A New Description of the World, Section 4

A New Description of the World · Section 4

p. 181A GEOGRAPHICAL AND Historical Description OF AMERICA, In its Kingdoms and Provinces, &c.

AMERICA, the fourth Division of the World, so named by Americus Vespucius, an adventurous Florentine, who discovered a part of the Continent, is bounded on the East with the Atlantick Ocean, and the Virginian Seas, called Mare del Noort; on the West with the Pacifick Ocean, called Mare Del Zur; dividing it from Asia on the South, with part of Terra Australis Incognita, from which separated by a long p. 182narrow Streight, called the Streight of Magellan; but on the North reaches, as some suppose, to the Artick Pole; the bounds are not known, and although this Country has been but lately discovered by us, yet it is conjectured to be as anciently Peopled as Europe it self, and though some have guessed it was knownto the Antient Greeks Romans and Carthaginians, yet they are but Conjectures, only the Arguments or Probabilities, they bring to confirm or strengthen them, being much too weak to hold with a considering or Judicious Reader, and therefore coming to more certainty, we must be impartial, and ascribe the Honour of the Discovery of this great Country, called by many A New World, to the Honour and Memory of Christopher Colon or Columbus, a Genoese, born at Neray in the Signiory of Genoa, who being a man of considerable Abilities of mind, could not upon considering the motion of the Sun, perswade himself but that there must in reason be large Countries not found out, to which it communicated its influence, and being strongly possessed with these thoughts, he imparted them to the State of Genoa, in the year 1486, whereupon he sent his Brother Bartholomew to propose the Discovery to Henry the Seventh of England, who unluckily, by the way, was taken Prisoner, though some time after, being set at liberty, he performed his Trust, and was received with much chearfulness, insomuch that Columbus was sent for by the King: happy for the Natives had they fell into such merciful hands; but Providence otherways ordered it, for Columbus ignorant of his Brothers being taken by the Pyrats, not hearing any return or answer, concluded his Proposals rejected, and thereupon he made his Overtures to the Court of Castile, where after many delays and six Years Attendance, he was furnished with three Ships, p. 183not for Conquest, but Discovery, when having Sailed sixty days on the Main Ocean, he could descry no Land, so that the disheartned Spaniards growing out of love with so tedious, and as they concluded, fruitless a Voyage, began to Mutiny, refusing to pass any further, at what time, as fortune would have it, Columbus espied a bright Cloud arise, growing still more light, from which he gathered, that they must ascend from the Fumes of the Earth, and not the Ocean, whereat taking Courage, he prevailed with them to stand three days course, and if in that time no Land was discovered, he would engage to return; when towards the end of the third day they espied Fire, which they afterward found to be on the Coast of Florida, where Landing his Men, he caused a Tree to be cut down, and making a Cross, he erected it on the …irm Land on the Eleventh of October 1492, taking thereby possession of this New World in the name of the Spanish King, finding it exceeding pleasant and promising, and so by degrees proceeded further, and after him divers others, till they brought to light the Kingdoms and Countreys Intended here to be described.

The Countrey of America on the Continent, is properly divided into two great Peninsula's, whereof that toward the North is called Mexicana from Mexico the Chief City, computed to be 3000 Miles in Circumference; the South is called P…ruana, the Sailing about which is reckoned 17000 Italian Miles, and the Isthmus that joyns them together, is very long, but narrow in some places, no… above 12 Miles from Sea to Sea, and in many not above 17; called by the Spaniards the Streights of Darien, from a River of that name near the Isthmus, which Isthmus has been often proposed to be cut, that by the joyning the two Seas, the passage might be very much shortened to China, and the Molucca's but never yet enterprized.

p. 184The Mexican Province is properly divided into the Continent and Islands. The Continent containeth the Provinces of Estotiland, Nova Francia, Virginia, Florida, Califormia, Nova Gallicia, Nova Hispania, and Guatimalia, and these sub-divided into lesser Countries. The Peruan Province, or the Southern Peninsula, taking in some part of the Isthmus, hath on the Continent the Province of Castela Aurea, Nova Granada, Peru, Chiele, Parognay, Brasil, Guiana, and Paria, with their several Members, and particular Regions, of which in their order, and then of the Islands of the Universe.

Estotiland, and its Regions described.

UNder the name of Estotiland we comprehend the Northern Regions of the Mexican Province, as also those on the East; and 'tis bounded Eastward with the Main Ocean; on the South with Canida, or Nova Francia; on the West with undiscovered Tracts of Land; and on the North with an Inlet or Bay of the Sea, called Hudsons Bay, taking its name from Henry Hudson an Englishman, who first discovered it.

ESTOTILAND, properly so called, is the most Northern Region on the East side of America, the Soil sufficiently inriched by Nature; the Natives Rude and void of Civility, Arts, or Tractableness, going many of them Named, notwithstanding the extream Cold, living by the Flesh of Wild Beasts they kill in the Woods, and is but little Inhabited but by the Natives, by reason of the lasting Winters; the greatest Advantage drawn from this extream Region, being the Fishing Trade, where in the Rivers at the Season, are such a Number of Cod, called New-land-fish, that with a red Rag and a Hook, a Man may catch forty or fifty in an hour, p. 185which dried and salted, are brought into England and other parts of Europe; besides they Trade sometimes with the Natives for Feathers, Furs and Skins of Beasts; and the most noted places (for Cities you must expect none) are such as have been named by the English, viz. Prince Henry's Fore-land, Charles Cape, King's Fore-land, and Cape Wolstenham at the end thereof, where the Streights open in a large and spacious Bay, called Hudsons Bay; but to come more Southward, the next Region is Terra Corterialis.

In Terra Corterialis, the people are found to be of a little better Understanding, Cloathing themselves more decently in Skins of Beasts, and such other Garments as they can conveniently obtain, being generally good Archers, getting their Provision thereby, yet Strangers to Towns and Cities, as living in Caves and Swamps, or fortified Woods, to which they gave the Names of Towns or Villages; not Marrying, but living Common, most of them Idolaters, and those that are their Guides, pretenders to Southsaying and Witchcraft, much delighting in Fish, which they eat more gladly than any thing▪ though a French Colony setling here, have built some inconsiderable Towns, indifferently Inhabited, as Brest, Cabo-Marzo, Sancta Maria, and some others; and this part was first discovered by Sebastian Cabot in the Year 1499, at the Charge of King Henry the Seventh, though not Improved, but took soon after its name from Gaspar Corterialis a Portugal, who some years after, Sailing upon Discovery, fell in with it; and here are found Staggs, White Bears, and Scut-fish a Yard long, and such shoals of Cod-fish upon the Coast, that they retard the Sailing of the Ships.

p. 186NEW-FOVND-LAND, another part of this Tract lies on the South of Corterialis, parted from it by the Frith or Streight, called Golfes des Chasteaux, pretty well Inhabited, though not free from the Extremities of Cold, and has on the Coast such abundance of Cod-fish, Herrings, Salmon, Mussles, with Pearls in their Shells, &c. that it is to be wondered at; as also Thornbacks, Smelts and Oysters; the up-land Country well Manured, producing naturally Roses, and bears Pease in extraordinary Crops, Flourishing with Trees of sundry kinds, as well for Fruits as Shades; and in these Parts the Natives, scaping the Bloody Cruelty of the Spaniards, are pretty Numerous, being of a reasonable Stature, broad Eye'd, full Faced, and Beardless, their Complexion the Colour of Oaker, and their Houses for the most part made of Pol…s, their Tops meeting together, and covered over with Skins, their Hearth, or Fire-place in the middle, after the manner of the Laplanders; their Boats, with which they Sail in the Rivers, and on the Sea near the Shoar, are made of the Bark of a Tree, that Country affords, 20 Feet in Length and 4 in Bredth, yet one of them weighs not 1 Hundred Weight; and on this Coast are many curious Bays, safe for Ships; and before this Part, which some term an Island, as being divided by the Frith from the Continent, lyeth a long Bank or ridg of Ground of many Hundred Leagues extent, but not above 24 at the Broadest, and all about Islands, called by some Cabo Baccalaos, from the Swarms of Cod fish found about it, which by the Natives are called Baccalaos, so that the Bears frequently pull them out of the Water with their Paws and eat them: As for the Natives (upon the coming of the Christians▪) they Inhabited the Sea-Coast, but now for the most part have betaken themselves to the Woods and Fastnesses, and used to express their Duty and Reverence p. 187towards their King, by stroaking their Foreheads, and rubbing their Noses which if the King accepted, or was well pleased with the Party, he turned his Head to his left Shoulder, as a mark of Favour: And at this day the Fishery for Ling and Cod, chiefly draws the English thither, though some Furrs and Civit are likewise to be found, which the Colonies there setled have much improved.

Canada, or Nova Francia, Described, &c.

ANother part of this Tract, is called Canada, from the River of that Name that Waters it; and New France, from a Colony of French that settled there, who at their first arrival were gladly received by the Natives, with Singing and Dancing; and this part (as well as Nova Scotia, and Norembegue) is considerably Woody, in the up-land parts full of Stags, Bears, Hares, Martins, Foxes, whose Flesh (till more Civiliz'd) the Natives did Eat raw, as they did their Fish, only being dryed in the Sun, or Smoak'd in their Hovels; they have also Coneys, Land and Water Fowl in great Plenty, taking great Pride in Bracelets and Chains of certain Shells, called Esurgnie, which the… gather on the Coast; and here are many great Rivers of fresh Water, which together with Mountains of Snow, render it very cold, yet Wheat and …ulse grows pretty kindly, though but few Fruit Trees; and here the Women Labour more than the Men, and if so the Man (who is allowed two or three Wives) dye, the Widows will not be induced to Marry again, but continue in their sort of Mourning, which is to daub the naked parts of their Body p. 188over with Coal-dust, for in some parts of this Tract they go Naked, both Men and Women.

VIRGINIA is a Country somewhat more pleasant than what we have described; bounded on the North with Canada; on the South with Florida; on the East with Mare del Noort; and on the West with the Woods of the Country, the end of them not Discovered, and is a Colony of the English, along the Sea Coast, and considerably upland, so called in Honour of Queen Elizabeth, that Virgin Queen, and Glory of her Sex, by Sir Walter Raleigh, in the Year 1584. though by the Natives called Apalchen, from a Town of that Name, the Sea-coast only being Pleasant, for as much as what lies more In-land, is full of barren Mountains and rough Woods, where notwithstanding the Natives Inhabit in poor and miserable Houses, under sundry Chiefs, or Petty Kings, and yet frequently at War amongst themselves, for those wretched Dwellings, and sometimes make Inroads, and Plunder the English Territories, killing as many as fall within the compass of their Power, and then Fly to their Woods and Fastness, where they know they cannot without great hazard and danger be conveniently pursued.

The Country properly called Virginia extends from 34 to 38 Degrees of North Latitude, and is very Temperate, by reason of the frequent Breizes, and refreshing Gales of Wind that allay the heat, so that it affords abundance of Pleasant Valleys, Spacious Fields, Fruit Trees, as in England, yielding a greater Increase, and has sundry Veins of Allom, as also Pitch, Turpentine, Cedar, and Olive Trees, with many Pleasant Hills, which are Planted as Vineyards; store of Fish, Fowl, Cattle, and above all sundry large Plantations of Tobacco, especially upon James and York Rivers, and have p. 189considerable Towns and Villages, many of them well Fortified, to prevent Incursion of the Savages, whose Neighbouring Petty Princes, the Governour obliges to pay Tribute, and to send their Slaves if any outrage be committed by them in the Territories of the English, to James, Charles, or any other Town, appointed to be Punished according to the degree of the Fact; and here the Natives (such as border on the Plantation) are much Civiliz'd, in consideration of those that are more remote, Trading with the English, for Furrs, Skins, and Indian Corn, which they fet with a Stick, as we do our Beans, which is the work and business of their Wives, as soon as they have bought them of their Parents, and Built them a House, which for the most part is of Poles, pleated on the Sides and Tops Hurdle-wise; and if Female Children be Born, they as soon as they are able, go into the Field to work with their Mother, but the Male goes along with his Father to shoot in the Woods; and so Lazy are the Men, that if they kill any considerable Game, they leave it at a certain remarkable Tree, and when they come home send their Wife to fetch it, who dares not on pain of Death disoblige her Husband. But this is only meant of the Natives, for the English are there, as here, Governed by wholsom Laws, and live for the most part in great Plenty.

MARYLAND lies on the South of Virginia in the same Tract, divided from it only by some considerable Rivers, and is as the former a Tobacco Plantation, abounding likewise with Corn, Cattle, and considerable Gardens and Orchards of Fruit Trees, Planted by the English. As for the Natives Bordering it, they differ not in manner and quality from the former, going mostly loosly Arrayed in Beasts skins, Feathers compacted, and armed with Bows and Darts.

p. 190NEW ENGLAND, an English Colony in this Tract is bounded on the North-East with Norumbegua, on the Southwest with Novum Belgium; and on the other parts by the Woods and Sea coast; scituate in the middle of the Temperate Zone, between the degrees of 41 and 44, equally distant from the Artick Circle, and the Tropick of Cancer; which renders it very temperate and very agreeable to the Constitution of English Bodies, the Soil being alike Fruitful, if not in some places exceeding ours; all sorts of Grain and Fruit trees common with us growing kindly there: The Woods there are very great, wherein for the most part the Native Indians dwell Fortefying themselves as in Towns or places of defence, living upon Deer and such other Creatures, as those vast Wildernesses whose extents are unknown to the English abound with: there are in this Country store of Ducks, Geese, Turkies, Pigeons, Cranes, Swans, Partridges, and almost all sort of Fowl, and Cattle, common to us in Old England; together with Furs, Amber, Flax, Pitch, Cables, Mast, and in brief whatever may conduce to profit and pleasure; the Native Indians, in these parts are more tractable, if well used, than in any other; many of them though unconverted, often saying, that our God is a good God, but their Tanto evil; which Tanto is no other than the Devil, or a wicked Spirit that haunts them every Moon, which obliges them to Worship him for fear, though to those that are converted to Christianity he never appears.

This English Colony after many Attempts and bad Successes was firmly Established 1620, at what time New Plymouth was Built and Fortified; so that the Indians thereby being over-aw'd, suffered the Planters without controul to Build other Towns, the chief of which are Bristol, Boston, Barstaple, and others, alluding to the Names of Sea Towns p. 191in Old England; and are accommodated with many curious Havens commodious for Shipping, and the Country watered with pleasant Rivers of extraordinary largeness; so abounding with Fish, that they are not taken for dainties: The Religion professed is Presbyterial; and for a long time they were all Governed at their own dispose, and Laws, made by a Convocation of Planters, &c. but of late they have submitted to receive a Governer from England

NOVVM BELGIVM, or the New Neither-land, lies in this Tract on the South of New England, extending from 38 to 41 degrees North Latitude; a place into which the Hollanders intruded themselves, considerable Woody; which Woods naturally abound with Nuts and wild Grapes, replenished with Deer, and such Creatures as yield them store of Furrs, as the Rivers and Plains do Fish and Fowl; rich Pastures, and Trees of extraordinary bigness, with Flax, Hemp, and Herbage; the ground very kindly bearing the Product of Europe; and here the Natives, such as live in Hutts and Woods, go clad in Beasts Skins, their Houshold goods consisting of a Wooden dish, a Tobacco Pipe, and a Hatchet made of a sharp F…nt Stone, their Weapons Bows and Arrows; though the Dutch unfairly to their cost, out of a covetous Humor, traded with them for Guns, Swords, &c. shewing the use of them which the Indians turning upon their quondam Owners, found an opportunity to send 400 of their new Guests into the other World; and here the chief Town is New Amsterdam, commodiously Scituate fo… Trade, and the Reception of Shipping.

FLORIDA is a large part of the Mexican Province, bounded on the North-East with Virginia; on the East with Mare Del Noort; on the South and some part of the West, with the Golf of Mexico, p. 192and the remaining part of the West with New France, extending from 25 to 34 degrees North Latitude; and first discovered to any purpose under the Conduct of Sebastian Cabot an English man, 1497, and now mostly possessed by the Spaniards so named from the many Flourishing Trees and Flowers that enammel the Country; the Soil being naturally so Rich, that a long Manuring cannot impair it's rendering 60 fold increase; so that they have two Crops yearly of Maize ard Corn; and here flourish most sorts of Fruits, as Grapes, Cherries, Mulberries, Chesnuts, Plumbs, &c. The Country yielding Cattle, Fowl, Fish, and many Medicinal Drugs; likewise Pearls, Precious Stones, and some Mines of Gold and Silver, though not much improved.

The Indians Inhabiting this Tract, are of an Olive Colour, great Stature and well proportioned going mostly naked, unless a cover made for their Privity with a Stages Skin, painting their Arms and Legs with divers Colours not to be washed out; their Hair is Black, hanging down to an extraordinary length, cunning and much desirous of revenging injuries; insomuch that they are continually at War amongst themselves; the Women upon the Death of their Husbands, cut their Hair close to their Ears, and Marry not again till it's grown sufficiently long to cover their Shoulders (a very commendable way if used amongst us, to prevent our over hasty Widdows, who are frequently provided before hand;) they have amongst them many Hermaphrodites which they hold in such detestation that they are marked out for Slaves as soon as Born; and though they have a kind of a Glimmering of Immortality, yet they worship Idols, representing the Devil; and when Ferdinando Sotto a Spaniard, went about to perswade them he was sent from God, to bring them to places of Joy and p. 193Delight; they at that time Reflecting upon the Cruelties of that Bloody Nation, told him they could never believe it, forasmuch as they were assured that God was good, and never would send any amongst them to kill, slay, and do all manner of mischief; which indeed is not one of the least causes, why so many of these poor Wretches, conceiving an Aversation to the Religion for the wickedness of the Professors, remain yet in darkness, and obstinately shut their Eyes against the Marvelous Light that should guide them to Salvation: As for the chief Towns, mostly Inhabited by the Christians (for the Natives here, as in other parts, live in Woods and small Cottages) they are St. Helens, scituate on a Promontory of that Name; Charles Fort, upon the Bank of the River Maio; Port Royal, a Haven on the Mouth of a River of that Name; Apalc…e, formerly a Town of Forty Cottages, taken by the Spaniards, and plundered of great store of Wealth; Ante, Ocalis, St. Matthews, St. Augustines, taken by Drake 1585, from the Spaniard, where he found 18 Brass Pieces of Cannon, and 20000 Florens in ready Money: The Mountains here are not very considerable, and the Rivers of note only 11, abound with Fish, where the Crocodiles haunt not.

CALIFORMIA is another Countrey of the Mexicanian Province or Division of the West India's, comprehending a vast Tract of Land, by some branched under divers Denominations; it hath on the East some parts of Nova Gallicia, with the vast undiscovered Countreys lying on the West of Canada, and Virginia on the opposite Shoar, bounded on the North with the unknown parts of the Mexicanian Province, on the North West with the Streights of Anian; on the West with the Sea interposing between it and the Island called Mer Vermiglio; on the South and South West with the rest p. 194of Nova Gallicia, divided at first into the Province of Quivira and Cibola; the former of these taking up the most Northern parts of this side America, being very barren in the extreamest North, yielding few Houses, Trees, or Herbage; the Natives Rude and Savage, eating Raw Flesh without Chewing, Cloathing themselves in Bull and Cow Hides, living in Hoords and Clanns, like the Tartars, and are thought to be upon the Tartarian Continent; but the Mountains of Snow and Ice interrupts all Communication between the Nations; but more Southward the Countrey appears green and pleasant, Flourishing with Herbs and Trees, breeding store of Cattle, not much differing from those of Europe, for bigness, tho in make otherwise, for they have Bunches like Camels between their Shoulders, and Bristles, like Logs upon their Backs, their Mains like that of a Horse, and Beards like Goats, having short Horns and Legs, insomuch that they look frightful to those that first behold them; but in these the Natives place their greatest Riches, making them serve their turns sundry ways, as their Hides for Cloaths and the Covering Houses; their Bones for Bodkins and Needles; their Hair for Thread, their Sinews for Ropes; their Horns, Maws, and Bladders for Vessels to drink in; their Blood for Drink; and the Calve-skins for Budgets to carry Water in; the people generally Roving from place to place, and seldom being at a stay.

CIBOLA, the second Division of Califormia, lying more Southward, is pretty Temperate, so that the Natives go Naked, unless a short Mantle of Beasts-skins cast over their Shoulders, and a Flap to hide their Pri…ities: As for Fruit-Trees, they are rarely found, except Cedars, of which they make their Boats and Fuel; yet they have Maize and small white Pease growing Naturally, of which they make their Bread; some quantity of Sheep they p. 195have, and as for Venison, though they have store, yet they rarely eat it, but rather kill it for the Skins, and so much the Woods abound with Lyons, Bears, and Tygers, that those who border on them are continually obliged to stand upon their Guard; they are very Civil to Strangers; however, the Spaniards, tho they entered this Countrey, withdrew again their Forces, as not thinking the Countrey worth their maintaining; as for Cities or Towns there are none of note.

NOVA ALBION, so named by Sir Francis Drake Anno 1577. is another part found in this Tract, lying about 38 degrees North Latitude, which renders it considerably Fruitful, abounding in Cattle by reason of the pleasant Pastures it affords, and such store of Deer and Conies, that it is greatly to be admired; and of the Skins of these, those of most Dignity make them Robes, but the meaner sort go Naked, except the Women, who have only an Apron of Bulrushes to hide their Privities; and here it was the King of the Countrey offered up his Crown of Net-work, and Feathers, to Sir Francis Drake, who received it on the behalf of the Queen of England, erecting a Pillar and fixing her Arms thereon, as a mark of the Countreys Subjection to her, naming it thereupon New Albion.

NOVA GALLICIA, so called from a Province of Spain of that Name, to which it is likened for Temperature of Air and Production, is bounded on the East and South with New Spain; on the West with the River Buena Guia; and on the West with the Gulf of Califormia; scituate between 18 and 28 degrees of North Latitude, 300 Leagues in Length and 100 in Breadth; the Air is generally very temperate, but rather inclined to heat than cold, and tho often the Inhabitants are disturbed with great Storms of Thunder and Rain, yet is the Air very healthy, so that no Contagious Disease happens p. 196amongst them, and when they are deficient of Rains, the Dews refresh the Earth, and the Countrey withal being Mountainous, affords Quarries of Stone and Mines of Brass and Silver, but none of Iron or Gold, and amongst the Metal a great mixture of Lead happens; however the Plains wonderfully abound with Corn, yield Wheat 60 fold, and Maize 200 fold; they have Bees likewise without stings, who make their Honey in Trees of the Woods to great quantities; and here grow Citrons, Figgs, Malacotoons, Cherries, and Olives; the people wavering and inconstant, upon the least discontent betaking themselves to the Woods, and deserting their Houses; their Garments being for the most part Cotton Shirts, with a Manle over it, given much to Singing and Dancing, and sometimes to Drinking, and have their Tribes, whose Heads Command in Chief, and succeed Hereditarily, yet those Chiefs Commanded by the Spanish Officers, inhabiting those parts; and in this Tract are the lesser Provinces of Cinaloa, Conliacan, Xalisco, Guadalaiara, Zacatecas, New Biscay, and New Mexicana: All of them, as to the Natives and Quality of the Countreys, little differing, the greater part of them Commanded in Chief by the Spaniards, to whom the Petty Princes and Governours of the Natives are Subservient and Tributary, and have for their Chief Towns, St. Philip and Jacob, St. John de Cinaloa, Pistala, Xalisco, Nombre de Dios, plundered of great Treasure by Sir Francis Drake, St. Lewis, St. Barbara and Chia, every one the Chief of Province, and hold some Trade, tho not considerable, the Spaniards not desiring to have Commerce with any other Nation, nor suffer the Natives to do it, lest they should be incroached upon; for they hold the poor ignorant people in hand, that they are the most powerful Lords of all Europe, and the invincible People of the World.

p. 197NOVA HISPANIA, or New Spain, is another large Countrey, in the Mexicanian Province, bounded on the East with an Arm of the Sea, called the Bay of New Spain and Gulf of Mexico; on the South with part of Nova Gallicia and Mare del Zur; on the North with the rest of Gallicia, some part of Florida and the Gulf on the South of Mare del Zur; or rather the South Sea, and is so called, in reference to Spain in Europe, extending from the 15th degree of Latitude to the 26th. Measuring on the East side from the Bay of Mexico to the North of Panuco, but less by 6 degrees, if the Measure be taken to the West side, and tho it is scituate under the Torrid Zone, yet the Air is very Temperate, by reason the Heats are allayed by the Cooling Briezes that come from off the Seas on Three sides of it, and the Ground being Cooled by the Showers that seasonably fall in June, July, and August, when the Weather is at the hottest; and here are found Rich Mines of Gold and Silver, some of Brass and Iron, great plenty of Coco Nuts, store of Cassia, and vast quantities of Cocheneal growing upon Shrubs or little Trees, planted by the Natives and Spaniards; they have likewise store of Wheat, Pulse, B…rley, Plants, Roots, Oranges, Lemons, Pomegranats, Malacotoons, Figgs, Apples, Pears, Grapes, Birds and Beasts, both Wild and Tame, almost of all sorts; and in the hottest part of this Countrey, their Seed time is in April, and their Harvest in October; but in colder places, lying low and moist, they Sow in October and Reap in May, by which crossing, they are Supplied with Two Harvests in a Year.

The Natives of this Tract are more Ingenious than any other of the Salvages, giving themselves up to Curious Arts, especially to the making of Feather Pictures, which they perform so lively without Dying the Feathers, but taking them in p. 198their natural Colours, that they will imitate Men, Beasts, or any other thing, so lively, that at a very small distance, any one not knowing the contrary, would verily believe them to be drawn by the most Curious Master with a Pencil, &c. Working in Gold more neat and dextrous than any Europeans, yet so little esteeming it, that at the first coming of the Spaniards, they Barter'd it for Knives, Beads Bells, and such inconsiderable Matters, and not having been used to Ride on Horse-back, they took their new come Guests for Centaurs; they were exceeding Populous, which appears by the Spaniards, having destroyed Six millions of them in 17 Years, Roasting some, plucking out the Eyes of others, Consuming them in their Mines, and Inhumanly casting them amongst Wild Beasts to be devoured, insomuch that the Women, many of them not only refused the means for Generation, but such as found themselves pregnant, destroyed their Children in the Womb, that they might not be brought up to serve so Bloody a Nation.

In the great Province of New Spain, are found the lesser Provinces of Panuco, Mechuacan, Mexicana, Thascala, Guaxaca, and Jucatan, all plentifully abounding with the pride of Art and Nature; the whole Province taking its name from Mexico, a great City upon a Lake, as likewise all that I have hitherto written relating to this New World, and because the taking of this City proved of such Importance to the Spaniard, we think it not amiss to give a brief Relation of it, viz.

Hervando Cortz, born in Medeline a Town of Estremadure, a Province of Old Spain, rising from an obscure Birth to become a private Adventurer in these parts, raised by Industry his Fortune to so high a pitch, that with the help of his Friends, he Manned Eleven Ships, with 550 Men, and after some contending with the Seas, arrived at the Island p. 199now called Sancta Crux, and passing up the River Tabasco, sacked Potonchon a small Town on the Banks of it, upon the Inhabitants refusing to sell him Victuals, and by the help of his Horse and Cannon, put to the Rout an Army of 40000 of the Salvages, and so receiving the King a Vassal to the Crown of Spain, he passed onwards towards the Golden Mines, Landing at St. John de Vllo, where he was met by order of the Governour of the King of Mexico, with rich presents of Gold and other rich Things, which so inflamed him, that forgetting the Civility, he found means to pick a quarrel with the King, by building Forts in the Countrey, and claiming it for Charles the Fifth, King of Spain and Emperour of Germany, and getting the Flasc…lians on his part, a party of the Natives who were at variance with the King of Mexico, and increasing, his Spaniards by such as he found in the Countrey, to 900 Foot and 80 Horse, he with the whole Force of the Flascalians, being 100000 Men, and the help of 17 Pieces of Cannon, 13 Galliots, and 6000 Cnoa's or Boats, besieged that great City by Land and Water, and in 13 Months took, sacked, and burnt it, by which means this Rich Kin, … fell to the Spaniards.

GVATIMALIA is another large Tract in the Mexicanian Province, bounded on the North with Jucatan and the Gulf of Honduras; on the South with Mare del Zur; on the East or South East with Castela Aurea; and on the West with New Spain; extended 300 Leagues upon the Coast of Mare del Zur, but upon straight measure not above 240, and in breadth about 180 Leagues, comprehending the lesser Provinces of Chiapa, Verapaz, Guatimala, properly so called, and from which the whole Tract takes its Name; Hondura, Nicaragua, Veragua; and has for its Chief Towns Civida Real, St. Augustines, St. Salvador, St. Jago de Guatimala, p. 200St. Maria de Comyagena, Leon de Nicaragua, and La Trinidada, with divers others of lesser Note.

This part of Mexicana, by reason of its nearness of Scituation to the Line, is Fruitful in all parts, unless where the Rocky Hills thrust up their heads abounding with Fruit, Trees, Corn, Cattle, Foul, Fish, and Mines of Gold, Silver, and Brass; and in the Rivers, which are considerable, much Gold is found, as washed from the Mountains, and here the Natives bear the Spanish Yoke more uneasily than in other parts.

A Description of the Peruanian Province, or the Second Devision of America.

THis great Province, divided into many lesser, resembles a Pyramid Reverse more properly so than Africk, joyned to that we have mentioned by the Isthmus or Streights of Darien, deriving its Name from Peru the Chief Province of the whole, which stands thus divided, as far as is hitherto Inhabited by the Spaniards or other Europeans, viz. Castela Aurea, the new Realm of Granada, Peru, Chiel, Paragnay, Brasil, Guyana, and Paria, not accounting the Islands, which are reserved for another place; and as for the boundards in general, having already described them; we now proceed to describe the particular Provinces, and of them in their order, viz.

p. 201CASTELA DELORE, or Castela Aurea, is bounded on the West with Mare del Zur and some part of Virginia; on the South with the New Realm of Granada; on the East and North with Mare del Noort, called Castile, in reference to that in Spain, as being discovered by the Influence of those Kings, and Aurea added, by reason of the abundance of Gold found there, and contains Panama, Darien, Nova, Andaluzia, St. Martha, and the Provinces De La Hacha, the Air in most parts is very Healthful, especially to those that have been there for any considerable time, or born there; however the In-land Countrey is thinly peopled, by reason the Spaniards upon their first settling there, destroyed in a manner the whole Race of the Natives, whose Assistance now they want to Manure the Soil; there were likewise found at their first Coming, an extraordinary number of Swine, which they also destroyed and suffered to rot upon the ground in such multitudes, that now, tho they would fain retrieve that loss, it is not in their power; however the Earth brings forth a considerable Encrease, where the Fields and Valleys are found, tho the Countrey abounds with barren Mountains and Woods, so that in this Province, besides the Mines of Gold and Silver that are found, enriching the people with great Treasure; they have Corn, Wine, Oyl, Mellons, Balsom, sundry sorts of Drugs and Trees of sundry kinds, producing Fruits different from what are found in Europe; and in the Province of A daluzia, the Spaniards upon their Arrival, greedy of Gold, found in the Graves of the Dead, which were brought from all parts to be buried there, as held to be the most Sacred ground, so much Treasure, that for a time they took no care to dig it out of the Mountains: As for the People Inhabiting this Tract, they are mostly Spaniards, those few Natives that are left, being in a manner their Slaves: The p. 202Countrey is full of great Rivers, as Rio de Lagartus, the River of Crocodiles; Sardinila, Sardino, Riode Comagres, Rio de Colubros, and others, being in many places overspread by the Spurs of the great Mountain Andes, held to be as big as any in the World.

The Chief Towns in this Province are Panama, Darien, on the bank of the Gulf of Vmbra; Carthage…a, scituate in a Sandy Peninsula, and consisting of 500 Houses; St. Martha scituate on the shoars of the Ocean; Lahach, scituate upon a River of that name; all of them under the Power of the Spaniards, governed according to the Laws of Spain, to which the Natives are obliged to submit.

NOVA GRANADA, or the New Realm of Granada, lies on the North of Castela Aurea, being about 130 Leagues in Length, and not much less in Breadth, and is divided into Granada and Popayana; the Air for the most part well, with a mixture of Heat and Cold, but more of the former; neither differ the days any thing considerably in length; the Countrey extreamly Woody, and somewhat Mountainous; yet stored with Fertile Plains, and breeds a number of Cattle, affording Veins of Gold and other Mettals, and in a part of it called Tunia, are found Emeralds of great value: The Natives that are yet remaining, go very decent, and are by their Conversation with the Spaniards (amongst whom they live in small Towns) much Civiliz'd; the Women being more White and Comly than in any other part, very Industrious, Tall, and well Proportioned, most of them embracing the Roman Catholick Religion, much delighting in Singing and Dancing▪ and as for the Chief Towns in this Province, are they St. Foy an Arch-bishops See; St. Michael a Market Town, well Traded to; Trinidado seated on the River of that name; whose Fields are ful… of Vines of Chrystal, Emeralds, Adaments, and p. 203Chalcedons; Tunia, Pampelonia, Papayan, the u… al Residence of a Governour, and a Bishops See: Antiochia, Carthage, Sebastian de la Plata, so called from the Silver Mines in its Neighbourhood, with some others of less note: As for the Rivers and Mountains, most of them want names, wherefore for brevities sake, we pass over any tedious Enquiry into them.

As for this Province, it had its Name given by Gons…lvo Ximenes de Quesada, in reference to Granada in Spain, who having Murthered (contrary to Faith given) Sangipa the last King of Bagota, whom he had made use of in subduing the Panches, he seized his Treasure, which amounted to 191294 Pezoes of fine Gold, 35000 of courser Allay, and 1800 large Emeralds; by which the Riches of the Province may be guessed.

PERV lying South of the former Province, is accounted in Length 700 Leagues, but disproportional in Breadth, as not exceeding in some places 60 and 40 Leagues, tho in others 100, and is divided into three parts, but so differing in nature and quality, as if they were at a larger dis…ance from each other, being called the Plains, th… Hill Countreys and the Andes; the first extending on the Sea shore, in all places level, without Hills; the second composed of Hills and Plains, stre…ching out from North to South; the whole Length of the Province; and the third a continual Ridg o… huge Mountains without any Valleys; however, …ho the Mountains and Hills are Woody, or otherways Barren, by reason of their Minerals, yet the Plains and Valleys produce store of Corn, Fruit, and Herbage, Flourishing with an Eternal Spring, the Southerly Wind continually blowing on them, bringing no Rain, though on the Mountains all manner of Winds have power, and bring Rain, Thunder, and Fair Weather by turns, as in other p. 204Countries, and to supply the want of Cattle, they have in the Woods and Mountains, a Beast like a Goat called Vicagues, and a kind of Sheep as big as young Bullocks; bearing large Fleeces, which they use as Horses, to carry their burthens; but if at any time they find themselves over-laden, neither force nor fair means can oblige them to move forward, before they are alleviated, living upon slender diet, and will sometimes Journy three days without Water; and amongst Plants, the Fig-Tree in this Country has a strange effect, viz. the North part looking towards the Mountains, bringeth forth Fruit in the Summer only, and the South part looking towards the Sea in the Winter; and in this Province grow Coco's in great plenty, whose Leaves dryed in little Pellets, satisfie Hunger and Thirst, and are a great part of the diet the Spaniards afford their poor Slaves in the Mines, so that it is said 100000 Baskets full of them have been devoured in a year at the Mines of Petosia; and a plant they have, by which they try sick Persons, whether they will live or dye, for if the Patient look chearful when it is fast grasped in his hand, then is it a sign of Recovery, but if sad, the contrary; and have Beasts called a Huanacu's, the Males of which stand Centinals upon the Mountains, whilest the Females descend and feed in the Valleys; and if they perceive any man approaching them, they give warning, by making a terrible noise; and hastily running to their assistance, interpose their Bodies till they make their retreat; and many other things are found worthy of note; and the whole Province is divided properly into three juridical Resorts, viz. Quito, Lima and Charcas, these having under them other Divisions of lesser note, as Las-Quixos, Cusco, Collao, &c.

p. 205As for the People they were not so ignorant, upon the first Arrival of the Spaniards, of Letters, whereby they might acquaint themselves with other parts of the World, but that they labour to keep them so still, that they through Ignorance may the better brook their Yoak; however they are couragious and industrious, fearless of Death, animated to contemn Life in hopes in the other World to live in Luxury and Riot, and injoy delicate Women; so that when any of their Chiefs or petty Princes die, some of his Servants willingly submit to be Buried with him, that they may wait upon him afterward; some of them dwelling in the most Mountainous parts, go half naked; but the rest have long Mantles reaching to their heels, though in dressing their Heads they differ, each having a peculiar Fashion: And to guess at the Riches of this Country by some part of it, 'tis affirmed, that the Mines of Petozi, discovered in the year 1545. afforded for the Kings Fifth's payable to his Exchequer 111 Millions of Pezoes of Silver, every one valued at 6 s. 6 d. of our money, and yet a third part of the whole was discharged of that payment; and in some parts as much Gold is digged as Earth, &c. As for the Rivers of most note, they are St. Jago, Tombez, Guagaquil, and others of lesser note. The Towns are principally Carangues, Peru, Cusco, Andreo, Truxilo, Archidona, Baeza, Lima, Collao, Potozi, Plata, Chiquita, with others; but to draw to a conclusion of this rich Province, we need only say for a further Demonstration, that when Atabalaba was overcome by Pizarro and his Spaniards, he gave (besides what infinite Sums the Spaniards had plundered before) for his Ransom, a large Room full of Gold piled up to the Ceiling; yet this prevailed not with those Unchristian like Christians, for falling out about the sharing, and willing to conceal it from the p. 206King of Spain; they notwithstanding contrary to their Oaths and promises, Strangled that poor Peruanian Prince, the last of the Race of the Inga's, or Emperors of Peru; for which violation and perfidy, God was not slow in punishing them all that were concerned in it, dying a miserable and untimely death: And in this Kings Pallace at Cusco, all his Utensils were of Gold and Silver, even to his Kitchen Furniture, and in his Ward-robe were found Statues of Giants, the Figures of Beasts, Fish, Birds, Plants, &c. in their proper shape and largeness of the same Mettal; and thus much for Peru, &c. whose Gold proved the ruin of the Natives, and the Impoverishment of Old Spain.

CHILE, is on the North bounded with the Desart of Alacama Interposing between it and Peru; on the West with Mare del Zur; on the South with the Magellan Streights; and on the East as far as Rio dela Plata, with the main Atlantick Ocean, Scituate in the temperate Zone, beyond the Tropick of Capricorn; if we reckoned to it some other Countries bordering on the Atlantick, not yet fully discovered called Chile or Chil from the extream cold it indures, when the Sun is in our Summer Solstice, that it is reported Horses and Riders in the extream parts are often Frozen to death, or lost in the Snows, which extreams on this side, and beyond the Equinoctial demonstrates the Continent of America to be larger than Asia; the Soil of this Tract in the mid-land parts is Mountainous and unfruitful, but towards the Seaside, level and full of Trees abounding with Gold Silver, Honey, Cattle, Wine, Maize, Corn, &c. The Natives are of a Gigantick Stature, but very civil, if not too much provoked; cloathing themselves with Skins of Beasts, and Arming with Bows and Arrows; shaggy Haired, and whiter of Complexion than any we have yet spoken of p. 207in the Peruanan Provin…s; and the Countrey is Watered with the Rivers of Rio de Copayapo, Rio de Coquimbo, La Ligna, Canten, Cacapool, Topocalma, and some others of lesser note, especially one, though we find not the name, which falls into the Sea with a violent Torrent all day, but in the night its Channel is dry, and the reason is, it has its Waters from the melted Snow falling from the Mountains, which cease when the Sun is gone down: The Towns of note in Chile and Magellanica, for into these two parts is the Province divided, are St. Jago the Chief, tho not above 80 Houses in it, because it is the Residence of the Governour and Court of Judicature. Serena on the Sea-shoar, having in it about 200 Houses, and near it many Mines of Gold Conception. Delos Confines, Imperiale and some few more in the part called Chile, but in Magellanica, we find nothing but Capes and Rivers Inhabited, a Savage and Barbarous People afflicted with sharp Winds, and the Mountains continually covered with Snow, wherefore as a Countrey not fit for Commerce, we leave, it and proceed to Brasil.

BRASIL is a large Tract, reaching from 29 to 30 degrees South Latitude, 1500 miles in Length, and 500 in Breadth, bounded on the East with Mare del Noort or the Main Atlantick; on the West with undiscovered Countreys, on the North with Guiana, and on the South with Paragua, or the Province of Rio de la Plata, and is a great part of it possessed by the Portugals and Dutch: The Countrey intermixed with Rivers, Mountains, Woods, and pleasant Plains; the Air wholsome, by reason of the purging Winds which rise from the Southern Coast, every day about Ten in the Morning; the Countrey yielding great store of Sugar Canes, which is brought to perfection by the working of many Thousands of Slaves, so that the Portugals brought thence p. 208in few Years 150000 Arobes of that Commodity, each Arobe containing 25 Bushels of our Measure; and here it is the Brasil Wood grows, whereof there are Trees of such bigness, that when the Rivers overflow, as frequently they do in the level Countrey, the Inhabitants dwell in the Branches of them, like Birds in their Nests, till the Waters abate.

The People in this Tract nearest the Line, are of a reasonable Understanding, wearing Apparel, but further off they are Barbarous, both Men and Women going stark naked, gladly eating Humane Flesh, insomuch that when they can privately catch any of the Christians, they Roast them, and invite all their Friends, feasting on the Flesh, with great Merriment; and here the Women are wonderful quick, and easie at Child-bearing, never lying by it, but in two or three days seem as well as ever: Beasts are found in this Tract of strange forms; one with the head of an Ape, the Body of a Man, and the feet and paws of a Lyon; a Plant they have called Copiba, the back of which being slit, affords a precious Balm, which is so well known by the Beasts of the Forrests, that when they have taken in any Poison, or are bit by Serpents or other Venemous Creatures, they fly to it for succour, as to a Sanctuary for Life, and by sucking in the Antidote, find a speedy Cure: An Herb they have, that being roughly touched, as in Modesty, shrinketh in its branching Leaves, and opens them not till the party who offends is gone out of sight. The People in this Tract, both Men and Women, are good Swimmers, and so used to Diving, that they will remain under Water an hour without respiration, and many of them are so over-grown with Hair, that they seem rather Beasts than Men; the Divisions of Brasil are Sr. Vincent, Rio de Janeiro, Del Spiritu Santo, Porto Seguro, Des Ilheos, Todas Los Santos, Paraguay, Rio p. 209de la Plata, Tucaman, St. Crux de Siera, a Province full of Palm Trees; Fernambuck rich in Tobacco and Sugar; Tamaraca, Paraiba, Rio-grande, Siara, Maragnon, and Para, being termed Captainships or Praefectures, possessed by the Portugals, Spaniards, French, Dutch and other Nations, who in some places live promiscuously with the Natives, and in others, some coming in search of Adventures, others driven by Distress, as being not suffered to live quietly at home; insomuch that tho the Brasilians had but few Houses and fewer Towns, yet now the encrease of them has rendered it in many parts a pleasant Countrey, the Plains enriched like those of Egypt, by the overflowing of the Rivers, which are exceeding large.

GVIANA is another Tract of this Peruanian Continent, bounded on the East with the Main Atlantick Ocean; and on the West with the Mountains of Peru, or an undiscovered Countrey interposing between them; on the North with the River, Orenoque; and on the South, as some will have it with the Amazons; tho indeed we find no such Countrey; however it is undiscovered, and therefore Travellers have liberty to name it as they please.

Tho Guiana is scituate on both sides the Line, extending from the Fourth degree of Southern to the Eighth degree of Northern Latitude; notwithstanding by reason of the fresh Winds and cool Air that comes off the Sea and Rivers, it is indifferently Temperate; towards the Sea side it is level, but the Inland swelled with rising Hills, and the Trees and Fields wearing a lasting green, as knowing no Winter, there being always ripe and green Fruits and Blossoms at the same time; so that it may be compared for pleasantness, with any we have yet named in this Tract.

p. 210The People (Natives of Guiana) have no settled Government, yet reduce themselves into Tribes, under several Heads or Chiefs, though this is left to their own discretion, and every one may separate when he pleases, and all the punishment they have for Offenders, is only in case of Adultery and Murther, for which when proved, the Criminal makes an Expiation with his Life; the poorer sort are allowed but one Wise, and the rich two or three; not owning any God, but either not regarding from whence they had their being, and are by Power sustained, or Atheistically ascribing all to Fate and Chance: As for their Accompts they keep them in bundles of Sticks, which they increase or diminish according as the Debt or Business grows more or less; and at their Funerals the Women howl extreamly, whilst the Men on the contrary are Singing and Feasting.

This Country is divided into the Provinces of Rio-de-Las, Amazons, Wiapoco, or Guiana, properly so called, Orenoque, Trinidado, and Tobago; and are full of great Rivers stored abundantly with Fish, and wild Fowl, but most of all they refresh the Gountries with the Dews that arise from them and the principal of these are Orenoque, Arrawari, Conawini, Caspurough, or Cassipure, falling into the Atlantick Ocean, Wiapoco, the River of the Amazons, and a great many of lesser note; and in this Tract are said to be Mountains of intire Chrystal; Mines there are of Gold and Silver, with many strange Plants, Fruits, and Beasts; as also Tobacco and Sugar Canes, and at Comolaha, on the South of Arenoque, they hold a Fair for the Sale of Women, only where an English-man left by Sir Walter Ral…igh, reports to have bought 8 for a three half-penny red hafted Knife, the eldest not exceeding 18 Years, which he says without making any Burglarys upon their Virginities, he liberally bestowed p. 211in Marriage on sundry of the Natives: And near this place is the mighty Water-fall, or Cataract of the River Arenoque, whose horrid noise makes the Mountains tremble, which may well fit the Words of the Poet, viz.

Cuncta tremunt undis, & multo murmure Montis,

Spumeus invictis albescit Fluctibus amnis.

The Noise the Mountains shakes, who roar for spite,

To see th' Unvanquish'd Waves clad all in White.

In an other part of this Province they have a strange custom with their Dead, for when the Flesh is worn off the Bones by Putrefaction, they hang up the Skeleton in the Chamber or House where the party died, decking the Skull with Feathers of divers Colours, and hanging Jewels and Plates of Gold, about the Arm and Thigh Bones. As for the Towns of note in this Tract, they are Mano, called by the Spaniards El'Dorado, from the abundance of Gold and Silver Coin, Armour, and Utensils found there, held to be the largest of all the Country, though some question the Truth of this place; Caripo, Gomeribo, Tanparanume, Morequuto, St. Thome, and St. Joseph, with some others of lesser note, which they are obliged to build upon Hills, Rocks, or the like advantageous Places, forasmuch as the Rivers yearly overflow a great part of the Country, obliging the Natives to live in Trees with their Families, building them Hutts in the Branches like Birds Nests.

PARIA, another considerable Province, lies on the West of Guiana, divided into the lesser Countries of Cumana, Venezuela, St. Margaita, Cubagna, p. 212and some Islands; and here the Nature of the Soil and People are different, though in general the Country is very Pleasant, being watered with the Rivers of Rio-de-Cacioas, Rio-de-Neveri, Cumana de Bardones, and others of lesser note, and has for its chief Towns, Maracapana (once a Spanish Garrison) Venezuela, New Cadiz, and some others; and in this Tract the Pearl Fishery is used, those valuable Commodities being gotten by Diving, and they bring up a Fish much like an Oyster, out of the Shells of which they take the Pearls, supposed to be Ingendred there by the falling of Dews, when the Fish opens to receive the Air upon the Shoar: and though the People in the Province of Cumana have Plenty of Fruits and Cattle, with other things whereby to subsist even to Riot, yet they rather chuse to feed upon Insects and Vermin, as Batts, Spiders, Horse-leaches, Worms, &c. each Man being allowed as many Wives as he can maintain, though they never have the Maidenheads of any, prostituting them the first Night to their Piacos, or Priests, or their appointment, who for small matters turn over that Drudgery to Strangers; nor do they at any time think their Guests welcome, unless they will do the Office of Men to their Wives, Sisters, &c. blackning their Teeth, and Painting their Bodies of diverse Colours; in this Tract are found diverse Mines of Gold, some of Silver, and other Minerals; and here the Spaniards met with many disasters, as well the Ecclesiasticks, as Military, being frequently expulsed or cut off by the Salvages, who are in general a Stout and Warlike People; and here are found the Capa, a Beast, the Soles of whose Feet are like a Shooe, and a Hog of monstrous size, with Horns like a Goat, living altogether upon Ants, Pismires, Parrots, and Batts; and could I have added to this Bill of Fair, Booksellers and Printers, the World p. 213might have taken this Monster for a meer Robin Hog, &c.

Cattle this Country affords in great Quantities, insomuch that Instructed by the Europeans, they make Butter and Cheese of their Milk, in sundry places, which the Natives take as the Prince of Rarities. And thus much Reader may suffice for the Empires, Kingdoms, Provinces, and States of the Universe, relating to the Continent of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, from which we proceed (for the greater Satisfaction of the Curious) to the Description of the Islands scattered in the several Seas, attributed to the four Parts of the World; and of these in their Order.