Casique_, question’d when she grew big with Child, Whether she was with
Child by him? and that he might know the real truth by Torture, he
caus’d her to be ty’d naked to a woodden Spit, and laid to roast against
a Fire made of green Wood, so that she died in a most miserable manner;
upon which her Father ran in a rage with thirty of his Companions to
_Olandus_’s House, where he kill’d his whole Family, and locking all the
Doors about the House, set fire on the same, into which when it was at
its greatest heighth, he and his Associates leap’d into the middle
thereof.
The second Accident is also very terrible, _viz._ An _Indian_ Maid being
Got with Child by a _Spanish_ Ass-driver, acquainted her Father and
Mother with it, withal telling them that she was ready to suffer Death
for her Offence; and notwithstanding they freely pardoning, and
perswading her to the contrary, she eat raw _Juca_, which when boyl’d is
a wholsom Food, but if eaten raw, certain though languishing Death;
which she perceiving, ran to the next River, where after having wash’d
her self, she broke off from a large Tree a Bough of five Foot long, and
making the end thereof very sharp, fell upon the same, and so kill’d her
self. Several other Ravish’d Maids taking example hereby, hang’d
themselves upon the Boughs of the same Tree.
But to proceed in our Description, next to _Collique_ lies the Valley
_Zana_, of the like bigness, and famous for the City _Miraflores_.
The next is _Pascayamo_, which exceeds all the former in fruitfulness,
and populousness of Inhabitants, who before they were destroy’d by the
_Ingas_ were much fear’d by their Neighbors. This Valley also was
adorn’d with several fair Temples, which are now turn’d into Cloysters.
Cattel, Hogs, and Goats breed here in very great numbers. The chief
Trade of this Place consists in Cotton and Linnen.
The Valley _Chacama_, in which the _Dominican_ Monks inhabit a brave
Cloyster, produces abundance of Sugar.
Four Leagues farther lies the spacious Valley _Chimo_, so call’d from an
old _Peruvian_ Heroe, which affords a pleasant Prospect, by reason of
the many Banquetting-houses built there by the _Ingas_. No place in
_Peru_ is able to stand in competition with this for plenty of
Provisions, the Ocean and Rivers producing store of Fish, the Countrey
affording Cattel and all manner of Fruit. The Cotton which grows here is
Shipp’d to the South Sea.
_Chanca_ is a Valley chiefly considerable for the Town _Arnedo_, which
is situate therein, of which more hereafter.
But the Valley _Guanape_, not far from _Chanca_, yields the best
_Peruvian_ Liquor _Chica_, and hath a convenient Harbor for Ships.
The Plain _Santa_ being overflow’d in the Winter, is all overgrown for
want of Inhabitants, who were all destroy’d by the _Spaniards_. The
Woods hereabouts swarm with a sort of venomous Bug, which exceedingly
torments the Traveller.
[Sidenote: _Spilbergen_’s Attempt.]
Next follow in order the Valleys _Guambaico_, very fruitful, and
_Guarney_, abounding with Horses, Hogs, and other Cattel. _Joris
Spilbergen_ Landing here _Anno 1615._ found the Haven secure against all
Winds, and between the Shore and the Village _Guarmey_ a Creek, and
somewhat farther a fresh-Water Pool; on one side of which stood a
decay’d Castle built of square Stone, whereon the _Hollanders_ set the
_States_ Flag, and Garrison’d the same to secure those that fetch’d
Water out of the foremention’d Pool. In the aforesaid Village stood a
Church with a spiry Steeple; behind which rose high Mountains, and at
the Foot thereof a great Wood, into which the Inhabitants fled with all
their Goods, so that _Spilbergen_ found nothing but a little Meal, a few
Hens, Hogs, and Oranges in their Houses, which whilest he was sending
Aboard, a small Body of Horse appear’d, but immediately fled into the
Woods. The _Hollanders_ staying here seven days, were inform’d, that the
Galley _Jesu Maria_, Commanded by the Admiral _Rodrigo Mendoza_, and the
_Santa Anna_, by the Vice-Admiral _Peter Alvares Piger_, were both lost,
not one Man being sav’d.
Not far from thence lies the Valley _Parmonga_, which though it be
fruitful and pleasant, yet it is quite desolate; the Walls of a large
Castle still appear, as testimonies of its being formerly inhabited; and
within the said Walls also are still to be seen the Ruines of spacious
Halls and fair Chambers, whose Walls are painted with wild Beasts and
Birds: The _Spaniards_ have digg’d all about, and undermin’d the same,
in hopes to find, together with the several dead Bodies, a Treasure
buried. Two Leagues Southward from this Valley _Parmonga_ flows the
River, _Guayman_, by the _Spaniards_ call’d _Rio del Falcon_, from a
Hawk which was seen there. When any store of Rain falls here, a great
part of the Dale _Barrana_ lies under Water.
[Illustration: GUARME]
[Sidenote: Strange manner of Hunting.]
Not far from hence lie the Valleys _Gaura_ and _Lima_; which last
exceeds all others in bigness, and was formerly exceeding populous; but
since the Marquess _Pizarro_ built the City _Los Reyos_ here, the
Citizens have taken the Lands from the _Peruvians_. The Mines hereabouts
produce Gold and Silver. Amongst other things the Inhabitants highly
esteem an Herb bearing yellow Flowers, which in a short time cures a
putrifi’d Wound, whereas if laid on sound Flesh it eats the same to the
Bone. The Natives heretofore us’d to spend their time in Hunting, and
caught their Game after this manner, _viz._ three or four thousand of
them would meet together, and by taking Hands make a Ring of three or
four Miles in circumference, and at a certain Note or Tune Sung, or
loudly Exclaim’d, they drew nearer and nearer, till at last they were
within Shot of the inclosed Game, whatsoever it were.
[Sidenote: A vast Treasure found by _Ferdinando Pizarro_.]
The Countrey of _Collao_ hath a low Point, from which a long Cliff runs
into the Sea, towards the small Island call’d _Isla de Collao_: On each
side of the Point the Coast runs sloaping in, the one side extending
North-West from _Collao_, to the Cliffs _Piscadores_; the other
South-East to the second Promontory; behind which is a large Bay, where
the Valley _Pachacama_ appears, famous for its exceeding fruitfulness,
and a stately Temple built by the _Ingas_, where _Ferdinando Pizarro_
found above nine hundred thousand _Ducats_, besides what the Soldiers
and Commanders took, and what the Priests had hid, which none, though
miserably tortur’d, would confess.
Opposite to _Pachacama_ lies the Valley _Chilca_, where it never Rains,
nor any Brook or Spring moistens the dry Soil, which nevertheless
produces _Maiz_ and Fruit-Trees. The Natives us’d to dig large and deep
Pits, in which they Sow’d and Planted, and at every Root laid the Head
of a Fish call’d a _Sardin_, which they caught in Nets on the Sea-shore;
wherein nevertheless nothing would have grown, but for the Morning Dews
which fell. The _Ingas_ also had curious Banquetting-houses here. In
these Parts there grows a sort of Tree call’d _Mala_, of which _Acosta_
relates a strange Wonder of Nature, very remarkable, _viz._ That it
flourishes and bears Fruit on that side which beholds the South, in that
Season when it is Summer on the Mountains; the other which views the
Sea, Blossoming and bearing Fruit when it is Summer on the Plains.
The Valley _Guarco_, spacious and full of Trees, produces especially the
pleasant Fruit _Guayaves_ and _Guavas_, as also the best Wheat in
_Peru_; wherefore it is vended all over the Countrey. Here are also the
Ruines of another stately Castle, built by the _Ingas_, the former
lustre whereof is testifi’d by its remaining Walls, which consist of
exceeding great Stones, so neatly joyn’d together without Mortar, that
it appears like one entire Stone; and by the decay’d Structures of
several Halls, much of the curious Painting whereof is yet to be seen;
from the Castle a large pair of Stairs led down to the Sea-shore. Two
Leagues farther the River _Lunagun_ runs through the fertile Valley of
the same Denomination. The fatness of this Soil is chiefly ascrib’d to
the Dung of a Fowl call’d _Guana_, which the Natives fetch in great
abundance from the Isles near the Main.
Next follows the Valley _Chinca_, one of the biggest in all _Peru_, and
before the _Spaniards_ Arrival very populous. In the time of the _Ingas_
it also shew’d a magnificent Temple Dedicated to the Sun, built by
_Tepaja Jupangue_; yet the Inhabitants still remain’d constant in the
worshipping of their old Idol _Cinciapema_. Hither the _Ingas_ sent
their conquer’d Princes, who on a certain time were to appear in
_Cusco_. The _Dominicans_ at present possess here a neat Cloyster, from
whence leads a plain Road to the Dale _Ica_, water’d by the River
_Pisco_, which is dry in Summer; wherefore the Natives brought a Ditch
from the Mountains, which since the _Spaniards_ destroying the
Inhabitants, is choak’d up with Sand.
Next the Valley _Nasca_ comes in view, famous for the Castle
_Caxamalca_, where the _Ingas_ kept all manner of Ammunition for War,
besides several Tombs, out of which the _Spaniards_ took great Riches.
This Valley is divided into several others, which for the most part
produce Sugar-Canes; and through them all runs the Royal High-way, which
is Wall’d in on both sides.
Beyond _Nasca_ lie one behind another the Valleys _Hacari_, _Oconna_,
_Camana_, and _Quilca_, all of them affording good Pasture for Cattel,
and Fruit, yet are most of them desolate.
The County _Los Motilonos_, thinly inhabited for want of Provisions, and
divided by two Rivers, separates _Moyobamba_ from the Countrey
_Charasmal_.
Southward beyond _Caxamalca_ appear the Countreys _Guamachuco_, and a
little farther _Conchucos_ and _Piscobamba_, all fruitful and pleasant,
and adorn’d with several Structures built by the _Ingas_.
On the side of _Piscobamba_ the County _Guaraz_ extends it self over
barren Mountains, through which the _Ingas_ cut a Royal High-way, and
built a strong Castle at the Entrance into the Countrey; the Inhabitants
whereof being very laborious, work very diligently in the Gold-Mines.
The Territory _Pincos_, water’d by a River, and famous for one of the
stateliest of the _Peruvian_ Structures, is surrounded by the Countreys
_Guayalcas_, _Turama_, _Bomba_, and _Conchucos_. The Mountains, though
dangerous to Travellers by Lyons, great Bears, and other ravenous
Beasts, afford abundance of Silver; and the fruitful Soil produces
Wheat, _Maiz_, Grapes, Figs, Oranges, Quinces, Cittrons, Cedars, and;
likewise feeds Goats, Horses, and other Cattel.
The Countrey _Viticos_, being within the Jurisdiction of _Guanuco_, lies
amongst the Mountains _Andes_, whether _Inga Mango_ fled, when the
_Spaniards_ made themselves Masters of _Peru_.
[Sidenote: Chief Towns and Places of note.]
The Towns and Places most observable and important in it belonging to
the _Spaniards_, are 1. _Miraflores_, as the _Spaniards_ call it, a well
seated and wealthy Town in the Valley of _Zanu_, as above mention’d,
five Leagues distant from the Sea, where it hath likewise a good Haven
or Port.
2. _Truxillo_, two or three Leagues distant from the Sea; the Haven
whereof is said to be large, but not safe. The Town it self is seated in
the Valley _Chinco_, upon the Banks of a pleasant River, whose Water
doth not onely run through several Channels to moisten the Fields, but
also to accommodate every House in the City: It hath broad Streets, a
great Market-place, four Cloysters, two for the _Dominicans_, one for
the _Augustines_, and the other for the _Franciscans_; one great Church,
five hundred Houses, and a Palace, inhabited by the King’s Collectors,
and many Banquetting-houses about it. The good situation and
fruitfulness of the Soil, mov’d the Marquess _Francisco Pizarro_ to
build this City here _Anno 1533._ but the Haven belonging to the same
lies open to all manner of Winds, so that the Ships Ride here in great
danger.
3. _La Parilla_, otherwise call’d _Santa_, fourteen Leagues beyond
_Truxillo_ Southward, wash’d by the Southern Ocean, and one side by a
fresh-water Stream, which being inclos’d between stony Cliffs, makes a
secure Harbor.
4. _Arnedo_, seated ten Leagues Northward from _Lima_, amongst the
Vineyards of the Valley _Chancas_; otherwise having no great matter in
it remarkable, but a fair _Dominican_ Cloyster.
[Sidenote: Prizes taken here by Sir _Fran. Drake_.]
[Sidenote: _Spilbergen_ attempts the Place in vain.]
5. _Lima_, by the _Spaniards_ commonly call’d _La Cividad de los Reyes_,
or _The City of Kings_, so nam’d because _Pizarro_, who built it, laid
the first Stone on _Twelfth-day, Anno 1553._ which they call _The Feast
of the Kings_: It is seated in the Valley of _Lima_, (from whence the
City is also so denominated) one of the fruitfullest Parts of all
_Peru_, and so neatly built, that all the chief Streets of the City open
upon a fair Market-place, or _Piazza_, of such a large Square, that upon
the sides thereof are built, in a stately and convenient manner, the
Cathedral, the Palace of the Archbishop, the Vice-Roy’s Palace and
Courts of Justice, with the Exchequer or Publick Treasury, the
Town-house or place where the City Magistrates meet and hold their
Courts, the Publick Armory or Magazine, and a Free-School, wherein are
taught by the _Jesuits_ all Arts and Sciences, and also the _Indian_
Language, and divers other fair Buildings of the Nobility and better
sort of Citizens. No Countrey under the Heavens affords a more fruitful
or pleasanter Place than this; the temperate Climate neither troubling
the Inhabitants with excessive Heats or great Colds, nor terrifying them
with Thunder or Lightning, but having almost perpetual Sun-shine and
fair Weather; onely the three Winter Moneths, wherein there falls a
sweet-smelling Dew, which cures the Head-ache; and there die but very
few of pestilential Distempers. The Countrey about the City is pleasant
without exception. The Pigeons which are kept here in curious Houses
built on purpose, flie a thousand in a Flight. The Fields abound also
with Cattel. The Orchards and Gardens flourish with all sorts of Trees
and Plants, whereof those that are brought hither from _Spain_ grow
better than in their natural Countrey. The West side of the City is
wash’d by a pure & clear Stream, which stores the Market with great
plenty of good Fish, it being distant but a Musquet shot, especially
when the Water rises. This River is of great consequence, for it not
onely waters the whole Valley of _Lima_ with its several Branches, but
also runs under every House in the City, being built on Stone Arches;
they are onely one Story high, because there is no Wood to be had in the
Valley of _Lima_ but what in three years becomes all Woorm-eaten;
nevertheless the Houses are very beautiful both within and without; the
Walls being very thick and strong, have curious Arbors of green Boughs
on the top, in which the Owners shade themselves from the Sun. Most of
the Houses built in the high Streets have pleasant Turrets, which face
the Market-place, where all sorts of Provisions are brought to Sale, as
Oxen, Sheep, Venison, Sugar, Oranges, Cittrons, Grapes, and Wheat, which
is ground in Water-Mills built near the River. This City is inhabited by
many able Merchants, which often load Ships to _Panama_, that are valu’d
at above two hundred thousand _Ducats_. To the Arch-bishop’s See of this
Place belongs the Bishopricks of _Chili_, _Charcas_, _Quito_, _Cusco_,
_Truxillo_, _Guanuco_, _Popaian_, _San Francisco_, _Panama_,
_Nicaragua_, and _Rio de la Plata_. The City is also adorn’d with two
fair Churches, besides the Cathedral, and also other lesser Churches,
four stately Cloysters, two Nunneries, and the _Jesuits_ Palace, which
is very magnificent. The Haven two Leagues distant from it, and call’d
_Callao de Lima_, is large and secure for Ships. _Anno 1579._ Sir
_Francis Drake_ took twelve Ships from hence, one whereof was laden with
Linnen and Silk, besides a great Chest full of Silver: Which
Inconvenience to prevent for the future, the _Spaniards_ have built two
strong Forts, and fortifi’d them with Brass Guns. Thirty years after Sir
_Francis Drake_’s Exploit, _Joris Spilbergen_ coming to Anchor here,
found the Place all inhabited, a Fort well stor’d with Guns, and a
strong Castle before the Mouth of the Harbor, from whence they shot
Bullets of thirty six Pound weight at the _Hollanders_, and so shatter’d
their Frigat, call’d _The Hunter_, that she could scarce keep above
Water: Fourteen _Spanish_ Merchant-men lying near the Shore, receiv’d
little damage, _Spilbergen_ not being able for Shelves to get to them,
neither did he judge it convenient to Land, the Vice-Roy having at that
time above four thousand Men in Arms, besides several Troops of Horse;
wherefore after having fir’d several Guns on the Fort, and against the
Church, he set Sail to _Guarmey_.
6. _Cannete_, otherwise call’d _Guarco_, from the Valley wherein it is
situate: It was built by the _Spaniards_ out of the Treasure which they
found in the Castle afore spoken of in the same Valley.
7. _Valverde_, situate in a Valley of the same Name, where excellent
Fruit may be had for a small Price; it is a well Traded and rich Town,
about sixteen Leagues distant from the Sea.
8. _Pachacama_, situate in a Territory of the same Name, four Leagues
Southward of _Lima_, memorable chiefly for _Pizarro_’s good fortune
here, who is reported to have found in one onely old Temple of the
Natives, the quantity of nine hundred thousand _Ducats_ of Gold and
Silver, besides what his Soldiers are suppos’d to have seiz’d on, and
convey’d away before he came.
9. _Castro Verreina_, threescore Leagues distant from _Lima_ to the
South-East: It lieth in the Valley of _Chocolocha_, and is a rich Place,
by reason of the good Mines of Silver which are about it, and abundance
of the best sort of Tobacco.
10. _Miguel de la Ribera_, in the Valley of _Camana_. The Inhabitants
whereof drive a great Trade in Wine, Figs, and Raisins.
11. The City _Arequipa_, which extends up towards the Mountains, is
built in the Dale _Quilca_, which runs eleven Leagues from the Sea,
under a healthful Climate; but in the Year 1582. it was wholly ruin’d by
an Earthquake; the reason whereof is ascrib’d to the wet sulphurous
Mountains, which burns continually, and sometimes vomits out Flames and
Ashes. The Marquess _Pizarro_ built this City forty six years before the
fore-mention’d Earthquake, since which being re-built again, soon
attain’d to three hundred Houses, besides a Church and Cloyster; and
though it be but a small Town, yet it is of a great resort, because the
Gold and Silver is brought hither from the Mines _Chancos_, _Porco_, and
_Potosi_, and from thence sent down the River _Quilca_, which washing
the City Walls runs into the South Sea to _Los Reyos_, and from thence
to _Panama_, _Nombre de Dios_, and _New Spain_. The Jurisdiction of this
City _Arequipa_ extends it self a vast way, _viz._ over the spacious
Valleys between _Hacari_ and _Tampaca_, and up in the Countrey beyond
the County _Condesuyo_, full of Hamlets and Villages; the Inhabitants
whereof heretofore worshipp’d the Sun. By the Way from _Arequipa_ to
_Collao_ lie two great Lakes, out of one of which the River _Aparima_
takes its original.
12. _Caxamalca_, rather a Fort than a Town, in a Territory of the same
Denomination, built at the Foot of a Mountain wash’d with two Rivulets,
over which lead several Bridges; near which also were formerly a stately
Temple Consecrated to the Sun, wonderful Palaces and Baths for the
_Ingas_, besides other magnificent Structures of Noble-men, which were
the more famous for _Attabaliba_’s Imprisonment and Death. The Soil
round about may compare with any part of the World for fertility. The
Inhabitants are a peaceable ingenious People, and make curious woollen
Hangings.
13. _St. Juan de la Frontera_, built by the _Spaniards_ North-East and
by East from _Caxamalca_ in the County _Chiachinpoyas_, full of
Gold-Mines and Cattel; to which belongs not onely _Chiachinpoyas_, but
also the Countreys _Guiancas_ and _Cascainga_, out of which above twenty
thousand _Peruvians_ pay Tribute to the _Spanish_ King. These People
especially the Women, are very comely and beautiful; for which reason
the _Ingas_ fetch’d their Wives and Concubines from thence. Eastward
from _Frontera_ rise the high Mountains _Andes_, behind which flows the
great River _Mayobamba_ by several poor Villages inhabited by a sottish
kind of People.
14. _San Jago de las Valles_, built in an ill place amongst the Shrubs
and overflowing Rivers. In this Countrey grows a Tree which bears a
juicy Fruit, not unlike an Almond in prickly Rinds, but resembling those
which cover a Chesnut, concerning which Physicians have deliver’d their
Opinions, That there is not a wholsomer Fruit in the whole World.
15. _Leon de Guanuco_, which receiv’d that Denomination from its Builder
_Vacca de Castro_, who call’d it _Leon_, because he was born in the
_Spanish_ City _Leon_, and _Guanuco_ from the stately Palace of the
_Ingas_ which was built here: The Houses are built of Free-stone, and
cover’d with Thatch. The Citizens of _Los Reyos_ were much against the
building of this Town, because several Lands belonging to them were
taken away and given to _Guanuco_, where the temperate Air grants long
Life and Health to the Inhabitants. The High-way, in which stand several
Store-houses, formerly full of Ammunition, runs through the middle of
this Countrey, where in the time of the _Ingas_ dwelt Astronomers, who
by looking on the Stars pretended to tell future Events. Here the Women
also us’d to be burnt alive with their Husbands.
SECT. V.
Cusco.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _Cusco_.]
_Cusco_ is the far greater part of the Province of _Peru_, containing
generally all the _Sierra_, or _Hill-Countreys_, and those parts of the
_Andes_ likewise which lie Southward of the little Province or _Cantred_
of _Guanuco_, being Coasted Westward and to the North-West with _Lima_;
Eastward, with _Los Quixos_, and some part of _Guiana_; and on the
South, with _Charcas_; enjoying for the most part a temperate and good
Air, neither over-heated with the scorching Sun in the day, nor damp’d
with any cold Mists or Dews in the Evening, as some parts of the Plains
of _Peru_ are, but well water’d with many fresh Rivers, which make the
Valleys and lower Grounds of it good Pasturage, able to maintain great
Herds of Cattel. The Woods are especially stor’d with the _Coca_, whose
Leaf is accounted restorative, and with much excellent Venison.
[Illustration: CUSCO]
[Sidenote: The several Valleys, and other Territories belonging to
_Collao_.]
In this Province also there are some lesser Divisions of Countreys
necessary to be describ’d, _viz._ the cold and barren Countrey _Bambon_,
jutting against _Guanuco_, inhabited antiently by a valiant People,
especially near the Lake _Chincacocha_, which is ten Leagues in
circumference; in the middle of it are several Cliffs and little Isles:
And out of this Lake also the famous River _De la Plata_ hath its
original, and runs through the Valley _Xauxa_, receiving by the way the
Streams _Parcos_, _Bilcas_, _Abancay_, _Apurima_, _Yucay_, and others.
The next Countreys in order towards the South are _Tarana_, abounding
with Wheat, and the eminent Valley _Xauxa_, surrounded with snowy
Mountains. The Inhabitants by a general Name call’d _Guancas_, were
antiently divided into three sorts, _viz._ the _Maracabilca_,
_Laxapalanga_, and _Xauxa_. Here were also several stately Houses built
by the _Ingas_.