Its Situation and Bounds.
Guatimalastretcheth to theIsthmus, or Neck of Land, which, as we said, joineth the Northern and Southern parts of theNew Worldtogether.
This Countrey is bounded Northward with thePeninsulaofJucatanabovesaid, and part of the Gulph or Bay ofHonduras; on the South, withMare del Zur; on the East and South-East, it hathCastella Aurea; and on the West,New Spain. The length of it lieth upon the Coast ofMare del Zur, and is said to be little less than three hundred Leagues; but the breadth not half so much, and in some places very narrow. It is generally a fertile and good Countrey in all respects, but especially abounding in Cattel and good Pastures; it is subdivided into seven inferior Provinces or Countreys, which are 1.Chiapa.2.Verapaz.3.Honduras.4.Nicaragua.5.Veragua.6.Costa Rica; and 7.Guatimala, specially so call’d: all differing in Language and Customs one from another.
The Bishoprick (as it is now call’d) ofChiapais border’d on the West withNew Spain; on the East withVera Paz; and on the South withMare del Zur. It is a Countrey much shaded with Woods, and those replenish’d with many fair and goodly Trees, of divers sorts, and of the largest size, as Oaks, Pines, Cedar, Myrtle, and Cypress-Trees, besides others which yield them a good kind of Rozen, precious Gums,&c.also several sorts of Balsom, as white, red, green, and black, not onely pleasant to the Scent, but an excellent Remedy for all manner of green Wounds: the best of it drops out of the cut Bodies of the Trees; and the worst is press’d out of the Wood and Leaves.
Trees and Plants.
There are also proper to this Countrey several other kinds of Trees and Plants, as that whose Fruit tastes like Pepper and Cloves, being of a great heighth; a Tree whose Leaves cure all ulcerated Sores, or the bitings of any poysonous Beast.
There is a sort of Cabbage call’dIlantas, which grows to the heighth of a Tree, so that Birds make their Nests in them; they are eaten likewise like other common Cabbages.
There is also an Herb with narrow Leaves, which is no sooner touch’d, but it shrinks up to nothing; but at the going away of those which touch it, it obtains its former vigour.
Birds.
Here are likewise Quails, Ducks, Geese, Pheasants, Parrots, Turtle-Doves, Pigeons, and the like, in great abundance.
Amongst the several sorts of Falcons which breed in this Countrey, there is one sort which hath one Foot proper to its kind, the other like that of a Goose; it feeds on Fish along the Rivers.
The BirdToto-Queztall, which is somewhat smaller than a Pigeon, with green Feathers and a long Tail, is taken onely for its Tail, which when theIndianshave pull’d out, they let the Bird fly again, there being a Law amongst them, that whosoever kills one of them, is to suffer death.
The Cranes here are of a dark Gray; the biggest of them have a tuft of Feathers like a Crown upon their Heads.
Birds.
The BirdsGuacamayes, which are red and blue, are like aPeruanGoose.
Beasts.
Moreover, the Countrey yields brave Horses, Goats, Sheep, Rabbets, and Foxes; also wild Dogs, Leopards, Lyons, and Tygers.
The wild Hogs which breed here have their Navels on their Backs, and have no Tails, they smell exceeding strong, and feed together in great Companies.
TheTaquatrin, a certain Beast proper to those Parts, hath a Bag under its Belly, in which it generally carries seven or more young ones, and hath also a bald Tail; it creeps into Houses in the Night to steal Hens.
Here is also a certain Beast (whose Name we find not) about the bigness of a Rabbet, and like a Rat, and carries its young ones on its back whensoe’re it comes abroad.
The Serpents, which are very numerous here, trouble the Inhabitants exceedingly, especially near the VillageEcatepeque, where there are such an abundance on two little Hills, that none dares approach them; some of them are very poysonous, for if touch’d with a Stick, the Poyson runs up the same: and whoever are anointed with the Blood of a dead Serpent, die a lingring Death.John de Laetrelates, that theIndianstook one which carried thirty young ones, which being a Finger long, crep up and down immediately; and the old one, being above twenty Foot long, serv’d the Natives for Venison.
Amongst other Beasts is also theTeuthlacokauhqui, orFortress of the Serpents; it hath a Head like an Adder, thick Belly, glittering Scales, a black Back, sprinkled with white Crosses; at its Tail there grows yearly a Bone, with which it makes a noise when it stirs; its poysonous Teeth destroy those which are bit therewith in twenty four Hours, unless the part which is wounded be held in the Earth so long till the pain be over. Notwithstanding the noise, terrible aspect, and gestures of this Animal, theIndianHunters make nothing to take the same by the Tail, and wrap it up in Linnen, and carrying it home make it tame. It is able to live a whole Year without either Meat or Drink; its Head when cut off grows to the bigness of a Man’s Thigh in ten days time.
No less resolute are the Indians in taking theIbitobaca, which is an Ell long, of a crimson Colour, full of black and white Specks, the Bones whereof they wear about their Necks in stead of Chains.
The SerpentIquanna.
TheIquannais a Serpent which doth no manner of hurt, though terrible to look upon to those which know it not, having a Bag under its Chin, a glittering Comb on its Head, and on its Back sharp Bones, which stand like a Saw, and a long Tail: It lays fifty Eggs at a time as big as Acorns, of a very good taste, and fit to eat when boyl’d: It also lives both in the Water and on the Land.
Baboons.
Here are also many Baboons, which are big and heavy, with ugly Heads, short Legs like a Man, and Tails standing upwards; they eat all sorts of Fruit, but chiefly covet after Wine and Bread; and are so lascivious, that they often set upon Women: The Females generally bring forth two, one Male, and the other Female. There is also another sort, whose Skins, being red, are full of little Spots.
The ancient Inhabitants ofChiapa(divided into theChiapaneca’s, theZeques, theZeltates, and theQuelenes) are very Civil and Witty, also skilful in Painting, Singing, Breaking of Horses, and many other Trades.
Towns and Villages of Note.
The Places of more principal note in this Countrey, inhabited by theSpaniards, are 1.Ciudad Real, pleasantly seated in the midst of a round Vale or Plain, and almost encompass’d with Hills representing the form of an Amphitheatre; also at the Foot of one which stands in the midst of the rest, the City is built. It is a City specially Priviledg’d by the King ofSpain, having a Court of Justice, Cathedral, andDominicanCloyster; of a pure and temperate Air, and the Countrey round about plentifully abounding both in Corn and Fruit, onely somewhat too cold to produce Lemmons and Oranges; but for Pears, Apples, Peaches, Quinces, Cherries, and the like, they grow here in great abundance.
2.Chiapa, which giveth Name to the Valley aforesaid; It is a Bishop’s See, and famous, if but for one of its Prelates,viz.Bartholomeo de las Casas, of the Order ofPredicants, who was Bishop of this City, and his Memory justly precious amongst the poorAmericansat this day, for his Charity towards them, and for the stout and zealous opposition which he made against theSpaniardscruel and inhumane dealings with the Natives at the beginning of their Conquests: by which at last, notwithstanding much difficulty and resistance made by interested Persons of the other Side, he procur’d them liberty, and an Edict from the Emperor in favor of them; whereby they were declar’d to be a Free People, and not Slaves, and theSpaniardsforbidden to use them any longer as such, or to force them to any kind of Labour against their wills, or otherwise than by agreement with them, which Liberty they enjoy to this day; and though theSpaniardsare said to give them very small Wages in some places, and for their Work in their Sugar-Mills (which is no small Labor) not above fiveReyals, or Two shillings six pence a Week, for the Maintenance of themselves, their Wives and Children, yet by reason it is with Consent, and in a Countrey where all things are plentiful and cheap, their Condition is much better than it was, and the favor which that good Bishop did them, never to be forgotten. It is at present a great and populous City, and lieth almost in the mid-way betwixt the Cities ofMexicoandGuatimala.
3.St. Bartholomews, in the Countrey of theQuelenes.
4.Tecpatlan, the chief of twenty five Villages, said to belong to theZoques. Here theDominicanshave another Cloyster.
TheZeltatespossess a fruitful Countrey, have thirteen Villages planted with Trees that yieldCochenile, being under a Common-wealth Government.
The chief Place of theQuelenesisCopanavatzla, where there is good Cheese, and store of brave Cattel: The RiverChiepagliding through the midst thereof, loseth it self in the Northern Ocean. In this part of the Country are Beasts not unlike Apes, with long Tails, which they wind about the Legs of those whom they find swimming and so pull them under Water; wherefore they that go to Swim take Axes along with them, to cut off their Tails.
The Water of the RiverBlancois clear and wholsom, running for the most part through Rocky Grounds, which nevertheless are overspread with Trees.
In the highest Ground ofChiapa, a League and a half from the CityReall, spring clear Fountains, whose Water ebbs and flows every six hours.
Near the Village call’dAfixais one which runs three years together, though in the driest Season, and is dry three years, though it Rain never so much.
Not far from the VillageCinacatanis another Spring, whose Water cures several Sicknesses, but kills all Birds and Beasts which drink of the same.
Here are likewise divers Baths.
The Rivers which run out of the ValleyChiapa, fall into two great Pits.
Near the VillageBartholomew, in the ProvinceQuelenes, is a strange Cavern, out of which by the throwing of a stone into the same, are heard mighty noises like claps of Thunder.
Not far from the VillageChicomucolo, appears a Cavern, in which is a great Plain on one side, and a standing Lake, whose Water is like Sand, on the other.
TheSpaniards, if they wanted not Slaves, might dig good store of Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, Tin, and Quicksilver, out of the Mynes on the MountainEcatepeck, which is in nine Leagues compass: The Wind blows so strong after Sun-rising, that no Man is able to travel for it, but in the Night.
Situation and Bounds.
Vera Paz, orThe Countrey of True Peace, was so nam’d by theSpaniards, as they say, because it was never conquer’d by the Sword, but reduc’d to Obedience onely by the Preaching of theDominicanFryers. It is bounded on the West and South-West withChiapa; on the East with some part ofGuatimalaandHonduras; and on the North withJucatan. It contains about thirty Leagues in length, and almost as much in breadth, being a woody and mountainous Countrey for the most part, yet well distinguish’d with Valleys and lower Ground. It is much subject to Rain, which ’tis said to have for nine Moneths of the Year almost continually; by reason whereof the Countrey, being otherwise hot, is much annoy’d with a kind ofMosquit, or great sort of Gnats, which spoil the Fruit very much, and are otherwise not a little trouble to the People. Moreover, there happen oftentimes terrible Earthquakes and Storms, with Thunder and Lightning.
Commodities of the Countrey.
The chief Commodities of this Countrey, are a kind of Amber, which some callLiquid Amber, which drops from divers of their Trees, and is said to be a Commodity very precious, and of much use;Mastick,Sanguis Draconis,Gum Anime,Sarsaparilla,China-Wood, and divers other Medicinal Drugs, which it affordeth in great plenty. The Woods afford a sweet smell, and the Trees in the same grow a wonderful heighth.
The Canes which grow here, being a hundred Foot long, and proportionably thick, serve for Timber.
There is also a hard Wood call’dIron-Wood, either from its hardness or colour, or both, which never rots.
The abundance of Flowers which grow here afford nutriment to innumerable swarms of Bees, which are about the bigness of small Flies. Their Honey, which is somewhat tart, they hide in the Roots of Trees, or in the Earth. Another sort, which is made by the Wasps, bereaves those that taste of their Senses.
Beasts.
The noted’st Beast in this Countrey is theDanta, which resembles a Mule, hath no Horns, but Ash-colour’d long Hair, short Neck, hanging Ears, thin Legs, with three Claws before and two behind, long Head, narrow Forehead, little Eyes, a Nose hanging over its Mouth, little Tail, sharp Teeth, and a Skin which is six Fingers thick, and scarce penetrable by any Weapon. This Beast is taken in Traps, Holes, or else with Dogs, which he often kills when hunted towards the Water. They say that this Beast taught Men first to Let-blood; for if it be too full of Blood, it pricks it self against a sharp Cane, and stops up the Orifice again very carefully. The Flesh thereof is good Meat, as also that of theRoss-Lyons, which in the day-time sleep on a high Tree, where they are shot by theIndians.
The Tygers are much more dangerous to be taken; yet theIndiansHunting them, eat them in stead of Beef; and also through allNew Spain.
The Bears, which make the Ways very dangerous to travel, have black frizled Hair, broad Tails, Feet like Mens Hands: but since theIndianshave made use of Guns, which they learn’d from theSpaniards, they have much lessen’d the number both of Bears and Tygers.
There are likewise many Leopards, Apes, and wild Goats (whose Skins serve the Natives for Drums) Hogs, andArmadillo’s.
Amongst their Fowls, are Eagles and Parrots.
The Countrey is so well stor’d with Water, that in three Leagues space are above thirty Rivulets, and as many Fountains.
Medicinal Plants.
On the Mountains grow great quantities ofSarsaparilla,Mechoacan, and theChina-Root, which being yellowish hath several Saffron-colour’d Knobs on the top. TheSarsaparillagrows with many Stalks, creeping along over the Ground; the Body thereof is tough and full of Prickles, the Leaves broad and sharp at the ends, and are of a bluish colour on one side, and green on the other, and bear Clusters of Flowers, which close like Buds, and are first green, next vermilion-red, and lastly blackish: within are two hard Stones, which inclose a white Kernel, by theIndianscall’dJuapecanga.
The BayGolfo Dulce, which pours its muddy Water into the Sea, feeds the great FishMonati, and a great number of Crocodiles.
Several Rivers abounding with Fish fall also into the same, having their Banks set all along with Trees, in whose Boughs, joyn’d together on the top, those sort of Birds make their Nests which prey on Fish.
The Women in this place are much shorter Liv’d than the Men, so that there are often thirty Widowers to one Widow. Women with Child are Deliver’d by themselves in the High-way; and from thence they go to the next River to wash themselves and the Child.
Places of note.
As for any Towns or Places of much Traffick or Note, inhabited by theSpaniards, we find not any nam’d, save onelySt. Augustines; near unto which there is said to be a Cave and Fountain within Ground, which converts the Water that falleth into it out of several lesser Springs, into a kind of Alabaster or Stone, perfectly white, and fashions it likewise into Pillars, Statues, and other artificial Forms of very curious Workmanship, asLaetreporteth.
Sect. III.Honduras.
Situation and Bounds.
Hondurashath on the South,Guatimalaabovesaid; on the West, a certain Bay, or Arm of the Sea, which they callGolfo Dulce, from the abundance of fresh Waters which run into it from all Parts; on the North and North-East, theAtlantick Ocean; and somewhat to the South-East,Nicaragua. It contains in length,viz.from East to West, Coasting along upon the Sea, about a hundred and fifty Leagues, and in breadth eighty. The Countrey is rich both in Corn and Pasturage, being said to be very much advantag’d that way by the constant overflowings of the Rivers, which are very many, aboutMichaelmass-time, and which the People order so well, that they water their Gardens, and exceedingly fertilize the whole Champain, or lower part of the Grounds by them.
The fruitful Valleys of this Countrey were anciently very well inhabited, till vast multitudes of the Natives were destroy’d by theSpaniardsCruelties, of which the BishopBartholomeo de las Casas, in his Letter to the EmperorCharlesthe Fifth, gives this Relation:
Cruelties of theSpaniards.
“The young Children (saith he) they murder’d, beating out their Brains against the Stones; the Kings and Princes of the Countrey they either scorch’d to death, or threw them to the Dogs to be torn in pieces; the poor People they drove into their Houses, and then set them on fire; those that remain’d were condemn’d to the greatest slavery imaginable, being us’d in stead of Mules and Horses, and having greater Burdens laid upon them than they were able to carry, insomuch that thousands of them fell down dead under them; some out of despair running into the Woods were famish’d, after they had kill’d and eat their Wives and Children for Hunger. In this one Province onely they massacred above twenty hundred thousand Men, and amongst others, Persons of Quality, which had civilly Entertain’d them: nay, they tortur’d the poor innocent Natives all the ways they could possibly invent, onely to know of them where their Gold lay; particularlyDiego de Valascospar’d none that ever fell into his hands; insomuch that in a Moneths time above ten thousand were slain by him: He hang’d thirteen Noble-men, to twelve of whom he gave the Denomination ofThe twelve Apostles; and the chiefest of them he call’d in a derision,Jesus Christ. Some they suffer’d to starve to death, with their Heads compress’d between the cloven Barks of wild Vines; some also they buried alive, and leaving onely their Heads to appear above Ground, bowl’d Iron Bullets at them, and forc’d them to eat one another; besides infinite other hellish Cruelties, too horrid and dreadful to be recounted.”
Commodities of the Countrey.
This Countrey produces muchMaiz, Wheat, Honey, and greatCalabashes, from whence the first Discoverers call’d that SeaGolfo de las Ybueras, because they met with abundance ofCalabashes, floating on the Water, which atSanto Domingobear the Name ofYbueras.
This Countrey is water’d by three Rivers, the firstChamalucom, which glides by the CitySan Pedro; the secondUlva, inhabited on both Shores; the thirdHaguaro, the Grounds adjacent to which would prove very fruitful, were the Inhabitants not too lazy. In stead of a Plough they use a long Pole, with two crooked Staves at the end, one bent downwards and the other upwards, with which they cut and turn the Earth. The Natives feed on several Roots, Flesh, and Vermine.
At their Feast they make themselves Drunk with a Drink made of Honey, Noble-men heretofore onely drinking the Liquor ofCacao; of late it is common, and made by all People, though never so mean. They speak several Languages, the chiefest whereof is that of theChontales, a salvage People. They divide their Year, call’dJoalar, that is,Passing, into eighteen Moneths, and each Moneth into twenty Days. They formerly measur’d the Year by the Nights, and began the Year forty days sooner than theEuropeans.
New Valladolid.
The Towns in this Province are 1.New Vallodolid, by theIndiansnam’dComayagua, lying in a pleasant Valley under a temperate Climate. The Cattel brought hither fromSpainincrease exceedingly. The Silver-Mynes are also so well stor’d, that they keep the Melting-house in the Town always employ’d.
The Governor of this Place hath his Residence next to the Treasury-Chamber.
Anno 1588.the Bishop’s See was translated hither fromTruxillo: Nineteen years before whichFrancisco de Monteiosent his LieutenantAlphonso de Cacenesthither, to build a Village half way between the Southern and Northern Ocean; who accordingly erected the TownSanta Maria de Camoyagua, near a River Navigable forCanoos, which disembogues inPuerto de Cavallos. The remaining part of the Way to the HavenFonsecabeing passable for Carrs (which was a means to prevent many Inconveniences which us’d to happen to Travellers on the Way betweenPanamaandNombre de Dios) theSpanishKing was so much concern’d at the first proposal hereof, that he sent the famous SurveyorBaptista Antonellothither, and herather, because he received information, that the new Way, along which they carried the Merchandise fromPeru,Mexico, and other Countreys along the South Sea, lay very pleasantly, by reason of the brave Vineyards, Corn-Fields, Fruit-Trees, Pastures, Streams abounding with Fish, Herds of Deer, and Cony-Warrens; yetAntonellomeeting with many troubles, would not undertake the Business.
New Valladolidis adorn’d with a great Church, a Cloyster, belonging to the MonksDe la Merced, and handsom Streets.
Gratias a Dios.
2. Thirty Leagues Westward from this City lies another call’dGratias a Dios, begun by CaptainGabriel de Royas,Anno 1530.that so he might be near the Gold-Mines: But because the Natives kept the new Inhabitants in continual alarm, and daily Storm’d the unfinished Fortifications,Royaswas necessitated to leave off building any farther, the rather, because none came to his assistance from the neighboring Garrison.
Six years afterGonzales de Alvaradoundertook this Work, and built the City on a Rocky Mountain; which, though otherwise barren, produc’d lusty Horses and strong Mules.
St. Pedro.
3.San Pedro, though lying under a hot and unwholsom Climate, us’d formerly to be a brave City of Trade; but it is gone much to decay sinceGolfo Dolcehath been discover’d, because from that Bay the Commodities are carried in Barques up into the Countrey.
Juan de Puerto de Cavallos.
4. The VillageJuan de Puerto de Cavallos, inhabited by Factors and Moors: It receiv’d that Denomination, because not far from it several Horses were forc’d to be thrown over-board in a Storm. Though it be but ill fortifi’d, yet it hath an exceeding large Haven. CaptainChristopher Newportarriving hereAnno 1591.found two hundred Houses, and in them a considerable Booty left, notwithstanding four Ships richly laden had lately set Sail from thence.
Six years afterNewport, Capt.Ant. Sherlyre-took the Place, and leaving the Haven open for Pyrats,Alphonsus Coriadojudg’d it convenient to remove the Trading Place toAmatique; he built the VillageThomas de Castilla, and fortifi’d the same against all manner of Assaults.
TRUXILLO.
BehindCavalloslies the ValleyNaco, which is exceeding fruitful, being situate between high Mountains, where formerly was found plenty of Silver.
Truxillo.
5. Eastward fromCavallosappears the famous CityTruxillo, near a large Bay; secur’d from all Storms by two Cliffs, full of Trees; the Mouth of the Haven call’dJoan Gil, is above two Leagues broad, and receives two Rivers, one from each side of the City: The StreamQuaimarotteflows Eastward, and the RiverAntonioWestward, both abounding in Fish. The Countrey round about produces abundance of all sorts of Provisions, and chiefly abounds in Grapes, which are gather’d twice a year: Eight days afterAugustthey cut their Vines, which afford them ripe Grapes again inOctober; they have two Harvests of Corn; also Lemons and Oranges are very plentiful: The Cattel brought hither fromSpainare exceedingly increas’d to an incredible number.
Truxilloit self lying on a steep Mountain, is defended on that side which respects the Sea, with a thick Wall of six Foot high; between which and the Haven are many brambly Bushes, which prevent the access to the Wall, onely a narrow and steep way leading up to the City, which hath a strong Gate, guarded with two Brass Guns, and sufficiently Fortifi’d to oppose an Enemy. The Eastern Cliff, which bends before the Haven is call’dPunta la Rye, on which stands a House with a high Beacon: Beyond the Wall Eastward, near the Haven, is a Ship-yard, before which stands a large Woodden Cross: The Castle in which the City Store is kept, joyns to the Wall, near unto which, within the Town appears St.FrancisChurch; but the Cathedral call’dEglesia Major, is seen above all other Buildings: The Houses cover’d withPalmito-Leaves, have Walls of Pleited Bushes, Plaister’d over within and without: Behind the City, where it lies open, are exceeding high Mountains.
Attempts upon this place by theEnglishandDutch.
Anno 1576.theEnglishfalling on this strong Place, carry’d a rich Booty from thence; after which, Capt.Anth. Sherlyand Capt.Will. Parkerventur’d once more on the same, but being discover’d by the Centinel, were forc’d to Retreat, not without a considerable loss: When not long after, CaptainJohn Van HoornaHollander, attempting the same, had much better success; for he Weighing Anchor forPernambuc, with four Frigats, three Ketches, and a Sloop, set Sail toTruxillo, where arriving, lay close before the City with his four Frigats, which fired very fiercely on the Town; the Inhabitants of which not being idle, kill’d three Men in one Ship, forc’d her to fall farther off from the Castle: Whilst the Ketches and Sloop went about a Gun shot Westward beyond the City, towards the RiverAntonio, where they Landed two hundred and fifty Soldiers, which march’d with all speed up the Hill, where the Castle lay which they Scal’d at Noon-day; the Besieged being provided with seven Guns, shot, and threw Stones continually amongst them, yet were forc’d to Retreat from theDutchHand-granado’s: During the storm, the Admiral himself Landed, but before he came out of the Boat, the foremention’d Soldiers had made themselves Masters of the Fort, with the loss of onely eight Men, and were busie Pillaging all places they came at, and carrying their gotten Booty to a Watch-house near the Castle on the Shore; when on a sudden a Fire happen’d in the East part ofTruxillo, which increas’d in such a manner, that in few hours two third parts of the City lay in Ashes; every one then had enough to do to save themselves, yet for all the haste they made, severalHollanderswere kill’d at the blowing up of the Magazine, and most of the Booty lost by the Fire; insomuch that they carry’d but two hundred thirty nine Skins, six Bales ofIndigo, eight hundred and twenty Pounds ofSarsaparilla, seven Brass, and three Iron Guns, four Clocks, and some few trifles with them; having before made anagreement for twenty Pound of Silver, with the GovernorJoan de Miranda, who inform’d them, that they had not the least knowledge of theHollandersFleet, till the Evening, when the Beacon onPunta La Ryewas fir’d: Moreover, that the City was inhabited by two hundredSpaniards, and as many moreMulatoesandMoors; and that the Trade thereof was much gone to decay, because there had been no Gallies there in two years before.
Twenty seven Leagues from this City lies the VillageJorgo de Olancho, where four thousandSpaniardsforce Tribute from sixteen thousandIndians, who possess much Gold.
Situation and bounds.
Nicaraguais a County of this Province, border’d Northward withHonduras; on the East, with theAtlantick Ocean, and part ofVeragua; on the South, withMare del Zur; and on the West, withGuatimala, being call’d byDiego Lopez de Salzado,The New Kingdom ofLeon, and comprizing several little Territories, asNicoya,Nequecheri,Mabyth,Deria,Masaya,Mandigua,Cacoloaque,Cepeoco,Los Micos,Madira, and theContales. It hath few Rivers in it, the want whereof is supply’d by the benefit of a great Lake, in the midst of the Countrey, call’d by theSpaniards,Laguna de Nicaragua, containing, as is suppos’d, above one hundred Leagues in compass. It empties it self by the Port ofSt. Juaninto theAtlantickor North-Sea, but reacheth as far as the South orMare del Zur, at least within a very few Leagues; and from whence someSpanishCaptains are said to have made a passage, though with much difficulty, into the Lake, and from thence to the North-Sea. It is abundantly well stor’d with good Fish, but withal much haunted with Crocodiles; and the Countrey about it so plentiful in all things, especially Cattel, Cotten-Wool, Sugars, and all kind of Fruits: Amongst which, the chiefest is theZeiba, which is of so great a thickness, that fifteen Men holding Hand in Hand, can scarce encompass the same. TheCallabashesripen here in fourteen days time: The Sea along the Coast, breeds Whales and other Sea-Monsters, which are often seen above Water.
Nature of the Inhabitants.
The Inhabitants of this Countrey, (except theChontales, which live on the Mountains, and maintain their old Salvage Customs) have for the most part learnt theSpanishTongue and Manners, and exercise themselves in all sorts of Arts and Siences, especially in Working of Silver, making of Clothes, Wax-Work, and the like: From the Mountains they gather Balsom, Liquid-Amber, Turpentine: They also drive a great Trade in Cotton, Skins, and several sorts of Provisions, toPanama, andNombre de Dios.
The LakeLaguna de Nicaragua, which hath a hundred and seventeen Leagues in Circumference, and round about inhabited, is by three Leagues of Land separated from the South-Sea; and discharges its Waters into the RiverDesaguadero, which falls into the Northern Ocean.Alphonsus Calera, andDiego Machuca de Zuaso, were the first that Sail’d out of the foremention’d Lake into the Sea, not without many dangers, by reason of the great Water-falls, call’dRondales, which fall into the RiverDesaguadero, and forc’d them often times to draw their Barques over the Land.
Cities.
The chief City is, 1.Leon, which is surrounded with Woods, and lies close by the Lake; hath a great Church, five Cloysters belonging to theMonks, de la Mercede, several Houses for the King’s Officers, and a hundred and twenty thousand FamiliesofIndianswhich pay Tribute. Three Leagues beyondLeonappears a high spiry Mountain, from whose top, both Morning and Evening, rises a mighty smoke, and sometimes casts out great sulphurous Stones over the neighboring Fields, and on a sudden mighty Flames. ADominicanMonk, in hopes to get some melted Gold out of its burning Mouth, went up the same with four of his Fraternity, and carry’d an Iron Chain and a Kettle, which were no sooner let down into the hole, but they were immediately melted; yet not so discourag’d, they resolv’d to venture a second time with stronger Materials, which nevertheless had the same, or rather worse event; for the Fire flew out in such a manner, that theDominicanssadly scorch’d, had enough to do to escape with Life, since which none durst presume to approach the same.
But besides the Episcopal CityLeon, Erected byFranciscus Fernandez, 2.Granadaacknowledges the same Builder, and lying also on the shore ofLaguna de Nicaragua, is adorn’d with a Castle, Church, and several Sugar-Mills: Not far from it lie the small LakesMasayaandLindiri; the first which is inclos’d between exceeding high Mountains, covers the Foot of the burning MountainMasaya; the other falls intoLaguna de Nicaragua, near which is the smoky MountainMunbacho, surrounded with Fruit-Trees.
3.&4. The TownsJean, andNeuva Segovia, which are not far from thence, are of little consequence.
5.Realeio, this is, as it were, theChattamofAmerica, being a place on the South-Sea, where the King ofSpainhath all his Ships built that are made ofAmericanTimber, and inhabited by few or none but Shipwrights, Mariners, and Men of that kind of Profession.
6.&7.Nicoya,Avarines.
8.Cartago, forty Leagues distant fromNicoya, and lying almost in the midst of theIsthmus, orStreightofDarien, equally distant both from the North and South Sea; on both which it is said likewise to have a convenient Port or Haven for Shipping.
Strange manner of Dancing.
TheSpaniards, when first they Landed here, call’d this CountreyMahomets Paradise, because of its exceeding Fruitfulness. TheCacaowhich they use here in stead of Money, is not unlike the Stone of an Almond. The Inhabitants, in stead of using a Steel and Flint to strike Fire withal, rub two pieces of Wood together so long, till one of them is kindled; and burn the Boughs of Pine-Trees in stead of Candles. Amongst the several Languages which they speak, theMexicanis the chiefest: Amongst their Recreations, Dancing is principal, which is perform’d after a very strange manner, for they meet sometimes two or three thousand together, according to the bigness of the Province, in a spacious Field, which is made clean before for that purpose: He that leads the Dance goes backward, and with many strange Gestures, turns himself about, which the rest, following four and four together in a row, imitate, whilst theirTamboresbeat on hollow Instruments, and sing Songs, which are first answer’d by the Ring-leader of the Dance, and then seconded by the whole Company, each of them waving a Fan or aCallabash, and being all adorn’d with Plumes of Feathers on their Heads, and Strings with Shells about their Arms and Legs; they also act several antick Tricks, the one, the blind Man, the other, the Cripple, one feigns himself to be deaf, the other makes a wry Mouth, one cries, and another laughs, whilest others drink healths inChocolate, which continues till Midnight.
The FishManati.
A King of this Countrey in former times us’d to feed the FishManatiwith Bread, in the LakeGuainabo, where it would appear at its being call’dMatto,Matto, whichsignifiesNoble-minded, and oftentimes carry eight or ten Boys on its Back from one side of the Lake to the other; but being shot by aSpaniardwith an Arrow, never appear’d again.
There is likewise a black Beast in this Countrey call’dCascu, resembling in some things a Hog; it hath a hard Skin, little Eyes, open Ears, cloven Feet, short Nose, and makes such a terrible noise, that it affrights those which hear it.
No less strange and wonderful is the Fox-Ape, which hath two Bellies one under another; in the lowermost of which it carries its Young, which are never brought into the World till they are able to shift for their own Food. It hath the Body of a Fox, Feet like a Man’s Hands, and Ears like a Batt.
It will not be amiss before we conclude with this Province, to give you a Relation of the Discourse which hapnedAnno 1527.between theSpanishCommanderFrancisco de Monteioand theNicaraguanCasiqueAlquinotex, who being a hundred and ten years old, told him, “That before theSpaniardsarrival there, great numbers of his Soldiers perish’d after a strange manner; for after having vomited abundance of Worms, they fell down dead on a sudden: those that escap’d the Contagion differing amongst themselves, made two Parties, which twice Engaging with one another, each of them lost above a hundred and fifty thousand Men. Yet both these Plagues were no ways to be compar’d to the Slaughter which theSpaniardshad made amongst them.”
About the same time anItalian, call’dHieronymo Bonzo, Lodging with aNicaraguanNoble-man that understood theSpanishTongue, was thus set upon by him:What do not(OhChrist)theChristiansdo! they no sooner get their Foot into anIndian’s Hut, but they commandingly call for Maiz, Honey, Winter-Clothes, Gold, Silver, and a Woman to cool their lustful desires: Certainly there is nothing more vicious on Earth. To whichBonzogave him this Answer:The wickedSpaniardscommit oftentimes unseemly things. TheIndianagain suddenly retorted, saying,Where are any such Men to be found as goodSpaniards?I have never known any but wicked Villains.To whichBonzosaid,Why have you made place for them onNicaragua? Which was thus reply’d to by the Noble-man: “All People round about took Oath on the first News of theChristiansarrival, to hazard all, and fight to the last Man, before they would be under the insupportable Yoke, with which they had heard other Countreys were oppress’d with by them. To which purpose they made ready Bowes, Arrows, Lances, Stones, Clubs, and other Weapons of War: But when it came to the trial, theSpanishHorse, of which they had never seen the like, struck such a terror into theIndians, that they fled, and sent two Agents toMonteioto desire Peace; but their Design was onely to gain time, that they might gather new Forces, to venture a second Encounter; which prov’d as fatal to them as the first. Then desiring Peace once more, they gather’d all that were able to bear Arms, and swore one to another not to stir a Foot; and withal made a Law, That whosoever did shrink should be kill’d immediately: But the Women being inform’d hereof, begg’d that they might rather suffer under theSpanishYoke, than be torn in pieces by their Dogs, or kill’d by their Bullets and Swords, alledging, that they were not able to resist theSpaniards; and entreated them, that if they were resolv’d to go on with their first Design, they would first send their Wives and Children to the other World, that so they might not fall into the hands of the merciless and bloodyChristians: Whereupon most Voices judg’d it convenient to make use of the Opportunity, and to submit toMonteio. But his cruel dealings made some to contradict that Determination, for which they paid dearly; for not onely they, but their little Infants, were put to the most cruelDeaths imaginable; which made many of them also to lay violent hands on themselves.”
Bounds and Nature of the Countrey.
Costaricaborders on the East withVeragua; on the South and East, with the Sea; and on the North, withNicaragua. The Countrey it self is barren and mountainous; whose Inhabitants were valiant enough to Encounter with theSpanishForces, being unwilling to lose their former Priviledges.
This Coast was discover’d full byChristopher Columbus, whoAnno 1502.Sailing up the RiversBelenandVeraguawith Barques, took much Gold out of the MynesUrira, but chiefly from between the Roots of Trees which were grown together.
Bounds and Nature of the Country.
Veraguais bounded on the West withCostarica; on the East it hath the District, or Countrey ofPanama, being otherwise wash’d on all sides by the Sea. It hath its Name from a River of great note in this Tract, by which it was first discover’d. The Countrey is for the most part mountainous, and the Soil outwardly barren, but recompencing all defects with the abundance of its more inward Wealth, that is to say, in the richness of its Mynes, of which it is said to afford many, and so inexhaustibly rich and good, that theSpaniardshere know no end of their Wealth; although by the stoutness and untameableness of the Natives, it was a long time, and they met with many difficulties, before they could make themselves Masters of the Treasure.
Its chief Towns.
The chief Towns they have here are 1.La Conception, lying at the Mouth of a River so nam’d, and the Seat of the Governor.
2.La Trinidad, upon the Banks of the same River likewise, but down towardsPort Beleno, and about six Leagues Eastward ofConception.
3.St. Foy, twelve Leagues more to the South, where theSpaniardsmelt their Gold, and cast it into Bars or Ingots.
4.Carlos, a Town they have upon the Coast ofMare del Zur.
5.Philippina, another on the West ofCarlos; both of these seated upon a large capacious Bay; before which there lie certain little Islands, to the number of thirty or more, which theSpaniardsare said to have wholly dispeopled long since, by forcing the Natives over into the Continent to work in the Mynes, as usually they did before the Emperor’s Prohibition: but now they use Slaves orNegro’s, which they buy for that purpose fromGuineeand other Parts.