those who make them to be Extracted from the _Jews_, have no other
testimony, but that they abstain from Swines-flesh: Those that take them
for a People fled from the great Islands, _Hispaniola_, _Jamaica_,
_Cuba_, and _Porto Rico_, to save themselves from the _Spaniards_
Cruelty, dispute against a known Truth; for who knows not, that the
_Indians_ who escap’d the _Spanish_ Slaughter, have not the least
resemblance either in Language or Customs with the Cannibals? nay more,
they are mortal Enemies to them; besides that, the Cannibals at that
time when _Columbus_ first arriv’d, possess’d those Places which they
now inhabit. The Cannibals seem ignorant themselves in this Point: for
they affirm their Extraction to be from _Guyana_, where the _Calibites_
speak the same Language, and also observe the same Customs and Religion:
The occasion of their removal they ascribe to the King of the
_Arovages_, who made all the adjacent People about his Court, Slaves to
him; which to prevent, they first went to _Tabago_, where being
strengthned by new Comers, they resolv’d to take revenge on him; and
Engaging with him in a Field-Battel, utterly defeated him, and spar’d
none of his Party alive, except the Women; whence it proceeds, that the
_Arovage_ Women have the same Customs and Language with the
_Caribbeans_. But _Bristock_, an _English_ Knight, by long Conversation
experienc’d in the several _American_ Tongues, saith, That the
_Caribbeeans_ have their Original from the _Apalachites_ in _Florida_,
who being a valiant People, destroy’d many of the Natives that inhabited
_Mexico_, that so they might Settle themselves there; to which purpose
they built a City like that of _Apalache_. The _Cofachites_ inhabiting
Northerly, and spread over a barren and Rocky Countrey, made use of this
opportunity to conquer their deserted Habitation: for on a set-time they
set fire to all the Villages, and spoyl’d all things which they could
not carry away with them, that not the least hopes of returning might be
left them; therefore they must either Conquer or Die: which resolv’d
upon, they fell unawares on the _Apalachites_, whose King had
nevertheless so much time, that he Guarded the usual Paths which
directed to the inhabited Villages: But the _Apalachites_ leaving the
common Roads, climb’d over almost inaccessible Mountains, and so got
into the heart of the Countrey, which exceedingly amaz’d _Paracousis_
(for so that King was call’d) who lay Encamp’d at the Foot of a
Mountain, whether the Van of the _Apalachites_ were marching: whereupon
he sending his Army to meet them, they began a most fierce Combat; when
at last both Parties wanting Arrows, they fell upon one another with
Clubs till the Night parted them; and neither could boast of the
Victory. At last this War was turn’d into Peace, and the Articles of
Agreement were these, _viz._
_That the_ Cofachites _should for ever possess the Province_ Amana, _and
become one People with the_ Apalachites, _and acknowledge the King of_
Apalache _for their Chief Governor_.
[Sidenote: They fall off.]
[Sidenote: Are brought to worship the Sun.]
After which the _Cofachites_ were call’d _Caribbeeans_, which signifies
_Accidental Subjects_: But these two sorts of People did not long agree;
for the _Caribbeeans_ sleighted the Customs of the _Apalachites_ in the
Countrey _Bemarin_, and at the same time threw off their Obedience to
the King, chose one _Ragazin_ for their Governor, subdu’d the
neighboring Province _Matika_, and at last defi’d the _Apalachites_; who
inferior to them in Strength, and making use of subtilty, suppos’d it
the best way to make a Difference amongst the _Caribbeeans_ themselves;
to which the Priests freely proffer’d their Assistance, and their Design
prov’d also successful; for the _Caribbeeans_ regarding no Religion
(onely dreading the angry Deity _Mabouya_) the _Apalachite_ Priests
call’d _Jaova_’s, took great pains to perswade their Neighbors to the
worshipping of the Sun; which so prevail’d, that a considerable number
of them ascending the Mountain _Olaimi_, fell down and shew’d Reverence
to that celestial Luminary; which Opportunity _Paracousis_ taking notice
of, caus’d the _Jaova_’s to publish amongst the _Caribbeeans_, That in
the beginning of the _Maairims_, or _March_, a great Feast should be
held in Reverence to the Sun on the usual place, where the King would
Entertain, and give Presents to all the Worshippers thereof.
[Sidenote: The Sun generally worshipp’d by the antient _Heathens_.]
How great a Religion this Sun-worship was antiently amongst the
_Gentiles_, appears from the Writings of several authentick Authors.
The _Syrians_, whose Idolatry the _Israelites_ learn’d, honor the Sun by
the Name of _Babal_, which signifies _Lord_.
The _Phenicians_ call’d the Sun _Beel-samen, Lord of the Heavens_; and
the Citizens of _Accaron_, _Baal-zebahim_, _Lord of the Offerings_; but
God chang’d the Name to _Baal-zebub_, or _The God of Flyes_.
_Moloch_, or _Milcom_ also signifi’d the Sun amongst the _Ammonites_; in
honor of which Children were carried by their Parents, and set between
two great Fires, or else by the Priests, upon pretence of cleansing
them; and sometimes parch’d to death in an Image of _Moloch_, which had
seven Cavities heated like Ovens.
_Macrobius_ tells us, That the _Assyrians_ ascrib’d the supream Command
to the Sun, under the Name of _Adad_, and to the Goddess _Adargatis_,
representing the Image of _Adad_ with Beams darting downwards, and
_Adargatis_ with those that shot upwards: by the first they express’d,
that the celestial Power consisted in Sun-beams, which shooting
downwards warm the Earth; and by the second, that all things by those
Beams were cherish’d and enliven’d.
The most magnificent Temple which _Syria Apamena_ boasted, was
Consecrated to the Sun.
The _Arabians_ Offer’d Myrrhe on the tops of their Houses at the Rising
of the Sun; who also was the _Chamos_ and _Baal-Peor_ of the _Moabites_
and _Medians_.
Near the _Red-Sea_, lay the City _Baisamsa_, which signifies _The House
of the Sun_, famous for the many Feasts which were kept there in honor
of this Planet.
The _Persians_ accounted this Luminary for the greatest God, and
Consecrated to him three several Feasts, looking upon him as the Author
of Wisdom, Goodness, and Power, and is express’d by three several
Operations, _viz._ Warmth, Light, and Distinction of Time.
The _Egyptians_ honor’d the Name of _Osiris_, whom some will have to be
the same with _Misraim_, or _Chamszoon_, the first Founder of the
_Egyptian_ Monarchy.
In _Egypt_ also was famous amongst many other Cities that of
_Heliopolis_, which signifi’d _The City of the Sun_; where the Ox
_Mnevis_ or _Menapis_ being Consecrated to the Sun, was religiously
worshipp’d. This Image is describ’d by _Macrobius_.
The _Moors_ made likewise great Offerings to their _Assabin_, for so
they call’d the Sun; and allow’d their Priests onely the priviledge to
gather Cinamon, and that with this _Proviso_, That they should first
Offer forty four Oxen, besides Goats and Rams, to _Assabin_, nor should
fetch the least Stick of Cinamon either immediately before or after
Sun-set: The Cinamon brought altogether, was to be divided by the Chief
Priest, and the rest having each their Portion assign’d, that which
remain’d was sold to the Merchants, to Trade with into Foreign Parts;
but if the Sun chanc’d to set the Cinamon on fire, then they concluded
they had not dealt justly.
The _Greeks_, according to _Proclus_, hung a long Pole full of Laurel
and Flowers on every seventh day of the Moneth; on the top thereof was a
great Copper Ball, from which hung others still lesser and lesser; about
the middle of the Pole hung three hundred and sixty five Garlands; and
the bottom thereof was cover’d with a Womans Garment of a yellow colour:
The uppermost Ball represented the Sun, the lesser the Stars, and the
Garlands the Days of the Year; in which manner they worshipp’d the Sun.
[Sidenote: Why Divine Worship so generally given to the Sun.]
The same Luminary the _Massagetes_ and old _Germans_ ador’d in antient
times; and to this day the People in the utmost North, _Japanners_,
_Chineses_, _Tartars_, and the _East_ and _West-Indians_, pay their
chief Devotions to the Sun; the reason of which may easily be made out:
for it is the common Opinion of all Men, as _Aristotle_, _Simplicius_,
_Themistius_, and other Heathens witness, to place the Omnipotent
Godhead in the uppermost Orb, which surrounds the Earth; wherefore those
that Pray, lift up their Hands to Heaven: but because the rest of the
Heavens appear not so resplendent as the Sun, therefore they take the
Sun for the onely chief God, whether for its exceeding lustre and glory,
or for its being a hundred and sixty times bigger than the Earth; or for
its swift Course, in running ten hundred thousand Leagues in so short a
time, or for its nourishing and genial Warmth, which gives Life to all
things, or for its necessary Light, by which all worldly Affairs are
manag’d, or for its measuring the Days by its moving from East to West,
and the Seasons of the Year, by a Course from the South to the North;
for all these excellent qualities being well consider’d by the most
Learned _Heathens_, or observ’d by those of lesser Judgment, have made
them shew that Honor to a visible Creature, which is onely due to the
invisible Creator.
These and such like Arguments induc’d the _Caribbeeans_ to go to
_Bemarin_, where the Feast of the Sun was to be kept.
[Sidenote: The _Apalachites_ and _Caribbeans_ make an Offering to the
Sun on the Mountain _Olaimi_.]
[Sidenote: Part of the _Caribbeans_ revolt from the _Apalachites_.]
[Sidenote: They people the _Caribees_ and grow powerful.]
The _Apalachite_ King also Entertain’d the neighboring People exceeding
courteously in the chief City _Melilot_; from whence he was carried in a
Chair on the Shoulders of four Men, with sound of Pipes and Drums, and
an innumerable company of People, to the top of the Mountain _Olaimi_,
where he made a stately Offering to the Sun, and afterwards Feasting and
Caressing the _Caribbeeans_ with Gifts, he sent them home all well
contented and satisfi’d with their Entertainment. This Custom was yearly
observ’d, when at last they began to neglect their Duty, wherefore
_Toltlabin_ resolv’d to proclaim War against the _Caribbeeans_, if they
did not continue paying their Devotions to the Sun: which Injunction was
differently receiv’d; some judg’d it to be inconsistent with their
purchas’d Freedom, to receive Laws for Religion from a neighboring King,
alledging, That if any Reverence was due to the Sun, it might as well be
given on the Mountains of _Amana_ as within _Toltlabin_’s Realm: others,
who lov’d Peace, and had a zeal to the _Olaimi_ Religion, would not be
against the Proposals, which occasion’d a Contention amongst themselves,
and every one apply’d himself to those that were of his Opinion;
nevertheless those that stood upon their Freedom, were of the greatest
Party; wherefore the Worshippers of the Sun clos’d with the
_Apalachites_, who going out with their Forces, routed the other Party,
and receiv’d those _Caribbeeans_ that joyn’d with them in Religion into
Co-partnership also in the Government, so that they united into one
People: But those that were routed rally’d again, and not without
thousands of Inconveniences made towards the Sea, where Embarquing, they
Landed first on the Isle _Ajay_, now call’d _Sancta Crux_, and in
process of time grew very populous; for from thence by degrees have been
peopled all the little Isles which lie before _America_, and grew so
considerable, that they were sought to by the _Calabites_, to side with
them against the _Arovaces_, _Yaos_, _Sappayos_, and other People their
Enemies on the Main Continent, where they have taken many large
Countreys, extending as far as _Brasile_, where they are greatly
respected and fear’d for their Valor and Policy in warlike Affairs.
But because the memory of antique Passages hath no firm foundation in
Books, having been onely taken by Tradition from time to time amongst
the _Caribbeeans_, therefore we cannot give you an exact Account of
their Removal from _Florida_; yet it remains without contradiction, that
it hapned above five Ages before the _Spaniards_ Arrival, which time at
least was requir’d to the peopling of so many great Islands and
Kingdoms.
[Sidenote: Original of the _Apalachites_.]
Concerning the Original of the _Apalachites_, they themselves affirm,
that they cannot certainly determine the time when they first Setled
here: however, they report that they have peopled the Provinces
_Bemarin_, _Amana_, and _Matika_, many Ages ago. That they are Extracted
from the _Tartars_, appears not obscurely, by their Customs, Idolatry,
and Language. Amongst other things, they have learn’d from the _Tartars_
religiously to remember those Kings which perform’d any grand Exploits
in the Service of their Countrey. Amongst others, the _Apalachites_ make
mention in their _Areitos_, or Songs, of a King call’d _Maydo_, eminent
for his noble Atchievements, and prudent Governing of his People.
[Sidenote: Their opinions in Religion.]
They believe that the Sun many Ages since was Darken’d or Ecclips’d
twenty four Hours together, during which time the Waters over-flow’d the
highest Mountains, except that of _Olaimi_, where there stood a stately
Temple, built in honor of the Sun; in which all those that fled thither
were preserv’d, and dispers’d afterwards into several parts to re-people
the World as soon as the Waters were abated, and the Sun appear’d in his
full lustre again: whereupon they imagine, that to this day their Bird
_Tonatzuli_, at the Rising of the Sun congratulates his appearance with
great joy, and at his Setting, requests his speedy return from under the
Horizon.
[Sidenote: The Bird _Tonatzuli_.]
The _Tonatzuli_ is a Bird like a Bull-Finch, onely its Belly and Wings
are of a Golden colour, the Back and Tail blue, its Head adorn’d with
divers colour’d Feathers, its Claws and Bill like Ivory, and it Sings
like a Nightingale.
[Sidenote: Description of the Mountain _Olaimi_.]
As for _Olaimi_, it is a perfect round Mountain; the Way which leads to
the top thereof runs winding two Leagues long, and is planted on each
side with Cedar, Pine-Trees, _Cassine_, and _Sassafrass_, the top of
which is a fair Plain a League in circumference; Eastward from it is a
Cavern, to which Nature hath afforded more Convenience and Ornament than
could be given to the same by Art and Charges: The first Beams of the
Rising Sun dart into the Cavern, which being oval, appears like a white
Vault, which on the top hath a great Hole for the Air to go in at: The
bottom is like the purest Marble; on the Floor stands a Stone Cistern to
receive the Moisture which drops out of the Rocks. Whilest the People
Danc’d on the fore-mention’d Plain, Feasted and Sung, the Priests
Offer’d Myrrhe, and all manner of Perfumes.
The Clothes which the Rich gave to the Sun, were distributed amongst the
Poor, according to a List which was taken of them.
[Sidenote: The occasion of the _Apalachites_ embracing _Christianity_.]
But in process of time the _Apalachites_ have most of them embrac’d the
_Christian_ Religion; the first occasion thereof was this: When _John
Ribauld_ had brought a _French_ Colony to _Florida_, and gain’d a Fort,
(which from King _Charles_ the Ninth he nam’d _Charles-Fort_) the
_Spanish_ Commander _Peter Melendez_ fell unawares upon him, and so far
impower’d his Men, who had of themselves a natural hatred against the
_French_, that they spar’d neither Man, Woman, nor Child; onely ten Men
escaping the bloody Banquet, fled to the _Floridan_ King _Zaturiona_,
where they were kindly receiv’d, and hearing of the Civility and Power
of the King of _Apalache_ desir’d that they might go thither; which
_Zaturiona_ not onely granted, but also furnish’d the seven _French_-men
(for the other three were dead) with good Guides, who visited
_Zaturiona_’s Relations, living in several Villages along the pleasant
Stream _Selay_, over which they pass’d on large Boughs artificially
joyn’d together, and travell’d through Woods, Marshes, and Mountains
full of ravenous Beasts, and sometimes Engag’d with the stragling
_Floridans_ which lurk’d in the most desolate Wildernesses: having
travell’d two days Journey, by an Ambuscade of King _Timago_’s People,
they lost two of their Guides, the rest being dangerously wounded, and
through many Difficulties came at last to _Avoeka_, and from thence to
the King of _Apalache_’s Court, who receiv’d them all with great
kindness: Whereupon they resolv’d, being induc’d thereto by their
courteous Reception, fruitfulness of the Soil, and good Customs of the
Inhabitants, to Settle themselves, all but two of them, who return’d
with the Guides to _Zaturiona_: the rest that stay’d there, endeavor’d
by promulgating the _Christian_ Religion, to reduce the _Pagans_ to the
belief thereof; which many embrac’d, and also learn’d the _French_
Tongue, notwithstanding their Priests _Jaova_’s oppos’d the same. After
the death of the _French_ (which the _Apalachites_ much bemoan’d) their
Idolatry had like to have gotten the upper hand again, had not some
_English_ Families, fleeing from _Virginia_ from the Cruelties of the
_Indians_, and not able to reach _New England_, Landed at _Florida_,
with intention at first onely to get fresh Provisions, but Rowing up the
River _Selay_, and taken with the pleasantness, they chose the Province
_Bemarin_ for their Habitation, where accordingly they Setled _Anno
1621._ Amongst them were several Learned Men, which so effectually
perswaded the _Heathens_ to embrace the _Christian_ Faith, that in
twenty eight years time the King and most of his Nobles were Converted
and Baptiz’d by them in the chief City _Melilot_.
But since our Design is onely to give you an exact Account of those
People which inhabit the Islands lying before _America_, it is
sufficient that we have shew’d you how they are Extracted from the
_Cosachites_ and the _Apalachites_.
As to the Customs of the _Caribbeeans_, since they are very much alter’d
by their long Conversation with the _Europeans_, we cannot better inform
our selves of their antient Customs, than from those which to this day
are observ’d on _St. Vincent_, and some parts of the Main Continent,
where the _Caribbeeans_ have learn’d nothing from any Strangers.
[Sidenote: Description of the _Caribbeeans_.]
The _Caribbeeans_ are a well proportion’d People with broad Shoulders
and Hips, round Faces, without Beards, wide Mouthes, white Teeth, little
Eyes like the _Tartars_, Feet so hard, that they are almost Dart-proof,
flat Noses, so made by squeezing them down in their Infancy, and long
black Hair. There are few or no deformed People amongst them; all of
them go stark naked, and paint their Bodies Red with a Plant call’d
_Rocou_, and Oyl; about their Eyes they draw a black Circle with the
Juice of the Apple _Junipa_. This their Painting serves them both as an
Ornament, and to make them strong. Others anoint their Bodies all over
with a glewy Stuff, on which they stick all sorts of Feathers. Others
use Gum and Flowers. Moreover, they adorn their Head with Plumes, their
Ears with Fish-bones, or Scales of the _Caret_, or pieces of Crystal,
which they also hang in their Lips and Noses. The Men wear Armlets near
their Shoulders, and the Women about their Wrists; about their Legs they
tie for Garters Strings of Seeds: others take a pride in wearing the
Bones of their slain Enemies, and the Teeth of the _Agouty_, Tygers,
wild Cats, or Cockle shells. When they appear in greatest lustre, then
they wear Armlets under their Arm-pits, and also Scarfs of Feathers,
which either hang over their Shoulders, or are girt about their Middle,
so that one end thereof touches their Thighs. They set an exceeding
value on certain pieces of Copper call’d _Caracolis_, the least of which
they hang in their Ears, and the biggest before their Breasts: and
because they are fetch’d out of the Province of the _Arovages_ their
Enemies, they are esteem’d as Marks of true Valor, and he is highly
esteem’d that wears them.
[Sidenote: Their Language.]
The _Caribbeeans_ which Converse with the _Europeans_, speak two sorts
of Languages, the oldest of which is smooth, acceptable, fluent, and for
the most part spoke between the Lips. According to the several
pronunciations one word hath divers significations: but the Mystery of
their oldest Language they will discover to none. It is very observable,
that the _Caribbeean_ Men speak several words, which though the Women
understand, yet are never spoken by them: and also the antient People
use several Sayings which the younger never mention, and the Youths such
likewise as are never spoken by the Antient, which being spoken apart by
each in the time of War, are understood by none but their Soldiers, that
so their Designs may the better be kept secret. But their mix’d Language
hath many of the _European_ words, especially of the _Spanish_, which
they speak whensoe’re they converse with the _Europeans_. Moreover,
though the _Caribbeeans_ on the least occasion laugh aloud, yet they are
of a dull Spirit, stubborn, and nothing to be got out of them but by
fair means.
[Sidenote: Their Manners.]
Their Employment is Hunting, Fishing, Tilling, Building of Houses, and
the like. Theft is not known amongst them, so that no Man is suspicious
of his Neighbor; wherefore they leave their Huts open both Night and
Day. They are also seldom at Variance one with another, but generally
Love sways amongst them; yet if a Quarrel doth happen, then the injur’d
Person revenges himself to the heighth. Persons that profess Chastity
are much honor’d amongst them; and here Youth bears great respect to
Age.
[Sidenote: Their Ignorance.]
They are also very ignorant in natural Knowledge, insomuch that when the
Moon is Eclips’d, they suppose that it is devour’d by _Maboya_; and
wheresoe’re they smell any ill scent, they believe the Devil to be not
far from thence. Gunpowder they suppose to be a Grain, and are very
fearful of Fire-Arms: Though they have many brave Salt-pits, yet they
use no Salt, nor eat any Swines-flesh, though all those Islands abound
in that sort of Animal, fearing that if they should eat the same, it
would cause them to have little Eyes, which they account very homely,
though it is a property generally incident to them; neither will they
eat any Tortoise, because they would not be so gross as that Creature.
Lastly, they know now no greater Number than they reckon on their
Fingers and Toes, for what exceeds twenty is to them innumerable: They
hold that good Spirits, whom they call _Akamoue_, residing in Heaven,
never trouble themselves with Earthly Affairs.
Their Offerings consist in _Cassave_ and the first of their Fruits,
which are set at the end of their Huts in Vessels on small Tables,
cover’d with Leaves or Rushes, without uttering any Prayers; for they
never Pray but in publick in company of the _Boyez_ or Priests, and that
either for revenge against Injuries, or for recovery from Sickness, or
that they may know the Events of War, or for Protection against the
_Maboya_.
Each _Boye_ hath his peculiar God, which, Singing with a conjuring
Verse, he calls to him in the Night whilst he Smoaks a Pipe of Tobacco.
[Sidenote: Their Fear of the _Maboya_.]
Some have been of Opinion, that this Conceit of the _Maboya_ proceeds
from the phlegmatick Nature of the _Caribbeeans_, who in their
melancholy Dreams imagine themselves to be grievously beaten by the said
_Maboya_. But there are sufficient testimonies to prove, that these
_Heathens_ have often really suffer’d much by this _Maboya_, often
appearing to them in such horrid shapes, that the poor _Caribbeeans_
would sweat and quake at the sight thereof, and inflicting such sad
Pinches and bloody Stripes all over their Bodies, that they liv’d in
perpetual fear of this evil Spirit: and yet notwithstanding these cruel
Sufferings, they shew’d no manner of Worship to _Maboya_, onely they
believ’d that they had some ease, when they wore little Pictures about
their Necks, made resembling the Shapes in which _Maboya_ appear’d to
them; but their best Remedy was to flye to the _Christians_.
[Sidenote: Their Consultations about the Death of any Relation.]
They believe their _Boyez_ able to resolve any Question they ask of
them; particularly, when any one dies, the nearest ally’d to him asks
the _Boye_ this Question, _Who is the occasion of his Death?_ to which
if the _Boye_ names any one, they never rest till they have dispatch’d
him to the other World. Concerning their original brutish way of living,
they give much credit to an ancient Fable, which is to this effect:
[Sidenote: Fabulous Tradition.]
The most antient _Caribbeeans_, living under no other Roof than the
Canopy of Heaven, fed on nothing but what the Fields naturally produc’d,
which salvage Life an old Man much beamoan’d; when a certain Deity clad
in white Apparel descending down on the Earth, said, _That he would have
come sooner to have shew’n them the way of a civil Life, had they
requested it before_. Moreover, the Angel shew’d them a place along the
Shore where there lay sharp-cutting Stones, with which he told them they
might cut down Trees, and with the Timber build themselves Houses, and
cover them with the Leaves of the Palm-Tree to keep out the Rain; which
said, he broke his Staff into three pieces, which being Planted, soon
after produc’d the Root _Manioe_, which stamp’d and dry’d, made good
Bread.
[Sidenote: Their Opinion concerning the Soul.]