being most of them drawn by the temptation of new discover’d Gold and
Silver Mines in other places, and the first Inhabitants having been
miserably destroy’d. The Bishop _De las Casas_, an Eye-witness, relates,
That the King _Gauccanarillo_ secur’d the Goods of a stranded Ship, of
which _Columbus_ was Commander, and receiv’d the _Spaniards_ very
courteously; but not being able to continue supplying them with that
quantity of Gold they requir’d, wanting Men to gather so much out of the
Streams and Mines, and seeing no way to rid himself from the _Spaniards_
Oppressions, fled to the Province of _Ciguayos_, the _Casique_ of which
was his Deputy; whereat the _Spaniards_ were so enrag’d, that they burnt
all that they could meet with, neither sparing young nor old; and at
length taking _Guaccanarillo_, put him in Irons, and thought to have
carried him to _Madrid_; but the Ship in which he went suffering
Shipwrack, he with many others was cast away, being before almost dead
with grief for his Consort, who had been Ravish’d by a _Spanish_
Commander, Likewise _Anacoana_, Sister to the _Casique_, or Governor of
the Province _Xarana_, and Partner with him in the Government, seeing
three hundred of her Councellors burning in a great House, set on fire
by the _Spaniards_, and her Subjects torn by Dogs, or cut in pieces,
hung her self out of despair. The same Death died _Higuanama_, Queen of
_Huguey_. Others say that _Anacoana_ was put to death together with her
Brother in a most barbarous and cruel manner, by _Nicholas de Olanda_,
who succeeded _Diego de Arana_ in the Government of this Island. Many
Women and Children were kept alive onely to Manure the Ground. The Men
dying of their hard Labour in the Gold-Mines, and those which endur’d
stoutly the cruel Labour under Ground, were never suffer’d to go to
their Wives; from whence proceeded a great decrease of People, the
_Spaniards_ seeming purposely to design the destruction of the Natives
of _Hispaniola_, though they receiv’d great benefit by their Service;
for Gold in former times was found between the Cracks and split Stones
of the Mountains, whose Veins the Mine-workers digg’d for not without
great and dangerous Labour.
[Sidenote: First original of the People of _Hispaniola_.]
The first Planters of _Hispaniola_ are, according to the common opinion,
deriv’d from _Matinio_, a high and Mountainous Isle, from whence the
most eminent Inhabitants were driven by certain Rebels, as formerly the
_Syrians_ under the Government of _Dido_, were driven from _Tyre_ to
_Lybia_, and the _Batavians_ from _Hessen_ to the Countrey between
_Rhyne_ and _Wall_, at present inhabited by the _Gelders_ and
_Hollanders_. These _Matininoensians_ thus expell’d from their native
Countrey, setled themselves on _Cahonao_, near the River _Bahaboni_: The
first House they call’d _Camoteia_, and afterwards turn’d it into a
Temple, to which they shew’d Reverence, and made great Presents: In like
manner the _Tyema_, which stood on a high Rock belonging to one of the
_Canary_ Islands, was by the ancient Inhabitants of the Place had in
great veneration, insomuch that many leap’d down from the same, being
perswaded by the Priests, That the Souls of those which threw themselves
off this sacred Break-neck, should immediately be translated into a
place of everlasting happiness.
[Sidenote: The ancient Name of this Island.]
This Island was, as we said before, first call’d _Haity_ which signifies
_Wild_, because in many places it swells with wondrous high Mountains,
and in other places is over-grown with great Woods: it was afterwards by
the ancient Inhabitants nam’d _Xusqueia_, that is, _Unmeasurably great_,
because they suppos’d it to be the whole World, and that the Sun shin’d
in no other place.
[Sidenote: _Indian_ Songs or Ballads call’d _Areitos_.]
The Natives of this Island, though wholly rude of acquir’d Knowledge or
Literature, like the generality of the _Americans_, yet they took care
to instruct their Children in the Original and Antiquities of their
Countrey, and the Wars and Exploits of their Predecessors, both which
they contain’d in Songs call’d _Areitos_ which they us’d to Sing to the
sound of Drums and Trumpets; but especially their Persons of chiefest
Quality study’d most these _Areitos_, and exercis’d themselves in
Dancing.
[Sidenote: Strange Prediction of the _Spaniards_ Arrival.]
The most remarkable of these ancient _Areitos_, were such as pretended
to prophesie of things to come, which if of sad consequence, were Sung
very mournfully and with many Sighs; nor were they always, however
inspir’d, without effect, as appear’d at last by woful event: for long
before the _Spaniards_ Landed on _Hispaniola_, it was foretold by one of
them, that _Maguacochios_, signifying _Clothed People_, should Land on
_Hispaniola_, who with sharp Weapons should cut off Heads and Arms, and
under whose insupportable Yoke their Successors must spend their days
without hope of ever being releas’d.
It might be disputed whether these Predictions were dictated by good or
evil Spirits; but it is generally believ’d, that all their Oracles,
whether hapning true or false, were suggested by diabolical Spirits to
the Priests, who commonly convers’d with them; and that these Spirits
knew the Design of several People to discover new Countreys.
[Sidenote: The Images of their _Zemes_.]
Their Images _Zemes_, stuff’d full of Cotton, were fashion’d into very
frightful Shapes, and might pass for those things which we call
_Terricula_, or _Bugbears_; of which some were made very small, and
those they ty’d on their Foreheads when they went to the Wars. Every
Governor had a peculiar _Zemes_, to whom he shew’d Reverence, in return
whereof he expected Rain, fair Weather, and to conquer his Enemies,
supposing him to be a Messenger of a perpetual and endless Being, by
them call’d _Jocauna Guamaonocon_; whom nevertheless they suppos’d to
have a Mother, to whom they gave five Names, _viz._ _Attbeir_, _Mamona_,
_Guacarapita_, _Liella_, and _Guimazoa_.
[Sidenote: The Islanders Opinion of the Creation.]
Their opinion of Man’s Creation was thus: They say, that out from a
Mountain in the Province _Cuanana_, out of certain small and great
Caverns therein, came little and great People: The biggest Hole, call’d
_Cazibaragua_, and the little one, nam’d _Amaiauna_, were said to be
lock’d up every Night, that none might pass the Sentinel _Machchael_,
who out of curiosity leaving the Mountain _Cuata_, and going up into the
Countrey, was discover’d by the Sun, whose Beams he not being able to
endure, was turn’d into a Rock. The like Mischance hapned to many
others, who in the dark Night going to Fish, in the Morning at their
Return were chang’d into Oaken Trees, onely one of the Fishermen was
sent away by the chief Commander _Vaguoniana_, who moved at the
Complaint of a Nightingale’s Singing, suffer’d all the Men to go into
the Hole, and the Women and Children he Transported to _Matinino_. But
to make short of these non-sensical Stories, in conclusion, the Men
being let out of their Caves, saw many strange Beasts amongst the Woods,
which being turn’d into Women, were entertain’d by them, and brought
forth a numerous Progeny, which spread over all _Hispaniola_.
[Sidenote: Their foolish Opinion of the Original of the Sea.]
No less ridiculous an Account do the Priests give concerning the
Original of the Sea, _viz._ That _Jaia_, a mighty Man, buried the Body
of his deceased Son in a Pumpion, which some Moneths after, out of meer
affection to the Deceased, he cutting open, abundance of Whales sprung
out of it. This Wonder being every where known, amongst others, entic’d
four Brothers born at one Birth (whose Mother died in Childbed) to get
the Pumpion into their possession; which their Design prov’d successful:
but afterwards struck with a pannick fear of _Jaia_’s coming thither
(who oftentimes came to mourn over the Bones of his dead Son) they fled,
and threw away the Pumpion, which breaking with the fall, the Sea gush’d
out of all places thereof, and cover’d the Plains in such a manner, that
nothing of them was seen, onely the tops of the highest Mountains
appear’d; at which the four Brothers terribly afrighted, rang’d through
barren Desarts, in which they had died of Hunger, had they not come to a
Baker’s House, which one of them entring, ask’d for _Cazabi_; but the
Baker denying them Bread, spit on them, which caus’d a mortal Dropsie,
which the Brothers upon consultation found no way to cure, but by
cutting a hole in the Skin with a sharp Stone, and to let out the Water;
but out of each running Wound sprung a Woman, who bare them four Sons
and four Daughters.
[Sidenote: The Cave _Jovana-beina_.]
There is a certain Cave call’d _Jovana-beina_, which is adorn’d with a
thousand Pictures, in great esteem amongst them; at the Entrance on each
side whereof stands a _Zemes_; that on the right side is call’d
_Binthaitelles_, the other _Marohur_, to which they come from all places
to pay their Devotions, because (they say) the Sun and Moon came out of
the said Cave to lighten the World.
[Sidenote: Their absurd Opinion of the Deceased.]
Much after the same absurd rate is their Opinion of the Deceased; for
they suppose that they range through Woods and Forrests in the Night,
eat of a Fruit call’d _Guannaba_, and steal to the Embraces of Women in
Moon-shiny Nights. A Traveller, say they, if he be frighted at the
appearance of a deceased Person, great inconveniences will certainly
attend him, but if he goes stoutly towards it, then the Goblin vanishes.
These Delusions are made great Mysteries amongst them, and contain’d in
Songs, which their Priests _Boiti_ Sing to a kind of Tabor made of a
piece of hollow Wood, pretending that they have familiar Conversation
with the _Zemes_ concerning future things.
[Sidenote: Their Ceremonies about their Sick.]
Their Ceremonies about their sick, especially if Persons of Quality, are
likewise very remarkably odd and conceited: First they chew a strong
kind of Herb, call’d _Cohobba_, with which having sufficiently
intoxicated their Brains, they foam at the Mouth, and run with a Stone
and a piece of Flesh in their Mouths to the sick Person, whose Family
they drive all out of Doors, except one or two, whose presence the
Patient requires; then the _Boiti_ walks four times about the sick
Person’s Bed, making strange Gestures, pinching his Lips and Nose,
blowing upon his Forehead, Throat and Temples, and sucking several parts
of his Body, alledging, that thereby he draws the Distemper out of the
Veins; after that he chafes and rubs his Shoulders, Thighs and Legs, and
ties his Hands and Feet together, then running to the Door, proclaims,
That the Sick in a short time shall be restor’d to his former Health;
which said, he returns with his Arms stretch’d out towards the sick
Person, takes the piece of Flesh out of his Mouth, which he gives him
backwards, saying, _You shall rise and go forth in Health, for I have
taken away your Sickness_: But if he judges the Distemper not curable,
he makes the Sick believe, that _Zemes_ is displeas’d with him, because
he did not build a House for him, or consecrate a Garden to him, or in
some respect or other did not worship him as he ought to have done. When
the Soul departs out of the Body, they conjure the Body with many
Adjurations, to reveal whether it died according to God’s decree, or
through neglect of the _Boiti_, as not having sanctifi’d himself enough
by Fasting when he went first to the Sick, or not prescrib’d sufficient
Medicines: wherefore if (as they say) the Devil answers them from the
Mouth of the Deceased, that the _Boiti_ did not perform his due Office,
then the nearest Friends revenge themselves on the _Boiti_, but if
otherwise, then they are highly esteem’d amongst them. The Women taking
the Stones which the _Boiti_ kept in his Mouth, wrap them up in a fine
Cloth as a holy Relique, supposing that they will much facilitate their
Child-birth.
[Sidenote: Their manner of Consulting with their _Zemes_.]
The _Casiques_ desirous to know future Events of War, or whether the
approaching Years will be fruitful, go into a Chappel consecrated to the
_Zemes_, and snuff the intoxicating Herb _Cohobba_ up their Nostrils;
whereupon they break out into loud Exclamations, and some kind of
strange extravagant Actions, till the power of the _Cohobba_ begins to
decay, and the Frenzie cease; then coming again to their Senses, they
bow their Heads, and lay their Elbows on their Knees, in which posture
they sit for a considerable time, then lifting up their Eyes they yawn
as if they came from sleep; then they mutter to themselves whilest their
Retinue which stand about them (for no common Person is suffer’d to be
there) thank them with a loud Voice, for the pains they have been at in
discoursing with the _Zemes_; then the _Casiques_ begin to declare what
hath been reveal’d to them, _viz._ whether they shall be fortunate in
the Wars or not; whether it will be a fruitful or unfruitful, healthy or
sickly Year.
[Sidenote: Gossipping.]
Moreover, at the Birth of the _Casique_’s Children, the neighboring
Governors visit the Women in Child-bed, and every one gives the Child a
peculiar Name, from whence it happens that one Man hath oftentimes forty
Names, and is highly incens’d if any one of them chances to be forgot in
any Writing directed to him.
[Sidenote: Manner of Succession.]
Their manner of Succession in Government is not unremarkable; for not
the eldest Heir-male of the Family, but first the King or _Casique_’s
Brother, if he have any, and after his Decease the eldest of the Sisters
Inherits the Realm or _Seigniorie_: if the Sisters have no Male-issue,
then the Brothers Sons Inherit; and in case they have no Male-heir, then
the next of Blood, whether Male or Female: but if the Prince or
_Casique_ dies without Children, Nephews, or other near Relations, the
next in Power in the Countrey Inherits, and Marries as many Wives as he
pleases; of which she that he loves best is burn’d alive in her best
Apparel with her Husband when he dies, and near the Corps stands a Cup
of Water and some of the Bread _Cazabi_.
[Sidenote: Languages.]
There are several Languages in _Hispaniola_, but differing from each
other: for in the Province _Bainoa_ they have a different, both
Pronunciation and Dialect from that in _Caizimu_.
In the said Province of _Caizimu_ is a very remarkable Rock, or vast
Stone to be seen, at the Foot of a high Mountain; and underneath the
said Stone is a great Cave, into which they go through a large Passage,
not unlike a Temple Door; near which conjoyn many deep Rivers, with such
a Noise and Foam, that they lose both their Sight and Hearing, whoever
approach the same.
[Sidenote: An Example of the _Bainoan_ Language.]
Of the Language of the Province _Bainoa_, _Peter Martyr_ gives us this
Specimen: “The Wife of a _Casique_ (says he) went to Prayers in a
Chappel which was built by the _Spaniards_; at her Return from whence
her Husband desiring to enjoy her, she refusing, said, _Teitoca,
teitoca, techeta Cynato guammechina_, that is to say, _Be contented, Be
contented, God would be highly incens’d_: to which the _Casique_
answer’d, _Gnaibba Cynato machabucha guamechyna_, that is, _What care I
if God be angry_.”
[Sidenote: The taking of _St. Domingo_ by Sir _Fran. Drake_.]
Since the _Spaniards_ had first possession of this Island, it hath been
twice Invaded by the _English_, the first time under the Conduct of Sir
_Francis Drake_, who took the Town of _San Domingo_, staid in it a good
while, and could if he had pleas’d, have totally dispossess’d the
_Spaniards_; the second time under Colonel _Venables_, sent thither by
_Oliver Cromwell_ during his usurp’d Dominion; at which time it might as
easily have been taken as at first, had not the Business been rashly and
indiscreetly manag’d, as shall presently be declar’d more at large. The
first Expedition of Sir _Francis Drake_ hath been already hinted, but
for the memorableness of that bold Exploit, we shall give a particular
Account of it from a late Writer, who hath set forth the Life of that
brave _English_ Heroe. In the Year of our Lord 1580. about the end of
_February_ setting Sail from _St. Christophers_ for _Hispaniola_, by the
Way they met with a small Frigat bound for _San Domingo_, and the Men of
her being Examin’d, one assur’d them that the Haven of it was a barr’d
Haven, and the Shore well fortifi’d, so that there was no convenient
Landing within ten _English_ Miles of the City, whither this Man
undertook to conduct them. _January_ the first they Landed ten Miles
from the City, and marching thither under the Command of the Lieutenant
General, arriv’d about one a Clock in the Afternoon; when they came
near, about a hundred and fifty Gentlemen well Mounted, presented
themselves against them; but the small Shot playing upon them, they
departed, and the _English_ proceeded towards the two Gates of the City
that lay towards the Sea, both which the _Spaniards_ had Mann’d, and
planted their Ordnance without the Gates, and some small Shot in an
Ambush by the Way-side: The _English_ being about twelve hundred Men,
divided themselves; the Lieutenant-General leading the one half to one
Gate, and Captain _Powel_ the other half to the other Gate, vowing that
with God’s assistance they would not rest till they met in the
Market-place: No sooner had the _Spaniards_ discharg’d their Ordnance,
doing some little Execution, but the Lieutenant-General hasted, or
rather ran upon them, to prevent their Charging again, and
notwithstanding their Ambush, entred Pell Mell with them into the Gate,
not staying till he came into the Market-place, unto whom shortly after
came Captain _Powel_ with his Companies. This Place they strengthned
with Barricado’s, the City being too large to be guarded by so small and
weary an Army. And after Mid-night they in the Castle, hearing some of
the _English_ busie about the Gate, quitted it, some being taken
Prisoners, and others escaping by Boats. The next day the _English_
enlarg’d their Quarters, and fortifi’d themselves, and held the Town for
a Moneths space. During this time the General sent a _Negro_ Boy with a
Flag of Truce to the _Spaniards_, who by the Way was met by some
Officers of the Galley which the _English_ had taken, together with the
City, who furiously thrust the poor Boy through the Body; who returning
to the General, and having declar’d how barbarously they had us’d him,
fell down and died in his Presence. The General being much mov’d
herewith, commanded the Provost-Martial to take two Fryers, and to carry
them to the same place with a sufficient Guard, and there to hang them;
and withal he sent one of the Prisoners to inform the _Spaniards_ why he
did it, and to tell them, that till the Party who had thus murder’d his
Messenger were deliver’d to him, there should no day pass wherein he
would not hang two Prisoners, till all were consum’d. Hereupon the day
following the Murtherer was brought, and an Offer made to deliver him to
the General, who yet thought it more honorable to make them perform the
Execution themselves in the sight of the _English_, which was done
accordingly.
During their abode here, Commissioners oft pass’d between the
_Spaniards_ and them about the Ransom of the City, but not agreeing, the
_English_ spent every Morning till the heat of the Day in firing and
destroying the Houses in the outward part of the City, two hundred
Mariners being employ’d therein for divers days; yet were the Houses
built so magnificently and strongly of Stone, that they could not
consume one third part of the Town all that time; whereupon the General
was contented to accept of twenty five thousand _Ducats_ of 5_s._ 6_d._
apiece to spare the rest.
Here his Soldiers met with good Pillage, especially of rich Apparel, but
Treasure they found none; for the _Spaniards_ by their Cruelties had so
destroy’d the Natives, who us’d to work in the Mines of Gold and Silver,
that they were wholly given over; and in that Island they were forc’d to
use Copper Money: yet they found store of Wine, Oyl, Vinegar, Wheat,
Woollen and Linnen Cloth, some Silks, _&c._ which much reliev’d them:
there was but little Plate found, but good store of _Porcelane_, or
_China_ Dishes; yet some they found, and very costly Houshold-stuff.
[Sidenote: _Venables_ his Expedition to _San Domingo_.]