitants with a thriving and successful Fertility The People are of a white Complexion but shaggy Hair'd like the rest of the Savages of a tall and Gigantick stature well conditioned and qualified unlesse provoked they are Armed with Bows and Arrows and are attired with the Skins of Beasts the Climate exacting it this Country being called Chile from the word Chill which in more Tongues than ours doth signifie Cold indeed the Air of this Territory is so exposed to the violence of Frosts that many times both Horses and Men are congealed and hardned like a peice of Marble It is divided into Chile properly so called and Magellanica The first Province was discovered by Almagro de Alvarado but Conquered by Baldivia Anno 1544. And he with the concurrent Assistance of Garcias de Mendoza the more to secure the Spanish Acquists in this Track about the Year 1551. strewed it with the Colonies of Serena St. Jago Delos Confines Imperiale so stiled by the Spaniards because they found on the Dores of some Houses an Eagle insculped in wood the Relique perchance of some German Ship-wrack Villa Rica Baldivia Osorâ—o Castro St. Juan de la Frontera and other Colonies and though the Savages worried by some Affronts of the Spaniards flew to Arms and not only in a successful Encounter slew Baldivia but about the Years 1599. and 1604. being better furnished with Military provisions Sacked the Town of Baldivia forced Imperialâ— to surrender without Conditions and reduced Osorno by Famine yet in Times subsequent to this the Spaniards so vindicated their Interest here that a considerable part of this Province is yet held in Obedience to the Spanish Scepter Magellanica is a Province which for the most part is not onely interlaced and bunch'd out with Mountains but condemned to Cold and Barrennesse abounding with Men of a huge proportion and Gigantick Stature It was stiled so from the dangerous Gulf or Straight which washes the South parts of it and was Discovered by Ferdinand Magellan 1520. But the first discovery being imperfect it was endevoured to be improved by Don Pedro de Sarmiento who entered the Gulf 1584. and planted two Colonies on the most convenient parts of that Straight which he named Nombre de Jesus and Cividad del Roy Philip which he resolv'd to fortifie and store with Canon But Winter approaching he left his Men promising to supply them upon his return with a Recruit of necessary Provisions to inforce their increasing hopes but after struggling with many Storms Shipwrecks and disappointments his unhappy Fate cast him into Captivity under Sir Walter Raleigh so that his two Plantations shrunk into Ruine the men either mouldering away with Diseases or else being destroyed by the Savages so that the Design of Planting this Province hath ever since been abandoned Peru is bounded on the Fast with that vast Chain of Mountains they call the Andes on the West with Mare del Zur on the North with some part of the Realm of New Granada on the South with Chile It hath extracted its Name from the River Peru which being one of the first of Note the Spaniards met with in their pursuit of this Country invited them to impose this Name upon the whole It is divided into the Plains the Mountainous Countryes and the Andes all of so different a Nature one from the other as if they were far distant both in sight and soile the Plains extended on the Sea-shore are in all places levell without Hills the Andes a continual Ridge of Hills without any vallies the Hill-Countryes are composed of both In the Plains it seldom raines on the Andes almost continually on the Hill Countries rain distils from September to April and then is ushered in a constant Fair Weather In the Hill Countries the Summer begins in April and concludes in September In the Plaines their Summer Commences from October and Determines in Aprill The Andes are clothed with Woods and Forrests but the Hill-Countries are bare and naked the Plains though refreshed with store of Rivers are yet dry barren and sandy In some parts of the Hill-Countries though there is a destitution of Rivers and Rain but seldome there is a copious production of Roots Maiz-fruit and all other necessaries In the Plaines there never blows any but the Southern Wind though it is the harbinger to no Rain In the Hills the Winds breath from every quarter and Coast and of every Nature some ushering in raine some snow some claps of Thunder and some again being the parent of fair weather As for the Country it self though it be productive of a narrow Increase of Wheat yet is it of a large plenty of Roots the principal food of the Inhabitants some proportion of
their curious designs in Painting upon Cotton whatsoever was represented to the Eye But these Virtues and perfections were stained and debauched with so Barbarous a Cruelty that they thought no victime so fit could be offered up to appease the Fury of their gods as an Oblation of humane Sacrifices so that it is no wonder if God permitted the Spanish Sword to â—ake such bloody Ravage upon this People as â— reward proportioned to recompense their inhumane Butcheries it being still very equal that the Artificers of Death should be caught in their own impious and injurious Artifices But Ignorance and Barbarity are still complicated and entwined and so it was manifested here for upon the first Eruption of the Spaniards their misguided Apprehensions esteemed Them and their Horses to be one peice and when they neighed they demanded what they spake ignorantly placing no Distinction between neighing and speaking Guaxaca is a fourth Province which falls under our Cognisance It hath assumed this Name from Guaxaca the principal Town of these parts now styled Antequera The Air hereof is sound and salubrious which hovers over a Soile as fruitful productive not onely of those Commodities which it enjoyes in common with other Provinces of this Continent but likewise blest with such plenty of Mulberry-trees that from thence is extracted such a quantity of Silk that if the Natives paid their Tithes as they do not the Income which issued from thence would afford a Revenue competent enough to support five Bishopricks Rivers are here very numerous whose Shores for the most part are enamelled with Golden Sand nor is there here any deficiency of Cochineele Cassia Silver and other Metals so that if the Industry of the People were but correspondent to the Fertility of the Soil and Wealth of the Country it might become as opulent as any Province in America But the natural sloth of the Inhabitants makes them impatient of Labour and consequently intercepts all opportunities which may suggest an occasion of amaâ—â—ing together any considerable Estate yet notwithstanding this they are of a tractable and docile Capacity in relation to the Impressions of the Catholique Faith which hath encouraged the Spaniard to establish here an Hundred and twenty Covents of Dominican Friers and many other Schools and Seminaries of Learning that by their Influence and concurrent assistance they might better improve the growth of Christianity in this Province Jucutan is a fifth Province which calls for our remembrance It hath borrowed this Name from Jucutan which in the Idiome or Dialect of the Country imports as much as What say you For when the Spaniards at their first arrival demanded the Name of the place the Natives answered Jucutan The Air which hovers over this Country is hot whose fervors are inforced from the Destitution or want of Rivers in this Track whose defect is supplied by the conservatories of artificial Pits and Channels The Soil is generally condemned to Barrenneâ—s not producing wheat or any European Fruits nor many of those which are of the natural Extraction of America in other places Nor are its bowels more pregnant in Mines of Gold and Silver or any other Metalls so that the general subsistence of this People is principally supported by Trades and Mechanick Operations But that which makes this Country most remarkable is that the Spaniards upon their first approach discovered here some symptomes or glimpses of Christianity the people generally observing a constant Form of Baptisme which in the Native Dialect is styled a second Birth expressing by that word a Regeneration nor is any one permitted to Marry untill he hath the Symboll of this Initiation which probably was some Vestigium or Relique of the Christian Religion left here behind by Madâ—câ—ap Owen or some other Christians by the Disaster of some Shipwrack cast upon this infortunate shore Tlascalla is that eminent Province which being one of the Seven Tribes which having supplanted the Ancient Natives the Chichimechas could never be reduced to the Tyranny and Usurpation of the Kings of Mexico but still preserved themselves notwithstanding their frequent Eruptions in the Liberty of a Democracie or Free State and erected here the City of Tlascalla which as it gave Name to so it became the Metrapolis of this Province and in this Capacity they remained until the Invasion of Cortez made upon Mexico to whose assistance out of Animosity to the Mexicans they and the Inhabitants of Zempoallan another City of this Province contributed such large supplies both of Men and other Necessaries that by their concurrence Mexico was reduced and the Scepter of that Kingdom broken to peices and though they were forced afterwards to bow to the successful Sword of the Spaniard yet do they preserve still some shadow of ancient Liberty being exempt from all kind of Tribute as a Recompense of their former Services except it be an handfull of Wheat for every person and permitted to live under the protection of the former Government This Province is abundantly stored with Corn and Cattell every where strewed with rich Pastures and abundantly productive of Maiâ— It is levell and beaten out into an even Champaigne unlesse where it confines on the Sea where it is made Gibbous and rugged with a Chain of craggy Mountains but indeed the Fertility of the Earth is very much inforced and multiplyed by those many Rivers which stream almost through every vein of it If we please to trace out those Eminent persons to whose Industry and Navigation these Provinces which lie clasped up within the Verge of Nova Hispania do attribute their first Discovery we shall find that Panuco and Mechoacan were first attempted by Francisco Garaio but their Conquest was perfected by Ferdinand Cortez in the Year 1522. Jucutan was first Discovered by Ferdinand Cordova in the Year 1517. which Discovery was in the Year 1518. reinforced by John de Grijalua and persued likewise by the Industrious Designs of Cortez who about Tabasco obtained over the Natives a signal Victory but the final reduction of this Province to the Obedience and Soveraignty of the Crown of Spain is entitled to the Successful Sword of Francisco Monteio who in the Year 1527. atchieved a full and absolute Conquest over it Mexico and Guaxata followed the Fate of Panuco and Mechoacan and by their Conquest and Subjection augmented the Triumphs of the Victorious Cortez about the Years 1521 and 1522. Tlascalan was first Discovered by John Grijalua but received under the Protection of the Spanish Scepter by Cortez in the Year 1521. Nova Gallicia is circumscribed on the East and South with Nova Hispania on the West with the River of Buena Guia and the Gulfe of Califormia the Countries which abutt on the Northern parts of it are not yet exposed to a Discovery It hath assumed this Name from some resemblance or proportion it holds with the Province of Old Gallicia in Spain The Air generally is of a temperate Constitution yet more inclinable to heat than cold
Malain and from him again did Margaret his sole Heir carry the united Titles and Interest of all these Provinces to Philip the Hardy to whom she was solemnly Wedded at Gaunt in the Year 1369. Having thus in a Compendious Discovery represented those Revolutions which annexed Artois to the Burgundian Stem I shall now in as narrow a Volume pursue and trace out the Fate of Flanders and it stood thus Theodorick of Elsas Earl of Flanders above mentioned had Issue Philip surnamed of Elsas and Earl of Flanders likewise who dying without Issue Baldwin the eighth Earl of Hanault who had Espoused Margaret his Sister and Heir in her Right was entituled to the Earldome of Flanders and left his new Acquists to his Son and Heir Baldwin the Ninth a man of that Latitude of Power in the Age he lived in that he was not only Earl of Flanders and Hainault but Emperour of Constantinople also but he and his Greatnesse found one Sepulchre together in two Daughters and Coheirs Joan the eldest was first Matched to Ferdinand Son of Sancho King of Portugal and secondly to Thomas third Son of Thomas Earl of Savoy by whom having no Issue surviving Margaret her second Sister Wedded to William of Dampiere became Heir to her Concernment in Flanders and Hainalt by her Husband abovementioed she had Issue William of Dampiere whom even in her Life Time she admitted to the Title of Earl which he continued until his Death which was divers years before her own Decease and Guy of Dampierâ— who was not only Dignified with the Title of Earl on the Death of his Brother but invested also in the Estate on the Exit of his Mother and from him did the steps of several Descents conduct it down to his great Grandchild Lewis de Malain Earl of Flanders Hainault Artois and both the Burgundies but expiring without Issue Male Margaret his sole Inheritrix by Matching with Philip the Hardy fourth Son of John King of France brought them not only to improve the Grandeur of his Family but likewise to swell and inforce his Patrimony and from him did the Title of these Provinces flow down to his great Grandchild Charles Duke of Burgundy surnamed the Warlike who being unfortunately cut off at the Battle of Granson and expiring without Issue Male his Interest in Flanders Burgundy and many other Provinces came to be enjoyed by Maximilian the Emperour and his Son Philip having Wedded Joan Daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella Monarchs of Spain so twisted the Title of Flanders and Burgundy with that of Spain that it is still subservient to the Dominion and Empire of Philip the fourth who now weilds the Scepter of the Spanish Monarchy Hainault HAIN AULT is bounded on the East with Namur on the West with Flanders on the North with Brabant on the South with Picardy and Champaigne It was in elder times called Saltus Carbonatius by some Writers the Lower Picardy In Latine Records of a more modern Inscription Hannonia It borrows this Name from the River Haine or Hania which glides through it and the Word Holt which imports a Wood this Province being almost clouded and over-spread with Forrests so that the Etymologie will be Hainault quasi Hain-holt a Country replenished with Woods on the River of Haine Thus it is represented in French but in Dutch it is best known by the Name of Henegou that is a Country consining on the River Haine as the signification in that Language does intimate The ancient Inhabitants of this Province were the Nervii so eminent in History for their Valour and Prudence who after Bloody Contests were supplanted by the Romans but they again being dislodg'd by the Prench it became a Limb of the great Earldome of Ardenne and remained so until the Death of Brunulph who was subdued and slain in Battel by Dagobert K. of France which Brunulph his Father in his Life Time had invested with the Title of Duke of Ardenne and designed unto the Conquest of it but the Fury of War being allayed and the parts of Flanders and Brabant which were parcels of that Dutchy being enstated on other Houses this by the Indulgent Magnificence of Sigebert King of Metz or Austrasia was setled on Alberic surnamed the Orphelin one of the younger Sons of Brunulph and was likewise adorned with the Name and Title of Earl of Hainalt and from him did both the Title and Estate by the Thread of Descent come down to Walter the third by whose eldest Daughter it was brought to confesse Albon both for Earl and Proprietary and from him the Clew of Paternal Descent transported the Title to his Successor Reigner the third who determined in a Daughter and Heir called Richild who by Matching with Baldwin the Fifth of that Name Earl of Flanders added so strong a Right to this Alliance that he became Earl of Hainalt by the Name of Baldwin the first and left it to his Son Arnulph who was Barbarously robbed of his estate by his unnatural Uncle Robert who not glutted with this Ruin ravished away likewise the Earldome of Flanders by an unjust and Usurped Surprizal into which he succeeded though his Nephew Baldwin Brother to the infortunate Arnulph was repossest of Hainault by the Name of Baldwin the second and styled himself likewise Earl of Flanders and from him by a continued Channel of worthy Successors did the Title of this Earldom flow down to Baldwin the eighth of that Name in Hainault and the Ninth in Flanders who went out in two Daughters and Coheirs Joan who dyed without Issue though twice married and Margaret who being entrusted to the care and Tuition of Buschart her Guardian he by ill Arts and worse Stratagems so seduced and charmed her Affections that she was made a prostitute to his Lust and by those unlawful Embraces had a Natural Son called John de Avesnes Prior of St. Peters in L'isle who by the Designs of Force and Fraud by an unjust intrusion extorted Hainault from his two Brothers William and Guy of Dampierre both being Sons of William of Bourbon Lord of Dampierre and this Margaret both the Issue of Lawful Sheets and this John being thus swoln with an Increase of Patrimony and made tall in Title Matched with Aleida Daughter and Heir of Florence the fourth Earl of Holland and so by the Authority of this Alliance was not only Earl of Hainault but of that Territory also of whose Descendants and how both Hainault and Holland came to devolve to the House of Burgundy I shall discover when I come to treat of Holland Namur NAMUR hath on the East Hainault on the West the Bishoprick of Leigh on the North Brabant and on the South Luxenbourg The ancient Inhabitants of this Country were the Nervii It was first erected into an Earldom by some of the Descendants of the Sons of Clodion second King of the French who being by a violent Usurpation devested of their Fathers Diadem by Meroveus Master of his Horse to whose
fifteen Leagues It was Discovered in the second Voyage of Columbus who not only entituled the Island St. Jago but likewise Instituted here a Spanish Colony which he stiled St. Jago de la Vega which in some years after was enhaunsed to a higher Reputation and Estimate when it gave the Title of Dukes to Christopher Columbus and his Brother Bartholomew But in Ages subsequent to this the Possession of this Island was not so secur'd to the Spaniard but that it was Invaded and Conquered in the Year 1596 by Sir Anthony Shirley but being again abandoned it remained under the Spanish Obedience until late years it was again subdued and quitted by Capt. Jackson so that it again return'd to confesse the Interest of the Spanish Scepter and continued subservient to that Dominion untill lately it was snatched away by the English under the Command and Conduct of Collonel Doiley Margarita and Cubagna are two little Islands opposite to Cumana The first of which was discovered by Columbus in his third Voyage which was about the Year 1498. And not long after Cubagna where the Spaniards erected a Colony which they adopted into the Name of New-Cadizâ— But in the Year 1521. the Convent of Franciscans on the opposite shore being destroyed by the Savages of Cumana infused so much Terrour and Astonishment into the Spaniards that they abandoned the Island and fled to Hispaniola but were Commanded back again by the Council there under the Command of James de Castellon by whom the Town was adorned with more Beauty and improved to more strength than it enjoyed since the first Plantation Both these Islands were under a signal Repute and much frequented whilest the charms Magick of the Pearl-Fishing did invite the Spaniards hither but that being decayed the flourishing condition of these two Islands is shrunk into Neglect and languished away with it and the Mid-land parts of these two Islands being destitute of Grasse and Water and by Consequence of Cattle and there being nothing kept up in Reserve which might attract either new Resort or Commerce they quickly grew over-grown with Solitude and Desolation so that these two Islands have been compar'd to some profuse Gallants who spend all upon the Back but nothing upon the Belly having their out-sides laced with Pearl but within nothing but Want and Hunger The Spanish Interest on the Continent of AMERICA PARIA is the first which exacts our Notice It is bounded on the East with Guiana and the Islands in the Mouth of the River of Orenoque on the West with the Gulfe or Bay of Venezuela and part of the new Realm of Granada on the North with the Atlantick Ocean or Mare del Noort the Countries on the South being hitherto not discovered It is called Paria from its eminent situation Paria in the American Dialect importing high Hills or Mountains for here begins that Chain of Hills which are from thence continued to the Straights of Magellan for the distance of 3600. Miles Cumana and Venezuela are Limbs or Provinces of this Paria Cumana hath on the East the Gulf of Paria and the River of Orenoque on the West Venezuela on the North and South it is circumscribed as before It was first Discovered in the third Voyage of Columbus but the Possession was first taken by two Dominicans who out of a zeal to disperse the Mists of Infidelity in Paria by the Irradiation of the Gospel established a little Cell in the place where after in the Year 1513. the Borough of Cumana was erected and certainly their Religious Intentions had been reduced to perfection had not the Avarice and Treachery of some Spaniards subverted it who having brought the Chief of one of their Tribes with his Wife and Train into Captivity so enraged the Natives that nothing but the Death of the two Monks could expiate this Affront But their Death was recompensed with revenge by Alfonso de Oieda in the Year 1520. but he himself not long after fell a Sacrifice to the Fury of the Savages and with him perished two Convents of Dominican and Franciscan Friers which had been established here in the Year 1518. To repair these prejudices and peece up the Colony a second Supply is employed hither under the Conduct of Gonsalvo de Ocampo who beheads one of their Kings hangs some of the People and depopulates the Country But this Force being likewise dissipated and broken Diego de Castellon is Commanded by the Council resident in Hispaniola to secure the Possession of the Country by whom the Castle first and secondly the Borough of Cumana was both built and planted Afterwards the Castle St. Michael de Neueri was erected by Hierome de Ortal which Foâ—tifications and Strengths have so asserted the Interest of the Spaniard in this Province that it is yet under the signory Scepter of that Monarch Venezuela the second Province of Paria is shut in on the East with Cumana and on the West it is chained in with the Bay of Venezuela the Lake of Maracaybo and the New Realm of Granada It was first Discovered by Columbus but first Discoveries being like the Designs of Chymists in their Quest of â—old much in projection but little in perfection It was afterwards perfected and brought to some accomplishment by Alfonso de Oieda who having found a Borough of Savages to which there was no passage feasible but by a Boat being circumscribed with Waters he stiled it Venezuela the Word importing as much as Little Venice Afterwards John de Anpuez was in the Year 1527. by the Council of Hispaniola employed to secure this Province thus Discovered with Forts and Colonies to the Dominion of the the Crown of Spain and thus it remained untill Charles the fifth being obliged by his Necessities had taken up vast Sums of Money of the Velsers a wealthy Family of Augspurg mortgaged this Province to them as their Security untill they were reimburs'd and by them was Ambrose Alfinger employed with 400 Foot and 80. Horse to take Possession but he and his Sucessors filling the whole Country with Rapine and Devastation the Council of Domingo being zealous in the Reduction of this Province to perfect Obedience and Civility designed one John de Caravayall in the Year 1545. for that employment who having out-vied his predecessor in all excesse and disorder was supplanted and outed by one John Peâ—ez de Tolosa sent over likewise by the Council of Hispaniola by whose Prudence and Conduct this Province was brought to conform to Order and Government In the Year 1550. the Negroe being transported out of Africk in great Multitudes into this Province endevoured a Mutiny but their Treasonable designs being discovered they were for the most part offered up to the Sword of Justice after these distempers and concussions the Country was in short time so thorowly planted and the Natives in their several Tribes so exemplarily encouraged by exempting them from Taxes and other pressures that Peace Plenty and Contentment have ever
Tarapia near adjoyning besides many which they turn with Horses and from these Peruvian Mines as from some bottomlesse Exchequer does the King of Spain load that Fleet whence he extracts so much Income and profit Peru and the Provinces circumscribed within the Limits of it were discovered and conquered from Arabaliba the Inga or Emperour of Peru by Pizarrâ— his Complice Diego de Almagrâ— 1528. first of which more to secure his Conquests erected Lima Truxillo named so from Truxillo a Village in Navarre where Pizarrâ— was born and educated Arnedâ— and other Colonies but yet the Conquest was not so perfected by these two Commanders above-mentioned but that Gilâ—s Ramirez first in the Year 1559 and Don Francis de Toledo afterwards in the Year 1565. by Building of Oropesâ— in Charraâ— and establishing Colonies in the other Provinces brought this vast Kingdome to the full Obedience of the Spanish Scepter Nova Granada or the new Realm of Granada is shut in on the North with Castella Aurea on the West with Mare del Zur on the East with Venezuela on the South with the Hills and unpassible Mountains and Countries not yet discovered It is divided into Granada properly so called and Popayna Granada hath an Air well tempered the Country is full of Woods amongst which Guiaâ—um so medicinable for the Malady of France grows in great abundance the soil is of great fertility well stored with Corn and Pasturage which affords a Feeding to many Herds of Cattell it is enriched likewise with some veins of Gold and other Metals and that part which is called Tunia exhibits plenty of Emeralds The People are tall and strong of Constitution but not very industrious they wholly devoting their time to Songs and Dances The Women are of a white and more clear Complexion than their Neighbours and more handsomely attired being apparelled in Black or party-coloured Mantles girt about their middles their Hair â—ied up and covered with Chaplets artificially composed and intermixed with Flowers Popayna is a Country which being over-cloid with rain produces little Maiz lesse Wheat and almost no Cattel The People were anciently Man-eaters and as rude as any now more industrious and accostable than the other Americans especially about Popayana where the Soile is better tempered then in other places Both these Provinces were reduced to the Signorie of Spain by Gonsalvo Ximines de Quesada and Sebastian de Betalcasar the first subâ—ued Granada 1536. and the last mastered Popayana not long after and styled it so from the Name of a King which then Governed it at the Conquest by the Command and Influence of Francis Pizarro Governour of Peru. Castilia del Oro is bounded on the East and North with Mare del Noort on the West with Mare del Zur and some part of Veragua on the South with the New Realme of Granada It is divided into Panama Darieâ—e Nova Andalusia St Martha and Rio de la Hach Panama hath an Air foggy but exceeding hot and consequently the Soil is either Mountainous and barren or Low and mirey naturally uncapable of Grain and productive onely of Maiz and that but sparingly more devoted to pasturage the goodness of it upon the first approach of the Spaniard the Country was almost over-run with Swine but being destroyed that Nation now complains as much of their defect as they did before of their abundance As for the Inhabitants most of the old stock being almost rooted out by the Spanish Massacres and no new ones planted in their room the Country in all parts except towards the Sea is almost desolate and forsaken Darieâ—e hath an Air well tempered and a fruitful Soil very happy in the production of Melons and other Fruits ripening here in twenty Dayes after they are sown and with the same felicity does it yeild an increase of Grapes either congenial hereunto or else transported from Europe A Tree here is called Hovâ— whose Shade is reputed so wholsome that the Spaniards covet to sleep under the shadow out of the Blossoms they distill a perfumed water out of the Bark they compose a Bath prevalent to open the pores and redresse wearinesse and out of the Roots they extract a Liquor fit for Beverage of Beasts and Fowl both wilde and tame there is exceeding plenty and some of them not discoverable in other places Nova Andalusia is Mountainous and full of Woods but those woods abound with great store of Rosin-gums and â—ome kind of Balsams Here is said to be a Tree which whosoever touches is in danger to contract a Ruine by poyson Our Europian Fruits transplanted hither prosper not because the Soile being obnoxious to abundance of Rain becomes moist and soggie This Province is interlaced with few veins of Gold onely in that part of it which is called Zena the Spaniards at their first Arrival found much Treasure not digg'd out of the Entrails of the Earth but deposited in the Tombs and Repositories of the Dead such being the reputed Sanctity of this Region that the bordering Nations brought their Dead to be Enterred here with great quantity of Gold Jewels and other Riches The Natives were fierce and bold whilst they were a People but being wasted in those Contests which intervened between them and the Spaniards the populacy of this Province is now thin and empty and their Courage much broken and debased St. Martha hath a Soil barren and unfruitful not capable of Pasturage or Tillage it being made knotty by a long Ridge of Mountains called by the Spaniards Laâ— Sierras Nievadas or the Snowy Hills yet notwithstanding the Air which hovers on the Sea-Coast is in its temper Hot and Scalding though it be again fann'd and qualified with the Breezes of the Mid-land parts which are Cold and Freezing which combination of Heat and Cold peradventure renders the Soile productive of Limons Oringes Pomgranates and such other fruits as are transplanted or transported out of Spain The Inhabitants are affirmed to be of a rough and Arrogant Nature some of whom by the advantage of the Mountains of Tairona called so from a Neighbouring Valley of that name have preserved their Liberty against the Spaniard the residue though they retain their several Kings are yet in subjection to the Spaniard whose Government they submit to with much unwillingnesse and Regret Rio de la Hacha is a fifth Province which summons our Notice It is a Territory of a small circuit confining on the North-east of St. Martha environed on two sides with the main Ocean and on the third which is that of the East shut in with the spacious Arm of the Sea called Golfo de Venezuela the extremities hereof North west have borrowed the Denomination of Cabo la Vela and those on the North-East the Appellation of Cabodi Coqui Boccoa The whole Province borrowed its Name from the Town and River of La Hacha which though it be but narrow in its Dimension and Estimate yet is it big enough to afford a Title to so
small a Province The Soil which embraces the Town is exceeding rich giving Increase to all such Plants as are transported from Spain being enamelled with Veins of Gold studded with some Gems of much worth value and virtue and likewise well replenished with Wiches which are fitted and proportioned to the production of excellent Salt The Inhâ—bitants both in the Dimension of Body and Quality of nature differ not much from those of St. Martha from which this Province is divorced by no great distance Panama Nova Andalusia and Dariena now annexed to Panama were first Discovered on the North-side by Columbus about the Year 1508. Dariena and Panama were afterwards imperfectly Conquered by Didaco Niâ—uesa and Nova Andalusia as lamely subdued by Alfonso Oreda But the Complete and perfect Reduction of these Provinces to the Obedience of the Crown of Spain in whose Patrimony they have been ever since resident was reserved to the Victories of Eucisus Balboa and Pedro d'Avila The two Praefectures of St. Martha and Rio de la Hacha were brought under the Dominion of the Spanish Scepter by the Successful managery of the Arms of that Nation by Francisco Vasquez and being thus reduced have been ever since constantly subservient to the Commands and Interest of the Successive Monarchs of Spain Guatimala is environed on the North with Jucutan and the Gulf of Honduras on the South with Mare del Zur on the East with Castilia del Oro on the West with New Spain It is resolved into six more subordinate Provinces namely Chiapa Verapaz Guatimala properly so called Honduras Nicaragua and lastly Veraguâ— Chiapa hath a Soil not very productive of Corn or Fruit though that Valley which is contiguous to the Town of Chiapa is well replenished with Pears Apples Wheat and Maiz Herbs Beans and Lentils transported from Spain thrive here to a plentiful increase yet Vines seldome arrive here to any maturity though Wood-vines there are besides which afford a pleasant Pulpe and if they were well managed might repay the Labourers Industry with a nobler profit Their Trees as Pines Oakes Cedars and the Cypresse are of greater dimension then in other places here are entire Woods of Walnut-trees but the nut is not of that quantity as those of Europe some Trees distil Rosin some such Balsamick-gums as in other parts are not Customary and some there are whole leaves being dry'd into powder contribute a soveraign Plaister against inveterate Ulcers And indeed this Country being stored with Snakes and other venomous Creatures doth often exact such defensatives against their poyson which is fatally deadly Here is a considerable production of Cochineele The Inhabitants are more devoted to Musick and become more exact in Painting than the rest of the Natives Verapaz is a Province distinguished into eminent Hills and deep Vallies but defective in Fruitfull Valleys It is generally overspread with Woods very large and thick which so disturb the free passage of the Winds that the air is much exposed to showers insomuch that Nine months in the year are moist with continual Raine nor are the other three altogether secure from it which excesse of moisture engenders many Mesqueto's injurious and destructive to Fruit with which and with Fish and other necessaries this Province is redundant In stead of Mines of Gold and Silver not yet discovered some Trees here pour out a kind of Amber which the Natives style Liquid Amber some Mastick and other Gums nor is here any defect of Medicinal woods as Sarsa-parilla China and many others of the like Nature The Natives are tractable in their Conformity to the Spanish Discipline unlesse the Leâ—andones and Pachuteci being some broken remains of the Ancient Salvages who immuring themselves in the craggy Fastnesses of this Country have at once asserted their Native Freedom against the onsets of the Spaniards and retained their ancient Idolatry there being but fourteen Villages in all this Province in which the Spaniards have mingled with the Old Inhabitants Guatimala properly so called is a Province not only embost with Mountains but likewise interlaced with many Riveâ—s which renders the Country commodious both for Fishing and Hunting Productive it is of Wheat Maiz and other Provisions not durable it is not so much exposed to Raine as the neighbouring Provinâ—e of Verapaz but more infested with winds It contains plenty of rich and fertile Pastures and those covered with great Herds of Cattel It contributes store of Cotten-wooll some Balsam and other medicinable Liquors it transmits the best Sulphur and other healthful Drugs whose Register I am ignorant of The People are full of Fear and Pusilanimity yet seem greater poficients in Christianity and Civility then the Residue of the Salvages yet very prone to relapse again to Paganisme and Infidelity and as propense to revive again their old Barbarous Customes if the curb of Power and bridle of Authority did not with an awfull Fear restrain this Apostacy The Men are affirmed to be dextrous in Archerie and the Women skilful in Spinning Honduras is a fourth Province of Guatimala a Country so swoln with Hills or depressed with Vallies that it affords little Champaigne yet is productive of Maiz and Wheat and of rich Pasturage improved to that Fertility by the constant over-flowings of their Rivers about Michaelmas Some Mines of Gold are affirmed to be wrapped up in the Entrails of the Earth not yet discovered the Inhabitants being made so unactive with Sloth and Idlenesse that they had rather subsist by Roots the common stock of Nature then by the more industrious design of Tillage and therefore not easily charmed to toyle for others that will not Labour for their own necessities Nicaragua is a fifth Province which claims our consideration It is a Country destitute of Rivers unlesse where it is linked to Costa Ricâ— which is it self marshall'd under the Notion of a Province The defect of which is supplied by a great Lake called the Lake of Nicaragua one hundred and twenty Leagues in compasse ebbing and flowing like the Sea It is not much enriched with Corn but abounding in Herds of Cattell who have a Soil to graze on Levell and champaign but cooled with the shadow of frequent Trees one amongst the residue is of that nice Constitution that a man cannot touch it in any part but it preâ—ently withers Vulgar relations assert this Province to be as well replenished with Parrots as England with Crows It is stored with plenty of Cotten-wooll and a numerous product of Sugar-canes Indeed the Country is so ennobled with all things that may either improve Delight or contribute to Necessity that the Spaniards have imposed upon it the Title of Mahomet's Paradise The Inhabitants are generally knowing in the Spanish Dialect to the Garb Behaviour and Apparel of which Nation they willingly conforme themselves well retriv'd from their old Barbarous Customes which are still retained by those Mountainers they call Choâ—tales They are all of a considerable Stature and of a Complexion indifferently
or the Covering of them their Bones are composed into Bodkins their Hair into Thread their Sinews into Ropes their Horns Mawâ— and Bladders are framed into Vessels their Dung supplies Piâ—e their Skins are shaped into Bougets to preserve Water their Blood affords Drink and their Flesh Meat The Soil of Cibola is generally level but in some parts made rugged with Rocky Mountains It is shadowed but with few Trees and those destitute of Fruit but to recompense this they have a Wood like Cedar which abundantly supplies them with fuel and Timber Here is a plentiful stock of Maiz and white Pease which gives them a supply of Bread Here are numerous Herds of Deer which they chase and destroy for their Skins And a considerable production of Sheep known to be so onely by the Analogy of their Fleece being in Bulk and Dimension equivalent to an Horse or Oxe and having Horns that poyse in Ballance the Weight of Fifty pounds But though Cibola enjoy but a narrow stock of those Creatures which are of profitable entercourse yet of Bears Tygers and other noxious Animals there is an unprofitable Redundance The Island of Califormia properly so called is indifferently even only here and there the Champaigne swells with Mountains and some of those from their Sulpherous Entrails vomit out Flame which hath caused the Spaniards to impose the Title of Cacofogo upon them the Waves which wash the Shore of this Island afford the Natives plenty of Fish which are found upon weeds amassed into Heaps and which like so many floating Islands invest the Surface of the Sea But the only Rarity which ennobles this Country is a Beast which is Hairy like a Goat but hath Teats like a Cow The Air both of Cibola and Califormia is of an Indifferent Temper onely it is sometimes discomposed with the unkind Distributions of Frost and Snow Cibola and Quivira were Discovered by the diligence of Antonio Mendoza who employed Marco de Nisa a Frier to perfect the Discovery but the more absolute and accomplished Conquest was reserved to the Valour and Conduct of Francisco Vasques de Coronado about the Year 1540. Califormia was Discovered at the expence of Ferdinand Cortez who set out two ships 1534. but the Design languishing away it was renewed and reinforced by Francisco de Ulloa 1539. After him Fernando de Alarcon Discovered many Leagues up the River Buâ—na Guia where Naguacatus one of the Cheifs surrendred himself to obedience Finally Roderigo Cabrillo 1642. by a new Discovery attaqued two small Islands called S. Lukes and Possession on the Western Shore But these Countries affording no Gold or other Attractives which might charm the Spaniards to an abode they abandoned them to that poverty the Inclemency of the Air and thriftinesse of the Soile had long before Condemned them to Florida is circumscribed on the North-East with Virginia on the East with Mare del Noâ—rt on the South and some part of the West with the Gulf of Mexico on the residue of the West with part of New Gallicia and some Countryes not yet expofed to a full Discovery The Country is parallel to Castile in Spain which renders the Air and Soil to be almost adequate to that in their Temper Constitution but the last infinitely out-vies Castile in its Fertility and plenty the earth being not here so harrassed with the Impressions oâ— continual Tillage as in the other Productive it is of abundance of Maiz the natural Bread of the Country which they sowe both in March and June which the third Month after repayes the Plow-man's toyle with a plentiful Crop which they deposite in publique Granaries and employ as the necessities of persons exact its Destribution Not is it defective in Fruit which here are Registered under the particular names of Mulberries Cherryes Chesnuts Grapes and Plums of excellent tast and colour It is likewise eminent for its store of Fowle and its Herds of Beasts both wilde and tame The Woods and Forrests are shadowed with spreading Okes and very tall Cedars as likewise Cypressâ— and Bay-trees of a large Dimeâ—sion Nor is their plenty inconfiderable which they yeild of that Wood the Natives style Pâ—vâ—â—e and thâ— French Sassafras and of the Tree named Esquiâ—e the Bark of the first and the Wood of the last are both asserted to be soveraign against the incursions of the Malady of France It is affirmed also that the Entrails of the Floridaâ— Earth are enriched with some Mines of Gold and Silver and studded with Turquoises Pearls and Emeralds of much estimate and beauty and the probability of the first is supported and inforced by the relations of the Natives who report that in the Hills called Apalatei there are discovered Veins of a reddish Metal which the French concluded to be Gold but wanted Time and Opportunity to improve their search The People are of an Olive Colour large Stature and cast into a fair proportion naked only their privities excepted which they obscure with the skins of Stags Their Arms and Knees are stained with variety of Paintings not to be forced off with frequent Ablution Their Hair is by Complexion Black which they nourish to that extent and length that it diffuses and shoots it self even to their thighs Apt they are to wrap up their Actions in an affected veil of Dissimulation whose Contexture is made more specious by an Artificial cunning They are naturally revengeful which engages them in continual Feuds and Animosities whose effects are visible by those bloody Contests frequently commenced amongst themselves Generally they are subtle and Ingenious and in a Capacity to be reduced to a tamer subserviency by compliance and nobler Usages but then they are like Tigers who when they appear reclaimed by the intercourse and calmnesse of civil Correspondencies yet upon the first draught of Blood they are apt to leap into their former Crueltie and devoure those Hands who gave them Food and Discipline The Women upon their Husbands Decease as a symptome of Sorrow cut their Hair close to their Ears and afterwards to make their Grief appear more signall and solemn strew it on their Husbanâ—s Sepuâ—chres nor are they permitted again to entertain a second Marriage until their Hair be improved to that growth as to coveâ— their shoulder Hermaphrodites that is persons of a twisted or complicated Sex Nature hath here yeilde plenty who onely are designed to the sustaining of Luggage and the being ministerial to the cheaper and more ignoble works of Drudgery Some imperfect Notions oâ— Conceptions the Natives have of the Immortality of the Soul but otherwise their knowledge in relation to a Deity is so gloomy that it is enwrapped and muffled up in a grosse and dark Idolatry This Continent as to those parts of it which border on the Sea hath in Times of a more modern Inscription been the Stage whereon the Scene hath been laid that hath represented to our view those sad Contentions which have been waged between the French and Spaniard concerning
the signal performances of Utilo gave him not only the Command of these Countries but the Propriety and possession of a considerable part of them likewise by the Title of Lord Marquiss of Antwerpe the fourth from whom called Araulph was the first Mayor of the Palace to the Kings of France made Hereditary to this Family and his â—uccessors By Dagobert the first â—ole King of the French that Branch of this Country which was 〈◊〉 â—ubjection to the Earls of Ardenne was by his Victorious Sword extorted from them and the whole Estate conâ—erred on Ansegisus Son of Arnulph with the Title of Duke of Brabant and from him did the Title and Estate descend to Charles Martell Base Son of his Son Pepin the first and this Charles had Issue Pepin the second surnamed the Short who having managed Successfully the Affairs of France at last Usurped that Diadem and solemnly receive the Crown at Soissons from the Hands of Boniface Arch-Bishop of Mentz in the year 751 The Dukedome of Brabant was by this means incorporated into the Revenue of the Crown of France where it 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ch â—â—ntâ— the partage of the French Empire amongst the â—ons and Kinsmâ—n of Lewis the Godly and 〈◊〉 â—t wâ—s link'd as an Appendage to the Kingdomâ— of Lorraine where it lay wrapped up until Lotharius the third King of France in whose share it was involved conferred it on Charles his younger Bâ—other with the Title of Duke of Brabant But this Donation little improved his Interest because the principal part of this and that Moiety of the Kingdome of Lorraine which obeyed the French was cut off by the Sucessful Sword of Otho the second Emperour of Germany and annexed to the Empire But this Otho considering that Charles above-said thus devested was his Cousin German as being Son to Lewis King of France surnamed the Transmarine who had Wedded Gerburg Sister to his Father Otho the first invested him in the great Dukedome of Lorraine which in spacious Latitude and extent of it circumscribed within its Precincts and perambulation Lorrain Gulick Brabant which had then the Denomination of Basse or Low Lorrain and the Lands of Luick But out of this spreading Patrimony thus enstated on Charles of France Otho the second above-mentioned reserved out of it for his Aunt Gerburg Mother of the said Charles the Towns and Territories of Lovain Bruxells Antwerpe and Nivelle as her Dower which with Reference to the Ancient Title he Honoured with the Dignity of Marquisate of the Holy Empire Annâ— 981. Gerburg the Sister and after the Death of Charles her Brother abovesaid without Issue succeeded in Lovain Antwerpe Bruxells and Nivelle by a Right transmitted to her from her Grandmother the first Gerburg aswell as from him though she had injuriously disseised of Lorrein and the Title to that large Demeasne by the Emperour Henry the second the Emperour which Territories of Lovain and the rest above-mentioned she conveyed in Marriage to Lambert one of the Sons of Reigner Earl of Hainault with the Title of Earl of Lovain Henry his Son reduced Antwerpe which it seems by an unjust Violence was detained from him and by this Atchievement obtained the whole Marquisate but still reserved the Title of Earl of Lovain Godfrey the sixth Earl having by several new Acquists much extended the Bounds and Marches of his Dominions was by the Emperour Henry the fifth to whom he was link'd in as near an Obligation of Affinity having Matched with his Sister as in Friendship in the Year 1108 Created the first Duke of Brabant and from him the Title flowed down with an undisturbed Channel to John the third of that Name Duke of Brabant by whose Daughter and Co-heir both the Title and Seignory was transported to Wenceslaus the first Duke of Luxenbourg by whom though she had no Issue yet on him and on his Posterity she enstated this Dutchy and Sigismund his second Son Duke of Luxenbourg setled it on Elizabeth his Neice Daughter to John Duke of Gorlitz in Lusatia and she by Matching with Anthony of Burgogne one of the younger Sons of Philip the Hardy annexed it to his Inheritance and being by this Alliance thus entitled to it it was transmitted to John the fourth Duke of Brabant who was eldest Son by his first Wife for this his second deceased without Issue Joan Daughter of Waleran Earl of S. Paul but he dying without Issue it devolved by Descent to his second Brother Philip who likewise expiring without Children Philip the Good Grandchild to Philip the Hardy Succeeded in this Dutchy as Heir to his two Kinsmen above mentioned and from him did the Clew of diverse Descents guide the Title down to Philip the second King of Spain and he lost a considerable proportion of it in the Fatal Defection of the Netherlands occasioned by the Bloody Impression made upon their Invaded and Injured Liberties by Ferdinand Duke of Alva though Bruxells Antwerpe Machlin and other Important peices do yet confesse the Scepter and Dominion of Philip the fourth now King of Spain The Seignory of Machlin consists onely of that City and some Eight or nine contiguous Villages The most eminent of the Villages is styled Liest or Hiest situated on the pleasant Knob of a swelling Hill the residue of the adjacent Villages confining on the foot thereof Both Town and Villages were formerly enwraped in the Patrimony of the powerful Family of the Bertholts which Name expiâ—ing in the person of Gualter de Bertholt slain in the Battel of Worancan by John Duke of Brabant one Moiety of it devolved to the Bishop of Leige who again conveyed it by Sale to John the second Duke of Brabant and the other proportion accrued to ...... Duke of Gueldres and he in the Year 1333. passed it away to Lewis de Malain Earl of Flanders but he conveyed nothing away but a naked Title which was before denuded of its Revenue by the Successful Hand of John the third Duke of Brabant who tore it away to augment his own Estate since which this Seignory of Machlin with all its Perquisites and Appendages hath so constantly attended the Fate of Brabant and Flanders that it at this instant confesses the Interest of the Spanish Scepter Limbourg hath on the East the Dukedome of Gulick on the West the Bishoprick of Leige on the North Brabant and on the South the Dukedome of Luxenbourg The ancient Inhabitants of this Track were the Eburones when it was first advanced to the Title of an Earldome the Light which should be Collected from Ancient Records is so dim and faint that it cannot conduct us to any clear and positive discovery onely it is probable that it was Originally a Limb of the great Earldome of Ardenne from which it was rent to institute and make up a Patrimonial Inheritance for some Cadet or younger Son as Namur and Luxenbourg were or snatched away by the Violent hand of some For aign pretender as Gulick was when Godfrey and Baldwin
which Patronage was ratified to the Successors of this Robert by the Indulgent Bounty of the Emperour Frederick Barbarossa about the Year 1164. so that being under the constant Tuition of Flanders it was esteemed a Limb of that Province yet had the Bishops a separate Jurisdiction and were of that Eminence and Latitude of Power that the Bishop of Cambray was under the Repute and Notion of a Prince of the Empire It was several times sometimes by Assault and sometimes by Stratagem forced to bow to the Dominion of the French who having disobliged the People by their disorders and irregular Exorbitances were expuls'd in the time of Lewis the eleventh and then it continued under the Character of a Free City Province though shadow'd still with the Protection of Flanders until the Year 1543. a Citadel was here established by Charles the fifth which could not rescue it from being surprized in a sudden Camisade by the Duke of Alenzon but being not long after retrived by the Courage and Virtue of the Spanish Arms it hath ever since remained annexed to the Patrimonial Inheritance of the Crowne of Spain The Spanish Interest in Italy SICILY is the first place in Italy which swells the Bulk of the Spanish Greatnesse and made its Interest so considerable to its Enemies and useful to its Friends in all its scattered Territories It is environed with the Lower or Tyrrhenian Sea and contains Seven hundred Miles in Compasse and by elder Conjectures was supposed in Ages of a higher â—limax to have been united to Italy being then a Demy-Island or Peninsula such as Peloponnesus and joyned to the Continent by some narrow Isthmus Indeed the Narrownesse of the Straight thr â—hallownesse of the Water in the Phare the Brittlenesse of the Shore on either side being full of Caves and Chinks wrought in it by the violent Onsets of the Sea and then the City Rhegium situated on the Calâ—brian Coast and almost opposite to Messina which imports a Breach or Cutting off from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to Break off do evince to us by probability of Circumstances that Sicily was one piece with the adjacent Continent until the violence of Earth-quakes and the impetuous Futy of the Waters and Waves did dislodge and consume the earth which tyed it to Italy It was once called Trinacria because it extends it self into the Sea with three Capes or Promontories viz. 1 Pelorus now Capo de Foro. 2 Pachinus now Capo Passaro and Lilybaeum now Cape Boij or Coro The first Inhabitants that History represents to us to have possest this Country are those vast Giants Recorded in the Odysses of Homer under the Appellation of the Laestrygones and Cyclops These were afterwards supplanted and discarded by the Sicani a People of Spain who called it Sicania But these new Invaders being not long after rooted out by the Siculi who were driven out of Latium by Evander and his Areadians and forced to seek new Habitations here it abandoned the Name of Sicania and assumed that of Sicily At their first Landing they built the City of Zancle called afterwards Messana together with Neâ— Hybla Catana and Leontium After them came another Italian Colony styled the Morgetes being forced hither by the Oenotrians and fixed their Residence in that part of the Island where they erected the City Morgentum and adopted it into their own Surname The first of the Greeks who Invaded it were the Chalcidians a People of the Isle of Euboea now called Negropont to whom the City of Naxos owed its first Foundation and after Archias of Corinth and his Retinue of Adventurers by whom Syracusa Famous in elder Times for the Petalismus or Banishment of Citizens by having their Names writ in an Olive Leaf was first built or else very much enlarged and adorned Next them the Rhodians and Crâ—tians sent some Colonies hither the first Founders of Gela and after of the so much Celebrated City of Agrigentum And not long after a new Stock of Planters built Heraclia The Citizens of Megaris another State of Greece transmitted a Colony also who built Sâ—linus And so did those of Messene or Mycena also who taking the Town of Zancle from the Siculi new beantified it and being thus repaired fixt on it the Name of Messana Nor can we deem the Tyrians and Phaenicians such Noted Undertakers of Publique Businesseâ— would be so stupidly unactive not to attempt nothing when so rich and eminent a prey did invite their Industry for we find they attaqued the Promontories of Pachinus and Lilybaeum and some of the adjoyning Islands and Fortiâ—ied them the better to secure and improve the Trade they had established in Sicily But these several Colonies being broken into several Interests and Factions Combined not together in the Design of an absolute Conquest but planting themselves on the Shore did not discard the Name of the Island by which they found it distinguished upon their first Eruption After this Island by these particular Onsets and Impressions fell under the Cognisance of the Greeks from all their principal Cities Colonies issued out who Inhabited the Sea-Coasts of the Country but so as they never Concentered in a Common Body but had their several ends and particular Interests whereby they came to be split into many Factions and sacrificed as a Prey to as many Tyrants Phalaris over-ruling Agrigentum Panaetius at Leontium Gelon at Syracusa Cleander at Gela and when one Faction was too Impotent to obviate or resist the other they called in several Forraign Nations to support their Quarrel For on this Foundation the Carthaginians were called in by the Messanians against the Agrigentines And on the same Principle was managed the Peloponnesian War the Athenians Combining with the Leontines â—nd the Spartans with the Syracusans in which the whole Power of Athens was broken by Sea and Land and their two Generals Nicias and Demosthenes offered up to an untimely and Bloody Fate in prison But because Syracusa was a City of the most eminent Authority and of the greatest Influence over the rest the state and Affairs of that City are made more visible by History than those which have an Aspect upon the Towns or Communities of this Island The Government at first was popular as it was in most of the Greek Colonies according to the Platforms and Models they transported with them and was but newly transplanted into the Aristocratical when Gelon erected his Kingdome here about twenty years after the expulsion of Tarquins at Rome whom with as many Succeeded in the Royal Dignity take in this subsequent Register A. M. 3465. 1. Gelon taking advantage of the Contests in Syracusa betwixt the Magistrates and People made himself Master of the City and was Chosen King 7. A. M. 3472. 2. Hiero the first Valiant but rude and Covetous A. M. 3484. 3. Thrasibulus Brother to Hiero whose Government was so Barbarous and Insupportable that he Swayed but ten Months A. M. 3544. 4. Dionysius