MADE FROM NUEUA GALICIA, AND NUEUA VISCAIA IN NEW SPAINE, TO THE 15.
PROUINCES OF NEW MEXICO, AND TO QUIUIRA AND CIBOLA, ALL SITUATE ON
THE BACKESIDE OF GUASTECAN, FLORIDA, AND VIRGINIA, AS FARRE AS 37.
DEGREES OF NORTHERLY LATITUDE: WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE RIUERS,
LAKES, CITIES, TOWNES, NATIONS, FERTILE SOYLE, AND TEMPERATE AYRE
IN THOSE PARTES; AND MOST CERTAINE NOTICE OF MANY EXCEEDING RICH
SILUER MINES, AND OTHER PRINCIPALL COMMODITIES.
A discourse of the famous Cosmographer Iohn Baptista Ramusius,
concerning the three voyages of Frier Marco de Niça, Francis
Vasquez de Coronado, and Ferdinando Alorchon next following:
taken out of his third volume of Nauigations and Voyages.
The right honourable Don Antonio de Mendoça being sent by Charles the
Emperour to be viceroy of Mexico and Nueua Espanna, and hauing
vnderstood that Don Ferdinando Cortez had sent many ships along the
coast of Nueua Espanna to discouer countries, and to find out the Isles
of the Malucos, began himselfe to desire to do the like, as viceroy of
Nueua Espanna; and hereupon they fell out: for Cortez said that he was
general and discouerer of the South sea, and that it belonged to him to
set forth those voyages. On the other side, the lord Don Antonio
alledged that it belonged to him to make that discouery, as being
viceroy of Nueua Espanna. So that they fell at great variance, and
Cortez returned into Spaine to complaine vnto the Emperour. Don Antonio
in the meane season hauing obteined knowledge of the voiage, which
Andrew Dorantez (who was one of the company of Pamphilo Naruaez that
escaped, as you may reade in the relation of Aluaro Nunnez, called
Cabeça de Vaca) made; sent Frier Marco de Niça with a Negro of the said
Dorantez to discouer that country. Which Frier Marco de Niça being
returned, and hauing informed his lordship of all his discouery, he
sent captain Francis Vasquez de Coronado with many Spaniards on
horsebacke, and Indians on foot: likewise he sent a fleete by sea,
whereof Ferdinando Alorchon was captaine, as may be seene in the
relations following.
An extract of a letter of captaine Francis Vasques de Coronado,
written to a Secretary of the right noble Don Antonio de Mendoça,
viceroy of Nueua Espanna. Dated in Culiacan, the 8. of March 1539.
He saith that Frier Marcus de Niça arriued in the Prouince of Topira,
where he found all the Indians fled vnto the mountaines for feare of the
Christians, and that for his sake they came all downe to see him, with
great ioy and gladnesse. They are men of good making and whiter then
others, and their women are more beautifull then others of the
neighbouring prouinces. [Sidenote: Store of golde, siluer, and precious
stones in Topira.] There are no great cities there, yet are the houses
built of stone, and are very good, and in them they haue great store of
gold, which is as it were lost, because they know not what vse to put it
to. The people weare Emeralds and other precious iewels vpon their
bodies: they are valiant, hauing very strong armour made of siluer,
fashioned after diuers shapes of beasts. They worship for their gods
such things as they haue in their houses, as namely hearbes, and birdes,
and sing songs vnto them in their language, which differeth but litle
from that of Culiacan. They told the Frier that they were willing to
become Christians, and the Emperors subjects, for they were without a
gouernour; with condition that no man should hurt them: and that they
would change their golde for such things as they wanted. Commandement
was giuen, that they should bee receiued without doing them any
displeasure. Neere vnto this countrey there is another Prouince
heretofore discouered by our men, where the people go naked without any
thing before them: they are very hardly reduced to Christianitie, and
they are valiant and stoute. Their houses are couered with straw. They
seeke no other riches but to feede cattel. They goe at certaine seasons
to their sacrifices into a valley situate in that Prouince, which is
inhabited with people, esteemed by those of the countrey as saints and
priests, whom they call Chichimecas, which dwell in the woods without
houses: and they eate such things as they of the countrey giue them of
almes. They goe naked, and are tanned in the smoke, and tye their priuie
member with a string vnto their knee, and the women likewise goe starke
naked. They haue certaine temples couered with strawe, with small round
windowes full of skuls of dead men; before their temple is a great round
ditch, the brim whereof is compassed with the figure of a serpent made
of gold and siluer, and with another mixture of vnknowen metals: and
this serpent holdeth his tayle in his mouth. They of this valley from
time to time cast lots, whose lucke it shal be to be sacrificed, and
they make him great cheere, on whom the lotte falleth, and with great
ioy they crowne him with flowers vpon a bed prepared in the sayd ditch
all full of flowres and sweete hearbes, on which they lay him along, and
lay great store of dry wood on both sides of him, and set on fire on
eyther part, and so he dyeth. Where he continueth so quietly without
being bound, as though hee did something, wherein he tooke great
pleasure. And they say that hee is a Saint, and doe worshippe him for
that yeere, and sing prayses, and Hymnes vnto him and afterward set vp
his head with the rest in order within those windowes. Also they
sacrifice their prisoners, whom they burn in another deeper ditch, and
not with the foresayde ceremonies. The Spanyards which are in Xalisco
write, that hauing good assistance, they hope that those people will
become Christians. The Countrey is very good and fruitfull, and hath
great store of good and wholesome waters.
A Letter of Francis Vazquez de Coronado, Gouernour of Nueua Galicia,
to the lord Don Antonio de Mendoça, Viceroy of Nueua Espanna.
Dated in Saint Michael of Culiacan, the 8. of March, 1539.
Of the hard passage from Saint Michael of Culiacan to Topira. The
description of that Prouince, and of another neere vnto the same,
very rich in gold and precious stones. The number, of the people
which Vazquez caried with him in his iourney thither; and how
greatly Frier Marcus of Niça is honoured by the Indians of
Petatlan.
By the help of God I meane to set forward from this City of S. Michael
of Culiacan toward Topira the 10. of April: neither can I any sooner set
forward, because the powder and match which your Lordship sendeth mee,
cannot be brought thither, before that time, and I thinke it be now in
Compostella. Besides this, I am to passe many leagues ouer mightie high
mountaines which reach vp to the skyes, and ouer a Riuer, which at this
present is so bigge and swollen, that it can in no place be waded ouer.
And if I depart at the time aforesayde, they say wee may wade ouer it.
They tolde mee that from hence to Topira was not aboue 50 leagues; and I
haue learned since that it is aboue foure score leagues. I doe not
remember that I haue written to your Lordshippe the information which I
haue of Topira: and though I had written thereof vnto you, yet because
that since that time I haue learned something more, I thinke it meete to
signifie them vnto your Lordshippe in these my letters. It may please
your honour therefore to vnderstand, that they tell mee, that Topira is
a very populous Prouince, lying betweene two riuers, and that there are
aboue 50. inhabited townes therein. And that beyond the same there is
another Countrey greater then it, the name whereof the Indians could not
tell mee, wherein there is great store of victuals of Maiz, French
peason, Axi or Pepper, Melons, and Gourds, and great store of Hennes of
the countrey. [Sidenote: These may seeme to be the Pintados mentioned by
Frier Marco de Niza in his 2. Chap.] The people weare on their bodies
golde, Emeralds, and other precious stones, and are serued commonly in
golde and siluer, wherewith they couer their houses: and the chiefe men
weare great chaines of golde well wrought, about their necks and are
apparelled with paynted garments, and haue store of wilde kine; and they
say they enter not into their countrey, because themselues haue no great
store of people: those Indians being many in number, and very valiant.
That which here I say, I learned by two other relations of Indians
dwelling neere vnto them. I meane to set forward at the time before
mentioned, and I carrie with me 150 horsemen, and twelue spare horsemen,
and 200. footmen, crossebowmen, and gunners. I take also with me liue
hogs, sheepe and all such things as I can get for money: assure your
Lordship that I meane not to returne to Mexico vntil I be able to
informe your honour more perfectly, what the state of this place is: and
if I find ought that we may doe good in, I will stay there, vntill I
haue aduertised your Lordship, that you may command what you will haue
done: and if it fall out so vnluckily, that there is nothing of
importance, I will seeke to discouer 100. leagues farther, wherein (I
hope in God) there will be something found in which your Lordship may
imploy all these gentlemen and those which shall come hither hereafter.
I thinke I cannot chuse but stay there: and the waters, the seasons, the
disposition of the countrey, and other accidents wil direct mee what is
best to be done. Frier Marco de Niça entred a good way into the
countrey, accompanied with Stephan Dorantez, the 7. of February last
past: when I departed from them, I left them with aboue 100. Indians of
Petatlan, and from the time of their comming thither they greatly
honoured the father, shewing him all the courtesies they could possibly.
I cannot send you, nor describe vnto you his entrance among them better
then I have done in all my relations which I wrote in my letters from
Compostella, and I signified vnto you all things to the full from the
citie of Michael: and though there is but the tenth part of those things
it is a great matter. Herewithall I haue sent your Lordship a Letter,
which I receiued from him: and I beleeue he may trauel many leagues
farther in that sort. He saith, that if he finde any good countrey, he
will write to mee thereof: I will not goe thither without informing your
Lordship of my iourney. I hope in God that by one way or other wee shall
discouer some good thing.
A Letter written by the most honourable Lord Don Antonio de Mendoça,
Vice-roy of Nueua Espanna, to the Emperours Maiestie.
Of certaine Noblemen which sought to discouer the end of the firme
land of Nueua Espanna toward the North. The arriuall of Vazquez de
Coronado with Frier Marco at S. Michael of Culiacan, with
commission to the Gouernours of those parts to pacifie the
Indians, and not to make them slaues any more.
In the ships that went last from hence (whereof Michael de Vsnago was
Admirall) I wrote vnto your Maiestie, how I sent two Franciscan Friers
to discouer the ende of this firme land, which stretcheth to the North.
And because their iourney fell out to greater purpose then was looked
for, I will declare the whole matter from the beginning. It may please
your Maiestie to call to minde how often I wrote vnto your Highnesse,
that I desired to know the ende of this Prouince of Nueua Espanna,
becavse it is so great a countrey, and that we haue yet no knowledge
thereof. Neither had I onely this desire: for Nunno de Guzman departed
out of this city of Mexico with 400 horsemen, and 14000. Indians
footemen borne in these Indias, being the best men, and the best
furnished, which haue beene seene in these parts: and he did so litle
with them, that the most part of them were consumed in the enterprize,
and could not enter nor discouer any more then already was discouered.
After this the saide Nunno Guzman beeing Gouernour of Nueua Galacia,
sent Captaines and Horsemen foorth diuers times, which sped no better
then he had done. Likewise the Marques de valle Hernando Cortez sent a
captaine with 2. ships to discouer the coast, which 2. ships and the
captaine perished. After that he sent againe 2. other ships, one of
which was diuided from her consort and the Master and certaine mariners
slue the captaine, and vsurped ouer the ship. [Sidenote: This was the
Port of Santa Cruz in the Isle of California.] After this they came to
an Island, where the Master with certaine mariners going on land, the
Indians of the countrey slew them and tooke their boat: and the ship
with those that were in it, returned to the coast of Nueua Galacia,
where it ran on ground. By the men which came home in this ship, the
Marques had knowledge of the countrey which they had discouered: and
then, either for the discontentment which hee had with the bishop of
Saint Domingo, and with the Iudges of this royal audience in Mexico, or
rather because of his so prosperous successe in all things here in Nueua
Espanna, without seeking any farther intelligence of the state of that
Island, he set forward on that voyage with 3. Ships, and with certaine
footemen and horsemen, not throughly furnished with things necessary;
which fell out so contrary to his expectation, that the most part of the
people which he carryed with him, dyed of hunger. And although he had
ships, and a Countrey very neere him abounding with victuals, yet could
hee neuer finde meanes to conquer it, but rather it seemed, that God
miraculously did hide it from him: and so he returned home without
atchieuing ought else of moment. After this, hauing heere in my company
Andrew Dorantez, which is one of those who were in the voyage of
Pamphilo Naruaez I often was in hand with him, supposing that he was
able to doe your Maiestie great seruice, to imploy him with fortie or
fiftie horses, to search out the secret of those parts: and hauing
prouided all things necessary for his iourney, and spent much money in
that behalfe, the matter was broken off, I wot not how, and that
enterprise was giuen ouer. Yet of the things which were prouided for
that purpose, I had left mee a Negro, which returned from the foresayde
voyage of Naruaez, with Dorantez, and certaine slaues which I had
bought, and certaine Indians which I had gathered together, who were
borne in those North partes, whome I sent with Frier Marco de Niça, and
his companion a Franciscan Frier, because they had bene long trauelled,
and exercised in those partes, and had great experience in the affaires
of the Indies, and were men of good life and conscience, for whom I
obtained leaue of their superiours: and so they went with Frances
Vazquez de Coronado, gouernour of Nueua Galicia vnto the Citie of Saint
Michael of Culiacan, which is the last Prouince subdued by the Spaniards
towarde that quarter, being two hundred leagues distant from this Citie
of Mexico. Assoone as the Gouernour, and the Friers were come vnto that
Citie, hee sent certaine of those Indians which I had giuen him, home
into their Countrey, to signifie, and declare to the people of the same,
That they were to vnderstand, that your Maiestie had commaunded they
should not hereafter bee made slaues, and that they should not be afrayd
any more, but might returne vnto their houses, and liue peaceably in
them, (for before that time they had bin greatly troubled by the euill
dealings which were vsed toward them) and that your Maiestie would cause
them to be chastened, which were the causes of their vexation. With
these Indians about twentie dayes after returned about 400 men; which
comming before the gouernour said vnto him, that they came on the
behalfe of al their Countrey-men, to tell him, that they desired to see
and know those men which did them so great a pleasure as to suffer them
to returne to their houses, and to sow Maiz for their sustenance: for by
the space of many yeres they were driuen to flee into the mountaines,
hiding themselues like wild beasts, for feare lest they should be made
slaues, and that they and all the rest of their people were ready to doe
whatsoeuer should bee commaunded them. Whom the gouernour comforted with
good wordes, and gaue them victuals, and stayed them with him three or
foure dayes, wherein the Friers taught them to make the signe of the
Crosse, and to learne the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ, and they with
great diligence sought to learne the same. After these dayes hee sent
them home againe, willing them not to be afraid, but to be quiet,
giuing them apparel, beades, kniues, and other such like things, which I
had giuen him for such purposes. The sayde Indians departed very well
pleased, and said, that whensoeuer hee would send for them, they and
many others would come to doe whatsoeuer he would command them. The
entrance being thus prepared, Frier Marco and his companion, with the
Negro and other slaues, and Indians which I had giuen him, went forward
on their voyage 10. or 12. dayes after. And because I had likewise
aduertisement of a certaine Prouince called Topira situate in the
mountaines, and had appointed the gouernour Vasquez de Coronado, that he
should vse meanes to learne the state thereof: he supposing this to be a
matter of great moment, determined himselfe to goe and search it, hauing
agreed with the said Frier, that he should returne by that part of the
mountaine, to meete with him in a certaine valley called Valle de los
Coraçones, beeing 120. leagues distant from Culiacan. The gouernour
trauelling into this prouince (as I haue written in my former letters)
found great scarcity of victuals there, and the mountaines so craggy,
that he could finde no way to passe forward, and was inforced to returne
home to Saint Michael: so that aswell in chusing of the entrance, as in
not being able to finde the way, it seemeth unto all men, that God would
shut vp the gate to all those, which by strength of humane force haue
gone about to attempt this enterprise, and hath reuieled it to a poore
and bare-footed Frier. And so the Frier beganne to enter into the Land,
who because he found his entrance so well prepared, was very well
receiued; and because he wrote the whole successe of his voyage,
according to the instruction which I had giuen him to vndertake the
same, I wil not write any more at large, but send your Maiestie this
copy of all such things as he obserued in the same.
A relation of the reuerend father Frier Marco de Niça, touching his
discouery of the kingdome of Ceuola or Cibola, situate about 30.
degrees of latitude, to the North of Nueua Espanna.
Chap. 1.
Frier Marco de Nica departeth from Saint Michael in the Prouince of
Culiacan, standing in 24. degrees of Northerly latitude: and
comming to the Towne of Petatlan, receiueth many courtesies of the
Indians there. Departing from thence, he had information of many
Islands, and of a great countrey inhabited with ciuil people; he
commeth to Vacupa: where during his aboad, he heard newes of
Ceuola, and of the state of the 7. Cities, and of other prouinces,
and of the rich Islands of perles, which extend northward vpon the
coast.
I Frier Marco de Nica of the order of S. Francis, for the execution of
the instruction of the right honourable lord Don Antonio de Mendoça,
Vice-roy and Captaine Generall for the Emperors Maiestie in New Spaine,
departed from the towne of S. Michael in the prouince of Culiacan on
Friday the 7. of March, in the yeere 1539. hauing for my companion Frier
Honoratus, and carying with me Stephan a Negro; belonging to Andrew
Dorantez, and certaine of those Indians which the sayde lord Vice-roy
had made free, and bought for this purpose: whom Frances Vazquez de
Coronado gouernour of Nueua Galicia deliuered me, and with many other
Indians of Petatlan, and of the towne called Cuchillo, which is some 50.
leagues from Petatlan, who came to the valley of Culiacan, shewing
themselues to bee exceeding glad, because they were certified by the
Indians which had bin set free, whom the said gouernour had sent before
to aduertise them of their libertie, that none of them from thenceforth
should be made slaues, and that no man should inuade them, nor vse them
badly; signifying vnto them, that the Emperors Maiesty had willed and
commanded that it should be so. [Sidenote: Petatlan a towne.] With the
foresaid company I went on my voyage vntill I came to the towne of
Petatlan, finding all the way great intertainment, and prouision of
victuals, with roses, flowres, and other such things, and bowers which
they made for me of chalke and boughs platted together in all places
where there were no houses. In this towne of Petatlan I rested 3. dayes,
because my companion Honoratus fell so sicke, that I was constrained to
leaue him there behinde.
Then, according to my said instruction, I followed my iourney as the
holy Ghost did leade me without any merit of mine, hauing in my company
the said Stephan the Negro of Dorantez, and certaine of the Indians
which had bin set at liberty, and many of the people of the countrey,
which gaue me great intertainment and welcome in all places where I
came, and made mee bowers of trees, giuing me such victuals as they had,
although they were but small: because (as they said) it had not rained
there in 3 yeres, and because the Indians of this countrey sought means
rather to hide themselues, then to sowe corne, for feare of the
Christians of the Towne of S. Michael, which were wont to make in-roades
euen to that place, and to warre vpon them, and to cary them away
captiues. [Sidenote: The island of Saint Iago.] In all this way, which
may be about 25 or 30. leagues from that part of Petatlan, I saw nothing
worthy the noting, saue that there came to seeke me certaine Indians
from the Island, where Fernando Cortez the Marques of the valley had
bin, of whom I was informed, that it was an Island, and not firme land,
as some suppose it to be. They came to the firme land vpon certaine
rafts of wood: and from the maine to the island is but halfe a league by
sea, litle more or lesse. [Sidenote: A great island, and 30. small
islands, which seeme to be the new islands of California rich in
pearles.] Likewise certaine Indians of another Island greater then this
came to visit me, which island is farther off, of whom I was informed
that there were 30. other smal islands, which were inhabited, but had
smal store of victuals, sauing 2. which haue Maiz or corne of the
countrey. These Indians had about their necks many great shels which
were mother of Pearle. I shewed them pearles which I carryed with me for
a shew, and they told me that there were in the Islands great store of
them, and those very great: howbeit I saw none of them. I followed my
voyage through a desert of 4. dayes iourney, hauing in my company both the
Indians of the islands, and those of the mountaines which I [Sidenote: A
desert foure daies iourney.] had passed, and at the end of this desert I
found other Indians which maruelled to see me, because they had no
knowledge of any Christians, hauing no traffike nor conuersation with
those Indians which I had passed, in regard of the great desert
which was between them. These Indians interteined me exceeding
courteously, and gaue me great store of victuals, and sought to touch my
garments, and called me Hayota, which in their language signifieth A man
come from heauen. These Indians I aduertised by my interpreter, according
to my instructions, in the knowledge of our Lord God in heauen, and of the
Emperor. [Sidenote: This was the valley of Coraçones.] In these countries
and in all places els by all wayes and meanes possible, I sought
information where any Countreys were of more Cities and people of
civilitie and vnderstanding, then those which I had found: and I could
heare no newes of any such: howbeit they tolde mee, that foure or fiue
dayes iourney within the Countrey, at the foote of the mountaines, there
is a large and mightie plaine, wherein they tolde mee, that there were
many great Townes, and people clad in Cotton: and when I shewed them
certaine Metals which I carryed with mee, to learne what riche Metals were
in the Lande, they tooke the minerall of Golde and tolde mee, that thereof
were vesselles among the people of that plaine, and that they carryed
certaine round greene stones hanging at their nostrilles, and at their
eares, and that they haue certaine thinne plates of that Golde, wherewith
they scrape off their sweat, and that the walles of their Temples are
couered therewith, and that they vse it in all their household vessels.
And because this Valley is distant from the Sea-coast, and my instruction
was not to leaue the Coast, I determined to leaue the discouery thereof
vntill my returne; at which time I might doe it more commodiously.
[Sidenote: Vacupa a town 40. leagues from the Bay of California.] Thus I
trauelled three dayes iourney through townes inhabited by the sayde
people, of whome I was receiued as I was of those which I had passed,
and came vnto a Towne of reasonable bignesse, called Vacupa, where they
shewed mee great courtesies, and gaue mee great store of good victuals,
because the soyle is very fruitfull, and may bee watered. This Towne is
fortie leagues distant from the Sea. And because I was so farre from the
Sea, it being two dayes before Passion Sunday, I determined to stay
there vntill Easter, to informe my selfe of the Islandes, whereof I
sayde before that I had information. And so I sent certaine Indians to
the Sea by three seuerall wayes, whom I commanded to bring mee some
Indians of the Sea-coast, and of some of those Islandes, that I might
receiue information of them: and I sent Stephan Dorantez the Negro
another way, whom I commanded to goe directly Northward fiftie or
threescore leagues, to see if by that way hee might learne any newes of
any notable thing which wee sought to discouer, and I agreed with him,
that if hee found any knowledge of any peopled and riche Countrey which
were of great importance, that hee should goe no further, but should
returne in person, or should sende mee certaine Indians with that token
which wee were agreed vpon, to wit, that if it were but a meane thing,
hee should sende mee a white Crosse of one handfull long; and if it were
any great matter, one of two handfuls long; and if it were a Countrey
greater and better then Nueua Espanna, hee should send mee a great
crosse. So the sayde Stephan departed from mee on Passion-sunday after
dinner: and within foure dayes after the messengers of Stephan returned
vnto me with a great Crosse as high as a man, and they brought me word
from Stephan, that I should forthwith come away after him, for hee had
found people which gaue him information of a very mighty Prouince, and
that he had certaine Indians in his company, which had bene in the sayd
Prouince, and that he had sent me one of the said Indians. [Sidenote:
From Vacupa to Ceuola are 32. dayes iourney.] This Indian told me, that
it was thirtie dayes iourney from the Towne where Stephan was, vnto the
first Citie of the sayde Prouince, which is called Ceuola. Hee affirmed
also, that there are seuen great Cities in this Prouince, all vnder one
Lord, the houses whereof are made of Lyme and Stone, and are very great,
and the least of them with one lofte aboue head, and some of two and of
three loftes, and the house of the Lorde of the Prouince of foure, and
that all of them ioyne one vnto the other in good order, and that in the
gates of the principall houses there are many Turques-stones cunningly
wrought, whereof hee sayth they haue there great plentie: also that the
people of this Citie goe very well apparelled: and that beyond this
there are other Prouinces, all which (hee sayth) are much greater then
these seuen cities. I gaue credite to his speach, because I found him to
bee a man of good vnderstanding: but I deferred my departure to follow
Stephan Dorantes, both because I thought hee would stay for mee, and
also to attend the returne of my messengers which I had sent vnto the
Sea, who returned vnto me vpon Easter day, bringing with them certaine
inhabitants of the Sea-coast, and of two of the Islands. Of whom I
vnderstoode, [Sidenote: Great pearles and much gold in the Isles of
California, which are 34. in number.] that the Islandes aboue mentioned
were scarce of victuals, as I had learned before, and that they are
inhabited by people, which weare shelles of Pearles vpon their
foreheads, and they say that they haue great Pearles, and much Golde.
They informed mee of foure and thirtie Islandes, lying one neere vnto
another: they say that the people on the Sea-coast haue small store of
victuals, as also those of the Islandes, and that they traffique one
with the other vpon raftes. This coast stretcheth Northward as is to bee
seene. These Indians of the Coast brought me certaine Targets made of
Cow-hydes very well dressed, which were so large, that they couered them
from the head to the very foote, with a hole in the toppe of the same to
looke out before: they are so strong that a Crossebow (as I suppose)
will not pierce them.
Chap. 2.
He hath new information of the seuen Cities by certain Indians
called Pintados, and of three other kingdomes called Marata, Acus,
and Totonteac, being Countreys very rich in Turqueses and Hides of
cattel. Following his voyage through those countries, he taketh
possession thereof for the Emperors Maiestie, and of the Indians
is much honoured and serued with victuals.
The same day came three Indians of those which I called Pintados,
because I saw their faces, breasts and armes painted. These dwel farther
vp into the countrey towards the East, and some of them border vpon the
seuen cities, which sayd they came to see mee, because they had heard of
me: and among other things, they gaue me information of the seuen
cities, and of the other Prouinces, which the Indian that Stephan sent
me had tolde me of, almost in the very same manner that Stephan had sent
mee worde; and so I sent backe the people of the sea-coast; and two
Indians of the Islandes sayde they would goe with mee seuen or eight
dayes.
So with these and with the three Pintados aboue mentioned, I departed
from Vacupa vpon Easter Tuesday, the same way that Stephan went, from
whom I receiued new messengers with a Crosse of the bignesse of the
first which he sent me: which hastened mee forward, and assured me that
the land which I sought for, was the greatest and best countrey in all
those partes. The sayd messengers told mee particularly without fayling
in any one poynt, all that which the first messenger had tolde mee, and
much more, and gaue mee more plaine information thereof. So I trauelled
that day being Easter Tuesday, and two dayes more, the very same way
that Stephan had gone; at the end of which 3 dayes they tolde mee, that
from that place a man might trauell in thirtie dayes to the citie of
Ceuola, which is the first of the seuen. Neither did one onely tell me
thus much, but very many; who tolde me very particularly of the
greatnesse of the houses, and of the fashion of them, as the first
messengers had informed me. Also they tolde me, that besides these seuen
Cities, there are 3 other kingdomes which are called Marata, Acus, and
Totonteac. I enquired of them wherefore they trauelled so farre from
their houses: They said that they went for Turqueses and Hides of kine,
and other things; and that of all these there was great abundance in
this Countrey. Likewise I enquired how, and by what meanes they obteined
these things: They tolde me, by their seruice, and by the sweat of their
browes, and that they went vnto the first citie of the Prouince which is
called Ceuola, and that they serued them in tilling their ground, and in
other businesses, and that they giue them Hydes of oxen, which they haue
in those places, and turqueses for their seruice, and that the people of
this city weare very fine and excellent turqueses hanging at their eares
and at their nostrils. They say also, that of these turqueses they make
fine workes vpon the principall gates of the houses of this citie. They
tolde mee, that the apparell which the inhabitants of Ceuola weare, is a
gowne of cotten downe to the foote, with a button at the necke, and a
long string hanging downe at the same, and that the sleeues of these
gownes are as broad beneath as aboue. They say, they gyrd themselues
with gyrdles of turqueses, and that ouer these coates some weare good
apparel, others hides of kine very well dressed, which they take to bee
the best apparel of that countrey, whereof they haue there great
quantitie. Likewise the women goe apparelled, and couered downe to the
foote. These Indians gaue me very good intertainment, and curiously
enquired the day of my departure from Vacupa, that at my returne they
might prouide me of foode and lodging. They brought certaine sicke
folkes before mee, that I might heale them, and sought to touch my
apparell, and gaue mee certaine Cow-hydes so well trimmed and dressed,
that by them a man might coniecture that they were wrought by ciuile
people, and all of them affirmed, that they came from Ceuola.
The next day I followed my journey, and carrying with mee the Pintados,
I came to another Village where I was well receiued by the people of the
same: who likewise sought to touch my garments, and gaue mee as
particular knowledge of the Lande aforesayde, as I had receiued of those
which mette mee before: and also tolde mee, that from that place
certaine people were gone with Stephan Dorantez, fours or fiue dies
journey. And here I found a great crosse, which Stephan had left me for
a signe, that the newes of the good Countrey increased, and left worde,
that with all haste they should sende mee away, and that hee would stay
for mee at the ende of the first Desert that he mette with. Heere I set
vp two Crosses, and tooke possession according to mine instruction,
because that the Countrey seemed better vnto mee then that which I had
passed, and that I thought it meete to make an acte of possession as
farre as that place.
In this maner I trauailed fiue dayes alwayes finding inhabited places
with great hospitalitie and intertainments, and many Turqueses, and
Oxe-hides, and the like report concerning the countrey. Heere I
vnderstood, that after two dayes iourney I should finde a desert where
there is no foode; but that there were certaine gone before to build mee
lodgings, and to carrie foode for mee: whereupon I hastened my way,
hoping to finde Stephan at the ende thereof, because in that place hee
had left worde that he would stay for mee. Before I came to the desert,
I mette with a very pleasant Towne, by reason of great store of waters
conueighed thither to water the same. Heere I mette with many people
both men and women clothed in Cotton, and some couered with Oxe-hydes,
which generally they take for better apparell then that of cotton. All
the people of this Village goe in Caconados, that is to say, with
Turqueses hanging at their nostrilles and eares: which Turqueses they
call Cacona. Amongst others the Lord of this Village came vnto me, and
two of his brethren very well apparelled in Cotton, who also were in
Caconados, each of them hauing his Collar of Turqueses about his necke:
and they presented vnto mee many wilde beastes, as Conies, Quailes,
Maiz, nuttes of Pine trees, and all in great abundance, and offered mee
many Turqueses and dressed Oxe-hydes and very fayre vessels to drinke
in, and other things: whereof I would receiue no whit. [Sidenote: Store
of woollen cloth and sheepe in Totonteac.] And hauing my garment of gray
cloth, which in Spaine is called çaragoça, the Lord of this Village, and
the other Indians touched my gowne with their handes, and tolde mee,
that of such Cloth there was great store in Totonteac, and that the
people of that Countrey wore the same. Whereat I laughed, and sayde that
it was nothing else but such apparell of Cotton as they wore. And they
replyed: We would haue thee thinke that we vnderstand, that apparell
which thou wearest, and that which we weare are of diuers sortes.
Vnderstand thou, that in Ceuola all the houses are full of that apparell
which we weare, but in Totonteac there are certaine litle beasts, from
whom they take that thing wherewith such apparell as thou wearest, is
made. I prayed them to informe mee more playnely of this matter. And
they tolde me that the sayde beastes were about the bignesse of the two
braches or spaniels which Stephan carryed with him, and they say that
there is great store of that cattell in Totonteac.
Chap. 3.
He entreth into a desert, and the Indians suffer him to want nothing
necessary. Following his Voyage, he commeth into a fertile valley,
and hath certaine knowledge giuen him (as he had before) of the
state of Ceuola, and of Totonteac; and that the coast of the sea
in 35. degrees trendeth much to the Westward: and also of the
kingdomes of Marata and Acus.
[Sidenote: A desert of foure dayes iourney.] The next day I entred into
the Desert, and where I was to dine, I found bowers made, and victuals
in abundance by a riuers side; and at night I found bowers and victuals
in like sort, and after that maner I found for 4 dayes trauell: all
which time the wildernesse continueth.
[Sidenote: A very populous valley.] At the ende of these foure dayes, I
entered into a valley very well inhabited with people. At the first
Village there mette me many men and women with victuals, and all of them
had Turqueses hanging at their nostrils and eares, and some had collars
of turqueses like those which the Lord of the Village before I came to
the Desert, and his two [Sidenote: Collars of turqueses two or three
times double.] brethren wore: sauing that they ware them but single
about their neckes, and these people weare them three or foure times
double, and goe in good apparell, and skinnes or Oxen: and the women
weare of the sayd Turqueses at there nostrils and ears, and very good
wast-coats and other garments. Heere there was a great knowledge of
Ceuola, as in Nueua Espanna of Temistitan, and in Peru of Cuzco: and
they tolde vs particularly the maner of their houses, lodgings, streetes
and market-places, as men that had bene oftentimes there, and as those
which were furnished from thence with things necessary for the seruice
of their housholde, as those also had done, which I already had passed.
I tolde them it was impossible that the houses should be made in such
sort as they informed mee, and they for my better vnderstanding tooke
earth or ashes, and powred water thereupon, and shewed me how they layd
stones vpon it, and how the buylding grew vp, as they continued laying
stones thereon, vntill it mounted aloft. I asked them whether the men of
that Countrey had wings to mount vp vnto those loftes: whereat they
laughed, and shewed mee a Ladder in as good sort as I my selfe was able
to describe it. Then they tooke a Staffe and helde it ouer their heads,
and said that the lofts were so high one aboue another. Likewise heere I
had information of the woollen cloth of Totonteac, where they say are
houses like those of Ceuola, and better and more in number, and that it
is a great Prouince, and hath no gouernour.
[Sidenote: This graduation is mistaken by 6. or 7. degrees at the
least.] Here I vnderstand that the coast of the sea trended much toward
the West: for vnto the entrance of this first desert which I passed, the
coast still stretched Northward: and because the trending of the coast
is a thing of great importance, I was desirous to knowe and see it: and
I saw plainely, that in 35. degrees the coast stretcheth to the West,
whereat I reioyced no lesse then of the good newes within land, and so I
returned backe to proceede in my iourney.
Through the foresayd valley I trauailed fiue dayes iourney which is
inhabited with goodly people, and so aboundeth with victuals, that it
sufficeth to feede aboue three thousand horsemen: it is all well watered
and like a garden: the burroughs and townes are halfe and a quarter of a
league long, and in all these villages, I found very ample report of
Ceuola, whereof they made such particular relation vnto me, as people
which goe yeerely thither to earne their liuing. Heere I found a man
borne in Ceuola, who told me that he came thither, hauing escaped from
the gouernour or Lieutenant of the towne; for the Lord of these seuen
Cities liueth and abideth in one of those townes called Ahacus, and in
the rest he appoynteth lieu-tenants vnder him. This townesman of Ceuola
is a white man of a good complexion, somewhat well in yeeres, and of
farre greater capacitie then the inhabitants of this valley, or then
those which I had left behind me. Hee sayde that he would goe with mee,
that I might begge his pardon: and of him I learned many particulars: he
tolde me that Ceuola was a great Citie, inhabited with great store of
people, and hauing many Streetes and Market-places: and that in some
partes of this Citie there are certaine very great houses of fiue
stories high, wherein the chiefe of the Citie assemble themselues at
certaine dayes of the yeere. He sayeth that the houses are of Lyme and
Stone, according as others had tolde mee before, and that the gates, and
small pillars of the principall houses are of Turqueses, and all the
vessels wherein they are serued, and the other ornaments of their houses
were of golde: and that the other sixe Cities are built like vnto this,
whereof some are bigger: and that Ahacus is the chiefest of them.
[Sidenote: Marata lieth toward the Southeast.] Hee sayth that toward the
Southeast there is a kingdome called Marata, and that there were woont
to be many, and those great Cities, which were all built of houses of
Stone, with diuers lofts: and that these haue and doe wage warre with
the Lord of the seuen cities, through which warre this kingdome of
Marata is for the most part wasted, although it yet continueth and
mainteineth warre against the other.
[Sidenote: Totonteac lyeth West.] Likewise he saith, that the kingdome
called Totonteac lyeth toward the West, which he saith is a very mightie
Prouince, replenished with infinite store of people and riches: and that
in the sayde Kingdome they weare woollen cloth like that which I weare,
and other finer sorts of woollen cloth made of the fleeces of those
beastes which they described before vnto me: and that they are a very
ciuile people. Moreouer hee tolde me, that there is another great
Prouince and kingdome called Acus; for there is Acus, and Ahacus with an
aspiration, which is the principall of the seuen cities: and Acus
without an aspiration is a kingdome and Prouince of it selfe. He told me
also, that the apparel which they weare in Ceuola is after the same
maner as they before had certified me, and that all the inhabitants of
the Citie lie vpon beddes raysed a good height from the ground, with
quilts and canopies ouer them, which couer the sayde Beds: and hee tolde
mee that he would goe with me to Ceuola and farther also, if I would
take him with me. The like relation was giuen vnto me in this towne by
many others, but not so particularly. I trauelled three dayes iourney
through this valley: the inhabitants whereof made mee exceeding great
cheere and intertainement. In this valley I saw aboue a thousand
Oxe-hides most excellently trimmed and dressed. And here also I saw
farre greater store of Turqueses and chaines made thereof, then in all
places which I had passed; and they say, that all commeth from the city
of Ceuola, whereof they haue great knowledge, as also of the kingdome of
Marata, and of the kingdomes of Acus and Totonteac.
Chap. 4.
Of a very great beast with one horne vpon his forehead; and of the
courtesies which the Indians shewed Frier Marcus of Niça, in his
Voyage. Also how cruelly Stephan Dorantez and his companions were
vsed vpon their arriuall at Ceuola, by the Lorde thereof.
Here they shewed me an hide halfe as bigge againe as the hide of a great
oxe, and tolde me that it was the skin of a beast which had but one
horne vpon his forehead, and that this horne bendeth toward his breast,
and that out of the same goeth a point right forward, wherein he hath so
great strength, that it will breake any thing how strong so euer it be,
if he runne against it, and that there are great store of these beasts
in that Countrey. The colour of the hide is of the colour of a great
Goat-skin, and the haire is a finger thicke. Here I had messengers from
Stephan which brought me word, that by this time he was come to the
farthest part of the desert, and that he was very ioyfull, because the
farther he went, the more perfect knowledge he had of the greatnesse of
the countrey, and sent me word, that since his departure from me, hee
neuer had found the Indians, in any lye; for euen vnto that very place
he had found al in such maner as they had informed him, and hoped that
he should find the like at his arriuall in the valley which he was going
vnto, as he had found in the villages before passed. I set vp crosses,
and vsed those acts and ceremonies, which were to be done according to
my instructions. [Sidenote: Fifteene daies iourney from the end of the
desert to Ceuola or Ciuola.] The inhabitants requested me to stay here
three or foure daies, because that from this place there were foure
dayes iourney vnto the desert, and from the first entrance in the same
desert vnto the citie of Ceuola are 15 great dayes iourney more: also
that they would prouide victuals for me and other necessaries for that
voyage. Likewise they told me, that with Stephan the Negro were gone
aboue 300 men to beare him company, and to carry victuals after him, and
that in like sort many of them would go with me to serue me, because
they hoped to returne home rich. I thanked them, and willed them to set
things in order with speede, and so I rested there three dayes, wherein
I alwayes informed my selfe of Ceuola, and of as many other things as I
could learne, and called many Indians vnto me, and examined them
seuerally, and all of them agreed in one tale, and told me of the great
multitude of people, and of the order of the streetes, of the greatnesse
of the houses, and of the strength of the gates, agreeing altogether
with that which the rest before had told me. After three dayes many
assembled themselues to goe with me, 30 of the principal of whom I
tooke, being very well apparelled, and with chaines of turqueses, which
some of them weare fiue or sixe times double, and other people to cary
things necessary for them and me, and so set forward on my voyage.
Thus I entred into the second desert on the 9 of May, and trauelled the
first day by a very broad and beaten way, and we came to diner vnto a
water, where the Indians had made prouision for me: and at night we came
to another water, where I found a house which they had fully made vp for
me, and another house stood made where Stephan lodged when he passed
that way, and many old cottages and many signes of fire which the people
had made that trauelled to Ceuola by this way. In this sort I trauelled
12 dayes iourney being alway well prouided of victuals, of wild beasts,
Hares, and Partridges of the same colour and tast with those of Spaine
although they are not so big, for they be somewhat lesse.
Here met vs an Indian the sonne of one of the chiefe men that
accompanied mee, which had gone before with Stephan, who came in a great
fright, hauing his face and body all couered with sweat, and shewing
exceeding sadnesse in his countenance; and he told mee that a dayes
iourney before Stephan came to Ceuola he sent his great Mace made of a
gourd by his messengers, as he was alwayes woont to send them before
him, that hee might knowe in what sort hee came vnto them, which gourd
had a string of belles vpon it, and two feathers one white and another
red, in token that he demanded safe conduct, and that he came peaceably.
And when they came to Ceuola before the Magistrate, which the Lord of
the citie had placed there for his Lieutenant, they deliuered him the
sayde great gourd, who tooke the same in his hands, and after he had
spyed the belles, in a great rage and fury hee cast it to the ground,
and willed the messengers to get them packing with speed, for he knew
well ynough what people they were, and that they should will them in no
case to enter into the citie, for if they did hee would put them all to
death. The messengers returned and tolde Stephan how things had passed,
who answered them, that it made no great matter, and would needes
proceed on his voyage till he came to the citie of Ceuola: where he
found men that would not let him enter into the towne, but shut him into
a great house which stoode without the citie, and streightway tooke all
things from him which hee caried to truck and barter with them, and
certaine turqueses, and other things which he had receiued of the
Indians by the way, and they kept him there all that night without
giuing him meate or drinke, and the next day in the morning this Indian
was a thirst, and went out of the house to drinke at a riuer that was
neere at hand, and within a little while after he saw Stephan running
away, and the people followed him, and slew certaine of the Indians
which went in his company. And when this Indian saw these things, he hid
himselfe on the banks of the riuer, and afterward crossed the high way
of the desert. The Indians that went with me hearing these newes began
incontinently to lament, and I thought these heauie and bad newes would
cost mee my life, neither did I feare so much the losse of mine owne
life, as that I should not bee able to returne to giue information of
the greatnesse of that Countrey, where our Lord God might be glorified:
but streightway I cut the cords of my budgets which I carried with me
ful of merchandise for traffique, which I would not doe till then, nor
giue any thing to any man, and began to diuide all that I carried with
mee among the principall men, willing them not to be afraid, but to goe
forward with me, and so they did. And going on our way, within a dayes
iourney of Ceuola wee met two other Indians of those which went with
Stephan, which were bloody and wounded in many places: and assoone as
they came to vs, they which were with mee began to make great
lamentation. These wounded Indians I asked for Stephan, and they
aggreeing in all poynts with the first Indian sayd, that after they had
put him into the foresayd great house without giuing him meat and drinke
all that day and all that night, they tooke from Stephan all the things
which hee carried with him. The next day when the Sunne was lance high,
Stephan went out of the house, and some of the chiefe men with him, and
suddenly came store of people from the citie, whom assoone as hee sawe
he began to run away, and we likewise, and foorthwith they shot at vs
and wounded vs, and certaine dead men fell vpon vs, and so we lay till
night and durst not stirre, and we heard great rumours in the citie, and
saw many men and women keeping watch and ward vpon the walles thereof,
and after this we could not see Stephan any more, and wee thinke they
haue shot him to death, as they haue done all the rest which went with
him, so that none are escaped but we onely.
Chap. 5.
The situation and greatnesse of the Citie of Ceuola, and how frier
Marcus tooke possession thereof and of other prouinces, calling
the same The new kingdome of S. Francis, and how after his
departure from thence being preserued by God in so dangerous a
voyage, he arriued at Compostella in Nueua Galicia.
Hauing considered the former report of the Indians, and the euill meanes
which I had to prosecute my voyage as I desired, I thought it not good
wilfully to lose my life as Stephan did; and so I told them, that God
would punish those of Ceuola, and that the Viceroy when he should
vnderstand what had happened, would send many Christians to chastise
them: but they would not beleeue me, for they sayde that no man was able
to withstand the power of Ceuola. And herewithall I left them, and went
aside two or three stones cast, and when I returned I found an Indian of
mine which I had brought from Mexico called Marcus, who wept and sayde
vnto me: Father, these men haue consulted to kill vs, for they say, that
through your and Stephans meanes their fathers are slaine, and that
neither man nor woman of them shall remaine vnslaine. Then againe I
diuided among them certaine other things which I had, to appease them,
whereupon they were somewhat pacified, albeit they still shewed great
griefe for the people which were slaine. I requested some of them to goe
to Ceuola to see if any other Indian were escaped, with intent that they
might learne some newes of Stephan; which I could not obtaine at their
handes. When I saw this, I sayd vnto them, that I purposed to see the
citie of Ceuola, whatsoeuer came of it. They sayde that none of them
would goe with me. At the last when they sawe mee resolute, two of the
chiefe of them sayde they would goe with me: with whome and with mine
Indians and interpreters I followed my way, till I came within sight of
Ceuola, which is situate on a plaine at the foote of a round hill, and
maketh shew to bee a faire citie, and is better seated than any that I
haue seene in these partes. The houses are builded in order, according
as the Indians told me, all made of stone with diuers stories, and
flatte roofes, as farre as I could discerne from a mountaine, whither I
ascended to viewe the citie. The people are somewhat white, they weare
apparell, and lie in beds, their weapons are bowes, they have Emralds
and other jewels, although they esteeme none so much as turqueses,
wherewith they adorn the walles of the porches of their houses, and
their apparell and vessels, and they vse them in stead of money through
all the Countrey. Their apparell is of cotton and of ox hides, and this
is their most commendable and honourable apparell. [Sidenote: Most rich
mines of gold and siluer in the prouince of the Pintados.] They vse
vessels of gold and siluer, for they haue no other metall, whereof there
is greater vse and more abundance then in Peru, and they buy the same
for turqueses in the prouince of the Pintados, where there are sayd to
be mines of great abundance. Of other kingdomes I could not obtaine so
particular instruction. Diuers times I was tempted to goe thither,
because I knewe I could but hazard my life, and that I had offered vnto
God the first day that I began my iourney: in the ende I began to bee
afraid, considering in what danger I should put my selfe, and that if I
should dye, the knowledge of this countrey should be lost, which in my
iudgement is the greatest and the best that hitherto hath been
discouered: and when I told the chiefe men, what a goodly citie Ceuola
seemed vnto mee, they answered me that it was the least of the seuen
cities, and that Totonteac [Sidenote: Totonteac the greatest and most
populous prouince.] is the greatest and best of them all, because it
hath so many houses and people, that there is no ende of them. Hauing
seene the disposition and situation of the place, I thought good to name
that Countrey El Nueuo reyno de san Francisco: in which place I made a
great heape of stones by the helpe of the Indians, and on the toppe
thereof I set vp a small slender crosse because I wanted meanes to make
a greater, and sayd that I set vp that crosse and heape in the name of
the most honourable Lord Don Antonio de Mendoça Viceroy and Captaine
generall of Nueua Espanna, for the Emperour our Lord, in token of
possession, according to mine instruction. Which possession I sayd that
I tooke in that place of all the seuen cities, and of the kingdomes of
Totonteac, of Acus, and of Marata. Thus I returned with much more feare
then victuals, and went vntill I found the people which I had left
behind mee, with all the speede that I could make, whome I ouertooke in
two dayes trauell, and went in their company till I had passed the
desert, where I was not made so much of as before: for both men and
women made great lamentation for the people which were slaine at Ceuola,
and with feare I hastened from the people of this valley, and trauelled
tenne leagues the first day, and so I went daily eight or ten leagues,
without staying vntill I had passed the second desert. And though I were
in feare, yet I determined to go to the great plaine, wherof I said
before, that I had information, being situate at the foote of the
mountaines, and in that place I vnderstoode that this plaine is
inhabited for many dayes iourney toward the East, but I durst not enter
into it, considering, that if hereafter wee shoulde inhabite this other
Countrey of the seuen cities, and the kingdomes before mentioned, that
then I might better discouer the same, without putting my selfe in
hazard, and leaue it for this time, that I might giue relation of the
things which I had now seene. At the entrance of this plaine I saw but
seuen Townes onely of a reasonable bignesse, which were a farre off in a
low valley beeing very greene and a most fruitfull soyle, out of which
ranne many Riuers. I was informed that there was much golde in this
valley, and that the inhabitants worke it into vessels and thinne
plates, wherewith they strike and take off their sweat, and that they
are people that will not suffer those of the other side of the plaine to
traffique with them, and they could not tell me the cause thereof. Here
I set vp two crosses, and tooke possession of the plaine and valley in
like sort and order, as I did at other places before mentioned.
[Sidenote: Compostella in 21. degrees of latitude.] And from thence I
returned on my voyage with as much haste as I coulde make, vntill I came
to the citie of Saint Michael in the prouince of Culiacan, thinking
there to have found Francis Vazquez de Coronado gouernour of Nueua
Galicia, and finding him not there, I proceeded on my iourney till I
came to the Citie of Compostella, where I found him. I write not here
many other particularities, because they are impertinent to this matter:
I only report that which I haue seene, and which was told me concerning
the Countreys through which I trauelled, and of those which I had
information of.