signifies _A Flaying of Slaves_, us’d to pull off the Skins of a certain
number of Slaves, with which they walkt about begging Alms from Hut to
Hut, and whosoever deny’d them, was sure of a Blow in the Face with the
bloody Skin; of which so long as there was but one Lappet remaining,
they went a Begging; and whatsoever they got, was employ’d in Uses and
Necessaries belonging to their Idolatry. On the foremention’d Days they
also us’d other barbarous Customs, amongst which this was one: The
Priest challenging the Slave which was to be Offer’d, to Fight for his
Life, he had one of his Feet ty’d to a great round Stone, and having a
Sword to offend, and a Shield to defend himself, Encountred with the
Priest, who was Arm’d after the same manner, whom if he conquer’d, he
not onely preferv’d his Life, but gain’d the Name of a valiant Man.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Strange usage of Prisoners.]
They also dealt strangely with Persons that were yearly to be Offer’d to
their Idols: for after having wash’d them, they put on them the Clothes
of the Idol, and gave them the same Name, every one honouring them as a
God; were permitted to walk up and down, but guarded by twelve Men, that
they might not escape; for then the chiefest of the Guard was to supply
the others place: Moreover, they resided in the chiefest Apartments of
the Temple, eat of the best, were serv’d like Princes, and attended
through the Towns by Persons of the greatest Quality, who led them
through the Streets; where they no sooner play’d on a little Pipe, but
all People came running to them, fell at their Feet and worship’d them:
In the Night they lock’d them up in a Cage, secur’d with Iron Bars, and
at the appointed time flay’d them alive.
[Sidenote: Towns and Villages.]
The chief Towns now remaining, and inhabited by the _Spaniards_, are 1.
_St. Lewis de Tampice_, a Colony of _Spaniards_ situate on the Northern
Bank of the River _Panuco_, at the very Mouth of it; where it hath a
very large Haven, but so barr’d with Sands, that no Ship of any great
Burden can enter or abide in it with safety; and yet the River otherwise
so deep, that Vessels of five hundred Tun, might Sail up threescore
Leagues at least within Land, and thereby visit the rich Mynes of
_Zatatecas_ on the one side of it, and of _New Biscay_ on the other, at
pleasure, and without fear of much opposition.
2. _St. Stevan del Puerto_, on the South side of the same River, eight
Leagues distant from the Sea, or Gulf of _Mexico_, at present the
Metropolis or chief Town of the Province, built by _Cortesius_ in the
place where stood old _Panuco_, which was likewise the Metropolis, or
Head Town of the Natives, before the _Spaniards_ burnt and destroy’d it.
3. _St. Jago de las Valles_, which is a Fronteer Place, and enjoyeth
certain special Immunities, and some fair Possessions also for defence
of the Countrey against the Salvages. It is twenty five Leagues distant
from _St. Stevan del Puerto_, lying in an open or Champain Countrey, and
is fenc’d about with a Wall of Earth.
[Sidenote: _Miles Philips_ his Voyage.]
_Miles Philips_, an _Englishman_, put ashore by Captain _John Hawkins_,
in the Bay of _New Spain_, _Anno 1568._, suffer’d great hardship before
he came to _Panuco_, from whence returning, he made mention of a City
lying along a River of the same denomination, (which is there not above
two Bowe shoots-broad,) in a pleasant Countrey, containing two hundred
_Spanish_ Families, beside the antient Inhabitants and _Negro_’s, which
all drive a great Trade in Salt, which is made in Pans Westward from the
River: _Philips_ travelling from _Panuco_ to _Mexico_, saw by the way
the Villages _Nohete_, by the _Spaniards_ call’d _Santa Maria_, and a
Cloyster of white _Monks_: Next he view’d _Mestitlan_, where some grey
_Monks_ had a House, and the Town _Puchuen_.
[Sidenote: _Chilton_’s Journal.]
Another account of this Province is taken from a Journal kept by _John
Chilton_, four years after _Philips_’s Voyage; he having a _Spaniard_
for his Convoy, left _Mexico_ to find out _Panuco_; in three days time
they reach’d the City _Mestitlan_, where he observ’d, that twelve
_Spanish_ Families liv’d amongst thirty thousand _Indians_. The City
built on a high Mountain, full of Woods, is surrounded with Villages,
through which run many brave Springs; and the Air about them is no less
wholsom than the Ground fruitful; the High-ways are shaded with all
sorts of Fruit-Trees.
The Village _Clanchinoltepec_, four times more Populous than
_Mestitlan_, belongs to a _Spanish_ Nobleman, who built a Cloyster there
for nine _Augustin_ Monks, of which Order there also reside twelve in
the City _Guaxutla_.
Moreover, they travel’d over the plain Countrey _Guastecan_, to the
Village _Tancuylabo_, inhabited by a tall People, with blue Painted
Bodies, and Pleited Hair, hanging down to their Knees, going stark
naked, but never without a Bowe and Arrow. They esteem nothing more than
Salt, as being the onely Cure against certain Worms that grow between
their Lips. From hence they travel’d to _Tampice_, in which Journey they
spent nine days; and coming thither, were inform’d, that of forty
_Christians_ which dwelt in the same, the _Indians_ had slain twelve,
whilst they were gathering of Salt. From hence they came to _Panuco_,
then in a manner deserted, because of the _Indians_ oppressing the
_Spaniards_, of which, at that time, there were but ten, and one Priest.
_Chilton_ falling sick here, resolv’d nevertheless to change that
unwholsom Air and barren place for a better; to which purpose, getting a
Horse, he took an _Indian_ behind him for his Guide, but loosing his way
in a thick Wood, happen’d amongst a Company of wild People, which dwelt
in Straw Huts, twenty of them immediately surrounding him, brought him
some clear sweet Water to drink, out of a Gilt _Venice_ Glass, which
having drunk, two naked Men led him into the high-way; which ended at
the Gate of the Wall’d City _Santo Jago de las Valles_, inhabited by
twenty five _Spanish_ Families, who inform’d _Chilton_ of the great
danger which he had been in, for the People which gave him the Water
were Man-eaters, who not long since, had burnt an _Augustine_ Cloyster,
built on a Mountain, had taken away, and eat the People, of which they
had in all likelyhood gotten the _Venice_ Glass; and had they not
observ’d _Chilton_ to be sickly, he had without doubt been eaten by
them, and his Skin, with some of his Hair, (that being a great Ornament
amongst them) been hung about their middle.
During _Chilton_’s stay in _St. Jago_, _Frans de Page_ came thither with
forty Soldiers from the Vice-Roy _Henry Manriques_, and took five
hundred _Indians_, good Bowe Men out of the Neighboring Villages,
_Tanehipa_ and _Tameclipa_, with which he design’d to go to the Silver
Mines at _Zacatecas_: _Chilton_ joyning with this Company, came to the
great River _De las Palmas_, which separates _New Spain_ from _Florida_,
where they spent three days in vain, seeking to find a passage over;
wherefore they at last took pieces of Timber, which joyning together,
and standing upon, they were Tow’d over by Swimming _Indians_; being
gotten on the other side, they March’d over steep Mountains, and thick
Wildernesses, and came at last to _Zacatecas_, on whose Silver Mines,
the richest in all _America_, work’d above three hundred _Spaniards_
daily.
SECT. VI.
Tabasco.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Description of _Tabasco_.]
The last Countrey belonging to _New Spain_ is _Tabasco_, bounded on the
North by the Northern Ocean, and on the East with _Jucatan_; and however
some account it a distinct Province, yet others make no mention of it,
letting it pass for that part of _Jucatan_ which lies about the City
_Tabasco_, from which it seems to be denominated: The Ground level and
without Mountains, hath many great Woods of Cedar-Trees, _Brasile_, and
others. Here are also many good _Indian_ Fruits, as the _Manmeyes_,
_Zapotes_, _Aguacates_, and _Guajabos_. For three Moneths they have
continually dry Weather, the rest of the year being for the most part
rainy; which vicissitude of Moisture and Heat makes the Countrey
exceeding fruitful, insomuch that they have three or four Harvests of
_Maiz_ in a year.
Vines, Figs, Lemmons, Oranges, Rice, Barley, and all sorts of
Garden-Herbs grow here also in great plenty.
The Pools, Brooks and Lakes, abound likewise with all manner of Fish:
and for Sea-Fish, besides the _Tortugas_, and _Yguanras_, the _Manate_,
or _Sea-Cow_, is of principal note.
[Sidenote: The Fish _Manate_.]
This Fish is terrible to behold, having a Head like an Ox, little Eyes,
two Feet near the Head in stead of Fins, two round Holes in stead of
Ears, round bones like Balls in its Brains, a short Tail, and bristly
Skin: The Females have two Dugs, with which they suckle their Young.
[Sidenote: Birds.]
Peacocks, Pheasants, Parrots, Quales, Hens, Pigeons, with several sorts
of Birds altogether unknown to the _Europeans_, are here in great
abundance.
[Sidenote: Beasts.]
The Woods also abound with Tygers and Lyons, which do no little hurt to
the Inhabitants, Wild Hogs, Deer, and Rabbets, are likewise here in
great plenty; and Turtles of an exceeding bigness: Likewise Apes,
Polecats, and Squerrils, which do very much hurt to the Fruit-Trees,
especially the _Cacao_. The _Musticho_’s are a great annoyance to the
People, and disturb their rest at Night.
[Sidenote: Languages of the Natives.]
Since the _Spaniards_ have conquer’d _Tabasco_, they have forc’d the
Inhabitants to observe their Laws and Customs. They speak three sorts of
Languages, amongst which that most us’d, call’d _Chontal_, is copious of
Words. The second, _Zoques_, is spoken on the Mountains which divide
_Chiapa_ and _Tabasco_. The _Mexican_ Tongue was first brought thither
by the Garrisons which _Muteczuma_ plac’d there in the Forts _Zimatlan_
and _Xicalango_, and is the most spoken, in regard it hath not onely its
Accents, but is also of great use, partly because it is understood in
most places of _America_, and partly because the Priests have made Songs
in that Tongue, with which the _Tabascans_ are much delighted.
The chief City _Nostra Sennora de la Vittoria_, already mention’d in
_Jucatan_, was so call’d by _Ferdinand Cortesius_, from the great
Victory which he obtain’d over the Indians when he march’d first towards
_Mexico_.
Thus far of the Description of the several Parts and Divisions of _New
Spain_, differing in Customs and Languages, though most of them have
some affinity with the _Mexicans_, who by force of Arms had made a way
to the supream Empire. All of them acknowledge a Creator, but have no
Name to express the Word _God_. But besides the Creator of the World
they have made to themselves Gods of many other Creatures; amongst which
are the Sun, Moon, Stars, and the Manes of the Deceased, the care of
whose Burial they committed to the Priests, which was sometimes in the
Fields, sometimes in their Houses; others carried their dead Bodies to
the Mountains, some buried them in Temples; and as they either burnt or
buried the Body, so they buried or burnt their Clothes and Riches with
them, especially of Persons of Quality, whilst those that accompanied
the Corps sung a mournful Song; after which they Feasted. The Heirs of
Noble-men that had been at the Funeral put themselves all into Mourning.
A Person, after he is dead, is stretch’d out upon the Floor, where he
lies till all his Friends come to Present and Complement him, as if
living: But at the death of an eminent Person they not onely bring him
Presents, but proffer him his Slaves, Steward, Butlers, Dwarfs, and
Houshold Priest, (all which a Lord must keep) that they may serve him in
the other World. The Priests which perform’d the Funeral Ceremonies,
walk’d before the Corps with the Image of the Idol which the Deceased
had appropriated to himself, (for every Lord, according to the greatness
of his Quality, bore the Name and Apparel of some Idol or another;)
other Priests beat on Drums, play’d on Pipes and singing Dirges,
perfum’d the Way with Myrrh, whilest the Servants and Relations made a
doleful cry; a Herauld also carried the Coat of Arms and Trophies of the
Deceased, artificially painted on Cloth; at last they pyl’d sweet Wood
about the Corps, which being lighted, and the Body burnt to Ashes, a
Priest in a frightful Dress, Vizarded with a gaping Mouth, long Teeth,
and fiery Eyes, came on a sudden, and with a long Stick stirr’d the
Ashes about, and gathering it in an Urn, buried the same with the
fore-mention’d things.
[Illustration]
The Idols in _New Spain_ are represented in terrible Figures, to which
they Offer humane Sacrifices.
The Priests, divided into higher or lower Orders, acknowledge a supream
Head, which they call _Papas_. Each Idol had a peculiar sort of Priests:
Those that serv’d _Viztlipuzli_, obtain’d their Places by Inheritance;
but others were chose by the Commonalty, unless they had been bred
Priests from their Infancy.
[Sidenote: Cloysters dedicated to the ancient _Mexican_ Religion.]
The _Mexican_ Cloysters in the time of _Heathenism_ were generally built
in the chiefest Temples, in a great _Piazza_, or square Court, where for
the most part two Monastical Houses stood one against another, the one
inhabited by a Fraternity of Recluses, and the other by a Sisterhood;
which last being Maids of twelve or thirteen years of age, call’d _The
Penitential Daughters_, swept the Temple, prepar’d Meat for the Idols
and Priests, which was plentifully supply’d from the Alms and Offerings
that were daily brought in to the Priests, consisting of little Cakes
made like Hands and Feet, besides other strange Meats, which being set
before the Idols, was soon after taken away again, and eaten up by the
Priests: They were under a Governess, who employ’d them in making
Embroideries to adorn the Temple; and sometimes rose up with the Priests
at Mid-night, and play’d on Pipes, perfum’d the Temple, and scourg’d
themselves till the Blood ran down their Backs, besmearing their Faces
therewith, and leaving it on a whole year; then going into a large
Chamber, where a Cistern stood for that purpose, they wash’d it off
again; after which, if they committed the least uncleanness, they were
put to a most miserable Death; which was judg’d upon seeing a Rat run
through the Nuns Chamber, or a Batt flying by it, or finding any piece
of Cloth gnaw’n by a Mouse or Rat; for they suppose that the
fore-mention’d Creatures dare not come into a hallow’d place, unless
defil’d. In this recluse manner they were onely confin’d to live a year,
which being expir’d, they had free leave to Marry.
The House opposite to the Nuns in the same square place of the Temple,
was inhabited by Youths of eighteen and twenty years of age, whose Heads
were shaven like Monks, and pleited Tufts hung from the Crown down to
their Backs; they liv’d also mean and chaste, kept the Priests Clothes
and Perfuming-Vessels, carried Wood for Offerings, and kept always
burning Lamps before _Viztlipuztli_’s Altar. Amongst them were also Boys
of a less Age, whose Office was to gather Flowers and Herbs to strow the
Temple with, to sharpen the Priests Lances, which they Let themselves
Blood with every Night in the Legs, and carry them Water. These Youths,
Cloth’d in Nets, fell on their Faces on the Ground when they met with a
Woman, and went four and four, or six and six together to beg Alms, and
by turns watch’d the fore-mention’d Fire; in the Morning they drew Blood
out of their Thighs, with which they anointed their Temples down to
their Ears, and when the Blood look’d black, wash’d it off again in a
consecrated Bath, which their strict and severe Life endur’d a whole
Year.
[Sidenote: _Mexican_ Religion abhorr’d by the neighboring People.]
The particular Religion of the _Mexicans_, compos’d of cruel slaughters
and butcheries of Men, reign’d a long time against the minds of the
other _Indians_ that were under their Dominion, every one beginning more
to abhor the cruel flaying of living People, and tearing out the Hearts
of Men for Offerings; and the rather, because they were forc’d to fetch
them out of their Enemies Countrey with the hazard of their own Lives,
insomuch that they were ready long before to have embrac’d another
Doctrine, if any other Teacher had but appear’d amongst them; which was
the chief reason why they so easily receiv’d the _Roman_ Religion: for
when _Cortesius_ had conquer’d the City _Mexico_, the _Mechoacan_ Agents
entreated him to send them Teachers to prescribe them Laws, according to
which they might live, because their Idolatry, which had long oppress’d
them, was not to be suffer’d any longer, because of the Cruelties which
were requir’d of them in the performance thereof.
[Sidenote: Their Processions.]
Their Processions were stately, and after this manner: The chiefest Nuns
raising a Paste of _Bledoi_-Seed and parched _Maiz_, kneaded it with
Honey, of which they made an Idol resembling their Deity _Viztipuztli_,
across whose Nose and Forehead they drew a blue Stroke; his Head they
adorn’d with a Plume of Feathers, and in the left Hand plac’d a round
Box, in the right a crooked Staff like a Serpent, and Wings behind on
his Shoulders; at the appointed Feast-day the Nuns meet before
Sun-rising, in new white Apparel, with Garlands of _Maiz_ about their
Heads and Necks, which hung down below the left Shoulder, their Faces
painted with several colours, about their Arms hung Parrots Feathers
from their Elbows down to their Hands: Thus adorn’d, they carried the
kneaded Idol to a Court, where the Youths that inhabited a Cloyster in
the same Temple, fetching the Idols blue Throne, with great Reverence
set it down at the lower Step of the Temple, at which the People threw
Dust on their Heads; which was no sooner done, but the Boys ran with all
speed to the Mountain _Chapultepec_, a League from _Mexico_, whither the
Multitude following them in manner of Procession, made all short Prayers
and Offerings there; from thence hastening into the Champain Fields
_Atlacuavaya_, they perform’d the like Service as before; which done,
they went to the Village _Cuyoacan_, a League farther; from whence they
came back in all haste with their Idol into _Mexico_: Wherefore this
Processioning for its expedition was call’d _Ipaina Viztliputli_. The
Idol being brought into the Temple, was by four Cords made fast to his
Throne, hoised up to the Cieling with the noise of Drums and Trumpets,
whilst the fore-mention’d Youths strow’d the Temple both within and
without full of Roses; after which the Nuns gave the Boys the
resemblances of Bones made of the same Dough with the Idol, with which
they were to cover the Floor of the Chappel; then appear’d the
Temple-Priests, with Scarfs about their Bodies, Garlands on their Heads,
and Strings with Flowers about their Necks, each going in order
according to his quality to the place where the Bones lay; which being
Consecrated with Songs and Dances, were religiously worshipp’d for Bones
of the Idol; after which six of the Priests went down to the Stone
_Quauxicalli_, on which the Prisoners lying upon their Backs, had their
Hearts pull’d out; which being finish’d, the Maids and Boys
before-mention’d went to meet one another, Dancing to the sound of
Pipes, Drums and Songs; which their nearest Relations answering, Danc’d
round about them, whither the whole City and Countrey People all about
came flocking in great numbers.
During this high Feast none, upon great Penalties, durst eat any other
Food but the Cakes made of the same Dough of which the Idol was made;
neither were they permitted, though Children, to drink till the
Afternoon.
Lastly, the Priest climb’d up to a Chappel strow’d with Roses, in which
the Idol sitting, they disrob’d him, broke his holy Arms and Legs into
little pieces, which they distributed amongst the common People, who
receiv’d them with great Reverence, and with tears in their Eyes,
imagining they eat the Body of their God; for which honour every one
paid a tenth part of the Charge which had been spent in this high Feast.
Then a Priest admonish’d them how they should lead their Lives, since
they were united with their God; which ended, they all went to their
several Habitations in a wonderful good order from the Temple.
[Sidenote: Ancient Attire of the _Mexicans_.]
Concerning the _Mexicans_ Apparel, it is a sufficient testimony, that
they are no way of the same original with the several barbarous Nations,
that run up and down naked in _New Spain_: for the Inhabitants of
_Mexico_ went antiently Cloth’d in Cotton: On their Heads they wore a
high Plume of red Feathers; about their Necks, over their Shoulders,
Breast and Back, a kind of large _Thorax_ of Feathers curiously pleited;
each Arm adorn’d with Armlets, and their Middles girt with broad white
Girdles full of red Streaks; in stead of Garters they wore Laces of
Feathers, as also a little above their Ancles. Their Priests besmear’d
all their Bodies, especially the Head, with an Ointment, whose special
vertue was to make their Hair grow exceeding long, which they braided
with broad Cotton Strings; they also smutch’d themselves with a kind of
blacking Stuff; when they went to make Offerings to their Idol in Caves,
Woods, or on high Mountains, they bedawb’d themselves with an Ointment
made of Spiders, Salamanders, Adders, Scorpions and Toads, which the
Temple-Boys caught for them in great abundance. This Ointment they made
with many Circumstances; for having roasted the fore-mention’d Vermine
on the Hearth of the perpetual Fire before _Viztlipuztli_’s Altar, and
stamp’d the same in a Mortar with Tobacco, living Scorpions, the Seed
_Ololuchqui_, (to which they ascrib’d a power of representing Visions)
hairy Worms, and Soot, they kneaded all together, put the Ointment in
Pots, and plac’d it before the Idol, thenceforth reputing it a
sanctifi’d Medicine, that would prove good against all manner of
Diseases; wherefore the Priests being always sent for to the Sick in
stead of Doctors, perfum’d the Patient, shav’d his Hair, hung Snakes
Bones about his Neck, and order’d him at a certain Hour to bathe
himself, and in the Night to watch before a Fire-hearth, and to eat no
Bread but what had been Offer’d to their Idol. Moreover, the said
Ointment is thought to have another power, _viz._ to make those that
anointed themselves with the same, valiant and strong; which the common
People believ’d, because the Priests would go through Woods and
Wildernesses that abounded with ravenous Beasts.
[Illustration]
These _Heathens_ also seem’d to have something of Circumcision and
Baptism; for they not onely cut off a piece of the Infant’s Ears and
privy Members, which they Offer’d to their Idols, but also wash’d them
as soon as they came into the World, putting into their Hands such Tools
as were of use in their Fathers Profession.
[Sidenote: Their Nuptial Solemnities.]
Their Marriages also were celebrated with great solemnity: The Priest
having ask’d the Bride and Bridegroom, If they would joyn together in
Matrimony? if they both consented, he ty’d the Brides Scarf, and
Bridegrooms Coat together, and so accompanying them home, led them nine
times about the Fire-hearth: If the Bride had no Impediments, then the
Bridegroom made Presents to her Father and Mother, Offerings to the
Gods, and a brave Dinner to the nearest Relations; after which an
Inventory was drawn of what each of them had brought, that upon their
being Divorc’d, (which was very common amongst the _Mexicans_) each
might have his share; and if they had Children, the Man was to keep the
Sons, and the Woman the Daughters; nor were they permitted, on pain of
death, being once parted, to joyn together again.
[Sidenote: The Feast _Texcoalt_.]
On the ninteenth of May they kept the Feast _Texcoalt_, Consecrated to
the Idol _Tezcatlipuca_, before whom they Offer’d a Slave, which was
done after this manner: Towards the Evening the Multitude coming into
the Temple, the Priests pulling off the Idols old, put on new Apparel,
hung him full of Precious Stones and Armlets, set Plumes of Feathers on
his Head; which done, the Curtains behind which he stood, were drawn,
and a Priest Cloth’d exactly like the Idol coming forth, turn’d himself
round, blow’d a kind of Trumpet towards the four Winds, and ate Earth,
which all the People imitated: whereof those which had committed any
hainous Offence, Offer’d Incense to the Idol, and weeping, begg’d
forgiveness of their Sins. Those that were Soldiers besought him to
grant them store of Prisoners, and strength to conquer their Enemies;
for which they would return him thanks with Offer’d Prisoners.