or twelve being white Women of an extraordinary Size, with long Hair and
all naked but their _Pudenda_, who seem’d to be their Commanders. They
were arm’d with Bows and Arrows; and seven of ’em being kill’d, the rest
fled. _Orellana_ had several Men wounded; and finding that multitudes of
the Natives were marching against him, he sail’d off, reckoning that he
had now made 1400 Leagues during his Voyage, but still did not know how
far he was from the Sea. He afterwards came to another Town, where he
met with the like Opposition: several of his Men were wounded, and his
Chaplain lost an Eye. Here he observ’d several Woods of Oak and
Cork-Trees: He call’d this Province by the name of _St. John’s_, because
he came to it on that Saint’s Day. He sail’d on till he met with some
Islands, where he was attack’d by 200 Canoes with 30 or 40 Men in each,
abundance of Drums, Trumpets, and Pipes, _&c._ but he kept them off with
his Fire-Arms. These Islands appear’d to be high, fruitful, and
pleasant, and the largest of ’em about 50 Leagues long; but he could
take in no Provisions, because the Canoes continually pursu’d him.
When he came to the next Province, he perceiv’d many large Towns on the
Larboard side of the River: Multitudes of Natives came in their Canoes
to gaze on him, and his _Indian_ Prisoner inform’d him that these
Countries abounded with Gold and Silver. _Orellana_ was here oblig’d to
barricade his Boats to cover his Men, because one of ’em was kill’d by a
poison’d Arrow. As he sail’d on, he came to inhabited Islands, and
perfectly discern’d the Tide. Here he was attack’d by multitudes of
Canoes, and lost some more Men by poison’d Arrows. There were many Towns
on the Starboard side of the River, and he found other inhabited
Islands, where he got Provisions, but was attack’d and beat off when he
landed on the Continent, till he came near the mouth of the River, where
the People readily furnish’d him. He sail’d 200 Leagues among the
Islands, where he found the Tide strong, and at last in _August_ that
Year found a Passage to the Sea of about 50 Ls. wide, where the Tide
rises five or six fathom, and the fresh Water runs 20 Leagues into the
Sea; Esquire _Harcourt_,[106] in his Voyage to _Guiana_, says 30 Ls. and
that the fresh Water there is very good. He was mightily distress’d for
want of Rigging and Provisions till he came to the Island of _Cubagua_,
from whence he went to _Spain_ to give the King an Account of his
Discovery. The Manuscripts taken by Capt. _Withrington_[107] say that
_Orellana_ was about a Year and half upon this River.
When he reported his Discoveries, the King of _Spain_ sent him back with
a Fleet and 600 Men to take possession of this River in 1544, some say
1549, but the Project came to nothing: for the Captain himself, after he
had sail’d up 100 Ls. died with 57 of his Men by the Unhealthiness of
the Air; and some of them sail’d 60 Ls. higher, where they were friendly
entertain’d by the Natives, but being too few to pursue the Discovery,
they return’d to the Island _Margarita_, where they found _Orellana’s_
Lady, says _Heerera_, who told them that her Husband died of Grief for
the Loss of so many of his Men by Sickness and the Attacks of the
_Indians_. And thus they return’d _re infecta_: so that _Orellana_
receiv’d no other Advantage for his Danger and Expence, but the Honour
of the first Discovery, and having the River call’d by his name in some
Authors. _Ovalle_ says that he lost half his Men at the _Canaries_ and
Cape _Verd_, and his Fleet was reduc’d to two large Boats before he came
back to the River; so that he was too weak to attempt a further
Discovery.
The Manuscripts taken by Capt. _Withrington_ say the second Person who
attempted it was _Leus de Melo_ a _Portuguese_, by order of his
Sovereign King _John_ III. to whom the Country from the mouth of this
River to that of _La Plata_ belong’d, according to the Partition agreed
on betwixt the _Portuguese_ and the _Spaniards_. He had ten Ships and
800 Men, but lost eight of his Ships at the mouth of the River; so that
he went to the Island _Margarita_, from whence his Men were dispers’d
all over the _Indies_. Two or three Captains from the Kingdom of _New
Granada_ attempted it afterwards by Land, but without Success.
In 1560. those of _Peru_ try’d it another way. The Viceroy sent _Pesdro
de Orsua_, a Native of _Navarre_, with 700 Men to the Head of this
River, where he built Pinnaces and Canoes; and having furnish’d himself
with Provisions, and taken 2000 _Indians_ with many Horses on board, he
imbark’d on the
[Sidenote: _Account of the River Amazons._]
River _Xauxa_ or _Maranhon_. He sail’d till he came to a plain Country,
where he began to build a Town: but his Men not being us’d to such
Labour, and fatigu’d by the hot and rainy Seasons, they murmur’d, tho
they had Provisions enough, and a great prospect of finding Store of
Gold. The Mutineers were headed by _Lopez de Agira_ a _Biscayner_, who
had been an old Mutineer in _Peru_; and being join’d by _Ferdinand de
Guzman_ a _Spanish_ Soldier, and one _Saldueno_ who was enamour’d on
_Orsua’s_ beautiful Lady, they murder’d him when asleep, with all his
Friends and chief Officers. Then they proclaim’d _Guzman_ their King,
but 20 days after he was also murder’d by _Lopez_, who assum’d the Title
to himself. Being a Fellow of mean Birth, he murder’d all the Gentlemen
in company, lest any of them should rival him; and having form’d a Guard
of Ruffians about him, he became so jealous of his new Dignity, and was
so conscious of what he deserv’d, that when any of the Men talk’d
together, he concluded they were plotting against him, and sent his
Ruffians to murder them. Abundance of the rest and the Women falling
sick, he barbarously left them to the mercy of the Natives, and sail’d
to the Island _Margarita_ with 230 Men. He was “well entertain’d by the
Governour, who took him to be one of the King’s Officers; but this
ungrateful Villain did speedily murder him and his Friends, ravag’d the
Island, forc’d some Soldiers to go along with him, and pretended to
conquer the _Indies_; but was defeated, taken and hang’d by the
Governour of _New Granada_. The Wretch murder’d his own Daughter that
she might not be insulted by his Enemies, and then attempted to murder
himself, but was prevented. Thus concluded that fatal Expedition.
The _Sansons_ say the next Attempt was by those of _Cusco_ in 1566. but
it came to nothing; for their Leaders fell out and fought with one
another, which made the rest a Prey to the Natives: or that only
_Maldonado_ one of their Captains and two Priests escap’d to carry home
the News.
Two of the Generals of _Para_ and Governours of _Maranhon_ were the next
that renew’d the Attempt by the King’s Command, but met with so many
cross Accidents that they could not effect it.
In 1606. two Jesuits set out from _Quito_, thinking to reduce the
Country on this River by their Preaching: but one of them was kill’d by
the Natives, and the other narrowly escap’d, says _Ovalle_.
The next Discovery was by Capt. _John de Palacios_. Authors differ as
to the time; but most agree ’twas in 1635. He set out from _Quito_ with
a few arm’d Men and _Franciscan_ Fryars, sail’d down the River till he
came to _Annete_, where he was kill’d in 1636. and most of his
Companions return’d, except two Monks and five or six Soldiers, who
sail’d down in a little Vessel as far as _Para_ the Capital of
_Brazile_; where they acquainted _Texeira_ the _Portuguese_ Governour
with their Discovery: who upon their Information sent 47 Canoes with 70
_Spaniards_ and 1200 _Indians_ to sail up the River under _Texeira_ the
Sailor. He set out in _October_ 1637. and met with several Difficulties,
which occasion’d many of the _Indians_ to forsake him; but he went on,
and sent a Captain with eight Canoes to make Discoveries before him.
This Captain arriv’d _June_ 24. 1638. at a _Spanish_ Town built at the
Conflux of the Rivers _Huerari_ and _Amazons_, and dispatch’d a Canoe to
acquaint _Texeira_ with it. This encourag’d him to proceed till he came
to the Mouth of the River _Chevelus_, where it falls into the _Amazons_,
and there he left part of his Men under a Captain, and the rest at
_Junta de los Rios_ under another; while himself with a few went forward
to _Quito_. The other Captain arriv’d there some time before, and both
were well receiv’d by the _Spaniards_, to whom they reported their
Discovery in _September_ 1638. The Men he left behind were well
entertain’d by the Natives at first, but quarrelling with them
afterwards, suffer’d much for want of Provisions, and had little but
what they took by force.
Upon the News of this Discovery, the Count _de Chinchon_ Viceroy of
_Peru_ sent Orders from _Lima_ to furnish _Texeira_ with all Necessaries
for his Return down the River, and appointed Father _d’Acugna_, Rector
of the College of _Cuenca_, and another Jesuit, to attend him and carry
the News to _Spain_. They set out in _February_ 1639. and arriv’d at
_Para_ in _December_ following; from whence _d’Acugna_ went to _Spain_,
and publish’d his Account of this River in 1640.
[Sidenote: _Account of the River Amazons._]
The Sum of his Discovery, besides what has been mention’d already, is as
follows. There’s a Tree on the Banks of this River call’d _Andirova_,
from whence they draw an Oil that is a Specifick for curing Wounds.
There’s plenty of Iron-Wood, so nam’d because of its Hardness, Red-Wood,
Log-Wood, _Brazile_, and Cedars so large, that _Acugna_ says he measur’d
some that were 30 span round the Trunk. They have Timber enough to build
Ships, make Cordage of the Barks of Trees, and Sails of Cotton, but want
Iron. They make Hatchets of Tortoise-shells, or hard Stones ground to
an Edg; and Chizzels, Planes, and Wimbles of the Teeth and Horns of wild
Beasts. Their chief Directors are Sorcerers, who are the Managers of
their hellish Worship, and teach them how to revenge themselves on their
Enemies by Poison and other barbarous methods. Some of them keep the
Bones of their deceas’d Relations in their Houses; and others burn them
with all their Movables, and solemnize their Funerals first by mourning,
and then by excessive drinking. Yet the Father says they are in general
good-natur’d and courteous, and many times left their own Hutts to
accommodate him and his Company. Some of these Nations, particularly the
_Omaguas_, whose Country is 260 Leagues long, and the most populous on
the River, are decently clad in Rayment of Cotton, and trade in it with
their Neighbours. Some of the other Nations wear Plates of Gold at their
Ears and Nostrils; and their Joiners are so expert, that they make
Chairs and other Houshold Furniture in the shapes of several Animals
with great Art.
The Jesuits of _Quito_ in _Peru_ have engrav’d a Map of this River, in
which they give the following Account, _viz._ That ’tis the greatest in
the known World: That tho it be call’d by the name of _Amazons_ or
_Orellana_, its true name is _Maranhon_: That it rises from the Lake
_Lauricocha_, as we have mention’d already, runs 1800 Leagues, and falls
into the North Sea by 84 Mouths: That near the City _Borja_ it is pent
up by a Strait call’d _El-Pongo_, not above 13 Fathom wide and 3 Ls.
long; where the Stream is so rapid, that Boats run it in a quarter of an
hour. The Truth of this must be submitted to the Judgment of the Reader,
but it seems very improbable, since none of those who sail’d up and down
this River describe it thus: besides, ’twere impossible to sail up
against so rapid a Stream without a Tide, which the _Sansons_ say comes
up to this Strait; but they make it a mile broad, and by consequence not
so rapid. The Jesuits add, that both Banks from the City _Jaen_ in the
Province of _Bracamoros_, where it begins to be navigable, down to the
Sea, are cover’d with Woods of very tall Trees, among which there’s
Timber of all colours, abundance of _Sarsaparilla_, and the Bark they
call Cloves, which is us’d by Dyers and Cooks. In the neighbouring Woods
there are many Tygers, wild Boars, and Buffaloes, _&c._ The Jesuits
began their Mission upon this River in 1638. have their Capital at the
City of _St. Francis_ of _Borja_ in the Province of _Manos_, 300 Leagues
from _Quito_; and their Mission extends along three other Rivers as far
as the Province of the _Omaguas_, whither they make sometimes long and
dangerous Voyages in Canoes. They give an account of eight of their
number that have been murder’d by the _Barbarians_, the last of them in
1707. Besides _Borja_ and its Dependencies, they have 39 Towns founded
mostly by their own Labour and Charge, but we shan’t insist on their
Names. Their Converts they reckon at 26000, and the Missionaries about
18. They add, that they have contracted Amity with several numerous
Nations, whose Conversion they hope for.
The _Portuguese_ have some Towns at the Mouth of this River, and a Fort
on _Rio Negro_; so that of late years they have traded much upon it,
and, as several _Spaniards_ inform’d me, during the last Peace they
extended their Commerce as far as _Quito_ and many other Places in
_Peru_. I have insisted the longer on this River, because it is of so
great Fame, and may be of mighty Advantage for Trade.
* * * * *
The River of _La Plata_ being the South Boundary of _Brazile_, within
the Limits of the _South-Sea_ Company, and lying conveniently for
opening a great Trade from the North-Sea with _Peru_, _Chili_, and other
vast Countries; I shall give a Description of it here, from the best
Authors.
The first _European_ who discover’d it, seems to have been _Juan Dias de
Solis_, who sailing from _Spain_ in 1512. some say 1515. run along the
Coast of _Brazile_ till he came to this River, says _Ovalle_. With him
agree the Manuscripts taken on some _Spanish_ Priests in this River by
Capt. _Withrington_, publish’d in _Harris’s_ Collections[108]; where we
are told, _De Solis_ obtain’d the Government of this River, but was
murder’d by the Natives with most of his Men in 1515. The next who came
hither was _Sebastian Cabot_ in 1526. but his Men being mutinous, he had
not the desir’d Success, tho he sail’d 150, some say 200 Leagues up this
River; and purchasing many Pieces of Gold and Silver Plate from the
Natives, who call’d this River _Parama_, he call’d it the River of
Plate, because he thought it to be the Product of the Country, which was
afterwards found to be a Mistake. Yet upon his Report, in 1530. when he
return’d, the Emperor _Charles_ V. sent Don _Peter Mendoza_, one of his
chief Grandees, with 2200 Men besides Mariners, to plant a Colony here
in
[Sidenote: _Account of the River La Plata._]
1535. and they had so great hopes of finding Mines of Gold and Silver,
that above thirty Heirs of noble Families went on the Expedition; and
sailing 50 Leagues up the River, where the Air was good, he founded a
Town, which from thence was call’d _Buenos-Ayres_. They built a Fort,
and enlarg’d the Town; but as they were carrying on their Work, the
Natives attack’d them, and overpowering them with Numbers, kill’d 250,
among whom were several of the chief Men. This oblig’d the _Spaniards_
to keep within their Fort, where they suffer’d much by Famine. _Mendoza_
return’d towards _Spain_, but died miserably, with many of his
Companions, for want of Provisions by the way. His Deputy-Governour
_Oyola_ sail’d up into _Paraguay_, in quest of a Country said to abound
with Gold and Silver; but was treacherously slain by the Natives, with
all his Followers.
_Irala_ who was his Deputy, and left at _Buenos-Ayres_, contracted a
Friendship with some of the Natives call’d _Guaranians_. In 1538. he
built _Assumption_ in their Country, which is now the Metropolis of
_Paraguay_, and left _Buenos-Ayres_ for a time. _Assumption_ lies on the
Banks of the River _Paraguay_, in S. Lat. 25. 240 Leagues from the Sea,
and 40 from the Mouth of the River _Paraguay_, where it falls into _La
Plata_, These Rivers after they join continue their natural Colour for
several miles, _La Plata_ being clear, and _Paraguay_ muddy. The latter
is by much the most considerable River, and the adjacent Country abounds
with Mines of Gold and Silver, and is navigable above 200 Leagues. The
River _Uruquay_ falls into _Paraguay_ on the right side, and runs a
Course of 300 Leagues, according to _Sepp_ the Jesuit, who in his Voyage
says ’tis as big as the _Danube_ at _Vienna_. In short, as to this River
_La Plata_, Authors are not agreed. Some of the Jesuits who are
Missionaries in those Countries think it to be the same with that call’d
_Paraguay_ higher up in the Country, and that it has a Communication
with the North-East Coast of _Brazile_ by the River _St. Meary_, which
rises out of the same Lake, and runs N E. as _Paraguay_ or _Plata_ runs
S. and afterwards to the S E. when it falls into the Sea. Be that how it
will, here are many Rivers which fall into the same Channel on both
sides. But that which is commonly call’d _La Plata_, begins near the
Town of that Name about S. Lat. 19. and after running N. a little way,
takes its Course S E. till it join the River _Paraguay_. So that I chuse
rather to trust to the Account given us by Mr. _White_ our Linguist, who
having dwelt long in that Country, told me this River derives its Name
from the Town of _La Plata_, a sort of Metropolis to which there lies an
Appeal from other Jurisdictions. He adds, that ’tis a pretty Town, has
fourteen Churches with a Cathedral, and four Nunneries, and lies
North-west from _Buenos-Ayres_ about 500 Leagues, which requires
commonly two months and a half’s Travel.
All are agreed that _La Plata_ is very large at the Mouth, where some
account it 50, and others 30 Leagues broad. The Mouth of it is dangerous
because of Sands, and therefore requires Pilots. _Knivet_,[109] in his
Description of the _West-Indies_, says, the best way to avoid those
Sands is to keep near the North Shore till you come to a high Mountain
white at top; and then to sail 4 Ls. South, to another small Hill on the
North side, near which you must sail. This brings you into a fair Bay,
where you must still keep along shore: and after passing the West Point
of this Bay, you come to the River _Maroer_, and then there are no more
Shoals between that and _Buenos-Ayres_.
_La Plata_ runs into the Sea about S. Lat. 35. and sometimes overflows
the Country for several miles, when the Natives put their Goods into
Canoes, and float about till the Inundation assuages, and then they
return to their Habitations. _Ovalle_ gives the following Account of
this River, _viz._ That it runs with such a mighty Stream into the Sea,
as makes it fresh for a great way: That the Water of this River is very
sweet, clears the Voice and Lungs, and is good against all Rheums and
Defluxions: That the People who dwell about it have excellent Voices,
and are all inclin’d to Musick: That it petrifies the Branches of Trees,
and other things which fall into it; and that Vessels are naturally
form’d of its Sand, which are of various Figures, look as if they were
polish’d by Art, and keep Water very cool. It breeds great store of
excellent Fish of divers sorts, and most beautiful Birds of all kinds
are seen on its Banks. _Sepp_ informs us, that this River and _Uraguay_
abound so with Fish, that the Natives catch great numbers of them
without any other Instrument than their Hands: one of the choicest,
call’d the Kings-Fish, is small without Bones, and taken only in Winter.
Our Author, says he never saw any _European_ Fish in this latter, except
one that the _Spaniards_ call _Bocado_; and that the Fish are larger
here than ours, of a dark or yellow colour, and well tasted; which he
ascribes to the nature of
[Illustration: THE ISLANDS OF JUAN FERNANDEZ, WHERE ALEXANDER SELKIRK
WAS FOUND]
[Sidenote: _Account of the River La Plata._]
the Water, that tho drunk in great quantities even after raw Fruit,
helps Digestion, and never does any hurt. The Plains about this River
are so large and even, without any Obstruction to the Sight, that the
Sun seems to rise and set in them. Their way of travelling in those
Plains is by high Carts cover’d with Hoops and Cows-Hides like our
Waggons, with Conveniency for Travellers to sleep in the bottom; which
is so much the better, because they travel most by night to avoid the
Heat. They are drawn by Oxen, which are frequently so pinch’d by
Drought, that when they come towards any Water, which they smell at a
great distance, they run furiously to it, and drink up the very Mud
which they raise with their Feet. This obliges Travellers to furnish
themselves with Water and other Provisions for their Journy; there being
no Water to be had, except by Rain: so that Travellers are frequently as
much distress’d for want of Water as the Oxen, and can scarce get any
that’s clear at the Watering-places, tho they send before-hand, because
the Oxen run with so much haste to it that they make it all in a puddle:
_Ovalle_ says, that in this case Travellers are forc’d to stop their
Noses and shut their Eyes when they drink it. The Journy thro these
Plains is at least 14 or 20 days, without any place of shelter, or any
Firing to dress their Victuals but the dry’d Dung of Cattle. Yet there
are several Lakes and Ponds where Inns might be fix’d, but ’tis
neglected because there’s no settled Trade that way.
It remains to give some account of the Towns upon the River _Plata_ and
on the Road to _Potosi_. 1. _Buenos-Ayres_ lies upon the River 50
Leagues from the Sea, about Lat. 36. Our Linguist inform’d me that ’tis
the Residence of a _Spanish_ Governour, is defended by a Stone Fort
mounted with 40 Guns, and is generally garison’d by 4 or 500 Men. The
Harbour is pretty good, but troublesom in a N W. and W. Wind. The River
is 7 Ls. broad there, and navigable by Ships 60 Ls. above the Town, but
no further, because of a great Cataract. The Town has one Cathedral, and
five other Churches: The _Portuguese_ had a Settlement over against this
Town, but were dislodg’d by the _Spaniards_ at the beginning of this
War; since which time the _French_ drive a _Guinea_ Trade hither for
Negroes, who are sent over Land to _Peru_ and _Chili_, and yield them
vast Profit. The Trade from hence to _Spain_ is in Hides and Tallow,
Silver from _Peru_, and Gold and Silver from _Chili_. All _European_
Goods yield a good Price here. They have plenty of Fruit-Trees about
the Town of all kinds, both of the hot and cold Climates; and have
store of Wheat and other _European_ Grain, besides _Indian_ Corn.
Thousands of Cattel of all sorts run wild in the Neighbourhood, and they
furnish _Peru_ with 50000 Mules _per ann._ In short, this place lies
very convenient for Commerce in Silver and Gold, and the other
Commodities of _Peru_ and _Chili_, which the _French_ have now begun to
engross. They sent three Ships to those parts and the _South-Sea_, under
M. _de Beauchesne Gouin_[110] of _St. Malo_ in 1698, of whose Progress I
shall give a further account from a Copy of his Journal, as I go on with
my Description of the Coasts. Their Winter here is in _May_, _June_, and
_July_, when ’tis cold by night, but warm enough by day, the Frost never
being violent, nor the Snow considerable in those parts.