Part 10
Whilst Prince _Maurice_ was in _Brazile_, the _Dutch_ fitted Ships thence for _Chili_, which arriv’d there: but wanted a sufficient Force to withstand the _Spaniard_, while they could be recruited, or gain an Interest amongst the Natives, which they might have easily done, could they have settled, because at that time the _Spaniards_ had not conquer’d the _Indians_ of _Chili_; so the _Dutch_ being too weak, were forc’d to return without effecting any thing. I shall conclude this Head with a brief Account of the Natives of _Brazile_ from _Newhoff_, whose Authority, as I have said already, I found upon Inquiry to be very good. They are divided into several Nations, and speak different Languages. They are generally of a middling Size, well-limb’d, and their Women not ill-featur’d. They are not born black, but become so by the Heat of the Sun. They have black Eyes, black curl’d Hair, and have their Noses made flat when young. They come soon to Maturity, yet generally live to a great Age, without much Sickness; and many _Europeans_ live here to above a hundred Years old, which is ascrib’d to the Goodness of the Climate. The _Portuguese_ cut off such multitudes of ’em, that they perfectly hate that Nation, but were civil enough to the _Dutch_ because they treated them kindly. Such as live next the _Europeans_, wear Shirts of Linen or Callico, and the chief of ’em affect our Apparel; but those within Land go for the most part naked, covering their Privities slightly with Leaves or Grass fasten’d about them with a string, and the Men exceed the Women in Modesty. Their Hutts are built of Stakes, and cover’d with Palm-tree Leaves. Their Dishes and Cups are made of _Calabasses_, being the Shells of a sort of Pompions. Their chief Furniture is Hammocks of Cotton made like Network, and these they fasten to sticks, and use them for Beds; and when they travel, tie them to Trees. The Wives follow their Husbands to War and elsewhere, and carry their Luggage in a Basket, with a Child hung about them in a piece of Callico, a Parrot or an Ape in one hand, and leading a Dog by a string in the other; while the idle Lubber carries nothing but his Arms, which are Bows and Arrows, Darts or Wooden Clubs. They know nothing of Arithmetick, but count their Years by laying by a Chesnut in the Season. Those who inhabit the inland Parts know scarce any thing of Religion; yet they have a sort of Priests, or rather Conjurers, who pretend to foretel what’s to come. They have a Notion of a Supreme Being more excellent than the rest; some reckon this to be Thunder, and others _Ursa Minor_, or some Constellation. They fancy that after Death their Souls are transplanted into Devils, or enjoy all sorts of Pleasures in lovely Fields beyond the Mountains, if they have kill’d and eat many of their Enemies; but those that never did any thing of moment, they say are to be tormented by Devils. These People are much afraid of Apparitions and Spirits, and make Offerings to pacify ’em. Some of ’em are mightily addicted to Sorcery, to revenge themselves upon their Enemies; and they have others who pretend to cure those that are so bewitch’d. The _Castilians_ converted some of ’em, but the _Dutch_ Ministers were more successful, till they were hinder’d by the Revolt of the _Portuguese_. The _Brazilian_ Women are very fruitful, have easy Labour, retire to the Woods where they bring forth alone, and return after washing themselves and their Child; the Husbands lying a bed the first 24 hours, and being treated as if they had endur’d the Pains.[101]
The _Tapoyars_, who inhabit the inland Country on the West, are the most barbarous of the Natives, taller and stronger than the rest, and indeed than most _Europeans_. They wear little Sticks thro their Cheeks and Under-Lips, are Maneaters, and use poison’d Darts and Arrows. They change their Habitations according to the Season, and live chiefly by Hunting and Fishing. Their Kings and Great Men are distinguish’d by the manner of shaving their Crowns, and their long Nails. Their Priests are Sorcerers, make them believe that the Devils appear to ’em in form of Insects, and perform their diabolical Worship in the night, when the Women make a dismal howling, which is their chief Devotion. They allow Polygamy, yet punish Adultery by Death; and when young Women are marriageable, but courted by no body, their Mothers carry ’em to their Princes, who deflower ’em; and this they reckon a great Honour. Some of these People were much civiliz’d by the _Dutch_, and very serviceable
[Sidenote: _Account of the River Amazons._]
to them, but still kept under Subjection to their own Kings. For the extraordinary Animals, Plants, _&c._ of _Brazile_, I refer to _Newhoff_; being sensible that the Descriptions of such things are not my Province, but I thought it convenient to give this Hint for the Diversion of such Readers as may relish it better than a Mariner’s bare Journal.
* * * * *
The River of the _Amazons_ being the Northern Boundary of _Brazile_, I shall describe it here.
According to most Geographers it rises in the Mountains of _Peru_, and is compos’d at first of two Rivers, one of which begins about Lat. 9. S. and the other about 15. The _Sansons_ call the latter _Xauxa_ or _Maranhon_, which communicates its Name to the other. ’Twas call’d _Amazons_, not because of any Nation of Virago’s, who as some fancy are govern’d by a Queen, and have no Commerce with our Sex; but at certain times, when they make an Appointment with the Males of neighbouring Nations, and if they prove with Child, keep the Daughters and send away the Sons, as the _Greeks_ fabled of their _Amazons_. But the true Reason of the Name is, that the _Spaniards_, who first discover’d it, were told of such a terrible barbarous Nation of Women by some of the Natives, on purpose to frighten them, and that they did actually on several places of this River find their Women as fierce and warlike as the Men; it being their Custom to follow their Husbands, _&c._ to War, on purpose to animate them, and to share in their Fate, as we find was antiently practis’d by the Women of _Gaul_, _Germany_, and _Britain_.
But to return to the Course of the River. The _Sansons_[102] give us a Map of it from the Discoveries of _Texeira_, who sail’d up and down the same in 1637, 1638, and 1639. The River, he says, begins at the foot of a Chain of Mountains nam’d _Cordelera_, about 8 or 10 Ls. East of _Quito_ in _Peru_. It runs first from West to East, turns afterwards South; and then after many Windings and Turnings holds its main Course East, till it falls into the _Atlantick_ Sea. Its Fountains and Mouth are very near under the Equator, and the main of its Stream is in the 4th and 5th deg. of S. Lat. The Rivers which fall into it on the North side, rise about one or two deg. N. Lat. and those on the South side, some of them begin in 10, some in 15, and others in the 21 ft of S. Lat. Its Channel from _Junta de los Reyos_ about 60 deg. from its Head, till it is join’d by the River _Maranhon_, is from one to two Leagues in breadth. From thence, say the _Sansons_, ’tis from 3 to 4, but grows larger as it advances towards the _Atlantick_, into which it falls by a Mouth from 50 to 60 Leagues broad, betwixt Cape _Nort_ on the Coast of _Guaiana_, and Cape _Zaparara_ on the Coast of _Brazile_. Its Depth from _Junta de los Reyos_ to _Maranhon_ is from 5 to 10 fathom, from thence to _Rio Negro_ from 12 to 20, and from thence to the Sea from 30 to 50, and sometimes a great deal more. ’Tis always of a good depth near the Shore, and has no Sand-Banks till it come towards the Sea. Its running in a continu’d Descent from West to East, makes the sailing down it very easy; and the East Winds, which last most part of the day, are very commodious for those who sail up this River. From the Fountain to its Mouth ’tis 8 or 900 Leagues in a direct Line, but the Windings and Turnings make it about 1200. Some compute it at 1800, and others 1276; but then they derive its Source from the Lake _Lauricocha_ near _Guanuco_ in _Peru_ about Lat. 10. Authors differ whether this River or _La Plata_ be the greatest, which I shall not take upon me to determine. The Rivers which run into it on the right and left, have their Courses from 100 to 600 Leagues in length, and their Banks are well inhabited by multitudes of People of different Nations, not so barbarous as those of _Brazile_, nor so polite as the Natives of _Peru_. They live chiefly upon Fish, Fruit, Corn and Roots; are all Idolaters, but pay no great Respect to their Idols, nor perform any publick Worship to them, except when they go upon Expeditions.
_Texeira_[103] and his Fellow-Discoverers say, that most of those Countries enjoy a temperate Air, tho in the middle of the Torrid Zone. This is probably owing to the multitude of Rivers with which they are water’d, the East Winds which continue most of the day, the equal Length of the Days and Nights, the great numbers of Forests, and the annual Inundations of the Rivers, which fructify this Country, as that of the _Nile_ does _Egypt_. Their Trees, Fields, and Flowers are verdant all the Year, and the Goodness of the Air prevents their being infested so much with Serpents and other dangerous Insects as _Brazile_ and _Peru_. In the Forests they have Store of excellent Honey, accounted very medicinal. They have Balm good against all Wounds. Their Fruit, Corn, and Roots, are not only in greater plenty, but much
[Sidenote: _Account of the River Amazons._]
better than any where else in _America_. They have vast number of Fish of all sorts in the Rivers and Lakes; and among others, Sea-Cows, which feed on the Banks, and Tortoises of a large Size and delicate Taste. Their Woods abound with Venison, and afford Materials for building the largest Ships. They have many Trees of five or six fathom round in the Trunk, and inexhaustible Stores of Ebony and _Brazile_ Wood, Cocoa, Tobacco, Sugar-Canes, Cotton, a Scarlet Dye call’d _Rocon_, besides Gold and Silver in their Mines and the Sand of their Rivers.
The Nations who inhabit about this and the other Rivers that run into it, are reckon’d by _Sanson_ and others 150, and their Villages so thick in many places, that most of ’em are within Call of one another. Among those People, the _Homagues_ who live towards the Head of this great River, are mostly noted for their Manufactures of Cotton; the _Corosipares_ for their Earthen Ware; the _Surines_ who live betwixt Lat. 5 and 10. and Long. 314 and 316, for their Joyners Work; the _Topinambes_ who live in a great Island of this River, about Lat. 4. and Longit. 320. for their Strength. Their Arms in general are Darts and Javelins, Bows and Arrows, with Targets of Cane or Fish-Skins. They make war upon one another to purchase Slaves for their Drudgery, but otherwise they treat them kindly enough.
Among the Rivers that fall into it on the North side, the _Napo_, _Agaric_, _Putomaye_, _Jenupape_, _Coropatube_, and others, have Gold in their Sands. Below _Coropatube_ there are Mines of several sorts in the Mountains. In those of _Yagnare_ there are Mines of Gold; in _Picora_ there are Mines of Silver; on the River _Paragoche_ there are precious Stones of several sorts; and Mines of Sulphur, _&c._ near other Rivers. Those of _Putomaye_ and _Caketa_ are large Rivers: the latter is divided into two Branches; one falls into the _Amazons_ River, by the name of _Rio Negro_, which is the largest on the North side; and the other, call’d _Rio Grande_, falls into the _Oronoko_. The chief Rivers that fall into it on the South side, are _Maranhon_, _Amarumaye_, _Tapy_, _Catua_, _Cusignate_, _Madere_ or _Cayane_, and many other large ones.
The _Sansons_ add, that on this River, about 200 Leagues from the Sea, there is a Bosphorus or Strait of one mile broad; that the Tide comes up hither, so that it may serve as a Key to all the Trade of those Countries: But the _Portuguese_ being already possess’d of _Para_ on the side of _Brazile_, _Corupa_ and _Estero_ on the side of _Guaiana_, and _Cogemina_ an Island at the mouth of it; they may, by fortifying the Island of the _Sun_, or some other place in its chief Outlet, be Masters of all the Trade.
_William Davis_[104] a _Londoner_, who liv’d in this Country some time, gives us this further Account of it, and of the Inhabitants about this River. They have Store of excellent Wild-Fowl in their Woods, and among others, Parrots as many as we have Pidgeons in _England_, and as good Meat. Their Rivers and Lakes abound with Fish, but such as catch them must be upon their guard against Crocodiles, Alligators, and Water-Serpents. The Country is subject to frequent and violent Storms of Rain, Thunder, and Lightning, which commonly hold 16 or 18 hours; and the Inhabitants are terribly pester’d with Muskettoes. There are abundance of petty Kings, who live upon their particular Rivers, on which they decide their Quarrels with Canoes, and the Conqueror eats up the Conquer’d; so that one King’s Belly proves another’s Sepulcher. The Regalia by which they are distinguish’d, is a Crown of Parrots Feathers, a Chain of Lion’s Teeth or Claws about their Necks or Middles, and a Wooden Sword in their hands. Both Sexes go quite naked, and wear their Hair long; but the Men pluck theirs off on the Crown. He says ’tis a question whether the Womens Hair or Breasts be longest. The Men thrust pieces of Cane thro the Foreskin of their _Pudenda_, their Ears and Under-Lips, and hang Glass-Beads at the Gristle of their Noses, which bob to and fro when they speak. They are thievish, and such good Archers, that they kill Fish in the water with their Arrows. They eat what they catch without Bread or Salt. They know not the Use of Mony, but barter one thing for another, and will give twenty Shillings worth of Provisions, _&c._ for a Glass-Bead or a Jews-Harp.
I come next to the Discovery of this River. When _Gonsales Pizarro_, Brother to _Francis_ that conquer’d _Peru_, was Governour of the North Provinces of that Country, he came to a great River where he saw the Natives bring Gold in their Canoes to exchange with the _Spaniards_. This put him upon a compleat Discovery of that River from its Fountains to its Mouth. In order to this, he sent out Capt. _Francisco de Orellana_[105] in 1540. with a Pinnace and Men: Some say
[Sidenote: _Account of the River Amazons._]
he went also himself, and sail’d down the River _Xauxa_ or _Maranhon_ 43 days, but wanting Provisions, commanded _Orellana_ to go in quest of some down the River, and to return as soon as he could; but _Orellana_ being carry’d down 200 Leagues thro a desert Country, the Stream was so rapid, that he found it impracticable to return, and therefore sail’d on till he came to that which is properly call’d the River of the _Amazons_. He had spent all his Provisions, and eat the very Leather on board; so that seven of his Men died of Want. In _January_ that Year, after sailing 200 Leagues further, he came to a Town on the Bank of the River, where the People were afraid of him, but at last furnish’d him with Provisions; and here he built a large Brigantine. He set out again the _2d_ of _Febr._ and 30 Leagues further was almost cast away by the violent Stream of a River which run into that of the _Amazons_ on the right side. He sail’d above 200 Leagues further, and was invited ashore in the Province of _Aparia_, where he discours’d several of their Caciques, who forewarn’d him of his Danger by the _Amazons_. He staid here 35 days, built a new Brigantine, and repair’d the other. He sail’d again in _April_ thro a desert Country, where he liv’d upon Herbs and toasted _Indian_ Wheat. On the _12th_ of _May_ he arriv’d at the populous Country of _Machiparo_, where he was attack’d by many Canoes full of Natives arm’d with long Shields, Bows and Arrows; but fought his way thro them till he came to a Town where he took Provisions by Force, after two hours fight with some thousands of the Natives whom he put to flight, and had 18 of his Men wounded, but all recover’d. He put off again, and was pursu’d two days by 8000 _Indians_ in 130 Canoes, till he was past the Frontiers of that Country. Then he landed at another Town 340 Leagues from _Aparia_, which being abandon’d by the Natives, he rested there three days, and took in Provisions. Two Leagues from hence he came to the mouth of a great River with three Islands, for which he call’d it _Trinity River_. The adjacent Country seem’d very fruitful, but so many Canoes came out to attack him, that he was forc’d to keep the middle of the Stream. Next day he came to a little Town, where he took Provisions again by force, and found abundance of curious earthen Ware finely painted, and several Idols of monstrous shapes and sizes. He also saw some Gold and Silver, and was told by the Inhabitants that there was abundance of both in the Country. He sail’d on 100 Leagues further, till he came to the Land of _Pagnana_, where the People were civil, and readily furnish’d him with what he wanted.
On _Whitsunday_ he pass’d by a great Town divided into many Quarters, with a Canal from each to the River. Here he was attack’d by Canoes, but soon repuls’d them with his Fire-Arms. He afterwards landed, and took Provisions at several Towns. He met with the Mouth of a River, the Water as black as Ink, and the Stream so rapid, that for 20 Leagues it did not mix with that of the _Amazons_. He saw several small Towns in his Passage, enter’d one by force, which had a Wall of Timber, and took abundance of Fish there. He pursu’d his Voyage by many great Towns and well-inhabited Provinces, by which time the River was grown so wide, that they could not see the one side from the other. Here he took an _Indian_, by whose Information he suppos’d this to be the proper Country of the _Amazons_. He sail’d on by many other Towns, and landed at one, where he found none but Women. He took abundance of Fish there, and resolv’d to have staid for some time; but the Men coming home in the Evening, they attack’d him, so that he ship’d off, and continu’d his Voyage. He saw several great Towns with pav’d Roads between Rows of Fruit-Trees into the Country, and landed for Provisions. The Inhabitants oppos’d him; but their Leader being kill’d, they fled and left him at liberty to carry off Provisions. From hence he sail’d to an Island for Rest, and was inform’d by a Female he had taken Prisoner, that there were Men like themselves in that Country, and some white Women, whom he conceiv’d to be _Spaniards_: she told him they were entertain’d by a Cacique. After several days sail, he came to another great Town, near which the _Indian_ told him those Whites did live. He kept on his Course, and after four days came to another Town, where the Natives were civil, furnish’d him with Provisions; and here he saw abundance of Cotton Cloth, and a Place of Worship hung with Weapons and two Mitres resembling those of a Bishop. He went to a Wood on the other side in order to rest, but was soon dislodg’d by the Natives. He saw several large Towns on both sides the River, but did not touch at them. Some days after they came to a Town where he got Provisions. After doubling a Point, he saw other large Towns, where the People stood ready on the Banks to oppose him. He offer’d ’em Toys in order to please them, but in vain. He continu’d his Voyage, and on the Banks saw several Bodies of People. He stood into
[Illustration: THE TRACK OF THE _DUKE_ AND _DUTCHESS_ ROUND THE WORLD
_Reproduction of the frontispiece to the first edition of Woodes Rogers’s book._]
[Sidenote: _Account of the River Amazons._]
them, and landing his Men, the Natives fought with great Resolution, ten or twelve being white Women of an extraordinary Size, with long Hair and all naked but their _Pudenda_, who seem’d to be their Commanders. They were arm’d with Bows and Arrows; and seven of ’em being kill’d, the rest fled. _Orellana_ had several Men wounded; and finding that multitudes of the Natives were marching against him, he sail’d off, reckoning that he had now made 1400 Leagues during his Voyage, but still did not know how far he was from the Sea. He afterwards came to another Town, where he met with the like Opposition: several of his Men were wounded, and his Chaplain lost an Eye. Here he observ’d several Woods of Oak and Cork-Trees: He call’d this Province by the name of _St. John’s_, because he came to it on that Saint’s Day. He sail’d on till he met with some Islands, where he was attack’d by 200 Canoes with 30 or 40 Men in each, abundance of Drums, Trumpets, and Pipes, _&c._ but he kept them off with his Fire-Arms. These Islands appear’d to be high, fruitful, and pleasant, and the largest of ’em about 50 Leagues long; but he could take in no Provisions, because the Canoes continually pursu’d him.
When he came to the next Province, he perceiv’d many large Towns on the Larboard side of the River: Multitudes of Natives came in their Canoes to gaze on him, and his _Indian_ Prisoner inform’d him that these Countries abounded with Gold and Silver. _Orellana_ was here oblig’d to barricade his Boats to cover his Men, because one of ’em was kill’d by a poison’d Arrow. As he sail’d on, he came to inhabited Islands, and perfectly discern’d the Tide. Here he was attack’d by multitudes of Canoes, and lost some more Men by poison’d Arrows. There were many Towns on the Starboard side of the River, and he found other inhabited Islands, where he got Provisions, but was attack’d and beat off when he landed on the Continent, till he came near the mouth of the River, where the People readily furnish’d him. He sail’d 200 Leagues among the Islands, where he found the Tide strong, and at last in _August_ that Year found a Passage to the Sea of about 50 Ls. wide, where the Tide rises five or six fathom, and the fresh Water runs 20 Leagues into the Sea; Esquire _Harcourt_,[106] in his Voyage to _Guiana_, says 30 Ls. and that the fresh Water there is very good. He was mightily distress’d for want of Rigging and Provisions till he came to the Island of _Cubagua_, from whence he went to _Spain_ to give the King an Account of his Discovery. The Manuscripts taken by Capt. _Withrington_[107] say that _Orellana_ was about a Year and half upon this River.