A Brief Description of the Whole World, Part 31
Of America, or the new World.
ALthough some do dispute out of Plato and the old Writers, that there was not only a guesse, but a kind of knowledge in ancient time, that besides Europe, Asia and Africa there was another large Country lying to the West, yet he that shall advisedly peruse the conjectures made thereupon, may see that there is nothing of sufficiencie to enforce any such knowledge, but that all antiquitie was utterly ignorant of the new found Countries towards the West. Whereunto this one Argument most forcible, may give credit▪ The people of America utterly void of all manner of knowledge of God▪ or goodnesse.that at the first arriving of the Spaniards there they found in those places, nothing shewing Trafficke, or knowledge of any other Nation; but the people naked, uncivill, some of them devourers of mens flesh▪ ignorant of shipping, without all kind of learning, having no remembrance of History or writing, among them; never having heard of any such Religion as in other places of the world is known, but being utterly ignorant of Scripture, or Christ, or Moses, or any God, neither having among them any token of Crosse, Church, Temple, o… Devotion, agreeing with other Nations. The reasons which are gatheredThe reasons conjectual of a new found World. by some late Writers out of Plato, Seneca, and some other of the Ancient, are rather conjectural, that it was likely that there should be some such place, than any way demonstrative, or concluding by experience; that therewas any such countrey: and the greatest inducement which they had to perswade themselves, that therewas any more Land towards the West then that which was formerly known, was grounded upon this, that all Asia, Europe and Africke, concerning the longitude of the World, did containe in them but 180, degrees: and therefore it was most probable, that in the other 180. which filleth up the whole course of the Sun to the number of 360 degrees, God would not suffer the water only to possesse all, but would leave a place for the habitation of men, beasts, flying and creeping creatures.
I am not ignorant that some; who make too much of vain shewes out of the British Antiquities, have given out to the world, and written something to that purpose, that Arthur sometimes King of Britain, had both knowledge of these parts, and some Dominion in them: for they find (as some report) that King Arthur had under his government many Islands, and great Countries towards the North and West: which one of some special note hath interpreted to signifie America, and the Northern parts thereof, and thereupon haveSome have entituled the Queen of England Soveraigne of these Provinces. gone about to entitle the Queen of England to be Soveraigne of those Provinces, by right of descent from King Arthur▪ But the wisedome of our State hath been such, as to neglect that opinion, imagining it to be grounded upon fabulous foundations, as many things are which are now reported of King Arthur; only this doth carry some shew with it, that now some hundreds of years since, there was a Knight of Wales; who with shipping and some pretty company did go to discover those parts: whereof as there is some record of reasonable credit amongst the Monuments of Wales, so there is this one thing which giveth pregnant shew thereunto; that in the late Navigation of some of our men to Norumbega, and some other Northern parts of America, they find some tokens of civility and Christian Religion; but especially they do meet with some words of the Welch language; as that a Bird with a whitehead should be called Pengwiun, & other such like: yet because we have no invincible certainty hereof, and if any thing were done, it was only in the Northern and worse parts: and the entercourse betwixt Wales and those parts, in the space of divers hundred years, was not continued, but quite silenced: we may go forward with that opinion, that these Westerne Indies were no way known to former ages.
God therefore remembring the prophesie of his Son, that the Gospel of the Kingdome should before the day of judgement be preached in all coasts and quarters of the world, and in his mercy intending to free the people; or at the least some few of them, from the bondage of Satan (who did detaine them in blockish ignorance) and from their Idolatrous service unto certain vile spirits,Their Religion. (whom they call their Zemes, & most obsequiously did adore them.) raised up the spirit of a man worthy of perpetual memory (one Christopherus Columbus▪ the first discoverer of America.Columbus, born at Genua in Italy) to set his mind to the discovery of a new World; who finding by that compasse of the old known World, that there must needs be a much more mighty space (to the which the Sun by his daily motion did compasse about) then that which was already known and discovered; and conceiving that this huge quantity might as wel be Land … Sea, he could never satisfie himself till he might attempt to make proof of the verity thereof.
Being therefore himself a private man, and of more vertue than Nobility, after his reasons and demonstrations laid down, whereby he might induce men that it was no vain thing which he went about, he went unto many of the Princes of Christendome, and among others to Henry the seventh, King of England, desiring to be furnished with shipping and men fit for such a Navigation: but these men refusing him, partly because they gave no credit to his Narration; and partly lest they should be derided by their Neighbour Princes, if by this Genoestranger they should be cousened; but especially, for that they were unwilling to sustaine the charges of shipping: At last he betook himself unto the Court of Ferdinandus and Elizabeth, King and Queen of Castile, where also at the first he found but small entertainment; yet persisting in his purpose without weariness, & with great importunity, it pleased God to move the mind of Elizabeth the Queen to deale with her husband to surnish forth to ships, for the discovery only, and not for conquest: whereupon Columbus in the year thousand four hundred ninety and two, accompanied with his brotherIn the year 1492. America discovered by Columbus. Bartholomeus Columbus, and many Spaniards, sayled farre to the West, for the space of three score daies and more, with the great indignation & often mutinies of his company, fearing that by reason of their long distance from home, they should never return again; insomuch that the General, after many perswasions of them to go forward, was at length enforced to crave but three daies, wherein if they saw not the Iland; he promised to return; and God did so blesse him; to the end that his Voyage might not prove in vain, that in that space one of his Company did espye Fire, which was a certain Argument that they were near to the Land: as it fell out indeed.
The first Land whereunto they came, was an Island▪ called by theThe Island Haity. Inhabitants Haity, but in remembrance of Spaine from whence he came, he termed it Hispaniola: andThe richs of the country: finding it to be a Countrey full of pleasure, and having in it abundance of Gold and Pearle, he proceeded further▪ and discovered another bigge Isle, which is called Cuba: of the which being very glad, withThe Island Cuba. great treasure he returned unto Spaine, bringing joyful newes of his happy successe.
When Columbus did adventure to restraine the time of their expectation within the compasse of three daies, engaging himself to return, if in that space they saw no Land; there be some write, that he limited himself not at all adventures, but that he did by his eye discerne a difference in the colour, of the clouds which did arise out of the west, from those which formerly he had seen: which clouds did argue by the clearnesse of them, that they did not arise immediately out of the Sea, but that they had passed over some good space of the Land, and thereby grew clearer and clearer, not having in them any new or late risen vapours: but this is but conjectural.
The Spaniards, who are by nature a people proud; have since the death of Columbus, laboured to obscure his fame, envying that an Italian or stranger should be reported to be the first discoverer of those parts.
And therefore have in their writings since given forth, that there was a Spaniard which had first been there; and that Columbus meetingThe pride of the Spaniard, labouring to obscure the fame of Columbus. with his Cards and descriptions, did but pursue his enterprize, and assume the glory to himself.
But this fable of theirs doth savour of the same spirit wherewithall many of them in his life time did reproach him, that it was no matter of importance to find out these Countries, but that, if that he had not done it, many other might, and would. Which being spoken to Columbus it a solemne dinner, he called for an Egge, and willed all the guests one after another to set it up on end. Which when they could not do, he gently bruising the one end of it, did make it flat, and so set it up, by imitation whereof each of the other did the same: whereby he mildly did reprove their envy towards him, and shewed how easie it was to do that which a man had seen done before.
To go forward therefore: Columbus being returned to Castile, after his welcome to the Princes, was made Great Admirall of Spain, and with a new Fleet of more Ships was sent to search further: which he accordingly did, and quickly found the maine Land, not farre from the Tropick of Cancer.
Which part of the Countrey, in honour of Spain, he called Hispania Hispania nova.nova, in repect whereof at this day the King of Spaine doth entitle himself Hispaniarum Rex.
Some there be which write, that Columbus did not discover further then the Islands; and that he spent the greatest part of his former labours in coasting Cuba and Hispaniola, to see whether they were▪ Islands, or a Continent; and that some other in the meane time did thrust themselves forward and discryed the firme Land: among whom Americus Vespucius the chiefe, ofOf whom this Country had its name. whose name a great part of the Countrey is called at this day America.
They found the people both of theManner of the people. maine Lands and Islands very many in number, naked, without cloaths or Armour; sowing no Corn, but making their Bread of a kinde of Root, which they call Maiz. Men most ignorant of all kind▪ of Learning, admiring at the Christians, as if they had been sent downe from Heaven, and thinking them to be immortall, wondring at their Ships, and the tacklings thereof; for they had no Ships of their own, but big troughs, which they call their Canoes, being made hallow (or the …ody of a Tree) with the sharp bones of, Fishes: for yron and such like Instruments they have none.
Although it do appear, that by the Warres of one of their petty Princes, or Kings, whom they call Cassickes, had against another, many thousands of the Inhabitants of those Countries were continually wasted and spoiled: yet the number of them was so great in every part of the West-Indies, that in Hispaniola alone there were supposed to be by computation of the Spaniards first arriving there, not so few as 2000000. which yet by the crueltyThe cruèlty of the Spaniards▪ of the Spaniards were so murthered, and other ways made away, that within fifty years after (as their Writers report) there were scant any thousands in that Island remaining of them.
The like is to be said of the populousnesse of other Coasts and quarters there.
The Armour which those peopleTheir Armour. did weare when they entred into the Warres, was nothing but some sleight covering, either made of Wood, or S…els of Fishes, or of Cotton-wooll, or some such foolish matter. For thèy had no use at all of Iron or Steele, but the most part of them came without any kinde of cloathing, or covering, yet armed with Bowes and Arrowes, which were made sharp at the end with the scraping of Fish-bones, or with Fish-bones themselves put on the end; like an Arrow-head; and that oftentimes they dipped in a kind of most venomous poyson: Some other of them had for their Weapons great clubs, wherewith they did use to beat out the braines of those with whom they did combate.
They had amongst them no goodNote their bread. or wholsome food, for even that Maiz whereof they made their bread, had in the root thereof a most venomous kinde of liquor, which is no better than deadly poyson; but they crush out that juice, and afterward do prepare the roo…, so that it maketh them a kinde of Bread.
There was no sort of good LiteratureNo good literature amongst them to be found among them: nay, they could not so much as distinguish any times the one from the other, but by a blockish kind of observation of the course of the Moon, according to which they made their computation, but without any kind of certainty, saving for some few Moneths which were lately past: but for the set calcula…ing of ought which was done divers years before, they could do nothing therein, but onelyonly grossely aime at it.
But that in all Ages it hath appeared, that Satan hath used ignorance a… one of the chiefest meanes whereby to increase Idolatry, and consequentlie to enlarge his kingdome▪ it were other wise incredible, that any who have in them reason, and the shape of men, should be so brutishly ignorant of all kind of true Religion, devotion, and understanding.
For the adoration which they do give, was only unto certain foule spirits, which they call b… the name of their Zemes. In remembrance of whom, divers of them did keep in their houses certain things made of cotton wooll, in the manner of puppets, or like Childrens babies, and to these they did yeeld a reverance, supposing some Divine Nature to beNote how the Devill did strangely delude these people. in them, because sometimes in the Evening; and in the night time they had such illusions offered unto them, as that they saw these their Puppets to move and stirre up and down in their houses, and sometimes to utter voices, and give divers s…gnifications of such things as they would have to be done, or not to be done: Yea, and that with such effect from the devill also, that if their wills and commandements we…e not fulfilled, there was some vengeance orpunishments executed upon them or their Children, the more to keep them in awe & servility, to the great enemy of mankind.
Not long after the Spaniards entred those parts, there were in divers of the Islands, and some parts of the Main, such incredible tempests, and disturbances of the Aire, by winde and rain, thunder and lightning, as that the like had never been seen nor heard of in the memory of man: which are ordinarilie interpreted to be the speciall work of the Devill: who not unfitly is termed by Saint Paul the Prince of the Aire, as having a liberty given him of God there sometimes to do strange executions: and of likelyhood, he did make these stirs, either grieving that the name of Christ was at all broughtNote the malice of Satan. into those parts, or else seeking to fright the Inhabitants from associating themselves with those who brought (although but superstitiously) the knowledge of God, and the Redeemer, being desirous that they should look for more such distemperatures and vexations, if they would confederate themselves with them.
The people were so ignorant of all humane and civill conversation, and trafficking into those parts, at the first comming of the Christians thther, that they thought they could never sufficiently admire their persons, their shipping, or any otherThe admiration of the people at the approach of the men and shipping. thing which they brought with them: Whereupon they without ceasing gazed on the manner of their Ships, seeing them to be so great, and consisting of divers Planc…es: But they were never satisfied with staring upon their Mastes, Sayles, Cables, and other Ropes and Tacklings, whereunto they had never beheld any thing like before: and yet nature and necessity had taught them to make unto themselves certain Vessels for the Sea, of some one tree, which they did use to get down, not with cutting, but with fire: and when it lay along upon the ground, they did use also fire, either to burn away that which was tough and unfit without, or to make it hollow within: although they have also the shels and bones of Fishes, whereby they made smooth▪
But some of these Troughes or Canoes were so great, that sometimes above twenty men have been found rowing in one.
The Trees of America, but especiallyThe mighty bignesse of the trees of Brasile. in Brasilia, being so huge, that it is reported of them, that several fam…les have lived in several arms of one Tree, to such a number as are in some petty Villages, or Parish in Christendome.
Among other strange opinionsThey conceiv…d them to be some gods. which they conceived of the Spaniards this was one, that they were the sons of some god, and not born of mortall seed, but sent down from Heaven unto them: and this conceit was the stronger in them, because at the first, in such conflicts as they had with them, they could kill few or none of them: the reason whereof was, partly the armour of the Spaniards, and partly the want of Iron and Steele upon the Arrowes which the Americans did shoot: but they were not very long of that opinion, that they were immortal, but reformed that errour, both by seeing the dead corps of some of the Christians, and by trying an experiment upon some of them also: for they took of them, and put their heads under the water, and held them till they were choaked; by which they knew them to be of the same nature as other men.
Among other points which didThey admired and feared a Letter. shew the great ignorance and unlettered stupiditie of these Indians, this was one, that they could not conceive the force of writing of Letters; insomuch that when one Spaniard would send unto another, being distant in place, in India with any provision, and would write a Letter by him, what the fellow had received from him; the poor Indian would marvell how it should be possible that he to whom he came should be able to know all things which either himself brought or the sender directed: And thereupon divers of them did think that there was some kind of spirit in the paper, and marvellously stood in fear of such a thing as a Letter was.
This Country yeelds great abundance of strange Herbs, the like whereof are not to be found in other parts of the World: as also some very rare beasts, as one among theSome very rare Beasts. rest, who by Peter Martyrs description, hath some part like an Elephant, some part like an Horse, and divers other parts like divers other Beasts; Nature having studied to expresse a great many several creatures in one.The S…a Crocodiles.
There are also found at the Sea or within some Rivers, Crocodiles, but not of that hugenesse as those that breed in Aegypt in the River Nilus, whereof some are described by Pliny to be at the least 24. Cubits in length; which argues the Crocodile to be the greatest creature in the world that comes of an Egg.Some rare stones.
There are also thereabout some extraordinary Stones growing in the Land; as above others the Blood stones, whereof there are great store: but especially there is one thing of great beauty and worth, that is, the abundance of Pearles, which are taken in shell-fishes, and are of a great quantity, as any that be in the Seas near to the East-Indies: …o that the true cause of the plenty of Pearle in Europe, in this our Age, beyond that incomparably which hath been in the dayes of our forefathers, is to be ascribed to the discovery of these New-found Lands
There are also here divers TreesDivers tree not elsewhere found. which are not to be found elsewhere: and many Roots, which serve for divers purpose….
Among other things (whereofThe abun dance of Kin and Buls. there is great plenty in those Westerne parts) is the abundance of Kine and Buls: whereof they report, that there is such store in Guba and Hispaniola, that there are killed …own divers thousands every year, whereof the Spaniard maketh no other use, but to take the Tallow, or the Hide; which serveth them in their shipping, and for divers other purposes; but the flesh, or the most part of them, they suffer for to putrifie, as making little account of it: partly because of the heat of the Country, wherein they eat little flesh, and partly because they have store of Hens, and other more dainty meat, whereupon, together with fish, they do very much feed
It may seem a kind of miracle, unto him who looketh no higher than the ordinary rules of Nature, and doth not expect the extraordinary and unlimited power of God, that whereas a great part of America doth lie in the Zona Torrida, in the self same climate with Aethiopia, and the hottest parts of the EastIndies, where the inhabitants are not only tawny, as all be in Aegypt, and in Mauritania, but also coaleblack and very Negroes; here there should be no man whose colour is black, except it be those which are brought out of Africa, but that the people should be o… a reasonable fair complexion; which is to be ascribed only unto Gods peculiar will, and not to that which some foolishly have imagined, that the generative seed of those people should be whi…e, and that other of the Aethiopians black; for that is untrue▪ in as much as the Aethiopians case doth not differ from the quality of other men.
The Spaniards did find the peopleThe condition of the people of America. to be here most simple, without fraud, giving them kind entertainment, according to their best manner; exchanging for knives and Glasses, and such like toyes, great abundance of Gold and Pearle.
It is certain, that by the very light of Nature, and by the ordinary course of humane shape, there were among this people very many good things, as affabilitie in their kind, hospitalitie towards strangers, which had not offended them, according to their ability, and open and plaine behaviour, yea and in some parts of these West Indies, The Religion.there was an opinion in grosse, that the soul was immortall, and that there was life after this life: where beyond certain hils (they know not where) those which dyed in defence of their Countrey, should after their departure from this life, remain in much blessednesse: which opinion caused them to bear themselves very valiantly in their fights, either striving to conquer their enemies, or with very good contentment, enduring death (if it were their hap to be taken, or slain) in as much as they promised themselves a b…tter reward elsewhere: ButYet many grievous sins by them committed. withall, as it could not chuse but be so, there were many other grievous sins amongst them: as adoration of Devils, Sodomie, Incest, and all kind of Adultery; Ambition in very high measure; a deadly hatred each of other: which proceeded all from the fountain of ignorance wherewith Satan had blinded their eyes: yet there were among them some, which by a kind of blind witch-craft had to evil purpose, acquaintance, and entercourse with foule spirits.
The manner of their attire, orTheir attire beautifying themselves, which divers of these people had severally in severall parts, did seeme very strange unto them who came first into that country. For some of them did adorn themselves with the shells of fishes, some did weare Feathers about their heads, some had whole garments made of Feathers, and those very curiously wrought, and placed together of divers colours: to which purpose they did most use the feathers of Peacocks or Parrots, or such other birds, whose colouring was of divers colours. Yea, in very many places they had their lower lips bor'd thorow with a great hole, and something put into them, as also into the upper parts of their ears, being pierced in like manner: which as it seemed to themselves to be a point of beauty, so it made them appear to other men to be wonderful ugly.
The quantity of gold and silverInfinite … gold and silver in America. which was found in those parts was incredible, which is the true reason wherefore all things in Christendome (as Bodin de Rep. observeth) do serve to be sold at a higher rate then they were in the daies of our forefathers, when indeed they had not so: for as he noteth, it is the plenty of gold & silver which is brought from this America, that maketh money to be in greater store, and so may more easily be given, then it could be in the daies of our Predecessors.Precious mines.
But for the thing it self, it is testified by all writers, that there were in those▪ parts very great mines of the most precious metals, that in the banks of rivers, with the washing of the water, there was divers …i mesfretted out very good and big pieces of gold, which without melting and trying; was of reasonable perfection; and the like was to be found in many places of the Land, when the people did dig for their husbandry, or for any other use.
This made the inhabitants there (for the commonnesse of it) to account gold and silver but as a vile thing; and yet by the reason of the colour of it, for variety sake, to be mingled with the Pearle, divers of them did wear it about their necks and about their arms. And yet we do find, that in some part of the west Indies, the Kings did make some reckoning of gold, and by sire did try it out to the best perfection; asAttabaliba his ransome may appeare by Attabaliba, who had a great house piled upon the sides with great wedges of gold ready tryed, which he gave to the Spaniards for a ransome of his life; and yet they most perfidiouslie did take his life from him.
But the meane account ordinarilyThe Country people exchanged it for babl… which the people had of gold, did cause them very readily to bring unto the Spaniards at their first arrivall great store of that metall, which they very readily exchanged for the meanest trifies and gewgawes which the other could bring, even such things as wherewith children do use to play: But there was nothing more acceptable unto them then Axes and Hammers, Knives, & all tooles of Iron, whereof they rather make account to cut down their timber to frame it, and to do other such necessaries to their convenient use belonging, then to fight, or to do hurt each to other: and therein may appear the great variety of Gods disposition of his creatures here and there; when in all that maine Continent of America, but especially in that which lieth between or near the Tropicks, there is no Iron or Steel to be found; which without doubt gave great way to the conquest of the strongest places there; as of Mexico by name, when armed men with Gunnes, and other instruments of warre, were to fight against them which were little better then naked; and it was rightly upbraided by one of his Countrymen to Ferdinandus Cortesius upon one of his returnes from America, having made exceeding boast of his great victories in those parts, and comming afterwards in service into Africk, where he being hardly laid unto by the Moores, and shewing …o valour at all, it was remembred unto him, that it was an easie thing for him to do al those exploits which he craked so much of in the WestIndies, in as much as the people there had nothing to resist.
There was nothing more dreadfull to those unarmed men, then theThey dreaded men on horse-back. fight of Horses and men riding upon them, whereof a very few did quickly over-bear many thousands of them, even almost in the beginning of the discovery of those parts.
Ferdinandus and Elizabeth, then King and Queen of Castile, and after them Charles the fifth the Emperor, who succeeded in their right, partly to stir up their subjects to action, and partly to procure unto themselves the more treasure with lesse expence and trouble of their own, did give leave unto divers of their subjects, that by speciall commission they might passe into those parts, and there have severall Quarters and Countries allotted unto them, where they might dig and try out Gold and Silver, on condition, that they did allow cleare untoThe King had the fist part for his tribute. the King, the fifth part of such commodities as did arise unto them; and therefore neere unto every Mine and Furnace; the King had his speciall Officers, which did daily attend and take up his Tribute. And to the end that all things might the better be ordered, both there, and in Spaine (concerning the affaires of those Countries) the King caused a Councell and CouncellA Councel at Sivill for the government of America. house to be newly erected at Sivill, where all things should be handled that did grow to any controversie: and where the intelligences and advertisments might be laid up as in a place of record, which should from time to time bee brought out of America: Of this Councell Peter Martyr (who wrote the Decades) was one, and continued there till he was very old; and therefore might upon the surest instructions set down these things which he committed to story.
The desire of gain caused theNote the Spaniards cruelty. Spaniards to seek further into the Countries: but the tyranny and the covetousnesse of the Spaniards was such, in taking from them their goods, in deflowing their Wives and Daughters; but especially, in forcing them to labour in their, Gold Mines without measure, as if they had been Beasts, that the people detesting them, and the name of Christians for their sakes, did some of them kill themselves, and the mothers destroyed their children in their bellies, that they might not be born to serve so hate full a Nation: and some of them did in war conspire against them; so that by slaughter and otherwise the people of the Countrey are almost all wasted nowwithin a hundred years, being before many millions: and those which remain are as Slaves, and the Spaniards almost only inhabite those parts.
It is not unknown to all the partsHis insolency and tyrannising pride. of Europe, that the insolencie of the Spaniards is very great, even over Christians, tyrannizing and playing all outrages wheresoever they get men in subjection; and this maketh them so hatefull to the Portugals at home, to the Italian in Milluin and Naples, but especially to the LowCountrey-men, who have therefore much desire to shake off the yokeTheir beastly bassness. of their Governour. Besides tha…, they are men immoderately given to the lust of the Flesh, making no conscience (even at home) even to get Bastards in their young dayes, and reputeth it no infamy unto them to frequent Harlots and Brothel-houses: but when they are abroad, especially in warlike services, they are very outragous, impudently and openly deflouring mens Wives and Daughters. It may easily then be guessed, what disorder they kept in the West-Indies, where the Countries are hot, and the women were not able to resist their insolencies; and how they did tyrannize over the poor unarmed people, making them to drudge for them, not only like slaves, but bruit beasts: which gross over-sight of theirs was at the first so apparent, that all of good minds did complaine thereof, as appeareth by Peter Martyr himself, who in his writing to the Pope, and other Princes, doth much deplore the ill usage of them who in name were Christians, towards those simple Infidels. And certainly it caused many of them to blaspheme the nameNote their inhnmanity of God, and of Christ, and to renounce their Baptisme, whereunto they were either forced or intreated, when they measured the God of the Christians by the actions of his servants, whom they sound to be blasphemers and swearers, riotous and great Drunkards, ravenous tyrannous, and oppressors, unsatisfied, covetous, fornicators, beyond measure given to incredible wantonnesse, and exercising even among themselves, all kind of envie, contention, murthers, poisonings, and all sort of inhumane behaviour.
Not long after the arrivall of theThe Friars complaint of their cruelty Spaniards there, there were certain Fryars and religious men, who moved with some zeale to draw the people there to the Christian faith, did travell into those parts, that so they might spread abroad the Gospel of Christ, and when they came there, beholding the intemperance of their Country-men, which turned many away from the profession of Religion, they were much moved in their hearts, and some of them by writings, and some other of them by travelling personally backe againe into Spaine, did informe the King and his Court, how dishonorable a thing it was to the name of Christ, that the poor people should be so abused: and how improbable it was that those courses being continued, any of them would hardly embraced the faith.
The earnest Petition of these, caused Charles the fifth, the Emperour and King of Spaine, by his Edict and open Proclamation published in the West-Indies, to give liberty unto the Inhabitants and Naturals of the place, that they should be in state of free-men, and not of bond: but hisNote. subjects were so inured proudly to domineere over them, that this did little amend the condition of the people.
Since these daies notwithstanding the blind zeal of the Spaniards hath been such, as that the Kings have been at some cost, and other men also have been at a great charge to erect divers Monasteries and religious Houses there, and many have taken the pains to go out of Europe (as they think for Christs sake) to reside as Monks and Friars, in America.
There be established some Bi… shopricks there, and other Governments Ecclesiastical, and the Mass is there published, and Latine service, according to the custome of the Church of Rome, labouring to root out their infidelity, but mingling the Christian Religion with much Popish superstition.Mexico described.
By reason that the Country is exceeding rich and fruitful, the Spaniards with great desire did spread themselves towards the North, where they found some more resistance, although nothing incomparison of Warriours: but the greatest of their labour was to conquer the Kingdome of Mexico; which Mexico is a City very great, and as populous almost as any in the the world; standing in the midst of a great Marsh or Fen. The conquerour of this, was Ferdinandus Cortesius, so much renowned in Spaine unto this day.
If there were any thing at all in these West-Indies which might savour of civility, or any orderly kind of government, it was in the Kingdome of Mexico: where it appeared unto the Spaniards, that there is a certain setled state, which was kept within compasse by some degrees and customes of their own: and which was able to make some resistance (as it may be termed) if it be compared with the other inhabitants of America; although little, if it be conferred with the courses of Christendom: But the policy of the Spaniards was, that by private means they came to understand of a King that confined neer upon Mexico, who as he was of good strength, so was he of exceeding malice towards these his borderers, and by his forces and intelligence, Ferdinandus Cortesius and his company came to have their will upon Mexico.
In this Countrey there standethA great Lake. a very great Lake, which at the one end is very large, and almost round; but towards the other end doth contract it self again into a narrow room, and then spreadeth wide again and round, onelyonly about the third part of the compasse of the greate… end. In the lesser of the two, their are set some houses in four or five severall places, which represent our Villages: but in the greatest pan of the Lake standeth Mexico it self, being a City built of bricke, to … good and elegant proportion, where the water issueth into divers streets of it, as it is in Venice, and from some part whereof there are diver Bridges unto the main Land, mad also of brick, but from the other …des, men do come by boats, where of there is abundant store continually going in that Lake.
The Writers do record, tha… there is to be found in this City, a bundance of all kind of provision, but especially fruits, and other delightfull things, which are brought in from other parts of the Countrey.
This was the chief City of allMexico the chief City of all those quarters. those quarters, before the arrivall of the Spaniards there, and in subjection thereunto were many large Provinces, extending themselves every way: so that the King of this place was a Prince of great estate. And accordingly thereunto, the Spaniards at this day have made it their chiefe and royall City, where the King keeps his Vice-Roy of Mexico for the West-Indies, as he hath his ViceRoy at Goa for the East-Indies: and from thence have all the parts of America (but especially that which they call Hispania nova) their directions; and hence they fetch their Laws, Ordinances, and determinations, unlesse it be such great causes as are thought fit to be referred to the Councell of Spaine.
The Sea which confineth neerestThe Gulph of Mexico. unto this City is called the Gulph of Mexico; where, as in divers other Bayes or Gulphes, the stream or current is such, that ships cannot passe directly to and fro, but especially out of the Gulph, that they are forced to take their course either high to the North, or low to the South.
In and neer unto this Gulph are divers Iland, conquered and inhabited by the Spaniards; as the forenamed Cuba and Hispaniola, whereDivers Islands in the gulph of Mexico. the Spaniards were visited by our English, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, and their Towns of Sancto Domingo, and Saint Jago taken by Sir Francis Drake; as also Jarvaica and Boriquen, otherwise called the Iland of Saint Phu, where the Earle of Cumberland took the Town of Porto-Ricco, and many other Islands of lesse note.
In the Sea coasts of all this Nova Hispania, the King of Spaine have built many Towns and Castles, and therein have erected divers Furnaces and Forges, for the Trying and Fining of their Gold.
They that do write of the discovery of the West-Indies, do report, that when Columbus at the first went thitherward, in their greatest distraction and doubtfulnesse of minde, whether to go forward or backward; and Columbus had begged only two or three daies respite, there was one of his company, who after the Sea manner going up to discover the Land, did espie some fire: for the which being so happy and lucky a token, he did hope to receive at the hands of the King of Spaine, some bountiful reward: but when he returned home, there was nothing at all given unto him,Note. which he took with that malecontentednesse and disdaine, that he fled over into Africa, and there among the Moores did apostate and renounce the Christian faith▪ so that he became a Saracen.