DE ESPEIO EN EL ANNO DE OCHENTA Y TRES: EL QUAL CON SUS COMPANNEROS
DESCUBRIERON VNA TIERRA EN QUE HALLARON QUINZE PROUINCIAS TODAS
LLENAS DE PUEBLOS, Y DE CASAS DE QUATRO Y CINCO ALTOS, A QUIEN
PUSIERON POR NOMBRE EL NUEUO MEXICO, POR PARECERSE EN MUCHAS
COSAS AL VIEJO. ESTA à LA PARTE DEL NORTE, Y SE CREE QUE POR
ELLA, Y POR POBLADO, SE PUEDE VENIR HASTA LLEGAR A LA TIERRA QUE
LLAMAN DEL LABRADOR.
Del Nueuo Mexico, y de su descubrimiento, y lo que del se sabe.
[Sidenote: _A.D. 1583._] Va dixe en el titulo del libro, que el anno de
mil y quinientos y ochenta y tres, se auian descubierto quinze
Prouincias, aquien los inuentores llamaron. [Sidenote: _New Mexico._] El
nueuo Mexico en la tierra firme de Nueua Espanna, y prometi de dar
noticia del descubrimiento, como lo hare con la mayor breuedad que sea
possible, porque si vuiera de poner diffusamente todo lo que vieron y
supieron, fuera menester hazer dello nueua historia. [Sidenote: _Friar
Augustin Ruyz_.] La substancia dello es, que el anno de mil y quinientos
y ochenta y vno, teniendo noticia vn Religioso de la Orden de sant
Francisco, que se llamaua fray Augustin Ruyz, que moraua en el valle de
sant Bartholome, por relation de ciertos Indios. Conchos que se
comunicauan con otros sus conuezinos llamados Passaguates: que hazia la
parte del Norte (caminando siempre por tierra) auia ciertas poblaciones
grandes, y nunca sabidas de nuestros Espannoles, ni descubiertas, con
zelo de caridad, y de saluacion de las almas, pidio licencia al Conde de
Corunna Viery de la dicha Nueua Espanna, y a sus mayores, para yr a
ellas, a procurar aprendar su lengua, y sabida, bautizarlos, y
predicarles el santo Euangelio. [Sidenote: _His departure._] Alcançada
la licencia de los sobredichos, tomando otros dos companneros de su
mesma. Orden, se partio con ocho soldados, que de voluntad le quisieron
acompannar, a poner en execution su Christiano y zeloso intento. Los
quales a pocos dias de camino toparon con vna Prouincia, que se llamaua
de los Tiguas, distante de las minas de sancta Barbora (de donde
començaron la jornoda) dozientas y cinquenta leguas hazia el Norte, en
la qual por cierta occasion los naturales le mataron al dicho padre vno
de sus dos companeros. El qual, los soldados que yuan com el, viendo, y
sintiendo el successo, y temiendo que del se podria seguir otro mayor
danno, acordaron de comun consentimiento de boluerse a las minas de
donde auian salido, con consideracion de que la gente que yua era muy
poca para resistir a los successos que se podian offrecer en tanta
distancia de la viuienda de los Espannoles, y tan lexos del necessario
socorro. Los dos Religiosos que hauian quedado, no solo no vinieron en
su parecer, mas antes viendo la ocasion para poner en execucion su buen
desseo, y tanta mies madura para la mesa de Dios, viendo quo no podian
persuadir a los soldados a passar adelante en el descubrimiento, se
quedaron ellos en la dicha Prouincia con tres muchachos Indios, y vn
mestizo, que auian lleuado consigo, pareciendoles que aunque quedassan
solos, estauan alli seguros, por la affabilidad y amor con que los
naturales della los tratauan. [Sidenote: _The mines of Barbora 160
leagues from Mexico._] Llegados los ocho soldades adonde desseauan,
embiaron luego la nueua al dicho Virey delo succedido a la ciuidad
Mexico, que dista de las dichas minas de santa Barbora ciento y sesenta
leguas. Sintieron mucho los religiosos de sant Francisco la quedada de
sus hermanos: y timiendo no los matassen viendo los solos, començaron a
mouer los animos de algunos soldados, para que en compannia de otro
Religioso de la mesma Orden llamado fray Bernardino Beltran, tornassen à
la dicha Prouincia, a sacar de peligro a los dichos dos Religiosos, y
proseguir con la empresa començada.
[Sidenote: _Antonio de Espejo died in Havana in 1589._] En esta sazon
estaua en las dichas minas por cierta ocasion vn vezino de la ciuadad de
Mexico, llamado Antonio de Espejo, hombre rico, y de mucho animo y
industria, y zeloso del seruicio de la maiestad del Rey Don Philippe
nuestro sennor, natural de Cordoua. El qual como enteniesse el desseo
delos dichos religiosos, y la importancia del negocio, se offrecio a la
jornada y a gastar en ella parte de su hazienda, y a riesgar su vida,
siendo le para ello concedida licencia de alguna persona que
representasse a su maiestad, la qual procurandola los dichos religiosos,
le fue dada por el Capitan Iuan de Ontiueros Alcalde mayor por su
maiestad en los pueblos que llaman las quatro Cienegas, que son en la
gouernacion de la Nueua Vizcaya, setenta leguas de las dichas minas de
santa Barbora, assi para que el pudiesse yr; como para que iuntasse la
gente y soldados que pudiesse, para que le acompannassen, y ayudassen a
conseguir su Christiano intento.
[Sidenote: _He sacrifices most of his wealth to assist the expedition._]
El dicho Antonio de Espejo tomo el negocio con tantas veras, que en muy
pocos dias iunto los soldados y bastimentos necessarios para hazer la
iornada, gastando en ello buena parte de su hazienda: y partio con todos
ellos del valle de sant Bartholome a los diez de Nouiembre de mil y
quinientos y ochenta y dos, lleuando para lo que se offreciesse ciento y
quinze cauallos, y mulas, y muchas armas, municiones, y bastimentos, y
alguna gente de seruicio.
[Sidenote: _Conchos._] Endereço su camino hazia el Norte, y a dos
jornados topo mucha cantidad de Indios de los que llaman Conchos en
Rancherias o poblaciones de casas pagicas. Los quales como lo supiessen,
y tuuiessen dello relacion muy de atras, los salieron a recebir con
muestras de alegria. [Sidenote: _Their food._] La comida destos, y delos
de la Prouincia, que es grande, es de carne de conejos, liebres, y
venados que matan, y lo ay todo en grandissima cantidad. [Sidenote:
_Their customs._] Tienen mucho maiz, que es el trigo de las Indias
calabaças, y melones, y en abundancia: y ay muchos rios que crian mucha
cantidad de pescado muy bueno, y de diuersas suertes: andan casi todos
desnudos, y las armas que vsan son arco y flecha, y viuen debaxo de
gouierno, y sennorio de Caciques, como los Mexicanos, y no les hallaron
Idolos, ni pudieron entender que adorassen à nadie, por lo qual
facilmente consintieron en que les pusiessen los Christianos cruzes, y
quedaron muy contentos con ellas, despues de auersido informados de los
nuestros dela significacion dellas, que se hizo por interpretes que
lleuauan, por cuyo medio supieron de otras poblaciones, para adonde los
dichos Conchos los guiaron, accompannandolos mas de veinte y quatro
leguas, que todas estauan pobladas de gente de su nacion, y los salian a
recebir de paz, por auiso que embiauan los Caciques de vnos pueblos a
otros.
[Sidenote: _Passaguates._] Andadas las veinte y quatro leguas dichas,
toparon otra nacion de Indios, llamados Passaguates, los quales viuian
al modo que los ya dichos. [Sidenote: _Silver._] Conchos sus conuezinos,
y hizieron con ellos lo proprio, guiandolos adelante otras quarto
jornados, con los auisos de los Caciques, de la manera ya dicha:
hallaron los nuestros en este camino muchas minas de plata, al parecer
de los que lo entendian, de mucho, y muy rico metal. [Sidenote:
_Tobosos._] Vna jornada destas toparon otra nacion, llamada los Tobosos,
los quales en viendo el rastro de los nuestros, se huyeron a las
sierras, dexando sus casas y pueblos desiertos. Supose despues que
algunos annos antes auian acudido por alli ciertos soldados que yuan en
busca de minas, y auian lleuado cautiuos a ciertos naturales, lo qual
tenia temerosos y abispados a los demas. El Capitan dio orden como los
fuessen a llamar, assegurandolos de que no los seria hecho ningun mal, y
diose tan buena manea que hizo venir a muchos, aquien regalo, y dio
dones, acariciandolos, y declarandoles por el interprete, que no yuan a
hazer mal a nadie, con lo qual se boluieron todos a sossegar, y
consintieron les pusiessen Cruzes, y declarassen el mysterio dellas,
mostrando reciber dello gran contentamiento, en cuya demonstracion los
fueron acompannando, como lo auian hecho sus vezinos, hasta que los
metieron en tierra problada de otra nacion differente, que distantan de
la suya cosa de doze leguas: vsan arco, y flecha, y andan desnudos.
Prosiguese del descubrimiento del Nueuo Mexico.
[Sidenote: _Iumanos._] [Sidenote: _Rio del Norte._] La nacion hasta
donde los dicho Tobosos los guiaron se llanaua Iumanos, a quien porotro
nombre laman los Espannoles Patarabuyes: tienen vna Prouincia grande, y
de muchos pueblos con mucha gente, y las casas eran con açoteas, y de
calicanto, y los pueblos traçados por buen orden: tienen todos los
hombres y mugeres los rostros rayados, y los braços, y piernas: es gente
corpulenta, y de mas policia, que los que hasta alli auian visto, y
tenian muchos mantenimientos, y mucha caça de pie y de buelo, y gran
cantitad de pescado, a causa de tener grandes rios que vienen de hazia
el Norte, y alguno tan grande como Guadalquiuir, el qual entra en la
propria mar del Norte. [Sidenote: _Good salt._] Tiene muchas lagunas de
agur salida que se quaja cierto tiempo del anno, y se haze muy buena
sal. Es gente bellicosa, y mostraronlo luego, porque la primera noche
que los nuestros assentaron real, les flecharon, y mataron cinco
cauallos, hiriendo muy mal otros tantos, y no dexaran ninguno a vida,
sino por las guardas que los defendieron. [Sidenote: _Rio Grande. Twelve
days journey._] Hecho este mal racado, despoblaron el lugar, y se
subieron a vna sierra que estaua cerca, adonde fue luego por la mannana
el Capitan con otros cinco soldados bien armados con vn interprete
llamado Pedro, Indio de su mesma nacion, y con buenas razones los quieto
y dexo de paz, haziendolos baxar a su pueblo y casas, y persuadiendolos
a que diestien auiso asus vezinos de que no eran hombres que hazian mal
a nadie, ni les yuan a tomar sus haziendas: que lo alcanço facilmente
con su prudencia, y con darles a los Caciques algunas sartas de quentas
de vidrio que llenaua para este effeto, y sombreros, y otras ninnerias:
con este, y con el buen tratamiento que les hazian, se fueron muchos
dellos en compannia de los nuestros algunos dias, caminando siempre por
la ribera del rio grande arriba dicho, portoda la qual hauia muchos
pueblos di Indios desta nacion, que duraron por espacio de doze
jornadas, en todas las quales auisados los vnos Caciques de los otros
salian a recebir a los nuestros sin arcos, ni flechas, y les trayan
muchos mantenimientos, y otros regalos y dadiuos, en especial cueros y
camuças muy bien adereçados, y que no les excedian en esto las de
Flandes. [Sidenote: _Apalito_.] Es gente toda vestida y hallaron que
tenian alguna lumbre de nuestra sancta Fee, porque sennalauan a Dios
mirando al cielo, y le llaman en sul lengua Apalito, y le conocen por
sennor, de cuya larga mano, y misericordia confiessan auer recibido la
vida, y el ser natural, y los bienes temporales. Venian muchos dellos y
les mugeres y ninnos, a que el Religioso, que diximos que yua con el
dicho Capitan y soldados, los santiguasse, y echasse la benedicion: el
qual como les preguntasse de quien auian entendido aquel conocimiento de
Dios que tenian: respondieron, que de tres Christianos, y vn negro, que
auian passado por alli, y detenidose algunos dias en su tierra, que
segun las sennas que dieron, eran Aluar Nunnes Cabeça de Vaca, y
Dorantes, y Castillo Maldonado, y vn negro, que todos ellos auian
escapado de la armida con que entro Panfilo de Narbaez en la Florida, y
despues de auer sido muchos dias esclauos, vinieron a dar a estos
pueblos, haziendo Dios por medio dellos muchos milagros, y sanando con
el tocamento solo de sus manos muchos infermos, por lo qual dexaron gran
nombre en toda aquella tierra. Toda esta Prouincia quedo de paz, y muy
sossegada, en cuya demonstracion fueron acompannando y siruiendo a los
nuestros algunos dias por la orilla del rio que diximos arriba.
A pocas dias toparon con vna gran poblacion de Indios, adonde los
salieron a recebir por nueua que tuuieron de sus vezinos, y les sacaron
muchas cosas muy curiosas de pluma de differentes colores, y muchas
mantas de algodon barretadas de azul y blanco, como las que traen de la
China, para rescatarlas, y trocarlas por otras cosas. Yuan todos, assi
hombres como mugeres, y ninnos vestidos de camuças muy buenas y bien
adobadas, y nancapudieron los nuestros entender que nacion era por falta
de interprete que intendiesse su lengua, aunque por sennas tratauan con
ellos, à los quales como les mostrassen algunas piedras de metal rico, y
les preguntassen si hauiade aquello en su tierra: Respondieron por las
mesmas sennas que cinco dias de comino de alli hazia el Poniente, auia
de aquello en muy gran cantidad, y que ellos los guiarian para alla, y
se lo mostrarian, como lo cumplieron despues, acompannandolos por
espacio de veynte y dos leguas, todas pobladas de gente de su mesma
nacion: a quien immediatamente se seguia por el mesmo rio arriba otra de
mucha mas gente que la de la passada, de quien fueron bien recibidos, y
regalados con muchos presentes especialmente de pescado que hauia
infinito, [Sidenote: _Great lakes._] a causa de vnas lagunas grandes que
cerca de alli hauia, que lo crian en la abundancia dicha. Estuuieron
entre estos tres dias, en los quales de dia, y de noche les hizieron
muchos bayles a su modo, con particular signification de algeria: no se
supo como se llamaua esta nacion por falta de interprete, aunque
entendieron que se extendia mucho, y que era muy grande. Entre estos
hallaron vn Indio Concho de nacion, que les dixo, y sennalo, que quinze
iornadas de alli hazia el Poniente hauia vna laguna muy ancha, y cerca
della muy grandes pueblos, y casas de tres y quatro altos, y la gente
bien vestida, y la tierra de muchos bastimentos, el qual se offrecio de
lleuarlos alla, y holgaran los nuestros dello, y solo lo dexaron de
poner en effecto, pro proseguir el intento con que auian començado la
jornada, que era yr al Norte a dar socorra a los Religiosos arriba
dichos.
[Sidenote: _Rich ores._] En esta Prouincia lo que particularmente
notaron fue, que hauia muy buyen temple, y muy ricas tierras, y mucha
caça de pie y buelo, y muchos metales ricos, y otras cosas particulares,
y de prouecho.
Desta Prouincia fueron siguiendo su derrota por espacio de quinze dias,
sin topar en todos ellos ninguna gente por entre grandes pinales de
pinnas y pinnones, como los de Castilla: al cabo de los quales auiendo
caminado a su parecer ochenta leguas, toparon vna pequenna Rancheria, o
pueblo de poca gente, y en sus casas, que eran pobres, y de paja, gran
cantidad de cueros de venados tan bien adereçados como los de Flandes,
[Sidenote: _Salt._] y mucha sal blanca, y muy buena. Hizieronles muy
buen hospedaje dos dias que alli estuuieron, despues delos quales los
acompannaron como doze leguas a vnas poblaciones grandes, caminando
siempre por el rio del Norte ya dicho, hasta llegar a la tierra que
llaman el Nueuo Mexico. Estaua toda la ribera del dicho rio llena de
grandissimas alamedas de alamos blancos y en partes tomauan quatro
leguas de ancho, y ansi mesmo de muchos nogales, y parrales como los de
Castilla. Auiendo caminado dos dias por estas alamedas y noguerales,
toparon diez pueblos que estauan assentados en la ribera del dicho rio
por ambas partes, sin otros que se mostrauan mas desuiados, en los
quales les parecio auia mucha gente, y la que ellos vieron passauan en
numero de diez mil animas. En esta Prouincia los regalaron mucho con
recebimientos, y con lleuarlos a sus pueblos, don de les dauan mucha
comida, y gallinas de la tierra, y otras cosas, y todo con gran
voluntad. [Sidenote: _Houses of four stories._] Aqui hallaron casas de
quatro altos, y bien edificadas, y con galanos aposentos, y en las mas
dellas auia estufas para tiempo de inuierno. [Sidenote: _Clothing of the
Natives._] Andauan vestidos de algodon, y de cuero de venado, y el
traje, assi de los hombres, como de las mugeres, es al modo del de los
Indios del reyno de Mexico: y lo que les causo mas estranneza, fue ver
que todos ellos, y ellas andauan calçados conçapatos y botas de buen
cuero con suelas de vaca, cosa que hazta alli nunca la auian visto. Las
mugeres trayan el cabello muy peynado, y compuesto, y sin cosa sobre la
cabeça. En todos estos pueblos auia Caciques que los gouernauan como
entre los Indios Mexicanos, con Alguaziles para executar sus
mandamientos, los quales van por el pueblo, diziendo à vozes la voluntad
de los Caciques, y que la pongan por obra. [Sidenote: _Idols._] En esta
Prouincia hallaron los nuestros muchos Idolos que adorauan, y en
especial que tenian en cada casa vn templo para el Demonio, donde le
lleuan de ordinario de comer, y otra cosa, que de la manera que entre
los Christianos tenemos en los caminos cruzes: assi tienen ellos vnas
como capillas, altas, donde dizen, descansa, y se recrea el Demonio,
quando va de vn pueblo a otro: las quales estan muy adornadas y
pintadas. En todas las sementeras, o labranças, que las tienen muy
grandes, tienen a vn lado dellas vn portal con quatro pilares, donde
comen los trabajadores, y passan la siesta, porque es la gente muy dada
ala labor, y estan de ordinario en ella: es tierra de muchos montes y
pinales. [Sidenote: _Arms._] Las armas que vsan son arcos muy fueres, y
flechas con las puntas de pedernal con que passan vnta cota, y macanas,
que son vnos palos de media vara de largo, y llanos todos de pedernales
agudos, que bastan a partir por medio vn hombre, y ansi mesmo vnas como
adargas de cuero de vaca crudio.
Prosiguese del Nueuo Mexico, y de las cosas que en el se vieron.
[Sidenote: _Tiguas._] Despues de auer estado en esta Prouincia quatro
dias, y a poca distancia toparon con otra, que se llamaua la Prouincia
de los Tiguas, en la qual auia diez y seys pueblos: en el vno de los
quales, llamado por nombre Poala, hallaron que auian muerto los indios à
los dichos dos padres fray Francisco Lopez, y fray Augustin a quien yuan
a buscar, y juntamene a tres muchachos, y vn mestizo. Quando los deste
pueblo, y sus conuezinos vieron a los nuestros, remordiendo les la
propria consciencia, y temiendose que yuan a castigarlos, y tomar
vengança de las muertes de los dichos padres, no los osaron esperar,
antes dexando sus casas deseirtas se subieron a las sierras mas
cercanas, de donde nunca los pudieron hazer baxar, anunque lo procuraron
con alagos y mannas. Hallaron en los pueblos y casas muchos
mantenimientos, y gran infinidad de gallinas de la tierra, y muchas
suertes de metales, y algunos que parecian muy buenos. No se pudo
entender claramente que tanta gente fuesse la desta Prouincia, por causa
de auerse (como ya dixe) subido a la sierra.
[Sidenote: _A debate._] Auiendo hallado muertos a los que buscauan,
entraron en consulta sobre si se boluerian à la Nueua Vizcaya, de donde
hauian salido, o passarian adelante: en lo qual vno diuersos pareceres:
pero como alli entendiessen, que a la parte de Oriente de aquella
Prouincia, y muy distante de alli hauian grandes pueblos y ricos,
hallandose alli tan cerca, acordo el dicho Capitan Antonio de Espejo de
consentimiento de Religioso ya dicho, llamado fray Bernardino Beltran, y
de la mayor parte de sus soldados, y companneros, de proseguir con el
descubrimiento hasta ver en que paraua, para poder der dello noticia
cierta y clara a su Magestad, como testigos de vista: y assi conformes
determinaron que quedandose alli el Real, fuessen el Capitan con dos
companneros en demanda de su desseo, que lo pusieron por obra. Y a dos
dias de camino toparon con vna Prouincia donde vieron onze pueblos, y en
ellos mucha gente, que a su parecer passaua en numero de quarenta mil
animas: era tierra muy fertil y bastecida, cuyos confines estan
immediatamente juntas con las tierras de Cibola, donde ay muchas vacas,
de cuyos cueros se visten, y de algodon: siguiendo en la manera del
gouierno el orden que guarden sus conuezinos: ay sennales de muchas
minas ricas, y assi hallauan metales dellas en algunas casas de los
Indios, los quales tienen, y adoran Idolos: recibieronlos de paz, y
dieron les de comer. Visto esto, y la disposicion de la tierra, se
boluieron al real de donde auian salido, a dar noticia a sus companneros
de todo lo sobredicho.
[Sidenote: _Quires._] Llegados al Real (como esta dicho) tuuieron
noticia de otra Prouincia, llamada los Quires, que estaua el rio del
Norte arriba seys leguas de distancia, y como se partiessen para alla, y
llegassen vna legua della, les salieron a recebir de paz mucha cantidad
de Indios, y a rogar que se fuessen con ellos a sus pueblos, que como lo
hiziessen, fueron muy bien recebidos y regalados. Vieron solamente cinco
pueblos en esta Prouincia, en los quales auia muy gran cantidad de
gente, y la que ellos vieron passaua de quinze mil animas, y adoran
Idolos como sus vezinos. Hallaron en vno destos pueblos vna Vrraca en
vna jaula, como se vsa en Castilla, y tira soles, como los que se traen
de la China, pintados en ellos el sol y la luna, y muchas estrellas.
Donde come tomassen la altura, se hallaron en treynta y siete grados y
medio debaxo del Norte.
[Sidenote: _Cunames._] Salieron desta Prouincia, y caminando por el
proprio rumbo, y a catorze leguas, hallaron otra Prouincia, llamada los
Cunames donde vieron otros cinco pueblos, y el principal dellos,
[Sidenote: _City of Cia._] y mas grande se llamaua Cia, que era tan
grande que tenia ocho placas, cuyas casas eran encaladas, y pintadas de
colores, y mejores que las que hauian visto en las Prouincias atras:
parecioles que la gente que vieron passauan de veynte mil animas:
hizieron presente a los nuestros de muchas mantas curiosas, y de cosas
de comer muy bien guisadas, y juzgaron ser la gente mas curiosa, y de
mayor policia, de quantas hasta alli hauian visto, y de mejor gouierno:
monstraronles ricos metales, y vnas sierras alli cerca de donde de los
sacauan. Aqui tuuieron noticia de otra Prouincia, que staua hazia el
Nordueste, que se determinaron de yra ella.
[Sidenote: _Amejes._] Come vuiessen andado como seys leguas, toparon con
la dicha Prouincia, que se llamaua de los Amejes, en la qual hauia siete
pueblos muy grandes, y en ellos a su entender mas de treynta mil animas.
Vno destos siete pueblos dixeron era muy grande y hermoso, que la
dexaron de yr a ver, assi por estar de tras vna sierra, como por temor
de algun ruyn successo, si a caso se diuidian los vnos de los otros. Es
gente al modo de la Prouincia su vezina, y tan abastada como ella, y de
tan buen gouierno.
[Sidenote: _Acoma._] A quinze leguas desta Prouincia, caminando siempre
hazia el Poniente, hallaron vn pueblo grande llamado Acoma, era de mas
de seys mil animas, y estaua essentado sobre vno penna alta que tenia
mas de cinquenta estados en alto, no teniendo otra entrada sino per vna
escalera que estaua hecha en la propria penna, cosa que admiro mucho
alos nuestros: toda el agua que en el pueblo auia era de cisternas.
Vinieron los principales de paz a ver a los Espannoles, y traxeron les
muchas mantas, y camucas muy bien adere cadas, y gran cantidad de
bastimentos. Tienen sus sembrados dos leguas de alli, y sacan el agua
para regarlos de vn rio pequenno que esta cerca, en cuya ribera vieron
muy grandes rosales como los de aca de Castilla. [Sidenote: _Bellicose
Natives._] Ay muchas sierras con sennales de metales, aunque no subieron
a verlo, por ser los Indios dellas muchos, y muy bellicosos. Estuuieron
los nuestros en este lugar tres dias, en vno de los quales los naturales
les hizieron vn bayle muy solenne, saliendo a el con galannos vestidos,
y con juegos muy ingeniosos, con que holgaron en se estremo.
Veynte y quatro leguas de aqui, hazia el Poniente dieron con vna
Prouincia, que se nombra en lengua de los naturales Zuny, [Sidenote:
_Zuny or Cibola._] y la llaman los Espannoles Cibola, ay en ella gran
cantidad de Indios, en la qual estuuo Francisco Vazquez Coronado, y dexo
muchas Cruzes puestas y otras sennales de Christianidad que siempre se
estauan en pie. Hallaron ansi mesmo tres Indios, Christianos que se
auian quedado de aquella jornada, cuyos nombres eran Andres de Cuyoacan,
Gaspar de Mexico, y Antonio de Guadalajara, los quales renian casi
oluidada su misma lengua, y sabian muy bien la delos naturales, aunque a
pocas bueltas que les hablaron se entendieron facilmente. [Sidenote: _A
great lake._] De quien supieron que sesenta jornadas de alli auia vna
laguna, o lago muy grande, en cuyas riberas estauan muchos pueblos
grandes y buenos, [Sidenote: _Much gold._] y que los naturales tenian
mucho oro, de lo qual era indicion el traer todos braceletes y orejeras
dello: y que como el sobredicho Francisco Vazquez Coronado tuuiesse
noticia muy cierta dello, hauia salido desta Prouincia de Cibola para yr
alla, y auiendo andado doze jornadas le falto el agua, y se determino de
boluer, como lo hizo, con determinacion de tornar otra vez mas de
proposito a ello, que despues no lo puso an execucion, porque la muerte
le atajo los passos y pensamientos.
Prosiue del Nueuo Mexico.
[Sidenote: _Another debate._] A la nueua de la riqueza dicha, quiso a
cudir el dicho Capitan Antonio de Espejo, y aunque eran de su parecer
algunos de sus companneros, la mayor parte, y el Religioso fue de
contrario: diziendo, era ya tiempo de boluerse a la nueua Viscaya de
donde hauian salido, a dar cuenta de lo que auian visto: que lo pusieron
por obra dentro de pocos dias la mayor parte, dexando al Capitan con
nueue companneros que le quisieron seguir: el qual, despues de hauerse
certificado muy por entero de la riqueza arriba dicha, y de mucha
abundancia de metales que en ello auia muy buenos, salio con los dichos
sus companneros desta prouincia, y caminando hazia el proprio Poniente,
despues de hauer andado veinte y ocho leguas, hallaron otra muy grande
en la qual les parecio hauia mas de cinquenta mil animas, cuyos
moradores como supiessen su llegada, les embiaron vn recado, diziendo,
que si no querian que los matassen, no se acercassen mas a sus pueblos;
a lo qual respondio el dicho Capitan, que ellos no les yuan a hazer mal,
como lo verian, y que assi les rogauan no se pusiessen en lleuar
adelante su intento, dando al mensajero algunas cosas de las que
lleuaua: el qual supo tan bien obonar a los nuestros, y allanar los
pechos alborotados de los Indios, que les dieron lugar de voluntad para
que entrassen, que lo hizieron con ciento y cinquenta Indios amigos de
la prouincia de Cibola ya dicha, y los tres Indios Mexicanos, de quien
queda hecha mencion. Vna legua antes que llegassen al primer pueblo, les
salieron a recibir mas de dos mil Indios cargados de bastimentos, a
quien el dicho Capitan dio algunas cosas de poco precio, que a ellos les
parecio ser de mucho, y las estimaron masque si fueran de oro.
[Sidenote: _Zaguato or Ahuato_.] Llegando mas cerca del pueblo, que se
llamaua Zaguato, salio a recebirlos gran muche numbre de Indios, y entre
ellos los Caciques, haziendo tanta demostracion de plazer y regozijo,
que echauan mucha farina de maiz por el suelo, para que la pisassen los
cauallos: con esta fiesta entraron en el, y fueron muy bien hospedados,
y regalados, que se lo pago en parte el Capitan, con dar a todos los mas
principales sombreros, y quentas de vidrio, y otras muchas cosas que
lleuaua para semejantes offrecimientos.
Despacharon luego los dichos Caciques recados a todos los de aquella
Prouincia, dandoles noticia de la venida de los huespedes, y de como
eran hombres muy corteses, y no les hazian mal: lo qual fue bastante
para hazer los venir a todos cargados de presentes para los nuestros, y
de que los importunassen, fuessen con ellos a holgarse a sus pueblos,
que lo hizieron, aunque siempre con recado de lo que podia succeder. Por
lo qual el dicho Capitan vso de vna cautela, y fue dezir a los Caciques,
que por quanto los cauallos eran muy brauos, y les auian dicho que los
querian matar, seria necessario hazer vn fuerte de calicanto donde meter
los para euitar el danno que querian hazer en los Indios. Creyeronlo los
Caciques tan de veras que dento de pocas horas juntaron tanta gente que
hizieron el dicho fuerte que los nuestros querion con vna presteza
increyble. Demas desto, diziendo el Capitan que se queria yr, le
traxeron vn presente de 40. mil. mantas de algodon pintadas y blancas, y
mucha cantidad de pannos de manos con borlas en las puntas, y otras
muchas cosas, y entre ellas metales ricos, y que mostrauan tener mucha
plata. Halaron entre estos Indios muy gran noticia de la laguna grande
arriba dicha, y conformaron con los otros en lo tocante a las riquezas,
y mucha abundancia de oro.
Fiado el Capitan desta gente, y de sus buenos animos, a cordo a cabo de
algunos dias de dexar alli cinco de sus companneros con los demas Indios
amigos, para que se boluiessen a la prouincia de Zuny con el bagaje, y
de yrse el con los quatro que quedauan a la ligera en descubrimento de
cierta noticia que tenia de vnas minas muy ricas. [Sidenote: _The mines
discovered._] Lo qual puesto por obra se partio con las guias que
lleuaua, y como vuiesse caminado hazia el proprio Poniente quarenta y
cinco leguas, topo con las dichas minas, y saco con sus proprias manos
riquissimos metales, y de mucha plata y las minas, que eran de vna veta
muy ancha, estauan en vna sierra adonde se podia subir con facilidad, a
causa de hauer para ello camino abierto. Cerca delas auia algunos
pueblos de Indios serranos que les hizieron amistad, y los salieron a
recebir con Cruzes en las cabeças, y otras sennales de paz. [Sidenote:
_A great river._] Aqui cerca toparon dos rios razonables, a cuyas
orillas hauia muchas patras de vnas muy buenas, y grandes noguerales, y
mucho lino como lo de Castilla, y dixeron por sennas que detras de
aquellas sierras estaua vno que tenia mas de ocho leguas de ancho, pero
no se pudo entender que tan cerca, [Sidenote: _North Sea._] aunque
hizieron demonstracion que corria hazia la mar del Norte, y que en las
riberas del de vna y otra banda ay muchas pueblos tan grandes, que en su
comparacion a quellos en que est aua eran barrios.
Despues de hauer tomado toda esta relacion, se partio el dicho Capitan
para la Prouincia de Zuny, adonde hauia mendado yr a los dichos
companneros: y como llegasse a ella con salud, hauiendo ydo por muy buen
camino, hallo con ella a sus cinco companneros, y al dicho padre Fray
Bernardino con los soldados que se auian determinado de boluer, como ya
diximos, que aun no se auian partido, por ciertas ocasiones: a los
quales los naturales hauian hecho muy buen tratamiento, y dadoles todo
lo necessario muy complida mente, haziendo despues lo mesmo con el
capitan, y los que con el venian, a quien salieron a recebir con
demonstracion de alegria, y dieron muchos bastimentos para la jornada
que hauian de hazar, rogandoles que boluissen con breuedad, y traxessen
muchos Castillas (que assi llaman a los Espannoles) y que a todos les
darian de comer. Por lo qual para poderlo hazar con comodidad auian
sembrado a quel anno mas trigo y semillas, que en todos los passados.
En este tiempo se retificaron en su primera determinacion el dicho
religioso, y los soldados arriba dichos, y accordaron de boluerse a la
prouincia de donde auian salido con el designio que queda dicho, a quien
se junto Gregorio Hernandez que auia sido Alferez en la jornada:
[Sidenote: _They resolve to return._] los quales partidos, quedando el
Capitan con solos ocho soldados, se resoluio de seguir lo començado y
correr por el Rio del norte arriba, que lo puso por obra. [Sidenote:
_Hubates._] Y hauiendo caminado como sesenta leguas hazia la prouincia
de los Quires ya dicha, doze leguas de alli hazia la parte del Oriente,
hallaron vna prouincia que se llamaua los Hubates, donde los indios los
receibieron de paz, y les dieron muchos mantenimientos, y noticia de que
cerca de alli hauia vnas minas muy ricas, que las hallaron, y sacaron
dellas metales reluzientes y buenos, con los quales se boluieron al
pueblo de donde auian salido. Iuzgaron esta prouincia por de hasta
veynte y cinco mil animas, todos muy bien vestidos de mantas de algodon
pintadas, y camuças muy bien adere cadas. Tienen muchos montes de
pinales y cedros, y las casas de los pueblos son de quatro y cinco
altos. [Sidenote: _Tamos._] [Sidenote: _They return._] Aqui tuuieron
noticia que otra prouincia que estaua vna jornada de alli, que se
llamaua de los Tamos, en qui hauia mas de quarenta mil animas, donde
como llegasen no les quisieron dar de comer los moradores della, ni
admitirlos en sus pueblos: por lo qual, y por el peligro en que estauan,
y [Sidenote: _1583._] estar algunos soldados enfermos, y ser tan pocos
(como hauemos dicho) se determinaron de yrse saliendo para tierra de
Christianos, y lo pusieron en execucion a principio de Iulio del anno de
ochenta y tres, siendo guiados por vn Indio que se fue con ellos, y los
lleuo por camino differente del que a la venida hauian traydo, por vn
rio abaxo, a quien llamaron de las vacas, por auer gran muche dumbre
dellas en toda su ribera, por donde caminaron ciento y veynte leguas,
topando las ordinariamente: de aqui salieron al rio de los Conchos por
donde auian entrado, y del al Valle de Sant Bertholme de donde hauian
salido para dar principio al descubrimiento: y ya quando llegaron,
hallaron que el dicho fray Bernardino Beltran, y sus companneros auian
llegado a saluamento al dicho pueblo muchos dias hauia, y que de alli se
auian ydo a la villa de Guadiana. Hizo en este pueblo el dicho Capitan
Antonio de Espejo informacion muy cierta de todo lo arriba dicho, laqual
embio luego al Conde de Corunna Virey de aquel Reyno, y el a su
Magestad, y a los Sennores, de su Real Consejo de las Indias, para que
ordenassen lo que fuessen seruidos, que lo han ya hecho con mucho
cuydado. [Sidenote: _A pious wish._] Nuestro Sennor de situa de ayudar
este negocio, de modo que tantas almas rededimas con su sangre no se
condenen, de cuyos buenos ingenios (en que exceden alos de Mexico y
Peru, segun se antendio de los que los trataron) se puede presumir,
abraçaran con facilidad la ley Euangelica, dexando la idolatria, que
agora la mayor parte dellos tiene: quo lo haga Dios como puede para
honor y gloria suya, y augmento de la sancto fe Catholica.
A briefe relation of two notable voyages, the first made by frier
Augustin Ruyz a Franciscan, in the yeere 1581: the second by
Antonio de Espejo in the yere 1583: who together with his company
discouered a land wherein they found fifteene prouinces all full
of townes, conteining houses of foure and fiue stories high,
which they named New Mexico; for that in many respects it
resembleth the prouince of olde Mexico. This land is situate to
the North of Nueua Espanna, and stretcheth from 24 to 34 degrees
and better: by the which and by other inhabited lands it is
thought that men may trauell euen to Terra de Labrador. Taken out
of the history of China written by Frier Iuan Gonzales de
Mendoça, and printed in Madrid 1586.
I haue now declared in the title of this present discourse, that in the
yeere 1583 there were discouered fifteene prouinces, which the
discouerers called New Mexico, situate on the firme land of Nueua
Espanna, and I promised to giue notice of the sayd discouery which I
will do with as much breuity as is possible: for if I should record at
large all particulars which they saw and came to the knowledge of, it
would require a full history. The substance thereof is as followeth.
[Sidenote: The first voyage made by Frier Augustin Ruiz to the prouince
de los Tiguas.] In the yere of our Lord 1581, a certaine Franciscan
frier called Augustin Ruiz which dwelt in the valley of S. Bartholomew,
being informed by the report of certaine Indians called Conchos, which
had dealings and conuersation with other of their neighbours called
Passaguates; that toward the North, trauelling always by land, there
were certaine great townes not hitherto knowen nor discouered by our
Spanyards; moved with a zeale of charity and a desire to saue soules,
craued licence of the Conde of Corunna as then Viceroy of Nueua Espanna,
and of his superiors, to go to the sayd townes, and to indeuour to
learne their language, and hauing learned the same to baptise them and
to preach the holy Gospel vnto them. After he had obteined licence of
the parties aforesayd, taking with him other two companions of his owne
order, and eight souldiers, who of their owne good will offered to
beare him company, he departed to put in execution his Christian and
zealous intent. [Sidenote: The chiefe of these 8 soldiers was Francisco
Sanchez Xamuzeado which made a map of these prouinces, which being
intercepted is come to our hands.] Who after certeine dayes trauell came
vnto a countrey called The prouince de los Tiguas distant from the mines
of Santa Barbara, from whence they began their iourney, 250 leagues
towards the North: in which prouince the inhabitants, vpon a certaine
occasion, slew one of the sayd friers two companions. The souldiers that
went with him seeing this mishap, and perceiuing the successe, and
likewise fearing, that thereof might happen some greater danger,
determined with a common consent to return vnto the mines from whence
they departed: considering that their company was too small to resist
the dangers that might happen, being so farre distant from the dwellings
of the Spanyards, and from all necessary succour. But the two friers
which remained aliue did not onely refuse their determination, but
rather seeing fit occasion to put their good desire in execution, and so
great a haruest ripe for the Lords table, because they could not
persuade the souldiers to proceed any further in that discouery,
remained behinde in the sayd prouince with three Indian boyes and one
Mestiço whom they had carried with them; thinking that although they
remained alone, yet should they be there in securitie, by reason of the
great affability and loue which the people of that place shewed vnto
them.
The eight souldiours being returned to their wished home, immediatly
sent newes of all that had passed to the Viceroy vnto the city of
Mexico, which is distant from the sayd mines of Santa Barbara 160
leagues.
The friers of Sant Francis were much agrieued at the staying of their
brethren behinde in the countrey, and fearing least the Sauages would
kill them seeing them left alone, they began to mooue the minds of
certaine souldiers to make another voyage to the sayd prouince in the
company of another Frier of the foresayd Order called Frier Bernardin
Beltran, to deliuer the aforesayd two religious men out of danger, and
to prosecute their former enterprise.
[Sidenote: The second voyage.] At the same time there was at the
foresayd mines vpon some occasion a citizen of Mexico called Antonio de
Espejo, a rich man, and of great courage and industry, and very zealous
in the seruice of king Philip his souereigne, and was borne in Cordoua.
Who vnderstanding the desire of the foresayd friers, and the importance
of the action, offered himselfe to go on that voyage, and also to spend
part of his substance, and to aduenture his life therein; conditionally
that licence might be granted him to the same purpose from some person
sufficiently authorised by his Maiestie. Which licence at the sayd
friers procurement was granted vnto him by the gouernour Iuan de
Ontiueros the kings Alcade mayór or chiefe Iustice in the towns called
Las quatro Cienegas situate within the iurisdiction of Nueua Biscaya
seuenty leagues from the sayd mines of Santa Barbara; authorizing him
both to take in hand the sayd voyage, and also to assemble such people
and souldiers as he could, which might accompany and ayde him in the
performance of this his Christian intent.
The sayd Antonio de Espejo was so earnest in this matter, that in very
few dayes he had gathered a company of souldiers, and made prouision of
things necessary for his voyage, spending therein a good part of his
substance. And he departed with his whole company from the valley of S.
Bartholomew the tenth of Nouember 1582; taking with him (for whatsoeuer
should happen) 115 horses and mules, with great store of weapons,
munition, and victuals, and some Indians to serue him in his iourney.
Directing his course toward the North, after two dayes iourney he met
with great store of the foresayd Indians called Conchos, which dwell in
villages or hamlets of cottages couered with straw. Who, assoone as they
vnderstood of his approch, hauing newes thereof long before, came foorth
to receiue him with shewes of great ioy. The food of this people and of
all the rest of that prouince, which is great, are conies, hares, and
deere which they kill, of all which they haue great abundance. Also they
haue great store of Maiz or Indian wheat, gourds, and melons very good
and plentifull: and there are many riuers full of excellent fish of
diuers sorts. They goe almost naked, and the weapons that they vse are
bowes and arrowes, and liue vnder the gouernment and lordship of
Caçiques like those of Mexico: they found no idols among them, neither
could they vnderstand that they worshipped any thing, whereupon they
easily consented that the Spanyards should set vp crosses, and were very
well content therewith, after they were informed by our friers of the
signification thereof, which was done by the interpreters that they
caried with them; by whose meanes they vnderstood of other townes,
whither the said Conchos did conduct them, and bare them company aboue
foure and twenty leagues, all which way was inhabited with people of
their owne nation: and at all places where they came they were peaceably
receiued by aduice that was sent by the Caçiques from one towne to
another.
Hauing passed the foure and twenty leagues aforesayd, they came vnto
another nation of Indians called Passaguates, who liue after the maner
of the foresayd Conchos their borderers, and did vnto them as the others
had done, conducting them forward other foure dayes iourney, with aduice
of the Caciques as before. [Sidenote: Very great and rich siluer mines.]
The Spanyards found in this iourney many mines of siluer, which
according to the iudgement of skilfull men, were very plentifull and
rich in metall.
A dayes iourney from thence they met with another nation called Tobosos,
who so soone as they beheld the countenance of our people fledde vnto
the mountaines, leauing their townes and houses desolate. Afterward wee
vnderstood that certeine yeeres past there came vnto that place certaine
souldiers to seeke mines, who caried away captiue certaine of the people
of the countrey, which caused the rest of them to be so shey and
fearefull. The captaine sent messengers to call them backe againe,
assuring them that they should not sustaine any harme, and handled the
matter so discreetly, that many of them returned, whom he made much of,
and gaue them gifts, vsing them kindly, and declaring vnto them by the
interpreter, that their comming was not to hurt any man: whereupon they
were all quieted, and were content that they should set vp crosses, and
declare the mystery of the same, making shew that they were highly
pleased therewith. For proofe whereof they accompanied them on their
voyage, as their neighbours had done, vntill they had brought them to a
countrey inhabited by another nation, which was distant from theirs some
12 leagues. They vse bowes and arrowes and go naked.
[Sidenote: Iumanos or Patarabueyes.] The nation vnto which the sayd
Tobosos conducted them, is called Iumanos, whom the Spanyards by another
name call Patarabueyes: their prouince is very great, conteining many
townes and great store of people: their houses are flat roofed, and
built of lime and stone, and the streets of their townes are placed in
good order. All the men and women haue their faces, armes and legges
raced and pounced: they are a people of great stature, and of better
gouernment, then the rest which they had seene in their former iourneys:
and are well prouided of victuals, and furnished with plenty of wilde
beasts, fowles and fishes, [Sidenote: Rio turbioso del Norte.] by reason
of mighty riuers from the North, whereof one is as great as
Guadalquiuir, which falleth into the North sea or bay of Mexico. Here
also are many lakes of salt water, which at a certeine time of the yere
waxeth hard, and becommeth very good salt. They are a warlike people,
and soone made shew thereof: for the first night that our people
incamped there, with their arrowes they slew fiue horses, and wounded
fiue other very sore, nor would not haue left one of them aliue, if they
had not beene defended by our guard. [Sidenote: Rio del Norte.] Hauing
done this mischiefe, they abandoned the towne, and withdrew themselues
to a mountaine which was hard by, whither our captaine went betimes in
the morning, taking with him fiue souldiers well armed, and an
interpreter called Peter an Indian of their owne nation, and with good
persuasions appeased them, causing them to descend to their towne and
houses, and persuading them to giue aduice vnto their neighbours, that
they were men that would hurt no body, neither came they thither to take
away their goods: which he obtained easily by his wisedome, and by
giuing vnto the Caciques certeine bracelets of glasse beads, with hats
and other trifles, which he caried with him for the same purpose; so by
this meanes, and by the good interteinment which they gaue them, many of
them accompanied our Spanyards for certeine dayes, alwayes trauelling
along the banke of the great riuer abouesayd; along the which there were
many townes of the Indians of this nation, which continued for the space
of twelue dayes trauel, all which time the Caciques having receiued
aduice from one to another, came forth to interteine our people without
their bowes and arrowes, and brought them plenty of victuals, with other
presents and gifts, especially hides and chamois-skins wery well
dressed, so that those of Flanders do nothing exceed them. These people
are all clothed, and seemed to haue some light of our holy faith: for
they made signes to God, looking vp towards heauen, and call him in
their language Apalito, and acknowledge him for their Lord, from whose
bountifull hand and mercy they confesse that they haue receiued their
life and being, and these worldly goods. Many of them with their wiues
and children came vnto the frier (which the captaine and souldiers
brought with them) that hee might crosse and blesse them. [Sidenote:
Pamphilo de Naruaez entred into Florida 1527.] Who demanding of them,
from whom they had receiued that knowledge of God, they answered, from
three Christians and one Negro which passed that way, and remained
certaine dayes among them, who by the signes which they made, were
Aluaro Nunnez, Cabeca de Vaca, and Dorantes, and Castillo Maldonado, and
a Negro; all which escaped of the company which Pamphilo de Naruaez
landed in Florida; who after they had bene many dayes captiues and
slaues, escaped and came to these townes, by whom God shewed many
miracles, and healed onely by the touching of their hands many sicke
persons, by reason wherof they became very famous in all that countrey.
[Sidenote: Rio del Norte. Another prouince.] All this prouince remained
in great peace and security; in token wherof, they accompanied and
serued our men certaine dayes, trauelling along by the great riuer
aforesayd.
Within few days after they came vnto another great prouince of Indians,
from whence they came forth to receiue them, vpon the newes which they
had heard of their neighbors, and brought them many curious things made
of feathers of diuers colours, and many mantles of cotton straked with
blew and white, like those that are brought from China, to barter and
trucke them for other things. All of them both men, women and children
were clad in chamois skinnes very good and wel dressed. [Sidenote: Very
great quantity of siluer.] Our people could neuer vnderstand what nation
they were for lacke of an interpreter: howbeit they dealt with them by
signes; and hauing shewed vnto them certaine stones of rich metall, and
inquired whether there were any such in their countrey: they answered by
the same signes, that fiue dayes iourney Westward from thence there was
great quantity therof, and that they would conduct them thither, and
shew it vnto them; as afterward they performed their promise, and bare
them company 22 leagues, which was all inhabited by people of the same
nation.
Next vnto the foresayd prouince they came vnto another further vp the
great riuer aforesayd, being much more populous then the former, of whom
they were well receiued, and welcomed with many presents, especially of
fish, whereof they haue exceeding great store, by reason of certaine
great lakes not far from thence, wherein they are bred in foresayd
plenty. They stayed among these people three days; all which time both
day and night they made before them many dances, according to their
fashion, with signification of speciall ioy. They could not learne the
name of this nation for want of an interpreter, yet they vnderstood that
it extended very farre, and was very great. Among these people they
found an Indian of the foresayd nation of the Conchos, who told them,
and shewed them by signes, that fifteene dayes iourney from thence
toward the West there was a very broad lake, and nere vnto it very great
townes, and in them houses of three or foure stories high, and that the
people were well apparelled, and the countrey full of victuals and
prouision. This Concho offered himselfe to conduct our men thither;
whereat our company reioyced, but left off the enterprise, onely to
accomplish their intent for which they vndertook the voyage, which was
to go Northward to giue ayd vnto the two friers aforesayd. The chiefe
and principall thing that they noted in this prouince was, that it was
of very good temperature, and a very rich soile, and had great store of
wilde beasts, and wild fowle, and abundance of rich metals, and other
excellent things, and very profitable.
From this prouince they folowed their iourney for the space of fifteene
dayes without meeting any people all that while, passing thorow great
woods and groues of pine trees bearing such fruit as those of Castile:
at the end whereof, having trauelled, to their iudgement, fourescore
leagues, they came vnto a small hamlet or village of fewe people, in
whose poore cottages couered with straw they found many deeres-skinnes
as well dressed as those of Flanders, with great store of excellent
white salt. They gave our men good entertainment for the space of two
dayes while they remained there, after which they bare them company
about twelue leagues, vnto certaine great townes, alwayes travelling by
the riuer called Rio del Norte abouesayd, till such time as they came
vnto the countrey called by them New Mexico. Here all along the shore of
the sayd riuer grew mighty woods of poplar being in some places foure
leagues broad, and great store of walnut trees, and vines like those of
Castillia.
Hauing trauelled two dayes thorow the said woods of Poplar and Walnut
trees, they came to ten townes situate on both sides of the sayd riuer,
besides others which they might see further out of the way, wherein they
seemed to be great store of people, and those which they saw were aboue
ten thousand persons. In this prouince they received them very
courteously, and brought them to their townes, whereas they gaue them
plenty of victuals and hennes of the countrey, with many other things,
and that with great good will. Here they found houses of foure stories
high, very well built, with gallant lodgings, and in most of them were
Stooues for the Winter season. Their garments were of Cotton and of
deere-skinnes, and the attire both of the men and women is after the
maner of the Indians of the kingdome of Mexico. But the strangest thing
of all was to see both men and women weare shooes and boots with good
soles of neats leather, a thing which they never sawe in any other part
of the Indies. The women keepe their haire well combed and dressed,
wearing nothing els vpon their heads. In all these townes they had
Caciques, which gouerned their people like the Caciques of Mexico, with
Sergeants to execute their commandments, who goe thorow the townes
proclaiming with a loud voice the pleasure of the Caciques, commanding
the same to be put in execution. In this prouince our men found many
idols which they worshipped, and particularly they had in euery house an
Oratory for the diuell, whereinto they ordinarily cary him meat: and
another thing they found, that as it is an vse among the Christians to
erect crosses vpon the high wayes, so haue this people certain high
chapels, in which they say the diuell vseth to take his ease, and to
recreat himselfe as he trauelleth from one towne to another; which
chapels are maruellously well trimmed and painted. In all their arable
grounds, wherof they haue great plenty, they erect on the one side a
little cottage or shed standing vpon foure studdes, vnder which the
labourers do eat, and passe away the heat of the day, for they are a
people much giuen to labour, and doe continually occupy themselues
therein. [Sidenote: These high mountains are a cause of the coldness of
the countrey.] This countrey is full of mountaines and forrests of Pine
trees. The weapons that they vse are strong bowes and arrowes headed
with flints, which will pierce thorow a coat of male, and macanas which
are clubs of halfe a yard long, so beset with sharpe flints, that they
are sufficient to cleaue a man asunder in the midst: they vse also a
kinde of targets made of raw hides.
Hauing remained foure dayes in this prouince, not farre off they came to
another called The prouince of Tiguas conteining sixteene townes, in
one wherof, called Poala, they vnderstood that the inhabitants had
slaine the two fathers aforesayd, to wit, frier Francis Lopez, and frier
Augustus Ruyz whom they went to seeke, together with the three Indian
boyes, and the mestiço. So soone as the people of this towne and their
neighbours saw our men there, their own consciences accusing them, and
fearing that our men came to punish them, and to be auenged of the death
of the foresaid fathers, they durst not abide their comming, but leauing
their houses desolate they fled to the mountaines next adioyning, from
whence they could neuer cause them to descend, although our men
attempted the same by diuers deuises and entisements. They found in the
townes and houses good store of victuals, with infinite number of hennes
in the countrey, and many sorts of metals, wherof some seemed to be very
good. They could not perfectly vnderstand what numbers of people this
prouince might conteine, by reason they were fled into the mountains, as
I haue said before.
Hauing found those to be slaine which they went to seeke, they entred
into consultation, whether they should returne to Nueua Biscaya, from
whence they came, or should proceed further in their iourney; whereabout
there were diuers opinions: howbeit, vnderstanding there, that toward
the Orient or East parts of that prouince, [Sidenote: This draweth
toward Virginia.] and very far distant from thence, there were great and
rich townes: and finding themselues so far on the way, the sayd captaine
Antonio de Espeio with the consent of the foresaid frier called Frier
Bernardine Beltron, and the greater part of his souldiers and companions
determined to proceed on the discouery, till such time as they did see
to what end it would come; to the end they might giue certeine and
perfect knowledge thereof to his Maiesty, as eye-witnesses of the same.
And so with one accord they determined, that while the army lay still
there, the captaine and two more of his company should prosecute their
desire, which they did accordingly. And within two dayes iourney they
came vnto another prouince, where they found eleuen townes, and much
people in them; which in their iudgement were aboue forty thousand
persons. The country was very fertile and plentifull, whose confines
bordered vpon the territories of Cibola, where there are great store of
kine, with whose hides and with cotton they apparell themselues,
imitating in the forme of their gouernment their next neighbours. In
this place are signes of very rich mines, some quantity of the metals
whereof they found in the houses of the Indians; which Indians haue and
doe worship idols. They receiued our men peaceably, and gaue them
victuals. Hauing seene this much, and the disposition of the countrey,
they returned to the campe, from whence they departed, to informe their
companions of the things aboue mentioned.
Being returned to the campe they had intelligence of another prouince
called Los Quires, [Sidenote: Quires bordering vpon Rio del Norte.]
which stood sixe leagues higher vp the riuer called Rio del Norte. And
in their iourney thitherward, being arriued within a league of the
place, there came forth very many Indians to receiue them in peace,
requesting them to beare them company to their townes: which they did,
and were maruellous well interteined and cherished. In this prouince
they found fiue townes only. Wherein were great store of people, and
those which they saw were aboue 14000 soules, who worship idols as their
neighbours do. In one of these townes they found a pie in a cage after
the maner of Castile, and certaine shadowes or canopies like vnto those
which are brought from China, wherein were painted the Sunne, the Moone,
and many Starres. Where hauing taken the height of the pole-starre, they
found themselues to be in 37 degrees and 1/2 of Northerly latitude.
[Sidenote: Cunames, or Punames. Cia a great city.] They departed out of
this prouince, and keeping still the same Northerly course, fourteene
leagues from thence they found another prouince called The Cunames,
where they saw other fiue townes, the greatest whereof was called Cia,
being so large, that it conteined eight market-places, the houses
whereof being plaistered and painted with diuers colours, were better
then any which they had seene in the prouinces before mentioned: the
people which they heere saw, they esteemed to be aboue twenty thousand
persons. They presented to our men many curious mantles, and victuals
excellently well dressed; so that our men deemed this nation to be more
curious, and of greater ciuility, and better gouernment, then any other
that hitherto they had seene. They shewed them rich metals, and the
mountaines also not farre off whereout they digged them. Heere our
people heard of another prouince standing toward the Northwest,
wherevnto they purposed to goe.
[Sidenote: Ameies, or Emexes.] Hauing trauelled about sixe leagues, they
came to the sayd prouince, the people whereof were called Ameies,
wherin were seuen very great townes, conteining, to their iudgement,
aboue thirty thousand soules. They reported that one of the seuen townes
was very great and faire, which our men would not go to see, both
because it stood behinde a mountaine, and also for feare of some
mishappe, if in case they should be separated one from another. This
people are like vnto their neighbours of the former prouince, being as
well prouided of all necessaries as they, and of as good gouernment.
[Sidenote: Acoma or Acoman a towne conteining aboue 6000 persons.] About
fifteene leagues from this prouince, trauelling alwayes toward the West,
they found a great towne called Acoma, conteining aboue sixe thousand
persons, and situate vpon an high rocke which was aboue fifty paces hie,
hauing no other entrance but by a ladder or paire of staires hewen into
the same rocke, whereat our people maruelled not a little: all the water
of this towne was kept in cisternes. The chiefe men of this towne came
peaceably to visit the Spanyards, bringing them many mantles and
chamois-skinnes excellently dressed, and great plenty of victuals. Their
corne-fields are two leagues from thence, and they fetch water out of a
small riuer nere thereunto, to water the same, on the brinks whereof
they saw many great banks of Roses like those of Castile. Here are many
mountaines that beare shewes of mettals, but they went not to see them,
because the Indians dwelling vpon them are many in number, and very
warlike. Our men remained in this place three dayes, vpon one of the
which the inhabitants made before them a very solemne dance, comming
foorth in the same with gallant apparell, vsing very witty sports,
wherewith our men were exceedingly delighted.
[Sidenote: Zuny or Sunne.] Twenty foure leagues from hence toward the
West, they came to a certaine prouince called by the inhabitants
themselues Zuny, and by the Spanyards Cibola, containing great numbers
of Indians; [Sidenote: Vasquez de Coronado was here 1540 and 1541.] in
which prouince Francisco Vasquez de Coronado had bene, and had erected
many crosses and other tokens of Christianity, which remained as yet
standing. Heere also they found three Indian Christians which had
remained there euer since the said iourny, whose names were Andrew de
Culiacan, Gaspar de Mexico, and Antonio de Guadalajara, who had almost
forgotten their owne language, but could speake that countrey speech
very well; howbeit after some small conference with our men, they easily
vnderstood one another. [Sidenote: A mighty lake 60 daies iourney from
Cibola.] By these three Indians they were informed, that threescore
dayes iourney from this place there was a very mighty lake, vpon the
bankes whereof stood many great and good townes, and that the
inhabitants of the same had plenty of golde, an euident argument wherof
was their wearing of golden bracelets and earrings: and also that after
the sayd Francis Vasquez de Coronado had perfect intelligence thereof,
hee departed out of this prouince of Cibola to goe thither, and that
hauing proceeded twelue dayes iourney, he began to want water; and
thereupon determined to returne, as he did indeed, with intention to
make a second voyage thither at his better opportunity; which afterward
he performed not, being preuented of his determined iourney by death.
[Sidenote: Another mightie prouince Westward of Cibola 28. leagues,
called Mohotze.] Vpon the newes of these riches the sayd Captaine Antony
de Espeio was desirous to go thither; and though some of his companions
were of his opinion, yet the greater part and the frier were of the
contrary, saying that it was now high time to returne home to New Biscay
from whence they came, to giue account of that which they seene: which
the sayd greater part within few dayes put in execution, leauing the
captaine with nine companions onely that willingly followed him: who
after hee had fully certified himselfe of the riches abouesayd, and of
the great quantity of excellent mettals that were about that lake,
departed out of this prouince of Cibola with his companions; and
travelling directly toward the West, after hee had passed 28 leagues, he
found another very great prouince, which by estimation contained aboue
5000 soules: the inhabitants whereof assoone as they vnderstood of their
approch, sent them word, vpon paine of death to come no neerer to their
townes: whereto the captaine answered, that their comming was in no wise
to hurt them, as they should well perceiue, and therefore requested them
not to molest him in his intended voyage, and withall gaue to the
messenger a reward of such things as they brought with them: who
thereupon made so good report of our people, and so appeased the
troubled minds of the Indians, that they granted them free accesse vnto
their townes, and so they went thither with 15. Indians their friends of
the prouince of Cibola aforesaid, and the three Mexican Indians before
mentioned. When they were come within a league of the first towne, there
came forth to meete them aboue 2000. Indians laden with victuals, whom
the Captaine rewarded with some things of small value, which they made
great accompt of, and esteemed more precious than gold. [Sidenote:
Zaguato, or Ahuxto a towne.] As they approched neere vnto the towne
which was named Zaguato, a great multitude of Indians came forth to
meete them, and among the rest their Caçiques, with so great
demonstration of ioy and gladnes, that they cast much meale of Maiz
vpon the ground for the horses to tread vpon: with this triumph they
entred the towne, where they were very wel lodged and much made of,
which the Captaine did in part requite, giuing to the chiefest among
them hats, and beads of glasse, with many such trifles, which he caried
with him for the like purpose. The said Caciques presently gaue notice
to the whole prouince of the arriual of these new guests, whom they
reported to bee a courteous people, and such as offered them no harme:
which was occasion sufficient to make them all come laden with presents
vnto our people, and to intreat them to goe and make merry with them in
their townes; which they yeelded vnto, though always with great
foresight what might follow. [Sidenote: A witty policie to be vsed by
the English in like cases.] Whereupon the Captaine vsed a certaine
policie, making the Caciques beleeue, that forasmuch as his horses were
very fierce (for they had told the Indians that they would kill them)
therefore it was necessary to make a Fort of lime and stone to inclose
them, for the auoyding of such inconueniences as otherwise might happen
vnto the Indians by them. This tale was so steadfastly beleeued by the
Caciques, that in fiue houres they assembled such store of people
together, that with incredible celeritie they built the said Fort which
our men required.
Moreouer, when the Captaine saide that he would depart, they brought
vnto him a present of 40000. mantles of cotton, both white and other
colours, and great store of hand towels, with tassels at the corners,
with diuers other things, and among the rest rich mettals, which seemed
to holde much siluer. Among these Indians they learned very much
concerning The great Lake aforesaide, whose report agreed wholly with
relation of the former, as touching the riches and great abundance of
gold about that lake.
The Captaine reposing great confidence in this people and in their good
disposition toward him determined after certaine dayes, to leaue there
fiue of his companions with the rest of his Indian friends, that they
might returne with his cariages to the prouince of Zuni, while himselfe
with the foure other which remained should ride in post to discouer
certaine very rich Mines, whereof he had perfect information. And
putting this purpose in execution he departed with his guides, and
hauing traueiled due-west 45. leagues he came vnto the said Mines, and
tooke out of the same with his owne hands exceeding rich metals holding
great quantitie of siluer: and the mines which were of a very broad
veine were in a mountaine whereon they might easily ascend, by reason of
an open way that led vp to the same. Neere vnto these mines were
certaine townes of Indians dwelling upon the mountaine whereon they
might easily ascend, by reason of an open way that led vp to the same.
Neere vnto these mines were certaine townes of Indians dwelling vpon the
mountaines, who shewed them friendship, and came forth to receiue them
with crosses on their heads, and other tokens of peace. Hereabout they
found two riuers of a reasonable bignesse, vpon the banks whereof grew
many vines bearing excellent grapes, and great groues of walnut trees,
and much flaxe like that of Castile: and they shewed our men by signes,
that behinde those mountaines there was a riuer about 8. leagues broad,
[Sidenote: Perhaps this Riuer may fall into the Chesepiouk bay, or into
the great lake of Tadoac.] but they could not learne how neere it was:
howbeit the Indians made demonstration that it ran towards the North
sea, and that vpon both sides thereof stood many townes of so great
bignesse, that in comparison thereof those wherein they dwelt were but
small hamlets.
After he had receiued all this information, the said Captaine returned
toward the prouince of Zuni, whither he had sent his said companions:
and being arrived there in safety, hauing trauailed vpon a very good
way, he found in the same place his 5. companions, and the said father
Frier Bernardin Beltran, with the souldiers which were determined to
returne, as is aforesaid, but vpon certaine occasions were not as yet
departed: whom the inhabitants had most friendly treated, and furnished
with all things necessary in abundance as afterward likewise they vsed
the Captaine, and those that came with him, comming foorth to meete them
with shew of great ioy, and giuing them great store of victuals to serue
them in their iourney homewards, and requesting them to returne againe
with speed, and to bring many Castilians with them (for so they call the
Spaniards) to whom they promised food sufficient. For the better
performance wherof they sowed that yeere more graine and other fruits,
then they had done at any time before.
At this present the Frier and souldiers aforesaid resolued themselues in
their former determination, and agreed to returne vnto the prouince from
whence they came with intention before mentioned, to seeke the two
Friers that were slaine, to whom also Gregorio Hermandez who had bene
standard-bearer in the iourney, ioyned himselfe. Who being departed, the
Captaine accompanied onely with 8. souldiers, determined to prosecute
his former attempt, and to passe vp higher the saide riuer called Rio
del Norte, which he did accordingly. And hauing traueiled about 60.
leagues toward the prouince of the Quires aforesaid, 12 leagues from
thence toward the Orient or East they found a prouince of Indians called
Hubates, who receiued them peaceably, and gaue them great store of
victuals, informing them also of very rich Mines which they found
whereout they got glistening and good metal, and therewith returned to
the towne from whence they came. This prouince contained by their
estimation 25000. persons all very well apparelled in coloured mantles
of cotton, and Chamois-skins very well dressed. They haue many
mountaines full of Pines and Cedars, and the houses of their townes are
of 4. and 5. stories high. [Sidenote: Their returne.] Here they had
notice of another prouince distant about one dayes iourney from thence
inhabited by certaine Indians called Tamos, and containing aboue 40000
soules: whither being come the inhabitants would neither giue them any
victuals, nor admit them into their townes: for which cause, and in
regard of the danger wherein they were, and because some of the
souldiers were not well at ease, and for that they were so fewe (as we
haue said) they determined to departe thence, and to returne toward the
land of the Christians, which they put in execution in the beginning of
Iuly 1583, being guided by an Indian that went with them, who led them
another way then they went forth by, downe a riuer, which they called
Rio de las vacas; that is to say, The riuer of oxen, in respect of the
great multitudes of oxen or kine that fed vpon the bankes therof, by the
which they traueiled for the space of 120. leagues, still meeting with
store of the said cattell. From hence they went forward to the riuer of
Conchos by which they entered, and thence to the valley of S.
Bartholomew, from whence they first entered into their discouerie. Vpon
their coming thither they found that the said Frier Bernardin Beltran
and his company were safely arriued at the said towne many dayes before,
and were gone from thence to the towne of Guadiana. In this towne the
foresaid captaine Anthony de Espeio made most certaine relation of all
that is aforesaid, which relation presently hee sent vnto the Conde of
Corunna Vizroy of Nueua Espanna, who sent the same to his Maiestie, and
the Lords of his royal counsel in the Indies, to the end they might take
such order as they thought best, which they haue already performed with
great care and circumspection.
Almighty God vouchsafe his assistance in this busines, that such numbers
of soules redeemed by his blood may not vtterly perish, of whose good
capacitie, wherein they exceed those of Mexico and Peru (as we be giuen
to vnderstand by those that haue delt with them) we may boldly presume
that they will easily embrace the Gospel, and abandon such idolatrie as
now the most of them doe liue in: which Almightie God graunt for his
honour, and glory, and for the increase of the holy Catholique faith.
A letter of Bartholomew Cano from Mexico the 30. of May 1590. to
Francis Hernandes of Siuil, concerning the speedy building of two
strong Forts in S. Iohn de Vllua, and in Vera Cruz, as also
touching a notable new and rich discouery of Cibola or New Mexico
400. leagues Northwest of Mexico.
It may please you Sir, to be aduertised that I haue receiued your
letters, whereby I vnderstand that our ship with the treasure is safely
arriued, God be praised therefore. The frigate arriued here in safetie
which brought the letters of Aduise from the King to the Viceroy. She
arriued in S. Iohn de Vllua the 29. of May, and departed from S. Lucar
in Spaine the 6. of April. By which his Maiestie writeth vnto the
Viceroy, what time the Fleete shall depart from hence, and what course
they shall take, not as they had wont for to do: by reason that there
are great store of men of war abroad at the sea, which mean to encounter
with the Fleete. I pray God sende them well to Spaine: for here wee
were troubled very sore with men of warre on this coast. His Maiestie
hath sent expresse commandement vnto the Marques of Villa Manrique his
cosen, Viceroy of Noua Hispania, that immediatly vpon sight of his
letters he shall command to be builded in S. Iohn de Vulla, and in Vera
Cruz two strong Forts for the defence of these countries, of his
Maiesties charges: And that there shalbe garisons in both the Forts for
the defence of the ships which ride there, and for the strength of the
countrey.
[Sidenote: 500. Spaniards sent to conquer the great citie of Cibola
which is 400. leagues from Mexico Northwestward.] There are departed
out of Mexico and other townes hereabout by the commaundement of the
Viceroy 500. souldiers Spaniards, vnder the conduct of Rodrigo del Rio
the gouernour of Nueua Biscaia which are gone to win a great City called
Cibola, which is 400. leagues beyond Mexico to the Northwest, and
standeth vp in the maine land. It is by report a very great citie, as
bigge as Mexico, and a very rich countrey both of golde Mines and siluer
Mines: and the King of the countrey is a mighty King, and he will not
become subiect to his Maiestie. There were certaine Spaniards sent to
that king from the Viceroy in an ambassage: It is thought that they are
slaine, for we can here no newes of them.
The other newes that I can certifie you of at this instant is, that
there is a Iudge of the city of Guadalajara called don Nunno de villa
Inscensia lately maried. Also the kings Atturney of Guadalajara maried
his daughter of 8. yeres old with a boy of 12. yeres old. But the
Viceroy saith that he hath a warrant from his Maiestie, that if any
Iudge whatsoeuer dwelling in that kingdome of Guadalajara should mary
any sonne in that iurisdiction, that then the said Viceroy is to depriue
him of his office. And therefore he went about to depriue the Iudge and
the kings Attourney of their offices. [Sidenote: A dangerous rebellion
in Guadalajara a prouince of Noua Hispania.] Whereupon the people of
that prouince would not thereunto consent, nor suffer them to be
dismissed of their offices, nor to be arrested, nor caried prisoners to
Mexico. When the viceroy had intelligence thereof, and that the Countrey
did resist his commandement, and would not suffer them to be
apprehended, he sent certaine Captaines with souldiers to goe and
apprehend the Iudge, the kings Attourney, and as many as did take their
parts. So the citizens of Guadalajara withstood the viceroies forces,
and put themselues in defence; and are up in armes against the viceroy:
yet they do not rebel against the king, but say: God saue king Philip,
and will submit themselues to his Maiestie, but not to the viceroy. So
that all the kingdome of Guadalajara is vp in armes, and are all in a
mutinie against vs of Mexico. I beseech Almighty God to remedy it, and
that it may be qualified in time: or else all Noua Spania will be
vtterly spoiled. I write this thing, because it is publiquely knowen in
all places. And thus I rest, from Mexico the 30. of May 1590.
Bartholomew Cano.
The relation of Francis Vasquez de Coronado, Captaine general of
the people which were sent in the name of the Emperours maiestie
to the Countrey of Cibola newly discouered, which he sent to Don
Antonio de Mendoça Viceroy of Mexico, of such things as happened
in his voyage from 22. of Aprill in the yeere 1540. which
departed from Culiacan forward, and of such things as hee found
in the Countrey which he passed.
Chap. 1.
Francis Vasquez departeth with his armie from Culiacan, and after
diuers troubles in his voyage, arriueth at the valley of the
people called Los Caracones, which he findeth barren of Maiz: for
obtaining whereof hee sendeth to the valley called The valley of
the Lord: he is informed of the greatnesse of the valley of the
people called Caracones, and of the nature of those people, and of
certaine Islands lying along that coast.
The 22. of the moneth of Aprill last past I departed from the prouince
of Culiacan with part of the army, and in such order as I mentioned vnto
your Lordship, and according to the successe I assured my selfe, by all
likelihood that I shall not bring all mine armie together in this
enterprise: because the troubles haue bene so great and the want of
victuals, that I thinke all this yeere wil not be sufficient to performe
this enterprise, and if it should bee performed in so short a time, it
would be to the great losse of our people. [Sidenote: This was but 200.
leagues from Mexico.] For as I wrote vnto your Lordship, I was
fourescore dayes in trauailing to Culiacan, in all which time I and
three Gentlemen my companions which were horsemen, carried on our backs,
and on our horses, a little victuall, so that from henceforward wee
carried none other needefull apparell with vs, that was aboue a pound
weight: and all this notwithstanding and though wee put our selues to
such a small proportion of victuals which wee carried, for all the order
that possibly wee could take, wee were driuen to our ships. And no
maruayle, because the way is rough and long: and with the carriage of
our Harquebuses downe the mountaine and hilles, and in the passage of
Riuers, the greater part of our corne was spoyled. And because I send
your Lordship our voyage drawen in a Mappe, I will speake no more
thereof in this my letter.
[Sidenote: Frier Marcus of Niza.] Thirtie leagues before wee arriued at
the place which the father prouinciall tolde vs so well of in his
relation, I sent Melchior Diaz before with fifteene horses, giuing him
order to make but one dayes iourney of two, because hee might examine
all things, against mine arriuall: who trauiled foure dayes iourney
through exceeding rough Mountaines where hee found neither victuals, nor
people nor information of any things, sauing that hee found two or three
poore little villages, containing 20. or 30. cottages a piece, and by
the inhabitants thereof hee vnderstoode that from thence forward there
were nothing but exceeding rough mountaines which ran very farre,
vtterly disinhabited and voyd of people. And because it was labour lost,
I would not write vnto your Lordship thereof.
It grieued the whole company, that a thing so highly commended, and
whereof the father had made so great bragges, should be found so
contrary, and it made them suspect that all the rest would fall out in
like sort. Which when I perceiued I sought to encourage them the best I
coulde, telling them that your Lordshippe alwayes was of opinion, that
this voyage was a thing cast away, and that we should fixe our
cogitation vpon those seuen Cities, and other prouinces, whereof wee had
knowledge: that there should bee the ende of our enterprise: and with
this resolution and purpose wee all marched cheerefully through a very
badde way which was not passible but one by one, or else wee must force
out with Pioners the path which wee founde, wherewith the Souldiours
were not a little offended, finding all that the Frier had sayde to bee
quite contrary: for among other things which the father sayde and
affirmed, this was one, that the way was plaine and good, and that there
was but one small hill of halfe a league in length. And yet in trueth
there are mountaines which although the way were well mended could not
bee passed without great danger of breaking the horses neckes: and the
way was such, that of the cattel which your Lordship sent vs for the
prouision of our armie wee lost a great part in the voyage through the
roughnesse of the rockes. The lambes and sheepe lost their hoofes in the
way: and of those which I brought from Culiacan, I left the greater part
at the Riuer of Lachimi, because they could not keepe company with vs,
and because they might come softly after vs, foure men on horsebacke
remained with them which are nowe come vnto vs, and haue brought vs not
past foure and twentie lambes, and foure sheepe, for all the rest were
dead with trauailing through that rough passage, although they trauailed
but two leagues a day, and rested themselues euery day.