the Dutch got great footing there without right so the Portugals since their falling from Spain have surprized them again and recovered them by the same slight they got the East Indies from us but not with such vile murthers as they committed on the English They have now the town of Resif onely which not long since was neer lost CHAP. 63. Of the Provinces of the River Plate THe provinces of Plate take name from the river on which they lye the passage to them is up the said river but they are almost on the back of Brazil They are large and far wholsomer then Brazil plenty of Sugar Ginger Wine Wheat Millet all sorts of English fruits store of Cattle Swine and Horses but no mines that are worked They are subjected by the Spaniards and united to the Councill of Peru on the south sea for neernesse of lying to that Kingdome there is a common passage from these provinces thither by land over the mountains the most of the land is indifferently inhabited This province hath three Spanish Cities the best is the City of Ascension It lyeth in 23 degrees and a half of south latitude west from Brazil and east from Peru 300 leagues up the River of Plate on the North-side In it is resident the Spanish Governour the Officers royall and a Cathedrall Suffragan to the Archbishop of Lima in Peru. The next is the City royall distant from the Ascension eighty leagues north-east The City of Bucnos ayres standeth on the River Plate one hundred leagues from the mouth of the same These provinces are full of Indians and Mistisos which are Spaniards children begotten on Indian women On this coast between the Brazil and the mouth of the River Plate is the port of Saint Vincent in 33 degrees against Becena Burgo a small Island and six leagues to the south the River Ubay the port and Island Dela Canana in 35 degrees and forward the river De la Barca And 20 leagues from thence the port of Roderico and in 29 degrees the Island of Catalina And five leagues to the south Close Haven And fifteen leagues further another river called Traquean And in 32 degrees the Bay of Saint George And in 35 degrees the Cape of Saint Mary at the entring into the River Plate The south Cape is called Cape Blanke and the mouth of this River of Plate is thirty over and a great way up it ten leagues in breadth with many Islands and divers great Rivers issuing into it CHAP. 64. Of the Coast between the River of Plate and the Strait of Magelan FRom the mouth of this River the strait lyeth southwest and is distant thence 400 leagues It hath on the said coast first the point of Saint Helena in 37 degrees the point of Francis in 38 the River of Canobi in 45. And to the south the Isle of Ducks And in 47 the River of Seriani and in 49 the Port of Saint Julian the River of Sancta Crux in 50. And 12 leagues before you come to the strait of Ilefonsus But the land possest with no other but the Natives which are a Gyantly people CHAP. 65. The Straight of Magellan THis straight is famous for the trouble some passage of Drake Candish and Haukins three English men Generals each in a severall Fleet Drake and Candish being the first that sailed along the coast of Peru and so to the East Indies and came home by the Cape of Bona Sperantia Circum-navigating the Globe The last being much over-matched was taken by the Spaniards on the coast of Peru and convayed from thence prisoner to Spain From whence with much difficulty he obtained his freedome although solemn Engagements passed from the Generall his taker for his freedome The entrance into this strait is in 52 degrees and the comming out into the south sea the same height It is an extream difficult passage by reason of the meeting of the north and south seas in the channell driving each other back prevailing as they are favoured by the wind which commonly bloweth there exceeding boysterously and cold There are divers caves and bays in it but no incouragement for a sea-man to adventure that way The Inhabitants on this strait are few and extream savage neither is this passage any more in use for those that will go by the south of America to the East Indies or into the south sea to any part of the west coast of America have a more convenient passage south of this strait in an open sea The entrance into it is called Lamear but the sea was discovered by Sir Francis Drake and Sir Richard Haukins both which were driven back by foul weather into those seas after they had passed the strait On the coast of the south sea which lyeth between the strait and Chilli there are no inhabitants save the wild Natives but it hath the Bay of horses in 52 degrees and the Bay of Saint John in 50. The Cape of Saint Francis in 51. And 18 leagues before you come to Port Hearnan the Bay of Galago in 48 degrees 40 minutes and north of it the Bay of Kings and the Isle of Catilina then the Cape of Saint Andrew in 42 degrees where Chilla beginneth CHAP. 66. Chillia THis coast reacheth to 28 degrees of south latitude This Region is wholsome above all other in the Indies being of an excellent temperature as neither too hot nor too cold It is abundantly rich in gold and silver mines and all sorts of cattle grain fruits excellent pleasant wine The Countrey men are strong and valiant beyond compare which the Spaniards know to their great cost for they could never totally subdue this Nation The Spaniards had formerly 12 Spanish towns in this Province the most south was the City of Chillon in an Island of fifty leagues long that almost joyneth to the firm land which beareth the name of this whole Countrey this town had in it a Monastery of Friars and to the north of this town 41 leagues the City of Osornio seven leagues from the sea with two Monasteries of Friars and one of Nuns The City of Valdiva two leagues within the mouth of the River Valdiva in 40 degrees It had three Monasteries of Friars and one of Nuns The City Imperiall in 39 degrees of height 3 leagues from the sea in it was resident the Cathedrall and two Monasteries of Friars The City of Conception lyeth in 37 degrees neer the sea And there did reside the Governour of the Countrey The harbour is good and made by an Island which lyeth before a nook in the land The Port of Quoquimbo is a good harbour and standeth in 32 degrees The town of Laserana is next to Peru. It lyeth pleasantly by the Valley of Quoquimbo In this place it rains but thrice a year this Countrey is neer 300 leagues by the sea but not above twenty into the land where lye the Andes which are mighty great mountains that run through the southern America
even from the strait of Magellan to Sancta Martha Of the Spanish towns in Chilla there is recovered by the Natives and by them quite destroyed the City of Conception Chillon Osornio Valdivia and Imperiall CHAP. 67. The Councill of Charcas THe bounds of this Councill stretcheth from Chilia to Peru it hath abundance of cattle of all kinds great shag-haired sheep bigger then goats that carry great burthens on their backs store of corn of all sorts fruits and wine much gold and the greatest mines of silver in the world There are few Spanish towns and but one port in regard the Spaniards get neer the Hill of Potosi to the City Imperiall which lyeth in 19 degrees of latitude far from the sea and delivereth that which is exported and receiveth the Marchandize imported at the City of Arica The City of Imperiall is exceeding populous of Spaniards and Indians and it standeth neer the Hill of Potosi which is much to be admired for the great quantities of silver is drawn from thence and exceeding deep caves in the earth from whence they fetch it that are so intricate and far in the earth that those that go in take the Popish Sacraments the danger of death is so great This mountain is as it were pointed at by a black cloud that perpetually hangeth over it The land about it is most extream barren yet the great quantity of silver that is there causeth that all sorts of variety is there in great plenty although at a dear rate And towards the Port of Arica are the mines of Porco which are more ancient and very great but harder to work The Indians live in the best places for cattle corn wine and fruits being tributary to the Spaniards that in behalf of the King of Spain are Lords of these great riches CHAP. 68. The Kingdom of Peru. THis Kingdome is governed by a Councill and Viceroy It hath to the North the Councill of Quipo on the south Charcas and to the west the south sea and to the east without limits This Kingdome is well peopled with Civill orderly Indians that are in great subjection to the Spaniards Peru doth abound in all sorts of fruits seed cattle horses sheep swine rich mines of gold silver quick-silver plentifull of wine oil and sugar The Andes run through this Province within ten leagues of the sea In all which coasts it never raineth but on the said hils it raineth continually and beyond as in other Regions The plains between the sea and the said Hils have few or no rivers but the industrie of the Inhabitants draw in trenches which are artificially made the water either from those few rivers or from the side of the said Andes which maketh that the said plain is mightily populous fruitfull and pleasant even as a garden The City of Lema is neer the south sea in 12 degrees of south lalatitude on the side of a rich and pleasant valley It consisteth of 4000 houses On the east-side of it runneth a fair river by which the Citizens have Gardens with most excellent fruits And this is the sole place in the world that is without thunder and lightning which never happen here neither is there plague or pestilence but the inhabitants enjoy perpetually a clear and fair sky It is the seat of the Viceroy and Councill and Assembly of Chief Justices the Officers of the King of Spains revenue the chief seat of the Inquisition a University with schools of divers Indians languages five Monasteries of Friars and one of Jesuits â—…ao which is the Port of this City is two leagues from it It is great and good The village of Arneado is in the valley of Chianeai ten leagues from Lima neer a good Haven in 9 degrees The City of Truxcilo stands in seven degrees and a half neer the sea with Monasteries of Dominican Franciscan and Mercenaries and Officers royall for these bounds The port is two leagues of the City in a Bay not very good for ships The City of Saint John is seated in a most plentifull place and the Indian inhabitants are the fairest and most wel-favoured people in the Indies The City Guanang is to the south Lema It hath Monasteries of Dominican Franciscan and Mercenaries and one of Nuns and the best houses of any City in Peru of Brick and Stone It standeth in a temperate place and is very healthy The City of Cosco is the head City of Peru by a title that it hath from the Kings of Spain It lyeth in 13 degrees and a half south of the Equinoctiall It is a very great City and hath four great streets that go to the four parts of the world It hath many Monasteries and Nunneries with a Cathedrall and divers schools of Indian Children The City of Ariquipa is in 16 degrees on the sea side It is a rich â—nd flourishing place and in a wholesome Climate the other Cities of Spaniards are Inland but â—hese rehearsed are the most emiâ—ent The inconveniency of this Countrey is the great Earthquakes that often happen especially about Jâ—ma There are three wonderfull springs of water in this Countrey a water that turneth so soon as it is stopt to stone If a man or beast drink of it it turneth to a stone in his body and killeth him with this they make stones of what fashion they please and make their houses there is another water that springeth far within land that being setled turneth to pure white salt the other is two spouts of water by each other the one hot the other cold The remarkablest ports Ilands and points on this coast are the Ilands of Lobos in 7 degrees the one is four leagues from the coast the other more and forward to the south west the I le of Saint Rock and further the port of Abrago ten leagues to the north of Truxciliâ— in 7 degrees and a half the port oâ—Santa in nine degrees and five leagues more south port Farwell and six from it Casama and eight leagues further the port of Gurmay and twenty leagues to the south the Baranca and Potquaria where there is a great salt pit And a little more south the I le of Lema at the entry of the port of Cala and twenty leagues more south the point of Guareo And in 15 degrees the point Chuca and forward the point of Saint Laurence neer the River Ariquipa And then the River of Nombre d'Dios where Peru endeth and the Councill of Charchas beginneth CHAP. 69. Quito Kingdome THis Kingdome is governed by a Councill whole bounds lyeth between Peru and Panama It hath two mighty Countreys or Provinces within his circuit that is to say first Quito and then Popyan Quito lyeth between Peru and Popyan on the south sea and far into the land under the Equinoctiall line and contrary to the opinion of the Ancients it is a most wholesome temperate Countrey and rather cold than hot in most parts of it In those places where the snowes continue all the
A DESCRIPTION Of the New WORLD OR America Islands and Continent and by what people those Regions are now inhabited And what places are there desolate and without Inhabitants And the Bays Rivers Capes Forts Cities and their Latitudes the Seas on their Coasts the Trade Winds the North-west Passage and the Commerce of the English Nation as they were all in the Year 1649. Faithfully described for information of such of his Countrey as desire Intelligence of these perticulars By George Gardyner of Peckham in the County of Surrey Esq. LONDON Printed for Robert Leybourn and are to be sold by Thomas Pirrepoint at the Sun in S. Pauls Churchyard 1651. To the right honorable Sir Henry Vane junior SIR SInce God hath made You eminent in doing great services to your Countrey and appointed you of that Councill which the Parliament hath lately established to contrive the Weal of our Nation upon their excellent instructions This discourse having relation to divers of them I crave leave to direct it to You. And if it be too low for your Thoughts you have goodnesse enough to afford mee a favourable construction Sir The greatest Princes in the East receive no Request without a Present I have no other to you but to desire you would favourably receive this and reckon me among the number of Your Devoted Servants George Gardyner Errata PAge 5. line 6. for Scotia read Socatra p. 26. l. 2. power r. rover ibid. l. 6. for Cameron r. come on p. 32. l. 4. r. Continent for CoÌ„ tinems p. 39. l. 3. put in â—is washed at flouds p. 35. l. 13. r. bold for cold p. 61. l. 13. r. Tortuga for Tortaga p. 62. l. 9. r. its for it is p. 87. l. 5. r. clear for clean p. 101. l. 14. r. far-forfurze p. 116. l. 9. r. wels for willow trees p. 118. l. 5. r. Nicaragua for Nicurayna p. 123 l. 2. â— Verauga for Carauga p. 133. l. 8. r. Câ—co for Coco and so where ever you come p. 143. l. â—â— r. Limets for Climats ibid. l. ult. read Painters for Planters p. 145. l. 14. r. principall for principals p. 146. l. 2. r. Darian for Darion p. 148. l. 3. r. Phillip for â—hilip To the English Nation IN this unquiet age I conceive there is nothing so pertinent to a mans felicity next to the enjoying of happy places as to know where they are And to think our neighbouring Regions of Europe receive a greater share of prosperity than we in England is without doubt a great mistake Neither doth any part of the old World make such promises to all sorts of men as doth the New World commonly called America For he that shall desire to advance himself by his labour will finde many places where he may do it with much quietnesse He that shall desire to enjoy much land and live in a Civil Government under others may finde places enough for him to pitch upon He that shall desire to command a Countrey himself and get into possession of it without difficulty wil finde many Islands fit for his turn that are fruitfull and desolate wanting Inhabitants which at small charge may be transported thither He that shall desire to be possest of great rich mines of gold and silver and precious stones and large Dominions and withall hath but fortitude courage and a reasonable English Gentlemans Estate may by an ordinary Providence over him attain to these great matters And that man that shall have store of Commodities lie by him which he cannot vent although they are necessary for mans accomodation will finde here places that he may exchange them at to his great advantage But if the Decipherers of this Orbe had been as cautious in setting down truths as they have been prolixious in impertinencies our Nation would certainly ere this have made greater advantages upon those Regions For my part as I am an English man so I desire that name and people may grow great and famous and extend their authority and name beyond either Roman Grecian Assyrian or Persian Nations And if from this discourse they may draw any thing that may prove for their Honour or Profit I have my aim And I shall assure them I have related nothing but what my own knowledg or good intelligence perswades me is certainly true which my future actions with Gods leave shall declare I have been plain in discourse of the Forreign Commerce of our Nation All which I intended in a larger Volumn but the Flemmings and Irish taking me in my comming from those remote parts of America took from me that greater relation which I intended instead of this Epitomie from thence which I present with a resolution to submit to that common censure all Book-makers must undergo but with confidence I have in this subscribed my self READER Thy humble Servant GEORGE GARDYNER The Contents of the Book CHAP. 1. OF the Commerce of the English Nation Pag. 1 The generall description of America or the New World chap. 2 p. 31 Of Gold Silver Quick-silver Emraulds and Pearl chap. 3 p. 39 Of the Island of New found Land chap. 4 p. 45 Martins Vineyard chap. 5 p. 47 Long Island chap. 6 p. 48 The Bermudas or Somers Islands chap. 7 p. 50 Of the Islands of Lucaos or Bahama chap. 8 p. 52 Of Hispaniola chap. 9 p. 57 Of the Island of Cuba chap. 10 p. 62 Jamico Island chap. 11 p. 66 The Island of Saint John De Portrico chap. 12 p. 67 Sancta Crux the Virgins Virgin Gorda Blances Anagada Sombrito chap. 13. p. 69 Angula chap. 14 p. 71 Saint Martins chap. 15 ibid. Eustas chap. 16 p. 72 Saint Bartholomew chap. 17 ibid. Saint Christophers chap. 18 p. 73 Nivis or the Snowes Barbada and Redouda chap. 19 p. 74 Monserat chap. 20 p. 75 Antego Margelante Dominica Matinina Santalusa Gardelupa Dodos sanctos Deseada chap. 21 ibid. The Burbudos chap. 22 p. 77 Trinidado chap. 23 p. 79 Margreata Tortuga Gardiner Caracute Cubava and Tamasca chap. 24 p. 80 Of the North-west Passage and the Lands called Nova Britania or Nova Framuncia chap. 25 p. 83 New England chap. 26 p. 90 New Hollaud chap. 27 p. 93 The Swedes Plantation chap. 28 p. 94 Virginia chap. 29 p. 95 Maryland chap. 30 p. 102 Old Virginia chap. 31 p. 104 Florida chap. 32 p. 105 Of New Spain chap. 33 p. 107 The Councill of New Galisia chap. 34 p. 109 Gutamalia Kingdome chap. 35 p. 110 Of Panuco chap. 36 p. 111 The Province of Talascalia or Angels chap. 37 p. 113 Youcatan Province chap. 38 p. 116 The Province of Honduras chap. 39 p. 118 Of the Province of Nicaragua chap. 40 p. 120 The Province of Castorica chap. 41 p. 123 The Province of Varagua chap. 42 p. 124 Of the Province of Ciblioa chap. 43 p. 126 Nevv Biskay chap. 44 p. 127 Chiamerla chap. 45 p. 128 Culiacan chap. 46 p. 129 Sacetas chap. 47 p. 130 Xalisco chap. 48 p. 131 Guadalaiara chap. 49 ibid.
in the Plantations with most of the Masters in those places especially in Virginia for besides their being back-beaten and belly-beaten it is three to one if they live out their servitude by reason of the unwholsomenesse of the Countreys In which disasters that happen to our Nation I cannot but condole their misfortunes as if we of all Europe were of the seed of Cham when the Spaniard at the same time managed their businesse so well that scarcely will one of them serve in the Indies except it be the Viceroy or some great Personage and I know that Nation in nothing exceeds us but in their keeping together as one people The third Question Is whether the trade of England may not be increased It is not hard to imagine when we see the greatnesse of Asia and Africa and the little Commerce that we have with them that it may well be increased And although the trade of Europe be much greater the rest yet doth it want much of that exactnesse which we may have in it For where â—â— we gain in some parts and lose in others it is possible to assure the Land to gain in all and lose in none The fourth Question Is how it hath been hindred and what is the let in the growth of it The people generally suppose 't is the danger of the seas and the little security in the parts abroad for the Merchants Goods and ships In answer I affirm the trade of the Hollanders never flourished so as in time of War and their enemies were more strong at Sea then ours upon which we may conclude it is not that that is the true cause Wherefore I finde these other causes to be the obstruction in the trade The first is the Companies of our Nation which fort of people I account a benefit of a losse according as they are established and managed in which the Companies of England have been defective which appeareth in the generall damages which themselves and Adventurers have had with them and few publick memorials they have erected at home or abroad that hath appeared a publick good but divers acts have seemed the contrary And on particulars we finde there are five Companies that are well in years amongst us the other which was of later establishment which really was the best the Giney Company is dissolved And to omit the general damage that all the Inland Companies do to our Nation which is from my purpose now to treat of the five Companies of exportation are first the Cloth Company that trade into Holland Hamborough the Baltick Seas and elsewhere with all the white Clothes exported the Kingdome The second is the East India Company the third the Turkey the fourth the Muscovia the fifth the Company of Greenland alias Grinland Of which I conceive the Cloth Company to be the greatest Monopoly for this cause Besides the ingrossing of the commodity of white Cloth to themselves which is a great barre to the priviledge of the Nation The carrying of them out of the Laud is a pernicious thing to five sorts of men Merchants Seamen Cloth-dressers Sheare-men and Diers which last people receive the greatest damage although they were accounted anciently the Staple-manufacture of our Nation The prejudice to the Cloth-dressers and Diers appears in the carrying away from them forty Clothes white more then are worked at home by which it appears that where there is one imploy'd now in that course there might be forty if it were managed at home And all that ever I heard that the Company could say for themselvs is that the trade of making white Cloth would be spoiled for the Dutch and Poles if they could not have it white would forbear buying of it But I am sure the Merchants buy it beyond the seâ—s for their profit and not to seâ— their Country-men at worke or else they differ much from them of the Company And if they want it to trade with they will have it as well drest by us as their owâ— Nation but if they be obstinate and will not buy it we shall gaine and not lose for our Sea-men and Merchants that make short Voyages with small profit will theâ— vent it to those parts which now have it at the second hand from them that buy it white from us and so the Merchants will make two profits in stead of one and the Sea-men longer Voyages The East-India Company come home to this question in that it hath lost many advantagious places there and impoverished many that adventured with them giving them after fifteen or sixteen yeares forbearance of their money instead of 70li yearly which the Dutch give most yeares to their Adventurers 70li for their principallâ— And the Dutch lately to renew their Lease which not long since was neer expired being but for 21 yeares at the first compounded with the States Generall to have it renewed for so much longer for the summe of eight hundred thousand pound paid to them and five hundred thousand to the West-India Company which the States owed the said West-India Company And whereas the Dutch Company hath whole Countries divers Islands Cities Castles Forts c. and all taken in by the sword to the contrary our men hath lost money lost time which was considerable in those actions and divers Countries which they never got but were delivered by the Natives such was Pulway Pullerroon Lantor Rosingen Wayer Timor Tiadore Ternat and the Castle of Amboyna where the Dutch committed the greatest murther that of late yeares hath been heard of upon our Nation by racking torturing by fire and water throwing in dungeons and their easing themselves on them untill their bodies became blistered then drawing them forth and beheading some sawing a-sunder others at other times their cruelty hath been after the same manner and this accompanied with revilling of our Nation which things are in perticular related by them that escaped from those miseries recording before the Tribunall of the late King their sufferings and his dishonour which he heard with as much parience as the losse of the English at the Isle of Ree I know not the hearts of other men but my minde is that all men that acknowledge a Government and subscribe to maintaine it ought to be protected as well abroad as at home There is difference between the bloud of Peace and War as David saith and this was not as the rest of Rochell and the Isle of Ree but by the snare that Joab smote Amasa And upon discourse it will be found that act is justified by that people to this day The cause of the Dutches flourishing our Companies say was there stock exceeding the English But it will appear upon examination that the English Company had sixteene hundred thousand pounds under writ for when the Dutch had but eight The Turkey Company is little before it in goodnesse although men have not so eminently suffered yet some have been inslaved by the Turks of Barbary But the great
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
and let it into the furnace But the violence of the fire soon consumed it and with all the Friars hopes This great lake of Nicaragua is full of Islands and by a kind of River hath an issue into the north Sea which river or passage it navigable for great vessels And the head of this lake is within five leagues of the South Sea and good ground to be cut by which it were easie if the Spaniard so pleased to have passage from the South Seas to the north Sea At the head of the said lake the village of Nalio standeth in 11 degrees and a half on the South coast and is the best Port on that coast On the north Seas for this province reacheth from the North to the South seas is first the river of Gare that divideth Nicvaragua from Honduras south of it the River Wipre next the Port of Saint John which is the voiding River that comes from the great lake that hath a great Island lying in the mouth of it In the south sea it hath the Nalio the Port of Saint James and the Port of Paria and Nicoya and on the coast the Island of Chora Saint Mary and Saint Mark CHAP. 41. The Province of Castorica THis Province lyeth between Nickuragua and Caragua between which it hath 90 leagues in length It is a good land and very fruitfull in Millet Wheat Flax and Sugar plenty of Mines both of gold and silver and it hath two Spanish Towns the first and best is Curtago the other Mendoco It hath two Ports one on the south sea the other on the North CHAP. 42. The Province of Varagua THis Province lyeth between Costarica and Panama adjoyning on the south part to the Strait of Dariana The northerliest is in 11 degrees it hath East and West 50 leagues and in breadth 25 and is washed as Costarica with the north and south seas It is a Mountainous Countrey full of bushes without pasture or cattle wheat or barley but it hath some Miller but full of rich mines of Gold The Indians are few and they be in continuall wars with the Spaniards It hath the City of Conception 40 leagues from Nombre Dd'ios where the Governour and Officers are resident The village of Trinity six leagues to the East of the Conception neer the River of Bethelem And three leagues from the North sea the City of Santey Fei standeth 12 leagues from the Conception to the south In it are Melting-houses and Deputy Officers The City of Charles neer the coast of the south sea 50 leagues from Santey Fei At the end of this Varagua beginneth the southern America And therefore I shall return back to the other parts of this north America which is not yet discovered CHAP. 43. Of the Province of Ciblioa THis Province of Ciblioa is the most northerly Province that the Spaniards possesse in America It hath but one Spanish Town but many well built Cities of Indians The Spanish town is called Saint John of Ciblioa It hath a strong Garrison of Spaniards and Mexican Indians The fairest Indian Town is Quibra that hath also a Spanish Garrison This Town is in 40 degrees and distant from Cibiloa 200 leagues from whence it lieth due north This Region is apt for English grain and produceth all sorts of our hearbs and fruits Here are store of all sorts of our Cattle and the Oxe of the Countrey which hath a bunch of flesh on his back of the bignesse of a mans head and his hair is shaggy and long his horns smaller than our Kines horns but his body much bigger this is an Inland Province and lyeth from the sea many leagues CHAP. 44. New Biskay THis Province lyeth on the south-west of Cibola it hath store of provision and cattle and divers mines of silver It hath two fair Spanish Towns that is to say Sancta Barbola and the Baro of Saint John with divers peaceable Indians It is an Inland Province but of much Commerce by reason of the silver-mines CHAP. 45. Chiamerla THis Province lyeth in more then two and twenty degrees of height It is ten leagues broad and something more in length it lyeth along the south sea but hath no Ports of name It hath a town of Spaniards call'd Saint Sebastian It hath many rich silver Mines and sufficient of Cattle and all sorts of Grain and Fruits CHAP. 46. Culiacan THis Province is the most northerly Province the Spaniards possesse on the coast of the south sea It is west of Chiametla there are much cattle seeds and fruits of England it hath two Spanish towns one is called the Virgins by which there are some silver mines the other the village of Saint Michael this is a small Province and hath no eminent port on the sea CHAP. 47. Sacetas SAcetas lyeth south-east from Biscai It is very wholsome in some parts of it and as sickly and unwholsome in other parts which causes that in some places there is much want and in other places as much plenty But to amend all defects there are in most places rich silver mines It hath three Spanish towns the best is Erena the second Nombre d'Dios and the worst Durangi the Chickmeacan Indians do much annoy these parts but there are great numbers of Civill Indians that live in peaceable manner CHAP. 48. Xalisco THis Province hath the City â— of Compostella neer the south in 21 degrees nineteen minutes â—re is the village of the Purificaâ—â— south-west from Gudâ—leria 30 â—gues this land is hot and sickly â—hath mines of gold and silver â—d store of provisions and exâ—ent horses that are well bred â—any service CHAP. 49. Guadalaiara â—Uadalaiara is the best of all the Provinces of the Kingdome of New Galisia and the most sâ—therly it hath all sorts of graâ— hearbs and fruits of New Spâ— and plenty of kine horses â— swine it is a wholsome good â— and hath many silver mines â— chief City and Head of the Kiâ—â—dome is Guadalaira in 20 degrâ— Heere resideth the Councell â— officers of the goods and roâ— treasure a Cathedrall two â—nasteriâ—s of Friars and one Nuns And 30 leagues from Guadalâ— is the village of Saint Mary and nother called the Holy Ghost â— Province is much troubled â— the Chickemecan Indians but â— many well governed Civill Indâ— that live orderly and very richlâ— CHAP. 50. Mechocan THis Province lyeth between the Province of Mexico and â—e Kingdome of the New Galisia â—hath in breadth by the coast of â—e south sea 80 leagues and 60 â—ithin land Here are many good â—ines and it is a fruitfull land and â—ath much Wheat Millet Coco â—l sorts of Spanish fruits Cotton-wool the rich drug of Cocheneel â—ore of cattle and fish and the Indians are industrious and given to â—abour the chief City is Mechoaâ—n it stands in 18 degrees 15 minutes and 47 leagues from Mexico The City of Pascurio standeth seven leagues to the east of Mechoâ—can it hath the Cathedrall and two Monasteries of