brought out which for that reason they call'd Urca whose Hearts having torn out they began their Prayers afresh saying Mighty Viracocha thus do thou pull out the Hearts of our Enemies For the prosperity of the Ingas they kill'd in an open Field black Dogs by them call'd Appurucos whose Flesh was eaten with many Ceremonies by People appointed for that purpose They made Offerings also to the Fountains Rivers Brooks and Sea-shells under pretence that those Shells were Daughters of the Ocean and the Ocean the Father of Streams and Springs when they had Sow'n their Fields their Priests chose to that Office went from House to House to gather such Offerings as every one was pleas'd to give which they laid at the Banks of several Sluces at the time when the Water began to rise there thinking by that Oblation to keep them from over-flowing their Lands and washing away their Seed In all places where two Rivers joyn'd together they wash'd themselves having first bedaub'd themselves all over with stamp'd Maiz and afterwards look'd upon themselves as well purg'd from Sin which power they ascrib'd to their Baths To strangle Children between four and ten years of Age was never us'd unless upon the Inga's being sick or when he receiv'd the Royal Tassel that from the death of the Children he might receive Health or Reign prosperously The fore-mention'd Nuns that were chose to attend on the King 's were also strangled when the Inga was sick nay sometimes a Father would Offer his Son to Viracocha on the Sun-Priest's suggestion That by his Son's death he would recover from his Sickness Praying to the foremention'd Deity that they would be pleas'd to save the sick Father because the Son had with his Death paid for his Fathers This kind of Cruelty the Devil seem'd to prompt the Heathens to by making use of Abraham's Example who prepar'd his Son Isaac for a Sacrifice on Mount Moria and that it was a Practice amongst the antient Ammonites and Moabites and other Heathens by which even the Children of Israel were apt to be seduc'd appears from the Scripture it self the Ceremonies of which bruitish Customs with the seven Brazen Chambers of Moloch may be seen describ'd by Rabbi Solomon At the fore-mention'd Chasquis a course was taken to carry all that desir'd to every Temple through the whole Kingdom of Peru where the Inhabitants receiv'd them with great Reverence having before confess'd all their sins to their Yahuries or Father-Confessors Their manner of Confessions who being chosen to that Office with a great deal of Ceremony impos'd greater or lesser Penances according to the sins of the Penitent those that were suspected to have conceal'd any of their sins were put to cast Lots or had the Entrails of the Beasts which they had kill'd to that purpose consulted about them and thereby were discover'd if they had conceal'd any of their sins which whenever it hapned the Priests falling upon the false Penitents thump'd them with a Stone on their Backs so long till they had confess'd all their Faults which the Priest was not to reveal on pain of Death but to make Expiatory Offerings The sins about which they were Examin'd were chiefly Theft Murder Adultery preparing of Poyson or sleighting their Inga or Gods for each of which Transgressions they had several kinds of Punishments When the Inga fell sick all People in general were forc'd to come and make Confession of their sins also every one went to his Confessor when he was in trouble or expected some Misfortune to befall him The Inga himself Confess'd his sins to none but the Sun which he desir'd to relate to Viracocha and to beg pardon of him for the same which done he bath'd himself in a running Stream and cry'd I have made my sins known to thee O Sun do thou O River wash away mine Iniquities and discharge them into the Sea that they may never be more laid to my charge which custom of Bathing call'd Opacuna waâ— also us'd by all other Penitents Their Penances A Father losing his Son by Death was censur'd for a great Sinner wherefore he could not be permitted to be Confess'd before he had been whipp'd with Nettles by a cetain ill-look'd Officer appointed for that end after which their Fathers Ychuris enjoyn'd such Penances as they thought fit some were order'd to fast several days others to pay rich Garments Silver Gold or the like others receiv'd a certain number of Blows some were condemn'd to live on the Mountains excluded from the society of all Men. If their Sorcerers at any time foretold a Fathers Death then he immediately Sacrifis'd his Son that with his Death he might buy his own Life The Esteem of their Soothsayers No People were more respected than their Soothsayers as Men that could discover private Thefts Accidents that hapned in remote Countreys and also future Events and so far their Credit amongst the Vulgar carried them that they undertook to tell the Spaniards when their Countrey-men should be Conquerors and when defeated in the War they maintain'd against the Netherlanders There were also cunning Women who making themselves dead Drunk with Chica with which they mix'd the Herb Viloa and afterwards coming to themselves again answer'd all the Questions that were proposed to them Their monthly Feasts The Peruvians kept two sorts of Feasts the first at certain times the others on special occasions the set-Feasts were kept Monethly on the first Moneth Rayme agreeing with our last Moneth December as aforesaid they kept the great Feast Capacrayme on which they brought Multitudes of Sheep and Lambs for Burnt-offerings besides Silver and Gold Not far from the Fire stood three Carv'd Images of the Sun and three others representing Thunder and this was generally the Day of the Installation of the young Inga's which was after this manner The chief Priest boring a Hole through his Ear cover'd the upper part of his Body with the holy Cloth Guaras whilest the inferior Priests whipt him with knotted Cords and painted his Face with the Blood During these Ceremonies no Stranger was suffer'd to remain in Cusco but after the Feast was ended they all return'd and as before receiv'd Cakes bak'd of Maiz and Blood as a testimony that they lov'd and honor'd the Inga The Destruction of the old Empire of Peru foretold As to the Prognostications and Fore-runners of the destruction of the old Empire of Peru it is reported that Guaynacava Father of the last King Attabaliba lying on his Death-bed in Quito said to his Princes This Realm at present rais'd to the highest top of Eminency is hastning towards its Ruine and though our Kingdom remain as yet freee from foreign Invasion the Countreys round about are already conquer'd and in Slavery The Gods have call'd strange People from unknown Regions who by degrees will reach us also With me who am the twelfth Inga dies the Dominion of the mighty Peru. A People of other Fashions and
Countrey for the most part yet well distinguish'd with Valleys and lower Ground It is much subject to Rain which 't is said to have for nine Moneths of the Year almost continually by reason whereof the Countrey being otherwise hot is much annoy'd with a kind of Mosquit or great sort of Gnats which spoil the Fruit very much and are otherwise not a little trouble to the People Moreover there happen oftentimes terrible Earthquakes and Storms with Thunder and Lightning Commodities of the Countrey The chief Commodities of this Countrey are a kind of Amber which some call Liquid Amber which drops from divers of their Trees and is said to be a Commodity very precious and of much use Mastick Sanguis Draconis Gum Anime Sarsaparilla China-Wood and divers other Medicinal Drugs which it affordeth in great plenty The Woods afford a sweet smell and the Trees in the same grow a wonderful heighth The Canes which grow here being a hundred Foot long and proportionably thick serve for Timber There is also a hard Wood call'd Iron-Wood either from its hardness or colour or both which never rots The abundance of Flowers which grow here afford nutriment to innumerable swarms of Bees which are about the bigness of small Flies Their Honey which is somewhat tart they hide in the Roots of Trees or in the Earth Another sort which is made by the Wasps bereaves those that taste of their Senses The noted'st Beast in this Countrey is the Danta Beasts which resembles a Mule hath no Horns but Ash colour'd long Hair short Neck hanging Ears thin Legs with three Claws before and two behind long Head narrow Forehead little Eyes a Nose hanging over its Mouth little Tail sharp Teeth and a Skin which is six Fingers thick and scarce penetrable by any Weapon This Beast is taken in Traps Holes or else with Dogs which he often kills when hunted towards the Water They say that this Beast taught Men first to Let-blood for if it be too full of Blood it pricks it self against a sharp Cane and stops up the Orifice again very carefully The Flesh thereof is good Meat as also that of the Ross-Lyons which in the day-time sleep on a high Tree where they are shot by the Indians The Tygers are much more dangerous to be taken yet the Indians Hunting them eat them in stead of Beef and also through all New Spain The Bears which make the Ways very dangerous to travel have black frizled Hair broad Tails Feet like Mens Hands but since the Indians have made use of Guns which they learn'd from the Spaniards they have much lessen'd the number both of Bears and Tygers There are likewise many Leopards Apes and wild Goats whose Skins serve the Natives for Drums Hogs and Armadillo's Amongst their Fowls are Eagles and Parrots The Countrey is so well stor'd with Water that in three Leagues space are above thirty Rivulets and as many Fountains Medicinal Plants On the Mountains grow great quantities of Sarsaparilla Mechoacan and the China-Root which being yellowish hath several Saffron-colour'd Knobs on the top The Sarsaparilla grows with many Stalks creeping along over the Ground the Body thereof is tough and full of Prickles the Leaves broad and sharp at the ends and are of a bluish colour on one side and green on the other and bear Clusters of Flowers which close like Buds and are first green next vermilion-red and lastly blackish within are two hard Stones which inclose a white Kernel by the Indians call'd Juapecanga The Bay Golfo Dulce which pours its muddy Water into the Sea feeds the great Fish Monati and a great number of Crocodiles Several Rivers abounding with Fish fall also into the same having their Banks set all along with Trees in whose Boughs joyn'd together on the top those sort of Birds make their Nests which prey on Fish The Women in this place are much shorter Liv'd than the Men so that there are often thirty Widowers to one Widow Women with Child are Deliver'd by themselves in the High-way and from thence they go to the next River to wash themselves and the Child Places of note As for any Towns or Places of much Traffick or Note inhabited by the Spaniards we find not any nam'd save onely St. Augustines near unto which there is said to be a Cave and Fountain within Ground which converts the Water that falleth into it out of several lesser Springs into a kind of Alabaster or Stone perfectly white and fashions it likewise into Pillars Statues and other artificial Forms of very curious Workmanship as Laet reporteth SECT III. Honduras Situation and Bounds HOnduras hath on the South Guatimala abovesaid on the West a certain Bay or Arm of the Sea which they call Golfo Dulce from the abundance of fresh Waters which run into it from all Parts on the North and North-East the Atlantick Ocean and somewhat to the South-East Nicaragua It contains in length viz. from East to West Coasting along upon the Sea about a hundred and fifty Leagues and in breadth eighty The Countrey is rich both in Corn and Pasturage being said to be very much advantag'd that way by the constant overflowings of the Rivers which are very many about Michaelmass-time and which the People order so well that they water their Gardens and exceedingly fertilize the whole Champain or lower part of the Grounds by them The fruitful Valleys of this Countrey were anciently very well inhabited till vast multitudes of the Natives were destroy'd by the Spaniards Cruelties of which the Bishop Bartholomeo de las Casas in his Letter to the Emperor Charles the Fifth gives this Relation Cruelties of the Spaniards The young Children saith he they murder'd beating out their Brains against the Stones the Kings and Princes of the Countrey they either scorch'd to death or threw them to the Dogs to be torn in pieces the poor People they drove into their Houses and then set them on fire those that remain'd were condemn'd to the greatest slavery imaginable being us'd in stead of Mules and Horses and having greater Burdens laid upon them than they were able to carry insomuch that thousands of them fell down dead under them some out of despair running into the Woods were famish'd after they had kill'd and eat their Wives and Children for Hunger In this one Province onely they massacred above twenty hundred thousand Men and amongst others Persons of Quality which had civilly Entertain'd them nay they tortur'd the poor innocent Natives all the ways they could possibly invent onely to know of them where their Gold lay particularly Diego de Valasco spar'd none that ever fell into his hands insomuch that in a Moneths time above ten thousand were slain by him He hang'd thirteen Noble-men to twelve of whom he gave the Denomination of The twelve Apostles and the chiefest of them he call'd in a derision Jesus Christ Some they suffer'd to starve to death with their Heads
flight up into the Mountain Vilcabamba where he Setling his Successors Reign to this day secur'd from any Invasion by the natural strength of the Place But the Inga Saritopa coming from the fore-mention'd Mountain submitted himself to the Spaniards who allow'd him the Valley Yucay to dwell peaceably in but the rest of the Family of the Inga's that fell into the Hands of the Spaniards were all of them kill'd in Cusco not without great grief of the old Inhabitants to see so antient and noble a Family by which they had been Govern'd in great State for three hundred years together put to death by common Executioners Cusco the Residence of the Peruvian Kings The City Cusco which was the Royal Seat of all the Peruvian Kings was made more splendid than ever before by Guayanacava of whom Augustine de Tarrate describing his Magnificence relates That when his Queen was Deliver'd of a Son who was to succeed in the Throne Guayanacava kept a great Feast for twenty days together and on that day when the Child was to be Nam'd a Golden Chain each Link of which was as big as a Hand and contain'd in all seven hundred Foot in length was carried by twenty Peruvians to the Temple The Manner of the Succession of their Kings The Succession of the Inga's was after this manner The Inga's keeping many Concubines had many Children by them none of which could lay claim to the Peruvian Crown but onely the Son begotten on the Coya or Queen being generally the Kings own Sister whom they accounted lawful for them to Marry as in antient times did the Egyptian Kings Inherited the Realm unless the Inga had a lawful Brother who Inherited before the Son though born of a Coya or if the said Brother had a Son he obtain'd the deceased Uncles Crown before him who in apparence was the elder Heir The same Succession was also observ'd by other Governors which the Peruvians call Curaca's Their Burials and disposal of their Treasure The Burials of their Kings were perform'd with great solemnity and the Treasures which they left behind were bestow'd in building of magnificent Guaha's which were Temples or religious Houses where a kind of solemn Worship was to be perform'd to celebrate the Memory of the Deceased Some part of the Treasure was also distributed amongst the Inga's Servants but the Successor inherited not the least Mite of what his Predecessor had gotten but was forc'd according to an antient Law to build himself a new Palace and purchas'd anew every thing else belonging to it Their Crown Their Crown or Diadem was onely a fine red woollen Coif with a Tassel that hung down over their Foreheads which other meaner Princes wore hanging on their right Ear. Their Coronations Their Coronations were also kept in great Pomp and State the Nobility and Priests coming from all parts of the Countrey to Cusco besides an innumerable multitude of common People The Noblemens Presents to the Inga's consisted chiefly of Gold and Silver Vessels fine Cloth call'd Cumbi all sorts of Sea-shells and stately Plumes of Feathers of inestimable value Thousands of Sheep differing in colour serv'd for Offerings moreover the Chief Priest sacrific'd a Child before the Image of Viracocha on whom with great Reverence he cry'd O great God Viracocha we Offer you this Child that you may keep our Realm in Peace aid us in time of War prosper our Inga in all his Undertakings make him more powerful and greater than any of his Predecessors and grant him wisdom to Govern this vast Countrey Their exact Form of Government No People in the World can be more respective and shew greater Reverence to their Kings than the Peruvians for there were never any heard of in this Countrey that ever Rebell'd against their Prince the reason of which was chiefly because they always Govern'd with great Justice and Mildness placing Governors over the respective Countreys and Provinces according to their several Divisions greater or lesser with subordinate Power one under another so that they Rul'd with great strictness punishing with Death both Drunkenness and Theft Moreover the Ingas observ'd a prudent way in Government viz. They kept their Subjects continually employ'd The ordinary sort of Persons of subdu'd Provinces were sent to remote Countreys and the Governors thereof kept at the Court in Cusco and Princes Descended of the Royal Blood sent in their Places to Govern the new gotten Dominions they divided the Inhabitants into Companies plac'd one to Command over ten another over a hundred and a greater Officer over a thousand and at last a Prefect or Major-General over ten thousand every one of which Officers were to bring in an Account every Week to the supream Governor who was always of the Inga's Family what Men dy'd of their number or how many were born a present Estimate of every ones Stock in Cattel or otherwise and all remarkable Transactions that hapned On the high Feast-day they were all to appear at Court and to bring in the Revenues gather'd out of their Substitute Countreys The main Division of the Countrey was into four grand Provinces call'd Tahucantinsuyos according to the four Ways that went from Cusco through the whole Realm viz. Chinchasuyo towards the North Coclasuyo towards the South Andesuyo towards the East and Condesuyo towards the West The Collectors were divided into Hanansayos Upper-Collectors and Urinsayos or Under-Collectors The Quipocomayos or Accomptants could â—ast up exactly with Buttons not onely what every Province but also what each Man was to pay and that according to the ability of the Countrey and Person Their stately Structures Many were the stately Temples invincible Castles magnificent Palaces and other wonderful Structures built by the Ingas the chiefest whereof stood in Cusco Tiaguanaco and Tambo the Builders whereof were sent for by turns out of the adjacent Countreys from which they brought exceeding great Stones most of them thirty eight Foot long eighteen broad and six thick which were so neatly joyn'd together with Mortar or Iron-work that a whole Edifice seem'd to be one entire Stone Their Bridges that led cross the Rivers were made of Flags and Rushes fastned to each Shore with great Ropes The like Bridge lay cross the deep Mouth of the Lake Chicuito on which great Bundles of the Rushes Toto being ty'd together and cover'd with Straw so strengthen'd the Bridge that great Loads were safely carried over the same The great Riches of the Ingas No Prince ever possess'd so much Riches and Splendor as an Inga of Peru each Countrey presenting him with what was most esteem'd amongst them the Chiches bringing Sweet-woods the Lucanas strong Sedan-Carriers the Chumbibilcas brave Dancers and so accordingly every Countrey provided him with what they best esteem'd besides the usual Tributes which they paid Those which digg'd the Gold and Silver out of the Mines had Meat Drink and Clothing from the Inga though at other times he enjoy'd
and shooting Bullets through the lower Region causes Thunder and Lightning They worshipp'd him after the same manner as they did Viracocha and the Sun with holding up of a thing like a Glove and sometimes Offering especially in Cusco living Children Also they ador'd the Earth of which they made the Goddess Bathamama also Mamacocha the God of the Sea The Rainbowe which the Ingas carried between two Serpents for their Arms was also religiously worshipp'd Amongst the Stars they imagin'd Colca by us call'd Aries or the Ram as chief yet held several others of peculiar Denomination in veneration of which they crav'd such things as they wanted The Shepherds ador'd the Star Nereuchilla or Capricorn whom they judge to Rule over the Beasts Others worshipp'd Machacuay which the European Astronomers call the Serpent as commanding Serpents and Dragons that they might receive no hurt from them Tygers Lyons and Bears were Rul'd by the Star Chuquichinchag wherefore those who would walk free from those ravenous Beasts lifted up folded Hands to the Constellations representing the same They believ'd that there was no Creature living on Earth whose Likeness the Heavens could not afford and that those which were on Earth were under the influence of those in Heaven from hence proceeded the Names of the Stars Chacana Topatatca Mamana Mirma and others They likewise attributed a kind of Divinity to Fountains Rivers Rocks Mountains some kinds of Herbs Roots and especially the Papas of a strange shape and had a veneration for all manner of Creatures that were of an unusual form When they travell'd they strew'd Shoes Plumes of Feathers and Cocoa in all cross Ways and tops of Hills by them call'd Apachitas and if they want the fore-mention'd things then they throw a Stone for an Offering from whence it proceeds that in all cross Ways and on the tops of Hills lie heaps of Stones which are accounted holy The like fond veneration of Stones the Saracens are said antiently to have had upon a Tradition That Abraham had enjoy'd Agar upon a Stone and that according to Euthymius and Libanius he ty'd his Cammel to a Stone when he went to Offer his Son Isaac The Images of their deceased Ingas which they call'd Guaoiqui were had in great honor and carried with them to the Wars and up and down in Processionings and call'd upon for fruitful Seasons The Peruvians believ'd the Immortality of the Soul The Immortality of the Soul the giving of Punishments to the Wicked and of Rewards to those that do well was generally believ'd amongst the Peruvians but not the Resurrection of the Dead Many suffer'd themselves to be buried with their Friends that they might accompany them to the other World When the Inga Guaynacava was buried above a thousand of his Courtiers Sung several Songs kept a great Feast and went with great joy to be buried with him that so they might serve their King on the other side of the Mountains They Offer'd likewise a great number of Children and with their Blood cross'd their Faces from one Ear to another But this barbarous Offering was never us'd but at the Death of prime Persons of Quality for the meaner sort of People set onely Meat on the Graves and gave the Dead two Sutes of Apparel put Money in their Mouthes and Hands for they believ'd that the Souls ranging up and down from place to place suffer'd many inconveniences Their Oracle The Peruvian Images consisted generally of Gold Silver Stone or Wood all of them strangely deform'd Some of them were said to give Responces like the Oracle at Delphos and Dodona chiefly in the Temple Pacachama whose greatness is sufficiently manifest by the Ruines of its Walls beyond Lima where Franciscus Pizarrus got an invaluable Treasure Each Peruvian Province had a Temple besides which in the Cities Villages and Hamlets were Chappels of Ease into which the Priests went at Night with their Backs towards the Idol bended Heads and Bodies in which posture they requested to know future Events and were many times answer'd if we may believe their Reports in a terrible Voice The great Temple at Cusco wherein the Ingas had plac'd all the Peruvian Idols is now turn'd into a Dominican Cloyster In each Province of Peru was also a Nunnery if we may so term it or Habitation of devoted Virgins call'd Allaguau ie A House of the Choicest Their Nunneries over which was plac'd a Governor nam'd Appopanaca to whom none durst deny their Daughters some of which were styl'd Wives of the Sun and others Servant-Maids to the same The Wives Cloth'd in Embroyder'd Coats adorn'd the Temple whilest the Maids kept clean the Walls and Floor When they attain'd to fourteen Years of Age some were chosen out from the rest and oblig'd to perpetual Virginity and solitude of Life in their Chappels which sacred Obligation if they broke by suffering any to Lie with them they were buried alive after the manner of the Vestal Virgins the Ceremony whereof is related by Plutarch Others were oblig'd to make daily Offerings others to make peculiar Sacrifices for the Inga's Health and happy Events in War many also were employ'd in the Court-Service to wait upon the Inga's Wife or Concubines and those being absolv'd from their Vow were oft-times Married to Courtiers These Nunneries were Endow'd with great Revenues from the Chacaras Their Offerings or Church-Lands Their Offerings were for sometimes they Offer'd to their Idols the highly esteem'd Herb Cocoa Maiz several colour'd Plumes Sea-Monsters Gold and Silver Images of Beasts fine Clothes call'd Cumbi Sweet-wood and Tallow to burn either to have success in their Journeys Trades or for the preservation of Health or to obtain a plentiful Harvest But their usual Offerings were Cuces a sort of Toads which were eaten by the Peruvians When they were to do any Business of consequence then Persons of Quality kill'd their Sheep Pacos not without strange observation of the colour and number of them as also of the time all which things well consider'd they took the Sheep and laid it cross their right Arm turn'd the Face thereof towards the Sun and mutter'd several words to themselves according to the colour for if it was spotted grey they spoke to Chuquilla or Thunder if white and short Fleec'd to the Sun if well Fleec'd to Viracocha In Cusco they Offer'd daily a short-fleec'd Sheep to the Sun in this manner Making a great Fire call'd Vibbacaronca the Priests threw the Sheep and four Baskets of Cocoa into it Their Sacrifices Cozocovicca and Sapovicca to obtain Conquests were also very strange for they gather'd out of Puna which is a desolate place several sorts of Brambles and Bushes nam'd Ganilli which being all set on fire they went about the Fire with round Stones in their Hands on which were painted Serpents Lyons Toads and Tygers crying Usachum grant us Conquest together with this Prayer Destroy O Creator the power of our Enemies Gods which said several starv'd Sheep were
shot the stoutest Sachem amongst the Indians as he was reaching an Arrow from his Quiver which the rest seeing fled into the Woods and Thickets The same Year the Merchant-Advenurers in England sent forth store of Servants to provide against the Wants of that place amongst whom came over a mix'd Multitude who setled themselves in the Bosom of the Cape now call'd Gloucester About the Year 1651. there fled to the English at Water-town the Indians that dwelt thereabouts for protection against the Tarratines a sort of cruel and salvage Cannibals by whom near the Town of Saugust in the very dead time of the Night one Lieutenant Walker being on a sudden alarm'd was shot through his Coat and Buff Jacket with two Indian Arrows That Night the English stood upon their Guard and the next Morning sent word to other parts who gather'd together and taking counsel how to quit themselves of these Indians agreed to discharge their great Guns whose redoubled noise ratling in the Rocks struck terror into the Indians and caus'd them to betake themselves to flight The Autumn following others of the Indians who till then had held a good correspondence with the Planters began to quarrel about the Bounds of their Land but a great Mortality by the raging of the Small-Pox breaking out amongst them put an end to that Controversie There died amongst the rest one of the chief of the Sagamores of the Mattachusets call'd Sagamore John who before his Death had been instructed in the Christian Faith and took care that his two Sons should be nurtur'd therein In the Year 1635. there arrived several Ships with great plenty of Provisions and many Persons of good Quality and amongst the rest Sir Henry Vane The same Year the People of Cambridge otherwise call'd New-town hearing of a fertile place upon the River Canectico remov'd thither and erected anew Corporation by the Name of Banectico being encourag'd thereunto by the Lord Say and the Lord Brooks and planting a Forrest at the mouth of the River call'd it Saybrook Forrest About the Year 1638. the Pequods a stout and Warlike Nation lying to the South-West of the Mattachusets were discover'd upon their March within some few Miles of Hartford Their coming very much terrifi'd all that inhabited thereabouts but they took onely three Women and return'd one of whom making a violent resistance had her Brains beaten out the other two they carried away with them without abusing their Persons as it was suppos'd they would for they esteem'd their own Shaws being black beyond our Women Their chief Design was to learn to make Gunpowder which seeing they could not effect they look'd upon their Prize as nothing so precious as they imagin'd A little after another Indian War threatning the English they resolv'd together to send an Ambassador to Cannonicus chief Sachem of the Naragansits endeavoring to prevent him from confederating with the Pequods who as they had Intelligence were about sending to him to joyn with them Cannonicus being grown old had resign'd the Government to his Nephew Mantinemo a stern Man and of a cruel Nature The Ambassadors arriving at his Court which was about eighty Miles from Boston the Indian Prince assembled his chief Councellors and having Entertain'd the Ambassadors Magnificently and Feasted them Royally gave them Audience in his State-house where the Sachem to manifest his greater State lay along upon the Ground with all his Nobility sitting about him with their Legs doubled up and their Knees touching their Chin The English Interpreter having made his Speech in the Name of the rest both Cannonicus and the young King gave discreet Answers signifying their Resolutions to keep a fair Correspondence with the English and yet not to fall out with the Pequods Who a little after making also their Addresses to the same King he disswaded them by many Reasons from making War with the English and to deliver into their hands those Persons that had murther'd any of them The Pequods nevertheless though they seem'd inclinable to his Counsel yet they acted as Enemies for when the English sent a Company of Soldiers into their Countrey to treat with them about delivering up the Murtherers they made shew of willingness but spying their advantage betook themselves to their Heels and whomsoever they took stragling by surprise they revil'd and insulted over in a most cruel manner vilifying the Christian Religion and uttering all the Blasphemies they could invent Whereupon they rais'd fresh Souldiers for the War to the number of four score out of the several Towns in the Mattachusets and with some Indian Guides came to their Fort within which they had pitch'd their Wigwams the Entrance being on two sides with intricate Meanders to enter at which were plac'd Indian Bowe-men who shot the foremost of the English yet they had little to boast of in the end for the English rushing in through the winding Ways and placing themselves round the Wigwams made a very prosperous Shot by directing the Muzzles of their Musquets against the Indians which lay sleeping on the Ground In the midst of which rouzing terror and confusion they were defeated with little ado most of them being either wounded kill'd or taken The English thus animated with the first Victory send their Prisoners to the Pinnaces and prosecute the War in Hand marching against the next Body of the Indians which lay Encamp'd on a Hill about two Miles distant where they gave them a second Overthrow slaying many more than in the first Engagement the rest flying to a very thick inaccessible Swamp or Bog were there besieg'd by the English and skulking up and down as they saw their opportunity they would Shoot at them with their Arrows and then suddenly fall flat along in the Water at last the English finding out a Passage into the Swamp utterly defeated them and put an end to the War with the loss of few Mens Lives and not many wounded In the Year 1640. there came over a fresh Supply of People into New England and finding no place to settle in within any of the former erected Colonies they repair'd to a place call'd Long Island sever'd from the Continent of New-Haven about sixty Miles off the Sea The Year following the four Colonies namely the Massachusets Plymouth Canectico and New-Haven taking into consideration the many Nations that were on all sides of them as the French Dutch Jews and native Indians as also how the three first went to lay claim to Lands they never had any right to and the last to be continually quarrelling and contending where they saw any hopes of prevailing by Commissioners chosen from the respective Colonies concluded a firm Confederation to assist each other in all just and lawful Wars upon which there came in certain Indian Sachems as Pomham Miantonemo Soccanocoh and Uncas who not onely submitted to the English Government but also if occasion were in matters of Controversie submitted to their Arbitration But the Contest between
Miantonemo and Uncas was too hot to be appeas'd though the English were not wanting to interpose unless by the Blood of one of them as will appear by the Consequence Uncas was a Prince of For whose Life Miantonemo though a much more potent Prince sought to take away by treachery hiring a young Man of the Pequod Nation to murther him as the following Story renders suspected for one dark Evening this Sachem passing from one Wigwam to another was Shot through the Arm with an Arrow but recovering the Palace had the Arrow pull'd out and his Arm cur'd the young Man that was suspected being examin'd how he came by that great store of Wampompeage which was found about him and being able to give no good account it increas'd the suspicion and induc'd Uncas to complain to the English at a General Court held at Boston Whereupon the young Man was Examin'd in the presence of Miantonemo who came thither with his Attendants but the young Man tutor'd as suppos'd by Miantonemo pretended that Uncas had enjoyn'd him to feign that he was hir'd by Miantonemo to kill him To which Tale of his little belief being given it was concluded upon farther Examination of him in private that he had done the Fact nevertheless they let him depart with Miantonemo advising him to send him home to Uncas but he in stead of returning him cut off his Head and forthwith gather'd an Army of a thousand Men to fight with Uncas who met him with half the Men the Battel being joyn'd the Narragansets though the far greater multitude were beaten by the Wawhiggins through the Valour of Uncas their Prince who perfected his Victory by possessing himself of the Person of Miantonemo whom having put his Life-guard to flight he carried away with him in triumph to the Town of Hartford desiring to have the advice of the United Colonies what to do with his Prisoner Whereupon the Commissioners having had sufficient proof of Miantonemo's treachery towards this Prince advis'd Uncas to put him to death but not to exercise that barbarous kind of cruelty which is usual amongst them in these Cases The Sachem upon this advice not long after pretended to remove him to a safer place but by the Way caus'd him to be Executed His Subjects and Kindred were troubled at his Death but the little Princes his Neighbors over whom he had tyranniz'd rather rejoyc'd In the Year 1645. the Sons of old Canonnicus their Father being dead began to fall into hot Contentions with their Neighbors and being forbidden by the United Colonies they did not stick to threaten Wars to the English also Whereupon the Commissioners rais'd an Army of Horse and Foot and made Major General Edward Gibbons Commander in Chief over them But the Indians hearing of this Preparation sent some of their chief Nobility to the Commissioners of the United Colonies who were assembled at Boston to Treat about Peace to which the Commissioners agreed upon condition they should pay a part of the Charges of the War and that they should send four of their Sons for Hostages till the Sum was paid and the Hostages being sent back before the Wapom was all paid the two Princes Pesicus and Mexanimo upon the sending a Company of Armed Men to demand it sent the remainder of the Money In the Year 1647. divers Persons of Quality ventur'd their Estates upon an Iron Mill which they began at Braintree but it profited the Owners little rather wasting their Stock the price of Labor in matters of that nature being double or treble to what it is in England These are the most material Transactions we find deliver'd by any one which hapned from the first discovery till the Year before mention'd what hath hapned from that time to this chiefly relates to the several Revolutions that have been in England and shall be therefore taken notice of when we come to speak of the Government of these Plantations The Commodities of this Countrey together with the Trees and other sorts of Plants Though there are who having remain'd some time and been concern'd in those Parts affirm the Soil of New England to be nothing so fruitful as it is believ'd and commonly deliver'd to be yet we think it not improper to give a brief account of the Trees and other Plants also the Beasts Birds Fishes and other Commodities which most Writers will have to be the production of this Countrey especially since we find them compactly summ'd up by an unknown Writer in the Language of the Muses The recital of the Plants and Trees which excepting the Cedar Sassafras and Dyers Sumach are all of the same kind with those that grow in Europe onely differing in nature according as the Epithets of many of them declare is as follows Trees both in Hills and Plains in plenty be The long-liv'd Oak and mournful Cypress Tree Skie-towring Pines and Chesnuts coated rough The lasting Cedar with the Walnut tough The Rozen-dropping Fir for Mast in use The Boat-men seek for Oars light neat grown Sprewse The brittle Ash the ever-trembling Asps The broad-spread Elm whose Concave harbors Wasps The Water-spungy Alder good for nought Small Eldern by the Indian Fletchers sought The knotty Maple pallid Birch Hawthorns The Horn-bound Tree that to be cloven scorns Which from the tender Vine oft takes his Spouse Who twines embracing Arms about his Boughs Within this Indian Orchard Fruits be some The ruddy Cherry and the jetty Plumb Snake-murthering Hazle with sweet Saxafrage Whose Leaves in Beer allay hot Feavers rage The Dyers Shumach with more Trees there be That are both good to use and rare to see The Beasts peculiar to this Countrey are the Moose Beasts the Rackoon and the Musquash the two first Land-Animals the last Amphibious which with others common to them with us are thus versifi'd by the abovesaid Author The Kingly Lyon and the strong-arm'd Bear The large limb'd Mooses with the tripping Deer Quill-darting Porcupines that Rackoons be Castled i th' hollow of an aged Tree The skipping Squirrel Rabbet purblind Hare Immured in the self-same Castle are Lest red-ey'd Ferrets wily Foxes should Them undermine if Ramper'd but with Mold The grim-fac'd Ounce and rav'nous howling Wolf Whose meagre Paunch sucks like a swallowing Gulph Black glittering Otters and rich Coated Beaver The Civet-scented Musquash smelling ever Of such of these as are altogether unknown to us take these brief Descriptions The Beast call'd a Moose The Moose is not much unlike red Deer and is as big as an Ox slow of Foot Headed like a Buck with a broad Beam some being two Yards wide in the Head their flesh is as good as Beef their Hides good for Clothing if these were kept tame and accustom'd to the Yoke they would be a great Commodity First because they are so fruitful bringing forth three at a time being likewise very uberous Secondly because they will live in Winter without any Fodder There are not many of these in
and Beaver Skins sew'd together others Otter Skins and Rackoon Skins most of them in the Winter having his deep Furr'd Cat Skin like a large Muff which he shifts to that Arm which lieth most expos'd to the Wind. Although they are poor yet is there in them the sparks of natural Pride which appears in their longing desire after many kind of Ornaments wearing Pendants in their Ears in form of Birds Beasts and Fishes Carv'd out of Bone Shells and Stone with long Bracelets of their curious wrought Wampompeage and Mowhackees which they put about their Necks and Loins these they count a rare kind of Decking many of the better sort bearing upon their Cheeks certain Pourtraitures of Beasts as Bears Deers Mooses Wolves c. some of Fowls as of Eagles Hawks c. which is not a superficial Painting but a certain Incision or else a raising of their Skin by a small sharp Instrument under which they convey a certain kind of black unchangeable Ink which makes the desir'd form apparent and permanent Others have certain round Impressions down the outside of their Arms and Breasts in form of Mullets or Spur-rowels which they imprint by searing Irons Wâ—ether these be Foils to illustrate their unparallel'd Beauty as they deem it or Arms to blazon their antique Gentility cannot easily be determin'd But a Segamore with a Humbird in his Ear for a Pendant a black Hawk on his Head for his Plume Mowhackees for his Gold Chain good store of Wampompeage begirting his Loins his Bowe in his Hand his Quiver at his Back with six naked Indian Lacquies at his Heels for his Guard thinks himself little Inferior to the great Cham. Their Diet Cookery Meal-times and Hospitality at their Kettles In Winter time they have all manner of Fowls and Beasts of the Land and Water Pond-fish with Cathaires and other Roots Indian Beans and Clamms in the Summer they have all manner of Sea-fish with all sorts of Berries For the ordering of their Victuals they Boil or Roast them having large Kettles which they Traded for with the French long since and do still buy of the English as their need requires before they had substantial Earthen Pots of their own making Their Spits are no other than cloven Sticks sharpen'd at one end to thrust into the ground into these cloven Sticks they thrust the Flesh or Fish they would have Roasted behemming a round fire with a dozen of Spits at a time turning them as they see occasion They seldom or never make Bread of their Indian Corn but seethe it whole like Beans eating three or four Corns with a mouthful of Fish or Flesh sometimes eating Meat first and Corns after filling the Chinks with their Broth. In Summer when their Corn is spent Sqoutersquashes is their best Bread a Fruit like a young Pumpion But as all are fellows at Foot-ball so they all meet Friends at the Kettle saving their Wives that Dance a Spaniel-like attendance at their Backs for their Fragments If their occasions cause them to Travel the best of their Victuals for their Journey is Nocake as they call it which is nothing but Indian Corn parch'd in the hot Ashes the Ashes being sifted from it it is afterwards beaten to Powder and put into a long Leathern Bag truss'd at their Back like a Knapsack out of which they take thrice three Spoonfuls a day dividing it into three Meals If it be Winter and Snow be on the ground they can eat when they please making use of Snow for their Drink in Summer they must stay till they meet with a Spring or Brook with this strange viaticum they will travel four or five days together They keep no Set-Meals their Store being spent they champ on the Bit till they meet with fresh Supplies either from their own endeavors or their Wives industry who trudge to the Clam-banks when all other means fail Though they are sometimes scanted yet are they as free as Emperors both to their Countreymen and English be he stranger or near acquaintance counting it a great discourtesie not to eat of their high-conceited Delicates Of their hardiness Their hardiness is much to be admir'd no ordinary pains making them so much as alter their countenance beat them whip them punch them if they put on a resolution they will not winch for it whether it be their benumm'd insensibleness of smart or their hardy resolutions is hard to resolve It might be a Perillus his Bull or the Rack might force an out-cry from them but a Turkish drubbing would not move them the unexpected approach of a mortal Wound by a Bullet Arrow or Sword striking no more terror nor causing no more exclamation in them than if it had been a shot into the body of a Tree such Wounds as would be sudden death to an English Man would be nothing to them whether it be that by their rare skill in the use of Vegetatives or by Diabolical Charms they cure them nevertheless the very name and thoughts of death is so hideous to them or any thing that presents it so terrible that a hundred of them will run from two or three arm'd with Guns In the Night they need not to be feared for they will not budge from their own Dwellings for fear of their Abamacho the Devil whom they much fear specially in evil enterprizes they will rather lie by an English fire than go a quarter of a Mile in the dark to their own Dwellings but they are well freed from this Scare-crow since the coming of the English and less care for his delusions Of their Kings Government and Subjects obedience Now for the matter of Government amongst them it is the custom of their Kings to inherit the Son always taking the Kingdom after his Fathers death If there be no Son then the Queen rules if no Queen the next to the Blood-Royal who comes in otherwise is but counted an usurping Intruder if his fair carriage bear him not out the better they will soon Unscepter him Some say the chief Powahe is next in Dignity and Authority to the King and when he dies Marries the Squasachem or Queen The Kings have no Laws to Command by nor have they any annual Revenues yet commonly are they so either fear'd or belov'd that half their Subjects estate is at their Service and their Persons at his Command by which Command he is better known than by any thing else for though he hath no Kingly Robes to make him glorious in the view of his Subjects nor daily Guards to succor his Person nor Court-like attendance nor sumptuous Palaces yet do they yield all submissive subjection to him accounting him their Soveraign going at his Command and coming at his Beck not so much as expostulating the cause though it be in matters thwarting their wills he being accounted a disloyal Subject that will not effect what his Prince Commands Whosoever is known to Plot Treason or to lay violent hands
an Ell long and three quarters broad between their Legs so that a square piece hangs behind below his Back and another before over his Belly The Women wear a Coat which comes half way down their Legs so curiously wrought with Sea-shells that one Coat sometimes costs thirty Pounds Moreover their Bodies are cover'd with Deer-skins the lappets or ends of which hang full of Points a large Skin button'd on the right Shoulder and ty'd about the middle serves for an upper Garment and in the Night for a Blanket Both Men and Women go for the most part bare-headed the Women tie their Hair behind in a tuft over which they wear a square Cap wrought with Sea-shells with which they adorn their Foreheads and also wear the same about their Neck and Hands and some also about their middle Before the Hollanders were Planted here they wore Shoes and Stockings of Buffelo's-skins some likewise made Shoes of Wheaten-straw but of late they come nearer to our Fashions The Men Paint their Faces with several Colours the Women only put here and there a black Spot both of them are very reserv'd Their houses Their Houses are most of them built of one fashion onely differing in length all of them agree in breadth of twenty Foot They build after this manner they set Peel'd Boughs of Nut-Trees in the ground according to the bigness of the place which they intend to build then joyning the tops of the Boughs together they cover the Walls and top with the Bark of Cypress Ashen and Chest-nut-Trees which are laid one upon another the smallest side being turn'd inwards according to the bigness of the Houses several Families to the number of fifteen dwell together every one having his Apartment Their Fortifications are most of them built on steep Hills near Rivers the access to them is onely at one place they are built after this manner They set great Poles in the Ground with Oaken Pallisadoes on each side cross-ways one amongst another between the crosses they set other Trees to strengthen the Work Within this inclos'd they generally build twenty or thirty Houses of which some are a hundred and eighty Foot long and some less all of them full of People In the Summer they pitch Tents along by the River side to Fish against Winter they remove into the Woods Romove to be near their Game of Hunting and also Fuel Many Wives To take many Women is not customary here only amongst Military Officers who Marry three or four Wives which so well agree that there is never any difference betwixt them those that are not of Age never Marry but with the consent and advice of their Parents Widows and unmarry'd Men follow their own opinion and choice only they take Cognizance of their Estates and Extraction The Bridegroom always presents the Bride for the least offence the Man after having soundly beaten his Wife turns her out of Doors and Marries another insomuch Marriages that some of them have every year a new Wife On breach of Marriage the Children follow the Mother from whom they account their Generation They account Adultery if committed under the bare Canopy of Heaven a great Sin Whoring is Licenc'd to single Women if they receive Money for it Whoring permitted and no Man scruples to Marry them nay those that are Marry'd boast how many they have enjoy'd before their Marriage She that is inclin'd to Marry Strange Marrying covers her whole body and sets her self wrapt up in the middle of the way where a Batchelor passing by sees her and makes up the Match blindfold When impregnated they take great care that their Fruit receives no hindrance nor prejudice Child-bearing Womens strange actions When the time of their Delivery approaches which they know exactly they go to a Melancholly place in the Woods though in the coldest Weather where they raise up a Hut of Mats and bring the Child into the World without any help or Company wash the Child in cold Water and wrap it up in Mats then a few days after going home they bring up the Infant with great care none putting them out to Nurse So long as a Woman gives suck or is quick with Child she will not admit of Copulation one who hath the Flowers never comes abroad In time of sickness they faithfully assist one another When any die Funerals the nearest Relations shut their Eyes and after having watch'd them some days they are Interr'd after this manner The Corps is plac'd sitting with a Stone under its Head near it they set a Pot Kettle Dish Spoons Money and Provisions to use in the other World then they pile Wood round about it and cover it over with Planks on which throwing Earth and Stones they set Pallisadoes and make the Grave like a House to which they shew Veneration wherefore they account it a great piece of villany to deface any thing of it The Men make no shew of sorrow over the Dead but the Women mourn exceedingly and carry themselves very strangely beating their Breasts scratching their Faces and calling night and day on the name of the Deceas'd The Mothers make great Lamentation at the Death of their Children Mourning over the dead remarkable especially Sons for they shave off the Hair of their Heads which at the Funeral is burnt in the presence of all their Relations which is also perform'd by the Women when their Husbands die besides they black all their Faces and putting on a Hart-skin Shirt mourn a whole year notwithstanding they liv'd very contentiously together On some occasions they go a Worshipping of the Devil Conjurers to a certain place where the Sorcerers shew strange Feats of Activity tumbling over and over beating themselves and hot without great noise leaping in and about a great Fire at last they make a great Cry all together upon which as they say the Devil appears to them in the shape either of a tame or wild Beast the first signifies bad and the other good fortune both inform them of future Events though darkly and if the business fall out contrary they affirm that they have not rightly understood the Devil's meaning Moreover they bewitch some in such a manner that they foam at the Mouth throw themselves into the Fire and beat themselves severely and so soon as they whisper in the Ear of those whom they have bewitch'd they immediately recover their former health Language of the New Netherlanders The Language of this Countrey is very various yet it is divided into onely four principal Tongues as the Manhattans Wappanoo Siavanoo and Minqua's which are very difficult for Strangers to learn because they are spoken without any Grounds or Rules Their Money is made of the innermost Shells of a certain Shell-fish Money cast up twice a year by the Sea These Shells they grind smooth and make a Hole in the middle cutting them of an exact bigness and so put them
and of his being deliver'd from Death by his Daughter Pocahonta THe Salvages having drawn from one George Cassen whither Captain Smith was gone prosecuting that opportunity they follow'd him with three hundred Bowe-Men conducted by the King of Pamaunkee who in divisions searching the turnings of the River found two of his Men by the fire side whom they shot full of Arrows and slew Then finding the Captain who as is said us'd the Salvage that was his Guide as his Shield three of them being slain and others sore gall'd the rest would not come near him Thinking thus to have return'd to his Boat regarding them as he march'd more than his way he slipp'd up to the middle in an Osier-Creek and his Salvage-with him yet durst they not come to him till being near dead with cold he threw away his Arms Then according to their composition they drew him forth and led him to the Fire where his Men were slain diligently they chaf'd his benumm'd Limbs he demanding for their Captain they shew'd him Opechankanough King of Pamaunkee to whom he gave a round Ivory double compass Dyal Much they marvel'd at the playing of the Fly and Needle which they could see so plainly and yet not touch it because of the Glass that cover'd them but when he demonstrated by that Globe-like Jewel the roundness of the Earth and Skies the Sphere of the Sun Moon and Stars and how the Sun did chase the Night round about the World continually the greatness of the Land and Sea the diversity of Nations variety of Complexions and how we were to them Antipodes and many other such like matters they all stood as amaz'd with admiration Notwithstanding within an hour after they ty'd him to a Tree and as many as could stand about him prepar'd to shoot him but the King holding up the Compass in his Hand they all laid down their Bowes and Arrows and in a triumphant manner led him to Orapaks where he was after their manner kindly Feasted and well us'd Their order in conducting him was thus Drawing themselves all in Fyle the King in the midst had all their Bowes and Swords borne before him Captain Smith was led after him by three great Salvages holding him fast by each Arm and on each side six went in Fyle with their Arrows nocked But arriving at the Town which was but onely thirty or forty Hunting Houses made of Mats which they remove as they please as we our Tents all the Women and Children staring and gazing at him the Souldiers first all in Fyle wheel'd off to the Rear in good Order on each Flank were Officers like Serjeants to see them keep their Postures A good time they continu'd this Exercise and then cast themselves in a Ring Dancing in such several Postures and singing and yelling out such hellish Notes and Screeches being strangely Painted every one his Quiver of Arrows and at his Back a Club on his Arm a Fox or an Otters-skin or some such matter for his vambrace their Heads and Shoulders Painted red with Oyl and Pocones mingled together which Scarlet-like colour made an exceeding handsome show his Bowe in his Hand and the Skin of a Bird with her Wings abroad dry'd ty'd on his Head a piece of Copper a white Shell a long Feather with a small Rattle growing at the Tails of their Snaks ty'd to it or some such like Toy All this while Smith and the King stood in the midst guarded as before is said and after three Dances they all departed Smith they conducted to a long House where thirty or forty tall Fellows did guard him and e're long more Bread and Venison was brought him than would have serv'd twenty Men I think his Stomack at that time was not very good what he left they put in Baskets and ty'd over his Head About midnight they set the Meat again before him all this time none of them would eat a bit with him till the next Morning they brought him as much more and then did they eat all the old and reserv'd the new as they had done the other which made him think they would feed him for slaughter Yet in this desperate estate to fend him from the cold one Maocassater brought him his Gown in requital of some Beads and Toys Smith had given him at his first arrival in Virginia Two days after a man would have slain him but that the Guard prevented it for the death of his Son to whom they conducted him to recover the poor man then breathing his last Smith told them that at James-Town he had a Water would do it if they would let him fetch it but they would not permit that but made all the preparations they could to assault James-Town craving his advice and for recompence he should have Life Liberty Land and Women In part of a Table-book he writ his mind to them at the Fort what was intended how they should follow that direction to affright the messengers and without fail send him such things as he writ for and an Inventory with them The difficulty and danger he told the Salvages of the Mines great Guns and other Engines exceedingly affrighted them yet according to his Request they went to James-Town in as bitter weather as could be of Frost and Snow and within three days return'd with an Answer But when they came to James-Town seeing Men sally out as he had told them they would they fled yet in the night they came again to the same place where he had told them they should receive answer and such things as he had promis'd them which they found accordingly and with which they return'd with no small expedition to the wonder of them all supposing that he could either Divine or the Paper could speak then they led him to the Youthtanunds the Mattapanients the Payankatanks the Nantaughtacunds and Onawmanients upon the Rivers of Rapahanock and Patawomek through intricate ways and back again by divers other several Nations to the Kings Habitation at Pamaunkee where they entertain'd him with most strange and fearful Conjurations Not long after early in the Morning a great fire was made in a long House and a Mat spread on each side thereof on the one they caus'd him to sit and all the Guard went out of the House and presently there came skipping in a great grim Fellow all Painted over with Coal mingled with Oyl and many Snakes and Wesels skins stuff'd with Moss and all their Tails ty'd together so as they met on the Crown of his Head in a Tassel and round about the Tassel was a Coronet of Feathers the Skins hanging round about his Head Back and Shoulders and in a manner cover'd his Face with a hellish voice and a Rattle in his Hand With most strange gestures and passions he began his Invocation and environ'd the fire with a Circle of Meal which done three more such like Devils came rushing in with the like antique Tricks Painted half black half red
the help of the Master of their diabolical Art and though they escap'd themselves yet their Wives and Children were all put to death upon the King's Command Soon after which appear'd a mighty Comet or blazing Starfor a whole year together the great Temple Cu was set on Fire and burnt to the Ground none knew how the Water which was thrown on the same to quench it burnt like Brimstone in the Skie appear'd three fiery Heads at noon-day and out of a long Tail shot Sparks on the Earth the Laguna between Mexico and Texcuco began to swell into a Tide which turn'd some Houses topsie-turvy a shrill Voice was heard in the Night crying on the Water Children your ruine is at hand whither shall I carry you that you may not be lost A miraculous Story of a Bird. No less strange is what d' Acosta relates of a Bird presented to Muteczuma not unlike a Crane which the Fishermen had taken on the Laguna on the shining Forehead of which there appear'd the resemblance of two Armies Engag'd and one defeated by the other and that whilst the Sages call'd to interpret the meaning hereof sat in Consultation the Bird vanish'd Another of a Country-man Moreover there goes a Tradition That a Countrey-man being at his Labor was taken up by an Eagle and carried through the Air into a gloomy Cave where a Man lay fast asleep snoaring when on a sudden he heard a Voice afar off saying Do you know that Man whereupon the Countrey-man taking special notice of the dormant Man knew him by the Royal Apparel to be Mutexuma after which the Voice was heard again saying How soundly doth he sleep the time is coming which provides Punishments for many Crimes burn the Snoarer with the Torch which he holds in his Hands he will feel no pain Not long after he being inform'd hereof and looking on his Thigh found the same burnt to his no small amazement News of the arrival of the the Spanish Fleet. Having now possess'd the Throne fourteen years he receiv'd news of a Fleet and therewith a Draught of the Men and Vessels painted on Cloth This startling him he immediately advis'd with his Council who judg'd it convenient to secure the Coast along the Southern Ocean with strong Watches yet nevertheless Ferdinand Cortesius Landed with five hundred Foot and sixty Horse took the City Potanchanum march'd through the Countrey Sicuchimalar to Tascalleca where they had a sharp Conflict in which the Spaniards were in great danger and had not they had six Field-Pieces with them which did as much affright as hurt the Indians they had without doubt been cut off there In Chiurutecal they were in as much danger for certainly the Spanish Army had been set upon in the Night had not a Woman inform'd them of it Mean while Muteczuma consulted with his Sorcerers to destroy Cortesius by Charms who then was marching through Chalco whereupon a considerable number of Sorcerers went thither to the top of a high Mountain where as they were beginning their Incantations and Charms their Idol Tezcalipuca appear'd to them and in an angry manner told them That Monteczuma should lose his Crown and Life and to confirm his words he shew'd them a dreadful spectacle for looking about they saw the City in a light flame This being told to Muteczuma he resolv'd to make himself as secure as he could and went to meet Cortesius with costly Presents delivering him the Crown in the presence of all his Council to which purpose he took one Marina experienc'd in the Castilian Tongue with him for his Interpreter all things then seeming to end in Friendship But they continu'd not long in that state for Cortesius whose whole Design was to bring Mexico under the Spaniards Subjection not long after accus'd Muteczuma that Coalcopoca had on his Commands storm'd the new Spanish City Vera Crux which he could no way excuse and notwithstanding Muteczuma deliver'd him Coalcopoca Muteczuma committed to Prison by Cortesius with fifteen of his Nobles Prisoners who were all burnt with green Wood yet he was committed Prisoner to the great discontent of the Mexicans who said That they were now come to a fine pass to be thus fool'd by a few Strangers who had imprison'd their King trampled upon their ancient Images endeavor'd to murther them all and in despite of them brought their mortal Enemies the Tascaltecans and Guazuzingans into Mexico Cortesius marches against Velasquez's Party About this time there were certain Ships come to Vera Crux which was a new Port-Town of this Countrey that the Spaniards had built since their coming thither and had Landed near upon a thousand Men which was an Accident that had like to have spoil'd the Design of Cortesius and all his Company at Mexico these Men being sent by James Velasquez Governor of Cuba expressly against Cortesius and his Men upon pretence that they had acted not conformably to the Commission which they had receiv'd from him and gave him no account of their proceedings which in a great measure was true for it must be confess'd that Cortesius and his Men finding themselves to have fall'n upon an Adventure that was certainly rich and good and having got such footing and interest in the Countrey already by their Success and Victories and chiefly by their Confederacy with so many of the Natives and People of the Countrey revolted to them did almost at first by a general consent renounce their Commission and dependency upon Velasquez and profess'd to act immediately from and for the King of Spain What pretences they had for such a Resolution seemingly at least irregular is not so well known Whatever they were they proceed in it and the whole Company excepting onely some few who yet went along with the rest chuse Cortesius anew for their Commander in chief and appoint likewise by common consent all other Officers of Justice both Civil and Military among themselves and to give the better colour at Court to their Proceedings they send Portocorrero and Monteio two of their Principals into Spain with a rich and noble Present to the Emperor both to make report of the State of the Countrey and to procure immediate Commission from his Majesty to proceed after which they advance towards Mexico as hath been said Velasquez being at Cuba and understanding their Proceedings labor'd to intercept both their Messengers and Present but could not and therefore sent Pamphilius Narvaez with eleven Ships and about nine hundred or a thousand Men to apprehend Cortesius and oppose his Proceedings This hapned about the time that the Differences were but newly calm'd betwixt the Spaniards and the People of Mexico and though it oblig'd Cortesius to leave the City in a wavering and unsetled condition yet he took such order that Muteczuma still remain'd under the Guard of the Spaniards as before assisted with thousands of their Friends of Tlascalla and he himself taking the rest and some few Spaniards
along with him with undaunted courage and resolution marches against Narvaez and such was his good fortune that not onely Narvaez became his Prisoner without much blood-shed but likewise all his Men joyn'd with him in his Design through the favour of the Chancery or supream Court of St. Domingo and by the procurement of the Licentiat Vasquez de Ayllon a Judge of it who was sent with Narvaez to accommodate the Differences With this Recruit Cortesius marches back again to Mexico but at his coming finds things in a very bad condition for the Citizens gather'd together under the Command of one Quicuxtemoc had recourse to Arms and for three days and three Nights vex'd the Spaniards with continual Stormings notwithstanding what-ever Commands they had to the contrary from their imprison'd King who at last looking out of a Window endeavoring to appease them was hurt with a Stone of which he soon after died as they say who would not have the Spaniards thought to have murder'd him as the Mexicans say they did with divers other Noble-men and some of his Children the very Night they fled However it were not long after his Death out of extream necessity and chiefly for want of Victuals the Spaniards were forc'd to leave the City in the night-time and with the loss of four hundred and fifty of their Men who were either slain or taken Prisoners at the passing of a Draw-bridge the rest making a heavy Retreat to their Friends at Tlascalla There is standing at this day in Mexico upon the place where so many of them were kill'd a certain Hermitage which they call Los Martyres or The Hermitage of the Martyrs though but improperly if upon that occasion as one of their own Writers confesses though he alledges no other reason This Retreat of the Spaniards out of Mexico hapned to be upon the tenth of July after mid-night in the Year 1520. which the Spaniards at Mexico call The Doleful Night Nevertheless the undaunted Cortesius being got though with much difficulty and trouble by reason of the pursuit of the Mexicans for a good part of the Way to his sure Friends of Tlascalla neither lost his Courage nor gave over his Resolution of yet gaining Mexico especially the way being now laid open and sufficient occasion given by the Death of Muteczuma and the provocations of the Mexicans themselves to make himself absolute and sole Lord of the Place wherefore having sent for and procur'd a competent Supply of fresh Soldiers from Santo Domingo or Hispaniola Almeria Cuba and other places being in all nine hundred Foot eight hundred Horse and seventeen Pieces of Ordnance he joyns himself with the Auxiliary Forces of Tlascalla which were no less than a hundred thousand Men Arm'd with Bowes and Arrows and with this Army marches again towards Mexico and Besieges it both by Land and Water viz. with the help of thirteen Brigantines or Galliots which he had built upon the Lake and six thousand Canoos or little Boats which his Friends and Confederates had procur'd him By which means and by his Army on Land in a short time he cut off all Provision from the City and after a Siege of full three Months or more and a most stout and obstinate resistance made by the People within in which they are said to have lost above a hundred thousand Men beside those which perish'd by Famine Sickness or otherwise Mexico taken by the Spaniards he took it by Storm upon Tuesday the thirteenth of August 1521. Sackt it first and then burnt it to the Ground yet afterwards he caus'd it to be Re-built again far more Beautiful than at first it was as in due place we shall further see They speak not of above fifty Spaniards slain during the whole Siege six Horses and not many Tlascaltecans In this manner and with so little Charges to the Conqueror there fell to the Crown of Spain the richest and goodliest Kingdom one of them of the whole World viz. the Kingdom of Mexico which the Conquerors presently nam'd New Spain and in reference to which name the Catholick King hath ever since stil'd himself in the plural number Hispaniarum Rex or King of both Spains and all by the Valor Prudence Cortez advanc'd to Honors admirable Resolution and happy Conduct of Cortez who was at first but a private Adventurer in the American Plantations and Discoveries though otherwise a Gentleman of a good Family in Spain born at Medellin in the Country of Estramedura The Emperor Charles the Fifth who was also then King of Spain for his great Services endow'd him deservedly with many great and rich Territories in the Provinces of Tlascalla Mechoacan and other parts thereabouts made him Marquess of the Valley viz. of Guaxata which is his chief Title a rich and flourishing Province of that Countrey Captain General or Commander in Chief of all the Military Forces of New-Spain and General Discoverer of all the Maritime parts and Coasts of America towards the South-Sea assigning him in propriety the twelfth part of whatsoever should be discover'd to him and his Heirs for ever but deny'd him the Government of Mexico out of reason of State though 't is said he much desir'd it Among the famous Havens which lie along the South Sea and Northern Ocean the chiefest is Acapulco before-mention'd The grand Haven Acapulco whither all Merchandize is sent to be transported to China which is above two thousand Leagues distant from thence in which Voyage they generally spend fourteen Months four Sail each of eight hundred Tun appointed for this Trade generally two of them set Sail to China in March and returning in Summer have no sooner drop'd their Anchors but the other two set out from Acapulco from whence the way by Land to Mexico is seventy two Leagues over steep Mountains dangerous Rocks and several Rivers the chiefest whereof are first Del Papagayo or De las Balsas which runs exceeding strong which the Indians cross on bundles of Canes ty'd upon Callabashes Next San Francisco which though the biggest yet hath many shallow places to wade over The Mustichoes are no small Plagues to those that travel this way for their Poysonous Stings are the occasions of many Ulcerated Wounds and oft-times Death it self In this way lies also the Countrey del Valle from which Ferdinand Cortesius receiv'd the Title of Earl PORTUS ACAPULCO The Mouth of the Haven Acapulco gapes a full League North and South and within exceeding large hath a nook call'd Boca Grande where the Ships Ride safe at an Anchor More Easterly appears a Land Inlet by the Spaniards call'd Puerto del Marques secur'd against all Winds near which is the City of San Diego to which belongs a Fort with six Bulwarks lying on a Promontory the main of the City is one large Street consisting of fair and stately Houses and leading directly to the Haven the Church which is of an oblong square hath a high Steeple in the middle
which they made an Idol resembling their Deity Viztipuztli across whose Nose and Forehead they drew a blue Stroke his Head they adorn'd with a Plume of Feathers and in the left Hand plac'd a round Box in the right a crooked Staff like a Serpent and Wings behind on his Shoulders at the appointed Feast-day the Nuns meet before Sun-rising in new white Apparel with Garlands of Maiz about their Heads and Necks which hung down below the left Shoulder their Faces painted with several colours about their Arms hung Parrots Feathers from their Elbows down to their Hands Thus adorn'd they carried the kneaded Idol to a Court where the Youths that inhabited a Cloyster in the same Temple fetching the Idols blue Throne with great Reverence set it down at the lower Step of the Temple at which the People threw Dust on their Heads which was no sooner done but the Boys ran with all speed to the Mountain Chapultepec a League from Mexico whither the Multitude flowing them in manner of Procession made all short Prayers and Offerings there from thence hastening into the Champain Fields Atlacuavaya they perform'd the like Service as before which done they went to the Village Cuyoacan a League farther from whence they came back in all haste with their Idol into Mexico Wherefore this Processioning for its expedition was call'd Ipaina Viztliputli The Idol being brought into the Temple was by four Cords made fast to his Throne hoised up to the Cieling with the noise of Drums and Trumpets whilst the fore-mention'd Youths strow'd the Temple both within and without full of Roses after which the Nuns gave the Boys the resemblances of Bones made of the same Dough with the Idol with which they were to cover the Floor of the Chappel then appear'd the Temple-Priests with Scarfs about their Bodies Garlands on their Heads and Strings with Flowers about their Necks each going in order according to his quality to the place where the Bones lay which being Consecrated with Songs and Dances were religiously worshipp'd for Bones of the Idol after which six of the Priests went down to the Stone Quauxi-calli on which the Prisoners lying upon their Backs had their Hearts pull'd out which being finish'd the Maids and Boys before-mention'd went to meet one another Dancing to the sound of Pipes Drums and Songs which their nearest Relations answering Danc'd round about them whither the whole City and Countrey People all about came flocking in great numbers During this high Feast none upon great Penalties durst eat any other Food but the Cakes made of the same Dough of which the Idol was made neither were they permitted though Children to drink till the Afternoon Lastly the Priest climb'd up to a Chappel strow'd with Roses in which the Idol sitting they disrob'd him broke his holy Arms and Legs into little pieces which they distributed amongst the common People who receiv'd them with great Reverence and with tears in their Eyes imagining they eat the Body of their God for which honour every one paid a tenth part of the Charge which had been spent in this high Feast Then a Priest admonish'd them how they should lead their Lives since they were united with their God which ended they all went to their several Habitations in a wonderful good order from the Temple These Heathens also seem'd to have something of Circumcision and Baptism for they not onely cut off a piece of the Infant 's Ears and privy Members which they Offer'd to their Idols but also wash'd them as soon as they came into the World putting into their Hands such Tools as were of use in their Fathers Profession Their Nuptial Solemnities Their Marriages also were celebrated with great solemnity The Priest having ask'd the Bride and Bridegroom If they would joyn together in Matrimony if they both consented he ty'd the Brides Scarf and Bridegrooms Coat together and so accompanying them home led them nine times about the Fire-hearth If the Bride had no Impediments then the Bridegroom made Presents to her Father and Mother Offerings to the Gods and a brave Dinner to the nearest Relations after which an Inventory was drawn of what each of them had brought that upon their being Divorc'd which was very common amongst the Mexicans each might have his share and if they had Children the Man was to keep the Sons and the Woman the Daughters nor were they permitted on pain of death being once parted to joyn together again The Feast Texcoals On the ninteenth of May they kept the Feast Texcoalt Consecrated to the Idol Tezcatlipuca before whom they Offer'd a Slave which was done after this manner Towards the Evening the Multitude coming into the Temple the Priests pulling off the Idols old put on new Apparel hung him full of Precious Stones and Armlets set Plumes of Feathers on his Head which done the Curtains behind which he stood were drawn and a Priest Cloth'd exactly like the Idol coming forth turn'd himself round blow'd a kind of Trumpet towards the four Winds and ate Earth which all the People imitated whereof those which had committed any hainous Offence Offer'd Incense to the Idol and weeping begg'd forgiveness of their Sins Those that were Soldiers besought him to grant them store of Prisoners and strength to conquer their Enemies for which they would return him thanks with Offer'd Prisoners This Feast of Texcoalt lasting ten days ended on the twenty ninth of May with peculiar Ceremonies for in the Morning a company of Priests black all over carried on their Shoulders a large Chair of State richly adorn'd in which sat their Idol Tezcatlipuca and Priests with long pleited Hair and Clad in the same Apparel with the Idol which they set down at the Foot of a pair of Stairs which led up to a Chappel whither the attendant Youths and Virgins came and spread Carpets before it and green Boughs of Manghey after which two Priests carried the Idol into a spacious Court in the Temple several others walking before each with a perfuming Vessel when they threw their Perfumes on the Consecrated Hearth they held their Hands towards the Idol desiring him that he would send their Prayers to Heaven Next follow'd the Multitude who scourg'd themselves till the Blood ran down from their Backs So soon as the Procession was ended the represented Tezcatlipuca was hoised up to the Cieling and abundance of Flowers strow'd before the Altar which done every one went home to Dinner whilst the Youths and Virgins adorn'd the Idol and plac'd Meat before him Lastly the Votaresses came two and two with Baskets of Bread and Dishes of Meat their Governess in a white Sur-Coat over a red Vest with Wings on her Shoulders and broad Girts at which hung Calabashes fill'd with holy Reliques and Flowers Moreover she conducted the Votaresses to the Steps of the Altar on which the Idol sat where having eaten Bread they came back and the Temple-Servants went in their places and carried the Meat
himself to Avalon to inspect his Concerns there in Person from whence returning the same year he Embarqu'd himself again together with his Lady and all his Family except his eldest Son for Avalon the year following at which time there being then War between England and France he redeem'd above twenty Sail of English Ships which had been taken there that year by French Men of War whereof one Monsieur De la Rade had the chief Command and shortly after took six French Fishing Ships upon that Coast and sent them the same year with a great many French-men Prisoners into England Coming thence he left a Deputy there and continu'd the Plantation till his Death which was in April 1632. After whose Decease it descended of right to his Son and Heir Cecil now Lord Baltemore who thereupon sent one Captain William Hill as his Deputy thither to take possession thereof and to manage his Interest there for him Captain Hill according to his Commission shortly after repair'd thither and liv'd some years at the Lord Baltemore's House at Ferryland above mention'd In the thirteenth Year of King Charles the First of England c. about the Year of our Lord 1638. Marquess Hamilton Earl of Pembroke Sir David Kirk and others under pretence that the Lord Baltemore had deserted that Plantation obtain'd a Patent of all New-found Land wherein Avalon was included and shortly after dispossess'd the Lord Baltemore of his Mansion House in Ferryland and other Rights there and during the late Rebellion in England kept possession but His now Majesty King Charles the Second immediately after his most happy Restauration in the Year 1660 upon the now Lord Baltemore's Petition thought fit to refer the whole Matter to be Examin'd by Sir Orlando Bridgeman then Lord-Chief Justice now Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal of England and others to report the true state thereof to His Majesty together with their Opinions thereupon The Referrees accordingly upon full hearing of Council on both sides certifi'd That they conceiv'd the said Patent to Sir George Calvert to be a good Patent in force and not avoided by the later to Sir David Kirk and others and that the Title and Interest to the said Province did therefore belong to the Lord Baltemore Whereupon His Majesty on the twentieth of March in the same Year Order'd the Possession thereof to be re-deliver'd to his Lordship which was accordingly executed Since which time his Lordship has peaceably enjoy'd the possession thereof and continues the Plantation to this day by deputing Lieutenants there from time to time for the better Government of that Province the rest of New found Land remaining still to the aforesaid Proprietors claiming by the Patent of 13 Car. 1. The Commodities that are either by Art or Nature produc'd there are the same with those of the remainder of New-found Land The Winter there is extream cold the Summer very hot but withal pleasant and during that Season there is great plenty of Pasture for Cattel The Coast of this Province is very safe and as well furnish'd with variety of bold and pleasant Harbors as any other part of New-found Land where the English likewise Fish for Cod the lesser sort whereof is call'd Poor-John which is there caught in great abundance especially at Ferryland and in the Bay of Bulls Besides these two there are divers other excellent Harbors on the Eastern Shore of Avalon as Capling Bay Cape Broyle Brittus Isle of Spears Barrom Cove Whitburns Bay and Petit Harbour above mention'd On the West are the Bay of Placentia and several other good Harbors There are no Indians in Avalon and but few English by reason of the excessive Cold in Winter though Sir David Kirk and his Lady and also his Family liv'd in the Lord Baltemore's House at Ferryland for the space of ten years and upwards The Soil seems to promise great store of Mines which probably may in time be disover'd The late Lord Baltemore took accidentally a piece of Oar up that lay there upon the surface of the Earth and brought it with him into England which was found upon trial to yield a greater proportion of Silver than the Oar of Potosi in the West-Indies but hitherto no Mine of it hath been discover'd there The Trade of Fishing being of so great concernment to the Nation of England the same if it be well manag'd in this Island of Terra Nova will employ every year above two hundred Sail of English Ships and ten thousand Mariners besides the great benefit which may accrue unto the Nation by Imposition upon Strangers there which would amount to several thousands of Pounds per Annum with which those Coasts may be Guarded and Ships Trading thither secur'd besides the great Customs by the Ships call'd The Sacks being commonly in great numbers every year who carry Fish from New-found Land into the Straights France Portugal and Spain and who bring their Returns into England as Bullion and all other native Commodities of those Countreys If the Island were well fortifi'd we might Command all those of other Nations that come to Fish in New-found Land to pay Contribution in Fish or otherwise for their Priviledge to Fish there the said Island being first Planted by English and pertaining to the Kingdom of England or if occasion should require they might be utterly debarr'd of Fishing there The Trade of Fishing is of so great concernment to France Spain Portugal the Straights and other Parts that they cannot well be without that yearly Supply in Fish which comes from that Island Neither can the Hollanders Spaniards or Portuguese well set any Ships to the West-Indies without New-found Land Fish there being none that will endure to pass the Line sound and untainted but the Fish of that Countrey salted and dry'd there And so long as the Act continues still in force That no Fish be Transported from the said Island but in English Bottoms it will contribute very much to our encrease of Shipping there and by consequence of the employment of Mariners and the Fishing of that part of the Island will be solely appropriated to the English Nation to whom of right it belongs which will prove the greatest Ballance of Trade in that part of the World and that whereas above two hundred Sail do Trade thither yearly to Fish if a thousand Sail come if there be but Fisher-men enow they may all have Fraughtage there The French if once the Island be fortifi'd will be depriv'd of their Nursery of Mariners this being the onely place besides Canada and one or two adjacent Coasts where they come for supply of Fish with which that Nation cannot be furnish'd so well from other Parts By well Planting and Fortifying New-found Land the Trading to Virginia New England and those Parts would be much encourag'd New England having had of late great Traffick with New-found Land where they vend the Growth of their Plantation Besides New-found Land is a Key to the Gulf of
made prodigious Attempts to thrust them with his Horn which he turn'd with an inexpressible dexterity and nimbleness and that if he had had as much Water under him as would have born him up he would have been too hard for them all When the Entrails were taken out it was found that he liv'd by Prey for there were within him the Scales of several kinds of Fish What could be preserv'd of this miraculous Animal especially the Head and the precious Horn fastned in it hung up near two years at the Guard-house of the Island till Monsieur Le Vasseur the Governor of it presented one Monsieur Des Trancarts a Gentleman of Xaintonge who had given him a Visit with the Horn. Not long after coming over in the same Ship with the Gentleman who had that precious Rarity put up in a long Chest our Ship was cast away near the Island of Payala one of the Assores and all the Goods were lost but nothing so much regretted as the loss of that Chest The Natives how call'd The Natives call themselves Cubao-bonon that is Inhabitants of the Islands and Caribbeeans which last Denomination was not onely receiv'd amongst the American Isles but also on the Main Continent of the Northern and Southern America long before the Spaniards coming thither Concerning the original of these People there are several Opinions Their Original for those who make them to be Extracted from the Jews have no other testimony but that they abstain from Swines-flesh Those that take them for a People fled from the great Islands Hispaniola Jamaica Cuba and Porto Rico to save themselves from the Spaniards Cruelty dispute against a known Truth for who knows not that the Indians who escap'd the Spanish Slaughter have not the least resemblance either in Language or Customs with the Cannibals nay more they are mortal Enemies to them besides that the Cannibals at that time when Columbus first arriv'd possess'd those Places which they now inhabit The Cannibals seem ignorant themselves in this Point for they affirm their Extraction to be from Guyana where the Calibites speak the same Language and also observe the same Customs and Religion The occasion of their removal they ascribe to the King of the Arovages who made all the adjacent People about his Court Slaves to him which to prevent they first went to Tabago where being strengthned by new Comers they resolv'd to take revenge on him and Engaging with him in a Field-Battel utterly defeated him and spat'd none of his Party alive except the Women whence it proceeds that the Arovage Women have the same Customs and Language with the Caribbeans But Bristock an English Knight by long Conversation experienc'd in the severall American Tongues saith That the Caribbeeans have their Original from the Apalachites in Florida who being a valiant People destroy'd many of the Natives that inhabited Mexico that so they might Settle themselves there to which purpose they built a City like that of Apalache The Cofachites inhabiting Northerly and spred over a barren and Rocky Countrey made use of this opportunity to conquer their deserted Habitation for on a set-time they set fire to all the Villages and spoyl'd all things which they could not carry away with them that not the least hopes of returning might be left them therefore they must either Conquer or Die which resolv'd upon they fell unawares on the Apalachites whose King had nevertheless so much time that he Guarded the usual Paths which directed to the inhabited Villages But the Apalachites leaving the common Roads climb'd over almost inaccessible Mountains and so got into the heart of the Countrey which exceedingly amaz'd Paracousis for so that King was call'd who lay Encamp'd at the Foot of a Mountain whether the Van of the Apalachites were marching whereupon he sending his Army to meet them they began a most fierce Combat when at last both Parties wanting Arrows they fell upon one another with Clubs till the Night parted them The Cofachites come to Terms of Agreement with the Apalachites and neither could boast of the Victory At last this War was turn'd into Peace and the Articles of Agreement were these viz. That the Cofachites should for ever possess the Province Amana and become one People with the Apalachites and acknowledge the King of Apalache for their Chief Governor After which the Cofachites were call'd Caribbeeans which signifies Accidental Subjects But these two sorts of People did not long agree They fall off for the Caribbeeans sleighted the Customs of the Apalachites in the Countrey Bemarin and at the same time threw off their Obedience to the King chose one Ragazin for their Governor subdu'd the neighboring Province Matika and at last defi'd the Apalachites who inferior to them in Strength and making use of subtilty suppos'd it the best way to make a Difference amongst the Caribbeeans themselves to which the Priests freely proffer'd their Assistance and their Design prov'd also successful for the Caribbeeans regarding no Religion onely dreading the angry Deity Mabouya the Apalachite Priests call'd Jaova's Are brought to worship the Sun took great pains to perswade their Neighbors to the worshipping of the Sun which so prevail'd that a considerable number of them ascending the Mountain Olaimi fell down and shew'd Reverence to that celestial Luminary which Opportunity Paracousis taking notice of caus'd the Jaova's to publish amongst the Caribbeeans That in the beginning of the Maairims or March a great Feast should be held in Reverence to the Sun on the usual place where the King would Entertain and give Presents to all the Worshippers thereof The Sun generally worshipp'd by the antient Heathens How great a Religion this Sun-worship was antiently amongst the Gentiles appears from the Writings of several authentick Authors The Syrians whose Idolatry the Israelites learn'd honor the Sun by the Name of Bahal which signifies Lord. The Phenicians call'd the Sun Beel-samen Lord of the Heavens and the Citizens of Accaron Baal-zebahim Lord of the Offerings but God chang'd the Name to Baalzebub or The God of Flyes Moloch or Milcom also signifi'd the Sun amongst the Ammonites in honor of which Children were carried by their Parents and set between two great Fires or else by the Priests upon pretence of cleansing them and sometimes parch'd to death in an Image of Moloch which had seven Cavities heated like Ovens Macrobius tells us That the Assyrians ascrib'd the supream Command to the Sun under the Name of Adad and to the Goddess Adargatis representing the Image of Adad with Beams darting downwards and Adargatis with those that shot upwards by the first they express'd that the celestial Power consisted in Sun-beams which shooting downwards warm the Earth and by the second that all things by those Beams were cherish'd and enliven'd The most magnificent Temple which Syria Apamena boasted was Consecrated to the Sun The Arabians Offer'd Myrrhe on the tops of their Houses at the Rising of
taken Prisoner out of vexation and exceeding grief he cried Blood Succeeding him after his Death rais'd the Family Aocaillipanaca and was Succeeded by his eldest Son the wealthy Viracocha Inga Viracocha Inga his great Riches of whom when the Spaniards conquer'd Peru went a Report that great Riches lay buried in the Earth with him wherefore Gonzalus Pizarrus tortu'd the Natives after an inhumane manner to know of them where the Grave of the said Inga was at last obtaining his Desire he digg'd for the Body which he found so well Embalm'd that it seem'd to live but no Gold with it wherefore Pizarrus deceiv'd in his expectation burnt the Corps the Ashes whereof the Indians gathering in Urns worshipp'd though when he liv'd the Vulgar were much incens'd at him for taking upon him the Name of Viracocha who was their supream God and Creator of all things but he pacifi'd them saying That Viracocha appearing to him in a Dream had commanded him to take that Name upon him Yupangui's Policy to gain an Opinion amongst the People The fourth Inga call'd Pachacuto Yupangui succeeded in the Throne after the Death of his eldest Brother who was slain in a Field-Battel against the Changas inhabiting the Valley Andaguailas where the Peruan Army was utterly defeated few of them onely escaping by flight among whom was Yupangui who perswaded the rest to a subtile Design by alledging That the Almighty Creator angry at their Destruction had reveal'd many Secrets to him viz. That the Creator in Heaven was call'd Viracocha Pachayachachie That he resented it very ill That whereas he formerly made Heaven Sun Moon Stars and Men none worshipp'd him for it but in stead of him they reverenc'd the Sun Thunder and the Earth who had their Beings from him That he would shew his Power against the victorious Changas by an unexpected Assistance of an invisible Army This being believ'd of every one stirr'd up the Peruans far and near insomuch that in a short time a vast Army being rais'd presented themselves to Yupangui who made good use thereof and also told them that Viracocha had decreed in Heaven that he Yupangui should be his Vicegerent on Earth which the Army believing set the Peruan Crown which they had taken from his Father on his Head Thus promoted he march'd against the Changas whom in a bloody Battel he conquer'd and brought them all under his Obedience Moreover he made his Soldiers believe that they were not the Conquerors but invisible Men whom Viracocha had sent and who could be seen by none but himself and that after the Battel they were turn'd into Stones which they must seek for Whereupon they gathering a great number of Stones on the Mountains Gross Superstition Yupangui call'd them Pururancas and order'd that they should be worshipp'd and carried with them into the Field whensoe're they fought another Battel hoping thereby to stir up his Soldiers to be couragious who firmly believ'd that with the visible Stones walk'd invisible Heroes that would certainly assist them This Imagination wrought so much that Yupangui's Army assur'd of Victory with the help of the Stones went on undauntedly on all Designs insomuch that being fear'd by all the adjacent People he forc'd them all to submission This Yupangui rais'd the Family Yuaupococa and plac'd a great Golden Image call'd Indyllapa on a Golden Chariot which since was religiously worshipp'd and afterwards carried to Caxamalca for a Ransom of the Peruvian King Attabaliba whom the Spanish General Pizarrus kept Prisoner and at last Strangled The Councellor Polus opening Yupangui's Grave found the Body Embalm'd and no way defaced but the Eyes cover'd with thin Golden Plates and on his Head appear'd the Scar of a Stone which had been thrown at him and though the Body had lain eighty years in the Grave yet it seem'd rather living than dead being onely a little grey This Corps as also several other Inga's the Marquess Camette brought from Cusco to Lima so to prevent the Peruvians worshipping of them Yupangui after his Decease was succeeded by Sopa Inga and he by his Son of the same Name who rais'd the Family Ayoac Aillo The last for nothing worthy of memory was done by either of them was succeeded by Guaynacava The Greatness and Riches of Guayacava a wealthy and valiant young Man who was no sooner setled on the Throne but he manag'd all things with great prudence maintain'd War with several People and conquer'd the Kingdom of Quito four hundred Leagues beyond Cusco whither after his Death his Body was carried and buried in the famous Temple of the Sun but his Entrails were buried in Quito not without many bloody Offerings thousands of his Servants Sacrificing themselves at his Grave willingly that so they might serve their Prince in the other World The invaluable Treasures which he left behind him were carefully hid by the Peruvians till the Spaniards conquer'd that Countrey The pav'd Ways magnificent Buildings and strong Castles testifie as yet the Power of this Inga wherefore in his life-time he was honor'd as a God His Mother Mamaoclo liv'd to see above three hundred of her Children's Children all Extracted from her Son Guaynacava War between Huascar and his Brother Attabaliba The chief of the Family Tanebamba were Huascar and Attabaliba Sons to Guaynacava both by the Coya or lawful Queen however some have deliver'd to the contrary who falling at variance betwixt themselves resolv'd to decide the Quarrel by a Field-Battel in which Attabaliba being the youngest was Conqueror This Civil War was at the heighth when the Spaniards invaded Peru which they could never have conquer'd had not the Realm been so divided During Attabaliba's Imprisonment by Pizarrus his two Generals Quizaniz and Chilicuchima took the Inga Huascar formerly call'd Tito Cusi Gualpa Attabaliba's Brother in Cusco Huascar burnt alive and carrying him to the Valley Sacfahuana burnt him alive It is set down as remarkable that Huascar after his being vanquish'd made great Offerings to Viracocha thereby to gain his assistance in his extremity against Attabaliba when he was inform'd that a strange People which came from a remote Place over the Seas had defeated Attabaliba's Army and taken him Prisoner From which News Huascar taking courage call'd the Spaniards Viracochas and judg'd that they were come from Heaven to his Delivery and the more because his Brother had spilt so much Blood already for Attabaliba had not onely slain the Prince Atoco which led Huascar's Army with three thousand two hundred Men and drank out of Atoco's Skull tipt with Gold but had also pluck'd out the Harts of above a thousand Children which the Cannrites sent with Palm-Boughs to him to desire Peace Mango Inga Settles in the Mountain Vilcabamba After Attabaliba's and Huascar's Decease Mango Inga their Brother drove all the Spaniards out of Cusco whither they not long after coming with new Forces necessitated Mango not without the loss of many Men to take his
the Labors of his Subjects for nothing Their several sorts of Tribute from conquer'd Countreys When at any time he conquer'd a Countrey by force of Arms he made them pay three several sorts of Tribute the first was bestow'd in religious Offices Each Guaca or Chappel receiv'd also a Revenue from the late conquer'd Countreys the Fruit of which serv'd for Offerings to their chief God Pachayachachu the Sun their Thunderer Chuquilla and to the Souls of the Deceased and for Food for the Priests The Religion through the whole Realm agreed with that which was observ'd in Cusco But the second Tribute fell to the Inga's Family or Relation and Soldiers Those who Till'd the Inga's Ground Sung before him in Festival Clothes That which could not be spent in the Court was laid up in Store-houses for ten years together against a scarcity should happen Aged People Widows and such as were decrepid paid no Tribute The third part was for the Poor which had every Year a piece of Ground allow'd them to make use of as they pleas'd In unfruitful Years they receiv'd an Allowance out of the Store-houses before mention'd Their Provision for the Poor So likewise the Pasture Meadows and Arable Land was order'd for three several Uses one third for religious Uses a second for the Inga's and the last for the Poor The Sheep being shorn on a certain Day yielded the Poor a certain quantity of Wooll to make them Clothes As soon as any Beast grew Mangy which the Peruvians call'd Carache they burnt them alive so to prevent the spreading of it farther Those that belong'd to the Inga's Family wore all Clothes made of the finest Wooll and the coursest call'd Tabasca was distributed among the Vulgar Their Industry Besides this good Order of Government it is wonderful to observe the Peruvians manner of Living each learning from their Infancy not onely a Trade but all things which they accounted necessary in House-keeping as Weaving Tilling of Land building of Houses and making of Tools requisite for both so that they never made use of one another on any Account Moreover Master Artists who work'd more for Pleasure than Gain dwelt apart being Silver-smiths Painters Musicians and Dancers Their Habits Their Habits were heretofore of one fashion through the whole Realm onely the Covering of their Head were several by which the People of one Countrey were distinguish'd from the other according to an inviolable Law made many Ages since some therefore wore thin Caps others broad Pleits others little Hats others round Bonnets others woven Caps and the like Their Post-Stages Their Post-Stages call'd Chasquis were little Houses each standing a League and a half from one another wherein dwelt certain Officers who with extraordinary speed convey'd the Inga's Letters from one Chasquis to the other after which manner in two days time they convey'd a Letter a hundred Leagues But since the Spaniards conquer'd this Countrey that Convenience was lost till the tenth Peruvian Vice-Roy Martin Enriques re-establish'd the same for he allow'd a Sallary to those Posts that they might with speed convey all Letters and Packets from one to the other being distant according to his Establishment four Leagues Their severe Laws against Malefactors Lastly the Ingas maintain'd strict Laws in criminal Affairs for as they did not neglect to encourage noble Atchievements for whoe're had done a valiant Act in the Wars was made Governor of a Countrey or had a certain quantity of Land given him or Married one of the Inga's Family so likewise they severely punish'd all Malefactors for Murderers Thieves and Adulterers suffer'd Death without Mercy yet they allow'd store of Concubines and it was free for any one to Lie with his Neighbor's Concubine but Death to have to do with any Man 's lawful Wife who were serv'd by the Concubines Their Marriages When a Bridegroom Betrothed himself to his Bride he gave her and put them on himself a pair of Shoes call'd Ajota not unlike those of a grey Fryer which were lin'd with Cotton if she were a Maid but with Leaves if a Widow who nevertheless being generally younger than the Man was to Mourn a whole year in Black for her deceased Husband till the expiration of which time she was not to Marry another Governors of Provinces and other Officers of State receiv'd their Wives from the Ingas who enquiring out the beautifullest and most accomplish'd Virgins they could hear of put the Ajota on their Feet and gave them to such Persons as they most fancied after which if they committed Adultery they were certainly put to death The Marrying of Brothers and Sisters was also forbid till the Inga Topa Yupangui Father to Guaynacava broke that Law by Marrying his own Sister Mamoello and made ah Order that the Ingas onely should have that liberty nay when he lay on his Death-bed he strictly charg'd his Son Guaynacava to take his own Sister Goya Cuissilmay to Wife and this incestuous Marriage produc'd Huascar and Attabaliba though some say Attabaliba was begotten on a Concubine in whose time the Peruvian Kingdom went to ruine Guaynacava also permitted the common People to Marry their Sisters of the Fathers side but not of the Mothers Their manner of living The Peruvian Houses were antiently for the most part light and small and for their Table they made but little preparation satisfying themselves with a little Beer made of Rice Bread bak'd of Maiz dry'd Flesh Fish and Roots In their Wars they us'd Slings Darts Arrows Lances Pikes Halberds Pole-Axes and Shields Their Funerals Their Funerals were also solemnly kept especially those of Persons of Quality the Corps was carried out on a brave Chair from which he was put into the Ground with two of his Concubines whom he best affected and also three Servants Gold and Silver Vessels Maiz and the Liquor Chica which the nearest Relation spurted into his Mouth through a Cane all which they did that the Deceased might make use thereof in the other World But before the Funeral the Relations Mourn'd over the Corps several days and after the Body was Interr'd they plac'd the Picture of the Deceased upon the Grave but the meaner sort of People had the Tools belonging to their Trade and Soldiers their Arms plac'd on the same The various Idolatry of the Peruvians This kind of Idolatry was common to the Peruvians with several other Nations of the antient Heathens as hath been before observ'd which made them mock at the Spaniards when they told them of a Crucifi'd Saviour saying they had a splendid God who appear'd to them in glory every Morning In the third Temple near the River Taciquaque in Peru which exceeded the other two they worshipp'd Thunder by the Name of Chuquilla Catuilla and Intillapa which the Peruvians believ'd to be a Man that Commanded the Air and who being Arm'd with a Club and Sling throws down Rain Hail and Snow from the Clouds
could possibly thereabouts but were forc'd to retire from thence to Quito at the same time that the Councellor Tejada being sent by Pizarro to the Emperor came to an Anchor there where they were courteously Entertain'd as also in St. Michael where they got daily more and more Assistants of which Pizarro being inform'd went thither with five hundred Men and forcing the Vice-Roy to flye from thence pursu'd him above thirty Leagues Is put to flight and pursu'd by Pizarro Hanging up all those whom he could take of his Party After many Rencounters and Hardships suffer'd by both Parties Pizarro exceedingly wearied return'd to Quito where he minded nothing but all manner of Debaucheries not in the least regarding the Vice-Roy's Designs which it concern'd him to have narrowly look'd into for he having got five hundred Men on his side resolv'd to venture a Battel It was towards Evening when the two Parties had sight of one another Pizarro having not onely more Men but also better Exercis'd in Arms than the Vice-Roy who being sensible thereof went silently about Midnight from his Station along a narrow by Path so to fall behind upon the Rere of the Enemy who mistrusted nothing by reason the Vice-Roy's Dogs kept a continual Barking in his old Station and the Peruvian Sentinels were heard calling to one another and making great Fires all the Night long but because the Way was over-grown and farther about than it was suppos'd the Vice-Roy finding the Night too far spent went back to Quito out of which he Sallied as soon as he had sight of Pizarro's Forces against whom being clad in a white Riding Coat through the Slits of which appear'd a Cloth of Tissue Doublet he came Riding on a Bay Gelding in the Head of his Party with which breaking in amongst the Enemies Ranks he made a considerable slaughter amongst them till Hernand Tores coming near him gave him a Blow on the Had with a Battel-Ax The Vice-Roy slain by Carvayales that fell'd him to the Ground which the Lawyer Carvayales seeing ran immediately out of desire to revenge his Brother's Death whom the Vice-Roy had murder'd and chopp'd off his Head Thus Pizarro being absolute Master of the Field began to shew his tyranny upon the Prisoners some he took away by Poyson others he Executed with the Sword and Halter others he banish'd to the remote Countrey Chili Pizarro's Luxury and Tyranny and spent his time in all manner of Vice in Quito where amongst other leud Actions making Love to another Man's Wife he hir'd one Vincent Paul to murder her Husband which said Vincent was afterwards Hang'd at Valladolid in Spain The Adulteress also was afterwards Got with Child by her own Father and both of them put to death for Incest and murdering of their Child Pizarro being receiv'd as King in Los Reyos grew every day more proud than other insomuch that his Friends themselves began to hate and envy him and wanted onely a convenient opportunity to rid themselves of this high-minded Tyrant A strange Accident among others had done him great hurt had it not been timely discover'd viz. Joan de la Torre a Soldier formerly belonging to the Vice-Roy found accidentally a Grave in the Valley Hica which by the Peruvians had been worshipp'd above two Ages before and in it so much Offer'd Gold and Silver as amounted to above eighty thousand Crowns in Gold besides many Emeraulds and Turcoises all which Treasure he was puzled how to carry away and possess securely partly fearing the Emperor's Displeasure if he should arrive thus rich in Spain the rather because he had sided with Pizarro and also knowing it was impossible to convey it on Ship-board without one or others knowledge at last after many Contrivances he judg'd it convenient to put the Money in a small Vessel and Sail with the same to Nicaragua there to raise Men to oppose Pizarro in those Parts that so he might re-gain the Emperor's Favor This Undertaking seem'd to be threatned by many Dangers he not having a sufficient Spirit to Command or at least Experience to officiate the Place of a Captain Vela Nunnez and La Torre Plotting against Pizarro are taken and Executed In the mean time Vela Nunnez Brother to the slain Vice-Roy taken in the Battel at Quito had so much priviledge allow'd him from Pizarro that he went a Hunting and other such Exercises distant from the Camp who meeting with La Torre took him in his arms and embrac'd him with great joy which so wrought upon La Torre that he discover'd the Secret of his discover'd Treasure took an Oath of him that he would be faithful to him and take Revenge of Pizarro for all the Injuries receiv'd from him but before according to their Agreement they could set Sail from thence their Plot being discover'd both Nunnez and Torre were Executed and their Riches fell into the Hands of Pizarro Peter Gasca sent to settle Affairs in Peru. Whilest the Peruvian Affairs were in this confusion and disorder Peter Gasca impower'd by the Emperor Charles the Fifth arriving there endeavor'd to settle all things in Peace and Quiet and sent by Peter Hernandes besides the Emperor's Letter another which he writ himself to Pizarro the Contents of which were to this purpose Gasca's Letter to Pizzaro THe Peruvian Soyl hath drunk up the Spanish Blood long enough and the ruin'd Realm gapes for Rest The Emperor proffers Pardon for all past Crimes Repeals the new Laws which the Vice-Roy Vela during his Government enjoy'd the Spaniards to observe If Pizarro aims at the general Welfare he may easily see that Arms must first be laid aside which he now depends on in vain all his Associates being ready to forsake him because no Soldier can take up Arms against the Emperor without being guilty of high Treason Pizarro's Designs against him Pizarro confounded with this Letter call'd a Council of War who differ'd very much from one another in their Votes some judging that it would be best privately to destroy Gasca others were for an open Engagement but most thought of another way viz. to get his Person into their custody and keep him under a strong Guard on the Island Puna under pretence that the Peruvian Princes were sent for to come and acknowledge him as supream Governor which because the Cities lay so remote one from another could not be done in less than two years Mean while an Embassy was to be sent to the Court at Madrid which should enjoyn Gasca to remain in Panama and not offer to come to Peru till such time as the Emperor commanded the same a second time at the return of the Agents His Party generally fall off to Gasca But Hieronimus Loaisa chief Bishop of Los Reyos Thomas Martin Provincial of the Dominicans Gomes Solis Pizarro's Steward Laurence Aldana who were design'd for this Embassy to the Emperor Charles never went their Journey but staid in Panama with
the Citizens were destroy'd by him and their Houses burnt to Ashes The like Destruction and upon the same occasion befel the three Villages in the Province Bracomoros discover'd by Juan Parzel and Captain Vergara together with the Countrey Chichiapoios where Alphonso Alvarado built the Town Levanto surrounded with deep Caverns through which to the great strengthning of the City flow several Rivers Round about Puerto Viejo the Natives dwelt in Trees whom the Spaniards had much ado to bring under their subjection for their Countrey being barren and mountainous was not onely wanting in Provisions to feed an Army but the Peruvians also threw great Stones out of their Huts built in Trees and likewise Javelins and Pots full of boyling Water with which they did much mischief to their Enemies that Storm'd them who at last covering themselves with Boards cut down the Trees with which they falling were torn in pieces by the Spanish Dogs SECT IV. Lima. Situation and Description of the Province of Lima. LIma call'd also Los Reyos hath on the East Collao and some part of Cusco on the North Los Quixos and on the South Charcas The Countrey extendeth it self in length upon the Coasts of the South Sea two hundred and fifty some say full three hundred Leagues in length viz. from Cape del Aguia Northward on the Borders of Quito as far as Arequipa towards the South and runs Eastward to Brasile and Rio de la Palma The several Valleys of this Province In this Province are several very pleasant Valleys the first whereof is Motupe to which a sandy Way leads from St. Miguel de Valverde between barren Wilds from whence several Streams falling are immediately drunk up by the Sand wherefore all Travellers that go that way carry Water and Wine with them in Calabashes for twenty Leagues together which they Walk or Ride by Night because of the excessive heat of the Sun In the Valley Motupe grow abundance of Trees which receive nourishment from a River that springs up near the same Here is also much Cotton Not far from hence are the Valleys Xayanca formerly very populous and full of Palaces The River which flows through the middle is led in Trenches amongst the neighboring Fields The Valley Tuqueme is also very pleasant and the decay'd Palaces sufficiently testifie its former splendor The next being Cinto is no way inferior to Tuqueme and between both lie sandy Hills and barren Rocks on which grow neither Trees nor Herbs nor is any living Creature to be found upon them the Way through which being a whole days Journey cannot be travell'd without sure Guides The Valley Collique water'd by a River of the same Denomination and very thick set with Trees was formerly very populous but since the Spanish Wars it is become quite desolate for not onely a considerable number of them were slain by the Spaniards but also many destroy'd themselves Wives and Children of which Peter Martyr Councellor to the Emperor Charles the Fifth sets down several terrible Examples of which two were remarkable above the rest the first was after this manner The Spanish Captain Olandus Lying with the Daughter of an Indian Casique question'd when she grew big with Child Whether she was with Child by him and that he might know the real truth by Torture he caus'd her to be ty'd naked to a woodden Spit and laid to roast against a Fire made of green Wood so that she died in a most miserable manner upon which her Father ran in a rage with thirty of his Companions to Olandus's House where he kill'd his whole Family and locking all the Doors about the House set fire on the same into which when it was at its greatest heighth he and his Associates leap'd into the middle thereof Two tragical Passages The second Accident is also very terrible viz. An Indian Maid being Got with Child by a Spanish Ass driver acquainted her Father and Mother with it withal telling them that she was ready to suffer Death for her Offence and notwithstanding they freely pardoning and perswading her to the contrary she eat raw Juca which when boyl'd is a wholsom Food but if eaten raw certain though languishing Death which she perceiving ran to the next River where after having wash'd her self she broke off from a large Tree a Bough of five Foot long and making the end thereof very sharp fell upon the same and so kill'd her self Several other Ravish'd Maids taking example hereby hang'd themselves upon the Boughs of the same Tree But to proceed in our Description next to Collique lies the Valley Zana of the like bigness and famous for the City Miraflores The next is Pascayamo which exceeds all the former in fruitfulness and populousness of Inhabitants who before they were destroy'd by the Ingas were much fear'd by their Neighbors This Valley also was adorn'd with several fair Temples which are now turn'd into Cloysters Cattel Hogs and Goats breed here in very great numbers The chief Trade of this Place consists in Cotton and Linnen The Valley Chacama in which the Dominican Monks inhabit a brave Cloyster produces abundance of Sugar Four Leagues farther lies the spacious Valley Chimo so call'd from an old Peruvian Heroe which affords a pleasant Prospect by reason of the many Banquetting-houses built there by the Ingas No place in Peru is able to stand in competition with this for plenty of Provisions the Ocean and Rivers producing store of Fish the Countrey affording Cattel and all manner of Fruit. The Cotton which grows here is Shipp'd to the South Sea Chanca is a Valley chiefly considerable for the Town Arnedo which is situate therein of which more hereafter But the Valley Guanape not far from Chanca yields the best Peruvian Liquor Chica and hath a convenient Harbor for Ships The Plain Santa being overflow'd in the Winter is all overgrown for want of Inhabitants who were all destroy'd by the Spaniards The Woods hereabouts swarm with a sort of venomous Bug which exceedingly torments the Traveller Next follow in order the Valleys Guambaico very fruitful and Guarney abounding with Horses Hogs and other Cattel Spilbergen's Attempt Joris Spilbergen Landing here Anno 1615. found the Haven secure against all Winds and between the Shore and the Village Guarmey a Creek and somewhat farther a fresh-Water Pool on one side of which stood a decay'd Castle built of square Stone whereon the Hollanders set the States Flag and Garrison'd the same to secure those that fetch'd Water out of the fore-mention'd Pool In the aforesaid Village stood a Church with a spiry Steeple behind which rose high Mountains and at the Foot thereof a great Wood into which the Inhabitants fled with all their Goods so that Spilbergen found nothing but a little Meal a few Hens Hogs and Oranges in their Houses which whilest he was sending Aboard a small Body of Horse appear'd but immediately fled into the Woods The Hollanders staying here seven days were
mention'd which part at the East end of the City are pass'd over with divers Bridges The narrow Streets are full of Stone Houses built in good Order In several places are Vaulted Cellars under Ground in some of which are buried great Treasures they had been formerly the Habitations for Necromancers and Soothsayers for this sort of People were once in great esteem amongst the Inhabitants who coming from Chili Pasto Bocamores Topona Bombon Charcas Collao Chiachiapoias Conchucos and other Peruvian Countreys receive great benefit from the fresh Water and from the Corn-Mills built on the Streets through the City The ancient Places and other stately Structures in Cusco The stately Palaces which the Peruvian Nobility have at several times built in Oren-Cusco being one part of the City are very wonderful the Owners whereof were forc'd by the Ingas to appear at Court at Set-times that so he might prevent all Insurrections Also he caus'd the Children of the prime Lords to be brought up in Cusco under pretence that they might learn the Cuscoan Tongue perfectly in which the Ingas would always be spoken to whenas their Design was to keep them as Hostages in their own Jurisdictions that their Fathers might not rebel by which means it hapned that in most places of Peru which amongst the several Tribes and Principalities had several Languages the Cuscoan Tongue was understood and spoken But the Spaniards who are the present Possessors thereof have alter'd and repair'd most of the ordinary Houses which are now neatly built of Stone Above all the old Structures the Palace of the Ingas and the Temple of the Sun are the most magnificent the Palace lies inclos'd within a square quadruple Wall each corner whereof is adorn'd and strengthned with a Tower The Palace it self is built round and with Arches but that which chiefly amazes the Beholder is to see how the Stones which are so big that forty Horses are notable to stir one of them out of its place were brought thither by the Labor of the Builders from the neighboring Mountains for the Peruvians never made use of any laboring Beast except their Sheep Pacos not knowing the use of Horses Camels Oxen Elephants or the like before the Spaniards coming thither The Halls within the Palace were Wainscoted with Golden Plates yet the Inga's Apparel was not answerable to the rest of his Pomp for in stead of a Crown they bound their Heads about with a red woollen Sash with which they almost cover'd their Eyes at the end of the Sash hung certain Ribbands which they gave the Governor as occasion offer'd that by this Sign as by a Commission they might exercise their Offices the sight of which String caus'd such Obedience that if the Inga had commanded the Inhabitants of a Town or Countrey to murder themselves none durst deny The Inga was generally carried by a hundred of his Noble-men of whom if any one had accidentally chanc'd to stumble he was immediately put to death No man durst presume to look him in the Face or speak to him without a Present The Temple Curicanche The Temple Curicanche Dedicated to the Sun was certainly the most rich and sumptuous that ever the World boasted it being Govern'd by the Chief Priest Villanoa The Inga Guainacava spent an invaluable Treasure in the building of this Structure for he cover'd the Roof and Walls with thick Plates of massie Gold and Silver At his return home from the Conquest of the Province of Quito from whence the Inhabitants according to an antient Custom of the Ingas were carried to one of the remotest Countreys in Peru. But Guainacava enamor'd of a Quitoan Maid staid a considerable time in the City Quito and kept a splendid Wedding at the Marriage of his Bride who bare unto him the famous Attabaliba whom he lov'd beyond all his other Children and a little before his death made him King of Quito But Huascar after Guainacava's Decease would not suffer his Brother to live in the late conquer'd Kingdom of Quito A cruel Battel between two Brothers but gave him Battel in the Plain of Tomebamba which lasted three days and three Nights and after much Blood-shed Attabaliba being defeated was taken Prisoner and not long after making his Escape by the help of an antient Woman whilest Huascar's Commanders and Soldiers rejoyc'd with Cups full of Chica for their gotten Victory he made his Subjects in Quito believe that he being transform'd into a Serpent crept through a little Hole out of the Prison and that he had a Promise from Heaven to obtain Conquest over Huascar which being believ'd stirr'd up all his Subjects to take up Arms and valiantly to go and meet the Enemy whom they not onely defeated but took Huascar Prisoner Huscar being destroy'd by Attabaliba and Attabaliba by Pizarro Mango Inga their youngest Brother took the Government upon him made continual Sallies upon the Spaniards from inaccessible Mountains and at his Decease left the remaining part of Peru to his Son Zaires Topa Zaires the Son of Mango Inga submitâ— to the Spaniards who seeing no good to be done by force of Arms submitted himself freely to the King of Spain's Jurisdiction in the Year 1557. since which the Spaniards have been sole Masters There are at this day four great Churches in Cusco Also the Dominicans Franciscans Augustines and the Monks De la Merced have each of them stately Cloysters here but the Jesuits Structure exceeds all the other Above forty thousand Peruvians pay annual Tribute to this City In the Valley about the City feed abundance of Cattel also Wheat and all manner of Herbs grow here in great plenty The Gold and Silver-Mines have not that resort which they had formerly most of the Workmen being remov'd to Potosi Concerning the Service which they perform'd in the fore-mention'd Temple of the Sun and their superstitious Opinions about their Idol Con they are much of the same ridiculous nature with what hath been already Discours'd of in other places Five Leagues Southwardly from Cusco lies the Valley Yucay between high snowy Mountains under a temperate Climate and pleasant Soil Not far from hence the Ingas built a most invincible Castle on a Rock which was surrounded with many cliffy Walls one above another these Walls were also Carv'd with Images of Lyons Tygers and other wild Beasts which held Lances in their Paws the â—op of the Rock was crown'd with a Royal Structure built of Stone through which ran Golden Veins joyn'd together with a certain Gum by some call'd Jews-Lime To the Province of Condesuyo belong the valiant People Chumbibalcas and Ubinas In the County Pomatambo they make Carpets of fine Wooll curiously Painted 8. The City Francisco de Vittoria which lies in the rough Valley Vilcabamba and is inclos'd by the Mountains Andes belonging to the Jurisdiction of the Province Andesuyo 9. The Village Juan del Oro which is the chief Place of the Countrey Caravaya and so call'd by the Spaniards
are the Woyana Carivy and Caririwassu who assist the Portuguese The fore-mention'd Interpreter Parapoavo was met in his Journey by a Company of Tapuyans led by Commendaoura Janduy's Sisters Son who was to succeed him after his death according to the Custom of the Tapuyans whose Sons do not succeed their Fathers in the Throne but their Sisters Sons Commendaoura told him That he was impower'd by his Uncle to Treat with the Hollanders to which purpose coming with forty Men before the Castle Ceulen he inform'd them That Jandouy could not come to them with his whole Power because there was no fresh Water in the Mountains Mitiapa in the Summer Moreover that he Mourn'd for his deceased Wife Janduoy was also requested to go to Parayba where he should get great store of Booty and that the Hollanders would follow them with a considerable Power The Fort Conayou taken by Arcisseusky Arcisseusky being inform'd of the Condition of Conayou by two who having been taken Prisoners by the Portuguese leap'd over-board from a Carvel bound from thence to Portugal and swam ashore march'd from the Fort Ceulen in the Night with two hundred Men besides forty Tapuyans who kill'd more Venison for the Hollanders than they were able to eat and coming within two Cannons-shot of Conayou he divided his Men into four Parties that so they might Storm the four Corners of the Fort at once which having done by swimming over the Moat and climbing up the Walls which were a Pikes length they got into the Fort in which they found eleven dead Bodies ten Iron Guns two Hooks and several Chests of Sugar and amongst other Prisoners they took the Captain Alvares Fragoso d' Albuquerque Stackhower also setting Sail when Arcisseusky left the Castle Ceulen intending to meet him again at an appointed time before Conayou was kept back by contrary Winds After this Arcisseusky set Sail to Mongoangape where Rowing up the River he took a Ketch with two hundred Chests of Sugar as also a Carvel and a Boat and Landed where the River bends about a Mountain which so affrighted the Portuguese that they quitted Antonio Marino's Sugar-Mills Soon after the Fleet took a Barque with Wine and return'd to Reciffa Mean while Schuppe was not idle for going up the River Camarigibi he burnt divers Houses as also on each side of the River Alagoa where he also took four rich Sugar-Mills whilest many Vessels from the United Netherlands brought several Ships into the Haven of Pernambuco which they had taken on the Coast of Brasile About the latter end of November 1634. thirty two Sail divided into two Squadrons the first carrying in one and twenty Ships a thousand nine hundred forty and five Soldiers the second on eleven Ketches four hundred and nine under the Command of Schuppe Arcisseusky Carpentier and Stackhower weigh'd Anchor to go to Parayba where Schuppe Landing first with six hundred Men fell upon the Enemy in such a manner that he put them to flight and forc'd them to leave a great part of their Arms Hats and Coats behind and it wanted little but the Governor Antonio d' Albuquerque had been taken in the pursuit Mean while the rest of the Hollanders Landed and Casper Ley march'd along a Cart-Road with three Companies directly to the Fort Santa Margareta and Encamp'd himself behind a Hill about a Musquet-shot from the Walls of the Fort Schuppe going along the Shore The Fort Santa Margareta attempted by the Hollanders found divers forsaken Works and Intrench'd along the River on the East-side of the Castle Arcisseusky march'd on the Right-hand along the Sea-shore in view of the Portuguese in Garrison In the River lay an Isle on which was built the Castle Restinga which could receive constant Aid from the Castle Margareta on the Main Lichthart going in between the Island and the Castle Margareta with six well Mann'd Boats took two Barques and a Boat behind the Island and march'd through a Wood to Restringa where he found that the Fort separated from the Island was surrounded with Water wherefore he withdrew into the Wood till the Water was fall'n down and then Storm'd the Fort Restringa and notwithstanding the Portuguese fir'd continually upon him with two Brass Guns he soon became Master of it and cut off all those whom he found had born Arms whilest Schuppe fir'd upon the Fort Margareta from a Platform The Fort Margareta taken by Schuppe and also threw Granado's into the same Arcisseusky likewise approach'd nearer and nearer with his Trenches on which the Portuguese discharged many Guns but after the Breastworks were most of them spoil'd the Governor Simon de Albuquerque surrendred the Fort to Schuppe who permitted a hundred and fifty Men that were in Garrison there to go to their several Dwellings up in the Countrey the rest were Transported to other places on promise that they would not bear Arms against the West-India Company during the space of six Moneths In the Castle the Hollanders found six Brass Demi-Culverins and fifteen Drakes besides other Ammunition with which the Victors pursu'd their Conquest putting themselves in a posture to go up a Creek which runs two Leagues along a River to Parayba and to fall upon that City when two French Renegado's coming from the Northern Fort Antonio brought information That that Fort was guarded but by a few Men and had but little Gun-powder and if the Hollanders would but once make a shew of Storming the same it would soon be deliver'd to them though for its Situation it is invincible but Schuppe suppos'd that there might be a Plot in this Information and the rather because he heard that the Duke of Bagnola was coming thither with six hundred Men nevertheless to be better assur'd thereof The Fort Antonio taken by Lichthart he sent a Drummer to demand Antonio The Governor thereof call'd Magaglianes desir'd three days time to consider which was utterly deny'd him and he had onely leave to carry away the King's Standard and his Request granted That the Hollanders should make a shew of Storming the Castle that it might not be said he had surrendred such a Fortress without a Gun being fir'd after which Lichthart went into the Castle wondring at such a Victory for the Fort on which no Charges had been spar'd lay upon an inaccessible place and had five Brass Culverins and nineteen Iron Guns The City Parayba deserted by Bagnola The Hollanders encourag'd by their good Success went the same Night up the River Parayba to the Creek Tambia Grande where Landing they found all the Works empty three Iron Guns lying dismounted on the Ground the City Parayba without People and the Guns about the same either made useless or sunk in the Haven A Hamburgher that had liv'd a considerable time in Parayba otherwise call'd Philippea inform'd the Hollanders That Bagnola seeing no means to defend Parayba was gone to Goyana with two Companies one of Italians and the other Spaniards who were
Men and the other Captains being Parker North Thornap and Sir Walter Raleigh's Son The Spaniards having a Garrison at Orinoque fir'd very fiercely at the English who suffer'd great damage and amongst divers others Captain Raleigh himself was slain whilest the other five Sail lay near the Island Trinidad under John Pennington's Command who daily fear'd the Spanish Fleet. But Keymes found it very difficult to Land in Orinoque by reason of the Banks along the Shore which Diego de Palameque from Puerto Rico kept strongly guarded therefore going to an even Shore with intention to Land he was so sharply receiv'd by a Body of Spanish Musquetteers that divers of his Men were mortally wounded yet breaking in amongst them he went towards the Gold-Mines to which the Way led through a Wood where the Spaniards lay in Ambuscade but he judg'd himself too weak to do any good upon the Mines one of which belong'd to Peter Rodrigo de Parama a second to Herviano Frontino and the third to Francisco Fashardo The English also were fearful by reason of the Spaniards Cruelties who not long before had flay'd several Merchants alive Raleigh upon Gundamor's Accusation Beheaded so that Keymes contented himself with pillaging and burning the Town St. Thomas which the Spaniards had deserted Soon after which Captain Whitby ran away with a Ship from the Fleet whilest Keymes return'd back to Raleigh who laid several things to his Charge concerning the unnecessary Expence and shame of such an unsuccessful Voyage which so wrought upon Keymes that he offer'd to lay violent hands on himself in his Cabbin At length Raleigh returning to London was accus'd by the Spanish Ambassador Gundamor for the burning St. Thomas urging that his Master resented it so ill that he threatned to wage a War with England if Raleigh was not Executed who notwithstanding he alledg'd That the Spaniards shew'd the first Acts of Hostility against the English who onely defended themselves and that St. Thomas was burnt without his knowledge or Order and that Keymes had not observ'd his Command in the discovering of the Gold-Mines which Apologies were generally look'd upon as real Truths yet the King esteeming the Peace with Spain of more value than one Man's Life without taking notice of Gundemor's Accusations commanded that the Sentence formerly pass'd on him for Treason should be Executed and accordingly in the sixtieth year of his Age he was Beheaded discovering himself by his Christian Behavior and Profession at his Death to be a far other kind of Person than what the World had censur'd him to be Since this last Expedition of Sir Walter Raleigh we find not that there hath been any great Resort or Trade unto this Countrey except by a few Netherland Merchants who have yearly sent eight or nine Ships to the River Orinoque for Tobacco The temperature of the Air. As for the Air or Climate of Guiana it is very differing for about the Amazone River dry Weather begins about August and the windy and rainy Season about February but Westward towards Orinoque the Summer takes beginning in October and the Winter in April the Days and Nights are almost of an equal length and the difference of Heat and Cold is but little Burning-Feavers Dropsie and the Jawnes destroy many People here which last is not unlike the POX and proceeds from carnal Copulation with the Guianian Women who are naturally subject to this Disease The Nature of the Inhabitants The Inhabitants are divided into several sorts the chiefest whereof being the Caribbees go naked covering onely their Privities with a Lappet The Women though yellow are very comely and both Men and Women paint their Bodies with Netto which grows on little Trees in Cods They make Holes through their Noses Lips and Ears and hang Glass Bells pieces of Copper or any other Trifles that they get from the English and Netherlanders in them About their Necks Arms and Legs they wear Strings of Beads or Cockle-shells Their Houses with low Roofs serve them onely to sleep in the Night upon Cotton Hammocks for in the day-time they sit under high Arch'd open places that the Wind may blow full upon them Their Houshold-stuff consists of Earthen Pots and Dishes neatly painted They live in Tribes or Families together in a Town which is Govern'd by the eldest of them and their Militia is Commanded by one that is able to endure most Stripes with Switches without any shew of pain The chiefest of their Families have commonly three or four Wives whereas others are contented with one The Men seldom do any toilsom Work but make their Wives do all insomuch that as soon as a Woman is Deliver'd of a Child she must immediately go about her usual Employment whilest her Husband lies lozelling out his Moneth on a Hammock Their Language sounds not unpleasantly but is hard to learn because many words differ but little in the pronunciation and yet have quite another signification When they march into the Field against their Enemies then the General sends a Stick to all the Villages under his Jurisdiction on which are cut so many Notches as there are Days appointed before he intends to set forth which they cut out again as the Days expire and on the last they repair to the appointed place A not much unlike Custom they observe in all Promises and Bargains for they give one another as many Sticks as they desire Days to perform the same in and so throw away every day one till they have onely one remaining and then they begin to think of performing their Promise or Bargain They know no word whereby to express any greater number than Ten Twenty they express by laying their ten Fingers on their Toes and all that exceeds Twenty they compare to the Hairs of their Head crying Ounsa awara Some of the painted Canoos made of the Trunks of Trees will carry five or six Tuns Their manner of â—ighting Reâ—â—gion c. In their Wars they use Bowes poyson'd Arrows short Truncheons of speckled Wood and Shields full of carv'd Images and Fight without any Order They go upon no Design but in the Night and upon certain advantages All Women and Children which they take Prisoners are sold for Slaves but the Men are cruelly put to death There is but little of Religion that can be ascrib'd to these People onely that some shew Reverence to the Sun and Moon which they believe are both living Creatures but they make no Offerings to them Their Funeral-Feasts for great Persons are strangely kept viz. all the Men making themselves Drunk with the Liquor Parranoro Dance three or four days one after another and he that drinks most and is worst Drunk gains the greatest Honor whilest the Women lament and mourn for the Deceased Their Priests call'd Peeaios are in great esteem amongst them because they pretend that they Converse with the Spirits Wattipa and Yarakin which the Guianians exceedingly fear apprehending themselves often beaten
set ashore on Hispaniola and divided into Companies each Company consisting of twenty Parents separated from their Children and Husbands from their Wives and Lots cast for them those that had either sick decrepid or old People fall to their share us'd to cry as Casas testifies he hath often heard What do I do with this sick decrepid old Dog give him to the Devil I will not put my self to the trouble to kill and bury him But Soto's Death was not left unreveng'd for not long after Jacob Castellon setting Sail from St. Domingo left several Companies on Cubagua to re-build the Town Cadiz and rais'd a Fort at the Mouth of Cumana which hath ever since been kept by the Spaniards who made great slaughter amongst the Natives Hieronymo Ortall deserted by his Men Hieronymo Ortall Sailing up the Stream Negeri sent his Lieutenant Augustine Delgado through the populous Provinces Guacharuco and Parimatuotu to the River Unare where not without a sharp Conflict he took abundance of Provisions in a Village In the mean time Ortall travell'd to Meta acting inhumane Cruelties all the way but approaching Guiana where Delgado was kill'd he was deserted by his mutinous Men who ran over to Nicholas Federman so that he was forc'd to return back to the new Fort Miguel de Neveri and from thence to St. Domingo with ten Soldiers fearing that Antonio Sedenno who judg'd himself wrong'd by Ortall because Cumana belong'd to his Lordship would fall upon him Sedenno being five hundred Men strong discover'd the Sea-Coast all along to Patigutaro where Setling himself he regarded no Discipline which the Natives observing kill'd many a Spaniard and others the Tygers also devour'd especially in the Night they being forc'd to keep lighted Fires about them against the wild Beasts About the beginning of the Year 1537. Sedenno travell'd to the Countrey Anapuya and Orocomay to the Province Goioguaney where the Inhabitants defended themselves very valiantly in a woodden Fort before which many Spaniards were kill'd with poyson'd Arrows and those who were not mortally wounded had no way to escape but by burning the Poyson out with hot Irons yet at last the Defendants were forc'd to flie with their Wives and Children up to the Mountains overgrown with Brambles Sedenno marching through barren Fields and over troublesom Rivers The Death of Sedenno and Juan Fernandez came to the mountainous Countrey Catapararo where he found abundance of Maiz and some little pieces of Gold and was advanc'd about a League and a half in Cumana when dying he made room for his Successor Juan Fernandez who surviv'd him not long yet the Expedition was not left unprosecuted for Sedenno's Men after the Decease of him and Fernandez went farther and discover'd a low Land which in the Winter being overflow'd forc'd the Inhabitants to remove to the Mountains But at last the Spaniards being weary with travelling fell out amongst themselves and dividing into several Parties went several ways some to Venezuela others to Maracapana and the rest to Cubagua SECT III. Venezuela Situation and Description of Venezuela THe principal part of the Province of Venezuela is border'd on the East with Cumana on the West with a great Gulf or Bay call'd The Bay of Venezuela with the Lake Maracabo and some part of New Granada Northward it hath the Ocean or Atlantick Sea Southward some undiscover'd Countreys which as we said lie betwixt the Andes and it It stretches out in length from East to West a hundred and thirty Leagues or thereabouts but in breadth little more than half so much it was nam'd Venezuela or Little Venice by Alonso de Ojeda a Spaniard who at his first discovery of the Countrey fell upon a Town of the Natives which stood like another Venice all upon the Water and having no passage to it but by Boats It is a Countrey extraordinary rich in all sorts of Commodities affords good Pasture for Cattel and abundance of fair Herds of them Oxen Sheep Swine c. plenty of Corn and other Grain great store of Venison in the Woods of Fish in the Rivers Gold in the Mines and therefore not likely but to be well peopled and inhabited especially by the Spaniards whose Towns and Places of chief importance are these Towns and principal Places of Venezuela 1. Venezuela at the most Westerly Confines of the Countrey built upon the Sea with the advantage of a double Haven in a temperate and good Air and the Soil round about it the best in the whole Province It is now a Bishop's See who is Suffragan to the Arch-bishop in Hispaniola and the ordinary Residence of the Governor 2. Caravalleda call'd by the Spaniards Nuestra Sennora de Caravalleda fourscore Leagues distant from Venezuela towards the East upon the Sea 3. St. Jago de Leon in the Countrey of Caracas four or five Leagues Southward of Caravalleda and six or seven distant from the Sea 4. New Valentia twenty five Leagues distant from St. Jago 5. New Xeres a Town but lately built fifteen Leagues Southward of New Valentia 6. New Segovia but one League distant from Xeres 7. Tucuyo a Place well known and frequented for the abundance of Sugar that is made there and in the Countrey round about it 8. Truxillo or Our Lady de la Paz eighteen Leagues Southward of the Lake Maracabo a Place of great resort and much frequented for Trade both by Spaniards and Natives 9. Laguna a Town lying more towards the bottom of the Lake said to be much haunted with Tygers and more than this not much is said of it VENEZUELA cum parte Australi NOVAE ANDALUSIAE When the Emperor Charles the Fifth Marry'd with Isabella Daughter to the King of Portugal Anno 1526. the Welsares being Dutch Gentlemen in Augsburgh made an Agreement with him for a Sum of Money to Conquer Venezuela whither they sent Ambrosius Alfinger and Bartholomeus Sayltar with four hundred Foot and eighty Horse These Forces Landing at Venezuela drove away Juan de Ampues who Sailing from St. Domingo thither had discover'd the Coast along Coriano and already made an Agreement with a mighty Prince of that Countrey call'd Manaure But Alfinger marching to the Lake Maracabo Alfinger's horrid Cruelties upon the Natives destroy'd all the Inhabitants of the Countrey Axaguas though they came to meet him Dancing with rich Presents of Gold which he not regarding kill'd them drove some into a House and there cut them in pieces and burnt those that were got upon the Roof From hence going towards the Pocabuyes who dwelt on the West side of Maracabo amongst high Mountains he was Entertain'd by them a considerable time very courteously and Presented with rich Gifts for which at his departure he shut up both Men Women and Children into a high Wall'd Park where they were all to perish if they did not every one pay a certain quantity of Gold to be releas'd which not being able to raise they all dy'd for want of Food After
Hangman return'd to his Business cutting off the Portuguese's Nose Ears Privy-Members and tearing out his Heart which he threw to two Dogs who devour'd the same then dividing the Body into Quarters which were set up at the four Corners of the City for an Example The same Punishment receiv'd a Mulatto who endeavor'd to fire two of the Hollanders best Ships in the Haven Notwithstanding these Punishments the Soldiers ran away daily the blame whereof might justly be laid on the Magistrates who took no notice of the Soldiers just Complaints of their Officers cheating them of a third part of their Provision and inflicting severe Punishments upon them as Mutineers when they had real cause of Complaint Schuppe was at the same time shrewdly put to it for want of Men who either dy'd of the then reigning Disease or ran away to the Enemy so that he was forced to leave the Island Taperica and inclose himself within his new rais'd Sconce Admiral Bankert gains a great Victory over the Portuguese Fleet. The Admiral Bankert had better success for Cruising up and down before the Inlet Todos los Sanctos after the taking and sinking of several Ships as they came in his way he at last set upon the Portuguese Fleet consisting of seven great Ships of which one got to St. Salvador another was sunk and the other five were taken being valu'd at twenty Tuns of Gold or 200000 l. Sterl In this Engagement were kill'd above four hundred Portugueses besides two hundred and fifty who were taken Prisoners and sent Shackled to Reciffa Amongst them was the new Vice-Roy of Brasile the Admiral Vice-Admiral three Monks and several other Persons of note Marshal Hous arrives at Reciffa with a fresh Supply This Victory began to give some Breath to Reciffa when at the same time Marshal Hous arriv'd there with seven Ships Mann'd with five hundred Soldiers This Hous on the seventeenth of August Anno 1645. had been taken Prisoner at the Engenho having fought so long till all his Powder was spent so that he was forc'd to surrender himself upon promise of Quarter to Vidal who after he had taken an Oath upon the Bible to spare the Lives of all the Hollanders and Brasilians fell upon the Brasilians and slew them being a hundred in all in Cold-blood who yet sold their Lives at no easie rate Being carry'd Prisoner together with Captain Bristow Listry Wildschut Blar and two hundred more by Viera to Casa de Prugar he was thence sent to Portugal where being releas'd be brought News to the States of the mean Condition of the West-India Company and that all things must needs be lost if they did not speedily take the Business into Consideration Whereupon he was furnish'd with a Supply of Ships and Men with which he set Sail for Brasile where being arriv'd most part of the Soldiers he brought with him were Transported to Taperica to assist Schuppe who as soon as they came to him march'd into the Countrey where being set upon by a thousand Portugueses he lost sixty Men. Soon after Hoogenstraet receiving Orders from the Governor of St. Salvador who was inform'd by some Prisoners that Schuppe had not above twelve hundred fighting Men to fall upon him with three thousand made a furious Assault upon the Sconce in two places and Storming the same for two hours together lost four hundred Men which made him draw off a little before Day-break In the interim nine Privateers fitted out by several Merchants of Holland and Zealand came to Cruise up and down before the Coast of Brasile which the States the rather allow'd of because the West-India Company was not able to send any more Supplies thither Nor was it long ere they took five Portuguese Prizes and afterwards joyning with Bankert four more laden full of Sugar in the Haven Todos los Sanctos where they threw a hundred and twenty Portuguese and fifty revolted Hollanders overboard Reciffa being at that time reduc'd to very great straits earnestly implor'd Aid from the States but to little purpose by reason of the Differences amongst themselves which hapned upon this occasion The Spanish King by his Agent in the Hague made Overtures of Peace and proffer'd to fall upon the Portuguese in Brasile to which Proposition when as the rest of the States seem'd inclinable those of Zealand would no ways hearken being resolv'd to have nothing to do with Spain The Council of Reciffa sent over Messengers to represent the sad condition of the Place The news of this Dissention exceedingly perplex'd the Council at Reciffa especially when to that news was added that Bankert the onely terror to the Enemy at Sea was Commanded home by the States of Zealand which yet the General States strictly forbad Whereupon they thought fit to send one of their Assembly to the Hague to make the States acquainted with the miserable Condition of Brasile and to Expostulate with them for their insensibility of their Condition and to let them understand that ten thousand Men would not restore Brasile to its former Condition Every one strove to be the Messenger of these sad tydings but especially their President Schonenbergh wish'd it might be his lot to leave the unhappy Countrey of Brasile but because his departure would not have been without great murmuring of the People Haeks was sent in his stead Together with him went Hinderson who was in no esteem since the Destruction on Rio Grande they both Embarqu'd on Bankert's Ship and five others which in stead of being laden with rich Commodities and ballasted with Sugar as heretofore were fraught with discontented Seamen decrepid and sick Soldiers unserviceable Jews poor Travellers Portuguese Prisoners and onely ten Weeks Provisions whereas all other Vessels at their Return from Brasile us'd to have Provision for three Moneths which at this time could not be spar'd The Council also made Orders what Persons should go with the fore-mention'd Ships viz. None but those whose Names were written in the Lists which had stuck six Weeks at every Church Door that by that means no Creditor might suffer by his Debtors going away nor any Criminal escape his deserved punishament Bankert had scarce been a Week at Sea when he dy'd of the Palsie Bankert's Death and Character he was a Man who for his valiant Exploits was from a Fore-mast Man preferr'd to be Captain which Office he perform'd with great Prudence and Valor but that which first made him most eminently taken notice of was his Engaging with thirteen Dunkirkers of which he sunk three and being boarded by three more and fir'd at by the rest he refus'd to surrrender his Ship on promise of Quarter but plac'd his eldest Son with a lighted Match in the Powder-room commanding him on pain of Death to blow up the Ship with the three Dunkirkers as soon as he gave the Word which valorous Resolution so amaz'd the Enemy that they let him go He also behav'd himself bravely in the Downs
against the Spanish Admiral Oquendo His two Sons that were present when he gave up the Ghost would not have his Body thrown overboard notwithstanding it stunk so intolerably that all the Provisions in the Ship were tainted by it therefore taking out his Entrails they Salted the Body wrapt it up in four Sail-cloths and nailing the same up in a pitchy Chest bury'd it under the Ballast Mean while the Fleet approaching the Flemmish Isles was surpris'd by a terrible Storm in which the Vice-Admiral's old Ship split asunder but most of the People were sav'd Between Calice and Dover they met with eight Ostenders against whom they made themselves ready to Fight but they according to the King of Spain's Order instead of Hostility shew'd them Friendship All their Provisions were spent when they happily Anchor'd before Flushing where Bankert's Body was Interr'd with great Solemnity In the interim the United Netherlands had fitted out another Fleet to assist Reciffa the West-India Company having first demanded of the King of Portugal two hundred and eighty Tuns of Gold to the value of which they affirm'd themselves to have been damag'd by the Insurrection of the Portuguese On the other side the King of Portugal was in a quandary about the Business of Brasile for first he had no other thoughts but that Brasile would have fall'n into his hands within the space of three Moneths because the Plot there was so subtilly laid neither did he think the States would have concern'd themselves with the West-India Companies Business which now it was manifest they did Besides this there was a third Inconvenience viz. that the Spanish Crown endeavor'd to conclude a Peace with the United Netherlands Overtures of Peace from the Portuguese resus'd by the Netherlands wherefore that he might put a stop to the sending of the Fleet to Brasile he dealt with the French Ambassador to make very advantageous Proffers in his behalf viz. That he would surrender all the conquer'd Places and make good all the Damages that had been sustain'd thereby The Fleet appointed to go to Brasile was hereupon stopt till the States had Consulted about an Answer on the fore-mention'd Propositions but when Haeks brought news of the falshood of the Portuguese the Scale was immediately turn'd insomuch that the Portuguese Ambassador went in danger of his Life till the Mutineers were put into Custody Moreover the Fleet was order'd to Sail with all speed possible to Reciffa with promise that another Fleet should soon follow with six thousand Men but the many disconsolate tydings that had been brought of late of the hardships and sufferings of those that went before through the unwholsomness of the Climate the want of Provisions the Strength and Cruelty of the Enemy made the Seamen and Soldiers very unwilling to go so fatal a Voyage insomuch that as many as could made their escape yet at last on the last day of December Anno 1647. the Fleet set Sail under the Command of Corneliszoon de Wit some Weeks before which Schuppe was forc'd to desert the Island Taperica to go and aid Reciffa which the Portuguese from a rais'd Battery on the other side of the River Biberibi shot at so incessantly that none were safe either in their Houses or in the Streets Mean while the Portuguese Agent Francisco de Sousa Continho proffer'd the States to go to Brasile himself and cause to be restor'd all those Places which had been taken from the West-India Company particularly the City St. Salvador and Tercera besides Reparation for all other Damages Grave Maurice his high Demands At the same time Grave Maurice was Treated with to go to Brasile again but his Demands were so high that it came to nothing for he requir'd 4000 l. yearly to spend at his Table and 5000 l. besides during his Life also 2000 l. to set him out and twelve thousand Men to Besiege St. Salvador which was always guarded by four thousand and thirty Carvels lay ready before Lisbon to carry four thousand more thither Angola and Loando taken by the Portuguese All things went very ill on the Hollanders side at this present for besides that the fore-mention'd Fleet had not its wish'd success most of the Men being destroy'd by the immoderate Heat of the Climate Angola and Loando were also taken by the Portuguese These Misfortunes made the West-India Company begin to be very forward to come to a Treaty with the Portuguese Agent who before seem'd rather to court them having offer'd to Engage for the restoration of whatever they possess'd at that time when the ten years Peace was concluded but when they came to insist upon that Point he answer'd That he must expect new Orders from Lisbon concerning Loando because the taking of that Place caus'd an alteration in the state of Affairs But the States no way satisfi'd with Delays that were like to prove both hurtful and disgraceful resolv'd to put into Execution what they had before agreed upon viz. The East-India Company was impower'd to make Prize of all Portuguese Ships towards the payment of the fifteen Tuns of Gold ordain'd for the West-India Company to help them against the Portuguese Oppression The West-India Company also receiv'd Commissions to Cruise for Portuguese Vessels before Brasile Schuppe and Coche miserably defeated as they were Besieging Gararapes On the seventeenth of February Anno 1649. three thousand Soldiers that came over in the fore-mention'd Fleet besides two hundred Negro's and as many Seamen marching to Besiege Gararapes under the Command of Schuppe and Coche were so furiously set upon by the Sallying Enemy that they were forc'd to break up the Siege in great disorder whilest the Portuguese being in number two thousand five hundred fell upon the Rere and though the Dutch Officers us'd all the care they could possible to bring their Men to face about yet they were not able to keep them from running away in which flight great slaughter of them was made by the Portuguese Horse consisting of a hundred and thirty Arm'd with Lances insomuch that in the flight and the pursuit a thousand Netherlanders were slain and nineteen Ensigns or Colours were left behind as Trophies for the Portuguese the chief of the Slain were Colonel Brink and Houteryve The Zealanders were much concern'd at the improsperous Affairs of Brasile in regard a fifth part of the West-India Companies Stock belong'd to Middleburg Flushing and Veer insomuch that the Complaints of Widows and Orphans that shar'd in the common loss mov'd the States to fit out six great Ships and as many Ketches Mann'd with two thousand eight hundred Men for Brasile where all things ran to ruine the Grandees both of the Council Army and Fleet being at variance and impeaching one another The rest of the Provinces especially Friesland being less inclin'd to the West-India Company were somewhat colder in the pursuit of this Business nevertheless upon a fresh Letter of Complaint from Walter Schonenbergh President of the