Part 8

But this Opinion _Grotius_ hath laid a strong and dangerous Battery against, that _America_ could not be Peopled by the _Tartars_, because the _Americans_ before the _Spaniards_ coming thither, had never seen any Horses; whereas the _Tartars_ use no Beast more, either in Peace or War, nor can less want: For the _Tartarian_ Forces do not only consist in Horse; but the Wealth of this Countrey is reckon’d up in the numerous Breeds of Horses, and several Studs of Mares. Some of the Nobless keep a thousand Horse; none, though never so poor, but keep two or three; and Beggars there mounted crave Alms and Charity of the People. When they remove their Habitations, their Horses carry their Provisions and Tents: If Provisions grow short, they eat Mares Milk, high gusted with Garlick, which satisfies Hunger and Thirst; and the red Liquor which they tap warm from their Veins, serves them to help Digestion, and heighten their Humor, instead of the Blood of the Grape, our sweet Wine. The swiftest Rivers, though raging and precipitated with Land-floods, they dare adventure swimming their Horses over, hanging naked by their Manes, and guiding them by a slipp’d Rein whither they please: To their Tails they tie their Saddles, and other Necessaries, bound up in Rushes. When a Person of Quality prepares to cross any River, they tie two Horses Tail to Tail, and athwart both their Backs fasten a Mat pleited of Rushes, to sit on. When they are stopp’d at any broad River, or standing Lake, they kill and flea their worst Horses; then turning the Skins inside out, and well Liquoring, they stretch them open with the Ribs, which stand like the Bayles of a Tilted Wherry, and thus furnish’d, serves them for a Boat to carry eight Persons. When they take the Field, going to War, not any but musters three Horses; which makes their Armies, when drawn out in Campain, shew much bigger than indeed they are: And though many of them are kill’d in the Wars, or slain for Food, yet the _European Tartars_ pay yearly forty thousand Horses to the _Russians_; from whence _Grotius_ thus argues, “If _America_ joyns to _Tartary_, then the Horses which run wild at Grass might easily have found _America_ themselves, seeking to improve their Pasture, and have gone from one Countrey into the other, as it appears, that since the _Spaniards_ transported Horses to _America_, they are dispers’d over the highest Mountains, out of one Province into the other: Or if the _Straights of Anian_ run between both, the _Tartars_ never were Navigators; and suppose they had been, they would not have cross’d without Horses, without which they knew not how to subsist.” To which we only say thus, That although _Tartary_ now, and in former times, abounded in Horse, yet must we grant, that it hath been always so? or that the ancient _Scythians_, who we avouch first planted _America_, had such frequent use of them as the _Tartars_ now. This may be controverted, for that these _Scythians_ planting there in the Non-age of Time, presently after the Flood, the use of Horses was unknown, which the Ancient Poets testifie by their Fiction of _Centaurs_, who when first seen, the Horse and Rider were taken for one Creature. The like mistake the _Mexicans_ had, when they saw the mounted _Spaniards_, a thousand running away from one Cavalier.

As to their coming thither of themselves, it may easily be confuted: Who knows not, that there is no Countrey a continu’d Pasture, but luxurious Vales separated with inaccessible Mountains, Lakes, and vast Wildernesses. But _David Ingram_ relates, “That he saw some Horses in the Northern _America_, which the _Mexicans_, and other Conquests of the _Spaniards_ never heard of:” Whereupon we may conclude, and we suppose without all peradventure, That the _Americans_ have absolutely their Original from _Tartary_, which bordering _Armenia_, where _Noah_’s Ark first rested, hath a convenient way, though beyond the _Artick Circle_, through a temperate Climate betwixt Heat and Cold, to _Cathay_, in the same Parallel with the neighboring _America_.

[Illustration]

CHAP. III. _First Discoverers of_ America. Christopher Colonus _his Expedition_.

[Sidenote: _Pet Bizari Res Genoan._ lib. 16.]

[Sidenote: _Lib. 11. Hist. Georg._]

[Sidenote: _Christoph. Colonus_’s Birth.]

_Christopher Colonus_, generally (though by mistake) call’d _Columbus_, was born in _Arbizolo_, a Village in the Dominion of _Genoa_, near _Savona_; his Father liv’d by Fishing in the Midland-Sea: So that _Sebastian Schroter_, and others besides him, are mistaken, saying, _Colonus_ was born in the City _Cucureum_, and descended of the Noble Family _Pilistrelli_: For _Peter Bezarus_, _Colonus_ his Countrey-man, gives unquestionable Proofs of his mean Extract; and amongst other things, That the Common-wealth of _Genoa_ refus’d to receive the great Legacy which _Colonus_ left them in his Will, because they fondly thought it a derogation to their Honor, being so great a Republick, to take any thing of Bequest from a Fishers Son: Yet his Majesty of _Castile_ thought otherwise, not onely enriching him with Wealth, and a fair Revenue for his Discovery of the _West-Indies_; but also, though of a low derivation, rais’d him to great Honor, Ennobling him the first of his Family with Dignities, Titles, and Escutcheon, which rank’d him in place among his Prime Nobility.

[Sidenote: His Life.]

[Sidenote: Strange Accident. _Hist. Peru._]

[Sidenote: Makes his Address at _Genoa_.]

[Sidenote: _To the Portuguese_,]

[Sidenote: _English_,]

[Sidenote: And _Castilian_ King, concerning a New World.]

[Sidenote: Sails from _Cadiz_ to discover New Countreys.]

[Sidenote: His People rebel.]

[Sidenote: Discovers _Hispaniola_.]

[Sidenote: Trades with the Natives.]

_Colonus_, whom we shall henceforth call _Columbus_, spent his Youth near the Sea, where he was busie exploring the Winds, considering their Natures, and the Quarters whence they rose, especially with the setting of the Current from the _Atlantick_ to the _Mediterrane_. The Western Winds, which often, as well as the _Levant_, blow several days together from the great Ocean, much amusing him, hinted at last some Notions, that there might be another World, and new Places to be discover’d, beyond the setting of the Sun; and that the _Ne plus ultra_ should not be, if he could help it, the commanding Terminary of the Earth that way. He also spent much time, being of a solid Judgment, in the Emendations of Charts and Maps, then very much improvable: And the _Portuguese_, who at that time had got the start in Navigation from all other People, being then busie to find a way by the South of _Africa_ to the _East-Indies_, not contented to go by hearsay, he went himself in Person a Voyage with them. Soon after _Columbus_ settled himself in the Island _Madera_, where an Accident hapned, which _Francis Lopez de Gomesa_ relates thus: “The Master of a Ship, whose Name and Countrey lies buried in Oblivion (though some would have him to be of _Spain_, some an _Andalusian_ or _Biscayner_, and others a _Portuguese_) Trading the _Canaries_ and _Flemmish-Isles_, was surpris’d by a hideous Tempest from the East, which hurried him _nolens volens_ through dreadful Waves, where at last he found himself ingag’d upon a Western Coast, altogether unknown. The Storm ceasing, without making further Discoveries, he pick’d his way homeward, at last Landing in the Haven of _Madera_: All his Crew but three and himself, with hardship, want, and the long Voyage having perish’d, himself dangerously sick, was carried into _Columbus_ his House; where lying on his Death-Bed, he bequeath’d to _Columbus_ his Maps, Journals, and other Observations of this his unfortunate Voyage.” _Columbus_ being by these Papers more confirm’d than ever in his Opinion of a New World in the West, declar’d what he verily believ’d, to the States of _Genoa_; but they look’d upon him as a vain and idle Fellow; yet _Columbus_ full of his great Project, thus slighted and scornfully rejected, sate not so down, but address’d himself to the King of _Portugal_, where they wearied him, spending long time with dilatory Answers, to no effect; the Opinion of a whole Court of expert Navigators having cast his Declaration out, as a _Chimera_ or meer Fancy. Soon after _Columbus_ sending his Brother into _England_, to move the Business to King _Henry_ the Seventh, he being taken Prisoner by the way, and lying long er’e his Release, came too late to the _English_ Court, prevented by the News of _Christopher_’s return with Success from his intended Voyage: For mean while _Ferdinando_ and _Isabella_ King of _Castile_, having finish’d his Wars with the _Moors_, had furnish’d him out for the Expedition; which he effected by the favor of _Alfonso Mendotio_ and _Alfonso Quintavilia_, both great Ministers of State under _Ferdinand_ and _Isabel_, and obtain’d so much at last, that he was sent with a hundred and twenty Souldiers, besides Sea-men, in two Ships, and one Pinnace. Thus supplied, he set Sail from _Cadiz_ upon the Kings account the fourth of _August, Anno 1492._ and first reach’d the _Canary-Islands_, and from thence steering South-West, the Wind in thirty three days scarce varying one Point: But though the Weather blew so constant, yet the Sea-men chang’d their Minds, and Storm’d quite contrary, crying, That _Columbus_ was guilty of all their Deaths: _For_ (said they, after they had lost sight of the _Canaries_ so many days, nothing appearing but Sea and Sky) _Who can hope for any Success or happy conclusion of so desperate a Voyage, so rashly undertaken, and found now so full of eminent danger?_ Yet _Columbus_ bore bravely up, and weather’d all their Exclamations, although they threatned no less than his Murder: At last Articling, they came to this Agreement, _That if after sailing forwards three days more, no Land were discover’d, they should return_: But about two a Clock the next Night, _Columbus_ saw a glimmering like Fire in the Sky, and in the Morning found himself close aboard a most pleasant Coast, where Landing with twelve Men, he erected a Cross cut out of a Tree. Thence he sail’d over to _Cuba_, where the Sea was so rough, that he was forc’d to stand off, fearing Rocks and Shallow Water. Soon after he got to the Northward of the Island _Haytin_, which he call’d _Hispaniola_: Here his best Ship was bulged upon a Rock, on which they had all perish’d, had it not been flat on the top, so that the Soldiers and the whole Crew of Sea-men were sav’d by the two Vessels. The Inhabitants stark naked, seeing these Strangers, fled to the Woods; but the _Spaniards_ overtaking a Woman, they entertain’d her with Sweet-meats and _Spanish_ Wine, and putting her on a white Shirt, sent her again to the rest of the Natives, where return’d, she told what good Entertainment she had had to her Companions; whereupon divers of the Islanders came aboard of the _Spaniards_, in Boats made of one piece of Wood, where they barter’d Gold for Beads, pieces of Glass, Knives, Shells, and other Trifles. The King of _Guaccanarillo_ gave testimony of peculiar inclination to the _Spaniards_, helping them to Fish up the remaining Goods of the Wreck, and inform’d them, That some Rivers flowing from the tops of high Mountains, wash’d down the Gold amongst the Sand: notwithstanding a strange Prophecy had been told to these Islanders, namely, _That Bearded Men out of remote Countries should destroy their Goods, take their Land, and massacre their Children_. He also told them what made them fly, and betake them to their Heels at the arrival of the _Spaniards_, because they were oftentimes surpris’d by the _Cannibals_, who snatch’d up all they could lay hold on: Their Boys and Striplings they gelded, cooping and cramming them up, as we our Capons, for Feasts: The young and well-grown Men they chopp’d to pieces, salted, and Barrel’d up: Young Women they preserv’d for breed, and old ones they made Slaves. These _Cannibals_ were so terrible to the Inhabitants of _Haytin_, that a thousand of them durst not venture to engage against ten, but would run every way, dispers’d like Flocks of Sheep before the Wolf.

Lastly, Their King permitted the _Spaniards_ to build a Lodge or Hovel, wherein thirty or forty of them might shelter; but indeed so taking possession in right of the King of _Spain_.

[Sidenote: Returns to _Spain_.]

[Sidenote: Is highly honor’d.]

[Sidenote: Goes with seventeen Sail a second time to _Hispaniola_.]

Mean while _Columbus_ return’d in safety to _Spain_, and was receiv’d with great joy, King _Ferdinand_ making him Admiral of the Sea, and sending his Brother _Bartholomew_ Governor to _Haytin_, now call’d _Hispaniola_. The Gold, Parrots, Mastick, Aloes, the strange Bread _Jucca_, whose extracted Juyce is rank Poyson, but the Body makes good Meal, which kneaded and bak’d, yields a fine Manchet and wholesom Food, they look’d upon with great delight and admiration; but two of the Natives being naked, with Gold Rings through their Noses and Ears, Ornaments with them of high esteem, and signifying their no mean Quality, the People old and young came in Throngs to wonder at, never weary of gazing upon them. But the King, encourag’d by this Success, took no dilatory Course, but suddenly, and before any could expect, built fourteen stout Carvels, and three Frigats, and as soon mann’d them with twelve hundred Soldiers, besides a great number of Artificers of all sorts, with their Wives and Children, freighting them with Horses, Swine, Goats, Cattel for Breed, all sorts of _European_ Corn to sow, Fruit-Trees and Vines to plant, and some Priests to instruct and convert the Natives to their Religion.

[Sidenote: _The Barbadoes_, _St. Christophers_, _&c._]

[Sidenote: The Huts of the _Cannibals_.]

The second of _September_, _Anno 1493._ they set sail from _Cadiz_, and Anchor’d before _Ferreo_, the last and furthest of the _Canary-Islands_, where they could get no Water, but what dropp’d from the Dew hanging on Trees into Troughs. After that, _Columbus_ came on the one and twentieth day amongst the _Caribby-Islands_, where he dropp’d Anchor before one, which he call’d _Dominico_; but finding it desolate, set sail further, and discover’d several other Coasts, where he likewise found nothing but very great Porcupines or Hedg-hogs, and sweet-smelling Trees. Steering forward, he found the Coasts of the _Cannibals_, which inhabited along the Shore in little Huts or Hovels, built round of Wood, and stak’d about on the out-side with long Poles, like _Palisado_’s: They have also Posts within, which are shorter, pleited and fastned together with Cotton, or long Roots of Trees, plyant like our Osiars, over which they hang Cloths painted with horrible Figures and strange Representations: The Roofs rise like our Canopy’d Tents, highest in the middle, cover’d with Palm-Tree Leaves to keep off the Rain: At the Entrances hang two Hairy Images on Poles, not for Religion sake, but Ornament: Their Bed-steads being high from the Ground, are fill’d with a kind of Straw; and in long Hovels fitted for that purpose they store their Sugar.

[Sidenote: Island _Guadalupe_.]

_Columbus_ landing here, found all the _Cannibals_ fled; but their Houses full of Stone Vessels, Cruises, Pans, and Pots, boyling with Mens Flesh, Parrots, and Wild-foul; the Hanches and Sides of young Men, on Spits roasting at the Fire, with the Splinters of whose broken Bones they headed their Arrows. This Island by the Inhabitants call’d _Carucueria_, _Columbus_ chang’d to _Guadalupe_, because the Mountains rise up with their tops not unlike _Estremadura_ in _Spain_, famous there for the wonderful Representation of our Lady, as that of the Lady of _Loretto_ in _Italy_. Thirty Women which he had taken from the neighboring Isles, he sent with Presents to the fled _Canibals_, which the next day returning, made a great appearance near the Shore; but when they had gaz’d a while upon the _Spaniards_, looking stedfastly on one another, they suddenly ran back again, sheltring themselves in the Covert of the Woods. _Columbus_ thinking it not worth his while to expect their return, seeing their barbarous Life, burnt and destroy’d all their Boats, and spoiling whatever he could, sail’d to _Matanino_.

[Sidenote: Strange Women in _Matanino_.]

The releas’d Women in _Guadalupe_, that came back again, inform’d the _Spaniards_, That _Matanino_ was an Isle onely inhabited by Women, which at accustom’d times row’d over to these _Cannibals_, where a while they drove a Trade and Commerce of Love, the Product of which, if Girls, they kept; but the Boys they sent over to their Fathers. They live in Caves, the Mouths and Entrances of which they maintain and stoutly make good with their Bowe, shooting Arrows as thick as Hail at the approach of Men, after their impregnating by the _Cannibals_.

[Sidenote: Remarkable Passage of _Columbus_.]

[Sidenote: Salvageness of the _Indians_.]

From hence the Fleet pass’d by several other fruitful Islands, _Columbus_ giving them the Names of _Montseratto_, _Rodondo_, _St. Martin_, _Santa Cruz_, formerly by the Inhabitants call’d _Ayaya_. On this last Island he landed thirty Men, who took four Women, which held out their Hands before them, as if Petitioners that begg’d Quarter, or praying, and then conceal’d themselves in Ambuscade, the better to surprize more; when by chance they spied an _Indian_ _Canoo_ at Sea, with eight Men, and as many Women; whereupon those in Ambuscade made a Signal to the next Ship, which immediately sent off some Boats well Mann’d; but before they drew near them, or expected an On-set, one of the _Spaniards_ was kill’d, and another wounded with their Arrows; amongst whom a Woman, to whom all the rest shew’d greatest Respect and Reverence, aim’d very exactly. Their barbed Shafts were poyson’d; whereupon the _Spaniards_ enrag’d, stemm’d the _Canoo_, and oversetting, row’d quite over; which little or nothing avail’d; for they all swam, and though separated, shot their Arrows at them, as if the Boat had been a But. At last the _Indians_ got upon a blind Rock, cover’d with Shole Water, which gave them fresh Courage; but the _Spaniards_ having more aid sent them from the Fleet, took them all Prisoners; but the Queens Son being wounded in the Scuffle, and dying soon after, was thrown overboard. The Prisoners being brought before _Columbus_, foam’d at the Mouth for raging madness; and being afterwards carried to _Castile_, so retain’d their fierce and salvage Nature, that they scar’d away and frighted the safe Beholders.

[Sidenote: _Columbus_ comes to _Hispaniola_.]

[Sidenote: Finds the _Spaniards_ slain.]

[Sidenote: His Discourse with the King _Guaccanarillo_.]

[Sidenote: Strange gathering of Gold.]

[Sidenote: _Decas 1. De Orba Novo._]

Mean while the _Spanish_ Fleet proceeded on their Voyage, between several Islands, to _Hispaniola_, of which some appear desolate and barren, others green and Woody; the small Vessels sailing close under the Shore, and the great ones standing further off at Sea, which was very turbulent, and beat exceedingly against the Shole Rocks. The Island _Burichema_, _Columbus_ call’d _St. Johns_, to which belong’d some of the Women sent forth in _Guadalupe_, who inform’d them, That _Burichema_ was well inhabited by a kind and hospitable People, who when the _Cannibals_ landed there fought them, and if Conquerors, were so much exasperated with their inhumane Barbarisms, that they seiz’d on them like Mastiffs open-mouth’d, and tore them piece-meal with their Teeth; yet themselves abhorring the Custom of eating Mens Flesh. Here the _Spaniards_ found onely a large House, surrounded with twelve lesser ones, all deserted; for the Inhabitants with their King _Chiasichio_ were then retir’d into the cool and more sheltring Woods, from the mid-day Heat. All this the _Indians_ told him, which he brought back with him from _Spain_. Coming to an Anchor at _Hispaniola_, he sent one of the _Indians_ ashore, that he might tell what brave things he had seen in the _Spanish_ Court; but the remaining three took the advantage of the following Night, and leaping over-board, swam to Shore. But this Accident he not much regarded, trusting to have a sufficient Account from his eight and thirty _Spaniards_ which he had left in the Fort upon the Island; and the more, because King _Guaccanarillo_’s brother, in sign of Friendship, had presented him with two Golden Images: But all these Conjectures fail’d him, so that hearing nothing, he landed, where he found the _Spanish_ Garrison utterly destroy’d, and the Royal Fort burnt down to the Ground, and lying in a heap of Ashes. Then they fired several Guns, to give notice, that if any of them had conceal’d themselves, and lay sculking in the Woods, or otherwise, they should discover themselves, and come to the succour of their Friends: But all in vain, for none came; for as they were afterwards inform’d, the Inhabitants had slain them, because of their insupportable behavior, insolently committing Robberies, Rapes, and Murders: Hereupon he sent Messengers to the King _Guaccanarillo_, to inquire why they had fired his Fort, and what they had done with his Men, who brought him this Return, That over that mighty Island were many Princes, of which two being provok’d by the reports of the Strangers that were entertain’d in the Island, came marching upon them, each with their Armies; but that he endeavor’d what he could, and came with a Power to assist the Strangers; yet all he got for his Kindness, was a Wound in his Leg, which had been so sore and troublesom, that forc’d him to keep his Bed, and no less than seven Concubines to attend him, and dress the Wound: But he told his Tale so ill, and feign’d his Lameness worse, that _Sibilius_, one of the Messengers sent by _Columbus_, lifting up the Coverlet, saw that he ail’d nothing, which soon confirm’d his doubt, that he was confederated with the rest, and alike guilty of the Slaughter. At last _Guaccanarillo_ being desir’d, came in Person to _Columbus_, in whose presence he held a long Discourse with an _Indian_ Woman, which they had brought from the Island of _Santa Cruz_, there Christned by the Name of _Catharine_: At length _Guaccanarillo_ was dismiss’d, and the Night following this _Catharine_, with seven more of the _Indian_ Women, leap’d over-board, and swom almost a League to Shore, so going thence directly to their King _Guaccanarillo_. This Accident gave more suspicion to _Columbus_, who thereupon sent three hundred Men, commanded by _Melchior_, _Hoieda_, and _Gorvalano_, to march through the Island three several ways, and with special Commission to secure as their Prisoner _Guaccanarillo_. _Melchior_ discover’d a wide River, full of Reaches and winding Bays, gliding between high Hills cover’d with Woods, resounding with the ecchoing noises of harmonious Birds, and disemboguing his Waters, enlarg’d by two other Rivers, into the Sea, so making a convenient Harbor for Ships. Here a hundred of the Islanders, well Arm’d after their manner, met them, crying aloud, _We are no_ Cannibals, _but_ Taynos, that is, _a People more civil than they are cruel_. The _Spaniards_ making Signs of Peace, the _Taynos_ approach’d, and joyn’d their Forces in a friendly manner. Near the place of this Meeting appear’d a House built in an Oval fashion, being thirty two Paces in the Circumference, the Roof curiously pleited of divers colour’d Rushes, round about which stood thirty lesser Dwellings. Mean while, in his March _Hoieda_ discover’d a River that descended from a high Mountain, where the Inhabitants gather’d much Gold after this manner: They dig a Hole about two Foot deep; then taking up their left Hand full of Sand, with their right Hand they cull out the precious Ingots, which little accounting of, as they gather’d, they dealt away to the _Spaniards_. Most of the Pieces were as big as Pease, yet some so large, that they weigh’d nine Ounces. _Peter Martyr_, Councellor to the Emperor _Charles_, tells us, That he hath seen of them in the _Spanish_ Court, that were brought over thither by _Columbus_. Moreover, _Hoieda_ was inform’d here, That this Gold-River took its Original in the Province belonging to _Cacicus Caunaboa_, signifying, _The King of the Golden Palace_.

[Sidenote: _Columbus_ builds a City.]

[Sidenote: Strange fruitfulness there.]