fell upon the Fort in _Puren_, where those in the Garrison, unable to
defend themselves, went to _Tucapel_ and from thence to _Arauco_, to
Settle there. _Valdivia_ marching with three hundred Men to the Castle
in _Tucapel_, was so fiercely assaulted at the River _Leto_, that all
his Men were kill’d, and he himself being taken Prisoner, had melted
Gold pour’d down his Throat: One Boy onely escaping, brought the news to
those in Garrison in the Fort _Arauco_, who fled to _La Conception_, as
those from _Puren_ to _Imperial_. Not long after the Lieutenant
_Francisco de Villagra_ went with a hundred and sixty Soldier’s to
_Raquetta_, a Promontory against the South Sea in _Arauco_, to take
Revenge for the Death of his General _Valdivia_; but he also had like to
have follow’d the same fate, for he left ninety six Men behind him, and
with much ado recover’d _La Conception_: By which means the victorious
_Chileses_ came to be so much fear’d, that the _Spaniards_ forsook the
Towns _Rica_, _St. Jago_, and _Confines_, and fortifi’d themselves
strongly in _Imperial_.
[Sidenote: Description of _Arauco_.]
Concerning _Arauco_, it is a small County, twenty Leagues long and seven
broad. The Inhabitants thereof are strangely valiant; those that inhabit
the Mountains are call’d _Pulches_, and are generally of a duller Spirit
than those that dwell in the Valleys; all of them use long Pikes,
Halberds, Bowes and Arrows, Helmets, and Breastplates of Deer-skins, in
the Wars; they know when to close and open their Ranks, and stand in
good order according to Martial Discipline, which makes the _Spanish_
King receive little benefit from _Arauco_, though it is full of rich
Mines, because those in Garrison being five hundred in number, dare not
come out of their Fort.
To _Arauco_ belongs the Island _La Mocha_, low on the North side, and
rocky on the South; against which the Ocean breaks its Billows: in the
middle of it rises a split Mountain, out of whose Gap flows a fresh
Brook; the fruitful Soyl produces abundance of Pumpcons, Maiz, Potato’s,
and all manner of delicious Fruit, as also Oxen, Sheep, and other
Cattel, which go grazing up and down in great Herds; the Village that is
upon it boasts about fifty Huts, built long of Straw, with a Door in the
middle, and round like an Arch on the top.
[Sidenote: _Van Noon_’s and _Spilbergen_’s Entertainment in _Mocha_.]
Sir _Francis Drake_ and _Candish_ were formerly somewhat roughly
Entertain’d here by the Inhabitants: but they shew’d themselves somewhat
more civil to the _Dutch_ Admirals, _Oliver Van Noort_ and _Joris
Spilbergen_: The first coming to an Anchor here _Anno 1600._ put one
_John Claeszoon_ (Condemn’d for some great Crime to be Landed on some
strange Place) ashore on _La Mocha_, with a few Trifles; for which being
kindly Entertain’d, the Seamen resolv’d to go ashore the next day, who
were likewise civilly Treated. The Governor of _Mocha_ coming aboard,
Lodg’d a Night in the Ship, and afterwards conducted the Admiral through
the Village, but forbad the Seamen from entring any of the Huts; out of
which the Women upon the hearing of a sudden noise, came running out,
and kneel’d down on the Ground in three Parties, whilest an old Matron
came forth with a Pitcher full of _Chica_, and gave each of the
_Netherlanders_ a Cup full to drink, sitting on Blocks in the Fields.
A Man Marries as many Wives here as he can maintain. They all live
peaceably one with another, and go Cloth’d with a pair of Breeches, and
Frock without Sleeves. The Women tie their Hair in Braids about their
Heads, but the Men let it hang down carelesly.
Fifteen years after _Spilbergen_ Landing here with four well Mann’d
Boats, found the Shore full of People, who had brought all manner of
Provisions to barter against Axes and Knives. The Islanders going
aboard, wondred to see the Soldiers drawn out in order, and much more
when a Gun was fir’d: They furnish’d the _Hollanders_ with a hundred
Sheep, amongst which was one with an extraordinary long Neck, and Legs,
Hair, Mouth, and Back like a Cammel.
The _Netherland_ Admiral, _Hendrick Brewer_, coming to an Anchor on the
Coast of _Guadalanquen_, Anno 1643. was inform’d by the _Chileses_, that
about four years before they had burnt _Baldivia_, murder’d the
_Spaniards_ that were in Garrison, and pour’d melted Gold down the
Governor’s Throat and into his Ears, and made a Drinking-Cup of his
Scull, and Trumpets of his Shin-bones. _Brewer_ also found some Ruines
of the City, which formerly boasted four hundred and fifty Houses, and
was not yet so utterly defac’d, but that the two Markets and cross
Streets were plainly to be seen, and the Walls gave sufficient testimony
of its ancient lustre. The Countrey round about produces Wheat and
Barley; neither are there any Mines to be found that produce finer Gold
than those which are hereabouts. In the Mouth of the River which runs to
_Baldivia_, lies a small Isle, the Men whereof are gross and fat, and
spend their time in Drinking and Dancing, whilest the Women do all the
Work.
About the City _Osorno_, though lying under a cold Climate, is a Soil
full of Gold-Mines, where above two thousand _Chileses_ are under the
subjection of the _Spaniards_.
Since _Teunis Swarte-Teun_ conquer’d and ruin’d this Place with small
Forces under _Spilbergen_’s Command, it hath not yet repair’d its
Losses: The Ruines of great Buildings are sufficient testimonies of its
former splendor.
On the utmost Point of the Island, on which _Osorno_ is built, lies the
Village _Carel-Mappo_, burnt by _H. Brewer_, An. 1643. for he Landing
sixty six Men here, under the Command of the Ensign _Blauewenhaen_, they
Engag’d with ninety _Spaniards_ who betook themselves to the Woods,
leaving six Men and fifteen Horses behind them.
[Sidenote: Description of the Sea-Coast of _Chili_.]
The Sea-Coast of _Chile_ lies as followeth: It begins on the North with
the Valley _Copayapo_, runs Southerly to the Haven _Coquimba_, and makes
the large Inlet _Atongayo_; the convenient Harbor _Quintero_, at the
Mouth of the River _Concagua_, is also to the Southward.
Next _Quintero_ follow the Havens _Valparaysa_, _Topocalma_, and
_Penco_, known by several Mountains cover’d with Snow.
The Stream _Labapi_ disembogues also in the Bay _Arauco_, where the Sea
washing over the Shore, makes good Salt.
On the Shore of the River _Lebo_, _Garcias Mendoza_ built the Town
_Canete_, which not long after was deserted, by reason of the Wars with
the _Chileses_.
From the Haven _Carnero_ a Channel runs to the City _Confines_: also the
River _Cauten_ makes a convenient Harbor before the City _Imperial_.
Next appear the Streams _Tolten_, _Queule_, _Valdivia_, _Chabin_ and
_Bueno_; and near the Promontory _Gallego_, _Chili_ ends to the South.
[Sidenote: The Province _Tucuman_.]
Eastward up into the Countrey lies the great Province _Tucuman_,
inhabited by three sorts of People, _viz._ _Juries_, _Diagnitas_, and
_Tucumans_, from whom the Countrey receives its Denomination, and juts
Northward against the _Chicas_, belonging to the rich Plate-Countrey
_Potosi_, Eastward towards the Province _La Plata_, and Westward towards
the South Sea.
The Ground about the City _St. Jago del Estero_, formerly call’d
_Vares_, being the Bishop’s See, and Residence of the Governors, is
brackish and sandy. The Citizens are most of them Weavers; the Natives
go Cloth’d, and are of an affable Temper and Disposition.
The River _Estera_ yearly overflows the Countrey, which being dung’d
with Mud, produces abundance of _Maiz_, Barley, Wheat, and all manner of
Fruits.
The Stream _Salado_ runs the same Course as the _Estera_, from the West
to the East through a Plain-Countrey, but hath brackish Water, and
abundance of Fish. Between both these Rivers the Inhabitants get plenty
of Honey, Wax, Cotton, and _Cochenile_. Cattel also increases in
abundance, as likewise Deer, and other Venison; and for Fowl,
Partridges, Pigeons, and the like; but the Tygers and Lyons do much
mischief to the Inhabitants. Their chief Commodities for Trade and
Merchandise are Cloth, Cotton and Salt.
_Garcias Mendoza_ built the Towns _Neuva Londres_ in the Province
_Calchaqui_, and _Gorduba_ in the Territory of the _Juries_, but they
were both of them soon deserted.
Behind _Peru_ and _La Plata_ the Plains _Omaguaza_ extend themselves
along the Rivers _Paraguay_ and _Bermeio_, under a temperate Climate,
where the Inhabitants go Clothed, and keep abundance of Cattel.
[Sidenote: Productions of the Countrey, and Nature of the People.]
In most places hereabouts breed wonderful large Baboons, with long Tails
and Beards; which being wounded, pull the Arrows out of the Wound, and
throw back the same with a grim Countenance at those that shoot them.
The Serpents are likewise so big here, that they swallow whole Deer.
The Rivers breed horrid Crocodiles, and the Woods, Lyons and Tygers.
The Inhabitants differ both in their Customs and Language: the
generality of them are continually Drunk. They keep yearly a great
Feast, to reconcile the Souls of their Predecessors to them; to which
purpose they bring as many roasted Ostriches as they have Souls to Offer
to; then Drink three days after, and on the last they carry the Head of
a fair Virgin (who freely offers her self to be kill’d) about the Town,
making a sad and lamentable noise for the space of an hour; at the end
of which they all begin to laugh, and oftentimes fall a killing one
another: which Custom is most observ’d amongst the _Matarani_.
The _Abipones_ go naked in Summer, and in the Winter Clothe themselves
with Furrs; they Paint their whole Bodies with Spots like the Tygers,
Carve their Bodies all over, making Cut-work of their Skins, into which
they stick Ostriches Feathers, as also through their Nostrils, Lips, and
Ears, and account Baldness the greatest Beauty. They honor those for
their Gods, who patiently endure unsufferable Tortures. The Women hang
their Faces and Breasts full of Pearls: They never bring up above two
Children, for they kill all above that number.
The _Planies_ range up and down without Habitations under the open Skie.
The Giants _Tobae_ speak a curious Language, but are very salvage and
cruel. _Anno 1571._ _Erouaca_, a prime Man amongst them, devour’d his
own Sister, Wife, Mother, and Children. When they design to go a
Journey, they roast their Sons and Daughters, to serve them for
Provisions in stead of other Flesh; and their Sick are upon the least
Complaint bury’d alive.
The _Caaguiaares_, who dwell in Huts in great Woods, feed on Woorms,
Mice, Apes, Tygers, and wild Honey; most of them are bunch-back’d, and
go clad with the Skins of wild Beasts.
[Illustration]
CHAP. III.
Magellanica.
[Sidenote: Several Voyages to _Magellanica_.]
Northward against _Chili_ and _Rio de la Plata_ juts the Countrey, which
from _Ferdinand Magaglianus_ is wrongly call’d _Magellanica_; to which
several Voyages have been made by sundry People from the North-Sea to
the Southern Ocean, divers Steering still new Courses: for some follow’d
the _Straights_ of _Magellan_; others Sail’d more or less South-West: By
which means _Le Mair_ open’d a new Passage between _Mauritius_ and the
_States-Island_; and _H. Brewer_, a Way below the _States-Island_; yet
all Steer’d their Course Westerly, so that none of them return’d the
same Way, except _Elias Herkmans_ and Capt. _Ladrillero_, the last of
whom coming from _Chili_ to go to the North-Sea, met with such Storms,
that he was forc’d to Tack about, and stand back again to _Chili_, as
_Herkmans_ did from _Chili_ to _Brasile_.
[Sidenote: _Pedro Sarmiento_’s Expedition.]
_Anno 1579._ _Peter Sarmiento_ weigh’d Anchor with two Ships, and
Sailing from _Callao de Lima_ through the _Straights_ of _Magellan_ to
_Spain_, ran by the Isles _Felix_ and _Amber_, discover’d in one Inlet
eighty five Isles, most of them desolate, sounded all the Havens, found
abundance of Oysters with Pearls in them, call’d an Inlet _Francisco_,
and a Mountain on the right-hand, _Punta de la Gente Rubra_, because the
Inhabitants thereof painted their Bodies red, found the Havens
_Misericordia_ and _Candelaria_, and the Island _Sataynes_, where five
of the Natives gave him an Account of Sir _Francis Drake_, for whom he
Cruis’d, and had sight of a snowy Mountain, whose top vomited Fire. On
the Promontory _Ana_ he erected a woodden Cross, and laid a Writing
under the same, wherein he advertis’d all Persons to take notice, that
Pope _Alexander_ the Sixth had freely given the King of _Spain_ all the
Countreys thereabouts. Not long after he Steer’d through the _Straights_
of _Magellan_ along the Coast of _Brasile_, to _Spain_.
[Sidenote: The Sea-Coast from _Chili_ to _Magellanica_.]
Concerning the Sea-Coast, which extends from _Chili_ to _Magellanica_,
it is as followeth: Next to the Promontory _Felis_ lie _Cypriaen_,
_Clara_, _Cabo de las Islas_, the Island _Socora_, the Haven _Domingo_,
the Point _Gallego_, the Road _Stevan_, the Cape _Andres_, and
_Ochavario_, and the Valley _Nuestra Sennora_, between two Hills. Along
the Southern Ocean lie _Abra de San Guillen_, _Punta del Gada_, _Los
Reyes_, _Innocentes_, _Augustine_, _Roia_, _Catalina_, _Amaro_, and
_Victoriano_; before which the three Isles call’d _The Sorlings_, are
seen in the Mouth of the _Straights_ against the South Sea.
_Magaglianus_ Steering hither, Winter’d within the _Straights_ in an
Inlet call’d _St. Julian_, stay’d two Moneths before the Mouth of the
River _Santa Cruiz_, where he took abundance of Fish, and from thence
ran along the Shore to the Promontory _Las Virgines_, which receiv’d
that Denomination, because it was discover’d on the Day Consecrated to
_St. Ursula_ and her eleven thousand _Virgins_: Going a League up into
the Countrey, he found a Hut, in which above two hundred dead Bodies
were bury’d after a strange manner, and on the Shore a great Whale,
driven on the Sands by a Storm. He nam’d the Countrey to the Southward,
_Terra del Fuego_, because from the Promontory _Severino_ in the Night
he espy’d several Fires. He was exceedingly delighted with the pleasant
Coasts on each side of the _Straights_, which were the more pleasant, by
reason of several Hills overgrown with sweet-smelling Trees, whose tops
lay cover’d with Snow.
[Sidenote: The Expedition of _Garcias Loaysa_, _Alcazova_, and others.]
_Magaglianus_ was follow’d, _Anno 1525._ by _Garcias Loaysa_, who
Sailing into the _Straights_ near the Promontory _Virgines_, endur’d
great Colds; in the Haven _St. George_ he found store of green Cinamon:
The People he reported to be of so monstrous a stature, that they might
well be accounted Giants; some of whom went naked, others wore a Net of
Feathers made fast about their Wastes, and others a loose Garment all
over their Bodies. _Loaysa_ gave this Countrey, inhabited by Giants, the
Denomination of _Terra del Patagoni_. He judg’d the _Straights_ of
_Magellan_ to be a hundred and ten _Spanish_ Miles long between the two
Promontories, _Virgines_ at the North Sea, and _Deseado_ at the Southern
Ocean. Within lie three Inlets, which have seven Leagues in breadth.
_Simon Alcazova_ Sailing hither nine years after _Loaysa_, shunn’d the
Land on the left-side of the _Straights_, because it lay most under
Water, and was forc’d by his Men to return to the Haven _Leones_, where
he and all his Seamen were put to death.
Not long after the Bishop of _Placentia_ fitted out three Sail, which
entring the _Straights_, Anno 1540. lost their Admiral; the Vice-Admiral
Wintering at the Inlet _Las Zorras_, (so call’d, because they took many
Foxes on a Champain Countrey without Trees) return’d to _Spain_ without
any farther success: the third Ship with much ado arriv’d also at
_Arequipa_.
[Sidenote: The Voyages of _Hawkins_, _Drake_, and _Candish_.]
The _English_ Captain, _Richard Hawkins_, also Sailing hither, found the
Land on the South side of the _Straights_, most broken, and in some
places a few Huts.
_Anno 1578._ Sir _Francis Drake_ Sailing hither along the Coast of
_Brasile_, Landing on an Island in the Mouth of the _Straights_, kill’d
above three thousand Birds. Sailing from hence he was miserably toss’d
in the South Sea, and discover’d about the middle of the _Straights_,
that the Current out of the Southern and Northern Ocean met at the place
where a great Bay bends Southwardly: To three Isles he gave the Name of
_Elizabeth_, _Bartholomew_, and _George_, and drove three Weeks without
making any Sail, in snowy, misty, and rainy Weather, falling amongst
dangerous Rocks, and at last Anchor’d in the Haven _Health_, which he so
call’d, because his sick and wearied Men being refresh’d there, he set
Sail from thence and return’d home.
Captain _Thomas Candish_ following Sir _Francis Drake_ eight years
after, found near a Creek within the City _Philip-stadt_, built there by
the _Spaniards_, to secure the Passage out of the Northern to the
Southern Ocean for themselves; to which purpose they held four hundred
Men in Garrison in the said City, which lying near a pleasant Wood, was
defended by four Bulwarks, each fortifi’d with a Brass Gun: But the
_Spaniards_ not being able to endure the Cold, nor get in their Harvest,
which was continually spoil’d by the Natives, were so pinch’d with
Hunger, that after three years stay many of them dy’d in their Houses,
which caus’d a filthy Stink, and consequently a vile Distemper, not
unlike the Small-pox; at last twenty three of them, amongst whom were
two Women, judg’d it convenient to bury their great Guns, and march away
with their Musquets; a whole Year they travell’d in great want, feeding
on the Leaves of Trees, wild Roots, and Fowls which they now and then
kill’d; at last they resolv’d to travel by Land to _Rio de la Plata_,
but never any news was heard what became of them, onely one _Spaniard_,
call’d _Ferdinand_, being stray’d from the rest, was taken by _Candish_,
to whom he gave the foremention’d Relation. _Candish_ entring
_Philip-stadt_, found a Gibbet, on which hung a Malefactor in Chains, a
Church, the Houses full of famish’d Bodies, and four Brass Guns, which
he digg’d out of the Ground. From hence he ran to a fresh-water River
(which disembogues into the _Straights_,) whose Banks are inhabited by
cruel Cannibals, and the Countrey all about plain Pasture Grounds,
whereas most part of the Shore in the _Straights_ is very mountainous.
_Candish_ Landing, found _Spanish_ Knives and Stilletto’s amongst the
Man-eaters, and lay a whole Moneth at Anchor in the western Mouth of
_Magellanica_, by reason of great Storms, feeding on Mussles, Cockles,
and Fowl; and from thence Sail’d about the World, returning home at last
with a Booty of twenty Tun of Gold.
_Anno 1599._ _Simon de Cordes_ Commanding five _Netherland_ Vessels,
entring the _Straights_ of _Magellan_, found in the green Bay, Mussles
of a Span long, abundance of Ducks and Geese, and a great many Trees not
unlike Laurel, they being onely bigger, and had a sharp biting Shell.
The Wind blew exceeding hard here over the Rocks, insomuch that they
were sometimes driven from four Anchors.
[Sidenote: The Bird _Pinguyn_.]
A few Moneths after _Oliver van Noord_ follow’d _Cordes_, and Anchor’d
near the _Pinguyn_ Isles, the biggest whereof is call’d _Castemme_, and
the least _Talke_; the Inhabitants thereof dwell in Caverns under
Ground, and feed on the Birds _Pinguyns_, of whose Skins they make
Mantles. These Birds weigh generally fifteen or sixteen Pound, have
black Backs, white Bellies, very thick Skins, long Bills like Ravens,
short thick Necks, two plum’d Fins in stead of Wings, black Feet like a
Goose, and delicate Flesh, notwithstanding they feed on Fish, after
which they swim very swift with the fore-mention’d Fins, which hang down
on each side along their Bodies when they walk upright on the Shore;
they sit generally four together in their Holes, made after such a
manner, that a Man which knows not of them, may ere he be aware, sink up
to the Knees in the same, and be bitten terribly by the Legs. _Cordes_
his Seamen got in two hours time above nine hundred of these Birds,
whilest he discover’d the salvage People _Enoo_, which inhabit the
Countrey _Cossi_, and are divided into the Families _Kemenetes_,
_Kennekas_, and _Caraike_; the first inhabited the Territory _Carray_;
the second _Caramay_; and the third, _Morine_: all of them Paint their
Cheeks and Forehead. Farther into the Countrey dwell the _Trimenes_, a
gigantick sort of People, eleven Foot high, who maintain continual Wars
with their Neighbors.
[Sidenote: Great Discoveries of the _Netherlanders_ about the _Magellan
Straights_.]
Moreover, _Noord_ discover’d several Inlets full of Ice and fresh Water
in the _Straights_ of _Magellan_, whither the _United Netherlands_ have
since sent the Admirals _William Schouten_, _Joris Spilbergen_, and
_Jaques le Heremite_. The common opinion, that the Countrey on the South
side of _Magellan_ is of the Main Continent, Experience hath manifested;
for _Schouten_ found the same, _Anno 1616._ who Sailing from _Porto
Desire_, left the _Straights_ of _Magellan_ on the right-hand, and
Sail’d Southerly through whitish Water, and in fifty four Degrees
discover’d a Channel eight Leagues broad, through which ran a strong
Current. The Coast rose with high Mountains, whose tops were cover’d
with Snow. The utmost Point was call’d _Mauritius_, from the Prince of
_Orange_; the broken Coast on the other side, _The States-Island_; and
the _Straights_ it self, _Le Maire_, upon the Request of the Merchant
_Jacob Le Maire_, whose Father _Isaac_ was chief owner of the two Ships
of which _Schouten_ was Commander, who found so many Whales here, that
he could scarce Steer clear of them, they swimming by hundreds in a
Shoal. The Sea-pies, much bigger than Swans, suffer’d themselves to be
caught by the Hands of the Sea-men. Moreover he call’d the barren grey
Rocks, and others lesser, lying North-East from the Promontory _Hoorn_,
_Barnevields Isles_. Sailing beyond the Point _Hoorn_, he was toss’d by
the vast Billows that came rowling out of the West.
It was no sooner nois’d abroad, that the _Netherlanders_ had found the
Straights _Le Maire_, but the _Spanish_ King _Philip_ immediately sent
two Carvels thither, under the Command of _Garcias de Nodal_, who took
an exact Account of the Heads, Roads, and Inlets belonging to the
fore-mention’d _Straights_, and return’d without performing any other
Exploits.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: _Diego Flores_ his unsuccessful Voyage to the _Straights_ of
_Magellan_.]