The English-American his Travail by Sea and Land OR A NEW SVRVEY OF THE WEST-INDIA'S CONTAINING A Journall of Three thousand and Three hundred Miles within the main Land of AMERICA Wherin is set forth his Voyage from Spain to S t. Iohn de Ulhua and from thence to Xalappa to Tlaxcalla the City of Angeles and forward to Mexico With the description of that great City as it was in former times and also at this present Likewise his Journey from Mexico through the Provinces of Guaxaca Chiapa Guatemala Vera Paz Truxillo Comayagua with his abode Twelve years about Guatemala and especially in the Indian-towns of Mixco Pinola Petapa Amatitlan As also his strange and wonderfull Conversion and Calling from those remote Parts to his Native COUNTREY With his return through the Province of Nicaragua and Costa Rica to Nicoya Panama Portobelo Cartagena and Havana with divers occurrents and dangers that did befal in the said Journey ALSO A New and exact Discovery of the Spanish Navigation to those Parts And of their Dominions Government Religion Forts Castles Ports Havens Commodities fashions behaviour of Spaniards Priests and Friers Blackmores Mulatto's Mestiso's Indians and of their Feasts and Solemnities With a Grammar or some few Rudiments of the Indian Tongue called Poconchi or Pocoman By the true and painfull endevours of THOMAS GAGE now Preacher of the Word of God at Acris in the County of KENT Anno Dom. 1648. London Printed by R. Cotes and are to be sold by Humphrey Blunden at the Castle in Cornhill and Thomas Williams at the Bible in Little Britain 1648. To His Excellency S r. THOMAS FAIRFAX Knight Lord FAIRFAX OF CAMERON CAPTAIN-GENERALL of the Parliaments Army And of all their Forces in ENGLAND and the Dominion of WALES May it please your EXCELLENCY THe Divine Providence hath hitherto so ordered my life that for the greatest part thereof I have lived as it were in exile from my native Countrey which happened partly by reason of my education in the Romish Religion and that in forraign Universities and partly by my entrance into Monasticall orders For twelve years space of which time I was wholly disposed of in that part of America called New-Spain and the parts adjacent My difficult going thither being not permitted to any but to those of the Spanish Nation my long stay there and lastly my returning home not onely to my Country but to the true knowledge and free-profession of the Gospels purity gave me reason to conceive That these great mercies were not appointed me by the heavenly Powers to the end I should bury my Talent in the earth or hide my light under a bushell but that I should impart what I there saw and knew to the use and benefit of my English Country-men And which the rather â—… held my self obliged unto because in a manner nothing hath been written of these Parts for these hundred years last past which is almost ever since the first Conquest thereof by the Spaniards who are contented to lose the honour of that wealth and felicity they have there since purchased by their great endevours so they may enjoy the safety of retaining what they have formerly gotten in peace and security In doing whereof I shall offer no Collections but such as shall arise from mine own observations which will as much differ from what formerly hath been hereupon written as the picture of a person grown to mans estate from that which was taken of him when he was but a Childe or the last hand of the Painter to the first or rough draught of the picture I am told by others that this may prove a most acceptable work but I doe tell my self that it will prove both lame and imperfect and therefore had need to shelter my self under the shadow of some high protection which I humbly pray your Excellency to afford me nothing doubting but as God hath lately made your Excellency the happy instrument not onely of saving my self but of many numbers of godly and well affected people in this County of Kent where now I reside by the favour of the Parliament from the imminent ruine and destruction plotted against them by their most implacable enemies so the same God who â—…ath led your Excellency through so many difficulties towards the settlement of the peace of this Kingdom and reduction of Ireland will after the perfecting thereof which God of his mercy hasten direct your Noble thoughts to employ the Souldiery of this Kingdom upon such just and honourable designes in those parts of America as their want of action at home may neither be a burden to themselves nor the Kingdome To your Excellency therefore I offer a New-World to be the subject of your future pains valour and piety beseeching your acceptance of this plain but faithfull relation of mine wherein your Excellency and by you the English Nation shall see what wealth and honor they have lost by one of their narrow hearted Princes who living in peace and abounding in riches did notwithstanding reject the offer of being first discoverer of America and left it unto Ferdinando of Arragon who at the same time was wholly taken up by the Warrs in gaining of the City and Kingdome of Granada from the Moores being so impoverished thereby that â—…e was compelled to borrow with some difficulty a few Crowns of a very mean man to set forth Columbus upon â—… glorious an expedition And yet if time were closely followed at the heels we are not so farr behinde but we might yet take him by the fore-top To which purpose our Plantations of the Barbadoes St. Christophers Mems and the rest of the Caribe-Islands have not onely advanced our journey the better part of the way but so inured our people to the Clime of the Indies as they are the more inabled thereby to undertake any enterprise upon the firm Land with greater facility Neither is the difficulty of the attempt so great as some may imagine for I dare be bold to affirm it knowingly That with the same pains and charge which they have been at in planting one of those pettie Islands they might have conquer'd so many great Cities and large Territories on the main Continent as might very well merit the title of a Kingdome Our Neighbors the Hollanders may be our example in this case who whilst we have been driving a private Trade from Port to Port of which we are likely now to be deprived have conquered so much Land in the East and West-Indies that it may be said of them as of the Spaniards That the Sunn never sets upon their Dominions And to meet with that objection by the way That the Spaniard being intituled to those Countries it were both unlawfull and against all conscience to dispossess him thereof I answer that the Popes donation excepted I know no title he hath but force which by the same title and by a greater force may be repelled And to bring in the title of First-discovery
to me it seems as little reason that the sailing of a Spanish Ship upon the coast of India should intitle the King of Spain to that Countrey as the sayling of an Indian or English Ship upon the coast of Spain should intitle either the Indians or English unto the Dominion thereof No question but the just right or title to those Countries appertains to the Natives themselves who if they shall willingly and freely invite the English to their protection what title soever they have in them no doubt but they may legally transferr it or communicate it to others And to say That the inhumane butchery which the Indians did formerly commit in sacrificing of so many reasonable Creatures to their wicked Idols was a sufficient warrant for the Spaniards to divest them of their Country The same argument may by much better reason be inforced against the Spaâ—… 〈…〉 to the Idol of their barbarous cruelty that many populous Islands and large Territorities upon the main Continent are thereby at this day utterly uniâ—…habited as Bartholomeo de las Casas the Spanish Bishop of Guaxaca in New-Spain hath by his Writings in Print sufficiently testified But to end all disputes of this nature since that God hath given the earth to the sons of Men to inhabite and that there are many vast Countries in those parts not yet inhabited either by Spaniard or Indian why should my Country-men the English be debarred from making use of that which God from all beginning no question did ordain for the benefit of mankinde But I will not molest your Excellency with any further argument hereupon rather offering my self and all my weak endevours such as they are to be employed herein for the good of my Country I beseech Almighty God to prosper your Excellency Who am The most devoted and humblest of your Excellencies servants THO. GAGE UPON This WORTHY WORK Of his most worthy Friend THE AVTHOR READER behold presented to thine eye What us Columbus off red long agoe Of the New-World a new discoverie Which here our Author doth so clearly show That he the state which of these Parts would know Need not hereafter search the plenteous store Of Hackluit Purchas and Ramusio Or learn'd Acosta's writings to look o're Or what Herera hath us told before Which merit not the credit due from hence Those being but reck'nings of anothers score But these the fruits of self-experience Wherein our Author useth not the sence Of those at home who doe their judgments leave And after wandring farr with vast expence See many things which they doe ne'r perceive Laborious are by study much at home To know those Parts which they came lately from Less doth he use us as the late writ-Books Of journeys made unto the Levant-States Wherein when we doe pry with curious looks Of Greece and Troy to know the present fates They tell us what Thucidides relates What Strabo writes what Homer crown'd with bayes What Authors more who have out-worn their dates Besides what Plutarch and Polibius sayes So what they were not what they are they sing And shew their reading not their travailing But here our Author neither doth us tell Or to us shew one inch of Sea or Ground Unless such acts which in his time befell Or what his eyes â—…aw the Horizon bound He uttereth nought at all he heard by sound He speaks not of a City or a Street But where â—…mself hath often gone the round And measured o're with his industrious feet And yet it must acknowledg'd be for true Since worthy Hawkins and the famous Drake Did first presâ—… unto the English view This New-found-world for great Eliza's sake Renowned Rawâ—…eigh twice did undertake With labours great and dangers not a few A true discovery of these Parts to make And thereof writ both what he saw and knew But as the man who in a Ship doth pass Our narrow Seas the flowings of each tide The Ships course soundings turnings of the glass What Land he makes on North or Southern side He may impart But who they be abide Or what Religion Language or what Nation Possess each Coast â—…ince he hath never tride How can he make thereof a true Relation So those who have describ'd these Parts before Of Trade Winds Currents Hurican's doe tell Of Headlands Harbours trendings of the shore Of Rocks and 〈◊〉 wherein they might as well Talk of a Nut and onely shew the shell The kernell neither tasted touch'd nor seen Had yet remain'd but that it so befell That these Relations to us made have been Differing as much from what before y'have heard As doth a Land-Map from a Seamans Card. But how these truths reveal'd to us should bee When none but Spaâ—…iards to those Parts may go Which was establish'd by severe Decree Lest Forain people should their fecâ—…ets know This Order yet to be neglected so As that our Author had permission free Whose Nation too they count their greatest foe Seemeth almost a miracle to me Sure the prescience of that power Divine Which safely to those parts did him convey Did not for nought his constant heart incline There twelve whole years so patiently to stay That he each thing exactly might furvay Then him return'd nay more did turn to us And to him shew'd of bliss the perfect way Which of the rest seems most miraculous For had the last of these not truly been These fair Relations we had never seen Nor can I think but this most usefull Book In time to come may like some new-born Starr Direct such Wisemen as therein will look And shew their way unto these Regions farr And though we now lie sunk in Civill war Yet you the worthy Patriots of this Land Let not your hearts be drowned in despair And so your future happiness withstand For time will come you shall enjoy a Peace But then no longer you must joy in sinn When they no more shall raign these Wars shall cease And then your after bliss shall soon beginn The fiery trialls which you now are in In stead of foes shall prove your best of friends And you from servile base affection win To fit your hearts for high and Nobler ends Your Drums which us'd to beat their Martiall dance Upon the banks of Garone Seine and Soane Whilst you trode measures through the Realm of France Doe now at home Oh grief on both sides groane As if they did your ill spilt blood bemoane Which long agoe with Richard England's King When he the holy Warr maintain'd alone Their dreadfull notes did through Iudea ring Now shall the tawnie Indians quake for fear Their direfull march to beat when they doe hear Your brave Red-Crosses on both sides display'd The noble Badges of your famous Nation Which you yeâ—… râ—…er with your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And dy d them deep in drops of detestation You shall again advance with reputation And on the bouâ—…ds of utmost Western shore Shall them transplant and â—…mly â—…ix their station Where English
in it two rich Colonies called Pamico and St. Iames in the valleys The third Province of Mexico is called Mechoacan which containeth in circuit fourscore leagues It is also an exceeding rich countrey abounding in Mulberry trees silk hony wax black-amber works of divers coloured feathers most rich rare and exquisite and such store of fish that from thence it tooke its name Mechuoucan which signifieth a place of fishing The language of the Indians is most elegant and copious and they tall strong active and of very good wits as may be seen in all their workes but especially in those of feathers which are so curious that they are presented for rich presents to the King and Nobles of Spaine The chiefe City of this Province is Valladolid a Bishopsseat and the best Townes are Sinsonte which was the residence of the Kings of this countrey There is also Pascuar and Colima very great Townes inhabited by Indians and Spaniards There are also two good havens called St. Anthony and St. Iames or Santiago This country of Mechoacan was almost as great as the Empire of Mexico when Cortez conquered those parts The King that was then of Mechoacan was called Caconzin who was a great friend unto Cortez and a servitor to the Spaniards and willingly yeelded himselfe as vassall to the King of Spaine yet such was the cruelty of Don Nunio de Guzman the first Ruler and President of the Chancery of Mexico after the conquest that understanding he was put out of his office he tooke his journey against the Teuchichimecas and carried in his company five hundred Spaniards with whom and six thousand Indians which by force he tooke out of Mechoacan he conquered Xalixco which is now called the new Galicia And as for this purpose hee passed through Mechoacan he tooke prisoner the King Caconzin who was quiet and peaceable and stirred not against him and tooke from him ten thousand markes of plate and much gold and other treasure and afterwards burned him and many other Indidian Gentlemen and principall persons of that Kingdome because they should not complaine saying that a dead dog biteth not They were in this Kingdome as superstitious and idolatrous as in the rest of America No divorcement was permitted amongst them except the party made a solemn oath that they looked not the one on the other stedfastly and directly at the time of their marriage In the burying likewise of their Kings they were superstitious cruell and Idolatrous When any King of Mechoacan happened to be brought to such extremity of sicknesse that hope of life was past then did he name and appoint which of his sons should inherit the state and Crown and being known the new King or heir presently sent for all the Governours Captains and valiant souldiers who had any office or charge to come unto the buriall of his father and he that came not from thenceforth was held for a Traitour and so punished When the death of the old King was certaine then came all degrees of estates and did bring their presents to the new King for the approbation of his Kingdome But if the King were not throughly dead but at the point of death then the gates were shut in and none permitted to enter and if he were throughly dead then be gan a generall cry and mourning and they were permitted to come where their dead King lay and to touch him with their hands This being done the carkasse was washed with sweet waters and then a fine shirt put upon him and a payre of shoâ—… amde of Dear skinne put on his feet and about his ankleâ—… were tied bellâ—… of gold about the wrists of his hands were put braceletâ—… of Turkisâ—…s and of gold likewise about his neck they did hang collars of pretious stones and also of gold and rings in his eares with a great Turkise in his neither lip Then his body was laid upon a large Beere whereon was placed a good bed under him on his one side lay a bow with a quiver of arrowes and on his other side lay an Image made of fine 〈◊〉 of his own stature or bignesse with a great ruffe of fine feathers shooes upon his feeâ—… with bracelets and a collar of gold While this was a doing others were busâ—…â—…n washing the men and women which should be slain for to accompany him into hâ—…ll These wretches that were to be slain were first banqueted and filled with drinkâ—… 〈◊〉 they should receive their death with lesse paine The new King did appoint those who should die for to serve the King his father and many of those sâ—…ple soules esteemed that death so odious for a thing of immortall glory First six Gentlewomen of noble birth were appointed to die the one to have the office of keeper of his jewels which he was wont to weare another for the office of cup-bearer another to give him water with a bason and Ewer another to give him alwaies the Urinall another to be his Cooke and another to serve for Landress They slew also many women slaves and free-maidens for to attend upon the Gentlewomen and moreover one of every occupation within the City When all these that were appointed to die were washed and their bellies full with meat and drinke then they painted their faces yellow and put garlands of sweet flowers upon each of their heads Then they went in order of procession before the Beere whereon the dead King was carried some went playing on instruments made of Snail shells and others played upon bones and shells of Sea Tortois others went whistling and the most part weeping The sons of the dead King and other Noble men carried upon their shoulders the Beere where the Corps lay and proceeded with an easie pace towards the Temple of the God called Curicaveri his kinsmen went round about the Beer singing a sorrowfull song The officers and houshold-servants of the Court with other Magistrates and Rulers of justice bare the Standards and divers other Arms. And about midnight they departed in the order aforesaid out of the Kings Palace with great light of fire-brands and with a heavy noyse of their trumpets and drummes The Citizens which dwelt where the Corse passed attended to make clean the street And when they were come to the Temple they went four times round about a great fire which was prepared of Pine tree to burn the dead body Then the Beer was laid upon the fire and in the meane while that the body was burning they mawled with a club those which had the garlands and afterward buried them four and four as they were apparelled behind the Temple The next day in the morning the ashes bones and jewels were gathered and laid upon a rich mantle the which was carried to the Temple gate where the Preists attended to blesse those divellish reliques whereof they made a dow or paste and thereof an Image which was apparelled like a man with a visor on his face and all other sorts of
when Uazquez de Coronado conquered some part of it hee saw in the further Sea certaine ships not of common making which seemed to bee well laden and bare in their prowes Pelicans which could not bee conjectured to come from any Country but one of these two In Quivira there are but two Provinces knowne unto us which are Cibola and Nova Albion Cibola lyeth on the Eastside whose chief City is of the same name and denominates the whole Province The chief Town next to Cibola is called Totontaa which is temperate and pleasant being situated upon a River so called The third Town worth mentioning is called Tinguez which was burnt by the Spaniards who under the conduct of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado made this Province subject to the King of Spain Anno Dom. 1540. And since this Town of Tinguez hath been rebuilt and inhabited by the Spaniards There is a goodly Colledge of Jesuites who only preach to the Indians of that country Nova Albion lyeth on the West side towards Tartary and is very little inhabited by the Spaniards who have found no wealth or riches there Our ever Renowned and Noble Captain Sir Francis Drake discovered it entred upon it and hee named it Nova Albion because the King that then was did willingly submit himself unto our Queen Elizabeth The Country abounds with fruits pleasing both the eye and the Palate The people are given to hospitality but withall to witchcraft and adoration of devils The bounds between this Quivira and Mexico Empire is Mar Virmiglio or Californio The third Kingdome belonging to the Mexican part and Northern Tract is Iucatan which was first discovered by Francisco Hernandez de Cordova in the year 1517. It is called Iucatan not as some have conceited from Ioctan the son of Heber who they thinke came out of the East where the Scripture placeth him Gen. 12. 23. to inhabite here but from Iucatan which in the Indian tongue fignifieth what say you for when the Spaniards at their first arriving in that Country did aske of the Indians the name of the place the Savages not understanding what they meaned replyed unto them Iucatan which is what say you whereupon the Spaniards named it and ever since have called it Iucatan The whole Country is at least 900. miles in circuit and is a Peninsulâ—… It is situated over against the Isle of Cuba and is divided into three parts first Iucatan it selfe whose Cities of greatest worth are Campeche Ualladolid Merida Simaricas and one which for his greatnesse and beauty they call Caire This Country among the Spaniards is held to bee poor the chief Commodities in it are hony wax Hides and some Sugar but no Indigo Cochinil nor Mines of silver There are yet some drugs much esteemed of by the Apothecaries Cana fistula Zarzaparilla especially and great store of Indian Maiz. There is also abundance of good Wood and Timber fit for shipping whereof the Spaniards doe make very strong ships which they use in their voiages to Spain and back again In the yeer 1632. the Indians of this Country in many places of it were like to rebell against their Spanish Governour who vexed them sorely making them bring in to him their Fowles and Turkies whereof there is also great abundance and their hony and wax wherein hee traded at the rate and price which hee pleased to set them for his better advantage which was such a disadvantage to them that to enrich him they impoverished themselves and so resolved to betake themselves to the Woods and Mountaines where in a rebellious way they continued some Months untill the Franciscan Fryers who have there great power over them reduced them back and the Governour lest hee should quite lose that Country by a further rebellion granted to them not onely a generall pardon in the Kings name but for the future promised to use them more mildly and gently The second part of it is called Guatemala wherein I lived for the space of almost twelve yeers whose Inhabitants have lost formerly halfe a million of their kinsmen and friends by the unmercifull dealing of the Spaniards and yet for all the losse of so many thousands there is no part of America more flourishing then this with great and populous Indians Townes They may thank the Fryers who defend them daily against the Spaniards cruelty and this yet for their owne ends for while the Indians flourish and increase the Fryers purses flourish also and are filled This Country is very fresh and plentifull The chief Cities are Guatemala Cassuca and Chiapa whereof I shall speak more largely hereafter The third part of Iucatan is Acasamil which is an Island over against Guatemala which is now commonly called by the Spaniards Sta. Cruz whose chief Towne is Sta. Cruz. The fourth and last Country of the division of the Mexican part and Northern Tract of America which is under the Spanish Government and my best knowledge and eâ—…perience is Nicaragua which standeth South East from Mexico and above foure hundred and fifty leagues from it Yet it agreeth somewhat with Mexico in nature both of soile and Inhabitants The people are of good stature and of colour indifferent white They had before they received Christianity a setled and politick forme of Government Onely as Sâ—…n appointed no Law for a mans killing of his father so had this people none for the murtherer of a King both of them conceiting that men were not so unnaturall as to commit such crimes A theef they judged not to death but adjudged him to be slave to that man whom hee had robbed till by his service hee had made satistaction a course truely more mercifull and not lesse just then the losse of life This Countrey is so pleasing to the eye and abounding in all things necessary that the Spaniards call it Mahomets Paradise Among other flourishing trees here groweth one of that nature that a man cannot touch any of its branches but it withereth presently It is as plentifull of Parrets as our Countrey of England is of Crowes Turkies Fowles Quailes and Rabbets are ordinary meat there There are many populous Indian Townes though not so many as about Guatemala in this Countrey and especially two Cities of Spaniards the one Leon a Bishops Seat and the other Granada which standeth upon a Lake of fresh water which hath above three hundred miles in compasse and having no intercourse with the Ocean doth yet continually ebbe and flow But of this Countrey and of this City especially I shall say somewhat more when I come to speake of my travailing through it Thus I have briefly touched upon the Mexican part and so much of the Northern Tract as is under the King of Spain his Dominion leaving more particulars untill I come to shew the order of my being in and journeying through some of these Countries I will now likewise give you a glimpse of the Southern Tract and Peruan part of America Which containeth chiefly five great Countries or
verse Solamen misero est socios retinere Panettes Hee thought I followed him to steale away his loafe from him This new found word Panettes had almost choaked him had not hee made use of the medicinall water which stood before him of the which he dranke a good draught whereby I perceived his courage against me and my friends was tamed and I told him I hoped his burning want on love was cooled Thus with my Criolian neighbours company my bread and water went down cheerfully and dinner being ended we were again conducted to our chambers where we dranke a cup of old Alvarez his Chocolatte The Castilian Friers flocked unto our prisons some to talke with us some bringing us conserves and sweet-meats others other dainties which they had prepared to helpe our digestion of bread and cold water My suddain verses to my Criolian neighbour were presently noysed about the Cloister and were the chiefe subject of our talke that afternoone Our supper was provided for us according to the promise and generous spirit of the Prior who also honoured our prison that night with his owne and two other Friers company supping with us all in one chamber together And thus we passed our three daies of imprisonment merrily and contentedly wishing we might never suffer harder usage in any prison then we had done in this which was not to us such a punishment as did bring with it the privation of any liberty of enjoying the company of friends of feasting with them but onely the privation of the liberty of our legs to walke about those three daies and this rather an ease then a punishment for that we wanted rather rest then much stirring after so long and tedious a journey as we had compassed from Mexico thither We were no sooner set at liberty but we presently found the Provinciall and Prior ready to dispose of us so that in lieu of our imprisonment we might receive honor and credit Two were sent into the Country to learne some Indian language that so they might be beneficed and preach unto the Indians My selfe and another desired to goe farther to Guatemala that there we might practise Philosophy and Divinity in the famous Universitie of that City Nothing that we desired was denied unto us onely the time was thought not fit untill Michaelmâ—… because then the schooles were renewed and new Orders setled In the meane time the Provinciall having also heard of my verses ex tempore to the Criolian Frier and knowing that the Latin tongue is better grounded in England then among the Spaniards who abuse poore Priscian and daily breake his pate with foolish soloecismes and considering the want hee had of a Master of the Latine tongue to supply a Lecture of Grammar and Syntax to the youâ—…hes of Chiapa in a schoole in that Cloister which brought a sufficient yeerly stipend unto the Covent desired me to accept of that place untill such time as he should take care to send me to Guatemala promising me all incouragements in the meane time fitting and that I should when I would go about to see the Country which I much desired and also that out of the schoole annuity I should have my allowance for bookes and other necessaries I could not but accept of this good offer and so with this imployment I remained in that City from Aprill to the end of September where I was much esteemed of by the Bishop and Governour but especially by the Prior who would never ride about the Country for his recreation but he would take me with him whereby I had occasion to note concerning the Province riches commodities and government of Chiapa what in the ensuing Chapter I shall faithfully commend unto the Presse CHAP. XV. Describing the Countrey of Chiapa with the chiefest Townes and Commodities belonging unto it THough Chiapa in the opinion of the Spaniards be held to be one of the poorest Countries of America because in it as yet there have been no mines discovered nor golden sands found in the rivers nor any haven upon the South-sea whereby commodities are brought in and carried out as to Mexico Guaxaca and Guatemala yet I may say it exceedeth most Provinces in the greatness and beauty of fair Towns and yeeldeth to none except it be to Guatemala nay it surpasseth all the rest of America in that one and famous and most populous Towne of Chiapa of the Indians And it ought not to be so much slighted by the Spaniards as it is if they would looke upon it as standing between Mexico and Guatemala whose strength might be all Americaes strength and whose weakenesse may prove dangerous to all that flourishing Empire for the easy entrance into it by the river of Tabasco or for its neer joyning and bordering unto Iucatan Besides the commodities in it are such as doe uphold a constant trading and commerce amongst the inhabitants themselves and with other neighbouring Countries and from no one part of America doth Spaine get more Cochinil then from one of the Provinces of Chiapa the Townes also being great and populous by their yeerly pole tribute do adde much to the King of Spaines revenues This Country is divided into three Provinces to wit Chiapa Zeldales and Zoques whereof Chiapa it selfe is the poorest This containes the great Towne of Chiapa of the Indians and all the Townes and farmes North-ward towards Maquilapa and West-ward the Priory of Comitlan which hath some ten Townes and many farmes of Cattle Horses and Mules subject unto it and neighbouring unto it lieth the great valley of Capanabastla which is another Priory reaching towards Soconuzco This valley glorieth in the great river which hath its spring from the mountaines called Cuchumatlanes and runneth to Chiapa of the Indians and from thence to Tabasco It is also famous for the abundance of fish which the river yeeldeth and the great store of Cattell which from thence minister food and provision both to the City of Chiapa and to all the adjacent Townes Though Chiapa the City and Comitlan as standing upon the hils bee exceeding cold yet this valley lying low is extraordinary hot and from May to Michaelmas is subject to great stormes and tempests of thunder and lightning The head Towne where the Priory stands is called Copanabastla consisting of above eight hundred Indian inhabitants But greater than this is Izquintenango at the end of the valley and at the foot of the mountaines of Cuchumatlanes Southward And yet bigger then this is the Towne of St. Bartholomew Northward at the other end of the valley which in length is about fourty miles and ten or twelve onely in breadth All the rest of the Townes lie towards Soconuzco and are yet hotter and more subject to thunder and lightning as drawing neerer unto the South-sea coast Besides the abundance of cattell the chiefe commoditie of this valley consisteth in Cotton-wooll whereof are made such store of mantles for the Indians wearing that the Merchants far and neer come
Colours ne'r did fly before Your well-built Ships companions of the Sunn As they were Charioâ—…s to his â—…ery beams Which oft the Eaâ—…ths circumference have runn And now lie moar'd in Sâ—…rn Trent and Tems Shall plough the Ocean with their gilded Stems And in their hollow bottoms you convay To Lands inrich'd with gold with pearls and gems But above all where many thousands stay Of wronged Indians whom you shall set free From Spanish yoke and Romes Idolatry All this and more by you shall sure be done Yet I no Prophet nor no Prophets sonne THOMAS CHALONER A NEW SVRVEY OF THE VVEST-INDIES CHAP. I. How Rome doth yearly visit the American and Asian Kingdoms THE policy which for many yeares hath upheld the erring Church of Rome hath clearly and manifestly been discovered by the many Errors which in severall times by sundry Synodâ—… or Generall Councells which commonly are but Apes of the Popes fancy will pleasure and ambition have been enacted into that Church And for such purposes doth that man of Sinne and Antichristian tyrant keep constantly in Rome so many poor Penfionary Bishops as hounds at his table smelling out his ambitious thoughts with whom he â—…lls the Synodâ—… when he callâ—… them charging them never to leave off barking and wearying out the rest of the Prelates untill they have them all as a prey unto his proud and ambitious designes from which if any of them dare to start not onely their Pensions shall be surely forfeited but their souls shall bee cursed and they as Hereticks Anathematized with a Censure of Excommunication laâ—… sententiae Hence sprung that Master-piece of Policy decreeing that the Pope alone should be above the Generall Councell lest otherwise one Mans pride might be curbed by many heads joyned together And secondly that Synodicall definition that the Pope cannot 〈◊〉 that though the Councels power wisdome and learning were all fiâ—…ted into one mans brain all points of faith straitned into one head and channell yeâ—… the People should not sâ—…agger in any lawfull doubts nor the learned sort follow any more the light of reason or the â—…unshine of the Gospel but all yeelding to blind Obedience and their most holy Fathers infallibility in the foggie and Cimmerian mist of ignorance might secure their souls from erring or deviating to the Scylla or Charybdâ—… of Schism and Hereâ—… What judiciouâ—… eye that will not be blinded with the napkin of ignorance doth not easily see that Policy only hath been the chief Actor of those damnable Opinions of Purgatory Transubstantiation Sacrifice though unbloody as they term it of the Mass Invocation of Saints their Canonization or installing of Saints into the kingdom of heaven Indulgences aâ—…ricular Confession â—…ith satisfactory Penance and many such like All which doubtles have been commanded as points of Faith not so much to save thosâ—… wretched souls as to advance that crackt-brain head in the conceits of his Europâ—…n wonderers who long agoe were espyed out by the Spirit of Iohn wondring after the Beast worshipping him for his power and saying Who is like unto the Beast who wâ—…ble to make warre with him Revâ—…l 13. 3 4. Thus can Policy invent a Purgatory that a Pope may be soâ—…ht from all parts of Europe nay now from East and West India's to deliver soule from that imaginary Fire which never God created but he himself hath fancyed that so much glory may be â—…scribed to him and his power wondered at who can plunge into 〈◊〉 condemn to burning and when he liâ—…t deliver out of fire Much more would 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and his goodnesse extolled if he would deliver at once all those his Purgatory Prisoners without that Simoniacall receipt of money But policy can afford an infinite price and value of a sacrifice of the Masse to delude the ignorant people that though they leave their whole estates to enrich Cloysters and fat proud Prelates and Abbots yet this is nothing and comes farre short being finite to that infinite Sacrifice which onely can and must deliver their scorching nay broyling souls And if this infinite Sacrifice be not enough which will not be enough whereas Christs infinit satisfaction was not enough in the opinion in that erroneous Church Policy will give yet power to a Pope si divitiae affluant if money and rich bribes abound to grant such plenary Indulgences which may upon one Saints day or at such a Saints Altar work that soul out which lyeth lurking and frying in the deepest pit of Purgatory O who is like unto the Beast But will those that wonder at him bee also wondred at as workers of wonders and miracles Policy will give power to a Pope to canonize such and and set them at Gods right hand fit to be prayed unto and called upon as Judges of our necessities and Auditors of our wants But this honor must be given after that the whole Colledge of Cardinalls have been clothed with new Purple Robes and Loads of money brought to the Court of Rome Witness those many thousand pounds which the City of Barcelona and the whole Country of Catalonia spent in the Canoniâ—…ing of Raimundus de Pennafort a Dominican Fryer Witnesse at least ten Millions which I have been credibly informed that the Jesuites spent for the canonization of their two Twins Ignatius Loiola and Franciscus Xavier whom they call the East India Apostle And it is not seven years ago yet that it was my chance to travail from Frankford in Germany as far as Millan in company of one Fryer Iohn Baptist a Franciscan who told me That was the fourth time of his going to Rome from Valencia in the Kingdome of Arragon in Spain about the Canonization of one Iohn Capistrano of the same Order and that besides the great Almes which he had begged over many Countreys and in that journey went purposely to Inspurg to the Prince Leopoldo for his Almes and Letters of commendation to the Pope and Cardinals he had spent of the City of Valencia onely five thousand Duckets and yet was not his Saint enthroned as he desired in heaven But still money was wanting and more demanded for the dignifying with a Saints title him who had lived a Mendicant and begging Frier Thus are those blinded Nations brought by Policy to run to Rome with rich treasures and thus doe they strive who shall have most Saints of their Countrey or Nation though impoverishing themselves whilst at Rome ambition and Policy say not It is enough â—…it mates for the Horsleech his two daughters crying Give give Prov. 30. 15. Give say they and the rigid Penance justly to be imposed upon thee for thy sinnes most hainous shall be extenuated and made easie for thee Give say they and thou shalt be dispensed with to marry thy nearest Kinswoman or Kinsman It would be a long story to insert here how the Popes Policy sucks out of England our gold and silver for the authorizing of our Papists private Chambers and Altars for the
night to find out their wanton harlots have been imprisoned now rejoyce at the coming of a Popes Commissary and Plenary Indulgence freeing them from sinnes past and sitting them for the Conversion of souls though there one be not averted from their Harlot nor as yet truly and unfainedly converted to the love of God True it is I have kowne some that have written their names in the list of Indian Missionaries men oâ—… sober life and Conversation moved onely with a blind zeale of encreasing the Popish Religion yet I dare say and confidently print this truth without wronging the Church of Rome that of thirty or forty which in such occasions are commonly transported to the India's the three parts of them are Fryers of leud lives weary of their retired Cloister lives who have beene punished often by their Superlourâ—… for their wilfull back-sliding from that obedience which they formerly vowed or for the breach of their poverty in closely retaining money by them to Card and Dice of which sort I could here namely insert a long and tedious Catalogue or lastly such who have been imprisoned for violating their vow of chastity with leud and laseivious women either by secret flight from their Cloisters or by publike Apostatizing from their Order and cloathing themselves in Lay-mens Apparell to run about the safer with their wicked Coâ—…cubines Of which sort it was my chance to bee acquainted with one Fryer Iohn Navarro a Franciscan in the City of Guatemala who after hee had in secular apparell enjoyed the leud company of one Amaryllis a famous Woman player in Spain for the space of a year fearing at last hee might bee discovered listed himselfe in a Mission to Guatemala the year 1632 there hoping to enjoy with more liberty and lesse feare of punishment any lustfull or carnfull object Liberty in a word under the Cloak of Piety and Conversion of Soules it is that drawes so many Fryers and commonly the younger sort to those remote American parts where after they have learned some Indian language they are licenced with a Parish Charge to live alone out of the sight of a watching Prior or Superiour out of the bounds and compasse of Cloister walls and authorized to keep house by themselves and to finger as many Spanish Patacones as their wits device shall teach them to squeeâ—… out of the newly Converted Indians wealth This liberty they could never injoy in Spain and this liberty is the Midwife of so many soule falls of wicked Fryers in those parts For the present onely I shall return again to my Fryer Iohn Navarro who at his comming to Guatemala being made for his wit and learning Master and Reader of Divinity and much esteemed of for his acute Preaching among many others got the estimation and love of a chief Gentlewoman Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem testa diu who continued in Navarro his heart the former sent of the unchast love of Amaryllis so far that the Fryer being blinded and wounded with Cupids Arrow sticking in his heart ran headlong to quench his lustfull thirst upon St. Iames his day 1635. for better memory of the Tragical event being the Spaniards common Advocate and speciall Patron of that City named St. Iago de Guatemala where cruell Mars oppressing Venus in her wanton Acts the injured husband acting Mars finding Navarro Cupids page saluting his Venus upon her bed drew his sword cutting the Fryer first in the head and face who strugling with death and purchasing his life with a swift and nimble flight to a Garden where his own brother a Fryer of the same Order Pander to that foul act entertained the Motherlesse children for the husband having missed his fatall blow willingly as some imagined or unwillingly as others judged in the Fryers heart wilfully laid it in the throat of his unchast Wife scarce leaving way for breath to make a speedy Confession of her sinne to Navarro his Brother who tendring her soule as much as his Brother had tendred her body absolved her from her sinne finding signes though no uttering speech of Repentance while the murderer fled and the murdered lay in the doore of her house for a sad object to all that immediately flocked thither to see that bloody Tragedy The Wife being the same day buried the Husband being retired to a close Sanctuary Navarro was carried to his Convent to bee cured and after his Cure was banished that Country whom two yeares after it was my chance to meet in Cartagena returning to Spain with his scard face bearing the marke of his lascivious life and of that liberty which hee had injoyed in America Such are the fruits of the zeale of those wretches who upbraid our Church and Ministers for want of zeale to labour in the Conversion of Infidels Who when they arrive to those parts are entertained with ringing of Bells with sounding of Trumpets most part of the way as they travaile and as Apostles are received by the Indians though soon like Iudas they fall from their calling and for pleasure and covetousnesse sell away Christ from their Soules England may here learn to beware of such Converters who are daily by name of Missionaries sent hither by the Pope to preach among us Popery but like Navarro come to feed and cherish their wanton lusts as I could give many instances might I not be censured for long digressions in mingling English Histories with my American Travailes CHAP. IV. Shewing to what Provinces of the East and West India's belonging to the Crown of Castilia are sent Missions of Fryers and Iesuites And specially of the Mission sent in the yeare 1625. IN all the Dominions of the King of Spain in America there are two sorts of Spaniards more opposite one to another then in Europe the Spaniard is opposite to the French or to the Hollander or to the Portingall To wit they that are born in any parts of Spain and goe thither and they that are borne there of Spanish parents whom the Spaniards to distinguish them from themselves terme Criolio's signifying the Natives of that Countrey This hatred is so great that I dare say nothing might bee more advantagious then this to any other Nation that would conquer America And nothing more easily gained then the Wils and affections of the Natives of the Country to joyne with any other Nation to free and rescue themselves from that subjection or kind of slavery which they suffer under the hard usage of the Spaniards and their partiall Government and justice toward them and those that come from Spain This is so grievous to the poore Criolio's or Natives that my selfe have often heard them say They would rather bee subject to any other Prince nay to the Hollanders then to the Spaniards if they thought they might enjoy their Religion and others wiâ—…hing the Hollanders when they tooke Truxillio in Honduras had stayed in it and entred further into the land they should have been
from ships and Castle landed the Viceroy and his Lady and all his Traine accompanyed with Don Martin de Carrillo the Visiter generall for the strife between the Count of Gelves the last Viceroy the Archbishop of Mexico The great Don and his Lady being placed under a Canope of state began the Te Deum to be sung with much variety of musicall instruments all marching in procession to the Cathedrall where with many lights of burning lampes torches Wax candles was to the view of all set upon the high Altar their God of bread to whom all knees were bowed a prayer of thanks-giving sung holy water by a Preist sprinkled upon all the people and lastly a Masse with three preists solemnly celebrated This being ended the Viceroy was attended on by the Chief High Justice named Alcâ—…lde Major by the Officers of the Town some Judges sent from Mexico to that purpose and all the Souldiers of the Ships and Town unto his lodging The Fryers likewise in Procession with their Crosse before them were conducted to their severall Cloisters Fryer Calvo presented his Dominicans to the Prior of the Cloister of St. Dominicke who entertained us very lovingly with some sweet Meates and every one with a Cup of the Indian drink called Chocolatte whereof I shall speake hereafter This refreshment being ended wee proceeded to a better which was a most stately Dinner both of Fish and Flesh no Fowles were spared many Capons Turky Cocks and Hens were prodigally lavished to shew us the abundance and plenty of Provision of that Country The Prior of this Cloister was no stayed ancient grey-headed man such as usually are made Superiours to govern young and wanton Fryers but hee was Gallant and Amorous young Sparke who as wee were there informed had obtained from his Superiour the Provinciall the Government of that Convent with a Bribe of a thousand Duckats After dinner hee had some of us to his Chamber where wee observed his lightnesse and little savour of Religion or Mortification in him We thought to have found in his Chamber some stately Library which might tel us of Learning and love of Study but we found not above a dozen old Bookes standing in a corner covered with dust and Cobwebs as if they were ashamed that the Treasure that lay hid in them should be so much forgotten and undervalued and the Guitarra the Spanish Lute preferred and set above them His Chamber was richly dressed and hung with many pictures and with hangings some made with Cotten Wooll others with various coloured feathers of Mechoacan his Tables covered with Carpets of Silk his Cubboards adorned with severall sorts of China Cups and Dishes stored within with severall dainties of sweet Meates and Conserves This sight seemed to the zealous Fryers of our Mission most vaine and unbeseeming a poore and mendicant Fryer to the others whose end in comming from Spain to those parts was Liberty and loosnesse and covetousnesse of riches this sight was pleasing and gave them great incouragement to enter further into that Country where soone a Mendicant Lazarus might become a proud and wealthy Dives The discourse of the young and light headed Prior was nothing but vaine boasting of himself of his birth his parts his favour with the chiefe Superior or Provinciall the love which the best Ladies the richest Merchants Wives of the Towne bare unto him of his cleere and excellent voice and great dexterity in Musick whereof he presently gave us a taste tuning his Guitarra and singing to us some verses as hee said of his owne composing some lovely Amaryllis adding scandall to scandall loosenesse to liberty which it grieved some of us to see in a Superiour who should have taught with words and in his life and Conversation examples of Repentance and Mortification No sooner were our senses of hearing delighted well with Musick our sight with the objects of Cotten-Wool Silke and Feather workes but presently our Prior caused to be brought forth of all his store of dainties such variety as might likewise relish well and delight our sense of tasting Thus as wee were truely transported from Europe to America so the World seemed truely to bee altered our senses changed from what they were the night day before when we heard the hideous noise of the Mariners â—…oifing up Sailes when wee saw the deep and monsters of it when we tasted the stinking water when we smelt the Tarre and Pitch but here wee heard a quivering and trembling voice and instrument well tuned wee beheld wealth and riches wee tasted what was sweet and in the Sweet-meates smelt the Muske and Civit wherewith that Epicurean Prior had seasoned his Conserves Here wee broke up our discourse and pastimes desirous to walke abroad and take a view of the Towne having no more time then that and the next day to stay in it Wee compassed it round about that afternoone and found the situation of it to bee sandy except on the South-West side where it is Moorish ground and full of standing Bogs which with the great heates that are there cause it to bee a very unhealthy place The number of Inhabitants may bee three thousand and amongst them some very rich Merchants some worth two hundred some three hundred and some foure hundred thousand Duckats Of the buildings little we observed for they are all both Houses Churches and Cloisters built with Boards and Timber the Walls of the richest mans house being made but of boards which with the impetuous Winds from the North hath bin cause that many times the town hath bin for the most part of it burnt downâ—…o the ground The great Trading from Mexico by Mexico from the East-India's from Spain from Cuba Sto. Domingo Iucatan Portables and by Portabello from Peru from Cartagena and all the Islands lying upon the North Sea and by the River Alvarado going up to Zapâ—…tecas St. Ildefonso and towards Guaxaca and by the River Grijala running up to Tabasco Los Zoques and Chiapa de Indios maketh this little Town very rich and to abound with all the Commodities of the Continent Land and of all the East and West-India's Treasures The unhealthinesse of the place is the reason of the paucity of Inhabitants and the paucity of them together with the rich Trading and commerce the reasons that the Merchants therein are extraordinary rich who yet might have been farre richer had not the Town been so often fired and they in thâ—… fire had great losses All the strength of this Towne is first the hard and dangerous entrance into the Haven and secondly a rock which lyeth before the Town lesse then a Musket shot off upon which is built a Castle and in the Castle a slight Garrison of Souldiers In the Town there is neither Fort nor Castle nor scarce any people of warlike mindes The Rocke and Castle are as a Wall defence and inclosure to the Haven which otherwise lyeth wide open to the Ocean and to the Northern
their Religion But the loosnesse of their lives sheweth evidently that the love of money of vain-glory of Power and Authority over the poore Indians is their end and aime more then any love of God From Xalappa we went to a place called by the Spaniards La Rinconada which is no Towne nor Village and therefore not worth mentioning in such a Rode as now I am in yet as famous in two things it must not bee omitted amongst greater places This place stands so far from any other Town that Travellers can scarce make their journeys without either baiting there at noone or lying there at night or declining three or foure miles out of the Rode to some Indian Town It is no more then one house which the Spaniards call Venta or as our English Innes seated in the corner of a low Valley which is the hottest place from St. Iohn de Ulhua to Mâ—…xico about it are the best Springs and Fountaines in all the Rode and the water though warme with the heat of the Sun yet as sweet as any Milk The Inne-keeper knowing wel the Spaniards heat that it seeks coole and refreshing drink have speciall care so to lay in water in great earthen Vessels which they set upon a moist and waterish Sand that it is so cold that it maketh the teeth to chatter This sweetnesse and this coolnesse together of that water in so hot and scorching a Countrey was to us a wonder who could find no other refreshment from that extraordinary heat Besides our Provision here of Beefe Mutton Kid Hens Turkeys Rabbets Fowles and especially Quailes was so plentifull and cheape that wee were astonished at it The Valley and Countrey about it is very rich and fertile full of Spanish Farmes of Sugar and Cochinil Spanish and Indian Wheate But what maketh mee more especially remember this Venta or Inne is for that though Art and experience of man have found a way to provide for Travellers in so hot a place coole and refreshing water and God have given it the sweetnesse of Milk and to the place such abundance of Provision yet all this in the day onely is comfortable and pleasant but in the night the Spaniards call it Cumfites en infierno that is to say Cumfits in hell for not onely the heat is so extraordinary that it is impossible to bee feeding without wiping away the continuall sweat of the Face whose drops from the Browes are alwayes ready to blind our eyes and to fill with sauce our dishes but the swarmes of Gnats are such that waking and sleeping no device of man is able to keep them off True it is most of us had our Pavilions which wee carried with us to hang about and over our beds but these could not defend us from that piercing and stinging Vermine which like Egypts Plague of Frogs would be sure to be in every place and through our Curtaines to come upon our very Beds Yet in the day they are not but just at Sun setting they begin to swarme about and at Sun rising away they goe After a most tedious and troublesome night when wee found the rising of the Sun had dispersed and banished them away wee thought it best for us to flie away from that place with them and so from thence earely wee departed to a Towne as pleasant and fertill and abounding with Provision as this Rinconada and free from such busie guests and individuall Mates and Companions as the night before had intruded themselves upon us The next night wee got to a Towne called Segura inhabited both by Indians and Spaniards consisting of about a thousand Inhabitants here again without any charges we were stately entertained by Franciscan Fryers as light and vain glorious as those of Xalappa This Town had its first beginning and foundation from Hernando Cortez and is called Segura de la Frontera being built up by him for a Frontier Town to secure the Spaniards that came from St. Iohn de Ulhuâ—… to Mexico against the Culhuacans and people of Tepeacac who were allied to the Mexicant and so much annoyed the Spaniards But what most incensed Cortez was that after his first repulse from Mexico the Indians insulting over him and the rest of his Company whom they heard had beene dangerously wounded and were retired to Tlaxcallan to recover and strengthen themselves the two Townes Culhua and Tepeacac then in League with the Mexicans against Cortez and the Town of Tlaxcallan lying in wait for the Spaniards took twelve of them and sacrificed them alive to their Idols and eat their flesh Whereupon Cortez desired Maxixca a chief Captain of Tlaxcallan and divers other Gentlemen of that Towne to goe with him and to help him to bee avenged of the people of Tepeacac for the cruelty used to twelve of his Spaniards and for the daily and great hurt they also did to the Inhabitants of Tlaxcallan with the helpe of their allied friends the Culhuacant and Mexicans Maxixca and the chief of Tlaxcallan forthwith entred into counsell with the States and and Communalty of the Town and there determined with generall consent to give unto him forty Thousand fighting Men besides many Tamemez who are Foot Carriers to beâ—…re the Baggage Victuall and other things With this number of Tlaxcalteca's his owne men and horses Cortez went to Tepeacac requiring them in satisfaction of the death of the twelve Christians that they should now yeeld themselves to the obedience of the Emperour and King of Spain his Master and hereafter never more to receive any Mexican into their Town or houses neither yet any of the Province of Culhua The Tepeacacs answered that they had slain the Spaniards for good and just cause which was that being time of Warre they presumed to passe through their Countrey by force without their will and License And also that the Mexicans and Culhuacans were their friends and Lords whom alwayes they would friendly entertaine within their Towne and houses refusing utterly their offer and request protesting to give no obedience to whom they knew not wishing them therefore to return incontinent to Tlaxtallan except they had desire to end their weary days and to be sacrificed and eaten up as their twelve friends had been Cortez yet invited them many times with peace and seeing it prevailed not he began his Wars in earnest The Tepeacacs with the favour of the Culhuacans were brave and lusty and began to stop and defend the Spaniards entrance into their Town And being many in number with divers valiant men among them began to skirmish sundry times but at the end they were overthrown and many slain without killing any Spaniard although many Tlaxcalteca's were killed that day The Lords and principall Persons of Tepeacac seeing their overthrow and that their strength could not prevaile yeelded themselves unto Cortez for Vassals of the Emperour with condition to banish for ever their allied friends of Culhua and that hee should punish and correct at his will and pleasure
is to be noted that although the first day the whole host of Indians came to combat with the Spaniards yet the next day they did not so but every severall Captaine by himselfe for to divide the better the travaile and paines equally among them and because that one should not disturbe another through the multitude considering that they should fight but with a few and in a narrow place and for this consideration their battails were more fresh and strong for each Captain did contend who should doe most valiantly for to get honour and especially in killing one Spaniard for they thought that all their hurts should be satisfied with the death of one Spaniard or taking one prisoner Likewise is to be considered the strangenesse of their battail for notwithstanding their controversie fifteen daies that they were there whether they fought or no they sent unto the Spaniards cakes of bread Turkey cocks and cherries But this policy was not to give them that meat for good will but onely to espie and see what hurt was done amongst them and also to see what feare or stomack they had to proceed But finding by their many spies that the Spaniards were nothing daunted nor diminished they resolved to send unto Cortez Xicotencatl who was chiefe and generall Captain in Tlaxcallan and of all the warres he brought in his company fifty persons of authority to keep him company They approached neer where Cortez was and saluted each other according to the use of their countrey Their salutations ended and the parties being set downe Xicotencatl began the talke saying Sir I am come on mine owne behalfe and also of my fellow Captain and Lievetenant Maxixca and in the name of many other noble personages and finally in the name of the whole State and Common-wealth of Tlaxcallan to beseech and pray you to admit us into your friendship and to yeeld our selves and countrey unto your King craving also at your hand pardon for our attempt in taking up armes against you wee not knowing what you were nor what you sought for in our countrey And where we presumed to resist and defend your entrance wee did it as against strangers whom we knew not and such men as we had never heretofore seen and fearing also that you had been friends to Montezuma who is and alwaies hath been our mortall enemy And we had rather all in generall to end our lives then to put our selves in subjection to him for we thinke our selves as valiant men in courage as our fore-fathers were who alwaies have resisted against him and his grand-father who was as mighty as now is he We would also have withstood you and your force but we could not although we proved all our possibility by night and day and found your strength invincible and we no lucke against you Therefore since our fate is such we had rather be subject unto you then unto any others for wee have knowne and heard by the Zempoallanezes that you doe no evill nor came not to vexe any but were most valiant and happy as they have seen in the warres being in your company For which consideration we trust that our liberty shall not be diminished but rather our own persons wives and families better preserved and our houses and husbandry not destroyed And in some of his talke the tears trickling down his cheeks he besought Cortez to weigh that Tlaxcallan did never at any time acknowlege any superiour Lord or King nor at any time had come any person among them to command but only he whom now they did voluntarily elect and choose as their Superiour and Ruler Cortez much rejoyced with this ambassage and to see such a mighty Captaine who commanded a hundred and fifty thousand Souldiers come unto his camp to submit himselfe judging it also matter of great weight to have that Common-wealth in subjection for the enterprise which he had in hand whereby he fully made an account that the wars were at an end to the great contentation of him and his company and with great fame and reputation among the Indians So with a merry and loving countenance he answered laying first to their charge the hurt and damage which he had received in their countrey because they refused at the first to hearken unto him and quietly to suffer him to enter into their countrey as he had required and desired by his messengers sent unto them from Zaclotan Yet all this notwithstanding he did both pardon the killing of his two Horses the assaulting of him in the high way and the lies which they had most craftily used with him for whereas they themselves fought against him yet they laid the fault to others likewise their pretence to murther him in the ambush prepared for him enticing him to come to their Towne without making first defiance according to the law of Arms. Yet these injuries notwithstanding he did lovingly receive their offer made in subjection to the Emperour and that very shortly he would be with him in Tlaxcallan At this same time there were Ambassadours from Montezuma with Cortez who grieved much to see the League that was now beginning between the Tlaxcalteca's and the Spaniards they advised Cortez to give no credit unto them saying they meant nothing but treason and lies and to lock them up in Tlaxcallan Cortez answered the Ambassadours that although their advice were true yet he did determine to goe thither for that he feared them lesse in the Towne then in the field They hearing this answer and determination besought him to give unto one of them licence to returne unto Mexico to advertise Montâ—…zuma of all that was past with an answer to their ambassage promising within six dayes to have newes from Mexico and till then prayed him not to depart with his campe Cortez granted their request and abode there the time appointed expecting their answer and within himselfe rejoycing to see how the Mexicans began to feare that his peace with the Tlaxealteca's would be their ruine and destruction as indeed afterwards it proved In this mean season came many of Tlaxcallan to the campe some brought Turkey cockes other brought bread and cherries with merry countenances desiring them to goe home with them unto their houses The sixt day the Mexican Ambassadour came according to promise and brought unto Cortez ten jewels of gold both rich and well wrought and fifteen thousand garments of Cotton exceeding gallant and most earnestly besought him on the behalfe of Montezuma that he should not danger himselfe in trusting to the words of the Tlaxcalteca's who were so poore that with necessity they would rob him of the things and presents which his Master had sent him yea and likewise murther him knowing of the friendship between his Master and him At the very same time all the chiefest Lords of Tlaxcallan came to intreat him to goe with them to Tlaxcallan where he should be cherished lodged and well provided for it was a great dishonour and shame
is supposed to bee the yeerly revenues of the Governour and Tezcuco it self this day judged to consist onely of a hundred Spaniards and three hundred Indian Inhabitants whose chiefe riches come by gardening and sending daily in their Canoa's Herbes and Salets to Mexico Some wealth likewise they get by their Cedar trees which grow there and are ready timber for the buildings of Mexico Yet now also are these Cedars much decayed by the Spaniards who have wasted and spoiled them in their too too sumptuous buildings Cortez onely was accused by Pamfilo de Narvaâ—…z for that hee had spent seven thousand beames of Cedar trees in the worke of his owne house Gardens there were in Tezcuco formerly that had a thousand Cedar trees for walls and circuite some of them of a hundred and twenty foot long and twelve foot in compasse from end to end but now that Garden that hath fifty Cedar trees about it is much regarded At the end of this plain wee passed through Mexicalcincâ—… which formerly was a great Town but now not of above an hundred Inhabitants and from thence to Guetlavac a petty Village yet most pleasant for the shade of many fruit trees Gardens and stately houses which for their recreation some Citizens of Mexico have built there being at the foot of the Cawsey which from this Town through the Lake reacheth about five English miles to Mexico And thus upon the third day of October 1625. wee entred into that famous and gallant City yet not abiding in it but onely passing through it till we came to a house of recreation standing among the Gardens in the way to Chapultepec named Saint Iacintho belonging to the Dominicans of Manila in the East-India's whither our course was intended where wee were stately entertained and abode till after Candlemasse day the time of our second shipping at Acoapuleo 80. leagues from Mexico by the South-Sea to Manila the chief City of the Islands named Philippinas CHAP. XII Shewing some particulars of the great and famous City of Mexico in former times with a true description of it now and of the State and condition of it the yeare 1625. IT hath been no small peece of Policy in the Fryers and Jesuites of Manila and the Islands of Philippinas to purchase neere about Mexico some house and Garden to carry thither such Missionary Preists as they yeerly bring from Spain for those parts For were it not that they found some rest and place of Recreation but were presently closed up in the Cloisters of Mexico to follow those Religious duties which sore against their wills most of them are forced to they would soone after a tedious journey from Spain by Sea and land relent of their purposes of going forward and venturing upon a second voiage by the South-Sea and would either resolve upon a returne to Spain or of staying in some part of America as my selfe and five more of my company did though secretly and hiddenly and sore against the will of Fryer Calvo and others who had the tutoring and conducting of us Therefore that all such as come from Spain to bee shipped againe at Acoapulâ—…o for Philippinas may have all manner of incouragement rest and recreations becomming their Professions whilst they doe abide in America and may not bee disheartned by those that live about Mexico who doe truely envy all that passe that way to Asia the Fryers and Jesuites have purchased for their Missions houses of Recreation among the Gardens which are exempted from the power and command of the Superiors of Mexico and are subordinate unto the Government of the Provincials of Philippinas who send from thence their substitute Vicars to rule and to looke to the forementioned houses and Gardens To the Dominicans belonged this house called St. Iacintbo whither wee were carried and where wee did abide neere five moneths having all things provided that were fit and necessary for our Recreations and for our better encouragement to a second voiage by Sea The Gardens belonging to this house might bee of fifteen Acres of ground divided into shady walkes under the Orange and Lemmon trees there wee had the Pomegranates Figges and Grapes in abundance with the Plantin Sapotte Chicosapotte Pine-fruit and all other fruits that were to bee found in Mexico The Herbes and Salets and great number of Spanish Cardoes which were sold out brought in a great Rent yeerely for every day there was a Cart attended to bee filled and sent to the Market of Mexico and this not at seasons of the yeere as herein England and other parts of Europe but at all times and seasons both Winter and Summer there being no difference of heat cold frosts and snow as with us but the same temper all the whole yeer the Winter differing onely from the Summer by the raine that falls and not by excessive frosts that nip This wee enjoyed without dores but within wee had all sorts and varieties both of fish and flesh What most wee wondred at was the abundance of sweet-Meats and especially of Conserves that were provided for us for to everyone of us during the time of our abode there was brought on Munday morning halfe a dozen Boxes of Conserve of Quinces and other fruits besides our Biskets to stay our stomackes in the mornings and at other times of the day for in our stomackes we found a great difference betweene Spain and that Countrey For in Spain and other parts of Europe a mans stomack will hold out from meale to meale and one meale here of good cheer will nourish and cherish the stomack foure and twenty houres But in Mexico and other parts of America wee found that two or three houres after a good meale of three or foure severall dishes of Mutton Veale or Beefe Kid Turkies or other Fowles our stomackes would bee ready to faint and so wee were faine to support them with either a cup of Chocolatte or a bit of Conserve or Bisket which for that purpose was allowed us in great abundance This seemed to mee so strange whereas the meat seemed as fat and hearty excepting the Beefe as ours in Europe that I for some satisfaction presently had recourse to a Doctor of Physick who cleared my doubt with this answer That though the meat we fed on was as faire to looke on as in Spain yet the substance and nourishment in it came farre short of it by reason of the pasture which is dryer and hath not the change of springs which the pastures of Europe have but is short and withers soone away But secondly hee told mee that the Climate of those parts had this effect to produce a faire shew but little matter or substance As in the flesh wee fed on so likewise in all the fruits there which are most faire and beautifull to behold most sweet and luscious to taste but little inward virtue or nourishment at all in them not halfe that is in Spanish Camuesa or English Kentish Pippin And as in
Meat and fruit there is this inward and hidden deceit so likewise the same is to bee found in the people that are borne and bred there who make faire outward shewes but are inwardly false and hollow hearted Which I have heard reported much among the Spaniards to have beene the answer of our Queene Elizabeth of England to some that presented unto her of the fruits of America that surely where those fruits grew the women were light and all the people hollow and false hearted But further reasons I omit to search into for this of experience onely I write which taught me that little substance virtue is in the great abundance and variety of food which there is enjoyed our stomackes witnessing this truth which ever and anon were gaping and crying Feed feed Our Conserves therefore and dainties were plentifully allowed us and all other incouragements and no occasion denied us of going to visit Mexico which was not two full miles from us all the while wee abode there It was a pleasant walke for us to goe out in the morning and to spend all the day in the City and come home at night our way lying by Arches made of stone three miles long to convey the water from Chapultepec unto the City Take therefore gentle Reader from mee what for the space of five moneths I could learne concerning it in former and present times The situation of this City is much like that of Venice but onely differs in this that Venice is built upon the Sea-water and Mexico upon a lake which seeming one indeed is two one part whereof is standing water the other ebbeth and floweth according to the wind that bloweth That part which standeth is wholesome good and sweet and yeeldeth store of small fish That part which ebbeth and floweth is of saltish bitter and pestiferous water yeelding no kind of fish small or great The sweet water standeth higher then the other and falleth into it and reverteth not backward as some conceive it doth The salt Lake containeth fifteen miles in breadth and fifteen in length and more then five and forty in Circuite and the Lake of sweet water containeth even as much in such sort that the whole Lake containeth much about a hundred miles The Spaniards are divided in opinions concerning this water and the springs of it some hold that all this water hath but one spring out of a great and high Mountaine which standeth Southwest within sight of Mexico and that the cause that the one part of the Lake is brackish or saltish is that the bottome or ground is all salt But however this opinion bee true or false certaine it is and by experience I can witnesse that of that part of the salt water great quantity of Salt is dayly made and is part of the great Trading of that City into other parts of the Countrey nay it is sent part of it to the Philippina Islands Others say that this Lake hath two springs and that the fresh water springeth out of that Mountaine which standeth Southwest from Mexico and the salt brakish water springeth out of other high Mountaines which stand more Northwest But these give no reason for the saltnesse of it without it bee the agitation of it in the ebbing and flowing which not being with tides like the Sea but with the winds onely which indeed make it as stormy sometimes as is the Sea why may not the winds produce the same effect in the fresh water Lake I think rather if it spring from a different spring from that from whence springeth the fresh water the brackishnesse and saltishnesse of it may proceed from some brackish and sulphurous minerals through which it passeth in those Mountaines For by experience I know the like in the Province of Guatemala whereby a Towne called Amatitan there is a standing Lake of water not altogether sweet and fresh but a little brackish which certainly hath its spring from a fiery Mountaine called there a Vulcan whose burning proceeds from the Mineâ—… of brimstone that are within it from whence spring neere the same Towne likewise two or three springs of exceeding hot water which are resorted to for wholesome bathes as coming through a sulphurous mine and yet the standing Lake proceeding from the same Mountaine is of that quality that maketh it the ground about it salt and and especially in the mornings the people go to gather up the salt which lyeth upon the ground by the water side like unto a hoary frost But thirdly others concieve that that part of the Lake of Mexico which is saltish and brackish comes through the earth from the North Sea and though springs of water which come from the Sea lose their brackishnesse through the earth yet this may keepe some brackishnesse by reason of the minerals which are many in those parts or by reason of the great wide and open concavities of those mountaines which being very hollow within as wee find by experience of the Earthquakes which are more frequent there then hereby reason of the wind that getteth into those concavities and so shake the earth to get out give no way to the water to sweeten through the earth or to lose all that saltnesse which it brought with it from the Sea But whatsoever the true reason bee there is not the like Lake knowne of sweet and saltish water one part breeding fish the other breeding none at all This Lake had formerly some fourescore Townes some say more situated round about it many of them containing five thousand housholds and some ten thousand yea and Tezcuco as I have said before was as bigge as Mexico But when I was there there might bee thirty Townes and Villages about it and scarce any of above five hundred housholdes between Spaniards and Indians such hath beene the hard usage of the Spaniards towards them that they have even almost consumed that poore Nation Nay two yeers before I came from those parts which were the yeers of 1635. and 1636. I was credibly informed that a million of Indians lifes had been lost in an indeavour of the Spaniards to turne the water of the Lake another way from the City which was performed by cutting away through the Mountaines for to avoid the great inundations that Mexico was subject unto and especially for that the yeer 1634. the waters grew so high that they threatned destruction to all the City ruinating a great part and coming into the Churches that stood in the highest part of it in so much that the people used commonly boats and Canoa's from house to house And most of the Indians that lived about the Lake were imployed to strive against this strong Element of water which hath been the undoing of many poore wretches but especially of these thirty Towns and Villages that bordered near upon the Lake which now by that great work is further from the houses of the City and hath a passage made another way though it was thought it
their shops of standings to the King as a custome and they were to be preserved and defended from theeves and robbers And for that purpose there went Serjeants or Officers up and down the market to espie out malefactors In the midst of this Market stood a house which was to bee seen throughout the Fayr and there did sit commonly twelve ancient men for Judges to dispatch law matters Their buying and selling was to change one ware for another one gave a hen for a bundle of Maiz others gave mantles for salt or money which was Cacao They had measure and strike for all kind of corne and other earthen measures for hony and oyle and such wines as they made of Palme-trees and other roots and trees And if any measure were falsified they punished the offenders and brake their measures This was the civility they had when they were Heathens for buying and selling And although they knew not the true God but worshipped Idols yet to their Idols and to the Divell they dedicated Temples and places of worship wherein they used those sacrifice which David speaks of in the 106. Ps. 37. saying They sacrificed their sonnes and their daughters unto Devills The Temple is called in the Mexican language Teucalli which is a compound word of Teutl which signifieth God and Calli which signifieth a house There were in Mexico many parish Churches with towers wherein were Chappels and Altars where the Images and Idols did stand All their Temples were of one fashion the like I beleeve was never seen nor heard of And therefore it shall be now sufficient to describe the chiefe and greatest Temple which was as their Cathedrall Church This Temple was square and did containe every way as much ground as a Crosse-bow can reach levell It was made of stone with four dores that abutted upon the three Cawseys and upon another part of the City that had no Cawsey but a fair street In the midst of this Quadern stood a mount of earth and stone square likewise and fifty fadome long every way built upward like unto a pyramide of Aegypt saving that the top was not sharpe but plain and flat and ten fadom square Upon the West side were steps up to the top in number a hundred and fourteen which being so many high and made of good stone did seeme a beautifull thing It was a strange sight to behold the Preists some going up and some downe with ceremonies or with men to be sacrificed Upon the top of this Temple were two great Altars a good space distant the one from the other and so nigh the edge or brimme of the wall that scarcely a man might go behind them at pleasure The one Altar stood on the right hand and the other on the left they were but of five foot high each of them had the back part made of stone painted with monstrous and foul figures The Chappell was fair and well wrought of Masons work and timber every Chappell had three loâ—… one above another sustained upon pillars and with the height thereof it shewed like unto a faire tower and beautified â—…he City aâ—…arre off From thence a man might see all the City and Towns round about the lake which was undoubtedly a goodly prospect And because Cortez and his company should see the beauty thereof Montezuma himselfe to maâ—…e the more ostentation of his greatnesse and the Majesty of his Court carried the first Spaniards thither and shewed them all the order of the Temple even from the foot to the top There was a certain plot or space for the Idoll Preists to celebrate their service without disturbance of any Their generall prayers were made toward the rising of the sunne upon each Altar stood a great Idoll Besides this tower which stood upon the Pyramide there were fourty towers great and small belonging to other little Temples which stood in the same circuite the which although they were of the same making yet their prospect was not West-ward but other waieâ—… because there should be a difference betwixt the great Temple and them Some of these Temples were bigger then others and every one of a severall God among the which there was one round Temple dedicated to the God of the ayre called Quecalcovatl for even as the ayre goeth round about the heavenâ—… even for that consideration they made his Temple round The entrance of that Temple had a dore made like unto the mouth of a Serpent and was painted with foule and divellish gestures with great teeth and gummes wrougâ—… which was a sight to fear those that should enter in thereat and especially the Christians unto whom it represented hell it selfe with that ugly face and monstrous â—…eeth There were other Teucallies in the City that had the ascending up by steps in three places and all these Temples had houses by themselves with all service belonging to them and Preists and particular Gods And from this manner of these Heathâ—… Temples and Altars made with steps wee may observe how like unto them is now the Church of Rome which as it confesseth that there never was a Church without a visible sacrifice and therefore teacheth that Christs body must be broken upon their Altars and distributed not only as a sacrament to the people but as a sacrifice in the Preists hands differing only that the sacrifices of Sheep and Oxen in the old law and these of the Heathens were bloody sacrifices but theirs of Christs body they call 〈◊〉 Sacrificiâ—…m an unbloody sacrifice so likewise in the buildings of their Churches with severall Towers and Altars and Chappels dedicated to severall Saints they seem to have taken from the very Heathens but especially in the many steps whereby they ascend up to their Altars they resemble these forgetting Gods words in Exod. 20. 26. saying Neither sâ—…lt thou goe up by steps unto mine Altar that thy nakednesse be not discovered thereon And lastly in their houses and cloisters joyning to their Churches for the service of them being full of idolatrous Preists and Fryers consecrated for their service they seem likewise to have borrowed that fancy of Convents Abbeys and Priories from the very Heathens who as presently I shall shew had neer joyning to this great Temple houses containing thousands of Preists with yeerly rents and revenues like those of Romes Abbeys and Cloisters At every dore of this great Temple of Mexico stood a large hall and goodly lodgings both high and low round about which houses were common Armories for the City The Heathens it seems had so much understanding as to know that the force and strength of a Towne City or Countrey is the Temple and therefore they placed there their storehouse of munition They had other darke houses full of Idols great and small wrought of sundry metalâ—… which were all bathed and washed with blood and did shew very blacke through their dayly sprinkling and aâ—…ing them with the same when any man was sacrificed yea and the walls
were an inch thick with blood and the ground a foot thick of it so that there was a divellish stench The Preists went dayly into those Oratories and suffered none other but great personages to enter in And when any such went in they were bound to offer some man to be sacrificed that those bloudy hangmen and Ministers of the devill might wash their hands in the blood of those so sacrificed and might spriâ—…kle their house therewith For their service in the Kitchin they had a pond of water that was filled once a year which was brought by the Conduit pipes before mentioned from the principall fountaine All the residâ—…e of the foresaid circuit served for places to breed fowles with gardens of herbs and sweet trees with roses and flowers for the Altars and this is also the Church of Romes custome and superstition to trim and deck their Saints and Altars with Garlands and Crowns of Roses and other flowers Such so great and strange was this Temple of Mexico for the service of the devill who had deceived those simple Indians There did reside as I said before of Monkes and Fryers in their Cloisters joyning to their Churches in this Temple and houses joyning to it continually five thousand persons and all these were lodged and had their living there for that Temple was marvellous rich and had divers Townes onely for their maintenance and reparation and were bound to sustaine the same alwaies on foot These Townes did sow corn and maintain all those five thousand persons with bread fruit flesh fish and firewood as much as they needed for they spent more firewood then was spent in the Kings Court These persons did live like Romes Abby-lubbers at their hearts ease as servants and vassals unto the Gods which were many and every God had severall rankes and Orders of Preists to serve him as the severall Saints canonized by the Popes of Rome have under them distinct Religious Orders of Preists Dominick hath Dominicans Francis Franciscans Benedict Benedictines Basil Basilians Bernard Bernardines Augustin Augustines and the like The Gods of Mexico as the Indians reported to the first Spaniards were two thousand in number the chiefest were Vitzilopuchtli and 〈◊〉 whose Images stood highest in the Temple upon the Altars They were made of stone in full proportion as bigge as a Gyant They were covered with a lawne called Nacar they were beset with pearles pretious stones and peeces of gold wrought like birds beasts fishes and flowers adorned with Emeralds Turquies Chalcedoâ—… and other little fine stones so that when the lawne was taken away the Images seemed very beautifull and glorious to behold But must I find out Rome still among these heathens and will the Papists bee angry if I tell them plainly that what I mislike in these Idolatrous Mexicans I mislike in them for doe not they deck and adorne their Idol Saints as the heathens did Vitzilopuchtli and Tezcatlipuca Doe not they cover their woodden and stony statues of Saints and of the Virgin Mary with fine lawne shirts and hide them with curtaines of cloth of Gold and crowne them with Crowns of Silver and Gold and enrich them with costly and pretious Jewels and Diamonds not considering that they are the workes of their owne hands Ad quid perditioâ—…aec poterant enim venundari dari pauperibus These two Indian Idols had for a girdle great snakes of gold and for collars or chaines about their necks ten hearts of men made of gold and each of them had a counterfeit Visor with eies of glasse and in their necks Death painted These two Gods were brethren for Tezcatlipuca was the God of Providence and Vitzipâ—…luchtli God of the Warres who was worshipped and feared more then all the rest There was another God who had a great Image placed upon the top of the chappell of Idols and hee was esteemed for a speciall and singular God above all the rest This God was made of all kind of seeds that grow in that Countrey which being ground they made a certain paste tempered with childrens blood and Virgins sacrificed who were opened with rasors in their brests and their hearts taken out to offer as first fruits unto the Idoll The Preists consecrate this Idoll with great pompe and many Ceremonies All the Comarcans and Citizens were present at the Consecration with great triumph and incredible devotion After the Consecration many devout persons came and sticked in the dowy Image pretious stones wedges of gold and other Jewels And after all this pompe ended no secular man might touch that holy Image no nor yet come into his Chappel nay scarcely religious persons except they were Tlâ—…caztli who were Preists of Order They did â—…ew this Image many times with new dough taking away the old And then like againâ—… unto the Papists who think themselves happy with their Saints reliques though ragges or bones blessed was hee that coulâ—… get one peece of the old ragges or a peece of the old dough for the which there was most earnest suites made by the Souldiers who thought themselves sure therewith in the Warres Also at the Consecration of this Idoll a certaine vessell of water was blessed with many words and ceremonies peradventure from this heathenish Ceremonie came the superstitious holy water to Rome and that water was preserved very religiously at the foot of the Altar for to consecrate the King when hee should bee crowned and also to blesse any Captaine Generall when hee should be elected for the Wars with onely giving him a draught of that water And as the Romish Church makes much of their dead mens skulles and rotten bones laying them up in their Churchyards under some arches made for that purpose in the Churchwalls even so was it here in Mexico for without this Temple and over against the principall doore thereof a stones cast distant stood a Charnell house onely of dead mens heads prisoners in Warres and sacrificed with the knife This monument was made like unto a Theatre more large then broad wrought of lime and stone with ascending steps in the walls whereof was graffed betwixt stone and stone a skull with the teeth outwards At the foot and head of this Theatre were two towers made onely of lime and skulles the teeth outward which having no other stuffe in the wall seemed a strange â—…ight At and upon the top of the Theatre were theresâ—…ore and ten poles standing the one from the other foure or five foot distant and each of them was full of sâ—…aves from the foot to the top Each of these staves had others made fast unto them and every one of them had five skulles broched through the temples When the Spaniards first entred into Mexico as friends before the death of Montezuma they visited all these monuments and in what they have written and transmitted to posteriry of that City it is recorded of one Andrew de Tapia and Gonzalo de Umbria that one day they did reckon these
skulles and found a hundred thirty and six thousand skulles on the poles staves and steps The other Towers were replenished out of number and there were men appointed that when one skull fell to set up another in his place so that the number might never want But all these Towers and Idols were pulled down and consumed with fire when the Spaniards wanne that City And certainly they had beene more renowned in destroying those Altars of the devill and those Idoll Gods if in their stead they had not set up new Idols and Saints of stockes and stones and built unto them as many more Churches as they found at their comming thither All therefore that hath been mentioned hitherto of Montezuma his houses and Gardens of the spacious Market place and Temples of that City was utterly destroyed and brought downe to the very ground But Cortez reedified it againe not onely for the situation and majesty but also for the name and great fame thereof Hee divided it among the Conquerours having first taken out places for Churches Market places Towne house and other necessary plots to build houses profitable for the Common-wealth Hee separated the dwellings of the Spaniards from the Indians so that now the water passeth and maketh division betwixt them Hee promised to them that were naturalls of the City of Mexico pâ—…otts to build upon inheritance freedome and other liberties and the like unto all those that would come and inhabit there which was a meanes to allure many thither Hee set also at liberty Xihuaco the Generall Captaine and made him chief over the Indians in the City unto whom hee gave a whole street He gave likewise another street to Don Pedro Montezuma who was sonne to Montezuma the King All this was done to winne the favour of the people Hee made other Gentlemen Seniors of little 〈◊〉 and streets to build upon and to inhabit and in this order the whole situation was reparted and the work began with great joy and diligence And when the fame was blowne abroad that Mexico should bee built again it was a wonâ—… to â—…et the people that resorted thither hearing of liberty and freedome The number was so great that in three miles compasse was nothing but people men and women They laboured â—…ore and did eate little by reason whereof many sickned and pestilence ensued whereof died an infinite number Their paines was great for they â—…re on their backes and drew after them stones earth timber lyme brick and all other things necessary in this sort And by little and little Mexico was built againe with a hundred thousand houses more strong and better then the old building was The Spaniards built their houses after the Spanish fashion and Cortez built his house upon the plot where Montezuma his house â—…ood which renteth now yeerely foure thousand duckats and is called now the Palace of the Marques Del Valle the King of Spain having conferred upon Cortez and his heires this title from the great Valley of Guaxaca This Palace is so stately that as I have observed before seven thousand beames of Cedar Trees were spent in it They built faire Dockes covered over with Arches for the Vergantines which Dockes for a perpetuall memory doe remaine untill this day They dammed up the streets of water where now faire houses stand so that Mexico is not as it was wont to bee and especially since the yeare 1634. the water cometh not by farre so neere the City as it was wont to come The Lake sometimes casteth out a vapour of stench but otherwise it is a wholesome and temperate dwelling by reason of the Mountaines that stand round about it and well provided through the fertility of the Countrey and commodity of the Lake So that now is Mexico one of the greatest Cities in the World in extention of the situation for Spanish and Indian houses Not many yeeres after the Conquest it was the Noblest City in all India as well in Armes as Policy There were formerly at the least two thousand Citizens that had each of them his horse in his stable with rich furniture for them and Armes in readinesse But now since all the Indians farre and neer are subdued and most of them especially about Mexico consumed and there is no feare of their rising up any more against the Spaniards all armes are forgotten and the Spaniards live so secure from enemies that there is neither Gate Wall Bulwarke Platforme Tower Armory Ammunition or Ordnance to secure and defend the City from a Domestick or forraine enemy from the latter they thinke St. Iohn de Ulhua sufficient and strong enough to secure them But for Contractation it is one of the richest Cities in in the World to the which by the North Sea commeth every yeer from Spain a Fleet of neere twenty ships laden with the best Commodities not onely of Spain but of the most parts of Christendome And by the South Sea it enjoyeth Traffique from all parts of Peru and above all it Trades with the East-India's and from thence receiveth the Commodities as well from those parts which are inhabited by Portingals as from the Countries of Iapan and China sending every yeere two great Caracas with two smaller Vessels to the Islands of Philippinas and having every yeere a returne of such like ships There is also in Mexico a Mint house where Money is dayly coyned and is brought thither in wedges upon Mules from the Mines called St. Lewis de Sacatecas standing fourescore Leagues from Mexico Northward and yet from Sacatecas forward have the Spaniards entred above a hundred Leagues conquering daily Indians where they discover store of Mines and there they have built a City called Nova Mexico new Mexico The Indians there are great Warriers and hold the Spaniards hard to it It is thought the Spaniard will not bee satisfied untill hee subdue all the Country that way which doubtlesse reacheth to our plantations of Virginia and the rest being the same continued continent laâ—…d There is yet more in Mexico a faire schoole which now is made an University which the Viceroy Don Antonio De Mendoza caused to be built At the rebuilding of this City there was a great difference betwixt an Inhabitant of Mexico and a Conquerour for a Conquerour was a name of honour and had lands and rents given him and to his posterity by the King of Spain and the Inhabitant or onely dweller payed rent for his house And this hath filled all those parts of America with proud Dons and Gentlemen to this day for every one will call himselfe a descendent from a Conquerour though hee bee as poore as Iob and aske him what is become of his Estate and fortune hee will answer that fortune hath taken it away which shall never take away a Don from him Nay a poore Cobler or Carrier that râ—…ns about the Countrey farre and neere getting his living with half a dozen Mules if hee bee called Mendoza or Guzman will sweare that
the Lemmon both sowre and sweet the Citron in great abundance Most of the fruitts of Europe and as many more which Europe never knew About Mexico more then in any other part groweth that excellent tree called Metl which they plant and dresse as they doe their Vines in Europe It hath neere forty kindes of leaves which serve for many uses for when they bee tender they make of them Conserves Paper Flax Mantles Mats Shooes girdles and cordage On these leaves grow certaine prickles so strong and sharpe that they use them in stead of sawes from the root of this tree cometh a juyce like unto syrup which being sodde will become Sugar You may also make of it Wine and Vineger The Indians often become drunke with it The rind rosted healeth hurts and sores and from the top boughs issueth a gumme which is an excellent antidote against poyson There is nothing in Mexico and about it wanting which may make a City happy and certainly had those that have so much extolled with their pens the parts of Granada in Spain Lombardy and Florence in Italy making them the earthly Paradise had they beene acquainted with the new World and with Mexico they would have recanted their untruths Oh that the Lord were truely worshiped where hee hath powred forth the treasures of his goodnesse for the children of men Oh that in that Eden the tempting and entising Serpent were not so much obeyed in the use of the faire seeming Apple of pleasures and the Lord that hath enriched it with such varieties so much neglected How long O Lord God how long shall the line of the wicked flourish and the best portion be fallen to Idolaters and to the workers of iniquity This City is the seat of an Archbishop and of a Viceroy who commonly is some great Noble man of Spain whose power is to make Lawes and Ordinances to give directions and determine controversies unlesse it bee in such great causes which are thought fit to bee referred to the Councell of Spain And though there bee about the Country many governments with severall Governours yet they are all subordinate to this Viceroy and there are at least foure hundred leagues of land all governed by the Princely seat of Mexico Most of the Governours about the Country being the Viceroy his Creatures placed by him doe contribute great gifts and bribes for their preferment so likewise doe all the rest whose right or wrong proceedings depend upon the Viceroy his clemency and mercy in judging the daily appeales of Justice which come unto him The King of Spain allowes him out of his Exchequer yeerly a hundred thousand Duckats whilest hee governes his time being but five yeers But commonly with their bribes to the Courtiers of Spain and to the Counsellours for the Estate of the India's they get a prorogation of five yeeres more and sometimes of ten It is incredible to think what this Viceroy may get a yeer in that place besides his hundred thousand duckats of rent if hee bee a man covetous and given to trading as most of them are for then they will bee Masters of what commodities they please and none else shall deale in them but themselves as did the Marquesse of Serralvo in my time who was the best Monopolist of salt that ever those parts knew This man was thought to get a Millian a yeer what with gifts and presents what with his Trading to Spain and Philippinas He governed ten yeares and in this time he sent to the King of Spain a Popingay worth half a Million and in one year more he sent the worth of a Million to the Count of Olivares and other 〈◊〉 to obtain a prorogation for five yeers more Besides the Viceroy there are commonly six Judges and a Kings Attorney who are allowed out of the Kings Exchequer yeerly twelve thousand duckats a peice rent besides two Alcaldes de Corts or high Justices who with the Viceroy judge all Chancery and criminall causes But 〈◊〉 though united together they may oppose the Viceroy in any unlawfull and unjustifiable action as some have done and have smarted for it yet commonly they dare not So that hee doth what he listeth and it is enough for him to say stat pro ratione voluntas This power joyned with covetousnesse in the Viceroy and therefore thousand duckats yeerly joyned with pride in the Arch-bishop was like to be the ruine of that City in the yeer 1624. Then was the Count of Gelves Viceroy and Don Alonso de Zerna Archbishop whose two powers striving and striking at one another like two flints had almost brought to combustion that gallant City and did set on fire the Viceroy his palace and the prison joyning to it The story was thus which may be profitable for other nations to beware of covetous governours and proud Prelates and therefore I thought fit to insert it here The Count of Gelves was in some things one of the best Viceroys and Governours that ever the Court of Spaine sent to America for he was called by the Spaniards el terrible Iusticiero y fuego de Ladiones that is terrible for Justice and fire to consume all theeves For he cleered all the high waies of theeves hanging them as often as they were caught without mercy and did send out troopes and officers to apprehend them so that it was generally reported that since the conquest unto those dayes of his there had never been so many theeves and malefactors hanged up as in his time So in all other points of justice he was severe and upright But yet covetousnesse did so blind him to see his owne injustice that before he could see it he had brought the City of Mexico and the whole Kingdome to a danger of rebellion What he would not to be seen in himselfe he acted by others his instruments And one of them was one Don Pedro Mexia a mighty rich Gentleman of Mexico whom hee chose to joyne with him in monopolizing all the Indian Maiz and wheat about the Countrey Don Pedro Mexia of the Indians bought at the price he list their Maiz and the wheat of the Spaniards he bought it according to that price at which it is taxed by the law of that land to be sold at in time of famine which is at fourteen Rials a bushell which is not much there considering the abundance of gold and silver at which price the Farmers and husbandmen knowing it to be a plentiful yeer were glad and willing to sel unto him their wheat not knowing what the end would be others fearing to gainsay him whom they knew to be Viceroyes favorite Thus Don Pedro Mexia filled all his barnes which he had hired about the Countrey and himselfe and the Viceroy became owners of all the wheat He had his officers appointed to bring it into the Markets upon his warning and that was when some smalâ—… remnants that had escaped his fingers were sold and the price raised Then hoised he his price
may bee Ministers and Servants under the Commissioners of the other And thus largely I have described the State and condition of Mexico in the time of Montezuma and since his death the manner and proportion of it with the troubled condition I found it in when I went thither by reason of a mutiny and rebellion caused by an Arch-Bishop the yeer before I shall now come out of Mexico and present unto you the places most remarkable about it and from thence the severall parts and Countries of America before I betake my self to the journey which I made from Mexico to Guatemala lying nine hundred English miles Southward and from thence yet to Costarica and Nicoya being nine hundred miles further towards the South CHAP. XIII Shewing the severall parts of this new World of America and the places of note about the famous City of Mexico ALthough my travailes by Sea and Land in America were not above three or foure thousand miles which is not the fift part of it if exactly compassed yet for the better compleating of this my worke I thought fit to inlarge my self to a full division of the many and sundry parts thereof here first in generall and hereafter more in particular of those parts wherein I lived twelve yeeres and of those which I more exactly noted and observed as I travailed and passed through them The chief division therefore of this greatest part of the World is twofold onely to wit the Mexicans and the Peruan parts which containe many great and sundry Provinces and Countries some as big as our whole Kingdom of England But Mexico giving name to halfe America is now called Nova Hispania new Spain from whence the Kings of Spain doe stile themselves Hispaniaâ—…um Reges The Mexican part containeth chiefly the Northern Tract and comprehendeth these Provinces hitherto knowne and discovered to wit Mexico Quivira Nicaragua Iucatan Florida Virginia Norumbega Nova Francia Corterialis and Estotilandia The compasse of this part of America is thirteen thousand miles The Peruan part containeth all the Southern Tract and is tyed to the Mexican by the Isthmus or strait of Darien being no more then 17. or as others say in the narrowest place but 12. miles broad from the North to the South Sea And many have mentioned to the Councell of Spain the cutting of a Navigable Channell through this small Isthmus so to shorten the Voiage to China and the Moluccoes But the Kings of Spain have not as yet attemped to doe it some say lest in the worke hee should lose those few Indians that are left would to God it were so that they were and had been so carefull and â—…ender of the poore Indians lives more populous would that vast and spatious Countrey bee at this day but others say he hath not attempted that great worke lest the passage by the Cape Bona Esperanza good hope being left off those Seas might become a receptacle of Pirates However this hath not been attempted by the Spaniards they give not for reason any extraordinary great charge for that would soone bee recompensed with the speedy and easie conveying that way the Commodities from South to North Seas This Peruan part of America containeth these Countries or Kingdomes to wit Castella aurea Guiana Peru Brasil Chille and the compasse of it is seventeen thousand miles I shall not speake distinctly of all these parts which better writers and of more knowledge have before me discovered and because some of them being out of the Spaniards reach and dominion from whom I have received my best intelligence I have from them had little notice of them nor experience which indeed I intend to make my best guide in this my worke Therefore to returne again to the Mexican part and the Northern Tract I shall fall again upon the first and chiefe member of that division which I said was Mexico This aboundeth with golden sanded rivers in which are many Crocodiles though not so big at those of Egypt which the Indian people eat It glorieth in the mountaines Popochampeche and Popocatepec which are of the same nature with Aetna and Vesuvius Nay all the way South-ward as farre as Leon in Nicaragua there are many of these fiery mountaines But Popocatepec is one of the chiefe of them which signifieth a hill of smoake for many times it casteth out smoake and fire it standeth eight leagues from Chololla the ascending up unto it is very troublesome and full of craggie rocks When Cortez passed that way to Mexico he sent ten Spaniards to view it with many Indians to carry their victuals and to guide them in the way They approached so nigh the top that they heard such a terrible noyse which proceeded from thence that they durst not goe unto it for the ground did tremble and shake and great quantity of ashes did much disturb their way But yet two of them who seemed to be most hardie and desirous to see strange things went up to the top because they would not return with a sleevelesse answer and that they might not be accounted cowards leaving their fellowes behind them proceeded forwards and passed through that desart of ashes and at length came under a great smoake very thick and standing there a while the darknesse vanished partly away and then appeared the Vulcan and concavity which is about halfe a league in compasse out of the which the aire came rebounding with a very great noise very shrill and whistling so that the whole hill did tremble it was like unto an oven where glasse is made The smoake and heat was so great that they could not abide it and of force were constrained to return by the way that they had ascended But they were not gone farre when the Vulcan began to flash out flames of fire ashes and embers yea and at the last stones of burning fire and if they had not chanced to find a rocke under which they shadowed themselves undoubtedly they had there been burned It is like unto the Vulcan of Sicilia it is high and round and never wanteth snow about some part of it Before the coming of Cortez for ten yeers space it had left off expelling vapour or smoake but in the yeer 1540. it began again to burn and with the horrible noyse thereof the people that dwelt four leagues from it were terrified the ashes that proceeded then from it reached to Tlaxcallan which standeth ten leagues distant from it yea some affirme that it extended fifteen leagues distant and burned the herbs in the gardens the corne in the fields and clothes that lay a drying And many such hils and mountaines doth this Mexican part of America or new Spaine abound with The limits of it are on the East Iucatan and the gulfe of Mexico on the West Californio on the South the Peruan part The Northern bounds are unknowne so that we cannot certainly avow this America to be continent nor certainly affirme it to be an Island distiugnished from the old world
jewels that the dead King was wont to weare so that it seemed a gallant Idoll At the foot of the Temple staires they opened a grave ready made which was square large two fadome deepe it was also hanged with new mats round about and a faire bed therein in the which one of the Preists placed the Idoll made of ashes with his eyes towards the East part and did hang round about the walls Targets of gold and silver with bowes and arrows and many gallant tuffes of feathers with earthen vessels as pots dishes and platters so that the grave was filled up with houshold-stuffe chests covered with leather apparell Jewels meate drinke and armour This done the grave was shut up and made sure with beames boardes and floored with earth on the top All those Gentlemen who had served or touched any thing in the buriall washed themselves and went to dinner in the Court or yard of the Kings house without any table and having dined they wiped their hands upon certain lockes of Cotton-wooll hanging downe their heads and not speaking any word except it were to aske for drinke This ceremonie endured five daies and in all that time no fire was permitted to be kindled in the City except in the Kings house and Temples nor yet any corne was ground or market kept nor any durst goe out of their houses shewing all the sorrow that might be possible for the death of their King And this was the superstitious manner of burying the Kings of Mechoacan This people did punish adultery most rigorously for to commit it was death as well for the man as the womâ—…n But if the adulterer were a Gentleman his head was decked with feathers and after that he was hanged and his body burned and for this offence was no pardon either for man or woman But for avoiding of adultery they did permit other common womâ—…n but no publike and ordinary stewes Now the Indians of Mechoacan are greatly taken with the popish devices and are strong in that religion as any part of America The fourth and last Province of the Countrey or Empire of Mexico is called Galicia nova and is watered with two very great rivers the one named Piastle and the other San Sâ—…stian This Province glorieth in many great Townes of Indians but especially in â—…ix inhabited both by Indians and Spaniards the first and chiefest is Xalisco taken by Nunio dâ—… Guzman 1530. when he fled from Mexico in a rage and tooke prisoner and burned the King of Mechoâ—… The second is Guadalaiara The third Coanum The fourth Compostelâ—… The fifth St. Espirit The sixth Copala which now is called Nova Mexico new Mexico And here it is that the Spaniards are daily warring against the Indians which live Northward and are not as yet reduced nor brought under the Spanish yoake and government They are valiant Indians and hold the Spaniards hard to it and have great advantage against them in the rocks and mountaines where they abide and cut off many Spaniards Their chief weapons are but bowes and arrowes and yet with them from the thick Woods hils and rockes they annoy and offend the Spaniards exceedingly I have heard some Spaniards say that they flie and climbe up the rocks like Goates and when they draw nigh unto them then they cry out with a hideous noise shooting their arrowes at them and in an instant are departed and fled unto another rock The reson why the Spaniards are so earnest to pursue and conquer these Indians more then many others of America which as yet are not brought in subjection to the Spaniards is for the many Mines of silver and treasure of gold which they know to bee there They have got already sure possession oâ—… part of those riches in the Mines called St. Lewis Sacatecas from whence they send all the silver that is coyned in the Mint houses of Mexico and the City of Angels and every yeere besides to Spain in silver wedges at least six Millions But the further the Spaniards goe to the North still more riches they discover and faine would they subdue all those Northern parts as I have heard them say lest our English from Virginia and their other plantations get in before them I have heard them wonder that our English enter no further into the maine land surely say they either they feare the Indians or else with a little paultry Tobacco they have as much as will maintaine them in lazinesse Certainly they intend to conquer through those heathenish Indians untill by land they come to Florida and Virginia for so they boast if they bee not met with by some of our Northern Nations of Europe who may better keep them off then those poor Indians and may doe God greater and better service with those rich Mines then the Spaniards hitherto have done Thus having spoken somewhat of the foure Provinces of Mexico which was the first member of the division Mexican and Peruan Now I shall briefly say somewhat further of three more Countries belonging to the Mexican or Northern Tract as opposite to the Peruan omiting Florida Virginia Norumbega Nova Francia Corterialis and Estotilandia because I will not write as many doe by relation and hearsay but by more sure intelligence insight and experience In my first division next to Mexico I placed Quivira Iâ—…eatan and Nicaragua of these three therefore I shall say a little and then somewhat of the Peruan part Quivira is seated on the most Western part of America just over against Tartary from whence being not much distant some suppose that the Inhabitants first came into this new World And indeed the Indians of America in many things seeme to bee of the race and progenie of the Tartars in that Quivira and all the Westside of the Country towards Asia is farre more populous then the East towards Europe which sheweth these parts to have been first inhabited Secondly their uncivility and barbarous properties tell us that they are most like the Tartars of any Thirdly the West side of America if it bee not continent with Tartary is yet disjoyned by a small straight Fourthly the people of Quivira neerest to Tartary are said to follow the seasons and pasturing of their cattell like the Tartarians All this side of America is full of herbage and injoyeth a temperate aire The people are desirous of glasse more then of gold and in some places to this day are Cannibals The chief riches of this Country are their Kine which are to them as we say of our Ale to drunkards meat drink and cloth and more too For the Hides yeeld them houses or at least the coverings of them their bones bodkins their hair thred their finews ropes their horns mawes and bladders vessels their dung fire their Calve skinnes budgets to draw and keepe water their blood drink their flesh meat There is thought to bee some traffique from China or Cathaya hither to those parts where as yet the Spaniards have not entred For
reason of the unhealthfulnesse of the aire and noisome savour of the standing pooles The chief places belonging to the Spaniards are first Theonimay or Nombre de Dios on the East the second which is six leagues from Nombre de Dios is Portabel now chiefly inhabited by the Spaniards and Mulattoes and Blackmores and Nombre de Dios almostutterly forsaken by reason of its unhealthfulnesse The ships which were wont to anchor in Nombre de Dios and there to take in the Kings treasure which is yeerly brought from Peru to Panama and from thence to the North Sea now harbour themselves in Portabel which signisyeth Porto bello a faire and goodly Haven for so indeed it is and well fortified at the entrance with three Castles which can reach and command one another The third and chiefe place belonging to the Spaniards in Castella del oro is Panama which is on the Westside and upon the South Sea This City and Nombre de Dios were both built by Didacus de Niquesa And Nombre de Dios was so called because Niquesa having been crossed with many mischances and misadventures at Sea when hee came to this place greatly rejoyced and bad his men now goe on shore in Nombre de Dios in the name of God in the name of God But as I have before observed the aire being here very unhealthy the King of Spain in the yeare 1584. commanded the houses of Nombre de Dios to be pulled downe and to be rebuilt in a more healthy and convenient place which was performed by Peter Aâ—…ias in Portabel But being now upon Nombre de Dios I should wrong my Country if I should not set out to the publike view the worth of her people shewed upon this place and to this day talked on and admired by the Spaniards who doe not only remember Sir Francis Drake teach their children to dread and fear even his name for his attempts upon Carthagena and all the coast about and especially upon Nombre de Dios and from it marching as farre as the great mountaine called St. Pablo towards Panama but furthermore keep alive amongst them and in this my History it shall not die the name of one of Sir Francis Drake his followers and Captains named Iohn Oxenham whose attempt on this Coast was resolute and wonderfull This Noble and gallant Gentleman arriving with threescore and ten souldiers in his company as resolute as himselfe a little above this Towne of Nombre de Dios drew a land his ship and covering it with boughes marched over the land with his Company guided by Black-mores untill he came to a river Where he cut downe wood made him a Pinnace entred the South-sea went to the Island of Pearles where hee lay ten daies waiting for a prize which happily he got though not so happily after kept it for from that Island he set upon two Spanish ships and finding them unable to fight he speedily made them yeeld and intercepted in them threescore thousand pound weight of gold and two hundred thousand pound weight in barres or wedges of silver and returned safely again to the maine land And though by reason of a mutiny made by his owne Company he neither returned to his country nor to his hidden ship yet was it such a strange adventure as is not to be forgotten in that the like was never by any other attempted and by the Spaniards is to this day with much admiration recorded Much part of this Castella aurea as yet is not subdued by the Spaniards and so doubtlesse a great treasure lieth hiâ—… in it for that people and nation whose thoughts shall aspire to find it out In the year 1637. when I chanced to be in Panama returning homewards to my Country there came thither some twenty Indians Barbarians by way of peace to treate with the President of the Chancery concerning their yeelding up themselves to the government of the King of Spaine But as I was informed afterwards at Carthagena nothing was concluded upon for that the Spaniards dare not trust those Indians whom they have found to have rebelled often against them for their hard usage and carriage towards them These Indians which then I saw were very proper tall and lusty men and well complexioned and among them one of as red a haire as any our nation can shew they had bobs of gold in their eares and some of them little pieces of gold made like a halfe moone hanging upon their neither lips which argues store of that treasure to be amongst them Unto this country is joyning Nova Andaluzia which hath on the North side Castella del oro and on the South Peru The best Cities in it are Tocoio now by the Spaniards called St. Margarets and another called â—… Espiritu Nova Granada is situated on the South side of Carthagena and from the abundance and fertility of Granada in Spaino it hath taken its name The chiefe Townes and Cities in it are six First Tungia which is supposed to be directly under the Aequatâ—…r The second is Tochaimum The third Popaian the richest of them all The fourth Sta. Fee or St. Faith an Archbishops seat and a Court of Justice and Chancery governed like Panama and Guatemala by a President and six Judges and a Kings Attorney and two high Justices of Court who have six thousand duckats a yeer allowed them out of the Kings treasure The fifth City is Palma and the sixth Merida From Carthagena through this countrey of Granada lieth the rode way to Lima in Peru all by land This Country is very strong by reason of the situation of it much amongst stony rockes which compasse and environ it and through which there are very narrow passages Yet it is full of pleasant valleys which do yeeld much fruit Corne and Indian Maiz. There are also in it some Mines of silver and many golden sanded rivers Carthagena which is the last Province of Castella aurea hath also a very fruitfull soil in the which groweth a tree which if any one do touch he will hardly escape a poysoning The chiefe Cities in it are first Carthagena which Sir Francis Drake in the yeer 1585. surprised and as the Spaniards affirme burned most part of it and besides inestimable sums of money took with him from thence 230. peeces of Ordnance I dare say now it hath not so many yet it is reasonable well fortified though not so strong as Portabel It is a faire and gallant City and very rich by reason of the pearles which are brought to it from Margarita and the Kings revenues which from all Nova Granada are sent thither It is a Bishops seat and hath many rich Churches and Cloisters It is not governed by a Court of Justice and Chancery as S ta Fee is but onely by one Governour It hath been often moved to the Councell of Spaine to have some Galleys made to runne about those Seas and that Carthagena bee the chiefe harbour of them From
this City received England the losse of that little Island named Providence by us and by the Spaniards Sta. Catalina which though but little might have been of a great nay greater advantage to our Kingdom than any other of our plantations in America which the Spaniards wel understood when they set al their strength of Carthagena against it but I hope the Lord hath his time appointed when we shall advantage our selves by it again To this City of Carthagena cometh every yeer also in small Frigots most of the Indigo Cochinil Sugar which is made in the country of Guatemala the Spaniards thinking it safer to ship these their goods in little Frigots upon the lake of Granada in Nicaragua from thence to send them to Carthagena to be shipped with the Galeons that come from Portabel with the treasure of Peru than to send them by the ships of Honduras which have often been a prey unto the Hollanders These frigots were thought by the Spaniards to come too neer the reach of Providence and therefore it hath been their care and providence to remove us from this reach of their Frigots The second great Towne of this Countrey of Carthagena is Abuida The third Sta. Martha which is a rich government of Spaniards and doth much fear our English and Holland ships it is seated on the river de Abuida otherwise called St. Iohn and Rio di Grand There is also Venezâ—…ela and New-Caliz great rich and strong Townes And these three last regions Andaluzia Nova Nova Granada and Carthagena are by the Spaniards called Tierra firme or firme land for that they are the strength of Peru from the North and the basis of this reversed Pyramis Thus have I brought thee Gentle Reader round about America and shewed thee the Continent of that biggest part of the world from the which thou mayst observe the power and greatnesse of the King of Spain who hath got under his Scepter and Dominion so many thousand miles which were they reckoned up would be found to be more then are about all Europe But not only is America great and spatious by land but also by sea glorying in more and some greater Islands then any other part of the world It would but cause tediousnesse and seem prolixity to number them all up which is a worke hard and difficult for that many as yet are not knowne nor inhabited and whose goodnesse and greatnesse is not discovered for the Islands called Lucâ—…idas are thought to be foure hundred at least Therefore I will omit to be over tedious and prolixe and will but briefly speake of the best and chiefe of them taking them in order from that part of the Continent Carthagena where even now I left thee But in the first place calls upon my pen the Jewel Island called Margarita which is situated in the sea nigh unto Castella aurea and not farre distant from two other Islands named Cubagâ—…a and Trinidadâ—… True it is this Island of Margarita is by some much slighted for want of corne grasse trees and water in so much that it hath been knowne sometime that an inhabitant of that Island hath willingly changed for a Tun of water a Tunne of wine But the great abundance of pretious stones in it maketh amends for the former wants and defects for from them is the name of Margarita imposed on that Island But especially it yeeldeth store of pearles those gemmes which the Latine writers call Uniones because nulli duo reperiuntur indiscreti they alwaies are found to grow in couples In this Island there are many rich Merchants who have thirty fourty fifty Black-more slaves only to fish out of the sea about the rockes these pearles These Black-mores are much made of by their Masters who must needs trust them with a treasure hidden in the waters and in whose will it is to passe by of those they find none few or many They are let downe in baskets into the Sea and so long continue under the water untill by pulling the rope by which they are let downe they make their sign to be taken up I have heard some say that have thus dealt in pearles that the chief meat they feed their Black-mores with is roast-meat which maketh them their wind breath longer in the water From Margarita are all the pearles sent to be refined and bored to Carthagena where is a faire and goodly street of no other shops then of these Pearledressers Commonly in the moneth of Iidy there is a ship or two at most ready in that Island to carry the Kings revenue and the Merchants pearles to Carthagena One of these ships are valued commonly at threescore thousand or fourscore thousand duckats and sometimes more and therefore are reasonable well manned for that the Spaniards much feare our English and the Holland ships The yeare that I was in Carthagena which was 1637. a ship of these laden with pearles was chased by one of our ships from the Island of Providence by some it was thought to be our ship called the Neptune which after a little fighting had almost brought the poore Spaniard to yeeld his pearies and had certainly carried away that great treasure as I was informed in Carthagena foure daies after the fight by a Spaniard who was in the ship of Margarita had not two other ships of Holland come between to challenge from our English man that prize alleadging their priviledge from the mighty States united for all prizes upon those seas and coast And whilst our English and Hollander did thus strive for the Pearles the Spanish ship ran on shore upon a little Island and speedily unladed and hid in the woods part of the treasures and perceiving the Hollander coming eagerly in pursuit of it the Spaniard set on fire the ship and neither Spaniard English nor Hollander enjoyed what might have been a great and rich prize to England From Carthagena was sent presently a man of Warre to bring home the pearles hid in the wood which were not the third part of what was in the ship Iamaica is another Island under the power of the Spaniards which is in length 280. miles and 70. in breadth which though it exceed Margarita in sweet and pleasant streames and fountaines of water yet is far inferiour to it in riches Some Hides some Sugar and some Tobacco are the chiefe commodities from thence There are only two Townes of note in it Oristana and Sevilli here are built ships which have proved as well at sea as those that are made in Spaine This Island was once very poulous but now is almost destitute of Indians for the Spaniards have sâ—…ain in it more then 60000 in so much that women as well here as on the Continent did kill their children before they had given them life that the issues of their bodies might not serve so cruell a nation But farre beyond the two former is the Island of Cuba which is three hundred miles long and seventy broad
miles and enjoyneth a temperate aire a fertill soile rich mines and trades much in Ambar Sugar Ginger Hides and Wax It is reported for certaine that here in twenty daies herbes will ripen and roots also and be fit to be eaten which is a strong argument of the exact temperature of the aire It yeeldeth in nothing to Cuba but excelleth it in three things especially first in the finenesse of the gold which is here more pure and unmixed secondly in the increase of the Sugar one Sugar Cane here silling twenty and sometimes thirty measures and thirdly in the goodnesse of the soile for tillage the corne here yeelding an hundred fold This fertility is thought to be caused by four great rivers which water and enrich all the four quarters of the Island all four doe spring from one only mountaine which standeth in the very midst and center of the Country Iuna running to the East Artihinnacus to the West Iacchus to the North and Naihus to the South This Countrey is â—…o replenished with Swine and Cattell that they become wild among the woods and Mountaines so that the ships that saile by this Island and want provision goe here a shore where it is little inhabited and kill of Cattell wild swine and bores till they have made up a plentifull provision Much of this Countrey is not inhabited by reason that the Indians are quite consumed The chief places in it are first St. Domingo where there is a Spanish President and Chancery with six Judges and the other officers belonging to it and it is the Seat of an Archbishop who though hee enjoy not so much yeerly rent and revenues as other Archbishops especially they of Mexico and Lima yet hee hatâ—… 〈◊〉 honour above all the rest for that hee is the primate of all the India's this Island having been conquered before the other parts and so bearing antiquity above them all There are also other rich Townes of trading as Sta. Isabella S. Thome S. Iohn Maragna and Porâ—…o And thus hath my pen run over Sea and Land Islands and most of the Continent that is subject to the Spaniards to shew thee my Reader the state of America at this time It is called America because Americus Vespusius first discovered it though afterwards Columbus gave us the first light to discern these Countries both by example and directions Besides the factions spoken of before between the Native Spaniards and those that come from Spain there is yet further in most parts of it but especially in Peru a deadly faction and mortall hatred between the Biscains and the Spaniards of Castile and Estremadura which hath much shaken the quiet state of it and threatned it with rebellion and destruction There are in all America foure Archbishopricks which are Sto. Domingo Mexico Lima and Sta. Fee and above thirty inferiour Bishops The politick Administration of Justice is chiefly committed to the two Viceroyes residing at Lima and Mexico and with subordination unto them unto other Presidents Governours and high Justices called Alcaldes Majores except it be the President of Guatemala and of Santo Domingo who are as absolute in power as the Viceroyes and have under them Governours and high Justices and are no wayes subordinate to the former Viceroyes but onely unto the Court and Councell of Spain CHAP. XIII Shewing my journey from Mexico to Chiapa Southward and the most remarkable places in the way HAving now gone round America with a brief and superficiall description of it my desire is to shew unto my Reader what parts of it I travailed through and did abide in observing more particularly the state condition strength and Commodities of those Countries which lie Southward from Mexico It is further my desire nay the chief ground of this my History that whilst my Country doth here observe an English man become American travailing many thousand miles there as may bee noted from St. Iohn de Ulhua to Mexico and from thence Southward to Panama and from thence Northward againe to Carthagena and to Havana Gods goodnesse may bee admired and his providence extolled who suffered not the meanest and unworthiest of all his Creatures to perish in such unknowne Countries to be swalled by North or South Sea where shipwracks were often feared to bee lost in Wildernesses where no tongue could give directions to bee devoured by Wolves Lions Tigers or Crocodiles which there so much abound to fall from steepy rocks and mountaines which seeme to dwell in the aereall Region and threaten with fearefull spectacles of deep and profound precipices a horrid and inevitable death to those that climbe up to them to bee eaten up by the greedy Earth which there doth often quake and tremble and hath sometimes opened her mouth to draw in Townes and Cities to bee stricken with those fiery darts of Heaven and thunderbolts which in winter season threaten the Rockes and Cedars to bee inchanted by Satans Instruments Witches and Sorcerers who there as on their own ground play their prankes more then in the parts of Christendome to be quite blinded with Romish Errors and Superstitions which have double blinded the purblind heathenish Idolaters to bee wedded to the pleasures and licentiousnesse which doe there allure to bee glutted with the plenty and dainties of fish flesh fowles and fruits which doe there entice to bee pufled up with the spirit of pride and powerfull command and authority over the poor Indians which doth there provoke to bee tied with the Cords of vanity and ambition which there are strong and finally to be glewed in heart and affection to the dresse of gold silver Pearls and Jewels whose plenty there doth bind blind captivate and enslave the soule Oh I say let the Lords great goodnesse and wonderfull providence bee observed who suffered not an English stranger in all these dangers to miscarry but was a guide unto him there in all his travailes discovered unto him â—…o the espies in Canaan and as to Ioseph in Egypt the provision wealth and riches of that world and safely guided him back to relate to England the truth of what no other English eye did ever yet behold From the moneth of October untill February I did abide with my friends and companions the Fryers under the command of Fryer Calvo in that house of recreation called St. Iacintho and from thence injoyed the sight of all the Townes and of what else was worth the seeing about Mexico But the time I was there I was carefull to informe my self of the state of Philippinas whither my first purposes had drawne me from Spain It was my fortune to light upon a Fryer and an acquaintance of some of my friends who was that yeer newly come from Manila whither I was going who wished mee and some other of my friends as wee tendred our soules good never to goe to those parts which were but snares and trap-dores to let downe to hell where occasions and temptations to sinne were daily many in number
we began to shake off all fear and would no more like Bats and Owles fly in the night but that we might with more pleasure enjoy the prospect of that valley and of the rest of the Countrey we travailed by day yet still crossing the Countrey we went from thence towards another valley called the valley of St. Pablo or Pauls valley which though it be not as big as the valley of Atlisco yet is held to be a richer valley for here they enjoy a double harvest of wheat every yeer The first seed they sow is watered and growes with the common season raine and the second seed which they sow in summer as soone as their first harvest is in when the season of raine is past they water with many Springs which fall into that Valley from the mountaines which round beset it and let in the water among their wheat at their pleasure and take it away when they see fit Here live Yeomen upon nothing but their farms who are judged to be worth some twenty thousand some thirty thousand some fourty thousand duckats In this valley we chanced to light upon one farme where the Yeoman was country-man to my friend Antonio Melendez borne in Segovia in Spaine who for his sake kept us three daies and nights with him His table was as well furnished as the table of a Knight might be his side board full of silver boules and cups and plates instead of trenchers lie spared no dainties which might welcome us to his table no perfumes which might us delight in our chambers no musick which his daughters were brought up to which might with more pleasure help to passe away the time To him Antonio Melendez made known our journey towards Guatemala and from him we received directions which way to steere our course untill we might be throughly free from feare and danger here we began to see the great providence of God who had brought us being strangers to such a friends house who not onely welcomed us to him but when we departed gave us a guide for a whole day and bestowed upon us twenty duckats to helpe to bear our charges From this valley wee wheeled about to Tasco a Towne of some five hundred Inhabitants which enjoyeth great commerce with the Country about by reason of the great store of Cotton-wool which is there And here we were very well entertained by a Franciscan Frier who being of Spaine made the more of us knowing we came from thence Here we got into the Rode of Guaxaca and went to Chautla which also aboundeth with Cotton-wool but in it we found no entertainment but what our owne purses would afford us Next to this place is a great Town called Zumpango which doth consist of at least eight hundred Inhabitants many of them very rich both Indians and Spaniards Their commodities are chiefly Cotton-wooll and Sugar and Cochinil But beyond this Town are the mountaines called la Misteca which abound with many rich and great Townes and doe trade with the best silke that is in all that Country Here is also great store of Wax and Hony and Indians live there who traffique to Mexico and about the Country with twenty or thirty mules of their owne chopping and changing buying and selling commodities and some of them are thought to be worth ten or twelve or fifteen thousand duckats which is much for an Indian to get among the Spaniards who thinke all the riches of America little enough for themselves From these mountaines of Misteca to Guaxaca we saw little observable only Townes of two or three hundred inhabitants rich Churches well built and better furnished within with lampes candlesticks crownes of silver for the severall statues of Saints and all the way wee did observe a very fruitfull soil for both Indian and Spanish wheat much Sugar much Cotton-wool Hony and here and there some Cochinil and of Plantins and other sweet and luscious fruit great store but above all great abundance of cattel whose Hides are one of the greatest commodities that from those parts are sent to Spaine Some reported that about Misteca formerly much gold had been found and the Indians were wont to use it much though now they will not be knowne of any left the greedinesse of the Spaniards bring them to misery and destruction as it hath their neighbours about them Also it is reported for certaine that there are Mines of silver though aâ—… yet the Spaniards have not found them There are many Mines of Iron which the Spaniards will not busie themselves in digging because they have it cheaper from Spain from hence wee came to the City of Guaxaca whis is a Bishops Seat though not very bigge yet a faire and beautifull City to behold It standeth fourescore leagues from Mexico in a pleasant valley from whence Cortez was named Marques del Valle the Marquesse of the Valley This City as all the rest of America except the Sea Towns lyeth open without walls Bulwarkes Fo rs Towers or any Castle Ordnance or Ammunition to defend it It may consist of at the most two thousand Inhabitants and are governed by a Spanish High Justice called Alcalde Major whose power reacheth over all the Valley and beyond it as farre as Nixapa and almost to Tecoantepeque a Sea Towne upon Mar del Zur The Valley is of at least fifteen miles in length and ten in breadth where runneth in the midst a goodly River yeelding great store of fish The Valley is full of Sheep and other Cattell which yeeld much Wooll to the Clothiers of the City of Angels store of Hides to the Merchants of Spain and great provision of flesh to the City of Guaxaca and to all the Townes about which are exceeding rich and doe maintaine many Cloisters of Fryers and Churches with stately furniture belonging unto them But what doth make the Valley of Guaxaca to bee mentioned farre and neer are the good horses which are bred in it and esteemed to bee the best of all the Country In this Valley also are some farmes of Sugar and great store of fruits which two sorts meeting together have cried up the City of Guaxaca for the best Conserves and Preserves that are made in America In the City there are some six Cloisters of Nuns and Fryers all of them exceeding rich but above all is the Cloister of the Dominican Fryers whose Church treasure is worth two or three Millions and the building of it the fairest and strongest in all those parts the walls are of stone so broad that a part of them being upon finishing when I was there I saw Carts goe upon them with stone and other materials Here are also two Cloisters of Nuns which are talked of far and neer not for their religious practices but for their skill in making two drinkes which are used in those parts the one called Chocolatte whereof I shall speake heereafter and the other Atolle which is like unto our Almond Milk but much thicker and is
made of the juyce of the yong Maiz or Indian wheat which they so confection with spices musk and sugar that it is not onely admirable in the sweetnesse of the smell but much more nourishing and comforting the stomack This is not a Commoditie that can bee transported from thence but is to be drunk there where it is made But the other Chocolatte is made up in Boxes and sent not onely to Mexico and the parts thereabouts but much of it is yeerly transported into Spain This City of Guaxaca is the richer by reason of the safety they enjoy for the carriage of their Commodities to and from the port of St. Iohn de Ulhua by the great River Alvarado which runneth not far from it and although the Barkes come not to the City of Guaxaca yet they come up to the Zapotecas and to St. Ildefonso which is not farre from Guaxaca And the carelessenesse of the Spaniards here is to bewondred at that all along this River which runneth up into the heart of their Country they have built as yet no Castles Towers or watch-houses or planted any Ordinance trusting onely in this that great ships cannot come up as if Frigots or smaller Barks such as they themselves use may not bee made to annoy them But of Guaxaca I shall say no more but conclude that it is of so temperate an aire so abounding in fruits and all provision requisite for mans life so commodiously situated between the North and South Sea having on the North side St. Iohn de Ulbua and on the South Tecoantepeque a small and unfortified harbour that no place I so much desired to live in whilest I was in those patrs as in Guaxaca which certainly I had attempted as I travailed by it had I not understood that the Criolian or Native Fryers were many and as deadly enemies unto those that came from Spain as were the Mexicans And this their spight and malice they shewed whilest wee were there to an ancient and grave old Fryer Master in Divinity who living had been for learning the Oracle of those parts This old man died when I was there and because when hee lived they could pick no hole in his Coat being dead they searched his chamber and finding in a Coffer some moneys which hee had not made knowne to his Superiour when living which they would reduce to a sinne against his posessed poverty called Propriety and subject to the censure of Excommunication they reported that hee had died excommunicated and might not injoy their Christian buriall in the Church or Cloister and so ignominiously buried their old Divine and with him his Crredit and reputation in a grave made in one of their Gardens A thing much talked on as scandalous to all the City and Country which they salved with saying hee was excommunicated but the truth was he was of Spaine and therefore at his death they would shew their spight unto him For certainly they could not doe it for the sinne of Propriety which by him had been committed in his life and to them all may be well said what our Saviour said to the Jewes bringing to him a woman found in adultery to bee stoned Whosoever of you is without sinne let him cast the first stone for all of them yea even the best Fryers that live in America are some way or other much or lesse guilty of the sinne of Propriety which they professe and vow against With this which wee saw with our eyes besides what with our eares wee had heard of discords and factions amongst them wee thought Guaxaca was no place for us to live in so after three daies we made haste out of it and departed towards Chiapa which lyeth three hundred miles from thence And for our comfort in our further travailing we were informed in Guaxaca that in most Towns of the Rode through that country the Indians had an order from the High Justice to give unto Fryers travailing that way either horse to ride on or to carry their carriages and provision of food freely without mony if they had none so that at their departure they should write it down in the town booke what they had spent not abiding above foure and twenty houres in the Town which expences of travailers the Indians afterwards at the yeers end of their ordinary Justice and Officers were to give an account of with carrying their Towne book unto the Spanish Justice to whom they belonged and by so doing these expences were allowed of to bee discharged by the common Towne Purse or Treasure for the which a common plot of ground was alloted to bee yeerly sowen with wheat or Maiz. With this charitable relief and help of the Townes wee conceived better of the rest of our long journey and hoped to compasse it with more ease And so joyfully we went on and the first place where wee made triall of this order was at a great Town called Antequera where wee freely called for our fowles and what other provision we saw in the Town fed heartily on them and the next day when we were to pay and to depart wee called for the Town book subscribed our hands to what wee had spent our selves and horses and went our way praising the discretion of the Justices of that Country who had setled a course so easy and comfortable for us especially who had but shallow purses for our long journy Yet we found in some small Towns that the Indians were unwilling and as they alleadged unable to extend this Charity to us being foure in company and bringing with us the charge likewise of foure horses which made us sometimes make the longer journey that wee might reach unto some great and rich Towne The next to Antiquera in that Rode is Nixapa which is of at the least eight hundred Inhabitans Spaniards and Indians standing upon the side of a River which wee were informed was an arme of the great River Alvarado In this Town is a very rich Cloister of Dominican Fryers where we were well entertained in it there is a picture of our Lady which superstitiously they fancy to have wrought miracles and is made a pilgrimage from far and neere and consequently hath great riches and Lampes belonging unto it This is counted absolutely one of the wealthiest places of all the Countrey of Guaxaca for here is made much Indigo Sugar Cochinill and here grow many trees of Cacao and Achiotte whereof is made the Chocolatte and is a commodity of much trading in those parts though our English and Hollanders make little of it when they take a prize of it at Sea as not knowing the secret virtue and quallity of it for the good of the stomack From hence we went to Aguatulco and Capalita also great Towns standing upon a plain Country full of Sheep and Cattell abounding with excellent fruits especially Pines and Sandia's which are as big as Pumpions and so waterish that they even melt like snow in the mouth
cool the heat which there is great by reason it is a low and Marsh kind of ground lying neer the South Sea The next chief Town and most considerable after Capalita is Tecoantequepete this is a Sea Town upon Mar del Zur and a harbour for small vessels such as Trade from those parts to Acapulco and Mexico and to Realejo and Guatemala and sometimes to Panama Here upon some occasions Ships which come from Peru ' to Acapulco doe call in It is a port no farthet safe then that no English or Holland Ships doe come thereabouts which if they did they would there find no resistance but from thence would finde an open and easie Rode over all the Countrey Upon all this South Sea side from Acapulco to Panama which is above two thousand miles by land there is no open harbour but this for Guaxaca and La Trinidad for Guatemala and Realejo for Nicaragua and Golfo de Salinas for small vessels in Costa Rica and all these unprovided of Ordnance and Ammunition all open dores to let in any Nation that would take the pains to surround the World to get a treasure This port of Tecoantepeque is the chiefe for fishing in all that Countrey wee met him in the wayes sometimes with fifty sometimes with a hundred mules together laden with nothing but salt fish for Guaxaca City of the Angels and Mexico There are some very rich Merchants dwell in it who trade with Mexico Peru and Philippinas sending their small vessels out from Port to Port which come home richly laden with the Commodities of all the Southerne or Easterne parts From hence to Guatemala there is a plaine Rode along the Coast of the South Sea passing through the Provinces of Soconuzco and Suchutepeques but wee aiming at Chiapa tooke our journey over the high Rocks and Mountaines called Quelenes travailing first from Tecoantepeque to Estepeque and from thence through a desert of two dayes journey where wee were faine to lodge one night by a spring of water upon the bare ground in open wide fields where neither Town nor house is to bee seene yet thatcht lodges are purposely made for travailers This plain lyeth so open to the Sea that the wind from thence blow so strongly and violently that travailers are scarce able to â—…it their horses and mules which is the reason no people inhabit there because the windes teare their houses and the least fire that there breaks out doth a great deale of mischief This plaine yet is full of Cattell and Horses and Mares some wild some tame and through this windy Champaigne Country with much adoe we travailed though my self thought I should even there end my daies for the second day being to reach to a Towne and my three friends riding before thinking that I followed them evening now drawing on they made more hast to find the Town But in the meane while my horse refused to goe any further threatning to lie downe if I put him to more then hee was able I knew the towne could not be far and so I lighted thinking to walke and lead my horse who also refused to bee led and so lay downe With this a troop of thoughts beset mee and to none I could give a flat answer I thought if I should goe on foot to finde out the Towne and my company and leave my horse there sadled I might both lose my selfe and my horse and saddle and if I should find the Towne and come in the morning for my horse the plain was so wide and spatious that I might seeke long enough and neither finde him nor know the place where I left him for there was nothing neere to marke the place nor where to hide the saddle neither hedge tree shrub within a mile on any side Wherefore I considered my best course would bee to take up my lodging in the wide and open wildernesse with my horse and to watch him lest hee should wander and stray away untill the morning or untill my friends might send from the towne to see what was become of mee which they did not that night thinking I had taken my way to another Town not far from thence whither they sent in the morning to enquire for me I looked about therefore for a commodious place to rest in but found no choice of lodgings every where I found a bed ready for mee which was the bare ground a bolster onely or pillow I wanted for my head and seeing no bank did kindly offer it selfe to ease a lost stranger and pilgrime I unsadled my weary Jade and with my saddle fitted my head in stead of a pillow Thus without a supper I went to bed in my Mothers owne bosome not a little comforted to see my tired horse pluck up his spirits and make much of his supper which there was ready for him of short dry and withered grasse upon which hee sed with a greedy and hungry stomack promising mee by his feeding that the next day he would performe a journey of at least thirty or forty miles The poor beast fed apace my careful eye watched him for at least an houre when upon a suddain I heard such an hideous noise of howling barking and crying as if a whole Army of dogs were come into the wildernesse and howled for want of a prey of some dead horse or mule At first the noise seemed to be a pretty way off from mee but the more I hearkened unto it the nigher it came unto mee and I perceived it was not of dogs by some intermixt shriekings as of Christians which I observed in it An observation too sad for alone man without any helpe or comfort in a wildernesse which made my haire to stand upright my heart to pant my body to bee covered with a fearfull sweat as of death I expected nothing else not knowing from whence the noise proceeded sometimes I thought of Witches sometimes of devils sometimes of Indians turned into the shape of beasts which amongst some hath beene used sometimes of wild and savage beasts and from all these thoughts I promised my self nothing but sure death for the which I prepared my selfe recommending my soule to the Lord whilst I expected my body should bee a prey to cruell and mercilessesse beasts or some instruments of that roaring Lion who in the Apostle goeth about seeking whom he may devoure I thought I could not any waies prevaile by flying or running away but rather might that way runne my selfe into the jawes of death to hide there was no place to lie still I thought was safest for if they were wild beasts they might follow their course another way from mee and so I might escape Which truly proved my safest course for while I lay sweating and panting judging every cry every howling and shrieking an alarm to my death being in this agony and fearfull conflict till about midnight on a suddain the noise ceased sleep though but the shadow of death seized upon my wearied
may wear a rapier and dagger and enjoyeth many other liberties which to the rest of the Indians are denied No Towne hath so many Dons in it of Indian blood as this Don Philip de Guzman was Governour of it in my time a very rich Indian who kept up commonly in his stable a dozen of as good Horses for publike shewes and ostentation as the best Spaniard in the Countrey His courage was not inferiour to any Spaniard and for defence of some priviledges of his Town sued in the Chancery of Guatemala the proud and high minded Governour of the City of Chiapa spending therein great sums of money till he had overcome him whereupon he caused a feast to be made in the Towne both by water and land so stately that truly in the Court of Madrid it might have been acted This Towne lyeth upon a great river whereunto belong many boats and Canoas wherein those Indians have been taught to act sea-fights with great dexterity and to represent the Nymphes of Parnassus Neptune Aeolus and the rest of the heathenish Gods and Goddesses so that they are a wonder of their whole nation They will arme with their boats a siege against the Town fighting against it with such courage til they make it yeeld as if they had been trained up all their life to sea-fights So likewise within the Town they are as dexterous at baiting of buls at juego de Cannas at Horse-races at arming a Campe at all manner of Spanish dances instruments and musick as the best Spaniards They will erect Towers and Castles made of wood and painted cloth from them fight either with the boats or one against another with squibs darts and many strange fire-works so manfully that if in earnest they could perform it as well as they do it in sport and pastime the Spaniards and Fryers might soon repent to have taught them what they have As for acting of playes this is a common part of their solemne pastimes and they are so generous that they nothing think too much to spend in banquets sweet-meats upon their Friers and neighbouring Towns whensoever they are minded to shew themselves in a publike feast The Towne is very rich many Indians in it that trade about the Country as the Spaniards do They have learned most trades befitting a Common-wealth and practise and teach them within their Town They want not any provision of fish or flesh having for the one that great river joyning unto their Towne and for the other many Estantia's as they call them or farmes abounding with cattell In this Towne the Dominican Fryers bear all the sway who have a rich and stately Cloister with another Church or Chappel subordinate unto it The heat here is so great that both Fryers and Indians commonly wear a linnen towel about their necks to wipe off the constant swet from their faces which maketh the Friers sit longer at their dinner then els the would do for that at every bit they eate and draught they drinke they are faine to make a stop to wipe their dropping browes Yet the evenings are fresh and cool which are much made of there and spent in the many walkes and gardins which joyne close unto the River side Two or three leagues from the Towne there are two Ingenio's or Farmes of Sugar the one belonging to the Cloister of the Dominicans of the City of Chiapa the other unto the Cloister of this Towne which containe neer two hundred Blackmores besides many Indians who are imployed in that constant worke of making Sugar for all the Country Hereabouts are bread great store of Mules and excellent horses for any service The Towne of Chiapa of the Indians and all the Townes about it want nothing but a more temperate climate and cooler aire and Wheat which there cannot bee sowne yet for Spaniards and such as cannot live without it it is brought from Chiapa of the Spaniards and from about Comitlan yet this is not generally acknowledged a want by reason of the great plenty of Maiz which all the Townes enjoy and which is now more used both by Spaniards and dainty toothed Fryers then bread of Wheat Yet your poore Spaniards and some Indians who have got the trick of trading from them doe gaine not a little in bringing to these Townes bisquets of wheaten bread which though it be dry and hard yet because they are novelties to the Indians they get by changing them for other commodities especially of Cotton wooll which here is more abounding then in the Valley of Copanabastlau Upon this Country of Chiapa of the Indians bordereth the Province of Zoques which is absolutely the richest part of Chiapa This reacheth on the one side to Tabasco and by the River named Grijalva sendeth commonly the Commodities which are in it with safety unto St. Iohn de Ulhua or Vera Cruz. It trafiqueth also with the Country of Iucatan by the Haven called Puerto Real which lyeth betweene Grijalva and Iucatan Yet these two the River of Tabasco alias Grijalva and Puerto Real though they bee commodious to this Province of Zoques yet they are causes of daily feares unto the Spaniards who well know the weaknesse of them and that if a forraine Nation should manfully thrust into that Country by any of these two wayes they might so conquer all Chiapa and from thence passe easily unto Guatemala But the River of Tabasco lying low and being somewhat hot and the Towns about it infested with many gnats and the chiefest commodity there being but Cacao have often discouraged both our English and Hollanders who have come up some part of the River and minding more the foresaid reasons then what was forward to bee had have turned back losing a rich Country and slighting an eternall name for few and frivolous present difficulties In this Province of Zoques the Towns are not very bigge yet they bee very rich the chief Commodities are Silk and Cochinill whereof the latter is held the best of America and the store of it so great that no one Province alone exceeds it Few Indians there are who have not their Orchards planted with the trees whereon the worms breed which yeeld unto us that rich Commodity not that the Indians themselves esteem otherwise of it then as they see the Spaniands greedy after it offering them mony for it forcing them to the preservation of it in those parts which have proved most successeful for this kind There is great store of silk in this Country in so much that the Indians make it their great Commodity to imploy their wives in working Towels with all colours of silk which the Spaniards buy and send into Spain It is rare to see what works those Indian women will make in silk such as might serve for Patterns and samplers to many School-Mistresses in England The people of this Country are witty and ingenious and faire of complexion the Country towards Tabasco is hot but within in some places
is hot by reason the Town standeth low and compassed with high hills on every side Besides many good fruits which are here there are Dates as good as those in that come from Barbary and many trees of them in the Garden belonging to the Cloister After I had here wearied out the wearinesse which I brought in my bones from the Cuchumatlanes I departed taking my way to Guatemala and from Sacapula I went to a Town called St. Andres or St. Andrews which standeth six or seven leagues from Sacapula a great Town but nothing remarkable in it save onely Cotton wooll and Turkies and about it some rich Estancia's or Farmes of Cattell which are commodiously seated here it being a plain Champaigne Country Yet at further end of this plain there is a Mountaine which discourageth with the sight all such as travell to Guatemala from St. Andres I prepared my selfe for the next daies journey which was of nine long leagues to a very great Town called by two names by some Sacualpa by others Sta. Maria Zojabah to the which I could not goâ—… without passing over that Mountaine I sent word of going to Zojabah the day before as is the custome there that mules and horâ—…s might meet mee upon the Mountaine and the night before I went to a Rancho which is a lodge built for travellers to rest when the journey is long which stood within a league of the Mountaine by a River where with the waters murmur and refreshing gales I tooke good rest In the morning having refreshed my selfe and my Indians with Chocolatte I set out to incounter with that proud Mountaine and when I came unto it I found it not so hard to overcome as I had conceited the way lying with windings and turnings But the higher I mounted the more my eyes were troubled with looking to the River below whose rockes were enough to astonish and make a stout heart tremble About the middle of the Mountaine the Indians of Zojabah met with a mule for mee and another for my carriage in a narrow passage where the way went wheeling Here I lighted whilst the Indians helped one another to unload and load the mule that came of refresh Out of the narrow way the side of the Mountaine was steepy and a fearefull precipice of two or three miles to the bottome almost bare of trees here and there one onely growing My heart was true unto mee wishing mee to walke up a foot untill I came unto some broader passage but the Indians perceiving my feare told me there was no danger assuring mee further that the Mule they had brought was sure and had beeen well used to that mountaine With their perswasions I got up but no sooner was I mounted when the Mule began to play her prankes and to kick and to leap out of the way casting me down and herselfe both rouling and tumbling a pace to the ro ckes and death had not a shrub prevented me and a tree stopped the Mules blind fury The Indians cried out milagro milagro miracle miracle Santo Santo a Saint a Saint to me so loud as if they would have had their cry reach to Rome to helpe forward my canonization for many such miracles have some been noised at Rome and with further contribution of mony have been enrolled in the booke and Catalogue of Saints Whilst the Indians helped me up and brought the Mule againe into the way they did nothing but flatter me with this terme Saint which they needed not have done if as they considered my dangerous fall and stopping at a shrub which was by chance and not by miracle they had further considered my passion and hasty wrath not befitting a Saint wherewith I threatned to bast their ribs for deceiving mee with a yong Mule not well accustomed to the saddle But all my hasty words and anger could not discredit me with them nor lessen their conceipt of my holinesse and sanctity who hold the anger and wrath of a Preist to be the breath of Gods nostrils and with this their foolish conceipt of mee they knecled before me kissing my hands The businesse being further examined they confessed that they had been mistaken in the Mules having sadled for me that which should have carried my Petaca's or leatherne chests which was a young Mule accustomed onely to carriages and not to the saddle and upon that which should have been sadled they put my carriage Whilst they unloaded and loaded again and sadled the right Mule I walked up the hill about a mile and when they overtooke me I got up and rid till I met with my refreshing harbour and Chocolatte and many Indians that came to receive me among whom it was presently noised that I was a Saint and had wrought a miracle in the way with this the rest of the Indians kneeled to me and kissed my hands and in the way that we went to the Towne all their talk was of my sanctity I was much vexed at their simplicity but the more they saw mee unwilling to accept of that honour the more they pressed it upon me When I came to the Town I told the Frier what had happened and what the foolish Indians had conceited at which he laughed and told me that he would warrant me if I staied long in the Towne all the men and women would come to kisse my hands and to offer their gifts unto me He knew well their qualities or else had taught them this superstition with many others for no sooner had we dined but many were gathered to the Church to see the Saint that was come to their Towne and that had wrought a miracle in the mountaine as he came With this I began to be more troubled then before at the folly of the simple people and desired the Fryer to checke and rebuke them who by no means would but rather laughed at it saying that in policy we ought to accept of any honour from the Indians for as long as we had credit and an opinion of Saints among them so long we should prevaile to do any with them yea even to command them and their fortunes at our pleasure With this I went downe with the Frier to the Church and sate downe with him in a chaire in the Quire representing the person of such a Saint as they imagined me to be though in reality and truth but a wretched sinner No sooner had we taken up our places when the Indians men women and children came up by three and four or whole families to the Quire first kneeling down for my blessing and then kissing my hands they began to speake to me in their Indian complements to this purpose that their Town was happy and doubtlesse blessed from heaven by my coming into it and that they hoped their soules should be much the bettter if they might partake of my praiers to God for them And for this purpose some offered unto me money some hony some â—…gs some little mantles some Plantins
as are in some places in the Rode to Mexico Besides the great trading commerce and traffique which this City injoyeth by that Golfe from Spaine hath made that rode exceed all the rest In Iuly or at furthest in the beginning of August come into that Golfe three ships or two and frigate and unlade what they have brought from Spain in Bodega's or great Lodges built on purpose to keep dry and from the weather the commodities They presently make hast to lade againe from Guatemala those Merchants commodities of returne which peradventure have lien waiting for them in the Bodega's two 〈◊〉 three moneths before the ships arrivall So that these three moneths of Iuly August and September there is sure to be found a great treasure And O the simplicity or security of the Spaniards who appoint no other watch over thesâ—… their riches save only one or two Indians and as many Mulatio's who commonly are such as have for their misdeamours been condemned to live in that old and ruinated Castle of S. Thomas de Castilia True it is above it there is a little and ragged Town of Indians called S. Pedro consisting of some thirty families who by reason of the exceeding heat and unhealthinesse of the air are alwaies sickly and scarce able to stand upon their legs But the weakenesse of this Golfe within might well bee remedied and supplyed at the mouth of the sea or entrance into it by one or two at the most good peeces of Ordnance placed there For the entrance into this Golfe is but as one should come in at the doore of some great Palace where although the dore and entrance be narrow the house within is wide and capacious Such is this Golfe whose entrance is straitned with two rocks or mountaines on each side which would well become two great Peeces and so scorne a whole fleet and secure a Kingdome of Guatemala nay most of all America but here being no watch nor defence the ships come freely and safely in as have done some both English and Holland ships and being entred find a rode and harbour so wide and capacious as may well secure a thousand ships there riding at anchor without any thought of feare from St. Pedro or Santo Thomas de Castilia I have often heard the Spaniards jear and laugh at the English and Hollanders for that they having come into this Golfe have gone away without attempting any thing further upon the land Nay while I lived there the Hollanders set upon Truxillo the head Port of Comayagua and Honduras and tooke it though there were some resistance the people for the most part flying to the woods trusting more to their feet then to their hands and weapons such cowards is all that Countrey full of and whilst they might have fortified themselves there and gone into the Countrey or fortifying that have come on to the Golfe all Guatemala fearing it much and not being able to resist them they left Truxillo contenting themselves with a small pillage and gave occasion to the Spaniards to rejoyce and to make processions of thanksgiving for their safe deliverance out of their enemies hands The way from this Golfe to Guatemala is not so bad as some report and conceive especially after Michaelmas untill May when the winter and rain is past and gone and the winds begin to dry up the waies For in the worst of the yeer Mules laden with four hundred waight at least goe easily thorow the steepest deepest and most dangerous passages of the mountaines that lie about this Golfe And though the waies are at that time of the yeer bad yet they are so beaten with the Mules and so wide and open that one bad step and passage may be avoided for a better and the worst of this way continues but fifteen leagues there being Rancho's or Lodges in the way Cattel and Mules also among the woods and mountaines for reliefe and comfort to a weary Traveller What the Spaniards most feare untill they come out of these mountaines are some two or three hundred Black-mores Simarrones who for too much hard usage have fled away from Guatemala and other parts from their Masters unto these woods and there live and bring up their children and encrease daily so that all the power of Guatemala nay all the Countrey about having often attempted it is not able to bring them under subjection Thâ—…se often come out to the rode way and set upon the Requa's of Mules and take of Wine Iron clothing and weapons from them as much as they need without doing any harme unto the people or slaves that goe with the Mules but rather these rejoyce with them being of one colour and subject to slavery and misery which the others have shaken off by whose example and encouragement many of these also shake off their misery and joyne with them to enjoy libertie though it be but in the woods and mountaines Their weapons are bowes and arrows which they use and carry about them onely to defend themselves if the Spaniards set upon them else they use them not against the Spaniards who travell quietly and give them part of what provision they carry These have often said that the chiefe cause of their flying to those mountaines is to be in a readinesse to joyne with the English or Hollanders if ever they land in that Golfe for they know from them they may injoy that liberty which the Spaniards will never grant unto them After the first fifteen leagues the way is better and there are little Towns and villages of Indians who relieve with provision both man and beast Fifteen leagues further is a great Town of Indians called Acabastlan standing upon a river which for fish is held the best all that Country Though here are many sorts yet above all there is one which they call Bobo a thick round fish as long or longer then a mans arme with onely a middle bone as white as milke at fat as butter and good to boil fry stew or bake There is also from hence most of the way to Guatemala in brooks and shallow rivers one of the best sort of fishes in the world which the Spaniards judge to be a kind of Trout it is called there Tepemechin the fat whereof resembles veal more than fish This Towne of Acabastlan is governed by a Spaniard who is called Corrigidor his house extendeth no farther then to the Golfe and to those Townes in the way This Governour hath often attempted to bring in those Simarrones from the mountaines but could never prevaile against them All the strength of this place may 〈◊〉 some twenty muâ—…ets for so many Spanish houses there may bee in the Towne and some few Indians that use bowes and arrowes for the defence of the Town against the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 About Acacabastlan there are many Estancia's of Cattell and Mules much Cacao Achiotte and drugs for Chocolatte There is also Apothecary drugs as Zarzaparilla and Cannafistula and in the Town as
much variety of fruits and gardens as in any one Indian Town in the Country But above all Acacabastlan is farre known and much esteemed of in the City of Guatemala for excellent Muskmillians some small some bigger then a mans head wherewith the Indians load their mules and carry them to sell all over the Country From hence to Guatemala there are but thirty short leagues and though some hills there be ascents and descent yet nothing troublesome to man or beast Among these Mountaines there have beene discovered some mines of metall which the Spaniards have begun to digge and finding that they have been some of Copper and some of iron they have let them alone judgeing them more chargeable then profitable But greater profit have the Spaniards lost then of iron and copper for using the poore Indians too hardly and that in this way from Acacabastlan to Guatemala especially about a place called el Agua Caliente the hot water where is a River out of which in some places formerly the Indians found such store of gold that they were charged by the Spaniards with a yeerly tribute of gold But the Spaniards being like Valdivia in Chille too greedy after it murthering the Indians for not discovering unto them whereabout this treasure lay have lost both treasure and Indians also Yet unto this day search is made about the Mountaines the River and the sands for the hidden treasure which peradventure by Gods order and appointment doth and shall lie hide and kept for a people better knowing and honouring their God At this place called el Agua Caliente or the hot water liveth a Blackmore in an Estancia of his own who is held to be very rich and gives good entertainement to the Travellers that passe that way he is rich in Cattell Sheep and Goates and from his Farm stores Guatemala and the people thereabout with the best Cheese of all that Country But his riches are thought not so much to increase from his Farm and cheeses but from this hidden treasure which credibly is reported to be known unto him He hath been questioned about it in the Chancery of Guatemala but hath denyed often any such treasure to be known unto him The jealousie and suspicion of him is for that formerly having been a slave hee bought his freedome with great summes of money and since hee hath been free hath bought that farm and much land lying to it and hath exceedingly increased his stock To which hee answereth that when hee was young and a slave hee had a good Master who let him get for himself what hee could and that hee playing the good husband gathered as much as would buy his liberty and at first a little house to live in to the which God hath since given a blessing with a greater increase of stock From this hot water three or foure leagues there is another River called Rio de las Vaccas or the River of Cowâ—…s where are a company of poore and country people most of them Mestizo's and Mulatto's who live in thatched houses with some small stock of Cattell spending their time also in searching for sands of Gold hoping that one day by their diligent search they and their children and all their Country shall bee inriched and that Rio de las Vaccas shall parallel Pactolus and stirre up the wits of Poets to speak of it as much as ever they have spoke of that From this River is presently discovered the pleasantest valley in all that Country where my selfe did live at least five yeers called the Valley of Mixco and Pinola lying six leagues from Guatemala being fifteen miles in length and ten or twelve in breadth Out of the inclosures this Valley is stored with sheep the ground inclosed is divided into many Farmes where groweth better wheat then any in the Country of Mexico From this Valley the city is well provided of wheat and Bisket is made for the ships that come every yeere unto the Golf It is called the Valley of Mixco and Pinola from two Townes of Indians so called standing opposite the one to the other on each side of the Valley Pinola on the left side from Rio delas Vaccas and Mixco on the right Here do live many rich Farmers but yet Country and clownish people who know more of breaking clods of earth then of managing Armes offensive or defensive But among them I must not forget one friend of mine called Iuan Palomeque whom I should have more esteemed of then I did if I could have prevailed with him to have made him live more like a man then a beast more like a free men then a bond slave to his gold and silver This man had in my time three hundred lusty mules trained up in the way of the Golf which hee divided into six Requa's or companies and for them be kept above a hundred Black-more slaves men women and children who lived neer Mixco in severall thatched cottages The house he lived in himselfe was but a poore thatched house wherein he tooke more delight to live then in other houses which he had in Guatemala for there hee lived like a wilde Simarron among his slaves and Black-mores whereas in the City he should have lived civilly there he lived with milke curds and blacke hard and mouldy bisket and with a dry tassajo which is dry salted beefe cut out in thinne slices and dryed in the sun and wind till there be little substance left in it such as his slaves were wont to cary to the Golfe for their provision by the way whereas if he had lived in the City he must have eat for his credit what others of worth did eat But the miser knew well which was the best way to save and so chose a field for a City a cottage for a house company of Simarrones and Black-mores for Citizens and yet he was thought to be worth six hundred thousand duckats He was the undoer of all others who dealed with Mules for bringing and carrying commodities to the Golfe for the Merchants for he having lusty Mules lusty slaves would set the price or rate for the hundred weight so as he might get but others at that rate hiring Indians and servants to goe with their Mules might lose He was so cruell to his Black-mores that if any were untoward he would torment them almost to death amongst whom he had one slave called Macaco for whom I have often interceded but to little purpose whom he would often hang up by the armes and whip him till the blood ran about his back and then his flesh being torne mangled and all in a goar blood he would for last cure powre boyling grease upon it he had marked him for a slave with burning irons upon his face his hands his armes his back his belly his thighes his legs that the poor slave was weary of life and I thinke would two or three times have hanged himselfe if I had not counselled him to the
Frier that lives in the Towne and doth nothing concerning the governing of the Towne and executing of justice but what the Frier alloweth and adviseth to be done There is also great service appointed for this Frier of Fishermen and other attendants in his house who liveth as stately as any Bishop Most trades belonging to a well setled Common-wealth are here exercised by these Indians As for herbage and garden-fruits and requisites it hath whatsoever may be found or desired in the City of Guatemala The Church treasure is very great there being many Sodalities of our Lady and other their Saints which are enriched with crowns and chains and bracelets besides the lamps censers silver candlesticks belonging unto the Altars Upon Michaelmas day is the chief fair and feast of the Town which is dedicated unto St. Michael whither many Merchants resort from Guatemala to buy and sell in the afternoon and the next day following Bulâ—…iting is the common sport for that feast with some Spaniards and Blackmores on Horse-backe and other Indians on foot who commonly being drunke some venture some lose their lives in the sport Besides this generall concourse of people every yeer at that time there is every day at five a clock in the afternoone a Tianguez or market upheld by the concourse of the Indians of the Town among themselves Besides the lake there runneth by this Town a river which in places is easily waded over and waters the fruits gardens and other plantations and drives a mill which serves most of the valley to grind their wheat Within a mile and a halfe of this Towne there is a rich Ingenio or farme of Sugar belonging to one Sebastian de Savaletta a Biscaine borne who came at first very poore into that Country and served one of his Country men but with his good industry and paines he began to get a Mule or two to traffique with about the Country till at last he increased his stocke to a whole Requa of Mules and from thence grew so rich that he bought much land about Petapa which he found to be very fit for Sugar and from thence was incouraged to build a princely house whither the best of Guatemala doe resort for their recreation This man maketh a great deale of Sugar for the Country and sends every yeer much to Spaine he keepeth at least threescore slaves of his own for the worke of his farme is very generous in house keeping and is thought to be worth above five hundred thousand Duckats Within halfe a mile from him there is another farme of Sugar which is called but a Trapiche belonging unto the Augustin Friers of Guatemala which keepes some twenty slaves and is called a Trapiche for that it grinds not the Sugar Cane with that device of the Ingenio but grinds a lesse quantity and so makes not so much Sugar as doth an Ingenio From hence three miles is the Town of Amatitlan neer unto which standeth a greater Ingenio of Sugar then is that of Savaletta and is called the Ingenio of one Anis because he first founded it but now it belongeth unto one Pedro Crespo the Post-master of Guatemala this Ingenio seemeth to be a little Town by it selfe for the many cottages and thatched houses of Blackmore slaves which belong unto it who may be above a hundred men women and children The chiefe dwelling house is strong and capacious and able to entertain a hundred lodgers These three farmes of Sugar standing so neer unto Guatemala enrich the City much and occasion great trading from it to Spaine The Town of Amatitlan though in it there live not so many Spaniards as in Petapa yet there are in it more Indian families then in Petapa The streets are more orderly made and framed like a Chequer board they are wide broad plain and all upon dust and sand This Towne also enjoyeth the commodity of the lake and furnisheth with fish the City of Guatemala upon those daies before named of Petapa And though it standeth out of the rode-way yet it is almost as rich as Petapa For the Indians of it get much by the concourse of common people and the Gentry of Guatemala who resort thither to certain bathes of hot waters which are judged and approved very wholesome for the body This Towne also getteth much by the salt which here is made or rather gathered by the lake side which every morning appeareth like a hoary frost upon the ground and is taken up and purified by the Indians and proves very white and good Besides what they get by the salt they get also by the Requa's of Mules in the valley and about the Country which are brought to feed upon that salt earth a day or halfe a day untill they be ready to burst the owner paying six pence a day for every Mule and it hath been found by experience that this makes them thrive and grow lusty and purgeth them better then any drench or blood-letting They have further great trading in Cotton-wool more abundance of fruits then Petapa a fairer market place with two extraordinary great Elm-trees under which the Indians daily meet at evening to buy and sell. The Church of this Towne is as faire and beautifull as any about Guatemala the riches and state whereof hath caused the Dominican Friers since the yeer 1635 to make that place the head and Priory over the other Townes of the valley and to build there a goodly and sumptuous Cloister in which in my time there was for I told then most of it and doubtlesse since it hath much increased eight thousand Duckats laid up in a chest with three lockes for the common expences of the Cloister Thus my Reader I have led thee through the valley of Mixes and Pinola Petapa and Amititlan which in riches and wealth what with the great trading in it what with the sheep cattell what with the abundance of mules what with thres Farmes of Sugar what with the great Farmes of Corn and Wheat what with the Churches treasures yeelds to no other place belonging unto the dominions of Guatemala I may not forget yet a double wheat harvest as I may well term it in this Vally The first being of a little kinde of Wheat which they call Trigo Tremesino a word compounded in Spanish from these two words tres meses or from the Latin tresmenses which after three moneths sowing is ripe and ready to be cut down and being sowed about the end of August is commonly harvested in about the end of November and although in the smalnesse of it it seemes to have but a little Flower yet it yeelds as much as their other sorts of Wheat and makes as white bread though it keep not so well as that which is made of other Wheat but soone groweth stale and hard The other harvest which is of two sorts of Wheat one called Rubio or red Wheat the other called Blanquilleo or white like Candia Wheat followeth soon after this
from Spain with subordination unto the Court of Guatemala The head or shire Town of it is called Coban where is a Cloister of Dominican Friers and the common place of Residence of the Alcalde Maior All this Country as yet is not subdued by the Spaniards who have now and then some strong encounters with the barbarous and heathen people which lie between this Country and Iucatan and faine would the Spaniards conquer them that they might make way through them unto a Town called Campin belonging to Iucatan and settle commerce and Traffique by land with that Country which is thought would bee a great furtherance to the Country and City of Guatemala and a safer way to convey their goode to the Havana then by the Golf for oftentimes the ships that goe from the Golf to the Havana are met with by the Hollanders and surprised But as yet the Spaniards have not been able to bring to passe this their design by reason they have found strong resistance from the heathenish people and a hot service to attempt the conquering of them Yet there was a Fryer a great acquaintance of mine called Fryer Franciseo Moran who ventured his life among those barbarians and with two or three Indians went on foot through that Country untill he came unto Campin where he found a few Spaniards who wondred at his courage and boldnesse in comming that way This Fryer came back again to Coban and Vera Paz relating how the barbarians hearing him speake their language and finding him kind loving and curteous to them used him also kindly fearing as hee said that if they should kill him the Spaniards would never let them bee at rest and quiet untill they had utterly destroyed them Hee related when he came back that the Country which the Barbarians inhabite is better then any part of the Vera Paz which is subject to the Spaniards and spoke much of a Valley where is a great lake and about it a Towne of Indians which hee judged to bee of at least twelve thousand Inhabitants the Cottages lying in a distance one from another This Fryer hath writ of this Country and hath gone to Spain to the Court to motion the conquering of it for the profit and commodity that may ensue both to Guatemala and Iucatan iâ—… a way were opened thither But though as yet on that side the Spaniards and the Country of the Vera Paź bee straightned by that heathenish people yet on the other side it hath free passage unto the Golf and trade there when the ships doe come carrying Fowles and what other Provision the Country will afford for the ships and bringing from thence wines and other Spanish wares unto Coban This Country is very hilly and craggy and though there bee some bigge Townes in it they are not above three or foure that are considerable The chief commodities are Achiotte which is the best of all the Country belonging to Guatemala and Cacao Cotton Wooll hony Canna fistula and Zarzaparilla great store of Maiz but no Wheat much waxe plenty of fowles and birds of all coloured feathers wherewith the Indians make some curious works but not like unto those of Mechoacan here are also abundance of Parrets Apes and Monkies which breed in the Mountaines The way from Guatemala to this Country is that which hitherto hath beene spoken of from the Golf as far as the Town of St. Luke and from thence the way keeps on the hils and mountaines which lie on the side of the Valley of Mixco These hils are called Sacatepeques compounded of Sacate and Tepec the latter signifying a hill and the former herbe or grasse and thus joyned they signifie mountaines of grasse and among them are these chief Townes first Santiago or St. Iames a Town of five hundred Families secondly San Pedro or St. Peter consisting of six hundred families thirdly St. Iuan or St. Iohn consisting also of at least six hundred Families and fourthly Sto Dominge Senano or St. Dominic of Senaco being of three hundred Families These foure Towns are very rich and the two last very cold the two first are warmer there are about them many Farmes of corn and good Wheat besides the Indian Maiz. These Indians are somewhat of more courage then those of other Townes and in my time were like to rise up against the Spaniards for their unmercifull tyranny over them The Churches are exceeding rich in the Towne of Santiago there was living in my time one Indian who for onely vaine-glory had bestowed the worth of six thousand Duckates upon that Church and yet afterwards this wretch was found to bee a Wizard and Idolater These Indians get much mony by letting out great tuffes of feathers which the Indians use in their dances upon the feasts of the Dedication of their towns For some of the great tuffes may have at least threescore long feathers of divers colours for every feather hiring they have halfe a Riall besides what price they set to every feather if any should chance to be lost From the Town of St. Iohn which is the furthest the way lies plain and pleasant unto a little village of some twenty Cottages called St. Raymundo or St. Raymond from whence there is a good dayes journy up and down Barrancas or bottomes unto a Rancho or lodge standing by a River side which is the same River that passeth by the Town of Acacabastlan spoken of before From this is an ascent or a very craggy and rocky Mountaine called the Mountaine of Rabinall where are steps cut out in the very Rockes for the mules feet and slipping on one or the other side they fall surely downe the rockes breaking their neckes and mangling all their limbes and joynts but this dauger continueth not long nor extendeth above a league and a half and in the top and worst of this danger there is the comfort of a goodly Valley called El Valle de San Nicholas St. Nicholas his Valley from an Estancia called St. Nicholas belonging to the Dominicans Cloister of Coban This Valley though it must not compare with that of Mixco and Pinola yet next after it it may well take place for onely three things considerable in it The first is an Ingenis of Sugar called San Geronymo or St. Hierome belonging unto the Dominicans Cloister of Guatemala which indeed goeth beyond that spoken of of Amatitlan both for abundance of Sugar made there and sent by mules to Guatemala over that rocky Mountaine and for multitude of slaves living in it under the command of two Fryers and for the excellent horses bred there which are incomparably the best of all the Country of Guatemala for metle and gallantry and therefore though mules are commonly used for burthens are much desired and looked after by the Gallants and Gentry of the City who make it a great part of their honour to prance about the streets The second thing in this Valley is the Estanciâ—… or Farm of St Nicolas which is as famous
for breeding of mules as is St. Hierome for horses The third ornament to it is a Town of Indians called Rabinall of at least eight hundred Families which hath all that heart can wish for pleasure and life of man It inclineth rather to heat then cold but the heat is moderate and much qualified with the many cool and shady walkes There is not any Indian fruit which is not there to be found besides the fruits of Spain as Oranges Lemmons sweet and sowre Citrons Pomegranates Grapes Figs Almonds and Dates the onely want of wheat is not a want to them that mind bread of wheat more then of Maiz for in two dayes it is easily brought from the Townes of Sacatepeques For flesh it hath Beef Mutton Kid Fowles Turkies Quailes Partridges Rabbets Pheasants and for fish it hath a River running by the houses which yeeldeth plenty both great and small The Indians of this Towne are much like unto those of Chiapa of the Indians for bravery for feasting for riding of horses and shewing themselves in sports and pastimes This Town my friend Fryer Iohn Baptist after hee had been Prior of many places and especially of Chiapa and Guatemala chose to live in to injoy quietnesse pleasure and content and in this Town was I feasted by him in such a sumptuous prodigall and lavishing way as truely might make poor mendicant Fryers ashamed to come so neer unto Princes in vanity of life and dyet From this Valley unto the Vera Paz or Coban the head Town of it there is nothing considerable save onely one Town more called St. Christoval or St. Christopher which enjoyeth now a pleasant Lake and bottomelesse as is reported Formerly there being no Lake at all in a great Earthquake the earth there opened and swallowed up many houses leaving this Lake which ever since hath continued From hence to Coban the wayes are bad and mountainous yet such as through the worst of them those country mules with heavy burthens easily goe through And thus with my pen Reader have I gone through most of the bounds and limits of Guatemala which is more furnished with gallant Towns of Indians then is any part of all America and doubtlesse were the Indians warlike industrious active for warre or weapons no part in all America might bee stronger in people then Guatemala But they being kept under and oppressed by the Spaniards and no weapons allowed them not so much as their naturall Bowes and Arrowes much lesse Guns Pistols Muskets Swords or Pikes their courage is gone their affections alienated from the Spaniards and so the Spaniards might very well feare that if their country should be invaded the multitude of their Indian people would prove to them a multitude of enemies either running away to another side or forced to help would bee to them but as the help of so many flies CHAP. XIX Shewing the condition quality fashion and behaviour of the Indians of the Country of Guatemala since the Conquest and especially of their feasts and yeerly Solemnities THE condition of the Indians of this Country of Guatemala is aâ—… sad and as much to bee pitied as of any Indians in America for that I may say it is with them in some sort as it was with Israel in Egypt of whom it is said Exod. 1. 7. They wâ—…re fruitfull and increased abundantly and multiplied and waxed exceeding mighty and the land was filled with them and therefore Pharaoh said unto his people Vers. 10. Let us deale wisely with them lest they multiply and it come to 〈◊〉 that when there falleth out any Warre they joyne also unto our enemies and fight against us Therefore they did set over them tasâ—…emasters to afflict them with their burdens and they made their lives bitter with bondage in morter and in brick and in all manner of service in the field and all their service wherein they made them serve was with rigor Though it is true there ought not to be any comparison made betwixt the Israelites and the Indians those being Gods people these not as yet neverthelesse the comparison may well hold in the oppression of the one and the other and in the manner and cause of the oppression that being with bitternesse rigour and hard bondage and lest they should multiply and increase too much Certain it is these Indians suffer great oppession from the Spaniards live in great bitternesse are under hard bondage and serve with great rigor and al this because they are at least a thousand of them for one Spaniard they daily multiply and increase 〈◊〉 children and wealth and therefore are feared leâ—… they should be too mighty and either rise up of themselves or joyn themselves to any enemy against their oppressors for both which 〈◊〉 and jealouâ—… they are not allowed the use of any weapons or armes no not their bows and arrows which their ancestors formerly used so that â—…s hereby the Spaniards are secured from any hurt or annoyance from them as an unarmed people so may any other nation that shall be incouraged to invade that land be secure also from the Indians consequently the Spaniards own policy for themselves against the Indians may be their greatest ruine and destruction being a great people and yet no people for the abundance of their Indians would be to them as no people and they themselves who out of their few Towns and Cities live but here and there too thinly scattered upon so great and capacious a land would be but a handfull for any reasonable Army and of that handfull very few would be found able or fitting men and those able men would do little without the help of guns and ordnance and if their own oppressed people Black-mores and Indians which themselves have alwaies feared should side against them soon would they be swallowed up both from within and from with out And by this it may easily appear how ungrounded they are who say it is harder to conquer America now then in Cortez his time for that there are now both Spaniards and Indians to fight against and then there were none but bare and naked Indians This I say is a false ground for then there were Indians trained up in wars one against another who knew wel to use their bows and arrows and darts and other weapons and were desperate in their fights and single combats as may appear out of the histories of them but now they are cowardized oppressed unarmed soon frighted with the noise of a musket nay with a sowre and grim look of a Spaniard so from them there is no fear neither can there be from the Spaniards who from al the vast dominions of Guatemala are not able to raise five thousand able fighting men nor to deâ—…end so many passages as lie open in severall parts of that Country which the wider and greater it is might be advantagious to an enemy and while the Spaniard in one place might oppose his strength in many other places might
may hee game buy good Mules furnish his chamber with hangings and rich pictures and Cabinets yea and fill them with Spanish Pistols and peeces of eight and after all trade in the Court of Madrid for a Mitre and fat Bishoprick which commonly is the end of those proud worldly and lazy Lubbars After I was once setled in these my two Townes my first care was to provide my selfe of a good mule which might soon and easily carry mee as often as occasion called from the one Towne to the other I soon found out one which cost mee fourescore Crownes which served my turn very well to ride speedily the nine miles crosse the Valley which were between the two Townes Though my chief study here was to perfect my selfe in the Indian tongue that I might the better preach unto them and be well understood yet I omitted not to search out the Scriptures daily and to addict my selfe unto the Word of God which I knew would profit mee more then all those riches and pleasures of Egypt which for a while I saw I must enioy till my ten yeers were fully expired and Licence from Rome or Spain granted for me to return to England which I began speedily to sollicite by meanes of one Captain Iâ—…dro de Zepeda a Sevill Merchant and Master of one of the Ships which came that first yeer that I was setled in Mixco with Merchandize for Guatemala By this Captain who passed often through the Valley I writ unto my friends in Spain and had answers though at first to little purpose which did not a little increase the troubles of my Conscience which were great and such where of the wise man said A wounded Conscience who can bear My friendship with this Captain Zepeda was such that I broke my mind unto him desiring him to carry mee in his Ship to Spain which he refused to doe telling me the danger he might bee in if complaint should be made to the President of Guatemala and wishing me to continue where I was to store my self with mony that I might return with Licence and credit I resolved therefore with David in the 16 Psal. and the â—… Vâ—…to set the Lord alwayes before me and to choose him for my onely comfort and to relie upon his providence who I knew only could order things for my good and could from America bring me home to the House of Salvation and to the houshold of Faith from which I considered my self an exile and farre banished In the mean time I lived five full yeers in the two Townes of Mixco and Pinola Where I had more occasion to get wealth and money then ever any that lived there before mee for the first yeer of my abiding there it pleased God to send one of the plagues of Egipt to that Country which was of Locusts which I had never seen till then They were after the manner of our Grashoppers but somewhat bigger which did flye about in number so thick and infinite that they did truly cover the face of the Sun and hinder the shining forth of the beames of that bright planet Where they lighted either upon trees or standing Corn there nothing was expected but ruine destruction and barrennesse for the corn they devoured the leaves and fruits of trees they eat and consumed and hung so thick upon the branches that with their weight they tore them from the body The high waies were so covered with them that they startled the travelling Mules with their fluttering about their head and feet my eyes were often struck with their wings as I rid along and much a doe I had to see my way what with a Montero where with I was saine to cover my face what with the flight of them which were still before my eyes The Farmers towards the South Sea Coast cryed out for that their Indigo which was then in grasse was like to bee eaten up from the Ingenio's of Sugar the like moan was made that the young and â—…nder Sugar Canes would bee destroyed but above all grievous was the â—…ry of the husbandmen of the Valley where I lived who feared that their Corn would in one night be swallowed up by that devouring Legion The care of the Magistrate was that the Townes of Indians should all goe out into the fields with Trumpets and what other instruments they had to make a noise and so to affright them from those places which were most considerable and profitable to the Common-wealth and strange it was to see how the loud noise of the Indians and sounding of the Trumpets defended some fields from the feare and danger of them Where they lighted in the Mountaines and High wayes there they left behind them their young ones which were found creeping upon the ground ready to threateâ—… with a second yeers plagues if not prevented wherefore all the Townes were called with Spades Mattocks and Shovels to dig long Trenches and therein to bury all the young ones Thus with much trouble to the poore Indians and their great paines yet after much hurt and losse in many places was that flying Pestilence chased away out of the Country to the South Sea where it was thought to bee consumed by the Ocean and to have found a grave in the waters whilst the young ones found it in the Land Yet they were not all so burled but that shortly some appeared which not being so many in number as before were with the former diligence soon overcome But whilst all this feare was these outcries were made by the Country and this diligence performed by the Indians the Preists got well by it for every where Processions were made and Masses sung for the averting of that Plague In Mixco most of the idols were carryed to the field especially the pictures of our Lady and that of St. Nicolas Tolentine in whose name the Church of Rome doth use to blesse little Breads and Wafers with the Saint stamped upon them which they think are able to defend them from Agues Plague Pestilence Contagion or any other great and imminent danger There was scarce any Spanish Husbandman who in this occasion came not from the Valley to the Town of Mixco with his offering to this Saint and who made not a vow to have a Masse sung unto Saint Nicolas they all brought breads to bee blessed and carryed them back to their Farmes some casting them into their Corn some burying them in their hedges and fences strongly trusting in Saint Nicolus that his bread would have power to keepe the Locust out of their fields and so at the last those simple ignorant and blinded soules when they saw the Locusts departed and their Corn safe cried out to our Lady some others to Saint Nicolas Magro a Miracle judging the Saint worthy of praise more then God and performing to him their vows of Masses which in their feare and trouble they had vowed by which erroneous and idolatrous devotion of theirs I got that yeer many
more Crownes then what before I have numbred from the Sodalities The next yeere following all that country was generally infected with a kinde of contagious sicknesse almost as infectious as the Plague which they call Tabardillo and was a Feaver in the very inward parts and bowels which scarce continued to the seventh day but commonly tooke them away from the world to a grave the the third or fifth day The filthy smell and stench which came from them which lay sick of this disease was enough to infect the rest of the house and all that came to see them It rotted their very mouths and tongues and made them as black as a coal before they died Very few Spaniards were infected with this Contagion but the Indians generally were taken with it It was reported to have begun about Mexico and to have spread from Town to Town till it came to Guatemala and went on forwards and so likewise did the Locusts the yeer before marching as it were from Mexico over all the Country I visited many that died of this infection using no other Antidote against it save onely a handkerchief dipped in Vineger to smell unto and I thanke God I escaped where many dyed In Mixco I buried ninety young and old and in Pinola above an hundred and for all these that were eight yeere old or upwards I received two Crownes for a Masse for their soules delivery out of Purgatory See good Reader whether the conceit of Purgatory have not been a maine policy of Rome to enrich the Preist and Clergy with Masse stipends from such as die making them beleeve that nothing else can helpe their soules if once plunged into that conceited fire Where thou maist see that one contagious sicknesse in two small Townes of Indians brought unto me in lesse then half a yeer neere a hundred pounds for Masses for almost two hundred that died Nay such is the greedy covetousnesse of those Preists that they will receive three or four Masse stipends for one day making the people beleeve that the same Masse may bee offered up for many and doe one soule as much good as another Thus with the Plague of Locusts and the contagion of sicknesse for the first two yeers together had I an occasion to enrich my self as did other Preists my neighbours But think not that because so many died therefore the Towns growing lesse my offerings for the future were lessened The Encomendero's or Lords of the two Towns took care for that who that they might not lose any part of that Tribute which was formerly paid unto them presently after the sicknesse was ceased caused them to bee numbred and as I have in the Chapter before observed forced to marriage all that were twelve yeers and upwards of age which also was a new streame of Crownes flowing into my bagges for from every couple that were married I had also two Crownes besides other offerings and in both the Towns I married in that occasion above fourescore Couple Truly by all this I thank the Lord I was more strengthened in my conceit against the Church of Rome and not with that greedinesse of that Lucre intised to continue in it though I found the preferments there farre greater then any might bee in the Church of England where I knew nothing was to bee got with singing or hudling over a Masse But yet though for the present my profit was great my eyes were open to see the errours whereby that profit came so plentifully to mee and to all that crew of Idolatrous Preists The judgments ceased not here in that Country in my time but after this contagion there was such an Inundation of rain that the husbandmen feared again the losse of all their Corn. At noonetime the darke clouds for a month together began to thicken and cover the face of the heavens powring down such stormy showres as swept away much Corn and many poore Cottages of Indians besides the raine the fiery thunder bolts breaking through the clouds threatned a dolefull judgement to all the Country In the Valley of Mixco two riding together were stricken dead from their Mules the Chappel of our Lady of Carâ—…al in the same valley was burnt to the ground and likewise two houses at the river of Vacas In Petapa another flâ—…sh of lightning or thunderbolt fell into the Church upon the high Altar cracking the walls in many places running from Altar to Altar defacing all the gold and leaving a print and stamp where it had gone without any more hurt In the Cloister of the Franciscans in Guatemala a Frier sleeping upon his bed after dinner was stricken dead his body being left all blacke as if it had been burnt with fire and yet no signe of any wound about him Many accidents happened that yeer which was 1632. all about the Countrey But my selfe was by the safe protection of the Almighty wonderfully saved for being on a Saturday at night in Mixco trembling and â—…earing and yet trusting in my God and praying unto him in my chamber one flash of lightning or thunderbolt fell close to the Church wall to which my chamber joyned and killed two Calves which were tied to a post in a yard to be slaughtered the next morning The lightning was so neer and terrible that it seemed to have fired all my house and strucke me downe unto the ground where I lay as dead for a great while when I came again to my self I heard many Indians about my house who were come to see if either it or the Church were set on fire This stormy season brought me also much profit for as formerly the Spaniards of the valley and the Indians betooke themselves to their Idol Saints carrying them about in procession which was not done without mony which they call their almes unto their Saints that they may the better be heard and intreated by them The summer following there was more then the ordinary earthquakes which were so great that yeer in the Kingdome of Peru that a whole City called Truxillo was swallowed up by the earth which opened it selfe and almost all the people were lost whilst they were at Church worshiping and praying unto their Saints The huâ—…t they did about Guatemala was not so much as in other places only some few mud walls were shaken downe and some Churches cracked which made the people fear and betake themselves again to their Saints and empty their purses before them for Masses and processions lest the danger should prove as great as was that of the great earthquake which happened before my coming into that Country These earthquakes when they begin are more often then long for they last but for a while stirring the earth with three motions first on the one side then on the other and with the third motion they seem to set it right againe If they should continue they would doubtlesse hurle downe to the ground any steeple or building though never so great and strong Yet
at this time in Mixco some were so violent that they made the steeple beâ—…d so much that they made the bells sound I was so used unto them that many times in my bed I would not stir for them Yet this yeer they brought me to such a feare that had not the Lord been a present refuge to me in time of trouble I had utterly been undone For being one morning in my chamber studying so great and suddain was an earthquake that it made me run from my table to a window fearing that before I could get down the staires the whole house might fall upon my head the window was in a thicke wall vaulted upwards like an â—…ch which the Spaniards hold to be the safest place if a house should fall where I expected nothing but death as soon as I got under it the earthquake ceased though my heart câ—…sed not to quake with the suddain affrightment Whilst I was musing and thinking what to doe whether I should run downe to the yard or continue where I was there câ—… a second shaking worse then the first I thought with my selfe if the house should fall the Arch would not save my life and that I should either be stifled or throwne out of the window which was not very low and neâ—…r â—…nto the around but somewhat high wide open having no glasse 〈◊〉 but woodden shutâ—… such as there are used and if â—… leaped out of the window I might chance to breake a leg or a limbâ—… yet 〈◊〉 my life The suddainnâ—… of the astonishment tooke from 〈◊〉 the best and most 〈◊〉 deâ—…eration in such a case and in the midst of these my troubled and perplexed thoughts a third motion came as violent as the former wherewith I had now set one foot in the window to leap down had not the same Lord to whom David said in the 46 Ps. v. 2. Therefore will not wee feare though the earth bee moved by his wonderfull providence spoken both to mee and to the moving earth saying as in the 10. Verse Bee still and know that am I God for certainly had it gone on to a fourth motion I had by casting down my self broke either my neck or a legge or some other joynt Thus was I twice saved by my good God in Mixco and in Pinola I was once no lesse in danger in losing a leg by means of a smaller instrument then is a flea This Towne of Pinola in the Indian language is called Panac Pan signifieth in or amongst Cac signifieth three thinges for it signifieth the fire or a fruit otherwise called guiava or thirdly a small vermine commonly called by the Spaniards Nigua which is common over all the India's but more in some places then in others Where there are many hogs there is usually much of this sort of vermine The Spaniards report that many of the Souldiers of Sir Francis Drake died of them when they landed about Nombre de Dios and marched up the high Mountaines of St. Pablo towards Panama who feeling their feet to itch and not knowing the cause thereof scratched them so much till they festred and at last if this report be true cost them their lives Some say they breed in all places high and low upon Tables Beds and upon the ground but experience sheweth the contrary that they onely breed upon the ground for where the houses are sluttish and not often swept there commonly they are most felt and in that they usually get into the Feet and Shooes and seldome into the hands or any other part of the body argues that they breed upon the ground They are lesse then the least Flea and can scarce bee perceived and when they enter into the Foot they make it burn and itch and if then they bee looked to they appeare black and no bigger then the point of a pin and with a pin may easily bee taken out whole but if part of them bee left the smallest part will doe as much harm as the whole and will get into the flesh When once they are got in they breed a little bagge in the flesh and in it a great many Nits which increase bigger and bigger to the bignesse of a great Pea then they begin again to make the Foot itch which if it be scratched falleth to sestering and so indangereth the whole Foot Some hold it best to take them out when they cause the first itching and are getting in but this is hard to doe because they can hardly then bee perceived and they are apt to bee broken Therefore others commonly let them alone untill they bee got into the flesh and have bred a bag with nitâ—… which like a blister sheweth it self through the skinne and then with the point of a pin they dig round about the bag till they can with the pins point take it out whole if it bee broken it comes to breed againe if it bee taken out whole then they put in a little Eare wax or ashes where the bag lay and with that the hole is healed up againe in a day or two The way to avoid this vermines entering into the foot is to lay both shoos and stockings or whatsoever other clothing upon some stool or chair high from the ground and not to go bare foot which yet is wonderfull in the Indians themselves that though they cmmonly doe goe barefoot yet they are seldome troubled with them which is attributed to the hardnesse of their skin for certainly were they as tender footed and skinned as are those that wear both shoos and stockins they would be as much troubled with them as these are Pancac or Pinola is much subject to this Vermin or Nigua and I found it by wofull experience for at my first comming thither not knowing well the quality of it I let one breed so long in my foot and continued scratching it untill my foot came to be so festered that I was fain to liâ—… two whole months in a Chirurgions hand and at last through Gods great mercy and goodnesse to me I lost not a Limbâ—…t that the Providence of God may be known to me the worst of all his Creatures living in so farre a Country from all my friends and from me may be related unto future Generations before I conclude this Chapter I shall further shew both my dangers and deliverances Though true it is most of the Indians are but formally Christians and onely outwardly appear such but secretly are given to witchcraft and idolatry yet as they were under my charge I thought by preaching Christ unto them and by cherishing them and defending them from the cruelty of the Spaniards I might better worke upon them to bring them to more knowledge of some truths at least concerning God and Christ. Therefore as I found them truely loving kind and bountifull unto mee so I indeavoured in all occasions to shew them love by commiserating their sufferings and taking their part against any Spaniard that wronged them and keeping
yeers of age the Head and Ruler of the principallest Tribe among the Indians whose advise and counsell was taken and preferred before all the rest who seemed to be a very godly Indian and very seldome missed morning and evening prayers in the Church and had bestowed great riches there This Indian very suddainly was taken sick I being then in my other Town of Mixco the Mayordomos or stewards of the Sodality of the Virgin fearing that he might die without Confession and they be child for their negligence at midnight called me up at Mixco desiring me to goe presently and helpe Iohn Gomtz to die whom also they said desired much to see me and to receive some comfort from me I judging it a work of charity although the time of the night were unseasonable and the great rain at the present might have stopped my charity yet I would not be hindred by either of them and so set forth to ride nine miles both in the dark and wet When I came to Pinola being thorow wet to the skin I went immediately to the house of old sick Gomez who lay with his face all muffled up thanked me for my pains and care I had for his soul he desired to confesse and by his confession and weeping evidenced nothing but a godly life and a willing desire to die and to be with Christ. I comforted him and prepared him for death and before I departed asked him how he felt himselfe he answered that his sicknesse was nothing but old age and weaknesse With this I went to my house changed my self and lay downe a while to rest when suddainly I was called up again to give Gomez the extream unction which the Indians as they have been ignorantly taught will not omit to receive before they die As I anointed him in his nose his lips his eyes his hands and his feet I perceived that he was swelled and black and blew but made nothing of it judging it to proceed from the sicknesse of his body I went again home being now breake of the day when after I had taken a small nap some Indians come to my doore for to buy candles to offer up for Iohn Gomez his soule whom they told me was departed and was that day to be buried very solemnly at Masse I arose with drousie eyes after so unquiet a nights rest and walked to the Church where I saw the grave was preparing I met with two or three Spaniards who lived neer the Towne and were come to Masse that morning who went in with me to my chamber and with them I fell into discourse about Iohn Gomez telling them what comfort I had received at his death whom I judged to have lived very holily and doubted not of his salvation and that the Towne would much want him for that hee was their chief guide and leader ruling them with good advise and counsell At this the Spaniards smiled one at another and told me I was much deceived by all the Indians but especially by the deceased Gomez if I judged him to have been a Saint and holy man I told them that they as enemies to the poore Indians judged still uncharitably of them but that I who knew very well their consciences could judge better of them then they One then replyed that it seemed I little knew the truth of Iohn Gomez his death by the Confession which he had made unto me and that I seemed to be ignorant of the stir which was in the Towne concerning his death This seemed so strange unto me that I desired them to informe me of the truth Then they told me that the report went that Iohn Gomez was the chief wizard of all the wizards and witches in the Town and that commonly he was wont to be changed into the shape of a Lion and so to walke about the mountaines That he was ever a deadly enemie to one Sebastian Lopez an ancient Indian and head of another Tribe and that both of them two daies before had met in the mountaine Gomez in the shape of a Lion and Lopez in the shape of a Tigre and that they fought most cruelly till Gomez who was the older and weaker was tired much bit and bruised and died of it And further that I might be assured of this truth they told me that Lopez was in prison for it and the two Tribes striving about it and that the Tribe and kindred of Gomez demanded from Lopez and his Tribe and kindred satisfaction and a great sum of mony or els did threaten to make the case known unto the Spanish power and authority which yet they were unwilling to doe if they could agree and smother it up among themselves that they might not bring an aspersion upon their whole Towne This seemed very strange unto me and I could not resolve what to beleeve and thought I would never more beleeve an Indian if I found Iohn Gomez to have so much dissembled and deceived me I tooke my leave of the Spaniards and went my selfe to the prison where I found Lopez with fetters I called one of the officers of the Towne who was Alguazil Maior and my great friend unto my house and privately examined him why Lopez was kept so closâ—…prisoner he was loth to tell me fearing the rest of the Indians and hoping the businesse would be taken and agreed by the two Tribes and not noised about the Country which at that very instant the two Alcaldes and Regidores Maiors and Jurates with the chiefe of both Tribes were sitting about in the Towne-house all that morning But I seeing the officer so timorous was more desirous to know something and pressed more upon him for the truth giving him an inkling of what I had heard from the Spaniards before To which he answered that if they could agree amongst themselves they feared no ill report from the Spaniards against their Towne I told him I must know what they were agreeing upon amongst themselves so closely in the Towne-house He told me if I would promise him to say nothing of him for he feared the whole Towne if they should know he had revealed any thing unto mee he would tel me the truth With this I comforted him and gave him a cup of wine and encouraged him warranting him that no harm should come unto him for what he told me Then he related the businesse unto me as the Spaniards had done and told me that he thought the Tribes amongst themselves would not agree for that some of Gomez his friends hated Lopez and all such aâ—… were so familiar with the Devill and cared not if Gomez his dissembling life were lâ—…id open to the world but others he said who were as bad as Lopez and Gomez would have it kept close lest they and all the witches and Wizards of the Town should bee discovered This struck mee to the very heart to think that I should live among such people whom I saw were spending all they could get by their
Town for the rest of the Fuentes and other known Idolaters that being found they might secure them in the prison to appear at Guatemala and prevented from doing any mischief either that night or at any other time With this stir which they made and their care of mee they suffered me not to take any rest that night but went and called up the Alcaldes and two officers and brought them to my house desiring me to signifie unto them how fit and necessary it was to search for the rest of the Indians The poore Alcaldes trembled to see so many Spaniards at that time in my house with naked swords and durst not but doe what they thought best to be done and so from my house about midnight they walked about the Towne searching such houses as they most suspected might conceale any of the Fuentes or of the rest that had been that day in the rebellion and mutiny against mee They could find none at home till at last comming to the house of one Lorenzo Fuentes one of the brothers they found all that had been in the conspiracy against mee gathered together drinking and quaffing The house being beset there was no flying nor escaping and seeing the Spaniards naked swords they durst not rebell who doubtlesse as wee were afterwards informed would have made a great stirre in the Town that night and were met together to rescue Pablo their brother and to doe mee some mischief and flye not knowing that I was so strongly manned and guarded by the Spaniards There were ten of them and were presently without any noise in the Town carryed to the Prison and there shut up and guarded by the Spaniards In the morning the President of Guatemala who then was Don Iuan de Guzman a Religious Governour taking into his consideration what the day before I had writ unto him and judging my danger to bee great sent a Spanish Alguazile or Officer of Justice with a very large Commission to bring prisoners to the City all those Indians who the day before had been in rebellion against mee and in case they could not bee found then to seize upon what goods soever of theirs could be found in Mixco But with the diligence of the Spaniards the night before they were all in a readinesse for him and paying the Alguazile first his charges which hee demanded as hee listed and bearing the charges of Miguel Dalva and two or three more Spaniards who were commanded in the Kings Name to bee aiding and assisting the Officer for the safer carrying them to Guatemala they were horsed and had away that day to the President who committed them close Prisoners and afterwards commanded them to be whipped about the streets banished two of them from Mixco to the Golf of St. Thomas de Castilia and would have banished them all had they not humbled themselves and desired mee to intercede for them promising to amend their lives and to make mee great satisfaction if they might return again to their Town and that if ever more they did stirre against mee the would yeeld to be hanged and to lose al their goods With this the President fining them yet to pay twenty Crowns a peece to the Church to be imployed in what I should think fittest sent them back who as they had promised came unto mee and humbled themselves before mee with much weeping with many expressions shewing their sorrow from their hearts for what they had done casting all upon the Devill whom they confessed had been great with them in tempting them whom also now they did abjure and renounce promising to live as good Christians and never more to worship any God but one I was very much taken with their deepe sorrow expressed with many tears and indeavoured to instruct them in the true knowledge of Christ whom now I found they were very willing to imbrace I lived not very long after in that Towne but for the time I did continue in it I found a great change and alteration in their lives which truly made mee apt to judge that their repentance was unfained And these former particulars of a few Indians of those two Towns I have not here inserted to bring an aspersion upon all that Nation which I doe very much affect and would willingly spend the best drops of blood in my veines to doe them good and to save their soules but to cause rather pity and commiseration towards them who after so many yeers preaching havebeen made as yet but formall and outward Christians and by the many Saints of wood which they have been taught to worship by the Preist have rather been inclined to the superstition and Idolatry of their Forefathers and to trust to living Creatures and bow to inanimate stocks and stones which they daily see performed publickly in their Churches Certainly they are of a good and flexible nature and were those Idols of Saints statues removed from their eyes might bee brought easily to worship one onely God and whereas they so willingly lavish out their small meanes and what they labour for in offerings to the Preists and to their Saints and in maintaining Lazy singing Lubbars they without doubt would bee free enough to true Ministers of Gods Word who should venture their lives to beat down those false Gods and set up Jesus Christ and him that sent him into the World to save such as truly beleeve in him The yeere that this stirre happened in Mixco I received from Rome from the Generall of the Dominicans Order License to come home to England at which I rejoyced much for now I was even weary with living among the Indians grieved to see the little fruit I reaped amongst them and that for feare of the Inquisition I durst not preach a new Gospell unto them which might make them true reall and inward Christians and lastly for that I perceived that Antonio Mendez de Satomayor who was Lord of the Towne of Mixco did stomack me for having caused two of his Towne to bee banished and publikely affronted the Fuentes for heir Idolatry which hee thought was a great aspersion laid upon his Indians All which well considered I writ unto the Provinciall who was then in Chiapa of my desire to returne home to mine owne Countrey for the which I had a licence sent unto me from Rome But he having heard of what good I had done in the Town of Mixco in reducing some Idolaters burning their idol and venturing my life in so good a cause and also for the perfect knowledge which now I had of the Poconcbi tongue would by no meanes yeeld that I should go but with fair and flattering words incouraged me to stay where he doubted not but I did and I might yet doe God much more good service and that he might the better worke upon me he sent a Patent of Vicar of the Towne and Cloister of Amatitlan where at the present there was a new Cloister a building to separate all that
valley from the Cloister of Guatemala He desired me to accept of that small preferment not doubting but that I speaking so well the Indian language might prevaile much in that place and better then another further the building of that new Cloister which worke would be a good step for him to advance me afterwards to some better preferment Although I regarded neither that present Superiority nor any better honour which might afterwards ensue unto me I thought the time which God had appointed for my returning to England was not yet come for that if the Provinciall and with him the President of Guatemala for so much I conjectured out of the Provincialls letter should both oppose and hinder my departure from that Countrey it would be very hard for me to take my journey any way and not be discovered and brought back Whereupon I resolved to stay the Provincialls coming to Guatemala and there to confer with him faceâ—… to face and to shew him some reasons that moved me to leave that Countrey and to seek againe mine owne wherein I was borne So for the present I accepted of the Towne of Amatitlan where I had more occasions of getting mony than in the other two where I had lived five full yeers for albeit that Towne alone was bigger then both Mixco and Pinola together and the Church fuller of Saints pictures and statues and very many Confraternities and Sodalities belonged unto it besides this from without the Towne I had great comings in from the Ingenio of Sugar which I related before stood close unto that Towne from whence I had dayly offerings from the Black-mores and Spaniards that lived in it and besides this I had under my charge another lesser Towne called St. Christoval 〈◊〉 Amatitlan standing two leagues from great Amatitlan This Town of St. Christoval or St. Christopher is called properly in that language Palinâ—…a ha signifying water and Pali to stand upright and is compounded of two words which expresse water standing upright for the Towne standeth on the back side of the Vulcan of water which looketh over Guatemala and on this side sendeth forth many fountaines but especially spouteth forth from a high rock a stream of water which as it falleth from high with a great noise and down-fall the rocke standing upright over the bottome where it falleth and causeth a most pleasant stream by the Townes side it hath moved the Indians to call their Towne Palinâ—…a from the high and upright standing rock from whence the water falleth In this Towne there are many rich Indians who trade in the coast of the South sea the Towne is as an harbour shadowed with many fruitfull trees but the chief fruit here is the Pinnâ—… which groweth in every Indians yard and with the neernesse of the Ingenio of Sugar are by the Spaniards thereabouts much made up in Preserves some whole some in slices which is the daintiest and most luscious Preserve that I ever did eat in that Countrey The Indians of this Towne get much by boards of Cedar which they cut out of many Cedar-trees which grow on that side of the Vulcan which they sell to Guatemala and all about the Countrey for new buildings Between great Amatitlan and this Town the way is plain and lieth under a Vulcan of fire which formerly was wont to smoak as much as that of Guatemala but having formerly burst out at the top and there opened a great mouth cast down to the bottome mighty stones which to this day are to be seen it hath not since been any waies troublesome unto the Countrey In this way there was in my time a new Trapiche of Sugar erecting up by one Iohn Baptista of Guatemala which was thought would prove very usefull and profitable unto the foresaid City I had yet for the time that I lived in Amatitlan another very little village at my charge called Pampichi at the bottome of a high mountaine on the other side of the lake over against which was but a Chappell of ease unto great Amatitlan unto which I went not above once in a quarter of a yeer and that for pastime and recreation for this village is well in that language a compound also of Pam in and Pichi flowers for that it standeth compassed about with flowers which make it very pleasant and the boats or Canoa's which doe constantly stand neer the doores of the houses invites to much pleasure of fishing and rowing about the lake And thus whilst I lived in Amatitlan I had the choice of three places wherein to recreate my selfe and because the charge of many soules lay in my hands I had one constantly to help me The Towne of Amatitlan was as the Court in respect of the rest where nothing was wanting that might recreate the mind and satisfie the body with variety and change of sustenance both for fish and flesh Yet the great care that did lie upon me in the worke and building of the Cloister made me very soone weary of living in that great and pleasant Towne for sometimes I had thirty sometimes twenty sometimes fewer and sometimes fourty worke-men to looke unto and to pay wages to on Saturday nights which I found wearied much my braine and hindred my studies and was besides a worke which I delighted not in nor had any hopes ever to enjoy it And therefore after the first yeer that I had been there I betooke my selfe unto the Provinciall who was in Guatemala and againe earnestly besought him to peruse the Licence which I had from Rome to goe to England mine owne Countrey for to preach there for that was the chiefe ground of letting me goe home as the Generall largely expressed where I doubted not but I might doe God great service and in Conscience I told him I thought I was bound to employ what parts God had bestowed upon me rather upon my own Countreymen then upon Indians and strangers The Provinciall replyed unto me that my Countrey men were Heretickes and when I came amongst them they would hang me up I told him I hoped better things of them and that I would not behave my selfe among them so as to deserve hanging not daring to tell him what was in my heart concerning points of Religion After a long discourse I found the Provinciall inexorable and halfe angry telling me that he and that whole Province had cast their eyes upon me and honoured me and were ready and willing to promote me further and that I would shew my selfe very ungratefull unto them if I should forsake them for my owne nation and people whom I had not knowne from my young and tender age I perceived there was no more to be said and all would be in vaine and so resolved to take my best opportunity and with my Licence from Rome to come away unknowne unto him But for the present I humbly beseeched him to remove me from Amatitlan for that I found my selfe unable to undergoe that great charge and too
have charge given them not to receive me into their ships If I should goe backe to Mexico and Vera Cruz then I called to mind how I was troubled in that long journey when I came first to Chiapa in company of friends and that now alone I should certainly be much put to it for I would carry Miguel Dalva so far by land with me Wherefore rejecting these three wayes I chose the fourth which was by Nicaragua and the Lake of Granada and therefore I deferred my journey till the week after Christmas knowing that the time of the frigats setting out from that lake to the Havana was commonly after the middle of Ianuary or at Candlemas at the furthest whither I hoped to reach in very good time Now that I might by no means be suspected to have taken this way before I went I left by the hand of Miguel Dalva a letter to a friend of his to be delivered to the Provinciall in Guatemala foure dayes after my departure wherein I kindly tooke my leave of him desiring him not to blame me nor to seeke after me and whereas I had a sufficient Licence from Rome and could not get his that I thought I might with a safe Conscience goe where I was born leaving Linguists enough to supply my place amongst the Indians And because he should not make enquiry after me by Nicaragua I dated and subscribed my letter to him from the Towne of St. Antonio Suâ—…epeques which was the way to Mexico and quite contrary to Nicaragua The next day after Twelfth day being the seventh of Ianuary 1637. at midnight I set out of Petapa upon a lusty Mule which afterwards in the way I sold for fourscore peeces of eight with Miguel Dalva alone and the first part of the way being very hilly we could not goe so fast as our hearts would have posted for it was breake of day before we could get to the top of the mountaine which is called Serra Redondo or the round hill which is much mentioned in that Countrey for the good pasture there which serveth for the Cattell and Sheep when the valleys below are burnt and no grasing left for Beasts This hill is also a great refuge to Travellers for there they find good entertainment in a Venta where wine and provision is sold and is a great Lodge for to lay up dry what carriages they bring there is besides one of the best Estancia's or farmes of Cattell in the Countrey whereof Goats and Ewes milke is made the best 〈◊〉 thereabouts This round hill or mountaine is fiâ—…e leagues from Petapa where I feared I might 〈◊〉 with some people of Petapa and therefore the day now dawning I made haste by it leaving in the lodge asleep many Indians who attended on two Spanish Requa's of Mules which that day were to goe to Petapa foure leagues further from this Serro Redondo is a Towne of Indians called Los â—…selavos or the Slaves not that now they arâ—… more slaves then the rest of the Indians but because in the old time of Mâ—… the Emperour and the Indian Kings that were under him the people of this Towne were more slaves then any other for from Amatitlan which is so called from Amat which in the Mexican tongue signifieth Letter and Itlan which signifieth Towne for that it was the Towne of Letters as some say for a rine of a tree whereon they were wont formerly to write and expresse their minds or because it was the place whither from all parts letters were sent to be carried about the Countrey and to Peru these Indians of the Towne of Esclavo's or slaves were commanded as slaves to goe all about the Countrey with letters or whatsoever else they should be charged with and they were bound constantly to send every week so many of their Towne as were appointed unto Amatitlan there to wait and attend the pleasure of that Towne for the conveying of letters or any carriages to other parts This Towne of los Esclavos standeth in a bottome by a river over the which the Spaniards have built a very strong stone Bridge to goe in and out of the Town for otherwise with mules there is no passing by reason of the violent and rapid streame of the water and many rocks in the River from which the water falleth down with great force From this Town where wee onely stayed to drink a cup of Chocolatte and to bait our mules wee went on that day to Aguachapa being ten leagues further and not farre from the South Sea and the port called De la Trinidad whither wee came towards Evening having that day and part of the night travelled about threescore English miles up hils and upon stony wayes from the Esclavo's unto this Town which is much mentioned in that Country for two things The one is for the earthen ware which is made there as some think exceeding that of Mixco The other is for a place within a mile and a halfe from the Town which the Spaniards doe credibly report and beleeve to be a mouth of hell For out of it there is constantly ascending a thick black smoak smelling of Brimstone with some flashes now and then of fire the earth from whence this smoak ariseth is not high but low None ever durst draw nigh to find out the truth and ground of it for those that have attempted to doe it have been stricken down to the ground and like to lose their lives A friend of mine a Fryer whom I thought verily I might beleeve upon his oath affirmed unto me that travelling that way with a Provinciall hee resolved to goe unto the place and satisfie himselfe of the ground and cause of the strange talke which was every where about the Country concerning that smoke He went within a quarter of a mile of it and presently hee said he heard a hideous noise which together with the stench of the fiery smoke and brimstone struck him into such a fear that he was like to fall to the ground and retiring himself back with all speed was taken with a burning Feaver which was like to cost him his life Others report that drawing neer unto it they have heard great cries as it were of men and women in torment noise of iron of chaines and the like which how simply I leave it to my Judicious Reader maketh them beleeve that it is a mouth of hell Of my knowledge I will say no more but that I saw the smoke and asked the Indians what was the cause of it and if ever they had been neer unto it And they answered mee that they could not imagine what might bee the cause of it neither durst they draw nigh unto it and that they had seen Travellers attempting to goe neere it and that they were all stricken either to the ground or with some suddaine amazement or Feaver I told them that I would walke thither my self and they desired mee that I would not if I loved my life It
for us The three Spaniards of my company lost all their mony and most of their best clothes yet they had reserved some bills of Exchange for money to be taken up at Portobelo which I wished I had also for what I had lost For the present we knew not what course to take we thought of going to Rio de los Anzuelos but we were informed that certainly the frigats there were either gone or would be gone before we could get thither and if they stayed not with the newes of the Hollanders ships at sea they either already were or would be their prize as we had been We resolved therefore with the charitable assistance of the Spaniards about the Countrey to returne again to Carthago and from thence to take some better directions In the way we conferred what we had saved the Spaniards bragged yet of their bills of Exchange which would yeeld them mony at Garthago I would not let them know what I had saved but somewhat I told them I had kept and we agreed all the way we went to signifie nothing but poverty and misery that the Indians and Spaniards in the way might pitty and commiserate us and our great losses When we came to Carthago we were indeed much pittied and Collections were made for us and as it was expected from mee that I should sing againe at the Altars who truely could rather have cried to see and consider my many misfortunes and disasters which I desired might at last by a safe returne to England prove the trials of the faith I intended to search out and that I should preach wheresoever I came so by these two waies of singing and of hudling over Dominus vobiscum and the rest of the Masse and by accepting of what Sermons were recommended unto me I began againe to store my selfe with monies Yet I knew that in such a poore Countrey as that was where I was little knowne I could not possibly get enough to bring me home with credit into England and therefore the cunning enemy finding me to stand upon my credit began strongly to tempt me to returne againe to Guatemala where I doubted not but I should be welcomed and entertained by my friends and to settle my selfe there untill I had againe by sacrilegious base superstitious and idolatrous means and works made up a new purse to returne with credit home But I perceiving that God already had shewed himselfe angry and justly taken from me what by unlawfull meanes I had in twelve yeers obtained bad Satan avaunt purposing never more to returne to the flesh pots of Egypt and to goe still home-wards though in the way I did beg my bread Yet lest I might be suspected amongst the Spaniards and troubled for not exercising my orders and function I resolved to take what as to a stranger and traveller for preaching or any other exercise might be offered unto me Thus with courage resolving to goe on still towards England I enquired at Carthago which way I might get to Portobelo But this doore of hope was fast shut up though my trust in Gods providence was not weakened In this season there came to Carthago some two or three hundred Mules unsadled or unloaden with some Spaniards Indians and Black-mores from the parts of Comayagua and Guatemala to convey them to Panama by land over the mountaines of Veragua there to be sold. This is the yeerly and onely trading by land which Guatemala Comayagua and Nicaragua hath with Panama over that narrow Isthmus lying between the North and South sea which is very dangerous by reason of the craggy waies rockes and mountaines but more especially by reason of many Heathens Barbarians and savage people which as yet are not conquered by the Spaniards and sometimes do great hurt and mischief and kill those that with Mules passe through their Countrey especially if they misdemean themselves or please them not well Yet for all these difficulties I was entertaining a thought to go along with those Mules and Spaniards which were now on their way by land to Panama The three Spaniards were halfe of the same mind but the providence of God who better ordereth and disposeth mans affaires then he himselfe disappointed these our thoughts for our good and safety as after we were informed for we heard for certain at Nicoya that some of those Mules and Spaniards were killed by the Barbarians and savage Indians amongst whom my life might have been lost if I had attempted that hard and dangerous journey from which many well wishers at Carthago did disswade me both for the danger of the Indians and for the difficulties of the waies and mountaines which they told me the weakenesse of my body would never indure After we had wholly desisted from this Land journey the best counsell that we had from some Merchants our friends was to try whether Mar del Zur or the South sea would favour our designe and journey better then the Mar del Norâ—… or the North sea had done who wished us to goe to Nicâ—…ya and from thence to Chira and to the Golfo de Salinas where they doubted not but we should find shipping to Panama Wee were willing to follow any good advise and counsell yet we knew that this was the last shift which we could make and the non plus ultra of our hopes and that if here we should be disappointed we could expect no other way ever to get to Panama except we should venture our lives most desperately over the mountaines of Veragua and by land without any guide or company through the Countrey of the Barbarians who before had slaine some Spaniards passing that way or else should returne againe all the way that we had come to Realejo where our hopes might be frustrated and peradventure no shipping found for Panama without a yeers waiting for it We resolved therefore to follow this our friends counsell and to goe yet to Nicoya and from thence to Golfo de Salinas where laughing I told the three Spaniards of my company that if we were disappointed we would like Hercules set up a Pillar to eternize our fame with our names and this inscription upon it Non plus Ultra for that beyond it there was no other Port Haven orplacc to take shipping to Panama neither could any man have done more nor ever did any English man in that Countrey doe more then my selfe then wee had done but especially my selfe who from Mexico had thus travelled by land to Nicoya at least six hundred leagues or eighteen hundred English miles straight from North to South besides what I had travelled from Vera Cruz to Mexico and from Guatemala to Vera Paâ—… and to Puerto de Cavâ—…es or Golfo dulce and from thence to Truaillo and from thence back againe to Guatemala which was at least thirteen or fourteen hundred English miles more which I thought to eternize upon a pillar at Nicoya But what there was not erected I hope here shall be eterniâ—…ed
and that this my true and faithfull History shall bee a Monument of three thousand and three hundred miles travelled by an English man within the main land of America besides other sea navigations to Panama from 〈◊〉 to Carthagâ—… and from thence unto the Havâ—…na The way which we travelled from Carthago to Nicoya was very mountainous hard unpleasant for we met with â—…w Estancia'â—… of Spaniards and few Indian Towns and those very poor smal and all of dejecâ—…d and wretched people Yet Nicoya is a pretty Towne and head of a Spanish government where wee found one Iusto de Salazar Alcalde Maior who entertained us very well and provided lodgings for us for the time that wee should abide there and comforted us with hopeful words that though for the present there was no ship or frigat in the Golfe of Salinas yet he doubted not but very shortly one would come from Panama thither for Salt and other commodities as yeerly they were wont The time of the yeer when we came thither was a fit time for me to get againe some monies after my great losse for it was in Lent which is the Friers chiefest harvest who as I have before observed then by Confessions and by giving the Communion get many money offerings The time and the Franciscan Frier who had the Pastorship and charge of that Towne were both very commodious unto me who could not refuse as long as I stayed there to exercise my function lest I should bring a just cause of suspition and aspersion upon my selfe The Frier of the Towne was a Portingal who about three weeks before my comming thither had had a very great bickering and strife with Iusto de Salazar the Alcalde Maior for defending the Indians whom Salazar did grievously oppresse employing them in his and his wifes service as slaves and not paying them what for the sweat of their browes was due unto them and commanding them to be from their home and from their wives and from their Church upon the Sabbath working for him as well that day as any other Which the Frier not enduring charged them in the pulpit not to obey any such unlawfull commands from their Alcalde Maior But Iusto de Salazar who had been trained up in warres and fighting and had served formerly in the Castle of Milan thought it a great disparagement unto him now to be curbed by a Frier and by such a one to be interrupted in his government of the Indians and in the waies of his owne lucre and gaine Therefore after many bitter words and defiances which had passed between him and the Frier he came one day resolutely to the Friers house with his sword drawne and certainly had not the Frier been assisted by some of the Indians he had killed him The Frier being as hot as he and standing upon his calling Orders and Preisthood presuming that hee durst not touch him violently lest his priviledge should bring an excommunication upon the striker and offendour would not flie from him but dared him boldly which was a strong provocation to Satazars heat and passion and caused him to lift up his sword and aime his blow and stroke at the Frier which fell so unhappily that with it he strucke of two of the Friers fingers and had undoubtedly seconded another blow more hurtfull and dangerous to the Frier had not the Indians interposed themselves and shut up their Preist into hiâ—… chamber Iusto was for this action excommunicated yet for that he was a man of high authority he soone got off his excommunication from the Bishop of Costarica and sent his complaint to the Chancery of Guatemala against the Frier where with friends and mony he doubted not but to overcome the Mendicant Preist as it happened after for as I was informed hee caused the Frier to be sent for up to the Court and there prevailed so much against him that he got him to be removed from Nicoya In this season the Frier kept his house and chamber and would by no means goe out to the Church either to say Masse or to preach or hear Confessions all which that time of the yeer did require of him but had got one to helpe him who alone not being able to performe so great a charge of many hundred Indians Spaniards Black-mores and Mulaito's who from the Countrey without and from the Towne within expected to have their Confessions heard their sins absolved the word preached and the Communion to be given them hearing of my comming desired me to assist and helpe him and that for my paines I should have my meat and drinke at his table and a Crowne daily for every Masse and whatsoever else the people should voluntarily offer besides the Sermons which should be well rewarded unto me I staied in this Towne from the second week of Lent untill Easter weeke where what with three Sermons atten Crownes a peece what with my daily stipend and many other offerings I got about an hundred and fifty Crownes The weeke before Easter newes came of a frigat from Panâ—…ma to Golfo de Salinaâ—… which much comforted us who already began to mistrust the delay The Master of the frigat came to Nicâ—…ya which is as Court thereabouts and with him the three Spaniards and my selfe agreed for our passage to Panama About Chira Golfo de Salinas and Nicâ—…ya there are some farmes of Spaniards few and very small Indian Townes who are all like slaves employed by the Alcalde Maior to make him a kind of thred called Pita which is a very rich Commodity in Spain especially of that colour wherewith it is dyed in these parts of Nicoja which a is purple colour for the which the Indians are here much charged to work about the Sea shore and there to finde out certain shels wherewith they make this purple dye There are also shels for other colours which are not knowne to be so plentifully in any other place as here About Chira and Golfo de Salinas the chief commodities are Salt Hony Maiz some Wheat and Fowles which every yeer they send by some few Frigats to Panama which from thence come on purpose to fetch them with this purple coloured thred or Pita which I have spoken of The Frigat which came when I was there was soon laden with these Commodities and with it we set out hoâ—…ng to have been at Panama within five or six dayes But as often before we had been crossed so likewise in this short passage wee were striving with the Wind Sea and Corrientes as they are called which are swift streames as of a River foure full weekes After the first day that wee set out wee were driven with a wind and storme towards Peru till wee came under the very Aequinoctiall line where what with excessive heat what with mighty stormes we utterly despaired of life But after one week that we had thus run towards it pleased God in whom and by whom all creatures live move and
man and so after two dayes I tooke post in company of some Spaniards and an Irish Colonel for Canterbury and so forward to Gravesend When I came to London I was much troubled within my selfe for want of my Mother tongue for I could onely speak some few broken words which made mee fearefull I should not bee accknowledged to bee an English man born Yet I thought my kinred who knew I had beene many yeers lost would some way or other acknowledge mee and take notice of mee if at the first I addressed my selfe unto some of them untill I could better expresse my selfe in English The first therefore of my name whom I had notice of was my Lady Penelope Gage widow of Sir Iohn Gage then living in St. Iones to whom the next morning after my arrivall to London I addressed my selfe for the better discovery of some of my kinred whom though I knew to bee Papists and therefore ought not to be acquainted with my inward purpose and resolution yet for feare of some want in the mean time and that I might by their means practice my selfe in the use of my forgotten native tongue and that I might enquire what Childs part had been left me by my father that I might learn some fashions and â—…astly that in the meane time I might search into the Religion of England and find how farre my conscience could agree with it and bee satisfied in those scruples which had troubled mee in America for all these reasons I thought it not amisse to looke and inquire after them When therefore I came unto my Lady Gage shee beleeved mee to bee her kinsman but laughed at mee telling mee that I spake like an Indian or Welch man and not like an English man yet shee welcomed mee home and sent mee with a servant to a Brothers lodging in Long Aker who being in the Country of Surrey and hearing of mee sent horse and man for mee to come to keepe Christmas with an Uncle of mine living at Gatton by whom as a lost and forgotten Nephew and now after foure and twenty yeeres returned home againe I was very kindly entertained and from thence sent for to Cheam to one Mr. Fromand another kinsman with whom I continued till after twelfth day and so returned againe to London to my brother Thus my good Reader thou seeâ—…t an American through many dangers by Sea and Land now safely arrived in England and thou maiest well with mee observe the great and infinite goodnesse and mercy of God towards mee a wicked and wretched sinner How I have answered to this Gods gracious calling mee from so farre and remote a Country to doe him service here I will shew thee in the Chapter following and so conclude this my long and tedious History CHAP. XXII Shewing how and for what causes after I had arrived in England I tooke yet another Iourney to Rome and other parts of Italy and returned againe to settle my selfe in this my Country NOw Reader as the stone that is falling the neerer it cometh to its Center more haste it maketh So I the neerer I am coming to the conclusion of this my History more haste I desire to make in this last Chapter for the compleating and finishing of it With brevity therefore I will relate some of my travels in Europe in which I will yeeld to many of my Nation but for America and my travels and experience there I dare boldly challenge all travellers of my Country After my return to London from Surrey I began to expostulate with my younger Brother knowing hee had been present at my Fathers death and had a chief hand in the ordering and executing his last Will and Testament concerning what childs part was left unto mee To which hee made mee answer that my father had indeed left him and my Brother the Colonell and two other sons by a second wife and my owne sister every one somewhat but to mee nothing nay that at his death he did not so much as remember mee which I could not but take to heart and called to minde the angry and threatning letter which I had received from him in Spain because I would not bee a Jesuite Though for the present I said nothing yet afterwards in many occasions I told my Brother I would have the Will produced and would by course of law demand a childs part but hee put me off assuring me I should never want amongst other my friends and kindred with whom hee knew I should bee well accommodated as long as I continued in England After few dayes that I had been in London my kinsman at Cheam desired me to come to live with him where I continued not long for my Uncle at Gatton invited mee to his house offering mee there meat drink lodging horse and man with twenty pound a yeare which hee promised in other waies to make as good as thirty Here I continued a twelve moneth refining my self in my native tongue and though altogether unknown to my Uncle and kindred searching into the Doctrine and truth of the Gospel professed in England for which cause I made many journeys to London and then privately I resorted to some churches and especially to Paulâ—… Church to see the service performed and to heare the Word of God Preached but so that I might not be seen known or discovered by any Papist When in Pauls Church I heard the Organs and the Musick and the Prayers and Collects and saw the Ceremonies at the Altar I remembred Rome againe and perceived little difference between the two Churches I searched further into the Common-Prayer and carryed with me a Bible into the Country on purpose to compare the Prayers Epistles and Gospels with a Masse Book which there I had at command and I found no difference but onely English and Latin which made mee wonder and to acknowledge that much remained still of Rome in the Church of England and that I feared my calling was not right In these my scruples coming often to London and conversing with one Dâ—…de Popham and Crâ—… Connel and Brown English and Irish Dominican Fryers I found their wayes and conversations base lewd light and wanton like the Spanish and Indian Fryers which made me againe reflect upon the Popish Church upheld by such Pillars I came yet to the acquaintaince of one Price Superiour to the Benedictine Monkes whom I found to be a meer States-man and a great Politician and very familiar private and secret with the Archbishop of Canterbury William Land in conversation with my Brother who belonged then unto one Signior Coâ—… the Popes Agent and was in such favour at the Court that hee was sent over by the Queen with a rich present to a Popish Idol named our â—…ady of Sichem in the Low Countries I heard him sometimes say that hee doubted not but to bee shortly Curate and Parish Preist of Coven Garden sometimes that he hoped to bee made Bishop in England and that then I
should want for nothing and should live with him till hee got mee another Bishoprick by which discourse of his and by his and other Preists favour at Court and with the Archbishop I perceived things went not well Spanish Popery was much rooted Protestant Religion much corrupted and the time not seasonable for me to discover my secret intents and purpose of heart At this time comming once from Surrey to London I chanced to bee discovered and knowne to one of the State Officers a Pursevant who had a large Commission for the apprehending of Seminary Preists and Jesuites named Iohn Gray who meeting mee one day in Long Aker followed and dogged me as far as Lincolns Inne wall where he clapped mee on the shoulders and told me that he had a Commission against mee to apprehend mee and carry me to the Councell Table or to one of His Majesties Secretaries To whom I spoke in Spanish thinking thereby to free my selfe out of his hands for a Spaniard but this would not doe for he replyed hee knew mee to bee an English man born and by the name of Gage and Brother to Colonell Gage and Mr. George Gage and that before he left mee I must speake in English to him he carryed mee to a Tavern and there searched my Pockets for Letters and mony which in discourse he told me was too little for him not being above twelve shilling and that I must goe with him to answer before one of His Majesties Secretaries I told him that I would willingly goe before the Archbishop of Canterbury or before Sir Francis Windebanke at which he smiled saying I knew well whom to make choice of to favour and protect mee but hee would carry mee to none of them but to Secretary Cooke I fearing the businesse might goe hard with me and knowing him to be greedy of money told him that I would give him any thing that might content him and so offered him twelve shillings then about mee and my word to meet him in any place the next day with a better and fuller purse Hee accepted of my money for the present and further offer for the day following and appointed the Angel Taverne in Long Aker knowing that I lodged thereabout to bee the place of our meeting and so dismissed mee I being free from him went immediately to my Brother and told him what had happened unto mee what money I had already given unto him and what I had promised the next day following My Brother hearing me began to chaâ—…e and vex and to fall into furious words against Iohn Gray calling him knave and rogue and that he could not answer what he had done and that hee would have his Commission taken from him chiding mee for that I had given him any money and calling me young novice and unexperienced in the affairs of England This seemed strange to me that my Brother should not onely not fear a Pursevant but should threaten to take away the Commission from him who was appointed to search for and finde out Preists and Jesuites Yet I told him I would according to my word and promise meet him the next day and satisfie him for his faire carriage towards mee to which my Brother would by no means yeeld but said hee wou'd meet him which hee accordingly performed and although for my sake and promise he gave him some money yet he brought him before Signor Con and there himselfe and the Popes Agent with him spake most bitter words unto him and threatned him very much if ever again he durst meddle with mee After this my Brother carryed mee to one Sir William Howard a Papist Knight living at Arundel gate over Clements Church who was very familiar with Sir Francis Windebanke telling him what had happened unto me and desiring him to carry me with him in his Coach to Sir Francis and to get his protection for mee Secretary Windebanke understanding who I was told mee I should feare no Pursevant of them all and that if I lived quietly in England no body should trouble me and that Iohn Gray was a knave and wished me if ever he medled with me agâ—…n to come unto him Though for the present this was good and commodious for me to have such favour and protection yet I perceived this my Brothers power and this conniving at Preists and Jesuites could not bee usefull for meâ—… if I should publish my mind and and purpose to alter my Religion I was therefore much troubled in mind and conscience which I found was curbed with the great power of the Papists I resolved therefore to goe againe out of England and to travell in some other Countries amongst both Papists and Protestants and to try what better satisfaction I could find for my conscience at Rome in that Religion or in France and Germany amongst the Protestants I wrâ—… therefore to the Generall of the Dominicans at Rome without whose License I could not goe thither that hee would bee pleased to send mee his Letters Patents to goe to consâ—…re some points with him which hee willingly granted unto mee I wanted not money from my Uncle who commended unto mee some businesse to bee dispatched for him at Rome for so long a journey other friends also helped mee but my chief trust was upon my Brother Colonell Gage then in the Low 〈◊〉 whom I knew not nor had seen him from a child I had no other passe to take shipping at Dover but onely the letter of a Papist in London by meanes of one Popham a Dominican Fryer to Sir Iohn Manwood his Lady who was then Governour of Dover Castle and with the foresaid letter suffered mee not to bee troubled examined or searched but gave order that I should freely and quietly passe over in the Packet boat to Dunkerke wherewith in foure houres with a good wind I arrived and from thence by Newport and Bridges went to Gant not farre from whence my Brother with his Regimeut lay in field against the Hollander Hee was glad to see mee and knowing what journey I was minded to take furnished mee with more money and for my Uncles businesse recommended mee to the Marques De Seralvo then at Brussels and to other great men desiring them to give mee their letters to their friends at Rome from them I got a letter to Don Francisco Barbarini the Popes Nephew and one of the chief Cardinals then in Rome likewise to Cardinal Cucua and Cardinal Albornos both Spaniards With these letters I thought I should have occasion of some conversation with these pillars of the Church of Rome and in discourse might pry into the hearts and wayes of them and see whether in them were more Policy then Religion By reason of the Warres between France and the Low Countries I durst not make my journey the neerest and shortest way through France but though there were Wars also in Germany I thought that would bee my safest way and I desired much to looke into the Protestant and
Lord. And thus for curiosities sake and by the intreaty of some speciall friends I have furnished the Presse with a language which never yet was printed or known in England A Merchant Mariner or Captaine at Sea may chance by fortune to be driven â—…n some Coast where he may meet with some Pecoman Indian and it may bee of great use to him to have some light of this Poconchi tongue Whereunto I shall be willing hereafter to add something more for the good of my Countrey and for the present I leave thee Reader to study what hitherto hath briefely been delivered by mee FINIS A Table of the Chapters of this Booke with the Contents of the most Remarkeable things in them CHAP. I. HOw Rome doth yeerely visit the American and Asian Kingdomes page 1. Contents The Popes Policy in maintaining constantly some poore Pensionary Bishops in Rome page 1. Without great Sums of Mony and new Purple Clothing given to the Cardinals Suits are not Canonized at Rome pag. 2. Monies sent out of England to Rome for Indulgencies to bee granted to private Altars in Papists private chambers page 2. More power granted to the Kings of Spain over the Clergy in the West-India's then to other Princes in Europe upon condition that they maintain there the Popes Authority and Preists to preach page 2. 3. The Iesuites challenge from Francis Xavierius the Preaching of the Gospel as due onely to them page 3. Missions of Preists Fryers or Iesuites are yeerely sent at the King of Spaine his charge to the India's page 3. CHAP. II. Shewing that the Indians wealth under a pretence of their Conversion hath corrupted the hearts of poore begging Fryers with strife hatred and ambition page 3. Contents Hatred grounded upon difference in Religion is most bitter Page 3. 4. Iesuites and Fryers but especially Dominicans deadly enemies Page 4. A Iesuiticall trick well acted at Venice page 4. Doctor Smith Bishop of Chalcedon sent by the Pope into England as private Head over all the Romish Clergy chiefly by the cunning subtilty of Iesuites was banished page 4. A Colledge privately intended to bee built in England by Iesuites at Winifreds Well as also the Sope houses at Lambeth with the Sope Patentee belonging to them page 5. More 〈◊〉 prankes discovered page 5. Why Iesuites and Dominicans are dead enemies page 5. 6. Valentia the Iesuite his death most shamefull for causing a false Print upon Augustins workes page 5. 6. Iesuites excellent Musicians Fencers Dancers Vaulters Painters Bribers and Merchants p. 6. CHAP. III. Shewing the manner of the Missions of Fryers and Iesuites to the India's pag. 7. Contents Distinction of severall Provinces amongst the Fryers and Iesuites under head at Rome named Generall page 7. West-India Fryers rich prizes to the Hollanders page 7. Popes indulgence granted to such Fryers as goe to the India's and his excommunication to such as oppose them page 8. Liberty draws most of the Fryers to the India's page 8. The death of an unchast wife murthered by her owne husband caused by the too much liberty of a wanton Fryer in Guatemala Anno 1635. p. 9. CHAP. IV. Shewing to what Provinces of the East and West-India's belonging to the Crowne of Castilia are sent Missions of Fryers and Iesuites And especially of the Missions sent in the yeer 1625. page 9. Contents Two sorts of Spaniards in the India's deadly enemies to one another viz. the Natives borne there and such as goe from Spain thither page 9. 10. What Religious Orders are the chief Preachers in the Province of Guatemala page 10. The Spaniards chief trading from Spain to Philippinas is first by their ships to St. John de Ulhua upon the North Sea and secondly from Acapulco upon the South Sea to Manila page 11. A vaine and worldly discourse of a Fryer of the India's page 11. 12. The chief cause of the Authors resolution to goe to East and West-India's page 12. 13. Foure poore Mendicant Fryers as Apostles entertained by Don Frederique de Toledo and the Gallies in Puerto de Santa Maria. page 14. CHAP. V. Of the Indian Fleet that departed from Cales Anno Dom. 1625. And of some remarkable passages in that voiage page 14. Contents The love of Nuns too powerfull over Fryers page 14. The Author hid in an empty barrell on shipboard in the Bay of Cales page 15. The pleasure of the Indian Navigation 1625. untill the first land was discovered page 16. CHAP. VI. Of our discovery of some Islands and what trouble befell ut in one of them p. 16. Contents The Islands called Desseada Marigalante Dominica Guadalupe are the first discovered in America in the Spanish Navigation page 17. A Christian Mulatto having lived twelve yeeres among Heathens with an Infidell wife and Children found in Guadalupe page 18. A suddaine uproare and mutiny of the Indians of Guadalupe who slow and wounded many of the Spanish Fleet 1625. page 25. CHAP. VII Of our further sailing to St. John de Ulhua alià s Vera Crux of our landing there page 19. Contents A Fryer wounded at Guadalupe died and was solemnly cast to the Sea pag. 20. A Spaniard swimming in the sound of Mexico cruelly slain and partly devoured by a Sea Monster page 21. The Virgin Mary called upon more then God in a suddain apprehensiou of a storme page 21. CHAP. VIII Of our landing at Vera Crux otherwise St. John de Ulhua and of our entertainment there page 22. Contents The vanity and worldlinesse of a Religious Dominicnn Superiour in St. John de Ulhua page 23. The houses and Churches of St. John de Ulhua builded with boards and timber and therefore easily and often fired page 23. 24. A further relation of the towne of St. John de Ulhua with the rich trading of it from most parts of the West-India's as also from the East-India's page 24. CHAP. IX Of our journey from St. John de Ulhua to Mexico and of the most remarkable Townes and Villages in the way page 25. Contents Our Fryers first entertainment by the Indians of the old Vera Crux page 25. A Franciscan Fryers vow and profession contrary to the vanity carding dicing and swearing practised by them of Xalappa in the India's page 26. Abundance of Gnats in the Rinconada taketh away the comfort of the great abundance of provision that is there page 27. From whence the Towne called Segura de la Frontera had its beginning page 27. 28. CHAP. X. Wherein is set downe the Estate and Condition of the great Towne of Tlaxcallan when the first Spaniards entered into the Empire of Mexico Cortez his first encounter with the Tlaxcalteca's their League with him with a description of the Towne and of the state and condition of it now page 29. Contents A wall of stone without Lime or Morter of a fadome and a halfe high and twenty foot brâ—…d built by the Indian for a defence in time of Warres before the comming of the Spaniards page 29. Fourescore thousand
Indians soon raised and armed by those of Tlaxcallan and soone over come by a thousand onely Indians and Spaniards with Cortez pag. 30. 31. Yet further a hundred and fifty thousand overcome by foure hundred Spaniards and six hundred Indians page 31. 32. Three presents sent to Cortez viz five slaves Frankincense and feathers Fowles 〈◊〉 and Cherries to know whether heeâ—…ere a God or a man pag. 3â—… Montezuma the Emperour his great present sent to Cortez pag. 34. The Tlaxcalteca's pay no Tribute to the King of Spain as others doe save onely â—…ne Corn of Moâ—… pag. 35. A description of the foure chief streets of Tlaxcallan with the standard of the Town pag. 35. Twenty thousand persons wont to meet in one Market place of Tlaxcallan to buy and sell. pag. 35. Severe Iustice executed upon aÌ„ thief by the inhabitants of Tlaxcallan pag. 36. CHAP. XI Concluding the rest of our Iourney from Tlaxcallan to Mexico through the City of Angels and Guacocingo pag. 36. Contents The City of Angels first builded by the Command of Antonio de Mendoza in the yeer 1530. pag. 37. It was first called by the Indians Cuctlaxcoapan that is to say a snake in water Ibid. Many more particulars of the City of Angels briefly related Ibid. The Town of Guacocingo why priviledged by the Spaniards pag. 38. Tezcuco the first Town in the West-India's that received a Christian King pag. 39. How the Vergantines wherewith Cortez besieged Mexico by water were brought by Land in pieces from Tlaxcallan to Tezcuco and foure hundred thousand men fifty dayes imployed in making a sluce or Trench for the finishing of them and launching them forth to the Lake pag. 40. Cortez his Army divided into three parts in the plain of Tezcuco for the better besieging of Mexico pag. 40. 41. Cortez made use of seven thousand beames of Cedar trees for the building of his house in Mexico pag. 41. CHAP. XII Shewing some particulars of the great and famous City of Mexico in former times with a true description of it now And of the State and Condition of it in the yeare 1625. pag. 42. Contents Little substance or nourishment found in the fruits and other food of Mexico pag. 42. 43. Severall opinions concerning the difference of fresh and salt water in the Lake of Mexico p. 43 44. Montezuma his stately Palace in Mexico called Tepaâ—… with two more the one with many ponds of salt and fresh water for severall â—…orts of fowles the other for hawking fowles and fowles of rapine p. 44 45. Three thousand were the Attendants in Montezuma his Court fed with what came from his Table p. 46. Mexico called formerly Tenuchtitlan and why ibid. What Mexico properly signifieth and from whence so called p. 47. The Names of the ten Emperours that were of Mexico and Montezuma his death ibid. Quahutimoc Emperour of Mexico taken prisoner and that great City conquered by Cortez the 13. of August 1521. p. 49. Two hundred thousand little boats called Canoas belonged to Mexico to bring provision into the City p. 50. A Description of the chiefe Market of Mexico wherein a hundred thousand persons did usually meet to buy and sell. p. 50 51. A Description of the great Church of Mexico before the entring of the Spaniards p. 51 52. The Papists have continued the fashion of their Churches Altars Cloisters and many other their abuses from the Heathens p. 52 53. The Gods of Mexico two thousand in number p. 53. Mexico after the Conquest was built againe with à hundred thousand houses p. 54. Fifteen thousand Coaches are judged to be in the City of Mexico p. 56. A Popingay presented to the King of Spain worth halfe a million of Duckates ibid. A Lampe in Mexico worth foure hundred thousand Crownes ibid. The Attire of the female sex of Blackmores Mulatta's and Mestiza's in Mexico p. 56 57. The Spaniards with their gifts to the Churches and Cloisters cover their lascivious lives as is shewed by an example in Mexico p. 57. About two thousand Coaches daily meet in the Alameda of Mexico 59. Of a fruit in the India's called Nuchtli p. 60. Of some other fruits and especially of a tree called Metl p. 60 61. A memorable history of a great mutiny in Mexico caused by the too great power of an Archprelate and the Covetousnesse of the Viceroy With some observations gathered for the good of England out of the said mutiny p. 62. sequent CHAP. XIII Shewing the severall parts of this new world of America and the places of Note about the famous City of Mexico p. 68. Contents A Description of the fiery Mountain called Popocatepec p. 69. The riches belonging to the Viceroy his chappell at Chapultepec worth above a million of Crownes p. 70. A Description of a rich Desart or wildernesse three leagues from Mexico ibid. The cruelty of Don Nunio de Guzman in Mechoacan p. 71. The manner of burying the Kings of Mechocan before it was conquered by the Spaniards p. 71 72. The Spaniards themselves wonder that our English Nation is not more Active in conquering more of the Continent of America beyond Virginia p. 73. Nova Albion in America named so by Sir Francis Drake p. 74. How the Countrey of Jucatan was first named ibid. In the year 1632. the Indians of Jucatan mutinied against the Spaniards ibid. The City of Valdivia so named from a Spaniard of that name too greedy and covetous of gold p. 76. The famous Attempt of John Oxenham an English man from the Coast of Nombre de Dios to the Island of Pearles in the South sea p. 77. The Spanish Fleet of Nova Hispania taken by the Hollanders in the river of Matanzos p. 80. CHAP. XIIII Shewing my Iourney from Mexico to Chiapa Southward and the most remarkable places in the way p. 81. Contents For what reasons I stayed in America and would not goe on to the Philippina Islands in the East-India's p. 82. A Proclamation from the Viceroy in the market place of Mexico against such as should conceale harbour and hide any Fryer bound for the Philippina Islands p. 83. A double Wheat harvest every yeer in a Valley called St. Pablo p. 85. The Dominicans Cloister in Guaxaca very rich and strong p. 86. The great River Alvarado though it run from St. John de Ulhua far into the heart of the Countrey towards Guaxaca yet there is no Castle Tower or Ordnance upon it ibid. An Old Frier Master of Divinity spightfully and maliciously buried in a garden by the Friers of Guaxaca ibid. Friers in the India's may travail and call for Turkeys Capons or what they please to eat without any mony upon the Indians charges p. 87. Tecoantepeque a Sea Towne upon Mar del Zur altogether unfortified ibid. The Author lodged in a Wildernesse and affrighted with a sure apprehension of death by Wild beasts p. 88 89. The Author and his Companies dangerous passage over the mountaine of Maquilapa feeding three daies upon green sowre lemmons
in wax candles and sell sometimes one candle five or six times p. 150. An old Indian Womans judgement concerning the Sacrament of the Lords supper p. 150 151. All soules day Christmas Candlemas day and Whitsunday daies of great lucre and profit to the Preists p. 151 152. The Indians are forced to marry at thirteen and fourteen yeers of age and why p. 153. The ground of our Fairs in England p. 154. Severall dances of the Indians p. 154 155. CHAP. XX. Shewing how and why I departed out of Guatemala to learne the Poconchi language and to live among the Indians and of some particular passages and Accidents whilst I lived there p. 156. Contents The Author going with some few Spaniards and Christian Indians into a Countrey of unknowne Heathens fell dangerously sick and was further in a skirâ—…h with the Barbarians and by that meanes also in danger of his life p. 157. 158. Indians growne up in age forcedly driven to Baptisâ—… without any principlâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Preists and Friers that first entred into America ibid. 〈◊〉 a woody mountainous and barren Countrey p. 159. 〈◊〉 India's are Grammers and Dictionaries of the severall Indian tongues p. 〈◊〉 The Authour became perfect in the Poconchi language in one quarter of a 〈◊〉 ibid. The meanes chiefly from the Church which the Authour enjoyed yeerly in the Townes of Mixco and Pinola p. 161 162. A Plague of Locusts in the India's brought no small profit to the Authour p. 163 164. The Spaniards confidence in some blessed breads against the plague of Locusts ibid. An infectious disease amongst the Indians brought to the Author neer a hundred pounds in halfe a yeer ibid. The Authour struck downe as dead to the ground with a flash of lightning and again in danger of his life by an Earthquake p. 165 166. Of a small Vermine lesse then a flea called Nigua common in the India's wherewith the Author was in danger of losing a leg ibid. The Authour like to be killed by a Spaniard for defending the poore Indians p. 167. A notorious Witch in the Town of Pinola affrighted the Authour p. 167. sequ The Indian Wizards and Witches changed into shapes of beasts by the Devil as appeareth by two examples p. 169. sequ Some Idolaters in the Towne of Mixco discovered their preaching Idol found out by the Authour and burnt publikely in the Church and hee in great danger to bee killed by them p. 171. sequ The Authors conflict within himselfe about comming home to England for conscience sake and his resolution therein p. 180 181. Neer upon 9000. peeces of Eight got by the Authour in twelve yeers that hee lived in the India's p. 181. CHAP. XXI Shewing my Iourney from the Towne of Petapa into England and some chief passages in the way p. 182. Contents Relation of a place called Serro Redondo five leagues from Petapa p. 182. A strange fire and smoake constantly comming out of the earth neer unto a Towne called Aguachapa which by the Spaniards is supposed to be a mouth of hell p. 183. The priviledge of a great river called Lempa dividing the Countrey of St. Salvador and Nicaragua p. 184. A Frier thinking to take up gold from the bottome of the fiery Vulcan of Leon deceived p. 185. The City of Leon and Countrey about called by the Spaniards Mahomets paradise ibid. About the beginning of February the City of Granada in Nicaragua is one of the richest places in the India's by reason of many rich commodities and some of the King of Spain his revenews carried thither to be transported by the Frigats to Carthagena or Havana p. 185 186. The dangerous passage from the Lake of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 led El Desâ—…adero p. 〈◊〉 The Authour and his 〈◊〉 like to be surprized by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crocodile p. 187. The Authour roâ—…bed at sea by a Holland man of Warre of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Crownes p. 188 189. A Frier fâ—… defending the poâ—…re Indians of Nicoyâ—… 〈◊〉 two fingers which were cut off by the 〈◊〉 de Maior p. 192. The Author forced to drinke his owne urine and lost and like to perish in an unknowne Island and afterwards upon a Rocke p. 193 194. Some particulars of the City of Panama p. 195. The river of Chiagre very shallow in many places without some great raine cause the water to fall into it from the mountaines ibid. Some particulars of Portobello during the time that the Spanish Fleet stayeth there p. 196. The Papists Bread God or Sacrament eaten and gnawne by a Mouse in Porto-bello with a Fast in bread and water for that contempt done unto their God p. 197 198. The Spaniards feare of the English that then inhabited the Island called Providence p. 199. Some English Prisoners at Carthagena with one Captain Rouse who at Havana challenged some Spaniards into the field who had abused him p. 199 200 From the whole Spanish Fleet one gallantly taken 〈◊〉 worth foâ—…re 〈◊〉 thousand Duckats by two Holland or English ships not well knowne upon the Coast of Havana p. 201. The manner of the Dominicans habit with the meaning of it p. 203. CHAP. XXII Shewing how and for what causes after I had arrived in England I took yet another journey to Rome and other parts of Italy and returned again to settle my selfe in this my Countrey p. 205. Contents Price a Monke very familiar with William Laud late Archbishop of Canterbury p. 205. The Authors Brother in great favour at Court and aspiring to a Bishopricâ—…e or to be Parish Preist of Covengarden ibid. The Authour apprehended by a Pursevant aâ—… protected by Sir Francis VVindebank p. 207. The Authour from the low Countries got letters of recommendation to some chiefe Cardinals in Rome p. 207. The Author robbed by French Pyrates going from Ligorne to Rome ibid. The Cardinal Don Francisco Barbarini intituled the Protectour of England 〈…〉 and proceedings of VVilliam Laud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 20â—… VVilliam Laud his further Complyance with the Cardinals of Rome as testified by Fitzherbert the Iesuite in a conference with the Authour ibid. A designe of making an English Cardinall at Rome and who chiefly eyed for that purpose p. 20â—… A true Copy of the manner of sending the Author to live at Orleans in France p. 209 210. The miracle printed by the Papists of the blushing and sweating of the Ladies picture of Loretto tried by the Authour and found to bee a meer lie p. 210. At the calling of the Parliament now sitting the Romish crew in Italy much perplexed p. 210 211. The Authour taken again by a French Fleet of ships as he was coming home from Ligorne p. 211. The Author twice assaulted in London by Papists and like to be killed for his profession of the truth and service to the State p. 211 212. FINIS ERRATA PAg. 6 l. 54 read that Kingdom p. 8 l. 34 r. their own p. 10 l. 46 r. party p. 11 l 56 r. Sâ—…via p. 15 l. 2â—… r. St. Iohn de Ulâ—… ibid. l. 49. r. the spurnings p. 16 l. 33 34 r. the first founder p. 17 l. 23. r. were p. 24 l. 3 r. 〈◊〉 ibid. l. 5 6 r. Grijâ—…lva p. 25 l. 42 r. out of the Arbour p. 27 l 23 r. keepers p. 28 l. 46 r. 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 p. 35 l. 12 r. well bâ—…ked p. 36 l. 6 r. sacrificed p. 43 l. 5 r. in a Spanish ibid. l. 55 r. it maketh p. 51 l. 39 r. those sacrifices p. 53 l. 43 r. consecrated p. 62 l. 30 r. to be the Viceroyes p. 65 l. 31 r. Uiva â—…l Roy p. â—…9 l. 51 r. Antiquâ—…ra p. 71 l. 4 r. it glorietli ibid l. 47 r. made p. 72 l. 1 r. glorious p. 74 l. 23 24. r. 〈◊〉 p. 76 l. 12 r. have in it p. 79 l. 21 r. Sâ—…villa p. 83 l. 2 r. to follow him p. 85 l. 59 r. which p. 88 l. 2 r. met here p. 95 l. 14 r. merrâ—… p. 96 l. 28 r. Cloister p. 100 l. 21 r. bodies ibid. l. 22 r. planet p. 102 l. 51 52 r. women p. 109 l. 19 r. another p. 114 l. 33 r. those that p. 115 l. 41 r. any thing with them p. 116 l. 14 r. ten leagues p. 11â—… l. 10 a deadly p. â—…19 l. 3 r. Originall sin ibid l. 42 r. 1â—…27 ibid l. ult r. Preachers p. 122 l. 22 r. not holy p. 123 l. 2 r. grieving p. 125 l. 51 r. cheap ibid l. 59 r. stately p. 126 l. 38 r. he lift p. 128 l. 26 r. thousand Crownes ibidâ—… l. 55 r. is no landing p. 129 l. 20 r. to enrich Guatemala p. 130 l. 46 r. 〈◊〉 ibid l. 54 r. his power p. 141 l. 26 r. which after p. 149 l. 38 r. provide p. 150 l. 31 r. buy p. 153 l. 9 r taught more for ibid l. 33 r. livers in the town p. 156 l. 26 r. halving p. 159 l. 7 r. President p. 169 l. 38 r. killed him p. 170 l. 44 r. taken up p. 171 l. 54 r. a running water p. 178 l. 45 r. Priests p. 179 l. 12 r. sent me a Patent ibid l. 16. r. to further p. 180 l. 2 r. against it which p. 182 l. 14 r. would not p. 183 l. ulâ—… r. 〈◊〉 p. 184 l. 50 r. there p. 187 l. 5 r. difficult journey p. 193 l. 17 towards death p. 198 l. 13 r. would p. 203 l. 30 r. Popham p. 209 l. 48 49 put tâ—… before suprâ—…ominatum and leave it ouâ—… in the next line p. 213 l. 40 r. Râ—… ibid l. 43 r. quipat p. 214 l. 2 r. quitâ—… tacque p 215 l 26 r chiquilâ—…h tacque ibid l 4â—… r the second person ibid l 49 r loâ—…e thee p 216 l 18 r. 〈◊〉 ibid l 21 22 r verbs passives ibid l 28 r in 〈◊〉 and r change â—…h ibid l 51 â—… 〈◊〉
done his worst without it be to take away my life also which I now regard not Upon these words there gushed out of this Vulcan such a flood of water as carried away this woman with the streame ruined many of the houses and caused the inhabitants to remove to the place where now standeth Guatemala This is the Spaniards own Tradition which if true should be our example to learne to feare and not to defie God when his judgements shew him to us angry and a God that will overcome when he judgeth From that time and from this their Tradition is the Towne now standing where first stood Guatemala called la Ciudad Vieja or the old City and hath continued a river which before was not knowne having its head and spring from this high Vulcan whose pleasant springs gardens fruits flowers and every green and flourishing prospect might be a fair object to a Martials wit who here would fancie a new Parnassus find out new steps of flying Pegasus and greet the Nymphes and nine Sisters with this their never yet discovered and American habitation This Vulcan or mountaine is not so pleasing to the sight whose height is judged full nine miles unto the top but the other which standeth on the other side of the valley opposite unto it is unpleasing and more dreadfull to behold for here are ashes for beauty stones and flints for fruits and flowers baldnesse for greennesse barrennesse for fruitfulnesse for water whisperings and fountaine murmurs noise of thunders and roaring of consuming metals for running streams flashings of fire for tall and mighty trees and Cedars Castles of smoak rising in height to out-dare the skie and firmament for sweet and odoriserous and fragrant smels a stink of fire and brimstone which are stil in action striving within the bowels of that ever burning and fiery Vulcan Thus is Guatemala seated in the midst of a Paradise on the one side and a hell on the other yet never hath this hell broke so loose as to consume that flourishing City True it is formerly many yeers agoe it opened a wide mouth on the top and breathed out such fiery ashes as filled the houses of Guatemala and the Country about and parched all the plants and fruits and spued out such stones and rockes which had they fallen upon the City would have crushed it to pieces but they fell not farre from it but to this day lie about the bottome and sides of it causing wonder to those that behold them and taking away admiration from them that admire the force and strength of fire and powder in carrying on a weighty bullet from the mouth of a cannon whereas here the fire of this mountaine hath cast up into the aire and tumbled downe to the bottom of it such rockes as in bignesse exceed a reasonable house and which not the strength of any twenty Mules as hath been tried have been able to remove The fire which flasheth out of the top of this mountain is sometimes more and sometimes lesse yet while I lived in the City on a certaine time for the space of three or foure dayes and nights it did so burne that my friend Mr. Cabamas confidently avouched to mee and others that standing one night in his window he had with the light of that fire read a letter the distance â—…ing above three English miles The roaring also of this monstrous beast is not constantly alike but is greater in the summer time then in the winter that is from October to the end of April then all the rest of the yeer for then it seems the winds entring into those concavities set the fire on work harder then at other times and cause the mountaine to roare and the earth about to quake There was a time three yeers before my comming to that City when the inhabitants expected nothing but utter ruine and destruction and durst not abide within their houses for nine dayes the earthquakes continuing and increasing more and more but made bowers and arbours in the Market place placing there their Idoll Saints and Images especially St. Sebastian whom they hoped would deliver them from that judgement and for this purpose they dayly carried him through the streets in solemn and idolatrous procession and adoration But all the while I lived there the noise within the mountaine the smoake and flashes of fire without and the Summer earth-quakes were such that with the use and custome of them I never feared any thing but thought that City the healthiest and pleasantest place of dwelling that ever I came into in all my travels The climate is very temperate farre exceeding either Mexico or Guaxaca Neither are the two fore-named Cities better stored with fruits herbes for salets provision of fish and flesh Beef Mutton Veale Kid Fowles Turkies Rabbets Quailes Partridges Pheasants and of Indian and Spanish Wheat then is this City from the South Sea which lyeth in some places not above twelve leagues from it and from the Rivers of the South Sea Coast and from the fresh Lake of Amatitlan and Petapa and from another Lake lying three or foure leagues from Chimaltenango it is well and plentifully provided for of fish But for Beef there is such plenty that it exceeds all parts of America without exception as may be known by the Hydes which are sent yeerly to Spain from the country of Guatemala where they commonly kill their Cattell more for the gaine of their Hydes in Spain then for the goodnesse or fatnesse of the flesh which though it bee not to bee compared to our English Beef yet it is good mans meat and so cheap that in my time it was commonly sold at thirteene pound and a halfe for half a Riall the least coyne there and as much as three pence here Though all about this Country there are very great and spatious Estancia's or Farmes for breeding onely even neer to the Golfo Dulce's where the ships ride that come from Spain yet from Comayagua St. Salvador and Nicaragua is Guatemala stored But above all are the great Estancia's in the South Sea Coast or Marsh wherein my time there was a Grazier that reckoned up going in his owne Estancia and ground forty thousand heads of Beasts small and great besides many which are called there Simarrones or wild Cattell which were strayed among the Woods and Mountaines and could not bee gathered in with the rest but were hunted by the Blackmores like wild Bores and daily shot to death least they should too much increase and doe hurt My selfe chanced to bee present at the Fair of the Town of Petapa with a friend named Lope de Chaves who was as they call there Obligado or charged to provide flesh for six or seven Townes thereabouts who at one bargain and of one man bought six thousand head of Cattell great and small paying one with another eighteen Rials or nine English shillings a head The manner and custome of Guatemala for the better providing both Beef
and Mutton for it and the Country Townes about is this Nine daies before Michaelmas every day Proclamation is made about the City for an Obligado or one that will bee bound to the City and Country for competent provision of Flesh meat upon forfeiture of such a summe of money to his Majesty if hee faile as shall bee agreed upon between him and the Court and to the Inhabitants of the City if hee fail in beef hee is to allow in Mutton so many pounds at the same rate as hee should have allowed beef If the Obligado faile in Mutton hee is to allow in Fowle flesh so many pounds and at the same rate as hee was to allow the Mutton and this with consideration of the family what competent allowance of flesh meat shall bee judged for a day or the dayes that the Obligado shall fail Besides this the Proclamation is made for whom offers most to his Majesty for one yeers Obligation So that sometimes it happeneth that the eight daies severall men come into the Court offering more and more till upon the ninth day and last Proclamation the Office is setled for one yeere upon him that hath offered most unto his Majesty Thus many Butchers are not allowed but one onely Obligado who also is abridged to so many pound for so much mony so that if any other besides him offer to kill or sell he may follow an action and the Court against him Thus the Obligado who commonly is a monied man buyeth by the hundred or by the thousand as for the present hee findeth the expence of the City without hee bee himself such a Grazier as hath Cattell enough of his owne Though Mutton bee not so plentifull as is Beef yet there never wants from the Valley of Mixco Pinola Petapa and Amatitlan and the Marsh and other places In the Valley forenamed I lived and was well acquainted with one Alonso Capata who had constantly going in the Valley four thousand sheep Guatemala therefore is so well stored with good provision plentifull and heap that it is hard to finde in it a begger for with halfe a Riall the poorest may buy beef for a weeke and with a few Cacao's they may have bread of Indian Maiz if not of Spanish Wheat This City may consist of about five thousand families besides a Suburb of Indians called el Barrio de Sto. Domingo where may bee two hundred families more The best part of the City is that which joyneth to this Suburb of Indians and is called also el Barrio Santo de Domingo by reason of the Cloister of Saint Dominick which standeth in it Here are the richest and best shops of the City with the best buildings most of the houses being new and ately Here is also a dayly Tianguez as they call it or petty Market where some Indians all the day sit selling fruits Herbs and Cacao but at the foure in the afternoone this Market is filled for a matter of an houre where the Indian women meet to sell their Country slap which is dainties to the Criolians as Atolle Pinole scalded Plantins butter of the Cacao puddings made of Indian Maiz with a bit of Fowle or fresh Porke in them seasoned with much red biting Chile which they call Anacatamales The trading of the City is great for by Mules it partakes of the best commodities of Mexico Guaxaca and Chiapa and Southward of Nicaragua and Costarica By Sea it hath commerce with Peru by two Sea Ports and Havens the one called la Villa de la Trinidad the Village of the Trinity which lyeth Southward from it five and twenty leagues and by another called el Realejo which lyeth five or six and forty leagues from it It hath traffique with Spain by the North Sea from Golfo dulce lying threescore leagues from it It is not so rich as other Cities yet for the quantity of it it yeelds to none There were in my time five besides many other Merchants who were judged worth twenty thousand Duckats thirty thousand fifty thousand some few a hundred thousand who were judged of equall wealth and generally reported to bee worth each of them five hundred thousand Duckats the first was Thomas de Siliezer a Biscain born and Alcalde de Corte the Kings High Justice or chief Officer at Court the second was Antonio Iustiniano a Genovois born and one that bore often Offices in the City and had many Tenements and houses especially a great and rich Farme for corn and Wheat in the Valley of Mexico The third was Pedro de Lira born in Castilia the fourth and fifth Antonio Fernandez and Bartolome Nunnez both Portingals whereof the first in my time departed from Guatemala for some reasons which here I must conceale The other foure I left there the three of them living at that end of the City called Barrio de Santo Domingo or the street of St. Dominick whose houses and presence makes that street excell all the rest of the City and their wealth and trading were enough to denominate Guatemala a very rich City The Government of all the Country about and of all Honduras Soconusco Comayagua Nicaragua Costa Rica Vera Paz Cuchutepeques and Chiapa is subordinate unto the Chancery of Cuatemala for although every Governour over these severall Provinces is appointed by the King and Councell of Spain yet when they come to those parts to the enjoyment of their charge and execution office then their actions if unjust are weighed judged censured and condemned by the Court residing in the City This Court of Chancery consisteth of a President six Judges one Kings Attourney and two chief Justices of Court The President though hee have not the name and title of Viceroy as they of Mexico and Peru yet his power is as great and absolute as theirs His Pension from the King is but twelve thousands Duckats a yeer but besides this if he be covetous hee makes by bribes and trading twice as much more nay what shee list as was seen in the Count de la Gomera President of that City and Chancery for the space of fourteen yeers who departed in old age from Guatemala to Canaria where was his house and place of birth worth Millions of Duckats After him succeeded Don Iuan de Guzman formerly President of Santo Domingo who losing his Wife and Lady in the way lost also his former spirit and courage betaking himselfe wholly to his devotions contemning wealth and riches governing with love and mildnesse which made the rest of the Judges who were all for lucre soone weary him out of his office continuing in it but five yeers His successor whom I left there when I came away was Don Gonsalo de Paz y Lorencana who was promoted from the Presidency of Panama to that place and came into it with such a spirit of covetousnesse as the like had not been seen in any former President Hee forbad all gaming in private houses in the City which there is much used though
was not yet for all this report the feare of being so neer the Spaniards hell as they call it that made me haste with speed out of that Town but fear of some messenger that might come after mee to stop my journy For at midnight I departed from thence and went to breake my fast to a great Town called Chalchuapan where the Indians made very much of mee being Pocomanes who spake the Poconchi or Pocoman tongue which I had learned They would willingly have had me to stay with them and preach unto them the next Sabbath which I would have done had not a better designe called upon mee to make haste Here I was troubled how I should get through St. Salvador which was a City of Spaniards and wherein there was a Cloister of Dominicans whom I feared most of all because I was known by some of them My resolution was therefore when I came neere unto the City to turn out of my way to a Spaniards Farm as if I had lost my way and there to delay the time till Evening in drinking Chocolatte discoursing and baiting my mules well that so I might travell all that night and bee out of the reach of that City and Fryers who lived in Indian Towns about it the next morning early This City of St. Salvador is poore not much bigger then Chiapa and is governed by a Spanish Governour It standeth forty leagues at least from Guatemala and towards the North Sea side is compassed with very high mountaines which are called Chuntales where the Indians are very poore In the bottome where the City standeth there are some Trabiches of Sugar some Indigo made but the chief Farmes are Estancia's of Cattell Towards Evening I departed from that Farm where I had well refreshed my selfe and my Mule and about eight of the clock I rid through the City not being known by any body My purpose was to bee the next morning at a great River called Rio de Lempa some ten leagues from St. Salvador for within two leagues of it there lived in an Indian Town a Fryer belonging to the Cloister of St. Salvador who knew mee very well But such haste I made that before break of the day I passed thuough that Town and before seven of the clock I was at the River where I found my Indian of Mixco ready to passe over with my carriage who that morning by three of the clock had set out of that Town two leagues off I was not a little glad to have overtaken my Chests wherein was most of my treasure There I sate down a while by the River whilst my mules grazed and my Indian struck fire and made me Chocolatte This River of Lempa is held the broadest and biggest in all the Jurisdiction belonging unto Guatemala there are constantly two Ferry Boats to passe over the Travellers and their Requa's of Mules This River is privileged in this manner that if a man commit any hainous crime or murther on this side of Guatemala and San Salvador or on the other side of St. Miguel or Nicaragua if hee can flie to get over this River he is free as long as hee liveth on the other side and no Justice on that side whither hee is escaped can question or trouble him for the murther committed So likewise for Debts hee cannot bee arrested Though I thanked God I neither fled for the one or for the other yet it was my comfort that I was now going over to a priviledged Country where I hoped I should bee free and sure and that if any one did come after mee hee would goe no further then to the River of Lempa My Blackmore did much laugh at this my conceipt and warranted mee that all would doe well Wee Ferried safely over the River and from thence went in company with my Indian to a little small Towne of Indians two leagues off where wee made the best dinner that we had done from the Towne of Petapa and willingly gave rest to all our mules till foure of the clocke in the afternoone at which time wee set forth to another small Town little above two leagues off through a plain sandy and Champaigne Country The next day wee had but ten leagues to travaile to a Town called St. Miguel which belongeth unto Spaniards and though it bee not a City yet is as bigge almost as San Salvador and hath a Spanish Governour in it there is one Cloister of Nuns and another of Mercenarian Fryers who welcomed mee unto their Cloister for here I began to shew my face and to think of felling away the Mule I rid on being resolved from hence to goe by water or an Arm of the Sea to a Town in Nicaragua called La Vieja I would here have dismissed my Indian but hee was loth to leave me untill I got to Granada where hee desired to see mee shipped I refused not his kind offer because I knew hee was trusty and had brought my Chests well thither and knew well the way to Granada So I sent him by land to Realejo or to La Vieja which stand very neere together and thirty leagues by land from St. Miguel and my self stayed that day and till the next day at noon in that Town where I sold the mule I rid on because I knew that from Realojo to Granada I could have of the Indians a Mule for nothing for a dayes journey My Blackmores mule I sent also by land with the Indian and the next day went to the Gulfe being three or foure miles from St. Miguel where that afternoone I tooke Boat with many other passengerâ—… and the next morning by eight in the morning was at La Vieja which journey by land would have taken mee up neere three dayes The next day my Indian came at night and wee went to Realejo as I have observed before a Haven very weak and unfortified on the South Sea where if I would have stayed one fortnight I might have taken shipping for Panama to goe from thence to Portabelo and there stay for the Galeons from Spain But I considered that the Galeons would not be here till Iune or July and that so I should be at great charges in staying so long But afterwards I wished I had accepted of that occasion for I was at last forced to goe to Panama and Portabelo From hence to Granada I observed nothing but the plainnesse and pleasantnesse of the way which with the fruits and fertility of all things may well make Nicaragua the Paradise of America Betweene Realejo and Granada standeth the City of Leon neere unto a Vulcan of fire which formerly burst out at the top and did much hurt unto all the Country about but since that it hath ceased and now letteth the Inhabitants live without feare Sometimes it smokes a little which sheweth that as yet there is within some sulphurous substance Here it was that a Mercenarian Fryer thought to have discovered some great treasure which might inrich himselfe and
all that Country being fully perswaded that the metall that burned within that Vulâ—…n was Gold whereupon hee caused a great Kâ—…tle to bee made and hung at an iron chain to let it down from the top thinking therewith to take up gold enough to make him Bishop and to inrich his poor kindred But such was the power and strength of the fire within that no sooner had hee let downe the Kettle when it fell from the chain and from his hands being melted away This City of Leon is very curiously built for the chief delight of the Inhabitants consisteth in their houses and in the pleasure of the Country adjoyning and in the abundance of all things for the life of man more then in any extraordinary riches which there are not so much injoyed as in other parts of America They are contented with fine gardens with variety of singing birds and parrets with plenty of fish and flesh which is cheap and with gay houses and so lead a delicious lazy and idle life not aspiring much to trade and traffique though they have neer unto them the Lake which commonly every yeere sendeth forth some Frigats to Havana by the North Sea and Realejo on the South Sea which to them might bee very commodious for any dealing and rich Trading in Perâ—… or to Mixco if their spirits would carry them so farre The Gentlemen of this City are almost as vaine and phantasticall as are those of Chiapa And especially from the pleasure of this City is all that Province of Nicaragua called by the Spaniards Mahomets Paradise From hence the way is plain and Levell to Granada whither I got safely and joyfully hoping that now I had no more journey to make by land till I should land at Dover in England and from thence post up to London Two dayes after I had arrived at this place â—…nd rested my selfe and injoyed the pleasant prospect of the Lake I began to think of dismissing my Indian and Blackmore But true and faithfull Miguel Dalva would by no meanes leave mee till he saw me shipped and that I had no more need of him by land Likewise the Indian would willingly have stayed but bâ—… 〈◊〉 meanes I would permit him for that I considered hee had a wife and children â—…oke to at home Hee was as willing to return a foot as to ride because hee would have mee sell my mules and make what mony I could of them but I seeing the good nature of the Indian would recompence his love with as much mony as might bee more beneficiall to him then a tired Mule which might have dyed in the way under him and left him on foot so I gave him money enough to bear his charges home and to 〈◊〉 Mules at his one pleasure and some to spare when he came home The Indian with many teares falling from his eyes saying hee feared hee should never more see mee tooke his leave of mee the third day after wee arrived at Granada My Blackmore and I being left alone first began to thinke of selling away the two Mules which had brought thither the Indian and my Chests for which I got fourscore and ten peeces of eight after so long a journey and thought they were well sold. I would have had Miguel have sold away that whereâ—… hee rid which was his own and offered to buy him another that might better carry him back but the loving and carefull Blackmore would not suffer mee to bee at such charges considering the long journey which I was to make After this wee hearing that the frigatâ—… were not like to depart in a sortnight thought of viewing well that stately and pleasant Towne a day or two and then to betakâ—… our selves to some neer Indian Town where wee might bee hid lest by the great resort of Requa's of Mules which aâ—… that time brought Indigo and Cochinill from Guaâ—…ala to the Frigats wee should bee discovered and might now and then come to the Town to treat concerning my passing in one of the Frigaâ—… to the Havana or to 〈◊〉 What in that Town wee observed was two Cloisters of Mercenarian and Franciscan Fryers and one of Nuâ—… very rich and one Parish Church which was aâ—… a Cathedrall for the Bishop of Leon did more constantly reside there then in the City The houses are fairer then those of 〈◊〉 and the Town of more Inhabitants among whom there are some few Merchants of very great wealth and many of inferiour degree very well to passe who trade with Carthagena 〈◊〉 San Salvador and 〈◊〉 and some by the South sea to Peru and 〈◊〉 But at this time of the sending a way the frigats that Town is one of the wealthiest in all the North Tract of America for the Merchants of 〈◊〉 fearing to send all their goodâ—… by the Gulfe of Hâ—… for that they have been often taken by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that and Hâ—… think is 〈◊〉 to send them by the frigats to Carthagena which passage hath not been so much stopped by the Hollanders as the other So 〈◊〉 many times the Kings 〈◊〉 and revenues when there is any report of ships at sea or about the Cape of St. Anthony are this way by the Lake of Granada passed to Carthagena That yeer that I was there before I betooke my selfe to an Indian Towne in one day there entred six Requa's which were at least three hundred Mules from St. Salvador and Comayagna onely laden with nothing else but Indigo Cochinil and Hides and two dayes after from Guatemala came in three more the one laden with silver which was the Kings tribute from that Countrey the other with Sugar and the other with Indigo The former Requa's I feared not but the latter made me keep close within my lodging lest going abroad I should be knowne by some of those that came from Guatemala who after they had delivered what they brought presently departed and with their departure set mee at liberty who for their sakes was a voluntary prisoner within mine owne lodging But fearing lest more of these Requa's might come and affright mee I went to a Towne out of the rode a league from Granada and took my pleasure up and downe the Countrey where I was much feasted by the Mercenarian Friers who enjoy most of those Towns Amongst these I heard much of the passage in the frigots to Carthagena which did not a little dishearten and discourage me For although whilst they saile upon the Lake they goe securely and without trouble yet when they fall from the Lake to the river which there they call El Desaguadero to goe out to the Sea hic labor hoc opus est here is nothing but trouble which sometimes makes that short voyage to last two moneths for such is the fall of the waters in many places amongst the rockes that many times they are forced to unlade the frigots and lade them again with helpe of Mules which are there kept for that purpose by a few Indians that