the Virgin _Mary_, yet Sirnam’d _Montseratte_, and _Carmel_: The first
lying not far from the River, is a mean Structure, in comparison to the
last; the uppermost Tower of whose Temple appears above all other
Buildings, in the upper part of _Mexico_ near the Cloyster of St.
_Francis_.
[Sidenote: Womens Cloysters.]
The Women have also fourteen Cloysters here, the chiefest whereof is
Dedicated to _Catharine_ of _Siena_; but much more splendid is that of
_Santa Teresa_, built like an Imperial Palace; famous for its stately
Gardens, and round Fountain, which continually spouts Water. The rest,
which we shall onely name, are _La Encarnacio_, _Santa Ines_,
_Jesus-Maria_, _Laurenso_, _Las Des-calcas_, _Santa Clara_, _Juan de la
Penitentia_, _Regina Cœli_, _Santa Monica_, _las Rocogidas_, _Jeronymo_,
and _Conceptione_; besides the Almshouses, _Real de los Indios_, and
_Nostra Senora del Amor_: There are likewise eight Hospitals, _viz._ _de
Dios_, _del Spiritu Santo_, _Juan de Doys_, _de la Misericordia_, _de
san Hippolito_, and _de san Lazaro_. The three chief Churches bear the
Name of _Catharine_, _Martin_, and _Vera Cruz_; and the Clergy-men
thereto belonging, enjoy many stately Palaces, amongst which are _Juan
de Lateran_, _de Christo_, and _las Nivas_.
[Sidenote: The Vice-Roy’s Palace and Arch-bishop’s Seat.]
The Residence of the Vice-Roy which lies near the _Dominican_ Cloyster,
_Porto Cœli_, is so sumptuous a Structure, that it may stand in
competition with any of those Edifices which were so much cry’d up by
the Ancients; nevertheless, it is not to be compar’d to the
Arch-bishop’s Seat, built round like a Theatre, whose Luster expresses
the Quality of him that inhabits the same, he being Governor of the
Bishopricks of _Fascala_, _Guaxaca_, _Mechaocan_, _New Galicia_,
_Chiapa_, _Yucatan_, _Guatimala_, _Verapaz_, and the _Philippinas_. This
marvellous Structure was begun by _Ferdinand Cortesius_, but was
finish’d by _Sebastian Ramires de Fuenleal_; and not much inferior
thereunto is the _Casa de Cabildo Alameda_.
[Sidenote: The gallantry of _Mexico_ at this day.]
At present, _Mexico_ is thought to be one of the richest Cities of the
World, abounding (if reports be true) in all kind of voluptuous
gallantry and bravery, even to excess: It is suppos’d to contain about
six or seven Miles in compass, and to consist of above an hundred
thousand Houses or Families, whereof not the tenth part _Spaniards_, but
those that are, all Gentlemen, at least as to their garb and manner of
living; for they live most splendidly in all respects, both for Diet and
Apparel.
For the first, we have spoken so much already of the general plenty of
all things in the Kingdom of _New-Spain_, that pertain to this part of
pleasure, that it is not to be doubted: And for the second this may be
some instance, _viz._ that it is no extraordinary matter to see an
Hat-band or Role all of Diamonds, in some ordinary Gentlemans Hat; and
of Pearl among the common Citizens and Tradesmen. The Coaches (which
most Gentlemen keep) almost cover’d with Gold and Silver, richly beset
with Precious Stones, and within ordinarily lin’d with Cloth of Gold, or
the best _China_ Silk that can be gotten; of which Coaches, in time of
year, at the _Alameda_, as they call it, which is, as it were, _The
Hide-Park of Mexico_, and a place made of purpose for recreation and
delight, a Man shall observe not seldom, above a thousand or two
thousand Coaches, full of Ladies and Gallants coming thither onely to
take the Air, and their Pleasure, both the one and the other attended
with a numerous Train of Servants and _Mulattoes_ of both Sexes. In _la
Plateria_, which is but onely one Street in _Mexico_, nigh to the
Vice-Roy’s Palace, in less than half an hours space: with the turn of an
Eye, you may see Millions of Wealth in Gold, Silver, and Precious
Stones, in the Goldsmiths and Jewellers Shops thereabouts. In a word,
there is nothing hinders _Mexico_ from being the most absolute City in
the World for delight and bravery, but onely two Inconveniences to which
it is subject: The one is the danger of the Lake, with the Infalls
whereof it may seem to be almost continually threatned, and in the Year
1629. did actually suffer a very great calamity, the Waters breaking
through the Banks, and drowning a great part of the City, with the
destruction of much People, and the loss of all their Goods intirely,
through the avarice (as is suppos’d) of the Vice-Roy that then was, and
some other of the King’s Officers, who diverted the Money that should
have been employ’d for the fortifying and repairing of the Banks, to
their own proper uses: The other is from the nature of the Soil and
Ground it self on which it standeth; which is found to have a tincture
of _Sal_ Nitre in it, somewhat strong; and the Winds partly from the
Lake it self, and partly from the Hills about it, raising the Dust of
this Earth constantly every Evening, for many Moneths of the Year
together, so violently, that the Air is even darkned therewith for some
time: The Inhabitants are much annoy’d by it, and made subject to divers
Hypocondriacal Pains and Infirmities, and sometimes kill’d with it,
especially such as either cannot, or care not much to avoid it.
The City lieth about sixty Leagues, or a hundred and fifty Miles distant
from the _Atlantick_ or North Sea, from whence by the Port of _St. John
d’Ullua_, or _Vera Crux_, (which are the usual Landing-places) there is
a fair and easie March to _Mexico_, by the Cities of _Xalabar_,
_Perotta_, _Puebla de los Angelos_, and _Tlascalla_, all of them open
and unfortifi’d Places, (as likewise _Mexico_ it self) and the Countrey
round about very rich and well accommodated with all things.
[Sidenote: City _Chulula_.]
The next City of note in ancient times was _Chulula_, which being built
in a fruitful Plain, had above twenty thousand Dwelling-houses, and as
many more Banquetting-houses. The number of the Temples and Turrets were
equal with that of the days in the Year: The Government thereof belong’d
to a Mayor and six Aldermen, and one chief Priest; for they never went
upon the least Design before they had been at their Devotion; in which
the Priest’s Office was onely to perfume the Idols four times in twenty
four hours, _viz._ in the Morning, at Noon, after Sun-set, and at
Midnight; at which times none durst be absent, but they us’d also a
cruel Exercise on themselves, and one much more cruel on others, for on
usual Feast-days they abstain’d from Meat, Drink, and Sleep, scourg’d
their Bodies with knotted Cords after a miserable manner, evacuated
their Seed, that so they might curb all fleshly Desires, and met every
Night in a spacious place, where sitting down they wounded themselves
with Lances in their Legs and Arms, so long till the Blood gush’d out of
the same; which gathering in a Cup, they anointed their Temples
therewith, and dipt the Lances in the same, and then hung them up before
the Temple in Bundles of Straw. Of these were a great number, and the
more, because they never us’d their Lances but once. But on these Days,
which were Consecrated to the Idol _Tezcatlipuca_, every one besides the
Priests wore a new Rope made of the Hemp _Mangey_, of a Fathom long, and
a thick Knot at the end, with which they beat themselves so miserably on
their Backs, as if they intended to have broken them: After which the
Priests stay’d five days in the Temple, in which they us’d the like
cruelty, eating scarce once in twenty four hours.
Their Prisoners they us’d after a most horrid manner, _viz._ in their
Temples stood a round Stage of Stone; to the top of which they ascended
by a Square Scaffold, supported by twenty eight Pillars; behind which
appear’d thousands of Mens Heads, and amongst them the Prisoners that
were to be Offer’d sat stark naked, and guarded by several Armed Men;
three Foot from the Steps which led up to the top of the Scaffold, stood
a pyramidical Stone, (by the _Indians_ call’d _Quauxicalli_) and behind
it two round Chappels, cover’d on the top like Mitres, each had four
Holes in a large Gate, in which sat a horrid Representation, worshipp’d
by six Priests call’d _Chackalmua_, whereof one call’d _Papas_, or
_Topilzin_, whose Office was to pluck out the Hearts of the Prisoners,
being in greatest esteem, wore a red Mantle about his Body, not unlike a
long Coat, with broad Fringe, which trail’d after him upon the Ground,
and also a Crown of green and yellow Plumes on his Head; his Ears and
under Lip were likewise adorn’d with Precious Stones: The other five
appear’d in like manner with their Hands and Faces painted red, but
having Leathern _Fascia_’s about their Heads, and white Coats stitch’d
with Black on their Bodies, they might easily be distinguish’d from the
_Topilzin_; who on a sudden ran down the Stairs to the Prisoners, and
shew’d each of them an Image, (saying, _This is your God_) made of
_Bledo_ Paste, _Maiz_ and Honey, green Beads for Eyes, and Grains of
_Maiz_ for Teeth: whereupon the Prisoners were led up, and laid with
their Backs on the sharp Stone _Quauxicalli_; then the five Priests took
hold of their Leggs, Arms and Head, put woodden Collars about the
Sufferer’s Necks, whilst the _Topilzin_ shew’d Reverence to the Idol;
which done, with a sharp Stone he cut open the Breasts of the Prisoners,
who in a deplorable condition lay on the pyramidical Stone, and pulling
their Hearts out of their Bodies, shew’d the same reeking to the Sun,
and at last threw them toward the Idol, and the dead Bodies down the
Stairs, where some appointed for that purpose carried the same away; but
every one taking his own Prisoner, and roasting and boyling him, serv’d
him up to his Friends as a great Dainty.
This kind of Murdering was not onely us’d amongst the _Mexicans_, but
also by all the other neighboring _Indians_, and especially in the City
_Chulula_, which (as we have said before) signifies _The Sanctity of all
the Gods_: for in this Town six thousand Children were yearly Offer’d.
The Citizens hereof us’d to drive a great Trade, especially in
_Cochinele_.
Their Habits were several; for Persons of Note wore Cotton Coats, about
the Edges of which hung Feathers and pieces of Cony-skins: the meaner
sort went in _Nequons_, or a sort of Linnen Coats made of the hairy
Leaves of the Tree _Maguey_.
3. The City _Tezuco_, full of handsom Streets and fair Houses, is built
near the salt _Mexican_ Lake, yet hath no want of fresh Water, with
which it is supply’d by Gutters from the Mountains under Ground,
according to _Anthony Herrera_, it twice exceedeth in bigness the famous
City _Sivill_ in _Spain_.
4. _Quitlavaca_, by the _Spaniards_ call’d _Venezuela_, (because it is,
like _Venice_, surrounded with Water, and divided into several Isles,)
boasted formerly above two thousand Families: From the Town a Cawsey of
twenty Foot broad, and half a League long, leads through the Lake to the
Main Continent.
5. _Yztacpalapa_, a very populous Place, and lying part of it in the
salt Lake, and partly on the Main Land; where several fresh-water Pools
afford store of Fish, two Leagues distant from _Mexico_, to which leads
a broad Way; in the middle of which stands a Fountain, surrounded with
high Trees, which produces excellent Water.
6. _Mexicaltzingo_, situate upon the Lake _Laguna_, a Town consisting of
four thousand stately Houses.
7. _Cayocan_, in a fruitful Plain, containing six thousand, being but a
League and a half from _Yztacpalapa_: to which the neighboring Village
_Houcilopucho_ was not much inferior.
These three Places, before they were subdu’d by the _Spaniards_, boasted
many brave Temples and high Towers, whose lustre appear’d at a great
distance, but now being turn’d into Cloysters, they are inhabited by
Monks and Nuns.
The Salt made here of Earth, though not white, and onely fit to make
Pickle of, is Transported to many Places.
[Sidenote: Towns and pleasant Villages about _Mexico_.]
About _Mexico_ there are also several Villages, the chiefest of which
are 1. _Mastitlan_, a Town pleasantly seated upon the top of an huge
Mountain, in the midst of most delicate Groves and shady Woods, and
reckon’d to contain no less than thirty thousand Inhabitants in all,
dwelling either in the City, or upon the sides of the Mountain.
2. _Antepecque_; this is a Town belonging to the Marquess _de Valle_,
who is of the Posterity of _Cortez_, and said to be seated in the most
delicious place of all _New Spain_.
3. _Acapulco_, a Town seated upon the South-Sea, or _Mare del Zur_, yet
belonging to this Province. It is a haven-Town, and one of the most
frequented upon the South-Sea, situate upon a large and capacious Bay of
about a League broad at the Entrance, and affording many convenient
Stations and Docks for Shipping. At the bottom of the Bay Westward lieth
the Town, with a strong Castle very opportunely built, both for the
command and security of the Port, well wall’d and fortifi’d with
Bulwarks, and having a constant Garrison of four hundred Soldiers in it,
or thereabouts. The reason whereof, I suppose, may be chiefly this,
_viz._ that from this Port there is the greatest Traffick and
Entercourse held betwixt the _East_ and _West-Indies_, together with the
_Philippine_ Islands.
[Sidenote: Silver Mynes.]
The Countrey hath many rich Mynes of Silver in it, and some of Gold; the
chief of which are by _Herera_ reported to be these, _viz._ 1. Those of
_Puchuca_, fourteen Leagues distant from _Mexico_. 2. Of _Tasco_. 3.
_Talpuiana._ 4. _Cultepeque._ 5. _Zacualpa._ 6. _Zupanguo_, and divers
others.
The rest of the Villages are _Guatitlan_, _Tenyauca_, _Escapusalco_,
_Tacuba_, and _Suchimilco_.
[Sidenote: Strange Fountain.]
The neighboring Province _Xilotepeck_, which is exceeding fruitful, is
also famous for two Fountains, whereof one near the Village _Queretaro_
produces boyling Water, which when cool’d, is a wholsom Drink for
Cattel: The other for four years is full of Water, and for four years
after it is empty; in great rainy Seasons it is quite dry, and in
droughty Weather it overflows.
Between the Villages _Queretaro_ and _San Juan_, is a Plain which
extends it self seven Leagues in breadth, and seven in length, besides
two Leagues farther beyond _Quartero_, where a hundred thousand Head of
Cattel, and ten thousand Horses, find plentiful Pasture.
[Sidenote: The wonderful Mountain _Nevada_.]
The Mountain _Nevada_, near the City _De los Angelos_, deserves no small
admiration; for it begins at thirty Leagues end to rise exceeding high,
and being flat on the top, hath a wide gaping Mouth, whose bottom is
fathomless; from which at Sun-rising and setting rises a Smoak up
directly towards the Skie, but immediately after spreading like a Plume
of Feathers, it is dispers’d by the Wind, and no more seen till it
appears in a dusky Cloud. With the Smoak are also Ashes vomited up; yet
the Mountain is very pleasantly planted with lofty Cypress, Cedar, Oak,
and Pine-Trees. The neighboring Fields abound likewise with Wheat,
Cotton, and _Maiz_. There seldom appears any Rain here.
At the Foot of this Mountain lies the Village _Tepecco_, famous for the
Crystal and Allom gotten there. The Village _Ocotlan_ is also maintain’d
by the same: But _Tuculala_ by Gold-Mines, and fruitful Lands, which are
twice a year shaken by Earthquakes; wherefore the Inhabitants live not
in Stone Houses, but in little Straw Huts.
South-Eastward from _Nerada_ is excellent Sugar to be had, and on the
Mountain it self the famous Gum _Anime_, which drops out of a Tree
call’d _Jetaiba_, which is always green, with hard white Wood, a pale
yellow speckled Bark, three long soft Leaves hanging one over another on
one Stalk, and the Fruit on the middle of the Body. After the rainy
Season is past in _October_, then they cut a Hole in the Body of the
Tree, out of which the Gum drops: it hath a pleasant smell, and is
exceeding good against the Head-ache occasion’d by Colds.
Not far from hence appears the Valleys _Matalzingo_ and _Atzompam_,
which have excellent Pastures, in which _Diego Nunnez de Camargo_ bred
forty thousand Sheep out of two in ten years time.
And these are the chiefest Towns, Villages, and Countreys, which
surround the famous City _Mexico_.
[Sidenote: The first Foundation of the City of _Mexico_.]
Concerning the erecting of this City, the _Indians_ relate thus: That
the seventh Family of the _Navatlaca_’s, Extracted out of the Countrey
_Aztlan_, rang’d up and down not without thousands of Inconveniences,
from one Countrey to another, according to the Information which their
Sages had given their Spirit _Viztliputli_, till at last some of the
Priests straying from the Army, or rather Multitude, got into a
Wilderness, full of Brambles and Thorns, and came at length to a Place
where was a Spring of clear Water, in which the Fishes glitter’d like
Silver; where taking up their repose that Night, their Spirit inform’d
the oldest of them in a Dream, that they should find thereabouts a
_Tunal_ Tree (whose Leaves grow out of one another) under which, on a
Stone, lay the Heart of the famous Sorcerer _Copil_: This _Tunal_ Tree
should be discover’d by a Crane on the top of it, which in one Foot
should hold a Bird, and in the other a Bough of the Tree, near which
they were to build a City: The old Priest waking, and relating his
Dream, every one endeavor’d to find out the fore-mention’d Tree; at last
they found it, by discovering on the top a Crane, with spread-out Wings
looking up towards the Sun, and holding in his Claws a small Bird,
invested with curious Feathers: Whereupon they with all speed built a
Chappel of Turf and Clods of Earth, and cover’d the same with Canes, to
keep their Idol from the Weather, resolving, so soon as they could, to
build him a better Temple.
The Lake on whose Isles they setled, abounded with Fish and Fowls, which
they exchang’d with the neighboring People for Stone and Mortar for the
building of a Temple for _Viztliputzli_, and a new City; to which they
made a Cawsey in the Lake _Laguna_, and divided it into four great Wards
or Divisions, and subdivided them again into lesser; over which they
plac’d peculiar Idols, and order’d a Crane like that which they had seen
on the _Tunal_ Tree to be their City Arms. The dividing of the Wards
occasion’d great dislike amongst the Grandees, judging those to whose
lot they fell, not to be worthy of them; wherefore deserting the same,
and travelling along the Lake _Laguna_, they setled themselves at last
in a sandy Soil, which they call’d _Tlattellulco_, and entertain’d a
bitter hatred against their Countrey-men who kept the four Wards of the
new _Tenustitan_, doing them all the mischief they could; wherefore the
Assaulted were necessitated to chuse a King, that they might be the
better able to oppose their Enemies: But that they might not raise a
Discontent amongst themselves about electing a Governor, they judg’d it
fittest to take a Foreigner; amongst whom they found none so capable of
so great an Office as _Acamapixtli_, Grand-son to the King of
_Culhuacan_, whereupon sending Ambassadors thither, they obtain’d their
desires.
The new King was no sooner Crown’d, but he settled all things in order
with great Prudence, insomuch, that _Mexico_ grew daily to be more
famous and fear’d: But this sudden growth rais’d a jealousie amongst the
Neighbors, who dreaded their growing Power and Valor.
[Sidenote: Proceedings between the _Tapuneca_’s and _Mexicans_.]
The _Tapunecans_ who were also a valiant People, being the nearest to
them, and having _Azcapuzalco_ for their chief City, made it their main
design, utterly to root out the _Mexicans_, before they grew to be more
Populous and Potent; notwithstanding they had hitherto receiv’d Tribute
from them, for delivering the Lake _Laguna_ to them, which was a
quantity of Timber and Plants; yet they demanded not only more Tribute
than formerly, but also in such a manner, as was thought impossible to
have been perform’d, which was, that those Plants which were formerly
brought to them, as growing on the Land, should be set in the Water, so
as to come floating to them, as they grew, to _Ascapuzalco_, which if
they did not pay, they should expect to be all put to the Sword. The
_Mexicans_ much amaz’d hereat, and not knowing how to produce the
demanded Plants, _Viztliputzli_ inform’d the oldest Priest, that the
demands might be satisfi’d; and commanded him to throw Earth on the
Water, and to Sow Seed on the same, which at the usual time produc’d
_Maiz_, _Azi_, _Chias_, _Tomates_, and the like, with which the
_Tapunecans_ being satisfi’d, demand next a Goose, and a Hen which laid
Eggs, out of which the young ones should appear, when on the floating
Clods of Earth, the Nests came opposite to _Azcapuzalco_, which by the
advice of _Viztliputzli_, they perform’d fifty years one after another.
Mean while, _Acamapixtli_ (who had inlarg’d _Mexico_ with Streets,
Palaces, Temples, and Markets) dying, would not name any one to succeed
him, but left the choice of the Election to the Commonalty, who Crown’d
his Son _Vitzilovitli_, and Marry’d him to the King of _Tapunecans_
Daughter, that by that means they might gain his friendship, and be
eas’d of their strange Annual Tribute: Whereupon _Ayauchigual_, the King
of _Tapunecans_ Daughter being Marry’d to _Vitzilovitli_, was within
twelve Moneths deliver’d of a Son, which the Grand-father call’d
_Chimalpopoca_, which signifies _A Gun which gives Smoke_, and
afterwards was satisfi’d with two Geese, and some Fish yearly from the
_Mexicans_, onely as an Acknowledgment that they inhabited his Countrey.
_Chimalpopoca_ loosing his Parents, in his tenth year was Crown’d King,
with a Bowe and Arrows in his left Hand, and a Woodden Sword in the
right: Soon after he oblig’d his Mothers Father to be kind to the
_Mexicans_, for they being in great want for fresh Water, he had leave
by Channels to bring the same out of the Mountain _Chapultepec_, a
League distant from _Mexico_; to which purpose they made a Pipe of
Planks, and hollow Trees joyn’d together with Clay, quite through the
Lake; but this Pipe not being teight and durable, and the fresh Water by
that means mixing with the Salt, they sent Agents to _Azcapuzalco_, to
request Stones, Mortar, and Work-men to make a substantial Sewer: This
message was ill resented by the Council of _Azcapuzalco_; _What_, (said
they) _do the_ Mexicans _think, shall a rambling company of people,
which on Charity live in anothers Countrey, Command those that Govern
them to be their Servants?_ This grudge went so far, that at last they
took a Resolution without the King’s knowledge, (for he was suspected,
because of his Grand-chil’d _Chimalpopoca_) to forbid all manner of
Trade with the _Mexicans_; nay, to endeavor utterly to root them out;
yet some judg’d, that they ought to spare _Chimalpopoca_, while others
on the contrary said, _That he ought to be destroy’d, because his Father
being a_ Mexican, _he would to the utmost of his Power defend his
People_; which last being approv’d of, so troubled the King of the
_Tapunecans_, that he dy’d of grief; for the Design being soon after put
into execution, and the _Tapuneca_’s breaking in the Night into
_Chimalpopoca_’s Palace, Murder’d him; which Murder made the _Mexicans_
thirst for revenge; whereupon, setting themselves wholly against the
_Tapunecans_, they enter’d into a League with _Vezcuco_, and
_Culhuacan_, and chose _Izcoalt_, for his great Valor, for their King;
notwithstanding _Acamapixtli_ had begotten him on a Slave.
[Sidenote: _Izcoalts_ success against the _Tapanecas_.]