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CHAP. I. America, unknown to the Antients.
CHAP. I. America, unknown to the Antients.
The Sea, that takes several Denominations from the Countreys which it washeth, and surrounding the dry Land, cuts out, and shapes so many winding Bays, Creeks, and Meandring Inlets, seems no where so much confin’d and penn’d into so narrow a Channel, as the Straights of Magellan : From whence again, soon expatiating, it spreads it self into two immense, and almost boundless Oceans, that which opens to the North, gives terminaries to the four Regions of the Earth; that to the South, onely to Asia
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CHAP. II. Of the Original of the Americans, whence they came, when, how, and from what People Planted.
CHAP. II. Of the Original of the Americans, whence they came, when, how, and from what People Planted.
About the Original of the Americans , the Learned Dispute so much, that they find nothing more difficult in Story, than to clear that Point; for whether inquiry be made after the time, when the Americans first settled themselves where they now inhabit, or after what manner they came thither, either by Shipping or by Land; on purpose, or accidentally; driven by Storm, or else forc’d by a more powerful People, to remove from their old Plantations, and seek for new? or if any one should be yet more
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CHAP. III. First Discoverers of America. Christopher Colonus his Expedition.
CHAP. III. First Discoverers of America. Christopher Colonus his Expedition.
Christopher Colonus , generally (though by mistake) call’d Columbus , was Lib. 11. Hist. Georg. born in Arbizolo , a Village in the Dominion of Genoa , near Savona ; his Christoph. Colonus ’s Birth. Father liv’d by Fishing in the Midland-Sea: So that Sebastian Schroter , and others besides him, are mistaken, saying, Colonus was born in the City Cucureum , and descended of the Noble Family Pilistrelli : For Peter Bezarus , Colonus his Countrey-man, gives unquestionable Proofs of his mean Extract;
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CHAP. I. Of the Bounds of America, and of the Division of the Mexican or Northern part thereof.
CHAP. I. Of the Bounds of America, and of the Division of the Mexican or Northern part thereof.
Having in the first part of this Volume discours’d at large concerning the original of the Americans , and whether that part of the World call’d India Occidentalis , or America , were known to the Ancients, or own its Discovery wholly to the Moderns, as also of all the Discoveries that have been made of the several parts thereof, and by whom, we shall now pass on to the Topographical part, describing every particular Province or Region, by giving an account of their Situation, Temperature, Produ
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CHAP. II. New England.
CHAP. II. New England.
As Canada is by some accounted a general Province, containing New France , L’Accadie , Norumbega , and other places, so under Virginia largely taken, are comprehended New England , New Netherlands , and Virginia properly so call’d; however, since that part which vulgarly goes under the Name of Virginia and New England were possess’d, if not discover’d, at several times, and their Plantations promoted and propagated upon several occasions, and by distinct Interests, and since New England hath bee
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A NEW DESCRIPTION OF MARY-LAND.
A NEW DESCRIPTION OF MARY-LAND.
Before We proceed to the Description of this Countrey, it will be first requisite to relate the true occasion and means, whereby this part of America came to be erected into a Province, and call’d Mary-land . In the Year of our Lord 1631. George Lord Baltemore obtain’d of King Charles the First, of Great Brittain, &c. a Grant of that part of America , (first discover’d by the English ) which lies between the Degrees of thirty seven and fifty Minutes, or thereabouts, and forty of Northerl
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CHAP. III. Florida.
CHAP. III. Florida.
South-West of Virginia lieth the spacious Countrey of Florida , remarkable hitherto rather by the great pains which the Spaniards have taken, and the ill Successes they have met with in the discovery and search of this Province, than by any thing else they have discover’d in it answerable to their desires. On the East it hath the Atlantick Ocean , or Mare del Nordt ; on the South, and South-West, the Gulph of Mexico and Mare Virginium ; and full West, part of New Gallicia , and some other Countr
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CHAP. IV. Guatimala.
CHAP. IV. Guatimala.
Guatimala stretcheth to the Isthmus , or Neck of Land, which, as we said, joineth the Northern and Southern parts of the New World together. This Countrey is bounded Northward with the Peninsula of Jucatan abovesaid, and part of the Gulph or Bay of Honduras ; on the South, with Mare del Zur ; on the East and South-East, it hath Castella Aurea ; and on the West, New Spain . The length of it lieth upon the Coast of Mare del Zur , and is said to be little less than three hundred Leagues; but the br
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CHAP. V. The Kingdom of Mexico, or New-Spain.
CHAP. V. The Kingdom of Mexico, or New-Spain.
New Spain , the chiefest part of the Northern America , reckons in length from the East-Point of Yucatan , to the place where Mechoacon juts against Guadalajara three hundred and sixty Leagues; and in breadth from the Northern parts of Panucos , to the Southern Ocean, a hundred and eighty Leagues; besides a great part which lies to the Northward, behind inaccessable Mountains and Wildernesses; inhabited by the Tepecuaenes , Guachucules , Cacatequas , Tecaxquines , and others; and was, before the
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CHAP. VI. New Gallicia.
CHAP. VI. New Gallicia.
New Gallicia , by some call’d Guadalajara , from the chief City. This whole Province is the most Northern Countrey of all America , that is inhabited to any purpose by the Spaniards . Here, ’tis true, they are scatter’d up and down in all the parts of it, but it is at a huge distance, and for the most part onely where the Mines are. It is bounded on the East and to the South, with the Kingdom of Mexico or New Spain ; on the West, with the Gulf or Bay of California ; Northward, for so much as is
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CHAP. VII. New Biscay.
CHAP. VII. New Biscay.
New Biscay , by some accounted a Province of New Gallicia , hath on the South, Zacatecas ; on the West, the Countrey of Cinoloa ; Northward it is bounded with New Mexico ; the Eastern Borders of it looking towards Florida , not yet well discover’d: so call’d by the Spaniards , onely from its neighborhood to New Gallicia . It is, as the other Provinces, exceeding rich in Silver Mines, and hath some also of Lead; which serve principally, as some say, for the refining or purging of the other Metal.
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CHAP. VIII. New Mexico.
CHAP. VIII. New Mexico.
New Mexico (as ’tis call’d for distinction’s sake) is bounded on the South-West with New Biscay ; more directly Westward, with some parts of Quivira ; the Countreys Northward of it not yet discover’d; Eastward it extends it self as far as Florida . This Province doubtless for largeness may compare with New Gallicia , having been search’d and discover’d by the Spaniards above a hundred, some say two hundred Leagues directly Eastward, and to the North-East: and they report Wonders of it, if we may
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CHAP. IX. Cibola, Tontonteac, and Nova Granada.
CHAP. IX. Cibola, Tontonteac, and Nova Granada.
Though the Province of Zuny above-mention’d in the Chapter of New Mexico , in the Voyage of Espejus , be there otherwise call’d, and appear to be the same with Cibola , yet we find it not treated of by any as part of New Mexico , but by some as a distinct Province, by others as a part of California largely taken; for besides that California , properly so call’d, hath formerly been taken rather for a Peninsula than an Island, and still affords to some an Argument of question, whether it be one or
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CHAP. X. Quivira.
CHAP. X. Quivira.
Quivira is the next Region accounted of California , largely taken; yet appearing by some Charts to lie so vastly remote, that all New Mexico , Gallicia , and other Provinces already mention’d, lie between that and the Island. And whereas New Granada is by several made a part of New Mexico ; yet most certain it is, that by some it is confounded with this Countrey, or at least accounted a part thereof, as hereafter shall more plainly appear, according to the Account of those that have most fully
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CHAP. XI. Terra Nova, or New-found Land, with the Island of Assumption.
CHAP. XI. Terra Nova, or New-found Land, with the Island of Assumption.
Having treated at large of all the several Regions and Provinces of the North part of the Continent of America , we come now to those Islands that lie within the same Degrees of Northern Latitude with that part of the Continent: The first is Terre Neuve , or New-found Land, discover’d together with several other Parts upon the Continent before mention’d by Sir Sebastian Cabott , by the Countenance and Charge of King Henry the Seventh of England ; whereupon a rightful Claim thereunto, and Interes
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CHAP. XII. The Bermudas, or Summer-Islands.
CHAP. XII. The Bermudas, or Summer-Islands.
The Bermudas , or Summer-Islands (probably so term’d as to the first Appellation from certain black Hogs, by the Spaniards call’d Bermudas , which from a Ship bound with them to some other parts of the West-Indies , and cast away upon that Coast, swam ashore, and there increased; or, as others say, from John Bermudes , a Spaniard , who is said to have been the first Discoverer; or, as to the second, from one George Summers , an English -man, who there suffer’d shipwrack) are situated in thirty t
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CHAP. XIII. Hispaniola.
CHAP. XIII. Hispaniola.
The Islands call’d De Barlovento , by which are understood Hispaniola , Cuba , Jamaica , and Boriquen , as also the Lucaies , with the Caribes , and lastly the Isles call’d De Sotavento , viz. Margareta , Cabagua , and Tabago , are by some comprehended all under the general Name of The Isles Antilles ; though others reckon the Antilles to be the same with the Caribes onely. But leaving this Controversie undecided, we shall begin with the Isles De Barlovento , the chief whereof is Hispaniola . Hi
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CHAP. XIV. Porto Rico, and Monico.
CHAP. XIV. Porto Rico, and Monico.
Another of those call’d The Isles of Barlovento , is Boriquen , anciently so nam’d, but now more generally Porto Rico , from St. Juan de Porto Rico , its chief Town, is an Island fifteen Leagues distant from Santa Crux , to the North-West, and about as many from Hispaniola to the South-East, but from the Continent or main Land of Paria (which seems to be the nearest) a hundred and thirty, or a hundred thirty six, as some reckon. It lieth almost in a quadrangular Form, being suppos’d to contain a
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CHAP. XV. Cuba.
CHAP. XV. Cuba.
Westward, or rather to the North-West of Hispaniola , lieth Cuba , accounted Its Bounds. one of the four Isles of Barlovento , and by Columbus , upon his first Discovery, call’d Joanna , afterwards Fernandina , then Alpha and Omega , till at last the present Name prevail’d; it is parted from the other by a Frith, or narrow Channel, which runneth betwixt the Capes of St. Nicholas , belonging to Hispaniola , and that call’d Mayzi , belonging to Cuba : On the North it hath a Frie of little Islands
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CHAP. XVI. Jamaica.
CHAP. XVI. Jamaica.
The Island of Jamaica lieth North from the Southern Continent of America , in the Sea call’d Mare del Nort ; and South from the Isle of Cuba about twelve Leagues; and West from Hispaniola twenty, in eighteen Degrees of Northern Latitude; and beareth from Rio de Hacha North-West, a hundred and fifty Leagues; from Santa Martha North North-West, a hundred and thirty five; from Rio Grande North-West, a hundred and thirty; from Carthagena North, fourteen; from Porto Bello North-East and by North, a h
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CHAP. XVII. The Islands call’d the Lucaies.
CHAP. XVII. The Islands call’d the Lucaies.
Having done with the four Islands of Barlovento , as they are term’d, viz. Hispaniola , Cuba , Porto Rico , and Jamaica , we come next to the Lucaies , so call’d, as some think, from Lucaioneque , one of the biggest of them; they lie over against Florida , Westward from the Bermudas , South-West and North of Hispaniola , and the rest of the Barloventi ; and because they are but small ones, and lie so near the Continent, Geographers sometimes describe them as a part, or appertaining to the Contin
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CHAP. XVIII. The Caribby Islands.
CHAP. XVIII. The Caribby Islands.
The Caribbee Islands , as they are generally call’d, are a Row or Ridge, as it were, of lesser Islands, which extend themselves almost in fashion of a Bowe, from the Coast of Paria as far as St. John de Porto Rico ; they are otherwise call’d The-Caraibes , sometimes The Camercanes , and by some The Islands of Cannibals , or Man-eaters , (though this Appellation cannot in reality be more appropriated to these Islands, than to many other, either Islands, or Parts of the Continent of America ;) las
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CHAP. XIX. The Islands Sotavento, and the Isle Trinidado.
CHAP. XIX. The Islands Sotavento, and the Isle Trinidado.
In the Division we found to be made of the Islands that lie between Florida and New Spain , and Southern America , the last are the Isles of Sotavento , which are reckon’d to be these three, Margareta , Cubagua , and Tabago , but the last is by most accounted, and hath been mention’d amongst the Caribbees . Margareta , so call’d from the abundance of Pearls (of which the Spanish Appellation comes near the Latine Margaritæ ) found there by the Spaniards at their first Discovery, lies about the tw
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CHAP. XX. California.
CHAP. XX. California.
Having before made mention of California , as it is by some taken for that large portion of Northern America which lies most Southward, and also utmost West of all that is known of the New World , and having treated of those several Provinces which are generally reckon’d to be comprehended in it, (excepting California strictly taken, as it is generally granted to be an Island) viz. Quivira , Cibola , and Nova Albion , lying on the Continent (though there want not those who make Nova Albion onely
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CHAP. I.
CHAP. I.
Having compleated our Description of Mexicana , or Northern America , being that great Peninsula which lies Northward of the Isthmus , or Straight of Darien , together with all the Islands on the North side of the Equinoctial Line , we come now to the Southern Part, otherwise call’d Peruana , from Peru the chief Kingdom thereof, being the other great Peninsula , which lies Southward of the aforesaid Straight : It is generally resembled to the form of a Pyramid revers’d; the Basis whereof, that i
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CHAP. II. Castella Aurea, otherwise call’d Terra Firma.
CHAP. II. Castella Aurea, otherwise call’d Terra Firma.
Castella de Oro , as the Spaniards call it, or Golden Castile , taketh up all the rest of the Isthmus , or Straight of Darien , which hath not been yet spoken of, being bounded Eastward, and to the North-East, with the Atlantick Ocean; and on the West with Mare del Zur , and some part of Veragua ; Southward it hath the new Kingdom of Granada . It is call’d sometimes Terra Firma , because it was one of the first parts of firm Land which the Spaniards touch’d upon, after they had pass’d so many Is
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CHAP. III. New Granada.
CHAP. III. New Granada.
The new Kingdom of Granada , as ’tis commonly call’d, was for the most part both discover’d and conquer’d by Gonsalvo Ximenes , about the Year 1536. and with so good success, that in less than a years space, the whole Countrey was quietly setled under the Spaniards Government, and the Captain with his small Company had made shift to gather together such a Mass of Treasure as may seem almost incredible, viz. from the Reguli , or petty Princes of those Countreys, whom he had either destroy’d or ma
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CHAP. IV. Peru.
CHAP. IV. Peru.
Peru , so call’d, as some think, from the River Beru afore mention’d, in the Southern part of America , was antiently a great and mighty Kingdom, as Mexico in the Northern, and fell under the Power of the Spaniards much after the same manner that the Kingdom of Mexico did, viz. through the Dissentions and Differences amongst the People themselves, as in the History of this considerable part of the New World will be related at large hereafter. The Kingdom of the Kings of Cusco , which in some sen
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CHAP. V. Chile.
CHAP. V. Chile.
Following the Coast of Mare del Zur , or the South Sea, the next great Province pertaining formerly to the Kingdom of Peru , is that of Chile . This is the most Southerly Province of the whole Countrey of America , reaching up as far as the Magellane Straights, with which to the Southward it is bounded; Northward it hath a Desart, and an undiscover’d Countrey lying betwixt it and the Confines of Peru , call’d Atacama ; on the West it hath Mare del Zur ; and on the East, up to Rio de la Plata , t
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CHAP. VI. Paraguay, or Rio de la Plata.
CHAP. VI. Paraguay, or Rio de la Plata.
We have seen in Magellanica the farthest, that is, the most Southerly part of the New World , and before it in order all the Western Coasts of America that lie either upon or towards Mare del Zur , viz. , from Panama , the first Province of this Southern part down as far as the Straights . We are now to return and take a view of the Eastern Coasts, and those Countreys which lie upon the Atlantick Ocean, steering our Course henceforth Northward, not directly, but as the Coast leads us for a while
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CHAP. VII. Brasile.
CHAP. VII. Brasile.
Brasile by Capralis call’d San Cruz , because it was discover’d on the Day dedicated Pedro Alvarez Capralis his Expedition to Brasile . to the holy Cross, but generally Brasile , from the red Wood, which it produces in great abundance, extends, according to the Account of the Portuguese , between the Rivers Maranon and De la Plata : But according to the Division which Pope Alexander the Sixth made upon the Approbation of the Kings of Castile and Portuguese , Brasile extends not so far; for it be
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CHAP. VIII. Guiana.
CHAP. VIII. Guiana.
Northward of Brasile , over against Maragnan , the Countrey of Guiana , not improbably suppos’d to be so call’d from the River Wia , one of the principal Rivers of the Province, which yet is said to have more and fairer than any other part of America besides: It is by some call’d The Wild Coast , for what reason is uncertain, it being found to be a very fruitful and pleasant Countrey: It is Bounded on the East with the Atlantick Ocean, or Mare del Nordt ; on the West, with some undiscover’d moun
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CHAP. IX. Paria, or New Andalusia.
CHAP. IX. Paria, or New Andalusia.
VVestward of Guiana lieth the Countrey of Paria , so call’d from its chief River: It hath also the Denomination of New Andalusia , but for what resemblance with Andalusia of Old Spain , they do not tell us. This Countrey lying as it doth, brings us back again by the Eastern Coast to the Isthmus or Strait , which, as we have often said, joyns the two parts of the Continent of America together, at least to those Countreys that lie next upon it to the South, viz. the Kingdom of Granada , &c
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CHAP. I. Rio de la Plata.
CHAP. I. Rio de la Plata.
The River De la Plata , by the Natives call’d Paranaguazu , is next to the River of the Amazones , the greatest in the World, and falls into the Northern Ocean between the Capes Antonio and Maria , lying thirty Leagues one from another: It receives from East and West divers Rivers as far as the Lake Xarays , lying three hundred Leagues up in the Countrey from the Mouth of La Plata . Also into the fore-mention’d Lake fall several Streams, which spring out of the Peruvian Mountains Andes . The fir
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CHAP. II. Chili.
CHAP. II. Chili.
There are in this Countrey both tame and wild Sheep; the tame ones are call’d Cammel-Sheep , being cover’d with long fine Wool, having Necks four Foot long, their fore Feet cloven into four parts, their hindermost into two, their Mouths very wide, which they open at those that vex them, and make such a stink, that no body is able to abide near them; when tir’d, they fall under their Burdens, and will not rise, though beaten never no much: Their Flesh is tough like that of Horses. The wild Mounta
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CHAP. III. Magellanica.
CHAP. III. Magellanica.
Northward against Chili and Rio de la Plata juts the Countrey, which from Ferdinand Magaglianus is wrongly call’d Magellanica ; to which several Voyages have been made by sundry People from the North-Sea to the Southern Ocean, divers Steering still new Courses: for some follow’d the Straights of Magellan ; others Sail’d more or less South-West: By which means Le Mair open’d a new Passage between Mauritius and the States-Island ; and H. Brewer , a Way below the States-Island ; yet all Steer’d the
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CHAP. IV. The unknown South-Land.
CHAP. IV. The unknown South-Land.
The unknown South-Land extends with several Points to the Southern Ocean, which have been more seen than discover’d by divers Nations. Opposite to the East-India Island Gilolo , lies Terra des Papous , to which Jacob Le Maire gave the Denomination of New Guinee . The English Commander, Richard Hawkins , Sailing to the Southward behind Papou , found the Inhabitants black like Negro ’s: round about appear several Isles and convenient Harbors. Herrera places here on the East, the Countrey Agnanda ,
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CHAP. V. Terra Borealis, or The Artick Region.
CHAP. V. Terra Borealis, or The Artick Region.
Having spoken something of the Terra Australis Incognita , or Unknown South-Land , there remains something to be said of the opposite part, namely, the Terra Borealis , or the Artick Region ; which is call’d Incognita in like manner as the Terra Australis , in regard, though very much, as well of the one as of the other, hath been search’d into, and in part discover’d by several Voyagers, yet doubtless there is a very vast Tract of Land, in the Artick Region especially (if it be not rather Sea,)
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