_Tlaxcala_, and _Tlascalan_, is a Province of _New Spain_, which
extendeth it self entirely from one Sea to another, _viz._ from the
_Atlantick_ to _Mare del Zur_, with which it is bounded on the East and
West Parts, lying otherwise, and for the most part betwixt the Provinces
of _Mexicana_, last spoken of, and that of _Guaxata_, which followeth,
containing in length from one Sea to the other, not much less than an
hundred Leagues, and in some places fourscore in breadth; but towards
the South Sea growing much narrower. It is a Countrey exceedingly
plentiful both in Corn and Cattel, full of rich Pasturage, and so
plentifully stor’d with _Maiz_, Wheat, and other Grain, that it is
accounted as it were the Granary of _America_; besides Deer, all manner
of Venison, and great store of Fowl. There is likewise Copperess, Allom,
Silver-Mynes, _Manna_, _Anime_, and Liquid Amber, with a sweet smelling
Gum which drops out of a Tree. The Rivers feed no Fish, because they
fall with exceeding force from the Mountains; onely near _Topoyanco_, is
a deep Lake of fresh Water, inhabited round about by _Indians_, enjoying
the pleasure and profit of the many _Cumbeba_-Trees, which yield
_Cochinele_, producing yearly above two hundred thousand Duckets worth
of that Commodity. In this Lake swim black Hedge-hogs, whose Flesh is
good and wholsom to eat.
[Sidenote: The ancient State of the _Tlascallans_.]
The People of this Countrey, when the _Spaniards_ came first amongst
them, liv’d in the form of a Common-wealth, or Free-State, refusing to
be subject to the King of _Mexico_, with whom they had almost continual
War; and upon that account, as hath been said, assisted _Cortesius_ in
the Conquest of the Kingdom, without whose help ’tis most certain he had
never been able to do any thing. They enjoy therefore many special
Priviledges and Immunities more than other _Americans_ do. They pay no
Tribute, but onely a handful of Wheat yearly for every Person, by way of
acknowledgment, otherwise living, under the Protection of the
_Spaniards_, wholly in the Form of their ancient Government. In former
times they were great Man-eaters, and not onely eat the Flesh of their
Enemies, but also of one another, insomuch that Man’s-flesh hung in
publick to be sold.
[Sidenote: River _Zahuatl_.]
The River _Zahuatl_, which rushes out of the Mountain _Xicoleucalt_,
oftentimes overflows all the Countrey near it, and washes away divers
Houses. _Zahuatl_ signifies _Scabby Water_, because all those,
especially Children, that wash in the same, are sure to be Scabby. On
its Banks the _Spaniards_ have built many Houses, the fashion whereof is
now also imitated by the _Indians_ of this Province, who formerly built
quite after another manner; for they made low Houses of Earth, Wood and
Stone, with large and strange Chambers; some a Stones-cast one from
another, others close together, had narrow crooked Streets that ran
betwixt them.
[Sidenote: _Tlascallans_ Language.]
In this Province are two sorts of Languages spoken, _viz._ the
_Mexican_, and that of the _Ottomons_, who formerly deserting _Mexico_,
chose the _Tlascallans_ for their Protectors: They are a toilsom and
painful People.
To the Northward of _Tlascalla_ are Mountains, which all the year long,
except three Moneths, are cover’d with Mist; and the Woods on the tops
of them are a great shelter to Lyons, Tygers, Wolves, and wild Dogs,
call’d _Adives_, and other wild Beasts, which do much hurt to the small
Cattel. Here are also many Serpents and Adders.
The whole Province is said to contain two hundred good Towns and
Burroughs, and more than one thousand Villages, all of them exceedingly
populous, and suppos’d to contain in the whole above a Million and half
of Natives, besides _Spaniards_, who have some few Colonies in the
Countrey for securing of it.
[Sidenote: Towns and Villages.]
The chief Towns of the Province are 1. _Tlascalla_ it self, which
denominates the whole Countrey as the Metropolis, and where the Bishop’s
See was at first, till in the Year 1550. it was remov’d to _Puebla de
los Angelos_. It is a fair Town, and commodiously seated in the midst of
a large and fertile Champain of threescore Miles in compass. It
consisteth of four large and beautiful Streets or Quarters, and in the
midst of them where they all meet, hath a _Piazza_, or Market-place,
equal to that of _Mexico_, and able to receive twenty or thirty thousand
Persons conveniently, to Buy and Sell in it; and whose Shambles seldom
shew less than fifteen thousand Sheep, four thousand Oxen, and two
thousand Hogs.
2. _Puebla de los Angelos_, or _The City of Angels_, a Town built by
_Sebastian Ramirez_, a Church-man, and he that was the first President,
or chief Governor of _Mexico_, under the Crown of _Castile_. It was
built in the Year 1531. almost in the Road-way from _Vera Crux_ to
_Mexico_, and seated in a very delicate and fertile Countrey, and of a
good Air. It is a Bishop’s See, and valu’d at twenty thousand _Ducats_
of yearly Rent, the City it self suppos’d to contain about fifteen
hundred Families; where there is abundance of excellent Cloth made, and
for fineness not yielding to the best of _Spain_. Its chief Edifices
are, the Cathedral and four stately Cloysters, belonging to the
_Dominicans_, _Franciscans_, _Augustines_, and _Capuchins_; as also a
Free-School for five hundred _Indian_ Children, endow’d by _Ramirez_
with a yearly Revenue.
3. _Zempoallan_, seated upon a River of the same Name.
4. _Napalaca_, in the Valley _Ocumba_, ows its original to an _Indian_
call’d _Juan_, who at first had onely one House, and a Herd of Hogs
there, till upon his invitation, all the neighboring People came from
the tops of the Hills; insomuch, that in a short time, the place was
Peopled by thousands of Families.
5. _Guaxacingo_, all hitherto great and ancient Towns of the Natives.
6. _Segura de la Frontera_, a _Spanish_ Town, built by _Cortez_
presently upon the Conquest of _Mexico_, for the securing of the
Confines, as the Name importeth.
7. _Vera Crux_, a Town built by _Cortez_ and his Companions, at their
first Landing, and where afterwards, by a Stratagem, and out of a
resolution either to Conquer or Die in the Countrey, he caus’d all his
Ships to be burnt, that his Soldiers might not so much as think of
returning back from whence they came. The Town was at first built five
or six Leagues up within Land; but the place being found not to be so
healthful, the Inhabitants in a short time deserted it, and seated
themselves upon a Bay of the Sea, right over against _St. John D’
Ullua_.
8. _Medellin_, another _Spanish_ Town, built likewise by _Cortez_, in
memory of his own Birth-place, which was _Medellin_, a small Town of
_Estramadura_, a Province of _Spain_, but was afterwards destroy’d by
some _Spanish_ Commanders, out of malice to _Cortez_.
Lastly, _St. John D’ Ullua_, a noted, and the most usual Port to all
this Province, and likewise to the City of _Mexico_ it self, from the
North Sea: but of difficult entrance, especially to such as are not well
acquainted with the Passage, or want Guides, by reason of certain Rocks
and Quicksands, wherewith the Mouth of the Haven is said to be bar’d;
but within, the station is more safe. It hath likewise two strong
Bulwarks or Forts rais’d, on either side of the Entrance one, to defend
the Passage; besides a strong Castle, built since Captain _John Hawkins_
surpris’d twelve Ships richly Laden within the Haven, and thirteen
others that arriv’d with a new Vice-Roy from _Spain_, valu’d at near
sixty Tun of Gold, of which he might easily have made Prize, had he not
trusted to the Vice-Roys Promise, to give him all satisfaction he should
require, by which being deceiv’d, he lost all his Fleet but two Ships.
[Sidenote: Great increase of Crocodiles.]
Between _Tlascala_ and _Los Angelos_ are the Fountains, out of which the
River hath its Original, which gliding by _Machaocan_ and _Zacatula_,
falls into the South Sea: This River is so exceeding full of Crocodiles,
that they have made several places which formerly were Inhabited on its
Banks, utterly desolate; for the Females laying generally Eggs as big as
those of a Goose, increase prodigiously; and were it not that the
_Indian_ Mice, call’d _Ichneumones_, destroy’d them, they would grow
still to greater numbers: But this Animal creeping in at the Crocodiles
Mouth, eats his way out of the Belly again; Water-Serpents, Hawks,
_Buffeloes_, and especially Tygers, are also their mortal Enemies, for
they throwing the Crocodiles on their Backs, rend open their Bellies:
They are more desirous of Mans flesh here than in any other place,
because the River of _Tlascala_ hath but small store of Fish; in the day
time they lie cover’d in the Mud, from whence they rush forth, and set
upon those that happen to pass by them; they pursue the _Canoos_ in the
Water, and strike down the Rowers with their Tails.
[Sidenote: Burning Mountain _Popatepeck_.]
Eight Leagues beyond _Tlascala_, appears the Mountain _Popatepeck_,
which for ten years ceas’d smoaking, till _Anno 1540._ it broke forth in
such a manner, that the Countrey all about was terrifi’d therewith; for
it vomited not onely a black Smoak, but also horrible Flames, which
sometimes being blow’d downward, burnt the Corn in the Fields, and the
Ashes thereof flying as far as _Guaxocingo_ and _Chulula_, burnt a great
deal of the Town to the Ground; every one endeavor’d by flight to secure
themselves, with intention never to return thither again; but the Flame
and Smoak abating, Captain _Diego de Ordas_ went up to view the place,
whence the Fire was cast forth; which curiosity and presumption of his,
had like to have cost him his Life, for the sulphury Smoak breaking
forth on a sudden, had almost stifled him.
[Sidenote: Rivers of _Mexicana_.]
Moreover, the Bishoprick of _Tlascala_, is on the North Coast wash’d by
the River _Papoloava_, since call’d _Alvarado_, from a _Spanish_
Commander, who first Steer’d his Course thither: The next Stream nam’d
_Banderas_, is so call’d, because the Natives held white Clothes on
Poles, to invite the _Spaniards_ ashore. The third is _Almeria_, on
which, _Cortesius_, a year after the taking of _Mexico_, built the Town
_Medellin_, as aforemention’d.
Along the _Tlascallan_ shore, wash’d by the Northern Ocean, lie the
Isles _Blanca_, _Verde_, and _Sacrificios_: The first receiv’d its
denomination from _White Land_, the other from _Green Trees_; and the
third, because _Joan de Greyalve_, who first Discover’d _New Spain_,
Landing on this Island, found a Bloody Altar there, with Sacrific’d
People with open’d Brests, chopt off Arms and Legs.
The River _Almeria_ falling into the Ocean opposite to the
_Sacrificios_, the _Spanish_ Ships came often to an Anchor there; but in
these latter times, they have forsaken the same, because the Northern
Winds us’d to blow very hard against the shore, and spoil’d many
Vessels: But _Henry Hawks_ gives this reason, That a dreadful apparition
of Spirits frighted the _Spaniards_ from thence.
[Sidenote: The Province _Tepeaca_.]
In the Bishoprick _Tlascala_, is also compriz’d the Province _Tepeaca_,
whose Metropolis was built by _Cortez_, when with great Loss he was sent
from _Almeria_. The Soil thereabouts is barren and stony; the Water
which they have in the City, is brought in Pipes from a River which
flows out of the Mountains into the Market place. The plain Countrey
hath many good Pastures. The Inhabitants thereof speak four sorts of
Languages; of which, the commonest is the _Mexican_; others use the
_Popolucan_ or _Otoman_ Tongues.
[Sidenote: _Alyoxuan_.]
The Village _Alyoxucan_ appears afar off on a high Mountain, on whose
top is a Lake of a hundred and fifty Fathom in circumference; the Water
whereof is very cold, and of a bluish Colour, and neither Ebbs nor
Flows, to which the Villagers climb along a narrow Path.
Not far from thence, in the Plain, are two other very deep Lakes: The
first call’d _Tlacae_, is a League in circumference, and breeds delicate
white Fish, not above a Fingers length: The second nam’d _Alchichican_,
about the same bigness, which in stormy Weather is very turbulent.
[Sidenote: Strange sort of Bird.]
Amongst the Fowls of this Countrey, the most noted is a little Summer
Bird, with a long crooked Tail, speckled Feathers; feeds on nothing but
Flowers and the Dew; about Harvest time, when the Rain ceases, it hangs
fast with its Bill on a Tree, and as soon as the first Rain falls, it
revives again.
In this Countrey _Tepeaca_ are five Villages, in each of which is a
_Franciscan_ Cloyster and convenient Hospital.
In this Countrey they gather the Water in the time of the Rainy Moneths,
in a digg’d Pool, which every Morning produces little Toads with long
Tails, which in few days fall off; but these little ones growing to be
great, make a most dreadful noise in the Night: From _October_ till
_March_, not one drop of Rain falls in this Countrey; during which time,
the Northern Winds make a dry and wholsome Air, yet oftentimes a
tempestuous Sea, to the loss of many Ships.
Farther up into the Countrey, between _Vera Crux_ and _Los Angelos_,
lies the Village _Rinconanda_; and also _Xalapa_ and _Perota_ built of
Straw Houses in the middle of a Wood of Cedar and Pine-Trees, inhabited
by the _Spaniards_, for the accommodating of Travellers: To which
purpose there are likewise Inns built near the Spring _Fuente de
Otzumba_, which gushes out of a high Rock.
Not far from hence is the Populous Village _Chetula_, where a small
number of _Spaniards_ dwell amongst thousands of _Indians_, who chiefly
make use of Mules to carry their Loads.
SECT. IV.
Guaxata.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _Guaxata_.]
Between _Los Angelos_ and _Guatemala_, lies the Bishoprick of
_Antiquera_ or _Guaxata_ largely taken; it hath on the North, the Bay of
_Mexico_; on the South, _Mare del Zur_; on the East, _Jucatan_ and
_Chiapa_ which is one of the Provinces of _Guatimala_; on the West,
_Tlascalla_.
[Sidenote: Division.]
The Countrey extendeth it self upon the South Sea about an hundred
Leagues in length, but from the Sea to the Borders of _Tlascalla_, one
hundred and twenty; Eastward not above half so much; having a good Air,
and a Soil no less fruitful, especially in Mulberry-Trees, and abundance
of Silks, which the Countrey affordeth, more than any other Province of
_America_ besides; nor is it less rich in Mines of Gold and Silver,
there being scarce a River in the whole Countrey, but the Sands of it
are said to be Tinctur’d more or less with that yellow Metal; also
Crystal and Copperess. It yieldeth likewise great plenty of _Cassia_ and
_Cochinele_, two rich Commodities; and the People generally, if they
would take pains, might be the wealthiest, ’tis thought, of any other in
_America_: But whether it be through any voluntary contempt of Riches,
or through any natural sloathfulness, as yet they seem to Pine in the
midst of plenty, living, for the most part of them, little better than
from Hand to Mouth; nevertheless, exceeding liberal of what they have,
especially to such as bear the Habit of Religion, and attend the service
of their Souls; maintaining in a plentiful and good manner, as ’tis
said, no less than one hundred and twenty Convents of Religious Men, of
several Orders, in this onely Province; besides Hospitals, Schools for
the training up of Youth, and other places of publick Charity; it is
said also to have three hundred and fifty Villages, and near as many
brave Countrey Houses. It is subdivided into many particular Provinces;
which, because they are many and but small, in comparison of some other,
we may call _Wapentakes_, or Hundreds, rather than Provinces: The
principal whereof are these that follow, _viz._ 1. _Misteca._ 2.
_Tutepecque._ 3. _Zapoteca._ 4. _Guazacoalco._ 5. _Gueztaxatla_: and 6.
the _Valley of Guaxata_, from whence _Cortez_, after the Conquest of
_Mexico_, had his Title given him by the Emperor, _Marquess of the
Valley_. It is the richest and most pleasant part of the whole Province,
extended in a continu’d Tract together, full sixteen Leagues or more,
lying about fourscore Southward of _Mexico_, and wanting neither Mines
of Gold and Silver, nor any other of the prime and best Commodities of
the _New-World_.
[Sidenote: Languages.]
In this Countrey they speak thirteen sorts of Languages, of which the
_Mexican_ is most us’d.
[Sidenote: Poisonous Herb.]
Amongst the Plants which grow here, is an exceeding Poysonous Herb,
which kills those whosoe’re pluck it, though a long time after, that is
to say, if it be of a Years growth, it kills not before the Years end;
if a Moneth old, at the Moneths end; if a Day, on the same.
This Countrey formerly suffer’d also many inconveniencies by
Earthquakes, but of late they are somewhat abated, which the _Spaniards_
ascribe to _Martialis_, Protector of the Cathedral at _Antequera_.
_Misteca_ is divided into _Alta_ and _Baxa_, both of which have Rivers
and Brooks that afford Gold, whither the _Indian_ Women taking
Provisions, go for several days, and gather Gold in Troughs, which they
exchange at the _Spanish_ Markets for Provisions.
[Sidenote: Strange Cave.]
Not far from the Village _Cuertlavaca_, lies a high Mountain, remarkable
for a strange Cave, whose Entrance is very narrow, at the end whereof
appears a square Place of fifty Foot; upon one side whereof stand Pits
with Steps; near which begins a crooked Way of a League long; at the end
of which is a spacious Place with a Fountain of good Water; from the
Foot of which flows a small Brook: But because none have made any
farther discovery of this Cave, the other parts of it remain yet
unknown.
On the top of _St. Antonio_, the _Indians_ live with their Families in
Caves between the Rocks.
Not far from hence appear two Mountains, whose tops, though they lie at
a great distance from one another, at the bottom they are so near, that
a Man may step from one to the other.
The six Rocks _Pennoles_, formerly Garrison’d by the Kings of _Mexico_,
have Gold, Lead-Mynes, and a Root which is us’d in stead of Soap.
In the Village _Totomachiapo_, is a Cave of half a Mile long, at the end
whereof the Water prevents a farther discovery.
The Rocky Countrey _Zapotecas_ formerly bred very salvage Inhabitants,
Mantled in Furrs, but now Civiliz’d, clad after the common manner.
[Sidenote: _Americans_, whether Extracted from the ten Tribes of
_Israel_.]
The People spread over _Guaxacualco_, _Yluta_, and _Cueztxatla_, observe
Circumcision, according to an ancient Custom; from whence some have in
vain sought for a testimony, that these _Americans_ should be originally
extracted from the scatter’d Tribes of _Israel_; but the _Tartars_ more
immediately, who at last crossing the _Straits_ of _Anian_, furnish’d
the desolate Countrey of _America_ with Inhabitants: But this Opinion is
without any probability of truth; for it will never follow from their
Circumcision, that the _Tartars_, the greatest People on Earth, must owe
their original to a few _Israelites_, Prisoners, since that Ceremony was
never thought on by them till they embrac’d the _Mahumetan_ Religion.
And though they had been Circumcis’d before _Mahomet_’s time, this would
be no testimony that they were extracted from the _Israelites_: for how
many People embrac’d Circumcision, which were never extracted from
_Abraham_’s Seed? It is affirm’d by _Diodorus Siculus_, that the
_Cholchians_; by _Philo Judæus_, the _Egyptians_; by _Herodotus_, the
_Moors_; by _Strabo_, the _Troglodytes_; by _Cyprian_, the _Phœnicians_
and _Arabians_ Circumcis’d themselves from all Antiquity, which is to
this day observ’d by some of them. It also plainly appears by the
Prophet _Jeremiah_, that the _Egyptians_, _Edomites_, _Ammonites_,
_Moabites_, and _Ishmaelites_, had the same Custom anciently amongst
them.
[Sidenote: Towns and chief Villages of _Guaxaca_.]
The Towns of principal note inhabited by the _Spaniards_ in this
Province, are 1. _Antequera_, in the Valley aforesaid, a stately City,
and beautifi’d with a fair Cathedral Church, built with Pillars of the
finest Marble, of great heighth and bigness. The River which glides by
the Walls, springing out of the Ground, runs to the Mountain _Coatlan_.
Not far from thence lies the Village _Herrera_, which boasts four
hundred _Spanish_ Families, though some say that the greatest part of
them are _Indians_, who pay the _Spaniards_ Cotton Cloaks and Nuts for
Tribute.
2. _Illephonso de los Zapotecas_, lies on a Mountain belonging to the
_Mixes_, anciently a salvage, strong, and long-bearded People, who speak
a gross Language, and in former times went naked, onely a white
Deer-skin, Tann’d in Man’s Brains, about their Middle. They maintain’d
continual War against the _Zapoteca_’s, and could never have been
subdu’d by the _Spaniards_, had it not been for their Dogs, which kept
them in such awe, that thirty _Spanish_ Soldiers ventur’d to live in
_Illephonso_ amongst thirty thousand _Mixes_, who now drive a Trade in
Cotton, _Maize_, and Gold.
3. _San Jago de Nexapa_ appears at a great distance on a high Mountain,
where also twenty Soldiers with their Dogs were wont to awe the cruel
Natives.
4. The last Place, built by _Gonzales de Sandovall_, _Anno 1522._ is
_Villa del Espiritu Santo_, Commands fifty _Indian_ Villages, which with
great difficulty were brought to submit to the _Spaniards_.
The River _Aquivicolco_ affords a convenient Harbor, the Mouth thereof
being a hundred and ninety Paces broad.
Upon the Southern Ocean is the Haven _Guatulco_, where the Ships that
Sail to _Honduras_ and _Peru_ take in their Lading. The Custom-house
belonging to this Place was first plunder’d by Sir _Francis Drake_, and
nine years after burnt by _Candish_.
The River _Ometipu_, which springing out of the Mountain _Cacatepec_,
falls into _Tepoanteque_, abounds with divers sorts of good Fish,
especially Cra-Fish. There are also reckon’d of the Natives of this
Province, no less than fifteen thousand Persons that pay Tribute to the
_Spaniards_, besides Women and Children, and also a great number of
_Spaniards_.
SECT. V.
Panuco.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Description of _Panuco_.]
_Panuco_ is the most Northerly Province of _New Spain_, by some call’d
_Guasteca_, bounded on the East with the Gulf of _Mexico_; on the West
with _Uxitipa_, a Countrey of _New Gallicia_; on the North with some
undiscover’d Countreys of _Florida_, from which it is divided by the
_River of Palms_; on the South with _Mechoacan_ and _Mexicana_. It is
call’d _Panuco_, from a River of that Name, which turning from the
Mountains _Tepecsuan_ in _New Gallicia_, and dividing _New Biscay_ from
the Province of _Zacatecas_, passeth through the midst of this Countrey
also, and at last empties it self into the Gulf.
This Countrey is reckon’d to be about fifty Leagues in length, and not
much less in breadth; of a fruitful Soil, having some Mynes of Gold in
it, and once very populous till the _Spaniards_, about the Year 1522.
dispeopled it by their insatiable cruelty.
[Sidenote: Conquest of it difficult.]
Before _Ferdinand Cortesius_, _Francis de Garay_ attempted to Conquer
this Province, but after much pains to no purpose, he return’d with but
a small remnant of those he carried with him; and though _Cortesius_
subdu’d the Countreys _Ayotetextetlatan_ and _Chila_, yet it was not
without many considerable Losses; for the Inhabitants being valiant and
cruel, not fearing the _Spanish_ Bullets, ran in amongst them, and made
great slaughter, and (according to an old Custom in _New Spain_) drank
their Blood.
[Sidenote: Barbarous Customs of the People.]