discover’d by Sir _Sebastian Cabot_, at the Charges of the King of
_England_, about the Year 1497. but afterwards more throughly search’d
into by _John Ponce de Leon_, a _Spaniard_, who in the Year 1512. set
Sail with three Ships out of the Haven _St. German_ in _Porto Rico_,
North-West to the Isles _Del Veio_, _Caycos_, _Yaguna_, _Amaguyao_,
_Manegua_, and _Guanahani_, first discover’d by _Christopher Colonus_,
and call’d _St. Salvador_: After that Steer’d North-West by a Coast,
which (because of its pleasant prospect) was call’d _Florida_ or
(according to the more common Opinion) because it was on _Palm-Sunday_,
which the _Spaniards_ call _Pascha de Flores_, (or _Pascha Florida_)
that he Landed here: And to find out a Haven he kept sight of the Shore,
which appear’d South-West from him. Here the Ships met with so strong a
Tide, that notwithstanding they had a fresh Gale of Wind, yet could they
not stem it; one of the Ships was driven to Sea out of sight; the other
two casting Anchor, which raking, drove toward the Shore; whither, being
beckned by the _Indians_, they immediately went; when no sooner he
Landed, but they ran in great Companies to make themselves Masters of
the Vessels, kill’d one _Spaniard_, and wounded two more: the Night
approaching put an end to the Fight. From hence Sailing to the River _La
Cruix_ for Wood and Water, they were resisted by sixty Natives, which
they put to flight with their Guns, and took one Prisoner; after which
they erected a Stone Cross. The Promontory, by which glides the strong
Current, lies in twenty Degrees North-Latitude, and call’d _Cabo de
Corrientes_, as the Row of Isles, before the Main Land _Los Martyres_,
because the Cliffs at a distance appear like Men standing on Poles.
Lastly, after some small Encounters with the _Floridans_, _Ponce_
return’d home, being onely inform’d falsly by the _Indians_, that in
_Florida_ was a River, and on the Isle _Bimini_ a Fountain, whose Waters
made old People young.
[Sidenote: _Vasquez_’s Expedition to _Florida_.]
[Sidenote: Habit of a _Floridan_ King.]
But after this _Florida_ remained not unvisited; for eight years after
the foremention’d Voyage, _Lucas Vasquez de Aylom_ weighed Anchor with
two Ships from _Hispaniola_, to fetch Slaves from the adjacent Isles for
the Gold-Mines, which Labor the Natives were not able to perform:
therefore steering his Course Northwardly, he Sail’d along the Coast of
_Chicoa_ and _Gualdape_, by them call’d _Cabo de St. Helena_, and _Rio
Jordan_, where the Natives look’d upon the Ships as Sea-Monsters, and
seeing Bearded Men in them, fled: the _Spaniards_ pursuing them,
overtook one Man and a Woman; who being well Entertain’d, and Clad in
_Spanish_ Habits, made the Strangers so acceptable to their
Countrey-men, that their King sent fifty Men Aboard of them with
Provisions, and to invite the Sea-men to his Dominions. The King sat
with a great Cloth about him, made fast on his Shoulders, covering his
Belly, Breast and Back with the Lappet thereof, and being long, was held
up by one of his Servants; over one of his Shoulders hung a String of
Pearl that came three times about, and reach’d down to his Thighs; on
his Head he wore a Cap full of Ribbonds; his Arms and Legs were also
surrounded with a double Chain of Pearl; in his right Hand he held a
very rich Staff: But the Queen went almost naked, onely a piece of a
wild Beasts Skin hung down before her from her left Shoulder to her
mid-Leg, and a double String of Pearl about her Neck hung down between
her Breasts, and her Hair Comb’d behind reach’d down to the Calves of
her Legs; about her Wrists and Ancles hung also Strings of Pearl.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Treachery of _Vasquez_.]
[Sidenote: _Indians_ misused.]
On the King’s Command, the _Spaniards_ were permitted to make inspection
into the Countrey, in which they were every where courteously
Entertain’d, and not without Gold and Silver Presents. Returning Aboard,
_Vasquez_ invited the _Indians_ to go with him, under pretence of
returning them thanks for the Favours which they had bestowed upon him;
but no sooner had he gotten a considerable number in his Ships, but he
set Sail, and losing one Ship, arriv’d with the other safe at
_Hispaniola_ with a few _Indians_, for most of them with grief and
hunger died at Sea, and those that remain’d alive, liv’d on dead
Carrion.
[Sidenote: _Vasquez_ defeated by the _Floridans_.]
Some few years after, _Vasquez_ receiving Letters Patent from the Court
of _Spain_ for the Government of _Florida_, fitted out a Ship thither in
1620. which brought a good Return of Gold, Silver, and Pearls; whereupon
he himself went not long after, and coming into the River _Jordan_, lost
one of his Ships, which proved not the worst Accident; for Landing two
hundred Men, they were all of them either slain or wounded by the
Inhabitants; so that _Vasquez_ was forc’d to sound a Retreat: And after
that the _Spaniards_ were less willingly drawn to that Coast, and the
rather, because the Inhabitants seem’d poor, and had little Gold but
what they procur’d from the _Otapales_ and _Olugatono_’s, sixty Leagues
Northward up in the Countrey.
[Sidenote: _Narvaez_ his Expedition.]
[Sidenote: Strange Booty.]
[Sidenote: He is in great extremity.]
[Sidenote: _Cabeca_ is Stranded.]
[Sidenote: His strange Entertainment at _Malhado_.]
Notwithstanding these unsuccessful Expeditions, _Pamphilus Narvaez_
retain’d so much Courage, that obtaining Letters Patents from the
Emperor _Charles_ the Fifth, he fitted out four Sail and a Brigantine,
weigh’d Anchor from _Cuba_ with six hundred Men and eighty Horse, in the
Year 1528. On _Florida_ he Landed three hundred Foot and forty two
Horse; they found many empty Huts, but in a great House a golden Bell
hid amongst the Nets, Chests full of Merchandise, and in each a dead
Body cover’d with Beast Skins, and painted; Pieces of Linnen Cloth, and
Wedges of Gold, which they had from the remote Countrey _Apalache_.
_Narvaez_, though against the Opinion of _Nunnez Cabeca_, march’d up
into the Countrey, whilst the Fleet was to stand along the Shore, and
travelling fifteen days saw neither House nor Man, onely here and there
some _Palmito_-Trees: Crossing a River on Floats, they were Encountred
by two hundred of the Natives; of which the _Spaniards_, having routed
them, took six Prisoners, who furnish’d them plentifully with _Indian_
Wheat. After this they march’d fifteen days farther, without discerning
the least foot-step of a Man; but at last they met an _Indian_ Lord with
a considerable Train, before whom march’d several Pipers: being told by
_Narvaez_ that his Journey was for _Apalache_, he conducted the
_Spaniards_ with a _Canoo_ over a River, and Landing again, walk’d with
them to his Village, where he Entertain’d them with great civility.
_Narvaez_, after a long and troublesom Journey, came at last in sight of
_Apalache_, a Village which contained two hundred and forty Straw
Houses, built between the Mountains on a Moorish Soyl, full of Nut,
Pine, and Savine-Trees, Oaks, Laurel, and short _Palmito_’s, besides the
Trees, which blown down in several places by a strong Wind from between
the Hills, and lying cross, cumber the High-ways: There are many deep
Pools, and also Bears, Lyons, and other ravenous Creatures, which make
the Ways very dangerous. _Narvaez_ falling suddenly on the Village, took
the _Casique_ Prisoner, as also store of Wheat, Mortars to pound it,
Hides, and Thred-spun Cloaks. Here he rested twenty five days, during
which time some of his Men Journey’d farther into the Countrey, yet
found none but poor People, troublesom Ways, and an unfruitful Soyl:
twice they were set upon by the Natives, who kill’d some of the Horses
and Men: They being a very strong People run stark naked, and as swift
as a Deer, Diving under Water from the _Spaniards_ Bullets; which not a
little amazing _Narvaez_, he thought it convenient to set upon the
Village _Aute_, lying on the Shore: Nine days he was in a miserable
condition before he got any Wheat, Pease, or other Provisions from this
Village; the getting whereof cost him very dear, for the Villagers
behav’d themselves so valiantly, that they kill’d many _Spaniards_, and
some of their Horses, which since they left the Haven of _St. Cruce_ had
travell’d two hundred and eighty Leagues; so that being tir’d and out of
heart, they could not carry the Sick and Wounded, who not able to go,
fell down dead in the Way: whereupon it was judg’d convenient to make
five Barques, in which they made their Shirts serve for Sails, the
Horses Tails and Mayns for Ropes, their Skins to hold fresh Water; with
which putting out to Sea, they saw no Land in seven days; and running
through the Straights of _St. Miguell_, Steer’d along the Coast of _Rio
del Palmes_; where they suffer’d great Drought, insomuch that some
drinking salt Water, died thereof: at last Landing, they were in the
Night set upon by a _Casique_, who having given _Narvaez_ a great Wound
in the Face, fled, leaving behind him a Sable Cloak, scented with Amber;
three days they rang’d again along the Sea-shore, when the Barque of
_Nunnez Cabeca_ being behind, was by Storm driven on the Shore, where a
hundred _Indians_ waited to cut them off, but were pacifi’d with some
Trifles: Thus being bereav’d of Arms, Provision, and all manner of
Necessaries, they found themselves on an Isle, by the Inhabitants call’d
_Malhado_, where they were lodg’d and maintain’d so long as they had any
thing left; but Famine grew at last to such a heighth, that they
devour’d one another, and in a short time of eighty Men there remain’d
onely four alive, _viz._ _Nunnez Cabeca_, _Castillo_, _Orantes_, and
_Estevanico_, who at last by Land reach’d to _New Gallicia_, and soon
after to _Mexico_, having escap’d a thousand Dangers. Of _Pamphilus
Narvaez_ never any tydings being heard, it is suppos’d he was drown’d.
[Sidenote: _Sottus_’s Expedition very remarkable.]
[Sidenote: Strange dealing of the _Cofachiquians_.]
[Sidenote: A Maid Governs the Countrey.]
[Sidenote: Great Treasure of Pearls.]
[Sidenote: Great Tempest.]
[Sidenote: _Sottus_’s farther Journey very remarkable.]
[Sidenote: The City _Mavilla_.]
[Sidenote: Cruel Fight.]
[Sidenote: _Sottus_ dies.]
[Sidenote: Strange Fight.]
After this miserable Adventure, the Business of _Florida_ lay dead for
eleven years, till _Ferdinandus Sottus_, chosen Governor of _Cuba_,
obtain’d so much of the Emperor _Charles_ the Fifth, that he ventur’d
one Expedition more for _Florida_: Besides Seamen he carried five
hundred Foot, and three hundred and fifty Horse; with which Landing in
the Bay _Del Espirito Santo_, he march’d against the Casique
_Vitacucho_, whom he took Prisoner, with a thousand of the Natives, whom
he either put to the Sword, or caus’d them to be torn in pieces by Dogs;
and staying all the Winter in _Apalache_, fortifi’d that place, and
furnish’d himself with Provisions; he was inform’d, that thirteen days
Journey from thence lay the Kingdom of _Cofachiqui_, abounding with
Gold, Silver, and Pearls, which made every one of the _Spaniards_ very
desirous to go thither, notwithstanding the Way was very dangerous; for
the valiant _Floridans_ lying in Ambuscade in the Corn-Fields, wounded
and kill’d many of them by Shooting from thence. _Sottus_, so soon as
_March_ approached, set forward on his Way. In the poor Province of
_Achalaqui_ he found a few young People, and the old most of them blind.
From _Cofachiqui_ he was follow’d by four thousand Natives, who carried
the _Spaniards_ Luggage, and serv’d them as Guides through Woods and
Wildernesses. The seventh day they stopp’d at a great River, whither
_Sottus_ sent four Companies to seek out a Passage over, whereof three
return’d without any effect, but the fourth, Commanded by Captain
_Annasio_, and a Colonel of a thousand _Cofachiquians_, came to a
Village built along the River; in which they made a miserable Rout,
killing all they lighted on, and hanging the Sculls of the Dead by their
sides: this done, they march’d back. _Sottus_ at last espying a Village
on the other side of the River, beckned to the Natives to come over to
him; whereupon six came immediately; who understanding that he desir’d
their friendly Assistance and Trade, promis’d to acquaint their
Governess, being a young Maiden: who soon after came over to _Sottus_,
and presented him with a String of Pearl: he complain’d to her for
Provisions, which she promis’d in part to store him with. Crossing the
River he found a brave Countrey, where were Pearls as big as gray Pease,
Copper of a golden colour, but no Gold. Out of the Tombs of their
Princes the _Spanish_ Officers, with the leave of the fore-mention’d
Maid their Governess, got an incredible Treasure in Pearls. In the
Village _Tolomeco_ they did the like. But here their Provisions growing
scarce, the Army was divided into two Bodies, _Balthasar de Gallegos_
leading one, and _Sottus_ the other; yet the Design of them both was on
the Province of _Chalaque_; whither marching, they were surpris’d by
such a violent Storm, that few would have been left to relate their
Adventures, had not the Trees bore it off from them; for it not onely
Thundred and Lightned as if Heaven and Earth would have met, but also
Hail-stones fell down as big as Eggs, which beat down the Boughs of
Trees. In the pleasant Valley _Xualu_, belonging to the Kingdom of
_Cofachiqui_, they rested fifteen days, and then march’d through
Countreys of _Guaxale_, _Acostes_, and _Coza_, where above a thousand
_Indians_, adorn’d with Plumes of Feathers and rich Furr Cloaks, came to
meet and welcom them, and to desire them from the _Casique_ to stay
there all the Winter; but _Sottus_ resolving to go to the Haven
_Achusi_, refus’d the same. After this he view’d _Talisse_, fortifi’d
with woodden and earthen Bulwarks; where the Casique _Tascalusa_, a Man
as big again as an ordinary _Spaniard_, receiv’d _Sottus_ with great
civility, and conducted him to _Mavilla_, lying in a pleasant place. The
City, surrounded with double Pallisado’s, fill’d up with Earth between,
(where also at eighty Paces distant from one another, stands a Tower to
contain eighty Soldiers) hath two Gates, eighty Houses, in every one of
which dwell a thousand Men, and a large Market-place in the middle;
where whilst the _Spaniards_ were in the midst of their Mirth, they on a
sudden heard a great cry of Arms; the first Assault was made by seven
thousand, which still increased by fresh Supplies; but the _Spaniards_
at last setting the City on fire, broke through them, and left above
eleven thousand slain, either by the Smoak and Flame, or by their
Bullets, Swords, Horses Heels and Dogs; the _Spaniards_ also lost eighty
three Men and forty three Horses. Thence going to _Chicora_ they were
stopt by the Natives before a deep River with high Banks, which at last
crossing, not without great trouble and blood-shedding, they Winter’d in
the Village _Chicora_, where the Inhabitants let them rest very quietly
for two Moneths; at the end of which, joyning together in the Night,
they shot fire into the Straw Roofs, and maintain’d a Fight of two hours
long, in which the _Spaniards_ lost forty Men, fifty Horses, and all
their Hogs, which were burnt in the Houses. From thence going to
_Chicacolla_ they were resisted in most places, and in the Fort
_Alibamo_ Engag’d by four thousand _Floridans_, who waited for their
coming; but those were so shrewdly handled, that half of them were
slain, and _Sottus_ became Master of the Fort, as also of _Chisca_,
which he Storm’d and took unawares. With no less trouble and danger did
he get over the River _El Grande_, where he discover’d a Village that
contain’d above four hundred Houses, and many delightful Fruit-Trees.
The Casique _Casquin_, maintain’d the _Spanish_ Army six days in this
place, and taking five thousand of his Subjects, march’d with them to
_Capaha_, which hath a deep and broad Moat on three sides thereof: the
fourth was fortifi’d with strong Pallisado’s, through which the
_Spaniards_ breaking, made way for _Casquin_, who put all to the Sword,
the Governor onely escaping in a _Canoo_ to a neighboring Isle. The
Entrance being thus taken by the _Spaniards_, _Casquin_ return’d home.
After which _Sottus_ concluded a Peace with _Capahaes_ the Governor, and
took up his Quarters in the Village _Vitangue_, where he receiv’d
continual Sallies; but taking fifteen _Casiques_ Prisoners, threatned to
burn them alive, unless they would procure them some Gold; yet not being
able to get any, they had only their Hands cut off and were sent away.
Moreover, _Sottus_ help’d the _Guachacoya_’s, to ruine those of
_Anilco_; which Design prov’d successful, yet not according to
_Sottus_’s desire, for he found not the Gold-Mines which he expected,
but spent in this five years Progress the great Treasure which he took
out of _Atibaliba_’s Palace; and the Pearls which he got in _Florida_,
for the Oysters being open’d against the Fire, and the Pearls drill’d
through with a hot Iron, lost much of their lustre, neither would his
People consent to build a City in the Haven _Achusi_. In the midst of
these Transitions _Sottus_ died of the Bloody-flux, and his Body was
Interr’d in the River _El Grande_. After which his Successor _Ludovicus
de Alvarado_ had worse success, for half of the Army being wasted by the
excessive heat, the rest resolv’d to desert _Florida_, utterly
despairing to be ever able to resist the valiant Natives. In the
Province of _Auche_ they procur’d a Guide, whom, because he mis-led them
in their Way, they caus’d to be torn in pieces by their Dogs: after
which they march’d without a Guide through such bad Ways, that they lost
a hundred of their Men and eighty Horses, besides many _Floridans_ that
carried their Luggage: At last coming to the River _El Grande_ they
conquer’d two Villages; which fortifying, they took up their Winter
Quarters in them. But this being the fourteenth year, in which the River
us’d generally to overflow and drown all the adjacent Countreys, on a
sudden, to their great amazement, the Wood which they had gather’d for
the building of Barques to carry them home, was wash’d away, their
Provisions spoil’d, and their Habitations drown’d: and to this
Inconvenience was added another yet greater; for the Governors round
about rais’d all the Forces they could possibly, to revenge themselves
on the _Spaniards_ for their great oppression. But _Alvarado_ being
inform’d of this Design by the Casique _Anilco_, caus’d thirty of the
Abettors of the Plot to have their Hands cut off. Not long after this
the _Spaniards_ set Sail, when a thousand _Canoos_ that came to Engage
them lay sixteen days amongst them, killing and wounding several of the
Seamen, and sunk a Barque with forty eight Men, and also kill’d many
Horses which were yet on the Shore; the Prisoners they took were
strappado’d to death, and the Horses shot: yet some of them got safe
from _Panuco_ to _Mexico_.
[Sidenote: Expedition of _Ahumada_ and _Samano_.]
These above-mention’d Expeditions to _Florida_, notwithstanding they
fell out unfortunately, nevertheless by the permission of _Philip_ the
Second, King of _Spain_, _Peter Ahumada_ and _Julius Samano_, with five
_Dominican_ Monks, made another Attempt, and Landed with several great
Crosses, that thereby they might reduce the _Floridans_, whose Language
they understood not, to their Faith: But they fearing treachery,
resisted them, and kill’d the Monks with Clubs, flay’d them, and hung
their Skins in their Temples.
[Sidenote: The Expedition of _Menendez_.]
Notwithstanding these and many worse Accidents that hapned, yet the
_Spanish_ King ventur’d once more, and sent _Peter Menendez_ to
_Florida_; whither he was follow’d by three _Jesuits_ from _Rome_,
_viz._ _Peter Martinius_, _Joan Roger_, and _Francis Villaregius_: The
Master of the Ship in which they went being ignorant where he was,
judg’d it convenient to Land; whereupon nine _Netherlanders_ and four
_Spaniards_, amongst which was _Martinius_, went ashore on _Florida_,
whilst a Storm arising drove the Ship to _Cuba_; by which means those
that were Landed were left in a miserable condition, having no Food but
wild Herbs, on which they fed twelve days: so that this Expedition also
came to nothing.
[Sidenote: Voyage of _Ribald_ and _Laudoniere_.]
At last the _French_ following the foot-steps of the _Spaniards_, _John
Ribald_ and _Rene Laudoniere_ having Sail’d several times to _Florida_,
discover’d several Coasts; but their Men were often set upon by the
_Spaniards_, and cut off.
[Sidenote: The Expedition of _Dominicus Gurgius_.]
[Sidenote: Valiant Exploit of _Gurgius_.]
_Anno 1567._ _Dominicus Gurgius_ set Sail thither with three Ships,
which carried two hundred Soldiers and eighty Sea-men; with which
entring the River _Tacatucouru_ he Landed, and found a Youth call’d
_Peter du Bre_, who escap’d when the _Spaniards_ cruelly massacred the
_French_ in the Garrison _Carolina_; after which _du Bre_ ranging up and
down, at last serv’d _Saturiona_, Governor of _Florida_; whom deserting,
and now meeting with the _French_ his Countrey-men, he brought several
_Casiques_ to joyn with them against the _Spaniards_, whom they drove
out of three Forts, which were all by the Command of _Gurgius_
dismanteled.
[Sidenote: City _Augustine_.]
_Florida_ is call’d by the Natives, _Irquasa_. The _Spaniards_ have
built two Forts on the same, the one erected on the Promontory _Helena_,
is Consecrated to the Apostle _Matthew_. The City and the Fort
_Augustine_ lies near the River _May_. Both City and Fort stand on a
Hill, which is pleasant and well set with Trees. Between the _Foreland_
is a deep and wide Channel, which washes the City and Fort; it is
eight-square, at each corner there stands a round Tower, in which the
Soldiers keep Guard; the Countrey is water’d by two Rivers, which
gliding between the _Main_ and the _Foreland_, are great Safeguards to
the Fort. The City is almost square, onely against the Fort it is much
closer built than in any other place, and divided into four Streets. The
Church stands without of the City, and before it the _Augustine_
Cloyster.
[Illustration: PAGUS HISPANORUM in Florida]
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Constitution of the _Floridans_.]
[Sidenote: Their strange Consultation.]
[Sidenote: Their Food in time of War.]
[Sidenote: Their Priests are Sorcerers.]
[Sidenote: Strange actions.]
[Sidenote: Cruelty on the conquer’d.]
[Sidenote: Remarkable Mourning for the Dead.]