Bounds and Extent ofNew Gallicia.
New Gallicia, by some call’dGuadalajara, from the chief City. This whole Province is the most Northern Countrey of allAmerica, that is inhabited to any purpose by theSpaniards. Here, ’tis true, they are scatter’d up and down in all the parts of it, but it is at a huge distance, and for the most part onely where the Mines are. It is bounded on the East and to the South, with the Kingdom ofMexicoorNew Spain; on the West, with the Gulf or Bay ofCalifornia; Northward, for so much as is yet discover’d, withQuiviraandCibola, lying between eighteen and twenty eight Degrees of Northern Latitude, that is, fromLa Natividad, a Port so nam’d by theSpaniards, in the Confines ofNew Spain, to the most Northerly Borders ofCinoloa, a part of this Province, containing, as is suppos’d, not much less than three hundred Leagues in length, and in breadth much more; and whereof not a tenth part is either us’d or frequented by theSpaniards.
Temperature and Nature of the Countrey.
The Air is generally here very temperate, inclining rather to Heat than Cold, and subject now and then to sudden Storms of Rain, and great Claps of Thunder, which yet do not hinder, but that the Countrey is held to be reasonably healthful, and the People observ’d to live generally to a good old Age. The Soil, by reason of the Climate, would be a little inclining to Drought, but that, besides the frequent Rains which it hath, it is constantly moistned with fresh Morning Dews, which make it for the most part wonderfully fruitful, almost beyond belief, yielding for every Bushel of Wheat that is sown, threescore; and ofMaiz, two hundred for one; besides great plenty of Sugar-Canes and Cochinele; both which nevertheless theSpaniardsare said to neglect in some sort, employing themselves wholly about richer Commodities: for the Countrey affords them good store of Mines of Silver and Brass, but of Gold or Iron, not many as yet have been found. The Rivers abound plentifully with Fish, and the Woods with Venison, and some other wild Beasts. The Countrey is generally more mountainous than plain, frequently shaded with Woods, and whole Forrests of the stateliest Pine-Trees and Oaks that are to be seen; amongst which breed abundance of Wolves, which do great mischief to the People, as also Scorpions andMustiecho’s. The Hurts receiv’d from Scorpions, are heal’d with the Juice of the Fruit call’dQueon; those from theMustiecho’s, by Vinegar and the Juice of Lemmon. Here is likewise a green Stone, accounted a soveraign Medicine against the Gravel.
Several sorts ofTunas-Trees.
The Trees peculiar to this Countrey, are, theTunas, already spoken of inGuatimala, and thought to be the same we vulgarly callIndian Fig-Trees, and are distinguish’d into six sorts.
The first, by thePortuguesecall’dCardon, hath sharp Prickles, thick Leaves, full of slimy Juice, an odoriferous Flower, oval Fruit, cover’d with an Orange-colour’d Rind, and small Roots: The Fruit within consists of a white juicy, and well tasted Pulp, full of black Seed.
The second hath a round Body full of Boughs, with Star-like Prickles hanging downwards, the Flower white, and the Fruit very like that of theCardon, onely smaller.
The third is theCaxabra, which shoots up to a great Tree full of prickly Cods; at the utmost end grows a large white Flower; the Fruit, which is as big again as an Egg, is pleasant and cooling.
The fourth sort hath a straight Body full of Prickles, runs lesser and lesser to the top; at the end of the small Boughs, each thick Leaf produces another; the Wood, if kindled, burns like a Candle.
The fifth, nam’dCumbeba, grows out of small Roots, with three or four corner’d thick Leaves, full of Prickles, the Flower somewhat less than the former, the Fruit oval, hard and red, having a white and juicy Pulp: The Prickles of thisCumbeba-Tree are so sharp, and stick in so deep, that they can scarce be pull’d out. This is that sort ofTunasthat producesCochinele, which is a Worm that grows under the Leaves, and is cover’d with a Skin, which being neatly taken off and dry’d in the Sun, as formerly mention’d, becomes a rich Commodity.Joseph de Acostatells us, that theSpanishFleet,Anno 1578.carried so muchCochineletoSpain, as amounted to two hundred eighty three thousand seven hundred and fifty Ryals.
But the last sort of theTunasis theUnirumbeba, which hath a straight Body full of Prickles, on the top whereof grow divers prickly Leaves, not unlike those of the Palm-Tree: It is onely found in barren places, remote from the Sea.
Moreover, all kind of Fruits transplanted hither fromSpainthrive very well, as Apples, Pears, Granats, Figs, Peaches, Apricocks, Muskmelons,&c.
The RootCastanuela.
TheBatata.
The RootCastanuelaaffords a much better Feeding for Swine than Acorns. But amongst many other Roots which are found here, as theXiquimas,Taca,Cochuco,Cari,TotoraandMani, the chief is theBatata, which is fat, sweet, and windy; it runs over the Ground with a tough green Sprig, the new Fibres taking Root dispersedly up and down, being yellow without, and within full of milky Juice; the Leaf resembling a Heart, is of a pale yellow colour on the top, and douny underneath; roasted in Ashes, it eats better than a Turnip: It is divided into three sorts.
The first, call’dOmenapo yeima, when boyl’d, shews like redBetel, but Dyes of a Skye-Colour; the innermost Skin, which is of a dark Red, yields an Ink-like Juice.
The second sort, call’dParro, differs little from the first, onely the Body, Root, and Veins of the Leaves, are of a Purple colour.
The third sortJetiope, being white, hath a very good rellish, and cures the Ague.
The Pepper, which is here call’dAxi, grows in the warmest Valleys, and the more by being often water’d: there are of it divers kinds, differing in colour, smell, and taste one from the other; for one sort is green, yellow, or red; another sort yields a strong musky scent; and one sort is sharper, another milder: the Veins and Kernels thereof are eaten with Salt.
The HerbCevadillacures all manner of Sores.
Beasts.
This Countrey also breeds an innumerable company of Deer, Hogs, Goats, Sheep, Oxen, and Horses; and of hurtful Creatures, Pismires, which do great mischief to the Plants, and Locusts, which fall in huge swarms on the Corn, and cannot be frighted from the same by any means whatsoever. The want of Water is also no small prejudice to the Fields.
The biggest River, call’dGuadalajara, with many windings runs North-westward into the Southern Ocean; and four Leagues from the City of the same, falling down from a steep Rock, it makes such a horrible noise, that it deafens those which approach the same.
The LakeMechoacanopens here also with a wide Mouth.
Two sorts of Hedge-hogs.
The River before mention’d, produces all manner of Fish in great abundance; and also a sort of Hedge-hogs, call’dIguana, which live both in the Water, and on the Land, and are of two sorts: The first, call’dSenembi, is four Foot long, of a deep green colour, with black and white Spots, hath a scaly Skin, white Spots on each side of the Head, a row of sharp Prickles from the Head to the Tail, wide Nostrils, great black Eyes, and little Teeth. The second sort, call’dTejaguacu, differs from the first, in having white Spots on a brown Skin, a longer Tail, and a red Tongue, which is slit. Both sorts are reported to fast eight Moneths together; and though often terribly wounded, and dead to all imagination, yet live a great while after; and though they swim up and down in Rivers, yet they Lay their Eggs in the Sand: their Flesh boyl’d is both wholsom, and of a good relish.
The manner of theSpaniardsliving.
TheSpaniardswhich inhabitNew Gallicia, drive a considerable Trade in Merchandizing, Husbandry, breeding of Cattel, and working in the Mines: They use Wayns and Carrs, drawn by Oxen, Mules, and Horses, to carry their Loads, as alsoSpanishWeights and Measures. They are little troubled with any other Mischiefs but what may happen from the treacherous Natives, who take all opportunities to run into the Woods, that there they may exercise theirPaganReligion in freedom; in which having spent some time, they gather a considerable number together, and oftentimes fall unawares on theSpaniards, who use Leather Shields and Helmets, and furr’d Cotton Clothes, to secure them from the Arrows which theIndians, lying in Ambuscades, shoot at them out of the Bushes.
The Nature, Habits, and Customs of the Natives.
The Natives, though subtile, are lazy, and will not work, unless for great Rewards. They wear Cotton Shirts, square Cloaks of the same Stuff, made fast with two Buttons on their Breasts; Drawers, and soal’d Shoes: Flag-Matts serve them for Beds, on which they lie under Cotton Clothes: About their Necks, Arms, and Legs, they wear green Stones, and Snale Shells for an Ornament. Their greatest Recreation is Dancing, their Musick being nothing else but the noise or sound of a piece of hollow Wood. Horse-flesh, and Bread made ofMaiz, is by them accounted a great Dainty. The DrinkCacaois also highly esteem’d amongst them; but much more the Wine that they make ofMaquey, which is the wonderfulTree that affords many necessary things,viz.Syrrup, Honey, Oyl, Vinegar, Yarn, Needles, Water, and Wine; every Man making it his Business to plant and preserve the same with great care near his House, notwithstanding they grow in several places of the Fields; they have broad thick Leaves with sharp ends, out of which is drawn a Thorn, which serves them for a Needle or Pin. These Leaves have a hairy Filament about them, which serves in stead of Thred: the young Sprout being cut, produces a sweet Juice, which boyl’d, makes good Wine; when grown sowre, serves for Vinegar; but being twice boyl’d, becomes a Syrrup; and being hung over the Fire a third time, a perfect Honey: Also the Wood being spungie, keeps Fire as well as Match. Moreover, the Inhabitants when they travel, carry Leather Bags with them full ofCacao,Maiz, and Pepper, mix’d together.
Over each Village in this Countrey theSpaniardshave plac’d anIndian Casique,Alcalde, andAlguazil, where all sorts of Provisions are sold at a Set-price.
TheCasiquesare succeeded by their Heirs, who resent nothing worse than Affronts, and take pride in nothing more than their Valour.
TheMoorsorNegro’s which are brought hither fromGuinee, do all manner of hard Labour.
TheGuachichilesandGuamaresarea valiant People, and have each their peculiar Language, utterly different from theMexican.
Division ofNova Gallicia.
This Countrey comprehends these inferior Provinces: 1.Guadalajara; 2.Xalisco; 3.Chiametta; 4.Couliacan; 5.Cinoloa; all of them on the Western Shore. 6.Zacatecas, to which some addNova BiscaiaandNova Mexico, though others treat of them as distinct Countreys apart from the rest.
Bounds ofGuadalajara.
Guadalajarais bounded on the West, withXalisco; on the South and South-West, withNew Spain; and on the North, withZacatecas. It is a Countrey exceeding pleasant, and rich in all kind of Commodities, but especially in its Mines of Silver. It is well water’d with the RiverBarania, which runneth through the midst of it, and with divers other Streams: yielding abundantly both Wheat,Maiz, and some other Grain. In a word, there is nothing said of the properties ofNew Galliciain general, either for Soil, Climate, or People, but is peculiarly verifi’d of this Province.
Towns and Cities.
The chief Towns are 1.Guadalajara, which gives Name to the whole Province. It is seated on the Banks of the RiverBarania, in a most delectable and sweet Air, and a rich Soil, by advantage whereof it is become the Metropolis ofNew Gallicia, honour’d with an Episcopal See, which was translated thither fromCompostellain the Year 1570. with the Courts of Judicature, and the Residence of the King’s Treasurers for that Province. This City was built on the PlainMolino, byNunnez de Guzman, in the Year 1531. The neighboring Mountains afford store of Timber. All manner ofSpanishPlants grow here likewise in great plenty. In the City is a Cathedral, several Cloysters, inhabited byAugustineandFranciscanMonks. The Bishop of this City belongs to the Arch-bishop ofMexico. The Air very temperate, neither molesting the Inhabitants with too great Cold, nor excess of Heat.
2.St. Maria de los Lagos, a Town thirty Leagues Eastward ofGuadalajara, being a Fronteer Place, and built on purpose to secure the Countrey against theChichemecæ, which are a barbarous and unreduc’d People of the North-East parts of thisCountrey who harbouring themselves in Caves under Ground in the thickest huge Woods and Forrests, do oftentimes issue out, and make foul spoil in the Countrey where they come, having first intoxicated themselves with a Liquor made of certain Roots, and would do much more harm, if it were not for this Garrison.
3.Del Spiritu Santo, built by the Founder of the other two,viz.Nunnez de Gusmanaforesaid, in a part of the Countrey which they callTepeque.
Bounds and Description ofXalisco.
Xalisco, orGalesco, as some call it, is bounded on the North, withCouliacan; on the South, with some parts ofNew Spain; on the East, with the Province ofGuadalajara; and on the West, with the Gulf or Bay ofCalifornia.
The Countrey is chiefly fertile inMaizand Mines of Silver, not altogether so apt for Herbage and Pasture as some other Countreys about it. The People were Cannibals before theSpaniardscame amongst them, eating Man’s-flesh; were much given to quarrelling and Contentions amongst themselves, but by this time, ’tis suppos’d they are reasonably well reclaim’d both from the one and the other.
Towns of chief note.
In this Countrey, besides many other goodly Streams, is the great and famous RiverBarania, on the Banks whereof are seated most of their principal Towns, as 1.Xalisco, which gives Name to the whole Province, and to a large Promontory or Foreland on the Western Coasts, which shoots it self out into the Bay ofCalifornia, right over against certain Islands, which theSpaniardscall TheThree Maries. This was an ancient City or Town of the Natives, but sack’d and taken byNunnez de Gusman, in the Year 1530.
2.Compostella, built by the aforesaidGusman, and so nam’d from the City inSpain, so famous for the Grave ofJamesthe Apostle, who (according to theRomanWriters) was buried there, lies near the South Sea on a barren Soil, within theTorrid Zone; yet the Ground breeds many sorts of Vermine, besides other noxious Creatures; amongst which theCapybararoots up whole Trees and other Plants in the Night. This Beast, resembling an indifferent large Hog, hath short Legs and Claws, thick Head, with a Beard, wide Ears, and on each Jaw-bone twenty four Teeth, besides two Tusks, but no Tail; it goes slow, but swims exceeding fast, and dives under Water for a considerable time together; they often feed together in great Herds, and make a terrible noise.
3.La Purification, a small Town on the Sea side, towards the Confines ofNew Spain.
Situation ofChiametla.
AgainstXaliscojutsChiametla, along the South Sea, where the Inhabitants wear short cloaks, and Deer-skin Shoes; and in the Wars use Shields made of strong Twigs twisted together. The Women, which are indifferent handsom, are clad down to their Feet.
Towns of principal note.
The chief Town of this Province isSant Sebastian, call’d from the River upon which it stands; it was built by CaptainFranciscus de Yvarra,Anno 1554.who discoveringmany Silver Mines, hath made several Melting-houses, in which the Silver being melted swims upon the Lead.
Bounds ofCouliacan.
Next toChiametla, Westward and Southward ofCinoloa, liesCouliacan, Coasting all along the Bay ofCalifornia, which it hath on the West; on the East it hathNew Biscay; and on the South,Xalisco. The Countrey is not defective in any kind of necessary Provision, but more especially it aboundeth with Fruits of all sorts. But theSpaniardslook onely at the Mines, of which they have some few in this Countrey. The People were generally Cloth’d with Cotton-Wooll when theSpaniardscame first amongst them, but yet never a whit the more modest, being exceedingly given to Venery, and that in a more shameless and beastly manner than many otherAmericanswho went naked.
Towns.
TheSpanishTowns are these, 1.Hiustula, seated on the Banks of a fair River, distant about a days Journey from the Sea. 2.Quinola.3.Quatrobarrios, an old Town of the Natives, but new nam’d by theSpaniards. 4.El Leon, an old Burrough. 5.Couliacan, the chief Town of the Province. 6.St. Michael, in the Valley ofArroba, two Leagues distant from the Sea, in a rich and plentiful Countrey, both for Corn and Fruit, whither it was remov’d from the Banks of the RiverOrala, where it first stood; it was built byNunnez de Gusmanin the Year 1531. after he had burnt the Towns, and destroy’d a great number of the Natives, Inhabitants of the Countrey.
Nunnez de Gusmanfirst Discoverer of this Countrey.
Serpents worshipp’d by the Natives.
This Countrey was first discover’d by the aforesaidNunnez de Gusman(after he had builtGuadalajara) after this manner: Marching fromChiametlatoPiatzala, he ruin’d this Province with Fire and Sword: he likewise conquer’d the Countreys ofZapuatunandPiaztla; the first being a Plain, lay inclos’d within high Mountains, where theSpaniardsmet none but Women, till they came to a great River call’dDe la Sall, whose Banks on each side were well inhabited; the second juts against the Ocean, and is water’d by a River of the same Denomination. Here, within the Houses, (which are built after a strange manner) lay thousands of Serpents mingled together, with their Heads sticking out on the top and at the sides, and hissing with open Mouth at those which approached them. The Inhabitants shew’d great Reverence to these Serpents, because (as they said) the Devil often appear’d to them in that form. And this seems to be a Custome amongst them from the Tradition ofEvesbeing tempted by the Devil in the shape of a Serpent: Nor was this Superstition peculiar onely to theseIndians, forasmuch as divers Nations of the ancientHeathensof other parts of the World, worshipp’d the Likeness of a Serpent. And even amongst theGreeks, according toPlutarch,Hesychius,Clemens Alexandrinus, and others, it was no unusual thing in their religious Worship to call onEva, and at the same time to shew a Serpent.PlutarchusandÆlianussay, That theEgyptianshonour’d a Serpent for their God. The same saithErasmus Stellaof the oldPrussians;Sigismund Baro, of theLiflanders; andAlexander Guaginus, of theSarmatiansandSamogethes. Moreover, some write, that in the Province ofCalecutare Serpents with exceeding great Heads, and weighing as much as a great Hog, to which the King shews great Reverence; so that it seems the Devil takes delight to be worship’d in that shape wherein he work’d the Fall of Man-kind.
GusmanleavingPiaztlamarch’d toBayla, where he found the great RiverDe Mugeres,and the Countrey full of Woods and Pastures: thence travelling upwards alongMugueres, they ascended to the top of a Mountain, where they were assaulted by the Inhabitants of the aforesaid VillageQuinola, whom nevertheless they soon put to flight; but not long after receiv’d a shrew’d Repulse at the Entrance into a Wood built full of Houses; yet nevertheless being at length Conquerors, though not without sufficient loss, they march’d farther in amongst the Mountains, till their Provisions beginning to grow scarce, and they seeing no likelihood of getting to an end of this troublesom Journey, at last their Necessities forc’d them to retire.
The FishGuarapucu.
ThePiracarba.
Flying Fishes.
The Flood which comes out of the Sea up to the CitySt. Michael, through the RiverCignatlan, abounds with Fish, and especially theGuarapucu, which is seven Foot long when it comes to its full growth; it hath no Scales, but smooth Skin of a Silver colour mix’d with Green: from the Head to the Tail runs a crooked Line of thin Scales on each side; it swims exceeding swift, feeds on lesser Fishes, and spawns in the Sea: the Flesh being wholsom and good to eat, is salted up against Winter. At the same Place is also thePiracarba, which shines exceedingly, having Silver-colour’d Scales, a broad slit Tail, a long white Beard, four great Fins, and a little Head. Farther into the Sea are a sort of flying Fish, call’dPirabebes, which rise by thousands up out of the Water, so escaping theDolphinsand other Fish which prey on them; yet sometimes they are snatch’d up by the Birds, or else by the Fishes, when they dive down into the Water to wet their own Wings, which consist of a thin Skin, distinguish’d in length by tough Fins. These flying Fish also differ much one from another, for most of them are like Herrings; others have a thick Head, round before like the Dolphins.
Moreover, the Countrey aboutSt. Michaelwas always well inhabited. The Houses, being artificially built, were adorn’d on the top with many obscene Images, and venereal Representations: But since theSpaniardshave conquer’d this Countrey they have destroy’d them, and built other Houses in their stead, and also bestow’d much cost and labour on the Silver MinesDe las Virgines.
Sect. VI.Cinoloa.
Bounds ofCinoloa.
Cinoloais the most Northern part ofNew Gallicia, bounded on the West, with some part of the Gulf or Bay ofCalifornia; on the East, with a long Ridge of Mountains, which they callTepecsuan; on the North, withCibola; and withCouliacanon the South. This Country, besides the general fertility of the whole Province ofNew Gallicia, yields great store of Cotton-Wool, by reason whereof both Men and Women here are better Apparell’d, for the most part, than elsewhere theAmericansare; is exceedingly well water’d with Rivers, which descend from those MountainsTepecsuan, not above thirty or forty Leagues distant from the Sea; and which, with the variety of their Streams and Meandrous glidings, do divide the Countrey into many and good Pastures, which are likewise stor’d with abundance of Kine, Oxen, and other Cattel.
Towns.
The chief Towns possess’d by theSpaniardsare 1.St. PhilipandJacob, seated towards the Sea side, on the Banks of a fair River, about thirty or forty Leagues distant from the Town ofCouliacan.
2.St. John de Cinoloa, an ancient Colony ofSpaniards, setled there byFrancisco de Yvarra, in the Year 1554, which is all they have in this Countrey, except some few old Forts of the Natives, which they found, after their manner, poorly furnish’d; but have since repair’d them for Defence against the Natives of those Parts, which as yet remain unreduc’d.
Nunnez de Gusman’s Travels.
This Province was also discover’d byNunnez de Gusman, who having rested some Weeks inSt. Michael, proceeding on his Way, he Ferried over the RiverPetatlan, which receiv’d that Denomination because the Houses were cover’d with Mats, by theIndianscall’dPetat.
The People hereabouts were generally Man-eaters.
Eighteen Leagues farther runs the RiverTamochala, which hath many Villages on both sides thereof.
BetweenPetatlanandTamochalalie several desolate Wildernesses, and Woods of theBrasile-Tree.
ButGusmantravelling up twenty seven Leagues along the fore-mention’d RiverTamochala, came to the ProvinceCinoloa, where they stay’d six Weeks, by reason of the abundance of Rains; during which time the Villagers provided them Turtle-Doves, Hares, Rabbets, and all sorts of Fowls; but at last deserted their Habitations in the Night: after which theSpaniardscrossingTamochalawent along a barren Desart, where (had they not found Water in certain Wells, and likewise store of Juice out of theTunas-Trees) they had without doubt perish’d; at last getting over the RiverYaguinu, they found a deserted Village, out of which a broad Path led along the Stream; whitherGusmanmarching, he came into a Plain, where he spy’d severalIndians, which after some resistance were routed by theSpanishHorse.
The Villages built on the Banks of the RiverYaguinu, as also the Language of the Inhabitants differ little from the former.
Not far from hence a Ridge of Hills runs into the Sea, and also extend themselves a hundred Leagues towardsXalisco.
Sect. VII.Zacatecas.
Bounds and Description ofZacatecas.
TheZacatecas, as they call them, are bounded on the South, withGuadalajara; on the North, withNew Biscay; on the West, withCouliacanand some part ofXalisco; and on the East, withNew Spain. The Countrey, especially the more Western part of it, is very rich in Silver Mines, no Province of this part ofAmericaricher; but not so apt either for Wheat orMaiz. But the Eastern parts of it are abundantly stor’d with all sorts of Fruits, the Woods every where replenish’d with Deer, the Fields no less with Corn, and every Tree almost giving Entertainment to some Bird or other.
Towns and Villages.
The Towns are 1.Las Zacatecas, forty Leagues distant fromGuadalajara, and fourscore fromMexico, but neighbor’d with most rich Mines, and therefore both Garrison’d and well peopled by theSpaniards; for ’tis suppos’d there are no less than five hundred Families of them in the Town, and about the Mines.
2.St. Martins, twenty seven Leagues distant fromZacatecas, and as rich a Place, having a Colony of four hundredSpaniardsat least.
3.St. Lucas de Avinno.4.Erena, lesser Towns, but both of them rich, and seated in the midst of excellent Mines.
5.Nombre de Dios, in the most Northerly part of this Countrey, sixty eight Leagues distant fromGuadalajara, and founded by the aforesaidFrancisco de Yvarra; who having subdu’d and quieted the Natives, and thereby gain’d to himself the Government of these Countreys, granted the propriety of some Silver Mines both to theSpaniardsand to the Natives, and by that means drew so many of them thither, that in a short time it became the chiefest and best peopled town of the whole Province.
6.Durango, in the Valley ofGuadiana, eight Leagues distant fromNombre de Dios, and built byYvarra.
7.Xeres de Frontera, a Place built on purpose for the repressing of theChichemecæaforesaid, and other Salvages that infested the Borders ofGuadalajara, in the Regency of the Marquess ofVilla Manrique.
8. Last,St. Lewis, built byAlonso Pacheco, in that part of the Countrey which is call’dUxitipa, and peopled by him with a Colony ofSpaniards, being distant about twenty Leagues fromPanucoinNew Spain, to which the whole Countrey ofUxitipaonce belong’d.
Several Mines discover’d by theSpaniards.
The aforesaidFranciscus de Yvarra,Anno 1554.discover’d the Mine call’dSant Martin, and since alsoLucas Avinno, the MineDel Sombrereto, lying near the CityDel Erena: but the MinesDe los Ranchos,Chalchuites,De las Nieves, andDel Frisuillo, would produce much more Silver, if the Mine-works were stor’d with Quicksilver. The Vice-Roy ofNew Spain, nam’dLodowick de Velasco, order’d a certain number of Soldiers, Slaves, Horses and Mules, for every Mine, to defend the Workmen from the Assaults of the Natives, which oftentimes Sallied out upon them. Moreover,Velascosent Priests through all the Countrey to Preach theGospel: ButYvarrahaving the care of the Priests, guarded them with a company of Soldiers, and in his Way discover’d the ValleySan Juan, and the RiverDe las Nacos, where he conquer’d the rebelling Natives.
Near the Silver MineSant Martinsthe Monks built a Cloyster; after whichYvarragave free leave to all that would, to dig in the Mine atAvinno, which he hadbought, on condition they should pay the real fifth part of what they got, to theSpanish King: which Priviledge stirr’d up many, insomuch thatAvinnoin a short time grew very populous.Yvarra, though having brought his Business to this pass, could not rest, but sentAntonius Pachecoto a Valley inGuadiana, to build the foremention’d CityDurango, where several Rivers make a convenient and delightful place for Habitation, whitherYvarrafollow’d three Moneths after, and finish’d the new Town. But the chiefest Silver Mines, which borrow their Denominations from the ProvinceZacatecas, are continually guarded by five hundredSpaniards, and as many Slaves.