Countrey, was Govern’d by a Prince, nam’d _Motezuma_; one, who by his
Valor and good success in the Wars, had in a few years of his Reign,
before the _Spaniards_ came thither, subdu’d the better part of a
hundred Cities and great Towns to his Dominion; and held in actual
submission to his Government, and Tributary to him, no less than thirty
several _Casiques_ or petty Princes; every one of which paid him
Tribute, and were able upon occasion to bring into the Field an hundred
thousand Men: He is said to have been, for his Person, a wise and good
Prince, just, affable, and tender of his Subjects good: but by reason of
some heavy exactions, which his own power, and the Practise of his
Ancestors before him, gave him the confidence to Impose upon the
Conquer’d People, a great part of his Subjects liv’d but unwillingly
under his Obedience, and rather by constraint than otherwise: being also
further exasperated against him by one barbarous Custom, which the
_Mexicans_ frequently us’d, _viz._ the Sacrificing of Men. Their manner
was, whensoever they had any solemn occasion of doing Honor to their
Devil-god _Vitzilopuchtli_, as they call him, to send out an Army of Men
from _Mexico_, into some of the subdu’d Provinces, (in case they had no
Enemies nearer Hand) and to fetch in as many Men as they thought good,
to be Sacrific’d; whose flesh likewise afterwards they did eat in a
solemn Banquet. This being a business of their Satanical Religion, and
_Motezuma_ a Prince extremely Superstitious and Devoted to the Service
of his gods, it is said, that he Sacrific’d commonly, one year with
another, twenty thousand Men, and some years, upon extraordinary
occasions, not less than fifty thousand: So great and grievous a
Tyranny, by the just Judgement and Permission of Almighty God, for their
great and unnatural sins, did the Enemy of Mankind exercise upon them.
He was likewise much given to Women, but it was onely to such as were
counted his Wives; of which he is said to have had no less than a
hundred and fifty with Child by him at one time.
[Sidenote: The bounds of the _Mexican_ Kingdom.]
[Sidenote: Riches of _Mexico_.]
The Bounds of this Kingdom at present are thus; on the East it hath a
large Arm of the Sea, which they call _The Bay of New-Spain_, or _The
Gulf of Mexico_; On the West, it hath some parts of _New-Gallicia_, and
_Mare del Zur_; on the North, the rest of _New-Gallicia_, and part of
_Florida_; and on the South, _Mare del Zur_ again, and part of
_Guatimala_. It extendeth it self in length from _Jucatan_ South-East,
to the Borders of _New Gallicia_ Northward, above eight hundred
_Italian_ Miles, and in breadth, from _Panuco_ to the South Sea, about
half so much. It lieth wholly under the _Torrid Zone_: nor is it a
Countrey generally so mountainous or high seated, as some others of
_America_ are but for the most part level or low; yet is it so fann’d,
(for three parts at least of four, by the cooling Blasts of the Sea, and
the Heats otherwise so moderated with frequent Rains, which it hath
constantly three Moneths in the Year, _viz._ _June_, _July_, and
_August_) that the Air is rendred thereby exceeding temperate, and the
Climate not unhealthful, especially to temperate Bodies, and such as are
never so little us’d to it. A goodly Countrey it is, of inexhaustible
Wealth and Riches, whether we regard the Mynes of Gold, Silver, Brass,
Iron, _&c._ of all which it hath many, and very good; or the Fruits of
the Earth, abundance of Cattel, plenty of Corn and Grain, of which they
have two Harvests; or any other Commodities and Endowments of Nature,
which serve for the enriching of the World. Amongst other things, it
affords _Cassia_, the Fruit whereof is a thing well known, and much
commended by the Apothecaries for its use in Physick, especially in
Purgations, and removing of all Obstructions of Phlegm, Choler, _&c._
Such store of Balm, Amber, all sorts of Gums and precious Liquors, as no
Countrey in the World is better furnish’d with excellent Perfumes and
Physick, than the Kingdom of _New Spain_.
[Sidenote: _Tunas_-Tree.]
Among the many other sorts of Trees which this Countrey produces, the
most remarkable is their _Tunas_, of which, there being five kinds, one
is call’d _Cumbeba_, from whence proceeds that admirable Tincture,
commonly known by the Name of _Cochinele_, which is thus made: On the
top of this Tree is found a Worm, which hath the bigness and shape of a
great Louse, which so increases, that in one years time a hundred Trees
shall be stock’d from the seed of one of these Animals. The Worm it self
being white, after the Skin is carefully pull’d off, put in cold Water
or Ashes, and so dry’d, becomes _Cochinele_. The best sort of it is to
be had in _Tlascala_, and that in so great a quantity, that no less than
five or six hundred _Arrobes_ of _Spanish_ Measure (each _Arrobe_ is as
much as five _English_ Bushels) is yearly Transported thence. The other
sort, which grows on the Mountains, and that which is not so carefully
gather’d, call’d _Chichimecas_, Dyes not so well as the right
_Cochinele_. The _Tunas_ also bears a Fruit long and whitish, with a
smooth Shell, and full of little Seeds like Figs: The red, which are
inferior in taste to the white, colours the Urine red.
[Sidenote: Pine-Apples.]
The Pine-Apples which grow here differ from the _Spanish_, for the Pulp
is not inclos’d in a Shell: They have a pleasant smell, and a Pulp,
which if eaten much of, causes an Appetite, it being of a tartish taste;
they keep good a long time when Salted.
[Sidenote: Fruit _Cacao_.]
But much more beneficial is the _Cacao_, with which Fruit _New Spain_
drives a great Trade; nay, serves for Coin’d Money. When they deliver a
Parcel of _Cacao_, they tell them by five, thirty, and a hundred. Their
Charity to the Poor never exceeds above one _Cacao_-Nut. The chief
reason for which this Fruit is so highly esteem’d, is for the
_Chocolate_, which is made of the same, without which the Inhabitants
(being so us’d to it) are not able to live, notwithstanding it causes
Phlegm and Vomiting to those that are strangers thereto. When the
_English_ Commander _Thomas Candish_ coming into the Haven _Guatulco_,
burnt two hundred thousand Tun of _Cacao_, it prov’d no small loss to
all _New Spain_, the Provinces _Guatimala_ and _Nicaragua_ not producing
so much in a whole year. The Trees on which this Fruit grows are divided
into four sorts, differing in bigness and shape: all of them are very
tender, for they will not onely grow in no place but on their usual
Ground, but cannot endure the cold Nights Storms, or excesses of Heat;
wherefore the _Cacao_-Trees which grow out of the Fruit that falls off,
come to no perfection, except in shady and warm Valleys; which is also
the reason why the Planters of _New Spain_ plant the great Leafy Tree
_Cacaoquanthly_ (that is, _The Mother of the Cacao_’s) near the
_Cacao_-Tree, that it may the better grow under the Shadow thereof; in
which manner whole Woods are planted: In the second year it bears Fruit,
which is first ripe in _January_, and again in the midst of Summer.
Amongst the four sorts the chiefest is _Quathuitl_, of an indifferent
heighth, and full of sharp-pointed Leaves, which are fast to the Boughs
without Stalks, and bears a great Flower of a yellowish colour, which
falling off, leaves long, tough, and hairy Threds behind them, out of
which grows the _Cacavently_, a Fruit which is oval, heavy like a Melon,
of a Saffron-colour, of a fat and thick Juice, a bitterish, yet pleasant
taste, and very cooling; being dry’d in the Sun it is thereby made fit
to keep; it is likewise highly esteem’d, because the _Chocolate_ is made
of the same. Before the _Spaniards_ made themselves Masters of _Mexico_,
no other Drink was esteem’d but that of the _Cacao_; none caring for
Wine, notwithstanding the Soil produces Vines every where in great
abundance of it self. But besides the _Quathuil_, _New Spain_ hath three
other sorts of _Cacao_-Trees, _viz._ _Mecanal_, pleasant to behold for
its heighth, large Leaves and Fruit; the next is the _Xochucaual_, which
is less than the former; and lastly the least sort, which is call’d
_Halcacahual_. The Fruit of these four sorts of Trees, though differing
in shape, yet is all one in power and operation.
[Illustration]
The _Spaniards_ to make _Chocolate_ mix _Maiz_ (by the _Mexicans_ call’d
_Tlaolli_) either whole or Ground, or boyl’d before with Chalk.
Moreover, they put the red Kernels also in the Drink, which grow in the
Fruit of the _Achiote_-Tree. Of the Kernels, which are dry and cooling,
boyl’d in Water, and stirr’d till it comes to a Pap, they make Cakes,
which mix’d with the _Chocolate_, gives it a cleansing power, and takes
away all tastes that cause vomiting.
The Pepper _Mecaxochite_, which grows creeping along the Earth, with
long and fragrant Leaves, round Stalks, hairy Roots, and three long Cods
which shoot upwards. This Pepper tempers the over-cooling property of
the _Chocolate_. Lastly, it consists also of _Xochinacatlis_,
_Tlilxochitle_, and the Rozenish Gum, _Holli_. The _Xocinacatli_ is a
Tree with small Leaves, and great Flowers hanging on long Stalks that
bend downwards, within of a purple, and without of a dark-green colour,
of a sweet smell, and resembling an Ear; and this Flower also gives a
pleasant taste and wholsom operation to the _Chocolate_. The
_Tlilxochitle_ runs up to the tops of Trees like Ivy; the Flowers, of a
darkish brown colour, cleanse the Nerves, strengthen the Brain, and take
away the rawness of the Stomach. The _Holli_ drops out of the
_Holquabuytle_, a smooth barky Tree full of Moisture, which at first
appearance is white, then yellowish, and lastly black, which kneaded
into round Balls and Roasted, is a remedy against a Loosness and
soreness of the Bowels.
[Sidenote: Nature of the People.]
The Natives of the Countrey are very ingenious in divers mechanical
Arts, especially in making of Feather-Pictures, a piece of Curiosity
wherein they are held to be incomparably, or rather inimitably
excellent; and so industrious at it, that although the _Americans_
generally are not a People over-much addicted to any kind of Labor or
Study, yet at this they will sit a whole day together, without either
Meat or Drink, onely out of a natural affection they have to the Work,
and a desire to be excellent in it; The Countrey indeed affords them
great variety of Birds and other Fowl, of most rare and exquisite
Colours, which is a great advantage to their Skill, and helps much to
the accomplishment of their Work. They Paint likewise very curiously
upon their Cottons; and are held to be generally the best Goldsmiths in
the World; of most perfect skill in the purging and refining of all
sorts of Metals, but especially of Gold and Silver: And yet in other
things so strangely stupid and ignorant, that when the _Spaniards_ first
appeared amongst them, not a few of them (as ’tis reported) took the
Horse and Man both for one Creature; and when the Horse Neighed, they
would enquire very seriously what he said.
[Sidenote: Lakes of _New-Spain_.]
There are likewise many fair Lakes in this Province, but the principal
are those of _Chapala_ and _Mexico_: the former of which is in the more
Northern parts of the Kingdom, towards the Borders of _New Gallicia_,
and is chiefly famous for the abundance of good Salt that is yearly made
and Transported thence. The other of _Mexico_ is one of the largest and
goodliest in the World, of circular form (as some say) little less than
nine hundred Miles in compass, environ’d with the main Land, the
_Peninsula_, or Cape of _Florida_, _Jucatan_, and the Island _Cuba_,
having two onely Passages in and out, and both of them well fortifi’d:
the one betwixt the Point of _Jucatan_ and the Isle _Cuba_, where the
Tyde violently enters; and the other betwixt the said Island and the
Cape of _Florida_, where it goeth as violently out: upon which Gulf the
King of _Spain_ hath always some good Ships in readiness for all
occasions; and by them, ’tis suppos’d, he doth more assure his Estates
in those parts of _America_, than by all the Garrisons besides.
The whole Kingdom of _Mexico_, or _New Spain_, is subdivided into these
Inferior Provinces:
[Sidenote: The several Provinces.]
1. The Arch-bishoprick of _Mexico_. 2. The Bishoprick, _Mechoacon_. 3.
_Los Angelos_, or _Tlascale_. 4. _Guaxaca._ 5. The Lordship _Panuco_:
And 6. the Province _Tabasco_.
_Mexico_, the chief Province of _New-Spain_, so denominated from
_Mexico_ the chief City, not only of the Province, but of all _America_;
lying between _Tlascale_ and _Mechoacan_, extends in length from North
to South, a hundred and seventeen Leagues; and in breadth along the
Southern Ocean, seventeen, but up in the Countrey, fifty four Leagues:
In which circumference lie to the North-East, _Lateotlalpa_,
_Mextitlan_, _Xilotepeque_, and _Panuco_; Westward, _Matalzingo_, and
_Cultepeque_; Eastward, _Tuzcoco_; South-East, _Chalco_; Southward,
_Suchimilco_, _Tlaluc_, _Coyxca_, and _Acapulco_.
[Illustration: NOVA MEXICO]
[Sidenote: Bounds of _Mexicana_.]
It is bounded on the East, with the Gulf of _Mexico_; on the West, with
_Mechoacan_; on the North, with _Panuco_, and some parts of
_New-Gallicia_; and on the South, with _Tlascalla_.
[Sidenote: Nature of the Countrey.]
This Countrey is both large and rich, containing not much less than one
hundred and thirty Leagues, both in length and breadth; and if it yields
any thing to _Peru_ in the plenty of Gold and Silver, ’tis certain it
much excels it in many other Commodities; as namely, in all sorts of
Fruits, abundance of Cattel, plenty of Corn and Grain; in all which, the
advantage this Countrey hath, not only of _Peru_, but of all the other
Provinces of _America_ beside, is well known: Not to speak any thing of
the great plenty and variety of good Fish, which both the Rivers and
Lakes of this Countrey afford, which is very great; insomuch, that the
very Tribute of the one Lake of _Mexico_ is said to yield an Income of
above twenty thousand Crowns yearly, one with another.
The People of the Countrey are generally Industrious and Active,
especially since the _Spaniards_ came among them; rich Merchants, if
they apply themselves to it; and they say likewise good Soldiers, when
they are train’d and imploy’d that way.
[Sidenote: Chief Towns of _Mexicana_.]
The chief Towns and places of the Province are, 1. _Mexico_, both
anciently and at present, the Metropolis and Capital City; being the
Seat of an Archbishop, and the ordinary Residence of the Vice-Roy, and
chief Governors of _New-Spain_.
[Sidenote: Description of the City _Mexico_.]
This City, by the _Indians_ was formerly call’d _Tenustatan_, lies in
nineteen Degrees and a half to the Northward of the _Equinoctial-Line_,
rais’d out of a brackish Lake, full of muddy Water; whose circumference
along the Mountains is seventy Leagues: This Lake swarms continually
with Boats, which carry the People to and again from one inhabited
Island to another; four Stone-bridges, no less costly than artificial,
with Arches and Gates in several places, lead from the City to the Main
Continent.
The fresh Water which they have in the City _Mexico_, is led into the
same through Pipes that lie in the bottom of the Lake; but none are to
enjoy the benefit thereof, before they have paid a certain Sum of Money
to the King’s Collectors.
Moreover, the City divided into Islands, contains above sixty thousand
Houses, which being built on several Isles, have large Bridges, which
reach from one to another; some that lie in the middle of the Lake, they
approach in little Boats; round about the Lake, especially where the way
leads from the Continent into the City, lie several Suburbs, all
inclos’d with Walls; between which stand strong Towers, cover’d on the
top: To keep off the force of the Water, the _Tenustatans_ have with
great labor and charge, made a Bank through the Lake, half way along the
City: But the Lake _Laguna_, from whose bottom _Mexico_ is rais’d, is
divided in two parts, the _Sweet Lake_, which is higher than the _Salt_,
falls in to the same through Sluces, with Bridges built on the Bank that
leads from the City to the main Land: The _Salt-Lake_, which hath
brackish and bitter Water, ebbs and flows according as the Wind blows;
no Fish is able to live in the same, because the Water which in the
sight of _Mexico_ falls into the same out of the Mountains, hath a
sulphury Ground: All along the shore, much Salt is made, with which the
Citizens drive a great Trade: There are continually above a hundred
thousand Boats (by the _Indians_ call’d _Acales_, and by the
_Spaniards_, _Canoos_) going off and on from one shore to another: The
fresh Water Lake, which is bigger than the salt, and feeds small Fishes,
hath above fifty Suburbs about the same, of which, some boast five
thousand, and others ten thousand Houses: Nay, the Suburb _Tescuco_, in
former times was no way inferior to _Mexico_ in bigness; since the
_Spaniards_ have been Masters of this City, they stopt up many Moats, to
inlarge their narrow Streets.
Besides three publick Markets, every open place affords all sorts of
Provisions daily; the _Indians_ call the Markets _Tianguystly_, and the
_Spaniards_, _Tianguez_; the first and chiefest stands in _Tatelulco_,
adorn’d with Galleries on three sides; in the middle of this Square,
which is accounted the biggest in the World, stands next to the place of
Execution, a stately Fountain; the Tents which are every Week pitch’d up
here for Trade, amount to above thirty thousand. The second Market
call’d St. _John_’s, is in _Mexico_, and swarms continually with People.
The third is call’d _Hipolito_, from the _Guardian-Saint_ of the City,
whither every Wednesday and Thursday comes such a multitude of People,
that this spacious Market is too little for them; for the sale of every
Commodity, a peculiar corner is allotted; but great Packs are left to be
dispos’d of in Boats, which lie near the shore.
At the four corners of the City, at present call’d _St. John_, _St.
Maria la Rotonda_, _St. Pablo_, and _St. Sebastian_, are above four
thousand _Spanish_ Families, and thirty thousand _Indians_, besides what
inhabit _Tatelulco_, now _St. Jago_.
[Sidenote: The Temperature of the Air.]
The Air in this place is very strange; in the day time, the Sky is
generally Serene; the North Wind against the Evening brings Rain, of
which the Mountain _Tepeaquilla_ lying a little League beyond the City,
gives certain Testimonies; for when a black Cloud appears on the top
thereof, it is certain to be blown from thence over _Mexico_ with Rain:
After a moist Evening follows a Star-light Night, and a pleasant
Morning: From _September_ till _May_, it is generally dry Weather here,
but if it chances to Rain, the Rain is attended with a Storm, which
occasions a sulphurous Fogg, very unwholsom, and so dark, that one Man
cannot discern another, and causes a pain through all the Limbs, nay
sometimes Death it self; wherefore, whensoe’re it approaches, every one
keeps close in his House, or goes into the Countrey.
Moreover, it is worthy of observation, how strangely this City is
alter’d since its being Conquer’d by the _Spaniards_, and especially
when _Anno 1629._ it was overflow’d by a mighty Deluge; which alteration
by _Barnabe Cabo_, in a Letter to the _Jesuite Hernande Leon_, is thus
set forth:
[Sidenote: _Barnabe Cabo_, his Description of Mexico.]
[Sidenote: _Mexico_ overflow’d.]
_Mexico_, says he, lying in a Valley between high Mountains, hath
seventy Leagues in circumference: The Valley being Oval, is for the most
part interspers’d with Lakes, which the _Indians_, and after them the
_Spaniards_ have digg’d, only the Lake which washes _Mexico_ is natural;
and to stop the Water-falls, there are Banks and Sluces every where: The
Flood before _Mexicalcingo_ flows a Fathom and a half higher than before
_Mexico_. The four other Lakes to the Northward have much more Water
than the _Mexicalcingo_, of which, some have scarce four, others but
three Leagues in circumference; when as _Mexicalcingo_’s Lake reckons
fifteen, and _Mexico_’s sixteen. On the breaking of the Banks, _Mexico_
hath often suffer’d great damage, wherefore the Vice-Roy _de Valesco_
took special care to make a vent for the Water through the lowest
Mountains; whereupon the Countrey being Survey’d, the Northern Coast
near the Village _Gueguenoca_, was found to be the most convenient. But
about the manner of letting the Water out, the Surveyors could no ways
agree; most of them were of opinion to dig Channels, into which the
Lakes might discharge their Waters; others, thought best to make a
Gutter under Ground, which last _Valesco_ put in hand with unhappy
success, because the Laborers who under-min’d the Ground, were choak’d
with the falling in of the Sand, or stifled with the sulphurous Vapors
rising out of the Earth: Nevertheless, they gave not over the Work,
though they began it quite another way, for a _French_-Man, call’d
_Henry Martin_, advis’d to deepen the River _Quaiotitlan_, which falls
into the _Laguna_, and by that means make it a Bay, into which the
_Laguna_ might pour her over-charg’d Waters: Which design, though
contradicted by the Jesuit _John Sanchez_, was put in practice; by which
means the Water fell in a short time so much, that they could walk dry
to the Cliff _El Ponnel_, lying a League from the City; wherefore they
continually labour’d on this Work, till such time _Conde de Getues_ came
over for Vice-Roy, who judg’d the Charge to be unnecessary, nay
Commanded the Ditches to be broken down, which stopt the Water along the
Silver Mines of _Pachuca_, that he might see exactly how much it would
over-flow _Mexico_: After which the Flood rose yearly higher and higher;
till at last, _Anno 1629._ a mighty Rain falling, swole the _Laguna_ in
such a manner, that it over-whelm’d all _Mexico_, wash’d down the
Houses, all Merchandizes which could not endure the Water, were spoil’d,
and had not they had innumerable Boats to help them, thousands of People
might have perish’d in this Deluge: But at last, _Henry Martin_ restor’d
again the fore-mention’d Channel to its former Perfection, and brought
the Flood which fell down out of the Mountains within the Banks of the
River.
[Sidenote: Stately Palaces.]
_Quantitlan_ digg’d also a Channel of eight thousand Fathom long, and
made an Arch’d Sewer under Ground of the same length, which Sewer hath
at every two hundred Fathoms distance, Vent-holes, and a hole of sixty
Fathom deep, and by this means, diverting abundance of Water, they dry’d
_Mexico_ in a short time: When the Banks and Streets began no sooner to
appear, but they fell to work to raise the Ground, and to lay Bridges,
and also to build more Boats. The Citizens likewise found it convenient
to make another deep Sewer for the carrying away of more Water,
notwithstanding it requir’d twenty years labor. The River, which in a
manner runs through the middle of the City, is curb’d by a Wall; a
crooked Bridge, with many Arches, and of a long extent, leads to the
City, in which stand many brave Palaces, with pleasant Walks of Trees
about them; the Cloysters of several Orders of Fryers, appear with high
Spires and Turrets, above all other Buildings.
[Sidenote: And Monasteries.]
The _Franciscans_ have here four very sumptuous Buildings: The first,
Consecrated to St. _Francis_, stands in the uppermost part of _Mexico_,
within a large square Court, and on each a pleasant Walk of Trees: The
Cloyster it self is very high, and trebble Wall’d, with Towers and
Galleries about it: In the middle of the City stands another
Tower’d-Cloyster, call’d St. _Jago_. The third lies a little distance
from it, which being built long, hath a stately Turret, and is call’d
_Maria de Rodonda_. The fourth, not far from the first, but much
smaller, is nam’d _San Diego_; these belong to the _Franciscans_. The
_Augustin_ Monks are also no way inferior to the _Franciscans_, for
magnificent Structures, with spacious Halls, high Towers, and rich
Balconies: The first is denominated from St. _Augustine_, just behind
which appears _San Pabla_, less stately than the rest. St. _Sebastian_,
near the _Laguna_, is built in manner like a Church, whose Tower ends
like a Pyramid. The Cloyster _San Cruz_, belonging also to the
_Augustines_, built square, stands near the Market, in the middle of
which stands a stately Fountain: The Court within inviron’d with thick
Walls, amazes the beholders by the pleasantness of its situation.
Moreover, the _Dominicans_ inhabit two brave Cloysters; the chiefest
Dedicated to St. _Dominic_, is eight square; to which is adjoyning a
pretty large Church, with a Steeple: The second, which stands on one
side of _St. Jago_, and consists of three several Structures, is call’d
_Collegio de Porta Cœli_. Opposite to _St. Jago_, near the great Market
the _Jesuits_ have a stately Colledge, or High-School, where many are
brought up in the Latin and Greek Tongues, whence it is call’d, _Casa
Professa Les Estudios_.
There is also another Habitation of Religious Men, call’d _Illefonse
Sanna Noviciad_, which for State, may vie with any Royal Palace.
[Sidenote: Cloysters belonging to the _Monks_ of _La Merced_.]