Situation and Names of theCaribbeeIslands.
TheCaribbee Islands, as they are generally call’d, are a Row or Ridge, as it were, of lesser Islands, which extend themselves almost in fashion of a Bowe, from the Coast ofPariaas far asSt. John de Porto Rico; they are otherwise call’dThe-Caraibes, sometimesThe Camercanes, and by someThe Islands of Cannibals, orMan-eaters, (though this Appellation cannot in reality be more appropriated to these Islands, than to many other, either Islands, or Parts of the Continent ofAmerica;) lastly, whereas all the Islands betweenFloridaandNew Spain, andSouthern America, are by some comprehended all under the Name ofThe Antilles; yet theCaribbeesand theAntillesare most generally, and, we conceive, most properly accounted the same; and they are so call’d, either as lying like a Bar before the greater Islands, orQuasi Ant-Isles, i. e.Opposites Isles; they lie all under theTorrid Zone, between the eleventh and nineteenth Degrees of Northern Latitude, and are twenty eight in number; but before we come to treat of each of them in particular, we shall take notice of the most observable of those things which are common to them all in general.
Temperature of the Air.
The Air of all these Islands is of a good temperature and healthy, and the Heat not so excessive in them at any time of the year, as might be conjectur’d from their Situation under theTorrid Zone, by reason of a gentle East Wind, which rising in the Morning, continues most commonly till towards the Evening, allaying the scorching heat of the Sun, and refreshing the Air; but the Nights are commonly very cold; and it is observable, that by how much the hotter any Day hath been, so much the colder the Night following happens to be; whereof this reason is given, That the Vapors rais’d in the Day-time by the Sun, and falling down condens’d at Night, do very much cool the Air; but it is never so cold as to Freeze.
For half a year together Day and Night are equal in these Parts, and the rest of the Year the Day fourteen hours long, and the Night ten.
FromApriltoDecemberthere commonly fall here great Rains, and all that Season is accounted Winter, and the Drought and Heat of the other Moneths is taken for Summer; but the Woods of these Parts looking ever green, make as it were continual Summer.
Nature of the Soil.
The Soil is generally as fertile as in most places ofEurope, and each Island furnish’d with fair Rivers, Brooks, Lakes, Springs, Wells, and other Sources of fresh Water, besides in many places Mineral Waters, which are us’d with good success in the cure of several Diseases; also out of some Mountains store of Brimstone is digg’d, and it is conjectur’d that there are not wanting Mines of Gold and Silver, if they were well look’d after; and there hath been often found Crystal upon the Sands by Rivers sides.
Vines growing naturally in theCaribbees.
The Vine, though wild, and naturally growing in the Woods, yet yields a very large fair Grape; and those which are cultivated in their Gardens or Vineyards, bear excellent Grapes twice a year, but very little Wine is made of them, in regard they find it will keep but very few days.
Wheat not apt to grow there.
Wheat in theCaribbeesgrows up no farther than the Blade, and the reason is judg’d to be, because through the rankness of the Soil, and for want of Winter, this Grain springs up fast, and hath not substance enough left in the Root to supply it up to maturity; but no doubt but Barley, Rye, and those other Grains, to the ripening of which more Heat is requir’d, would thrive there very well.
Besides Lemmon-Trees, Orange-Trees, Citrons, and Pomegranates, and other Fruit-Trees growing inEurope, there are very many sorts of Trees, Herbs, Pulse, and other Plants, of a different kind from those amongst us, and peculiar for the most part to these Islands.
Fruit-Trees.
Of Fruit-Trees, the most observable are theGoyavier, somewhat resembling the Laurel, onely having a softer Leaf, and of a brighter Green; its Fruit about the bigness of a Pearmain, but full of little Kernels like a Pomegranate.
ThePapayer, which is of two kinds, one generally growing in all the Islands, the other proper toSanta Crux; the first hath a Leaf not much unlike that of the Fig-Tree, and the other bears a Fruit about the bigness of a Melon, which by thePortugueseis call’dMamao, from its resemblance of a Womans Breast: the Tree is hollow and spungy within, and grows up sometimes to the heighth of twenty Foot.
TheMonick, call’d by the IslandersCorsot, from the Name of an Island from whence the Seeds were first brought by theDutch, and bearing a Fruit like a small Cucumber not perfectly ripe.
TheJunipa, orJenipa, by thePortuguesecall’dJenipapo; and by theBrasilians,Jenipaba; having Leaves like those of the Walnut-Tree, Flowers like theNarcissus, and a Fruit like a bak’d Apple, which when it falls from the Tree makes a noise like the Report of a Gun discharg’d, which is said to proceed from the burstingforth of the Seed out of the thin Skin enclosing it, and breaking with a violence; the Juice of it Dyes of a Violet-colour, and the Swine and Birds that feed upon it, are said to have their Flesh and Fat of the same colour.
A sort of Vine commonly call’dThe Raisin-Treeand by theCaribbeeans,Ouliem; whose Fruit being like a large Violet-colour’d Grape, hath in stead of the several small Grain-stones which are inclos’d in the Husks of common Grapes, one hard Stone, like that of a Plumb.
TheAcajou, bearing for Fruit a kind of Chesnut, in form of a Hares Kidney, which serves for a Crest to a very fair Apple that by degrees grows under it, of which the Islanders make a Drink, very much in esteem amongst them, being of an excellent taste.
TheIcaco, a kind of small Plumb-Tree, so much coveted, and held for a Delicacy by some People that live near the Gulf ofHondures, that they are from thence call’dIcacos.
TheMonbain, which Fruit being a kind of yellowish Plumb, is chiefly made use of to mix in the Drinks ofOuiconandMaby, to make them taste the better.
TheCourburyis by some reckon’d to be but a species of theMonbain, onely more full of Leaves, and growing higher and bigger; but the Fruit of theCourburyis sufficiently different from that of theMonbain.
TheIndianFig-Tree, differing in Leaf from the common Fig-Tree, but whose Fruit both in figure and taste is not much unlike the Fig growing in these Parts: This Tree is commonly of such a vast Bulk, that the Branches of some of them have been seen to afford shelter to two hundred Men.
A kind of Service-Tree, differing from ours, by its exceeding heighth, fair Leaves, and pleasant Fruit.
The Prickly or Thorny Palm, so call’d from its being arm’d all over with Prickles, both Trunk and Leaves; by incision into its Branches a sort of Wine is made, and it is conjectur’d to be the same Tree which theBrasilianscallAyry.
TheFranc-Palm, an exceeding high and streight Tree, bearing on the top of its Trunk a whitish marrowy substance, by theFrenchcall’dChoude Palmiste, orPalm-Cabbage; for being boyl’d with the thin Leaves that incircle it, and well season’d, it is reckon’d amongst the Delicacies of theCaribbees.
Latanier, another kind ofPalm; andCocoa, which is also reckon’d amongst the several sorts of Palms; this last is a Fruit-Tree famous all overAmerica, and hath been at large describ’d elsewhere.
There are also many other Trees fit for Dying, Joyners Work, and Building, (besides theAcajoubefore mention’d, of the single Trunks whereof are made those long Shallops call’dPyrages, which are able to carry fifty Men) as
TheAcomas, of the same bulk and heighth with theAcajon, and equally esteem’d by Joyners and Carpenters, and of the Fruit whereof the Woodquists grow fat at a certain time of the year.
The Rose-wood, to be rank’d amongst the chiefest of those Trees that are made use of by Work-men.
IndianWood, a very precious and useful Tree for several sorts of Materials, and of a very fine scent.
TheIron-Wood, so call’d from its hardness, weight and solidity, above all that have hitherto been spoken of, and beyond either Cypress or Cedar for incorruptibility.
Brasile-Wood, so call’d as growing most plentifully inBrasile.
Yellow-Wood, denominated from its Colour, and much esteem’d for its usefulnessin Dying green Ebony, easily taking the lustre of the true Ebony, and being very useful for the making of Cabinets and other curious Pieces of Work; It also Dyes of a very fair Grass-green.
TheRoncon, by theBrasilianscall’dUrnex, in the Husks, succeeding the Flowers whereof, which grow in little Bushes at the end of the Branches, is enclos’d a most rich Vermilion Dye, of a very soft and viscous Matter.
Here are also many other Trees, either useful in Medicine, or other ways advantageous, as theCassia-Tree, of the bigness and figure of a Peach-Tree; the long Pipes or Cods whereof, containing the Medicinal Fruit, are well known amongst us by the Name ofCassia-Fistula, and to be had at every Apothecaries.
Medicinal Nuts, each Nut containing three or four Stones in so many Cells, every one of which is inclos’d within a thin white Pellicle, pleasant enough to the taste, and out of which is extracted an Oyl, us’d by thePortuguesein several both Culinarie and Physical occasions.
The Cinamon-Tree, so noted for its aromatick Bark; alsoSandal-Wood,Guaiacum, andSassafras.
Cotton-Tree and Soap-Tree, whose Uses the very Names imply, and which Trees have been touch’d upon elsewhere.
The arch’dIndianFig-Tree, the Bodies of which Trees have been antiently the sculking Holes and Retreats of the Inhabitants from their Enemies; the Bark is useful for Tanners.
TheGourd-Tree, of the bigness and heighth of a great Apple-Tree, and of which are made most of the Houshold Vessels and Utensils, which are in common use at present amongst the Inhabitants.
TheMahot-Tree, of the Bark of which are made Laces and Points.
TheManyoc, orMandioque, of whose Root theCassavaBread is made, and which growing in several places ofAmerica, hath been already taken notice of; as likewise theBanana-Tree, and that call’dThe Apple-Tree of Paradice, otherwiseAdam’s Fig-Tree, the Fruit being reported to be of a very delicious taste.
Other Trees not known inEurope, are theMaposu, divers kinds of Thorny Wood, the Milky Tree, being of a venomous quality, theMancenilier, and that whose Root beaten to Powder, and thrown into Rivers, intoxicates the Fish, with several others of less note.
Innumerable sorts of Shrubs might here in like manner be reckon’d up, but the chiefest are, That remarkable Plant, anciently known by the Name ofRicinus, and commended for its Vertues byGalenandDioscorides.
Coral-Wood, so call’d from its little Seeds, which being as red as any Coral, are us’d for Bracelets.
TheJasmin, bearing a Flower of an admirable sweet scent.
TheCandle-Wood, so call’d from its combustibleness, by reason of an aromatick Gum which is within.
The Herbs, Flowers, Roots, and Pulse which grow here, are some of them common in all parts ofEurope, as Cabbages, Onions, Chibols, Melons, all sorts of Millets, Cucumbers, Citruls, Parsnips,&c.
Others, if not peculiar to this Island, yet growing chiefly there, and in some few parts ofAmericabesides, as theRaquettes, so call’d from the resemblance its Leaves have with a Racket, a thorny-spreading Bush, whose Fruit being of a Vermilion colour, makes the Urine of those that eat of it as red as Blood. Some liken this Plant to theTunas, already describ’d, which yields that rich Scarlet Dye call’dCochinele.
TheTorch, so call’d by theEuropeanInhabitants; by the Native Islanders,Akoulerou; a great Thistle, or thorny Bush, putting forth from the middle of it long streight Stalks like Torches, and bearing Fruit like a great Fig, not unpleasing to the taste.
TheLienes, creeping upon the Earth, and spreading up and down like Ropes, and bearing brown Husks of a Foot long, wherein are enclos’d a Fruit call’dSea-Chestnuts, of which are made Boxes to keep Snush, Tobacco, or the like.
A sort ofSempervivum, which runs twisting upon Rocks, Trunks of old Trees, like Misseltoe, and sometimes on the Ground.
A sort of sensitive Plant, call’d by the InhabitantsHaestiel, orThe Living Herb; of which kind of Plant something hath been already touch’d upon, and which being transplanted, is kept in several Gardens of theCuriosias a Rarity.
TheSweet-Rush, whose small Root dry’d, and reduc’d to Powder, helps Women in Travail.
TheBalisier, whose Leaf apply’d, mollifies and cools inflammations of Wounds.
TheDart-Herb, whose Root bruis’d and apply’d, draws away the Venom of empoyson’d Darts; besidesScolopendria, a sort of Aloes, several kinds of Maidenhair, and other medicinal Herbs.
TheGranadilla, orPassion-Flower, growing in several other parts ofAmerica, and describ’d elsewhere.
There is also a sort of Pease in some of these Islands, differing from ours, and call’dThe Pease of Angola, as first brought from thence. Likewise a sort of Beans call’dThe Seven-years Beans, by reason the same Stalk bears seven years one after another.
The Herb call’dThe Musk-Herb, from the dusky colour of its Flower, and the sweet scent of the Seed, grows also in these Parts very frequent.
ThePyman, orAmerican Pepper, is the same with that before describ’d under the Name ofAxi.
TheirPotatoeis a Root not unlike theTopinambous, orJerusalem-Artichokes, otherwise call’dSaligots, growing plentifully in our Gardens, but more wholsome, and of a better taste.
TheAnana’s, orPine-Apple, accounted a most delicious Fruit, of an admirable sweet scent, and very pleasant to behold, grow not onely plentifully in these Islands, but in most places ofAmerica; besides the Sugar-Canes here, and in many other places, but not so generally.
The Plant from which is got the Dying Material call’dIndico, is very different from that which grows inMadagascar, which bears small odoriferous Flowers, of a white and purple Colour mix’d together.
Of these Trees, Herbs, and other Plants, which are produc’d in theseCaribbee Islands, some are more peculiarly of the Growth of one Island, some of another; so that we shall have occasion to speak more largely of some of them, when we come to speak of each Island in particular.
The four-footed Beasts found in these Islands, are chiefly theOpassum, theJavaris, theTatan, theAgouty, and theMusk-Rat, which being all of them no less known in other Parts of theNew World, have been already taken notice of, and of which we may have also occasion to treat more at large in the particular Islands, we shall therefore onely name the other Animals, whether Birds, Reptiles, Insects, or Fishes, as partly having been heretofore treated of, and partly to be describ’d hereafter.
The Birds are, theFregates,Fauves,Craw-fowl, orGrandgawsiers,Flammans,Swallows of America,Arras,Canides,Parrots,Parroquito’s,Tremblo’s,Sparrows of America,Eaglesof Orinoca,Manstenys,Colibrys, besides what are common amongst us, asHerons,Coots, orMoor-hens,Black-birds,Feldivars,Thrushes,Turtles,Woodquists,Pintado’s, &c.
Reptiles.
The Reptiles are,Anotis,Zoquets, andMaboujats(of which farther mention will occur in the Isle ofSt. Christopher) Globe-mouches, nam’d by theCaribbeeans, Oulleouma,Scorpions, and several sorts ofLizards, call’d by theCaribbeeans, Ouamayaca; by theBrasilians, Senembi; and by otherIndians, Jaquanas.
Insects.
The Insects are, besides these common with us, asGlow-worms,Palmer-worms,Spiders,Bees, &c. theCucuyos, mention’d inHispaniola, and theFlying Tyger.
Fishes.
The Fishes are,Sea-Parrots, theDorada, by some call’dThe Sea-Bream, by others,The Amber-fish; theBonite, theNeedle-fish, theEpadon, orSword-fish, theMarsovin, theRequiem, theRemora, theLamantin, theBecune, theSea-Urchin, theSea-Woodcock, besidesWhales, and a certan Fish call’d, for its hideous shape,The Sea-Devil, and lastly, theSea-Unicorn, with a particular Description of which we shall conclude, as having it from Monsieurdu Montel, who was an Eye-witness thereof.
Description of the Sea-Unicorn.
“ThisUnicorn(saith he) was pursuing aCarangue, or some other lesser Fish, with such earnestness and impetuosity, that not considering that it needed a greater depth of Water than the other, it stuck with half the Body dry on a Sand-bank, whence it could not recover the deeper Waters ere it was destroy’d by the Inhabitants: It was about eighteen Foot in length, being at the largest part of its Body about the bigness of a Barrel: It had six great Fins like the ends of Galley-Oars, whereof two were plac’d near the Gills, and the other four on the sides of the Belly at equal distances; they were of a Vermilion red colour: All the upper part of the Body was cover’d with great Scales, about the bigness of a Crown-Piece, which were of a blue colour, intermix’d with several Spangles of Silver; near the Neck the Scales were closer, and of a dark colour, seeming as it were a Collar; the Scales under the Belly were yellow, the Tail forked, the Head somewhat bigger than that of a Horse, and near the same figure: It was cover’d with a hard and dark-colour’d Skin; and as the Land-Unicornhath one Horn in his Fore-head, so this Sea-Unicornhad a very fair one issuing out of the fore-part of his Head, about nine Foot and a half in length; it was as streight as could be, and from the place whence it came out it grew smaller and smaller to the very Point, which was so sharp, that being thrust hard, it would enter into Wood or Stone, or some more solid Substance; it was at the place where it came out of the Head, about sixteen Inches about, and from thence to two thirds of the length it was like a Screw, or, to say better, made waving like a wreath’d Pillar, save that the Channels grew smaller and smaller, till they gently ended in a Point, which was two Inches beyond the fourth Foot: All the lower part had over it an Ash-colour’d Skin, which was all over cover’d with a small soft Hair, short as Plush, and of the colour of a wither’d Leaf, but under that it was as white as Ivory: As to the other part, which seem’d naked, it was naturally polish’d, of a shining Black, mark’d with certain small white and yellow Strokes, and of such solidity, that a sharp File could hardly get a little small Powder from it: It had no Ears standing up, but two spacious Gills, as the other Fishes; the Eyes were about the bigness of a Hens Egg; the Ball, which was of a Skye-colour Enamell’d with Yellow, was encompass’d with a certain Vermilion, which had beyond it another as clear as Crystal: The Mouth was wide enough, and furnish’d with several Teeth, whereof those before were extreamly sharp, and those towards the Throat in both Jaws were broad, and a little knobbed: The Tongue was of a length and thickness proportionable, and cover’d with a rough Skin of a Vermilion colour. What was further remarkable, is, that this Fishhad upon the Head a kind of Crown, rising above the Skin about two Inches, and made oval-wise, the Extremities whereof ended in a Point. Above three hundred Persons of that Island did eat of the Meat of it, and that plentifully, and thought it extreamly delicate; It was interlarded with Fat, and being boyl’d it came up in flakes like fresh Cod, but it had a much more excellent taste.
“Those who had seen this rare Fish alive, and had with great Levers broken the Back of it, affirm’d, That he had made prodigious Attempts to thrust them with his Horn, which he turn’d with an inexpressible dexterity and nimbleness, and that if he had had as much Water under him as would have born him up, he would have been too hard for them all. When the Entrails were taken out, it was found that he liv’d by Prey; for there were within him the Scales of several kinds of Fish.
“What could be preserv’d of this miraculous Animal, especially the Head, and the precious Horn fastned in it, hung up near two years at the Guard-house of the Island, till MonsieurLe Vasseur, the Governor of it, presented one MonsieurDes Trancarts(a Gentleman ofXaintonge, who had given him a Visit) with the Horn. Not long after, coming over in the same Ship with the Gentleman, who had that precious Rarity put up in a long Chest, our Ship was cast away near the Island ofPayala, one of theAssores, and all the Goods were lost, but nothing so much regretted as the loss of that Chest.”
The Natives how call’d.
The Natives call themselvesCubao-bonon, that is,Inhabitants of the Islands, andCaribbeeans; which last Denomination was not onely receiv’d amongst theAmericanIsles, but also on the Main Continent of theNorthernandSouthern America, long before theSpaniardscoming thither.
Their Original.
TheCofachitescome to Terms of Agreement with theApalachites.
Concerning the original of these People, there are several Opinions; for those who make them to be Extracted from theJews, have no other testimony, but that they abstain from Swines-flesh: Those that take them for a People fled from the great Islands,Hispaniola,Jamaica,Cuba, andPorto Rico, to save themselves from theSpaniardsCruelty, dispute against a known Truth; for who knows not, that theIndianswho escap’d theSpanishSlaughter, have not the least resemblance either in Language or Customs with the Cannibals? nay more, they are mortal Enemies to them; besides that, the Cannibals at that time whenColumbusfirst arriv’d, possess’d those Places which they now inhabit. The Cannibals seem ignorant themselves in this Point: for they affirm their Extraction to be fromGuyana, where theCalibitesspeak the same Language, and also observe the same Customs and Religion: The occasion of their removal they ascribe to the King of theArovages, who made all the adjacent People about his Court, Slaves to him; which to prevent, they first went toTabago, where being strengthned by new Comers, they resolv’d to take revenge on him; and Engaging with him in a Field-Battel, utterly defeated him, and spar’d none of his Party alive, except the Women; whence it proceeds, that theArovageWomen have the same Customs and Language with theCaribbeans. ButBristock, anEnglishKnight, by long Conversation experienc’d in the severalAmericanTongues, saith, That theCaribbeeanshave their Original from theApalachitesinFlorida, who being a valiant People, destroy’d many of the Natives that inhabitedMexico, that so they might Settle themselves there; to which purpose they built a City like that ofApalache. TheCofachitesinhabiting Northerly, and spread over a barren and Rocky Countrey, made use of this opportunity to conquer their deserted Habitation: for on a set-time they set fire to all the Villages, and spoyl’d all things which they could not carry away with them, that not the least hopes of returning might be left them; therefore they must either Conquer or Die: which resolv’dupon, they fell unawares on theApalachites, whose King had nevertheless so much time, that he Guarded the usual Paths which directed to the inhabited Villages: But theApalachitesleaving the common Roads, climb’d over almost inaccessible Mountains, and so got into the heart of the Countrey, which exceedingly amaz’dParacousis(for so that King was call’d) who lay Encamp’d at the Foot of a Mountain, whether the Van of theApalachiteswere marching: whereupon he sending his Army to meet them, they began a most fierce Combat; when at last both Parties wanting Arrows, they fell upon one another with Clubs till the Night parted them; and neither could boast of the Victory. At last this War was turn’d into Peace, and the Articles of Agreement were these,viz.
That theCofachitesshould for ever possess the ProvinceAmana,and become one People with theApalachites,and acknowledge the King ofApalachefor their Chief Governor.
They fall off.
Are brought to worship the Sun.
After which theCofachiteswere call’dCaribbeeans, which signifiesAccidental Subjects: But these two sorts of People did not long agree; for theCaribbeeanssleighted the Customs of theApalachitesin the CountreyBemarin, and at the same time threw off their Obedience to the King, chose oneRagazinfor their Governor, subdu’d the neighboring ProvinceMatika, and at last defi’d theApalachites; who inferior to them in Strength, and making use of subtilty, suppos’d it the best way to make a Difference amongst theCaribbeeansthemselves; to which the Priests freely proffer’d their Assistance, and their Design prov’d also successful; for theCaribbeeansregarding no Religion (onely dreading the angry DeityMabouya) theApalachitePriests call’dJaova’s, took great pains to perswade their Neighbors to the worshipping of the Sun; which so prevail’d, that a considerable number of them ascending the MountainOlaimi, fell down and shew’d Reverence to that celestial Luminary; which OpportunityParacousistaking notice of, caus’d theJaova’s to publish amongst theCaribbeeans, That in the beginning of theMaairims, orMarch, a great Feast should be held in Reverence to the Sun on the usual place, where the King would Entertain, and give Presents to all the Worshippers thereof.
The Sun generally worshipp’d by the antientHeathens.
How great a Religion this Sun-worship was antiently amongst theGentiles, appears from the Writings of several authentick Authors.
TheSyrians, whose Idolatry theIsraeliteslearn’d, honor the Sun by the Name ofBabal, which signifiesLord.
ThePhenicianscall’d the SunBeel-samen, Lord of the Heavens; and the Citizens ofAccaron,Baal-zebahim,Lord of the Offerings; but God chang’d the Name toBaal-zebub, orThe God of Flyes.
Moloch, orMilcomalso signifi’d the Sun amongst theAmmonites; in honor of which Children were carried by their Parents, and set between two great Fires, or else by the Priests, upon pretence of cleansing them; and sometimes parch’d to death in an Image ofMoloch, which had seven Cavities heated like Ovens.
Macrobiustells us, That theAssyriansascrib’d the supream Command to the Sun, under the Name ofAdad, and to the GoddessAdargatis, representing the Image ofAdadwith Beams darting downwards, andAdargatiswith those that shot upwards: by the first they express’d, that the celestial Power consisted in Sun-beams, which shooting downwards warm the Earth; and by the second, that all things by those Beams were cherish’d and enliven’d.
The most magnificent Temple whichSyria Apamenaboasted, was Consecrated to the Sun.
TheArabiansOffer’d Myrrhe on the tops of their Houses at the Rising of the Sun; who also was theChamosandBaal-Peorof theMoabitesandMedians.
Near theRed-Sea, lay the CityBaisamsa, which signifiesThe House of the Sun, famous for the many Feasts which were kept there in honor of this Planet.
ThePersiansaccounted this Luminary for the greatest God, and Consecrated to him three several Feasts, looking upon him as the Author of Wisdom, Goodness, and Power, and is express’d by three several Operations,viz.Warmth, Light, and Distinction of Time.
TheEgyptianshonor’d the Name ofOsiris, whom some will have to be the same withMisraim, orChamszoon, the first Founder of theEgyptianMonarchy.
InEgyptalso was famous amongst many other Cities that ofHeliopolis, which signifi’dThe City of the Sun; where the OxMnevisorMenapisbeing Consecrated to the Sun, was religiously worshipp’d. This Image is describ’d byMacrobius.
TheMoorsmade likewise great Offerings to theirAssabin, for so they call’d the Sun; and allow’d their Priests onely the priviledge to gather Cinamon, and that with thisProviso, That they should first Offer forty four Oxen, besides Goats and Rams, toAssabin, nor should fetch the least Stick of Cinamon either immediately before or after Sun-set: The Cinamon brought altogether, was to be divided by the Chief Priest, and the rest having each their Portion assign’d, that which remain’d was sold to the Merchants, to Trade with into Foreign Parts; but if the Sun chanc’d to set the Cinamon on fire, then they concluded they had not dealt justly.
TheGreeks, according toProclus, hung a long Pole full of Laurel and Flowers on every seventh day of the Moneth; on the top thereof was a great Copper Ball, from which hung others still lesser and lesser; about the middle of the Pole hung three hundred and sixty five Garlands; and the bottom thereof was cover’d with a Womans Garment of a yellow colour: The uppermost Ball represented the Sun, the lesser the Stars, and the Garlands the Days of the Year; in which manner they worshipp’d the Sun.
Why Divine Worship so generally given to the Sun.
The same Luminary theMassagetesand oldGermansador’d in antient times; and to this day the People in the utmost North,Japanners,Chineses,Tartars, and theEastandWest-Indians, pay their chief Devotions to the Sun; the reason of which may easily be made out: for it is the common Opinion of all Men, asAristotle,Simplicius,Themistius, and other Heathens witness, to place the Omnipotent Godhead in the uppermost Orb, which surrounds the Earth; wherefore those that Pray, lift up their Hands to Heaven: but because the rest of the Heavens appear not so resplendent as the Sun, therefore they take the Sun for the onely chief God, whether for its exceeding lustre and glory, or for its being a hundred and sixty times bigger than the Earth; or for its swift Course, in running ten hundred thousand Leagues in so short a time, or for its nourishing and genial Warmth, which gives Life to all things, or for its necessary Light, by which all worldly Affairs are manag’d, or for its measuring the Days by its moving from East to West, and the Seasons of the Year, by a Course from the South to the North; for all these excellent qualities being well consider’d by the most LearnedHeathens, or observ’d by those of lesser Judgment, have made them shew that Honor to a visible Creature, which is onely due to the invisible Creator.
These and such like Arguments induc’d theCaribbeeansto go toBemarin, where the Feast of the Sun was to be kept.
TheApalachitesandCaribbeansmake an Offering to the Sun on the MountainOlaimi.
Part of theCaribbeansrevolt from theApalachites.
They people theCaribeesand grow powerful.
TheApalachiteKing also Entertain’d the neighboring People exceeding courteously in the chief CityMelilot; from whence he was carried in a Chair on the Shoulders of four Men, with sound of Pipes and Drums, and an innumerable company of People, to the top of the MountainOlaimi, where he made a stately Offering to the Sun, and afterwards Feasting and Caressing theCaribbeeanswith Gifts, he sent them home all well contented and satisfi’d with their Entertainment. This Customwas yearly observ’d, when at last they began to neglect their Duty, whereforeToltlabinresolv’d to proclaim War against theCaribbeeans, if they did not continue paying their Devotions to the Sun: which Injunction was differently receiv’d; some judg’d it to be inconsistent with their purchas’d Freedom, to receive Laws for Religion from a neighboring King, alledging, That if any Reverence was due to the Sun, it might as well be given on the Mountains ofAmanaas withinToltlabin’s Realm: others, who lov’d Peace, and had a zeal to theOlaimiReligion, would not be against the Proposals, which occasion’d a Contention amongst themselves, and every one apply’d himself to those that were of his Opinion; nevertheless those that stood upon their Freedom, were of the greatest Party; wherefore the Worshippers of the Sun clos’d with theApalachites, who going out with their Forces, routed the other Party, and receiv’d thoseCaribbeeansthat joyn’d with them in Religion into Co-partnership also in the Government, so that they united into one People: But those that were routed rally’d again, and not without thousands of Inconveniences made towards the Sea, where Embarquing, they Landed first on the IsleAjay, now call’dSancta Crux, and in process of time grew very populous; for from thence by degrees have been peopled all the little Isles which lie beforeAmerica, and grew so considerable, that they were sought to by theCalabites, to side with them against theArovaces,Yaos,Sappayos, and other People their Enemies on the Main Continent, where they have taken many large Countreys, extending as far asBrasile, where they are greatly respected and fear’d for their Valor and Policy in warlike Affairs.
But because the memory of antique Passages hath no firm foundation in Books, having been onely taken by Tradition from time to time amongst theCaribbeeans, therefore we cannot give you an exact Account of their Removal fromFlorida; yet it remains without contradiction, that it hapned above five Ages before theSpaniardsArrival, which time at least was requir’d to the peopling of so many great Islands and Kingdoms.
Original of theApalachites.
Concerning the Original of theApalachites, they themselves affirm, that they cannot certainly determine the time when they first Setled here: however, they report that they have peopled the ProvincesBemarin,Amana, andMatika, many Ages ago. That they are Extracted from theTartars, appears not obscurely, by their Customs, Idolatry, and Language. Amongst other things, they have learn’d from theTartarsreligiously to remember those Kings which perform’d any grand Exploits in the Service of their Countrey. Amongst others, theApalachitesmake mention in theirAreitos, or Songs, of a King call’dMaydo, eminent for his noble Atchievements, and prudent Governing of his People.
Their opinions in Religion.
They believe that the Sun many Ages since was Darken’d or Ecclips’d twenty four Hours together, during which time the Waters over-flow’d the highest Mountains, except that ofOlaimi, where there stood a stately Temple, built in honor of the Sun; in which all those that fled thither were preserv’d, and dispers’d afterwards into several parts to re-people the World as soon as the Waters were abated, and the Sun appear’d in his full lustre again: whereupon they imagine, that to this day their BirdTonatzuli, at the Rising of the Sun congratulates his appearance with great joy, and at his Setting, requests his speedy return from under the Horizon.
The BirdTonatzuli.
TheTonatzuliis a Bird like a Bull-Finch, onely its Belly and Wings are of a Golden colour, the Back and Tail blue, its Head adorn’d with divers colour’d Feathers, its Claws and Bill like Ivory, and it Sings like a Nightingale.
Description of the MountainOlaimi.
As forOlaimi, it is a perfect round Mountain; the Way which leads to the topthereof runs winding two Leagues long, and is planted on each side with Cedar, Pine-Trees,Cassine, andSassafrass, the top of which is a fair Plain a League in circumference; Eastward from it is a Cavern, to which Nature hath afforded more Convenience and Ornament than could be given to the same by Art and Charges: The first Beams of the Rising Sun dart into the Cavern, which being oval, appears like a white Vault, which on the top hath a great Hole for the Air to go in at: The bottom is like the purest Marble; on the Floor stands a Stone Cistern to receive the Moisture which drops out of the Rocks. Whilest the People Danc’d on the fore-mention’d Plain, Feasted and Sung, the Priests Offer’d Myrrhe, and all manner of Perfumes.
The Clothes which the Rich gave to the Sun, were distributed amongst the Poor, according to a List which was taken of them.
The occasion of theApalachitesembracingChristianity.
But in process of time theApalachiteshave most of them embrac’d theChristianReligion; the first occasion thereof was this: WhenJohn Ribauldhad brought aFrenchColony toFlorida, and gain’d a Fort, (which from KingCharlesthe Ninth he nam’dCharles-Fort) theSpanishCommanderPeter Melendezfell unawares upon him, and so far impower’d his Men, who had of themselves a natural hatred against theFrench, that they spar’d neither Man, Woman, nor Child; onely ten Men escaping the bloody Banquet, fled to theFloridanKingZaturiona, where they were kindly receiv’d, and hearing of the Civility and Power of the King ofApalachedesir’d that they might go thither; whichZaturionanot onely granted, but also furnish’d the sevenFrench-men (for the other three were dead) with good Guides, who visitedZaturiona’s Relations, living in several Villages along the pleasant StreamSelay, over which they pass’d on large Boughs artificially joyn’d together, and travell’d through Woods, Marshes, and Mountains full of ravenous Beasts, and sometimes Engag’d with the straglingFloridanswhich lurk’d in the most desolate Wildernesses: having travell’d two days Journey, by an Ambuscade of KingTimago’s People, they lost two of their Guides, the rest being dangerously wounded, and through many Difficulties came at last toAvoeka, and from thence to the King ofApalache’s Court, who receiv’d them all with great kindness: Whereupon they resolv’d, being induc’d thereto by their courteous Reception, fruitfulness of the Soil, and good Customs of the Inhabitants, to Settle themselves, all but two of them, who return’d with the Guides toZaturiona: the rest that stay’d there, endeavor’d by promulgating theChristianReligion, to reduce thePagansto the belief thereof; which many embrac’d, and also learn’d theFrenchTongue, notwithstanding their PriestsJaova’s oppos’d the same. After the death of theFrench(which theApalachitesmuch bemoan’d) their Idolatry had like to have gotten the upper hand again, had not someEnglishFamilies, fleeing fromVirginiafrom the Cruelties of theIndians, and not able to reachNew England, Landed atFlorida, with intention at first onely to get fresh Provisions, but Rowing up the RiverSelay, and taken with the pleasantness, they chose the ProvinceBemarinfor their Habitation, where accordingly they SetledAnno 1621.Amongst them were several Learned Men, which so effectually perswaded theHeathensto embrace theChristianFaith, that in twenty eight years time the King and most of his Nobles were Converted and Baptiz’d by them in the chief CityMelilot.
But since our Design is onely to give you an exact Account of those People which inhabit the Islands lying beforeAmerica, it is sufficient that we have shew’d you how they are Extracted from theCosachitesand theApalachites.
As to the Customs of theCaribbeeans, since they are very much alter’d by their long Conversation with theEuropeans, we cannot better inform our selves of theirantient Customs, than from those which to this day are observ’d onSt. Vincent, and some parts of the Main Continent, where theCaribbeeanshave learn’d nothing from any Strangers.
Description of theCaribbeeans.
TheCaribbeeansare a well proportion’d People with broad Shoulders and Hips, round Faces, without Beards, wide Mouthes, white Teeth, little Eyes like theTartars, Feet so hard, that they are almost Dart-proof, flat Noses, so made by squeezing them down in their Infancy, and long black Hair. There are few or no deformed People amongst them; all of them go stark naked, and paint their Bodies Red with a Plant call’dRocou, and Oyl; about their Eyes they draw a black Circle with the Juice of the AppleJunipa. This their Painting serves them both as an Ornament, and to make them strong. Others anoint their Bodies all over with a glewy Stuff, on which they stick all sorts of Feathers. Others use Gum and Flowers. Moreover, they adorn their Head with Plumes, their Ears with Fish-bones, or Scales of theCaret, or pieces of Crystal, which they also hang in their Lips and Noses. The Men wear Armlets near their Shoulders, and the Women about their Wrists; about their Legs they tie for Garters Strings of Seeds: others take a pride in wearing the Bones of their slain Enemies, and the Teeth of theAgouty, Tygers, wild Cats, or Cockle shells. When they appear in greatest lustre, then they wear Armlets under their Arm-pits, and also Scarfs of Feathers, which either hang over their Shoulders, or are girt about their Middle, so that one end thereof touches their Thighs. They set an exceeding value on certain pieces of Copper call’dCaracolis, the least of which they hang in their Ears, and the biggest before their Breasts: and because they are fetch’d out of the Province of theArovagestheir Enemies, they are esteem’d as Marks of true Valor, and he is highly esteem’d that wears them.