_Spaniards_ left off, ascribe a Breadth of fifty or sixty Leagues to the
Mouth of the _Amazone_ River, which discharges its Water with such force
into the Northern Ocean, that it keeps its colour and taste above thirty
Leagues, according to the ocular testimony of Captain _Harcourt_. The
Western Point, by the _Netherlanders_ call’d _The North Cape_, runs with
a long Slip of low Land into the Sea, into which more North-Westerly
fall the Streams _Taponnowyny_, _Arowary_, _Arykary_, _Cassepouri_, and
_Wiapoca_; some of them wash great Wildernesses full of Trees; others
glide between pleasant Meadows.
Eighty Leagues up the _Amazone_ River the _Vlussingers_ have built a
Fort call’d _Nassaw_, on the narrow Island _Cogemines_, which is twenty
Leagues long, and separated from the Shore by a Creek, and seven Leagues
farther, on another Isle, the Fort _Orange_; from which two Forts they
Trade with the Natives, _Arowaccas_ and _Apehous_, bartering _European_
Trifles for Tobacco, Cotton, Sugar, Gums, and several Tinctures.
[Sidenote: Sir _Walter Raleigh_ sends _Fisher_ to discover _Cooshebery_
Province.]
Sir _Walter Raleigh_, Anno 1595. sending Captain _Fisher_ from _Wiapoco_
to _Leonard Ragapo_, some years before Baptiz’d in _England_, and then
Governor of the Province _Cooshebery_, lying between the _Amazone_ River
and _Wapoco_, he receiv’d _Fisher_ very civilly, and conducted him fifty
Leagues up into the Countrey, to the Mountain _Cowob_, on whose top is a
deep Pool, full of well tasted Fish, and surrounded with the glittering
Stones _Topaz_; which _Raleigh_ took the more notice of, because the
same Ground in the _East-Indies_ where these Stones are found, incloses
also Diamonds. Moreover, the Province _Cooshebery_ rises with pleasant
Hills, but consists most in delightful Fields and Woods.
The River _Arocawo_, falling into the Inlet _Wiapoco_, disembogues also
with the same between the Capes _Orange_ and _Comariboo_, into the
Northern Ocean.
Most of the Rivers in _Guiana_ lie full of Isles, and cannot be
Navigated far, by reason of the great Water-falls.
[Sidenote: The _Yayos_.]
The _Yayos_, who inhabit on the Banks of the fore-mention’d River, are
People of a good Disposition, and go naked: they catch Fish after a
strange manner; for they onely throw the strong smelling Wood _Ayaw_ in
the Water, which works so upon the Fish, that they suffer themselves to
be caught with the Hand. The well-known _American_ Root _Cassavi_ serves
them for Bread, being bak’d in round Cakes on hot Stones: of the Cakes
they also make the Liquor _Perrinoe_, which tastes almost like stale
Beer, and is prepar’d by old Women and little Children, which chew the
_Cassavi_, and spit the same into a Pot full of Water, which having
stood a while, they strain the same through a Cloth, and set it a
working with Potato-Roots.
They are troubled with no Vermine, not so much as the little Fleas
_Niquas_, by the _Spaniards_ call’d _Chigos_, which creep in between the
Nails.
On the Sea-Coast are many Tortoises, whose Flesh is of a delicious
taste, but heavy to digest.
Sheep and Oxen will not thrive here, but Swine would thrive exceedingly,
if their Dugs were not bit off in the Night by the Bats.
The River _Wiapoco_ hath many dangerous Water-falls, the one much higher
than the other; a little way beyond the first of them the Stream _Army_
falls into _Wiapoco_.
[Sidenote: The _Marashewaccas_.]
Three days Journey Westerly dwell the _Marashewaccas_, whose Ears hang
down on their Shoulders; they worship for their Deity, an Image
representing a Man, who sitting flat on the Ground, with his Legs
stretch’d out, leans with his Elbows on his Knees, and holding up his
Hands, gapes and stares up towards Heaven.
North-West from _Wiapoco_ rises the Mountain _Gomeribo_, which produces
_Maiz_, Tobacco, Cotton-Trees, and Vines.
In the same place the Creek _Wainary_ runs Westwardly with fresh Water a
days Journey into the Countrey; and from the said Creek a high Mountain,
fit for the production of Sugar and Tobacco, extends it self to the
River _Apurwaca_, where the _Wiopocaries_ inhabit a great Tract of Land.
[Sidenote: The _Harrithiahans_.]
North-West from _Wiapoco_ flows the River _Aperwacque_, whose
mountainous Shores bear _Brasile_ Wood and wild Cinamon. The Stream it
self takes its original out of a large Lake, in the middle whereof lies
a three-corner’d Isle. South-East from the Lake dwell the
_Harrithiahans_, beyond whose Countrey are the Rivers _Cauwo_, _Wia_,
and _Cajani_. On the Banks of the first dwelt, _Anno 1596._ according to
the Relation of _Laurence Keymis_, a People call’d _Jaos_, driven by the
_Spaniards_ from _Moruga_, and who formerly possess’d the greatest part
of _Guiana_; they distinguish themselves from other People, by pricking
their Faces full of Holes with the Tooth of a Beast not unlike a Rat:
But at present, the _Jaos_ being departed from hence, the Countrey lies
desolate.
The _Wia_, which springs a great way up in the Countrey, hath a wide
Mouth, and near several Islands convenient Harbors: The biggest of the
Isles, inhabited by the _Shebaios_, is full of Provisions, _viz._ Fowl,
Fish, excellent Fruit, wild Hogs, and other Beasts.
The triangular Isles, lying more Westerly, are also very fruitful, but
not comparable to _Gowatery_. So far as the Coast extends it self with
high Mountains, it is overgrown with _Brasile_ Wood, but the lower
Grounds produce Cotton, Pepper, Silk, Balsam, and the Root _Wiapassa_,
tasting like Ginger, and exceeding good against a Lask, or the
Head-ache.
Before the Mouth of _Cajani_ appears the high Island _Mattoory_,
surrounded by the lesser Isles _Sannawony_, _Epenesari_, and
_Eponeregemeræ_.
Between the Rivers _Cajani_ and _Maccaria_, lies the low Island
_Muccumbro_, out of whose Center rise two Mountains, and which is
inhabited, as the Main Coast by _Caribbeeans_, whose General
_Arrawicary_ shew’d great friendship to the _Netherlanders_: They
observe no certain Laws for Government; Adultery and Murder they punish
with Death; they are very tyrannical towards their Wives, who for the
least act of incivility have their Brains beat out; they esteem one
another according to the number of their Wives, the eldest of which
performs all Houshold-Offices.
[Sidenote: _Caribbeeans_ the Inhabitants of _Guiana_.]
The _Caribbeeans_ are accounted to have been the first Inhabitants of
this Countrey, for the _Jaos_, _Sappaios_, _Arowaccas_, and _Paragotos_,
were driven hither by the _Spaniards_ from _Trinidad_ or _Oronoque_.
The wild _Caribbeeans_ live farther up into the Countrey, and often fall
with great rage upon the other; but since the _Netherlanders_ have
furnish’d them with Arms, they have not been so much molested by them.
[Sidenote: Rivers.]
Beyond _Macavia_ lies the River _Caurora_, which is very narrow and
deep; and next in order the Rivers _Manamonary_, _Sinamary_, _Cunanama_,
_Juraca_, _Mawary_, _Amana_, and _Marawyny_, full of Isles, and four
Leagues broad at the Mouth; along the Shore grow little Trees, whose
Leaves wither as soon as touch’d by Mankind, but revives again within
half an hour.
Next follow the Rivers _Sorrenam_, _Sorrenamme_, _Copanama_, _Marateca_,
and _Curetiny_, where the _Netherlanders_, by virtue of a Patent granted
by the _States General_, drove a Trade for several years.
Somewhat farther the _Berbice_, _Apari_, _Maycawini_, _Mabeyca_,
_Mirara_ and _Essekebe_, discharge their Waters into the Ocean, twenty
days Journey from their Spring-Head, where a great Lake (by the _Jaos_
call’d _The Roponowini_, and by the _Caribbeeans_, _Parime_) spreads it
self a great way; and on its Northern Shore hath the Town _Manoa_.
Along the River _Essebeke_ is an excellent sort of Wood, the Dye call’d
_Orellano_, and abundance of _Cassavi_: In the Mouth of the River also
lies the Isle _Ottoma_.
Lastly, between _Essebeke_ and the great River _Orinoque_, glide the
lesser Streams _Iwapoi_, _Pauroma_, _Gayni_, _Moruga_, _Ammacoura_, and
_Parima_, before which lie several nameless Isles.
[Sidenote: The Discovery of these Parts begun by _Columbus_.]
[Sidenote: _Diego de Ordas_ his Expedition.]
_Christopher Columbus_, in his third Voyage to the _West-Indies_,
discover’d the great Island _Trinidad_, where before the Mouth of the
Bay _Vallena_ he was in great danger, as also the Ship Commanded by
_Alonso de Ojeda_, by reason of the Waves, with which the great River
_Yuyapar_, otherwise call’d _Orinoque_, coming out of the High-lands of
_Paria_, falls into the Sea, which made him call the said Mouth _Bocca
del Drago_; so that _Columbus_, Anno 1599. discover’d the Main Coast of
_America_ to the Northward of _Guiana_, as far as the Promontory _De la
Vela_, before _Americus Vesputius_; whither _Diego de Ordas_ Steer’d
with three Ships, Mann’d with four hundred _Castilians_, in the Year
1531. and before _Guiana_ took four _Caribbeeans_ Prisoners in a
_Canoo_, and finding an _Emerauld_ about them as big as a Man’s Hand,
they inform’d him, that up the River was a Rock all of such Stones, and
a Mountain on which grew high Trees, yielding store of Myrrh; but the
strong contrary Tides and Water-falls prevented _Ordas_ from going
thither; and being troubled at the loss of one of his Ships, he ran
along the Shore to _Paria_, and took the Fort which _Antonio Sedenno_,
Governor of _Trinidad_, had cast up there, and left the Command thereof
to _Juan Gonsalvez_, _Ordas_ pretending that _Sedenno_ had built it
contrary to the Emperor’s Order, and that he had made Slaves of the
Natives. _Martin Jannez Tafur_ stay’d in the conquer’d Fort according to
_Ordas_ his appointment, who went up the River _Orinoque_ not without
great hardship; for his Provisions were not onely short, but he was
tormented in the Day by the _Muschitoes_, and in the Night by the Bats;
at last coming to a Village Commanded by _Viapari_, he was kindly
Entertain’d, which made _Ordas_ contrary to the will of his Men, who
would willingly have gone farther into the Countrey, stay there all the
Winter; but as soon as the rainy Moneths were over, _Ordas_ went farther
up the River _Orinoque_, where his Ship was stav’d against a sandy
Shelf, which forc’d him with two hundred Foot and forty Horse, to travel
along the Shore, where he was much scanted of Provisions, and for forty
days together met none but a few poor wild Fishermen, and at last stopt
at an unknown River, which fell into the _Orinoque_. The _Guianian_
Guide which _Viapari_ had given _Ordas_, advis’d him to go along the
Shore of the new River; because it would lead them to a well Cloth’d and
rich People: But _Ordas_ went along by the River _Oronoque_ till he came
where the Water falling from the Mountains makes it so terrible rough,
that _Ordas_ his Vessels, which were Toed along, were not able to be got
any farther, so that after two hundred Leagues advance, he was
necessitated, by reason of the fore-mention’d Water-falls, to go aboard
and Sail down the Stream: His Men being weary’d with so troublesom a
Journey, forsook him on the Island _Cubagua_, which made him return over
_Hispaniola_ to _Spain_, where not long after he dy’d with Grief.
[Sidenote: The Expedition of _Hieronimo Ortall_.]
This unsuccessful Expedition of _Ordas_ no way daunted _Hieronimo
Ortall_ from prosecuting the same Design; for setting Sail from _St.
Lucas_, Anno 1533. to the Fort which _Ordas_ had taken from _Juan
Gonsalves_, he Steer’d from thence over to _Cubagua_, to fetch some Men,
and sent the Lieutenant _Alonso Herrera_ with five Ketches, carrying two
hundred Men, the same way which _Ordas_ had been. _Herrera_ coming to
the fore-mention’d Water-falls where _Ordas_ return’d, caus’d his
Vessels to be unladen, then Toed them by meer force over the
Water-falls, where he discover’d plain Fields without any Inhabitants,
extending themselves to the Mouth of the River _Meta_, where he quitted
his Vessels, and with no small trouble got over Morasses and Pools to
the fruitful Countrey of the _Xaguas_, a People both cruel and valiant;
whom after a sharp Conflict vanquishing, he became Master of their
Village, in which he found plenty of Provisions, as also in another
neighboring Town, where his tir’d, and almost starv’d Army began to take
Breath, being exceedingly refresh’d with the delicious Meat of a sort of
wild Dogs, which were here in great abundance. Having spent the Winter
Season here, they were often set upon by the _Caribbeeans_, by whose
poyson’d Arrows several of them being shot, dy’d Distracted, and amongst
the rest _Herrera_ himself; after which his Successor _Alvaro Ordas_
return’d to the Vessels, which were left at the Mouth of the River
_Meta_, from whence he Sail’d back without any other success, the Design
being to find out the Golden City _Manoa_, on the Banks of the great
Lake _Parime_.
[Sidenote: Is follow’d by _Hermandes_ and others.]
Not long after _Peter Hermandez de Serpa_ undertook the same Work with
three hundred _Spaniards_, several _Brasilians_ and _Negro_’s; but
before he could reach the River _Orinoque_, he was destroy’d by the
salvage People _Wikiri_, eighteen of his Men onely escaping to bring the
news of this sad Disaster.
_Peter de Orsua_ following the footsteps of _Gonsalvo Pizarro_, went to
seek for Gold in _Guiana_; but being kill’d by _Lopes Agira_ near the
_Amazone_ River, that Expedition also prov’d fruitless.
[Sidenote: _Berreo_’s Relation of his Adventures to Sir _Walter
Raleigh_.]
With the same desire of finding Gold in _Guiana_, _Antonio Berreo_ went
from _New Granada_ thither; but being taken by Sir _Walter Raleigh_, was
interrupted in his Design; however, he gave him an Account of his
Adventures, so far as he had gone, _viz._ That he went to find out a Way
along the River _Cassanor_, between _New Granada_ and _New Guiana_, went
from _Cassanor_ to the Stream _Meta_, and from thence to _Orinoque_,
where he was in great danger, by reason of sharp Rocks, over which the
Stream flowing, washes several Isles; That he spent a whole year before
he came to the utmost Borders of _Amapaia_; near which he lost several
of his Barques, and on the Shore, not onely divers Horses, but also many
of his Men, who either dy’d of hardship, or were kill’d by the Natives
with poysonous Arrows, so that sixty of his Men were kill’d in the
Countrey of _Amapaia_, which extends along the River Orinoque, besides a
great many that dy’d there by drinking the Water, which was full of
poysonous Animals, and glided over a slimy and muddy Ground, which made
it thick and troubled: Six Moneths he stay’d in the Countrey _Amapaia_,
where he made Peace with the Inhabitants of _Anebas_, who gave him ten
curious Images of massie Gold. The River _Orinoque_ is about four
Leagues broad here, and about seven hundred Miles long, before it fall
into the Ocean, and is every where enrich’d with the Waters of many
Rivers which fall into it from the North and South: He added moreover,
that he endeavor’d to go down Southerly to _Guiana_, but was prevented
by steep Mountains, and therefore went on Easterly till he came to the
Countrey _Emeria_, where he found a courteous People, and plenty of
Provisions; that the Governor of _Caripana_, being about a hundred years
of age, had a long time Convers’d with the _Christians_ on the Islands
_Trinidad_ and _Margareta_, and learn’d a Form of Civil Government; that
Sailing down the River _Orinoque_ between many Isles lying at the Mouth
of the River to _Trinidad_, and from thence to _Margareta_, he took
sixty Men into his Service; but that he himself, being tir’d with so
great a Journey, and staying to refresh himself at _Trinidad_, fell into
the hands of another Party of the _English_; that before he was taken he
sent several of his Men to _Caripana_, to find the King of _Morequito_,
who three years before had been with abundance of Gold at _Cumana_ and
_Margareta_, and inform’d a _Spaniard_ call’d _Vides_ so much concerning
the Golden Countrey _Guiana_, that he obtain’d a Patent at the _Spanish_
Court to discover _Guiana_; but that _Vides_, jealous that he might be
there before him, had not onely incens’d _Morequito_ against him, but so
instructed him, that he suffer’d his Men to pass through the Countrey to
fetch Gold from the City _Manoa_, and as they return’d, set upon them
and slew them on the Borders of _Aromaia_, together with a Monk that was
in their Company, one Man onely escaping; by whom being inform’d of the
Murder, he immediately sent divers Soldiers to take Revenge of
_Morequito_, who flying to the Governor _Vides_, was nevertheless, upon
his demanding him in the King’s Name, deliver’d to him; and
notwithstanding he proffer’d a great Sum of Money for his Ransom, was
cruelly put to Death; but not satisfi’d with that Revenge, he over-run
all the Countrey of _Aromaia_, took _Morequito_’s Uncle, call’d
_Topiawari_, Prisoner, who bought his Life for a hundred Plates of Gold,
and some Precious Stones; That Listing many Men in _Spain_ for the Gold
which he sent thither, he Row’d with Barques up the Rivers _Barema_,
_Pattroma_, and _Dessequebe_, where he barter’d Trifles for Men, Women,
and Children, of whom he made great Sums of Money on the Island
_Margareta_.
This Information which Sir _Walter Raleigh_ got from his Prisoner
_Berreo_, made him desirous to make an Expedition to _Guiana_; to which
purpose he sent Captain _George Gifford_ with a Ketch and a Barque to
the River _Capuri_, where the Water fell before the Vessels could get
beyond the Sands in the Mouth of the River.
_John Donglas_ had better success, being likewise sent out by Sir
_Walter Raleigh_, for he with his Boats found that _Orinoque_ had nine
Arms to the North Sea, and seven to the South, which embrace divers
Isles, of which those on the right side are call’d _Pallamos_, and those
on the left, _Horotomaca_. The Mouth of the River gapes a hundred
Leagues. On the fore-mention’d Isles dwell the _Titiriras_, a modest
People, who speak a bald Language; in the Summer they live under the
open Skie upon the bare Earth, and in the Winter (being there between
_May_ and _September_) on the tops of the Trees, because during that
time the River _Orinoque_ rising thirty Foot higher, overflows all the
Isles thereabouts, which are very high and mountainous. But _Raleigh_
himself Rowing up the River _Amana_, endur’d great hardship, his Men
being most of them sweltred with the Heat, and great want of Provisions;
and had not their _Indian_ Pilot shew’d them another Stream much easier
to Navigate, he would have been forc’d to return successless; but being
stor’d with Provision out of a Village built along the Shore, he chased
four _Canoos_, of which he took one, and also an _Atwaccas_, which in
fifteen days time brought him into the River _Orinoque_, where he saw
the high Mountains of _Guiana_; afterwards Anchoring before a fair sandy
Bank, which lay near the Mouth of three Rivers, he took abundance of
Tortoises, and was furnish’d with plenty of all sorts of Provisions,
sent him from the Governor _Toparimaca_, who inhabited the pleasant
Village _Arowocay_, built on a little Hill, surrounded with delightful
Gardens, and Fields till’d by the _Negro_’s; who accommodating _Raleigh_
with an experienc’d Pilot, he set Sail with a fresh Easterly Wind, and
Westward saw the Isles _Assapana_, twenty five Leagues long, and six
broad, and _Iwana_, of the same bigness. The River _Orinoque_ hath here
thirty Leagues in breadth, and receives the Rivers _Arrawopana_ and
_Europa_: He Sail’d next by the Isles _Ocaywita_ and _Putayma_, opposite
to which on the Main Land appears the Mountain _Oecope_, whose top
reacheth the Clouds; on the right side a Plain Countrey discover’d it
self a vast way, which the Pilot said was call’d _The Plain of Sayma_,
extending Northerly a hundred and twenty Leagues to _Cumana_ and
_Caracas_, inhabited by four sorts of People, _viz._ the _Saymas_,
_Assaways_, _Wikeries_ and _Aroras_; which last, being a Coal-black
People, us’d poyson’d Arrows. _Raleigh_ passing between the two
Mountains _Aroami_ and _Aio_, came to an Anchor near the Island
_Murscolima_, and from thence into the Haven _Morequito_, where the King
_Topiawari_, a hundred and ten years of age, brought all sorts of Fruit,
Poultrey, Fish and Flesh, and gave him an Account of the Condition of
_Guiana_, _viz._ That the whole Countrey from the Mountains _Waccarima_
to _Emeria_, bore the Name of _Guiana_, the Inhabitants calling
themselves _Orinoque Poni_; on the other side of the said Mountains lies
the spacious Valley _Amariocapana_, where the _Guianiatas_ reside.
Southerly the _Oreiones_ and _Epuremei_, who coming out of a strange
Countrey, have destroy’d the ancient Inhabitants, leaving onely the
_Awaawaqueri_ and _Cassipagoios_. The _Epuremei_ built the stately City
_Macurewarai_ there. But _Raleigh_ going on his Journey saw the Island
_Caiama_, and came to the Mouth of the River _Caroli_, whose strong
Current he was not able to stem, wherefore he desir’d Aid from
_Wanuretona_, Governor of _Canuria_, who furnish’d him with Provisions,
and Men to Toe him up the fore-mention’d Stream; and inform’d him that
the River _Caroli_, which sprung out of the Lake _Cassipa_, was
inhabited on one side by the _Iwarawakeri_, and the Lake _Cassipa_ by
three powerful People, _viz._ the _Cassiapagotos_, _Eparagotos_ and
_Arawogotos_, all mortal Enemies to the _Spaniards_: whereupon _Raleigh_
sent some of his Men thither, who return’d with great hopes of finding
rich Gold-Mines. The fore-mention’d Lake also produces the Rivers
_Aroi_, _Atoica_, and _Caora_, near which dwell the _Ewaipanoma_, who
have neither Necks nor Chins, but their Mouthes just upon their
Shoulders. Towards the North the River _Cari_ falls into the _Orinoque_,
and on the West the Stream _Limo_; between both which the _Cannibals_
reside, whose Metropolis call’d _Acamacari_ is very famous for their
strange way of Trading; for there the Women are brought to Market, and
bought by the _Arwaccas_: But because great Showers of Rain fell daily,
and the Stream _Caroli_ glided downwards with extraordinary force,
_Raleigh_ return’d to _Morequito_; from whence _Putima_, King of
_Warapana_, conduced him to a rich Golden Mountain in his Countrey, and
along the Rivers _Mana_, _Oiana_, and _Cumaca_, to the place where the
_Orinoque_ divides it self into three excellent Streams, the chiefest
whereof, call’d _Cararoopana_, washes the Province _Emeria_, out of
whose Mountains the Rivers _Waracayari_, _Coirama_, _Akaniri_, and
_Iparoma_, glide to the Northern Ocean; as also the _Araturi_,
_Amacura_, _Barima_, _Wana_, _Morooca_, _Paroma_, and _Wyni_, all
Branches of the River _Orinoque_: From whence _Raleigh_ return’d home to
_England_.
Not long after he sent _Laurence Keymes_ and _Thomas Masham_ back to
_Guiana_: _Keymes_ found out all the Rivers between the _Amazones_ and
the _Orinoque_, and _Masham_ the Stream _Wiapoco_; from whence both
return’d without any farther success.
[Sidenote: Sir _Walter Raleigh_ condemn’d for Treason.]
[Sidenote: He is Repriev’d and sent again to _Guiana_.]
[Sidenote: _Raleigh_ upon _Gundamor_’s Accusation Beheaded.]