Apple-Trees which grow by Rivers sides or on the Sea-shore whose Fruit is rank Poyson and who-ever sleeps under the shadow of them will certainly be Lame The Fruit eaten generally causes Death or if Nature be so strong in him that eats of it to overcome the same yet he is certain to lose his Hair As hurtful is the prickly Herb Quibey which bears white Flowers like Violets The Tree Gaiaba But this Island receives the greatest prejudice by the Tree Guaiaba because it grows in most places and over-runs Plains and Hills so spoiling all the Grass between which and the fore-mention'd Tree there is such an antipathy that none will grow near it The Tree bears a brown Apple full of Kernels which are eaten by Beasts and Fowls and from which falling on the Ground when ripe grow up in new Trees which makes the Countrey a meer Wilderness The Body of it is smooth and of a pale colour the Leaves hard and glittering and grow two and two over one another the Flowers have also five Leaves in the middle of which rises a Crown like that on a Peacock's Head The Fruit which is cover'd with a soft Doun and somewhat longer than the European Apple when cut through hath a pale red Pulp full of eatable Kernels before it is ripe it is of a sharp taste yet good boyl'd but when ripe of a most delicious and pleasant rellish nevertheless too much of it causes a Lask The Roots which are red without and white within are juicy sweet and very long the Leaves sallow and sowre of taste The Beast Javaris Amongst the strange Beasts the Javaris Opassum and Tatow are the most remarkable The Javaris are taken for a sort of wild Hogs and have short Ears and a Navel on their Backs little Tails some black and some spotted white The Opassum The Opassum is as big as a Cat hath a sharp Mouth the upper Jaw-bone hanging over the lower long straight and broad Ears and a very long Tail bald at the end which winds in a Circle on it s Back black Hair sprinkled with grey Spots and with its sharp Claws climbs up the Trees where it feeds on Fruit and sometimes preys on Fowls Nature hath furnish'd this Beast with a strange Bag under its Belly whereof the in-side hath a far softer Doun than the out-side in which the young ones lie and suck after which the Bag opening they creep out upon the Ground The Males have also a Bag which serves onely to carry their Young in for they and the Females carry them by turns The Tatow The Tatow which is arm'd with sharp Scales hath the Mouth of a Hog and at each Foot five sharp Nails when it is Hunted or goes to sleep in the Night it draws its Head Legs and Tail under its scaly Coat of Mail like a Tortoise and in that manner lies secure against all manner of danger The Venison taken here is very delicate but difficult to be got for this Beast having a breathing-place in its Back never tires with running and when encompass'd by the Dogs falls valiantly on those that are nearest to it and often tears them in pieces Chief Towns and Citiâ—s The chief Towns in this Island are 1. Porto Rico it self commonly call'd St. John de Porto Rico so term'd by Christopher Columbus as being the first Land discover'd by him in the Year 1493. at that time when he could not perswade his Seamen wearied out with continual hardship from returning if they discover'd not Land in two days a strong and neat Town built by the Command of Philip the Second King of Spain It was attempted by Sir Francis Drake in the Year 1595. without success but a few years after taken by the Earl of Cumberland 2. St. Germans in the West part of the Island three or four Leagues distant from the Sea 3. Arrecibo Westward from Porto Rico where the most noted Haven is of those Parts for all the others are full of Rocks and Sands The antient Inhabitants of this Island maintain'd continual Wars with the Cannibals probably the Natives of the Islands so call'd who us'd every year to come thither those that were conquer'd as well of the one side as of the other were eaten by the Conquerors so that in effect both sides were but a different sort of Cannibals Columbus Landing here found a great House surrounded with twelve others but all of them empty and desolate This Island which formerly is said to have been under the absolute Power of one sole King the Spaniards not much regarded at first having enough to do with Hispaniola where they found more Gold than on Porto Rico. The building of St. Germans Anno 1510. John Ponce de Leon obtain'd a Commission from the Court of Spain to be chief Governor of this Island and built Caparra which Place was inhabited twelve years notwithstanding it stood behind a scraggy Mountain in a desart place far up in the Countrey but their thirst after Gold of which some Veins were discover'd there made them dispence with all other inconveniences yet at last beginning to be weary of this desolate and barren place of Settlement they remov'd to Guanica water'd by many Rivers whose Sands had great quantities of Gold-dust Not staying long there they went four Leagues farther and call'd their new Plantation Soto Major Lastly returning again they setled themselves in the former Valley Guanica and built the fore-mention'd Town St. Germans by the River Guaorabo which makes an inconvenient Haven The Situation Description and â—ate of St. Juan de Porto Rico. Juan de Porto Rico stands Eastward at the beginning of the North Coast on a small Peninsula joyn'd to the Island by an high Isthmus call'd Puente de Aguilar Near the Mouth of the Haven lies on a rising Hill the Fort Morro Empinado built triangular by John de Texila and Baptista Antonelli who also planted there forty Guns and surrounded with the Sea which renders it a well fortifi'd place The Governor Diego Mendez de Valdez had in it fifteen hundred Men and eighty Horses when the foremention'd valiant Duke of Cumberland with a far less number fell upon him in the Year 1597. and not onely took the City Porto Rico but several other Fortifications and besides an invaluable mass of Treasure he carried away eighty Guns Sometime before this Defeat the Spaniards under the Government of Christopher Son to the Portuguese Duke of Camigna were Invaded by the Cannibals and all that were then upon the place utterly destroy'd none of them escaping but the Bishop and his Servants who betimes fled away with the Church Ornaments so that the Islanders from that time were put out of doubt that the Spaniards were mortal for they suppos'd them immortal when first they saw their great Ships and heard the noise of their thundering Cannon The Casique Yaguara's Experiment Hugh Linschot relates That the Casique Yaguara threw a Spaniard
which on that side it is bounded having on the West Mare del Zur on the South Lima and on the East Los Quixos It lieth in a manner right under the Line and is said to be seventy two Leagues in length and in some places about twenty five in breadth The Winter begins here in October and continues till March in which fall mighty Showers and on the Mountains abundance of Snow but all the Summer long the Sun is seldom darkned with a Cloud Many of the Inhabitants die of a Giddiness in the Head about the beginning and end of Summer The POX also destroys many of the Natives with which Disease they are often born and give it to the Spaniards who are not able to abstain from the Indian Women they use Sassaparilla and the Wood Guaiacum to cure themselves with Here grow also many poysonous Herbs which the Peruvians make use of to poyson one another The Fruit Quaba In the farthest parts of Quito grows the salt and cooling Fruit Quaba two Handfuls long cover'd with a grey Rind and within full of white Pulp and hard Kernels The Tree Guaiaba The Tree Guaiaba hath a pale smooth Bark thick Boughs hard and glittering Leaves Flowers consisting of five Leaves not unlike a Peacock's Plume long Apples woolly without and within full of a pale red Pulp and eatable Stones the Root which spreads it self very much is sweet and when boyl'd cures the Bloody-flux This Tree grows in most places especially in low Grounds the more because the Kernels which the Birds picking out let fall on the Ground spring up in new Trees The Spanish Fruits as Peaches Cittrons Figs Pomegranates Pears Quinces and Oranges grow also here in great abundance but when ripe are subject to rot Moreover the Fields abound with Wheat Barley and Maiz the Pastures afford plenty of Grass for Oxen Horses and Sheep which bring forth Lambs twice in fourteen Moneths The Ocean and Rivers store of Fish the Stream Barbara us'd formerly to produce Gold also In moist Grounds the Inhabitants find abundance of Salt-petre the best that is for the making of Gun-powder The Inns Tambos For the Accommodation of Travellers Inns call'd Tambos are built near the High-ways exactly five Leagues distant one from another where all sorts of Provisions are sold at a set Price The Nature of the People The Natives antiently went Cloth'd in a Frock without Sleeves as wide on the top as at the bottom and pleited their long Hair They are strong well proportion'd in Body and subtile enough to learn any Art but treacherous inconstant and inclin'd to Drunkenness They were very hard also to be brought to receive the Roman Religion so that most of them would not suffer themselves to be Baptiz'd till they lay a dying They also drove a great Trade in Cotton Wooll and Cloth This Tract of Land produces Maiz and abundance of Mortuanos a Fruit resembling Damask Prunes which eaten in excess cause Drunkenness and Faintness The Lake Yaguarcocha signifying Bloody-Water because the Inga Guayanacava kill'd and drown'd twenty thousand there Towns and Places of chief note The chief Towns and Places of Note are 1. Caranguez antiently a Royal City where stood a sumptuous and stately Palace of the Kings of Peru now almost deserted The Palace built of Stone in a little Plain without either Mortar or Iron-work manifests its former glory by its Ruines 2. The Royal Castle of Atabalo or Ottavallis in the building of which the Ingas spar'd no Cost nor Charges and indeed it is a Structure no way inferior to any of the antient Roman Edifices Between this Castle and Cochequi a stately House lies a cold snowy Mountain Moreover the Spaniards have several Habitations along the Way to Quito and especially in the Valley Annaquito where the Vice-Roy Vela lost the Battel fought against Gonsalvo Pizarro 3. Quito commonly call'd St. Francisco de Quito There stood formerly here certain Palaces built by the Ingas but the City was re-built by the Spaniards at the Foot of a certain Ridge of Mountains which it hath on the North and North-West side of it and are said by Laet to cross the whole Countrey of Peru quite over from the South to the North Sea It was soon after the Building inhabited by five hundred Families of Spaniards at least besides Natives and well fortifi'd and might be thought a Town very well seated in all respects but for the neighborhood of a Vulcan which at times annoyeth it very much as namely in the Year 1560. when it vomited out such abundance of flaming Cinders and other sulphureous Matter that had it not been for a Shower of Rain unexpectedly falling would have much damnifi'd if not destroy'd the Place The Natives about Quito are more Moraliz'd than other Peruvians The Valleys which are warm'd by the Sun produce all manner of Fruit-Trees and large Vineyards and the Root Papas not unlike Apples The Quintla which is of 〈◊〉 heighth hath little Seeds of which a pleasant Liquor is boyl'd From Quito the High-way leads to Cusco along which at every four Leagues distance stands a brave Palace and from Cusco to Chili being in all above a thousand Leagues long The City built on a sandy Soyl is divided in the middle by a Moat over which lead several Bridges the Streets are large and â—â—eight and full of handsom Houses and at the ends of the four chief Streets four Market-places Besides the Cathedral are two other Churches â—â—dicated to the 〈◊〉 Sebastian and Blasâ—â—â— The Cloysters of Franciscan and 〈…〉 are 〈◊〉 small Ornament to the City Besides other stately Structures are the Residâ—â—◠〈…〉 the Receivers of the Kings Revenues to which the Peruvians that live aâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 being computed no less than fifty thousand in number â—ay Triâ—â—â— and to keep them in subjection the City Quito is always well storâ—d with aâ—◠〈◊〉 of Ammunition and Instruments of War The chiefest Trade hâ—â—◠〈…〉 Goats and other Cattel Cotton-Clothes Cloth Flax Haâ—s 〈…〉 â—â—gar and Salt which Salt being grey and bitter springs out of a Fountain in 〈◊〉 Counâ—â—y Mira. The Oyl Wine and Drugs which are us'd here are fetchâ—d from the South Sea up the River Ambato and from thence with Carts into the City 4. Thomebamba famous for a Royal Palace built there by some of the Ingas It lies Southward from Quito in the Province of Canares where two Rivers commix their Waters near a Plain abounding with Venison There yet remain considerable Ruines of this Palace in which one may discern the vast Dimensions of divers Rooms in some of which Arms were kept and in others Provisions and Clothes of which kind of Buildings or Magazines the Ingas had erected above a thousand in Peru especially along the High-way that they might have their Ammunition ready in all places if need should require On the left side of Thomebamba appeal'd the famous Temple of the Sun whose Gates were not onely curiously Painted but
Bodies and through the black runs also a white Streak No Beast in the World is hardier than this for though it fasts twelve days and is afterwards flay'd alive yet it will live several hours after The Lakes in Brasile are for the most part overgrown with Weeds just like a Field yet are exceeding full of Fish and Fowl Where the Sea runs into the Lakes great multitudes of Crabs are seen crawling along the Ground and the Oysters hang in Clusters on the Boughs of a Plant call'd Manyle or Mangues The Plant Manyle which grow with their Roots either near or in the Water in such a manner that new Bodies still shoot from the old Roots which prevents easie access to the chief Plant on whose uppermost Leaves after Sun-rising sticks very white Salt which in the Night or in a cloudy Day turns to a brackish Dew Moreover those places where Brasile rises with Hills and Mountains are likewise very fruitful except the barren tops of some which seem to kiss the Skyes and though the fruitful Mountains flourish in the time of the rainy Months yet many of the Trees which grow on them die in Summer and their Ashes being burnt by the Inhabitants are us'd in stead of Dung. Some Woods extend themselves three hundred Leagues in length and are full of Trees so tall that an Arrow shot upwards falls short of the top of them and a Boat may be made out of the Body which can carry a hundred and fifty Men. On the great Boughs of these mighty Trees grow other excrescent Shrubs after the manner of Misseltoe which proceed from the Kernels swallow'd and muted upon them by the Birds that light there In some places also grow also Sweet-wood Trees which afford either excellent Gums or Wood to Dye with amongst which the chief is the Ibiripitanga which yields the Brasile Wood that gives Denomination of Brasile to this vast Tract of Land Description of the Tree Ibripitanga The Tree Ibripitanga is tall and spreading hath sad colour'd Bark full of short Thorns the Leaves are green and differ in form but little from the Box-Tree Leaf the Boughs shoot forth other lesser full of yellow and sweet-smelling Flowers which falling off are succeeded by a flat long Cod of a dark grey colour full of little red Pulse the upper part of the Tree is not good to Dye with but onely the lower part of the Body which because the Tree grows far up in the Countrey is not transportable without much trouble But the Tatai-iba grows in the Woods along the Shore The Tree Tatai-iba the Bark being of an Ash-colour invests a yellow Wood the Leaves are sharp and notch'd the Fruit not unlike Mulberries pale juicy and full of white Seed the Wood boyl'd Dyes a pure Yellow It is observable not onely of this Tree but generally of the Trees of this Countrey that they neither flourish nor shed their Leaves all over at once nor do several Trees of the same kind and growing here germinate or fade together for whilest one is fullest of Blossoms the other is without Leaves and whilest the same Tree sheds its Leaves on one side the other side is newly Budded The European Plants and Herbs with soft Roots being once Planted in Brasile come to be hard and lignifi'd There is also great difference according to the Ground in which they are Planted for such Plants and Trees as in the Plains are but small and tender grow ten times higher if Planted in the Woods All sorts of Indian Pulse grow higher than the tallest Trees like high Arbors under which both Men and Beasts may shelter themselves from the Sun or Rain Far up into the Countrey amongst the Mountains inhabit Canibals or Man-eaters The Europeans that first travell'd that way found the Countrey very fertile and full of People especially in the Valleys but somewhat incommoded by the want of Water and the excessiveness of the Heat in the Day and of the Cold in the Night In some places the Countrey is so over-grown with Brambles that they are forc'd to cut their way through the same But there are a sort of Thistles which having concave Leaves receive the Dew and Rain for the accommodation of the Natives Besides Serpents and Dragons the Tygers are most of all to be fear'd when hungry but once satisfi'd are easily taken Dogs Oxen Sheep and Horses thrive also exceedingly in most parts of Brasile The Nature of the Brasilians The Brasilians live to be very old without being Bald or Grey There are seldom or never to be seen squint-ey'd lame decrepid or any deformed People notwithstanding the Children are never Swath'd but thrown into cold Water as soon as born The Men generally have a very near resemblance one with another as also the Women so that there is not such a difference betwixt Man and Man there as amongst other People There is scarce any Sickness heard of in these Parts for besides a long Life they enjoy the benefit of Health so long as they live They trouble not themselves with much Business and in one Hut whose Covering consists of Palm-Leaves dwell several Families together Their manner of Living The general Bread of the Brasilians is the stamp'd Root Mandihoka besides which they also eat all manner of Fruit and Plants and many times Flesh which they either eat boyl'd broyl'd or stew'd their Boyling is after this manner First they kindle their Fire with two Sticks the one of hard and the other of soft Wood the hard they make sharp at the end and fix the same into the soft which setting on fire they immediately lay Cotton thereupon or else dry Leaves and so boyl the Flesh in round Earthen Pots call'd Camu but they account that better which is stew'd in a Pot the bottom whereof is cover'd with Leaves on which they lay the Flesh then stopping the same close on the top with Earth and Leaves they make Fire over it so long till they think the Flesh to be sufficiently stew'd Their Broyling they perform by fixing forked Stick into the Ground over which they lay several others like a Gridiron and upon them the raw Flesh cut in long Slices and Pepper'd and Salted then make a Fire under the same till it is enough and their Meat so dress'd keeps good fourteen days Their Fish either boyl'd or broyl'd is eaten with the Sawce Juquitinga The little Fish Piaba and Piquitinga they make up in Rolls and lay them under hot Ashes Both with their Flesh and Fish they eat for Bread as hath been said the Meal of the Root Mandihoka which they taking up with three Fingers throw into their Mouthes so dexterously that not the least scrap falls besides They never observe any set hours to eat for they make several Meals in the Day and sometimes in the middle of the Night if their Appetite serves and neither drink nor speak whilest they are at their Meat They sleep in spread Hammocks
Didacus interpreted the Language in some part agreeing with that of Hispaniola to this effect You have to all admiration come to see this Countrey from another World my advice to you is That you hurt none for the Souls of evil-doers go to dark places But on the contrary they shall enjoy the heighth of all Pleasures that are Friends to Peace Columbus reply'd That he came a Scourge for the cruel Cannibals but a Shield to protect the quiet and well-meaning Indians Great disturbance in Hispaniola After this returning to Hispaniola much contrary to his expectation he found all things which he had setled there turn'd topsie-turvy for first the Governors at Isabella jangled and were at private contentions amongst themselves and the Benedictine Monk Boilus and Peter Margarites were return'd to Spain there to make their complaints at Court and besides the Spaniards had dealt very inhumanely with the Natives by their frequent Rapes Thefts and Murders wherefore the Indians not unjustly incens'd destroy'd all the Spaniards they found stragling in any part without the Lines of their Fortification Caunaboa also lay about the Fort St. Thomas and closely besieged Hoieda but receiving intelligence of Columbus's arrival he broke up his Siege and march'd from thence but soon after was taken Prisoner by the Spaniards Mean while upon Design a Plot none of the wisest the Natives of Hispaniola had neither Till'd or Sow'd the Ground or us'd Agriculture the year before contriving by want of Provisions not considering themselves to starve out the Spaniards but the mischief fell upon the Contrivers for so great a Famine hapned that spreading over the whole Countrey in a few Moneths fifty thousand were starv'd to death but the Spaniards made a saving though hard shift with their own store then though too late the Islanders repented of their folly for they saw the Spaniards making an advantage of their misery not onely built more Houses in their City Isabella but prepar'd their Weather-beaten Vessels with which Sailing to the Gold Mountains of Cipangi on the Hill whence sprung several Fountains they rais'd the Castle of the Conception Great benefit they reap'd by this Fort to which they carry'd daily abundance of Amber Brimstone mix'd Ore of Silver and Gold and Brazile-wood besides great store of Gold and they might have gotten ten times more had they not been so much inclin'd to slothfulness and minding other vain pleasures yet notwithstanding all the Fleet carry'd that year above one thousand two hundred pound weight of Gold to Spain Spaniards tyrannise there In the mean while the Natives complain'd to Columbus of the Spanish Soldiers which under pretence to seek for Gold committed many insufferable Outrages therefore they desir'd that they might be retain'd in their Forts and not straggle so much abroad and they would willingly bring them every three Moneths a certain weight of Cotton Amber Brazile-wood and Gold more than equivalent to what they snatch'd but Columbus whose Soldiers notwithstanding his severity and using Martial Law upon some of them for their Crimes and proud with their success yet prevail'd at last that they consented thereto but the Inhabitants never perform'd their promise who being almost famish'd had much to do to preserve themselves alive spending their time in picking Sallads Whilst the Business remain'd in this ill posture or rather confusion Cibanus Their Conquest Brother to the imprison'd Caunaboa rais'd an Army of five thousand Men the Spaniards divided into five Companies march'd to meet him and their Enemies being naked and having no other Arms than Bowes Arrows and Clubs after some little resistance were soon dissipated and put to flight but overtaken by the Spanish Horse many of them were taken Prisoners and others forc'd to skulk and hide themselves on the tops of Mountains ANGRA op TERCERA Columbus Sails the third time to Hispaniola Whilst all things were thus in disorder at Hispaniola the Admiral Christopher Columbus set Sail a third time with eight Ships from the Haven Barrameda in the Year 1498. To shun the French Pyrates which watched for the Indian Treasures he directed his Course to Madera a fruitful Island of Corn Wine Sugar Wax and Cattel desolate till Anno 1420. Here coming to an Anchor he sent six Ships away to Hispaniola which himself afterwards followed with the remaining two steering by the Flemish Islands or Acores first so call'd from the Flemings the first Planters Here he dropt Anchor before the City Angra on the Isle Tercera which is sixteen Leagues in circumference Description of the City Angra and very Mountainous the tops whereof are like Spires and abound with Grapes the Plain Countrey produces great store of Corn but it will not keep above twelve Moneths The Ground is oftentimes terribly shaken by Earthquakes and between several sulphurous Places both Flames and Smoak ascend up to the Sky Near the City Angra is a Fountain which turns Wood into Stone The Winds in this Place blow so fierce and strong that they not onely beat down Houses but wear out Iron and all manner of Stone-work In Angra the chief Commander of all the Flemish Isles hath his Residence The City surrounded by steep Rocks lies towards the Sea like a Crescent or Half-Moon for at both ends thereof the Mountains extend with deep Points into the Ocean The uppermost part towards the West stands likewise fortifi'd by a high Rock as also by another on the East on both are continual Watches kept whereof those on the first can discover Ships fifteen Leagues off at Sea coming either from the East or West-Indies and on the other all those that come from Europe When they see above fifteen Sail they put out the Kings great Flag upon the top of all the Rock This City of Angra is divided into several Streets the Governor and Archbishop live each in a stately Palace five handsom Churches are no small ornament to it the Sea before it abounds with Fish but are not to be taken in December by reason of the turbulent Waves Christopher Columbus having refresh'd at Angra Sail'd along the African Coast between the Hesperides under the Equinoctial he was so miserably tormented by the Heat that his Vessels seem'd to burn the Hoops sprung from the Casks so that the Water run about the Hold and they could expect nothing but death from the insufferable Heat and want of Water eight days they had endur'd this hardship when they met with a fresh Gale out of the South-East so that they made great Way towards the West On the last of July he discover'd three high Mountains and approaching near the Shore he smelt as in a Posie all the sweet breathings of fragrant Flowers commix'd and at last saw a convenient Haven where going ashore he found cultivated Grounds and steps of Beasts but not a Man appear'd the next day they spy'd a Boat with twenty young Men come rowing from the Shore into the Ocean The Admiral hal'd them in
ground being meer Stone and their Anchors coming home Schouten in great danger the great Ship drove against a Rock and at Ebbing Water broke off the outermost Planks and Iron-Work and the Ketch also striking on a high Shelf was at low Ebb two Fathom with her Keel above the Water and had without peradventure been overset and bilg'd but a fresh North-West Wind kept her upright yet at last the Weather growing calm she lean'd but the Tide coming in very fast set her afloat so that she was miraculously sav'd then setting Sail again to King's-Island they found so many Eggs of black Mews Incredible many Eggs. that one without stiring from his place might reach above fifty Nests and in each of them at least three Eggs which they carry'd aboard by thousands Their Boat Rowing Southerly down the River found some Ostriches and Beasts not unlike Stags but with exceeding long Necks On the Hills lay Stones heap'd one upon another which removing they found Dead Bodies of eleven Foot long here Great Corps here they spent their time in cleansing their Ships and new Sheathing the Ketch but as they were Tallowing Kotch burnt the Flame accidentally got between the Crevisses which immediately taking Fire in a short time consum'd it to Ashes The great Ship had gotten a Horn in her Bow seven Foot under Water Strange Horn. this Horn being firm without any hollowness and not unlike a great Elephants Tooth struck thorow two Ashen and one Oaken Plank sticking in a Rib of the like Wood and yet above half a Foot remain'd out to be seen At length Schouten Weighing Anchor from Porto Desire Great Mews and Sailing to four and fifty Degrees Southern Latitude met whole Shoals of Whales insomuch that he was fain to Tacque to and again to shun them Sea-Pies bigger than Swans came flying in great numbers aboard suffering themselves to be taken with the hand On the North-side they spy'd a high and scraggy Coast spreading it self to the East South-East which they call'd The States Countrey that which lay to the Westward of it Mourice of Nassau the Islands in fifty seven Degrees Barnevield's-Isles and the sharp Point in which lay the Snowy Mountains Southward of the Magellan Straights end the Cape of Hoorn Schouten had now gotten the height of fifty nine Degrees when he enter'd the South-Sea through the new passage between Mauritius and the States-Countrey which was call'd from his Partner Straights Le Maire The Straights of Le Maire Isles in the South-Sea Near the two Isles Juan Fernando they found great store of Fish after that they view'd these Islands that lay scatter'd up and down the South-Sea each of them they nam'd according to their several occasions calling the first The Isle of Dogs because they have abundance of Dogs there that could not bark Another The Bottomless Island because the Sea was so deep about it that they could not come to an Anchor The Inhabitants who go naked with their Skins pounced full of strange shapes of blue Snakes Dragons and such like Creatures Salli'd out of the Woods upon the Hollanders with great Clubs to which was fasten'd the Sword or Snout of a Sword-Fish and also with Slings Somewhat further they came to Water-Land and Flyes-Island the first so nam'd because the Shore round about was planted with Trees but in the middle all lay cover'd with Salt-Water the other from the Flyes which with incredible numbers troubled the Sea-men four days together Strange entertainment at the Horn Islands Moreover the Reception or Entertainment which Schouten was welcom'd withal at the Hoorn-Islands being very remarkable we will in brief relate Anchoring in nine Fathom Water Shelly ground before a fresh Rivulet three Hollanders sent to the King were by him courteously entertain'd who with strange humility not bow'd but kissing their Feet fell flat on the ground and put the Hollanders Feet upon his Neck and after this manner of Salutation waited upon them aboard Yet although this King fawn'd so much and seem'd so humble yet he was very severe over his Subjects for finding one that had filch'd a Sword he not onely brought and restor'd it but immediately Executed the Thief before their Faces Le Maire and Arias Claeszoon were much honor'd here for the old and young King put their Crowns on their Heads curiously Wrought of fine White Feathers and the end adorn'd with small Red and Green Feathers they gave also to each of them a Pigeon White to their Wings the hinder part Black and under their Bellies Red. In the interim the King of Water-Island visited the other by whom Le Maire was treated When they met they made strange shews of Honor to each other but at last shew'd their Salvageness by eating raw Fish and rudely Dancing before the Hollanders Le Maire going into the Countrey and climbing up a high Mountain saw nothing but Morass Wilds and Vallies lying under Water The King and his Retinue here kept him company during his stay there when weary with walking they sate down together under Coco-Nut-Trees the young King tying a String about his Leg climb'd with exceeding dexterity up a high Tree bringing several Coco-Nuts down with him which he open'd very expeditiously But the two Kings meeting again the next day Complemented one another with more antick and ridiculous Postures sitting side by side under the Roof imploring their God with their Hands folded and their Heads bow'd to the ground At this interview four Holland Trumpeters and Drummers stood playing before the King to the great admiration and amazement of the Islanders which were near ten thousand gather'd together upon the News of the strangers to attend the two Kings Soon after a great company of Rusticks came running thither which had a green Herb call'd Cava Cava a strange Liquor ty'd about their middle on a sudden they began all to chaw this Cava throwing that which they had chaw'd into a large Woodden Trough then putting Water to it they Kneaded it together which done brought the Liquor on their Heads to the two Kings before whom they kneel'd when they gave them any Yet notwithstanding they receiv'd such honor from their Subjects they shew'd servile respects to the Hollanders for every King presented them with a Pig which they first laid on their Heads then kneeling put it down at Le Maires Feet and bowing their Heads to the ground rose again They wear their Hair long which Brayded hung on the left side of their Heads down to their Hips ty'd at the end with two Knots but the Nobility had two such Locks All of them went naked their Privities onely cover'd The smallest of the Men exceeded the biggest of the Hollanders in tallness Impudent Women The Women had long Breasts hanging like Satchels down to their Bellies and so unshamefac'd that they prostituted themselves to any in sight of all Men and still at low Water their business was to catch
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
is Tabasco bounded on the North by the Northern Ocean and on the East with Jucatan and however some account it a distinct Province yet others make no mention of it letting it pass for that part of Jucatan which lies about the City Tabasco from which it seems to be denominated The Ground level and without Mountains hath many great Woods of Cedar-Trees Brasile and others Here are also many good Indian Fruits as the Manmeyes Zapotes Aguacates and Guajabos For three Moneths they have continually dry Weather the rest of the year being for the most part rainy which vicissitude of Moisture and Heat makes the Countrey exceeding fruitful insomuch that they have three or four Harvests of Maiz in a year Vines Figs Lemmons Oranges Rice Barley and all sorts of Garden-Herbs grow here also in great plenty The Pools Brooks and Lakes abound likewise with all manner of Fish and for Sea-Fish besides the Tortugas and Yguanras the Manae or Sea-Cow is of principal note The Fish Manate This Fish is terrible to behold having a Head like an Ox little Eyes two Feet near the Head in stead of Fins two round Holes in stead of Ears round bones like Balls in its Brains a short Tail and bristly Skin The Females have two Dugs with which they suckle their Young Peacocks Pheasants Parrots Quales Hens Pigeons Birds with several sorts of Birds altogether unknown to the Europeans are here in great abundance The Woods also abound with Tygers and Lyons Beasts which do no little hurt to the Inhabitants Wild Hogs Deer and Rabbets are likewise here in great plenty and Turtles of an exceeding bigness Likewise Apes Polecats and Squerrils which do very much hurt to the Fruit-Trees especially the Cacao The Musticho's are a great annoyance to the People and disturb their rest at Night Languages of the Natives Since the Spaniards have conquer'd Tabasco they have forc'd the Inhabitants to observe their Laws and Customs They speak three sorts of Languages amongst which that most us'd call'd Chontal is copious of Words The second Zoques is spoken on the Mountains which divide Chiapa and Tabasco The Mexican Tongue was first brought thither by the Garrisons which Muteczuma plac'd there in the Forts Zimatlan and Xicalango and is the most spoken in regard it hath not onely its Accents but is also of great use partly because it is understood in most places of America and partly because the Priests have made Songs in that Tongue with which the Tabascans are much delighted The chief City Nostra Sennora de la Vittoria already mention'd in Jucatan was so call'd by Ferdinand Cortesius from the great Victory which he obtain'd over the Indians when he march'd first towards Mexico The Idols in New Spain are represented in terrible Figures to which they Offer humane Sacrifices The Priests divided into higher or lower Orders acknowledge a supream Head which they call Papas Each Idol had a peculiar sort of Priests Those that serv'd Viztlipuzli obtain'd their Places by Inheritance but others were chose by the Commonalty unless they had been bred Priests from their Inâ—ancy Cloysters dedicated to the ancient Mexican Religion The Mexican Cloysters in the time of Heathenism were generally built in the chiefest Temples in a great Piazza or square Court where for the most part two Monastical Houses stood one against another the one inhabited by a Fraternity of Recluses and the other by a Sisterhood which last being Maids of twelve or thirteen years of age call'd The Penitential Daughters swept the Temple prepar'd Meat for the Idols and Priests which was plentifully supply'd from the Alms and Offerings that were daily brought in to the Priests consisting of little Cakes made like Hands and Feet besides other strange Meats which being set before the Idols was soon after taken away again and eaten up by the were under a Governess who employ'd them in making Embroideries to adorn the Temple and sometimes rose up with the Priests at Mid-night and play'd on Pipes perfum'd the Temple and scourg'd themselves till the Blood ran down their Backs besmearing their Faces therewith and leaving it on a whole year then going into a large Chamber where a Cistern stood for that purpose they wash'd it off again after which if they committed the least uncleanness they were put to a most miserable Death which was judg'd upon seeing a Rat run through the Nuns Chamber or a Batt flying by it or finding any piece of Cloth gnaw'n by a Mouse or Rat for they suppose that the fore-mention'd Creatures dare not come into a hallow'd place unless defil'd In this recluse manner they were onely confin'd to live a year which being expir'd they had free leave to Marry The House opposite to the Nuns in the same square place of the Temple was inhabited by Youths of eighteen and twenty years of age whose Heads were shaven like Monks and pleited Tufts hung from the Crown down to their Backs they liv'd also mean and chaste kept the Priests Clothes and Perfuming-Vessels carried Wood for Offerings and kept always burning Lamps before Viztlipuztli's Altar Amongst them were also Boys of a less Age whose Office was to gather Flowers and Herbs to strow the Temple with to sharpen the Priests Lances which they Let themselves Blood with every Night in the Legs and carry them Water These Youths Cloth'd in Nets fell on their Faces on the Ground when they met with a Woman and went four and four or six and six together to beg Alms and by turns watch'd the fore-mention'd Fire in the Morning they drew Blood out of their Thighs with which they anointed their Temples down to their Ears and when the Blood look'd black wash'd it off again in a consecrated Bath which their strict and severe Life endur'd a whole Year Mexican Religion abhorr'd by the neighboring People The particular Religion of the Mexicans compos'd of cruel slaughters and butcheries of Men reign'd a long time against the minds of the other Indians that were under their Dominion every one beginning more to abhor the cruel flaying of living People and tearing out the Hearts of Men for Offerings and the rather because they were forc'd to fetch them out of their Enemies Countrey with the hazard of their own Lives insomuch that they were ready long before to have embraced another Doctrine if any other Teacher had but appear'd amongst them which was the chief reason why they so easily receiv'd the Roman Religion for when Cortesius had conquer'd the City Mexico the Mechoacan Agents entreated him to send them Teachers to prescribe them Laws according to which they might live because their Idolatry which had long oppress'd them was not to be suffer'd any longer because of the Cruelties which were requir'd of them in the performance thereof Their Processions Their Processions were stately and after this manner The chiefest Nuns raising a Paste of Bledoi-Seed and parched Maiz kneaded it with Honey of
part of California largely taken for besides that California properly so call'd hath formerly been taken rather for a Peninsula than an Island and still affords to some an Argument of question whether it be one or the other The whole extent of the Province generally so term'd hath been reputed to comprehend the suppos'd Peninsula it self Cibola Quivira and Nova Albion but since according to the best Maps and Discoveries there seems little doubt to be made that California strictly taken is a perfect Island and since upon that Consideration we have reserved it to be describ'd amongst the Islands of Northern America we also consequently judge it most requisite to consider those Countreys apart that were included in the extended California Situation Temperature and Productions of Cibola Cibola lieth Southward of Quivira betwixt it and New Gallicia to the North and East on the West it hath Mar Vermiglio or the Bay of California The Air of the Province is indifferently temperate especially if compar'd to the sharp Frosts and Colds of Quivira The Countrey is for the most part level and plain as Quivira is having but few Trees in it except here and there some Woods of Cedars which yet do abundantly supply the Natives both with Timber and Fewel The Ground affords plenty of Maiz and some small white Pease of both which they usually make Bread There is great store of Venison and a kind of Sheep as they say and as it should seem by their Fleece as big as some little Horses or Oxen some of their Horns weighing forty or fifty Pound But perhaps by some mistake of Authors this Beast may be no other than Taurus Mexicans elsewhere describ'd whose Hair is extreamly thick and shaggy and of which they make Cloth as of Wool as hath been said There are also Lyons Bears and Tygers in this Province in such numbers that the People of the Countrey are not a little troubled with them and would gladly destroy them if they knew how The People are generally well Limb'd tall of Stature and seem to be a little more Ingenious than their Neighbors of Quivira yet they go naked many of them onely cover'd with Mantles made of Skins which are many times painted and that with such Curiosity and Art as do sufficiently argue that neither themselves nor their Neighbors of Quivira from whom they have them in Traffick do make them but that they are the Merchandise and Commodity of some other Nations perhaps of Cathay or China who by the North-West Seas do Trade with the Maritime Parts and People of Quivira This part of the Countrey hath been reasonably well search'd by the Spaniards but as yet nothing discover'd so considerable as to perswade them to stay in it That which seems most observable is the great Lake Tonteac situate almost in the midst of the Province upon which or near unto it they found seven or eight old Towns of the Natives some whereof contain'd four or five hundred of their Cottages or little Houses and were fortifi'd also with Ramparts and other Works of Defence so as the Spaniards could not become Masters of them but by Force and Storming In the attempt whereof Vasquez Coronado their Commander in chief was twice beaten down with Stones by the Natives yet at last carrying the Place he found in it good plenty of Maiz indeed which was some refreshment to his Army but nothing else whereupon having nam'd the Place Granada in memory of the Vice-Roy of New Spain who sent him upon that Expedition he departed In his return homeward he fell upon a certain Countrey which he nam'd Tucayan of which his Companions report great matters as first of a certain River call'd Huex on the Banks whereof in the space of twenty Leagues or thereabouts there stand no less than fifteen good Burroughs well built and furnish'd likewise with Stoves or Hot-houses against the Cold as in other Countreys of Europe as also of a very fruitful and pleasant Valley which they therefore call'd Aroba de Corazones of another great Town and Territory call'd Chichilticala and lastly of the Valley of Nuestra Sennora or Our Ladies Dale in the South parts of the said Territory all of them describ'd for such rich and delicious Places that some take them for the Campi Elisii of America especially seeing the Spaniards were never known to visit them a second time the Discoveries that have been made since being onely of the North-West Parts of the Countrey along the Coasts of Mar Vermiglio and this no farther than onely to give Name to certain Capes or Promontories which they met with as namely 1. Porto de St. Clara near to the Mouth of the River which they call Rio del Nordt 2. Las Playas 3. St. Michael 4. Lago del Oro which bordereth on Quivira and lastly El Rey Coronado Eastward of that TOntonteac is mention'd by so few Tontonteac and by those few so obscurely that it cannot well be determin'd to be any other than that Countrey which lies about the great Lake Tonteac above spoken of in Cibola and which being made Habitable by six or seven Towns not inconsiderable for Habitations of native Indians might haply pass for a distinct Province And perhaps the reason why this Province hath been so obscure and little taken notice of might be from the ruine of these Towns by War or some other Accident and to this purpose are the words of a late Writer The Province of Tontonteac saith he hath five Houses onely left which stand on the Shore of a salt Lake Nova Granada a Province of Northern America NOva Granada besides that it is a generally known and describ'd Province of Southern America is also nam'd amongst the Provinces of Northern America particularly by Bertius Cluverius and Golnitzius and in some late Maps of America so conspicuously specifi'd that it might appear to be all that Tract of Land which contains both New Mexico and the several Provinces adjoyning to it but since we find it not describ'd by any at large it will with most verisimility pass for that part of New Mexico where stands the City of St. Foy and this is most plainly express'd by Monsieur Martini though there are who confound Cibola with New Granada Waving which Decision we shall onely insert a short Description of the Place according to Cornato who seems to have been one of the first Discoverers of these Parts and whose Credit is preferr'd before that of Marcus de Niza Nova Granada saith he consists of seven Villages It s Description built in the circumference of four Leagues the chiefest whereof boasts two hundred Houses which for the most part are four or five Stories high and built of Stone the Cellars thereto belonging being neatly Pav'd serve for Stoves against the Cold they ascend to their upper Rooms by Ladders The Inhabitants go naked onely some Covering about their Middle and over their Shoulders Cotton Cloaks painted with divers Colours They
is every where good Anchorage the Road being so deep that a Ship of a thousand Tun may lay his sides to the Shore of the Point and load and unload with Planks afloat 4. On the West is Point Megrill a Port very convenient and secure to Windward from which a little North-West is the Seat of the old Town of Mellilla founded by Columbus as afore mention'd The chief Plantations of this Island are 1. Portmorant above the Harbor before mention'd and by the two Rivers that run into it Here are good Plantations of Sugars Cottons Tobacco's c. 2. Hence about ten Miles lieth Morant where a thousand Acres of Land have been taken up for my Lord Willoughby and a Company of Merchants 3. Hence farther Leeward lieth Yallow having good Plantations of Cotton Tobacco and other Provisions excellent Savana's and some store of tame Cattel 4. Thirty Miles hence on the North side of Cagway is Ligonce where are excellent Plantations of Sugar Cotton and Tobacco very pleasant Savana's and some store of wild Cattel 5. Twenty Miles farther West nines Miles from the Harbor of Cagway is Los Angelos having some Plantations of Sugar Cacao and Tobacco all which were old Spanish Plantations and are less considerable than those made by the English in other places 6. Eight Miles from hence North-West is Guanaboa where likewise were some Spanish Plantations since improv'd by the English who have very many excellent Plantations of Sugar Cacao c. 7. Hence West South-West lieth Guatabacoa a most pleasant rich and fertile part of the Countrey abounding with Cattel and excellent Savana's Here the Negro's setled that revolted from the Spaniards who are endeavouring to make some Plantations of Tobacco's and Provisions and with them are setled some few English who have divers Walks of Cacao The several Governors of the English in Jamaica The several Governors of this Island since the taking of it by the English are as followeth General Robert Venables staid upon the Place about three Moneths after the taking of it and at his coming away for England he left the chief Command to Major General Richard Fortescue who liv'd Governor about three Moneths after which Lieutenant General Edward Doyly was by the Army elected President but upon his coming away soon after for England Lieutenant General William Brain was sent over Governor in his room who living in the Government about three quarters of a year did as it were bequeathe it again to Doyly for he was chosen by vertue of a Blank Commission wherein Brain had inserted his Name whom he would have succeed and remain'd Commander in Chief both by Land and Sea till His Majesty's Restauration and then by His Majesty's Letters Patents was confirm'd in the Government and so was the first that was Governor there for His Majesty The next that succeeded was the Lord Windsor upon whose coming away Sit Thomas Muddiford was sent Governor and after him Sir Thomas Linch who remains Governor at present CHAP. XVII The Islands call'd the Lucaies Situation and Description of the Lucaies HAving done with the four Islands of Barlovento as they are term'd viz. Hispaniola Cuba Porto Rico and Jamaica we come next to the Lucaies so call'd as some think from Lucaioneque one of the biggest of them they lie over against Florida Westward from the Bermudas South-West and North of Hispaniola and the rest of the Barloventi and because they are but small ones and lie so near the Continent Geographers sometimes describe them as a part or appertaining to the Continent The chiefest of these Islands are Lucaioneque afore-mention'd Bahama and Guanahani Lucaioneque is accounted the biggest of them all and lieth in twenty seven Degrees between Bahama and Guanahani Bahama lies nearest to the Coast of Florida and gives Name to the Straights so call'd which run between the Cape of Florida and it with such a violent Course and Torrent that although it be above sixteen Miles broad yet many times neither Wind nor Oars can prevail against it that though the Winds be prosperous Ships cannot enter it and if it be cross they go with the Current yet those Straights the Spanish Fleet must pass in their Return from the Havana towards Spain Guanahani was the first piece of American Ground discover'd by Christopher Columbus and therefore by him call'd San Salvador or St. Saviour because that thereby he was deliver'd from the mutinous rage of the Seamen who threatned to throw him over-board if they discover'd not Land in such a time There are besides a number of small Isles scatter'd up and down which are generally comprehended in the number of the Lucaies one is Little Island encompass'd with a company of Shelves call'd the Bimini so that it is hardly accessible there goes a Tradition that it hath been inhabited by very beautiful Women the fame of whom drew many to attempt to Land there and take up their Habitation in which Attempt many were cast away There is said to be a Fountain in the midst of it of such a Vertue that whosoever drank of the Waters of it had their Youth renew'd Also three Islands or rather Rocks call'd Los Martyres lying to the South-East of Cape Florida and cover'd for the most part with a whitish Sand and a few Bushes growing on them they seem at a distance to bear a resemblance of Men impal'd or bound to Stakes as the Martyrs in the primitive Times usually were which occasion'd the Spaniards so to Name them 't is very dangerous to come too near them but to have sight of them is of great use to Men at Sea for by passing these Rocks and leaving them on the South-East they certainly know that they are now entred the Straights of Bahama that is that they have left the Ocean and are fall'n in amongst those many Islands which do as it were Barracado and Block up the Eastern Coasts of America towards Nombre de Dios and Terra Firma as they call it through which the Continent is sometimes dangerous by reason of contrary Winds and always such that it requires the skill and care of an experienc'd Pilot to conduct the Ships well thither The rest are Abacoa twelve Leagues long Yuma twenty Leagues in length and eight in breadth between twenty four and twenty five Degrees Yumeata fifteen Leagues in length between twenty three and twenty four Degrees Jamana seven Leagues every way Yabague ten Leagues likewise and lying between twenty two and twenty three Degrees Magaguana twenty Leagues long and ten broad Quagua ten Leagues every way and lying between twenty and one and twenty Degrees Caycos five Leagues in length and in the one and twentieth Degree Mackre in the twentieth Degree encompass'd with Shelves Abreo environ'd also with Shelves and fifteen Leagues long also Guatao Cigateo Guanima Jabaka Triangulo and several others The Lucales left desolate by the Spaniards On these Islands are no Inhabitants those that did live there were a harmless simple
Stone like that of a Plumb The Acajou bearing for Fruit a kind of Chesnut in form of a Hares Kidney which serves for a Crest to a very fair Apple that by degrees grows under it of which the Islanders make a Drink very much in esteem amongst them being of an excellent taste The Icaco a kind of small Plumb-Tree so much coveted and held for a Delicacy by some People that live near the Gulf of Hondures that they are from thence call'd Icacos The Monbain which Fruit being a kind of yellowish Plumb is chiefly made use of to mix in the Drinks of Ouicon and Maby to make them taste the better The Courbury is by some reckon'd to be but a species of the Monbain onely more full of Leaves and growing higher and bigger but the Fruit of the Courbury is sufficiently different from that of the Monbain The Indian Fig-Tree differing in Leaf from the common Fig-Tree but whose Fruit both in figure and taste is not much unlike the Fig growing in these Parts This Tree is commonly of such a vast Bulk that the Branches of some of them have been seen to afford shelter to two hundred Men. A kind of Service-Tree differing from ours by its exceeding heighth fair Leaves and pleasant Fruit. The Prickly or Thorny Palm so call'd from its being arm'd all over with Prickles both Trunk and Leaves by incision into its Branches a sort of Wine is made and it is conjectur'd to be the same Tree which the Brasilians call Ayry The Franc-Palm an exceeding high and streight Tree bearing on the top of its Trunk a whitish marrowy substance by the French call'd Choude Palmiste or Palm-Cabbage for being boyl'd with the thin Leaves that incircle it and well season'd it is reckon'd amongst the Delicacies of the Caribbees Latanier another kind of Palm and Cocoa which is also reckon'd amongst the several sorts of Palms this last is a Fruit-Tree famous all over America and hath been at large describ'd elsewhere There are also many other Trees fit for Dying Joyners Work and Building besides the Acajou before mention'd of the single Trunks whereof are made those long Shallops call'd Pyrages which are able to carry fifty Men as The Acomas of the same bulk and heighth with the Acajon and equally esteem'd by Joyners and Carpenters and of the Fruit whereof the Woodquists grow fat at a certain time of the year The Rose-wood to be rank'd amongst the chiefest of those Trees that are made use of by Work-men Indian Wood a very precious and useful Tree for several sorts of Materials and of a very fine scent The Iron-Wood so call'd from its hardness weight and solidity above all that have hitherto been spoken of and beyond either Cypress or Cedar for incorruptibility Brasile-Wood so call'd as growing most plentifully in Brasile Yellow-Wood denominated from its Colour and much esteem'd for its usefulness in Dying green Ebony easily taking the lustre of the true Ebony and being very useful for the making of Cabinets and other curious Pieces of Work It also Dyes of a very fair Grass-green The Roncon by the Brasilians call'd Urnex in the Husks succeeding the Flowers whereof which grow in little Bushes at the end of the Branches is enclos'd a most rich Vermilion Dye of a very soft and viscous Matter Here are also many other Trees either useful in Medicine or other ways advantageous as the Cassia-Tree of the bigness and figure of a Peach-Tree the long Pipes or Cods whereof containing the Medicinal Fruit are well known amongst us by the Name of Cassia-Fistula and to be had at every Apothecaries Medicinal Nuts each Nut containing three or four Stones in so many Cells every one of which is inclos'd within a thin white Pellicle pleasant enough to the taste and out of which is extracted an Oyl us'd by the Portuguese in several both Culinarie and Physical occasions The Cinamon-Tree so noted for its aromatick Bark also Sandal-Wood Guaiacum and Sassafras Cotton-Tree and Soap-Tree whose Uses the very Names imply and which Trees have been touch'd upon elsewhere The arch'd Indian Fig-Tree the Bodies of which Trees have been antiently the sculking Holes and Retreats of the Inhabitants from their Enemies the Bark is useful for Tanners The Gourd-Tree of the bigness and heighth of a great Apple-Tree and of which are made most of the Houshold Vessels and Utensils which are in common use at present amongst the Inhabitants The Mahot-Tree of the Bark of which are made Laces and Points The Manyoc or Mandioque of whose Root the Cassava Bread is made and which growing in several places of America hath been already taken notice of as likewise the Banana-Tree and that call'd The Apple-Tree of Paradice otherwise Adam's Fig-Tree the Fruit being reported to be of a very delicious taste Other Trees not known in Europe are the Maposu divers kinds of Thorny Wood the Milky Tree being of a venomous quality the Mancenilier and that whose Root beaten to Powder and thrown into Rivers intoxicates the Fish with several others of less note Innumerable sorts of Shrubs might here in like manner be reckon'd up but the chiefest are That remarkable Plant anciently known by the Name of Ricinus and commended for its Vertues by Galen and Dioscorides Coral-Wood so call'd from its little Seeds which being as red as any Coral are us'd for Bracelets The Jasmin bearing a Flower of an admirable sweet scent The Candle-Wood so call'd from its combustibleness by reason of an aromatick Gum which is within The Herbs Flowers Roots and Pulse which grow here are some of them common in all parts of Europe as Cabbages Onions Chibols Melons all sorts of Millets Cucumbers Citruls Parsnips c. Others if not peculiar to this Island yet growing chiefly there and in some few parts of America besides as the Raquettes so call'd from the resemblance its Leaves have with a Racket a thorny-spreading Bush whose Fruit being of a Vermilion colour makes the Urine of those that eat of it as red as Blood Some liken this Plant to the Tunas already describ'd which yields that rich Scarlet Dye call'd Cochinele The Torch so call'd by the European Inhabitants by the Native Islanders Akoulerou a great Thistle or thorny Bush putting forth from the middle of it long streight Stalks like Torches and bearing Fruit like a great Fig not unpleasing to the taste The Lienes creeping upon the Earth and spreading up and down like Ropes and bearing brown Husks of a Foot long wherein are enclos'd a Fruit call'd Sea-Chestnuts of which are made Boxes to keep Snush Tobacco or the like A sort of Sempervivum which runs twisting upon Rocks Trunks of old Trees like Misseltoe and sometimes on the Ground A sort of sensitive Plant call'd by the Inhabitants Haestiel or The Living Herb of which kind of Plant something hath been already touch'd upon and which being transplanted is kept in several Gardens of the Curiosi as a Rarity The Sweet-Rush whose small Root dry'd
noise and though they cannot run fast yet they dive and swim extraordinary quick The Tapiirete The Tapiirete also resembles a Hog especially in its Head and Feet but is as big as a Heifer of six Moneths old hath a Snout hanging over its under Lip a Mouth full of Teeth and on its Skin short and dark colour'd Hair This Beast is very libidinous and in the Nights spoils the Fruit-Trees especially the Sugar-Canes but in the Day-time it sleeps in Thickets The Flesh of a young Tapiierete tastes like Beef Lastly the Inhabitants of Porto Seguro are plentifully supply'd with Rabbets and the more because there being divers sorts of them some say five they are taken in great abundance either in Traps Snairs or Gins or by discovering their Holes for the Hunters stopping the entrance of them dig a Hole directly over the place where the Coneys lodge and so kill them with long Pike-staves in the Ground Five sorts of Rabbets in Brasile Of these five sorts of Rabbets in Brasile the chiefest call'd Paca hath a thick Head little Ears their fore-Feet bigger than their hind-Feet short hard and brown Hair speckled grey on the Sides but no Tail The Flesh of this sort of Rabbets is very delicate The second sort is the Tupesi which being like a Hare amongst us may as well be accounted of that kind The Aguti resembles our Rabbets onely it hath harsh brown Hair round Ears bald Feet gruntles like a Hog hath two Toes more on their hind-Legs than on the foremost The Cavia Cobaya though less than the European Rabbets excell them in soft and divers-colour'd Hair distinguish'd by white red and black Spots their Head and Teeth resemble those of a Rat but it hath no Tail No Rabbets can be made tamer than these and if carry'd to any remote Countrey breed as well there as in Brasile The last of all is the Aparea which differs little in running from a Hare as also in respect of the Head and Beard harbors more in rent Cliffs than in sandy Ground The Tree Tucum The Soil of Porto Seguro bears two sorts of Palm-Trees viz. the Tucum and Airi the Tucum hath small Boughs full of prickly Leaves and a fruit not unlike the Damask Prune hanging in Clusters of three or four hundred together and being excellent Food to fatten Hogs and Apes also when press'd yielding a clear Oyl which is highly esteem'd the Fruit when ripe grows black without and within hath a white Kernel of the Leaves the Brasilians spin fine and strong Thred The Airi grows much higher than the Tucum and hath also longer Leaves a Body full of sharp Thorns and a round Fruit full of white and oylie Pulp but not eatable the Wood hard heavy and black sinks in the Water and the Brafilians make their Clubs of the same The Bird Cocoi Along the Rivers flie the Birds Cocoi resembling Herons though in beauty they far exceed them they have but little Flesh long sharp Bills of a yellowish green colour and curious Crests of Feathers on their Heads which fall back over their Necks their Flesh when young is delicate SECT VI. Los Isleos Situation and Description of Los Isleos NExt Porto Seguro borders the Countrey Los Isleos so call'd from its chief Town which consists of a hundred and fifty Houses or perhaps by this time many more eight Sugar-Mills a Cloyster for the Jesuits and a Church The Inhabitants live by Tillage and Transporting of Provisions in little Barks to Pernambuco Seven Leagues farther in the Countrey beyond the Town of Isleos lies a nameless Lake three Leagues long as many broad and above ten Fathom deep and full of the Fish Manati which are very large and well tasted besides abundance of Crocodiles and in windy Weather the Water is as rough as if it were in the Ocean Out of this Lake flows a River by a Passage so narrow that a Boat can scarce pass through the same Round about this River live the Guaymures the most salvage People of all America they are of a Gigantick size have white Skins carry exceeding great Bowes and Arrows live without Houses like Beasts devour Mans-flesh like Tygers never Fight in Companies or Armies but watch to surprize a single Man or Beast they also eat their own Children and possess'd formerly all the Land from the River St. Francisco to the Promontory Frio but beaten from thence by the Tupinambas and Tupinachias they went to the County Los Isleos which they Invaded in such a manner that the Portuguese were not onely forc'd to leave several Sugar-Mills but also the whole Countrey SECT VII Bahia de Todos los Sanctos When Sosa Landed on the fore-mention'd Shore the Portuguese had but little footing on America for their Plantations at Isleos St. Vincent Pernambuco Villa Veja Itamaraca and Porto Seguro discover'd by Pedro Alvares Capralis Anno 1500. were run all to ruine Beside the City St. Salvador and the decay'd Town Villa Veja the City Paripe lies three Leagues farther into the Countrey consisting of three thousand Families and eighteen Sugar-Mills The Countrey about the same produces plenty of Cotton The Island Taperica which is pretty large hath a fertile Soil for the production of Tobacco and Grass to fatten Cattel The Inhabitants boyl much Train-Oyl of the Whales which come ashore there in considerable numbers Twelve Leagues Southward from St. Salvador appears the Village Cacocheira formerly belonging to a rich Portuguese who took great pains in reforming the salvage People Guaymures to a civil Life but seeing he profited but little he caus'd great Companies of them to be remov'd to Taperica that they might do less mischief where the unusual and unwholsom Air kill'd them all in a short time The Lordship Bahia hath abundance of Sugar-Mills which are either turn'd by the Water or drawn by Oxen. OLINDA DE PHERNAMBUCO A. Narale B. Nonasterium in Insula Antonic vace C. Hospitium domini Presiotuâ— H. C. Lonck D. Ecclesia Pagi Povo E. Promptuaria Sacâ—aro Aâ— Hispanen ique delecâ—â— F. Vallum ferrestre cum nonnuâ—â—is fortulitus G. Monasterium Sancti Benedicti dictum Bento H. Sancti Antoni I. S â—i Francisci K. Ecclesia Magaâ— L. Ecclesia Jesuitarum N. Promontorium ex virgultis â—â—â—stium SECT VIII Pernambuco Description of Pernambuco NOrthward from Bahia de Todos los Sanctos lies Pernambuco which extends along the Coast above seventy Leagues between the River St. Francisco and the Countrey of Hamaraca Pernambuco which signifies Hells-Mouth is on the East wash'd by the Northern Ocean in which grows a Weed much like an Oaken Leaf and so thick that unless it be cut to make their Way impedes the Sailing of Ships Several sorts of Fish The Sea is also very full of Fish which in calm Weather are visible sixty Fathom deep and are taken in greater abundance than they are able to spend for they no sooner let down a Bait cover'd with Feathers
a guilty Conscience for two years before a Barque and two Sloops with Christians coming thither from the Amazone River had stay'd thirty days on Wacogenive when unawares they were set upon by the Natives and all kill'd except three who were yet living Upon which Lucifer having four Indians three Men and one Woman aboard of his Vessel threatned to put them all to the Sword unless they would produce the three foremention'd Christians Whereupon the next day a German came to the Water side of whom they could get little Information he having in a manner forgot his native Tongue but at length the other two coming thither the eldest of them nam'd John Hendricszoon related to him That the Portuguese in great numbers fell upon the Plantations near the Amazone River Govern'd by Captain Oudaen who after he had fought valiantly a whole day being overpower'd by number retreated to his Barque and Sail'd into the Creek inhabited by the English whither the Portuguese following in Canoos cut off not onely Oudaen but the English also forty six Men onely escaping in a Barque under the Command of Lieutenant Peter de Bruine to the River Wiapoco where they had stay'd about three days when Sergeant Matruit treacherously shot Lieutenant Bruine after which the forty six divided themselves into four Parties but the Inhabitants to rid themselves of these Strangers under the shew of great friendship made them Drunk with the Liquor call'd Pernau and then murder'd them all except himself and two Germans Which villanous act Lucifer judg'd worthy of punishment but his Orders being to shew Kindness and Civility to the Inhabitants he suffer'd the Murder to go unpunish'd but built a triangular Fort near the River Wiapoco on a Hill eight Fathom above the Shore to prevent the passing by of Sloops which done he went to visit the Island Blanco where he caught three hundred Goats From thence he went to the Bay of Honda the Inhabitants whereof are a valiant People tall of Stature having long Beards and wearing Copper Rings through their Ears Near the Sea-side is a Salt-pan of which the Inhabitants make great benefit Lucifer setting Sail again from hence met with three Ketches sent out by the West-India Company at Amsterdam before Corientes The Commander Dirk Simonszoon van Uitgeest steering his Course towards the Promontory St. Anton took a Frigat laden with Meal Silk and other rich Goods and within view of Cuba near the River Poros descrying two brave Gallions from Honduras bore up to them with his three Ketches one of which call'd The Lyon being got betwixt both the Gallions was in no small danger the Netherlanders not being able to get up out of their little Vessel into the high Gallions in which the Spaniards stood pushing them down with their Pikes but no sooner did the Netherlanders throw their Hand-Granado's amongst them but Uitgeest got aboard of the Gallion and carry'd her off whilest the other by nimble Sailing got away With this Prize Uitgeest thinking himself sufficiently enrich'd steer'd homewards Joost Johnson and Claes Henrickszoon Commanding each of them a Ketch took a a Ship coming from Lisbon before Pernambuco laden with Meal Salt Wine and thirty Monks and not long after a Pink with six hundred Negro's a Barque with Salt and Iron a Ketch with Wine and a Frigat with Brasile Wood Sugar and Tobacco Before Itamerica they took two Prizes more with all which they return'd to the Texel Peter Adrianszoon 's Expedition The West-India Company thus enrich'd by the Spoil taken from their Enemies fitted out twelve Ships again under the Command of Peter Adrianszoon Ita which set Sail in the beginning of the Year 1628. and anchor'd first before Blanca an Isle abounding with Goats the Ground stonie and in some places Rocky and having a small but very convenient Haven from whence Ita ran beyond Porto Rico where he took a Vessel with seven thousand weight of Ginger and Landed opposite to Hispaniola on the stonie Isle Catalina where he took in fresh Water and then Cruis'd to and again before Cuba took six Barques the Prisoners whereof inform'd him That the Honduras Traders were on their Way coming thither and that they had two small Men of War for their Convoy Not long after Ita discover'd them Sailing along the Shore towards the Haven of Havana but before they could get in Captain John Peters whose Ketch carry'd two Brass and fourteen Iron Guns boarded the Vice-Admiral but having no Graplings to take hold with the Spanish Ship ran aground as likewise John Peterszoon in the pursuit of him which the Admiral seeing came to assist his Vice-Admiral and ran aground on one side of John Peters which drove the Netherlanders Ketch in great danger she not being able to do Execution with her small Guns whilest the Spaniards with their Demy-Cannon play'd vehemently upon her neither was Ita by reason of calmness and contrary Tide able to come up with them but was forc'd to stand Northerly that so he might get an Easterly Wind which about Noon always blows fresh here and so by degrees got near the Spanish Fleet till at last coming up with the Vice-Admiral call'd St. Jago he threw Fire-pots into her and presently after boarding her enter'd with that Valor that of three hundred Spaniards above a hundred and fifty were slain for those that leapt over-board were kill'd in the Water whilest Joachim Guyszoon John Braems and Anthony Gonde fell upon the Admiral Sennora de los Remedios and took her In both these Ships Ita took Two thousand five hundred Chests of Indigo above Six thousand Hides Two thousand five hundred Packs of Sarsaparilla several Pots of Balsam Oyl Seventy thousand Pound of Ginger One and twenty Bars of Silver Twelve Brass and Twenty eight Iâ—â—â— Guns all which having taken out he set fire in both the Ships A little before this Victory the Fortune Frigat weighed Anchor from Flushing with sixty three Men of War to be Landed on the Island Tabago At St. Vincent they found two Men that were left of seven who having setled along the River Wiapow under Captain John Van Ryen were forc'd by the salvage Natives to remove two whereof dyed by the way the remaining five landing on the Isle Trinidad had three of their Companions kill'd by the Indians of Granada they being French-men to whom the Natives bore an inveterate Hatred so that they left onely the two Hollanders alive The Fortune assisted by the South-star Ketch took a rich Barque near the Isles des Virgines Vitgeest's Exploits Not long after the West-India Company set out twelve Ships more under the Command of Derick Simonszon Uitgeest who had the year before brought home the two fore-mention'd great Prizes who setting Sayl and getting into the large Bay of the Rocky Island Vincent catch'd several Goats and Tortels Before the Coast of Brasile he took two rich Carvels one from Pernambuco and another from the Inlet Todos los Sanctos which Prizes
thither after him Maurice cross'd to the Shore on which Openeda lay with Boats and got great Booty and the more because the Natives had not secur'd any thing Bagnola assuring them that the Castle Povacon could endure at least a Siege of four Moneths Maurice advising Prince Frederick Henrick of his Transactions desir'd that he would send over Planters thither whether they were banish'd Germans or Vagabonds out of their Houses of Correction for without them the fruitful Countrey of Brasile would render but a slender Account to the West-India Company nor be able to prevent the Invasions of the Spaniards The fruitfulness of this Tract of Land was not inferior to any Countrey in the whole World Cattel grazing up and down in Herds of five six and seven thousand Moreover Maurice advis'd them about the scarcity of Provisions without which they were not able to maintain War Grave Maurice begins his Government with the making of good Laws He also setled the Traders in a good Order dividing all those free People which bore no Offices into four Companies under Captains Ensigns and Lieutenants The Customs and Tributes were Farm'd Marriages were order'd to be perform'd by the Netherland Priests the Jews had leave not to Watch on their Sabbath all manner of Debosheries were strictly forbid from being acted on the Lords-Day and Punishments ordain'd for Drunkards and other Deboshees several Schools were also erected for Youth and for the instruction of the Brasilians in the Christian Religion an lastly it was permitted to any that would to build in the ruin'd City Olinda or else to repair those Houses that were fall'n to ruine About this time there went a Report as if the West-India Company were inclin'd to remove their Seat from Reciffa to the Island Tamarica but Maurice advising them that it would not be so convenient for them they chang'd their Resolution Isleos taken by Lichthart Whilest Lichthart Cruis'd a considerable time before the Haven Todos los Sanctos he Crain'd his Ship in the Bay of Camaniu took the Town Isleos with a hundred and fifty Men. In the Town which is built on a Promontory he took but little Booty and sav'd the Houses which were built most of Stone as also the four Churches and Jesuits Cloyster and return'd to Reciffa About this time the invincible Castle Mina afterwards call'd St. Joris was taken by the Hollanders upon the Advice of Nicholas van Yperen Commander of Guinee who sent word to Grave Maurice that the said Castle might easily be conquer'd if any Forces could be sent him front Reciffa Whereupon Maurice immediately sent sent John Coin thither with nine Ships which set Sail on the twenty fifth of June Anno 1637. who in the Road Commendo joining with Yperen soon after he was set down before it and was preparing to Storm had it surrendred to him upon Terms no less advantageous to the Hollanders than dishonorable to the Besieged yet not without the loss of many Men for in their March thither they were fiercely set upon by the Negro's inhabiting the Village near the Castle in which Conflict Colonel Latan amongst others was slain Colonel Latan slain The Fort might very well have endur'd a longer Siege it being surrounded with double Moats each twenty five Foot deep and high Bulwarks which could not be undermin'd because of the Rocky Ground on which they were built and to make it yet more stronger Coin after he had taken it rais'd a Fort on the Hill from whence he had fir'd on the Castle in which he found thirty Brass Demi-Culverins and leaving Walraeven Malburg as Governor he return'd to Reciffa During these Proceedings of the Dutch in Guinee the Duke of Bagnola ransack'd the Countrey about Seregippa del Rey Maurice not able to go himself having had a Feaver three Moneths sent Schuppe and Gyseling with two thousand three hundred Soldiers four hundred Brasilians and two hundred and fifty Seamen whilest Lichthart Steer'd to Todos los Sanctos that so he naught draw the Enemy down to the Sea-Coast Bagnola flying to Terra Gratia d' Avila Schuppe demolish'd the Town Seregippa the Sugar-Mills and all manner of Fruit-Trees and march'd with incredible speed to the Stream Francisco where Encamping on the Southern Shore he drove three thousand Head of Cattel before him that so he might starve the Enemy The Brasilians offer their assistance to the Dutch for the taking the Fort Siara In the interim the Brasilians in Siara desir'd Aid against the Portuguese offering That if the Hollanders could conquer the Fort there they would soon destroy all the Portuguese that the Charges of the Siege might easily be made good the Countrey producing abundance of Amber-greece Crystal Cotton Pearls Salt and other Merchandise In confirmation of this their Resolution the Brafilians left two eminent Persons Children of Siara in Reciffa Whereupon George Garstman being sent thither was no sooner Landed but he made his Arrival known to the Brasilian Governor Algodoi who came to meet him with two hundred Men bearing white Flags in token of Peace Thus assisted he set upon Siara which is a square Fort built at the foot of a Hill hath within its Walls six Houses two Redoubts full of Port-holes one on the North and the other on the South jutting half way out from the Wall as also two Gates secur'd with large Portcullises without the Fort appears the Governor's House about which were several Huts for Portugueses This Lordship already spoken of is reckon'd amongst the Northern parts of Brasile and hath onely twelve Leagues in circumference The Haven before the Castle which the River Hacu makes is of little consequence The Ground in some places rises with high Mountains in others especially on one side it is overgrown with Wood hath also several brave Pastures especially along the River The Fort taken by Gartsman Garstman approaching the Castle Siara found little resistance so that he took it with small expence of Blood most of the Portuguese being taken Prisoners a few onely escaping by flight After this Grave Maurice took great care of the Civil Affairs building a Guild-Hall at his own Cost and Charge sent all manner of Minerals digg'd out of the Brasilian Mines to the Netherland laid great Penalties on those that stole the Custom of Goods and punish'd with Death Murders Robberies and such like Capital Offences besides several wholsom Laws relating both to the Civil and Ecclesiastical Government and as soon as he was recover'd from his tedious Sickness he march'd up into the Countrey to the Rivers Grande and Parayba to take care to furnish the Forts with Provision and Ammunition Near the Castle Ceulen he was receiv'd by the Tapuyan Agents and Presented by them with Bowes Arrows and brave Ostrich Feathers us'd by them when they go to the Wars in return for which they receiv'd Linnen Shirts Knives Shells Bugles Fishhooks and Nails Maurice caus'd a deeper and wider Moat to be digg'd about the decay'd
the same manner he dealt with the neighboring People Alcoholados of whom he got much Gold but not without unheard of Cruelties for he burnt all their Villages and Houses ruin'd the Countrey with Fire and Sword from Thamaleque to the River Lebrixa carry'd away many of the Natives coupled together with Chains about their Necks and each of them loaded with at least a hundred pound weight of pillag'd Goods and as soon as any of them began to faint under their Burthens for want of refreshment their Heads were immediately cut off But Alfinger coming to certain cold Mountains was resisted by a valiant People in which Conflict he receiv'd a Wound of which he dy'd at his return to Coro Anno 1532. Upon which the Welsares sent John Aleman to succeed him but he also dying made place for George de Espoira and Nicholas Federman of which two Espoira being the chief spent three years in ranging up and down the Countrey without any remarkable Transactions being continually at variance with his Lieutenant Federman The afore-mention'd City Venezuela otherwise call'd Caro and by the Natives Corana was Anno 1539. taken and burnt by the English The Provinces Paragoana and Bariquicimeto Northward from the City the Promontory St. Roman in the Province of Paragoana runs into the Sea opposite to the Islands Aruba and Quuracao The Countrey Paragoana is low and full of Venison out of the middle of it rises a high Mountain the Inhabitants whereof are very hospitable and courteous The Lyons that breed in this Countrey run away from Men but on the contrary the Tygers are exceeding cruel From Coro there leads a Way up into the Countrey over the Mountain Xizaezaras to the Province Bariquicemeto Between both these Provinces very fruitful Valleys which produce Maiz in great abundance are surrounded by wooddy Mountains inhabited by Man-eaters call'd Axaguas Anno 1552. Juan de Villegas discovering the Province Tucuyo he found several rich Gold-Mines near the Mountain Pedro out of which springs the River Burio Near this place he built the Town Segovia which by reason of the unwholsom Air Segovia built by Juan de Villegas was soon after transplanted and built on the Shore of the River Bariquicimeto so call'd because the Water when touch'd turns to an Ash-colour The Plain Countrey round about would be intolerable hot did not the cool Winds that blow from the Mountains temper the same The Natives of the Province Bariquicemeto their manner of Living The Natives divided into Tribes that understand not one another live on Callibashes Deers flesh Rabbets and the Juice of the Cocuy In the Rivers Hacarigua and Boraute they throw the stamp'd Root Barbasco which causes the Fish to appear above the Water and suffer themselves to be caught with the Hand In the Summer they all store themselves with Venison which they catch after this manner They set the dry Bushes and Brambles on fire which makes the wild Hogs Goats Deer Armadillo's Tygers the great Serpents Bobas and other wild Creatures to leap forth from their Holes and Receptacles to shun the same whilest the Hunters standing ready with their Bowes and Arrows seldom miss one of them In the hollow Trees near the Rivers the Bees make abundance of Honey for them Most of the Rivers here fall into the Stream Huriapari which glides from the Peruvian Mountains to the Northern Ocean The Province Chioas produces plenty of Gold Also of the Natives about Segovia The Natives about Segovia go naked are very ignorant and much addicted to Drunkenness in which humor they kill one another They live without care feeding on Roots till their Maiz is ripe which in some places comes to its full maturity in forty days time and in others in three Moneths Close by Segovia glides the Rivulet Claro whosse clear Water goes but a small Course from its Fountain Head before it sinks into the Ground in the Summer it is very high and in the Winter almost destitute of Water The Commodities of the Countrey hereabouts This Countrey breeds all sorts of Fowls but especially Quails and Turtle-Doves Cattel Sheep Goats and Hogs increase wonderfully here insomuch that many of them are driven to be sold at New Granada The Cotton-Clothes that are woven here also turn to a good account From Segovia runs a Way through a Valley twelve Leagues long to the Town Tucuyo which stands low but in a healthful Climate and surrounded with Mountains The Countrey hereabouts produces plenty of Corn Pot-herbs Sugar and Cotton and feeds Oxen Cowes Horses Sheep Deer and Goats to which the Tygers and Lyons do great mischief Here are Gold-Mines but they are not open'd by reason of the great want of Men. There is likewise plenty of the Bezoar-Stones to be had here The Cuycas in whose Countrey stands the Town Truxillo are a valiant but very cruel People The Lake Maracabo running forty Leagues up into the Countrey is ten Leagues broad Ebbs and Flows and feeds the great Fish Manati Westward dwell the Pocabuyes and Alcoholados both quiet and rich People The Province Xuruara The Province Xuruara lies towards the South behind high Mountains inhabited by the valiant Coromochos and towards the North from Xuruara the Bobures hard by the City Merida the Countrey about which is unhealthful and Morassy and the Inhabitants exceedingly plagu'd by the Muschito's Havens of Venezuela The Haven Maracapana is the best in Venezuela and lies in the Eastern part of the Province where the Mountains are inhabited by the wild Chiugotos who kill and eat all the Spaniards they can get The other Havens Westward not comparable to Maracapana are Flechado Sardinas and Burburute where some Spanish Families have a Salt-pit Islands and Promontories Six Leagues up in the Countrey you come to the fresh Lake Tocarigua full of little inhabited Isles the People whereof live quietly and barter Gold Towards the North-West the Ocean makes the great Inlet Triste before which lies the Island Bonaire very full of Cattel and on each side appear the Aves and Quaraco which abound with Fowl The Promontory St. Roman runs twenty Leagues into the Sea and the Cape Coquibocoa extends farther Between both these runs the Channel of Venezuela which touches the Lake Maracapabo Before Coquibocoa are seen the four low Islands Monjes with white sandy Creeks and full of Trees out of the middlemost rises a high Mountain On the Main Continent also the Mountains De Azieyto appear with scraggy tops beyond the Point And the Bay Honda affords a safe Road. The Cape De la Vela hath on one side the Inlet Portete and on the other the Villages Rancheria and Nostra Sennora de los Remedios between both which runs the Stream La Hacha The German Commander Nicholas Federman intended to have built a City on Cape Vela Anno 1535. but finding the Ground too low and unfruitful the Pearls hereabouts very small and the Natives living onely on Fish and wild Herbs
Ignazu which falls into the Parana and at last came to the River Paraguay along whose Shore he found a People of a gigantick Stature call'd The Agazes who regarded no manner of Husbandry but went out continually a robbing in their Canoos These People as Martin del Barco relates were not long after all destroy'd by the Spaniards Not far from the Agazes dwell the Guaycurues a valiant People and somewhat farther the Cacoves whose Countrey produces Gold and Silver and yet farther in the Countrey reside the Guaxarapos who remove yearly to the Paraguay to Fish there when the Water is low for in the beginning of January the River swells so exceedingly that the Countrey about it being overflow'd is cover'd with above six Fathom Water The Paraguay discharges its Waters into the great Lake Xarayes full of Islands Amongst other Rivers that spring out of the Mountains Andes the Ignazu along whose Shore the People Xacoaes Xaquesses and Chanesses dwell falls also into the foremention'd Lake Somewhat farther lies a great piece of drown'd Land beyond which the Xarayes have convenient Habitations plant Maiz and spin Cotton Their Countrey borders a great Wilderness which ends about the Province Tapuaguazu the Inhabitants whereof call'd Tarapecocies are furnish'd with plenty of all sorts of Provisions The Payzunoes dwelling on one side of them are not well known as yet Beyond the Town Assumption dwell the Mayaes in the Way to Peru and border at he Tamacoaes both which possess Silver-Mines Between Buenos Ayres and Corduba lies the Plain-Countrey Despoplado ninety Leagues long without Trees or Houses but is most pasture-Pasture-Ground which feed many thousands of wild Horses From hence glide the Streams Luchan Los Arrechivos Arreca Zaracaranna and others into La Plata It is very dangerous for a small Company to travel through this Countrey because the ranging Juries spare none alive they meet with Moreover the River Grande flows with a wide Mouth into the Sea and spreads it self within against the Countrey Patos Also the Rivers Tamandabug Ararungo and the Lake Alagoa disembogue into the Ocean North-East beyond Alagoa lie the Islands Catharina and Gale and in the Bay Tojuqua appear several Isles The Streams Tajahu and Ytabuca spring out of high Mountains inhabited by the People Anniriri and Cipopoy Lastly the Countrey wash'd by the Stream Ararapira produces all sorts of Provisions CHAP. II. Chili THere are in this Countrey both tame and wild Sheep The Cammel-Sheep the tame ones are call'd Cammel-Sheep being cover'd with long fine Wool having Necks four Foot long their fore Feet cloven into four parts their hindermost into two their Mouths very wide which they open at those that vex them and make such a stink that no body is able to abide near them when tir'd they fall under their Burdens and will not rise though beaten never so much Their Flesh is tough like that of Horses The wild Mountain-Sheep are red and have soft glossy Wool which makes a Stuff like that of a Chamlet These Sheep run swifter than a Horse the Chileses lead them by a Rope put through their Ears The Grain Teca This Countrey of Chili not onely produces Wheat Barley Maiz and all manner of Fruit but also the Teca which growing half a Yard high is not unlike Barley the Grain thereof being dry'd in the Sun is thresh'd and parch'd in hot Sand then ground on a square flat Stone with a round Rowler This Meal which is both exceeding wholsom and very nourishing for a small Measure thereof sufficeth a Man a whole Week serves also both for Meat and Drink for being infus'd in a greater quantity of Water it becomes a pleasant Drink and kneaded with a lesser proportion it is made into Cakes or Loaves The Fruit Vnni The Fruit Unni by the Spaniards call'd Murtilla is like a little red Grape and hath a tart taste The Wine press'd out of this Fruit is clear to the Eye pleasing to the Palate and good for the Stomach never causing any Head-ache It also makes good Vinegar But the chiefest Benefit of Chili is the rich Gold-Mines The Countrey for the most part lies desolate occasion'd by the continual Wars which the valiant People Arauco maintain'd against the Spaniards after such a manner that in no place of America they met with such resistance or sustain'd such Losses They speak an elegant Language according to the testimony of Elias Herkmans who having committed to Wirting all the most significant Words thereof which were taught him by the Chileses it will not be altogether amiss to set down some of them which are these following A View of the Chilesian Language TEpanto A Year Tien A Moneth or the Moon Toninco A Week Ante The Day or Sun Paun The Night Tabuyo The Evening Eppoun The Morning Rangiante Noon Eppoe The next Day after to Morrow Vya Yesterday Putey The Day before Yesterday Buchiante To Day Mintay Now. Weytiva At that time Wantarulei In the Morning betimes Biliante Always Chumel When. Chemchuem Also Hueno The Heavens Quereb The Air or Wind. Tomo The Clouds Wangelen The Stars Pillan Thunder Gualio Lightning Puta que quereb A Storm Maoni Rain Piren Snow Veaquumao Dew Pillingei Ice Quetal Fire Ko Water Tue The Earth Mappo The Land Pele Clay Cura Stone Maviel Wood. Aluven Timber Millia Gold Lien Silver Paila Brass Titi Tin Pavillue Iron Quatal-cura A Pebble-stone Chadi Salt Lyl A Rock Milla-mappen A Golden Vein Aliquen A Tree Cahu Herbs Nebo Nuts Pino Grass Cayron Hay Wento A Man Domo A Wife Quiduugen A Youth Yecho A Maiden Penien A Boy Domo-penien A Girl Chou A Father Nenque A Mother Cheche A Grandfather Domo-cheche A Grandmother Wenco Mothers Brother Mama Mothers Sister Pelchuchan A Stepfather Caulla A Stepmother Botum A Son Neaque A Daughter Penu A Brother Lamoen A Sister Guempo A Father-in-law Vilca A Mother-in-law Choupa A Son-in-law Weuro-pencho A Kinsman Buytha An old Man Cude An old Woman Cunewa An Hospital Child Peneinboe A Guardian Apo-curaca A Governor Curaca A Lord. Apo A supream Commander Nentoque A Ruler Ulmen A Person of Quality Pulmen A Gentleman Machi A Chirurgeon Cona A Soldier Retave-caman A Smith Guito-wok A Weaver Challo-acaman A Fisher-man Nilla-caboe A Merchant Turnitave A Dyer Chumpiro-caman A Cap-maker Tultunca-caman A Drummer Inchetaniweni A Servant Voerquin A Messenger Langamcheboe A Murderer Chiquiboe A Thief Illuiboe A Beggar Alvee The Devil Ruca A House Ullin A Door Chaquana A pair of Stairs Pylca A Wall Wana-ruca The Roof Pithe-ruca A Hut Colcura A Cupboard Cawyto A Bedstead Depotuarica A Prison Weltelve A Gibbet Pengal A Grave Lonquen The Sea Leva The River Buta-wampo A Ship Aliwen A Mast Mou Ropes Dolio A Canoo Wampo A Boat Vela Sails Wyta An Oar. Tubquen Ashes Cuju A dead Coal Ale The Flame Aypel A burning Coal Wietum Smoak Catila a Candle Wyno A Knife Witi A Spoon Guidi A Pot. Lepoboruwe A Tooth-picker Pavilla-lonco An Helmet Waiqui A Pike
several People with Sticks on which hung white Cloths some of them came aboard and brought with them what Provisions the Island afforded The Inhabitants barter'd Clappes Pisang Fowls Hogs Mother-of-Pearl Fish-hooks Stone Axes little Stools great Clubs with a black Point as long as a Man's Arm and hooked against Trifles The Hollanders were also stor'd here with fresh Water The People both in Language Habit rud Customs were very like those of the first Island but were not altogether so courteous One of the Southlanders stealing a Half-pike out of the Boat was forc'd by his Companions to restore the same The fore-mention'd Haelbos relates That going ashore with some Soldiers he saw their Houses which he found to be built after a strange manner viz. some of them were round like Towers Wider at top than at bottom and without any Holes for Air but all built close of Canes which were stuck in the Ground other Huts were cover'd with a long Roof of Pisang or Clappes Leaves resting on Posts under which kind of Building Haelbos shelter'd himself against a mighty Shower of Rain found divers young Men and Women sitting on Mats and an old Woman blind through Age lying by them on the Ground and Fanning her self with Pisang Leaves The Men going away signifi'd thereby a kind of Invitation to the Hollanders to go to the Women who not receiving the Entertainment they expected rose altogether on a sudden and Singing Danc'd about the Hollanders The Men had on their Shoulders and Breasts Scars of half an Inch deep and an Inch long upon some of which being fresh and bleeding the Flyes sat They eat after a strange manner for stripping off the outmost Rinds of the Clappes with their Teeth and breaking the hard Shell against their Elbows they pull out the Kernel and eat the same Whatever Flesh-meat they eat they never throughly boyl or roast it but make it onely just warm They sleep on the Ground upon Mats and lay their Heads on a little woodden Cricket with four Feet They take great pride in their Hair and those that have not long Hair of their own use Perukes Tasman steering his Course towards the high Coast that lay before this Island was follow'd by several small Vessels from the adjacent Shore of which some carry'd a Bough of Clappes or Pisang with white Veins at the ends but seeing the Ships Sail from them they threw the same overboard Tasman standing Westerly discover'd three Isles near the last whereof the Sea broke exceedingly which the Hollanders not without great danger had approached in the Night after which they discover'd to Leeward of them a high Coast which extended it self a great way but the Sea went so rough that they durst not venture near the Land besides the Sea went very high on a Bank first ten then five three and a half and again ten fourteen and seven Fathom deep and oftentimes a Man might see the Ground insomuch that they kept out the Boats belonging to the Hemskerk which was in most danger to carry them aboard of the Sea-Cock if the first should chance to split Lastly getting over the Bank they saw very high Land to Windward and many hilly Isles to Leeward the Sea also was full of blind Rocks and Shelves so that they were in danger every hour and the rather because the Wind blew hard every day yet at last losing sight of Land they steer'd their Course Westerly in five Degrees Southward of the Line towards New Guinee On the two and twentieth of March they discover'd low Land full of Woods of tall Trees surrounded with a company of Isles against some of which the Sea brake with great violence insomuch that they were again in great danger especially when they were got amongst eighteen Isles between which the Water being shallow and the Current running very strongly drove the Ships towards the Shore Whilest they were Tacking to and again to get beyond the Shelves a little Vessel carrying a great Weather-cock on her Star-board came from the Shore Row'd by seven Men who sat on Boards which lay over the same they were of a brown Complexion onely girt about with a hairy Girdle made fast on the top of their Heads under their Feet they also wore something in stead of Shoes about their Necks hung Flowers and their Bodies were Painted black Among the seven one who was very fat and whose Head was adorn'd with two Feathers stood up and proffer'd the Seamen two Clappes in return whereof Tasman gave them a Box of Nails and a piece of Sail-cloth which sinking under Water an aged Man div'd for the same and bringing it up gave it to his six Companions who made no shew of thankfulness Their Arms consisted in Bowes and Arrows Their Clappes they call'd Anieuw as the other Islanders had done Sailing from hence they discover'd two low Islands full of Trees and three Leagues from them on their Star-board a high Coast and on the other side a great Island whither they drove with a small Gale approaching the same two very small Boats came towards the Hemskerk the biggest of the two carry'd six Men and the least three all of them very deform'd they went stark naked onely their Yards were ty'd up with a String on their Bellies and about their Arms hung Chains of Mother-of-Pearl they were Coal-black onely red about the Mouth which redness was occasion'd by the chewing of Pisang in their Hair stuck woodden Combs and on their Foreheads green Leaves but in each Boat was one who had a bruised Reed made fast in his Neck like a Plume the biggest Vessel was Painted with strange Shapes of Men and Beasts they us'd red Bowes and Arrows and having call'd to the Seamen they Row'd back again to the Shore which Tasman left a Stern of him and ran between the Main Coast by all suppos'd to be New Guinee and several great Islands that lay scatter'd along before the Main Coast from whence came four small Boats adorn'd with Imagery like Serpents but kept without Gun-shot from the Ships at last one leaping overboard swam to the smallest Boat out of which one swam back in his stead to the other and afterwards came to the Hemskerks side he was a black Man wore Leaves before his Privities and Armlets about his Elbows through the Gristle of his Nose stuck a white Bone Bodkin sharp at the ends and of a Fingers length and about his Neck a String full of Cockle-shells Tasman Sailing on along the Main Coast met with eighteen Boats more the Rowers whereof laid their Oars upon their Heads and not without strange Gestures call'd aloud and invited the Hollanders to come ashore On the Sterns and Heads of these Boats were likewise divers Shapes Painted upon a white Ground in some were two and in others three four and five Men eight of them going into the Hollanders Boats were made Drunk with Arrack These Southlanders went stark naked some onely covering their secret Parts