altogether so apt for Herbage and Pasture as some other Countreys about
it. The People were Cannibals before the _Spaniards_ came amongst them,
eating Man’s-flesh; were much given to quarrelling and Contentions
amongst themselves, but by this time, ’tis suppos’d they are reasonably
well reclaim’d both from the one and the other.
[Sidenote: Towns of chief note.]
In this Countrey, besides many other goodly Streams, is the great and
famous River _Barania_, on the Banks whereof are seated most of their
principal Towns, as 1. _Xalisco_, which gives Name to the whole
Province, and to a large Promontory or Foreland on the Western Coasts,
which shoots it self out into the Bay of _California_, right over
against certain Islands, which the _Spaniards_ call The _Three Maries_.
This was an ancient City or Town of the Natives, but sack’d and taken by
_Nunnez de Gusman_, in the Year 1530.
2. _Compostella_, built by the aforesaid _Gusman_, and so nam’d from the
City in _Spain_, so famous for the Grave of _James_ the Apostle, who
(according to the _Roman_ Writers) was buried there, lies near the South
Sea on a barren Soil, within the _Torrid Zone_; yet the Ground breeds
many sorts of Vermine, besides other noxious Creatures; amongst which
the _Capybara_ roots up whole Trees and other Plants in the Night. This
Beast, resembling an indifferent large Hog, hath short Legs and Claws,
thick Head, with a Beard, wide Ears, and on each Jaw-bone twenty four
Teeth, besides two Tusks, but no Tail; it goes slow, but swims exceeding
fast, and dives under Water for a considerable time together; they often
feed together in great Herds, and make a terrible noise.
3. _La Purification_, a small Town on the Sea side, towards the Confines
of _New Spain_.
SECT. IV.
Chiametla.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Chiametla_.]
Against _Xalisco_ juts _Chiametla_, along the South Sea, where the
Inhabitants wear short cloaks, and Deer-skin Shoes; and in the Wars use
Shields made of strong Twigs twisted together. The Women, which are
indifferent handsom, are clad down to their Feet.
[Sidenote: Towns of principal note.]
The chief Town of this Province is _Sant Sebastian_, call’d from the
River upon which it stands; it was built by Captain _Franciscus de
Yvarra_, _Anno 1554._ who discovering many Silver Mines, hath made
several Melting-houses, in which the Silver being melted swims upon the
Lead.
SECT. V.
Couliacan.
[Sidenote: Bounds of _Couliacan_.]
Next to _Chiametla_, Westward and Southward of _Cinoloa_, lies
_Couliacan_, Coasting all along the Bay of _California_, which it hath
on the West; on the East it hath _New Biscay_; and on the South,
_Xalisco_. The Countrey is not defective in any kind of necessary
Provision, but more especially it aboundeth with Fruits of all sorts.
But the _Spaniards_ look onely at the Mines, of which they have some few
in this Countrey. The People were generally Cloth’d with Cotton-Wooll
when the _Spaniards_ came first amongst them, but yet never a whit the
more modest, being exceedingly given to Venery, and that in a more
shameless and beastly manner than many other _Americans_ who went naked.
[Sidenote: Towns.]
The _Spanish_ Towns are these, 1. _Hiustula_, seated on the Banks of a
fair River, distant about a days Journey from the Sea. 2. _Quinola._ 3.
_Quatrobarrios_, an old Town of the Natives, but new nam’d by the
_Spaniards_. 4. _El Leon_, an old Burrough. 5. _Couliacan_, the chief
Town of the Province. 6. _St. Michael_, in the Valley of _Arroba_, two
Leagues distant from the Sea, in a rich and plentiful Countrey, both for
Corn and Fruit, whither it was remov’d from the Banks of the River
_Orala_, where it first stood; it was built by _Nunnez de Gusman_ in the
Year 1531. after he had burnt the Towns, and destroy’d a great number of
the Natives, Inhabitants of the Countrey.
[Sidenote: _Nunnez de Gusman_ first Discoverer of this Countrey.]
[Sidenote: Serpents worshipp’d by the Natives.]
This Countrey was first discover’d by the aforesaid _Nunnez de Gusman_
(after he had built _Guadalajara_) after this manner: Marching from
_Chiametla_ to _Piatzala_, he ruin’d this Province with Fire and Sword:
he likewise conquer’d the Countreys of _Zapuatun_ and _Piaztla_; the
first being a Plain, lay inclos’d within high Mountains, where the
_Spaniards_ met none but Women, till they came to a great River call’d
_De la Sall_, whose Banks on each side were well inhabited; the second
juts against the Ocean, and is water’d by a River of the same
Denomination. Here, within the Houses, (which are built after a strange
manner) lay thousands of Serpents mingled together, with their Heads
sticking out on the top and at the sides, and hissing with open Mouth at
those which approached them. The Inhabitants shew’d great Reverence to
these Serpents, because (as they said) the Devil often appear’d to them
in that form. And this seems to be a Custome amongst them from the
Tradition of _Eves_ being tempted by the Devil in the shape of a
Serpent: Nor was this Superstition peculiar onely to these _Indians_,
forasmuch as divers Nations of the ancient _Heathens_ of other parts of
the World, worshipp’d the Likeness of a Serpent. And even amongst the
_Greeks_, according to _Plutarch_, _Hesychius_, _Clemens Alexandrinus_,
and others, it was no unusual thing in their religious Worship to call
on _Eva_, and at the same time to shew a Serpent. _Plutarchus_ and
_Ælianus_ say, That the _Egyptians_ honour’d a Serpent for their God.
The same saith _Erasmus Stella_ of the old _Prussians_; _Sigismund
Baro_, of the _Liflanders_; and _Alexander Guaginus_, of the
_Sarmatians_ and _Samogethes_. Moreover, some write, that in the
Province of _Calecut_ are Serpents with exceeding great Heads, and
weighing as much as a great Hog, to which the King shews great
Reverence; so that it seems the Devil takes delight to be worship’d in
that shape wherein he work’d the Fall of Man-kind.
_Gusman_ leaving _Piaztla_ march’d to _Bayla_, where he found the great
River _De Mugeres_, and the Countrey full of Woods and Pastures: thence
travelling upwards along _Mugueres_, they ascended to the top of a
Mountain, where they were assaulted by the Inhabitants of the aforesaid
Village _Quinola_, whom nevertheless they soon put to flight; but not
long after receiv’d a shrew’d Repulse at the Entrance into a Wood built
full of Houses; yet nevertheless being at length Conquerors, though not
without sufficient loss, they march’d farther in amongst the Mountains,
till their Provisions beginning to grow scarce, and they seeing no
likelihood of getting to an end of this troublesom Journey, at last
their Necessities forc’d them to retire.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: The Fish _Guarapucu_.]
[Sidenote: The _Piracarba_.]
[Sidenote: Flying Fishes.]
The Flood which comes out of the Sea up to the City _St. Michael_,
through the River _Cignatlan_, abounds with Fish, and especially the
_Guarapucu_, which is seven Foot long when it comes to its full growth;
it hath no Scales, but smooth Skin of a Silver colour mix’d with Green:
from the Head to the Tail runs a crooked Line of thin Scales on each
side; it swims exceeding swift, feeds on lesser Fishes, and spawns in
the Sea: the Flesh being wholsom and good to eat, is salted up against
Winter. At the same Place is also the _Piracarba_, which shines
exceedingly, having Silver-colour’d Scales, a broad slit Tail, a long
white Beard, four great Fins, and a little Head. Farther into the Sea
are a sort of flying Fish, call’d _Pirabebes_, which rise by thousands
up out of the Water, so escaping the _Dolphins_ and other Fish which
prey on them; yet sometimes they are snatch’d up by the Birds, or else
by the Fishes, when they dive down into the Water to wet their own
Wings, which consist of a thin Skin, distinguish’d in length by tough
Fins. These flying Fish also differ much one from another, for most of
them are like Herrings; others have a thick Head, round before like the
Dolphins.
Moreover, the Countrey about _St. Michael_ was always well inhabited.
The Houses, being artificially built, were adorn’d on the top with many
obscene Images, and venereal Representations: But since the _Spaniards_
have conquer’d this Countrey they have destroy’d them, and built other
Houses in their stead, and also bestow’d much cost and labour on the
Silver Mines _De las Virgines_.
SECT. VI.
Cinoloa.
[Sidenote: Bounds of _Cinoloa_.]
_Cinoloa_ is the most Northern part of _New Gallicia_, bounded on the
West, with some part of the Gulf or Bay of _California_; on the East,
with a long Ridge of Mountains, which they call _Tepecsuan_; on the
North, with _Cibola_; and with _Couliacan_ on the South. This Country,
besides the general fertility of the whole Province of _New Gallicia_,
yields great store of Cotton-Wool, by reason whereof both Men and Women
here are better Apparell’d, for the most part, than elsewhere the
_Americans_ are; is exceedingly well water’d with Rivers, which descend
from those Mountains _Tepecsuan_, not above thirty or forty Leagues
distant from the Sea; and which, with the variety of their Streams and
Meandrous glidings, do divide the Countrey into many and good Pastures,
which are likewise stor’d with abundance of Kine, Oxen, and other
Cattel.
[Sidenote: Towns.]
The chief Towns possess’d by the _Spaniards_ are 1. _St. Philip_ and
_Jacob_, seated towards the Sea side, on the Banks of a fair River,
about thirty or forty Leagues distant from the Town of _Couliacan_.
2. _St. John de Cinoloa_, an ancient Colony of _Spaniards_, setled there
by _Francisco de Yvarra_, in the Year 1554, which is all they have in
this Countrey, except some few old Forts of the Natives, which they
found, after their manner, poorly furnish’d; but have since repair’d
them for Defence against the Natives of those Parts, which as yet remain
unreduc’d.
[Sidenote: _Nunnez de Gusman_’s Travels.]
This Province was also discover’d by _Nunnez de Gusman_, who having
rested some Weeks in _St. Michael_, proceeding on his Way, he Ferried
over the River _Petatlan_, which receiv’d that Denomination because the
Houses were cover’d with Mats, by the _Indians_ call’d _Petat_.
The People hereabouts were generally Man-eaters.
Eighteen Leagues farther runs the River _Tamochala_, which hath many
Villages on both sides thereof.
Between _Petatlan_ and _Tamochala_ lie several desolate Wildernesses,
and Woods of the _Brasile_-Tree.
But _Gusman_ travelling up twenty seven Leagues along the fore-mention’d
River _Tamochala_, came to the Province _Cinoloa_, where they stay’d six
Weeks, by reason of the abundance of Rains; during which time the
Villagers provided them Turtle-Doves, Hares, Rabbets, and all sorts of
Fowls; but at last deserted their Habitations in the Night: after which
the _Spaniards_ crossing _Tamochala_ went along a barren Desart, where
(had they not found Water in certain Wells, and likewise store of Juice
out of the _Tunas_-Trees) they had without doubt perish’d; at last
getting over the River _Yaguinu_, they found a deserted Village, out of
which a broad Path led along the Stream; whither _Gusman_ marching, he
came into a Plain, where he spy’d several _Indians_, which after some
resistance were routed by the _Spanish_ Horse.
The Villages built on the Banks of the River _Yaguinu_, as also the
Language of the Inhabitants differ little from the former.
Not far from hence a Ridge of Hills runs into the Sea, and also extend
themselves a hundred Leagues towards _Xalisco_.
SECT. VII.
Zacatecas.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Description of _Zacatecas_.]
The _Zacatecas_, as they call them, are bounded on the South, with
_Guadalajara_; on the North, with _New Biscay_; on the West, with
_Couliacan_ and some part of _Xalisco_; and on the East, with _New
Spain_. The Countrey, especially the more Western part of it, is very
rich in Silver Mines, no Province of this part of _America_ richer; but
not so apt either for Wheat or _Maiz_. But the Eastern parts of it are
abundantly stor’d with all sorts of Fruits, the Woods every where
replenish’d with Deer, the Fields no less with Corn, and every Tree
almost giving Entertainment to some Bird or other.
[Sidenote: Towns and Villages.]
The Towns are 1. _Las Zacatecas_, forty Leagues distant from
_Guadalajara_, and fourscore from _Mexico_, but neighbor’d with most
rich Mines, and therefore both Garrison’d and well peopled by the
_Spaniards_; for ’tis suppos’d there are no less than five hundred
Families of them in the Town, and about the Mines.
2. _St. Martins_, twenty seven Leagues distant from _Zacatecas_, and as
rich a Place, having a Colony of four hundred _Spaniards_ at least.
3. _St. Lucas de Avinno._ 4. _Erena_, lesser Towns, but both of them
rich, and seated in the midst of excellent Mines.
5. _Nombre de Dios_, in the most Northerly part of this Countrey, sixty
eight Leagues distant from _Guadalajara_, and founded by the aforesaid
_Francisco de Yvarra_; who having subdu’d and quieted the Natives, and
thereby gain’d to himself the Government of these Countreys, granted the
propriety of some Silver Mines both to the _Spaniards_ and to the
Natives, and by that means drew so many of them thither, that in a short
time it became the chiefest and best peopled town of the whole Province.
6. _Durango_, in the Valley of _Guadiana_, eight Leagues distant from
_Nombre de Dios_, and built by _Yvarra_.
7. _Xeres de Frontera_, a Place built on purpose for the repressing of
the _Chichemecæ_ aforesaid, and other Salvages that infested the Borders
of _Guadalajara_, in the Regency of the Marquess of _Villa Manrique_.
8. Last, _St. Lewis_, built by _Alonso Pacheco_, in that part of the
Countrey which is call’d _Uxitipa_, and peopled by him with a Colony of
_Spaniards_, being distant about twenty Leagues from _Panuco_ in _New
Spain_, to which the whole Countrey of _Uxitipa_ once belong’d.
[Sidenote: Several Mines discover’d by the _Spaniards_.]
The aforesaid _Franciscus de Yvarra_, _Anno 1554._ discover’d the Mine
call’d _Sant Martin_, and since also _Lucas Avinno_, the Mine _Del
Sombrereto_, lying near the City _Del Erena_: but the Mines _De los
Ranchos_, _Chalchuites_, _De las Nieves_, and _Del Frisuillo_, would
produce much more Silver, if the Mine-works were stor’d with
Quicksilver. The Vice-Roy of _New Spain_, nam’d _Lodowick de Velasco_,
order’d a certain number of Soldiers, Slaves, Horses and Mules, for
every Mine, to defend the Workmen from the Assaults of the Natives,
which oftentimes Sallied out upon them. Moreover, _Velasco_ sent Priests
through all the Countrey to Preach the _Gospel_: But _Yvarra_ having the
care of the Priests, guarded them with a company of Soldiers, and in his
Way discover’d the Valley _San Juan_, and the River _De las Nacos_,
where he conquer’d the rebelling Natives.
Near the Silver Mine _Sant Martins_ the Monks built a Cloyster; after
which _Yvarra_ gave free leave to all that would, to dig in the Mine at
_Avinno_, which he had bought, on condition they should pay the real
fifth part of what they got, to the _Spanish King_: which Priviledge
stirr’d up many, insomuch that _Avinno_ in a short time grew very
populous. _Yvarra_, though having brought his Business to this pass,
could not rest, but sent _Antonius Pacheco_ to a Valley in _Guadiana_,
to build the foremention’d City _Durango_, where several Rivers make a
convenient and delightful place for Habitation, whither _Yvarra_
follow’d three Moneths after, and finish’d the new Town. But the
chiefest Silver Mines, which borrow their Denominations from the
Province _Zacatecas_, are continually guarded by five hundred
_Spaniards_, and as many Slaves.
[Illustration]
CHAP. VII.
New Biscay.
[Sidenote: Bounds of _New Biscay_.]
_New Biscay_, by some accounted a Province of _New Gallicia_, hath on
the South, _Zacatecas_; on the West, the Countrey of _Cinoloa_;
Northward it is bounded with _New Mexico_; the Eastern Borders of it
looking towards _Florida_, not yet well discover’d: so call’d by the
_Spaniards_, onely from its neighborhood to _New Gallicia_. It is, as
the other Provinces, exceeding rich in Silver Mines, and hath some also
of Lead; which serve principally, as some say, for the refining or
purging of the other Metal. The People generally are of a stout and
resolute Disposition, and with much difficulty submitting to the Yoke;
yea, the _Spaniards_ themselves confess, that there remain yet to this
day four great Towns unreduc’d, though they lie, as it were, in the
mid-way, betwixt the _Zacatecas_ aforesaid, and the Mines and Town of
_St. Barbara_ of this Province: The Spaniards call them _Las Quatro
Ceinegas_, or _The Four Quagmires_, as lying, perhaps, in the Marshes,
or in some Fenny and lower parts of the Countrey.
[Sidenote: Towns and Cities.]
The Towns which themselves hold, are, 1. _St. Barbara_, famous for the
rich Mines about it.
2. _St. Johns_, equal to the other, and not above three or four Leagues
distant from it.
3. _Ende_, the most Northerly Town which the _Spaniards_ have in this
Countrey, distant about twenty Leagues from the other.
These be all Colonies of the _Spaniards_, and built on purpose for
securing the Mines; which when they were first discover’d by _Yvarra_,
he order’d _Roderigo del Rio_ to guard the same, and took up his Winter
Quarters at _St. Juan_ in a strong House, stor’d with all manner of
Provisions, and erected there by him, as a place of defence against the
_Chichimecæ_, who (though the _Spaniards_ kept the place with strong
Guards) kill’d above four hundred of their Horses and Mules; which loss
no way daunted him, so as to change his Resolution of going to _Topia_:
whither travelling, he found many snowy Mountains, and suffer’d extream
Cold, which kill’d most of their Horses; being seen fifteen days after
to stand so stiffly frozen, as if still alive: at last getting within
the Borders of _Topia_, after he had suffer’d many inconveniences, he
was oppos’d by the Inhabitants, till he pacifi’d them with Presents.
SECT. II.
[Sidenote: Convenient Havens of _New Gallicia_.]
This Countrey hath many convenient Havens, _viz._ _San Jago_, _Navidad_,
_Malacca_, _Chacalla_, below the Promontory _Corientes_, the Bay
_Xalisco_, the Road _Massatlan_, and _Chiametla_, so call’d from a Town
about eleven Leagues from the Ocean.
Here, and in several places of _New Gallicia_, grow Lillies, Roses,
Violets, Jessamins, and many other Flowers; amongst which the
_Floripondium_ deserves peculiar observation, because it flourishes the
whole Year; and its white Blossoms, which are bigger than Lillies,
opening in the Morning, yield an exceeding sweet smell.
[Sidenote: The Flower _Granadilla_.]
In no less esteem is the _Murucuia_, by the _Spaniards_ call’d
_Granadilla_, which will not grow, if bereav’d of any of its Leaves: it
bears a Flower from the resemblance of our Saviour’s Suffering, call’d
_The Passion-Flower_, which exceeds the biggest Rose in circumference;
the uppermost Leaves green, those underneath of a purple colour; on the
top hangs a round Bush of a thousand interwoven threds of divers
colours, distinguish’d by white and red Specks; the pale Stalk which
sticks in the middle of the Flower, is divided into five others, that
bend downwards with a yellow Button-like Knob; on the middlemost Stalk
stands a pale yellow Flower, which appears three hours after Sun-rising,
and closes again a little before Sun-set; the Fruit, which is very
round, smooth, and of a pale Green, hath white Specks, a thick Rind,
Saffron-colour’d Pulp, which is wholsom, of a good rellish, and hath
abundance of black Seeds inclos’d in little Husks.
[Illustration]
CHAP. VIII.
New Mexico.
[Sidenote: Bounds of _New Mexico_.]
_New Mexico_ (as ’tis call’d for distinction’s sake) is bounded on the
South-West with _New Biscay_; more directly Westward, with some parts of
_Quivira_; the Countreys Northward of it not yet discover’d; Eastward it
extends it self as far as _Florida_.
This Province doubtless for largeness may compare with _New Gallicia_,
having been search’d and discover’d by the _Spaniards_ above a hundred,
some say two hundred Leagues directly Eastward, and to the North-East:
and they report Wonders of it, if we may believe them, at least in
respect of what was generally found in these Northern parts of _America_
at their first Discovery; as namely, That they have Towns fairly and
well built of Lime and Stone, Houses of four Stories high, and most of
them provided with Stoves for the Winter Season, as well as any in
_Europe_; the Streets fair and broad, and the People as curious and
expert in divers Arts and Manufactures as any of theirs. More
particularly they tell us of a Town call’d _Chia_, of the Province of
_Cuames_, so big, that it is said to contain eight several
Market-places. Another call’d _Acoma_, a great Town, but seated on the
top of an high Rock, without any ordinary way of access to it, but by a
pair of Stairs hewn out of the hard Stone, or else by certain Ladders,
which the Inhabitants let down and take up as they please. And likewise
of a third, which they call _Conibas_, containing, as they say, no less
than seven Leagues in length, and about half so much in breadth, seated
upon a Lake, but scatteringly built, and much of the space taken up with
Mountains and many fair Gardens, in the midst of which the Town
standeth; of all which more hereafter. This is certain, that the
Countrey to which they give the Name of _New Mexico_, is of a vast
extent, reaching from the Mines of _St. Barbara_ in _New Biscay_
Eastward, and to the North-East, above two hundred Leagues already
discover’d, but doubtless taking up no small part of those Countreys
which are sometimes assign’d to _Florida_, if not of the Confines of
_Virginia_ also.
[Sidenote: Travels of _Ruyz_, _Espejus_ and others.]