_Cortesius_ by Charms, who then was marching through _Chalco_, whereupon
a considerable number of Sorcerers went thither to the top of a high
Mountain, where, as they were beginning their Incantations and Charms,
their Idol _Tezcalipuca_ appear’d to them; and in an angry manner told
them, That _Muteczuma_ should lose his Crown and Life; and to confirm
his words, he shew’d them a dreadful spectacle; for looking about, they
saw the City in a light flame. This being told to _Muteczuma_, he
resolv’d to make himself as secure as he could, and went to meet
_Cortesius_ with costly Presents, delivering him the Crown in the
presence of all his Council; to which purpose he took one _Marina_,
experienc’d in the _Castilian_ Tongue, with him for his Interpreter; all
things then seeming to end in Friendship. But they continu’d not long in
that state; for _Cortesius_, whose whole Design was to bring _Mexico_
under the _Spaniards_ Subjection, not long after accus’d _Muteczuma_,
that _Coalcopoca_ had on his Commands storm’d the new _Spanish_ City
_Vera Crux_, which he could no way excuse; and notwithstanding
_Muteczuma_ deliver’d him _Coalcopoca_, with fifteen of his Nobles
Prisoners, who were all burnt with green Wood; yet he was committed
Prisoner, to the great discontent of the _Mexicans_, who said, “That
they were now come to a fine pass, to be thus fool’d by a few Strangers,
who had imprison’d their King, trampled upon their ancient Images,
endeavor’d to murther them all, and in despite of them brought their
mortal Enemies, the _Tascaltecans_ and _Guazuzingans_, into _Mexico_.”
[Sidenote: _Cortesius_ marches against _Velasquez_’s Party.]
About this time there were certain Ships come to _Vera Crux_, which was
a new Port-Town of this Countrey, that the _Spaniards_ had built since
their coming thither, and had Landed near upon a thousand Men; which was
an Accident that had like to have spoil’d the Design of _Cortesius_ and
all his Company at _Mexico_, these Men being sent by _James Velasquez_;
Governor of _Cuba_, expressly against _Cortesius_ and his Men, upon
pretence that they had acted not conformably to the Commission which
they had receiv’d from him, and gave him no account of their
proceedings; which in a great measure was true: for it must be
confess’d, that _Cortesius_ and his Men finding themselves to have
fall’n upon an Adventure that was certainly rich and good, and having
got such footing and interest in the Countrey already, by their Success
and Victories, and chiefly by their Confederacy with so many of the
Natives and People of the Countrey, revolted to them, did almost at
first, by a general consent, renounce their Commission, and dependency
upon _Velasquez_, and profess’d to act immediately from and for the King
of _Spain_. What pretences they had for such a Resolution, seemingly at
least irregular, is not so well known. Whatever they were, they proceed
in it, and the whole Company (excepting onely some few, who yet went
along with the rest) chuse _Cortesius_ anew for their Commander in
chief, and appoint likewise by common consent, all other Officers of
Justice, both Civil and Military, among themselves: and to give the
better colour at Court to their Proceedings, they send _Portocorrero_
and _Monteio_, two of their Principals, into _Spain_, with a rich and
noble Present to the Emperor, both to make report of the State of the
Countrey, and to procure immediate Commission from his Majesty, to
proceed; after which they advance towards Mexico, as hath been said.
_Velasquez_, being at _Cuba_, and understanding their Proceedings,
labor’d to intercept both their Messengers and Present, but could not;
and therefore sent _Pamphilius Narvaez_ with eleven Ships, and about
nine hundred or a thousand Men to apprehend _Cortesius_, and oppose his
Proceedings. This hapned about the time that the Differences were but
newly calm’d betwixt the _Spaniards_ and the People of _Mexico_; and
though it oblig’d _Cortesius_ to leave the City in a wavering and
unsetled condition, yet he took such order, that _Muteczuma_ still
remain’d under the Guard of the _Spaniards_ as before, assisted with
thousands of their Friends of _Tlascalla_, and he himself taking the
rest, and some few _Spaniards_ along with him, with undaunted courage
and resolution marches against _Narvaez_: and such was his good fortune,
that not onely _Narvaez_ became his Prisoner without much blood-shed,
but likewise all his Men joyn’d with him in his Design, through the
favour of the Chancery or supream Court of _St. Domingo_, and by the
procurement of the Licentiat _Vasquez de Ayllon_, a Judge of it, who was
sent with _Narvaez_ to accommodate the Differences. With this Recruit
_Cortesius_ marches back again to _Mexico_; but at his coming finds
things in a very bad condition; for the Citizens, gather’d together
under the Command of one _Quicuxtemoc_, had recourse to Arms, and for
three days and three Nights vex’d the _Spaniards_ with continual
Stormings, notwithstanding what-ever Commands they had to the contrary
from their imprison’d King, who at last, looking out of a Window,
endeavoring to appease them, was hurt with a Stone, of which he soon
after died, as they say, who would not have the _Spaniards_ thought to
have murder’d him, as the _Mexicans_ say they did, with divers other
Noble-men, and some of his Children, the very Night they fled. However
it were, not long after his Death, out of extream necessity, and chiefly
for want of Victuals, the _Spaniards_ were forc’d to leave the City in
the night-time, and with the loss of four hundred and fifty of their
Men, who were either slain or taken Prisoners at the passing of a
Draw-bridge, the rest making a heavy Retreat to their Friends at
_Tlascalla_. There is standing at this day in _Mexico_, upon the place
where so many of them were kill’d, a certain Hermitage, which they call
_Los Martyres_, or _The Hermitage of the Martyrs_, though but
improperly, if upon that occasion, as one of their own Writers
confesses, though he alledges no other reason.
[Sidenote: _Mexico_ taken by the _Spaniards_.]
This Retreat of the _Spaniards_ out of _Mexico_ hapned to be upon the
tenth of _July_ after mid-night, in the Year 1520. which the _Spaniards_
at _Mexico_ call _The Doleful Night_. Nevertheless the undaunted
_Cortesius_ being got, though with much difficulty and trouble, by
reason of the pursuit of the _Mexicans_ for a good part of the Way, to
his sure Friends of _Tlascalla_, neither lost his Courage, nor gave over
his Resolution of yet gaining _Mexico_, especially the way being now
laid open, and sufficient occasion given by the Death of _Muteczuma_,
and the provocations of the _Mexicans_ themselves, to make himself
absolute and sole Lord of the Place: wherefore having sent for, and
procur’d a competent Supply of fresh Soldiers from _Santo Domingo_, or
_Hispaniola_, _Almeria_, _Cuba_, and other places, being in all nine
hundred Foot, eight hundred Horse, and seventeen Pieces of Ordnance; he
joyns himself with the Auxiliary Forces of _Tlascalla_, which were no
less than a hundred thousand Men, Arm’d with Bowes and Arrows: and with
this Army marches again towards _Mexico_, and Besieges it both by Land
and Water, _viz._ with the help of thirteen _Brigantines_ or _Galliots_,
which he had built upon the Lake, and six thousand _Canoos_, or little
Boats, which his Friends and Confederates had procur’d him. By which
means, and by his Army on Land, in a short time he cut off all Provision
from the City, and after a Siege of full three Months or more, and a
most stout and obstinate resistance made by the People within, in which
they are said to have lost above a hundred thousand Men, beside those
which perish’d by Famine, Sickness, or otherwise, he took it by Storm
upon _Tuesday_ the thirteenth of _August 1521._ Sackt it first, and then
burnt it to the Ground; yet afterwards he caus’d it to be Re-built
again, far more Beautiful than at first it was; as in due place we shall
further see. They speak not of above fifty _Spaniards_ slain during the
whole Siege, six Horses, and not many _Tlascaltecans_.
[Sidenote: _Cortez_ advanc’d to Honors.]
In this manner, and with so little Charges to the Conqueror, there fell
to the Crown of _Spain_ the richest and goodliest Kingdom (one of them)
of the whole World, _viz._ the Kingdom of _Mexico_, which the Conquerors
presently nam’d _New Spain_; and in reference to which name, the
_Catholick King_ hath ever since stil’d himself in the plural number
_Hispaniarum Rex_, or _King of both Spains_; and all by the Valor,
Prudence, admirable Resolution, and happy Conduct of _Cortez_; who was
at first but a private Adventurer in the _American_ Plantations and
Discoveries, though otherwise a Gentleman of a good Family in _Spain_,
born at _Medellin_ in the Country of _Estramedura_. The Emperor
_Charles_ the Fifth, who was also then King of _Spain_, for his great
Services, endow’d him deservedly with many great and rich Territories in
the Provinces of _Tlascalla_, _Mechoacan_, and other parts thereabouts,
made him Marquess of the Valley, _viz._ of _Guaxata_, (which is his
chief Title) a rich and flourishing Province of that Countrey, Captain
General, or Commander in Chief, of all the Military Forces of
_New-Spain_, and General Discoverer of all the Maritime parts and Coasts
of _America_ towards the South-Sea, assigning him in propriety the
twelfth part of whatsoever should be discover’d, to him and his Heirs
for ever; but deny’d him the Government of _Mexico_ out of reason of
State, though ’tis said, he much desir’d it.
[Sidenote: The grand Haven _Acapulco_.]
Among the famous Havens which lie along the South Sea, and Northern
Ocean the chiefest is _Acapulco_ before-mention’d, whither all
Merchandize is sent to be transported to _China_, which is above two
thousand Leagues distant from thence; in which Voyage they generally
spend fourteen Months; four Sail, each of eight hundred Tun, appointed
for this Trade; generally two of them set Sail to _China_ in _March_,
and returning in Summer, have no sooner drop’d their Anchors, but the
other two set out from _Acapulco_, from whence the way by Land to
_Mexico_, is seventy two Leagues over steep Mountains, dangerous Rocks,
and several Rivers; the chiefest whereof are, first, _Del Papagayo_, or
_De las Balsas_, which runs exceeding strong, which the _Indians_ cross
on bundles of Canes ty’d upon _Callabashes_: Next _San Francisco_, which
though the biggest, yet hath many shallow places to wade over. The
_Mustichoes_ are no small Plagues to those that travel this way, for
their Poysonous Stings are the occasions of many Ulcerated Wounds, and
oft-times Death it self.
In this way lies also the Countrey _del Valle_, from which _Ferdinand
Cortesius_ receiv’d the Title of Earl.
[Illustration: PORTUS ACAPULCO]
The Mouth of the Haven _Acapulco_ gapes a full League North and South,
and within exceeding large, hath a nook call’d _Boca Grande_, where the
Ships Ride safe at an Anchor: More Easterly appears a Land Inlet, (by
the _Spaniards_ call’d _Puerto del Marques_) secur’d against all Winds;
near which is the City of _San Diego_, to which belongs a Fort, with six
Bulwarks, lying on a Promontory; the main of the City is one large
Street, consisting of fair and stately Houses, and leading directly to
the Haven; the Church which is of an oblong square, hath a high Steeple
in the middle.
[Sidenote: _Spilbergen_’s Expedition.]
A _Dutch_ Admiral, one _Joris Spilbergen_, after he had done the
_Spaniards_ all the mischief he could along the South Sea, ran with five
Sail under the Fort _Acapulco_, which fir’d ten Guns at him; whereupon,
the _Dutch_ Admiral Manning a Boat, with a white Flag, they agreed upon
a Cessation, and the _Spaniards_ went aboard of the Admiral, to whom
_Pedro Alvares_, and _Francisco Menendus_, having been a considerable
time in _Holland_, and speaking the Language of that Countrey very
perfect, promis’d that all his Demands should be satisfi’d; yet
_Spilbergen_ was suspicious that the _Spaniards_ had a design upon him,
wherefore he came and lay close under the Castle with his five Sail, and
made ready his Guns: But this suspicion was soon clear’d, when _Alvares_
and _Menendus_ proffer’d to stay as Hostages, till the Governor of the
Town sent the Admiral thirty Oxen, fifty Sheep, some hundreds of
Poultry, Coals, Oranges, Cittrons, and the like fresh Provisions; as
also Wood and Water; during which time, the Prisoners being set at
liberty, several Persons of Quality came to visit the Admiral, amongst
whom was Captain _Castilio_, one that had serv’d twenty years in the
_Low-Countrey_ Wars; and _Melchior Hernando_, Nephew to the Vice-Roy of
_New-Spain_, who desirous to see the Ships that durst set twice upon
_Rodrigo de Mendose_, Admiral of the King of _Spain_’s mighty Fleet,
stood amaz’d that such little Frigats durst Ingage with so many great
_Spanish_ Ships; and carry’d the Admiral’s Son to the Governor of the
City, call’d _Georgius Perro_, who civilly entertain’d him: Eight days
_Spilbergen_ spent here at _Acapulco_, admiring the courteous
Entertainment of the _Spaniards_, and the more, because that having News
but eight Moneths before of the _Dutch_ Fleet setting out, they had in
that short time made all things ready for resistance, the Fort having
seventeen Brass Guns, and four hundred Soldiers, besides many Noblemen
and Reformades, whereas at other times there us’d not to be above forty
Men, and four Guns in the same.
SECT. II.
Mechoacan.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Description of _Mechoacan_.]
The next Province of _New Spain_ is the Bishoprick of _Mechoacan_, which
hath on the North-East, _Panuco_; on the East, _Mexicana_, properly so
call’d; on the South part, _Tlascalla_; on the West, the Main Ocean, or
_Mare del Zur_; and last of all, more directly Northward, _Xalisco_,
which is a Province of _New Gallicia_: The Name signifieth in the
_American_ Language, as much as _A Fish Countrey_; and so it is, having
many fair Lakes and Rivers in it, abundantly well stor’d with Fish. The
Countrey so exceedingly pleasant and healthful, that ’tis usual for sick
Persons of other Provinces to come hither to recover their health, only
by the benefit of a good Air. The Soil so abundantly fertile of all
sorts of Grain, that of four measures of Seed, it hath been often
observ’d, they have reap’d the next Harvest, more than so many hundred
measures of the same Grain. Very well Wooded; and by reason of its many
Rivers and fresh Springs, equally rich in good Pasture: and besides
great plenty of Medicinal Herbs and Plants, it affordeth good store of
Amber nigh the Sea Coasts, Mulberry-trees, and consequently Silks; much
Honey, Wax, and divers other Commodities, both for necessity and
pleasure. The People of the Countrey are generally tall, of a strong
active Body, and a good Wit, especially in comparison of other Natives;
not unskilful in divers curious Manufactures, the most excellent
Feather-Pictures, afore-mention’d, being said to be found in this
Province. They seem more generally inclin’d to the Humors and Customs of
the _Spaniards_, than any other _Americans_; and receiv’d the Preaching
of _Christian Religion_, when time was, with much willingness; so that
the Countrey is now entirely _Christian_, and divided into several
Parishes.
[Sidenote: Languages belonging to the _Mechoacans_.]
The Languages which are spoken in _Mechoacan_ are several, as the
_Otomian_, _Chihcimian_, and the _Mexicans_, which is common through all
_New Spain_, and the _Tarascan_, a neat and brief Language, which
properly belongs to this Countrey.
[Sidenote: Tygers.]
The Lions and Wilde Dogs of this Countrey devour great numbers of Cattel
yearly, yet the greatest mischiefs happen from the Tygers, which often
fetch People out of their Houses, notwithstanding the Doors are lock’d,
for they break in thorow the Walls and Roofs, with much eagerness and
strength: Of the greatness whereof, _Jacob Bontius_ tells us this story,
That the Governor _Peter Carpentier_ set a Trap without the Walls of
_Batavia_, of great Timber, Pleited with Iron, Baiting it with a Goat;
which taking effect, the Tyger that was caught therein, impatient of
such close Imprisonment, rent the Timber, and getting out, left the Goat
untouch’d.
_Hugo Linschot_ relates, That the Tygers in the _West-Indies_ hurt no
_Spaniards_, exercising their cruelty onely on _Indians_; and that
finding a _Black_ and a _White_ Man sleeping together, they devour the
_Black_ and not the _White_: How far these assertions deserve to be
credited, may appear by an evident contradiction of the first, for it is
well known, many _Spaniards_ in the _West-Indies_ have been eaten by the
Tygers.
General _Fedreman_ marching in this Countrey at the Head of his Army,
was assaulted by a Tyger, which in despight of them all killing a
_Spaniard_, and three _Indians_, escap’d from them; no Trees serve for a
refuge against their fury, for they climb up to the top thereof, and
fetch down their Prey; their Claws are so exceeding Venomous, that
whoever is scratch’d with the same, is never to be cur’d; there is no
Beast but they will venture upon, wherefore they lie in the Bushes, from
whence they rush out upon them; but this disadvantage they have, that
most other Beasts are too nimble Footed for them, for they are a very
heavy Creature, whatever hath been deliver’d by the Ancients concerning
the Tygers swiftness.
As to the difference which they make in Humane Flesh, it is thus far
true: That they find more sweetness in Womens Breasts than other parts,
and chose a _Black_ Man before a _White_: Concerning the first, _France_
gives a sufficient testimony, when two Tygers, in the time of King
_Lewis_ the Twelfth, breaking loose, left a great number of Women lying
Breastless in the Road. The second is confirm’d by _John Johnston_’s
Relation of a strange accident that happen’d in _Bengale_, _viz._ A
_Moor_ dreaming that a Tyger fetch’d him out of the Ship, hid himself
the next Night between Decks, of which the Master asking the reason, was
inform’d concerning his Dream, which prov’d prophetick, for about
Mid-night a Tyger leapt into the Ship, and devouring the _Moor_, went
away without touching any one of the _Hollanders_, of which there were
thirty: But a Sea-man walking on the shore escap’d more wonderfully, for
a Tyger setting upon him behind, and a Crocodile before, he leaping from
betwixt them, discover’d to the Tyger the Crocodile, to whom the Tyger
directly running, and ingaging with the Crocodile, spar’d the Sea-mans
life: Notwithstanding the cruelty and mischief of these Tygers, the
_Indians_ are led by their sottish Superstition to worship them;
because, as they say, the Devil often appears to them in that shape.
[Sidenote: Squerrils.]
Besides the Tygers, the Inhabitants of _Mechaocan_ are exceedingly
molested with Squerrils, which not only carry much Fruit into their
Holes, but also under-mine the Houses, so that they often sink or fall
on one side, the mischief being the worse, because they increase daily.
Most of them bear four young at a time, which on the third day run about
for Prey, and can scarce be taken, because of their exceeding swiftness,
leaping a great distance from one Tree to another; their Tails serve
them on divers occasions; for leaping they use it like a Wing, and at
their crossing over a River, for a Sail; in tempestuous Weather, they
stop their holes therewith, to keep out the Wind.
[Sidenote: Several kinds of them.]
There are six several sorts of these Squerrils; the first call’d
_Tlilic_, cover themselves with their Tails; the second _Quapatchli_, is
as big again, and can never be made tame; the third _Techallotl_, with a
bald Tail and great Eyes; the fourth _Talmototly_, hath a thick Head,
and a Tail full of black and white streaks; the fifth _Quimitchpatlan_,
hath a little Head and long Legs, and leaping from one Tree to another,
seems to flie; the last sort call’d _Yztactechalotl_, is whitish.
[Sidenote: Foxes.]
The Foxes do also great mischief here, their Urine smells so horribly,
that forty days after, none are able to abide near the place where they
have urin’d, and on whatsoever Stuff or Cloth a drop thereof chanceth to
light, the stink can never be wash’d away.
[Sidenote: The Bird _Auras_.]
Here breeds also a sort of Birds, call’d _Auras_, which are not unlike
Moore-Hens; they flie exceeding high in the Air, feed on nought but
stinking Carrion, which they scent at a great distance; they have a
hairy Head and Neck, and ugly Face: Some of the Fowls of this Countrey
stay here all the year long, others go away, and return at certain
times.
[Sidenote: Ingenuity of the Natives.]
The Natives, since the _Spaniards_ coming thither, have gotten their
Habits and Language, learn’d all sorts of Trades; their Tables, Chests,
and Cupboards made of _Brasile_-Wood, are no way inferior to the best
that are made in _Europe_. Painting is also in great esteem amongst
them: They make handsom Clothes, Shooes, and strange Copper Locks. They
have a peculiar Art in Tilling their Ground: They teach the _Spanish_
Dogs several tricks, but not feeding them well, they cause them to run
from them, and turn wilde, whence they are call’d _Cimarrones_, because
they do much hurt to the Cattel.
The Inhabitants, when a Feaver or Ague is upon them at the highest, leap
into cold Water: against other Sicknesses they use Herbs, whose
soveraign Power Experience hath long since taught them.
Since the _Spaniards_ made _Mechoacan_ a Bishoprick, they have built
ninety four Schools, fifty Churches, several Hospitals and Cloysters,
inhabited by _Franciscan_ and _Augustin_ Monks.
There are said to be in this Bishoprick a hundred and fifty Towns or
Burroughs (besides many scatter’d Villages) most of which have
Free-Schools erected in them, for the Training up of Youth in the
_Christian_ Religion, good Literature and Arts; and few of them without
an Hospital for the Sick: of which Towns the principal are as followeth:
[Sidenote: Principal Towns.]
1. _Zinzoutza_, the Seat of the ancient Kings of _Mechoacan_. 2.
_Pascuar_, a City forty seven Leagues distant from _Mexico_, once a
Bishop’s See. 3. _Valladolid_, the Metropolis or chief City of the
Province, since the Episcopal Chair was remov’d from _Pascuar_ thither.
It lieth upon a great Lake, equal almost for bigness to that of
_Mexico_, and is about seven Leagues distant from _Pascuar_, towards the
East. 4. _St. Michaels_, a good Town, forty Leagues Westward of
_Mexico_, and in the Way to the _Zacatecas_, but lying in a Road that is
somewhat dangerous, being not a little infested with Salvages on both
sides of it. 5. _St. Philips._ 6. _La Conception de Salaya_, seventeen
Leagues distant from _Valladolid_, and a convenient Stage for
Travellers, being indeed, with the two last mention’d, built chiefly for
the defence and securing of the Countrey against the Salvages. 7.
_Guaxanata_, a Town on the Borders of _Panuco_, where there are very
rich Mynes of Silver. 8. _Leon_, another Town likewise of very rich
Mynes, twenty four Leagues distant from _Valladolid_, and threescore
from _Mexico_. 9. _Zamorra._ 10. _Villa de los Lagos_, and others.
Towards the Sea there is 1. _Acatlan_, but two Miles distant from the
Sea-Coast, and a small Town, yet by reason of a safe and very good
Harbor which it hath for Shipping, a Place of no little Trading. 2.
_Natividad_, another well known and convenient Haven upon _Mare del
Zur_, pertaining to this Province, and from whence they usually set Sail
for the _Philippine_ Islands. 3. _St. Jago de buena Speranza_, so call’d
by the _Spaniards_, perhaps from the abundance of good Pearls they found
upon this Coast. 4. _Colyma._ 5. _Zacatula_, and some others.
This Province, as we said, was at first a distinct Kingdom of it self,
yet subordinate and Tributary to that of _Mexico_; the King whereof
nam’d _Tamgaiva_, or _Bimbicha_, (as _Laet_ reporteth) at the first
coming of the _Spaniards_ thither, after the Conquest of _Mexico_,
voluntarily submitted himself to them, and was Baptiz’d. Nevertheless
afterwards, upon a pretence of I know not what Treason intended by him
against them, and which the _Spanish_ Writers themselves professedly
think to have been feigned, by command of _Nunnez de Gusman_, President
of the _Chancery_ of _Mexico_, he was most inhumanely burnt alive, and
his Kingdom seiz’d upon by the _Spaniards_.
SECT. III.
Tlascalla.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _Tlascalla_.]