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ACCOUNT

OF THE

European Settlements

I N

AMERICA.

In Six Parts.

I. A ihort Hiftory of the Dif-
covery of that Part of the
World.

II. The Manner^ and Cuftoms
of the original Inhabitants.

III. Of the Spanifh Settlements.

IV. Of the Portuguefe.

V. Of the French, Dutch,
and Danifh.

VI. Of the Englifli.

Each Part contains

An accurate Defcription of the Settlements in it,
their Extent, Climate, Produdions, Trade, Genius
and Difpofition of their Inhabitants : the Intereftsof
the fevcral Powers of Europe with rcfpedl to thofe
Settlements ; and their Political and Commercial Views
with regard to each other.

In TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.

The SEroND Edition, with Improvements,

LONDON:

Printed for R. and J. Dodsley in Pall-Mall.

MDCCLVm.

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CANADA

T H E

■^0.

4 PREFACE.

<T^HE affairs tf Americd have lately en^

gaged a great deal of the public attention.

Before the prefent war there ivere but a 'very

few who made the hijiory of that quarter of

the world any part of their Jludy \ though the

matter is certainly very curious i?2 itfelf and

extremely inter efting to us as a trading people.

The hijiory of a country which ^ though vajl

in extent y is the property of only four natioyis 5

and which y though peopled probably for aferiei

of ages y ts only known to the reft of the world

for about two centuries^ does not naturally a-f^

jord matter for many volumes, Tet it is cer-^

tain^ tijat to acquire a proper knowledge of the

hiftory of the events in America^ an idea of

its prefent ftate^ and a competent judgment

gf its tradcy a great deal of reading has

been found requijite. And I may add, that

the reading on many parts of this fubjeSf is

dry and difgujiing 5 that authors have treated

A 2

«■

I ,J

-I

Jhe PREFACE.

en it,fome without afufficient knowledge of the
fubjeSfy and others in fuch a manner as no
knowledge ofthefubjedi in the author could in-
duce any body to become readers, Hhat fome are
loaded with a lumber of matter that can ifztereft
very few, and that others ohfcure the truth in
many particulars, to gratify the low prejudices
of parties, and I may fay of nations. Whatever
is written by the Englijh fettled in our colo-
nies, is to be read with great caution \ becaufe
very few of them write without a bias to the
intere/i of the particular province to which
they belong, or perhaps to a particular faSiion
in that province. It is only by comparing the
printed accounts with one another^ and thofe
with the beji private informations, andcorreSi'-
ing all by authentic matter of record, that one
can difcover the truth ; and this hath been a
matter of fome difficulty, . ^ ' v =^^

With regard to the foreign fettlementSy re^
courfe was had to the bejl printed accounts of
travellers and others 5 and in fome points to
private information from intelligent traders.
? The

.'1'

The PREFACE.

The materials for the Joreign fettlements are
far from being as perfedl^ or as much to he
depended upon as we could wi/h ; it was very
feldom that I could venture to tranfcribe any
thing direBlyfrom them without fome addition
cr fome correSlive,

In the hiflorical part of this work, I fxed
my eye principally on fome capital matter Sy
which might the moft fully engage and hefi
reward the attention of the reader 5 and in
treating of thofe I dwelt only upon ftich events
as feemed to me to afford fome political injlruc-
tion, or to open the charaSfers of the principal
aSiors in thofe great fcenes. The affairs which
feemed moft worthy of an account of any
lengthy are thofe fplendid and remarkable
events of the difcovery of America, and the
conquejl of the only two civilized kingdoms it
contained,

. In treating of other parts, I have given fo
much of the hiftory of each country as may ferve
pjkew, when and upon what principles it was
planted, to enable the reader the better to judge

■f

-■! '■■-

The PREFACE.

of its prefent condition* 7hefe accounts are very
JJ:ort -y and conjidering of what fort of matter
fiich bifiories are compofed^ I believe 1 Jhall
defervc as much for what I have omitted^ as
for ivhat I have inferted. If I could not write
well upon any fubjedl^ I have endeavoured
always to write concifely.

My principal view in treating of the feve»
ralfettlements, was to draw every thing towards
their trade y which is the point that Concerns
us the moft materially j for which reafon I
have but little confdered their civile etnd yet
lefs their natural hiftory^ further than as they
tended to throw fome light upon the commerce
of thefe countries 5 except where the matters
were very curious ^ and ferved to diverfify the
work.

It is not to be expected that a performance of
this kind can be written equally throughout.
In fome places the fubjedl refufes all ornament ;
and the matter^ dry in itfelf is by no art to
be made otherwife : in fome a contagion commu*
nicated from the dulnefs of materials, which

yet

'S^.

yet
ap

The PREFACE.

y€t nvere necejjary to the ivorky may probably
appear ; in many, and perhaps the moft blame-
able partSy the author alone muji be anf-wer--
able, ^ .

Having fpoken perhaps a little too hardly
of my materials^ 1 muji except the ajjijiance
I have had f ram the judicious colleclion called
Harris s voyages, There are not many finer
pieces than the hiflory of Brazil in that coU
leBion ; the light in 'which the author fets the
evefits in that hi [lory is fine and injiru5live % an
uncommon fpirit prevails thr-ctigh it ; a?2d his
remarks are every where firihng and deep, "the
Uttlejketch I have given in the part of Fertile
guefe America^ if it has any merit, it is entire^
ly due to that original. However the acccunts
given of many things in that part cf his
work which relates to the Englijlj a7id French
fettlements may be defeSiive, ana fuited ra-
ther td the ancient than to the prefent flate
of a fairs ' in that part of the world : his
remarks have rarely this fault ; and where I
differ from him in any refpeB, it is with defe-

rcnce

■f

The PREFACE.

rence to the judgment of a writer to whom
this nation is much obliged, for endeavouring
every where with fo much good fenfe and elo^
quence to roufe that fpirit of generous entcr^
prize, that can alone make any nation powerful
or glorious.

A N

ACCOUNT

OF THE

EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS

AMERICA.

VOL. I.

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Ji^;. J*5

PART I.

7X^ difcovery of Americay and the
reduEiion of Mexico and Peru.

CHAP, I.

" The (late of Europe before the difcovery of
America, ^he frojeSl of Columbus, His ap-
plication to feveral courts. His fuccefsful
application to that of Spain, His voyage.
The difcovery of the Bahamas ^ and Greater
Antilles,

iHERE was an extraordinary

coincidence of events at the

time that the difcovery of A-

merica made one of the prin-

^ cipal; the invention of printing,

the making of gunpowder,

the improvement of navigation, the revival

of ancient learning, and the reformation; all

of thefe confpired to change the face of

Europe entirely.. At this time the principal

monarchies began to knit, and to acquire

the ftrength, and take the form they have

B 2 at

■'it, -ft...f,-.

li^

A»^/f.vyaLx.

t/C Jjiatt^t'tudf J^tvtH, Zcnden

Tite.-

4 An Account gJ the European

at this day. Before this period the manners
of Europe were wholly barbarous j even in
Italy, where the natural mildnefs of the
climate, and the dawning of literature had a
little foftened the minds of the people, and
introduced fomething approaching towarc^s
politenefs, the hiftory preceding thjs sra^^ and
indeed for fome time after it, is nothing but
pne feries of trcafons, ufurpations, murders j
and maffacres: nothing of a manly courage>
nothing of a folid and rational policy. Scarce
any flate had then very extenfive views, or
looked much further than to the prefent adr
vantage. They did not well comprehend the
complicated fyftem of intcreftsthat Europe
formed even long before this. Lewis the
eleventh, who was looked upon as one of
the wifeft princes in his time, and one who
facrificed every thing to his ambition, facri-
ficed one of the faireft objedts of that am-
bition to a pique, which fince his time could
have little influence on the counfpls of any
prince. His fon, Charles the eighth, as he
won Italy without either courage or conduct,
fo he loft it by a chain of falfe meafures,
fuch as we may venture to fay has no pa-
rallel in later times. A wild romantic
courage in the Northern and Weftern parts
of Europe, and a wicked policy in the Ita-
lian ftates, was the charadter of that age. If
wc look into th? manners of the ccurt§,

there

iners
m in

the
lad a

and
varc^s
, and
gbut
rdersj
irage,
icarce
^s, or
It ad-
icjthe
urope
is the
►ne of
5 who
facri-
t am-
could
)f any
as he
idud:,
fures,

10 pa-
nantic
parts
e Ica-
?. If
LLirt§,
there

Settl£M£nt8 in America. 5

there appear but very faint marks of culti-
vation and politenefs. The interview between
^ our Edward the fourth and his brother of
France, virherein they were both caged up
like wild beads, Chews difpofitions very
I remote from a true fenfe of honour, froni
' the dignity of their ftation, or any jufl ideas
of politenefs and humanity. All the anec-
dotes v^^hich remain of thefe and other
courts, are in the fame fpirit.

If the courts had made fuch poor ad-
vances in policy and politenefs, which might
feem the natural growth of courts at any
dme, both the courts and the people were
yet iefs advanced in ufef j1 knowledge. The
little learning which then fubfifted, vvas
only the dotage of the fcholaflic philofo-
phy of words; together with the infancy of
politer learning, which only concerned
words too, tho* in another way. The ele-
gance and purity of the Latin tongue was
then the highefl, and alrhofl the only point
of a fcholar's ambition. Mathematical learn-
ing was little valued or Cultivated. The true
fyftem of the heavens was not dreamed of-
There was no knowledge at all of the real
form of the earth; and in general the ideas
of mankind were not extended beyoiid their
feniible horizon.

In* this ftate of affairs Chriftopher Co-
lumbus, a riative of Genoa, undertook to

B 3 extend

6 An Account of the European
extend the boundaries which ignorance had
given to the world. This man's dcfign arofe
from the juft idea he had formed of the figure
of the earth ; though the maps, more erro-
neous than his conjedlures, made him miftake
the objedl. His defign was to find a paflage
to China and India by the Wcftern ocean. It
is not improbable, that befides the glory at-
tending fuch a difcovery, and the private ad-
vantages of fortune he might propofe to de-
rive from it, Columbus had a further incen-
tive from national jealoufy and refentment.
Venice and Genoa were then almofl the only
trading powers in Europe j and they had no
other fupport of their power but their com-
merce. This bred a rivalfhip, a jealoufy, and
frequent wars between them ; but in traffick
Venice was much fuperior 5 (he had drawn to
herfelf almoil: the whole commerce of India,
always one of the moft valuable in the world,
and then carried on only by the way of Egypt
and the Red Sea. An emulation of this kind
might probably have put Columbus on finding
another and more direft paffage to the Eaft-
Indies, and by that means transferring this
profitable trade to his own country. But nei-
ther that vvhich he fought, nor that which he
found, was deftined for his country. However,
he performed the duty of a good citizen, and
made his firft propofal at home ; at home it
was rejected. Difcharged of this obHgation,

"Settlements in America* y

he applied to the court of France, and nieeting
no better fuccefs there, he offered next hi^
fervices to our Henry the feventh. This
prince was rather a prudent fteward and ma-
nager of a kingdom than a great king, and
one of thofe defenfive geniufes who are the
laft in the world to relifh a great but proble-
matical defign. It is therefore no wonder that
his brother, whom Columbus had etnplbyed
to follicit in England, after feveral years fpent
here, had little fuccefs ir his negotiation. But
in Portugal, where he applied himfelf after his
failure here, his oiEsrs were not only rejecfted,
but he was infulted and ridiculed ; he found,
however, in thefc infults, and this ridicule, a
new incitement to purfue his fcheme, urged
forward by the ftings of anger and refentment.
Laft of all he exercifed his interefl and his
patience for eight years together at the court
of Ferdinand and Ifabella. There is a fort of
enthufiafm in all proje(ftors, abfolutely necef-
fary for their affairs, which makes them proof
againft the moft fatiguing delays, the moft
mortifying difappointments, the moft ftaock-
ing infults j and what is fevercr than all,
the prefumptuous judgments of the ignorant
upon their defigns. Columbus had a fufficierft
(hare of this quality. He had every day,
during this long fpaec, to combat with every
objecflion that want of knowledge, or that a
falfc knowledge could propofe,, Scrpe held
' •. *B 4 that

^^»

8 'An Account of the European
that the known world, which they thought
was all that could be known, floated like a vaft
fcum upon the ocean; that the ocean itfelf
wac iriinitc. Others, who entertained more
juft notions, and believed that the whole of
the earth and waters compofed one vaft globe,
drew a confequence from it as abfurd as the
former opinion. For they argued, that if
Columbus fliould fail beyond a certain point,
the convexity of this globe would prevent his
return. As is ufual in fuch cafes, every one
abounded with objedtions. His whole time
was fpent in fruitlefs endeavours to enlighten
ignorance, to remove prejudice, and to van-
quifli that obftinate incredulity, which is of
dl others the greateft enemy to improvement,
rejeding every thing as falfe and abfurd, which
is ever fo little out of the track of common ex-
perience; and it is of the more dangerous con-
fequence, as it carries a delufive air of coolnefs,
of temper and wifdom. With all this, he had
yet greater difficulties from the interefts of
mankind, than from their malignity and igno-
rance. The expencc of the undertaking, in-
confiderable as this expence was, was at the
bottom the chief fupport of the other ob^
jedions, and had more weight thai all the reft
together. However, with an affiduity and
iirmnefs of mind, never enough to be admired
and applauded, heat length overcame all diffi-
culties ; and, to his inexpreffible joy, with a

fleet

'.i

Settlements in America.' ^

fleet of three (hips, and the title and command
of an admiral, fet fail on the third of Auguft,
1492, on a voyage the mod daring and grand
in the dcfign, and in the event of which the
world was the moft concerned of any that ever
yet was undertaken.

It muft not be omitted here, in honour to
the fex, and in juflice to Ifabella, that this
fcheme was firft countenanced, and the equip-
ment made, by the queen only ; the king had
no fhare in it j {he even raifed the money ne-
ceiTary for the deiign upon her own jewels.

I do not propofe to relate all the particulars
of Columbus's voyage in a track now fo well
known, and fo much frequented j but then
there was no chart to direft him, no lights
from former navigators, no experience of the
winds and currents particular to thofe feas. He
had no guide but his own genius, nor any
thing to comfort and appeafe his companions,
difcouraged and mutinous with the length and
hopelefsnefs of the voyage, but fome indica-
tions which he drew from the cafual appear-
ances of land birds, and floating fea-weeds,
moft of them little to be depended upon, h\xl
which this wife commander, well acquainted
with the human heart, always knew how
to turn to the beft advantage. It was in this
expedition that the variation of the compafs
was firft obfcrved ; an appearance which has
ever iince puzzled all phibfophers, and which

10 Art Account of the Europe AM

at this time made a great impreflion Uport
Columbus's pilots; when in an unknown and
boundlefs ocean, far from the road of former
navigation, nature itfelf feemed altered, and
the only guide they had left, appeared to
be upon the point of forfaking them. But
Columbus, with a wonderful quicknefs and fa-
gacity, pretended to difcovcr a phyfical caufc
for this appearance, which, though it did not
fatisfy himfelf, was plaufible enough to remove
fomething of the terrors of his mariners. Ex-
pedients of this kind were daily wanting, and
the fertile genius of this difcoverer invented
them daily. However, by frequent ufe they
began to lofe their effedt j the crew infifted
on his returning, and grew loud and infolent
in their demand. Some even talked of throw*
ing the admiral overboard. His invention-,
and almoft his hopes were near exhaufted>
when the only thing which could appeaft
them happened ; the clear difcovery of land,
after a voyage of thirty-three days, the longefl
ever any man was known to be from fight of
fhore before that time.

They landed on one of the iflands now
called Lucayos, or Bahamas, which is remark-
able for nothing but this event 5 and here it
was, that the two worlds, if I may ufe the ex-
preffion, were firft introduced to one another;
a meeting of an extraordinary nature, and
which produced great changes in both. The

firft

•fcl

IfT
I,

Settlements in America.' ii

firft thing Columbus did, after thanking God
for the fucccfs of his important voyage, was to
take poffcffion of the iiland in the name of their
Catholic majefties, by fetting up a crofs upon
the fhore ; great multitudes of the inhabi-
tants looking on, ignorant and unconcerned at
a ceremony which was to deprive them of their
natural liberty. The ftay of the Spaniards in
this iiland was but (hort ; they found from the
extreme poverty of the people, that thefe were
by no means the Indies, which they fought for.
Columbus at his departure very prudently
took with him fome of the natives, that they
might learn the Spanifh tongue, and be his
guides and interpreters in this new fcene of
affairs j nor were they unwilling to accom-
pany him. He touched on feveral of the
iflands in the fame clufter, enquiring every
where for gold, which was the only obje<fl of
commerce he thought worth his care, becaufc
the only thing that could give the court of
Spain an high opinion of his difcoveries. All
directed him to a great ifland called Bohio, of
which they fpoke extraordinary things, and
principally that it abounded in gold. They
told him it lay to the Southward. To the
Southward he fleered his courfe, and found
the ifland, which he called Hifpaniola, no
ways inferior to the reports ; commodious har-
bours, an agreeable climate, a good foil, and,
what was of moft confequence, a country that
^ • pro-

■w-i m^m^m^.< g„,:fw

i^ An Account of the EuROPEi^ii
protnifedfrom fome famples a great abundance'
of gold J inhabited by an humane and hofpitablc
people, in a ftate of fimplicity fit to be worked
upon. Thefe circumftances determined Co*
lumbus to make this ifland the center of his
defigns, to plant a colony there, and to eftablifli
things in fome permanent order before he pro*
cceded to further difcoveries. But to carry his
defigns of a fettlement here, and his fchemesof
future difcoveries into execution, it was necef-
fary that he (hould return to Spain and equip
himfelf with a proper force. He had now
coUeded a fufficicnt quantity of gold to give
credit to his voyage at court, and luch a num-
ber of curiofities of all kinds as might flrike
the imaginations, and engage the attention of
the people. Before he parted, he took care to
fecure the friendftiip of the principal king of
the ifland by carefles and prefents, and under
pretence of leaving him a force fufficient to
aflift him againd his enemies, he laid tho
ground- work of a colony. He built a fort, and
put a fmail garrifon of Spaniards into it, with
iuch diredtions for their conduct as might have
cnfured their fafety and the good offices of the
inhabitants, if the men had not been of that
kind, who are incapable of adling prudently
cither from their own or other pcople*swifdom-
He did everything to gain the efteem of the
natives, by the juftice, and even generolity of
his dealings, and the polltenefs and humanity

with

*ip

Settlements in America! ij

with which he behaved upon every occafion,
He (hewed them too, that though it was no|
in his will, it was nOw the lefs in his power to
do them mifchicf, if they adted fo as to force
him upon harftier meafures. The furprizing
effedts of his cannon, and the fharpnefs of the
Spanifh fwords, of which he made an innocent
oftentation, convinced them of this.

When the Spaniards firft arrived in that
country, they were taken for men come from
heaven j and it was no wonder, coniidering
the extreme novelty of their appearance, and
the prodigious fuperiority they had in every
refpedl over a people in all the nakednefs of
uncultivated nature. Whatever therefore the
Indians got from them, they valued in an high
degree, not only as curious and ufeful, but
even as things facred. The perfons of the
Spaniards were refpeded in the fame light.
Columbus, who knew the value of opinion,
did all he could to keep them in their error ;
and indeed no adlion of his, either of weak-
nefs or cruelty, could furnifli matter to unde-
ceive them. For which reafon, on his depar-
ture, he left the people with the befl inclina-
tions imaginable to nurfe his infant colony.
And when he defired fome of the inhabitants
to carry into Spain, he was more at a lofs
whom he (hould accept, than how he (hould
prevail ppon them to go.

CHAP.

14 ^ Account of the European

f..-

CHAP. II.

■f'. "1

'.%

Tie difcoFoery of the Caribbces. Columbus re^
turns to Europe, His behaviour at Lijbon*
His reception at Barcelona by Ferdinand and
Jfabella. Second voyage of Columbus, The
condition of the Spaniards in Hifpaniola, The
city of Ifabella built ^ and a Spanijh colony
fettled. A voyage for better dtfcovering the

coaft of Cuba.

, .. -■ , ,- - -, t ... . ■•- ■ -* • '

ON his return homewards, ftill attentive to
his deiign, he aimed at fuch difcoveries
as could be profecuted without deviating con-*
fiderably from his courfe. He touched upon
feveral iilands to the Southward, and difco-
vered the Caribbees, of the barbarity of whofc
inhabitants he had heard terrible accounts in
Hifpaniola. He had before landed upon Cu-
ba in his pafTage from the Bahamas. So that
in this his firft voyage, he gained a general
knowledge of all the iilands, which lie in fuch
an aftonifhing number in that great fea which
divides North and South America. But hither-
to he neither knew nor fu(ped:ed any conti-
nent between him and China. ; > •'

He returned to Europe after an abfence of
above fix months, and was driven by a great
ftorm into the harbour of Lifbon. This he
did not look upon as a misfortune 3 fince here,

'I* '"'.g

Settlements in America. if

he had the fatisfadtion of convincing the Por-
tuguefe denionftratively of what an error they
were guilty in rejedting his propofals. It was
now his turn to triumph. Thofe who want
fagacity to difcern the advantages of an offer,
when it is made to themfelves, and treat it
with the greateft fcorn, are always mod ftung
with envy when they actually fee thefe advan-
tages in the hands of another. The Portu-
guefe had fome time before this begun to
make a figure : their (hips had coafted Africa
for a greater length than any had done before
them, which opened to them a profitable trade
to Guinea. This gave them a reputation.
They confidered difcovcry as their proper pro-
vince ; and they were enraged to fee that the
Caftilians were now let into the fame path, irt
confequcnce of an offer which they had re-
jeeled. Some propofed to murder the ad-
miral ; but all were agreed to treat him in the
mofl unworthy manner. However, their de-
fign of infulting him gave Columbus an oppor-
tunity at once of gratifying his refentment,
maintaining his own dignity, and afTerting the
honour of the flag of Caflile. He fent to the
king at his firfl entering the harbour, to de-
lire a liberty to come up to Lifbon and refrefh,
as he had his mafler's orders not to avoid his
ports ; adding, that he was not from Guinea,
but the Indies. An officer of the king of Por-
tugal came aboard him with an armed force,

and

■*>»•

'•%K

1 6 jin Account of the European
«nd ordered him to come aC:orc, and give an
account of himfelf to the king's officers. Co-
lumbus told him he had the honour of ferving
the king of Caftile, and would own himfelf
accountable to no other. The Portugucfe then
defired him to fend the mafter of his fhip j this
he likewife refufed^ faying, that the admirals of
Caftile always chofe rather to die than deliver
up themfelves, or even the mcaneft of their
men ; and if violence was intended, he was
prepared to meet force with force. A fpiritcd
behaviour, in almoft any circumftance of
ftrength, is the moft politic as well as the
moft honourable courfe ; we preferve a re-
fped at leaft by it, and with that we generally
preferve every tb^ng 5 but when we lofe re-
iped, every thing is loft. We invite rather
than fuffer infults, and the firft is the only
one we can refift with prudence. Columbus
found this ; the officer did not purfue his de-
mands ; the admiral had all the refreftiments
he wanted j and was even received at court
with particular marks of diftindtion.

From Liifbon he proceeded to Seville ; the
court was then at Barcelona. But before he
went to give an account of his voyage, he
took all the care he could to provide for ano-
ther. He wrote an abftrad: of his proceedings,
and fent with it a memorial of all fuch things
as were neceffary for the eftablifhment of a co-
lony, and for further difcoveries. ^oon after he

began

began his journey 'to Barcelona,, every -where
followed by the - admiration and applaufcs of
the. people, . who crowded to iee him -from all
parts* He entered the city in^ fort of ttiuniph;
A ad. certainly there never was a more innoccntJ
tfiumph, ncir one, that formed a more new and
pleafing fpedacle; /Hehadnot deftroyed, but
difcovered jaations. 1 The i^mericanshe brought
with him appeared in all the uncouth finery
of their !own country, wonder'd^ at by every

. body,.4and themfelvcs admiring every thing
they.faw, . The feveral animalsv inany highly.

,^. beautiful, and all ftrangers .to^this part of th«

ill worldv w^re fo di^ofed as<to hie feen •without

difficulty ; the other curioiitfes of the new»

wortd, were, difplayed in the moft advantagei^

: J ous planner; theutenfils, the arms, andi thd

I Ornaments ofia people fo remote from us. in)
4 fituation and hianners; fome valuable ibr the^

I materials: eventhe.rudene{s:af the:workmanii.
fliip.in many made them but theimore curiom;)
when .it was confidered by whoni, ^d witfc
what ihftruments they..were :wr6Mght. ? ^Thel
gold wasi hot forgot. The admiral hirafdf*
clofed the proccffion. ^ !!« was received bvUiei
king and queen with "all imaginable marks tif:
eftccm and regard,and they ordered a magnifi-?
cent throne tbib^ ^seeded in publick to dd himl
honour, ; A chs

greater

was prepared

llioi, in^whickhe fat, and gave in prefence of!

th^ wh9la:cotirt a fuil'vamdxkrcumfiantiahaci^:

•/Vkpl. I. C count

~*»% .

18 An Account of the European
count of all his difcoveries, with that com-
pofedneis and gravity, which is fo extremely
agreeable to the Spanifli hunaour, and with the
modefty of a man who knows he has done
things which do not need to be proclaimed
by himfelf. The fuccefsful merit of Co-
lumbus was underftood by every body ; and
when the king and queen led the way, all the
grandees and nobility of the court vied with
each other in their civilities and careffes,

Thefe honours did not fatisfy Columbus.
He prepared with all expedition for a fecond
voyage. The difficulties attending the firft
were all vanifhed. The importance of the
objed appeared every day more clearly, and
the court was willing to fecond the vivacity of
]m defires to the full. But before his depar-
ture there was one thing which they judged
wanting tc give them a clear and unqueftion-
ablc right to the countries, which ihould be
difcovered, This was a grant of them from
the pope. The Portuguefe fome time before
had a grant of fuch lands as they fhould dif-
eover within certain latitudes j and this grant
made a fimikr one to the Spaniards appear
the more neceflary. The pope accordingly
gave a very ample bull in their favour, very
liberally conceding countries, of which he
was fo far from having any poffeffion, that
he had no knowledge of them. The limits
of this grant was a line drawn froi

grant

pole

^
«

pol(

iff

ft ^

Settlements /« America* 19

pole, an hundred leagues to the Weftward
of the Azores. On the other fide no bounds
at all were fet. This was afterwards a fubjedl
of much controverfy between the crowns of
Spain and Portugal, the latter having got a
grant of all that (hould be difcovered to the
Eaft, as the former had of all to the Weft*
ward i thofe who drew the bulls not having
known enough of the figure of the e^rih to
fee, that thefe grants muft neceffarily fclafli ;
and the powers which defired them, were per-
haps not forry to find their pretenfions fuch
as they might extend or contra<ft at pleafurc.

Whatever the validity of this ample grant
might be, Columbus wa$ made governor with
the higheft authority over all that it contained*
But he had fomewhat with him more material
for his poiTefBon than any charters. This was
a fleet of feventeen fail of (hips, with all man-
ner of neceflaries for fettlcment or conqueft,
and fifteen hundred men on board, fome of
them of the beft families in Spain. With
this fleet he fet fail on his fecond voyage the
25th of September, 1493. He gave each of
the captains inftru(ftions for their courfe fealed,
with orders not to open them, unlcfs in diftrefs,
and feparated from the fleet, that he might
create fuch an abfolute dependence of all up-
on himfelf, as (hould preferve an uniformity
in their defigns. On the fecond of November
they made land, which is the ifland now

C 2 called

il^o Amhccoisi^T of the Europei^

called Dominica. But his defign was iirft t^
fettle his colony before he. attempted ahy nt.SK)
difcov.eryy therefore he .made no ftay/ hcrc^
iior at feveral other iflands at .whicb he touch?*
cd before he could make Hifpaniola.
t: On his arrival he : found the fort he ha^
built utterly demoliihed, and: all his meji
killed.- ^ The Spaniards had firft fallqn out
amongfl themfelves, upon the ufual fubjefts
pf ftrife, women and gold ; and afterwards
prefer^ting, as little. harmony with the natives,
a'nd.obfefying no decency in jtheir behaviour;
on^uftice in their dealings, they quickly Joft
their efteem, and were every man murdered j
flifter havbg been difperied into difFereht pa'rt^
df theifland.j The prince^ whom they wcf*
left. to defend, iwaa himfelf wounded in their
defence, and borJe; this mark of his affe<ak>ii
iind goal faitlv .^hen. Columbus, returned t©
|he rQand.. The admiral very wifely forbore
to make any nice enquiry into the affair^, or to
cQmmencJs hbftilities in revenge for the lofs of
his ff>ldiers.; but he-tQok.the moftefFeftual
hieafures to prevent fuch an evil for the fu-
ture ^: he chole a more commodious ftation
for ihis colony, jon the North-eaft part of the
ifland, .iJVhich had a good port, great convcr
niency of water, and a good foil, and Jay near
that part where he was informed the richefl
mines of the country, were found : in grati-
tude tQihisi rayal patronefs he called St Ifabeltar.

Oiin'J

•'

j-He engaged in u the; iibttlemdiit With fgrcaic
wafmtbiiand never lillowtdi rjbimfelf a^mti)?-
-m^nt's rej»fe^ )fix)rtr i fuperintcndingj the /fortib-
;£cationsi thh private' haiiffcsiiiand tlife w-oribs
;of agL Icnltuare ^ 'irp' ali ^vhich i the i f at ig:usi wi«s
infinite 5! >fcfr iib had not poly the natural difi-
ificultiies ' attending all fiich -undertakingsy jbut
rJi€vhad the ihfuperable'iazihef? of the Spai-
Iniards "to contend with. Sothat fpent with
,'lhe fetigbes of fo long a Voyargey and thje greater
^tigbes: he had endured fincfa he caqicbn (hdre,
rhcnfelldntja didangeroudillnefo'; Gf thisaccil-
adent ifcwefc-alx)f his nidrt took rthe advantage to
ibcgln) i trcbfllion j to undb ^ all |ie had dion e,
iajidto^thi^ow every thing into the moil terrible
,Corifiifion. ' Thefe people on th^eir leaving
aSpain, had'fancied tathemfelves that gold wiiB
^jto' be found every where in this country, and
.that there; required nothing- further to make
^Tiple eftates, than to be tranfported into it*;
/hut finding their miftake, and that inilead of
(receiy^ing • thefc golden Ihowers w^ithout any
<piin?v they fared ill,; laboured hard,: and that
,th«it^ pr«)(jpcd:s <)£ a fortune, if any atall, werb
reniLQtei arid uncertain, /their difcoulbeDt bbcabws
^Qi[ij?ratf laodthc niutinous difpoikion'incmifed
Ih feft^aadwas Ci'rried to foch extremities,' iRst
ifctiheiadaiiral ihad;notir'ecoyercd;at;i very criftiiJ-
ii^ltiifa?i mdion his keco^^ery^hadjaot afled ih
thftC^<ftftTjsfc|lwte;^ui4>eff?<9^«alinaaniier, all his
jlo^c$oc^;.^jfi?t*leme«t;ifa.iHif|aniola.had.beeni
, C 3 at

■uii[:)

22 An Account of the European

at an end. He was fatisficd with imprifoning
fomc of the chiefs. This was neither a time
nor a place for very extenfivc or rigorous juf-
tice. He quelled this fedition, but' he faw at
the fame time that his work was not yet done j
he faw another danger, againft which he was
to provide with equal diligence. He had good
reafons to apprehend, that the Americans were
not well afredted to their new guefts, and
might probably meditate to cut them off,
whilft they faw them divided amongft them-
felves. To prevent this, as well as to banifli
idlenefs from amongft his men, and to revive
military difcipline, he marched into the heart
of the country, through the moft frequented
parts of it, in order of battle, colours flying,
and trumpets founding, with the flower of his
troops, to the mountains of Cibao j where lay
the richeft mines then difcovered in the ifland^
Here he built a fort to fecure this advantage-
ous poft, and overawe the country ; and then
he returned in the fame pomp and order, to
the inexpreffible terror of the inhabitants, who
had now no profpedt of withftanding a force,
which to them feer^ed more than human.

In this expedition Columbus made great
oftentation of his cavalry. This was the firft
time the Indians of America had ever feen
horfes. Their dread of thefe animals and their
riders were extreme j they thought both form-
ed but one animal) and the impetuofity of their

charge

'^_

Settlements in America. 23

charge appeared irrcfiftable to thefe naked and
ill-armed people. Wherever they appeared,
thofe Indians, who intended any hoft»lity, im-
mediately fled i nor did they think the inter-
vention of the deepeft and moft rapid rivers
any fecurity 5 they believed that the horfes
could fly, and that nothing was impoflible to
creatures {o extraordinary. But Columbus
did not rely upon thofe prejudices, though he
made all imaginable ufe of them ; knowing
that thofe things which appear mofl: terrible
at firft, become pvery day lefs afFecfting by ufe,
and that they even grow contemptible, whea
their real power is once well known. For
which reafon he negledted none of his former
methods of cultivating the affedlions of the
natives ; he ftill fhewed them all manner of
refpedl, and whpn he had taken two perfbns
of their nation, who had committed fome ads
of hoftility, and was at the point of putting
them to death, he pardoned and fct them free
at the interceflion of a prince of the country,
with whom he was in dliance. On the other
hand, he faw how neceflary it was to preferve
a fl:ri<ft difcipline amongft the Spaniards, to
keep them from that idlenefs to which they
had fuch a propenfity, and which naturally
retarded the growth of the colony, at the fame
time that it nouriflied difcontent and fedition.
He employed them in cutting roads through
th^ country, a work which the natives never

C 4 ^t^

^4 jfnjAccovi^r of the European

Attempted themfelvcs, nor now cn^cavourid
to oppofc, though it be one of the bcft inftrur
meats of enflavin^ ajiy barbfirous people.
This wife governor obfervedbefidcsj that the
Spaniards conformed with great difficulty to
the Indian manner of living, to which, howt-
^ever, they were ncceffitated, biit from which^
ibr want of ufe, they fufFered great hardships.
To 'remedy this evil, he daily fcnt out fmaU
;parties lupon expeditions i into : the country ;;
from wihich he derived two^ material adviin>-
tages.' Firftj he cniired, by degrees, all Jiispeo^
rple to cthc manner of liying in the country,;
and fecondlyi he taught them to know it pei>
fedtly, left; a war fhould find th«m unptovided
in. the only point m which the » Indians' were
Itheir fupcriots,; and a point which ih a woody
rand n^ountainoius country is certainly of the
^leateft importancci , Aid this, he didwthout
jpriy material hazard to the Cum of his affairs.
At homt -he endeavoured to, withdraw the
(Spaniands from their ronjantic hopes' of mi^
.xaculous treafur£S, and to fix them to a rational
?and induftrious. courfe of .life. ' h^^jpptefent-
Ci^d.to them,' that there was no foal wealth but
vwhat;ar6fe froth labour :i ttnd th^t;a garden v^
■xiorni grouhd, and a n?iir, were riches more to
'Jthelr .prefeqt pApofe^ than all^he goJd th^y
.were.in 'fixpedation of meeting in the Indies,
xln: fliQPt, he ilabQured for the eft^ftbUftimient^f
diisicobdy -winfe as )n^^
•ii' ' 4. J ' bi^

Settlements in AiW^RicA* 25

his views had extended no further ; at the famd
time that he meditated the greateft'difcovevies^
and confidcrcdthoTe things which had atef
niflied the world, only as the earnetl of-bTi

future performances. .• • ■ v; - ■: r» lo

I have before meritloned his having put iii
at Cuba. The country from fome fpeciraeni
feemed a rich difcovery j but whether it was
an iflandj'or^ part bf fome great continent;
he was altogether uncertain. Now that h%
had got his colony . to take firm root in th*
Indies, he prepared with all expedition t6
afcertain this point, and to pufh his difcove^
ries to the utmoft, in which he had fucceeded
Jiitherto fo happily, , .. , ..u

G H A P. III.

- ■ • ■ \ t r ■ ■■ .... 1 ' , ' .. f

^he difficulties attending the yo]fage, yamaic^

di [covered , , Columbus returns to Hifpanicla^

~ l%e Spaniards rebel. A wa,r with the In->

.. dians of that country, They are conquered,

I'heir fcheme Jor Jlarving the Spaniards, ,

? H I S voyage was more remarkable for

: the hardftiips which the admiral and his

itien fuffered, than for any confiderable difco-^
s?ery it produced. As he endeavoured to coafi:
along the Southern fhore of Cuba, he was eiir
tangled in, a; labyrinth of an innumerable mult
^.}' V titude

26 '^n Account 0/ the European
titudeofiflands, amongft which he reckoned
160 in one day. They were moft of them
pleafant and well inhabited, affording our na-
vigator an agreeable meditation on this fertility
of nature, where the world looked for nothing
but a barren ocean. Thefe iflands, Colum-
bus, who had a grateful mind, in which the
memory of his benefadrefs was always upper-
moft, called Jardin de la Reyna, or the queen's
garden, in honour of queen Ifabella. But
their number and fertility made little amends
for the obftrudtion they gave Columbus in the
courfe of his navigation. The coaft abfolutely
unknown, among fo rnany rocks, fands, and
ihelves, the fudden and violent ftorms, the
tornadoes, and the terrible thunder and light-
ning fo conftant between the tropics, obliged
him to keep a continual watch, and held his
mind upon a conftant ftretch ; the voyage was
extended to an unprofitable length by thefe
difficulties ; and being driven out to fea, the
worft difafter of all befel them. Their pro-
viiions fell fliort. In this extremity they were
obliged to come to a very narrow and bad al-
lowance, in the diftribntion of which the ad-
miral fared nothing better than the reft. In
this unremitted fatigue of body and of mind,
in famine and in danger, his ufual firmnefs
began nearly to forfake him ; but it could go
no further than to oblige him to remark in his
journal, that no intereft of his own fhould

eve^

Settlements in America,

ever oblige him to engage again in fuch an en-
terprife. They were at laft relieved by the
appearance of Jamaica, where they were hof^
pitably received, and fupplied with Caffava
bread and water. From thence they proceed-
ed, mortified and difappointcd, to Hifpaniola,
not being able to come to any certainty con--
cerning Cuba, other than that they under-
ftood from fome of the inhabitants that it was
an ifland. This difappointment, and the in-
finite fatigue and difficulty of the voyage,
threw Columbus into a lethargy, which was
near being fatal to him, and of which he was
fcarcely recovered when they arrived at the
harbour of Ifabella.

Here they found all things in confufion, and
the colony in the utmoft danger of being a fe^
cond time utterly deftroyed 5 as if its profpe*-
rity or deftrudlion depended upon the prcfence
or abfence of Columbus. For no fooner was
he failed, than the Spaniards, who were very
difficultly retained in their duty by all his Ilea-
dinefs and wifdom, broke through all regu*
lations, laughed at government and difci-
pline, and fpread themfelves over the ifland,
committing a thoufand diforders, and living at
free quarter upon the inhabitants, whofe ha-
tred to them was worked up to fuch a point,
that they wanted only the word from their
princes to fall on and maflfacre the whole co-
lony J a thing by no means impracticable, in

its

hS:

its; prefcnt fdifoirijer; • ipcmriaf the^jidmcipal
foverdigns ofl the lOaod took/ aijJ^iitagc:) off jthb
difpofition, aidanitcd tojitive|oUt thjoiie imppFr
rious ihtriidersv J i cNpiie .'adhe^irod; ito jthetri.bujt
one called Olina£3agdrryi'thfe fameprihcc xi^JuMii
Cblumbiis fromt^jber^cft^ ihaB j tdksM £o.m\Mt
pain &, to obi rg^ . * n In his ( dorainaofi s^> fonie. • of
the Spaniard s fbiind i|)rotfiidtion i "• i .'Thq; jother
l^dnces faiad alreadyr botnihencod h<biti
one of thcn> MledUSxtiefiiii of rtiie Spaniards,
,whQ were^^king ma uftiform : meaftireis to. opi-
ftofer fchclm 5 tictthlcc 1 ia their prefcnt AnarcKy
«ouldiit be well expet^jedii (• :• -^^yl ; ;q
'j;iln this concitioto was the ifland onvihcai^
rival of Columbus, whofq ffirft biifinefs was tb
ieolledt i *he fcatter^iedt Sf a^intntis .of the colony,
^ftd tQiforhirtbaB^p/iintaa-bodyv ; TJii&ihs wfep
the bep^i able tp decom|)li?fh^Jbficaufcrthd)pco-
fent dapgef": added! a. weight to ihis! mthmytyii
bxit itjwasncceffar^ th^t He iffiotddJoicrnbctixne.
'Kfe/was xefolved, to a<fb \«^ith>U^hatifor^b Aje^ihad,
latlaerithiain w^it until thi union ibfihciifianidecs
m^ht be better oementedl againfl: hxrhiittnishty
niight find f©melefler matter^ inftheilr f^viosATiib
;iaife thefe courage, and abaite thtclri t€j;c©it:qf
the Spahlfib'; ^i;m^»7 He therefore ;firft xnarchexi
agiioddfhe Jiing, \yho;bad killed the; i^ Spat-
piards j; a'sJi was ani enterprifc cx)loqred With
m appeariartce ■©? jjLi{li<jej tind bec^Uifo th&t
prince happened to bei the worft pr^paredi to
r^c^iv^him*/. He;wa§ieafily fubdufi^ x.ai?4 fe^
«:i veral

-t

'",*

■4

-m.

j[h^ feiG»nd'^h<3naf!S6lumbilS:defig0e4(t0 ^^

•vyftMefoIyed- tO!(ii/i?tt(ni^:e^^ him hyfmy^iihm^
gk ihird in.t^ Aii^fpoiM^e.^ by a .ftratagemi; wfcidi
4id: . !n0 -bpineiij:! (>f<>//his „ fiocerijty, a;n(i mtfeeis

fliewjed ^greftt::r^.e^bnefe .in thi^ junfortimatQ
fearbari^a,. thaia ^ttyiextraprdinary corM;riVa.a.c0
in tKofe who d^^eiy^ddiii^i - . c:f

'LThe other prinQes^^erenot terrified At thefa
examples. Their hatred to the Spania^rds iji-t
(^jre^fed; andpefceiyifig that all depended upon
aifudd.er) and vigprpus exertion of tbeiriftreiirgth^
^hey . brought an , iiiinieofe army,, jt is faid pf
ope; huu.dredi !thpiifan4i;ni^n>/ into the: fields
vvhich was arrayed in the lairg^fl; plain in th^t
country. Col umfeus, . though 'he had . but a
fiiiall forccj did; not fcrwple. to go put to meet
t^hem, iHis army, cpnfifted but of two hun-
dred foot, t\yenty horfe and twenty vy^olf dogs.
The letter part ,pf this, army has. a Judicrpus
appearance 5 but it was . a y^ry feripus njgtter;
^mongft ^, people no , better prpvided with
arms pitenflve or' defenfive than the Indians.
Neither was it rafliin Columbus to venture an
engagement againft forces fo vaftly fuperior in
numbers s for wh^)^ fuch numbers are no bet-
ter fkilledor armedthan thefe were, their mul-
titude.i;S in fadt no juft caufc of dread but to
themrelves. The event was anfvverable 3 the
vidpry was decifive for the Spajjiwuds, in whicj-v

their

■e.-i--'

50 An Account of the European
their horfee and dogs had a confiderable fharc;
the lofs on the fide of the Indians was very
great. From that day forward they defpair-
cd, and relinojaifhed all thoughts of diflodging
the Spaniard&lby force. Columbus had but little
difficulty ifi reducing the whole ifland, which
now became a province of Spain, had a tri-
bute impofed, and forts built in feveral pkirts
to enforce the levying of it, and to take away
from this unhappy people all profped of
liberty.

In this affed:ing fituation they often aflced
the Spaniards, when they intended to return to
their own country. Small as the number of
thefe ftrangers was, the inhabitants were ex-
tremely burthened to fubfift them. One Spa-
niard confumed more than ten Indians ; a cir-
cumftance which fliews how little this people
had advanced in the art of cultivating the earth,
or how lazy they were in doing it, fince
their indigence reduced them to fuch an
extreme frugality, that they found the Spani-
niards, who are fomc of the moft abftemious
people upon earth, exceffively voracious in the
comparifon. Their experience of this, joined
to their defpair, put the Indians upon a pro-
jcifl of ftarving out their invaders. In purfu-
ance of this fcheme, they entirely abandoned
the little agriculture which they pradifed,
and unanimoufly retired into the moft barren
and impradlicable parts of the iflpjid. This

ill-

^%,

n
li

(«;^ffi

•If

•7

Settlements in America* 31

lll-advifed ftratagem complcatcd their ruin.
A number of people crouded into the worft
parts of the country, fubfifting only upon its
fpontaneous produdlions, were foon reduced
to the moft terrible famine. Its fure atten-
dant epidemical flcknefs purfued at its heels ;
and this miferahle people, half famiflied and
Icffened a third of their numbers, were obliged
to relinquifh their fcheme, to come down into
the open country, and to fubmit once more to
bread and fetters. r

This conqueft, and the fubfequent ones
made by the feveral European nations, with as
little colour of right as confcioufnefs of doing
any thing wrong, gives one juft reafon to
reflect on the notions entertained by mankind
in all times concerning the right of dominion.
At this period few doubted of the power of
the pope to convey a full right to any country
he was pleaied to chalk out; amongft the faith-
ful, becaufe they were fubjeft to the church ;
and amongft infidels, becaufe it wasmeritoriou*j
to make them fubjedt to it. This notion began
to lofe ground at the reformation, but another
arofe of as bad a tendency ; the idea of the
dominion of grace, which prevailed with fe-
veral, and the efFedls of which we have felt a-
mongft ourfeives. The Mahometan great merit
is to fpread the empire and the faith j and none
among them doubt the legality of fubduing
any nation for thefe good purpofes. The Greek*

held,

■ w vr.'^-"v't I -w

U\ '\

3 a ^^iV.ccQDNT' of the Europe-^

h^y, that the barbarians were naturally d^H
Sgned to be their llaves» aad this was fo general
^notion, that Ariftotle himfelf, with all his pe-?
^etratipn, gave intp it very, ferioufly. In: trutli,^
it.has its principle in hun>an nature, for the
generality of , mankind very readily Aide froni
wha; they conceive a fitnefs for government, to
a rigjit of governing; and they do not fo readin
\y a,e;ree, th^t thofe who are faperior in endow-
j^iieptsihpulidQolyb.e equal in condition. Thefe.
things partly palliate the guil.tand,horror of .a'
^onqu€|ft,:.qn/i4rjl}al«ph v^'iik fplittle colour, over
a, people vvboftf chief offence was their ^jreduUr.
ty, and their jconfidence in rrieix >vbo cjid not
^eferve it. But the circumftances of CqIuiu-^
bus, the meafures he wa$. obliged to. prefe^v^
with his court, and his humane ,and gentle
tifeatm^nt of this people, by which he mi-,
t^gated the rigor of this conqueft, take olF
much of the blanie froni him, as the neceffity
of taking up ,arm§ at all nev^r arofe from Jiis:
condudt, or from hjs prders. On the contralry^
bis whole beKavipur both to the Spaniards .and
Indians, thje care he took to eftablifli the. one;
without injury to the other, and .the conftant;
bent of his policy; to work every thing, by-)
gentle method?,, may. well be .^n example iQ
all perfons Jn the fame fituation. • ^n

: Since I have.digrcfled fo far, it virill be thel
more ejfcufable to n^ention .^ circwmftanqe re-Js
corded iR tfre hiftpry qf this fettleoacnt.. ^Aw^c.f.

nca

1 **

;t .

SfiTTLEMfeNts !:t America, 33

flea was then, at leaft thefe parts of it were,
without almoft any of thofe animals by which
we profit (o greatly. It had neither horfes
nor oxen, nor Iheep, nor fwine. Columbus
brought eight fows into America, and a fmall
number of horned cattle. This was the ftoek
w'hich fupplied, about two hundred years ago^
a country now the mod abounding in thefe
animals of any part of the known world ; in
which too it has been a buiinefs for this cen-
tury paft, to hunt oxen merely for their hides-
An example which (liews how fmall a num-*
ber might originally have ferved to produce all
the animals upon earth, who commonly pro-
create very faft to a certain point, and when
they arrive at it, feem much at a ftand.

' .j»Jw 'i:;;.u?;fT'*"f>r

J 1 <

CHAP. IV. !

- f ■

Complaints agalnfi Columbus. A perfon is fent
to enquire into his condudi. He returns to
Spain, He is acquitted. He Jets out on his
third voyage i He dif covers the continent of
South America, He fails to Hifpaniola,

WHILST Columbus was reducing this
wealthy ifland to the obedience of the
croWn of Cafiile, and laying the foundations of
the Spanifii grandeur in America, his enemies
were endeavouring with pains as indefatigable
to ruin him in Spain. Some of the perfons
• Vol. I. D prin-

"*■. 'ax' •*■

j4 jin AccouNt ofthi EuJioPEA*
principally concerned in the late diforders, fled'
to Spain before bis return > and there to juftify
their own* condudt, and gratify their malice,
they accufed him of negledling the colony,
ind of having deceived their majeftics and the
adventurers with falfe hopes of gold;^ from a
country which produced very little either of
that metal or any thing etfe that was valuable.
Thefe compkints Were not without efFed j
and an officer, fitter by his character f6r a fpy
and informer than a rcdreffer df grievances,
was fent to infjpedl: into his conda<5t j in which
manner of proceeding there Was certainly a
policy as erroneous, as it was unj^ft and in-
grateful. At that diflanee from the fountain
of authority^ with an enemy at the door, and
a mutinous houdlold, a commander ought al-
ways to be trufted or i^emoved. This man
behaved m a brutiflb and infolent manner, like
all llich perfons, who unconfcious of any
rt^erit of their own, are puffed Uj^ with any
little portion of delegated power. Columbus
found that he flaid here to no purpofe under
fuch difgraceful terms j artd that his prcfepce
at court was abfolutely necefTary to his fupport.
lie determined to return once more to Spain,
convinced that a long abfence is mortal to one's
interefl at court, and that importunity and at-
tendance often plead better than the moft
folid fervices. However, before he departed'^
be exerted the little remains of authority he

bad

■M

SEttLEMENTS in AMfcRICA. 3^;

had left, to fettle every thing in fuch a manner,
as to prevent thofe diforders which hitherto
he hdfd always found the certain confequence
of his abfence. He built forts in all the mate-
rial parts of the iiland, to retain the inhabi-
tants in their fabjeftion. He eftabliflied the
civil government upon a better footing, and
redoubled his diligence for the difcovery of
mines, which were to be the great agents in
his ainirs; nor did he altogether fail of fuccefs*
It was the fate of this great man to have
his virtue continually exercifed with troubles
and diftreffes. He continued his courfe to
Spain in the latitude of 22, not having at that
time difcovered the advantageous method of
running into the Northern latitudes to meet
the South-weft winds : they therefore made
very little way ; a fcarcity enfued, in which
they were reduced to fix ounces of provifion
a day for each perfon. On thefe occafions
the admiral fared no better than the common
failor J yet in this diftrefs his hunger did not
get the better of the tendernefs and humanity
which diftingui(hed his charadter. He re-
fufed to lifteii to the prelfing inftances of his
crew, who we're very earneft in this diltrefs to
have the Indian prifoners thrown overboard to
leffen the confumption of provilions. In this
voyage his fkill was as remarkable as his mag-
nanimity. He had nine experienced pilots m
his fleet 5 yetnotone of them could tell where

D 2 they

S'!

j6 An Account of the European

they were, after having been a full montii
from the fight of the laft land. This length of
time perfuaded them they muft be very near
Europe, and they were therefore for crowding
fail to make land as foon as poffibl«. But Co-
lumbus, upon fure obfervations, maintained
they were but a little to the Weft ward of the
.Azores, and therefore ordered his fails to be
flackened for fear of land. His prediction was
fulfilled, and the Azores relieved them next
morning. This, added to a feries of predic-
tions and noble difeoveries, made his fkill fecm
fomething prophetic, and exalted his charac-
ter in this refpedt above all the feamen before
his time ; and indeed eonfidering his oppor-
tunities of improvement, and what he did
himfelf to improve bis art, he will perhaps
appear inferior to none who have fucceeded
him.

All the accufations and prejudiced againft
the admiral vjinifhed almoft as foon as he ap-
peared. He brought fuch teftimonies of his
fidelity and good behaviour, as filenced all ca-
lumnies which arofe on that head ; and the
large fpecimens of gold and pearl he produced,
refuted all that was faid on the poverty of the
Indies. The court was fully convinced of the
importance of the new colony^ ihe merit of its
governor, and the neceflity of a fpeedy fupply.
But the admiral's enemies were not idley
though tbey were filenced j they continued

i' '-m

Settlements in America, 37

tp throw ^11 ipanner of obftrudtions in his
ways which w^s a thing not difficult in a
country, where .every thing is executed with
much phlegm and languor, and where thofc
forms apd ipechanical methods of buiinefs,
peceffary perhaps in the common courfe of
affairs, but ruinous in great defigns, are morip
?xa^ly oJDferved, than any where elfe. It was
therefore with great difficulty that hp was able
to pirocure any relief to be fcnt to fjifpaniola,
but with much greater, and after a thoufand
delays and difappointments, that he was him-
feif enabled to fct out on a difcovery of more
importance than any of the former.

He defigned to ftand to the Southward
from the Canaries, until he (hould pome under
the equinodlial line, and then to proceed di-»
redtly Weftward, until Hifpaniola fbould bear
to the North' >veft from him, to try what
opening that might afftjrd to India, or what
new iflands or what continent might reward
his trouble. IJ^ therefore flood ^way tP thq
Cape de Verd iflands, and then South-weft,
In this navigation a thick fog, which inter-'
cepted the light of the fun and ftars, envel^-
loped them for feveral days j and when this
cleared off, the heats were grown fo exceffive,
that the men could not venture between decks.
The fun being at this tin>e nearly vertical, the
heavy rains which fall at this feafon betweea
^he tropigs, without abating the heat> a^de4

P 3 inuch

T'iil

38 j^n Account of the European
ynuch to their diftrefs. At lad a fmart gale
fprang up, an4 they ^yent before it feventcen
days to the Weftward. The adpiiral, who
f:ould have no fecond to fupply his place,
fcarce allowed himfelf a moment's (leep ; but
in this, as in all his voyages, had the whole
burthen of every thing upon himfelf; this fa-
tigue threw liim into a fit of the gout ; but
neither the fatigue nor the diforder could re-
move hipi froqi the deck, or make hiqi abate
of his ufual vigilance. His provifions, how-
ever, being d'amaged by the heat, tlie wine
cafks, many of them burft, and the \yine be-
ing foured in thole that held, obliged him to
alter the courfe he intended to keep iSouth-
y^ard, and to decline fome points to theNorth-
?iveft, hoping to fall in with fome of the Ca-
ribbees, where he intended to refit and take
in provifions, to enable him to continue his
fiifcoverics. But he had not failed long, wheri
from the round-top a feaman faw land, which
was an ifland on the coaft of Guiana, now
called Trinidad. Having paiTed this iflapd and
fwo others, which lie in the mouth qf the great
river Oronoquo, he was furprized apd endan-
gered by a phaenomenoii he had never feen
before. The river Oronoquo, at all times
very great, at this tiqie augmented tenfold by
the rains we have juft mcjitioupd, rufhing into
the ocean with an immenfe and rapid flood,
inccts the tide j which rifes here to a great

height.

Settlements w America. 39

height, and comes in with much ftrength ;
and both being pent up between the iflands,
and reverberated from on& to another, caufed
a confli(ft45Xtremely terrifying to thofe who had
not been accuftomed to it, and were ignorant
of the caufe, as Columbus was at this time.
But failing further he found plainly that he
was in frefh water, and judging rightly that it
was probable no ifland could fupply fo vaft a
river, he began fo fufped: he hgd difcovered
the continent. But when he left the river,
^nd found that land continued on to the Weft-
ward for a great way, he was convinced of it.
Satisfied, in fome meafure, with this difcovery,
he yielded to the uneafinefs and diftrefles of his
crew, and bore away for Hifpaniola, favoured
by a fair wind and thofe currents which fet
ftrongly to the Weftward all along the North-
ern coaft of South America.

In the courfe pf this difcovery the admiral
landed in feveral places, and traded with the
inhabitants, amongft whom he found gold and
pearl • in tolerable plenty. Contrary to the
cuftom of many navigators, who behave
wherever they go as if they never intended to
come there again, he every where ufed the
natives with great civility, and gave then>
what they judged the full value of their com-
modities ; little bells, bits of glaft and of tin,
with fome trifling apparel, being exchanged
fgr gold-duft and pearls, and much to th^

a 4 i^^t

Ao An Account of the Ei/ropean

fatisfadion of both parties, who thought they
had each over-reached the other, and indeecj
\vith equal reafon. '\ „

c p A P. V. ' ; ;. \

Cohimbtis finds the Spaniards of Hifpanigla in.
rebellion. His meafures to fupprefs it. New
complaints again/1 him in Spain, He is fu-
perjeded in the government^ and lent to Spair\
in iron^. / ...

HE arrived at Hifpaniola the 19th of
Auguft, 1498^ quite worn down with
ficj^nefs and contii ual watcLing, the neceffity
pf \yl}ich was rather increafed than diminifhe4
;as he came nearer honne, amongft fuch a mul-r
titude of iflands and ftipals as filled thofe feas,
at this time little known j a^ld to this, that a
current, fitting ftrongly Weflward towards
the continent, t}ireatjsned every moment, withr
out the greateft attention, to carry him out of
|iis courfe. So wafted was he with the fa-
tigue, that his brother, whom he had left in
Jiis place, fcarce Jcpew him at his return. And
|ie found that he was likely to have as little
fepofe upon land as at fea.

The admiral's authority had fufFcred fome
diminution, from the ill-judged ftep offending
^ check upon his motions before he left Hif-
paniola ; and the encouragement this gave to

Settlements in America. 41

^\ (orts of murmurings and complaints againft
government, fow'd the feeds of a rebellion,
which fprung up in the colony foon after he left
it. But this rebellion was more dangeroufly
formed tharr-either of the former. For in the
fim place, the rebels had regularly appointed
themfelves a chief, called Francis Rold^n ; ^
jnan whom the admiral had left in a c;onfide-
^ablc poft : this gave it an uniformity and
credit. And fecondly, tbey gained the Indians
io their party, by pretending to be their pa-
trons, and the affertors of their liberty. Then,
to eftablifti themfelves the more fecurely, they
made a feceffion from the uncorrupted part of
the colony, and fettled in another part of the
ifiand, which formed an afylum for ^11 idle
and feditious perfons, by whom they were
continually reinforced.

In this threatening ftate of things, the admi-^
ral, having found his forces in no condition to
adt offeniivcly againft the rebels, did what he
could to break their force, and diffolve that
union which made them formidable. He be-
gan by publi(hing afree pardon for ail that chofe
to cancel their crimes by a timely fubmiflion.
Obfcrving belides, that many were very de^
lirous of returning to Spain, he gave them to
underftand they might go with the (hips
which brought the laft fuccours. He did not
intend to perform this latter part immediately,
but he kjpew that hi§ offers would ftagger (oca? 5

- ' and

42 \An Account of the European

and that in afFairs of this nature, it is every
thing to gain time. He wrote to court a full
account of his late difcQveries, and fent fam-
pljis of the wealth they yielded. Hc took
the fame opportunity of defcribing the difr-
traded ftate of the colony, defiring that 50
or 60 men might be fent by every (hip,
which he promifed to replace by as many of
the rebels. He propofed this plan, left the
Spanifti power ftiould be weakened in thpfc
parts, by diminifliing their ynen, or kept in a5
dangerous a ftate, by harbouring fuch as were
Jll difpofed to the public gpod. He added
very judicioaCy to his requeft that fome reli-
gious men and able lawyeps might be fent
nim, as the moft effe6|:ual means of intro-
ducing, and preferving obedience and order.
He then entered into negociatlons with the
chiefs of the rebels j he granted them all they
demanded, and even invidioufly placed their
principal commander, Roldan, in fuch an of-
fice as flattered his pride, though without
augmenting his power. Thus things were
brought into fopiething of regularity, without
apy ftruggling or violence j and Roldan him-?
felf, though in his former office of chief judge
of the ifland, contributed moft of all towards
bringing thofe who ftood out to obedience.
There arofe a differenpe between them j and
they flew again to arms; but on their firft
motion, Roldan, by virtue of bis authority,

feijed,

SjETTLCMENTS in AMERICA. 43

(dttdiy Condemned, and executed feveral. By
tl^is the reft were awed, all conncxiop broke^
(0 irretrievably, betweeii the head and body
of the rebels, and all done without having
any part of the offence, *^hat might be give^i
by this feverity^ charged to the admiral.

He now began juft to breathe in a little
tranquility, acquired by the feverefl labours,
whilft a new ftorm was gathering againfl hin^
frQm the quarter of the court. His old im-
placable enemies uniting with fome of the re-
bels, who had lately tranfported themfelves
into Spain, renewed the clamour againfl him.
They heaped upon him all manner of calum-
nies } they accufed him of a defign of felting
yp for himfelf ; .and as they charged him in
Hifpaniola with cruelty and tyranny to the In-
dians, here they reverfed the charge, and ^Cr
cufed him of a popularity ampngft that people,
dangerous to his and to their allegiance. They
added to thefc, what could not fail to work
on national prejudices, th^t Columbus was a
ftranger, and had not a proper refpedl for the
Spanifh nobility. They complained that great
debts were due to them j that all ways of rcr
covering them were fhut up. In fhort, the

I* 1 4V»1

king and queen never

went

abroad without

being purfued and periecute4, by the clamour^
of thefe pretended fuitors of juftice. Weariecj
out with fuch complaints, they fent a judge,
with po\/er to enquire into the admiral's cour

44 -/f« Account of the European

dud, and authorized, if he fhould find the
accufations proved, to fend him into Spain,
and remain himfelf as governor in his room.
They made it the judge's intereft to con-
demn him.

This judge, who was extremely poor, an4
had no other call but his indigence to un-
dertake the office, no fooner landed in Hifpar
niola, than he took up his lodging in the adr
miraPs houfe, for he w^s then abfent. He
next proceeded to fei^e upon all his effedts \
and at lafl fummoned him apd his brothers tQ
appear. In the mean time, he encouraged all
manner of accufations, without regarding the
charader of the accufers, or the probability or
confiflency of their accufations. In confer
quence of thefe, he apprehended the admiral
and his brothers, and with the laft piarks of
infult and indignity, loaded them with ironS;j
and embarked theni to bp tranfported prifoners
into Spain. ,j-,. «^r

The captain of the veffsl, touched with re-
fped for the years and great pierit of Colum-
bus, offered to take off the irons \ but he di4
not permit it. " Since the Hing has com-
manded, that I fhould obey his governor,
he fhall find me as obedient to this, as I
*• have been to all his other orders. Nothing
** but his commands fhall releafe me. If
twelve years hardfhip and fatigue ; if con-
tinual daggers and frequent famine \ if the
' '! *? ocean.

€C

Sbttlements in Ami:rica. 45

^' ocean^ firft opened, and five times paffed
and repaffed, to add a new world abounding
with wealth to the Spanifti monarchy 5 and
if an i-:firm and premature old aee, brought
on by thofe fcrvices, deferve theie chains as
" a reward j it is very fit I fliould wear them
to Spain, and keep them by me as memo-
rials to the end of my life."
Great minds, though^ more apt to forgive
injuries, perhaps, than common fouk, do not
eafily lofe the memory of the wrongs that are
done them. Columbus afterwards carried
thcfe irons with him wherever he went ; they
hung conflantly. in his chamber^ and he or^
dered them to be buried with him. * ^?^Hf}*>
The new governor made a more efFedual
provifion for the reward of his fervices ; for,
befides confifcating the greatefl part of the ad-
miral's efFedls, which he converted to his own
ufe, to Hatter the people, he^ermitted an un*-
bounded liberty, by which he riined the royal
revenue, and was near ruining the colony too,
pafl all reparation, if the court had not recalled
him in time, and fent a perfon to fucceed him
of greater judgment and firmnefs, though of
little more real virtue, .^x.^^.j

.1 «<ii : < '

.^<

' 1

CHAP

« 46 \dn Accot/JJT of the European

u^p

.L:}

•»f'

If \

r f.

C ri A P; VI. . ; : -

^he difcoveries ofAmericm Vefputius^ and other
■*■ adventurers. What caufed the Jpirit of dif*
'' covery. "'." '"' '"' ' ■ *"■■''■ - -^^ • ' ^ '

ABOUT this time the fpirifc of difco-
very began to fpread itfclf widely ; and
private adventurers, bbth in Spain and Portu-
gal, ftimulated by the gold which from time
to time was remitted to Europe by Goiumbus,
made equipments at their own expcnce, Ib
one of thefe the famous Americus Vefputius
commanded i he had got into his hands the
charts of Cplifmbus, in bis lafl voyage^ and
he failed the fame courfe. But as he was a
man of addrefs and great confidence, and was
befides an able feaman, and good geographer,
he found a way of arrogating to himfelf the
iirft difcovcry ^ the continent of America,
and called it by his own nan>e ; which it has
ever fince retained, though no body has any
doubt concerning the real difcovcren For this
I believe no other reafon can be given, than
that America is perhaps a better founding
word than Qolumbia, and is more eaiily pro-
nounced with the others, in enumerating the
feveral divilions of the earth : a trifling matter,
and influenced by trifling caufes. But the
glory of Columbus (lands upon foundations
of another fort.
;: A : " ') • Pinzon,

! Settlements in America.' 4^

^ flnzon, one who attended the admiral in
his firft voyage, equipped a fquaaron at his
own expence j and was the firft who croiTed
the line at the fide of America, and entered
the great river Maranon, or the river of
Amazons. , _, ^,.,^_, ;

The Portugtiefe, notwithrtanding the pope's
exclufive grant, turned their thoughts to Ame-
rica, and difcQvered the Brazils, which make
the moft valuable part of their prefent poffef-
fions, when they have loft what was confider-*
ed as their original right, and which never
tvas fo advantageous to them. , .

What animated thefe adventqrers, at the
fame time that it fixes a ftain upon all their
characters and defigns, is that infatiable tbirft
of gold, whiph ever appeared uppermoft in
all their anions. This difpofition had been a
thoufand times extremely prejtidicial to their
affairs : it was particularly the eaufe of all the
confufion and rebellions in If Hpaniola : yet it
is certain, that if it were not for this incentive,
vvhich kindled the fpirit of difcovery and colo*
nization firft in Spain and Portugal, and after-
wards in all parts of Europe, America had
never been in the ftate it now n ; nor would
thofc nations ever have had the beneficial colo-
nics, which are now eftablifhed in every part
of that country. It was necefiary there ihould
be fomething of an immediate and uncommon
gain, fitted to flrike the imaginations of men

forcibly.

I: ,

48 jin Account of the European

forcibly, to tempt them to fuch hazardous dc-
figns. A remote profpedt of commerce, and
the improvement of manufadufes, by ex-
tending of colonies, would never have an-^
fwered the purpofe ; thofe advantages come to
be known only by reafon and deduction, and
are not confequently of fo ftriking a nature.
But to go out with a few baubles, and to re-
turn with a cargo of gold, is an objedt readi-
ly comprehended by any body, and was con-
fequently purfued with vigour by all. The
fpeculativc knowledge of trade, made no part
of the ftudy of the elevated or thinking part
of mankind, at that time. Novir it may be
jufWy reckoned amongft the liberal fciences ;
and it makes one of the moft coniiderable
branches of political knowledge. Commerce
was then in the hands of a few, great in its
profits, but confined in its nature. What we
call the ballance of trade, was far from being
well underflood $ all the laws relative to com^
iiierce were every where but fo many clogs
upon it. The impofls and duties charged on
goods, were laid on without diftindtion or
judgment. Even amongft ourfelves, the moft
trading and reafoning people in Europe, right
notions of thefe matters began late, and ad-
vanced flowly. Our colonies were fettled
without any view to thofe great advantages
which we draw from them. Virginia was
conftru^ted out pf the wrecks of an armament
Mdiyj^i deftined

Settlements in America. 49

deftined on a golden adventure, which firf):
tempted us to America. And thofc who fet-
tled New England and Maryland, meant them
only as afylums from religious perfecution. So
that if America had not promifed fuch an in-
undation of treafure, it could only have fup-
plied a languid commerce, which would have
habituated the natives by degrees to our Eu-
ropean manners, and fupplied them with
eqviiai arms. Then it would have been next
to impoffible to have ii^«de thofe extenfive
fettlements in that new world. So certain it
is, that we often reap differently from what
we have fown ^ and that there mufl be fome
ftrong aftive principle to give life and energy
to all deiigns, or they will languifh, l^t th^tn
1^^ ever fo wifely concerte4t

! S

Vqu I,

CHAP.

JO jin Account o/" ^i< European

CHAP. VII. .

Columbus again acquitted. Undertakes a fourth
voyage. Difcovers the coaji of Terra Firma
and the ijihmus of Darien, Returns to Hif
paniola. His reception there. Purfues bis
difcoveries tg the coafl of Terra Firma. He
is driven to Jamaica^ and Jhipwrecked on
that ijland. His di/irejfes there. The rebel-
lion of his men^ which he fupprejfes. He
leaves the ijland and returns to Sp(iin. His
reception there. He ^ies.

NO fboncr was Columbus arrived in Spain,
in this difgraceful manner, than the
court difavowed, and highly blamed the con-
f3uft of their governor. And now, according
to the giddy cuftom of men, who adt with-
out plaji or principle, fhey acquitted Colum-
bus of all the charges againft him, with as
little enquiry into their validity, as they before
ufed when upon the fame charges they un-
juftly condemned him. Reftitution and re-
ward were profnifed him, and he wanted ve-
ry few incendves to engage once more in dif-
coveries. Eis ambition was to arrive at the
Eaft-Indies, and fo to furround the globe.
This had really an influence upon his own
mind, and he knew nothing could fo much
Influence thofe of the ting and queen. Oq

Settlements in America. ^j

this profpedl he was again fitted out with 4
fleetj promifmg to reduce both Eaft and Weft-
Indies, under the dominion of their Catholic
niajefties. * * -.r -.i-n .: ■■.

He embarked upon his fourth voyage in
May 1502. His defign was to ftand dire(flly
for the coaft of South- America, and keep
along the Northern fliore until he ihould come
to the place where he heard an obfcure ac-
count of fome narrow ftreight, (whether a
ftreight or ifthmus was not fo clear from the
accounts he had) 5 and by this, if a ftreight,
he hoped to pafs into the great South-Sea,
After fo very long a voyage as his had been to
America, and the difcovery of a continent
which was not that of India, nor that of
China 5 he faw clearly that the maps were no
longer in the leaft to be relied on ; he there-
fore depended folely upon his own ideas. He
reviewed the bearings of all the countries
which his former experience, or his late dif-
covcries had opened to him ; he confidered
the figure of the earth in general 5 he reafon-
ed upon the ballance and diftribution of the
land and water 5 and comparing all thefe hq
concluded, that beyond the continent he had
difcovered was another ocean, probably as
great or greater than that he had formerly
pafled ; if this were fo, then it was probablef
too that thefe oceans had fome communica-
tiQji, He judged it to be near thoft places

'■A

52 An Account oj the European

fince called Vcragua and Nombrc deDiosj
but not thinking his (hips fit for that voyage,
he propofed to put into Hifpaniola to refit,
^nd to make fome new difpofitions.

Columbus, whilft he navigated and rcfided
in the Weft-Indies, was extremely diligent in
his obfervations upon the nature of the air,
the feafons, the meteors, rains and winds ;
and how each of thefe feemed to affe<fl the
others ; npr was he lefs fagacious in drawing
progtioftlcs from the remarkable appearances
in all J at this time he judged from obferva-
tions that a great hurricane w^s approaching.
iBefore he entered the harbour he notified his
arrival to Obando the governor, with the na-
ture of his delign and the condition of his
VefTels ; defiring at the fame time that the
fleet which he undcrftood to be on the ppini
of letting fail for Europe, fliould in confi-
deration of the approaching hurricane defer
their departure for fome days. But it was
his deftiny that ingratitude" fhould purfue
him every where, and perfecute him iri
every fhape. For the governor, without any
caufe, not only refufed to hearken to his ad-
Vice about the failing of the fliips, but ab-
folutely denied him permiflion to enter into
harbour, to fave his life in that ifland which
he himfelf had difcovered and fubdued. He
had nothing to do but to draw up as clofe
to the fhore as he could. The ftorm came
* on

Settlements in America^ $i

ion the next night, but Providence favour-
ing his innocence, and affifling his capacity^
brought him fafc through it, though as ter-
rible a florm as had ever happened in thofe
ieas. The fleet of twenty fail, which againft
his advice had put to fea, fufFered the pu-
nifhttient due to their temerity. Only four
eicaped the ftorm, lixteen perifhed. Amongft
thofe which were loft, was the fhip which
parried back that governor to Spain, who
had fent Columbus thither in fo oppreflivd
and fcandalous a manner ; amongft the four
that were faved, was one that had on board
fome treafure, all that could be refcucd front
the pillage of the admiral's fortune. So that
whilft he was mortified at this (hameful in-
ftance of human ingratitude, Heavien feem*
ed to declare in his favour, and to condemn
and punirti it. His charader was highly
raifed by the prediction of the ftormi and by
his behaviour in it ; for to his, and his bro-
ther's good condud, the fafety" of his little
fleet was juftly attributed. His brother was
a navigator and philofopher, fecond only to
the admiral, very ufeful to his affans, and a
comfort and affiftance in all his misfortunes,
by his capacity and the goodnefs of his heart.

After he had weathered the florm he left
this ifland, in which he had fo furprizing an
inftance of ingratitude, in purfuit of more
matter to employ it. In this voyage he dif-

E 3 covered

54 ^^ Account of the European
covered all the coaft of Terra Firma to thdf
ifthmus of Darien, where he hoped to have
found a paffage to the South-Sea. In this he
was difappointed, but he was not difappointed
in the other part of his ptojedt j for every
where as he advanced, he became more fen-
fible of the value of his difcoveries on the
continent. He found a people more civilized
and more abounding in gold than the ifland-^
ers. He entered a harbour, which from its
excellence he called Porto Bello, well known
fince a$ one of the greateft openings by which
the Spaniffi commerce is carried on between
the two worlds. Here the admiral defigned
to eftablifh ai colony, under the command of
fiis brother^ pfopofing to return to Europe
himfelf to obtain the requiiites for a compleat
fettlement. But the avarice and infolence of
his men rdfed the counti^y upon him, and
obliged him to relinquifh his defign, without
having an opportunity of doing any thing
more than fhewing his judgment in the choice
of the fituation, and his own and brother's
bravery in extricating their men from the ca-
lamities in which their folly had involved
them.

Driven from hence, and finding his veflels
in fo bad a condition, that it was by no means^
advifeable to proceed upon further difcoveries,
he quitted the continent, after having difco-
vered the Eaftern fide of the ifthmns of Da-
rien*

Sbttiements In America! ^j;

fien, and the whole fhore as far as Gracios o
Dios in the gulph of Honduras. He then
flood over to Hifpaniola. His voyage was
made under a thoufand difficulties of the fe-
vereft kind ; the velTeh fo lealcy, that the
crew had not a mon^ent's refpite from the
pump, and fcarce any provifion remairing to
refefh therii after their labours. To compleat
the fum of their calamities a violent ftorm
arofe, in which the fhips fell foul of one an-
other. But though hej providentially wea^
thered this ftorm, it was now fcarcely poffible
to keepf hi6 {hip above water, and he was glad
to make Jamaica, where he was a fecond
time reKet^d from the grcateft dangers and
diftreiles. / •- • ^ •-

But a dirtrefs of alnSoft as bad a nature ex-*
ercifed his invention here. His fhips werd
abfolutely unfit for fcrvice beyond all poflibi-
lity of being repaired ; no means of getting
new J the inhabitants fufpicious, and the ill
behaviour of his men gave daily occafion to
increafe thole fufpicions. In this diftrefs, he
J:-revailed upon fome of the hardieft and mofl
faithful of them to pafs over in a canoo to
Hifpaniola, to reprefcnt his calamitous fitua-
tion tei the governor, and to beg vcHels to
carry them off.

Eight months did the admiral remain In this
ifland, without the leaft intelligence from his
meffcngers, or affiftance from the governor.

E 4 The

■' If

56 'An Account" of the European

The natives' grew exafperated at the delay di
the Spaniards, and the weight of fubfifting
them, which was a heavy burthen on the po-
verty of the Indians. Provifions therefore
came in very fparingly. Things even threat-
ened to grow much worfe 5 for the feamen,
who are at beft unruly, but think that all dif-
cipline ceafes the moment they fet foot oii
land, mutinied in great numbers. By this
mutiny the admiral's authority and ftrcngth
was coniiderabty weakened, whilft the natives
were exafperated by the diforders of the mu-*
tineers \ but Columbus found means to reco-^
ver his authority, at leaft among the Indians^
Knowing there would /hortly be a vifiblo
eclipfe of the moon, he fummoned the prin-*
cipal perfons in the ifland \ and by one who
underdood their language told them, that
the God whom he ferved, and who created
and preferves all things in heaven and earth,
provoked at their refufing to fupport his fer-
vants, intended a fpeedy and fevere judgment
upon them, of which they (hould fliortly fee
manifeft tokens in the heavens, for that the
moon would, on the night he marked, ap-
pear of a bloody hue, an emblem of the de-
ftrudtion that was preparing for them. His
prediction , which was ridiculed for the time,
when it came to be accompliflied ftruck the
barbarians with great terror. They brought
him plenty of provifions 5 they fell at his feet,
, - and

fiEtTLENiENTS in AmERICA* 57

ftnd befought him in the moft fupplicating
ilile to deprecate the evils which threatened
them. He took their proviiions, comforted
them, and charged them to attone for their
paft fin by their future generofity. ^ r

He had a temporary relief by this ftrata-
gem, but he faw no profpedt of getting out
of the ifland, and purfuing thofe great pur->
pofes to which he had devoted his life. The
mutiny of his men was in danger of growing
general, when every thing lt*:med to be fet-
tled by the fight of a (hip in the harbour,
fent by Obando, the governor of Hifpaniola.
The governor refolved not only to abandon,
but to infuh this great man in his misfortunes $
the captain of the veffel was a mortal enemy
to the admiral, and one of the perfons prin-^
cipally concerned in thofe rebellions, which
had formerly given him fo much trouble*
The defign of this captain was only to be a
witnefs of the diftrefs of his affairs ; for he
came aOiore^ forbidding his crew all manner
of communication with the admiral or his
men ; and after delivering to Columbus ah
empty letter of compliment, embarked with-
out even flattering him with the lead hope
of relief. , -

1 hus abandoned, his firmnefs and prefence
of mind alone did not forfake him. The
arrival of this fhip for a moment reconciled
his men to obedience ; but when they faw it

depart,

5^ An Account of the European

depart, they were almoft unanimoufly oft
the point of fhaking off all authority, and
abandoning themfelves to the moft defperate
tourfes. The admiral, without betraying the
leaift fign of difappointment or grief, told them
in a ehearful manner, that he had a promife
of an immediate fupply ; that he did not de-^
part in this fhip, becaufe (he was too fmall
to cany off all the Spfeaniards who were with
him ; and that he was refolved not to leave
the ifknd until every man of thehi might en-
joy the fame conveniency. The eafy and
compofed air of the admiral himfelf, and
the care he manifefted for his people, fupe«
rior to his own prefcrvation, reconciled their
minds, and made them attend their fate with
patience. But he knew his delay might be
very tedious in this ifland, and that as long
as there remained a receptacle to whkh every
ill humour amongfl his men might gather,
his affairs would grow worfe every day. He
found thofe that ftill adhered to him firmly
attached to his caufe \ he therefore came to a
refolution of taking vigorous meafures with
the reft. He fent his brother, a fenfible and
refolute man, with a proper force, and well
armed, to treat with them j and in cafe of
obftinacy to compel them to obedience. They
met, and the captain of the mutineers, grown
infolent with a long courfe of licentioufnefs
and rapine, not only rejected the admiral's

propofal.

Settlements in AmericAI 59

ffOpofal, but offered violence to his brother ;
who ufing this as a fignal to his men, pre-
pared for fnch an incident, they fell upon the
rebels with fo much refolution, that ten lay
dead in a moment with their chief j difor-
dered by the unexpeifled attack, the reft fled,
and foon after were obliged to fubftiit.

Thus the admiral pacified every thing with
equal f|)irit and addrefs, fometimes giving way
to the ftorm, and temporizing when he doubt-
ed his ftrength ; but when he was aflured of
it, always employing it with refolution and
cffedt ; turning every incident, even the moft
Unfavourable, to his advantage 5 and watch-
ing every change of nature, and every mo-
tion of the human mind, to employ them in
his purpofes. It is the principal thing which
forms the character of a great man, to be rich
in expedients ; the ufe Columbus made of the
eclipfe was truly ingenious. It may be faid,
that fuch a thing cannot be imitated amongft
a civilized people. I grant it. But the way
to imitate great men is not to tread in their
fteps, but to walk in their manner. There
is no people who have not fome points of ig-
norance, weaknefs, or prejudice, which a pe-
netrating mind may difcover, and ufe as the
moft powerful inftruments in the execution
of his defigns. Such a knowledge as this,
is the only thing which gives one man a real
fuperiority over another \ and he who under-
...^. (lands

6o Ah Account of the European

/lands the paffions of men, and can entirely
command his own, has the principal means
of fubduing them in his hands.

The admiral might have fpent his whole
life in this miferable exile, if a private man,
moved with efleem for his merit, and com-
paiiion to his misfortunes, had not fitted out
a fhip for his relief. This brought him to
Hifpaniola. The governor, who refufed to
contribute any thing to his coming, when he
came received him with that overadted com-
plaifance and fhpw of friendship, which fi>
often fucceeds the greatefl infolence in bafe
minds, and which they pradife with fo little
fhame and remorfe to the perfons they have
before loaded vvith the greatcft injuries. The
admiral bore this like every thing elfe ^ and
convinced that a difpute with a governor in
his own jurifdid^ion would bring him little
advantage or honour, he haftened every thing
for his departure to Spain, where he arrived
after a voyage in which he was tofied by
irofl terrible ftorms, and failed feven hundred
leaf^ues after he had lofl his main-maft.

He was now grown old, and fevercly af-
flidted with the gout. The queen his par
tronefs was dead ; and the king, of a clofe
and difl'embling difpofition, and a narrovy
mind, was the only perfon he had to footh
his misfortunes, or pay the reward which was
due to his labours. But he received neitheir

comfort

Settlements in America^ 6i

comfort nor reward. The performance of
his contradt was deferred upon frivolous pre-
tences ; and he employed the clofe of his life,
as he had done the a^ive part of jt, in a court
follicitation ; the moft grievous of all employ-
nients to any man, the moft bopelefs to an
old man. Vanquished at laft by years, fa-
tigues, and difappointments, he died with
thofe fentiments of piety, which fupported
him through the misfortunes of his life, and
added a finishing, which nothing elfe coulcj
give to his greatnefs of mind, and all hi^
other virtues

CHAP. VIII.

. . .'■

^he charaBer of Columbus, Borne refleBlom on
the condu6i of the court of Spain,

HEncefbrward, in treating of the pro-
grefs of the Spanlfh difcoveries apd
arms, inftead of defigns laid in fcience, j^nd
purfued with a benevolent heart and gende
meafures ; we are but too often to (hew an
pnthufiaftic avarice,- urging men forward to
every a<5l of cruelty and horror. The cha-
rader of this firft difcoverer was extremely
different from that of all with whom he
dealt, and from that of moft of thofe who
purfued his difcoveries and conquefts \ fome
with a vigour and conduct equal; but all with

virtues

62 An Account of the European

virtues very much inferior. In his charader
hardly is any one of the components of a truly
great man wanting. For to the ideas of the
moft penetrating philofopher, and a fcheme
built upon them worthy of a great king, he
joined a conftancy and patience, which alone
could carry it into execution, with the forr
tune of a private man. Continual florms at
fea, continual rebellions of a turbulent people
on fhore, vexations, difappointments, and ca-
bals at court, were his lot all his life ; and
thefe were the only reward of fervices, whiph
no favours could have rewarded fuifficiently.
His magnanimity was proof againft all of thefe,
and his genius furmounted all the difficulties
they threw in his way, except that of his pay-
ment, the point in which fuch men ever meet
with the worft fuccefs, and urge with the lead
ability. That furprizing art, poffeffed by fo
few, of making every accident an inftrument
in his defigns ; his nice adjuflment of his be-
haviour to his circumftances, temporizing, or
adting vigoroufly as the occafion required, and
never letting the pccafion itfelf pafs by him ;
the happy talent of concealing and governing
his own paffions, and managing thofe of others j
all thefe confpire to give us the highefl idea
of his capacity. And as for his virtues, his
difinterefted behaviour., his unmoveable fide-
lity to the ungrateful crown he ferved, the
juft policy of his dealing with the Indians,

Settlements in America. 63

bis caution againft giving them any offence,
jand his tender behaviour to them when con-
quered, which merited him the glorioug title
of their father, together with his zeal to have
them inftrudled in the truths of religion, raife
him to the elevated rank of thofe few men
whom we ought to confider as examples to
mankin4, and ornaments to human nature.

I hope it will be forgiven me, if I add a
remark upon the condudt of the court of
Spain with regard to this great man. Thpugh,
as we faw all along, this condudt was equally
unjuft and impolitic, forry I am, that no lef-
foh of inftrudtion can be drawn from the
CveAt, which was in all refpeds as fortunate,
as the ineafures purfued were ungrateful and
imprudent. But there was a coincidence of
events at that time, which does not always
happen fo opportunely to juftify an ungrate-
ful and narrow policy. It is certain that fome
men arc fo pofleffed with their defigns, that
when once engaged, nothing can difcourage
them in the purfuit. But great and frequent
difcouragements are examples to others, which
will at leaft certainly have an cffedt, and will
terrify men from forming fuch defigns at all.
Then the fpirit of invention an ^ enterprizc
dies away j then things begin to ftagnate and
to corrupt ; for it is a rule as invariable in po-
litics as it is in nature, that a want of proper
potion does not breed reft and ftability, but a

fnotioi^

64 An Account of the European

motion of another kind ; a motion unfeen
and intefline, which does not preferve but
deftroy. The beft form and fettlement of a
ilate, and every regulation within it, obeys
the fame univerfal law ; and the only way to
prevent all things from going to decay, is by
continually aiming to better them in fome re-
fpedl or other ; (fincc if they arc not better,
they will furely be worfe,) and to afford an
attentive ear to every projeft for this purpofe.
I am fenfible that it muil frequently happen^
that many of thefe projeds will be chimerical
in themfelves, and offered by a people of an
appearance and manner not very prejudicing
in their favour. But then I am fatisfied too,
that thefe men muft in the nature of things
have fomething odd and fingular in their cha-
radter, who expofe themfelves, and defert the
common and certain roads of gaib, in purfuit
of advantages not certain to the public, and
extremely doubtful to themfelves.

It is equally true, that if fuch people are
encouraged, a number of vifionary fchemes
will be offered. But it is the charadler of
pride and lazinefs to rejedt all offers, becaufe
fome are idle, as it is of weaknefs and credu-
lity to liflen to all without diflindtion. But
furely, if judgment is to have any (hare in our
condudb, it is the province of judgment to fift,
to examine, to diflinguifh the ufeful from
the foolifli, the feafible from th^ impradti-

" c^ble^

Settlements in America.^ 65

cable, and even in the mid ft of the vifions of
a fruitful and difordered brain, to pick out
matter which a wife man will know how to
qualify and turn to ufe, though the inventor
did not. Cromwell, partly from his circum-
ftanccs, but more from his genius and difpo-
iition, received daily a number of propofals
of this kind, which always approached him
in a fanatical drefs, and were mixed frequent-
ly with matters the moft remote from proba-
bility and good fenfe ; and we know that he
made a fignal ufe of many things of this kind.

Colbert fpent much of his time in hearing
every fcheme for the extending of commerce,
the improvement of mai)ufa(ftures, and the
advancement of arts j fpared no pains or ex-
pence to put them in execution, and bounti-
fully rewarded and encouraged the authors of
them. By thefe means France advanced du-
ring the reign of Lewis the fourteenth, and
under this minifter more than it had done in
many reigns before ; and by thefe means, in
the midft of wars, which brought that king-
dom and all Europe to the brink of deftruc-
tion ; amidft many defaults in the royal cha-
racter, and many errors in his government,
a feed of induftrpand enterprize was fown,
which on the firft refpite of the public cala-
mities, and even whilft they oppreiTed that
nation, rofe to produce that flourifliing inter-
nal and external commerce and power, that

Vol. I. F diftin-

66 An Account of the European
diftingui(hes France, and forms its ftrcngth at
this day, though a lefs adive reign, and mi-
nifters of a different charadber have fuccecded.
On the contrary, it was always the charadter
of the court of Spain to proceed very flowly,
if at all, in any improvement 5 and to receive
fchemes for that purpofe with coldnefs and
difdain. The effedls upon tb^: power of that
monarchy were at laft aniwerable. With re-
gard to America, the conquefl as well as the
difcovery was owing wholly to private men ;
the court contributed nothing but pretenfions
and patents.

CHAP. IX.

7he difcoveries and conquefts of Balboa. Ve-
lafquez fends Cortes on the Mexican expedition,
7he ftate of the Mexican empire. Cortes
makes an alliance with the Tlafcalans,

AN ancient painter drew a fatyrical pic-
ture of Cimon the Athenian. He re-
prefented this commander afleep, and Fortune
drawing a net over cities to put them into his
poffe/Iion. There never were princes to whom
this reprefentation could be applied with
more juflice, than to king Ferdinand and his
fucceffor the emperor Charles. Without
forming any plan in the cabinet, without
ifluing a penny out of their treafury, without

fending

■ V4J11W-

Settlements in America. 67

fending a regiment from their troops, private
adventurers amongft their fubjedls put them
into pofleffion of a greater, ami a more weal-
thy territory, than ever the moft celebrated
conquerors had acquired by their valour, or
their wifdom. Nor was this conqueft more
extraordinary for the trivial means by which
it was accomplished, than for the (hortnefs of
the time in which it was efFefted j for from
the departure of Columbus, which was in the
year 1492, to the entire redudlion of Chili,
which was in 154I1 feven great kingdoms,
inhabited by a vaft number of warlike and
wealthy nations, were made to bow under the
Spanifh yoke. After the difcoveries of Co-
lumbus had enlarged the fphere of induftry
to adtive minds, fuch a fpirit of enterprize
went abroad, that not only thofe perfons
whofc indigence might have driven them
from their native country, but perfons of the
firft rank went over to fettle in America.
Gold was the fpur to all thofe adventurers,
of whatever rank j and this with a romantic
fpirit of chivalry, made the greateft hazards
appear but common matters in their eyes.
And indeed in a country wholly uncivilized,
under the burning zone, and in many places
extremely unhealthy, the temperance of the
Spaniards, their hardinefs under fatigue, and
the patience and perfeverance which make
the moft fliining part of their charader, en^
■ ' ' ' F 2 abled

■|1

68 An Account of the European
abled them to engage in enterprizes, and to
furmount difficulties, to which any otiier peo-
ple had certainly been unequal.

Vafco Nunez de Balboa made a confider-
able figure amongft thefe adventurers j he
was a man of a graceful prefence, a liberal
education, an hardy conftitution, and that
kind of popular bravery, which recommends
a man who engages in defperate expeditions,
where he muft have more authority from his
perfon than his place. This man firft fur-
rounded Cuba, conquered, and left it. He
did not there find the treafures which he ex-
pedled. He therefore relinquiftied the glean-
ings of this field to thofe who had a more
moderate ambition, and a more faving induf-
try. He fought new ground, he followed
the tracks of Columbus to Darien, gained
the friendHiip of fome of the Gaziques, and
conquered others. He was thf; firft who dif-
covered the South-Sea. He fettled a colony
upon that coaft, and built the city of Panama.
But according to the fate of all the firft ad-
venturers in this new world, indeed according
to ,he fate of moft who engage in new un-
dertakings, he never lived to reap the fruit
of his labours. He found himfclf fuperfeded
by one who had only difcernment enough of
his merit to raife his jealoufy and envy, and
who could make no other ufe of the difcove-
ries of this great man, than to incrcafe his

own

Settlements in America. 69

own private fortune. This man was a poli-
tician and a courtier, itnd having in feveral in-
flances bafely injured Balboa, he was too wife
to ftop there, but under a pretended form of
juftice cut off his head, and confifcated his
eflate.

Some time after the fettlement of Cuba,
Don James Velafquez obtained the govern-
ment J a man of good fenfe in common affairs,
but fo much miftaken, as to imagine he could
adt a great part by deputy ; and that too in cir-
cumftances, wherein a man who had but little
capacity could do him but little fervice, and
he that could do much would certainly do it
for himfelf. The continent of America was
now very well known, and the fame of the
greatnefs and wealth of the Mexitan empire
Ipread every where. This infpired Velafquez
with a fcheme of reducing fome part of this
opulent country under his obedience. He
pitched upon Hernando Cortes to command
in this expedition, in which he certainly made
a very right judgment. There was no man
amongft the Spaniards, who to an adventur-
ous difpolition, then common to them all,
knew fo well to join a cool and ileady con-
dudt, to gain love whilft he prefervcd rcfped;
not to (hift his fchemes according to occafions,
but perfifting uniformly in a well-judged de-
fign, to make every inferior acflion and event
fubfervient to it j to urge ftill forward ; to ex-

F 3 trigate

70 An Account of the European

tricate himfelf out of difficulties into which
he was brought by bold adlions, not by mean
fubterfuges, but by anions yet bolder. This
was the charadler of the man already in high
reputation, whom Velafquez chofc to conquer
for him.

The embarkment was made at St. Jago dc
Cuba, and Cortes was to take in fome rein-
forcements at the Havanna. But he was hard-
ly departed, when Velafquez grew jealous of
him ; and without confidering that Cortes was
of that heroic difpofition, in which a blind
obedience is rarely a principal ingredient, he
took the ill-judged ftep of removing him from
the command of an army, which in fome
fort might be confidered as liis own, iince he
had much influence on the foldiers, and that
a confiderable part of the expence of the ar-
mament had been fupplied by himfelf. When
thij; order, which was to deprive him of his
command, arrived to Cortcj, he was not long
before he came to a refolution. He explained
the whole matter to his foldiers ; he fhewed
them how uncertain the intentions of Velaf-
quez were, and how much all their hopes
were like to be fruftrated by the inconftancy
of his difpofition. The event was prepared.
The foldiers declared to a man, that they were
fubjedts only to the king of Spain, and knew
no commander but Cortes. The army and
the generaJ, thus bound to each other by their
mutual difobedience, failed for Mexico.

The

SETttfeMENts in America. '^i

Th6 empire of Mexico was at that time
governed by a prince called Montezuma, the
eleventh who reigned from the firft monarch
who had conquered the country. The em-
pire was eledtive, and the merit of Monte-
zuma had procured him the eledlion. A prince
of capacity and courage, but artful, hypocri-
tical, and cruel. This empire, founded on
conqu^rt, was increafed by his vidlories. By
himlclf, or by his generals, he had abfolutely
fubdued feveral kingdonis and provinces ; fe-
veral were made tributary, and others, which
were not abfolutely fubdued, wer6 influenced
by his power to an entire obedience to his
will. His armies were the befl in that part
of the world, and p^odigioully numerous. In
this iituation, and fo headed was the empire
of the Mexicans, when Cortes came to prove
its ftrength, with an army of no more than
five hundred foot, and not quite fixty horfe.
He did not come a flranger into the country,
to encounter a force which he dared to en-
gage only bceaufe he was ignorant of it. He
had long thade every pofliblc enquiry from the
Sp&niards and Indians into every circumftance
of its internal weakncfs or power j its allies,
its enemies, and the interefts which deter-
mined them to be allies or enemies. Weigh-
ing all thefe, and knowing, that along with
great hopes, great dangers likewife lay before
him, he made his retreat yet more dangerous

F 4 by

.;l

72 An Account of the European

by his difobedience to the governor of Cuba ;
and when he landed on the continent, he
made it impollible, for he burned his fhips.
But though he had made a retreat impoflible,
he had fomething elfe to encourage him to
go forward, than the impofiibility cf retiring.
He had great hopes that many of thefe ftates,
who were kept in a forced fubjedlion, or a
flavifli dread of Montezuma, would gladly
turn this new and alarming appearance from
themfelves againft that monarch, and under
the banner of thefe formidable ftrangers, arm
themfelves to (hake off the ancient tyranny,
which always appears the worft, without
forefeeliig ronfequences, to which more civi-
lized nations have frequently been as blind as
they. It happened according to his expec-
tations.

The Zempoallans, a nation tribu ary to
Montezuma, as foon as they had furiicient
proofs of the power of the Spaniards, at the
expence of feveral of their neighbours, who
attempted to oppofe their progrefs, threw off
the Mexican yoke, gladly put themfelves un-
der the protedion of Cortes, and earned it by
the large reinforcements which they added to
his army. Montezuma was foon made ac-
quainted with thefe meafures. For according
to the cuftom of* « . well-regulated kingdom,
he had pofts fo ftationed, that in a little time
he had notice of whatever happened in the

I remote

Settlements in America. 73

remote parts of his empire. The difpatches
which were fent 1 im, were painted cloaths,
cxadtly reprefenting every circumftance of the
bufinefs of which he was to be informed ;
the figures were interfperfed with characters
to explain what muft necefTarily be wanting
in the pi<flure. So far, but no farther, had
this people advanced in the art of writing. As
well informed as the emperor was of every
particular of this invafion, and of the defec-
tion of his tributaries, he adted not at all con-
formably to thegrcatnefs of hisformer exploits.
He took the worft method which a great
prince ever did upon fuch an otcafion, which
was, to temporize. He let the Spaniards fee,
by fome trifling arts which he ufed to oppofe
them, that he did not look upon them as his
friends, and at the fame time negledled to adt
againfl them as fo formidable an enemy re-
quired. They made daily advances in the
country. His enemies were encouraged, his
tributaries made infolent, and his fubjedts
and allies utterly difpirited ; whilft the Spa-
niards, in a variety of engagements, which
they had with the petty princes of the coun-
try, raifed their reputation by a train of vic-
. tories, and began to be confidered as invinci-
ble. Cortes, like the great commander he
was, took advantage of this irrefolute difpo-
fition in Montezuma, and ufed every pollible
means to cherifti it. He always fsnt back
- .^ what

jit

74 ^n Account of the European
vhat prifoners his new allies had taken, with
prcfcnts, and every profeffion of efteem and
regard to their mafter> and with the ftrongefl
aiTurances of a defire of preferving peace ;
requefting to fee Montezuma, and to confer
with him upon fome matters which he faid
he had in charge to deliver to hint from his
mafter the emperor of the Romans.

There was at that time a celebrated repub-
lic on the coafll of Mexico, towards the gulph,
called Tkfcala. This people were faid to be
fo powerful, as to be able to arm four hundred
thoufand men. Powerful as they were, though
not fubdued, they were yet awed by the great-^
nefs of the Mexicans. This awe, or perhaps
a better policy, induced them to give a check
to the Spaniard*. Bu€ in the manner of Mon-
tezuma's proceedings they would not oppofc
them publicly, and therefore could not op-
pofe them effectually. Some nations, on
whom they had prevailed to fall upon the
Spaniards, were over and over again defeated,
together with thofe troops the Tlafcalans had
fent clandellinely to their afTiftancc. At laft,
by degrees, declaring themfelves more open-
ly, as the danger preiTcd them, they drew a
large army into the field, which was routed
by the troops of Cortes j few indeed in num-
ber, but infinitely fuperior in arms, and now
grown familiar with victory. The conil »
quencc of this battle was the alliance of the

Tlaf.

Settlements in America. 75

Tlafcalans with their conqueror, which they-
entered into with the lefs diBculty, a& they
were to ferve againft the Mexicans, and might
now hope to Icrve with fuccefs. Cortf%
however, did not chufe to truft this untried
and forced alliance too far, nor at the fame
time to deprive himfelf entirely of the fuc-
cour it produced. He therefore took a mid-
dle courfe, and accepting three thoufand of
their men, he held on his rout to Mexico^

CHAP. X.

Cortes builds La Vera Cruz, He marches to
Mexico. His reception by Mmtezuma. Cor-
tes imfrifons Montezuma. That prince's flra--
tagem to gain his liberty i the confequence of

it.

BEFORE Cortes began his expedition to
Mexico, he had built a ftrong fortrefs at
the principal port on the coaft, to open a paf-
fage for faccours, whenever his fuccefs fhould
make iniereft enough to procure them. This
he called La Vera Cruz, and it has fincc be-
come a city, remarkable for the great traffic
carried on between thcfe opulent countries and
Old Spain.

During the Tlafcalan war, in which the
Spaniards fuffered fomething, and had every
thing to apprehend, Montezuma took no

ileps,

:'i!i

^f^

■■^'HS'.

76 ^n Account of the European

ilcps, but lay by watching the event, in hopes
that the TlaJfcalans might defeat the troops of
Cortes at their own expence j or if the Spa-
niards proved vidtorious, he might then have
the merit of not having ufed hoftilities againft
them. He loft both parties by this double
condudl ; fuch an infidious neutrality betrays
nothing but the weak policy of him who ufes
it. However, as ii fair correfpondence ftill
fubfifted between them, he ufed every means
he could to diffuade Cortes from his propofed
journey to Mexico. At laft he took a ftep,
worfe judged than all the bad ones he had
hitherto taken. He fent to thi^ Spaniards a
very large and magnificent prefent, of every
thing his dominions afforded valuable, but
principally a vaft quantity of gold and preci-
ous ftones ; offering at the fame time yet
more, and perfuading them to return to their
own country. If any perfon in the army was
unwilling before this to proceed, he now
changed his mind. All were convinced that
they ought to advance with fpeed to pofTefs
the fountain of that wealth, of which this
rich donation was but an inconfiderable rivulet.
Montezuma, baffled in all his fchemes to
keep the Spaniards at a diftance, having ufed
himfelf to (hifting meafures, until they were
in a degree grown habitual, found Cortes at
the gates of Mexico before he was rcfolved
how he (hould receive him. It was now

almolt

Settlements in America. 77

almoft too late for force. He therefore dif-
fembled his concern with the bed grace he
could, and received him with all the honours
a monarch can beftow, when he would
difplay his own magnificence, and (hew his
fenfe of extraordinary merit. Cortes was
lodged in a palace fpacious and grand, after
the manner of the country. All his Spani-
ards were lodged with him ; but he took care
to place a train of artillery at his gate.

Thus ported without a blow in the heart of
this great city, the capital of the new world,
he was for a while at a lofs what meafures to
purfue, for fecuring himfelf in a conqiieft of
fuch importance. Having received more
than he could reafonably have afked, there
was no caufe of complaint, and confequently
no advantage to be colourably taken. He
had only to wait for fome of thofe critical
incidents, upon whofe ufe all great matters
depend, and without which the greateft genius
muft be at a ftand. It was not long before one
of thefe occurred.

Two Tlafcalans arrived in difguife at
Mexico, who brought him an account that a
general of Montezuma had attacked fome of
his confederate Indians; that the garrifon of
Vera Cruz had gone out to their defence;
and that though the Mexicans were rcpulfed
with lofs, the Spaniards were greatly endan-
gered, many wounded, and one killed, whofe

head,

all

^"Wi^

78 j^n Account of the European

head, by the order of Montezuma, was carri-
ed through all the cities and villages of their
country, to deftroy the reverence in which
they held the Spaniards, and to undeceive
them in a notion they had conceived, that
thefe ftrangers were immortal. This iin.el-
ligence alarmed Cortes. He knew that opi-
nion was one of the ftrongeft fupporters of
his little force; that things of this kind never
flop at their beginnings; that Montezuma,
while he carefled him in his city, was disjoin-
ing his allies, and dillrefling his garrifon
abroad; and that no time was to be lofl in
dilatory counfels; that he mud keep alive
the memory of his former exploits. He
therefore took a refolution worthy of a brave
man, in a difficulty made for his capacity.
He armed himfelf in the beft manner, and
with five of the mod faithful and beft refol-
ved of his officers, went diredly to the palace
of Montezuma. Thirty of his men attend*
ed at fome diftance. Guards of Spaniards
were placed at the principal avenues to the
palace.

It was ufual for Montezuma's guards to
withdraw, out of refpedl, when he had any
conference with Cortes. On this occafion,
as foon as he was admitted to audience, he
charged the emperor with the outrages com-
mitted by his order:, in terms of great rcfent-
ment. The emperor difavows them. But

Cortes,

<, i V

■}

Setttements in America, 79

Cortes, after having paid him the compli-
ment of not fuppofmg him capable of fo
mean a diffimulation, afllired him, that he
was himfelf entirely fatisfied of his inno-
cence : but that others had fears which were
not eafily removed; that to fatisfy the Spani-
ards, he muft give fome folid proof of his
confidence in them; which he could effec-
tually do no otherwife than by his removing
without delay to their quarters. A requeft
of this nature ftartled Montezuma, who never
was ufed to any voice but that of the humbled
fubmiflion. However, he faw plainly that
Cortes did not make fo extraordinary a requeft,
but with a refolution of making it be com-
plied with. He faw the neceffity, and he
yielded to it.

Thus was the metropolis of a vaft and
powerful empire, inhabited by an innume-
rable multitude of warlike people, entered
without refiftance by an handful of men,
who came to overturn its liberty. And
thus was one of the greateft princes on earth,
renowned for his wifdom and valour, feized
in his palace, in the midft of his capital, at
noon-day, and carried prifoner without noife
or violence, by fix perfons, to be difpofed
of at their pleafure.

The people, confounded and enraged to

find one whom they always ufed to revere

as a god, treated in this unworthy manner,

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80 An Account of the European
furrounded the quarters of the Spaniards to
punifli this facrilege, and refcue their captive
prince. But Cortes, who well underftood
the confequence of the fteps he had taken,
was not alarmed. He knew that he had
now in his hands an engine, which was
capable of doing any thing. Montezuma
went out to appeafe the people, aflured them
that he was there of choice, and (which was
true) that the Spaniards were wanting in no
inftance of refpedt due to his charadler and
dignity.

This appeafed and difperfed the people.
But Montezuma, whoie unfortunate cir-
cumftances obliged him to adt as an inftru-
ment to his own captivity, could enjoy no
reft, though allowed the attendance of the
principal officers of his court, and indulged
by the Spaniards in every thing but his li-
berty. Long revolving, he at laft contrived
a fcheme, which he judged, without his
appearing to concur with them, might alarm
his fubjedts with a fenfe of their danger, or
oblige the Spaniards to depart by the reafon-
ablenefs of his propofals. He had always
liberty of going abroad with a guard of Spa-
niards under pretence of doing him honour.
He now dedred to hold a council of the
ftates of his empire, that in concurrence they
might fatisfy Cortes and his aflbciates ip the
ampleft manner. This council was conve-
ned,

'"/n"

Settlements in America*' 8t

h'ci, in which Montezuma, in a premedita-
ted fpeech, fet forth the origin of his nation;
the prophecies extant among them, that a
people of the fame race fhould arrive, to
whom this empire {hould be fubje(fl5 that
the people were now arrived who were the
object of thofe prophecies, and fprung from
this origin, to whom the gods had deftined
univerfal empire, and who, by their great
accomplifhments and fur prizing bravery, me-
rited their high deftination: then he fo-
lertinly '^x-elared himfelf tributary to the enl-
peror of the Romans; he exhorted his peopk
on their part to a due obedience; and ended
by telling them, that as he had himfelf pre-
pared a prefent froni his treafures worthy of
this emperor, he expected that every one of
them, in proportion to his ability, would
teftify his loyalty to their new mafter, and
his regard to the merit of his general, and
thofe brave men that attended him, that
they might be enabled to depart fpeedily to
their own country, with that opinion of their
brethren the Mexicans, which their affecti-
on to them and their obedience to their
common mafter, d(^ferved.

At firft a dead filence fucceeded this ha-
rangue J the whole affembly were confounded
' and ftruck dumb with grief, indignation and
furprize. Then followed a mi'ied cry, as each
perfon was affeded by fome particular part

Vol. I. G of

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'■mm

ZWR

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82 Ajt Account of the European
of the general calamity. The luftre of their
empire was tarnilhed, their religion to be pro-
faned, their freedom furrendered, their empe-
ror degraded; wDat was worfe, degraded by
himfelf; could they believe their ears? Was
it Montezuma who had fpoken in fach a
manner?

The defign of Montezuma was until this
moment a fecret to Cortes; he was furprifcd,
and fomething chagrined at an artifice, the
invention of which he now penetrated very
clearly. But his furprife did not confound or

I)erplex him in the part he faw it was proper
or him to ad. Without any ^mbarrafs-
ment, he feconded the harangue pf Monte-
zuma by a fpeecb, which was well inter-
preted, wherein he ftrongly urged the propri-
ety, and infinuated the neceffity of an entire
obedience to their prince, and an imitation,
of his condudl. Diford^red as the aiiembly
was, yet ftill held by a facred reverence to
their emperor^ influenced by the hope of
the fudden departure of the Spaniards, and
roferving themfelves for a better occalion, they
followed Montezuma's example, and paid
homage to Cortes, in that dumb and ftiHcii
fubmifiion with which fierce fpirita yield
to neceiiity. He received it, and thanked
them, as a man thanks his debtor for a
ready payment. . ,

Settlements /;/ America. .83

Cortes faw that this empty homage fecu-
ted him nothing ; but he knew that *-he
gold, which was to accompany it, would be
of real fervice in cancelling the ill imprefli-
ons made by his difobedience, in Spain. In
Mexico he might look upon himfelf as
feeurcj he had the perfon of the emperor
in his hands 5 he had his forces in the capi-
tal; he had lately ftruck a terror into all, by
feizlng the general, who had committed
hoflilities againd the Spaniards. He got the
emperor to difavow his condud, and condemn
him as a traitor. By their joint authority,
this unhappy man, guilty of nothing, but obe-
dience to his lawful mafter, and zeal for his
country, was burned alive in the public
fquare of Mexico. But neither this horrid
example, nor the imprifonment of their em-
peror, nor the late acl^nowledgment of the
emperor Charles, was fufRcient to make the
Mexicans infenfible to the difgrace they fuf-
fered, nor of the danger which hung over
them. They began to confult how they
might deliver thcrhfelvcs. Some propofed
to cut off the communication with the con-
tinent, and hold the Spaniards befieged in
their quarters ; for the city of Mexico is an
ifland in a great lake, and communicates with
the continent by four great caufeways, ex-
tremely curious for contrivance and folidity.
Whilil they were ripening their fchemes, a

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84 -4// Account of the European
report came to Cortes, that fome words had
dropt from a Mexican concerning the pradli-
cability of deftroying one of thefe caufeways.
From this word, (for he heard no more)
this watchful and fagacious commander
judged of the whole contrivance. Without
however taking notice of it publicly, he im-
mediately orders two brigantines to be built
to fecure his retreat, if a retreat (hould prove
the wifefl meafure. In the mean time he
kept a ftridt difcipline in his army; and to
preferve reverence from the Indians, he pro-
hibited their approaching his quarters when
his men were afleep, and fever ely punifhed
thofe of his foldiers who flept out of the times
and places appointed for that purpofcc All
this while no preparations for his departure.

CHAP. XI.

ne attempts of Montezuma to make the Spani"
ards leave Mexico, The arrival of Narvaez
to take the command from Cortes, Cortes
leaves Mexico . Defeates and takes Narvaez
prifonen The Spaniards in Mexico bejieged,
Cortes raifes thefege. Montezuma is killed,

MONTEZUMA, fick with impatience
of his confinement, and feeing that
he daily loft his authority amongft the people
by the pufillanimous appearance of his

condudt,

Settlements in Ambrica.' 85

condud, as foon as he perceived that any
fpirited adlion on his fide would be feconded
with equal fpirit by his fubje6ts, he roufed
his dormant magnanimity, and in fpite of
the condition he was in, he fent for Cortes,
and addreffed him in this manner: " Cortes,
the defires of my fubjefts, my own dignity,
and the commands of my gods, require that
you fhould depart my empire. You are fen-
fible how much I valued your friend fhip,
and how etTedtually I have (hewn that I
valued it. But after fo many profeffions of
good-will upon your fide, and fo many proofs
of it upon mine, after every pretence of bu-
finefs is over, wherefore do you delay your
return? I have yielded homage to your
mafter, I am ready to obey him; I have
fent him prefents, (or fliall I call it a tribute)
worthy of myfelf and of him: your whole
army is loaded, even to an inconvenience,
with their darling gold. Would they have
more? they fhall have more. But then,
when they fhall have fpoken their largeft
wifhes, and fatisfied their moft eager defires,
I infift upon it that they depart immediately;
or thty may find, in fpite of the condition
I am in, of which condition, for your fake,
and for my own, I fhall fptak but little,
that Montezuma has yet courage enough
to vindicate his honour, and friends in Mexi-
co who will not fail to revenge the wrongs
he (hall fufFer."

G 3 Cortes

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S6 Jjn Account of the European

Cortes perceived fomething of tin un»
ufual refolution and fternnefs in the emperor's
countenance whilft he fpoke. He therefore
fcnt orders, before the iriterpreter began tQ
explain his fpeech, that the Spaniards ihould
ftand to their arms, and w^it his commands.
His anfwer was refolute, bat not fuch as tq
drive the emperor to defpair. He lamented
the jealqiify which their common enemies
had occafionedj that for his part he was
fecured from ail fear by his own courage,
and the bravery of his own troops ; bu|
fince he w^s fo unfortunate as to find he
could not longer enjoy the honour of a con-
verfation he had fuch reafon to efteem, eon-
fiftently with the emperor*s repofe, he would
depart as foon as {hips could be built, for
on landing he had been obliged to burn hi^
own. This anfwer footbed Mop,tezum^i he
refumed his good humour, he prornifed to
load his army with gold at his departure, and
gave immediate orders that every thing
Ihould be prepared for fitting out the ihips in
the fpeediefl: and ampleft manner, But Cor-
tes gave orders, which were full as well pbey*
©d, to the perfon he appointed for the equip-
pient, to delay it upon every poflible pretence.
Jie expe«5ted daily the return of the mefr
fengers he had fent into Spain, to follicit his
pardon and fuccours, with the continuance
pf fae popmand. ■...-..

Wl>ilft

SlTTLEMENTs in AMERICA* 87

Whilft he was isrttertained with thefe ex-
pciftations, and With finding out j.'*etences to
defer his departure, an exprefs arrived from
Sandoval, his governor at La Vera Cruz, in-
forming him of the arrival of eighteen (liips,
in which was an army oi eight hundred foot,
and two hundred horfe, under the command
of one Narvaez, who was fent by his old
enemy Velafquez, the governor of Cuba, to
fuperfede him in the command, to treat him
as a rebel, and fend him in chains to Cuba.
The governor feized the meflcngers, who
were fent by Narvaez, to require him to
furrcnder, and fent them prifoners with this
account to Cartes. There never was a time
wherein the firmnefs and capacitv of this
commander in chief were put fo ftrongly to
the proof. On oneJ hand, here was an army
in weapons and couriage equal to his own, in
numbers vaftly fuperior, and above all,
ftrengthened with the name of royal authori-
ty. The Mexicans, ill-afFedled before, would
rejoice in this opportunity to fall upon him.
On the other hand, muft he refign the
conquefts he had made with fuch infinite
toils and hazards, into the hands of his
mortal enemy, and in return to bear thd
name, and receive the puniQiment of a
traitor? There was little room to hope for
an accommodation. The thoughts of a fur-
render were intolerable. One way only re-
mained, to conquer Narvaez. His own'cou-

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88 ^jin Account (f the European
rage and condudl; his foldiers, habituated
to victory, and endeared to him by comniiti
dangers and triumphs; his reputation, and
the iignal providence which always attended
him, would combat upon his fide. Above
all, no time was to be loft in fruitlefs counfels..
He fent an exprefs to Sandoval, his governor
in La Vera Cruz, to evacuate that place, and
join him in his route with what men he had.
He aflembled his forces, and found them to a
man attached to his interefts, and ready to
hazard every thing in fupport of them, He
left eighty men in Mexico, picked from hi§
troops, recommending them to Montezuma,
and him to them. With this fmall garrifon
he dared to entruft Mexico and all his vaft
hopes there ; but the imprifoned emperor
was himfelf a garrifon, from the reverence
his fubjedls bore him. Before he fct out, he
releafed the prifoners which Sandoval had fent
him, ufing the feverity of his officer to dif-
play bis own clemency. He careffed them
extremely, loaded them with prcfents for
themfelves, and the principal officers of Nar-
vaez's army, and did every thing to create
himfelf a party there by his generoftty. He
fent at the fame time very advantageous terms
of accommodation to the general himfelf, but
took care to follow and fecond his ambaf-
fadors with all the power he could raife.
yjjis, with Sandoval's reinforcement, did not

gmoq^t

' T'

Settlements /« America^ 89
amount to three hundred men 5 but with
thefe, and for.e confederate Indians, he march-
ed with all imaginable diligence to Narvaez's
quarters.

Narvaez, elated with the fuperiority of his
army, would hearken to no terms, though he
was much preffed to it by his principal officers,
who difcovered plainly that this quarrel could
on^y end in the ruin of their party, or that of
the Spanifti intereft in Mexico. Mean time
Cortes, little incumbered with baggage, and
lefs with a dilatory genius, advanced by forced
marches. He was but a fmall diftance from
the enemy's quarters, when the rains came on,
and as ufual in that country, fell very heavily.
Cortes knowing that the ill difpofitions of the
{ky were circumftances favourable to a fur-
prize, inviting to defperate enterprizes, and
fhat they are always leaft prejudicial to thofe
in motion, huving perfedl intelligence of the
difpofition of Narvacz's army, and having dif-
pofed his troops in fuch a manner as not to
fall upon one another, and to adl in concert,
Jie ordered them, when they (hould enter the
town, where the enemy was ported, to keep
in clofe to the houfes, that they might not fuf-
fer by the artillery, which was fo placed as to
play upon the middle of the ftreet. Having^
made this difpofition, he marched to attack
^he camp, on one of thofe gloomy and tem-
pcftuous nights. Though he diredled every

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thing with the utmoft fecrecy, Narvaez had
intelligence of his approach, but he laughed
at it ; and not underAanding the nature of a
prudent rafhnefs, could not believe that Cortes
would make fuch an attempt in fuch a feafon,
but went to fleep, without taking fufficient care
that it fhould not be difturbed. Security in
the general is eafily followed by that of every
one elfe. Cortes alTaulted the town in three
bodies, and whilft every one in the adverfe
party ran in confufion to his arms, and op-
pofed without com^nand or uniformity, aS
each man was attacked, the whole army was
routed. The quarters of Narvaez were at-
tacked by Cortes's divifion, and the men routed
there as elfe where. Narvaez himfelf, fhame-^
fully taken in bed, fell into his hands. " Value
yourfelf, faid he, my lord Cortes, on your for-
tune in making me your prifoner !" But Cortes,
with a fmile of indignation, anfwered, " That
he thought this by far the leaft adion he had
performed, fince he came into the new world."
When the morning came on, the difperfed
army of Narvaez began to form into bodies,
and to difcover the inconfiderable for.'^e which
the night before had defeated them. Their
firft motion, diftraded with fhame and an-
ger, was to fall upon the conquerors, and re*
cover the honour thev had loft. But when
they found that their general was a prifoner,
their artillery feized, and the advantageous
-'■■i poft

Settlements in America.

poft they had occupied in the enemy's poflef-
iion, and numbers amongft themfelves well-
afFeded to Cortes, they liftened at laft to his
propofals, recommended as they were by the
polite and infinuating behaviour of which he
was mafter, and that open and' unbounded ge-
nerofity he fhewed to every one. They all
eniifted under his b^. -er, and agreed to fhare
his fortune. Thus did this accident, which
feemed to threaten inevitable deftrudlion to
the affairs of Cortes, prove the mofl effectual
method of reftoring them to an excellent con-
dition, wholly by means of the wifdom of his
meafures, and of that vigour and a(5livity with
which he purfued them. His army now con-
fided of above a thoufand men after replacing
his garrifon at La Vera Cruz, in which fortrefs
he left Narvaez a prifoner.

Thisvidtory, and the reinforcement it pro-
cured, came at a moft critical time 5 for hardly
had he begun to adjuft matters for his return
to Mexico, when an exprefs arrived that his
affairs there were in a moft dangerous condi-
tion, Alvarado, whom he had left to com-
mand at his departure, though a brave and
able man, had too great a contempt for the
Indians, and too little a difcernment for the
nice circumftances he was in, to manage with
that juft mixture of firmnefs and yielding, by
which Cortes had hitherto fo ballanced the
hopes and fears of the Mexicans, that he ne-
ver

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92 An Account of the European

vcr gave them an entire opportunity of know-
ing their own ftrength. This man, either
discovering, or pretending at leaft to difcover,
that feme of the chief men in the city, who
were met in the great temple, were affembled
to confult how to expel the Spaniards, fud-
denly furrounded the place, and murdered
all the perfons of rank who compofed the
affembly.

This cruel and precipitate action fired the
whole people. Enraged at what they had al-
ready fufFered, and what they faw plainly
they were yet to exped, their late ignominious
patience, the fear of the Spanifli arms, their
inbred refpedt for Montezuma, were all loft
in their fury. Should they ftay, until on va-
rious pretences thf.y were all butchered ?
Montezuma, either forgetful of his office and
dignity, or unable to exert it, could protedt
them no longer. Gods and men allowed
them to defend themfelves, and arms were in
their hands. The flame, fo furious in the
capital, fpread itfelf with equal fwiftnefs and
rage over all the country, and all were vowed
and hearty for the deftrudion of the Spa-
niards. In this extremity Alvarado (hewed
as much bravery as he had done imprudence
in bringing it on. He redoubled his watch
on the emperor j he obliged him to exert the
remains of his authority in his favour, and
fortifying his quarters in the beft manner the

tim«

Settlements in America.' 93

time would admit, he flood out the ftorm,
and repulfed the Mexicans in feveral attacks.
But their fury, far from relenting at the fre-
quent and bloody repulfes they met, redoub-
led by their loffes. They exercifed the be-
iieged day and night, with the moft vigorous
affaults 5 and to cut off their retreat, found
means ^to burn the brigantines which Cortes
had built.

Cortes, who was obliged to make fo rapid
a march from Mexico, to defend himfelf a-
gainft Narvaez, was compelled by an equal
neceffity to march from Zempoalla to Mexico,
to relieve his forces, and preferve his moft ^f-
fential interefts there. The Mexicans, like
all oeople who have not reduced the art of
war 10 fome rule, fuffered their eagernefs in
purfuing one advantage, to let other material
ones lie negledled. For whilft they pufhed
on the fiege of the Spanifli quarters with great
vigour and diligence, they took no efFedtual
care of the avenues to the city, or to cut off
all fuccours from the befieged. Cortes en-
tered the city without refiftance. He foon
routed thofe who inverted the poft of the Spa-
niards, and brought them a relief of which
they ftood in the greateft need.

The arrival of fo formidable a body of
troops, held the Mexicans fome time in fuf-
pence ; but in fpite of the fatal error of ad-
mitting them into their city, which had now

incx-

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94 An AccotJNT of the EcROPfiAM
inexcufably been a fecond time committed^
and in fpitc of the fuccefs every where at-
tending the Spanifh arms, they came to a re-
folution of continuing hoftilities. But things
wore another face (ince the arrival of Cortes.
No longer fatisfied with defending his quar-
ters, he fallied out and defeated them feveral
times with great flaughter. However, as he
found that he fufFered more by ihe leaft lofles
than the Mexicans by the gieateft, he kept
clofe for fome time, fuffering the enemy to
approach, in hopes of making one laft effort,
tto appeafe them by the authority of Monte-
zuma. This unhappy prince, reduced to the
fad necefSty of becoming the inftrument of
his own difgrace, and of the flavery of his
people, appeared on the battlements, and ad-
dreiicd his fubjeds with every argument he
could ufe to prevail with them to difpcrfe.
But this expedient was not aftended with the
ufual fuccefs. The Mexicans, by an habit
©f living withoui rule, had many of them
k)ft much of that refped, which, even to
adoration, every one of them ufed to pay their
prince ; they anfwered him with reproaches }
and a flone from an uncertain hand Aruck him;
with great violence in the temple. The Spa-
niards carried him to his apartment. Here he
refufcd to fuffer any dreffings to be applied to
his wound, but wrapping his head in his gar-
ment, gave himfelf up a prey to (hame and

grief;

Settlements in America. 95

grief; and in a few days died, lefs of his
wound, which was but inconfiderable, than
of forrow and indigoatipn, on feeling that he
had fo far loft the efteem and love of his fub-
jefts. There are other accounts of the death
pf Montezuma, but this appears the mod
probable. ,

Thus died this great prince, more remark-
able for the great virtues by which he afcend-
ed the thrpne, and thofe qualities by v/hich he
held it in fo much luftre for many years, than
for his fteadinefs and wifdom in defending it
when attacked by a formidable enemy. It
has happened thus to many great men. When
Lurnllus and Pompey attacked Tigranes, king
of Armenia, we do not fee any thing in him
of the conqueror of fo many kings. Even
his conqueror Pompey was not himfelf, after
having enjoyed in glory for a long time a
power acquired by the greateft exploits. Se
ejfe magnum oblitus eft. It is natural, whilft
we are raifing ourfelves, and contending a-
gainft (Jifficulties, to have our minds, as it
were, ftrung, ^nd our faculties intent and
qonftantly awake. The neceffity of our af-
fairs obliges us to a continual exercife of what-
ever talents we poffefs ; and we have hope to
animate and urge us onward. But when we
are come to the fumm^it of our defires, the
mind fufFers ilfelf to relax. It is grievous to
contend a»new fqr things, of which we have

- *- • . long

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96 An Account of the Europe aM
long looked upon ourfelves as fecure. Wheii
we have no longer any thing to hope> we
have then every thing to fear. Thus ener-^
vated by this profperity, and difcompofed with
this fear, we become ftifF and irrefolute to
adtion ; we are willing to ufe any temporizing
nieafures, rather than hazard on an adventure
fo much power and reputatioft. If Monte-
zuma had made an early ufe of his ftrength,
lie had ftrength enough, after many lofles, to
have kept Cortes far enough from his capital ;
but having once entered upon (hifting and
dilatory courfes, this brave and active enemy
gave his affairs a mortal blow, by feizing his
capital and his perfon. The reft was all ai
confequence which no prudence .:ould pre-
vent, of a plan of condud: imprudent and ill
laid originally.

CHAR XII.

Guatimozin chofen emperor by the Mexicansi
He befieges the Spaniards in their quartersi
Obliges Cortes to retire out of the cityi Dif
trejfes him in his retreat* The battle of

; Qtumba. Cortes^ retreats to Tlififcalai, - ^

S foon as the Mexicans were apprized of
the death of their emperor, they fet
about the clecflion of a fucceffor. They im-
mediately caft their eyes upon Guatimozin,
J'% r^.' nephew

Settlements in America* 97

nephew and fon-in-law of Montezuma, a
man fit to command at fuch a time ; of a per-
fon graceful, a body ftrong and robuft, and of
a foul full of the moft undaunted courage.
Though no more than twenty-four years old,
the reputation of his early expioits procured
him the authority of age, and a penetf^ating
genius ferved him for experience. He was no
fooner called to this unfteady throne, than he
took meafures to prevent the Mexicans from
their diforderly and cafual attacks, and to make
them aft with defign and uniformity. He
examined thoroughly into the caufe of their
former mifcarriages ; and confidering every
thing, he found that the Indians in their pre-
fent condition, could never hope for any fuc-
cefs in open adion ; he refolved therefore to
fpare his men as much as pofiible, until his
own invention and time might teach them
better methods of fighting. On thefe ideas
he caufed all aflaults to ceafe 5 then he cut off
the caufewavs which joined the city to the
continent, and at the fame time ftrongly bar-
ricaded the ftreets, refolving to ftarve an ene-
my which feemed unconquerable by any other
means ; a meafure, which. though it has with
us no extraordinary appearance, fhewed no
fmall fagacity in Guatimozin, becaufe it was
what had never been before praftifed amongft
the military ftratagems of this people, and in-
vention is the charaderiflic of genius.

VoLr I. H From

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9? An Account of the Europe: an

From henceforward the whole method of
the war was changed, the Spaniards grew
every day more and more ftreightened for pro-
vifions, and whenever they fallied out, though
they flew great numbers of their opponents,
the many canals of the city, and barricado be-
hind barricade, after fome fuccefsful progrefs,
obliged them, vanquiftied by mere wearinefs,
to return without effedt to their quarters. The
Spaniards, invincible by the Indian arms, were
not proof againft famine. Cortes faw that no^
thing was left for his fecurity, but as fpeedy
a retreat as poffiblej and though this muft
neceflarily lofe them the moft confiderable
part of the treafure they had amaffed, it was
what leaft piflidled him. He encouraged his
troops, by chearfully relinquifliing his own
part, not to attempt burthening themfelves
with a treafure which they might confider as
lying at an advantageous intereft, until they
ihould, as they certainly would, be enabled to
return with a fufScient force to reclaim it.

The refolution of retreating being now
taken, and all things difpofed for it, a queftion
arofe, whether it were better made by day or
in the night. On this the council of war was
divided j and their reafons feeming pretty
equal, a pcrfon amongft them, a fort of aftro-
loger, who pafTed for a prophet, and as fuch
was much refpeded by the greater part of the
army, promifed them certain fu^cefs if they

. retreated

Settlements in America. 99

retreated by night. Certain it is, that when
meafures are dubious, fuperftitious determi-
iiations have great ufe ; for as reafon cannot
eafily determine the right way, that method
which fuperflition fixes upon, is by the weight
it has from thence, purfued with the greater
chearfulnefs and effect.

The general was guided by the prophet,
and he difpofed every thing for his retreat
with great judgment. He caufed the ufual
fires to be lighted in every part of his quar-
ters. Some of his boldeft and rhoft ad.ive
men led the van. The prifoners, artillery,
and heavy bagpage Were in the center. He
himfelf, with oiie hundred of his choiceft
troops, formed the rear. With wonderful
order and filence, and without any interrup-
tion, did the Spaniards march until they came
to the firft breach in the caufeway. Here a
portable wooden bridge which Cortes had
prepared, was laid over; but when the artil-
lery and horfcs had paffed, it was wedged fo
clofely into the ftones that bordered the caufe-
way, that it could not be removed, and there
was yet another breach. But they were foon
called from attending to this by a more pref-
fing danger ; for as nothing could elude the
vigilance of the new emperor, he found out
their intention of retreating, and difpofed all
along the fides of the caufeway an infinite
multitude of canoes, with orders to preferve

Ha the

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100 An Account of the European
the grcateft lilence, and not to attempt any
thing until a iignal was given. The darknefs
of the night favoured the fcheme. And now
perceiving; that the Spaniards were under fome
embarrafiment, the Mexicans took this advan-
tage, and all at once, with great order, pour-
ed in their arrows ; raifing at the fame time
a moft tremendous jfhout, fwellcd with the
barbarous found of all their martial inftru-
ments of mufic. The Spaniards were not
wanting to themfelves, but behaved with fig-
nal bravery. It were needlefs, and almoft im-
poflible to relate all the deftrudion of that
horrid night. The Indians at firfl attacked
in good order, but the firfl ranks being rc-
pulfed, and the diftant canoes preffing on to
aftion, the whole attack was thrown into
confufion. The Indians drowned or flaugh-
tered one another : however, they ftill preffed
on with untameable fury. Thoufands, im-
patient of the delay their remote fituatiofi
caufed them, leapt from their canoes, and
climbing up the caufeway in the front where
it was interrupted, broke in upon the Spa-
niards, with a torrent hardly refiftible. In
vain this naked multitude was hacked to
pieces by the Spani(h fwords, in vain were
they tumbled upon one another by hundreds
into the lake ; new warriors fucceeded thofe
that were killed, and the Spaniards, adually
wearied out, were in danger of being wholly

cut

Settlements in America. ioi
cut off; when making one vigorous effort
in the front, they happily cleared that poft,
and by a beam which they cafually met, they
paifed over one by one j or, as fome fay, filling
the intervals with the dead bodies of their
enemies, they gained the main land. Cortes
came over with the firft, for in the confufion
of the night, their former order was in a
good mcafure loft, and took care as faft as
his men got over to form them, in order to
fecure the paffag ^ for the reft. Then return-
ing to thofe who were behind, by his prefence
and example, he animated them to renew the
fight, and drawing up a part of his men on
both fides of the caufeway, he ordered the
reft to file off from the center. In this man-
ner the firft light faw the Spaniards clear out
of the city. Cortes halted at a fmall diftance,
that thofe whom the confufion and the night
had difperfed, might have an opportunity of
rejoining the reft of the army.

Happily they were not purfued, for as foon
as the dawning light unveiled the field of
battle to the Mexicans, the polTefTion of which
they bought by fuch a profufion of their
own blood, they perceived among the flain
two fons of Montezuma. Thefe were a-
mongft the prifoners, and were pierced by
the arrows of the Mexicans in the promifcu-
ous and undiftinguifhed carnage of the pre-
ceding night. For fome time they were con-

H 3 founded

•'1*1

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ir"

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a iija

102 An Account of the European
founded and ftruck dumb v/ith horror at this
light 'y their fentiments of loyalty returned i
their monarch, almoft their god, lately pro-
faned by their own violence ! now their hands
imbrued in the blood of his children ! A
general deadnefs and confternation enfued.
They muft not add to their impiety by ne-.
gledting the obfequies due to the deceafed. In
the mean time the Spaniards, favoured by
this circumftance, purfued their retreat with-
out moleftation. But this fecurity lafted a
(hort time : all the allies of the Mexicans al-
ready in arms, and divided into feveral flying
parties, hung over the army of Cortes, and
harraffed it without intermiffion : they attack-
ed him in front, in rear, in flank, by open
force, by ambufcade, by furprize. Provifion
grew extremely fcarce on his march ; and
now it was that Cortes fliewed a firmnefs un-
der his lofl!es, a vigilance againft inceflfant at-
tacks, fo various in time and manner, and a
courage which enabled him to repulfe them,
which have been exceeded by nothing in
hiftory.

The principal army of the Mexicans, whilfl:
he contended with fuch difiiculties from the
flying parties, took anotl er route, and pouring
in three columns into a plain, where their
number might be of mod avail, they covered
the whole of an extended valley, which lay
dircd;ly in his road to Tlafcala : this was call-
ed

Settlements in America. 103

cd the valley of Otumba. They concealed
their purpofes with all imaginable care. To
blind the Spaniards, they ordered feveral vil-
lages to give them a friendly reception. But
Cortes did not fufFer this to relax bis vigilance,
not allowing himfelf to be deceived by any
appearances of friendship fhewn by men,
whofe intercft it was not to be his friends ;
convinced as he was, that a furprize of all
things was indeed very prejudicial to the af-
fairs of a general, but that it was mortal to
his reputation. He drew indications of their
fcntiments towards him, from the manners,
the gedures, and the countenances of thofe
he treated with in his march ; and perceiving
that many (hewed unufual figns of content
and exultation, he judged not without reafon
that it could not be favourable to him. He
therefore difpofed every thing in fuch a man-
ner as that his troops were neither difordered,
nor his courage abated, when from an emi-
nence they difcovered the extended plains
of Otumba darkened as far as the eye could
reach with the myriads of their enemies. The
Spaniards, animated by their fuperiority in
arms, and their former vid:ories, and the
Tlafcalans, by the prefence of fuch allies,
and their hatred of the Mexican name, be-
haved with great bravery and fuccefsj nei-
ther were the Mexicans inferior in animoiity
and courage. Eut it was Cortes himfelf who

H 4 deter-

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104 ^^ Account of the European

determined the fortune of the day. Nothing
he ever heard was either forgot, or fuffcred
to be an ufelefs burthen upon his memory.
He remembered to have heard from the
Mexicans, that the fortune of the field with
them ever followed that of the royal ftan-
dard. This was a net of gold, elevated on a
gilded flaff, and Ipiendid with plumes of a
thoufand colours. Great exigencies alone
brought it into the field, and it was entrufted
to none but the care of the general, who fat
on a chair fumptuoufly adorned, and fup-.
ported on men's fhoulders in the center of
the armies to view the whole battle, to be a
witnefs of the behaviour of all his troops,
and to give orders as the occafion required.
Cortes pretending to make his principal effort
in a quarter remote from the ftandard, em-
ployed all his foot in that fervice ; but head-
ing the horfe himfelf, with feme of his bra-
ved officers, informing them of his defign,
and animating them with the hopes of a
fpeedy decifion, he flung himfelf with fury
againft the part that feemed leafl diftant from
the center. After difperfing and overturning
whole battalions, they penetrated to the cho-
fen body of nobles, who guarded the general
and ftandard. Here the refiftance was greater,
but it was foon overcome, and Cortes's own
lance met the general, who was overthrown,
and the flandard taken. All the other ftan-

I dards

Settlements /« America. 105

dards were ftruck diredWy, and the Mexicans
fled every way which their fear and confufioa
hurried them. They loft twenty thoufand
men in this battle, and a fpoil infinite. This
vidlory gave Cortes an undifturbcd paflage to
Tlafcala, and a welcome reception amongft
his allies there.

■ j>»

CHAP. XIII.

Spaniards fent againji Cortes join him. He
marches again to Mexico. A confpiracy a^
gainji his life baffled.

LE T us now turn our eyes to Mexico.
No fooner were the Spaniards departed,
than Guatimozin ordered the city to be forti-
fied in fuch a manner as to fecure himfelf
againft their entrance a third time. He found
that a thoufand Tlafcalans were killed in this
retreat, upwards of two hundred Spaniards,
(the greateft lofs they had yet in America,) and
a great number of horfes. He cut off the
heads of the Spaniards, and of their horfes, no
lefs dreaded, and fent them to all the neigh-
bouring nations, as an infallible token of his
vidory ; as a fure proof that he was refolved
to keep no meafures with the enemy, and
to ftir them up to their utter deftrudlion. He
fucceeded fo well, that numberlefs petty na-
tions, well inclined to the Spaniards, fell off,

and

ti tits"

tv.i

io6 An Account of the European

and many that were wavering were confirmed
in the Mexican intereft. By this means feve-
ral adventurers, that from the fame of Cortes
had landed to join him, were cut to pieces be-
fore they gained his army. But the negotia-
tion to which Guatimozin bent all his force,
was that with Tlafcala, becaufe this was Cor-
tes's chief ftrength. He fent large prefents,
and ambafladors of ability, with excellent in-
ftrudtions, to detach them from the Spanifh
intereft ; who executed their commiffion fo
well, that they caufed a great divilion in their
favour in the councils of that republic. But
Cortes making his military exploits fubfervi-
ent to his negotiations, and his fkill in nego-
tiation afliftant to his exploits, baffled them
at length with great addrefs, but not without
great difficulty ; and the Tlafcalans were con-
firmed in his friendfhip.

Whilft a general has an obedient and well
united army, he has an engine in proper or-
der to work in his defigns, and he can then
execute them with eafe ; but the greateft trial
of his capacity is to defend himfelf againft a
foreign enemy, and wreftle with a domeftic
fedition at the fame time. The foldiers of
Narvaez, fince Cortes's return from Mexico,
where they were obliged to leave fo confider-
able a part of tneir booty, now hopelefs of
the expedition, began to mutiny, and de-
manded to be lent home dircdly to Cuba ;

nor

Settlements in America. 107

nor were his other troops free from feme part
of the inf?dlion. Whatever could be done
by preferving ihem in adlion, without too
great a fatigue j whatever a feafonable yield-
ing, without forfeiting authority ; in (hort,
whatever an able commander could do in fuch
circumftances, was done by Cortes, without
^ny other efFed: than that of palliating the
difeafe ; the indifpofition ftill continued.

Whilft he ftruggled with thefe difficulties,
which nearly overpowered him, his old ene-
my, James Velafquez, looking on the fuccefs
of Narvacz*s expedition as a thing certain,
fent a (hip to get intelligence of his proceed-
ings, and about thirty men to reinforce him.
The perfon who commanded at the port for
Cortes, no fooner faw the (hip in the offing,
than he went on board her, and upon the
captain's enquiry after Narvaez, he aflured
him he was well, and as fuccefsful as he
coqld wiffi. Not doubting this, the captain
and his men landed, and were immediately
made prifoners. Finding how affairs were
really circumftanced, they admired the con-
queror, commended the ftratagem, and chear-
fully joined the army.

Much about the fame time the governor of
Jamaica, and he too a determined enemy of
Cortes, fent three (hips with a fmall body of
troops, in hopes of tearing from him fome
part of his conquefts. Thefe fhips were dif-

perfed

n ?s

io8 An Account of the European

perfed in a ftorm, and were involved in many
difficulties ; but what is lingular, they all,
though feparatcd, came to one and the fame
refolution, which was to revolt from the com-
mander, and join Cortes the moment they
came on fhore : fo that the enemies of Cortes
now no lefs than three times relieved him, by
the very methods which they took to diftrefs
his affairs. Thefe advantages, though im-
proved to the utmoft by Cortes, were certainly
not at ail the refult of his contrivance. There
is a fpecies of a fplendid good fortune neceffary
to form an hero, to give a luflre to his wif-
dom and courage, and to create that confi-
dence and fuperiority in him that nothing elfe
can give, but which always makes a principal
part of an heroic charader. Without this, it
is impoffible for any man, however qualified,
to emerge. Cortes was not only fortunate,
by being freed from the moft terrible em-
barrafTment by the arrival of thefe fuccours,
which were never intended as fuch ; but
much about the fame time fhips arrived from
Spain, bringing, on the account of fome pri-
vate perfons, a reinforcement of men and mi-
litary flores ; and from the court an authen-
tic approbation of his crndudl, and a confir-
mation of his command.
i Fortified with thefe, he yielded to the mu-
tinous importunities of fuch of his foldiers as
were earncf^ to depart ; and though he dimi-

nifhed

\-^

Settlements in America. 109

nifhed his numbers confiderably by this ftep,
he judged it better to have a well-difciplined
army than a great one, and knew that little
could be expected from men who were dragg-
ed unwillingly to adion ; at the fame time
that their cowardice or fedition would infc<fl
the reft. After the departure of the mutineers,
he found he had ftill above nine hundred
Spani(h foot, eighty-fix horfe, and eighteen
pieces of cannon. With thefe, and with the
alliftance of a vaft body of Tlafcalans, and
allies of various nations, whom admiration and
fear of Cortes, or hatred to the Mexicans, had
brought under his banner, he once more pre-
pared to attack Mexico, which was the grand
obje(ft of his undertakings. The city was fb
advantageoufly fituated, and he knew at this
time fo well fortified, that nothing could be
done without a force on the lake. To cut off
their fupplies, he ordered the materials of
twelve brigantines to be got ready, in fuch a
manner as only to need being put together
when they (hould arrive at Mexico. Thefe
were carried upon the fhoulders of his Indian
allies. His route to Mexico cannot be fo much
confidered in the light of a march, as a con-
tinued train of ambufcades and battles, fome
of which were fought with the moft nume-
rous armies, and with circumftances not fuit-
ed to the brevity of my purpofe to relate. In
all thefe he was fuccefsful, though his ene-
'-^i; mies

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Ho An Account of the Europe Ai*

mies may be faid, with little exaggeration, to
have difputed with him every foot of ground
between Tlafcala and Mexico.

At laft that city {hewed itfelf, rifing from
the midfl of a noble lake, furroundcd with a
number of moft populous cities, as her at-
tendants upon every fide, and all fubjed: to
her power. The Spaniards looking on this
as their goal, revived their courage, and for*
got the difficulties of their march j and the
Tlafcalans, in a perfeftfury of military delight,
wanted the fteady hand of Cortes to reftrain a
courage, which he commended and kept alive
by his example and words, whilft he modera-
ted its ardor. Before he began the attack of
Mexico, !ie fpent fome time in reducing all
the neighbouring cities from which it might
derive any fuccour. He cut off the aquedudls
which fupplied Mexico with water, that of the
lake being brackish, and he got ready his
brigantines with all imaginable diligence to
cut off all relief from that quarter.
: /Whilft his attention was wholly employed
in the profecution of the war, an old Spaniard,
who had long ferved, difcovered to him a
confpiracy of the moft dangerous nature. An-
tonio de Vilefana, a private foldier, but a man
bold and defperate in any bad purpofe, and
fubtlc in contriving it, had formed a confpi-
racy with fcveral others to kill Cortes, and the
principal perfons upon whom he relied, and

then

Settlements tn America. i i t

then to return to Vera Cruz, from whence
they might cafily pafs to Cuba, and fecurc
their pardon by the merit they (hould make
of this adlion with James Velafquez. They
were urged to this refolution by the fatigue of
thofe innumerable dangers and difficulties they
had pafled, and by the defpair of overcoming
thofe which yet lay before them ; without
confidering that by this wicked adion, they
muft rather produce new difficulties than
overcome the old. Others of more confe-
quence were drawn in, and the confpiracy
had been fo far formed, that the time and
manner of killing the general was fettled, and
the perfon fixed, upon whom they intended to
devolve the command.

When Cortes was apprifcd of this confpi*-
racy, without any hurry which might give
notice that he had difcovered it, yet, with-
out lofing a moment to take advantage of the
difcovery, with four or five of his principal
captains, he went diredlly to the quarters of
Vilefana, who, aftonifhed at feeing him, made
half his confeffion by the fear he difcovered.
Cortes had him thrown immediately into
irons, and then ordering every body to retire,
he examined himfelf into all the particulars
of the affair, and the names of the perfons
concerned. Vilefana made a full confeffion,
and ended it by producing a paper in vindi-
cation of their proceeding, which had been

u; figned

( \

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■ <?■ PI

112 An Account of the European

figned with the names of all the confpirators.
Cortes was not a little furprifed to fee amongft
them, the names of perfons upon whom he
had great reliance. However, he diflembled
his concern, and ordered Vilefana to be im-
mediately executed. He was Hiewn to all
the army hanging at his tent door. Cortes
informed uone of the friends he moft trufted
with the paper he had received ; but fum-
moning the army, he gave them an account
of the horrid confpiracy that had been formed
againft his life j that he had punifhed the
perfon principally concerned, but that it was
with fatisfadtion he was left ignorant of his
accomplices, by the care the criminal took
in deftroying a paper, which he believed
might have made great difcoveries. For his
part, as he had punifhed, and was refolved
Severely to punifh any flagitious attempt a-
gainil his life or authority, fo he was deter-
mined to order both in fuch a manner as to
give juft caufe of complaint to no man \ and
if by any accident he had done fo, he was
ready to give him all reafonable fatisfadlion .
Proceeding thus, Cortes had the advantage of
knowing who they were that wifhed him ill}
at the fame time that they remained unap*
prifed of the difcovery he had made, and en-
deavoured to prevent it by a more diligent
performance of their duty : he now appointed
a guard upon his perfon.

Hardly

SETtLEMEJ^TS tfi AMERICA.' II3

Hardly had Cortes fupprefled tMs confpi*
racy, and made the proper ufe of a baffled
attempt again ft his authority, which was to
ftrengthen and increafe it, than a difficulty of
fomething of a fimilar nature engaged him,
and from which he extricated himfelf with
the fame courage and prudence* The general
of the Tlafcalans envying his glory, and per-
haps fearful of the confequenc . of the entire
deftrud:ion of the Mexicans^ though enemies
to his own country, perfuaded a confiderable
body of the people to quit the Spanifti camp,
Cortes immediately ordered him to be purfued.
This general had formerly been an enemy to
Cortes, and oppofed him in the councils of
his nation J but when he faw the general cur-
rent in his favour, he made a timely change,
and came entirely into his interefts. He had
now relapfed, and was therefore not to be
trufted any more. Cortes gave orders to thofe
who purfued him to put him to death. The
Tlafcalans who revolted were ealilv orevailed
upon to return ; and fo dexteroufly did Cortes
reprefent this affair, that neither the Tlafca-
lans in his army, nor the republic, nor even
the father himfelf of the general, condemned
him for what he had done. r-v -c^i ?

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Vol. I,

CHAP.

114 4n Account oj the Europeani

CHAP. XIV.

^he liege of Mexico. Terms of accommodation
refined by the Mexicans. The Spaniards re»
pulfed by aftratagem of Guatimozin. A nevo
Jlratagem of Guatimozin, He is taken. The
city furrmders, Guatimozin tortured. Cor*
tes fuperjeded in his government. Reflexions
on the Spanijh cruelties.

THESE internal dlforders being com-
pofed, he turned his fortitude and wif-
dom againft his open enemies. Three prin-
cipal caufeways led to the city, which three
towns or fuburbs defended upon the fide of
the continent; Within were trenches and
barricadoes one behind another the whole
length of the way. Cortes ordered three attacks
upon thefe towns, and the caufeways which
they defended. The brigantines adted upon
the water. Through the whole length of
this iiege, the bravery of the Mexicans, in
defence of every thing which was dear to
them^ was not more remarkable than the in-
genuity by which they baffled the attacks of
the Spaniards, and attacked them in their
turn. On land, on water, by open force, by
flratagem, by every method, they plied each
other inceflantly day and night. But the Spa-
niards, invincible under the command of Cor-

' , tes.

Settlements in America.' 115

tcs, had the advantage fo far, that with infi-
nite flaughter they gained thefe pofts which
fecured the caufeways upon the fide of the
country, at the fame time that they cleared
the lake fo, that a canoe of the enemy did
not dare to appear upon it.

Cortes gained thefe advantages, but he faw
how dearly he had bought them ; he refledled
how it would tarnifh his glory to deftroy io
beautiful a city, and drench it in the blood of
its unfortunate inhabitants j and confidering
what fupernatural exertions of ftrength had
been frequently fhewn by a defpairing people,
in the laft convulfive ftruggle for their reli-
gion, life, and property, he made ufe of the
advantages he had gained to recommend the
terms of accommodation, which he refolved
to fend in to the befieged. He required no
more than the acknowledgment of the em-
peror of the Romans, and the confirmation of
his right of fucceeding ceded to him by Mon-
tezuma, and long acknowledged by the moft
authentic prophecies of the nation, and fuch
a fecurity as might fetrie the performance of
this.

Guatimozin, who had done all that bravery
and military fkill could perform to fave his
country, finding the means moft fuited to his
years and inclinations unfuccefsful, though full
of that noble pride which becomes and fup-
ports the royal charadler, was now as willing

I 2 to

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1 16 An Account of the European
to fave it by the milder and furcr way of
accommodation. But the priefts, who had
much influence in the council, either fearful
of lofing their power, or through an honeft,
though blind zeal, denounced vengeance from
their gods upon all who could think of fub-
miflion, and promifed a certain fuccefs to thofe
who ftood up in defence of their religion.
They had great weight, and the whole coun-
cil, contrary to the opinion of the emperor,
became unanimous in refuling all terms. Gua-
timozin, who yielded to the general fenti-
ment with regret, and faw the unhappy con-
fequence but too clearly, refolved to fall with
the fame fpirit that he had lived. " Then,
faid he, iincc you are determined to hazard
every thing, prepare to adt in a manner wor-
thy of that refolution. Me, you (hall never
find wanting to you, or to myfelf. Thefe
are the laft good terms you are to exped.
Whatever henceforward you demand through
neceflity, will be anfwered with pride and
cruelty. Therefore, henceforward, let no man
prefume to ipeak of peace, be our exigencies
what they will ; the firft that dares to do it
(hall certainly die ; even the priefts them-
felves; they are moft concerned to fupport
the oracles of their gods."

When he had faid this, with a ftern and
determined countenance, he went out of the
affcmbly, and ordered the whole city under

arms.

Settlements /// America. 117
arms. Cortes, on the other fide, as Toon as
he found that his propolals were rejedted, laid
afide all thoughts but thoie of violence, and
commanded a general afTault to be made at
the three caufeways all at once, and to carry
fire and fword into the heart of the city. He
commanded himfejf in the principal attack.
The caufeway was broke down before him,
and the breach formed a ditch of fixty feet
wide. On the other fide appeared a fortifi-
cation of earth and planks. He ordered the
brigantines to the fide of the caufeway, to
favour the attack, and directing his cannon
againfl the fortification, made fo furious a fire
that it was foon demolifhed ; and the defend-
ers galled by the incefTant fhot, which made
a mofl terrible havock, could maintain the
pod no longer. Cortes, under the fire of his
cannon, and with the help of his brigantines,
pafTed over the ditch, and lofl no time to pof^
fefs himfelf of the other fide, leaving one of
his captains with a detachment to fill it up,,
and fecure a retreat, in cafe it fliould be fpi^nd
necefTary. Then he advanced to attack the
remaining barricadoes of the Mexicans, whg
made a brave defence. The battle raged fu-
rioufly, and as the Spaniards gained ground,
their dangers and loiTes grew every mon^ei^t
greater. They had noYf advanced amongd
the buildings, frona whence they were opprefT-
ed with a mixt florm of darts^ arro^Ys, ftones,

J 3 and

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1 18 jin Account of the European

and boiling water. Before them flood a chofen
body of the Mexican foldiers, who made a
refolute {land. During this conflifl, the cap-
tain who had been pofted to fill up the ditch,
thinking it an inglorious employment to be
employed as a pioneer, whilfl his companions
were in fuch hot adion, advanced with all
his m.en, and deferted the ncceffary work he
was employed in.

No fooner had Guatimozin, whofe eyes
were every where, perceived this motion, than
he took advantage of it. He ordered thofe
who were in the front of the Spaniards to
flacken their efforts 5 for as night came on
faft, he thought it better to allow the enemy
to gain fome ground, that he might fall on
them with more advantage in their retreat.
cJortes as quickly perceived this flacknefs, and
the caufe which produced it. He found that
the breach of the caufeway was abandoned,
that night approached, and that there was
little hope of a lodgment in the city at that
time. He therefore began to retreat in the
befl order he could, fetting fire to the houfes,
that he might not be incommoded by them
in his next attack. But fcarcely was the re-
treat begun, when their ears were alarmed by
the dreary found of the facred trumpet, fo
called becaufe it was permitted to the priefls
alone to found it ; and that only when they
animated the people on the part of their gods.

The

Settlements in America. 119

The found was doleful, continued, and ftrong,
inipiring a contempt of death, and a dark re-
ligious fury. Immediately enfued a horrid
ciyt which refounded from all parts ; and
this was followed by an attack of more than
common rage upon the rear of the Spaniards,
which was broke entirely, after a gallant and
bloody Aand. All order was now loft. The
general's commands were drowned in the cry
and tumult of the fight \ the Tlafcalans who
were in the front threw themfelves precipi-
taisly into the trench ; fome made a fruitlefs
oppofition, others attempted to gain the bri-
gantines, whilft the Mexicans on fhore, in ca-
noes, wading, or fwimming, upon every fide,
affaulted and flaughtered them with the moft
horrid cries, and a rage almofl inconceiveable.
With difficulty Cortes and fome of his troops
efcaped on board the brigantines, wounded
and defeated. A thoufand Tlafcalans lay dead
upon the caufeway, many Spaniards, andfcarce
any efcaped without a wound. What was
the faddefl circumflance of all, forty were
taken prifoners, of whofc deftiny there was
no doubt. The other attacks had no better
fuccefs, though in them the lofs was not fo
confiderable. The officer, whofe imprudence
had occafioned this misfortune, came to Cor-
tes, with tears acknowledging his crime, and
defiring to wafh it out with his blood j but
Cortes, though rigid iji his difcipline, faw

I 4 that

Wf'

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I :" ,.

If ''■'ill)''

.\f'

:> i\

«-;

lit la

■'Hi Sil-'il*

120 An Account of the European

that this was no time to difpirit the arm/
with examples of feverity.

Night came on, but it brought no reft to
the afflidled Spaniards, fince its darknefs Could
not conceal from them the triumph of the
Mexicans, and the fate of their friends. They
faw the whole city (hining with lights, and
heard it refounding with the diffonance of
barbarous mulic, and all the marks of an hor-
rid joy. So great were the fires and illumr-
nations, that they could fee diftindly the men
in motion, and all things preparing for the
death of the prifoners, attended with the mor-
tifying circumftance, that they were to be ia-
crificed to their falfe gods. Cortes, in the
midft of all thefe calamitous circumllances,
w^hich lay heavy about his heart, affumed an
air of tranquillity, endeavouring to comfort
his foldiers with the hope of a timely revenge,
and taking all necefiary care that they fhould
net be attacked unawares. This care was
neceflary ; for before morning appeared, the
Mexicans, elated with their late vidory, and
under the aufpices of thofe gods, whom they
believed they had rendered propitious by the
human blood which wafhed their altars, and
animated by the found of the confecrated
trumpet, fallied out to attack the Spaniards in
their quarters. The attack was violent, but
repelled at length with an incredible flaughter
of the Mexicans.

■ Cuati-

Settlements in America. i2t

'■ Guatimozin was not didieartened. He pre-
pared for new aflaults, and had his ruined
works repaired to endure thofe affaults, which
{hould be made againft himfelf. Not relying
folely on force, he fpread a report amongft
all the neighbouring nations that Cortes was
killed ; to them he fent the heads of the Spa-
niards who had been facrificed, informing
them, that the god of war, appeafcd by a fa -
crifice fo agreeable to him, had audibly de-
clared in favour of the Mexicans, threatened
vengeance on thofe who refifled them, and
foretold that in eight days time the Spaniards
(hould be all deftroyed. The credit of this
oracle amongft all the Indians, and the deter-
minate time afcertained for its completion,
gave it the air of truth ; for falfehood delights
in general terms and equivocations, whereas
the precifc manner of fpeaking truth, is one
of the marks by which we gueis at it. In fa(5t,
this ftratagem had its effedt, many tribes of
Indians, who were upon the point of joining
Cortes, embraced the Mexican intcreft 5 the
more prudent fufpended their refolution ; but
Guatimozin did not want emiflkries even in
the Spanifh camp, who terrified the Indian
allies with this prophecy. Even the Tlafca-
lans were upon the point of deferting him,
when Cortes counteraded this llratagem in
the wifcft manner polTible. He refolved to
fufpcnd all manner of operations againft tho
..•::.•:/■ ciry

':i<IM

122 An Account of the European

city for thefe eight days, to demonftrate the
faliity of this oracle^ and to hinder it from
being ever again ufed as an inflrument to work
upon the credulity of his confederates. He
prevailed upon the Tlafcalans to wait the de-
termination. In the mean time he flrongly
fortified,his camp.

Guatimozin was fenfible that the cfFedl of
his policy muft be weakened every day, and
with that idea employed every hour of the
day or night to affault Cortes's camp, but al-
ways with ill fuccefs. This great commander
was always on his guard \ and his troops ad-
vantageoufly pofted, bid defiance to every
thing of an Indian attack. At lafl the eight
days expired, and with them the terror of
the confederate Indians. The ftratagem now
operated as powerfully againft thofe who con-
trived it, inlbmuch that all the neighbouring
nations, before fufpended by the uncertain
event of thefe mighty ftruggles, declared in
favour of Cortes, who by this fortunate turn
in a little time found himfelf at the head of
two hundred thoufand men. This was the
laft hope of the Mexicans. All that follow-
ed was only the departing agony of that flate.
The city was alTaulted with redoubled vigour,
and now reduced by flaughters, fatigue and
famine ; the Mexicans faw the fuperior flar
of Cortes gain the afcendant. The town was
penetrated upon all fides, yet the befieged de-
fended

Settlements in America. 123

fended every ftreet j and their inceflant (how-
ers of darts and ftones from the tops of the
houfes. made the progrefs of the befiegers
flow and bloody. In this extremity, Guati-
mozin did every thing that could juftify the
hopes of the Mexicans when they called him
to the throne, every thing that was worthy of
one refolved to die a king. But when he
found tha; all hope of diilodging the enemy
was utterly at an end, his troops half famish-
ed, exhaufled in numbers and in ftrength,
and no part tenable, he determined to leave
the city to obtain the beft terms it could from
the conquerors, and to feek himfelf a more
profperous opportunity at a diftance. For
this purpofc he renewed the treaty with the
Spaniards, and took the opportunity of this
ceffation of arms to put himfeif and his fa-
mily, with fome of the braveft and moft faith-
ful of his nobility, on board fome periaguas,
attempting to efcape to the continent ; but
Cortes apprehending this very thing, ftation-
cd his fleet in fuch a manner, that he was
intercepted, and foon out of a condition of
making any defence. He went on board the
Spanifli commander, with an air of dignity
and compofure, betraying neither fear nor fur-
prife, and defired no favour, but that the ho-
nour of his wife and her attendants might be
fpared. The Spani(h captain attended but
little to him, endeavouring to prevent the

efcape

■ mm

■'%
r'
. .-,,1 V

124 -^'^ Account af the European
efcape of th'3 nobility j but Gualimozin dc-
lired him not to be anxious about them.
" Not one of thefe men will fly, fays he, do
not fear it, they are come to die at the feet of
their fovereign." The captain, admiring the
conftancy of the man, and the fidelity of his
iubjedls, conduded him to Cortes. The ruins
of the city of Mexico were now delivered up
to the Spaniards. With it fell that empire,
and the liberty of all the Indian nations, which
filled that vaft country now called New Spain,
who either flid gradually frqm alliance to fub-
jeftion, or defending themfelves without fuc-r
cefs, were made, and created as flaves.

The curiofitv of the reader will doubtlefs
be interefted to know the fates of the captains
of the conqnering and conquered parties in
this war. For iome time the treatment of
Guatin:iozin was (uch as fitted an unfortunate
brave man, in the hands of thofe who could
ertimate virtue by other ftandards than its for-
tune ; and fuch was his treatment, whilft the
authority of Cortes was fufficient to protect
him. But the infernal avarice of his troops,
which at once excited and difgraced their cou-
rage, not fatisfied with the plunder of this
opulent city, believed that there were fome
latent treafures within the knowledge of the
emperor, which far exceeded all the reft that
they had yet poflelfed. TheyT)ften follicited
the captive emperor wich promifes and threats

Settlements in America. 125

to make a difcovery, but to no purpoie j at
laft a number of villains, Juan de Alderete at
their head, a name defer ving to be remem-
bered to its everlafting infamy, feized upon
him, and proceeding to the moft abominable
cruelty, laid him upon burning coals, to ex-
tort a difcovery of his Wealth. But their
v^rickednefs could neither extort a difcovery of
his wealth, nor the fatisfadtion even of a de-
claration that he had none to difcover. His
countenance did not betray the leaft yielding
or weaknefs under the torture ; fome of his
principal counfellors fuffered along with him,
and with equal conftancy. At laft, one of
thofe unhappy men, overcome by the force of
torments, almoft fuperior to human ftrength,
turned his eyes, fainting with anguifli, upon
his mafter, and uttered a doleful cry ; but
Guatimczin anfwered him only by faying,
" Do you think 1 lie upon rofes ?" The fuf-
fcrer, ftruck dumb with thefe words, and
ftifling every murmur that m? ^ht difliearten
the others, or difturb Guatimozin, expired in
an adt of obedience to his prince. This wick-
ednefs was committed without the knowledge
of Cortes. He was no fooner apprifed of
what was doing, than he ruflied in upon the
villains, and refcued their prey, mangled as
it was, from their farther fury. However,
this was but a (hort refpite. This prince,
confcious of ^is own, dignity, and fenfible ojF

the

1 1

126 An Account of the European

the bafe ufagc he received, either endeavoured
to ftir up commotions, or was fufpedted of
fuch a defign, and Cortes being obliged to
fubmit the humanity of his nature to the
cruel neceflity of politics, ordered him to bd
executed.

As for Cortes himfelf, neither his great
fuccefs, nor the vaft treafures which he fent
into Spain, could fecure him from his ene-
mies J by whofe unwearied zeal for his ruin,
he faw himfelf fuperfeded in the government
of a country, conquered by himfelf with fo
much toil and danger, and which in any other
hands had never been effedted. He died in
Spain, having received a title and fome other
f ewards from Charles the Vth, for whom he
had acquired an empire ; but by his own de-
fire he was carried to Mexico, and buried there.
It was the policy of Spain at that time to give
great encouragement, and extenfive grants, to
all adventurers 5 but when any great difcovery
was made, or conqueft atchieved, they always
fent another to reap the benefit of the firft ad-
venturer's labours. This was a policy un-
doubtedly good with regard to one objcdt, the
fccurity of the conquered country ; but like
all unjufl policy, it had altogether as ill an
eiTed another way ; the new governors, hun-
gry and rapacious, and fcarce confidering the
Indians as human creatures, murdered vaft
numbers of them \ and cxhaufting them by

§Ex riEMENTs /« America. 127

an intolerable flavcry, in hopes of a fudden
gain, they depopulated the country in fuch a
manner, as to abate very much the advantages
which Spain might have derived from fo ex-
teniive a conqueft. Cortes himfelf was not
free from the imputation of cruelty j the bi-
fliop of Chiapa, a good man, who was fent
purpofely to make an enquiry into complaints
of this kind, gives a very unfavourable repre-
fentation of his condudt. He accufes him of
having deftroyed four millions of people in
New Spain. It is certain, whether by his
connivance or not, but partly by the ncceffity
of war, and partly by the avarice and info-
lence of the conquerors, vaft numbers of the
Indians periftied ; but on the other hand, it
appears that the bifhop of Chiapa was an ene-
my to Cortes, which, though a good man
otherwife, muft detrad from his credit not a
little, efpecially as other hiftorians differ from
him in this point. Beiides, I am well fatif-
fied, that great allowance muft be made for
exaggerations in the number of inhabitants
thefe countries are faid to have contained.
More populous, I believe, they were than
the entirely uncivilized parts of North or
South America ; but it can hardly be thought
they were fo full of people as they are repre-
fented to have been, if we can truft to any of
the rules by which we ufually judge in this
matter, nor confequently could they have fuf-

fered

^^■'%

? '<«

f / '

■*J

I*'

128 An Account of the European

fered fuch loflcs in fo fliort a time, without
being utterly depopulated, which certainly
they were not.

Since I am on the fubjedt of thefe cruel-
ties, and fincc they are things fo frequently
mentioned, I cannot help obferving, that the
accounts are by no means founded upon any
tolerable methods of calculation, but thrown
down at random in a declamatory way, with
a defign yet further to blacken the Spanifli
adventurer j men certainly wicked enough,
though reprefented without any heightening
colours. The truth is, that great numbers,
perhaps almoft as great as are charged, have
really perifhed ; but then it was in a feries
of years, by being reduced to flavery in the
mines, and other laborious occupations, to
which the Americans are of all people, by
their conftitutions, the moil unequal, and by
being difheartened by a ftate of unpolitical
and defperate flavery, the greateft enemy in
the world to increafc. ■.

There is a notion likewife pretty common,
that thefe cruelties were committed partly, if
not wholly, upon a religious account, and at
the inftigation of the priefts j but in reality it
was quite otherwife. This unfortunate peo-
ple found their only refuge in the humanity
which yet remained in the clergy, and the
influence they had on the Spaniards, through
the clergy, who went on thefe adventures,

^ V were

SETTLfiMtNts in America. i2q

tvcfc generally not the moft zealous for reli-
gion, and were, as the Spanifh clergy com-
monly are, ignorant enough, and fo little
principled in the fpirit of the religion they
profefied, or indeed in the nature of the hu-
man mind, that they could boafl as a very
glorious thingi that one of them had bap-
tized feveral thoufands of Indians in one day,
without the help of any miracle for their con-
verfion, and with a degree of good life, which,
to fay the beft, was nothing more than com-
mon. But of any murders committed by
them, or at their infligation, I find little or
no proof at all.

* ■ ■ •

\ C H A h XV*

The fcbeme bf Pizarro and Almagro for the
conqueji of Peru, Their chara&ers. The
fate of the empire of Peru at thai time.
The taking of the ynca Atabalipai

BESIDES Mexico, there was but one
country in America which in any fort
deierved the name of a civilized kingdom^
and that was Peru. During the latter part of
the Mexican war, the Spaniards became ac-
quainted with the fame and wealth of this
country. After Pcdraria was appointed go-
vernor over the conquefts of Balboa, his lieu-
tenants reduced all that large trad which is
Vol. I. K nov/

i ■

IJO

It?

An Account of the EtrRO!>EAN
now called Terra-firma, committing barbari-
ties worthy the man Under whofb authority
they adted. Amongft all the adventurers who
iafted under his commiffion, lioiife have made
themfelves fo fartious as thofe of whom we
are going to f^eak.

As if it SVere deftined that cv^fy thing in
this new world fliould be carried on in a neW
and extraordinary manner, three citizens of
Panama, private men,^ and advanced in years,
undertook the cohqucft of Peru, a coUntfy
known to them only by report, but by the
fame report faid to be rich, exteniive, pb-
pulous, and powerful. The names of thefe
adventurers were, Francis Pizarro, Almagro,
and Ferdinand Lucques, a prieft, and a man
of confiderable fortune. They entered into
this engagement in the moft folemn manner.
Lucques faid mafs, ah oath of frtutual fidelity
%as plighted, the facrafhent v^as divided into
three parts, Lucques took one, aild delivered
the other two to his confederates. The firft
'expedition, in cdnfequenee of this c^rifede-
tacy, wns made under extrabrdihafy difficul-
ties, and with vei^y lijtk Aiccefs. -Pkzarro,
Who comniandfed, (^nt t\vo y^ars in the
jihort navigation bctv<^e^n Paniiiiia ^nd the
'Northern extremity of Perti, a Vdyage now
^^ade freiqirently in tVvb Weeks, -fince the
winds and currents Mare known . ^He lan-d(?d,
^and found that the wealth of the 'cduntfy\v»as

* as

as 'grea^ as ^be .imagined ; and that the refill-
-ance h^'Was Itke to meet in endeavouring to
♦poffefs 'himfelf of it, would be full as confi-
derable. This he put to ^he proof very earr-
;ly, by taking the rafh fie p of attacking the
•inhabitants at his firfl landing j and thus let-
»ting thorn fee all at once the word of his in-
tentions. The difficulties he met v/ith, and
'the refiiWIicehis ill condudl occafioned in the
,countFy, obliged him to return without effe(5l-
ing any thing Goniiderable. But neither he,
-nor his aflbciates, after fuch a length of time,
or^fuch greatn^fs of ^xpence, were deterred
^from the profecution of their fcheme. It was
agt«ed that Pizarro (hould go into Spain to
obtain an exemption from the government of
Pedraria, and to get for themfelves the grant
of \y^batever they (hould conquer. Pizarro
(\\«hoj • though not the monied man, was the
(foul ,0f the enterprize) was to be chief go-
vernor, with the property of two hundred
leagues along the foa-coaft. Almagro they
agreed fliould be adelantado, or king's lieu-
tenant; and Lucqucs, who was a pried, was
to be firfl bifhop and protestor of the In-
dians. The other profits of the enterprize
were to be equally divided. But as this was
an enterprize of ambitious avarice, there was
little faith obferved. Pizarro follicited only
his own fuit in Spain, and obtained for him-
felf alcme the -property of the land, the go-
V •■•'• K 2 vernment,

'.i'i

132 Jn Aqcovht 0/ the Evvir am
vernment, the lieutenancy, every thing which
he was capable as a layman of taking j Al-
magro was forgot, and to Lucquez was left
his eventual biftioprick.

On his return, this too early difcovcry of
breach of faith was like to ruin all j but Pi-
zarro, who knew how to retreat as well as to
advance, yielded up to Almagro every thing
he could reafonably defire, and nothing now
obftruded the embarkation, which, after all,
did not exceed one hundred and eighty men.

Before we proceed, it may not be unnecef-
fary to fay fomething of the perfons who had
the conduct of this great undertaking. Francis
Pizarro was the baflard fon of a gentleman
of good family. His education was as irre-
gular as his birth, he could not even read ;
but then he had a great deal of that capacity
and iitnefs for the world, which is obtained
by much ftruggling in it, and by being early
made dependent on a man's own induflry.
Hardened to life, dexterous in affairs, never
fetting his heart upon a part of his deiigns
whilft the total was at ftake, of a penetrating
fagacity into the nature of man, artful, bold,
diiTembling, and cruel. Almagro had like-
wife enough of |hat defperate bravery and
toughnefs of body and mind, fo neceifary in
a defign of this fort. In their birth there was
no confiderable difference. Pizarro was a
baftard, Almagro a foundling. Pizarro owed

nothing

i^BfWTU'-i Hjl'il'- J

Settlements /« America. 133
nothing to education 5 Almagro depended
wholly upon his natural parts. But Almagro,
bred from his infancy in the camp, had all
the foldierly qualities, patient, laborious, and
temperate; far from the craft and diflimu*
lation of Pizarro, he was all opennefs and
generofity, knew not what avarice was, and
his cruelty, the common diftemper of all the
adventurers in this part of the world, was
much mitigated by the intercourfe he had
with an Indian woman, who, by degrees,
foftened the rigour of a veteran feafoned to
blood, into fome compadion to her unhappy
countrymen.

The empire of Peru was governed by a rac«
of kingSa which they called yncas. The
twelfth in fuccefiion was then upon the throne.
The firft ot this race, named Mango Capac,
was a prince of great genius, with that mix*
ture of enthuliafm, which fits a man to make
great changes, and to be the legiflator of a
forming nation. He obferved that the peo-
ple of Peru were naturally fuperftitious, and
had principally a veneration for the fun. He
therefore pretended that he was defcended
from that luminary, whofe authority he \vas
defigned to bear, and whofe worfhip he was
by that authority to enforce, By this perfua-
fion, eafily receii'ed by a credulou? people,
he brought a large territory under hi§ jurif-
fjiitipn f a larger was fubduQd by bis arms;
^niA :,; K 3 '•' but

Mil

134 ^« Atcomr tf tie' EijlL6fTiM
but he made u^e both of tht dcc6ii tfftd ih6
fdrce for the ttiofl laudable pui'pofc's. Bid
united and civilised the difpetf(*d! 2iii(i bai'ba'^
rous people j he bent ihttti to faws ai^tl a-ii^*;
he foftened tfiehfi by the Mffi?tutbn'S of d b6*
nevoleiit religioh' -, in' fltoft, there Was no part
of America: in which agfrctitture and lihe M'i^
were fo miich aiid fo' Well tiThJva!fdd!, nor
where the pe6pld were of a milder Mturfe,
and more ingfchuotis tfiahnets. Tbd J/rtcagf
defcended,^ as thtf ifriagined, from fti faffed
an original. Were thefnfelveS rcfpcdkd irs di-
vinities. In ndnd, et^en af the Afidtic coun-
tries, was there fo entire an obedience to the
royal authority. But htit it W^sf tathcf filial
thafi flavidi. As to the charaftef of the Pe-
i-uvians themfekes, they feem to haVfc had i
fli'ong referiiblance td the ancient Eg^ptiafts ^
like them, under ^ (ky corlftantly ftr6he, they
Were a people indurtrious and ingerilbiis ; cul-
tivating the arts, but without bringing them
to perfediori ; inclined to fupcrftitiop, and of
^ foft un warlike tempet*. ' " *

Theynca Guaiani Capac having conquered
the province of Quito, Which now makes a
part of Spanifh Peru, to fecure himfelf ih the
pofleffion, married the daughter of the natural
prince of the country. By her he had a fon
called Atahunlpa, or Atabali]ia. By a former
marriage he had a fon named Huefcar, heir
pf his other domiilious. On his death Huefcar,

' his

Settlements in America. 135

his dd^ft foo, claims his whole dominiojas,
both hereditaiy aijid acquired. Atabalipa, the
youngeft, without p^tending to the reft,
would keep Quito as his right by the double
title of fon to the conqueror, and to h ir whofe
inheritance that kingdom was, fortified befides
by the will which the dying ynca had made
in his favour. This difpute kindled a civil,
war, which, after various turns of fortune,
ended at laft in favour pf Atabalipa ; he not
only routed his brother's armies, and over-
run his dominions, but adually held him a
prifoner in the caflle of Cufco.

Such was the face of affairs when the Spa-
niards arrived in Peru, whofe remarkable ap-
pearance and furprizing feats of arms were
every where fpread about the country, and
caufed a general alarm. As ufual in frightful
rumours, new fuperflitions begin, or old one§
are revived to increafe the confufion. There
fubfifted a tradition amongft the Peruvians,
that one of their ancient princes had a dream,
which he ordered carefully to be recorded.
He imagined that he faw a man cloathed al)
over, even to his feet, with a long beard, and
leading in his hand an aniqial, fuch as he ha4
never feen before ; apd that at the fame time
he was clearly injformed pf the will of the
gods, that fuch a man fhould rule that coun-
try. A Spaniard, whom Pizarro had fent
upon an embafly to Atabalipa, as foon as he

' K 4 wag

'-■ f.y

■-.-'«

136 An Account of the European

was difcovered leading his horfe upon fome
occafion that made him difmount, agreed fo
well with this dream, that it is incredible how
foon it fpread into the remoteft parts of the
country, and with how great ^ terror it llruck
the wi>ole nation.

Atabalipa, newly feated upon a precarious
throne, was not the leaft alarmed at this event,
for a new-ercdtcd power has every thing to
fear from whatever fcts the people's mihds,
ftill unfettled, upon a new motion. He re-
folved, if poflible, that his enemies fhould
take no advantage of the arrival of thofe
ftrangefs, by engaging them by all means to
his own intcrcft. He therefore received the
embaffadors which Pizarro had fent with the
greateft marks of honour, though their dif-
courfe, confifting itfelf of very impertinent
matter, was very ill interpreted to him, as
was his tp them. He even went out to meet
Pizarro with a yafl number of attendants, to
whom he gave the ftrideft charge upon no
accpunit to offer the leaft injury to the ftran-
gers, ^s they were thofe of whom his prede-
ccffor had foretold, and of the fame divine
original, children of the fun. But Pizarro,
who advanced with other notions to the inter-
view, foon convinced him that a contrary
caution was more neceffary. They met near
a celebrated temple, the Spaniards drawn up
jp order of battle, and a party in ambufcade.

. ■ Thitj

SETTLftMENTS tn AMERICA. I37

This circumftance leaves us in no doubt as to
the delign of Pizarro. The firfl perfon who
addreffed himfclf to the ynca, was father
Vincent, a mar, who was not afliamed to
make his character the inflrument of fo bafe
a crime. He advanced with a crofs in his
hand, and began a mod unfeafonable dif-
courfe upon the birth and miracles of Chrift,
exhorting him to become a chriftian, on the
pain of eternal punifliment. Then he fpoke
with equal eloquence of the emperor of the
Romans, preffing him with the fame flrength
of argument to become a fubjedt to that em-
peror ; threatening him in cafe of obftinacjr,
that God would harden his heart as he did
Pharaoh's, and then punifh him with the
plagues of Egypt \ with other miferable (luff,
worfe interpreted. The ynca, though utter-
ly aftoniflied at matter fo unaccountable, be-
haved with decency and gravity, telling him,
that he believed that he and his companions
were children of the fun, recommended him-
felf and his fubjeds to their protedion, and
made no doubt but they would behave to them
in a manner worthy the offspring of fo bene-
ficent a deity.

Whilfl thefe difcourfes continued, the Spa-
nifh foldlcrs, whofe leaft bulinefs to Peru was
to liften to fermons, obferving a condderablc
quantity of gold in the neighbouring temple,
had their zeal immediately (lirred up, and a

party

'■■Hi Ml

''MY

^'■'m

! t S i I

i"'i€i

138 -^'lAecouNT of the Ej3'R&?'irAu

party of theoa began to pillage itj. The pri^fts
smde fome oppo&ion. A diilurbacice enfued,
and a great noife^ which (o alaroa^d Qur ad-
venturing apoftk^ that he let fall his crpfs
and hreviary in his fright, and turned bi^
back upon his intended profelyte^ The Spa-
niards who were not concerned in the pillage,
feeing him fly, either that they judged thq
heathens had offered their prieft fome vio-
lence, or that Pizarro made ufe of this fig^
nal to them to fall on, immediately drew
their fwords, attacked the guards and atten-
dants of the ynca, defencelcfs through a rc-r
ligious obedience to their fovereign's com-''
mand, and with every circumftance of the
moft deliberate and (hocking barbarity, fl^ughr
tered h^e thoufand, which was near the
whole number of the Indians, who fell with-
out any anxiety for their own lives, prelBng
forward with all the zeal and officioufnefs pf
a moft heroic loyalty to the chair of their
prince, to expire at his feet ; and as faft as
one fet of his fupporters were flain, the other?
fucceeded with eagemefs to fupply their places,
and fliare their fate. The ynca at laft was
dragged down, and mide a prifoner, by an
adt of the moft unparallelled treachery, exe-
cuted with a cruelty that has hardly an ex-
ample, and can admit of no excufe, The
plunder of his camp, rich beyond the idea of
any European of that time, was their reward.

The

'V-WT it- 'r 'Tir-

r-Tl^BEr;*-

The ttttfai^tuflate prince was not wawting to
bkfiielf in hid captivity. Seeing that bis li-
b6ity had fatten » facrifice to their avarice,
he hoped to relieve himfelf by working upon
the fame dffpoficionr He began to treat of
his- f^fjfom, a(nd prom^ifed fuch fums as afto-
riifbcdf the Spafiiai^ds into an agreenient ; nor
wa^ the performance uneqiiaL On this oc-
cafion not only the ancient ornaments and va-
(uafhle furniture, amaifed by a long line of
nfiagnificent kings, were brought out ; but
the hallowed treafores of the moft venerated
temples were givdn without fcruple, to fave
him who was the fupport of the kingdom
^rid the religion. Whilft thefe were pre-
paring, three Spaniards, who were fent to
Cufco to fuperintend in the work, had means
of conferring with Huefcar, who quickly
finding their foible, and the ufe his brother
had made of it, made bitter complaints of the
injuries he had fu^ered, begging the Spaniards,
as the patrons of the oppreffed, to embrace
his caufe, promifing ^threefold the treafure
for theif affiftance, which Atabalipa was to
pay for his ranfora. He received a very fa-
vourable anfwer. Mean time the Spaniards
treated the ynca with all manner of civility,
admitted his attendants to him, but no talk
of his liberty. As foon as he had been ap-
prifed of Huefcar*s negotiation with the Spa-
niards, and Almagro's arrival with an addi-
tional

140 ^« Account cf fbe Evkopeas

tional force, he began to be under great ap-
prehenfions. To cafe himfelf upon one fide,
he fent immediate orders to have Huefcar put
to death. - -.

The arrival of Almagro, on the other hand,
caufed feme embarraflment in Pizarro*s affairs.
This commander finding that Pizarro had
feized the ynca with immenfe treafures, and
having already experienced his ill faith, con-
fulted with his principal officers about leaving
Pizarro's part to himfelf, and feeking their
fortune elfewhcre. Whilft this was in agita-
tion, his fecretary, moved by fome refent-
ment to his mafter, gave Pizarro notice of
the defign. In an inflant Pizarro faw how
difadvantageous fuch a fl:ep muft prove to
him, with fo fmall a force, all refources at d^
diftance, and the country exafperated by tho
deteftable action he had lately committed.
He faw that all depended upon removing every
fufpicion from the breaft of Almagro. For
this purpofe, and as fomething of an ill mind
appeared in his moft nlafterly adtions, he be-
gan by facrificing the fecretary. He informed
Almagro of his treachery. Next, though
gold was the great objedl of his undertakings 1
yet he knew how to relinqaifti feme part to
fecure the reft. He agreed to divide the fpoil
equally between Almagro and himfelf, and
to make no diftindion between the foildiers of
cither in the diftribution. This made ^i>

^ J lA .tii. .'.;... . •. .■ ■ ■ ■ , '• • ■ ■'tT.v ■ • ,.

V entire

Settlements in America. 141

entire and hearty reconciliation ; which was
no fooner concluded than the ynca's ranfom
came in, &.

But this vaft treafure, the capital objedt of
all their labours and villainies, no fooner came
into their poifeilion, but in its confequences
it was very near being the utter ruin of their
affairs. It is faid, and not improbably, that
the whole exceeded the fum of one million
five hundred thoufand pounds flerling, a fum
vaft at the prefent time j then it was a pro-
digy. On the dividend, after deducing a
fifth for the emperor, and the fhares of the
chief commanders and officers, each private
foldier had above two thoufand pounds Eng-
lifli money. They had now made a fortune
even beyond their imaginations ; but the fol-
diery was ruined, the greateft part of the
army infiiled upon being difcharged, that they
.might enjoy their fortunes in quiet. This
propofal ill fuited with the ambitious views of
the commanders. Almagro was for proceed-
ing in the ufual way, to enforce obedience by
the feverity of military difcipline ; but Pizarro
oppofed him. ** Let them go, fays he, they
cannot do us better fervice j here we (hall
have them mutinous and cowardly foidiers, at
home they will a^ for us as recruiting officers
with great fuccefs ; for when it (hall be i^tn
that common foidiers of fo little merit as they,
have made fuqh large fortunes, we (hall not

long

142 v^ Account (fshe £tTlioi*£Afir

^Icrng want better men to fupply their plaoes.*^
The defire of the fdldicrs was complied with,
and as many as chofe to go, who were no in-
•confidcrable nunaber, departed. In due tirfie
-rfic fagacious prophecy cf Pizarro was ac-
<»ompli(hed, and theirarmy never wanted re-
inforcements.

. CHAP. XVL -

irS^ murder oj fheynca. A dijput€ between
Pizarrt) and Almagro. They are reconciled*
Almagros ticpediikn to Chili, The Peru-
vians renew the war^ and4>efiege Cufco. AU
magro returns and defeats ihem, Ahnagro
:renews the quarrel ^ith PizarrOy butisde--
"Jiated and put to death.

»r

IN* the* mean time the unfortunate Atahalipa,
the greatnefs x)f whofe-ranfom- only con-
vinced tihte Spaniards 6f the neeefllty of never
r.ekafing'him, endeavoured to take advantage
df his captivity, to know the genius and nwn-
ncrs of this people. Amongft all their ac-
sconrplifliments, there was nothing he fo mudh
admired as the art of reading and writing.
This appeared almoft incomprehcnfible to
him, through he faw clearly the ufc of it. He
was at a lofs to know whether he fhould con*
fider it as a natural endowment, or as an ac-
quifition of art. To difcover * this,, he one

day

SETTLEMElITiB tfl AMERICA. 143

day defired a ibldier to write the name of
God upon his nati : he carried this about 'the
arfily, dcfiiring fevcral to explain it, which
Ihey all did, to his wonder and fatisikdion.
At iaft he (hewed it to Pizarro, but Pizarro
hluthed, and could make nothing of it. The
ynca then perceived it was no natural gift,
but owing to education ; the^-ant of vwhich
he thus difcovcred in Pizarro, and flighted
hitn for it. This mortifidd the general, and
his difguft, joined to ^his natural crueky, and
apolicy he thought he fawinthe proceeding,
made him haften the fateihe^had fomeftlme
before determined for his unhappy prifoner.
That nothing riyght be i wanting to the bold-
nftfs and atrocloufn^fs of- their barbarity, they
proceeded againft him by way of trial, and
by the forms of law.

A charge was exhibited, digefted under fe-
veralheads. iftj For being an idolater, adly.
For having many concubines, gdly,: For waft-
ing the treafures of thfe^ldngdom, -and raiiing
taxes iincethe coming in of the Spatikfds.
And laftly, For the murder of his btsothier
-Huefear. An attorney-general ivas ia;ppoi»t<ai
to^manage the itccufation, iand lan solviooMie
appoiiiHed from iatnongft thcmfdves ^affignsd
for bis defence. In vain did the mope mi-
mierous add better part of the army proteil
^inft this proceeding, and k>dge an appeal
-to Spaitij in>vaan did they attedge their want

! -I II

144 ^n AccoiiUT of fie EuKOTEAfi
of power to judge a foreign prince for any
crimes, and the abfurdity of the crimes with
which this prince was charged. Before fuch
judges, and with fuch an advocate to defend
him, the ynca was condemned to be burned
alive. To compleat this violation and mockery
of all laws, human and divine, the fame fa-
ther Vincent, who had fo fignalizcd himfelf
upon a former occafion, was fent to comfort
and inftrudt him in his lafl moments. The
chief argument which he ufed to convert him
to chriftianity was, that on his embracing the
faith, inflead of being burned, his fentence
fhould be mitigated to ftrangling. This
prince fubmitted to baptifm, and was imme-
diately ftrangled in prifon, Pizarro gave the
final ftroke to his hardened and fhamelefs
villainy, by giving him z magnificent funeral,
and going into mourning.

The death of the ynca was no fooner fpread
abroad, than the principal nobility at Cufco
fet up the brother of Huefcar; Pizarro fct
up a fon of Atabalipa -, and iwo generals of
the Peruvians fet up for themfelves* Thus
was this wretched country torn to pieces at
once by foreigners, and by a domeilic war
amongft themfelves. Yet fuch is the prefe-
rence of any fort of fpirit roufed within a
nation, to a lethargic inactivity, that the Pe-
ruvians gained fome confiderable- advantages
over the Spaniards, even in this diftradted con-
dition.

Settlements in America. 145

dition, and took feverd prifoners, amongft
whom Was the attorney-general, whom they
put to the death he deferved without any
great formality. The reft of the prifoners,
fis foon as they Were informed of their having
protefted againft the emperor's death, they
generoufly releafed. Thefe advantages gained
by the Peruvians, made the Spaniards liften
to a treaty ; for Pizarro was equally ready at
all times to make a peace, or to break it, as
his affairs required. He made ufeof this in-

• terval to fettle the Spaniards in the country.
It was now that he laid the foundations of the
famous city of Lima. But as foon as he judg-
ed himfelf in a condition to profecute it, he
renewed the war with the Indians, and after
many difficulties, made himfelf mafter of Cuf-
cOi then the capital of the empire.

But whilft he was thus by force and fraud
eftablifhing himfelf every where, the whole
fabric of his deifigns was fhaken by a frefti
difpute between him and his collegue Alma-
gro. Thefe commanders had little mutual
affedtion, and lefs confidence in each other's
honour and integrity j for fimilarity of man-
ners is no groun4 of friendfhip, but where
the manners are good in themfelves. Their
common neceffities, it is true, obliged them
for a time to keep a fair appearance j but each
fatisfied of the other's ill intentions, watched
an opportunity. of being before -bami in fome

;j;,.ypL. I. L finifter

,-jppH'

146 u4^ Account 0/ /fo European
finifter advantage. New grants and fupplics
had lately arrived from Spain. Pizarro ob-
tained two hundred leagues along the fea-
coaft, to the Southward of his forojer govern-
ment. Almagro had a grant of two hundred
more to the Southward of Pizarro's. Judg-
ing, or pretending he judged, that the weal-
thy and important city of Cufco was not in-
cluded within Pizarro's grant, he immediately
ceafed to adt in fubordination to him, and
claimed this city as his property. Pizarro's
brother, who commanded for him, abfolute-'
ly refufed to deliver up the place. Almagro
infifted on it with equal obflinacy, and they
were on the point of deciding the difpute by
the fword, when Pizarro, the motnent he
had notice of the quarrel, fet out from Lima,
where he was at that time indifpofed, and
notwithftanding his infirmity, with incredible
expedition arrived at Cufco. He told his col-
legue, that he was not unable nor afraid to
fupport the juftice of his claim by arms ; but
he chofe rather to convince him by reafon ;
that the ties which fubfifted between them
and their common neceffities. Would alvt^ys
touch him with concern when he fliould be
compelled to violent courfes; which, how^
ever they might end with r^ard to the com^
petitors, would certainly be much more in
•favour of the common enemy. He demon-
ftrated to him, that Cufco was indubitably

within

SfiTTtEMfei^JTS in America. 147

^^IthiiT bis (Pizarro's) government, and ended
in ajjuring him, that as he would defend his
own right with all his force, fo he was equally
willing to employ all that force, with ail his
treafiire, and all his counfel, and whatever af-
fiftance he could give, to put Almagro into
poffeffion of whatever was really his right ;
that this lay yet more to the Southward than
Cufco, and was a country no way inferior in
its richts, and the eafinefs of the conquefl.

This timely appearance of Pizarro, his dex-
terous management, and judicious mixture of
firmnefs and flexibility, made fuch an impref-
fion upon Almagro, that he was once more re-
conciled ; and adding as many of Pizarro's
troops to his own as he judged necelTary, he
penetrated with great danger' and difficulty in-
to Chili, lofing many of his men whilft he
paffed over mountains of an immenfe height,
and always covered with fnow. He fucceed-
ed notwithftanding in a good meafure in his
defigns, for he reduced a valuable and confi-
derable part of that country.

There was undoubtedly in the four hun-
dred leagues which Pizarro had follicited for
himfelf, enough of land to fupply any reafon-
able anabition, and fomething to fpare, to fe-
cure the quiet poffeffion of the reft ; but his
eagernefs after a large territory, made him
blind to the folly of dividing his troops, and
fendin^g Almagro upon a wild diftant expedi-

L 2 tion :

148 An Account of the European

tion ; and yet he conlidered this as a nlafter^
piece of policy. A little time, however, con-
vinced him to the contrary. No fooner did
the ynca perceive this diviiion of the Spanifli
troops, than he defired leave from Pizarro's
brother, who managed affairs for him at Cuf*
CO, to affift at a folemn feftival of his nation,
which was to be held at fome diftahcc. This
feaft was in reality ^ fort of an affembly of
the ftates of the kingdom. The ynca having
obtained permiffion to affift at it, made ufe of
this opportunity to reprefent to his fubjedts in
the moft pathetic rianner, the mifery to
which the nation was reduced ; the fettle-
ment of the Spaniards, the cities they had
built, the garriibn they kept at Cufco, and
the guard they had on his own perfon* That
for their fakes he was now refolved to hazard
that perfon, and every thing that was dear to
him ; that now was the time to make an ef-
fort with fuccefs, when their enemies, divided
amongft themfelves, had feparated in fearch
of other kingdoms, to fatisfy an ambition that
nothing could fatiate. The whole affembly
united in thefe fentiments 5 they roufed the
country every where, and the Spaniards who
remained in Peru were not able to prevent
the ynca from laying liege to Cufco, with an
army of two hundred thoufand men. The
garrifon under Ferdinand Pizarro, though
conlifting of no more than leventy men, yet

with

Settlements tn America. 149

with their artillery, the fallics made with
their horfe, and affifted by the ignorance of
the Peruvians in carrying on a iiege, their de-
fence was as fuccefsful as it was brave.

News was brought to Almagro of the dan-
gers to which Cufco was expofed, and the
univerfal infurredtion of the Peruvians. Re-
linquifhing his new conqueds, he haded back
to preferve his old with great expedition ;
though on his return he fuffered as much
from drought and heat, as in his progrefs he
had endured from cold. At his approach the
Indians raifed the fiege, and he was joyfully
received into Cufco by Ferdinand Pizarro,
and the garrifon, alnioft exhaufled by the
length of the defence.- ^^^ -'''^ ' ^^ ^ > i
' After all thefe long and laborious marches,
Almagro was extremely fatigued, and thought
it hard, that now in the wane of his life he
(hould be driven with infinite toil upon new
conquefts, while Pizarro fat down at eafe to
enjoy alone the fruits of their common la-
bours. He refolved to renew his claim to
Cufco } he had now a fort of right to it by
having raifed the fiege, and he had a (Irength
fufficient to fupport that right. Ferdinand
and Gonzalo, the two brothers of Pizarro,
making fome oppofition, were thrown into
prifon, and their little army either joined him,
or (hared the fame fate.

.- aiX i.u'iii.

Pizarro,

'"mi
5 t,pi

J 50 An Account of the Eurofeak

Pizarro, unacquainted with the- arrivsi of
Almagro, or the ft^p he hacj tajce% l^ad got
together an army for the relief of Cufco^
who were near the town befpre thpy fpund
they had an enejny of any oth^r fort thao the
Indians to contend wit)i, Ahiiagro, aft^^ hav-
ing tried in vain to feduce their fidelity, en^
gaged and routed theoiiv. On this ad^aj^tagei
his friends reprefented to hin;., thgt now was
the happy hour of his fort^jji \ ajid that he
ought to employ it to eiiabhfli himfclf be*-
yond all poffibility of being moved. Ifhajt
he ought to pqt the Pizarros, his prifbncrs,
to death, and march diredly to Lima, to feizc
upon his rival, who never coujd be h§ai?tily
reconciled to hin>, and whilft he remained in
poffeffion of the fea-coaft, could never want
means of making his epmjty terrible> AJr
magro had humanity enough to liejpft th^
firft part of this counfel, and weaknefs coough
not to hearken to thq lail. Jf he marched
into another's government, he trembled ^ the
name of a rebel j and for fear of the name
expofed hipifelf to fufFer the punifliment of
the thing ; not confidering, that having onc^
embrued his hands in civil blood, he ought
never to flop till his end was gained ; that
jconqueft alone could decide the queftion p5
their right ; and that he who had thp greater
force, v/ould have the heft means of protec-
fjpp, if }i^ w^s in the wrong. Whilft he deli-

Settlements in America. 151

berated what courfe to take, Gonzalo Pizarro
made his eicape with an hundred of thofe
who were afFedted to his caufe.

It was the intereft of Pizarro, who found
himfelf in no immediate condition to carry
on the war, yet poffeffed all the means of be-
ing reinforced^ to keep matters from coming
to an extremity ; it was Almagro's to bring
them to a fpeedy iffuc ; and in this knowledge
of the management of time, when to lie by
to gain it, and when to ufe the prefent mo-
ment, the great fkili in buiiniefs, fo little un-
derftood, depends almoft entirely. Pizarro
had recourfe to the old way of treaty ji he
promif^d largely, he oflfered a fea-port, and
agreed to fubmit the deciiion of all their dif-
piites to the royal audience ; but as ^ preli-
miaary, he inilAed on the releafe of his bro-
ther Ferdinand. Experienced as Almagro was
in Pizarro's faith, he gave up the only pledge
that could fecure it. The moment Ferdi-
nand was rcleafed, he was put at the head of
the reinforcements Pizarro had long expc(ft-
ed, and now received ; and as he was a man
of capacity, he prepared to a<ft with vigour.
The treaty was forgot.

The country which held for Almagro was
feparated from that which Pizarro pofTefTed,
by vatt mountains paflable only in feme fteep
and dangerous defiles. Almagro's counfellors
advifed him by all means to poft his troops in

L 4 fuch

ill

152 j^n Account of the European

fuch a manner as to oppofe his enemies in
thole paflTes ; but fo infatuated was he with
a falfe fecurity, that he refufed to fend any
troops to occupy thofc important ports, which
were feized by the enemy without the leail
oppofitlon. He had, however, one refourcc
left, and that a good one. The town of Cuf-
co was well fortified, had a good garrifon,
and the enemy was ill provided for carrying
on the ficge. But as he had prejudiced his
affairs before by dilatory meafures, he now
compleatly ruined them by precipitation and
temerity. He turned his back upon the ad-
vantages of his iituation, and refolved^ con-
trary to the opinion of all his officers, to ha-
zard his fortune in the field ; confident of his
own fuperiority, and full of contempt of the
enemy, whom he believed to be raw troops.
But he found too late, that they were veterans
of great bravery, and exadt difcipline. The
engagement was warm; in which Almagro
and his troops behaved ir.\ fuch a manner as
not to difgrace their former exploits,; but af-
ter a gallant ftruggle, they were in the end
entirely defeated. Almagro himfelf was taken
prifoner, and fell, at the age of feventy-three
years, a viffmi to a raihnefs fcarce excufeable
in a young foldier ; but to the laft degree
blameable in an experienced commander, who
being fuppofed to have long eftabliflied his
reputation for courage beyond all doubt, ought

. Settlements in America. 153

to model his conduct only by his own expe-
rience, and the circumftances of the affair in
which he is engaged.

Pizarro having got the rival, who had
caufed him fo many appreheniions, into his
hands, refolved to (hew him no ipercy. In
fpite of Almagro's age, which, as it might re-
move his fears, ought to have given room for
pity } in fpite of their common warfare, their
dangers and triumphs ; in fpite of every fen-
timent of gratitude for what this unfortunate
man had contributed to his greatnefs, and in
fpite of his late qiercy to his brother; all
which were pathetically and ftrongly urged by
Almagro, tofuffer an old man, and a prifoner
too, after fo many fruitlefs toils, to die quietly
in his bed, Pizarro was deaf to every thing
but a barbarous policy, which made him fub-
mit every virtue to the fecuring the meaneft
part of his defigns. Almagro was formally
tried, fentenced, and then flrangltd in prifon.
His body was afterwards beheadeo publickly
a fcaffold, and for a lotjg time denied

burial. A negro (lave interred it by (lealth,
Amidd the pity which this barbarous execu-
tion caufed, people could not forbear rccol-
leding the unhappy fate of Atahualpa, and
the jfhare which Ahiiagro had in it.

C II A P.

Jf54 -^'i? Account tf tie Evrofeah

C H A F. XVIt

Tbejinal difperfion of the Peruvian army^ The
confpirifcy againft Pizarro, He is murdered,

WHILST this civil war raged, the ynca
took a very extraordinary refolution.
He difbanded his troops, and retired to the;
mountains ; " Becaufe, fays he, whilft wc are-
in arms, their fear of us will be a means of
uniting the Spaniards, but if we difperfe,
they will certainly deftroy each other.*' A re-
iblution this, which at iirfl view has fome-
thing naafterly, but it is only when viewed in
one light. When their natural prince is fled,
the people who mull be governed, may give
the reins of government into the hands of the
enemy. An army once difperfed is got toge-
ther again with great difficulty; and on the
other hand, a civil war is by no jneans a cer*
tain deftrudlion to thofe who are engaged in
it : and indeed by the reafon of the thing, and
by the event, it was an ill-judged ftep, the
fcheme of a barbarous prince, who was far
from being a confummate politician. ^

It was very ruinous to the Peruvians, that
happening to be divided amongft themfelves
when the Spaniards came in, they fufFered
them to interfere in their parties ; but it was
of yet worfe confecjuence, that when the Spa-
niards

&RTTLEMEHT3; in AMERICA* 1 55

niacds, wers aftpcwards dSvidisd, they inteifi^red
themfHves in tl^e SpaonKh paotios. Aknagpo
and Pizarro had arnoiios of Indians, by which
thiofe people were habituated to obey them,
and 10 be interefled in thicir fuccete \ this,
joined to the want of any regular plian of de-
fence om the part of their kiog and comman-
ders, fubdued that empire to Pi^arro with
fmall firoubk, if we confider the gpeatnefs of
the objedi. tkit havijig atchicved lb great a
cojoqudd, it only made Piz^Fro acq^iainted
with other great tradts which were rich, ai^
might be added to them. He followed the
tracks of Almagro info Chili, and redwed a
confidcrabfe part of the country. OFcUana,
one of his commanders, pafled the AndeSj
and failed down to the mouth of the river
of Amazons; an immenfe navigation, which
difcovercd a rich and delightful country, but
as it is mollly flat, and therefore not abound-
ing in minerals, the Spaniards then, and ever
fince, negkifted it. . „ : .-

The death of Almagro, and the influence
it had ppon the condud: of Pizarro, is a ftrik-
ing example how neceffary it is for a great
plan to have an awe upon him from fome
oppofitiop, that may keep his prudence alive,
and teach him to have a watch upon his paf-
fions. Not content with a territory upwards
pf eight hundred leagues long, and of a pro-
digious breadth, riches fuch as none of the

kings

156 An AccouN T of the European

kings of his country had ever poiTeiTed, a ju-
rifdidion little lefs than royal, and an abfolute
fecurity for the extindtton of the only perfon
who had any pretentions againfl him, either
through a jealoufy which often haunts the
happiefl fortune, or through a pride which
cannot bear even the appearance of any who
had once withftood his power, he took a re-
folution entirely to cut off all that had ever
adhered to his rival ; he did not know when
the iffue of blood ought to be (lopped \ nor
that examples of feverity on a few create ter-
ror and fubmiflion, but that threats of gene-
ral deilrudtion produce nothing but defpair
and defperate refolutions. He was not fatif-
fied with putting many to death, but ilTued a
proclamation, inhibiting under the fame pe-
nalty, that any perfon (hould harbour, or even
relieve an Almagrian with the neceifaries of
life. This party was yet numerous, though dif-
pcrfed and lurking about the country. The
heads of them finding Pizarro implacable, en-
tered into a confpiracy to murder him. They
did not want adherents in the city, fo that
they found means of concealing themfelves
until their plot (hould be ripe for execution ;
but by fome means Pizarro difcovered their
defigns, and fuffered them to know he had
difcovered them. Alarmed at this informa-
tion, they faw nothing could happen but death
at any fide. Twelve of the. chiefs marched

into

drav

but

fquj

pala

The

that

into

Settlements in America. 157

into the ftreets at noon-day, with their fwords
drawn, crying out, " Long live the king !
but let the traitor die ;" and croffing the great
fquare of Lima, made diredtly to Pizarro's
palace 5 the reft followed in different parties*
The people all the while fufpended, and in
that inactive amazement which the execution
of a bold and fuddcn enterprize generally in-
fpires, made no oppofition. The confpira-
tors fecured the avenues s and Pizarro, not
alarmed until he was furrounded by his ene-
mies, fell under their fwords, after having
fold his life dearly. ^^^ i * * ^ *^

Thus died Pizarro, by an event extremely
memorable. A great conqueror, in the city
he had himfelf built, in his own palace,
amidft his guards murdered at noon-day by
the hands of a fmall number of fugitives. The
Peruvians had the fatisfadtion to fee the fecond
of their conquerors cut off by the fame fword
that had afflidted themfclves.

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CHAP.

158 An Account of the EoAopeam

c H A P. xvm.

Toung Almagro made governor, 7& new vice-^
roy Vaca di Cafiro arrives. Puts to death
youT^ Almagro, Puts an end to the faSiions^
dnd Jetties the province. He is recalled, Gon»
zah Pizarro raifes a rebellion^ and ufurps
the government, Peter de la Gafca made vi^e^
roy. Defeats the troops of Pizarro^ and puts
bim t^ detifh.

WHEN Pizarro had fallen in confe-
quence of thofe cruel and ill-judged
flcps which he took for his fecurity, the Al-
mogrians, elate with their fuccefs, and grow-
ing into a formidable body, feized upon the
ci^, and proclaimed the natural ion of old
AJmagro governor J a youth not twenty years
of age, but of a courage andcapa'^ity not abfo*
lutely unequal to a charge of fuch impor-
tance, undertaken in circumftances fo critical.
But though the Almagrians fucceeded beyond
their hopes, by the con ftcr nation caufed by
the fuddennefs of the attempt, and the general
dillike to the cruel procedure of Pizarro ; the
major part of the Spaniards were far from ac-
quiefcing in this irregular nomination of a
governor. A confiderable number, and thofe
of the bed men, declared, that without inte-
refting themfclves in the quarrel of either

party,

Settleihemts in America.* 159

party, they would wait for the emperor's dc^
termination, which they expelled hourly, and
to which alone they were refolved to conform
thcmfelves.

In this ftate of things the new govdrhor
Vaca di Caftro arrived. This man was of a
good fomily, and by profeffion a lawyer ; but
through a more rigid adherence to the ftrid:-^
eft ideas of right and jufticc than is fuitablc
to the coarfenefs of pradice, he did not makfc
that figure in his profeiBon to which his great
Capacity entitled him. But what kept him
backward at the bar, recommended him firfl
to the knowledge, and afterwards to theefteem
of his matter the emperor Charles the Vth,
who was a man of too much difcernment not
to be ftruck with a charadler fo fingular as
Was that of one who was a lawyer, without
exercifing the trade of law, and lived at court
without being a courtier. Therefore, without
any foUicitation of his own, without any re-
commendation from a minifter or favourite,
this man's plain unottentsltious virtue placed
him in an employment of fo great a truft.
When he arrived in the Indies he ftill prc-
ferved his charafter. He adled like one who
came neither to acquire friends nor fortune,
but folely to do his duty ; and he (hewed fa-
vour or difapprobation to all in proportion as
they performed their's. Indian or Spaniard
was entirely alike to the equality of his ju*.

ttice.

" '. if" '■ ■
III

160 -^//Account c/* /i6^ European

ftice. He l^attered nobody, he threatened
nobody, and v/hilft he lived with all the mo-
defly of a private man, he fupported all the
dignity of a governor. :.*:i^ : .

- He was hardly landed, when young Alma-
gro fent him an embaffy, explaining the rca-
fons of his condudl, and propoling terms -,
but Caftro anfwered him, that he was come
under the emperor's authority, folely to do
him and every body juftice j of which, if a
good fubjed, he could have no room to com-
plain 5 if a bad one, he muft prepare to feel
it : he knew no other terms. This was new
language to governors in this part of the world,
who almoft forgot they had a fuperior. Al-
magro therefore was refolved to abide the for-
tune of war, rather than fubmit without fuch
terms as might cnfurc him the government of
his father's province at leaft. On the other
hand, Caftro would hear of no terms between
a king and his fubjeds, and therefore fet
himfelf at the head of his troops, which were
compofed of thofe who had refufed to obey
Almagro, and gave him battle. The vidtory
was on his fide, but not without a bloody
difpute.

Several of Almagro*s officers, in hopes of
procuring favour for themfelves, betrayed his
caufe in the battle ; but Caftro was far from
thinking their treachery to their leader, could
be reckoned a fervice to the crown, and there-
fore

SETTtfeMkNTS in AMERieA. l6l

fore fpared none of them in the numerous exe-
cutions he found it neceifary to make on this
occafion. None of the fufferers was more
pitied than Almagro, who behaved with the
utmoft gallantry in the engagementi as he
had done with much humanity and honour
upon mod occafions. He was taken and be-
headed. "^ ! '"' "^' r

The feverity of this procedure^ whilft it
terrified every body, drew no odium upon the
governor, who adted clearly without prejudice,
or felf-interefl. They looked on thcfe exe-
cutions like judgments from heaven which
afHid; us bitterly, but leave no room for mur-
mur or coniplaint againil the hand that infli(ft8
them. To the followers of Pizarro, who
valued themfelves on their late fervice, and
murmured that they were not rewarded bet-
ter than he thought they deferved, he (hewed
little favour. He told them he could well
diflinguifh between what was done out of a
fpirit of party, and what proceeded from a
principle of loyalty to their fovereigt) ; that
they might look upon themfelves as very hap-
py that he fufFered their lad aiftion to oblite-
rate the memory of all their others. In (hort,
he proceeded with fuch conftancy, that the
Spaniards were reduced to an entire fubjedion,
and the Indians treated by them as fellow-
fubjeds and fellow-^creatures. The clergy he
made to attend diligently to the duty of their

Vol. L M fundion.

f' Wi^

■W\

■^ai

^ititr

i62 An Account of the European

funftion, and to the converfion of the In-
dians, rather than lo the acquifition of their
gold. He modelled the adminiftration of ju-
Sice in the exadteft manner. He founded
feveral towns, and ettablilhed fchools and col-
leges in them, and placed the royal revenues
on fuch a footing, that the conqueft of Peru
became immediately a great public advantage,
which formerly was little more than an ob-
jedt of private plunder. But whilA: he re-
mained himfelf poor among fome of the rich-
eft confifcations that ever were made, and
whilft he enriched the royal treafury with
moft prodigious remittances, the great men
at court received no prefents. This induced
them to get a number of judges appointed,
whofe authority over-ruled that of Caftro.
The end was anfwcred. Difputes afofe j the
colony was unfettled j appeals and complaints
innumerable came home, and prefents from
all fides. But what anfwered the prei'ent end
of the courtiers, was near flopping up the
fpring of bribery for the future. In the con-
fulion that arofe from fuch clafliing jurifdic-
tions, and the fchemes of men intent upon
their own intcrefts, it was not hard for Gon-
zalo, the brother of the famous Pizarro, to
avail himfelf of the general difcontent, and
ato fet himfelf at the head of a party.
;!£ Jt was now no longer a difpute between go-
Hvernors about tie bounds of their jurifdidtions;
°o°' 'i ^ * - Gonzalo

A),

■^

Settl£mei4ts in America* 163

Gonzalo PizapFO only paid a nominal fubmif-
fion to th^ emperor. He ftrengthened daily,
and even went fo far as to behead a viceroy
who was fent to curb him. There was a
fleet at this time in the South- Seas, and he
had addrefs enough to gain the admiral to his
interefts ; by which means he was able to
over-awe the coafl: of Mexico, and prevent
any force coming againft him from that part.
He even entertained hopes of gaining the
Spaniards in that kingdom to join in his revolt.
The court, juftly alarmed at this progrefs,
having felt the ill effed: of fending men who
were recommended to their ports by impor-
tunity and cabal, as they had experienced the
beneficial confequences of employing ]>erfons
whofe charadter only pleaded for them, they
fent a licentiate in divinity, called Peter de la
Gafca, a man differing only from Caftro, that
he was of a milder and more inHnuating be-
haviour, but with the fame love of juftice,
the fame greatnefs of foul, and the fame dif-
interefted fpirit. This mildnefs of charader
fuited the circum (lances of the times, as well
as the rigid juftice of Caflro did thofe in which
he was appointed ; for as the revolt was now
ahnofl: general, he could find no friends but
fuch as he fhould make ; for though he was
inverted with the amplert authority from
Spain, he neither carried men to enforce ir,
'.> •.-...•.<. » . . . M 2 45» nor

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164 An Account of the European
nor money ; and the whole fuccefs of the ex-
pedition refted folely in his own capacity.
.4, When he arrived in Mexico, he declared
that his was a peaceable profeflion 3 that he
pame not to exercife feverities, but to heal by
gentle meafures the efFedts of thofc which
were formerly exercifed. He even wrote a
very obliging letter to Pizarro, perfuading him
to fubmit, and offering him a free pardon for
himfelf and his afTociates. In the mean time
he was not wanting in more vigorous mea-
fures ; but by his engaging addrefs, and the
reputation of his probity, raifed large fums of
money, and fome hundreds of men. Pizarro,
puffed up by his fuccefs, received the embaf-
fador with great haughtinefs, and fjnt his an-
fwer, which was likewife that of his affociates,
by the admiral j it was in effedt, that neither
would he yield up his government, nor would
they fubmit to have any other governo*-. The
admiral had inftruc^ions to try what bribery
would do, and if that failed, to fire the city
of Panama, and bring off the new viceroy
prifoner. However, during their conferences,
the affair took abfolutely another turn, and
the admiral, inftead of conveying Gafca a pri-
foner to Peru, tranfported him thither with
all his forces, returning to his allegiance him-
felf, and perfuading all his adherents to be
hearty in the royal caufe. The viceroy did not
at all alter the profeiTions and behaviour he

had

Settlements /« Amemca, 165

had ufed in Mexico, but every where pro-
claiming peace and pardon, at the head of a
powerful force, he drew the cities of Lima and
Cufco from the party of Pizarro ; who find-
ing hinifelf obliged to evacuate the moft conr
fiderable places of ftrength, with very un-
equal forces hazarded a battle, in which he
was made prifoner. He was foon after con-
demned and executed, with thofe who had
been the chief inftruments of his rebellion.

Such an ill ftar governed all thofe who had
a (hare in the redudtion of Peru ! Almagro be-
headed i his fon Hiaring the fame fate ; Pi-
zarro murdered in his own palace ; his bro-
ther Ferdinand kept a prifoner twenty-three
years ; and his other brother Gonzalo, as we
have juft feen, fufFering death as a traitor. The
new governor having by neceffary feverities
quieted his province, took cfFedual care to
heal its diforders by the arts of peace, and to
compleat what Caftro had been obliged to
leave unfiniflied. He fettled the civil govern-
ment, the army, and the mines, upon fuch
a bafis as made the province worthy to be
plundered by future viceroys. He carried
over two millions to the royal treafury, paid
all his debts, and fate down as poor in Spain
as he had left it. - " ^'-

The reduction of the great empires of Peru
and Mexico, makes almoft the only thing
very much worth infifting upoo in the Ame-r

M 3 ricaQ

-?i!::j

( •

1 66 An AccotJNT of the European

rican hiftory. L few fkifmi^cs with a iavage
people, and fome voyages and difcO^veries ex-
a(Jl:ly refembling each other, changing only
the names and fituatidns, is thefniatter, which,
in my opinion, unprofitably fills fo many vo-
lumes, and contains very little of either cu-
riofity or inftrudlion. However, when I come
to treat of the feveral European fettlehifefits
particularly, I (hall not ornit to mention any
thing in their hiftory that contmns either the
one or the other. '^»^^vu:!? ;^;ti ik •: n /i:^

£«^ of tie FiR$T P A R r. '^*

:'-*>:fraW>;

Settlements in America. 167

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J- ■ ■ < ■ Si, ■ ■ •

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) T%e Manners of the Americans. -

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CHAP. I. '

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c(^?>l*.

TX^ perfons of the Americam, I'beir drcfs and
ivay of living. Their manner of converfing^
Their hofpitality. Their temper. Their re-
ligion and fuperjiitions. Their medicine.

TH E Aborigines of Araerica, through-
out the whole extent of the two vafl
continents which they inhabit, and amongft
the infinite number of nations and tribes intq
which they are divided, differ very little from
each other in their manners and cuftomsj
and they all form a very flriking pldlure of the
moil diftant antiquity. Whoever coniiders
the Americans of this day, not only ftudies
the manners of a remote prefent nation, but
he ftudies, in fom?: meafure, the antiquities

*! ]»?)

«»!

168 jlfj Account of the European

of all nations j from which no mean lights
may be thrown upon ms^ny parts of the an-*
cient authors, both facred and profane. The
learned Lafitau has laboured this point with
great fuccefs, in a work which deffcrves to
be read amongfl: us much more than I find

it is. •- ^- . •,■'^.•

. , rr

fk'

The people of America are tall,, and ftrait
in their limbs beyond the proportion of mod
nations : their bodies are f:rong ; but of a fpe-
cies of ftrength rather fitted to endure much
hardfliip, than to continue long at any fervile
work, by which they are quickly confumed;
it is the flrength of a bcaft of prey, rather
tjhan that of a beaft of burthen. Their bo-
(dies and heads are f}attif)i> the eflfedt of art ;
tb^ir feai;jres are regular^ })ut their counte-
nances fierce j their hair long, black, lank,
and as flrong as that of a horfc. No beards.
The colour of their fkin a redi^ifli brown,
admired an^ongft them, and improved by the
fonftant i;fe of bears fat and paint. : : av

"^hcii the Europeans firft came into Ame-
rica, they found the people quite naked, ex-
cept thofe parts yvhich it is common for the
moft uncultivated people to conceal. Since
that time they have generally a coarfe blanket
to cover them, which they buy from us. The
whole faihion of their lives is of a piece ;
hardy, poor, and fqualid j and their educa-
fion fpm th^ir infancy is foiely dire(^ted to fit

» their

■ 1

Settlements in Ammrica. 169

their bodies for this mode of life, and to form
their minds to inflidt and to endure the great-
eft evils. Their only occupations are hunt-
ing and war. Agriculture i: left to the wo-
men. Merchandize they contemn. When
their hunting feafon is paft, which they go
through with much patience, and in which
they exert great ingenuity, they pafs the reft
of their time in an entire indolence. They
lleep half the day in their huts, they loiter
and jeft aniong their friends, and they ob-
fervc no bounds or decency in their eating and
drinking. Before we difcovered them they
wanted fpirituous liquors; but now, the ac-
quirement of thefe is what gives a fpur to
their induftry, and enjoyment to their repofc.
This is the principal end they purfue in their
treaties with us ; and from this they fuffer in-
fcxpreffiblc calamities ; for, having once be-
gun to drink, they can prcferve no meafure,
but continue a fucceflion of drunkenlii^rs as
long as their means of procuring liquor lafts.
In this condition they lie expofed on the earth
to all the inclemency of the feafons, whFch
waftes them by a train of the mofl: fatal dif-
ordcrs ; they perifli in rivers and marflies ;
they tumble into the fire ; they quarrel, and
very frequendy murder each other ; and in
/hort; excefs in drinking, which with us is
rather immoral than very deft^fuclive, amongll:
this uncivilized peoplq, who have not art
;:* \' enough

1:4

■■ill '

■jiM

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170 -^//i Account of the Evropzan

enough to guard againft the confequence of
their vices, is a public calamity. The few
amongjft them who live free from this evil,
enjoy the rcv^ard of their temperance in a ro-
buft and healthy old age. The diforders
which a complicated luxury has introduced,
and fupports in Europe, are ftrangers here.

The charadter of the Indians is ftriking.
They are grave even to fadnefs in their de-
portment upon any ferious occafion ; obfer-
vant of thofe in company 5 refpedtful to the
old ; of a temper cool and deliberate ; by
which they are never in hafte to fpeak before
they have thought well upon the matter, and
are fure the perfon who fpoke before them
has finiflied all he had to fay. They have
therefore the greateft contempt for the viva-
city of the Europeans, who interrupt each
other, and frequently fpeak all together. Nor
thing is more edifying than their behaviour in
their public councils and affemblies. Every
man there is heard in his turn, according as
his years, his wildom, or his fcrvices to his
country have ranked him. Not a word, not
a whifper, not a murmur is heard from the
rcfl whilll he fpeaks. No indecent condem-
nation, no ill-timed applaule. The younger
fort attend for their inftrudion. Here they
learn the hiflory of their nation ; here they
are inflamed with the fongs of thofe who ce^
kbrate the warlike adions of their anceftors;

and

' / J fi ji

Settlements in America. 171

and here they arc taughtlwhat iaie the interefts
of their country, and how to purfue them. 1.
There is no people: aiaongft whom the
laws of hofpjtality are more facred, or cxe^
cuted with more generofity and good- will.
Their houfes, their provifion, even their
young women are not enough to oblige a
gucft. To thofe of tlieir own nation they
are likewife very humane and beneficent. Has
any one of them fuccceded ill in his hunt-^
ing? has his harvcft failed ? or is his houfe
burned? He feels no other efFe(5t of his mif-
fortune, than that it gives him an opportunity
to experience the benevolence and regard of
his fellow-citizens, who for that purppfe have
all things almoft in common. But to the
enemies of his country, or to thofe who have
privately offended, the American is implaca-
ble. He conceals his fentiments, he appears
reconciled, until by fome treachery or furprizc
he has an opportunity of executing an horri-
ble revenge. No length of time is fufficient
to allay his refcntment 5 no diftance of place
great enough to protect the objedl ; he croffes
the fleepeft mountains, he pierces the moft
impradicable forefls, and traverfcs the mod
hideous bogs and delarts for feveral hundreds
of miles, bearing the inclemency of the fea-
fons, the fatigue of the expedition, the ex-
tremes of hunger and thirfl with patience
and chearfulnefs, in hopes of furprizing his

enemy,

■■):

'M^

■'lit ill'

172 An Account of the European

enemy, on whom he exercifcs the moft
fhocking barbarities, even to the eating of his
flefli. To fuch extremes do the Indians pufli
their friend/hip or their enmity j and fucn in-
deed in geiieral is the c'^aradter of all ftrong
and uncultivated minds.

Notwithftanding his ferocity, no people
have their anger, or at leaft the fhew of their
anger, more under their command. From
their infancy they are formed with care to
endure feoffs, taunts, blows, and every fort
of infult patiently, or at lead with a com-
pofed cj^untenance. This is one of the, prin-
cipal objedtsof their education. They efteem
nothing fo unworthy a man of fenfe and con-
ftancy, as a peeviih temper, and a pronenefs
to a fudden and ra(h anger. And this fo far
has an efFedt, that quarrels happen as rarely
amongft them when they are not intoxicated
with liquor, as does the chief caufe of all
quarrels, hot and abufive language. But hu-
man nature is fuch, that as virtues may with
proper management be engrafted upon almoft
all fort of vicious paflions, fo vices naturally
grow out of the beft difpofitions, and are the
confequence of thofe regulations that produce
•and ftrengthen them. This is the reafon
that when the paffions of the Americans are
roufed, being (hut up, as it were, and con-
^Vv-^rging intO; a narrow point, they become

!" {

Settlements in America. 173

more furious j they are dark, fuUen, treache-
rous and unappeafable.

A people who live by hunting, who inha-
bit mean cottages, and are given to change
the place of their habitation, are feldom very
religious. The Americans have fcarce any
temples. We hear indeed of fome, and thofe
extremely magnificent, amongfl the ancient
Mexicans and Peruvians ; but the Mexicans
and Peruvians were comparatively civilized
nations. Thofe we know at prefent in any
part of America are no way comparable to
them. Some appear to have very little idea
of God. Others entertain better notions;
they hold the exiftence of a Supreme Being,
eternal and incorruptible, who has power
over dl. Satisfied with owning this, which
is traditionary amongft them, they give him
no fort of worfliip. There are indeed nations
in America, who feem to pay fome religious
homagis to the fun and moon; and as mofl:
of them have a notion of fome invifible
beings, w^ho continually intermeddle in their
affairs, they difcourfe much of demons,
nymphs, fairies, or beings equivalent. They
have ceremonies too, that feem to (hew they had
once a more regular form of religious worfliip ;
for they make a fort of oblation of their firft
fruits; obferve certain ceremonies at the full
moon, and have in their feftivals many things
that very probably came from a religious

origin.

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174 ^^ Account of the Ei^ropeam
origin, though they perform them as things
handed down to them from their anceftors,
without knowing or enquiring about the
reafon. Tho* without religion, they abbund
in fupcrftitions ; as it is common for thofe
to do, whofe fubfiflence depends like theirs,
upon fortune. Great obfervers of ort^ens
and dreams, and pryers into futurity with
great eagernefs, they abound in diviners,
augurs, and magicians, whom they rely
much upon in all affairs that concern them,
whether of health, war, or hunting. Their
phylic, which may rather be called magic,
is entirely in the hands of the priefts. The
iick are naturally prone to fupefftition,
and human help in fuch cafes is generally
found fo weak, that it is no wonder that
in all countries and ages, people have amufed
themfelves in that difmal circumftance of
human nature, with the hope of fupernatu-
ral affiftance. ' • ' ' * '

Their phyficians generally treat them, in
whatever diforder, in the fame way. That
is, they firfl enclofe them in a narrow cabbin,
in the midft of which is a ftonc red hot 5 on
this they throw water until the patient is well
foaked with the warm vapour, and his own
fweat; then they hurry him fr >m the bagnio,
and plunge him fuddenly into the next river.
This is repeated as often as they judge necef-
faryj and by this method, extraordinary cures

arc

SETTLEME^JTS in AMERICA. 1 75

are fometimes performed. But it frequently
happens too, that this rude method kills the
patient in the very operation, efpecially in the
new diforders brought to them from Europe ;
and it is partly owing to this manner of pro*
ceeding, that thefmall pox has proved fo much
more fatal to them than to us. It muft not
be denied that they have the ufe of feme
fpecifics of wonderful efficacy; the power of
which they however attribute to the magical
ceremonies with which they are conftantly
adminiftved. And it is remarkable, that
purely by an application of herblS they fre-
quently cure wounds, that with us refufe to
yield to the moil judicious methods.

CHAP. II.

.'i V

I'he government of the Americans, ^heir coun-
cih, Their orators. Their feafts. Their
manner of adminifiering jujlice,

LI B E R T Y in its fulleft extent is the
darling paffion of the Americans. To
this they facrifice every thing. This is what
makes a life of uncertainty and want, fup-
portable to them ; and their education is di-
rected in fuch a manner as to cherilh this dif-
pofition to the utmojft. They are indulged in
all manner of liberty ; they arc never upon
any account chaflifed with blows ; they are

rarely

176 ^« Account of tbe Eukopeah

rarely even chided. Reafon, they fay, wlH
guide their chiidren when they come to the
ufe of it; and before that time their faults
cannot be very great 5 but blows might abate
the free and martial fpirit which makes the
glory of their people, and might render the
fenfe of honour duller, by the habit of a fla-
vifh motive to adtion. When they are grown
up, they experience nothing like command,
dependence, or fubordination ; even ftrong
perfuafion is induftrioufly forborn by thofe
who have influence amongft them, as what
may look too like command, and appear a
fort of violence oflTered to their will.

On the fame principle, they know no pu-
nishment but death. They lay no fines, be-
caafe they have no way of exading them
from free men ; and the death, which they
fometimes inflidt, is rather a confequence of
a fort of war declared againfl a public enemy,
than an adt of judicial power executed on a
citizen or fubjedt. This free difpoiition is
general ; and though fome tribes are found m
America, with an head whom we call a king,
his power is rather perfuafive than coercive,
and he is reverenced as a father, mere than
feared as a monarch. He has no guards, no

f)rifons, no officers of jufticc. The other
brms, which may be confidered as a fort of
ariftocracies, have no more power. This
latter is the more common in North America.

»'i ..

Settlements /;; America. 177

In fome tribes there are . a kind of nobility,
who, when they come to years of difcreuon,
are entitled to a place and vote in the councils
of their nation ; the reft are excluded. But
amongft the Five nations, or Iroquois, the
moft celebrated commonwealth of North
America, and in fome other nations, there is
no other qualification abfoluttly neceflary for
their head men, but age, with experience and
ability in their affairs. However, there is ge-
nerally in every tribe fome particular ftocks,
which they refpedl, and who are confidered
in fome fort as their chiefs, unlefs they (hew
themfelves unworthy of that rank ; as among
the tribes themfelves there are fome, who,
on account of their number or bravery, have
a pre-eminence over the reft j which, as it is
not exadted with pride and infolence, nor
maintained by tyranny on one hand, fo it is
never difputed on the other when it is due.

Their great Cbuticil is'compofed of thefe
heads of tribes and families, with fuch whofc
capacity has elevated theiii^'tcl the fame degree
of confiderationT Tljieymeetin a houfe, which
they have in each of theif towns for the pur-
pofe, upon 'every folemn occafidil, to receive
ambafladors, td deliver thertx an anfwer, to
fing their traditionary war fqrt*gs, or to corfi-
memorate their dead. Thefe' councils are
public. Here they propofe all fuch matters
as concern the ftate, which hare alreiidy be'en

•Vol. I. N digefted '

^•^■ii

B»Sv

'ti.

178 Ait Account of the European

digefted in the fecret councils, at which none
but the head men affift. Here it is that their
orators are employed, and difplay thofe ta«
lents which diftinguifli them for eloquence
and knowledge of public bufinefs j in both of
which fome of them are admirable. None
clfe fpeak in their public councils j thefe are
their ambaffadors, and thefe are the commif-
fioners who are appointed to treat of peace or
alliance with other nations. The chief (kill
of thefe orators coni^fts in giving an artful
turn to affairs, and in exprefling their thoughts
in a bold figurative manner, much ftronger
than we could bear in this part of the world,
and with geftur^s equally violent, but often
extremely natural and expreffive.

When any bufinefs of confequence is tranf-
adted, they appoint a f ^aft upon the occafion,
of which almoft the whole nation partakes.
There are leflTer feafts upon matters of lefs
general concern, to which none are invited
but they who are engaged in that particular
bufinefs. At thefe feafts it is againft all rule
to leave any thing ; fo that if they cannot
confume all, what remains is thrown into the
fire, for they look upon fire as a thing facred,
and in all probability thefe feafts were an-
ciently facrifices. Before the entertainment
is ready, the principal perfon begins a fong,
the fubjeft of which is the fabulous or real
hiftory of their nation, the remarkable events
-^ " * which

Settlements /;/ America. 179

which have happened, and whatever matters
may make for their honour or inftrudlion.
The others fing in their turn. They have
dances too, with which they accompany their
fongs, chiefly of a martial kind ; and no fo-
lemnity or public bufinefs is carried on with-
out fuch fongs and dances. Every thing is
tranfa<5ted amongft thftm with much cere-
mony 5 which in a barbarous people is necef-
fary j for nothing elfe could hinder all their
affairs from going to confufion ; besides that
the ceremonies contribute to fix all tranfadlons
the better in their memory.

To help their memory, they have bits
of fmall mells or beads of different colours,
which have all a different meaning, accord-
ing ta their colour or arrangement. At the
end of every matter they difcourfc upon,
when they treat with a foreign flate, they de-
liver one of thefe belts. If they (hould omit
this ceremony, what they fay paffes for no-
thing. Thefe belts are carefully treafured up
in each town, and they ferve for the public
records of the nation 5 and to thefe they oc-
caiionally have recourfe, when any contefts
happen between them and their neighbours.
Of late, as the matter of which thefe belts
is made is grown fcarce, they often give fome
fkins in the place of the wampum, for fa
they call thefe beads in their language, and
receive in return prefcnts of a more valuable

N 2 nature ;

' \ I

'J,

.5^

ilfs^fl

i8o j4n Account of tire European

nature ; for neither will they confider what onr
commiflioners fay to be of any weight, unlefs
fome prefent accompanies each propofal.

The fame council of their elders, which
regulates whatever regards the external poli-
cy of the ftate, has the charge likewife of its
internal peace and order. Their fuits arc few
and quickly decided,, having neither property
nor art enough to render them perplexed or
tedious. Criminal matters come before the
fame jurifdidtlon, when they are fo flagrant
as to become a national concern. ' In ordinary
cafes, the crime is either revenged or com-
promifed by the parties concerned. If a mur-
der is committed, the family which has loft
a relation, prepares to retaliate on that of the
offender. They often kill the murderer, and
vvhen this happens, the kindred of the laft
perfon fjain look upon themfelves to be as
much injured, and think themfelves as mujh
juftiiied in taking vengeance, as if the violence
had not begun amongft themfelves. But in
general things are determined in a more ami-
cable manner. The offender abfents himfelf j
his friends fend a compliment of condolance
to thofe of the party murdered ; prefcnts are
offered, which are rarely refufed; the head of
the family appears, who in a formal fpeech
delivers the prefents, which confifl: often of
above iixty articles, every one of which is
given to cancel fome part of the offence, and

i .:

■, \

Settlements in America. i8i

to affuage the grief of the fuffering party.
With the firft he fays, " By lais I remove
the hatchet from the wound, and make it fall
out of the hands of him who is prepared to
revenge the injury ;** with the fecond, ** I dry
up the blood of that wound ;" and fo on, in
apt figures, taking away one by one all the ill
confequences of the murder. As ufual, the
whole ends in mutual feafting, fongs, and
dances. If the murder is committed by one
of the fame family, or cabbin, that "abbin
has the full right of judgment, without ap-
peal, within itfelf, either to punifli the guilty
with death, or to pardon him, or to force
him to give fome recompence to the wife or
children of the flain. All this w^ile the fu-
preme authority of the nation looks on un-
concerned, and never roules its iVren^th, nor
exerts the fulnefs of a power more revered
than felt, but upon fome fignal occafion.
Then the power feems equal to the occafion.
Every one haftens to execute the orders of
their fenate ; nor ever was any inftance of dif-
loyalty or rebellion known amongft this peo-
ple. Governed as they are by manners, not
by laws, example, education, and the con-
ftant practice of their ceremonies, gives them
the moft tender affedion for their country,
and infpires them with moft religious regard
for their conftitution, and the cuftoms of
th(?ir anceftors. The want of laws, and of

'/•vl.':'.

) p\i:

j r ' *' i

182 j^n Account of the European
an univerfal ftrong coercive power, is not per-
ceived in a narrow fociety, where every man
has his eye upon his neighbour, and where
the whole bent of every thing they do is to
flrengthen thofe natural ties by which fociety
is principally cemented. Family love, rare
amongft us, is a national virtue amongft
them, of which all partake. Friend (hips
there are amongft them, fit to vie with thofe
of fabulous antiquity 5 and where fuch friend-
ihips are feen to grow, the families concerned
congratulate themfelves as upon an acquifi^
tion, that promifes to them a mutual ftrength,
and to their nation the ereateft honour and
advantage, . . , ,

CHAP. III.

!/. ;'.; >r

>•"

Their mournngs for their dead, 7'be feafi of
fouls. The jimerican wotnen^ their occupam
tions. Their marriages and divorces*^

TH E lofs of any one of their people,,
whether by a natural death, or by war,
is lamented by the whole town he belongs
to *. In fuch circumftances no bufinefs is
taken in hand, however important, nor any
rejoicing permitted, however interefting the
, v» ; ; oqcafion,

* The towns are fmall, and except the affairs of war, or ftate»
they have no bufinefs to employ them, for the greateft part of
the year, after the hunting leafon is over.

Settlements in America. 183

occafion, until all the pious ceremonies due
to the dead are performed. Thefe are always
performed with the greateft folemnity. The
dead body is wafhed, anointed, and painted,
fo as in fome meafure to abate the horrors of
death. Then the women lament the lofs
with the moll bitter cries, and the moft hide-
ous bowlings, intermixed with fongs, which
celebrate the great anions of the deceafed,
and thofe of his anceftors. The men mourn
in a lefs extravagant manner. The whole
village attends the body to the grave, which
is interred, habited in their moft fumptuous
ornaments. With the body of the deceafed
are placed his bow and arrows, with what he
valued moft in his life, and provifions for the
long journey he is to take 5 for they hold the
immortality of the foul univerfally, but their
idea is grofs. Fcafting attends this, as it
does every folemnity. After the funeral, they
who are nearly allied to the deceafed, con-
ceal themfelves in their huts for a confider-
able time to indulge their grief. The com-
pliments of condolance are never omitted,
nor are prefents wanting upon this occafion.
After fome time they revifit the grave 5 they
renew their forrow ; they new cloath the re-«
mains of the body, and a(^ over again the fo-r
lemnities of the firft funeral.

Of all their inftances of regard to their de-
ceafed friendi, none is fo ftriking as what

. N 4 they

:^s:!^;:

■ '.(£

184 Jin Account of the European

they call the fcaft of the dead, or the feaft of
fouls. The day for this ceremony is appoint-
ed in the council of their chiefs, who give
orders for every thing, which may enable
them to celebrate it with pomp and magni-
ficence. The riches of the natio.i is exhaufted
on this occafion, and all their ingenuity dif-
played. The neighbouring people are invited
to partake of the feaft, and to be witncfTes of
the folemnity. At this time, all who have
died fince the laft foiemn fcaft of that kind,
are taken out of the r graves. Thofe who
have been interred at the greateft diftance
from the villages are diligently fought for,
and brought to this great rendevous of car-
caftes. It is not difficult to conceive the hor-
ror of this general difinterment. I cannot
paint it in a more lively manner than it is
done by Lafitau. jun ia« ouk ," --^ ^ u .^,}.
" Without queftion, fays he, the opening
of thefe tombs difplay one of the moft ftrik-
ing fcenes that can be conceived ; this hum-
bling pourtrait of human mifery, in fo many
images of death; wherein fhe feems to take
a pleafure to paint herfclf in a thoufand va-
rious (hapes of horror> in the feverai carcaf-
fes, according to the degree in which corrup-
tion has prevailed over them, or the manner
in which it has attacked them. Some appear
dry and withered ; others have a fort of parch-
ment upon their bones -, fome look as if they

were

''X'

ni-
ed
if.
ed
of
ve

Settlements tJi America. 185

were baked and fmoaked, without any ap-
pearance of rottonnefs ; feme are juft turning
towards the point of putrefadion j whilll
others are all fwarming with worms, and
drowned in corruption. I know not which
ought to ftrike us mod, the horror of fo
(hocking a fight, or the tender piety and af-
fedion of thefe poc neople towards their de-
parted friends ; for nothing deferves our ad-
miration more, than that eager diligence and
attention with which they difchnrge this me-
lancholy duty of their tendernefs j gathering
up carefully even the fmalleft bones ; hand-
ling the carcafies, difguftful as they are, with
every thing loathfome j cleanfing them from
the worms, and carrying them upon their
{boulders through tirefome journeys of feveral
days, without being difcouraged by their in-
fupportable ftench, and without fuffering any
other emotions to arife, than thofe of regret,
for having lort: per fens who were fo dear to
them in their lives, and fo lamented in their

> '),

This Grange feftival is the moft magnifi-
cent and folemn which* they have ; not only
on account of the great concourfe of natives
and ftrangers, and of the pompous reinter-
ment they give to their dead, whom they
drefs in the fined ikins they can get, after
having expofed them fome time in this pompj
but for the games of all kinds which they ce-
lebrate

'^iii

l&\

%) i

ii
1

186 \An AccotJNT of the European

Icbrate upon the occafion, in the fpirit of thofe
which the ancient Greeks and Romans cele«
bratcd upon ifimilar occafions/'*^'^ ^^ --^1;,^.^ ;

In this manner do they endeavour to (both
the calamities of life, by the honours they
pay their dead ; honours, which are the more
chearfully paid, becaufe in his turn each man
cxpedts to receive them himfelf. Though
amongft thefe favage nations this cuftom is
impreifed with Pcrong marks of the ferocity of
their nature, an honour for the dead, a ten«
der feeling of their abfence, and a revival of
their memory, are fome of the moft exceU
lent inftrumcnts for fmoothing our rugged
nature into humanity. In civilized nations
fuch ceremonies are lefs pradifed, becaufe
other inftruments for the fame purpofes are
lefs wanted ; but it is certain a regard for the
dead is ancient and univerfal. * '^^^ juih ..tv.

Though the women in America have gene-
rally the laborious part of the oeconomy upon
themfelves, yet they are far from being the
flaves they appear, and are not at all fubjed:
to the great fubordination in which they are
placed in countries where they feem to be
more refpedled. On the contrary, all the ho-
nours of the nation are on the fide of the wo-
They even hold their councils, and

men.

have their (liare in all deliberations which con-
cern the ftate ; nor are they found inferior to
the part they a(fl. Polygamy is pradifed by

fome

V-

thofe
cele*

SETTtEMENTS in AMERICA. 187

fomc nations, but it is not general. In moft
they content thpmfelves with onf5 wife,, but
t divorce is admitted, and for the fame caufes
that it was allowed amongft the Jews, Greeks,
and Romans. No nation of the Americans
is without a regular marriage, in which there
are many ceremonies ; the principal of which
is, the bride's prefenting the bridegroom with
a plate of their corn.

Incontinent before wedlock, after marriage
the chaftity of their women is remarkable.
The puniftiment of the adulterefs, as well as
that of tb^ adulterer, is in the hands of the
bufband himfclf i and it is often fevere, as in-
flifted by ope who is at once the party and
the iudge. Their marriages are^not fruitful^
feldom producing above two or three chil-
dren, but they are brought forth with lefs
pain than our women fuffer upon fuch occa^
fions, and with little confcquent weaknefs.
Probably, that fevere life which both fexes
lead, is not favourable to procreation. And
the habit unmarried women have of procuring
abortions, in which they rarely fail, makes
them the more unfit for bearing children af-
terwards. This is one of the reafons of the
depopulation of America ; for whatever loffes
they fuffer, either by epidemical difeafes or
\py war, are repaired llowly. , ;^! ir^ii v.

-vi

' VJ-'.t.

i ,

i) -.ri'r'"'-!

CHAP.

i88 An Account of the European

A P.

TZtf Indian manner of preparing for war. The
f fongs and dances, Their taking the field,
^ Their method of difcovering and attacking the
i* enemy. Their cruel treatment of their pri^

.. finersofwar. J;, v^r^i^Tg^p .^ pj:,,2u;

LMOST tli'c fole bcc'upaddn of the
American is war, or fuch an exercife
as qualifies him for it. His whole glory
confifts in this ; and no man is at all con-
fidered until he has increafed the ilrength of
his country with a captive, or adorned his
houfe withithe fcalp of one of its enemies.
When the Ancients rcfolvc upon war, they
do not always declare what nation it is they
arc determined to attack; that the enemy,
upon whom they really int;;hd to fall, may
be off his guard. Nay, they even fometimes
let years pafs ovsr without committing any a<ft
of hoflility, that the vigilance of all may be
unbent by the long continuance of the watch,
and the uncertainty of the danger. In the
mean time they are not idle at home. The
principal captain fummons the youth of the
town to which he belongs j the war kettle is
fet on the fire j the war fongs and dances
commence j the hatchet is fent to all the vil-
lages of the fame nation, and to all its allies ;
. : . the

•^)i

i!]|i(i.iMAPvJP.!fSWi-\"»!!l«J"'"^W'»j;"' •*' ^-w*

■i^

Settlements in America. 189

the fire catches, the war fongs are heard in
all parts, and the moft hideous bowlings con-
tinue without intermiffion day and night oyer
that whole tra<ft of country. The women
add their cries to thofe of the men, lament-
ing thofe whom they have either loft in war,
or by a naturd death, and demanding their
places to be fupplied from their enemies, fti-
mulating the young men by a fenfe of fhame,
which women know to excite in the ftrongeft
manner, and can take the beft advantage of
when excited. ^ ^ . , ., .^.>,^^.

When by thefe, and every other means^,
the fury of the nation is raifcd to the greateft
heigat, and all long to embrew their hands
in blood, the war captain prepares the fea(l,;
which coniifts of dogs flcfli. All that par-
take of this feaft receive little billets, which
are fo many engagements which they take to
be faithful to each other, and obedient to
their commander. None are forced to the
war ; but when they have accepted this billet,
they are looked upon as lifted, and it is then
death to recede. All the warriors in this af-
Tcmbly have their faces blackened with char-
coal, intermixed with dafhes and ftreaks of
Vermillion, which give them a moft horrid
appearance. Their hair.is drcfled up in an
odd manner, with feathers of various kinds.
In this affembly, which is preparatory to their
military expedition, the chief begins the war

•' m' ' font' •

''iH

190 An Account of the Eitkopean

fong ; which having continued for fomc time,
he raifes his voice to the highefl pitch, and
turning off fuddenly to a fort of prayer, he
addreflcs himfelf tr> the god of war, whom
they caH Arefkoui. " I invoke thee, fays
he, to be favourable to my enterprise ! I in-
voke thy care upon me and my famfity ! I in-
voke ye likewifc, all ye fpirits and demons
good and evil ! AH ye that are in the fkics,
or on the earth, or under the earth, to pour
dcftrudion upon pur enemies, and to return
me and my companions fafely to our country."
All the warriors join him in this prayer with
fhouts and acclamations. The captain renews
his fong, flrikes his club againi): tl* e ^akes of
his cottage, and begins the war dance, accom-
panied with the fhouts of all his companions^
which continue as long as he dances.

The day appointed for their departure be-
ing arrived, they take leave of their friends ;
they change their cloaths, or whatever move-
ables they have, in token of mutual fricnd-
fhip ', their wives and female relations go out
before them, and attend at fome diftance from
the town. The warriors march out all dreft
in their fineft apparel, and moft (howy orna-
ments, regularly one after another, for they
never march in rank. The chief walks flow-
ly on before them, finging the death fong,
whilft the reft obferve the moft profound fi-
Hcnce. When they come up to their women,
.f^^^v.; ' ;hey

•<*•,

Settlements in America. 191

they deliver up to them all their finery, put
on their worft cloatbs, and then proceed as
their commander thinks fit. '^< ^ -> ( - /

Their motives for engaging In a war are
rarely thofe views which excite u:s to it. They
have no other end but the glory of the vidtory^
or the benefit of the flaves which it enables
them to add to their nation, or facrificc ta
their brutal fury ; and it is rare that they take
any pains to give their wars even a colour of
juftice. It is no way uncommon among them
for the young men to make feafts of dogs
flefh> and dances, in fmall parties, in the
midfl of the moft profound peace. They fall
fometimes o'l one nation, fometimes on an^
other, and furprize fome of their hunters,
whom they fcalp or bring home as prifoners.
Their fenators wink at this, or rather encou«
rage it, as it tends to keep up the martial fpi-
rit of their people, inures them to watchfuU
nefs and hardOiip, and gives them an early
tafte for blood.

The qualities in an Indian war are vigi-
lance and attention, to give and to avoid a
furprize ; and patience and ftrength, to en-
dure the intolerable fatigues and hardfhips
which alv ays attend it. The nations of Ame-
rica are at an immenfe didance from each
other with a vaft defart frontier, and hid in
the boforn of hideous, and almpft boundlefs
forefts. Thefe muft be traverfcd before they.

^ 'KVJ

meet

■^Mjgr'ff^

192 ^//Account of the Europeah
meet an enemy, who is often at fuch a di-
ftance as might be fuppo^ed to prevent either
quarrel or danger. But not witnftan ding the
fecrecy of the deftination of the party that
firft moves, the enemy has frequent notice of
it, is prepared for the attack, and ready to
take advantage in the fame manner of the
leaft want of vigilance in the aggrciTors. Their
whole art of war coniifls in this : they never
fight in the open field, but upon fome very
extraordinary occafions ; not from cowardice,
for they are brave 5 but they defpife this mc-
tliod, as unworthy an able warrior, and as an
affair in which fortune governs more than
prudence. The principal things which help
theih to find out their enemies are the fmoke
of their fires, which they fmell at a diftance
almod incredible ; and their tracks, in the
difcovery and diftinguifhing of which they
are poiTeiTed of a fagacity equally aftoniftiing j
for they will tell in the footfteps, which to us
would feem moil confufed, the number of
men that have paiTed, and the length of time
lince they have paffed ; they even go fo far as
to diflinguifh the feveral nations by the dif-
ferent marks of iheir feet, and to perceive
footfteps, where we could diftinguifh no-
thing lefs. A mind diligently intent upon
one thing, and exercifed by long experience,
will go lengths at firft view fcarcely credible.
,:ijg^- -j-rvi^rt^^ 4-3wb^ru^ :^':r:kut^w^''.^^- :^0^- But

Settlements in America^ 19J

^ But as they who are attacked have tlid
fame knowledge, and know how to draw the
fame advantages from it, their great addrefs is
to baffle each other m thefe points. On the
expedition they light no fire to waim them-
felves, or prepare their vidtuals, hut fubfifl
merely on the miferable pittance of fomc of
their meal mixed with water ; they lie clofe
to the ground all day, and march only in thd
pight. As they march in their ufual order
in files, he that clofes the rear diligently co-
vers his own tracks, and thofe of all whc
preceded him, with leaves. If any ftream
occurs in their route, they march in it for a
confiderable w^y to foil their purfuers. Whem
they halt to reft and refirefli themfelves, fcouts
are fent out on every fide to' reconnoitre the
i:ountry, and beat up every place where they
fufpedt an enetpy may lie perdue; In this
inanner they often enter a village, whilft xht
ftrength of the nation is employed in hunt-
ing, and mafiacre all the helplefs old vcith^
women, and children,' or make prifoners as
riiariy ais they Judge they can manage, or have
ftrength enough to be ufeful to their nation.

They often cut off fmall parties of mien in
their huntings; but when they difcover an
army of their enerhies, their way is to throw
tliemfelves flat on their faces amongft the
withered leaves, the colour of which their
todies are painted to refemblc exadtly. They

Vol. I. O gene-

■I \

194 JfH Accovut 0f the European

generally let a part pafs unmolefted, and then.
rifing a little, they take aim, for they are cx«
tt llcrtt markfmen, and fetting up a moft tre*
intndt)us (hout, which they call the war cry,
ihcy pour a ftorm of mufquet-bullets upon
the enemy -, for they have long fince laid afide
the ufe of arrows j the party attacked returns
the fame cry. Every man in hade covers
himfelf with a tree, and returns the fire of
the adverfe party ; as foon as they raife them-
felves from the ground to give the fecond fire.
After fighting fome time in this manner,
the party which thinks it has the advantage
tufhes out of its cover, with fmall axes in
their hands, which they dart with great ad*
^iiefs afnd dexterity ; they redouble their cries,
intimidatrng their enemies with mtnaces, and
Encouraging each other with a boaftful dif-
Jylaydf. their own brave anions. Thus being
comfe hietnd to hand, the conteft is foon de-
cided ; and the conquerors fatiate their favage
fiiiy with the iwoft mocking infults and bar-
trarttics to the dead, biting their flefh, tear-
ing the fc&lp from their heads, and wallow-
ing in their blood like wild beads, , ,,
. The fate of their prifoners is the moft fe-
vere of aH. During the greateft part of their
jdbrney homewards they fuffer no injury.
But when they arrive at the territories of th^
conqUfcfihg ftiaite, or at thofc of their allies,
tht J)eoj^lfc from every village meet them, and

think

8EttLEMENTS /// AMERICA. 19^

fkink they (hew their attachment to their
friends by their barbarous treatment of the
unhappy prifoners ; fb that when they come
to their ftation, they are wounded and bruif-
ed in a terrible manner. The conquerors en-
ter the town in triumph. The war captain
Waits upon the head men, and in a low voice
gives them a clrcumftantial account of every
particular of the expedition, of the damage
the enemy has fufFered, and his own lofles in
it. This done, 'he public orator relates the
whole to the people. Before they yield to the
joy which the vidtory occaiions, they lament
the friends which they have loft in the purfuit
of it. The parties moft nearly concerned are
afilidted apparently with a deep and real for-
TOWi But by one of thofe ftrange turns of
the human mind, fafliioned to any thing by
cuftom, as if they were difciplined in their
grief, upon the lignal for rejoicing, in a mo-
ment all teafs are wiped from their eyes, and
they rufli into an extravagance and phrenzy
of joy for their vidtory.

In the mean time the fate of the prifonera
remains undecided, until the old mtn meet,
and determine concerning the diftribution. It
is ufual to offer a flave to each houfe that has
loft a friend ^ giving the preference according
to the greatnefs of the lofs. The perfon who
has taken the captive attends him to the door
of the cottage to which he is delivered, and

o 2

With

: ''OH

196 An Account of the Europeak
\Vith him gives a belt ot wampum, to fheVV
that he has fulfilled the purpofe of the expe-
dition in fupplyiPg the lofs of a citizen. They
view the prefent whicllt is made them for
fome time, and according as they think him
or her, for it is the fame, prdper or improper
for the bufinefs of the family, or is they take
a capricious liking or difpleafure to the coun-
tenance of the vidlim, or in proportion to
their natural barbarity, or their refentment for
their loffcs, they deftine concerning him, to
receive him into the family, or fcntence him
to death. If the latter, they throw away the
belt with indignation. Then it is no longer
in the power of any one to favcf him. The
nation is afTembled as upon fome great folem-
nity. A fcaffold is raifed, and the prifoner
tied to the flake. Infiantly he opens his death
fong, and prepares for tne enfuing fcene of
cruelty with the moft undaunted courage. On
the other fide, they prepare to put it to the
utiiioft proof, vvith every torment, which the
mind of man ingenious in mifchief can in-
vent. They begin at the extremities of his
body, and gradually approach the trunk. One
plucks out his nails by the roots, one by one ^
another takes a finger into his mouth, anid
tears off the flefh with his teetk ; a third
thruAs the finger, mangled as it is, into the
bole of a pipe made red hot, which he
fmoaks like tobacco. Then they poynd his

i .*' . »

)'il

for
Ihim

Settlements in America, 197

toes and fingers to pieces between two flones 5
they cut circles about his joints, and gafhes in
the flefhy parts of his limbs, which they fear
immediately with red-hot irons, cutting and
fearing alternately j they pull off this flefh,
thus mangled and roafted, bit by bit, de-
vouring it with greedinefs, and fmearing their
faces with the blood, in an enthufiafm of hor-
ror and fury. When they have thus torn off
the flefli, they twift the bare nerves and ten-
ders about an iron, tearing and fnappii^g them ;
whilft others are employed in pulling a^id ex-
tending the limbs themfeives, in every way
that can increafe the torment. This conti-
nues often five or fix hours together. Then
they frequently unbind him to give a breath-
ing to their fury, to think what new torments
they fliall inflidt, and to refrefh the ftrength
of the fufferer, who wearied out with fuch a
variety of unheard-of torments, often falls
immediately into fo profound a fleep, that
they are obliged to apply the fire to awaken
him, and renew his fufferings.

He is again faflened to the flake, and again
they renew their cruelty ; they flick him all
over with fmall matches of a wood that eafily
takes fire, but burns flowly j they continu-
ally run fharp reeds into every part of his
body ; they drag out his teeth with pincers,
and thrufl out his eyes ; and laftly, after hav-
ing burned his Re(ti from the bpnes with flow

0 3 fir^sj

^ i\ -u

'SB

'• ;' .IB

'21 J

■

ft:

198 Jn Account of^be European

fires 5 after having fo mangled the body th^
is all but one wound ; after having mutilated
Jiis face in fuch a mannpr as to carry nothing
of human in it ; after having peeled the ikiif
from the head, and poured a heap of red-
hot coals, or boiling water on the naked ikull;
they once more unbind the wretch, who
blind and daggering with pain and weaknefs,
aflaulted and pelted upon every fide with
dubs and flones, now up, now down, fall-
ing into their fires at every ftep, runs hither
and thither, until fome of the chifefs, whe-
ther out of compaflion, or weary of cruelty,
puts an end to his life with a club or a dag-
ger. The body is then put into the kettle,
and this barbarous employment is fucceeded

by a feail as barbarous. * - * '-^ ' -

The women, forgetting the human as well
as the female nature, and transformed intp
fomething worfe than furies, adt their parts,
tand even outdo the men in this fcetie of hor-
ror. The principal perfons of tfbe country
iit round the ftake fmoaking and looking on
iwithout the leafi: emotion. What is moft ex-
traordinary, the fufFerer himfelf, in the little
intervals of his torments, fmoaks too, appearg
tmconcerncd, and converfes with his tortur-
ers about indifferent matters. Indeed, during
the whole time of his execution, there feems
a conteft between hijn and them which ihall
ifxpeed, they in inflid?ing the moft horrid

SETTtEMEKTs /« America. 199

oains, or he in enduring them with » firtp-
ncft and conftancy almoft above human. Not
a gro^n, not a figh, not a diftortion of coun-
tenance efcapes him ; he poflefTes his mind
entirely in the midft of his torments ; he re-
counts his own exploits, he informs thenx
what cruelties he has inflidted upon their
countrymen, and threatens them with the
revenge that will attend his death ; and tho*
|iis reproaches exafperate them to a perfedk
madnefs of rage and fury, he continues his
reproaches even of their ignorance in the art
of tormenting, pointing out himfelf more ex-
quifite methods, and more fenfible parts of
the body to be afflicted. The women have
^bis p;irt of courage as well as the men ^ and
it is as rare for any Indian to behave other-
>vife, as it would be for an European to fuffer
as an Indian. ;, .^ -v • . i ,

. I do not dwell upon thefe circumftances of
cruelty, which fo degrade human nature, out
of choice ; but as all who mention the cu-^
ftoms pf this people have infifted upon their
behaviour in this refpcdt very particularly,
and as it feems neceffary to give a true idea
of their character, I did not chufe to omit
it. It ferves to fliew too, in the ftrongeft
light, to what an inconceiveable degree of
barbarity the paffions of men let loofe will
carry them. It will point out to us the ad-
yaQta|;es of a religion that teaches a gompaf-
^ . O 4 " fion

T^f^r

too An Account of the EuROP^Aft

(ion to our enemies, which is neither known
nor pradifed in other religions ; and it will
make us more feniible than Tome appear to
be, of the value of cgmmprce, the arts of a
civilized life, and the lights of literatu^-e \
which, if they have abated the force bf ibmc
pi th? natural virtues by the luxury which
littends them, have taken out likewife the
fting of our natural vices, and foftencd the
ferocity of the human race without enervat-
ing their courage. v r ^ ^ ^ : , i ; ^7

On the other hand, the conftancy of the
fufferers in this terrible fccne (hews the won-
derful power of an early inflitution, and a fe-
jrocious third of glory, which makes men
imitate and e^fceed what philofophy, or even
religion can eflfe£t.

The prifoners who have the happinefs to
pleafe tbofe to whom they arc offered, have a
fortune altogether oppofite to that of thofe
who arc condemned. They are adopted into
the family, they are accepted in the placp
pf the father, fbn, or hufband that is ibfl ;
and they have no other mark of their capti-
vity, but tliat they are not fuffered to return
to their owo nation. To attempt this would
)e certain death. The principal purpofe of
the war is to recruit in this manner \ fo^
which reafon a general ^ho lofes manv of
his men, though he fhould conquer, is little
better than difgraced ^t home 5 becaufe the
4"'( ' ' ^ ' ■ ' "^ end

• , ■- te.

Settlements in Ameri,ca, aori

end of the war was not anfwercd. They
arc thcrfcfore extremely careful of their men,
and never diufe to attack but with a very
undoubted fuperiority, either in number or
fituation•"^ i*^ ''■^^' :'■ "i "' •'"- • .-i-- -^i*^^<t<>>i

The fealps which they value (6 much are
the trophies of their bravery j v^rith Ael^
they adorn their houfes, which arc eAeemed
in proportion as this fori of fpoils is more nu-*
perous. They have folemn days appointed,
upon which the ypung men gain a new name
or title of honour froin their head men ; and
thefe titles are given according to the quali-
ties of the perfon, and his performances ; of
which thefe fealps are the evidence. This i$
all the reward they receive for the dangers
of the war, and the fatigues of manv cam-
paigns, fevere almoft beyond credit. They
think it abundantly fufficient to have a name
given by their governors j men of merit them-
felves, and juf'ges of it ; a name refpedled by
their countrymen, and terrible to their ene-
mies. There are many other things fit to
(engage the curiofity, and even afford matter
of inflrujSlive refledlion, in the manners of
this barbarous people 5 but thefe feem to be
the mod ftriking, and fitteft to be infifted
pn in a work which is to give a general idea
of America. The prefent fettlements, their
commerce and produdtions, ought to be al-
lowed thpir proper roon^. In which I pro-

pofc

20Z ;i^ Account of tie EvKoHAi^
pofe to treat, firft of the Spanifli colonies,
as the iirft difcovered and largeft object, and
that in which the reft of Europe> though cx^
eluded, is the moft concerned. The Portu-^
guefe, as neareft in place and rank, iball b^
fecond. The French fhall next be confi-
dered. The Engliih {hall be reserved to th^
h&i 4S the moft important to onjrfelvcs, ^^^

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a. . -••u- .^.u./Jl^i'£.'

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:.. :t

SjBTtiEMElJTs irf Amcrica. 263

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£ P A N I S H A M E R I C A.

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CHAP. I.

.•■..4

A general defcriftkn of America.

I • ri , > / T.'

^if-: sJ-i^iTi'^ViTi'

HAVING ddfcribcd with as much con^
cifenefs 2d the falbjedl would bear, the
manners of the origind inhabitants of Ame-
tica, as we had before that related the moil
Remarkable adventures of its diii;x)verers and
^conquerors ; it will he neceiTary to view
more minutely, what and bow advantageoujj
^ country tbefe conquells and difcoveries have
;added to the world j and what arc the views,
interefts, and characters of thofe, who at
prcfcnt poSefs the grcatcft part of th^ cx-
tenfivc regron.

America extends from the North Pole to
^he Sfty-fevcnth degree of South latitude ; it

204 -^^ Account of the European
Is upwards of eight thoufand miles in length \
it fees both hemifpheres % it has two fummer^
and a double winter ; it enjoys all the varie^
of climates which the earth affords ; it is
waflied by the two greateft oceans. To the
Eaftward it has the Atlantic ocean, which
divides it from Europe and Africa. To the
Weft it has another ocean, the great South-
Sea, by which it is disjoined from Afia, By
thefe feas it may, and does carry on a direct
commerce with the other three parts of the
world. It is compofed of two vaft continents,
one on the North, the other upon the South,
which are joined by the great kingdom of
Mexico, which forms a fort of iftljmus fifr
teen hundred miles long, and in one part, at
Darien, fo extremely narrow, as to make the
communication between the two oceans by no
means difficult. In the great gulph, which is
formed between this ifthmus and the North-
ern and Southern continents, lie an infinite
jnultitude of iHands, many of them large,
moft of them fertile, and capable of being
cultivated to very great advantage.

America in general is not a mountainous
country, yet it has the greateft mountains in
the world. The Andes, or Cordilleras, run
from North to South along the coaft of the
Pacific ocean. Though for the moft part
within the torrid zone, they are perpetually
ipoyered with fnow, an4 jn their bowpls con-
tain

1»;i

Settlements in America, zo?

tain inexhauftible treafures. In the province
6f St. Martha in South Atnerica are likewife
very great mountains, v^rhich comnaunicate
with the former. In North America we
know of none confiderable, but that long
ridge which lies to the back of our fettle*
ments, which we call the Apalachian, or Al-
legeney mountains ; if that may be at all con-
fiqered as a mountain, which upon one fide
indeed has a very great declivity, but upon
the other is nearly on a level with the reft of
the country. ' ,

Without comparifon, America is that part
of the world which is the beft watered ; and
that not only for the fupport of life, but for
the convenience of trade, and the intercourfe
of each part with the others. In North
America the great river Miflilippi riling from
unknown fources, runs an immenfe courfe
from North to South, and receives the vaft
tribute of the Ohio, the Ouabache, and other
immenfe rivers, fcarcely to be poftponed to
the Rhine or the Danube, navigable almoft
to their very fources, and laying open the in-
moft receifes of this continent. Near the
heads of thefe are five great lakes, or rather
feas of frefh water communicating with each
other, and all communicating with the ocean
by the river St. Laurence, which paffes through
them. Thefe afford fuch an inlet for com-
merce ^as muft produce the greateft advan-
' ■ ■ ^^ ■ '-' ' ■-■^ tages.

i«-* .«'>'»-

5r' -^^

I'"

,*i.

206 j^ AccotJNT oftif^ EtrkdPEAJ/

tages, whenever the country adjacent (haW
come to be fully inhabited, and by an in^
duftrious and civili5:ed people. The Eafkrn
fide of North America, which is our portion ^
belides the noble rivers Hudfon, Delaware,
Sufquehanna, Patowmack, fupplies feveral
others of great depth, length, and commo-
dious navigation. Many parts of our fettle-
ments are fo interfedted with navigable rivers
and creeks, that the planters may be faid,
without exaggeration, to have each a harbour
at his own door.

South America is, if poffible, in this re*
fped:, even more fortunate. It fupplies much
the two largeft rivers in the worid, the river
of Amazons, and the Rio de la Plata. The
firft rifing in Peru, not far from the South-
Sea, paffes from Weft to Eaft, almoft quite
through the continent of South America, na-
vigable for fon:ie fort or other of veflels all the
way, and receiving into its bofom a prodigi--
ous number of rivers, all navigable in the
fame manner, and fo great, that Monfieur
Condamine found it often almofl impoffible
to determine which was the main channel.
The Rio de la Plata rifing in the heart of the
country, fhapes its courfe to the South- Eaft,
and pours fuch an immenfe flood into the
fea, that it makes it tafte frefh a great many
leagues from the (hore j to fay nothing of the
Oronoquo, which might rank the foremoft

amongfl

Settlements in America^ 207

amongft any but the American rivers. The
foil and produds in fuch a variety of climates,
cannot (atisfadlorily be treated of in a general
defcription ; we jfhall in their places coniider
them particularly.

All America is in the hands of four na-
tions. The Spaniarcjs, who, as they firft dif-
covered it, have the largeft and richefl ihare.
All that part of North Americ , which com-
pofes the ifthmus of Mexico, and what lies
beyond that towards the river Miffifippi on
the Eaft, the Pacific ocean to the Weft and
North- Weft 5 and they pofTefs all South Ame-
rica, excepting Brafil, which lies between
the mouth of the river of Amazons and that
of Plata along the Atlantic ocean 5 this be-
longs to Portugal. That part of North Ame-
rica which the Spaniards have not, is divided
between the Englifli and French. The En-
glifti have all the countries which incircle
Hudfon's Bay, and thence in a line all along
the Eaftern ftiore to the thirtieth degree of
North latitude. France claims the country
which lies between this and the Spanifti fet-
tlements to the Weft, and fecures an intcr-
courfe with them by the mouths of the Mif-
fifippi, the Mobile, and of the river St. Lau-
rence, which are the only avenues of navi^
gation to this very extenfive country. The
multitude of iflands which lie between the
two continents, arp divided amongft the Spa-
niards,

2o8 An Account of the EuRoPEiSN

niards, French, and Englifli. The Dutch
poiTefs three or four fmall iflands, which, in
any other handsy would be of no confequence.
The Danes have one or two, but they hardly
deferve to be hained amongft the proprietors
of America. ',. ,

', : , G H A P. it

^ht climate and foil of New Spain. Animals*
' Its vegetable produce^

THE order which I intend to obferve
in treating of the Spanifli colonies is,
after having fet forth their fituation, their cli-
mate, and t&e nature of their foil, todefcribe
thofc conimodities in which they trade j to
give a clear and cohcife account of their me-
thod of manufa(fluring them y and then to
lay open the manner of their deling in them,
as well as that by which they carry on their
foreign commerce. Lafi of all I (hall fay
fomething of the genius and temper of the
itihabitants ; of fuch cuftoms of theirs as are
remarkable, and of their civil policy, and of
their military, fo far as they arc come to my
knowledge, or as they are worthy the atten-
tion of the reader. The exaft divifion of the
provinces, the courfes of the rivers, the di-
llances of places, the dimenfions of harbours
and their foundings j all thefe, as they are in-
t finitrfy

•.UHtVH)****

'T?^

"wr

Settlements /« America. 209
finitely better known from maps and charts,
fo it would be impertinent and tedious to fill
up this fliort work with them, which pro-
pofes to give, even fliort as it is, a defcription
of every thing that may tend to a juft notion
of America ; and therefore cannot facrifice
matters of more moment to the defcription
of things, of which a far better idea may be
acquired by other means to thofe whom they
concern j and to thofe whom they do not in-
tereft, who are by far the majority, muft be
tedious and uninftrudtive.

The firft country which the Spaniards fet-
tled upon the continent of America was
Mexico ; and it ft'll continues their principal
Settlement, whether we confider its number
of inhabitants, its natural wealth, or its ex-
tended traffic. As it lies for the moft part
within the torrid zone, it is exceffively hot ;
and on the Eaftern coaft, where the land is
low, marfliy, and conftantly flooded in the
rainy {eafons, it is like wife extremely un-
wholfome; neither is that coaft pleafant in
any refped: ; incumber'd for the moft part
with almoft impenetrable woods of man-
grove trees, of a bare and difagreeable afpedt,
and which extend into the water for a con-
llderable way. The inland country aflumes
a mpre agreeable afped:, and the air is of a
better temperament ; here the tropical fruits
grow in great abundance j the land is of a

Vol. I. P good

.'¥'

210 An Account of the European

good variety, and would not refufe any fort of
grain, if the number or induftry of the in-
habitants were any way proportioned to the
goodnefs of the foil. But on the Weftern
fide the land is not fo low as on the Eaftern,
much better in quality, and full of plantations.
It is probable the Spaniards chufe to leave
the Eaftern coaft In its prefent ftate of rudc-
nefs and defolation, judging that a rugged and
unwholfome frontier is a better defence againft
an European enemy, than fortifications and
armies, to be maintained at a vaft expence ;
or than the Arength of the inhabitants, made
by the climate effeminate and pufillanimous,
and kept fo by policy : and indeed it would
be next to impoffible to make any confider-
able eflabliihment on that coaft, that could
cffedtually anfwer the purpofes of any power
in Europe, without ftruggfing with the great-
eft difficulties ; and as for a fudden invafion,
the nature of the country itfelf is a good for-
tification. In general, few countries under
the fame afped: of the heavens, enjoy more
of the benefits of nature, and the neceffaries
of life ; but, like all the tropical countries,
it rather is more abundant in fruits than in
grain. Pine apples, pomegranates, oranges^
lemons, citrons, figs, and cocoa nuts, are here
in the greateft plenty and perfection. Vines
and apples require temperate climateSr

- The

"ne'-'^.w^

Settlemknts in America. 2it

The number of iheir horned cattle Is in a
manner infinite ; fome private perfons are faid
to have pofle^ed for^ thoufand head ; many
are wild, and a very coniiderable trade is
driven in their hides and tallow, but the ex-
treme heat prevents their turning the fle(h to
any account in commerce. Swine are equally
numerous, and their lard is much in requeil
all over this country, where it is ufcd inftead
of butter. Sheep are numerous in Mexico,
but I do not find that wool is an article of any
great confideration in their trade ; nor is it
probable that it is of a good kind, as it is
fcarce ever found ufeful between the tropics,
where it is hairy and fhort, except only in
Peru 5 and that is the produce . of fheep of a
fpecies very different from that in the reft of
America ; as Peru is itfelf remarkably diffe-
rent in climate from all other countries under
the torrid zone. But cotton is here very good,
and in great plenty. It is manufadtured large-
ly, for as it is a light wear, fuitable to the cli-
mate, and all other cloathing being extrava-
gandy dear, it is the general wear of the in*
habitants ; the woollens and linens of Europe
being rather luxuries, and worn only by per-
fons of fome condition. Some provinces pro-
duce filk, but not in that abundance or pcr-
fedlion to make a remarkable part of their
export ; not but that the country is very fit for
that, and many other things valuable, which

P 2 arc

■m

212 An Account of the European

are but little cultivated ; for the gold and fil-
ver, which makes the glory of this country,
and in the abundant trcafures of which it ex-
ceeds all the world, engages iilmoil the whole
attention of the inhabitants, as it is almoft
the only thing for which the Spaniards value
their colonies, and what alone receives the
encourJigement of the court 5 therefore I fhall
iniift moil largely upon thefe articles. After
that I (hall fpeak of thofe commodities, which
are produced here of moft importance in fo-
reign commerce, and reft upon them in pro-
portioa to their importance. Thefe are cochi-
neal, indigo, and cacao, of which chocolate
is made. As for fugar and tobacco, and in-
digo, though no part of the world produces
better than Mexico j and as for logwood,
though it be in a' manner peculiar to this
country ; yet as the firft is largely raifed and
manufactured elfewhere, and as our. own
commerce in the two laft is what chiefly in-
tcrefts an Englifli reader, I fliall referve them
to be treated of ^.^ the divifion I allot to the
Englifli colonies.

' ■, f

! ■.

CHAP.

Settlements in America. 213

CHAP. III.

7he gold and filver mines, ne manner of pu^
rtfying tbofe metals. Some thoughts on the
generation of metals. Of the quantity ofthofe
metals produced in the Spanijh Weft-Indies.

IT is not known with certainty, whether
all, or fome provinces only of New Spain,
produce mines of gold and filver. It is, how-
e»er, allowed that the chief mines of gold
are in Veragua and New Granada, confining
upon Darien and Terra Firma. Thofe of
filver, which are much more rich as well as
numerous, are found in feveral parts, but in
none fo much as in the province of Mexico.
But all the mines, whether of gold or filver,
are generally found in the mountainous and
barren pjirts ; nature often making amends
one way for her failures in another.

Gold is found either in the fand of rivers,
native, and in fmall grains, or it is dug out of
the earth in the fame condition in fmall bits,
almoft wholly metallic, and of a tolerable
purity; or it is found like the ore of other
metals in an aggregate opaque mafs, in a
mixture of earth, ftone fulphur, and other
metals. In this ftate it is of all colours,
red, white, blackifh, and making little or no
oftentation of the riches it contains. Some-

P 3 timQS

214 -^^ Account of the Europipan
times it forms part of the ornament of fomc
beautiful ftones, which are of various lively
colours, interfered with filan[ients of this
metal, quite nat'>;c. Lapis lazuli is one of
thefe, which has always fome fm^U portions
of gold; but this golden ftrcaking is often
extremely fallacious, and has betrayed many
into ruinous expences ; for in iev^ral ftones
thefe fine veins have been nothing more than
marcafite : however, fuch marcafites or firc-
ilones are found in mines, which conts^in real
gold. But gold, ho\yfoev^r foun^, whether
native, or in what is called the ore, is feldom
or never without a mixture of other pietals,
generally filver or copper.

The gold mines, though they contain the
rlcheft of all metals, it is remarkable moil
frequently difappoint the hopes, and ruin the
fortunes of thofe who engage in them \ the'
neither the labouring of the mine, nor the
purifying the metal, is attended with fuch an
expence as what thofe are obliged to, who
"Vvork mines of the inferior metals. For the
vein is, of all others, the moft unequal ;
iometimes very large, full, and rich j then it
often decays by a quick gradation, and is
fometimes fuddenly loft. But the ends of th?
veins are. on the other hand, often extremely
rich J they arc called the purfe of the vein 5
and when the miner is fo happy as to light

:^£L . -> ■■■ : ■ ,■ . ••'ip

Settlements /« America.' 215

Oft one of thefe purfes, his fortune is made
immediately. ;

When the ore is dug out, the moft ufual
method is to break it to pieces in a mill, ex-
a^ly refembling thofe large ones we ufe for
grinding apples, wherein a mill-ftone fet on
end is made to turn in a circular channel of
ftone. When the ore is thus broke, and the
gold fomewhat feparated from the impure
mafs, they add to the whole a quantity of
quickfilver. Quickfilver has, of all other bo-
dies, the greateft attradion with gold, which
therefore immediately breaks the links which
held it to the former earth, and clings clofe
to this congenial fubftance. Then a rapid
ftream of water is let into the channel, which
fcouring away (through a hole made for the
purpofe) the lighter earth, by the brifknefs of
Its current, leaves the gold and mercury pre-
cipitated by its weight at the bottom. This
amalgama, or pafte, is put into a linen cloth,
and fqueezed fo as to make the quickfilver
feparate and run out. To compleat this repa-
ration, it is neceflary to fufe tne metal, and
then all the mercury flies off in fumes.

But in many parts of Spanifli America, ano-
ther way of getting and purifying gold is
pradtifed. When by fure tokens they know
that gold lies in the bed of a rivulet, they
turn the current into the inward angles, which
time and the ftream have formed ^j whilft this

P 4 runs.

2i6 An Account of the European

runs, they dig and turn up the earth to make
it the more eafily diffolved and carried ofF,
When the furface is thus compleatly wafhed
away, and they are come to a fort of ftifF
earth, which is the receptacle of gold, they
return the ftream into its former channel,
and dig up the earth as they find it, which
they carry to a little bafon fomewhat in the
form of a fmith's bellows. Into this they
turn a fmall but lively ftream to carry off the
foreign matter, whilft they facilitate the ope-
r?tion by ftirring the mafs with an iron hook,
which diflblves the earth, and gathers up the
ilones, which are carefully thrown out that
they may not interrupt the paffages that carry
off the earth. By this means the gold loof-
ened from the grofs matter, which adhered
to it, falls to the bottom, but mixed fo inti-
mately with a black heavy fand, that none of
the gold can be perceived, unlefs it happens
to be a pretty large grain. To feparate it
from this fand, it is put into a fort of wooden
platter, with a little hollow of about the depth
of half an inch at bottom. This platter they
fill with water, and turning the mafs about
brifkly with their hands for fome time, the
fand pafTes over the edges, and leaves the gold
in fmall grains, pure, and of its genuine co-
lour, in the hollow at the bottom. Thus is
gold refined without fire or mercury, merely
by wafting. The places where this is per-
formed

Settlements/;; America.' 2"*/
formed arc called therefore Lavaderos by the
Spaniards. There are many more method?
of extradting and purifying this precious me-
tal > but thefe ar^ the moft common ways
ufftd by Spaniards in their Indies.

Silver is the metal next in rank, but firft in
confequence in th<5 Spanifli traffic, as their
mines yield a much greater quantity of the
latter than of the former. It is found in the
earth under different forms, as indeed the ore
of all metals is* Such is the diverfity of ores
in this refpedt, that nothing but a long ex-
perience in this particular branch can oxadtly
afcertain the fpecies of the metsti, which al-
moft any ore contains at firft view. I have
feen fpecimens wherein the filver, almoft pure,
twined itfelf about a white flone, penetrating
into the interftices in the fame manner that
the roots of trees enter into the rocks, and
twift themfelves about them. Some are of an
a(h-coloured appearance, others fpotted of a
red and blue, fome of changeable colours,
and many almoft black, affeding fomewhat
of a pointed regular form like cryftals. I
cannot find that it is ever found in grains or
fand, native, as gold is. -^^ *» ' -^ ^ ' -

The manner of refining filver does not dif-
fer eflTentially from the procefs which is em-
ployed for gold. They are both purified up-
on the fame principle ; by clearing away as
much of the earth as can be, with water ; by

uniting,

a |8 An Account ef the European

uniting, or amalgamating it with mercaryi
and afterwards by clearing off the mercury it-
felfy by draining and evaporation. But the
management of filver in this refp^di is much
more difficult than that of gold ; becaufe this
metal is much more intimately united with
the foreign matters with which it is found in
the mine \ and its attrad^ion with mercury is
much weaker $ therefore there is great care
taken in the amalgamation, and it is a long
time before they are perfeftly mixed. A
quantity of fea-falt is likewife added. No
filver is had by mere wafhing.

The chymifts have talked very freely of the
produdtion of thefe and other metals in the
earth ; of the fait, fulphur, and mercury that
compofe them, and the manner in which thefe
fubftances are united and changed fo as to
form metals and minerals of every fpecies,
Some have recourfe to the fun as the great
agent in fhis procefs, efpecially in gold and
filver, as the moft worthy fuch an operator.
Others call in the aid of fubterraneous fires
and central heat. But in reality they have ad-
vanced very little that is fatisfadtoty upon this
fubjedt. They have never by any method of
joining the matters, which they have affigned
as the conftituent parts of metals, in any
proportions whatfoever ; nor by any degrees
of their great agent fire, been able to make
metal of that which was not metal before.

Neither

■ IWiL.ll H|IUPIII|11ll.

•W^

It-
he
bch

Settlements in America. 219

Neither have they found what they allot as
the component parts of all metals in fuch a
manner in all, as to enable them to £x any
common principle for their generation. Some
they cannot aualyfe by any art, as gold j they
indeed define it a compofition of a very fub-
file mercury, and a fulphur as fubtile.

But how this comes to be known, when
np procefs hitherto difcovered, has been able
to extradt either of thefe from gold, they
who have advanced fuch things ought to
tell. It is reafonable to believe, that there is
fome plaftic principle in nature, perhaps
fomething analogous to the feminal principle
in plants and animals, whatever that is,
which does not, as we know, refcmble any
known body, nor is compofed of any com-
bination of known bodies ; but powerful of
itfelf to combine and vary fuch a part of the
common flock of matter as it is fitted to
operate upon, which it draws to itfelf, and
caufes to form an animal, or a plant, or a mi>
neral, or metal, of this or that nature, ac-
cording to the original nature of the feed.
Suppofe a plant fubjedted to all the torture of
the chymical queflion : you find it contains
various matters $ an earth, water, oil, fait,
fpirit, and in the three laft perhaps fome-
thing fpecific, and differing from other plants.
But neither the fame quantities of fimilar
patter, nor thefe very matters thcmfelves, can

ever

- ''i'\'

220 An Account of the European

ever come to form a plant like the original, or
any thing like a plant at all, becaufe the fe-
minal virtue is wanting, nor is it perhaps
difcoverable. And as for the other matters,
they are the inert parts of the plant j with-
out power themfelves, they are the materials
with which, and on which the fcminal virtue
afts, to organize the mafs, to fpread the bran-
ches, to (hoot out the gems, to mature the
fruit, and in fhort to perform all the func-
tions of a complete plant. The fame may be
faid of animals. And why not of minerals,
though of a lefs nice organization ? Why
ihould they not have the feminal principle too,
which operating by its own power, and in a
way of its own, upon the elements of air,
earth, water, oil, and fait, is capable of pro-
ducing iron, copper, gold, lilver, and other
metals. The want of this will always hin-
der us from being able to produce any metal
from other tlian metalline ingredients, though
we fhould take fuch things as refemble the
ingredients they yield upon an analyfis, and
in the fame quantities in which we find them.
This I do not fay as favouring the notion that
ftones and metals vegetate exadlly like plants.
That thefe are often found where they had
formerly been exhaufted, and that they are
known to extend their dimenfions, is pretty
certain ; but that they affimilate the hetero-
geneous matter which increafes their bulk,

fH',,-- iffs^."' '!»W'' *■■ ' •'•1?'

or
fe.
ips
Jrs,
h-
als
tue
m-
he
ic-
be

Settlements in America. 221

in a manner analogous to plants, I cannot
venture to propofc. It muft be allowed that
filver has been found, and I have fo fecn it,
extending itfelf among the inter ftices of ftones,
not unlike ivy and other parafite plants ; yet
as a metal no way differing from it, or at all
inferior, is extradied from ores, which have
an appearance altogether different, and which
too is the ufual way, it is probable the man-
ner in which they grow is not the fame.

What I had to fay of gold and filver, as
both are found, and the latter in vafl quanti-
ties, in Mexico, I thought it proper, for the
fake of avoiding repetitions, to bring them
under this head, though all the refl of the
Spanifh territories produce largely of both.

Of the plenty of gold and filver, which
the mines of Mexico afford, great things have
been faid, and with juflice ; as this, with
the other Spanifh colonies in America, in a
manner furnifh the whole world with filver 5
and bear a great proportion in gold to the
whole of what the world produces. A late
very judicious coUedtor of voyages fays, that
the revenues of Mexico can hardly fall fhort
of twenty-foui millions of our money. He
founds this upon a return made by the bifhops
of their tenths, which, without doubt, were
not over-rated ; and that thefe amounted to
one million and a half flerling j that thefe are
about a fourth of the revenues of the clergy ;

and

2ii Ah AcCOtlilT of /i&^ feuROPfiAN

iand that the eftates of the clergy are about the
fourth part of the whole revenues of the
kingdom, which at this rate amount to twen-
ty-four millions Engliih. He takes another
method of computing the w"ealth df this pro-
vince, which is, by the fifth paid to the king
of th6 gold and filver dug out of their mines.
This he obferves in the year 1730 amounted
to one million of marks in filver, each m?rk
equivalent to eight ounces ; fo that if we
compute this filver at five {hillings per ounce,
then the inhabitants receive froni their mines
ten millions in mohey. What a prodigious
idea muft this calculation give us of the united
product of all the American mines ? How
inuch muft be allowed in this account for the
exaggeration of travellers, and the oftentation
of Spaniards, I will not pretend to determine.
The plate circulated in trade, or lying dead
as the ornament of churches and houfes,
though a great deal is undoubtedly employed
in all thefe ways, did not feem to me to juf-
tify fo vaft a computation 5 but as the gentle-
man who has confidered this point with un-
common attention is of another opinion, I
wave any further obfervation upon it.

'I- V

f f

, t

CHAP.

fpgtnrn-mm.n i-HJ

•r^m'

Settlements in America. I2j

CHAP. IV.

Of cochineal and cacao,

COCHINEAL, the next commodity for
value which they export, is ufed in dye*
ing all the feveral kinds of the fineft fcarlet,
crimfon, and purple. After much difpute
about the nature of this curious drug, it feems
at laft agreed, that it is of the animal kind ;
an infed of the fpecies of the gall infedis.
This animal is found adhering to various
plants, but there is only one which commu-
nicates to it the qualities which make it va«
luable in medicine and manufadtures. This
plant is called opuntia by the botanifls. It
confifts wholly of thick fucculent oval leaves,
joined end to end, and fpreading or.t on the
fides in various ramifications. Th^j flower is
large, and the fruit in fhape refembling a fig;
this fruit is full of a crimfon juice, and to this
juice it is that the cochineal infedt owes its
colour.

When the rainy feafons come on, they
who cultivate this plant, cut off thofe heads
which abound mofl with fuch infedts» as are
not yet at their full growth; and prefervc
them very carefully from the weather and all
other injuries. Thefe branches, though fepa-
latcd from their parent flocks, preferve their

frefhnefs

224 -^ AccouKT of the European
frefhricfs and juices a long time 5 and this en<«
ables the infedt not only to live out the rains,
but to grow to its full fize, and be in readinefs
to bring forth its young, as foon as the incle-
mency of the feafon is over. When this
time comes on, they are brought out, and
placed upon the proper plants, difpofed in
little nefts of fome mofly fubftance. As foon
as they feel the enlivening influence of the
frefti air, they bring forth in three or four
days from their expofure at farthefl. The
young fcarce bigger than a mite, runs about
with a wonderful celerity, and the whole plan-
tation is immediately peopled ; yet what is
fomewhat fingular, this animal, fo lively in
its infancy, quickly lofes all its adtivity, and
attaching itfelf to fome of the lead expofed,
and moft fucculent part of the leaf, it clings
there for life, without ever moving, not wound-
ing the leaf for its fuftenance, but fucking
with a probofcis, with which it is furniihed
for this purpofe.

What is not lefs remarkable than the way
of life of this animal, is the nature of the
male, which has no appearance of belonging
to the fame fpecies j far from being fixed to a
fpot, he has wings, and is, like the butterfly,
continually in motion ; they are fmaller than
the cochineal, and conflantly feen amongfi
them, and walking over them without being
fufpeded by thofc who take care of the infed,

Settlements in AMERtcA^ 225

of being a creature of the fame kind, though
they believe that the cochineals are impreg-
nated by them. But it is the female cochi-»
neal only which is gathered for ufe.

They make four gatherings a year, which
are fo many generations of this animal. When
they are fufficiently careful, they brufh off the
irife(fls one by one with a fort of hair pencils,
and take them as they fall ; but they often
brufh the whole plant in a carelefs manner,
fo that fragments of it are mixed with the
cochineals, and themfelves mixed, the old
and young together, which carelefsnefs abates
much of the value j but what chiefly makes
the goodnefs of this commodity, is the man-
ner of killing and drying the cochineals, which
is performed three ways ; the firft is by dip-
ping the bafket in which it is gathered into
boiling water, and afterwards drying them in
the fun, this the Spaniards call renegrida.
The fecond method is by drying them in
ovens made for the purpofe 5 this, from its
grey colour, veined with purple, is called
jafpeade. The third manner is, when the
Indians dry them on their cakes of maize,
which are baked upon flat fl:ones ; this lafl: is
the worfl: kind, as it is generally overbaked,
and fomething burned. They call it negra.

This drug has a very uncommon good
quality, and the more extraordinary as it be-
longs to the animal kingdom, and to the mod

Vol. I. Q^ ' periih-

'■§!

f» ii iji

226 An AccouNf of the EuRot»''AM

perirtiable of that kind, that it ntvcr decays.
Without any other care than having been put
by in a box, fonie have been known to keep
fixty, fome even upwards of a hundred years,
and as fit for the purpofes of medicine, or
manufadure, as evcr^ it was. It is ufed in
medicine as a cordial and fudorific, in which
intentions few things anfwer better. And
indeed as it anfwers fuch good purpofes in
medicine, is fo efTential in trade, and pro-
duced only in this country, it may be confi-
dcred in all markets as equivalent to gold or
filver, by the certainty and quicknefs of the
fale. It is computed they annually export no
Icfs than nine hundred thoufand pound weight
of this commodity.

The cocao, or cacao of which chocolate is
ipade, is a confiderable article in the natural
hiftory and commerce of New Spain. It
grows upon a tree of a middling iize j the
wood is fpungy and porous, the bark fniooth,
and of a cinamon colour : the flower grows
in bunches between the flalk and the wood,
of the form of rofes, but fmall, and without
any fcent. The fruit is a fort of pod, which
contains the cacao, much about the fize and
fliapc of a cucumber. Within there is a pulp
of a moil refrcfhing acid tafle, which fills up
the int^rftices between the nuts before they
are ripe; but when they fully ripen, thefe
nuts are pa^ck^d up wonderfully clofe, and in

a mpft

*fH»,*,'W f iif W ^111 I

Settlements in America. 227

a moft regular and elegant order 5 they have
a pretty tough (hell, and within is the oily
rich fubftance, of which chocolate is made.
This fruit grows differently from our Euro-
pean fruits, which always hang upon the
fmall branches 5 but this grows along the
body of the great ones, principally at the
joints. None are found upon the fmall, which,
though it is a manner of vegetation unknown
here, prevails in feveral other plants within
the tropics. This cacao is a very tender tree,
equally impatient of the wind, heat or cold,
and will flourifh only in the (hade ; for which
reafon in the cacao walks, they always plant
a palm-tree for every one of cacao. I need
fay little of the ufe of this fruit ; it is gene-
ral amon ^(t ourfelves, and its virtues well
known ; but however great the external call
for it may be, the internal confumption is
much greater 5 fo that in Mexico and Terra
Firma, in fome provinces of which latter it
is found in the greateft perfedtion, their fo-
reign and domeftic commerce in this article
is immenfe, and the profits fo great, that a
fmall garden of the cacaos is faid to produce
twenty thoufand crowns a year. Though I
believe this to be exaggerated, it (hews, how-
ever, in what a light of profit this commo-
dity is confidered. At home it makes the
principal part of their diet, and is found whol-
ibme, nutritious, and fuitablc to the climate.

0^2 This

m
Pi!.'

228 Jn Account of the European
This fruit is often confounded with the cocoa
nut, which is a fpecies wholly different.

CHAP. V.

ne trade of Mexico, Some account of that city,
. The fairs of Acapulco^ and La Vera Cruz^
The fota and regijler Jhips.

THE trade of Mexico may be confidered
as confiding of three great branches,
by which it communicates with the whole
world ; the trade with Europe by La Vera
Cruz 5 the trade with the Eaft-Indies by Aca-
pulco 5 and the commerce of the South- Sea
by the fame port. The places in New Spain,
which can intereft a ftranger, are therefore
three only, La Vera Cruz, Acapulco, and
Mexico.

Mexico, the capital of the kingdom, the
refidence of the viceroy, the feat of the fir ft
audience or chamber of juftice, and an arch-
bifhopric, is certainly one of the richelt and
moft fplendid cities, not only in America, but
in the whole world. Though no fea-porl
town, nor communicating with the fea by
any navigable river, it has a prodigious com-
merce, and is itfelf the center of all that is
carried on Ijctween America and Europe on
one hand, "^^nd between America and the

iEaft-Indies on the other ; for here the prin-

....•« — -. *,i

. * r '^^ ~ . cipal

'mi".

"■?rr:K"!V?^7!Rr-'ra57*^^X^v'

'TT'?'"Tr!'w»7r^

i-y^

Settlements in America. 229

cipal merchants refide, the greateft part of the
bufinefs is negociated, and the goods that pafs
from Acapulco to La Vera Cruz, or from
La Vera Cruz to Acapulco, for the ufe of the
Philippines, and in a great meafurc for the
ufe of Peru and Lima, all pafs through this
city, and employ an incredible number of
horfes and mules in the carriage. Hither all
the gold and filver comes to be coined, here
the king's fifth is depofited, and here is
wrought all that immenfe quantity of utenfils
and ornaments in plate, which is every year
fent into Europe. Every thing here has the
greateft air of magnificence and wealth ; the
fhops glitter upon all fides with^ the expofurc
of gold, filver, and jewels, and furprize yet
more by the work of the imagination upon
the treafures which fill great chefts piled up
to the ceilings, whilft they wait the time of
being fent to Old Spain. It is faid that the
negro wenches, who run by the coaches of the
ladies there, wear bracelets of gold, pearl
necklaces, and jewels in their ears, whilft the
black foot- boys are all over covered with
lace and embroidery, It cannot exadly be
afcertained what number of people are in this
city. It is certainly very confiderable, by
many not made lefs than feventy or eighty
thoufand. This city itfelf is well and regu-
larly built, though the houfes are« not lofty j
the monafteries are numerous, and richly en-

Q_3 dowed^

_^ *.* s

a^o An Account of the European

dowcd, and the churches extravagantly rich
in their ornaments, though comparatively poor
in the tafte of their archite<5lure.

The port neareft to this city is Acapulco,
upon the South- Sea, upwards of two hundred
miles diftant from the capital. Acapulco it-
felf has one of the deepeft, fecureft, and moft
commodious harbours in the South-Sea, and
indeed almoft the only one which is good
upon the Weftern coaft of New Spain. The
entrance of the harbour is defended by a caftlc
of tolerable ftrength \ the town itfelf is but ill
built, and makes every way a miferable figure,
except at the time of the fairs, when it intirely
changes its appearance, and becomes one of
the moft confiderable marts in the world.
About the month of December, the great
galleon, which makes the whole communica-
tion that is between America and the Philip-
pines, after a voyage of five months, and fail-
ing three thoufand leagues without feeing any
other land than the Little Ladrones, arrives
here loaded with all the rich commodities
of the Eaft ; cloves, pepper, cinamon, nut-
megs, mace, china, japan wares, callicoes
plain and painted, chints, muflins of every
fort, filks, precious ftones, rich drugs, and
gold duft. At the fame time the annual
(hip from Lima comes in, and is not com-
puted to bring Icfs than two millions of pieces
of eight in filver, bcfides quickfilver, cacao,

drugs,

w.w*l'i^"n(fLr^,!,J*Jy(T'^*"'''' ■*■•" -'WiW^"fl"*"-':l''l'WMil!!,"'

SE*rttEMENTs in America. 231

dfugs, and other valuable commodities, to be
kid out in the purchdfe of the commodities
of the Eaft-Ihdifcs. Several other fhips from
ditfererit parts of Chili and Peru met t upon
the fiimfc occaiioh ; and beiides the traffic
for the Philippine commodities, this caufes a
very large dealing for every thing thofe coun-
tries baV6 to exchange with one anotherj as
well as for the purchafe of all forts of Euro-
pean gobds. The fair lafts fomctirties for thirty
days. As foon as the goods are difpofed of,
rhe galleon prepares to fet out on her voyage
to the Philippines with her returns, chiefly ih
fflvei", btit With fome European goods too,
and fome other commodities of America. I
fp6ak here, as though there Were but one
veffel on the trade \Vith the Philippines ; and
in faA there is only nominally one trading vef-
fel, the galleon itfelf, of about twelve hun-
dred tuns 5 but another attends her commonly
as a fbt't of convoy, which generally carries
fuch a quantity of goods as pretty much dif-
ables her from performing that office. The
galleon has often above a thoufand people on
board, either intereiled in the cargo, or mere-
ly paffengers ; and there is no trade in which
fo large profits are made ; the captain of the
veffel, the pilots, their mates, and even the
common failors, making in one voyage, wh^t
in their feveral ranks m^y be confidered as
^afy fortunes. It is faid by th^ vvriter of lord

Q^ Anfon's

z^2 jin Account of the European
Anfon's voyage, that the jefuits have the pro^
fits of this (hip to fupport their miflions j and
if fo, their gains muft be extremely great,
and muft add much to the confequence of a
fociety which has as great a reputation for its
riches as its wifdom*

This commerce to fo vaft a value, though
carried on diredly between the king of Spain's
own dominions, enriches them in proportion
but very little ; the far greater part of every
thing that comes from the Philippines, being
the produce, or the fabric of other countries;
the Spaniards add none of the artificial value
of labour to any thing. The Chinefe are
largely interefted in this cargo, and it is to
them they are indebted for the manufacfluring
fuch of their plate, as is wrought into any
better falhion than rude ingots, or inelegant
coins. When this fair is over, the town is
comparatively deferted j however, it remains
for the whole year the moft confiderable port
in Mexico for the trade with Peru and Chili,
which is not very great. The Eaft-India
goods brought here are carried on mules to
Mexico, from whence what exceeds their
own confumption !s fent by land carriage to
La Vera Cruz, to pafs over to Terra Firma,
to the iflands, and fome even to Old Spain,
though in no great quantity.

From the port of La Vera Cruz it is that

the great wealth of Mexico is poured out

. , ^ . upon

Settlements in America. 233

upon all the old world ; and it is from this
port alone, that they receive the numberlefs
luxuries and neceffaries that the old world
yields them in return. To this port the an-
nual fleet from Cadiz, called the flota, arrives
about the latter end of November, after a
paflage of nine weeks. This fleet, which
fails only from Cadiz, confifts of about three
men of war as a convoy, and fourteen or fif-
teen large merchant fliipB, from four hundred
to one thoufand tuns burthen. They are load<-
ed almoft with every fort of goods which
Europe produces for export ; all forts of
woollens, linens, filks, velvets, laces, glafs,
paper, cutlery, all forts of wrought jron,
watches, clocks, quickfilver, horfe furniture,
{hoes, {lockings, books, piftures, military
{tores, wines and fruits, fo that all the trading
parts of Europe are highly intere{led in the
cargo of this fleet. Spain itfelf fends out little
more than the wine and fruit. This, with
the freight and commi{nons to the merchant,
and the duty to the king, is almofl all the ad-
vantage which that kingdom derives from her
commerce with the Indies. It is {Iriiflly pro-
hibited to load any commodities on board this
fleet without entering the goods, the value,
and the owner's name, in the India houfe at
Seville j and when they return, they mu{l
bring a certificate from the proper officer
there, that the goods were duly landed, and

234 -^^ Account of the European
in the proper port. They arc not permitted
to break bulk upon any account until they
arrive at La Vera Cruz, nor are they fuffercd
to take in any other than Spanifli paffengers,
nor them without a licence firft obtained at
the India houfe. - -

Jealoufy is the glaring charafter of thfc
court of Spain, in whatever regards their
American empire j and they often facrifice the
profperity to an exceffive regard to the fecu-
rity of their poffeffions. They attend in this
trade principally to two objcdts; the exclu-
fion of all flrangers from any (hare in it, and
the keeping up the market for fuch goods as
they fend j tind they think both thefe ends
befl anfwered by fending out only one annual
fleet, and that from one only port in Spain,
and to one port only in Mexico. Thefe
views, which would be impolitic in any
power in Europe befides, are judicious enough
in Spain ; becaufe the goods they fend belong-
ing moftly to ftrangcrs, and the profits upon
the fale in the Indies being the only thing
that really accrues to themfelves, it is cer-
tainly right to conlult primarily how they
ftiall get the greateft «-eturns upon the fmalleft
quantity of goods. It would be quite other-
wife, if all, or mod of what they fend abroad,
were their own produce or manufad:ure.
They are undoubtedly right too in keeping
the trade very carefully to themfelves, though

perhaps

Settlements in America, 235

perhaps the means t;:>ken to attain this end,
will not be thought fo rational. By fufFering
all the trade to be carried on only between
two ports, they difcourage in the old world
all their towns from that emulation, which
would not only enable them to traffic in fo-
reign commodrties, but in time to fet up fa-
brics of their own 5 whereas now, with re-
gard to the export of their commodities, they
fiand upon the level of ftrangers ; they can-
not carry their produce diredkly to the beft
market ; and it is very certain, that even tri-
fling difcouragements operate very powerfully
where the commercial fpirit is weak, and the
trade in its infancy. Again; in the new worlds
this confinement of the trade encourages in-
terlopers, and an illicit commerce, too gainful
for any regulations to prevent, and which may
aSbrd fuch bribes as will difarm the moil ri-
gid juftice, and lull the moft attentive vigi-
knce. So that in reality it may greatly be
doubted, whether the precautions, fo fyftefna-
tically purfued, and improved from time to
time with fo much care and forcfight, are at
bottom of moft advantage or prejudice to that
nation. It was probably fome confideration
of this kind, that firft gave rile to the cuftom
of regifter (hips : it was found that this con-
fined commerce fupplied its extcnfive ol^ed:
very imperfedlly ; and that thofe who were
at watch to pour in counterband goods, would

take

236 -^« Account o/* /;&^ European
take advantage of this want of a regular fup-
ply from Spain. When therefore a company
of merchants of Cadiz or Seville, judge that
goods muft be wanting at any certain port ia
the Weft-Indies, the courfe is, to petition the
council of the Indies for licence to fend a
fhip of three hundred tons, or under, to that
port. They pay for this licence forty or fifty
thoufand dollars, befides prefents to the of
ficers, in proportion to the connivance ner^f-
fary to their defign j for though the licence
runs to three hundred tons at the utmoft, the
veiTe I fitted out is feldom really lefs than fix
hundred. This fhip and cargo is regiftered
at the pretended burthen. It is required too,
that a certificate be brought from the king's
officer at the port to which the regifter fliip is
bound, that (he does not exceed the fize at
at which (he is regiftered j all this paffes of
courfe ; thefe are what they call regifter ftiips,
and by thefe the trade of Spanifli America
has been carried on principally for fome years
paft, fome think as much to the prejudice of
their trade, as contrary to all their former
maxims in carrying it on. But to return to
the fiota. . •► • •^•f

.; When all the goods are landed, and dif-
pofed of at La Vera Cruz, the fleet takes in
the plate, precious ftones, cochineal, indigo,
cacao, tobacco, fugar, and hides, which arc
their returns for Old Spain. Sometimes in

May,

Settlements in AwE^ickl 237

May, but more frequently in Auguft, they
are ready to depart. From La Vera Cruz
they fail to the Havanna in the iile of Cuba,
which is the place of rendezvous where they
meet the galleons j another fleet which carries
on all the trade of Terra Firma by Cartha-
gena, and of Peru by Panama and Porto-bello,
in the fame manner that the flota ferves for
that of New Spain. When they arrive at this
port, and join the galleons and the regifter
{hips that ^.uiledt at the fame port from all
quarters, fome of the cleaneft and beft failing
of their vefTels are difpatched to Spain, with
advice of the contents of thefe feveral fleets,
as well as with treafure and goods of their
own, that the court may judge what indulto
or duty is proper to be laid on them, and what
convoy is neceflfary for their fafety. Thefe
fleets generally make fome ilay at the Havan-*
ha before all the (hips that compofe them are
colledted and ready to fail. As foon as this
happens they quit the Havanna, and beat
through the gulph of Florida, and pafling
between the Bahama iflands, they hold their
courfe to the North-Eaft, until they come to
the height of St. Auguftin, and then fl:eer
away to Old Spain. When the .flota has left
La Vera Cruz, it has no longer the appear--
ance of a place of confequence 5 it is a town
in a very unhealthy fituation, inhabited fcarce-
ly by any. but Indians, Mezteze§, gr negroes.
.....v All

^3^ -^ AccouNt of the EuROPtAii

All the merchants of any confcqucncc refidtf,
at fome diflance, at a place called Los An-^
gelos. This toWn may contain about three
Sioufand inhabitants.

C H A i>. VI.

I '■•

Three forts of people in New Spain, The whifesj
InaianSy and negroes ; the chambers of thofe;
The clergy J their characters, 7be civil go^
'vernment, its chara^er,

THE inhabitants of New Spain are
compofcd of people of three ^''iFerent
races ; whites, Indians, and negroes, or the
feveral mixtures of thofe. The whites are
either born in Old Spain, or they are Creoles j
thofe who are native Spaniards are moilly in
offices, or in trade, and have the fame :ha-
radler and manners with the Spaniards of
Europe ; the fame gravity of behaviour, the
fame natural fagacity and good fenfe, the fame
indolence, and a yet greater ibare of pride and
ilacelinefs ; for here they look upon the being
natives of OIH Spain as a very honourable
di(lin(ftioh, and are in return looked upon by
the Creoles with no fmall (hare of hatred and
envy. The latter have little of that firmnefs
and patience which makes one of the Hned
parts of the character of the native Spaniard.
They have little courage, and arc univerfally
i. ;\ ' ■ weak

Setitlements in America. 239

weak and efFeminate. Living as they do in a
conftaflt enervating heat, furfeited with wealth,
and giving up their whole time to loitering
and inactive pleafures, they have nothing bold
or manly to fit them for making a figure in
adkive life ; and few or none have any taftc
for the fatisfa<^ions of a learned retirement.
Luxurious without variety or elegance, and
cxpenfive with great parade, and litde con*
veniency, their general charadler is no more
than a grave and fpecious iniignificance.

They are temperate at their tables and in'
their cups, but from idlenefs and conflitution»
their whole bufinefs is amour and intrigue ;
thefe they carry on in the old SpaniQi tafte, by •
doing and faying extravagant things, by bad
mufic, worfe poetry, and exceffive expences.
Their ladies are little celebrated for their cha-^
ftity or domeftic virtues; but they are ftill'
a good deal retrained by the old-faihioned^
etiquette, and they exert a genius which is
not contemptible, in combating the reftraints
which that lays them under.

The clergy are extremely numerous, and
their wealth and influence cannot be doubted
among fo rich and fuperftitious a people. It
is faid, that they adually pofTefs a fourth of
the revenues of that whole kingdom j which,
after all abatements, certainly amounts to fe-
veral millions. And as to their numbers, it is
not extravagant to fay, that priefts, monks,
u::: and

'fei

240 An Account of the European

and nuns of all orders, arc upwards of one
fifth of all the white people, both here and
in the other parts of Spaniih America. But
the clergy here being too ignorant in general
to be able inftrudtors by their preaching, and
too loofe and debauched in their own man*
ners to inftrud by their example, the people
are little the better for their numbers, wealth
or influence. Many of them are no other
than adventurers from Old Spain, who with-
out regard to their character or their vows,
Hudy nothing but how to raife a fudden for-
tune, by abufing the ignorance and extreme
credulity of the people. A great deal of at-
tention is paid to certain mechanical methods
of devotion. Moral duties are little talked
of. An extreme veneration for faints, lucra-
tive to the orders they have founded, or arc
fuppofed to patronize, is ftrongly inculcated,
and makes the general fubjedt of their fer-
XTions, defigned rather to raife a flupid admi-
ration of their miracles, than an imitation of
the fandtity of their lives. However, having
faid this, it mad be confidered as all general
^obfervations, with the reafonable allowances ;
for many of the dignified clergy, and others
among them, underftand, and pradife the
duties of their flation, and fome whole or-
ders, as that of the jefuits, are here as they
are elfewhere, diftinguifliable for their learn-
ing, and the decency of their behaviour. And

^ertainly^

^SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 24 1

certainly, . witji all their faults, in one refpedt
their zeal is highly commendable i that they
are the caufe of feveral charitable founda-
tbnsj and that they bring the Indians and
blacks into fomc knowledge of religion, and
in fome meaf^re mitigate their flayery. This
too has a good political effedt, for thofe flaves
are mpre faithful than ours, and though in-
dulged with greater liberty, are far lefs dan-
gerous, f I do not remember that any infur-».
redtion has been ever attempted by themi
and the Indians are redviced to more of a ci-
vilized life, than they are in the colonies of
any other European nation. . ; ymu u-mtvl
^r This race of people are now, whatever
they were formerly, huml^le, dejedled, timo'»
rou&, and docile 5 they are generally treated
with great indignity. The ftate of all peo-
ple fubjedted to another, people, is infinitely
worfe,t)h;?m what they fiiffer from the prefTure
of thefworft form, of the worft adminiftra*
tion bjF .'any government of their ovfn^.i^r/:.-
.\ The /blacks here, lis they are imported
froni, Africa, have the fame cha;:a(fter as the
blafkSi of our colonies ; ftobborn, hardy, c^
an. or4inary underftandiiig, ^n4 (itted, for the
grofsllavery they endure. ? '» > ■-

Such are tl; : ch^r^dters of the people, not
only pf New Spaing b^tof ^U Spanifti Ame-
rica. ; When any thing materially different
occurs, I (hall not, fail to mentbn it.
-, VoL.I. R The

III,

442 M Account of the European
- The civil government is admihiftfcfed by
tribunals, which bete are called andieilccs,
confiftteg of a certain nurtiber of judges, di-
vided into different chanibcrs, tnorc rcfem-
blihg the parliaments in France than out
courts. At the head of the chief of thefe
chambers the viceroy himfelf ptefides when
he fees fit. His employment is one of the
greateft tritft atnd power the kii^ of Spain has
m his gift ; and is perhapis the richeft govern*
ment entrufted to any fubjedl: in the world.
All employments here are held only by na-
tive Spaniards, and by them bttt fot a certain
limited times moft not above three years.
Jealoufy, iii this refpe^^ as in alt others rela-
tive to ^he Indies, is the fpii'it that inftaenccs
all their regulations \ and it has this very bad
effect J that every oMcer^ from the bigheft
to the lowcfft^ has the aviditjr Whibha neW and
lucrative poftinfpires; ravenous becaiifi? his
time is ftjort, he opprdffdJ the jiieo^le, and
defrauds the crown ; ahother fucc^eds hini
with the lame difpofitions i and no liian is
tareful to eflablifli any thing uffifiri ih his
4»ffice, knowing that his Aicceffor will be fare
to trample upon every regulation which is not
fubfervient to his own intercfts j fo that this
enflaved people has not the power of put-
ting in ufc the fox's poUdy, of letting the
*rS fwarm of bloodfuckcrs ft ay on, but is
obliged to fubmit to be drained by a con-
jiii '» i .J ftant

Settlements /« AMERicAr 243

Ifeht fifcd^iiioh of hungry and impatient
harpies. ■ ''^'"' "<■ ^i^-'^'-M^ ^^^' -^^^^^ ''>'^---^

There are fome troops kept in New Spain,
and a good revenue appropriated for their
maintenance, and for the fupport of the for-
tifications there 5 but the foldiers are few 5 ill
cloathed, ill paid, and /orfe difciplined j the
military here keep pace with the civil and
ecclefiafiical adminiftration, and every thing

i^ajbbb::'' ^'' " ^■*'*'"' '" '"'" -^ ''''•"'' '^'
i:- ^i/oi iijj^Li ^(r.^ri^ji ii;.qv;j ■ v;.Ht vofi> /" ,;'. :■■

"jid'jn nYsa

:, C H A p. VII.

.«:./!

/in Jr-^f.-T .

New Mexico. Its 4ifcovefy. Climate- Pro--
duSts, He Englijh claim to California^

ft W Mexico' Ke^' to the North and
North-Eaft of New Spain. Its bounds
to the North are not afcertained. Taking in
California, it has the great South-Sea to the
Weft, and to the Eaft it is bounded by the
French pretenfions on the MifSfippi. This
country lies, for the moft part, within the
temperate zone, and has a moft agreeable cli-
mate, and a foil in many places produdlive of
every thing for profit or delight. It has rich
mines of filver, and fome of gold, which
are wbrked more and more every day ; and
it produces precious ftones of feveral kinds ;
but it has no diredl intercourfe with any part
of Europe. The country is but little known

R 2 ac

llil

244 ^^ Account of the European
at all to Europeans ; and the Spanifli fettle-
ments there are comparatively weak ; how-
ever, they are every day increafing in pro-
portion as they difcover mines ; which are
iiere not inferior to any that have been dlf-
covered in the other parts of America. The
inhabitants are moftly Indians, but in many
places lately reduced by the Spanifli miflio-
naries to chriftianity, to a ':ivilized life, to
follow trades, and to mf^ corn and wine,
which they now export pretty largely to Old
Mexico. This ufeful. change was principally
effedtcd at the expertce of a Spanifli noble-
man, the marquis Velafco, whom the reve-
rend author of lord Anfdn's voyage calls, for
that reafon, a munificent bigot. iV LK? *
« The famous peninfula. of California is a
part, and far from an^ Jnconfiderablc part of
this country. It is a place finely iituated for
trade, and has a pearl fiffiery of great value.
It was firft difcovered by the great conqueror
of Mexico Hernando C^ortes. Our famous
admiral and navigator Si? Francis Drake land-
ed there, and took poffeffion of it in I57B>
and he not only took polTeffion, but obtained
the heft right in the world to the pofTeffion ;
the principal king having formally irivefted
him with his principajity. However, I do
not find that we have thought of aflerting
that right fince his time ; but it may proba-
bly employ, in fomc future time, the pens of

• -' 'thofc

3«

Settlements itt America. 245

ihofe lawyers who difpute with words, what
can only be decided by the fword, and will
afford large matter upon the right oi difco*
very, occupancy and fettlement. - 1

-'>-!-

^^>■ .T^C

. ». . . -».. ^. ^. — -

C H A P. VIII,

:j . ;J!jO Yiu

The climate and foil of Peru, Its produce, The
minesy the coca and herb of Paraguay.

TH E conqueft of Peru, atchieved in fo
extraordinary a manner, brought into
the power of Spain a country not lels weal-
thy, and nearly as extenfive as Mexico ; but
fyx beyond it for the conveniency of habita-
tion and the agreeablenefs of the climate.
Like Mexico it is within the torrid zone j yet
having on one fide the South-Sea, and on the
other the great ridge of the Andes through
its whole length, the joint effeds of the ocean
and th6 mountains temper thd equinodial
heat in a manner equally agreeable and fur-
prifing. With a fky for the moft part clou-
dy, which (hields them from the rays of the
vertical fun, it never rains in this country.
But every night a foft benign dew broods
upon the earth, and refr.cflies the grafs and
plants fo as to produce in fome parts the
greateft fertility ; what the dew wants in per-
fedling this, is wrought by the vaft number
of ftreams, to which the frequent rains and
-- - R 3 the

246 -^^ Accout^T of the European
the daily melting of the fnow on thofc afto-
nifhing mountains give rife ; for thofe moun-
tains, though within the tropics,, have their
tops continually covered with fnow, which is
an appearance unparallelled in the fame cli-
mate. Along the fea coaft Peru is generally
a dry barren fand, except by the banks of the
rivers and ftreams we have mentioned, where
it is extremely fertile, as are all the valleys in
the hilly country.

, The caufe of the want of rain in ^11 the flat
country of Peru, is difficult to be afligned j
though the agents in it are not improbably
the conftaat South- Weft wind, that prevails
there for the greateft part of the year 5 and
the immenfe height of the mountains, cold
with a conftant fnow. The plain country be-
tween, refrefhed as it is on the one hand by
the cool winds that blow without any varia-
tion from the frigid regions of the South,
and heated as uniformly by the dire<5 rays of
the equinodtial fun, preferves fuch an equal
temper, that the vapour once elevated can
hardly ever defcend in rain : But in the moun-
tainous part of the country, by the alternate
contradion and dilation of the air from the
daily heats, and the fucceeding colds, which
the fnows communicate in the abfence of the
iun, as Well as from the unequal temper of
the air which prevails in all hilly places, the
rain falls very |)lcntifally \ the climate in the

1 1

moMn"

w^^^^fw

1f!P^S^!P»7^'i^"!l!HW!Br'

Settlements in America. 247

mountainous countries is extremely change^
able, and the changes fudden.

All along the coafl of Peru, a current fets
Arongly to the North ; further out to fea
it pafles with equal rapidity to the South.
This current probably moves eddy wife ; for
having run as far as its moving caufe impels
it, it naturally paflbs back again where it has
leaft refifknce. The ignorance of this dou-
ble current made the navigation in the South
feas orijgi^^ally v Jiy uncertain ai^d fatiguing ;
txut i^ow the courfe i^, for thofe who pafs
from Ch^li to Peru, to keep in ;to the (hore in
their paflage to CaU^o, iind on their return to
ftand out a great many leagues toiea, and take
the Sopt^ern current home^w^rds. The fame
method, i)ut revcrfed, is qbferved in the voyages
between Panama, find all the other Northern
countries, and the ports of Peru.

The commodities of Peru, for export, may
be reduced to thefe articles. jPirft, iilver and
gold ; fecondly, wine, oil, and brandy ^ thirdly,
Vigonia wool ; fourthly, jefuits b;irk j fifthly,
Guii;iea or Jamaica pepper. Of the firft of
thefe articles we have already treated in our
defcription of Mexico. The mines of gold
in Peru, are almoft all in the Northern part,
not very remote from Lima j thofe of filver
almofl wholly in the Southern. The voyagers
who treat of this country, are generally pretty
diffufe in their accountsofthepxincipal places,

R 4 where

248 An Account ef ffc European

where mines are found ; but it does not there-
fore give us encouragement to infift much on
thefe particulars; becaufe they, contain very
little in ftruftion in themfelves j; and if they
were things in their own bature inftrufiive,
it would be little to the puipofeto dwdf upon
what is continually changing. New mines
are daily opened, and the old cxhauftcd or
deferred. The towns fhift with the mines,
A rich mine is always founder of a town in
proportion to its produce i the town which it
fubfifts, when the mine is exhauft^d^ difap-
pears. Indeipd the great tnines of Potofi in
the province of Los Charcas, are the inheri-
tance of ages ; and after having eniiched the
world for centuries, ftill continue the incx-
hauftibl^^fburces gf new treafure. Thty dre
not however quite fo valuable now as former-
ly; not fo much from firiy failure of the vcini
as from the immcnfe depth to which they^bavc
purfucd it, whjph by the greater labour 'nc-
ceffary, leffcns the profit on what it yields, in
proportion as they defcend 5 befidcs new mines
are daily opened, which are worked at a lefs
expence; fo that the accounts we have had
of the great number which inhabited the city
of Potofi, w;hen Mr. Frczier was in that
country, mufl have fi nee fuffered fome abate-
ment. It had then upwards of feventy ihou-
fand fouls, Spaniards and Indiai^s ; of which
the latter were Jxx to one. ^-^i^ —^\hk^^'v.

The

Settlements m

ICA.

249

' The Spaniards oblige this unfortunate peo-
ple to fend annually a certain number from
the viHag^s of the adjacent country, who arc
compelled to work for a limited time ; after-
wards they may return. But having loft the
fweetnefs of their former connedlions, they
that furvive this flavery commonly fettle in
the city of Potbfi. It is incredible how thefe
mines (the moft terrible fcourge with which
God could afflidt the inhabitants,) have con-
tributed to depopulate this country. Worfc
they are than fword or peftilence ; equally
fatal to their lives ; and where thofe efcape,
they are embittered by the circumftance of an
ignominious flavery, without any profpedt of
end or mitigatibn. The effedls of this fervi-^
tilde would be yet more fital; if it vireffc libt
for the ufe of an herb which the inhabitants
call Coca, to vvhich they afcribci the moft ex-
traordinary virtuesj iand which they conftant-
ly ufe. Its qualities feem to be of the opiate
kind, and to have fome refemblance to thofe
of tobacco i for it produces a kind of ftupld
compofure. It is an antidote againft poilbns
and poifonous effluvia, and makes thofe
who ufe it, fubfift a long time without food..
Though neceffary to thofe only who work in
the mines, it is ufed for pleafure by all the
Indians, who chew it conftantly, though it
makes thofe who ufe it ft ink in a moft often-
five manner. This heib is gathcjred by the
■?.r I , Indians

"PTT^T.^^i"? ■ V .^' •*!;■

250 >fiKi AcoHJNT of the European

Indians with many fuperftitious ceremonies,
to which they attribute its virtues \ for which
reafon it is in many parts of Peru, with equal
fuperflition, Aridtiy forbidden \ the Spaniards,
9S well as die Indians, giving the credit of its
effects to magic, and allowing to thefe more
than they delerve ; for they think the Indians
fuperiority in ftrength owing principally to
them. However, notwitbilanding the feve-
rity of the inquifition, which is eftabliflied in
all the Spanim dominions with great terror,
neceflity makes them wink at the pradtice,
where the mines are worked., ^ . ,.^ v«.f...
They make ufe of another prefervative, an
infuiion of the herb of Paiaguay ; fomething
of the nature of tea. The consumption of
this in Peru by all ranks of people is prodi«
gious. Above 1 8>ooo hundred weight is an-
nually brought into Chili and Peru, and is
wortn, when the duty is paid, not lefs than
8o,coo pounds Aerling. The fineft of this
fpecies of tea cpmes from the country , of the

ts.

. I I.

I" f ■

- j' 1

Pit )i

"^n

.1.

■t

..vn*;

't\-t J if «» ■

a • ,;jfTir^nqrr]f)-

■\ '..■>Hi >^ ii- _ 'fT:rfffi

t\i

t .■ •, M •

r ' '

i'.:

V. - .'-IT

CHAP.

Settlements ia America. 2;z

The wines of Peru. The wool, ^e lamas and

^^^ vicunnas^ Jheep of Peru. Jefeats barJu

' Guinea fefper. 7be dung of Iquifua. ^ick"

Jilver mines, j ., ,, .j.,,.^j ^r'l -.; arMYM:. 7

TH E Southern pari of Peru which lies
without the tropic of Capricorn, pro^
-duces wine in gveat plenty, but not in a per-
fe^bn proporUonable. The Spaniards! diuike
and leave it to the Indians and negroes, choi^
ing rather, what may feem odd, to regale in
the brandy of the fame wine, which is like-
wife made and exported in large quantitiesi
not only to all parts of Peru, but to Panama,
and tlie ports of New Spain* The greateft
quantity is made mear a place otherwife of no
confequence, called Moquaga \ here it is faid
they make annually of wine and brandy one
hundred thoufand jars, which Mr. Ficzier
reckons at three million two hundred thou-
fand Paris pints, A vaft quantity in a fmall
territory. The value of this produce is four
hundred thoufand pieces of eight. Other
places trade in \^ine, fuch as Pifco, but of a
goodnefs not fuperior. Oil is like wife had in
reru, but both the wine and oil are moflly
the produce of thofe places that lie beyond
the Southern tropic. . , , .

Wool

252 An Account of the Europe AKr

Wool makes one of the moil valuable
commodities of the growth of this country.
And it is not more remarkable for its fine
long ftaple, than for the fingularity of the
animal which carries it. It is (heered from
a fort of flieep, which they call lamas and
vicunnas ; the lamas have fmall heads, re-
fembling in fome meafure both an horfe and
flieep ; the upper lip is cleft like that of the
hare, through which, when they are enraged,
they fpit even to ten paces diftance, a fort of
envenomed juice, which, when it falls on the
fkin, caufes a red fpot and great itching. The
neck is long like that of a camel ; the body
refembles that of a flieep, but the legs arc
much longer in proportion. This animal has
a difagreeable fmell, but its flejfh is good ; and
it is extremely ufeful, not only for the wool,
which is very long and fine, but as it is a beaft
of burthen, ftrong, patient, and kept at a
very eafy expence. It feldom carries above
one hundred and fifty pound weight, but then
it carries that weight a vaft way without tire-
ing, eats very little, and never drinks. As
foon as night comes the lama lies down, and
no blows can get him to move one foot after
the time he deftines for his reft and food.

The vicunna is an animal refembling the
lama, pretty much as the dromedary does the
camel. He is fmaller and fwifter, with a far
finer wool, biit otherwife exactly like the

lama

l.>

Settlements in Amei^ica. 253^

lama in all refpedls. The wool of thefe crea-
tures is almod as fine as filk. Probably the
famous fheep of Cachemir, of whofe wool
they make the little white cloths fo much
valued in India, is of this fpecies. I can-
not afcertain what quantity of this wool is
exported manufadtured or raw out of Peru,
cither to New or Old Spain ; but I have rea-
fon to believe it is not at all inconfiderablei

The fourth great article of their commerce
is jefuits bark, fo well known in. medicine as
a fpecific in intermitting diforders, and the*
many other great purpofes, which experience
daily finds itlo j^nfwer. The tree which jpro-
duces this valuable bark, grow's principally in.,
the mountainous parts of Peru, and t:hat moft
and beft in the province of Quito. Conda-
mme informs us, that it grows on the hither
fide of the Andes, no way inferior to tHe
Peruvian in quantity and goodnefs ; the bed
is produced on fhie high and rocky grounds s.
and it is not fingular in this, for it feems in
a good meafure to be the cafe of all plants;
v^fhofe juices are much more ftrong and ef-
fedlive when elaborated i^ fuch fituatibnsr
Thie tree which bears it is about the fize of a;
cherry-tree ; its leaves arc rbund and indentr
ed ; it bears a long reddifli flower, from
whence arifes a fort of hufk, which envelopes
a flat and white kernel, not unlike an almond.
This bark was firft introduced in France by

^ ♦ «4i*> 4kf wr iMt * ' n Jl » " , Hi * * V* ft* ' ' V** m -^ ^* "* 2i* ^^ «* ii.*.»rf-»- \ ■

.'a
km

the

254 An kccov\ir of fbe EvftoftAii

the cardinal Lago, a jefuh, about the ]rear
1650. Hence it had its name of Jefuit's bark.
It is faid to have been difcovcred by the acci-
dent of an Indian's drinking in a fever of the
water of a lake into which fome of thefe
trees had fallen, and by which he was cured.
This medicine, as ufual, was held in defiance
for a good while by the faculty ; but after an
obftinate defence, they have thought propet
at laft to furrender. Notwithftanding all the.
mifchiefs at firft forefeen in its ufe, every body
knows that it is at this day innocently and ef-
ficacioufly prefcribed in a great variety of cafes;
for which reafon it makes a coniiderable and
valuable part of the cargo of the galleons.

Guinea pepper, Agi, or as it is called by
lis, Cayenne pepper, is a very great article in
the trade of Peru, as it is ufed all over Spa-
nish America in almoft every thing they eat*
This is produced in the greateft quantity in
the vale of Arica, a diftrid in the Southern
parts of Peru, from whence they export to
the annual value of fix hundred thoufand
crowns. The diftridl which produces this
pepper in fuch abundance, is but fniall, and
naturally barren; its fertility in pepper, as
well as in grain and fruits; is owing to the
advantage of a fpecies of very extraordinary
n;ianurc, brought from an ifland called Iqui-

?[ua. This is a fort of yellowifli earth, of a
etid fmell. It i^ generally thought to be dung

Sb'M'LEMbnt* in America. 255

of bird», bccaufc of the 6militude of the fccnt,
that feathery have been found very deep in it,
and that vaft numbers of fea fowls appear
upon that and all the adjacent coafls. But on
tne other hand, whether we look upon thj^
fubftance as the dung of thefe fea fowls, or a
particular fpecies of earth, it is alnaoft equally
difficult to conceive how the fmall ifland of
I,quiqua» not above two miles in circumfe-
tence, could fupply fuqh immenfe quantities ;
atid yet after fupplying upwards of twelve (hip
loads annually for a century together for the
aiftant parts, and a vaftly larger quantity for
the ufe of the neighbourhood, . it cannot bc
6bferved that it is in the leaft diminifhed, Or
that the height of the iiland is at all lefTened.
But thefe are matters, which to handle pto-
j^erly, requires a more exa<^ knowledge of all
the circumftances relating to them, than call
be gathered from travellers.

Quickfilver IS a remarkable article in their
trade, becaufe the purification of their gold
and filver depends upoa it. I do not find that
any otiier part of the Spanifh America pro-
duces it i fo that Mexico and Terra Firma are
fupplied from Old Spain with all they want
of that mineral, which is brought them on
the king's account only ; except that fome ar-
rives from Peru in a counterband manner. In
Peru likewife it is monopolized by the crown.
^The principal mine of this extraordinary fub-
ftance

:l:'

F ■

■ !- )

it.

■■ft

256 An Account of the Europe am

i^ance is at a place called Guancavelica, where
it is found in a whitifli mafs, refembling brick
ill burned ; this they pound, and put into a
furnace vaulted at the top \ it is laid upon au
iron grate covered with earth. Through this
the fire pafles, and volatilizingj the mineral,
it is raifed in a fnioke, whichlnnding no paf-
fage but through a little hole contrived for
that purpofe, it ruflies through it into a fuc-
ccflion of little round veffels, united to each
other by the necks; here the fmoak circur
latcs, and it condenfes byjA^ans of a little
water at the bottom of each veflel, into which
the quickfilver falls in a pure heavy liquid,
The men who work in the mines of this mi-
neral, are yet more fubje(^ to difeafes than
thofe who toil in the others, and they make
ufc of the fame prefervatives of Paraguay

^ea and coca. ,^ .^^ ^^^^^-h ?f:>c;^t.%ui a.j i;/,?
i.'ij • C H A P. X.-f^vji; jn'

^he charaBer (f i:he Peruviam* ^Tbeir divifions,
y The Indian feJHvaL Honours paid to a de»

V >

■^ H E manners of the Spaniards and

" Creolians of Peru refenible, with littje

difference, thofe of the Spaniards and Creo-
lians of Mexico, other than that the natives
of Peru kcm to be of a more liberal turn,

* * ^ * • and

Settlements in America* 257

iind o£ greater ingenuity ; but they are for the
reater part equally deftitute of all cultivation*
he flavery of the Indians is here yet more
Severe. The magiftrate and the prieft devour,
their whole fubitance i and every Spaniard^
as fonie authors report, infults them with
impunity. The traveller takes as much of
their provifion as he pleafes, and decides for
himfelf what he fliall pay, or whether he
ih^ll p^y any thing at all. Comptaints are
anfwered with new indignities, and with
blows, which it is a crime to return. This
cruel irregular bondage contributes to difpeo-
plb this country even more than the metho-
dical tyranny of the government. To avoid
the plunder he is hourly fubjed: to, the ma-
flei* of the family often raifes no more graia
than what juft fuffices for the fuftenance of
his family ; this he buries, and he keeps the
fecret of his hoard to himfelfj only drawing
out daily juft fo much as ferves for the ufe of
the day. If he chances to die fuddenly, the
family ftarves j if a bad feafon comes, the
calculated produce falls fliort, and they are
all reduced to beggary. Yet worfe, they are
even the flaves of flaves j for the Spaniards
encourage their negroes to treat them with
the greateft infolence ; and they politically
keep up a rancour, now grown inveterate be-
tween thefe two races of people. They are
forbidden, under the fcvcreft penaltie.s, to
Vol. L * S marry

II hi

iji An Account of the EtTftO!»EAii:
marry, or to have an unlawful intercourfe to-
gether. Divifion is the great inftrument in
which the Spaniards truft for the pr^:(fcrvation
of their colonies. The native Spaniard has
alone all the lucrative offices, civij, ccclefiafti-
cal, and military. He defpifes the Crcolian,
The Creolian hates and envies him. Both
contemn and maltreat the Indians, who, on
their (ide» are not infenfible of the indignities
they fuffer. The blacks are encouraged to
trample on the Indians, and to confider their
interefts as altogether oppofite ; whilft the In-
dians in their nominal freedom look with an
envious difdain upon the flavery of the ne-
groes, which makes them their mafters*

What is extraordinary, the Spaniards, not
content with reducing this unhappy nation
under fo cruel a yoke, as if they tnought it
nothing, unlefs they were thoroughly fenfi-
ble of its weight, fuffer the Indians to cele-
brate aii annual feftival, in which plays arc
reprefented, commemorating the overthrow
cf their own ftate. Thefe are a^ted with all
the horrid and aggravating circumftances
which attended this event > and the people
are at this time ib enraged, that the Spaniards
find it dangerous to go abroad. In the city
of Lima, there is annually celebrated a fefti-
val of this kind, with a grand pfoceffion,
wherein they carry in a fort of triumph the
remaining defcendant of the yncas or Peru,
• - • ^ and

•ft-

\'> M

Sfetf leMeMts in AmericJa.

^41)

2i^

arid his.wife j who at that time receive all
Imaginable honours in the moft melancholy
pomp, from a race bowed down with the fenfe
of the common bondage of prince and peo-
ple. This thfowis the moft affe<fting gloom
over the.fcMval d^?t renews the image of their
former freedom. To this reniaining ynca the
ticeroy of Peru docs homage when he enters
tipon his government.^ The ynca fits upon a
lofty ftage., and the viceroy makes his obei-
fanCe Op'on an hoiffe, .who is taught to kneel

tipon thepcCaliort Thia manner ofproceed-

ing m;8iy b^ thought of the nioft refined ftrain
of frifolent tyranny, and to be as unpolitic as
it is infulting j but it i^ not impoflible that
th,of(? ventsj^ ^h|cb they fuffer the indignation
of the" pep^ple to take, may carry off a fpirit,
tnat n>igtit othferv^ife break out in a much
more fttal rnanner. . Whether by the dividon
tnrey kedp up, pr hy thefc vents, or by the
manag^i^enO of the clergy, or by whatever
iTi'<e$[nis, thfe; Spaniards preferve their conquefts
\yith y:ei:y Uule force ; the Indians are even
zxax^di artd make a confiderable part of their
militia ;. it ia true, they are interdided the ufe
erf" weapons without licence j but licence is
procured without much difficulty. They
have likewife a large number of free blacks,
artd they too are formed into companies in
their militia. Certain it is, that both in the
Spanifh and Portuguefe colonies, they find

S 2 llavery

nil"

y\:

^6o An Account of the Europbam
llavery compatible enough with great licence
in fome refpeds, and both with the fecurity
of the mafters. Things defcrving our con-
fideration ; as we do not feem to excel in the
conciliating arts of government in our coio^
ivies, nor to think that any thing is to be ef-
feded by other inftruments &an thofe of ter«
ror and rude force. , ,. , .

-.-5

r CHAP. XI.

^he cities of Peru^ Limay Cufco, and SjuitO',
a defcription of them. CallaOy its trade and
deJlruSiion. ^he viceroy of Peru. Hisju"
rifdiSiioHy and revenues. ..? ,

■*> s,^.*', iti,^

■Jts Jtl

. i

HERE are three cities in Peru famous
for their opulence and trades Lima,
Cufco, and Quito. Lima lies in the Northern
part of Peru, in the latitude of 12 South,
and 299 longitude from TenerifFe. It ftands
about two leagues from the fea, i»pon a river
called Rimac, fmall and unnavigable* This
city is the capital of Peru, and of all South
America ; it extends in length about two
miles, and in breadth about one and a quar-
ter ; its diilant appearance, from the multitude
of fpires and domes, is extremely majeAic,
and when you enter it you fee the ftreets laid
out with the greatcft regularity, cutting each
other at equal dillances and right angles -, the

houfcs.

Settlements in America, 261

houfes, on account of the equality of the cli '
mate, are flightly roofed, as they are built
low and of light materials, to avoid the con-
fequences of earthquakes, frequent and dread-
ful in this country. But they are elegantly
plaiftered and painted on the outiide, fo ^is to
have all the appearance of freeftone. To add
to the beauty and convenience of this ci^y,
moft houfes have a garden, watered by cuts
drawn from the river 5 each man commands
a little running ftream for his own ufe ; in a
hot and dry country as this is^ no fniall mat*-
ter of convenience and delight. Here i^ a
grand walk by the river-fide two hundred fa-
thom long, confiding of five rows of fine
orange trees. To this the company reforts at
five in the evening drawn in their coaches
and cak(hes *. Such is the opulence of this
city, that, exclufive of coaches, there are
kept in it upwards of five thoufand of thefe
carriages. ■"^^^^^''^■^ ''i^^*i^'^''*^' '<'■'" y^"^^^-

'^"'^Lima has fifty-four churches, taking in the
CLthedral, the parochial, and conventual j
thirteen monaderies of men, (befides fix col-
leges of jefuits) one of which contains feven
hundred, and another five hundred friars and
fervants j twelve nunneries, the principal of
:r"''\'^'"V^ '•''■■''■• "S 3 ■■•-"■' -■•'=; which

* The calaih refembles that fort of coach which is called
a Vis a Vis, bt)t is drawn only by a Hngle horfe or niHle, and
goes on a finglt pair :>i wheels ; yet fometimes by the gilding
and other decorations the price of a calafh amounts to a thgu-
(and crQwns*

f '

)■■■■»■

- *'-

t'-lii

1 i

#:i

m: II

m
|l

III

'if

262 An Account ofthe European

which has not lefs than three hundred auns ^
^nd twelve hofpitals, befides fav^ndatioas for
the portioning of poor girls. The nmtnber
of whites is pot left tban 1 0,000 ; ajftd the
whole of the inhabitant? of ?U cafts and co-
lours are faid not to fall fl\ort of 6o,oqo fouls*
They tell a very remarkable h&.y that may
help us to fome idea of the vaft wealth of
this city. When thdr viceroy the duke de
la Palata made his public entry in 1682, they
caufed two of the principal ftreets to be paved
with ingots of iilver, that had paid the' fifth
to the king, of between twelve and fifteen
pches long, four or hvc in breath, and twQ
or three in thicknefs ; the whole of whic^^
could npt amount to lefs than fixteeen or fe-
venteen millions fterling. But nothing can
give a true idea of the vaft wealth of Lima,
except the churches, which the moft judici-
ous travellers fpeak of with aftoniflimcnt ;
and feern incapable of defcribing, on account
of that amazing profufion of gold, filvcr, and
precious ftones with which every thing (evei>
the walls) is in a manner totally covered. The
tide of this vaft wealth is fed from fources a^
fcopious ; this city being the great magazine
for almoft all the plate of Peru, which is coined
here j for the large manufadures ar>d natural
produdls of that kingdom j for thofe of Chili y
iind for all the luxuries and conv(?niences
bi ought frora Europe and the Eaft-Indics.
' ■ ' * ■ ' ■ ' ' The

Settlements in America. 263

The trade of the French to Peru, during
fhe eeneral war in Europe which was caufed
hj the difputes about the Spanifh fucceffion,
made this city deca^ not a little by difFuung
the commerce, of which before it was the
centdfr, atnoheft the other towns which lie
atong the coan ; Isut as that privilege has been
£(nce taken away, Lima began to revive again,
and continued iti great fplendor until the year
3747, when a moft tremendous earthquake,
which entirely devoured Callao the port be-
longing to it, laid three fourths of this city
level with the ground. The dcftrudion of
Callao was^ the moft perfedl and terrible that
can be conceived ; no more than one of all
the inhabitants efcaping, and he by a pro-
vidence the moft lingular and extraordinary
imaginable. This man was on the fort that
overlooked the harbour, going to ftrike the
flag, when he perceived the lea to retire to
ji confiderable diftance ; and then fwelling
mountain high, it returned with great vio-»
lence. The inhabitants ran from their houfes
in the utmoft terror and confufion j he heard
a cry of tnifererc rife from all parts of the
city ; and immediately all was filent \ the fea
had' entirely overwhelmed this city, and bu-
ried it for ever in its bofom ; but the fame
wave which deftroyed the city, drove a little
boat by the place where the man ftood, into
which he threw himfelf and was favcd, What
. . - S 4 ia

' if \

•I 1

■I V-

III

* St'

264 An Account of the European
is remarkable too in this affair, Mr. FrezicF,
who was in Peru in the year 1714, and from
wh#ni I have part of mv materials, on con^
fidering the fituation of tnis town and the na-r
ture of the country, ventured to prophefy for
it the deftrudion, which we have feen ac-
complidied in our days. Whilft this tpwn
fubfifted, it contained about 3000 inhabitants
of all kinds, had five convents, and poffefled
the fincft port in all Peru. Here were the
rich warehoufes furniflied with all the goods
of Europe, which being landed by the gal-
leons at Porto-bello were brought over land
to Panama, and thence tranfported hither by
the armadilla, or fleet, with a convoy of three
men of war referved for this purpofe. To
this port arrived the annual fhip from Aca-
pulco loaden with all the produdls of the
Eaft J from Chili jt received vaft quantities of
corn, dried beef and pork, leather, tallow,
plank, and feveral forts of woollen goods,
particularly carpets like thofe of Turkey.
From the Southern ports of Peru v^ere brought
fugars, wine and br*andy, naval ftorc?, cacao,
Vigonia wool and tobacco. From Mexico it
had pitch and tar, woods for dying, and that
balfam, v/hich we improperly' call of Peru,
tince it comes from Guatitnala. As tnc port
of Callao is fo excellent, and as it is that by
which the trade of Lima wholly, and that of
jkll P^ru in a great meafure, muft be carried

on.

Settlements tn America. 265

/on, we cannot doubt but that a new city is
already built there ; and that Lima is reftored
^o its former ludre ; efpecially as this latter is
^he center of fo vaft a trade, and the feat of
fo great a government. For to the viceroy of
Peru, both Chili and Terra Firma are fub-
jedt. His fettled falary is 40,000 pieces of
eight yearly ; his perquifites are great j as of-
ten as he goes to Callao, he is intided to 3000
pieces of eight for that little airing y he has
10,000 for every progrefs into mo):e diftant

Earts J he has the fole difpofal of 4bove a
undred great magiftraqes ; ap/j, in fhbrt, the
granting of all triennial employments both ci-
vil and military throughput the extent b^ hi§
ample jurifdiftion. It cannot therefore be
doubted that his perquifites, even his lawful
one§, (for tl^ere are many others) af l^gft
double the value of his falary. And certain-
ly, whatever the king of Sprain may lofc by
the bad oeconomy in his affairs, no prince in
the world has fuch means of rewarding the
fervices of his fubje<5ts, without any imme-
diate burthen upon his own revenues.

Cufco, the capital of the ancient erhpire,
is ftjU a very confiderable city ; it is at a good
diftance from the fea, and fituated in the
mountainous part of the country ; it has not
lefs than forty thoufand inhabitants, three
parts Indians, who are very induftrious and
ingenious. Though little inftrudled in the

art.

■;,^

'11

I-

Wi
m

'• '.'■ ' i

ill

;266 An Account of the European
art, a tafle for painting prevails, and fome
performances of the Indians of Cufco and
Quito have met with applaufe in Italy, An
incredible quantity of pidtures are painted
here, and are difperfed all over Peru and
Chkti. They have heie iikewife, manufadtores
of bays and cotton, and they work largely
in leather in moA of the ways in which it
is ufed.

Qu^to is likewife an inland town, iituated
in the moft Northern part of Peru 5 it is a
very confiderable place, and equal to any in
Peru for the number of inhabitants, which
are between fifty and fixty thoufand ; and it
carries on a very extenfive trade with Lima,
in manufadures of wool, cotton, and flax,
which are wrought in the city and its diftrid,
and fupply the greater part of the confump-
tion of the poorer fort all over this kingdom.
Few mines are worked in this diftridt, the'
thought to abound in minerals ; they receive
plate in return for their own manufadures,
and fend it to Carthagena in return for thofe
of Europe.

It is not eafy to calculate the number of in-*
habitants in Peru, becaufe we have none of
thofe dat^ which are necefTary to ground fuch
a calculation. There are feveral very large
and populous towns difperfed through that
?.ountry j but in many places it is little better
than a defart j p?irtly for want of water, but

much

Settlements in America. 267

much more generally through the pride of
pne p^rt of the people, the miferable fubjec-
tion of the other, and the floth of all. The
mines undoubtedly contribute largely to depo-
pulate the country^ by turning the inhabitants
frx9|m agfficultqre and manufacbures, eoiploy-
ments that prolong life and provide for it, to
the working of metals extremely perniciou§
to health, and which makes them deper^d
upon others for their necei&ry fuftenance.
The nations which are poor in refpe^t of gold,
and induftrious from that poverty, have not
the leaft reafon to envy the wealth of th^
Peruvians ; who, amidil all that extravagant
glare that dazzlps the eye, live penurioufljj
and fordidly ; and are often, in extreme wan^
in a country, which in many places is one of
the moft fertile in the world. Iti fa6l:, the
countries which employ their men in arts and
in agriculture, and receive their return in gold
and (liver from the countries which abound
in thofe metals, may be confidered as the real
proprietors of the mines ; the immediate pof-
(effors, only as their ftewards to manage, or
as their flaves to work them ; whilft they are
employed themfelves only at an eafy labour,
friendly to life, and neceffary to their welK
jjein^^

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2$8 ^« Account of the European

./>•

CHAP. XII.

Tie temperature of the air in Chili, The foil,

1' Its fertility. A defcription of the principal

toivns. The trade of Chili.

'.<»j'

* '. .-

IMmedlately to the Southward of Peru lies
Chili, extending itfelf in a long narrow
flip, along the coaft of the South-Sea, in the
South temperate zone. The air here is re^
markably clear and ferene. Scarce any changes
happen for three parts of the year. Very
little rain fa|is during that period. But the
benign dews ^^trj night, and the many rivu-
lets which the neighbourhood of the Andes
fupplies them, ferdize the plain country, and
make it produce as much corn, wine» oil,
and fruits, as the number of the inhabitants,
which is very fmall, or their induftry, which
is but moderate, will fufFer them to cultivate.
If it were under a more favourable govern-
ment, and better peopled, there is hardly
any part of the world which could enter into
competition with this. For at the fame time
that it enjoys ^ very healthful air, and is
warmed by an heat no way oppreP^ve, it bears
many of the tropical fruits that would thrive
no where clfe out of the torrid zone. It is
luxuriant on the furface with every thing for
profit a|i4 delight % and beneath it is rich to

profufion

i1 ■:

Settlements in America; '269

profufion with veins of gold, filver, copper^
lead, quickfilver, and irori. Thofe of gold
are the mofl wrought j and Indeed there is
fcarcc a rivulet in the country in which gold
is not found in fmaller or greater plenty j but
want of people, which is here more felt thait
j!i the other Spanifti fettlements, hinders them
from working all their mines; and what is
worfe, from improving the furface of theJt
country to any thing like the degree of per-"
feftion to which it might be brought. For
in this whole txtent of country, upwards of
twelve hundred miles in length, and from three
hundred to five hundred miles in breadth, it
is not reckoned they have much above twenty
thoufand whites fit to bear arms, and about
three times that number of Indians, blacks,
and mulattoes. Yet with fo few hands, and
thofe not the moft induftrious, they export
annually from the ports of Chili, to Callao,
and other parts of Peru, corn enough to fup-
port fixty thoufand men, for no country in
the world is more prolific in grain of every
fpecies; they export befides great quantities
of wine ; hemp, (which is raifed in ao other
part on the South-Seas,) hides, tallow, and
falted provifions 5 to fay nothing of the gold,
and other minerals, which form their principal
wealth. The people are much employed in
pafturage; and cattle are here in fuch plenty,

that an ox fatted may be .had for four dollars ;

;'.'t c?.:^/. ;■;.; ■' v^-.i ':■■'■■ a great

!" ' '.:,

:!!'■

'i^6 j^n Accoij^r of the ^iiito^i AS -i^.. ,

a great proof" of the fertility of ^ country
wh^te there is no fcarcity of money. But as
tJbey have a confiderable trade ir^ dried and
felted beef, hipesV and tallow, they conftantjy
dVive gfeat rfumpers of horned catde from the
other lid^e or tHe Andes,* from ^c province
of ^ucuman in Paraguay. Chili has hut a'
very few beafts of prey, and thole timor9us y
ana altfedugfi toads, fnakes, and fcor^ons,
are here as Numerous as in othef hot CQtin-
tries,r thejK are found eAtirely harmlqs,

"there ^c m CHili four towns of fomt note,
either o^ the fea,; Or near it ^ ^ St. Jago wpich
is the capitalf, and contains about 4poq fami-
lies, La»Conceptk)n, Qocjuimbo or ^a Serena^
and Bartiivia. The three lirft of thefe towns
aire laid^out' in a manner cxa<Sfy rei^qn\blingr
each other,t the ftreets, like thofc of Liipfi;
cuttihg one another fo as to forna fijuares like
thofe of a draft board, X^^Y have ali gar*
defts between the houfe^^ and running waters
drav/n from the neighbouring rivers Co ferti-
li^9 ^hern J biit the hotifes are fo low/and
meanly built', (mud Walls, and thatch ^ii;i
ibme, ) that they rather refemble ft greeabler
country villages than cities of bitfjnefs ' and
grandeur. However, fon>e of the hoijfes are
\vcli furniflied, and it is faid, that in St.Jagp
tneie are many, which have the meaneft
utenfils'of the kitchen, of gold and filver. As
for Baldivia, it is not more remarkable for

being

Setti<em£nts in America! 271

being the ftrongeft fortrefs in the South-Seas,
than for the manner in which it is peopled j
fpr hither the criminals from Peru and the
other parts of Chili are'tranfported, either for
a time» or for life,^ and opUged to labpur.
upon the fortifications and other public wo^ks*
Wh^it is Bngalar, thefe criminals are at o^ce
the prifoners and the jailors j for the garrifonr
of the place, the whole corps, foldiers andj
pfHcers, is formed of no other. The town>
contains about twa thoufand fouls, and all of
them banffh^d, people, or the defcendantsjojf

The maritime trade of Chili is entirely con-^
fined to what they carry on with Peru, one
or. tvro ports of New Spain, and Panama*
Their (hips rarely penetrate the ftraits of Ma-,
gellan,. or pafs Cape Horn. But they have
a cpnfide^'able inland commerce with Tucu^-
ip'ao, Buenps-Ayres, and other parts of Pa-
raguay^ from wich they get tte herb of Pa-,
raguay,, boes-wax^.. and cattle.

'• ir.

CHAP. xm.

1/ ■•rt :.)ri;i.'lR5?'(

M-:/

il aUIU:^^^

Ifie Spfmards tn this province but few • The
Americans i tb^ir chcr offer. Some free .,

t 1/ *■ «•# ^ f

**w

S ip Chili they are weak in men, have
a lar^e body of independent Indians,
ilUaffedcd to them on their borders, as the

Dutch

■ y>

■:'v^f

''I

i M

j27^' JnAccovuT of the European

JDiitch pnce attempted an eftablifliment hei;ey
«nd that other people have nouriOied projedts
t)f the fame nature, they are extremely cau-i
jdous and watchful on the coaft, and the
country is imme4iately in afma upon every
alarm, virhieh is giveil wh^n antjr ifaip appears
off the coad that is not of Spanish nuUt.
t^et, notvirithftanding all thdi^eaution, their
fecurity is rather ov^ring to the fyftem of Eu-
rope, of which it is a part to keep the Spa-
nifli poffeffions in thd hands of the prefcnt
proprietors, and to the difficult and danger-
ous pjiffage of the ftraits of Magellan or Cape
Horn, for any European armament of fdrce,
than either to their own ftrength or vigilance.
>f The Indian inhabit^mts of Chili are i bfave
and warlike people, who defended their liber-
ties vigoroufly, made fevt^al fucc^fsful infur-
redtions, kiHed Peter Baldivia the conqueror
of the country, and maintained a war againift
the whole Spanifti power in that part of the
world for fcveral years ; which was only fer-'
minated on the part of feveral of thd nations
near the mountains, by an honourable peace,
which is prcfervcd to this day. i^one can be
more jealoufly watchful than this people of
their freedom. They traffic indeed with the
Spaniards, bcit with fo'muth caution, and un-
der limitatioas fo ftri^, that they can take
very little advantage of this communication.
As for thgfe who are obliged to fubmjt, it is

-I'll V* ■■

iiw

\, d l-fcf W •* T'"

SicrrtEiviENts in America^" 273

td a yoke nothing near To heavy as that which
opprcffes the people who inhabit the other
Spaaifh provinces ; partly from the better
terms which were procured ; and partly from
the fear of a nation, whom they haveexpe*
rienaed to be brat^c^ arid know tot be Oirround-*
ed with many, who are of the fame blood,
and have defertded their frecjdom with better
fuccefs. A good example, even in the un-
f6ttunatc, how much a brave defence of U-*
berty|iiay< contribute to procure, if nothing
elfe, yet a more tolerable lervitude. .Thtjn-
dians of this Country have more refemblancc
to thbfe of North America, though more hu*
mane ^nd civilizjed iri their manners, nhan to
the Peruvians and Mex5i(tans. Here they have
lefs fttperflicion naturally i and far from having
that exctffive veneration, vvhich' thofe na-
tions bad for thetr kings, they have no kings
at alii and very little form of government j
iMich family being foveretgn within itfelf, and
independent. The buiinefs which concerns^
them ftUy is tranfadted in the aiTemblies of all i
and the plurality of voices decides. They arc
much given to liquor j and they pradtife po-^
lygamy, which in America is not common.
However, the Spanifli miffionaries have now
made a confiderable progrefs amongf* thefe
free nations ; they have a college for the edu-
cation of the Indian youth ; and their influence
is a great means of preferving peace betwu^en
., Vol. I. T |Hc

%fs

f At.' .

the Spanifli fettleaients and the fre« In,dmR|
qn their borders, which, without thcii?.aflift-'
«nce, would be. difficult. For though they
liftcn lo tb^ Spanifli priefts, Aey pfoferve si
very jtril terror of falling under their goveriH
tnent^ and nofmall hatred to th€ people, ^^i;

■2sm3tiiiiti7? :C H A p. XIV- "-^-'^^ff^^'i^ ^

Ithe clifHate cf Paraguay. Its rhers^ TO/
-,:■ frxfoince of La Plata* llhe town of Buerw^
ci ^res. Its tradi, ■■ ^ uku.:.ij..i^ ^^'^vu^k^i^

rir^HE! country of f^aragdayj or La Pkte^
t.;^i: fhuts up the Eaftern fide of a confide*
l^blc part of Chili and Peru j whence extend*
ing over a tradt of countryi above a thoufand
miles broad, it bounds Bra:&il upon the Wcft^
and upon the South butts upom tha Atlantic
ocean ^ being fifteen hundred nriles at le^A ift
length, ffora Jhe mouth of the great rrv«r
jHata to it& Northern boundary the country
of the Amazons. This vaft territory ii hi
from being ivholly fubdued or planted by th«
Spaniards. There are many parts in a^reat
degree unknown to them^ or to any othcfc'
Ipeoplc of Europe. In fueh a Yaft country,
and lying in climates fo different, for k lies
tJn the Northern frontier under the equinoc*-
lAsl line, and on the South advances to the
tbirty-feventh degree of latitude, far into the

IBouth

SETTIiEMENTS in AMEftldAi 2!f§

St«th temperate zone, we muft expe<!3: tcr
mt'f^ great di verity of foil and prodiid:. xiow**
evtft", in g^fieral this great country is fertrteff
the paftures particularly are (a rich^ that thry
2X^4i(w^vtA with tnnum^srabte herds of tdacfc
cattle, h<wfcs ^ndt *iA*tes ; ia wiikh hacdty
any body thinks it worth his whiic to claim
a' property. Aay pe^fott tSakes and breaks
them -afeo^ding to his t>ccafions.!J*Cir' ^ '^^ >* :«f5
-^^his cio^ntry, beft^s afn infinite number
of f^iadter Tiv^V*,'" i^ W^ene^ biy thjrec princi-.
pal ^66, which tmite near the fea, to form
the famous Rio de la Phta. The firft is Pa-»
ra^ay, from wi)e«ce the co^intry is djencmiii*
naited j this forms the ihain channel. It has^
ife origin from a great lake in the centt* of
South America, called the kkc of Xarayesi-
arfid rlifls in a eourle wearty North and Souths
Fir-ana, 'wrhkh rifes amongft the mountains
oA'the froprtiers of Brazil, runs a floping
G^Hirfe to the South- Weil, until it joins the
Pa^'aguay at a great difVance from the oceaa
about the twenty-feventh degree of Soutk
kfeitude. Uraguay rifes likewife upon the
fkriie (ide, and runs almoin an equal courfc
before it meets thofe united rivers at no great
diftance from the ocean, with which it mixes,
along with them. .'^ '.^-.yv. :^y**.

' The principal province vrhich concerns us
ill thrs vaft trad:, is that \vhkh is called Rio
de la' Plata, towards the mouth of tlie above-
^ni^'^rn^/' T 2 mentioned

ffiS

.-;* ^i. ii. Jf! .-'■■■- i^ A '^

276 A/I Account of the Europeam

mtntioned rivers. This province, with all the
adjacent parts, is one continued levels inter-
rupted by not the leaft hill for feveral hun**
dredi of miles every way 3 extremely fertile
in moAr things ; but contrary to the general
nature of America, deftitute of woods; this
want they endeavour to fupply by plantations^
of every kind of firuit tr^es j all which thrive
here to admiration. The air is remarkably
fweet and ferene, and the waters of die great
river are equally pure and wholfome^ thev
annually overflow their banks ; and on their
recefs, leave them enriched with a flime^^
which produces the greateft plenty of what**
ever is committed to it.
ivThe principal town is Buenos-^ Ayted^
the South fide of the river ; it was fo called
upon account of the excellence of the air.
This town is the only place of trafHc-to the
Southward of Brazil j yet its trade, confix
dering the rich and extenfive country to which
it is the avenue, is very inconfiderable. N<y
regular fleet comes here, as to the other parts
of Spanifh America j two, or at moft three
regifier fhips, make the whole of their regu-
lar intercourfe with Europe. Their returns
are very valuable, confifling chiefly of gold,
5lver, fugar and hides. 1 cannot learn that
tliey have opened any confiderable mines in
this province; but it is probable there are
rich ones in the provinces, which lie to the
luia, ;;- Euftward

'<,!!.

*' -*

Settlements in America*.- 277

Eailward of the Andes ; befides it Is certaia
that a good deal of gold is returned from
Chili, for the mules, cattle and tea which arc
&nt thither s and that filver from the province
of Los Charcas in Peru is fent upon the fame
gc<^ount» for the mod part by land carriage^
Tbe^ is , befides a tolerable water carriage ;
for a large river, called Pilcomayo, rifts not
i^ frona the mines of Potofi, which winding
ampfigfl (be openings of the Cordillera, dif-
€Jbaige|s itfelf at laft into the Paraguay ; and
this river is navigable to the very fource, al*-
lowing for the intermption of Tome falls^
which is the cafe of the river of Plate itfelf.
By this way it is, I judge, that a great quan-
tity of filver comes to Buenos- Ay res. In*
deed it is in great plenty in that province ;
and thofe who have now and then carried
oq a counterband tr«?de to this country, have
found it far more advantageous than any other
>yhatfoever. The benefit of this counterband
h now wholly in the hands of the Portuguefe,
who keep magazines for that purpofe in th«
adjacent parts of Braz;il»

. ^-. 1 *,

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CHAP,

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■^y

{578 ^/^ Account 0/ /i^ European

C H A P; XV. ''H^'J'' y':''-

yie terriiOry oftbejefuits in Paraguay, Their
manner of fettling and governing it, Th^
obedience of the people. Som^ refiefiiqm,^

X the late tranfa^ions there, ^ , ; , ^ . T/ y iV'^^

TH E trade of Paraguay, and the hianf-
ners of the people, are fo much the
fame with thofe of the reft of the Spani(h
colonies in South America, that nothing fur-
|:her can be faid on thofc articles ; but it
would be inexcufable to quit the country
"without faying fomething of that extraorr
fiinary fpecies of commonwealth which the
jefuits have erected in the interior parts. ,>-

About the middle of the laft century thofe
fathers reprefented to the court of Madrid,
that their want of fuccefs in their tniffions
was ovying to the fcandal which the immo-
plity of the Spaniards never failed to give,
and to the tiatred which their infoknt bcha-
viour paufed in the Indians wherever they
came. They infinuatcd, that if it weke not
ifor that impediment, the empire of the gofpei
might, by their labours, have been extende4
into the vn^^^ unknown parts of America ;
and that all thofe countries might be fubdued
fo his catholic mjjefly's obedience without ex-
pence and without force. This remonftrance

Settlements /;; America. tyg

was liftened to with attention ; the fphere of
their labours was marked out ; an uncon^
trculed liberty was given to the jcfuits with-
in thcfe limits j and the governors of the ad-
jacent provinces had orders not to interfere,
nor to fu£Fer any Spaniard to enter into this
pale without licence from the fathers. They
on their part agreed, to pv ^ a certain capita*
tion tax in proportion to their flock ; arA to
fend a certain number to the king s works
whenever they (hould be demanded, and the
miiHons Should become populous enough to
fupply them, .Mir ^i^rJ,f ^ ? ^ * ;.

VI. On thefc terms the jefuits entered upon the
fcene of adion, and opened their fpiritual
campaign. They began by gathering toge-
ther about fifty wandering families, whom
they perfuadcd to fettle j and they united
them into a little townfiiip. This was the
flight foundation upon which they have built
a fuperftrudlure, which has amazed the world,
and added fo much power, at the fame time
that it has brought fo much envy and jealoufy
on their fociety. For when they had made
thk beginning, they laboured with fuch inde-
fatigable pains, and with fuch maflerly policy,
that, by degrees, they mollified the minds of
the tnoA favage nations ; fixed the mod ram-
bling J and fubdued thq moft averfe to govern-
ment. They prevailed upon thoufands of va-
rious diipprfcd toribe;s of people to embrace
--'^' - T 4 ^ thQir

:ii3

:£8o jin Account of the European

their religion, and to fiibmit to their govern^
rrient ; and when they had fubmitted, the
jefuits left nothing undone, that could conduce
m their remaining in this fubjedion^ orthat
<i:ould tend to increafe their ntimber ta the
^grec rcquifite for a well-ordered and potent
fociety ; and their laboars were attendied with
"iui^Ctk, ■■■-■ ■■ ''- -^' ?-'^''' h^^i-:yn:l
f It is faidj that from fuch inconfltferatc^&-
glnnings, feveral years ago, their fob}e<flfS' a-
mounted to three hundred thoufand families.
They lived in towns; they were rcgulady
clad i they laboured in agriculture ; they cxr
crcifed manufa^tufes. Some even afpired to
the dlegant arts. They were inftru<5lcd in
the military with the moil exad discipline ;
und could raife ihcty thoufand men well
armed. To effedl thefe purpofes, from time
to time they brought over from Europe feve-
ral handicraftmen, muiicians, and painters.
Thefe, I am told, were principally from Ger-
'v many and Italy. ' -'"'vM ,r'^''^"-wai b*i£:fe^u •
"*' We are far from being able to trace with
1 the exadlnefs they deferve, all the ileps which
* -were taken in the accomplifhtDent of fo exi-
" traordinary a conqucft over the bpdies and
" mimds of fo many people, without arms or
' -violence; and differently from the methods
x^f all oihcr conquefis ; not by cutting off a
c large part of the inhabitants to iecure the
rpitj but by multiplying -th«irp<lople,wh4lft

they

SBfTTtEMENTS in AMERICA.' 28|

they extended ehciif territof y. Their own ^^
counts are not very ample ; and they are pasr
tial:lcr themfclves without doubt. What fotne
odiers have written is with a>glaring ipi^
jfiidice againft them. The particulars which
feem heft ^reed upon by both fides, ared^
only ones lo be mentionai. h"^- b^r r^' ''Jt
It is agreed then, that in each miffion or
diftf idt (the country Is divided into fdrty-feven
diflri(5ts) a jefuit prefides in chief. But ma-
giftrates are fetded in every town anfwecable
to thofe in the Spani(h cities; thefp arc d-
ways Indians, cledl:ed by the people, and ap-
proved bythe prcfidingjefiiit: on folcpin oc-
calions they appear in rich robes of ceremony,
attended with a fuitable reirinuej and every
thing which may make for the dignity of
their government. The people which com-
pofe this commonwealth are compofed chiefly
of two nations or tcibes, one called Garanies,
the other Chiquitos. The latter are active,
lively and ingenious, therefore their ceconomy
is more left to themfclves; and they have
fometbing of property, but there is fomething
too in common. Amongil the Garanies there
is no property ; every thing is done under the
public eye, and for the public ; for otherwifc
this people, naturally lazy and ftupid to the
laft degree, would be in perpetual want. Each
man's labour is allotted him in proportion to
jiis ftrength^ or to bis |kiU in the profefiion
ik^ I ^ whicl^

ill

•iHf-

; il I

!i! il

aSt An AcecWTNT of the European
wliich he exercifissi The produdt is brought
faitJifuUy into the ptiblic magazines; from
whence he is sigain Aipplied with all things
which the mana^rs judge to be expedient
fop'tbe fuftcnaace of himfelf or his family,
4rll occeflkrics arc diftributcd regularly twice
a week ; and the magazines always contain
£ich a fiock of provifions and goods of every
kiodi as to anfwer Jiot only the ordinary cxi*
gei&cies, but fp provide againft a time of fearer
city, or for thofe whom accidents, age, or in-
firmities, have difqualiiied for labour. Thus
want is never known amongft them; their
villages are cleanly and decent, greatly ex<^
ceeding thofe of the Spaniards in their ncigh^ip
bourhood. Their churches are particularly
grand and richly adorned ; and fervice is in
them performed with all the folemnity and
magnificence of cathedrals ; nor are good
voices and inftruments wanting, )»,4ffi^;irri/t./'t*
/! They provide early for the marriage of
their yourrg people, as well to prevent difor-^
dcrs, as to multiply th^ir fubjedts. Here, as
intcrefl can be no motive to the union, there
are few difficulties attending it. i The young
man applies to the governing jefuit, informs
him of his defire of marriage, and names thp
party : ihe is confuhed, and if there is no ob-
jedion upon her paHt, they are immediately
<narried. They are fuppli^ with all neccf- '
ik»e8&r their eflablUhmeot frooi the public
$x^%-^- ftorcsj,

"■BBPP"

Settlemehts m America.' 283

fiionsj and they have at the fame time theif
^afk allotted them, by which they are to mak$
am^tids for what they have received, and to
provide for others in their turn^ 4*^ M^f^^i jr^i*
J The Indian magiftrate is oUiged continuallj
to wfttch 6ver the minuteft anions of hit
people, and to give the jcfuit ^n exadt account
of th^ ftate of hi* diftrift, asd the merit and
demerit of the people which it contains. Tlicy
are rewarded or puniihed apcofding to thn
report. Tbepunjftment for fmaller crimes
f^ by imprifonment, for g«* jater by whipping^
from whic'h it is fatd not even the principal
magidrate^ are es^empted. Capital punifh*
p?itnU they do not ]nfli<5b, as indeed crimes
deferving fucih punifhment are rarely com-*
Ifiitted amongft them. The trorrcdtton is re*
Reived by all, not only with patience, but ac-
knowledgment. The revvards are feldom
piore than benediftions, and fome flight marks
of the jefuits favour, which make thofe men
prttirely happy, -'^-/iiii^^. -^8>- ;>Wt?ti^r "t^m-'-^yr ^ 'Um-\

*' Nothing can equal the obedience of the
people of thcfe millions, except their con-
tenuT«erit under it. Fat from murmuring,
that they have only the neceflkries of life, by
a labour which might in fdme degree procure
them the convcniencies of ^ it, they think
tfeicmfelves a diftinguiihed and favoured peo^
pie Jtx wanting them ;. and they believe t^ei»
fibedieoce a duty, that nof only ftcure^ theii

:r;tv;v Prdcr

'fl'

il!

^!|i!

I i;

284 ^ Account of the European
ordtf and rcpofc in this world, but the very
feeft means of infuring their happinefs in the
liext. This is carefully inculcated ; and in-
deed befides their attention to the govern-
miilit^* the jefuits are indefatigable in their in-
ftni^Hons in the dodlrines of religion, the re-
gttkrity of life, and the contempt of thit
world. And by what I can find, the Indians
under their jurifdidion are an innocent people,
cr^ilized without being corrupted. ^.
A The jefuits who govern thfem, iii'e iaicl to
bo extremely ftrid: in preferving their privilege
in keeping all ftrangers from amongft them.
If anyfuch (hbuld by accident, or in his jpur^
ney, arrive in the country of the miflion;, he
is immediately carried to the prefbytery, where
he is treated for a day, or two at moft, with
great hofpitality, but regarded with no lefs
circiimipedlion. The curiofities of the place
are (hewed him in company with the jefuit,
and he can have no private converfation with
any of the natives. In a reafonable time he
IS civilly difmifled, with a guard to condu(ft
him to the next djftridt, without expepce,
where he is treatedin the fame manner, until
he is out of the country of the miflions. Cau^
tions altogether as ftri^, and in the fame fpirit,
are dbferved, when the natives are obliged tq
gaout of their own territory to fcrve in the
king's works, or when any part of their troops
l^re cs^kd out for his fervice, They (hun all

> « <-V'

mannei:

,. Settlements /» AMERicAr 285

manner of con verfation with ftrangcrs, upom
whom they look with a fort of horror j and
fo return, uninformed and .untainted,, intm
their own country as they left it, ,. . ^j sh
I am fenfible, that thany have ccpr^fent^
the conduct of the jefuits in this million in a^
very bad light; but their reflexions ^pp0ai^tp>
me not at all fupported by the fads upcar
which they build them. To judge perfeSly
of the fervice they have done their pec^ep
we muA not confider them in a parallel with
the flbdrifhing nations of Europe, but as com^*
pared with their neighbours, the favages ^
South America, or with the ftate of thofe In4
dians yvhp groan under the Spaniib yoke)^-
Confidering it in this, which is, the true Ughtjl
it Will appear, that human focicty is, infinitely
obliged to thejn for adding to it three hundred
thoufand families in a well-regulated 1 comri*
mui4ty> in the room of a few vagabond unA..
taught favageSt And indeed, it can fcarce be
conceivpd, that the governn\ent has not fome?
extraordinary perfedion, which has a prin-
ciple of increafe within it, which draws others
to uqite themfelves to the old ilock^ atvd
ihoots out itfelf a luxuriance of new bra,nches»
Neither can ive, by any means, blait>e a
fyftem which produces fuch faltitary effects >
and which has found that difficult, bat happy
way, that grand defideratum in politics, of
uniting a pcrfed fubjedlion, to an entire con^

iv^ilQiitU

tent

II;

I' It

«86 An AccoitNT of the Europban

tent and fatisfadion of the people. Mattewy
which, it were to be wiihed, were ftudicd
with more attention by us, who content our-
felves with railing at the diligence of an ad-
Verfary, which we fhoidd rather praife and
imitate ; and who in our affairs feldom think
of uiing any other inftruments than force or

money. ^' '^'"^ -' ■'"" 0'fr-:.i '^i; ■rnjv'r?^-

This commonwealth has lately become d
fubjed: of -much converfation, upon acctjunt
of the ceffifon which has lately been made of
par! of that territory to the crown of Portu-
gal. It is well known, that th« inhabitants
of feven of the miffions refufed to* toriiply
with this ^iivifion, or to (ufFer themfeives ta
be transferred from one hand to anpther, like
cattle, wiehortirt their own confent *. We
are informed by the authority of the gazette,
that the Indiai^s adualiy took up arms ; but
BOtwith(laodi«g the exadtnefs of their dtfci^
pline, they were eafily, and with a co^fi-
derable (laughter, defeated by the European
troops, who were fent to quell them. It
feems to have been ill-judged in this people,
who had never fecn any real fervice, nor
were headed by officers who had fesen any,
without which the beft difcipline is but a fort
of play, to have hazarded a battle with troops

■Vrf^l r^l/*/

^ * The jefults have been entirely difgraced at t>e court of

Portugal, for th« Ihare they are faid to have had in this re»
iiilatrce.

SETTL^iiEiJts in AMfiftfcA.' 287

from Europe. They ought rathei; to bavo
firft habituated themfelTes to adion by atj*
tacking fmall partic^y by^ciudng off convoys^
by little furprizos, until by uie and fuccef&ui
fmaller matters, they wer« indtl^d to haizard
the fum of their affairs in '• the open ^eiid;
However, it is not improbable, that thle op*
pofition will roufe the indolence of the Spa-
niards, and nlake them talid the government
of the country out of the hands it is in at
prefent. If t^ey do, it is not difficult to fbrcr
fee, that the fame dcpopyktiojii the fame di^
iirefs, and the fame difcontenty which diftin-
guifhes the Indians in tb© reil of the Spani(h
provinces, will be k)on equally vifible in this.
Itr will not be difficult for them to- efi5b6l the
reduction of this country 5 for the jefuits have
tbo kfge and valuabde an intereft in Old
Spain, as well as in the new world, to difpute
k with the Court, whenever they fhall de-
mand in good eameft to have this countiy
furrendertd 5 if it be true, that the jefuits
bave really fuch influence o^ the inhabitants
as is attributed to tbcmu ^*^ or I'r h. ri f .. y
i It was not originally foch bad policy, as k
ttiay feem, to have intrufted the jefuits wkk
fo great a power j fincc a little time will fticw,
that they have given them a territory un-
known, unpeopled, and uncultivated, which
they have the certain means of rcpoiTcffing
when ttc;y pkafe, fubdued, peopled, and

cultivated.

,1!' wl

afiS An Account of the EuropeAw
cvikivated. As to its wealth, it is hard to JSi^
4Uiy thing certain} thejefuits deny it. And
Irnly, if they adtod with a perfe^ policy,
ihcy would never have fuifered any mines of
gold or filver to be opened in that country.
Of this matter I have no information upon
which I can depend. :u; i\s%:-f!ivMm <?fi»>.;^yfv»

(v*!l\»*ff«1 ^x^, C H A P< XVL* ■ ft r>-74in'i4>;

Tfrra Firma* Its extent and produce > The
^ cities of Panama p Carthagena^ and For to--
*^„bello. 1 he galleons. ThetJleofCuba. ^be
n Havanna. Hifpaniola. For to Rico. Re^
. fieBions on the policy of Spain with regard to
the colonies. fiu ,ju . ; I b.^ rUuiii^iHi'i>i

THE Spaniards have not niade any fetf
tlements in the other divifions of South
America, which they claim to the Southward
of Buenos- Ayres, nor to the Northward^ exr
c^t in Terra Firma, of which wc (hall fty
fomething. The country of the Amazons,
though prodigioufly large, wonderfully ferr
tile, and watered by fo Doble a river, is al-
moft entirely ncglcdted. The river of Ama-
zons, called aUo Maranon, and Orellana,
which waters and gives its name to this coun-
try, arifing from the union of feveral flreams
that fall from the Cordillera, runs acourfe of
no lefs than uoo leagues j it flows for the
. greater

^HWP

SRTTtEMENTS in AMERICA. 2^^

grdifcf part through a level country covered
with the faireft and lofticft fbrefts h the
worit^ In which it forms an iilnulmerable
muhitude of delightful iflands ; and receiving
on both fides the copious tribute of feverai
rivers almoft equal to itfelf in greatnefs, in-
creafing in breadth to a fort of fea, and to a
depth which in fome parts has been in vain
fearched with a line of upwards an hundred
fathoms, it rufhes at length into the Atlantic
ocean by two mouth" of an aftonifhing wide-
ncfs, the principal being 45 leagues broad,
the fmaller not lefs than twelve. The coun-
try on this fine river has no other inhabitants
than Indians, fome favage, fome united un-
der Spanifh and Portuguefe mifiionariesv

The country of Patagonia is likewife of a
Vaft ftretch to the Southward of Buenos-
Ayres, all in the temperate zone, and extend-
ed all along the Atlantic ocean. It is a plain
country without trees ; but this is the caie of
the delightful and fertile country of Buenos-
Ayres. It is faid likewife to be barren and
defart ; but what is certain, it is unfettled by
any European nation, and little known, tho'
it lies open for any power that can avail itfelf
of a favourable opportunity to edablifh a co-
lony there.

The laft province, accbrding to ^he ordef
I have dbferved, though not of the leaft con-
sequence in the Spani^ American dominions.

Vol. I. U i$

290 An Account of fi^ European
is Terra Firma ; a vaft country, above aooq
miles in length, and 500 broad. Bordering
on Mexico, Peru, and Amazonia, it ftretche$
ill along tbc North fea, from the Pacific
ocean to the mouth of the river of Ama-»
zons upon the Atlantic. It i? divided into
tv^'elve large provinces. They all contain a
vaft deal of high and mountainous country,
particularly the province of St Martha, where
there are faid to be hills furpaffing TenerifFe
itfelf in height ; thefe hills comrnunicate with
the Andes. The valleys are deep ^nd nar-
rovsr, and for a great part of the year flooded)
but though Terra Firma is on the coaft, the
moft unplcafant and moft unhealthful coun-
try in the torrid zone, the plain grounds are
extremely fertile ; produce corn enough, vs^hen
cultivated \ all kinds of the tropica) fruits 1
rich drugs J cacao, vanilla, indigo, piemcnto,
guaiacum, farfapariUa, and balfam of Peru,
No country abounds more in rich and luxu-^
riant p^ftur^ge, or has a greater ftock of black
(fatde. Their rivers have rich golden fands ;
their coafts have good pearl fifheries j and
their mines formerly yielded great quantities;
of gold ; but at prefent they are negleded cr
exbapfted ; fo that the pr'ncipal wealth of
this kingdom arifes from the commerce of
Carihagcn^ ; and what treafurc is f(?cn there,
is moftly the return for European commodi-
ties which are fent from that port to Santa-

Settlements m Amertca." 291"

fe, Popayaiv, and Quito : and rubrcs and cme-'
raids are here fdund in plenty ; but the value
of pcecicHis flones depending more on fancy
thin thlatof gold or (ilver, this trade has con-
fkkrably declined. u

" This province has a very confiderable fh^re
of the trade of Europe ; not only on account
of its own produce and demand, but becaufe
all the intercourfe of Peru and Chili with Old*
Spain is carried on through this country, for,'
as wc have mentioned, Carthagena fupplies.
Its capital city Panama is the great barcadier c F
the South -Sea. Hither is brought all the trea-
fure which the richmines of Peru and Chili pay
to the king, or produce upon a private account,

^' The city of Panama is iituated upon one
of the beft harbours in all refpc(fls, of the
South-Seas. Ships of burthen lie fafe at
fome diftance from the town ; but fmaller
veffels come up to the walls. In this bay i»
a pearl fifliery of great value. The town,
one of the largeft in America, is faid to con-
tain five thoufand houfes, elegantly built of
brick and ftone, difpofcd in a femicircular
form, and enlivened with the fpires and
domes of feveral churches and monafteries.
It is covered on the land fide with an a^rec-
able country, diverfified with hills, valleys,
and woods. The town ftands upon a dry hnd
tolerably healthful ground, and has a great
and profitable trade with Peru, Chili, and

U 2 the

■'■HI

,N!

Z92 Jn Account of the European
the Wcftcrn coaft of Mexico, chiefly for
provifions of every fort both of the animal
and vegetable kinds j corn, wine, fugar, oil,*'
with tallow, leather, and jefuits bark. In
the neighbourhood of this city they raifc no-
thing ; and yet, by traffic and their conve-
nient fituation, there are few cities more abun>r
dantly fupplied with all things for necefiity,
convenience, or luxury. Their trade with
the Terra Firma and with Europe is carried
on over the ifthmus of Parien, and by tha
river Chagra.

The fecond town of confideration in Terra

Firma, is Carthagena, which ftands upon a

peninfula, that enplofes olc of the fafcft and

beft defended harbours in ^11 the Spanifh

America. The town itfelf is well fortified,

and built after the elegant fafiiion of mofl of

the Spanifh American towns, with a fquare

in the middle, and ftrects running every way

regularly from it, and others cutting thefe at

right angles. This town has many rich

jchurches and convents 5 that of the jefuits is

particularly magnificent. Here it is that the

galleons on their voyage from Spain put in

Srft, and difpofc of a confiderable part of their

cargo ; which from hence is diflributed to

St. Martha, the Caraccas, Venezuela, and

moft of the other provinces and towns i^ the

'1 erra v itjXiOi, .^•'a-.^. y. ^i- ^j ,.■■; .^j ?*''>-^'*?> **-*j|h?'; ''•',

•r if ' ;-, ' ■ '

r>»ji.^4i . '.A.J .-

a,^

T.:-x

t/^^

• Set TtEMENTS tft AMJtRfcA, 295
"^^'he fleet which is called the galleons, con-^
iiAs of about eight men of watr, of about
fifty guns each, defigned principally to fupply
Peru With military ftores} but in reality, ladea
hot only with thefc, but with every other
kind of m6rehandize on a private account ; {o;
as to be in bad condition fot defending them-
felv^s^ or protecting others. Under the con-
voy of thefe fail about twelve merckant fhips**
not inferior m burthen. This fleet of the
galleons is regulated in much the ^nie man«
ner with the flotas, and it is deflined for the
exclafive commerce of Terra Firma and the
South-Sea, as the flota is for that of Mexico.

No fooner is this fleet arrived in the haven
of Carthagena, than expreflfes are immcdiatel/
dtfpatched to Porto-bello, and to all the ad-
jacent towns 5 bm principally to Panama 5 that
they may get ready all the treafure which
is depoflted there, to meet the galleons at
Porto-bello i in which town, (remarkable for
the goodnel-s of its harbour, which brings
fuch a furprifihg concoirrfc here at the time
of the fair, and the unwholfomfenefs of the
air, which makes it a defart at all other
times) all the perfons concerned in the vari-
ous branches of this extenfive traffic aflfem-
ble ; aiid there is certainly no part of the
^orld where bufinefs of fuch great importance
h negociated in fo fliort a time. For in about
a ibrtnight the fair is over; during which the

U J difplay

:ti

294 -^^ Account of the European
difplay of the gold, filvdr, and precious
flones, on the one hand, dnd of all thecsu^
rioiity and v^iety of the ingenibus fabrics iif
Europe on the other^ is aftoni{lkiB^ Heapl
of wedges and ingots of filver iare lOmbied
about on the wharfs like common things. At
this time an hundred crowns are given for a
poor lodging, a thoufand for a {hop, and pro-
yifion bf every kind is prdportionably dear j
which may help us to 4dme ideli of the pro-
fits made in this trade. Thetreafurc ife brought
hither from Panama, by a very dalngerous
road, upon mules. The other goods,. ^gar>
tobacco, and drugs, are tranfpoited oil tht
river Chagra. *-. d. ,,u .;. ..^^^^j,r^.u;^f;

When the galleons have taken in their tt-
turns, they fteer together to the HavanM^
which is the place of rendezvous of all the
ihips concerned in the Spanifh Americafn

trade. ^r:-v^ o~ '■i^'tr^ /njffrrrjvj^" *

The Havanna is the capital c?fy df the
ifland of Cuba. It is fituated upo^ an ejt-
ccllent harbour upon the Weftern extremity
of the ifland. This city is large, containing
not lefs than two thoufand houfes, with a
number of churches and convents ; but then
it ic the only place of confequeiice upon the
noble ifland of Cuba, which lies in the lati^
tude 20, and extends from Eaft to Weft near
I'even hundred miles in length, though in
breadth it is difproportioned, being but from
v'^ J one

Settlements /;; America. ^95
on6 hundred and twenty to fe^efity miles.
However, it yields to no part of the Weft-
Indies in the fertility of its foil, or in excels
lericeof every thing which is produced in that
climate. But the Spaniai*ds, bya feries of the
moft inhuman and impolitic barbarities, having
cxt^rtjiinated the original inhabitants 5 and
not 'finding the quantities of , gold in the
iflfthds which the continent afforded , they
haye left this as w^qll as Hifpanipla ^ of which
the French now poflefs the greater part, and
Porto Rico, a large, excellent, and fertile
iflatid, comparatiyely fo many defarfes. The
Cottittjercc between thefe iflands, and ihe
8{5anifli continent, is carried on by the Barle-
vento ^ieet, conftfting of fix fliips of goodj
burthen ^nd force, who anhually make the
tour of all thefe iflands, and the cbaft of Terrar'
Firma, not only to carry on the co^in^crcei
between thofe places, but to cliear the fea 6^
pirates and illicit traders. Now alid then a
rcgii^bet ihip from Old Spain is bpund to one
or othet of thefe iflatMis. Hitherto the Spa-
niards feemcd rather to keep thetri, to prevent
any otho: nation from growing too powerful
ih thofe feas, than for any profit ihey expected
tb derive from them. And it is certain, that
if other nations (hoiild come entirely to pof-
fefs the whole of the iilands^ the trade of the
American continent, and perhaps the continent
itfdf, would be entirely at their mercy. How-

ever,

29l6 An Account e/" the European
ever^ of late, the Spaniards have taken fomQrr
fteps towards the better fettlement of Porto? .
Rico. They are beginning to open the Arric-
lican trade to fome other towns in Spain be< ^
fides Cadiz. They have made a difference in
point of duty between their own manufafturesi ^
and thofe of foreigners. They are, in flaortj.;
opening their eyes to the true intereft of their, ;
country, and moving their hands^ though; i
flowly, to promote it. . ^ , i i> m^^mi^v,
Unto this time, the tide of wealth, that*
conftantly flowed from America into Spaing' .
ran through that kingdom like a hafty torrent,^:
which, far from enriching the country, hur-
ried away with it all the wealth which it founds'
in its paflage. No country in Europe receivea.
fuch vaft treafures as Spain. In no countr/r
in Europe is feen fo little money. The^ trutb
is, from the time that the Indies feU,intQ.tho
hands of Spain, the affairs of that monarchyr
have been conftantly going backward,. lUt
America their fettlements were carried on'
conformably to that genius, and to thpfe
maxims, wnich prevailed in their government
in Europe. No means of retaining their con-%^
quefls but by extirpating the people ; no
fchemes for the advancement of trade ; no
attempts at the reformation of abufes, which
became venerable in proportion to the mif-
chiefs they had fuffeicd by them. In govern-*

.:!

*.t;ii-q i.u vi»>, jou^v,.-;*,. iM.:")^\r^

,,.^ment.

j. -t-^

Settjlemekts in America* 297
meat, tyranny > inreligioni bigotry^; in trade,
monopoly. -r lvT ■ .^r-jir^

When the Spaniards found, to their am-
bition which was boundlefs, that they had
joined a treafure which was inexhauftible,
they imagined there was nothing too vafl for
them to compafs. They embraced a thoufand
proje^s at once 3 many of them noble ones in
theory9 but to be executed with different iq-
flruments in different parts of the world, and
all at a v^fl: expence of blood and treafure*
The wars, which were the refult of thefc
fchemes, and the Indies, which were to fup-*
port them» were a continual drain, which car-
ried off their people, and deflroyed all in-
duftry in thofe who remained. The treafure
which flowed in every year from the new
world, found them in debt to every part of
the old} for to the refl of their revenues they
had forgot to add that, which is a great reve-
venue itfelf, and the great fupport of all th«
others, oeconomy. On the contrary, an ill
order in their finances at home, and a de-
vouring ufury abroad, fwallowed up all their
treafure, whilft they multiplied the occafions
for it. With the beft fcheming heads in
Europe, they were every where outwitted j
wiih the bravefl and beft difciplined troops,
they were almoft always defeated j with the
greatefl treafures, they were in want ; and
^cir armies were ill provided, and ill paid.

Their

ill

^9 -^ Account of tit EuMf^Atj

Thtir friends ^xh..ofted them by tt-ade ; thtJi'
enemies by plunder. They faw net^ ibtes
aHl€ bat of the fragments of thetr dominidds i
<md new maritime powers ftart up froih the
wrecks of their navy. In fhort, they -pro-
voked, troubled, and enriched all Europe j
iind at laft defifted through mere want of
ftrength . They were inacflive, but not quiet j
and they were cfnervated as much by their
iazinefs during this repofe, is they h-ad bceh
weakened before by their ill-judged adivityj
• All this happened in a country, which
abounded witii men of cjipacity as much als
any ftate in Europe, and oftert with nnen of
g**eat capacity fit its head. But <hcir talents
took a wron^; tiim ; theif politic* were al*»
^^6 more abroad than at hotne ^ morfeicitt*
pk^ed in weakeiiifig their neighbours, tha'rt in
lengthening themfelves. They were wife
in the concerns of foreign courts 5 thej^- were
Mi^fied with being formal in their own do-
iMcftic buiinefs. They ifelied too much upon
their riches ; and the AVhole flatef,* bemg
moulded into a fyflem of corf uption from the
top to the bottom, things grew at iaft fo bad,
that the evils themfelves became a fort of re-
medies 5 and they felt fo feverely the confe-
quences of their former conduct, that th^y
have for fome years paft turned their thoughts
m^ a very good channel ; and they may in
time, and with perfeverance, rife again, whilft
r-Tc. i others

Others (hall fall, by adopting the abufes which
brought them to ruin. '^ ^'^ ?;innr:^

*s At pitsltnt thji iN5lkto jtf S^^ ' wlift '1^

gard to America, feem to be j to prefenre
South America, and particularly the navigst-
tion of the Soillth-Seiis, fis |liu(»i as poilible
to themfelves 5 to deftroy efFedtually the
counterband trade, and to encourage the ex-
port of their ^wn maitufadurcs^ ' Of ui tjley
have long ffiewn a remarfeable jealoufy ; a
much greater than of the French, whom they
fee xpaietly Xettling in the neighhrvurhood -of
New Mexico 5 and who are growing certainly
in the Weft-Indies in a rfar greater degree
than we arc I (hall not pretend to account
fothis diftte(^on«-'^v y^v vV\ ^^^ *'>vio:>^^ ^\K

h iI:n*>5f^vt^'^^- i^^i'* '-i^'^ Yi^v ci T

Hp:^^^^b pdT .-^ir iu^-^ -moV'Tfr '-Pri^; ^inrl PbP^

.'.li

'l.iii!;

joo An AceouiiT of the fiuRoPUAi^

» - * * 9 •

>/^t-t-t/.^>^^#5#i#

>io

. '/'Vf . ' .'* ^ , •

•> V» ft

, ....«»■ -
; r • f . * r 1 •

(;'J ...^ , j;,,^.^,i^^;^p... .«^-f i<^,rj^^

'"IT-*?* -J" «^r|} ij I

PART JVi ■i--^>i;^^

ortuiuefe SettJem^iftSi'n

J .-

•*N

). 1'

- -."1 •'■■>,

. ., C-H A P. L-'ii!^^W'' -

jltt Account of the difcovery of StaziL 7bi
method of fettling it. Conquered by the Dutch^
Reconquered by the Portuguefe.

11* is very rare that any itfatcfriaj ^ifcdvery,
whether in the ^fts, in philofophy, or ir^
navigation, has been owing to enorts made
direSly for that particular purpofe, and detef-^
mined by the jferce of reafoniogs a fritri:
The firft hints are owing to accident ; and difw
coveries in one kind prefent themfelves volun-
tarily to us, whilft we afe in fearch of v^hat^
flies from us in fome other. The difcovery
of America by Columbus was o^ing originally
to a juft reafoning on the figure of the earth }•
(boiftgh the particular land he difcovered wais*

far

Settlements tn America. jot

far enough from that which he fought. Here
was a mixture of wife defign and fortunate ac«
client} butthe Portuguefe difcovery of Brazil
may be confidered as merely accidental. For
failing with a confiderabie armament to India,
by the way of the Gape of Good Hope, but
(landing out to fea to avoid the calms upon
the coaft of Africa, the Portuguefe fleet fell in
upon the continent of South Amer' :a. Upon
their return they made fo favourable a report
of the land they had difcovered, that the
court refolvcd to fend a colony thither. And
accordingly made their firft eflablifbment; but
in a very bad method, in which it were to be
wifhed they had never been imitated. This
was by banifliing thither a number of crimi-*"
nals of all kinds. This blended an evil dif-
pofition with the firft principles of the colony,
and made the fettlement infinitely difficult by
the diforders infeparable from fuch people^
and the x>fFence which they gave tche origmal
inhabitants. This fettlement met fome inter-
ruption too from the court of Spain, who
confidered the country as within their domi4;
nions. However, matters were accommo^
dated by a treaty, in which it was agreed, that
the Portuguefe ihould pofTefs all that trad of
land that lies between the river Maranon, or
of the Amazons, and the river Plate, r '

When their right was thus confirmed, the

Portuguefe purfucd the fettlement with great

■ y '- vigour.

/li

joz jin Account of the Eurofe a*

vigQdr. Large grants were made to thofc
who were inclined to become advcntuiers'^
and almoil all the nobility of Portii^dl pro**
cured interefls in a country which promifed
fuch great advantages. The natimwereln
moft parts fubdued, and the improveinenD of
th© colony advanced apace. The crown in a
little time becanfiO attentive to fo valuable an
acquifition ; the government was new: mo*
delled, many of the exorbitant grants recalled,
and all things fettled upon fo advantageous a.
footing, that the whole fea coaft, upwards of
two thoufand miles, was in fame meafure
fettled, to the honour of the induflrvand
courage of the firft planters, and infinitely to
the benefit of the mother-country. 'The
Portuguefe conqucfts on the coaft of Africa
forwarded this eftabli(hmcnt, by the number
of negroes it afforded them for their works ;
^d this was the firft intrcdu^ion of negroes
into America, of which at prefent they form
a large part of the inhabitants. .1 -jl .

K.ln the very meridian of their pfofperity,
when the Portuguefe were in pofTellion of fo
extenfive an empire, and fo fiourifhing a trade
in Africa, in Arabia, in India, in the ifles of
Afia, and in one of the moft valuable parts
of America, they were ftruck down by one
of thofe incidents, that by one blow, in a
critical time, decides the fate of kingdoms.
Don Sebaftian, one of their greatcft prince*;

arc.
ble

Setti-ements in America, 303,

invtt) expedition he had undertaken againft
the Moors> loft his life $ and by that accident
the Portugueie k^ their liberty, being db-^
forbed into the SpaniQi dominions. Ty, < ^^^M^
r Soon after this misfortune, the fame yoke
that galled the Portuguefe, grew fo intolerable
to the inhabitants of the Netherlands, that
they threw it off with great fury and indigna*
tiont Not fatisfied with erecting themfelves
into an independent ftate, and Supporting their
independency by a fuccefsful defenfive war,
fluflied with the juvenile ardor of a growing
coipnmonwealth, they purfued the Spaniards
into the remoteft reccfles of their extenfive
territories, and grew rich, powerful, and ter-
rible, by the fpoils of their former mailers.
Principally, they fell upon the poffeflions of
the. Portuguefe j they took almoft all their
fortrefies in the Eaft-Indies, not fufficiently
defended by the inert policy of the court <»
Spain J and then turned their arms upon Bra-
zil, unproted:ed from Europe, and betrayed
by tlie cowardice of the governor of the then
principal city. And they would have overrun
the whole, if Don Michael de Texeira, the
archbiftiop, defcended from one of the no-
bleft families in Portugal, and of a fpirit fu-
perior to his birth, had not believed, that in
£uch an emergency, the danger of his eoun- *
try fuperfeded the common obligations of his
profeffion . He took arms, and at the head •

t 4 ~

304 -^ Account of the European

pf his monks, and a few Scattered forcesi put
9 (lop to the torrent of the Dutch conqueft.
He made a gallant Aand until fuccourt ar»
rived ; and then refigned the commiffion with
which the public necefTity and his own virtue
bad armed him, into the hands of a perfon
appointed by authority. By this iland he
laved feven of the captainships, or provinces,
out of fourteen, into which Brazil is divided;
the red fell into the hands of the Dutch,
who conquered and kept them with a bravery
and conduft, which would deferve more ap-
plaufe, if it had been governed by humanity.

The famous captain, prince Maurice of
Naflau, was the perfon to whom the Dutch
owed this conqueft, the eftablifhment of their
colony there, and that advantageous peace
which fecured them in it. But as it is the
genius of all mercantile people to defire a
fudden profit in all their defigns ; and as this
colony was not under the immediate infpec-
tion of the States, but fubjedt to the company
called the Weft-India company, from prin-
ciples narrowed up by avarice and mean no-*
tions, th^y grudged that the prefent profits of
the colony fhould be facrificed to its future
fecurity. They found, that the prince kept
qp more troops, and eredted more fortrefies,
than they thought neceflary to their fafety ;
and that he lived in a grander manner than
llicy thought became one in tlieir fervice«
:) They

y Settiements in America.^ 305'
iThey imagined that a little offieial GBConomy
.\n9& the principal quality neceffary to form a
'great conqueror and politic'an j and therefore
rthey were highly difpleafed with their gover-
-lior prince Maurice, whorti they treated in
fuch a manner as obliged him to refign, uyt\
/Jr. Now their own fchemes took place. A
reduction of the troops 5 the expence of for-
. tifications favcd ; the charge of a court re-i
trenched 5 the debts of the company ftridly
*cxadcd ; their gains increafed cent per ccnt^
and every thing flourifhing according to their
beft ideas of a Bourifhing ftate. But then, all
Tthis fine fyftem in a fhort time ended in the
I total lofs of all their capital, and the entire
: fuin of the Weft-India company. The hearts
i of fubjeds were loft by their penurious way
:.of dealing, and the feverity of their proceed-
ings. The enemy in their neighbourhood
. was encouraged by the dcfencelefs ftate of
their frontiers, and both operated in fuch a

- manner, that Brazil was reconquered by the
Portuguefe j though after a ftruggle, in which
the States exerted themfelves vigoroullyj but

i with that aggravated expence, and that ill
^ fucccfs, which always attends a late wifdom,
rand the patching up a blundering fyftem of
, condud:. A ftanding leiTon to thofe people
ivho have the folly to imagine they confult
^-the happinefs of a nation, when by a pre-

- tended tendernefg for fome of its advantages,
< Vol. I. X they

iti

3o6 An Account of the European
they negledt the only things that can fupport
it, the cultivating the good opinion of the
people, and the keeping up a proper force.

'.rj1> jrfM

G H A P. II.

'f^A ^

•■(»

'}\\\\

7 he climate of Brazil. Of the Brazil wood*

TH E name of Brazil was given to this
country, becaufe it was obferved to
abound with a wood of that name. It ex*
tends all along a tradt of fine fea coaft upon
the Atlantic ocean upwards of two thoufand
miles, between the river of Amazons on the
North, and that of Plate on the South. To
the Northw^ard tho climate is uncertain, hot,
boifterous, and unwholfome. The country^
both there, and even in more temperate parts,.
is annually overflowed. But to the South-
ward, beyond the tropic of Capricorn, and
indeed a good way beyond it, there is no part
of the world that enjoys a mc»re ferene and
wholfome air ; refrefhed ^vith the foft breezes
of the ocean on one hand, and the cooL
breath of the mountains on the other. Hi-
ther feveral aged people from Portugal retire*
for their health, and protradt their lives to a
long and eafy age. ,rf> «» r>, v

In general, the foil is extremely fruitful,
and was found very fufiicient for the comfort-
able. fuhGAence of the inhabitants! until the
>,^. -.; y . mines

Settlemej*ts in America. 307

ihines of gold and diamonds were difcbvered.
Thefe, with the fugar plantations, occupy fo
many hands^ that agriculture lies neglected j
and in confequence Brazil depends upon
Europe for its daily bread.

The chief commodities which this country
yields for a foreign market are, fugar, tobacco^
hides, indigo, ipecacuanha, balfam of Copaibo,
and brazil wc^. The laft article, as rt in a
more particular manner belong? to this coun-
try, to which it gives its name, and which
produces it in the greateft perfedtion, it is not
amifs to allow a very little room to the de-«
fcription of it. This tree generally flourifhes
in rocky and fcjtrren grounds, in which it
grows to a great height, and confiderablcJ
thicknefs. But a man who judges of the
quantity of the timber, by the thicknefs of
the tree, will be much deceived 5 for upon
ilripping off the bark, which makes a very
large part of the plant, he will find from a
tree as thick as his body, a log no more in
compafs than his leg. This tree is generally
crooked, and knotty like the hawthorn, with
long branches, and a fmoolh green leaf,
Bard, dry, and brittle. Thrice a year bunches
of fmall. flowers flioot out at the extremities
of the* Ranches, and between the leaves.
Thefe flowers are of a bright red, and of a
ftrong aromatic and refrcfhing fmell. The
wOoji of this tree is of a red colour, hard and

X 2 dry.

^.Mn

■iHHIIIlll

308 y^ Account of the European

dry. It IS ufed chiefly in dying red, but not
a red of the beft kind ; and it has fome place
in medicine as a ftomachic and reftringent.

CHAP. III.

>'W.

7he trade of Brazil. Its intercourfe with
Africa, ^he fettlement of the river Amazons
ana ^io Janeiro, The gold* mines, . The
commonwealth of the Paulifts, The diamond

finnes.

{li^,r,i-

^*.

^ J ^ H E trade of Brazil is very great, and
J ^^ increafes every year. Nor is this a
wonder > fince they have opportunities of fup-
plying themfelves with flaves for their feveral
works, at a much eafier and cheaper rate than
any other European power, which has fettle-
ments in America. For they are the only
European nation which has taken the pkiins ta
cflabiiih colonies in Africa, Thofe of the
Portuguefe are very confiderable, both for
their extent and the fiumbers of their inhabi-
tants J and of courfe they have advantages in
that trade which no other nation can have.
For beiides their large eftablilhment on the
Weftern fhore of Africa, they claim the whole
coaft of Zanguebar on the Eaftern fide, which
in part they poflefs j befides feveral other large
territories, both on the coaft and in the coun-
try J where feveral numerous nations acknow-
ledge

i.,|W ii» uip« !-■ ,«,j.i|».ii»min|p

^PIP

Settlements /« America. 309
ledge themfelves their dependents or fubjedy.
This is not only of great advantage to them,
as it increafes their (hipping and feamen, and
ilrengthens their commercial reputation, but
«s it leaves them a large field for their flave
trade ; without which, they could hardly ever
fupply, upon any tolerable terms, their fetdc-
jnents in Brazil, which carry off fuch num-
•bers by the feverity of the works, and the un-
wholfomenefs of fome part of the climate j
aior could they otherwife extend their planta-
tions, and open fo many new mines as they
idoj to a degree which is aftonifhing.
.1 own I have often been furprized, that our
African traders fhould chufe fo contradted an
object for their flave trade, which extends to
little more than fome part of the Gold coaft,
to Sierra Leone, and Gambia, and fome
other inconfiderable ports j by which they
have depreciated their own commodities, and
itaifed the price of flaves within thefe few
years above thirty per cent. Nor is it to be
wondered j as in the tradt, in which they
trade, they have many rivals ; the people are
growa .too expert by the conftant habit of
European conHncrce ; and the flaves in that
part are in a good meafure exhaufl:ed j whereas,
if fome of our yeflels paflTed the Cape of
Good Hope, and tried what rnight be done
in Madagafcar, or on thofe coafts which in^
deed the Portuguefe claim, but do not, nojr
. w X 1 cannot

510 ^« AccouN-r o/ffo European

cannot hold, there is no doubt but that th^y
would find the greater expence and length of
time in palling the Cape, or the charge of li-
cenced which might be procured from the
Eaft-India company, amply compen fated. Our
African trad© might then be confiderably en-
larged, our own manufaiflures extended, and
our colonies fupplied at an eafier rate than
they are at prefent, or are likely to be for the
future, whilft we confine ourfelves to two or
three places, which we exhauft, and where
we (hall find the market dearer every day.
The Porfiiguefe from thefe fettlements, and
this extenfive range, draw every year intQ
Brazil between forty and fifty thoufand flaves.
On this trade all their other depends, and
therefore they take great care to have it w0ll
fupplicd, for which purpofe the fituation of
Brazil, nearer the coaft of Africa than any
other part of America, is very convenient^ and
it co-operates with the great advantages they
derive from having colonies in both places.

Hence it is principally, that Brazil is the
richefi:, tnoft flourifhing, and mod growing
cftablifliment in all America. Their eroort
of fugar within forty years is grown much
greater than it was, though anciently it made
almoft the whole of their exportable produce,
apd they were without rivals in the trade. It
is finer in kind than what any of ours, the
French, or SpanlQi fugar plantations fend us.

Theiir

"*/V-V'!.*>- ■ '*"1.""'^W^ '»'A

Settlements /;/ America. 311

Their tobacco too is remarkably good ; and
Tthey trade very largely in this commodity to
the coaft of Africa, where they not only fell
it diredly to the natives, but fupply the fliips
of other nations, who iSnd it a neccfTary ar-
ticle to enable them to carry on the flave and
gold duft trade to advantage. The Northern
and Southern parts of Brazil abound in horned
cattle ; thrfe are hunted for their hides, of
which no le fs than twenty thoufand are fent
annually into Europe.

The Portuguefe were a confiderable time
poiTefTed of their American empire, before
they difcovcred the treafures of gold and dia-
snonds, which have £nce made it fo confider-
able. After the expulfion of the Dutch, the
colony remained without much attention from
the court of Portugal j UEtil in 1685, a mi-
nifler of great fagacity advifed the then mo*
narch to turn his thoughts to fo valuable and
confiderable a part of his territories. He re-
prefented to him, that the climate in the bay
of Ali-Saints, where the capital flood, was
of fuch a nature as to deaden the adivity and
induflry of the people ; but that the North-
ern and Southern extremities of Brazil in a
more temperate climate, invited them to the
cultivation of the country. The advice was
taken. But becaufe it was found that the
infolence and tyranny of the native Portu-
guefe always excited the hatred of the native

X 4 Brazilians,

lyt

31? An Account of the European

Brazilians, and confequently ohftrud'^d the
fettlements, they were refolvcd to people the
countries, which were now the objedt of their
care, with thofe who are called Meftizes 5
that is, a race fprung from a mixture of Eu-
ropeans and Indians, who they judged would
behave better ; and who, on account of their
connedioa in blood, would be more accept-
able to the Brazilians on the borders, who
were not yet reduced. To compleat this de-
iign, they vefled the government in the hands
of priefts, who ad:ed each as governor in his
own parifli or diftridi. And they had the
prudence to chufe with greit care fuch men
as were proper for the work. The confe-^
quence of thefe wife regulations was foon ap-
parent ; for without nolfe or force, in fifteen
years they not only fettled the fca coaft, but
drawing in vaft numbers of the natives, they
fpread themfelves above an hundred miles
more to the Weftward than the Portugucfe
fettlements had ever before extended. They
opened feveral mines, which improved the
revenues ; the planters were eafy, and feveral
of the priefts made no inconfiderable fortunes.
t,.iThefame of thefe new mines drew toge-
ther a number of defperadoes and adventurers
of all nations and colours, who not agreeing
with the moderate and fimple manners of the
inhabitants of the new fetdements, nor rea-
iiily fubmitting to any order or reftraint elfer
,-ri _ . where^

SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 313

where, retired into a mountainous part of tho
country, but fertile enough, and rich in gold ^
where, by the acceffion of others in their
own circumftances, they foon became a for-
midable and independent body, and for a long
time defended the privileges they had aflumed
with great courage and policy. They were
called Paulifts, from the town and diftridt
called St. Paul, which was their head quar-
ters. But as this odd commonwealth grew
up in fo unaccountable a manner, fo it pe-
rifhed in a manner altogether unknown in
this part of the world. It is now heard of
no longer. The king of Portugal is in full
poffeffion of the whole country ; and the
«iines are worked by his fubjedts and their
flaves, paying him a fifth. Thefe mines
have poured almoft as much gold into Europe
as the Spanifh America had of (ilver.
t L>» Not many years after the difcovery of the
gold mines, Brazil, which for a century had
been given up as a place incapable of yielding
the metals for which America was chiefly va-
lued, was now found to produce diamonds
too ; but at firft of fo unpromifing a nature,
that the working of the mines was forbidden
by the court of Portugal, left without making
vanv compenfation by their number, they
might depreciate the trade which was carried
jon in thofe ftones from Goa. But in fpite of
'jhis prohibition, a number were from time to
i\:t^f\ ■'■'■'■ time

3 14 ^^ AccotyNT of the EuRcf ean
time fmuggled from Brazil; and forfic too
of fuch great weight, and high luftre, and
tranfparency, that they yielded very little to
the fineft brought from India. The covut
now perceived the importance of the trade,
.-'nd accordingly refolved to permit it, but un-
<ler fuch reflridiions as might be fufHciently
l)e;neficial to the crown and fubjedt ; and at
the fame time preferve the jewels in that *
fcarcity which makes the principal part of
their value. In 1740 the diamond mines
were farmed at one hundred and thirty-eight
thoufand crufadocs, or about twenty-fix thou-
fand pounds flerling annually, with a prolu»
bition againft employing more than fix hun*
died flaves at a time in the works. It is pro^
bablc that this regulation is not very ftrid:ly
complied with, the quantity of diamonds is
much increased, and their value of courie
funk fince that time. It is true, that diamonds
of the very firft rank are nearly as dear a$
ever. None of the diamonds of Brazil have
fo high a luftre as the firft rate of Golconda ;
and they haye generally fomething of a dulky
ycllowifli caft ; but they have been found of
a prodigious fize. Some years ago we had
an account in the news papers of one fent to
the king of Portugal, of a fize and weight
almoft beyond the bounds of credibility j for
it was faid to weigh fixteen hundred carats,
fit fix thoufand fcven hundred and twenty
Mit grains;

U'm i|iiuKiiiiti »(^.

fiET.-EMENTS in AMERICA.' Jf^

grains; and confequently'muft be worth ft*

yeral miliiona.

C H A P.

IV.

V-

Jtegulation of the Pcrfuguefi trade. The de^
fcription of St. Salvador, the capital ofBra^
zil. The fleets for that city. Rio Janeiro
find Fernambucca.

V ; ■

' i ^HE trade of Portugal is carried on
'^'i upon the fame exclufive plan, on
which the feveral nations of Europe trade
with their colonies of America j and it more
particularly refembles the Spanilh method, by
lending out not fingle (hips, as the conveni-
cncy of the feveral places, and the ideas of
the European merchants may direift j but by
annual fleets which fail at ftated times from
Portugal, and compofe three flotas bound to
i^s many porta in Brazil 5 to Fernambucca,
in the Northern part j Rio Janeiro, at the
Southern extremity j and the bay of All-
Saints, in the middle. In this laft is the Ca-
pital, which is called St. Salvador, where all
the fleets rendezvous on their return to Por-
tugal. This city commands a noble, fpacious,
and commodious harbour. It is built upon
an high and fteep rock, having the fea upon
one fide, and a lake forming a crefcent, inr
Vefting it almofl: wholly, fo as nearly to join

the

4^'

I 11

3 1 6 An Account of the European

the fea on the other. This (ituation makes
it in a manner impregnable by nature j but
they have befides added to it very flrong for-
tifications. All jthefe make it the ftrongeft
place in America. 'It is divided into an up-
per and lower town. The lower conlifts only
of a ilreet or two, immediately upon the har-
bour, for the convenience of lading and un-
lading goods, which are drawn up to th^
higher town by machines. The flreets in
the upper town are laid out as regularly as
the ground will admit, and are handfomely
built. They had forty years ago in this city
above two thoufand houfes, and inhabitant?
proportionable ; a furhptuous cathedral \ feve-r
ral magnificent churches ; and many convents,
well built and endowed. The Portuguefc
fleet fets out from Lifbon in its voyage hithei:,
in the month of February. ^ ^ „^^^,^^^ ^^^
I can get no accounts, precife enough to be
depended upon^^ of the towns of Fernam*
bucca, or Parayba, and the capital of the Rio
de Janeiro, to enable me to be particular jabout
them. X-et it fjuffice that the fleet for the
former of thefe fets out in March ; and for
the latter in the month of January 5 but they
all rendezvous in the bay of All- Saints, to
the number of an hundred fail of large fhips,
about the month of May or June, and carry
to Europe a cargo little inferior in value to
the treafures qf the flota an4 galleons, Th?

Settlements In America]! 317

gold alone amounts to near four millions fter-
ling. This is not at all extraded from the
mines of Brazil j but as they carry on a large
dircdl trade with Africa, they bring, efpecially
from their fettlernent at Mozambique, o" the
Eaftern fide of that continent, befides their
Haves, vaft quantities of gold, ebony, and ivory,
which goes into the amount of the cargo of
the Brazil fleets for Europe. Thofe parts of
Brazil which yield gold, are the middle and
Northern parts on the Rio Janeiro and Bay
of All-Saints. They coin a great deal of the
gold in America j that which is coined at Rio
Janeiro bears an R, that which is ftruck at
the Bay is marked with a B.

To judge the better of the riches of this
Brazil fleet, the diamonds it contains muft
not be forgot. For if the mines rentf;d to
the crown in the year 1740, at twenty-fix
thoufand pounds a year, it will be a very fmall
allowance to fay, that at leafi: five time^
more is made out of them ; and that there
is returned to Europe in diamonds to at leail
the value of one hundred and thirty thoufand
pounds. This, with the fugar, which is
principally the cargo of the Fernambucca
fleet, the tobacco, the hides, the valuable
drugs for medicine and manufacftures, may
give fome idea of the importance of this
trade, not only to Portugal, but to ail the
trading powers of Europe. The returns are

not

318 jin Account of the European

not the fiftieth part of the produce of Portil»
gal. They conlift of the woollen goods of all
Kinds of England^ France, and Holland j the
linens and laces of Holland, France, and
Germany ; the filks of France and Italy 5
lead, tin, iron, copper, and all forts of utcn-
fils wrought in thefe metals from England ; as
well as falt-fifh, beef, flour, and cheefe. Oil
they have from Spain. Wine^ with fome
fruits, is nearly all with which they are fup-
plied from Portugal. ^^. - - - rir?

Though the profits in this trade are great,
very few Portuguefe merchants trade upon
their own ftoeks j they are generally credited
by the foreign merchants, whofe commodi-
ties they vend, efpecially the Englifh. In
fhort, though in Portugal, as in Spain, all
trade v/ith their plantations is ftridtly inter-
dicted to ftrangers j yet, like all regulations
that GontradiA the very nature of the objedt
they regard, they are here as little attended to
as in Spain. The Portuguefe is only the
truftee and fa<flor; but his fidelity is equal to
that of the Sp<in!(h merchant ; and that has
fcarce ever been fhaken by any public or
private caufe whatfoever. A thing furprifing
in the Portuguefe j and a ftriking in fiance
amongft a people fo far from remarkable
for their integrity, of what a cuftom origi-
nally built upon a few examples, and a con-
fequent reputation built upon that, will be

able

Settlements in America. 31^

able to efFedt ia fucceffion of men of very dif-,
ferent natural charadters and morals. And fo
di£Fcrent is the fpirit ci commercial honefty
from that of juftice, as it is an independent
virtue, and influences the heart.

The Engliih at prefent are the moft intc-
rcfted, both in the trade of Portugal for home
eonfumption, and of what they want for the
ufe of the Brazils. And they deferve to be
moft favoured, as well from the fcrvices they
have always done that crown, and from the
ftipulations of treaties, as fromt the coniidera*
tion that no other people confumes fo mucb
of the produ(5ts of Portugal. However, partly
from out own fapinenefs, partly from the
policy and activity of France, and partly
from the fault of the Portuguefe themfelves^
the French have become very dangerous ri*-
vals to us in this, as in moft other branches of
©ur trade. It is true, that though the French
have advanced fo prodigioufly, and that there
is a fpirit of induftry and commerce raifed in
moft countries in Europe, our exports of ma-
nufadlures, or natural produdls, have by no-
means leffened within thefe laft forty years ;,
which can only be explained by the extending,
our own, and the Spanifh and Portuguefe co-
lonies, which increafes the general demand.
But though it be true, that we have rather ad-^
vanced than declined in our commerce upon
the whole, yet we oyght to take great care not

'II

i:«4^

320 An AccotiNT of the European
to be deceived by this appearance. For if vw^
have not likewife advanced in as great a pro-
portion to what we were before that period,
and to our means finee then, as oar neigh-
bours have done in proportion to theirs, as I
apprehend we have not, then, I fay, we have
comparatively declined ; and fhall never be
able to preferve that great fuperiority in cpm*
merce, and that diftinguifhed rank of the
firft commercial and maritime power in Eu-
rope, time muft be efTential to preferve us in
any degree, cither of commerce co: power*
For if any other power of a more exteniive
and populous territory than ours, ihouid come
to rival us in trade and wealthy he mufl come
of neceffity to give law to us in whatever re-
lates either to trade or policy. Notwithftand-
ing that, the want of capacity in the mini-
ilers of fuch a power, or the indolence of the
fovereign, may protradt the evil for a time, it
will certainly be felt in the end, and will
fhew us demonftratively, though too late,
that we muft have a great fuperiority in trade,
not only to ourfelves formerly, but to our
neighbours at prefcnt, to have any at all which
is likely to continue with us for a long time^

^i->^/^.^-^" V CHAP,

Settlements in America.*

321

CHAP. V.

^he character of the American Portuguefe. The
Jiate of the negroes. The government.

' I ^ H E pourtrait which the moft judici-
^m^ ous travellers give us of the manners
and Cuftoms of the Portuguefe in America,
is very far from being favourable to that peo-
ple. They are reprefented as a people at
once funk in the mofl effeminate luxury, and
pradliling the moft defperate crimes. Of a
aiflembling hypocritical temper^ of little ho-
nefty in dealing, or fincerity in converfation ;
lazy, proud, and cruel. They are poor and
penurious in thf ir diet, not more through
neceifity than inclination. For, like the in-
habitants of moft Southern climates, they
are much more fond of fliow, ftate, and at-
tendance, than of the joys of free fociety,
and the fatisfadtions of a. good table. Yet
their feafts, feldom made, are fumptuous to
extravagance. .-^^iMyirc^ ..^^urfi**uw-r.*.i;o^;i^:,v. ».,■.• >>^-.
' The luxury, indolence, pride, and cruelty
of the mafters, has, amongft other caufes,
been very juftly attributed to their being
bred up amongft flaves, having every bufinefs
entirely done by fuch ; and to their being
permitted to keep a prodigious number of
negroes, not for their field work, nor for
^ Vol. I. Y domcftic

.1 1

■:*

lii

mrrmmmmr

322 j4n Account of the European
domeftic employments, but merely to wait
upon them, and to form their train. Thefe
become more corrupted than their mafters,
w.ho make them the inftruments of their
crimes ; and giving them an ^unbounded and
fcandalous licence, employ them whenever
they want to terrify or revenge, as bullies
and aiTaffins, And indeed nothing can be
conceived more fit to create the w^rft 4ifi)r«
ders, than the unnatural junction of flsivery
to idlenefs, and a licentious way of living.
They arc all fuffered to go arm^ and
there are vafl numbers who have tnerhed or
bought their freedom ; and diis is filifered
in a country where the negroes are tien to
one. joi^JD.iii ■.viiJ^JiJfiJ y!i4*uai,;*iii ^Mi-W^.cr^i'-'-^^t

f But this pidlure, perhaps too highly co-
loured for thofe whom it is intended to re^
prefcnt, is by no means applicable to all the
Portuguefe of Brazil. Thofe by the Rio
Janeiro, and in the Northern dstptainflbips,
are not near fo effeminate and corrupted as
thofe of the Bay of All-Saints, which being
in a climate favourable to indolence and de-
bauchery, the capital city, and one of the
oHeft fetdements, is in all refpeds wbrfe
than any of the others. -^»' '*

;; The gevcrnment of Brazil is in the vice-
roy, who refides at St. Salvador. He has
two councils, one for criminal, the other for
civil affiiirs 5 in both which he prefidcs. But,

.' SiiiliitL

^9mH

^tm^mt

VI,

to 4he ii^nite prejudice of the fettlemcnt;
aU ,cho4kky) obican^ry, -and muk^Ued ex-
pences vincident'to the wofA: part of the lafw;
aiKl prai^ifed by the moft corrupted lawyers,
fioiu»fli(hiere ; 'it the fame time that juf);ice i^
to laK, ^at the greateft crimes often pals
with impunity* FormcFly the judges colild
not leigaUy punifli any Portaguefe with death.'
And it is not difficult to imagine, how much
fuch a licence in fuch a country muft have
contributed to a corruption, that it may be
the bufineis of fucceffions of good magiftrates,
and ages of good difcipline, to reflore to
foundne&. Upon the river of Amazons, the
people, who are moftly Indians, and reduced
by the priefts fent thither, are ftill under the
government of thefe paftors. The feveral
divifions of this cofintcy are called miflions.

As the PortugU^e have been once difpoA
feffed of this country by the Dutch, and
once endangered by the French, their mif-
fortunes and dangers have .made them wife
enough to take very effc6lual mcafures for
their future feourity. St. Salvador is a very
ftrong fortification j they have others that are
not contemptible ; befides a good number of
European regular troops, of which there are
two regiments in St. Salvador. The militia
too is regimented, amongft whom they reckon
fome bodies of Indians, and free negroes ;
and indeed at prefent Brazil fcems to be in as
I r.i X " Y 2 little

• V I i

IPWifF

3^ ^P f-^ Account, Scci :
little dabger as the fettlements of any power
of America, not only from their own internal
ftrength, their remotenefs, and the intolerable
heat and unhealthinefs of a great part of the
climate, but from the intereft that moft of
^d^^ftates.in Europe who are concerned in
that trade,, have to keep it in the hands of
the Porttigueie. •• "^"^'^-^frt; ^^ ^%w:^*wu:5ii -: -. •

»:/*>; V

.0:0.

01 s

.A^m^

'JESrar

liliiiii Mimiiiii Mini iii.WMili;j|ff||p|||||||||p

THE

CONTENTS

•Of the Fmrwoitjm''^^''

K- ^«»

> ■. r ..

7%tdycQvery of America^ anctwif^--
duElion of Mexico and Peruy{Z^^

hiff'S,

., .'vv '«!>.? Vi ■;,,-> ■■ ■» v* Xx A lr» !•

rllE flate of Europe before the difcovery ^
America, The projeSi of Columbus, His
application to feveral courts. His fuccefsful
application to that of Spain, His voyage.
. I'he difcovery of the Bahamas^ and Greater
Antilles, , *i- -^ .= -. , page 3

i' >r.'

I«">,:,

C It AT. II. ;

77)e difcovery of the Caribbees* Columbus re-
turns to Europe. His behaviour at Lijbon*
His reception 4U Bareebna by Ferdinand and
Ifabella. Second itHyage of Columbus, The
condition of the Spaniards in Hifpaniola. The
city of Ifabella built ^ and a Spanijh colony
fettled, A voyage for better dtfcovering the
coaft of Cuba. ^ 14

C H A P. III. i

The difficulties attending the voyage, Jamaica
discovered, Columbus returns to Htfpaniola,

Y 3 Tht

-I .h V

?^.

V.,. ■- 'SH,

CONTENTS.

:^he Spaniards rebel \A war with the h»
l^^ dians of that country, T^hey are conqitered.

\,,^-TheirjfchemJQrJiarniim the Spaniards, 25

,\T t% . ' • . , ■, ' -^

G H A p. IV

\ -V,

Complahits againii Columbus, Aperfon is fenf

io ertqtiire into his conduct. He returns' to

Spmfi, H^ is acquitted. H^ jets out on his

. third voyage. He difcovers the continent oj

, South America, tie faiU to Hifpaniola, 33

"VV\. »

.1 \-

C H A p. V.

; V

Columbus Jinds the Spaniards of tUfpaj^iata in

^, rebellion. His meafures tofupprejfs it, liew

complaints againji htm in Spain, tie is fu^

perfeded in the government^ andfent to Spain

in irons, . , , 40

CHAP. vr. V

I'he difcGveries of Americm Vefputius, and other
adventurers. What caufed the Jpirit of dif-

'^^ covery, ,\\- ' ;-v -,,■.'- • Vvv;^ \\: 46

^« yi.r'^^''i.v.

\t.\\

■l\

CHAP. VII. ' ■'^

Columbus again acquitted. Undertakes a fourth
^. voyage, Difcovers the codft of Terra Fir ma
\^ And the ifkmus of J^arien, Returns to Hif
^ypaniola. Jlis recopii^jj^^erc, . Purfues his

^/ difcoveries

*t^' %i

v-t..

■^!f.'.^.m

mmm

CONTENTS.

**' difcoveries to the coafi of Terra Ftrma. He
•**■« driven to Jamakay and Jhipni' recked on
that ijland. His di/irejfes there, The rebel-
lion of his men^ which he fuppreffes. He
leaves the ijland and returns to Spain, His
^^^reception there. He dies. . Vu.t^ vv,^aa.c:59

^he chdraBer of Columbus. Some refleSfions^ on
' the cbnduSi of the court of Spain. * ' ' 6i

C H A P. IX.

The difcoveries and conquejls of Balboa, Ve-
lafqttez fends Cortes on the Mexican expedition.
The Jlate of the Mexican empire. Cortes
makes an alliance with the Tlafcalans. 66

C H A P. X.

Coi'tes builds La Vera Cruz, He marches to .
^exico. His reception by Montezuma. Cor-
tes imprifons Montezuma. That prince s lira-
tagem to gain his liberty j the confequencc
of it. 7S

C H A P. XL

The attempts of Montezuma to make the Spani-
' ards leave Mexico, The arrival of Narvaez
" to take the command from Cortes. Cortes

if 4 leaves

CONTENTS.

leaver Mexico, Defeats and takes Narvttez
prifoner. The Spaniards in Mexico befieg*
ed, Cortes raifes the Jiege. Montezuma is
killed, ,: ^ , 84

CHAP. XII.

Guatimozin cbofen emperor by the Mexicans.
He bejieges the Spaniards m their quarters.
Obliges Cortes to retire out of the city, Dif-
treffes him in bis retreat, l^he battle of
Otumha. Cortes retreats to Tlafcala. 06

■J-.4 i*

*, '■ I'.

CHAP. XIII.

^!'V: '''. •?>';

Spaniards fent agatnfi Cortes join him. He
marches again to Mexico, A confpiracy a-
gainjl his life baffled. .^^^ \^ i^v;Vr^ \-it^'

; CHAP. XIV.

I'he ficge of Mexico, Terms of accommodation
refufed by the Mexicans, The Spaniards re^
pulfed by ajlratagem of Guatimozin, A ne^ ■
/tratagem of Guatimozin, He is taken. The
city furrenders, Guatimozin tortured, Cor-^
tes fuperfeded in his government, ReJleSiions
mjh^Spanifh cruelties. " 114

C H A P. XV.

■\. 8

The fcheme of Pizarro and Almagro for the
conquejl of Peru, Their cbaraBers. The

■^Tf^^pi^j^v . p||>iui|i^^ tm — ■ :w^"

CONTENTS.

JlaU of the empire of Ptru at that time.
ne taking of the yncd AtabaUpa, 1 29

CHAP. XVI. ^"^'^

Ti^ murder of theynca, A dijpute between "d^
Pizarro and Almagro. They are reconciled,
Almagro's expedition to Chill, The Peru-
vlans renew the war^ and befiege Cufco, tAI"
magro returns and defeats them, Almagro
renews the quarrel with Pizarro y but Is de-^
feated and put to death, - ^ 142

I. i*;

t •

t^.rl^ ^'

... ,w c HA P. xyii.

Thefnal dlfperfion of the Peruvian army, The
confplracy agalnfl Pizarro, He Is murdered*

^ . ■^..x.^.^m-C'H A P. xviii. ■ ,: ,\-;: ■

Toung Almagro made governor. Hie new vice-
roy Vaca dl Cajlro arrives. Puts to death
young Almagro, Puts^ an end to thefaBlons^
and fettles the province. He Is recalled, Gofi"
zalo Pizarro ralfes a rebelllony and ufurps
the government, Peter de la Gafca made vice-
roy. Defeats the troops of Pizarro^ and puts

. blm to death, , . 158

. ^\ I

■ t-'i ; »

VO'

\ -. ,t^^l^ ^

PART

' • V*

, >V T

%■■>.

CONTENTS.

p^ A R t ^^

77)e manners of the Americans.

C H A F. I. ^

* ■■■,«■',.

ihe perfins of the Americans, Their drefs and
way of living. Their manner ofconverfing,
Their hofpitality. T'beir temper. Their re^

^. ligionandfuperjiitioni. Their medicine, i^y

'A \

C H A P. 11.

The government of' the Amerieansi Their court*
. cih. Their orators. Their fea/ls. Their
[ manner oj (;idminifiering jufiice, -j ' !r 175

S\-

'-'^ I

CHAP. III.

Their mournings for their dead. The Jeaft of
fouls. The American women^ their occupa^
tions. Their marriages and divorces, 182

... V

.,»4f^- ■4.:.^

-«^

Tl>€ Indian manner of preparing for war. The
- fmgs and dances. Their taking the field,
'^ Their method of difcovering and attacking the
' enemy. Their cruel treatment of their pri-
toners of war. : ^^ . j\ - jgg

I'/^S .^.

PART

7^*,

COrNTENTS.

p ART m.

. , Spanijh Atmrican

CHAP. I.

A genial deferiftion of America,

203

., ivS . ^■'

C^ H A P. II.

TJf climate and foil ^f New Spain. Animals. ^
Its vegetable produce.' ao8

CHAP. III.

The gold and Jilver mines. The manner of pu^
'^^rifying thtfe metals. Some thoughts on the
r 'generation of metals. Of the quantity of thofe

metals produced in the Spanijh Weft-Indies.

" 213

, CHAP. IV.

Of cochineal and cacao.

223

^tv>:.it. w

CHAP. V.

Th^ trade of Mexico, Some account of that city,
The fairs of AcapulcOy and La Vera Cruz,
The flota and regifter Jhips, 228

CHAP. VI.

\»

Three forts of people in New Spain, The whites^
Indians^ and negroes ; the charaBers of thofe.

\ .

■ >, :• *}

CONTENTS.

The clergy^ their cbaraSfers, Ihe civil go*
vernment^ in cbaraSier. 238

CHAP. VII. *

1 V

'New Mexico, Its difcovery. Climnte. Pro-
dtiBs, Doe Englijh claim to California, 243

CHAP. VIII.

7he climate and foil of Peru, Its produce. The
mines i the coca and herb of Paraguay, 245

CHAP. IX.

The wines of Peru, The wool. The lamas and

vicunnasy Jheep of Peru, yefuits bark,

Guinea pepper. The dung oflquiqua, ^ick"

. filver mities. v - 251

"■■•■- ■'^- CHAP. "'JD-'"^- : ■'•

The character of the Peruvi/ins. Their divifons,

' The Indian frfivaL Honours paid to a de^

fcendctnt of the ynca. \ 256

-^ CHAP. XI. „ .,

The cities of PjCTU^ Uma^ CufcOy and ^itoy
V a defer iption of them, CallaOy its trade and
,,' dejiru^ion. The viceroy of Peru, PKsju^
rifdiBion, and revenues^\ v^v ^\ <K^iu 260

^y^: -yyC H A P.

•X

CONTENTS.
CHAP. XII. -vv

^e temperature of the air in Chili. The foih
Its fertility. A defcription of the principal
towns. The trade of Chili, ^ >- 268

. t"' '^\^^^■'^\ \\.y':'^ -'x.^''.. V "'"i'-V'/. •;•■"' 'V:\>;,jy

C H A P. XIII. ^^

The Spaniards in this province but few. The
•V AmericanSy their cbara^er. Some free. 271

CHAP. XIV.

The climate of Paraguay. Its rivers. The
\,v pranince of La Plata. The town of Buenos^
A\Ayres. Its trade. ^ 274

Ao>^i ,^.c . i.-i'"' >,>;»•■.%

. '- - 'v

8 2*^

CHAP. XV.

The territory ofthejefuits in Paraguay. Their

manner of fettling and governing it. The

.: obedience of the people. Some refledlions on

> the late tranfaSlions there. ^\^ v '^ '278

,A^, „

r-. t4;-.» < ._v

.S*;

■•jUA\i<':V>..

CHAP. XVI.

Terra Firma. Its extent and produce. The

cities of Panama^ Carthagena, and Porto-

.- bello. The galleons. ThetfleofCuba. The

Havanna. Hifpaniola. Porto Rico. Re-

- fleSlions on the policy of Spain with regard to

^ the colonies. 288

PART

♦

! '1

Jfl fl, \ .

* M

CONTENTS.

PART IV.

U^e PArtu^ueJe Jkttlemmts.

*,'•«■ .

CHAP. I.

An account of the difcovery of Brazil. The
method of fettling it. Conquered by the Dutch.
^conquer^d by the Tortuguefe, ' joo

C H A P. 11.

7he climate of Brazil. Of the Brazil wood,

. ...,•; ^. ,. 306

CHAP. HI.

H^e trade of Brazil. Its intercourfe with
Africa. The fettlement of the river Amazons
and Rio Janeiro. The geld mines. The
commonwealth of the PjiuUJls. 7he diamond

mines. t ''-"^•^- ^•^-^^^•^^^•■i.:- J»*1^V 3C18

C HAP., w. ;

>'^)*t . ,-,»4ie_Si xx^.-^iMLA

■Vl«v-l:

Emulation of the Portuguefe trade. The de^
fcription of St. Salvador, the capital of Bra-
zil. The fleets for that city. * Rio faneiro
Mnd Fernamhucca. . ,... ^^ J15

,iw

CHAP. V. :, >

The character of the American Port uguefi. The
ft ate of the negroes. ^Ihe, government. 321

JE,nd of the First Volume.

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