close by the Lake; hath a great Church, five Cloysters belonging to the
_Monks, de la Mercede_, several Houses for the King’s Officers, and a
hundred and twenty thousand Families of _Indians_ which pay Tribute.
Three Leagues beyond _Leon_ appears a high spiry Mountain, from whose
top, both Morning and Evening, rises a mighty smoke, and sometimes casts
out great sulphurous Stones over the neighboring Fields, and on a sudden
mighty Flames. A _Dominican_ Monk, in hopes to get some melted Gold out
of its burning Mouth, went up the same with four of his Fraternity, and
carry’d an Iron Chain and a Kettle, which were no sooner let down into
the hole, but they were immediately melted; yet not so discourag’d, they
resolv’d to venture a second time with stronger Materials, which
nevertheless had the same, or rather worse event; for the Fire flew out
in such a manner, that the _Dominicans_ sadly scorch’d, had enough to do
to escape with Life, since which none durst presume to approach the
same.
But besides the Episcopal City _Leon_, Erected by _Franciscus
Fernandez_, 2. _Granada_ acknowledges the same Builder, and lying also
on the shore of _Laguna de Nicaragua_, is adorn’d with a Castle, Church,
and several Sugar-Mills: Not far from it lie the small Lakes _Masaya_
and _Lindiri_; the first which is inclos’d between exceeding high
Mountains, covers the Foot of the burning Mountain _Masaya_; the other
falls into _Laguna de Nicaragua_, near which is the smoky Mountain
_Munbacho_, surrounded with Fruit-Trees.
3. _&_ 4. The Towns _Jean_, and _Neuva Segovia_, which are not far from
thence, are of little consequence.
5. _Realeio_, this is, as it were, the _Chattam_ of _America_, being a
place on the South-Sea, where the King of _Spain_ hath all his Ships
built that are made of _American_ Timber, and inhabited by few or none
but Shipwrights, Mariners, and Men of that kind of Profession.
6. _&_ 7. _Nicoya_, _Avarines_.
8. _Cartago_, forty Leagues distant from _Nicoya_, and lying almost in
the midst of the _Isthmus_, or _Streight_ of _Darien_, equally distant
both from the North and South Sea; on both which it is said likewise to
have a convenient Port or Haven for Shipping.
[Sidenote: Strange manner of Dancing.]
The _Spaniards_, when first they Landed here, call’d this Countrey
_Mahomets Paradise_, because of its exceeding Fruitfulness. The _Cacao_
which they use here in stead of Money, is not unlike the Stone of an
Almond. The Inhabitants, in stead of using a Steel and Flint to strike
Fire withal, rub two pieces of Wood together so long, till one of them
is kindled; and burn the Boughs of Pine-Trees in stead of Candles.
Amongst the several Languages which they speak, the _Mexican_ is the
chiefest: Amongst their Recreations, Dancing is principal, which is
perform’d after a very strange manner, for they meet sometimes two or
three thousand together, according to the bigness of the Province, in a
spacious Field, which is made clean before for that purpose: He that
leads the Dance goes backward, and with many strange Gestures, turns
himself about, which the rest, following four and four together in a
row, imitate, whilst their _Tambores_ beat on hollow Instruments, and
sing Songs, which are first answer’d by the Ring-leader of the Dance,
and then seconded by the whole Company, each of them waving a Fan or a
_Callabash_, and being all adorn’d with Plumes of Feathers on their
Heads, and Strings with Shells about their Arms and Legs; they also act
several antick Tricks, the one, the blind Man, the other, the Cripple,
one feigns himself to be deaf, the other makes a wry Mouth, one cries,
and another laughs, whilest others drink healths in _Chocolate_, which
continues till Midnight.
[Sidenote: The Fish _Manati_.]
A King of this Countrey in former times us’d to feed the Fish _Manati_
with Bread, in the Lake _Guainabo_, where it would appear at its being
call’d _Matto_, _Matto_, which signifies _Noble-minded_, and oftentimes
carry eight or ten Boys on its Back from one side of the Lake to the
other; but being shot by a _Spaniard_ with an Arrow, never appear’d
again.
There is likewise a black Beast in this Countrey call’d _Cascu_,
resembling in some things a Hog; it hath a hard Skin, little Eyes, open
Ears, cloven Feet, short Nose, and makes such a terrible noise, that it
affrights those which hear it.
No less strange and wonderful is the Fox-Ape, which hath two Bellies one
under another; in the lowermost of which it carries its Young, which are
never brought into the World till they are able to shift for their own
Food. It hath the Body of a Fox, Feet like a Man’s Hands, and Ears like
a Batt.
It will not be amiss before we conclude with this Province, to give you
a Relation of the Discourse which hapned _Anno 1527._ between the
_Spanish_ Commander _Francisco de Monteio_ and the _Nicaraguan_ Casique
_Alquinotex_, who being a hundred and ten years old, told him, “That
before the _Spaniards_ arrival there, great numbers of his Soldiers
perish’d after a strange manner; for after having vomited abundance of
Worms, they fell down dead on a sudden: those that escap’d the Contagion
differing amongst themselves, made two Parties, which twice Engaging
with one another, each of them lost above a hundred and fifty thousand
Men. Yet both these Plagues were no ways to be compar’d to the Slaughter
which the _Spaniards_ had made amongst them.”
About the same time an _Italian_, call’d _Hieronymo Bonzo_, Lodging with
a _Nicaraguan_ Noble-man that understood the _Spanish_ Tongue, was thus
set upon by him: _What do not_ (_Oh_ Christ) _the_ Christians _do! they
no sooner get their Foot into an_ Indian_’s Hut, but they commandingly
call for Maiz, Honey, Winter-Clothes, Gold, Silver, and a Woman to cool
their lustful desires: Certainly there is nothing more vicious on
Earth_. To which _Bonzo_ gave him this Answer: _The wicked_ Spaniards
_commit oftentimes unseemly things_. The _Indian_ again suddenly
retorted, saying, _Where are any such Men to be found as good_
Spaniards? _I have never known any but wicked Villains._ To which
_Bonzo_ said, _Why have you made place for them on_ Nicaragua? Which was
thus reply’d to by the Noble-man: “All People round about took Oath on
the first News of the _Christians_ arrival, to hazard all, and fight to
the last Man, before they would be under the insupportable Yoke, with
which they had heard other Countreys were oppress’d with by them. To
which purpose they made ready Bowes, Arrows, Lances, Stones, Clubs, and
other Weapons of War: But when it came to the trial, the _Spanish_
Horse, of which they had never seen the like, struck such a terror into
the _Indians_, that they fled, and sent two Agents to _Monteio_ to
desire Peace; but their Design was onely to gain time, that they might
gather new Forces, to venture a second Encounter; which prov’d as fatal
to them as the first. Then desiring Peace once more, they gather’d all
that were able to bear Arms, and swore one to another not to stir a
Foot; and withal made a Law, That whosoever did shrink should be kill’d
immediately: But the Women being inform’d hereof, begg’d that they might
rather suffer under the _Spanish_ Yoke, than be torn in pieces by their
Dogs, or kill’d by their Bullets and Swords, alledging, that they were
not able to resist the _Spaniards_; and entreated them, that if they
were resolv’d to go on with their first Design, they would first send
their Wives and Children to the other World, that so they might not fall
into the hands of the merciless and bloody _Christians_: Whereupon most
Voices judg’d it convenient to make use of the Opportunity, and to
submit to _Monteio_. But his cruel dealings made some to contradict that
Determination, for which they paid dearly; for not onely they, but their
little Infants, were put to the most cruel Deaths imaginable; which made
many of them also to lay violent hands on themselves.”
SECT. V.
Costarica.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Nature of the Countrey.]
_Costarica_ borders on the East with _Veragua_; on the South and East,
with the Sea; and on the North, with _Nicaragua_. The Countrey it self
is barren and mountainous; whose Inhabitants were valiant enough to
Encounter with the _Spanish_ Forces, being unwilling to lose their
former Priviledges.
This Coast was discover’d full by _Christopher Columbus_, who _Anno
1502._ Sailing up the Rivers _Belen_ and _Veragua_ with Barques, took
much Gold out of the Mynes _Urira_, but chiefly from between the Roots
of Trees which were grown together.
SECT. VI.
Veragua.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Nature of the Country.]
_Veragua_ is bounded on the West with _Costarica_; on the East it hath
the District, or Countrey of _Panama_, being otherwise wash’d on all
sides by the Sea. It hath its Name from a River of great note in this
Tract, by which it was first discover’d. The Countrey is for the most
part mountainous, and the Soil outwardly barren, but recompencing all
defects with the abundance of its more inward Wealth, that is to say, in
the richness of its Mynes, of which it is said to afford many, and so
inexhaustibly rich and good, that the _Spaniards_ here know no end of
their Wealth; although by the stoutness and untameableness of the
Natives, it was a long time, and they met with many difficulties, before
they could make themselves Masters of the Treasure.
[Sidenote: Its chief Towns.]
The chief Towns they have here are 1. _La Conception_, lying at the
Mouth of a River so nam’d, and the Seat of the Governor.
2. _La Trinidad_, upon the Banks of the same River likewise, but down
towards _Port Beleno_, and about six Leagues Eastward of _Conception_.
3. _St. Foy_, twelve Leagues more to the South, where the _Spaniards_
melt their Gold, and cast it into Bars or Ingots.
4. _Carlos_, a Town they have upon the Coast of _Mare del Zur_.
5. _Philippina_, another on the West of _Carlos_; both of these seated
upon a large capacious Bay; before which there lie certain little
Islands, to the number of thirty or more, which the _Spaniards_ are said
to have wholly dispeopled long since, by forcing the Natives over into
the Continent to work in the Mynes, as usually they did before the
Emperor’s Prohibition: but now they use Slaves or _Negro_’s, which they
buy for that purpose from _Guinee_ and other Parts.
SECT. VII.
Guatimala, properly so call’d.
[Sidenote: Bounds of the Country.]
_Guatimala_, specially so call’d, hath on the West the River _Xicalapa_,
which divides it from _Vera Paz_; on the East it is bounded with the
Countrey of _Nicaragua_; on the North, with _Honduras_; and on the
South, with _Mare del Zur_.
This Countrey was conquer’d by _Peter de Alvarado_, _Anno 1525._ It is,
by reason of its neighborhood with _Vera Paz_, not altogether clear of
Mountains, but otherwise well water’d with Rivers, and enrich’d with
fair and fruitful Valleys, which afford not onely good Pasturage, and
many great Herds of Cattel, but likewise good store of Wheat, _Maiz_,
and other Fruits of the Earth. Great plenty of Cotton-Wool is generally
both here and in the other Provinces, _viz._ _Vera Paz_, _Chiapa_, &c.
some Medicinal Woods likewise, and Liquors, and absolutely the best
Sulphur in _America_. The People are generally tractable and well
dispos’d, both in point of Religion and civil Government.
[Sidenote: Towns of note.]
The Towns of chief note are 1. _Guatimala_, now call’d _St. Jago de
Guatimala_ since the re-building thereof; for about the Year 1586. it
was almost buried in Ashes, which one of the neighboring Mountains, for
the space of six Moneths together, continually belch’d out in such
fearful quantities, that many People were slain, the old City deserted,
and a new one built in another place. The day before this sad Accident
hapned, the neighboring Mountains were observ’d to shiver, and a great
noise was heard from under Ground; which amazing the _Indians_, the news
thereof was carried to the Bishop, _Franciscus Moroquin_, who narrowly
enquiring into the Causes of these Accidents, and what they might
portend, found that a sad Event would suddenly follow, as accordingly it
did; for about midnight on the eighth of _August, Anno 1541._ such a
mighty store of Rain fell, as if the Clouds had been all dissolv’d into
Water, which came rowling from the Rocky Mountains with such violence,
that it wash’d down great Stones, which carried on by the strength of
the Water against the Houses, beat them down; and none could have seen
how they were ruin’d, had not the mighty flashes of Lightning, follow’d
by terrible claps of Thunder, lighted the Night. Some instantly
deserting this miserable place, fled up into the Countrey, and there
built a new _Guatimala_ (as above-mention’d) sur-nam’d _St. Jago_, three
Leagues farther towards the East, in a Valley through which flow two
Rivers, between two _Vulcans_, or smoaking Mountains, which sometimes
vomit forth terrible Flames, mix’d with dreadful Thunder-claps, Ashes,
and great Stones, insomuch that the Ground all about it, which is
exceeding fruitful, seems to move. There are many of these _Vulcans_ in
several parts of _America_, as namely at _Arequipa_ in the Kingdom of
_Peru_, at _Puebla de los Angelos_, in the Province of _Tlascalla_
abovesaid, a Mountain of so great heighth, that they are fain to go
little less than thirty Leagues turning and winding before they can
reach the top of it, and others in several other places. They are
generally Mountains of great heighth, and running sharp upwards, but at
the top containing some quantity of plain and level Ground; in the midst
whereof is a Pit or Hole, out of which abundance of Smoak and fiery
Sparkles are vomited almost continually, and so deep, that they are
suppos’d for the most part to reach to the very bottom of the Mountain.
Some of these _Vulcans_ cast forth neither Fire nor Smoak, yet are
clearly seen to burn at the bottom with a quick Fire, and which is so
extreamly hot, that it instantly melteth Iron, or any other Metal that
is cast into it, as by experience hath been found: for some conceiving
that the Matter which maintains these Fires within the Bowels of the
Earth so long together, can be nothing else but melted Gold, have
endeavor’d several times to extract and draw it forth in certain Vessels
of Iron and Brass, which they have caus’d to be let down into the bottom
of the _Vulcan_ or Pit, by long Iron Chains made on purpose: but, as we
said, the extream heat and force of the Fire below always melted them
before they could be drawn up again, and by that means hath rendred all
such Attempts frustrate. In this Town, now call’d _St. Jago_, reside
above six hundred _Spanish_ Commanders, and more than twenty five
thousand _Indians_ which pay Tribute. They have also a brave Church and
two Cloysters, one belonging to the _Dominicans_, and another to the
Order _La Merced_, and likewise a noble Hospital. Not far from thence is
a place call’d _Yzaleos_, where there are Orchards of _Cacoa_ two
Leagues in square, each of them producing yearly as much as fifty
thousand Men are able to carry. They reckon the _Cacao_ by _Contels_,
which is the number of four hundred; by _Xequipiles_, of eight thousand;
and by _Carga_’s, of twenty four thousand. In this County is a Mountain,
whose top smoaking continually consumes by degrees, and oftentimes
covers the neighboring Countrey with Ashes. The Water which flows from
the same differs very much, for some of it is wholsom and fit to drink;
some foul and stinking, and some turns Wood, if laid in the same, to
Stone. Here is also the Beast whose Head is highly esteem’d for the
_Bezoar_-Stone, which it carries in the same. Here is likewise a little
Bear, which in stead of a Mouth, hath a long Nose with a round Hole in
it, and a hollow Tongue, with which it sucks Honey, and disturbs the
Nests of Pismires. The Women in this Place make curious Earthen Ware,
colour’d either red or black with the Mud of two several Brooks. The
_Indians_ call’d the boyling Fountains in this County _Hell_, because
they bubble up a Bowes-shot high, and make the River _Caliente_, which,
notwithstanding it hath pass’d half a League through a wide Channel,
retains its exceeding heat. Not far from it lies a Stone, which having a
Crack in the middle, sends forth a thick Damp, and against bad Weather a
thundering noise. On the Mountains grow exceeding large Trees,
especially Oak. Here Pismires which are of an extraordinary bigness, are
brought to Market amongst other Provisions.
2. _St. Salvador_, forty Leagues distant from _Guatimala_ Eastward, and
seated upon the River _Guacapa_, and having about it a small Territory,
which by some is accounted a distinct Countrey or Province.
3. _Acaputla_, a Town of the Natives, situated at the Mouth of the
River, and being as it were, the Port-Town to _St. Salvador_.
4. _Trinidad_, a Town of great resort, being the greatest Empory and
Place of Traffick for all sorts of Commodities, betwixt the People of
_New Spain_ and those of _Peru_.
5. _St. Michaels_, two or three Leagues distant from the Bay _Fonseca_,
upon the South Sea.
6. _Xeres de la Frontera_, on the Confines of this Province, towards the
Borders of _Nicaragua_, besides several Villages which we shall have
occasion to mention.
In the middle of a Lake within this Territory is an Island, on which the
_Indians_ had a Tradition, That a Man no sooner set his Foot but he died
immediately: Which Opinion of theirs was chang’d when the _Spaniards_
went thither in Boat-fulls and return’d safe again, with Relation that
they had seen a large Stone Image, resembling a Woman; before which lay
the Ashes and Bones of slain People.
Round about the Village _Guaymoco_ grow great Balsom-Trees, which afford
Timber of fifty five Foot long. From this Village leads a Way to the
City _Salvador_, near which the fore-mention’d River _Guachapa_ runs
with so many windings, that the Traveller is forc’d to cross the same
several times before he can come to the Foot of a Mountain which
formerly cast out terrible Flames; but now the combustible Matter being
consum’d, there appears onely a great Hole on the top, with Ashes in a
large compass round about it. At the Foot of the same are two Pits, one
of which smoaks continually in such a manner, that it stifles all those
that approach it; yet the Mountain is well overspread with Cedars and
Pine-Trees.
Three Leagues farther lies the Village _Nixapa_; and not far from thence
the Hill _Elmal Pais_, which consists of great Stones and Ashes,
wonderfully mixt together: No less wonderful is a Brook which flows in
the Night till Morning, and then sinks into the Ground: And in the
Countrey _Choluteca_ is another, which hides it self at Noon, and
appears again towards Night. The Cavern which formerly produc’d Fire and
Smoke, now affords good Water to the Village _Curcatan_, and City
_Salvador_: Near the Village _Yztepegve_ are five Springs, which cast up
Allom and Sulphur. The Natives _Chontales_ which speak several
Languages, flock to the Village _Mimilla_, to make Offerings; not far
from hence are two Pits, one of which is full of boyling Water, and the
other as cold as Ice: Moreover, _Cocori_ lies near a high Mountain, on
the top of which is a very turbulent Lake.
[Sidenote: Havens.]
The chiefest Haven of this Countrey, which lies along the South-Sea, is
_Bahia de Fonseca_, Discover’d by _Gonsalves Davila_, _Anno 1522._ and
so nam’d from _Joan Rodrigas de Fonseca_, Bishop of _Burgos_; In the
middle thereof appears the Island _Petronella_, with nine others, of
which four are inhabited by _Indians_.
The good conveniency of the Haven _Fonseca_, induc’d some of the
_Spaniards_ to make a new Passage from the side of the Southern Ocean,
to the Northern, _viz._ from _Panama_ to _Nombre de Dios_, designing it
to reach from the said Haven _Fonseca_, unto _Puerto de Carellos_, which
are distant one from the other forty five Leagues; most of it good way,
except some over-grown Mountains, which might be made passable with
little trouble; to which purpose they built the Town _Buena Esperanca_,
yet nevertheless the Work remain’d unprosecuted.
There are moreover reckon’d as appertaining to _Guatimala_, the small
Provinces _Soconusco_, _Suchitepec_, and _Chilulteca_, the chief of them
being _Soconusco_, to which belongs the Town of _Gevetlan_, where the
_Spanish_ Governor hath his Residence; the rest seem to be onely small
Territories about Towns of the same Name, in like manner as St.
_Salvador_, and St. _Miguel_ before-mention’d.
[Illustration]
CHAP. V.
The Kingdom of Mexico, or New-Spain.
[Sidenote: Bounds of _New-Spain_.]
_New Spain_, the chiefest part of the Northern _America_, reckons in
length from the East-Point of _Yucatan_, to the place where _Mechoacon_
juts against _Guadalajara_ three hundred and sixty Leagues; and in
breadth from the Northern parts of _Panucos_, to the Southern Ocean, a
hundred and eighty Leagues; besides a great part which lies to the
Northward, behind inaccessable Mountains and Wildernesses; inhabited by
the _Tepecuaenes_, _Guachucules_, _Cacatequas_, _Tecaxquines_, and
others; and was, before the _Spaniards_ Conquer’d and Dismember’d it,
much larger than now it is; for as much as it comprehended the whole
Province of _New-Gallicia_, and reach’d from the furthest Point of the
_Peninsula_ of _Jucatan_ Southward as far as _New-Biscay_, and the
Confines of _California_ Northward; containing in length seven hundred
Leagues and more, and about half as much in breadth: But since the
Conquest by _Hernando Cortez_ and his Followers, the whole Countrey of
_New-Gallicia_ is taken from it, and made a distinct Government or
_Audiencia_, as the _Spaniards_ call it, of it self.
[Illustration: NOVA HISPANIA NOVA GALACIA GVATIMALA]
[Sidenote: The Original.]
The Natives of the Countrey are of the Race of the _Chichimecæ_, a
Salvage and Wilde sort of People, of the Province of _New-Gallicia_,
especially in the Parts of _New-Biscay_, living in Forests and in deep
Caves under Ground; whose Posterity do still at this day much trouble
and annoy the Countrey thereabouts; notwithstanding all the endeavors of
the _Spaniards_, and the Garrisons which they keep in those parts on
purpose to destroy them. About five hundred years ago, or more,
according to the account of the _Mexican Annals_, divers Hoards, as they
are call’d, of these _Chichimecæ_, weary, it seems, of their Woods and
subterraneous dwellings, issu’d out into the more open Air, and fell
down in huge multitudes into these Southerly parts of _America_, which
are now call’d _Mexico_ and _New-Spain_; not all at once, but at several
times, and under several names, _viz._ of the _Suchimilci_, _Chalcæ_,
_Tepanecæ_, _Tlascaltecæ_, and others, who subduing or driving out the
People they found in those parts, Seated themselves in their room: And
though at first every Nation or Company of them, as they came, seiz’d
upon some Province apart by themselves, and held it, as it were, in
Soveraignty to themselves, without acknowledgement of any dependance or
subjection to their Neighbors, or those that were there before them; yet
in Tract of time, and by fortune of the Wars, which they made one upon
another, they fell under the Government of one King, _viz._ the King of
_Mexico_, which was the chief City of the Province.
[Sidenote: The state of the _Mexican_ Kingdom before the _Spaniards_
arrival.]