Situation and Description ofNova Andalusia.
VVestward ofGuianalieth the Countrey ofParia, so call’d from its chief River: It hath also the Denomination ofNew Andalusia, but for what resemblance withAndalusiaofOld Spain, they do not tell us.
This Countrey lying as it doth, brings us back again by the Eastern Coast to theIsthmusorStrait, which, as we have often said, joyns the two parts of the Continent ofAmericatogether, at least to those Countreys that lie next upon it to the South,viz.the Kingdom ofGranada, &c. It hath on the EastGuiana, and those Islands which lie about the Mouth ofOrinoque; on the West, the Gulf or Bay ofVenezuela, with some part of the new Kingdom abovesaid; on the North it is wash’d with theAtlantickOcean; and on the South hath some Countreys yet undiscover’d, toward theAndes. The whole consisteth partly of Continent, andpartly of Islands near adjoyning to it, and is commonly divided into five several Precincts or Parts, which are 1.Cumana.2:Venezuela, being upon the Continent, 3.Margareta.4.Cubagua, two Islands above-mention’d, famous for Pearl-fishing; and lastly, some lesser islands.
Bounds and Description ofCumana.
Cumanais bounded Eastward with the Gulf ofPariaand the RiverOrinoque; on the West, withVenezuela; Northward it hath theAtlantick; and on the South, those undiscover’d Countreys above mention’d; extending along the Northern Ocean, over againstMargaretatwo hundred Leagues or more, as some say, in length, and not much less than a hundred in breadth.
The Coast of this Countrey, as well as of the IslandsMargaretaandCabagua, hath formerly been much fam’d for the rich Trade of Pearls and Pearl-fishing; which failing, its principal esteem now is for an excellent Vein of Salt, which they dig here as out of a Mine, and gather it naturally made ready to their Hands, not half a Mile from the Sea side, on the back side of the Promontory or Cape, by some call’dPunto de Araya, and by others for this reasonCape de Salinas.
Towns and Places of note.
Places of chiefest consideration here, are 1.Cumanait self, a Colony ofSpaniardsseated on the Banks of a little River two Miles distant from the Sea, where it hath a good Harbor.
2.St. Jago, a very strong Fortress, which theSpaniardsof late years have built, for the defence and security of the Salt-works against theDutch, who began to Trade much that way, and in the Year 1622. had a Design to have made themselves Masters of the Place.
3.St. Michael de Neveri, another Fortress of theirs, standing upon a River bearing the same Name.
4.Guaniba, a Town of the Natives.
This Countrey ofCumana, being generally infested with terrible Crocodiles, hath a large Inlet call’dCariaco, which flows fourteen Leagues into the Countrey.
Manners and Customs of the People.
The Men of this Countrey wear Cotton Cloaks, and anointing their Bodies with Gum, stick the same full of Feathers.
When they go to Wars, or to a general Feast, then they shave their Hair off above their Ears, pull out their Beards, and black their Teeth with a certain Herb.
Their Princes and Grandees take as many Wives as they please, and give to those of their Guests whom they intend most to oblige, their choice of the fairest of them to lie with.
Whoring is accounted no shame, except amongst Marry’d Women, who generally live very Chaste, unless their Husbands consent to their Adultery.
The Women also Hunt, Fish, Shoot, and Swim, and are diligent in Tilling their Lands, and other Houshold Affairs. Most of them have sore Eyes, occasion’d not so much (as some wrongfully suppose) by their drinking of the Water out of the StreamCumana, but proceeding rather from their unwholsom Food, as Spiders, and the like.
Amongst the several sorts of Trees that grow here, there are some that yield a white well scented Gum, or delicious Juice like Milk, and produce a Fruit not unlike a Mulberry, which may be boyl’d to an excellent Syrrup; the Wood also strikes Fire: There are others, whose Timber is good for Shipping.
The Soil also producesCassia-Fistula, Roses, and other strong smelling Flowers and Herbs.
Beasts.
For Beasts, besides Lyons, Tygers, and wild Hogs, there are several strange kinds here, as theCappa, which is bigger than an Ass, having shaggy and black Hair; it runs away from Mankind, but devours whatsoever else it meets with.
TheAranata, which hath a Goats Beard, and is of the bigness of a Greyhound; it howls very dreadfully, and feeds on Fruits.
The wild Cats which breed here, leap, though great with Young, from one Tree to another.
In the Evening a Beast like a lean Dog comes to their Huts, cries like a Child, and devours all those it meets abroad; wherefore every one that goes out in the Night carries a lighted Stick with him, for this Beast dreads the sight of Fire.
The Trees give Harbor to great numbers of Parrots, and other fine Feather’d Birds.
The Bats here are very large and hurtful, sucking the Blood from Men and Beasts.
TheMuschito’s also do very much plague and vex the Inhabitants.
The Spiders, much bigger than those ofEurope, and of divers colours, make very strong Cobwebs.
Along the Sea-Coast, and in the Rivers is plenty of delicious Fish.
Dominicansput to death by the Natives.
Alonzo de Ojedaslain byGonzales.
Anno 1513.twoDominicanFryers went over fromTerra FionatoCumana, where the Natives kindly Entertain’d them, till aSpanishShip Anchoring there for the Pearl-Trade, carry’d away by violence the Governor and seventeen of his Servants; whereupon the Natives threatned, that unless their Lord was restor’d, they would put the twoDominicansto death; theSpaniardspromising restauration of him in four Moneths time, inform’d the Council atHispaniolaof it, who not consenting to his Releasement, the two Monks were, according the former threatning, presently put to death. Yet after this theFranciscansandDominicansbuilt each of them a Cloyster in the Province ofChiribichi, where they kept friendly Correspondence with theCumana’s, tillAnno 1520.whenAlonso de Ojedacoming to an Anchor beforeMaracapana, under pretence of barteringMaizforSpanishGoods with theTagarez, who came about fifty from the Mountains on which they liv’d, being three Leagues up in the Countrey, and broughtMaizdown to the Shore, theSpaniardstook thirty six of them Prisoners, and kill’d or wounded the rest: Whereupon the GovernorGonzalesbeing complain’d unto by the neighboring PrinceMaraguey, and his assistance desir’d in taking Revenge of theDominicansandFranciscans, who had urg’d and perswadedOjedato the fore-mention’d Act,Gonzaleshereupon made an Agreement withMaraguey, that he should destroy the Monks, whilest he himself would killOjeda, which they accordingly perform’d. The Council inSt. Domingoinform’d hereof, immediately sent three Ships, Mann’d with three hundred Men, under the Command ofGonzalvo de Ocampo, who Anchoring in the Haven ofMaracapana, feign’d as if he came newly fromSpain, and that he knew nothing of the Business betweenOjedaandGonzales, that so he might entice the Natives into his Ship, and accordingly when divers of them came aboard, the ArmedSpaniardsstarted from under the Decks, and hung them up at their Yard-arms, burnt the VillageMaracapana, and ruin’d the Countrey far and near with Fire and Sword.
Sotowith all his Men destroy’d by theIndians.
Ocampoalso built the TownToledo, about half a League farther into the Countrey, where the BishopBartholomew de las Casas, making his Visitation, commandedOcampoto forbear his cruelty against the Natives, he having daily either burnt, hang’d, beheaded, or made Slaves of some or other of them.Casasalso caus’d alittle Fort to be built at the Mouth of the RiverCumana, to be near to prevent the inhumane Murders and Oppressions committed by his Countrey-men; but because the Inhabitants ofCubaguabereav’d him of his chief Builder, his Fort was left half unfinish’d; whereforeCasasleaving the Command of this Countrey toFrancisco de Soto, went back toHispaniola, where inSt. Domingohe made his Complaints to the High Court of Justice of theSpaniardsCruelties; but being little regarded, he went into theDominicansCloyster, till he was call’d out and made Bishop ofChiapa. Mean whileSoto, contrary toCasashis order, had fitted out two Ships to Trade along the Coast ofParia; but the Expedition prov’d very unsuccessful, for he and all his Men were destroy’d by the Natives; not without just reason, for theSpaniards(according to the Relation ofCasasfrom an Eye-witness) destroy’d this Countrey after such a manner, that a Ship Sail’d betweenLucagoandHispaniolasixty Leagues without any Compass, finding the Way onely by the floating of dead Bodies, thrown out of theSpanishShips. Moreover, the Prisoners fainting, were set ashore onHispaniola, and divided into Companies, each Company consisting of twenty; Parents separated from their Children, and Husbands from their Wives, and Lots cast for them: those that had either sick, decrepid, or old People fall to their share, us’d to cry (asCasastestifies he hath often heard,)What do I do with this sick, decrepid old Dog? give him to the Devil; I will not put my self to the trouble to kill and bury him.
ButSoto’s Death was not left unreveng’d; for not long afterJacob Castellonsetting Sail fromSt. Domingo, left several Companies onCubagua, to re-build the TownCadiz, and rais’d a Fort at the Mouth ofCumana, which hath ever since been kept by theSpaniards, who made great slaughter amongst the Natives.
Hieronymo Ortalldeserted by his Men.
Hieronymo OrtallSailing up the StreamNegeri, sent his LieutenantAugustine Delgadothrough the populous ProvincesGuacharucoandParimatuotuto the RiverUnare, where, not without a sharp Conflict, he took abundance of Provisions in a Village. In the mean timeOrtalltravell’d toMeta, acting inhumane Cruelties all the way; but approachingGuiana(whereDelgadowas kill’d) he was deserted by his mutinous Men, who ran over toNicholas Federman; so that he was forc’d to return back to the new FortMiguel de Neveri, and from thence toSt. Domingowith ten Soldiers, fearing thatAntonio Sedenno(who judg’d himself wrong’d byOrtall, becauseCumanabelong’d to his Lordship) would fall upon him.
Sedennobeing five hundred Men strong discover’d the Sea-Coast all along toPatigutaro; where Setling himself, he regarded no Discipline; which the Natives observing, kill’d many aSpaniard, and others the Tygers also devour’d, especially in the Night, they being forc’d to keep lighted Fires about them against the wild Beasts.
The Death ofSedennoandJuan Fernandez.
About the beginning of the Year 1537.Sedennotravell’d to the CountreyAnapuyaandOrocomay, to the ProvinceGoioguaney, where the Inhabitants defended themselves very valiantly in a woodden Fort, before which manySpaniardswere kill’d with poyson’d Arrows, and those who were not mortally wounded, had no way to escape but by burning the Poyson out with hot Irons; yet at last the Defendants were forc’d to flie with their Wives and Children up to the Mountains, overgrown with Brambles.Sedennomarching through barren Fields, and over troublesom Rivers, came to the mountainous CountreyCatapararo, where he found abundance ofMaiz, and some little pieces of Gold, and was advanc’d about a League and a half inCumana, when dying, he made room for his SuccessorJuan Fernandez, who surviv’d him not long; yet the Expedition was not left unprosecuted: forSedenno’s Men, after the Decease of him andFernandez, went farther, and discover’d a lowLand, which in the Winter being overflow’d, forc’d the Inhabitants to remove to the Mountains: But at last theSpaniards, being weary with travelling, fell out amongst themselves, and dividing into several Parties, went several ways, some toVenezuela, others toMaracapana, and the rest toCubagua.
Situation and Description ofVenezuela.
The principal part of the Province ofVenezuelais border’d on the East withTowns and principal Places ofVenezuela.Cumana; on the West, with a great Gulf or Bay, call’dThe Bay of Venezuela, with the LakeMaracabo, and some part ofNew Granada; Northward it hath the Ocean, orAtlantickSea; Southward, some undiscover’d Countreys, which, as we said, lie betwixt theAndesand it. It stretches out in length from East to West, a hundred and thirty Leagues, or thereabouts, but in breadth little more than half so much; it was nam’dVenezuela, orLittle Venice, byAlonso de Ojeda, aSpaniard, who at his first discovery of the Countrey fell upon a Town of the Natives, which stood like anotherVenice, all upon the Water, and having no passage to it but by Boats. It is a Countrey extraordinary rich in all sorts of Commodities, affords good Pasture for Cattel, and abundance of fair Herds of them, Oxen, Sheep, Swine,&c.plenty of Corn, and other Grain, great store of Venison in the Woods, of Fish in the Rivers, Gold in the Mines, and therefore not likely but to be well peopled and inhabited, especially by theSpaniards, whose Towns and Places of chief importance are these, 1.Venezuela, at the most Westerly Confines of the Countrey, built upon the Sea, with the advantage of a double Haven, in a temperate and good Air, and the Soil round about it the best in the whole Province: It is now a Bishop’s See, who is Suffragan to the Arch-bishop inHispaniola, and the ordinary Residence of the Governor.
2.Caravalleda, call’d by theSpaniards,Nuestra Sennora de Caravalleda, fourscore Leagues distant fromVenezuelatowards the East, upon the Sea.
3.St. Jago de Leon, in the Countrey ofCaracas, four or five Leagues Southward ofCaravalleda, and six or seven distant from the Sea.
4.New Valentia, twenty five Leagues distant fromSt. Jago.
5.New Xeres, a Town but lately built, fifteen Leagues Southward ofNew Valentia.
6.New Segovia, but one League distant fromXeres.
7.Tucuyo, a Place well known and frequented, for the abundance of Sugar that is made there, and in the Countrey round about it.
8.Truxillo, orOur Lady de la Paz, eighteen Leagues Southward of the LakeMaracabo, a Place of great resort, and much frequented for Trade both bySpaniardsand Natives.
9.Laguna, a Town lying more towards the bottom of the Lake, said to be much haunted with Tygers; and more than this, not much is said of it.
According to the ancient Division of the Natives, this Province contains the CountreysCuriana,Cuycas,Caracas,Bariquicemeto,Tucuyo, andCarora; in which there are estimated to be about a hundred thousand Inhabitants that pay Taxes; which Charge, according to a Law made at theSpanishCourt, all Men above fifty, and Youth under eighteen, are freed from: yet this Countrey had formerly much more People, great numbers of them being destroy’d by theGermans, Anno 1529. for the BishopBartholomeus de las Casasrelates, That above fifty hundred thousand of the Inhabitants were kill’d by them; nay, they rooted out whole Countreys, notwithstanding the Natives were ready to Entertain them with all Civility imaginable; the Particulars of the Story are as followeth:
VENEZUELA cum parte Australi NOVÆ ANDALUSIÆ
The Expedition ofAlfingerandSayltartoVenezuela.
Alfinger’s horrid Cruelties upon the Natives.
When the EmperorCharlesthe Fifth Marry’d withIsabella, Daughter to the King ofPortugal, Anno 1526. theWelsares, beingDutchGentlemen inAugsburgh, made an Agreement with him for a Sum of Money, to ConquerVenezuela; whither they sentAmbrosius Alfinger, andBartholomeus Sayltar, with four hundred Foot and eighty Horse: These Forces Landing atVenezuela, drove awayJuan de Ampues, who Sailing fromSt. Domingothither, had discover’d the Coast alongCoriano, and already made an Agreement with a mighty Prince of that Countrey, call’dManaure. ButAlfingermarching to the LakeMaracabo, destroy’d all the Inhabitants of the CountreyAxaguas, though they came to meet him Dancing, with rich Presents of Gold; which he not regarding, kill’d them, drove some into a House, and there cut them in pieces, and burnt those that were got upon the Roof. From hence going towards thePocabuyes, who dwelt on the West side ofMaracabo, amongst high Mountains, he was Entertain’d by them a considerable time very courteously, and Presented with rich Gifts, for which at his departure he shut up both Men, Women, and Children, into a high Wall’d Park, where they were all to perish, if they did not every one pay a certain quantity of Gold to be releas’d, which not being able to raise, they all dy’d for want of Food. After the same manner he dealt with the neighboring PeopleAlcoholados, of whom he got much Gold, but not without unheard of Cruelties, for he burnt all their Villages and Houses, ruin’d the Countrey with Fire and Sword fromThamalequeto the RiverLebrixa, carry’d away many of the Natives coupled together with Chains about their Necks, and each of them loaded with at least a hundred pound weight of pillag’d Goods; and as soon as any of them began to faint under their Burthens for want of refreshment, their Heads were immediately cut off. ButAlfingercoming to certain cold Mountains, was resisted by a valiant People; in which Conflict he receiv’d a Wound, of which he dy’d at his return toCoro, Anno 1532. Upon which theWelsaressentJohn Alemanto succeed him; but he also dying, made place forGeorge de Espoira, andNicholas Federman, of which twoEspoirabeing the chief, spent three years in ranging up and down the Countrey, without any remarkable Transactions, being continually at variance with his LieutenantFederman.
The afore-mention’d CityVenezuela, otherwise call’dCaro, and by the NativesCorana, was,Anno 1559.taken and burnt by theEnglish.
The ProvincesParagoanaandBariquicemeto.
Northward from the City, the PromontorySt. Roman, in the Province ofParagoana, runs into the Sea, opposite to the IslandsArubaandQuuracao.
The CountreyParagoanais low and full of Venison; out of the middle of it rises a high Mountain, the Inhabitants whereof are very hospitable and courteous.
The Lyons that breed in this Countrey run away from Men; but on the contrary, the Tygers are exceeding cruel.
FromCorothere leads a Way up into the Countrey over the MountainXizaezaras, to the ProvinceBariquicemeto.
Between both these Provinces very fruitful Valleys, which produceMaizin great abundance, are surrounded by wooddy Mountains, inhabited by Man-eaters, call’dAxaguas.
Segoviabuilt byJuan de Villegas.
Anno 1552.Juan de Villegasdiscovering the ProvinceTucuyo, he found several rich Gold-Mines near the MountainPedro, out of which springs the RiverBurio. Near this place he built the TownSegovia, which, by reason of the unwholsom Air, was soon after transplanted, and built on the Shore of the RiverBariquicemeto, so call’d,because the Water when touch’d, turns to an Ash-colour. The Plain Countrey round about would be intolerable hot, did not the cool Winds that blow from the Mountains temper the same.
The Natives of the ProvinceBariquicemeto, their manner of living.
The Natives divided into Tribes that understand not one another, live onCallibashes, Deers-flesh, Rabbets, and the Juice of theCocuy.
In the RiversHacariguaandBoraute, they throw the stamp’d RootBarbasco, which causes the Fish to appear above the Water, and suffer themselves to be caught with the Hand.
In the Summer they all store themselves with Venison, which they catch after this manner: They set the dry Bushes and Brambles on fire, which makes the wild Hogs, Goats, Deer,Armadillo’s, Tygers, the great SerpentsBobas, and other wild Creatures, to leap forth from their Holes and Receptacles to shun the same, whilest the Hunters standing ready with their Bowes and Arrows, seldom miss one of them.
In the hollow Trees near the Rivers, the Bees make abundance of Honey for them.
Most of the Rivers here fall into the StreamHuriapari, which glides from thePeruvianMountains to the Northern Ocean.
The ProvinceChioasproduces plenty of Gold.
Also of the Natives aboutSegovia.
The Natives aboutSegoviago naked, are very ignorant, and much addicted to Drunkenness; in which humor they kill one another: They live without care, feeding on Roots till theirMaizis ripe, which in some places comes to its full maturity in forty days time, and in others in three Moneths.
Close bySegoviaglides the RivuletClaro, whose clear Water goes but a small Course from its Fountain Head, before it sinks into the Ground; in the Summer it is very high, and in the Winter almost destitute of Water.
The Commodities of the Countrey hereabouts.
This Countrey breeds all sorts of Fowls, but especially Quails and Turtle-Doves.
Cattel, Sheep, Goats and Hogs, increase wonderfully here, insomuch that many of them are driven to be sold atNew Granada.
The Cotton-Clothes that are woven here, also turn to a good account.
FromSegoviaruns a Way through a Valley twelve Leagues long, to the TownTucuyo, which stands low, but in a healthful Climate, and surrounded with Mountains.
The Countrey hereabouts produces plenty of Corn, Pot-herbs, Sugar, and Cotton; and feeds Oxen, Cowes, Horses, Sheep, Deer, and Goats, to which the Tygers and Lyons do great mischief.
Here are Gold-Mines, but they are not open’d by reason of the great want of Men.
There is likewise plenty of theBezoar-Stones to be had here.
The Cuycas, in whose Countrey stands the TownTruxillo, are a valiant, but very cruel People.
The LakeMaracabo, running forty Leagues up into the Countrey, is ten Leagues broad, Ebbs and Flows, and feeds the great FishManati.
Westward dwell thePocabuyes, andAlcoholados, both quiet and rich People.
The ProvinceXuruara.
The ProvinceXuruaralies towards the South behind high Mountains, inhabited by the valiantCoromochos; and towards the North fromXuruara, theBobures, hard by the CityMerida; the Countrey about which is unhealthful and Morassy, and the Inhabitants exceedingly plagu’d by theMuschito’s.
Havens ofVenezuela.
The HavenMaracapanais the best inVenezuela, and lies in the Eastern part of theProvince, where the Mountains are inhabited by the wildChiugotos, who kill and eat all theSpaniardsthey can get.
The other Havens Westward, not comparable toMaracapana, areFlechado,Sardinas, andBurburute, where someSpanishFamilies have a Salt-pit.
Islands and Promontories.
Six Leagues up in the Countrey you come to the fresh LakeTocarigua, full of little inhabited Isles; the People whereof live quietly, and barter Gold.
Towards the North-West the Ocean makes the great InletTriste, before which lies the IslandBonaire, very full of Cattel, and on each side appear theAvesandQuaraco, which abound with Fowl.
The PromontorySt. Romanruns twenty Leagues into the Sea, and the CapeCoquibocoaextends farther. Between both these runs the Channel ofVenezuela, which touches the LakeMaracapabo.
BeforeCoquibocoaare seen the four low IslandsMonjes, with white sandy Creeks, and full of Trees: out of the middlemost rises a high Mountain.
On the Main Continent also the MountainsDe Azieytoappear with scraggy tops beyond the Point: And the BayHondaaffords a safe Road.
The CapeDe la Velahath on one side the InletPortete, and on the other, the VillagesRancheriaandNostra Sennora de los Remedios; between both which runs the StreamLa Hacha.
TheGermanCommander,Nicholas Federman, intended to have built a City onCape Vela, Anno 1535. but finding the Ground too low and unfruitful, the Pearls hereabouts very small, and the Natives living onely on Fish and wild Herbs, he chang’d his Resolution.
Notwithstanding we have already spoken something of the IslandsMargareta, andCubagua, in regard they are by some reckon’d amongst the Isles ofNorthern America; yet because they are by many accounted to make up a part of the Division ofNew Andalusia, we shall add in this place what we have found most worthy of Re-mention, though much to the same purpose as before.
The IslandMargareta, discover’d byChristopher Columbus, Anno 1498. contains thirty two Leagues in circumference, hath many Woods and Pastures, yet little fresh Water. To the Eastward of it lie the CliffsTestigos, where it is very mountainous, as also on the East. Round about the same are delicious Fish, without which the Natives could not live, because the brackish Soil produces but little Provision.
The Pearl-Fishing ofMargareta.
The chiefest thing for which this IslandMargaretais famous, is the Pearl-Fishing, for which in times past a great Trade was driven, though of late it is come to little or nothing. TheSpaniards, with inhumane cruelty, taught theNegro’s to Dive for the Pearls, for those that were not nimble or dextrous enough, they beat unmercifully, dropt scalding Wax or scalding Oyl upon them, or stigmatiz’d them with hot Irons. The Pearl-Banks were cover’d with five, six, seven, or eight Fathom Water; from whence theNegro’s pull’d the Oysters with such force, that the Blood gush’d out of their Mouths and Noses when they came above Water to breath; after which, to refresh them, they receiv’d a Glass of Wine and a Pipe of Tobacco. TheSpanish Kiayreceiv’d a fifth part of the best Pearls that were taken here; but whether the Oysters have forsaken this Place, ortheir growth hinder’d by often Fishing for them, we know not, but however it is, few Pearls are found here of late years, which makesMargaretato be more and more deserted.
The Nature of the Island ofCubagua.
Between the Main Continent ofParialie the IslandsCubaguaandCoche; the first whereof hath an unfruitful and sultry Soil, without either Trees, Birds, and four-footed Beasts, exceptPock-Wood, Sea-Fowls, or Parrots; andCastilianHogs being carry’d thither, change their Nature strangely; for in a short time their Claws grow long and crooked.
The CityNova Cadizbuilt there, but at length totally deserted.
The King ofSpainus’d formerly to receive fifteen thousandDucatsyearly for his fifth part of the Pearls that were taken; which Gain invited many thither, who built the TownNova CadizonCubaguain the Year 1521. but when theArayansdemolish’d the Monks Cloyster onParia, theSpaniards, being three hundred in number, fled fromNova CadiztoHispaniola, where the High Court, displeas’d at their cowardly deserting the Place, gave them but cool Entertainment, and sent five Ships under the Command ofJacomo de CastellantoCubagua, to build new Store-houses inNova Cadiz, which was afterwards re-inhabited; but when the Pearl-Fishing ceased, the Island and Town was at once deserted.
Opposite toMargaretalies the PromontoryAraya, behind which lies a salt Lake, in which is found abundance of Salt, not onely above, but under the Water; with which theEnglish,Spanish, andDutchShips are fraighted.
Du Verne’s Description of the Salt-pans onAraya.
Isaac du Vernedescribes the Salt-pans onArayathus: “Round about the same (saith he) the Ground is craggy, barren, and of a brackish taste, and destitute of fresh Water, which is therefore fetch’d three Leagues farther out of a Brook, flowing from the MountainBordonesinto the Bay ofComena; likewise all manner of Provisions are brought from other Parts. Westward from the PointArayathere is a convenient Harbor where the Ships take in their Salt. Three hundred Paces from the Shore lies a great Salt-pan, where the Salt being first beat in pieces, is carry’d in Wheel-barrows to the Ships. The little Salt-pan produces less Salt, and lies also out of the way, which makes few Ships take in their Lading from thence.”
The Countrey is every where overgrown with Brambles and Bushes, in which breed Tygers and very poysonous Serpents. There are likewise abundance of Stags, Bucks, Hares, and Coneys, besides other strange Beasts.
TheNetherlandersbeaten out of their Salt-Trade here by theSpaniards.
TillAnno 1605.theNetherlanderscame hither unmolested for Salt, when eightSpanishGallions falling unawares upon them, strangely misus’d their Seamen; but afterwards theUnited Netherlandshaving made an Agreement withSpainfor a certain time, renew’d their Trade toAraya, till the King ofSpain, having for the better security of the Place, built the FortSt. Jago, which Commanded the great Salt-pan, forbad theNetherlandersfrom lading any more Salt; who thereupon Storm’d the Fort, though to their cost, for several of them were kill’d, and the rest return’d home empty.
The chiefest islands of note in the Southern part ofAmerica, that is to say, those that lie remote from the Continent inMare del Zur, areLos Ladrones, and the IslandsFernandinas; for the rest being, as we may call them,Mediterranean Islands, fall naturally under the Description of the Continent.
The IslesLos Ladrones.
1.Los Ladrones, in English,The Islands of Thieves, lie as it were in the mid-way betwixt the Main Land ofAmericaand thePhilippineIslands, but some hundreds of Leagues distant from either, in the fourth Degree of Northern Latitude; so nam’d byFerdinand Magellan, from the pilfering disposition he observ’d in the Natives, when he Sail’d that way for theMoluccæIslands. They were a nimble and active sort of People, yet light-finger’d, tall of stature, and going for the most part naked, excellent Swimmers and Divers, and have not much more to be said in their commendation.
The IslesFernandinæ.
2. TheFernandinæare onely two Islands of no great bigness, lying over against the Coast ofChile, in the three and thirtieth Degree of Southern Latitude, and about a hundred Leagues, or three hundredEnglishMiles from the Continent, yet well stor’d with some lesser sorts of Cattel, as Goats,&c.good plenty likewise of Venison in the Woods, and Fish upon the Coasts; for which reason, though lying at some distance, yet are they not a little frequented by theSpaniardsofPeru, who find many good Harbors and Roads for Shipping belonging to, and about these Islands.