more where the Gulph of Mexico beginneth to turne from the West directly South from the degrees of 29 to 25. I might here proceed with the description of Nova Hispania a countrey of highest esteem with the Spaniard for riches and fruitfulnesse but having passed as far as the Northwest Seas of America will permit I take it to be our best course to returne back againe to view the Ilands and the more Southeast parts of the Continent lying far nearer and every way of as good consequence for the propagating of the Gospell and the setling of some weake Plantations which we have there already for the continuall sending forth more Colonies and for the obtaining store of treasure and many rich merchantable commodities Cuba THE first great Iland in our returne lying most to the West is Cuba having Hispaniola Easternly to usward distant from the first Easterne part thereof which is Cape Mayzi twelve leagues to the West it is divided from Nova Hispania by a long and large interposition of Sea called Mexico To the North it hath the Lucayicke Islands The neerest parts to the South is the Island Iamaica From the East promontory of Mazi to Cape Anthony full West it extendeth it self no lesse then 230 leagues but in breadth where it is largest it exceedeth not forty leagues where narroest not fifteene A very large Island and fruitfull soyle able abundantly to sustaine many thousand men for the Natives are well nigh utterly destroyed by the Spaniard And the few Spanish inhabitants at this time there remaining are not able to make use of the fifth part thereof The Climate is somewhat hot but yet healthfull and reasonable temperate it is so over stored with kine as they kill them meerely for their hides and so with hogges as they know not what to doe with them It hath in it a Cathedrall and a Monestery To the East thirty leagues distant and within ten leagues of the Northern Sea lieth a Towne called Baracoa neer to which runneth the River Mares To the North West likewise thirty leagues lieth Baiamo which though it be an inland towne yet it is well furnished with usefull commodities by meanes of the great river Cante which falleth into the Sea on the South-side of the Island A fourth Towne whereunto belongeth a good haven Porto del Principe lying to the Northside neer forty leagues from Saint Iages On the Southfide more then fiftie leagues from Iages lieth the Town Spiritus Sanctus And betweene these lie the great mountaines Tarquino Cape de Crus and a great inlet of the Sea the Land bending to the North and to the North-east no lesse then a degree but the coming up unto them by reason of the many rockes and shelves is somewhat dangerous From hence being more then halfe the length of the Island unto Cape Anthony the most Westerne promontory of great note with mariners On the South-side also lieth the Town Seas Port Xagua and Cape Corrientes opportune places to harbour and take in water and wood The West end of Cuba from Cape Anthony bendeth Northward where lie the Organes observed by Saylors to be dangerous touching upon in regard of many sands rockes and shallowes but after the Land falling into the East not above nine miles from Habana there are two very convenient Ports Port Puercos and Port Marien but of all the Ports of Cuba Habana on the Northside neer the West end of the Iland is farre the largest the safest and most renowned It is strongly Fortified both by nature and by Arte by a narrow coming up unto it by Sea and with strong Castles as it is thought to be invincible and therefore hither as to a most secure harbour from all parts of America the Spanish Fleet meeteth yeerly and so being gathered together returne about the beginning of September with there farre greater treasure collected then considerable Forces to conduct it safely into Spaine Neither indeed is Habana so impregnable but that a Navy Royall landing some of their Forces at Port Marien or Port Puercos aforesaid may take both Town treasure before the Spanish Navy can put from thence if they could in a seasonable time somewhat about September light upon the Spanish Fleet And if the Grandes of Spaine have by reason of the large pension of 3. or 4000. pounds yeerly paid to many pensioners here such intelligence of an intendment that way yet though we should misse of the Fleet for one yeer we might be sure to seize upon the Towne and so greatly straighten them in their yeerly returnes and in few yeers become Commanders of those narrow Seas through which their vast treasure is yearly conveighed Hispaniola HIspaniola lyeth between the degree of eighteen and twenty one of the North latitude The most East end of it at Cape Enganno is very narrow the most West end between Saint Nicholas to the North and Cape Dona Maria to the Southside is broader then any other part of the Island The length from East to West 120. leagues the breadth as it is related by Spanish Authors is 60. leagues where it is widest where narrowest thirty The temperature of the aire till noone is somewhat over hot but after continually temperate The commodities of Suger and Cow-hides are more abundaut here then in any of these Islands Acosta reporteth that from hence in the yeer 1587. were brought into Spaine 9000. Chests of Suger they though kill their Beasts most for their hides yet they multiply to fast upon them and such is the increase of horse and hogges which sufficiently proveth the exceeding fertillity of their soyle there having been neither Neat horse nor hogges in the whole Ile before it was stored by the Spanish not above 150 yeers since Now to begin the particular description of the I le of the Townes Rivers and Ports according to the severall Provinces as they lie from East to West betweene North and South The most Easterne Province called Hygvey is a rough and mountainous place yet well furnished with variety of fruitfull trees To the South lie two small Islands Catilina and Zybo well provided with good nature and store of cattell as also the Island Saona of a larger extent which though it be not now inhabited yet it is very commodious for Ships to furnish themselves with severall sorts of provision it abounding with great store of fruits and wholsome cattell The next province is Iagvagua upon the South Coast wherein standeth San Domingo the onely chiefe City of the Island built by Bartholomeus Collumbus Anno 1494. on the East-side of the River Osama but afterwards removed by Nicolas Obando to the Westside It is neatly built and stately with stones and environed with a strong wall It is the seat of an Archbishop and the place where the governour of the Island and all the Kings officers do reside and but that it is not conveniently supplied with water it might wel passe for one of the best cities in all
Fish Fowl and honey with which it aboundeth Over against the West end of Cumana a degree remote to the North lyeth Tortugas and Blancas distant five leagues one from the other which for that they afford little elâ—e but Hogges and Goats hard to be taken being overrunne with exceeding sharp briers and thornes are seldome gone unto The next part of the continent bending to the Northwest is Venezuella a â—ar greater and râ—cher Country It consisteth of many Provinces and hath in it many Spanish Townes and commodicus Havens The soyle in generall is so fertill as it affordeth two cropâ— yeerly the Pastures and Meddowes thereof are so many and â—o rich as they plentifully sustaine greâ—t store of wholsome Cattell as well Neat as other The great sâ—ore of Cow and Oxe hides usually brought from thence sufficiently prove the same It is also generally reported to afford in divers Provinces good store of treasure especially gold of the best sort Before the comming of the Gâ—rmanes into this Country to whom the Emperour Charles gave it in regard of their great service against the Protestants the Country was full of Inhabitants but by reason of the covetousnesse and cruelty of those Germanes whose intent was not to plant but to make spoyle of the Natives they were well nigh utterly rooted out and are not now much increased by a latter possession of the Spanish but Tygers and other wild beasts have overrunne it Spanish Authors make mention of severall Provinces belonging to Venezuella but they doe not so cleerly prescribe their severall limits as is requisite Therefore proceeding in my discourse according to my usuall method in following the Sea-coast I shall briefly acquaint you with such Spanish Towns as are neare adjacent to the Sea-coast or neer upon the same degree of longitude though farre distant in regard of latitude from North to South which is the breadth of the Country The most Easterne promontory of Venezuella is Cordeliera within five miles of Porte de Guaira whence within fifteene miles is the strong Tower called Caraâ—as and from thence within two miles is Blanco all convenient harbours for ships Then follow Turâ—ane and Burburate two other commodious and safe Havens the former whereof affordeth good water and is distant from Blanco thirteene miles the other store of salt and is remote from the said Blanco fifteene miles Within the Land aâ—ove two leagues from the Sea-coast lyeth Carvaleda a Spanish Towne of some note and from thence about foure leagues is Saint Iago a greater Town where the Governour of those parts doth usually reside From Porte Burbarata about seven leagues within the continent directly to the South the Spanish of latter time hath built Nova Valentia from whence fifteene leagues more to the South is Nova Zerez of a later standing both well accommodated with wholsome provision in a competent measure From Zerez to Nova Segovia another Spanish Towne directly to the South is twenty leagues it joyneth upon the River Bariquicemetâ— which falleth after a great circuit of ground into the River Oronoque the Country hereabouts is very barren but the mountaines with which it is surrounded are conceived by the Germanes who built that Towne to be well stored with gold this opinion of theirs is upon good grounds strongly confirmed by others of better judgement who have written of those parts Tucunio that is exceedingly commended for the sweetnesse of the Ayre the temperature of the climate the super-abundant variety of victuall and store of gold it yeeldeth is yet eleven leagues more to the Southwest distant from the neerest place of the North Seacoast fifty from Nova Granado 150 leagues in which long passage two parts are very pleasant and fruitfull the third very rough and ill provided Now to returne to the Sea coast and so with relation to the longitude of Venesuella to survey the middle of this Country as it extendeth it selfe to the South Not farre from Burburata lyeth a little gulfe called Triste from which Porte Etsave is a league distant whence the Land beginning to wind upon the North sea continueth for the space of 55 leagues so to doe by somewhat proportionable gaining on the Sea Onely a little above Coro the onely City here the Land turning two leagues to the South and then againe twelve to the North-west admitteth a great inlet of the Sea which falling somewhat neare to the gulfe of Venezuella laying on the other side maketh a kind of Peninsula called Paragoana containing in the circumferance about 25 leagues The Cape whereof to the North is San-Roman a promontory of great note and betweene the South-west end thereof and the foresaid gulfe lyeth the great Lake of Maracaybo extended into the continent in length 35. 〈◊〉 bredth ten leagâ—es over the mouth of it being a mile and a halfe wide joyned with the gulfe of Venequell whence though the Sea daily flow into it yet doth it empty it selfe by a constant ebbing The Islands over against this part of the continent some leagues remote in respect of latitude are first Bonary neare a degree distant to the North it is of eight miles circumferance well provided with store of hogs and horse as also with one safe Haven on the Northwest end thereof from hence 39 leagues farther to the west and fourteene to the North from Coro the onely City of Venezuella is Curaca farre lesse but more fertill It hath a Haven on the North but not very safe especially for great ships The last is Araba nine miles remote from Quaracâ—o to the West and eight from Cape San Roman to the North Let us now consider the Spanish Townes adjacent to this Sea-coast and more remote into the Land Coro which is built in the foresaid Peninsula having a Bishop seat in it goeth by the name of a City and is indeed the onley place of note neare adjoying to Sea and chiefe Towne of Venezuella it hath belonging to it two Havens to the West and North that to the west though not very good is farre better then that of the North The Country round about is well stored with fish flesh fowle and sugar Canes One thing it hath peculiar such store of wholsome and medicinable herbs as it is said to need no Physitian From Coro directly to the South betweene the North Sea-coast the Lake Maracabo and neare Valentâ—a lyeth Portilla de Carora in the fertile Vale of Carora a large space of ground neare two leagues from the pleasant and fruitfull fields of Coro to the no lesse pleasant and fruitfull Vale of Carora is mountainous and unfruitfull inhabited onely by Savages called Xizatiaras and Axaguas In the bottome of Maracabo is Lagana a Spanish Towne surrounded between two Rivers with well levelled grounds which might serve to good use being abundantly stored with Deere Coneys and great variety of Fowle but that it is overrunne with wild Beasts especially with Tygers Beyond which eightteene leagues more to the South is the
Rivers is Wiapoco inhabited also by the Yayi lying betweene the fourth and fifth degree of latitude into whose channell many little Rivers fall The regions in generall belonging to the five foresaid Rivers are very fruitfull temperate and pleasant I say in the generall for they are not in all places alike The sea coasts to omit further particulars are more hot but yet withall moarish and therefore lesse fruitfull or pleasant The Inland being mountainous is colder but yet more profitable the ground that lyeth between them both being in some places of greater in others of lesse extent doth farre exceed them both in temperature pleasure and profit They abound with all manner of provision for life with Cassavi rootâ— wherewith the Natives 〈◊〉 a kind of bread aâ—d beare which they prefer before those made with ours or Indâ—an grain of both which the soyle in generall promiseth great increase They have also store of beasts both for food and chase namely Deare of all sorts Bores Hares Conneys Tygers Leopards and Lyons but those that are of greatest use for food are their Maypowri and Baremo the flesh of the one like our Beefe the other like our Mutton As for Fowle Fish fruits they afford according to our Countryman Master Harcourt's relation not mâ—ch lesse store or variety then is before confidently reported to be found in the Countryes bordering about Caroly and the other higher streames of Oronoque And though as yet there hath not beene any discovery made by us of any golden or silver mines in these parts yet both English and Dutch Travailers that way affirme they have seene two sorts of precious stones Jaspers and Porpheryes of both which the Natives inforâ—e them there are great store to be found in divers hils But this is very certaine that few places in the world afford more variety of rich materials for dying or more sweet and soveraign Balsomes The third most Southerne River in compâ—ssing Guiana is that of Amazon so called not as some have conjectured for that the Women have killed or expelled the Males not admitting any society with tâ—em but onely for one moneth in the yeare for the continuance of Procreation but because both Male and Female usually go in long hair hanging downe below their 〈◊〉 This great River is observed to vent it selfe by so many armes or streames farre distant the one from the other no lesse then six degrees viz. from the River Arowary lying above Cape de Noordneere upon the third degree of the North Latitâ—de unto the River Taâ—ieuru as many to the South beyond the Equinoctial Yet because the discovery as yet made or at least made knowne to us of the severall fâ—lls of this great River are small and confusedly delivered I shall reserve the deseription of them and the regions adjacent with the condition of the Natives to my next Booke as having so neare intercourse and respect to Soâ—th America I hâ—ve done with 〈◊〉 my dâ—scription must now proceed with the coâ—tinent and Islands adjoyning where I 〈…〉 tâ—ey lye Westward from the Island Granada by the America Mâ—dâ—terranean Sea Margarita Coetz Cobana THe neerest parts of the continent to Granada the most Southerne of all the Charib Islands is by Herrâ—â— stiled Nova Aâ—dalusia but now better 〈◊〉 by the names of Cumana and Venesuella a spacious Country but not the fifth part of what formerly hath beene reckoned to belong to Nova Audalusia In the passage from Granada to Araya the first part of note belonging to Cumana about 17 leagues distant from Granada to the South-west lye Testigos eight rockes rather then Islands As also the Isle of Margarita Coets and Cobana not long since very famous for exceeding store of rich pearle I shall briefly dispatch them and so proceede with Cumana which is yet more to the South-west The greatest and chiefest of these three Islands is Margarita just about the eleventh degree to the North of Cumana six or seven leagues betweene which lye the two other Cobana and Coetz According to Herrea it is distant from Hispalinola 170 leagues the length of it is sayd to be sixteen leagues the fertility of the soyle is sayd to be very good but this the late Netherland Navigatours deny In former times the great abundance of pearle obtained by continual taking of Oysters made this Island of greatest fame and report insomuch as the Kings of Spaine for the better securing the Pinaces imployed in the Oyster fiâ—hing bâ—ilt two strong Forts the one to the East the other to the South But now the pearly Oysters by reasoâ— of the Spanish insatiable and unseasonable taking of them doe upon the matter utterly faile the Island is of small note and lesse resort The chief Fort of it was taken and demolished 1626 by Heredices the Dutch Admirall who carried from thence eleven peeces of Ordnance The other two Islands Cobana and Coetz which fall between Margarita and Cubana are but small ones and at this time of as little regard though formerly of great esteeme with the Spaniard for the great store of pearle they afforded It is â—redibly reported that for many yeeres the Kings fifth part which was imposed upon the Traders came in Cobana onely to no lesse then 15000 Ducats yeerly Cubana and Venezuella ANd now to the continent The first place of note in Cubana is the promontory of Araya in the same paralell of longitude to the West end of Margarita but distant in regard of latitude to the South six or seven leagues Upon the winding in of this promontory betweene it and the gulfe Cariaco which for many leagues is extended into the continent are found large pits of excellent and durable salt of which the Dutch made great use untill many of their men were there unhappily surpâ—â—ed and crueâ—ly cut off by the Spaniard Since which time the better to debarre them and other Nations from supplying themselves from thence with that most necessary commodity he hath built a very strong Fort On the west side of the gulfe two miles distant from Sea is Cumana a pretty large Towne from whence the Land beginning to tâ—rne againe to the North hath besides others these foure safe and convenient Havens Bordones Saint Fayths Commonagot and Oychyre From which last and most Westerne part Oychyre unto Cape Salinas the most Eastward neare Bocco Del Draco where Cumana beginneth are at least seventy leagues The bredth of it according to Spanish Authors in most places is fourty leagues unto the South In former ages it was well stored with Natives of which the tenth part are not now to be found the Spaniard having severall occasions to transport them elswhere and to make unmercifull execution of them It should seeme by the long stay and large preambulations that Ortelius and Sedenus two Spanish Comanders made in this Country that but small store of gold and silver is to be found here neither is there any great provision of sustentation for life except it be of
am now come to make entry upon those Provinces that appertaine to the royalty of Nova Hispania For the right surveighing whereof I must of necessity againe fall to discribe the Sea-coast so by surrounding in Yucatan a long and wide Peninsula save onely in the necke of it where the gulss of Honduras and Mexico come neerest together of no lesse then 25. leagues compasse the sayling on either side of it is dangerous by reason of many scattering Islands rocks shelves and sands From the comming up againe of Honduras gulfe on the South-east of Yucatan to the North-east these are very carefully to be avoyded as most pernitious Elbob Lamanary Zaratan Pantoia Quitazuwenho which last signifieth as much as now take heed It lyeth in the eighteenth degree of latiude a full degree more to the North then Guanima Isle just opposite to cape Honduras but much of the same longitude with them so as though the gulfe on either side towards Yucatan or Honduras be not safe to saile in yet by the channell thereof more then twenty leagues broad in most places is safe and navigable From Quitazuwenho to Cape Conche the most northeast of this Peninsula and neerest to the Island Cuba are neer seventy leagues between which comes the Island Coznmel and many petty Islands called Mucheres The North and North-west Sea-coast of Yucatan are no lesse dangerous then the North-east as being also full of sands shallowes and rocky Islands known by the name of Alcranes and Negrillos which though they be far remote from land yet they make the passage dangerous to come into the best ports of Comill on the river Ligartes on that side being themselus not very good From hence to the west the continent falling down again more and more to the South for three degrees viz. from above 21. to 28. all this coast as the other by reason of the Isle of Sands Desconsidla and Triangulo and some others no lesse sandy but much more rocky is hazardous and make Cical and Telichaque the best Havens hereabouts to be lesse frequented Neither yet is the Sea channell here adjoyning so deepe and free from sands as is safe for ships of any great burden to faile in The land within this long and wide Peninsula is for the most part neither temperate nor healthfull save onely in the mountainous places nor so much inhabited but onely to the North end of it where standeth Merida the chief Town about twelve leagues from sea the Governour Bishops abode accompanied with 100 Spanish Families Another is Vallidolid 31. leagues to the East of Merida where a great Monastry of Franciscans standeth and where the Natives of the region adjoyning are said farre to exceed all others being at least 50000. A third Towne fifty leagues to the West of Merida is Campeche where Captaine Parker our Country-man Anno 1596. with some hazard but greater honour seized in sight of all the Inhabitants upon a ship laden with gold silver and other rich commodities and brought her away though they made all the resistance possibly they could A fourth Towne is Salamanea in the neck of this Peninsula not much differing in respect of longitude though neerer a degree in latitude from port Real it belongeth to the Province of Tabasco of which I will say no more but that it is very slenderly inhabited though yet it be of large extent no lesse then forty leagues bordering upon the North-sea called the gulfe of Mexico as many in breth toward the South adjoyning to the province Verapaz and Chiapa The reasons whereof given by Authors are that this Country is as intemperate and unwholsome as any other thereabouts and affordeth but slender sustentation and but few Merchantable Commodities The onely Spanish Towne in this Province is called Senora Victoria in remembrance of the great Victory here obtained by Cortesius the over prosperious because the over cruell subduer of this and all the Country hereabout The next Province to the South is Chiapa much upon the same bredth and length whereof also little is to be said but that it is a more pleasant and healthfull more abounding with the rare though usuall fruit of Nova Hispania and which is Neat Sheep and Swine the horses are of such an excellent breed as they are sent for as farre as Mexico the Metropolis of Nova Hispania no lesse then 200. leagues distant Here are likewise many Eagles and other Fowles of prey that now live upon such wholsome and toothsome Fowle as may be better imployed for mans sustentation and by their meanes more easily taken Ximenes maketh mention of one monstrous Bird having one foot like a Goose and the other like a Faulcon that liveth by prey taken both in the water and Ayer There are in Chiapa many Natives distinguished by the names of Zeques Zeltales Quelcnes and Secaulands and among either of these there are many Villages well inhabited The onely Spanish Towne of note is Cuidad Reall seventy leagues to the North-east of Guatimala and as many from Senora in Tabasco From Chiapa westward followeth the Bishoprick of Guaxaca whereunto the Provinces Misceca Tucepeque Zapoteca and Guazacoalco are annexed which take up all the continent between both seas From the great River Guazacoalco unto the River Alvarde on the North side distant the one from the other fifty leagues As much more from Tecoantepeque a small port to Tequanapa a safe Haven in the wide and deepe River Onatepec betweene which lyeth the famous port of Agutulco taken with much treasure by Sir Francis Drake Anno 1578. and by Captains Candish 1586. This Bishoprick with the Provinces annexed are in the generall though mountainous very fertill and healthfull but the Valley of Guaxaca that Crotesius the Conquerer of this Country and the regions thereabout chose for his inheritance doth exceed imagination in regard of fertility both of grasse and Cattell Corne and pleasant fruits Fish and Fowle Besides that it containeth in it many gold and silver mines much Chochaneel Silk strong incitements to make it so fully inhabited as it is both with Spaniards and Natives the Natives being reported to exceed 150000. And though Mistica and the other annexed Provinces be not every way so beneficially accommodated yet are they so well provided with necessaries streames abounding with golden oare small peeces of gold washed from the mountaines and other Merchantable Commodities that they also are well stored with Inhabitants of whom this is very remarkable that they use the Jewish Ceremonies in particular Circumsicion which they affirme to have received from their Ancestors The chiefe Spanish Towne there is Auteguera standing in the heart of the aforesaid incompararable Valley Zapoteca and Nixapa two other Towns fall short of it full twenty leagues the one to the North-east the other South-east Agaculco a great Haven towne upon the South sea standeth directly to the South somewhat more then thirty leagues The Bishoprick of Tlascula is next to Guaxaca more to
from East to West are first Trugillo a league remote from sea standing between two Rivers whereunto belongeth a port strongly fortified by nature and art which though it was taken by our English Anno 1576. yet was it in vaine attempted by them under the command of Sir Anthony Sherley in the yeere 1596. the region about is temperate both in winter and summer the soyle exceeding fertill maintaining great store of Cattell graine and great variety of excellent fruit The Vines here in great abundance bring forth Grapes in wonderfull plenty twice a yeere The Towne lyeth to the North-east of port Cavallos forty of Validolid the chiefe City fifty leagues A second Town thirty leagues to the south of Trugillo is Saint George in the rich Valley of Olancho whereunto the hils adjoyning are lately found so full of gold mines as that the Governour of Honduras and Nicuragua have often drawne their Forces into the field and fought for it untill the King of Spaine was pleased to decide it by adjudging it a parcell of this Province The chiefe City forty leagues to the south within the Land is Valadolid where the Governour and his Officers a Bishop and his Cathedrall men reside very amply provided for with all kind of provision that the goodly Valleyes neere adjoyning afford and greatly enriched by the gold and silver mines there lately discovered Upon the North sea in the Valley de Naco every way comparable with Valadolid but for unhealthfulnesse foure leagues severed lyeth the Haven Towne de Cavallos in the fifteenth degree of latitude and between them somewhat more to the West are two other Spanish Townes that yeeld many mules and great horses as doth also the Country about Cavallos whence the name is taken The government of Guatimala and two other small Provinces Saint Salvator and Gulpho Dolce lye one after another to the south of Honduras towards the south sea in few places lesse then thirty leagues in bredth in respect of fertility â—â—ore of Cattell and graine they come not farre short of it but much in regard of healthfulnesse and the temperature of Aire and season they being in some moneths over hot in most infested with too much raine and which is the usuall consequence thereof with incredible multitudes of pestilent Flyes Bees Horners scorpions and other though small yet deadly venemous serpents Besides these provinces especially Guatimala so properly called is extraordinary subject to continuall Earthquakes horrible thundering and lightning and which is much worse to usuall breaking out of flames of fire from the sulpherous mountaines which sometime cast them downe in huge lumps to the overwhelming of the Townes and Villages adjoyning but never are these strange breakings out of fire but to the great annoyance of man and beast by the loathsome smoak and vapours that necessarily issue upon them not without much spoyle of Corne and fruits by reason of many thousand quarters of ashes which at those times are thickly dispersed round about The chiefe City in these parts is Saint Iago de Guatimala fourteen degrees in laâ—â—tude 93 in longitude From the Meridian of Toledo in Spaine to East whereof stand Trinidad and Saint Salvador two other Spaâ—iâ—h Towns the first 36. the second forty leagues remote both very convenient for trading out of the South-sea From Nova Hispania and Peru by the port Acaxulta in a very safe channell and not above five or six leagues from sea the two most Easterne Townes of Guatimala are Saint Miguel 22. leagues from Saint Salvador within two leagues of Fonseca Bay Then Xeres eighteen leagues farther neere to the lake of Nicoagua which having a short recourse to the sea affordeth a good Haven called Port possâ—ssion between which and port Guatimala that goeth up to Saint Iago for the space of eighty one leagues there are no other considerable Havens then have been mentioned The Havens and Rivers about Guatimala to the West that we may here make an end with the South sea coast belonging to this government are â—oatlam Govetlan Colate Haziaclan belonging to Soconusco a Province extended upon the south-sea westward thirty leagues in length and as many in bredth towards Verapaz and Chiapa two midland Provinces to the North The Inhabitants thereof not being very many and having few Spaniards among them live plentifully by reason of the great store of Cacao a fruit like Almonds which the Merchants of Nova Hispania fetch from thence at good rates as being of great use and high esteem as well with the Spaniards as Natives inhabiting those parts both to eat and drinke but especially to drink it yeelding a liquor exceeding wholsome and pleasant with some composition tâ—ey use maketh it no way inferiour to high-country white-wine or Shery-sack Out of this Cacao commodity in this little Province the King of Spain hath for tribute every yeere at least 400 frayles of them every frayle being worth thirty silver Royals The next Province to the North of Soconusco and the South of Yucatan having Chiapa Province to the West is Verapaz so called for that the Natives came freely in upon the preaching of the Gospell but having so little profited therein under such covetous corrupt Tutors as they know scarce any thing aright of Christrianity and would be very glad they could be freed from such tyrannicall Lords The middle part of it is somewhat temperate the residue is extreame hot and extreamly perplexed with Mosquitos usually swarming in other parts of the Indies which are hot and over moist as these are Neither doth the soyle by reason of eight moneths raine which most an end happeneth continually yeeld any store of Indian wheat but little or none of ours and yet it bringeth forth abundance of medicinall herbs beautifull flowers and trees most usefull and profitable both for nourishment and building but withall it harbours many wild beasts as Lyons Tygers Beares but very few for the use of man Nor yet so farre as I heare have gold or silver mines been here discovered by the Spaniard The most Westerne Province of all Guatimala bordering upon the East of Nova Hispania is Chiapa full forty leagues long and almost as broad every place from South to North in regard of over great heat and moysture of great store of wild beasts and dangerous serpents much like Verapaz as also in respect of the innumerable profitable Trees there the fruit whereof affordeth toothsome and wholsome nourishment the bodies speciall timber the gumme which in great quantities come from them precious Balsome and sweet odours the bark gumme and fruit very rich materials to dye colours of the best esteeme with us But herein it farre exceedeth all the Provinces of Guatimala in that being competently provided with graine it doth breed and maintaine great store of excellent Horses Kine Sheep and Swine besides incredible variety of the best Fish and Fowle onely for Mines it must give place to Honduras Province Thus I have passed through the government of Guatimala I