round and thick, hath a mixture of Red and Green; the Bark incloseth a
Violet-colour’d Wood; the Boughs whereof are loaded with Violet Grapes,
which in stead of Kernels contain hard Stones.
SECT. V.
Saba.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Saba_.]
Westward from _Anguilla_, at seventeen Degrees and thirty five Minutes,
lies _Saba_, which shews at a great distance like a Rock. The
Inhabitants of _St. Eustathius_ going thither, found a pleasant Valley,
able to maintain many Families.
The Sea about this Island is so clear, that a Stone may be seen lying on
the bottom of it.
[Sidenote: The Fish _Bonito_.]
Amongst many other sorts of Fish, the _Bonito_ is the most remarkable,
which is thick and fleshy, two Foot long, with a dark green Back, and
white Belly without Scales; It devours greedily all manner of Carrion.
SECT. VI.
St. Crux.
[Sidenote: Situation and first Plantation of _St. Crux_.]
North of _St. Christophers_, in eighteen Degrees and some Minutes, lies
_St. Crux_, which the _Caribbeeans_ who were beaten by the
_Apalachites_, first inhabiting, call’d _Ayay_, where _Columbus_ found
great opposition, for the Women themselves shot poysonous Arrows at the
_Spaniards_; and before the Islanders submitted to them, they took many
_Spanish_ Ships, burnt their Villages, and flay’d many of the
_Spaniards_ alive. The Soil, though Hilly, is rich and fruitful.
The _English_ Landing here _Anno 1587._ found a standing Pool, whose
Water made swell the Faces of those who wash’d themselves with the same
before Sun-rising, in such a manner, that they were not able to see for
several days after; but they at last found a Fountain of wholsom Water.
[Sidenote: The several Changes of Dominion in this Island.]
Since the _Spaniards_ destroy’d the Inhabitants of this Island, it lay
desolate for a considerable time, notwithstanding it hath fourteen
Leagues in length, and little less in breadth, till at last the
_English_ and _Hollanders_ took possession of the same, each in a
peculiar place; but not agreeing together, the _English_ fell upon the
_Hollanders_, and made themselves Masters of the Island in 1649. and not
long after they were serv’d in the same kind; for the _Spaniard_ judging
them to be weakned by the _Hollanders_ removing from the Island, set
Sail thither from _Porto Rico_, burnt all the Houses, slew the
Inhabitants, and brought _St. Crux_ again under the _Spanish_
Government. Mean while the Lord _Poincy_ fitted out two Sail of _French_
Ships, to drive the _Spaniards_ from _St. Crux_, and succeeded in his
Enterprize; for the _Spaniards_ immediately fled to their Ships, left at
liberty some _Holland_ Prisoners whom they had taken, and the Island in
possession of the _French_; who straightway sent Captain _Auger_ thither
as Governor, who design’d to build a Fort to secure the Harbor, but died
before the same was finish’d. _Poincy_ succeeding him, made an end of
the Fort, and stor’d the Island with Ammunition and Provision. The
Cross-Church built there by the Order, and at the Cost of a Company of
_Flushing_ in _Holland_, was deliver’d also to the _French_.
[Illustration: DE STADT ST. Martin]
[Sidenote: Fruit-Trees.]
The Trees which grow here are of four beneficial kinds, serving for four
several uses; some yield Fruits of a pleasant taste, and wholsom to eat;
some excellent Medicines; others Timber for Building; and others Stuff
to Dye with.
Granates, Oranges, Lemmons, and Citrons, grow better here than in any
place of the World.
[Sidenote: The _Papaye_.]
But the _Papaye_-Tree is particularly worthy of our Description; It
grows twenty Foot high, without Boughs, thick and streight, hollow and
spungy within, bears three-corner’d Leaves hanging on long Stalks,
hollow in the middle, and of a Fingers thickness; on the top round about
the Body of the Tree, grow a sort of Fruit like Quinces.
This sort of _Papaye_-Tree grows on most of the _Caribbee Islands_; but
the second sort call’d _Mamoa_, is to be found no where but on _St.
Crux_; it hath more Leaves than the first, and a yellow Bark with green
Streaks, within full of round and sharp biting Grains; the Blossoms
thereof yield a sweet smell; every Moneth the Tree produces new Fruit,
not unlike a Womans Breast (whence it hath its Denomination as before
observ’d,) and rellishing incomparably well.
SECT. VII.
St. Martin.
[Sidenote: Situation of _St. Martin_.]
Not far from _St. Crux_, at eighteen Degrees and sixteen Minutes, lies
_St. Martin_, which hath seven Leagues in length and five in breadth,
and is famous for many excellent Salt-Mines; to preserve which, the
_Spaniards_ built a City and Fort there.
[Sidenote: The _Dutch_ Land there.]
_Adrian Peter_ and _Martyn Thyszoon_, sent with eleven Sail of Ships
from the _Texel_ by the _West-India_ Company, to Cruse for the _Spanish_
Plate-Fleet before the _Flemmish_ Isles, finding their labor lost,
Steer’d to the Inlet of _Todos los Sanctos_; where finding no Enemies
Ships, they Sail’d along the Coast of _Pernambuck_, and from thence
(meeting with no Prize) to the _Caribbee Islands_; and Landing on
_Granada_, receiv’d some damage from the Inhabitants: thence going to
_Blanca_, they got above a thousand Goats, and ten thousand Lemmons from
_Hispaniola_; near _Cuba_ they were surpris’d with continual Thunder,
Showers, and Storms, which forc’d them to stand to and again off the
Island a considerable time, where they thought to wait for the _Spanish_
Ships that came from _Nombre de Dios_; but being defeated of their aim,
by reason that Fleet was re-inforc’d with a considerable Supply, they
set Sail _Anno 1629_. towards the City and Fort of _St. Martin_, where
coming to an Anchor they found the Place in this condition: On the right
side of the City glides a fresh-Water River, with many meandring Streams
from the Mountains; on the left side the Ocean makes a great Opening or
Bay, which for a little space growing narrower, becomes at last an
Inland Lake; from the Countrey opposite to the City on the other side of
the fore-mention’d Inlet, runs a Ridge of Hills toward the Sea; on the
utmost Point thereof stands a square Fort, defended from the force of
the Water with great Stones, pyl’d up at the Foot thereof, cover’d like
a House, having on the top of it a Watch-tower, and not far from it a
Chappel; moreover, the Mountain _Calvaria_, rises on each side and
behind the City, with high Precipices; not far from the Mouth of the
River appears a strong Castle with several Bulwarks, and thereon great
Guns; along the Inlet is a fair Market-place; in the middle of the City
stands a Church Consecrated to _Dominicus_, near which there is a large
Hospital, which fronts the Sea; the Cathedral stands at the farther end
of the City, and on the declivity of a Mountain a fair Chappel; near the
great Fort the Governor hath a pretty Palace; nor are the _Franciscan_
Cloysters much inferior to any of the other Structures of this City,
which taken altogether bears a good Form, by reason of the uniformity of
the Streets.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: The Island possess’d by the _Dutch_.]
But _Anno 1648._ the _Spaniard_ totally deserted this Island, which
_Michael Adriaenszoon Ruiter_ hearing of, brought several People from
_St. Eustathius_, and took possession of it in the Name of the _States_
of the _United Netherlands_: Yet they enjoy’d not long the entire
Propriety, for the _Spaniards_ again went and claim’d those Places which
were theirs upon the first gaining of the Island; which the _Hollanders_
allowing them, they liv’d peaceably and quietly together, each having
their own Churches, Store-houses, Land, and _Negro_’s. The _Dutch_
Plantation was maintain’d by the _Zealand_ Lords, _Lamsen_ and _Van
Ree_.
There are divers Pools of salt Water in this Island, which afford the
Inhabitants store of Fish, and especially Tortoises.
The Woods produce wild Hogs, Pigeons, Turtle-Doves, and Parraquito’s
resembling a Parrot, and which though much smaller, are more apt to be
taught.
[Sidenote: _Flammans._]
Near the Salt-pools also breed Birds call’d _Flammans_, not unlike a
Jack-daw, onely differing in Feathers, for they are first white, next
ash-colour’d, and at last turn red; they seldom flye or sit alone, but
for the most part in great Flocks in open places, and Moorish Grounds;
when some of them seek for their Food under Water, one of them stands
Centinel, and on the least noise or appearance of a Man, gives notice by
Chirping to the rest, who hereupon immediately flee away; those that
shoot them lie commonly hid under an Ox Hide.
[Sidenote: _American_ Swallows.]
About the same Pools breed likewise the _American_ Swallows, with
crooked Bills, Feet like Ducks, black Bodies, white Bellies, and long
Tails.
SECT. VIII.
St. Bartholomew.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _St. Bartholomew_.]
Near _St. Martin_, at sixteen Degrees, lies the Island _St.
Bartholomew_, which being about five Leagues in circumference, is
surrounded with Rocks, and was first Planted by _De Poincy_: It makes a
delightful Prospect, because of the many Trees which grow on the same;
amongst which the most noted are Soap-Trees, whose Wood makes the Water
Lather, and washes as well as Soap; but they are of two sorts, for in
some this soapy Quality is contain’d in a round yellow Fruit, not unlike
a Plumb; in others a white soft Root supplies the office.
[Sidenote: The _Canopia_-Tree.]
[Illustration]
The little Tree _Canopia_, out of whose Bark drops a Gum, grows also
very pleasant, the Body being divided into several Branches; the Leaves
are discolour’d, being underneath of a dark Green, and of a brighter at
the top; the Flower consists of five Leaves, and closes at last into a
kind of Cherry, full of yellow Juice, and white Pulp; it blossoms
generally in _October_ and _December_, and bears ripe Berries the two
following Moneths: a Fire being made about the Tree causeth the Bark to
crack, whereby it yields abundance of Gum, chiefly us’d in Medicine for
its opening and loosening Quality.
[Sidenote: The _Paretuve_-Tree.]
Likewise the _Paretuve_-Tree, which grows along by the Sea-side and by
Pools, is sufficiently remarkable, for the Boughs thereof grow
downwards, twin’d and pleited together so thick, that in time of War
they serve for Bulwarks, and are the Recesses of wild Swine.
[Sidenote: The _Calabash_-Tree.]
Moreover, on this Island, as on all the other hereabouts, grow
_Calabash_-Trees, which have thick Boughs and oval Leaves joyn’d one to
another, and bear every Moneth fresh Flowers and Fruit, grey Flowers,
mark’d with green Streaks and black Spots, and Fruit with hard Shells,
full of juicy Meat and flat Seeds, which being taken out serve for
Boxes, Cups, or little Dishes.
[Sidenote: _Sea-Star._]
Along the Shore is also found a sort of Fish call’d the _Sea-Star_,
which is a yellowish Fish, whose hard Skin full of little Knobs shoot
forth five Darts or Beams; in stormy Weather they fasten themselves to
the Rocks.
[Sidenote: _Sea-Apple._]
No less wonderful is the Fish call’d the _Sea-Apple_, whose brown Skin
is full of Prickles, which when the Fish dies fall off, nothing
remaining but a white Shell, curiously embroider’d with little Holes.
On the Banks, and near the Rocks, grow also Sea-Trees, whose thickest
Boughs putting forth still lesser and lesser Branches, are pleited
together very wonderfully, and being all glaz’d as it were with
Salt-petre, seem greyish.
SECT. IX.
Barboude.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Barbouthos_.]
_Barbouthos_, which some call _Barboude_, others _Barbada_, being five
Leagues in length, lies at seventeen Degrees and thirty Minutes, and
North-East from _Monserrat_, in a shallow Sea.
[Sidenote: _English_ molested by the _Caribbeeans_.]
Here the _English_ Planting, have from their first Arrival been much
molested by the _Caribbeeans_ of _Dominico_, who for a great while us’d
twice a year to Invade them in the Night, killing and destroying whom
and whatsoe’re they met with, onely Women and Children, with some other
Booty, they carried to _Dominico_.
SECT. X.
Rotonda.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Rotonda_.]
The Isle _Rotonda_, which is much lesser, hath receiv’d that
Denomination from its round Form, for it rises in the middle into a
Hill, which at a distance appears like a Steeple; It lies at seventeen
Degrees and ten Minutes. The Sea about the same being very deep, makes a
good coming to the Island with Ships.
SECT. XI.
Nevis.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Nevis_.]
In sight of _Rotonda_, at seventeen Degrees and nineteen Minutes, lies
_Nevis_, which hath six Leagues in circumference. Out of the middle of
the Island rises a Mountain all over wooddy; round about which the
_English_, who Setled there _Anno 1628._ have their Plantations, and
have increased from a small number to above three thousand, and make a
good Advantage of their Sugar, Ginger, Cotton, and Tobacco, which they
Plant there.
[Sidenote: Good Government of the _English_ there.]
They are Govern’d by a peculiar Governor and a Council, who punish
Thieves, and all manner of Deboshes very severely.
There are also three Churches, which on the Sabbath-Day are all throng’d
with People, who resort thither for the Worship and Service of God.
The Harbor call’d _Bath-Bay_, and the Store-house built about the same,
are secured by a great Fort full of great Guns.
Several Springs on this Island afford the Inhabitants good Water. Here
is also a Mineral Spring, a place to Bathe in, which hath been found to
cure the same Distempers which the Waters at _Bourbon_ have done.
[Sidenote: The _Pistick_-Nut.]
Moreover, this Island abounds with the _Pistacie_ or _Pistick_-Nuts,
which grow on small Trees, with soft long Leaves, round at bottom, and
ending in three Points: These Trees being commonly full of thick Boughs,
serve commodiously for Hedges; the Wood and Leaves sweat a milky Juice,
dropping out of the same with the Rain; the yellow Flowers which grow on
the same are like glittering Stars, and the taste of the Nuts like a
Hazle; but if the Skin which covers the Kernel be not pull’d off before
they are eaten, they purge to Death.
[Sidenote: The _Musticho_.]
But the great Profit which _Nevis_ receives by Nature is attended with
some Inconveniences, which trouble this and all the other Islands:
amongst many may be reckon’d the _Musticho_’s, a sort of little Bugs,
whose poysonous Sting causes such intolerable Itching, that those who
are stung by them cannot forbear to scratch themselves till the Blood
comes, by which their Sores festering, prove often very dangerous.
[Sidenote: The _Muringoins_.]
Also the _Muringoins_, who are so much the less dangerous, because they
make always a great noise before they sting.
Wasps likewise are here very troublesom, but their Stings are cur’d with
Rue, as the Stings of Scorpions are with the Juice press’d out of the
same Animal.
[Sidenote: Wood-Lice.]
The Wood-Lice, which are here in great abundance, have a soft and white
Body, onely the Head, which is mark’d with a black Speck; their Mouthes
are so very hard, that in two hours time they eat through thick Chests.
And no less damage do the _Banettos_.
[Sidenote: _Chigos_.]
But the _Chigos_ are a kind of small Fleas, that breed in Dust, Ashes,
and the like, and are of all the most pernicious; they first get in
under the Nails of the Toes, and from thence run over all the Body, but
especially the bottoms of the Feet, where they first occasion an
Itching, and then eat Holes through the Skin; they make Blisters as big
as Pease in the Flesh, wherein a swarm of young ones breeding, cause
Ulcers and rotten Flesh, which must be eaten away with _Aqua-fortis_ and
burnt Allom.
SECT. XII.
Eustathius.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Eustathius_.]
_Eustathius_, which is rather a Mountain, rising out of the Ocean like a
Sugar-Loaf, than an Island, lies at seventeen Degrees and forty Minutes:
It hath scarce five Leagues in circumference, yet receiv’d some while
since a Colony of above sixteen hundred People, sent thither from the
_States_ of the _United Netherlands_, under the Command of the Lords
_Lampsen_ and _Ree_. Besides the natural Strength of the Place, whereby
a few are able to keep off a great number, it is fortifi’d with a strong
Fort, which Commands the Harbor. The Inhabitants are very industrious,
and make great profit of the Tobacco which they Plant.
In the midst of this Island is a Mountain over-grown with Trees, which
seems to end in a Point, and hath about it a pleasant Plain.
The abundance of Fowls, Hogs and Goats, afford the Inhabitants store of
Provisions; for their Store-houses are never so empty, but that they can
supply their Neighbors Wants.
The want of fresh-water Brooks they supply with Rain-water, which they
preserve in Cisterns.
[Sidenote: Terrible Hurricanes.]
Though the Air of the Island be wholsom, and the Soil fruitful, yet it
is subject to many great Inconveniences; for besides the terrible
Thunder-claps and Earthquakes, that rend the Ground, the Inhabitants are
exceedingly troubled in _August_, and _September_ with the Winds, which
in twenty four hours blow from all Points of the Compass with such
mighty Gusts, as if they would turn all things into their first _Chaos_.
The _Caribbeeans_ call these Tempests _Hurricanes_, which formerly us’d
to happen but once in seven years, but of late every two years, and
sometimes twice in a year. What damage these Winds cause is scarce to be
express’d; the Sea raising its turbulent Waves up to the Skyes, casts
the Ships on the Shore, which though in Harbor, are certain to be
wrack’d, whilest the Land seems to labor under a general Ruine, whole
Woods being rooted up by the same, or at least bereav’d of Boughs and
Leaves; the Corn is beaten down, the Plants blasted, Houses turn’d
topsie-turvy, Mountains rent asunder, and sometimes pieces of Rocks
blown into the Sea. Before the Hurricanes there are several
fore-runners, which give notice of their sudden approach, _viz._ the Sea
on a sudden is so calm, that the least motion is not perceiv’d; the
Birds flye from the Mountains into the Valleys, where they lay
themselves flat on the Ground; and the Rain which falls is bitter and
salt.
_Charles de Rochfort_ observ’d, that in his time some Ships laden with
Tobacco being lost in a Hurricane before _St. Christophers_, soon after
the Tempest ceased, thousands of Fishes were seen swimming with their
Bellies upwards, intoxicated no doubt with the Tobacco.
SECT. XIII.
Antego.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Antego_.]
Between _Nevis_ and _Montserrat_, at sixteen Degrees and eleven Minutes,
lies _Antego_, being seven Leagues long, and about six broad; It is
dangerous to come at with great Ships, because of the many Rocks which
lie before it, and remain’d the longer uninhabited, because of the want
of fresh Water; yet at last the _English_ taking possession of it,
digg’d Pits, and made Troughs to catch and preserve Rain-water in, so
that it is now inhabited by at least eight hundred People, who live on
Plants, Venison, and Fish.
[Sidenote: The _Sword_-Fish.]
Upon the Sea-shore appears often-times the Sword-fish, which hath no
Scales, but a grey Skin, and white Belly, rough like a Fyle, a flat
Head, two Fins on each side, two on the Back, and one in stead of a
Tail, with which it makes a swift motion: the Sword of it is a long
Bone, arm’d on each side with twenty seven white and strong Teeth. This
Fish striving to be Chief of the Sea, Encounters with all other Fishes
whatsoever, even with the Whale himself, whose Belly he often rends
open; near his Eyes are two Nostrils, out of which he blows the Water he
drinks into the Air.
SECT. XIV.
Montserrat.
[Sidenote: Description of _Montserrat_.]
_Montserrat_, lying just at the seventeenth Degree, is so call’d from a
_Spanish_ Hill beyond _Barcellona_, whose shape this Island represents
off at Sea; It is about three Leagues in length, and almost as much in
breadth, and is very Mountainous, except a little towards the East, and
as much Westward.
The _English_ have a Church here, lin’d in the in-side with Cedar, which
this Island produces in great abundance.
[Sidenote: The _Acajou_-Tree.]
Also the _Acajou_-Tree, which grows an exceeding heighth, with mighty
Boughs, under which many judge it very wholsom to sleep: But there are
two sorts of the _Acajou_-Tree, the one differing from the other in
tallness of Body and Colour; of which the most esteem’d is the red and
sweet-smelling, which is not subject to any decay; for that which is
white, and yields Gum when cut, is of a less value.
[Sidenote: The _Acomas_-Tree.]
The _Acomas_ is also no way inferior in bigness to the _Acajou_, which
bears long swarthy Leaves, and yellow Fruit not unlike a Plumb; but
because of their extraordinary bitterness they are not eatable, onely
the wild Pigeons at a certain time of the year feed on them, after which
their Flesh becomes bitter also; from the Bark when cut, runs a milky
Juice.
[Sidenote: The _Cypress_-Tree.]
The Cypress-Trees when plan’d, yield a pleasant Marble colour to the
Eye, and a delightful fragrance to the Scent.
[Sidenote: The _Iron_-Tree.]
The Iron-Tree, with sharp-pointed Leaves, crack’d near the Stalk,
blossoms in _March_ and _September_; after the Violet Blossoms follow a
black kind of Fruit like a Cherry, being an excellent Food for Birds;
the Wood whilst flourishing is red, but cut down changes its colour, yet
is so hard that it never decays.
[Sidenote: The _Musk_-Herb.]
Moreover the Musk-Herb yields a sweet smell, and grows like Brambles
without Thorns; between long dusky Leaves hang yellow Flowers, which
afterwards become Cods full of Seeds, that smell exactly like Musk.
SECT. XV.
Guadalupe.
[Sidenote: Situation of _Guadalupe_.]
_Guadalupe_, or _Gardelupe_, formerly call’d _Carricueira_, lying at
about sixteen Degrees, and containing sixty Leagues in circumference
(for it is the biggest and noblest of the _Caribbee_ Islands,) is
divided in two by a narrow Channel; wherefore one part is call’d
_Grand-Terre_, and the other properly _Guadalupe_; whose Eastern Point,
nam’d _Cabes-Terre_, and its Western, call’d _Basse-Terre_, are both
inhabited by the _French_.
[Sidenote: Mountains.]
Several high Mountains, especially towards the Center, start up from
very low Grounds, with their barren Crowns towards the Skye, some
whereof are overgrown with Trees.
At the Feet of some of the Mountains are large Plains, water’d by sweet
Streams which formerly invited the _Spanish_ Fleets thither to water.
There is also a sulphurous Mountain, which smoaking continually gives
the taste of Sulphur to the Streams which flow about the same.
This Island boasts likewise several boyling Springs which cure the
Dropsie, and all other Distempers proceeding from Colds.
[Sidenote: Strange Fish.]
Towards each of the two fore-mention’d Points, are large Gulphs that
produce abundance of Tortoises, and all manner of Fish, and amongst
others one sort not known by Name, which is generally about four Foot
long, having a sharp and big Head, with glittering Eyes, a Back streak’d
with blue and green, and a Belly half white and half red, eight yellow
Fins, and a broad Tail, with which it swims exceeding swift.
[Sidenote: The Shark.]
Near the Shore swim the Sharks, an ugly Sea Monster, which bites a Man
asunder in the Middle at once; their Head is hard and prickly, their
flat Mouthes opening discover three rows of Teeth.
[Sidenote: The _Pilot_-Fish.]
After this Fish swims generally the _Pilot_-Fish, or _Rambos_, which is
so curiously speckled, that Nature seems herein to excell what-ever can
be represented by the artificial Pencil and move either swifter or
slower, according as the Shark leads. The Brain of this Fish is judg’d
exceeding good against the Gravel and Stone.
[Sidenote: The discovery of _Guadalupe_.]
_Guadalupe_ was first discover’d in the Year of our Lord 1635. by the
_French_, under the Command of the Lords _Du Plessis_ and _De Olive_,
and after them one of the Captains of _St. Christophers_: Since which
the Champain Ground being Till’d and Manur’d, brings forth in great
plenty, Rice, _Maiz_, _Manicock_, and Potato’s.