the same (saith he) the Ground is craggy, barren, and of a brackish
taste, and destitute of fresh Water, which is therefore fetch’d three
Leagues farther out of a Brook, flowing from the Mountain _Bordones_
into the Bay of _Comena_; likewise all manner of Provisions are brought
from other Parts. Westward from the Point _Araya_ there is a convenient
Harbor where the Ships take in their Salt. Three hundred Paces from the
Shore lies a great Salt-pan, where the Salt being first beat in pieces,
is carry’d in Wheel-barrows to the Ships. The little Salt-pan produces
less Salt, and lies also out of the way, which makes few Ships take in
their Lading from thence.”
The Countrey is every where overgrown with Brambles and Bushes, in which
breed Tygers and very poysonous Serpents. There are likewise abundance
of Stags, Bucks, Hares, and Coneys, besides other strange Beasts.
[Sidenote: The _Netherlanders_ beaten out of their Salt-Trade here by
the _Spaniards_.]
Till _Anno 1605._ the _Netherlanders_ came hither unmolested for Salt,
when eight _Spanish_ Gallions falling unawares upon them, strangely
misus’d their Seamen; but afterwards the _United Netherlands_ having
made an Agreement with _Spain_ for a certain time, renew’d their Trade
to _Araya_, till the King of _Spain_, having for the better security of
the Place, built the Fort _St. Jago_, which Commanded the great
Salt-pan, forbad the _Netherlanders_ from lading any more Salt; who
thereupon Storm’d the Fort, though to their cost, for several of them
were kill’d, and the rest return’d home empty.
SECT. V.
Of the Islands of Southern America.
The chiefest islands of note in the Southern part of _America_, that is
to say, those that lie remote from the Continent in _Mare del Zur_, are
_Los Ladrones_, and the Islands _Fernandinas_; for the rest being, as we
may call them, _Mediterranean Islands_, fall naturally under the
Description of the Continent.
[Sidenote: The Isles _Los Ladrones_.]
1. _Los Ladrones_, in English, _The Islands of Thieves_, lie as it were
in the mid-way betwixt the Main Land of _America_ and the _Philippine_
Islands, but some hundreds of Leagues distant from either, in the fourth
Degree of Northern Latitude; so nam’d by _Ferdinand Magellan_, from the
pilfering disposition he observ’d in the Natives, when he Sail’d that
way for the _Moluccæ_ Islands. They were a nimble and active sort of
People, yet light-finger’d, tall of stature, and going for the most part
naked, excellent Swimmers and Divers, and have not much more to be said
in their commendation.
[Sidenote: The Isles _Fernandinæ_.]
2. The _Fernandinæ_ are onely two Islands of no great bigness, lying
over against the Coast of _Chile_, in the three and thirtieth Degree of
Southern Latitude, and about a hundred Leagues, or three hundred
_English_ Miles from the Continent, yet well stor’d with some lesser
sorts of Cattel, as Goats, _&c._ good plenty likewise of Venison in the
Woods, and Fish upon the Coasts; for which reason, though lying at some
distance, yet are they not a little frequented by the _Spaniards_ of
_Peru_, who find many good Harbors and Roads for Shipping belonging to,
and about these Islands.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
An Appendix,
CONTAINING
Partly a farther prosecution of the Descriptions of some Provinces
already treated of in the foregoing Book, partly an Account of some
other Discoveries than what have hitherto been deliver’d in any
Description of the _NEW WORLD_.
CHAP. I.
Rio de la Plata.
The River _De la Plata_, by the Natives call’d _Paranaguazu_, is next to
the River of the _Amazones_, the greatest in the World, and falls into
the Northern Ocean between the Capes _Antonio_ and _Maria_, lying thirty
Leagues one from another: It receives from East and West divers Rivers
as far as the Lake _Xarays_, lying three hundred Leagues up in the
Countrey from the Mouth of _La Plata_. Also into the fore-mention’d Lake
fall several Streams, which spring out of the _Peruvian_ Mountains
_Andes_.
The first that Sail’d into this great River, _Anno 1515._ to an Island
lying in the middle of it, was _John Dias de Solis_, who rashly going
ashore, was kill’d and eaten, together with several _Portugueses_.
[Sidenote: _Sebastian Gabottus_ his Expedition.]
Eleven years after this Accident, _Sebastian Gabottus_ set Sail from
_Spain_ to go to the Spicy Islands through the Straights of _Magellan_,
but was forc’d, for want of Provisions, and the unwillingness of his
Seamen, to put into the River _La Plata_; in which being advanc’d thirty
Leagues, he Anchor’d near an Island, which he call’d _St. Gabriel_: from
whence going seven farther, he discover’d a Stream which fell into _La
Plata_. This River he call’d _St. Salvador_, and cast up a Fort at the
Mouth of it, where an Inlet afforded a convenient Harbor for Shipping;
he found the River _La Plata_ to be generally ten Leagues broad, and
full of Isles; and to the Westward of it, the River _Zaracaranna_,
inhabited on the South side by a subtil People call’d _Diagnitas_. At
the place where _Zaracaranna_ disembogues into _La Plata_ he built a
Castle, and calling the same _Castello di Santo Spirito_, went up
farther, leaving on the West side the People _Tenbues_, _Mequaretas_,
_Mepenes_, and _Aigais_; to the Eastward, the _Quiloacas_ and _Santana_,
and struck up out of the River _La Plata_, North-East into the Stream
_Parana_, in which he had gone, two hundred Leagues, and pass’d by many
Isles, when he went out of the same into the Stream _Paraguay_; where
being set upon by the Countrey People, who were busie in Tilling the
Ground, he lost so many of his Men, that he was forc’d, without any
farther Exploit, to return with the _Portuguese_ Pilot, _Diego Garcia_,
who Sailing up the same River, had met with _Gabottus_ in _Paria_; and
because both had gotten some Silver, they call’d the River, from that
Metal, _De la Plata_. The farther Discovery whereof lay neglected nine
years after, when _Peter Mendoza_ Sailing with eleven Ships, carrying
eight hundred Men, to the Island _Gabriel_, built the Fort _Buenos
Ayres_, on the South side of it, where many People dying of Hunger,
little was done.
_Alvares Cabeca_ not long after following _Mendoza_’s footsteps,
discover’d and peopled the Province _Rio de la Plata_. The Mouth of the
River _La Plata_ _Laurence Bikker_ describes thus:
[Sidenote: _Laurence Bikker_’s Description of _Rio de la Plata_.]
“Beyond the Cape _Santa Maria_ (saith he) lies the flat Island
_Castilhos_, having scarce a Tree upon it; but on the North side a Rock,
not unlike a decay’d Castle; to the Southward of which appear two other
Cliffs; directly before the Mouth lies the stonie Island _De Lobos_, on
which nothing is to be found but Sea-Wolves; towards the East a stonie
Bank runs a good way into the River, known by the breaking of the Water
upon the same.”
The Promontory _Maria_ is low and barren, but within the same the Land
rises high before the Isles _Flores_ and _Maldonado_, which last hath a
good sandy Shore, Harbor, and fresh Water between the Rocks; but
_Flores_ rising with two Hills, produces nothing but Brambles.
The Stream _Solis_ also discharges its Waters in _La Plata_, near the
Place where the Mountain _Seredo_ lies.
The left Shore of _La Plata_ begins at the Promontory _Antonio_, and is
cut through by the Rivers _Ortis_ and _Los Sanctos_, where the Town
_Buenos Ayres_ is built on a smooth Shore.
[Sidenote: _Martin del Barco_’s Description of the same.]
_Martin del Barco_ proceeding in the Description of _La Plata_, saith
that it is dangerous by reason of the many Shelves that are in the same.
The Isles in the River are as followeth: those that bear the Name of
_St. Gabriel_ are five in number; _Garcia_ Isle is full of Trees, and
for its fertility was peopled by _Peter de Mendoza_, and afterwards by
_Juan Ortiz Carate_: But less fruitful are the Isles _De Lazaro_, where
the River _Vrayg_ unites with _La Plata_, being before fill’d with the
Waters of _Salvador_, which receives the black Stream _Negro_, which
gliding slowly from Morasses, is very full of Fish. Moreover, _La Plata_
hath eleven Arms, each very deep and full of Isles, inhabited by the
_Guaranins_.
About a hundred Leagues farther the _Cherandies_ have setled themselves
on pleasant Isles, lying not far from the City _St. Fe_, built on the
Point which makes the River _Bermeio_, where it falls into _La Plata_.
Farther up lies the Province _Ana_, partly well inhabited for its
fertility, and partly overflow’d.
Next appears the Rock _Pennapobre_, and not far from the Town _Guayra_,
_La Plata_ falls very high from the Rocks.
[Sidenote: The several People of this Countrey.]
But as concerning the Natives of this Countrey, it is inhabited by
divers sorts of People, differing from one another both in Customs and
Language. On the South side of the fore-mention’d River, from the
Promontory _Antonio_ to _Buenos Ayres_, dwell the _Quirandies_, a stout,
but cruel People, who with the Flesh of many a _Spaniard_ oftentimes
keep a merry Feast. Farther into the Countrey run the _Juries_ and
_Diagnitas_. Along _La Plata_ lie also scatter’d the _Tenbues_, a civil
People, who live by Fishing. Near the River _Paraguay_ the _Ameguaes_
observe the same manner of Life; But the _Carioes_ keep Cattel, and Till
their Lands. A hundred Leagues farther dwell the _Payaguaes_; and yet
farther into the Countrey the _Chames_ and _Carcares_ possess much Gold
and Silver, with which _Juan d’ Ayola_ having enrich’d himself here, was
destroy’d with all his Men by the _Chames_, Anno 1541.
[Sidenote: _Nunnez Cabeca_ his Journey.]
_Alvarez Nunnez Cabeca_ came from _Spain_ to be Governor here, but was
not able, by reason of contrary Winds and Tydes to reach _La Plata_;
wherefore Landing at the River _Itabucu_, and spending nine days in
cutting a Way through thick Brambles, he came to the Jurisdiction of
_Armiriri_, and a days Journey farther to _Cipoyay_; and not long after
to _Tocanguazu_, where the _Guaranies_, who are the Natives, have two
Harvests every year of _Maiz_ and _Cassavi_, and breed and keep Geese,
Hens and Parrots in their Houses: They are Man-eaters, and very
revengeful. _Cabeca_ having given this Countrey the Name of _Vera_, he
proceeded on his Journey over the Rivers _Ignazu_, _Tibagi_, and
_Taquari_, on whose Shore appears the Village _Abangobi_, and somewhat
farther _Tocanguzir_. The Countrey hereabouts is very fruitful, and hath
many delightful Plains, pleasant Rivers, and Woods; but beyond appear
Hills, Mountains, deep Morasses, dangerous Cane-Fields, Receptacles for
wild Beasts, and great Wildernesses. _Cabeca_ having pass’d through them
all, came into the fruitful Countrey of the _Guaranies_, who are a wild
People, and possess many large Fields of _Maiz_ and _Potato_’s, also
several Silver Mines. From hence travelling Westwardly over the River
_Piqueri_, he spent eighteen days before he came to the Stream _Ignazu_,
which falls into the _Parana_, and at last came to the River _Paraguay_;
along whose Shore he found a People of a gigantick Stature, call’d _The
Agazes_, who regarded no manner of Husbandry, but went out continually a
robbing in their _Canoos_. These People, as _Martin del Barco_ relates,
were not long after all destroy’d by the _Spaniards_.
Not far from the _Agazes_ dwell the _Guaycurues_, a valiant People; and
somewhat farther the _Cacoves_, whose Countrey produces Gold and Silver;
and yet farther in the Countrey reside the _Guaxarapos_, who remove
yearly to the _Paraguay_ to Fish there when the Water is low; for in the
beginning of _January_ the River swells so exceedingly, that the
Countrey about it being overflow’d, is cover’d with above six Fathom
Water. The _Paraguay_ discharges its Waters into the great Lake
_Xarayes_, full of Islands.
Amongst other Rivers that spring out of the Mountains _Andes_, the
_Ignazu_, along whose Shore the People _Xacoaes_, _Xaquesses_, and
_Chanesses_ dwell, falls also into the foremention’d Lake. Somewhat
farther lies a great piece of drown’d Land, beyond which the _Xarayes_
have convenient Habitations, plant _Maiz_, and spin Cotton: Their
Countrey borders a great Wilderness, which ends about the Province
_Tapuaguazu_, the Inhabitants whereof, call’d _Tarapecocies_, are
furnish’d with plenty of all sorts of Provisions. The _Payzunoes_,
dwelling on one side of them, are not well known as yet.
Beyond the Town _Assumption_ dwell the _Mayaes_, in the Way to _Peru_,
and border at the _Tamacoaes_, both which possess Silver-Mines.
Between _Buenos Ayres_ and _Corduba_ lies the Plain-Countrey
_Despoplado_, ninety Leagues long, without Trees or Houses, but is most
Pasture-Ground, which feed many thousands of wild Horses. From hence
glide the Streams _Luchan_, _Los Arrechivos_, _Arreca_, _Zaracaranna_,
and others, into _La Plata_. It is very dangerous for a small Company to
travel through this Countrey, because the ranging _Furies_ spare none
alive they meet with.
Moreover, the River _Grande_ flows with a wide Mouth into the Sea, and
spreads it self within against the Countrey _Patos_. Also the Rivers
_Tamandabug_, _Ararungo_, and the Lake _Alagoa_, disembogue into the
Ocean.
North-East beyond _Alagoa_ lie the Islands _Catharina_ and _Gale_; and
in the Bay _Tojuqua_ appear several Isles.
The Streams _Tajahu_ and _Ytabuca_ spring out of high Mountains,
inhabited by the People _Anniriri_ and _Cipopoy_.
Lastly, the Countrey wash’d by the Stream _Ararapira_, produces all
sorts of Provisions.
[Illustration]
CHAP. II.
Chili.
[Sidenote: The _Cammel-Sheep_.]
There are in this Countrey both tame and wild Sheep; the tame ones are
call’d _Cammel-Sheep_, being cover’d with long fine Wool, having Necks
four Foot long, their fore Feet cloven into four parts, their hindermost
into two, their Mouths very wide, which they open at those that vex
them, and make such a stink, that no body is able to abide near them;
when tir’d, they fall under their Burdens, and will not rise, though
beaten never no much: Their Flesh is tough like that of Horses. The wild
Mountain-Sheep are red, and have soft glossy Wool, which makes a Stuff
like that of a Chamlet: These Sheep run swifter than a Horse; the
_Chileses_ lead them by a Rope put through their Ears.
[Sidenote: The Grain _Teca_.]
This Countrey of _Chili_ not onely produces Wheat, Barley, _Maiz_, and
all manner of Fruit, but also the _Teca_, which growing half a Yard
high, is not unlike Barley; the Grain thereof being dry’d in the Sun, is
thresh’d, and parch’d in hot Sand, then ground on a square flat Stone
with a round Rowler. This Meal, which is both exceeding wholsom and very
nourishing (for a small Measure thereof sufficeth a Man a whole Week,)
serves also both for Meat and Drink: for being infus’d in a greater
quantity of Water, it becomes a pleasant Drink, and kneaded with a
lesser proportion, it is made into Cakes or Loaves.
[Sidenote: The Fruit _Unni_.]
The Fruit _Unni_, by the _Spaniards_ call’d _Murtilla_, is like a little
red Grape, and hath a tart taste. The Wine press’d out of this Fruit is
clear to the Eye, pleasing to the Palate, and good for the Stomach,
never causing any Head-ache: It also makes good Vinegar.
But the chiefest Benefit of _Chili_ is the rich Gold-Mines. The Countrey
for the most part lies desolate, occasion’d by the continual Wars which
the valiant People _Arauco_ maintain’d against the _Spaniards_ after
such a manner, that in no place of _America_ they met with such
resistance, or sustain’d such Losses. They speak an elegant Language,
according to the testimony of _Elias Herkmans_, who having committed to
Writing all the most significant Words thereof which were taught him by
the _Chileses_, it will not be altogether amiss to set down some of
them, which are these following:
A View of the Chilesian Language.