A discourse of the West Indies and South sea written
by Lopez Vaz a Portugal
, borne in the citie of Elvas
,
continued unto the yere 1587. Wherein among divers
rare things not hitherto delivered by any other writer,
certaine voyages of our Englishmen are truely reported:
which was intercepted with the author thereof at the
river of Plate, by Captaine Withrington and Captaine
Christopher Lister, in the fleete set foorth by the right
Honorable the Erle of Cumberland for the South sea
in the yeere 1586.
FRANCIS DRAKE an Englishman being on the sea, and
having knowledge of the small strength of the towne of
Nombre de Dios, came into the harborough on a night
with foure pinnesses, and landed an hundreth and fifty
men: and leaving one halfe of his men with a trumpet
in a fort which was there, hee with the rest entred the
towne without doing any harme till hee came at the
market place: and there his company discharging their
calivers, and sounding their trumpets (which made a great
noyse in the towne) were answered by their fellowes in
the forte, who discharged and sounded in like maner.
This attempt put the townesmen in such extreme feare,
that leaving their houses, they fled into the mountaines,
and there bethought themselves what the matter should
be in the towne, remaining as men amazed at so sudden
an alarme. But the Spaniards being men for the most
part of good discretion joyned foureteene or fifteene of
them together with their pieces, to see who was in the
towne: and getting to a corner of the market-place they
discovered the Englishmen, and perceiving that they were
but a few, discharged their pieces at them; and their
fortune was such, that they slew the trumpetter, and shot
the captaine (whose name was Francis Drake) into the
legge: who feeling himselfe hurt retired toward the Fort,
where he had left the rest of his men: but they in the
Fort sounded their trumpet, and being not answered
againe, and hearing the calivers discharged in the towne,
thought that their fellowes in the towne had bene slaine,
and thereupon fled to their Pinnesses. Now Francis
Drake (whom his men carried because of his hurt) when
he came to the fort where he left his men and saw them
fled, he and the rest of his company were in so great
feare, that leaving their furniture behinde them, and putting off their hose, they swamme & waded all to their
Pinnesses, and departed forth of the harbour, so that if
the Spaniards had followed them, they might have slaine
them all. Thus Captaine Drake did no more harme at
Nombre de Dios, neither was there in this skirmish any
more then one Spaniarde slaine, and of the Englishmen
onely their Trumpetter, whom they left behind with his
trumpet in his hand.
From hence the coast lieth all along till you come to
Cartagena
. Betweene Nombre de Dios and Cartagena
is a great sound or gulfe, where the first Spaniardes that
ever dwelt upon the firme land built and inhabited the
towne of Dariene: howbeit they abode not long there,
because of the unholesomenesse of the place.
But Captaine Drake being discontent with the repulse
that the men of Nombre de Dios gave him, went with
his Pinnesses into the said bay or sound of Dariene, where
having conference with certaine Negros which were ranne
away from their masters of Panama and Nombre de Dios,
he was informed that at the very same time many mules
were comming from Panama to Nombre de Dios laden
with gold and silver. Upon this newes Francis Drake
taking with him an hundred shot, and the said Negros,
stayed in the way till the treasure came by, accompanied
and guarded onely by those that drove the mules, who
mistrusted nothing at all. When captaine Drake met
with them, he tooke away their golde: but the silver he
left behinde, because he could not carrie it over the mountaines. And two dayes after this he went to the house
of crosses called by the Spaniards Venta de Cruzes, where
all the merchants leave their goods, where hee slew sixe
or seven of the marchants, but found neither gold nor
silver, but great store of marchandize: and so he fired
the said house, with all the goods, which were judged to
be worth above two hundred thousand ducats. Thus not
finding golde in this house to satisfie his minde, hee
burned the marchants goods, and foorthwith recovered
his Pinnesses : where fortune so favoured his proceedings,
that he had not bene aboord halfe an houre, but there
came to the sea side above three hundred souldiers, which
were sent of purpose to take him: but God suffered him
to escape their hands, to be a farther plague unto the
Spaniards.
Also another Englishman named John Oxenham hearing
what spoyle Captaine Drake had done upon that coast,
made a voyage thither to enterprize the like. His ship
was of burthen about an hundred and twentie tunnes,
and he was accompanied with seventie persons: he had
conference also with the foresaid Negros, but being advertized that the treasure was conducted by souldiers, he
determined with himselfe to doe that which never any
man before durst undertake to doe. For being most
resolute of his purpose, and not looking nor forecasting
what danger might ensue of this bold enterprize, he landed
his men in the same place where Captaine Drake was, and
hailing his ship to shore, cut downe boughes of trees, and
covered his ship with them, and hid up his great ordinance
in the ground. Thus leaving not one man in his ship,
he tooke two small peeces of ordinance, and his calievers,
and good store of victuals, with all other necessaries for
his intended voyage. And he went with the Negros above
twelve leagues up into the maine land, unto a river that
runneth into the
South sea: and by this river in a wood
he cut downe timber, and built a Pinnesse, which was 45
foote long by the keele; which Pinnesse being finished,
he went downe the river and passed into the
South sea,
carrying sixe Negros with him for his guides, and he
arrived at the
Iland of Pearles being 25 leagues distant
from Panama. This Iland lieth in the
South sea as they
saile from Peru to Panama, and here he stayed ten dayes,
before he could take any shipping, but at length there
came a small barke from a place called Quito
in Peru:
this barke he tooke, and found in her 60000 pezos of
golde, with much wine and bread: and not being content
with this, he stayed a long while, before he would sende
away his prize or any of his men. Shortly after he tooke
another barke that came from Lima
, wherein he found
100000 pezos of silver in barres, which being all aboord
his Pinnesse, he shaped his course toward the river from
whence he came: but before his departure he landed on
the foresaid Iland to finde pearles, and went to a small
towne of the Iland inhabited by Negros for the same
purpose: where finding but small store, he returned to
his Pinnesse, and comming neere unto the river he sent
away his two prizes, and with his Pinnesse entered up
the river. The Negros of the Iland of perles, so soone
as the Englishmen were departed, posted in their Canoas
to Panama, to signifie unto the Governour what they had
done. Whereupon the Governour within two dayes after
sent out foure barkes and an hundred souldiers, and
Negros to rowe, the captaine of which souldiers was called
Juan de Ortega: who went first to the
Iland of pearles,
& there had knowledge which way the Englishmen did
take, and in pursuing them he met with the two prizes
taken by the Englishmen, which tolde him that they were
gone up the river. But when he was come to the enterance of the river, he knew not which way to take, because
the river ranne into the sea by three mouthes, and not
all at one. Therefore being determined with himselfe to
passe up the greatest of the three, he saw comming downe
with the streame many feathers of hens out of one of the
lesser mouthes: which mouth he entered, and sayling
foure dayes up the same, hee descryed the Englishmens
pinnesse lying upon the sand, and comming to boord her,
they found in her no more but sixe Englishmen, of which
they killed one, and the other 5 fled, & having thoroughly
ransacked the said pinnesse, they could finde nought in
her, but victuals. The Spaniards seeing this, determined
to seeke out the Englishmen by land, and leaving about
twentie men to keepe their barks they marched with
eightie shot up into the countrey, and halfe a league from
the river they found a little house made with boughes,
where the Englishmen had left all their treasure; which
the Spaniards tooke and carried backe to their barkes,
meaning not to follow the Englishmen any further; but
the English captaine with all his men, and above 200
Negros followed the Spaniards unto the rivers side, and
set upon them with great fury: howbeit the Spaniards
lying behind the bushes did easily put the English to
flight, and they tooke seven of them alive, and slewe
eleven and five Negros so the Spaniards returned with
the losse of two men and five or sixe hurt. Then they
asked those Englishmen which they had taken prisoners,
why they departed not with their treasure, having fifteene
dayes libertie? They answered, that their captaine had
commanded them to carry all that golde and silver unto
the place where their ship was, and they were agreed to
carry it, although they made three or foure journeys, for
he promised to give them part of the treasure beside their
wages, but the mariners would needes have it by and by:
whereat the captaine being angry because they put so
small trust in his word, would not suffer his saylers to
carrie it, but said he would get Negros to serve his turne,
and so these were the Negros aforesaid, whom he had
brought to carry away the golde and silver: but by the
way he met with the five Englishmen which fled from
the pinnesse, who told him of the Spaniards; and then
he made friends with all his men, and got the Negros to
take his part: but having the overthrow, and his best
men being slaine and taken prisoners, he thought to have
returned to his ship, and so to have gone for England
.
The Spanish captaine having heard this discourse of the
English prisoners, buried the dead bodies, embarking all
things, and with the Englishmen and their pinnesse returned backe unto Panama. Thus was the Englishmens
voyage overthrowen.
Now so soone as the foure barkes and the pinnesse were
arrived at Panama, the Governour of that place sent a
messenger overland to Nombre de Dios, to advertise the
townesmen, where the Englishmens ship lay: whereupon
they of Nombre de Dios manned out foure ships and went
into the bay of Dariene where the Englishmen had left
their ship, which they tooke away with them to Nombre
de Dios, with all her ordinance; so that the poore Englishmen were left in the mountaines very naked and destitute
of all comfort: for the Spaniards had taken out of the
foresayd house of boughes all their tooles & other necessaries, so that they could by no meanes have any succour:
whereas otherwise they might have builded another pinnesse, and provided better for themselves to have returned
for their owne countrey.
These newes comming to the eares of the Viceroy of
Peru, he. thought it not convenient to suffer those fiftie
Englishmen which were yet alive, to continue in the mountaines among the said Negros. Wherefore he sent a
servant of his called Diego de Frees with 150 shot to
seeke them, who at length found them making of Canoas
to take some one small barke or other that sayled to and
againe in the North sea
, whereby they might the better
shift for themselves: but before they had finished their
pretended worke, the Spanish souldiers set upon them,
and tooke fifteene of them that were sicke: but the rest
fled, whom the Spaniards pursued among the mountaines,
and in the end the Negros betraied them, and they were
all taken and carried to Panama. Where the Justice
asked the English captaine, whither he had the Queenes
license, or the license of any other Prince or Lord? And
he answered that he had none, but that he came of his
owne proper motion. Which being knowen to the Justice,
the Captaine and his companie were condemned and were
all put to death at Panama, saving the Captaine himself,
the Master, and the Pilot, and five boyes, which were
caried to Lima
, where the Captaine and the two other
men were executed, but the boyes are yet living.
The king of Spaine having intelligence of these matters,
sent 300 men of warre against those Negros who had
assisted the Englishmen, which Negros before were slaves
unto the Spaniards, and (as is aforesaide) fled from their
masters into those mountaines, and so joyned themselves
to the Englishmen, thinking by that meanes to be revenged of the Spaniards crueltie.
At the first comming of these three hundred souldiers
they tooke many of the Negros, and did great justice on
them according to the qualitie of their offences. But
after a season the Negros grew wise and wary, and prevented the Spaniards so, that none of them could be taken.
Whereof the king being advertised by his Captaines, as
also how the countrey was full of mountaines and rivers,
and very unhealthfull, insomuch that his souldiers died,
he wrote unto his said Captaines to make an agreement
with those Negros, to the ende the countrey might be
in quiet. And so they came to agreement with the Captaines of the Negros, and all was appeased. Afterward
the Negros inhabiting two places which the Spaniardes
allotted unto them, the kings pardon was proclaimed unto
all those which before the day of the proclamation thereof
had runne from their Masters, upon condition that from
that day forward, whatsoever other fugitive Negros should
resort unto them, they should returne them home either
dead or alive, if not, that they should pay for them.
Upon these conditions, and to make all quiet in the moun
taines, all things were concluded and agreed upon. So
that now the Negros dwell in great townes, where they
have Spaniardes for their teachers, and a Spaniard for
their Judge, and with this they holde themselves very well
contented, and are obedient unto their rulers.
The Spaniards since they conquered those parts have
seene many Frenchmen on that coast, but never any
Englishmen in that place, save those two onely which
I have before mentioned. And although the Frenchmen
have come strong, yet durst they never put foot on shore
as the English did. But the king of Spaine hearing that
Englishmen as well as Frenchmen beganne to haunt that
coast, caused two gallies to be made and well appointed,
to keepe the coast. The first yeere that they were made
they tooke sixe or seven French ships. So soone as this
was knowen there used fewe English or French men of
warre to come on the coast, untill this yeere 1586. when
as the aforesaid Francis Drake came with a strong fleete
of about foure and twentie ships, and did such harme as
is well knowen unto all Christendome. But (God sparing
the king of Spaine life) hee will sufficiently provide to
keepe his subjectes from the invasions of other Nations.
Now to go forward with our begunne discourse, the
next towne upon this coast beyond Nombre de Dios is
Cartagena
: it standeth in a more healthfull place, and is
a greater towne then the other, bordering upon a better
countrey, which aboundeth with plentie of victuals, and
having a very good port for the harbour of ships: and
it is called Cartagena
, because it resembleth very much
the citie of Cartagena
in
Spaine. It containeth above
foure hundred housholds. It is very rich by reason of
the ships staying there, when they goe or come from
Spaine. And if the ships chance to winter before they
goe home into Spaine, then they lie at Cartagena
. Also
it is greatly enriched by the marchandize, which is there
discharged to be carryed to the new kingdome of Granada
,
from which kingdome much golde is brought unto Cartagena
. This new kingdome of Granada
is two hundred
leagues within the land: neither can they travel from
Cartagena
to this kingdome by land, because of the mountaines and standing waters, which lie in the way, so that
they are faine to carry their goods up a river called The
great river of Magdalen. They can goe with their barkes
but two hundred leagues up this river; for although it
be large and very deepe, yet there runneth so swift a
current, that the barkes are constrained to discharge their
goods at a place in the river called Branco de Malambo,
into small canoas which rowe close by the shores side.
In this river are great abundance of Crocodiles, so huge
and terrible to behold, that such as never sawe them
before are very fearefull at the first sight of them, for if
a man chance to put his hand or foote into the water,
they will streightway catch at them. In some places this
river is very unhealthfull and full of noysome wormes;
but the first place thereupon which the Spaniards doe
inhabite called Mompox is exceeding healthfull. The
countrey adjoyning upon this river they call The new
kingdome of Granada
, because the captaine called Cesada
which first conquered the same, and inhabited there, was
borne at Granada
in
Spaine: for it is the use of the
Spanish captaines, when they have conquered any Province of the Indies, to call it after the name of the place
where they themselves were borne. This new kingdome
of Granada
is very fruitfull, and bringeth forth much
come & other victuals, and hath many gold-mines, and
great quantitie of emeralds, wherof they send so many
into Spaine, that now they are become little worth: but
before these countreys were found, they were in great
estimation. Here are also dwelling many of the Indian
people so meeke and gentle of nature, that they are called
flies. This land is very plaine and holesome, and the
inhabitants are given to peace.
From this kingdome they travell to another countrey
called La governacion de Popayan
; it is rich of golde,
and withall very fruitfull, but fuller of mountaines then
the new kingdome of Granada
, and hath fewer Indians
dwelling in it, but those that are there are full of courage
and very valiant, which caused the Spaniardes to make
great warre before they could overcome them. In this
province there are 13 townes of Spaniards, and in The
new kingdome of Granada
there are nine townes of
Spaniards.
From this countrey of Popayan
they travell along till
they come to the first inhabitants of Peru dwelling in
a towne which joyneth upon the
South sea called Quito
.
This towne I will leave any further to speake of till I
come particularly to intreate of Peru. Onely I have
spoken of the two foresaid Provinces, to the intent you
might know, that there is a passage by land from Cartagena
to Peru, which is about five hundred leagues
through: so that besides the two hundred leagues which
they goe up the river, the other three hundred leagues
is a countrey well inhabited and without danger to travell
in, insomuch that oftentimes postes are sent too and fro.
But because it is so long a journey, marchants use not
to travell that way, but when they are inforced so to doe.
If any forren Nation should become Lordes of the South
sea, the king of Spaine might have his treasure conveyed
unto this towne of Cartagena
from Peru, and so into
Spaine. For in times past there being a rebellion in Peru
made by the Spaniardes against their king, he sent his
power to suppresse them through these Provinces. This
I write onely for that I knowe some Englishmen have
thought, that in taking the
South sea, or Panama or
Nombre de Dios from the king of Spaine, his treasure
of Peru could not be conveyed unto him, and that the
king could not succour Peru, if it wanted helpe. Howbeit I doe here most certainely assure you, that there be
many wayes to Peru.
But now I will returne to my former discourse. Upon
the seacoast of Tierra firma Eastward from Cartagena
standeth a little towne called Santa Martha, betweene
which towne and Cartagena
the mightie river of Magdalen before named falleth into the sea with such a strong
current, that by reason thereof it is knowen 20 leagues
from the shore. Santa Martha is a very poore towne,
because it hath often bene robbed by the Frenchmen,
and hath no trade but with a fewe Indians that dwell
thereabout. Here beginneth that wonderfull long ridge
of high mountaines covered with snow, which streatching
through many countreys, runneth along the kingdomes
of Peru and Chili, and continueth to the very streights
of Magellan. These mountaines are scene with snow
upon their tops above thirtie leagues into the sea. At
the foote of these wilde mountaines there is a valley called
Tagrona, which is the richest place that is knowen thereabout: but because the countrey adjoyning is so mountainous, and the inhabitants so many and of so good a
courage, shooting poysoned arrowes which are present
death to such as are wounded with the same; therefore
it lyeth as yet unconquered, notwithstanding it hath cost
many Spanish captaines their lives.
Passing along the coast of Tierra firma to the East of
Santa Martha, where is an other small towne of above
an hundred houses called
Rio de Hacha. This towne is
somewhat rich by reason of the pearles which they get
there. Also they have a trade with the Indians for some
small quantitie of golde. From hence they goe along
the coast to Cabo
de la Vela, which because it is of the
same propertie with
Rio de Hacha before mentioned, I
omit to speake of it. Upon this coast there is a lake or
gulfe which openeth into the sea, at the mouth whereof
they gather great store of pearles. Beyond this place
there is another poore towne, which hath sixe or seven
times beene spoyled by the Frenchmen. From hence there
lyeth an high way to the newe kingdome of Granada
,
but it is above seven hundred leagues in length, this way
is travelled very seldome, because the Indians will usually
set upon the travellers. More up into the land the
countrey lyeth plaine, and there is some golde, and a
fewe townes inhabited with Spaniardes, whereof I have
had but small notice, and therefore I let them passe. The
next place of any account is the
Iland of Margarita, where
there are but fewe Spaniardes inhabitant. This Island
of Margarita is very small, and lyeth foure leagues from
the maine lande: it hath heretofore bene very rich of
golde and pearles, and so would have continued till this
present day, had it not beene spoyled by men of warre,
because it standeth so farre from the maine land, notwithstanding they yet gather good store of pearles. Upon
this Island are bred better horses and mules then in any
other part of the Indies, therefore they carry them from
hence to Peru, albeit they have great store of horses in
Peru, but not so good. And because we have begunne
to speake of the
Iland of Margarita, you are to understand, that to the North of the foresaid coast of Tierra
firma lie above seventie Hands being all very little, except
Cuba
, Hispaniola, and Boriquen, or Sant Juan de Puerto
rico, which
Ile of Boriquen, although it bee not very
great, yet is it inhabited by the Spaniards. The other
smaller Hands have bene inhabited by the Indians, and
have had good store of gold, pearles, and emraldes; but
the Spaniards have destroyed most of those Indians from
off the earth, and in many of those Ilands there is nothing
of any value, wherefore I have small cause to intreate
any further of them. But Hispaniola is an Iland of great
bignesse, and hath bene very full of people, and abounded
with mines of golde and with pearles, but now all is
wasted away. It was at the Spaniards first coming
thither, as full of inhabitants as any place of that bignesse in the whole world, yet now there are none left:
for they were men of so hard a heart, that they murthered
themselves rather then they would serve the Spaniards:
for being men under so small civill governement as they
were, never was there any people knowen of so resolute
and desperate mindes: for oftentimes a great number of
them being together over night, they should be found all
dead before the morning: such extreme hate did this
brutish people beare against the Spaniards, that they
chose rather to die the death, then to indure their insolencies. It happened on a time, that a Spaniard calling
certaine Indians to worke in the mines (which labour of
all others did most grieve them) they, rather then they
would goe, offered to lay violent hands on themselves:
which the Spaniard perceiving sayd unto them: seeing
you will hang your selves rather then goe and worke, I
likewise will hang my selfe and will beare you company,
because I will make you worke in an other world: but
the Indians hearing this, replied, we will willingly worke
with you here, to the intent you may not goe with us into
another world: so unwilling were they of the Spaniards
companie. So that of all the inhabitantes of this Iland
there were none that escaped death, save onely these
fewe, which came to passe by the meanes of this one
Spaniarde, otherwise they would have hanged themselves
also. Some of these people are yet living, but very few.
This Iland of Hispaniola is for the most part called The Ile of Sant Domingo, because the chiefe citie thereof is
so called, which was the first citie in all the West Indies
that was inhabited. There are in this citie above eight
hundred fire-houses of good building inhabited by Gentlemen of great wealth. This Iland is unhealthfull, for it
raineth here the most part of the yeere. The riches that
now this Iland affordeth are sugar (for here are many
Ingenios or sugar-houses) and great store of hides by
reason of the abundance of cattell; there are copper mines
also, which is the cause that they have such store of
copper-money, for their gold mines be all exhausted, and
the golde which they have commeth from other places.
This Iland being (as is beforesaide) destitute of the first
inhabitants, and the Spaniardes lacking men to worke in
their Ingenios, and to looke unto their cattell, they were
forced to bring Negros thither out of Guinea, where they
have so increased, that the Iland is nowe as full of them,
as it was of the naturall inhabitantes; so that the
Spaniardes carrie Negros from this Iland to the maine
lande and there sell them. The chiefest victuall that they
have in this Iland, is a kinde of roote called Juca
, which
being eaten as it commeth new out of the ground is
present death: but first they boyle it and after presse it,
and the liquor that is strained therefrom is deadly poyson:
howbeit this roote being pressed so dry, that there remaineth no moisture in it, they mingle and temper the
same with water and so make cakes therof, which are
very savory & good to eat, & this is all the bread which
they have in those Ilands. There go from hence yerely
into Spaine 7 or 8 ships at the least full fraighted with
sugar & hides.
Neere unto Hispaniola lyeth another greater Iland called
Cuba
, it is like unto Hispaniola, although there is not
so much sugar. The principall towne of this Ilande is
called Havana
, which hath an excellent harborough belonging thereunto. The townesmen are very rich by
reason of the fleetes that come from Nueva Espanna,
and Tierra firma which touch there; for the safeguarde
of which fleetes and of the towne it selfe there is a castle
built neere the said harborough kept with Spanish souldiers; neither is there any castle or souldiers in all the
Ilands but onely here. There is also another Iland inhabited with Spaniards called Boriquen or Sant Juan de
Puerto rico. It is but little, yet every way as plentifull
as the other two are; and therefore I omit to speake
thereof.
But now to prosecute my discourse of the port-townes
upon the maine lande : Eastwarde and Southward from
Margarita there are no townes inhabited by Spaniardes
or Portugals, till you come to Fernambuck upon the coast
of Brasil
; notwithstanding that betweene the sayd Iland
and Fernambuck runneth the mightie river of Marannon,
whereof (both because of the greatnesse and the riches
contayned therein) I must needes make some relation, in
regarde I have promised to speake of every place that
is of any value in all the Indies. This river is one of
the greatest in the world, and was first found when as
the Spaniardes sought out the other coast: but none can
passe up this river because of the greatnesse of the current
which commeth downe, as also there are many shelves
of sand lying in the mouth thereof: wherby it was long
before the riches in and about this river were knowen,
untill such time as the kingdome of Peru was conquered:
at which time a Captaine called Gonsalo Pizarro passing
thorough the countrey of Peru came at length into a lande
which they named La Canela, because there groweth great
store of Sinamome, but not altogether so good as that
which commeth from the East Indies. The sayd Captaine
proceeding farther into the countrey came at length to
a mightie river, where he sawe the countrey people rowing
in their Canoas, and bringing golde to buy and sell with
the Spaniards. Captaine Pizarro seeing this, was desirous
to finde out the ende of this river, but he could not travell
by lande because of the high mountaines: wherefore he
made a small Barke or Pinnesse to goe and discover from
whence the saide Indians brought their golde, and sent
in the saide Pinnesse a Captaine under him called Orellana, who with fiftie men went downe the river, but could
not returne to their Generall Pizarro, because of the great
current which was very strong against them, forcing them
to passe along the river, and to enter into the Sea, and
so they sayled on forwarde to the foresaide
Ile of Margarita: but as they passed downe this river they found
it well inhabited with Indians, which were possessed of
great store of golde. These men with their Pinnesse were
passing downe this river eight monethes, for the river
lyeth very crooked, which maketh a long way by water,
neither durst the Spaniardes ever lande, because they
sawe the countrey so full of people, but they tooke many
Canoas, wherein they had great store of victuals and some
golde.
Now this Orellana comming unto Margarita with these
good newes and riches, determined not to returne unto
his Captaine Pizarro which sent him, but tooke his way
from thence to the king of Spaine, and presented him
with the golde that he brought out of the river: whereupon the king sent him with a fleete of shippes and sixe
hundred men to inhabite the sayd river: but because of
the great current and sholdes that are therein, hee left
the most part of his men and shippes, and with those
that remained he went unto certaine Ilandes hard by the
river, and built him Pinnesses; but the countrey being
very unhealthfull, himselfe and many of his men dyed,
and the residue went every man which way pleased him
best. The fame of this river was straightway spread
through Spaine and Portugal
, insomuch that a Gentleman
of Portugall called Lewis de Melo asked license of Don
Juan the third, then king of Portugall to goe and conquere the sayd river: for from the mouth of this river
to the mouth of the river of Plate, is that part of America
which the kings of Portugall (according to the partition
made betweene them and the kings of Spaine) doe holde:
so that the king of Portugall having this river in his part
gave it to the saide Lewis de Melo to conquere: who
taking tenne ships and eight hundred men (among which
many were gentlemen) and comming to the mouth of this
river, lost all the said ships saving two, in one of the
which two was Lewis de Melo himselfe: also the most
part of the men that were in the ships cast away were
saved and got to the shore, and so went by lande to the
Iland of Margarita; from whence they were dispersed
throughout all the Indies.
Thus these two fleetes of shippes being so unfortunately
cast away, never durst any Captaine afterward attempt
by sea to conquer the sayde river. Howbeit from the
kingdome of Nueva Granada before mentioned there have
gone two or three Captaines by land to discover it, for
a rumour went over all the countrey of the great riches
contained in this river; whereupon the Spaniards named
it El Dorado, that is to say, The golden river. It is
thought that God will not have this river to be knowen,
for that one Captaine by lande had most of his people
slaine by those of the countrey, and others for want of
victuals returned. So that none of all these came to any
plaine discovery, till a few yeeres past a Captaine of the
countrey of Navarre
called Pedro de Orzua, who went
from Peru almost the same way that Gonsalo Pizarro
had before discovered, and was accompanied with about
some seven hundred Spaniards, it being a great marvell
how he could get so many, amongst whom were many
Gentlemen and old souldiers of Peru, who caused divers
mutinies and insurrections, as hereafter I will more at
large declare, which mutinous souldiers were the cause
of their captaines death. Howbeit with all these men
captaine Pedro de Orzua came unto the head of the said
river: but you must understand, that this river is nourished not onely with the waters and freshets that come
from the mountaines of Peru, but also by all the rivers betweene the Equinoctiall and sixteene degrees of Southerly
latitude, which fall thereinto and cause it to be so great.
Nowe at the head of this river the sayde Captaine Pedro
de Orzua made fifteene Pinnesses with many Canoas,
wherein he caried above two thousand Indians to helpe
him, with many horses and other provision, as meaning
to inhabite there: for it was not possible for him to carry
all his provision by lande, because the mountaines be
very great, there being also betweene them many small
rivers which fall into this great river above twentie leagues
out of the land. So this captaine having all his things
in good order went downe the river with his whole company, and at length came from among the mountaines to
a plaine countrey where the Indians dwelt; and there he
held a councell, determining in the same place to build
a towne and to fortifie it very strongly, to the end he
might leave all his stuffe there, and such men as were
not souldiers. And so they began to build the said towne,
and wrought upon it all the winter: where because it
raineth much, and withall is very hot, sicknes and want
of victuals began to prevaile amongst them, wherupon
the souldiers fell a murmuring among themselves. For
comming out of Peru, which is one of the fruitfullest &
richest countries of the world, they were more inclined
to have their fill of bread and meat then to apply their
bodies to labour: which was the cause that albeit the
countrey in which they now were, was exceeding fruitfull,
and that they saw with their eyes most evident apparances of golde, & also that up into the countrey it seemed
to be much better; yet for all this they murmured & would
needes returne for Peru from whence they came. In the
company of these men there was a souldier of Biskay
called Lopez de Agira, a very little man of bodie & lame
of one of his legs, but very valiant and of good experience
in the warres. This man having bene one of the principall mutiners in Peru, could not here give over his old
wont, but asked his fellow-souldiers, what they went to
seeke for in those wild deserts whither they were brought:
For (said he) if you seeke riches, there are enough in
Peru, and there is bread, wine, flesh, and faire women
also; so that it were better to conquer that, and to take
it out of the handes of the Spaniardes, and that it were
no hard enterprize, because all the souldiers and poore
men of Peru would turne unto them, and that that were
a better course, then to goe and conquere the savage
people in those mountaines: so that once having the
government of Peru, the king of Spaine should be inforced
to agree with them: if not (sayd he) we shall not lacke
them that will succour us, to have the riches of Peru.
By these perswasions he brought many souldiers to be
of his minde, and conspired also with a young gentleman
of Sivill called Don Fernando de Gusman (who was in
love with a young woman which the captaine Pedro de
Orzua had, and therefore did the sooner agree unto the
wicked intent of Agira
) to murther the captaine. Who
on a night being asleepe in his bed, the said conspirators
and their faction entered into his bed-chamber, and there
stabbed him with their daggers; which being done, they
slew also all the Captaines that were his friends, and
therewithall made a great out-cry, saying, God save the
king, God save the king: whereupon all the campe was
in an uprore. Then Lopez de Agira made unto the
souldiers a long oration, and got them all to consent unto
him, some by force, and some because they durst not say
to the contrary, and others of their good will, and so in
the end they all agreed unto his determined purpose.
Then made they Fernando de Gusman their head, & Agira
was made a captaine. This done, because the people
should the better hold their opinion, he did as great a
villany as ever any Spaniard committed: for he made an
altar, wheron he and all the souldiers renounced their
service unto the king of Spaine, & so as people without
a king, chose the said Don Fernando to be their king,
and did homage unto him. These matters being thus
finished they consulted among themselves which should
be the best way for them to goe to Peru? For they
could not goe up the river, by which they came downe,
in regarde of the strong current, and going backe overland
they should be very weake for want of horsemen: wherefore they determined to goe downe the river. Then saide
Lopez de Agira, that they would carry nothing with them
but the pinnesses & souldiers which should fight, and that
it were best to leave behind them all the Indians which
they brought from Peru, with the women and the sicke
men. Whereunto the Generall Don Ferdinando would not
agree, because he knew that when they were gone the
people of the country would kill them all. Lopez de
Agira hearing this, and longing to be chiefe governour
himselfe, tooke unto him 30 of his owne countreymen of
his disposition, and on the sudden slew Don Fernando,
whom not many dayes before he had sworne to obey: &
now by his subtill practises, being withall eloquent in his
talke, he caused the souldiers to appoint himselfe their
governour, & made them beleeve that all the cruelties
committed were for their saveguard: neither did the
tyrannie of this wretched man here ende. He was borne
in
Biskay a countrey neere unto France, wherefore I
beleeve him rather to have beene a Frenchman then a
Spaniard, for that in the heart of a Spaniard could not be
so much crueltie as this man shewed. Now being readie
to goe his way, he determined not to carry with him any
gentlemen or persons of qualitie, and therefore he slew all
such persons; and then departing onely with the common
souldiers, he left behind him all the Spanish women and
sicke men, with all other creatures. If I should rehearse
all the cruell murthers of this wicked man one by one, I
should be over tedious unto you. Onely in fewe words I
say, that this man proceeded downe the river, having with
him onely foure hundred men: but before he passed the
river, and was come to Margarita, he had no more left
but two hundred and thirty men, for the rest hee had
put to death, and left on shore among the people of the
countrey: all which tyranny he used, because he ever
stood in feare of his life : for had he seene at any time but
two souldiers talking together, he would streight suspect
that they were conspiring of his death, and therefore he
used the practises abovesaide. And he never went any
way, but that hee had in his company thirtie Biscaines
of his owne will and minde readie to execute his cruell
purposes.
As these souldiers with their Captaine came downe the
river, they sawe many Canoas with golde in them passing
too and fro, and people on both sides of the river, and in
their passage many times they landed, and got good store
of golde and victuals. Now also did they finde that to be
true which Orellana had reported, namely that there were
Amazones, that is to say, women that fight in the warres
with bowes and arrowes: but these women fight to aide
their husbands, and not by themselves alone without the
companie of men, as Orellana reported. There were of
these women upon divers partes of this river, who seeing
the Spaniardes fighting with their husbandes came in to
succour them, and shewed themselves more valiant then
their husbandes; for which cause it was named, The river
of Amazones. The Spaniardes intent was onely to passe
downe the river, neither sought they at all to discover the
Inland, and yet they tooke good store of golde, putting it
into one of their Pinnesses, where Lopez de Agira himselfe
was embarked, which Pinnesse at the mouth of the river
was cast away, but he himselfe escaped, because he had
not as yet fulfilled his bloodie minde. And when he was
come to the Ilande of Margarita, the Governour thereof
supposing he had beene one of the kings loyall captaines,
received him with pinnesses, and brought good store of
victuals unto him. But he putting the sayd Governour
immediatly to death, landed on the Iland, and tooke it and
two shippes that were there, and constrained likewise an
hundred and fiftie men, which he there found, to goe with
him, besides others that went voluntarily, carrying from
thence good store of victuales, and many horses also.
And then he returned to the maine land, saying, that with
his small forces hee would subdue the whole Indias:
imagining belike that all the olde souldiers and poore
people, at the first sight of him, would turne to his side
and take his part. Howbeit he was foulely deceived: for
before he had marched two dayes journey up into the land,
the Governour of Nueva Granada came against him with
a power of men: but Lopez de Agira hoping that other
souldiers would have joyned themselves unto him, whereby
his strength might have beene the more, was quite
frustrate of his expectation : for even his owne men left
him, and tooke part with the kings Captaine. Nowe
seeing himselfe thus left destitute of his souldiers, and
voide of all helpe, he committed a more unnaturall bloodie
act then ever Nero the tyrant did, for he murthered his
owne daughter being but sixteene yeeres of age, which he
had brought with him out of Peru: the cause why he
killed her was, that she might not become a concubine to
villaines, nor be called the daughter of a traytor: and
these words he used unto her, so soone as he had given
her her deaths wound: but before he could finish this
cruell act, the souldiers came upon him, and cut him in
pieces, also his daughter died of her wound in that place.
Thus have you heard the miserable ende of this bloodie
caitife: in regarde of whose treacherous and mischievous
dealing the king would never since suffer this river to bee
throughly discovered; so that the riches and treasure of
the said river remaine unknowen even untill this present
day.
Now leaving to discourse any longer of this river of
Marannon, all the coast betweene the saide river and the
river of Plate, is called The coast of Brasill, taking that
name from a kinde of wood in the same countrey, called
Brasill-wood, whereof there is great store in those partes.
This coast of Brasill was first discovered by Pedro Alvarez
Cabral, in the second voyage which the king of Portugall
caused to be made to the East Indies: and the foresayde
Pedro Alvarez tooke possession of this land for the king
of Portugall: whereupon the king Don Emanuel hearing
newes thereof sent presently shippes to discover the whole
countrey, and found it to be part of America
otherwise
called The West Indies: for which cause there grewe some
controversie betweene him and the king of Spaine: but
being kinsmen and great friends one to another, they
agreed in the end, that the king of Portugall should holde
all the countrey that he had discovered, the which was (as
I have said) from the river of Marannon to the river of
Plate; albeit the Spaniards affirme, that it stretcheth no
further then the
Iland of Santa Catelina; whereupon
there have risen many controversies betweene the Portugales and Spaniardes, which have cost many men their
lives.
There came into the said river of Plate in the yeere
1587 two English ships and a Pinnesse of the right
Honourable the Earle of Cumberland, which were bound
for the streights of Magellan, and ankored ten leagues
within the said river before a little Iland lying hard by
another called Seal-Iland. On which Iland the Captaine
of one of the ships called Christopher Lister, and his whole
company landing, found the king of Portugales armes
graven on a rocke by the sea side; which are thought to
have beene there engraven by one Martin Alonso de
Souza, who was sent by the king Don Emanuel to discover this coast. Therefore I thinke the Portugales have
reason for that which they alleage concerning the extension of the said coast of Brasil
. Wherfore the king of
Portugall gave this land to diverse of his gentlemen to
inhabite. Most of the naturall inhabitants of this countrey
are very rude, and goe starke naked both men and women,
and are man-eaters; for which cause they make warres one
against another to get men to eate; they are stout and
good bow-men. The first place inhabited on this coast
beyonde the river of Marannon is called Fernambuck so
named by the Indians, but in
Portugall it is called
Villa
de Olinda. Before you come to this place there is a port
called Parajua, unto which port not many yeeres past the
Frenchmen hearing of the troubles which were then in
Portugall resorted, and built there a fort; whereunto
certaine French ships made yeerely voyages to lade Brasillwood. But they of Fernambuck, with the helpe of the
Spaniardes, went and burnt five French shippes within the
port, and tooke the fort it selfe, and the Frenchmen that
were there fled part into the mountaines, and part of them
were slaine; so that since that time the Spaniardes have
inhabited there till this present. Nowe to returne to
Fernambuck inhabited by a Portugall Captaine called
Duarte Coelio, it is the greatest towne in all that coast,
and hath above three thousand houses in it, with seventie
Ingenios for sugar, and great store of Brasill-wood and
abundance of cotton, yet are they in great want of
victuals: for all their victuals come either from Portugall
or from some places upon the coast of Brasill. The harbour of this towne is a barred harbour, and fit onely for
small barkes: this place belongeth as yet unto the sonne
of Duarte Coelio. Beyond this towne lyeth the
Cape of
Sant Augustin, and next thereunto is the river of Sant
Francisco, which is a great river. Betweene this river and
Baya it is all a wildernesse inhabited with cruell salvages,
for whomsoever they take they kill and eate him. The
towne of Bayha belongeth to the king, and therefore the
governour of all the coast keepeth his residence in the same,
as also the bishop. It containeth 1000 houses, & 40
Ingenios for sugar, and hath much cotton, but no Brasillwood at all. The sea runneth up into the countrey here
14 or 15 leagues, where they get some yeres good store of
Amber-griese. Here is great plentie of victuals, and
although the countrey be hot, yet is it healthfull, & the
aire holesome. The next towne upon the coast called As
Ilhas, or The Iles, is but a small towne, containing not
above 150 houses, and but three Ingenios for sugar.
Most of the inhabitants are labouring men, which use to
carry victuals in their small barkes unto Fernambuck:
their Lord is called Lucas Giraldo.
The next place unto this is called Puerto Seguro: it
consisteth of 4 small townes, which containe not in all
above 300 houses. The inhabitants of this towne also live
by carrying of victuals along the coast; and the towne it
selfe belongeth to the Duke de Avero. Hard by this port
begin the sholdes which they call Abrolhos; and these
sholdes lie above 25 leagues into the sea.
The next habitation of Christians beyond these sholdes
is Espirito Santo which consisteth of two townes, both of
them contayning about 300 houses: and they belong to a
gentleman called Vasques Fernandes de Coutinho.
From hence you passe along the coast to the river ot
Jenero, which hath about three hundred houses. In this
place the Frenchmen first inhabited, whose Captaine was
called Monsieur de Villegagnon. The said Captaine made
here a fort, and planted good ordinance thereon, and laded
every yeere great store of Brasill-wood from hence, and
had great frei ndship with the salvage people, who did him
good service, by reason whereof the Frenchmen reaped
much benefite out of this countrey. But the king of
Portugall sent out a power against the Frenchmen, who
first tooke the French shippes by sea, and then landed and
besieged the fort, and at length tooke it, and the Captaine
thereof: unto whom, because he was a gentle person, and
never hurt the Portugales, they gave thirtie thousand
ducats for his ordinance, and for all other things that
were in the fort, and so sent him for France. Since which
time the Portugales have inhabited this river. There are
at this present onely two Ingenios, but great store of
Brasill-wood, with plentie of victuals.
From this river of Jenero they passe along the coast to
Sant Vincente, which hath 4 townes, the greatest whereof
is called Santos
, and consisteth of foure hundred houses,
there are also three Ingenios. A fewe yeeres past there
came two English ships into this harbour which were
going for the Streights of Magellan. Who being in this
port, there came thither three of the king of Spaines ships,
and fought with the Englishmen, but the Englishmen
sunke one of their ships, and therefore the king commanded a fort to be made, to the ende that no English
shippes that were bound for the streights of Magellan
should victuall there, the which fort standeth on the mouth
of the harbour. This countrey belongeth to a Gentleman
called Martin Alonso de Souza: this is the last inhabited
place upon all the coast of Brasill. This coast of Brasill
is very full of mountaines, and hath much raine falling
upon it, for which cause they cannot goe from towne to
towne by land: all the habitations of this countrey are by
the sea side. From Sant Vincente the coast is all mountainous, till you come to the Ile of Santa Catelina, and
from this Iland till you come even to the straights of
Magellan, the coast is very plaine and without woods.
Having proceeded thus farre, it will not be amisse to
speake somewhat of the river of Plate, which is one of
the greatest rivers in all the world: for at the mouth it is
above five and twentie leagues from land to land: and the
Spaniards have gone up in it above sixe hundred leagues,
and could not attaine to the head thereof. The first
Spaniard that entered this river, and inhabited the same
was called Solis, who passed up 100 leagues into it, and
called it by the name of Rio de la Plata, that is to say,
The river of silver, because of the fine and cleare water
that is in it, for I have not heard of any silver that ever
was found there. The saide Solis
returned into Spaine,
without any further search into this river: howbeit another
Captaine called Sebastian Cabota went up this river 150
leagues, and built a fort, which fort standeth untill this
present: where leaving his ships, he went higher up the
river in smal Pinnesses, and all along as he went he found
many Indians: but finding neither gold nor silver, nor
ought else of any great value, he returned to his ships,
and sayled for Spaine. Not many yeeres after a certaine
Gentleman called Don Pedro de Mendoza furnished forth a
great fleete of ships, wherein were shipped a thousand
men, fortie mares, and twentie horses, with all other
creatures to inhabite this river: and comming thither he
went up into the countrey to see what riches he could there
finde, leaving all his stuffe, cattle, and provision at a place
called Buenos Ayeres, so named in regard of the freshnesse of the ayre, and the healthfulnesse of his men,
during their abode there: this place was eightie leagues
within the river, and here he landed first: at this place
the river is above seven leagues broad, and very low land
on both sides without trees. This river is very often subject to great and sudden stormes, so that with a storme
this Don Pedro lost eight of his ships, and in the rest he
returned for Spaine, saying to his men, that he would goe
seeke victuals, and so left the greater part of them behinde.
In his way homeward he died, and the poore men which
he left behind him, for the most part of them died for
hunger also, because in that place there were very few
Indians, and therefore but small store of victuals, onely
they lived by hunting of Deere, and by fishing. Of all
the men that Don Pedro left behind him there were but
two hundred remaining alive, who in the ship boates went
higher up the river, leaving in the place called Buenos
Ayeres their mares and horses: but it is a wonder to see,
that of thirty mares and seven horses which the Spaniards
left there, the increase in fortie yeeres was so great, that
the countrey is 20 leagues up full of horses; whereby a
man may conjecture the goodnesse of the pasture, and the
fruitfulnesse of the soile. The Spaniards that went up
this river passed three hundred leagues, and found the
countrey ful of Indians: who had great plenty of victuals,
among whom the Spaniards dwelt as their friends, and the
Indians bestowed their daughters in mariage upon them,
and so they dwelt altogether in one towne, which the
Spaniards called La Ascension, and it standeth on the
North side of the river. The foresaid Spaniardes were
twentie yeres in this place, before any newes of their
inhabiting upon this river was brought into Spaine: but
waxing olde, and fearing that when they were dead, their
sons which they had begotten in this countrey being very
many, should live without the knowledge of any other
Christians: they determined among themselves to build a
ship, and to sende newes into Spaine with letters unto the
king of all things that had passed among them, upon that
river. These newes being brought to the king, he sent
three ships, with a Bishop and certaine Priests, and Friers,
and more men and women to inhabite, with all kind of
cattell, when this succour was come, they inhabited in two
places more on the North side of the river, and travelled
three hundred leagues beyond the Ascension; but finding
neither gold nor silver, they returned backe againe unto
the Ascension. The people are so multiplyed in this citie,
that now it is one of the greatest in all the Indias, and
containeth above two thousand houses. The countrey
adjoyning is exceeding fruitfull, abounding with all kinds
of victuals, & with sugar and cotton. From this citie of
Ascension 150 leagues towards the mouth of the river
standeth another towne which they call Santa Fe, on the
South side of the said river, from which towne there lyeth
an open high way leading into the land of Peru, so that
when I come to intreat of Peru I wil speake of this way,
and declare who first found it. Also five yeeres past they
have inhabited anew the towne of Buenos Ayres on the
South side of the river, to the end they might have trade
from the coast of Brasill, but their fortune was such, that
the very first time they went to Brasill, and would have
returned againe to the river of Plate, they were taken by
two ships of England
that were going for the streights of
Magellan.
The coast along from this river to the streights of
Magellan hath not bene perfectly discovered, either by
sea or lande, saving onely certaine portes which they have
found, sayling to the streights. Wherefore passing them
over, I will here intreat of the saide streights, and declare
who was the first finder of them, as likewise what was the
cause why they were sought for. The Portugales therefore having first found and conquered the East Indies,
and discovered the coast of China
, with the
Ilands of the
Malucos, (all which places abound with gold, precious
stones, silkes, and other rich commodities) and bringing
home the foresaide riches in their ships into Portugall:
there grewe by this meanes great envie betweene the
Portugales and their neighbours the Spaniardes; insomuch
that the Councell of Spaine saide unto the Emperour
Charles the fift being then their king, that the Portugales
would be Lordes of all the riches of the world. Upon
which words beganne a controversie betweene the Emperour and the king of Portugall: but they being great
friends before, and also kinsmen, agreed immediatly to
part the whole world betweene them, in such wise as I for
my part could never understand the certaintie thereof.
The world being thus divided, a Portugal-gentleman called
Fernando Magellanes born in a place of Portugall called
Punta de la barte, being of a good house, & very wel
seene in cosmographie, and an excellent Pilot, as also
being offended with Don Emanuel his Sovereigne, departed out of Portugall into Spaine, and affirmed to the
Councell of Spaine, that the
Isles of the Malucos were in
that part of the worlde which was allotted to the king of
Spaine, and that he would finde a shorter way thither then
the Portugales tooke, and layed before them such infallible
reasons, that the Councell giving credite unto his wordes,
sent him to sea with five ships and 400 men all very well
appointed. With these five ships setting saile from S.
Lucar, he came to the coast of Brasill, where at that time
two places were inhabited by Portugales, and so sayling
on along that coast he passed by the river of Plate, which
river was discovered a little before by Solis
. And notwithstanding many stormes, and great mutinies among
his companie, he came at length unto 48 degrees, to the
Southwards of the river of Plate: where he found an
harbour, which he named Puerto de Sant Julian, and
wintered there: and there also he hanged 5 men, and put
on shore a Priest, because they would have made the
company to stand against their captaine, and so to have
returned backe againe. But in the end having pacified
his men, he put to sea, and within 5 dayes after he found
the streights, which by him were so much desired: but
before he entered the said streights there befell such a
mutinie in one of his ships, that the same ship returned
backe againe. And so himselfe with the other foure ships
entering the streights, one of the said foure with all the
men therein was cast away at the very enterance : which
losse notwithstanding he proceeded on with the other
three ships, and passing many troubles and dangers in
this long discovery, ceased not to prosecute his intended
voyage. This discovery was at the first thought very
profitable unto the Spaniards, but of late it hath prooved
very hurtfull unto them by meanes of certaine coasters
which have sayled the selfe same course. These streights
stand in 52 degrees and a halfe of Southerly latitude.
Also here is to be noted, that it is colder to the Southward
of the line then to the Northward: in such wise, that in
forty degrees to the Southward the colde is more sharpe,
then in fiftie degrees to the North : experience doth alwaies
shew the same: for it is as colde even in the streights of
Magellan, as it is in sixty degrees of Northerly latitude.
Howbeit the colde is not the cause why navigators frequent not the same, but the Westerly and Southerly
windes, which blowe most furiously on that coast, and
that oftentimes out of the very mouth of the streightes,
and so continue for the most part of the yeere. Also there
runneth sometimes such a strong current, that if the winde
and it goe all one way, the cables cannot holde, neither
can the ship withstand the force thereof. For which
cause, and also for that there is no harbour, till you be
passed 30 leagues into the said streights, most part of the
ships that have gone thither have indured many troubles
before they could come to the streights, and being come
to the mouth thereof they have bene hindered by the current
and winde, and so have beene put backe againe. And to
the end you may understand the truth, I will declare unto
you all the shippes that have past through the said
streights, since Magellan first found them, unto this present yeere of 1586, when I have once ended my discourse
of Magellan his owne voyage. Nowe you are by the way
to understande, that the North side of the enterance of
these streights is plaine lande without any wood or trees:
here are likewise some Indians though not many, yet are
they very mightie men of bodie of ten or eleven foot high,
and good bow-men, but no man-eaters, neither have they
any victuals, but such as they get by hunting and fishing;
they cover their bodies with the skinnes of beasts that they
kill, to defend them from the colde: neither was there
ever to this day any silver or golde found among them or
in their countrey. These Streights (they say) extend in
length from East to West about an hundred and twentie
leagues. At the middle of these streights on the North
side are many mountaines covered with snow, which
mountaines stretch from thence along the frontiers of
Chili, Peru, and Nuevo reino de Granada
, even unto the
shore of the North sea
at Santa Martha, as I have before
signified. It is a wonder to behold the exceeding heigth
of these mountaines, and the way which they continue
covered with snow, for even under the Equinoctiall line
they have as much snowe upon their tops as in 52 degrees.
Also it is worthy the remembrance, that all this countrey
towarde the
South sea is very fruitfull, and the people very
discreete and gentle: but all the coast towardes Brasill
upon the North sea
is poore, whereas never yet was found
any commoditie of account, and the people themselves are
very cruell and salvage; for the will of God is, that good
and civill men should inhabite fruitfull countries. And for
the better understanding hereof you must note, that all the
land lying betweene the said ridge of mountaines and the
South sea is called by the names of Chili, Peru, and Nuevo
reino de Granada
, which are the best and richest countreys
in all the world: and most part of the land from the said
mountaines to the North sea
is called Brasill, being a
mountainous countrey, where as yet was never found
either golde or silver. From the said mountaines in the
middle of the streights the land riseth high, till you come
to the end of the streights where you enter into the
South
sea, in which place next the
South sea the streights are
very dangerous, by reason of the sholdes & rocks that lie
on the North side. Thus Magellan after he had entered
the
South sea, within 60 dayes came to the
Iles of the
Malucos, without touching at any land untill he came
thither: and so seeking there to lade his ships at an Iland
inhabited by Moores, he was by them treacherously slaine.
Now the Spaniards being too few for the managing of all
three ships, because many of them were dead, partly with
sicknes, and partly with the hardnesse of the voiage,
determined to abandon one of their said ships, and so
manned the other two: which two being laden with spices
and other riches knew not what course they were best to
take: howbeit at length it was determined, that one of
these two ships should go for Nueva Espanna, and the
other for the cape of Buena Esperanza, and so for Spaine.
The ship that went for Spaine was called The Victorie, the
Pilot whereof was a Biscain named Juan Sebastian del
Cano, to whom the king gave great rewardes, and appointed him the globe for his armes, whereon was written :
Primus omnium circunde disti me; that is, thou art the
first man that ever sayled about me.
And albeit this voyage was so long and troublesome as
is before mentioned, yet many others have attempted the
same. And the next that sought to passe the said streights
of Magellan were two ships of Genoa
, which comming as
farre as the mouth of the streights were by a mightie
storme driven backe againe, and one of them, whose
master was called Pancaldo, put into the river of Plate,
and was cast away about Buenos Aeres, where to this day
part of the said ship is to be scene, and some of the men
are yet living in the river among the Spaniards: and the
other ship returned to Genoa
againe.
Also there was a bishop of Placencia in Spaine, who
coveting riches, set foorth a fleet of foure sailes, to passe
the streights, and so to goe for the Malucos : and getting
license of the Emperour he sent his said 4 ships towards
the streights which had very faire windes till they came
thither: but being entered 20 leagues within the streights,
a storme of Westerly windes tooke them, & drove 3 of
them on shore, & the fourth backe into the sea, which (the
storme being past) returned into the streights to seeke for
his consorts, & found many men going on the shores side,
but the ships were beaten all to pieces. So they on land
called unto the ship; but the captaine therof, considering
that his ship was but little, & that he had but small store
of victuals, would not go to them on shore, but proceeded
on his voyage, & passed the streights. And because he
was alone he would not saile to the Malucos, but went for
the coast of Peru to the citie of Lima
, where the ship
remaineth unto this day. The men of the other three
ships, which were left in the streights being to the number
of two hundred and fiftie (whose Captaine being kinsman
to the bishop of Placencia was called Queros) were never
heard of untill this present day, it being fortie yeres since
they were left there. A yeare after this, certaine marchants of the Groine in Galicia
set foorth other three ships,
which ships also came to the streights mouth, where one
of them was cast away with all the men, and the other two
returned for Spaine.
Also I have had intelligence of certaine Portugall ships,
which being come to the mouth of the Streights lost two
of their Pinnesses which they sent to discover the land,
and then returned back. And after these, two French
ships were sent from the river of Jenero by Monsieur de
Villegagnon, but being come to the latitude of 45. degrees,
they were driven backe by a storme of contrary winds.
After all this the governour of Chili called Don Garcia de
Mendoza sonne to the Marques of Cannette determining to
discover the sayd Streights from the
South sea, sent from
Chili two ships under the conduct of a captaine called
Latherelio : but the danger to seeke these Streights by the
South sea is more then by the North sea
, because all the
stormes of the North sea
come from the land, but in
the
South sea all the windes and stormes come off the sea,
and force the ships to run upon the leeshore, insomuch
that the sayd two ships were cast away in fiftie degrees.
The seeking of these Streights of Magellan is so dangerous, and the voyage so troublesome, that it seemeth a
matter almost impossible to be perfourmed, insomuch that
for the space of thirty yeeres no man made account
thereof; untill of late one Francis Drake an Englishman
(of whom I have before spoken) seeing hee could doe no
good on the maine lande of the West Indies to benefite
himselfe, because of the galleys of Cartagena
that kept
the coast, determined to seeke the Streights of Magellan,
and to passe into the
South sea. And so having provided
two ships and three pinnesses in England
, he proceeded
on his voyage, and comming to the
Islandes of Cape Verde
tooke a Portugal
shippe laden with wine, the Pilot whereof
beeing a Portugal
called Nuno da Sylva, hee caried along
with him, who was a great helpe and furtherance unto him
in his voyage. And this which I shall here say, I had in
writing of the Portugall pilot himselfe.
From the
Islands of Cape Verde the sayd Francis Drake
sailed unto Port Sant Julian, where he wintered : and there
also hee put to death a gentleman of his company, because
hee would have returned home. This port I take to bee
accursed, for that Magellan likewise put some to death
there for the like offence.
This Francis Drake putting out of the sayd port, entred
the Streights, and within twelve dayes gotte into the
South sea. And two dayes after there arose such a storme
of Westerly windes (which are usuall in those parts) that
he lost his pinnesse, and his Viceadmirall master John
Winter was. driven backe againe into the Streights, who
passing many dangers returned home into England
. But
Francis Drake himselfe ranne with this storme into seven
and fifty degrees of Southerly latitude, where hee found
an Island with a good harborough, and fresh water, and
stayed at the same Island two moneths to repayre his
ships: and then, the weather beeing faire, he proceeded
on his voyage, and came to the coast of Chili to an Island
called La Mocha; where hee went on shore, and talked
with the Indians: but when hee would have returned unto
his boate they shotte their arrowes at him, and killed two
of his men, and hee himselfe was wounded in the face.
Going from thence hee passed by the towne of Concepcion
not knowing the place, and so to Valparizo which is
the port of Sant Iago, where hee found a ship laden with a
kind of victuals and wine, and had in her besides threescore thousand pezos of gold, every pezo being worth
eight shillings sterling: and taking this ship with him
hee went from thence to another port called Coquimbo
:
where seeing many cattell on. the land, he sent presently
some of his men with calievers to kill of the sayd cattell:
but being espied of the Spaniards that dwelt in the towne,
they sent twelve horsemen to see what they were that
killed their cattell, for they knew them not: and comming
neere unto them, the Englishmen fled to their boates, but
the horsemen overtooke one of them who had a halbard
in his hand, whom the Spaniards thought to have taken:
but hee with his halbard killing one of their horses was
himselfe runne through with a lance, and so the Spaniards
carried him dead with them into the towne. The next day
the newes came to Sant Iago, that they were Englishmen,
and how they had taken the shippe out of the harbour of
Valparizo: whereupon they of Sant Iago sent a Post by
land to give warning unto them of Peru. Howbeit by
reason that the countrey betweene this place and Peru is
not inhabited for the space of two hundreth leagues, and
many huge and colde mountaines covered with snowe lie
in the way, the Poste was so long in perfourmance of this
journey, that captaine Drake was upon the coast of Peru
a moneth before the sayd Poste came thither: neither
could they send any newes by sea, because they were
destitute of shipping.
Captaine Drake departing from Coquimbo
sayled to
another porte not inhabited, where he set up a pinnesse.
And going from thence, the next place where he touched
was a porte upon the coast of Peru called los Pescadores
:
and there hee landed, and in one of the fishermens houses
found of a Spaniards three thousand pezos of silver in
little barres.
From hence he went to another port called Arica
, which
being the next towne to Chili that the Spaniards have in
all Peru, containeth an hundreth houses: and this is the
porte where they discharge their merchandize that passe
from Lima
to Potossi, and to all other cities within the
land, and likewise at this place they were woont to embarke all the silver which they caried for Panama. At this
port of Arica
he found a ship that had in her thirteene
thousand pezos of silver, which having taken out, he
burned the sayd ship, and after thought to have landed,
but seeing both horsemen and footemen on shore hee
would not, but proceeded on his voyage. Since captaine
Drake was at this porte they carie their silver by land to
Lima
, and lade no more treasure here, but onely discharge
the merchants goods that come from Spaine hither. Also
they have built a forte at this place for the better safety
of the inhabitants, and have planted it with ten pieces
of Ordinance, and every summer there lie in garison an
hundred souldiers besides the townesmen. From hence
he sayled to another porte called Chuli: in which port was
a ship that had three hundred thousand pezos of silver in
barres: but they had sent horsemen from Arica
to give
advertizement of Drakes being on the coast, which newes
came but two houres to the towne before his arrivall at
the sayd porte: whereupon the Master of the shippe
having no leisure to carie his silver on shore, was forced
to throwe it into the sea in sixe fadome water, where his
ship road, and so to runne on shore in the shippes boate.
And captaine Drake comming aboord the ship was told
by an Indian, that the Master had throwen the silver overboord. Wherfore seeing that newes began to run of him
from towne to town he stayed not here, but ran along the
coast: and because he would have no lets, he cast off the
ship which he had taken at Sant Iago, with never a man
in her, which ship was never heard of after. And so without staying any where he shaped his course for Lima
, and
comming to the harborough of Lima
called El Callao,
being two leagues distant from Lima
it selfe, (for Lima
standeth up into the land) hee arrived there one day,
before the newes of him was brought to Lima
, and found
the men in the ships without suspicion. And as hee entred
into the port, there came in also a ship from Panama laden
with merchandize, and hee sent his pinnesse to take her:
but the men forsaking the ship betooke them to their
boate, and went on shore: and as the Englishmen followed
the boat, a Spaniard that was therein shot a piece, and
slew one of captaine Drakes men in the pinnesse. Wherefore hee followed the boat no farther, but went with his
pinnesse into the harbour among fourteene saile of ships
that lay there, in all which ships there was not a man that
had so much as a sword or a piece to molest him, wherefore hee did with lesse feare go from ship to ship, asking
them if there were any ships gone for Panama; for he
knew wel, that the ships which goe for Panama care both
silver & gold, neither sought he for any thing else, for
there were marchandize enough for him in those ships, if
hee had bene desirous to have had the same. So they told
him that three dayes past there was a ship gone for
Panama which caried all the merchants silver thither.
Whereupon he presently set saile towards Panama; for
when hee came into this port it was about midnight, so
that the Spaniards could not see what ships he had. At
last the newes came to Lima
unto the Viceroy of Peru,
that there were enemies in the harbor, but they knew not
what they were. Wherefore the Viceroy & all the people
were in great feare, lest some Spaniards had made a
mutinie, and put themselves in armes: and so the next
morning himselfe accompanied with 2000 horsemen & footmen came from the citie down to the waters side, and
finding some of the Englishmens arrowes that were shot
at the boat, out of which their man was slain, they knew
them to be Englishmen: and then they were al in quiet,
seeing it was but one ship, for as yet the ship lay becalmed
3 dayes before the towne. Whereupon they forthwith
provided 2 ships with 200 men in them, to boord captain
Drake or els to burne his ship; and after the ships went
2 small pinnesses, because that if any of the ships should
be sunke, they might save the men. But it was a day &
a halfe before these things could be made ready, & in the
end going foorth they found ye English ship still becalmed,
& the calme was such, that the Spaniards could not come
at them. The same night, the wind blowing a fresh gale,
the Spaniards returned into the harbour, and captaine
Drake set forward to Panama. The cause of the Spaniards returne was, for that they had no Ordinance, nor
victuals to tarry any longer out. Then the Viceroy caused
sixe pieces of Ordinance to bee made, neither could hee
make any more, in regard of the shortnesse of time: so
with these pieces of Ordinance, and three shippes, and two
hundred and fifty men in them hee sent after captaine
Drake; who after hee had winde stayed no where, nor
tooke any ships at all, notwithstanding hee met with many
comming from Panama laden with merchandize, but still
hee inquired after the shippe that was gone to Panama
before him: of which ship he had sight about the cape of
Sant Francisco, the Master wherof was a Biskaine, called
Juan de Anton: who seeing this ship of the Englishmens,
thought that the Viceroy of Peru had sent him some
message, and therefore strooke all his sailes : but so soone
as hee might discerne the shippe somewhat better, hee
would then faine have gone his way, for hee knew that it
was none of that coast, and then hee began to hoise his
sailes, but could by no meanes get from Captaine Drake
because hee was within the reach of his great Ordinance,
for the Spaniards not having so much as a rapier to
defend themselves, were soone constrained to yeelde.
There were in this shippe above eight hundred and fifty
thousand pezos of silver, and forty thousand pezos of
gold, all which silver and golde was customed; but what
store of treasure they had besides uncustomed I knowe
not, for many times they cary almost as much more as
they pay custome for; otherwise the king would take it
from them, if they should be knowen to have any great
summe; wherefore every shippe carieth his bill of custome,
that the king may see it. All this treasure that captaine
Drake tooke was merchants and other mens goods, saving
one hundred and eighty thousand pezos of the kings. He
had also out of this ship good store of victuals with other
necessaries, which were to bee caried for Panama and was
five dayes taking out of such things as hee needed. This
done, he sayled from hence to the coast of Nueva Espanna
without going to Panama. Surely this was a great plague
of God justly inflicted upon us for our sinnes: for the
taking of these ships is an especiall cause of all the dangerous warres that are likely to ensue betweene Spaine and
England
.
Now the ships that were sent by the Viceroy of Peru
from Lima
after Francis Drake, arrived at Cape Sant
Francisco twenty dayes after hee had taken the foresayd
shippe,, and had intelligence by a ship comming from
Panama, which they met at the sayd cape, that Francis
Drake had taken the ship with silver, and was not gone
for Panama. Whereupon the captaine of the three ships
thinking that captaine Drake had bene gone for the
Streights of Magellan, directed his course that way to
seeke him.
Captaine Drake carried from the coast of Peru eight
hundreth sixty sixe thousand pezos of silver, which is as
much as eight hundred sixty sixe quintals, at 100 pound
weight the quintal, every quintal being worth one thousand and two hundreth ducats of Spaine; all which summe
amounteth to a million and thirtie nine thousand and two
hundreth ducats. Besides this silver hee caried away a
hundred thousand pezos of gold, that is ten quintals, each
quintal being valued at a thousand five hundreth Spanish
ducats, which last summe amounteth to an hundreth and
fifty thousand ducats : over and besides the treasure in the
sayd ship which was uncustomed (the value whereof I
cannot learne) consisting of pearles, precious stones, reals
of plate, and other things of great worth.
With all this purchase he sayled toward Nueva Espanna;
and at an Island lying before that coast called The Island
of Cano hee discharged all things out of his shippe and
graved her, and remained there ten dayes. From thence
hee went along the coast of Nueva Espanna, where hee
tooke certaine ships laden with spices, silkes, and velvets,
but no golde nor silver, for there was none to bee had on
this coast. And here at
Guatulco he set on shore his
Portugal-pilot, which he tooke at one of the Islands of
Cape Verde. But what course he kept from this coast
till he came into England
I know not of certainety, and
therefore I will not meddle therewithall.
The foresayd three ships which were sent in pursuit of
captaine Drake, returned backe againe to Lima
without
doing of ought. All which notwithstanding, the Viceroy
of Peru determined to send two ships to the Streights
of Magellan, either to meete with captaine Drake there, or
else to see if they could fortifie the sayd Streights against
such ships as might afterward attempt to passe through
the same. And albeit this was thought a most dangerous
voyage, and impossible to be perfourmed, by reason of the
sholds on that side of the Streights, yet sent he forth the
two said ships. The Admirall being a ship of an hundreth
tunnes, and the other of eighty tunnes, & having one
hundreth and twenty men in them both, sayled from Lima
under the conduct of Pedro Sarmiento, who was then
accompted the best navigator in all Peru. These ships
after their departure touching on the coast to take in
victuals, were nine moneths before they came to the latitude of the Streights, and there were they encountred
with a cruel storme: but Pedro Sarmiento being a man of
good courage, bare in with the land in this storme, & in a
night hee was put into the streits, not knowing how nor
which way; and the other ship running farther into the
sea, sayled to 58 degrees of Southerly latitude. The
storme being past, this other shippe found many Islands
neere unto the main land, and so returned with faire
weather all along the shore, neither could they find any
other way to enter the Streights, but onely that which
Magellan discovered: notwithstanding that others affirme
the contrary, saying that the Streights be full of Islands
to the Southwards: but they may be deceived, for if there
be any other Streight, it is beyond 58 degrees, and hath
never bene scene of any man : for this ship was farthest to
the Southwards of all that ever I heard of: for Francis
Drake being driven by tempest no farther then 57 degrees
could not know so much as this other; which ship from
hence returned backe to Lima
. But Pedro Sarmiento
entred the Streights, where his men falling into a mutinie
would have returned to Lima
; whereupon hanging one of
them he proceeded on his voyage for Spaine. Where
being arrived, he told the king that there were two narrow
places in the Streights where he might build a forte, and
that there was a very good countrey abounding with great
store of riches and other necessaries, and very well inhabited with Indians. Upon whose wordes, and for that
there were more ships making ready in England
to passe
the sayd Streights, the king sent Diego Flores de Valdez
with 23 ships and 3500 men, and a new governour to
Chili with five hundred old souldiers newly come out of
Flanders
. These ships had the hardest hap of any that
ever went out of Spaine since the Indias were first discovered: for that before they could get cleere of the coast
of Spaine, a storme tooke them, and cast away five of
them, and above eight hundred men, and the residue of
the fleete put into Cadiz
. Notwithstanding which hard
successe, the king sent them word that they should proceede: and so they did with sixteene sailes only, for two
other of their ships were so shaken with the storme, that
they could not goe foorth. In these sixteene saile of ships
Pedro Sarmiento was sent to be governour in the
Streights: he caried with him all kind of artificers, to
build forts, and other necessaries, with great store of
Ordinance and munition. This fleete because it set late
foorth, wintered on the coast of Brasil
in the river of
Jenero. Winter being past, they set sayle from hence,
and about the height of 42 degrees they had such a
storme, that Diego Flores was faine to beate it up and
downe about 22 dayes; in which storme was sunke one of
his best ships, and in her three hundred men and twenty
women that went to inhabite the streights, and most part
of the munition that should have bene left in the streights
were all cast away. In the ende the storme grew so
intollerable, that the ships not being able to endure it any
longer were constrained to put backe againe unto an
Island called Santa Catelina: and there he found a barke
wherein were certaine friers going for the river of Plate,
which friers told him of two great English ships and a
pinnesse that had taken them, but tooke nothing from
them, nor did them any harme, but onely asked them for
the king of Spaines ships. Now Diego Flores supposing
that these English ships would go to the streights, was
himselfe determined to go to the streights also, though it
was in the moneth of February; and choosing tenne
shippes of the fifteene that were left, he sent three of the
residue that were old and shaken with the storme (wherein
he put all the women and sicke men that were in the
fleete) backe againe to the river of Jenero; leaving the
other two shippes, which were not able to brooke the sea,
at the foresayd Island; and so himselfe with the sayd ten
ships returned againe for the streights.
Now the three ships wherein the sicke men and the
women were embarked, came to the port of Sant Vincent:
where finding the two foresayd English ships, and urging
them to avoide the harbour, the English entred combat
with them: and by reason that these three ships were
weakened with former tempests, and were manned with
the refuse of all the Spanish fleete, the Englishmen easily
put them to the worst, and sunke one of them, and might
also have sunke another, if they had bene so minded; but
they desired not the destruction of any man: and doubtlesse it is the greatest valour that any man can shew, that
when hee may doe hurte, he will not. Hereupon the
Englishmen departed from this porte unto Espirito Santo,
where they had victuals for their merchandize: and so
they returned home to England
without doing any harme
in the countrey. The cause why these English captaines
went not to the streights I know not: some say, that they
were put backe by foule weather, others suppose that it
was for feare of the kings ships : but the pinnesse that
belonged to these shippes wherein John Drake went as
captaine, departed from them: the cause why hee did so,
is unknowen : but this pinnesse entred the river of Plate,
and within five leagues of Seale-island, not farre from the
place where the Erle of Cumberlands ships tooke in fresh
water, it was cast away upon a ledge of rockes; but the
men were all saved in the boate. Who being eighteene in
number went on shore upon the
Northside of the Island,
and passing tenne dayes journey up into the lande, they
met with certaine Salvage people, which are no maneaters, but take all the Christians that they can get, and
make them their slaves: howbeit the Englishmen fought
with them, and being too fewe in number, five of them
were slaine, and the other thirteene taken prisoners, who
remained with the Salvages about fifteene moneths.
But the Master of the pinnesse called Richard Faireweather, being loath any longer to indure that miserie
wherein hee was, and having knowledge of a towne of
Christians on the other side of the river, called on a night
John Drake, and another yoong man which was with them,
and tooke a Canoa being very little, and having but two
oares, and passed therewith on the other side of the river,
which is full nine leagues broade; and being three dayes
before they could get over, they were much pined for
lacke of meate. But comming to land, they hit upon an
high way that went towards the Christians: and spying
the footing of horses, they followed it, and at last came to
an house, neere unto the which come was sowed. And
there they met with Indians that were servants to the
Spaniards, who gave them foode, and clothes to cover them
withall, for they were all naked. And one of the sayd
Indians went to the towne, and caried newes of the
Englishmen: whereupon the captaine of the towne sent
out foure horsemen, which brought them to the towne
behinde them, and the sayd captaine clothed them, and
provided lodging for them, and John Drake sate at the
captaines owne table, and hee intreated them all very well,
thinking to send them for Spaine. But the Viceroy of
Peru hearing this newes sent for them, and they sent him
John Drake; but the other two they kept, because they
were maried in the countrey. Thus much concerning their
affaires. Upon these newes also there were prepared fifty
horsemen to goe over the river, both to seeke the rest of
the Englishmen, and certaine Spaniardes which were
amongst those Salvage people; but I am not assured
whether they went forward or no.
Nowe let us returne to Diego Flores: who passing from
the Island of Santa Catelina towards the streights of
Magellan in the middle of February, and comming to the
height of the river of Plate, sent the governour of Chili
with three ships up the river to Buenos Ayres, that hee
might from thence passe overland to Chili. Of these
three ships two were lost, but the men and provisions were
saved; and the third returned for Spaine. Then Diego
Flores with the other seven ships proceeded on to the
latitude of 52. degrees, whereas the mouth of the Streights
beginneth: but because it was the ende of March, which
there is the latter ende of summer, the countrey was so
full of snow, and withall there arose such a sudden storme,
that he could not set Sarmiento
and his men on shore,
but was constrained the second time to returne unto the
river of Jenero upon the coast of Brasil
; where he heard
newes of the English ships by the two Spanish ships that
escaped from them. Upon which newes he left his lieutenant Diego de Ribera, and Pedro Sarmiento, that they
might the next yeere returne for the streights. And so
Diego Flores himselfe with foure ships which were yet
remaining unto him, and other foure which the king sent
to succour him, set forth to seeke the Englishmen; but
having runne along all the coast of Brasil
hee could not
finde them, because they were gone directly for England
.
Whereupon shaping his course unto a port called Parajua,
and finding there five French ships, he burnt three and
tooke two, and the fort also which the Frenchmen had
built, and put Spaniardes therein, but the Frenchmen
fledde into the mountains to the Salvages. This done
hee returned for Spaine.
In the meane season his Lieutenant Diego de Ribera,
and Pedro Sarmiento had the next yeere so good fortune,
that they arrived safely in the streights with all their
ships, and set on shore foure hundreth men: but because
the ships boate could not land, being once laden, they
ran that ship, which had all the victuals and munition in
her, on shore in a bay, and as the water did ebbe they
tooke all things out of her. This being done, Diego de
Ribera left Sarmiento
with foure hundreth men, thirtie
women, and a ship, with victuals for eight moneths : and
with the other three shippes hee returned, having remained in the Streights but eight dayes. Nowe Pedro
Sarmiento built a towne at the mouth of the Streights
on the North side, placing therein an hundreth and fiftie
men: and from thence he went by land, and sent the ship
further into the streights, and fiftie leagues within the
Streights, at the narrowest place of all, where there is
a very good porte, hee built another towne, which he
named The towne of king Philip; and would also have
made a forte, and planted Ordinance for the defence of
the Streights: but the snowe and Winter was so intollerable, that hee could not bring it to perfection. Whereupon taking about 25 mariners with him into the foresayd
ship, hee sayd hee would goe see howe his other people
did, and so hee sayled to the Streights mouth, unto the
towne which was first built; where having continued a
day or two, he sayd that a storme put him from the
Streights by force and brake his cables; but his men
affirmed the contrary, that himselfe cut his cables (God
knoweth the trueth) and so he passed to the river of
Jenero; and not finding there any succour come from the
king, he sayled to Fernambuck, craving ayde of the
captaine to furnish him with victuals. And so the captaine presently fraighted his ship with victuals and clothes
for his people left in the Streights, and so sailed thitherward. But between
Cape S. Augustin and Baya the wind
came off the sea with such violence, that it forced the
ship to run on shore; where Sarmiento
had three of his
men drowned, and he with the rest hardly escaped: and
so this ship was lost with all the provision in her.
From thence hee passed by land to Baya where the
governour of Brasil
bought him a barke that lay in the
harbour, lading the same with victuals and clothes for
Sarmientos colonie. With this provision and divers other
necessaries for his people hee tooke his voyage for the
Streights, and comming to the height of foure and forty
degrees, hee met on the sudden with such a furious
storme, that he was forced to throw his fraight overboord,
and also to returne to the river of Jenero. Where staying a whole yeere for succour from the king, there came
not so much as a letter from him. For the king was
sore displeased at Pedro Sarmiento, because hee made
him beleeve that the narrowest place of the Streights
was but a mile over: and that it might bee fortified so
that a boate could not passe: whereas Diego de Ribera,
and others certified the king, that it was above a league
broade, and that if a ship came with winde and current,
all the Ordinance in the world could not hurte it. Wherefore the king thought that Pedro Sarmiento had deceived
him, in making him to lose so many men, and so much
charges to no effect. And the governour of Baya seeing
that the king wrote not unto him, would give him no
more succour : so that Sarmiento
was constrained to make
a voyage for Spaine in the same shippe, wherein hee last
sayled toward the Streights : and it is sayd that hee was
taken in the way by Englishmen, and caried into England
. This Sarmiento
hath caried the name to be the
best Navigator in all Spaine, and that hee hath sayled
the furthest of all others. After all this the captaine of
the river of Jenero sent a smal ship with victuals for the
Streightes, which was put backe also in fortie degrees.
And this is all the discovery of the Streights of Magellan,
made as well by Spaniards as other nations unto this
present yeere 1586. It is foure yeeres since these poore
and miserable Spaniards were left in the Streights, from
which time there hath no succour gone unto them, so
God he knoweth whether they be dead or alive.
Thus according to my promise I have declared unto
you to the uttermost of my knowledge, all things concerning the Indias, as farre as the very Streights of
Magellan; thinking to have proceeded along the coast,
as at the first; but that the doings of captaine Drake
and other captaines which attempted to passe the sayd
Streights have caused mee to bee the longer in this my
pretended worke. Howbeit now let us proceede on forward from the Streights to the coast of Chili: the distance
betweene which two places no man hath travelled by land,
in regard of the huge mountaines covered with snow that
lie in the way: yea I may well say, that it hath not often
bene travelled by sea; for that all the ships which have
passed that way have at the least gone thirty leagues off
the shore, to avoide the sholds and many little Islands
that lie neere the maine land; and therefore the inland
of that coast remaineth as yet unknowen.
The first towne after you have passed the Streights
standeth on the coast of Chili, and is called Castro
, being
situate upon the worst place of all the coast, for there is
but small store of golde with scarcitie of victuals, and a
sharpe colde ayre. The harbour belonging to this towne
is compassed about with so many sholdes, that it will
serve but to receive small barkes onely. The next towne
to this is Baldivia.
But before I passe any farther I will heere describe
unto you the situation and quality of Chili. This countrey
stretcheth in length from North to South above two
hundreth leagues, conteining in breadth but five and
twenty leagues at the most.
From the great ridge of mountaines lying to the East
of Chili runne very many rivers into the sea, which rivers
are the cause of divers valleys the fruitfullest in all the
worlde, where bread, wine, and other victuals mightily
abound: and the sayd rivers also are very rich of gold.
But to declare in fewe wordes the excellencie of this
province, I say that it might well bee called an earthly
paradise, save that it lacketh one onely commodity, and
that is peace. It was first discovered on this maner:
the Spaniards having conquered the kingdome of Peru,
(as I will hereafter shewe unto you) found in the sayd
kingdome great store of golde; and asking the Indians
from whence it came, they answered, from Chili. Upon
which newes Don Diego de Almagro being one of the
principall captaines that conquered Peru made a voyage
with three hundreth horsemen toward Chili, being constrained in his way to goe over part of the snowy mountaines, which way his Indian guides conducted him, to
the ende that himselfe and all his companie might die
for colde. Howbeit the Spaniards, though they lost some
of their horses, came to the first towne of Chili called
Copiapo
being situate upon the first plaine at the entrance
of the sayd province. But having newes that the Indians
were risen against the Spaniards of Peru and had inclosed
them, hee returned backe without going any farther.
Nowe this captaine Don Diego de Almagro being slaine
in the warres of Peru, another called Don Pedro de Baldivia marching into Chili with foure hundreth horses,
easily conquered that halfe of the countrey which was
subject to the kings of Peru. For knowing that Peru,
being the chiefe countrey of their Emperour, was overcome by the Spaniards, they also immediately yeelded
their lande unto them. But the other halfe as it was the
richest and the fruitfullest part, so God had peopled it
with the most valiant and furious people in all America
.
The province which they inhabite called El Estado de
Arauco is but a small province about 20 leagues in length,
and is governed by ten principall men of the countrey,
out of which tenne they chuse the valiantest man for the
generall in the warres. The kings of Peru in times past
could never conquere this part of Chili, nor yet any other
kings of the Indians. The weapons used by these people
of Arauco are long pikes, halbards, bowes and arrowes:
they also make them jacks of seale-skinnes, and headpieces: in times past the heads of their halbards and
pikes were of brasse, but now they have gotten store of
yron. They pitch their battels in maner like the Christians: for putting their pikemen in rankes, they place
bowmen among them, and marshall their troupes with
discretion and great valour. Now the Spaniards comming unto this province sent word unto them by other
Indians, saying that they were the children of God, and
came to teach them the word of God, and that therefore
they ought to yeelde themselves unto them: if not, they
would shoot fire among them and burne them. These
people not fearing the great words of the Spaniards, but
desiring to see that which they had heard reported, met
them in the field, and fought a most cruell battell: but
by reason of the Spaniards great ordinance and calivers,
they were in the end put to flight. Now these Indians
thinking verily that the Spaniards were the children of
God, because of their great ordinance which made such
a noise, and breathed out such flames of fire, yeelded
themselves unto them. So the Spaniards having divided
this province made the Indians to serve their turnes for
getting of gold out of the mines, which they enjoyed in
such abundance, that hee which had least had 20000 pezos,
but Captaine Baldivia himselfe had 300000 pezos by the
yeere. The fame of these riches in the end was spred
as farre as Spaine; from whence soone after resorted
many Spaniards to the land of Chili, whom Captaine
Baldivia caused to inhabite sixe townes: to wit, Villa
nueva de la Serena called in the Indian tongue Coquimbo
;
the second Sant Iago which the Indians call Mapocha;
the third La Concepcion called by the Indians Penco;
the fourth La Imperial; the fift Baldivia; and the sixt
La Villa Rica. Also he built a fort in the middle of all
the land, wherein hee put ordinance and souldiers; howbeit all this their good successe continued not long: for
the Indians in short time perceiving that the Spaniards
were but mortall men as well as they, determined to rebell
against them : wherefore the first thing that they did,
they carried grasse into the said fort for the Spaniards
horses, and wood also for them to burne, among which
grasse the Indians conveyed bowes and arrowes with
great clubs. This done, fiftie of the Indians entred the
fort, betooke themselves to their bowes, arrowes, and
clubs, and stood in the gate of the sayd fort: from whence
making a signe unto other of their nation for helpe, they
wanne the fort, and slewe all the Spaniards. The newes
of this overthrow comming to the towne of Concepcion
where Captaine Baldivia was, hee presently set foorth
with two hundred horsemen to seeke the Indians, taking
no more men with him, because he was in haste. And
in a plaine he met the Indians, who comming of purpose
also to seeke him, and compassing him about, slew most
part of his company, the rest escaping by the swiftnesse
of their horses: but Baldivia having his horse slaine under
him was taken alive. Whom the Indians wished to be
of a good courage, and to feare nothing; for the cause
(said they) why we have taken you, is to give you gold
ynough. And having made a great banquet for him, the
last service of all was a cuppe full of melted gold, which
the Indians forced him to drinke, saying, Now glut thy
selfe with gold, and so they killed him. This Baldivia
was a most valiant man, who had beene an olde souldier
in the warres of Italy
, and at the sacking of Rome
.
Upon this discomfiture the Spaniards choose for their
Captaine one
Pedro de Villa grande: who assembling all
the Spaniards in Chili, and taking with him tenne peeces
of ordinance, marched against those Indians; but with
so badde successe, that he lost not onely the field and
many of his men, but also those ten peeces of ordinance
which hee brought. The Indians having thus gotten the
victorie, went streightway against the towne of Concepcion
, from whence the Spaniards fled for feare, and
left the towne desolate. And in this maner were the
Spaniards chased by the Indians out of the countrey of
Arauco. But newes hereof being brought to the Marques
of Cannete viceroy of Peru, hee sent his sonne Don
Garcia de Mendoza against those Indians, with a great
power of horsemen, and footmen, and store of Artillerie.
The nobleman having subdued Chili againe, & slaine in
divers battels above 40000 Indians, and brought them
the second time under the Spaniards subjection, newly
erected the said fort that stoode in the midst of the land,
inhabited the towne of Concepcion
againe, and built other
townes for the Spaniards: and so leaving the land in
peace, hee returned for Peru. But yer hee was cleane
departed out of the land the Indians rebelled againe, but
could not doe so much mischiefe as they did before,
because the Spaniards tooke better heede unto them.
From that time untill this present there hath bene no
peace at all: for notwithstanding many Captaines and
souldiers have done their uttermost, yet can they not
bring that people wholly in subjection. And although
the Spaniards have in this province eleven townes and
two bishoprickes, yet have they little ynough to maintaine themselves, by reason of the warres; for they spend
all the golde that the land yeeldeth in the maintenance
of their souldiers: which would not bee so, if they had
peace, for then they might worke in all their mines.
Thus having spoken somewhat of the situation of Chili,
and of the troublesome conquest therof, I will returne to
my former discourse where I left. Baldivia therefore
being of 150 houses hath twise bene burnt and spoyled
by the Indians; so that now it is waxen poore, but before
the Indians sacked it, it was very rich: and it standeth
up a river foure leagues from the sea. Passing from
hence you come to the plaine countrey of Arauco being
situate over against the Island La Mocha, on which Island
the Indians that inhabite belong to the maine land.
Having passed this plaine of Arauco, the next towne
of the Spaniards that you come unto is La Concepcion
which hath beene the greatest and the richest towne in
all Chili: but by reason that the Indians have burned the
same foure times, it is now growen very poore, and hath
small store of people: it contayneth about some two
hundred houses. And because it adjoyneth upon the
plaine of Arauco, where these valiant Indians bee, therefore this towne is environed about with a strong wall,
and hath a fort built hard by it: and here are 500 souldiers
continually in garrison. Betweene this place and Valparizo, the Indians call the coast by the name of Mapocha.
Sant Iago it selfe standing 25 leagues up into the
countrey, is the principal towne of all Chili, and the
seate of the governour: it consisteth of about 800 houses.
The port of Valparizo whither the goods come from Lima
by shipping, hath about twentie houses standing by it.
The next towne neere the sea side beyond this is Coquimbo
,
which standeth two leagues up into the land, and containeth about 200 houses. Next unto Coquimbo
standeth
a port-towne called Copiapo
inhabited altogether by
Indians which serve the Spaniards : and here a gentleman
which is governour of the towne hath an Ingenio for
sugar: at this place endeth the whole province of Chili.
Here also the mountaines joyning hard upon the sea are
the cause why all the land betweene Copiapo
and Peru,
containing 160 leagues, lyeth desolate.
The first towne on the coast of Peru called Atacama
is
inhabited by Indians which are slaves unto the Spaniards.
But before I passe any farther I will here also declare
unto you the first discoverie of Peru with other matters
thereto belonging, and then will I returne to the seacoast
againe: and to the ende you may understand mee the
better, I will begin with Panama. After that the
Spaniards had inhabited the North side of this maine
land, passing over the mountaines they discovered the
South sea: where because they found Indian people with
gold and pearles, they built a towne eighteene leagues
to the West of Nombre de Dios hard upon the sea-side,
and called it Panama. From hence they discovered along
the coast of Nueva Espanna: and for that Nueva Espanna
was at the same time inhabited by Spaniards, there beganne a trade from thence to Panama: but from Panama
by sea to the coast of Peru they could not trade in a
long time, because of the Southerly winds blowing on
this coast almost all the yeere long, which are a hinderance to shippes sayling that way: and by land the passage
was impossible, in regard of mountaines and rivers: yea
it was fifteene yeeres before they passed the
Island of
Pearles, which is but twentie leagues from Panama.
There were at this time in Panama two men, the one
called Francisco Pizarro borne in the citie of Truxillo in
Spaine, a valiant man, but withall poore : the other called
Diego de Almagro was very rich. These men got a
company unto them, and provided two Caravels to discover the coast of Peru: and having obtained licence of
the governour of that place, Francisco Pizarro set foorth
with the two foresayd caravels and 100 men, and Diego
de Almagro stayed in Panama to send him victuals and
other necessaries. Now Francisco Pizarro sayling along
the coast met with much contrary winds and raine, which
put him to great trouble; and he began also after a while
to lacke victuals, for hee was sailing of that in eight
moneths which they now passe in fifteene dayes, and not
knowing the right course hee ranne into every river and
bay that hee saw along the coast: which was the chiefe
cause that hee stayed so long on his voyage: also thirtie
of his company dyed by reason of the unhealthfulnesse of
the coast. At last hee came to an Island called by him
Isla
del Gallo, being situate from the maine land sixe
leagues. From hence he sent one of his ships to Panama
for a new supply of victuals & of men: which ship being
departed, 40 of his men that remained behind made a
mutiny, and passed up into the countrey, meaning to
returne by land to Panama, but in the way they all
perished, for they were never heard of untill this day.
So that Francisco Pizarro was left upon the said Island
onely with thirteene men: who although he had his ship
there in which he might have returned, yet would he
rather die then goe backe; and his 13 men also were of
his opinion, notwithstanding that they had no other victuals, but such as they had from the maine land in the
night season. Thus he continued nine moneths, before
any succour was brought him from Panama: but in the
end his ship returned with 40 men onely and victuals:
whereupon hee prosecuted his voyage till he came to the
first plaine countrey of Peru called Tumbez, where he
found a fort made by the king of Peru against the Indians
of the mountaines. Wherefore Pizarro and his men were
very glad in that they had found a people of so good
understanding and discretion, being rich also in gold and
silver and well apparelled. At this port of Tumbez hee
tooke 30000 pezos of gold in trucke of marchandize: and
having too few men to proceede any further hee carried
two Indians with him to learne the language and returned
backe for Panama. Upon this discovery Francisco Pizarro thought it expedient to travell into Spaine to crave
of the king the conquest of this land. Whither being
come, the king granted his request. And with the money
which he carried over with him he hired a great number
of men with a fleete of ships, and brought also along
with him foure of his brethren very valiant and hardy men.
And being come to Panama he straightway went on his
voyage for Peru, being accompanied with his partner
Diego de Almagro. They sailed first to the Island called
Isla
del Gallo; where Francisco Pizarro and his brethren
went on land, and left Diego de Almagro in the ships.
And the whole number which afterward landed on the
maine land were 60 horsemen and 120 footemen, with
two great field-peeces.
But before we proceede any farther, we thinke it not
amisse to describe unto you the situation of Peru, and
the naturall disposition of the inhabitants: This countrey
was called Peru by the Spaniards, of a river so named
by the Indians, where they first came to the sight of
gold. From which river standing under the line, till you
come to Copiapo
the first towne on the coast of Chili,
stretcheth the land of Peru, for the space of eight hundred
leagues: upon sixe hundred whereof from Atacama
to
Tumbez did never drop of raine fall, since the flood of
Noah: and yet it is the fruitfullest land for all kinds of
victuals and other necessaries for the sustentation of mans
life that is to be found in all the world besides. The
reason why it raineth not in this land is because it beeing
a plaine countrey and very narrow and low, situate betweene the Equinoctiall and the tropique of Capricorne,
there runneth on the West frontier not above twentie
leagues from the sea called Mar del Sur Eastward thereof,
a mighty ridge of high mountaines covered with snow,
the height of which mountaines so draweth the moisture
of the cloudes unto it selfe, that no raine falleth upon
the vallies of Peru. From these mountaines issue great
store of rivers into the
South sea, with the waters whereof
drawen by certaine sluces and chanels they moisten their
vineyardes and corne-fields, and by this meanes the land
is so exceeding fruitfull. Betweene these mountaines and
the mountaines of Chili that stretch unto the Streits of
Magellan, lyeth a plaine of 60 leagues over, being so cold
that it yeeldeth no Wheat, but good store of other victuals. This countrey of Peru is full of people well
apparelled and of civill behaviour. It hath many mines
of gold and more of silver, as also great store of copper,
and tinne-mines, with abundance of salt peter, and of
brimstone to make gun-pouder. There are likewise cattell
of all sorts, among which there is a beast in shape somewhat resembling a camel, but no bigger then a steere of
a yeere olde; they serve to carry burthens, their flesh
being good to eate, and their wooll apt for many purposes. This beast is accounted the most profitable of al
others for the use of man: howbeit the Spaniards since
their first comming have replenished this countrey with
horses, kine, sheepe, and goates, and likewise with plentie
of wheat. So that in fewe words this land hath abun-dance of riches and victuals, and is the healthfullest place
in the world. There were in times past kings of this
land which were mightie Monarchs, whose dominions
stretched 1200. leagues, and their lawes were very civill,
save that they were worshippers of the Sunne. At what
time the Spaniards first entred this land there were two.
brethren of the blood royall which strove who should have
the kingdome, the one called Guascar, and the other
Atabalipa. Nowe Guascar had possession of all the
mountaines and the lands within them: and Atabalipa
was lord of all the sea coast, and of the valleys situate
betweene the said mountaines and the sea. The Indians
seeing the Spaniards at the first arrive upon their shore
called them Vera
coche, which in their language signifieth, The fome of the sea. Also Atabalipa the Indian
prince sent unto them to know what they did in his land,
and what they sought for: the Spaniards made answere
that they were the messengers of a great lord, and that
they came to speake with the prince himselfe: who sent
them word that they should come with a very good will;
and so Atabalipa stayed for them at a citie called Caxamalca, being thirtie leagues distant from the sea side.
Whither being come, they found the Indian prince sitting
in a chariot of gold, carried upon mens shoulders, and
accompanied with above 60000 Indians all ready armed
for the warres. Then the Spaniards tolde them that they
were sent from an Emperour (unto whom the Pope had
given all that land) to convert them unto the Christian
faith. Whereunto Atabalipa answered, that hee would
gladly be friends with the Emperour, because he was so
great a Monarch, but in no case with the Pope, because
he gave to another that which was none of his owne.
Now while they were thus in talke, the Spaniards discharging their two field peeces, and their calivers, set
upon the Indians, crying Sant Iago. The Indians hearing the noise of the ordinance and small shot, and seeing
the fire, thought that flames of fire had bene come downe
from heaven upon them: whereupon they fledde, and left
their prince as a booty for the. Spaniards. Whom they
at the first intreated very gently, wishing him not to
feare, for that their comming was onely to seeke for golde
and silver. During the time of Atabalipas imprisonment,
his Captaines had slaine his brother Guascar, and had
subdued all the mountaines and plaine countreys. Upon
which newes Atabalipa told the Spaniards, that if they
would release him, hee would give them all that they
should demaund. This communication having continued
a whole day, at length a souldier named Soto sayd unto
Atabalipa: what wilt thou give us to set thee free? The
prince answered, I will give whatsoever you will demand.
Whereunto the souldier replied, thou shalt give us this
house full of gold and silver thus high, lifting up his
sword, and making a stroke upon the wall. And Atabalipa sayde, that if they would grant him respite to
send into his kingdome, he would fulfill their demand.
Whereat the Spaniards much marveiling, gave him three
moneths time, but he had filled the house in two moneths
and. an halfe, a matter scarce credible, yet most true:
for I know above twentie men that were there at that
time, who all affirme, that it was above tenne millions of
gold and silver. Howbeit for all this they let not the
prince goe, but thought that in killing of him they should
become lords of the whole land, and so the Spaniards on
a night strangled him. But God the righteous judge
seeing this villanous act, suffered none of those Spaniards
to dye by the course of nature, but brought them to evill
and shamefull ends.
Upon the newes of these great riches there came store
of people out of Spaine, and inhabited many places in
this countrey. The king in recompence of the good services of the two foresayd partners, appoynted Diego de
Almagro governour of halfe the land, and Francisco Pizarro of the other halfe, whom also hee made a Marques.
But these two consorts in parting of a land belonging
unto other men, fell at variance and sharpe warre betweene
themselves: and at length Pizarro having slaine Almagro
got all the land into his owne hands. Howbeit this prosperitie of Pizarro continued not long: for a bastard-sonne
of Diego de Almagro, to bee revenged of his fathers
death, slew Pizarro, for which acte he lost his head. In
this controversie betweene these two partners were slaine
also two brothers of Pizarro, and the third was carried
prisoner into Spaine and there dyed in prison; but the
fourth called Gonsalvo Pizarro rebelled with the whole
countrey and became a cruell tyrant, vanquishing many
of the Emperours Captaines in battell, and possessing the
countrey in peace for two yeeres: howbeit being in the
ende overcome hee lost his head like a traitour. And
thus dyed they all an evill death that were causes of the
death of that innocent king Atabalipa. And yet there
are mutinies raised oftentimes by the Spaniards, but the
Indians never rebelled, after they had once peace granted
unto them. The Indian people of this land are parted
among the Spaniards, some being slaves unto the gentlemen that conquered their land, other some to others, and
the residue to the king: and these Indians pay eche man
for his tribute seven pezos of fine golde, which is about
tenne ducats and a halfe. There are in this countrey
above fortie cities and townes inhabited by the Spaniards:
also they have here erected nine bishopricks and one
archbishopricke.
Now after this countrey was fully conquered and
brought in good order, certaine Spaniards being desirous
to discover the land on the other side of the snowy mountaines, found a very wholesome countrey and there
inhabited. The sayd province situate behinde the mountaines is called The province of Tucuman
, wherein are
five townes inhabited by the Spaniards, the last of them
called Cordova
, from which towne unto Santa Fee situate
upon the river of Plate it is seventie leagues. This towne
of Santa Fee was built in that place, to seeke a way to
Peru by the river of Plate. And from hence downe the
sayde river to Buenos Ayres are 120 leagues, and from
Buenos Ayres unto Sealisland you have 40 leagues.
Now having put downe all that I know concerning the
countrey of Peru, and of the way from the river of
Plate unto Tucuman
, I will returne unto Atacama
the
Southermost towne upon the coast of Peru, where I left.
From this towne of Atacama
till you come to Arica
,
all the coast is inhabited by Indians subject unto the
Spaniards. But since Captaine Drake was here they have
built towers by the sea side, whereon, seeing any saile
that they doe mistrust, they presently make smokes, and
so from tower to tower they warne all the countrey.
Having before spoken of Arica
all that I can, I will now
proceed to the next port called Camana being a towne
of Spaniards and containing about two hundred houses.
Here they make store of wine, and have abundance of
figges and reisins. The next towne called Acari
containeth about three hundred houses, and here is made
the best and greatest store of wine in all Peru. From
hence passing along the coast you come to El Calao the
port of Lima
consisting of about two hundred houses:
and here was a strong fort built since Captaine Drake
was upon the coast. The citie of Lima
standing two
leagues within the land, and containing two thousand
houses, is very rich, and of more trade then all the cities
of Peru besides: and this citie is the seat of the viceroy,
the archbishop, and the inquisition.
Next unto this standeth a small towne of the Spaniards
by the sea side called Santa: and next unto Santa is
another small towne of Christians called Cannete. From
hence they saile unto a rich citie called Truxillo, being
one of the principall townes of Peru, and containing about
five hundred houses. Then followeth Paita which hath
to the number of two hundred houses. Leaving this
towne they passe to Guaiaquil which standeth fortie
leagues up into a great bay or river, at the entrance of
which river standeth Tumbez a towne of the Indians. All
this coast along from Atacama
to Tumbez it never raineth,
as I have before said: so that all the houses in their
townes are not tyled, but covered with bourdes to keepe
off the heate of the Sunne, for they feare no raine at all.
Guaiaquil is the first place where it raineth, and here
they gather Salsaperilla. Here is also great store of
timber, and at this place they build many shippes. Hence
they sayle along the coast to a small and poore towne
called Puerto Viejo, which in times past hath bene rich
with emralds: but now since these stones in regard of
their plenty are growen nothing worth, this towne likewise is waxen very poore. Below this village standeth
another called La Buena Ventura: but whosoever go
thither must needs meet with evill fortune, the place it
selfe is so waterish and unholesome. Here abide not
above 20 men, who serve onely to transport goods unto
a citie standing fiftie leagues within the maine, in a
province called La governacion de Popaian. From Buena
ventura and Popaian till you come to Panama there is no
other towne, by reason of the high mountaines, the manifold rivers, and the unholesomenesse of the countrey. In
this place doe inhabite the Negros that runne from their
masters, and upon these mountaines was Oxnam the
English Captaine and his men taken, as is before mentioned. Beyond these mountaines standeth the citie of
Panama, being a rich place, by reason that all the treasure
which commeth from Peru is brought thither, and it consisteth of about foure hundred houses. The coast running
along betweene this city and Nueva Espanna is called
Costa
rica.
Next unto Costa
rica, which is a mountainous and
desolate place, lieth the coast of Nicaragua
, being inhabited by the Spaniards, and having many good ports
belonging to it, and is frequented with trade of marchan
dize; but having no knowledge of the situation thereof,
nor of the townes therein contained, I surcease to speake
any more of it.
A certaine viceroy of Nueva Espanna called Don Luis
de Velasco caused certaine ships to be built for the discovery of the Malucos and of the coast of China
: which
shippes in sayling thitherward found certaine Islands 80
leagues distant from the maine land, which the Spaniards,
according to the name of their king, called The Philippinas: and having conquered one of these Islands called
Manilla, inhabited with a barbarous kind of people, they
built a fort and a towne thereupon, from whence they
have trade with the people of China
. Unto these Islands
they have foure great ships that usually trade, two of
them continually going, and two comming: so that such
spices and silkes as the Portugals bring home out of the
East Indies, the very same doe the Spaniards bring from
these Islands and from China
, for Mexico
the chiefe citie
of Nueva Espanna. The principall port-townes of the
coast of Nueva Espanna are Guatulco, and Acapulco
.
All the viceroyes and governours that the king of Spaine
sendeth for Peru and Nueva Espanna have a custome,
for the obtaining of his favour, to seeke and discover
new countreys. But the greatest and most notable discoverie that hath bene from those parts now of late, was
that of the
Isles of Salomon, which were found in maner
following. The Licenciate Castro being governour of
Peru sent foorth a fleete of shippes to discover certaine
Islands in the
South sea upon the coast of Peru, appointing as Generall of the same fleete a kinsman of his called
Alvares de Mendanio, and Pedro Sarmiento as lieutenant,
and in the Viceadmirall went Pedro de Ortega. This
fleete departing forth of the haven of Lima
, and sayling
800 leagues Westward off the coast of Peru, found certaine Islands in eleven degrees to the South of the
Equinoctial inhabited with a kind of people of a yellowish
complexion, and all naked, whose weapons are bowes and
arrowes, and darts. The beasts that they saw here were
hogges and little dogges, and they found some hennes.
Here also they found a muster of cloves, ginger, and
sinamon, although the sinamon were not of the best; and
heere appeared unto them likewise some shewe of golde.
The first Island that the Spaniards discovered, they named
Santa Izabella; and here they built a small pinnesse,
with the which and with their ships boate they found out
betweene nine and fifteene degrees of Southerly latitude
eleven great Islands being one with another of 80 leagues
in compasse. The greatest Island that they discovered
was according unto the first finder called Guadalcanal
,
on the coast whereof they sayled 150 leagues, before they
could knowe whither it were an Island or part of the
maine land: and yet they know not perfectly what to
make of it, but thinke that it may be part of that continent which stretcheth to the Streights of Magellan; for
they coasted it to eighteene degrees and could not find
the ende thereof. The gold that they found was upon
this Island or maine land of Guadalcanal
, whereas they
landed and tooke a towne, finding small graines of golde
hanged up in the houses thereof. But because the
Spaniards understood not the language of the countrey,
and also for that the Indians were very stout men, and
fought continually against them, they could never learne
from whence that gold came, nor yet what store was in
the land.
These Indians use to goe to sea in great Canoas that
will carrie 100 men a piece, wherein they have many
conflicts one against another: howbeit unto the Christians
they could doe no great hurt; for that with a small pinnesse and two falcons a few may overcome 100 of them.
At this place foureteene men mistrusting nothing, rowed
to land, to take in fresh water, whome on the sudden
certaine Indians in foure Canoas set upon, tooke the ships
boat, and slewe all the men therein: wherefore a man
cannot goe on shore too strong, nor yet be too wary in
a strange land. Hereupon the Spaniards went on shore
in their pinnesse, and burnt the towne, and in this towne
they found the small graines of gold before mentioned.
They were discovering of these Islands from one to
another about foureteene moneths, at the ende of which
time (because that upon the coast where they were, the
wind continuing still in one place, might bee an occasion
of longer tarying) they consulted which way to returne.
Southward they durst not goe for feare of great tempests
which are that way usuall: wherefore sayling to the North
of the line, they fell with the coast of Nueva Espanna;
on which coast they met with such terrible stormes, that
they were forced to cut their maine masts over-bourd,
and to lye nine moneths beating it up and downe in the
sea, before they could get into any harborow of the
Christians. In which time by reason of evill governement, and for lacke of victuals and fresh water, most of
the men in their Admirall dyed; for five whole dayes
together they had neither water nor meate: but in the
other ships they behaved themselves so well, that the
greater part of them came safe unto the land. He that
passeth the Streights of Magellan, or saileth from the
coast of Chili directly for the Malucos must needs runne
in sight of some of these Islands before spoken of. At
which Islands lying so conveniently in the way to the
Malucos you may furnish your selfe with plenty of victuals, as hogges, hennes, excellent almonds, potatos,
sugar-canes, with divers other sortes fit for the sustenance
of man in great abundance. Also among these Islands
you shall have some quantity of gold, which the Indians
will give you in truck for other commodities. For the
Spaniards in their discovery of these Islands not seeking
nor being desirous of gold, brought home notwithstanding 40000 pezos with them, besides great store of cloves
and ginger, and some sinamon also which is not so good
as in other places. The discoverer of these Islands named
them the
Isles of Salomon, to the ende that the Spaniards
supposing them to bee those Isles from whence Salomon
fetched gold to adorne the temple at Jerusalem
, might
bee the more desirous to goe and inhabite the same. Now
the same time when they thought to have sent colonies
unto these Islands, Captaine Drake entered the
South
sea: whereupon commandement was given, that they
should not be inhabited, to the ende that such Englishmen, and of other nations as passed the Streights of
Magellan to goe to the Malucos might have no succour
there, but such as they got of the Indian people.
