up at root and seek to impeach or to supplant him in the West Indies By part of which course that 〈◊〉 Queen of most gracious memory had heretofore almost brought him on his knees And this our undertaking if it please God to blesse it must needs effect it sooner and quicker the whole body of the Kingdome being united and concurring in a perpetuall supply to this action so that he will have no free time given him to rest Moreover this will be a meanes not only to save but to fill his Majesties Coffers enabling the people to give him liberally and often the Kings ships will have little to doe but to guard the Coasts for the Sea-warre will chiefly be made at the charge of the Subject Thus Sir Dudley Digs I doubt not but that in short time both King and people shall be safe at home and feared abroad To conclude I shall be very glad to heare any man make Objections against this Designe so that he doe it with an intention to refine and perfect the work but if any man shall speake against it with a minde to hinder and destroy it I must intreat him to pardon me if I doe scarce think him to be a good Englishman AN INTRODVCTION To the WORKE THE West-Indies as usually knowne by the name of America were first found out by Christopher Columbus in the yeare 1493. at the expence of Ferdinand King of Castile much furthered by Isabella his Queen who Pawned all her Jewels to advance the Christian â—aith and to augment the revenuâ— of that Crowne A worthy Princely act as highly to be commended as the late pawning of the Jâ—wels of the English Crowne is justly to be condemned for the suppressing of the Gospell in the purity of it and the exceeding weakning if not utter ruining both of King and Kingdome But though this New World for so it may be justly styled as being of a vast extent much larger than Asia and never heard of before was first thought of and in three voyages not without divine inspiration and assistance discovered by that worthy Columbus yet one Americus who after made a more full discovery hath been honourâ—d with the name of it This goodly Countrey was first proffered to one of our Kings Henry the seventh a very wise Prince who yet unhappily refused to be at any charge in the discovery supposing the learned Columbus to build Castles in the ayre but the motion being afterwards entertained by the said King Ferdinand Castile the least of the three Kingdomes of Spain became Commander of them all and by reâ—son of the incredible treasure yearely brought from thence his successors are now become formidable to all Christiane Nations yeâ— are designed by the Jesuits the Popes grand Enginiers to be the sole absolute Monarckes of all Christendom A plot yet to bee prevented by our King and State if timely thought upon in sending forth a considerable Navy whereby we may best suppresse the Spaniards overswelling greatnesse and the most subtill designes of Jesuits who have bewitched no inconsiderable number of seeming Protestants here to beleeve that the King and Grandees of Spaine intend good to this Kingdom it being most apparent that that Indian treasure by them disposed first raised and still foments these never sufficiently to be deplored combustions in Ireland and England I shall say nothing of the causes that moved Columbus to undertake this strange voyage nor yet how it came to be first inhabited as being by many espâ—cially by Acosta so fully related Thus much in generall is necâ—ssarily to be observed that in respect of latitude it is extended well nigh from the South to the North-pole It hath to the East Europe and Africa from which it is divided by the wide German and Atlanticke Sea sometimes by more sometimes by lesse distance of leagues nearer to Africa than Europa To the West it hath Asia and those Southerne parts of the world as yet remaining to be discovered how large the Sea is that divides America from Asia is as little knowne some are of opinion that it is but a narrow Sea but it is more probable to prove very wide The forme of this spacious Country is irregular in respect of its many turnings and windings putting out and taking in againe both by sea and land The North part of it hath a Mediterranean Sea wherein lye those great Islands Portu-Rico Hispaniola Iamaica and Cuba every way comparable to England were it not for the more constant temperature of this our incomparable Climate There are likewise at least a thousand lesser Islands all lying within this Mediterranean Sea which make many parts of the Continent of this Northeâ—ne America to be farre distant one from another in regard either of longitude or latitude New-found-Land the most North-east part as yeâ— discovered is distant from the most North-west parts of Calfornia which are likewise the farthest as yet discovered full 90 degrees amounting to 1800 league either of them by little and little drawing nearer the one to the other untill they come within a degree and an halfe of the Tropick of Cancer and then from the most southerne part of Florida to Cullacan bordering upon the South-west seas of Nova Hispania which differ not much in latitude the longitude both by sea and land doth not exceed above thirty degrees And afterwards in some places more in others lesse this North America in a great disproportion falleth to the Equinoctiall where from the most Eâ—sterne part of Guiana to the most Western of Popaian the longitude is computated at 35 dâ—grees as for the latitude that also differeth very much The Northerne corner reacheth to the 53 degree the Nore-west so farre as it is yet discovered but to 48 the maine body of it falling between those corners which by some are fitly compared to hornes riseth no farther then the 24 degree The forme of the South part of America beyond the Equinoctiall is no lesse irregular the generall description whereof I here forbeare as intending in this booke to write onely of the Northerne part Now for the method which I have proposed to my selfe in the particular description hereof it is thus I shall begin with the most Northerne part thereof which is New-found-Land from whence keeping the Sea-coast the course I intend to observe constantly through-out this Discovery I shall forthwith fall upon our chiefe English plantations and so taking view of Florida lying upon the Sea-coast for many hundred leagues between Virginia and Nova-Histania so farre as the Mediterranian Sea will permit I shall God assisting retuâ—ne againe and surveigh the Islands great and small comming in betweene the two parts of the Continent which as I said before in some places being farre more in others farre lesse are divided the one from the other Having done with the Islands I am againe to bend Westward and according to the Sea-coast to proceed with all the pâ—rts of that part of this North America falling
more where the Gulph of Mexico beginneth to turne from the West directly South from the degrees of 29 to 25. I might here proceed with the description of Nova Hispania a countrey of highest esteem with the Spaniard for riches and fruitfulnesse but having passed as far as the Northwest Seas of America will permit I take it to be our best course to returne back againe to view the Ilands and the more Southeast parts of the Continent lying far nearer and every way of as good consequence for the propagating of the Gospell and the setling of some weake Plantations which we have there already for the continuall sending forth more Colonies and for the obtaining store of treasure and many rich merchantable commodities Cuba THE first great Iland in our returne lying most to the West is Cuba having Hispaniola Easternly to usward distant from the first Easterne part thereof which is Cape Mayzi twelve leagues to the West it is divided from Nova Hispania by a long and large interposition of Sea called Mexico To the North it hath the Lucayicke Islands The neerest parts to the South is the Island Iamaica From the East promontory of Mazi to Cape Anthony full West it extendeth it self no lesse then 230 leagues but in breadth where it is largest it exceedeth not forty leagues where narroest not fifteene A very large Island and fruitfull soyle able abundantly to sustaine many thousand men for the Natives are well nigh utterly destroyed by the Spaniard And the few Spanish inhabitants at this time there remaining are not able to make use of the fifth part thereof The Climate is somewhat hot but yet healthfull and reasonable temperate it is so over stored with kine as they kill them meerely for their hides and so with hogges as they know not what to doe with them It hath in it a Cathedrall and a Monestery To the East thirty leagues distant and within ten leagues of the Northern Sea lieth a Towne called Baracoa neer to which runneth the River Mares To the North West likewise thirty leagues lieth Baiamo which though it be an inland towne yet it is well furnished with usefull commodities by meanes of the great river Cante which falleth into the Sea on the South-side of the Island A fourth Towne whereunto belongeth a good haven Porto del Principe lying to the Northside neer forty leagues from Saint Iages On the Southfide more then fiftie leagues from Iages lieth the Town Spiritus Sanctus And betweene these lie the great mountaines Tarquino Cape de Crus and a great inlet of the Sea the Land bending to the North and to the North-east no lesse then a degree but the coming up unto them by reason of the many rockes and shelves is somewhat dangerous From hence being more then halfe the length of the Island unto Cape Anthony the most Westerne promontory of great note with mariners On the South-side also lieth the Town Seas Port Xagua and Cape Corrientes opportune places to harbour and take in water and wood The West end of Cuba from Cape Anthony bendeth Northward where lie the Organes observed by Saylors to be dangerous touching upon in regard of many sands rockes and shallowes but after the Land falling into the East not above nine miles from Habana there are two very convenient Ports Port Puercos and Port Marien but of all the Ports of Cuba Habana on the Northside neer the West end of the Iland is farre the largest the safest and most renowned It is strongly Fortified both by nature and by Arte by a narrow coming up unto it by Sea and with strong Castles as it is thought to be invincible and therefore hither as to a most secure harbour from all parts of America the Spanish Fleet meeteth yeerly and so being gathered together returne about the beginning of September with there farre greater treasure collected then considerable Forces to conduct it safely into Spaine Neither indeed is Habana so impregnable but that a Navy Royall landing some of their Forces at Port Marien or Port Puercos aforesaid may take both Town treasure before the Spanish Navy can put from thence if they could in a seasonable time somewhat about September light upon the Spanish Fleet And if the Grandes of Spaine have by reason of the large pension of 3. or 4000. pounds yeerly paid to many pensioners here such intelligence of an intendment that way yet though we should misse of the Fleet for one yeer we might be sure to seize upon the Towne and so greatly straighten them in their yeerly returnes and in few yeers become Commanders of those narrow Seas through which their vast treasure is yearly conveighed Hispaniola HIspaniola lyeth between the degree of eighteen and twenty one of the North latitude The most East end of it at Cape Enganno is very narrow the most West end between Saint Nicholas to the North and Cape Dona Maria to the Southside is broader then any other part of the Island The length from East to West 120. leagues the breadth as it is related by Spanish Authors is 60. leagues where it is widest where narrowest thirty The temperature of the aire till noone is somewhat over hot but after continually temperate The commodities of Suger and Cow-hides are more abundaut here then in any of these Islands Acosta reporteth that from hence in the yeer 1587. were brought into Spaine 9000. Chests of Suger they though kill their Beasts most for their hides yet they multiply to fast upon them and such is the increase of horse and hogges which sufficiently proveth the exceeding fertillity of their soyle there having been neither Neat horse nor hogges in the whole Ile before it was stored by the Spanish not above 150 yeers since Now to begin the particular description of the I le of the Townes Rivers and Ports according to the severall Provinces as they lie from East to West betweene North and South The most Easterne Province called Hygvey is a rough and mountainous place yet well furnished with variety of fruitfull trees To the South lie two small Islands Catilina and Zybo well provided with good nature and store of cattell as also the Island Saona of a larger extent which though it be not now inhabited yet it is very commodious for Ships to furnish themselves with severall sorts of provision it abounding with great store of fruits and wholsome cattell The next province is Iagvagua upon the South Coast wherein standeth San Domingo the onely chiefe City of the Island built by Bartholomeus Collumbus Anno 1494. on the East-side of the River Osama but afterwards removed by Nicolas Obando to the Westside It is neatly built and stately with stones and environed with a strong wall It is the seat of an Archbishop and the place where the governour of the Island and all the Kings officers do reside and but that it is not conveniently supplied with water it might wel passe for one of the best cities in all
Fish Fowl and honey with which it aboundeth Over against the West end of Cumana a degree remote to the North lyeth Tortugas and Blancas distant five leagues one from the other which for that they afford little elâ—e but Hogges and Goats hard to be taken being overrunne with exceeding sharp briers and thornes are seldome gone unto The next part of the continent bending to the Northwest is Venezuella a â—ar greater and râ—cher Country It consisteth of many Provinces and hath in it many Spanish Townes and commodicus Havens The soyle in generall is so fertill as it affordeth two cropâ— yeerly the Pastures and Meddowes thereof are so many and â—o rich as they plentifully sustaine greâ—t store of wholsome Cattell as well Neat as other The great sâ—ore of Cow and Oxe hides usually brought from thence sufficiently prove the same It is also generally reported to afford in divers Provinces good store of treasure especially gold of the best sort Before the comming of the Gâ—rmanes into this Country to whom the Emperour Charles gave it in regard of their great service against the Protestants the Country was full of Inhabitants but by reason of the covetousnesse and cruelty of those Germanes whose intent was not to plant but to make spoyle of the Natives they were well nigh utterly rooted out and are not now much increased by a latter possession of the Spanish but Tygers and other wild beasts have overrunne it Spanish Authors make mention of severall Provinces belonging to Venezuella but they doe not so cleerly prescribe their severall limits as is requisite Therefore proceeding in my discourse according to my usuall method in following the Sea-coast I shall briefly acquaint you with such Spanish Towns as are neare adjacent to the Sea-coast or neer upon the same degree of longitude though farre distant in regard of latitude from North to South which is the breadth of the Country The most Easterne promontory of Venezuella is Cordeliera within five miles of Porte de Guaira whence within fifteene miles is the strong Tower called Caraâ—as and from thence within two miles is Blanco all convenient harbours for ships Then follow Turâ—ane and Burburate two other commodious and safe Havens the former whereof affordeth good water and is distant from Blanco thirteene miles the other store of salt and is remote from the said Blanco fifteene miles Within the Land aâ—ove two leagues from the Sea-coast lyeth Carvaleda a Spanish Towne of some note and from thence about foure leagues is Saint Iago a greater Town where the Governour of those parts doth usually reside From Porte Burbarata about seven leagues within the continent directly to the South the Spanish of latter time hath built Nova Valentia from whence fifteene leagues more to the South is Nova Zerez of a later standing both well accommodated with wholsome provision in a competent measure From Zerez to Nova Segovia another Spanish Towne directly to the South is twenty leagues it joyneth upon the River Bariquicemetâ— which falleth after a great circuit of ground into the River Oronoque the Country hereabouts is very barren but the mountaines with which it is surrounded are conceived by the Germanes who built that Towne to be well stored with gold this opinion of theirs is upon good grounds strongly confirmed by others of better judgement who have written of those parts Tucunio that is exceedingly commended for the sweetnesse of the Ayre the temperature of the climate the super-abundant variety of victuall and store of gold it yeeldeth is yet eleven leagues more to the Southwest distant from the neerest place of the North Seacoast fifty from Nova Granado 150 leagues in which long passage two parts are very pleasant and fruitfull the third very rough and ill provided Now to returne to the Sea coast and so with relation to the longitude of Venesuella to survey the middle of this Country as it extendeth it selfe to the South Not farre from Burburata lyeth a little gulfe called Triste from which Porte Etsave is a league distant whence the Land beginning to wind upon the North sea continueth for the space of 55 leagues so to doe by somewhat proportionable gaining on the Sea Onely a little above Coro the onely City here the Land turning two leagues to the South and then againe twelve to the North-west admitteth a great inlet of the Sea which falling somewhat neare to the gulfe of Venezuella laying on the other side maketh a kind of Peninsula called Paragoana containing in the circumferance about 25 leagues The Cape whereof to the North is San-Roman a promontory of great note and betweene the South-west end thereof and the foresaid gulfe lyeth the great Lake of Maracaybo extended into the continent in length 35. 〈◊〉 bredth ten leagâ—es over the mouth of it being a mile and a halfe wide joyned with the gulfe of Venequell whence though the Sea daily flow into it yet doth it empty it selfe by a constant ebbing The Islands over against this part of the continent some leagues remote in respect of latitude are first Bonary neare a degree distant to the North it is of eight miles circumferance well provided with store of hogs and horse as also with one safe Haven on the Northwest end thereof from hence 39 leagues farther to the west and fourteene to the North from Coro the onely City of Venezuella is Curaca farre lesse but more fertill It hath a Haven on the North but not very safe especially for great ships The last is Araba nine miles remote from Quaracâ—o to the West and eight from Cape San Roman to the North Let us now consider the Spanish Townes adjacent to this Sea-coast and more remote into the Land Coro which is built in the foresaid Peninsula having a Bishop seat in it goeth by the name of a City and is indeed the onley place of note neare adjoying to Sea and chiefe Towne of Venezuella it hath belonging to it two Havens to the West and North that to the west though not very good is farre better then that of the North The Country round about is well stored with fish flesh fowle and sugar Canes One thing it hath peculiar such store of wholsome and medicinable herbs as it is said to need no Physitian From Coro directly to the South betweene the North Sea-coast the Lake Maracabo and neare Valentâ—a lyeth Portilla de Carora in the fertile Vale of Carora a large space of ground neare two leagues from the pleasant and fruitfull fields of Coro to the no lesse pleasant and fruitfull Vale of Carora is mountainous and unfruitfull inhabited onely by Savages called Xizatiaras and Axaguas In the bottome of Maracabo is Lagana a Spanish Towne surrounded between two Rivers with well levelled grounds which might serve to good use being abundantly stored with Deere Coneys and great variety of Fowle but that it is overrunne with wild Beasts especially with Tygers Beyond which eightteene leagues more to the South is the
A SHORT DISCOVERIE Of the Coasts and Continent of AMERICA From the Equinoctiall Northward and of the adjacent ISLES By William Castell Minister of the Gospell at Courtenhall in Northamptonshire Whereunto is prefixed the Authors Petition to this present Parliament for the propagation of the Gospell in America attested by many eminent English and Scottish Divines And a late Ordinance of Parliament for that purpose and for the better government of the English Plantations there Together with Sir Benjamin Rudyers Speech in Parliament 21. Ian. concerning America London Printed in the yeer 1644. ORNATISSIMIS VIRIS OLIVERO St. JOHN Sollicitatori Regis generali JOANNI WILD Servienti ad Legem verae Religionis Iuris municipalis Patriae debitae libertatis Assertoribus integerimis GVLIELMVS CASTELL debitae observantiae gratitudinis ergo sed praecipue ob eximium utriusque desiderium proâ—pagandi Evangelium apud Americoâ— Hoâ— suum qualecunque Opusculum humiliter D. D. D. AD LECTOREM NOn opus exegi tamen haec quae scripta videbis Romanam Cathedram Hispanos Erebâ—mque movebunt Scilicet Americam sibi soli poscit habendam Rex Cantabrorum quod non siâ—it iste libellus Multorum effigies fida medulla laborum Nec minuâ— infensos Papam Papaeque Paâ—entem Hic liber inveniet Papam retegendo suorum Impuros coitus fraudes perjuriâ— clades Indorum immeritas saeve sine fine pâ—ractas Nec quicquam dubito slygia depâ—omta pharetra In me missurum saevissima Daemona tela Lumen Evangelij audentem suadere Britannis Laete festinare armata milite classe Gentibus ignotis in quas bis mille per annos Vindicat imperium plus quam regale retentum Iamque suas tam sponte suas vel posse reposci Et fremit frendit velut atrox Cerberus olim Aâ—t ego quid fremitus quid inania tela mâ—rarer Si mode vel quicquam nostro quocunque labore Americis prosim misere jam lumine cassis Vt tandem in se discendant laqueisque soluti Tartareis Christitutissima castra sequantur Agnoscantque Deum terrae caelique supremum Artificem Regem vereque petentibus illum Depositum credant verum solamen in illo Praesentis perdulce levamen spemque beatae Vitae venturae periturae tempore nullo Hoc mihi si dederit pater optimus undique venâ— Divite tellurem gemmis auroque refertam Non fâ—occi facio tanto dignatus honore TO THE MOST HIGH AND HONOVRABLE Court of PARLIAMENT now Assembled The humble Petition of WILLIAM CASTELL Parson of Courtenhall in Northamptonshire for the propogating of the Gospell in America IN all humble manner sheweth unto your approved wisdomes the great and generall neglect of this Kingdome in not propagating the glorious Gospell in America a maine part of the World Indeed the undertaking of the work is in the generall acknowledged pious and charitable but the small prosecution that hath hitherto been made of it either by us or others having as yet never been generally undertaken in pitty to mens soules but in hope to possesse the Land of those Infidels or of gaine by Commerce may well make this and all other Christian Kingdomes confesse they have been exceeding remisse in performing this so religious so great so necessary a worke May it therefore please your wisdomes to give your Petitioner leave to propose briefly as the nature of a Petition requireth the more then ordinary piety and charity of the worke the evident necessity and benefit of undertaking together with the easinesse of effecting A greater expression of piety your Petitioner conceiveth there cannot be then to make God knowne where he was never spoken nor thought of to advance the Scepter of Christs Kingdome And now againe to reduce those who at first were created after the Image of God from the manifest worship of Devils to acknowledge and adore the blessed Trinity in Unity To do this is to be happy instruments of effecting those often repeated promises of God in making all Nations blessed by the comming of Christ and by sending his Word to all Lands It is to inlarge greatly the pale of the Church And to make those who were the most detestable Synagogues of Sathan delightfull Temples of the Holy Ghost It was a high point of piety in the Queen of the South to come from the utmost parts of the world to heare the wisdome of Salomon And so it was in Abraham to leave his native countrey for the better and more free service of his God And certainly it will be esteemed no lesse in those who either in their persons or purses shall religiously endeavour to make millions of those silly seduced Americans to heare understand and practise the mysterie of godlinesse And as is the piety such is the charity of the work exceeding great to no lesse then the immortall soules of innumerable men who still sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death continually assaulted and devoured by the Dragon whose greatest delight is to bring others with himselfe into the same irrecoverable gulfe of perdition What those blinde and spirituall distressed Americans are we were and so had continued had not Apostolicall men afforded greater charity unto us Divisis orbe Britannis by long journeying and not without great hazzard of their lives then as yet hath been shewed by us unto them We are not indeed indued with such eminent extraordinary gifts as were the Primitive Christians but yet if it be duly considered how fully and how purely God hath imparted his Gospell unto this Island how miraculously he hath lately protected us from Spannish Invasions and Popish Conspiracies how at this time we abound in shipping and all manner of provision for Sea It will be found that we of all Nations are most for the work and most ingaged to do it in due thankfulnesse to God Nor is the arms of the Lord shortned or his wonted bounty so restrained but that undertaking the Voyage principally for Gods glory and in compassion to mens soules we may expect a more then an ordinary blessing from him whose usuall custome is to honour those that honour him and most abundantly even in this life to recompence such religious undertakings The Spaniard boasteth much of what he hath already done in this kinde but their own Authors report their unchristian behaviour especially their monstrous cruelties to be such as they caused the Infidels to detest the name of Christ Your wisdomes may judge of the Lion by his claw In one of their Islands called Hispaniola of 2000000 of men as Benzo in his Italian History affirmeth they had not left 150 soules And Lipsius justly complaineth that wheresoever they came they cut downe men as they did corn without any compassion And as for those that survived they bought their lives at deare rates for they put them to beare their carriages from place to place and if they failed by the way they either miserably dismembred or killed them
us of a more than ordinary protection and direction That hitherto we have been lesse successefull in our voyages that way we way justly impute it to this that as yet they have not been undertaken with such a generall consent and with such a full reference to Gods glory as was requisite And so your Petitioner having delivered his apprehension herein more briefely than so weighty a matter might well require he submits all the premises to your more full deliberation and conclusion which he humbly prayeth may be with all convenient speed the only best way under God to make it the better successefull WEE whose names are here under-written having been upon occasion acquainted with a motion intended to be made by Master William Castell Parson of Courtenhall in the County of Northampton to the High and Honourable Court of Parliament now assembled concerning the propagation of the glorious Gospell of Christ in America As we do well approve of the motion so we do humbly desire his reasons may be duly considered And so good a work furthered their wiser judgements may resolve upon to which we humbly submit the same Iohn Moseley D. D. Raâ— Brownricke D. D. Thomas Bambrig D. D. Robert Sanderson D. D. Richard Alleyne D. D. Daniel Featly D. D. Matthius Styles D. D. Edmond Stanton D. D. Stephen Denison D. D. Edw. Williamot D. D. Ionathan Brown D. D. Iasper Fisher D. D. Hanniball Potter D. D. Anthony Clapton D. D. Thomas Drayton D. D. Iohn Grant D. D. Ministers of London George Walker Iames Palmer Edward Malbury Ioseph Caryll Edmond Calamy Adoniram Byfield William Price Richard Maden Iames Batty Matth. Griffeth Ephrâ—im Paget Robert Pory William Ianeway Nathaniel Barry Ministers of severall other Counties Iohn White Dorsetshire William Ford Iohn Pyns , Somersetshire Zachery Caudry Leistershire Henry Paynter Devonshire Stephen Marsholl Samuel Ioyner Essex Iohn Ward Suffolke Ier. Buroughes Northfolke Iohn Rawlinson Darby Moses Capell William Rhet Kent Francis Charliot Richard Gifford Buck. William Englesby Hertford Other worthy Ministers of the Diocesse of Peterburrough where the Petitioner liveth Daniel Caudery Ieremy Whittaker Iohn Barry Iames Cranford Samuel Craddock David Ensme Edmond Castell Samuel Male Daniel Rogers Benjamin Tomkins Richard Cook Richard Trueman Iohn Guderick William Spencer Edmond Iames Iohn Baynard George Iay Francis Presse Miles Berket Francis Atturbury Ieremy Stephens Iohn Ward Peter Fawtract William Malkinson THe motion made by Master William Castell Minister of the Gospell for propagating of the blessed Evangell of Christ our Lord and Saviour in America we conceive in the generall to be most pious Christian and charitable And therefore worthy to be seriously considered of all that love the glorious Name of Christ and are zealous of the salvation of soules which are without Christ and without God in the world wishing the opportunity and fit season the instruments and meanes and all things necessary for the prosecution of so pious a worke to be considered by the wisdomes of Churches and civill powers whom God hath called and enablad with Piety Prudence and Policy for matters of publick concernment and of so great Importance And beseeching the Lord to blesse all their consultations and proceedings for the advancing and establishing the Kingdome of Jesus Christ Alexander Henderson Robert Blare R. Bailly M. Gallaspie N. Smyth M. Borthrick AN ORDINANCE Of the LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in Parliament Whereby Robert Earle of Warwicke is made Governour in Chiefe and Lord High Admirall of all those Iâ—ands and other Plantations inâ—abited planted or belonging to any his Majesties the King of Englands Subjects within the bounds and upon the Coasts of America And a Committee appointed to be assisting unto him for the better governing strengthning and preservation of the said Plantations but chiefly for the advancement of the true Protestant Religion and farther spreading of the Gospell of Christ among those that yet remaine there in great and miserable blindenesse and ignorance WHereas many thousands of the Natives and good Subjects of this Kingdome of England though the oppression of the Prelates and other ill affected Ministers and Officers of State have of late yeares to their griefe and miserable hardship been inforced to transplant themselves and their families into severall Ilands and other remote and desolate parts of the West Indies and having there through exceeding great labour and industry with the blessing of God obtained for themselves and their families some competent and convenient meanes of maintenance and subsistance so that they are now in a reasonable well setled and peaceable condition But fearing least the outragious malice of Papists and other ill-affected persons should reach unto them in their poor low but as yet peaceable condition and having beene informed that there hath beene lately procured from his Majesty severall grants under the Great Seale for erecting some new Governours and Commanders amongst the said Planters in their afore-mentioned Plantations Whereupon the said Planters Adventurers and Owners of land in the said forreign Plantations have preferred their Petition unto this present Parliament that for the better securing of them and their present estates there obtained through so much extreame labour and difficulty they might have some such Governours and government as should be approved of and confirmed by the authority of both Houses of Parliament Which Petition of theirs the Lords and Commons having taken into consideration and finding it of great importance both to the safety and preservation of the aforesaid Natives and Subjects of this Kingdome as well from all forraigne invasions and oppressions as from their owne intestine distractions and disturbances as also much tending to the honour and advantage of his Majesties Dominions have thought fit and do hereby Constitute and Ordain Robert Earle of Warwick Governour in chiefe and Lord High Admirall of all those Ilands and other Plantations inhabited planted or belonging to any his Majesties the King of Englands Subjects or which hereafter may be inhabited planted or belonging to them within the bounds and upon the Coasts of America And for the more effectuall speedier and easier transaction of this so weighty and important a businesse which concernes the well-being and preservation of so many of the distressed Natives of this and other his Majesties Dominions the Lords and Commons have thought fit that Philip Earle of Pembrooke Edward Earle of Manchester William Viscount Say and Seale Philip Lord Wharton Iohn Lord Roberds Members of the House of Peeres Sir Gilbert Gerard Knight and Baronet Sir Arthure Haselrig Baronet Sir Henry Vane junior Knight Sir Benjamin Rudyer Knight Iohn Pym Oliver Cromwell Dennis Bond Miles Corbet Cornelius Holland Samuel Vassall Iohn Rolles and William Spurstow Esquiers Members of the House of Commons shall be Commissioners to joyn in aide and assistance with the said Earle of Warwick chiefe Governour and Admirall of the said Plantations which chiefe Governour together with the said Commissioners or any four of them shall hereby have power and authority
downe to the Equinoctiall adjoyning to the South America much laâ—ger and much richer then are the Islands or the Northerne side of the Continent Though therefore New-found-Land many other Islâ—nds and the next adjacent Regions of the Nor-east Continent with which I am to begin afford but very little that may invite us thither yet I hope those who begin to reade this Compendium will either reade it over or at least passing over these Countries of much lesser worth wil fall carefully to peruse what here by mee faithfully is related out of many approved Authors concerning the pleasant habitations exceeding fertility of the earth abundant provisions in all kinds and incredible treasure of many other Kingdomes and Provinces lying Southward and South-west down to the Equinoctiall Yea and if it should be granted as it cannot be granted without condemning of folly and falshood more than 50 authors who have written more or lesse of this part of the New-World many hundred witnesses who in severall Islands and parts of this wide Continent have seene and injoyed more then I have expressed thereof yet with true Christians who in some good measure understand what it is to live or dye for ever the preservation of many thousands of soules out of those millions of men who now fit in darknesse and perish eternally for want of the light of the Gospell ought to be of so high esteem and so prerious in their eyes as that though the most or all of the fore-named invitations should be wanting yet they should be content I say not to part with all but with some considerable portion of their estates whereby a strong Navy might withall conveniency be sâ—nt into such places of this North America as the wisdome of Parliament shall judge meetest for the propagating of the Gospell Now to proceed in a particular description according to the former proposed methed New-found-Land WHen it was first found out by the English it was thought to have been the most Eastern part of the North-continent but afterwards it was discoâ—ered to be an Island one of the greatest in the world a 110 leagues long and in most places neare as many broad To the South and East it hath the great Ocean beating upon it To the North it is separated by a narrow sea from the most North unknowne continent of America To the West from Nova Francia by the Sea called St. Laurence Gulfe Concerning the goodnesse of the soyle and the fitnesse for a constant habitation though M. Whitburne in a book written of New-found-Land doth in both the foresaid respects and some other over highly commend it Yet upon better inquiry of those who have formerly written of it as alâ—o from those who usually resort thither I find it to be a convenient habitation for Sommer but not for Winter by reason of the exceeding coldnesse and the deep overcovering of the land with snow the waters with hugâ— shelves of Ice wherby they are debarred of necessary provisions such as in sommâ—r time the Island affordeth iâ— great abundance and variety namely land-fowle and water-fowle fresh fish and salt fish upon the matter all the sustentation that the Island affordeth And yet the yearly rich commodity of sea-fish almost of all kinds which are there usually in great quantities taken and transported into Europe cause not only us but all other neighbouring Nations yearly to resort thither And because the constant return of that fiâ—h commodity is worth 200000l at the least yearely there hath been diverse contentions betweene us English and other Nations who whether we would or no have taken full liberty of fishing there and of late it hath been agreed and in some sort well observed that every Nation should peaceably enjoy those Ports and fishing placâ—s of which they should first be possessed This great Island affordâ—th many conveniâ—nt and safe harboroughs for ships Towards the North the first Northâ—rne Port nâ—arest to the South which is cape Raz is Rennosa lying a little above the 46 degree then Aqua-Forte two leaguâ—s more to the North then Punta de Farilham as many more Much higher neare upon the 28 degree are Thorne Bay then the Bâ—y Conception halfâ— a degrâ—e higher to the North Then Bay Blanche and Bay Orge lying between the degrees of 50 and 51. From Cape de Raz on the South-side toward the West are as many Ports of far greater note and much more advantageous for taking greater store of fish namely Abram Trepessa 2 leagues distant from the said cape then Chincheca 2 more St. Marys Haven 6 leagues more Much more to the West within 15 scruples of 47 degrees of latitude is Presenea After which follow five small Islands knowne by the name of Saint Peter then Port Basques then Claire Bay all safe and convenient Harbours remote the one from the other about forty miles The most Westerne cape of New-found-Land are de Raye and Anguille from whence the Land turneth againe to the North-east from the degree of 48 to 52 in all which space I reade of no Haven but that of St. George 12 leagues distant from Anguille Promontory neither yet is that of any great repute because not safe to come unto It is to be observed before we passe to the next adjoyning part of the Continent which is New France that this Island is on all sides as yet any thing compleatly discovered found to have many other Islands great and small thereunto belonging on the North-east side besides many very small rather Rockes than Islands there are two of a pretty extent of good use and note to wit Bacalaos upon the 49 degree and Aves somewhat above the 50. To the South many leagues distant lye foure great Islands viz. Grand Banek Vert Banck Banquereaux and Sable between the degrees of 43 and 46 which to have named may suffice as being of little worth save only for fishing wherein they are reputed not inferiour to New-found-Land Between which likewise and Nova Francia to the West and North-west in a kind of Mediterranian Sea knowne by the name of Saint Laurence Gulfe lye the Isles of Britton Tangeaux Brion Ramees and Natiscotec not so big but as profitable and more pleasant and apt for habitation than any of the former These differ much in regard of their several distances towards the West from New-found-Land but they differ more in respect of latitude some part of Isle Britton falling to the 46 degree whereas the most Northerne part of Natiscotec ariseth to the 50 between which two Islands lye the other three environed with Seas very narrow and shelvy rockie and therefore to be carefully observed by those who trade among them Nova Francia NOw to proceed with the Continent The most Easterly as yet discovered part of it goâ—th by the name of New France not that it was first discovered by the French for that was done long before Anno 1497. by Iohn and his son Sebastian Cabot imployed by Henry the seventh
more Southward toward Virginia Yet was first found out in the yeare 1609. by Master Henry Hudson an English-man imployed by the States of the Low-countries for a discovery in those parts After which Discovery returning to Amsterdam he was next yeare by the Merchants thereof sent forth againe with a ship furnished with such commodities as were fittest to truck with the Natives for number far exceeding those of New England The continent upon the Sea-coast from the foresaid Malebâ—r bending a good space to the South-West And then a little to the North-west hath adjoyning foure Islands Petakonocke Kotget Christian and Block whereof the third Christian is of good note for store of timber aboundant fowle and fish Within the Continent lyeth the great River Nassaw whose first enterance is two miles wide and for eight miles it cotinneth very Navigable but after becommeth shallow The country adjoyning on either side is very pleasant and fruitfull inhabited by the Wapavockes and Nalucantos Then followeth the River Siccanamos the country whereunto adjoyning is possessed by the Pequets professed enemies to the English Then the River Virresche on the West-side whereof bending to the North lye the Sequini and Novasis Between these Nations and the Matawaces who live by fishing there lieth an Archipellagus wherein are many Islands On the North-side of the Dutch Plantation springeth the river Machicham called the great North river which running thorow one of the widest parts of that part of the continent as yet discovered affordeth convenient habitation for the Aquamachites and the Manahots on the East-side For the Sanachans and Tappans on the West-side Neare of this great River the Dutch have built a Castle of great use to them not only for the keeping under of the Natives adjoyning but likewise for their more free trading with many of Florida who usually come down the River Canida and so by land to them A plaine proofe Canida is not far remote There is yet another River not fully discovered bigger then the former called the South River It lyeth westerly by South toward Virginia The enterance into it is very wide having Cape May to the East and Cape Hinlopen to the West lying about the degrees of 41 and from thence the Sea-coast inclineth by little and little somewhat more then two degree to the South A point necessarily to be observed by those who saile into those seas for avoiding of shelves and sands The chiefe inhabitance lying on the East-side of this River to the East are the Sicones and the Naraticons On the West are the Minquaans the Senenquaans and many more And now concerning New Netherlands convenient temperature the goodnesse of the soile or commodities which either sea or land afford I need say no more but that in all these respects it differeth not much from New England only I must in these foure things give it the precedency that the land in generall is richer the fields more fragrant with flowers the timber longer and therefore more fit for building and shipping the woods fuller of Bevors and the waters of Salmon and Sturgeon Virginia VIrginia is next adjoyning westerly to New Netherland it extendeth it selfe with relation to the Sea-coast from North to South from the degree of 39 to 33. And it is divided into two parts the Northerne and the Southerne the Southerne was first found out by Sir Walter Raleigh in the yeare 1586. And by him in honour of our most gratiouâ— Queen Elizabeth called Virginia from whence the other part also is denominated what successe his Discovery had or hath I shal impart unto you in its due place so soone as I have done with the Northerne part which in the yeare 1606 from the degree 37 to 39. began to be inhabited by our English and hath ever since continued sometime in better sometime in worser estate but for some yeares last past for many temporall respects beyond immagination prosperous The Sommer is here as hot as in Spain especially in Iune Iuly and August but it is for the most part greatly mitigated by a brisk Easternely wind and other winds coming ordinarily from the Sea-coast from December to March it freezeth sharply but is not usually of any long continuance some yeares more and some years lesse as in other regions and though here sometime drought sometime raine do exceed yet do they not so excâ—ed but that the Inhabitants affording a due care and endevour may and do reape the fruits of the land in great variety There is but one only comming up unto this Norther part of Virginia which is by a wide arme of the sea called Chesapeaâ—ke bounded on the North and on the South with two great Promontories whereof the Northerne taketh denomination from King Charles the Southerne from Prince Henry It extendeth it selfe from South to North accompanied well neare for two hundred miles with the ebbing and flowing of the sea so as it is navigable more than fifty miles there falleth into it as it passeth from the North-west five principall Rivers fed and maintained by many other Rivers which I purposely omit these being sufficient lying as they do some 25. miles asunder to fructifie and replenish with store of corne grasse and other fruits almost all the knowne parts of North Virginia which our English either now do or shall undoubtedly by Gods assistance shortly enjoy The first River is Pawhatan which springing out of the Mountaines of Monocham and afterwards encreased by divers other Rivers becommeth so wide and so deep as it is Navigable about an hundred miles from its fall into the grand streame Chesapeacke not far from Cape Henry Either side of this River is inhabited by diversity of Natives whereof on the North-side are the Chicahemans the Wenankes and the Paspaheyens whereof the first are able to bring neare two hundred men to the war the second an hundred the third forty And here forty miles from Cape Henry lyeth Iames Towne our best hold On the South-side the chiefe are the Nansamunds consisting of about forty men of war the Chesapeackes an hundred the Apamatucks sixty and either of these and others lesse considerable by reason of their far smaller numbers have their severall petty Kings which they call Weroances The second River distant from Pawhatan to the North is Pamaunke at first small but after greatly increased by the accesse of other Rivers all the Natives on either side this River cannot bring above 150 men to the war The third is Toppahanocke Navigable about 150 miles the Natives lying on both sides of it whereof the Toppanahochs are not much more than 300 serviceable men The fourth is Patowomeke a very wide and deepe River Navigable 140. miles by reason that divers other Rivers fall into it and it is on either side in regard of the commodiousnesse and pleasantnesse of the soyle much inhabited and is able out of three Villages only Adigcomoco Onawmament Noyowane to send 350 and as many more out of others The last and
but that they were unexpectedly furnished with some victuals by an English ship After this the civill war ceasing in France and Colinus the Admirall returning againe into grace with the King Laudonerius the twentieth of May 1544 set forth with three ships well furnished for Florida where he arrived the twentieth of June and was friendly received by the Natives but could not find any gold or silver Mines though he spent much travell and time in search after them so long as his provision was all spent And the Natives growing both unable and unwilling to supply him any longer he was resolved to have returned into France if the foresaid Ribaldus had not againe arrived there with threâ— small ships out of France whose expected comming as it was very joyfull to the French so the Natives seemed to be highly pleased therewith as foure of their petty Kings the Kings of Homoloa Seravatri Almacam Malica and Castri came forth to congratulate Ribaldus arrivall and promised to conduct the French unto the Mountaines of Apalactri where store of red Mettall was to be had which they supposed to be gold But this great hope of the French soone vanished by reason of the Spaniards comming suddenly upon them with great ships every way well prepared upon whose approach the French stole away to sea but were forthwith pursued by the Spaniard whom though they as then escaped yet were they by a violent tempest after shipwrack and losse of some of their men againe cast upon the coast of Florida about six and twenty miles higher to the North-east towards Virginia where they were forth with set upon by the Spaniard beaten out of their Forts and almost all cruelly slaine to the number of six hundred among which Ribaldus the Governour was one though he yeelded himself among other conditions to have his life spared Laudonerius 〈◊〉 â—â—me few of the French escaped hardly to their ships 〈…〉 returned into France having cast off all future hopes of 〈◊〉 which was now 〈…〉 dispose of the cruell Spaniard neither 〈◊〉 the French 〈◊〉 for that he greatly disliked if not hated 〈◊〉 and such were these that were â—laine in 〈…〉 slaughter of his people as ever afâ—â—â—â—o much as attempt the least revenge of their bloud which yet two yeares after one Monsier Gurgius a private man at his owne charge with 280 men transported in three ships wâ— most vâ—liantly undertaken and no lesse happily effected by the help of the Natives who upon his first arrivall out of an inveterate hatred to the Spaniard their insolent outragious opposers joyned with him to the slaughter and utter extirpating of them out of Florida and yet for all this compleat victory the valiant Gurgius though earnestly invited by the Natives would not venture with so small a force to stay long in Florida as knowing very well that the bloudy revengefull Spaniard might in a short time from Cuba Hispaniola or other there neare adjoyning Plantations invade him with far greater forces and therefore within a while returned where he found his worthy service to be so displeasing to the King and his Popish Lords as he was faine a good while to hide himselfe and to fly for his life and after this we doe not heare that the French did ever venture into Florida any more Neither yet hath the Spaniard obtained any strong footing there for as yet they have no Towne of any note toward the sea of Mexico and but two which lye towards the Northerne sea the one which is chiefest called Saint Augustines the other Saint Matthewes of great difficulty to be taken by a small Navy but of great import in regard of their great wealth to them that shall take them And now will I only describe the Sea coasts of Florida from the Confines of Virginia unto Nova Hispania far better known then the Inland countries to the North of Florida The nearest River of Florida to Virginia of any note falling into the Ocean is the River Iordaine which lyeth 32 degrees from the Equinoctiall from whence about 20 leagues downeward to the South towards the West lyeth the Promonntory of S. Hellen neare Port Royall which the French chose for the best and surest place to begin their Plantations between which Oristanum Ostanum and Cayagna whereof the first is distant from S. Hellen six leagues the second from the first four leaguesthe third from the second eight leagues but how far Cayagua is from the River Iordaine is not yet determined From S. Hellen to Dos Baxos haven is five leagues from thence to the Bay De Asapo three leagues thence to Cafonusum three to Capula five to Saron nine to S. Alcany fourteen to S. Peter twenty leagues All Bayes and Rivers Westward falling down to the South from Peter Bay which lyeth about the 31 Degree to the South to S. Matthews Town is five leagues and from thence ten more to S. Austines directly Southward the land so falling in upon the Sea from the degree of 30 and a half to 25 where the comming up of thestrait of Bahama beginneth having to the west side those dangerous Rocks called Marteries to the East those called Roques betweene S. Austines Towne and the Bay de Mosquito is fifteen leagues From thence to the point Caâ—evarall is 16 leagues from thence to the River Ayz is full 20 leagues and from thence to Martyres neer as many more so as from Cape Francis neer S. Matthewes Towne where the land beginneth to turne directly Southward to Martires comming up from the Gulph of Mexico to the Northeast parts of Florida is neere six degrees downeward to the Line Not far from Martires Westward lie Tortugas dangerous Ilands where the Continent of Florida turneth againe almost directly North for near 5 degrees Betweene which and Tacobago which lyeth neer to the top of that great Reach lye the Bayes of Carlos Tampa Muspa S. Ioseph Muspa is distant from Carlos thirteen leagues to Tampa from Carlos as many more from thence to S. Ioseph are fifteen leagues and from S. Ioseph to Tacobago eighteene betweene which at S. Ioseph beginneth a great inlet of the Sea for more then twenty leagues to the North latitude and more then forty foure to the Westerne longitude in the middle of which lyeth Ante a safe haven and of great import for those who intend a more full discovery of Florida which as yet is bu slenderly discovered towards the West for betweene it and the most Northwest parts of Nova Hispania which are distant the one from the other four hundred leagues we reade but of one safe Bay called the Bay of the Holy Ghost neer Cape de Crus and some few Rivers for succour and supply of Navigators The first River from Ante one hundred leagues is Nieves from whence the River Flores is twenty from the Haven of the Holy Ghost which is of all the surest To the River Flores is seventy leagues from which to the River Piscadores is as many
America It flourished exceedingly in the preceeding age but since the finding out of Peru it hath lost much of its spendour as being lesse frequented by Merchants The inhabitants hereof according to the Spaniards own relation doth not exceed 600. families of Spaniards the Moores and Mungrels which are begot of Spanish and Moores amounting to as many more It was taken in the yeer 1586 by Sir Francis Drake with 1200. men but the spoil came far short of expectation there being found great store of brasse coyne but little gold To the North of this prime City in the same Province is the City De La Conception wherein is a Cathedrall and a Monastry as also the Towne Gotuy Not farre from San Domingo the Province of Cayagua beginneth and extendeth it selfe on the South coast near 160 miles and in this Province is Azna commonly called Compostella very rich in Sugers and five convenient havens Nizao Formoso Ocoa Caligna and Yagnion it selfe all greatly frequented especially Nizao and Ocoa by the Dutch for the abundance of Suger and hides untill of latter yeers trading there hath beene utterly prohibited by the King of Spaine Upon this coast are three little Islands little better then Rocks Beta Alta Vela Frayles wherein though there be nothing worth observation yet are they carefully to be observed for the preventions of Shipwracke The next Province to the West and more to the North is Baoca very mountaines and so hard of accesse as it cost the Spaniard very dear before he could gaine it The most Southwest Province is Hanigvagia very plaine pleasant and fruitfull wherein standeth Savana just opposite to Baqua a small but very considerable Island to furnish navigatours hath also in it Cape Tuburo and the promontory Dona and many safe harbours for Ships From the last of these the Land turning to the East many leagues admitteth of a great inlet of Sea upon which bordereth Zagua a Province no lesse fruitfull and pleasant then the former in which standeth the Towne called Iaguana well provided with store of excellent Salt And neer unto the North is the Island Guanabo The most Northwest is Cape Saint Nicholas where beginneth the first Northside Province of the Island Marien where Christophorus Columbus built Navidad hereunto belong two Islands Mosquites and Port Palma the one to the East the other to the West The next Province is Lawega Reall extending it selfe 70 leagues in length twenty in breadth admirable rich in medowes and Pastures Between this Northerne Province and Yaquimo to the South lie to other Cibao sometime abounding with golden mines and Maguana with in comparable meadowes as being almost incompassed with two wide Rivers Niba and Yaquen There are belonging to this spacious Province two Townes of good note Saint Iago and Port de Plata besides four convenient havens Cape Francis Port Riall Mons Christi and Port Isabell The most Northeast is Samana unto which belongeth one onely haven of note bearing the same name Lucaick Ilands TO the North of Hispaniola and Cuba between them and the Continent of Florida lye the many small Lucaick Ilands so neer one another as they make those Seas very rough heady and dangerous besides this there is nothing worth noting in them I shall therefore herein returne the Readers whom it may concerne I meane those who are to passe those seas to advise with that Map which the most judicious Author Mr. De Laet hath made and placed in that his great and exact Collection of all America almost out of all Authors Latine English Spanish Dutch or French who have written in this kinde From him by whom I have been most assisted in this my short Compendium they shall finde their severall names and be sufficiently informed how they fall betweene the forefaid Ilands and the Continent which for me here to insâ—rt would be both needlesse and troublesome they are so many and of so little worth Porto-Rico Portorico lying to the North short of the 19 Degree of the North latitude is to the East of Hispaniola neare sixteene leagues To the West of Virgo Gorda and Anagado the most West of the Carib Ilands seventeen leagues from Cogui Bocoa a Promontory of Vnezuella in the Continent of America to the Northeast it is distant one hundred thirty leagues The Climate is very pleasant only sometimes in the moneths of December and January it is infefted with too much raine in June July and August with somewhat immoderate heat and terrible tempests which they call Huracanes The land for the most part riseth and falleth with convenient small fruitfull hils and vallies though the fruitfulnesse thereof is much hindred with the over-great store of Guiabo trees The Townes and Ports of this Iland are but few about the middle of the North side lyeth Porto-Rico the only Towne of note built after the Spanish fashion and divided into fair streets it hath in it a safe Haven for ships a stately Cathedrall and a Monastery and though it hath no wals it is well fortified by land and sea yet not so but that it was taken by our countrey man the Earle of Cumberland who found there a rich booty and at least seventy great peeces of Ordnance which he brought away Anno 1597. It hath since in the yeare 1625 beene assaulted by Henricides the Dutch Generall who though he demeaned himself very valiantly in the attempt could not obtaine it The other Ports on the North side of the Iland as Visa Canaba and Cabeca to the East of Portorico are not safe as being exposed to the Northern tempests and shelves and sands which lye before them In the Northwest corner lyeth Agada a very oportune Haven to water in between which and Portorico the Rivers Cami and Cabuco fall into the sea Directly to the West side of the Iland somewhat about the middle lyeth the River Guiabo by which they passe to Saint Germin four leagues remote from the Westerne sea the Towne is but small and hath been often taken by the French Between the harbour belonging to it which is the mouth of Guiabo and Aguada directly to the west side of the Iland lyeth the Rock Zacheo inconvenient and dangerous There are other small villages in the Island but none other of great worth or note On the Southside most to the West lieth Cape Roxo neer which our English have found some salt pits very usefull for those who travaile those parts From Cape Roxo lie the havens of Guaima Xaria Guadianilla and Guaiama distant five or six leagues the one from the other On the Southeast-side lie the small Islands Bieque on the East coast then are onely these two Ports Saint Iames and Yabucoa The prime commodities of this Island are great store of Sugars Ginger Cassia and Neats hides It did abound with silver and gold but those mines are either exhausted or neglected for want of worke men Burmudos THere is another Island called Burmudos which because it falleth much
withdraw themselves when Keymish who first discovered the genuine and best Navigable streame of the great River Oronoque within eight dayes saile and entrance thereunto came up to the Port of Morequito where finding his hopes of assistance from the Natives frustrated and himselfe not able to encounter the Spaniards he forthwith for feare of surprizall taketh downe the River againe and so in the fifth moneth after his setting forth out of England returnned thither safe againe though without any good successe at all After this I find no further attempt to have beene made by the English upon Guiana but that of Sir Walter himselfe Anno 1617. when he had beene fourteene yeeres prisoner to the great retarding of his intended prosecution of Guiana The successe of this voyage was little answerable to the great preparation thereof For though he went forth at his owne and friends charge with seven good ships well manned and provided yet he brought no treasure home And no mervaile for as he no lesse truly then boldly writeth to Sir Ralph Winwood from Christophers Island his whole designe what ships what men what Ammunition he would take with him as also what time he would set forth hence and what branch of Oronoque he intended to goe up to Guiana were all made knowne to the Spaniard before he could get out of the Thames by King Iames to whom he was enforced by oath before he could get liberty to goe to discover the foresaid particulars Upon which notice speedy directions were sent from the Court of Spaine to draw up forces three times as many as ours were from Porto-Rico Nuequo-Reygno and other neerest adjoyning parts to surprize them unexpectedly Yet such was the courage and resolution of our men that they went up to Saint Thomas and tooke it and in it some store of rich Tobacco but the Spanish forces purposely abandoned the Towne for the better defence of the mines so that ours could not take them which by reason of Woods lying on every side neare unto them with 200 Musqueteers they easily defended A more then probable argument that the Spaniard was then possessed of those golden mines then sought by the English else would they not have left their Towne and betooke themselves to the defence of them And Sir Walter Raleigh in his foresaid letter maketh good proofe of it in naming the men in whose possession they then were and he further confidently affirmeth that he was sufficiently able to make good what he writ by the King of Spaâ—nes severall grants to severall persons as also by the Spanish Register books wherein appeare the abundance of Treasure the mines as then discovered afforded by the great summes thence arising yeerly from the Kings fifth part And certainly had the Spanish King not feared learned and experienced Raleighs future and greater discovery and prosecution of Guiana he would never so eagerly have pursued him unto death as he did which yet he had not soone effected had it not beene for his pensioners here some noble ignoble English men overpowerfull with King Iames the reputed Solomon of his time as now they are much more with his Successour much inferiour to his father in wisdome From that time to this the English hopes being chrushed in losse of so worthy a Commander there hath beene either none or little venturing from England to Guiana But the Netherlands since that have made so many yearely voyages up the River Oronoque as farre as Saint Thomas encouraged by the great returne made from thence not of gold but of rich Tobacco as that some of their skilfull Pilots were as well able to direct the best and safest way thither as our Water-men are able to describe the passage from Dover to London the very cause as is generally conceived why being growne so expert in that River they were some yeers since so severely prohibited by the King of Spaine to trade any more there You have heard of Guiana as it bordereth Westerly on both sides Oronoque as much as can be conveniently expressed in so short an Epitome You shall now heare more briefly how it lyeth to the East Ocean accordâ—ng to the pincipall Rivers as they fall betweene Oronoque and Amazon The first great River of any note from Winkebery the most Southerne and best navigable arme or streame of Oronoque is Essequebe very broad but withall very shallow in the mouth of it where it falleth into the Ocean It is affirmed by the natives bordering upon both sides of it to arise within one dayes journey of golden Manoa the prime City of Guiana but both our English and the Dutch who have diligently endeavoured to make entrance into the continent by this River have found it in two or three dayes not passable by reason of many great vvaterfals three times as high and more heady then is the fall of London-bridge The Inhabitants about this River neerest to sea are called Arwaci as barbarous but not so inhumane cruell as are the Caribs who possesse the more inland Couâ—try They are continually at vvarre betweene themselves yet both great enemies to the Spaniard and not to be trusted by us or any other Christian Nation when they are able to doe mischiefe The soyle especially about 20 miles from sea is exceeding fertill the Commodities are Christall and a kind of wood very usefull and much desired for dying the best colours The next River of note is Berbice lying somewhat above the sixth degree the Land adjoyning is as the former possessed by the Arwaci but is farre inferiour in regard of fertility and the forenamed merchantable Commodities The next two Rivers or rather two in one is Sarname upon the sixth degree and Iâ—otera that falleth into Sarname three miles before it emptieth it selfe into the Ocean The Inhabitants hereof being men-eaters and very false in performing their promises are of all others least to be trusted neither indeed are the Commodities thereabout of that worth being upon the matter onely Brasil-wood as might invite men to venture farre into the Country Twelve miles more to the South is Marawyny a River of a wide and deepe mouth affording above twenty leagues convenient passage for vessels of burthen though yet the comming up from sea into it is very difficult The inhumanity and infidelity of the borderers is as great as the other and the Commodities the Land affordeth of as little worth and therefore seldome frequented either by us or the Netherlands From hence more and more to the South five other Rivers of greater note have their fall into the East Ocean The first is Cajana inhabited by the Caribs whose fall is computated to be twenty leagues from Marawiny the head of it to be more then fifty from the South-west The second and third Cauwo and Wio much upon the middle betweene the fourth and fifth degree inhabited by the Yayi and Shebaij have their rising to the South-west further into the continent The most Southern of the five great
over cold The Land for three leagues compasse adjoyning to the Towne of Martha from which the whole government taketh denomination is very healthfull and pleasant but withall very ill provided with victuall unlesse Oranges and Lemons and such like Spanish fruits or that the native fruits which the Pine and Guiavah trees there plentifully affoâ—d may suffice The Provinces to the West of Martha toward Carthagena namely Bonda and Poziguica are much of the same condition healthfull but not fruitfull The rest of this government downe to the South is invironed with two great Rivers with Martha to the West and Pompatao to the South-east which being remote the one from the other more then forty leagues for the space of two degrees of latitude North and South untill the River â—ompatao turning directly to the West at length falleth into the greater River Madalena for so it is here stiled though it selfe also be but an arme of Martha Now for that in so large a tract of ground which the long continued distance of the foresaid Rivers sufficiently prove no mention is made of any other Spanish Towne but onely of Tenerifae which is within forty leagues of Martha where Madalena falleth into it and Tamalameque fifteene leagues belowe more to the South bordering neere thereunto it may and is probably conjectured that here may be found â—ood habitation A third government adjoyning to the sea-coast is Cartagâ—na so called from the chiefe Port towne of all Terra Firma This government is more spacious and populous then either of the former but withall it is in the generall lesse healthfull and lesse profitable as being for the most part either taken up with waste unusefull Mountaines or being pestered with many fennes and bogges by reason of the continuall overflowing of Martha and and other smaller Rivers of their Valleys that otherwise might be much more beneficiall for the grazing of Cattell From the falling of that great River into the sea where this government beginneth to the East no mention is made of any Spanish towne toward the sea-coast untill we come to â—artagena it selfe which City is inferiour to very few or none in all America It is reported not onely by Spanish Authors Herea Bapâ—ista and others but also by the Dutch who have lately more exactly viewed the scituation of it to be very strong it standeth in a kind of Peninsula two miles from the maine sea which upon that coast unlesse in some â—ew chanels 〈◊〉 dangerous by reason of many shallowes sands and shelves the comming up to it though no farther remote is likewise difficult both by water and land The water passages are three all narrow and shallow serving onely for small Vessels and withall strongly fortified The land passages that are as many are very narrow made cawâ—y-wise so as but few can goe a brest to force their way being opposed by severall strong Forts and â—o make their way on either side the cawceys is impossible being all of them so compassed with deep ditches and unpassable bogges And yet for want of fresh water they continually fetch from Galeera where the great ships ride a great Navy may easily keepe them from thence and so inforce them in a short time to yeeld for want of water Nor is it impossible but that this City may be taken by the water passages if good store of small Vessels well manned and otherwise provided shall be imployed therein The next towne distant from Cartagena to the south-west is Toku where great store of precious balsome either by distilling of it selfe or by incission of certaine trees is yeerly gathered and conveyed into Europe It is confidentâ—y reported by Monardes to be no way inferiour but rather more soveraigne for the curing of many diseases then was the balsome of Aegypt and the East Countryes in all Authors so highly commended The Climate is much more healthfull the soyle more fertill and usefull to feed Cattell as being six leagues from sea not mountainous and yet not taken up with flagges and bulrushes and other such like increase of Marish grounds as are Carthagena and the more neere confines thereof Now to looke yet further into the continent just opposite to the government of Martha directly to the South from the eighth degree of the North latitude beginneth the Kingdome of new Granada which extendeth it selfe unto the second degree upon both sides of Madalena more especially from the rising of the said River to the mid-way before it commeth into Martha it is said to be 130 leagues â—ong and betweene thirty and twenty broad The Land is not onely pleasant and healthfuâ—l but generaly very rich abounding with much treasure and ample provision for livelyhood The most unusefull parts of this great Kingdome is the next adjoyning to the government of Martha that is taken up with the waste Opion mountaines that permit not without great difficulty and many dayes travail entrance to Merida Pamplona Saint â—hristoâ—hers and other the Nortâ—erne parts thereof no lesse wealthy then pleasant But then this difficult passage may be avoyded by making use of the constant flowing of Sea into the wide mouth of Martha which conveniently conveyeth ships of great bulke for forty leaguâ—s unto Tenerifâ— where Magdalena falleth into Martha and then in small Vessels of fifty or sixty foot long and foure or five foot broad they may with ample provision of men victuall and ammunition passe up the River Magdalena untill they come to the rich inhabited places of Granada Of which the Provinces of Musâ—â— and â—olyma on the East side the Province of Arbi on the West side of Magdalena are neerest to the Opiâ—n mountaines The Provinces to the Easterfide in which stand foure Spanish Townes Placentta Trinidad Tudela and Palma are somewhat too hot by reason that the Sun-beams doe very strongly reflect upon them by a continuation of exceeding high mountaines yet more to the East And yet withall they are over moysty the water falling for six moneths in the yeer â—oo fiercely from those mountaines and the River Magdalena to which they border being so subject to overflowing The soyle neverthelesse doth affâ—râ— two plettifull Crops and feedeth much Cattell Neither are the mountaines adioyning to these Provinces thought to be utterly destiâ—ute of treasure but certaine it is they abound with Emmeâ—ald and Berril stones In the Province of Arbi on the West side of Magdalena over against â—lacentia in the sixth degree of latitude lyeth Senora constantly reported to be richly furnished with golden Mines as is Maraquita with silver Mines standing in the fifth degree over against Trinidad Neere upon the same dâ—gree of latitude fifteene leagues to the East of Trinidad is Tunia a healthy wealthy and well provided Province for all kind of sustentation necessary â—ot onely for life but even for the abundance of many delights in which respect it is so well inhabited by the Spanish as that it is able to bring 200 horse into the field And
River Cauca or hath brought into miserable slavery Twelve leagues on the West of Cauca from Cali lyeth Carapa a hilly Province but every way convenient for habitation As many more downe the said River on the East side beginneth a farre greater Province fifteene leagues in length and ten in bredth in which standâ—th Cartago betweene two very pleasant Rivers wâ—erein are found many small peeces of gold continually washed from the mountainâ—s adjoâ—ning Those parts of this Prâ—vince neere bordering upon the loâ—est banks of Cauca are very fenny oâ—ergrowne with reeds and bulrushes and yet Cartago seven leagues remote from that River and many other places are constantly reported to be exceeding rich and healthfull though yet for the greater part of the yeere they are usually subject to extraordinary raine and thundering Betweene Carthago and Ancerma twenty leagues distant almost 〈◊〉 North upon Cauca beginning here to be better knowne by the name of the great River Martha doe intervene three other Provinces on the West Copia in which staâ—deth Acerma of greatest note next to Popaian distant to the North 50 leagues This Province in generall is mountainous except the Valley of Ancerma pleasant and fruitfull and the adjoyning Rivers falling fâ—om the mountaines afford much gold in little grains mingled with the sand thereof Picera Pozo and Pancura Provinces on the East of Martha are of lesse extent but more levell and more inhabited and no lesse pleasant or profitable To these Provinces yet more North towards the City of Aâ—tioch the most noble part of all Popaian and neerest to us-ward towards the mouth of Martha on either side the River doe intervene to the West Cartamma and the spaâ—ious Valley of Nore wherein standeth the City Antiochia invironed with high hils but withall sweetly watered with many little Rivers falling fâ—om them To the East are Arma and Cartamma of which foure last recited Provinces it may suffice briefly to know that they on either side the River are of at least thirty leagues in length and in most places ten in bredth no way inferiour if not exceeding the forenamed Provinces of Popaian either for their temperature of Ayre or fertility of soyle or the store of treasure that their mâ—untaines and Rivers afford Panima THus have we passed over all Terra Firma both by sea and land except Panima the most Westerne part which is very narrow in every place and serveth as a necke to continue the continent of America betweene the North and South sea I shall briefly finish it having but few places or things of any great consideration to write of it The length of this last government of Panima may be taken either according to the North Sea-coast from the aforementioned gulfe of Uraba to the closing of it with the River Viragua from which the most Easterne Province of Nova Hispania taketh denomination or else Southward as it is extended from the River Dariâ—n that falleth into the said gulfe and the South sea the length in either respect is upon due computation found not to exceed ninety leagues the bredth where it is widest doth not exceed thirty where narrowest as from Port Belâ— to Panima would mouâ—taines and Rivers and overgrowne Woods permit the shortest cut it would be found fully 8. leagues from sea to sea My greatest care in perusing this government is to take speciall notice of the Sea-coasts for besides the famous Ports Rivers Islands Promontories both on the North and South side of this necke of ground nothing is much worth the noting for three parts of it lying betweene the River Darien and the South-sea are taken up with exceeding high mountaines and those unfruitfull and unfit for habitation being overrunne with wild beasts besides the plains and Valleys adjoyning to either though they be more fruitfull yet very unhealthfull insomuch as though formerly they were well inhabited by Spaniards yet now they are for the most part deserted On the North from the gulfe of Uraba where I left my description of that Sea-coast unto the River Chagre the most Westerne belonging to Panima government not above forty leagues distant the one from the other there are found many safe and convenient Ports beside other places worthy consideration Within the narrow Uraban sea five leagues to the South-west of it standeth Darien a Towne after it was first raised in the yeere 1510. well inhabited but it continued not so above ten yeers for the Inhabitants in regard of the unhealthfulnesse thereof betooke themselves to Panima the chiefe Towne of all the government upon the mouth of the gulfe Where the sea beginneth to turne againe to the North lyeth Port My and then ten leagues further Port Acla both convenient Havens within but somewhat dangerous to put into by reason of the small Islands Gorde de Pinas and others neere adjoyning From Acla to Nombre de Dios sometime a famous Port Towne still a safe Haven are reckoned twelve leagues betweene which fall the Ports of Comagra and Cativa the Rivers Sanquo Mays Sardina and Sardinula But of all the Ports Port Belo which is by the procurement Baptista Antonellus was raised out of the ruins and dispeopling of Nombre de Dios five leagues distant from thence is the greatest safest and every way most convenient for the mutuall trading of the North and South Sea by the River Chagre many rich and necessary commodities of Europe being from hence continually transported to Panima whence the gold and silver of Peru and Chily are returned hither twice every yeere It was taken by Sir Francis Drake before the Towne and Fortifications thereunto belonging were one quarter finished And since in the yeere 1601 when it was fully finished it was surprised with two ships and a pinnace by Captaine Parker who found there in respect of the place but a very small booty not above 10000 dollers for that within a few dayes before 120000 were from thence conveyed to Carthagena The passage from this port Towne to Panima upon the South sea is not above eighteene leagues and in summer time not hindred by Creekes of sea not eight so that as there is no great difficulty with a considerable Navy to take Porto Belo and to secure the Navy there so would it prove no long march nor any hard enterprise to take Panima consisting but of 600 Families little experienced in martiall affaires and with it if the attempt be seasonably made five or six millions of money if we may give credit to the foresaid Antonellus the Spanish Kings Geographer or to our owne Countryman Master Harcourt This City for so it is usually stiled being the seat of a Bishop and the common residing place of the Governour and his chiefe Officers standeth in a very unhealthfull Ayre and no lesse barren soyle being almost destitute of corne grasse and other provisions necessary for life unlesse it be with Oranges and Lemans and divers other wholsome and well pleasing Indian Fruit And
yet for all this it wanteth not store of all kind of victuall continually supplyed from other places by reason it so aboundeth with treasure in hope whereof the Spanish Merchants make that the chiefe place of trading by the River Chagre out of the North and by the River Chepo out of the south sea Both which though they come short of the City yet are they of very great use to bring the Merchants Commodities so neere which are afterwards much more easily conveyed thither by land Conceâ—ning the land passage from one sea to the other a most remarkable attempt of Captaine Oxenhaw a countryman of ours Anno 1573. must not be forgotten for though in the conclusion it proved not succesfull yet it may be a great encouragement of singular concernment to those who with greater strength shall make the like enterprize It was briefly thus Captaine Oxenham induced by the fame of the vast treasure which fortunate Drake obtained in those parts provided a ship of a 120 Tun in which having with him neere a hundred men the winds favouring him he came sooner then he could well expect on the North Sea-coast of Panima where getting as neere as he could conveniently for the shortest cut over to the North sea he landed his men drew up his ship into a cranny where he left her and his great Ordnance covered all over with bowes Then he and his men taking sufficient victuall with two field pieces and other necessary armes after twelve leagues march they came to a River which falleth into the South sea where he built a barge 45 foot long in which he conveyed his men into an Island called the Isle of Pearles close by the side whereof they who come our of the South sea to Panima must needs passe Here they closely concealed themselves for ten dayes at the end whereof they seized upon two Pinnaces comming from Peru wherein was little lesse then 200000 .li. of gold and silver besides great store of rich Pearles they took from the Islanders both which they might certainly have conveyed to their ship and so into England had not both Captain souldiers in their comming back in three particulars dealt very foolishly First in too sudden discharging the two Pinnaces they had taken by whom the Governour of Panima being much sooner informed of the exploit then otherwise he could have been made the more quick pursuit after them with twice as many forces as they had Secondly in casting the feathers of hens they had pillaged over board whereby they gave perfect notice to the pursuers Of the particular River they returned by of which before they were very much to seek But most of all did they forget themselves in an unseasonable contention concerning the dividing of the prize the Souldiers refusing to beare it upon their shoulders over the land unlesse the might know how much should come to every mans particular share which demand of theirs being as undiscreetly denied the convention lasted so long as the forces from Panima came upon them recovered the treasure and cut them all off or took them prisoners whom they forthwith brought to Panima and there cruelly executed some few escaped whom by reason of their youth they spared Beyond Panima to the South-sea are some but not many Ports and Rivers To the South-east is the River Chiepo the River de Labalsa Saint Miguels gulf Port de Pinas and the River Balsas neer about which groweth great store of timber fit for shipping whereof singular use may be made in the South sea On the South-west are two Ports Perico and Nata whereof the first is not far remote the other twelve leagues distant from Panima from whence as being the most Westerne parts of all Panima governments I am now to proceed with the Province of Veragua as neerest adjoyning to the West formerly belonging to the government of Nova Hispania but now in the jurisdiction of the Governour of Guatemala since that Province and many more thereunto belonging are upon the matter exempted from the Viceroy of Nova Hispania I might here following Hâ—rea and others fall upon the generall description of the government in respect of the Climate Soyle and of the severall commodities and discommodities of the same but to what purpose seeing it is evident and all Authors agree that in particular they differ extreamly I shall therefore in my particular descriptions of them taking them according to my constant method as they lye by the North Sea-coast passe through them froâ— sea to sea where it can be done conveniently and as I proceed I shall endeavouâ— in all respects to give you such account of their severall qualities and conditions as is requisite To begin therefore with Veragua as it hath Panima government to the East so Costo Rica to the West fiâ—ty leagues in length and where it is narrowest 25 in bredth from the North sea to the South which on both sides it is bounded The Soylâ— for the most part is barren as being mountainous and full of briers unfit for graine and pastoring yet very rich in all kind of mettals especially with gold The inhabitants are many very stout men and great opposers of the the Spaniard The first who found out Veragua was Christopher Columbus who at his first arivaâ—l found some opposition by the Natiâ—es but he soon pacified them with toyes and as Herâ—a reporteth for 36 brasse bels he gained 80. li. whereby we may easily guesse â—hat an aâ—ple returne he there made for things of very small worth The north Sea-coast belonging to this Province affordeth but few good harbours the neerest from the coast of Panima is the River â—elen distant from Port Bâ—lo 2â— leagues neere which it built the Towne la Conception where the Governour resideth A second is a little within the River Veragua from which the Province is denominated The last a pretty large gulfe called Caravaro Between which and Belen lieth an Island ten mileâ— from the continent called Escudo an Island carefully to be observed in regard of the many rocks and shelves that are about it The Spanish inland Towns to omit all the poor Hamblets possessed by the Natives are onely Trinidad and Saint Fayth the one three the other twelve leagues remote From la Conception close to the South sea is Carlos another Spanish Towne five leagâ—es from Saint Fayth over against which and to the East and West of it are 20 small Islands or rather rocks which goe by the name of Zebaco so as in the South sea of Veragua we read of no good Haven but onely Port Gâ—era neere cape Maria in the South-east corner thereof The next adjoyning Province lying as Veragua between both seas 40 leagues in bredth and if Herea reckon right 90 leagues to the West in length up to the continent of Nicaragua is Costarica much of the same condition of the former mountainous and barren but full of rich mines To the North sea it hath