sort of Tortoise is taken on this Coast.
Here are also great variety of Dye-woods, as _Brasiletto_, _Fustwick_,
Red-wood, a kind of Log-wood, and several others, besides divers of
those that are accounted the most curious and rich sorts of Woods, as
Cedar, _Mohogeney_, _Lignum-vitæ_, Ebony, _Granadilla_, and others,
which are frequently Exported.
Moreover, there are very probable testimonies, that there are Mines of
Copper here, since both there have been those who affirm to have seen
the Oar wrought out of one of them, and the _Spaniards_ report the Bells
that hang in the great Church, to have been Cast out of this Island
Copper. As for Silver, the _English_ are said to have been shew’d a
Silver-Mine behind the Mountains, West of _Cagway_.
Ambergreece the _Spaniards_ report to have been often found on this
Coast.
Salt might be made here in great abundance, there being three good
Salt-pans; and Salt-petre hath been found in many Parts.
Ginger is reported to grow better here than in most of the _Caribbee_
Islands; and Cod-pepper very plentifully; and also a certain kind of
Spice call’d _Piemete_, being in the form of _East-India_ Pepper, of a
very aromatical and curious taste, partaking as it were of divers
species together: it grows wild in the Mountains, and is very highly
valu’d amongst the _Spaniards_.
Of Drugs and medicinal Plants there is here a very great abundance, as
_Guaiacum_, _China_-Root, _Cassia-Fistula_, _Veuillard_, _Achiotes_,
_Tamarinds_, _Contrayerva_, _Ciperas_, _Adiantum Nigrum_, _Aloes_,
_Cucumis Agrestis_, _Sumach_, _Acacia_, _Misselto_, with several others,
both Drugs, Balsoms and Gums.
_Cochinele_ is produc’d by a Plant that grows in this Countrey, but it
is not made without much care and curiosity, and the _English_ are not
yet well experienc’d in the Husbanding thereof, besides that the Growth
of the Plant is much obstructed by Easterly Winds.
[Sidenote: Beasts.]
There is here greater store of Cattel than in any of the rest of the
_English_ Plantations in _America_, as Horses, which by reason of the
great number of them, are bought very cheap.
Cow’s, of a large size, and of which vast numbers are yearly kill’d.
_Asinego_’s and Mules, both wild and tame, being a very serviceable sort
of Cattel in those Countreys.
Sheep, large and tall, and whose Flesh is counted exceeding good, but
the Fleece worth little.
Goats in great abundance, being a sort of Cattel very peculiar to that
Countrey.
But of all other Cattel, Hogs are here in the greatest plenty, both wild
in the Mountains, and tame in the Plantations; and they are more in
request for Food than any of the rest, their Flesh being counted both of
a better rellish, and more easily digestible than the Hogs-flesh of our
Parts.
[Sidenote: Fish.]
The Fish that is very plentifully caught in these Coasts is of infinite
variety, and quite of another kind from what we have in this part of the
World, the principal whereof is the Tortoise, which is taken in great
abundance both on these Coasts, and in the Islands _Camavas_.
[Sidenote: Birds.]
The tame Fowl in this Place, are chiefly Hens, Turkies, and Ducks; but
of wild Fowl infinite store, as of _Guinee_ Hens, _Flamingo_’s, Teal,
Ducks, Wigeon, Geese, Pigeons, Snipes, Plovers, Parrots, Turtles,
Parachites, Machaw’s, with divers others.
[Sidenote: Fruit-Trees and other Plants.]
Choice and excellent sorts of Fruits are here in great abundance, as
_Cocao_-Nuts, _Mannes_, _Maumees_, _Supatas_, _Suppotillias_,
_Avocatas_, _Cashuds_, Prickle-Apples, Pickle-Pears, Sower-Sops,
_Custud_-Apples, and many others.
For Timber-Trees, _Platanes_ and Pines.
And for Garden-Herbs, Radish, Lettice, Parsley, Cucumbers, Melons, _&c._
The antient Inhabitants us’d two sorts of Bread, the one made of stamp’d
Roots, and the other of Corn, which is Reap’d thrice every year, and
grows with such success, that one Pint sow’n yields two hundred.
They had a strange way to make their _Cazari_ Cakes of the Root _Juca_,
which keep good a year: They first press’d out the Juice with great
Weights, which if drunk raw, occasions sudden Death; but boyl’d, is
pallatable and good.
Potato’s are here in great abundance, and grow like Artichokes in a
moist Soil, and shoot forth Leaves of a dark-green Colour, like Spinage;
they spread upon the Earth by Stalks, and bear a Flower like a Bell, at
the end of which grows the Seed: the Roots are generally White, but
sometimes Red, Marble-colour’d, Yellow, and Violet; they are not onely
pleasing to the Pallat, but accounted very wholsom when stew’d in a
close cover’d Pot, with a little Water.
But much daintier are the _Ananas_, which grow on a Stalk of a Foot
long, surrounded with sixteen large sharp Leaves, between which grows a
Fruit like a Pine-Apple, but much bigger, with an uneven Rind, of a pale
Green, and inclining to a Carnation on a yellow Ground; on the top
shoots out a red Bunch of Leaves and Flowers; the innermost Pulp melts
on the Tongue, and is of so delicious a taste, that it exceeds all other
Dainties; the Seed produces Fruit once.
Of this Fruit there are several sorts, the chief whereof is accounted a
special Remedy against a bad Stomach, Gravel, Poyson, and Melancholy.
The Drink made of _Ananas_ is no way inferior to _Malvasia_ Wine.
[Sidenote: A sort of sensitive Plant.]
Here you may observe a remarkable Secret of Nature in a certain
ever-green Plant, which grows either on the Bodies of old Trees, on the
Rocks, or in the Woods; the Stalk whereof surrounded with Leaves, full
of dark red Spots, bears a sweet-smelling Violet-colour’d Flower, the
Leaves whereof as soon as touch’d, close up together and die, and
according as they are held in the Hand a shorter or longer time, this
strange alteration continues.
[Sidenote: Ginger.]
Since the _Spaniards_ planted Ginger on _Jamaica_, it hath grown there
in great abundance; the Male Plant (for it is divided into Male and
Female) hath generally bigger Leaves than the Female; the Stalks, which
are without Knots, have more Leaves upwards than downwards, and spreads
along the Earth, still take Root anew; when the Leaves wither, then the
Ginger is commonly ripe, but it hath not that poinancy whilest green as
when dry’d.
[Sidenote: Cotton.]
The Cotton of this Island (of which the Clothes and Hammocks that are
made, are vended in most parts of the Western World) grows on a Tree of
equal heighth with a Peach-Tree, with a straight Stem or Body, out of
which shoot Boughs of an equal length, and at equal distance; between
the Leaves, which are narrow and long, grow red Flowers, and from them,
oval Cods, which when ripe, inclose the Cotton, and a Seed like Pepper.
[Sidenote: Description of the _Alligator_.]
Of hurtful Creatures here, besides the _Manchonele_, and a sort of
Snakes call’d _Guaana_’s, wherein ’tis thought there is little or
nothing of a poysonous quality; the most observable is the _Alligator_,
with which many Rivers and Ponds abound; it is a very voracious
Creature, but is seldom known to prey upon a Man; it moves swiftly and
strongly forward, but turns slow; the biggest of them are about twenty
Foot long, their Backs scaly and impenetrable, so that they are hardly
kill’d but in the Belly or Eye; they have four Feet or Fins, with which
they go or swim indifferently; are observ’d to make no kind of noise;
their usual course for getting their Prey, is to lie on their Backs as
dead, then with a sudden onset to surprize what-ever Fowl or Beast comes
fearlesly near them; the best caution other Creatures have of them is
from the strong smell that flows from their Bodies: to requite the harm
done by them, they have something of vertue, for the Fat or Oyl of their
Bodies hath been experienc’d to be an admirable Ointment for all kinds
of Pains and Aches; they Lay Eggs no bigger than a Turkies by the Water
side, still covering them with Sand, which heated by the Sun-beams,
hatcheth the young ones, who naturally creep into the Water.
[Sidenote: _Muschilli_ and _Merrywings_.]
In some parts of the Countrey there are also a sort of stinging Flies,
call’d _Muschilli_ and _Merrywings_, but the _English_ Quarters are
little infested by them.
_Hugh Linschot_ writes, That the antient Natives of this Place were a
subtile and sharp-witted People, skilful in Handicrafts, and expert in
warlike Affairs, above all the _Americans_ besides.
[Sidenote: First Discovery of the Island.]
The Island was discover’d by the _Spaniards_ under the Conduct of
_Columbus_, who first built there the Town of _Mellilla_; which
disliking, he remov’d again to _Oristana_; and finding that an
incommodious and unhealthy Situation, he remov’d again to another
Plantation, where he built a very fair Town, first call’d _Sevilla_,
afterwards _St. Jago de la Vega_, consisting of about seventeen hundred
Houses, two Churches, two Chappels, and an Abbey, being the chief, if
not the onely Seat of the _Spaniards_ before the arrival of the
_English_, for their _Estanchas_, or small Plantations, were committed
wholly to the custody of their Slaves.
_Diego_, the Son of _Christopher Colonus_, (or, as he is vulgarly
call’d, _Columbus_) was the first that was constituted Governor of this
Island, and sent _Juan de Squibello_ Commander, who upon their first
arrival here committed such horrid Cruelties and Massacres, that (as the
fore-mention’d _Bartholomeo de las Casas_ writes) five thousand
Inhabitants were in a short time reduc’d to less than three hundred,
multitudes being put to death in a most inhumane and barbarous manner,
some roasted alive, others torn in pieces by the _Spanish_ Dogs, besides
many other studied ways of Butchery, too dreadful to be read with
patience; nor were they free from Civil War amongst themselves, which
first began in this Island.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Attempts of the _English_ upon his Island.]
The first and onely Attempters upon this Island since the _Spaniards_
made themselves Masters thereof, have been the _English_, who in the
Year 1592. under the Conduct of Sir _Anthony Shirley_ Landed upon it, &
got clear possession thereof, none of the _Spaniards_ that were then
upon the Place daring to make the least resistance; but not thinking it
worth the keeping, they soon deserted it, and made Sail back again for
_England_: after which they remain’d unmolested for a long time, till in
the Year 1654. a Fleet of _English_ was set out for _Hispaniola_ by
_Cromwell_, under the Command of Colonel _Venables_, with a Design for
the taking of _St. Domingo_; but meeting with ill success in the
Enterprize, and being forc’d to quit that Island with loss of Men, and
frustration of their hopes, they steer’d their Course for _Jamaica_, and
on the tenth of _May_ in the Year abovesaid, with little opposition
possess’d themselves of it. Upon their approach to _St. Jago_ the
Inhabitants thereof deserted it, and betook them to the Mountains,
gaining time by a pretence of Treaty, to secure their Women and Goods;
and oftentimes making Incursions upon the stragling Parties of the
_English_, slew and took many Prisoners by surprize: but being weary of
this wild and irregular kind of living, they betake themselves at last
to the Isle of _Cuba_, where many of them, the Grandees especially, were
permitted by favour to continue, the rest being by the Vice-Roy
commanded back, with promise of speedy and considerable Supplies; by
that time this remnant of the _Spaniards_ was near tir’d out with
hardship and necessity, some being very much discourag’d and driven to
utter despondence of Mind, others destroy’d out-right, part of the long
promis’d and expected Supply arrives, the greatest part being to follow
soon after; but finding the Islanders so few in number, and in so sickly
and necessitous an Estate, they would not joyn with them, but maugre all
the Governor’s Perswasions or Commands, retreat to the North part of the
Island, and there fortifie at a place call’d _Chireras_, expecting every
day fresh Recruits; which not coming time enough, and their Quarters
being discover’d, they were set upon by the _English_, and most of them
either slain or taken Prisoners: not many Moneths after the rest of the
_Spanish_ Forces Land, being in all about thirty Companies, with
Ordnance and good store of Ammunition; who falling presently to make
strong Fortifications at _Rio Novo_, are nevertheless in a short time
utterly defeated by the _English_: Upon which, and several other ill
Successes, despairing to re-gain the Island, they Ship off their Women
and the richest of their Goods; and the _Negro_ Slaves grown Masterless,
by the general either slaughter or departure of their Patrons, shake off
their Obedience to the _Spaniards_, and constitute a Governor of their
own, a _Black_, yet submit themselves, and own Subjection to the
_English_ Government, the _Spaniards_ from _Cuba_, both by their
Perswasions and monethly Contributions, in vain endeavoring to reduce
them; onely some few there were that stood out, whom the rest not onely
made it their business to discover, but help’d the _English_ to take
them, insomuch that at last the _Spanish_ General not having above fifty
Men left him, was forc’d to seek for Peace, and offer’d Terms of
Accommodation; which the _English_ General would not be drawn to accept
of, unless upon Condition that he should deliver up to Justice as many
as were left of those that had barbarously murder’d any of our Men,
either in time of Treaty, or after Quarter given.
The _English_ in this Island are setled for above a hundred Miles along
the Countrey from the Eastward.
[Sidenote: Chief Towns.]
Their chief Towns are 1. _St. Jago_, (built by the _Spaniards_, as afore
mention’d) which lieth six Miles within the Land, North-West from the
Harbor of _Cagway_. Here the _English_ have built a small Fort.
2. _Passage_, a small Town, built also by the _English_ six Miles from
_St. Jago_, for the convenience of going to _Cagway_, consisting of
about fifty Houses and a Fort, whence cross this Harbor, about three
Leagues distant is the Town of 3. _Cagway_, seated on the Extream end of
the Point, containing in it above six hundred Houses, all built by the
_English_, besides the Governor’s Palace, and the Houses where the
Stores for the Army are kept.
This is counted the most healthful Place in all the Island, and the very
Scale of Trade, where all Merchants, Strangers, and Sailors reside.
Here, upon the utmost Angle of the Point towards the Sea, is a round
Tower, built of Lime and Stone; about which is rais’d a strong and
regular Fort, containing sixty pieces of Ordnance.
[Sidenote: _Port Royal._]
This Town is now call’d _Port Royal_, and is thought to contain about
sixteen thousand Inhabitants.
[Sidenote: _Landward._]
A Mile from hence is another Fort, call’d _Landward_, which runs from
the Harbor to the Sea, to defend the Town from any Attempt by Land.
[Sidenote: _Little Island._]
Off the Mouth of the Harbor towards the Sea, lie divers small Islands,
the most Western of which being within half a League of the Fort, and
between which and the Fort every Ship that comes into the Harbor is
necessitated to pass: It is call’d _Little Island_; where a Fort is
likewise rais’d, to defend the Mouth of the Harbor, containing eight
pieces of Ordnance.
Another Fortification is at _Portmorant_, which we shall make mention of
amongst the Harbors.
[Sidenote: Chief Ports and Harbors.]
The chief Harbors of this Island, are 1. _Port Anthony_, on the North, a
very safe Land-lock’d Harbor, onely the coming in is somewhat difficult,
the Channel being narrow’d by a little Island that lies off the Mouth of
the Port.
2. On the East of the Island is _Portmorant_, a very capacious Harbor,
where Ships do conveniently Wood and Water, and Ride safe from all
Winds.
3. On the South is _Port Cagway_, a Harbor wonderfully convenient,
secure and capacious, being five Leagues over in some places, in others
four, and at the narrowest, three; it is Land-lock’d by a Point of Land
that runs twelve Miles South-West from the Main of the Island, having
the great River that comes by _Los Angelos_, and _St. Jago_ running into
it, and divers Springs about it, where Ships do conveniently Wood and
Water. Here is every where good Anchorage, the Road being so deep, that
a Ship of a thousand Tun may lay his sides to the Shore of the Point,
and load and unload with Planks afloat.
4. On the West is _Point Megrill_, a Port very convenient and secure; to
Windward from which, a little North-West, is the Seat of the old Town of
_Mellilla_, founded by _Columbus_, as afore mention’d.
The chief Plantations of this Island, are 1. _Portmorant_, above the
Harbor before mention’d, and by the two Rivers that run into it. Here
are good Plantations of Sugars, Cottons, Tobacco’s, _&c._
2. Hence about ten Miles lieth _Morant_, where a thousand Acres of Land
have been taken up for my Lord _Willoughby_, and a Company of Merchants.
3. Hence farther Leeward lieth _Yallow_, having good Plantations of
Cotton, Tobacco, and other Provisions, excellent _Savana_’s, and some
store of tame Cattel.
4. Thirty Miles hence, on the North side of _Cagway_ is _Ligonce_, where
are excellent Plantations of Sugar, Cotton, and Tobacco, very pleasant
_Savana_’s and some store of wild Cattel.
5. Twenty Miles farther West, nine Miles from the Harbor of _Cagway_, is
_Los Angelos_, having some Plantations of Sugar, _Cacao_, and Tobacco,
all which were old _Spanish_ Plantations, and are less considerable than
those made by the _English_ in other places.
6. Eight Miles from hence, North-West, is _Guanaboa_, where likewise
were some _Spanish_ Plantations, since improv’d by the _English_, who
have very many excellent Plantations of Sugar, _Cacao_, &c.
7. Hence West South-West lieth _Guatabacoa_, a most pleasant rich and
fertile part of the Countrey, abounding with Cattel, and excellent
_Savana_’s. Here the _Negro_’s setled that revolted from the
_Spaniards_, who are endeavouring to make some Plantations of Tobacco’s
and Provisions, and with them are setled some few _English_, who have
divers Walks of _Cacao_.
[Sidenote: The several Governors of the _English_ in _Jamaica_.]
The several Governors of this Island since the taking of it by the
_English_, are as followeth: General _Robert Venables_ staid upon the
Place about three Moneths after the taking of it, and at his coming away
for _England_ he left the chief Command to Major General _Richard
Fortescue_, who liv’d Governor about three Moneths; after which
Lieutenant General _Edward Doyly_ was by the Army elected President; but
upon his coming away soon after for _England_, Lieutenant General
_William Brain_ was sent over Governor in his room; who living in the
Government about three quarters of a year, did as it were bequeathe it
again to _Doyly_, for he was chosen by vertue of a Blank Commission,
wherein _Brain_ had inserted his Name whom he would have succeed, and
remain’d Commander in Chief both by Land and Sea till His Majesty’s
Restauration, and then by His Majesty’s Letters Patents was confirm’d in
the Government, and so was the first that was Governor there for His
Majesty: The next that succeeded was the Lord _Windsor_, upon whose
coming away Sir _Thomas Muddiford_ was sent Governor, and after him Sir
_Thomas Linch_, who remains Governor at present.
[Illustration]
CHAP. XVII.
The Islands call’d the Lucaies.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of the _Lucaies_.]
Having done with the four Islands of _Barlovento_, as they are term’d,
_viz._ _Hispaniola_, _Cuba_, _Porto Rico_, and _Jamaica_, we come next
to the _Lucaies_, so call’d, as some think, from _Lucaioneque_, one of
the biggest of them; they lie over against _Florida_, Westward from the
_Bermudas_, South-West and North of _Hispaniola_, and the rest of the
_Barloventi_; and because they are but small ones, and lie so near the
Continent, Geographers sometimes describe them as a part, or
appertaining to the Continent. The chiefest of these Islands are
_Lucaioneque_ afore-mention’d, _Bahama_, and _Guanahani_; _Lucaioneque_
is accounted the biggest of them all, and lieth in twenty seven Degrees
between _Bahama_ and _Guanahani_. _Bahama_ lies nearest to the Coast of
_Florida_, and gives Name to the _Straights_ so call’d, which run
between the _Cape_ of _Florida_ and it, with such a violent Course and
Torrent, that although it be above sixteen Miles broad, yet many times
neither Wind nor Oars, can prevail against it; that though the Winds be
prosperous, Ships cannot enter it; and if it be cross, they go with the
Current; yet those _Straights_ the _Spanish_ Fleet must pass in their
Return from the _Havana_ towards _Spain_. _Guanahani_ was the first
piece of _American_ Ground discover’d by _Christopher Columbus_, and
therefore by him call’d _San Salvador_, or _St. Saviour_, because that
thereby he was deliver’d from the mutinous rage of the Seamen, who
threatned to throw him over-board, if they discover’d not Land in such a
time. There are besides a number of small Isles scatter’d up and down,
which are generally comprehended in the number of the _Lucaies_; one is
_Little Island_, encompass’d with a company of Shelves call’d the
_Bimini_, so that it is hardly accessible: there goes a Tradition, that
it hath been inhabited by very beautiful Women, the fame of whom drew
many to attempt to Land there and take up their Habitation; in which
Attempt many were cast away: There is said to be a Fountain in the midst
of it, of such a Vertue, that whosoever drank of the Waters of it, had
their Youth renew’d. Also three Islands, or rather Rocks, call’d _Los
Martyres_, lying to the South-East of _Cape Florida_, and cover’d for
the most part with a whitish Sand and a few Bushes growing on them: they
seem at a distance to bear a resemblance of Men, impal’d, or bound to
Stakes, as the Martyrs in the primitive Times usually were, which
occasion’d the _Spaniards_ so to Name them; ’tis very dangerous to come
too near them, but to have sight of them is of great use to Men at Sea;
for by passing these Rocks, and leaving them on the South-East, they
certainly know, that they are now entred the _Straights_ of _Bahama_,
that is, that they have left the Ocean, and are fall’n in amongst those
many Islands, which do, as it were, Barracado and Block up the Eastern
Coasts of _America_, towards _Nombre de Dios_ and _Terra Firma_, as they
call it, through which the Continent is sometimes dangerous, by reason
of contrary Winds; and always such, that it requires the skill and care
of an experienc’d Pilot to conduct the Ships well thither. The rest are
_Abacoa_, twelve Leagues long; _Yuma_, twenty Leagues in length, and
eight in breadth, between twenty four and twenty five Degrees;
_Yumeata_, fifteen Leagues in length, between twenty three and twenty
four Degrees; _Jamana_, seven Leagues every way; _Yabague_, ten Leagues
likewise, and lying between twenty two and twenty three Degrees;
_Magaguana_, twenty Leagues long, and ten broad; _Quagua_, ten Leagues
every way, and lying between twenty and one and twenty Degrees;
_Caycos_, five Leagues in length, and in the one and twentieth Degree;
_Mackre_, in the twentieth Degree, encompass’d with Shelves; _Abreo_,
environ’d also with Shelves, and fifteen Leagues long; also _Guatao_,
_Cigateo_, _Guanima_, _Jabaka_, _Triangulo_, and several others.
[Sidenote: The _Lucaies_ left desolate by the _Spaniards_.]
On these Islands are no Inhabitants; those that did live there were a
harmless simple People, and therefore the easier taken and carried away
by the _Spaniards_ that have made them so desolate: Many of them seem of
a good Mold, and the Latitude promiseth much fertility. The Air is
certainly good and wholsom, and not so extream hot as other Parts of
that heighth. There is scarce any Beast on them, save a Coney that hath
a Tail like a Rat, but Pigeons and other Birds in great numbers.
There is the Gum _Benjoin_, of the best and worst sort; _Guaiacum_,
_Sasaparilla_, and _Sassafras_; and on some of them Red-wood and
Ambergreece.