Temperature and Disposition of the Aire there the quality of the Soile and Nature of its several Climates 1. THe Spaniards and other Nations have not altogether the same sense concerning the situation or extent of the West-Indies Commonly they are taken to signifie that part of the World lately discovered which lyeth Westward of the Worlds general and fixed Meridian which according to the common opinion runneth through the Azores or Tercerae Islands from one Pole to another thereby dividing the Globe of the Earth into two equall parts or Hemispheres The Spaniards looking to the pretended Donation or Grant made by Pope Alexander the sixth to the Kings of Castile and Leon of whatsoever Lands or Islands discovered or that should be discovered by them sailing Westward of the Azores whether upon the coast of India or elsewhere doe not seldom comprehend under the notion of the West Indies and the New World the Moluccae and Philippine Islands with some other places in the Indian Sea though they lie cleerly in the Eastern Hemisphere which because it seems not so properly done and doth otherwise beget obscuritie in the Authors that treat of this subject I thought it not amiss to give this Item of it here According therefore to the most ordinarie and general acception of the word America or the West-Indies is that part of the World lately discovered which lyeth Westward of the Azores and the Worlds Meridian and possesseth either in Sea or Land the greatest part of that Hemisphere viz. the Western Hemisphere of the World the Land it self viz. of America being bounded Eastward and and South-East with the Atlantick Ocean and Westward and to the South-west with Mare del Zur the Northern borders of it being not yet known A Countrie of so vast an extent that some have equalled it to all the other three parts of the World Europe Asia and Africa together to whom I can hardly assent yet doe readily acknowledge it to be much larger than any one yea perhaps than any two of the other parts could they be exactly compared It lyeth for the most part North and South not directly but somewhat inclining in the Southern part of it Eastward and in the Northern part Westward being in length as 't is commonly supposed from Terra Magellanica in the South to Estetiland and the further parts of Quivira in the North above a thousand nine hundred and seaventy seaven Spanish leagues which according to English or common measure is more than six thousand miles reaching from 60. degrees of Northern latitude for so farr it hath been discovered already by Land unto 53 degrees of Southern The breadth of it viz. from St. Michael otherwise called Piura in the Province of Quito upon the South Sea to the Prefecture and Town of Parayba on the Coast of Brasil where it is thought to be broadest is reckoned to be 1300. leagues and in the whole compass to contain little less than ten thousand leagues or thirty thousand common English miles 2. The whole Countrie lyeth in the form of two Peninsula's or large demy-Islands joyned together by an Ihstmus or neck of Land called the Streit of Darien of about an hundred miles in length but in breadth viz. from one Sea to another in many places especially about Panama and Nombre de Dios not above seventeen and eighteen miles over They that resemble the Country to the form of a Pyramis reversed I suppose would be understood onely of the Southern or Peruvian part as 't is called neither is it so easie to conceive where they lay the Basis of it if from the Coast of Peru Westward to the uttermost point of Brasil towards the East as by the form of the Maps 't is most probable they doe the spire or top of their Pyramis will have somewhat an obtuse or blunt point in as much as the Countrie of Magellanica which lyeth upon the Streits and maketh the point of the Pyramis is by confession some hundred of leagues over from East to West or from the Atlantick to the South Sea the Streits themselves running a course of one hundred and ninety leagues all along the Coast of it and consequently must be of a far greater bredth than the Streit of Darien where 't is evident the Land of America or rather of Peru contracts it self into a much sharper point or Pyramis viz. betwixt Panama and Nombre de Dios as hath been said To me taking the whole Country or both Peninsulas together America seems rather to resemble some rich Usurers bagge tyed fast in the mid'st the one end whereof is rich and well stuff'd with Crowns the other empty and loose So seems America The Southern part thereof containing the golden Countries of Peru New-Granada Castella aurea Chile and the rest like the full bottome of the bagge swells and spreads it self with a large circumference and border both East and West the Northern part especially beyond New Spain and the Streit of Darien which is as it were the hand upon the Purse and that part by which the Catholike King both holds and commands all the rest as the Provinces thereof seem to lye more scattered one from another and not so compacted together as consisting much of Islands and the Continent it self frequently divided with Bays and Inlets of the Sea so in comparison of the Southern Provinces it affords but little of those precious Commodities for which America's acquaintance is so much desired by other Nations and with equall care policie and good success hitherto forbidden by the Spaniards 3. It is a question among Cosmographers too great for me to determine whether America be really Continent or Island that is whether the Northern Borders of it be joyned to any part of Asia or divided from it by some narrow Sea or Frith as it is to the Southward from those as yet undiscovered Southern Lands which lie on the other side of Magellan's Streits It seems to be the more common Opinion at least amongst Englishmen that it is an Island though a huge one wholly surrounded by the Sea and divided from Asia by a certain Frith or narrow Sea which they call the Streits of Anian from a Province of the Asiatique Tartarie which beareth that name and is supposed to border upon those Streits Nor doe there want some presumptions of probability for it as for example a report of Pliny out of Cornelius Nepos an ancient and credible Author of certain Indians that were driven by storm upon the Coasts of Suevia or Suaben in Germany in their Canoa's or little Boats in which it had been impossible for them to have come thither by any other passage than by the North parts of America Impossible I say to have come any other way and not to have touched first at some other Lands or Islands by the way viz. upon the Coasts of Barbary Spain Portugall the Azores or Canarie Islands by reason that a ship or any thing else floating at Sea when it is
And therefore notwithstanding his proceedings may seem to want some formalities of Law to justifie them and that the Spaniards counted and sentenced him for a Pyrate because he wanted Commission yet seeing his Actions were not altogether groundless and that his attempt was so memorably daring and hardy and also so well and happily managed so far as concerned himself I shall not fear to add his name and a brief report of his Action to the rest of these worthies 2. This man as was said had served Sir Francis Drake in his Voyages and Adventures at Sea a long time and had thereby gained himself no small skill in Maritime affairs and was particularly acquainted with the Coasts and Commodities of the West-Indies so that by the year 1575. he was got to be Captain of a ship of a hundred fourty Tuns burthen carrying seventy men in her with which in the year above-said he set sail for America and arriveth at the Sownd of Darien at that very place where a few years before Sir Francis Drake had fallen acquainted with the Symeroons that put him upon the designe for Panama by Land and of surprizing the Treasure Mules a Place and People which Captain Oxenham knew very well and intended to make use of them now Nor was it long before he lighted upon some of them stragling up and down in the wildes of the Country but they tell him that the Mules travel not now but with a strong guard of Souldiers which was somewhat contrary to his expectation and alterd his designe quite nevertheless being resolved to Act something worthy of a man before he returned it served not so much to disanimate him as to put him and his companions upon a more hopefull yet withall a more hard attempt which was that seeing there was now but little hopes of doing themselves any good by land as they hoped nor by Sea on that side they were they resolved to visit the other Coasts and to trie their fortunes upon the South Sea To this end the Captain brings his own ship on ground and as well as he could covers her with boughs and such other rubbish as the place afforded and burying his Ordinance in the ground he with his company and six Negros to conduct them march by Land towards the Coast of Panama and Peru. Having gone a matter of twelve or fourteen leagues they come to a River which as the Symeroons told him ran directly into the South Sea Here they cut down wood build themselves a Pinnace of about fourty five foot long by the keel and in her they put to Sea making towards the Island of Pearls which lyeth about twenty five leagues distant from Panama toward the South hoping it would not be long before some ships from Peru or other parts of the South would be sailing that way for Panama So that by the way however Sir Francis Drake hath deservedly the honour of first discovering the South Sea to English-men viz. by the onely open and known way of the Streits yet it must be acknowledged that Captain Oxenham was the first Englishman that ever sailed upon it with command 3. He had not waited long but there comes a Bark from Quito which is a Province of the Countrie of Peru laden with Commodities and having in her besides of fine gold sixtie thousand Pezos which he took and within six dayes after another from Lima wherein he had no less than two hundred thousand Pezos of silver in barrs What a Pezo is both in silver and gold hath been already said in the relation of Sir Thomas Cavendish his voyage There are that render these Pezos pounds of weight saying that he took two hundred thousand pound weight of silver and sixtie thousand pound weight of gold which perhaps is not so well done and may make the summe to seem less credible for as much as every pound weight of silver after the ordinary rate of five shillings the ounce is worth four pound of silver in Coyne and likewise every pound weight of gold according to the common proportion betwixt gold and silver which at the Indies is twelve for one is worth fourty eight pound in Coyn and consequently the whole value of the prize would amount to above three millions in gold and silver together viz. two millions eight hundred and fourscore thousand pound in gold and eight hundred thousand pound in silver which perharps every body will not beleeve I think it therefore better to express it by the usual term and value of a Pezo in Spanish which is commonly said to be eight shillings of English money and so the whole value of the prize taken amounted to nine hundred and sixtie thousand pound sterling in gold and to fourscore thousand pound in silver which being found a competent prize and enough to satisfie reasonable men they retire with their Pinnace up the River intending to make what haste they could to their ship But as it unhappily fell out through the covetousness and dissention of some of his company so much time was spent before they could agree about sharing of their bootie and how to transport it to their ship that the Spaniards at Panama had notice of them whereupon ships were presently sent out to pursue them at Sea and likewise some Souldiers to intercept their return by Land The Captain himself through the obstinacie and willfulness of some of his company was forced to leave the Treasure with them and to travel some leagues up into the Countrie to finde Negros that might help him to carry it his own men refusing to doe it but at their own demands and quarrelling with him for larger pay In the mean time the Spanish ships that sought him at Sea come to the mouth of the River where they were gone up and by the Feathers of certain Henns which the English had taken and as it seems plucked there ghessed presently that they might be gone up the River and thereupon putting in after them they soon took both them and their prize together The Captain as I said was absent but by reason that either the Negros or else some of the English themselves that were taken had discovered their ship in the Sownd neither he nor any of the rest escaped but were all first or last met with by the Spaniards and having no Commission to shew for what they did were executed every man of them onely two boyes saved Thus ended the stout and resolute Captain Oxenham the Justice of whose cause I will not undertake to dispute with his Adversaries I could wish it had been as perfectly just in all respects as it was gallant and bravely managed on the Captains part insomuch that his very enemies who made him dye for it doe yet admire and extoll it being spoyled onely through the passion covetousness and self-will of some of his company whose lives paid for their follie CHAP. V. Of the situation and most probable extent of the New World the
part of whatsoever should be discovered to him and his Heirs for ever But denyed him the Government of Mexico out of reason of State though 't is said he much desired it 6. The bounds of this Kingdome at present are thus On the East it hath a large Arm of the Sea which they call the Bay of New-Spain or the Gulf of Mexico On the West it hath some parts of New-Gallicia and Mare del Zur On the North the rest of New-Gallicia and part of Florida and on the South Mare del Zur again and part of Guatimala It extendeth it self in length from the furthest point of Jucatan South-East to the borders of New-Gallicia Northward above one thousand Italian miles and in breadth from Panuco to the South-Sea about half so much It lyeth wholly under the Torrid Zone nor is it a Countrie generally so mountainous or high seated as some others of America are but for the most part level or low yet is it so fanned for three parts at least of four by the cooling blasts off the Sea and the heats otherwise so moderated with frequent rains which it hath constantly three moneths in the year viz. June July and August that the Aire is rendred thereby exceeding temperate and agreeable and the Climate not unhealthfull especially to temperate bodies and such as be never so little used to it A goodly Country it is of inexhaustible wealth and riches whether we regard the Mines of Gold Silver Brass Iron c. of all which it hath many and very good or the Fruits of the Earth aboundance of Cattel plenty of Corn and Grain or any other Commodities and endowments of Nature which serve for the enriching of the World Among other things it affords good store of Cassia the fruit whereof is a thing well known and much commended by the Apothecaries for its use in Physick especially for Purgations and removing of all obstructions of phlegm cholar c. Such store of Balm Amber all sorts of Gumms and precious Liquors as no Country in the World is better furnished with matter of excellent Perfumes and Physiâ—k than the Kingdom of New-Spain is aboundance of Coco-nuts and such plenty of that excellent Dye called Coccinele that 't is said no less than five or six thousand Arrobes of Spanish measure which make above five times so many English Bushels are yearly transported thence Good plenty likewise both of Wheat and Maiz with Barley and Pulse of all sorts All kinde of garden Hearbs Roots and Plants in so great aboundance and so admirably thriving that 't is scarcely to be beleeved Whole Woods and Forests as it were of Oranges Limmons Citrons and other such fruit as hath been said Some Cherries but of Apples Pears and Figgs c. beyond measure The Natives of the Country very ingenious in divers Mechanicall Arts especially in making of feather-Pictures a piece of curiosity wherein they are held to be incomparably or rather inimitably excellent and so industrious at it that although the Americans generally be not a People over much addicted to any kinde of labour or study yet at this they will sit a whole day together without either meat or drink only out of a natural affection they have to the work and a desire to be excellent in it The Country indeed affords them great variety of Birds and other Fowl of most rare and exquisite colours which is a great advantage to their skill and helps much to the accomplishment of their work They paint likewise very curiously upon their Cottons and are held to be generally the best Gold-smiths in the world of most perfect skil in the purging and refining of all sorts of Metals but especially of Gold and Silver And yet in other things so strangely stupid and ignorant that when the Spaniards first appeard among them on Horse-back 't is reported not a few of them took the Horse and Man both for one Cteature and when the Horse neighed they would enquire very seriously what he said There be likewise many fair Lakes in the Province of New-Spain but the principall are those of Chapala and Mexico the former of which is in the more Northern parts of the Kingdome towards the borders of New Gallicia and is chiefly famous for the aboundance of good Salt that is yeerly made and transported thence The other of Mexico is the largest and goodliest one of them in the World of circular form and containing as some say little less than nine hundred miles in compâ—â—s invironed with the main Land the Peninsula or Cape of Florida Jucatan and the Island Cuba having two only passages in and out and both of them well fortified the one betwixt the point of Jucatan and the Isle Cuba where the tide violently enters and the other betwixt the said Island and the Cape Florida where it goeth as violently out upon which Gulf the King of Spain hath alwaies some good ships in readiness for all occasions and by them 't is supposed he doth more assure his Estates in those parts of America than by all his Garrisons beside The whole Kingdome of New-Spain is subdivided into these inferior Provinces viz. 1. Panuco 2. Mexicana 3. Mechoacan 4. Tlascalla 5. Guaxata 6. Chiapa and 7. Jucatan 7. Panuco is the most Northerly Province of New-Spain by some called Guasteca bounded on the East with the Gulf of Mexico on the West with Vxitipa a Country of New-Gallicia on the North with some undiscovered Countries of Florida from which it is divided by the River of Palms on the South with Mechoacan and Mexicana It is called Panuco from a River of that name which running from the mountains Tepecsuan in New Gallicia and dividing New-Biscay from the Province of Zacatecas passeth through the midst of this Country also and at last emptieth it self into the Gulf. The Country is reckoned to be about fifty leagues in length and not much less in breadth of a fruitfull Soile having some Mines of gold in it and once very Populous till Hernando Cortez and the Spaniards about the year 1522 dispeopled it by their cruelty The chief towns now remaining and inhabited by the Spaniards are first St. Lewis de Tampice a Colony of Spaniards situate on the Northern bank of the River Panuco at the very mouth of it where it hath a very large Haven but so barred with sands that no ship of any great burden can enter or abide in it with safety and yet the River otherwise so deep that Vessels of five hundred tun might sail up threescore leagues at least within land and thereby visit the rich Mines of Zatatecas on the one side of it and of New-Biscay on the other at pleasure and without fear of much opposition 2. St. Stevan del Puerto on the South side of the same River eight leagues distant from the Sea or Gulf of Mexico at present the Metropolis or chief town of the Province built by Cortez in the place where stood old Panuco which was
Hispaniola of which last they leave the Port or Citty of St. Domingo at a distance of two or three leagues off at Sea and hold their course betwixt the Islands of Cuba and Jamaica till they attain St. John D' ullua or Vera Crux in the Province of New Spain This passage viz. from the Islands Desseada and Guadalupe to St. John D'ullua is reckoned to be little less than 500 leagues and by reason of so many Islands great and small which lie in their way and cause the Seas to be much subject to contrary windes it is counted a passage of no little difficultie and not to be attemped as Herrera saith without a very skilfull Pilot and that in the day time with the favour of a good winde and a full Sea in respect whereof they commonly make it twenty daies passage and are glad if they can reach it within that time Those that goe for the Main Land as they call it or Castella del oro have a passage of 400 leagues from Guadalupe abovesaid These take the left-hand way and having discovered the high Mountain of Tayrone which is as a Pharos or generall Land-mark for such as sail upon that coast they touch at Carthagena a famous and well-seated Port and Citty of that Province and from thence pass on to Nombre de Dios or Porto-Bello from which places they convey all their Merchandise by Land unto Panama which is not above eighteen or twenty miles distant and lyeth upon the South Sea where they are Shipt again and from thence by Sea conveyed to all the parts of the Province of Peru. They that goe to Honduras and the Province of Guatimala keep company with them that goe for New-Spain till they discover Cape Tiburon which is the first point of Hispaniola Westward where they leave them and run along upon the North-side of the Island Jamaica unto the point of Negrillo Then they put to Sea and seek the Cape called Cameron which is at the entrance of the gulf and Province of Honduras from whence sailing fourteen or fifteen leagues Westward they come to Anchor at Truxillo upon the River Haguara which runeth into the said Gulf and unlade their Merchandise so much of it as is intended for those parts the rest they carry further up the Gulf to Porto de Cavallos or St. Thomas de Castile and from thence along the coast into the Province of Guatimala 4. The best and most usual time for an outward voyage that is from Spain to America is about the Spring viz. from the latter end of March to the beginning of May for then commonly they make their voyage in due time and come well thither If they stay longer so as that the Moneth of August be spent before they reach the Islands it is more difficult and they are usually taken with the Hurricanos as they call them which are certain violent and contary windes that doe terribly infest the Atlantick and Indian Seas all winter long from September to March. And likewise in their return homewards they observe the same time of the yeere there viz. about May and June the ships that are to return for Spayn from all parts of the continent of America bend their course for Havana in the Island of Cuba which is the place of their general Rendezvous where they are all to meet and to stay one for another till the whol Fleet especially both of Convoy and Treasure be come in Those from the main land set sayle commonly in May from Porto Bello laden with all the wealth of Peru and whatsoever else comes by the south Sea which is not seldome very much from the Philippine Islands and the east Indies and at Carthagina take in more brought thither from all parts on that side the continent especially out of the new kingdome of Granada as they call it Sayling from Carthagena they avoid the coast of Veragua what they can by reason that the Current which falleth out of the Ocean into that Gulfe cometh so strongly upon them that they would never beare up against it at least not without much difficulty and danger So that they are forced to seek the Cape Saint Anthony which as we said was the most westerly point of the Island Cuba at which place the ships from Honduras doe also touch and so they sayle together a matter of fifty leagues eastward till they come to Havana The ships from new Spayne beare up Northward as far as the Sound or Bay called Las Tortugas which are certain Islands lying upon the coast of Florida and so fetch a compasse as it were of little lesse then three hundred leagues before they come to Havana The reason of this course is because the American Seas especially neere upon the coast are frequently subject to calms so as the ships oftentimes want winde to sayle with and therefore to gain or assure themselves as much as may be of a convenient wind they are forced to steere thus far Northward from whence that is from the Islands Tortugas they have a short and easie cut of a few leagues over to Havaena 5. When the ships are all met in the Port of Havana they presently set sayle for Spayne through the Streites of Bahama and by some of the Leucaiae Islands not now in a direct course East-ward as they came in from the East but in a greater altitude and more Northerly The reason hereof is because the Brises or Easterly winds which as we said doe constantly blow all within the Tropiques or Torrid zone doe hinder their passage East-ward and force them to seeke their course higher that is somewhere without the Tropiques and more towards the North at least to twenty three or twenty foure degrees of altitude where they finde Westerly windes commonly which carry them homewards as far as the Azores or Tercerae Islands and the farther they goe from the Line the more ordinary and certain those windes are and more fit to make their return for as much as blowing from the South and south-west they carry them directly East and North-east as their voyage lyeth which is also the reason why the return which the ships make from America or any of those western Islands is usually more difficult longer and less certain than when they goe out because as hath been said in their going out when they are once passed the Canarie Islands and got within the Tropiques which they usually doe in four or five dayes sayling if the windes favor them they have constantly there an Easterly winde which carries them with full Sayles upon the Islands of America whereas in their return beside the uncertainty of the windes by which they sayle they are forced to seeke a height as they call it that is to fetch a compasse Northwards sometimes more then three or four hundred leagues to gaine a convenient winde These Azores or Tercerae Islands lie in the Atlantick Ocean betweene thirty seven and fourty degrees of northern Latitude
same place good plenty of them again in a short time The End of the first Part. AMERICA ¶ The second Part. Containing The Topographicall description of the several Provinces both of the Northern and Southern part With some other Observations incident thereunto By N. N. Printed by R. Hodgkinsonne for E. Dod. CHAP. I. Of the generall division of the New World into Continent and Islands and of the two parts of the Continent viz. the Northern and the Southern 1. AMerica or the New World as we have said before is it self most generally thought to be but an Island though a very huge one and to be surrounded on all parts by the Sea not only on the East West and South as is already found by experience but also towards the North where it is likewise supposed to be divided from the Continent of Asia by the Sea running between Nevertheless for distinction sake and by reason it is of such a vast extent as that it equalleth and far exceedeth any other part of the World how great soever that is counted or called Continent it seems not amiss to express the whole under this division viz. of Continent and Islands understanding by the first viz. Continent only the main Land or more principall Provinces of America which lye united together and extend themselves in one continued tract from the Northern to the Southern borders and by the latter the Islands which lye about the main Land and though some of them at a good distance from it yet as well by reason of situation as for that they were discovered and conquered at the same time with the other are generally taken and reckoned for part of the New World That which we call the Continent of America is divided generally into two parts which are two great Peninsulas or â—emy-Islands environed on all parts by the Sea save onely in the midst where they are joyned together by a certain Isthmus or neck of Land which they call the Streit of Darien lying almost under the Equinoctial Line in some few degrees of Northern latitude which runneth in length from the district of Panama as they call it and Nombre de Dios to the Southward about an hundred miles or more but in bredth from East to West or from the North to the South Sea is nothing answerable being in some places not above seventeen or eighteen miles over These two Peninsulas are generally counted the Northern and Southern parts of America so called from their situation in respect of the Equator the one of them lying wholly Northward of the Equinoctiall Line and the other at least for the greatest part of it Southward They contained anciently beside many huge and vast Provinces governed for the most part by Royteletts or certain pettie Princes in each respective Province or Territorie whom they called Casiques two great and mightie Kingdoms the one of Cusco generally called the Kingdom of Peru in the Southern part and the other of Mexico now called new Spain in the Northern of both which and likewise of the manner of the first conquering and subduing of them by the Spaniards when time was something shall be said in due place 2. The Mexican or Northern part of America containeth these several Provinces viz. 1. Estotiland 2. Canada or New France 3. Virginia 4. Florida 5. Califormia 6. New Gallicia 7. New Spain or Mexicana properly so called and lastly 8. Guatimala together with some other lesser Islands so neerly adjoyning to the Continent that they are usually reckoned for part of it by those which describe the Countrie and therefore shall be mentioned in their several places accordingly viz. as parts of the respective Provinces upon which they lye The Peruvian or Southern part containeth these which follow viz. 1. Castella del oro as the Spaniards call it or golden Castile 2. Nova Granada 3. Peru 4. Chile 5. Paraguay 6. Brasil 7. Guiana and lastly Paria or new Andalusia as some call it The Islands which lye further off from the main Land but yet reckoned commonly for part of the New World by reason they were discovered as hath been said and for the greater part conquered and subdued with it are chiefly those called 1. Los Ladrones 2. the Islands of Salomon which lye in the South Sea and in the Northern 1. the Caribee Islands 2. St. John de Port-rico 3. Hispaniola 4 Jamaica and 5. Cuba of all which in their order according to the method of the latest and as I presume the exactest Cosmographers viz. of our learned Countriman Dr. Heylyn and his Author Laet upon whom I must profess to rest very much in this part of my report especially as to the site and position of Places CHAP. II. Of Estotiland and the several Provinces which it containeth 1. THe first Province of the Continent of America towards the North is called Estotiland for what reason I must plainly confess I cannot so cleerly discover unless perhaps our Neighbours the Duch happened to have the first naming of it and that it beareth any signification of its Easterly lying in respect of the other Provinces It containeth all those Regions of the Mexican or Northern part of America which lye furthest toward the North East on which side as likewise more directly Eastward it is washed all along with the main Ocean or North-Sea having on the South Canada or new France Westward and to the North-west it is not yet fully discovered but supposed either to be joyned to some parts of Tartary or which I think is the more common conjecture to be divided from it by the Sea which some presuming it to be but a narrow Sea call the Streits of Anian from a Province or part of the Asiatique Tartary which beareth that name and lyeth upon it On the North it hath a Bay or large Inlet of the Sea which the English call Hudsons Streites from Capt. Henry Hudson an Englishman who in the yeare 1610 is said to have sailed in this Sea no less then three hundred leagues Westward in search of a passage that way to the Kingdomes of Catha and China of which we have spoken already and which was so much endeavoured in those times both by our selves and our neighbours the Duch but without success hitherto The whole Province containeth these particular Countries if I may so call them or Prefectships as some others doe viz. First Estotiland more properly so called Secondly Terra Corterialis Thirdly New-found land and Fourthly certain Islands neer adjoyning to the Continent which they call Baccaleos 2. Estotiland specially so called is the most Northerly region of all America towards the East lying betwixt the abovesaid Hudsons Sreights which it hath on the North and Terra Corterialis on the South The soil of the country is said to be reasonably good and well stored with naturall Commodities I mean such as are of necessity and may be expected in such a cold northerly quarter as Flesh fowl and good store of
little more to be said 4. Terra Nova or New-found land the third part of this Northerly Province of America is a great Island lying on the South of Corterialis from which it is divided by a Frith or narrow Sea which the French call Golf de Chastieux This place is chiefly frequented for fishing of which there is such plenty all along the Coasts of this Island and likewise of Terra Corterialis adjoyning to it that the huge Shoales of Cod-fish doe sometimes stay their Ships under sail besides great store of other fish both of salt water and fresh as namely Herrings Salmons Thornback Smelts excellent Oysters and Muscles that are said to have a kinde of Pearl in them but of what quality or value doth not so well appear The Land within is likewise reported to be a very good Countrie plentifully stored with Deer and other sorts of Venison Phesants Partridges Swans with variety of other good Fowl lastly of a temperate Aire and Soile not barren only the people of it are said to be few and to inhabit chiefly the Western and North-west parts of it But this perhaps may be rather out of fear and to avoid the conversation of Strangers which at first they would not endure but fled at the sight of them being themselves altogether Savage and wilde But since 't is said they grow more tractable and will be hired in time of yeer by the Portugheses and other Nations that fish commonly for Whales in the Bay of St. Laurence and other places thereabouts to help them in the opening of their Whales boyling the fish and drawing out the Oyle wherein they that will be got to it are extremely diligent and ready to take pains They are commonly of but mean stature full eyed somewhat broad-faced and for the most part beardless Their houses are only certain long Poles set an end sloping upwards towards the top where they are fastened together and covered downwards with the skins of Beasts having in the mid'st their hearth or place to make fire upon But that which is most remarkable about this Island is the many and fair Havens which it affordeth on all sides for shipping in which respect it is though for the bigness scarsely to be paralleld by any other Island or Place in the World not indeed beautified with any great Towns or stately buildings as some are but affording commodious and secure station for the tallest ships that come before it the chief whereof are these 1. La Roigneuse or Rennosa as it is called six leagues Northward of the Cape Raye which lyeth at the South-East angle of the Island a place much resorted unto for fishing from all parts 2. Portus formosus or the fair Haven three miles Northward of the other capable of great ships and bearing at least four or five miles within Land or more 3. Thornbay called otherwise by the Portugheses Enseada grande or the great Bay for distinction sake 4. Trinity Bay on the North of the Cape St. Francis called by the Spaniards Baia de la conception This is likewise a very large and capacious Bay five miles over where it is narrowest having diverse great Rivers falling into it and some little Islands lying scatteringly up and down in it yet safe and affording very good Anchorage and riding for ships in most parts 5. Bay Blanche as the French call it or White-Bay on the North of the Cape or Promontory of St. John On the South side of the Island and Westward of Cape Raye there is 1. Port Trespasse an excellent and secure Harbour having alwaies a reasonable deep Sea without shallows or Rocks 2. Port St. Marie six leagues distant from it 3. Port Presenza by others called Placenza on the other side of Cape St. Marie towards the West 4. Port du Basques or the Biscayners Haven and lastly on the West side of the Island after you have doubled Cape Raye there is at Georges Bay all of them secure stations large and of great resort 5. Before this Island right over against Cape Ray at a distance of twenty four leagues or more there lyeth an huge Bank or ridge of Land extending it self in length out of the Sea some hundred of leagues if my Author mistake not but in bredth not above four or five and twenty when it is broadest and in other parts much less sharpning towards each end into a Conus or narrow point It is counted one of the Marveils of the Sea which round about it at some distance is very deep and hardly to be sounded especially betwixt the Bank for so they commonly call it and Cape Ray but drawing neerer it grows by degrees more and more shallow insomuch that nigh the Land there is not much more water than is necessary for the ships riding It runneth out in length as was said from North to South from fourty one degrees of latitude to fiftie two and round about it there lye scattered a multitude of lesser Islands which Sir Sebastian Cabot when he first discovered the place called by one common name Los Baccaleos or the Islands of Cod-fish from the great quantity of that sort of fish hee there found which was such that they hindred the passage of his ships and lay in such multitudes upon the Coasts that the very Bears would come and catch them in their claws and draw them to Land This place I say with the rest was first discovered by Sir Sebastian Cabot upon the English account howbeit the matter happened to be lay'd aside upon the aforesaid occasions till in King Henery the eight his time it was revived again by Thorn and Eliot two Merchants of Bristoll but without success after which the Portugheses French and other Nations resort to it and change the names which the first discoverers had given to the Bayes and Capes thereabouts But the English not relinquishing their pretensions of primier discovery and seisin about the yeer 1583 Sir Humfry Gilbert took possession of it again in the name of Queen Elizabeth and prohibited all Nations the liberty of fishing there without the Queen of Englands leave But he being unhappily wracked in his coming home the business was again discontinued for a time viz. till the year 1608 when it was undertaken a new by John Guy another Merchant of Bristoll and with so good success that the Colony in a short time were well furnished with Wheat Rye Barley and other grain of their own sowing with Turnips Coleworts and aboundance of other necessary things not without some probable hopes of Metals a certain and plentifull trade of Sables Musk and other rich Commodities and such excellent good fishing especially for Codfish and Ling that 't is said some English-men doe ordinarily take two or three hundred of them in the space of three or four houres which from thence they conveigh as a sure and ready Merchandise into most parts of Europe CHAP. III. Of Canada and the Countries belonging to it 1 CAnada or New
they met with as namely 1. Porto de St. Clara neer 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 5. Califormia specially so called is by many thought and described to be but a Peninsula or half Island by reason that the Bay which divides it from Quivira and New-Gallicia towards the North runneth much narrower than it doth Southerly which made them think that somwhere or other at the North it was joyned to the main-Land of America But later discoveries have found it to be a perfect Island and altogether separate from the Continent For about the yeer 1620 some Adventurers beating upon those coasts Northward accidentally and before they were aware fell upon a Streit the waters whereof ran with such a Torrent and violent course that they brought them into Mar Vermiglio whether they would or no and before they knew it and by that means discovered that Califormia was an Island and that the waters which were observed to fall so violently into that Sea towards the North were not the waters of any River emptying it self into the Bay from the main-main-Land as was formerly thought but the waters of the North-west Sea it self violently breaking into the Bay and dividing it wholly from the Continent It lyeth North and South extending it self in a vast length full twenty degrees of latitude viz. from twenty two to fourty two but the bredth nothing answerable The most Northern point of it is called Cape Blanche that to the South Cape St. Lucas memorable for that rich and gallant prize which Captain Cavendish in the year 1587 being then in his voyage about the World took from the Spaniards neer to this place As for the Island it self it is not at all inhabited by the Spaniards whether it be that they want men to furnish new Plantations or that they finde no matter of invitation and encouragement from the Countrie or perhaps that the access thither be not so easie For 't is reported to be wonderfully well peopled by the Natives and that there were found only upon the coasts and along the shore of Mar Vermiglio twenty or twenty three Nations all of different languages The Countrie aboundantly well stored both with Fish and Fowl as appears partly by the Natives who take an huge pride in making themselves gay with the bones of the one with which they load their eares and sometimes their noses also and with the feathers of the other which ordinary People weare only sticking about their waste but great persons and such as will be fine indeed beset their heads strangely with them and have coÌ„monly one bunch of them bigger than ordinary hanging down behinde them like a tayle Having no knowledge of the true God they worship what the Devill will have them that is the Sun attributing to it only the increase of their Fruits and Plants healthfull Seasons and most of the other good they enjoy or are sensible of Their government is said to be only Oeconomicall each Father ordering the affairs of his Familie apart without subjection to any other superiour yet so well managed that they live in good peace one with another not without many good Laws and Customes viz. That they allow but one wife to one Man That they punish Adultery with death That they suffer not Maids to talk or converse with Men till they be married That Widdows may not marry till they have mourned at least one half of a year for their Husbands deceased and divers others of like nature which perhaps if the truth were known doe more properly belong to the Natives of Vtopia or New-Atlantis then to these of Califormia 6. The places therein as yet most observed are only upon the Sea Coasts viz. the Capes St. Clara and St. Lucas the one at the South-East of the Island looking towards New-Gallicia the other at the South-west looking into the Sea and towards Asia 2. St. Cruce This is a large and convenient Haven not far from Cape St. Clara. 3. Cabo de las Playas more within the Bay 4. St. Andrews another convenient Haven upon an Island of the same name 5. St. Thome an Island at the mouth of the Gulf or Bay of about twenty five leagues in compass rising Southerly with an high mountainous point under which is a convenient road for shipping and twenty five fathoms of water On the other side of the Island towards the main Sea there is first St. Abad a good Haven and almost surrounded with a pleasant and fruitfull Countrie 2. Cape Trinidado 3. Cape de Cedras 4. Puebla de las Canoas from the aboundance of those little Boats which the Americans generally use and doe call Canoes whereof perhaps some store is made there 5. Cabo de Galera and some others 7. Nova-Albion is only the more Northerly part of this Island reaching from the thirty eighth degree of latitude up towards the North as far as Cape Blanco first discovered by Sir Francis Drake in his Circumnavigation of the World in the year 1577 and by him named Nova-Albion in honour of England his own Countrie which anciently bore that name They found the Countrie exceedingly well stored with Dear grazing up and down the Hills by thousands in a company The Men generally goe naked all over the Women using only a piece of a mat or some such thing instead of an Apron Their houses built only of Turf and Osier yet so wrought together that they served very well to keep out the cold in the midst of it is their hearth where they make their fire and lye al round about it together upon several Beds of Bulrushes What their Towns are or whither they have any is not yet discovered When the English first landed in those parts under Sir Francis Drake the Natives of the Countrie immediatly presented themselves to the General bringing him fine presents of Feathers and some Kâ—lls of Net-work made of Rushes and the news of their arrivall being spread up into the Countrie it was not long before the King himself came and gave them a visit He was a person of goodly stature cloathed all over with certain Conie skins of that Countrie the furre whereof is exceeding smooth and fine and the only Robe of Nobility there He had many other tall men attending on him and one that went before him bearing somewhat instead of a Mace at which there hung three Crowns by so many chains the Crowns were made of Feathers the Chains of Bone both of them very ingeniously wrought After these followed a great multitude of the common sort of People but none of them without his present of something or other even to the very Boys The King would needs have the Crowns put upon the Generals head and the Chains about his neck to which he consented and by that Ceremonie promised in the name and behalf of the
Queen of England from whom he said he came to take them into his protection So after many other civilities given and returned betwixt them the King at length departed and Sir Francis with his men returned to their ships having first erected a pillar upon the place on which he fastned the Arms of England with the Queens name and his own to remain as a monument of his being there and of the surrender which was made of that Country to the Queen of England CHAP. VI. Of New-Gallicia and the Provinces thereto belonging 1. NEw-Gallicia is the most Northerly Countrie of all America that is inhabited to any purpose by the Spaniards Here 't is true they are scattered up and down in all the parts of it but it is at a huge distance and for the most part only where the Mines are It is bounded on the East and to the South with the Kingdom of Mexico or New-Spain on the West with the Gulf or Bay of Califormia Northward for so much as is yet discovered with Quivira and Cibola lying between eighteen and twenty eight degrees of Northern latitude that is from La Natividad a Port so named by the Spaniards in the confines of New-Spain to the most Northerly borders of Cinoloa a part of this Province containing as is supposed not much less than three hundred leagues in length and in bredth much more and whereof not a tenth part is either used or frequented by the Spaniards The Aire is generally here very temperate inclining rather to heat than cold and subject now and then to sodain storms of rain and great claps of thunder which yet doe not hinder but that the Countrie is held to be reasonably healthfull and the people observed to live generally to a good old age The Soil by reason of the Climate would be a little inclining to drought but that beside the frequent rains which it hath it is constantly moistned with fresh morning dews which make it for the most part wonderfully fruitfull almost beyond beleef yeelding for every bushel of Wheat that is sown threescore and of Maiz two hundred for one beside great plenty of Sugar-Canes and Cochineel both which notwithstanding the Spaniards are said to neglect in some sort imploying themselves wholly about richer Commodities For the Countrie affords them good store of Mines viz. of Sylver and Brass but of Gold or Iron not many as yet have been found the Rivers plentifully abounding with Fish and the Woods with Venison and some other wilde Beasts The Countrie generally more mountainous than plain frequently shaded with Woods and whole Forrests of the statelyest Pine trees and Oaks of timber that are to be seen The People are said to be somewhat of a wavering and inconstant disposition apt to take offence and though civilized in some measure and made Christians by the Spaniards yet oftentimes upon some light distaste given they seem willing to return again to their Woods and Barbarism The reason whereof in part is conceived to be a natural slothfulness and unwillingness unto any kinde of labour in this People which they labour most of all to avoid and are so wise that they never will be brought to it but upon good wages but on the contrary given to sports very much viz. singing dancing and drinking out of measure in so much as 't is thought if it were not for their beloved liquor they would hardly be perswaded long to take either the care or the pains of Husbandry They are of stature reasonably tall dwelling both in Towns and Villages being distinguished into certain Clans or Tribes each whereof is governed by one Chief but all of them subject to the Judges and Officers of the King of Spain It contains in it these inferiour Provinces 1. Cinoloa 2. Couliacan 3. Xalisco 4. Guadalaiara all of them on the Western shore 5. Zacatecas 6. New-Biscay and 7. New-Mexico more within Land 2. Cinoloa is the most Northern part of New-Gallicia bounded on the West with some part of the Gulf or Bay of Califormia On the East with a long ridge of Mountains which they call Tepecsuan On the North with Cibola and with Couliacan on the South The Country beside the general fertility of the whole Province of New Gallicia yeelds great store of Cotton-wooll by reason whereof both Men and Women here are better appareld for the most part than elsewhere the Americans are Exceedingly well watered with Rivers which descend from those mountains Tepecsuan not above thirty or fourty leagues distant from the Sea and which with the varietie of their streams and Meandrous glidings doe divide the Country into many and good pastures which are likewise stored with aboundance of Kine Oxen and other Cattel The chief towns of the Spaniards are 1. St. Philip and Jacob seated towards the Sea side on the banks of a fair River some thirty or fourty leagues distant from the town of Couliacan 2. St. John de Cinoloa an ancient Colonie of Spaniards setled there by Francisco de Tharra in the year 1554 which is all they have in this Countrie except some few old Forts of the Natives which they found after their manner poorly furnished but have since repaired them for defense against the Natives of those parts which as yet remain unreduced 3. Couliacan lyeth Southward of Cinoloa coasting all along the Bay of Califormia which it hath on the West On the East it hath New-Biscay and on the South Xalisco The Countrie not defective in any kinde of necessary Provision more especially aboundeth with Fruits of all sorts But the Spaniards look only at the Mines of which they have some few in this Countrie The People were generally cloathed with Garments of Cotton-wooll when the Spaniards came first among them but yet never a whit the more modest being exceedingly given to Venery and that in a more shameless and beastly manner than many other Americans were that goe naked The Spanish Towns are these 1. Hiustula seated on the banks of a fair River distant about a dayes journie from the Sea 2. Quinola 3. Quatrabarrios an old Town of the Natives but new named by the Spaniards 4. El Leon an old burrough 5. Couliacan the chief town of the Province 6. St. Michael in the Valley of Arroba two leagues distant from the Sea in a rich and plentifull Countrie both for Corn and fruit and built by Nunnez de Gusman in the year 1531 after he had burnt the Towns and destroyed a great part of the Natives inhabitants of the Country 4. Xalisco or Galesco as some call it is bounded on the North with Couliacan On the South with some parts of New-Spain On the East with the Province of Guadalaiara and on the West with the Gulf or Bay of Califormia The Countrie chiefly fertil in Maiz and Mines of Silver not altogether so apt for herbage and pasture as some other Countries about it The People were Cannibals before the Spaniards came among them and did eate Mans-flesh were
by Gonsalvo Sandovall in the year 1526 distant not above three leagues from the Gulf or Bay of Honduras 5. Aguatulco otherwise called Guatulco a noted and convenient Haven or Port-town upon the South Sea yet pertaining to this Province A rich place by reason of the trade from Mexico to Peru and from Peru to Mexico which passeth all through this town There are reckoned of the Natives of this Province not less than six hundred and fifty Burroughs and Villages and in them above an hundred and fifty thousand persons that pay tribute beside Women and Children and Spaniards in great number 12. Jucatan is a Peninsula or half-Island encompassed for the most part with the Sea save only to the South-west where it is joyned to Guaxata it s farther and more Easterly point looking towards Cuba The whole Province contains in compass nine hundred miles or more the Aire somewhat hot and the Soil not altogether so fertil in all Commodities as some other parts of New-Spain are yet are the People therefore more industrious living for the most part by Handicrafts and Trades and much more willing to take pains than their Neigbours They report some speciall things of this Province of Jucatan as namely that the People of the Countrie used generally and long before the Spaniards came thither a certain Ceremony of Religion not much unlike to our Baptism and which they called by a name that in their language signified Regeneration or a second Birth that they observed it so diligently that few or none among them omitted to initiate themselves by it beleeving that thereby the Seeds and ground-work of all goodness was laid in them and that they were fortified by it against the assaults and molestations of evil-Spirits That after they were three or four yeers old till they came to twelve they usually thus washed and baptized themselves and that none were permitted among them to marry that were not first initiated after this manner That they chose likewise a solemn day upon which to doe this and fasted at least the Father and Mother of the party to be initiated alwaies three dayes before and that a great many of the Natives had a Tradition or general report among them that of ancient time this Province of Jucatan was possessed and cultivated by a certain People which came thither from the East after a tedious long wandering and many hardships endured at Sea having escaped the hands of their Enemies only through the power of God or the Deity they worshiped who helped them and made them to pass securely even through the waves of the Sea All which if true seems not a little to confirm the report which goeth for current in the Welch Chronicles of one Madoc ap Owen the sonne of Guineth a Prince of that Countrie who is said to have fallen upon a farre Countrie this way in his travels which he liked so well that having secured to his Companions their safe abode there during his absence he returned himself into Wales for more Men and that he transported thither as many as he could carry in ten Barks full laden This he is said to have done about the year of our Lord 1170. But neither he nor any of his Men were ever heard of since and the success of the expedition it seems little enquired after by the Welch However the relation seems not altogether incredible or beyond belief The chief towns of the Province are 1. Merida in the Navil of the Country and the seat of the Governor twelve leagues distant from the Sea on either side 2. Valladolidt thirty leagues distant from Merida 3. Campeche a great town consisting of about three thousand housholds or more when first conquered by the Spaniards who found such Monuments of Art and curious industrie in it as did cleerly argue that the place had been once possessed by some People that were not barbarous It is now called St. Francisco and was surprized in the year 1596 by Captain Parker an English man who took the Governor himself and some other persons of quality prisoners and carried them away with him together with a ship richly laden with gold and silver beside other Commodities of good value 4. Tabasco by the Spaniard now called Villa de Nuestra Sennara de Victoria and commonly Victoria only in memory as 't is thought of the first great victory which Cortez obtained over these People at the battel of Potonchan as hath been said 5. Cintla 6. Potonchan 7. Salamanca All along the Coast of this Country there lye certain Islands some within the Bay or Gulf called Honduras pertaining to the next Province as 1. La Zarza 2. La Desconescida 3. Vermeia 4. Los Negrillos and some without it as 1. Zaratan 2. Pantoia 3. De Mugeres or the Island of Women so named by the Spaniards who at their first discovery of these parts for a long time together could meet with none but Women The chief of them is called Acusamil commonly Cozamul and is fifteen leagues in length and about five broad and was as it were the thorough-fare or common road of the Spaniards when they first discovered the Countries of New-Spain For first here landed Ferdinando de Corduba after him John de Griialva and others and last of all the fortunate Cortez It is now called St. Crux CHAP. IX Of Guatimala 1. GVatimala is the last general Province of this Northern part of America and brings us down to the Isthmus or neck of Land which as we said joyneth the Northern and Southern parts of the New-World together This Countrie viz. Guatimala is bounded Northward with the Peninsula of Jucatan abovesaid and part of the Gulf or Bay of Honduras on the South wi h Mare del Zur on the East and South-East it hath Castella aurea and on the West New-Spain The length of it lyeth upon the coast of Mare del Zur and is said to be little less than three hundred leagues but the breadth not half so much in any place and in some very narrow It is generally a fertil and good Countrie in all respects but especially abounding in Cattel and good Pastures being subdivided into six inferiour Provinces or Countries which are 1. Chiapa 2. Verapaz 3. Guatimala specially so called 4. Honduras 5. Nicaragua And lastly 6. Veragua 2. Chiapa is bordered on the West with New-Spain on the East with Vera paz on the North with Jucatan and on the South with Mare del Zur It is a Countrie much shaded with Woods and those replenished with many fair and goodly trees of divers sorts and of the largest size as Oaks Pines Cedar and Cypress trees besides others which yeeld them a good kinde of Rosin precious Gumms c. It hath likewise good plenty of Cocchinele but as for Mines either of gold or silver I observe not much to be spoken the Countrie is supposed to afford some but hitherto no great search hath been made possibly for want of Labourers to work in
this tract by which it was first discovered The Countrie is for the most part Mountainous and the Soil outwardly but barren but recompencing all defects with the aboundance of its more inward wealth I mean in the richness of its Mines of which it is said to afford many and so inexhaustibly rich and good that the Spaniards here know no end of their wealth although by reason of the stoutness and untamableness of the Natives it were a long time and they met with no small difficulties before they could make themselves masters of the Treasure The chief Towns they have here are 1. La Conception lying at the mouth of a River so named and the seat of the Governor 2. La Trinidad upon the banks of the same River likewise but more down towards Port Beleno and about six leagues Eastward of Conception 3. St. Foy twelve leagues more to the South where the Spaniards melt their gold and cast it into Bars or Ingots 4. Carlos a town they have upon the Coast of Mare del Zur 5. Philippina another on the West of Carlos both of these well seated upon a large and capacious Bay before which there lyeth a fry of certain little Islands to the number of thirty or more which the Spaniards are said to have wholly dispeopled long since by forcing the Natives over into the Continent to work in the Mines as usually they did before the Emperors prohibition but now they use Slaves or Negros which they buy for that purpose from Guiny and other parts CHAP. X. Of Peruana or the Southern part of America 1. THe Country of Peru understanding by it all that part of America which lyeth on the South of Darien is generally resembled to the form of a Pyramis reversed the Basis whereof that is as I conconceive the more Southerly parts of it towards Magellanica and the Streits extend themselves largely both East and West becoming more sharp and streit towards the North and those parts by which it is joyned to Mexicana in the whole it is supposed to contain a circuit of seventeen thousand miles at least and is watered with four of the greatest Rivers of the World beside aboundance of lessers streams which issuing from the Andes and other Mountains of the Countrie doe run from all parts both into the North and South Sea much fertilizing the Countries through which they pass The four principall are these 1. Orellana otherwise called the River of Amazons This riseth in the Province of Peru and runneth a course of little less than five thousand miles discharging it self at last into the North Sea through a channel as some say of threescore leagues broad and yet with such a violent current or stream that it is said to keep its natural colour and taste almost thirty miles in the Sea 2. Orenoque a River of the Province of Guiana whose head or spring is not yet discovered it is said to be Navigable a thousand miles together by the tallest ships and no less than two thousand by Pinnaces and smaller Vessels and dischargeth it self likewise into the North Sea by sixteen several channels or mouths making thereby several Islands some whereof are said to be of good bigness and to lye at a distance of one hundred miles or more one from the other 3. Maragnon a River of a yet larger course than any of the former being as 't is said no less than six thousand miles from its head which is out of the Andes in Peru to its fall which is likewise into the North Sea about Cape Blanco by a channel of seventy leagues in breadth 4. Rio de la Plata otherwise called Paraguay a River of two thousand miles course and falling as the rest into the North Sea by a channel of threescore miles over and about thirty four degrees Southward of the Line towards Magellans Streits This Southern part of America containeth these particular Provinces following all of them wealthy and large viz. Castella aurea or Golden Castile 2. Nova-Granada or the new Kingdome as they call it 3. Peru specially so called 4. Chile 5. Paraguay 6. Brasil 7. Guiana And 8. Paria with some lesser Islands adjoyning to all or most of these Provinces and commonly reckoned as part of them CHAP. XI Of Castella Aurea 1. CAstella del oro as the Spaniards call it or golden Castile taketh up all the rest of the Isthmus or streit of Darien which hath not been yet spoken of being bounded Eastward and to the north-North-East with the Atlantick Ocean and on the West with Mare del Zur and some part of Veragua Southward it hath the new Kingdom or Granada It is called sometimes Terra firma because it was one of the first parts of firm Land which the Spaniards touched upon after they had passed so many Islands as seemed for some time to block up and barre them from the Continent of America It is subdivided into these inferiour Provinces or Countries viz. 1. Panama 2. Darien 3. Nova-Andaluzia 4. St. Martha And 5. the little Province De la Hacha 2. Panama commonly called the District or Circle of Panama is bounded Eastward with the Gulf or Bay of Vrraba by which it is separate from the rest of the Continent of this Southern part of America on the West it hath Veragua one of the Provinces of Guatimala being on both the other sides washed with the Sea It is supposed to contain in length from Cartagena and Popayan to the confines of Veragua about fourscore or ninety leagues in breadth not above threescore in any part and where it is narrowest viz. betwixt the City of Panama and Nombre de Dios if measured by a right line not above six or seven over from Sea to Sea It lyeth almost under the Equinoctial line but a few degrees Northward of it and therefore somewhat hot and by the neighbourhood of both Seas subject to a foggy and gross Aire in comparison of some other parts so that it is not counted generally so healthfull a Countrie especially for strangers and in the Summer time The chief towns and places which the Spaniards inhabit here are 1. St. Philip otherwise called Porto Bello from the good Haven adjoyning to it A strong town and at present the staple of Trade betwixt Panama and Spain the Haven fortified likewise with two strong Castles notwithstanding which it was both surprized and well pillaged by the English under the Command of Captain Parker about the year 1601 and the Governour himself Pedro Melendez taken prisoner 2. Nombre de Dios so named by Didaco Niquesa a Spanish Adventurer who being driven by distress of weather and ready to be wracked bad his Men here get on shore en Nombre de Dios that is in Gods name The town was very well seated for Commerce and Trade at the beginning and enjoyed it for a good while but the place being found something less healthfull and otherwise obnoxious to Enemies at Sea the Trade and chief