Chiles with a little Anniseed And though the Cacao is mingled with all these ingredients which are hot yet there is to be a greater quantity of Cacao then of all the rest of the ingredients which serve to temper the coldnesse of the Cacao from whence it followeth that this Chocolatticall confection is not so cold as the Cacao nor so hot as the rest of the ingredients but there results from the action and reaction of these ingredients a moderate temper which may be good both for the cold and hot stomacks being taken moderately Now for the making or compounding of this drinke I shall set downe here the method The Cacao and the other ingredients must be beaten in a morter of stone or as the Indians use ground upon a broad stone which they call Metate and is only made for that use But first the ingredients are all to be dried except the Achiotte with care that they may be beaten to powder keeping them still in stirring that they be not burnt or become black for if they be overdried they will be bitter and lose their virtue The Cinnamon and the long red pepper are to be first beaten with the Anniseed and then the Cacao which must be beaten by little and little till it be all powdred and in the beating it must be turned round that it may mixe the better Every one of these ingredients must be beaten by it selfe and then all be put into the vessell where the Cacao is which you must stirre together with a spoon and then take out that paste and put it into the morter under which there must be a little fire after the confection is made but if mâ—…re fire be put under then will only warme it then the unctuous part will dry away The Achiotte also must be put in in the beating that it may the better take the colour All the ingredients must be searsed save onely the Cacao and if from the Cacao the dry shell be taken it will be the better When it is well beaten and incorporated which will be known by the shortnesse of it then with a spoon so in the India's is used is taken up some of the paste which will be almost liquid and made into tablets or else without a spoon put into boxes and when it is cold it will be hard Those that make it into tablets put a spoonefull of the paste upon a peece of paper the Indians put it upon the leaf of a plantin tree where being put into the shade for in the sunne it melts and dissolves it growes hard and then bowing the paper or leaf the tablet falls off by reason of the fatnesse of the paste But if it be put into any thing of earth or wood it stickes fast and will not come off but with scraping or breaking The manner of drinking it is divers the one being the way most used in Mexico is to take it how with Atolle dissolving a tablet in hot water and then stirring and beating it in the cup where it is to be drunke with a Molinet and when it is well stirred to a scumme or froath then to fill the cup with hot Atolle and so drinke it sup by sup Another way is that the Chocolatte being dissolved with cold water and stirred with the Molinet and the scumme taken off and put into anovessel the remainder be set upon the fire with as much sugar as will sweeten it and when it is warme then to powre it upon the scum which was taken off before and so to drinke it But the most ordinary way is to warme the water very hot and then to powre out halfe the cup full that you mean to drinke and to put into it a tablet or two or as much as will thicken reasonably the water and then grind it well with the Molinet and when it is well ground and risen to a scum to fill the cup with hot water and so drinke it by sups having sweetned it with Sugar and to eat it with a little conserve or maple bread steeped into the Chocolatte Besides these waies there is another way which is much used in the Island of Santo Domingo which is to put the Chocolatte into a pipkin with a little water and to let it boyle well till it be dissolved and then to put in sufficient water and sugar according to the quantity of the Chocolatte and then to boyle it againe untill there comes an oily scumme upon it and then to drinke it There is another way yet to drinke Chocolatte which is cold which the Indians use at feasts to refresh themselves and it is made after this manner The Chocolatte which is made with none or very few ingredients being dissolved in cold water with the Molinet they take off the scumme or crassy part which riseth in great quantity especially when the Cacao is older and more putrefied The scumme they lay aside in a little dish by it selfe and then put sugar into that part from whence was taken the scum and then powre it from on high into the scumme and so drinke it cold And this drinke is so cold that it agreeth not with all mens stomacks for by experience it hath been found that it doth hurt by causing pains in the stomack especially to women The third way of taking it is the most used and thus certainly it doth no hurt neither know I why it may not bee used as well in England as in other parts both hot and cold for where it is so much used the most if not all as well in the India's as in Spaine Italy Flanders which is a cold Countrey find that it agreeth well with them True it is it is used more in the India's then in the European parts because there the stomackes are more apt to faint then here and a cup of Chocolatte well confectioned comforts and strengthens the stomack For my self I must say I used it twelve yeers constantly drinking one cup in the morning another yet before dinner between nine or ten of the clock another within an houre or two after dinner and another between four and five in the afternoon and when I was purposed to sit up late to study I would take another cup about seven or eight at night which would keep me waking till about midnight And if by chance I did neglect any of these accustomed houres I presently found my stomacke fainty And with this custome I lived twelve yeers in those parts healthy without any obstructions or oppilations not knowing what either ague or feaver was Yet I will not dare to regulate by mine owne the bodies of others nor take upon me the skil of a Physitian to appoint and define at what time and by what persons this drinke may be used Onely I say I have known some that have been the worse for it either for drinking it with too much sugar which hath relaxed their stomackes or for drinking it too often For certainly if it be
are but poore thatched cottages without any upper roomes but commonly one or two only roomes below in the one they dresse their meat in the middle of it making a compasse for fire with two or three stones without any other chimney to convey the smoak away which spreading it selfe about the the roome filleth the thatch and the rafters so with sur that all the roome seemeth to be a chimney The next unto it is not free from smoak and blacknesse where sometimes are four or five beds according to the family The poorer sort have but one room where they eat dresse their meat and sleep Few there are that set any lockes upon their dores for they fear no robbing nor stealing neither have they in their houses much to lose earthen pots and pans and dishes and cups to drinke their Chocolatte being the chief commodities in their house There is scarce any house which hath not also in the yard a stew wherein they bath themselves with hot water which is their chief physick when they feel themselves distempered Among themselves they are in every Town divided into Tribes which have one chief head to whom all that belong unto that Tribe doe resort in any difficult matters who is bound to aid protect defend counsell and appear for the rest of his Tribe before the officers of justice in any wrong that is like to be done unto them When any is to be married the father of the son that is to take a wife out of another Tribe goeth unto the head of his Tribe to give him warning of his sons marriage with such a maid Then that head meets with the head of the maids Tribe and they conferre about it The businesse commonly is in debate a quarter of a yeer all which time the parents of the youth or man are with gifts to buy the maid they are to be at the charges of all that is spent in eating and drinking when the heads of the two Tribes doe meet with the rest of the kindred of each side who sometimes fit in conference a whole day or most part of a night After many dayes and nights thus spent and a full triall being made of the the one and other sides affection if they chance to disagree about the marriage then is the Tribe and parents of the maid to restore back all that the other side hath spent and given They give no portions with their daughters but when they die their goods and lands are equally divided among their sons If any one want a house to live in or will repair and thatch his house anew notice is given to the heads of the Tribes who warn all the Town to come to help in the work and every one is to bring a bundle of straw and other materials so that in one day with the helpe of many they finish a house without any charges more then of Chocolatte which they minister in great cups as big as will hold above a pint not putting in any costly materials as doe the Spaniards but only a little Anniseed and Chile or Indian pepper or else they halfe fill the cup wich Attolle and powre upon it as much Chocolatte as will fill the cup and colour it In their diet the poorer sort are limited many times to a dish of Frixoles or Turkey beanes either black or white which are there in very great abundance and are kept dry for all the yeer boyled with Chile and if they can have this they hold themselves well satisfied with these beanes they make also dumplins first boyling the bean a little and then mingling it with a masse of Maiz as we do mingle Currants in our cakes and so boile again the frixoles with the dumplin of Maiz masse and so eat it hot or keep it cold but this and all whatsoever else they eat they either eat it with green biting Chile or else they dip it in water and salt wherein is bruised some of that Chile But if their means will not reach to frixoles their ordinary fare and diet is their Tortilla's so they call thin round cakes made of the dow and masse of Maiz which they eat hot from an earthen pan whereon they are soon baked with one turning over the fire and these they eat alone either with Chile and salt and dipping them in water and salt with a little bruised Chile When their Maiz is green and tender they boil some of those whole stalkes or clusters whereon the Maiz groweth with the leaf about and so casting a little salt about it they eat it I have often eate of this and found it as dainty as our young green pease and very nourishing but it much increaseth the blood Also of this green and tender Maiz they make a Furmity boiling the Maiz in some of the milke which they have first taken out of it by bruising it The poorest Indian never wants this diet and is well satisfied as long as his belly is thorowly filled But the poorest that live in such Townes where flesh meat is sold will make a hard shift but that when they come from worke on Saturday night they will buy one halfe Riall or a Riall worth of fresh meat to eat on the Lords day Some will buy a good deal at once and keep it long by dressing it into Tassajo's which are bundles oâ—… flesh rowled up and tied fast which they doe when for examples sake they have from a leg of beefe sliced off from the bone all the flesh with the knife after the length forme and thinnesse of a line or rope Then they take the flesh and salt it which being sliced and thinly cut soon takes salt and hang it up in their yards like a line from post to post or from tree to tree to the wind for a whole week and then they hang it in the smoak another week and after rowle it up in small bundles which become as hard as a stone and so as they need it they wash it boyl it and eat it This is America's powdered beef which they call Tassajo whereof I have often eaten and the Spaniards eat much of it especially those that trade about the Countrey with Mules nay this Tassajo is a great commodity and hath made many a Spaniard rich who carry a Mule or two loaden with these Tassajo's in small parcels and bundles to those Townes were is no flesh at all sold and there they exchange them for other commodities among the Indians receiving peradventure for one Tassajo or bundle which cost them but the halfe part of a farthing as much Cacao as in other places they sell for a Riall or six pence The richer sort of people will fare better for if there be fish or flesh to bee had they will have it and eat most greedily of it and will not spare their fowls and Turkeys from their own bellies These also will now and then get a wild Dear shooting it with their bows and arrows And
the residue of his Army to follow him with as much speed as might be so that with that company which he carried with him he made way taking away the trees that were cut downe to disturbe his passage and in this order in short time passed his host without any hurt or danger but with great pain and travaile for certainly if the Mexicans had been there to defend that passage the Spaniards had not passed for it was then a very evill way though now it be a reasonâ—…ble wide open rode where Mules laden with wares from St. John de Ulhua and the Sugar farmes daily passe and the Mexicans also thought the same to be sure with the trees which were crossed the way whereupon they were carelesse of that place and attended their coming in plain ground for from Tlaxcallan to Mexico are three wayes of the which Cortez chose the worst imagining the thing that afterwards fell out or else some had advised him how that way was cleare from the enemies At the descent of this hill Cortez abode and rested himselfe till all the whole Army were come together to descend downe into the plaine for from hence they descried the fires and beacons of their enemies in sundry places and all those who had attended their â—…ing by the other two waies were now gathered together thinking to set upon them betwixt certain bridges which are in the plain made for travellers by reason of the many dikes and currents of water which issue from the lake where a great company abode expecting their coming But Cortez sent twenty Horse-men who made way among them and then followed the whole Army who â—…lew many of them without receiving any hurt Thus did the remembrance of those antiquities newly refreshed by the object of the hill and plain beneath make that cold and hard passage more comfortable and easie unto us The first Towne we came to below the hill was Quabutipec of the jurisdiction of Tezcuco where we also called to mind that this was the place neer unto which was pitched the Campe of the Indians of Culhua which was neer a hundred thousand men of warre who were sent by the Seniors of Mexico and Tezcuco to encounter Cortez but all in vain for his Horse-men broke through them and his Artillerie made such havock among them that they were soon put to flight Three leagues from hence on our right hand as we travailed we discovered Tezcuco by the side of the lake and out of the Rode yet it ministred unto us matter of a large discourse taken from the time of Cortez and the first Conquerers who found it a great City and at that time even as big as Mexico though in it Cortez met with no resistance for as he journeyed towards it foure principall persons inhabitants of it met with his forces bearing a rod of gold with a little flag in token of peace saying that Coacuacoyocin their Lord had sent them to desire him not to make any spoile in his City and Townes about it and likewise to offer his friendship praying also that it might please him with his whole Army to take his lodging in the Town of Tezcuco where he should be well received Cortez rejoycing at this message yet jealous of some treachery and mistrusting the people of Tezcuco whose forces joyned with the Mexicans and Culhuacans he had met with a little before went forward on his way and came to Quahutichan and Huaxuta which then were suburbs of the great City Tezcuco but now are petty Villages by themselves where he and all his host were plenteously provided of all things necessary and threw down the Idols This done he entred into the City where his lodging was prepared in a great house sufficient for him and all the Spaniards with many other his Indian friends And because that at his first entry he saw neither women nor children he suspectâ—…d some treason and forthwith proclaimed upon pain of death that none of his men should goe out In the evening the Spaniards went up into the Zâ—…ties and galleries to behold the City and there they saw the great number of Citizens that fled from thence with their stuffe some towards the mountaines and others to the water side to take boat a thing strange to see the great haste and stirre to provide for themselves There were at that time at least twenty thousand little boats called Canoas occupied in carrying houshold-stuffe and passengers Cortez would faine have remedied it but the night was so nigh at hand that he could not He would gladly also have apprehended the Lord but hee was one of the first that fled unto Mexico This Towne of Tezcuco to this day is famous among the Spaniards for that it was one of the first if not the first which according to the Histories of those parts is very probable that received a Christian King to rule and governe For Cortez hearing that Coacuacoyocin then King of that City and Townes adjacent was fled caused many of the Citizens to be called before him and having in his company a young gentleman of a Noble house in that countrey who had been lately christened and had to name Hernando Cortez being his God-father who loved him well said unto the Citizens that this new Christian Lord Don Hernando was sonne unto Nezâ—…valpincintli their loving Lord wherefore he required them to make him their King confidering that Coacuacoyocin was fled unto the enemies laying also before them his wicked fact in killing of Cacuzâ—… his owne brother onely to put him from his inheritance and Kingdome through the â—…uticement of Quahutimâ—…cin a mortall enemy to the Spaniards In this sort was that new Christian Don Hernando elected King and the fame thereof being blown abroad many Citizens repaired home again to visit their new Prince so that in short space the City was as well replenished with people as it was before and being also well used at the Spanirds hands they served them diligently in all things that they were commanded And Don Hornando abode ever after a faithfull friend unto the Spaniards in their warres against Mexico and in short time learned the Spanish tongue And soone after came the inhabitants of Quahutichan Huaxuta and 〈◊〉 to submit themselves craving pardon if in any thing they had offended Within two daies after Don Hernando was made King of this great City and Territorie belonging to it whose borders reach unto the borders of Tlaxcallan came certaine gentlemen of Huaxuta and Quobutichan to certifie unto him how all the power of the Mexicans was coming towards them and to know if it were his pleasure that they should carry their wives children and other goods into the mountaines or else to bring them where he was their feare was so great Cortez for the King his God-child and favourite made unto them this answer saying Bee ye of good courage and feare ye not Also I pray you to command your wives and families to make no
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
and with these swords they â—…t speares 〈◊〉 and a Horses neck at a blow and could makedontâ—… into iron which 〈◊〉 â—…â—…ing impossible and incredible These 〈◊〉 were joyned into the stâ—…ffes 〈◊〉 a certain kind of glew which was made of a root called 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 which is a â—…ind 〈◊〉 strong sand whereof they made a 〈◊〉 and after kâ—…ded iâ—… 〈◊〉 blood of 〈◊〉 or Reare mice and other â—…owle which did glew so strong that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 leaved again and of these Mâ—… had in 〈◊〉 house of Armoâ—… great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 besides these houses it is wonderfull â—…o relate yet mâ—…y others which that 〈◊〉 heathen Emperour had for his only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of medicinall herbs sweet flowers and trees of delectable savour But of one garden more especially it is said that in it there were a thousand personages made and wrought artificially of leaves and flowers And Montezuma would not permit that in this garden should be any kind of Pot-herbs or things to be sold saying that it did not appertaine to Kings to have things of profit among their delights and pleasures for that such did appertaine to Merchants Yet out of Mexico he had Orchards with many and sundry fruits and likewise pleasant houses in woods and forrests of great compasse environed with water in the which he had fountaines rivers ponds with fish rockes and coverts where were Harts Bucks Hares Foxes Wolves and such like whither he himselfe seldome went but the Lords of Mexico used to goe to sport themselves in them Such and so many were the houses of Montezuma wherein few Kings were equall with him He had dayly attending upon him in his privy guard six hundred noblemen and gentlemen and each of them three or foure servants and some had twenty servants or more according to their estate and the most credible report goes that in this manner he had three thousand men attendants in his Court all which were fed in his house of the meat that came from his table There were in those times under the Mexicall empire three thousand Lords of Townes who had many vassals but more especially there were thirty of high estate who were able to make each of them a hundred thousand men of warre And all these noble men did abide in Mexico certaine time of the yeare in the Court of Montezuma and could not depart from thence without especiall licence of the Emperour leaving each of them a sonne or brother behind them for security of rebellion and for this cause they had generally houses in the City such and so great was the Court of Montezuma Moreover he spent nothing in the buildings of all these his houses for he had certaine Townes that payed no other tribute but only to work and repair continually his houses at their own proper cost and payed all kind of workemen carrying upon their backes or drawning in sleds stone lyme timber water and all other necessaries for the worke Likewise they were bound to provide all the wood that should be spent in the Court which was five hundred mens burthens and some daies in the winter much more But especially for the Emperours chimneys they brought the barke of Oke trees which was esteemed for the light Thus was that great City formerly illustrated with a mighty Monarch his houses and attendants There were then also in Mexico three sorts of streets very broad and faire the one sort was only of water with many bridges another sort of only earth and the third of earth and water the one half being firme ground to walke upon and the other halfe for boats to bring provision to the City the most part of the houses had two doores the one toward the Cawsey and the other toward the water at the which they tooke boat to goe whither they list But this water though so neer to the houses being not good to drinke there is other water fresh and sweet brought by conduit to Mexico from a place called Chapultepec three miles distant from the City which springeth out of a little hill at the foot whereof stood formerly two statues or images wrought in stone with their Targets and Launces the one of Montezuma the other of Axaiaca his father The water is brought from thence to this day in two pipes built upon Arches of brick and stone like a fair bridge and when the one pipe is foule then all the water is conveyed into the other till the first be made cleane From this fountaine all the whole City is provided and the Water-men go selling the same water from street to street some in little boats others with earthen Tankards upon Mules or Asses backs The chiefe and principall division of this City when the Spaniards first conquered it was into two streets the one was called Tlatelulcâ—… that is to say a little Island and the other Mexico where 〈◊〉 his dwelling and Court was signifying in the language a spring And because of the Kings palace there the whole City was named Mexico But the old and first name of the City according to some Histories was Tenuchtitlan which signifieth fruit out of a stone being a compounded name of Tâ—…tl which in the language is stone and 〈◊〉 which is a sweet fruit called generally in Cuba and all other parts of Aâ—…rica by the Spaniardâ—… Tunâ—… the name of the tree whereon this fruit groweth is called Nepal And when this City begunne to be founded it was placed neer unto a â—…reat stone that stood in the midst of the lake at the foot whereof grew one of these Nepal trees which is the reason why Mexico giveth for armes and device the foot of a Nepal tree springing from a stone according to the first name of the City Tenuchtlitan But others do affirme that this City hath the name of the first founder of it called Tenuch the second sonne of Iztacmixcâ—…atl whose sonnes and descendents did first inhabit all that part of America which is now called new Spain Mexico is as much as to say a spring or fountain according to the property of the vowell or speech from whence some judge that City to be so named But others doe affirme that Mexico hath its name from a more ancient time whose first founders were called Mexiti for unto this day the Indian dwellers in one street of this City are called of Mexica And that these Mexiti tooke name of their principall idol called Mexitli who was in as great veneration as Vitzilopuchtli God of the warre But others affirme and this opinion is most received among the Spaniards that the Mexicans first were the inhabitants of nova Galicia from whence they made a violent irruption Anno Domini 720. and lingered in divers places till the yeare 902. when under the leading of Mexi their chiefe Captaine they built this City and called it after the name of their Generall They were in all seven Tribes which ruled long in an Aristocraticall state till the
two hundred thousand of these boats I speak of the least for Mexico alone had above fifty thousand ordinarily to carry and bring unto the City victuall provision and passengers so that on the market-daies all the streets of water were full of them The Market is called in the Indian tongue Tlanquizâ—…li every parish had his Market place to buy and sell in but Mexico and Tlatelulâ—…o only which are the chiefest Cities had great Fayres and places fit for the same and especially Mexico had one place where most dayes in the yeer was buying and selling but every fourth day was the great Market ordinarily This place was wide and large compassed about with dores and was so great that a hundred thousand persons came thither to chop and change as a City most principall in all that region Every occupation and kind of merchandize had his proper place appointed which no other might by any means occupie or disturb Likewise pesterous wares had their place accordingly such as stone timber lyme bricke and all such kind of stuffe unwrought being necessary to build withall Also mattes both fine and course of sundry workmanship also coales wood and all sorts of earthen veâ—…sells glazed and painted very curiously Deere skinnes both raw and tanned in hair and without hair of many colours for Shoemakers for bucklers Targets Jerkins and lining of woodden corslets also skinnes of other beasts and fowle feathers ready dressed of all sorts The colours and strangenesse thereof was a thing to behold The richest merchandize was salt and mantles of Cotton wool of divers colours both great and small some for beds other for garments and clothing other for Tapistry to hang houses other Cotton-cloth was wont to be sold there for linnen drawers which to this day the Indians use for shirts table cloths towels and such like things There were also mantles made of the leaves of a tree called Mâ—…l and of the Palme-tree and Conie-hair which were well esteemed being very warme but the coverlets made of feathers were the best They â—…old thred there made of Conie-haire and also skains of other thred of all colours But the great store of poultrey which was brought to that Market was strange to see and the uses they sold and bought them for for although they did eat the flesh of the fowl yet the feathers served for clothing mixing one sort with another But the chiefe bravery of that market was the place where gold and feathers joyntly wrought were sold for any thing that was in request was there lively wrought in gold and feathers and gallant colours The Indians were so expert and perfect in this science that they would work or make a butter-flie any wild beast trees roses flowers 〈◊〉 roots or any other thing so lively that it was a thing marvellous to behold It happened many times that one of these workemen in a whole day would eat nothing only to place one feather in his due perfection turning and tosâ—…ing the feather to the light of the sunne into the shade or darke place to see where was his most naturall perfection and till his worke were finished he would neither eat nor drinke There are few nations of so much fleame or substance The art or science of Gold-smiths among them was the most curious and very good workmanship engraven with tooles 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 or in mould They will cast a platter in mould with eight corners and every corner of severall metall the one of gold and the other of silver without any kind of solder They will also â—…ound or cast a little cauldron with loose 〈◊〉 hanging thereat as we use to cast a bell they will also cast in mould a fish of metall with one sâ—…ale of silver on his back and another of gold they will make a Parrâ—…t or Popingay of metall that his tongue shall shake and his head move and his wingâ—… flâ—… they will cast an Ape in mould that both hands and feet shall â—…irre and â—…old a spindle in his hand seeming to spin yea and an apple in his hand as though he would eat it They have skill also of Amâ—…ll work and to set any pretious stone But now 〈◊〉 touching the market there was to sell gold silver Copper Lead Latten and Tâ—… although there was but very little of the three last metals mentioned There 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pretious 〈◊〉 divers and sundry sorts of shelles and bones Sponges and 〈◊〉 wâ—…re There were also many kind of herbes roots and seeds as well to bâ—… as for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men women and children had great knowledge in herbâ—… for through poverty and necessity they did sâ—…e them for their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 help of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and diâ—… Thâ—…y did spend little among Physitians although there were some of that art and many Apothecaries who did bring into the market oyntments syrups waters and other drugs fit for sick persons They cure all diseases almost with herbs yea as much as for to kill lice they have a proper herb for the purpose The severall kinds of meats to bee sold was without number as Snakes without head and tail little dogges gelt Moules Rats Long-wormes Lyce yea and a kind of earth for at one season in the yeer they had Nets of Mayle with the which they raked up a certaine dust that is bred upon the water of the lake of Mexico and that is kneaded together like unto oas of the sea They gathered much of this and kept it in heapes and made thereof cakes like unto brick-bats And they did not only sell this ware in the Market but also sent it abroad to other Fayres and markets afarre off and they did eat this meal with as good a stomack as we eat cheese yea and they hold opinion that this skumme or fatnesse of the water is the cause that such great number of fowl cometh to the lake which in the winter season is infinite They sold likewise in this market Venison by quarters or whole as Does Hares Conies and Dogges and many other beasts which they brought up for the purpose and tooke in hunting The great store of sundry kinds of fruits was marvellous which were there sold both green and ripe There is a sort as bigge as an Almond called Cacao whereof is the drinke called Chocolatte well known now in Christendome which is both meat and currant money In these times of the bigger sort sixscore or sevenscore and of the lesser sort two hundred are worth a Spanish Riall which is sixpence and with these the Indians buy what they list for five nay for two Cacao's which is a very small part of a Riall they doe buy fruits and the like There were divers kinds of colours to be sold which they made of roses flowers fruits barks of trees and other things very excellent All the things recited and many others which I speak not of were sold in this great market and in every other Market of Mexico and all the sellers payed a certain summe for
It was very populous before the arrivall of the Spaniards who in seventeen yeers slew six millions of them roasting some plucking out the eyes cutting off the arms of others and casting them living to be devoured of wilde beasts This chiefe Province of America named Mexico is further subdivided into four parts that is to say Themistitan Nova Galicia Mechoacan and Guastaehan Themistitan is the greatest and noblest of these foure for that it containeth six Cities and of them one is Mexico which giveth name to the halfe part of America and is the seat of an Arch-bishop and of the Spanish Viceroy whose greatnesse within I have before laid open the second City is La Puebla de los Angeles the City of Angels the third Villarâ—…ca the fourth Antiâ—…bero the fifth Meccioca the sixth Oitopan But all these excepting the two first are but small places named Citties formerly for that the Spaniards thought to have made them Bishops seats which they have not been able to performe by reason that Mexico and the City of Angels hath drawne to them the chiefe trading and most of the inhabitants of the other foure Especially the resort to Mexico is so great that all the Townes about which formerly were of Indians are now inhabited by Spaniards and Mestizâ—…es I may not omit about Mexico that famous place of Chapultepec which in the Heathens times was the burying place of the Emperours and now by the Spaniards is the Escuriall of America where the Viceroyes that die are also interred There is a sumptuous palace built with many fair gardens and devises of waters and ponds of fish whither the Viceroyes and the gentry of Mexico do resort for their recreation The riches here belonging to the Viceroyes Chappell are thought to be worth above a million of crownes Taenba is also a pleasant Towne full of orchards and gardens in the very way to Chapultepec South-ward is Toluco rich also for trading but above all much mentioned for the Bacon which is the best of all those parts and is transported far and neer West-ward is the Towne called La Piedad at the end of a Cawsey whither the people much resort from Mexico being drawn to the superstitious worship of a picture of Mary which hath been enriched by the chiefe of Mexico with many thousand pounds worth of gifts of chaines and crownes of gold But more Northwest-ward three leagues from Mexico is the pleasantest place of all that are about Mexico called La Soledad and by others el desierto the solitary or desert place and wildernesse Were all wildernesses like it to live in a wildernesse would be better then to live in a City This hath been a device of poor Fryers named discalced or barefooted Carmelites who to make shew of their hypocriticall and apparent godlinesse and that whilst they would be thought to live like Eremites retired from the world they may draw the world unto them they have built there a stately Cloister which being upon a hill and among rocks makes it to be more admired About the Cloister they have fashioned out many holes and Caves in under and among the rocks like Eremites lodgings with a room to lie in and an Oratory to pray in with pictures and Images and rare devices for mortification as disciplines of wyar rods of iron haire-cloths girdles with sharp wyar pointes to girdle about their bare flesh and many such like toyes which hang about their Oratories to make people admire their mortified and holy lives All these Eremeticall holes and caves which are some ten in all are within the bounds and compasse of the Cloister and among orchards and gardens full of fruits and flowers which may take up two miles compasse and here among the rockes are many springs of water which with the shade of the plantins and other trees are most coole and pleasant to the Eremites they have also the sweet smell of the rose and jazmin which is a little flower but the sweetest of all others there is not any other flower to be found that is rare and exquisite in that countrey which is not in that wildernesse to delight the senses of those mortified Eremites They are weekly changed from the Cloister and when their weeke is ended others are sent and they return unto their Cloister they carry with them their bottles of wine sweet-meats and other provision as for fruits the trees about do drop them into their mouthes It is wonderfull to see the strange devises of fountains of water which are about the gardens but much more strange and wonderfull to see the resort of Coaches and gallants and Ladies and Citizens from Mexico thither to walke and make merry in those desart pleasures and to see those hypocrites whom they looke upon as living Saints and so think nothing too good for them to cherish them in their desart conflicts with Satan None goes to them but carries some sweet-meats or some other dainty dish to nourish and feed them withall whose prayers they likewise earnestly solicite leaving them great almes of mony for their masses and above all offering to a picture in their Church called our Lady of Carmel treasures of diamonds pearles golden chaines and crownes and gownes of cloth of gold and silver Before this picture did hang in my time twenty lampes of silver the worst of them being worth a hundred pound truely Satan hath given unto them what he offered Christ in the desart All these things wil I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me all the dainties and of all the riches of America hath he given unto them in that their desart for that they daily fall downe and worship him In the way to this place there is another Towne yet called Tacâ—…baya where is a rich Cloister of Franciscans and also many gardens and orchards but above all much resorted to for the musicke in that Church wherein the Friers have made the Indians so dexterous and skilfull that they dare compare with the Cathedrall Church of Mexico These were the chiefe places of mine and my friends resort whilst I abode about Mexico which I found to be most worth a History and so thought fit â—…ere to insert them and so passe on to the other parts or Provinces of Mexico Next to this is the Province of Guastachan which lieth in the rode from St. Iohn de Ulbua to Mexico which is not so poore as Heylin maketh it for that now it doth abound with many rich farmes of Sugar and of Cochinil and reacheth as farre as the Valley of Guaxaca which is a most rich place The chiefe City of this Province was wont to be Tlaxcallan whereof I have formerly spoken but now the City of Guaxaca which is a Bishops seat and Xalappa which is also of late made a Bishops seat makes it more famous glories also in Villa Rica a Port Towne very wealthy because all the traffique betwixt the Old and New Spains do passe through it The Spaniards have
or fountaine of the great River of Chiapa of the Indians which is the onely remarkable thing in that Rode Cuchumatlan grande is a Towne a little bigger then St. Martin and of Indians very curteous who are used and beaten to daily travellers and so make very much of them Here I was entertained as the night before and found the poore Indians willing to give mee whatsoever I demanded for my better and safer guiding and conducting the next day and that night for my supper what I pleased to call for without any pay but onely writing down my name and expences with the day and moneth in their common booke of accounts This are those poore wretches brought to by the Fryers and commanding Justices though of themselves they have no more then a Milpa of Maiz as they terme it or a little Indian Wheat Plantation with as much Chile as will suffice them for the yeer and what the Merchants and Travellers give them voluntarily which is little enough From this Town I would not follow the Rode to the next which was a long journy of seven or eight leagues without baiting by the way and also because I had beene informed at Chiapa and at Copanabastla of a strange picture of our Lady which was amongst these Mountaines in a little Towne of Indians called Chiantla which in this dayes journy being not above a league out of my way I was resolved to see The wayes were bad lying out of the Rode yet by noon I got to Chiantla which is a Town belonging unto Mercenarian Fryers who doubtlesse would not be able to subsist in so poore a place had they not invented that loadstone of their picture of Mary and cried it up for miraculous to draw people farre and neere and all travellers from the Rode to pray unto it and to leave their gifts and almes unto them for their prayers and Masses Such an income of treasure and riches hath beene from deluded and ignorant soules to this beggerly Towne that the Fryers have had wherewith to build a Cloister able to maintaine foure or five of them The Church is richly furnished but especially the high Altar where the picture standeth in a Tabernacle with half a dozen curtaines of Silk Sattin cloth of gold with borders of golden lace before it wearing a rich Crowne of gold thickly beset with Diamonds and other pretious stones There hang before it at least a dozen rich lampes of silver and in the vestry of the Church are many gownes Candlestickes of silver Censers to burn Frankincense before it besides rich Copes Vestments Ornaments for the Altar and hangings for all the Church To conclude here is a treasure hid in the Mountaines Oh that it could bee found out to doe the Lord service I was welcomed to this place by those Fryers who were strangers unto mee my head was filled that day by them with relations of strange and many miracles or lies which they told mee of that picture but the heavinesse of my head did mee good in something for it made mee more drowsie at night and apter to take good rest The next day I got into the Rode againe and went to the last Town of these Cuchumatlanes called Chautlan where I stayed all that day and night and sent before a letter to the Prior of Sacapula of my going thither the next day In Chautlan I was very kindly used by the Indiâ—…s and liked the Towne the better for the excellent grapes which there I found not planted like vineyards but growing up in harbours which shew that if that land were planted it would certainly yeeld as good grapes for wine as any are in Spain They are carried from that place to Guatemala which stands from it neer forty leagues and are sold about the streets for rarities and great dainties and well may they for from Mexico to Guatemala there are none like them The next morning I made haste to be gone that I might come sooner to Sacapula where I was to finde those of mine owne profession with whom I knew I might stay and rest a whole weeke if I pleased I had not rid above three leagues when I began to discover at a low and deep bottome a pleasant and goodly valley laced with a River whose waters receiving the glorious brightnesse of Pâ—…aebus beames reverberated up to the top of the Mountaine a delightsome prospect to the beholders the more I hasted to that seeming Paradise the more did the twinkling and wanton streame invite mee downe the hill which I had no sooner descended but I found in an harbour by the water side the Prior of Sacapula himselfe with a good traine of Indians waiting for mee with a cup of Chocolatte At the first sight I was a little daunted to behold the Prior who looked most fearfully with a bladder from his throat swelled almost round his necke which hung over his shoulders and breast and stayed up his chin and lifted up his head so that hee could scarce looke any whither but up to heaven In our discourse he told mee that disease had beene upon him at least ten yeers and that the water of that River had caused it in him and in many others of that Town This made mee now as much out of love with the River as above the hill I had liked the goodly sight of it and therefore resolved not to stay so long in that place as I had thought lest the waters should marke me for all my life as they had done this Prior whose name was Fryer Iohn De la Cruz a Biscaine borne and like some of that Nation a little troubled with the simples but a good hearted man humble and well beloved over all the Country both by Spaniards and Indians When I came to the Towne I discovered many men and women with bladders in their throats like the poore Prior which made mee almost unwilling to drink there any Chotolatte made with that water or eat any thing dressed with it untill the Prior did much incourage mee and told mee that it did not hurt all but onely some and those who did drink it cold wherewith I resolved to stay there foure or five daies because of the old Priors importunity who would faine have had mee continue to live with him promising to teach mee the Indian language in a very short time But higher matters calling mee to Guatemala I excused my selfe and continued there five dayes with much recreation The Town though it be not in the generall very rich yet there are some Indian Merchants who trade about the country and especially to Suchutepeques where is the chief store of Cacao and thereby some of this Towne of Sacapula have inriched themselves the rest of the people trade in pots and pans which they make of an earth there fit for that purpose But the principall Merchandize of this place is salt which they gather in the morning from the ground that lyeth neere the River The aire
first of Tremesino for presently after Christmas every one begins to bring theis sickles into the field where they doe not onely reap down their Wheat but in stead of threshing it in barnes they cause it to bee trod by Mares inclosed within floores made on purpose in the fields and when the Wheat is trod out of the Eares by the Mares trampling who are whipped round about the floores that they may not stand still but tread it constantly and throughly then the Mares being let out of the floores the wheat is winnowed from the chaffe and put up clean into sackes and from the field carried to the Barnes but the chaffe and most of the straw is left to rot in the fields which they esteem as good as dunging and further set all the fields on fire burning the stubble that is left a little before the time of the first showers of raine which with the ashes left after the burning fatteth the ground and by them is held the best way to husband or dung their ground Others that will sow a new and woody peece of land cause the trees though timber trees to bee cut down and sell not a stick of that wood which there is so plentifull that they judge it would not quit their cost to carry it to Guatemala though in England it would yeeld thousand pounds but they let it lie and dry and before the winter raine begins they set on fire all the field and burn that rich timber with the ashes whereof that ground becomes so fat and fertile that where upon an Aker wee sow here three bushels of Wheat or upwards they sow such ground so thin that they scarce dare venture a full bushell upon an Aker lest with too much spreading upon the ground it grow too thick bee lodged and they loose their crop The like they doe unto the pasture of the Valley about the end of March it is short and withered and dry and they also set it on fire which being burnt causeth a dismall sight and prospect of a black valley but after the first two or three showres it puts on againe its greene and pleasant garment inviting the Cattell Sheep Lambs Goats and Kids which for a while were driven away to other pasturing to return and sport againe to feed and rest in its new flourishing bosome But now it is time I return again back to the other end of this valley to the Rio de las Vacas from whence I have viewed the compasse of it and made my long digression from East to West to the farthest Towne of Amatitlan to shew thee my Reader the little part of thy way remaining unto Guatemala True it is from the Ermitage of our Lady there is a streight way through the middle of the valley leading almost to Amatitlan and then turning up a hill out of the valley on the right hand But that hath many ascents and descents bottomes falls and risings and therefore is not the constant Rode which from the Ermitage pointeth on the right hand observing the Towne of Mixco standing but five miles from Guatemala from Mixco the way lyeth up a hill and leadeth to a Town somewhat bigger then Mixco of Indians called San Lucas or St. Luke a cold Town but exceeding rich the temper and coldnesse of it hath made it the storehouse or Granary for all the City for whereas below in the Valley the Wheat will not keep long without musting and breeding a worm called Gurgejo such is the temper of this Town of St. Luke that in it the Wheat will keep two or three yeeres ready threshed with a little turning now and then and as it lyeth will give and yeeld as experience taught mee there so that he that hath laid up in that Town two hundred bushels of Wheat at the yeers end shall find neer upon two hundred and twenty bushels This Towne therefore receives from the Valley most of the harvest and is full of what wee call Barnes but there are called Trojas without floores but raised up with stackes and bords a foot or two from the ground and covered with mats whereon is laid the Wheat and by some rich Monopolists from the City is kept and hoarded two and three yeers untill they find their best opportunity to bring it out to sale at the rate of their own will and pleasure From hence to Guatemala there is but three little leagues and one onely Barranca or bottome and on every side of the way little petty Townes which they call Milpas consisting of some twenty Cottages In the middle of the way is the top of a hill which discovereth all the City and standeth as overmastring of it as if with a peece or two of Ordnance it would keepe all Guatemala in awe But besides this hill which is the wide and open Rode there stand yet forwarder on the right and left hand other mountaines which draw neerer to the City and what this top peradventure with too much distance is not able to doe or reach the others certainly would reach with Cannon shot and command that farre commanding City Downe this hill the way lies broad and wide and as open as is the way downe Barnet or Higggate Hill and at the bottome it is more straitned betweene the Mountaines for the space of a bowshot which passage also is craggy by reason of stones and some small peeces of rocks which lie in a brook of water that descends from the Mountaines and runs towards the City But at a little Ermitage called St. Iohn the way opens againe it selfe and sheweth Guatemala welcoming the weary travellers with a pleasant prospect and easing theirs or their mules or horses feet what with green walkes what with a sandy and gravelly Rode unto the City which never shut gate against any goer or comer nor forbad their entrance with any fenced walls or watchmens jealous questions but freely and gladly entertaines them either by the back side of the Dominicans Cloister or by the Church and Nunnery called the Conception And thus my Reader and country man I have brought and guided thee from the Golfe unto Guatemala shewing what that way is most remarkable I shall not now shew thee any more of this Cities Dominions toward Nicaragua and the South having already shewed thee the way as far as Realejo leaving that untill I come to tell thee of my journey homewards which I made that way There remaines yet the Country of the Vera Paz and the way unto it to discover and so to close up this Chapter The Vera Paz is so called for that the Indians of that Country hearing how the Spaniards had conquered Guatemala and did conquer the Country round about wheresoever they came yeelded themselves peaceably and without any resistance unto the Government of Spaine This Country formerly had a Bishop to it selfe distinct from Guatemala but now is made one Bishoprick with that It is governed by an Alcalde Maior or high Justice sent
when they have killed it they let it lie in the woodin in some hole or bottom covered with leaves for the space of about a week untill it stinke and begin to be full of wormes then they bring it home cut it out into joynts and parboil it with an herbe which groweth there somewhat like unto our Tanzy which they say sweetneth it again and maketh the flesh eat tender and as white at a peice of Turkey Thus parboiled they hang up the joynts in the smoke for a while and then boyle it again when they eat it which is commonly dressed with red Indian pepper and this is the Venison of 〈◊〉 whereof I have sometimes eaten and found it white and short but never durst be too bold with it not that I found any evill taste in it but that the apprehension of the wormes and maggots which formerly had been in it troubled much my stomack These Indians that have little to doe at home and are not employed in the weekly service under the Spaniards in their hunting will looke seriously for Hedge hogs which are just like unto ours though certainly ours are not meat for any Christian. They are full of pricks and brisles like ours and are found in woods and fields living in holes and as they say feed upon nothing but Amits and their egs and upon dry rotten sticks herbes and roots of these they eat much the flesh being as white and sweet as a Rabbit and as fat as is a Ianuary hen kept up and fatted in a Coope Of this meat I have also eaten and confesse it is a dainty dish there though I will not say the same of a Hedge-hog here for what here may be poyson there may be good and lawfull meate by some accidentall difference in the creature it selfe and in that which it feeds upon or in the temper of the air and climate This meat not only the Indians but the best of the Spaniards feed on it and it is so much esteemed of that because in Lent they are commonly found the Spaniards will not be deprived of it but do eat it also then alleadgging that it is no flesh though in the eating it be in fatnesse and in taste and in all like unto flesh for that it feeds not upon any thing that is very nourishing but chiefly upon Amits egs and dry sticks It is a great point of controversie amongst their Divines some hold it lawfull others unlawfull for that time it seems the pricks and brisles of the Indian Hedge-hog prick their consciences with a foolish seruple Another kind of meat they feed much on which is called Igâ—…ana of these some are found in the waters others upon the land They are longer then a Rabbit and like unto a Scorpion with some green some black scales on their backes Those upon the land will run very fast like Lizards and will climbe up trees like Squerrils and breed in the roots of trees or in stone walls The fight of them is enough to affright one and yet when they are dressed and stewed in broth with a little spice they make a dainty broth and eat also as white as a Rabbit nay the middle bone is made just like the backe bone of a Rabbit They are dangerous meat if not throughly boiled and they had almost cost mee my life for eating too much of them not being stewed enough There are also many water and land Tortoi's which the Indians find out for themselves and also relish exceeding well unto the Spaniards palate As for drinking the Indians generally are much given unto it and drinke if they have nothing else of their poore and simple Chocolatte without Sugar or many compounds or of Atolle untill their bellies bee ready to burst But if they can get any drink that will make them mad drunk they will not give it over as long as a drop is left or a penny remaines in their purse to purchase it Among themselves they use to make such drinks as are in operation far stronger then wine and these they confection in such great Jarres as come from Spain wherein they put some little quantity of water and fill up the Jar with some Melasso's or juyee of the Sugar Cane or some hony for to sweeten it then for the strengthning of it they put roots and leaves of Tobacco with other kinde of roots which grow there and they know to bee strong in operation nay in some places I have known where they have put in a live Toad and so closed up the Jarre for a fortnight or moneths space till all that they have put in him be throughly steeped and the toad consumed and the drink well strengthned then they open it and call their friends to the drinking of it which commonly they doe in the night time lest their Preist in the Towne should have notice of them in the day which they never leave off untill they bee mad and raging drunke This drink they call Chicha which stinketh most filthily and certainly is the cause of many Indians death especially where they use the toads poyson with it Once I was informed living in Mixco of a great meeting that was appointed in an Indians house and I took with mee the Officers of Justice of the Town to search that Indians house where I found foure Jarres of Chicha not yet opened I caused them to be taken out and broken in the street before his doore and the filthy Chicha to be poured out which left such a stinking sent in my nostrils that with the smell of it or apprehension of its loath somenesse I fell to vomiting and continued sick almost a whole week after Now the Spaniards knowing this inclination of the Indians unto drunkennesse doe herein much abuse and wrong them though true it is there is a strict order even to the forfeiting of the wine of any one who shall presume to sell wine in a Towne of Indians with a mony mulct besides Yet for all this the baser and poorer sort of Spaniards for their lucre and gaine contemning authority will goe out from Guatemala to the Towns of Indians about and carry such wine to sell and inebriate the Natives as may bee very advantagious to themselves for of one Jarre of wine they will make two at least confectioning it with hony and water and other strong drugs which are cheap to them and strongly operative upon the poore and weak Indians heads and this they will sell for currant Spanish wine with such pint and quart measures as never were allowed by Justice Order but by themselves invented With such wine they soone intoxicate the poore Indians and when they have made them drunk then they will cheat them more making them pay double for their quart measure and when they see they can drinke no more then they will cause them to ly down and sleep and in the meane while will pick their pockets This is a common sinne among those Spaniards of Guatemala
have their being to comfort us againe with hopes of life sending us a prosperous gale which drove us out of that Equinoctiall heat and stormy Sea towards the Islands of Perlas and Puerta de Chame lying on the South side of the Mountaines of Veragua from whence wee hoped within two dayes at the most to be at rest and Anchor at Panama But yet these our hopes were frustrated for there our wind was calmed and we fell upon those strong Corrientes or streams which drave us back in the night for the space of almost a fortnight as much as wee had sailed in the day Had not God againe been merciful here unto us we had certainly perished in this our striving with the stream for although wee wanted not provision of food yet our drink falled us so that for foure dayes wee tasted neither drop of wine or water or any thing that might quench our thirst save onely a little hony which wee found did cause more thirst in us which made mee and some others to drink our own Urine and to refresh our mouthes with peeces of lead bullets which did for a while refresh but would not long have sufficed Nature had not Gods good Providence sent us such a wind which in the day drave us quite off from those Corrientes Our first thoughts were then to strike either to the Continent or some Island of many which were about us to seek for water finding our bodies weak and languishing which the Captaine of the Ship would by no meanes yeeld unto assuring us that that day hee would land us at Panama but wee not being able to saile on without drink unlesse wee should yeeld to have our dead and not live bodies landed where hee promised thought it no good purchase though we might buy all Panama with our lives which wee judged could not hold out another day and seeing that the wind began to slacken we all required him to strike into some Island for water which he stubbornly refused and denyed to doe whereupon the three Spaniards and some of the Mariners mutined against him with drawn Swords threatning to kill him if he betooke not himselfe presently to some Island The good Master thought it bad sport to see Swords at his breast and so commanded his Ship to bee turned to two or three Islands which were not above two or three houres sail from us When we drew nigh unto them wee cast our Anchor and our Cock-boat and happy was hee that could first cast himself into it to be rowed to land to fill his belly with water The first Island wee landed upon was on that side unhabitable where wee spent much time running to and fro over heating our selves and increasing our thirst thus whilst one ran one way and another tryed another to find out some fountain our hopes being frustrated and I lost in the Wood and my shooes torne from my feeâ—… with stony rocks and many thornes and bushes in other places my company betook themselves to the Cock-boat to try another Island leaving mee alone and lost in the Wood out of which at last when I came and found the Cock-boat gone from the shore I began to consider my self a dead man thinking that they had found water and were gone to Ship and not finding mee would â—…oise up their sailes for Panama Thus being dejected I cryed out to the Ship which I perceived could not possibly hear my weak voyce and running up and down the Rocks to see if I could discover the Cock-boat I perceived it was not with the Ship and espied it at the next Island With this I began to hope better things of them that they would call for mee when they had gotten water so I came down from the Rocks to the plain shore where I found a shade of trees and amongst them some berries which might have been poison for I knew them not wherewith I refreshed my mouth for a while but my body so burned that I thought there with heat weaknesse and faintnesse I should have expired and given up the Ghost I thought by stripping my selfe naked and going into the Sea unto my neck I might thus refresh my body which I did and comming out againe into the shade I fell into a deep sleep in so much that the Cock-boat comming for mee and the company hollowing unto mee I awaked not which made them feare that I was dead or lost till landing one searched for mee one way and another another and so they found me who might have been a prey to some wild Beast or slept till the Frigat had gone away and so have perished in a barren and unhabitable Island When they awaked mee I was glad to see my good company and the first thing I enquired for was if they had got any water they bad mee bee of good cheere and arise for they had water enough and Oranges and Lemmons from another Island where they met with Spaniards that did inhabit it I made haste with them to the Boat and no sooner was I entred into it but they gave mee to drink as much as I would The water was warme and unsetled for they could not take it up so but that they tooke of the gravell and bottome of the Fountain which made it looke very muddy yet for all this as though my life had depended upon it I drank up a whole pot of it which no sooner had I dranke but such was the weaknesse of my stomack that it presently cast it up againe not being able to beare it With this they wished me to eat an Orange or a Lemmon but them also did my stomack reject so to our Frigat wee went and in the way I fainted so that the company verily thought I would die before wee got aboard When wee came thither I called againe for water which was no sooner downe my stomack but presently up again they had mee to bed with a burning Feaver upon mee where I lay that night expecting nothing but death and that the Sea should bee my grave The Master of the Ship seeing the wind was turned began to bee much troubled and feared that with that wind he should never get to Panama He resolved to venture upon a way which never before hee had tryed which was to get between the two Islands which wee had searched for water knowing that the wind which on this side was contrary on the other side of the Islands would bee favourable unto him Thus towards the Evening hee tooke up Anchor and hoised up his sailes and resolved to passe his Frigat betwen the two Islands which how dangerous and desperate an attempt it was the event witnessed I lay in this season as I may truely say upon my death bed not regarding which way the Master of the Ship or fortune carried mee so that the mercy of the Lord carryed my soule to heaven No sooner had the Frigat steered her course between the narrow passage of the two Islands