[Preparer's notes:
1) Though the original title does not appear in this version, this
is (apart from the preface) a translation of:
"Brevisima relacion de la destruccíon de las Indias", by
Bartolome de las Casas, originally published in Seville in 1552.
2) The original archaic spelling and punctuation has been retained]
POPERY
Truly Display'd in its
Bloody Colours:
Or, a faithful
NARRATIVE
OF THE
Horrid and Unexampled Massacres, Butcheries, and all manner of
Cruelties, that Hell and Malice could invent, committed by the Popish
_Spanish_ Party on the inhabitants of _West-India_
TOGETHER
With the Devastations of several Kingdoms in _America_ by Fire and
Sword, for the space of Forty and Two Years, from the time of its first
Discovery by them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
_Composed first in_ Spanish _by_ Bartholomew de las Casas, _a Bishop there,
and Eye-Witness of most of these Barbarous Cruelties; afterward Translated
by him into_ Latin, _then by other hands, into_ High-Dutch, Low-Dutch,
French, _and now Taught to Speak Modern English_.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
_London,_ Printed for _R. Hewson_ at the _Crown in Cornhil,_
near the _Stocks-Market._ 1689.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE
ARGUMENT
OF THIS NARRATIVE
By way of
PREFACE
TO THE
READER.
_The Reverend Author of this Compendious Summary was_ Bartholomaeus de las
Casas _alias_ Casaus, _a Pious and Religeous person, (as appears by his
zealous Transports in this Narrative for promotion of the Christian
Faith) elevated from a Frier of the_ Dominican _Order to sit in the
Episcopal Chair, who was frequently importuned by Good and Learned Men,
particularly Historians, to Publish this Summary, who so prevailed with
him, that he Collected out of that copious History which might and
ought to be written on this subject, the contents of this concise
Treatise with intention to display unto the World the Enormities,_ &c.
_the_ Spaniards _committed in_ America _during their residence there, to
their eternal ignominy; and for the author finding that no Admonitions
or Reprehensions, how mild soever could operate upon or sink into the
rocky-hearted Tyrants in those Occidental parts; he therefore took up a
firm resolution, being then about 50 years of age (as he himself
declares) to run the Hazards and Dangers by Sea, and the Risque of a
long voyage into_ Spain _there to acquaint and Certifie the most
Illustrious Prince_ Phillip _the Son and Heir of his Imperial Majesty_
Charles _the Fifth of Blessed Memory, with the Horrid crimes,_ &c.
_perpetrated in those countries, part whereof he had seen, and part
heard from such as boasted of their Wickedness. Whereupon his_
Caeserean _Majesty moved with a tender and Christian compassion
towards these Inhabitants of the Countries of_ America, _languishing
for want of redress, he called a Council at_ Valedolid, _Anno Dom.
1542. consisting of Learned and Able Men, in order to the reformation
of the_ West-Indian _government, and took such a course, that from that
time their Tyranny and cruelty against those_ Barbarians _was somewhat
repressed, and those Nations in some measure delivered from that
intolerable and more then_ Aegyptian _Bondage, or at least the_
Spaniards _ill usage and treatment of the_ Americans _was alleviated
and abated. This Book mostly_ Historical, _part_ Typographical, _was
Published first by the Author in_ Spanish _at_ Sevil, _after that
Translated into_ Latin _by himself; and in process of time into_ High
Dutch, Low Dutch, French _and now_ English; _which is the Sixth
Language it has been taught to speak, that anyone of what Nation soever
might in this Narrative contemplate and see as in a mirror the dismal
and pernitious fruits, that lacquey and attend unlimited and close
fisted Avarice, and thereby Learn to abhor and detest it,_ Cane pejus &
angue: _it being the predominant and chiefest motive to the comission
of such inexpressible Outrages, as here in part are faintly, not fully
represented. Which sin the Pagan_ Indians _themselves did exprobate in
the_ Spaniards _with all Detestation, Ignominy and Disgrace: for when
they had taken some of them Prisoners (which was rarely) they bound
them hand and foot, laid them on the ground, and then pouring melted
Gold down their Throats, cried out and called to them aloud in
derision,_ yield, throw up thy Gold O Christian! Vomit and spew out
the Mettal which hath so inqinated and invenom'd both Body and Soul,
that hath stain'd and infected they mind with desires and contrivances,
and thy hands with Commission of such matchless Enormities. _I will
then shut up all this, being but an Extract of what is in the Prefatory
part of the Original. I earnestly beg and desire all Men to be
perswaded, that this summary was not published upon any private Design,
sinister ends or affection in favor or prejudice of any particular
Nation; but for the publick Emolument and Advantage of all true
Christians and moral Men throughout the whole World._
Farewell
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CRUELTIES
OF THE
Spaniards
Committed in
AMERICA.
America was discovered and found out _Ann. Dom._ 1492, and the Year
insuing inhabited by the _Spaniards_, and afterward a multitude of them
travelled thither from _Spain_ for the space of Nine and Forty Years.
Their first attempt was on the _Spanish_ Island, which indeed is a most
fertile soil, and at present in great reputation for its Spaciousness
and Length, containing in Circumference Six Hundred Miles: Nay it is on
all sides surrounded with an almost innumerable number of Islands,
which we found so well peopled with Natives and Forreigners, that there
is scarce any Region in the Universe fortified with so many
Inhabitants: But the main Land or Continent, distant from this Island
Two Hundred and Fifty Miles and upwards, extends it self above Ten
Thousand Miles in Length near the sea-shore, which Lands are some of
them already discover'd, and more may be found out in process of time:
And such a multitude of People inhabits these Countries, that it seems
as if the Omnipotent God has Assembled and Convocated the major part of
Mankind in this part of the World.
Now this infinite multitude of Men are by the Creation of God
innocently simple, altogether void of and averse to all manner of
Craft, Subtlety and Malice, and most Obedient and Loyal Subjects to
their Native Sovereigns; and behave themselves very patiently,
sumissively and quietly towards the _Spaniards_, to whom they are
subservient and subject; so that finally they live without the least
thirst after revenge, laying aside all litigiousness, Commotion and
hatred.
This is a most tender and effeminate people, and so imbecile and
unequal-balanced temper, that they are altogether incapable of hard
labour, and in few years, by one Distemper or other soon expire, so
that the very issue of Lords and Princes, who among us live with great
affluence, and fard deliciously, are not more effminate and tender than
the Children of their Husbandmen or Labourers: This Nation is very
Necessitous and Indigent, Masters of very slender Possessions, and
consequently, neither Haughty, nor Ambitious. They are parsimonious in
their Diet, as the Holy Fathers were in their frugal life in the
Desert, known by the name of _Eremites_. They go naked, having no
other Covering but what conceals their Pudends from publick sight. An
hairy Plad, or loose Coat, about an Ell, or a coarse woven Cloth at
most Two Ells long serves them for the warmest Winter Garment. They
lye on a coarse Rug or Matt, and those that have the most plentiful
Estate or Fortunes, the better sort, use Net-work, knotted at the four
corners in lieu of Beds, which the Inhabitants of the Island of
_Hispaniola_, in their own proper Idiom, term _Hammacks_. The Men are
pregnant and docible. The natives tractable, and capable of Morality or
Goodness, very apt to receive the instill'd principles of Catholick
Religion; nor are they averse to Civility and good Manners, being not
so much discompos'd by variety of Obstructions, as the rest of Mankind;
insomuch, that having suckt in (if I may so express my self) the the
very first Rudiments of the Christian Faith, they are so transported
with Zeal and Furvor in the exercise of Ecclesiastical Sacraments, and
Divine Service, that the very Religioso's themselves, stand in need of
the greatest and most signal patience to undergo such extream
Transports. And to conclude, I my self have heard the _Spaniards_
themselves (who dare not assume the Confidence to deny the good Nature
praedominant in them) declare, that there was nothing wanting in them
for the acquisition of Eternal Beatitude, but the sole Knowledge and
Understanding of the Deity.
The _Spaniards_ first assaulted the innocent Sheep, so qualified by the
Almighty, as is premention'd, like most cruel Tygers, Wolves and Lions
hunger-starv'd, studying nothing, for the space of Forty Years, after
their first landing, but the Massacre of these Wretches, whom they have
so inhumanely and barbarously butcher'd and harass'd with several kinds
of Torments, never before known, or heard (of which you shall have some
account in the following Discourse) that of Three Millions of Persons,
which lived in _Hispaniola_ itself, there is at present but the
inconsiderable remnant of scarce Three Hundred. Nay the Isle of
_Cuba_, which extends as far, as _Valledolid_ in _Spain_ is distant
from _Rome_, lies now uncultivated, like a Desert, and intomb'd in its
own Ruins. You may also find the Isles of St. _John_, and _Jamaica_,
both large and fruitful places, unpeopled and desolate. The _Lucayan_
Islands on the North Side, adjacent to _Hispaniola_ and _Cuba_, which
are Sixty in number, or thereabout, together with with those, vulgarly
known by the name of the Gigantic Isles, and others, the most infertile
whereof, exceeds the Royal Garden of _Sevil_ in fruitfulness, a most
Healthful and pleasant Climat, is now laid waste and uninhabited; and
whereas, when the _Spaniards_ first arriv'd here, about Five Hundred
Thousand Men dwelt in it, they are now cut off, some by slaughter, and
others ravished away by Force and Violence, to work in the Mines of
_Hispanioloa,_ which was destitute of Native Inhabitants: For a certain
Vessel, sailing to this Isle, to the end, that the Harvest being over
(some good Christian, moved with Piety and Pity, undertook this
dangerous Voyage, to convert Souls to Christianity) the remaining
gleanings might be gathered up, there were only found Eleven Persons,
which I saw with my own Eyes. There are other Islands Thirty in
number, and upward bordering upon the Isle of St. _John_, totally
unpeopled; all which are above Two Thousand miles in Lenght, and yet
remain without Inhabitants, Native, or People.
As to the firm land, we are certainly satisfied, and assur'd, that the
_Spaniards_ by their barbarous and execrable Actions have absolutely
depopulated Ten Kingdoms, of greater extent than all _Spain_, together
with the Kingdoms of _Arragon_ and _Portugal_, that is to say, above
One Thousand Miles, which now lye wast and desolate, and are absolutely
ruined, when as formerly no other Country whatsoever was more populous.
Nay we dare boldly affirm, that during the Forty Years space, wherein
they exercised their sanguinary and detestable Tyranny in these
Regions, above Twelve Millions (computing Men, Women, and Children)
have undeservedly perished; nor do I conceive that I should deviate
from the Truth by saying that above Fifty Millions in all paid their
last Debt to Nature.
Those that arriv'd at these Islands from the remotest parts of _Spain_,
and who pride themselves in the Name of Christians, steer'd Two courses
principally, in order to the Extirpation, and Exterminating of this
People from the face of the Earth. The first whereof was raising an
unjust, sanguinolent, cruel War. The other, by putting them to death,
who hitherto, thirsted after their Liberty, or design'd (which the most
Potent, Strenuous and Magnanimous Spirits intended) to recover their
pristin Freedom, and shake off the Shackles of so injurious a
Captivity: For they being taken off in War, none but Women and
Children were permitted to enjoy the benefit of that Country-Air, in
whom they did in succeeding times lay such a heavy Yoak, that the very
Brutes were more happy than they: To which Two Species of Tyranny as
subalternate things to the Genus, the other innumerable Courses they
took to extirpate and make this a desolate People, may be reduced and
referr'd.
Now the ultimate end and scope that incited the _Spaniards_ to endeavor
the Extirptaion and Desolation of this People, was Gold only; that
thereby growing opulent in a short time, they might arrive at once at
such Degrees and Dignities, as were no wayes consistent with their
Persons.
Finally, in one word, their Ambition and Avarice, than which the heart
of Man never entertained greater, and the vast Wealth of those Regions;
the Humility and Patience of the Inhabitants (which made their approach
to these Lands more facil and easie) did much promote the business:
Whom they so despicably contemned, that they treated them (I speak of
things which I was an Eye Witness of, without the least fallacy) not as
Beasts, which I cordially wished they would, but as the most abject
dung and filth of the Earth; and so sollicitous they were of their Life
and Soul, that the above-mentioned number of People died without
understanding the true Faith or Sacraments. And this also is as really
true as the praecendent Narration (which the very Tyrants and cruel
Murderers cannot deny without the stigma of a lye) that the _Spaniards_
never received any injury from the _Indians_, but that they rather
reverenced them as Persons descended from Heaven, until that they were
compelled to take up Arms, provoked thereunto by repeated Injuries,
violent Torments, and injust Butcheries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of the Island HISPANIOLA.
In this Isle, which, as we have said, the _Spaniards_ first attempted,
the bloody slaughter and destruction of Men first began: for they
violently forced away Women and Children to make them Slaves, and
ill-treated them, consuming and wasting their Food, which they had
purchased with great sweat, toil, and yet remained dissatisfied too,
which every one according to his strength and ability, and that was
very inconsiderable (for they provided no other Food than what was
absolutely necessary to support Nature without superfluity, freely
bestow'd on them, and one individual _Spaniard_ consumed more Victuals
in one day, than would serve to maintain Three Families a Month, every
one consisting of Ten Persons. Now being oppressed by such evil usage,
and afflicted with such greate Torments and violent Entertainment they
began to understand that such Men as those had not their Mission from
Heaven; and therefore some of them conceal'd their Provisions and
others to their Wives and Children in lurking holes, but some, to avoid
the obdurate and dreadful temper of such a Nation, sought their Refuge
on the craggy tops of Mountains; for the _Spaniards_ did not only
entertain them with Cuffs, Blows, and wicked Cudgelling, but laid
violent hands also on the Governours of Cities; and this arriv'd at
length to that height of Temerity and Impudence, that a certain Captain
was so audacious as abuse the Consort of the most puissant King of the
whole Isle. From which time they began to consider by what wayes and
means they might expel the _Spaniards_ out of their Countrey, and
immediately took up Arms. But, good God, what Arms, do you imagin?
Namely such, both Offensive and Defensive, as resemble Reeds wherewith
Boys sport with one another, more than Manly Arms and Weapons.
Which the _Spaniards_ no sooner perceived, but they, mounted on
generous Steeds, well weapon'd with Lances and Swords, begin to
exercise their bloody Butcheries and Strategems, and overrunning their
Cities and Towns, spar'd no Age, or Sex, nay not so much as Women with
Child, but ripping up their Bellies, tore them alive in pieces. They
laid Wagers among themselves, who should with a Sword at one blow cut,
or divide a Man in two; or which of them should decollate or behead a
Man, with the greatest dexterity; nay farther, which should sheath his
Sword in the Bowels of a Man with the quickest dispatch and expedition.
They snatcht young Babes from the Mothers Breasts, and then dasht out
the brains of those innocents against the Rocks; others they cast into
Rivers scoffing and jeering them, and call'd upon their Bodies when
falling with derision, the true testimony of their Cruelty, to come to
them, and inhumanely exposing others to their Merciless Swords,
together with the Mothers that gave them Life.
They erected certain Gibbets, large, but low made, so that their feet
almost reacht the ground, every one of which was so order'd as to bear
Thirteen Persons in Honour and Reverence (as they said blasphemously)
of our Redeemer and his Twelve Apostles, under which they made a Fire
to burn them to Ashes whilst hanging on them: But those they intended
to preserve alive, they dismiss'd, their Hands half cut, and still
hanging by the Skin, to carry their Letters missive to those that fly
from us and ly sculking on the Mountains, as an exprobation of their
flight.
The Lords and Persons of Noble Extract were usually expos'd to this
kind of Death; they order'd Gridirons to be placed and supported with
wooden Forks, and putting a small Fire under them, these miserable
Wretches by degrees and with loud Shreiks and exquisite Torments, at
last Expir'd.
I once saw Four or Five of their most Powerful Lords laid on these
Gridirons, and thereon roasted, and not far off, Two or Three more
over-spread with the same Commodity, Man's Flesh; but the shril
Clamours which were heard there being offensive to the Captain, by
hindring his Repose, he commanded them to be strangled with a Halter.
The Executioner (whose Name and Parents at _Sevil_ are not unknown to
me) prohibited the doing of it; but stopt Gags into their Mouths to
prevent the hearing of the noise (he himself making the Fire) till that
they dyed, when they had been roasted as long as he thought convenient.
I was an Eye-Witness of these and and innumerable Number of other
Cruelties: And because all Men, who could lay hold of the opportunity,
sought out lurking holes in the Mountains, to avoid as dangerous Rocks
so Brutish and Barbarous a People, Strangers to all Goodness, and the
Extirpaters and Adversaries of Men, they bred up such fierce hunting
Dogs as would devour an _Indian_ like a Hog, at first sight in less
than a moment: Now such kind of Slaughters and Cruelties as these were
committed by the Curs, and if at any time it hapned, (which was rarely)
that the _Indians_ irritated upon a just account destroy'd or took away
the Life of any _Spaniard,_ they promulgated and proclaim'd this Law
among them, that One Hundred _Indians_ should dye for every individual
_Spaniard_ that should be slain.
_Of the Kingdoms contained in_ Hispaniola.
This Isle of _Hispaniola_ was made up of Six of their greatest
Kingdoms, and as many most Puissant Kings, to whose Empire almost all
the other Lords, whose Number was infinite, did pay their Allegiance.
One of these Kingdoms was called _Magua,_ signifying a Campaign or open
Country; which is very observable, if any place in the Universe
deserves taking notice of, and memorable for the pleasantness of its
Situation; for it is extended from South to North Eighty Miles, in
breadth Five, Eight, and in some parts Ten Miles in length; and is on
all sides inclosed with the highest Mountains; above Thirty Thousand
Rivers, and Rivulets water her Coasts, Twelve of which prodigious
Number do not yield in all in magnitude to those famous Rivers, the
_Eber, Duer,_ and _Guadalquivir;_ and all those Rivers which have their
Source or Spring from the Mountains lying Westerly, the number whereof
is Twenty Thousand) are very rich in Mines of Gold; on which Mountain
lies the Province of rich Mines, whence the exquisite Gold of Twenty
Four Caracts weight, takes denomination. The King and Lord of this
Kingdom was named _Guarionex,_ who governed within the Compass of his
Dominions so many Vassals and Potent Lords, that every one of them was
able to bring into the Field Sixteen Thousand Soldiers for the service
of _Guarionex_ their Supream Lord and Soverain, when summoned
thereunto. Some of which I was acquainted with. This was a most
Obedient Prince, endued with great Courage and Morality, naturally of a
Pacifick Temper, and most devoted to the service of the _Castilian_
Kings. This King commanded and ordered his Subjects, that every one of
those Lords under his Jurisdiction, should present him with a Bell full
of Gold; but in succeeding times, being unable to perform it, they were
commanded to cut it in two, and fill one part therewith, for the
Inhabitants of this Isle were altogether inexperienced, and unskilful
in Mine-works, and the digging Gold out of them. This _Caiu_ proferred
his Service to the King of _Castile,_ on this Condition, that he would
take care, that those Lands should be cultivated and manur'd, wherein,
during the reign of _Isabella,_ Queen of _Castile,_ the _Spaniards_
first set footing and fixed their Residence, extending in length even
to _Santo Domingo,_ the space of Fifty Miles. For he declar'd (nor was
it a Fallacie, but an absolute Truth,) that his Subjects understood not
the practical use of digging in Golden Mines. To which promises he had
readily and voluntarily condescended, to my own certain knowledge, and
so by this means, the King would have received the Annual Revenue of
Three Millions of _Spanish_ Crowns, and upward, there being at that
very time in that Island Fifty Cities more ample and spacious than
_Sevil_ it self in _Spain_.
But what returns by way of Remuneration and Reward did they make this
so Clement and Benign Monarch, can you imagine, no other but this?
They put the greatest Indignity upon him imaginable in the person of
his Consort who was violated by a _Spanish_ Captain altogether unworthy
of the Name of Christian. He might indeed probably expect to meet with
a convenient time and opportunity of revenging this Ingominy so
unjuriously thrown upon him by preparing Military Forces to attaque
him, but he rather chose to abscond in the Province _De los Ciquayos_
(wherein a Puissant Vassal and subject of his Ruled) devested of his
Estate and Kingdom, and there live and dye an exile. But the
_Spaniards_ receiving certain information, that he had absented
himself, connived no longer at his Concealment but raised War against
him, who had received them with so great humanity and kindness, and
having first laid waste and desolate the whole Region, at last found,
and took him Prisoner, who being bound in Fetters was convey'd on board
of a ship in order to his transfretation to _Castile,_ as a Captive:
but the Vessel perished in the Voyage, wherewith many _Spaniards_ were
also lost, as well as a great weight of Gold, among which there was a
prodigious Ingot of Gold, resembling a large Loaf of Bread, weighing
3600 Crowns; Thus it pleased God to revenge their enormous impieties.
A Second Kingdom was named _Marien,_ where there is to this day a
Haven, upon the utmost Borders of the Plain or open Countrey toward the
North, more fertil and large than the kingdom of _Portugal;_ and really
deserving constant and frequent Inahbitants: For it abounds with
Mountains, and is rich in Mines of Gold and _Orichalcum,_ a kind of
Copper Mettal mixt with Gold; The Kings name of this place was
_Guacanagari,_ who had many powerful Lords (some whereof were not
unknown to me) under his subjection. The first that landed in this
Kingdom when he discovered _America_ was an Admiral well stricken in
years, who had so hospitable and kind a reception from the aforesaid
_Gracanagari,_ as well as all those _Spaniards_ that accompanied him in
that Voyage, giving them all imaginable help and assisstance (for the
admiral's vessel was sunk on their Coasts) that I heard it from his own
mouth, he could not possibly have been entertained with greater
Caresses and Civilities from his own parents in his own Native Country.
But this King being forced to fly to avoid the _Spanish_ slaughter and
Cruelty, deprived of all he was Master of, died in the Mountains; and
all the rest of the Potentates and Nobles, his subjects, perished in
that servitude and Vassalage; as you shall find in this following
Treatise.
The Third Kingdom was distinguished by the Appellation of _Maquana,_
another admirable, healthful and fruitful Region, where at present the
most refined sugar of the Island is made. _Caonabo_ then reigned there,
who surmounted all the rest in Power, State, and the splendid
Ceremonies of His Government. This King beyond all expectation was
surpriz'd in his own Palace, by the great subtilty and industry of the
_Spaniards,_ and after carried on board in order to his transportation
to _Castile,_ but there being at that time six Ships Riding in the
Haven, and ready to set Sail such an impetuous storm suddenly arose,
that they as well as the Passengers and Ships Crew were all lost,
together with King _Canabao_ loaded with Irons; by which judgement the
Almighty declared that this was as unjust and impious an Act as any of
the former. This Kind had three or four Brothers then Living, Men of
strength and Valour, who being highly incensed at the Captivity of
their King and Brother, to which he was injuriously reduc'd, having
also intelligence of the Devastations and Butcheries committed by the
_Spaniards_ in other Regions, and not long after hearing of their
Brothers death, took up Arms to revenge themselves of the Enemy, whom
the _Spaniards_ met with, and certain party of Horse (which proved very
offensive to the _Indians_) made such havoc and slaughter among them,
that the half of this Kingdom was laid waste and depopulated.
_Xaraqua_ is the Fourth Kingdom, and as it were the Centre and Middle
of the whole Island, and is not to be equalled for fluency of Speech
and politeness of Idiom or Dialect by any Inhabitants of the other
Kingdoms, and in Policy and Morality transcends them all. Herein the
Lords and Peers abounded, and the very Populace excelled in in stature
and habit of Body: Their King was _Behechio_ by name and who had a
Sister called _Anacaona,_ and both the Brother as well as Sister had
loaded the _Spaniards_ with Benefits and singular acts of Civility, and
by delivering them from the evident and apparent danger of Death, did
signal services to the _Castilian_ Kings. _Behechio_ dying the supreme
power of the Kingdom fell to _Anacaona:_ But it hapned one day, that
the Governour of an Island, attended by 60 Horse, and 30 Foot (now the
Cavalry was sufficiently able to unpeople not only the Isle, but also
the whole Continent) he summoned about 300 Dynasta's, or Noblemen to
appear before him, and commanded the most powerful of them, being first
crouded into a Thatcht Barn or Hovel, to be exposed to the fury of the
merciless Fire, and the rest to be pierced with Lances, and run through
with the point of the Sword, by a multitude of Men: And _Anacaona_ her
self who (as we said before,) sway'd the Imperial Scepter, to her
greater honor was hanged on a Gibbet. And if it fell out that any
person instigated by Compassion or Covetousness, did entertain any
_Indian_ Boys and mount them on Horses, to prevent their Murder,
another was appointed to follow them, who ran them through the back or
in the hinder parts, and if they chanced to escape Death, and fall to
the ground, they immediately cut off his Legs; and when any of those
_Indians,_ that survived these Barbarous Massacres, betook themselves
to an Isle eight miles distant, to escape their Butcheries, they were
then committed to servitude during Life.
The Fifth Kingdom was _Hiquey,_ over whom Queen _Hiquanama,_ a
superannuated Princess, whome the _Spaniards_ Crucified, did preside
and Govern. The number of those I saw here burnt, and dismembered, and
rackt with various Torments, as well as others, the poor Remnants of
such matchless Villanies, who surviving were enslaved, is infinite.
But because so much might be said concerning the Assassinations and
Depopulating of these people, as cannot without great difficulty be
published in Writing (nor do I conceive that one fragile part of 1000
that is here contained can be fully displayed) I will only add one
remark more of the prementioned Wars, in lieu of a Corollary or
Conclusion, and aver upon my Conscience, that notwithstanding all the
above-named Injustice, profligate Enormities and other Crimes which I
omit, (tho sufficiently known to me) the _Indians_ did not, nor was it
in their power to give any greater occasion for the Commission of them,
than Pious Religioso's Living in a well regulated Monastic Life did
afford for any Sacrilegeous Villains to deprive them of their Goods and
Life at the same time, or why they who by flight avoided death should
be detain'd in perpetual, not to be ransom'd Captivity and Slavery. I
adde farther, that I really believe, and am satisfied by certain
undeniable conjectures, that at the very juncture of time, when all
these outrages were commited in this Isle, the _Indians_ were not so
much guilty of one single mortal sin of Commission against the
_Spaniards_, that might deserve from any Man revenge or require
satisfaction. And as for those sins, the punishment whereof God hath
reserved to himself, as the immoderate desire of Revenge, Hatred, Envy
or inward rancor of Spirit, to which they might be transported against
such Capital Enemies as the _Spaniards_ were, I judge that very few of
them can justly be accused of them; for their impetuosity and vigor I
speak experimentally, was inferior to that of Children of ten or twelve
years of age: and this I can assure you, that the _Indians_ had ever a
just cause of raising War against the _Spaniards_, and the _Spaniards_
on the contrary never raised a just was against them, but what was more
injurious and groundless then any undertaken by the worst of Tyrants.
All which I affirm of all their other Transactions and passages in
_America_.
The Warlike Engagements being over, and the Inhabitants all swept away,
they divided among themselves the Young Men, Women, and Children
reserved promiscuously for that purpose, one obtained thirty, another
forty, to this Man one hundred were disposed, to the other two hundred,
and the more one was in favor with the domineering Tyrant (which they
styled Governor) the more he became Master of, upon this pretence, and
with this Proviso, that he should see them instructed in the Catholick
Religion, when as they themselves to whom they were committed to be
taught, and the care of their Souls instructed them were, for the major
part Idiots, Cruel, Avaritious, infected and stained with all sorts of
Vices. And this was the great care they had of them, they sent the
Males to the Mines to dig and bring away the Gold, which is an
intollerable labor; but the Women they made use of to Manure and Till
the ground, which is a toil most irksome even to Men of the strongest
and most robust constitutions, allowing them no other food but Herbage,
and such kind of unsubstantial nutriment, so that the Nursing Womens
Milk was exsiccated and so dryed up, that the young Infants lately
brought forth, all perished, and females being separated from and
debarred cohabitation with Men, there was no Prolification or raising
up issue among them. The Men died in Mines, hunger starved and
oppressed with labor, and the Women perished in the Fields, harrassed
and broken with the like Evils and Calamities: Thus an infinite number
of Inhabitants that formerly peopled this Island were exterminated and
dwindled away to nothing by such Consumptions. They were compelled to
carry burthens of eighty or one hundred pound weight, and that an
hundred or two hundred miles compleat: and the _Spaniards_ were born by
them on the Shoulders in a pensil Vehicle or Carriage, or kind of Beds
made of Net-work by the _Indians_; for in Truth they made use of them
as Beasts to carry the burthens and cumbersom baggage of their
journeys, insomuch that it frequently happened, that the Shoulders and
Backs of the _Indians_ were deeply marked with their scourges and
stripes, just as they used to serve a tired Jade, accustomed to
burthens. And as to those slashes with whips, blows with staves, cuffs
and boxes, maledictions and curses, with a Thousand of such kind of
Torments they suffered during the fatigue of their laborious journeys
it would require a long tract of time, and many Reams of Paper to
describe them, and when all were done would only create Horror and
Consternation in the Reader.
But here is is observable, that the desolation of these Isles and
Provinces took beginning since the decease of the most Serene Queen
_Isabella_, about the year 1504, for before that time very few of the
Provinces situated in that Island were oppressed or spoiled with unjust
Wars, or violated with general devastation as after they were, and most
if not all these things were concealed and masked from the Queens
knowledge (whom I hope God hath crowned with Eternal Glory) for she was
transported with fervent and wonderful zeal, nay, almost Divine desires
for the Salvation and preservation of these people, which things so
exemplary as these we having seen with our eyes, and felt with our
hands, cannot easily be forgotten.
Take this also for a general Rule, that the _Spaniards_ upon what
_American_ Coasts soever they arrived, exercised the same Cruelties,
Slaughters, Tyrannies and detestable Oppressions on the most innocent
_Indian_ Nation, and diverting themselves with delights in new sorts
of Torment, did in time improve in Barbarism and Cruelty; wherewith the
Omnipotent being incensed suffered them to fail by a more desperate and
dangerous lapse into a reprobate state.
_Of the Isles of St._ John _and_ Jamaica.
In the Year 1509, the _Spaniards_ sailed to the Islands of St. _John_
and _Jamaica_ (resembling Gardensa and Bee-hives) with the same purpose
and design they proposed to themselves in the Isle of _Hispaniola_,
perpetrating innumerable Robberies and Villanies as before; whereunto
they added unheard of Cruelties by Murdering, Burning, Roasting, and
Exposing Men to be torn to pieces by Dogs; and Finally by afflicting
and harassing them with un-exampled Oppressions and torments in the
Mines, they spoiled and unpeopled this Contrey of these Innocents.
These two Isles containing six hundred thousand at least, though at
this day there are scarce two hundred men to be found in either of
them, the remainder perishing without the knowledge of Christian Faith
or Sacrament.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
_Of the Isle of _Cuba.
In the Year of our Lord 1511. They passed over to _Cuba_, which
contains as much ground in length as there is distance between
_Valledolid_ and _Rome_, well furnished with large and stately
Provinces and very populous, against whom they proceeded with no more
humanity and Clemency, or indeed to speak truth with greater Savageness
and Brutality. Several memorable Transactions worthy observation,
passed in this Island. A certain _Cacic_ a potent Peer, named
_Hathney_, who not long before fled _Hispaniola_ to _Cuba_ for Refuge
from Death, or Captivity during Life; and understanding by certain
_Indians_ that the _Spaniards_ intended to steer their course thither,
made this Oration to all his People Assembled together.
You are not ignorant that there is a rumor spread abroad among us of
the _Spaniards_ Arrival, and are sensible by woeful experience how such
and such (naming them) and _Hayti_ (so they term _Hispaniola_ in their
own language) with their Inhabitants have been treated by them, that
they design to visit us with equal intentions of committing such acts
as they have hitherto been guilty of. But do you not know the cause and
reason of their coming? We are altogether ignorant of it, they
replied, but sufficiently satisfied that they are cruelly and wickedly
inclined: Then thus, he said, they adore a certain Covetous Deity,
whose cravings are not to be satisfied by a few moderate offerings, but
they may answer his Adoration and Worship, demand many unreasonable
things of us, and use their utmost endeavors to subjugate and
afterwards murder us. Then taking up a Cask or Cabinet near at hand,
full of Gold and Gems, he proceeded in this manner: This is the
_Spaniards_ God, and in honour of him if you think well of it, let us
celebrate our _Arcytos_ (which are certain kinds of Dances and caprings
used among them); and by this means his Deity being appeas'd, he will
impose his Commands on the Spaniards that they shall not for the future
molest us; who all unanimously with one consent in a loud tone made
this reply. Well said, Well said, and thus they continued skipping and
dancing before this Cabinet, without the least intermission, till they
were quite tired and grown weary: Then the Noble _Hathney_ re-assuming
his discourse, said, if we Worship this Deity, till ye be ravished from
us, we shall be destroyed, therefore I judge it convenient, upon mature
deliberation, that we cast it into the River, which advice was approved
of by all without opposition, and the Cabinet thrown in to the next
River.
When the Spaniards first touched this Island, this _Cacic_, who was
thoroughly acquainted with them, did avoid and shun them as much as in
him lay, and defended himself by force of Arms, wherever he met with
them, but at length being taken he was burnt alive, for flying from so
unjust and cruel a Nation, and endeavuoring to secure his Life against
them, who only thirsted after the blood of himself and his own People.
Now being bound to the post, in order of his Execution a certain Holy
Monk of the _Franciscan_ Order, discours'd with him concerning God and
the Articles of our Faith, which he never heard of before, and which
might be satisfactory and advantagious to him, considering the small
time allow'd him by the Executioner, promising him Eternal Glory and
Repose, if he truly believ'd them, or other wise Everlasting Torments.
After that _Hathney_ had been silently pensive sometime, he askt the
Monk whether the _Spaniards_ also were admitted into Heaven, and he
answering that the Gates of Heaven were open to all that were Good and
Godly, the _Cacic_ replied without further consideration, that he would
rather go to Hell then Heaven, for fear he should cohabit in the same
Mansion with so Sanguinary and Bloody a Nation. And thus God and the
Holy Catholick Faith are Praised and Reverenced by the Practices of the
_Spaniards_ in _America_.
Once it so hapned, that the Citizens of a Famous City, distant Ten
Miles from the place where we then resided, came to meet us with a
splendid Retinue, to render their Visit more Honourable, bringing with
them delicious Viands, and such kind of Dainties, with as great a
quantity of Fish as they could possibly procure, and distributing them
among us; but behold on a sudden, some wicked Devil possessing the
minds of the _Spaniards_, agitated them with great fury, that I being
present, and without the least Pretence or Occasion offered, they cut
off in cold Blood above Three Thousand Men, Women and Children
promiscuously, such Inhumanities and Barbarisms were committed in my
sight, as no Age can parallel.
Some time after I dispatch Messengers to all the Rulers of the Province
of _Havana_, that they would by no means be terrified, or seek their
refuge by absence and flight, but to meet us, and that I would engage
(for they understood my Authority) that they should not receive the
least of Injuries; for the whole Country was extremely afflicted at the
Evils and Mischiefs already perpetrated, and this I did with the
advice of their Captain. As soon as we approached the Province, Two
and Twenty of their Noblemen came forth to meet us, whom the Captain
contrary to his Faith given, would have expos'd to the Flames,
alledging that it was expedient they should be put to Death, who were,
at any time, capacitated to use any Stratagem against us, but with
great difficulty and much adoe, I snatcht them out of the fire.
These Islanders of _Cuba_, being reduc'd to the same Vasselage and
Misery as the Inhabitants of _Hispaniola_, seeing themselves perish and
dy without any redress, fled to the Mountains for shelter, but other
Desperado's, put a period to their days with a Halter, and the Husband,
together with his Wife and Children, hanging himself, put an end to
those Calamities.
By the ferocity of one _Spanish_ Tyrant (whom I knew) above Two Hundred
_Indians_ hang'd themselves of their own accord; and a multitude of
People perished by this kind of Death.
A certain Person here in the same Isle constituted to exercise a kind
of Royal Power, hapned to have Three Hundred _Indians_ fall to his
share, of which in Three Months, through excessive labour, One Hundred
and Sixty were destroy'd, insomuch that in a short space there remained
but a tenth part alive, namely Thirty, but when the number was doubled,
they all perisht at the same rate, and all that were bestow'd upon him
lost their lives, till at length he paid his last Debt to Nature and
the Devil.
In Three or Four Months time I being there present, Six Thousand
Children and upward were murder'd, because they had lost their Parents
who labour'd in the Mines; nay I was a Witness of many other stupendous
Villanies.
But afterward they consulted how to persecute those that lay hid in the
Mountains, who were miserably massacred, and consequently this Isle
made desolate, which I saw not long after, and certainly it is a
dreadful and depolorable sight to behold it thus unpeopled and laid
waste, like a Desert.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
_Of the_ CONTINENT.
In the Year 1514, a certain unhappy Governour Landed on the firm Land
or Continent, a most bloody Tyrant, destitute of all Mercy and
Prudence, the Instrument of God's Wrath, with a Resolution to people
these parts with _Spaniards_; and although some Tyrants had touched
here before him, and Cruelty hurried them into the other World by
several wayes of Slaughter, yet they came no farther than to the Sea
Coast, where they comitted podigious Thefts and Robberies, but this
Person exceeded all that ever dwelt in other Islands, though execrable
and profligate Villains: for he did not only ravage and depopulate the
Sea-Coast, but buried the largest Regions and most ample Kingdoms in
their own Ruins, sending Thousdands to Hell by his Butcheries. He made
Incursions for many Miles continuance, that is to say, in those
Countries that are included in the Territories of _Darien_ and the
Provinces of _Nicaraqua_, where are near Five Hundred Miles of the most
Fertil Land in the World, and the most opulent for Gold of all the
Regions hitherto discover'd. And although _Spain_ has bin sufficiently
furnished with the purest Gold, yet it was dig'd out of the Bowels and
Mines of the said Countries by the _Indians_, where (as we have said)
they perished.
This Ruler, with his Complices found out new inventions to rack,
torment, force and extort Gold from the _Indians_. One of his Captains
in a certain Excursion undertaken by the Command of his Governeur to
make Depraedations, destroy'd Forty Thousand Persons and better
exposing them to the edge of the Sword, Fire, Dogs and variety of
Torments; of all which a Religious Man of the Order of St. _Francis,
Franciscus de S. Romano_, who was then present was an Eye-Witness.
Great and Injurious was the blindness of those praesided over the
_Indians_; as to the Conversion and Salvation of this People: for they
denyed in Effect what they in their flourishing Discourse pretended to,
and declar'd with their Tongue what they contradicted in their Heart;
for it came to this pass, that the _Indians_ should be commanded on the
penalty of a bloody War, Death, and perpetual Bondage, to embrace the
Christian Faith, and submit to the Obedience of the _Spanish_ King; as
if the Son of God, who suffered Death for the Redemption of all
Mankind, had enacted a Law, when he pronounced these words, _Go and
teach all Nations_ that Infidels, living peaceably and quietly in their
Hereditary Native Country, should be impos'd upon pain of Confiscation
of all their Chattels, Lands, Liberty, Wives, Children, and Death
itself, without any precedent instruction to Confess and Acknowledge
the true God, and subject themselves to a King, whom they never saw, or
heard mention'd before; and whose Messengers behav'd themselves toward
them with such Inhumanity and Cruelty as they had done hitherto. Which
is certainly a most foppish and absurd way of Proceeding, and merits
nothing but Scandal, Derision, nay Hell itself. Now suppose this
Notorious and Profligate Governour had bin impower'd to see the
Execution of these Edicts perform'd, for of themselves they were
repugnant both to Law and Equity; yet he commanded (or they who were to
see the Execution thereof, did it of their own Heads without Authority)
that when they phansied or proposed to themselves any place, that was
well stor'd with Gold, to rob and feloniously steal it away from the
_Indians_ living in their Cities and Houses, without the least
suspicion of any ill Act. These wicked _Spaniards_, like Theives came
to any place by stealth, half a Mile off of any City, Town or Village,
and there in the Night published and proclaim'd the Edict among
themselves after this manner:
You _Cacics_ and _Indians_ of this Continent, the Inhabitants of such
a Place, which they named; We declare or be it known to you all, that
there is but one God, one hope, and one King of _Castile_, who is Lord
of these Countries; appear forth without delay, and take the oath of
Allegiance to the _Spanish_ King, as his Vassals.