about seven Leagues from Port St. Thomas as far from Port Royal there is several Ale-Houses and Store-Houses At Liguania the in-side of the Harbour opposite to Port Royal about two Leagues is several Houses some of them very handsom and well Built which place in time is like to become a pretty Town Port Royal is Situate on the extream Point of Land that makes the Harbour It runs about Twelve Miles from the Main off the Land Westernly It has to the South the Sea to the North the Harbour which is the largest safest and most convenient in America This Neck of Land is exceeding narrow and nothing but a loose Sand that has neither Grass Stone Water nor Trees But being so Commodious for Ships that they are Secure all Weathers and can unload a Float at the Merchants Key It is the most Populous place for Trading in the Island and there only Ships enters and are dispatch'd In the Spaniards time there was no Houses the Sea-men of Cromwel's Fleet begun the Town by Building Store-Houses and called it Cogway as we judge corruptly from the Spanish word La aguia Col. Doyly caused it to be laid out as a Town but not very Regularly In Sir Char. Littleton's time it was called Port Royal from the Excellency of the Harbour It now contains above 1500 Houses there is a House though none of the best belonging to the King And in the Earl of Carlile's time a fine New Church Built partly by Liberal Subscription of divers Gentlemen Inhabiting the Island and partly by an Assessment laid upon the Inhabitants of the Port. Going from Port Royal to St. Jago de la Vega People Land at Passage where a Fort was in Col. Doyly's time and there is about Thirty Houses that are Store-Houses Ale-Houses and Horse-keepers and Hackney Coaches this being the greatest Passage in the Island it is two Leagues from Port Royal by Sea and six Miles from St. Jago by Land St. Jago de la Vega is Situated in a large Plain by a River that is called pro de Cabre as having a taste of that Metal or coming out of those Mountains in Liguania where the Spaniards told us they found of it This Town was almost quite Deserted when Sir Tho. Lynch came to the Government but in his time about Forty Houses were Built and Repaired about one Hundred more The Grand Court is holden Quartâ—rly in this Town and a Fair was Erected in Sir Tho. Lynch his time it has one Spanish Church and Gentlemens Houses that made it look well during the time the Governour Lived there but since that time it is much increased in Number of Beautiful Buildings and Inhabitants At Old Harbour about seven Miles West from St. Jago are about Thirty Houses for the Uses and Accommodation of Vessels and Store-Houses for Planters Goods this being esteemed the best Harbour excepting Port Royal in the South side By the Spaniards it was more Frequented At Withy Wood Twenty Miles to the West is about forty or fifty Houses for the Accommodation of Vessels that Road being more frequented than any other on the South side there being good Land many Settlements and a Pleasant Countrey all about it At the Extensive Point of Port Royal was Built a Round Tower by Cromwel's Sea-men in 1656 in 1657 and 1658 Col. Doyly laid the Foundation of a more Regular one which Sir Charles Littleton near Finished in 1664 and Sir Tho. Modyford in his time which was to the Year 1671 quite finished and Mounted in it about 36 Guns Employing the Round Tower only as a Store-House for Ammunition Besides this he Built a Breast-work of stone that run from the Harbour to the Sea about 200 Yards this was to Defend the Town from any surprize by Land as the Castle was to Defend the Mouth of the Harbour It was Named by Sir Charles Littleton Charles Fort in Honour of His Majesty In Sir Tho. Lynch his time was Built a Fort called James Fort Built by Sir Thomas and the Voluntary Contribution of some Gentlemen On the Island Point of the Town to flank the Ships at turning into the Harbour and Batter them when at Anchor in it which the Castle cannot He likewise made a slight Work for that purpose at Prison Point where six Guns were Mounted and at Port Morant four Guns and a Breast-work raised to Defend the Port. Another likewise at Old Harbour which was done in Sir Tho. Lynch his time but many more were added in the time of the Earl of Carlisle The Commodities the Countrey produces are Excellent Sugars Cocoa Cotton Hides Ginger Tobacco Tortoise shell Indico Primento Fustick Brazilletto Lignum Vitae Granadilla Ebony besides some Gums Achot Drugs c. This Island abounds with Cattle and the Islands of Spaniola Portico and Cuba do the like so does many Parts of the Main the first Breed being brought out of Europe for before the Discovery there was none of our Cattel great or small in the West Indies In Jamaica they Multiplyed so exceedingly that when the English took the Island a Cow was not worth above a Piece of Eight and a Horse half as much But the Army destroy'd them so that in the Year 1671 when Sir Tho. Lynch came to the Government a Cow was worth Twelve or Fourteen pounds but by the goodness of the Pasture and the Cattle Sir Thomas Imported from the Spaniards they increased so that in the Year 1675 they were worth but four pounds per Head one with another Besides here is plenty of good sprightly Horses some Mules and Asnegroes abundance of Hogs Goats and Sheep whose Wool is hairy the Flesh not generally so good as in England they breed often but live not well unless about Alligater Ponds Rabbets live well enough but there 's no Hare nor Deer in the Island In this Countrey is Hens Turkeys and Ducks bred better and are better flesh than in England Geese are but rare there 's abundance of Excellent Wild Fowl as Guiny Hens Flemingoes Teale Ducks Curlews with great variety of Pidgeons Turtles Parrots Maces and other Birds whose Flesh is good and Feathers finely coloured There is store of Fish both in the Sea and divers Rivers not much common to England but a King of Lobster Craw-fish Eels Mullers and Spanish Mackrael with abundance of all sorts of Admirable Fish proper to those Seas Tortoise are taken much on this Coast but chiefly at the Island Cay Manos 30 Leagues to the West of this Island whither the Vessels go May June and July to Load of their Flesh that they Pickle in Bulk and take them in that Season when they come on shore to lay their Eggs which they do and cover them with Sand that hatches them and then by instinct they crawl to the Sea where they Live and feed on Weeds that grows in the bottom or floats In many Rivers and Ponds of Jamaica there 's vast Numbers of Crocodiles or Allegators that is an Amphibious Creature and
THE PRESENT STATE OF Jamaica WITH THE LIFE Of the Great Columbus The first Discoverer To which is Added An Exact Account of Sir Hen. Morgan's Voyage to and famous Siege and taking of Panama from the Spaniards LONDON Printed by Fr. Clark for Tho. Malthus at the Sun in the Poultry 1683. TO THE READER I Present thee here with a short view of Jamaica an Island the most flourishing of any this day in the West Indies and tho it has been but a short time in the Hands of the English yet it hath Augmented it self to that vast strength by reason of its great Trade and number of Inhabitants that it is not only capable to Defend it self against any Invasion that may be made upon it but if occasion be to Offend the most Potent of its Neighbours a proof of which you will find in Sir Henry Morgans famous Voyage to Panama many years ago the Island being then in its Infancy yet was able to give the Club Law to the proud Spaniards the apprehensions of which strikes Terrour into the Inhabitants of those Parts to this day You will find here an exact State of the Government of the Church the Laws the Militia and its Revenue carefully Collected from the Records of the Country with an Account of its Soyl Climate Woods Mountains Winds and the Diseases that the People are most Incident to the Commodities of the Country Cattel Fowls Fish and other Provisions with an Historical Account of its being taken from the Spaniards Vale. Books lately printed for and sold by Tho. Malthus at the Sun in the Poultry BEntivolio and Vrania in six Books by Nathaniel Ingelo D. D. the fourth Ediâ—ion with large Amendments wherein all â—he obscure Words throughout the Book â—re interpreted in the Margin which makes â—his much more Delightful to read than the â—ormer Editions Mr. James Janewayes Legacy to his â—riends containing twenty seven Famous â—nstances of Gods Providences in and about â—ea-dangers and Deliverances with the Names of several that were Eye Witnesses â—o many of them Catastrophe Mundi or Merlin Revived in Discourse of Prophesies and Predictions â—nd their Remarkable Accomplishments with Mr. Lillies Hieroglyphicks Exactly Out â—nd Notes and Observations thereon as also Collection of all the antient reputed Proâ—hecies that are extant touching the Grand evolutions like to happen in these latter ages Historical Memoirs of the Life and Death â—f that wise and valiant Prince Rupert Prince Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Cumâ—erland c. containing a brief but impartial Account of his Great and Martial Achievements during the time of the Civil Wars together with his several Engagements in the Wars between his Majesty and the States General of the United Provinces An Historical Account of the Heroick Life and Magnanimous Actions of the most Illustrious Protestant Prince James Duke of Monmouth containing an Account oâ— his Birth Education Places and Titles with his Great and Martial Achievementâ— in Flanders and Scotland his Disgrace and Departure both from Court and Kingdomâ— with the most material Circumstances thaâ— have occurred since his Return Psalmorum Davidis Paraphrasis Poeticaâ— Georgii Buchanani Scots Argumentis ac Melodiis explicata atque Illustrata The Romish Mass-Book faithfully translated into English with Notes and Observations thereupon plainly demonstrating the Idolatry and Blasphemy thereof containing 1. The Cautelae or Caveats oâ— the Mass 2. The Canon of the Mass 3 The History of the Mass Shewing when how and by whom it was patched together with a curious Copper Cut prefixed representing the Priest a saying Mass With unanswerable Arguments proving it no Service of God Published at this â—uncture to prevent the Designes of those that are endeavouring to introduce Popery amongst us Dedicated to the Right Reverend Father in God Henry Lord Bishop of London Price bound One Shilling The Famous Voyages of the ever Renowned and Valiant Sir Francis Drake into the West-Indies viz. His great Adventures for Gold and Siver and the gaining thereof with a particular Account of the â—amous Battel of Nombre de Dios. A large Account of that Voyage wherein he encompassed the World His Voyage with Captain Knollis and others their taking the Towns of St. Jago Sancto Domingo Carthagena c. His last Voyage in which he died being accompanied with several valiant Commanders and the manner of his Burial To which is added an Account of his valourous Exploits in 1588. in the Spaâ—ish Invasion Price bound One Shilling A most Learned Treatise entituled Fundamental Law the true Security of Soveraign Dignity and the Peoples Liberty By a Person of Honour Octav. Price one Shiling Six pence Vates Astrologicus or England's Astrological Prophet Foretelling what is likely to befal Great Britain and Ireland particularly the great and famous City of London as also France Holland Spain Germany Poland Italy Sicily Apulia Bohemia Turkie and indeed all Europe but morâ— especially the See of Rome for twenty yearâ— together beginning March 10. 1683. ending March 10. 1702. Likewise Astrologicâ—â— Judgments of the effects of that famous Trâ—ple Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter beinâ— thrice repeated in that Regal Sign Leo thâ— great Dignities of the Sun and Jupiter Alsâ— some Remarks upon the Eclipses and moâ—â— especially upon that great and famous viâ—â—ble Eclipse of the Sun July 2. 1684. Witâ— twenty years Predictions from some of thâ— most eminent mutual Aspects of the Planetâ— and Eclipse of the Luminaries and annuâ— Revolutions of Sun With man Hieroglâ—phicks representing the future State anâ— Changes of the World By Richard Kiâ—by Student in Astrology Price one Shillinâ— The Womens Advocate or Fifteen Reâ— Comforts or Matrimony being in requital 〈◊〉 the late Fifteen Sham-Comforts with Satyrâ—cal Reflections on Whoring and the Dâ—baucheries of this Age Written by a Peâ— of Quality of the Female Sex The Seconâ—â—dition Price One Shilling THE PRESENT STATE OF Jamaica THE Island of Jamaica in America is Situated in about 182 North Latitude in the Sea called Mare Del Nort it lies about 140 Leagues North of the Main Continent of America South from the great Island of Cuba about 15 Leagues and from Hispaniola West about 20 Leagues The Island is of an Oval Form and lies due East and West having a continued Ridge of lofty Mountains running from one end to the other By the Map and Survey which Sir Thomas Lynch took it 's above 150 Miles long and from 25 to 50 Miles broad de plano and contains four Millions and a half of Acres it 's imagined if this Island were divided into eight parts one is Excellent Pasturage called by the Indians Savannas 4 8 good Plantable Land â…œ Barren or unplantable In the Year 1675 when Sir Thomas Lynch left the Government there was above 900000 Acres pass'd and Planted and to Manure and Cultivate it about 30000 of all sorts of People This Island is not generally so Fertile and proper for Sugar as Barbadoes has been the Soyl being extreamly differing for in some parts
Prince and Major John Morris they being in number 300 men the body containing 600 the Right wing was led by the Gen. and the left by Col. Ed. Collier the rear-ward of the 300 was Commanded by Col. Bledry Morgan after having viewed our men and a little encouraged them the G. commanded the Officers every man should repair to his Charge the Enemy being drawn at such advantage they still kept their Station although often provoked yet would not stir from their Ground which we presently perceived and gave order that our men should wheel their bodies to the left and endeavour to gain a Hill that was hard by which if gained we should have forc'd the Enemy to fight to their disadvantage by reason he could not bring out of his great body more men to fight at a time than we could out of our small body and likewise that we should have the advantage both of Wind and Sun The Officers putting this Command in execution and the Hill and a dry Gut accordingly gained the Enemy was forced to fight upon their long March having not room to wheel his Battel by reason of a Bogg that was drawn behind on purpose as he thought to entrap us but we taking another ground in the end proved a snare to himself whereupon one Francisco Detarro gave the Charge with his Horse upon the Vant Guard and so furiously that he came upon the full speed we having no Pikes gave order that they should double their Ranks to the Right and close their Files to the Right and Left inward to their close order but his career could not be stopt till he lost his life in the front Rank of our Vant-Guard upon which the Horse wheel off to the Right and their Foot advanced to try their Fortunes but it proved like their fellows for we being ready with the main Battel to receive them gave them such a warm welcom and pursued so close that every one thought it best to retreat but they were so closely plyed by our left Wing who could not come to Engage at first by reason of the Hill that the Enemies retreat came to plain running Although they did work such a Stratagem that hath been seldom or never heard of that is when the Foot Engaged in the Flank he attempted to drive two Droves of Cattel of 1500 apiece into the Right and Left Angles of the Reer but all came to one effect and helped nothing for their flight to the City where they had 200 fresh men and two Forts one with six Brass Guns the other with eight and the Streets Barricadoed and great Guns in every Street which in all amounted to 32 brass Guns but instead of fighting he commanded the City to be fired and his chief Forts to be blown up the which was in such hast that he blew up forty of his Souldiers in it we followed into the Town where in the Market-place they made some resistance and fired some great Guns killed us four men and wounded five At three of the Clock in the afternoon we had quiet possession of the City although on fire with no more loss on our side in this daies work than five men killed and ten wounded And of the Enemy about 400 where we were all forced to put the fire out of the Enemies Houses but it was in vain for by 12 at night it was all consumed that might be called the City but of the Subburbs there was saved 2 Churches and about 300 Houses thus was consumed that famous and antient City Panama which is the greatest Mart for Silver and Gold in the whole World for it receives all the Goods into it that comes from old Spain in the King 's great Fleet and likewise delivers to the Fleet all the Silver and Gold that comes from the Mines of Peru and Potazi Here in this City we stayed 28 daies making daily Incursions upon the Enemy by Land for 20 Miles round about without having so much as one Gun shot at us in anger although we took in this time near 3000 Prisoners of all sorts and kept likewise Barques in the South Seas crusing and fetching of Prisoners that had fled to the Islands with their Goods and Families Feb. 14. we began our March towards our Ships with all our Prisoners and the next day came to Venta Cruce about 2 in the afternoon which is from Panama five English Leagues where we stayed refreshing our selves till the 24th the 26th we came to Changra where the Plunder was divided amongst the Souldiers and Seamen which amounted to about 30000 l. The sixth of March we fired the Castle spiked the Guns and began our Voyage for Jamaica where some are arrived and the rest daily expected The reason that there was no more Wealth was because they had two Months notice of us and had Embarqued most of their Treasure into Ships and sent them to Lima in Peru one Ship wâ—s laden with Gold Silver and precious Stones that contained 700 Tuns and one of 300 Tuns Jan. 31. 1671. By Command John Peeke Secretary At a Council held at St. Jago the 31 of May 1671. Present His Excellency Sir Tho. Modyford Baronet Governour Lieutenant Col. John Cope Lieutenant Col. Robert Brindlos Lieutenant Col. William Ivy Major Cha. Whitfield Major Antho. Collier Capt. Henry Molesworth Admiral Henry Morgan gave the Governour and Council a Relation of a Voyage to Panama who gave him many thanks for the Execution of his late Commission and approved very well of his acting This is a true Copy of the Record Cha. Atkinson C. C. The Deposition of John Peeke Gentleman aged 30. years or thereabouts taken before the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Linch Knight Governour of Jamaica this 3d day of April 1682. The Deponent saith that he was Secretary to Admiral Henry Morgan all the Panama Voyage and that he wrote all his Letters and saw those that were sent to the said Admiral from Sir Thomas Modyford or any other person in Jamaica that he was present when the two Spaniards Marcus de Cuba and Lucas Perez were sworn on board the Satisfaction and that upon their deposition it was resolved by the Commanders that they would attain Panama and that Sir Thomas Modyford had knowledge of the Design by a Ship that was sent on purpose and that Col. Bledry Morgn Came to the fleet in a Sloop that departed from Jamaica ten days after the arrival of the said Ship and that Sr. Thomas Mudyford in his Letter which he sent by the Sloop gave no Countermand at all And this deponent further saith that this is a true Copy of the Journal which was delivered to the Council the 13 of May for which they gave him thanks and ordered it should be recorded And this deponent further remembers that the Sloop which came to them and brought Sr. Thomas Mudyfords letter in answer to these which were sent upon the advice they gave of their resolutions for Panama arrived three days before we
Inportunate Whispering Murmuring threatning of enraged companions could daunt O name Collon worthy to be named to the Worlds end which to the Worlds end hast conducted Collonies or may I call thee Collumbo for thy Dove-like simplicity and patience the true Collonna or Pillar whereon the knowledge of the new World is founded the true Christopher which with more then Giant-like force and Fortitude hast Carried Christ his name and Religion through unknown Seas to unknown Lands which we hope pray that it may be more Refined than Popish Superstition and Spanish pride will yet suffer Now let the Antients no Longer Mention Neptune Minos Erithras or Danaus to all which Divers authors Diversly Ascribe the Invention of Navigation Missians Tirrians Trojans vail your bonnets strike your Top-sail to this Indian Admiral that deserveth the Top-sail indeed by aspiring to the top that sailing could Aim at in Discovering another World Let Spaniard French England and Dutch Resound thy name or his name rather whose name who can tell Psal 30.4 that would acquaint thee and the World by the news of a new World But lest we drown our selves in this Sea of Extasie and Admiration let us go on shore with Collumbus in this new discover'd Island and first methinks I see the Spaniards yesterday in Mutiny now as far Distracted in Contrary passions some gazing with greedy eyes on the Desired Land some with tears of Joy not able to see that which the Joy of seeing made them not to see Others Embracing and almost adoreing Collumbus who brought them to that sight some also with secret Repining Envying that glory to a stranger but biting in their biting Envy and making shew of Glee and Gladness all new awaked out of a long trance into which that step-mother Ocean with Danger Death Dread Despair had Dejected them Revived now by the sight of their Mother Earth from whom in unknown Arms they had been so long weaned and detained On then they go and felling a tree make Cross thereof which they there Erected and took Possession of that new World in the name of the Catholick King this was done on the 11 of October Anno. 1492 In the Island Guana hani one of the Lucai which Collumbus named San Saluatore from whence he sailed to Baracoe a Haven on the North side of the Island Cuba when he went on Land and asked of the Inhabitants for Cipango Japan they understanding him of Cibao where are the Richest Mines of Hispaniola signed him that it was in Haiti so was the Island then Called and some of them went with him thither Some think Collumbus did run on ground on purpose that he might Leave some behind him What Wordly Joy is not Mix'd with some Disaster after their Admiral here spliteth on a Rock but the men are saved by the help of the other Ships This fell out in the North part of Panicola so named by them where they had sight of Inhabitants who seeing these strangers Ran all away into the Mountains one woman the Spaniards took whom they used Kindly and gave her Meat Drink and Cloathes and so let her go she declaring to her people the Liberalitie of these new comers easily perswaded them to come in troops to their shiping thinking the Spaniards to be some Divine Nation sent thither from Heaven They had before taken them for the Caribbes which are Certain Canibals which use Inhumane Huntings for Humane Game to take men for to eat them Children likewise which they gelded to make them more fat and then to devour them the women they did not eat but used them for Procreation and if they were old for other Services The Islanders had no other Defence against them but the Woody Hills and swiftest Heels to which they betook them at the Spaniards arrival thinking them as 't is said to be Canniballs and such have they since proved in effect not leaving of three Millions of people which here they found so many hundreds and that long-since the Divil had forewarned them of this by Oracle that a bearded Nation should spoil their Images and spill the blood of their Children which was all verified as may be seen by any that has been Conversant in such Tracts as Treats of those parts Collumbus obtained leave of Guacanarillus the Cacick or King to build a fort in which he Left 38 Spaniards and taking with him 6 Indians Returned to Spain where he was highly welcomed by the King and Queen Some Controversie fell out between Collumbus and one of the Pinzons Masters of one of the Caravels about leaving those men behind but Collumbus sent a Letter to Reduce him to peace by the Indians who held the Letter in a most Religious Regard thinking it had some Spirit or Deity by which they could understand one another being absent The Pope then a Spaniard Alexander the 6 hearing of this devided the World by his Bull betwixt the Portugal and Spaniards bearing date the 4 of May 1493. Drawing a Line one hundred Leagues beyond the Island of Azores and Cape verde this Alexander giving more then great Alexander could conquer the East to the one and West to the other The Bull soon after turned into a Unicorn his 2 horns grew into one by the uniting of these two Nations Collumbus Graced with the title of Admiral and Enriched with the tenths of the Spanish Gaines in the Indies is sent a second time with his Brother Barthol who was made Deputy of Hispaniola they had fifteen hundred men the first Island he Espied in his Second Navigation he called Desteada or Desired because he had longed to see Land arriving in Hispaniola he found the Indians had Murther'd these 38 Spaniards which he had left there and lay the blame on the Spanish Insolencies He now built and peopled the town of Isabella which was their chief place of Residence and Government which in the year one thousand four hundred ninety eight was Removed to the City of San. Domingo they built also the fort of S. Thomas But both in the one and the other the Spaniards Died of famine through the Indians wilfulness who unwilling to have such Neighbours would not plant their Maze and Jucca and so starved both themselves and their Guests As for the Pox the Spaniards in this Voyage got it of the Indian women and brought them into Spain and they after paid the Indians in Recompence with a Disease as deadly and Infectious to them which consumed thousands and was never known before amongst them That is the small Pox the other were Improperly named of the French or of Naples seeing that in these wars of Naples which the Spaniards Maintain'd against the French some carryed this Disease with them out of Spain and communicated the same both to the French and Neapollitans having been usual and easily Curable in the Indies Another disease also assaulted them of a little kind of flies called Niguas which would eat into and Breed in the flesh and made many lose their toes Collumbus at this time Discover'd Cuba and Jamaica with the Neighbour Isles Returning to Spaniola he found his Brother and the Spaniards in Dissention and separation and punishing the Authors of sedition Returned home In the year of our Lord 1492 he made his third Voyage and then touched on the Continent Discover'd Cubagua paria and Cumana But Roldanus Ximenius raising a Rebellion and accusing the Collumbi to the King effected that Bovadilla was sent Governor into Spaniola who sent the two Brethren bound as Prisoners to Spain Base ingratitude for the brave attempt of the worthys the King freeth them and Imploy'd Christopher a fourth Voyage Anno 1502. in which Ovandus the Governour forbid Collumbus the first finder to Land on Hispaniola He then discover'd Guanaxa Higvera Fondura Veragua Vraba and learned news of the South Sea He stay'd at Jamaica to Repair his fleet where some of his men were sick and then they which were sound in Body were more then sick froward and tumultuous in Behaviour and many left him upon this occasion the Islanders also forsook him and brought in no victualing herewith Collumbus neither able to abide nor depart was driven to his shifts no less admirable for subtilty then Resolution he told the Islanders that if they did not bring him in provision the Divine anger would consume them a sign thereof they should see in the Darkned face of the Moon 2 Days after at that time he knew the Moon would be Eclipsed which the simple Islanders seeing with fear and Grief humbled themselves to him and offered themselves ready to all kind and dutyful offices At last returning into Spain he there died Anno 1506. his body was buryed at Sevil in the Temple of the Carthusians This was the end if ever there can be an end of Collumbus Pinzenus one of Collumbus his Companions by his Example invited made new Discoveries Vespatius and Cabbet and many other every day making new Searches and Plantations till the World at last is come to the knowledge of this new World almost wholly FINIS