NOTES ON THE BIBLIOGRAPHY
OF
YUCATAN AND CENTRAL AMERICA;
COMPRISING
YUCATAN, CHIAPAS, GUATEMALA (THE RUINS OF PALENQUE, OCOSINGO, AND
COPAN), AND OAXACA (RUINS OF MITLA.)
A LIST OF SOME OF THE WRITERS ON THIS SUBJECT FROM THE
SIXTEENTH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT TIME.
BY AD. F. BANDELIER.
FROM PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, OCTOBER 21, 1880.
WORCESTER:
PRESS OF CHAS. HAMILTON,
311 MAIN STREET.
1881.
NOTES
ON THE
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF YUCATAN AND CENTRAL AMERICA.[1]
BY AD. F. BANDELIER.
YUCATAN.
_Writers of the Sixteenth Century._
JUAN DIAZ, chaplain to Juan de Grijalva. "Itinerario de l' Armata del
Re Catholico in India verso la Isola de Iuchathan del anno M. D.
XVIII."--Printed first (in the Italian language) as an appendix to the
"Itinerario de Ludovico Varthema," in the edition of 1520, and
subsequently in the editions of 1522, 1526 and 1535 of the latter
book. It was also translated into the English language by Richard
Eden, in the "Historie of Travayles," London, 1577, but I am not sure
whether the report of Diaz is contained in it. The most popular
translation is that by H. Ternaux-Compans, in his first "Recueil de
pièces relatives à la conquéte du Méxique," (Vol. X. of his "Voyages,
Relations et Mémoires originaux pour servir á l' histoire de la
découverte de l' Amérique,") and the latest and best reprint, together
with a splendid Spanish translation, is contained in Vol. I. of
"Coleccion de Documentos para la Historia de México," 1858, by S^r J.
G. Icazbalceta, of México.
* * * * *
PETRUS MARTYR AB ANGLERIA. "Enchiridion de insulis nuper repertis
simulatque incolarum moribus," Basel, 1521. (Separate print of the 4th
Decade, which contains the first items about Yucatan ever published in
Europe after Diaz's report).
"De orbe novo decades Petri Martyris ab Angleria, Mediolaneusis,
protonotarii, Cesarei senatoris.--Compluti apud Michaelem de Eguia,"
in December, 1530. Alcalá.
"Opus Epistolarum Petri Martyris Anglerii, Mediolanensis, &c., &c."
Also printed by Miguel de Eguia. Alcalá.
Of further reprints, and of translations of Peter Martyr's works (the
reports on Yucatan are contained in the 4th and 5th Decades), I merely
quote: "Novus orbis regionum ac insularum veteribus incognitarum, &c."
by Simon Grynæus, Basel, 1532, embodying Dec's 1, 2, 3, _and_ 4.
[Footnote 1: The absence of Mr. Bandelier in Mexico, precludes a
submission of the proof to his revision, and will account for any
errors that may be discovered in the text.
PUBLISHING COMMITTEE.]
(Also the edition of 1536.)--A French translation of the 4th Decade,
by Simon de Colines, Paris, 1532.--A German version, by Hôniger of
Kônigshofen.--Hackluyt's reprint of 1587. "De orbe novo Petri Martyris
Anglerii, &c., &c.," and finally the complete English translation by
Michael Lok and Richard Eden: "De novo Orbe, or the Historie of the
West Indies, &c., &c.," London, 1612. I need not dwell on the great
importance of Martyr's book, for Yucatan.
HERNAN CORTÉS. (His first letter is lost: in place of it the letter of
the "Municipality of Vera Cruz," dated 10th July, 1519, contains a
short statement about Yucatan. This letter is printed in Vol. I. of
"Coleccion de Documentos inéditos para la historia de España," and in
Vol. I. of "Historiadores primitivos de Indias," by Enrique de Vedia,
Madrid, 1852.--Folsom's translation of 1843. "Despatches of Hernan
Cortés, the conqueror of Mexico, &c." substitutes an Introduction by
the translator himself.--The earliest mention of this report is found
in Robertson: "History of America," Vol. III., p. 289, Edition of
1800, and an abstract is found in Prescott: "Conquest of Mexico,"
Appendix II., 3d Vol.) "Fifth letter to the Emperor Charles VII.,"
noticed by Robertson and Prescott; contained, in full, in
"Historiadores primitivos de Indias," Vol. I., by Vedia. A full
English translation, by Pascual de Gayangos, was published in 1868, by
the "Hackluyt Society," vol. 40.
JUAN CRISTÓBAL CALVET DE ESTRELLA. "De Rebus Gestis Ferdinandii
Cortèsii," written between 1548 and 1560, and printed with a Spanish
translation: "Vida de Cortés," by Sr. Icazbalceta in Vol. I. of "Col.
de Documentos para la Hist. de México."--Short and meagre.
ANDRÉS DE TAPIA. "Relacion hecha por el Señor Andrés de Tapia, sobre
la conquista de México." (Icazbalceta's "Coleccion de Documentos, &c."
Vol. II. México, 1866.)
BENEDETTO BORDONE. "Libro di Benedetto Bordone.--Nel qual si ragione
tutte l'Isole del mondo con li loro nomi antichi e moderni,"
1528.--Later editions also.
GIROLAMO BENZONI. "Historia del Mondo Nuovo," Venice,
1565.--Translated into German by Nicolaus Hoeniger: "Die Neue Welt und
Indianischen Kônigreichs, neue und wahrhaffte geschichte, &c., &c.,"
Basel, 1579.--Incorporated in Théodore De Bry "Grosse Reisen," Parts
4, 5, and 6.--Of other prints I but mention the latest English
translation, published by the Hackluyt Society in 1857 (Vol. 21,)
under the title of "History of the New World, by Girolamo Benzoni,"
edited as well as translated by Rear-Admiral W. H. Smyth. There are
Italian versions of 1572, French of 1587, and Latin of 1600.
BERNAL DIEZ DEL CASTILLO. "Historia verdadera de la Conquista de Nueva
España," Madrid, 1632. (There may be two editions of the same year).
Of the Spanish reprints I mention here (also contained in
"Historiadores primitivos de Indias," Vedia, 1852, Vol. II.), the one
of 1837, Paris, 4 Vols. 12^o, and the other of 1854, México, 4 vols.
also.--Two English translations are known to me at present: "The True
History of the Conquest of Mexico, by Captain Bernal Diez del
Castillo," translated by Maurice Keatings, London, 1800.--"The Memoirs
of the Conquistador, Bernal Diez del Castillo," translated by John
Ingram Lockhart, London, 1844.--There is also a German translation, by
P. J. Rehfuss, Bonn, 1838.--Bernal Diez (not Diaz) is very valuable as
eye-witness, having been to Yucatan with Cordoba (1517), Grijalva
(1518), Cortés (1519),--and finally with the latter to Honduras,
passing through Peten.
FRAY LORENZO DE BIENVIDA. Letter to the Infanto Philip (II.), dated
Yucatan, 10 February, 1548. Original in MS. French translation by H.
Ternaux-Compans in "1^{er} Recueil de Piéces concernant le Méxique,"
Vol. X. 1838, of his collection of "Mémoires et documents Originaux,
&c., &c."
GONZALO FERNANDEZ DE OVIEDO Y VALDÉS. "Historia General y natural de
las Indias," composed of 50 books.--The first 19 books, and part of
the 50th, were published by the author as early as 1535,--and the
first 20 books as early as 1557,--but the entire work has only been
printed in 1851, at Madrid, 4 Vols. folio.--It is full of details
concerning Yucatan.
FRANCISCO LOPEZ DE GOMARA. "Historia general de las Indias, y todo lo
acaescido en ellas dende que se ganaron hasta agora. Y la conquista de
México, y de la nueva España, &c." Zaragoza, 1552.--Of this book I
quote--e. g.--the following Spanish editions: Medina del Campo, 1553,
Antwerp, 2 prints, 1554--Zaragoza, 1555,--and it is also contained in
"Historiadores primitivos de Indias," by Andrés Gonzalez Barcia,
Madrid, 1749, Vol. II.--and in "Historiadores primitivos de Indias,"
by Vedia, Madrid, 1852, Vol. I.--There is an Italian version, by
Augustino de Cravaliz, Rome, 1556, ("La Histoirie generale delle Indie
Occidentali. &c., &c."), and French translations published
respectively in 1578, 1587, 1597, and 1605.--Finally, Juan Bautista de
San Anton Muñoz Chimalpain Guauhtlehuanitzin made a translation into
the Mexican, or "Nahuatl" language, which C. M. Bustamante published
at Mexico, in 1826.--I know of no English translation of the work.--It
actually consists of two parts, the "Historia General," and the
"Conquista de México."--The former contains a short, but fair,
description of Yucatan, and the latter a report on Cortés' doings
there and matters relating thereto.
BARTOLOMÉ DE LAS CASAS. Of the numerous (over forty) writings of the
Bishop of Chiapas, I select only "Historia de las Indias," published
"at last," Madrid, 1875 and 1876, by the Marquis de la Fuensanta del
Valle and Don José Sancho Rayon, in 5 vols. The 5th Vol. contains the
famous "Apologética Historia."--Another publication of the "Historia
de las Indias," though not as complete, has appeared in Mexico in 2
vols., as the first series of Sr. J. M. Vigel's "Biblioteca Mexicana,"
1877 and 1878.--It does not contain the "Apologética."--Fragments of
the latter are found in Lord Kingsborough's "Antiquities of Mexico,"
Vol. VIII.
"Brevissima relacion de la destruycion de las Indias," Sevilla, 1552.
Of this polemic and strongly tinged memoir there are innumerable
versions.--I know of Spanish publications besides the above, and those
of London, 1812,--Philadelphia, 1821,--both due to Dr. De
Mier,--Madrid, J. A. Llorente, 1822, and México, 1822.--Latin
translations: Francfort, 1598; Oppenheim, 1614; Heidelberg,
1664.--French translations: Antwerp, 1579; Amsterdam, 1620; Rouen,
1630; Lyon, 1642; Paris, 1697; Amsterdam, 1698. (The last two contain
each five papers of Las Casas), and Paris, 1822. "Oeuvres de Don
Bartolomé de las Casas," by J. A. Llorente.--Of Italian Translations
(with Spanish text). I allude to those of 1626. Venice.--1630,
Id.:--1643, Id., and also of 1645.--There is a German translation of
1599.--Dutch translations: Amsterdam, 1610 and 1621, and 1663.--I know
of but one English translation, which bears the title "A Relation of
the first voyages and discoveries made by the Spaniards in America,
&c., &c." London, 1699,--although Dr. Robertson mentions one of
1693.--Las Casas must be used with great caution.
DIEGO DE LANDA. "Relacion de las cosas de Yucatan."
Bishop Landa was born in 1524, and died in 1579; his work must
therefore have been written between 1549 and the latter date. It was
published by the Abbé Brasseur de Bourbourg, in 1860, with a French
translation opposite to the Spanish text, and under the title of
"Relation des choses de Yucatan."--Republished again in 1864, with
some other matter.
The merits of Landa are certainly very great, but the real import of
his so-called "A. B. C." ("De sus letras forme aqui un a. b. c." pp.
316-319), has been misunderstood and correspondingly misrepresented.
The picture which Landa gives us of the customs and organization of
the Mayas is completely at variance with some of his other statements.
Much close attention is required.
"CARTAS DE INDIAS." Vol. I. Madrid, 1878.
These contain several letters and reports on Yucatan, from the 16th
century. I only refer to one, a complaint of four Indian
"gobernadores," dated 12 April, 1567, against the Bishop Diego de
Landa, designating him as "principal author of all these evils and
troubles...."
JOSEPH DE ACOSTA. "Historia natural y moral de Indias," Sevilla, 1590.
I merely mention this author, without entering into further
bibliographical details about his work. It has been translated into
many languages, and--in part or wholly--incorporated in many general
collections of "Americana." He says but little about Yucatan, still
his book is indispensable to any one studying Yucatecan antiquities. I
also advert here to his former publication, which is but little known:
"De promulgatione Evangelii apud Barbaros, sive de procuranda Indorum
salute," Libros 6; printed in 1589.
GERÓNIMO DE MENDIETA. "Historia ecclesiástica Indiana," written about
1590, but printed for the first time, by Sr. J. G. Icazbalceta, at
Mexico, in 1870--Contains much and valuable information.--Mendieta has
been extensively copied by Torquemada.
FRAY TORIBIO DE PAREDES, SURNAMED "MOTOLINIA." "Historia de los Indios
de Nueva-España," written about 1540, but published in full only by
Sr. Icazbalceta in Vol. I. of "Coleccion de Documentos, &c."--Mentions
Yucatan incidentally.--A large part of the work had been printed
before in the "Documentos inéditos, &c." under the title of
"Ritos Antiguos, Sacrificios é Idolatrias de las Indias de la
Nueva-España,"--also in Vol. IX. of Lord Kingsborough.--A Latin
version, under the title of "De Moribus Indorum" may have existed
once.
* * * * *
Yucatan is, furthermore, mentioned in many works of a more general
character, embodying information gathered mostly from the sources
already referred to. I do not, therefore, enter into any lengthy
bibliographical sketches of them.
SIMON GRYNAEUS. "Novus Orbis," 1532. Already noticed under Petrus
Martyr.
PETRUS APIANUS. "Cosmographia," 1539, 1545, 1561 (Dutch version), &c.
ABRAHAM ORTELIUS. "Theatrum orbis terrarum," 1571, 1588, &c.
THOMASO PORCACCHI. "L'isole pio famose del Mondo," 1572, 1576, 1590,
&c., &c.
G. MERCATOR. "Atlas, six Cosmographical Meditations." Duisburg, 1594.
CONRAD LOEW. "Meer oder See-Ansicht Buch." Cologne, 1598.
SEBASTIAN MUNSTER. "Cosmographey," 1575, &c.
ANDRÉ THEVET. "Les singularites de la France antarctique, autrement
nommé Amérique, et de plusieurs Terres et Isles decouvertes de notre
temps."--Paris, 1558; Antwerp, 1558; in Italian, at Venice, 1561.
I forbear further mention of the polemic works on the origin of the
American Indians,--and now turn to some writers whose works are
probably lost, or at least not accessible, although there is positive
evidence of their former existence.
FRAY GERÓNIMO ROMAN. "Republica Indiana"--certainly existed as late as
1630, or "República de las Indias Occidentales."
FRAY ALONZO SOLANA. "Noticias Sagradas y profanas de las Antigüedades
y Conversion de los Indios de Yucatan." (Written before 1600).
DON FRANCISCO MONTEJO. "Carta al Rey sobre la fundacion de la Villa de
San Francisco de Campeche, y de la Ciudad de Mérida," 14 June, 1543.
(Still at Sevilla, leg. 7. "Cartas de Indias").
In the above list I have not included any Grammar, Vocabulary,
Sermonary, "Doctrina," &c., &c., for the use of the Indians of
Yucatan, or written in the Maya language, of which several are known.
In conclusion, I beg to add the Maya writing, entitled:
"SERIES OF KATUNES," published, with an English translation, by Mr. J.
L. Stephens, in "Incidents of travels in Yucatan," and by Brasseur de
Bourbourg, in "Rel. d. ch. de Y."
_Writers of the Seventeenth Century._
ANTONIO DE HERRERA. "Historia general de los hechos de los Castellanos
en las Islas y la Tierra firme del mar Océano," Madrid, 1601, 1615, 4
vols. folio. There are two other editions in the original language:
Madrid, 1726 and 1730, and Antwerp, 1728.
Of this most important book, several translations have appeared,
embodying either the whole or only a part.--Thus a French translation
of the "Descripcion de las Indias Occidentales," appeared at Amsterdam
in 1622 twice, and a French translation of the 1st, 2d and 3d Decades,
at Paris, 1671.--A Latin version of the "Descripcion" was also
published in 1622, by Colin, at Amsterdam, and a very unreliable
English rendering by John Stephens, in 6 vols. 8^o, appeared at London
in 1725. Herrera is one of the most important authorities on every
subject of which he treats.
GREGORIO GARCIA. "Orígen de los Indios del Nuevo Mundo é Indias
Occidentales." 1st Edition, 1606; Second Edition, Madrid, 1729, by
Barcia.--A very important and valuable work.
JUAN DE TORQUEMADA. "Los veinte y uno Libros Rituales y monarchia
Indiana, con el orígen y guerras de los Indios occidentales." 1st
Edition, Madrid, 1613; 2d Edition, Madrid, 1723. Barcia.
AUGUSTIN DE VETANCOURT. "Teatro Mexicano." México, 1698.--2d Edition,
in "Biblioteca de la Iberia," México, 1870.--Treats of Yucatan
incidentally, speaking of Cortés, &c.
The work consists properly of three books: the "Teatro," the "Crónica
de la provincia del Santo Evangelio de México," and the "Menologio
franciscano."
ANTONIO DE REMESAL. "Historia general de las Indias Occidentales, y
particular de la gobernacion de Chiapas y Guatemala."--This book has
also another title: "Historia de la Provincia de San Vicente de Chyapa
y Guatemala de la Orden de San Domingo."--Madrid, 1619 and
1620.--Treats of Yucatan also, following Las Casas generally. An
important work.
BERNARDO LIZANA. (Lizama or Lizaba?) "Devocionario de Nuestra Señora
de Itzmal, Historia de Yucatan é de conquista Espiritual," 1663,
according to the Abbé Brasseur and Leon y Pinelo.--E. G. Squier speaks
of two works: one "Historia de la Provincia de Yucatan, y su conquista
Espiritual," Valladolid, 1633, and the other "Historia de Nuestra
Señora de Izamal."--Whichever way may be right, there remains
accessible as yet, but a fragment published in Spanish, with a French
translation by the Abbé Brasseur in his "Relation des choses de
Yucatan," 1864. The fragment is entitled: "Del principio y Fundacion
destos cuyos omules deste Sitio y Pueblo de Ytzmal...."--Lizana is of
the highest importance and value, and it is much to be regretted that
the _entire_ book is of such difficult access.
DIEGO LOPEZ DE COGOLLUDO. "Historia de Yucatan."--1st Edition, Madrid,
1688; 2d Edition, Mérida, 1842; 3d Edition, 1867.--Cogolludo has
always been regarded as the historian of Yucatan "par excellence." He
is indeed indispensable for any study of Yucatan antiquities, but,
like all other authors, he must never be implicitly followed. The
closest criticism possible is absolutely required.
GIL GONZALEZ DÁVILA. "Teatro ecclesiástico de la primitiva Iglesia de
los Indios Occidentales." Madrid, 1649.
JUAN DIAZ DE LA CALLE. "Memorial y Resûmen breve de Noticias de las
Indias Occidentales." Madrid, 1654.
* * * * *
These constitute the most important sources on Yucatan written during
the 17th century. Nearly all of them are of _special_ value, and we
would call particular attention to Cogolludo, Lizana, Torquemada,
Herrera, and Remesal. Among such authors, who wrote upon the subject
and whose writings are not now accessible, I name here:
PEDRO SANCHEZ AGUILAR. "Relacion de las Cosas de Yucatan, y Informe
contra los Idólatras del Obispado de Yucatan, &c." 1639.
FRANCISCO CÁRDENAS. "Relacion de la Conquista y Succesos de Yucatan,"
1639. (If existing, probably in Spain).
NICOLÁS LIZARRAGA. "Representacion al Rey pidiéndole la Conquista de
Itzá y Lacandon, con unas Noticias y Mapa de dichas Tierras."
NICOLÁS DE VALENZUELA. An account of the expedition against the
Lacandones, written 1695, and comprising 402 pages.
I would further call attention to the land titles, such as Deeds,
Grants, donations, &c., &c., in Yucatan, some of which go back to the
17th century. These contain occasional references to the Indian
settlements, some of which are certainly of great value and
importance.
Finally, I refer to some general works, treating of Yucatan:
SAMUEL PURCHAS. "His Pilgrimage, &c., &c." London, 1613, 1614 and
1617. (This forms the 5th volume of Purchas' great works).--The great
work of Purchas, also known as "Hackluytus Posthumous," appeared in
1625, and treats also of Yucatan.
O. DAPPER. "Die unbekannte neue Welt, oder Beschreibung des
Welt-theils Amerikas, &c." Amsterdam, 1673. This is in fact but a
translation of the following:
ARIAS MONTANUS. "De Nieuvre en Onbekende Weereld: of Beschryving van
America en t' Zuid Lande." Amsterdam, 1671.
MATHIAS QUAD. "Enchiridion Cosmographicum: Dass ist, Ein Handbüchlein,
der gantzen Welt gelegenheit, &c." Cologne, 1604 and 1608.
JOANNES PETRUS MAFFEI. "... historiarum Indicarum libri XVI., &c."
Antwerp, 1605--frequently reprinted and translated.
JACOBUS VIVERUS. (Van de Vijvere). "Handbook: of Cort begrijp der
Caerten Ende Beschryvinghen van allen Landen des Werelds." Amsterdam,
1609. (This is the 2d edition of an anonymous atlas).
CORNELIUS WYTFLICT ET ANTHOINE MAGIN. "Histoire universelle des Indes
occidentales et orientales," Douay, 1611.
GASPARD ENS. "West und Ost-Indischer Lustgart.:...." Cologne, 1618.
AUBERTUS MIRAEUS. "De statu religionés christianae...." Cologne, 1619.
ATHANASIUS INGA. "West-Indische Spiegel, &c." Amsterdam, 1624.
JOHANN PHILIPP ABELIN. (Gottfriedt). "Neue Welt und Americanische
Historien." Francfort, a. m. 1655.
A. O. EXQUEMELIN. "De Amerikaensche Zee-Roovers." Amsterdam, 1678.
(Innumerable translations, &c. &c).
EBERHARD WERNER HAPPEL. "Thesaurus Exoticorum." Hamburg, 1688.
(Indifferent compilation).
I do not include in this hasty bibliographical list any linguistical
works whatever,--or writings on the plants and medicinal herbs of
Spanish-America. Purposely I omit also Antonio de Solis, whose history
of the conquest of Mexico has a great literary, but hardly any
scientific, value.
_Writers of the Eighteenth Century._
JUAN DE VILLAGUTIERRE Y SOTOMAYOR. "Historia de la Conquista y
Reducciones de los Itzaes y Lacandones en la América Septentrional."
Madrid, 1701. The first part only, composed of 10 books,--the second
part may not have been completed,--at least it has remained unknown
till now. The work is of the highest importance, especially for that
part of Yucatan which has since hardly been explored.
ABBATE FRANCESCO SAVERIO CLAVIGERO. S. J. "Storia antica del Messico."
Cesena, 1780, 1781. Spanish translations: London, 1826; México, 1844,
id. 1853. English translation: London, 1787. German version: Leipzig,
1789. (The English copy by Sir Charles Cullen),--all these works
mention Yucatan also.
ANTONIO DE ALCEDO. "Diccionario geográfico-histórico de las Indias
Occidentales ó América...." Madrid, 1786-1789. 5 vols. 4^o.--English
translation by G. A. Thompson. London, 1812-15.
JOSEPH ANTONIO DE VILLA-SEÑOR Y SANCHEZ. "Teatro Americano." México,
1746.--Of indirect value for Yucatan. (2 vols. folio).
J. LAFITAN. S. J. "Moeurs des sauvages américains, comparées aux
moeurs des premiers temps." Paris, 1724. (There is a Dutch
translation: "De Zeden der Wilden van Amerika," but I have no access
to its date at present).--The best ethnological work previous to 1850.
ABBÉ GUILLAUME THOMAS RAYNAL. "Histoire philosophique et politique des
établissements et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes."
Paris, 1780, and other editions. English translation. Edinburgh, 1782.
WILLIAM ROBERTSON. "History of America." (Numberless editions and
translations, all too well known to require special mention
here).--Highly important.
CHEVALIER DE PAUW. "Recherches philosophiques sur les Américains."
London, 1771. A strongly negative, and through its exaggerations in
that direction, very injudicious work. Still it should be read
attentively, as well as the rejoinder to it by Dom Pernetty.
GEMELLI CARRERI. (Properly belongs to the 17th century). "Giro del
Mondo...." Naples, 1721.--French: "Voyage du Tour du Monde." Paris,
1719.
* * * * *
In the Library of the Cathedral of Mexico there still exists:
ARTURO O'NEIL. "Descripcion, Poblacion, y censo de la Provincia de
Yucatan en la Nueva España." 1795.
* * * * *
We have also notice of the former existence of the following works,
by:
FRAY ANDRÉS AVENDAÑO. "Diccionario de nombres de personas, ídolos,
danzas, y otras antiqüedades de los Indios de Yucatan."
"Explicacion de varios Vaticinios de los antiguos Indios de Yucatan."
* * * * *
To take notice of all the geographical works, cyclopædias, &c., &c.,
published in the 18th century, and which contain notices of Yucatan,
would be a task exceeding far the time and limits of this list. It can
easily be proved, however, that the works on especially Yucatecan
topics are not numerous. This may be due, in part, to the rigorous
exclusion of foreigners from Spanish America, and the consequent
decline of intellectual activity towards the close of Spanish
domination. The great collection of Juan Bautista Muñoz contains
hardly anything on Yucatan.
_Writers of the Nineteenth Century._
Here the number of publications increases so rapidly, that I cannot
attempt to notice all. Besides, many of the authors are so well known
that a mere mention of their names and the titles of their works will
suffice. Periodicals containing papers on Yucatan, will be mentioned
generally, but detailed reference to special articles can be given
only in a few exceptional instances. The latest works will only be
alluded to.
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. "Essai politique sur le royaume de la
Nouvelle-Espagne." Paris, 1811, 2 vols. 4^o.--Id. Paris, 1811, 5 vols.
8^o.--Paris, 1825-27, 4 vols. 8^o. Spanish translation: Madrid, 1818.
English translation by John Black. London, 1811. Also translated into
the German. References to Yucatan and its inhabitants may also be
found in "Ansichten der Natur," (Notes), and even in "Kosmos."
FRIEDRICH VON WALDECK. "Voyage pittoresque et archéologique dans la
Province de Yucatan." Paris, 1838. Splendid, but the drawings are
mostly restorations,--therefore suspicious.
ANTONIO DEL RIO.
(The date of this report is: "Palenque 24 June, 1787," and I shall
refer to it more particularly under the heading of "Chiapas,"--still,
as it contains the report of the Franciscan, Thomas de Soza, on
Yucatecan ruins, I place it here also).
"Description of the Ruins of an ancient City, discovered near
Palenque, in the Kingdom of Gautemala, in Central America; translated
from the original manuscript report of Captain Don Antonio del Rio."
London, 1822.--There are two German translations: one "Huehuetlapallan,
Amerika's grosse Urstadt, &c." Meiningen, 1824, and v. Minutoli's
"Beschreibung einer alten Stadt in Guatemala." 1832.--A French
translation, by D. B. Warden, in "Antiquités Méxicaines." Vol. II.
and, finally, the Spanish original, in "Diccionario universal de
Geografia, &c." Vol. VIII.--See also abstract in "Mosaico Mexicano."
Vol. II.
LORENZO DE ZAVALA. Report on Uxmal, published in Vol. I. of
"Antiquités Méxicaines."
JOHN L. STEPHENS. "Travels in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan."
N. York, 1841.
"Incidents of travel in Yucatan." N. York, 1843.
F. CATHERWOOD. "Views of Ancient Monuments in Central America, Chiapas
and Yucatan." N. York, 1844.
B. M. NORMAN. "Rambles in Yucatan." N. York, 1843.
CHARLES ST. JOHN FANCOURT. "The History of Yucatan." London,
1854.--Not of great value.
EMMANUEL VON FRIEDRICHSTHAL. Letter of 21 April, 1841, in "Registro
Yucateco," Vol. II., and "Diccionario Universal," Vol. X.--"Les
Monuments de l'Yucatan," in "Nouvelles Annales des Voyages," 1841,
Vol. 92.--These papers are not very valuable.
JUAN GALINDO. Report on the antiquities of Lake Peten. "Antiquités
Méxicaines," Vol. I.
MODESTO MENDEZ. Report on Tikal. "Zeitschrift für allgemeine
Erdkunde," Vol. I.; 1853; also in Siver's "Mittelamerika" and other
places. He is, as yet, the only authority on Tikal.
JULIUS FROEBEL. "Aus Amerika, Erfahrungen, Reisen, und Studien."
Leipzig.--English translation: "Seven years travel in Central
America." London, 1861.
CARL BARTHOLOMÂUS HELLER. "Reisen in Mexico." Leipzig, 1853.--Rather
fair and moderate.
DÉSIRÉ CHARNAY, and VIOLLET LE DUC. "Cités et Ruines américaines."
Paris, 1863.--Invaluable for its photographs.
ARTHUR MORELET. "Voyage dans l'Amérique centrale, l'Ile de Cuba, et la
Yucatan." Paris, 1857. English translation by Mrs. E. G. Squier.
"Itza, or the unexplored regions of Central America." London, 1871.--A
very attractive and valuable work.
CHARLES ETIENNE BRASSEUR DE BOURBOURG. "Histoire des Nations
Civilisées du Méxique et de l'Amérique centrale." Paris, 1857-9.
"Rapport sur les Ruines de Mayapan et d'Uxmal," in "Archives de la
Cômission scientifique du Méxique," Vol. II.
"Relation des choses de Yucatan." Paris, 1864. (See Landa and Lizana).
"Quatre Lettres sur le Méxique." Paris, 1868.
"Manuscrit Troano." Paris, 1869-1870.
The late Abbé Brasseur was certainly the greatest of all modern
travellers in Mexico and Central America, as far as extent of travel
and long duration of stay are concerned. He knew those countries
better, and had easier access to the natives, than any other similar
traveller of this century. His works are therefore, actual mines of
wealth so far as old documents are concerned: he has collected and
brought to light more manuscripts than any other student. But his
honest zeal and unrestrained enthusiasm have led him into paths on
which he has wandered lamentably astray. His works are indispensable,
though very little of his own conclusions can be believed.
JUAN PIO PEREZ. "Cronología antigua de Yucatan," in "Relation des
choses de Yucatan." 1864. Diccionario de la Lengua haya. Mérida, 1877.
MANUEL OROZCO Y BERRA. "Geografia de las Lenguas y Carta etnogrática
de México." México, 1864.
AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY, Worcester, Mass. _Proceedings No. 44._
Oct. 1865, page 63. Report of S. F. Haven, LL.D.
_Proceedings No. 55._ Oct. 1870, page 42. Report of S. F. Haven, LL.D.
_Proceedings No. 56._ April, 1871, page 7. Report of S. F. Haven,
LL.D.
_Proceedings No. 66._ April, 1876, page 16. "The Mayas," by Stephen
Salisbury, jr.
_Proceedings No. 69._ April. 1877, page 70. "Dr. Le Plongeon in
Yucatan," by Stephen Salisbury, jr.
_Proceedings No. 70._ Oct. 1877, page 89. Report of S. F. Haven, LL.D.
_Proceedings No. 71._ April, 1878, page 71. "Terra Cotta Figure from
Isla Mujeres," by Stephen Salisbury, jr. Page 91, "The Mexican
Calendar Stone," by Philipp J. J. Valentini, Ph.D.
_Proceedings No. 72._ Oct. 1878, page 65. "Archæological Communication
on Yucatan," by Augustus Le Plongeon, M.D. Page 77, "Notes on
Yucatan," by Mrs. Alice D. Le Plongeon.
Proceedings No. 73._ April, 1879, page 81. "Mexican Copper Tools," _by
Philipp J. J. Valentini, Ph.D. Page 113, "Letter from Dr. Augustus Le
Plongeon."
_Proceedings No. 74._ Oct. 1879, page 71. "The Katunes of Maya
History," by Philipp J. J. Valentini, Ph.D.
_Proceedings No. 75._ April, 1880, page 59. "The Landa Alphabet," by
Philipp J. J. Valentini, Ph.D.
_Proceedings No. 76._ Oct. 1880, page 58. "Mexican Paper," by Philipp
J. J. Valentini, Ph.D. Page 82, "Notes on the Bibliography of Yucatan
and Central America," by Ad. F. Bandelier.
PHILIPP J. J. VALENTINI. "A new, and an old Map of Yucatan," in
"Magazine of American History," 1879.
ALBERT GALLATIN. "Notes on the semi-civilized nations of Mexico,
Yucatan, and Central America," in Vol. I. of "Transactions of the
American Ethnological Society." N. York, 1845.
A. AUBIN. "Mémoire sur la peinture didactique et l'écriture figurative
des anciens méxicaines." Paris, 1859-1861. (4 papers, published also
in the "Revue américaine et Orientale." 1st Series, Vols. III., IV.
and V.)
LÉON DE ROSNY. "Les écritures figuratives et hiéroglyphiques des
peuples anciens et modernes." Paris, 1860.
"Mèmoire sur la Numération dans la Langue et dans l'écriture sacrée
des anciens Mayas." (Compte-Rendu du "Congrés international des
américanistes." 1875, Vol. II.)
"Essai sur le déchiffrement de l'écriture hiératique de l'Amérique
Centrale." Paris, 1876.--Still continued.
FRANCISCO PIMENTEL. "Cuadro descriptivo y comparativo de las Lenguas
Indígenas de México." México, 1862.
German translation, by Isidor Epstein. N. York, 1877.
HYACINTHE DE CHARENCY. "Recherches sur le Codex Troano." Paris, 1876.
D. GERONIMO CASTILLO. "Diccionario Historico, Biografico y Monumental
de Yucatan." Mérida, 1866. 2 vols.
SERAPIO BAQUEIRO. "Ensayo Historico sobre las Revoluciones de Yucatan,
1840--1864." Mérida, 1870. 2 vols.
GUSTAV KLEMM. "Allgemeine Culturgeschichte der Menschheit." 10 vols.
Leipzig, 1843-1852.
HEINRICH WÜTTKE. "Die Enstehung der Schrift."
EDWARD KING, LORD KINGSBOROUGH. "Antiquities of Mexico." 1831-1848,
London, 9 vols. folio. Special value of plates.
DE LARENANDIERE. "Méxique et Guatemala," in "Univers pittoresque."
Paris, 1843.
WM. H. PRESCOTT. "History of the Conquest of Mexico." (Too well known
to need any remarks).
LEWIS H. MORGAN. "Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity of the Human
Family." 1871.
(No. 218 of "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.")
"American aboriginal Architecture." Johnson's Encyclopedia, Vol. I.
"Ancient Society." New York, 1877.
HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT. "The Native Races of the Pacific States." 5
vols. N. York, 1875.
JOHN D. BALDWIN. "Ancient America." New York, 1872.
JOSÉ M. MELGAR Y SERRANO. "Exámen comparativo entre los Signos
simbólicos, &c." Vera Cruz, 1872.
GUSTAV BRÜHL. "Die Culturvölker Alt-Amerika's." New York, Cincinnati,
and St. Louis, 1876, 1877, and 1878.
ADOLPH BASTIAN. "Die Culturlaender des alten America's." Berlin, 1878.
2 vols.
JOHN T. SHORT. "The North Americans of Antiquity." New York, 1879.
* * * * *
I further refer to papers in
"NOUVELLES ANNALES DES VOYAGES." 1843. By H. Ternaux-Compans.
"REGISTRO YUCATECO." Vols. I. and II.
And to the publications of
CRESCENCIO CARRILLO, Licenciado. (I have but glanced at one of his
works).
ELIGIO ANCONA. "Historia de Yucatan." Mérida, 1875. 4 vols.
MANUEL LARRAINZAR. "Estudios sobre la Historia de América, sus Ruinas
y Antigüedades." México, 1875. 5 vols.
* * * * *
On most of the works like those of Prescott, Bancroft, Baldwin, and
others, I need not comment, having already expressed my opinion in
"Art of War and Mode of Warfare of the Ancient Mexicans," and "Tenure
and Distribution of Lands, and Customs with respect to Inheritance
among the Ancient Mexicans."--(10th and 11th Reports of the Peabody
Museum). In regard to Yucatecan paintings and carvings, I have
expressed my convictions in "Sources for aboriginal history of Spanish
America," Vol. 27 of the "Proceedings of the American Association for
advancement of Science." 1878.
I repeat it, this attempt at a bibliography on Yucatecan antiquities
is far from being complete,--many works of greater or less importance
having probably been overlooked.
CHIAPAS.
This district or State contains the well known ruins of Palenque and
Ocosingo. Still, but very few of the works hereafter mentioned relate
to these places. It is therefore a bibliography of Chiapas and of its
aborigines:--Zendal, Zoques, Zotzil, Chiapanecos, &c., and not a
special bibliography of Palenque, &c., which I intend to
present,--convinced that our lack of knowledge on the aborigines of
Chiapas in general is a chief cause of our ignorance about the past
history of these remains.
A large number of authors treating of Chiapas have already been
noticed in regard to Yucatan, and in such cases I merely give the
author's name, without the title or any other reference to his works,
except when there are special reasons for it.
_Writers of the Sixteenth Century._
DIEGO DE GODOY. "Relacion á Hernando Cortez, en que trata del
Descubrimiento de diversas Ciudades i Provincias, i Guerra que tuvo
con los Indios, &c., de la Provincia de Chamula."--First incorporated
in the "Historia general" of Oviedo y Valdés, again in Barcia's
"Historiadores primitivos de Indias," and in "Historiadores primitivos
de Indias" of Vedia.--French translation by Ternaux-Compans, in
1^{st}, "Recueil de pièces concernant la Méxique, &c."--Also Italian
in "Ramusio," Vol. III.
GONZALO FERNANDEZ DE OVIEDO Y VALDÉS.
HERNAN CORTÉZ.--"Carta quinta."
FRANCISCO LOPEZ DE GOMARA.
BERNAL DIEZ DEL CASTILLO. (Eye-witness of the conquest of Chiapa.)
BARTOLOMÉ DE LAS CASAS. (Especially the "Apologética historia.")
GERÓNIMO DE MENDIETA. (Incidental mention.)
In the 2d "_Recueil de piecés concernant le Méxique_," of
Ternaux-Compans, there is a complaint or letter of an anonymous author
against Las Casas, dated Chiapas.--I also refer to "_Cartas de
Indias_," Vol. I., containing several letters of Las Casas himself.
* * * * *
There is, in fact, but very little published about the antiquities of
Chiapas, during the 16th century. I do not even mention any of the
general collections which have an occasional reference to the name.
But few vocabularies are noticed. Still we are informed of the
following works, which may yet be in existence, or which at all events
have existed once, and were written during the 16th century.
FRAY TOMÁS TORRE. "Historia de los principios de la Provincia de
Chiapas y Guatemala, del Orden de Santo Domingo."
FRAY DOMINGO VICO. "Historia de los Indios, sus fábulas,
supersticiones, costumbres, &c., &c."
The library of the "Museo Nacional" of the City of Guatemala, contains
a number of fragments of a "_Historia de la Provincia de San Vicente
Ferrer de Chiapas y Guatemala_," the third book of which is
superscribed: "Isagoge histórico apologético general de todas las
Indias."--There is no date nor name of author, but it can be
conjectured that it was written in the 16th century.--Gregorio García
also quotes: _Fray Estévan de Salazar_. "Discurs. Symb. apost." who in
turn is said to refer to a book entitled "_Historia, i Relacion de la
Teología de los Indios Mexicanos_," said book being lost in a
shipwreck, 1564.
_Writers of the Seventeenth Century._
GREGORIO GARCIA.
ANTONIO DE HERRERA.
JUAN DE TORQUEMADA.
ANTONIO DE REMESAL.
AUGUSTIN DE VETANCOURT.
GIL GONZALEZ DÁVILA.
JUAN DIAZ DE LA CALLE.
AUGUSTIN DÁVILA-PADILLA. "Historia de la Fundacion y Discurso de la
Provincia de Santiago de México." 1st edition, Madrid, 1596; 2d
edition, Brussels, 1625.--Mentions Chiapas only in connection with the
biography of Las Casas.--The first edition has almost disappeared, so
that it is practically a book of the 17th century.
AUGUSTIN CANO. "Historia de la Provincia de Predicadores de
San-Vicente de Chiapas y Guatemala."--Fragment of a MS. at the "Museo
Nacional" of Guatemala.
* * * * *
The following books are known to have existed once:
FRAY JUAN ZAPATA Y SANDOVAL. "Cartas al Conde de Gomera ... sobre los
Indios de Chiapas."
"Cartas al Rey sobre el Estado Dulce Diócesis de Chiapas."
* * * * *
I make no mention of the compilations and general collections
containing references to Chiapas. They are not numerous.--Gregorio
García in his book, "Origen de los Indios," has probably the earliest
mention of the ruins of Ocosingo, and even perhaps, some indication
about those of Palenque.--Cortez who, accompanied by Bernal Diez,
passed very near Palenque in 1525, did not take any notice of the
pueblo,--which at that time was certainly not inhabited.
_Writers of the Eighteenth Century._
NUÑEZ DE LA VEGA. "Constituciones diocesanas del Obispado de Chiapas."
Rome, 1702.
Important for its reports on the idolatrous rites and the traditions
of the aborigines.
LORENZO BOTURINI BERNADUCCI. "Idea de una Nueva Historia General de la
America Septentrional." Madrid, 1746.
Valuable for his mention of the Calendar of Chiapas.
MARIANO FERNANDEZ DE VEYTIA Y ECHEVERRIA. "Historia del Origen de las
gentes que poblaron la America Septentrional que llaman la
Nueva-España, con noticia de los primeros que establecieron la
monarquía que en ella floreció de la nacion Tolteca."--This work has
been published as lately as 1836, at Mexico, by C. F. Ortega, under
the title of "Historia antigua de México."--It contains notices of the
calendar of Chiapas.
F. X. CLAVIGERO. S. J. (ABBATE.)
ANTONIO DE ALCEDO.
JOSEPH ANTONIO DE VILLA-SEÑOR Y SANCHEZ.
FRANCISCO XIMENEZ. "Crónica de la Provincia de Chiapas y
Guatemala,"--of which part of the 7th book is at the "Museo Nacional"
of Guatemala.
"Historia de la Provincia de predicadores de San Vicente de Chiapas y
Guatemala." Written about 1720,--and possibly the same work as the
above.--According to Brasseur de Bourbourg, 3 volumes which did not
suit or fit together and were the remnants of two MSS. copies of the
original, existed at the University of Guatemala in 1855.
TORIBIO COSIO. "Relacion histórica de la Sublevacion y Pacificacion de
la Provincia de los Tzendales." (May still exist at Mexico.)
FRANCISCO VASQUEZ. "Crónica de la Provincia del Ill'mo Nombre de
Jesús, del Orden de San Francisco de Guatemala."--Guatemala, 1714 and
1716, 2 vols.--The library of Guatemala ("Museo Nacional") still
contains an anonymous MS. of 13 Leaves, "Notas y Advertencias" to the
above work.--Whether the "Crónica" itself is at Guatemala, I am unable
to say. The book is very scarce. Mr. Squier owned the first volume
only.
Anonymous. "Relacion de la Sublevacion de los Zendales, en el año de
1712." MS. Perhaps still at the city of Guatemala.
RAMON DE ORDOÑEZ Y AGUIAR. "Historia de la Creacion del Cielo y de la
Tierra, conforme al sistema de la gentilidad americana." MS. at the
"Museo Nacional" of the city of Mexico.--Very important for the
traditions of Chiapas.
"Memoria relativa á las ruinas de Nachán, en las inmediaciones del
pueblo de Santo Domingo del Palenque." MS. formerly belonged to
Brasseur de Bourbourg. It was written about 1784, and is the first
authentic report on the celebrated ruins.
D. NÁXERA. "Vida portentosa del V. P. Fr. Antonio Margil de Jesús."
México, 1753.
H. VILAPLANA. "Vida portentosa del americano septentrional apóstol
Antonio Margil de Jesús...." México, 1763. (Margil was one of the
earliest missionaries in Chiapas.)
_Documents relative to the explorations of Palenque._
Besides the "Memoria" of Ordoñez already quoted, which first directed
attention to the ruined pueblo, there exist the following documents:
JOSÉ DE ESTACHERIA. "Expediente sobre el descubrimiento de una gran
Ciudad en la provincia de Chiapas, distrito de Guatemala." 28 Nov.
1784. (Archives of the royal Academy, at Madrid).--It is directed to
the lieutenant "Alcalde mayor" of Chiapas, at S^{to} Domingo del
Palenque, directing him to survey the ruins.
JOSEF ANTONIO CALDERON. "Informe, fecho en 15 de Diciembre de 1784."
Description of the ruins. MSS. translated and published by Brasseur in
"Ruines de Palenque," 1866.
ANTONIO BERNASCONI. Other reports on the ruins, accompanied by plans
and drawings. MS. in Spain. Date, 13 June, 1578.
JUAN BAUTISTA MUÑOZ. Letter to the Marquis de Sonora, written 1786.
Translated by Brasseur: "Ruines de Palenque." 1866.
ANTONIO DEL RIO. "Descripcion del terreno y poblacion antigua
nuevamente descubierta en las inmediaciones del pueblo del
Palenque."--I have already referred to it under "Yucatan." Whether the
plates of the English edition are genuine, is yet doubtful.
* * * * *
I must add here, that until about 1820, the state of Chiapas
pertained, not to Mexico, but to the captain-generalcy of Guatemala,
and consequently all the authorities treating of the latter country
may be supposed to contain information about Chiapas also.
_Writers of the Nineteenth Century._
(Explorations of Palenque.)
JUAN GARRIDO. _Said_ to have written about Palenque in 1805.
GUILLERMO DUPAIX AND LUCIANO CASTAÑEDA. "Relacion hecha al Rey, sobre
tres expediciones, &c." in 1805, 1806, and 1807. They visited Palenque
late in 1807.--Their reports and drawings were first published in
1831, in Vols. IV. and V. of Lord Kingsborough's "Antiquities of
Mexico," and an English translation in Vol. VI.--A French and Spanish
version, together with all the plates, is contained in "Antiquités
mexicaines." Paris, 1834.--The drawings of Castañeda are by far the
most complete which we have, although they disagree with many of those
of other travellers. This disagreement will be referred to hereafter.
JUAN GALINDO. "Palenque et autres lieux circonvoisins." Letter dated
27 April, 1831, in "Antiquités méxicaines," Vol. I.--English
translation in the "Literary Gazette," No. 769, London, 1831.--Col.
Galindo visited Palenque himself, but he is so enthusiastic that all
his statements and even measurements should be taken with many
allowances.
FRIEDRICH VON WALDECK. "Description des ruines de Palenque," with 56
large plates, in "Monuments anciens du Méxique." Paris, 1866.--M. de
Waldeck had spent two years at Palenque (1832-1834,)--his plates are
magnificent, but they restore far too much.
JOHN L. STEPHENS. "Travels in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan."
N. York, 1841.
"Incidents of Travel in Yucatan." 1843.
F. CATHERWOOD. (See Yucatan.)
ARTHUR MORELET. (See Yucatan.) Visited P. in 1846.
DÉSIRÉ CHARNAY. (See Yucatan.) In 1858.
CHARLES ETIENNE BRASSEUR DE BOURBOURG. "Ruines de Palenque," in
"Monuments anciens du Méxique," 1866, Paris.--Valuable for the
historical introductions and for the numerous references to
authorities. The historical essay is a confused and disorderly
jumble, barely readable.--The Abbé visited Palenque subsequently--in
1871.
To these reports I finally add:
CHARLES RAU. "The Palenque tablet in the United States National
Museum," Washington, D. C., 1879. (No. 331 of "Smithsonian
Contributions to Knowledge.")
* * * * *
Aside from the numberless historical, archæological, and ethnological
works, several of which I have already noticed under "Yucatan," I beg
to refer to some specifically Central-American and Mexican sources
treating of Chiapas in general, with some occasional mention of
Palenque and of Ocosingo, or even without any particular reference to
them.
DOMINGO JUARROS. "Compendio de la Historia de Guatemala,"
1808--1818.--English translation by J. Bailly, London, 1823.
FRANCISCO DE PAULA GARCIA L'ELAEZ. "Memorias para la Historia del
antiguo Reyno de Guatemala." 3 vols. Guatemala, 1851.--An excellent
work, full of valuable and reliable information.
HYACINTHE DE CHARENCY. "Le Mythe de Votan." Alençon, 1871.--Ingenious
speculations.
FÉLIX CABRERA. "Teatro crítico-americano."--Published with the
different editions of Del Rio.--Abstract from Nuñez de la Vega, with
more or less hypothetical speculations about the origin, life, and
doings of "Votan" in Chiapas.
MARIANO ROBLES DOMINGUEZ DE MAZARIEGOS. "Memoria histórica de la
provincia de Chiapas...." Cadiz, 1813.
EMILIO PINEDA. "Descripcion Geógráfica del Departamento de Chiapas y
Soconusco." In the "Boletin de la Sociedad de geografia y Estadística
de México." Vol. III. Also, México, 1845.
JOSÉ DE GARAY. "Reconocimiento del Istmo de Tehuantepec." México,
1844.
FRANCISCO PIMENTEL. "Cuadro descriptivo de las Lenguas indígenas, &c."
(See Yucatan.)
MANUEL OROZCO Y BERRA. "Geografia de las Lenguas." (See Yucatan.)
* * * * *
In the imperfect list herewith submitted I have frequently included
works of which nothing is known save that they once existed. This is
done for the purpose of calling attention to them, should any one of
them be found in the hands of book owners and collectors here or
abroad. Libraries like those of Mr. Lenox or of Mr. John Carter-Brown
should be searched for such writings, and copies at least should be
secured. The plan of Palenque, made by Bernasconi, in 1785, should
also be copied without delay. A copy can be obtained from Madrid, by
application to the Royal Academy of Spain.
GUATEMALA. (Copan and Chiapas included.)
_Writers of the Sixteenth Century._
HERNAN CORTÉS. (4th and 5th letter. Casual mention.)
PEDRO DE ALVARADO. Seventeen letters to Hernan Cortés, the first of
which is dated: Utlatlan, 11 April, 1524. Only two of those letters
were printed, the remaining fifteen are yet in MSS. Mr. E. G. Squier
owned MS. copies of the whole, but whither they went at his sale I do
not know. The two which were published (11 April and 28 July),
appeared in the following works: "Delle navigationi et viaggi, &c." by
Gian Battista Ramusio. Venice, Italian version. The "due lettere de
Pietro d' Alvarado," are contained in the 3d volume, editions of 1556,
1565, and 1606.
OVIEDÓ. "Historia y natural de las Indias." Vol. III. Written between
1535 and 1557, but printed only 1853. Madrid.
ANDRÉS GONZALEZ BARCIA. "Historiadores primitivos de Indias." Madrid,
1749, Vol. I.
H. TERNAUX-COMPANS. "Premier recueil de piéces relatives à la conquéte
du Méxique." Paris, 1838.--French translation.
ENRIQUE DE VEDIA. "Historiadores primitivos de Indias." Madrid, 1852.
(Vol. I.)
These letters, from the conqueror of Guatemala, are very important,
and the 15 unpublished ones should be printed at the earliest possible
moment.