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
in no respect is the Province of Bogota inferiour in which Saint Fayth the Metropolis of all Granadâ— is scituated 22 leagues directly to the South inhabited with 600 Spanish Families being the usuall residing place of the Deputy Bishop and all their Officers Beyond this City to the South-east I find mention onely of one more called Saint Iohns remote neere fifty leagues for nothing much commended but for the store of gold it affordeth To the North-east fifteene leagues from Saint Fayth lyeth the Towne Tocaymai neere adjoyning upon the River Paty where it falleth into Magdalena equall to the foresaid Provinces Tunia Bogota in regard of all provision necessary and delighfull but much to be preferred in respect of the wholesome wel-pleasing temperature of the Climate beside some Bathes which by long experience have beene proved right good for the curing of many dangerous diseases Having thus briefly discovered Granada I conceive it most convenient for the more cleere discription of the next adjacent government which is Popaian to begin with it as it lyeth on the South-west of Tocayma and Saint Fe and as it bordereth neere upon the rising of the River Magdalena and so falleth for two degrees directly South to the equiâ—octiall where it is devidâ—d from Peru and then returneth backe to the West rising of the great River Martha distant from that of Magdalena full forty leagues Hereby having continuall referrence to the chiefe City 〈◊〉 it selfe seated not farre from the head of the said West 〈◊〉 we shall the better understand and the scituation of the whole government The first Towne of Popaian neerest â—djoyning to Granada is Saint Sebactian standing within three leauges from Onda the highest Inland Port belonging to Magdalena much frequented by the Merchants of Cartagena and Martha in respect of the exceeding profitable importation of the necessary Commodities of Europe into these parts and the transporting of abundant treasure from hence This Towne standeth from Saint Fe of Bogota in Granada thirty leagues from the City Popaian 35 the fields about it are fruitfull and have many silver Mines in them Above the rising of Magdalena in the Valley of Neyâ—â— the Natives are so numerous as that they hitherto have stoutly defended themselves against the Spanish and inforced them to retire from some Townes they had built there Timana in the most South-west part of the said Valley of Neyva forty leagues from Popaian the Spanish as yet with much adoe hold but thrive very well by reason of the richnesse of the soyle to feâ—d Cattell and the abundance of sugar and honey which it affordeth To the North-west of Timana and as many short of Popaian upon the rising of the West arme of Martha here called Cauca standeth Almager in a hilly Country yet fertill and very rich in golden Mines Hence the government of Popâ—â—an extendeth it selfe either directly to the West or to the North It is convenient I first finish the Western part as being in this book to fall no farther to the South which will bring us by the confines of â—eru to the South sea of America the knowledge whereof may much further us in the better understanding not onely of the scituation of its governments but also of the other parts of the North America that yet remaine to be described To the West of Almager about twelve leagues beginneth the Valley of Mastel whereunto bending somewhat to the South are the Valleys of Abades and Madrigal adjoyning Of which this onely can be certainly affirmed that they are of great extent full of many little Villages and those well peopled with the Natives a good signe they are not unfruitfull Beyond these Valleys standeth Pasto in the riâ—h Vale of Atris remote from Popaian fifty leagues The rest of the Province of Pasto reaching yet fifty leagues more to the West even to the South sea of America is very mountainous in which there be many rich mines but it is well knowne to be very barren either for graine or Cattell The Promontaries Rivers and Havens of this large Province of Pasto upon which the South sea beateth are Saint Mathews Bay Cape Frâ—ncis and Los Quiximires nearer bordering to Peru. Higher to the North where the Sea gaineth greatly upon the Land Eastward are Port Manglares the River Nicardo and Saint Iohn To returne where we left to the the rising of the River Caâ—ca fifty leagues before it commeth to the North sea where it is called Martha upon both sides whereof lye the better part of Popaian From Almaguer where this great River first springeth on the East side thereof lyeth the Province of Gâ—anaca on the West the Valley of 〈◊〉 both rich in treasure and exceeding fit for the feeding of Cattell Betweene these with the falling of the River for the space of ten leagues before we come to the City of Popaian on either side doe intervene two other Vaâ—â—eys Cocomici to the East and Barauca to the West much of the same condition with the two former The Metropolis of Popaian it selfe standeth from the Equinoâ—tiall two degrees and a half to the North from the Meridian of Toledo in Sâ—aine towards the West seventy degrees and thirty scruples it standeth in a very healthfull Climate and fruitfull soyle it hath two Winters and Sommers and both so tâ—mperate as it injoyeth a kind of perpetuall Spring and evâ—ry yeer affordeth two plentifull Crops the fields on both sides the River Cauca are very large affording ample maintainance for innumerable Cattell and incredible variety and store of most delicate fruits besides the first risings of the Andion mountaines to the East and the Tamban mountaines to the West yeeld abundance of courâ—e gold Aboâ—t 22 leagues from Popaian doâ—ne the said River Cauca one leagâ—e on the West side of the River lâ—eth Cakâ— a Spanish Towne of great trade in a large fruitfull Valley in some places twelve leagues wide knowne by the same name whether great store of treasure and other â—ich Commodâ—ies are continually brought from rich Peru and Câ—yâ—y out of the south sea especially by the Bay of Bonaventure remote 28 leagues which great distance of place is a great part of it taken up with the wide rough and little inhabited mountaines of Timba and by many boggy places caused by a frequent fall of many waters which make the passage very difficult with horse but this defect the Spanish supplieth by the helpe of poore Indians whom they cruelly enforce for five dayes hard travaile to beare upon their shoulders through thicke and thin through sharâ—e cutting stones and piercing thornes neere upon a hundred weight and yet affordeth those miserable creatures not necessary sustentation Betweene the teâ—iâ—ories of Cali and the south sea mountaine more to the North-â—est mountaines is the Province Conchi inhabited by a Giant-like people in regard of stature but otherwise as little to be feâ—red as the rest whom the Spaniard hath driven higher into the mountaines on both sides the
Province of Xuruara and beyond that ten leagues more somewhat neare to the south-east is the Port of Guiacas of both which we read of nothing much worth noting but onely betwixt these and the rich Provincâ— of Tucuio 25 leagues distant a short passage may be had into the great Kingdome of Granado The south side of the Lake Maricabo is inhabited by the Pocabuyes and the Alcohalads two Nations of a milder temper and more traâ—table disposition then are most other Natives both are confidently reported to possesse great riches and a â—oyle every way well furnished for a comfortable sustentation of life Terra Firma ANd now having finished Venezuella we are to proceed with the next adjacent part called Terra Firma as being first â—ound after the Islands It is thought by Cieca who hath wrote of it that it extendeth it selfe from about Martha which is in the eleventh degree of the North latitude within a degree of the equinoctiall for the space of 400 leagues The bredth of it as it is taken according to the sea-coast from Cape Vela tâ—Panima directly West where it is widest doth not exceed three hundred leagues Betweene which not many leagues distant from sea though farre remote the one from the other arise foure high Mountaines running the length of this Region and all Peru and Chyly are usually knowne by the name of the Andion mountaines where they are narrowest they are two leagues over in most ten in some more then twenty but â—heâ— betweene these mountaines lye many large well levelled plaines which being continually watered from the many small brookes and wide Rivers issuing from them make many exceeding fruitfull Provinces except it be some places where over great abundance of waters tuâ—neth them into Mores and Fens The Climate in generall is very wholsome but in regard of heat and cold little can be said of it in generall the mountaines and the plaines differing so much these being for the greatest part of the yeere somewhat over hot those over cold yet so as having recourse to both according to the severall seasons of the yâ—ere they prove very convenient for habitation and are for the most part as well stored with gold and precious stones as any part of Aâ—erica whatsoever When I have set forth so much of this Sea-coast as shall be requisite at once I shall then by an orderly falling downe with the continent within a degree or two of the equinoctiall particularly acquaint you with the places where the foresaid treasure and many other usefull commodities are to be had Cape Vela the most Easterne Province of Terâ—a Firma is distant from â—oro in Venezuella sixty leagues from whence to Rio de la Hacha are eighteene thence to Martha thirty thence to Cartagena five and thirty more These three are the onely Haven Townes of note belonging to the East part of this Country though yet there be many other Ports and Rivers which may and doe afforâ— safe harbour for shipping Short of deâ—la Hacha to the East is River Ranceria beyond it to the West foure leagues is Port Ramada then follow the mouth of the five great Rivers Buhio Pera Palamino Don Diego and Anchon de Quagâ—câ—icho remote the one from the other a league or two Betweene these and Martha Port doe intervene Concha and Los Anchones two convenient Havens though nothing comparable to that of Martâ—a which in the yeere 1587 was certified to the King of Spaine by Baptista Antonella his owne Geographer to be moâ—e safe and convenient for the Spanish Fleets yeerly passage into those parts then Cathagena if any considerable cost were bestowed upon it and that meerly for want thereof it hath beene twice taken by the English with small forces Betweene Martha Towne and the falling of the great River Martha which is neare about the mid-way Cape Agnia and the navigable Rivers of Gayra and Ciennagoy places of note doo intervene So on the other side betweene it and the Port of Carthagena the sandy Island of Zamba and other shelvy places by avoyding the coast and striking to Sea are carefully to be avoyded untill ships maâ— more safely put in from Sea to Canoa but two leagues from Carthagena As for the Port of Carthagena it self were it as well provided as the foresaid Baptista adviseth his Majesty of Spaine to have it done it might upon better ground be esteemed impregnable But for ought I can read or heare a strong Navy which can spare to land but 2000 or 3000 men where they shall find opportunity may take the Towne and all the rich treasure in it as well as it hath beene formerly taken by our Countrymen with farre lesse strength when it was lessâ— fortified but of this strong Port more hereafter From Cartagena where the Sea beginneth to decline from the North to the south-west for the space of 35 leagues untill we come to the gulfe of Uraba into which falleth the great River Darion we read only of some small Islands as Caramari Bara Tortaga to be observed to avoyd for the dangerous accesse unto them rather then for any good to be gain'd from them yet there are two safe and convenient Havenâ— betweene them Hitherto of the sea coast of Terra Firma to the said gulfe where on the West siâ—e the Islands of Panima a narrow neck of the Land continueth and yet seperateth it from Nova Hispania where the North continent beginneth to arise some degrees to the North Let us now pierce into the continent of Terra Firma and view it according to its severall governments with as neere a relation as we may to the foresaid Ports whether more neere adjoyning or further remote The fâ—â—st government taketh its name from Rio de Hacha the first Port towne to us-ward it is but of small extent for it reacheth not above eight leagues into the continent but stored with Spanish fruits golden mines and precious stones of divers sorts and were it not withall over-stored with wild beasts in the field and Crocodils in the Rivers it might well be reckoned one of the best habitations of Terra Firma Besides Rancheria and Ramada which as Haven townes I mentioned before we read of one Spanish towne called Tappia well furnished with Cattell This Province is seperated by the mountaines of Buritaca from the government of Martha of farre greater extent somewhat more then 110 leagues in length from East to West and not few lesse in bredth from North to south The particular Provinces belonging to this spacious government doe much differ in divers respeâ—ts The Valley of Tayrona seven leagues distant to the East of Martha and the Province of Buritaca â—ight moâ—e are fertill and very rich in gold and precious stones neither are they â—â—oubled with over-much heat or cold But the Valley of Upar wherein standeth Cuidad at the head of the River Pompâ—tao remote from Martha fifty leagues seperated from Buritaâ—a though it be somewhat fertill yet is it
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
then three from Manoa the cheife City so as keeping his course as he acknowledgeth he did downe Orinoque running directly North-East from thence there was then no hope of finding what he so eagerly sought for but instead thereof received both in his forces and provisions much losse many of them perishing by water his small vessels being split upon rockes or overwhelmed and swallowed with the violence of the streame and many of them killed by the Natives The first place of note he arrived at was the Province of Amapaia which he affirmed to be rich in gold and though for the greatest time of his abode there which was six moneths he was feircely infefted by the inhabitants yet at length after the concluding of a peace betweene them he obtained eight Images of gold as curiously made as any in Europe which he sent to the King of Spaine The River of Oronoque running on the East side of Amapaia is said to be twelve miles broad and about seven or eight hundreth miles from its fall into the Ocean From hence getting over to the South-East side of Orinoque he sought very diligently to have found an entrance into Guiana but could finde none all places being stopped up with high unpassable mountaines And although he met with divers Rivers both on the one and on the other side of Orinoque yet he professed he could not learne the name of them but onely of the River Caroly neither could he as he pretended for want of the use of Geography expresse of what degrees they were so as he utterly despaired of obtaining any good successe in this voyage untill he came to Emeria where he found store of provision and the inhabitants of a more peaceable and civell disposition The petty King thereof was called Carapana a man of a hundred yeeres of age who in his youth had beene often at the Islands of Trinidado and Margaâ—ita where he traded with the Christians there and learned much from them how to governe his people Berea having staid here some good space of time and having as he conceived gained sufficient knowledge of Guiana betaketh himself without staying anywhere downe the River Oronoque directly to Trinidado from thence not long after he sent backe againe to Carapana who directed them to Morequito Lord of Aramaia as having better knowledge of Guiana living foure or five dayes journey from Magureguaira This Morequito had some few yeeres before brought much gold to Gumana and withall had so highly extolled the great riches of Guiana as that Vedes the Governour of Margarita sought to have obtained a patent thereof from the King of Spaine but was prevented by Berea which so troubled Moreâ—uito for his acquaintance Vedes sake with whom he had much ingratiated himselfe as that though he feared openly to deny Bereas request in sending guides with his men to trucke with the Guianians for gold Yet privily upon their returne which is reported to have beene with much store of gold he caused them to be mutthered neare the bankes of Oronoque one onely escaping to informe Berea of this 〈◊〉 act which he conceiving to have beene plotted by Morequito sent a good part of the men he had at Trinidado to take him and to spoyle his Covntry Before whose coming Morequiâ—o hearing of it fled to Vides for succour but being within a while demanded in the King of Spaines name he was delivered and executed whose execution so displeased the borderers of Oronoque as he thought it not safe ever after to venture with a few men to trafficke that way neither was his strength now sufficient to make his way wherefore expecting sufficient forces from other parts of the Spaniards dominions neerest adjoyning he staid so long at Trinidado untill he was surprized by Sir Walter Raleigh in the yeere 1596. Here then Bereas discovery of Guiana being interrupted it is meet I forbeare any further relation thereof untill I have shewed you what was performed by our worthy Countryman the said Sir Walter Raleigh in his first expedition thither after which as being after it in time the conclusion of Bereas discovery as also of Captaine Kemish and others who were imployed by learned and expert Raleigh that way will more seasonably follow After six weekes and two dayes departure from England Sir Walter Raleigh though he staid seven dayes at Tenerife one of the Canary Islands in expectation of Captaine Preston arived at Trinidado and tooke it within foure dayes where loosing no time in the prosecution of his intended designe for Guiana after diligent search the narrow sea betweene Trinidado and the fall of Oronoque being so shallow and shelvie more especially those branches of the said River all that was then discovered being sound by his Sea-men not above nine foot deepe at high water he was enforced to leave his ships and with a hundred men thronged together in two barges and three whirreys to crosse that narrow sea and to venture up the River by those branches wherein when they had rowed foure dayes his owne barge came a ground so as they were in some feare whether they should ever have got her off againe such was the shallownesse of the River when the flowing of sea had left them After this for many dayes more they wandred here and there for want of a good Pilot not knowing which streame to take the streams multiplying so exceedingly upon them by reason of the many great and small Islands that lye in this wide bottome of Oronoque computated by the most judicious Geographers neare a hundred miles wide from South-east to North-west After they fell upon those Islands commonly called Trivitivans the Inhabitants whereof commonly goe by the name â—awani and Waraweâ—kâ— who in regard they are commonly overflowne from May to September they live in houses upon trees very artificially built their food being Indian bread fâ—â—h and venisons prepared before hand Here they happened on a Pilot more expert then the former who yet within few dayes was out of his knowledge where againe it was their good hap to meet with a 〈◊〉 much more expert one Martin an Arwacan whom 〈◊〉 â—ooke in a Canoa with some others going down Amana one 〈◊〉 the greatest armes of Oronoque to Margarita with store of bread both the Pilot and the bread were of singular use to Sir Walter Raleigh and his almost fainting company without which they had undoubtedly beene much straightned for going any further But by direction they quickly attained unto Arowacy on the South side of Oronoque whereof Toparimaca being Lord entertained them kindly and furnished them with provisions as also with another Pilot yet more experienced in the crosse perplexed streames of Oâ—onique as they grew higher to Guâ—â—na From Arowacy bending their course almost directly Westward they pasted by a great Isle called Arrowâ—pana twenty miles in length and six in breadth and at nighâ— cast Ancour at Ocawyta not one third part so bigge The next night they stayed under Putayma Island from whence
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
for repairing the mounds of the lake was in the yeer 1629. miserably overflown to the drowning of many thousand Inhabitants and to the losse of the greatest and best part of their houshold-stuffe and other goods which were either driven away or corrupted by the waters A second thing here to be noted is that this last yeere as it was constantly reported in London the Viceroy of Mexico and with him all Nova Hispania were revolted and in open Rebellion against the King of Spaine which if it shall as yet it is verily beleeved prove true it will be of high concernment to this Nation or any other into whose hearts it shall please God to put an effectuall desire of dispossesing the Spaniard of his usurped stewardship so unfaithfully imployed in respect of the fincere promoting of the Gospell in the purity thereof and so tyrannically exercised in regard of incredible oppressions rapines and murthers there as their owne Authors confesse inhumanely committed by them Now for the two other greater Provinces under the command of Mexico government Panaco to the North the Mechoacan to the South-west I will briefly set downe so much as is of any concernment to be knowne That part of Panuco which is said to be both in length and bredth fifty leagues toward the Arch-bishoprick of Mexico is very habitable and fertill and in times past of great note for silver mines that are now thought to be neere exhausted But the other part which bendeth to the North-east for fifty leagues to Florida so farre as it is yet discovered is found overgrowne with woods and barren The Spanish Townes here not greatly inhabited beside Panuco it selfe by them called Saint Steven are Saint Iago 25. leagues to the West and Lewis de Tampice eight to the North not farre from the gulfe of Mexico The most westerne Province belonging to the Mexico government is Mecoachan lying between Mexico and the Provinces of Galaecia bending into the continent towards the North sixty and being bounded to the South by the South-sea full 80. leagues whereunto belong the Port towne called Zacatulca thirty leagues from Acapulco then Saint Iago and Malaccan 50. more from thence to the North-west There are belonging to this large Province two other little ones Taximaroa within 30. leagues of Mexico and Colima to the South-west upon the confines of Galaecia 50. leagues from Valadâ—lid the chiefe City of Mecoachan This Colima is constantly reported to be very healthfull apt for graine and Cattell but abounding with the choisest fish and fruit and not without some gold mines though it hath more brasse which is there so common that since the Spaniards comming thither they make all those instruments of brasse that we usually make of iron And though this South-west part be the best of all yet is there none unlesse high to the North not yet so fully discovered but is as rich and every way as convenient to be inhabited Besides Valadolid which the Natives call Guagangareo standing upon a great lake as big as that of Mexico there are many other Spanish Townes of note First Leon very famous for the golden mines that have been found about it Then Salaya St. Miguell and Saint Philippo up to the North both of Mexico and Valadolid though between them bending still Westward all built by the Viceroyet many league distant the one from the other of great use to secure the vast treasute which is constantly conveyed from the most plentifull silver mines of Elerema and many other of which hereafter against the Pocacars the most barbarous of all Savages who live as wild men in Woods and cannot as yet be brought under by the Spaniard though yet in hath beene long endeavoured not without great losse on either side Galaecia I Am now come to Nova Galaecia to the West of Mecoachaâ— bounded to the West with the sea of California but to the North and North-west though large and spatious Countryes are discovered yet it is concluded by the learned in this kind that there resteth much more to be discovered This government hath annexed unto it divers other Provinces Guaidalaâ—ara Xalâ—sco Zacatecas Chiametla Biscaia as also California Câ—bola Quivira and Nova Mexico of which when I have briefly spoken you have all that I thought fit in so short a compendium to communicate touching the Northerne America Guadalaira the principall and most Southerne Province of Galaecia is bounded to the East with some parts of the Provinces of Mexico and Mecoachan to the West with Xalisco to the North with Zacatecas where the most plentifull silver mines are thought to begin but of late it is found that about Guadaliarae the chiefe and indeed the onely Towne here there are more plentifull silver mines â—ere they as the other so well searched which for want of men they have not as yet been discovered And it is further to be observed that this inland Province is for temperature and fruitfulnesse in most respects second to none Xalisco is to the West of Guadaliara upon that Sea-cost called Mare Pacificum that is the still sea The onely thing of observation here is an herbe which the Native call Curcas highly extolled by Monardes the great Herbalist to be of singular use against most diseases Cametla likewise lyeth upon the same sea-coast but a degree or two higher to the North The great store of Inhabitants which Herrea mentioneth to have been there shew it to be fertiâ—â— And Ybara who in the yeere 1554. built Saint Sebastian the onely Spanish Towne there found many silver mines and of late more have been discovered Culacan a degree more to the North bending to the West and coasting upon the foresaid sea was found out by Nonnius Gusmanus who Anno 1531. did build a Towne there called Del Esparâ—u Sancto This Province as the former is very fruitfull and rich in silver mines the women here are reported to be very comely and beautifull and to goe modestly attired a thing not usuall in these Countryes Cinoloa yet four degrees further to the North in the full extent of it towards the West was discovered by the same Gusmanus but I doe not read of any thing which after his long travails and search was worth his labour The maritimate places belonging to these Provinces in North latitude of no lesse extent then from the 19. to the 27. degrees are Cape de Corientes at the turning of the continent then Port de Singuiquipaque upon the 22. degree then Saint Sebastian in Chametla Saint Miguel in Culica the Rivers de Pascua and Petatlan in Cinaloa still higher to the North Calfornia though it be esteemed to be of very large extent yet hath it not been as yet discovered Sir Francis Drake in his admirably happy voyage compassing the World fell upon it and was from such Savages as there inhabiting more kindly entertained then he expected he took possession thereof in the name of the Queen of England A good presage that the most