At the point of the Trinitie they spend three dayes in fishing, and

in other pastimes: after which setting sayle they discouer

pleasant countries, and mountaines voide of grasse, and an Iland

afterward called Isla de los Cedros, or the Ile of Cedars, neere

which they suffer sharpe colde and raine, and to saue themselues

they returne thither.

Immediatly we set saile to ioyne with the ship Santa Agueda, which was

aboue halfe a league in the high sea from vs, and this was on the

Wednesday the seuenteenth of December. Being come together because the

windes were contrary, we drew neere to a headland, which wee called

Punta de la Trinidad, and here wee stayed fishing, and solacing our

selues two or three dayes, although we had alwayes great store of raine.

Afterward we beganne to sayle very slowly, and at night we rode ouer

against those mountaines where we had left our ankers, and vpon

knowledge of the place we receiued great contentment seeing we had

sailed some fiue and thirtie leagues from the place where we had taken

in water: neither was it any maruell that wee so reioyced, because that

the feare which we had of contrary windes caused vs to be so well appayd

of the way which we had made. The day of the holy Natiuitie of our Lord,

which was on the Thursday the fiue and twentieth of the said moneth, God

of his mercy beganne to shew vs fauour in giuing vs a fresh winde almost

in the poope, which carried vs beyond those mountaines, for the space of

tenne or twelue leagues, finding the coast alwayes plaine: and two

leagues within the land, which we coasted along, and betweene these

mountaines, there was a great space of plaine ground, which we might

easily discerne with our eyes, although others were of another opinion.

We beganne from Christmas day to saile slowly with certaine small

land-windes, and sayled from morning to night and about seuen or eight

leagues, which wee esteemed no small matter, alwayes praying to God to

continue this his fauour toward vs, and thanking him for his holy

Natiuitie, and all the dayes of this feast the Frier sayd masse in the

Admirall, and the father Frier Raimund preached vnto vs, which gaue vs

no small comfort, by incouraging vs in the seruice of God.

On Saturday at night being the 27. of the said moneth we ankored neere

vnto a point which seemed to be plaine land all along the shore, and

within the countrey were high mountaines with certaine woods, which

woods and mountaines ranne ouerthwart the countrey, and continued along

with certaine small hilles sharpe on the toppe, and certaine little

vallies are betweene those mountaines. [Sidenote: Great appearance of

gold and siluer.] And in truth, to me which with diligent eyes beheld

the same both in length and in the breadth thereof, it could not chuse

but be a good countrey, and to haue great matters in it, as well

touching the inhabiting thereof by the Indians, as in golde and siluer;

for there was great likelihood that there is store thereof. This night

we saw a fire farre within the lande towards those mountaines, which

made vs thinke that the countrey was throughly inhabited. The next day

being Sunday and Innocents day, the 28 of the said moneth, at breake of

day we set sayle, and by nine or ten of the clocke had sayled three or

foure leagues, where we met with a point which stretched towarde the

West, the pleasant situation whereof delighted vs much. From the eight

and twentieth of December we ranne our course vntill Thursday being

Newyeares day of the yeere 1540, and we ran some 40 leagues, passing by

certaine inlets and bayes, and certaine high mountains couered with

grasse in colour like rosemary: but toward the sea-side very bare and

burned, and toward the top were certaine cragges somewhat of a red

colour, and beyond these appeared certaine white mountaines, and so all

the countrey shewed vnto a point which appeared beyond those burnt white

and red mountaines which haue neither any grasse nor tree vpon them,

whereat we maruelled not a little. This Newyeares day we sawe neere the

maine two small Ilands, and reioyced greatly to see them; for we stood

in great feare, that contrary windes would driue vs as farre backe in

one day, as we had sayled in tenne, which if they had taken vs, we could

not haue withstood them. Wee ranne from the first of Ianuary untill

Munday which were fiue dayes, and the land alwayes stretched Northwest

from the mountaines aforesaid.

And on the Sunday we saw a farre off a-head of vs a high land somewhat

seuered from the maine shore, and all of vs beganne to dispute whether

it were the land which trended toward the Northwest, for that way the

Pilots hoped to discouer a better countrey: and the said Munday the fift

of Ianuarie we came to this high land beforesaid, and it was two Ilands

the one a small one and the other a great one: we coasted these two

Ilands some sixe leagues, which were greene, and had on the toppe of

them many high slender trees; and the great Iland was twentie leagues in

compasse. [Sidenote: Isla de los Cedros mentioned in the 13 chap.] We

coasted in 6 leagues in length without seeing or discouering any other

things, but we saw before vs high land which stretched eight or tenne

leagues Northward, where we rode on Munday at night. From Thursday being

Newyeares day vntill the next Munday we sayled about 35 leagues.

[Sidenote: The land trendeth here Northwest 35 leagues.] And in this

course we felt great cold, which grieued vs much, especially being

assailed by two or three windie showers, which pinched vs much with

colde. We rode ouer against this land two or three nights, hauing it

neere vnto vs, alwayes keeping watch by equall houres, one while

mariners, and another souldiers, all the night long with great

vigilancie. On Tuesday being Twelfe day we came within two or three

leagues of this land, which we had descryed the day before, seeming to

vs very pleasant for it shewed greene with greene trees of an ordinary

bignesse, and we saw many vallies, out of which certaine small mists

arose, which continued in them for a long time, whereupon we gathered

that they rose out of certaine riuers. The same morning, to our great

comfort we saw great smokes, though we were about foure leagues distant

from them, and the Captaine made no great reckoning to approach neere

vnto them, nor to seeke nor serch what the matter was, and perchance

because he was not then in the Santa Agueda, but was aboord the

Trinitie, as his maner was to come and stay there two or three dayes, as

well to passe the time, as to giue order for things that were needfull.

In this countrey the winter and raine seemed to be like that of Castile.

We rode al night two or three leagues distance from shore, and toward

euening we saw fiue or sixe fires, whereat we all reioyced, but did not

maruell thereat, because the situation of that countrey shewed to be

habitable, being farre, pleasant, and all greene, and likewise because

the Iland which we had left behinde vs being (as I haue said) twenty

leagues in circuit, made shewe that it was well peopled. On the

Wednesday we were 3 or 4 leagues at sea from the land, and began to see

two fires more, and therefore we assured our selues that the countrey

was very well inhabited; and the farther we sayled, we alwayes found it

more ciuill. [Sidenote: Floting weeds for fifty leagues.] And for the

space of fifty leagues before we came hither we alwayes found swimming

on the sea certaine flotes of weedes of a ships length, and of the

bredth of two ships, being, round and full of gourds, and vnder these

weedes were many fishes, and on some of them were store of foules like

vnto white sea-meawes. We supposed that these floting weeds did grow

vpon some rocke under the water. We were now in 30 degrees of Northerly

latitude. [Sidenote: Twenty leagues beyond the Ile of Cedar.] We sailed

from the 7 of Ianuary vntill the 9 still with contrary windes: and on

Fryday about noone there rose a North and Northeastern winde, which

forced vs to returne vnder the shelter of that Iland which we left

behind vs, from whence we had sayled about twentie leagues. And that

Friday at night somewhat late we had sayled backe about twelue leagues

of the same, and because it was night wee stayed in the sea, where we

and our shippes were not a little troubled, so that all that night none

of vs slept a winke, but watched euery one. The next morning betimes

being Saturday we proceeded on our voyage, and gate vnder the shelter of

the said Iland, riding in thirtie fadome water: and on that side where

we ankored we found high and closed mountaines, with heapes of a

certaine earth which was all ashes and burned, and in other places

skorched and as blacke as coles, and like the rust of yron, and in other

places whitish, and here and there small blacke hilles, whereat we

maruelled exceedingly, considering that when we passed by, it seemed

vnto vs an habitable countrey full of trees, and now we saw not a sticke

growing on this side.

All of vs supposed that on the other side toward the firme lande the

trees grewe which we sawe, although (as I haue sayde) wee sayled foure

or fiue leagues distant from the same.

We stayed here vnder the shelter of these mountaines Saturday, Sunday,

and Munday, alwayes hauing the Northren winde so strong, that we thinke

if it had caught vs in the sea, wee should haue bene cast away.

Chap. 12.

They enuiron and land vpon the Iland of Cedars, to discouer the

same, and to seeke water and wood. They are assailed of the

Indians, and many of them wounded with stones: but at length

getting the vpper hand, they goe to their cottages, and ranging

farther vp into the Iland they find diuerse things which the

Indians in their flight had left behind them.

On Friday the 13 of Ianuary the Captaine commanded vs to hoise out our

boates, and to goe on shore, which was done accordingly, and we did row

along the shore for the space of a good halfe league and entered into a

valley: for (as I said) all this countrey was full of high and bare

hils, of such qualitie as I mentioned before: and in this and other

small valleys we found some water which was brackish, and not farre from

thence certaine cottages made of shrubs like vnto broome: likewise we

found the footings of Indians both small and great; whereat we much

maruelled that in so rough and wilde a countrey (as farre as we could

discerne) there should be people. Here we stayed all day, making foure

or fiue pits to take in water which we wanted, which though it were bad,

and in small quantitie we refused not; and so the euening being come, we

returned to our boates, and so came vnto our ships which rode a good

league from the shore. The next day being Wednesday the fourteenth of

the said moneth our Generall commanded vs to set saile, and we sailed

about the said Iland on the same side which we coasted when we came from

Nueua Espanna: for when we arriued on the coast we saw fiue or sixe

fires; wherefore he desired to see and learne whether it were inhabited;

and at the farthest ende of this inlet or bay where we rode there came

out before vs a Canoa, wherein were foure Indians which came rowing with

certaine small oares, and came very neere vs to see what we were:

whereupon we tolde our Generall, that it were best to send some of vs

out with our boates to take these Indians or some one of them to giue

them something that they might thinke vs to be good people: but hee

would not consent thereto, because he minded not to stay, hauing then a

prety gale of winde, whereby he might saile about this Iland, hoping

that afterward we might finde and take some others to speake with them,

and giue them what we would to carry on shore; and as we sayled neere

the land, we saw a great hill full of goodly trees of the bignesse of

the trees and Cypresses of Castile. We found in this Iland the footing

of wilde beasts and conies, and saw a peece of pine tree-wood, wherof we

gathered, that there was store of them in that countrey. Thus sayling

neere vnto the shore, we sawe another Canoa comming toward vs with other

foure Indians, but it came not very neere vs, and as we looked forward,

we sawe toward a point which was very neere before vs, three other

Canoas, one at the head of the point among certaine flattes, and the

other two more into the sea, that they might descry vs without comming

ouer neere vs. Likewise betweene certaine hilles which were neere the

point, there appeared here three and there foure of them, and afterward

we saw a small troope of some twentie of them together, so that all of

vs reioyced greatly to behold them. On this side the land shewed greene

with pieces of plaine ground which was neere the sea, and likewise all

those coasts of hils shewed greene, and were couered with many trees,

although they grew not very thicke together. Here at euening we rode

neere the shore hard vpon the said point, to see if we could speake with

those Indians, and likewise to see if we could get fresh water, which

now we wanted, and still as soone as we were come to an anker, we saw

the Indians shew themselues on land neere vnto their lodgings, comming

likewise to descry vs in a Canoa, by sixe and seuen at a time, whereat

we maruelled, because we neuer thought that one of those Canoas would

hold so many men. In this wise we stayed looking still what would be the

successe, and in the place where we rode we were two small leagues

distant from the shore, where we found these Indians in their Canoas:

whereupon we maruelled not a little to see so great an alteration in so

small a distance of countrey, as well because we still discouered

pleasant land with trees (whereas on the other side of the isle there

were none) as also because it was so well peopled with Indians, which

had so many Canoas made of wood, as we might discerne, and not raftes or

Balsas, for so they call those floats which are made all flat with

canes.

The next day being Thursday the fifteenth of the said moneth about

breake of day foure or fiue Indians shewed themselues at the head of

that point, who as soone as they had spyed vs retired behind the point,

and hid themselues among the bushes vpon certaine small hilles that were

there, from whence they issued forth, and couered all the greene hils

and mountaines, which were along that coast; whereupon we gathered that

they had their dwellings there, in regard of the commoditie of the water

and the defence against ill weather and the benefite of fishing. At

sun-rising we saw the Indians appeare in greater companies, going vp

vnto the hilles in small troopes, and from thence they stood and beheld

vs. Immediately we saw fiue or sixe Canoas come out into the sea a good

distance from vs, and those which were in them stood often on their

tip-toes, to view and descry vs the better. On the other side we stirred

not at all for all these their gestures, but stood still riding at

anker; and the Generall seemed not to be very willing to take any of

them, but this day in the morning very early commanded the Masters mate

to conueigh him to our other shippe called the Trinitie. Things passed

in this sort, when about ten of the clocke we saw three Canoas lanch

farre into the sea to fish very neere vnto vs, whereat we tooke greate

pleasure. At 12 of the clocke the Generall returned from the Trinitie

and commanded the boat and men to be made readie, as well souldiers as

mariners, and that we should goe on shore to see if we could get any

wood and water, and catch one of those Indians to vnderstande their

language if it were possible: and so all the men that were readie went

into the Admirals boate, and went toward the Trinitie which by this time

with the other ship had a small gale of winde, wherewith they entered

farther within the point, and we discouered the lodgings and houses of

the Indians, and saw neere the waters side those fiue or sixe Canoas

which at the first came out to view vs, drawen on shore, and ouer

against this place the ships cast anker in 30 and 35 fadome water, and

we were very neere the land: whereat we maruelled much to find so great

depth of water so neere the shore. Being gone abord our botes, we made

toward the shore ouer against a village of the Indians, who as soone as

they saw vs about to come on land, left an hill whereon they stood to

behold what we did, and came downe to the shore, where we were prepared

to come on land: but before they came against vs they caused their women

and children to fly into the mountaines with their goods, and then came

directly towards vs, threatning vs with certaine great staues which they

carried in their hands some 3 yardes long and thicker then a mans wrest:

[Sidenote: A skirmish of the Indians fighting with stones.] but

perceiuing that for all this we ceased not to come neere the sea-shore

to come on land, they began to charge vs with stones and to fling

cruelly at vs, and they hit 4 or 5 men, among whom they smote the

Generall with two stones. In the meane while the other bote landed a

little beneath, whereupon when they saw that they were forced to diuide

themselves to keepe the rest of our company from comming on land, they

began to be discouraged, and did not assaile the Generals boate so

fiercely, who began to cause his people to goe on shore with no small

trouble; for albeit he was neere the land, yet as soone as they leapt

out of the boat they sunke downe, because they could find no fast

footing; and thus swimming or otherwise as they could, first a souldier

called Spinosa got on land, and next to him the General, and then some

of the rest, and began to make head against the Indians, and they came

hastily with those staues in their hands, for other kinds of weapons we

saw none, sauing bowes and arrowes of pinetree. [Sidenote: The great vse

of targets against arrowes or stones.] After a short combate they brake

in pieces the targets of the Generall, and of Spinosa. In the meane

while those of the other boat were gotten on land, but not without much

difficultie, by reason of the multitude of stones which continually

rained downe vpon them, and they stroke Terazzo on the head a very

shrowd blow, and had it not bene for our targets, many of vs had beene

wounded, and in great distresse, although our enemies were but few in

number. In this maner all our company came on shore with swimming and

with great difficultie, and if they had not holpen one another, some of

them had bene drowned. Thus we landed, and within a while after those of

the other bote were come on land, the Indians betooke themselues to

flight, taking their way toward the mountaines, whether they had sent

their women, children and goods: on the other side we pursued them, and

one of those Indians which came to assaile the Generals boat, was slaine

vpon the strand, and two or three others were wounded, and some said

more. [Sidenote: The vse of mastiues in the warre against Indians.]

While we pursued them in this maner our mastiue dogge Berecillo

ouertooke one of them not farre from vs (who because we were so wet

could not run very fast) and pulled him downe, hauing bitten him

cruelly, and doubtlesse he had held him till we had come, vnlesse it had

happened that another of his companions had not followed that Indian

which the dogge had pulled downe, who with a staffe which he had in his

hands gaue the dogge a cruell blow on the backe, and without any staying

drew his fellow along like a Deere, and Berecillo was faine to leaue him

for paine; neither had he scarse taken the dogge off on him but the

Indian got vp, and fled so hastily towarde the mountaine, that within a

short while hee ouertooke his fellowe which had saued him from the pawes

of the dogge, who (as it appeared) betooke him lustily to his heeles,

and thus they came vnto their fellowes which descended not downe to the

shore being about some twentie, and they were in all about fiftie or

sixtie.

After we had breathed our selues a while, we viewed their houses where

they stood, which were certaine cottages couered with shrubs like broome

and rosemary, with certaine stakes pight in the ground; and the Generall

willed vs to march all together without dispersing of our selues, a

little way vp those mountaines, to see if there were any water and wood,

because we stood in great neede of them both. And while we marched

forward, we saw in certaine little vallies the goods which the women had

left there behind them in their flight: for the Indians as soone as they

saw vs pursue them ouertooke the women, and for feare charged them to

flie away with their children leauing their stuffe in this place. We

went vnto this booty, and found good store of fresh-fish, and dried

fish, and certaine bags containing aboue 28 pound weight full of dried

fish ground to pouder, and many seal skins, the most part dressed with a

faire white graine vpon them, and others very badly dressed. There were

also their instruments to fish withall, as hookes made of the prickes of

certaine shrubs and trees. Here we tooke the said skins without leauing

any one in the place, and then we returned to the sea, because it was

now night, or at least very late, and found our botes waiting for vs.

Chap. 13.

A description of the Canoas of the Indians of the Ile of Cedars, and

how coasting the same to find fresh water they found some, and

desiring to take thereof they went on shore, and were diuersely

molested with the weapons of the Indians. They christen an old

Indian, and returne vnto their ships.

The Canoas which they had were certaine thicke trunkes of Cedars, some

of them of the thicknesse of two men, and three fadome long, being not

made hollow at all, but being laid along and fastened together, they

shoue them into the sea, neither were they plained to any purpose, for

we found no kind of edge-toole, sauing that there were certaine sharp

stones, which we found vpon certaine rockes that were very keene,

wherewith we supposed that they did cut and flea those seales. And neere

the shore we found certaine water, wherewith we filled certaine bottles

made of the skins of those seales, contayning ech of them aboue a great

paile of water. The next day our Generall commanded vs to set saile,

whereupon sailing with a fresh gale about 2 leagues from the shore of

this Island, trending about the same to see the end thereof, and also to

approch neere the firme land, to informe our selues of the state

thereof, because we had seene 5 or 6 fires we compassed the same about:

for by this meanes we performed 2 or three good actions, namely, we

returned to our right course, and searched whether any riuer fell out of

the coast of the firme land, or whether there were any trees there, or

whether any store of Indians did shew themselues or no.

In this maner proceeding on our way all the Friday being the 16 of

January at euening, and seeking to double the point of the Iland, so

fierce and contrary a Northren winde encountered vs, that it draue vs

backe that night ouer against the lodgings and habitations of the

Indians, and here we stayed all Saturday, what time we lost the Trinitie

againe, but on Sunday-night being the 18 we saw her againe, and beganne

to proceede on our way to compasse that Iland, if it pleased God to send

vs good weather.

[Sidenote: Isla de los Cedros, or the Ile of Cedars in 28 deg. and a

quarter.] On Sunday, Munday, and Tuesday (which was the twentieth, of

the said moneth of Ianuarie) wee sailed with scarce and contrary windes,

and at length came to the cape of the point of the Iland, which we

called Isla de los Cedros or the Ile of Cedars, because that on the tops

of the mountaines therein, there growes a wood of these Cedars being

very tall, as the nature of them is to be.[48] This day the Trinitie

descryed a village or towne of the Indians, and found water: for on

Sunday night we had newly lost her, and had no sight of her vntill

Tuesday, whenas we found her riding neere the shore, not farre from

those cottages of the Indians. And as soone as we had descryed her, we

made toward her, and before we could reach her, we espied three Canoas

of Indians which came hard aboord the said ship called the Trinitie, so

that they touched almost the side of the ship, and gaue them of their

fish, and our people on the other side gaue them certaine trifles in

exchange, and after they had spoken with them, the Indians went backe to

the shore, and at the same instant we came vp vnto the Admirall and rode

by them, and they all saluted vs, saying that the Indians were neere

them, and telling what had passed betweene them, whereat the Generall

and we receiued great contentment. They told vs moreouer, that they had

found fresh water, whereby they increased our great ioy, because we

stood in much neede thereof, for at the other place of the Indians we

could get but a little.

[48] The Island still bears this name.

[Sidenote: These mighty deepe and high weedes are described in the end

of this treatise.] While we thus rode at ankor, we saw a Canoa with 3

Indians put out into the sea from their cottages, and they went vnto a

fishing place, among certaine great and high weedes, which grow in this

sea among certaine rockes, the greatest part of which weedes groweth in

15 or 20 fadome depth; and with great celeritie they caught seuen or

eight fishes, and returned with them vnto the Trinity, and gaue them

vnto them, and they in recompense gaue the Indians certaine trifles.

After this the Indians stayed at the sterne of the ship, viewing the

same aboue three houres space, and taking the oares of our boat they

tryed how they could rowe with them, wherat they tooke great pleasure;

and we which were in the Admirall stirred not a whit all this while, to

giue them the more assurance, that they should not flie away, but should

see that we ment to do them no harme, and that we were good people. As

soone as we were come to anker, and beheld all that had passed betweene

the Indians and those of the Trinity, after the Indians were gone to the

shore in their Canoas made of the bodies of trees, the Generall

commanded the boat which was without to be brought vnto him: and when it

was come, he, and Francis Preciado, and two others went into it, and so

we went aboord the Trinity. The Indians seeing people commingout of the

other ship into the Trinitie, sent two Canoas vnto the sterne of the

ship, and brought vs a bottle of water and we gaue vnto them certain

beads, and continued talking with them a little while; but euening

approching the aire grew somewhat cold. The Indians returned on shore to

their lodgings, and the General and we to our ship. The next day being

Wednesday in the morning, the General commanded certaine of vs to take

the bote and goe ashore, to see if we could find any brooke or well of

fresh water in the houses of the Indians, because he thought it

impossible for them to dwell there without any water to drinke. The

father frier Raimund likewise went out in our company, because the day

before seeing the Indians came to the sterne of the shippe parlying with

vs, he thought he might haue spoken a little with them, with the like

familiarity. In like sort many mariners and souldiers went out in the

boat of the Trinity, and going altogether with their weapons toward the

shore, somewhat aboue the lodgings of the Indians, very early in the

morning they watched the boats, and perceiued that we would come on

land, wherevpon they sent away their women and children with certaine of

them, who caried their goods vp into certaine exceeding steepe

mountaines and hilles, and 5 or 6 of them came toward vs, which were

excellently well made, and of a good stature. Two of them had bowes and

arrowes, and other two 2 bastonadoes much thicker then the wrist of a

mans hand, and other two with 2 long staues like iauelins with very

sharpe points, and approched very neere vs being nowe come on shore. And

beginning by signes very fiercely to braue vs, they came so neere vs,

that almost they strooke with one of those staues one of our souldiers

called Garcia a man of good parentage, but the General commanded him to

withdraw himselfe, and not to hurt any of them. In the meane season the

General and frier Raimund stept foorth, the frier lapping a garment

about his arme, because they had taken vp stones in their hands, fearing

that they would do them some mischiefe. Then began both of them to

speake vnto them by signes and words, to be quiet, signifying, that they

ment them no harme, but only were come to take water; and the frier

shewed them a drinking cup; but nothing would serue to make them leaue

that bragging and flinging of stones; and the General continuing still

in a mind not to hurt them, commanded his men gently to come neere vnto

them, and that by signes they should all shew them, that they meant in

no wise to hurt them, but that we were come on land onely to take water.

[Sidenote: The great vse of mastiues in pursuit of the Indians.] On the

other side refusing vtterly to take knowledge of these things they still

insulted more and more: whereupon Francis Preciado counselled the

General to giue him leaue to kill one of them, because all the rest

would flee away, wherby at our ease we might take water: but he replied

that he would not haue it so, but willed them to looze the two mastiues

Berecillo and Achillo: wherefore the dogs were let loose, and as soone

as they saw them, they vanished immediately, betaking them to their

heels, and running vp those cliffes like goates. Also others which came

from the mountains to succour them, betooke themselues to flight. The

dogs ouertooke two of them, and bit them a little, and we running after,

laid hold on them, and they seemed as fierce as wild and vntamed beasts

for 3 or 4 of vs held either of them, to cherish and pacifie them, and

to seeke to giue them some thing: but we auailed not, for they bit vs by

the hands, and stooped downe to take vp stones for to strike vs with

them. We led them a while in this maner, and came vnto their lodgings,

where the Generall gaue a charge, that no man should touch any thing of

theirs, commanding Francis Preciado to see that this order was observed,

in not taking any thing from them, although in very deed there was

little or nothing there, because the women and Indians which were fled

had caried al away. Here we found an old man in a caue so extreamly aged

as it was wonderful, which could neither see nor go, because he was so

lame and crooked. The father frier Raimund sayd, it were good (seeing he

was so aged) to make him a Christian; whereupon we christened him. The

captaine gaue the Indians which we had taken two paire of eare-rings,

and certaine counterfeit diamonds, and making much of them, suffered

them to depart at their pleasure, and in this sort faire and softly they

returned to the rest of their fellowes in the mountaine. We tooke the

matter of that village which was but a small quantity, and then the

Generall commanded vs to resume to our ship, because we had eaten

nothing as yet, and after our repast we sayled towards a bay which lay

beyond that village, where we saw a very great valley, and those of the

Trinitie sayd, that they had seene there good store of water, and

sufficient for vs; wherefore wee ankered neere vnto that valley. And the

Generall went on shore with both the boates, and the men that went on

land in the morning with the two fathers frier Raimund, and frier

Antony: and passing vp that valley a crossebow shot, we found a very

small brooke of water which neuertheless supplied our necessity for we

filled two buts thereof that euening, leauing our vessels to take it

with on shore vntill the next morning: and we reioyced not a little that

we had found this water, for it was fresh, and the water which we had

taken vp before was somewhat brackish, and did vs great hurt both in our

bodies and in our taste.

Chap. 14.

They take possession of the Isle of Cedars for the Emperours

Maiestie, and departing from thence they are greatly tossed with a

tempest of the sea, and returne to the Island, as to a safe

harbour.

The next day being the two and twentieth of Ianuary very early the

General commanded vs to go on shore, and that we should haue our dinner

brought vs, and should take in the rest of our water, which we did, and

filled 17 buts without seeing any Indian at al. The next day going out

to fill 8 or 9 vessels which were not yet filled, a great winde at

Northwest tooke vs, whereupon they made signes to vs from the ships,

that with all haste wee should come on board againe, for the wind grew

still higher, and higher, and the Masters were affraid that our cables

would break, thus we were in the open sea. [Sidenote: Chap. 12.]

Therefore being come aboord againe not without great trouble we returned

backe ouer against the village of the Indians, where we had slaine the

Indian, and because the wind grew more calme about midnight, the Pilots

did not cast anker, [Sidenote: Isle de los Cedros is the greatest of the

3 Isles of S. Stephan.] but hulled vnder the shelter of this Island,

which (as I haue said) is called The Isle of Cedars, and is one of the

3 Isles of. S. Stephan, the greatest and chiefest of them, where the

General tooke possession. While we hulled here, about midnight, the next

Friday being the 23 of the moneth, without our expectation we had a

fresh gale of wind from the Southeast, which was very fauourable for our

voyage, and the longer it continued, the more it increased; so that

betweene that night and the next day being Saturday the 24 of the said

moneth we sailed 18 great leagues. [Sidenote: Read cap. 11 about the

end.] While we were thus on our way, the winde grew so contrary and so

tempestuous, that to our great grief we were constrained to coast about

with our ships, and returned twenty leagues backe againe, taking for our

succour the second time, the point of the lodgings of the Indians, where

the foresayd Indian was slaine, and here we stayed Munday, Tewsday, and

Wednesday, during which time the Northwest and the North wind blew

continually, whereupon we determined not to stirre from thence vntill we

saw good weather, and well setled for our voyage: for in this climate

these winds doe raigne so greatly, that we feared they would stay vs

longer there then we would; and we were so weary of staying, that euery

day seemed a moneth vnto vs. Vnder this shelter we rode Thursday,

Friday, and Saturday vntill noone, which was the last of Ianuary in the

yeere 1540. About noone the wind began to blow softly at Southwest,

whereupon the General told the Pilots, that we should doe well to put

ouer to the maine land, where with some wind off the shore we might by

the grace of God saile somewhat farther. Thus we hoised our sailes, and

sailed vntil euening three or foure leagues, for the wind scanted, and

wee remained becalmed. [Sidenote: February.] The night being come there

arose a contrary winde, and we were inforced of necessitie to retire the

third time to the same shelter of the Isle of Cedars, where we stayed

from the first of February vntil Shrouesunday, in the which meane time

we tooke in two buts of water which we had spent. During the space of

these eight dayes we sought to make sayle two or three times, but as we

went out a little beyond the point of this Isle, we found the wind so

boystrous and contrary, and the sea so growen, that of force we were

constrained to returne vnder the succour of the Island, and often times

wee were in great feare that we should not be able to get in thither

againe. During this time that we could not proceed on our iourney, we

imployed our selues in catching a few fishes for the Lent. From

Shrouesunday being the 8 of February, on which day we set sayle, we

sayled with a very scant wind, or rather a calme, vntil Shrouetewsday,

on which we came within kenne of the firme land, from whence we were put

backe these twenty leagues (for in these two dayes and a halfe wee

sayled some 20 small leagues) and we lay in sight of the said poynt of

the firme land. And on the Tewsday we were becalmed, waiting till God of

his mercy would helpe vs with a prosperous wind to proceed on our

voyage.

On Shrouesunday at night, to make good cheere withall wee had so great

winde and raine, that there was nothing in our ships which was not wet,

and very colde ayre. On Ashwednesday at sun-rising we strooke saile

neere a point which we fel somewhat short withall in a great bay

running into this firme land: and this is the place where we saw fiue or

sixe fires, and at the rising of the sunne being so neere the shore that

we might well descrie and viewe it at our pleasure we saw it to bee very

pleasant, for wee descried as farre as wee could discerne with our eyes,

faire valleys and small hilles, with greene shrubs very pleasant to

behold, although there grew no trees there. The situation shewed their

length and breadth. This day was little winde, it being in a manner

calme, to our no small griefe: and the father frier Raimund sayd vs a

drie masse, and gaue vs ashes, preaching vnto vs according to the time

and state wherein we were: with which sermon we were greatly comforted.

[Sidenote: The point of Santa Cruz otherwise called Punta de Balenas.]

After noonetide we had contrary wind, which still was our enemie in all

our iourney, at the least from the point of the port of Santa Cruz. Here

we were constrained to anker in fiue fadome of water, and after wee rode

at anker wee began to viewe the countrey, and tooke delight in beholding

how goodly and pleasant it was, and neere vnto the sea wee iudged that

wee saw a valley of white ground. At euening so great a tempest came

vpon vs of winde and raine, that it was so fearfull and dangerous a

thing that a greater cannot be expressed: for it had like to haue driuen

vs vpon the shore, and the chiefe Pilot, cast out another great anker

into the sea yet all would not serve, for both these ankers could not

stay the ship. Whereupon all of vs cryed to God for mercy, attending to

see how he would dispose of vs; who of his great goodnesse, while we

were in this danger, vouchsafed a little to slake the tempest, and with

great speede the chief Pilot commanded the mariners to turne the

capsten, and the Generall commanded and prayed all the souldiers to

helpe to turne the capsten, which they were nothing slow to performe:

and thus we beganne to weigh our ankers, and in weighing of one which

was farre greater then the other, the sea was so boisterous that it

forced the capsten in such sorte, that the men which were at it could

not rule the same, and it strooke a Negro of the Generals such a blowe,

that it cast him downe along vpon the decke, and did the like vnto

another mariner and one of the barres strooke our fire-furnace so

violently, that it cast it ouerboord into the sea. Yet for all these

troubles wee weighed our ankers, and set sayle, and albeit we had great

tempests at sea, yet made we no account thereof in respect of the ioy

which we conceiued to see our selues freed of the perill of being cast

on that shore with our ships, especially seeing it fell out at midnight,

at which time no man could haue escaped, but by a meere myracle from

God.

Wee sayled vp and downe the sea all Thursday, and vntill Friday in the

morning being the fourteeneth day of February, and the waues of the sea

continually came raking ouer our deckes. At length, on Saturday morning

at breake of day we could finde no remedy against the contrary windes,

notwithstanding the Generall was very obstinate to haue vs keepe out at

sea, although it were very tempestuous, least we should be driuen to put

backe againe, but no diligence nor remedie preuailed: for the windes

were so boysterous and so contrary, that they could not be worse, and

the sea went still higher, and swelled more and more, and that in such

sorte, that we greatly feared wee should all perish. Whereupon the Pilot

thought it our best course to returne to the Isle of Cedars, whither wee

had repaired three or foure times before by reason of the selfe same

contrary windes, for wee tooke this Island for our father and mother,

although we receiued no other benefite thereby saue this onely, namely,

to repaire thither in these necessities, and to furnish our selues with

water, and with some small quantitie of fish.

Being therefore arriued at this Island; and riding vnder the shelter

thereof, the contrary windes did alwayes blow very strongly, and here we

tooke water which we drunke, and wood for our fewel, and greatly

desired, that the windes would bee more fauourable for proceeding on our

iourney. And though we rode under the shelter of the Isle, yet felt wee

the great fury of those windes, and the rage of the sea, and our ships

neuer ceased rolling.

At breake of day the twentieth of February, wee found the cable of the

Admirall cracked, whereupon, to our great griefe, we were constrained to

set sayle, to fall downe lower the space of a league, and the Trinitie

came and rode in our company.

Chap. 15.

They goe on land in the isle of Cedars, and take diuers wilde

beastes, and refresh and solace themselues. They are strangely

tossed with the Northwest winde, and seeking often to depart they

are forced, for the auoiding of many mischiefes, to repaire

thither againe for harbour.

The two and twentieth of February being the second Sonday in Lent, the

General went on shore with the greatest part of his people and the

friers, neere vnto a valley which they sawe before them. And hearing

masse on land, certaine souldiers and mariners, with certaine dogges

which we had in our company went into the said valley, and we met with

certaine deere, whereof we tooke a female, which was little, but fat,

whose haire was liker the haire of a wild goat then of a deere, and we

found her not to be a perfect deere, for she had foure dugs like vnto a

cowe full of milke, which made vs much to marueile. And after we had

flayed off her skinne, the flesh seemed more like the flesh of a goate,

then of a deere. We killed likewise a gray conie, in shape like vnto

those of Nueua Espanna, and another as blacke as heben-wood. In the

cottages at the shelter aboue, where we brake our cable, we found many

pine-nuts opened, which (in mine opinion) the Indians had gathered

together to eate the kernels of them. On Munday the 23 of the said

moneth we rode at anker, taking our pleasure and pastime with fishing.

And the Northwest winde began to blow, which waxed so great a little

before midnight, as it was wonderfull: so that although we were vnder

the shelter of the Island, and greatly defended from that wind, yet for

all that it was so furious, and the sea became so raging and boisterous,

that it greatly shook our ships, and we were in great feare of breaking

our cables, whereof (to say the trueth) we had very much neede: for

hauing spent longer time in this voyage then we looked for, wee had

broken two, and lost two of our best ankers. This furious winde

continued vntill the next being Tewsday the 24 when as we went on shore

with the friers, who sayd vs masse, recommending our selues to God,

beseeching him to vouchsafe to succour and help vs with some good

weather that we might proceede on our voyage, to the aduancement of his

seruice. And still the winds were so high and outragious, that the

deuill seemed to be loosed in the aire. Whereupon the Pilots caused all

the masts to be let downe, least they should be shaken with the wind,

and tooke off all the shrowds, and likewise caused the cabbens in the

sterne to be taken away, that the winds might haue more free passage,

for the safetie of the ships: yet for al this they ceased not to be in

great trouble. On Tewsday the second of March, about midnight or

somewhat after, riding vnder the Island in this distresse, there came a

gust of Northwest winde, which made the cable of the Admirall to slip,

and the Trinitie brake her cable, and had bene cast away, if God of his

mercy had not prouided for vs, together with the diligence which the

Pilots vsed, in hoising the sailes of the trinkets and mizzen, wherewith

they put to sea, and rode by another anker vntill day, when the men of

both the ships went with their boats to seeke the anker vntill noone,

which at length they found and recouered, not without great paines and

diligence which they vsed in dragging for it, for they were till noone

in seeking the same, and had much adoe to recouer it. After this we set

vp our shrowdes, and all things necessary to saile, for to proceede on

our voyage, if it pleased God, and not to stay alwayes in that place, as

lost and forlorne. Thus on the Wednesday two or three houres after

dinner wee set saile, with a scarce winde at Southeast, which was

fauourable for our course and very scant; and our Pilots and all the

rest of vs were in no small feare, that it would not continue long. We

began therefore to set forward, although we seemed to see before our

eies, that at the end of the Island we should meete with contrary winde

at North and Northwest. This day about euening when our ships had

discouered the point of this Isle of Cedars, wee began to perceiue those

contrary windes, and the sea to go so loftily, that it was terrible to

behold. And the farther we went, the more the winds increased, so that

they put vs to great distresse, sayling alwayes with the sheates of our

mainesaile and trinket warily in our hands, and with great diligence we

loosed the ties of all the sailes, to saue them the better, that the

wind might not charge them too vehemently. For all this the mariners

thought it best to returne backe, and that by no means we should runne

farre into the sea, because we were in extreame danger. Whereupon wee

followed their counsel, turning backe almost to the place from whence we

departed, whereat we were al not a little grieued, because we could not

prosecute our voyage, and began to want many things for the furniture of

our ships. The 8 of March being Munday about noone the Generall

commanded vs to set saile; for a small gale of winde blew from the West,

which was the wind whereof we had most need, to follow our voyage,

whereat wee were all glad for the great desire which wee had to depart

out of that place. Therefore we began to set saile, and to passe toward

the point of the Island, and to shape our course toward the coast of the

firme land, to view the situation thereof. And as we passed the Island,

and were betwixt it and the maine, the Northwest being a contrary wind

began to blow, which increased so by degrees, that we were constrained

to let fall the bonets of our sailes, to saue them, striking them very

low. And the Trinitie seeing this bad weather returned forthwith vnto

the place from whence we departed, and the Admiral cast about all night

in the sea, vntill the morning; and the chiefe Pilot considering that by

no means we could proceed farther without danger, if we should continue

at sea any longer, resolued that we should retire our selues againe to

that shelter, where we rode at anker vntill Thursday. And on Friday

about noone we set saile againe with a scarce winde, and in comming

forth vnto the point of the Island, we met againe with contrary winde at

Northwest: whereupon running all night with the firme land, on Saturday

in the morning being S. Lazarus day and the 13 of March, we came in

sight thereof, in viewing of the which we all reioyced, and we souldiers

would very willingly haue gone on shore. This night fel great store of

raine like the raine in Castilia, and we were all well wet in the

morning, and we tooke great pleasure in beholding the situation of that

firme land, because it was greene, and because we had discouered a

pleasant valley and plaines of good largenes, which seemed to bee

enuironed with a garland of mountains. At length for feare of

misfortunes, seeing the sea so high, we durst not stay here or approch

neere the land, and because we had great want of cables and ankers, we

were again constrained to put to sea; and being in the same, and

finding the said contrary windes, the Pilots iudged that we had none

other remedie, but againe to retire our selues to our wonted shelter.

And thus we returned, but somewhat aboue the old place. On Sunday we

rode here to the great grief of all the company, considering what

troubles we indured, and could not get forward; so that this was such a

corrasiue, as none could be more intollerable. This day being come to an

anker wee had a mighty gale of wind at Northwest, which was our

aduersary and capital enemie, and when day was shut in, it still grew

greater and greater, so that the ships rouled much. And after midnight,

toward break of day, the Trinitie brake her two cables, which held the

two ankers which she had, and seeing her selfe thus forlorne, she turned

vp and downe in the sea vntill day, and came and rode neere vs, by one

anker which shee had left. This day all of vs went to seeke these lost

ankers, and for all the diligence which wee vsed, wee could find but one

of them. We rode at anker all day vntill night, when the Trinitie againe

brake a cable, which certaine rocks had cut asunder: whereupon the

General commanded that she should ride no longer at anker, but that shee

should turne vp and downe, as she had done before in sight of vs, which

she did al day long, and at night she came to an anker ouer against a

fresh water somewhat lower, and wee went and rode hard by her. On

Palmesunday we went on shore with the fathers, which read the passion

vnto vs and said masse, and we went in procession with branches in our

hands. And so being comforted, because we had receiued that holy

Sacrament, we returned to our ships.

Chap. 16.

Returning to the Isle of Cedars weather-beaten, and with their ships

in euil case, they conclude, that the ship called Santa Agueda or

Santa Agatha should returne vnto Nueua Espanna. Of the multitude

of whales which they found about the point of California: with the

description of a weede, which groweth among the Islands of those

seas.

Here we continued vntill the Wednesday before Easter being the foure

and twentieth of March, on which day wee consulted together, that

because the ships were ill conditioned, and wanted necessary furniture

to proceede any further, it were best for vs to returne backe to New

Spaine, as also because our clothes were consumed: but the Generall

seemed not willing to returne, but to proceed on his voyage: and in fine

it was resolued, that seeing both the ships could not proceede forward,

as well because they had lost their necessary furnitures, as also that

the Santa Agatha had neede of calking, because she receiued much water,

and was the worst furnished of the twaine, that shee should returne

backe to aduertise the Marques of our successe in this voyage, and what

hindred our proceeding, and in what case wee stoode, and howe wee were

bereft of our necessary furniture. And because the Trinitie was the

swifter ship, and better appointed then the other, it was concluded,

that it should be prouided in the best maner that might be, and that the

General should proceed on his iourney in her with such companie as he

should make choise of, and that the rest should returne at their good

leisure. Wherefore vpon this determination we went vnder a point of this

Island, because it was a fit place to carene the ship: and in recouering

the same we spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday till noone, and yet

for all that wee could not wel double it, vntil Easter day about noone.

Here we ankered very neere the shore and in a valley we found very

excellent fresh water, whereof we made no smal account, and here stayed

all the Easter holidayes, to set our selues about the furnishing vp of

the Trinity: and after the worke was taken in hand by the two Masters

which were very sufficient calkers (one of which was Iuan Castiliano

chiefe Pilot, and the other Peruccio de Bermes) they finished the same

so well in fiue dayes, as it was wonderfull; for no man could perceiue

how any droppe of water could enter into any of the seames. Afterward

they mended the other ship from Saturday till Munday, during which time

all those were shriuen that had not confessed, and receiued the

communion, and it was resolued by charge of the confessors, that all

those seale-skins which they had taken from the Indians should bee

restored againe; and the Generall gaue charge to Francis Preciado to

restore them all, charging him on his conscience so to doe. Thus they

gathered them together, and deliuered them into the hands of the

fathers, to bee kept vntill they returned to the place, where they were

to restore them. [Sidenote: The Santa Agueda returneth for Newspaine the

5. of April.] After this maner on Munday before noone we tooke our

leaues of the Generall Francis Vlloa, and of the people that stayed with

him, who at our departure shed no small number of teares, and we chose

for our captaine in the Santa Agueda master Iuan Castiliano the chiefe

pilot, as well of the ship, as of vs all, and set saile the same day

being the fift of April, hauing our boat tied at our sterne, till we

came ouer against the cottages, whence wee had taken the seale-skins.

[Sidenote: The Isle of Cedars 300 leagues from Colima.] From the

countrey of the Christians and the port of Colima we were now distant

some three hundreth leagues, which is the first port where wee

determined to touch at. And hauing sailed a league from the Trinitie the

captaine Iuan Castiliano commanded vs to salute them with three pieces

of great Ordinance, and she answered vs with other three, and afterward

we answered one another with two shot apiece.

[Sidenote: The sixt of Aprill.] We sailed on Munday and Tewsday til

noone with contrary wind in sight of the Island, and at noone we had a

fresh gale in the poupe, which brought vs ouer against the cottages of

the Indians where we tooke away those seal-skins; and there certain

souldiers and mariners with the father frier Antony de Melo leapt on

shore with the boat, carying the skins with them, and flung them into

the sayd cottages out of which they were taken, and so returned to their

ship. [Sidenote: The 7 of April.] [Sidenote: They saile from the Isle of

Cedars to the point of Santa Cruza or California in sixe daies.] This

day the weather calmed, whereupon we were driuen to cast anker, fearing

that we should foorthwith be distressed for want of victuals, if we

should stay there any long time: but God which is the true helper

prouided better for vs then we deserued or imagined; for as we rode

here, after midnight the Wednesday following before ten of the cloke wee

had a fauourable gale of winde from the Southeast, which put vs into the

sea; whither being driuen, wee had the wind at Northwest so good and

constant, that in sixe dayes it brought vs to the cape of the point of

the port of Santa Cruz: for which so great blessing of God we gaue vnto

him infinite thankes. And here we began to allow our selues a greater

proportion of victuals then wee had done before, for wee had eaten very

sparingly for feare our victuals would faile vs. [Sidenote: Punta de

Balenas.] Before we came to this point of the hauen of Santa Cruz by

sixe or seuen leagues we saw on shore between certaine valleys diuers

great smokes. And hauing passed the point of this port, our captaine

thought it good to lanch foorth into the maine Ocean: yet although we

ran a swift course, aboue 500 whales came athwart of vs in 2 or 3

skulles within one houres space, which were so huge, as it was

wonderfull, and some of them, came so neere vnto the ship, that they

swam vnder the same from one side to another, whereupon we were in great

feare, lest they should doe vs some hurt, but they could not because the

ship had a prosperous and good winde, and made much way, whereby it

could receiue no harme, although they touched and strooke the same.

[Sidenote: Read more of these weedes cap. 13.] Among these Islands are

such abundance of those weedes, that if at any time wee were inforced to

sayle ouer them, they hindred the course of our ships. They growe

fourteene or fifteene fadome deepe vnder the water, their tops reaching

foure or fiue fadome aboue the water. They are of the colour of yellow

waxe, and their stalke groweth great proportionably. This weede is much

more beautifull then it is set foorth, and no maruell, for the naturall

painter and creator thereof is most excellent.

This relation was taken out of that which Francis Preciado brought with

him. [Sidenote: Sant Iago de Buena esperanza in 19 degrees.] After this

ship the Santa Agueda departed from the Generall Vlloa, and returned

backe the 5 of April, she arriued in the port of Sant Iago de buena

esperança the 18 of the said moneth, and after she had stayed there

foure or fiue dayes, she departed for Acapulco: howbeit vntill this

present seuenteenth of May in the yeere 1540, I haue heard no tidings

nor newes of her.

[Sidenote: Cabo del Enganno in 30 degrees and a halfe.] Moreouer after

the departure of the Santa Agueda for Nueua Espanna, the General Francis

Vlloa in the ship called the Trinitie proceeding on his discouery

coasted the land vntill he came to a point called Cabo del Enganno

standing in thirty degrees and a halfe of Northerly latitude, and then

returned backe to Newspaine, because he found the winds very contrary,

and his victuals failed him.

The true and perfect description of a voyage performed and done by

Francisco de Gualle a Spanish Captaine and Pilot, for the

Vice-roy of New Spaine, from the hauen of Acapulco in New Spaine,

to the Islands of the Luçones or Philippinas, vnto the Hauen of

Manilla, and from thence to the Hauen of Macao in China, and from

Macao backe againe to Acapulco, accomplished in the yeere of our

Lord, 1584.

Chap. 1.

The tenth of March in the yeere of our Lorde 1582 wee set sayle out of

the Hauen of Acapulco, lying in the countrey of New Spaine, directing

our course towards the Islands of the Luçones, or Philippinas West

Southwest, running in that maner for the space of twentie fiue leagues,

till wee came vnder sixteene degrees, so that wee might shunne the

calmes by sayling close by the shoare. From thence forward we held our

course West for the space of 30 leagues, and being there, we ran West,

and West and by South, for the space of 1800 leagues, to the Iland

called Isla del Enganno, which is the furthest Iland lying in the South

parts of the Ilands called De los Ladrones, that is, The Ilands of

rouers, or Islas de las Velas, vnder 13. degrees and 1/2. in latitude

Septentrionall, and 164. degrees in longitude Orientall, vpon the fixed

Meridionall line, which lyeth right with the Iland of Terçera. From

thence we helde our coarse Westward for the space of 280. leagues, till

we came to the point called El capo de Espirito Santo, that, is, The

point of the holy Ghost, lying in the Iland Tandaya, the first Iland of

those that are called Philippinas, Luçones, or Manillas, which is a

countrey with fewe hilles, with some mines of brimstone in the middle

thereof. From the point aforesayde, wee sailed West for the space of

eighteene leagues to the point or entrie of the chanell, which runneth

in betweene that Iland and the Iland of Luçon. This point or entrie

lieth scarce vnder 12. degrees. All the coast that stretcheth from the

entrie of the chanel to the point of El capo del Spirito santo, is not

very faire.

Eight leagues from the sayde point lyeth a hauen of indifferent

greatnesse, called Baya de Lobos, that is, The Bay of Woolues, hauing a

small Iland at the mouth thereof: and within the chanell about halfe a

league from the ende of the sayd Iland lyeth an Iland or cliffe, and

when you passe by the point in the middle of the chanell, then you haue

fiue and twentie fathom deepe, with browne sand: there we found so great

a streame running Westward, that it made the water to cast a skum as if

it had beene a sande, whereby it put us in feare, but casting out our

lead, wee found fiue and twentie fathom deepe.

From the aforesayd entrie of the chanell North, and North and by East

about tenne leagues, lyeth the Island of Catanduanes, about a league

distant from the lande of Luçon, on the furthest point Eastward, and

from the same entrie of the chanell towards the West and Southwest,

lyeth the Iland Capuli about sixe leagues from thence, stretching

Westsouthwest, and Eastnortheast, being fiue leagues long, and foure

leagues broad: and as wee past by it, it lay Northward from vs vnder

twelue degrees and 3/4. and somewhat high lande. Foure leagues from the

aforesayd Iland of Capuli Northwestward lie the three Ilands of the

hauen of Bollon in the Iland of Luçones, stretching North and South

about foure leagues, distant from the firme lande halfe a league,

whereof the furthest Southward lieth vnder thirteene degrees; In this

chanell it is twentie fathome deepe, with white sand, and a great

streame, running Southeast: we passed through the middle of the chanell.

From this chanell wee helde our coarse Southwest, and Southwest and by

West, for the space of twentie leagues, vntill wee came to the West ende

of the Iland of Tycao, which reacheth East and West thirteene leagues.

This point or hooke lyeth vnder 12. degrees and 3/4. In the middle

betweene this Iland and the Iland Capuli there lie three Ilands called

the Faranias, and we ranne in the same course on the Northside of all the

Ilands, at the depth of 22. fathom with white sand.

From the aforesayd West point of the Iland Tycao to the point of Buryas

it is East and West to sayle about the length of a league or a league

and a halfe: we put into that chanell, holding our course South, and

South and by West about three leagues, vntill we were out of the chanell

at sixteene fathome deepe, with halfe white and reddish sande in the

chanell, and at the mouth thereof, whereof the middle lyeth vnder 12.

degrees and 2/3. and there the streames runne Northward.

[Sidenote: The Isle of Masbate.] The Iland of Buryas stretched Northwest

and Southeast, and is low lande, whereof the Northwest point is about

three leagues from the coast of Luçon, but you cannot passe betweene

them with any shippe, but with small foistes and barkes of the countrey.

This shallow channell lieth vnder twelue degrees: and running thorow

the aforesayd chanell betweene the Ilands Tycao and Buryas, as I sayd

before, we sayled Southward about two leagues from the Iland of Masbate,

which stretcheth East and West 8. leagues long, being in bredth 4.

leagues, and lyeth vnder 12. degrees and 1/4. in the middle thereof, and

is somewhat high land.

From the sayd chanell betweene Tycao and Buryas, wee helde our course

Westnorthwest for thirteene leagues, leauing the Iland Masbate on the

Southside, and the Iland Buryas on the North side: at the ende of

thirteene leagues wee came by an Iland called Banton, which is in forme

like a hat, vnder twelue degrees and 2/3. when we had sayled the

aforesayd thirteene leagues and eight leagues more, on the South side

wee left the Iland called Rebuiam, which stretcheth Northwest, and

Northwest and by North, and Southeast, and Southeast and by South, for

the space of eight leagues, being high and crooked lande, whereof the

North point lyeth vnder twelue degrees and 2/3. and there you finde 35

fathom deepe, with white sand.

From the aforesayd Iland of Banton Southward nine leagues, there beginne

and followe three Ilandes, one of them being called Bantonsilla, which

is a small Iland in forme of a sugar loafe: the second Crymara, being

somewhat great in length, reaching East and West about two leagues: the

third Itaa, or the Ile of Goates, hauing certaine houels. By all these

Ilands aforesayd you may passe with all sortes of shippes, whereof the

foremost lyeth Southward vnder twelue degrees and 1/4. From the Iland of

Bantonsilla, or small Banton, wee helde our course Northwest for the

space of foure leagues, to the chanell betweene Ilands called de

Vereies, and the Iland of Marinduque, the Vereies lying on the South

side vnder twelue degrees and 3/4. (which are two small Ilands like two

Frigats) and the Iland Marinduque on the North side vnder twelue

degrees, and 1/4. which is a great Iland, stretching Westnorthwest, and

Eastsoutheast, hauing in length 12. and in bredth 7. leagues. On the

North side, with the Iland Luçon it maketh a long and small chanell,

running somewhat crooked, which is altogether full of shallowes and

sandes, whereby no shippes can passe through it. The furthest point

Westward of the same Iland lyeth vnder thirteene degrees and 1/4. It is

high lande, on the East side hauing the forme of a mine of brimstone or

fierie hill, and on the West side the land runneth downewarde at the

point thereof being round like a loafe of bread: in the chanell

betweene it and the Vereies, there are 18. fathom deepe with small

black sand.

From the aforesaid chanell of Vereies and Marinduque, wee helde our

course Westnorthwest twelue leagues to the lande of Mindora, to the

point or hooke called Dumaryn, lying full vnder thirteene degrees: Fiue

leagues forward from the sayde chanell on the South side wee left an

Iland called Isla de maestro del Campo, that is, The Iland of the

Colonell, lying vnder twelue degrees and 3/4. which is a small and flat

Iland: In this course we had 45 fathom deep white sand.

By this point or end of the Iland Marinduque beginneth the Iland of

Myndoro, which hath in length East and West fiue and twentie leagues,

and in bredth twelue leagues, whereof the furthest point Southward lyeth

vnder thirteene degrees, and the furthest point Northward vnder

thirteene degrees and 2/3. and the furthest point Westward vnder

thirteene degrees. This Iland with the Iland of Luçon maketh a chanell

of fiue leagues broad, and ten or twelue fathom deepe with muddie ground

of diuers colours, with white sande. Fiue leagues forward from

Marinduque lyeth the riuer of the towne of Anagacu, which is so

shallowe, that no shippes may enter into it. From thence two leagues

further lie the Ilands called Bacco, which are three Ilands lying in a

triangle, two of them being distant from the land about three hundred

cubits, and between them and the land you may passe with small shippes:

And from the lande to the other Iland, are about two hundred cubites,

where it is altogether shallowes and sandes, so that where the shippes

may passe outward about 150. cubites from the lande, you leaue both the

Ilands on the South side, running betweene the third Iland and the riuer

called Rio del Bacco, somewhat more from the middle of the chanell

towardes the Iland, which is about a league distant from the other; the

chanell is tenne fathom deepe, with mud and shelles vpon the ground: the

riuer of Bacco is so shallowe, that no ships may enter into it. From

this Iland with the same course two leagues forward, you passe by the

point called El Capo de Rescaseo, where we cast out our lead, and found

that a man may passe close by the lande, and there you shall finde great

strong streames: and halfe a league forward with the same course, lyeth

the towne of Mindoro, which hath a good hauen for shippes of three

hundred tunnes. Three leagues Northward from the same hauen lyeth the

Iland called Cafaa, stretching from East to West, being hilly ground.

From the sayde towne of Myndora, wee helde our course Westnorthwest

eight leagues, till wee came to the poynt or hooke of the sandes called

Tulen, lying vpon the Iland of Luçon, which sande or banke reacheth into

the Sea halfe a league from the coast: you must keepe about an hundred

cubites from it, where you finde eight fathom water, muddie and shellie

ground: you runne along by those sandes North, and North and by West for

the space of two leagues, till you come to the riuer called Rio de

Anasebo: all the rest of the coast called De los Limbones to the month

or entrie of the Bay called Manilla, (which are foure leagues) is sayled

with the same course. The Limbones (which are Ilands so called) are high

in forme like a paire of Organs, with good hauens for small shippes,

running along by the Limbones: and two leagues beyond them on the South

side, wee leaue the Ilands of Fortan, and foure Ilands more, but the

three Ilands of Lubao, which are very low, lie vnder 13. degrees and

1/3. and the Limbones lie in the mouth or entrie of the Bay of Manilla

vnder 14. degrees and 1/4.

From thence we ranne Northwest for the space of sixe leagues to the

hauen of Cabite, keeping along by the land lying on the West side, where

it is shallowe, and is called Los Baixos del Rio de Cannas, The

shallowes of the riuer of Reedes: all along this Bay in the same course,

there is from ten to foure fathom deepe.

Being by the point or hooke of Cabite, then wee kept but an hundred

paces from it, running Southwest, southsouthwest, and South, vntill we

discouered the whole mouth or entrie of the Bay, where we might anker at

foure fathom about two hundred cubites from the lande, and then the

towne of Manilla was two leagues Northward from vs.[49]

[49] The Philippine Islands are an archipelago of about 1400 islands,

forming a dependency of Spain, lying between 4 deg. 40 min and 20 deg.

N. lat., and 116 deg. 40 min. and 126 deg. 30 min. E. lon., and having

the China Sea on the west, and the Pacific Ocean on the East. They are

very imperfectly known at present, but are estimated to have a total

area of 114,000 square miles, and a population of about 10,000,000. The

principal islands of the many hundreds of large and small forming the

group are--Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, Mindoro, Panay, Negros, Zebu,

Leyte, and Samar.

The Philippines were discovered by Fernando Magalhaens in 1521, in the

reign of Philip II, after whom they were named; and in 1564 the

Spaniards made a settlement on one of the islands, and founded Manila in

1571. They obtained the possession of this important group almost

without bloodshed; and they have preserved it by the extensive diffusion

of the Roman Catholic religion among the Malays, who form the greater

part of the population. The Spaniards have retained the island ever

since, except from 1762 to 1764, during which the English held Manila,

and for the release of which the Spaniards paid a ransom of £1,000,000.

Chap. 2.

The course and voyage of the aforesayd Francisco Gualle out of the

hauen or roade of Manilla, to the hauen of Macao in China, with

all the courses and situations of the places.

Sayling out of the hauen of Cabite, lying in the Bay of Manilla, wee

helde our course Westwarde for the space of eighteene leagues, to the

point called El Cabo de Samballes: and when wee were eight leagues in

our way, wee left the two Ilands Maribillas on the South side, and

sailed about a league from them: the point of Samballes aforesayde lyeth

vnder foureteene degrees, and 2/3. being low land, at the end of the

same coast of Luçon, on the West side.

From the hooke or point aforesayde, wee ranne North, and North and by

West, for the space of fiue and twentie leagues (aboue a league from the

coast of Luçon) to the point called Cabo de Bullinao: all this coast and

Cape is high and hilly ground, which Cape lyeth vnder sixteene degrees

and 2/3. From this Cape de Bellinao we helde our course North, and North

and by East, for 45. leagues to the point called El Cabo de Bojador,

which is the furthest lande Northwarde from the Iland Luçon lying vnder

19. degrees.

The Cape de Bullinao being past the lande maketh a great creeke or

bough, and from this creeke the coast runneth North to the point of

Bojador, being a land full of cliffes and rockes that reach into the

Sea, and the land of the hooke or point is high and hilly ground.

From the point of Bojador, wee helde our course Westnorthwest an hundred

and twentie leagues, vntill we came to the Iland called A Ilha Branca,

or the white Iland, lying in the beginning of the coast and Bay of the

riuer Canton vnder two and twentie degrees, hauing foure and twentie

fathom browne muddie ground.

From the Iland Ilha Branca, wee helde the aforesayde course of

Westnorthwest, for the space of sixteene leagues, to the Iland of Macao

lying in the mouth of the riuer of Canton, and it maketh the riuer to

haue two mouths or entries, and it is a small Iland about three leagues

great.

Chap. 3.

The Nauigation or course of the aforesayd Francisco Gualle out of

the hauen of Macao to Newe Spaine, with the situation and

stretchings of the same, with other notable and memorable things

concerning the same voyage.

When we had prepared our selues, and had taken our leaues of our friends

in Macao, we set saile vpon the foure and twentieth of Iuly, holding our

course Southeast, and Southeast and by East, being in the wane of the

Moone: for when the Moone increaseth, it is hard holding the course

betweene the Ilands, because as then the water and streames run very

strong to the Northwest; wee trauailed through many narrowe channels by

night, hauing the depth of eight or ten fathom, with soft muddie ground,

vntill wee were about the Iland Ilha Branca, yet we saw it not, but by

the height we knew that we were past it.

Being beyond it, we ranne Eastsoutheast an hundred and fiftie leagues,

to get aboue the sands called Os Baixos dos Pescadores, and the

beginning of the Ilands Lequeos on the East side, which Ilands are

called As Ilhas fermosas,[50] that is to say, The faire Ilands. This I

vnderstoode by a Chinar called Santy of Chinchon, and hee sayde that

they lie vnder one and twentie degrees and 3/4. there it is thirtie

fathom deepe: and although wee sawe them not, notwithstanding by the

height and depth of the water we knew we were past them.

[50] Formosa.

Being past As Ilhas fermosas, or the faire Ilands, wee helde our course

East, and East and by North, for two hundred and sixtie leagues, vntill

we were past the length of the Ilands Lequeos,[51] sayling about fiftie

leagues from them: the said Chinar tolde me, that those Ilands called

Lequeos are very many, and that they haue many and very good hauens, and

that the people and inhabitants thereof haue their faces and bodies

painted like the Bysayas of the Ilands of Luçon or Philippinas and are

apparelled like the Bysayas, and that there also are mines of gold: Hee

sayd likewise that they did often come with small shippes and barkes

laden with Bucks and Harts-hides, and with golde in graines or very

small pieces, to traffique with them of the coast of China, which hee

assured mee to bee most true, saying that hee had bene nine times in the

small Ilands, bringing of the same wares with him to China: which I

beleeued to bee true, for that afterwarde I enquired thereof in Macao,

and upon the coast of China, and found that hee sayde true. The furthest

or vttermost of these Ilands stretching Northwarde and Eastwarde, lie

vnder nine and twentie degrees.

[51] The Lu-Tchu (_Chinese_) or Liu-Khiu (_Japanese_) Islands are a

chain of 52 Islands belonging to Japan, and stretching S.W. to Formosa.

Being past these Ilands, then you come to the Ilands of Iapon, whereof

the first lying West and South, is the Iland of Firando, where the

Portugals vse to traffique: they are in length altogether an hundred and

thirtie leagues, and the furthest Eastward lieth under two and thirtie

degrees: we ranne still East, and East and by North, vntill we were past

the sayd hundred and thirtie leagues.

All this information I had of the aforesaid Chinar, as also that there I

should see some mines of brimstone or fierie hilles, being seuentie

leagues beyond them,[52] and thirtie leagues further I should finde four

Ilands lying together, which I likewise found, as hee had tolde mee:

[Sidenote: Other Ilands Eastward of Iapon.] And that being in Iapon, he

sayd hee had there seene certaine men of a very small stature, with

great rolle of linnen cloth about there heads, that brought golde in

small pieces, and some white Cangas of cotton, (which are pieces of

cotton-linnen so called by the Chinars) as also salte-fish like the

Spanish Atun, or Tunney, which hee sayde came out of other Ilands

Eastward from Iapon: and by the tokens and markes which hee shewed mee,

I gessed whereabout those Ilands should bee, and found them not farre

from whence he sayd they lay. Hee sayd likewise that all the Ilands of

Iapon haue good hauens and chanels, being a Countrey full of Rice,

Corne, Fish, and flesh, and that they are indifferent and reasonable

people to traffique with, and that there they haue much siluer.

[52] This probably refers to Fusyiama, which can be seen from Tokio, 80

miles away. Its last eruption took place in 1707.

Running thus East, and East and by North about three hundred leagues

from Iapon, wee found a very hollowe water, with the streame running out

of the North and Northwest, with a full and very broad Sea, without any

hinderance or trouble in the way that wee past: and what winde soeuer

blewe, the Sea continued all in one sort, with the same hollow water

and streame, vntill wee had passed seuen hundred leagues. [Sidenote:

Iapon 900. leagues distant from the coast of America in 37 degrees and

an halfe.] About two hundred leagues from the coast and land of newe

Spaine wee beganne to lose the sayd hollow Sea, and streame: whereby I

most assuredly thinke and beleeue, that there you shall finde a chanell

or straight passage, betweene the firme lande of newe Spaine, and the

Countreys of Asia and Tartaria. Likewise all this way from the

aforesayde seuen hundred leagues, we found a great number of

Whale-fishes and other fishes called by the Spaniards Atuns or Tunnies,

whereof many are found on the coast of Gibraltar in Spaine, as also

Albacoras and Bonitos, which are all fishes, which commonly keepe in

chanels, straights, and running waters, there to disperse their seede

when they breede: which maketh mee more assuredly beleeue, that

thereabouts is a chanel or straight to passe through.

[Sidenote: Read Francis Vlloa chap. 16.] Being by the same course vpon

the coast of newe Spaine, vnder seuen and thirtie degrees and 1/2. wee

passed by a very high and faire lande with many trees, wholly without

snowe, and foure leagues from the lande, you finde thereabouts many

drifts of rootes, leaues of trees, reeds, and other leaues like figge

leaues, the like whereof wee found in great abundance in the countrey of

Iapon, which they eate: and some of those that wee found, I caused to

bee sodden with flesh, and being sodden, they eate like Coleworts: there

likewise wee found great store of Seales: whereby it is to bee presumed

and certainely to bee beleeued, that there are many riuers, bayes, and

hauens along by those coastes to the hauen of Acapulco.

From thence wee ranne Southeast, Southeast and by South, and Southeast

and by East, as wee found the winde, to the point called El Cabo de Sant

Lucas, which is the beginning of the lande of California, on the

Northwest side, lying vnder two and twentie degrees, being fiue hundred

leagues distant from Cape Mendoçino.

[Sidenote: Hauens lately found out.] In this way of the aforesayde fiue

hundred leagues along by the coast, are many Ilands: and although they

bee but small, yet without doubt there are in them some good hauens, as

also in the firme land, where you haue these hauens following, now

lately found out, as that of the Ile of Sant Augustine, lying vnder

thirtie degrees and 3/4. and the Iland called Isla de Cedros, scarce

vnder eight and twenty deg. and 1/4. and the Iland lying beneath Saint

Martyn, vnder three and twentie degrees and 1/2. All this coast and

countrey, as I thinke, is inhabited, and sheweth to be a very good

countrey: for there by night wee sawe fire, and by day smoke, which is a

most sure token that they are inhabited.

From the poynt or hooke of Saint Lucas, to the Southeast side of

California, wee helde our course Eastsoutheast, for the space of 80.

leagues, to the point called El cabo de las corrientes, that is, the

Cape of the streames lying vnder 19. degrees and 2/3. And running this

course, Northward about a league from vs wee sawe three Ilands called

Las tres Marias, (that is to say, The three Maries) running the same

course. About foure leagues from the other Ilands, there are other

Ilands, reaching about two or three leagues: All this way from the mouth

or gulfe of California aforesayd, for the space of the sayd fourescore

leagues, there are great streames that run Westward.

From the point or Cape de las Corrientes, we ranne Southeast, and

sometimes Southeast and by East, for the space of an hundred and thirtie

leagues to the hauen of Acapulco. In this way of an hundred and thirtie

leagues, being twentie leagues on the way, we had the hauen of

Natiuidad, that is, of the birth of the Virgin Mary: and other eight

leagues further, the hauen of Saint Iago, or Saint Iames; and sixe

leagues further, the sea Strand called La Playa de Colima, that is, the

Strand of Colima. All this coast from California to the hauen of

Acapulco is inhabited by people that haue peace and traffique with the

Spaniards, and are of condition and qualities like the people of the

other places of new Spaine.

The conclusion of the Author of this last voyage.

All this description and nauigation haue I my selfe seene, prooued, and

well noted in my voyage made and ended in the yeere of our Lord 1584.

from great China out of the hauen and riuer of Canton, as I will more at

large set it downe vnto your honour, with the longitudes and latitudes

thereof, as God shall permit mee time and leysure, whom I beseech to

send you long and happie dayes.

And the same was truly translated out of Spanish into lowe Dutch

verbatim out of the Originall copy, (which was sent vnto the

Viceroy of the Portugall Indies) by Iohn Huyghen Van Linschoten.

The relation of the nauigation and discouery which Captaine

Fernando Alarchon made by the order of the right honourable Lord

Don Antonio de Mendoça, Vizeroy of New Spaine, dated in Colima,

an hauen of New Spaine.

Chap. 1.

Fernando Alarchon after he had suffered a storme, arriued with his

Fleete at the hauen of Saint Iago, and from thence at the hauen of

Aguaiaual: he was in great perill in seeking to discouer a Bay,

and getting out of the same he discouered a riuer on the coast

with a great current, entring into the same, and coasting along he

descried a great many of Indians with their weapons: with signes

hee hath traffique with them, and fearing some great danger

returneth to his ships.