Appellation from certain black Hogs, by the _Spaniards_ call’d
_Bermudas_, which from a Ship bound with them to some other parts of the
_West-Indies_, and cast away upon that Coast, swam ashore, and there
increased; or, as others say, from _John Bermudes_, a _Spaniard_, who is
said to have been the first Discoverer; or, as to the second, from one
_George Summers_, an _English_-man, who there suffer’d shipwrack) are
situated in thirty two Degrees and twenty five Minutes of Northern
Latitude about sixteen hundred Leagues from _England_, twelve hundred
from _Madera_, four hundred from _Hispaniola_, and three hundred from
the nearest Coast of _Virginia_. The first that endeavour’d to settle
Plantations here was a _Spaniard_ nam’d _Hernando Camelo_, being
design’d Conductor in this Expedition: And this Undertaking was so much
the more eagerly prosecuted, upon consideration that the Plate-Fleet
Sailing from _Havana_ through the _Straights_ of _Bahama_, might here
have a convenient Harbour; but those who were invited to become
Adventurers, with proffers of great Advantage, shewing themselves very
slack in the Business, and _Charles_ the Fifth being at that time
intangled in War and other troublesom Affairs, the Design came to
nothing, and for above sixty years after no farther Attempt was made by
any for the Planting of these Islands, till at last the _French_ made a
Voyage thither under Captain _Barboriere_, but by Shipwrack were
frustrated of their hopes; nor made they any more Preparations in this
Design. In which nevertheless the _English_ were not so easily
discourag’d, for first Captain _Gosnol_ and _Smith_ set forth, at the
Charges of Mr. _Edward Wingfield_; next, Captain _Nelson_; then
successively _West_, _Gates_, _Argal_, and _Wyat_, but all with little
or no success, till at length in the Year 1612. a Company was
establish’d in _London_ by the King’s Letters Patents, who sent one Mr.
_Richard Moor_ with sixty Men to the _Bermudas_, where he spent three
years in fortifying those Islands: but that which put a little stop to
this good beginning, was a kind of Misfortune that hapned; for the Rats
which were gotten ashore from a Shipwrack increas’d so exceedingly, that
they devour’d all the Plants in the Field, and the Provision in the
Houses, insomuch that a great Famine proceeded from thence, all means to
destroy the Vermine being in vain; till at last Providence sent a
Disease amongst them, which kill’d them all in a very short time. Mean
while _Moor_ went on in the fortification of the Island, and was ere
long supply’d with fresh People. Mr. _Barlet_ was sent over with sixty
Men, and carried from thence with him eighty Pound of Ambergreece. And
soon after three Ships more, _viz._ the _Blessing_, the _Star_, and the
_Margaret_, convey’d thither four hundred and ten, Men and Women. As
soon as _Moor_ was call’d away, _Daniel Tuckard_ coming from _Virginia_
to succeed him, bestirr’d himself very much, Planting all places full of
Trees fetch’d from the _West-Indian_ Islands; as also Tobacco, with
which he fraighted a Ship to _London_. Moreover, the Countrey was
divided into Acres, that every Planter might have an equal share, and
know his own Lands. _Anno 1619._ _Tuckard_ was succceded by _Nathaniel
Butler_, who in four Ships brought thither five hundred Men and Women,
to supply the first Plantation, which was much decay’d since the Rats
had devour’d their Provisions, so that it was little look’d after by the
Company in _London_: But now they built a Church and erected a Court of
Judicature, and all things were order’d conveniently for the publick
good. After which many Noble Persons set Sail thither in the _Magazine_
Frigat; and the Planters being now fifteen hundred in number, inhabited
twenty Leagues of Land in length.
[Sidenote: Forts built upon the _Bermudas_.]
On the longest Island, call’d _St. George_, (for the _Bermudas_ consists
of several Islands, great and small) they built _Warwick_ and _Dover_
Forts, with other Fortifications and Towers, which had their
Denominations from those Noble-men and Gentlemen that were Undertakers
in this Plantation, as _Cavendish_, _Paget_, _Herbert_, &c. from the
Earl of _Devonshire_, the Lord _Paget_, the Earl of _Pembroke_ and
others.
[Sidenote: Ports and Havens.]
Amongst the Havens the eminentest are, _Southampton_, the Inlet
_Harrington_, and the _Great Sound_.
All these Islands lying together resemble a Half-Moon, and are
surrounded with Rocks, which appear at Low-water, and at High lie but
shallow; for it seldom Ebbs or Flows above five Foot. The Shore, for the
most part Rocky, and hardned by the Sun and Wind, receives no damage by
the Waves which continually beat against the same.
[Sidenote: Nature of the Soil.]
The Ground it self differs; for in some places it is sandy or clayie,
and in others partly black, and partly white, or Ash-colour’d Earth;
which last is accounted the worst, and the black the best. Three Foot
deep under the Ash-colour’d Earth lie great Slates, and under the black,
a white spungie Stone, like the Pumice, in whose moist Crevises Trees
take root.
The Pits or Wells, though they Ebb and Flow with the Sea, yet produce a
wholsom and sweet Water.
[Sidenote: Temperature of the Air.]
The Skie is generally serene, but when over-cast with Clouds, is subject
to Lightning and Thunder; yet the Air is of a good temper, being neither
exceeding cold, nor excessive hot: for which reason the _European_
Fruits grow better there than in their natural Soil.
Their Harvest is twice a year; for that which they Sowe in _March_, is
ripe and gather’d in _June_; then what they Sowe again in _August_, they
gather in _January_.
[Sidenote: Productions of the Countrey.]
These Islands breed no hurtful Creatures; nay, the yellow Spider which
spins silken Cobwebs, is free from Poyson.
The Plant _Nuchtly_, which bears speckled Pears, grows betwixt the Rocks
which are drench’d with Sea-water.
The Hogs which above a hundred and fifty years since swam ashore out of
the _Spanish_ Wrack, are exceedingly increas’d there, but because of
their poorness are scarce eatable, they feeding onely on the sweet
Berries which fall from the _Palmito_-Trees.
About the white and red Mulberries, which grow plentifully there, breed
thousands of Silk-worms, which spin Silk according to the colour of the
Mulberries.
The Sea produces some quantity of Pearls and Ambergreece.
From the beginning of the year till _May_, the Whales are seen to swim
not far from the Shore.
A strange sort of Sea-Fowl breed in Holes like Rabbets; and amongst
other Birds, here are also store of Cranes.
The Tobacco which the _English_ have planted here grows very well.
[Sidenote: Tortoises Laying of Eggs.]
Here are likewise great Tortoises, which Lay their Eggs in the Sand on
the Shore, where they are Hatch’d by the Beams of the Sun, and are taken
after this manner: In the Night some are set to watch where they Land,
and whilest they are digging a deep Hole in the Ground, are thrown on
their Backs, and not being able to get upon their Legs again, they lie
and groan very pitifully: some of them having above two Basons full of
Eggs in their Bellies; which being about the bigness of a Tennis-Ball,
have a thin Shell, which incloseth a Yolk and White. If these Eggs lie
buried six years, then the young Tortoises breaking the Shell, come out
of the Sand, and instantly creep into the Sea. Their Flesh is not onely
wholsom but toothsom. The Oyl made of them is not inferior to Butter.
[Sidenote: Cedars of an excellent kind.]
Moreover, the _Bermudas_ produce Cedars, the like of which are not to be
found in the whole World: The Leaves are douny and prickly at the ends,
almost like those of the Juniper Tree: The Wood hath a sweet smell, and
the Berries, which are like the Myrtle, of a pale Red, inclose four
white Kernels; the outermost Skin whereof is sweet; the innermost, which
covers the Kernel, sharp, and the Pulp tartish: The Trees are always
flourishing, being at the same time full of Blossoms, green, and ripe
Fruit: The Berries, when grown ripe, begin to gape, and fall off in
rainy Weather, leaving a round Stalk on the Boughs, which loses not its
Rind till two years after; half which time the Berry requires, before it
attains to its perfect ripeness, which generally happens in the Winter:
The Boughs shoot straight upwards, and become in time so heavy, that
they cause the Body of the Tree to bend. This most excellent Wood grows
in divers places of the _Bermudas_.
We shall conclude with the resolute Exploit of five Sea-men, _Anno
1616._ who, to the great admiration of all People, set Sail from thence
in an open Vessel of three Tun through the main Ocean, and after having
suffer’d terrible Tempests, arriv’d in the space of seven Weeks safe in
_Ireland_.
These Islands are remarkable for divers sorts of Plants, unknown in
other Parts, as the _Prickle Pear_, _Poyson Weed_, _Red Weed_, _Purging
Bean_, _Costive Tree_, _Red Pepper_, and the _Sea Feather_. Also several
strange Birds, as the _Egg Bird_, _Cahow_, _Tropick Bird_, and the
_Pemlico_, which presageth Storms.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XIII.
Hispaniola.
The Islands call’d _De Barlovento_, by which are understood
_Hispaniola_, _Cuba_, _Jamaica_, and _Boriquen_, as also the _Lucaies_,
with the _Caribes_, and lastly the Isles call’d _De Sotavento_, viz.
_Margareta_, _Cabagua_, and _Tabago_, are by some comprehended all under
the general Name of _The Isles Antilles_; though others reckon the
_Antilles_ to be the same with the _Caribes_ onely. But leaving this
Controversie undecided, we shall begin with the Isles _De Barlovento_,
the chief whereof is _Hispaniola_.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Description of _Hispaniola_.]
_Hispaniola_, or _Little Spain_ (as _Columbus_ nam’d it) is, though not
the largest, yet the fairest and goodliest of all the _American_
Islands, call’d by the Natives anciently _Hayti_ and _Quisqueia_: It
lieth about fifteen Leagues Westward of _Porto Rico_, and distant from
the main Land of _America_ about one hundred and twenty; ’tis of a
triangular form, the sharpest Point whereof is that towards _Porto
Rico_, which they call _Cabo de Enganno_: that towards the West inclines
to a Semi-circle, containing a good and convenient Bay betwixt the two
Points, _viz._ _St. Nicholas_ to the North, and _Cabo de Donna Maria_
towards the South. It is not thought to be less than a hundred and fifty
Leagues in length, and in breadth from threescore to thirty, and to
contain in the compass of the whole, four hundred Leagues at least,
lying betwixt eighteen and twenty Degrees of Northern Latitude, having
an Air somewhat infested with the Morning Heats, but well cool’d again
in the Afternoon, by a constant Wind from the Sea, which they call there
_Virason_. It is, for the fertility of the Soil, one of the richest and
most flourishing Countreys in the World; the Trees and all things else
there continually clad, as it were, in their Summer Livery, the Meadows
and Pastures always green, and of such an excellent Herbage, that Cattel
both breed and thrive there beyond belief; both great Cattel and small,
as Kine, Sheep, Hogs, _&c._ brought thither out of _Spain_, having
multiply’d to such numbers, that they live wild now in Herds in several
places, and are both hunted and kill’d, like Stags or other Venison,
onely for their Hides, which they send yearly into _Spain_ and other
parts of _Europe_, as a great Merchandize and Commodity of huge profit
to them.
[Illustration]
Wild Hogs also have been formerly seen to feed in the Woods in great
multitudes, but the Dogs since they were brought over hither, have made
great havock amongst them.
[Sidenote: Beasts peculiar to _Hispaniola_.]
The Animals peculiar to this Island are 1. A little Beast call’d
_Hutias_, not much unlike our Coneys. 2. _Chemi_, almost of the same
form, but a little bigger. 3. _Mohui_, A Beast somewhat less than the
_Hutias_. 4. A Beast call’d _Coxi_.
[Sidenote: The Fly _Cuyero_.]
Likewise amongst other strange sorts of Creatures here, the _Cuyero_ is
very observable, being about an Inch big, and having four Wings, of
which two are larger than the other: when they flie they shine after
such a manner, that in the Night they make a Room as light as day,
insomuch that some have made use of them in stead of Candles to Read by.
[Sidenote: The Fish _Manate_.]
No less wonderful is the Fish _Manate_, whose shape hath been describ’d
elsewhere: It breeds for the most part in the Sea, yet sometimes
swimming up the Rivers, comes ashore and eats Grass. The Casique
_Caramatexi_ kept one in the Lake _Guaynato_, which was so tame, that
when call’d by the Name _Maton_, it us’d to come out of the Water, and
go directly to the _Casique_’s House, where being fed, it return’d to
the Lake, accompanied with Men and Boys, who with their Singing seem’d
to delight the Fish, which sometimes carried ten Children on its Back
over the Water; but at last a _Spaniard_ striking at it with a Pike, it
would never come forth again when it espy’d a Cloth’d Man: It liv’d
twenty six years in the fore-mention’d Lake, till by accident the River
_Hayboaic_ over-flowing into the said Lake, the Fish return’d to the
Sea.
[Sidenote: The Fish _Abacatuaia_.]
Besides this great Fish, here is also a sort of small Fish, call’d
_Abacatuaia_, with a little Mouth, black Eyes encompass’d with
Silver-colour’d Circles, four black Fins, two long ones under its Belly,
one on the Back, and one on each side of the Head, the Tail slit and
cover’d with a glittering Skin: It is as big as a Flounder, and not ill
Meat, but thick and round.
[Sidenote: The Insect _Nigua_.]
When the _Spaniards_ first setled on _Hispaniola_, they were exceedingly
tormented with a sort of leaping Insects call’d _Nigua_, which us’d to
eat through their Skin into the Flesh in such a nature, that many of
them lost their Arms and Legs; but at last they found out a Remedy
against this Evil, _viz._ the searing the Wounds with hot Irons.
[Sidenote: Fruits.]
Besides the aforesaid plenty of Flesh, they have many excellent Fruits
all the year long, as Banana’s, Pine-Apples, Custud-Apples, Plantens,
Papans, Musk-melons, Water-melons, and many other peculiar Plants, as 1.
the _Auzuba_, a fair large Tree, the Fruit whereof is call’d _Pinnas_,
resembling a _Malecotoon_: Of this Tree there are three sorts, _Jaima_,
_Boniama_, and _Jaiqua_; 2. _Quauconex_; 3. _Axi_; of which there are
also several sorts, as _Carive_, _Huarahuac_, _Axiblanco_,
_Acafran-Axi_, and _Axi-Coral_; 4. _Yuca_, the Root of which serves in
stead of Corn; 5. Certain Trees call’d _Guaibes_, besides plenty of Mint
and Potato’s.
[Sidenote: The Provinces of this Island.]
The Island of _Hispaniola_ was formerly divided into several Provinces,
amongst which the Mountainous Countrey _Hyguey_ lies towards the Isle of
_Porto Rico_. On the Mountains, which are flat on the top, are great
variety of sharp-pointed Stones. The Soil is a sort of colour’d Earth,
which produces all sorts of Fruit, especially the Root _Casabi_, and
Melons.
_Hyguey_ also conterminates with _Ycayagua_; Northward lies _Samana_;
Southward, _Yaquimo_, where there is store of _Brasile_ Wood: And
between the City _Domingo_ and _Yaquimo_, is the Countrey _Baoruco_,
which with its Mountains extends sixty Leagues in length, and above
twenty in breadth, without any Water, Pasture, or Food for Cattel or
Mankind.
Next follows the Countrey _Xaragua_, lying at the great Inlet which
divides _Hispaniola_; for one side extends to the Promontory of _St.
Nicholas_, and the other to the Point _Tiburon_. This Countrey produces
abundance of Cotton.
Lastly, the Provinces _Guahaba_, _Haniguagya_ and _Cahay_, are very
eminent; as also _Cibao_, which is full of Gold-Mines; and _Lavega
Real_, with _Magnana_, which lie between the two great Rivers _Neyba_
and _Yagui_; the stony Countrey _Ciguayos_, and the low Coast _Darica_,
where _Christopher Columbus_ built the City _Navidad_, which he
afterwards deserted.
Ginger was formerly brought hither from the _East-Indies_, but now grows
here in such great abundance, that above two and twenty thousand
_Kintalls_ are yearly Transported from thence to _Spain_.
With as good success grow here also the Sugar-Canes and _Maiz_.
_Peter Martyr_, a Councellor to the Emperor _Charles_ the Fifth,
relates, That _Hispaniola_ produc’d in his time, besides Silver, Copper,
and Iron, five hundred thousand _Ducats_ in Gold: Nevertheless the rich
Mines lay undisturb’d, because they wanted People to work in them,
insomuch that had they not planted their Royal Seat in _Domingo_, the
Island had long since been deserted, notwithstanding the exceeding
fruitfulness of the Soil, because the _Spaniards_ exercis’d their
Cruelty in such a nature, that of sixty thousand Inhabitants from the
Year 1508. to _Anno 1514._ scarce fourteen thousand of them were left
alive; all which is affirm’d by the Bishop _De las Casas_. Nay, the
fore-mention’d _Peter Martyr_ relates, That the Men wearied with working
in the Mines, kill’d themselves, despairing of ever being releas’d from
their Slavery; and Women with Child destroy’d the Infants in their
Wombs, that they might not bear Slaves for the _Spaniards_. He adds
hereunto, That of a hundred and twenty thousand Persons, few were left
in a short time.
[Sidenote: The Gaiety of the antient _Casiques_.]
These Provinces in former times had each of them their _Casique_, whose
splendor consisted chiefly in Dancing to his Devotion, with a Girdle
full of Bells about his Middle, a String of Pearls about his Arms, a
Covering over his Privities, and a Plume of Feathers on his Head, with a
Drummer before him, and a small Train of Arm’d Men after him.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Ports and Havens.]
On the Coast are first the Point of _Nisao_, ten Leagues to the West of
_Santo Domingo_.
Eighteen Leagues farther is the Port _Ocoa_, which is a Bay where the
Fleets of _Nova Hispania_ take refreshing, when they do not Anchor in
the Nook of _Sepesepin_, which is near unto it, or in another call’d
_The Fair Haven_, two Leagues before you come to _Ocoa_.
Twenty Leagues beyond _Ocoa_ is the Port of _Asua_.
Thirty Leagues more Westwardly is a large Point right against the Island
of _Bola_, which lieth five Leagues from the Coast.
The most Westerly Point is call’d _Cape Tiburon_: It hath an Island
three Leagues from it Westward, call’d _Caprio_; and Sailing along the
Coast, you will see an Island call’d _Camito_, and farther in the Nook
of _Yaguana_ another call’d _Guanabo_ of eight Leagues long.
On the North side of the Island, the most Westerly Cape and Port is _St.
Nicholas_, from whence North-East and by East, lieth the Island of
_Tortuga_, near the Coast of _Hispaniola_: It is of five Leagues length.
Farther along the Coast is _Monte Christo_, the West Cape of
_Natividad_; to the East of which there is a great Bay call’d _Port
Real_.
This Island is so full of Harbours, that he that will Coast it, cannot
well miss of one where he pleaseth, most of which afford fresh Meat and
good Water.
Moreover, _Hispaniola_ hath many brave Rivers, the chiefest of which are
_Hayna_; _Nizao_, along whose Shore the first Sugar-Canes were planted;
_Neyba_, a great River; _Yaquimo_; _Yaqui_, which _Columbus_ call’d _Rio
de Oro_, because the Ground thereof glitter’d like Gold; and lastly, the
Rivers _Nicayagua_, amongst whose Sands is Gold; _Nigua_, which borrows
its Denomination from the fore-mention’d leaping Insect; the swift
Stream _Juno_, whose Banks are crown’d with handsom Houses; and
_Jaquin_, which hath many Salt-pans.
The Rivers _Itabo_, _Ocoa_, _Cepi_, _Bia_, _Cazui_, _Sanate de Plata_,
and _Chiabon_, have some one, others more Sugar-Mills upon them.
But the chiefest River is _Ozama_, broad, and so deep, that the biggest
Vessel may lie close by the Shore; and also washes _St. Domingo_.
[Sidenote: Description of the City of _St. Domingo_.]
This City, the Metropolis of all the Isles round about, was built by
_Bartholomeus Columbus_, and was peopled _Anno 1494._ after which it
flourish’d eight years, when, a terrible Storm blowing the same down to
the Ground, _Nicholas Olanda_ remov’d it to the Western Shore of
_Ozama_, that the _Spaniards_, who had for the most part setled towards
the West, might not be necessitated to Ferry over: but the first place
stood much more conveniently, being not onely provided of a Fountain of
sweet Water, but also freed of those unwholsom Vapours which daily rise
with the Sun at this new-built City. To prevent the inconvenience of
crossing to the foremention’d Fountain, of which the Inhabitants found
themselves oftentimes in great want, _Olanda_ went about to lead the
neighboring River _Hayna_ into the _Ozama_, but the Design not being
prosecuted, bereav’d _Domingo_ of the onely thing which would have made
it able to stand in competition with any City in the World; for it lies
on a Plain, the South side whereof is wash’d by the Sea; the East side,
by the River; on the North and West are many delightful Fields.
The City, which in a manner is built square, is divided into long
straight Streets, full of fair Houses after the _Spanish_ manner: in the
middle thereof is a square Market-place, with a handsom Church, the Yard
whereof is encompass’d with a high Wall, which upon occasion would serve
for a place of great Defence.
The Collectors of the King of _Spain_’s Revenue dwell in stately
Palaces; and the _Dominicans_, _Franciscans_, and Monks _De la Merced_,
have brave Cloysters, besides two more for the Nuns.
The _Latine_ School and Hospital belonging to the City, are Endow’d with
great yearly Revenues.
The Arch-bishop of _St. Domingo_ hath Command over the Bishoprick of
_Conception_, _La Vega_, _Cuba_, _Venezuela_, and _Porto Rico_.
The City is surrounded with a Stone Wall, and fortifi’d with a Castle,
which with two Bulwarks reaches to the River _Ozama_, and within them
two Half-Moons.
On the utmost Shore stands a round Tower near the Southern Bulwark.
Before the new discover’d Countreys entic’d away many People from _St.
Domingo_, and the Silver Fleet put into _Havana_, the Inhabitants drove
a great Trade in Hides, Tallow, Sugar, _Cassia_, Horses, and Hogs.
_Anno 1586._ Sir _Francis Drake_ Landed here with twelve hundred
_English_-men, took the City by Storm, staid a whole Moneth in the same,
and upon Composition with the _Spaniard_, left it undestroy’d.
[Sidenote: Other chief Towns of _Hispaniola_.]
Other chief Towns in _Hispaniola_ are 1. _Salvaleon_, twenty eight
Leagues distant from _St. Domingo_, towards the East.
2. _Zeybo._ 3. _Cotny_, formerly inhabited by those that work’d in the
Gold-Mines; the last especially was once a rich Town, and much
frequented, but now in a manner deserted.
4. _Azua_, or _New Compostella_, eight Leagues distant from _St.
Domingo_, famous for the Sugar-Mills not far from it, and one of the
Ports before-mention’d.
5. _Yaguana_, for its brave Harbour also call’d _Maria del Puerto_, in
the more Western parts of the Island; a small Town not above a League
distant from the Sea; It was burnt by Captain _Christopher Newport_.
[Illustration: URBA DOMINGO IN HISPANIOLA]
6. _Conception de la Vega_, adorn’d with a Cathedral and Cloysters of
Fryers, and lying twenty or thirty Leagues Northward of _St. Domingo_:
It was built by _Columbus_, and from thence he had his Title of _Duke de
la Vega_.
7. _Sant Jago de los Cavalleros_, a very pleasant Place, ten Leagues
Northward of _St. Domingo_.
8. _Puerto de Plata_, or _The Silver Haven_, four Leagues distant from
_St. Domingo_ towards the North: It hath been counted the second Place
of Trading and Wealth in the whole Island, being commodiously seated on
an Arm of the Sea, and fortifi’d with a Castle.
9. _Monte Christo_, one of the Ports also above-mention’d: It lies
fourteen Leagues Westward of _Plata_, and extends it self along the
Northern Coast: it is wash’d by the River _Yagui_, on whose Banks are
many Salt-pans.
[Sidenote: The Island dispeopled by the cruelty of the _Spaniards_.]
[Sidenote: Their barbarous usage of _Guaccanarillo_ and others.]