Slaves are _African Negro_’s, and the others, _Netherlanders_,
_Portugueses_, or _Brasilians_; which last came in of their own accords,
or else were absolv’d from their Oaths, and acquitted from their Martial
Offices; yet are ready to venture their Lives and Estates, and to Serve
either on Foot or Horseback for their Freedom against their Enemies.
Those that went from the _Netherlands_ to _Brasile_ on their own
Accounts, drive a Trade, or Serve the Traders, or else keep Inns, and
follow Handicraft Faculties; some of which, when grown rich, buy Parts
in Sugar-Mills; others live on Tilling: by all which several sorts of
People _Reciffa_ is very well inhabited, and full of Houses, which yield
great Rents, and are held at high Prices: wherefore _Grave Maurice_
thought good to mark out pieces of Ground on the Isle _Antonio Vaes_,
which were sold for a considerable Sum of Money, insomuch that in a
short time a new City call’d _Maurice-stadt_ was built on the same, and
inclos’d within strong Bulwarks; yea, notwithstanding the Rumor of a
great _Spanish_ Fleet in some measure abated the Courage of the
Builders, yet the City was extended down to the Fort _Frederick
Henrick_, and a brave Bridge laid over the Stream _Biberibi_, cross
which they go from _Reciffa_ to _Antonio Vaes_, where no People were in
greater esteem than Handicraftsmen, who could get their ten or twelve
Shillings a day. The Labor which is requir’d in the Sugar-Mills, no Men
are able to undergo but the _Negro_’s. Of the _Portuguese_ some have
liv’d here a considerable time; others lately came hither, being most of
them _Jews_, of whom there live a great many at _Reciffa_, and are very
diligent in promoting of Trade: They possess several Sugar-Mills, and
are kept very much under; their whole study and contrivance is for Gain;
they conceal their Hatred against the _Christians_, as also their
Covetousness, yet are mortal Enemies to the _Hollanders_. The
_Brasilians_, who are the ancient Inhabitants, live apart from other
People in their Villages, consisting of long Straw Huts, forty or fifty
of them under one Roof sleeping on woven Hammocks; they esteem no
Houshold-stuff but Nets and _Calabashes_, using the first to fish with,
and the other to drink out of; about their Huts they plant _Mandihoka_
and _Brasile_ Trees; when they are not employ’d in the Wars, they spend
most of their time in Hunting, but many in Idleness; they esteem wild
Fruits better than those which are Planted; they Drink night and day,
making their Liquor of the chew’d Root _Mandihoka_, or the Apples
_Tajovis_; they esteem nothing so much as strong Drink, and to wear
Linnen next their Skins; they would not value Money, could they but get
Brandy and _Spanish_ Wine without it; if they are not promis’d a Reward,
they will not work. Each Village, nay House, hath its peculiar Governor;
but besides him there is a _Hollander_, who stirs up the Idle to work,
and takes care that the Owners of the Sugar-Mills do them no injury:
They never suffer themselves to be Hir’d for above twenty days, at the
end whereof they demand their Wages; they are commonly employ’d to chop
Wood to boyl the Sugar with; but by reason of the scarcity of _Negros_,
they are often made use of for other Business, which to avoid they hide
themselves; as also when they are to go to Fight; they are hard to be
kept in Ranks, for they will run out of their own Fyle into another on
the least occasion; but if they put their Enemy to flight, they pursue
him, and spare none alive. They little regard the _Christian_ Religion,
yet some of them have learn’d the _Lord’s-Prayer_ and the _Creed_ of the
_Roman_ Priests. The Minister _Davil_ having learn’d the _Brasilian_
Tongue, Converted very many of them, and Baptiz’d them in their
Villages.
The _Brasilian_ Women and Children usually go to Wars with their
Husbands and Fathers.
The _Brasilian_ Slaves were some years since bought of the _Tapuyans_,
or made Slaves, because they assisted _Boudewyn Henrickszoon_, when he
Landed in the Inlet _Traluson_; but they have since obtain’d their
Freedom of the _Portuguese_. The _Angolan_ Slaves can undergo greater
Labor than any other.
The _Brasile_ Wood grows generally ten or twelve Leagues up in the
Countrey from the Sea, not in particular Woods, but amongst other Trees.
The _Negro_’s, when the Sugar-Mills work not, are employ’d in pulling
off the white Bark, three Fingers thick, from the Tree, which bears
dark-green Leaves, small and prickly at the ends, and hanging on thin
Stalks, but bearing neither Blossoms nor Fruit.
_Osnabrig_ Linnen is highly esteem’d amongst the _Brasilians_, as also
colour’d Wax, Copper, Tin, Wine, Beer, Butter, Cheese, Meal, Stock-fish,
Pork, Hung-beef, and Gammons of Bacon.
The _Papists_ Teach and observe their Religion in publick, their
Spiritual Men being divided into Priests and Monks; the Monks consist of
_Franciscans_, _Carmelites_, and _Benedictines_; the _Franciscans_ being
the most eminent, possess six fair Cloysters, besides which they have
neither Land nor other Revenues, but live on what is given them daily;
their Cloysters stand in _Frederick-stadt_, _Iguaraca_, _Olinda_,
_Pojuca_, _Serinhain_, and _Antonio Vaes_. But the _Carmelites_ have
three Structures at _Parayba_, and as many more in _Frederick-stadt_ and
_Olinda_, where they live plentifully on what they reap from Tillage,
Rents of Houses, and Legacies of deceased Persons. The _Benedictins_,
though they possess onely two Cloysters, one in _Frederick-stadt_, and
the other at _Olinda_, yet they have the greatest Income from the
Sugar-Mills of _Muserapa_, and the Countrey about _Parayba_, as also
Cattel and Cane-Fields.
_Reciffa_, the Seat of War, hath two Horn-works towards _Olinda_; the
first rais’d with Stone, defends the Haven with seven Brass
Demi-Culverins; the other lies opposite to the River _Biberi_, and hath
five Brass and two Iron Guns. _Reciffa_ also hath a strong Rail about
it, and many Guns plac’d in good order. Near the Powder-house stand two
Batteries with Guns.
On the Shore towards _Olinda_, lies the Stone Castle _St. Joris_, on a
Hill opposite to the Haven, fortifi’d with a Bulwark and thirteen Iron
Guns.
The Water-Castle, built round, rises out of the Sea, and stands at the
end of the Stone Cliff, which makes an Inlet, through which the Ships
Sail that come to, and go from _Reciffa_.
The Fort _Bruine_ hath four Points, seven Brass Guns, and Pallisados
round about.
Somewhat farther is the Redoubt call’d _The Lady Bruine_, which hath two
Brass Guns.
The Castle _Waerdenbergh_, built before the Mouth of the River
_Capivaribi_, in the Bay made by the River _Biberibi_, hath three
Points, each rais’d square, because the fourth Bulwark towards _Antonio
Vaes_, cannot be finish’d, by reason the Earth is sunk away.
The Fort _Ernestus_ stands on the North-side of _Maurice-stadt_, on the
Island _Antonio Vaez_. That part of the City which respects the Fort,
lies open, with five Points and a double Horn-work; it is the more
secure from any Invasion, because the Countrey round about is overflow’d
at High-water. On the Horn-work stand eight Brass Guns; but the four
Redoubts along the River _Capivaribi_ are decay’d.
The square Fort _Prince William_, standing in a low Ground not far from
the River _Afogados_, hath four Bulwarks, and is inclos’d with a high
Wall and strong Pallisado’s: the Church appearing above all other Houses
in the Castle, may be seen at _Olinda_.
[Sidenote: Description of _Maurice-stadt_.]
_Maurice-stadt_ lies pleasantly along the River _Biberibi_, and is
wash’d behind by the River _Capivaribi_; It hath a large Wharf, a brave
Magazine, a _French_ Church, and a Guild-hall: The Buildings are not
altogether so high as those in _Reciffa_, where they are commonly three
Stories, because the Ground is very dear.
_Grave Maurice_’s Court lying opposite to _Reciffa_, on the Shore of
_Biberibi_, rises from the middle of a Garden with two high Towers.
Not far from the Castle _Ernestus_ is a Potters Kiln, and on the other
side, near the Fort _Frederick Henrick_ seven Wells, and some Morasses,
and towards the Water-side, a Stone Battery.
[Sidenote: Forts of _Brasile_.]
The Fort _Orange_ at the Southern Mouth of the Haven, hath, by reason of
its dry Moats, a strong Pallisado, four Bulwarks, and twelve Guns. The
Bulwarks about the Church, and the Battery before the Haven, also
secures _Schuppen-stadt_ against the _Portuguese_. On the Battery stand
nine Iron and two Brass Guns. At the Northern Entrance of the Haven
appears a Tower with three Guns.
The Fort _Margareta_ hath two Brass and forty Iron Guns.
_Restringa_, surrounded with Pallisado’s, rises near a sandy Point in
the middle of the River.
The Castle _Antonio_, wash’d by the Sea, hath onely one Tower, but that
sufficiently strong to defend it against an Enemy.
The _Franciscan_ Cloyster, strengthned by a Wall and Earthen Works,
serve in stead of a Castle to _Frederick-stadt_, and is the more secure
by reason of a Half-Moon, Moats, Rails, and a Battery at the Mouth of
the Haven.
The stonie Fortification of _Ceulen_ lies near the Sea. All these are
the Fortresses of the Northern _Brasile_.
To the Southward of _Reciffa_ appears the Promontory _St. Augustine_,
where the Haven is secur’d by the Forts _Vander Dussen_, _Domburgh_, and
a Stone Battery.
_Porto Calvo_ is fortifi’d by a Castle, built on a steep Hill forty Foot
high.
The Fort _Maurice_ Commands the Ferry of _Rio Francisco_, and is built
on a high and steep Hill, with five Bulwarks; the lowermost Plain is
overflow’d by the River in the Summer Season. The Store-houses
hereabouts are ill furnish’d, and if not suddenly supply’d, ’tis to be
fear’d, that a great Famine will follow, as already it is begun, and we
may thank the faint-heartedness of the Enemy that it hath increas’d no
more.
[Illustration: MAURITIOPOLIS]
[Illustration: CASTRUM MAURITIJ AD RIPAM FLUMINIS S. FRANCISCI]
[Illustration: ARX PRINCIPIS GUILJELMI]
The _Militia_ is distributed into all the Forts or Villages, that so
they may the better procure their Provisions, watch the approach of the
_Spaniards_, and prevent all Incroach-ments of the Enemy. In _Maurice_
Castle are five hundred and forty Men in Garrison; in the _Afogados_,
two hundred ninety three; in _Camarigibi_ and _Porto Calvo_, four
hundred and eighty; in _Serinhain_, seven hundred and eighty; in
_Pojuca_, twenty five; in the Mills _Panterra_, ninety seven; at the
Promontory _Antonio_, two hundred and forty; in the Castle _Vander
Dussen_, a hundred and seventy; the like number is in _Amaro_ and
_Moribeca_; in the Village _St. Laurence_, four hundred and twenty two;
in the Fort _Prince William_, two hundred and sixty three; in _Frederick
Henrick_, hath two hundred and thirty; in _Ernestus_, two hundred and
eighty; in _Reciffa_, two hundred and seventy seven; in the Castle
_Bruine_, a hundred and twenty five; in _Olinda_, a hundred and ninety
three; in _Iguaraza_, ninety three; in _Orange_, a hundred and eighty
two; in _Goyana_, a hundred and sixty five; in _Frederick-stadt_, a
hundred and one; in the Fort _Margareta_, three hundred and sixty; in
the Castle _Ceulen_, eighty eight; in _Antonio Vaes_ lies _Grave
Maurice_’s Guard; _Siara_ is defended by forty; so that the whole Power
consists of six thousand one hundred and eighty Men, too weak a number
to resist the Enemy both by Land and Sea; nay, had he had Courage, the
_West-India_ Companies Concerns in _Brasile_ would long since have been
in a low Condition; for the _Spanish_ Fleet which came lately from
_Cadis_, carry’d three thousand Men, besides seven hundred which they
brought from _St. Salvador_; the Duke of _Bagnola_ was also ready with
two thousand _Portugueses_, and a thousand _Brasilians_, to joyn with
the Seamen, and expected also as great a number from _Parayba_,
_Pernambuco_, _Seregippa_, _Itamarica_, _Rio Grande_, and _Siara_,
contrary to the Oath taken in _Reciffa_: But the _Spanish_ Fleet keeping
close to the Bay _Todos los Sanctos_, hath hitherto done nothing, except
the sending of several Companies into the Countrey, to rob and pillage
the _Brasilian_ Villages. Moreover, the _Mulatto_’s and _Negro_’s do
great mischief up and down, and so much the more, because they go and
come along private Ways, through which none can follow them. Most of the
Ships being badly fitted, are scarce able to keep the Sea; and the
Soldiers want Clothes exceedingly. The City _St. Salvador_ keeps the
Countrey in a continual Alarm, so that five thousand Men are requir’d to
conquer it: Eighteen great Ships, and as many Ketches, besides lesser
Vessels, ought to be sent thither, the Sea being full of Pyrats. The
common Treasury is so much behind-hand, that none can receive any Pay.
The Owners of the Sugar-Mills will not deliver any Sugar without ready
Money, because of the _Netherlanders_ removal from thence.
This Relation of the Affairs of the _Netherland West-India_ Company _in
Brasile_, was deliver’d to them in Writing by _Vander Dussen_.
_A Description, of the Palace_ Freyburgh, _two Bridges, and a
Banquetting-house, all built by_ Grave Maurice.
_Grave Maurice_ before his coming away from _Brasile_, built a pleasant
Palace along the River _Biberibi_, before the Fort _Ernestus_ on
_Antonio Vaes_; the outmost Work whereof was shaded by a double Row of
_Coco_-Trees, and had a Pond full of all sorts of Fish; and not far from
thence, on one side, a second encompass’d a Coney-Warren, which
respected a pell-mell; near it a Garden, curiously divided into round
_Parterres_, which led into a long Park of _Bakkoven_-Trees; and at the
end a great Dove-house. Next the River stood a large Stable, on one side
whereof was a Field to whiten Linnen in, and a Kitchin-Garden wherein
was a large Spot full of Orange-Trees, a row of Vines, which bore Grapes
every three Moneths, and a delightful Walk, beset on each side with
Lime-Trees. On the other side of this Palace stood a Banquetting-house,
near a row of Pome-granate-Trees, and another of Fig and Cittron-Trees.
Behind the Palace was a Fish-pond with two Iles, for the Swans. A
Dove-house also appear’d near the Fort _Ernestus_, where the _Negro_’s
watch’d the Horses, and led them to Water in a Fishpond in a large Wood.
Before the Palace appear’d a Stone Pallisado, which like a Half-Moon ran
into the River. The Palace it self rose with two Towers, one of which
serv’d for a Sea-mark.
Moreover, _Grave Maurice_ extended his new City to the Fort _Frederick
Henrick_, divided the Morassie Grounds by several Moats, and laid a
Bridge cross the River _Biberibi_, between _Reciffa_ and the City
_Maurice_, another cross the Stream _Capivaribi_, between the said City
_Maurice_ and the Main Land.
In the time when _Albuquerque_ Govern’d _Brasile_ for the King of
_Spain_, it was Disputed among the _Portuguese_, whether it were not
requisite to desert the City _Olinda_, and causing the Inhabitants to
remove to _Reciffa_, joyn the same with a Bridge to the Isle _Antonio
Vaes_, because those Places are almost invincible, and much more
convenient for Ships than _Olinda_? But the _Hollanders_ surpris’d them
on a sudden, before they could bring the Business to pass, and after a
while prosecuted the same Design themselves.
[Sidenote: _Grave Maurice_ his stately Bridge over the River
_Biberibi_.]
_Grave Maurice_ spent twenty four thousand _Guilders_ in laying a Bridge
over the River _Biberibi_, between _Reciffa_ and _Antonio Vaes_. Having
rais’d just fifteen Stone Columns from the Ground, they came to the
deepest part of the River _Antonio Vaes_, when the Architect began to
despair of accomplishing the same, because the Ground lay deep under
Water, and the Stream ran very swift: Those which dwelt at _Reciffa_
cry’d, _That they had undertaken a Business which was not in the power
of Man to effect, and that there was above ten thousand Pound already
spent in vain on fifteen Pillars_: In this sort they began to clamor
against _Grave Maurice_, especially the Owners of Houses in _Reciffa_,
who foresaw that many would remove from thence to the pleasant Isle
_Antonio Vaes_, as soon as the Bridge was finish’d; after which the
Houses in _Reciffa_ would be at low Rates. But _Grave Maurice_ judging
that the Disgrace would fall upon him, if the Bridge should be left half
finish’d, caus’d at his own proper Charge, huge pieces of lasting Timber
to be cut, forty and fifty Foot long, and so ramm’d into the Ground,
some streight, others sloaping, to support the rest, and in two Moneths
finish’d the same. On the first day after this new Bridge was
compleated, there went so many People over it, that the Toll which they
paid, amounted to above 60 l. _Sterl._ and was after that Farm’d for
twenty eight thousand _Guilders_ yearly, a Citizen that pass’d over the
same being to pay 2 _d._ and a Negro or Soldier 1 _d._ but a Horseman
paid 4 _d._ and a Cart or Wayn 7 _d._
[Sidenote: Another over the River _Capivaribi_.]
Since this _Grave Maurice_ built a second Bridge cross the River
_Capivaribi_, which joyn’d _Antonio Vaez_ to the Main Continent. This
Bridge being eighty six Rods long of durable Timber, was finish’d in
seven Weeks.
[Sidenote: His Pleasure-house _Bonavista_.]
Moreover _Grave Maurice_ built a pleasant Banquetting-house, call’d
_Bonavista_, at his own Charge before the said Bridge, from whence he
could see the Palace _Freyburgh_, _Olinda_, the Fort _Ernestus_,
_Maurice-stadt_, _Reciffa_, the _French_ Church, the Ships in the
Harbors, and also the Castle _Frederick Henrick_. This Banquetting-house
hath at each corner a Turret, and in the middle thereof a spacious Room,
crown’d with a fair Terrace.
[Illustration: BOAVISTA]
[Illustration: GVIANA siue AMAZONVM REGIO.]
[Illustration]
CHAP. VIII.
Guiana.
[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _Guiana_.]
Northward of _Brasile_, over against _Maragnan_, the Countrey of
_Guiana_, not improbably suppos’d to be so call’d from the River _Wia_,
one of the principal Rivers of the Province, which yet is said to have
more and fairer than any other part of _America_ besides: It is by some
call’d _The Wild Coast_, for what reason is uncertain, it being found to
be a very fruitful and pleasant Countrey: It is Bounded on the East with
the _Atlantick_ Ocean, or _Mare del Nordt_; on the West, with some
undiscover’d mountainous Countreys, which lie on that side of the
_Andes_, on the North it hath the great River _Orenoque_; and on the
South that of the _Amazons_, or _Orellana_; which last Name, as we have
said before, it derives from _Francisco Orellana_, who is said to have
first discover’d it in the Year 1543. It was anciently call’d _Tobo_,
_Topoi_, and _Tapera_.
This Countrey lieth on both sides of the _Æquator_, extended from the
fourth Degree of Southern Latitude, to the eighth Degree of Northern,
yet enjoyeth a temperate and good Air, not oppressed with any excessive
Heat; which is chiefly attributed to the Breezes or Easterly Winds,
almost perpetually about Noon blowing upon it. Towards the Sea-side it
is for the most part a flat and level Countrey, in the more Inland parts
mountainous and swell’d with Hills, but in all it is generally of such a
rich and fertile Soil, that for Fruits, or any outward Commodities of
the Earth, it yields not to any other Province of the _New World_, but
rather far excelleth the most, having as it were a continual Summer,
without Winter or Autumn, the Trees never uncloth’d or made bare, Fruits
always ripe, or growing to maturity, the Meadows and Pastures always
verdant and green, and, as we said, so excellently well water’d with
Rivers, that no Countrey in the World seems comparable to it in this
respect. But since the several Occurrences of _Orellana_’s Expedition
will give much light to the more particular knowledge of these Parts, we
thought good to insert this following Relation thereof.
SECT. II.
_A Relation of the Journey of_ Francisco Orellana.
_Francisco Orellana_ travelling with _Gonsalvo Pizarro_ from _Quito_, to
find out the Countrey _Cundirumarca_ (where the Natives, according to
the information of a strange _American_, went Arm’d with Golden Plates)
he came after a great deal of hardship to the River _Maranon_, where
_Pizarro_ building a Brigantine, put all his sick and maimed Men into
the same, as also all his Baggage under the Command of _Orellana_, whom
he commanded to forage for some Provisions, of which the Army, that was
to follow along the Shore, had great want; but _Orellana_ was in few
days driven down so far, that he saw no hopes of getting up again in a
years time, and Engag’d daily with the _Indians_, which came aboard of
him in little Boats; at last he went ashore and conquer’d a Village, in
which he found Provisions, some Gold, and Gems of great value: Not long
after which he was in great danger, by reason of a River, which with
great force fell into the Channel in which he Sail’d, and for the space
of two hundred Leagues saw neither Man nor House: Next Landing at a
Village, he was by the Governor thereof Presented with Turtles,
Partridges, Fish, and other Provisions, and also forewarn’d of the
valiant Women, the _Amazones_, which they call’d _Camapuyara_. Going
from hence, he met for eighty Leagues together, nothing but steep and
craggy Mountains on each side of the Shore, insomuch that he could not
Land any where for Provisions. Next coming to the inhabited Province
_Machiparo_, he was fiercely assaulted for two days and two nights, by
the Casique _Aomagua_, who pursu’d him with several Boats: Not long
after having conquer’d a Village, out of which ran several trodden Paths
into the Countrey, he came to a River, in the Mouth whereof there lying
three Isles, he gave it the Denomination of _La Trinidad_, which washeth
a fruitful Coast, along which Sail’d divers small Vessels. Somewhat
farther in the River _Trinidad_ stood a Village and Banquetting-house,
where _Orellana_ took abundance of Provisions, Silver, Gold, and Earthen
Ware curiously Glaz’d and Painted, but judg’d it very hazardous to
travel far into the Countrey by the common High-ways, in regard of the
multitudes of People that frequented them, to whose Civility he durst
not trust; therefore Sailing from hence a hundred Leagues farther, he
came to the Countrey belonging to the Lord of _Paguana_, who civilly
Entertain’d him, and Presented him with Sheep, not unlike the
_Peruvians_, and all manner of good Fruit, which the Countrey affords in
great abundance. After this on his Lar-board side he discover’d a River,
whose being black like Ink, and disemboguing into another, discolour’d
the Water thereof for the space of twenty Leagues; he also saw several
Villages, and at last found the Stream to be so broad, that he could not
see from one Shore to the other: he took one of the Villages without any
resistance, there being none but Women in the Huts, whither the Men came
towards the Evening. Near another Village he espy’d seven Heads sticking
upon Poles, from whence the Province receiv’d the Denomination _De las
Picotas_, from whence ran several pav’d Ways, on each side planted with
Trees, into the Countrey; where Landing, he furnish’d himself with
_Maiz_, Turtles, Geese, and Parrots, and at _Can_ Island took an
_American_ Prisoner, who inform’d him, that he was in the _Amazones’_
Jurisdiction, and that up in the Countrey liv’d a People not unlike the
_Spaniards_, amongst whom were two white Women, brought thither up the
River by a Lord. Going farther he saw divers Villages on each side of
him, and at last Landing in a little Town, he found plenty of Oats,
Liquor made of Oats, Cotton, Linnen, a Temple hung round about with
Arms, and two Episcopal Miters of divers colours. Near a Promontory
jutting out into the River, the Tide went so strong, that he was not
able to Land; upon the Point stood several fair Buildings, where were
also white Women, of a big stature, with long Hair, who animated the Men
to fight. This Countrey, which extends it self a hundred and fifty
Leagues along the Shore, with Hills, Pasture-Grounds, and Champain, and
well inhabited, being discover’d on _St. John_’s Day, was call’d _The
Province De San Juan_; which leaving, he came to several Isles, the
biggest whereof extended fifty Leagues in length, all of them standing
on high Ground, pleasant, and full of People, who in Boats, by them
call’d _Periagues_, valiantly Engag’d with the _Spaniards_; but one of
them not long after being taken Prisoner, inform’d them, that the
_Amazones_ dwelt in Stone Houses, Wall’d Towns, had plenty of Silver and
Gold, and four stately Temples enrich’d with Plates, Dedicated to the
Sun. But _Orellana_ Sailing a hundred Leagues farther, along a Coast
belonging to the Lord of _Caripuna_, according to the Prisoner’s
Relation, the Inhabitants hereabouts shot abundance of poyson’d Arrows
at the _Spaniards_, but they made a shift to escape them, and Sailing
within sight of Land into the Bay of _Paria_, they came to an Anchor
before the Island _Cubugua_, Anno 1541. after they had been eight
hundred Leagues.
[Illustration: ARX NASSOVII.]
[Sidenote: The Expedition of _Orellana_.]
[Sidenote: He dies with Grief.]
_Orellana_ informing the _Spanish_ Court of his Adventures, desir’d the
chief Command of the Province of the _Amazones_, which after earnest
Sollicitations he obtain’d, and accordingly setting Sail from _St.
Lucar_, he went to the Island _Teneriff_ with three Ships and five
hundred Men, where he stay’d three Moneths, and two on _Cape de Verd_.
On _Teneriff_ several of his Men ran from him, and on _Cape de Verd_ he
bury’d ninety eight, and left fifty sick behind him; yet he Steer’d to
_Brasile_, where, meeting with contrary Winds, he had undoubtedly
perish’d for lack of Water, if the great Showers of Rain had not
supply’d his Wants, one of his Ships carrying seventy Men and eleven
Horses, was never heard of, with the other two he Sail’d by _Baxos de
San Roque_, and from thence a hundred Leagues Northwardly beyond
_Maragnan_, where a great way off at Sea they found fresh Water, in
which _Orellana_ Steering, got between the Isles into the River _De las
Amazones_, where he Barter’d for Provisions, Sail’d two Leagues up the
River, and came to an Anchor before a few Huts, but slenderly stor’d
with Provisions, where he spent three Moneths in breaking up one of his
Ships, and building a Ketch. In the mean time fifty seven of his Seamen
dy’d. Sailing twenty Leagues farther, he lost his best Ship; whereupon
he gave order to build a Barque of the Wreck. Thus he spent thirty days
in vain to find the fore mention’d Arm of the River _Amazones_: the
Barque being finish’d in ten Weeks, and going beyond the Isles
_Maribique_ and _Contan_, found the three great Rivers to disembogue
into the River _Amazones_, which there was twelve Leagues broad; but
wanting Provisions, and the Men being too weak to go farther, they came
back to the fruitful Island _Comao_, where a hundred _Spaniards_ setled
themselves, the rest going down with the Barque to find out _Orellana_,
who, as his Wife inform’d them, dy’d with Grief.