See, and famous, if but for one of its Prelates, _viz._ _Bartholomeo de
las Casas_, of the Order of _Predicants_, who was Bishop of this City,
and his Memory justly precious amongst the poor _Americans_ at this day,
for his Charity towards them, and for the stout and zealous opposition
which he made against the _Spaniards_ cruel and inhumane dealings with
the Natives at the beginning of their Conquests: by which at last,
notwithstanding much difficulty and resistance made by interested
Persons of the other Side, he procur’d them liberty, and an Edict from
the Emperor in favor of them; whereby they were declar’d to be a Free
People, and not Slaves, and the _Spaniards_ forbidden to use them any
longer as such, or to force them to any kind of Labour against their
wills, or otherwise than by agreement with them, which Liberty they
enjoy to this day; and though the _Spaniards_ are said to give them very
small Wages in some places, and for their Work in their Sugar-Mills
(which is no small Labor) not above five _Reyals_, or Two shillings six
pence a Week, for the Maintenance of themselves, their Wives and
Children, yet by reason it is with Consent, and in a Countrey where all
things are plentiful and cheap, their Condition is much better than it
was, and the favor which that good Bishop did them, never to be
forgotten. It is at present a great and populous City, and lieth almost
in the mid-way betwixt the Cities of _Mexico_ and _Guatimala_.
3. _St. Bartholomews_, in the Countrey of the _Quelenes_.
4. _Tecpatlan_, the chief of twenty five Villages, said to belong to the
_Zoques_. Here the _Dominicans_ have another Cloyster.
The _Zeltates_ possess a fruitful Countrey, have thirteen Villages
planted with Trees that yield _Cochenile_, being under a Common-wealth
Government.
The chief Place of the _Quelenes_ is _Copanavatzla_, where there is good
Cheese, and store of brave Cattel: The River _Chiepa_ gliding through
the midst thereof, loseth it self in the Northern Ocean. In this part of
the Country are Beasts not unlike Apes, with long Tails, which they wind
about the Legs of those whom they find swimming and so pull them under
Water; wherefore they that go to Swim take Axes along with them, to cut
off their Tails.
The Water of the River _Blanco_ is clear and wholsom, running for the
most part through Rocky Grounds, which nevertheless are overspread with
Trees.
In the highest Ground of _Chiapa_, a League and a half from the City
_Reall_, spring clear Fountains, whose Water ebbs and flows every six
hours.
Near the Village call’d _Afixa_ is one which runs three years together,
though in the driest Season, and is dry three years, though it Rain
never so much.
Not far from the Village _Cinacatan_ is another Spring, whose Water
cures several Sicknesses, but kills all Birds and Beasts which drink of
the same.
Here are likewise divers Baths.
The Rivers which run out of the Valley _Chiapa_, fall into two great
Pits.
Near the Village _Bartholomew_, in the Province _Quelenes_, is a strange
Cavern, out of which by the throwing of a stone into the same, are heard
mighty noises like claps of Thunder.
Not far from the Village _Chicomucolo_, appears a Cavern, in which is a
great Plain on one side, and a standing Lake, whose Water is like Sand,
on the other.
The _Spaniards_, if they wanted not Slaves, might dig good store of
Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, Tin, and Quicksilver, out of the Mynes on
the Mountain _Ecatepeck_, which is in nine Leagues compass: The Wind
blows so strong after Sun-rising, that no Man is able to travel for it,
but in the Night.
SECT. II.
Vera Paz.
[Sidenote: Situation and Bounds.]
_Vera Paz_, or _The Countrey of True Peace_, was so nam’d by the
_Spaniards_, as they say, because it was never conquer’d by the Sword,
but reduc’d to Obedience onely by the Preaching of the _Dominican_
Fryers. It is bounded on the West and South-West with _Chiapa_; on the
East with some part of _Guatimala_ and _Honduras_; and on the North with
_Jucatan_. It contains about thirty Leagues in length, and almost as
much in breadth, being a woody and mountainous Countrey for the most
part, yet well distinguish’d with Valleys and lower Ground. It is much
subject to Rain, which ’tis said to have for nine Moneths of the Year
almost continually; by reason whereof the Countrey, being otherwise hot,
is much annoy’d with a kind of _Mosquit_, or great sort of Gnats, which
spoil the Fruit very much, and are otherwise not a little trouble to the
People. Moreover, there happen oftentimes terrible Earthquakes and
Storms, with Thunder and Lightning.
[Sidenote: Commodities of the Countrey.]
The chief Commodities of this Countrey, are a kind of Amber, which some
call _Liquid Amber_, which drops from divers of their Trees, and is said
to be a Commodity very precious, and of much use; _Mastick_, _Sanguis
Draconis_, _Gum Anime_, _Sarsaparilla_, _China-Wood_, and divers other
Medicinal Drugs, which it affordeth in great plenty. The Woods afford a
sweet smell, and the Trees in the same grow a wonderful heighth.
The Canes which grow here, being a hundred Foot long, and proportionably
thick, serve for Timber.
There is also a hard Wood call’d _Iron-Wood_, either from its hardness
or colour, or both, which never rots.
The abundance of Flowers which grow here afford nutriment to innumerable
swarms of Bees, which are about the bigness of small Flies. Their Honey,
which is somewhat tart, they hide in the Roots of Trees, or in the
Earth. Another sort, which is made by the Wasps, bereaves those that
taste of their Senses.
[Sidenote: Beasts.]
The noted’st Beast in this Countrey is the _Danta_, which resembles a
Mule, hath no Horns, but Ash-colour’d long Hair, short Neck, hanging
Ears, thin Legs, with three Claws before and two behind, long Head,
narrow Forehead, little Eyes, a Nose hanging over its Mouth, little
Tail, sharp Teeth, and a Skin which is six Fingers thick, and scarce
penetrable by any Weapon. This Beast is taken in Traps, Holes, or else
with Dogs, which he often kills when hunted towards the Water. They say
that this Beast taught Men first to Let-blood; for if it be too full of
Blood, it pricks it self against a sharp Cane, and stops up the Orifice
again very carefully. The Flesh thereof is good Meat, as also that of
the _Ross_-Lyons, which in the day-time sleep on a high Tree, where they
are shot by the _Indians_.
The Tygers are much more dangerous to be taken; yet the _Indians_
Hunting them, eat them in stead of Beef; and also through all _New
Spain_.
The Bears, which make the Ways very dangerous to travel, have black
frizled Hair, broad Tails, Feet like Mens Hands: but since the _Indians_
have made use of Guns, which they learn’d from the _Spaniards_, they
have much lessen’d the number both of Bears and Tygers.
There are likewise many Leopards, Apes, and wild Goats (whose Skins
serve the Natives for Drums) Hogs, and _Armadillo_’s.
Amongst their Fowls, are Eagles and Parrots.
The Countrey is so well stor’d with Water, that in three Leagues space
are above thirty Rivulets, and as many Fountains.
[Sidenote: Medicinal Plants.]
On the Mountains grow great quantities of _Sarsaparilla_, _Mechoacan_,
and the _China-Root_, which being yellowish hath several
Saffron-colour’d Knobs on the top. The _Sarsaparilla_ grows with many
Stalks, creeping along over the Ground; the Body thereof is tough and
full of Prickles, the Leaves broad and sharp at the ends, and are of a
bluish colour on one side, and green on the other, and bear Clusters of
Flowers, which close like Buds, and are first green, next vermilion-red,
and lastly blackish: within are two hard Stones, which inclose a white
Kernel, by the _Indians_ call’d _Juapecanga_.
The Bay _Golfo Dulce_, which pours its muddy Water into the Sea, feeds
the great Fish _Monati_, and a great number of Crocodiles.
Several Rivers abounding with Fish fall also into the same, having their
Banks set all along with Trees, in whose Boughs, joyn’d together on the
top, those sort of Birds make their Nests which prey on Fish.
The Women in this place are much shorter Liv’d than the Men, so that
there are often thirty Widowers to one Widow. Women with Child are
Deliver’d by themselves in the High-way; and from thence they go to the
next River to wash themselves and the Child.
[Sidenote: Places of note.]
As for any Towns or Places of much Traffick or Note, inhabited by the
_Spaniards_, we find not any nam’d, save onely _St. Augustines_; near
unto which there is said to be a Cave and Fountain within Ground, which
converts the Water that falleth into it out of several lesser Springs,
into a kind of Alabaster or Stone, perfectly white, and fashions it
likewise into Pillars, Statues, and other artificial Forms of very
curious Workmanship, as _Laet_ reporteth.
SECT. III.
Honduras.
[Sidenote: Situation and Bounds.]
_Honduras_ hath on the South, _Guatimala_ abovesaid; on the West, a
certain Bay, or Arm of the Sea, which they call _Golfo Dulce_, from the
abundance of fresh Waters which run into it from all Parts; on the North
and North-East, the _Atlantick Ocean_; and somewhat to the South-East,
_Nicaragua_. It contains in length, _viz._ from East to West, Coasting
along upon the Sea, about a hundred and fifty Leagues, and in breadth
eighty. The Countrey is rich both in Corn and Pasturage, being said to
be very much advantag’d that way by the constant overflowings of the
Rivers, which are very many, about _Michaelmass_-time, and which the
People order so well, that they water their Gardens, and exceedingly
fertilize the whole Champain, or lower part of the Grounds by them.
The fruitful Valleys of this Countrey were anciently very well
inhabited, till vast multitudes of the Natives were destroy’d by the
_Spaniards_ Cruelties, of which the Bishop _Bartholomeo de las Casas_,
in his Letter to the Emperor _Charles_ the Fifth, gives this Relation:
[Sidenote: Cruelties of the _Spaniards_.]
“The young Children (saith he) they murder’d, beating out their Brains
against the Stones; the Kings and Princes of the Countrey they either
scorch’d to death, or threw them to the Dogs to be torn in pieces; the
poor People they drove into their Houses, and then set them on fire;
those that remain’d were condemn’d to the greatest slavery imaginable,
being us’d in stead of Mules and Horses, and having greater Burdens laid
upon them than they were able to carry, insomuch that thousands of them
fell down dead under them; some out of despair running into the Woods
were famish’d, after they had kill’d and eat their Wives and Children
for Hunger. In this one Province onely they massacred above twenty
hundred thousand Men, and amongst others, Persons of Quality, which had
civilly Entertain’d them: nay, they tortur’d the poor innocent Natives
all the ways they could possibly invent, onely to know of them where
their Gold lay; particularly _Diego de Valasco_ spar’d none that ever
fell into his hands; insomuch that in a Moneths time above ten thousand
were slain by him: He hang’d thirteen Noble-men, to twelve of whom he
gave the Denomination of _The twelve Apostles_; and the chiefest of them
he call’d in a derision, _Jesus Christ_. Some they suffer’d to starve to
death, with their Heads compress’d between the cloven Barks of wild
Vines; some also they buried alive, and leaving onely their Heads to
appear above Ground, bowl’d Iron Bullets at them, and forc’d them to eat
one another; besides infinite other hellish Cruelties, too horrid and
dreadful to be recounted.”
[Sidenote: Commodities of the Countrey.]
This Countrey produces much _Maiz_, Wheat, Honey, and great
_Calabashes_, from whence the first Discoverers call’d that Sea _Golfo
de las Ybueras_, because they met with abundance of _Calabashes_,
floating on the Water, which at _Santo Domingo_ bear the Name of
_Ybueras_.
This Countrey is water’d by three Rivers, the first _Chamalucom_, which
glides by the City _San Pedro_; the second _Ulva_, inhabited on both
Shores; the third _Haguaro_, the Grounds adjacent to which would prove
very fruitful, were the Inhabitants not too lazy. In stead of a Plough
they use a long Pole, with two crooked Staves at the end, one bent
downwards and the other upwards, with which they cut and turn the Earth.
The Natives feed on several Roots, Flesh, and Vermine.
At their Feast they make themselves Drunk with a Drink made of Honey,
Noble-men heretofore onely drinking the Liquor of _Cacao_; of late it is
common, and made by all People, though never so mean. They speak several
Languages, the chiefest whereof is that of the _Chontales_, a salvage
People. They divide their Year, call’d _Joalar_, that is, _Passing_,
into eighteen Moneths, and each Moneth into twenty Days. They formerly
measur’d the Year by the Nights, and began the Year forty days sooner
than the _Europeans_.
[Sidenote: _New Valladolid._]
The Towns in this Province are 1. _New Vallodolid_, by the _Indians_
nam’d _Comayagua_, lying in a pleasant Valley under a temperate Climate.
The Cattel brought hither from _Spain_ increase exceedingly. The
Silver-Mynes are also so well stor’d, that they keep the Melting-house
in the Town always employ’d.
The Governor of this Place hath his Residence next to the
Treasury-Chamber.
_Anno 1588._ the Bishop’s See was translated hither from _Truxillo_:
Nineteen years before which _Francisco de Monteio_ sent his Lieutenant
_Alphonso de Cacenes_ thither, to build a Village half way between the
Southern and Northern Ocean; who accordingly erected the Town _Santa
Maria de Camoyagua_, near a River Navigable for _Canoos_, which
disembogues in _Puerto de Cavallos_. The remaining part of the Way to
the Haven _Fonseca_ being passable for Carrs (which was a means to
prevent many Inconveniences which us’d to happen to Travellers on the
Way between _Panama_ and _Nombre de Dios_) the _Spanish_ King was so
much concern’d at the first proposal hereof, that he sent the famous
Surveyor _Baptista Antonello_ thither, and he rather, because he
received information, that the new Way, along which they carried the
Merchandise from _Peru_, _Mexico_, and other Countreys along the South
Sea, lay very pleasantly, by reason of the brave Vineyards, Corn-Fields,
Fruit-Trees, Pastures, Streams abounding with Fish, Herds of Deer, and
Cony-Warrens; yet _Antonello_ meeting with many troubles, would not
undertake the Business.
_New Valladolid_ is adorn’d with a great Church, a Cloyster, belonging
to the Monks _De la Merced_, and handsom Streets.
[Sidenote: _Gratias a Dios._]
2. Thirty Leagues Westward from this City lies another call’d _Gratias a
Dios_, begun by Captain _Gabriel de Royas_, _Anno 1530._ that so he
might be near the Gold-Mines: But because the Natives kept the new
Inhabitants in continual alarm, and daily Storm’d the unfinished
Fortifications, _Royas_ was necessitated to leave off building any
farther, the rather, because none came to his assistance from the
neighboring Garrison.
Six years after _Gonzales de Alvarado_ undertook this Work, and built
the City on a Rocky Mountain; which, though otherwise barren, produc’d
lusty Horses and strong Mules.
[Sidenote: _St. Pedro._]
3. _San Pedro_, though lying under a hot and unwholsom Climate, us’d
formerly to be a brave City of Trade; but it is gone much to decay since
_Golfo Dolce_ hath been discover’d, because from that Bay the
Commodities are carried in Barques up into the Countrey.
[Sidenote: _Juan de Puerto de Cavallos._]
4. The Village _Juan de Puerto de Cavallos_, inhabited by Factors and
Moors: It receiv’d that Denomination, because not far from it several
Horses were forc’d to be thrown over-board in a Storm. Though it be but
ill fortifi’d, yet it hath an exceeding large Haven. Captain
_Christopher Newport_ arriving here _Anno 1591._ found two hundred
Houses, and in them a considerable Booty left, notwithstanding four
Ships richly laden had lately set Sail from thence.
Six years after _Newport_, Capt. _Ant. Sherly_ re-took the Place, and
leaving the Haven open for Pyrats, _Alphonsus Coriado_ judg’d it
convenient to remove the Trading Place to _Amatique_; he built the
Village _Thomas de Castilla_, and fortifi’d the same against all manner
of Assaults.
[Illustration: TRUXILLO.]
Behind _Cavallos_ lies the Valley _Naco_, which is exceeding fruitful,
being situate between high Mountains, where formerly was found plenty of
Silver.
[Sidenote: _Truxillo._]
5. Eastward from _Cavallos_ appears the famous City _Truxillo_, near a
large Bay; secur’d from all Storms by two Cliffs, full of Trees; the
Mouth of the Haven call’d _Joan Gil_, is above two Leagues broad, and
receives two Rivers, one from each side of the City: The Stream
_Quaimarotte_ flows Eastward, and the River _Antonio_ Westward, both
abounding in Fish. The Countrey round about produces abundance of all
sorts of Provisions, and chiefly abounds in Grapes, which are gather’d
twice a year: Eight days after _August_ they cut their Vines, which
afford them ripe Grapes again in _October_; they have two Harvests of
Corn; also Lemons and Oranges are very plentiful: The Cattel brought
hither from _Spain_ are exceedingly increas’d to an incredible number.
_Truxillo_ it self lying on a steep Mountain, is defended on that side
which respects the Sea, with a thick Wall of six Foot high; between
which and the Haven are many brambly Bushes, which prevent the access to
the Wall, onely a narrow and steep way leading up to the City, which
hath a strong Gate, guarded with two Brass Guns, and sufficiently
Fortifi’d to oppose an Enemy. The Eastern Cliff, which bends before the
Haven is call’d _Punta la Rye_, on which stands a House with a high
Beacon: Beyond the Wall Eastward, near the Haven, is a Ship-yard, before
which stands a large Woodden Cross: The Castle in which the City Store
is kept, joyns to the Wall, near unto which, within the Town appears St.
_Francis_ Church; but the Cathedral call’d _Eglesia Major_, is seen
above all other Buildings: The Houses cover’d with _Palmito_-Leaves,
have Walls of Pleited Bushes, Plaister’d over within and without: Behind
the City, where it lies open, are exceeding high Mountains.
[Sidenote: Attempts upon this place by the _English_ and _Dutch_.]
_Anno 1576._ the _English_ falling on this strong Place, carry’d a rich
Booty from thence; after which, Capt. _Anth. Sherly_ and Capt. _Will.
Parker_ ventur’d once more on the same, but being discover’d by the
Centinel, were forc’d to Retreat, not without a considerable loss: When
not long after, Captain _John Van Hoorn_ a _Hollander_, attempting the
same, had much better success; for he Weighing Anchor for _Pernambuc_,
with four Frigats, three Ketches, and a Sloop, set Sail to _Truxillo_,
where arriving, lay close before the City with his four Frigats, which
fired very fiercely on the Town; the Inhabitants of which not being
idle, kill’d three Men in one Ship, forc’d her to fall farther off from
the Castle: Whilst the Ketches and Sloop went about a Gun shot Westward
beyond the City, towards the River _Antonio_, where they Landed two
hundred and fifty Soldiers, which march’d with all speed up the Hill,
where the Castle lay which they Scal’d at Noon-day; the Besieged being
provided with seven Guns, shot, and threw Stones continually amongst
them, yet were forc’d to Retreat from the _Dutch_ Hand-granado’s: During
the storm, the Admiral himself Landed, but before he came out of the
Boat, the foremention’d Soldiers had made themselves Masters of the
Fort, with the loss of onely eight Men, and were busie Pillaging all
places they came at, and carrying their gotten Booty to a Watch-house
near the Castle on the Shore; when on a sudden a Fire happen’d in the
East part of _Truxillo_, which increas’d in such a manner, that in few
hours two third parts of the City lay in Ashes; every one then had
enough to do to save themselves, yet for all the haste they made,
several _Hollanders_ were kill’d at the blowing up of the Magazine, and
most of the Booty lost by the Fire; insomuch that they carry’d but two
hundred thirty nine Skins, six Bales of _Indigo_, eight hundred and
twenty Pounds of _Sarsaparilla_, seven Brass, and three Iron Guns, four
Clocks, and some few trifles with them; having before made an agreement
for twenty Pound of Silver, with the Governor _Joan de Miranda_, who
inform’d them, that they had not the least knowledge of the _Hollanders_
Fleet, till the Evening, when the Beacon on _Punta La Rye_ was fir’d:
Moreover, that the City was inhabited by two hundred _Spaniards_, and as
many more _Mulatoes_ and _Moors_; and that the Trade thereof was much
gone to decay, because there had been no Gallies there in two years
before.
Twenty seven Leagues from this City lies the Village _Jorgo de Olancho_,
where four thousand _Spaniards_ force Tribute from sixteen thousand
_Indians_, who possess much Gold.
SECT. IV.
Nicaragua.
[Sidenote: Situation and bounds.]
_Nicaragua_ is a County of this Province, border’d Northward with
_Honduras_; on the East, with the _Atlantick Ocean_, and part of
_Veragua_; on the South, with _Mare del Zur_; and on the West, with
_Guatimala_, being call’d by _Diego Lopez de Salzado_, _The New Kingdom
of_ Leon, and comprizing several little Territories, as _Nicoya_,
_Nequecheri_, _Mabyth_, _Deria_, _Masaya_, _Mandigua_, _Cacoloaque_,
_Cepeoco_, _Los Micos_, _Madira_, and the _Contales_. It hath few Rivers
in it, the want whereof is supply’d by the benefit of a great Lake, in
the midst of the Countrey, call’d by the _Spaniards_, _Laguna de
Nicaragua_, containing, as is suppos’d, above one hundred Leagues in
compass. It empties it self by the Port of _St. Juan_ into the
_Atlantick_ or North-Sea, but reacheth as far as the South or _Mare del
Zur_, at least within a very few Leagues; and from whence some _Spanish_
Captains are said to have made a passage, though with much difficulty,
into the Lake, and from thence to the North-Sea. It is abundantly well
stor’d with good Fish, but withal much haunted with Crocodiles; and the
Countrey about it so plentiful in all things, especially Cattel,
Cotten-Wool, Sugars, and all kind of Fruits: Amongst which, the chiefest
is the _Zeiba_, which is of so great a thickness, that fifteen Men
holding Hand in Hand, can scarce encompass the same. The _Callabashes_
ripen here in fourteen days time: The Sea along the Coast, breeds Whales
and other Sea-Monsters, which are often seen above Water.
[Sidenote: Nature of the Inhabitants.]
The Inhabitants of this Countrey, (except the _Chontales_, which live on
the Mountains, and maintain their old Salvage Customs) have for the most
part learnt the _Spanish_ Tongue and Manners, and exercise themselves in
all sorts of Arts and Siences, especially in Working of Silver, making
of Clothes, Wax-Work, and the like: From the Mountains they gather
Balsom, Liquid-Amber, Turpentine: They also drive a great Trade in
Cotton, Skins, and several sorts of Provisions, to _Panama_, and _Nombre
de Dios_.
The Lake _Laguna de Nicaragua_, which hath a hundred and seventeen
Leagues in Circumference, and round about inhabited, is by three Leagues
of Land separated from the South-Sea; and discharges its Waters into the
River _Desaguadero_, which falls into the Northern Ocean. _Alphonsus
Calera_, and _Diego Machuca de Zuaso_, were the first that Sail’d out of
the foremention’d Lake into the Sea, not without many dangers, by reason
of the great Water-falls, call’d _Rondales_, which fall into the River
_Desaguadero_, and forc’d them often times to draw their Barques over
the Land.
[Sidenote: Cities.]