Situation and Bounds.
South-West ofVirginialieth the spacious Countrey ofFlorida, remarkable hitherto rather by the great pains which theSpaniardshave taken, and the ill Successes they have met with in the discovery and search of this Province, than by any thing else they have discover’d in it answerable to their desires. On the East it hath theAtlantick Ocean, orMare del Nordt; on the South, and South-West, the Gulph ofMexicoandMare Virginium; and full West, part ofNew Gallicia, and some other Countreys, not yet perfectly known.
Ponce’s Expedition.
Water to make old People look young.
This Countrey is also one of those, said to have been first of all discover’d by SirSebastian Cabot, at the Charges of the King ofEngland, about the Year 1497. but afterwards more throughly search’d into byJohn Ponce de Leon, aSpaniard, who in the Year 1512. set Sail with three Ships out of the HavenSt. GermaninPorto Rico, North-West to the IslesDel Veio,Caycos,Yaguna,Amaguyao,Manegua, andGuanahani, first discover’d byChristopher Colonus, and call’dSt. Salvador: After that Steer’d North-West by a Coast, which (because of its pleasant prospect) was call’dFloridaor (according to the more common Opinion) because it was onPalm-Sunday, which theSpaniardscallPascha de Flores, (orPascha Florida) that he Landed here: And to find out a Haven he kept sight of the Shore, which appear’d South-West from him. Here the Ships met with so strong a Tide, that notwithstanding they had a fresh Gale of Wind, yet could they not stem it; one of the Ships was driven to Sea out of sight; the other two casting Anchor, which raking, drove toward the Shore; whither, being beckned by theIndians, they immediately went; when no sooner he Landed, but they ran in great Companies to make themselves Masters of the Vessels, kill’d oneSpaniard, and wounded two more: the Night approaching put an end to the Fight. From hence Sailing to the RiverLa Cruixfor Wood and Water, they were resisted by sixty Natives, which they put to flight with their Guns, and took one Prisoner; after which they erected a Stone Cross. The Promontory, by which glides the strong Current, lies in twenty Degrees North-Latitude, and call’dCabo de Corrientes, as the Row of Isles, before the Main LandLos Martyres, because the Cliffs at a distance appear like Men standing on Poles. Lastly, after some small Encounters with theFloridans,Poncereturn’d home, being onely inform’d falsly by theIndians, that inFloridawas a River, and on the IsleBiminia Fountain, whose Waters made old People young.
Vasquez’s Expedition toFlorida.
Habit of aFloridanKing.
But after thisFloridaremained not unvisited; for eight years after the foremention’d Voyage,Lucas Vasquez de Aylomweighed Anchor with two Ships fromHispaniola, to fetch Slaves from the adjacent Isles for the Gold-Mines, which Labor the Natives were not able to perform: therefore steering his Course Northwardly, he Sail’d along the Coast ofChicoaandGualdape, by them call’dCabo de St. Helena, andRio Jordan, where the Natives look’d upon the Ships as Sea-Monsters, and seeing Bearded Men in them, fled: theSpaniardspursuing them, overtook one Man and a Woman; who being well Entertain’d, and Clad inSpanishHabits, made the Strangers so acceptable to their Countrey-men, that their King sent fifty Men Aboard of them with Provisions, and to invite the Sea-men to his Dominions. The King satwith a great Cloth about him, made fast on his Shoulders, covering his Belly, Breast and Back with the Lappet thereof, and being long, was held up by one of his Servants; over one of his Shoulders hung a String of Pearl that came three times about, and reach’d down to his Thighs; on his Head he wore a Cap full of Ribbonds; his Arms and Legs were also surrounded with a double Chain of Pearl; in his right Hand he held a very rich Staff: But the Queen went almost naked, onely a piece of a wild Beasts Skin hung down before her from her left Shoulder to her mid-Leg, and a double String of Pearl about her Neck hung down between her Breasts, and her Hair Comb’d behind reach’d down to the Calves of her Legs; about her Wrists and Ancles hung also Strings of Pearl.
Treachery ofVasquez.
Indiansmisused.
On the King’s Command, theSpaniardswere permitted to make inspection into the Countrey, in which they were every where courteously Entertain’d, and not without Gold and Silver Presents. Returning Aboard,Vasquezinvited theIndiansto go with him, under pretence of returning them thanks for the Favours which they had bestowed upon him; but no sooner had he gotten a considerable number in his Ships, but he set Sail, and losing one Ship, arriv’d with the other safe atHispaniolawith a fewIndians, for most of them with grief and hunger died at Sea, and those that remain’d alive, liv’d on dead Carrion.
Vasquezdefeated by theFloridans.
Some few years after,Vasquezreceiving Letters Patent from the Court ofSpainfor the Government ofFlorida, fitted out a Ship thither in 1620. which brought a good Return of Gold, Silver, and Pearls; whereupon he himself went not long after, and coming into the RiverJordan, lost one of his Ships, which proved not the worst Accident; for Landing two hundred Men, they were all of them either slain or wounded by the Inhabitants; so thatVasquezwas forc’d to sound a Retreat: And after that theSpaniardswere less willingly drawn to that Coast, and the rather, because the Inhabitants seem’d poor, and had little Gold but what they procur’d from theOtapalesandOlugatono’s, sixty Leagues Northward up in the Countrey.
Narvaezhis Expedition.
Strange Booty.
He is in great extremity.
Cabecais Stranded.
His strange Entertainment atMalhado.
Notwithstanding these unsuccessful Expeditions,Pamphilus Narvaezretain’d so much Courage, that obtaining Letters Patents from the EmperorCharlesthe Fifth,he fitted out four Sail and a Brigantine, weigh’d Anchor fromCubawith six hundred Men and eighty Horse, in the Year 1528. OnFloridahe Landed three hundred Foot and forty two Horse; they found many empty Huts, but in a great House a golden Bell hid amongst the Nets, Chests full of Merchandise, and in each a dead Body cover’d with Beast Skins, and painted; Pieces of Linnen Cloth, and Wedges of Gold, which they had from the remote CountreyApalache.Narvaez, though against the Opinion ofNunnez Cabeca, march’d up into the Countrey, whilst the Fleet was to stand along the Shore, and travelling fifteen days saw neither House nor Man, onely here and there somePalmito-Trees: Crossing a River on Floats, they were Encountred by two hundred of the Natives; of which theSpaniards, having routed them, took six Prisoners, who furnish’d them plentifully withIndianWheat. After this they march’d fifteen days farther, without discerning the least foot-step of a Man; but at last they met anIndianLord with a considerable Train, before whom march’d several Pipers: being told byNarvaezthat his Journey was forApalache, he conducted theSpaniardswith aCanooover a River, and Landing again, walk’d with them to his Village, where he Entertain’d them with great civility.Narvaez, after a long and troublesom Journey, came at last in sight ofApalache, a Village which contained two hundred and forty Straw Houses, built between the Mountains on a Moorish Soyl, full of Nut, Pine, and Savine-Trees, Oaks, Laurel, and shortPalmito’s, besides the Trees, which blown down in several places by a strong Wind from between the Hills, and lying cross, cumber the High-ways: There are many deep Pools, and also Bears, Lyons, and other ravenous Creatures, which make the Ways very dangerous.Narvaezfalling suddenly on the Village, took theCasiquePrisoner, as also store of Wheat, Mortars to pound it, Hides, and Thred-spun Cloaks. Here he rested twenty five days, during which time some of his Men Journey’d farther into the Countrey, yet found none but poor People, troublesom Ways, and an unfruitful Soyl: twice they were set upon by the Natives, who kill’d some of the Horses and Men: They being a very strong People run stark naked, and as swift as a Deer, Diving under Water from theSpaniardsBullets; which not a little amazingNarvaez, he thought it convenient to set upon the VillageAute, lying on the Shore: Nine days he was in a miserable condition before he got any Wheat, Pease, or other Provisions from this Village; the getting whereof cost him very dear, for the Villagers behav’d themselves so valiantly, that they kill’d manySpaniards, and some of their Horses, which since they left the Haven ofSt. Crucehad travell’d two hundred and eighty Leagues; so that being tir’d and out of heart, they could not carry the Sick and Wounded, who not able to go, fell down dead in the Way: whereupon it was judg’d convenient to make five Barques, in which they made their Shirts serve for Sails, the Horses Tails and Mayns for Ropes, their Skins to hold fresh Water; with which putting out to Sea, they saw no Land in seven days; and running through the Straights ofSt. Miguell, Steer’d along the Coast ofRio del Palmes; where they suffer’d great Drought, insomuch that some drinking salt Water, died thereof: at last Landing, they were in the Night set upon by aCasique, who having givenNarvaeza great Wound in the Face, fled, leaving behind him a Sable Cloak, scented with Amber; three days they rang’d again along the Sea-shore, when the Barque ofNunnez Cabecabeing behind, was by Storm driven on the Shore, where a hundredIndianswaited to cut them off, but were pacifi’d with some Trifles: Thus being bereav’d of Arms, Provision, and all manner of Necessaries, they found themselves on an Isle, by the Inhabitants call’dMalhado, where they were lodg’d and maintain’d so long as they had any thing left; but Famine grew at last to such a heighth, that they devour’done another, and in a short time of eighty Men there remain’d onely four alive,viz.Nunnez Cabeca,Castillo,Orantes, andEstevanico, who at last by Land reach’d toNew Gallicia, and soon after toMexico, having escap’d a thousand Dangers. OfPamphilus Narvaeznever any tydings being heard, it is suppos’d he was drown’d.
Sottus’s Expedition very remarkable.
Strange dealing of theCofachiquians.
A Maid Governs the Countrey.
Great Treasure of Pearls.
Great Tempest.
Sottus’s farther Journey very remarkable.
The CityMavilla.
Cruel Fight.
Sottusdies.
Strange Fight.
After this miserable Adventure, the Business ofFloridalay dead for eleven years, tillFerdinandus Sottus, chosen Governor ofCuba, obtain’d so much of the EmperorCharlesthe Fifth, that he ventur’d one Expedition more forFlorida: Besides Seamen he carried five hundred Foot, and three hundred and fifty Horse; with which Landing in the BayDel Espirito Santo, he march’d against the CasiqueVitacucho, whom he took Prisoner, with a thousand of the Natives, whom he either put to the Sword, or caus’d them to be torn in pieces by Dogs; and staying all the Winter inApalache, fortifi’d that place, and furnish’d himself with Provisions; he was inform’d, that thirteen days Journey from thence lay the Kingdom ofCofachiqui, abounding with Gold, Silver, and Pearls, which made every one of theSpaniardsvery desirous to go thither, notwithstanding the Way was very dangerous; for the valiantFloridanslying in Ambuscade in the Corn-Fields, wounded and kill’d many of them by Shooting from thence.Sottus, so soon asMarchapproached, set forward on his Way. In the poor Province ofAchalaquihe found a few young People, and the old most of them blind. FromCofachiquihe was follow’d by four thousand Natives, who carried theSpaniardsLuggage, and serv’d them as Guides through Woods and Wildernesses. The seventh day they stopp’d at a great River, whitherSottussent four Companies to seek out a Passage over, whereof three return’d without any effect, but the fourth, Commanded by CaptainAnnasio, and a Colonel of a thousandCofachiquians, came to a Village built along the River; in which they made a miserable Rout, killing all they lighted on, and hanging the Sculls of the Dead by their sides: this done, they march’d back.Sottusat last espying a Village on the other side of the River, beckned to the Natives to come over to him; whereupon six came immediately; who understanding that he desir’d their friendly Assistance and Trade, promis’d to acquaint their Governess, being a young Maiden: who soon after came over toSottus, and presented him with a String of Pearl: he complain’d to her for Provisions, which she promis’d in part to store him with. Crossing the River he found a brave Countrey, where were Pearls as big as gray Pease, Copper of a golden colour, but no Gold. Out of the Tombs of their Princes theSpanishOfficers, with the leave of the fore-mention’d Maid their Governess, got an incredible Treasure in Pearls. In the VillageTolomecothey did the like. But here their Provisions growing scarce, the Army was divided into two Bodies,Balthasar de Gallegosleading one, andSottusthe other; yet the Design of them both was on the Province ofChalaque; whither marching, they were surpris’d by such a violent Storm, that few would have been left to relate their Adventures, had not the Trees bore it off from them; for it not onely Thundred and Lightned as if Heaven and Earth would have met, but also Hail-stones fell down as big as Eggs, which beat down the Boughs of Trees. In the pleasant ValleyXualu, belonging to the Kingdom ofCofachiqui, they rested fifteen days, and then march’d through Countreys ofGuaxale,Acostes, andCoza, where above a thousandIndians, adorn’d with Plumes of Feathers and rich Furr Cloaks, came to meet and welcom them, and to desire them from theCasiqueto stay there all the Winter; butSottusresolving to go to the HavenAchusi, refus’d the same. After this he view’dTalisse, fortifi’d with woodden and earthen Bulwarks; where the CasiqueTascalusa, a Man as big again as an ordinarySpaniard, receiv’dSottuswith great civility, and conducted him toMavilla, lying in a pleasant place. The City, surrounded with double Pallisado’s, fill’d up withEarth between, (where also at eighty Paces distant from one another, stands a Tower to contain eighty Soldiers) hath two Gates, eighty Houses, in every one of which dwell a thousand Men, and a large Market-place in the middle; where whilst theSpaniardswere in the midst of their Mirth, they on a sudden heard a great cry of Arms; the first Assault was made by seven thousand, which still increased by fresh Supplies; but theSpaniardsat last setting the City on fire, broke through them, and left above eleven thousand slain, either by the Smoak and Flame, or by their Bullets, Swords, Horses Heels and Dogs; theSpaniardsalso lost eighty three Men and forty three Horses. Thence going toChicorathey were stopt by the Natives before a deep River with high Banks, which at last crossing, not without great trouble and blood-shedding, they Winter’d in the VillageChicora, where the Inhabitants let them rest very quietly for two Moneths; at the end of which, joyning together in the Night, they shot fire into the Straw Roofs, and maintain’d a Fight of two hours long, in which theSpaniardslost forty Men, fifty Horses, and all their Hogs, which were burnt in the Houses. From thence going toChicacollathey were resisted in most places, and in the FortAlibamoEngag’d by four thousandFloridans, who waited for their coming; but those were so shrewdly handled, that half of them were slain, andSottusbecame Master of the Fort, as also ofChisca, which he Storm’d and took unawares. With no less trouble and danger did he get over the RiverEl Grande, where he discover’d a Village that contain’d above four hundred Houses, and many delightful Fruit-Trees. The CasiqueCasquin, maintain’d theSpanishArmy six days in this place, and taking five thousand of his Subjects, march’d with them toCapaha, which hath a deep and broad Moat on three sides thereof: the fourth was fortifi’d with strong Pallisado’s, through which theSpaniardsbreaking, made way forCasquin, who put all to the Sword, the Governor onely escaping in aCanooto a neighboring Isle. The Entrance being thus taken by theSpaniards,Casquinreturn’d home. After whichSottusconcluded a Peace withCapahaesthe Governor, and took up his Quarters in the VillageVitangue, where he receiv’d continual Sallies; but taking fifteenCasiquesPrisoners, threatned to burn them alive, unless they would procure them some Gold; yet not being able to get any, they had only their Hands cut off and were sent away. Moreover,Sottushelp’d theGuachacoya’s, to ruine those ofAnilco; which Design prov’d successful, yet not according toSottus’s desire, for he found not the Gold-Mines which he expected, but spent in this five years Progress the great Treasure which he took out ofAtibaliba’s Palace; and the Pearls which he got inFlorida, for the Oysters being open’d against the Fire, and the Pearls drill’d through with a hot Iron, lost much of their lustre, neither would his People consent to build a City in the HavenAchusi. In the midst of these TransitionsSottusdied of the Bloody-flux, and his Body was Interr’d in the RiverEl Grande. After which his SuccessorLudovicus de Alvaradohad worse success, for half of the Army being wasted by the excessive heat, the rest resolv’d to desertFlorida, utterly despairing to be ever able to resist the valiant Natives. In the Province ofAuchethey procur’d a Guide, whom, because he mis-led them in their Way, they caus’d to be torn in pieces by their Dogs: after which they march’d without a Guide through such bad Ways, that they lost a hundred of their Men and eighty Horses, besides manyFloridansthat carried their Luggage: At last coming to the RiverEl Grandethey conquer’d two Villages; which fortifying, they took up their Winter Quarters in them. But this being the fourteenth year, in which the River us’d generally to overflow and drown all the adjacent Countreys, on a sudden, to their great amazement, the Wood which they had gather’d for the building of Barques to carry them home, was wash’d away, their Provisions spoil’d,and their Habitations drown’d: and to this Inconvenience was added another yet greater; for the Governors round about rais’d all the Forces they could possibly, to revenge themselves on theSpaniardsfor their great oppression. ButAlvaradobeing inform’d of this Design by the CasiqueAnilco, caus’d thirty of the Abettors of the Plot to have their Hands cut off. Not long after this theSpaniardsset Sail, when a thousandCanoosthat came to Engage them lay sixteen days amongst them, killing and wounding several of the Seamen, and sunk a Barque with forty eight Men, and also kill’d many Horses which were yet on the Shore; the Prisoners they took were strappado’d to death, and the Horses shot: yet some of them got safe fromPanucotoMexico.
Expedition ofAhumadaandSamano.
These above-mention’d Expeditions toFlorida, notwithstanding they fell out unfortunately, nevertheless by the permission ofPhilipthe Second, King ofSpain,Peter AhumadaandJulius Samano, with fiveDominicanMonks, made another Attempt, and Landed with several great Crosses, that thereby they might reduce theFloridans, whose Language they understood not, to their Faith: But they fearing treachery, resisted them, and kill’d the Monks with Clubs, flay’d them, and hung their Skins in their Temples.
The Expedition ofMenendez.
Notwithstanding these and many worse Accidents that hapned, yet theSpanishKing ventur’d once more, and sentPeter MenendeztoFlorida; whither he was follow’d by threeJesuitsfromRome,viz.Peter Martinius,Joan Roger, andFrancis Villaregius: The Master of the Ship in which they went being ignorant where he was, judg’d it convenient to Land; whereupon nineNetherlandersand fourSpaniards, amongst which wasMartinius, went ashore onFlorida, whilst a Storm arising drove the Ship toCuba; by which means those that were Landed were left in a miserable condition, having no Food but wild Herbs, on which they fed twelve days: so that this Expedition also came to nothing.
Voyage ofRibaldandLaudoniere.
At last theFrenchfollowing the foot-steps of theSpaniards,John RibaldandRene Laudonierehaving Sail’d several times toFlorida, discover’d several Coasts; but their Men were often set upon by theSpaniards, and cut off.
The Expedition ofDominicus Gurgius.
Valiant Exploit ofGurgius.
Anno 1567.Dominicus Gurgiusset Sail thither with three Ships, which carried two hundred Soldiers and eighty Sea-men; with which entring the RiverTacatucouruhe Landed, and found a Youth call’dPeter du Bre, who escap’d when theSpaniardscruelly massacred theFrenchin the GarrisonCarolina; after whichdu Breranging up and down, at last serv’dSaturiona, Governor ofFlorida; whom deserting, and now meeting with theFrenchhis Countrey-men, he brought severalCasiquesto joyn with them against theSpaniards, whom they drove out of three Forts, which were all by the Command ofGurgiusdismanteled.
CityAugustine.
Floridais call’d by the Natives,Irquasa. TheSpaniardshave built two Forts on the same, the one erected on the PromontoryHelena, is Consecrated to the ApostleMatthew. The City and the FortAugustinelies near the RiverMay. Both City and Fort stand on a Hill, which is pleasant and well set with Trees. Between theForelandis a deep and wide Channel, which washes the City and Fort; it is eight-square, at each corner there stands a round Tower, in which the Soldiers keep Guard; the Countrey is water’d by two Rivers, which gliding between theMainand theForeland, are great Safeguards to the Fort. The City is almost square, onely against the Fort it is much closer built than in any other place, and divided into four Streets. The Church stands without of the City, and before it theAugustineCloyster.
PAGUS HISPANORUM in Florida
Constitution of theFloridans.
Their strange Consultation.
Their Food in time of War.
Their Priests are Sorcerers.
Strange actions.
Cruelty on the conquer’d.
Remarkable Mourning for the Dead.
The Inhabitants ofFloridaare an Olive colour, tall, and without any deformity; their Skins generally painted, and their Bodies naked, onely a Deer’s Skin about their middle, their Hair long and black, hanging down to their Hams, but most of them tie it in a Knot on the top of their Heads; two small Boards cover their Breasts, and six lesser hang on their Arms, two Bells at each Ear, and a Cap on their Head, with a Feather: Their Quivers, which are always full of Arrows, sharpned with Fish Bones, hang by their Sides; In their left-Hand they hold a great Bowe, with which they go to War, the King walking before with a Club. They Consult daily about warlike Affairs in the King’s Palace, where he himself sits on a high Seat; the Grandees salute him first with their Hands lifted over their Head, cryingHa, He, Ya, at which the rest cryHa, Ha; then every one sits down on a Stool round about the Room. If they have any Business of Consequence to debate, then the King sends for the ancientest Persons and Priests, call’dJawas; this done, they give a Cup ofCassine(which is a hot Drink made of Herbs) to the King; after which every one drinks in order out of the same Cup. This Liquor occasions Sweat, quenches Thirst, and satisfies the Appetite for twenty four hours. When they March against their Enemies they live onIndianWheat, Honey, smoak’d Fish, and divers sorts of wild Roots, amongst which they mix Sand and Cinders, to preserve them the longer. No sooner are the two Armies come within sight one of another, but the Kings of both Parties roll their Eyes about in their Heads, mutter something to themselves, and make strange Gestures and Exclamations; which is answer’d by a general Cry of the whole Army: then each King turning himself with great Reverence to the Sun, takes a woodden Platter with Water, which he throws over his Army so far as he is able, and begs of the Sun to grant him, that he may spill his Enemies Blood in like manner; then throws another Dish-full into the Fire, wishing that his Soldiers may thus Offer the Bodies of their Foes to the Flames; then step forth the Priests, who are always skill’d in the Art of Necromancy, and seating themselves on a Shield in the midst of the Army, draw a Circle, in which they make many strange Gestures, not without muttering to themselves, and seemingly say a Prayer of a quarter of an hour long; during which they deport themselves so strangely, that they rather seem to be Devils themselves, than Charmers of the Devil: They turn their Eyes quite round, and theirBodies as if without Joynts; at length being wearied they leap out of the Circle, and inform the King of the number and condition of the Enemies Army. Those whom they take Prisoners they flay alive, and drying their Skins at the Fire, tie them to long Poles, and carry them home as Trophies of their Victory, and afterwards set them up in some Field or spacious place, putting both Men and Women to watch them; then comes the Priest with a woodden Image, and utters Execrations against the slain Enemies; at a corner of the Fields kneel three Men, one of which striking with great force on a Stone, gives as many Blows as the Priest pronounces Curses, whilst the other two shake theirCalabashesfill’d with Stones, and Sing many strange Songs: No sooner is this ended, but the Women whose Husbands are slain in the Battel, walking to the King, cover their Faces with their Hands, make many strange Gestures, and desire liberty to take what revenge they can, and licence also to Marry at the limited time; all which the King permitting, they return thus comforted home crying. Not long after they go to the place where their Husbands lie buried, where they crop their Hair up to their Ears, and throw it on the Grave, as also the Arms and Drinking-Cups which the Deceased us’d in their life-time; after which they may not Marry before their Hair be grown again to their Shoulders. The same Custom is also observ’d when their King is buried but then also all his Subjects Fast and Howl three days together, stick his Grave full of Arrows, and burn his House and all his Goods.
Floridansdiffer amongst themselves.
TheFloridansdiffer amongst themselves very much, for those that inhabit the ProvincePanuca, which borders uponNew Spain, are valiant and cruel People, Offering their Prisoners to their Idols, and eating them. The Men pluck up the Hair of their Beards by the Root, make holes through their Nose and Ears, and Marry not till their fortieth Year.
Next to these follow the Realms ofAranarisandAlbardaosia, inhabited by a People, which exceed all others in subtilty.
The Natives ofJaquaziarun faster than a Deer, and tire not though they travel a whole day.
Hermophrodites.
The best Swimmers are found inAlpachia,Authia, andSomeria, where the Women Swim through deep and great Rivers with their Children in their Arms. Here also are many Hermophrodites, which carry all the Luggage when an Army is upon a March.
Their manner of taking Crocodiles.
As also their Deer.
We find mention’d also two other Provinces of note,viz.Colas(which lies near the Point call’dCape Florida) andTegista, orFloridaproperly so call’d, being that longPeninsula, which pointing upon the IsleCuba, by the CapeLos Martyres, stretcheth it self North and South about a hundred Leagues in length, but not above thirty in breadth where it is largest. In this Province is theRio de lo Spirito Santo. The Soyl, though it producesIndianWheat twice a year, yet it is never Dung’d, but when the Corn (which is planted inMarchandJune) is in, they burn the Weeds; the Ashes of which serves them in stead of Soil. The King divides the Corn according to every Mans Family. In the Winter they dwell four Moneths in the Woods, where they build small Huts of Palm-boughs, feed on Venison, smoak’d Fish, and Crocodiles, which have pure white Flesh, and are caught after this manner: On the Shore of the Rivers they build little Houses full of round Holes, in which they place a Watch, who is to give notice to ten or twelve Associates, cover’d all over with Boughs full of little sharp Prickles, which they thrust into the Crocodiles Throat, who with open Mouth comes running at them, and so throwing him on his Back, stick his Belly full of Arrows, and kill him with Clubs. But with more subtilty and art they take their Deer,viz.They hide themselves undera Stags Skin, so cunningly, that it seems as if living, which they place near the Rivers where the Deer generally come to drink, when on a sudden they shoot them.
Floridans, though libidinous, yet live long.
Their Priests serve in stead of Chirurgeons, wherefore they always carry a Bag full of Herbs about with them, which are chiefly good against venereal Distempers; for these People are exceeding libidinous; nay, Sodomy and defiling of young Children is accounted no sin: Yet though they are much inclin’d to Women, they attain to a great Age.
Rene LaudoniereLanding not far from the CityAugustine, situate on the Banks of the RiverMay, met with theFloridanGovernorSaturiona, who conducted him to theFrenchKing’s Court of Arms, erected two years before, whichSaturiona, as a testimony of his zeal to theFrench, had Crown’d with Laurel and Flowers.Saturionahad with him also his SonAtoreus, who had begotten divers Children on his Mother; whom his Father after that time no more acknowledging, resign’d her up wholly to him: At which time also his great Grandfather being then living, was above a hundred and fifty years old, and saw his Childrens Children to the fifth Generation.
Their horrid Religion.
The Religion inFloridais abominable, wicked, and cruel: When they return Conquerors from a Battel, the old Women rake off the dry’d Hair from the fore-mention’d Poles, hold it aloft, and thank the Sun for their Victory. But the Offerings of their first-born Sons are terrible, for they knock out their Brains with a Club in the presence of the King. Their annual worshipping of the Sun is also very ridiculous; for filling the Skin of a Stag full of sweet-smelling Herbs, they hang the Horns and Neck with Garlands, and carry it with the noise of their kind of Vocal and Instrumental Musick, to a high Trunk or hollow Body of a Tree, on which they place the stuff’d Stag, with his Head towards the Sun; which done, they falling down, desire that he would please to afford them plenty of all such Fruit as they Offer to him; after which taking their leave, they let the fore-mention’d Skin remain there till the following Year.
TheSpaniardssince their Defeat in the FortCarolina, and their Engagement with SirFrancis Drake,Anno 1585.have had little disturbance onFlorida.
Drake’s Exploit onFlorida.
Drakehaving burnt and plunder’dDomingoandCarthagena, steer’d along the Coast ofFlorida, and discover’d a Beacon on the same; whereupon he sent out Spies, who sail’d a League up a River, on whose Banks they saw a Fort, and somewhat higher the TownAugustine, built full of woodden Houses; all which being related to him, he steer’d thither, fir’d his Guns twice against the FortSt. John; which theSpaniardsanswering onely with one Volley, fled, with their CommanderPeter Menendez; when theEnglishprepar’d to Storm, a Prisoner, being aFrench-man, came in a Boat from them toDrake, and inform’d him that theSpaniardshad left the CityAugustineand FortSt. John; to whichDrakegoing, found there Pallisado’s of pleited Boughs, cover’d with Earth, and a Chest with two thousand Pound, for the payment of the Soldiers, and fourteen Brass Guns, with which he set Sail from thence.
The Mountains of this Countrey are onely theApalatei, suppos’d by the Natives to have rich Mines of Gold in them, and which theSpaniardssaw, but had not time, nor other accommodation to stay and search them, by reason they were so much wearied and wasted with a long March before they gat thither, and found the People so stout and obstinate thereabouts, that in stead of entertaining them with their Hens and Fowl, as other places had done, they were welcom’d with Blows, and made to return, leaving not a few of their best Soldiers behind.
Rivers there are many, and those very large and commodious, as 1.Rio Secco,orThe Dry River, so call’d by theSpaniards(as some think) because they could find no Gold in it. 2.Rio Grande, orThe Great River. 3.Ligeris.4.Garunna.5.Sequana,&c.These last, so nam’d by theFrench, who, after theSpaniards, for some time had, but never held any long possession of the Countrey. There are alsoRio de Flores,Rio de Nieves, andRio de Spirito Santo, lesser Streams, yet all of them, with the rest, falling at several places into the great Lake ofMexico; and some of them not a little haunted by theCaymansorWest-IndianCrocodiles, a Creature, as hath been said before, dangerous both at Sea and Land.
The Natives, who as yet hold Possession and Command of it for the most part, are themselves generally sorted into certain Tribes or great Families; all which are Govern’d severally by Chiefs of their own, whom they callParacoussi, and by reason thereof are almost continually in Feud and War one with another.
The Towns and Places most known in this Province, are 1.St. Helens, seated on or near unto a Promontory of the same Name, where this Countrey bordereth onVirginia. 2.Fort Charles, orArx Carolina, built and so nam’d by theFrenchKing, but afterwards ruin’d by theSpaniards. 3.Port Royal, a well frequented Haven, at the Mouth of a River which beareth the same Name. More within Land there is, 1.Apalache, an old Town of the Natives, formerly a Place of great resort, but now a poor thing of about forty or fifty Cottages; and yet as poor as it is,Pamphilius Narvaez, as before related, when he search’d the Countrey, found the Natives not willing to part with it: for though he took it from them, it was not without some resistance, and they quickly recover’d it again: and at the 2. nam’dAute, another old Town of theirs, nine days March from the other, they overtook him, and fell so resolutely upon him, that he left not a few of his best Soldiers dead upon the place, and was content himself to march quietly away with the rest. 3.Ochalis, a Town consisting of about five or six hundred Sheds and Cottages likewise of the Natives. 4.Vittacuche, a Burrough of two hundred Houses.
There is also on the Eastern Shore of thisPeninsula,St. Matthews, a Place possess’d and well fortifi’d by theSpaniards; andSt. Augustineson the same Shore, but lying somewhat more Southerly than the other, at the Mouth of a River of the same Name, taken and sack’d by SirFrancis Drakein the Year 1585.
YUCATAN _Conventus Iuridici Hispaniæ Novæ Occidentalis, et_ GUATIMALA CONVENTUS IURIDICI
St. FRANCISCO DE CAMPECHE
Sect. II.Jucatan.
Jucatanis aPeninsula, or half-Island, being encompass’d with the Sea on all sides, save onely to the South-West, where it is joyn’d toGuaxata, its farther and more Easterly Point looking towardsCuba. The knowledge of, when, and by whom this Province was discover’d, is included in that ofNew Spain, of which some will have it to be a part. The whole Province contains in compass nine hundred Miles or more, and lies between eighteen and twenty two Degrees of Northern Latitude, or thereabouts, the Air somewhat hot, and the Soil not altogether so fertile as some other parts ofNew Spainare; but in recompence thereof the People are so much the more industrious, living for the most part by Handicraft Trades. Neither is it altogether unstor’d with Corn and divers sorts of Fruits, besides what it hath of Fowl and Beasts, as Geese, Hens, Deer,&c.particularly it yieldeth plenty of Wax and Honey, by reason of its frequent Swarms of Bees. They report some special things of this Province, as namely, that the People of the Countrey us’d generally, and long before theSpaniardscame thither, a certain Ceremony of Religion, not much unlike to our Baptism, and which they call’d by a Name that in their Language signifi’dRegeneration, orA Second-Birth; that they observ’d it so diligently, that few or none amongst them omitted to initiate themselves by it, believing, that thereby the Seeds and Ground-work of all Goodness was laid in them, and that they were fortifi’d by it against the assaults and temptations of evil Spirits; that after they were three or four years old, till they came to twelve, they usually thus Wash’d and Baptiz’d themselves; and that none were permitted amongst them to Marry, that were not first initiated after this manner; that they chose likewise a solemn Day upon which to do this; and that the Friends and Relations (especially the Father and Mother) of the Parties to be initiated, as well as the Parties themselves, always Fasted three days before the said Initiation; and that a great many of the Natives had a Tradition, or general Report amongst them, that of ancient time this Province ofJucatanwas possess’d and cultivated by a certain People which came thither from the East, after a tedious long wanderring, and many hardships endur’d at Sea, having escap’d the Hands of their Enemies onely through the power of the Deity they worshipp’d; who help’d them, and made them to pass securely, even through the Waves of the Sea. All which, if true, seems not a little to confirm the Report which goeth for currant in theWelshChronicles, of oneMadoc ap Owen, the Son ofGuineth, a Prince of that Countrey, who is said to have fall’n upon a far Countrey this way in his Travels; which he lik’d so well, that having secur’d to his Companions their safe abode there during his absence, he return’d himself intoWalesfor more Men; and that he transported thither as many as he could carry in ten Barques full fraught. This he is said to have done about the Year of our Lord 1170. but neither he nor any of his Men were ever heard of since; and the success of the Expedition, it seems, little enquir’d after by theWelsh. However, the Relation seems not altogether incredible.
The chief Towns of the Province are, 1.Merida, in the Navel of the Countrey, and the Seat of the Governor, twelve Leagues distant from the Sea on either side. 2.Valladolidt, thirty Leagues distant fromMerida. 3.Campeche, a great Town, consisting of about three thousand Houses or more, when first conquer’d by theSpaniards; who found such Monuments of Art and Industry in it, as did clearly argue, that the Place had been once possess’d by some People that were not barbarous. It is now call’dSt. Francisco, and was surpriz’d in the Year 1596. by CaptainParker, anEnglish-man, who took the Governor himself and some other Persons of Quality with him, together with a Ship richly laden with Gold and Silver, besides other Commodities of good value. 4.Tabasco, by theSpaniardnow call’dVilla de Nuestra Sennora de Victoria, and commonlyVictoriaonely, in memory, as ’tis thought, of the first great Victory whichCortezobtain’d over these People at the Battel ofPotonchan, as hath been said. 5.Cintla.6.Potonchan.7.Salamanca.
All along the Coast of this Countrey there lie certain Islands, some within the Bay or Gulph call’dHonduras, pertaining to the next Province, as 1.La Zarza.2.La Desconescida.3.Vermeia.4.Los Negrillos; and some without it, as 1.Zaratan.2.Pantoia.3.De Mugeres, orThe Island of Women; so nam’d by theSpaniards, who at their first Discovery of these Parts, for a long time together could meet with none but Women. The chief of them is call’dAcusamil, commonlyCozamul, and is fifteen Leagues in length, and about five in breadth, and was as it were the Thorow-fare, or Common Road of theSpaniards, when they first discover’d the Countreys ofNew Spain: For first here LandedFerdinando de Corduba; after himJohn de Grialva, and others; and last of all the fortunateCortez. It is now call’dSt. Crux.