Bounds and Description ofMechoacan.
The next Province ofNew Spainis the Bishoprick ofMechoacan, which hath on the North-East,Panuco; on the East,Mexicana, properly so call’d; on the South part,Tlascalla; on the West, the Main Ocean, orMare del Zur; and last of all, more directly Northward,Xalisco, which is a Province ofNew Gallicia: The Name signifieth in theAmericanLanguage, as much asA Fish Countrey; and so it is, having many fair Lakes and Rivers in it, abundantly well stor’d with Fish. The Countrey so exceedingly pleasant and healthful, that ’tis usual for sick Persons of other Provinces to come hither to recover their health, only by the benefit of a good Air. The Soil so abundantly fertile of all sorts of Grain, that of four measures of Seed, it hath been often observ’d, they have reap’d the next Harvest, more than so many hundred measures of the same Grain. Very well Wooded; and by reason of its many Rivers and fresh Springs, equally rich in good Pasture:and besides great plenty of Medicinal Herbs and Plants, it affordeth good store of Amber nigh the Sea Coasts, Mulberry-trees, and consequently Silks; much Honey, Wax, and divers other Commodities, both for necessity and pleasure. The People of the Countrey are generally tall, of a strong active Body, and a good Wit, especially in comparison of other Natives; not unskilful in divers curious Manufactures, the most excellent Feather-Pictures, afore-mention’d, being said to be found in this Province. They seem more generally inclin’d to the Humors and Customs of theSpaniards, than any otherAmericans; and receiv’d the Preaching ofChristian Religion, when time was, with much willingness; so that the Countrey is now entirelyChristian, and divided into several Parishes.
Languages belonging to theMechoacans.
The Languages which are spoken inMechoacanare several, as theOtomian,Chihcimian, and theMexicans, which is common through allNew Spain, and theTarascan, a neat and brief Language, which properly belongs to this Countrey.
Tygers.
The Lions and Wilde Dogs of this Countrey devour great numbers of Cattel yearly, yet the greatest mischiefs happen from the Tygers, which often fetch People out of their Houses, notwithstanding the Doors are lock’d, for they break in thorow the Walls and Roofs, with much eagerness and strength: Of the greatness whereof,Jacob Bontiustells us this story, That the GovernorPeter Carpentierset a Trap without the Walls ofBatavia, of great Timber, Pleited with Iron, Baiting it with a Goat; which taking effect, the Tyger that was caught therein, impatient of such close Imprisonment, rent the Timber, and getting out, left the Goat untouch’d.
Hugo Linschotrelates, That the Tygers in theWest-Indieshurt noSpaniards, exercising their cruelty onely onIndians; and that finding aBlackand aWhiteMan sleeping together, they devour theBlackand not theWhite: How far these assertions deserve to be credited, may appear by an evident contradiction of the first, for it is well known, manySpaniardsin theWest-Indieshave been eaten by the Tygers.
GeneralFedremanmarching in this Countrey at the Head of his Army, was assaulted by a Tyger, which in despight of them all killing aSpaniard, and threeIndians, escap’d from them; no Trees serve for a refuge against their fury, for they climb up to the top thereof, and fetch down their Prey; their Claws are so exceeding Venomous, that whoever is scratch’d with the same, is never to be cur’d; there is no Beast but they will venture upon, wherefore they lie in the Bushes, from whence they rush out upon them; but this disadvantage they have, that most other Beasts are too nimble Footed for them, for they are a very heavy Creature, whatever hath been deliver’d by the Ancients concerning the Tygers swiftness.
As to the difference which they make in Humane Flesh, it is thus far true: That they find more sweetness in Womens Breasts than other parts, and chose aBlackMan before aWhite: Concerning the first,Francegives a sufficient testimony, when two Tygers, in the time of KingLewisthe Twelfth, breaking loose, left a great number of Women lying Breastless in the Road. The second is confirm’d byJohn Johnston’s Relation of a strange accident that happen’d inBengale,viz.AMoordreaming that a Tyger fetch’d him out of the Ship, hid himself the next Night between Decks, of which the Master asking the reason, was inform’d concerning his Dream, which prov’d prophetick, for about Mid-night a Tyger leapt into the Ship, and devouring theMoor, went away without touching any one of theHollanders, of which there were thirty: But a Sea-man walking on the shore escap’d more wonderfully, for a Tyger setting upon him behind, and a Crocodile before, he leaping from betwixt them, discover’d to the Tyger the Crocodile, to whom the Tyger directly running, and ingaging with the Crocodile,spar’d the Sea-mans life: Notwithstanding the cruelty and mischief of these Tygers, theIndiansare led by their sottish Superstition to worship them; because, as they say, the Devil often appears to them in that shape.
Squerrils.
Besides the Tygers, the Inhabitants ofMechaocanare exceedingly molested with Squerrils, which not only carry much Fruit into their Holes, but also under-mine the Houses, so that they often sink or fall on one side, the mischief being the worse, because they increase daily. Most of them bear four young at a time, which on the third day run about for Prey, and can scarce be taken, because of their exceeding swiftness, leaping a great distance from one Tree to another; their Tails serve them on divers occasions; for leaping they use it like a Wing, and at their crossing over a River, for a Sail; in tempestuous Weather, they stop their holes therewith, to keep out the Wind.
Several kinds of them.
There are six several sorts of these Squerrils; the first call’dTlilic, cover themselves with their Tails; the secondQuapatchli, is as big again, and can never be made tame; the thirdTechallotl, with a bald Tail and great Eyes; the fourthTalmototly, hath a thick Head, and a Tail full of black and white streaks; the fifthQuimitchpatlan, hath a little Head and long Legs, and leaping from one Tree to another, seems to flie; the last sort call’dYztactechalotl, is whitish.
Foxes.
The Foxes do also great mischief here, their Urine smells so horribly, that forty days after, none are able to abide near the place where they have urin’d, and on whatsoever Stuff or Cloth a drop thereof chanceth to light, the stink can never be wash’d away.
The BirdAuras.
Here breeds also a sort of Birds, call’dAuras, which are not unlike Moore-Hens; they flie exceeding high in the Air, feed on nought but stinking Carrion, which they scent at a great distance; they have a hairy Head and Neck, and ugly Face: Some of the Fowls of this Countrey stay here all the year long, others go away, and return at certain times.
Ingenuity of the Natives.
The Natives, since theSpaniardscoming thither, have gotten their Habits and Language, learn’d all sorts of Trades; their Tables, Chests, and Cupboards made ofBrasile-Wood, are no way inferior to the best that are made inEurope. Painting is also in great esteem amongst them: They make handsom Clothes, Shooes, and strange Copper Locks. They have a peculiar Art in Tilling their Ground: They teach theSpanishDogs several tricks, but not feeding them well, they cause them to run from them, and turn wilde, whence they are call’dCimarrones, because they do much hurt to the Cattel.
The Inhabitants, when a Feaver or Ague is upon them at the highest, leap into cold Water: against other Sicknesses they use Herbs, whose soveraign Power Experience hath long since taught them.
Since theSpaniardsmadeMechoacana Bishoprick, they have built ninety four Schools, fifty Churches, several Hospitals and Cloysters, inhabited byFranciscanandAugustinMonks.
There are said to be in this Bishoprick a hundred and fifty Towns or Burroughs (besides many scatter’d Villages) most of which have Free-Schools erected in them, for the Training up of Youth in theChristianReligion, good Literature and Arts; and few of them without an Hospital for the Sick: of which Towns the principal are as followeth:
Principal Towns.
1.Zinzoutza, the Seat of the ancient Kings ofMechoacan. 2.Pascuar, a City forty seven Leagues distant fromMexico, once a Bishop’s See. 3.Valladolid, the Metropolis or chief City of the Province, since the Episcopal Chair was remov’d fromPascuarthither. It lieth upon a great Lake, equal almost for bigness to that ofMexico, and is about seven Leagues distant fromPascuar, towards the East. 4.St. Michaels, a good Town, forty Leagues Westward ofMexico, and in the Way to theZacatecas, but lying in a Road that is somewhat dangerous, being not a little infested with Salvages on both sides of it. 5.St. Philips.6.La Conception de Salaya, seventeen Leagues distant fromValladolid, and a convenient Stage for Travellers, being indeed, with the two last mention’d, built chiefly for the defence and securing of the Countrey against the Salvages. 7.Guaxanata, a Town on the Borders ofPanuco, where there are very rich Mynes of Silver. 8.Leon, another Town likewise of very rich Mynes, twenty four Leagues distant fromValladolid, and threescore fromMexico. 9.Zamorra.10.Villa de los Lagos, and others.
Towards the Sea there is 1.Acatlan, but two Miles distant from the Sea-Coast, and a small Town, yet by reason of a safe and very good Harbor which it hath for Shipping, a Place of no little Trading. 2.Natividad, another well known and convenient Haven uponMare del Zur, pertaining to this Province, and from whence they usually set Sail for thePhilippineIslands. 3.St. Jago de buena Speranza, so call’d by theSpaniards, perhaps from the abundance of good Pearls they found upon this Coast. 4.Colyma.5.Zacatula, and some others.
This Province, as we said, was at first a distinct Kingdom of it self, yet subordinate and Tributary to that ofMexico; the King whereof nam’dTamgaiva, orBimbicha, (asLaetreporteth) at the first coming of theSpaniardsthither, after the Conquest ofMexico, voluntarily submitted himself to them, and was Baptiz’d. Nevertheless afterwards, upon a pretence of I know not what Treason intended by him against them, and which theSpanishWriters themselves professedly think to have been feigned, by command ofNunnez de Gusman, President of theChanceryofMexico, he was most inhumanely burnt alive, and his Kingdom seiz’d upon by theSpaniards.
Situation and Description ofTlascalla.
The Bishoprick ofTlascalla, formerly call’dTlascalteca,Tlaxcala, andTlascalan, is a Province ofNew Spain, which extendeth it self entirely from one Sea to another,viz.from theAtlanticktoMare del Zur, with which it is bounded on the East and West Parts, lying otherwise, and for the most part betwixt the Provinces ofMexicana, last spoken of, and that ofGuaxata, which followeth, containing in length from one Sea to the other, not much less than an hundred Leagues, and in some places fourscore in breadth; but towards the South Sea growing much narrower. It is a Countrey exceedingly plentiful both in Corn and Cattel, full of rich Pasturage, and so plentifully stor’d withMaiz, Wheat, and other Grain, that it is accounted as it were the Granary ofAmerica; besides Deer, all manner of Venison, and great store of Fowl. There is likewise Copperess, Allom, Silver-Mynes,Manna,Anime, and Liquid Amber, with a sweet smelling Gum which drops out of a Tree. The Rivers feed no Fish, because they fall with exceeding force from the Mountains; onely nearTopoyanco, is a deep Lake of fresh Water, inhabited round about byIndians, enjoying the pleasure and profit of the manyCumbeba-Trees, which yieldCochinele, producing yearly above two hundred thousand Duckets worth of that Commodity. In this Lake swim black Hedge-hogs, whose Flesh is good and wholsom to eat.
The ancient State of theTlascallans.
The People of this Countrey, when theSpaniardscame first amongst them, liv’d in the form of a Common-wealth, or Free-State, refusing to be subject to the King ofMexico, with whom they had almost continual War; and upon that account, as hath been said, assistedCortesiusin the Conquest of the Kingdom, without whose help ’tis most certain he had never been able to do any thing. They enjoy therefore many special Priviledges and Immunities more than otherAmericansdo. They pay no Tribute, but onely a handful of Wheat yearly for every Person, by way of acknowledgment, otherwise living, under the Protection of theSpaniards, wholly in the Form of their ancient Government. In former times they were great Man-eaters, and not onely eat the Flesh of their Enemies, but also of one another, insomuch that Man’s-flesh hung in publick to be sold.
RiverZahuatl.
The RiverZahuatl, which rushes out of the MountainXicoleucalt, oftentimes overflows all the Countrey near it, and washes away divers Houses.ZahuatlsignifiesScabby Water, because all those, especially Children, that wash in the same, are sure to be Scabby. On its Banks theSpaniardshave built many Houses, the fashion whereof is now also imitated by theIndiansof this Province, who formerly built quite after another manner; for they made low Houses of Earth, Wood and Stone, with large and strange Chambers; some a Stones-cast one from another, others close together, had narrow crooked Streets that ran betwixt them.
TlascallansLanguage.
In this Province are two sorts of Languages spoken,viz.theMexican, and that of theOttomons, who formerly desertingMexico, chose theTlascallansfor their Protectors: They are a toilsom and painful People.
To the Northward ofTlascallaare Mountains, which all the year long, except three Moneths, are cover’d with Mist; and the Woods on the tops of them are a great shelter to Lyons, Tygers, Wolves, and wild Dogs, call’dAdives, and other wild Beasts, which do much hurt to the small Cattel. Here are also many Serpents and Adders.
The whole Province is said to contain two hundred good Towns and Burroughs, and more than one thousand Villages, all of them exceedingly populous, and suppos’d to contain in the whole above a Million and half of Natives, besidesSpaniards, who have some few Colonies in the Countrey for securing of it.
Towns and Villages.
The chief Towns of the Province are 1.Tlascallait self, which denominates the whole Countrey as the Metropolis, and where the Bishop’s See was at first, till in the Year 1550. it was remov’d toPuebla de los Angelos. It is a fair Town, and commodiously seated in the midst of a large and fertile Champain of threescore Miles in compass. It consisteth of four large and beautiful Streets or Quarters, and in the midst of them where they all meet, hath aPiazza, or Market-place, equal to that ofMexico, and able to receive twenty or thirty thousand Persons conveniently, to Buy and Sell in it; and whose Shambles seldom shew less than fifteen thousand Sheep, four thousand Oxen, and two thousand Hogs.
2.Puebla de los Angelos, orThe City of Angels, a Town built bySebastian Ramirez, a Church-man, and he that was the first President, or chief Governor ofMexico, under the Crown ofCastile. It was built in the Year 1531. almost in the Road-way fromVera CruxtoMexico, and seated in a very delicate and fertile Countrey, and of a good Air. It is a Bishop’s See, and valu’d at twenty thousandDucatsof yearly Rent, the City it self suppos’d to contain about fifteen hundred Families; where there is abundance of excellent Cloth made, and for fineness not yielding to the best ofSpain. Its chief Edifices are, the Cathedral and four stately Cloysters, belonging to theDominicans,Franciscans,Augustines, andCapuchins; as also a Free-School for five hundredIndianChildren, endow’d byRamirezwith a yearly Revenue.
3.Zempoallan, seated upon a River of the same Name.
4.Napalaca, in the ValleyOcumba, ows its original to anIndiancall’dJuan, whoat first had onely one House, and a Herd of Hogs there, till upon his invitation, all the neighboring People came from the tops of the Hills; insomuch, that in a short time, the place was Peopled by thousands of Families.
5.Guaxacingo, all hitherto great and ancient Towns of the Natives.
6.Segura de la Frontera, aSpanishTown, built byCortezpresently upon the Conquest ofMexico, for the securing of the Confines, as the Name importeth.
7.Vera Crux, a Town built byCortezand his Companions, at their first Landing, and where afterwards, by a Stratagem, and out of a resolution either to Conquer or Die in the Countrey, he caus’d all his Ships to be burnt, that his Soldiers might not so much as think of returning back from whence they came. The Town was at first built five or six Leagues up within Land; but the place being found not to be so healthful, the Inhabitants in a short time deserted it, and seated themselves upon a Bay of the Sea, right over againstSt. John D’ Ullua.
8.Medellin, anotherSpanishTown, built likewise byCortez, in memory of his own Birth-place, which wasMedellin, a small Town ofEstramadura, a Province ofSpain, but was afterwards destroy’d by someSpanishCommanders, out of malice toCortez.
Lastly,St. John D’ Ullua, a noted, and the most usual Port to all this Province, and likewise to the City ofMexicoit self, from the North Sea: but of difficult entrance, especially to such as are not well acquainted with the Passage, or want Guides, by reason of certain Rocks and Quicksands, wherewith the Mouth of the Haven is said to be bar’d; but within, the station is more safe. It hath likewise two strong Bulwarks or Forts rais’d, on either side of the Entrance one, to defend the Passage; besides a strong Castle, built since CaptainJohn Hawkinssurpris’d twelve Ships richly Laden within the Haven, and thirteen others that arriv’d with a new Vice-Roy fromSpain, valu’d at near sixty Tun of Gold, of which he might easily have made Prize, had he not trusted to the Vice-Roys Promise, to give him all satisfaction he should require, by which being deceiv’d, he lost all his Fleet but two Ships.
Great increase of Crocodiles.
BetweenTlascalaandLos Angelosare the Fountains, out of which the River hath its Original, which gliding byMachaocanandZacatula, falls into the South Sea: This River is so exceeding full of Crocodiles, that they have made several places which formerly were Inhabited on its Banks, utterly desolate; for the Females laying generally Eggs as big as those of a Goose, increase prodigiously; and were it not that theIndianMice, call’dIchneumones, destroy’d them, they would grow still to greater numbers: But this Animal creeping in at the Crocodiles Mouth, eats his way out of the Belly again; Water-Serpents, Hawks,Buffeloes, and especially Tygers, are also their mortal Enemies, for they throwing the Crocodiles on their Backs, rend open their Bellies: They are more desirous of Mans flesh here than in any other place, because the River ofTlascalahath but small store of Fish; in the day time they lie cover’d in the Mud, from whence they rush forth, and set upon those that happen to pass by them; they pursue theCanoosin the Water, and strike down the Rowers with their Tails.
Burning MountainPopatepeck.
Eight Leagues beyondTlascala, appears the MountainPopatepeck, which for ten years ceas’d smoaking, tillAnno 1540.it broke forth in such a manner, that the Countrey all about was terrifi’d therewith; for it vomited not onely a black Smoak, but also horrible Flames, which sometimes being blow’d downward, burnt the Corn in the Fields, and the Ashes thereof flying as far asGuaxocingoandChulula, burnt a great deal of the Town to the Ground; every one endeavor’d by flight to secure themselves, with intention never to return thither again; but theFlame and Smoak abating, CaptainDiego de Ordaswent up to view the place, whence the Fire was cast forth; which curiosity and presumption of his, had like to have cost him his Life, for the sulphury Smoak breaking forth on a sudden, had almost stifled him.
Rivers ofMexicana.
Moreover, the Bishoprick ofTlascala, is on the North Coast wash’d by the RiverPapoloava, since call’dAlvarado, from aSpanishCommander, who first Steer’d his Course thither: The next Stream nam’dBanderas, is so call’d, because the Natives held white Clothes on Poles, to invite theSpaniardsashore. The third isAlmeria, on which,Cortesius, a year after the taking ofMexico, built the TownMedellin, as aforemention’d.
Along theTlascallanshore, wash’d by the Northern Ocean, lie the IslesBlanca,Verde, andSacrificios: The first receiv’d its denomination fromWhite Land, the other fromGreen Trees; and the third, becauseJoan de Greyalve, who first Discover’dNew Spain, Landing on this Island, found a Bloody Altar there, with Sacrific’d People with open’d Brests, chopt off Arms and Legs.
The RiverAlmeriafalling into the Ocean opposite to theSacrificios, theSpanishShips came often to an Anchor there; but in these latter times, they have forsaken the same, because the Northern Winds us’d to blow very hard against the shore, and spoil’d many Vessels: ButHenry Hawksgives this reason, That a dreadful apparition of Spirits frighted theSpaniardsfrom thence.
The ProvinceTepeaca.
In the BishoprickTlascala, is also compriz’d the ProvinceTepeaca, whose Metropolis was built byCortez, when with great Loss he was sent fromAlmeria. The Soil thereabouts is barren and stony; the Water which they have in the City, is brought in Pipes from a River which flows out of the Mountains into the Market place. The plain Countrey hath many good Pastures. The Inhabitants thereof speak four sorts of Languages; of which, the commonest is theMexican; others use thePopolucanorOtomanTongues.
Alyoxuan.
The VillageAlyoxucanappears afar off on a high Mountain, on whose top is a Lake of a hundred and fifty Fathom in circumference; the Water whereof is very cold, and of a bluish Colour, and neither Ebbs nor Flows, to which the Villagers climb along a narrow Path.
Not far from thence, in the Plain, are two other very deep Lakes: The first call’dTlacae, is a League in circumference, and breeds delicate white Fish, not above a Fingers length: The second nam’dAlchichican, about the same bigness, which in stormy Weather is very turbulent.
Strange sort of Bird.
Amongst the Fowls of this Countrey, the most noted is a little Summer Bird, with a long crooked Tail, speckled Feathers; feeds on nothing but Flowers and the Dew; about Harvest time, when the Rain ceases, it hangs fast with its Bill on a Tree, and as soon as the first Rain falls, it revives again.
In this CountreyTepeacaare five Villages, in each of which is aFranciscanCloyster and convenient Hospital.
In this Countrey they gather the Water in the time of the Rainy Moneths, in a digg’d Pool, which every Morning produces little Toads with long Tails, which in few days fall off; but these little ones growing to be great, make a most dreadful noise in the Night: FromOctobertillMarch, not one drop of Rain falls in this Countrey; during which time, the Northern Winds make a dry and wholsome Air, yet oftentimes a tempestuous Sea, to the loss of many Ships.
Farther up into the Countrey, betweenVera CruxandLos Angelos, lies the VillageRinconanda; and alsoXalapaandPerotabuilt of Straw Houses in the middle of a Wood of Cedar and Pine-Trees, inhabited by theSpaniards, for the accommodatingof Travellers: To which purpose there are likewise Inns built near the SpringFuente de Otzumba, which gushes out of a high Rock.
Not far from hence is the Populous VillageChetula, where a small number ofSpaniardsdwell amongst thousands ofIndians, who chiefly make use of Mules to carry their Loads.
Situation and Description ofGuaxata.
BetweenLos AngelosandGuatemala, lies the Bishoprick ofAntiqueraorGuaxatalargely taken; it hath on the North, the Bay ofMexico; on the South,Mare del Zur; on the East,JucatanandChiapawhich is one of the Provinces ofGuatimala; on the West,Tlascalla.
Division.
The Countrey extendeth it self upon the South Sea about an hundred Leagues in length, but from the Sea to the Borders ofTlascalla, one hundred and twenty; Eastward not above half so much; having a good Air, and a Soil no less fruitful, especially in Mulberry-Trees, and abundance of Silks, which the Countrey affordeth, more than any other Province ofAmericabesides; nor is it less rich in Mines of Gold and Silver, there being scarce a River in the whole Countrey, but the Sands of it are said to be Tinctur’d more or less with that yellow Metal; also Crystal and Copperess. It yieldeth likewise great plenty ofCassiaandCochinele, two rich Commodities; and the People generally, if they would take pains, might be the wealthiest, ’tis thought, of any other inAmerica: But whether it be through any voluntary contempt of Riches, or through any natural sloathfulness, as yet they seem to Pine in the midst of plenty, living, for the most part of them, little better than from Hand to Mouth; nevertheless, exceeding liberal of what they have, especially to such as bear the Habit of Religion, and attend the service of their Souls; maintaining in a plentiful and good manner, as ’tis said, no less than one hundred and twenty Convents of Religious Men, of several Orders, in this onely Province; besides Hospitals, Schools for the training up of Youth, and other places of publick Charity; it is said also to have three hundred and fifty Villages, and near as many brave Countrey Houses. It is subdivided into many particular Provinces; which, because they are many and but small, in comparison of some other, we may callWapentakes, or Hundreds, rather than Provinces: The principal whereof are these that follow,viz.1.Misteca.2.Tutepecque.3.Zapoteca.4.Guazacoalco.5.Gueztaxatla: and 6. theValley of Guaxata, from whenceCortez, after the Conquest ofMexico, had his Title given him by the Emperor,Marquess of the Valley. It is the richest and most pleasant part of the whole Province, extended in a continu’d Tract together, full sixteen Leagues or more, lying about fourscore Southward ofMexico, and wanting neither Mines of Gold and Silver, nor any other of the prime and best Commodities of theNew-World.
Languages.
In this Countrey they speak thirteen sorts of Languages, of which theMexicanis most us’d.
Poisonous Herb.
Amongst the Plants which grow here, is an exceeding Poysonous Herb, which kills those whosoe’re pluck it, though a long time after, that is to say, if it be of a Years growth, it kills not before the Years end; if a Moneth old, at the Moneths end; if a Day, on the same.
This Countrey formerly suffer’d also many inconveniencies by Earthquakes, but of late they are somewhat abated, which theSpaniardsascribe toMartialis, Protector of the Cathedral atAntequera.
Mistecais divided intoAltaandBaxa, both of which have Rivers and Brooks that afford Gold, whither theIndianWomen taking Provisions, go for several days, and gather Gold in Troughs, which they exchange at theSpanishMarkets for Provisions.
Strange Cave.
Not far from the VillageCuertlavaca, lies a high Mountain, remarkable for a strange Cave, whose Entrance is very narrow, at the end whereof appears a square Place of fifty Foot; upon one side whereof stand Pits with Steps; near which begins a crooked Way of a League long; at the end of which is a spacious Place with a Fountain of good Water; from the Foot of which flows a small Brook: But because none have made any farther discovery of this Cave, the other parts of it remain yet unknown.
On the top ofSt. Antonio, theIndianslive with their Families in Caves between the Rocks.
Not far from hence appear two Mountains, whose tops, though they lie at a great distance from one another, at the bottom they are so near, that a Man may step from one to the other.
The six RocksPennoles, formerly Garrison’d by the Kings ofMexico, have Gold, Lead-Mynes, and a Root which is us’d in stead of Soap.
In the VillageTotomachiapo, is a Cave of half a Mile long, at the end whereof the Water prevents a farther discovery.
The Rocky CountreyZapotecasformerly bred very salvage Inhabitants, Mantled in Furrs, but now Civiliz’d, clad after the common manner.
Americans, whether Extracted from the ten Tribes ofIsrael.
The People spread overGuaxacualco,Yluta, andCueztxatla, observe Circumcision, according to an ancient Custom; from whence some have in vain sought for a testimony, that theseAmericansshould be originally extracted from the scatter’d Tribes ofIsrael; but theTartarsmore immediately, who at last crossing theStraitsofAnian, furnish’d the desolate Countrey ofAmericawith Inhabitants: But this Opinion is without any probability of truth; for it will never follow from their Circumcision, that theTartars, the greatest People on Earth, must owe their original to a fewIsraelites, Prisoners, since that Ceremony was never thought on by them till they embrac’d theMahumetanReligion. And though they had been Circumcis’d beforeMahomet’s time, this would be no testimony that they were extracted from theIsraelites: for how many People embrac’d Circumcision, which were never extracted fromAbraham’s Seed? It is affirm’d byDiodorus Siculus, that theCholchians; byPhilo Judæus, theEgyptians; byHerodotus, theMoors; byStrabo, theTroglodytes; byCyprian, thePhœniciansandArabiansCircumcis’d themselves from all Antiquity, which is to this day observ’d by some of them. It also plainly appears by the ProphetJeremiah, that theEgyptians,Edomites,Ammonites,Moabites, andIshmaelites, had the same Custom anciently amongst them.
Towns and chief Villages ofGuaxaca.
The Towns of principal note inhabited by theSpaniardsin this Province, are 1.Antequera, in the Valley aforesaid, a stately City, and beautifi’d with a fair Cathedral Church, built with Pillars of the finest Marble, of great heighth and bigness. The River which glides by the Walls, springing out of the Ground, runs to the MountainCoatlan. Not far from thence lies the VillageHerrera, which boasts four hundredSpanishFamilies, though some say that the greatest part of them areIndians, who pay theSpaniardsCotton Cloaks and Nuts for Tribute.
2.Illephonso de los Zapotecas, lies on a Mountain belonging to theMixes, anciently a salvage, strong, and long-bearded People, who speak a gross Language, and in former times went naked, onely a white Deer-skin, Tann’d in Man’s Brains, about their Middle. They maintain’d continual War against theZapoteca’s, and couldnever have been subdu’d by theSpaniards, had it not been for their Dogs, which kept them in such awe, that thirtySpanishSoldiers ventur’d to live inIllephonsoamongst thirty thousandMixes, who now drive a Trade in Cotton,Maize, and Gold.
3.San Jago de Nexapaappears at a great distance on a high Mountain, where also twenty Soldiers with their Dogs were wont to awe the cruel Natives.
4. The last Place, built byGonzales de Sandovall,Anno 1522.isVilla del Espiritu Santo, Commands fiftyIndianVillages, which with great difficulty were brought to submit to theSpaniards.
The RiverAquivicolcoaffords a convenient Harbor, the Mouth thereof being a hundred and ninety Paces broad.
Upon the Southern Ocean is the HavenGuatulco, where the Ships that Sail toHondurasandPerutake in their Lading. The Custom-house belonging to this Place was first plunder’d by SirFrancis Drake, and nine years after burnt byCandish.
The RiverOmetipu, which springing out of the MountainCacatepec, falls intoTepoanteque, abounds with divers sorts of good Fish, especially Cra-Fish. There are also reckon’d of the Natives of this Province, no less than fifteen thousand Persons that pay Tribute to theSpaniards, besides Women and Children, and also a great number ofSpaniards.
Bounds and Description ofPanuco.
Panucois the most Northerly Province ofNew Spain, by some call’dGuasteca, bounded on the East with the Gulf ofMexico; on the West withUxitipa, a Countrey ofNew Gallicia; on the North with some undiscover’d Countreys ofFlorida, from which it is divided by theRiver of Palms; on the South withMechoacanandMexicana. It is call’dPanuco, from a River of that Name, which turning from the MountainsTepecsuaninNew Gallicia, and dividingNew Biscayfrom the Province ofZacatecas, passeth through the midst of this Countrey also, and at last empties it self into the Gulf.
This Countrey is reckon’d to be about fifty Leagues in length, and not much less in breadth; of a fruitful Soil, having some Mynes of Gold in it, and once very populous till theSpaniards, about the Year 1522. dispeopled it by their insatiable cruelty.
Conquest of it difficult.
BeforeFerdinand Cortesius,Francis de Garayattempted to Conquer this Province, but after much pains to no purpose, he return’d with but a small remnant of those he carried with him; and thoughCortesiussubdu’d the CountreysAyotetextetlatanandChila, yet it was not without many considerable Losses; for the Inhabitants being valiant and cruel, not fearing theSpanishBullets, ran in amongst them, and made great slaughter, and (according to an old Custom inNew Spain) drank their Blood.
Barbarous Customs of the People.
These People, on their Festival Days call’dRaeaxipo Veliztli, which signifiesA Flaying of Slaves, us’d to pull off the Skins of a certain number of Slaves, with which they walkt about begging Alms from Hut to Hut, and whosoever deny’d them, was sure of a Blow in the Face with the bloody Skin; of which so long as there was but one Lappet remaining, they went a Begging; and whatsoever they got, was employ’d in Uses and Necessaries belonging to their Idolatry. On the foremention’d Days they also us’d other barbarous Customs, amongst which this wasone: The Priest challenging the Slave which was to be Offer’d, to Fight for his Life, he had one of his Feet ty’d to a great round Stone, and having a Sword to offend, and a Shield to defend himself, Encountred with the Priest, who was Arm’d after the same manner, whom if he conquer’d, he not onely preferv’d his Life, but gain’d the Name of a valiant Man.
Strange usage of Prisoners.
They also dealt strangely with Persons that were yearly to be Offer’d to their Idols: for after having wash’d them, they put on them the Clothes of the Idol, and gave them the same Name, every one honouring them as a God; were permitted to walk up and down, but guarded by twelve Men, that they might not escape; for then the chiefest of the Guard was to supply the others place: Moreover, they resided in the chiefest Apartments of the Temple, eat of the best, were serv’d like Princes, and attended through the Towns by Persons of the greatest Quality, who led them through the Streets; where they no sooner play’d on a little Pipe, but all People came running to them, fell at their Feet and worship’d them: In the Night they lock’d them up in a Cage, secur’d with Iron Bars, and at the appointed time flay’d them alive.
Towns and Villages.
The chief Towns now remaining, and inhabited by theSpaniards, are 1.St. Lewis de Tampice, a Colony ofSpaniardssituate on the Northern Bank of the RiverPanuco, at the very Mouth of it; where it hath a very large Haven, but so barr’d with Sands, that no Ship of any great Burden can enter or abide in it with safety; and yet the River otherwise so deep, that Vessels of five hundred Tun, might Sail up threescore Leagues at least within Land, and thereby visit the rich Mynes ofZatatecason the one side of it, and ofNew Biscayon the other, at pleasure, and without fear of much opposition.
2.St. Stevan del Puerto, on the South side of the same River, eight Leagues distant from the Sea, or Gulf ofMexico, at present the Metropolis or chief Town of the Province, built byCortesiusin the place where stood oldPanuco, which was likewise the Metropolis, or Head Town of the Natives, before theSpaniardsburnt and destroy’d it.
3.St. Jago de las Valles, which is a Fronteer Place, and enjoyeth certain special Immunities, and some fair Possessions also for defence of the Countrey against the Salvages. It is twenty five Leagues distant fromSt. Stevan del Puerto, lying in an open or Champain Countrey, and is fenc’d about with a Wall of Earth.
Miles Philipshis Voyage.
Miles Philips, anEnglishman, put ashore by CaptainJohn Hawkins, in the Bay ofNew Spain,Anno 1568., suffer’d great hardship before he came toPanuco, from whence returning, he made mention of a City lying along a River of the same denomination, (which is there not above two Bowe shoots-broad,) in a pleasant Countrey, containing two hundredSpanishFamilies, beside the antient Inhabitants andNegro’s, which all drive a great Trade in Salt, which is made in Pans Westward from the River:Philipstravelling fromPanucotoMexico, saw by the way the VillagesNohete, by theSpaniardscall’dSanta Maria, and a Cloyster of whiteMonks: Next he view’dMestitlan, where some greyMonkshad a House, and the TownPuchuen.
Chilton’s Journal.
Another account of this Province is taken from a Journal kept byJohn Chilton, four years afterPhilips’s Voyage; he having aSpaniardfor his Convoy, leftMexicoto find outPanuco; in three days time they reach’d the CityMestitlan, where he observ’d, that twelveSpanishFamilies liv’d amongst thirty thousandIndians. The City built on a high Mountain, full of Woods, is surrounded with Villages, through which run many brave Springs; and the Air about them is no less wholsom than the Ground fruitful; the High-ways are shaded with all sorts of Fruit-Trees.
The VillageClanchinoltepec, four times more Populous thanMestitlan, belongs to aSpanishNobleman, who built a Cloyster there for nineAugustinMonks, of which Order there also reside twelve in the CityGuaxutla.
Moreover, they travel’d over the plain CountreyGuastecan, to the VillageTancuylabo, inhabited by a tall People, with blue Painted Bodies, and Pleited Hair, hanging down to their Knees, going stark naked, but never without a Bowe and Arrow. They esteem nothing more than Salt, as being the onely Cure against certain Worms that grow between their Lips. From hence they travel’d toTampice, in which Journey they spent nine days; and coming thither, were inform’d, that of fortyChristianswhich dwelt in the same, theIndianshad slain twelve, whilst they were gathering of Salt. From hence they came toPanuco, then in a manner deserted, because of theIndiansoppressing theSpaniards, of which, at that time, there were but ten, and one Priest.Chiltonfalling sick here, resolv’d nevertheless to change that unwholsom Air and barren place for a better; to which purpose, getting a Horse, he took anIndianbehind him for his Guide, but loosing his way in a thick Wood, happen’d amongst a Company of wild People, which dwelt in Straw Huts, twenty of them immediately surrounding him, brought him some clear sweet Water to drink, out of a GiltVeniceGlass, which having drunk, two naked Men led him into the high-way; which ended at the Gate of the Wall’d CitySanto Jago de las Valles, inhabited by twenty fiveSpanishFamilies, who inform’dChiltonof the great danger which he had been in, for the People which gave him the Water were Man-eaters, who not long since, had burnt anAugustineCloyster, built on a Mountain, had taken away, and eat the People, of which they had in all likelyhood gotten theVeniceGlass; and had they not observ’dChiltonto be sickly, he had without doubt been eaten by them, and his Skin, with some of his Hair, (that being a great Ornament amongst them) been hung about their middle.
DuringChilton’s stay inSt. Jago,Frans de Pagecame thither with forty Soldiers from the Vice-RoyHenry Manriques, and took five hundredIndians, good Bowe Men out of the Neighboring Villages,TanehipaandTameclipa, with which he design’d to go to the Silver Mines atZacatecas:Chiltonjoyning with this Company, came to thegreat RiverDe las Palmas, which separatesNew SpainfromFlorida, where they spent three days in vain, seeking to find a passage over; wherefore they at last took pieces of Timber, which joyning together, and standing upon, they were Tow’d over by SwimmingIndians; being gotten on the other side, they March’d over steep Mountains, and thick Wildernesses, and came at last toZacatecas, on whose Silver Mines, the richest in allAmerica, work’d above three hundredSpaniardsdaily.