gain’d the supream Power under the Title of _Protector_, and having us’d
so many Engines for the getting of Money to maintain his Greatness and
usurp’d Authority, that he was almost brought to his last Shifts,
bethought himself of this Project, (or, as some suppose, had it put into
his Head by Cardinal _Mazarine_, the then great Minister of State in
_France_, with whom he had intimate Correspondence) thinking thereby to
kill two Birds with one Stone: for on the one side, he thought by this
notable Exploit to advance his Fame abroad, and gain Credit and Applause
with the People at home, by enlarging his Empire, and spreading the
Renown of the _English_ Nation, and so consequently to establish himself
the more firmly in his new gotten Power; and at the same time by the
great Riches he promis’d to himself from this Adventure, to recruit his
Stock, which all his griping Exactions, especially from the King’s
Party, could scarce supply for the keeping up of his Army, maintaining
Intelligence, and other vast Expences: To this end he sets forth a
considerable Fleet with extraordinary speed and secrecy, it not being
known whither this Fleet was design’d till they were almost upon the
very Place, that the _Spaniard_ might not be forewarn’d to provide
against them, onely in general terms it was given out, that the Design
was both advantageous to the Nation, and would prove a great enrichment
to all that went upon it; so that it is no great wonder, if within a
short space a good competent Army was got together of such as having
neither Estates nor Employments, willingly offer’d themselves, as Men
that went from the fear of Iron Grates, to the hopes of Golden Ingots;
and many of them were such as having been in the late King’s Army, and
disdaining to take any Employment at home under that Government, were
easily induc’d to List themselves in this Armada: nor was _Oliver_ a
little glad of this occasion of sending out of the Land, and employing
upon a desperate Adventure those Men, who he had reason to suspect
would, upon any opportunity offer’d, be the first Opposers of his
usurp’d Power. This Army being sent to _Portsmouth_ for Embarquation,
and there making such Preparations as was convenient, which a Moneths
time or thereabouts was thought would accomplish, a Messenger came from
_Desborough_ (who was there to set them going) to the General, that he
should prepare to Embarque on _Christmas_-day; which at the first the
General receiv’d with great impatience, alledging, That it was not
possible so to do, and that he would not set Sail without his Arms and
other Necessaries, which were not yet come from _London_: however, at
his going to _Desborough_ he was prevail’d upon to set Sail, with a
promise that the Ships with the Arms should immediately follow him to
the _Barbado_’s, where he was to stay till their arrival; so on
_Christmas_-day they set Sail, and about the fourteenth of _February_
arriv’d at _Barbado_’s with three thousand Men, and a Company of
Reformado’s, which there were doubled, and then, and not till then, it
was told them, That the reason of their so sudden going away, was
because there was a Plot forming in _England_ for restoring the King,
and that they were not thought fit to be left there at the Head of their
Regiments, to be tempted with the advantage of joyning with any such
Party. At _Barbado_’s they staid till they had almost undone that Place
by eating up their Provisions, the Planters there seldom preparing more
than they have occasion to spend in their Houses, and for their Servants
(having better and more profitable Employments upon their Hands) and the
Soldiers not being content with such Provisions as their Servants would
be well pleas’d with, so that they were in danger of starving the Island
and themselves too: Thereupon a Council of War was call’d, and the
necessity of leaving that Island declar’d, and Orders issu’d out to set
Sail for _Hispaniola_, where they might make such Attempt as their
Condition would allow, wanting Arms and other Necessaries; when they
came within five or six Leagues of _Hispaniola_ the Fleet lay by, and a
Council of War was call’d by the Commissioners (for such they had who
were never Soldiers) with some few Officers of the Army, where it was
resolv’d to attempt _San Domingo_, and an Order made, That in case it be
taken, no Soldier should offer to Plunder, but that satisfaction in lieu
thereof should be given by the Commissioners; the Officers of the Army
in vain opposing and protesting against it, which occasion’d the
Soldiers to say, That the Commissioners should take the Town themselves,
for they would not; Lots were there drawn by the several Colonels who
should first Land, which fell upon the Black Regiment, who had no Arms
but Half-pikes of eight Foot long, made of Cabbage-Tree in the
_Barbado_’s; And Orders were then given out to the several Colonels to
Land at the River _Hind_, within two Leagues of _San Domingo_; so they
steer’d their Course thither, as was thought, by Night, but the next
Morning found themselves twenty Leagues at least from the place of
Rendezvouz, though one Regiment Landed there, who durst not attempt the
Town for want of Orders, though doubtless they might have taken it, had
they not staid in expectation of the General and the rest of the Fleet;
but when they were thus cast Leeward of the Town, they must Land their
Men, who no sooner went on Shore, but the Order against Plundering was
read, and the Soldiers in a Mutiny to whom it was read, which made the
rest forbear to read it, judging it no time now to disoblige them, who
had in their Officers opinion too just a cause of discontent: However
this was made known to the rest, and discours’d as they march’d, That
they had not thought to be under a Committee here, but they would make
them weary of their Employment ere they had done: And this indeed was
enough, besides the faintness and unusual Heat of the Countrey, to
disanimate Men of good Resolutions, especially the ordinary Soldiers,
whose hopes of Plunder is the chiefest prop to their Courage, and
expected Gain the spurr to their Valour. After they had Landed their
Men, next Morning early they march’d towards _San Domingo_; but before
Noon the Heat and Drought which they felt made them sensible of their
first Errour and Inadvertency, in coming from _England_ without their
Necessaries; for through want of Bottles, which were left behind, and
came not till three Moneths afterwards, the Men fell down dead in the
High-ways, every one fainting and languishing, and crying out for Water:
shortly after they met with a Field of Oranges, which was no unwelcome
sight, with which they stor’d themselves; but ere they had march’d four
or five Miles thought they had quench’d their present Thirst, and their
Drought began to increase however, they march’d on, leaving some of
their Men dead on the place, others fainting, were set upon the Troopers
Horses till they came that Night to some Water, which gave them new
life, and the Morrow early march’d again till they came within some
Miles of the appointed Rendezvouz, where they heard of the other
Regiment that Landed at the right place: And now having refresh’d
themselves with Rest, Water, and Provision, they march’d to the taking
of the Town; the General himself, with a small Party and a Guide, went
towards the Town to find out some Water, which he knew the Soldiers
would want, (not having Bottles to carry any) but as they were on their
March, which was very leisurely by reason of the Heat, they heard a
firing of Musquets, then making more speed in their March, supposing an
Engagement, in the Highway, about a Mile from the Town, was found one of
the General’s Secretaries, with others, dead; and not long after some
came back to the General, and told him, That looking for Water with the
Guide, an Ambuscade issu’d out, and had kill’d the Guide that should
have shew’d them the place of Water, and some others; and although some
which Commanded the foremost Regiments were very forward and willing to
assault the Town, yet it was not thought fit so to do till the Army came
up, by which time it was Night; and though they were then within half a
Mile of the Town, yet the Soldiers were so impatient for Water, that
they could not stay till the next Morning to assault the Town, but were
forc’d to march back to the River _Hind_ about eight Miles; (and this
Relater did at that time drink his own Water) there they staid till they
had again refresh’d themselves, and then prepar’d for their Return to
attaque the Town; and notwithstanding the March it self in a hot
Countrey was irksom enough, yet they were forc’d to make the Soldiers to
draw the Ordnance and other Carriages for want of Harness and other
Necessaries, which were left behind; however, they willingly underwent
it by Turns: And now a Forlorn was drawn out, and other Orders given for
a March, especially it being taken notice of, that the Enemies manner of
Fight was and would be by Ambuscades, a File in every Company were
order’d to stand till the other came up, and to face to the Right and
Left to the Woods, which were all along as they went, for fear of a
Surprize; and the Forlorn marching near an old Fort, call’d _Jeronymo_,
which we had been possess’d of before, but thought not worth the
keeping, and fearing they might meet with some small opposition there,
began to fortifie themselves, and took a Dram of the Bottle, which as
they were drinking, and others eating a bit, suddenly rush’d forth an
Ambush of about a hundred and twenty _Blacks_, with a _Spanish_
Commander in the Head of them, which so amaz’d and surpriz’d them, that
some few onely Discharging, the rest immediately fled; the _Blacks_
quickly falling in with their Lances, and doing such Execution as the
time would allow them; for presently the Alarm being taken, and Supplies
marching out for their relief, the Enemy, who had done more than they
could possibly expect to have done, retreated into their Fort, which
they had better fortifi’d than before, and had planted some small Drakes
there upon it; the Execution was so short, that they had not time either
to strip or pick a Pocket, lest they had paid too dear for it. After
this Defeat a Council of War was call’d, and there it was agreed the
next Morning early to fall on upon that little Fort, and so proceed to
the taking of the Town; but very early, as they were in that
expectation, Orders came from the General to the Army to march back to
the River _Hind_, for what reason this Relator (though a considerable
Person) never yet knew; where after they had staid some time, that
Miscarriage was question’d at a Council of War, and one of the chief
Officers of the Forlorn order’d to have his Sword broke over his Head,
with other disgraceful Impositions, and two Colonels of the Army were
order’d to draw up the Causes of this Miscarriage to send to _England_;
which, because ’twas thought would too much reflect on them in Power
that were to supply them, was by those Colonels judg’d inconvenient, and
so ’twas never done. The number of Men lost by Stragling, Sickness, and
this unhappy Engagement, amounted in the whole to about two hundred and
thirty. In a short time after this, it was order’d to Ship the Men;
which done, after some Debates amongst the Commissioners what was best
to be done, Provisions nor Utensils yet coming fit for the Design
intended, which was to possess some considerable Place in the _Main_, it
was agreed, That they should steer their Course for the Island of
_Jamaica_; which they did accordingly, and on the tenth day of _May
1654._ with little opposition possess’d it: where the same Soldiers have
shew’d not onely such Courage and Resolution upon all occasions, (in
many and frequent Encounters and Invasions made by the _Spaniards_, not
onely with Soldiers of those Parts, but such as have been sent from
_Spain_, _Naples_, _Catalonia_, and other Places) as might speak them
_English_-men but such hath been their Patience and Sufferance, as none
of this Nation in the memory of Man have ever been put to, the Effects
whereof their King and Countrey, ’tis hop’d, will have occasion to
remember, to their immortal Honor and Renown.
[Illustration: PORTO RICO]
_Hispaniola_ is surrounded with several other Isles, as 1. Eastward
appears _Saona_, full of pleasant Woods and Pastures, with Cattel
feeding on them: in former times it produc’d much _Cazabi_ for the City
_Domingo_; but since the _Spaniards_ murder’d all the Inhabitants _Anno
1502._ it hath never been inhabited. 2. The Rocky Shelf _St. Catalina_.
3. _Abaque._ 4. _Navaza._ 5. _Guanabo._ 6. _Tortuga_, abounding in Hogs,
and 7. _Beata_, famous for the excellent speckled Wood which grows
there, and a swift River, which oftentimes detains the Ships there whole
Moneths.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XIV.
Porto Rico, and Monico.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Extent of _Porto Rico_.]
Another of those call’d _The Isles of Barlovento_, is _Boriquen_,
anciently so nam’d, but now more generally _Porto Rico_, from _St. Juan
de Porto Rico_, its chief Town, is an Island fifteen Leagues distant
from _Santa Crux_, to the North-West, and about as many from
_Hispaniola_ to the South-East, but from the Continent or main Land of
_Paria_ (which seems to be the nearest) a hundred and thirty, or a
hundred thirty six, as some reckon. It lieth almost in a quadrangular
Form, being suppos’d to contain about thirty Leagues in length, and not
less than twenty in breadth, in eighteen and nineteen Degrees of
Northern Latitude.
The Island on the North, which is less fruitful than the South part,
produces Gold, and is generally water’d with many Rivers. There is also
Silver, Tin, Lead, Quicksilver, and _Azure_, us’d by Painters. The Rain
generally falls there between _May_ and _August_. A little before, or in
the beginning of Harvest, the Hurricanes breaking forth from the Clouds,
rage in such a manner, that it is impossible for any Ships to endure the
Sea, and a Northern Blast generally doth great damage to the Plants
here.
[Sidenote: _Sierra del Loquillo._]
Ten Leagues towards the South-East beyond _Porto Rico_, appears _Sierra
del Loquillo_, being a continu’d Ridge of Mountains which runs through
the whole Island from East to West, extending both ways to the very
Sea-shore.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Rivers.]
Twenty three Rivers discharge their Waters also into the Ocean; amongst
which the chiefest is _Cairabon_, particularly noted for ten Sugar-Mills
which are erected upon its Banks.
[Sidenote: Trees.]
The Hills, Plains, and Valleys, are invested with variety of Trees
peculiar to this place, as _Tabunuco_, which affords a medicinal Gum,
good against Lameness, and green Wounds: it is also of great use to
preserve a Ship’s Keel from the Worms.
Another Tree call’d _Maga_, is everlasting Wood, and bears a great
Flower like a Rose.
The Leaves of the _Higillo Pintado_-Tree cures all manner of Bruises.
The same power is also in the little Tree _Sancta Maria_; as likewise in
another by the _Spaniards_ call’d _Balsamo_.
The Body of the Tree _Zoyla_ is so thick, that fifteen Men holding Hands
together, cannot encompass the same.
The speckled Wood, and _Cassia Fistula_ grow also here in great
abundance.
[Sidenote: The poisonous Apple-Tree.]
Here is likewise Apple-Trees, which grow by Rivers sides, or on the
Sea-shore, whose Fruit is rank Poyson, and who-ever sleeps under the
shadow of them, will certainly be Lame: The Fruit eaten generally causes
Death; or if Nature be so strong in him that eats of it, to overcome the
same, yet he is certain to lose his Hair.
As hurtful is the prickly Herb _Quibey_, which bears white Flowers like
Violets.
[Sidenote: The Tree _Guiaba_.]
But this Island receives the greatest prejudice by the Tree _Guaiaba_,
because it grows in most places, and over-runs Plains and Hills, so
spoiling all the Grass, between which and the fore-mention’d Tree there
is such an antipathy, that none will grow near it. The Tree bears a
brown Apple full of Kernels, which are eaten by Beasts and Fowls, and
from which falling on the Ground when ripe, grow up in new Trees, which
makes the Countrey a meer Wilderness: The Body of it is smooth and of a
pale colour, the Leaves hard, and glittering, and grow two and two over
one another; the Flowers have also five Leaves, in the middle of which
rises a Crown like that on a Peacock’s Head: The Fruit, which is cover’d
with a soft Doun, and somewhat longer than the _European_ Apple, when
cut through, hath a pale red Pulp, full of eatable Kernels: before it is
ripe, it is of a sharp taste, yet good boyl’d, but when ripe, of a most
delicious and pleasant rellish; nevertheless too much of it causes a
Lask: The Roots, which are red without, and white within, are juicy,
sweet, and very long, the Leaves sallow and sowre of taste.
[Sidenote: The Beast _Javaris_.]
Amongst the strange Beasts the _Javaris_, _Opassum_, and _Tatow_ are the
most remarkable. The _Javaris_ are taken for a sort of wild Hogs, and
have short Ears and a Navel on their Backs, little Tails, some black,
and some spotted white.
[Sidenote: The _Opassum_.]
The _Opassum_ is as big as a Cat, hath a sharp Mouth, the upper Jaw-bone
hanging over the lower, long, straight, and broad Ears, and a very long
Tail, bald at the end, which winds in a Circle; on its Back black Hair
sprinkled with grey Spots, and with its sharp Claws climbs up the Trees,
where it feeds on Fruit, and sometimes preys on Fowls. Nature hath
furnish’d this Beast with a strange Bag under its Belly, whereof the
in-side hath a far softer Doun than the out-side, in which the young
ones lie and suck, after which the Bag opening, they creep out upon the
Ground. The Males have also a Bag, which serves onely to carry their
Young in, for they and the Females carry them by turns.
[Sidenote: The _Tatow_.]
The _Tatow_, which is arm’d with sharp Scales, hath the Mouth of a Hog,
and at each Foot five sharp Nails: when it is Hunted, or goes to sleep
in the Night, it draws its Head, Legs and Tail under its scaly Coat of
Mail, like a Tortoise, and in that manner lies secure against all manner
of danger.
The Venison taken here is very delicate, but difficult to be got; for
this Beast having a breathing-place in its Back, never tires with
running, and when encompass’d by the Dogs, falls valiantly on those that
are nearest to it, and often tears them in pieces.
[Sidenote: Chief Towns and Cities.]
The chief Towns in this Island, are 1. _Porto Rico_ it self, commonly
call’d _St. John de Porto Rico_ (so term’d by _Christopher Columbus_, as
being the first Land discover’d by him in the Year 1493. at that time
when he could not perswade his Seamen, wearied out with continual
hardship, from returning, if they discover’d not Land in two days) a
strong and neat Town, built by the Command of _Philip_ the Second, King
of _Spain_: It was attempted by Sir _Francis Drake_ in the Year 1595.
without success, but a few years after taken by the Earl of
_Cumberland_.
2. _St. Germans_, in the West part of the Island, three or four Leagues
distant from the Sea.
3. _Arrecibo_, Westward from _Porto Rico_, where the most noted Haven is
of those Parts, for all the others are full of Rocks and Sands.
The antient Inhabitants of this Island maintain’d continual Wars with
the Cannibals (probably the Natives of the Islands so call’d) who us’d
every year to come thither: those that were conquer’d, as well of the
one side as of the other, were eaten by the Conquerors, so that in
effect, both sides were but a different sort of Cannibals.
_Columbus_ Landing here, found a great House surrounded with twelve
others, but all of them empty and desolate.
This Island (which formerly is said to have been under the absolute
Power of one sole King) the _Spaniards_ not much regarded at first,
having enough to do with _Hispaniola_, where they found more Gold than
on _Porto Rico_.
[Sidenote: The building of _St. Germans_.]
_Anno 1510._ _John Ponce de Leon_ obtain’d a Commission from the Court
of _Spain_, to be chief Governor of this Island, and built _Caparra_,
which Place was inhabited twelve years, notwithstanding it stood behind
a scraggy Mountain, in a desart place far up in the Countrey; but their
thirst after Gold, of which some Veins were discover’d there, made them
dispence with all other inconveniences: yet at last beginning to be
weary of this desolate and barren place of Settlement, they remov’d to
_Guanica_, water’d by many Rivers, whose Sands had great quantities of
Gold-dust. Not staying long there, they went four Leagues farther, and
call’d their new Plantation _Soto Major_. Lastly, returning again, they
setled themselves in the former Valley _Guanica_, and built the
fore-mention’d Town _St. Germans_ by the River _Guaorabo_, which makes
an inconvenient Haven.
[Sidenote: The Situation, Description and Fate of _St. Juan de Porto
Rico_.]
_Juan de Porto Rico_ stands Eastward at the beginning of the North
Coast, on a small _Peninsula_, joyn’d to the Island by an high _Isthmus_
call’d _Puente de Aguilar_. Near the Mouth of the Haven lies on a rising
Hill the Fort _Morro Empinado_, built triangular by _John de Texila_ and
_Baptista Antonelli_ (who also planted there forty Guns), and surrounded
with the Sea, which renders it a well fortifi’d place. The Governor
_Diego Mendez de Valdez_ had in it fifteen hundred Men and eighty
Horses, when the fore-mention’d valiant Duke of _Cumberland_ with a far
less number fell upon him in the Year 1597. and not onely took the City
_Porto Rico_, but several other Fortifications; and besides an
invaluable mass of Treasure he carried away eighty Guns. Sometime before
this Defeat the _Spaniards_ under the Government of _Christopher_, Son
to the _Portuguese_ Duke of _Camigna_, were Invaded by the Cannibals,
and all that were then upon the place utterly destroy’d, none of them
escaping but the Bishop and his Servants, who betimes fled away with the
Church Ornaments; so that the Islanders from that time were put out of
doubt that the _Spaniards_ were mortal, for they suppos’d them immortal
when first they saw their great Ships, and heard the noise of their
thundering Cannon.
[Sidenote: The Casique _Yaguara_’s Experiment.]
_Hugh Linschot_ relates, That the Casique _Yaguara_ threw a _Spaniard_
into the Water, to try whether he would drown or not, and seeing him
wholly depriv’d of Life, he concluded by consequence that the rest of
them were mortal, and thereupon he set upon them when they were seeking
for Gold, and kill’d above a hundred and fifty of them.
_Peter Martyr_ relates farther, That these People, though very expert in
Arms, yet were oftentimes beaten by the Cannibals, who at one time
carried above five thousand People out of _Porto Rico_ for their Winter
Provisions.
[Sidenote: The Avarice and Cruelty of the _Spaniards_.]
Nor was their Condition better’d after the _Spaniards_ conquer’d the
Island, for those that could not furnish them with Gold, were certain of
Death: Nor were their Cruelties in other places undivulg’d to this
People before their Arrival; whereupon (as is related by _Peter Ordonnez
de Carellos_) the Casique _Hatvey_ being inform’d of the _Spaniards_
Approach, took an Oath from his Subjects, That they should never
discover where the Gold lay, though they should be put to death for it;
_For_ (said he) _Gold is their God, for which they make so many cursed
Blood-baths where-ever they come; therefore throw the Gold into some
very deep Waters, for when the_ Spanish _God is sunk, the_ Spaniards
_will lose their Courage, and not plague us so much for it_.
[Sidenote: Ceremonies of the old Natives.]
Many were the Idolatrous Ceremonies of the old Natives of this Place,
which would be too tedious to relate; but amongst the rest, they
annually kept a great Feast, at which the _Casiques_ summon’d all their
Subjects to a Temple appointed for that purpose, where the Priests had
prepar’d an Idol ready set forth in all its Pageantry; near which the
_Casique_ plac’d himself, when upon the beating of a Drum all the
Commonalty came also into the Temple; the Men painted with divers
Colours, having on their Heads Plumes of Feathers, about their Necks,
Legs, and Arms, Strings of Sea-shells. The Married Women had a light
Covering about their Middle, but the Maids went stark naked, all of them
Dancing and Singing Songs in praise of the Idol; after which having
saluted the _Casique_, they thrust little Sticks down their Throats, so
to bring up all they had upon their Stomachs; which done, and sitting
down with their Legs under them, they began to Sing anew, often bowing
and shewing Reverence to the _Casique_; whilest some Women carried
Baskets of Bread amongst those that Sang, and utter’d certain Prayers,
which were answer’d by some of the Men; the Bread being bless’d by the
Priests, they gave every one a piece, with which they return’d home very
merry and jocund.
But the God of this Island, whoever he was, hath been a long time left
without Worshippers; for those that were left by the Invading Cannibals,
were cruelly massacred by the _Spaniards_, insomuch that they have been
thereby necessitated to furnish themselves with _Negro_’s to work in
their Mines and Sugar-Mills; and these also not able to endure such hard
Entertainment, ran most of them away; for when a _Negro_ did not bring
Gold enough home at Night, his Master tying him naked to a Stake or
Post, and beat him with Rods or Switches so long, till the Blood ran
down his Back, then pour’d boyling Oyl into the Wounds, and then threw
Pepper and Salt into them, and so let him lie, or else put him into a
Pit, out of which his Head appear’d onely. But those that fled gathering
together, sometimes met with the _Spaniards_, and paid them in their own
Coin.
[Sidenote: The Islands _Mona_ and _Monico_.]
Eastward of _Porto Rico_, and betwixt it and _Hispaniola_, there lieth a
little, but fruitful Island call’d _Mona_; and Westward of that, another
call’d _Monico_, or _Monetta_; which last the _English_, when time was,
found so admirably stor’d with a sort of wild Fowl, that the huge
Flights of them seem’d to darken the Air over their Heads, and upon
their Landing found such plenty of their Eggs upon the Shore and Ground
thereabouts, that they presently laded two of their Boats with them. But
how peopled or possess’d, not so well known.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XV.
Cuba.
[Sidenote: The several Names of _Cuba_.]
[Sidenote: Its Bounds.]
Westward, or rather to the North-West of _Hispaniola_, lieth _Cuba_,
accounted one of the four Isles of _Barlovento_, and by _Columbus_, upon
his first Discovery, call’d _Joanna_, afterwards _Fernandina_, then
_Alpha_ and _Omega_, till at last the present Name prevail’d; it is
parted from the other by a Frith, or narrow Channel, which runneth
betwixt the Capes of _St. Nicholas_, belonging to _Hispaniola_, and that
call’d _Mayzi_, belonging to _Cuba_: On the North it hath a Frie of
little Islands call’d _The Leucayæ Islands_, of which more in their
proper place, so many and so thick scatter’d, that they serve for no
small Security and Defence of the Island on that side; besides, a part
of the _Peninsula_ of _Florida_, which Coasteth it likewise Northward;
on the West it hath the Countrey of _Jucatan_, which is part of the
Continent, but at a distance of forty or fifty Leagues; and on the
South, _Jamaica_. It is reckon’d to be in length from Cape _Mayzi_,
which looks towards _Hispaniola_ to the Cape of _St. Anthony_, which is
upon the Bay of _Mexico_, two hundred and thirty Leagues; but in breadth
in some places not above fifteen or sixteen Leagues over; in the
broadest place from _Jardines_ to _Lucanaca_, not above forty, in others
sixty five. But for fertility of Soil, contending with _Hispaniola_ it
self, and for temperature and healthiness of Air, much exceeding it; nor
less rich formerly in good Mines both of Gold and Silver, and
plentifully stor’d at present, not onely with Sugar-Canes of the best
Growth, but likewise with abundance of Ginger-Roots, _Cassia-Fistula_,
Mastick, Aloes, Cinamon, Long-Pepper of _America_, as they call it, and
divers other sorts of Spices. The Pastures no less abounding with Cattel
of all sorts, especially of _European_ Breed; the Rivers and Coasts of
the Sea with good Fish; no scarcity of Fowl, whether wild or tame; good
Brass and Iron still found, with some Gold in the Rivers, especially
those which fall into the Bay _Xagua_ on the South side of the Island;
the chiefest thereof are _Arimao_, _La Luna_, _De Mares_, and _Cauto_;
the biggest of them falls Southward into the Sea; all of them breed
store of Crocodiles, which have oftentimes seiz’d both upon Men and
Beasts, and carrying them into the Water, devour’d them there.
[Sidenote: Trees.]
The Cedars breathe forth a most excellent sweet smell, and grow so
large, that out of the single Trunks of some of them Boats are said to
have been made, capable to hold forty, sometimes sixty Men.