had such bad success, _Arias_ himself and _Vaschus Nunnez_ hapned to
clash: _Nun__nez_, who since his discovery of the _South Sea_ was held
in some repute at the _Spanish_ Court, had built four Ships on the Shore
of the same Ocean, to make farther inspections along the Coasts thereof:
but being commanded to come to _Arias_ the Governor, he was committed to
Prison, and accused of high Treason, as if he had intentions to settle
himself in _Peru_, and absolutely to have left _Daria_: all which though
he disown’d, and utterly deni’d with great protestations when brought to
a Trial, and no witness to affirm the contrary, yet was by _Arias_’s
special Order Beheaded.
Not long after which _Lupus Sosa_, Governor of the _Canary_ Islands, was
sent to succeed _Arias_ in _New Andalusia_.
SECT. IX.
_The Expeditions of_ Francisco Fernandez, Lupus Caizedus, Christophero
Morantes, Bernardo Igniguez, _and_ Juan Grisalva.
[Sidenote: Original of the Name _Jucatan_.]
_Fernandez_, _Caizedus_, and _Morantes_, antient Planters in _Cuba_,
obtain’d a Licence from the Governor _Diego Velasques_, to Rig out three
Ships with a hundred and ten Men to discover new Lands. _Velasques_
thought fit to add one more to their number upon the Kings account;
which Trust he committed to _Igniguez_: all of them consulted with the
experienc’d Navigator _Antonio Alamines_. Six days the Fleet had been at
Sea, when they discover’d Land, which by a mistake was call’d _Jucatan_,
because the Inhabitants being ask’d what was the Name of the Coast,
answer’d _Jucatan_; which, as the _Spaniards_ were afterwards inform’d,
signifi’d, _We understand you not_.
[Sidenote: Stately City.]
Upon the Shore they found a City, whose Stone Buildings, with stately
Fronts and high Turrets, shew’d most magnificently. _Fernandez_ call’d
this City for its wonderful bigness, _Cairo_, from the _Egyptian_
Metropolis, famous through the World.
[Sidenote: _Campechium_ a City.]
[Sidenote: Remarkable Images, and strange Stage.]
The _Spaniards_ coming to Land were courteously receiv’d, and conducted
into the City; the neatness of whose Market-places, and exactness of
their Streets, they beheld with admiration; as also the costly Stuff
Garments both of Men and Women: but their wonder increas’d when they
beheld very artificial Crosses, concerning which upon inquiry they
related, That a Man more glorious than the Sun, being busie in erecting
the Crosses, died. But these People, though so courteous and civil at
first, seem’d in few days to be weary of their company; which the
_Spaniards_ observing sounded a Retreat, and Sailing Westerly, proceeded
on their intended Design, and soon after anchor’d before _Campechium_;
the King of which conducted _Fernandez_ and _Morantes_, with some
others, into the City, consisting of three thousand Houses. In his
Palace they were entertain’d with all manner of Fowl roasted: After
which refreshment they survey’d the City; in which, amongst other
curious Buildings, was a high, but square Theatre of Marble, on which
stood the Image of a Man, on all corners assaulted by four wild Beasts,
which were of a no less strange than horrible shape. Not far from this
Image they saw a Serpent fashion’d up of Chalk and little Stones, whose
coyl’d up Tail was forty seven Foot long, and of a proportionable
thickness. This Serpent, sprinkled with Mens Blood yet warm, seem’d to
prey upon a Marble Lyon: both these were inclos’d with a Stone Rail,
within which Malefactors were daily executed. Bloody Bows and Arrows
broke in small pieces lay between the Bones and dead Bodies. _Igniguez_
call’d the King _Lazarus_, because he discover’d his Countrey on _St.
Lazarus_’s Day.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: _Moscobo_ a City.]
[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ slain.]
[Sidenote: Mighty Island _Cosumella_.]
Making no long stay here, they return’d to their Ship, and weighing
Anchor Sail’d fifty Leagues more Westerly, the Fleet got sight of
_Moscobo_, in the Territory _Aguanil_, whose King assaulted the
_Spaniards_ with so much fury, that two and twenty of them were slain,
and scarce one escap’d which was not wounded: wherefore they return’d
with bad success to _Cuba_. Yet _Velasques_ no ways discourag’d thereat,
not long after fitted out four Vessels, Manning them with three hundred
Men under the Command of _Juan Grisalva_ and _Alamines_; who having
Sail’d seventy Leagues, discover’d the fruitful Island _Cosumella_;
along whose Shore stood fair Stone Edifices, intermix’d with Temples,
whose Steeples appear’d above the Houses. _Grisalva_ being led up into
one of these Steeples by a Priest, saw at a distance off at Sea the
Territory _Jucatan_: and in the Place where they were, there were
spacious Halls, full of Marble and Stone Images of deformed Men and
Beasts, which with a murmuring noise, and burning of incense they
religiously worship. The _Spaniards_ call’d this Island _Sancta Cruz_.
[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ fight with the _Campechiums_.]
Sailing from hence they directed their Course to _Campechium_, where the
year before they had been so civilly treated; where arriving, and
without any fear coming ashore, they found the _Campechiums_ quite of
another humor than they were the former year, telling them, They would
not suffer any Strangers to be amongst them; and placing a burning Torch
between theirs and the _Spanish_ Forces, threatned, That if they did not
depart in quiet, they would force them: which accordingly they
endeavor’d, making a fierce Onset upon the _Spaniards_; who being now
come under their Battlements, when they saw their advantage, pour’d what
they had kept as a reserve, whole Volleys of small Shot amongst them;
which struck so much terror, that they all ran away, shifting for
themselves, and crowding into the City.
The _Spaniards_ found afterwards _Jucatan_ to be but a _Peninsula_, and
came before a River which fell with so strong a Current into the
_Mexican Sea_, that it retain’d its sweetness for the space of two
Leagues.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Strange passages on _Tabasco_.]
This River, flowing out of the Province _Tabasco_, was call’d
_Grisalva_: upon whose Banks stood above six thousand _Americans_; and
in the Water appear’d a hundred Boats with Armed Men, which Row’d aboard
the _Spanish_ Ships. The Interpreters of _Cuba_, whose Language agrees
for the most part with the _Tabascers_, prevail’d so much, that the King
himself came to the chief Commander _Grisalva_, and bartering with him,
gave him as much Gold as his Iron Helmet, Breastplate, and other Armor
weighed.
[Sidenote: _Sacrifice Island._]
Soon after they Landed on the _Island of Sacrifice_, so call’d from the
horrid Sacrifices which the Inhabitants made daily.
[Sidenote: Exceeding horrible Sacrifices.]
Amongst other strange Images, there flood a great Lyon of Marble,
seeming almost decollated with a great gash; into which Wound they
pour’d humane Blood warm, which was receiv’d into a Stone Trough set for
that purpose underneath; then the Figure of a Man Carv’d in Alabaster,
bowing forward, as if looking into the Trough upon the Blood. Those
which were sacrificed were Prisoners taken on the neighboring Coasts,
whom bringing before their Idols, they ripping open make no farther
inspection, but onely to whip out the Heart; with which having smear’d
the Lips of their Idols, they throw it into the Fire: the Heads and
Corps they let lie unburi’d; whose fleshy parts, especially their
Cheeks, they feast upon.
[Sidenote: _Maiden-Island._]
The next Island is inhabited by Women; to which Annually their Neighbors
go, pretending merry kindness, but upon amorous inclinations: and Plough
and Till their Ground, and Weed their Gardens.
[Sidenote: _Pontenchianum_ a City.]
The chief City of _Tabasco_ is _Pontenchianum_, and contains above
fifteen hundred Houses, all built of Stone hardned with baking after
their manner; which in some Places, besides their Turrets and Temples,
yield a pleasant Prospect at a great distance. Fourteen eminent Towns
more did the _Spaniards_ also see in _Tabasco_.
[Sidenote: Strange making of Obligations.]
When in conversing with them they observ’d their strange manner of
Sealing their Bargains and Contracts one with another, they were amaz’d,
for not using Wax, they usually Seal’d their Compacts with their own
Blood, commonly drawn with a Stone Knife, either from their Tongue,
Hand, or Arms.
Their Priests live single, and if found to be Unchast, are punisht with
Death. An Adulteress is sold for a Slave: Unmarry’d People may not
frequently converse with Marry’d: Thirty five days in the year makes
their _Lent_, in which they abstain not onely from Flesh, but Fish also,
feeding onely upon Roots and Herbs. In this place the _Spaniards_ were
receiv’d in great state, Canopy’d with green Palm-Tree-Branches, and in
like manner conducted aboard again, not without many Presents, _viz._
the Effigies of a Man curiously wrought in Gold, wherewith they return’d
to _Cuba_.
SECT. IXA.
_The Expedition of_ Ferdinand Magaglian, _commonly call’d_ Magellane.
[Sidenote: Bishop _Casis_ sad effect concerning the Pearl catching.]
The Bishop _Bartholomew de Casis_, living a considerable time in
_Hispaniola_, in the City _Dominico_, being inform’d of the abundance of
Pearls which were caught before _Cubagua_, and the unsupportable cruelty
of the _Spaniards_ there under _Ocampus_, us’d against the Inhabitants,
went to _Spain_, with a design to obtain of the Emperor _Charles the
Fifth_, the Government over _Cumana_ and _Cubagua_, under pretence, to
draw the ignorant Natives from their Idolatry, to _Christianity_; which
his request was especially promoted by _William_ of _Nassaw_, the
Emperors prime Favorite; so that having his Letters Patents granted to
that purpose, he took Ship, and arriv’d with three hundred _Spanish_
Gentlemen of Quality in _Cumana_: And that they might have the greater
respect shown to them there, they had each a Red Cross given them, such
as the Knights of _Calatrava_ generally wear. Yet little did _Ocampus_,
the old Governor of _Cumana_, regard either them or their Authority; for
in stead of receiving and submitting, he kept the Bishop _de Casis_ out
by force of Arms; who then made complaint to the _Vice-Roy_ of the
_West-Indies_ in _Hispaniola_, and in the mean time, put his _Cargo_
into a new Store-house.
But whilst he made his Addresses, _Ocampus_ having sufficiently inrich’d
himself departed, which incourag’d the _Cumaners_, who already were
incens’d, and weary of their former sufferings, to venture on a design,
whereby they might revenge themselves of the _Spaniards_, which their
undertaking prov’d so successful, that very few escap’d the Massacre: Of
which, _de Casis_ being inform’d, and much discontented thereat, betook
himself to a _Dominican_ Cloyster in _Hispaniola_.
[Sidenote: Cruelty of _Castellio_ in _Cumana_.]
Yet not long after, the _Cumaners_ paid dear for that slaughter, for one
_Castellio_, though not without several Engagements, with various
success, lasting forty days together, having at last utterly vanquish’d
them, put to an ignominious Death, Hanging up seventy of their Princes,
and to them of meaner quality, shewing as little mercy.
[Sidenote: _Lampagnano_ discontented.]
As little success had _Lodowick Lampagnano_, sent out by some _Spanish_
Merchants, with Letters Patents from the Emperor to Fish for Pearl,
before the same _Cubagua_; to which purpose he carry’d peculiar Nets and
other necessaries with him. But the _Cubaguan Spaniards_ unanimously
withstood him; so that not being able to effect his design, overpower’d
with a Melancholly Distemper that broke his Heart, he dy’d.
[Sidenote: _Magellanus_ Expedition, how it happen’d.]
In the interim, while these scarce considerable Voyages turn’d to so
small account, _Ferdinand Magaglianus_ (for so _Peter Martyr_ calls him,
and not _Magellanus_, which herein deserves to be credited, because they
were intimately acquainted, and great friendship between them,)
undertook to Sail round about the World; the occasion of which we will
here relate at large:
This _Magaglianus_, or _Magellanus_, a Gentleman of _Portugal_, having
perform’d things of great importance for his King, in _Africa_, although
with no less trouble than Charge, desir’d an addition of half a Ducket a
Moneth added to his Annual Pension; an inconsiderable Sum to make a
Request for, yet though so little, was as niggardly deny’d: Whereupon,
highly incensed, he study’d no little revenge; to which effect, soon
after an opportunity was presented, by means of _Franciscus Serranus_,
who writ from _Ternata_ to him, that he should speedily come thither,
which he soon after did upon this account:
[Sidenote: Strange Giant.]
Pope _Alexander_ the Sixth, having fixt Terminaries between the Kings of
_Castile_ and _Portugal_, both busie at that time in discovering new
Countreys, Order’d, That _Castile_ should possess all the Coasts lying
to the West of the chief _Meridian_, and _Portugal_ to the East: By
vertue of this partition, the rich Spicy _Molucca_ Islands fell
absolutely to the _Portuguese_: Now _Magellanus_ perswaded _Charles the
Fifth_, that they might be Sail’d to with a Westerly Course, and
therefore belong’d to _Castile_; Which advice, _Charles the Fifth_
considering, and approving, Rigg’d out five Ships, with which
_Magellanus_ set Sail from _Sevil_, the tenth of _August, Anno 1519._
five Moneths he ply’d up and down the Coast inhabited by the
_Patagones_, where he found none but one single Person, or rather a
Monster, a Giant ten Foot high, who coming Aboard his Ship, devour’d a
great Hamper full of Biskets, and at one Draught drunk up nine Pottels
of Water. He also saw several Trees which had been Hew’n with Axes, and
Crosses made on the tops of them. Whilst he lay in that Harbor, which
was call’d _St. Julian_, he Cashier’d his Vice-Admiral, _John
Carthagena_, with his Father Confessor, and sparing their lives, set
them ashore, and there left them to seek their Fortunes, though they had
Conspir’d to Murther him.
[Sidenote: _Straights_ of _Magellan_, how found.]
_Magellanus_ from thence Sailing afterwards Southerly along _America_,
to forty two Degrees Southern Latitude, was engag’d with the eddyings of
a very strong Current, which driving one of the Ships into a Bay, split
against a blind Rock, but the Men being sav’d in their Boat, were driven
farther and farther into a Channel, between high and Snowy Mountains;
whereupon he immediately judg’d (as the famous Negromancer _Roderick
Talerus_ had often told him) that there was the Passage, through which
the Northern Ocean flow’d into the Southern; wherefore he resolutely
adventur’d to Sail into those _Sraights_, which in some places narrow,
and in others broad, is an hundred and twenty Leagues long, and full of
small Isles and dangerous Rocks. Whilst he still Sail’d on, the Ship
call’d _Antonio_, Tacking about, return’d to _Cadiz_.
But _Magellanus_ enter’d the great South-Sea with three Sail, on the 25.
of _October_, where the Sea-men suffer’d extremely by excessive Heat,
Drought, and Famine, three Moneths and twenty Days, without sight of
Land: And now, their Shooes, and the Leather which cover’d their
Shields, began also to grow scarce (which before had been counted a
Dainty) when they discover’d two Islands lying two hundred Leagues
distance one from another, yet both Desolate and Barren, wherefore they
were call’d the _Unfortunate Isles_: After that, they came amongst a
great number of Islands, whose Inhabitants were much inclin’d to
Thievery; for which cause they Denominated them _Ladrones_, the chiefest
Island call’d _Borneo_, hath two hundred fifty four Leagues in
Circumference, whereon a Tree grows, whose Leaves when faln off, seem to
be alive and creep like Worms. The King of this Island entertain’d the
_Spaniards_ very courteously, two Elephants bringing his Presents to
them on the Shore, out of a City consisting of twenty thousand Houses.
[Sidenote: _Magellanus_ slain.]
[Sidenote: _Spaniards_ murdered.]
[Sidenote: An end of the Voyage about the world.]
Near _Borneo_ are two lesser Islands, call’d, _Zubo_ and _Matan_; The
King of _Zubo_ freely submitted himself to the _Spaniards_, and
_Magellanus_ leaving his Fleet at Anchor in the Haven, went with his own
and other _Indian_ Boats, and attended with some of the _Zubensers_ to
_Matan_, where setting a Village on Fire, he carry’d great Riches from
thence: This not satisfying, he resolv’d within eight days to set upon
the Royal Head-City; but the King in his own Defence, Encountering with
_Magellanus_, slew him, and seven _Spaniards_ more, besides twenty two
dangerously wounded; those which escap’d by flight, got to _Zubo_, where
being invited to Dinner by the King, they were all of them (in stead of
a second Course) Murther’d at Table. The occasion of this was out of
Revenge, because the _Spaniards_ had fall’n too foul upon their Women
and Maids, Devirginating, and forcing them to their Pleasure, than which
rudeness nothing was among them more Detestable. The Sea-men weakned by
these Misfortunes, were necessitated to burn their third Ship, call’d,
_St. Jago_; but Sailing to the _Molucco_ Islands with the other two,
they Freighted them both with Cloves; with which the Ship _Trinitas_
Sail’d to _New-Spain_ through the South-Sea, and the _Victoria_,
Commanded by _John Sebastian de Lano_ went the same way which the
_Portuguese_ us’d, and so to St. _Lucar de Barrameda_, near _Sivile_,
where he came to Anchor with his Ship and eighteen Men.
SECT. X.
Ferdinando Cortez _his Voyage_.
[Sidenote: _Sottus_ cruelty.]
Although several Expeditions of the _Spaniards_ to _America_ prov’d very
unsuccessful at the first, yet they still undertook them afresh, and
with renewing Courage: _Ferdinando Sottus_, though he Landed five
hundred Men in _Florida_, yet brought no Treasure from thence, onely he
cut off the Hands of fifteen Princes, because they would not discover
their Mines of Gold.
[Sidenote: Miserable end of _Narvaez_.]
Yet far worse success had _Pamphilus Narvaez_, who lost both his Fleet
and Men, saving onely ten out of six hundred, in the River _Palma_, and
they also afterwards dy’d there, or eat one another to satisfie their
raging Hunger.
[Sidenote: _Cortez_ his Voyage.]
[Sidenote: Remarkable delivery.]
But much better was the fortune of _Ferdinando Cortez_, Sailing from
_Spain_ to _America_, in the Year 1519. who having the Command given him
over ten stout Ships, and three Frigats with five hundred Foot, and an
additional Force of sixteen Horse, rais’d by the new _Spanish_
Inhabitants on Cuba; with which Forces Landing on the Island
_Cozumella_, he prohibited Humane Sacrifice to their Idols, and Erected
a Cross with the Image of the Virgin _Mary_, in one of their Temples,
and releas’d _Hieronimus Aquilaris_, after a seven years Slavery, having
suffer’d Shipwrack with _Valdivia_; at which time some that sav’d
themselves in the Boat, were by the Current in thirty days driven to
_Jucatan_, in which time seven dy’d of Hunger; the rest going ashore,
were no sooner Landed, but Sacrific’d by the Natives to their Gods or
_Zemes_. Among the six that remain’d, yet left alive, and to be offer’d
after the same manner the next day, was this _Aquilaris_, who with his
Companions, breaking Prison, in the following night fled to a
Neighboring Prince their Enemy, and one that maintain’d a continual War
against these _Cannibals_.
[Sidenote: Strange Battel.]
[Sidenote: _Potanchanum_, a City.]
[Sidenote: _Colvacan_ Books, of what fashion, as also their Temples.]
Here _Cortez_ sent Articles of Peace to _Taxmarus_ the King of the
Countrey, but he sleighting his proffer, came down upon him into the
Field with forty thousand Men, drawn from the City _Potanchanum_, which
contain’d above twenty thousand Houses, all built of Stone: And indeed
the _Spaniards_ had here seen their last day, had not _Cortez_ drawn by
a seeming advantage the Enemies under his Canon, and sent his small
Party of Horse to attend the motion of the Rear; when so soon as they
had fir’d their Canon, making great Execution, the Front routed, and the
Rear terrifi’d with the noise and smoke of the Guns, they also broke,
being at the same instant Charg’d with the Horse, which were so terrible
to them that never saw Horses, nor such Service on Horseback before,
that in a short time the whole Body of so great an Army was utterly
dissipated, and the triumphing Conquerors took possession of the empty
City _Potanchanum_, where Solacing, they staid a whole Moneth. Then from
hence they Sail’d to _Colvaca_, where, upon the request of the Natives,
they settled a Colony. Amongst the Presents which were there given to
the _Spaniards_, were some of their own Volumes, Books, whose Leaves
were made of the innermost Rind of a Tree, and a kind of Paste, made of
their Meal, glew’d together; the Characters stood at some distance one
after another, rang’d like our _Christ-Cross Row_, or _A_, _B_, _C_.
Here _Cortez_ was amaz’d to behold their stately Temples, the Floors
whereof were cover’d with Embroyder’d Tapestry, beset with Precious
Stones, to which great multitudes flock’d, being very zealous to perform
their Devotions.
When their Seed is put into the Ground, or come to its full growth, they
offer young Children to their _Zemez_, richly Cloth’d, having been
fatten’d some Weeks before: When they want Children they kill their
Slaves, and in default of them, they pacifie them with Dogs.
[Sidenote: Strange Sacrifices.]
The _Victims_ that go to be Sacrific’d, they Worship with all Adoration,
Bowing and Congying before them.
[Sidenote: Strange Idol-Worship.]
Their Zeal in this their Idol-Worship may appear from a strange Custom,
observ’d by them when they enter their Temple, _viz._ they either draw
Blood out of their Tongues, Lips, Ears, Breast, Knees, or Palm of their
Hands, which they throw into the Air, supposing thereby to be pardon’d
by their indulgent Gods.
[Sidenote: _Zempoal_, a City.]
In the City _Zempoal_, _Cortez_ found five Slaves, who being kept close
Prisoners, were to be Sacrific’d the next day; but he releasing them,
did upon the importunate request of the _Quines_, or Priests, and
promises of great ransoms, and their telling of him that the _Zemez_
would spoil all their Seed and Plants that year, if they did not go on
with these Offerings, restor’d the Prisoners again; who, though the
enjoyments of all happinesses in the other World were promis’d them by
their Priest, and great assurance given thereof; yet they were not
forward, but return’d, unwilling to suffer, though by so gainful a
Sacrifice.
[Sidenote: _Zemez_ wonderful Idols.]
At the _Zemez_ Feet hung abundance of Mens Bones bundled up together,
and under them were Written the Names of their Enemies, whose Flesh had
been either Sacrific’d or eaten.
[Sidenote: _Cortez_ his Exploits.]