Augustine and Franciscan Friars And 35 leaguâ— from Pascurio north-east is the village of Saint Michael in a rougâ— Country The next is the Village of Salya then the Village oâ— Saint Phillip The village of Sackatula is 4â— leagues south west from Mechoacanâ— neer the south sea in 18 degrees 9â— leagues from Mexico And the village of Colina in 1â— degrees 20 minutes On the coasâ— of the south sea neer the confineâ— of Galisia the Port of Natividad is in 19 degrees and from this porâ— they make their navigation to the Philipin'as in East-India Besides these towns rehearsed which are possest by Spaniards there are 94 head-towns for Indians with schools of Doctrine for Indian children and 130 ordinary towns CHAP. 51. Of the Province of Mexico THis province falleth between Mechoacan and Talascalia it hath in length north and south 130 leaugues and in breadth 18. The chief City and Head of â—ew Spain is seated in this proâ—ince called Mexico It is an inland â—ity lying in 19 degrees and a half â— the midst of two great lakes â—at compasse it about the one is â—lt the other fresh the fresh voyâ—eth into the salt each of five leagues in breadth and eight in â—ength and both are in compasse â—3 leagues There are three Causways by which they go into the City the shortest of half a league long the longest a league and half the other a league it hath neer 70 thousand houses the most of Spaniards built with brick fair and high And here resideth the Viceroy of New Spain and Councill the Inquisition office and Judges the Officers of the Revenues and royall treasure a founding house and a mint house with the Archiepiscopall Metropolitan and Monasteries of Franciscan Dominican and Austin Friars the company of Jesus el Carmen Lamersed the Bare foot and Trinity Friars 10 Monasteries of Nuns one Colledg of Indian children and the retired from the world and repenting whores a University and divers Hospitals In this province are reckoned to be six hundred thousand tributary Indians one hundred and fifty Monasteries with multitude of schools to teach Indians Children and many gold and silver mines infinite plenty of all sorts of cattle and sheep grain hearbs and fruits and what else is necessary for the delight of man in an abundant manner with the rich Cocheneel The Coast of this province reacheth to the south sea on which there is an excellent port called Aquepulco in 17 degrees six leagues from the river Lopes and eight leagues more west is the Sitalia and four leagues further the River Metla CHAP. 52. Guaxcaca GUaxcaca Province commeth to the Coast of the south sea and it lyeth between Mexico and Gutamalia province along the Coast of the south sea one hundred leagues it hath 5 Spanish towns the chief of which is Antiquera in it are resident the Governour of the Province a Cathedrall many Monasteries of Friars It is distant from Mexico eight leagues from whence it lyeth south west The next to it is Sapolecai the third Saint Jago de Nexapa the fourth the Village of the Holy Ghost this province hath store of gold and silver mines and one of Chrystal Boreal much Coco Cotton-wool Wheat and Millet and Cocheneel plenty of all sorts of cattle and swine and not one River in the Countrey but yieldeth gold There are 350 head-towns of Indians and 120 Monasteries of Friars and many of Nuns and schools of Indian Children to be instructed in the Spanish language and popery and three hundred thousand tributary Indians In this province is the Valley from whence Ferdinando Cortez the first Conqueror had his title of Marquesse of the valley The ports on the south sea are the Haven of Guatulaco in 15 degrees and a half it is great good and much frequented The port of Tecoantepequa neer the other which is but reasonable good but it hath a great town standing on it from whence they make great fishings especially for shrimps with which they trade the inland Countreys CHAP. 53. Soconusco THis is the westerliest province of the Kingdom of Gutamalia joyneth to the province of Guaxcaca from whence it lyeth on the south sea east south-east 34 leagues and far into the land It is plentiful of Wheat Coco Millet and Cattle It hath but one Spanish town which is called Guearettan where the Governour is resident And in her Coast are the Rivers Coatan in her west border east of which is Gapernacalte and east south-east Colata CHAP. 54. Gutamalia THe province of Guattamall is the head of the Kingdome of Gutamalia it joyneth to the province of Soconusco and on the south sea it stretcheth 70 leagues the Countrey is of a good temperature and plentifull of Cotton-wool Wheat Millet and Cattell and other Seeds and Fruits the Winds and Rains in October are very furious It hath five Spanish towns besides many Iudian towns and villages The head City is Saint James of Gutamalia in which the Councill is resident It lyeth in 24 degrees and a half and of above a thousand Spanish housholds and here are the Kings Officers of the goods and royall treasure a melting house and a Cathedrall which is Suffragan unto Mexco a Monastery of Dominicans Franciscans Mercenarians Augustines Jesuits and two of Nuns with an Hospitall or Colledg This City is furnished with all sorts of provisions and daiâ—ties and standeth exceeding pleasantly on the side of a large plain neer a burning mountain And 40 leagues from Saint James is the City of Saint Saviour the village of Trinity sixty and four leagues from the port of Axavatla It is a chief Commissioner-ship with the title of His Majestie in a plentifull soil It is a place of great traffick And the port Atouch for the ships of Peru and New Spain And 62 leagues from Saint James is the village of Saint Michael the Haven of this town is called the Bay Sonseca which is distant from the town two leagues This province hath abundance of gold some silver store of balm and liquid amber Copal Suchicopal excellent liquours and the Gumme animi with Beasts that breed the Bezar stone But the Volcans here are very noysome to those that lie neer them for they often burst forth casting out fire-stones and ashes And here are more of those Volcans or fire-pits than in all India besides CHAP 54. Chiapa THis province is an Inland province it is Mediterranean to Soconusco Mexico Tabasco and Verapas and in length 40 leagues and something lesse in breadth It hath store of Wheat Millet and other grain and seeds much cattle but few sheep It hath but one town of Spaniards which is called the City royall 70 leagues from Saint James of Gutermalia to the north east which is governed by an ordinary Justice and in it is resident the Cathedrall two Monasteries of Dominicke Friars and one of Nuns There are many Indian towns in her climates and the natives are excellent Planters and Musitians This City royall is
the north-west passage it hath been so thorowly searched into by our Nation that can give no incouragemeÌ„t to a farther trial save that story men tel of a Manuscript in Portugall shewed to one of our Merchants of the passage that way of a Portugall ship of the Phiâ—â—ipinus droven from thence by foule weather through this straight to Portugall but to men that know the distance between that streight and those Ilands it would seem the most ridiculous story in the World beside the falsity of the Informers the Greeks relation being a far better story for he saith in regard he was taken by Squire Candis in the South-sea and lost all he had to procure some relief in his old age he would advise the English a speedier way to the East-Indies then they now took And this intelligence he giveth after he is retired to his Native Country to repose from his troublesome way of adventuring to Sea From whence we may easily guesse for the bad turn our Nation did him he would not wish us a good one but the scope of his intelligence being but to have a bill of exchange to receive money as he pretended to come into England But how likely it was that he would leave those rich parts of America which he lived in with the Spaniards to retire to his own Nation and from thence to undertake a Voyage for us to the worst place in the World a rationall man cannot apprehend But were there such a passage it would much more concern the Portugals and the Spaniards then it doth the English for their trade is to the north part of the East Indies and ours to the south theirs to the Moluccos Philipinaes Japan and China whereas we seldome passe beyond Bantam in Java but were there a passage that way yet it were not to be chosen before the other for could a man sail in a strait line first from England to the straight and then from the straight to the East Indies it would prove a farther way than the other by the Cape of Bonaspei But those that know any thing of those seas know that the sea course to any part of north America is as low as 23 24 25 or 30 the highest For the wind which bloweth in the south sea east and west as well as in the north that is to say for the most part west without the Tropicks and almost constantly East within them Wherefore you must go out of your way aswell from the north part of America to the East-Indies as from England to this supposed Straight and there is as much difference in relation to pleasantnesse in voyages as between summer and winter For when you are clean of the Bay of Biscai in all the voyage by the Cape you find no cold weather till you return to the same place again but to the contrary is so cold icy about the Straight in the middle of Summer that there is no making way without much difficulty and trouble And in the south sea where the Sun keeps the same course as in the north in June Sir Francis Drake in compassing the world found so much cold in thirty eight degrees north latitude that he was forced into a southerly course And this makes a strong probability that there is no sea to the north of America but that the land of this New world reacheth by the north parts even to the northwardly Provinces of the Empire of Japan or Tartaria For I finde that the winds that blow West and north-west in England being sea winds are not so cold as those that come east and north-east which are land-winds Which I apprehend the onely cause of difference in the temperature of the air with us and the north parts of America For New England that lyeth in 41 42 is much colder in the winter then the most northwardly parts of England which are in 56. And those parts of America that are in that height are cold almost the whole year through as the undertakers in the north passage plainly prove and this is caused certainly by the land-wind which that height for the most part bloweth west and northwardly which is so much more colder in regard it cometh from those vast Regions that are far thicker and untill'd uninhabited with wood swamps and such moist crudities as are not in Europe On the land of the north-side Hudsons Straight there hath been seen some of the wild Natives but how they live is a kind of miracle And from the south of this Strait till you come to New England is but one Plantation which is at the Fort of Kebeck on the north-west side the River Canada 100 leagues from the Island Antecostey that lieth at the mouth of the said River The French drive a great trade with the Natives for Bever-skins in exchange of hatchets knives penny looking-glasses bels beads and such toys There are good store of the Natives in these parts all alongst the Coast and are willing to exchange such Commodities as they have for such truck as the French bring them although it is to be done with much care to prevent their treachery CHAP. 26. New England THe Plantations of the North Government of New England beginneth about 44 degrees and the coast is indifferently seated with English almost as southwardly as 41. This Countrey at first was laid out in severall proportions to divers Noblemen and Gentlemen of England each having within his circuit a severall power But at this day it hath but three divisions onely that is to say the north and his bounds the middle and the south the north Government is the worst and hath fewest people the middle Government is that of Boston which is the best and hath most inhabitants The south is the Government of New Plimouth in which is the best ground the north Government hath scarce a Town worthy the name of a Village but the middle hath many Towns and Villages The principall is Boston fairly built the great street is neer half a mile long full of wel-furnished shops of Merchandize of all sorts Here is â—esident a Councill and the Governour which is yearly chosen from amongst them this town hath a good Port called the Bay of Boston with many ships which â—s secured with a Castle guarded with Souldiers and Ordnance Neer Boston lyeth Charles Town and five miles into the Countrey â—s the town of Cambridge that hath University with many Students The south Government is that of New Plimouth that hath the name from the town which is a indifferent Market town The land of all this Region generally barren and rocky but the care of the inhabitants supplyetâ— the naturall defects of the Country from the proceed of the Commodities it affordeth which is Piâ—staves Clabbord Fish Englisâ— grain and fruits with the buildinâ— of Ships which they often sell â— other parts and iron works wiâ— these they drive a trade to moâ— parts of Europe especially to Spaiâ— the Canary
Realm Here is also the City of Meridia the City of Victorey the village of Saint Christopher the City Bales and the City of Marequeata all Spanish Cities with many hundred large towns and villages of Indians Through this Region they passe from Cartagena by land to Peru commonly by post but not otherwise by reason that it is fifteen hundred leagues from Cartagena to Cosco This Region cannot be entred by land from Cartagena by reason of the great waters and mountains that are in the way wherefore they passe up the river Magdalen with Merchandize from the Custome-house of Malamba on the said River from whence to the first landing in the Kingdome of Granada is one hundred and fifty miles CHAP. 59. The Province of Sancta Martha THis Province of Martha lyeth between Cartagena and the River Hacha on the North sea It is a plentifull Countrey of Millet Potatoes much gold Emraulds and other rich stones and copper and hath five Spanish towns the City of Sancta Martha in ten degrees of North latitude where is resident the Spanish Governour the King of Spains Officers of his treasure and a Cathedral Suffragan to that of Granado The City of Tenerif standeth on the river Magdalen which parteth this Province from Cartagena The village of Palms is two leagues from this river twenty to the south of Tenerif the City of Losreas is 30 leagues from the river Hacha On the coast of this Government is the river Biaba Piaras Aguamur and Sancta Martha The Indians of this province are commonly in war which is a hinderance to the Spaniards quiet enjoying the riches It exceedeth in stones of such value and quantity as is not elswhere to be found in India CHAP. 60. Venesiula THe Province of Venesiula lyeth on the North Sea parted from Sancta Martha by the River of Hacha on the east is the province of Suava or New Andelosia as the Spaniards call it The coast of the sea is neer 130 leagues of length In this land are veins of gold of more than two and twenty Carracts and a half It is plentifull of wheat and other seeds for there are two harvests in a year It hath abundance of all kind of cattle great and small Cotton and Sasaprila The City of Coro standeth in 11 degrees in a good air the Governour for the King of Spain resideth here It hath also a melting-house and Cathedrall with Monasteries The City of the Lady of Carvalteda on the sea coast 8 leagues from Coro with a bad haven Saint James is within the land three leagues to the south of Carvelteda The new Valentia is sixty leagues from Coro and seven from the Port of Brubufa Xeres 15 leagues south from Valentia The new Sigonia is 20 leagues to the south of Xeres The City of Tacuio standeth ten leagues from Segavia south-west Truxcillio eight leagues from Coro south and by east On this coast the principall river is the river Hacha which parts this province from Sancta Martha neer the mouth is a rich Town and Beads of pearl of the best in India CHAP. 61. Guana THis Region comprehendeth all the land that lyeth between the province of Venesula and Brazil which beginneth at twodegrees of south latitude this land is more famous for report than for any certain knowledge of the riches thereof for at this day there is no more than one Spanish Town called Codoa which lyeth on the sea coast from Trinidado The Spaniards are neer it and have better opportunities to know the riches of it than any other But the Indians which are in great part fled from the Spanish Countreys are so much their enemies as not to permit them to come amongst them without wars which is a great hinderance to the Spaniards undertakings But although this Countrey promiseth much in truth to this day there are no mines found and worked either of gold or silver although it is very probable by the Latitude that it doth abound in both The rivers are many and great that issue into the sea froÌ„ this coast of which the most famous are the rivers Orinoque or Orileania which entreth into the sea with sixteen mouths The best enterance is by the Branch du West from Trinidado The river of Amasions is more southerly and issueth into the sea under the line The mouth or entrance of this river is more shallow then Orinoque neither is it so well known although the English and Dutch have traded up them both with the Indians for these commodities naturall to the Countrey Bees wax Cotton-wool Cassia Fistula Bolearmoniack Teralemna and divers other drugs and wood fit for Dyers and some Balsomes The people love our Nation above any other and would be glad to assist us on any design The air in this Countrey is in some places extream hot and moist in other places constantly hot and dry and in other some very temperate all the year long CHAP. 62. The Land of Brazil THis Province beginneth where Guana endeth at two degrees of south latitude where there is a point called the Cape of Snakes from whence it lyeth along the Coast of the north sea to 25 degrees and on the back side west lyeth the provinces of the river of Plate The air is the whole year through very hot the winter which is our summer distinguished only with the rain that falleth at that season Here are many venemous worms and great serpents t is plentifull of pastures cattle and horses little Millet and no English grain wherefore their bread is Casabi or Potatoes which are in good Plenty There are great shews of silver and gold but none gotten nor mines certainly known The chief commodity is Sugar Cotton-wool Bombast and Brazil-wood It hath neer the sea coast about 20 Portugall towns many Ingeniowes or Sugar works the first town of the Countrey is called Tamerico and 5 leagues to the south of that Farnambuck or Rescif then All Saints 100 leagues from Farnambuck in 14 degrees 40 minutes The town of the Sure haven in 16 degrees and a half the Holy Ghost in 20 There is another town on the riveâ—Generio in 23 degrees neer which they cut much Brasel-wood There are on the coast eight or ten ports more principall than the rest which are the river Saint Dominick north-east off Farnambuck by the Capâ— of Saint Augustine which standeth in 9 degres The Island of Tamericâ— before rehearsed the river of Saint Francis in 10 degrees and a half It is very great The bay of All Saints is 3 leagues and 13 up into the land The river of Trinidado and the river of Canamon in 13 degreees and a half The river of Beads in 14 degrees and a half and the river of the Virgins in 16 and Portesceurae in 17. The river of Parague in 20 neer the town of Sanctus Spiritus and in 23 degrees Cold Cape beyond Saint Vincent This province hath been in difference between the Portugeses and West India Company of Holland and as
there is constant gaurds upon each others Borders They make some Sugar in this Island some Indico and Cotton-wooll but most Tobacco CHAP 19. Nivis or the Snowes Barbada and Redouda THe English that seat it call it Neavis It is of five leagues in length lying within a league of St. Christophers Here is the best Sugar of the Caribey Islands some Indico bnt little Cotton or Tobacco It is an aguish Country and unwholsome but by the good Government that hath been amongst them the people live the happiest of all the Caribey Islands And in 17 degrees lyeth the Barbada and Redouda each of five leagues and in the hands of the Canibals CHAP. 20. Monserat MOnserat is seated by Irish of five leagues neere the Redouda The Inhabitants plant most Tobacco and some Indico CHAP. 21. Antego Margelante Dominica Matinina Santalusa Gardelupa Dodos sanctos Deseada ANtego lyeth between 14 and 15 degrees It hath a good air and is planted by the English with Tobacco Indico Cotton-wool and Sugar It lyeth ueer unto Gardelupia and Dodos Sanctos on which there lives some French with the Canibals which are in great numbers on these two Ilands The Deseada is six leagues to the Gardelupia in 14 degrees and a half seated by the Canibals Margalante is five leagues from Dominique and seated by the Canibals with French amongst them Dominica lyeth in 13 degrees and is 12 leagues in length It hath good Roads and watting places but in danger of the Canibals that are the Lords of this Iland with whom the French live in peaceable manner And neer Dominica is Matinina and Sancta Lusia which is 14 degres 20 minutes and both possest by Canibals CHAP. 22. The Burbudos THis Iland is commonly called the Barbados but the ancient name is the Burbudos to the Seacors of the Indies or Carera de las Indies It is a Lee Island as those of Barlevento the Caribes are to weather of the Starbord bow It lyeth in 13 degrees 30 minutes and thoroughly inhabited with English and Negroes their servants This Iland flourisheth so much that it hath more people and Commerce then all the Ilands of the Indies Their principall Commodity is Sugar of the worst sort Indico and some Cotton-wool and little Tobacco Here are pieces of eight in greatest plenty of any English Plantation in America in so much that of late they buy and sell most small matters for ready money it is strong in men but no fortification yet perfected and not easily brought under by a common way of war There are store of Oxen and Kine in this Plantation as also Swine which they keep up in pends horses but by reason of the great number of inhabitants and occasion for Beasts of draught and burthen cattell is a good commodity so is all kind of provision and it yeildeth the best return It hath divers fruits and poultrey and as there is a greater trade here then in the rest of the Islands yet in regard the sellers are well matched by the buyers I conceive it the worst Plantation to goe to either to live or make a Voyage and returne For what is here is as well in the rest of the Islands and much more conveniency to plant for here they have too many people and in them there is too few and in most of them ground enough CHAP. 23. Trinidado ANd more southwardly are the rest of these Lee Ilands of which the greatest is the Trinidado in eight degrees of North Latitude it hath fifty leagues East and West and almost 30 in breadth the air is here very pestiferous which makes that this is the unwholsomest Iland in the whole Indies but many Indians that being bred to it live there without much sicknesse it hath a Colony of Spaniards seated in a Town called Saint Joseph where is resident a Governour and about 200 Spaniards with the help of the Indians make much of that tobacco which is sold in Spain for Spanish tobacco to the English and others The most Orientall part of it is the point De la Jaleria from whence du North lyeth the small Iland of Tobago compassed with Ilets in the South-side is the round point Andrada and on the West-side the gulf of Paria which lyeth between it and the firm land to the North are Saint Vincents and Granado two little Ilands CHAP. 24. Margreata Tortuga Gardiner Caracute Cubava Tamasca TWenty leagues West from Trinidado lieth Margreata it is 16 leagues East and West and the half in breadth it hath but little water yet plentifull of pasture and many Cattle with two Spanish towns which standeth neer the Sea it hath a Fortresse to defend it and a good harbour which is before the Town in this Fortresse resides the Governour and treasure for the King of Spains customes of Pearl which is worth at the least fifty thousand pounds yearly And two leagues from this town within the land is the other whose inhabitants are most Planters but that on the Sea is possest by Merchants divers for pearls which are in good plenty on this coast And the Ile Cabagua a league off at sea from whence every Saturday at night the Pearl fishers return to Margareta To the East of Cubagua are Losfralos which is four little Ilands close aboard the shore And to the East are the Witnesses and West lyeth Tortuga and farther West lyeth the Ile of Gardiner it is ten leagues long and by it Curaco in which the Dutch have a Fort and some souldiers neer unto which is another Iland called Curacute of 14 leagues in length And north from Curacute is the Iland of Aruba in which two last mentioned there are some peaceable Indians that speak Spanish From the Trinidado along the Coast there are few Ilands save those that are at the mouth of the River Amisons and Oroinoque which are low and flat and on the violent risings of the Rivers commonly overflown which makes the inhabitants provide them lodgings in the trees which are there very great these Indians have their Canoes to attend them by which they passe not only to their neighbours but fish and go to the land at pleasure Furthermore on the Land of Brazil there are some small Ilands the most remarkable is the Tamerica it is inhabited by the Portugals it hath a fair town on the South-side and a harbour with store of Red wood CHAP. 25. Of the North-west passage and the Lands called Nova Britania or Nova Framuncia THat which is most remarkable in this north part of America is the straight of the north west passage which is generally talked of and indeed is nothing but a narrow difficult passage to Buttons Bay the entrance being properly called Hudsons Straight in regard of his first finding it the mouth of this straight lyeth in 62 degrees and because of the impossibility of this Mathematicall story I shall say there is certainly no such Straight as this which they call Anian or
and Caribey Islandâ— it is a wholsome air and the English people are well-colour'd anâ— have many children which thriâ— well in that Countrey They punish sin as severely as the Jews dâ— in old time but not with so good warrant And they have brougâ— the Indians into great awe but nâ— to any Gospell knowledge CHAP. 27. New Holland TO the southwest of New England lyeth the Dutch Plantaâ—ion It hath good ground and good ayr but few of that Nation â—nhabiting there which maketh â—hat there is few Plantations in the and and but one Village whose â—nhabitants are part English and â—art Dutch Here is resident the the Governour appointed by the â—est India Company This Vilâ—age lyeth on Hudsons River in 40 â—nd a half three miles within the â—outh of the River and almost â—yning to a Fort that hath Guns â—ut they are unmounted There is â—â—e Fort of Orange 30 miles up the â—â—d River and there is a Mill to saw boards for the Colony theâ— have here indifferent plenty oâ— English and Indian Corn but the best profit is the trade with the natives for Bever and other skinsâ— Those that trade here pay 16 iâ— the hundred Custome to the Westâ— India Company of Holland Thesâ— Dutch are mischievous neighboursâ— for with their Indian trade theyâ— supply the natives with Guns and Ammunition which in time may prove their own confusion and doth already prejudice their neighbours CHAP. 28. The Swedes Plantation THe Swedes are seated betweenâ— the Dutch and Virginia in a Village by a fort which lyeth eight miles within Delaware River On the north side the said River they are few in number and their principall businesse is their commerce with the Indians for they have little or no Cattle They furnish the Indians with Guns and weapons as the Dutch do and once in a year have commonly a supply and relief from Swethland by a ship that fetcheth their Skins and other Truck CHAP. 29. Virginia Virginia is to the southward of the Swedes and the north Cape of the great Bay that leadeth to Virginia and Maryland lyeth distant from the Swedes Fort neer 130 English miles this Bay is 240 miles up navigable for the biggest ships it lyeth almost north and south and it receiveth divers Rivers which issueth into it from the west and east those on the west-side are both the biggest and most those on the east-side are not many nor great This coast is also a flat coast as is New Holland and the Swedes The English are seated on the east-side the Bay from the said point called Cape Charles and by the Creeks and Bay-side 30 miles up the Bay Without the said Cape are certain Islands called Smith's Islands which are broken low grounds unfit for habitation On the west-side the Bay within Cape Henry 8 miles lieth the water call'd Lin-Haven which issueth there into the Bay it hath divers Branches on which there are Plantations even to the head of most of them And between the said Haven and James River which is distant 12 miles is two small Creeks that are indifferently seated but on the side of the great Bay there is no Plantation between the Cape and James River which is distant from â—â— 20 miles this River floweth more then 120 miles and almost so far Navigable for good ships It â—â— Shelvie and dangerous without â— good Pilot it receiveth divers Rivers and Creeks on the East-side the most eminent is the Elizabeth River which issueth into the great River within eight miles of the â—ndy point that is the first point of the South-side the great River and over against Point Comfort â—â—and by which you must keep â—ose aboard by â—reason the River â— there onely to be entred four â—iles higher then Elizabeth River â—Nawcimond River which two are â—e principall and on the West-side â—e most eminent and best is Chickâ—money whose mouth is 10 miles beyond James Town this maâ— River as also the Rivers and Creeâ— that run into it are seated by tâ— water-side onely by reason of tâ— conveniency of carriage And between point Comfort and York there is a small River caâ—led the Pecoson River which is seâ—ted and then a little further Yâ— River which is a fair River aâ— navigable 20 miles for ships Tâ— River is seated neer fifty miles â— but on the East-side better than â— the West And the other Rivâ—â— which run into the Bay betwâ— this and Maryland are Payankatâ— and to Pahanoc and the great Riâ— of Patowmek are unseated with aâ— but the Natives Here is goâ— plenty of Millet but not muâ— English grain For which this Râ—gion is not so naturall as New England or New Holland for the crâ— within a year or two will degeâ—rate Their onely commodity Tobacco which I think to be more â—aturall to the Countrey then any other thing The best sort is the â—weet sented which is not inferiour â—â— the Spanish Cattle are of the â—me price here as in England and â—ew England and by reason there â—e no Markets and little money â— buy them fresh meat is very â—arcely eaten The Virginia proâ—rb is That hogs and women thrive â—ell amongst them But the later I â—ink are indifferently subject to â—â— faâ—e of those men that go there which is much sicknesse or death â—or the air is exceeding unwholâ—me insomuch as one of three â—â—rcely liveth the first year at this â—e though formerly they reâ—rt the mortality hath stretcht â— the taking away of eleven of â—elve The reason of this is not â—e latitude for that is 37 degrees â—d a half In which lyeth many â—cellent wholsome Countreys but I conceive it to be the changâ—blenesse of the weather which â— mighty extream in heat and coâ— and as various as the wind boâ— Winter and Summer The neâ— cause is the Swamps standing-â—ters and Marishes and mighty stoâ— of Rivers and low lying of tâ— land There is two other pernicioâ— companions that haunt the Englâ— inhabitants the one is the diseaâ— called the Country Duties whiâ— they originally caught of the Inâ—ans and the cure is the same the use in England for the French Poâ— it being almost alike The other â— the Rattle-snake so called for tâ— rattle in her taile whose bitinâ— are present death And this vâ— mine in the Summer is so stirriâ— that they are in the fields wooâ— and commonly in their houses â— their great anoyance yet this moâ—tality doâ—h rather harden the peâ—ples hearts then bring them â— God for I think they are the farâ—est from conscience and morall â—onesty of any such number together in the world And for want â—f administration of Justice there â—e many have left the place and â—e gone to Maryland which lyeth â— the Bay The Virginia bread â— commonly of Millet called â—oane And if the servants have â—ough of that their complaint â—il procure no remedy The Rivers â—d Creeks afford much fish in â—ummer and furze in the woods â—ood store of Deer and Turkeys â— Winter
Sea CHAP. 36. Of Panuco THis Province is neer adjoyning to Florida and parted from it by the River of Palms which lyeth in 28 degrees of North Latitude That part of it that lyeth next to Mexico is the best and hath the greatest plenty of victuals with somâ— gold the other side which is next Florida is poor and barren This Province hath three Spanish Towns Panuco in something more then 23 degrees It is distant from Mexico 65 leagues neere a River whose entrance is a haven it is governed by a chief Justice provided by the Viceroy of New Spain The Village of Saint James of the Valea 20 leagnes to the West of Panuco The Village of Saint Lucas 8 leagues from Panuco to the North-east neer to the Sea There is no River nor Haven in this Coast but Panuco and Palmes which are not very good and not many Indians CHAP. 37 the Province of Talascalia or Angels THe next to Panuco on the â— coast of the North Sea lyeth â—s Province of Talascalia or Loâ—els with in its government are â—r Spanish Cities The best is â—sangels seated by a River that â—neth into the South Sea It â—deth off the side of a long Plain â—â— from Mexico 22 leagues and â—taineth neer 3000 housholds in â—â— streets governed by a chief â—tice and in it are resident the â—hedrall with Monasteries of â—minick Augustine Franciscan â—mersed and Carmelite Friars â—h one of Nuns and a Colledge of more than five hundred Indiâ— Children to be instructed in tâ— Spanish Religion and Languagâ— And north of the Angels is the Câ—ty of Talascalia in more than â— degrees of height with two thoâ— sand five hundred houses in whiâ— is a fair Cloyster of Franciscâ— Friars In the Province of Losangles tâ— City of Guaxaca is the third which are three Monasteries Friars and two of Nuns all veâ— rich This town is pleasant and oâ— wholsome aire and not far froâ— the River of Alurado The City of Vera Crux is â— English mile from the Sea â—iâ— leagues from the Port of Saiâ—John Delua of four hundred Spanish housholds besides Indians â— it resides the Kings treasurer for tâ— Customes This Province hath abundanâ— of Flax wheat sugar and gingâ— diversity of hearbs and fruits abundance of cattle hogs and horses many silver mines 200 chief Indian towns and at least 40 Monasteries of Friars The Harbours and Ports are on the North Sea the best of which is Saint John De Lua which is made by a small Island whose bank is kept up by a wall in which are Iron and Brasse rings whereby Cables they more fast their ships This Island hath on it a Castle which commandeth the Harbour that is entred by two Channels the one to the North is the slat the other is called the Galisian Channell Here the ships bound for Nova Hispania and Mexico unlade and to the North of this Port on the coast of this Province is the river Sempoalia and upward the river of Casons and neer the government of Panuco Fuspea and Tamagua and to the South of the said Saint John Delva is first the river of Almerica and further South the river of Alvarado CHAP. 38. Youcatan Province THe North part of this Province adjoyneth to the South of Talascalia It is a pen-insula and in compasse 150 leagues The temperature is hot and moist it hath no river but is full of good willows It is a woody Country nor will it bear English grain neither hath it gold or other minerall But it hath many inhabitants that are of the civillest sort of Indians in New Spain and great plenty of Millet Swine all sorts of cattle horses and much poultrey much Cotton Bombast and Ashurs The Inhabitants are healthy and live to great age There are four Spanish towns the City of Meridia is in the midst of the Province in 20 degrees In it are resident the Governour the Officers of the Revenue and royall Treasure and Cathedral Suffragan to Mexico with one Monastery of Franciscan Friars The village of Valiodalid is 31 leagues from Meridia to the South and neer the coast of the Honduras is Salimanca a fair town And on the north coast the village of Saint Franciscus of Campeach in 20 degrees fifty leagues from Meridia It is a reasonable good Haven but of little depth on the coast of this Province are many Rocks Flats and Isles that there is scarcely any sayling within foure leagues of the shore on which there is the greatest Flouds and Ebs of any part of New Spain CHAP. 39. The Province of Honduras THis Province of the Honduras adjoyneth unto the South part of Yucatan his coast stretcheth along the north Sea as far as Nicurayna which is neer 150 leagues It is a hilly Countrey plentifull of all sorts of Cattle and store of Wheat and Mines of Gold and Silver it hath six Spanish towns and many peaceable Indians The City of Valiodalid standeth in 16 degrees 40 leagues from the north Sea Here is resident the Governour a Cathedrall and a Monastery of Lamersed The City of Adios is 30 leagues from Valiodalid to the West the village of Saint Petro is 11 leagues from the Port of Cavalos where the Officers â—oyall are resident because the Port of Cavalos is sickly to which the Ships come This Port of Cavalos is in 15 degrees on the North Sea there are few in it besides Blackamores and some factors by â—eason of the unwholsomnesse of the place The City of Truxcillio is 64 leagues from the Cavalos to the North-east a league from the north Sea The village of Saint George is populous of Indians and rich in gold The Septentrionall point of this coast is the Cape of Eburus in 16 degrees east off which 20 leagues lyeth the River of Pitch and a little further Riobaxco and beyond it the River of Balahama and in 14 degrees and a half lyeth the River Salt and after that the Cape of the three points and from North the Island of Utilia and to the North-east Hellen and Lyvanai and in 14 degrees the Cape oâ—Thanks be to God And north from thence the three Islands called Take away Sleep CHAP. 40. Of the Province of Nicaragua NIcaragua lyeth next to the South-side of Honduras it is a plentifull Countrey of Coco Cotton-wool Millet Cattle and much gold It hath five Spanish towns abundance of peaceable Indians which are most expert in the Spanish tongue The first and principall town is Saint James 12 leagues from the South sea at the head of the lake Nicaragua where the Governour is resident the royall Officers and Cathedrall with five Monasteries of Lamersed and many peaceable Indians The City of Granado standeth on the Borders of this great lake neer which is a famous Volcan that burns perpetually casting forth fire and smoak A Friar imagined there was much gold in it because it never consumed the land about it wherefore he caused a Caldron to be fastned to a huge chain