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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
OF
LOUISIANA,
EMBRACING TRANSLATIONS OF
MANY RARE AND VALUABLE DOCUMENTS
RELATING TO THE
NATURAL, CIVIL AND POLITICAL
HISTORY OF THAT STATE.
COMPILED WITH
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES,
AND AN
INTRODUCTION,
BY
B. F. FRENCH,
_Member of the Louisiana Historical Society; of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science; Honorary Member of the Historical
Society of Pennsylvania; Corresponding Member of the Academy of Natural
Sciences of Philadelphia, etc., etc._
PART II.
PHILADELPHIA:
DANIELS AND SMITH.
_New York_, G. P. PUTNAM; _Boston_, LITTLE AND BROWN; _New Orleans_, B. M.
NORMAN; _London_, JOHN CHAPMAN; _Paris_, GALIGNANI AND CO.
1850.
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by
B. F. FRENCH,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED BY T. K. & P. G. COLLINS.
TO THE
MEMBERS OF THE LOUISIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THIS VOLUME
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY
BENJAMIN F. FRENCH.
[The following is an excerpt from this volume.
(note of etext transcriber.)]
A NARRATIVE
OF THE
EXPEDITION OF HERNANDO DE SOTO
INTO
FLORIDA.
BY A GENTLEMAN OF ELVAS.
PUBLISHED AT EVORA 1557.
TRANSLATED FROM THE PORTUGUESE
BY
RICHARD HACKLUYT.
LONDON, 1609.
CAPTAIN SOTO was the son of a squire of _Xerez of Badajoz_. He went into
the Spanish _Indies_, when _Peter Arias_ of _Avila_ was Governor of the
_West Indies_. And there he was without anything else of his own, save
his sword and target: and for his good qualities and valor, _Peter
Arias_ made him captain of a troop of horsemen, and by his commandment
he went with _Fernando Pizarro_ to the conquest of _Peru_: where (as
many persons of credit reported, which were there present) as well at
the taking of _Atabalipa_, Lord of _Peru_, as at the assault of the city
of _Cusco_, and in all other places where they found resistance,
wheresoever he was present, he passed all other captains and principal
persons. For which cause, besides his part of the treasure of
_Atabalipa_, he had a good share; whereby in time he gathered a hundred
and four score thousand ducats together, with that which fell to his
part; which he brought into Spain; whereof the Emperor borrowed a
certain part, which he repaid again with 60,000 rials of plate in the
rent of the silks of _Granada_, and all the rest was delivered him in
the contractation house of _Seville_. He took servants to wit, a
steward, a gentleman usher, pages, a gentleman of the horse, a
chamberlain, lackeys, and all other officers that the house of a noble
may require. From _Seville_ he went to the court, and in the court,
there accompanied him _John Danusco_ of _Seville_, and _Lewis Moscoso
D'Alvarado_, _Nuno de Touar_, and _John Rodriguez Lobillo_. Except
_John Danusco_, all the rest came with him from _Peru_: and every one of
them brought fourteen or fifteen thousand ducats: all of them went well
and costly appareled. And although _Soto_ of his own nature was not
liberal, yet because that was the first time that he was to show himself
in the court, he spent frankly, and went accompanied with those which I
have named, and with his servants, and many others which resorted unto
him. He married with _Donna Isabella de Bobadilla_, daughter of _Peter
Arias_ of _Avila_, Earl of _Punno en Rostro_. The Emperor made him the
Governor of the Isle of _Cuba_, and Adelantado or President of
_Florida_; with a title of Marquis of certain part of the lands that he
should conquer.
When _Don Ferdinando_ had obtained the government, there came a
gentleman from the _Indies_ to the court, named _Cabeca de Vaca_, which
had been with the Governor _Pamphilo de Narvaez_ which died in
_Florida_, who reported that _Narvaez_ was cast away at sea with all the
company that went with him. And how he with four more escaped and
arrived in _Nueva Espana_. Also he brought a relation in writing, of
that which he had seen in _Florida_; which said in some places: In such
a place I have seen this; and the rest which here I saw, I leave to
confer of between his Majesty and myself. Generally he reported the
misery of the country, and the troubles which he passed: and he told
some of his kinsfolk, which were desirous to go into the _Indies_, and
urged him very much to tell them whether he had seen any rich country in
_Florida_, that he might not tell them, because he and another, whose
name was _Orantes_, (who remained in _Nueva Espana_ with purpose to
return into _Florida_: for which intent he came into _Spain_ to beg the
government thereof of the Emperor) had sworn not to discover some of
those things which they had seen, because no man should prevent them in
begging the same. And he informed them _that it was the richest country
of the world_. _Don Ferdinando de Soto_ was very desirous to have him
with him, and made him a favorable offer: and after they were agreed,
because _Soto_ gave him not a sum of money which he demanded to buy a
ship, they broke off again. _Baltasar de Gallegos_, and _Christopher de
Spindola_, the kinsmen of _Cabeca de Vaca_, told him, that for that
which he had imparted to them, they were resolved to pass with _Soto_
into _Florida_, and therefore they prayed him to advise them what they
were best to do. _Cabeca de Vaca_ told them, that the cause why he went
not with _Soto_, was because he hoped to beg another government, and
that he was loth to go under the command of another: and that he came to
beg the conquest of _Florida_: but seeing _Don Ferdinando de Soto_ had
gotten it already, for his oath's sake he might tell them nothing of
that which they would know: but he counseled them to sell their goods
and go with him, and that in so doing they should do well. As soon as he
had opportunity, he spake with the Emperor, and related unto him
whatsoever he had passed and seen, and come to understand. Of this
relation, made by word of mouth to the Emperor, the Marquis of _Astorya_
had notice, and forthwith determined to send with _Don Ferdinando de
Soto_ his brother _Don Antonio Osorio_: and with him two kinsmen of his
prepared themselves, to wit, _Francis Osorio_, and _Garcia Osorio_. _Don
Antonio_ dispossessed himself of 60,000 rials of rent which he held by
the church; and _Francis Osorio_ of a town of vassals, which he had in
the country _de Campos_. And they made their rendezvous with the
Adelantado in _Seville_. The like did _Nunez de Touar_, and _Lewis de
Moscoso_, and _John Rodriguez Lobillo_, each of whom had brought from
_Peru_ fourteen or fifteen thousand ducats. _Lewis de Moscoso_ carried
with him two brethren; there went also _Don Carlos_, which had married
the governor's niece, and took her with him. From _Badajoz_ there went
_Peter Calderan_, and three kinsmen of the Adelantado, to wit, _Arias
Tinoco_, _Alfonso Romo_, and _Diego Tinoco_. And as _Lewis de Moscoso_
passed through _Elvas_[A] _Andrew de Vasconcelos_ spake with him, and
requested him to speak to _Don Ferdinando de Soto_ concerning him, and
delivered him certain warrants which he had received from the Marquis of
_Villa Real_, wherein he gave him the captainship of _Ceuta_ in
_Barbarie_, that he might show them unto him. And the Adelantado saw
them; and was informed who he was, and wrote unto him, that he would
favor him in all things, and by all means, and would give him a charge
of men in _Florida_. And from _Elvas_ went _Andrew de Vasconcelos_, and
_Fernan Pegado_, _Antonio Martinez Segurado_, _Men Roiz Pereira_, _John
Cordero_, _Stephen Pegado_, _Benedict Fernandez_, and _Alvaro
Fernandez_. And out of _Salamanca_, and _Jaen_, and _Valencia_, and
_Albuquerque_, and from other parts of _Spain_, many people of noble
birth, assembled at _Seville_, insomuch that in Saint _Lucar_ many men
of good account, which had sold their goods, remained behind for want of
shipping, whereas for other known and rich countries, they are wont to
want men: and this fell out by occasion of that which _Cabeca de
Vaca_[B] told the Emperor, and informed such persons as he had
conference withal touching the state of that country. _Soto_ made him
great offers, and being agreed to go with him (as I have said before)
because he would not give him money to pay for a ship, which he had
bought, they brake off, and he went for governor to the river of
_Plate_. His kinsmen, _Christopher de Spindola_ and _Baltasar de
Gallegos_, went with _Soto_. _Baltasar de Gallegos_ sold houses and
vineyards, and rent corn, and ninety ranks of olive trees in the _Xarafe
of Seville_. He had the office of _Alcalde Mayor_, and took his wife
with him. And there went also many other persons of account with the
President, and had the offices following by great friendship, because
they were offices desired of many, to wit, _Antonie de Biedma_ was
factor, _John Danusco_ was auditor, and _John Gaytan_, nephew to the
Cardinal of _Ciguenza_, had the office of treasurer.
The Portuguese departed from _Elvas_ the 15th of January, and came to
_Seville_ the 19th of the same month, and went to the lodging of the
Governor, and entered into a court, over the which were certain
galleries where he was, who came down and received them at the stairs,
whereby they went up into the galleries. When he was come up, he
commanded chairs to be given them to sit on. And _Andrew de Vasconcelos_
told him who he and the other Portuguese were, and how they all were
come to accompany him, and serve him in his voyage. He gave him thanks,
and made show of great contentment for his coming and offer. And the
table being already laid, he invited them to dinner. And being at
dinner, he commanded his steward to seek a lodging for them near unto
his own, where they might be lodged. The Adelantado departed from
_Seville_ to _Saint Lucar_ with all the people which were to go with
him. And he commanded a muster to be made, at the which the Portuguese
showed themselves armed in very bright armor, and the Castellans very
gallant with silk upon silk, with many pinkings and cuts. The Governor,
because these braveries in such an action did not like him, commanded
that they should muster another day, and every one should come forth
with his armor; at the which the Portuguese came as at the first armed
with very good armor. The Governor placed them in order near unto the
standard, which the ensign bearer carried. The Castellans, for the most
part, did wear very bad and rusty shirts of mail, and all of them
head-pieces and steel caps, and very bad lances. Some of them sought to
come among the Portuguese. So those passed and were counted and enrolled
which _Soto_ liked and accepted of, and did accompany him into
_Florida_; which were in all six hundred men. He had already bought
seven ships, and had all necessary provision aboard them. He appointed
captains, and delivered to every one his ship, and gave them in a roll
what people every one should carry with them.
In the year of our Lord 1538, in the month of April, the Adelantado
delivered his ships to the captains which were to go in them; and took
for himself a new ship, and good of sail, and gave another to _Andrew de
Vasconcelos_, in which the Portuguese went; he went over the bar of _St.
Lucar_ on Sunday, being _St. Lazarus_ day, in the morning of the month
and year aforesaid, with great joy, commanding his trumpets to be
sounded, and many shots of the ordnance to be discharged. He sailed four
days with a prosperous wind, and suddenly it calmed; the calms continued
eight days with swelling seas, in such wise that we made no way. The
fifteenth day after his departure from _St. Lucar_, he came to _Gomera_,
one of the _Canaries_, on Easter day in the morning. The Earl of that
island was appareled all in white, cloak, jerkin, hose, shoes and cap,
so that he seemed a Lord of the Gipsies. He received the Governor with
much joy; he was well lodged, and all the rest had their lodgings
gratis, and got great store of victuals for their money, as bread, wine,
and flesh; and they took what was needful for their ships, and the
Sunday following, eight days after their arrival, they departed from the
Isle of _Gomera_. The Earl gave to _Donna Isabella_, the Adelantado's
wife, a bastard daughter that he had, to be her waiting-maid. They
arrived at the _Antilles_, in the Isle of _Cuba_, at the port of the
city of _St. Jago_, upon Whit-sunday. As soon as they came thither, a
gentleman of the city sent to the sea-side a very fair roan horse, and
well furnished, for the Governor, and a mule for _Donna Isabella_, and
all the horsemen and footmen that were in the town came to receive him
at the sea-side. The Governor was well lodged, visited, and served of
all the inhabitants of the city, and all his company had their lodgings
freely: those which desired to go into the country, were divided by four
and four, and six and six, in the farms or granges, according to the
ability of the owners of the farms, and were furnished by them with all
things necessary.
The city of _St. Jago_ hath fourscore houses, which are great and well
contrived. The most part have their walls made of boards, and are
covered with thatch; it hath some houses built with lime and stones, and
covered with tiles. It hath great orchards and many trees in them,
differing from those of Spain: there be fig trees which bear figs as big
as one's fist, yellow within, and of small taste; and other trees which
bear a fruit which they call Ananes, in making and bigness like to a
small pineapple: it is a fruit very sweet in taste: the shell being
taken away, the kernel is like a piece of fresh cheese. In the granges
abroad in the country there are other great pineapples, which grow on
low trees, and are like the Aloe tree: they are of a very good smell and
exceeding good taste. Other trees do bear a fruit which they call
Mameis, of the bigness of peaches. This the islanders do hold for the
best fruit of the country. There is another fruit which they call
Guayabas, like filberts, as big as figs. There are other trees as high
as a javelin, having one only stock without any bough, and the leaves as
long as a casting dart; and the fruit is of the bigness and fashion of a
cucumber; one bunch beareth twenty or thirty, and as they ripen the tree
bendeth downward with them: they are called in this country Plantanos,
and are of a good taste, and ripen after they be gathered; but those are
the better which ripen upon the tree itself; they bear fruit but once,
and the tree being cut down, there spring up others out of the but,
which bear fruit the next year. There is another fruit, whereby many
people are sustained, and chiefly the slaves, which are called Batatas.
These grow now in the Isle of _Tercera_, belonging to the kingdom of
_Portugal_, and they grow within the earth, and are like a fruit called
Iname; they have almost the taste of a chestnut. The bread of this
country is also made of roots which are like the Batatas.[C] And the
stock whereon those roots do grow is like an elder tree: they make their
ground in little hillocks, and in each of them they thrust four or five
stakes; and they gather the roots a year and a half after they set them.
If any one, thinking it is a batata or potato root, chance to eat of it
never so little, he is in great danger of death: which was seen by
experience in a soldier, which as soon as he had eaten a very little of
one of those roots, he died quickly. They pare these roots and stamp
them, and squeeze them in a thing like a press: the juice that cometh
from them is of an evil smell. The bread is of little taste and less
substance. Of the fruits of _Spain_, there are figs and oranges, and
they bear fruit all the year, because the soil is very rank and
fruitful. In this country are many good horses, and there is green grass
all the year. There be many wild oxen and hogs, whereby the people of
the island are well furnished with flesh. Without the towns abroad in
the country are many fruits. And it happeneth sometimes that a Christian
goeth out of the way and is lost fifteen or twenty days, because of the
many paths in the thick groves that cross to and fro made by the oxen;
and being thus lost they sustain themselves with fruits and
palmitos--for there be many great groves of palm trees through all the
island--they yield no other fruit that is of any profit. The Isle of
_Cuba_ is three hundred leagues long from the east to the west, and is
in some places thirty, in others forty leagues from north to south. It
hath six towns of Christians, to wit, _St. Jago_, _Baracoa_, _Bayamo_,
_Puerto de Principes_, _S. Espirito_, and _Havana_. Every one hath
between thirty and forty households, except _St. Jago_ and _Havana_,
which have about sixty or eighty houses. They have churches in each of
them, and a chaplain which confesseth them and saith mass. In _St. Jago_
is a monastery of Franciscan friars; it hath but few friars, and is well
provided of alms, because the country is rich. The Church of _St. Jago_
hath honest revenue, and there is a curate and prebends, and many
priests, as the church of that city, which is the chief of all the
island. There is in this country much gold and few slaves to get it; for
many have made away themselves, because of the Christians' evil usage of
them in the mines. A steward of _Vasquez Porcallo_, which was an
inhabitor in that island, understanding that his slaves would make away
themselves, stayed for them with a cudgel in his hand at the place where
they were to meet, and told them that they could neither do nor think
anything that he did not know before, and that he came thither to kill
himself, with them, to the end, that if he had used them badly in this
world, he might use them worse in the world to come: and this was a
means that they changed their purpose, and turned home again to do that
which he commanded them.
The Governor sent from _St. Jago_ his nephew _Don Carlos_, with the
ships in company of _Donna Isabella_ to tarry for him at _Havana_, which
is a haven in the west part toward the head of the island, one hundred
and eighty leagues from the city of _St. Jago_. The Governor, and those
which stayed with him, bought horses and proceeded on their journey. The
first town they came unto was _Bayamo_: they were lodged four and four,
and six and six, as they went in company, and where they lodged, they
took nothing for their diet, for nothing cost them aught save the maize
or corn for their horses, because the Governor went to visit them from
town to town, and seized them in the tribute and service of the Indians.
_Bayamo_ is twenty-five leagues from the city of _St. Jago_. Near unto
the town passeth a great river which is called _Tanto_; it is greater
than _Guadiana_, and in it be very great crocodiles, which sometimes
hurt the Indians, or the cattle which passeth the river. In all the
country are neither wolf, fox, bear, lion, nor tiger. There are wild
dogs which go from the houses into the woods and feed upon swine. There
be certain snakes as big as a man's thigh or bigger; they are very
slow, they do no kind of hurt. From _Bayamo_ to _Puerto de los
Principes_ are fifty leagues. In all the island from town to town, the
way is made by stubbing up the underwood; and if it be left but one year
undone, the wood groweth so much that the way cannot be seen, and the
paths of the oxen are so many, that none can travel without an Indian of
the country for a guide: for all the rest is very high and thick woods.
From _Puerto de los Principes_ the Governor went to the house of
_Vasquez Porcallo_ by sea in a boat (for it was near the sea) to know
there some news of _Donna Isabella_, which at that instant (as
afterwards was known) was in great distress, insomuch that the ships
lost one another, and two of them fell on the coast of _Florida_, and
all of them endured great want of water and victuals. When the storm was
over, they met together without knowing where they were: in the end they
descried the Cape of _St. Anton_, a country not inhabited of the island
of _Cuba_; there they watered, and at the end of forty days, which were
passed since their departure from the city of _St. Jago_, they arrived
at _Havana_. The Governor was presently informed thereof, and went to
_Donna Isabella_. And those which went by land, which were one hundred
and fifty horsemen, being divided into two parts, because they would not
oppress the inhabitants, traveled by _St. Espirito_, which is sixty
leagues from _Puerto de los Principes_. The food which they carried with
them was _Cacabe_ bread, which is that whereof I made mention before:
and it is of such a quality that if it be wet it breaketh presently,
whereby it happened to some to eat flesh without bread for many days.
They carried dogs with them, and a man of the country, which did hunt;
and by the way, or where they were to lodge that night, they killed as
many hogs as they needed. In this journey they were well provided of
beef and pork, and they were greatly troubled with musquitoes,
especially in a lake, which is called the mere of _Pia_, which they had
much ado to pass from noon till night. The water might be some half
league over, and to be swam about a crossbow shot; the rest came to the
waist, and they waded up to the knees in the mire, and in the bottom
were cockle shells, which cut their feet very sore, in such sort that
there was neither boot nor shoe sole that was whole at half way. Their
clothes and saddles were passed in baskets of palm trees. Passing this
lake, stripped out of their clothes, there came many mosquitoes, upon
whose biting there arose a wheal that smarted very much; they struck
them with their hands, and with the blow which they gave they killed so
many that the blood did run down the arms and bodies of the men. That
night they rested very little for them, and other nights also in the
like places and times. They came to _Santo Espirito_, which is a town of
thirty houses; there passeth by it a little river; it is very pleasant
and fruitful, having great store of oranges and citrons, and fruits of
the country. One-half of the company were lodged here, and the rest
passed forward twenty-five leagues to another town called la _Trinidad_,
of fifteen or twenty households. Here is an hospital for the poor, and
there is none other in all the island. And they say that this town was
the greatest in all the country, and that before the Christians came
into this land, as a ship passed along the coast there came in it a very
sick man, which desired the captain to set him on shore, and the captain
did so, and the ship went her way. The sick man remained set on shore in
that country, which until then had not been haunted by Christians;
whereupon the Indians found him, carried him home, and looked unto him
till he was whole; and the lord of that town married him unto a daughter
of his, and had war with all the inhabitants round about, and by the
industry and valor of the Christian, he subdued and brought under his
command all the people of that island. A great while after, the Governor
_Diego Velasques_ went to conquer it, and from thence discovered _New
Spain_. And this Christian which was with the Indians did pacify them,
and brought them to the obedience and subjection of the governor. From
this town _de la Trinidad_ unto _Havana_ are eighty leagues, without any
habitation, which they traveled. They came to _Havana_ in the end of
March, where they found the Governor, and the rest of the people which
came with him from _Spain_. The Governor sent from _Havana John
Dannusco_ with a caravele and two brigantines with fifty men to discover
the haven of _Florida_, and from thence he brought two Indians which he
took upon the coast, wherewith (as well because they might be necessary
for guides and for interpreters, as because they said by signs that
there was much gold in _Florida_) the Governor and all the company
received much contentment, and longed for the hour of their departure,
thinking in himself that this was the richest country that unto that day
had been discovered.
Before our departure the Governor deprived _Nuno de Touar_ of the office
of Captain-general, and gave it to _Porcallo de Figueroa_, an inhabitant
of _Cuba_, which was a mean that the ship was well furnished with
victuals; for he gave a great many loads of _Casabe_ bread and many
hogs. The Governor took away this office from _Nuno de Touar_, because
he had fallen in love with the daughter of the Earl of _Gomera_, _Donna
Isabella's_ waiting-maid, who, though his office were taken from him (to
return again to the Governor's favor), though she were with child by
him, yet took her to his wife, and went with _Soto_ into _Florida_. The
Governor left _Donna Isabella_ in _Havana_, and with her remained the
wife of _Don Carlos_, and the wives of _Baltasar de Gallegos_, and of
_Nuno de Touar_. And he left for his lieutenant a gentleman of _Havana_,
called _John de Roias_, for the government of the island.
On Sunday the 18th of May, in the year of our Lord 1539, the Adelantado
or president departed from _Havana_ in _Cuba_ with his fleet, which were
nine vessels, five great ships, two caravels, and two brigantines. They
sailed seven days with a prosperous wind. The 25th day of May, the day
_de Pasca de Spirito Santo_[D] (which we call Whitson Sunday), they saw
the land of _Florida_, and because of the shoals, they came to an anchor
a league from the shore. On Friday the 30th of May they landed in
_Florida_, two leagues from a town of an Indian lord called _Ucita_.
They set on land two hundred and thirteen horses, which they brought
with them to unburden the ships, that they might draw the less water. He
landed all his men, and only the seamen remained in the ships, which in
eight days, going up with the tide every day a little, brought them up
unto the town. As soon as the people were come on shore, he pitched his
camp on the sea-side, hard upon the bay which went up unto the town. And
presently the Captain-general, _Vasquez Porcallo_, with other seven
horsemen foraged the country half a league round about, and found six
Indians, which resisted him with their arrows, which are the weapons
which they used to fight withal. The horsemen killed two of them, and
the other four escaped; because the country is cumbersome with woods and
bogs, where the horses stuck fast, and fell with their riders, because
they were weak with traveling upon the sea. The same night following,
the Governor with an hundred men in the brigantines lighted upon a town,
which he found without people, because that as soon as the Christians
had sight of land, they were descried, and saw along the coast many
smokes, which the Indians had made to give advice the one to the other.
The next day _Luys de Moscoso_, master of the camp, set the men in
order, the horsemen in three squadrons, the vanguard, the battalion, and
the rereward; and so they marched that day and the day following,
compassing great creeks which came out of the bay. They came to the town
of _Ucita_, where the Governor was on Sunday the first of June, being
Trinity Sunday. The town was of seven or eight houses. The lord's house
stood near the shore upon a very high mount, made by hand for strength.
At another end of the town stood the church, and on the top of it stood
a fowl made of wood with gilded eyes. Here were found some pearls of
small value, spoiled with the fire, which the Indians do pierce and
string them like beads, and wear them about their necks and handwrists,
and they esteem them very much. The houses were made of timber, and
covered with palm leaves. The Governor lodged himself in the lord's
houses, and with him _Vasquez Porcallo_, and _Luys de Moscoso_; and in
others that were in the midst of the town, was the chief Alcalde or
justice, _Baltasar de Gallegos_ lodged; and in the same houses was set
in a place by itself all the provision that came in the ships; the other
houses and the church were broken down, and every three or four soldiers
made a little cabin wherein they lodged. The country round about was
very fenny, and encumbered with great and high trees. The Governor
commanded to fell the woods a crossbow shot round about the town, that
the horses might run, and the Christians might have the advantage of the
Indians, if by chance they should set upon them by night. In the ways
and places convenient they had their sentinels of footmen by two and two
in every stand, which did watch by turns, and the horsemen did visit
them, and were ready to assist them if there were any alarm. The
Governor made four captains of the horsemen and two of the footmen. The
captains of the horsemen were one of them _Andrew de Masconcelos_, and
another _Pedro Calderan de Badajoz_; and the other two were his kinsmen,
to wit, _Arias Tinoco_, and _Alfonso Romo_, born likewise in _Badajoz_.
The captains of the footmen, the one was _Francisco Maldonado of
Salamanca_, and the other _Juan Rodriguez Lobillo_. While we were in
this town of _Ucita_, the two Indians which _John Danusco_ had taken on
that coast, and the Governor carried along with him for guides and
interpreters, through carelessness of two men which had the charge of
them escaped away one night; for which the Governor and all the rest
were very sorry, for they had already made some roads, and no Indians
could be taken, because the country was full of marsh grounds, and in
some places full of very high and thick woods.
From the town of _Ucita_ the Governor sent the Alcalde mayor, _Baltasar
de Gallegos_, with forty horsemen and eighty footmen into the country to
see if they could take any Indians; and the Captain _John Rodriguez
Lobillo_ another way with fifty footmen: the most of them were
swordsmen and targeters, and the rest were shot and crossbow-men. They
passed through a country full of bogs, where horses could not travel.
Half a league from the camp they lighted upon, certain cabins of Indians
near a river. The people that were in them leaped into the river, yet
they took four Indian women. And twenty Indians charged us and so
distressed us, that we were forced to retire to our camp, being, as they
are, exceeding ready with their weapons. It is a people so warlike and
so nimble, that they care not a whit for any footmen. For if their
enemies charge them they run away, and if they turn their backs they are
presently upon them. And the thing that they most flee is the shot of an
arrow. They never stand still, but are always running and traversing
from one place to another, by reason whereof neither crossbow nor
arquebuss can aim at them; and before one crossbowman can make one shot
an Indian will discharge three or four arrows, and he seldom misseth
what he shooteth at. An arrow where it findeth no armor, pierceth as
deeply as a crossbow. Their bows are very long, and their arrows are
made of certain canes like reeds, very heavy, and so strong that a sharp
cane passeth through a target. Some they arm in the point with a sharp
bone of a fish like a chisel, and in others they fasten certain stones
like points of diamonds. For the most part when they light upon an armor
they break in the place where they are bound together. Those of cane do
split and pierce a coat of mail, and are more hurtful than the other.
_John Rodriguez Lobillo_ returned to the camp with six men wounded,
whereof one died; and brought the four Indian women which _Baltasar
Gallegos_ had taken in the cabins or cottages. Two leagues from the
town, coming into the plain field, he espied ten or eleven Indians,
among whom was a Christian, which was naked and scorched with the sun,
and had his arms razed after the manner of the Indians, and differed
nothing at all from them. And as soon as the horsemen saw them they ran
toward them. The Indians fled, and some of them hid themselves in a
wood, and they overtook two or three of them which were wounded; and the
Christian seeing a horseman run upon him with his lance, began to cry
out, "Sirs, I am a Christian, slay me not, nor these Indians, for they
have saved my life." And straightway he called them and put them out of
fear, and they came forth of the wood unto them. The horsemen took both
the Christian and the Indians up behind them, and toward night came into
the camp with much joy; which thing being known by the Governor, and
them that remained in the camp, they were received with the like.
This Christian's name was _John Ortiz_, and he was born in _Seville_,
of worshipful parentage. He was twelve years in the hands of the
Indians. He came into this country with _Pamphilo de Narvaez_, and
returned in the ships to the Island of _Cuba_, where the wife of the
Governor _Pamphilo de Narvaez_ was, and by his commandment with twenty
or thirty others in a brigantine returned back again to _Florida_, and
coming to the port in the sight of the town, on the shore they saw a
cane sticking in the ground, and riven at the top, and a letter in it;
and they believed that the governor had left it there to give
advertisement of himself when he resolved to go up into the land, and
they demanded it of four or five Indians which walked along the
sea-shore, and they bade them by signs to come on shore for it, which
against the will of the rest _John Ortiz_ and another did. And as soon
as they were on land, from the houses of the town issued a great number
of Indians, which compassed them about and took them in a place where
they could not flee; and the other, which sought to defend himself, they
presently killed upon the place, and took John _Ortiz_ alive, and
carried him to _Ucita_ their lord. And those of the brigantine sought
not to land, but put themselves to sea, and returned to the Island of
_Cuba_. _Ucita_ commanded to bind _John Ortiz_ hand and foot upon four
stakes aloft upon a raft, and to make a fire under him, that there he
might be burned. But a daughter of his desired him that he would not put
him to death, alleging that one only Christian could do him neither hurt
nor good, telling him that it was more for his honor to keep him as a
captive. And _Ucita_ granted her request, and commanded him to be cured
of his wounds; and as soon as he was whole he gave him the charge of the
keeping of the temple, because that by night the wolves did carry away
the dead corpses out of the same--who commended himself to God and took
upon him the charge of his temple. One night the wolves got from him the
corpse of a little child, the son of a principal Indian, and going after
them he threw a dart at one of the wolves, and struck him that carried
away the corpse, who, feeling himself wounded left it, and fell down
dead near the place; and he not woting what he had done, because it was
night, went back again to the temple; the morning being come and finding
not the body of the child, he was very sad. As soon as _Ucita_ knew
thereof he resolved to put him to death, and sent by the track which he
said the wolves went, and found the body of the child, and the wolf dead
a little beyond, whereat _Ucita_ was much contented with the Christian,
and with the watch which he kept in the temple, and from thenceforward
esteemed him much. Three years after he fell into his hands there came
another lord called _Mococo_, who dwelleth two days' journey from the
port, and burnt his town. _Ucita_ fled to another town that he had in
another sea-port. Thus _John Ortiz_ lost his office and favor that he
had with him. These people being worshipers of the devil, are wont to
offer up unto him the lives and blood of their Indians, or of any other
people they can come by; and they report that when he will have them do
that sacrifice unto him, he speaketh with them, and telleth them that he
is athirst, and willeth them to sacrifice unto him. _John Ortiz_ had
notice by the damsel that had delivered him from the fire, how her
father was determined to sacrifice him the day following, who willed him
to flee to _Mococo_, for she knew that he would use him well; for she
heard say that he had asked for him and said he would be glad to see
him, and because he knew not the way she went with him half a league out
of the town by night and set him in the way, and returned because she
would not be discovered. _John Ortiz_ traveled all that night, and by
the morning came to a river which is the territory of _Mococo_, and
there he saw two Indians fishing; and because they were in war with the
people of _Ucita_, and their languages were different, and he knew not
the language of _Mococo_, he was afraid, because he could not tell them
who he was, nor how he came thither, nor was able to answer anything for
himself, that they would kill him, taking him for one of the Indians of
_Ucita_, and before they espied him he came to the place where they had
laid their weapons; and as soon as they saw him they fled toward the
town, and although he willed them to stay, because he meant to do them
no hurt, yet they understood him not, and ran away as fast as ever they
could. And as soon as they came to the town with great outcries, many
Indians came forth against him, and began to compass him to shoot at
him. _John Ortiz_ seeing himself in so great danger, shielded himself
with certain trees, and begun to shriek out and cry very loud, and to
tell them that he was a Christian, and that he was fled from _Ucita_,
and was come to see and serve _Mococo_ his lord. It pleased God that at
that very instant there came thither an Indian that could speak the
language and understood him, and pacified the rest, who told them what
he said. Then ran from thence three or four Indians to bear the news to
their lord, who came forth a quarter of a league from the town to
receive him, and was very glad of him. He caused him presently to swear
according to the custom of the Christians, that he would not run away
from him to any other lord, and promised him to entreat him very well;
and that if at any time there came any Christians into that country, he
would freely let him go, and give him leave to go to them; and likewise
took his oath to perform the same according to the Indian custom. About
three years after certain Indians, which were fishing at sea two leagues
from the town, brought news to _Mococo_ that they had seen ships, and he
called _John Ortiz_ and gave him leave to go his way, who taking his
leave of him, with all the haste he could came to the sea, and finding
no ships he thought it to be some deceit, and that the cacique had done
the same to learn his mind. So he dwelt with _Mococo_ nine years, with
small hope of seeing any Christians. As soon as our Governor arrived in
_Florida_, it was known to _Mococo_, and straightway he signified to
_John Ortiz_ that Christians were lodged in the town of _Ucita_; and he
thought he had jested with him as he had done before, and told him that
by this time he had forgotten the Christians, and thought of nothing
else but to serve him. But he assured him that it was so, and gave him
license to go unto them, saying unto him that if he would not do it, and
if the Christians should go their way, he should not blame him, for he
had fulfilled that which he had promised him. The joy of _John Ortiz_
was so great, that he could not believe that it was true;
notwithstanding he gave him thanks, and took his leave of him, and
_Mococo_ gave him ten or eleven principal Indians to bear him company;
and as they went to the port where the Governor was, they met with
_Baltasar de Gallegos_, as I have declared before. As soon as he was
come to the camp, the Governor commanded to give him a suit of apparel,
and very good armor, and a fair horse; and inquired of him whether he
had notice of any country where there was any gold or silver. He
answered, No, because he never went ten leagues compass from the place
where he dwelt; but that thirty leagues from thence[E] dwelt an Indian
lord, which was called _Paracossi_, to whom _Mococo_ and _Ucita_, with
all the rest of that coast paid tribute, and that he peradventure might
have notice of some good country, and that his land was better than that
of the sea-coast, and more fruitful and plentiful of maize. Whereof the
Governor received great contentment, and said that he desired no more
than to find victuals, that he might go into the main land, for the land
of _Florida_ was so large, that in one place or other there could not
choose but be some rich country. The _Cacique Mococo_ came to the port
to visit the Governor, and made this speech following.
"Right high and mighty lord, I being lesser in mine own conceit for to
obey you, than any of those which you have under your command, and
greater in desire to do you greater services, do appear before your
lordship with so much confidence of receiving favor, as if in effect
this my good will were manifested unto you in works; not for the small
service I did unto you touching the Christian which I had in my power,
in giving him freely his liberty (for I was bound to do it to preserve
mine honor, and that which I had promised him), but because it is the
part of great men to use great magnificences. And I am persuaded that as
in bodily perfections, and commanding of good people, you do exceed all
men in the world, so likewise you do in the parts of the mind, in which
you may boast of the bounty of nature. The favor which I hope for of
your lordship is, that you would hold me for yours, and bethink yourself
to command me anything wherein I may do you service."
The Governor answered him, "That although in freeing and sending him the
Christian, he had preserved his honor and promise, yet he thanked him,
and held it in such esteem as it had no comparison; and that he would
always hold him as his brother, and would favor all things to the utmost
of his power." Then he commanded a shirt to be given him, and other
things, wherewith the cacique being very well contented, took his leave
of him, and departed to his own town.
From the Port _de Spirito Santo_ where the Governor lay, he sent the
Alcalde Mayor _Baltasar de Gallegos_ with fifty horsemen, and thirty or
forty footmen to the province of _Paracossi_, to view the disposition of
the country, and inform himself of the land farther inward, and to send
him word of such things as he found. Likewise he sent his ships back to
the Island of _Cuba_, that they might return within a certain time with
victuals. _Vasquez Porcallo de Figueroa_, which went with the Governor
as Captain-general, (whose principal intent was to send slaves from
_Florida_ to the Island of _Cuba_, where he had his goods and mines,)
having made some inroads, and seeing no Indians were to be got, because
of the great bogs and woods that were in the country, considering the
disposition of the same, determined to return to _Cuba_. And though
there was some difference between him and the Governor, whereupon they
neither dealt nor conversed together with good countenance, yet
notwithstanding with loving words he asked him leave and departed from
him. _Baltasar de Gallegos_ came to the _Paracossi_. There came to him
thirty Indians from the cacique, which was absent from his town, and one
of them made this speech:
"Paracossi, the lord of this province, whose vassals we are, sendeth us
unto your worship, to know what it is that you seek in this his country,
and wherein he may do you service."
_Baltasar de Gallegos_ said unto him that he thanked them very much for
their offer, willing them to warn their lord to come to his town, and
that there they would talk and confirm their peace and friendship, which
he much desired. The Indians went their way and returned next day, and
said that their lord was ill at ease, and therefore could not come; but
that they came on his behalf to see what he demanded. He asked them if
they knew or had notice of any rich country where there was gold or
silver. They told him they did, and that towards the west there was a
province which was called _Cale_; and that others that inhabited other
countries had war with the people of that country, where the most part
of the year was summer, and that there was much gold; and that when
those their enemies came to make war with them of _Cale_, these
inhabitants of _Cale_ did wear hats of gold, in manner of head-pieces.
_Baltasar de Gallegos_ seeing that the cacique came not, thinking all
that they said was feigned, with intent that in the meantime they might
set themselves in safety, fearing that if he did let them go, they would
return no more, commanded the thirty Indians to be chained, and sent
word to the Governor by eight horsemen what had passed; whereof the
Governor with all that were with him at the Port _de Spirito Santo_
received great comfort, supposing that that which the Indians reported
might be true. He left Captain _Calderan_ at the port, with thirty
horsemen and seventy footmen, with provision for two years, and himself
with all the rest marched into the main land, and came to the
_Paracossi_, at whose town _Baltasar de Gallegos_ was; and from thence
with all his men took the way to _Cale_. He passed by a little town
called _Acela_, and came to another called _Tocaste_; and from thence he
went before with thirty horsemen and fifty footmen towards _Cale_. And
passing by a town whence the people were fled, they saw Indians a little
distance from thence in a lake, to whom the interpreter spoke. They came
unto them and gave them an Indian for a guide; and he came to a river
with a great current, and upon a tree which was in the midst of it, was
made a bridge, whereon the men passed; the horses swam over by a hawser,
that they were pulled by from the other side; for one, which they drove
in at the first without it, was drowned. From thence the Governor sent
two horsemen to his people that were behind, to make haste after him;
because the way grew long, and their victuals short. He came to _Cale_,
and found the town without people. He took three Indians which were
spies, and tarried there for his people that came after, which were
sore vexed with hunger and evil ways, because the country was very
barren of maize, low, and full of water, bogs, and thick woods; and the
victuals which they brought with them from the _Port de Spirito Santo_,
were spent. Wheresoever any town was found, there were some beets, and
he that came first gathered them, and sodden with water and salt, did
eat them without any other thing; and such as could not get them,
gathered the stalks of maize and eat them, which because they were young
had no maize in them. When they came to the river which the Governor had
passed, they found palmitos upon low palm trees like those of
_Andalusia_. There they met with the two horsemen which the Governor
sent unto them, and they brought news that in _Cale_ there was plenty of
maize, at which news they all rejoiced. As soon as they came to _Cale_,
the Governor commanded them to gather all the maize that was ripe in the
field, which was sufficient for three months. At the gathering of it the
Indians killed three Christians, and one of them which were taken told
the Governor, that within seven days' journey there was a very great
province, and plentiful of maize, which was called _Apalache_. And
presently he departed from _Cale_ with fifty horsemen, and sixty
footmen. He left the master of the camp, _Luys de Moscoso_, with all the
rest of the people there, with charge that he should not depart thence
until he had word from him. And because hitherto none had gotten any
slaves, the bread that every one was to eat he was fain himself to beat
in a mortar made in a piece of timber, with a pestle, and some of them
did sift the flour through their shirts of mail. They baked their bread
upon certain tileshares which they set over the fire, in such sort as
heretofore I have said they used to do in _Cuba_. It is so troublesome
to grind their maize, that there were many that would rather not eat it
than grind it; and did eat the maize parched and sodden.