an Ell long and three quarters broad between their Legs so that a square piece hangs behind below his Back and another before over his Belly The Women wear a Coat which comes half way down their Legs so curiously wrought with Sea-shells that one Coat sometimes costs thirty Pounds Moreover their Bodies are cover'd with Deer-skins the lappets or ends of which hang full of Points a large Skin button'd on the right Shoulder and ty'd about the middle serves for an upper Garment and in the Night for a Blanket Both Men and Women go for the most part bare-headed the Women tie their Hair behind in a tuft over which they wear a square Cap wrought with Sea-shells with which they adorn their Foreheads and also wear the same about their Neck and Hands and some also about their middle Before the Hollanders were Planted here they wore Shoes and Stockings of Buffelo's-skins some likewise made Shoes of Wheaten-straw but of late they come nearer to our Fashions The Men Paint their Faces with several Colours the Women only put here and there a black Spot both of them are very reserv'd Their houses Their Houses are most of them built of one fashion onely differing in length all of them agree in breadth of twenty Foot They build after this manner they set Peel'd Boughs of Nut-Trees in the ground according to the bigness of the place which they intend to build then joyning the tops of the Boughs together they cover the Walls and top with the Bark of Cypress Ashen and Chest-nut-Trees which are laid one upon another the smallest side being turn'd inwards according to the bigness of the Houses several Families to the number of fifteen dwell together every one having his Apartment Their Fortifications are most of them built on steep Hills near Rivers the access to them is onely at one place they are built after this manner They set great Poles in the Ground with Oaken Pallisadoes on each side cross-ways one amongst another between the crosses they set other Trees to strengthen the Work Within this inclos'd they generally build twenty or thirty Houses of which some are a hundred and eighty Foot long and some less all of them full of People In the Summer they pitch Tents along by the River side to Fish against Winter they remove into the Woods Romove to be near their Game of Hunting and also Fuel Many Wives To take many Women is not customary here only amongst Military Officers who Marry three or four Wives which so well agree that there is never any difference betwixt them those that are not of Age never Marry but with the consent and advice of their Parents Widows and unmarry'd Men follow their own opinion and choice only they take Cognizance of their Estates and Extraction The Bridegroom always presents the Bride for the least offence the Man after having soundly beaten his Wife turns her out of Doors and Marries another insomuch Marriages that some of them have every year a new Wife On breach of Marriage the Children follow the Mother from whom they account their Generation They account Adultery if committed under the bare Canopy of Heaven a great Sin Whoring is Licenc'd to single Women if they receive Money for it Whoring permitted and no Man scruples to Marry them nay those that are Marry'd boast how many they have enjoy'd before their Marriage She that is inclin'd to Marry Strange Marrying covers her whole body and sets her self wrapt up in the middle of the way where a Batchelor passing by sees her and makes up the Match blindfold When impregnated they take great care that their Fruit receives no hindrance nor prejudice Child-bearing Womens strange actions When the time of their Delivery approaches which they know exactly they go to a Melancholly place in the Woods though in the coldest Weather where they raise up a Hut of Mats and bring the Child into the World without any help or Company wash the Child in cold Water and wrap it up in Mats then a few days after going home they bring up the Infant with great care none putting them out to Nurse So long as a Woman gives suck or is quick with Child she will not admit of Copulation one who hath the Flowers never comes abroad In time of sickness they faithfully assist one another When any die Funerals the nearest Relations shut their Eyes and after having watch'd them some days they are Interr'd after this manner The Corps is plac'd sitting with a Stone under its Head near it they set a Pot Kettle Dish Spoons Money and Provisions to use in the other World then they pile Wood round about it and cover it over with Planks on which throwing Earth and Stones they set Pallisadoes and make the Grave like a House to which they shew Veneration wherefore they account it a great piece of villany to deface any thing of it The Men make no shew of sorrow over the Dead but the Women mourn exceedingly and carry themselves very strangely beating their Breasts scratching their Faces and calling night and day on the name of the Deceas'd The Mothers make great Lamentation at the Death of their Children Mourning over the dead remarkable especially Sons for they shave off the Hair of their Heads which at the Funeral is burnt in the presence of all their Relations which is also perform'd by the Women when their Husbands die besides they black all their Faces and putting on a Hart-skin Shirt mourn a whole year notwithstanding they liv'd very contentiously together On some occasions they go a Worshipping of the Devil Conjurers to a certain place where the Sorcerers shew strange Feats of Activity tumbling over and over beating themselves and hot without great noise leaping in and about a great Fire at last they make a great Cry all together upon which as they say the Devil appears to them in the shape either of a tame or wild Beast the first signifies bad and the other good fortune both inform them of future Events though darkly and if the business fall out contrary they affirm that they have not rightly understood the Devil's meaning Moreover they bewitch some in such a manner that they foam at the Mouth throw themselves into the Fire and beat themselves severely and so soon as they whisper in the Ear of those whom they have bewitch'd they immediately recover their former health Language of the New Netherlanders The Language of this Countrey is very various yet it is divided into onely four principal Tongues as the Manhattans Wappanoo Siavanoo and Minqua's which are very difficult for Strangers to learn because they are spoken without any Grounds or Rules Their Money is made of the innermost Shells of a certain Shell-fish Money cast up twice a year by the Sea These Shells they grind smooth and make a Hole in the middle cutting them of an exact bigness and so put them
largest In this Province is the Rio de lo Spirito Santo The Soyl though it produces Indian Wheat twice a year yet it is never Dung'd but when the Corn which is planted in March and June is in they burn the Weeds the Ashes of which serves them in stead of Soil The King divides the Corn according to every Mans Family In the Winter they dwell four Moneths in the Woods where they build small Huts of Palm-boughs feed on Venison smoak'd Fish and Crocodiles which have pure white Flesh and are caught after this manner Their manner of taking Crocodiles On the Shore of the Rivers they build little Houses full of round Holes in which they place a Watch who is to give notice to ten or twelve Associates cover'd all over with Boughs full of little sharp Prickles which they thrust into the Crocodiles Throat who with open Mouth comes running at them and so throwing him on his Back stick his Belly full of Arrows and kill him with Clubs But with more subtilty and art they take their Deer As also their Deer viz. They hide themselves unde a Stags Skin so cunningly that it seems as if living which they place near the Rivers where the Deer generally come to drink when on a sudden they shoot them Floridans though libidinous yet live long Their Priests serve in stead of Chirurgeons wherefore they always carry a Bag full of Herbs about with them which are chiefly good against venereal Distempers for these People are exceeding libidinous nay Sodomy and defiling of young Children is accounted no sin Yet though they are much inclin'd to Women they attain to a great Age. Rene Laudoniere Landing not far from the City Augustine situate on the Banks of the River May met with the Floridan Governor Saturiona who conducted him to the French King's Court of Arms erected two years before which Saturiona as a testimony of his zeal to the French had Crown'd with Laurel and Flowers Saturiona had with him also his Son Atoreus who had begotten divers Children on his Mother whom his Father after that time no more acknowledging resign'd her up wholly to him At which time also his great Grandfather being then living was above a hundred and fifty years old and saw his Childrens Children to the fifth Generation The Religion in Florida is abominable wicked and cruel Their horrid Religion When they return Conquerors from a Battel the old Women take off the dry'd Hair from the fore-mention'd Poles hold it aloft and thank the Sun for their Victory But the Offerings of their first-born Sons are terrible for they knock out their Brains with a Club in the presence of the King Their annual worshipping of the Sun is also very ridiculous for filling the Skin of a Stag full of sweet-smelling Herbs they hang the Horns and Neck with Garlands and carry it with the noise of their kind of Vocal and Instrumental Musick to a high Trunk or hollow Body of a Tree on which they place the stuff'd Stag with his Head towards the Sun which done they falling down desire that he would please to afford them plenty of all such Fruit as they Offer to him after which taking their leave they let the fore-mention'd Skin remain there till the following Year The Spaniards since their Defeat in the Fort Carolina and their Engagement with Sir Francis Drake Anno 1585. have had little disturbance on Florida Drake's Exploit on Florida Drake having burnt and plunder'd Domingo and Carthagena steer'd along the Coast of Florida and discover'd a Beacon on the same whereupon he sent out Spies who sail'd a League up a River on whose Banks they saw a Fort and somewhat higher the Town Augustine built full of woodden Houses all which being related to him he steer'd thither fir'd his Guns twice against the Fort St. John which the Spaniards answering onely with one Volley fled with their Commander Peter Menendez when the English prepar'd to Storm a Prisoner being a French-man came in a Boat from them to Drake and inform'd him that the Spaniards had left the City Augustine and Fort St. John to which Drake going found there Pallisado's of pleited Boughs cover'd with Earth and a Chest with two thousand Pound for the payment of the Soldiers and fourteen Brass Guns with which he set Sail from thence The Mountains of this Countrey are onely the Apalatei suppos'd by the Natives to have rich Mines of Gold in them and which the Spaniards saw but had not time nor other accommodation to stay and search them by reason they were so much wearied and wasted with a long March before they gat thither and found the People so stout and obstinate thereabouts that in stead of entertaining them with their Hens and Fowl as other places had done they were welcom'd with Blows and made to return leaving not a few of their best Soldiers behind Rivers there are many and those very large and commodious as 1â— Rio Secco or The Dry River so call'd by the Spaniards as some think because they could find no Gold in it 2. Rio Grande or The Great River 3. Ligeris 4. Garunna 5. Sequana c. These last so nam'd by the French who after the Spaniards for some time had but never held any long possession of the Countrey There are also Rio de Flores Rio de Nieves and Rio de Spirito Santo lesser Streams yet all of them with the rest falling at several places into the great Lake of Mexico and some of them not a little haunted by the Caymans or West-Indian Crocodiles a Creature as hath been said before dangerous both at Sea and Land The Natives who as yet hold Possession and Command of it for the most part are themselves generally sorted into certain Tribes or great Families all which are Govern'd severally by Chiefs of their own whom they call Paracoussi and by reason thereof are almost continually in Feud and War one with another The Towns and Places most known in this Province are 1. St. Helens seated on or near unto a Promontory of the same Name where this Countrey bordereth on Virginia 2. Fort Charles or Arx Carolina built and so nam'd by the French King but afterwards ruin'd by the Spaniards 3. Port Royal a well frequented Haven at the Mouth of a River which beareth the same Name More within Land there is 1. Apalache an old Town of the Natives formerly a Place of great resort but now a poor thing of about forty or fifty Cottages and yet as poor as it is Pamphilius Narvaez as before related when he search'd the Countrey found the Natives not willing to part with it for though he took it from them it was not without some resistance and they quickly recover'd it again and at the 2. nam'd Aute another old Town of theirs nine days March from the other they overtook him and fell so resolutely upon him that he left not a few of his best Soldiers dead
from antient times the Arovages did to the Caribbeeans and that in the last Engagement so many valiant Men were slain and afterwards devour'd by them therefore it would be a shame not to take Revenge which being seconded by the Ouboutu put Valor into the Hearts of all that were present Whereupon the following day Messengers were sent to the other Islands to acquaint them with their Intentions that they might prepare their Clubs make sharp and poyson their Arrows String their Bowes prepare Provisions and fit out their Canoos They poyson'd their Arrows with the Juice of Manchenillo's which made the least Wound mortal Their Provisions and Arms they laid up in their Canoos so to preserve their Periaguo's which are Boats that can carry fifty Men if they should chance to over-set which often happen'd though they were soon turn'd up again They went from one Island to another where they not onely stor'd themselves with fresh Provisions but increas'd their Fleet with new Assistants with which approaching the Main they hal'd their Boats ashore in the Evening and driving four Stakes into the Ground under the Trees made fast their Hammocks to the same in which they slept till Mid-night and then fell on their Enemies but if discover'd by them they retreaâ—ed to their Boats and return'd home but if they were not discover'd they fell upon the Huts of the Arovages who resisting they shot Arrows with burning Cotton into them and so setting them on fire forc'd the Arovages to venture a Battel in the open Field where having spent all their Arrows they Engag'd one another with great Clubs with which at one Blow they broke either Arms or Legs or knock'd out their Brains If the Caribbeeans chanc'd to be defeated then those that remain'd of their Party made a lamentable noise howling for those that were kill'd and mix'd their Tears with the Blood of their slain Friends whom not without the greatest danger they fetch'd from amongst their Enemies and carried them aboard of their Boats But returning Victors they were wont to insult over their Prisoners with all the bitter Taunts imaginable and then taking advantage of those sharp Upbraidings which their cruel usage extorted from them to put them to death with most inhumane Tortures and then to Feast themselves upon their mangled Bodies all claiming a Right to their several Prisoners as to so many Beasts appointed to the Slaughter But of late Ages they have contented themselves to dispatch them speedily with their Clubs and so assign them to their Shambles Their Enmity to the Spaniard As the Arovages had been formerly so the Spaniards at length became the Object of the Caribbeeans irreconcilable Hatred insomuch that oft-times being Invaded by them they gave them such rough Entertainment that they were glad to save themselves by flight for the Caribbeeans not regarding their Guns press'd upon them and many times took Vessels richly laden from them till of late years that a Peace hath been concluded between them wherein nevertheless those of the Caribbeeans refuse to be concern'd that inhabit St. Dominico and St. Vincent who cannot to this day forget the cruel Outrages committed by the Spaniards To come to their Marriages Their Marriages they were allow'd as many Wives as they pleas'd to have insomuch that their Governors were in esteem according to the number of their Wives nor were degrees of Consanguinity so regarded but that an Uncle might take his Neece whom he no sooner had carried to his House but the Marriage was finish'd They seldom Divorc'd their Wives after they had bore them Children but otherwise the Man would break the Bond of Matrimony when he pleas'd A young Man that had no Relation might court a Stranger and if her Parents allow'd of it the Match was made One that had behav'd himself valiantly against the Arovages was sure of several good Matches for he was refus'd by none whom he Courted and the abundance of Wives was the greatest testimony of their Valor Each Wife had a peculiar Dwelling so to prevent all Dissentions So soon as one of them was with Child her Husband Lay not with her till after Delivery If any Woman committed Adultery her Husband was permitted to knock out her Brains or rip open her Belly which done he acquainted her Father with the Deed who return'd him thanks for the same Murderers were either burnt or cut in pieces Children were born here with little trouble for the Women were no sooner Deliver'd but they carried the Infant to wash at the next Brook which done they return'd home to their Houshold Labor whilest the Man on the contrary kept his Bed and ate nothing but a piece of Cassava Bread which he hollow'd out in the middle and left the edges till the Feast which was kept at the Naming of the Child Moreover he fed on all manner of Dainties for a whole year after But this Custom was observ'd onely at the Birth of the first Son at which time they scratch'd the Father's Shoulder with a sharp Curry-combe at which if he flinch'd not it was accounted a good Omen of the Child 's future Valor At fifteen days old they made Holes in the Childs Ears Lips and Nostrils through which they put a String for the tying on of what-ever Ornamentals With the like Ceremonies the Child receiv'd a Name taken from his Predecessors Trees Fishes or some remarkable Passages during the Mothers bearing of the Infant in her Womb or of the Father's Lying-in But this Name was chang'd so soon as they went to War or kill'd a Commander of the Arovages whose Name they exchang'd for their own After which the Mothers took special care in bringing them up and at six Moneths the Children were able to run alone When they attain'd to the age of two years they cut off their Hair at a great Feast made for that purpose from which time forward they exercis'd them in Shooting with Bowes and Arrows to which purpose they hung up pieces of Meat for them to shoot at which they must either hit down or Fast Initiation of Soldiers Their Ceremonies to make Soldiers were very strange viz. The Father conducted his Son to the Carbet where he told him the Duties of a Soldier beat him with a Bird of prey call'd Mans-fenis till he had bruis'd the Head of the Bird and scratch'd his whole Body all over with a Curry-combe till the Blood came and then put Lemmon Juice into the Wounds afterwards put him in a Hammock and hung him up for several days without giving him any Meat all which Torments and Trials if he endur'd with patience then he was accounted a good and approved Soldier Of their Priests Few bred up their Children to be Boyez or Priests yet those that were brought up to it abstain'd from certain Food from their Infancy and before they could be receiv'd into the Order of Priesthood they were forc'd to draw Blood from every part of their Bodies
nothing they met with for they murther and destroy all things where e're they come Brasile by whom possess'd at present The several Nations that now possess Brasile besides its native Inhabitants are Portuguese English Hollanders Germans and French which the Brasilians by a general Name call Ajuru-juba otherwise they call all Strangers Caraiba or Pero But from the commixing of several Nations proceeds a fifth sort for one that is born of European Parents in Brasile is call'd Mozombo of an European Father and Brasilian Mother Mameluc of an European Father and a Moor Mulatto of a Brasilian and Moor Curiboca or Cabocles of two Negro's Criolo But above all others the Portuguese are the strongest along the Sea-Coast who when first they began to settle on Brasile found great resistance and had not the Natives been at Wars amongst themselves they could never have got so much footing but now they are sufficiently Masters for they have either slain all the old Inhabitants or driven them up into the Inland however the Brasilians are so valiant that they will Encounter a great Army being brought up in the Wars from their Cradle When they Engage one with another they shoot their Arrows exceeding thick Hooting Hollowing and Leaping from one side to the other to shun the Arrows with a wonderful dexterity The Conquerors spare none but kill all and Feast on the slain Bodies but some they hale away Prisoners with a Rope about their Necks to each of whom they allot a young Maid who cherishes and fattens them up for five Moneths at the end of which they make a great Feast and drink to a pitch beyond Sense or Reason having first fill'd their Bellies with the Flesh of the slain Prisoners roasted If the Woman be got with Child by the Slain they imagine that they can take no greater revenge of their Enemy than to devour the Child as soon as it comes into the World but it often happens that the Woman really loving her Husband the Prisoner runs away with him and so bereaves her Friends of a Banquet SECT II. St. Vincent THe continual Wars which the Portuguese have maintain'd against the Brasilians have hindred them from Setling any where but along the Sea-side where their Residences are divided into thirteen Praefectures or Lordships by them call'd Capitanias the Southermost whereof being 1. St. Vincent Places of note in the Praefecture of St. Vincent hath a City of the same Denomination which lies near a River that coming out of the Ocean runs round in the Countrey and so returns into the Sea 2. Sanctos los Leyes which reckons four hundred Houses and three Sugar-Mills Here great Ships take in their Lading in the middle of the City 3. Hitauhacin the most Southern is inhabited by the Portuguese Twelve Leagues from thence up into the Countrey the Jesuits have built the Village St. Paulo near the Gold-Mines that lie in the Mountains extending from East to West thirty Leagues This Village long since containing eighty Houses is inhabited by Brasilians and a mix'd People the Way thither is troublesom over rough Mountains and Ways overgrown with Brambles On the Island Britioga at a sandy Inlet which makes a good Harbor lies a Fort for defence of the Haven St. Vincent and since the English Anno 1582. sunk a Ship there a second Fort hath been built to prevent the coming in up the River yet notwithstanding Captain Thomas Candish ran by both the Forts and burnt St. Vincent but spar'd Sanctos Before the River which washes St. Vincent appears the Island Sebastian pretty large wooddy and well stor'd with Venison It hath wholsom Water good Herbage and a secure Road for Ships against all Winds Farther into the Sea appears the high and rocky Isles Alcatraces as also Victorio des Busires Porto des Castellanos Monte de Frigo Muella and Queimadas The Nature of the Tupinikinsi Natives of St. Vincent The Natives of St. Vincent which are in League with the Portuguese are call'd Tupinikinsi inhabiting the Mountains which extend above twenty eight Leagues up into the Countrey They maintain continual Wars against the Carioes a civiliz'd People and white of Complexion as also against the Cupin-Imbas on the North and a nameless People bordering on Peru. Moreover the Miramumins a very wild People range all the Countrey over but are much lessen'd since the Portugueses Arrival SECT III. Rio de Janeiro First Discovery and Possesion of Rio de Janeiro THe second Lordship Rio de Janeiro formerly by the French call'd Ganabara was discover'd Anno 1515. by Juan Dias de Solis but the French first Setled themselves here forty years after Dias de Solis for setting Sail from Havre de Grace with three well Mann'd Ships Commanded by Nicholas Durandus Villegagnon they arriv'd at Rio Janeiro in November and at the Entrance into the River which is about half a League broad built a woodden Fort of a hundred Foot long and sixty broad and giving it the Name of the French Admiral Coligni put several Guns into the same to secure the Entrance inclos'd on each side by two steep Mountains In the River which is very broad lie several wooddy Isles on one of which near the Fort Coligni Villegagnon Setling himself suffer'd great Inconveniences for want of Water because he durst not Land on the Main for fear of being surpris'd by the Natives Here he stay'd a year and a half in a deplorable Condition when Philip Corguileray and Du Pont set Sail with three Ships from the Haven Honfleurs but they also though they had many Men yet were ill stor'd with Provisions insomuch that Hunger increas'd amongst them daily wherefore Villegagnon return'd home without any farther Exploits Jean Leri who went with Corguileray describes Rio Janeiro after this manner Jean Leri his Description thereof The River saith he lies twenty three Degrees Southward of the Equinoctial Line the Inlet of the Sea twenty fourthousand Paces broad and in some places broader is hemm'd in by hills the Mouth of the Inlet is somewhat dangerous by reason of three rocky Isles beyond the large Bay is a narrow Channel on the left-hand whereof there rises a high Mountain which the French call'd Le Pot de Beure because it resembles a Butter-pot Somewhat farther lies the Rock Ratier where Villegagnon thought to build a Fort but the Water in stormy Weather washing over the Rock he was forc'd to give over his Design Half a League farther is an Island a thousand Paces in length and a hundred and fifty in breadth surrounded with Rocks on which the French resided at each end of the Isle rises a Hill and from the middle a Rock sixty Foot high on the Hill Villegagnon pitcht his Tent till he had built him a handsom House on a Rock the other Houses were built in the Valley Three Leagues and a half farther lies a fruitful Isle nine Miles in circumference inhabited by a salvage People call'd Touoebinambauti there
neither do they go any whither till the Sun has dry'd up the Dew King Janduy his u bu le Plot. King Janduy before-mention'd being above a hundred years of age desir'd the Prince of Juckers fair Daughter to Wife but being deny'd contriv'd a subtil Plot viz. he invited Jucker with his Courtiers to a Wrestling whither he coming with his whole Train was earnestly minding the Sport when a considerable number of Janduy's Women falling upon Jucker's Men destroy'd a great many of them and got the desir'd Maid for Janduy who at that time had fourteen Wives and sixty Children but had formerly enjoy'd fifty Wives and Concubines The Women wear long Chains of Snail-shells which hang down over their Shoulders their Faces are Painted with divers colour'd Rings surrounded with Specks their Necks and Arms they adorn with Necklaces and Armlets of little Bones They carry their Husbands Provisions in time of War Their Army they order by blowing on the Horn Inubia others play on Mens Bones kill'd a little before for going by Water they use Boats made of the Barks of Trees each whereof being able to carry fifty Men go exceeding swift The strongest Men always march before and as many as they take whether Men Women or Children they are all kill'd and roasted in their Boucans Their Villages consist of Houses of eighty ninety or a hundred Paces long those that lie near the Enemy are fenc'd with Walls and Pallisado's against any Attempt Their manner of Fighting Their Field-Battels are very terrible for as soon as they get sight of one another they howl like Wolves which Tone they raise as they approach nearer and nearer and with their Horns and Pipes make also a mighty sound then shaking their former Enemies Teeth which they wear about their Necks at one another they cry That they shall immediately fall into each others hands for Food whereupon they throw their Darts at one another which are adorn'd with all sorts of Feathers and if any one be wounded he pulls out the Dart and bites the same like a mad Dog next falling to their Clubs they knock one anothers Brains out which manner of Fighting lasts commonly some hours before the one or other Party leave the Field All their Prisoners they fatten and eat them at a Merry-meeting at which when they have Danc'd seven hours together three Men lead the Prisoner ty'd with a Rope made of the Bark of a Tree call'd Juira through their Village whilest the Prisoner looking to and again saith in a scornful manner thus unto them You do ye hear I have eaten your Fathers and to others I have roasted your Brother your Nephew also tasted very well my Death will be sufficiently reveng'd Having carry'd him about for some time they put the Rope so strait about his Middle that he can neither stir one way nor other then they give him Stones in his Hands and lay others at his Feet saying Now take Revenge for your Death before you die then he immediately throws at those who are nearest him and when Stones are wanting he throws with Earth at last comes the Executioner adorn'd with Feathers with a black Club in his Hand and asks Have not you at several times eaten of our Relations to which the Prisoner undauntedly answers Pache tan tan ajouca atoupave that is Yes I am he that have eaten several of your Peole and laying his Hands upon his Head cries out O how valiantly did I behave my self therein Executioner replies And therefore shall you be kill'd by me and serve for Food for these Spectators Then the Prisoner answers again What care I since I know my Death will be reveng'd which said his Brains are dash'd out and falling on the Ground he is carry'd away by his Wife for the Conqueror commonly betroths his Sister or Daughter to the Prisoner who seemingly bemoans the Body of which she hath the first Cut when it is Dress'd then the old Women put the Corps into scalding Water in which they let it lie till the Skin comes off then the Owner of the Prisoner quartering the Body distributes it amongst the Guests the pieces laid on their Gridirons call'd Boucans are turn'd by the old Women who lick up the Dripping desiring the By-standers to bring more such Food and with the Blood anoint the Childrens Faces the Meat being broyl'd every one takes a piece and eats it up to the Bones which are kept as Trophies Brasilians molested by an evil Spirit The Brasilians do not onely thus plague one another but they are likewise tormented by an evil Spirit which they call Aygnan and Caagerrel if credit may be given to John Leerius a Burgundian who relates that he hath often seen them sweat out of fear and striking their Hands upon their Thighs cry out Mair autourassap acequerey Aygnan atoupave that is O my Fool my Companion I fear the Devil above all Evils Diseases peculiar to Brasile Amongst several Diseases to which Brasile is subject there is one call'd Pians being as malignant as the French POX proceeding from libinousness the whole Body being full of Carbuncles each about the bigness of a Man's Thumb Strangers in Brasile are also much troubled with a Giddiness occasion'd by the extream Cold in the Night as also with with sore Eyes which they get by going abroad before Sun-rising or after Sun-setting The Palsie is also very common there taking People so suddenly that falling down stiff on the Ground they are often in danger of losing their Breath Besides these there are several other Distempers that very much infest Brasile as the Bloody-flux Dropsie Rising of the Gall Worms Meazles and St. Anthony's Fire Brasilians success in curing of several Distempers by their knowledge in Herbs The aged Brasilians have for the most part great skill in Herbs which they gather in the Woods and apply them to the Sick both inwardly and outwardly and chiefly they know how to expel Poyson None can perswade them against the Medicines which they have learn'd from their Predecessors nay they will rather chuse to lose their Lives than use any other and indeed they do not always succeed amiss but often manifest that they understand the Vertue of Herbs better than our European Physicians The Learned Guilielmus Piso relates That he hath seen several times in the Army which Grave Maurice sent against the Portuguese in Brasile that the Brasilians in a short time cur'd those Wounds with fresh Gums and healing Herbs which the Netherland Chirurgeons judging past Cure presently advis'd the cutting off either the Arm or Leg of the wounded Person Piso adds moreover That he himself us'd some of Hippocrates's and Galen's Prescriptions in Wine for the curing of Cancers and Swellings which the Brasilians have made well onely with the Juice of Tobacco They also in a moment recover'd a Person given over by all European Physicians with the Juice of the Root call'd Jaborandi wherefore he always desir'd their Company
but at last Articled with the Portuguese that they might undisturb'd supply themselves with Fresh Water yet they as if they minded no Agreements whilst the Dutch were filling their Casks came down upon them with two hundred Horse each having a Foot-Soldier behind him but the Hollanders made so stout resistance that they put them all to flight The City of St. Jago which gives Denomination to the whole Island is built long-wise having a convenient Haven like a Crescent Through the City glides a River on both sides of which beyond the Town arise several high Mountains That part which faces the Sea hath Fortifications defended with strong Bulwarks The Portuguese had brought all their Guns to bear towards the Sea to sink the Holland Ships which they invited thither under pretence of kindness but a great Storm hindred the Fleet that they could not Anchor at the appointed place onely two of the Ships sail'd pretty near but not within Shot From hence fleering to the Desolate Island Brava they saw nothing but five ruin'd Houses the Door of one stopp'd up with great Stones which being taken away was found full of Turkish Wheat which prov'd a great kindness to the Sea-men Mean while the Admiral Mahu died Mahu dies and his Body put into a Chest fill'd up with Stones was thrown over-board Cordes his Voyage so that Simon des Cordes carrying the Flag steer'd his Course to Guinee there to refresh himself for most of his Men were so weakned by the Scurvey that they were scarce able to hand the Sails Arriving at their intended Port the Sick were carried ashore and the Vice-Admiral Beuningen being conducted by a French Guide went to the Vice-Roy of that Countrey who sat on a low Bench Strange King in Guinee with a Sheeps-skin under his Feet in a Violet-colour'd Cloth Suit without any Linnen Shirt Shoes or Stockins on his Head a Cap made of yellow red and blue Eastern Cloth his Face whitened with Ashes shew'd in several places its natural blackness appearing through the Colours about his Neck a Collar or Chain of Glass Beads Behind him sat his Nobles with Cocks Feathers on their Heads and their Skins painted Red. Beuningen plac'd by the King on a Mat complain'd to him That the Guineans fled from him where-ever he came though in Friendship to barter European Commodities with them against Fruits Poultrey Sheep and other Provisions Whereupon the King promis'd to furnish him therewith and invited Beuningen to Dinner After some stay the Kings Wives entred the Palace a very mean and ill-favour'd Building more like a great Barn than a Kings House and plac'd a kind of nasty Trough on the Ground in which lay nothing but some wild Herbs and a piece of a smoak'd Sea-Calf and though he was a Person of the largest size and corpulent yet he eat sparingly Beuningen though exceeding hungry found little rellish in such kind of Meats wherefore spreading a Napkin his Attendants brought him some Bisket and Spanish Wine whereof after the King had tasted he lik'd so well the rellish that it rock'd him asleep whilst Beuningen walk'd to the Sea-side to refresh himself but the Guineans coming about him he was forc'd to return to the King who waking at the noise appear'd highly incens'd at his People and took Beuningen into his House However the Subjects notwithstanding the Kings Commands when Beuningen was sent into a neighboring Hut kept Watch about it all Night The next Morning early an old Woman entred muttering to her self and went out and in to Beuningen three times one after another knocking on a Box not unlike a Pair of Bellows out of which flew abundance of Dust about Beuningen which caus'd a great Laughter amongst the Guineans The King also coming to him presented him with two Goats and four Hens and so conducted him back to the Ships Beuningen seeing that there was no good to be done set sail from thence and coming before the River La Plata in America Bloody Sea very strange it appear'd Blood-red Out of the Water which was taken up in Buckets started a sort of Insects like Fleas which caus'd a strange and sad Distemper amongst the Sea-men that when any Meat was offer'd to them so soon as ever they put it to their Mouths they would fall down backwards in a swoon foaming and frothing at the Mouth and turning up the White of their Eyes die distracted Suffering under this Disaster they hasted from thence with all speed and sailing into the Straights of Magellan they kill'd above fourteen hundred Penguyins which is a Bird that preys on Fish and lives in Holes under Ground they somewhat resemble a Goose onely they stand more upright and are double-crested with two plumy Combs Coming to an Anchor in the Green-Bay there arose a great Storm which continued several days so that they were forc'd to moor their Vessels with four Anchors extremely afflicted both with Hunger and Cold preserving themselves alive by eating young Grout at that time not above a span high from the Ground but this course Food bred an incurable Dropsie that posted them on to a sudden death Afterwards when the Weather grew more pleasant Salvages in the Straights of Magellan the Inhabitants being Gyants most of them eleven Foot high grew more troublesom oftentimes assailing them and throwing Darts pointed like Harping-Irons at which they were very expert Their Salvage Natures may appear by their Dealings with the dead Hollanders cutting off their Heads and bruising them to pieces sticking Darts through their Hearts and cutting off their Privities At last the Fleet getting into the South Sea were by stress of Weather separated one from another Two Ships being the Faith and the Good Tydings were driven back into the Straights of Magellan where they suffer'd the uttermost extremity of Hunger A wild Woman Here they took a wild Woman and two Children who being of a sallow Complexion had a great hanging Belly a wide Mouth crooked Legs long Heels and Breasts like Cows Udders about her Neck a String of Snail-shells and upon her Back a Beasts Skin fastned about her Neck with the Sinews of it her Food nought else but live Fowls The same Diet the Children fed upon The youngest being but six Months old had his Mouth full of Teeth and ran without any help The eldest they carried to Amsterdam but having kept the Woman aboard two Nights they gave her several Trifles and set her ashore Here they found old Ice in the middle of Summer four Foot thick Beuningen lingred in the Straights of Magellan and being tired out with Hunger Cold and Storms return'd home and had they not by accident taken abundance of Coneys they had all perish'd Above two Years had this unhappy Voyage lasted when they arriv'd at their Native Countrey with six and thirty Men being all that remain'd alive of a hundred and five SECT XVI The Expedition of Oliver van Noord TWo Months after Mahu Oliver
which they made an Idol resembling their Deity Viztipuztli across whose Nose and Forehead they drew a blue Stroke his Head they adorn'd with a Plume of Feathers and in the left Hand plac'd a round Box in the right a crooked Staff like a Serpent and Wings behind on his Shoulders at the appointed Feast-day the Nuns meet before Sun-rising in new white Apparel with Garlands of Maiz about their Heads and Necks which hung down below the left Shoulder their Faces painted with several colours about their Arms hung Parrots Feathers from their Elbows down to their Hands Thus adorn'd they carried the kneaded Idol to a Court where the Youths that inhabited a Cloyster in the same Temple fetching the Idols blue Throne with great Reverence set it down at the lower Step of the Temple at which the People threw Dust on their Heads which was no sooner done but the Boys ran with all speed to the Mountain Chapultepec a League from Mexico whither the Multitude flowing them in manner of Procession made all short Prayers and Offerings there from thence hastening into the Champain Fields Atlacuavaya they perform'd the like Service as before which done they went to the Village Cuyoacan a League farther from whence they came back in all haste with their Idol into Mexico Wherefore this Processioning for its expedition was call'd Ipaina Viztliputli The Idol being brought into the Temple was by four Cords made fast to his Throne hoised up to the Cieling with the noise of Drums and Trumpets whilst the fore-mention'd Youths strow'd the Temple both within and without full of Roses after which the Nuns gave the Boys the resemblances of Bones made of the same Dough with the Idol with which they were to cover the Floor of the Chappel then appear'd the Temple-Priests with Scarfs about their Bodies Garlands on their Heads and Strings with Flowers about their Necks each going in order according to his quality to the place where the Bones lay which being Consecrated with Songs and Dances were religiously worshipp'd for Bones of the Idol after which six of the Priests went down to the Stone Quauxi-calli on which the Prisoners lying upon their Backs had their Hearts pull'd out which being finish'd the Maids and Boys before-mention'd went to meet one another Dancing to the sound of Pipes Drums and Songs which their nearest Relations answering Danc'd round about them whither the whole City and Countrey People all about came flocking in great numbers During this high Feast none upon great Penalties durst eat any other Food but the Cakes made of the same Dough of which the Idol was made neither were they permitted though Children to drink till the Afternoon Lastly the Priest climb'd up to a Chappel strow'd with Roses in which the Idol sitting they disrob'd him broke his holy Arms and Legs into little pieces which they distributed amongst the common People who receiv'd them with great Reverence and with tears in their Eyes imagining they eat the Body of their God for which honour every one paid a tenth part of the Charge which had been spent in this high Feast Then a Priest admonish'd them how they should lead their Lives since they were united with their God which ended they all went to their several Habitations in a wonderful good order from the Temple These Heathens also seem'd to have something of Circumcision and Baptism for they not onely cut off a piece of the Infant 's Ears and privy Members which they Offer'd to their Idols but also wash'd them as soon as they came into the World putting into their Hands such Tools as were of use in their Fathers Profession Their Nuptial Solemnities Their Marriages also were celebrated with great solemnity The Priest having ask'd the Bride and Bridegroom If they would joyn together in Matrimony if they both consented he ty'd the Brides Scarf and Bridegrooms Coat together and so accompanying them home led them nine times about the Fire-hearth If the Bride had no Impediments then the Bridegroom made Presents to her Father and Mother Offerings to the Gods and a brave Dinner to the nearest Relations after which an Inventory was drawn of what each of them had brought that upon their being Divorc'd which was very common amongst the Mexicans each might have his share and if they had Children the Man was to keep the Sons and the Woman the Daughters nor were they permitted on pain of death being once parted to joyn together again The Feast Texcoals On the ninteenth of May they kept the Feast Texcoalt Consecrated to the Idol Tezcatlipuca before whom they Offer'd a Slave which was done after this manner Towards the Evening the Multitude coming into the Temple the Priests pulling off the Idols old put on new Apparel hung him full of Precious Stones and Armlets set Plumes of Feathers on his Head which done the Curtains behind which he stood were drawn and a Priest Cloth'd exactly like the Idol coming forth turn'd himself round blow'd a kind of Trumpet towards the four Winds and ate Earth which all the People imitated whereof those which had committed any hainous Offence Offer'd Incense to the Idol and weeping begg'd forgiveness of their Sins Those that were Soldiers besought him to grant them store of Prisoners and strength to conquer their Enemies for which they would return him thanks with Offer'd Prisoners This Feast of Texcoalt lasting ten days ended on the twenty ninth of May with peculiar Ceremonies for in the Morning a company of Priests black all over carried on their Shoulders a large Chair of State richly adorn'd in which sat their Idol Tezcatlipuca and Priests with long pleited Hair and Clad in the same Apparel with the Idol which they set down at the Foot of a pair of Stairs which led up to a Chappel whither the attendant Youths and Virgins came and spread Carpets before it and green Boughs of Manghey after which two Priests carried the Idol into a spacious Court in the Temple several others walking before each with a perfuming Vessel when they threw their Perfumes on the Consecrated Hearth they held their Hands towards the Idol desiring him that he would send their Prayers to Heaven Next follow'd the Multitude who scourg'd themselves till the Blood ran down from their Backs So soon as the Procession was ended the represented Tezcatlipuca was hoised up to the Cieling and abundance of Flowers strow'd before the Altar which done every one went home to Dinner whilst the Youths and Virgins adorn'd the Idol and plac'd Meat before him Lastly the Votaresses came two and two with Baskets of Bread and Dishes of Meat their Governess in a white Sur-Coat over a red Vest with Wings on her Shoulders and broad Girts at which hung Calabashes fill'd with holy Reliques and Flowers Moreover she conducted the Votaresses to the Steps of the Altar on which the Idol sat where having eaten Bread they came back and the Temple-Servants went in their places and carried the Meat
clad as it were in their Summer Livery the Meadows and Pastures always green and of such an excellent Herbage that Cattel both breed and thrive there beyond belief both great Cattel and small as Kine Sheep Hogs c. brought thither out of Spain having multiply'd to such numbers that they live wild now in Herds in several places and are both hunted and kill'd like Stags or other Venison onely for their Hides which they send yearly into Spain and other parts of Europe as a great Merchandize and Commodity of huge profit to them Wild Hogs also have been formerly seen to feed in the Woods in great multitudes but the Dogs since they were brought over hither have made great havock amongst them Beasts peculiar to Hispaniola The Animals peculiar to this Island are 1. A little Beast call'd Hutias not much unlike our Coneys 2. Chemi almost of the same form but a little bigger 3. Mohui A Beast somewhat less than the Hutias 4. A Beast call'd Coxi The Fly Cuyero Likewise amongst other strange sorts of Creatures here the Cuyero is very observable being about an Inch big and having four Wings of which two are larger than the other when they flie they shine after such a manner that in the Night they make a Room as light as day insomuch that some have made use of them in stead of Candles to Read by The Fish Manate No less wonderful is the Fish Manate whose shape hath been describ'd elsewhere It breeds for the most part in the Sea yet sometimes swimming up the Rivers comes ashore and eats Grass The Casique Caramatexi kept one in the Lake Guaynato which was so tame that when call'd by the Name Maton it us'd to come out of the Water and go directly to the Casique's House where being fed it return'd to the Lake accompanied with Men and Boys who with their Singing seem'd to delight the Fish which sometimes carried ten Children on its Back over the Water but at last a Spaniard striking at it with a Pike it would never come forth again when it espy'd a Cloth'd Man It liv'd twenty six years in the fore-mention'd Lake till by accident the River Hayboaic over-flowing into the said Lake the Fish return'd to the Sea The Fish Abacatuia Besides this great Fish here is also a sort of small Fish call'd Abacatuaia with a little Mouth black Eyes encompass'd with Silver-colour'd Circles four black Fins two long ones under its Belly one on the Back and one on each side of the Head the Tail slit and cover'd with a glittering Skin It is as big as a Flounder and not ill Meat but thick and round The Insect Nigua When the Spaniards first setled on Hispaniola they were exceedingly tormented with a sort of leaping Insects call'd Nigua which us'd to eat through their Skin into the Flesh in such a nature that many of them lost their Arms and Legs but at last they found out a Remedy against this Evil viz. the searing the Wounds with hot Irons Besides the aforesaid plenty of Flesh they have many excellent Fruits all the year long as Banana's Fruits Pine-Apples Custud-Apples Plantens Papans Musk-melons Water-melons and many other peculiar Plants as 1. the Auzuba a fair large Tree the Fruit whereof is call'd Pinnas resembling a Malecotoon Of this Tree there are three sorts Jaima Boniama and Jaiqua 2. Quauconex 3. Axi of which there are also several sorts as Carive Huarahuac Axiblanco Acafran-Axi and Axi-Coral 4. Yuca the Root of which serves in stead of Corn 5. Certain Trees call'd Guaibes besides plenty of Mint and Potato's The Provinces of this Island The Island of Hispaniola was formerly divided into several Provinces amongst which the Mountainous Countrey Hyguey lies towards the Isle of Porto Rico. On the Mountains which are flat on the top are great variety of sharp-pointed Stones The Soil is a sort of colour'd Earth which produces all sorts of Fruit especially the Root Casabi and Melons Hyguey also conterminates with Ycayagua Northward lies Samana Southward Yaquimo where there is store of Brasile Wood And between the City Domingo and Yaquimo is the Countrey Baoruco which with its Mountains extends sixty Leagues in length and above twenty in breadth without any Water Pasture or Food for Cattel or Mankind Next follows the Countrey Xaragua lying at the great Inlet which divides Hispaniola for one side extends to the Promontory of St. Nicholas and the other to the Point Tiburon This Countrey produces abundance of Cotton Lastly the Provinâ—â—s Guahaba Haniguagya and Cahay are very eminent as also Cibao which is full of Gold-Mines and Lavega Real with Magnana which lie between the two great Rivers Neyba and Yagui the stony Countrey Ciguayos and the low Coast Darica where Christopher Columbus built the City Navidad which he afterwards deserted Ginger was formerly brought hither from the East-Indies but now grows here in such great abundance that above two and twenty thousand Kintalls are yearly Transported from thence to Spain With as good success grow here also the Sugar-Canes and Maiz. Peter Martyr a Councellor to the Emperor Charles the Fifth relates That Hispaniola produc'd in his time besides Silver Copper and Iron five hundred thousand Ducats in Gold Nevertheless the rich Mines lay undisturb'd because they wanted People to work in them insomuch that had they not planted their Royal Seat in Domingo the Island had long since been deserted notwithstanding the exceeding fruitfulness of the Soil because the Spaniards exercis'd their Cruelty in such a nature that of sixty thousand Inhabitants from the Year 1508. to Anno 1514. scarce fourteen thousand of them were left alive all which is affirm'd by the Bishop De las Casas Nay the fore-mention'd Peter Martyr relates That the Men wearied with working in the Mines kill'd themselves despairing of ever being releas'd from their Slavery and Women with Child destroy'd the Infants in their Wombs that they might not bear Slaves for the Spaniards He adds hereunto That of a hundred and twenty thousand Persons few were left in a short time Ports and Havens On the Coast are first the Point of Nisao ten Leagues to the West of Santo Domingo Eighteen Leagues farther is the Port Ocoa which is a Bay where the Fleets of Nova Hispania take refreshing when they do not Anchor in the Nook of Sepesepin which is near unto it or in another call'd The Fair Haven two Leagues before you come to Ocoa Twenty Leagues beyond Ocoa is the Port of Asua Thirty Leagues more Westwardly is a large Point right against the Island of Bola which lieth five Leagues from the Coast The most Westerly Point is call'd Cape Tiburon It hath an Island three Leagues from it Westward call'd Caprio and Sailing along the Coast you will see an Island call'd Camito and farther in the Nook of Yaguana another call'd Guanabo of eight Leagues long On the North side of the Island the most Westerly
Ground The Men dying of their hard Labour in the Gold-Mines and those which endur'd stoutly the cruel Labour under Ground were never suffer'd to go to their Wives from whence proceeded a great decrease of People the Spaniards seeming purposely to design the destruction of the Natives of Hispaniola though they receiv'd great benefit by their Service for Gold in former times was found between the Cracks and split Stones of the Mountains whose Veins the Mine-workers digg'd for not without great and dangerous Labour First original of the People of Hispaniola The first Planters of Hispaniola are according to the common opinion deriv'd from Matinio a high and Mountainous Isle from whence the most eminent Inhabitants were driven by certain Rebels as formerly the Syrians under the Government of Dido were driven from Tyre to Lybia and the Batavians from Hessen to the Countrey between Rhyne and Wall at present inhabited by the Gelders and Hollanders These Matininoensians thus expell'd from their native Countrey setled themselves on Cahonao near the River Bahaboni The first House they call'd Camoteia and afterwards turn'd it into a Temple to which they shew'd Reverence and made great Presents In like manner the Tyema which stood on a high Rock belonging to one of the Canary Islands was by the antient Inhabitants of the Place had in great veneration insomuch that many leap'd down from the same being perswaded by the Priests That the Souls of those which threw themselves off this sacred Break-neck should immediately be translated into a place of everlasting happiness The antient Name of this Island This Island was as we said before first call'd Haity which signifies Wild because in many places it swells with wondrous high Mountains and in other places is over-grown with great Woods it was afterwards by the antient Inhabitants nam'd Xusqueia that is Unmeasurably great because they suppos'd it to be the whole World and that the Sun shin'd in no other place Indian Songs or Ballads call'd Areitos The Natives of this Island though wholly rude of acquir'd Knowledge or Literature like the generality of the Americans yet they took care to instruct their Children in the Original and Antiquities of their Countrey and the Wars and Exploits of their Predecessors both which they contain'd in Songs call'd Areitos which they us'd to Sing to the sound of Drums and Trumpets but especially their Persons of chiefest Quality study'd most these Areitos and exercis'd themselves in Dancing Strange Prediction of the Spaniards Arrival The most remarkable of these antient Areitos were such as pretended to prophesie of things to come which if of sad consequence were Sung very mournfully and with many Sighs nor were they always however inspir'd without effect as appear'd at last by woful event for long before the Spaniards Landed on Hispaniola it was foretold by one of them that Maguacochios signifying Clothed People should Land on Hispaniola who with sharp Weapons should cut off Heads and Arms and under whose insupportable Yoke their Successors must spend their days without hope of ever being releas'd It might be disputed whether these Predictions were dictated by good or evil Spirits but it is generally believ'd that all their Oracles whether hapning true or false were suggested by diabolical Spirits to the Priests who commonly convers'd with them and that these Spirits knew the Design of several People to discover new Countreys The Images of their Zemes. Their Images Zemes stuff'd full of Cotton were fashion'd into very frightful Shapes and might pass for those things which we call Terricula or Bugbears of which some were made very small and those they ty'd on their Foreheads when they went to the Wars Every Governor had a peculiar Zemes to whom he shew'd Reverence in return whereof he expected Rain fair Weather and to conquer his Enemies supposing him to be a Messenger of a perpetual and endless Being by them call'd Jocauna Guamaonocon whom nevertheless they suppos'd to have a Mother to whom they gave five Names viz. Attbeir Mamona Guacarapita Liella and Guimazoa The Islanders Opinion of the Creation Their opinion of Man's Creation was thus They say that out from a Mountain in the Province Cuanana out of certain small and great Caverns therein came little and great People The biggest Hole call'd Cazibaragua and the little one nam'd Amaiauna were said to be lock'd up every Night that none might pass the Sentinel Machchael who out of curiosity leaving the Mountain Cuata and going up into the Countrey was discover'd by the Sun whose Beams he not being able to endure was turn'd into a Rock The like Mischance hapned to many others who in the dark Night going to Fish in the Morning at their Return were chang'd into Oaken Trees onely one of the Fishermen Was sent away by the chief Commander Vaguoniana who moved at the Complaint of a Nightingale's Singing suffer'd all the Men to go into the Hole and the Women and Children he Transported to Matinino But to make short of these non-sensical Stories in conclusion the Men being let out of their Caves saw many strange Beasts amongst the Woods which being turn'd into Women Were entertain'd by them and brought forth a numerous Progeny which spread over all Hispaniola Their foolish Opinion of the Original of the Sea No less ridiculous an Account do the Priests give concerning the Original of the Sea Viz. That Jaia a mighty Man buried the Body of his deceased Son in a Pumpion which some Moneths after out of meer affection to the Deceased he cutting open abundance of Whales sprung out of it This Wonder being every where known amongst others entic'd four Brothers born at one Birth whose Mother died in Childbed to get the Pumpion into their possession which their Design prov'd successful but afterwards struck with a pannick fear of Jaia's coming thithither who oftentimes came to mourn over the Bones of his dead Son they fled and threw away the Pumpion which breaking with the fall the Sea gush'd out of all places thereof and cover'd the Plains in such a manner that nothing of them was seen onely the tops of the highest Mountains appear'd at which the four Brothers terribly afrighted rang'd through barren Desarts in which they had died of Hunger had they not come to a Baker's House which one of them entring ask'd for Cazabi but the Baker denying them Bread spit on them which caus'd a mortal Dropsie which the Brothers upon consultation found no way to cure but by cutting a hole in the Skin with a sharp Stone and to let out the Water but out of each running Wound sprung a Woman who bare them four Sons and four Daughters The Cave Jovana-beina There is a certain Cave call'd Jovana-beina which is adorn'd with a thousand Pictures in great esteem amongst them at the Entrance on each side whereof stands a Zemes that on the right side is call'd Binthaitelles the other Marobur to which they come from
all places to pay their Devotions because they say the Sun and Moon came out of the said Cave to lighten the World Their absurd Opinion of the Deceased Much after the same absurd rate is their Opinion of the Deceased for they suppose that they range through Woods and Forrests in the Night eat of a Fruit call'd Guannaba and steal to the Embraces of Women in Moon-shiny Nights A Traveller say they if he be frighted at the appearance of a deceased Person great inconveniences will certainly attend him but if he goes stoutly towards it then the Goblin vanishes These Delusions are made great Mysteries amongst them and contain'd in Songs which their Priests Boiti Sing to a kind of Tabor made of a piece of hollow Wood pretending that they have familiar Conversation with the Zemes concerning future things Their Ceremonies about their Sick Their Ceremonies about their sick especially if Persons of Quality are likewise very remarkably odd and conceited First they chew a strong kind of Herb call'd Cohobba with which having sufficiently intoxicated their Brains they foam at the Mouth and run with a Stone and a piece of Flesh in their Mouths to the sick Person whose Family they drive all out of Doors except one or two whose presence the Patient requires then the Boiti walks four times about the sick Person 's Bed making strange Gestures pinching his Lips and Nose blowing upon his Forehead Throat and Temples and sucking several parts of his Body alledging that thereby he draws the Distemper out of the Veins after that he chafes and rubs his Shoulders Thighs and Legs and ties his Hands and Feet together then running to the Door proclaims That the Sick in a short time shall be restor'd to his former Health which said he returns with his Arms stretch'd out towards the sick Person takes the piece of Flesh out of his Mouth which he gives him backwards saying You shall rise and go forth in Health for I have taken away your Sickness But if he judges the Distemper not curable he makes the Sick believe that Zemes is displeas'd with him because he did not build a House for him or consecrate a Garden to him or in some respect or other did not worship him as he ought to have done When the Soul departs out of the Body they conjure the Body with many Adjurations to reveal whether it died according to God's decree or through neglect of the Boiti as not having sanctifi'd himself enough by Fasting when he went first to the Sick or not prescrib'd sufficient Medicines wherefore if as they say the Devil answers them from the Mouth of the Deceased that the Boiti did not perform his due Office then the nearest Friends revenge themselves on the Boiti but if otherwise then they are highly esteem'd amongst them The Women taking the Stones which the Boiti kept in his Mouth wrap them up in a fine Cloth as a holy Relique supposing that they will much facilitate their Child-birth Their manner of Consulting with their Zemes. The Casiques desirous to know future Events of War or whether the approaching Years will be fruitful go into a Chappel consecrated to the Zemes and snuff the intoxicating Herb Cohobba up their Nostrils whereupon they break out into loud Exclamations and some kind of strange extravagant Actions till the power of the Cohobba begins to decay and the Frenzie cease then coming again to their Senses they bow their Heads and lay their Elbows on their Knees in which posture they sit for a considerable time then lifting up their Eyes they yawn as if they they came from sleep then they mutter to themselves whilest their Retinue which stand about them for no common Person is suffer'd to be there thank them with a loud Voice for the pains they have been at in discoursing with the Zemes then the Casiques begin to declare what hath been reveal'd to them viz. whether they shall be fortunate in the Wars or not whether it will be a fruitful or unfruitful healthy or sickly Year Moreover Gossipping at the Birth of the Casique's Children the neighboring Governors visit the Women in Child-bed and every one gives the Child a peculiar Name from whence it happens that one Man hath oftentimes forty Names and is highly incens'd if any one of them chances to be forgot in any Writing directed to him Manner of Succession Their manner of Succession in Government is not unremarkable for not the eldest Heir-male of the Family but first the King or Casique's Brother if he have any and after his Decease the eldest of the Sisters Inherits the Realm or Seigniorie if the Sisters have no Male-issue then the Brothers Sons Inherit and in case they have no Male-heir then the next of Blood whether Male or Female but if the Prince or Casique dies without Children Nephews or other near Relations the next in Power in the Countrey Inherits and Marries as many Wives as he pleases of which she that he loves best is burn'd alive in her best Apparel with her Husband when he dies and near the Corps stands a Cup of Water and some of the Bread Cazabi There are several Languages in Hispaniola Languages but differing from each other for in the Province Bainoa they have a different both Pronunciation and Dialect from that in Caizimu In the said Province of Caizimu is a very remarkable Rock or vast Stone to be seen at the Foot of a high Mountain and underneath the said Stone is a great Cave into which they go through a large Passage not unlike a Temple Door near which conjoyn many deep Rivers with such a Noise and Foam that they lose both their Sight and Hearing whoever approach the same An Example of the Bainoan Language Of the Language of the Province Bainoa Peter Martyr gives us this Specimen The Wife of a Casique says he went to Prayers in a Chappel which was built by the Spaniards at her Return from whence her Husband desiring to enjoy her she refusing said Teitoca teitoca techeta Cynato guammechina that is to say Be contented Be contented God would be highly incens'd to which the Casique answer'd Gnaibba Cynato machabucha guamechyna that is What care I if God be angry Since the Spaniards had first possession of this Island The taking of St. Domingo by Sir Fran. Drake it hath been twice Invaded by the English the first time under the Conduct of Sir Francis Drake who took the Town of San Domingo staid in it a good while and could if he had pleas'd have totally dispossess'd the Spaniards the second time under Colonel Venables sent thither by Oliver Cromwell during his usurp'd Dominion at which time it might as easily have been taken as at first had not the Business been rashly and indiscreetly manag'd as shall presently be declar'd more at large The first Expedition of Sir Francis Drake hath been already hinted but for the memorableness of that
Bodies and through the black runs also a white Streak No Beast in the World is hardier than this for though it fasts twelve days and is afterwards flay'd alive yet it will live several hours after The Lakes in Brasile are for the most part overgrown with Weeds just like a Field yet are exceeding full of Fish and Fowl Where the Sea runs into the Lakes great multitudes of Crabs are seen crawling along the Ground and the Oysters hang in Clusters on the Boughs of a Plant call'd Manyle or Mangues The Plant Manyle which grow with their Roots either near or in the Water in such a manner that new Bodies still shoot from the old Roots which prevents easie access to the chief Plant on whose uppermost Leaves after Sun-rising sticks very white Salt which in the Night or in a cloudy Day turns to a brackish Dew Moreover those places where Brasile rises with Hills and Mountains are likewise very fruitful except the barren tops of some which seem to kiss the Skyes and though the fruitful Mountains flourish in the time of the rainy Months yet many of the Trees which grow on them die in Summer and their Ashes being burnt by the Inhabitants are us'd in stead of Dung. Some Woods extend themselves three hundred Leagues in length and are full of Trees so tall that an Arrow shot upwards falls short of the top of them and a Boat may be made out of the Body which can carry a hundred and fifty Men. On the great Boughs of these mighty Trees grow other excrescent Shrubs after the manner of Misseltoe which proceed from the Kernels swallow'd and muted upon them by the Birds that light there In some places also grow also Sweet-wood Trees which afford either excellent Gums or Wood to Dye with amongst which the chief is the Ibiripitanga which yields the Brasile Wood that gives Denomination of Brasile to this vast Tract of Land Description of the Tree Ibripitanga The Tree Ibripitanga is tall and spreading hath sad colour'd Bark full of short Thorns the Leaves are green and differ in form but little from the Box-Tree Leaf the Boughs shoot forth other lesser full of yellow and sweet-smelling Flowers which falling off are succeeded by a flat long Cod of a dark grey colour full of little red Pulse the upper part of the Tree is not good to Dye with but onely the lower part of the Body which because the Tree grows far up in the Countrey is not transportable without much trouble But the Tatai-iba grows in the Woods along the Shore The Tree Tatai-iba the Bark being of an Ash-colour invests a yellow Wood the Leaves are sharp and notch'd the Fruit not unlike Mulberries pale juicy and full of white Seed the Wood boyl'd Dyes a pure Yellow It is observable not onely of this Tree but generally of the Trees of this Countrey that they neither flourish nor shed their Leaves all over at once nor do several Trees of the same kind and growing here germinate or fade together for whilest one is fullest of Blossoms the other is without Leaves and whilest the same Tree sheds its Leaves on one side the other side is newly Budded The European Plants and Herbs with soft Roots being once Planted in Brasile come to be hard and lignifi'd There is also great difference according to the Ground in which they are Planted for such Plants and Trees as in the Plains are but small and tender grow ten times higher if Planted in the Woods All sorts of Indian Pulse grow higher than the tallest Trees like high Arbors under which both Men and Beasts may shelter themselves from the Sun or Rain Far up into the Countrey amongst the Mountains inhabit Canibals or Man-eaters The Europeans that first travell'd that way found the Countrey very fertile and full of People especially in the Valleys but somewhat incommoded by the want of Water and the excessiveness of the Heat in the Day and of the Cold in the Night In some places the Countrey is so over-grown with Brambles that they are forc'd to cut their way through the same But there are a sort of Thistles which having concave Leaves receive the Dew and Rain for the accommodation of the Natives Besides Serpents and Dragons the Tygers are most of all to be fear'd when hungry but once satisfi'd are easily taken Dogs Oxen Sheep and Horses thrive also exceedingly in most parts of Brasile The Nature of the Brasilians The Brasilians live to be very old without being Bald or Grey There are seldom or never to be seen squint-ey'd lame decrepid or any deformed People notwithstanding the Children are never Swath'd but thrown into cold Water as soon as born The Men generally have a very near resemblance one with another as also the Women so that there is not such a difference betwixt Man and Man there as amongst other People There is scarce any Sickness heard of in these Parts for besides a long Life they enjoy the benefit of Health so long as they live They trouble not themselves with much Business and in one Hut whose Covering consists of Palm-Leaves dwell several Families together Their manner of Living The general Bread of the Brasilians is the stamp'd Root Mandihoka besides which they also eat all manner of Fruit and Plants and many times Flesh which they either eat boyl'd broyl'd or stew'd their Boyling is after this manner First they kindle their Fire with two Sticks the one of hard and the other of soft Wood the hard they make sharp at the end and fix the same into the soft which setting on fire they immediately lay Cotton thereupon or else dry Leaves and so boyl the Flesh in round Earthen Pots call'd Camu but they account that better which is stew'd in a Pot the bottom whereof is cover'd with Leaves on which they lay the Flesh then stopping the same close on the top with Earth and Leaves they make Fire over it so long till they think the Flesh to be sufficiently stew'd Their Broyling they perform by fixing forked Stick into the Ground over which they lay several others like a Gridiron and upon them the raw Flesh cut in long Slices and Pepper'd and Salted then make a Fire under the same till it is enough and their Meat so dress'd keeps good fourteen days Their Fish either boyl'd or broyl'd is eaten with the Sawce Juquitinga The little Fish Piaba and Piquitinga they make up in Rolls and lay them under hot Ashes Both with their Flesh and Fish they eat for Bread as hath been said the Meal of the Root Mandihoka which they taking up with three Fingers throw into their Mouthes so dexterously that not the least scrap falls besides They never observe any set hours to eat for they make several Meals in the Day and sometimes in the middle of the Night if their Appetite serves and neither drink nor speak whilest they are at their Meat They sleep in spread Hammocks
made fast between two Poles near which burns a constant Fire with which in the Day-time they dress their Meat and at Night keep themselves warm the Nights being there somewhat cold because of their equal length with the Days Their usual Liquor is cold Water taken out of the Fountains Rivers or Brooks Their several sorts of Drinks but to Carouse they make the Drink Caoi of the Fruit of the Ocaiiba-Tree which being stamp'd in a woodden Mortar is strain'd and at first looks like Milk but after a few days standing turns to a darker colour and is strong enough to make Astronomers of those that drink largely of it but if long kept it turns to be excellent Vinegar They have another Drink call'd Aipu which is made two several ways the first is thus An old Toothless Woman chews the little cut Root Aipimacaxera to a a Pap call'd Caracu which spitting in a Pot they pour Water on the same and afterwards boyling it leisurely stirring it all the time it stands over the Fire The other way of making this Aipu which is much the more cleanly is to boyl the said Root so long till it comes to be like Butter-milk and then letting it stand till it hath done working it will be no unpleasant Drink Another sort of Drink amongst them is their Pacobi made of the Fruit of the Tree Pacobebe and Pacobucu besides others made of the Tree Abatu of Indian Barley and Maiz. Also their Liquor call'd Jetici is press'd out of Potato-Roots In like manner the Plant Nana by the Portuguese call'd Ananas makes the Drink Nanai which is exceeding strong and heady but good against Faintness Vomiting Gravel and stoppage of Urine as also against Poyson Their Deboches The Tapuiyans sur-named Cariri meet at a certain time to make the Liquor Aipu whereof each takes as much to his Hut as falls to his share and when it hath done working they begin in the Morning very early at the first House in the Village and drink out every drop which they find there and so from House to House till they have drunk one another drie and he is look'd upon to be the best Man that hath drunk and evacuated most Their manner of Taking Tobacco The Brasilians take generally very strong Tobacco which they first drie in the Sun and afterwards before the Fire the better to rub it in pieces Their Tobacco-pipe is a Cane and a hollow Nut cut off at the top and a round Hole bor'd in the middle into which they put the Cane They forbear not to take Tobacco even in the midst of their religious Ceremonies which are perform'd with Singing and Dancing in this manner Their Arms. Their Arms consist of Bowes made of hard Wood Strung with twisted Cotton Thred their Arrows they make of the Cane Tacaara made very sharp at the end or headed with some Beasts sharp Tooth or pointed with the Bones of the Fish Iperu Some of the Tapuiyans use great Darts and long Clubs of black Wood broad before and full of sharp Spikes the Handles being wound about with Cotton Strings call'd Jatirana under which hangs a Tuft of the Bird Arara's Feathers as also about the middle Their Trumpets call'd Canguenca are the Shin-bones of Men though they have others also made of great Shells and Canes They us'd to be continually at War one with another which they wag'd neither for Lands nor Riches but either to make themselves eminent and to be accounted valiant Soldiers or most especially for the sake of Man's-flesh to feed upon which they love beyond all things in the World wherefore they fatten all their Prisoners for the slaughter Their Battels are always cruel for they fight very desperately Emanuel de Moraes relates That he saw a Brasilian fight with three Armed Portugueses who slew him not till after he had wounded them all three The Languages of the Brasilians The Languages of the Brasilians are several each Countrey speaking a peculiar Tongue but so different that they cannot understand one another The Tabuyans are divided into above eighty Tribes each speaking a peculiar Language which have no resemblance one with another nevertheless they have a general Language which is understood by most of them The Jesuit Joseph Anchieta publishing a Brasilian Dictionary in Conimbrica Anno 1595. shewed that the fore-mention'd Language wants the Letters f l s z r and hath no double Consonants in any word except mb nd ng so that the sound of the word falls generally on the last Vowel The fore-mention'd Moraes well experienc'd in the Brasilian Tongue writ an Alphabet of all the most familiar words thereof us'd in common Discourse of which it will not be unnecessary to give this following Extract A. ABa a Man also Hair Acu the Left-hand Acuabeimae Sweet Amaberaba Lightning Amacuminga Thunder Amandiba Hail Anama a near Relation Anga the Soul Angabara Lean. Angaipata Angry or Wicked Angaturama Thankful or Acceptable Apara a Crown Apecum the Tongue Apicaba a Stool Ara the Time Skye or Day Ara-ibi coquime Noon Araya Grandmother Atapuana Light Atapuatia Swift Atucupe the Back Atyba the Shoulder Ay cig a Mother Ayura the Neck B. Boya a Slave C. Cama a Sucking-Breast Canga a Leg. Caraibebe apiabebe an Angle Caruca the Evening Capii Grass Capii goacu Straw Catu Dainty Cay an Ape Ceba a Loaf Cibera the Buttocks Cemiracoaobae a Widower Ceo a Breast Ceteeimibae a Ghost Cig cygra an Aunt Coaraci a Son Cobra a Serpent Coemitanga the Dawn Coriba Rejoyce Coya Twins Cunha a Wife Cunhaiba a Bride Cunumigoacu a Youth Cunumi a Boy E. Ecatuaba the right Hand Eyruba a Bee G. Giba an Arm. Guaibino an old Woman Guirarupia an Egg. I. Jaci the Moon or Month. Jacitata a Star Iba a Tree Ibiaia the Heavens Ibatinga and Ibitinga a Witch Ibateba High Ibi the Earth Ibitira a Mountain Ibitu the Wind. Icapi the Dew Ig Water Iguaba a Cap. Ipeca a Goose Igue the Side Ita Iron or a Stone Itacira a Spade Itapigua a Nail Juba Yellow M. Maupiara the Gall. Mbabeaubora Sick Mbiu Meat Mbo a Hand Membeca Softly Menearaa a Wedding Micu a Toe Mita the Heel Mocu an Eel Mormotara Angry Muapendaba a Joint N. Nbia the Heart O. Opacatumha the World P. Potia the Breast Paranga Fair. Porerobiara Faithful Porucuicobora Poor Potivi a Duck. Poxi Ugly Pi a Foot Pia the Liver Pira Fish or a Skin Piquiira Younger in years Pitanga a Child Pua a Finger Pua-guacu a Thumb Purva the Navel Puou Long. Putuma the Night R. Roig Cold. T. Tagica a Vein Tagui Blood Tagira or Membira a Daughter The first of these words is us'd by the Fathers and the other by the Mothers Taira Children or a Son Tamua a Grandfather Tata Fire Tecoacu Luck Tecoateima Covetousness Temerico Man or Woman Tendiba a Chin. Tendi Spittle Tendipia a Knee Tecobecatu Wholsom Tema a Shin-bone Tete a Body Tiaya Sweet Tibira Younger for
The Pories The Mountains along the Ocean which inclose much Gold are inhabited by the Pories a peaceable People molesting none of their Neighbors they sleep in Nets of Flags and have no other Houses than three Poles plac'd triangular and cover'd with Palm-Leaves they feed on Pine-Nuts and Eyrires Apples that have Shells like a Walnut and have also the precious Balsam-Oyl in great abundance The Molopaques Along the River Paradiva inhabit the Molopaques the Men strong and well timber'd have Beards long enough to cover their Privities The Women also fair modest prudent and never laughing tie their Hair painted with several colours round about their Middle with a Cord so that it serves in stead of an Apron They observe a set-hour for Dinner and Supper which is not us'd by any other Brasilians The Mountains in these Parts consisting of a black Mold have plenty of Gold but it is of no esteem or regard amongst them onely that which is wash'd down by the Rain they gather up but put to no other use than to make Hooks to hang their Nets on The Motayas The Motayas being of a low Stature and brown Complexion shave off the Hair of their Heads or else pluck it up by the Roots they are eaters of Man's-flesh Not far from whose Dominions appear the Mountains Pinos up in the Countrey which abounding with Gold and Precious Stones are inhabited by the Biheros otherwise call'd Lopos which live under the Trees like Beasts The Waianawasons The Waianawasons have little Villages built along a nameless River they are a Gigantick People but very ignorant Thirteen Portuguese undertaking some years ago to travel through this Countrey to the South Sea found on some Mountains abundance of Gold and Precious Stones and amongst many strange things they saw a Crystal Mountain ten days before they came near it over which they could not travel because of its steepness at the foot thereof sprung a broad Stream making a great noise From thence travelling forward The Tamoyes they came to the Tamoyes Countrey the Men whereof being well proportion'd wore great Bunches of Feathers on their Heads The Women exceeding fair had carv'd Breasts The said Portuguese being taken here were put into Prison and all slain and eaten excepting one who escap'd after this manner Thirty thousand Tamoyes falling into the Countrey of the Amazons by the Americans call'd Mandiocuysyams made a great Feast with three hundred of them whilest the rest fled to the River La Plata where they got help from the Portuguese who kill'd ten thousand of the Tamoyes made the rest Slaves and releas'd their imprison'd Countreyman The Tocomans Caryogs and Maraquites The Tocomans a little People dwell between La Plata and St. Vincent The Caryogs possess much Gold and Precious Stones The Maraquites by the Western Indians sur-named Tapuiyers that is Wild People are divided into seventy six sorts all differing in their Languages amongst which the chiefest are the Arodera Cajau Maquaru and Poyme which all live without Law Religion setled Abodes or Friendship with any Neighbors and the Women Fight as well as the Men. Jacob Rabbi who dwelt a considerable time and convers'd amongst these People describes their Customs thus Their Customs describ'd Their King Jandui sir-named Otshicayayna from the River which flows through the Countrey of the Tapuyans causes if he thinks fit to be publish'd through the the whole Camp of the Enemy whither he will go the next Morning and what he will do ill the Day following having first consulted with his Council of Sorcerers Before they march they wash their Bodies in the River rub themselves all over with Sand and afterwards wash it off again then stretch themselves till all their Joynts crack run to the Fire and when throughly warm scratch their Bodies with certain Fish-Teeth insomuch that the Blood gushes out of several places all which they judge to be good against wearisomness About a Stones-cast from the King's Tent lie two thick Logs a large Stride one from the other against which the whole Multitude stand divided into two Parties each of whom chuse the strongest Man accounted amongst them to carry the Log for a Wager and when these two are tir'd they are releas'd by others and he that comes last to the appointed place with the Log is laugh'd at by the Party to which he belong'd that was there first where they all stay for the Youths that bring their Arms which when they have deliver'd they all fall to work cutting down Trees breaking off the Boughs sticking them in the Ground and tying them together on the top for Tents which are built in rows one against another leaving a broad Path between Mean while the Women and Children coming with their Baggage the Men run to Fish and Hunt or to seek Honey The old Women dig up Roots which stamp'd serve them for Bread whilest the young Women help one another to prepare the Meat in the Huts Moreover the Men spend their time in several Exercises as Wrestling and Running of which two Women appointed for that purpose are the Judges When the Evening draws on upon them then the Youths dividing themselves into Companies go Singing from one Tent to another and are follow'd by the Maids Dancing and Leaping every one standing behind him whom she loves best and this is look'd upon as a singular sign of affection When a young Man is inclin'd to Marry he carries Honey and Venison to his Mistresses Father who if he hath more than one Daughter acquaints the Soothsayers with it who inform the King concerning it he then causes all the young Men and Maids to be call'd together out of the Camp sends them into the Woods to Hunt out a wild Beast which they no sooner see but they return and acquaint the Multitude therewith who immediately surrounding the Place soon catch the Beast whose Entrails they pull out and throw to the Dogs and give the Flesh to the Women to roast which when ready they make merry with Singing and Dancing after they have eaten then if the Youth hath behav'd himself well in pursuing of the wild Beast the King grants him the Maid which he desires for his Wife Four days before the Wedding they bore a Hole through each of the Bridegrooms Cheeks with a sharp piece of Wood which done they solemnize the Marriage at which the King himself distributes the Meat to every Guest as he thinks fit after Dinner they extol the Mothers Care in preserving her Daughters Virginity for the Bridegroom in strange Songs If a Maid be Marriageable and no Suitor comes to her then the Mother draws red Strokes under her Eyes and conducts her to the King who sets the Maid down by him on a Mat warms his Hands against the Fire then stroaks himself and the Maid and also blows Tobacco-Smoak on her and himself which done he performs the part of a Husband with her But their making Holes
through their Ears and Lips is done whilest they are Children after this manner The Boys who undergo this Ceremony come to the Place appointed where the whole Multitude Dance and Sing and the Conjurers who are the onely Priests they have sit in two rows opposite to one another one of them starting up takes a Boy by the Head ties him Hand and Foot that he cannot stir at all which done a second Sorcerer comes to his assistance and with a sharp-pointed Stick bores Holes through his Ears and Lips whilest the Mother of the Boy makes a sad Lamentation Women refuse to have any familiarity with their Husbands as soon as they perceive themselves to be with Child and as soon as any Woman is Deliver'd she runs into a neighboring Wood where with a Shell she cuts off the Childs Navel which boyling she eats with the After-birth then washes her self and the Child every Morning and Evening in cold Water as long as she gives Suck her Husband lies not with her unless it be a Man that hath but one Wife If a Woman commit Adultery her Husband beats her out of his House but if he takes her in the Act it is lawful for him to kill both In the middle of the King's Tent stands a great Calabash full of Stones call'd Kehnturah cover'd with the corner of a Mat which none dares approach without the King's leave unless it be to smoak the same with Tobacco or to lay Venison or Honey before it Strangemanner of curing the Sick amongst the Tapuyans It is also remarkable how the Sorcerers deal with their Sick the aforesaid Jacob Rabbi an Eye-witness relates That the King Drarugh being extreamly troubled with pains in his Sides and Legs and finding no help amongst his Sorcerers who pretended to be Physicians went to the neighboring King of the Tapuyans where three undertook to cure him which they did after this manner One of them blew Tobacco-smoak on his Body suck'd his Knees roar'd like a Lyon and after much ado vomited a little Eel into his Hand which he pretended had put the King to so much pain whilest the second suck'd his Belly and also roar'd exceedingly and vomited forth at last a Stone on which appear'd a Rose the third suck'd his left Side till he vomited something like a Root after which the King is said immediately to have recover'd Their Feasting in honor of the Stars There is but little Ceremony of Religion to be found amongst the Tapuyans onely they shew Reverence to the Seven-stars when the Fruits of the Field are ripe after this manner First they spend three days in Dancing and Singing then the Youths prepare themselves to Fight with Lances and Clubs tie tough Twigs about their Legs pour Honey on their Heads tie their Hair behind in Knots after it is powder'd with red Powder Paint their Faces and Bodies with several Colours stick a long Feather in their Necks betwixt their Hair and on their Heads set Garlands of red Feathers pleited down their Backs hang Bundles of Branches like Tails and have their Arms adorn'd with the Wings of the Bird Kosetug thus dress'd they fight three days at the end whereof the Conquerors shew great joy It deserves special observation what the Learned Gerard Vossius relates of them from the Mouth of Christopher Arcisseusky a Polish Nobleman famous for his hetoick Exploits for the United Netherlands in Brasile Arcisseusky's Relation of the Manners of the new Married The Tapuyans saith he are a People that range up and down never staying long in one place between Siara and Meranthon a vast Tract of Land and go almost naked having onely a slight Covering about their Middle When the Hollanders gave them Clothes they admir'd the strange Fashion thereof and after two days return'd them again In their Lips Nostrils Ears and Cheeks they hung Ornamentals of Wood Bones Feathers or Stones a great Club and a strong Bowe made of hard Wood serve them for Arms Gold and Silver they esteem'd not wherefore they barter'd whole Chests full buried there by the Portuguese and discover'd by them with the Hollanders for Greyhounds They judge themselves to be better than other Man-eaters because they eat not the Flesh of their Enemies but of their own Relations and those neither kill'd in the Wars nor dying a natural Death by which they pretend to express their exceeding love to the Deceased who else would say they be eaten by the Worms and rot wherefore they rather chuse to eat them that they may receive the nourishment themselves The same Author relates also That he saw a Tapuyan yield up the Ghost not far from the Castle Rio Grande after which his nearest Relations taking the Body wash'd the same together with the Entrails and cutting the Corps into several pieces roasted the same on a Spit preserving the Fat that dropt from it in Pans and eat the Flesh with a greedy Appetite None were admitted to this Feast but his chief Relations and that which they could not eat as the Hair Teeth Nails and Bones they burnt to Ashes which gathering up they mix'd with their Liquor till it was all drunk up The Religion of the Tapuyans The Tapuyans acknowledge two Deities the one good and the other bad to the good they shew no Reverence because say they he is bountiful of himself and doth them no hurt whereas on the contrary they zealously call upon their Devil-Deity because they think he destroys all those who worship him not Their foretelling of things to come They never Travel nor go to War before they have consulted with their angry God and that not without great Ceremonies whereupon they ascribe to themselves the knowledge of future things and indeed they often foretel future things which are beyond humane apprehension as a testimony whereof that may serve which Sapo Amama a Friezland Gentleman found by experience for he keeping Guard before Conjahu with a Troop of Horse against the Portuguese had several Tapuyans in his Service who foretold That the following day the Lieutenant Amama and a Trooper should be kill'd by a Shot from a great Gun which though slighted was confirm'd by the exact fulfilling of the Prediction The like Passages hapned daily and amongst many Arcisseusky relates one very remarkable Accident viz. He remov'd a considerable number of Men out of the Garrison Rio Grande to surprize the Spanish Fort Barra-Canium and nothing could more promote the Design than secrecy but fifty Tapuyans having joyn'd with the Hollanders Arcisseusky fear'd they might discover his Plot wherefore he charg'd them that they should not stir a foot from his Company which they accordingly promis'd and having march'd three days through By-ways they daily perform'd their Devotion in open view and Arcisseusky desir'd that they would call him when their Devil appear'd which they granted on promise that he should not do him any hurt On the third day the Army being sufficiently refresh'd he being
are exceeding dainty and tender yet so stubborn and sullen that they take pet at the least affront and often pine themselves away and die with hunger The Boyete and other sorts of Serpents The Serpent Boy-ete two Fathoms long without Legs having a bright speckled Skin and four sharp Teeth wounds also mortally with its Tail but is the less dangerous because at the end of the Tail grows a Bladder which moving rattles as if there were Pease in it which gives notice to the Traveller though unwary by which means he makes his escape The other Serpents call'd Jouboy Tara-gouyboy and Tarehuboy serve the Natives for a great Delicacy as also the great Toads or Frogs call'd Tourourou They have also a sort of Flies call'd Ton which exceedingly molest them against which their chiefest Medicine is Palm-tree Oyl and the Roucou with which they colour their Skins The Natives of this Island of Maragnan driven out of the pleasant Countrey Cayete by the Portuguese are a sort of the Toupinambas who Setled here about a hundred and fifty years ago The time of their first coming hither us'd formerly to be solemniz'd with the great Feast call'd Caoven but because a Woman boldly set upon a Commander in his Cups there arose a great Tumult amongst them and ever since the Island hath been divided one Party calling the other Tobaiares that is We are Enemies They are so inveterate against one another that who e're they take Prisoners they unmercifully devour Both are of a middle Stature have flat Noses which the Midwive make at the Birth of the Child they are generally a strong People and many of them living a hundred years without being grey bald or sick they live temperate and under a wholsom Climate Some of their Women bear Children as they say till they are eighty years of age which being born white turn to be of a Tawny colour by being anointed with Suet call'd Roucou and Oyl otherwise they are well proportion'd The Men pluck out all the Hair of their Foreheads but suffer it to hang pretty long over their Ears and behind The Women let their Hair hang down to their Middle and wear woodden Ear-rings but the Men hang green Beads in their Lips and thrust little Bones through their Noses They go all stark naked their Legs are colour'd black with the Juice of the Herb Junipap and upon the other parts of their Body appear Figures of several Representations Those that will manifest their Valor and be accounted hardy gash their Bodies all over with Wounds which they heal in such a manner that the Scars may more plainly appear They never come to their usual Feasts but dress'd up in various colour'd Feathers upon the Crown of their Heads they wear Caps stuck with Plumes which they call Acangoap or Coronets call'd Acangerar about their Necks the Necklaces Aiouacava over their Shoulders the Mantles Assoyave their Garters they call Tabacoura at which they hang hollow Nut-shells full of little Stones which gingle and rattle as they go and about their Arms Armlets call'd Mapouyh-couaychovare all which are curiously checker'd with various colour'd Feathers The Maragnans live not much up in the Countrey but rather on the Sea-Coast because of their Fishing removing every sixth year calling the Village where they Settle by the former Name They take every Man as many Wives as he pleaseth but the Women must stick each to one Man unless she be Divorc'd from him which often happens upon small occasions Their Cotton Hammocks call'd Yu on which they sleep hang between two Stakes in which they lie Singular Friends and Relations Feast one another daily but they are cruel and revengeful against their neighboring Enemies whom when they take any of them they fatten kill and eat The least affront done them or injurious word spoken to them or against their Predecessorss makes them take up Arms which consist of Bowes and Arrows which they call Ouyrapar and Oune Here the French have built the Fort St. Lovis on an Island from whence Westward may be seen the Cape Tapouytapere which at High-water seems like an Island and lies four Leagues from thence at Low-water they can walk over the Sands from the same to the Main Land This fruitful Countrey hath twenty populous Villages Westward lies Comma which gives Denomination to the chief Village the River and the rest of that Countrey wherein are sixteen more handsom Villages better built and more populous than Maragnan or Tapouytapere Concerning the building of the fore-mention'd Fort on Maragnan it hapned as followeth I. TAMAâ—CA A. Castrum Auriaci B. Ostium fluminis ad AustruÌ„ C. Castrum in monte D. Oppidum Scoppiâ— E. Sacâ—llum F. Via quibus ascenditur G. Fluvius qui versus Garasu abit UVIUS GRANDIS A. 〈…〉 B. 〈…〉 C. 〈…〉 D. 〈◊〉 SIARA A. Castrum B. Fluvius C. Via litâ—us versus D. Sylva E. Campestria SECT XI The Lordships Tamarica Rio Grande Siara and Para. Description of the Lordship of Tamarica THe Praefecture of Tamarica not above three Leagues in length and two in breadth so call'd from a little Island lying before it and part of its Precinct is counted the first that is the most ancient Lordship of Brasile having otherwise nothing in it that is very considerable save onely a good Haven or Port with a Castle for the Security or Command of it held to be impregnable and so found by the Dutch who under Peter Heyn and Stein Callenfels in vain attempted the taking of it as shall be mention'd hereafter more particularly but made it useless to the Portuguese by making a Bulwark at the Mouth of the Haven and so blocking it up This Capatania yielded formerly a Rent of thirty thousand Ducats to the Earls of Montesanto whose Right it was Description of the Lordship of Rio Grande THe Praefecture of Rio Grande a small Precinct so denominated as lying on the South-side of that great River which the Portuguese call Rio Grande and the Natives Potingi where it falls into the Sea was once possess'd by the French about the Year 1597. who were outed by the Portuguese and the Place fortifi'd both against them and the Salvages of whom they slew and took Prisoners very great numbers with a Castle which the Dutch in the Year 1631. found an impregnable piece and too hard for them to take Description of the Lordship of Siara THe Praefecture of Siara so denominated from the Haven it hath long been in the possession of the Portuguese but they have therein no Towns of note onely a Castle and some few Houses for those that attend the gathering of Cotton-Wool and Manuring of the Sugar-Canes which are here in great abundance also the Countrey is said to afford some Crystal and other Precious Stones Description of the Lordship of Para. LAstly the Praefecture of Para is the most Northerly part of Brasile bordering upon Guiana so call'd from the River Para which runneth through the
granted the Company their Request and gave them a new Patent by virtue of which they now Trade to Africa and the Caribbee-Islands since they were forc'd to quit all they had possess'd in Brasile SECT XII The Journey of Rodulphus Baron with the Description of the Customs and Manners of the Tapuyans ROdulphus Baron to make a Discovery of the Countrey upon the Encouragement of Grave Maurice who allow'd him to that purpose a yearly Revenue undertook a remarkable Journey accompany'd with three Tapuyans who goings out of the Village Caneri without any store of Provisions left the Mountains Cupaeva on the right-hand and went seventy Leagues into the Countrey without meeting with any People onely he found one Mountain of Fossile Glass from whence he went Southward to the Villages of the Waripebares and Caripati who having courteously Entertain'd him appointed certain Persons to accompany him from one Village to another with Orders to Complement Grave Maurice who sent them home with several Gifts The Waripebares and Caripati inhabit fourteen Villages on the Mountains which Bound Brasile Westward live by Hunting and Fishing eat wild Honey and all manner of Fruit and maintain continual Wars against a mighty People which inhabit the Western Plains The Customs and Manners of the Tapuyans As for the Tapuyans they range up and down between the Rivers Grande Quoauguho Ocioro Upameoma and Voiroguo without having any setled Abodes they are a strong People stern of Countenance and black Hair'd In stead of Circumcising their Children they cut them which is done after this manner The Priests stand on a row Dancing and Singing whilest one of them swings the Child round about his Head before all the Multitude and then runs away with it at last returning sets it in his Lap whilest another Priest cutting a Hole in the Ears and Lips thereof puts little Bones into the same and the Mother cries and howls after a terrible manner At these Ceremonies which end with Dancing and Singing their King is always present So soon as a Woman is gotten with Child by her Husband she lies no more with him but he is permitted to enjoy his other Wives whose number is either more or less according to every ones pleasure The Women after Delivery eat their After-birth Adultery is free for Men but if Women be taken in the Act they are immediately put to Death After they have done Soweing and Planting the King calls all his People and Subjects together and appears to them hung round with Garlands and all of them have their Bodies Painted and stuck full of divers colour'd Feathers Strange kind of Prognostication The Priests when they go about to foretel future Events either Sing or Pipe and at the same time hold up their Heads towards the Skie and stand gazing as if they saw some strange Vision in the Air on some of their Backs hangs a Bundle of Ostriches Feathers some throw Feathers in the Air to see which way the Wind blows When the Waters overflowing Brasile did much harm Anno 1641. the Priests being Consulted brought forth the King 's Calabash in which lay their sacred Stones call'd Cohuterak and Titscheyouh and began to Dance and Sing next six Priests were plac'd in a row which were to Prognosticate whereupon the first taking up a Stone said The Netherlanders have given Battel to those in St. Salvador but are now about an Agreement The second held up a Blossom of Indian Wheat and foretold that there would be plenty of that Grain The third holding a white Pebble-stone promis'd store of Milk The fourth grasp'd a Stone like Bread telling them that the Countrey should produce much Bread The fifth holding up a Bowe and Arrow hung full of Feathers cry'd aloud This is a Gift of the Angels Birds shall flie thicker than these Feathers hang together The sixth having a lump of Wax foretold that there would be plenty of Honey made by the Bees that year They worship the Constellation Ursa Minor They observe a very strange way of Purging for with a Stick they thrust sharp Leaves down their Throats into their Stomach which they turn so long till they vomit Blood Their manner of Wrestling In the Summer they have a general Meeting for Wrestling and other Exercises which lasts three days The Wrestlers are strangely attir'd for they are all over their Bodies beset with divers sorts of Feathers and in stead of Boots or Buskins wear the Barks of Trees about their Legs their Hair besmear'd with Honey and ty'd in a Tuft hangs down behind on their Crowns they wear a Plume of Feathers about their Necks a Band or Gorget of Feathers at their Arms they tie the Wings of the Birds Kohitub and on their Backs a green Bough their whole Bodies Painted with divers Colours and their Hair all Red Thus accoutred they Engage one with another and if there be an old Grudge between them then they Fight in earnest and often kill one another The Victor with strange Actions upbraids the Vanquish'd with Cowardise and ever after enjoys his Wife and Children They eat the Serpent Manuab being four Yards long and on the Tail having a Horn which with a push it thrusts into Man or Beast as it lights then winds it self about the Body and sucks till it hath suck'd the last drop of Blood Here are also Serpents which are so poysonous that the least Wound receiv'd by them is mortal unless the part bitten be either immediately cut out or off The Priests cut the deceased Bodies into pieces which are roasted by old Women the Bones are taken out and at the next publick Feast are stamp'd mix'd with Water and Drank But the Bodies of Noblemen are to be eaten by none but Persons of that Rank Their manner Crowning their Kings They also Crown their Kings after a strange manner viz. The Priests who are best with Feathers anoint him with sweet-smelling Oyl or Balsam and put a Crown of divers colour'd Feathers on his Head after which they all fall a Singing and Dancing but if any one happen to speak a word of the deceased King they all begin to howl and cry The Kings Authority consists more in Advising than Commanding Their Opinions concerning the Soul They believe that the Souls of those who die a natural Death are immortal but those that are kill'd by their Enemies devour'd by ravenous Beasts or poyson'd are totally extinguish'd both Soul and Body for ever They say likewise that Hell is Westward near a dark Pool where the Devil Examines every Soul how they liv'd on Earth and what Death they dy'd the Good are Ferry'd over to a delightful Valley where there is plenty of Fish Honey and Flesh but the Wicked are miserably tormented The Natives live peaceably amongst themselves their Law being for those that have not to ask and for those that have to give They never Travel in the Night for fear of Serpents and other ravenous Beasts
brought the fore-mention'd Vocabulary along with them Chili is look'd upon as no way inferior to any Countrey in America enjoying a wholsom Air fruitful Soil and abundance of Inhabitants who often furnish Peru with Provisions which are the speedier convey'd thither because the South-Winds always blow along the Coast The Peruvian Vice-Roy keeps a Deputy to Govern here It hath two Bishopricks viz. St. Jago and L' Imperial The Nature Customs and Manners of the Chileses Some of the Chileses are under the Spaniards Jurisdiction and live in Huts others being wilder defend their Freedom with the Sword They have great Heads and flat Noses The Men continually pull out the Hair on their Faces and Privities with Shells which they carry about their Necks for that purpose having beforehand rubb'd the Hair with warm Ashes the Hair of their Heads hanging downwards is cut close as far as their Ears the rest growing long is ty'd with the Ribbon Tariwelonco to which Persons of Quality fix Silver Plates and Turkoises Some also cover their Heads with the Skins of Weazels or the like Beasts putting the Head over their Foreheads and the Tail down their Neck which kind of Covering they call Maniewelonco Others wear Caps made after some strange manner or other The Chileses are not the tallest but strong and well set betwixt a white and sallow colour Those that are in the Spaniards Service wear long Hair by which they are distinguish'd from the shorn Ucais who do the Spaniards all the mischief imaginable The Women are for the most part low of stature but of a strong Constitution they go bare-headed letting their Hair hang loose over their Shoulders except when they are indispos'd and then they tie it up But those that dwell about Castro wear Locks like our English Ladies In Coquimbo and Loquimbo they go after the same manner as the Peruvian Women All of them have thick black Hair Their Apparel though mean is neat The Men wear wide Breeches girt about their Wastes and a piece of woollen Cloth three Yards long and two broad which having a Hole in the middle they put over their Heads and so let it hang on their Shoulders leaving their Arms and Legs bare but on Festival Days they wear curious embroider'd Stockings The Women likewise cover themselves with the same piece of Cloth but after another manner tying it first about their Middle then let it down to the Ground pinn'd before with Silver or Golden Pins their Heads Breasts and Legs are uncover'd the Cloth it self is strip'd with red white blue and yellow and fring'd at the edges For an Example of their quick and easie Labor Hendrick Brewer relates That a Woman being Deliver'd in his Ship within an hour after walk'd up and down the Deck and gave the Child suck Some of them have such great Breasts that throwing them over their Shoulders they suckle their Children being ty'd at their Backs Their Huts being low are made of Straw Canes and Boughs and not built for one single Family for often thirty fifty a hundred or a hundred and twenty dwell under one Roof and have a Governor by them call'd Caruca Their Housholdstuff is little and mean viz. two or three Cans to keep their Liquor Chica in Horn Cups a Stone whereon they grind their Corn and one or two woodden Stools The chiefest of them also use Sheep-skins which they spread on the Ground before their Guests They live without care for they neither Sowe nor Plant any more than will serve them a Year Their Riches consist in Cattel of which they have no great plenty About the beginning of October a whole Town meets together to Plough and to Sowe which the Men perform in two days time the rest of the Work being left to the care of the Women for the Men never meddle with Reaping or Harvest They eat and drink from Morning to Evening when they do not travel for then they eat at set-times Their Liquor is made of Barley-Meal or Wheat boyl'd in Water On Festival Days they drink Chica Brew'd of Maiz chew'd by the Teeth of old Women They likewise make a Liquor of the Fruit Unni which tastes like Madera Wine Every Man Marries as many Wives as he can buy and maintain Their Marriages for Maids and Widows must be sold by the Parents who set not a Price upon them according to their Beauty or Quality but their skill in managing Houshold Affairs Their Marriages are perform'd after a strange manner A Son having no Inheritance lives on the Charity of his nearest Relations who Present him one with a Hog another with a Cow a third with a Sheep and a fourth with somewhat else thus enrich'd he goes to his Mistresses Father and hangs some Turkoises and Plates of Silver about his Neck and acquainting him with what Estate he can make his Wife he agrees as well as he can with his intended Father-in-law to whom he gives ten fifty or a hundred Sheep Oxen Cows Hogs Horses Poultrey a Coat and some Vessels full of Chica which done the Father leads his Daughter to the Bridegroom's House where he is Entertain'd with Meat but finds the Drink at his own Cost Some days after the Celebration of the Wedding the nearest Relations come to congratulate the young Marry'd Woman and at Dinner sing an Epithalamium to their Nuptial Deity Maruapeante all of them sitting on the Ground on Sheep-skins The Allies often take away a Woman from her Husband especially when he misuses her and if a Man kill his Wife her Death is reveng'd by her Relations Persons of Quality build a Hut for every one of their Wives sending word to her whom they have a mind to enjoy They respect one above the rest who are in a manner but Slavesses being forc'd to do all the Drudgery The Men are exceeding jealous and chollerick cruelly beating their Wives if they chance but to look on another Man and if they take them in the Act of Adultery they immediately kill them yet for all this they are not Chaste but very Libidinous As soon as a Woman is Deliver'd of a Child she washes her self and the Child in cold Water then kills a Lamb call'd Chiluraque and makes a Feast at which she her self eats and drinks freely amongst the rest and the next day goes about her usual Employment The Spaniards tell us that their Women if they continue long in this Countrey are more and more hardned by the Air and are as little concern'd at the Birth of a Child as the Natives A Widow hath free leave to Marry again provided she hath given to her Children part of what she hath but if she Marry not but return to her Parents then she is highly esteem'd of Both Men and Women wash themselves in the Rivers in the coldest Weather They adore chiefly their Deity Pillan and the Devil who doth them much hurt They acknowledge no Resurrection Their Religion and manner of burying their Dead accounting