Chapter XXII.

Rules for the Indian tongue

called Poconchi, or Pocoman.

A Table of the Chapters of this

Booke, with the Contents of the

most Remarkeable things in them.

_To His Excellency_

Sr. THOMAS FAIRFAX Knight, Lord _FAIRFAX_ of CAMERON,

CAPTAIN-GENERALL of the Parliaments Army;

And of all their

Forces in _ENGLAND_, and the Dominion of _WALES_.

May it please your EXCELLENCY,

_The Divine Providence hath hitherto so ordered my life, that for the

greatest part thereof, I have lived (as it were) in exile from my

native Countrey: which happened, partly, by reason of my education in

the Romish Religion, and that in forraign Universities; and partly,

by my entrance into Monasticall orders. For twelve years space of

which time, I was wholly disposed of in that part of_ America _called_

New-Spain, _and the parts adjacent. My difficult going thither, being

not permitted to any, but to those of the Spanish Nation; my long stay

there; and lastly my returning home, not onely to my Country, but to

the true knowledg and free-profession of the Gospels purity, gave me

reason to conceive, That these great mercies were not appointed me by

the heavenly Powers, to the end I should bury my Talent in the earth,

or hide my light under a bushell, but that I should impart what I

there saw and knew to the use and benefit of my English Country-men;

And which the rather I held my self obliged unto, because in a manner

nothing hath been written of these Parts for these hundred years last

past, which is almost ever since the first Conquest thereof by the_

Spaniards, _who are contented to lose the honour of that wealth and

felicity they have there since purchased by their great endevours, so

they may enjoy the safety of retaining what they have formerly gotten

in peace and security. In doing whereof I shall offer no Collections,

but such as shall arise from mine own observations, which will as

much differ from what formerly hath been hereupon written, as the

picture of a person grown to mans estate, from that which was taken

of him when he was but a Childe; or the last hand of the Painter, to

the first or rough draught of the picture. I am told by others, that

this may prove a most acceptable work; but I doe tell my self that it

will prove both lame and imperfect, and therefore had need to shelter

my self under the shadow of some high protection, which I humbly pray

your Excellency to afford me; nothing doubting, but as God hath lately

made your Excellency the happy instrument, not onely of saving my

self, but of many numbers of godly and well-affected people in this

County of_ Kent, _(where now I reside by the favour of the Parliament)

from the imminent ruine and destruction plotted against them by their

most implacable enemies; so the same God who hath led your Excellency

through so many difficulties towards the settlement of the peace of

this Kingdom, and reduction of_ Ireland, _will, after the perfecting

thereof (which God of his mercy hasten) direct your Noble thoughts to

employ the Souldiery of this Kingdom upon such just and honourable

designes in those parts of_ America, _as their want of action at

home may neither be a burden to themselves nor the Kingdome. To your

Excellency therefore I offer a_ New-World, _to be the subject of your

future pains, valour, and piety, beseeching your acceptance of this

plain but faithfull relation of mine, wherein your Excellency, and

by you the English Nation shall see what wealth and honor they have

lost by one of their narrow hearted Princes, who living in peace and

abounding in riches, did notwithstanding reject the offer of being

first discoverer of_ America; _and left it unto_ Ferdinando _of_

Arragon, _who at the same time was wholly taken up by the Warrs, in

gaining of the City and Kingdome of_ Granada _from the_ Moores; _being

so impoverished thereby, that he was compelled to borrow with some

difficulty a few Crowns of a very mean man, to set forth_ Columbus

_upon so glorious an expedition. And yet, if time were closely followed

at the heels, we are not so farr behinde, but we might yet take him by

the fore-top. To which purpose, our Plantations of the_ Barbadoes, St.

Christophers, Mems, _and the rest of the_ Caribe-Islands, _have not

onely advanced our journey the better part of the way; but so inured

our people to the Clime of the_ Indies, _as they are the more inabled

thereby to undertake any enterprise upon the firm Land with greater

facility. Neither is the difficulty of the attempt so great, as some

may imagine; for I dare be bold to affirm it knowingly, That with

the same pains and charge which they have been at in planting one of

those pettie Islands, they might have conquer'd so many great Cities,

and large Territories on the main Continent, as might very well merit

the title of a Kingdome. Our Neighbors the_ Hollanders _may be our

example in this case; who whilst we have been driving a private Trade

from Port to Port, of which we are likely now to be deprived, have

conquered so much Land in the_ East _and_ West-Indies, _that it may

be said of them, as of the_ Spaniards, That the Sunn never sets upon

their Dominions. _And to meet with that objection by the way,_ That the

Spaniard being intituled to those Countries, it were both unlawfull

and against all conscience to dispossess him thereof. _I answer, that

(the Popes donation excepted) I know no title he hath but force,

which by the same title, and by a greater force may be repelled. And

to bring in the title of_ First-discovery; _to me it seems as little

reason, that the sailing of a_ Spanish _Ship upon the coast of_ India,

_should intitle the King of_ Spain _to that Countrey, as the sayling

of an_ Indian _or_ English _Ship upon the coast of_ Spain, _should

intitle either the_ Indians _or_ English _unto the Dominion thereof. No

question but the just right or title to those Countries appertains to

the Natives themselves; who, if they shall willingly and freely invite

the_ English _to their protection, what title soever they have in

them, no doubt but they may legally transferr it or communicate it to

others. And to say, That the inhumane butchery which the_ Indians _did

formerly commit in sacrificing of so many reasonable Creatures to their

wicked Idols, was a sufficient warrant for the_ Spaniards _to divest

them of their Country; The same argument may by much better reason be

inforced against the_ Spaniards _themselves, who have sacrificed so

many millions of_ Indians _to the Idol of their barbarous cruelty, that

many populous Islands and large Territories upon the main Continent,

are thereby at this day utterly uninhabited, as_ Bartholomeo de las

Casas, _the_ Spanish _Bishop of_ Guaxaca _in_ New-Spain, _hath by his

Writings in Print sufficiently testified. But to end all disputes of

this nature; since that God hath given the earth to the sons of Men

to inhabite; and that there are many vast Countries in those parts,

not yet inhabited either by_ Spaniard _or_ Indian, _why should my

Country-men the_ English _be debarred from making use of that, which

God from all beginning no question did ordain for the benefit of

mankinde?_

_But I will not molest your Excellency with any further argument

hereupon; rather offering my self, and all my weak endevours (such as

they are) to be employed herein for the good of my Country; I beseech

Almighty God to prosper your Excellency, Who am_

The most devoted and humblest

of your Excellencies servants,

_THO. GAGE._

UPON This WORTHY WORK,

_Of his most worthy Friend

THE_ AUTHOR.

_Reader_, behold presented to thine eye,

What us _Columbus_ off'red long agoe,

Of the _New-World_ a new discoverie,

Which here our Author doth so clearly show;

That he the state which of these Parts would know,

Need not hereafter search the plenteous store

Of _Hackluit, Purchas_ and _Ramusio_,

Or learn'd _Acosta's_ writings to look o're;

Or what _Herera_ hath us told before,

Which merit not the credit due from hence,

Those being but reck'nings of anothers score.

But these the fruits of self-experience:

Wherein our Author useth not the sence

Of those at home, who doe their judgments leave,

And after wandring farr with vast expence,

See many things, which they doe ne'r perceive;

Laborious are by study much at home

To know those Parts, which they came lately from.

Less doth he use us as the late writ Books

Of Journeys made unto the _Levant_-States;

Wherein when we doe pry with curious looks,

Of _Greece_ and _Troy_ to know the present fates;

They tell us what _Thucidides_ relates,

What _Strabo_ writes, what _Homer_ crown'd with bayes,

What Authors more, who have out-worn their daies,

Besides what _Plutarch_ and _Polibius_ sayes:

So what they were, not what they are, they sing,

And shew their reading, not their travailing.

But here our Author neither doth us tell,

Or to us shew one inch of Sea or Ground,

Unless such acts which in his time befell,

Or what his eyes saw the Horizon bound:

He uttereth nought at all he heard by sound,

He speaks not of a City or a Street,

But where himself hath often gone the round,

And measured o're with his industrious feet.

And yet it must acknowledg'd be for true,

Since worthy _Hawkins_, and the famous _Drake_

Did first present unto the English view

This New-found-world, for great _Eliza's_ sake;

Renowned _Rawleigh_ twice did undertake

With labours great, and dangers not a few,

A true discovery of these Parts to make,

And thereof writ both what he saw and knew.

But as the man who in a Ship doth pass

Our narrow Seas, the flowings of each tide,

The Ships course, soundings, turnings of the glass,

What Land he makes on North or Southern side,

He may impart: But who they be abide,

Or what Religion, Language, or what Nation

Possess each Coast; since he hath never tride,

How can he make thereof a true Relation?

So those who have describ'd these Parts before,

Of Trade, Winds, Currents, Hurican's doe tell,

Of Headlands, Harbours, tendings of the shore,

Of Rocks and Isles: wherein they might as well

Talk or a Nut, and onely shew the shell;

The kernell neither tasted, touch'd nor seen

Had yet remain'd; but that it so befell,

That these Relations to us made have been;

Differing as much from what before y'have heard,

As doth a Land-Map from a Seamans Card.

But how these truths reveal'd to us should bee,

When none but _Spaniards_ to those Parts may go;

Which was establish'd by severe Decree,

Lest Forain people should their secrets know;

This Order yet to be neglected so,

As that our Author had permission free,

Whose Nation too they count their greatest foe,

Seemeth almost a miracle to me.

Sure the prescience of that power Divine,

Which safely to those parts did him convey,

Did not for nought his constant heart incline

There twelve whole years so patiently to stay:

That he each thing exactly might survay,

Then him return'd, nay more did turn to us,

And to him shew'd of bliss the perfect way,

Which of the rest seems most miraculous.

For had the last of these not truly been,

These fair Relations we had never seen.

Nor can I think but this most usefull Book

In time to come, may like some new-born Starr,

Direct such Wisemen as therein will look,

And shew their way unto these Regions farr.

And though we now lie sunk in Civill war,

Yet you the worthy Patriots of this Land,

Let not your hearts be drowned in despair,

And so your future happiness withstand.

For time will come you shall enjoy a Peace,

But then no longer you must joy in sinn,

When they no more shall raign, these Wars shall cease,

And then your after bliss shall soon beginn.

The fiery trialls which you now are in,

In stead of foes shall prove your best of friends,

And you from servile base affection win,

To fit your hearts for high and Nobler ends:

Your Drums which us'd to beat their Martiall dance

Upon the banks of _Garone, Seine_ and _Soane_;

Whilst you trode measures through the Realm of _France_,

Doe now at home (Oh grief!) on both sides groane,

As if they did your ill spilt blood bemoane;

Which long agoe with _Richard, England's_ King,

When he the holy Warr maintain'd alone,

Their dreadfull notes did through _Judea_ ring.

Now shall the tawnie _Indians_ quake for fear,

Their direfull march to beat when they doe hear;

Your brave Red-Crosses on both sides display'd,

The noble Badges of your famous Nation,

Which you yet redder with your bloods have made,

And dy'd them deep in drops of detestation.

You shall again advance with reputation,

And on the bounds of utmost Western shore

Shall them transplant, and firmly fix their station,

Where English Colours ne'r did fly before.

Your well-built Ships, companions of the Sunn,

As they were Chariots to his fiery beams,

Which oft the Earths circumference have runn,

And now lie moar'd in _Severn, Trent_, and _Tems_,

Shall plough the Ocean with their gilded Stems,

And in their hollow bottoms you convay

To Lands inrich'd with gold, with pearls and gems,

But above all, where many thousands stay

Of wronged _Indians_, whom you shall set free

From _Spanish_ yoke, and _Romes_ Idolatry.

All this and more by you shall sure be done,

Yet I no Prophet, nor no Prophets sonne.

_THOMAS CHALONER._

A NEW SURVEY OF THE WEST-INDIES.

CHAP. I.

_How Rome doth yearly visit the American and Asian Kingdoms._

The policy, which for many yeares hath upheld the erring Church of

_Rome_, hath clearly and manifestly been discovered by the many Errors

which in severall times by sundry Synods or Generall Councells, (which

commonly are but Apes of the Popes fancy, will, pleasure, and ambition)

have been enacted into that Church. And for such purposes doth that

man of Sinne, and Antichristian tyrant, keep constantly in _Rome_ so

many poor Pensionary Bishops as hounds at his table, smelling out

his ambitious thoughts, with whom he fills the Synods, when he calls

them, charging them never to leave off barking and wearying out the

rest of the Prelates, untill they have them all as a prey unto his

proud and ambitious designes; from which if any of them dare to start,

not onely their Pensions shall be surely forfeited, but their souls

shall bee cursed, and they as Hereticks Anathematized with a Censure

of Excommunication _latæ sententiæ_. Hence sprung that Master-piece

of Policy, decreeing that the Pope alone should be above the Generall

Councell, lest otherwise one Mans pride might be curbed by many heads

joyned together; And secondly, that Synodicall definition, that the

Pope cannot erre, that though the Councels power, wisdome and learning

were all sifted into one mans brain, all points of faith straitned into

one head and channell; yet the People should not stagger in any lawfull

doubts, nor the learned sort follow any more the light of reason, or

the sunshine of the Gospel, but all yeelding to blind Obedience, and

their most holy Fathers infallibility, in the foggie and Cimmerian

mist of ignorance, might secure their souls from erring, or deviating

to the _Scylla_ or _Charybdis_ of Schism and Heresie. What judicious

eye, that will not be blinded with the napkin of ignorance, doth not

easily see that Policy only hath been the chief Actor of those damnable

Opinions of Purgatory, Transubstantiation, Sacrifice though unbloody

(as they term it) of the Mass, Invocation of Saints, their Canonization

or installing of Saints into the kingdom of heaven, Indulgences,

auricular Confession, with satisfactory Penance, and many such like:

All which doubtles have been commanded as points of Faith, not so much

to save those wretched souls, as to advance that crackt-brain head in

the conceits of his Europæan wonderers, who long agoe were espyed out

by the Spirit of _John_ wondring after the Beast, worshipping him for

his power, and saying, _Who is like unto the Beast, who is able to make

warre with him?_ Revel. 13. 3, 4. Thus can Policy invent a Purgatory,

that a Pope may be sought from all parts of _Europe_, nay now from East

and West _India's_, to deliver souls from that imaginary Fire which

never God created, but he himself hath fancyed, that so much glory may

be ascribed to him, and his power wondered at, who can plunge into

torments, condemn to burning, and when he list, deliver out of fire.

Much more would he be admired, and his goodnesse extolled, if he

would deliver at once all those his Purgatory Prisoners without that

Simoniacall receipt of money. But policy can afford an infinite price

and value of a sacrifice of the Masse, to delude the ignorant people,

that though they leave their whole estates to enrich Cloysters, and

fat proud Prelates and Abbots; yet this is nothing, and comes farre

short (being finite) to that infinite Sacrifice, which onely can and

must deliver their scorching, nay broyling souls: And if this infinite

Sacrifice be not enough, (which will not be enough, whereas Christs

infinit satisfaction was not enough in the opinion in that erroneous

Church) Policy will give yet power to a Pope _si divitiæ affluant_, if

money and rich bribes abound, to grant such plenary Indulgences, which

may upon one Saints day, or at such a Saints Altar, work that soul

out, which lyeth lurking and frying in the deepest pit of Purgatory.

O who is like unto the Beast? But will those that wonder at him, bee

also wondred at as workers of wonders and miracles? Policy will give

power to a Pope to canonize such, and set them at Gods right hand,

fit to be prayed unto, and called upon as Judges of our necessities,

and Auditors of our wants: But this honor must be given, after that

the whole Colledge of Cardinalls have been clothed with new Purple

Robes, and Loads of money brought to the Court of _Rome_; Witness

those many thousand pounds, which the City of _Barcelona_, and the

whole Country of _Catalonia_ spent in the Canonizing of _Raimundus

de Pennafort_, a Dominican Fryer: Witnesse at least ten Millions,

which I have been credibly informed, that the Jesuites spent for the

canonization of their two Twins, _Ignatius Loiola_, and _Franciscus

Xavier_, whom they call the East _India_ Apostle. And it is not seven

years ago yet that it was my chance to travail from _Frankford_ in

_Germany_ as far as _Millan_ in company of one Fryer _John Baptist_ a

_Franciscan_, who told me, That was the fourth time of his going to

_Rome_ from _Valencia_ in the Kingdome of _Arragon_ in _Spain_ about

the Canonization of one _John Capistrano_ of the same Order; and that

besides the great Almes which he had begged over many Countreys, (and

in that journey went purposely to _Inspurg_ to the Prince _Leopoldo_

for his Almes and Letters of commendation to the Pope and Cardinals)

he had spent of the City of _Valencia_ onely five thousand Duckets,

and yet was not his Saint enthroned, as he desired, in heaven; But

still money was wanting, and more demanded for the dignifying with a

Saints title him, who had lived a Mendicant and begging Frier. Thus

are those blinded Nations brought by Policy to run to _Rome_ with

rich treasures, and thus doe they strive who shall have most Saints

of their Countrey or Nation, though impoverishing themselves; whilst

at _Rome_ ambition and Policy say not, It is enough, fit mates for

the Horsleech his two daughters, crying, _Give, give, Prov._ 30. 15.

Give, say they, and the rigid Penance justly to be imposed upon thee

for thy sinnes most hainous, shall be extenuated and made easie for

thee. Give, say they, and thou shalt be dispensed with to marry thy

nearest Kinswoman or Kinsman. It would be a long story to insert

here how the Popes Policy sucks out of _England_ our gold and silver

for the authorizing of our Papists private Chambers and Altars for

the gaining of Indulgences in them, and delivering of souls out of

Purgatory, when Masses are said and heard at them. Thus hath _Romes_

policy blinded and deceived many of the _European_ Kingdomes; and

with the same greedinesse gapes at _Asia_ and _America_. Who would

not admire to see that at this day in _America_ onely, the Popes

authority and usurped power is extended to as many Countreys as all

_Europe_ containes, wherein no Religion but meer blinde Obedience and

subjection to that Man of Sin is known? And daily may it more and

more encrease, whereas the King of _Spain_ gloryeth to have received

from the Pope power over those Kingdomes farr greater than any other

Princes of _Europe_ have enjoyed from him. But the pity is, that what

power these Princes have, they must acknowledge it from _Rome_, having

given their own power and strength unto the Beast, _Revel._ 17. 13.

suffering themselves to be divested of any Ecclesiasticall power over

the Clergy, and unabled to tender any Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance

to their own and naturall subjects, onely so farre as his Holinesse

shall give them power. Which, Policy since the first Conquest of the

West _India's_, and ambition to advance the Popes name, hath granted

to the Kings of _Spain_, by a speciall title, naming those Kingdomes,

_El Patrimonio Real_, The Royall Patrimony; upon this Condition, that

the King of _Spain_ must maintain there the preaching of the Gospel,

Fryers, Priests and Jesuites to preach it with all the erroneous Popish

doctrines, which tend to the advancement of the Popes glory, power,

and authority. So that what power hee hath divested himself of, and

invested the Pope with; what power other Princes are divested of, and

the King of _Spain_ in his Kingdomes of _Europe_, from medling in

Ecclesiasticall affaires, or with Ecclesiasticall men; Arch-Bishops,

Bishops, Preists, Jesuites, Monkes and Fryers; that same power by way

of Royall Patrimony is conferred upon him in the _India's_ only. And

this only politickly to maintain there Popery; else never would it have

so much increased there; for poor Preists and mendicant Fryers would

never have had means enough to be at the charges of sending yeerly

Flockes and Sholes of Fryers thither, neither to keep and maintain

them there; neither would the covetousnesse of the Popes themselves

have afforded out of their full and rich treasures, means sufficient

for the maintaning of so many thousand Preachers as at this day are

preaching there, more _Rome_ and Antichrists name, then the name of

Christ and the truth of the Gospel. And policy having thus opened way

to those _American_ parts, the charges thus being laid upon the Crown

of _Spain_, and the honour of a Royall Patrimony, with power over the

Clergy thus conferred upon the Kings of _Spain_, how doth the Pope

yeerly charge the Catholike King with troopes of Jesuites and Fryers

to be conveyed thither? Now the Jesuites (the best scholars of _Romes_

policy) seeing this to bee thus setled between the Pope and the King

of _Spain_, for the increasing of their Order, and to suppresse the

increase of other Religions there, have thought first of a way of

challenging all the _India's_ to themselves, alleadging that _Francis

Xavierius_ companion of _Ignatius Loiola_ was the first Preacher that

ever preached in the _East India's_, and so by right that they being of

his profession ought only to be sent thither. But this their way being

stopped by the opposition of all other Religious orders, especially

by the solicitation of one Fryer _Diego Colliado_, a Dominican, as

hereafter I will shew more largely: Now, secondly, their policy is to

leane more to the Popes of _Rome_, then any other of those Orders, by

a speciall Vow which they make above the three Vowes of other orders,

Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience to their superiors; to wit, to be

alwaies ready to go to preach when or whither soever the Pope shall

send them, and to advance his name, defend his power in what parts

soever, maugre whatsoever danger, or opposition. Thus though the

remotenesse of _America_ may discourage other Orders from going thither

to preach, and their freewill which is left unto them to make choice

of so long and tedious a journey may retard their readinesse, and the

dangers of the _Barbarians_ unwillingnesse to submit to a Popes power,

and admit of a new Religion as superstitious as their own, may affright

them from hazarding their lives among a barbarous, rude, and idolatrous

people; yet if all others faile, the Pope, and the Jesuites being thus

agreed, and the King of _Spain_ bound by the new Royall Patrimony,

Preachers have nor, nor shall ever be wanting in those parts: And in

stead of the old Jesuites and Preachers grown in age, yeerly are sent

thither Missions (as they call them) either of Voluntiers, Fryers

mendicants, Preists or Monkes, or else of forced Jesuites: All which

entring once into the List and Bond of Missionaries, must abide there,

and be maintained by the King of _Spain_ ten yeers. And whosoever

before the ten yeers expired, shall desire to see _Spain_ again, or

runagate-like shall return, may be constrained (if taken in _Spain_) to

return again to the _India's_, as it happened whilst I lived in those

parts, to one Fryer _Peter de Balcazar_ a Dominican, who privily flying

back to _Spain_, was the year after shipped, and restored again to his

forced service under the Pope of _Rome_. And thus doth policy open the

wayes to those remote and forain parts of _America_. Thus hath policy

wrought upon the Kings of _Spain_; and Jesuiticall policy meeting with

Antichrists policy and Ambition, doth _Rome_ yeerly visit her new

nursed Children, greeting that Infantile Church of _Asia_ and _America_

with troopes of messengers one after another, like _Jobs_ messengers,

bringing under pretence of salvation, damnation and misery to their

poor and wretched souls.

CHAP. II.

_Shewing that the_ Indians _wealth under a pretence of their Conversion

hath corrupted the hearts of poor begging Fryers, with strife, hatred

and ambition._

It is a most true and certain saying, _Odia Religionum sunt

acerbissima_, hatred grounded in points and differences of Religion

(let me adde, if ambition blow the fire to that hatred) is the most

bitter and uncapable of reconciliation. Nay, it is an observation

worth noting of some (see Doctor _Day_ upon the I _Cor._ 16. 9. Verse)

that the neerer any are unto a conjunction in matters of Religion,

and yet some difference retained, the deeper is the hatred; As hee

observes, a Jew hates a Christian farre worse then hee doth a Pagan, or

a Turke; a Papist hates a Protestant worse then hee doth a Jew, and a

Formalist hates a Puritan worse then hee doth a Papist. No such hatred

under heaven (saith hee) as that between a Formalist, and a Puritan,

whereof our now Domestick and Civill Warres may bee a sad and woefull

experience. A truth which made _Paul_ burst out into a lamentable

complaint, I _Cor._ 16. 9. saying, _A great doore and effectuall is

opened unto mee, and there are many adversaries_.

And as when the doore of true Faith once is opened, then Adversaries

begin to swarme and rage; so in all points of false and fained Religion

where the entrance to it is laid open, hatred and enmity will act

their parts. But much more if with such pretended Religion, Wealth and

Ambition as counterfeit Mates thrust hard to enter at the opened doore,

what strife, hatred, and envy doe they kindle even in the hearts of

such who have vowed poverty and the contempt of worldly wealth? I may

adde to what hath beene observed above, that no hatred is comparable

to that which is betweene a Jesuite and a Fryer, or any other of

_Romes_ Religious Orders; And above all yet betweene a Jesuite, and

a Dominican. The ambition and pride of Jesuites is inconsistent in a

Kingdome or Common-wealth with any such as may bee equall to them in

Preaching, Counsell or Learning. Therefore strive they so much for the

education of Gentlemens Children in their Colledges, that by teaching

the sonnes, the love of the fathers and mothers may bee more easily

gained: and their love and good will thus gained, they may withall

gaine to themselves whatsoever praise, honour, glory may bee fit to

bee bestowed upon any other Ecclesiasticall Person. Which Policy and

Ambition in them being so patent and knowne to all the World, hath

stirred up in all other Religions a hatred to them uncapable ever of

Reconciliation. This hath made them all to conspire against them,

and to discover their unsatisfied covetousnesse in beguiling the

rich widowes of what meanes hath beene left them by their deceased

husbands, to erect and build those stately Colledges beyond the Seas,

the sight whereof both outward and inward doth draw the ignorant

people to resort more to their Churches and preaching then to any

other. Thus whilest in _Venice_, they got the favour of one of the

chief Senatours of that Common-wealth, they politickly drew him to

make his will according to their will and pleasure, leaving to his

son and heire no more then what they should think fit to afford him.

But they appropriating to themselves the chiefest part of the young

heires meanes, and with so proud a legacy thinking to overpower all

other Orders, were by them opposed so, that the Will was called for

by the whole State and Senatours of _Venice_, fully examined, and

they commanded to restore to the heire the whole Estate as enjoyed

by his Father. Well did that wise Senate conceive, that as one Noble

man had been cheated by them of his fortunes, so might they one by

one, and so at length the riches of _Venice_ might become a treasure

onely for Jesuites to maintaine the pride and pompe of their glorious

fabricks. And though those vowed servants to the Pope obtained his

Excommunication against the whole Estate of _Venice_ upon non-complying

with the foresaid Will and Testament; yet such was the preaching of

all other Preists and Orders against them, that they caused the State

to slight the Excommunication, and in lieu of making them heires of

the deceased Senatours Estate, they shamefully banished them out of

_Venice_. Thus also have the Preists and Fryers of _Biscaya_ in _Spain_

prevailed against the admitting of Jesuits into _San-Sebastian_,

though by the favour of some they have in severall occasions obtained

an house and erected a Bell to ring and summon in the People to their

pretended Church and Colledge. Nay the very house wherein their Patron

_Ignatius Loiola_ lived, have they often seriously offered to buy

for a Colledge; yet such hath been the opposition of the Preists and

Fryers of that Countrey, that they have dashed to nought their often

iterated endeavours to purchase that which they esteem their chiefest

Relique. But to come neerer to our owne Countrey, what a combustion

did this strife betweene Jesuites and other Preists of _England_ cause

among our Papists ten yeares agoe, when the Pope sending into _England_

Doctor _Smith_ pretended Bishop of _Chalcedon_ to bee the Metropolitan

head over all the Clergy and other Orders, how then was it to see

the pride of the Jesuites as inconsistent with any one that might

oversway them, or gain more credit then themselves? who never left

persecuting the Bishop, till by the Popes Letters they had banished

him out of _England_. Which curtesie, the secular Preists gaining yet

a head over them with title of Archdeacon, Doctor _Champney_, have

ever since sought to repay home, by endeavouring alwayes to cast them

out of _England_, as pernicious to the State of this Kingdome, more

then Fryers or any other sort of Preists; Which they have sufficiently

made known by discovering their covetousnesse in encroaching upon many

Houses and Farmes, enriching themselves, as namely at _Winifreds_ Well

(so tearmed by them) where they had bought an Inne; and speedily fell

to building there that they might make it a Colledge for Jesuites to

entertaine there all Papists comers and goers to that Well, and so

might win to themselves the hearts of most of the Papists of the Land,

who doe yearly resort thither to bee washed and healed upon any light

occasion either of Head-ach, Stomack-ach, Ague, want of children,

where they blindly phansie a speedy remedy for all maladies, or wants

of this World. Thus have the Preists discovered further our English

Jesuites covetousnesse in the building of the Sope-houses at _Lambeth_

under the name of Mr. _George Gage_ their purse-bearer, and since

projecting the Monopoly of Sope under Sir _Richard Weston_, Sir _Basil

Brooke_, and many others names, who were but Agents and Traders with

the Jesuites rich and mighty Stocke. Thus came out the discovery of

the Levelling of Hils and Mountaines, cutting of rocks at _Leige_ in

the Low Countryes at the Colledge of the English Jesuites, a worke

for Gardens and Orchards for their Novices recreation and pastime,

which (as I have heard from their owne mouthes) cost them thirty

thousand pound, which gift they squeezed out of one onely Countesse

of this Land. Like to this may prove their Colledge at _Gaunt_, for

which they have obtained already a faire beginning of eight thousand

pounds from the Old Countesse of _Shrewsberry_, and from the greatest

part of the Estate of Mr. _Sackefield_, whom whilst they had him in

their Colledges, they cherished with their best dainties, and with

hopes that one day hee should bee a Canonized Saint of their Religious

Order. All these knaveries doe even those Preists of the same Popish

Religion discover of them, and thereby endeavor to make them odious.

And though of all, the Jesuites be the most covetous, yet may I not

excuse the Secular Preists, Benedictine Monks, and the Fryers from this

damnable sinne; who also strive for wealth and meanes for their _Doway,

Paris_ and _Lisboe_ Colledges, and lose no opportunities at the death

of their Popish favourites for the obtaining a Legacy of one or two

hundred Pounds, assuring them their soules shall bee the better for

their Masses. Thus doe those miserable wretches in the very heat of

their zeale of soules seeke to suppresse one another, and having vowed

Poverty, yet make they the Conversion of _England_ the onely object of

their Ambition and unsatiable Covetousnesse. But above all is this envy

and hatred found between Dominicans and Jesuites, for these owe unto

them an old grudge, for that when _Ignatius Loiola_ lived, his Doctrine

_de Trinitate_ (which hee pretended was revealed to him from heaven,

for hee was certainely past the Age of studying at his Conversion) was

questioned by the Dominicans, and hee by a Church Censure publickly and

shamefully whipped about their Cloisters for his erroneous principles.

This affront done to their chief Patron hath stirred up in them an

unreconciliable hatred towards the Order of the Dominicans, and hath

made them even cracke their braines to oppose _Thomas Aquinas_ his

Doctrine. How shamefully doe those two Orders indeavour the destruction

of each other, branding one another with calumnies of heresie in the

Opinions especially _de Conceptione Mariæ, de libero arbitrio, de

Auxiliis_? And of the two, the Jesuites is more bold and obstinate in

malice and hatred. How did they some twenty yeares agoe, all _Spaine_

over, about the Conception of _Mary_ stirre up the people against the

Dominicans, in so much that they were in the very streets tearmed

Hereticks, stones cast at them, the King almost perswaded to banish

them out of all his Dominions, and they poore Fryers forced to stand

upon their Guard in their Cloisters in many Cities, especially in

_Sevill, Osuna, Antiquera_ and _Cordova_, to defend themselves from the

rude and furious multitude. Much like this was that publike Conference

and disputation betweene _Valentia_ the Jesuite and Master _Lemos_ the

Dominican, before the Pope, concerning their altercation _de Auxiliis_;

When the cunning Jesuite hoping to brand with heresie the whole Order

of Dominicans, had caused _Augustines_ Workes to bee falsly printed at

_Lions_, with such words which might directly oppose the _Thomists_

Opinion; and had prevailed, had not _Lemos_ begged of the Pope that the

Originall Bookes of _Augustin_ might bee brought out of his Vatican

Library, where was found the quite contrary words, to what the false

Jesuite had caused to be printed; hee was forced to confesse his

knavery, was harshly reprehended, and with the apprehension of that

great affront, the next night gave up his ghost to his father, the

father of lies and falshood.

An other reason of this mortall enmity between these two Orders, is

for that the Jesuites surpasse all others in ambition or honour,

credit, and estimation, whence it is they cannot indure to behold the

Dominicans to exceed them in any preferment. Now it is that by the

Laws of _Arragon_ and the Kingdome of _Valencia_, the Kings of _Spain_

are tied to have a Dominican Fryer for their Confessor or ghostly

father; which could but the Jesuites obtain, how would they then rule

and govern _Spain_ and the Kings heart? But though they could never

yet prevail to alter this established law, yet have they prevailed now

lately so that _Antonio de Sotomayor_ the King of _Spains_ Confessor

should lie at rest in the Court of _Madrid_, with a pension and

dry title only; and that _Florencia_ that grand Statist should be

Confessor to the Count of _Olivares_, the Royall Issue, the Queen, and

should hear the Kings confessions oftner then his chosen and elected

Confessor _Sotomayor_. Secondly, the Dominicans as first Authors of the

Inquisition (which they prove from their Martyr _Peter_ of _Verona_)

still enjoy the highest places of that Court, which is a wofull sight

to the Jesuites to see their Religion affaires handled, their Church

kept pure from what they call heresy by any but themselves. O had they

(as they have often strived for it) in their hands the judicature of

that tribunall, how should all Dominicans, nay all sorts of Preists but

their own, presently by them be branded with heresy? Thirdly, in _Rome_

there is an other preferment successively due to Dominicans, from the

time of _Dominicus de Guzman_ founder of that Religion, to wit, to be

_magister Sacri Palatii_, the Popes Palace master, instituted to this

purpose that about him there may be some learned Divine (for commonly

the Popes are more Statists, and Canonists, then Divines) to read

a daily lecture of Divinity to such as will be instructed therein,

and to resolve the Pope himselfe of whatsoever difficult points in

Divinity may be questioned. This is the Dominicans due with a pension

to maintain Coach and servants within the Palace of _St. Peter_. Which

the Jesuites have often by favour and cunning Jesuiticall trickes

endeavoured to bereave the Dominicans of; but proving labour in vain,

they continue still in their unplacable enmity and hatred against them.

And thus you see the fountaines of their strife; which as here in

_Europe_ hath been well seen, so hath this contentious fire overpowered

the fire of their zeal of soules in the _East_ and _West-India's_;

and the wealth and riches of those Countries, the ambition of honor

in their Gospel function hath more powerfully drawn them thither,

then (what they pretend) the Conversion of a barbarous and idolatrous

nation. This was well published to the view of the whole world by a

most infamous libel which in the year 1626 fryer _Diego di Colliado_ a

missionary Fryer in _Philippinas_ and _Japan_ set out of the unheard

of passages and proceedings of the Jesuites in those _Eastern_ parts.

At that time the Jesuites pretended that mission to themselves only,

and petitioned the King of _Spain_, that only they might go thither to

preach, having been the first plantation of _Franciscus Xavier_, and

since continued successively by their Preists. To this purpose they

remembred the King of the great charges he was at in sending so many

Fryers and maintaining them there; all which should be saved, might

they only have free ingresse into those Kingdomes. All which charges

they offered themselves to beare, and further to bring up the _Indians_

in the true faith, to instruct them and civilize them, to teach them

all liberall sciences, and to perfect them in musick and all musicall

instruments, and in fencing, dancing, vaulting, painting and whatsoever

els might make them a compleat, and civill people. But against all

this was objected by _Diego Colliado_, that not zeal only and charity

moved them to this offer, but their ambition and covetousnesse, which

would soon be seen in their encroaching upon the silly and simple

_Indians_ wealth, bringing instances of many thousand pounds which

they had squeezed from the poore _Barbarians_ in the Islands of

_Philippinas_; And that their entring into _Japan_ was more to enrich

themselves, then to convert the _Japonians_ to Christianisme; that

whensoever they entred into that Kingdome they conveyed from _Manila_

whole ships laden with the richest commodities of those Islands; that

their trading was beyond all other Merchants trading, their Bench

for exchange mony farre more accustomed then any other whither for

_China_, for _Japan_, for _Peru_ and _Mexico_; and that the Viceroy

himselfe made use of none other, but theirs. That to keep out all

other orders out of _Japan_, they had ingratiated themselves so farre,

under pretence of trading, into the Emperours favour by gifts of

Watches, Clocks, Dials, Lockes, and Cabinets, and such like presents

of most curious and artificiall Workmanship, that they had got free

accesse to his Court, and counselled him to beware of Fryers, which

cunningly crept into his Kingdome to preach a new law, perswading him

by rigorous search and enquiries to root them out: thus politickly for

their own ends hindering the increase of Christianisme by any means

or instruments save themselves; and blinding the Emperors eyes with

their cunning insinuations, that he might not see in them, what they

desired he might discover in others, that they might appear in sheep

skins, and others clothed with wolves skins; and so the Fryers might

have little heart to trade, but enough to doe to save themselves from

the stormy persecution, whilst they freely might enjoy the liberty of

rich trading. This brand upon these cunning foxes was commanded to

be printed, thankes given to _Diego Colliado_ for discovering to the

Estate their crafty proceedings, with not a few tenents maintained by

them in _Japan_ even against their owne Soveraigne; a fat Bishoprick

was offered to the Fryer, which he refusing, commission was given unto

him for the raising of forty Fryers out of _Spain_, and the conducting

of them to the Islands of _Philippinas_, and that it should be free for

all Preists and Fryers, as well as Jesuites, to passe to those parts

for the preaching of Christ and the extending of Christianisme among

the Heathens and Barbarians. O that this my discovery made to _England_

of those dissembling and false Preists, would make us wise to know

and discover under the ashes of their pretended Religion, the fire of

strife and contention which they kindle in Kingdomes, and to rake up

that covetousnesse, which we may easily find in them; tending to the

ruine of many fair estates, and to the temporall and spirituall danger

of this our flourishing Kingdome!

CHAP. III.

_Shewing the manner of the Missions of Fryers and Jesuites to the_

India's.

All the Kingdomes of _America_, that have been conquered by the Kings

of _Spain_, are divided as into severall temporall governments, so

into severall spirituall jurisdictions, under the name of Provinces,

belonging unto severall religious Orders, and their Provincials. These

though so farre distant from _Europe_, yet live with a dependency and

subordination unto the Court of _Rome_, and are bound to send thither

a strict account and relation of what most remarkable passages and

successes happen there, as also what want of Preachers there is in

every severall Province. Which is to be performed in this manner. Every

religious Order (except the Jesuites and Dominicans, whose Generall

continueth till death, unlesse a Cardinals cap be bestowed upon him)

maketh election of one of the same order to be the head Ruler, or (as

they call him) Generall over all those of the same profession every

sixth year. The subjects unto this Generall which are dispersed in

_Italy, Germany, Flanders, France, Spain, East_ and _West-India's_ are

divided into sundry Provinces, as in _Spain_ there is one Province

of _Andaluzia_, another of _Castilia nueva_, new Castile, another

of _Castilia vieja_, old Castile, another of _Valencia_, another of

_Arragon_, of _Murcia_, of _Catalonia_; So likewise in _America_ there

is the Province of _Mexico_, of _Mechoacan_, of _Guaxaca_, of _Chiapa_

and _Guatemala_, of _Comayagua, Nicaragua_ and the like. Every Province

of these hath a head named the Provinciall, chosen by the chief of the

Province every three years; which election is called a Provinciall

Chapter, and the former a Generall Chapter, which also is allotted to

be in some chief City, commonly in _Italy, France_, or _Spain_. When

the Provinciall Chapter is kept, then by the consent of all that meet

in it is there one named by name of Procurator or Diffinitor, who is

to goe in the name of the whole Province to the next election of the

Generall, and there to demand such things as his Province shall think

fit, and to give an account of the State of the Province from whence

he is sent. Thus from the _West-India's_ are sent Procurators, who

commonly are the best prizes the _Holland_ Ships meet with, for that

they carry with them great wealth, and gifts to the Generalls, to the

Popes and Cardinals and Nobles in _Spain_, as bribes to facilitate

whatsoever just or unjust, right or wrong they are to demand. Among

other businesses their charge is this, to make known the great want

of laborers in the aboundant and plentifull harvest of the _India's_

(though not all Provinces demand Preachers from _Spain_, as I will shew

hereafter) and to desire a number of thirty or forty young Preists, who

may be fit for any _Indian_ language and to succeed the old standers.

The Order of the Province being read to the Generall, or his Generall

Chapter, then are Letters Patents granted unto this Procurator from

the Generall, naming him his Vicar Generall for such a Province, and

declaring his sufficiency and worthy parts, (though none at all in

him, as I have beene witnesse of some) the great paines hee hath taken

in the new planted _Indian_ Church, and how fit hee hath been judged

to convey to those parts, a Million of such as shall voluntarily

offer themselves for the propagation of Christianity amongst those

Barbarians. Then the tauny _Indian_ Fryer being well set out with high

Commendations, and fairly painted with flattering Elogies, presents

these his Patents (and with them peradventure a little wedge of Gold,

a Box of Pearles, some Rubies or Diamonds, a Chest of Cochinill, or

Sugar, with some boxes of curious Chocolatte, or some feather works

of _Mechoacan_, some small fruits of his great paines and labour) to

the Pope; who for his first reward gives him his Toe and Pantofle to

kisse, seconding this honour with a joyfull countenance to behold an

Apostle, judging him worthy of the best of the _Indian_ wealth, and

his soule peradventure fit for the title of a Saint; This complacency

in the gift and the giver, breeds immediately a _motus proprius_ in

his Holinesse to grant a Bull with a degree of the Popes Commissary,

wherein this poore Mendicant Fryer is inabled to runne over all the

Cloisters of his Profession in _Spain_, to gather up his thirty or

forty yong Preachers. Who for their better encouragement are at their

first listing by the Popes Authority absolved _à culpa et à poena_,

from all sinne, and from their Purgatory and Hell due unto it, by a

plenary Indulgence. And whosoever shall oppose, or any way discourage

this Popes Commissary, or those that are or would be listed by him,

are _ipso facto_ excommunicated with an Anathem reserved only to this

Commissary or his Holiness himself. O what is it to see, when such a

Commissaries coming is knowen, how the young birds, that as in Cages

are shut up within the walls of a Cloister, leap and cherish themselves

with hopes of liberty? What is it to see disordered Fryers, who for

their misdemeanours, and leaping over their Cloister wals in the night

to find out their wanton harlots, have been imprisoned, now rejoyce

at the coming of a Popes Commissary, and Plenary Indulgence, freeing

them from sinnes past, and fitting them for the Conversion of souls,

though there be not one averted from their Harlot, nor as yet truly and

unfainedly converted to the love of God? True it is, I have knowne some

that have written their names in the list of _Indian Missionaries_,

men of sober life and Conversation, moved onely with a blind zeale of

encreasing the Popish Religion: yet I dare say and confidently print

this truth without wronging the Church of _Rome_, that of thirty

or forty which in such occasions are commonly transported to the

_India's_, the three parts of them are Fryers of leud lives, weary of

their retired Cloister lives, who have beene punished often by their

Superiours for their wilfull back-sliding from that obedience which

they formerly vowed; or for the breach of their poverty in closely

retaining money by them to Card and Dice, of which sort I could here

namely insert a long and tedious Catalogue; or lastly such, who have

been imprisoned for violating their vow of chastity with leud and

lascivious women, either by secret flight from their Cloisters, or by

publike Apostatizing from their Order, and cloathing themselves in

Lay-mens Apparell, to run about the safer with their wicked Concubines.

Of which sort it was my chance to bee acquainted with one Fryer _John

Navarro_ a Franciscan in the City of _Guatemala_, who after hee had in

secular apparell enjoyed the leud company of one _Amaryllis_ a famous

Woman player in _Spain_ for the space of a year, fearing at last hee

might bee discovered, listed himselfe in a Million to _Guatemala_,

the year 1632, there hoping to enjoy with more liberty and lesse

feare of punishment any lustfull or carnfull object. Liberty, in a

word, under the Cloak of Piety and Conversion of Soules, it is, that

drawes so many Fryers (and commonly the younger sort) to those remote

_American_ parts; where after they have learned some _Indian_ language,

they are licenced with a Parish Charge to live alone out of the sight

of a watching Prior or Superiour, out of the bounds and compasse of

Cloister walls, and authorized to keep house by themselves, and to

finger as many Spanish Patacones, as their wits device shall teach

them to squeeze out of the newly Converted _Indians_ wealth. This

liberty they could never injoy in _Spain_, and this liberty is the

Midwife of so many foule falls of wicked Fryers in those parts. For the

present onely, I shall return again to my Fryer _John Navarro_, who

at his comming to _Guatemala_, being made for his wit and learning,

Master and Reader of Divinity, and much esteemed of for his acute

Preaching, among many others got the estimation and love of a chief

Gentlewoman, (_Qua semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem, testa diu_)

who continued in _Navarro_ his heart the former sent of the unchast

love of _Amaryllis_, so far that the Fryer being blinded and wounded

with _Cupids_ Arrow sticking in his heart, ran headlong to quench his

lustfull thirst upon St. _James_ his day, 1635. for bitter memory of

the Tragical event (being the Spaniards common Advocate, and speciall

Patron of that City, named _St. Jago de Guatemala_) where cruell _Mars_

oppressing _Venus_ in her wanton Acts, the injured husband acting

_Mars_, & finding _Navarro Cupids_ page saluting his _Venus_ upon her

bed, drew his sword, cutting the Fryer first in the head and face, who

strugling with death, and purchasing his life with a swift and nimble

flight to a Garden, where his own brother a Fryer of the same Order,

& Pander to that foul act, entertained the Motherlesse children; for

the husband having missed his fatall blow (willingly as some imagined,

or unwillingly as others judged) in the Fryers heart, wilfully laid it

in the throat of his unchast Wife, scarce leaving way for breath to

make a speedy Confession of her sinne to _Navarro_ his Brother; who

tendring her soule as much as his Brother had tendred her body absolved

her from her sinne, finding signes, though no uttering speech of

Repentance, while the murderer fled, and the murdered lay in the doore

of her house for a sad object to all, that immediately flocked thither

to see that bloody Tragedy. The Wife being the same day buried, the

Husband being retired to a close Sanctuary, _Navarro_ was carried to

his Convent to bee cured; and after his Cure was banished that Country;

whom two yeares after it was my chance to meet in _Cartagena_ returning

to _Spain_ with his scard face, bearing the marke of his lascivious

life, and of that liberty which hee had injoyed in _America_. Such are

the fruits of the zeale of those wretches, who upbraid our Church and

Ministers for want of zeale to labour in the Conversion of Infidels.

Who when they arrive to those parts, are entertained with ringing of

Bells, with sounding of Trumpets most part of the way as they travaile,

and as Apostles are received by the _Indians_, though soon like _Judas_

they fall from their calling, and for pleasure and covetousnesse sell

away Christ from their Soules. _England_ may here learn to beware of

such Converters, who are daily by name of Missionaries sent hither by

the Pope to preach among us Popery; but like _Navarro_ come to feed and

cherish their wanton lusts, as I could give many instances, might I not

be censured for long digressions in mingling English Histories with my

_American_ Travailes.

CHAP. IV.

_Shewing to what Provinces of the East and West_ India's _belonging to

the Crown of_ Castilia _are sent Missions of Fryers and Jesuites. And

specially of the Mission sent in the yeare_ 1625.

In all the Dominions of the King of _Spain_ in _America_, there are

two sorts of Spaniards more opposite one to another then in _Europe_

the Spaniard is opposite to the French, or to the Hollander, or to the

Portingall; To wit, they that are born in any parts of _Spain_ and goe

thither, and they that are borne there of Spanish parents, whom the

Spaniards, to distinguish them from themselves, terme _Criolio's_,

signifying the Natives of that Countrey. This hatred is so great, that

I dare say, nothing might bee more advantagious then this, to any

other Nation that would conquer _America_. And nothing more easily

gained, then the Wils and affections of the Natives of the Country,

to joyne with any other Nation to free and rescue themselves from

that subjection, or kind of Slavery, which they suffer under the hard

usage of the Spaniards, and their partiall Government and justice

toward them, and those that come from _Spain_. This is so grievous to

the poore Criolio's or Natives, that my selfe have often heard them

say, They would rather bee subject to any other Prince, nay to the

_Hollanders_, then to the _Spaniards_, if they thought they might

enjoy their Religion; and others wishing the _Hollanders_, when they

tooke _Truxillo_ in _Honduras_, had stayed in it and entred further

into the land, they should have been welcome to them; and that the

Religion they enjoyed with so much slavery, was nothing sweet unto

them. This mortall hatred betwixt these two sorts of _Spaniards_,

made the Criolio's so ready to joyn against the Marquesse of _Gelves_

Viceroy of _Mexico_, in the tumult and mutiny of that City, wherein

they cleaving to _Don Alonso de Zerna_, the Arch-Bishop caused the

Viceroy to escape for his life by flight, and would then have utterly

rooted out the Spanish Government, had not some Preists disswaded

them from it; but of this I shall speak more largely hereafter. The

cause of this deadly hatred hath proceeded from a jealousie which the

_Spaniards_ have ever had of the Criolio's, that they would faine

withdraw themselves first from the commerce with _Spain_, and secondly,

from the Government which is laid upon them; which is such, that the

Criolio's must be alwaies under, and a subject, alwaies governed, but

scarce any a Governour. Never yet was there seen any Criolio made

Viceroy of _Mexico_, or _Peru_; or President of _Guatemala_, or _Santa

fe_, or S. _Domingo_; or Governour of _Yucatan, Cartagena, Havana_;

or _Alcalde Mayor_ (as they call them) of _Soconusco, Chiapa, San

Salvador_, and such like places of credit. So likewise in the Courts

of Chancery, as _Sto. Domingo, Mexico, Guatemala, Lima_, and the rest,

where commonly there are Six, called _Oydores_ and one _Fiscal_, scarce

one of them to be found a Criolio, or native of the Countrey; though

there be among them those that descended of the chief Conquerors; as in

_Lima_ and _Peru_ the _Pizarros_, in _Mexico_ and _Guaxaca_ the house

of the Marquesse _Del Valle, Ferdinando Cortez_ his Successors, others

of the house of _Giron_, others of the house of _Alvarado_, others

of the _Guzmanes_, finally many of the chiefest houses of _Spain_;

yet none of these ever preferred to any dignity. And not onely thus

are they kept from offices, but daily affronted by the _Spaniards_ as

uncapable of any Government, and termed halfe _Indians_ by them.

Which generall contempt hath also spread it selfe in the Church, where

no Criolio Preist is scarce ever preferred to be a Bishop, or Canon in

a Cathedrall Church, but all such as come from _Spain_. So likewise

in the religious orders they have many years indeavored to keep under

and suppress such as have bin admitted to their orders of the natives

of the Countrey, lest the number of them should prevail against those

that are brought from _Spain_; they have been very nice in choosing of

them, & though they have been forced to admit of some, yet stil the

Provincials, the Priors, and all Superiors have been _Spaniards_ born

in _Spain_. Till now lately some Provinces have got the upper hand and

prevailed against the _Spaniards_, & have so filled their cloisters

with Criolio's or natives, that they have utterly refused to admit the

supplies of _Spanish_ Missions which formerly were sent unto them, and

till this day are sent to others. In the Province of _Mexico_ there

are Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustines, Carmelites, Mercenarians, and

Jesuites, whereof the Jesuites and Carmelites only to this day prevail

against Criolio's, bringing every two or three years Missions from

_Spain_. The last Mission that was sent to the Mercenarians was the

year 1625. and then was the opposition such between that Mission and

the Criolio's, that in the election of the next Provinciall in their

Cloister of _Mexico_, the Fryers drew knives one against another,

and were like to kill each other, had not the Viceroy gone to their

Cloister to make peace, and imprison some of them. Yet at last by

the multitude of voices the native party prevails, and till this day

have exempted themselves from _Spanish_ Missions, alleadging (as

others have done) that they have Fryers enough in their Cloisters, and

need none to be sent them from _Spain_; submitting themselves to the

Pope, and presenting to him as stately gifts as ever _Spaniards_ did

before them. In the Province of _Guaxaca_ none admit of Missionaries

from _Spain_; true it is the Dominicans are but newly subdued by

the Criolian party; and as yet are strongly pleading at _Rome_ for

_Spanish_ Fryers, alleadging that the glory and lustre of their

Religion hath been much blurred since the non-admittance of supplies

of their zealous Compatriots. The Province of _Guatemala_, (which

is of a large extent) containing _Guatemala, Chiapa_, the _Zoques_,

part of _Tabasco_, the _Zeldales_, the _Sacapulas_, the _Vera Paz_,

all the coast lying to the South sea _Suchutepeques_ and _Soconusco,

Comayagua, Honduras, S. Salvador, Nicaragua_ hath in it these orders

chiefly, Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustines, (who are subject to

_Mexico_ being one poore Cloister in _Guatemala_) Jesuites also in

_Guatemala_ subject to the government of _Mexico_ and Mercenarians;

whereof the three orders of Dominicans, Franciscans, and Mercenarians,

are the only Preachers and parish Preists throughout all the forenamed

Provinces. And these three Orders have still kept under the Criolian

party, never as yet suffering any of them to be Provinciall, bringing

every two or three years some one year and some another, Missions of

Fryers from _Spain_ to maintain and keep up their faction against the

Criolians. The Provinces of _Peru_ being more distant from _Spain_,

and hard to come to by sea, have no Missions sent unto them. There are

of the most Romish religious orders, yet the chief are Dominicans; and

they all live above their vow of poverty, abounding in wealth, riot,

liberty and pleasures. In the Kingdome of _Nuevo reino de Granada_, and

_Cartagena, Santa fee, Barinas, Popayan_, and the government of _St.

Martha_, are Dominicans, Jesuites, Franciscans, Carmelites, Augustines

and Mercenarians, whereof the Dominicans, Jesuites and Franciscans till

this day admit of Missions from _Spain_. The Island of _Cuba, Jamaica,

la Margarita, Puerto rico_, all are subject to the head Provinciall

of _Santo Domingo_, being Dominicans, Jesuites, and Franciscans, and

have all now and then Missions from _Spain. Yucatan_ hath in it only

Franciscans, who live most richly and plentifully, and strongly uphold

the _Spanish_ faction with _European_ Missions: _Mechoacan_ belongeth

to the _Mexican_ Fryers, and is in the same condition as was said

before of _Mexico._ Thus have I briefly run over all _America_ that

pertains to the Crown of _Castilia_: for the _East-India's_ they belong

to the Crown of _Portingall_ and _Brasill_, as first discovered and

possessed by the _Portingalls_, and now doubtlesse are subject to King

_John_, the new King of _Portingall_. Yet the Islands of _Philippinas_

are subject to the King of _Spain_, and there are Dominicans,

Franciscans, Augustines, and Jesuites, all which lie still in wait in

_Manila_ the Metropolitan City, for some sure shipping to _Japan_, to

convert that Kingdome. And though they admit of some few Criolio's

among them, especially some of their Converts of _China_ and _Japan_;

yet their chief number and strength is of Spanish Missionaries, who

are more frequently conveyed thither then to the parts afore-mentioned

of _America_. First they are sent in the ships that are bound for

_Nueva Espana_ and _Mexico_; and after they have rested two or three

moneths in _Mexico_, they are sent to _Acapulco_, lying on the _Mar

del Zur_, there they are shipped in two great Caracks which yearly go

and come richly laden with _China, Japan_, and all _East-India_ ware

from _Manila_ to _Acapulco_ to enrich _Mexico_ with farre greater

riches then any are sent by the North sea from _Spain_. The voiage from

_Acapulco_ thither, is longer then from _Spain_ to _Mexico_, and easy

and pleasant, though the return is farre longer and most dangerous.

The year of our Lord 1625. there were four Missions sent; the one

of Franciscans to _Yucatan_, the other of Mercenarians to _Mexico_,

the other two of Dominicans and Jesuites to _Philippinas_. At which

time it was my fortune to reside among the Dominicans in _Xerez_ in

_Andaluzia_. The Popes Commissary for that Mission was Fryer _Matheo

de la Villa_, who having a Commission for thirty and having gathered

some 24 of them about _Castilia_ and _Madrid_, sent them by degrees

well stored with mony to _Cales_, to take up a convenient lodging for

himselfe and the rest of his crew, till the time of the setting forth

of the _Indian_ Fleet. This Commissary named one Fryer _Antonio Calvo_

to be his substitute, and to visit the Cloisters of _Andaluzia_ lying

in his way; namely _Cordova, Sevill, St. Lucar_, and _Xerez_, to try

if out of them he could make up his compleat number of thirty, which

was after fully compleated. About the end of _May_ came this worthy

_Calvo_ to _Xerez_, and in his Company one _Antonio Melendez_ of the

Colledge of _St. Gregory_ in _Valladolid_, with whom I had formerly

neer acquaintance. This _Melendez_ greatly rejoyced when he had found

mee; and being well stocked with _Indian_ Patacones, the first night

of his coming invited me to his chamber to a stately supper. The

good _Xerez_ Sack which was not spared, set my friend in such a heat

of zeale of converting _Japonians_, that all his talke was of those

parts never yet seen, and at least six thousand leagues distant.

_Bacchus_ metamorphosed him from a Divine into a Orator, and made him

a _Cicero_ in parts of Rhetoricall eloquence. Nothing was omitted

that might exhort mee to joyne with him in that function, which he

thought was Apostolicall. _Nemo Propheta in patria sua_, was a great

argument with him; sometimes he propounded Martyrdome for the Gospel

sake, and the glory after it, to have his life and death printed, and

of poore Fryer _Antony_ a Clothiers son of _Segovia_ to bee stiled

_St. Anthony_ by the Pope, and made collaterall with the Apostles in

heaven; thus did _Bacchus_ make him ambitious of honor upon the earth,

and preferrement in heaven. But when he thought this Rhetoricke had

not prevailed, then would he act a _Midas_ and _Croesus_, fancying

the _India's_ paved with tiles of gold and silver, the stones to be

Pearls, Rubies, and Diamonds, the trees to bee hung with clusters of

nutmegs bigger then the clusters of grapes of _Canaan_, the fields to

be planted with Sugar Canes, which should so sweeten the _Chocolatte_,

that it should farre exceed the milke and hony of the land of promise;

the silkes of _China_ hee conceited so common, that the sailes of the

Ships were nothing else; finally he dreamed of _Midas_ happinesse,

that whatsoever he touched should be turned to gold: Thus did _Xerez_

Nectar make my friend and mortified Fryer, a covetous worldling. And

yet from a rich covetous Merchant did it shape him to a Courtier in

pleasures; fancying the _Philippinas_ to be the _Eden_, where was all

joy without teares, mirth without sadnesse, laughing without sorrow,

comfort without griefe, plenty without want, no not of _Eves_ for

_Adams_, excepted only that in it should be no forbidden fruit, but

all lawfull for the taste and sweetning of the palate; and as _Adam_

would have been as God, so conceited _Melendez_ himselfe a God in that

_Eden_, whom travelling, _Indian_ Waites and trumpets should accompany;

and to whom, entring into any Town, nosegaies should be presented,

flowers and boughes should be strowed in his way, Arches should be

erected to ride under, Bels for joy should be rung, and _Indian_ knees

for duty & homage, as to a God, should be bowed to the very ground.

From this inducing argument, and representation of a Paradise, he

fell into a strong Rhetoricall point of curiosity; finding out a tree

of knowledge, and a Philosophicall maxime, _Omnus homo naturaliter

scire desiderat_, man naturally inclines to know more and more; which

knowledge he fancied could be no where more furnished with rare

curiosities then in those parts; for there should the Gold and Silver,

which here are fingered, in their growth in the bowels of the earth

be known; there should the pepper be known in its season, the nutmeg

and Clove, the Cinnamon as a rine or bark on a tree; the fashioning of

the Sugar from a green growing Cane into a loaf; the strange shaping

the _Cochinil_ from a worme to so rich a Scarlet die; the changing

of the _Tinta_ which is but grasse with stalke and leaves into an

_Indigo_ black dye, should be taught and learned; and without much

labour thus should our ignorance be instructed with various and sundry

curiosities of knowledge and understanding. Finally, though _Xerez_

liquor (grapes bewitching tears) had put this bewitching eloquence

into my _Antonies_ brain, yet he doubted not to preferre before it

his wine of _Philippinas_, growing on tall and high trees of _Coco_,

wherein he longed to drinke a Spanish Brindis in my company to all his

friends remaining behind in _Spain_. Who would not bee moved by these

his arguments to follow him, and his _Calvo_, or ball pated Superiour?

Thus supper being ended my _Melendez_ desired to know how my heart

stood affected to his journey; and breaking out into a _Voto a Dios_

with his converting zeal, he swore he should have no quiet nights rest

untill he were fully satisfied of my resolution to accompany him. And

having learned the Poets expression, _Quid non mortalia pectora cogis,

Auri sacra fames?_ he offered unto me halfe a dozen of Spanish pistols,

assuring me that I should want nothing, and that the next morning

_Calvo_ should furnish me with whatsoever monies I needed, for to buy

things necessary for the comfort of so long and tedious a journy. To

whom I answered, suddain resolutions might bring future grief and

sorrow, and that I should that night lye down and take counsell with

my pillow, assuring him that for his sake I would doe much, and that

if I resolved to goe, my resolution should draw on an other friend of

mine, an Irish Fryer, named _Thomas Deloon_. Thus tooke I my leave of

my _Melendez_, and retired my self to my chamber and bed, which that

night was no place of repose and rest to me as formerly it had been. I

must needs say _Melendez_ his arguments, though most of them moved me

not; yet the opportunity offered me to hide my self from all sight and

knowledge of my dearest friends, stirred up in me a serious thought of

an angry and harsh letter, which not long before I had received out

of _England_ from mine own father, signifying unto me the displeasure

of most of my friends and kindred, and his own grievous indignation

against me, for that having spent so much money in training me up to

learning, I had not only utterly refused to be of the Jesuites Order

(which was his only hopes) but had proved in my affections a deadly foe

and enemy unto them. And that he would have thought his money better

spent, if I had been a Scullion in a Colledge of Jesuites, then if I

should prove a Generall of the Order of Dominicans; that I should never

think to be welcome to my Brothers nor kindred in _England_, nor to

him; that I should not expect ever more to heare from him, nor dare to

see him if ever I returned to _England_; but expect that he would set

upon mee even Jesuites, whom I had deserted and opposed, to chace mee

out of my Country; that _Hailing_ house though hee had lost it with

much more meanes for his Religion during his life; yet with the consent

of my Eldest Brother (now Governour of _Oxford_, and Masse-founder in

that our Famous University) hee would sell it away; that neither from

the Estate, or money made of it, I might injoy a childs part due unto

mee. These reasons stole that nights rest from my body, and sleep from

my eyes, teares keeping them unclosed and open, lest _Cynthia's_ black

and mourning Mantle should offer to cover, close and shut them. To this

Letters consideration was joyned a strong opposition, which serious

Studies & ripenesse of Learning, with a carefull discussion of some

Schoole-points and Controversies had bred in mee against some chief of

the Popish Tenents. Well could I have wished to have come to _England_,

there to satisfie and ease my troubled Conscience; well considered

I, that if I stayed in _Spain_, when my Studies were compleatly

finished, the Dominicans with a Popes Mandamus would send me home for

a Missionary to my Country. But then well considered I the sight of a

wrathfull Father, the power of a furious Brother a Colonell, who (as

now landed in _England_ to search me out, and do me mischief) then,

when _Zephryus_ with a pleasant gale seconded his Popish zeale, might

violently assault mee. Well considered I the increased rout and rable

of both their great friends, the Jesuites, who what with Court friends

power, what with subtile plots and Policies would soone and easily

hunt me out of _England_. Lastly, well considered I my _Melendez_ his

last inducing Argument of the increase of knowledge naturall by the

insight of rich _America_ and flourishing _Asia_, and of knowledge

spirituall by a long contemplation of that new planted Church, and of

those Church Planters lives and Conversations. Wherefore after a whole

nights strife and inward debate, as the glorious Planet began to banish

nights dismall horror, rising with a bright and cheerefull countenance,

rose in my minde a firme and setled resolution to visit _America_, and

there to abide till such time as Death should surprise my angry Father,

_Ignatius Loiola_ his devoted Mecænas, and till I might there gain out

of _Potosi_ or _Sacatecas_ treasure that might Counterpoise that Childs

part, which for detesting the foure Cornered Cap, and black Coat of

Jesuites, my Father had deprived mee of. So in recompence of the Supper

which my friend _Anthony_ had bestowed upon mee, I gave him a most

pleasing breakfast by discovering unto him my purpose and resolution

to accompany him in his long and Navall journey. And at noon I feasted

him with a dinner of one dish more then his breakfast, to wit, the

company also of my Irish friend _Thomas Deloon_. After dinner wee both

were presented to _Calvo_ the bald pate Superiour; who immediately

imbraced us, promised to us many curtesies in the way, read unto us a

Memorandum of what dainties he had provided for us, what varieties of

fish and flesh, how many Sheep, how many Gammons of Bacon, how many

fat Hens, how many Hogs, how many barrels of white Bisket, how many

Jars of wine of _Casalla_, what store of Rice, Figs, Olives, Capars,

Raysins, Lemmons, sweet and sowre Oranges, Pomegranates, Comfits,

Preserves, Conserves and all sorts of _Portingall_ sweet meates; hee

flattered us that hee would make us Masters of Arts, and of Divinity in

_Manila_; then opened hee his purse, and freely gave us to spend that

day in _Xerez_, and to buy what most we had a mind to, and to carry

us to _Cales_; Lastly hee opened his hands to bestow upon us the holy

Fathers Benediction, that no mischiefe might befall us in our way; I

expected some Relique or naile of his great toe, or one of his velvet

Pantofles to kisse; But peradventure with frequent kissing through

_Italy_ and all _Castilia_ it was even worn thredbare. Much were wee

frowned at by the Dominicans our chiefest friends of _Xerez_, but the

liberty which with _Melendez_ we injoyed that day about the City of

_Xerez_ tooke from us all sad thoughts, which so suddaine a departure

from our friends might have caused in us. And _Calvo_ much fearing

that the love of some Nuns (too powerfull with Spanish Fryers) might

yet keep us back from pursuing our purposed journey, with cunning

policy perswaded us to depart from _Xerez_ the next morning. Which

willingly wee performed in company of _Melendez_ and another Spanish

Fryer of that City (leaving our Chests and Bookes to _Calvo_ to send

after us) and that day wee travailed like Spanish Dons upon our little

Boricoes, or Asses towards _Puerto de Santa Maria_, taking in our way

that stately Convent of _Cartusians_, and the River of _Guadalethe_,

the former Poets River of oblivion, tasting of the fruits of those

_Elysian_ fields and Gardens and drinking of _Guadalethes_ Crystall

Streams, that so perpetuall oblivion might blind and cover all those

Abstractive Species which the intuitive knowledge of _Spains_ and

_Xerezes_ pleasant objects had deeply stamped in our thoughts and

hearts. At evening wee came to that _Puerto_ so famous for harbouring

_Spains_ chief Gallies, and at that time _Don Frederique de Toledo_;

who hearing of the arrivall of foure _Indian_ Apostles, would not loose

that occasion of some Soule-Sanctification (which he thought might

bee his purchase) by entertaining us that night at Supper. The Town

thought their Streets blessed with our walking in them, and wished

they might injoy some Reliques from us, whom they beheld as appointed

to Martyrdome for Christ and Antichrists sake together; the Galley

slaves strived who should sound their Waits and Trumpets most joyfully,

_Don Frederique_ spared no cost in Fish and Flesh that night, doubting

not but that receiving foure Prophets, hee should receive a fourefold

reward hereafter. Supper being ended, wee were by _Don Frederique_ his

Gentlemen conveyed to the Cloister of the _Minims_ appointed by _Don

Frederique_ to lodge us that night, who to shew their brotherly love

washed our feet, and so recommended us to quiet and peaceable rest. The

next morning after a stately breakfast bestowed upon us by those poor

Mendicant Fryers, a boat was prepared for us and _Don Frederique_ his

Gentlemen to wait on us, and to convey us to _Cales_. Where wee found

out our fellow Apostles, and the Popes Commissary Fryer _Mathew De la

Villa_, who welcomed us with _Romes_ Indulgences, _a culpa & a poena_,

and with a flourishing Table stored with Fish and Flesh for dinner.

There wee continued in daily honour and estimation, enjoying the sights

most pleasant which _Cales_ both by Sea and Land could afford unto us,

untill the time of the Fleets departing. Which when it drew neere, our

Grand Apostle Fryer _Mathew De la Villa_, (whom wee thought burned

with zeal of Martyrdome) tooke his leave of us; shewing us the Popes

Commission to nominate in his place whom hee list, and naming bald

_Calvo_ for Superiour, returning himselfe to _Madrid_ with more desire

to enjoy a Bishoprick in _Spain_ (as wee understood) then to sacrifice

his life in _Japan_. His departure caused a Mutiny among us, and cooled

the spirit of two of our Missionaries, who privily fled from us. The

rest were pleased with honest _Calvo_, for that hee was a simple and

ignorant old man, (whom they could more jeere then any way respect)

more Scullion-like in daily greazing his white habit with handling his

fat Gammons of Bacon, then like a Popes Commissary; for his Masters Toe

the proudest of our Missioners then would willingly have kissed; yet

_Calvoes_ greazy fists the humblest would loath to have kissed. Thus

under a sloven was that Apostolicall Mission to bee conveyed first to

_Mexico_ three thousand _Spanish_ Leagues from _Spain_, and afterwards

three thousand Leagues further from thence to _Manila_ the Metropolitan

and Court City of the Islands of _Philippinas_.

CHAP. V.

_Of the_ Indian _Fleet that departed from_ Cales, Anno Dom. 1625. _And

of some remarkable passages in that Voiage._

Upon the first of _July_ in the afternoon, _Don Carlos de Ybarra_

Admirall of the Galeons that then lay in the Baye of _Cales_ gave

order that a warning Peece should be shot off to warne all Passengers,

Souldiers, and Mariners to betake themselves the next morning to

their Ships. O what was it to see some of our Apostolicall company

who had injoyed much liberty for a moneth in _Cales_, who had began

to entangle their hearts with some young Nuns love, now hang down

their heads, and act with sad and demure lookes loath to depart, and

cry out, _Bonum est nos hic esse_, it is good for us to be here? and

amongst them one Fryer _John De Pacheco_ made the warning Peece to be

a warning to him to hide himself (who could no more be found amongst

his fellow Missioners) thinking it a part of hard cruelty to forsake

a young Franciscan Nun to whom he had engaged and wholly devoted his

heart. What was it to see others with weeping eyes piercing through the

Iron grates the tender Virgins hearts, leaving and bequeathing unto

them some pledges of their wanton love, and receiving from them some

Cordialls against Sea-sicknesse, Caps, Shirts and Hand-kerchiefs, to

eye them or weare them when _Æolus_ or _Neptune_ should most oppose

them? The second of _July_ in the morning early notice was given unto

us, that one Fryer _Pablo de Londres_, an old crab faced English

Fryer living in St. _Lucar_ had got the Duke of _Medina_ his letter

and sent it to the Governour of _Cales_ charging him to search for

me & to stay me, signifying the King of _Spains_ will and pleasure,

that no _English_ should passe to the _India's_, having a Countrey

of their own to convert; this did that old fryer to stop my passage,

having before wrote unto me many letters to the same purpose, and

got a letter from that father _Master_ that was in _England_ before,

with the Count of _Gondomar, alias_ Fryer _Diego de la Fluente_, then

Provinciall of _Castilia_, and sent it unto mee, wherein that Superiour

offered mee many kind offers of preferrement, if I would desist from

my journey, and return to him to _Castilia_; but none of these letters

could prevail with mee; nor the Governours searching stop mee; for

immediately I was conveyed alone to our ship, and there closely hid

in a barrell that was emptied of Bisquet to that purpose; so that

when the Governour came a ship-board to enquire for an _English_

man, Fryer _Calvo_ having the father of liers in my stead about him,

resolutely denyed mee, who would not be found, because not sought for

in a barrells belly. This found our Apostles sport and talk that first

day. Then went out the ships one by one crying _A dios, A dios_, and

the Towne replying _Buen viaie, buen viaie_; when all were out and no

hopes of enjoying more _Cales_ pleasures and liberty, then began my

young Fryers to wish themselves again a Land, some began presently

to feed the fishes with their Nuns sweet dainties; others to wonder

at the number of stately ships, which with eight Galeons that went

to convey us beyond the Islands of _Canaria_ were fourty one in all;

some for one Port of the _Indiaes_, and some for another. To _Puerto

Rico_ went that year two ships; to _Santo Domingo_ three, to _Jamaica_

two, to _Margarita_ one, to the _Havana_ two, to _Cartagena_ three, to

_Campeche_ two, to _Honduras_ and _Truxillo_ two, and to _St. John de

Ulhua_, or _Vera Crux_ sixteen; all laden with Wines, Figs, Raisins,

Olives, Oyle, Cloth, Carsies, Linnen, Iron, and quick silver for the

Mines, to fetch out the pure silver of _Sacatecas_ from the earthen

drosse from whence it is digged. The persons of most note that went

that year, was first the Marquesse _de Serralvo_ with his Lady, who

went for Viceroy of _Mexico_, in stead of the Conde _de Gelves_ then

retired to a Cloister for feare of the common people, who the year

before had mutinied against him; this Marquesse went in the ship

called _St. Andrew_, and with him in the same ship went _Don Martin de

Carillo_ a Preist, and Inquisitor of the Inquisition of _Valladolid_;

who was sent for Visiter Generall to _Mexico_, to examine the strife

between the Conde _de Gelves_ and the Arch-Bishop, and the mutiny that

for their sakes had happened, with full Commission and Authority to

imprison, banish, hang and execute all Delinquents. In the ship called

_Santa Gertrudis_ went _Don John Nino de Toledo_, who was sent to be

President of _Manila_ in _Philippinas_; and in the same ship with him

went the whole Mission of thirty Jesuites sent to _Philippinas_; who

had already got the favour of the President, and politickly sought to

be passengers in the same ship, that so they might the more ingratiate

themselves to him; for this cunning generation studies purposely how

to insinuate themselves with Kings, Princes, Great men, Rulers, and

Commanders. In the ship called _St. Antony_ went my Dominican Mission

of 27 Fryers. In the ship called _Nostra Sennora de Regla_ went four

and twenty Mercenarian Fryers bound for _Mexico_; part of those that

afterwards drew their knives to slash and cut the Criolio's of their

Profession. Thus with the Convoy of eight Galeons for fear of _Turkes_

and _Hollanders_ (whom the Spanish _Dons_ shake and tremble at) set

forward our fleet with a pleasant and prosperous gale, with a quiet

and milken sea, untill we came to the Golfe, called _Golfo de Yeguas_,

or of _kicking Mares_, whose waves and swelling surges did so kick our

ships, that wee thought they would have kicked our _St. Anthonies_

gilded image out of our ship, and bereaved my _Antonio Melendez_ of his

gilt and painted idol, (to whom hee daily bowed and prayed against the

mercilesse element,) and that all our ships galleries would have been

torn from us with these spurnings and blowes of that outragious Golfe.

But at last having overcome the danger of this Golfe, the eight Galeons

took their leave of us, and left our Merchant ships now to shift for

themselves. The departure of these Galeons was most solemnly performed

on each side, saluting each other with their Ordnance, visiting each

other with their Cock-boates, the Admirall of the Fleet feasting with

a stately dinner in his ship, the Admirall of the Galeons; and the

like performing most of the other ships to the severall Colonells and

Captains and other their allied friends that were of the Roiall Fleet.

Here it was worth noting to heare the sighes of many of our _Indian_

Apostles, wishing they might return again in any of those Galeons to

_Spain_; their zeal was now cold, and some endeavoured many waies for

_Calvo_ his licence to returne (which could not be granted) others

imployed themselves most of that day in writing letters to their

friends, and Sisters in _Cales_. Thus dinner being ended, and the

two Admiralls solemnly taking their leaves, the warning piece being

shot off for the Galeons to joyn together, and turne their course to

_Spain_, we bad mutuall adieu, crying one to another _Buen Viaie,

Buen passage_; we kept our course towards _America_, sailing before

the wind constantly till we came to _America_; a thing worth noting

in that voiage from _Spain_ to the _Indies_; that after the Islands

of _Canaria_ are once left, there is one constant wind, continuing to

_America_ still the same without any opposition or contrariety of other

winds; and this so prosperous and full on the sailes, that did it blow

constantly, and were it not interrupted with many calmes, doubtlesse

the voiage might be ended in a moneth or lesse. But such were the

calmes that many times we had, that we got not to the sight of any land

till the twentieth day of _August_; so that neer six weeks we sailed as

on a river of fresh water, much delighting and sporting our selves in

fishing many sorts fishes, but especially one, which by the _Spaniards_

is called _Dorado_, the golden fish, for the skin and scales of it

that glitter like gold; of this sort we found such abundance, that

no sooner was the hooke with any small bait cast into the sea, when

presently the _Dorado_ was caught, so that we tooke them many times

for pleasure, and cast them againe into the sea, being a fish fitter

to be eaten fresh then salted. Many were the feasts and sports used

in the ships, till wee discovered the first land, or Island called

_Desseada_. The last day of _July_ (being according to the Jesuites

Order, and _Romes_ appointment, the day of _Ignatius_ their Patron and

founder of their Religion) the gallant ship called _Sta. Gertrudis_

(wherein went 30 Jesuites) for theirs and their Saints sake made to all

the rest of the Fleet a most gallant shew, shee being trimmed round

about with white linnen, her flags and top gallants representing some

the Jesuites arms, others the picture of _Ignatius_ himself, and this

from the evening before, shooting off that night at least fifty Shot

of Ordinance, besides four or five hundred squibs (the weather being

very calme) and all her masts and tacklings hung with paper Lanthornes

having burning lights within them; the waits ceased not from sounding,

nor the _Spaniards_ from singing all night. The daies solemne sport

was likewise great, the Jesuites increasing the _Spaniards_ joy with

an open procession in the ship, singing their superstitious Hymnes

and Anthemes to their supposed Saint, and all this seconded with

roaring Ordnance, no powder being spared for the compleating of that

daies joy and triumph. The fourth of _August_ following, being the

day which _Rome_ doth dedicate to _Dominick_, the first founder of

the Dominicans or Preachers Order, the ship wherein I was, named _St.

Anthony_, strived to exceed _Sta. Gertrudis_, by the assistance of the

27 Dominicans that were in her. All was performed both by night and

day; as formerly in _Sta. Gertrudis_, both with powder, squibs, lights,

Waits and musick. And further did the Dominicans joy and triumph exced

the Jesuites, in that they invited all the Jesuites, with _Don John

Nino de Toledo_ the President of _Manila_, with the Captaine of the

ship of _Sta. Gertrudis_, to a stately dinner both of Fish and Flesh;

which dinner being ended, for the afternoones sport they had prepared

a Comedy out of famous _Lope de Vega_, to be acted by some Souldiers,

Passengers and some of the younger sort of Fryers; which I confesse

was as stately acted and set forth both in shewes and good apparell,

in that narrow compasse of our ship, as might have been upon the best

stage in the Court of _Madrid_. The Comedy being ended, and a banquet

of sweet meates prepared for the closing up of that daies mirth, both

ours, and _Sta. Gertrudis_ Cock-boat carried backe our invited friends,

bidding each other adieu with our Waits and chiefest Ordnance. Thus

went we on our Sea Voiage without any storme, with pleasant gales, many

calmes, dayly sports and pastimes till we discovered the first land

called _Desseada_ upon the twentieth day of _August_.

CHAP. VI.

_Of our discovery of some Islands, and what trouble befell us in one of

them._

The Admirall of our Fleet wondring much at our slow sailing, who from

the second of _July_ to the 19 of _August_ had seen nor discovered

any land, save only the Islands of _Canaria_; the same day in the

morning called to Councell all the Pilots of the ships, to know their

Opinions concerning our present being, and the neernesse of Land. The

Ships therefore drew neere unto the Admirall one by one, that every

Pilot might deliver his opinion. Here was cause of laughter enough,

for the passengers to heare the wise Pilots skil; One saying, we were

three hundred miles, another two hundred, another one hundred, another

fifty, another more, another lesse, all erring much from the truth (as

afterward appeared) save onely one old Pilot of the smallest Vessell

of all, who affirmed resolutely, that with that small gale wherewith

wee then sailed, wee should come to _Guadalupe_ the next morning. All

the rest laughed at him, but he might well have laughed at them, for

the next morning by Sun-rising wee plainly discovered an Island called

_Desseada_ by the _Spaniards_, or the desired Land, for that at the

first discovery of the _India's_ it was the first Land the _Spaniards_

found, being then as desirous to find some Land after many dayes

sailing as wee were. After this Island presently we discovered another

called _Marigalante_, then another called _Dominica_, and lastly,

another named _Guadalupe_, which was that wee aimed at to refresh our

selves in, to wash our foule cloathes, and to take in fresh water,

whereof wee stood in great need. By two or three of the clock in the

afternoone wee came to a safe Rode lying before the Island, where wee

cast our Anchors, no wayes fearfull of the naked Barbarians of that and

the other Islands, who with great joy doe yearly expect the _Spanish_

Fleets coming, and by the Moones doe reckon the Moneths, and thereby

make their guesse at their comming, and prepare some their sugar Canes,

others the Plantin, others the Tortois, some one Provision, some

another to barter with the _Spaniards_ for their small Haberdash, or

Iron, Knives, or such things which may help them in their Wars, which

commonly they make against some other Islands. Before our Anchors were

cast, out came the _Indians_ to meet us in their Canoa's, round like

Troughes, some whereof had beene painted by our _English_, some by the

_Hollanders_, some by the _French_, as might appeare by their severall

Armes, it being a common Rode and harbour to all Nations that saile to

_America_.

Before wee resolved to goe to shore, wee tasted of those _Indian_

fruites, the plantin above all pleasing our taste and Palate. Wee could

not but much wonder at that sight never yet seene by us of people

naked, with their haire hanging down to the middle of their backes,

with their faces cut out in severall fashions, or flowers, with thin

plates hanging at their Noses, like Hog-rings, and fauning upon us

like children, some speaking in their unknowne tongue, others using

signs for such things as we imagined they desired. Their signe for

some of our _Spanish_ Wine was easily perceived, and their request

most willingly granted to by our men, who with one reasonable Cup of

_Spanish_ Sacke presently tumbled up their heeles, and left them like

swine tumbling on the Deck of our Ship. After a while that our people

had sported with these rude and Savage Indians, our two Cock-Boates

were ready to carry to shore such as either had clothes to wash, or a

desire to bathe themselves in a River of fresh Water which is within

the Island, or a mind to set their feet again upon unmoveable Land,

after so many daies of uncertain footing in a floating and reeling

Ship. But that day being farre spent, our Fryers resolved to stay in

the Ship, and the next whole day to visit the Island; many of the

Mariners and Passengers of all the Ships went that evening to shore,

some returning at night, and some without feare continuing with the

_Indians_ all night on shore. The next morning my selfe and most of our

Fryers went and having hired some _Spaniards_ to wash our cloathes, we

wandred sometimes all together sometimes two and two, and sometimes

one alone about the Island, meeting with many _Indians_, who did us no

hurt, but rather like children fauned upon us, offering us of their

fruits, and begging of us whatsoever toies of pins, points or gloves

they espied about us. Wee ventured to goe to some of their houses which

stood by a pleasant River, and were by them kindly entertained, eating

of their fish, and wild deeres flesh. About noone wee chanced to meet

with some of the Jesuites of _Santa Gertrudis_ Ship in the midst of

the Mountain, who were very earnest in talke with a _Mulatto_, all

naked like the rest of the _Indians_. This _Mulatto_ was a Christian,

born in _Sevill_ in _Spain_, and had been slave there formerly to a

rich Merchant, his name was Lewis, and spoke the _Spanish_ Language

very perfectly. Some twelve yeeres before, hee had run away from his

Master by reason of hard and slavish usage, and having got to _Cales_,

offering his service to a Gentleman then bound for _America_, the

Gentleman fearing not that his true Master should ever have more notice

of him from a new World, took him a Ship board with him as his slave.

The _Mulatto_ remembring the many stripes which hee had suffered from

his first cruell Master, and fearing that from _America_ hee might by

some intelligence or other be sent back again to _Spain_, and also

jealous of his Second Master (whose blowes hee had begun to suffer in

the Ship) that hee would prove as cruell as his first; when the Ships

arrived at _Guadalupe_, resolved rather to die among the _Indians_

(which hee knew might be his hardest fortune) then evermore to live

in slavery under _Spaniards_. So casting his life upon good or bad

fortune, hee hid himselfe among the trees in the Mountaine till the

Ships were departed; who after being found by the _Indians_, and giving

them some toyes which hee had got by stealth from his Master, hee was

entertained by them, they liking him, and hee them. Thus continued

this poore Christian slave among those Barbarians from yeare to yeare;

who had care to hide himselfe at the comming of the _Spanish_ Fleet

yearely. In twelve yeares that hee had thus continued amongst them,

hee had learned their language, was married to an _Indian_, by whom

hee had three children living. The Jesuites by chance having met with

him, and perceiving more by the Wooll upon his head, that hee was a

_Mulatto_, then by his black and tauny skin (for those _Indians_ paint

themselves all over with a red colour) they presently imagined the

truth that hee could not come thither but with some _Spaniard_, so

entering into discourse with him, and finding him to speak _Spanish_,

they got the whole truth of him. Then wee joyning with the Jesuites,

began to perswade the poore Christian to forsake that heathenish life,

wherein his soule could never bee saved, promising him if hee would

goe along with us, hee should bee free from slavery forever. Poore

Soule, though hee had lived twelve yeares without hearing a word of

the true God, worshipping stockes and stones with the other Heathens;

yet when hee heard again of Christ, of eternall damnation in hells

torments, and of everlasting Salvation in Heavens joyes, hee began to

weep, assuring us that hee would goe with us, were it not for his Wife

and Children, whom hee tenderly loved, and could not forsake them. To

this wee replyed, that thee might be a meanes of saving likewise their

Souls, if hee would bring them with him; and further that wee would

assure him that care should bee taken that neither hee, his Wife, nor

children should ever want meanes competent for the maintenance of their

lives. The _Mulatto_ hearkned well to all this, though a suddaine feare

surprized him, because certaine _Indians_ passed by, and noted his

long conference with us. The poore and timorous _Mulatto_ then told

us, that hee was in danger, for having been knowen by us, and that hee

feared the _Indians_ would kill him, and suspect that wee would steale

him away; which if they did, and it were noised about the island, wee

should soone see their love changed into cruell rage and Mutiny. Wee

perswaded him not to feare any thing they could doe to us, who had

Souldiers, Guns and Ordnance to secure ours and his life also, wishing

him to resolve to bring his Wife and Children but to the Sea side,

where our men were drying their Clothes, and would defend him, and a

Boat should bee ready to convey him with his Wife and Children a Ship

board. The _Mulatto_ promised to doe as wee had counselled him, and

that hee would entice his Wife and Children to the Sea side to barter

with us their Wares for ours, desiring some of the Jesuites (whom hee

said he should know by their black Coates) to bee there ready for

him with a Cock-Boat. _Lewis_ departed, as to us hee seemed resolute

in what hee had agreed; Our joy likewise was great with the hope of

bringing to the light of Christianity five Soules out of the darknesse

of heathenish Idolatry. The Jesuites who had begun with this _Mulatto_

were desirous that the happy end and conclusion might bee their glory.

So taking their leaves of us, they hastened to the Sea to informe the

Admirall of what they had done, and to provide that the Cock-Boat of

their Ship might bee in readinesse to receive _Lewis_, and his family.

Wee likewise returned to the shore to see if our Shirts, and Clothes

were dry. Most of us (among whom my selfe was one) finding our Linnen

ready and our Boat on Shore went aboard to our Ship, leaving two or

three of our company with many of other Ships on shore, especially

the Jesuites waiting for their prey. When we came to our Ship, most

of our Fryers with what love they had found in the Barbarians, were

inflamed with a new zeale of staying in that Island, and converting

those Heathens to Christianity, apprehending it an easie businesse

(they being a loving people) and no wayes dangerous to us, by reason of

the Fleet that yearely passeth that way, and might enquire after our

usage. But by some it was objected, that it was a rash and foolish

zeale with great hazard of their lives, and many inconveniences were

objected against so blind and simple an attempt. But those that were

most zealous slighted all reasons, saying that the worst that could

happen to them could bee but to be butchered, sacrificed and eaten

up; and that for such a purpose they had come out of _Spain_ to be

crowned with the Crowne of Martyrdome for confessing and preaching

Jesus Christ. While wee were hot in this solemne consultation, behold

an uproare on the shoare; our people running to and fro to save their

lives, leaving their clothes, and hasting to the Cock-Boats, filling

them so fast and so full, that some sunke with all the people in them;

Above al, most pitiful and lamentable were the cries of some of our

women, many casting themselves to the Sea, choosing rather to venture

to be taken up by some Boat, or at worst to bee drowned, then to bee

taken and to bee cruelly butchered by the _Indians_. Wee wondering at

this suddain alteration, not knowing the cause of it, at last perceived

the Arrowes to come out thick from the Wood from behind the Trees, and

thereby guessed at the truth that the Barbarians were mutinied. The

uproare lasted not halfe an houre, for presently our Admirall shot

off two or three Peeces of Ordnance and sent a Company of Souldiers

to shore to guard it and our people with their Muskets; which was

well and suddainly performed, and all the _Indians_ soon dispersed.

Three of our Fryers who had remained on the land, our Cock-Boat

brought them to us with more of our Passengers, among whom one Fryer

_John de la Cueva_, was dangerously shot and wounded in one of his

shoulders; this Fryer had beene earnest with mee to stay on shore with

him, which I refused, and so escaped that cruell and fiery onset of

the _Indians_. Besides those that were drowned and taken up at shore

(which were fifteen persons) two Jesuites were found dead upon the

Sand, three more dangerously wounded, three passengers likewise slaine,

ten wounded, besides three more of the Fleet which could never bee

found alive or dead, and were thought to have beene found in the Wood

by the _Indians_, and to have beene murthered by them. Our _Mulatto

Lewis_ came not according to his word; but in his stead a suddaine

Army of treacherous _Indians_, which gave us motive enough to thinke,

that either _Lewis_ himselfe had discovered the Jesuites Plot to take

him away with his Wife and Children; or that the _Indians_ suspecting

it by his talke with us had made him confesse it. And certainly this

was the ground of their Mutiny; for whereas _Lewis_ before had said,

that hee would know the Jesuites by their black Coats, it seemes hee

had well described them above all the rest unto the _Indians_, for

(as it was after well observed) most of their Arrowes was directed to

the black Markes, and so five of them in little above a quarter of an

houre slaine and wounded. All that night our Souldiers guarded the

Coast, often shooting off their Muskets, to affright the _Indians_,

who appeared no more unto us. All that night wee slept little, for wee

watched our Ship; lest the _Indians_ in their Canoas should set upon us

and take us asleepe. Some lamented the dead and drowned, others pitied

our wounded Fryer _John De la Cueva_, who all that night lay in great

torment and misery, others laughed and jeared at those zealous Fryers,

who would have stayed in that Island to Convert the Barbarians, saying

they had had their full desire of Martyrdome, for had they beene but

that night with the _Indians_, doubtlesse they had beene shred for

their Suppers. But now wee perceived their zeale was coole, and they

desired no more to stay with such a Barbarous kind of People; but

rather wished the Admirall would shoot off the warning Peece for us

all to take up our Anchors, and depart from so dangerous a place. In

the morning all the Ships made hast to take in such fresh water as was

necessary for their voiage yet to _America_, a strong watch being kept

along the Coast, and a Guard guarding our men to the River; and all

the morning while this was doing not one _Indian_ could bee found or

seen, nor our three men that were missing, appeared. Thus at noone with

a pleasant and prosperous Gale we hoisted up our Sailes, leaving the

Islands, and harbour of _Guadalupe_.

CHAP. VII.

_Of our further Sayling to St._ John de Ulhua, aliàs, Vera Crux; _and

of our landing there._

Upon the 22 day of _August_, wee sailed so pleasantly that wee soone

left the sight of the Islands; The _Indians_ uproare had weaved for

us a thred of long discourse; It made some hate their calling to

teach and convert _Indians_, but _Calvo_ hee encouraged us, telling

us many Stories of the good and gentle nature of the _Indians_ of

_Philippinas_, to whom we were going, and that most of them were

Christians already, who esteemed their Preists as Gods upon the earth;

and that those that were not as yet converted to Christianity, were

kept in awe by the power of the _Spaniards_. Our chiefe care the first

two or three daies was to looke to our plantins which we got from the

_Indians_. This fruit pleased us all exceedingly, judging it to bee as

good, or better then any fruit in _Spain_. It is not gathered ripe from

the tree; but being gathered green, it is hung up some daies, and so

ripens and growes yellow and mellow, and every bit as sweet as honey.

Our Sugar Canes were no lesse pleasing unto us, whilst chewing the

pith, we refreshed and sweetned our mouthes with the juice. We fed for

the first week almost upon nothing but _Tortois_; which seemed likewise

to us that had never before seen it, one of the Sea monsters, the Shell

being so hard as to beare any Cart wheel, and in some above two yards

broad; when first they were opened, we were amazed to see the number of

egges that were in them, a thousand being the least that we judged to

be in some of them. Our _Spaniards_ made with them an excellent broth

with all sorts of spices. The meat seemed rather flesh then Sea fish,

which being corned with salt, and hung up two or three dayes in the

aire, tasted like Veal. Thus our Hens, our Sheep, our powdred Beef,

and gammons of Bacon, which we brought from _Spain_, were some dayes

slighted, while with greedy stomacks we fell hard to our Sea Veale.