the North-west though extended also through the whole continent from sea to sea no lesse then 100. leagues in length in bredth to the South-sea but 18. where we read of no Haven of note but to the North-sea here called the gulfe of Mexico being full 80 leagues there fall many Rivers convenient for ships to harbour lade and unlade as namely the Rivers De Banderas and Zempoal Almeria Saint Peters Saint Pauls and de los Cazon The first Banderas being within five leagues of the famous River Alucrado in Guanaca The last not above three leagues from the River Panuco in the Province of Panuco which two differ full soure degrees in latitude but the onely ports of note now of use with the Spaniard are Vera Cruz and Saint Iuan-Uullua both very convenient and strongly defended but the latter as being somewhat more healthfull and comming up to the Towne with sufficient water to bear ships of greatest burden is at this prefect of greatest imployment and therefore every day more and more fortified by the Spaniard Sir Iohn Hawkins in the yeere 1568. came into this Haven where he found 22. Spanish ships richly laden which though he might have certainly seized upon yet he condiscendered to meane conditions whereof the chiefe was the victualling of his ships yet neither that nor any of the other were performed but they with a new Navy from Spaine falling upon him unexpectedly after agreement made put him so to it as he had much adoe unvictualled with two ships onely to escape and for want of provision was inforced to set 100 of his men on land who all perished either by the inhumanity of the Savages who killed and eat them or through the cruelty of the Spaniard who to revenge themselves under the prentence of Religion put them to death This large Bishoprick of 〈◊〉 with the Provinces annexed doe as others differ much in respect of temperature and fertility the temperature and fertility arising not so much from the farther or neerer approach to the Zodâ—acke as from the mountaines and Valleyes the mountainous parts in many places eight leagues over being temperately cold and lesse fertill the Valleyes whereof here are many Achisco and Saint Pauls being chiefe exceedingly fruitfull but over hot I make no question but that here also are some rich mines though as yet few have been discovered But of this I am well assured that the Native Inhabitants are here more then usually to be found in any place whose conversion to the true knowledge of Christ ought in the first place to be considered by us The Spanish Townes of note here take them as we passe from East to West are Sigura and the two Haven Townes of which I spake before all three strongly and statety built as also well provided with pleasant and profitable fields round about them In the Bishoprick it selfe standeth Rubla los Angelos the Valley of Altisco inhabited with 1500. Spanish Families now the chiefe City where the Bishop resideth 22. leagues from the Metropolis of Nova Hispana and within a little of the twentieth degree of North latitude between which Mexico more to the North-west intervene Guaxacing and old Clascala from whence all the government hath its name And now we are to come unto the heart of Nova Hispania even to the great City Mexico the center of the Arch-bishoprick from whence it is denominated and upon which government under the command of the Victory all the rest depend As it lyeth to the West of Tlascula so it hath to the North the wide Province of Panuco to the West and North-west Mecoacan of as large extent the length of this Archgovernment is taken from the Inland confines of Panuco to the South-sea where it is in bredth but eighteen leagues though yet to the North it be reckoned at sixty In which large tract of ground there are many petty Provinces now knowne rather by their names then Dominions It may therefore suffice onely to name them with some small touch of what they have in peculiar To the North of it are Lateotalpa wherein lyeth the rich silver mine of Puchuca fourteen leagues from Mexico Then Meslitlan a Country abounding with Allum and Iron Then Tula whereunto belongeth another silver mine called Guaxanaâ—o sixty leagues remote all three well provided of all necessary provisions for life and affording many Merchantable Commodities To the North-east the Provinces of Panpautlat and Tupâ—dx are neither healthfull by reason of the excessive heat nor much inhabited in regard that lying so levell with the sea the many creeks which come from thence maketh the Country adjoyning barren and unusefull fit onely to breed innumerable swaâ—â—es of Musquitos a kind of pestilent flyes which as they are rise in many other places of the West Indies so are they here exceeding troublesome to the Inhabitants The lake of Mexico in the surrounding bosome whereof the City standeth to the North being more then eight leagues in length and in most places five in bredth is on every side well planted and well inhabited Culuala as is reported consisting of 20000. Families Yztacapalpa of 10000. some others 4 or 5000. A strong argument to beleeve the regions round about to be exceeding fertill Eight leagues to the South of Mexico beyond the lake is Zalateco where is a plantifull silver mine As are also Tasco 22 and Zumpango 40. leagues to the South Beyond which yet more to the South eighty leagues from the Metropolis somewhat above seventeen degrees of North latitude lyeth Acapulco the most famous port belonging to the South-sea Of all America concerning the City Mexico it self it may suffice to know that it is the greatest and richest of all this new World standing as was formerly noted upon the North side of the lake about the twentieth degree of latitude and according to Herrea 130. in longitude from the Miridian of Toledo no lesse then 1740. leagues distant the one from the other it consisteth according to the relation of Cortesius who first conquered it of three streets whereof the least to the West is a mile and halfe a second to the North is three the greatest to the South is full two leagues in length it is credibly reported to be now inhabited with 4000. Spaniards and 3000. Natives a small proportion in respect of what was formerly related But then it is now farre better built and beautified with a stately Cathedrall many Churches Monasteries and Schooles for learning The temperature of this City differeth little from the regions adjacent in the moyst moneths annoyed with too much rain in the dry which are November December January February and March much more infested with dust that being raised by sudden whirlwinds getteth up into their nostrils and produceth many diseases especially Fevers There are yet two other things here very observable First that this great City either through the negligence or avararice of the Viceroy and his Officers in not dispending what was yeerly allowed
over cold The Land for three leagues compasse adjoyning to the Towne of Martha from which the whole government taketh denomination is very healthfull and pleasant but withall very ill provided with victuall unlesse Oranges and Lemons and such like Spanish fruits or that the native fruits which the Pine and Guiavah trees there plentifully affoâ—d may suffice The Provinces to the West of Martha toward Carthagena namely Bonda and Poziguica are much of the same condition healthfull but not fruitfull The rest of this government downe to the South is invironed with two great Rivers with Martha to the West and Pompatao to the South-east which being remote the one from the other more then forty leagues for the space of two degrees of latitude North and South untill the River â—ompatao turning directly to the West at length falleth into the greater River Madalena for so it is here stiled though it selfe also be but an arme of Martha Now for that in so large a tract of ground which the long continued distance of the foresaid Rivers sufficiently prove no mention is made of any other Spanish Towne but onely of Tenerifae which is within forty leagues of Martha where Madalena falleth into it and Tamalameque fifteene leagues belowe more to the South bordering neere thereunto it may and is probably conjectured that here may be found â—ood habitation A third government adjoyning to the sea-coast is Cartagâ—na so called from the chiefe Port towne of all Terra Firma This government is more spacious and populous then either of the former but withall it is in the generall lesse healthfull and lesse profitable as being for the most part either taken up with waste unusefull Mountaines or being pestered with many fennes and bogges by reason of the continuall overflowing of Martha and and other smaller Rivers of their Valleys that otherwise might be much more beneficiall for the grazing of Cattell From the falling of that great River into the sea where this government beginneth to the East no mention is made of any Spanish towne toward the sea-coast untill we come to â—artagena it selfe which City is inferiour to very few or none in all America It is reported not onely by Spanish Authors Herea Bapâ—ista and others but also by the Dutch who have lately more exactly viewed the scituation of it to be very strong it standeth in a kind of Peninsula two miles from the maine sea which upon that coast unlesse in some â—ew chanels 〈◊〉 dangerous by reason of many shallowes sands and shelves the comming up to it though no farther remote is likewise difficult both by water and land The water passages are three all narrow and shallow serving onely for small Vessels and withall strongly fortified The land passages that are as many are very narrow made cawâ—y-wise so as but few can goe a brest to force their way being opposed by severall strong Forts and â—o make their way on either side the cawceys is impossible being all of them so compassed with deep ditches and unpassable bogges And yet for want of fresh water they continually fetch from Galeera where the great ships ride a great Navy may easily keepe them from thence and so inforce them in a short time to yeeld for want of water Nor is it impossible but that this City may be taken by the water passages if good store of small Vessels well manned and otherwise provided shall be imployed therein The next towne distant from Cartagena to the south-west is Toku where great store of precious balsome either by distilling of it selfe or by incission of certaine trees is yeerly gathered and conveyed into Europe It is confidentâ—y reported by Monardes to be no way inferiour but rather more soveraigne for the curing of many diseases then was the balsome of Aegypt and the East Countryes in all Authors so highly commended The Climate is much more healthfull the soyle more fertill and usefull to feed Cattell as being six leagues from sea not mountainous and yet not taken up with flagges and bulrushes and other such like increase of Marish grounds as are Carthagena and the more neere confines thereof Now to looke yet further into the continent just opposite to the government of Martha directly to the South from the eighth degree of the North latitude beginneth the Kingdome of new Granada which extendeth it selfe unto the second degree upon both sides of Madalena more especially from the rising of the said River to the mid-way before it commeth into Martha it is said to be 130 leagues â—ong and betweene thirty and twenty broad The Land is not onely pleasant and healthfuâ—l but generaly very rich abounding with much treasure and ample provision for livelyhood The most unusefull parts of this great Kingdome is the next adjoyning to the government of Martha that is taken up with the waste Opion mountaines that permit not without great difficulty and many dayes travail entrance to Merida Pamplona Saint â—hristoâ—hers and other the Nortâ—erne parts thereof no lesse wealthy then pleasant But then this difficult passage may be avoyded by making use of the constant flowing of Sea into the wide mouth of Martha which conveniently conveyeth ships of great bulke for forty leaguâ—s unto Tenerifâ— where Magdalena falleth into Martha and then in small Vessels of fifty or sixty foot long and foure or five foot broad they may with ample provision of men victuall and ammunition passe up the River Magdalena untill they come to the rich inhabited places of Granada Of which the Provinces of Musâ—â— and â—olyma on the East side the Province of Arbi on the West side of Magdalena are neerest to the Opiâ—n mountaines The Provinces to the Easterfide in which stand foure Spanish Townes Placentta Trinidad Tudela and Palma are somewhat too hot by reason that the Sun-beams doe very strongly reflect upon them by a continuation of exceeding high mountaines yet more to the East And yet withall they are over moysty the water falling for six moneths in the yeer â—oo fiercely from those mountaines and the River Magdalena to which they border being so subject to overflowing The soyle neverthelesse doth affâ—râ— two plettifull Crops and feedeth much Cattell Neither are the mountaines adioyning to these Provinces thought to be utterly destiâ—ute of treasure but certaine it is they abound with Emmeâ—ald and Berril stones In the Province of Arbi on the West side of Magdalena over against â—lacentia in the sixth degree of latitude lyeth Senora constantly reported to be richly furnished with golden Mines as is Maraquita with silver Mines standing in the fifth degree over against Trinidad Neere upon the same dâ—gree of latitude fifteene leagues to the East of Trinidad is Tunia a healthy wealthy and well provided Province for all kind of sustentation necessary â—ot onely for life but even for the abundance of many delights in which respect it is so well inhabited by the Spanish as that it is able to bring 200 horse into the field And
least River is called Pawtunxt the Inhabitants whereof on either side cannot bring into the field above two hundred men There are yet other Rivers on the other side Eastward all which fall likewise into the great River Chesapeacke but they are of no great note because not Navigablâ— but the Natives inhabiting about them for proportion of ground are as many as on the other side the number of their fighting men are about foure hundred so as the whole number of their men of war in the North part of Virginia do not exceed three thousand who being no better armed than with bowes and arrowes and not daring to approach our great Ordnance no nor our Muskets neither if there be any store of them lesse than three hundred of our men may easily beat away and keepe them under And now I shall acquâ—int you with such things as the earth bringeth forth of her owne accord as also what grain and other fruits carefull husbandry may produce Store of grasse in many places there is not not because the soile is unfit to yeeld it but that it is hindered by the over-shadowing of trees which almost in every place groweth into great abundance a thing easily to be amended bycutting downe good store of them as appeareth plainly in some of our Plantations where this course being carefully performed They have besides store of grasse store of English and Indian graine yea I have been credibly informed by divers persons of good worth that they have many fields belonging to a Plantation where the ground yeeldeth greater increase upon bare tillage than ours here in England doth with the most chargeable and most painfull husbandry Among the fruitfull trees of the wood the prime are the Oak Walnut Mulberry Prune Damson trees of the fruit whereof stamped together the Natives make of the dryer part that which serveth them as well as bread and with the liquid part that which contenteth them as well as beere They have also store of Cherries and Grapâ—s greater than ours though nothing so sweet which undoubtedly may be justly imputed to the want of due husbandry in setting grafting and pruning them It hath besides diverse other trees which though they beare no fruit yet are they no lesse profitable for building and other uses as namely the Cedar the Cyprus and the Saâ—affras It sends forth also of its owne accord great variety of herbs and roots very usefull both for food and Physicke The grain which the Natives set in the place where great trees â—â—ood a yeare or two before they had first burnt them down and then rooted them up are chiefly West-Indian Wheat and Peaze which being set in April foure wheat and two peaze graines in several holes distant foure foot each from other in August they receive a wonderfull increase every stalke bearing usually two or three eares and every eare two hundred some five hundred graines which are as big and as sweet as our Rounsevals but our Country-men besides the Indian graine doe now sow in great quantity our Wheat Barley Peaze and Oats and receive usually as you have heard a greater increase than our English land affordeth The Beasts which the North part of Virginia of it self offordeth whose flesh yeeld wholesome nourishment are upon the matter only Deere of severall kinds Castors Hares and Squirrels as big as our Conneys and with either of these it aboundeth But besides these our Plantations doe at this present so abound with Neat and Swine as that they feed more plentifully on them than they need and as I have been credibly informed by divers worthy inhabitants that they can upon occasion spare sufficent Beefe Porke Turkies Hens and Salt-fish with such store of graine as may sufficiently victuall any Navy of ours which shall be imployed that may The flying fowle there such as are for prey are Eagles and divers Hawkes for food there rre Partriges Pigeons Turkies Black-birds Thrushes and in the Winter though but little in the Summer they do abound with Water-fowles of all sorts Swans Cranes Geese Ducks and many more whom we of Europe never knew For Fish there are Sea-calves Salman Trout Eâ—les Soles Herrings Mullets Pearch and of all kind of Shell-fish far greater and better than are ours Now as concerning the condition of the Natives it may suffice to know that some few of them as the Sasquesahanoxs who lye most Northerly about two miles from the grand River Chesepeacke are Giants in comparison of us that other as the Wickocomacks are Dwarfs though for the most part they are of a competent stature borne white but turning tawny by continuall painting of themselves they are strong and nimble of body and well inured to indured Winter and Sommer In Winter they lye in the woods by a great fire clothed with the hairy skins of Deere and Castors in Sommer with smooth skins In the year 1606. at the charge of some Nobles and Citizens under the Government of Master Neoport a Colony of about an hundred men was sent into this North part of Virginia The first part where they began to build and plant was at Cape Henry where at the first they were kindly receâ—ved by the Natives but it continued not long for within a while they refused to supply them with any provision of victuals and in the end they set upon them both by treachery and force to subdue them which they very hardly withstood being almost faâ—â—ished and had undoubtedly all forthwith perished had not there then a new supply of an hundred and twenty more men and of proportionable provision happily arrived out of England under the conduct of the foresaid Master Neoport in whose absence Captain Smith was Governour but this was but a short refreshing by reason that a great part of their provision was consumed by casualty of fire neither was there any good agreement between the chiefe Officers there or such a continued supply hence as was requisite so as they fell again into a very hard condition being extreamely pinched with famine and daily assaulted by the Natives in so much as they were all resolved to have retured into England had it not been for the Lord De Laware by whose comming with store of all provision they were comforted and supported And so they continued in a much bettering estate under the Command of Captainâ—Smith Master Dale and Master Gates Captain Smith affirmeth that at his departure he left there neare five hundred well provided with Victuall and all manner of Amunition which by the comming of Master Dale and Master Gates was made as good again And in this flourishing increasing condition they continued from the year 1610 unto 1621 in which yeare they lost by an unexpected treacherous surprisall of tae Natives three hundred and forty and had been utterly destroyed had not Iames Towe escaped by a Virginian who had got some little knowledge in Christianity but since they have abundantly recovered that losse being now more than a thousand
Fish Fowl and honey with which it aboundeth Over against the West end of Cumana a degree remote to the North lyeth Tortugas and Blancas distant five leagues one from the other which for that they afford little elâ—e but Hogges and Goats hard to be taken being overrunne with exceeding sharp briers and thornes are seldome gone unto The next part of the continent bending to the Northwest is Venezuella a â—ar greater and râ—cher Country It consisteth of many Provinces and hath in it many Spanish Townes and commodicus Havens The soyle in generall is so fertill as it affordeth two cropâ— yeerly the Pastures and Meddowes thereof are so many and â—o rich as they plentifully sustaine greâ—t store of wholsome Cattell as well Neat as other The great sâ—ore of Cow and Oxe hides usually brought from thence sufficiently prove the same It is also generally reported to afford in divers Provinces good store of treasure especially gold of the best sort Before the comming of the Gâ—rmanes into this Country to whom the Emperour Charles gave it in regard of their great service against the Protestants the Country was full of Inhabitants but by reason of the covetousnesse and cruelty of those Germanes whose intent was not to plant but to make spoyle of the Natives they were well nigh utterly rooted out and are not now much increased by a latter possession of the Spanish but Tygers and other wild beasts have overrunne it Spanish Authors make mention of severall Provinces belonging to Venezuella but they doe not so cleerly prescribe their severall limits as is requisite Therefore proceeding in my discourse according to my usuall method in following the Sea-coast I shall briefly acquaint you with such Spanish Towns as are neare adjacent to the Sea-coast or neer upon the same degree of longitude though farre distant in regard of latitude from North to South which is the breadth of the Country The most Easterne promontory of Venezuella is Cordeliera within five miles of Porte de Guaira whence within fifteene miles is the strong Tower called Caraâ—as and from thence within two miles is Blanco all convenient harbours for ships Then follow Turâ—ane and Burburate two other commodious and safe Havens the former whereof affordeth good water and is distant from Blanco thirteene miles the other store of salt and is remote from the said Blanco fifteene miles Within the Land aâ—ove two leagues from the Sea-coast lyeth Carvaleda a Spanish Towne of some note and from thence about foure leagues is Saint Iago a greater Town where the Governour of those parts doth usually reside From Porte Burbarata about seven leagues within the continent directly to the South the Spanish of latter time hath built Nova Valentia from whence fifteene leagues more to the South is Nova Zerez of a later standing both well accommodated with wholsome provision in a competent measure From Zerez to Nova Segovia another Spanish Towne directly to the South is twenty leagues it joyneth upon the River Bariquicemetâ— which falleth after a great circuit of ground into the River Oronoque the Country hereabouts is very barren but the mountaines with which it is surrounded are conceived by the Germanes who built that Towne to be well stored with gold this opinion of theirs is upon good grounds strongly confirmed by others of better judgement who have written of those parts Tucunio that is exceedingly commended for the sweetnesse of the Ayre the temperature of the climate the super-abundant variety of victuall and store of gold it yeeldeth is yet eleven leagues more to the Southwest distant from the neerest place of the North Seacoast fifty from Nova Granado 150 leagues in which long passage two parts are very pleasant and fruitfull the third very rough and ill provided Now to returne to the Sea coast and so with relation to the longitude of Venesuella to survey the middle of this Country as it extendeth it selfe to the South Not farre from Burburata lyeth a little gulfe called Triste from which Porte Etsave is a league distant whence the Land beginning to wind upon the North sea continueth for the space of 55 leagues so to doe by somewhat proportionable gaining on the Sea Onely a little above Coro the onely City here the Land turning two leagues to the South and then againe twelve to the North-west admitteth a great inlet of the Sea which falling somewhat neare to the gulfe of Venezuella laying on the other side maketh a kind of Peninsula called Paragoana containing in the circumferance about 25 leagues The Cape whereof to the North is San-Roman a promontory of great note and betweene the South-west end thereof and the foresaid gulfe lyeth the great Lake of Maracaybo extended into the continent in length 35. 〈◊〉 bredth ten leagâ—es over the mouth of it being a mile and a halfe wide joyned with the gulfe of Venequell whence though the Sea daily flow into it yet doth it empty it selfe by a constant ebbing The Islands over against this part of the continent some leagues remote in respect of latitude are first Bonary neare a degree distant to the North it is of eight miles circumferance well provided with store of hogs and horse as also with one safe Haven on the Northwest end thereof from hence 39 leagues farther to the west and fourteene to the North from Coro the onely City of Venezuella is Curaca farre lesse but more fertill It hath a Haven on the North but not very safe especially for great ships The last is Araba nine miles remote from Quaracâ—o to the West and eight from Cape San Roman to the North Let us now consider the Spanish Townes adjacent to this Sea-coast and more remote into the Land Coro which is built in the foresaid Peninsula having a Bishop seat in it goeth by the name of a City and is indeed the onley place of note neare adjoying to Sea and chiefe Towne of Venezuella it hath belonging to it two Havens to the West and North that to the west though not very good is farre better then that of the North The Country round about is well stored with fish flesh fowle and sugar Canes One thing it hath peculiar such store of wholsome and medicinable herbs as it is said to need no Physitian From Coro directly to the South betweene the North Sea-coast the Lake Maracabo and neare Valentâ—a lyeth Portilla de Carora in the fertile Vale of Carora a large space of ground neare two leagues from the pleasant and fruitfull fields of Coro to the no lesse pleasant and fruitfull Vale of Carora is mountainous and unfruitfull inhabited onely by Savages called Xizatiaras and Axaguas In the bottome of Maracabo is Lagana a Spanish Towne surrounded between two Rivers with well levelled grounds which might serve to good use being abundantly stored with Deere Coneys and great variety of Fowle but that it is overrunne with wild Beasts especially with Tygers Beyond which eightteene leagues more to the South is the
Province of Xuruara and beyond that ten leagues more somewhat neare to the south-east is the Port of Guiacas of both which we read of nothing much worth noting but onely betwixt these and the rich Provincâ— of Tucuio 25 leagues distant a short passage may be had into the great Kingdome of Granado The south side of the Lake Maricabo is inhabited by the Pocabuyes and the Alcohalads two Nations of a milder temper and more traâ—table disposition then are most other Natives both are confidently reported to possesse great riches and a â—oyle every way well furnished for a comfortable sustentation of life Terra Firma ANd now having finished Venezuella we are to proceed with the next adjacent part called Terra Firma as being first â—ound after the Islands It is thought by Cieca who hath wrote of it that it extendeth it selfe from about Martha which is in the eleventh degree of the North latitude within a degree of the equinoctiall for the space of 400 leagues The bredth of it as it is taken according to the sea-coast from Cape Vela tâ—Panima directly West where it is widest doth not exceed three hundred leagues Betweene which not many leagues distant from sea though farre remote the one from the other arise foure high Mountaines running the length of this Region and all Peru and Chyly are usually knowne by the name of the Andion mountaines where they are narrowest they are two leagues over in most ten in some more then twenty but â—heâ— betweene these mountaines lye many large well levelled plaines which being continually watered from the many small brookes and wide Rivers issuing from them make many exceeding fruitfull Provinces except it be some places where over great abundance of waters tuâ—neth them into Mores and Fens The Climate in generall is very wholsome but in regard of heat and cold little can be said of it in generall the mountaines and the plaines differing so much these being for the greatest part of the yeere somewhat over hot those over cold yet so as having recourse to both according to the severall seasons of the yâ—ere they prove very convenient for habitation and are for the most part as well stored with gold and precious stones as any part of Aâ—erica whatsoever When I have set forth so much of this Sea-coast as shall be requisite at once I shall then by an orderly falling downe with the continent within a degree or two of the equinoctiall particularly acquaint you with the places where the foresaid treasure and many other usefull commodities are to be had Cape Vela the most Easterne Province of Terâ—a Firma is distant from â—oro in Venezuella sixty leagues from whence to Rio de la Hacha are eighteene thence to Martha thirty thence to Cartagena five and thirty more These three are the onely Haven Townes of note belonging to the East part of this Country though yet there be many other Ports and Rivers which may and doe afforâ— safe harbour for shipping Short of deâ—la Hacha to the East is River Ranceria beyond it to the West foure leagues is Port Ramada then follow the mouth of the five great Rivers Buhio Pera Palamino Don Diego and Anchon de Quagâ—câ—icho remote the one from the other a league or two Betweene these and Martha Port doe intervene Concha and Los Anchones two convenient Havens though nothing comparable to that of Martâ—a which in the yeere 1587 was certified to the King of Spaine by Baptista Antonella his owne Geographer to be moâ—e safe and convenient for the Spanish Fleets yeerly passage into those parts then Cathagena if any considerable cost were bestowed upon it and that meerly for want thereof it hath beene twice taken by the English with small forces Betweene Martha Towne and the falling of the great River Martha which is neare about the mid-way Cape Agnia and the navigable Rivers of Gayra and Ciennagoy places of note doo intervene So on the other side betweene it and the Port of Carthagena the sandy Island of Zamba and other shelvy places by avoyding the coast and striking to Sea are carefully to be avoyded untill ships maâ— more safely put in from Sea to Canoa but two leagues from Carthagena As for the Port of Carthagena it self were it as well provided as the foresaid Baptista adviseth his Majesty of Spaine to have it done it might upon better ground be esteemed impregnable But for ought I can read or heare a strong Navy which can spare to land but 2000 or 3000 men where they shall find opportunity may take the Towne and all the rich treasure in it as well as it hath beene formerly taken by our Countrymen with farre lesse strength when it was lessâ— fortified but of this strong Port more hereafter From Cartagena where the Sea beginneth to decline from the North to the south-west for the space of 35 leagues untill we come to the gulfe of Uraba into which falleth the great River Darion we read only of some small Islands as Caramari Bara Tortaga to be observed to avoyd for the dangerous accesse unto them rather then for any good to be gain'd from them yet there are two safe and convenient Havenâ— betweene them Hitherto of the sea coast of Terra Firma to the said gulfe where on the West siâ—e the Islands of Panima a narrow neck of the Land continueth and yet seperateth it from Nova Hispania where the North continent beginneth to arise some degrees to the North Let us now pierce into the continent of Terra Firma and view it according to its severall governments with as neere a relation as we may to the foresaid Ports whether more neere adjoyning or further remote The fâ—â—st government taketh its name from Rio de Hacha the first Port towne to us-ward it is but of small extent for it reacheth not above eight leagues into the continent but stored with Spanish fruits golden mines and precious stones of divers sorts and were it not withall over-stored with wild beasts in the field and Crocodils in the Rivers it might well be reckoned one of the best habitations of Terra Firma Besides Rancheria and Ramada which as Haven townes I mentioned before we read of one Spanish towne called Tappia well furnished with Cattell This Province is seperated by the mountaines of Buritaca from the government of Martha of farre greater extent somewhat more then 110 leagues in length from East to West and not few lesse in bredth from North to south The particular Provinces belonging to this spacious government doe much differ in divers respeâ—ts The Valley of Tayrona seven leagues distant to the East of Martha and the Province of Buritaca â—ight moâ—e are fertill and very rich in gold and precious stones neither are they â—â—oubled with over-much heat or cold But the Valley of Upar wherein standeth Cuidad at the head of the River Pompâ—tao remote from Martha fifty leagues seperated from Buritaâ—a though it be somewhat fertill yet is it
River Cauca or hath brought into miserable slavery Twelve leagues on the West of Cauca from Cali lyeth Carapa a hilly Province but every way convenient for habitation As many more downe the said River on the East side beginneth a farre greater Province fifteene leagues in length and ten in bredth in which standâ—th Cartago betweene two very pleasant Rivers wâ—erein are found many small peeces of gold continually washed from the mountainâ—s adjoâ—ning Those parts of this Prâ—vince neere bordering upon the loâ—est banks of Cauca are very fenny oâ—ergrowne with reeds and bulrushes and yet Cartago seven leagues remote from that River and many other places are constantly reported to be exceeding rich and healthfull though yet for the greater part of the yeere they are usually subject to extraordinary raine and thundering Betweene Carthago and Ancerma twenty leagues distant almost 〈◊〉 North upon Cauca beginning here to be better knowne by the name of the great River Martha doe intervene three other Provinces on the West Copia in which staâ—deth Acerma of greatest note next to Popaian distant to the North 50 leagues This Province in generall is mountainous except the Valley of Ancerma pleasant and fruitfull and the adjoyning Rivers falling fâ—om the mountaines afford much gold in little grains mingled with the sand thereof Picera Pozo and Pancura Provinces on the East of Martha are of lesse extent but more levell and more inhabited and no lesse pleasant or profitable To these Provinces yet more North towards the City of Aâ—tioch the most noble part of all Popaian and neerest to us-ward towards the mouth of Martha on either side the River doe intervene to the West Cartamma and the spaâ—ious Valley of Nore wherein standeth the City Antiochia invironed with high hils but withall sweetly watered with many little Rivers falling fâ—om them To the East are Arma and Cartamma of which foure last recited Provinces it may suffice briefly to know that they on either side the River are of at least thirty leagues in length and in most places ten in bredth no way inferiour if not exceeding the forenamed Provinces of Popaian either for their temperature of Ayre or fertility of soyle or the store of treasure that their mâ—untaines and Rivers afford Panima THus have we passed over all Terra Firma both by sea and land except Panima the most Westerne part which is very narrow in every place and serveth as a necke to continue the continent of America betweene the North and South sea I shall briefly finish it having but few places or things of any great consideration to write of it The length of this last government of Panima may be taken either according to the North Sea-coast from the aforementioned gulfe of Uraba to the closing of it with the River Viragua from which the most Easterne Province of Nova Hispania taketh denomination or else Southward as it is extended from the River Dariâ—n that falleth into the said gulfe and the South sea the length in either respect is upon due computation found not to exceed ninety leagues the bredth where it is widest doth not exceed thirty where narrowest as from Port Belâ— to Panima would mouâ—taines and Rivers and overgrowne Woods permit the shortest cut it would be found fully 8. leagues from sea to sea My greatest care in perusing this government is to take speciall notice of the Sea-coasts for besides the famous Ports Rivers Islands Promontories both on the North and South side of this necke of ground nothing is much worth the noting for three parts of it lying betweene the River Darien and the South-sea are taken up with exceeding high mountaines and those unfruitfull and unfit for habitation being overrunne with wild beasts besides the plains and Valleys adjoyning to either though they be more fruitfull yet very unhealthfull insomuch as though formerly they were well inhabited by Spaniards yet now they are for the most part deserted On the North from the gulfe of Uraba where I left my description of that Sea-coast unto the River Chagre the most Westerne belonging to Panima government not above forty leagues distant the one from the other there are found many safe and convenient Ports beside other places worthy consideration Within the narrow Uraban sea five leagues to the South-west of it standeth Darien a Towne after it was first raised in the yeere 1510. well inhabited but it continued not so above ten yeers for the Inhabitants in regard of the unhealthfulnesse thereof betooke themselves to Panima the chiefe Towne of all the government upon the mouth of the gulfe Where the sea beginneth to turne againe to the North lyeth Port My and then ten leagues further Port Acla both convenient Havens within but somewhat dangerous to put into by reason of the small Islands Gorde de Pinas and others neere adjoyning From Acla to Nombre de Dios sometime a famous Port Towne still a safe Haven are reckoned twelve leagues betweene which fall the Ports of Comagra and Cativa the Rivers Sanquo Mays Sardina and Sardinula But of all the Ports Port Belo which is by the procurement Baptista Antonellus was raised out of the ruins and dispeopling of Nombre de Dios five leagues distant from thence is the greatest safest and every way most convenient for the mutuall trading of the North and South Sea by the River Chagre many rich and necessary commodities of Europe being from hence continually transported to Panima whence the gold and silver of Peru and Chily are returned hither twice every yeere It was taken by Sir Francis Drake before the Towne and Fortifications thereunto belonging were one quarter finished And since in the yeere 1601 when it was fully finished it was surprised with two ships and a pinnace by Captaine Parker who found there in respect of the place but a very small booty not above 10000 dollers for that within a few dayes before 120000 were from thence conveyed to Carthagena The passage from this port Towne to Panima upon the South sea is not above eighteene leagues and in summer time not hindred by Creekes of sea not eight so that as there is no great difficulty with a considerable Navy to take Porto Belo and to secure the Navy there so would it prove no long march nor any hard enterprise to take Panima consisting but of 600 Families little experienced in martiall affaires and with it if the attempt be seasonably made five or six millions of money if we may give credit to the foresaid Antonellus the Spanish Kings Geographer or to our owne Countryman Master Harcourt This City for so it is usually stiled being the seat of a Bishop and the common residing place of the Governour and his chiefe Officers standeth in a very unhealthfull Ayre and no lesse barren soyle being almost destitute of corne grasse and other provisions necessary for life unlesse it be with Oranges and Lemans and divers other wholsome and well pleasing Indian Fruit And