Easterne windes and the Westerne and likewise of other windes CHAP. 5. ALthough that which we have spoken be generall and well approoved yet there remaines still a desire in me to learne the cause of this secret why vnder the burning Zone we saile alwaies from East to Weast with so great facilitie and not from Weast to East Which is as much as if wee should demaund why the Easterly windes raine there and not the Weasterly for that according to good Philosophie that which is perpetuall vniversall and of it selfe as the Philosophers say must have a proper cause and of it selfe But before I stay at this question which seemes remarkeable it shal be necessary to shew what we vnderstand by Brises or Easterly windes and Weasterly for that it will serve much for this subiect and for many other matters touching windes and navigations The Pilotes make two and thirty poynts of windes for that to bring their ship to the desired haven they must make their account as punctually and as strictly as they can for bending to the one side or the other never so little in the end of their course they should finde themselves farre from their pretended place And they reckon but twoo and thirty quarters of the windes for that more woulde confound the memorie But with reckoning as they accompt two and thirty windes so may they reckon three score and foure one hundred twenty and eight and two hundred fifty and six Finally multiply these partes to an infinite for the place where the shippe is being as it were the centre and all hemisphere in circumference what should let but wee may accompt lines without number the which comming from this centre drawe directly to these lineall circles in so many partes which might cause as many diverse windes seeing that the winde comes from all partes of the hemisphere which we may divide into as many parts as we will imagine yet the wisedome of man conformable to the holy Scripture observes foure windes the principall of all others and as it were the foure corners of the worlde the which they ioyne in making a crosse with two lines whereof the one goes from one Pole to another and the other from one Equinoctiall to the other Of the one side the North or Aquilon and the Southerne winde or mid-day opposite and on the other side the East which comes from the Sunne rising and the Weast from his setting And although the holy Scripture in some places speakes of other diversities of windes as of Eurus and Aquiloâ— which those in the Ocean sea call Nordest they of the mediterranean sea Gregual whereof there is mention made in Saint Paulâ— navigation yet the same holy Scripture makes mention of those foure notable windes which all the worlde knowes which areas is saide North South East and Weast But for that we finde three differences in the rising of the Sunne from whence the name of East comes that is the two greatest declinings which he doth vsually make and the meane betwixt them both as hee dooth rise in diverse places in winter in summer and in that which holdes the middle of these two seasons For this reason they have reckoned two other windes the East of summer and the East of winter and by consequence two Weasts the one of summer and the other of winter their contraries So as there are eight windes in eight notable poyntes of heaven which are the two Poles the two Equinoxes the two Solstices and their opposites in the same Circle the which are called by divers names and appellations in every place of the sea and land Those which saile the Ocean doe vsually call them thus They give the name of North to those windes that blowe from our Pole which carrieth the same name and north-Northeast that which is neerest and comes from the summer East They call East that which comes directly from the rising Equinoctiall and Southeast that which comes from the winter rising To the Mid-day or Pole Antartike they give the name of Southwest and to that of the winters setting the name of Southwest to the right setting Equinoctiall the name of West and to the summers setting Northweast They divide amongst them the rest of the winds and give them their names as they participate and approach to others as North-northweast North-north-east East-northeast East-southeast South-southweast Weast-southwest Weast-norwest so as by their names we know whence they proceed In the Mediterranean sea although they follow the same division and maner of reckoning yet doe they give them other different names they call the North Tramontana and his contrary the South MeZo-giorno or Mydy the East they call Levant and the Weast Povant and those which crosse these foure they call thus Southeast is by them named Xirocque or Xaloque and his opposite which is Norwest Mestrall they call the northeast Greâ— or Greguall and the Southweast his contrary Levesche Libique or Affricaine In Latine the foure knowne winds be Sâ—ptentrio Auster Subsolanus Favonius and those which be interlaced are Aquilo Vulturnus Affricus and Corus according vnto Plinie Vulturnus and Eurus is the same winde that Southeast or Xaloque Favonius is the Weast or Ponâ—nt Aquilo and Boreas is Nortest or Gregual or Tramontana Affricus and Libique is the Southweast or Levesche Auster and Notus is the South or Midday Corus and Zephirus the Northwest or Mestral and to the Northeast or Gregual they give no other name then Phenicien Some divide them after an other maner but for that it is not now our purpose to repeate the Latine and Greeke names of all the windes lette vs onely shew which be those amongst these windes that the Mariners of the Indian Ocean call Brises and lower winds I was long in some difficulty about these names seeing them to vse them very diversly vntill I found that these names were more generall then proper and peculiar They call Brises those which serve to goe to the Indies the which blowe in their poope which by this meanes comprehend all the Easterly windes and those which depend of them And they do call lower windes those which are fitte to returne from the Indies which blowe from the South to the summer-weast so as they be as it were two Esquadrons of windes of eyther side the Corporalles be of oneside Northeast or Greguall on the other Southweast or Levesche But you must vnderstand that of the number of eight windes and differences which we have counted five are proper to saile by and not the other three I say that when a ship sailes at sea he may make a long voyage with one of these windes although they serve him not equally but he cannot vse any of the other three As if a shippe goe to the South he shall saile with the North Northeast Northweast and with East and Weast for side-windes serve to goe or to come But with a Southerne wind he cannot saile being directly contrary nor with with his two Collaterals
other great gulphes where wee saile vnder the burning Zone by reason whereof their sailes are always of one fashion without any blustring having no neede in a manner to change them in all their course And if the ayre were not mooved by the heavens it might sometimes faile sometimes change to the contrary and sometimes there would grow some stormes Although this be learnedly spoken yet can we not deny it to be a winde seeing there are vapours and exhalations of the sea and that we sometimes see the Brise or easterly winds stronger sometimes more weake and placed in that sort as sometimes they can hardly carry all their sailes We must then know and it is true that the aire mooved draweth vnto it the vapours it findes for that the force is great and findes no resistance by reason whereof the easterne and weasterne windes are continuall and in a maner alwayes alike in those parts which are neere the Line and almost vnder all the burning zone which is the course the Sunne followes betwixt the two circles of Cancer and Capricorne Why without the Zone in a greater altitude wee finde alwayes westâ—rly windâ—s CHAP. 7. WHoso would neerely looke into what hath bin spoken may likewise vnderstand that going from the west to the east in altitude beyond the Tropikes we shall finde westerne windes for that the motion of the Equinoctiall being so swift it is a cause that the ayâ—e mooveth vnder it according to this motion which is from east to weast drawing after it the vapors and exhalations that rise of either side the Equinoctial or burning zone incountâ—ing the course and motion of the zone are forced by the repercussion to returne almost to the contrary whence growe the southweast winds so ordinary in those parts Even as we see in the course of waters the which if they be incountred by others of more force returne in a maner backe So it seemes to be like in vapours and exhalations whereby it growes that the windes doe turne and separate themselves from one part to another These westerly winds do commonly raiâ—â— in a meane altitude which is from twenty and seeven to thirty and seven degrees though they be not so certaine nor so regular as the Brises that are in a lesse altitude The reason is for that the southwest windes are no causes of this proper and equal motion of the heaven as the Brises are being neere to the Line But as I have said they are more ordinarie and often more furious and tempestuous But passing into a greater altitude as of fortie degrees there is as small assurance of windes at sea as at land for sometimes the east or north winde blowes and sometimes the south or weast whereby it happeneth their navigations are more vncertaine and more dangerous Of the exceptions to the foresaid Rules and of the Windes and Calmes both at Land and at Sea CHAP. 8. THat which we have spoken of winds which blow ordinarilie within and without the Zone must be vnderstood of the maine Sea and in the great gulphes for at land it is otherwise where we finde all sorts of windes by reason of the inequalitie which is betwixt the mountaines and the vallies the great number of Rivers and Lakes and the divers scituations of Countries whence the grosse and thicke vapors arise which are moved from the one part or the other according to the diversitie of their beginnings which cause these divers windes the motion of the aire caused by the heaven having not power enough to draw and move them with it And this varietie of windes is not onely found at land but also vpon the sea coast which is vnder the burning Zone for that there be foraine or land windes which come from the land and many which blow from the sea the which windes from the sea are commonly more wholesome and more pleasant then those of the land which are contrariwise troublesome and vnwholesome although it be the differrence of the coast that causeth this diversitie commonly the land windes blow from mid-night to the sunne rising and the sea windes vntill sunne setting The reason perhaps may be that the earth as a grosse substance fumes more whenas the sunne shines not vpon it even as greene wood or scarce drie smoakes most when the flame is quenched But the sea which is compounded of more subtile partes engenders no fumes but when it is hote even as straw or haie being moist and in small quantitie breedes smoake when it is burnt and when the flame failes the fume suddenly ceaseth Whatsoever it be it is certaine that the land winde blowes by night and that of the sea by day So that even as there are often contrarie violent and tempestuous windes vpon the sea coast so do we see very great calmes Some men of great experience report that having sailed many great passages at sea vnder the line yet did they never see any calmes but that they alwaies make way little or much the aire being moved by the celestiall motion which is sufficient to guide a ship blowing in poope as it doth I have already said that a ship of Lima going to Maniâ—â—a sailed two thousand seven hundred leagues alwaies vnder the line or not above twelve degrees from it and that in the moneths of Februarie and March whenas the sunne is there for Zenith and in all this space they found no calmes but alwaies a fresh gale so as in two moneths they performed this great voyage But in the burning Zone and without it you shall vsually see great calmes vpon the coastes where the vapors come from the Ilands or maine land And therefore stormes and tempestes and the suddaine motions of the aire are more certaine and ordinarie vpon the coastes whereas the vapors come from the land then in full sea I meane vnder the burning Zone for without it and at sea there are both calmes and whirlewindes Notwithstanding sometimes betwixt the two Tropickes yea vnder the line you shall have great raine and suddaine showers yea farre into the sea for the working whereof the vapors and exhalations of the sea are sufficient which moving sometimes hastily in the aire cause thunder and whirlewindes but this is more ordinarie neere to the land and vpon the land When I sailed from Peru to new Spaine I observed that all the time we were vpon the coast of Peru our voiage was as it was ordinary very calme and easie by reason of the Southerne winde that blowes having alwaies a fore winde returning from Spaine and new Spaine As we passed the gulph lanching farther into the sea almost vnder the line we found the season coole quiet and pleasant with a full winde but comming neere to Nicaragua and to all that coast we had contrarie windes with great store of raine and fogges All this navigation was vnder the burning Zone for from twelve degrees to the South which is Lima wee sailed to the seventeenth which is Gautulco a port of
vttermost bounds of the earth And in another place they say that the Gospell did flourish and increase through the vniversall world For the holy Scripture by an vsuall phrase calleth all the worlde that which is the greatest part thereof and was at that time discovered and knowne And the Ancients were ignorant that the East Indian Sea and that of the West were navigable wherin they have generally agreed By reason whereof Plinie writes as a certaine trueth that the seas which are betwixt two lands takes from vs a iust moitie of the habitable earth For saith he we cannot passe thither neyther they come hither Finally Tullie Macrobius Pomponius Mela and the ancient Writers hold the same opinion Of Aristotles opinion touching the new Worlde and what abused him to make him deny it CHAP. 9. BEsides all the former reasons there was yet an other which mooved the Ancients to beleeve it to be impossible for men to passe to this new world the which they held for that besides the vastnesse of the great Ocean the heate of that Region which they call the burning Zone was so excessive as it would not suffer any man how venturous or laborious so-ever to passe by sea or land from one Pole to an other For although these Philosophers have themselves affirmed that the earth was round as in effect it is and that vnder the 2. Poles there was habitable land yet could they not conceyve that the Region containing all that lyeth betwixt the two Tropickes which is the greatest of the five Zones or Regions by the which the Cosmographers and Astrologers divide the Worlde might be inhabited by man The reason they give to maintaine this Zone to be inhabitable was for the heat of the Sunne which makes his course directly over this Region and approcheth so neere as it is set on fire and so by consequence causeth a want of waters and pastures Aristotle was of this opinion who although he were a great Philosopher yet was hee deceyved in this poynt for the cleering whereof it shall be good to observe his reasons and to note wherein he hath discoursed well and wherein he hath erred This Philosopher makes a question of the Meridionall or Southerne winde whether wee should beleeve it takes his beginning from the South or from the other Pole contrary to the North and writes in these termes Reason teacheth vs that the latitude and largenesse of the habitable earth hath her boundes and limits and yet all this habitable earth cannot bee vnited and ioyned one to the other by reason the middle Region is so intemperate For it is certaine that in her longitude which is from East to West there is no immoderate cold nor heate but in her latitude and heigth which is from the Pole to the Equinoctiall Line So as we may well passe the whole earth in her longitude if the greatnesse of the Sea which ioynes lands together were no hinderance Hitherto there is no contradicting of Aristotle who hath great reason to affirme that the earth in her longitude which is from East to West runnes more equally is more proper for the life and habitation of man then in her latitude from North to South The which is true not onely for this foresaid reason of Aristotle that there is alwayes one temperature of the Heavens from East to West being equally distant both from the Northerne colde and the Southerne heate But also for an other reason for that travelling alwayes in longitude we see the dayes and nights succed one another by course the which falleth not out going in her latitude for of necessitie wee must come to that Region vnder the Pole whereas there is continuall night for sixe Moneths a very inconvenient thing for the life of man The Philosopher passeth on further râ—prooving the Geographers which described the earth in his time and saith thus Wee may discerne the trueth of that which I have sayd by the passages which may be made by land and the navigations by sea for there is a great difference betwixt the longitude and the latitude for the distance from the pillars of Hercules at the Straight of Gibraltar vnto the East Indies exceeds the proportion of above five to three the passage which is from Ethiopia to the lake of Meotis in the farthest confines of Scythia the which is confirmed by the account of iourneyes by land by sayling as we do now know by experience we have also knowledge of the habitable earth even vnto those partes which are inhabitable And truely in this point wee must pardon Aristotle seeing that in his time they had not discovered beyond the first Ethiopia called the exterior ioyning to Arabia and Affricke the other Ethiopia being wholy vnknowne in his age Yea all that great Land which we now call the Land of Prete Ian neyther had they any knowledge of the rest that lyes vnder the Equinoctiall and runnes beyond the Tropicke of Capricorne vnto the Cape of good Hope so famous and well knowne by the navigation of Portugals so as if wee measure the Land from this Cape vnto Scythia and Tartaria there is no doubt but this distance and latitude will proove as great as the longitude which is from Gibraltar vnto the East Indies It is certaine the Ancients had no knowledge of the springs of Nilus nor of the ende of Ethiopia and therefore Lucan reprooves the curiositie of Iulius Caesar searching out the springs of Nilus in these verses O Romaine what availes thee so much travell In search of Niles first source thy selfe to gravell And the same Poet speaking to Nile sayth Since thy first source is yet so vnrevealed Nile what thou art is from the world concealed But by the holy scripture we may conceive that this land is habitable for if it were not the Prophet Sophonias would not say speaking of these nations called to the Gospell The children of my dispersed so he calleth the Apostles shall bring me presents from beyond the bancks of Ethiopia Yet as I have said there is reason to pardon the Philosopher who beleeved the writers and Cosmographers of his time Let vs continue and examine what followes of the same Aristotle One part of the world saith he which lieth towards the North beyond the temperate zone is inhabitable for the exceeding cold the other part vpon the South is likewise inhabitable beyond the Tropicke for the extreame heate But the partes of the world lying beyond India on the one side and the pillers of Hercules on the other without doubt cannot bee ioyned and continued one with the other so as all the habitable earth is not conteined in one continent by reason of the sea which divides it In this last point he speakes truth then hee continues touching the other partes of the world saying It is necessarie the earth should have the same proportion with the Pole Antarticke as this our part which is habitable hath with the North and there
Tropicks as Aristotle and Plinie have maintained and before them the Philosopher Parmenides the contrarie whereof is before sufficiently prooved both for the one and the other But many through curiositie may demaund if the Ancients had no knowledge of this trueth which to vs is now so apparent seeing that in trueth it seemeth very strange that this newe worlde which is so spacious as we doe visibly see it should be hidden from the Ancients by so many ages But some at this day seeking to obscure the felicitie of this age and the glory of our Nation strive to proove that the new found world was knowne to the Ancients And in trueth wee cannot deny but there was some apparency S. Ierome writing vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians sayth We seeke with reason what the Apostle meaneth in these wordes where he saith you have walked for a season according to the course of this world whether he would have vs to vnderstand that there is an other world which neither is nor depends of this world but other worldes whereof Clement writes in his Epistle the Ocean and the worldes which are beyond the Ocean These are the wordes of S. Ierome but in trueth I cannot finde this Epistle of S. Clement cited by S. Ierome yet I beleeve vndoubtedly that S. Clement hath written it seeing S. Ierome maketh mention thereof And with reason saint Clement saith that beyond the Ocean there is an other worlde yea many worldes as in trueth there is seeing there is so great distance from one newe worlde to an other new world I meane from Peru and the West Indies to China and the East Indies Moreover Plinie who hath beene so curious a searcher out of strange things reportes in his naturall Historie that Hannon a Captaine of the Carthaginians sayled through the Ocean from the Straight of Gibraltar coasting alongst the land even vnto the confines of Arabia and that hee left this his Navigation in writing If it bee as Plinie writes it followes that Hannon sayled as farre as the Portugals do at this day passing twice vnder the Equinoctiall which is a fearefull thing And the same Plinie reports of Cornelius Nepos a very grave Authour who saith that the same course hath beene sayled by an other man called Eudaxius but by contrary wayes for this Eudaxius following the King of Latyres passed by the redde sea into the Ocean and turning backe came to the Straight of Gibraltar the which Cornelius Nepos affirmes to have happened in his time And also other grave Authors do write that a ship of Carthage driven by force of winde into the Ocean came to a Land which vntill then was vnknowne and returning to Carthage kindled a great desire in the Citizens to discover and people this land the which the Senate perceyving did forbid this navigation by a rigorous decree fearing that with the desire of new lands they should leave to love their owne Countrie By all this wee may gather that the Ancients had some knowledge of the new world yet shall you hardly finde in the bookes of ancient Writers any thing written of our America and all the West Indies but of the East Indies I say there is sufficient testimonie not only of that on the other side but also of that on this side which then was farthest off going thither by a contrary way to that at this day Is it not easie to find Molaco in ancient bookes which they called the golden Chersonese the Cape of Comori which was called the Promontorie of Coci that great famous Iland of Sumatra so well knowne by the ancient name of Taprobana What shall wee say of the two Ethiopiaes the Brachmanes and that great Land of the Chinaes Who doubtes but there was often mention made thereof in ancient bookes But of the West Indies we find not in Plinie that in this navigation they passed the Ilands of the Canaries which he calleth Fortunate the principall whereof is sayd to be called Canarie for the multitude of dogs which are in it But there is scarce any mention in ancient books of the voyages which are made at this day beyond the Canaries by the Gulph which with reason they call great Yet many hold opinion that Seneca the Tragedian did prophecie of the West Indies in his Tragedie of Medea which translated saith thus An age shall come ere ages ende Blessedly strange and strangely blest When our Sea farre and neere or'prest His shoare shall farther yet extend Descryed then shall a large Land be By this profound Seas navigation An other World an other Nation All men shall then discovered see Thule accounted heretofore The worldes extreme the Northerne bound Shall be when Southwest parts be found A neerer Isle a neighbour shoare This Seneca reports in these verses we cannot wel deny but vnderstanding it litterally it is very true for if we reckon the many yeeres he speakes of beginning from the time of the Tragedian it is above a thousand and foure hundred yeeres past and if it were from the time of Medea it is above two thousand yeeres the which we see plainely now accomplished seeing the passage of the Ocean so long time hidden hath beene found out and that they have discovered a great land and a new world inhabited more spatious then all the Continent of Europe and Asia But therein may a question with reason be made whether Seneca spake this by divination or poetically and by chance And to speake my opinion I beleeve hee did divine after the manner of wise men and well advised for that in his time they vndertooke newe voyages and navigations by sea hee knew well like a Philosopher that there was an other land contrary and opposite vnto vs which they call Antichthon And by this ground he might conceyve that the industrie and courage of man might in the ende passe the Ocean and discover new lands and another world for that in Senecaes time they had knowledge of the Voyage which Plinie speaketh of whereby they passed the great Ocean The which seemes to bee the motive of Senecaes prophecie as he giveth vs to vnderstand by these former verses after the which having described the carefull life of the Ancients free from malice he followeth thus Now is it not as earst it was For whether the Ocean will or nill He traverst is by hardy will Which pastime makes time so to passe And a little after he saith thus Now every boat dares swimme and sport On surging Seas fearing no wracke Passengers seeking what they lacke So long a voyage thinke but short Nothing is nowe more to discover No place is now left to surprise Townes now that for defence devise With new fortifications cover All in the world turn'd round about No thing in place as t' was enured Nothing vnseene nothing assured This Circle vniverse throughout The Indian whom at home heate fries Drinkes of Araxis waters cold The Persian rich in
Indies are come from Europe or Asia is the testimonie of the holy scripture which teacheth vs plainely that all men came from Adam We can therefore give no other beginning to those at the Indies seeing the holy scripture saieth that all beasts and creatures of the earth perished but such as were reserved in the Arke of Noe for the multiplication and maintenance of their kinde so as we must necessarily referre the multiplication of all beastes to those which came out of the Arke of Noe on the mountaines of Ararat where it staied And by this meanes we must seeke out both for men and beastes the way whereby they might passe from the old world to this new Saint Augustine treating vpon this question by what reason you shall finde in some Ilandes Wolves Tigers and other ravenous beastes which breede no profit to men seeing there is no doubt but Elephants Horses Oxen Dogges and other beastes which serve man to vse have been expresly carried in shippes as we see at this day brought from the East into Europe and transported from Europe to Peru although the voiages be verie long And by what meanes these beastes which yeeld no profit but are very hurtefull as Wolves and others of that wilde nature should passe to the Indies supposing as it is certaine that the deluge drowned all the earth In which Treatie this learned holy man laboures to free himselfe of these difficulties saying that they might swim vnto these Ilands or that some have carried them thither for their delight in hunting or that by the will of God they had been newly created of the earth after the same maner of the first creation when God said Let the earth bring forth everie living thing according to his kinde Cattle and creeping Wormes and the beastes of the field every one in his kinde But if we shall apply this solution to our purpose the matter will remaine more doubtfull for beginning at the last point it is not likely according to the order of Nature nor conformable to the order of government established by God that perfect creatures as Lions Tigers and Wolves should be engendered of the earth as we see that Rattes Frogges Bees and other imperfect creatures are commonly engendered Moreover to what purpose is that which the scripture saieth and doth so often repeate Thou shalt take of all the beastes and birdes of the aire seven and seven male and female to maintaine generation vpon earth if such beasts after the deluge should be created againe after a new kinde of creation without coniunction of male and female And heerevpon might grow another question Seeing such creatures are breeding on the earth according to this opinion wherefore are they not likewise in all other partes of the maine Land and in many Ilandes seeing wee must not regarde the naturall order of generation but the bountie of the Creator On the other part I will not hold it for a thing incredible that they have carried some of these beastes for the pleasure of hunting for that we often see Princes and great men keepe and nourish in their cages onely for their pleasure and greatnesse both Lyons Beares and other savage beastes especially when they are brought from farre Countries but to speake that of Woolves Foxes and other beasts which yeeld no profite and have nothing rare and excellent in them but to hurt the cattell and to say also that they have carried them by sea for hunting truely it is a thing that hath no sense Who can imagine that in so long a voyage men would take the paynes to carrie Foxes to Peru especially of that kind which they call Anas which is the filthiest that I have seene Who would likewise say that the have carried Tygers and Lyons Truely it were a thing worthy the laughing at to thinke so It was sufficient yea very much for men driven against their willes by tempest in so long and vnknowne a voyage to escape the danger of the Sea with theyr owne lives without busying themselves to carrie Woolves and Foxes and to nourish them at Sea If these beasts then came by Sea wee must beleeve it was by swimming which may happen in some Ilands not farre distant from others or fom the mayne Land the which wee cannot denie seeing the experience wee have and that wee see these beasts beeing prest to swimme day and night without wearinesse and so to escape But this is to be vnderstood in smal Straights and passages for in our Ocean they would mocke at such swimmers whenas birds faile in their flight yea those of the greatest wing vpon the passage of so great a Gulph And although we finde small birdes which flie above a hundred leagues as we have often seene in our travel yet it is a matter impossibleâ— at the least very difficult for birdes to passe all the Ocean All this beeing true which wee have spoken what way â—â—all wee make for beastes and birdes to goe to the Indies and how can I say they passed from one worlde to an other I coniecture then by the discourse I have made that the new world which we call Indies is not altogether severed and disioyned from the other world and to speake my opinion I have long beleeved that the one and the other world are ioyned and continued one with an other in some part or at the least are very neere And yet to this day there is no certaine knowledge of the contrary For towards the Articke or Northerne Pole all the longitude of the earth is not discovered and many hold that above Florida the Land runnes out very large towards the North and as they say ioynes with the Scithike or Germaine Sea Others affirme that a Ship sayling in that Sea reported to have seene the coast of Bacalaos which stretcheth almost to the confines of Europe Moreover no man knowes how farre the land runnes beyond the Cape of Mendoça in the South sea but that they affirme it is a great Continent which runnes an infinite length and returning to the Southerne Pole no man knowes the lands on the other part of the Straight of Magellan A ship belonging to the Bishoppe of Plaisance which passed the Straight reports to have sayled alwayes within sight of Land the like Hernando Lamer a Pilot doth affirme who forced by foule weather passed two or three degrees above the sayd Straight So as there is no reason or experience that doth contradict my conceit and opinion which is that the whole earth is vnited ioyned in some part or at the least the one approcheth neere vnto the other If this be true as in effect there is some likelyhood the answere is easie to the doubt we have propounded how the first Inhabitants could passe to the Indies For that wee must beleeve they could not so conveniently come thither by Sea as travelling by Land which might be done without consideration in changing by little and little their
Gallies go and come daily coasting along the shoare In some partes of the Ocean they may not looke for any other winde then that which blowes for that commonly it continues long To conclude that which is good to go by is not fit to returne with for in the sea beyond the Tropicke and within the burning Zone the Easterly windes raine continually not suffering their contraries In the which region there are two strange things the one is that in that Zone being the greatest of the five into the which the world is divided the Easterly windes which they call Brises do raine not suffering the Westerne or Southerne which they call lower windes to have their course at any season of the yeere The other wonder is that these Easterly windes never cease to blow and most commonly in places neerest to the line where it seemes that calmes should be more frequent being a part of the world most subiâ—ct to the heate of the Sunne but it is contrarie for you shall hardly finde any calmes there and the winde is cold and continues longer which hath been found true in all the navigations of the Indies This is the reason why the voyage they make from Spaine to the West Indies is shorter more easie and more assured then the returne to Spaine The fleetes parting from Siville have more difficultie to passe the Canaries for that the gulph of Yegues or of Mares is variable being beaten with divers windes but having passed the Canaries they saile with a westerne winde vntill they come to the burning Zone where presently they finde an Easterly winde and so they saile on with full windes so as they have scant any neâ—de to touch their sailes in the whole voiage for this reason they called this great gulph the gulph of Dances for the calmenes and pleasantnes thereof Then following their course they come to the Ilands of Guadelupe Dominique Desirâ—e Marigualante and the rest which in that place be as it were the suburbs of the Indies There the fleetes seperate and divide themselves whereof some which go to new Spaine take to the right hand towards Hispaniola and having discovered Cape S. Anthonie they passe vnto S. Ihon Delua alwaies vsing the same Easterly windes Those for the maine Land take the left hand discovering the high mountaine of Tayrone then having touched at Carthagene they passe vnto Nombre de Dios from whence they go by land to Panama and from thence by the South sea to Peru. But when the fleetes returne to Spaine they make their voiage in this sort The fleete of Peru discovers Cape S. Anthonie then they enter into the Havana which is a goodly Port in the Iland of Cuba The fleete of new Spaine doth likewise touch at the Havana being parted from the true Crosse or from the Iland of S. Ihon Delua the which is not without difficultie for that commonly Easterly windes blow there which is a contrarie winde to go to the Havana These fleetes being ioyned together for Spaine they seeke their height without the Tropicks where presently they finde Westerly winds which serve them vntill they come in view of the Acores or Terceres and from thence to Seville So as their voiage in going is of a small height not above twentie degrees from the line which is within the Tropickes But the returne is without the Tropickes in eight and twentie or thirtie degrees of height at the least for that within the Tropickes the Easterne winds continually blow the which are fittest to go from Spaine to the West Indies for that their course is from East to west and without the Tropickes which is in three and twentie degrees of height they finde westerly winds the which are the more certaine and ordinarie the farther you are from the line and more fit to returne from the Indies for that they are windes blowing from the South and West which serve to runne into the East and North. The like discourse is of the Navigation made into the South sea going from new Spaine or Peru to the Philippines or China and returning from the Philippines or China to new Spaine the which is easie for that they saile alwaies from East to West neere the line where they finde the Easterly windes to blow in their poope In the yeere 1584. there went a shippe from Calloâ— in Lima to the Philippines which sailed 2000. and 700. leagues without sight of land and the first it discovered was the Iland of Lusson where they tooke port having performed their voiage in two moneths without want of winde or any torment and their course was almost continually vnder the line for that from Lima which is twelve degrees to the South he came to Menilla which is as much to the North. The like good fortune had Alvaro de Mandana whenas he went to discover the Ilands of Soloman for that he had alwaies a full gale vntill he came within view of these Ilands the which must be distant from that place of Peru from whence he parted about a thousand leagues having runne their course alwaies in one height to the South The returne is like vnto the voiage from the Indies vnto Spaine for those which returne from the Philippines or China to Mexico to the end they may recover the Westerne windes they mount a great height vntill they come right against the Ilands of Iappon and discovering the Caliphornes they returne by the coast of new Spaine to the Port of Acapulco from whence they parted So as it is proved likewise by this navigation that they saile easily from East to West within the Tropickes for that their Easterly windes do raine but returning from West to East they must seeke the Westerne windes without the Tropickes in the height of seven and twentie degrees The Portingales prove the like in their navigations to the East Indies although it be in a contrarie course for that going from Portugall the voiage is troublesome but their returne is more easie for that in going their course is from the West to the East so as they must of necessitie mount vntill they have found their generall windes which they hold to be above the seven and twentith degree And in their returne they discover the Terceres but with more ease for that they come from the East where the Easterly or Northerne windes do serve them Finally the Marriners hold it for a certaine rule and observation that within the Tropickes continually raine Easterly windes and therefore it is very easie to saile to the West But without the Tropickes there are in some seasons Easterly windes and in some and more ordinarie Westerne windes by reason whereof they which saile from West to East labour alwaies to be out of of the burning Zone to put themselves in the height of seven and twentie degrees And for this reason men have indangered themselves to vndertake strange Navigations and to seeke out farre Countries vnknowne Of the differences of the Brises or
lies all to the north and by that land thereafter discovered a sea on the other side the which they called the South sea for that they decline vntill they have passed the Line and having lost the North or Pole articke they called it South For this cause they have called all that Ocean the South sea which lieth on the other side of the East Indies althogh a great part of it be seated to the north as al the coast of new Spaine Nuaragna Guatimala and Panama They say that hee that first discovered this sea was called Blasconunes of Bilbo the which he did by that part which we now call maine land where it growes narrow and the two seas approach so neere the one to the other that there is but seaven leagues of distance for although they make the way eighteene from Nombre de Dios to Panama yet is it with turning to seeke the commoditie of the way but drawing a direct line the one sea shall not be found more distant from the other Some have discoursed and propounded to cut through this passage of seaven leagues and to ioyne one sea to the other to make the passage from Peru more commodious and easie for that these eighteene leagues of land betwixt Nombre de Dios and Panama is more painefull and chargeable then 2300. by sea wherevpon some would say it were a meanes to drowne the land one sea being lower then another As in times past we finde it written that for the same consideration they gave over the enterprize to win the red sea into Nile in the time of King Sesostris and since in the Empire of the Othomans But for my part I hold such discourses and propositions for vaine although this inconvenient should not happen the which I will not hold for assured I beleeve there is no humaine power able to beat and breake downe those strong and impenetrable mountaines which God hath placed betwixt the two seas and hath made them most hard rockes to withstand the furie of two seas And although it were possible to men yet in my opinion they should feare punishment from heaven in seeking to correct the workes which the Creator by his great providence hath ordained and disposed in the framing of this vniversall world Leaving this discourse of opening the land and ioyning both seas together there is yet another lesse rash but very difficult and dangerous to search out Whether these two great gulphes do ioyne in any other part of the world which was the enterprize of Fernando Magellan a Portugall gentleman whose great courage and constancie in the research of this subject and happy successe in the finding thereof gave the name of eteâ—nall memory to this straight which iustly they call by the name of the discoverer Magellan of which straight we will intreate a little as of one of the greatest wonders of the world Some have beleeved that this Straight which Magellan had discovered in the South sea was none or that it was straightned as Don Alonso d' Arsille writes in his Auracane and at this day there are some that say there is no such straight but that they are Ilands betwixt the sea and land for that the maine land endes there at the end whereof are all Ilands beyond the which the one sea ioynes fully with the other or to speake better it is all one Sea But in turth it is most certaine there is a straight and a long and stretched out land on eyther side although it hath not yet beene knowne how farre it stretcheth of the one side of the straight towards the South After Magellan a shippe of the Bishoppe of Plaisance passed the straight Don Guiâ—ieres Carvaial whose maste they say is yet at Lima at the entrie of the palace they went afterwards coasting along the South to discover the Straight by the commandement of Don Garcia of Mendoce then governer of Chille according to that which Captaine Ladrillero found it and passed it I have read the discourse and report he made where he saieth that he did not hazard himselfe to land in the Straight but having discovered the North sea he returned back for the roughnes of the time winter being now come which caused the waves comming from the North to grow great and swelling and the sea continually foming with rage In our time Francis Drake an Englishman passed this straight After him Captaine Sarmiento passed it on the South side And lastly in the yeere 1587. other Englishmen passed it by the instruction of Drake which at this time runne along all the coast of Peru. And for that the report which the master Pilot that passed it made seemeth notable vnto me I will heere set it downe Of the Straight of Magellan and how it was passed on the South side CHAP. 11. IN the yeere of our Lord God one thousand five hundred seaventy nine Francis Drake having passed the Straights that runne alongest the coast of Chille and all Peru and taken the shippe of Saint Iean d' Anthona where there was a great number of barres of silver the Viceroy Don Francis of Toledo armed and sent foorth two good shippes to discover the Straight appoynting Peter Sarmiento for Captaine a man learned in Astrologie They parted from Callao of Lima in the beginning of October and forasmuch as vpon that coast there blowes a contrary winde from the South they tooke the sea and having sailed litle above thirty days with a favourable winde they came to the same altitude of the Straight but for that it was very hard to discover they approched neere vnto the land where they entred into a great Bay in the which there is an Archipelague of Ilands Sarimento grew obstinate that this was the Straight and staied a whole moneth to finde it out by diverse wayes creeping vppe to the high mountaines But seeing they could not discover it at the instance of such as were in the army they returned to sea The same day the weather grew rough with the which they ranne their course in the beginning of the night the Admiralls light failed so as the other shippe never see them after The day following the force of the winde continuing still being a â—ide wind the Admiralles shippe discovered an opening which made land thinking good to enter there for shelter vntill the tempest were past The which succeeded in such sort as having discovered this vent they found that it ranne more and more into the land and coniecturing that it should be the Straight which they sought they tooke the height of the Sunne where they found themselves in fiftie degrees and a halfe which is the very height of the Straight and to be the better assured they thrust out their Brigandine which having run many leagues into this arme of the sea without seeing any end they found it to be the very Straight And for that they had order to passe it they planted a hie Crosse there with letters thereon
to the end that if the other ship should chance to arrive there they should have newes of their Generall and follow They passed the Straight in a favourable time without difficultie and passing into the north sea they came to certaine vnknowne Ilandes where they tooke in fresh water and other refreshings From thence they tooke their course towardes Cape de Vert from whence the Pilote maior returned to Peru by the way of Carthagene and Panama carrying a discourse of the Straight to the Viceroy and of all their successe of whom he was well rewarded for his good service But Captaine Peter Sarmiento sailed from Cape Vert to Seville in the same ship wherewith he had passed the Straight and went to Court where his Maiestie rewarded him and at his instance gave commaundement to prepare a great army which he sent vnder the commaund of Diego Flores de Valdes to people and fortifie this Straight But this army after variable successe spent much and profited little Returning now to the Viceadmiralles shippe which went in company of the Generall having lost him in the storme they tooke the sea but the wind being contrary and stormy they looked all to perish so as they confessed themselves and prepared for death This tempest continued three dayes without intermission and hourely they feared to runne on ground but it fel out contrary for they went still from land vntill the ende of the third day that the storme ceased and then taking the height they found themselves in fiftie sixe degrees but seeing they had not crossed and yet were farre from land they were amazed whereby they surmized as Hernando Lamero tolde me that the land which is on the other side of the Straight as wee goe by the south sea runnes not the same o romer that it doth to the Straight but that it turneth to the East for else it were impossible but they shoulde have touched land having runne so long time with this crosse winde but they passed on no further neyther coulde they discover the lands end which some holde to be there whether it were an Iland on the other side of the Straight where the two seas of North and South doe ioyne together or that it did runne vppe towardes the East and ioyne with the land of Vesta as they call it which answers to the Cape of Good Hope as it is the opinion of some The trueth hereof is not to this day well knowne neither is there any one found that hath discovered that land The Viceroy Don Martin Henrique saâ—de vnto me that he held this report for an â—nvention of the English that the Straight should prâ—senâ—lie make an Iland and that the two seas did ioyne together for that beeing Viceroy of New Spaine hee had diligently examined the Portugall Pilote who had bin left there by Francis Drake and yet had no knowledge of any such matter by him But that was a very Straight and a maine land on either side Returning then to the saide Viceadmirall they discovered this Straight as the saide Hernando Lamero reported vnto mee but by another mouth or entrie and in a greater height by reason of a certaine great Iland which is at the entrie of the Straight which they call the Bell for the forme it carries And as he saide hee woulde have passed it but the Captaine and souldiers woulde not yeelde therevnto supposing that the time was too farre spent and that they were in great daunger And so they returned to Chille and Peru without passing it Of the Straight which some holde to be in Florida CHAP. 12. EVen as Magellan found out this Straight vppon the South so some have pretended to discover another Straight which they say is in the north and suppose it to be in Florida whose coast runs in such sort as they knowe no end thereof Peter Melendez the Adelantade a man very expert at sea affirmeth for certaine that there is a Straight and that the King had commanded him to discover it wherein he shewed a great desire he propounded his reasons to proove his opinion saying that they have seene some remainders of shippes in the North sea like vnto those the which the Chinois vse which had beene impossible if there were no passage from one sea vnto another Moreover he reported that in a certaine great Bay in Florida the which runnes 300. leagues within the land they see Whales in some season of the yeere which come from the other sea Shewing moreover other likelihood he concludes that it was a thing agreeing with the wisedome of the Creator and the goodly order of nature that as there was communication and a passage betwixt the two seas at the Pole Antartike so there should in like sort be one at the Pole Artike which is the principall Pole Some will say that Drake had knowledge of this Straight and that he gave occasion so to iudge whenas he passed along the coast of new Spaine by the South sea Yea they hold opinion that other Englishmen which this yeere 1587. tooke a shippe comming from the Philippines with great quantitie of gold and other riches did passe this straight which prize they made neere to the Calliphornes which course the ships returning from the Philippines and China to new Spaine do vsually observe They confidently beleeve that as the courage of man is great and his desire infinite to finde new meanes to inrich himselfe so within few yeeres this secret will be discovered And truly it is a thing worthie admiration that as the Ants do alwaies follow the trace of other so men in the knowledge and search of new things never stay vntill they have attained the desired end for the content and glorie of men And the high and eternall wisedome of the Creator vseth this curiositie of men to communicate the light of his holy Gospell to people that alwaies live in the obscure darkenesse of their errors But to conclude the straight of the Artike Pole if there be any hath not been yet discovered It shall not therefore be from the purpose to speake what we know of the particularities of the Antartike straight already discovered and knowne by the report of such as have seene and observed it Of the properties of the Straight of Magellan CHAP. 13. THis Straight as I have said is iust fiftie degrees to the South and from one sea to another fourscore and ten or a hundred leagues in the narrowest place it is a league and little lesse wherâ— it was intended the King should build a Fort to defend the passage It is so deepe in some places that it cannot be sounded and in some places they finde grovnd at 18. yea at 15. fadomes Of these hundred leagues which it containes in length from one sea vnto the other it is plainely seene that the waves of the South sea runne 30. leagues and the other 70. are possessed with the billowes and waves of the North sea But there is this difference
Châ—lle beare good wine 296 Vines of the vallie of Yâ—a which doe growe and are never watered with any raine and how ibid Vines that carry grapes every moneth in the yeere ibid. Viracoâ—hâ— the name which the Indians gave to their supreme god with others of great power 333 Vuziliputzli the chiefe idoll of Mexico and his ornaments 352 Vittells set vppon the tombes of dead men to feede them 347 Voyce heard foretelling the ruine of Moteçuma 565 Volcan of Guatâ—mala more admirable than all the rest 194 Volcans how entertained 196 Voyage of Hannon the Carthaginâ—an admirable in his time 36 Vros bruâ—ish people which esteeme not themselves 94 Vtilitie of all naturall histories 117 Vnction of Vuzilovitli the second king of Mexico 521 W. WAy by which the Spaniards go to the Indies and their returne 128 Waters of Guayaquil most soveraigne for the French disease 174 Warres of the Mexicans most commonly to take prisoners 483 Westerne windes hurtefull to silke-wormes 144 Westerne windes blowe not in the burning zone 126 Whales how taken by the Indians and how they eate them 167 Windes very daungerous which kill and preserve the dead bodies without corruption 147 Windes called Brises in the burning zone which come from the east 127 Windes how many and their names 133 Windes of the land in the burning zone blow rather by night than by day and those of the sea contrary and why 142 Winde corrupts yron 144 Windes that blowe southerly make the coast habitable 125 One Winde hath diverse properties according to the place where it raignes and the cause 120 Winde doth cause strange diversities of temperature 112 Wisedome of this world weake in divine yea in humane things 31 Winter and summeâ— and the cause 90 Woods rare and sweete at the Indies 292 Words of a man which had his heart pulled out 390 Writing of the Chinois was from the toppe downeward and the Mexicans from the foote vpward 447 X. XAmabusis pilgrimes forced to confesse their sinnes vpon the toppe of a rocke 400 Y. YCa and Arica and their manner of sayling in skinnes 63 Yearâ— at the Indies divided into eighteene moneths 432 Youth very carefully instructed in Mexico 489 Yeare at Peru approaching neerer to ours than that of Mexico 437 Ytu a great feast at the Indies which they made in their necessitie 416 Yupanguâ— Ingua was in Peru like to an other Numa in Rome for the making of Lawes 261 Z. ZEphiruâ— a pleasant and wholesome winde 126 Zone which they call burning the Antients held inhabitable 30 Burning zone in some partes temperate in others colde and in others hote 101 Burning Zone peopled and pleasaunt contrary to the opinion of Philosophers 86 Burning Zone why temperate 105 In the burning Zone they saile easily from east to weast and not contrarie and why 132 In the burning Zone the neerenesse of the Sunne dooth not alwaies cause raine 100 The end of the Table Errata 111.22 for Paraguen reade Paraguay 120.30 for River reade Region 135.32 for to reade in 141.28 for the motion reade without any â—otion 148.33 for inhabited reade not inhabited 164.17 for greene reade great 198.23 for hundred reade five hundred 213.21 for Curuma reade Cucuma 229.17 for to reade and 235.11 for it reade that 241.8 for it reade his 253.12 for maces reade markes 274.8 for little reade like 278.19 for is no reade is a 351.25 for many reade in many 368.2 for possession reade profession 397.14 for to the communion reade to the people in manner of a communion 514.21 for partiall reade particular 324.32 for convenient in a maner reade in a convenient manner 335.3 for of reade to 347.25 for neither reade in their Gentle Reader from the folio 225. line 14 16 19 20. where you finde peeces reade pezoes till you come to folio 322. line 22. THE FIRST BOOKE of the Naturall and Morall Historie of the East and West Indies Of the opinions of some Authors which supposed that the Heavens did not extend to the new-found world The first Chapter THE Ancients were so farre from conceypt that this new-found world was peopled by any Nation that many of them could not imagine there was any land on that part and which is more worthie of admiration some have flatly denyed that the Heavens which we now beholde could extend thither For although the greatest part yea the most famous among the Philosophers have well knowne that the Heaven was round as in effect it is and by that meanes did compasse and comprehend within it self the whole earth yet many yea of the holy doctors of greatest authoritie have disagreed in opinion vpon this point supposing the frame of this vniversall world to bee fashioned like vnto a house whereas the roofe that covers it invirons onely the vpper part and not the rest inferring by their reasons that the earth should else hang in the middest of the ayre the which seemed vnto them voyd of sense For as we see in every building the ground-worke and foundation on the one side and the cover opposite vnto it even so in this great building of the world the Heaven should remaine above on the one part and the earth vnder it The glorious Chrysostome a man better seene in the studie of holy Scriptures then in the knowledge of Philosophie seemes to be of this opinion when in his Commentaries vpon the Epistle to the Hebrewes he doth laugh at those which hold the heavens to be round And it seemes the holy Scripture doth inferre as much terming the Heavens a Tabernacle or Frame built by the hand of God And hee passeth farther vpon this point saying that which mooves and goes is not the Heaven but the Sunne Moone and Starres which moove in the heaven even as Sparrowes and other birds moove in the ayre contrary to that which the Philosophers hold that they turne with the Heaven itselfe as the armes of a wheele doe with the wheele Theodoret a very grave Authour followes Chrysostome in this opinion and Theophilus likewise as hee is accustomed almost in all thinges But Lactantius Firmian above all the rest holding the same opinion doth mocke the Peripatetickes and Academickes which give the heaven a round forme placing the earth in the middest thereof for that it seemeth ridiculous vnto him that the earth should hang in the ayre as is before sayde By which his opinion hee is conformable vnto Epicurus who holdeth that on the other part of the earth there is nothing but a Chaos and infinite gulph And it seemeth that S. Ierome draweth neere to this opinion writing vpon the Epistle to the Ephesians in these wordes The naturall Philosopher by his contemplation pierceth to the height of heaven and on the other part he findeth a great vast in the depth and bowels of the earth Some likewise say that Procopius affirmes the which I have not seene vpon the booke of Genesis that the opinion of Aristotle touching the forme and
build so huge a couer as the heaven is then to vnfould a double skin Or else the Psalmist pretending to shew vs the great maiesty of God to whome the heaven with his greatnes and beautie doth serve in like manner as our tents and pavilions in the field The which was well expressed by a Poet calling it The Tent of the cleere heaven In like sort the place of Isaii which sayeth Heaven serves mee as a chaire and the earth for a foote-stoole But if wee follow the error of the Antromorphites which did atribute corporall members vnto God according to his divinitie we should haue occasion vppon this last text to examine how it were possible the earth should be a foote-stoole to Gods feete and how the same God could hold his feete of the one part and the other and many heads round about seeing that hee is in all partes of the world which were a vaine and ridiculous thing Wee must therefore conclude that in the holy scriptures we ought not to follow the letter which killes but the spirit which quickneth as saith S. Paul Of the fashion and forme of Heaven at the new-found world CHAP. 5. MAny in Europe demaund of what forme and fashion Heaven is in the Southerne parts for that there is no certaintie found in ancient bookes who although they graunt there is a Heaven on this other part of the world yet come they not to any knowledge of the forme thereof although in trueth they make mention of a goodly great Starre seene in those partes which they call Canopus Those which of late dayes have sayled into these parts have accustomed to write strange things of this heaven that it is very bright having many goodly starres and in effect thinges which come farre are commonly described with encrease But it seemes contrary vnto me holding it for certaine that in our Region of the North there is a greater nomber and bigger Starres finding no starres in these partes which exceed the Fisher or the Chariot in bignesse It is true that the Crosse in these partes is very fayre and pleasing to behold wee call the Crosse foure notable and apparant starres which make the forme of a crosse set equally and with proportion The ignorant suppose this Crosse to be the southerne Pole for that they see the Navigators take their heigth thereby as we are accustomed to doe by the North starre But they are deceyved and the reason why Saylers doe it in this â—orte is for that in the South parts there is no fixed starre that markes the Pole as the North starre doth to our Pole And therefore they take their heigth by the starre at the foot of the Crosse distant from the true and fixed Pole Antarticke thirtie degrees as the North starre is distant from the Pole Articke three degrees or little more And so it is more difficult to take the heigth in those parts for that the sayd starre at the foote of the Crosse must bee right the which chanceth but in one houre of the night which is in divers seasons of the yeere in divers houres and often times it appeareth not in the whole night so as it is very difficult to take the heigth And therefore the most expert Pilots regard not the Crosse taking the heigth of the Sunne by the Astrolabe by which they know in what height they are wherein commonly the Portugals are more expert as a Nation that hath more discourse in the Arte of Navigation then any other There are also other starres in these southerne parts which in some sort resemble those of the North. That which they call the Milken way is larger and more resplendent in the south parts appearing therein those admirable blacke spots whereof wee have made mention As for other particularities let others speake of them with greater curiositle and let this which wee have sayde suffice for this time That there is Land and Seavader the two Poles CHAP. 6. IIt is no smal labour to have vnfolded this doubt with this knowledge and resolution that there is a Heaven in these parts of the Indies which doth cover them as in Europe Asia and Aâ—â—riâ—ke And this point serveth often against many Spaniards who beeing here sigh for Spaine having no discourse but of their countrie They wonder yea they grow discontented with vs imagining that we have forgotten make small accompt of our native soyle To whom we answere that the desire to returne into Spaine doth nothing trouble vs being as neere vnto Heaven at Peru as in Spaine as saint Ierome saith well writing vnto Paulinus That the gates of Heaven are as neere vnto Brittanie as to Ierusalem But although the Heaven doth compasse in the world of all paâ—ts yet must we not imagine that there is land necessarily on all parts of the world For being so that the two elements of earth and water make one globe or bowle according to the opinion of the most renowmed ancient Authors as Plutarch testifieth and as it is prooved by most certaine demonstrations wee may coniecture that the sea doth occupie all this part which is vnder the Antartike or southerne Pole so as there should not remaine any place in these partes for the earth the which saint Augustine doth very learnedly hold against them that maintaine the Antipodes saying that although it bee prooved and wee beleeve that the worlde is round like to a bowle wee may not therefore inferre that in this other part of the worlde the earth is vncovered and without water Without doubt saint Augustine speakes well vpon this point and as the contrary is not prooved so doth it not follow that there is any land discovered at the Antarticke Pole The which experience hath now plainely taught vs for although the greatest part of the worlde vnder the Pole Antarticke be sea yet is it not altogether but there is likewise land so as in all parts of the world the earth and water imbrace one another which truely is a thing to make vs admire and glorifie the Arte of the soveraigne Creator We know then by the holy Scripture that in the beginning of the worlde the waters were gathered together in one place so as the earth remayned vncovered Moreover the same holy Writte doth teach vs that these gatherings together of the water were called Sea and as there be many so of necessitie there must be many Seas And this diversitie of seas is not onely in the Mediterranean Sea whereas one is called Euxiâ—e another the Caspian an other the Erethean or redde Sea an other the Persian an other of Italie and so many others But also in the great Ocean which the holy Scripture doth vsually call a gulph although really and in trueth it be but a Sea yet in many and divers manners as in respect of Peru and all America the one is called the North Sea the other the South and at the East Indies the one is called
the Indian sea the other that of China And I have observed as well by my owne navigation as by the relation of others that the Sea is never divided from the Lande above a thousand Leagues And although the great Ocean stretcheth farre yet doth it never passe this measure I will not for all this affirme that wee sayle not above a thousand leagues in the Ocean which were repugnant to trueth being well knowne that the shippes of Portugal have sailed foure times as much and more and that the whole world may bee compassed about by sea as wee have seene in these dayes without any further doubt But I say and affirme that of that which is at this day discovered there is no land distant from an other firme land by direct line or from some Islands neere vnto it above a thousand leagues and so betwixt two firme lands there is no greater distance of sea accompting from the neerest parts of both the lands for from the end of Europe or Affricke and their coastes to the Canaries the Isles of Acores Cape Verd and others in the like degree are not above three hundred leagues or five hundred from the Mayne land From the saide Ilands running along to the West Indies there are scant nine hundred leagues to the Ilands of saint Dominick the Virgins the Happy Ilandes and the rest and the same Ilands runne along in order to the Ilandes of Barlovent which are Cuba Hispanâ—ola and Boriquen from the same Ilands vnto the Mayne land are scarce two or three hundred leagues in the neerest part farre lesse The firme land runnes an infinite space from Terraâ—Florida to the land of Patagons and on the other side of the South from the Straight of Maggellan to the Cape of Mendoce there runnes a long Continent but not very large for the largest is the Travers of Peru which is distant from Brasil about a thousand leagues In this South Sea although they have not yet discovered the ende towards the West yet of late they have found out the Ilands which they call Salomon the which are many and great distant from Peru about eyght hundred leagues And for that wee finde by observation that whereas there bee many and great Ilandes so there is some firme Land not farre off I my selfe with many others doe beleeve that there is some firme land neere vnto the Ilands of Salomon the which doth answere vnto our America on the West part and possibly might runne by the heigth of the South to the Straightes of Maggellan Some hold that Nova Guinea is firme Land and some learned men describe it neere to the Ilands of Salomon so as it is likely a good parte of the world is not yet discovered seeing at this day our men sayle in the South Sea vnto China and the Philippines and wee say that to go from Peru to those parts they passe a greater Sea then in going from Spaine to Peru. Moreover wee know that by that famous Straight of Maggellan these two Seas doe ioyne and continue one with an other I say the South sea with that of the North by that part of the Antarticke Pole which is in fiftie one degrees of altitude But it is a great question wherein many have busied themselvesâ— whether these two Seas ioyne together in the North part but I have not heard that any vnto this day could attayne vnto this point but by certaine likelihoods and coniectures some affirme there is an other Straight vnder the North opposite to that of Maggellan But it sufficeth for our subiect to knowe that there is a firme Land on this Southerne part as bigge as all Europe Asiae and Affricke that vnder both the Poles we finde both land and sea one imbracing an other Whereof the Ancients might stand in doubt and contradict it for want of experience To confute the opinion of Lactantius who holdes there be no Antipodes CHAP. 7. SEeing it is manifest that there is firme land vpon the South part or Pole Antartike wee must now see if it be inhabited the which hath bene a matter very disputable in former times Lactantius Firmian and S. Augustine mocke at such as hold there be any Antipodes which is as much to say as men marching with their feete opposite to ours But although these two authors agree in theis ieasts yet doe they differ much in their reasons and opinions as they were of very divers spirits and iudgements Lactantius followes the vulgar seeming ridiculous vnto him that the heaven should be round and that the earth should bee compassed in the midst thereof like vnto a ball whereof he writes in these tearmes What reason is there for some to affirme that there are Antipodes whose steppes are opposite to ours Is it possible that any should bee so grosse and simple as to beleeve there were a people or nation marching with their feâ—te vpwardes and their heades downwardes and that thinges which are placed heere of one sort are in that other part hanging topsie turvie that trees and corne growe downwardes and that raine snow haile fall from the earth vpward Then after some other discourse the same Lactantius vseth these words The imagination and conceit which some haue had supposing the heaven to be round hath bene the cause to invent these Antipodes hanging in the aire So as I knowe not what to say of such Philosophers whoe having once erred continue still obstinately in their opinions defending one another But whatsoever he saieth wee that live now at Peru and inhabite that part of the world which is oposite to Asia and their Antipodes as the Cosmographers do teach vs finde not our selves to bee hanging in the aire our heades downward and our feete on high Truly it is strange to consider that the spirit and vnderstanding of man cannot attaine vnto the trueth without the vse of imagination and on the other part it were impossible but he should erre and be deceived if hee should wholy forbeare it We cannot comprehend the heaven to be round as it is and the earth to bee in the middest of it without imagination But if this imagination were not controuled and reformed by reason in the end we should bee deceiued whereby we may certainely conclude that in our soules there is a certaine light of heaven whereby wee see and iudge of the interior formes which present themselves vnto vs and by the same we alow of or reiect that which imagination doth offer vnto vs. Hereby we see that the rationall soule is above all corporall powers and as the force and etenall vigour of truth doth rule in the most eminent part of man yea we plainely see that this pure light is participant and proceedes from that first great light that whoso knoweth not this or doubteth thereof we may well say that he is igmorant or doubtes whether he be a man or no. So if we shall demaund of our imagination what it thinkes of the roundnes of
gems and gold Wash in the Rhine and Elbe likewise Seneca did coniecture this by the great courage of men as that which shall happen last saying It shall fall out in the latter age c. as hath bin before mentioned Of the opinion which Plato held of the West Indies CHAP. 12. IF any one hath treated more particularly of the west Indies the honor belongs to Plato who in his time faith thus In those dayes they could not sayle this Gulph meaning the Atlantike Sea which is the Ocean which meetes at the Straight of Gibraltar for that the passage was stopt at the mouth of the pillars of Hercules which is the same Straight of Gibraltar and this Iland was in those dayes ioyned to the foresaid mouth and was of that bignesse as it exceeded all Asia and Affricke together and then was there a passage to goe from these Ilands to others and from those others Ilandes they went to the firme Land the which was neere invironed with the very Sea This is reported by Critias in Plato And such as beleeve that this narration of Plato is a true Historie delivered in these termes say that this great Atlanticke Iland the which did exceed both Affricke and Asia in greatnesse did then comprehend the greatest part of the Ocean called Atlantike which the Spaniards nowe sayle in and that those other Ilands which he sayde were neere vnto this great one are those which wee now call the Ilands of Barlovante that is Cuba Hispaniola S. Iohn de Port ricco Iamaica and other Ilands of that Countrie and that the maine Land whereof hee maketh mention is the same wee now call firme Land that is Peru and America and that Sea which he sayth is adioyning to the firme Land is the South sea the which he calleth the very Sea for that in comparison of her greatnesse all other Seas both Mediterranean yea and the Atlantike Sea are small in regard thereof Hereby in trueth they give a cunning and wittie interpretation to these words of Plato But whether this interpretation should be held for true or not I am resolved to declare in an other place That some have held opinion that in places of holy Scripture whereas they speake of Ophir is to be vnderstood of our Peru. CHAP. 13. SOme hold opinion that mention is made of the West Indies in the holy scripture taking the region of Peru for that Ophir which so famous Robert Steevens or to say more truely Francis Vatable a man well seene in the Hebrew tong as I have heard our master report who was his disciple saith in his annotations vpon the 9. chapter of the 3. booke of Kingsâ— that the Iland of Hispaniola which Christopher Colombus found out was that of Ophir from whence Solomon caused to bee brought foure hundred and twentie or foure hundred and 50. talents of most fine and pure golde for that the golde of Cibao which our men bring from Hispaniola is of the same fashion and qualitie And there are many others which affirme that our Peru is Ophir deriving one name from another who beleeve that when as the booke of Paralipomenon was written they called it Peru grounding it vpon that which the holy scripture saith that they brought from Ophir pure gold precious stones and wood which was rare and goodly which things abound in Peru as they say But in my opinion it is farre from the truth that Peru should be Ophir so famous in the Bible For although in this Peru there be good store of gold yet is there not such aboundance as it may be equalled with the fame of the riches that was in auncient time at the East Indies I finde not that in Peru there are such precious stones or such exquisite woods as the like have not bend seene at Ierusalem For although there be exquisite Emeralds and some hard trees of Aromaticall wood yet do I not finde any thing ofso great commendation as the scripture giueth vnto Ophir Moreover it seemes not likely that Solomon would leave the East Indies most rich and plentifull to send his fleetes to this farther land whether if they had come so often as it is written we had surely found more signes and testimonies thereof Moreover the Etimologie of the name of Ophir and the change or reduction thereof to Peru seemes to me of small consideration being most certaine that the name of Peru is not very auncient nor common to all that countrie It hath beene vsuall in the discoverie of the new world to give names to lands and portes of the sea according to the occasions presented at their ariuall and I beleeve that the name of Peru hath bene so found out and put in practise for we find heere that the name hath bene given to all the countrie of Peru by reason of a river so called by the inhbitants of the countrie where the Spaniards arived vpon their first discoverie Whereby we maintaine that the Indians themselves bee ignorant and do not vse this name and appellation to signifie their land It seemeth moreover the same Authors will say that Sepher spoken of in the scripture is that which we now call Andes which are most high mountaines in Peru. But this resemblance of names and appellations is no sufficient proofe If that were of force we might as well say that Iectan is Iecsan mentioned in the holy scripture Neither may we say that the names of Titus and Paul which the Kings Inguas of Peru do vse come from the Romans or Christians seeing it is too weake an argument to draw a conclusion of great matters We see plainely that it is contrarie to the intention of the holy scriptures which some have written that Tharsis and Ophir were one and the same Province conferring the 22 chapter of the 4. booke of the Kings with the 20. chapter of the second booke of Paralipomenon for that in the booke of the Kings it is said that Iosaphat prepared a fleete of shippes in Asiongaber to fetch golde at Ophir and in Paralipomenon it is written that the same fleete was furnished to go vnto Tharsis Whereby it may be supposed that in these fore-said bookes where the scripture speakes of Tharsis and Ophir that it meanes one thing Some one may demaund what region or Province that Ophir was whether Solomons fleete went with the Mariners of Hyram King of Tyre and Sidon to fetch hold And whether King Iosaphats fleete pretending to go did suffer shipwracke and perish in Asiongaber as the holy scripture doth testifie In this I do willingly agree with the opinion of Ioseph in his books of Antiquities where he saith that it is a Province of the East Indies the which was found by that Ophir the sonne of Iectan wherâ—of mention is made in the 10. of Genessis and that Province did abound with most fine gold Thereof it comes they did so much extol the gold of Ophir or of Ophas or as some wil
say this word of Obrise is thesame with Ophrise for finding there seven sortes or kindes of gold as S. Ierome reportes that of Ophir was held for the most fine as heere we esteeme the gold of Valdivia and Caramaya The chiefest reason which moves me to thinke that Ophir is at the East Indies and not in the West is for that Solomons fleete could not come hither without passing the East Indies all China and a great part of the sea being vnlikely they would passe over all the world to come thither for gold that continent especially lying in that sort as they could not come to the knowledge thereof by any voiage by land And hereafter we wil shew that the Ancients had never knowledge in thearte of Navigation without the which they could not runne so farre into the sea Finally in these matters when as there appeares no certaine proofes but onely light coniectures wee are not bound to beleeve but what we shall thinke good What Tharsis and Ophir signifie in the holy Scripture CHAP. 14. IF every mans coniecture and opinion may be allowed for my part I hold that in the holy scripture these words of Tharsis and Ophir most commonly do not signifie any certaine place but it is a word and signification generall to the Hebrewes as in our vulgar tongue this word of Indies is generall vnto vs in our vsuall maner ofspeech for wee meane by the Indies those rich countries which are farre off and strange vnto vs. So we Spaniards do indifferently call Indies the countries of Peru Mexico China Malaca and Bresil and from what parts soever of these any letters come wee say they bee from the Indies which countries be farre distant and different one from another Yet we cannot denie but that name of Indies is properly to be vnderstood of the East Indies And for that in olde time they did speake of these Indies as of a countrie farre off so likewise in the discoverie of other remote lands they have given them the names of Indies being distant from the rest and held as the end of the world Even so in my iudgement Tharsis in the holy scripture doth not signifie any certaine and determined place but onely regions a farre off and according to the vulgar opinion very rich and strange for that which Iosephus and some others would affirme that Tharsis is Tarso according to the meaning of the scripture in my opinion hath bene well refuted by S. Ierome not onely for that these wordes are written with divers letters the one with an aspiration the other without but also that many things are written of Tharsis which cannot agree with Tarso a Citie in Cilicia It is true that in some places of the scripture Tharsis is said to be in Cilicia the which you shall find in the booke of Iudith speaking of Holophernes who having passed the limits of Assyria he came to the great mountaines of Ange which perchance is Taurus which hilles be on the left hand of Cilicia and that he entred into all the Castells where he assembled all his forces having destroyed that famous Citie of Melothi he ruined all the children of Tharsis and of Israell which were ioyning vnto the desart and those which were in the South towards the land of Cellon and from thence passed Euphrates but as I have saide that which is so written of Tharsis cannot be applied to the Citie of Tharso Theodoret and some others following the interpretation of the 70. in some places they set Tharsis in Affrike saying it was the same Citie which was aunciently called Carthage and is now the kingdome of Thunis and they say that Ionas ment to go thether when as the scripture reports that hefled from the Lord into Tharsis Others pretend that Tharsis is a certaine countrie of the Indies wherevnto it seemes that S. Ierome is inclined I will not now decide these opinions but I holde that in this case the scripture doth not alwaies signifie one region or certaine part of the world It is true that the wise men or Kings that came to worshippe Christ were of the East and the scripture saith they were of Saba Epha and Madiem And some learned men holde that they were of Ethiopia Arabia and Persia and yet the Psalmist and the Church sings of them The Kings of Tharsis shall bring presents Wee agree then with S. Ierome that Tharsis is a word that hath many and divers significations in the scripture Sometimes it signifies the Crisolite or Iacinth stone sometimes a certaine region of the Indies sometimes the sea which is of the colour of a Iacinth by the reverberation of the sunne But the same Doctor doth with reason deny that Tharsis is any region of the Indies whether Ionas would fly seeing that parting from Ioppa it had beene impossible to saile vnto the Indies by that sea for that Ioppa which at this day wee call Iaffe is no port of the red Sea ioyning to the East Indian Sea but of the Mediterranean Sea which hath no issue into the Indian Whereby it doeth plainely appeare that the voyage which Solomons Fleet made parting from Asiongaber whereas the shippes of king Iosaphat were lost went by the redde Sea to Tharsis and Ophir the which is directly testified in the Scripture The which voyage was very different from that which Ionas pretended to Tharsis seeing that Asiongaber is the port of a Cittie of Idumea seated vpon the Straight whereas the red sea ioynes with the great Ocean From this Ophir they brought to Salomon gold silver Elephants teeth Monkies Indian Cocks and their voyage was of three yeeres all which without doubt ought to bee vnderstood of the East Indies which is fruitfull and aboundant of all these thinges as Plinie testifieth and our owne experience doth witnes From our Peru doubtlesse they could not bring any Elephants teeth those beastes beeing vnknowne there but they might well bring gold silver and pleasant monkies Finally the holy Scripture in my opinion doth commonly vnderstand by this word of Tharsis eyther the great Sea or farre and strange Regions So as he supposeth that the prophecies which speake of Tharsis seeing the spirit of prophecie may comprehend all things may often be applied to things of our new world Of the Prophecie of Abdias which some doe interpret to be the Indies CHAP. 15. MAny say and affirme that in the holy Scripture it was foretold long before that this new worlde should be converted to Iesus Christ by the Spanish nation and to this purpose they expound the text of the Prophecie of Abdias which sayth thus At the transmigration of this Oâ—t the children of Israel shall possesse all the the dwellings of the Cananites vnto Sarepte and the transmigration of Ierusalem which is at Bosphorus shall possesse the Citties of the South and they that shall save shall come vp to the hill of Sion to iudge the mount of Esau and the
Indies have discovered and peopled after the same sort as wee do at this day that is by the Arte of Navigation and aide of Pilots the which guide themselves by the heigth and knowledge of the heavens and by their industrie in handling and changing of their sailes according to the season Why might not this well be Must we beleeve that we alone and in this our age have onely the Arte and knowledge to saile through the Ocean Wee see even now that they cut through the Ocean to discover new lands as not long since Alvaro Mendana and his companions did who parting from the Port of Lima came alongâ—t the West to discover the land which lieth Eastward from Perâ— and at the end of three moneths they discovered the Ilands which they call the Ilands of Salomon which are many and very great and by all likelehood they lie adioyning to new Guinnie or else are very neere to some other firme land And even now by commandement from the King and his Counsell they are resolved to prepare a new fleete for these Ilands Seeing it is thus why may we not suppose that the Ancients had the courage and resolution to travell by sea with the same intent to discover the land which they call Anticthoâ— opposite to theirs and that according to the discourse of their Philosophie it should be with an intent not to rest vntill they came in view of the landes they sought Surely there is no repugnancie or contrarietie in that which wee see happen at this day and that of former ages seeing that the holy scripture doth witâ—es that Solomon tooke Masters and Pilots from Tyre and Sidon men very expert in Navigation who by their industry performed this voiage in three yeeres To what end thinke you doth it note the Arte of Mariners and their knowledge with their long voiage of three yeeres but to give vs to vnderstand that Solomons sleete sailed through the great Ocean Many are of this opinion which thinke that S. Augustine had small reason to wonder at the greatnes of the Ocean who might well coniecture that it was not so difficult to saile through considering what hath been spoken of Solomons Navigation But to say the truth I am of a contrary opinion neither can I perswade my selfe that the first Indians came to this new world of purpose by a determined voiage neither will I yeeld that the Ancients had knowledgein the Art of Navigation whereby men at this day passe the Ocean from one part to another where they please the which they performe with an incredible swiftnes and resolution neither do I finde in all Antiquities any markes or testimonies of so notable a thing and of so great importance Besides I finde not that in ancient bookes there is any mention made of the vse of the Adamant or Loadstone nor of the Compasse to saile by yea I beleeve they had no knowledge thereof And if we take away the knowledge of the compasse to saile by we shall easily iudge how impossible it was for them to passe the great Ocean Such as haue any knowledge of the sea vnderstand me well for that it is as easie to beleeve that a Mariner in full sea can direct his course where hee please without a compasse as for a blinde man to shew with his finger any thing be it neere or farre off And it is strange that the Ancients have bene so long ignorant of this excellent propertie of the Adamant stone for Plinie who was so curious in naturall causes writing of this Adamant stone speakes nothing of that vertue and propertie it hath alwaies to turne the iron which it toucheth towards the North the which is the most admirable vertue it hath Aristotle Theophrastes Dioscorides Lucretius nor any other Writers or naturall Philosophers that I have seene make any mention thereof although they treate of the Adamant stone Saint Augustine writing many and sundry properties and excellencies of the Adamant stone in his bookes of the Citie of God speakes nothing thereof And without doubt all the excellencies spoken of this stone are nothing in respect of this strange propertie looking alwaies towards the North which is a great wonder of nature There is yet another argument for Plinic treating of the first inventers of Navigation and naming all the instruments yet he speakes nothing of the compasse to saâ—e by nor of the Adamant stone I say onely that the art to know the starres was invented by the Phaeniciens And there is no doubt but whatsoever the Ancients knew of the Art of Navigation was onely in regard of the starres and observing the Shoares Capes and differences of landes And if they had once lost the sight of land they knew not which way to direct their course but by the Stars Sunne and Moone and that sailing as it doth often in a darke and cloudie season they did governe themselves by the qualitie of the winds and by coniecture of the waies which they had passed Finally they went as they were guided by their owne motions As at the Indies the Indians saile a long way by sea guided only by their owne industrie naturall instinct And it serues greatly to purpose that which Plinie writes of the Ilanders of Taprobana which at this day we call Sumatra speaking in this sort when as he treates of the art and industrie they vse in sailing Those of Taprobana see not the North to saile by which defect they supply with certaine small birdes they carrie with them the which they often let flie and as those birdes by a naturall instinct flie alwaies towards the land so the Mariners direct their course after them Who doubtes then if they had had any knowledge of the compasse they would not have vsed these little birdes for their guides to discover the Land To conclude this sufficeth to shew that the Ancients had no knowledge of the secrets of the Loadstone seeing that for so notable a thing there is no proper word in Latine Greeke or Hebrew for a thing of such importance could not have wanted a name in these tongues if they had knowne it Wherevpon the Pilots at this day to direct him his course that holds the helme sit aloft in the poope of the Shippe the better to obserue the compasse where as in olde time they sat in the prow of the Shippe to marke the differences of lands and seas from which place they commaunded the Helme as they vse at this day at the entrie or going out of any Port or haven and therefore the Greekes called Pilots Proritaes for that they remained still in the prow Of the properties and admirable vertue of the Adamant stone for Navigation whereof the Ancients had no knowledge CHAP. 17. BY that which hath been formerly spoken it appeares that the Navigation to the Indies is as certaine and as short as wee are assured of the Adamant stone And at this day we see many that
sayled in three yeeres is no sufficient proofe seeing the holy Scripture doth not directly affirme that this voyage continued three yeeres but that it was made once in three yeeres And although wee graunt that the voyage lasted three yeeres it might bee as it is likely that this Fleet sayling towards the East Indies was stayed in their course by the diversitie of Ports and Regions which they discovered as at this day in all the South Sea they sayle from Chile to newe Spaine the which voyage although it bee more certaine yet is it longer by reason of the turnings they are forced to make vpon the Coast and they stay in divers Portes And in trueth I doe not finde in ancient bookes that they have lanched farre into the Ocean neyther can I beleeve that this their sayling was otherwise then they vse at this day in the Mediterranean Sea which makes learned men to coniecture that in old time they did not sayle without Owers for that they went alwayes coasting along the shoare and it seemes the holy Scripture doth testifie as much speaking of that famous voyage of the Prophet Ionas where it sayes that the Marriners being forced by the weather rowed to land That we may coniecture how the first Inhabitants of the Indies came thither by force of weather and not willingly CHAP. 19. HAving shewed that there is no reason to beleeve that the first Inhabitants of the Indies came thither purposely it followeth then that if they came by Sea it was by chance or by force of weather the which is not incredible notwithstanding the vastnesse of the Ocean seeing the like hath happened in our time when as that Marriner whose name we are yet ignorant of to the end so great a worke and of such importance should not be attributed to any other Author then to God having through tempest discovered this new world left for payment of his lodging where he had received it to Christopher Columbus the knowledge of so great a secret Even so it might chance that some of Europe or Affricke in times past have bin driven by soule weather and cast vpon vnknowne lands beyond the Ocean Who knoweth not that most or the greatest part of the Regions in this newe world were discovered by this meanes the which we must rather attribute to the violence of the weather then to the spirit and industrie of those which have discovered And to the end we may know that it is not in our time onely that they have vndertaken such voiages through the greatnesse of our shippes and the valour and courage of our men we may reade in Plinie that many of the Ancients have made the like voyages he writes in this manner It is reported that Caius Caesar sonne to Augustus Caesar having charge vpon the Arabian Sea did there see and finde certaine pieces and remainders of Spanish shippes that had perished And after he saith Nepos reportes of the Northerne circuite that they brought to Quintus Metellus Caeler companion in the Consulship to Caius Affranius the same Metellus being then Proconsull in Gaule certaine Indians which had beene presented by the King of Sueden thâ— which Indians sailing from India for their trafficke were cast vpon Germanie by force of tempest Doubtles if Plinie speaketh truth the Portugales in these daies saile no further then they did in those two shipwrackes the one from Spaine to the red Sea the other from the East Indies to Germanie The same Author writes in another place that a servant of Annius Plocanius who farmed the customes of the red Sea sailing the course of Arabia there came so furious a Northerne wind that in fifteene daies he passed Caramania and discovered Hippares a port in Taprobane which at this day we call Sumatra And they report of a shippe of Carthage which was driven out of the Mediterranean Sea by a Northerne wind to the view of this new world The which is no strange thing to such as have any knowledge of the sea to know that sometimes a storme continues long furious without any intermission I my selfe going to the Indies parting from the Canaries have in fifteene daies discovered the first land peopled by the Spaniards And without doubt this voiage had been shorter if the Mariners had set vp all their sailes to the Northerne winds that blew It seemes therefore likely to me that in times past men came to the Indies against their wills driven by the furie of the winds In Peru they make great mention of certaine Giants which have been in those parts whose bones are yet seene at Manta and Port Viâ—il of a huge greatnes and by their proportion they should be thrice as big as the Indians At this day they report that the Giants came by sea to make warre with those of the Countrie and that they made goodly buildings whereof at this day they shew a well built with stones of great price They say moreover that these men committing abhominable sinnes especially against nature were consumed by fire from heaven In like fort the Indians report of Yâ—a and Arica that in old time they were wont to saile farre to the Ilands of the West and made their voiages in Seales skinnes blowne vp So as there wants no witnesses to prove that they sailed in the South sea before the Spaniards came thither Thus we may well coniecture that the new world began to be inhabited by men that have been cast vpon that coast by the violence of the Northerne winds as wee have seene in our age So it is being a matter verie considerable that the workes of nature of greatest importance for the most part have been found out accidentally and not by the industrie and diligence of man The greatest part of phisicall hearbes of Stones Plants Mettalls Perle gold Adamant Amber Diamont and the most part of such like things with their properties and vertues have rather come to the knowledge of man by chance then by art or industrie to the end wee may know that the glorie praise of such wonders should be attributed to the providence of the Creator and not to mans vnderstanding for that which we thinke to happen accidently proceedes alwaies from the ordinance and disposition of God who does all things with reason Notwithstanding all that hath bene said it is more likely that the first inhabitants of the Indies came by land CHAP. 20. I Conclude then that it is likely the first that came to the Indies was by shipwracke and tempest of wether but heerevpon groweth a difficultie which troubleth me much For suppose wee grant that the first men came from farre Countries and that the nations which we now see are issued from them and multiplied yet can I not coniecture by what meanes brute beastes whereof there is great aboundance could come there not being likely they should have bin imbarked and carried by sea The reason that inforceth vs to yeeld that the first men of the
lands and habitations Some peopling the lands they found and others seeking for newe in time they came to inhabite and people the Indies with so many nations people and tongues as we see By what meanes tame Beasts passed to the Indies CHAP. 21. THe signes and arguments which offer themselves to such as are curious to examine the Indians maners and fashions helpe much to maintayne the foresayd opinion for that you shall not finde any inhabiting the Ilands that are farre from the maine Land or from other Ilands as the Bermudes the reason whereof is for that the Ancients did never sayle but alongst the coast and in view of land whereupon it is reported that they have found no great Ships in any part of the Indies capable to passe such Gulphs but onely Balsae Barkes and Canoes which are all lesse then our long boates the which the Indians doe onely vse with the which they could not runne through so great a Passage without apparant danger of ship-wracke and although their shippes had beene sufficient yet had they no knowledge of the Astrolabe or Compasse If then they had beene but eight or tenne dayes at Sea withoutsight of land they must of necessitie loose themselves having no knowledge where they were wee know many Ilandes well peopled with Indians and their vsuall navigations the which was such as they may well performe in Canoes and boats without any Compasse to sayle by Whenas the Indians of Peru which remayne at Tombes did see our first Spanish shippes sayling to Peru and viewed the greatnesse of their sailes being spread and of the bodies of the ships they stoode greatly amazed not beeing able to perswade themselves that they were shippes having never seene any of the like forme and greatnesse they supposed they had beene rockes But seeing them advance and not to sincke they stood transported with amazement vntill that beholding them neerer they discovered men with beards that walked in them whom then they held for some gods or heavenly creatures Whereby it appeares how strange it was to the Indians to have great Ships There is yet an other reason which confirmes vs in the foresayd opinion which is that these beastes which we say are not likely to have been transported by Sea to the Indies remayne onely on the maine Land and not in any Ilands foure dayes iorney from the maine Land I have made this search for proofe thereof for that it seemes to me a point of great importance to confirme me in mine opinion that the confines of the Indies Europe Asia and Affricke have some communication one with another or at the least approch very neere together There are in America and Peru many wilde beastes as Lyons although they be not like in greatnesse fiercenesse nor of the same colour redde to the renowmed Lyons of Affrica There are also many Tygers very cruell and more to the Indians then to the Spaniardes there are likewise Beares but in no great aboundance of Boares and Foxes an infinite number And yet if wee shall seeke for all these kindes of beastes in the Ilands of Cuba Hispaniola Iamaica Marguerita or Dominica you shall not finde any So as in the sayde Ilands although they were very fertile and of a great circuit yet was there not any kind of beastes for service when the Spaniards arrived but at this day there are so great troopes of Horses Oxen Kyne Dogs and Hogges which have multiplied in such abundance as now the Kine have no certaine master but belong to him that shal first kil them be it on the mountaines or on the plaines which the Indians do onely to save their hides whereof they make great traffick without any regard of the flesh to eate it Dogges have so increased as they march by troopes and endammage the cattell no lesse then wolves which is a great inconvenience in these Ilands There wants not onely beastes in these Ilands but also birdes both great and small As for Parrets there are many that flie by flockes but as I have said there are few of any other kinde I have not seene nor heard of any Partriges there as in Peru. Likewise there are few of those beastes which at Peru they call Guancos and Vicunas like to wilde Goates very swifte in whose stomacke they find the Beezars stone which many do greatly value sometimes you shall finde them as bigge as a hens egge yea halfe as bigge againe They have no other kinde of beastes but such as we call Indian sheepe the which besides their wooll and flesh wherewith they clothe and feede themselves do serve them as Asses to beare their burthens They carrie halfe as much as a Moyle and are of small charge to their masters having neede neither of shooes saddle nor oates to live by nor of any furniture for that Nature hath provided them of all these wherein she seemes to have favoured these poore Indians Of all these creatures and of many other sortes whereof I will make mention the maine land at the Indies aboundes But in the Ilands there are not any found but such as the Spaniards have brought It is true that once one of our Friars did see a Tigre in an Iland as hee reported vnto vs vpon the discourse of his peregrination and shipwracke but being demanded how farre it was from the maine land he answered sixe or eight leagues at the most which passage Tigres might easily swimme over We may easily inferre by these arguments and others like that the first Indians went to inhabite the Indies more by land then by sea or if there were any navigation it was neither great nor difficult being an indibitable thing that the one world is continued and ioyned with the other or at the least they approach one neere vnto another in some parts That the linage of the Indies hath not passed by the Atlantike Iland as some do imagine CHAP. 22. SOme following Platoes opinion mentioned before affirme that these men parted from Europe or Affricke to go to that famous and renowmed Atlantike Iland and so passed from one Iland vnto another vntill they came to the maine land of the Indies for that Critias of Plato in his time discourseth in this maner if the Atlantike Iland wereas great as all Asia and Affrike together or greater as Plato saies it should of necessitie containe all the Atlantike Ocean and stretch even vnto the Ilands of the new world And Plato saieth moreover that by a great and strange deluge the Atlantike Iland was drowned and by that meanes the sea was made vnnavigable through the aboundance of banckes rockes and roughnesse of the waves which were yet in his time But in the end the ruines of this drowned Iland weresetled which made this sea navigable This hath been curiously handled and discoursed of by some learned men of good iudgement and yet to speake the truth being well considered they are ridiculous things resembling rather to Ovids tales then a Historie or
the motion of the first motor which is the cause of day and night even so the difference which we see betwixt Winter and Summer proceeds from the neerenesse and distance of the Sunne according to the motion of the said Sunne which is the proper cause To speake trueth then it is Summer whenas the Sunne is neerest and Winter when it is farthest off Both heate and coldnesse and every other temperature growes of necessitie by the neerenesse and distance of the sunne but to raine or not to raine which is humiditie and drought doe not necessarily follow It is therefore easie to iudge besides this vulgar opinion that at Peru the Winter is cleere and without raine and the Summer full of showres and not otherwise as many beleeve that the winter is hotte and the summer cold They fall into the like error vpon the difference they make betwixt the Plaines and the Mountaines of Peru saying that when it is summer vpon the mountaine it is winter in the vallie which is in April Maie Iune Iuly and August for then the aire is very cleere vpon the mountaine without any raine or mistes and at the same season we commonly see fogges in the plaine which they call Guarva which is as it were a very sweet dew wherewith the sunne is covered But winter and summer as it is said are caused by the neerenesse and distance of the sunne Seeing then that throughout all Perâ— both vpon the Mountaines and on the Plaines the sunne approcheth and retyreth in one sort there is no reason to say that when it is summer in one part that it is winter in an other yet is it no mâ—tter of any importance to contend vpon the signification of words Let them terme them as they please and call that summer when it raines not although the heat be greater But that whereunto we must have greatest regard is the trueth of the subiect which is that drought and want of raine is not alwaies greatest when the sunne approcheth neerest as we see in the burning Zone That the burning Zone abounds with waters and pastures against the opinion of Aristotle who holds the contrarie CHAP. 6. BY the former Discourse wee may easily conceive that the burning Zone is not drie but abounding with waters the which is so true as it exceeds all the Regions of the world for store of waters except in some parts where there are sands and desart Countries as wee finde likewise in some other parts of the world As for water from Heaven wee have alreadie shewen that there is great aboundance of raine snow and haile which especially abound in the kingdome of Peru. But as for land-waters as rivers fountaines brookes springs floods and lakes I have not spoken thereof till now yet being an ordinarie thing that the waters below have a correspondencie with them above wee must not imagine that there can bee any want and in trueth there is so great store of springs and fountaines as you shall not finde in any Region or Countrie of the world so many lakes marishes and such store of rivers for the greatest part of America is almost inhabitable through too great aboundance of waters for that the rivers swelled with the great Raines in Summer doe often overflow their banckes with such furie as they breake all they incounter and in many places they cannot passe by reason of the mudde and myre of marishes and vallies for this cause those that live neere to Paraguen whereof wee have made mention foreseeing the rising of the River before it comes put themselves and their goods into Canoes and so preserve themselves and their goods fâ—oating vp and downe almost for the space of three moneths and when the River is returned within her boundes then they goe to their houses still wette and dropping with the â—â—ood And this River is so great as Nile Ganges Euphrates all together cannot equall it But what shall we say of the great river of Magdalaine which falles into the sea betwixt S. Martha and Carthagene and with reason is called the great river Sailing in those parts I was amazed to see her streame which was very cleere runne ten leagues into the sea being in breadth above two leagues not mingling noâ— vanquished with the violent waves of the Ocean But if we shall speake more of rivers that great floud called by some the river of Amazons by others Marannon and by some the river of Orellana which our Spaniards sailed in their discoveries ought to blemish all the rest and in truth I am in doubt whither I may tearme it a river or a sea It flowes from the mountaines of Peru from whence it receiâ—es a great aboundance of water both of raine and of rivers which it gathereth into it then passing by the great plaines of Pautiti Dorado and the Amazons in the end it falles into the Ocean almost right against the â—â—land of Marguerite and Trinidado It hath so large broad a channel specially in the last third part of her length as it contains in it many great â—lands And that which seemes incredible when you saile through the midst of it you shall see nothing but aire and water They say moreover that from the midst you cannot see nor discover with the eye many great and high mountaines which are vpon the bankes by reason of her great bredth We have learned from credible persons the great and wonderfull bredth of this river which in my opinion deserves well the name of Empresse and Queene of all flouds which was by the report of a brother of our company who being then yong sailed it in the company of Peter d'Orsua with whom hee was present at all the adventures of this strange entrie and discoverie and at the seditious and pernitious acts of that wicked Diego d' Aguirra from the which God delivered him to place him in our company Such are the rivers in that region which they call the burning Zone and the drie parcht vp countrie in the which Aristotle and the Ancients affirmed there were neither waters nor pastures But seeing I have made mention of the river of Marannon to shew the abundance of the waters that are in the burning zone it shall not be from the purpose to speake somewhat of that great Lake which they call Titicaca which is in the midst of the Province of Collao There are above ten great rivers which loose themselves entring into that Lake and yet hath it no issue but one small current of water although some hold it to be very deepe and of such a fashion as it is impossible to build a bridge over it for the depth of the water neither can they passe it by boate for the violence of the current They passe it by an artificiall and notable practice peculiar to the Indians with a bridge of straw laied vpon the water the which being of so light a substance sinkes not and yet this passage is very easie and
experience that the course of rivers being turned the welles have beene dried vp vntill they returned to their ordinarie course and they give this reason for a materiall cause of this effect but they have another efficient which is no lesse considerable and that is the great height of the Sierre which comming along the coast shadowes the Lanos so as it suffers no winde to blowe from the land but above the toppes of these mountaines By meanes whereof there raines no winde but that from the Sea which finding no opposite doth not presse nor straine forth the vapors which rise to engender raine so as the shadowe of the mountaines keepes the vapors from thickning and convertes them all into mistes There are some experiences agree with this discourse for that it raines vpon some small hilles along the coast which are least shadowed as the rockes of Atico and Arequipa It hath rained in some yeeres whenas the Northern or easterly windes have blowen yea all the time they have continued as it happened in seventie eight vpon the Lanâ—s of Trugillo where it rained aboundantly the which they had not seene in many ages before Moreover it raines vpon the same coast in places whereas the Easterly or Northerne windes be ordinarie as in Guayaquil and in places whereas the land riseth much and turnes from the shadow of the mountaines as in those that are beyond Ariqua Some discourse in this maner but let every one thinke as he please It is most certaine that comming from the mountaines to the vallies they do vsually see as it were two heavens one cleere and bright above and the other obscure and as it were a graie vaile spread vnderneath which covers all the coast and although it raine not yet this mist is wonderfull profitable to bring forth grasse and to raise vp and nourish the seede for although they have plentie of water which they draw from the Pooles and Lakes yet this moisture from heaven hath such a vertue that ceasing to fal vpon the earth it breedes a great discommoditie and defect of graine and seedes And that which is more worthy of admiration the drie and barren sandes are by this deaw so beautified with grasse and flowers as it is a pleasing and agreeable sight and verie profitable for the feeding of cattell as we see in the mountaine called Sandie neere to the Cittie of Kings Of the propertie of new Spaine of the Ilands and of other Lands CHAP. 22. NEw Spaine passeth all other Provinces in pastures which breedes infinite troopes of horse kine sheepe and other cattell It aboundes in fruite and all kinde of graine To conclude it is a Countrie the best furnished and most accomplished at the Indies Yet Peru doth surpasse it in one thing which is wine for that there growes store and good and they daily multiplie and increase the which doth grow in very hote vallies where there are waterings And although there bee vines in new Spaine yet the grape comes not to his maturitie fit to make wine The reason is for that it raines there in Iulie and August whenas the grape ripens and therefore it comes not to his perfection And if any one through curiositie would take the paines to make wine it should be like to that of Genua and Lombardie which is very small and sharpe having a taste like vnto veriuice The Ilands which they call Barlovente which be Hispaniola Cuba Port Ricco others there abouts are beautified with many greene pastures and abound in cattell as neate and swine which are become wilde The wealth of these Ilands be their sugar-workes and hides There is much Cassia fistula ginger It is a thing incredible to see the multitude of these marchandizes brought in one fleete being in a maner impossible that all Europe should waste so much They likewise bring wood of an excellent qualitie and colour as Ebone others which serve for buildings and Ioyners There is much of that wood which they call Lignum Sanctum or Guage fit to cure the pox All these Ilands and others there abouts which are many have a goodly and pleasant aspect for that throughout the yeere they are beautified with grasse greene trees so as they cannot discerne when it is Autumne or Summer by reason of continuall moisture ioyned to the heate of the burning Zone And although this land be of a great circuite yet are there few dwellings for that of it selfe it engenders great Arcabutos as they call them which be Groves or very thicke Coppeses and on the plaines there are many marishes and bogges They give yet another notable reason why they are so smally peopled for that there have remained few naturall Indians through the inconsideratenesse and disorder of the first Conquerors that peopled it and therefore for the most part they vse Negros but they cost deere being very fit to till the land There growes neither bread nor wine in these Ilands for that the too great fertilitie and the vice of the soile suffers them not to seede but castes all forth in grasse very vneaqually There are no olive trees at the least they beare no olives but manie greene leaves pleasant to the view which beare no fruite The bread they vse is of Cacave whereof we shall heereafter speake There is gold in the riuers of these Ilands which some draw foorth but in small quantitie I was little lesse then a yeere in these ilands and as it hath beene told me of the maine land of the Indies where I have not been as in Florida Nicaraqua Guatimala and others it is in a maner of this temper as I have described yet have I not set downe every particular of Nature in these Provinces of the firme land having no perfect knowledge thereof The Countrie which doth most resemble Spaine and the regions of Europe in all the West Indies is the realme of Chille which is without the generall rule of these other Provinces being seated without the burning Zone and the Tropicke of Capricorne This land of it selfe is coole and fertile and brings forth all kindes of fruites that be in Spaine it yeeldes great aboundance of bread and wine and aboundes in pastures and cattell The aire is wholesome and cleere temperate betwixt heate and cold winter and summer are very distinct and there they finde great store of very fine gold Yet this land is poore and finally peopled by reason of their continuall warre with the Auricanos and their associates being a rough people and friends to libertie Of the vnknowne Land and the diversitie of a whole day betwixt them of the East and the West CHAP. 23. THere are great coniectures that in the temperate Zone at the Antartike Pole there are great and fertile lands but to this day they are not discovered neither do they know any other land in this Zone but that of Chille and some part of that land which runnes from Ethiopia to the Cape of Good Hope as
hath been said in the first booke neither is it knowne if there be any habitations in the other two Zones of the Poles and whether the land continues and stretcheth to that which is towards the Antartike or South Pole Neither do we know the land that lies beyond the straight of Magellan for that the greatest height yet discovered is in fiftie â—ix degrees as hath beene formerly saide and toward the Artike or Northerne Pole it is not knowne how farre the land extendes which runnes beyond the Cape of Mendocin and the Caliphornes nor the bounds and end of Florida neither yet how farre it extendes to the West Of late they have discovered a new land which they call New Mexico where they say is much people that speake the Mexicaine tongue The Philippines and the following Ilands as some report that know it by experience ranne above nine hundred leagues But to intreate of China Cochinchina Syam and other regions which are of the East Indies were contrary to my purpose which is onely to discourse of the West nay they are ignorant of the greatest part of America which lies betwixt Peru and Bresill although the bounds be knowne of all sides wherein there is diversitie of opinions some say it is a drowned land full of Lakes and waterie places Others affirme there are great and florishing kingdomes imagining there be the Paytiti the Dorado and the Caesars where they say are wonderfull things I have heard one of our company say a man worthy of credite that hee had seene great dwellings there and the waies as much beaten as those betwixt Salamanca and Villadillit the which he did see whenas Peter d'Orsua and after those that succeeded him made their entrie and discoverie by the great river of Amazons who beleeving that the Dorado which they sought was farther off cared not to inhabitâ— there and after went both without the Dorado which they could not finde and this great Province which they left To speake the truth the habitations of America are to this day vnknowne except the extreamities which are Peru Bresill and that part where the land beginnes to straighten which is the river of Silver then Tucuman which makes the round to Chille and Charcâ— Of late we have vnderstood by letters from some of ours which go to S. Croix in the Sierre that they go discovering of great Provinces and dwellings betwixt Bresill and Peru. Time will reveile them for as at this day the care and courage of men is great to compasse the world from one part to another so wee may beleeve that as they have discovered that which is now knowne they may likewise lay open that which reâ—â—nes to the end the Gospell may be preached to the whole world seeing the two Crownes of Portugall and Caâ—â—ille have met by the East and West ioyning their discoveries together which in truth is a matter to be observed that the one is come to China and Iappan by the East and the other to the Philippines which are neighbours and almost ioyning vnto China by the West for from the Ilands of Lusson which is the chiefe of the Philippines in the which is the Citie of Mamillâ— vnto Macan which is in the I le of Cauton are but foure score or a hundred leagues and yet we finde it strange that notwithstanding thâ—â— small distance from the one to the other yet according to their accoumpt there is a daies difference betwixt them so as it is Sunday at Macan whenas it is but Saterday at Mamille and so of the rest Those of Macan and of China have one day advanced before the Philippines It happened to father Aloâ—â—â— Sanches of whom mention is made before that parting from the Philippines he arrived at Macan the second day of Maie according to their computation and going to say the Masse of S. Athanasius he found they did celebrate the feast of the invention of the holy Crosse for that they did then reckon the third of Maie The like happened vnto him in another voyage beyond it Some have found this alteration and diversitie strange supposing that the fault proceedes from the one or the other the which is not so but it is a true and well observed computation for according to the difference of waies where they have beene we must necessarily say that when they meete there must bee difference of a day the reason is for that sailing from West to East they alwaies gaine of the day finding the sunne rising sooner and contrariwise those that saile from East to West do alwaies loose of the day for that the Sunne riseth later vnto them and as they approach neerer the East or the West they have the day longer or shorter In Peru which is westward in respect of Spaine they are above sixe houres behinde so as when it is noone in Spaine it is morning at Peru and when it is morning heere it is mid-night there I have made certaine proofe thereof by the computation of Eclipses of the Sunne and Moone Now that the Portugalls have made their navigations from West to East and the Castillans from East to West when they came to ioyne and meete at the Philippines and Macan the one have gained twelve houres and the other hath lost as much so as at one instant and in one time they finde the difference of twentie houres which is a whole day so as necessarily the one are at the third of Maie whenas the others accoumpt but the second and whenas the one doth fast for Easter eve the others eate flesh for the day of the resurrection And if we will imagine that they passe farther turning once againe about the world vsing the same computation when they should returne to ioyne together they should finde by the same accoumpt two daies difference for as I have saide those that go to the Sunne rising accoumpt the day sooner for that the Sunne riseth to them sooner and those that go to the setting accoumpt the day later for that it goes from them later finally the diversitie of the noone tide causeth the divers reckoning of the day And now for as much as those that doe saile from East to West change their noone tide without perceiving it and yet still follow the same computation they did when they parted of necessitie having made the compasse of the worlde they must finde the want of a whole day in their computation Of the Volcans or Vents of fire CHAP. 24. ALthough we finde vents of fire in other places as mount Aetna and Wesuvio which now they call mount Sâ—ma yet is that notable which is found at the Indies Ordinarily these Volcans be rockes or pikes of most high mountaines which raise themselves above the toppes of all other mountaines vpon their toppes they have a plaine and in the midst thereof a pitte or great mouth which discends even vnto the foote thereof a thing verie terrible to beholde Out of these mouthes there issues smoake and sometimes