did. The Waits and Trumpets sounded againe before us, and the chiefe of

the Town conducted us a mile forward, and so tooke their leaves. The first two daies we lodged but in poore small _Indian_ Townes, among whom we still found kind entertainment, and good store of provision, especially of Hens, Capons, Turkeys, and severall sorts of fruits. The third day at night we came to a great Towne consisting of neere two thousand inhabitants, some _Spaniards_, some _Indians_, called _Xalappa de la Vera Crux_. This Towne in the yeare 1634. was made a new Bishops Sea (the Bishoprick of the City, called _La Puebla de los Angeles_ being divided into two) and this being not above the third part of it, is thought to be worth ten thousand duckats a yeer. It stands in a very fertile soile for _Indian_ wheat called _Maiz_, and some _Spanish_ wheat. There are many Townes about it of _Indians_; but what makes it rich, are the many farmes of Sugar, and some which they call _Estantia's_, rich farmes for breeding of Mules, and cattell; and likewise some Farmes of _Cochinil_. In this Towne there is but one great Church and an inferiour Chappell, both belonging to a Cloister of Franciscan Friers, wherein we were lodged that night and the next day, being the Lords day. Though the revenues of this Cloister be great, yet it maintaines not above halfe a dozen Fryers, where twenty might be plentifully maintained, that so those few lubbers might be more abundantly, and like Epicures fed and nourished. The Superiour or Guardian of this Cloister was no lesse vaine then the Prior of _S. John de Ulhua_; and though he were not of our profession, yet he welcomed us with stately entertainment. Here and wheresoever further we travailed, we still found in the Preists and Fryers loosenesse of life, and their waies and proceedings contrary to the waies of their profession, sworne to by a solemne Vow and Covenant. This Order especially of the mendicant Franciscan Fryers voweth (besides chastity and obedience) poverty more strictly to be observed, then any other Order of the _Romish_ Church; for their Clothing ought to be corse sackcloth, their girdles made of hemp should be no finer then strong halters, their shirts should be but woollen, their legs should know no stockings, their feet no shoes, but at the most and best either wooden clogs, or sandals of hemp, their hands and fingers should not so much as touch any money, nor they have the use or possession or propriety of any, nor their journeys be made easy with the help of Horses to carry them, but painfully they ought to travaile on foot; and the breach of any of these they acknowledge to be a deadly and mortall sinne, with the guilt of a high soul-damning and soul-cursing excommunication. Yet for all these bonds and obligations, those wretched Impes live in those parts as though they had never vowed unto the Lord, shewing in their lives that they have vowed what they are not able to performe. It was to us a strange and scandalous sight to see here in _Xalappa_ a Fryer of the Cloister riding in with his lackey boy by his side, upon a goodly gelding, (having gone but to the Townes end, as we were informed, to heare a dying mans confession) with his long habit tucked up to his girdle, making shew of a fine silke orange colour stockin upon his legs, and a neate Cordovan shoe upon his foot, with a fine Holland paire of drawers, with a lace three inches broad at knee. This sight made us willing to pry further into this and the other Fryers carriages, under whose broad sleeves we could perceive their dublets quilted with silke, and at their wrists the laces of their Holland shirts. In their talke we could discerne no mortification, but meer vanity and worldlinesse. After supper some of them began to talk of carding and dicing; they challenged us, that were but new comers to those parts, to a Primera; which though most of ours refused, some for want of money, some for ignorance of that game, yet at last with much ado they got two of our Fryers to joyn with two of theirs; so the cards were handsomely shuffled, the vies and revies were doubled, losse made some hot & blind with passion, gain made others eager and covetous; and thus was that religious Cloister made all night a gaming house, and sworne religious poverty turned into profane and worldly covetousnesse. We that beheld some part of the night the game, found enough to observe, for the more the sport increased, scandalls to the sport were added, both by drinking and swearing that common oath _Voio a Christo, Voio a Dios_, and also by scoffing and jearing at the religious vowes of poverty which they had vowed; for one of the Franciscans though formerly he had touched money, and with his fingers had laid it to the Stake on the table; yet sometimes to make the company laugh, if he had chanced to winne a double vie (and sometimes the vies and revies went round of twenty patacons) then would he take the end of one sleeve of his habit, and open wide the other broad sleeve, and so with his sleeve sweep the money into his other sleeve, saying, I have vowed not to touch money, nor to keep any, I meaned then a naturall contact of it; but my sleeve may touch it, and my sleeve may keep it: shewing with scoffes and jests of his lips, what religion was in his heart. My eares tingled with hearing such oathes, my tongue would have uttered some words of reproofe, but that I considered my self a guest and stranger in a strange house, and that if any thing I should say, it would doe no good; so silently I departed to my rest, leaving the Gamesters, who continued til Sun-rising, and in the morning I was informed that the jesting Fryer, that rather roaring Boy then religious Franciscan, fitter for _Sardanapalus_ or _Epicurus_ his Schoole, then to live in a Cloister, had lost fourescore and odde Patacons, his sleeve (it seemes) refusing to keep for him what hee had vowed never to possesse. Here I began to find out by experience of these Franciscans, that liberty and loosnesse of life it was that brought yeerly so many Fryers and Jesuites from _Spain_ to those parts, rather then zeale of Preaching the Gospel and Converting Soules to Christ, which indeed being an act of highest Charity, they make a speciall badge of the truth of their Religion: But the loosnesse of their lives sheweth evidently that the love of money, of vain-glory, of Power and Authority over the poore _Indians_, is their end and aime more then any love of God. From _Xalappa_ we went to a place called by the _Spaniards, La Rinconada_, which is no Towne nor Village, and therefore not worth mentioning in such a Rode as now I am in; yet as famous in two things, it must not bee omitted amongst greater places. This place stands so far from any other Town, that Travellers can scarce make their journeys without either baiting there at noone, or lying there at night, or declining three or foure miles out of the Rode to some _Indian_ Town. It is no more then one house, which the _Spaniards_ call, _Venta_, or as our _English_, Innes, seated in the corner of a low Valley, which is the hottest place from St. _John de Ulhua_ to _Mexico_; about it are the best Springs and Fountaines in all the Rode, and the water though warme with the heat of the Sun, yet as sweet as any Milk. The Inne-keepers knowing wel the _Spaniards_ heat, that it seeks coole and refreshing drink, have speciall care so to lay in water in great earthen Vessels, which they set upon a moist and waterish Sand, that it is so cold that it maketh the teeth to chatter. This sweetnesse and this coolnesse together of that water in so hot and scorching a Countrey, was to us a wonder, who could find no other refreshment from that extraordinary heat. Besides our Provision here of Beefe, Mutton, Kid, Hens, Turkeys, Rabbets, Fowles, and especially Quailes, was so plentifull and cheape, that wee were astonished at it. The Valley and Countrey about it is very rich and fertile, full of _Spanish_ Farmes of Sugar, and _Cochinil, Spanish_ and _Indian_ Wheate. But what maketh mee more especially remember this _Venta_, or Inne, is, for that though Art and experience of man have found a way to provide for Travellers in so hot a place coole and refreshing water, and God have given it the sweetnesse of Milk, and to the place such abundance of Provision; yet all this in the day onely is comfortable and pleasant; but in the night the _Spaniards_ call it, _Cumfites en infierno_, that is to say, Cumfits in hell, for not onely the heat is so extraordinary, that it is impossible to bee feeding without wiping away the continuall sweat of the Face, whose drops from the Browes are alwayes ready to blind our eyes and to fill with sauce our dishes, but the swarmes of Gnats are such that waking and sleeping no device of man is able to keep them off. True it is, most of us had our Pavilions which wee carried with us to hang about and over our beds, but these could not defend us from that piercing and stinging Vermine, which like _Egypts_ Plague of Frogs would be sure to be in every place, and through our Curtaines to come upon our very Beds. Yet in the day they are not; but just at Sun setting they begin to swarme about, and at Sun rising away they goe. After a most tedious and troublesome night, when wee found the rising of the Sun had dispersed and banished them away, wee thought it best for us to flie away from that place with them; and so from thence earely wee departed to a Towne as pleasant and fertill and abounding with Provision as this _Rinconada_, and free from such busie guests and individuall Mates and Companions as the night before had intruded themselves upon us. The next night wee got to a Towne called _Segura_, inhabited both by _Indians_ and _Spaniards_, consisting of about a thousand Inhabitants; here again without any charges we were stately entertained by Franciscan Fryers, as light and vain glorious as those of _Xalappa_. This Town had its first beginning and foundation from _Hernando Cortez_, and is called _Segura de la Frontera_, being built up by him for a Frontier Town to secure the _Spaniards_ that came from St. _John de Ulhua_ to _Mexico_, against the _Culhuacans_ and people of _Tepeacac_, who were allied to the _Mexicans_, and so much annoyed the _Spaniards_. But what most incensed _Cortez_ was, that after his first repulse from _Mexico_, the _Indians_ insulting over him and the rest of his Company, whom they heard had beene dangerously wounded, and were retired to _Tlaxcallan_ to recover and strengthen themselves; the two Townes, _Culhua_ and _Tepeacac_, then in League with the _Mexicans_ against _Cortez_ and the Town of _Tlaxcallan_, lying in wait for the _Spaniards_, took twelve of them, and sacrificed them alive to their Idols and eat their flesh. Whereupon _Cortez_ desired _Maxixca_, a chief Captain of _Tlaxcallan_, and divers other Gentlemen of that Towne to goe with him and to help him to bee avenged of the people of _Tepeacac_ for the cruelty used to twelve of his _Spaniards_, and for the daily and great hurt they also did to the Inhabitants of _Tlaxcallan_ with the helpe of their allied friends the _Culhuacans_ and _Mexicans. Maxixca_ and the chief of _Tlaxcallan_ forthwith entred into counsell with the States and and Communalty of the Town, and there determined with generall consent to give unto him forty thousand fighting Men, besides many _Tamemez_, who are Foot Carriers, to beare the Baggage, Victuall, and other things. With this number of _Tlaxcalteca's_, his owne men, and horses, _Cortez_ went to _Tepeacac_, requiring them in satisfaction of the death of the twelve Christians, that they should now yeeld themselves to the obedience of the Emperour and King of _Spain_ his Master, and hereafter never more to receive any _Mexican_ into their Town or houses, neither yet any of the Province of _Culhua_. The _Tepeacacs_ answered that they had slain the _Spaniards_ for good and just cause, which was that being time of Warre, they presumed to passe through their Countrey by force without their will and License. And also that the _Mexicans_ and _Culhuacans_ were their friends and Lords, whom alwayes they would friendly entertaine within their Towne and houses, refusing utterly their offer and request, protesting to give no obedience to whom they knew not, wishing them therefore to return incontinent to _Tlaxcallan_, except they had desire to end their weary days, and to be sacrificed and eaten up as their twelve friends had been. _Cortez_ yet invited them many times with peace; and seeing it prevailed not, he began his Wars in earnest. The _Tepeacacs_ with the favour of the _Culhuacans_ were brave and lusty, and began to stop and defend the _Spaniards_ entrance into their Town. And being many in number with divers valiant men among them, began to skirmish sundry times; but at the end they were overthrown and many slain without killing any _Spaniard_, although many _Tlaxcalteca's_ were killed that day. The Lords and principall persons of _Tepeacac_ seeing their overthrow, and that their strength could not prevaile, yeelded themselves unto _Cortez_ for Vassals of the Emperour with condition to banish for ever their allied friends of _Culhua_; and that hee should punish and correct at his will and pleasure all those which were occasion of the death of the twelve _Spaniards_. For which causes and obstinacy, at the first _Cortez_ judged by his sentence that all the Townes which had been privy to the murther, should for ever remain Captives and slaves; others affirm that he overcame them without any condition, and corrected them for their disobedience, being Sodomites, Idolaters and eaters of mans flesh, and chiefly for example of all others. And in conclusion, they were condemned for slaves, and within twenty daies that these Wars lasted, hee pacified all that Province, which is very great, hee drave from thence the _Culhuacans_, hee threw down the Idols, and the chiefest persons obeyed him. And for more assurance he built there this Town, naming it _Segura De la Frontera_, appointing all Officers for the purpose, whereby the Christians and strangers might passe without danger from _Vera Crux_ to _Mexico_. This Town likewise, as all the rest from St. _John de Ulhua_ to _Mexico_, is very plentifull of provision, and many sorts of fruits, namely Plantins, _Sapottes_, and _Chicosapottes_, which have within a great black kernell as big as our horse Plums, the fruit it self is as red within as Scarlet, as sweet as Honey; but the _Chicosapotte_, is lesse and some of them red, some browne coloured, and so juicy that at the eating the juyce like drops of Honey fall from them, and the smell is like unto a baked Peare. Here likewise were presented unto us Clusters of Grapes as faire as any in _Spain_, which were welcome unto us, for that wee had seen none since we came from _Spain_, and wee saw by them that the Countrey thereabouts would be very fit for Vineyards, if the King of _Spain_ would grant the planting of Vines in those parts; which often hee hath refused to doe, lest the Vineyards there should hinder the Trading and Trafique between _Spain_ and those parts, which certainly had they but Wine, needed not any commerce with _Spain_. This Towne is of a more temperate Climate then any other from _Vera Crux_ to _Mexico_, and the people who formerly had been eaters of Mans flesh, now as civill and politick, as loving and curteous as any in the rode. From whence we declined a little out of our way more Westward (the rode being North-Westward) only to see that famous Towne of _Tlaxcallan_, whose inhabitants joyned with _Cortez_, and wee may say were the chiefe instruments of that great and unparalleld Conquest.

CHAP. X.

_Wherein is set downe the estate and condition of the great Towne of_ Tlaxcallan, _when the first_ Spaniards _entred the Empire of_ Mexico; Cortez _his first encounter with the_ Tlaxcalteca's; _their league with him, with a description of the Towne; and of the state and condition of it now._

_Tlaxcallan_ being worth all the rest of the Townes and Villages between _S. John de Ulhua_ and _Mexico_; I thought it not fit to parallell it with the others in naming it briefely and passing by it as a Traveller, but rather I judged it convenient, and beseeming my present History, to record to posterity with one whole Chapter, the greatnesse of it, and the valour of its inhabitants, from the conquest of _America_ made by _Hernando Cortez_. Who being upon his march to _Mexico_, and having arrived to _Zaclotan_, and being informed that the _Tlaxcalteca's_ were men of valour, and enemies to _Montezuma_ the Emperour of _Mexico_, thought it his best policy to joyne with them against the _Mexicans_.

Whereupon hee dispatched unto them foure _Indians_ of a Towne called _Zempoallan_, as Ambassadours to acquaint them of his coming into those parts, and of his desire to visit their Towne, not for any harme he intended to them, but rather for their good. The _Tlaxcalteca's_ fearing _Cortez_, and judging him a friend of _Montezuma_, because upon his way to visit him, and having heard of the many costly presents which the Emperour had sent unto him; they resolved to resist his coming, and to send him no answer to his ambassage; but tooke the four Messengers which he had sent, and imprisoned them, minding to sacrifice them unto their Gods as Espies. _Cortez_ seeing the long tarrying of the Messengers, departed from _Zaclotan_, without any intelligence from _Tlaxcallan_. His camp had not marched much after their departure from that place, but they came to a great circuit of stone made without lime or morter, being of a fadome and a halfe high, and twenty foot broad, with loupe holes to shoot at; this wall crossed over a whole valley, from one mountain to another, and but one only entrance or gate, in the which the one wall doubled against the other, and the way there was fourty paces broad, in such sort that it was an evil and perillous passage, if any had been there to defend it. _Cortez_ demanded the cause of that circuit, and who had built it; the _Indians_ that went with him, told him that it was but a division from their countrey and _Tlaxcallan_, and that their Antecessors had made the same to disturbe the entrance of the _Tlaxcalteca's_ in time of warre, who came to rob and murther them because of the friendship betwixt them and _Montezuma_, whose vassals they were. That strange and costly wall seemed a thing of great majesty to the _Spaniards_, and more superfluous then profitable, yet they suspected that the _Tlaxcalteca's_ were valiant warriers, who had such defence made against them. But _Cortez_ setting all fear aside, with three hundred Souldiers on a ranke, entred the way in the wall, and proceeded in good order all the way forwards, carrying the Ordnance ready charged, and he himselfe the Leader of all his Army, and sometimes he would be halfe a league before them, to discover and make the way plain. And having gone the space of three leagues from that circuit, he commanded his Foot-men to make haste, because it was somewhat late, and he with his Horse-men went to descry the Way forwards, who ascending up a hill, two of the formost Horse-men met with fifteen _Indians_ armed with swords, and targets, and tuffes of feathers, which they used to weare in the warres. These fifteen being Spies, when they saw the Horse-men, began to flie with fear, or else to give advice. But _Cortez_ approaching with other three Horsemen called to them to stay; which they by no means would hearken unto; till six more Horse-men ran after them, and overtooke them. The _Indians_ then joyning all together with determination rather to die then to yeeld, shewed to the _Spaniards_ signes to stand still. But the Horsemen coming to lay hands on them; they prepared themselves to battel, and fought, defending themselves for a while. In this fight the _Indians_ slew two of their Horses, and (as the _Spaniards_ do witnesse) at two blowes they cut off a Horse head, bridle and all. Then came the rest of the Horsemen, the Army also of the _Indians_ approached, for there were in sight neer five thousand of them in good order, to succour their fifteen fighting men; but they came too late for that purpose, for they were all slain by the _Spanish_ fury, because they would not render themselves in time, and had killed two of their Horses. Yet notwithstanding their fellowes fought, until they espied the _Spanish_ Army coming, and the Ordnance, then they returned leaving the field to the _Spaniards_, whose Horse-men followed them, and slew about seventy of them, without receiving any hurt. With this the _Indians_ perceiving the great advantage which the _Spaniards_ had against them with their Horses, and meaning to come upon them subtilly with a more powerful Army, that they might the better deceive and delude them, they sent unto _Cortez_ two of the four Messengers which had been sent unto them with other _Indians_, saying, that they of _Tlaxcallan_ knew nothing of the things that had happened, certifying likewise that those with whom he had fought, were of other communities, and not of their jurisdiction, being sorrowfull for that which had passed; and for so much as it happened in their countrey, they would willingly pay for the two Horses which were slain, praying them to come in good time to their Towne, who would gladly receive them, and enter into their league of friendship, because they seemed to bee valiant men; But all this was a feigned and a false message. Yet _Cortez_ beleeved them, and gave them thanks for their courtesie and good will; and that according to their request he would goe unto their Towne, and accept their friendship. And touching the death of his Horses, hee required nothing, for that within short time he expected many more; yet sorrowfull he was not so much for the want of them, as that the _Indians_ should thinke that Horses could die or be slain. _Cortez_ proceeded forwards about two leagues, where the Horses were killed, although it was almost sun set, and his men wearied, having travelled far that day. He planted his Army by a river side, remaining all that night with good watch both of Foot-men and Horse-men, fearing some assault; but there was no attempt given that night. The next morning at sun rising, _Cortez_ departed with his Army in good order, and in the midst of them went the Fardage and Artillerie, and after a little marching they met with the other two Messengers whom they had sent from _Zaclotan_; they came with pitifull cryes exclaiming of the Captaines of the power of _Tlaxcallan_, who had bound them and detained them from returning; but with good fortune that night they had broken loose, and escaped, for otherwise in the morning following they had been sacrificed to the God of Victory, and after the sacrifice they had been eaten for a good beginning of the warres; the _Tlaxcalteca's_ protesting to doe the like to the bearded men (for so they termed the _Spaniards_) and to as many as came with them. They had no sooner told their tale, when there appeared behind a little hil about a thousand _Indians_, very well appointed after their fashion, and came with such a marvellous noise and cry, as though their voyces should have pierced the heavens; hurling at the _Spaniards_, stones, darts, and shot with bowes and arrowes. _Cortez_ made many tokens of peace unto them, and by his Interpreters desired them to leave the battail. But so much the more as he intreated for peace, the more hasty and earnest were they, thinking either to overcome them, or else to hold them play, to the intent that the _Spaniards_ should follow them to a certaine ambush that was prepared for them, of more then fourescore thousand men. Here the _Spaniards_ began to cease from words, and to lay hand upon their weapons; for that company of a thousand were as many as on the _Spaniards_ side were fighting men; though they were well practised in the warres, very valiant, and also pitched in a better place for fight. This battail endured certaine houres, and at the end the _Indians_ being either wearied, or else meaning to take the _Spaniards_ in the snare appointed, began to flie towards the main battail, not as overcome, but to joyne with their own side. The _Spaniards_ being hot in the fight and slaughter, which was not little, followed them with all their fardage, and unawares fell into the ambush, among an infinite number of _Indians_ armed; they stayd not, because they would not put themselves out of order, and passed through their campe with great haste and fear. The _Indians_ began to set upon the _Spanish_ Horse-men, thinking to have taken their lances from them, their courage was so stout; many of the _Spaniards_ had there perished, had it not been for their _Indian_ friends, who had come with them from _Zempoallan_ and _Zaclotan_. Likewise the courage of _Cortez_ did much animate them; for although hee led his Army making way, yet divers times hee turned him back to place his men in order, and to comfort them, and at length came out of that dangerous way and ambush, where the Horses might help, and the Ordnance stand instead, which two things did greatly annoy the _Indians_ to their great wonder and marvell, and at the sight thereof began to flie. In both incounters remained many _Indians_ slain and wounded, and of the _Spaniards_ some were hurt, but none killed, who gave most hearty thankes unto God for their delivery from so great a multitude as were foure score thousand against one thousand onely of _Indians_ and _Spaniards_ joyned together. The _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_ and _Zaclotan_ did play the valiant men that day, wherefore _Cortez_ honoured them with hearty thankes. Then they went to pitch their Campe in a village called _Teoacazinco_, where was a little Tower and a Temple, and there fortified themselves. The night following the _Spaniards_ slept not quietly with fear of a third Invasion of the _Tlaxcalteca's_. As soone as it was day _Cortez_ sent to the Captains of _Tlaxcallan_ to require them of Peace and Friendship, willing them quietly to suffer them to passe through their Countrey to _Mexico_, for that they meant them no hurt, but rather good wil. The answer of the captains of _Tlaxcallan_ was, that the next day they would come and talke with him and declare their minds. _Cortez_ was well prepared that night, for the answer liked him not, but rather seemed brave, and a matter determined to be done, as some had told him (whom hee tooke prisoners) who likewise certified that the _Tlaxcalteca's_ were joyned together, to the number of a hundred and fifty thousand men to give battaile the next day following, and to swallow up alive the _Spaniards_ whom so mortally they did hate, thinking them to bee friends unto the Emperour _Montezuma_, unto whom they wished all evill and mischief. Their intent was therefore with all their whole power to apprehend the bearded men, and to make of them a more solemne Sacrifice unto their Gods then at any time they had done, with a generall banquet of their flesh, which they called _Celestiall_.

The Captaines of _Tlaxcallan_ divided their Souldiers into foure Battailes, the one to _Tepeticpac_, another to _Ocotelulco_, the third to _Tizatlan_, and the fourth to _Quiahuiztlan_, that is to say, the men of the Mountaines, the men of the Limepits, the men of the Pinetrees, and the Water men; all these foure sorts of men did make the Body of the Common-weelth of _Tlaxcallan_, and commanded both in time of War and Peace. Every of these Captaines had his just portion or number of Warriers, but the Generall of all the whole Army was called _Xicotencatl_, who was of the Limepits; and hee had the Standard of the Common-wealth, which is a Crane of gold with his wings spread, adorned with Emeralds and Silver worke, which Standard was according to their use either carryed before the whole Host, or else behind them all. The Lieutenant Generall of the Army was _Maxixcazin_; and the number of the whole Army was a hundred and fifty thousand men. Such a great number they had ready against foure hundred _Spaniards_, and seven hundred _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_ and _Zaclotan_, and yet at length overcome; and after this fight they were the greatest friends that _Cortez_ had in those parts against _Montezuma_. These Captaines came with their Companies, that the fields where they were seemed a Forrest. They were gallant Fellowes and well Armed according to their use, although they were painted, so that their faces shewed like Devils, with great tuffes of Feathers, and they boasted gallantly. Their Weapons and Armour were Slings, Staves, Speares, Swords, Bowes and Arrowes, Sculles, Splintes, Gantlets, all of Wood, guilt or else covered with Feathers or Leather; their Corselets were made of Cotton Wooll, their Targets and Bucklers gallant and strong, made of wood covered with leather and trimmed with latten, and feathers, their Swords were staves with an edge of flint stone cunningly joyned into the staffe, which would cut very well and make a sore wound. Their instruments of War were hunters hornes, and Drummes called _Ataballs_ made like a Caldron and covered with Vellam. So that the _Spaniards_ in all their discovery of _India_ did never see a better Army together, nor better ordered; that which I could not omit to speake of here, having come in the order of my history to _Tlaxcallan_, where this numerous and gallant _Indian_ Army was set forth against 400 _Spaniards_ and 600 _Indians_ their friends. These _Indians_ thus ordered in Battail bragged very much against the _Spaniards_, and said amongst themselves, What mad people are these bearded men that threaten us and yet know us not? But if they will bee so bold to invade our Countrey without our licence, let us not set upon them so soone, it is meet they have a little rest, for wee have time enough to take and bind them; let us also send them meat, for they are come with empty stomackes, and so they shall not say that we do apprehend them with wearinesse and hunger. Whereupon they sent unto the _Spaniards_ three hundred Turkey cocks and two hundred baskets of bread, called _Centli_; the which present was a great succour and refreshment for the need the _Spaniards_ stood in. And soone after, Now (say they) let us goe and set upon them, for by this time they have eaten their meat, and now we will eat them, and so shall they pay us the victuals that we sent. These & such like brags they used, seeing so few _Spaniards_ before them, and not knowing the strength of their Ordnance against their so numerous an host. Then the foure Captaines sent two thousand of their valiantest men of warre, and old Souldiers, to take the _Spaniards_ quietly, with commandement that if they did resist, either to binde them, or else to kill them, meaning not to set their whole Army upon them, saying, that they should get but small honour for so great a multitude to fight against so few. The two thousand Souldiers passed the trench that was betwixt the two campes, and came boldly to the Tower where the _Spaniards_ were. Then came forth the Horse-men, and after them the Foot-men, and at the first encounter, they made the _Indians_ feele how the iron swords would cut; at the second, they shewed of what force those few in number were, of whom a little before they had so jested: but at the third brunt, they made those lusty Souldiers flie, who were come to apprehend them, for none of them escaped, but only a few such as knew the passage of the trenches or ditch. Then the main battail and whole Army set forth with a terrible and marvellous noise, and came so fierce upon the _Spaniards_, till they entred into their campe without any resistance, and there were at handy strokes with the _Spaniards_, and in a good space could not get them out, many of them being killed, which were so bold to enter. In this sort they fought four houres, before they could make way among their enemies. Then the _Indians_ began to faint, seeing so many dead on their side, and the great wounds they had, and that they could kill none of the Christians; yet the battail ceased not, till it drew neere night, and then they retired. Whereof _Cortez_ and his Souldiers were exceeding glad, for they were fully wearied with killing of _Indians_. The next day in the morning _Cortez_ went forth to runne the fields as he had done before, leaving halfe his men to keepe the campe; and because he should not be espied, he departed before day, and burned about ten Townes, and sacked one Towne, which was of three thousand houses, in the which were found but few people, because the most of them were gone to their campe. After the spoile he set fire on the Town, and came his way to his campe with a great prey by noone time. The _Indians_ pursued thinking to take away their prey, and followed them into the camp, where they fought five houres, and could not kill one _Spaniard_, although many of their side were slain; for even as they were many, and stood on a throng together, the Ordnance made a wonderfull spoil among them, so that they left off fighting, and the victory remained for the _Spaniards_, whom the _Indians_ thought were inchanted, because their arrowes could not hurt them. The next day following, the four Captaines sent three severall things in present to _Cortez_, and the messengers that brought them said. Sir, behold here five slaves, and if thou be that rigorous God that eatest mans flesh and blood, eat these which we bring unto thee, and we will bring thee more. And if thou be the gentle and meek God, behold here frankincense and feathers. And if thou bee a mortall man, take here fowle, bread and cherries. _Cortez_ answered that both he and his were mortall men even as they were. And because that alwaies he had used to tell them truth, wherefore did they use to tell him lies, and likewise to flatter him, for he desired to be their friend, advising them not to be mad and stubborn in their opinion, for if they so did, assuredly they should receive great hurt and dammage.

Notwithstanding this answer, there came againe about thirty thousand of them even to _Cortez_ his campe, to prove their corslets, as they had done the day before, but they returned with broken pates. Here is to be noted that although the first day the whole host of _Indians_ came to combat with the _Spaniards_; yet the next day they did not so, but every severall Captaine by himselfe, for to divide the better the travaile and paines equally among them; and because that one should not disturbe another through the multitude, considering that they should fight but with a few, and in a narrow place; and for this consideration their battails were more fresh and strong, for each Captain did contend who should doe most valiantly for to get honour, and especially in killing one _Spaniard_, for they thought that all their hurts should be satisfied with the death of one _Spaniard_, or taking one Prisoner. Likewise is to be considered the strangenesse of their battail, for notwithstanding their controversie fifteen daies that they were there, whether they fought or no, they sent unto the _Spaniards_ cakes of bread, Turkey cocks and cherries. But this policy was not to give them that meat for good will, but onely to espie and see what hurt was done amongst them, and also to see what feare or stomack they had to proceed. But finding by their many spies that the _Spaniards_ were nothing daunted nor diminished, they resolved to send unto _Cortez Xicotencatl_, who was chiefe and generall Captain in _Tlaxcallan_, and of all the warres; he brought in his company fifty persons of authority to keep him company. They approached neer where _Cortez_ was, and saluted each other according to the use of their countrey. Their salutations ended, and the parties being set downe; _Xicotencatl_ began the talke, saying. Sir, I am come on mine owne behalfe and also of my fellow Captain and Lieutenant _Maxixca_, and in the name of many other noble personages, and finally in the name of the whole State and Common-wealth of _Tlaxcallan_, to beseech and pray you to admit us into your friendship, and to yeeld our selves and countrey unto your King, craving also at your hand pardon for our attempt in taking up armes against you, wee not knowing what you were, nor what you fought for in our countrey. And where we presumed to resist and defend your entrance, wee did it as against strangers whom we knew not, and such men as we had never heretofore seen; and fearing also that you had been friends to _Montezuma_, who is, and alwaies hath been our mortall enemy. And we had rather all in generall to end our lives, then to put our selves in subjection to him; for we thinke our selves as valiant men in courage as our fore-fathers were, who alwaies have resisted against him and his grand-father, who was as mighty as now is he. We would also have withstood you and your force, but we could not, although we proved all our possibility by night and day, and found your strength invincible, and we no lucke against you. Therefore since our fate is such, we had rather be subject unto you then unto any others; for wee have knowne and heard by the _Zempoallanezes_, that you doe no evill, nor came not to vexe any, but were most valiant and happy, as they have seen in the warres, being in your company. For which consideration, we trust that our liberty shall not be diminished, but rather our own persons, wives and families better preserved, and our houses and husbandry not destroyed. And in some of his talke, the tears trickling down his cheeks, he besought _Cortez_ to weigh that _Tlaxcallan_ did never at any time acknowlege any superiour Lord or King, nor at any time had come any person among them to command, but only he, whom now they did voluntarily elect and choose as their Superiour and Ruler. _Cortez_ much rejoyced with this ambassage, and to see such a mighty Captaine, who commanded a hundred and fifty thousand Souldiers, come unto his camp to submit himselfe; judging it also matter of great weight to have that Common-wealth in subjection, for the enterprise which he had in hand, whereby he fully made an account, that the wars were at an end, to the great contentation of him and his company, and with great fame and reputation among the _Indians_. So with a merry and loving countenance he answered, laying first to their charge, the hurt and damage which he had received in their countrey, because they refused at the first to hearken unto him, and quietly to suffer him to enter into their countrey, as he had required and desired by his messengers sent unto them from _Zaclotan_. Yet all this notwithstanding, he did both pardon the killing of his two Horses, the assaulting of him in the high way, and the lies which they had most craftily used with him, (for whereas they themselves fought against him, yet they laid the fault to others) likewise their pretence to murther him in the ambush prepared for him (enticing him to come to their Towne) without making first defiance according to the law of Arms. Yet these injuries notwithstanding, he did lovingly receive their offer made in subjection to the Emperour, and that very shortly he would be with him in _Tlaxcallan_. At this same time there were Ambassadours from _Montezuma_ with _Cortez_, who grieved much to see the League that was now beginning between the _Tlaxcalteca's_ and the _Spaniards_; they advised _Cortez_ to give no credit unto them, saying, they meant nothing but treason, and lies, and to lock them up in _Tlaxcallan. Cortez_ answered the Ambassadours, that although their advice were true, yet he did determine to goe thither, for that he feared them lesse in the Towne then in the field. They hearing this answer and determination, besought him to give unto one of them licence to returne unto _Mexico_, to advertise _Montezuma_ of all that was past, with an answer to their ambassage, promising within six dayes to have newes from _Mexico_, and till then prayed him not to depart with his campe. _Cortez_ granted their request, and abode there the time appointed, expecting their answer, and within himselfe rejoycing to see how the _Mexicans_ began to feare, that his peace with the _Tlaxcalteca's_ would be their ruine and destruction, as indeed afterwards it proved. In this mean season came many of _Tlaxcallan_ to the campe, some brought Turkey cockes, other brought bread and cherries, with merry countenances, desiring them to goe home with them unto their houses. The sixt day the _Mexican_ Ambassadour came according to promise, and brought unto _Cortez_ ten jewels of gold, both rich and well wrought, and fifteen thousand garments of Cotton exceeding gallant, and most earnestly besought him on the behalfe of _Montezuma_, that he should not danger himselfe in trusting to the words of the _Tlaxcalteca's_, who were so poore that with necessity they would rob him of the things and presents which his Master had sent him, yea and likewise murther him, knowing of the friendship between his Master and him. At the very same time all the chiefest Lords of _Tlaxcallan_ came to intreat him to goe with them to _Tlaxcallan_, where he should be cherished, lodged and well provided: for it was a great dishonour and shame unto them to permit such personages to abide in such vile cottages, as they were in. And if (said they) you trust us not, then we are ready to give you for your security whatsoever pledges or gages you shall demand. And they did both swear and faithfully promise that they might safely goe with them, saying also that the Oath and Faith of their Common-wealth should never be broken for all the goods in the world. Thus was _Cortez_ on both sides earnestly solicited, and intreated; the _Mexicans_ fearing his League and friendship with the _Tlaxcalteca's_, and these hoping that his friendship with them would be their chiefe protection against the tyranny of _Montezuma_. But _Cortez_ aiming chiefly at the Empire of _Mexico_, which _Montezuma_ his dissembled friendship would never helpe him to enjoy; and seeing the good will of so many gentlemen his new friends of _Tlaxcallan_, the most mortall enemies of _Montezuma_, and likewise the _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_, of whom he had good credit, did so importune him, and assure him of his going, he commanded his Fardage to be laden, and also his Ordnance, and departed toward _Tlaxcallan_, with as good order as it had been to a battail; and at the Tower where he had pitched his camp, he left certain crosses for a memory with a great heape of stones (which till this day remain in the place, and my selfe have seen them) and entred into _Tlaxcallan_ the eighteenth of _September_. There came out such a multitude of people to see him and to meet him in the way, that it was a wonder to see. He was lodged in the greatest Temple, which had many great and fair lodgings sufficient for him and all his company, except the _Indians_ of _Zempoallan_ and _Zaclotan_ his friends, who were lodged in other Temples. He set certaine limits, out of the which he commanded straitly that none of his company should passe upon pain of death, and also commanded that they should take nothing, but what should be given them. His commandement was well observed, for none presumed to goe a stones cast without his licence. The _Indian_ gentlemen shewed great pleasure and curtesie to the strangers, and provided them of all things necessary, and many of them gave their daughters unto them in token of true friendship, and likewise to have fruit of their bodies, to be brought up for the wars, being such valiant men. _Cortez_ being throughly satisfied of their hearty good wills, demanded of them the estate and riches of _Montezuma_. They exalted him greatly as men that had proved his force. And as they affirmed it was neer a hundred yeers, that they maintained warres with him and his father _Axaica_, and others his uncles and grand-fathers; they assured him also that the gold and treasure of _Montezuma_ was without number, and his power and dominion over all the land, and his people innumerable; for (said they) he joyneth sometimes two hundred thousand men, yea and three hundred thousand for one battail. And if it pleased him, he would make as many men double, and thereof they were good witnesse, because they had many times fought with them. _Cortez_ told them he was nothing discouraged at all that his power, but intended a journey to _Mexico_, not doubting to oppose _Montezuma_, if hee should encounter him in the way. He promised them likewise that he would free them from his tyranny, and subdue in his way all those Townes which were allied to the _Mexicans_, and did any way annoy them and their Common-wealth. They gave him hearty thankes, assuring him to assist him and accompany him to _Mexico_; and for the present offered him twenty thousand men, making a solemne League and Covenant never to forsake him. Thus was _Tlaxcallan_ subdued and sworne to the power and command of the _Spaniards_, being in those times one of the chiefest, though not richest, Townes in _America_; whose Inhabitants after clave most faithfully to _Cortez_, and were chief instruments for the subduing of _Mexico_; and therefore to this day are freed from tribute by the Kings of _Spain_, paying not the money which as a tribute taxe is layed upon every _Indian_ to bee payed yeerely, but onely in acknowledgement of subjection they pay yeerely one corne of _Maiz_, which is their _Indian_ Wheat. This great Towne of _Tlaxcallan_ is properly in the _Indian_ tongue as much as to say, as bread well baked, for there is more Graine called _Centli_ gathered, then in all the Province roundabout. In times past the Towne was called _Texcallan_, that is to say, a Valley betwixt two hills. It is planted by a River side, which springeth out of a hill called _Atlancapetec_, and watereth the most part of the Province, and from thence issueth out into the South Sea, by _Zacatullan_. This Town hath foure goodly streets, which are called _Tepeticpac, Ocotelulco, Tizatlan, Quiahuiztlan_. The first street standeth on high upon a hill, farre from the River which may be about half a League, and because it standeth on a hill, it is called _Tepeticpac_, that is to say, a hill, and was the first population, which was founded there on high because of the Wars. An other street is situated on the hill side towards the River; because at the building thereof, there were many Pine trees, they named it _Ocotelulco_, which is to say, A pine apple plot. This street was beautifull, and most inhabited of all the Town, and there was the chiefest Market place, where all the buying and selling was used, and that place they called _Tianquiztli_; in that street was the dwelling house of _Maxixca_. Along the River side in the plaine standeth another street called _Tizatlan_, because there is much Lime and Chalke. In this street dwelled _Xicotencatl_, Captaine Generall of the whole Common-wealth. There is another street named by reason of the brackish water, _Quiahuiztlan_; but since the _Spaniards_ came thither, all those buildings are almost altered, after a better fashion, and built with stone. In the plain by the riverside standeth the Town house, & other Offices, as in the City of _Venice_. This _Tlaxcallan_ was governed by Noble and rich men; they used not that one alone should rule, but did rather flie from that Government as from tyranny, and therefore hated _Montezuma_ as a tyrant. In their Wars (as I have said before) they had foure Captaines, which governed each one street, of the which foure they did elect a Captaine Generall. Also there were other Gentlemen, that were Under-Captaines, but a small number. In the Wars they used their Standard to bee carried behind the Army, but when the battaile was to be fought, they placed the Standard, where all the Hoste might see it, & he that came not incontinent to his Ancient, payed a penalty. Their Standard had two Crosse-bow Arrowes set thereon, which they esteemed, as the Reliques of their Ancestours. This Standard two old Souldiers and valiant men, being of the chiefest Captaines, had the charge to carry, in the which an abuse of soothsaying either of losse or victory was noted. In this order they shot one of these Arrowes against the first enemies that they met, and if with that Arrow they did either kill or hurt, it was a token that they should have the victory, and if it neither did kil nor hurt, then they assuredly believed that they should lose the field. This Province or Lordship of _Tlaxcallan_ had 28 Villages and Townes, wherein were contained 150000 housholders. They are men well made, and were good Warriers, the like were not among the _Indians_. They are very poore, and have no other riches, but onely the Graine and Corne called _Centli_, and with the gain and profit thereof, they doe both clothe themselves, and provide all other necessaries. They have many Market places, but the greatest and most used daily, standeth in the street of _Ocotelulco_, which formerly was so famous, that 20000 persons came thither in one day to buy and sell, changing one thing for another, for they knew not what money meaned. They have now and had formerly all kind of good policy in the Town; there are Goldsmiths, Feather-dressers, Barbers, hot houses, and Potters, who make as good earthen Vessel, as is made in _Spain_. The earth is fat and fruitfull for Corne, fruit, and pasture, for among the Pinetrees groweth so much grasse, that the _Spaniards_ feed their Cattell there, which in _Spain_ they cannot doe. Within two Leagues of the Town standeth a round hill of six miles of heigth, and five and forty miles in compasse, and is now called St. _Bartholomewes_ hill, where the snow freezeth. In times past they called that hill _Matealcucic_, who was their God for water. They had also a God for Wine, who was named _Ometochtli_, for the great drunkenesse which they used. Their chiefest God was called _Camaxtlo_, and by another name _Mixcovatl_, whose Temple stood in the street of _Ocotelulco_, in the which Temple there was sacrificed some yeeres above eight hundred persons. In the Towne they speak three languages, that is to say, _Nahualh_, which is the courtly speech, and chiefest in all the land of _Mexico_; another is called _Otomir_, which is most commonly used in the Villages; There is one onely street that speaketh _Pinomer_, which is the grossest speech. There was also formerly in the Town a common Jayle, where Felons lay in Irons, and all things which they held for sinne, were there corrected. At the time that _Cortez_ was there it happened that a townsman stole from a _Spaniard_ a little gold; whereof _Cortez_ complained to _Maxixca_, who incontinent made such enquiry, that the offender was found in _Chololla_, which is another great Town five Leagues from thence; they brought the Prisoner with the gold, and delivered him to _Cortez_, to doe with him his pleasure. _Cortez_ would not accept him, but gave him thankes for his diligence; then was hee carried with a cryer before him, manifesting his offence, and in the Market place upon a Scaffold they brake his joynts with a cudgell: the _Spaniards_ marvelled to see such strange justice, and began to bee more confident that as in this point they had endeavoured to pleasure and right them, so likewise they should afterwards find them very forward to doe their wills and pleasures for the better conquering of _Mexico_ and _Montezuma. Ocotelulco_ and _Tizatlan_, are the two streets which now are most inhabited. In _Ocotelulco_ standeth a Cloister of Franciscan Fryers who are the Preachers of that Town; they have there joyning to their Cloister a very faire Church, to which belong some fifty _Indians_ singers, Organists, players on Musicall Instruments, Trumpeters and Waits, who set out the Masse with a very sweet and harmonious Musick, and delight the fancy and senses, while the spirit is sad and dull as little acquainted with God, who will bee worshipped in spirit and in truth. In _Tepeticpac_ and _Quiahuiztlan_ are two Chappels onely, to which on the Lords Day, and upon other occasions the Fryers of the Cloister resort to say Masse. In this Cloister wee were entertained a day and two nights with great Provision of Flesh and Fish, which is very plentifull by reason of the River; The Fryers are allowed by the Town a dozen _Indians_ who are free from other Services onely to fish for the Fryers. They change their turnes by Weekes, foure one Weeke and foure another, except they be called upon for some speciall occasion, and then they leave all other worke, and attend onely with fish upon the Fryers. The Town now is inhabited by _Spaniards_ and _Indians_ together; and is the seat of a chief Officer of Justice sent from _Spain_ every three yeares, called _Alcalde Major_, whose power reacheth to all the Townes within twenty Leagues about. Besides him the _Indians_ have likewise among themselves, _Alcaldes, Regidores_ and _Alguaziles_, superiour and inferiour Officers of Justice appointed yeerely by the _Alcalde Major_, who keepes them all in awe, and takes from them for his Service as many as hee pleaseth without paying any thing for the Service done unto him. The hard usage of this _Alcalde Major_ and other _Spaniards_ hath much decayed that populous Town, which should rather have been cherished, then disheartned by the _Spaniards_, who by meanes of it gained all the rest of the Country.

CHAP. XI.

_Concluding the rest of our journey from_ Tlaxcallan _to_ Mexico, _through the City of_ Angels, _and_ Guacocingo.

The next place most remarkable in the Rode wherein wee travelled was the City called by the _Spaniards, La Puebla de los Angeles_, the City of Angels. To the which wee were desirous to goe, knowing that in it there was a Convent of Dominicans of our profession, not having met with any such since the day we departed from St. _John de Ulhua_. Here wee refreshed our selves at leasure three dayes, finding our selves very welcome to our owne Brethren, who spared nothing that was fit for our entertainment. Wee visited all the City, and tooke large notice of it, judging of the wealth and riches of it not only by the great Trading in it, but by the many Cloisters both of Nuns and Fryers, which it maintaineth, such being commonly very burthensome to the places where they live, an idle kind of beggers who make the people believe the maintaining of them is meritorious and saving to their Soules, and that their prayers for them is more worth then the meanes and sustenance which they receive from them. Of these there is in that City a very great Cloister of some fifty or threescore Dominicans, another of more Franciscans, another of Augustins, another of Mercenarians, another of discalced Carmelites, another of Jesuits, besides foure of Nuns. This City is seated in a low and pleasant Valley, about ten leagues from a very high Mountaine, which is alwayes covered with snow; It standeth twenty leagues from _Mexico_, it was first built and inhabited in the yeare 1530. by the command of _Don Antonio de Mendoza_ Viceroy of _Mexico_, together with the consent of _Sebastian Ramirez_, who was a Bishop, and had been President in time past in _Sto. Domingo_, and was that yeare in stead of _Nunnio de Guzman_, (who had behaved himselfe very evill both with the _Indians_ and _Spaniards_) sent to bee President of the Chancery of _Mexico_ with these other foure Judges the Licenciates _John de Salmeron, Gasco Quiroga, Francisco Ceynos_, and _Alonso Maldonado_. These Judges governed the land farre better then _Nunnio de Guzman_ before them had done; and among other remarkable things they did, was to cause this City to bee inhabited; and set at liberty the _Indians_ who inhabited there before, and were grievously suppressed and inslaved by the _Spaniards_, and therefore many of them departed from thence, who had inhabited there before, and went to seeke their living at _Xalixco, Honduras, Guatemala_ and other places, where Warre then was. This City was formerly called by the _Indians Cuetlaxcoapan_, that is to say, a Snake in water; the reason was, because there are two Fountaines, the one of evill water, and the other of good. This City is now a Bishops Sea, whose yeerely Revenues since the cutting off from it _Xalappa De la Vera Crux_, are yet worth above twenty thousand Duckats; By reason of the good and wholesome aire it dayly increaseth with Inhabitants, who resort from many other places to live there; but especially the yeare 1634. when _Mexico_ was like to bee drowned with the inundation of the lake, thousands left it, and came with all their goods and Families to this City of the _Angels_, which now is thought to consist of ten thousand Inhabitants. That which maketh it most famous is the Cloth which is made in it, and is sent farre and neere, and judged now to bee as good as the Cloth of _Segovia_, which is the best that is made in _Spain_, but now is not so much esteemed of, nor sent so much from _Spain_ to _America_ by reason of the abundance of fine Cloth which is made in this City of _Angels_. The Felts likewise that are made, are the best of all that Country; there is likewise a glassehouse, which is there a rarity, none other being as yet knowne in those parts. But the mint house that is in it, where is coyned halfe the Silver that cometh from _Sacatecas_, makes it the second to _Mexico_; and it is thought that in time it will bee as great and populous as _Mexico_. Without it there are many Gardens, which store the Markets with provision of Salets; the soile abounds with Wheat, and with Sugar Farmes; among the which not farre from this City there is one so great and populous (belonging to the Dominican Fryers of _Mexico_) that for the work onely belonging unto it, it maintained in my time above two hundred black-more slaves men and women besides their little children. The chief Town betweene this City of _Angels_, and _Mexico_, is called _Guacocingo_ consisting of some five hundred _Indians_, and one hundred _Spaniards_ Inhabitants. Here is likewise a Cloister of Franciscans, who entertained us gallantly, and made shew unto us of the dexterity of their _Indians_ in Musick. Those fat Fryers wanted not like the rest all Provision necessary for the body. But their greatest glory and boasting to us was the education which they had given to some children of the Town, especially such as served them in their Cloister, whom they had brought up to dancing after the _Spanish_ fashion at the sound of the Guitarra. And this a dozen of them (the biggest not being above fourteene years of age) performed excellently for our better entertainment that night, wee were there till midnight, singing both _Spanish_ and _Indian_ tunes, capering and dancing with their Castannettas, or knockers on their fingers with such dexterity, as not onely did delight, but amaze and astonish us. True it is, wee thought those Franciscans might have been better imployed at that time in their Quire at their midnight devotions according to their profession; but we still found vowed religious duties more and more neglected, and worldlinesse too too much imbraced, by such as had renounced and forsaken the world and all its pleasures, sports and pastimes.

This Towne of _Guacocingo_ is almost as much as _Tlaxcallan_ priviledged by the Kings of _Spain_; for that it joyned with _Tlaxcallan_ against the _Mexicans_, in defence of _Hernando Cortez_ and the rest of the _Spaniards_ that first conquered that land. These of _Guacocingo_ being confederated with the inhabitants of _Tlaxcallan, Chololla,_ and _Huacacholla_ strongly defended the inhabitants of _Chalco_, when they sent to _Cortez_ for succour, declaring that the _Mexicans_ made great spoile among them. Which succour _Cortez_ at that time not being able to send them; being busied in sending for his Vergantines to besiege _Mexico_ by water as well as by land, he remitted them to the helpe of the _Tlaxcalteca's_, and unto these of _Guacocingo, Chlolla_, and _Huacacholla_; who shewed great valour as yet never buried in oblivion, in relieving _Chalco_ against the strength, and power of _Montezuma_, which had issued out of _Mexico_, to keep the _Spaniards_ from drawing neer unto that City. For that fact is this Towne with the others fore-mentioned, untill this day priviledged and highly esteemed of the _Spaniards_. From hence wee made our last journey to the City of _Mexico_, parting over the side of that high hill which we had discovered at the City of _Angels_, some thirty miles off. There are no Alpes like unto it for height, cold, and constant snow that lieth upon it. From _Spain_ to that place we had not felt any such extremity of cold, which made the _Spaniards_ that had come out of the hot climate of _Spain_, and endured excessive heat at sea, wonder and admire. This last journey from _Guacocingo_ to _Mexico_ we reckoned to be thirty _English_ miles, and of the thirty miles we judged at least the fifteen to be up and downe the hill; and yet the top of it (whither we ascended not) was far higher. From that highest part of it which we travailed over, we discovered the City of _Mexico_, and the lake about it, which seemed to us to be neer at hand, standing some ten _English_ miles in a plain from the bottome of this mountaine. When _Hernando Cortez_ went the second time from _Tlaxcallan_ to _Mexico_, to besiege it by land and by water, with Vergantines which for that purpose he had caused to be made, on the side of this mountaine were his land Forces lodged, where many had perished with cold, had it not been for the store of wood which they found there. But in the morning he ascended upwards on this hill, and sent his scout of foure Foot-men and four Horse-men to discover, who found the way stopped with great trees newly cut downe by the _Mexicans_, and placed crossewise in the way. But they thinking that yet forwards it was not so, proceeded forth as well as they might, till at length the let with great huge Cedars was such, that they could passe no further, and with this newes were forced to return, certifying _Cortez_ that the Horse-men could not passe that way in any wise. _Cortez_ demanded of them whether they had seen any people; they answered No. Whereupon he proceeded forward, with all the Horse-men, and a thousand Foot-men, commanding all the residue of his Army to follow him with as much speed as might be; so that with that company which he carried with him, he made way, taking away the trees that were cut downe to disturbe his passage; and in this order in short time passed his host without any hurt or danger, but with great pain and travaile; for certainly if the _Mexicans_ had been there to defend that passage, the _Spaniards_ had not passed; for it was then a very evill way (though now it be a reasonable wide open rode, where Mules laden with wares from _St. John de Ulhua_, and the Sugar farmes daily passe) and the _Mexicans_ also thought the same to be sure with the trees which were crossed the way; whereupon they were carelesse of that place, and attended their coming in plain ground; for from _Tlaxcallan_ to _Mexico_ are three wayes, of the which _Cortez_ chose the worst, imagining the thing that afterwards fell out, or else some had advised him how that way was cleare from the enemies. At the descent of this hill _Cortez_ abode and rested himselfe, till all the whole Army were come together, to descend downe into the plaine; for from hence they descried the fires and beacons of their enemies in sundry places, and all those who had attended their coming by the other two waies, were now gathered together, thinking to set upon them betwixt certain bridges (which are in the plain made for travellers by reason of the many dikes and currents of water which issue from the lake) where a great company abode expecting their coming. But _Cortez_ sent twenty Horse-men who made way among them, and then followed the whole Army, who slew many of them without receiving any hurt. Thus did the remembrance of those antiquities newly refreshed by the object of the hill and plain beneath, make that cold and hard passage more comfortable and easie unto us. The first Towne we came to below the hill, was _Quahutipec_, of the jurisdiction of _Tezcuco_; where we also called to mind, that this was the place, neer unto which was pitched the Campe of the _Indians_ of _Culhua_, which was neer a hundred thousand men of warre, who were sent by the Seniors of _Mexico_ and _Tezcuco_ to encounter _Cortez_; but all in vain; for his Horse-men broke through them, and his Artillerie made such havock among them, that they were soon put to flight.

Three leagues from hence on our right hand as we travailed, we discovered _Tezcuco_ by the side of the lake, and out of the Rode; yet it ministred unto us matter of a large discourse, taken from the time of _Cortez_ and the first Conquerers, who found it a great City, and at that time even as big as _Mexico_; though in it _Cortez_ met with no resistance; for as he journeyed towards it, foure principall persons inhabitants of it met with his forces, bearing a rod of gold with a little flag in token of peace, saying that _Coacuacoyocin_ their Lord had sent them to desire him not to make any spoile in his City, and Townes about it; and likewise to offer his friendship, praying also that it might please him with his whole Army to take his lodging in the Town of _Tezcuco_, where he should be well received. _Cortez_ rejoycing at this message, yet jealous of some treachery, and mistrusting the people of _Tezcuco_ (whose forces joyned with the _Mexicans_ and _Culhuacans_ he had met with a little before) went forward on his way and came to _Quahutichan_ and _Huaxuta_ (which then were suburbs of the great City _Tezcuco_, but now are petty Villages by themselves) where he and all his host were plenteously provided of all things necessary, and threw down the Idols. This done he entred into the City, where his lodging was prepared in a great house, sufficient for him and all the _Spaniards_, with many other his _Indian_ friends. And because that at his first entry, he saw neither women nor children, he suspected some treason, and forthwith proclaimed upon pain of death that none of his men should goe out. In the evening the _Spaniards_ went up into the Zoties and galleries to behold the City, and there they saw the great number of Citizens that fled from thence with their stuffe, some towards the mountaines, and others to the water side to take boat, a thing strange to see the great haste and stirre to provide for themselves. There were at that time at least twenty thousand little boats (called _Canoas_) occupied in carrying houshold-stuffe and passengers; _Cortez_ would faine have remedied it, but the night was so nigh at hand, that he could not. He would gladly also have apprehended the Lord, but hee was one of the first that fled unto _Mexico_. This Towne of _Tezcuco_ to this day is famous among the _Spaniards_; for that it was one of the first, if not the first (which according to the Histories of those parts is very probable) that received a Christian King to rule and governe. For _Cortez_ hearing that _Coacuacoyocin_ then King of that City and Townes adjacent was fled, caused many of the Citizens to be called before him, and having in his company a young gentleman of a Noble house in that countrey, who had been lately Christened, and had to name _Hernando_ (_Cortez_ being his God-father, who loved him well) said unto the Citizens, that this new Christian Lord _Don Hernando_ was sonne unto _Nezavalpincintli_ their loving Lord, wherefore he required them to make him their King, considering that _Coacuacoyocin_ was fled unto the enemies, laying also before them his wicked fact in killing of _Cacuza_ his owne brother, onely to put him from his inheritance and Kingdome, through the enticement of _Quahuatimoecin_ a mortall enemy to the _Spaniards_. In this sort was that new Christian _Don Hernando_ elected King, and the fame thereof being blown abroad, many Citizens repaired home again to visit their new Prince, so that in short space the City was as well replenished with people, as it was before, and being also well used at the _Spaniards_ hands, they served them diligently in all things that they were commanded. And _Don Hernando_ abode ever after a faithfull friend unto the _Spaniards_ in their warres against _Mexico_, and in short time learned the _Spanish_ tongue. And soone after came the inhabitants of _Quahutichan, Huaxuta_, and _Autenco_ to submit themselves, craving pardon if in any thing they had offended. Within two daies after _Don Hernando_ was made King of this great City and Territorie belonging to it (whose borders reach unto the borders of _Tlaxcallan_) came certaine gentlemen of _Huaxuta_ and _Quahutichan_, to certifie unto him, how all the power of the _Mexicans_ was coming towards them, and to know if it were his pleasure, that they should carry their wives, children and other goods into the mountaines, or else to bring them where he was, their feare was so great. _Cortez_ for the King his God-child and favourite made unto them this answer, saying, Bee ye of good courage, and feare ye not. Also I pray you to command your wives and families to make no alteration, but rather quietly to abide in your houses. And concerning the enemies I am glad of their coming, for yee shall see how I will deale with them. But the enemies went not to _Huaxuta_, as it was thought, neverthelesse _Cortez_ having intelligence where they were, went out to encounter them with two pieces of Ordnance, twelve Horsemen and two hundred _Spaniards_, and with many _Indians_ of _Tlaxcallan_. He fought with the enemy, and slew but few, for they fled to the water, and so escaped in their _Canoa's_. Thus did _Cortez_ in _Tezcuco_ defend himselfe and friends from the great power of the _Mexicans_, who daily attempted to be revenged on him, and the new Christian King whom he had made. But _Cortez_, thinking that place the most convenient to lanch his Vergantines to the water, and hearing that they were finished at _Tlaxcallan_, sent _Gonzalo de Sandoval_ to bring them from _Tlaxcallan_; who at the border of that Province met with them being brought in pieces, as tables, planks and nayles, with all other furniture, the which eight thousand men carried upon their backes. There came also for their safe conduct twenty thousand men of warre, and a thousand _Tamemez_, who were the Carriers of victuals, and servants. _Chichimecatetl_, a principall and valiant _Indian_ and Captaine of a thousand men had the Rere-gard. And _Tupitil_ and _Teutecotl_, very principall gentlemen, had the Vant-gard with ten thousand men. In the midst were placed the _Tamemez_, and those that carried the Foyst, with all the apparell of the Vergantines. Before those two Captains went a hundred _Spaniards_, and eight Horse-men, and behind and last came _Gonzalo de Sandoval_ with all the residue, and seven Horse-men. Thus they tooke their way towards _Tezcuco_, with a marvellous noise, crying, Christians, Christians, _Tlaxcallan, Tlaxcallan_, and _Spaine_. When they came to _Tezcuco_, they entred in very good order, with the sound of Drummes, Snail shels, and other like instruments of musick; and against their entry into the City, they put on all their bravery of clothes, and bushes of feathers, which was a gallant sight; they were six houres in entring into the Towne, keeping their array. At the fame of this many Provinces came to submit and offer their service unto _Cortez_, some for fear of destruction, and others for the hatred which they bare to the _Mexicans_; so that now _Cortez_ was strong both with _Spaniards_ and _Indians_; and his Court at _Tezcuco_ was as great, or greater then _Montezuma's_ formerly had been at _Mexico_. And here _Cortez_ made his preparation for the siege of _Mexico_ with all hast, and furnished himselfe with scaling ladders, and other necessaries fit for such a purpose. His Vergantines being nayled and throughly ended, he made a sluce, or trench of halfe a league of length, twelve foot broad and more, and two fadome in depth. This worke was fifty daies a doing, although there were foure hundred thousand men daily working; truly a famous worke and worthy of memory, which hath made _Tezcuco_ gloriously mentioned, though now almost decayed in the great number of inhabitants. The Dock or Trench being thus finished, the Vergantines were calked with towe and cotton wooll, and for want of Tallow and oyle, they were (as some Authors report) driven to take mans grease, not that _Cortez_ permitted them to slay men for that effect, but of those which were slaine in the warres, and of such as sallied dayly out of _Mexico_ to hinder this work, and fighting were slaine. The _Indians_, who were cruel and bloody Butchers, using sacrifice of mans flesh, would in this sort open the dead body and take out the grease. The Vergantines being lanched, _Cortez_ mustered his men, and found nine hundred _Spaniards_, of the which were fourscore and six Horse-men, and a hundred and eighteen with Crosse-bowes, and Hargabushes; and all the residue had sundry weapons, as Swords, Daggers, Targets, Launces, and Halberts. Also they had for armour, Corslets, coats of Mayle, and Jackes. They had moreover three great Peeces of cast Iron, fifteen small peeces of brasse, and ten hundred weight of powder, with store of shot, besides a hundred thousand _Indians_, men of warre. On Whitsunday all the _Spaniards_ came into the field, that great plaine below the high mountaine spoken of before, where _Cortez_ made three chiefe Captaines, among whom he divided his whole Army. Unto _Pedro de Alvarado_ the first Captaine he appointed thirty Horse-men, and a hundred and seventy Foote men of the _Spaniards_, two peeces of Ordnance, and thirty thousand _Indians_, commanding him to campe in _Tlacopan_. Unto _Christoval de Olid_ the second Captaine hee gave three and thirty horsemen, and a hundred and eighteen footmen of the _Spanish_ Nation, two Peeces of Ordnance and thirty thousand _Indians_, and appointed him to pitch his campe in _Culhuacan_. To _Gonzalo de Sandoval_, who was the third Captaine, hee gave three and twenty horsemen, and a hundred and threescore footmen, two peeces of Ordnance, and forty thousand _Indians_, with Commission to choose a place to pitch his campe. In every Vergantine hee planted a peice or Ordnance, six Hargabushes, or Crosse-bowes, and three and twenty _Spaniards_, men most fit for that purpose. Hee appointed also Captaines for each, and himselfe for Generall, whereof some of the chiefest of his Company began to murmur, that went by land, thinking that they had been in greater danger; wherefore they required him to goe with the maine battaile, and not by water. _Cortez_ little esteemed their words; for although there was more danger in the land then in the water, yet it did more import to have greater care in the Warres by water, then on the land, because his men had beene in the one, and not in the other. Besides the chiefest hopes that _Cortez_ had to winne _Mexico_, were these Vessels, for with them he burned a great part of the _Canoa's_ of _Mexico_, and the rest hee so locked up, that they were no help unto the _Mexicans_, and with twelve onely Vergantines hee did annoy his enemy as much by water, as the rest of his Army did by land. All this preparation for the siege of _Mexico_ by land and water, with above a hundred thousand _Indians_, besides the _Spaniards_ above mentioned, and the twelve Vergantines by water, was finished in this City of _Tezcuco_, which is a sufficient argument of the greatnesse of it at that time, maintaining with Provision fit and necessary so many thousands of people, and it yeelded matter enough unto us for a large discourse, whilst not farre from the sight of it wee travelled in the open and direct plaine Rode to _Mexico_. And as we talked of the greatnesse of it in former times, so likewise wee now wondered to consider it to bee but a small Government, where doth constantly reside a _Spanish_ Governour sent from _Spain_, whose power reacheth to those borders of _Tlaxcallan_ and _Guacocingo_, and to most of the petty Townes and Villages of the plaine, which were formerly under the command and power of a King; but now are not able to make up above a thousand Duckats a yeer, which is supposed to bee the yeerly revenues of the Governour; and _Tezcuco_ it self this day judged to consist onely of a hundred _Spaniards_, and three hundred _Indian_ Inhabitants, whose chiefe riches come by gardening, and sending daily in their _Canoa's_ Herbes and Salets to _Mexico_. Some wealth likewise they get by their Cedar trees which grow there, and are ready timber for the buildings of _Mexico_. Yet now also are these Cedars much decayed by the _Spaniards_, who have wasted and spoiled them in their too too sumptuous buildings. _Cortez_ onely was accused by _Pamfilo de Narvaez_, for that hee had spent seven thousand beames of Cedar trees in the worke of his owne house. Gardens there were in _Tezcuco_ formerly, that had a thousand Cedar trees for walls and circuite, some of them of a hundred and twenty foot long, and twelve foot in compasse from end to end; but now that Garden that hath fifty Cedar trees about it, is much regarded. At the end of this plain wee passed through _Mexicalcinco_, which formerly was a great Town, but now not of above an hundred Inhabitants, and from thence to _Guetlavac_, a petty Village, yet most pleasant for the shade of many fruit trees, Gardens, and stately houses which for their recreation some Citizens of _Mexico_ have built there, being at the foot of the Cawsey which from this Town through the Lake reacheth about five _English_ miles to _Mexico_. And thus upon the third day of _October_, 1625. wee entred into that famous and gallant City, yet not abiding in it, but onely passing through it, till we came to a house of recreation, standing among the Gardens in the way to _Chapultepec_, named Saint _Jacintho_, belonging to the Dominicans of _Manila_ in the _East-India's_, (whither our course was intended) where wee were stately entertained, and abode till after _Candlemasse_ day, the time of our second shipping at _Acoapulco_ (80 leagues from Manila) by the South-Sea to _Manila_ the chief City of the Islands named _Philippinas_.

CHAP. XII.

_Shewing some particulars of the great and famous City of_ Mexico _in former times, with a true description of it now; and of the State and condition of it the yeare_ 1625.

It hath been no small peece of Policy in the Fryers and Jesuites of _Manila_ and the Islands of _Philippinas_ to purchase neere about _Mexico_, some house and Garden to carry thither such Missionary Preists as they yeerly bring from _Spain_ for those parts. For were it not that they found some rest and place of Recreation, but were presently closed up in the Cloisters of _Mexico_ to follow those Religious duties (which sore against their wills most of them are forced to) they would soone after a tedious journey from _Spain_ by Sea and land relent of their purposes of going forward, and venturing upon a second voiage by the South-Sea; and would either resolve upon a returne to _Spain_, or of staying in some part of _America_; as my selfe and five more of my company did, though secretly and hiddenly, and sore against the will of Fryer _Calvo_ and others, who had the tutoring and conducting of us. Therefore that all such as come from _Spain_ to bee shipped againe at _Acoapulco_ for _Philippinas_, may have all manner of incouragement, rest and recreations becomming their Professions, whilst they doe abide in _America_, and may not bee disheartned by those that live about _Mexico_, (who doe truely envy all that passe that way to _Asia_) the Fryers and Jesuites have purchased for their Missions houses of Recreation among the Gardens, which are exempted from the power and command of the Superiors of _Mexico_, and are subordinate unto the Government of the Provincials of _Philippinas_, who send from thence their substitute Vicars to rule, and to looke to the forementioned houses and Gardens. To the Dominicans belonged this house called St. _Jacintho_, whither wee were carried, and where wee did abide neere five moneths, having all things provided that were fit and necessary for our Recreations, and for our better encouragement to a second voiage by Sea. The Gardens belonging to this house might bee of fifteen Acres of ground, divided into shady walkes under the Orange and Lemmon trees; there wee had the Pomegranates, Figges, and Grapes in abundance, with the Plantin, Sapotte, Chicosapotte, Pine-fruit, and all other fruits that were to bee found in _Mexico_. The Herbes and Salets, and great number of _Spanish Cardoes_ which were sold out, brought in a great Rent yeerely; for every day there was a Cart attended to bee filled and sent to the Market of _Mexico_; and this not at seasons of the yeere, as here in _England_ and other parts of _Europe_, but at all times and seasons, both Winter and Summer, there being no difference of heat, cold, frosts, and snow, as with us; but the same temper all the whole yeer, the Winter differing onely from the Summer by the raine that falls, and not by excessive frosts that nip. This wee enjoyed without dores; but within wee had all sorts and varieties both of fish and flesh. What most wee wondred at, was the abundance of sweet-Meats; and especially of Conserves that were provided for us; for to every one of us during the time of our abode there, was brought on Munday morning halfe a dozen Boxes of Conserve of Quinces, and other fruits, besides our Biskets, to stay our stomackes in the mornings and at other times of the day; for in our stomackes we found a great difference betweene _Spain_ and that Countrey. For in _Spain_ and other parts of _Europe_ a mans stomack will hold out from meale to meale, and one meale here of good cheer will nourish and cherish the stomack foure and twenty houres; But in _Mexico_ and other parts of _America_ wee found that two or three houres after a good meale of three or foure severall dishes of Mutton, Veale or Beefe, Kid, Turkies, or other Fowles, our stomackes would bee ready to faint, and so wee were faine to support them with either a cup of _Chocolatte_, or a bit of Conserve or Bisket, which for that purpose was allowed us in great abundance. This seemed to mee so strange, (whereas the meat seemed as fat and hearty, excepting the Beefe, as ours in _Europe_) that I for some satisfaction presently had recourse to a Doctor of Physick; who cleared my doubt with this answer, That though the meat we fed on was as faire to looke on, as in _Spain_; yet the substance and nourishment in it came farre short of it, by reason of the pasture, which is dryer and hath not the change of springs which the pastures of _Europe_ have, but is short and withers soone away. But secondly, hee told mee that the Climate of those parts had this effect, to produce a faire shew, but little matter or substance. As in the flesh wee fed on; so likewise in all the fruits there, which are most faire and beautifull to behold, most sweet and luscious to taste, but little inward virtue or nourishment at all in them, not halfe that is in a _Spanish Camuesa_, or _English Kentish_ Pippin. And as in Meat, and fruit there is this inward and hidden deceit, so likewise the same is to bee found in the people that are borne and bred there, who make faire outward shewes, but are inwardly false and hollow hearted. Which I have heard reported much among the _Spaniards_ to have beene the answer of our Queene _Elizabeth_ of _England_ to some that presented unto her of the fruits of _America_, that surely where those fruits grew, the women were light, and all the people hollow and false hearted. But further reasons I omit to search into for this; of experience onely I write, which taught me that little substance & virtue is in the great abundance and variety of food which there is enjoyed, our stomackes witnessing this truth, which ever and anon were gaping and crying, Feed, feed. Our Conserves therefore and dainties were plentifully allowed us; and all other incouragements and no occasion denied us of going to visit _Mexico_, (which was not two full miles from us) all the while wee abode there. It was a pleasant walke for us to goe out in the morning, and to spend all the day in the City and come home at night; our way lying by Arches made of stone, three miles long to convey the water from _Chapultepec_ unto the City. Take therefore, gentle Reader, from mee what for the space of five moneths I could learne concerning it in former and present times. The situation of this City is much like that of _Venice_; but onely differs in this, that _Venice_ is built upon the Sea-water, and _Mexico_ upon a lake, which seeming one, indeed is two; one part whereof is standing water; the other ebbeth and floweth according to the wind that bloweth. That part which standeth, is wholesome, good, and sweet, and yeeldeth store of small fish. That part which ebbeth and floweth, is of saltish, bitter, and pestiferous water, yeelding no kind of fish, small or great. The sweet water standeth higher then the other, and falleth into it, and reverteth not backward, as some conceive it doth. The salt Lake containeth fifteen miles in breadth, and fifteen in length, and more then five and forty in Circuite; and the Lake of sweet water containeth even as much; in such sort that the whole Lake containeth much about a hundred miles. The _Spaniards_ are divided in opinions concerning this water and the springs of it; some hold that all this water hath but one spring out of a great and high Mountaine which standeth Southwest within sight of _Mexico_, and that the cause that the one part of the Lake is brackish or saltish, is that the bottome or ground is all salt; But however this opinion bee true or false, certaine it is and by experience I can witnesse that of that part of the salt water great quantity of Salt is dayly made, and is part of the great Trading of that City into other parts of the Countrey, nay it is sent part of it to the _Philippinas_ Islands. Others say that this Lake hath two springs, and that the fresh water springeth out of that Mountaine which standeth Southwest from _Mexico_, and the salt brakish water springeth out of other high Mountaines which stand more Northwest; But these give no reason for the saltnesse of it, without it bee the agitation of it in the ebbing and flowing; which not being with tides like the Sea, but with the winds onely (which indeed make it as stormy sometimes as is the Sea) why may not the winds produce the same effect in the fresh water Lake? I think rather, if it spring from a different spring from that from whence springeth the fresh water, the brackishnesse and saltishnesse of it may proceed from some brackish and sulphurous minerals through which it passeth in those Mountaines. For by experience I know the like in the Province of _Guatemala_, where by a Towne called _Amatitlan_, there is a standing Lake of water not altogether sweet and fresh, but a little brackish, which certainly hath its spring from a fiery Mountaine called there a _Vulcan_, (whose burning proceeds from the Mines of brimstone that are within it) from whence spring neere the same Towne likewise two or three springs of exceeding hot water, which are resorted to for wholesome bathes, as coming through a sulphurous mine, and yet the standing Lake proceeding from the same Mountaine is of that quality that it maketh the ground about it salt, and especially in the mornings the people go to gather up the salt which lyeth upon the ground by the water side like unto a hoary frost. But thirdly, others concieve that that part of the Lake of _Mexico_ which is saltish and brackish comes through the earth from the North Sea; and though springs of water which come from the Sea lose their brackishnesse through the earth, yet this may keepe some brackishnesse by reason of the minerals, which are many in those parts; or by reason of the great, wide and open concavities of those mountaines, which being very hollow within (as wee find by experience of the Earthquakes which are more frequent there then here by reason of the wind that getteth into those concavities, and so shake the earth to get out) give no way to the water to sweeten through the earth, or to lose all that saltnesse which it brought with it from the Sea. But whatsoever the true reason bee, there is not the like Lake knowne of sweet and saltish water, one part breeding fish, the other breeding none at all. This Lake had formerly some fourescore Townes, some say more, situated round about it; many of them containing five thousand housholds, and some ten thousand, yea and _Tezcuco_ (as I have said before) was as bigge as _Mexico_. But when I was there, there might bee thirty Townes and Villages about it, and scarce any of above five hundred housholdes between _Spaniards_ and _Indians_; such hath beene the hard usage of the _Spaniards_ towards them, that they have even almost consumed that poore Nation. Nay two yeers before I came from those parts, which were the yeers of 1635. and 1636. I was credibly informed that a million of _Indians_ lifes had been lost in an indeavour of the _Spaniards_ to turne the water of the Lake another way from the City, which was performed by cutting away through the Mountaines, for to avoid the great inundations that _Mexico_ was subject unto, and especially for that the yeer 1634. the waters grew so high that they threatned destruction to all the City, ruinating a great part, and coming into the Churches that stood in the highest part of it, in so much that the people used commonly boats and _Canoa's_ from house to house. And most of the _Indians_ that lived about the Lake were imployed to strive against this strong Element of water, which hath been the undoing of many poore wretches, but especially of these thirty Towns and Villages that bordered near upon the Lake; which now by that great work is further from the houses of the City; and hath a passage made another way, though it was thought it would not long continue, but would find againe its old course towards _Mexico_. This City when _Cortez_ first entred into it, (was as some say) of sixty, but more probably it is reported to have beene of fourescore thousand houses. _Montezuma_ his palace was very great, large and beautifull, which in the _Indian_ language was named _Tepac_; and that had twenty doores or gates, which had their outcoming into the common streets. It had three Courts; and in the one stood a faire Fountaine, many hals, and a hundred chambers of three and twenty, and thirty foot long, an hundred bathes, and hot houses; and all this without nailes, yet very good workmanship. The walls were made of Masons worke, and wrought of Marble, Jaspe, and other black stone, with veines of red, like unto Rubies and other stones which glistered very faire; the roofs were wrought of timber, and curiously carved, being of Cedar, Cypres, and Pine tree; the Chambers were painted and hung with cloth of Cotton, and of Coneys haire and feathers. The beds onely were unseeming this great state, very poore and of no value, such as to this day the best and richest _Indians_ use; for they weare nothing but mantles laid upon mattes, or upon hey, or else mattes alone. Within this Palace lived a thousand women, nay some affirme three thousand, reckoning gentlewomen, servants and slaves, all together; But the most were principall _Indians_ daughters; of whom _Montezuma_ tooke for himselfe those that liked him best, and the others hee gave in marriage to gentlemen his servants. It is credibly reported among the _Spaniards_ that hee had at one time a hundred and fifty women his wives with child, who commonly tooke medicines to cast their creatures, because they knew that they should not inherit the State; and these had many old women to guard them, for no man was permitted to looke upon them. Besides this _Tepac_; which signifieth, Palace, _Montezuma_ had yet in _Mexico_ another house with very curious lodgings and fair Galleries, built upon pillars of Jaspe, which looked towards a goodly Garden, in the which there were at least a dozen Ponds, some of salt water for Sea fowles, and others of fresh water for River fowles and Lake fowles, which Ponds were devised with Sluces to empty and to fill at pleasure for the cleannesse of the Fowles feathers; and these Fowles are said to have beene so many in number, that the Ponds could scarcely hold them, and of such severall sorts, and of such strange and various coloured feathers, that the most of them the _Spaniards_ knew not, nor had at any time seen the like. There did belong to that house above three hundred persons of service, who had their severall charge concerning these Fowles; some had care to cleanse the Ponds; others were appointed to fish for bait; others served them with meat; and to every kind of fowle they gave such bait as they were wont to feed of in the fields or rivers; others did trim their feathers; others had care to look to their egs; others to set them abrood; & the principallest office was to pluck the feathers; for of them were made rich mantles, tapistry, targets, tuffes of feathers, and many other things wrought with gold and silver.

Besides this house, _Montezuma_ had yet another house within _Mexico_, appointed only for hawking fowles, and fowles of rapine. In which house there were many high Halls, wherein were kept men, women, and children, such as were dwarfes, crook-backs or any monstrous persons, and with them such as were born white of colour, which did very seldome happen; nay some would deform their children on purpose to have them carried to the Kings house, to helpe to set forth his greatnesse by their deformity. In the lower Halls of this house there were Cages for fowls of rapine of all sorts, as Hawkes, Kites, Boyters (which are very many in those parts) and of the Hawkes neer a dozen sundry kinds of them. This house had for daily allowance five hundred Turkey cocks, and three hundred men of service, besides the Falconers and Hunters, which some say were above a thousand men. The Hunters were maintained in that house, because of the ravenous Beasts which were also kept in the lower Halls in great cages made of timber, wherein were kept in some Lions, in other Tygres, in other Ownzes, in other Wolves; in conclusion, there was no four-footed beast that wanted there, only to the effect, that the mighty _Montezuma_ might say that he had such things in his house; and all were fed daily with Turkey cocks, Deare, Dogges, and such like. There were also in another Hall great earthen vessels, some with earth, and some with water, wherein were Snakes, as grosse as a mans thigh, Vipers, Crocodiles which they call _Caymanes_, of twenty foot long with scales and head like a Dragon; besides many other smaller Lisarts and other venemous beasts and Serpents, as well of the water as of the land. To these Snakes and the other venemous beasts they usually gave the blood of men sacrificed to feed them. Others say they gave unto them mans flesh, which the great Lisarts, or _Caimanes_ eat very well. But what was wonderfull to behold, horrid to see, hideous to heare in this house, was the Officers dayly occupations about these Beasts, the floor with blood like a gelly, stinking like a slaughter-house, and the roaring of the lions, the fearfull hissing of the Snakes and Adders, the dolefull howling and barking of the Wolves, the sorrowfull yelling of the Ownzes and Tigres, when they would have meat. And yet in this place, which in the night season seemed a dungeon of Hell, and a dwelling place of the Devill, could a heathen Prince pray unto his Gods and idols: for neer to this Hall was another of a hundred and fifty foot long and thirty foot broad, where was a chappell with the roofe of silver and gold in leafe wainscotted and decked with great store of pearl and stone, as Agats, Cornerines, Emeralds, Rubies, and divers other sorts; and this was the Oratory where _Montezuma_ prayed in the night season, and in that chappell the Devill did appear unto him, and gave him answer according to his prayers, which as they were uttered among so many ugly and deformed beasts, and with the noise of them which represented Hell itselfe, were fitted for a Devils answer. He had also his Armoury, wherein was great store of all kind of such Ammunition which they used in their wars, as Bowes, Arrowes, Slings, Launces, Darts, Clubs, Swords and bucklers, and gallant Targets more trimme then strong, and all made of wood, gilt or covered with leather. The wood whereof they made their Armour and Targets was very hard and strong; and at their arrowes ends they inclosed a little peece of flint-stone, or a peece of a fish-bone called _Libisa_, which was so venemous, that if any were hurt with it, and the head remained in the wound, it so festered that it was almost incurable. Their Swords were of wood, and the edge thereof was flint-stone, inclosed or joyned into a staffe; and with these swords they cut speares, yea and a Horses neck at a blow, and could make dents into iron, which seemeth a thing unpossible and incredible. These flints were joyned into the staffes with a certain kind of glew, which was made of a root called _Zacolt_, and _Teuxalli_, which is a kind of strong sand, whereof they made a mixture, and after kneaded it with blood of Battes, or Reare-mice and other fowle, which did glew so strong, that it scarce ever uncleaved again; and of these _Montezuma_ had in his house of Armour great store. But besides these houses it is wonderfull to relate, yet many others which that great heathen Emperour had for his only recreation and pastime, with excellent fair gardens of medicinall herbs, sweet flowers, and trees of delectable savour. But of one garden more especially it is said, that in it there were a thousand personages made, and wrought artificially of leaves and flowers. And _Montezuma_ would not permit that in this garden should be any kind of Pot-herbs, or things to be sold, saying that it did not appertain to Kings to have things of profit among their delights and pleasures, for that such did appertaine to Merchants. Yet out of _Mexico_ he had Orchards with many and sundry fruits; and likewise pleasant houses in woods and forrests, of great compasse, environed with water, in the which he had fountaines, rivers, ponds with fish, rockes and coverts where were Harts, Bucks, Hares, Foxes, Wolves and such like, whither he himselfe seldome went; but the Lords of _Mexico_ used to goe to sport themselves in them. Such and so many were the houses of _Montezuma_, wherein few Kings were equall with him. He had dayly attending upon him in his privy guard six hundred noblemen and gentlemen, and each of them three or foure servants, and some had twenty servants or more according to their estate; and the most credible report goes, that in this manner he had three thousand men attendants in his Court, all which were fed in his house of the meat that came from his table. There were in those times under the _Mexicall_ empire three thousand Lords of Townes, who had many vassals; but more especially there were thirty of high estate, who were able to make each of them a hundred thousand men of warre. And all these noble men did abide in _Mexico_, certaine time of the yeare in the Court of _Montezuma_, and could not depart from thence without especiall licence of the Emperour, leaving each of them a sonne or brother behind them for security of rebellion; and for this cause they had generally houses in the City; such and so great was the Court of _Montezuma_. Moreover he spent nothing in the buildings of all these his houses, for he had certayne Townes that payed no other tribute, but only to work and repair continually his houses at their own proper cost, and payed all kind of workemen, carrying upon their backes, or drawing in sleds stone, lyme, timber, water, and all other necessaries for the worke. Likewise they were bound to provide all the wood that should be spent in the Court, which was five hundred mens burthens, and some daies in the winter much more. But especially for the Emperours chimneys they brought the barke of Oke trees, which was esteemed for the light. Thus was that great City formerly illustrated with a mighty Monarch, his houses, and attendants. There were then also in _Mexico_ three sorts of streets, very broad and faire; the one sort was only of water, with many bridges, another sort of only earth, and the third of earth and water, the one half being firme ground to walke upon, and the other halfe for boats to bring provision to the City; the most part of the houses had two doores, the one toward the Cawsey, and the other toward the water, at the which they tooke boat to goe whither they list. But this water (though so neer to the houses) being not good to drinke, there is other water fresh and sweet brought by conduit to _Mexico_, from a place called _Chapultepec_ three miles distant from the City, which springeth out of a little hill, at the foot whereof stood formerly two statues, or images wrought in stone, with their Targets and Launces, the one of _Montezuma_, the other of _Axaiaca_ his father. The water is brought from thence to this day in two pipes built upon Arches of brick and stone like a fair bridge; and when the one pipe is foule, then all the water is conveyed into the other, till the first be made cleane. From this fountaine all the whole City is provided, and the Water-men go selling the same water from street to street, some in little boats, others with earthen Tankards upon Mules or Asses backs. The chiefe and principall division of this City when the _Spaniards_ first conquered it, was into two streets, the one was called _Tlatelulco_, that is to say, a little Island, and the other _Mexico_, where _Montezuma_ his dwelling and Court was, signifying in the language a spring. And because of the Kings palace there, the whole City was named _Mexico_. But the old and first name of the City according to some Histories was _Tenuchtitlan_, which signifieth fruit out of a stone, being a compounded name of _Tetl_, which in the language is stone, and _Nuchtli_, which is a sweet fruit called generally in _Cuba_, and all other parts of _America_ by the _Spaniards, Tunas_; the name of the tree whereon this fruit groweth is called _Nopal_. And when this City begunne to be founded it was placed neer unto a great stone that stood in the midst of the lake, at the foot whereof grew one of these _Nopal_ trees; which is the reason why _Mexico_ giveth for armes and device the foot of a _Nopal_ tree springing from a stone according to the first name of the City _Tenuchtitlan_. But others do affirme that this City hath the name of the first founder of it, called _Tenuch_, the second sonne of _Iztacmixcoatl_, whose sonnes and descendents did first inhabit all that part of _America_, which is now called new _Spain. Mexico_ is as much as to say a spring or fountain, according to the property of the vowell or speech, from whence some judge that City to be so named. But others doe affirme that _Mexico_ hath its name from a more ancient time, whose first founders were called _Mexiti_, for unto this day the _Indian_ dwellers in one street of this City are called of _Mexica_. And that these _Mexiti_ tooke name of their principall idol called _Mexitli_, who was in as great veneration as _Vitzilopuchtli_, God of the warre. But others affirme (and this opinion is most received among the _Spaniards_) that the _Mexicans_ first were the inhabitants of _nova Galicia_; from whence they made a violent irruption _Anno Domini_ 720. and lingered in divers places till the yeare 902. when under the leading of _Mexi_ their chiefe Captaine they built this City, and called it after the name of their Generall. They were in all seven Tribes, which ruled long in an Aristocraticall state; till the most puissant of the Tribes called _Navatalcas_ elected a King to whom they submitted themselves. The first King that was thus elected, was called _Vitzilovitli_; the second, _Acamopitzli_; the third, _Chimalpapoca_; the fourth, _Izchoalt_; the fifth, _Montezuma_ the first; the sixth, _Acacis_; the seventh, _Axaiaca_; the eighth, _Antzlol_, the ninth, _Montezuma_ the second, who reigned when _Cortez_ came first; the tenth, was _Quahutimoc_, who lost _Mexico_, and in whom ended that _Indian_ Empire. The most fortunate of these Kings was _Izchoalt_, who by his cousin _Tlacacllec_, subdued the other six Tribes, and brought them under the _Mexican_ Kings. And after the death of _Izchoalt, Tlacacllec_ was by the first electours (which were six in number) chosen King, as a man of whose vertue they had formerly made tryall. But he very nobly refused it, saying that it was more convenient for the Common-wealth that another should be King, and that he should execute that which was otherwise more fit for the necessity of the State, then to lay the whole burthen upon his back; and that without being King, he would not leave to labour for the publike as well as if he were King. Upon this generous refusall they made choice of _Montezuma_ the first. The most unhappy Kings of that nation (at whose birth could not but be some dysastrous aspect of the Planets) were the two last _Montezuma_ the second, and _Quahutimoc_, who were both vanquished by _Ferdinando Cortez_, who tooke _Montezuma_ prisoner out of his owne palace, and with fair words and language carried him to his lodging in _Mexico_; and kept him there, knocking a paire of gyves on his legges, untill the execution of _Qualpopoca_ Lord of _Nabutlan_, now called _Almeria_ (who was to be burnt for killing nine _Spaniards_) was past. But this imprisonment of their Emperour stirred up the hearts of all the _Mexicans_ to conspire against _Cortez_ and the _Spaniards_, against whom they fought a most fierce and bloody battaile two or three daies together, crying out for their Emperour, and threatning them with the cruellest death that ever man suffered. Whereupon _Cortez_ desired _Montezuma_ to goe up into the Sotie of his house which they were battering with stones, and to command his subjects to cease from their heat and fury; who at _Cortez_ his request went up and leaned over the wall to talke with them, and beginning to speake unto them, they threw so many stones out of the street, houses, and windows, that one happened to hit _Montezuma_ on the temples of his head, with which blow he fell down dead to the ground; and this was his end, even at the hands of his owne subjects and vassals against their wills, in the City of his greatest glory, and in the power and custody of a forain and strange nation. The _Indians_ affirm that he was of the greatest blood of all his linage, and the greatest King in estate that ever was in _Mexico_. And from hence it may very well be noted, that when Kingdomes doe most flourish, then are they nighest to a change; or els to change their Lord, as doth appeare in this History of _Montezuma_, whose great glory and majesty presaged the downfall of that City and people; who though after the death of _Montezuma_ they made _Quahutimoc_ their Emperour, and persisting in their furious battery against _Cortez_ his palace, caused him and all his _Spaniards_ to flie out of _Mexico_; yet having strengthened themselves againe in _Tlaxcallan_; and prepared sixteen, or as others say, eighteen Vergantines for the lake, they soone after besieged _Mexico_ so by water and land, that the Citizens were in great necessity, and so many dead with hunger and sicknesse, that there were heapes of dead bodies in the houses, only to keep close their extreme misery; who would not yeeld even when they saw their King _Quahutimoc_ his fair houses burned, and the greatest part of their City consumed with fire and beaten downe plaine with the ground, so long as they could injoy any one street, Tower, or Temple to defend themselves and oppose the _Spaniards_; who after many fierce and bloody fights by land and with their boates by water having wonne the chief Market place and most of the City, as they went walking in the streets found heapes of dead bodies in the houses, streets, and in the water, and the very barkes of trees and roots gnawne by the hungry creatures, and the men so leane and yellow that it was a pitifull sight to behold. And with this _Cortez_ yet required them to yeeld; but they although they were so leane of body were strong in heart, and answered that hee should not speak of any friendship to them, nor yet hope of their spoile, for when no fortune would favour them, then they would either burne their treasure, or throw it into the Lake, where they should never profit thereby, and that they would fight while one alone should remain alive.

_Cortez_ desirous to see what remained of the City to win, went up into a high Tower, and having well viewed the City, hee judged that of eight parts one remained yet to win. And assailing the same, the sorrowfull Citizens bewailing their unfortunate fate and destiny, beseeching the _Spaniards_ to make an end, and to kill them all out of hand; others standing at the brim of the water neere unto a draw-bridge cried out, Oh Captain _Cortez_, seeing that thou art the Child of the Sun, why dost thou not intreat the Sun thy Father to make an end of us? Oh thou Sun that canst goe round about the World in a day and a night, wee pray thee make an end of us and take us out of this miserable life, for we desire death to goe and rest with our God _Quetcavatlh_ who tarrieth for us. _Cortez_ seeing the great extremity that these poor wretched people were in, thinking now that they would yeeld unto him, sent a message to _Quahutimoc_, desiring him to consider his Subjects great extremity, which yet might be greater if hee yeelded not to Peace. But when the stubborn King heard this ambassage, hee was so moved with ire and choler, that forthwith hee commanded _Cortez_ his Ambassadour to bee sacrificed, and gave the rest of the _Spaniards_ that went with him for answer blowes with stones, staves, and Arrowes, saying that they desired death and no Peace. Whereupon _Cortez_ seeing the King to stubborn and refractory after so much slaughter and misery of his subjects, after so many Combates and skirmishes made with the losse of almost all the City, sent forthwith _Sandoval_ with his Vergantines one way, and went himself another combating the houses and forts that yet remained, where hee found small resistance, so that hee might doe what hee pleased. One would have thought there had not been five thousand left in all the City seeing the heapes of dead bodies that lay about the streets and in the houses, and yet such was this last combate, that there were that day slain and taken prisoners forty thousand persons. The lamentable cry and mourning of the women and children, would have made a strong heart relent, the stench also of the dead bodies was wonderfull noysome. That night _Cortez_ purposed to make an end the next day of the Warres; and _Quahutimoc_ pretended to flie, and for that purpose had enbarked himself in a _Canoa_ of twenty Oares. When the day appeared, _Cortez_ with his men, and foure Peeces of Ordnance came to the corner where those that yet remained were shut up as Cattel in a Pound. Hee gave order to _Sandoval_ and _Alvarado_ what they should doe, which was to be ready with their Vergantines, and to watch the coming out of the _Canoa's_, which were hidden betwixt certaine houses, and especially to have regard unto the Kings person, and not to hurt him, but to take him alive. Hee commanded the residue of his men to force the _Mexican_ boates to goe out, and hee himselfe went up into a Tower, inquiring for the King, where hee found _Xihuacoa_, Governour and Captaine Generall of the City, who would in no wise yeeld himself. Then came out of the City a great multitude of old folkes, men, women and children to take boat. The throng was so great with hast to enter the _Canoa's_, that many by that meanes were drowned in the lake. _Cortez_ required his men not to kill those miserable creatures; But yet hee could not stay the _Indians_ his friends of _Tlaxcallan_, and other places, who slew and sacrificed above fifteen thousand. The men of Warre stood in the housetoppes, and Zoties beholding their perdition. All the Nobility of _Mexico_ were enbarked with the King. Then _Cortez_ gave signe with the shot of a hand-Gunne, that his Captaines should bee in a readinesse, so that in short space they wan fully and wholly the great City of _Mexico_. The Vergantines likewise brake in among the Fleet of boates without any resistance, and presently beat down _Quahutimoc_ his Royall Standard. _Garcia Holguin_ who was a Captaine of one of the Vergantines, espied a great _Canoa_ of twenty Oares deep laden with men, who (being by one of his prisoners informed that the King was in it) gave chase to it and presently overtooke it. When _Quahutimoc_, who stood upon the Puppe of his _Canoa_ ready to fight, saw the _Spaniards_ Crosse-bowes bent to shoot, and many drawne swords against him, hee yeelded himselfe, declaring that hee was King. _Garcia Holguin_ being a glad man of such a prisoner tooke him and carried him unto _Cortez_, who received him very respectfully. But when _Quahutimoc_ came neer unto him, hee laid his hand upon _Cortez_ his dagger, saying, I have done all my best and possible endeavour to defend my self and my Vassals according to my duty, hoping not to have come to this estate and place where now I stand; and considering that you may doe with mee what you please, I beseech you to kill mee, and that is my onely request. _Cortez_ comforted him with faire words, giving him hope of life; and tooke him up into a _Zotie_, requiring him to command his Subjects that yet held out, to yeeld and render themselves. Which _Quahutimoc_ presently performed; and at that time after so many Prisoners taken, and so many thousands slain and starved, there were about threescore and ten thousand persons, who seeing their Prince a Prisoner, threw down their weapons and submitted themselves. Thus did _Hernando Cortez_ winne the famous and stately City of _Mexico_, on the 13 day of _August, Anno Dom._ 1521. In remembrance whereof every yeere on that day they make in _Mexico_ a sumptuous feast and solemne procession, wherein is carried the Standard Royall, with the which the City was wonne. In the losse of it was as much to bee observed as Antiquity can produce of any Victory; wherein was one Emperour the greatest that ever was in those parts slain; and another as great a Warrier as ever _America_ had knowne, taken Prisoner. The Siege endured from the time the Vergantines came from _Tlaxcallan_ three moneths, and therein were on _Cortez_ his side neer 200000 _Indians_, who dayly increased and came in to help him, 900 _Spaniards_; fourescore horses onely, seventeen or eighteen Peeces of Ordnance; sixteen or as some say eighteen Vergantines, and at least 6000 _Canoa's_. In this Siege were slain fifty _Spaniards_ onely and six horses, and not above eight thousand of the _Indians Cortez_ his friends. And on the _Mexicans_ side were slaine at least a hundred and twenty thousand _Indians_, besides those that died with hanger and Pestilence. At the defence of the City were all the Nobility, by reason whereof many of them were slaine. The multitude of people in the City was so great, that they were constrained to eat little, to drink salt water, and to sleep among the dead bodies, where was a horrible stench; and for these causes the disease of Pestilence fell among them, and thereof died an infinite number. Whereupon is to bee considered their valour, and stedfast determination; for although they were afflicted with such hunger that they were driven to eat boughes, rindes of trees, and to drink salt water, yet would they not yeeld themselves. And here also is to be noted that although the _Mexicans_ did eat mans flesh, yet they did eat none but such as were their enemies; for had they eaten one another and their owne children, there would not so many have died with hunger. The _Mexican_ women were highly commended, not onely because they abode with their husbands and fathers, but also for the great paines they tooke with the sick and wounded persons; yea and also they laboured in making slings, cutting stones fit for the same, and throwing stones from the _Zoties_; for therein they did as much hurt as their men. The City was yeelded to the spoile, and the _Spaniards_ tooke the gold, plate and feathers, the _Indian_ friends had all the rest of cloth and other stuffe. Thus was that famous City ruinated, and burnt by the _Spaniards_, and the power of that Nation brought under the _Spanish_ subjection. _Cortez_ having found the aire of that City very temperate and pleasant for mans life, and the situation commodious, thought presently of rebuilding it, and of making it the chief Seat of Justice and Court for all that Country. But before I come to speake of it as rebuilded and now flourishing, I must adde unto what hath been said of _Montezuma_ his former state and houses in it, the greatnesse of the Market place and Temple, which was in it, when the _Spaniards_ ruined and destroyed it. The conveniency of the Lake about this City gave encouragement to the _Mexicans_ to set apart a most spacious Market place, whither all the Country about might resort to buy, exchange and sell; which was the more easie for them by reason of the abundance of Boates which were made onely for such Trafique. In this great lake there were at that time above two hundred thousand of these little boats, which the _Indians_ call _Acalles_, and the _Spaniards_ call them _Canoa's_, wrought like a kneading trough, some bigger then others according to the greatnesse of the body of the tree, whereof they are made. And where I number two hundred thousand of these boats, I speak of the least, for _Mexico_ alone had above fifty thousand ordinarily to carry and bring unto the City victuall, provision, and passengers, so that on the market-daies all the streets of water were full of them. The Market is called in the _Indian_ tongue _Tlanquiztli_; every parish had his Market place to buy and sell in; but _Mexico_ and _Tlatelulco_ only, which are the chiefest Cities, had great Fayres and places fit for the same; and especially _Mexico_ had one place, where most dayes in the yeer was buying and selling; but every fourth day was the great Market ordinarily. This place was wide and large compassed about with dores, and was so great that a hundred thousand persons came thither to chop and change, as a City most principall in all that region. Every occupation and kind of merchandize had his proper place appointed, which no other might by any means occupie or disturb. Likewise pesterous wares had their place accordingly, such as stone, timber, lyme, bricke and all such kind of stuffe unwrought, being necessary to build withall. Also mattes both fine and course, of sundry workmanship; also coales, wood, and all sorts of earthen vessells, glazed and painted very curiously. Deere skinnes both raw and tanned in hair and without hair, of many colours, for Shoemakers, for bucklers, Targets, Jerkins, and lining of woodden corslets. Also skinnes of other Beasts, and fowle in feathers ready dressed of all sorts. The colours and strangenesse thereof was a thing to behold. The richest merchandize was salt, and mantles of Cotton wool of divers colours, both great and small; some for beds, other for garments and clothing, other for Tapistry to hang houses; other Cotton-cloth was wont to be sold there for linnen drawers (which to this day the _Indians_ use) for shirts, tablecloths, towels, and such like things. There were also mantles made of the leaves of a tree called _Metl_, and of the Palme-tree and Conie-hair, which were well esteemed, being very warme, but the coverlets made of feathers were the best. They sold thred there made of Conie-haire, and also skains of other thred of all colours. But the great store of poultrey which was brought to that Market was strange to see, and the uses they sold and bought them for; for although they did eat the flesh of the fowl, yet the feathers served for clothing, mixing one sort with another. But the chiefe bravery of that market was the place where gold and feathers joyntly wrought were sold; for any thing that was in request, was there lively wrought in gold and feathers and gallant colours. The _Indians_ were so expert and perfect in this science, that they would work or make a butter-flie, any wild beast, trees, roses, flowers, hearbs, roots, or any other thing so lively that it was a thing marvellous to behold. It happened many times that one of these workemen in a whole day would eat nothing, only to place one feather in his due perfection, turning and tossing the feather to the light of the sunne, into the shade or darke place to see where was his most naturall perfection, and till his worke were finished he would neither eat nor drinke. There are few nations of so much fleame or substance. The art, or science of Gold-smiths among them was the most curious, and very good workmanship, engraven with tooles made of flint or in mould. They will cast a platter in mould with eight corners, and every corner of severall metall, the one of gold, and the other of silver, without any kind of solder. They will also found or cast a little cauldron with loose handles hanging thereat, as we use to cast a bell; they will also cast in mould a fish of metall, with one scale of silver on his back, and another of gold; they will make a Parret or Popingay of metall, that his tongue shall shake, and his head move, and his wings flutter; they will cast an Ape in mould, that both hands and feet shall stirre, and hold a spindle in his hand seeming to spin, yea and an apple in his hand as though he would eat it. They have skill also of Amell work and to set any pretious stone. But now as touching the market, there was to sell gold, silver, Copper, Lead, Latten, and Tinne; although there was but very little of the three last metals mentioned. There were pearls, pretious stones, divers and sundry sorts of shelles, and bones, Sponges, and Pedlers ware. There were also many kind of herbes, roots, and seeds, as well to be eaten, as for medicine; for both men, women and children had great knowledge in herbs, for through poverty and necessity they did seeke them for their sustenance and help of their infirmities and diseases. They did spend little among Physitians, although there were some of that art, and many Apothecaries, who did bring into the market, oyntments, syrups, waters, and other drugs fit for sick persons. They cure all diseases almost with herbs; yea as much as for to kill lice they have a proper herb for the purpose. The severall kinds of meats to bee sold was without number, as Snakes without head and tail, little dogges gelt, Moules, Rats, Long-wormes, Lyce, yea and a kind of earth; for at one season in the yeer they had Nets of Mayle, with the which they raked up a certaine dust that is bred upon the water of the lake of _Mexico_, and that is kneaded together like unto oas of the sea. They gathered much of this and kept it in heapes, and made thereof cakes like unto brick-bats. And they did not only sell this ware in the Market, but also sent it abroad to other Fayres and markets afarre off; and they did eat this meal with as good a stomack as we eat cheese; yea and they hold opinion, that this skumme or fatnesse of the water is the cause that such great number of fowl cometh to the lake, which in the winter season is infinite. They sold likewise in this market Venison by quarters or whole, as Does, Hares, Conies, and Dogges, and many other beasts, which they brought up for the purpose and tooke in hunting. The great store of sundry kinds of fruits was marvellous, which were there sold, both green and ripe. There is a sort as bigge as an Almond called _Cacao_ (whereof is the drinke called _Chocolatte_ well known now in Christendome) which is both meat and currant money. In these times of the bigger sort sixscore or sevenscore, and of the lesser sort two hundred are worth a _Spanish_ Riall, which is sixpence, and with these the _Indians_ buy what they list; for five, nay for two Cacao's which is a very small part of a Riall, they doe buy fruits and the like. There were divers kinds of colours to be sold, which they made of roses, flowers, fruits, barks of trees, and other things very excellent. All the things recited, and many others which I speak not of, were sold in this great market, and in every other Market of _Mexico_; and all the sellers payed a certain summe for their shops or standings to the King, as a custome, and they were to be preserved and defended from theeves and robbers. And for that purpose there went Serjeants or Officers up and down the market to espie out malefactors. In the midst of this Market stood a house, which was to bee seen throughout the Fayr, and there did sit commonly twelve ancient men for Judges to dispatch law matters. Their buying and selling was to change one ware for another, one gave a hen for a bundle of Maiz, others gave mantles for salt or money which was _Cacao_. They had measure and strike for all kind of corne, and other earthen measures for hony and oyle, and such wines as they made of Palme-trees, and other roots and trees. And if any measure were falsified, they punished the offenders and brake their measures. This was the civility they had when they were Heathens, for buying and selling. And although they knew not the true God, but worshipped Idols; yet to their Idols and to the Divell they dedicated Temples and places of worship, wherein they used those sacrifices which _David_ speaks of in the 106 _Ps._ 37 saying, _They sacrificed their sonnes, and their daughters unto Devills._

The Temple is called in the _Mexican_ language _Teucalli_, which is a compound word of _Teutl_, which signifieth God, and _Calli_, which signifieth a house. There were in _Mexico_ many parish Churches with towers, wherein were Chappels and Altars where the Images and Idols did stand. All their Temples were of one fashion; the like I beleeve was never seen nor heard of. And therefore it shall be now sufficient to describe the chiefe and greatest Temple, which was as their Cathedrall Church. This Temple was square, and did containe every way as much ground as a Crosse-bow can reach levell. It was made of stone, with four dores that abutted upon the three Cawseys, and upon another part of the City that had no Cawsey, but a fair street. In the midst of this Quadern stood a mount of earth and stone square likewise, and fifty fadome long every way, built upward like unto a pyramide of _Ægypt_, saving that the top was not sharpe, but plain and flat, and ten fadom square. Upon the West side were steps up to the top, in number a hundred and fourteen, which being so many high and made of good stone, did seeme a beautifull thing. It was a strange sight to behold the Preists, some going up, and some downe with ceremonies, or with men to be sacrificed. Upon the top of this Temple were two great Altars, a good space distant the one from the other, and so nigh the edge or brimme of the wall, that scarcely a man might go behind them at pleasure. The one Altar stood on the right hand, and the other on the left; they were but of five foot high; each of them had the back part made of stone, painted with monstrous and foul figures. The Chappell was fair and well wrought of Masons work and timber; every Chappell had three lofts one above another, sustained upon pillars, and with the height thereof it shewed like unto a faire tower, and beautified the City afarre off. From thence a man might see all the City and Towns round about the lake, which was undoubtedly a goodly prospect. And because _Cortez_ and his company should see the beauty thereof, _Montezuma_ himselfe (to make the more ostentation of his greatnesse and the Majesty of his Court) carried the first _Spaniards_ thither, and shewed them all the order of the Temple, even from the foot to the top. There was a certain plot or space for the Idoll Preists to celebrate their service without disturbance of any. Their generall prayers were made toward the rising of the sunne; upon each Altar stood a great Idoll.

Besides this tower which stood upon the Pyramide, there were fourty towers great and small belonging to other little Temples which stood in the same circuite; the which although they were of the same making, yet their prospect was not West-ward, but other waies, because there should be a difference betwixt the great Temple and them. Some of these Temples were bigger then others, and every one of a severall God; among the which there was one round Temple dedicated to the God of the ayre called _Quecalcovatl_; for even as the ayre goeth round about the heavens, even for that consideration they made his Temple round. The entrance of that Temple had a dore made like unto the mouth of a Serpent, and was painted with foule and divellish gestures, with great teeth and gummes wrought, which was a sight to fear those that should enter in thereat, and especially the Christians unto whom it represented hell it selfe with that ugly face and monstrous teeth. There were other Teucallies in the City, that had the ascending up by steps in three places; and all these Temples had houses by themselves with all service belonging to them, and Preists, and particular Gods. And from this manner of these Heathens Temples, and Altars made with steps, wee may observe how like unto them is now the Church of _Rome_, which as it confesseth that there never was a Church without a visible sacrifice, and therefore teacheth that Christs body must be broken upon their Altars, and distributed not only as a sacrament to the people, but as a sacrifice in the Preists hands, differing only that the sacrifices of Sheep and Oxen in the old law, and these of the Heathens were bloody sacrifices, but theirs of Christs body they call _Incruentum Sacrificium_, an unbloody sacrifice; so likewise in the buildings of their Churches with severall Towers and Altars and Chappels dedicated to severall Saints they seem to have taken from the very Heathens; but especially in the many steps whereby they ascend up to their Altars, they resemble these, forgetting Gods words in Exod. 20. 26. saying, _Neither shalt thou goe up by steps unto mine Altar, that thy nakednesse be not discovered thereon_. And lastly in their houses and cloisters joyning to their Churches for the service of them, being full of idolatrous Preists and Fryers consecrated for their service, they seem likewise to have borrowed that fancy of Convents, Abbeys, and Priories from the very Heathens, who (as presently I shall shew) had neer joyning to this great Temple, houses containing thousands of Preists, with yeerly rents and revenues, like those of _Romes_ Abbeys, and Cloisters. At every dore of this great Temple of _Mexico_ stood a large hall, and goodly lodgings both high and low round about, which houses were common Armories for the City. The Heathens it seems had so much understanding as to know that the force and strength of a Towne, City, or Countrey is the Temple, and therefore they placed there their storehouse of munition.

They had other darke houses full of Idols great and small, wrought of sundry metals, which were all bathed and washed with blood, and did shew very blacke through their dayly sprinkling and anointing them with the same, when any man was sacrificed; yea and the walls were an inch thick with blood, and the ground a foot thick of it, so that there was a divellish stench. The Preists went dayly into those Oratories, and suffered none other but great personages to enter in. And when any such went in, they were bound to offer some man to be sacrificed, that those bloudy hangmen and Ministers of the devill might wash their hands in the blood of those so sacrificed, and might sprinkle their house therewith. For their service in the Kitchin they had a pond of water, that was filled once a year, which was brought by the Conduit pipes before mentioned, from the principall fountaine. All the residue of the fore-said circuit served for places to breed fowles, with gardens of herbs and sweet trees, with roses and flowers for the Altars; and this is also the Church of _Romes_ custome and superstition, to trim and deck their Saints and Altars with Garlands and Crowns of Roses and other flowers. Such, so great and strange was this Temple of _Mexico_, for the service of the devill, who had deceived those simple _Indians_. There did reside (as I said before of Monkes and Fryers in their Cloisters joyning to their Churches) in this Temple and houses joyning to it, continually five thousand persons, and all these were lodged and had their living there; for that Temple was marvellous rich, and had divers Townes onely for their maintenance, and reparation, and were bound to sustaine the same alwaies on foot. These Townes did sow corn, and maintain all those five thousand persons with bread, fruit, flesh, fish, and firewood as much as they needed, for they spent more firewood then was spent in the Kings Court. These persons did live like _Romes_ Abby-lubbers at their hearts ease, as servants and vassals unto the Gods, which were many; and every God had severall rankes and Orders of Preists to serve him; as the severall Saints canonized by the Popes of _Rome_ have under them distinct Religious Orders of Preists, Dominick hath Dominicans, Francis Franciscans, Benedict Benedictines, Basil Basilians, Bernard Bernardines, Augustin Augustines, and the like.

The Gods of _Mexico_ (as the _Indians_ reported to the first _Spaniards_) were two thousand in number; the chiefest were _Vitzilopuchtli_, and _Tezcatlipuca_, whose Images stood highest in the Temple upon the Altars. They were made of stone in full proportion as bigge as a Gyant. They were covered with a lawne called _Nacar_; they were beset with pearles, pretious stones, and peeces of gold, wrought like birds, beasts, fishes, and flowers, adorned with Emeralds, Turquies, Chalcedons, and other little fine stones, so that when the lawne was taken away, the Images seemed very beautifull and glorious to behold. But must I find out _Rome_ still among these heathens? and will the Papists bee angry if I tell them plainly that what I mislike in these Idolatrous _Mexicans_, I mislike in them? for doe not they deck and adorne their Idol Saints, as the heathens did _Vitzilopuchtli_ and _Tezcatlipuca_? Doe not they cover their woodden and stony statues of Saints, and of the Virgin _Mary_ with fine lawne shirts, and hide them with curtaines of cloth of Gold, and crowne them with Crowns of Silver and Gold, and enrich them with costly and pretious jewels and Diamonds; not considering that they are the workes of their owne hands? _Ad quid perditio hæc? poterant enim venundari, & dari pauperibus?_ These two _Indian_ Idols had for a girdle great snakes of gold, and for collars or chaines about their necks ten hearts of men made of gold; and each of them had a counterfeit Visor with eies of glasse, and in their necks Death painted. These two Gods were brethren, for _Tezcatlipuca_ was the God of Providence, and _Vitzilopuchtli_, God of the Warres; who was worshipped and feared more then all the rest. There was another God, who had a great Image placed upon the top of the chappell of Idols, and hee was esteemed for a speciall and singular God above all the rest. This God was made of all kind of seeds that grow in that Countrey, which being ground, they made a certain paste tempered with childrens blood and Virgins sacrificed, who were opened with rasors in their brests, and their hearts taken out, to offer as first fruits unto the Idoll. The Preists consecrated this Idoll with great pompe and many Ceremonies. All the _Comarcans_ and Citizens were present at the Consecration with great triumph and incredible devotion. After the Consecration many devout persons came and sticked in the dowy Image pretious stones, wedges of gold, and other Jewels. And after all this pompe ended, no secular man might touch that holy Image; no nor yet come into his Chappel; nay scarcely religious persons, except they were _Tlamacaztli_, who were Preists of Order. They did renew this Image many times with new dough, taking away the old. And then (like againe unto the Papists who think themselves happy with their Saints reliques, though ragges or bones) blessed was hee that could get one peece of the old ragges, or a peece of the old dough, for the which there was most earnest suites made by the Souldiers, who thought themselves sure therewith in the Warres. Also at the Consecration of this Idoll, a certaine vessell of water was blessed with many words and ceremonies (peradventure from this heathenish Ceremonie came the superstitious holy water to _Rome_) and that water was preserved very religiously at the foot of the Altar, for to consecrate the King when hee should bee crowned, and also to blesse any Captaine Generall, when hee should be elected for the Wars, with onely giving him a draught of that water. And as the _Romish_ Church makes much of their dead mens skulles and rotten bones, laying them up in their Churchyards under some arches made for that purpose in the Churchwalls, even so was it here in _Mexico_; for without this Temple, and over against the principall doore thereof, a stones cast distant stood a Charnell house onely of dead mens heads, Prisoners in Warres and sacrificed with the knife. This monument was made like unto a Theatre, more large then broad, wrought of lime and stone, with ascending steps; in the walls whereof was graffed betwixt stone and stone a skull with the teeth outwards. At the foot and head of this Theatre, were two towers made onely of lime and skulles, the teeth outward, which having no other stuffe in the wall seemed a strange sight. At and upon the top of the Theatre were threescore and ten poles, standing the one from the other foure or five foot distant, and each of them was full of staves from the foot to the top. Each of these staves had others made fast unto them, and every one of them had five skulles broched through the temples. When the _Spaniards_ first entred into _Mexico_ as friends before the death of _Montezuma_ they visited all these monuments; and in what they have written and transmitted to posterity of that City, it is recorded of one _Andrew de Tapia_, and _Gonzalo de Umbria_ that one day they did reckon these skulles, and found a hundred thirty and six thousand skulles on the poles, staves and steps. The other Towers were replenished out of number; and there were men appointed, that when one skull fell, to set up another in his place, so that the number might never want. But all these Towers and Idols were pulled down, and consumed with fire, when the _Spaniards_ wanne that City. And certainly they had beene more renowned in destroying those Altars of the devill and those Idoll Gods, if in their stead they had not set up new Idols and Saints of stockes and stones, and built unto them as many more Churches as they found at their comming thither. All therefore that hath been mentioned hitherto of _Montezuma_ his houses and Gardens, of the spacious Market place, and Temples of that City was utterly destroyed and brought downe to the very ground. But _Cortez_ reedified it againe, not onely for the situation and majesty, but also for the name and great fame thereof. Hee divided it among the Conquerours, having first taken out places for Churches, Market places, Towne house and other necessary plots to build houses, profitable for the Common-wealth. Hee separated the dwellings of the _Spaniards_ from the _Indians_, so that now the water passeth and maketh division betwixt them. Hee promised to them that were naturalls of the City of _Mexico_ plotts to build upon, inheritance, freedome, and other liberties, and the like unto all those that would come and inhabit there, which was a meanes to allure many thither. Hee set also at liberty _Xihuaco_, the Generall Captaine, and made him chief over the _Indians_ in the City, unto whom hee gave a whole street. He gave likewise another street to _Don Pedro Montezuma_ who was sonne to _Montezuma_ the King. All this was done to winne the favour of the people. Hee made other Gentlemen Seniors of little Islands, and streets to build upon, and to inhabit, and in this order the whole situation was reparted, and the work began with great joy and diligence. And when the same was blowne abroad that _Mexico_ should bee built again, it was a wonder to see the people that resorted thither hearing of liberty and freedome. The number was so great that in three miles compasse was nothing but people men and women. They laboured sore and did eate little, by reason whereof many sickned, and pestilence ensued, whereof died an infinite number. Their paines was great, for they bare on their backes, and drew after them stones, earth, timber, lyme, brick, and all other things necessary in this sort; And by little and little _Mexico_ was built againe with a hundred thousand houses, more strong and better then the old building was. The _Spaniards_ built their houses after the _Spanish_ fashion; and _Cortez_ built his house upon the plot where _Montezuma_ his house stood, which renteth now yeerely foure thousand duckats, and is called now the Palace of the Marques _Del Valle_, the King of _Spain_ having conferred upon _Cortez_ and his heires this title from the great Valley of _Guaxaca_. This Palace is so stately that (as I have observed before) seven thousand beames of Cedar Trees were spent in it. They built faire Dockes covered over with Arches for the Vergantines; which Dockes for a perpetuall memory doe remaine untill this day. They dammed up the streets of water, where now faire houses stand, so that _Mexico_ is not as it was wont to bee, and especially since the yeare 1634. the water cometh not by farre so neere the City as it was wont to come. The Lake sometimes casteth out a vapour of stench, but otherwise it is a wholesome and temperate dwelling, by reason of the Mountaines that stand round about it, and well provided through the fertility of the Countrey, and commodity of the Lake. So that now is _Mexico_ one of the greatest Cities in the World in extention of the situation for _Spanish_ and _Indian_ houses. Not many yeeres after the Conquest it was the Noblest City in all _India_ as well in Armes as Policy. There were formerly at the least two thousand Citizens, that had each of them his horse in his stable with rich furniture for them, and Armes in readinesse. But now since all the _Indians_ farre and neer are subdued, and most of them especially about _Mexico_ consumed, and there is no feare of their rising up any more against the _Spaniards_, all armes are forgotten, and the _Spaniards_ live so secure from enemies, that there is neither Gate, Wall, Bulwarke, Platforme, Tower, Armory, Ammunition, or Ordnance to secure and defend the City from a Domestick or forraine enemy; from the latter they thinke St. _John de Ulhua_ sufficient and strong enough to secure them. But for Contractation it is one of the richest Cities in the World; to the which by the North Sea commeth every yeer from _Spain_ a Fleet of neere twenty ships laden with the best Commodities not onely of _Spain_ but of the most parts of Christendome. And by the South Sea it enjoyeth Traffique from all parts of _Peru_; and above all it Trades with the _East-India's_, and from thence receiveth the Commodities as well from those parts which are inhabited by _Portingals_, as from the Countries of _Japan_ and _China_, sending every yeere two great _Caracas_ with two smaller Vessels to the Islands of _Philippinas_, and having every yeere a returne of such like ships. There is also in _Mexico_ a Mint house where Money is dayly coyned; and is brought thither in wedges upon Mules from the Mines called _St. Lewis de Sacatecas_, standing fourescore Leagues from _Mexico_ Northward, and yet from _Sacatecas_ forward have the _Spaniards_ entred above a hundred Leagues conquering daily _Indians_, where they discover store of Mines; and there they have built a City, called _Nova Mexico_, new _Mexico_. The _Indians_ there are great Warriers, and hold the _Spaniards_ hard to it. It is thought the _Spaniard_ will not bee satisfied, untill hee subdue all the Country that way, which doubtlesse reacheth to our plantations of _Virginia_ and the rest being the same continued continent land. There is yet more in _Mexico_, a faire schoole, which now is made an University, which the Viceroy _Don Antonio De Mendoza_ caused to be built. At the rebuilding of this City there was a great difference betwixt an Inhabitant of _Mexico_, and a Conquerour; for a Conquerour was a name of honour, and had lands and rents given him and to his posterity by the King of _Spain_, and the Inhabitant or onely dweller payed rent for his house. And this hath filled all those parts of _America_ with proud _Dons_ and Gentlemen to this day; for every one will call himselfe a descendent from a Conquerour, though hee bee as poore as _Job_; and aske him what is become of his Estate and fortune, hee will answer that fortune hath taken it away, which shall never take away a _Don_ from him. Nay a poore Cobler, or Carrier that runs about the Countrey farre and neere getting his living with half a dozen Mules, if hee bee called _Mendoza_, or _Guzman_, will sweare that hee descended from those Dukes houses in _Spain_, and that his Grandfather came from thence to Conquer, and subdued whole Countries to the Crowne of _Spain_, though now fortune have frowned upon him, and covered his ragges with a thredbare Cloake. When _Mexico_ was rebuilt, and Judges, Aldermen, Attorneys, Towne Clerks, Notaries, Skavengers, and Serjeants with all other Officers necessary for the Common-weale of a City were appointed, the fame of _Cortez_ and majesty of the City was blowne abroad into farre Provinces, by meanes whereof it was soone replenished with _Indians_ againe, and with _Spaniards_ from _Spain_, who soone conquered above foure hundred Leagues of Land, being all governed by the Princely Seat of _Mexico_. But since that first rebuilding, I may say it is now rebuilt the second time by _Spaniards_, who have consumed most of the _Indians_; so that now I will not dare to say there are a hundred thousand houses which soone after the Conquest were built up, for most of them were of _Indians_. Now the _Indians_ that live there, live in the suburbs of the City, and their situation is called _Guadalupe_. In the yeare 1625. when I went to those parts, this Suburbe was judged to containe five thousand Inhabitans; But since most of them have beene consumed by the _Spaniards_ hard usage and the worke of the Lake. So that now there may not bee above two thousand Inhabitants of meere _Indians_, and a thousand of such as they call there _Mestizos_, who are of a mixt nature of _Spaniards_ and _Indians_, for many poore _Spaniards_ marry with _Indian_ women, and others that marry them not but hate their husbands, find many trickes to convey away an innocent _Uriah_ to enjoy his _Bathsheba_. The _Spaniards_ daily cousen them of the small plot of ground where their houses stand, and of three or foure houses of _Indians_ build up one good and fair house after the _Spanish_ fashion with Gardens and Orchards. And so is almost all _Mexico_ new built with very faire and spatious houses with Gardens of recreation. Their buildings are with stone, and brick very strong, but not high, by reason of the many Earth-quakes, which would indanger their houses if they were above three stories high. The streets are very broad, in the narrowest of them three Coaches may goe, and in the broader six may goe in the breadth of them, which makes the City seeme a great deale bigger then it is. In my time it was thought to bee of betweene thirty and forty thousand Inhabitants _Spaniards_, who are so proud and rich, that half the City was judged to keepe Coaches, for it was a most credible report that in _Mexico_ in my time there were above fifteen thousand Coaches. It is a by-word that at _Mexico_ there are foure things faire, that is to say, the women, the apparell, the horses, and the streets. But to this I may adde the beauty of some of the Coaches of the gentry, which doe exceed in cost the best of the Court of _Madrid_ and other parts of Christendome; for there they spare no Silver, nor Gold, nor pretious stones, nor Cloath of Gold, nor the best Silkes from _China_ to enrich them. And to the gallantry of their horses the pride of some doth adde the cost of bridles, and shooes of silver. The streets of Christendome must not compare with those in breadth and cleannesse, but especially in the riches of the shops which doe adorn them. Above all the Goldsmiths shops and workes are to bee admired. The _Indians_, and the people of _China_ that have been made Christians and every yeere come thither, have perfected the _Spaniards_ in that Trade. The Viceroy that went thither the yeere 1625. caused a _Popingay_ to bee made of silver, gold, and pretious stones with the perfect colours of the _Popingays_ feathers, (a bird bigger then a pheasant) with such exquisite art and perfection, to present unto the King of _Spain_, that it was prized to bee worth in riches and workmanship halfe a Million of Duckats. There is in the Cloister of the Dominicans a lampe hanging in the Church with three hundred branches wrought in silver to hold so many Candles, besides a hundred little lampes for oyle set in it, every one being made with severall workmanship so exquisitely, that it is valued to be worth four hundred thousand duckats; and with such like curious workes are many streets made more rich and beautifull from the shops of Goldsmiths. To the by-word touching the beauty of the women I must adde the liberty they enjoy for gaming, which is such that the day and night is to short for them to end a Primera when once it is begun; nay gaming is so common to them that they invite gentlemen to their houses for no other end. To my self it happened that passing along the streets in company with a Fryer that came with me that yeare from _Spain_, a gentlewoman of great birth knowing us to be _Chapetons_ (so they call the first yeer those that come from _Spain_) from her window called unto us, and after two or three slight questions concerning _Spain_ asked us if wee would come in and play with her a Game at Primera. Both men and women are excessive in their apparell, using more silkes then stuffes and cloth; pretious Stones and Pearles further much this their vaine ostentation; a hat-band and rose made of Diamonds in a Gentlemans hat is common, and a hat-band of Pearles is ordinary in a Tradesman; nay a Blackmore or Tauny young maide and slave will make hard shift but shee will bee in fashion with her Neckchaine and Bracelets of Pearls, and her Eare-bobs of some considerable Jewels. The attire of this baser sort of people of Blackmores and Mulatta's (which are of a mixt nature, of _Spaniards_ and Blackmores) is so light, and their carriage so enticing, that many _Spaniards_ even of the better sort (who are too too prone to Venery) disdaine their Wives for them. Their cloathing is a Petticoate, of Silk or Cloth, with many silver or golden Laces, with a very broad double Ribband of some light colour with long silver or golden Tags hanging down before, the whole length of their Peticoat to the ground, and the like behind; their Wascoats made like bodies, with skirts, laced likewise with gold or silver, without sleeves, and a girdle about their body of great price stuck with Pearls and knots of Gold, (if they bee any waies well esteemed of) their sleeves are broad and open at the end, of _Holland_ or fine _China_ linen, wrought some with coloured silks, some with silke and gold, some with silk and silver, hanging downe almost unto the ground; the locks of their heads are covered with some wrought quoife, & over it another of net work of silk bound with a fair silk, or silver or golden ribband which crosseth the upper part of their forehead, and hath commonly worked out in letters some light and foolish love posie; their bare black and tauny breasts are covered with bobs hanging from their chaines of pearls. And when they goe abroad they use a white mantle of lawne or cambricke rounded with a broad lace, which some put over their heads, the breadth reaching only to their middle behind, that their girdle and ribbands may be seen, and the two ends before reaching to the ground almost; others cast their mantles only upon their shoulders, and swaggerers like, cast the one end over the left shoulder, that they may the better jog the right arme, and shew their broad sleeve as they walke along; others instead of this mantle use some rich silke petticoat, to hang upon their left shoulder, while with their right arm they support the lower part of it, more like roaring boyes then honest civil maids. Their shooes are high & of many soles, the outside whereof of the prophaner sort are plated with a list of silver, which is fastned with small nailes of broad silver heads. Most of these are or have been slaves, though love have set them loose at liberty, to inslave souls to sinne and Satan. And there are so many of this kind both men and women growne to a height of pride and vanity, that many times the _Spaniards_ have feared they would rise up and mutiny against them. And for the loosnesse of their lives, and publike scandals committed by them and the better sort of the _Spaniards_, I have heard them say often who have professed more religion and feare of God, they verily thought God would destroy that City, and give up the Countrey into the power of some other nation.

I will not relate particulars of their obscene and scandalous, yea and publike carriages, which would offend my Readers patience, and make his eares to tingle; only I say, certainly God is offended with that second _Sodom_, whose inhabitants though now they be like the green bay-tree flourishing with jewels, pearles, gold, silver, and all worldly pleasures; _They shall soone be cut downe like the grasse and wither as the green herbe, Ps._ 37. 2. And though their great Master and Cardinall _Bellarmine_ make outward happinesse and flourishing a marke and note of a true Church and Congregation of Gods people: and of my selfe I could say with _David_ in the 73. _Ps._ 2, 3. when I lived blindly amongst them, _My feet were almost gone, my steps had well-nigh slipt; for I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked_; yet now being enlightned in a more sure and certaine truth, I will conclude of them, as _David_ of the flourishing wicked men of his time in the same Chapter the 16, 17, 18. _v. When I thought to know this, it was too painfull for mee, untill I went into the Sanctuary of God, then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou callest them downe to destruction._ And I doubt not but the flourishing of _Mexico_ in coaches, horses, streets, women, and apparell is very slippery, and will make those proud inhabitants slip and fall into the power and dominion of some other Prince of this world, and hereafter in the world to come, into the powerfull hands of an angry Judge, who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, which _Paul_ saith _Heb._ 10. 31. _is a fearfull_ thing. For this City doth not only flourish in the waies aforesaid, but also in their superstitious worshiping of God and Saints, they exceed _Rome_ it selfe, and all other places of Christendome. And it is a thing which I have very much and carefully observed in all my travailes both in _Europe_ and in _America_, that in those Cities wherein there is most lewd licentiousnesse of life, there is also most cost in the Temples, and most publike superstitious worshipping of God and of the Saints.

It seems that religion teacheth that all wickednesse is allowable, so the Churches and Clergy flourish; nay while the purse is open to lasciviousnesse, if it be likewise opened to enrich the temple walls and roofes, this is better then any their holy water to wash away the filth of the other. _Rome_ is held to be the head of superstition; and what stately Churches, Chappels, and Cloisters are in it? what fastings, what processions, what appearances of devotion? and on the other side, what liberty, what profanenesse, what whoredomes, nay what sinnes of _Sodom_ are committed in it? In so much that it could be the saying of a Fryer to my selfe while I was in it, that he verily thought there was no one City in the world wherein were more Atheists then in _Rome_. I might shew this truth in _Madrid, Sevill, Valladolid_, and other famous Cities in _Spaine_, and in _Italy_, in _Millan, Genoa_ and _Naples_, relating many instances of scandalls committed in those places, and yet the Temples mightily enriched by such who have thought those alms a sufficient warrant to free them from hell & Purgatory. But I must return to _Mexico_ which is _mille testes_ of this truth, sin and wickednesse abounding in it; and yet no such people in the world toward the Church and Clergy, who in their life time strive to exceed one another in their gifts to the Cloisters of Nuns and Friers, some erecting Altars to their best devoted Saints, worth many thousand thousand duckats, others presenting crowns of gold to the pictures of _Mary_, others lamps, others golden chains, others building Cloisters at their own charge, others repairing them, others at their death leaving to them two or three thousand duckats for an annuall stipend. Among these great Benefactors to the Churches of that City I should wrong my History if I should forget one that lived in my time, called _Alonso Cuellar_, who was reported to have a Closet in his house laid with bars of gold in stead of bricks; though indeed it was not so, but only reported for his abundant riches and store of bars of gold which he had in one chest standing in a closet distant from another, where he had a chest full of wedges of silver. This man alone built a Nunery of Franciscan Nuns, which stood him in above thirty thousand duckats, and left unto it for the maintainance of the Nuns two thousand duckats yeerly, with obligation of some masses to be said in the Church every yeer for his soule after his decease. And yet this mans life was so scandalous, that commonly in the night with two servants he would round the City, visiting such scandalous persons whose attire before hath been described, carrying his beads in his hands, and at every house letting fall a beade and tying a false knot, that when he came home in the morning towards breake of the day he might number by his beades the uncivil stations he had walked and visited that night. But these his works of darkenesse came to light, and were published farre and neer for what happened unto him whilst I was in _Mexico_; for one night meeting at one of his stations with a gentleman that was jealous of him, swords on both sides were drawne, the Concubine first was stabbed by the Gentleman who was better manned and attended; and _Cuellar_ (who was but a Merchant) was mortally wounded and left for dead, though afterwards he recovered. Great Almes and liberality towards religious houses in that City commonly are coupled with great and scandalous wickednesse. They wallow in the bed of riches and wealth, and make their Almes the Coverlet to cover their loose and lascivious lives. From hence are the Churches so fairly built and adorned. There are not above fifty Churches and Chappels, Cloisters and Nunneries, and Parish Churches in that City; but those that are there are the fairest that ever my eyes beheld, the roofes and beams being in many of them all daubed with gold, and many Altars with sundry marble pillars, and others with Brasil wood staies standing one above another with Tabernacles for several Saints richly wrought with golden colours, so that twenty thousand duckats is a common price of many of them. These cause admiration in the common sort of people, and admiration brings on daily adoration in them to those glorious spectacles and images of Saints; so Satan shewes Christ all the glory of the Kingdomes to intice him to admiration, and then _All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall downe and worship mee_, Mat. 4. 8, 9. The devill will give all the world to be adored.

Besides these beautifull buildings, the inward riches belonging to the Altars are infinite in price and value, such as Copes, Canopies, hangings, Altar cloths, Candlestickes, Jewels belonging to the Saints, and crownes of gold and silver, and Tabernacles of gold and Crystall to carry about their sacrament in Procession, all which would mount to the worth of a reasonable mine of silver, and would be a rich prey for any nation that could make better use of wealth and riches. I will not speake much of the lives of the Fryers and Nuns of that City, but only that there they enjoy more liberty then in the parts of _Europe_ (where yet they have too much) and that surely the scandal committed by them doe cry up to heaven for vengeance, judgement, and destruction.

In my time in the Cloister of the Mercenarian Fryers which is entituled for the Redemption of Captives, there chanced to be an election of a Provinciall to rule over them, to the which all the Priors and heads of the Cloisters about the countrey had resorted, and such was their various and factious difference, that upon the suddain all the Convent was in an uproare, their canonicall election was turned to mutiny and strife, knives were drawn, many wounded, the scandall and danger of murther so great, that the Viceroy was same to interpose his authority and to sit amongst them and guard the Cloister untill their Provinciall was elected. It is ordinary for the Fryers to visit their devoted Nuns, and to spend whole daies with them, hearing their musicke, feeding on their sweet meats, and for this purpose they have many chambers which they call _Loquutorios_, to talke in, with wooden bars between the Nuns and them, and in these chambers are tables for the Friers to dine at; and while they dine, the Nuns recreate them with their voices. Gentlemen and Citizens give their daughters to be brought up in these Nunneries, where they are taught to make all sorts of conserves and preserves, all sorts of needle worke, all sorts of musicke, which is so exquisite in that City, that I dare be bold to say, that the people are drawne to their Churches more for the delight of the musick, then for any delight in the service of God. More, they teach these young children to act like players, and to entice the people to their Churches make these children to act short dialogues in their Quires, richly attiring them with mens and womens apparell, especially upon Midsummer day, and the eight daies before their Christmas, which is so gallantly performed, that many factious strifes, and single combates have been, and some were in my time, for defending which of these Nunneries most excelled in musick, and in the training up of children. No delights are wanting in that City abroad in the world, nor in their Churches, which should be the house of God, and the soules, not the senses delight.

The chiefe place in the City is the Market place, which though it be not as spacious as in _Montezuma_ his time, yet is at this day very faire and wide, built all with Arches on the one side where people may walke dry in time of raine, and there are shops of Merchants furnished with all sorts of stuffes and silkes, and before them sit women selling all manner of fruits and herbes; over against these shops and Arches is the Viceroy his palace, which taketh up almost the whole length of the market with the walls of the house and of the gardens belonging to it. At the end of the Viceroy his palace, is the chiefe prison which is strong of stone worke. Next to this is the beautifull street called _la plateria_, or Gold-smiths street, where a mans eyes may behold in lesse then an houre many millions worth of gold, silver, pearles and jewells. The street of _St. Austin_ is rich and comely, where live all that trade in silkes; but one of the longest and broadest streets is the street called _Tacuba_, where almost all the shops are of Ironmongers, and of such as deale in brasse and steel, which is joyning to those Arches whereon the water is conveyed into the City, and is so called for that it is the way out of the City to a Towne called _Tacuba_; and this street is mentioned farre and neer, not so much for the length and breadth of it, as for a small commodity of needles which are made there, and for proofe are the best of all those parts. For stately buildings the street called _del Aquila_, the street of the eagle, exceeds the rest, where live Gentlemen, and Courtiers, and Judges belonging to the Chancery, and is the palace of the Marquesse _del Valle_ from the line of _Ferdinando Cortez_; this street is so called from an old Idoll an Eagle of stone which from the conquest lieth in a corner of that street, and is twice as big as _London_ stone. The gallants of this City shew themselves daily some on Horse-back, and most in Coaches about four of the clock in the afternoone in a pleasant shady field, called _la Alameda_, full of trees and walkes, somewhat like unto our More-fields, where doe meet as constantly as the Merchants upon our Exchange about two thousand Coaches, full of Gallants, Ladies, and Citizens, to see and to be seen, to court and to be courted, the Gentlemen having their train of black-more slaves some a dozen, some halfe a dozen waiting on them, in brave and gallant Liveries, heavy with gold and silver lace, with silke stockins on their black legs, and roses on their feet, and swords by their sides; the Ladies also carry their traine by their coaches side of such jet-like Damosells as before have been mentioned for their light apparell, who with their bravery and white mantles over them seem to be, as the _Spaniard_ saith, _mosca en leche_, a flie in milke. But the train of the Viceroy who often goeth to this place is wonderfull stately, which some say is as great as the train of his Master the King of _Spaine_. At this meeting are carried about many sorts of sweet-meats and papers of comfites to be sold, for to relish a cup of coole water, which is cried about in curious glasses, to coole the blood of those love hot gallants. But many times these their meetings sweetned with conserves and comfits have sowre sawce at the end, for jealousie will not suffer a Lady to be courted, no nor sometimes to be spoken to, but puts fury into the violent hand to draw a sword or dagger and to stab or murther whom he was jealous of, and when one sword is drawne thousands are presently drawne, some to right the party wounded or murthered; others to defend the party murthering, whose friends will not permit him to bee apprehended, but will guard him with drawn swords untill they have conveyed him to the Sanctuary of some Church, from whence the Viceroy his power is not able to take him for a legall tryall.

Many of these suddain skirmishes happened whilest I lived about _Mexico_; of which City a whole volume might bee compiled, but that by other Authors much hath beene written, and I desire not to fill my History with trifles, but onely with what is most remarkable in it. I may not omit yet from the situation of it upon a lake to tell that certainly the water hath its passage under all the streets of it; for toward the street of St. _Austin_ and the lower parts of the City, I can confidently averre that in my time before the removing of the Lake those that died were rather drowned then buried, for a grave could not bee digged with an ordinary graves depth, but they met with water, and I was eye-witnesse of many thus buried, whose coffins was covered with water. And this is so apparent that had not the Cloister of the _Augustines_ often been repaired and almost rebuilt, it had quite sunk by this. In my time it was a repairing, and I saw the old pillars had sunk very low; upon the which they were then laying new foundations, and I was credibly informed that that was the third time that new pillars had been erected upon the old which were quite sunk away. This City hath but three wayes to come unto it by Cawsey; the one is from the West, and that Cawsey is a mile and a halfe long. Another from the North, and containeth three miles in length. Eastward the City hath no entry; but Southward the Cawsey is five miles long, which was the way that _Cortez_ entred into it, when hee conquered it.

The fruit called _Nuchtli_ (whereof I have spoken before, and some say this City was called _Tenuchtitlan_ from it) though it bee in most parts of _America_, yea and now in _Spain_, yet in no place there is more abundance of it then in _Mexico_, and it is absolutely one of the best fruits in it. It is like unto the Figge, and so hath many little kernels or grains within, but they are somewhat larger, and crowned like unto a Medler. There are of them of sundry colours, some are green without, and carnation-like within, which have a good taste. Others are yellow, and others white, and some speckled; the best sort are the white; It is a fruit that will last long. Some of them taste of Pears, and other some of Grapes; It is a cold and a fresh fruit and best esteemed in the heat of summer. The _Spaniards_ doe more esteem them then the _Indians_. The more the ground is laboured where they grow, the fruit is so much the better. There is yet another kind of this fruit red, and that is nothing so much esteemed, although his taste is not evill; but because it doth colour and dye the eaters mouth, lips and apparell, yea and maketh the Urine looke like pure blood. Many _Spaniards_ at their first comming into _India_, and eating this fruit, were amazed and at their wits end, thinking that all the blood in their bodies came out in Urine; yea and many Physitians at their first comming were of the same belief. And it hath happened when they have been sent for unto such as have eaten this fruit, they not knowing the cause, and beholding the Urine, by and by they have administred medicines to staunch blood; a thing to laugh at, to see Physitians so deceived. The skinne of the outside is thick and full of little small prickles, and when it is cut downeright with one cut to the kernels, with one finger you may uncleave the whole skin roundabout without breaking it, & take out the fruit to eat. The _Spaniards_ use to jest with it with strangers, taking half a dozen of them, and rubbing them in a napkin, those smal prickles which can scarce bee seen or perceived stick invisibly unto the napkin, wherewith a man wiping his mouth to drink, those little prickles stick in his lips so that they seeme to sow them up together, and make him for a while faulter in his speech, till with much rubbing and washing they come off. There is another fruit twice of the bignesse of a great warden, which they call the growing _Manjar Blanco_, or white meat, which is a dainty dish made by them with the white of a Capon, Cream, and Rice, and sugar and sweet waters, much like unto the which tasteth this fruit. It is as sweet as any hony, and dissolves like melted snow in the mouth into a juyce most luscious; within, it is full of hard black kernels or stones, which being cracked are bitter, and these not joyned together, but by division one from another, each one having a bag, or little skin discerning them in their rankes and orders, so that when you cut this fruit in the middle it represents a Chequer board with black and whit; the white is suckt or eaten and the kernels thrown away. But I cannot forget that which they call _Pinia_, or Pine apple; not the Pine apple of the high Pine tree, but a pine apple, that groweth upon a lower shrub with prickly leaves, and is bigger then our biggest Muskmillians in _England_, when it is ripe; it is yellow without and within; without it is full of little bunches, and within so juycy and cool that nothing more dangerous then to eat much of it. Before they eat it, they cut it in round slices, and lay it a while in salt and water, and so being scoured half an houre in that salt and water which taketh much of the rawnes and coldnes from it, and then putting into dishes with more fresh water they eat it thus. But the better way of eating it, is preserved; which is absolutely the best preserve in all that Countrey. There is also the Grape, (though they make not wine of it) the Apple, the Peare, the Quince, the Peach, the Apricock, the Pomegranate, the Muskmillian, the Plantin, the Figge, the Walnut, the Chesnut, the Orange, the Lemmon both sowre and sweet, the Citron in great abundance. Most of the fruitts of _Europe_, and as many more which _Europe_ never knew. About _Mexico_ more then in any other part groweth that excellent tree called _Metl_, which they plant and dresse as they doe their Vines in _Europe_. It hath neere forty kindes of leaves, which serve for many uses; for when they bee tender they make of them Conserves, Paper, Flax, Mantles, Mats, Shooes, girdles, and cordage. On these leaves grow certaine prickles so strong and sharpe that they use them in stead of sawes: from the root of this tree cometh a juyce like unto syrup, which being sodde will become Sugar. You may also make of it Wine and Vineger. The _Indians_ often become drunke with it. The rind rolled healeth hurts and sores, and from the top boughs issueth a gumme, which is an excellent antidote against poyson. There is nothing in _Mexico_ and about it wanting which may make a City happy; and certainly had those that have so much extolled with their pens the parts of _Granada_ in _Spain, Lombardy_ and _Florence_ in _Italy_, making them the earthly Paradise, had they beene acquainted with the new World and with _Mexico_, they would have recanted their untruths.

Oh that the Lord were truely worshiped where hee hath powred forth the treasures of his goodnesse for the children of men! Oh that in that _Eden_ the tempting and entising Serpent were not so much obeyed in the use of the faire seeming Apple of pleasures, and the Lord that hath enriched it with such varieties so much neglected! How long O Lord God, how long shall the line of the wicked flourish, and the best portion be fallen to Idolaters and to the workers of iniquity?

This City is the seat of an Archbishop, and of a Viceroy, who commonly is some great Noble man of _Spain_, whose power is to make Lawes and Ordinances, to give directions, and determine controversies, unlesse it bee in such great causes, which are thought fit to bee referred to the Councell of _Spain_. And though there bee about the Country many governments with severall Governours, yet they are all subordinate to this Viceroy, and there are at least foure hundred leagues of land all governed by the Princely seat of _Mexico_. Most of the Governours about the Country being the Viceroy his Creatures, placed by him, doe contribute great gifts and bribes for their preferment; so likewise doe all the rest whose right or wrong proceedings depend upon the Viceroy his clemency and mercy in judging the daily appeales of Justice which come unto him. The King of _Spain_ allowes him out of his Exchequer yeerly a hundred thousand Duckats whilest hee governes; his time being but five yeers. But commonly with their bribes to the Courtiers of _Spain_, and to the Counsellours for the Estate of the _India's_ they get a prorogation of five yeeres more, and sometimes of ten. It is incredible to think what this Viceroy may get a yeer in that place besides his hundred thousand duckats of rent, if hee bee a man covetous and given to trading, (as most of them are) for then they will bee Masters of what commodities they please, and none else shall deale in them but themselves; as did the Marquesse of _Serralvo_ in my time, who was the best Monopolist of salt that ever those parts knew. This man was thought to get a Million a yeer, what with gifts and presents, what with his Trading to _Spain_ and _Philippinas_. He governed ten yeares, and in this time he sent to the King of _Spain_ a _Popingay_ worth half a Million, and in one year more he sent the worth of a Million to the Count of _Olivares_, and other Courtiers to obtain a prorogation for five yeers more. Besides the Viceroy there are commonly six Judges and a Kings Attorney, who are allowed out of the Kings Exchequer yeerly twelve thousand duckats a peice rent, besides two _Alcaldes de Corte_ or high Justices, who with the Viceroy judge all Chancery and criminall causes. But these, though united together they may oppose the Viceroy in any unlawfull and unjustifiable action, as some have done and have smarted for it, yet commonly they dare not. So that hee doth what he listeth, and it is enough for him to say, _stat pro ratione voluntas_. This power joyned with covetousnesse in the Viceroy, and threescore thousand duckats yeerly, joyned with pride in the Arch-bishop, was like to be the ruine of that City in the yeer 1624. Then was the Count of _Gelves_ Viceroy, and _Don Alonso de Zerna_ Archbishop, whose two powers striving and striking at one another like two flints, had almost brought to combustion that gallant City, and did set on fire the Viceroy his palace, and the prison joyning to it.

The story was thus, which may be profitable for other nations, to beware of covetous governours, and proud Prelates; and therefore I thought fit to insert it here. The Count of _Gelves_ was in some things one of the best Viceroys and Governours that ever the Court of _Spaine_ sent to _America_, for he was called by the _Spaniards, el terrible Justiciero, y fuego de Ladrones_, that is, terrible for Justice, and fire to consume all theeves. For he cleered all the high waies of theeves, hanging them as often as they were caught without mercy, and did send out troopes and officers to apprehend them, so that it was generally reported that since the conquest unto those dayes of his there had never been so many theeves and malefactors hanged up as in his time. So in all other points of justice he was severe and upright. But yet covetousnesse did so blind him to see his owne injustice, that before he could see it, he had brought the City of _Mexico_ and the whole Kingdome to a danger of rebellion. What he would not to be seen in himselfe, he acted by others his instruments. And one of them was one _Don Pedro Mexia_, a mighty rich Gentleman of _Mexico_, whom hee chose to joyne with him in monopolizing all the _Indian_ Maiz, and wheat about the Countrey. _Don Pedro Mexia_ of the _Indians_ bought at the price he list their Maiz, and the wheat of the _Spaniards_ he bought it according to that price at which it is taxed by the law of that land to be sold at in time of famine; which is at fourteen Rials a bushell, (which is not much there considering the abundance of gold and silver) at which price the Farmers and husbandmen knowing it to be a plentiful yeer were glad and willing to sel unto him their wheat, not knowing what the end would be, & others fearing to gainsay him, whom they knew to be the Viceroyes favorite. Thus _Don Pedro Mexia_ filled all his barnes which he had hired about the Countrey, and himselfe and the Viceroy became owners of all the wheat. He had his officers appointed to bring it into the Markets upon his warning, and that was when some smal remnants that had escaped his fingers were sold, and the price raised. Then hoised he his price, and doubled it above what it had cost him. The poore began to complaine, the rich to murmure, the taxe of the law was moved in the Court of Chancery before the Viceroy. But he being privy to the Monopoly expounded the law to bee understood in time of famine, and that he was informed, that it was as plentifull a yeer as ever had been, and that to his knowledge there was as much brought into the Markets as ever had been, and plenty enough for _Mexico_ and all the Countrey. Thus was the law slighted, the rich mocked, the poore oppressed, and none sold wheat but _Don Pedro Mexia_ his officers for himselfe and the Viceroy. When Justice would be no father, the people go to their mother the Church; & having understood the businesse better, and that it was _Don Pedro Mexia_, who did tyrannnize and oppresse them with the Viceroy his favour, they intreat the Archbishop to make it a case of Conscience, and to reduce it to a Church censure. _Don Alonso de Zerna_ the Archbishop, who had alwaies stomacked _Don Pedro Mexia_ and the Viceroy, to please the people, granted to them to excommunicate _Don Pedro Mexia_, and so sent out bils of excommunication to be fixed upon all the Church dores against _Don Pedro_; who not regarding the excommunication, and keeping close at home, and still selling his wheat, raising higher the price then it was before; the Arch-bishop raised this censure higher against him, adding to it a Bill of _Cessatio à divinis_, that is, a cessation from all divine service. This Censure is so great with them, that it is never used but for some great mans sake, who is contumacious and stubborn in his waies, contemning the power of the Church. Then are all the Church dores shut up, (let the City be never so great) no masses are said, no prayers used, no preaching permitted, no meetings allowed for any publike devotion or calling upon God. Their Church mournes as it were, and makes no shew of spirituall joy and comfort, nor of any communion of prayers one with another, so long as the partie continues stubborn and rebellious in his sinne, and scandall, and in yeelding to the Churches censure. And further whereas by this cessation _à divinis_, many Churches and especially Cloisters suffer in the means of their livelyhood, who live upon what is daily given them for the Masses they say, and in a Cloister where thirty or fourty Preists say Masse, so many peices of Eight or crowns in _Mexico_ doe daily come in; therefore this censure or _cessatio à divinis_ is so inflicted upon the whole Church (all suffering for it as they say in spirituall, and some in temporall waies) that the party offending or scandalizing, for whose sake this curse is laid upon all, is bound to satisfie all Preists and Cloisters which in the way aforesaid suffer, and to allow them so much out of his meanes, as they might have daily got by selling away their Masses for so many crownes for their daily livelyhood. To this would the Arch-bishop have brought _Don Pedro Mexia_, to have emptied out of his purse neer a thousand crownes daily, towards the maintenance of about a thousand Preists (so many there may bee in _Mexico_) who from the Altar sell away their bread-God to satisfie with bread and food their hungry stomackes. And secondly by the peoples suffering in their spirituall comfort, and non-communion of prayers and idolatrous worship, hee thought to make _Don Pedro Mexia_ odious to the people. _Don Pedro_ perceiving the spightfull intents of the Archbishop, and hearing the outcries of the people in the streets against him, and their cries for the use and liberty of their Churches, secretly retired himselfe to the Palace of the Viceroy, begging his favour and protection, for whose sake he suffered. The Viceroy immediately sent out his Orders, commanding the bills of excommunication and cessation _à divinis_ to bee pulled from the Church dores, and to all the Superiors of the Cloisters to set open their Churches, and to celebrate their service and masses as formerly they had done. But they disobeying the Viceroy through blind obedience to their Archbishop, the Viceroy commanded the Arch-prelate to revoke his censures. But his answer was that what he had done, had been justly done against a publike offender and great oppressor of the poore, whose cries had moved him to commiserate their suffering condition, and that the offenders contempt of his first excommunication had deserved the rigour of the second censure; neither of the which hee would or could revoke untill _Don Pedro Mexia_ had submitted himselfe to the Church and to a publike absolution, and had satisfied the Preists and Cloisters who suffered for him, and had disclaimed that unlawfull and unconscionable Monopolie, wherewith he wronged the whole common-wealth, and especially the poorer sort therein.

Thus did that proud Prelate arrogantly in termes exalt himselfe against the the authority of his Prince and Ruler, contemning his command with a flat deniall, thinking himself happy in imitating _Ambrose_ his spirit against the Emperour _Theodosius_, trusting in the power of his keyes, and in the strength of his Church and Clergy, which with the rebellion of the meaner sort he resolved to oppose against the power and strength of his Magistrate. The Viceroy not brooking this sawcy answer from a Preist, commanded him presently to be apprehended and to be guarded to _St. John de Ulhua_, and there to be shipped for _Spaine_. The Archbishop having notice of this the Viceroy his resolution, retired himselfe out of _Mexico_ to _Guadalupe_ with many of his Preists and Prebends, leaving a bill of excommunication upon the Church dores against the Viceroy himself, and thinking privily to flie to _Spain_ there to give an account of his carriage and behaviour. But he could not flie so fast, but the Viceroy his care and vigilancy still eyed him, and with his Serjeants and Officers pursued him to _Guadalupe_. Which the Archbishop understanding, he betook himself to the sanctuary of the church, and there caused the candles to be lighted upon the Altar, the sacrament of his Bread-God to be taken out of the Tabernacle, and attiring himselfe with his Pontificall vestiments, with his Mitre on his head, his Crozier in one hand, in the other he took his God of bread, and thus with his traine of Preists about him at the Altar, he waited for the coming of the Serjeants and Officers, whom he thought with his God in his hand, and with a Here I am, to astonish and amaze, and to make them as Christ the Jewes in the garden, to fall backwards, and to disable them from laying hands upon him. The Officers coming into the Church went towards the Altar where the Bishop stood, and kneeling downe first to worship their God made a short prayer; which being ended, they propounded unto the Bishop with courteous and faire words the cause of their coming to that place, requiring him to lay downe the Sacrament; and to come out of the Church, and to heare the notification of what orders they brought unto him in the Kings name. To whom the Archbishop replied, that whereas their Master the Viceroy was excommunicated he looked upon him as one out of the pale of the Church, and one without any power, or authority to command him in the house of God, and so required them as they tendered the good of their soules to depart peaceably, and not to infringe the priviledges and immunity of the Church, by exercising in it any legall act of secular power and command; and that he would not goe out of the Church, unlesse they durst take him and the Sacrament together. With this the head officer named _Tiroll_, stood up and notified unto him an order in the Kings name to apprehend his person in what place soever he should find him, and to guard him to the Port of _St. John de Ulhua_, and there to deliver him to whom by further order he should be directed there, to be shipped for _Spain_ as a Traitour to the Kings crowne, a troubler of the common peace, an author and mover of sedition in the Common-wealth. The Arch-bishop smiling upon _Tiroll_ answered him, Thy Master useth too high termes; and words which doe better agree unto himselfe; for I know no mutiny or sedition like to trouble the Common-wealth, unlesse it bee by his and _Don Pedro Mexia_ his oppressing of the poore. And as for thy guarding mee to _St. John de Ulhua_, I conjure thee by Jesus Christ whom thou knowest I hold in my hands, not to use here any violence in Gods house, from whose Altar I am resolved not to depart; take heed God punish thee not as he did _Jeroboam_ for stretching forth his hand at the Altar against the Prophet; let his withered hand remind thee of thy duty. But _Tiroll_ suffered him not to squander away the time and ravell it out with further preaching, but called to the Altar a Preist whom he had brought for that purpose, and commanded him in the Kings name to take the Sacrament out of the Arch-bishops hand; which the Preist doing, the Arch-bishop unvested himselfe of his Pontificals, and (though with many repetitions of the Churches immunity) yeelded himselfe unto _Tiroll_, and taking his leave of all his Prebends, requiring them to bee witnesses of what had been done, he went Prisoner to _St. John de Ulhua_, where he was delivered to the custody of the Governour of the Castle, and not many daies after was sent in a ship prepared for that purpose to _Spaine_ to the King and Councell, with a full charge of all his carriages and misdemeanours. Some of the City of _Mexico_ in private began to talke strangely against the Viceroy, and to stomacke the banishment of their Arch-bishop, because he had stood out against so high a power in defence of the poore and oppressed, and these their private grudges they soone vented in publike with bold and arrogant speeches against _Don Pedro Mexia_, and the Viceroy, being set on and incouraged by the Preists and Prebends, who it seems had sworne blind obedience to their Arch-Prelate, and therewith thought they could dispence with their consciences in their obedience and duty to their Magistrate. Thus did those Incendiaries for a fortnight together blow the fire of sedition and rebellion, especially amongst the inferiour sort of people and the Criolians or native _Spaniards_, and the _Indians_ and Mulatto's, whom they knew brooked not the severe and rigorous justice and judgement of the Viceroy, no nor any Government that was appointed over them from _Spaine_; untill at the fortnights end, _Tiroll_ returned from _St. John de Ulhua_, and then began the spite and malice of all the malecontents to breake out, then began a fire of mutiny to be kindled, which was thought would have consumed and buried in ashes that great and famous City. _Tiroll_ was not a little jealous of what mischiefe the common rabble intended against him, and so kept close, not daring to walke the streets; yet his occasions inviting him to the Viceroy his palace, ventured himselfe in a Coach with drawne curtaines, which yet could not blind the eyes of the spightfull and malicious male-contents, who had notice that he was in the Coach, and before he could get to the market place, three or four boyes began to cry out, _Judas, Judas, alla va Judas_, there goeth _Judas_ that laid his hands upon Christs Vicar; others joyned with them saying, _aborquemos a este Judas_, let us hang up this _Judas_; the number of boyes yet increased, crying aloud and boldly after the Coach, _Muera el Vellaco descomulgado la muerte de Judas, muera el picaro, muera el perro_, let this excommunicated rogue and dog die the death of _Judas_; the Coach-man lashed the mules, the Coach posted, the boyes hasted after with stones and dirt, the number increased so that before _Tiroll_ could get through two streets only, there were risen above two hundred boyes, of _Spaniards, Indians, Black-mores_, and Mulatto's. With much adoe _Tiroll_ got to the Viceroy his Palace, posting for his life, and his first care was to wish the Porters to shut all the Palace gates: for he was fearfull of what presently happened, of a more generall insurrection and uproar. For no sooner was hee got into the Viceroy his house, and the gates shut up, but there were gathered to the Market place (as I was credibly informed by those that saw and observed diligently that daies trouble) above two thousand people, all of inferiour rank and quality; and yet the number still increased till they were judged to bee about six or seven thousand. They all cried out for _Tiroll_ the _Judas_, sparing neither stones nor dirt which they did fling at the Palace windowes.

The Viceroy sent a message to them desiring them to be quiet, and to betake themselves to their houses, certifying them that _Tiroll_ was not in his Palace, but escaped out of a back doore. The rude multitude would not bee satisfied with this, being now set on by two or three Priests who were joyned with them, and so they began more violently to batter the Palace gates and walls, having brought pikes, and holbards, and long poles; others had got a few Pistols, and birding Peeces, wherewith they shot, not caring whom they killed or wounded in the Palace. It was wonderfull to see that none of the better sort, none of the Judges, no high Justice, no inferiour Officers durst or would come out to suppresse the multitude, or to assist the Viceroy being in so great danger; nay I was told by some shopkeepers who lived in the Market place, that they made a laughing businesse of it, and the people that passed by went smiling and saying, Let the boyes and youngsters alone, they will wright our wrongs, they will find out before they have done, both _Tiroll_ and _Mexia_ and him that protects them, meaning the Viceroy; but amongst them was much noted one Priest, named _Salazar_, who spent much shot and bullets, and more his spirits in running about to spie some place of advantage, which hee might soonest batter downe. They found it seemes the prison doores easier to open, or else with helpe within they opened them, and let out all the malefactors, who joyned with them to assault the Palace. The Viceroy seeing no helpe came to him from the City, from his friends, from the Judges of the Chancery, from the Kings high Justices, nor other Officers for the peace, went up to the _Zoties_ of his Palace with his Guard and Servants that attended on him, and set up the Royall Standard, and caused a Trumpet to bee sounded to call the City to ayde and assist their King. But this prevailed not, none stirred, all the chief of the City kept within doores. And when the multitude saw the Royall Standard out, and heard the Kings name from the _Zoties_, they cryed out, and often repeated it, _Viva el Rey, muera el mal govierno, mueran los des comulgados_, that is to say, Our King live long, but let the evill government die, and perish, and let them die that are excommunicated. These words saved many of them from hanging afterwards, when the businesse was tried and searched into by _Don Martin de Carrillo_. And with these words in their mouths, they skirmished with them of the _Zoties_ at least three houres, they above hurling downe stones, and they beneath hurling up to them and some shooting with a few Pistols and birding peeces at one another: and marke that in all this bitter skirmish there was not a peece of Ordnance shot, for the Viceroy had none for the defence of his Palace or person, neither had or hath that great City any for its strength and security, the _Spaniards_ living fearelesse of the _Indians_, and (as they thinke) secure from being annoyed by any forraine Nation. There were slain in about six houres in all that this tumult lasted, seven or eight beneath in the Market place, and one of the Viceroy his Guard and a page in the _Zoties_ above. The day drawing to an end, the multitude brought pitch and fire, and first fired the prison, then they set on fire part of the Palace, and burnt downe the chief gate. This made some of the City, of the Gentry, and of the Judges to come out, lest the fire should prevaile farre upon the City, and to perswade the people to desist, and to quench the fire. Whilest the fire was quenching, many got into the Palace, some fell upon the Viceroyes stables, and there got part of his mules and horses rich furnitures, others began to fall upon some chests, others to teare down the hangings, but they were soone perswaded by the better sort of the City, to desist from spoile or robbery, lest by that they should bee discovered; other searched about for _Don Pedro Mexia_, for _Tiroll_ and the Viceroy. None of them could bee found, having disguised themselves and so escaped. Whither _Don Pedro Mexia_ and _Tiroll_ went, it could not bee knowen in many dayes; but certaine it was that the Viceroy disguised himselfe in a Franciscan habit, and so in company of a Fryer went through the multitude to the Cloister of the Franciscans, where hee abode all that yeer, (and there I saw him the yeere after) not daring to come out, untill hee had informed the King and Counsell of _Spain_, with what hath happened, and of the danger himselfe and the City was in, if not timely prevented. The King and Counsell of _Spain_ took the businesse to consideration, and looked upon it as a warning peece, to a further mutiny and rebellion, and an example to other parts of _America_ to follow upon any such like occasion, if some punishment were not inflicted upon the chief offendors. Wherefore the yeere following 1625. which was when I went to those parts, the King sent a new Viceroy the Marques of _Serralvo_ to govern in the place of the Count of _Gelves_, and especially to aid and assist _Don Martin de Carrillo_ a Priest, and Inquisitor of the Inquisition of _Valladolid_, who was sent with large Commission and authority to examine the foresaid tumult and mutiny, and to judge all offenders that should be found in it, yea and to hang up such as should deserve death. I was in _Mexico_ in the best time of the tryall, and had intelligence from _Don Martin de Carrillo_ his owne Ghostly father a Dominican Fryer of the chief passages in the examination of the businesse; and the result was, that if Justice should have beene executed rightly, most of the prime of _Mexico_ would have suffered, for not comming in to the Royall Standard, when called by the sound of the Trumpet; the Judges some were put out of their places, though they answered that they durst not stirre out, for that they were informed that all the City would have risen against them if they had appeared in publick. The chief actors were found to bee the Criolians or Natives of the Countrey, who doe hate the _Spanish_ Government, and all such as come from _Spain_; and reason they have for it, for by them they are much oppressed, as I have before observed, and are and will bee alwayes watching any opportunity to free themselves from the _Spanish_ yoke. But the chief fomenters of the mutiny were found to bee the Bishops party the Preists; and so had not _Salazar_ and three more of them fled, they had certainly been sent to the Gallies of _Spain_ for Galley slaves; this judgment was published against them. There were not above three or foure hanged of so many thousands, and their condemnation was for things which they had stollen out of the Viceroys Palace. And because further inquiry into the rebellion would have brought in at least half the City either for actors, or counsellors, or fomentors, the King was well advised to grant a generall pardon. The Archbishops proceedings were more disliked in the Court of _Spain_, then the Viceroyes, and was long without any preferment; though, at last that there might be no exceptions taken by his party, nor cause given for a further stirring the embers to a greater combustion, the Councel thought fit to honor him in those parts where hee was born; and to make him Bishop of _Zamora_ a small Bishoprick in _Castile_; so that his wings were clipt, and from Archbishop hee came to bee but Bishop, and from threescore thousand Crownes yeerely rent he fell to foure or five thousand onely a yeere. The count of _Gelves_ was also sent to _Spain_, and well entertained in the Court, and therein made Master of the Kings horse, which in _Spain_ is a Noblemans preferment.

And this History shewing the state and condition of _Mexico_, when I travelled to those parts I have willingly set down, that the Reader may by it bee furnished with better observations then my self (who am but a Neophyte) am able to deduct. Somewhat might bee observed from the Viceroyes covetousnesse; which doubtlesse in all is a great sinne, for as _Paul_ well adviseth, I _Tim._ 6. 10. _The love of mony is the root of all evill_; but much more to bee condemned in a Prince or Governour; whom it may blind in the exercise of Justice and Judgment, and harden those tender bowels (which ought to bee in him) of a father and shepheard to his flock and children. Wee may yet from this Viceroyes practice and example against a chiefe head of the _Romish_ Church, discover that errour of the Preists and Jesuites of _England_, who perswade the people here that no temporall Magistrate hath power over them, and that to lay hands on them in wrath and anger (being as they say Consecrated to God and his Altar) is _ipso facto_ a deep excommunication; whereas wee see the contrary in this Viceroy a member of the Church of _Rome_, and yet exercising his temporall power against an Arch-Bishop, and by _Tiroll_ taking him from the Church, and as his prisoner sending him with just wrath and anger to a forraine and remote place of banishment. But lastly it is my desire that the High and Honorable Court of Parliament which now is sitting for the good of this Kingdome, and for the good of it hath already pulled downe the Hierarchy of such Prelates and Archprelates, would looke upon the trouble and uproare which the keys of the Church in the hand of an undiscreet Preist brought upon that City of _Mexico_. Certainly as the strength of the Church well setled, and governed with subordination to the Magistrate, is likewise the strength of the Common-wealth; so on the other side the power of the Keyes in the Clergies hand to cast out what incestuous _Corinthian_ they please, without the rest of the _Corinthians_ consent, I _Cor._ 5. 4, 5. may prove dangerous and troublesome to the Common-weale and good. For if the Clergy may use by itselfe, without the overseeing eye of the Magistrates Commissioners, the power of the keyes; who shall bee free from their censures, that any way will oppose them? The poor and ignorant will not onely bee the object of their censures, but the rich and wise and noble. Ruler and Magistrate will also come under their censures; wherein I finde a Minister may then as a Pope encroach upon the highest Crowne of an Emperour. Nay certainly in _England_ the thoughts of some such aspiring Ministers have been higher then the thoughts of this Arch-Bishop of _Mexico_ over a Viceroy, the conceipt of their power with the Keyes have hoised them above their Prince, for I have heard one of them say, he knew not but that by the power of the keyes hee might as well excommunicate the King as any other private person. This conceit hath made the Pope of _Rome_ feare no earthly Prince, Emperour, Ruler or Magistrate; nay this hath made him to bee feared and respected and honoured by Kings and Princes; And why may not the same power in the hands of a Protestant Clergy, make the meanest and the highest to feare and dread them? But some will say, the Word of God being the Touchstone wherewith they are to try what points may be the subjects of their censures, by such a light and guidance they are not like to erre. But they then being themselves the Judges of the sense and meaning of the Word, who shall oppose their judgment, and their ensuing censures? What if to their triall and judgment they shall bring any Law enacted by a High Court of Parliament, and shall judge it not according to the Word of God, and so presse it to the peoples consciences; threatning with their censures such as shall obey it? in such a case how may the power of the keyes unlock and open a doore to the people of rebellion against their lawfull Magistrates? Oh what dangers may befall a Common-wealth, when thus the Clergy shall stand over poor and rich, Subject and Magistrate, as _Peters_ statue at _Rome_, with Crosse-keyes in his hand? What a rebellion did the Archbishop of _Mexico_ cause by excommunicating _Don Pedro Mexia_ first, and then the Viceroy? and how did the people fear his keyes more then their Viceroys temporall power and authority, siding with him against such as hee had excommunicated? What troubles did that Doctor _Smith_ Bishop of _Chalcedon_ bring among the Papists, small and great ones, not long agoe here in _England_, laying upon them by the power of the Keyes a censure of Excommunication, if they confessed to, or did entertaine and heare the Masse of any, that had not derived their authority from him? Then were they in open rebellion one against another; the Secular Preists against the Monkes, Fryers, and Jesuites, and the Laity all troubled, some siding with one, and some with another, untill Doctor _Smith_ having thus kindled the fire, was faine to leave it burning, and to betake himself to _Paris_, and from thence to foment the dissention which with power of the Keyes hee had caused here.

Oh surely the Church so far is a good Mother, as it allowes a Magistrate to be a Father. And great comfort have those that live within the pale of the Church, to know that they have the Magistrate a Father to flye unto in their pressures and discomforts.

I must ingenuously confesse that one maine point that brought me from the Church of _Rome_, was the too too great power of the Keyes in the Popes, Bishops, and Preists hands, who studying more selfe Policy, then common Policy, looke upon the people, and with their power deale with them more as their subjects, then as politicall Members in a Common-wealth, rending and tearing them daily by their censures from that common and Politicall body to which they belong, without any hopes of care to bee had of them by their Magistrate and Politicall head and Governour. And I hope I shall not have fled from Antichrist who exalteth himself as head of the Church, and from that power hath his influence over all State and Politicall Heads and Rulers; to find in a Protestant Church any of his spirit, making a distinction of a spirituall and temporall head, forgetting the onely head Christ Jesus; which were it once granted, as the spirit is more noble then the body, so would the inference soon bee made, that they that are over the spirit, are higher in power then they that are over the body; which conclusion would soon bring _Mexicoes_ troubles among Protestants. Experience in all my travails by sea and land, in most parts of _Europe_ and of _America_, hath ever taught mee, that where the Clergy hath been too much exalted and enjoyed power over the people, there the Common-wealth hath soon fallen into heavy pressures and troubles. And let not this my observation seem strange as coming from a Minister, for I have learned from Christ, _Matth._ 20. 25, 26, 27. _That the Princes of the Gentiles exercise Dominion, and they that are great exercise authority. But it shall not bee so among you, but whosoever will bee great among you, let him bee your Minister; and whosoever will bee chiefe among you, let him be your Servant._

I hope the High Court of Parliament will so settle the Church and State here that this shall not feare any further troubles from that; and that wee who have our portion from the one, may bee Ministers and Servants under the Commissioners of the other. And thus largely I have described the State and condition of _Mexico_ in the time of _Montezuma_, and since his death the manner and proportion of it, with the troubled condition I found it in when I went thither, by reason of a mutiny and rebellion caused by an Arch-Bishop the yeer before. I shall now come out of _Mexico_, and present unto you the places most remarkable about it; and from thence the severall parts and Countries of _America_, before I betake my self to the journey which I made from _Mexico_ to _Guatemala_, lying nine hundred _English_ miles Southward, and from thence yet to _Costarica_, and _Nicoya_, being nine hundred miles further towards the South.

CHAP. XIII.

_Shewing the severall parts of this new World of_ America; _and the places of note about the famous City of_ Mexico.

Although my travailes by Sea and Land in _America_ were not above three or foure thousand miles (which is not the fift part of it, if exactly compassed) yet for the better compleating of this my worke I thought fit to inlarge my self to a full division of the many and sundry parts thereof, here first in generall; and hereafter more in particular of those parts wherein I lived twelve yeeres, and of those which I more exactly noted and observed as I travailed and passed through them. The chief division therefore of this greatest part of the World, is twofold onely, to wit, the _Mexicans_, and the _Peruan_ parts, which containe many great and sundry Provinces and Countries, some as big as our whole Kingdom of _England_. But _Mexico_ giving name to halfe _America_, is now called _Nova Hispania_, new _Spain_, from whence the Kings of _Spain_ doe stile themselves, _Hispaniarum Reges_. The _Mexican_ part containeth chiefly the Northern Tract, and comprehendeth these Provinces hitherto knowne and discovered, to wit, _Mexico, Quivira, Nicaragua, Jucatan, Florida, Virginia, Norumbega, Nova Francia, Corterialis_, and _Estotilandia_. The compasse of this part of _America_ is thirteen thousand miles. The _Peruan_ part containeth all the Southern Tract, and is tyed to the _Mexican_ by the _Isthmus_ or strait of _Darien_, being no more then 17 or as others say, in the narrowest place but 12 miles broad from the North to the South Sea. And many have mentioned to the Councell of _Spain_, the cutting of a Navigable Channell through this small _Isthmus_, so to shorten the Voiage to _China_, and the _Moluccoes_. But the Kings of _Spain_ have not as yet attempted to doe it, some say lest in the worke hee should lose those few _Indians_ that are left (would to God it were so that they were and had been so carefull and tender of the poore _Indians_ lives, more populous would that vast and spatious Countrey bee at this day:) but others say he hath not attempted that great worke, lest the passage by the Cape _Bona Esperanza_ good hope, being left off, those Seas might become a receptacle of Pirates. However this hath not been attempted by the _Spaniards_, they give not for reason any extraordinary great charge, for that would soone bee recompensed with the speedy and easie conveying that way the Commodities from South to North Seas. This _Peruan_ part of _America_ containeth these Countries, or Kingdomes, to wit, _Castella aurea, Guiana, Peru, Brasil, Chille_; and the compasse of it is seventeen thousand miles. I shall not speake distinctly of all these parts, which better writers, and of more knowledge have before mee discovered; and because some of them being out of the _Spaniards_ reach and dominion, from whom I have received my best intelligence, I have from them had little notice of them, nor experience, which indeed I intend to make my best guide in this my worke. Therefore to returne again to the _Mexican_ part, and the Northern Tract, I shall fall again upon the first and chiefe member of that division, which I said was _Mexico_. This aboundeth with golden sanded rivers, in which are many Crocodiles (though not so big as those of _Egypt_), which the _Indian_ people eat. It glorieth in the mountaines _Popochampeche_, and _Popocatepec_, which are of the same nature with _Ætna_ and _Vesuvius_. Nay all the way South-ward as farre as _Leon_ in _Nicaragua_, there are many of these fiery mountaines. But _Popocatepec_ is one of the chiefe of them, which signifieth a hill of smoake, for many times it casteth out smoake and fire; it standeth eight leagues from _Chololla_; the ascending up unto it is very troublesome, and full of craggie rocks. When _Cortez_ passed that way to _Mexico_, he sent ten _Spaniards_ to view it, with many _Indians_ to carry their victuals, and to guide them in the way. They approached so nigh the top, that they heard such a terrible noyse which proceeded from thence, that they durst not goe unto it, for the ground did tremble and shake, and great quantity of ashes did much disturb their way. But yet two of them who seemed to be most hardie, and desirous to see strange things, went up to the top, because they would not return with a sleevelesse answer, and that they might not be accounted cowards, leaving their fellowes behind them, proceeded forwards, and passed through that desart of ashes, and at length came under a great smoake very thick, and standing there a while, the darknesse vanished partly away, and then appeared the Vulcan and concavity, which is about halfe a league in compasse, out of the which the aire came rebounding with a very great noise, very shrill and whistling, so that the whole hill did tremble; it was like unto an oven where glasse is made. The smoake and heat was so great that they could not abide it, and of force were constrained to return by the way that they had ascended. But they were not gone farre, when the Vulcan began to flash out flames of fire, ashes and embers, yea and at the last stones of burning fire, and if they had not chanced to find a rocke, under which they shadowed themselves, undoubtedly they had there been burned. It is like unto the Vulcan of _Sicilia_, it is high and round, and never wanteth snow about some part of it. Before the coming of _Cortez_ for ten yeers space it had left off expelling vapour or smoake; but in the yeer 1540. it began again to burn, and with the horrible noyse thereof, the people that dwelt four leagues from it were terrified; the ashes that proceeded then from it reached to _Tlaxcallan_, which standeth ten leagues distant from it; yea some affirme that it extended fifteen leagues distant, and burned the herbs in the gardens, the corne in the fields, and clothes that lay a drying. And many such hils and mountaines doth this _Mexican_ part of _America_, or new _Spaine_ abound with. The limits of it are on the East, _Jucatan_, and the gulfe of _Mexico_, on the West _Californio_, on the South the _Peruan_ part. The Northern bounds are unknowne, so that we cannot certainly avow this _America_ to be continent, nor certainly affirme it to be an Island, distinguished from the old world. It was very populous before the arrivall of the _Spaniards_, who in seventeen yeers slew six millions of them, roasting some, plucking out the eyes, cutting off the arms of others, and casting them living to be devoured of wilde beasts. This chiefe Province of _America_ named _Mexico_, is further subdivided into four parts, that is to say, _Themistitan, Nova Galicia, Mechoacan_, and _Guastachan. Themistitan_ is the greatest and noblest of these foure; for that it containeth six Cities, and of them one is _Mexico_, which giveth name to the halfe part of _America_, and is the seat of an Arch-bishop, and of the _Spanish_ Viceroy, whose greatnesse within I have before laid open; the second City is _La Puebla de las Angeles_, the City of Angels; the third _Villaruca_, the fourth _Antiquera_; the fifth _Meccioca_; the sixth _Ottopan_. But all these, excepting the two first, are but small places, named Citties formerly, for that the _Spaniards_ thought to have made them Bishops seats, which they have not been able to performe, by reason that _Mexico_ and the City of _Angels_ hath drawne to them the chiefe trading, and most of the inhabitants of the other foure. Especially the resort to _Mexico_ is so great, that all the Townes about (which formerly were of _Indians_) are now inhabited by _Spaniards_ and _Mestizoes_. I may not omit about _Mexico_ that famous place of _Chapultepec_, which in the Heathens times was the burying place of the Emperours; and now by the _Spaniards_ is the Escuriall of _America_, where the Viceroyes that die are also interred. There is a sumptuous palace built with many fair gardens, and devises of waters, and ponds of fish, whither the Viceroyes and the gentry of _Mexico_ do resort for their recreation. The riches here belonging to the Viceroyes Chappell are thought to be worth above a million of crownes.

_Tacuba_ is also a pleasant Towne full of orchards and gardens, in the very way to _Chapultepec_. South-ward is _Toluco_, rich also for trading, but above all much mentioned for the Bacon, which is the best of all those parts, and is transported far and neer. West-ward is the Towne called, _La Piedad_ at the end of a Cawsey, whither the people much resort from _Mexico_, being drawn to the superstitious worship of a picture of _Mary_, which hath been enriched by the chiefe of _Mexico_ with many thousand pounds worth of gifts of chaines, and crownes of gold.

But more Northwest-ward three leagues from _Mexico_ is the pleasantest place of all that are about _Mexico_, called _La Soledad_, and by others _el desierto_, the solitary or desert place and wildernesse. Were all wildernesses like it, to live in a wildernesse would be better then to live in a City. This hath been a device of poor Fryers named discalced, or barefooted Carmelites, who to make shew of their hypocriticall and apparent godlinesse, and that whilst they would be thought to live like Eremites, retired from the world, they may draw the world unto them; they have built there a stately Cloister, which being upon a hill and among rocks makes it to be more admired. About the Cloister they have fashioned out many holes and Caves in, under, and among the rocks, like Eremites lodgings, with a room to lie in, and an Oratory to pray in, with pictures, and Images, and rare devices for mortification, as disciplines of wyar, rods of iron, haire-cloths, girdles with sharp wyar pointes to girdle about their bare flesh, and many such like toyes which hang about their Oratories, to make people admire their mortified and holy lives. All these Eremeticall holes and caves (which are some ten in all) are within the bounds and compasse of the Cloister, and among orchards and gardens full of fruits and flowers, which may take up two miles compasse; and here among the rockes are many springs of water, which with the shade of the plantins and other trees, are most coole and pleasant to the Eremites; they have also the sweet smell of the rose and jazmin, which is a little flower, but the sweetest of all others; there is not any other flower to be found that is rare and exquisite in that countrey, which is not in that wildernesse to delight the senses of those mortified Eremites. They are weekly changed from the Cloister, and when their weeke is ended, others are sent, and they return unto their Cloister; they carry with them their bottles of wine, sweet-meats, and other provision; as for fruits the trees about do drop them into their mouthes. It is wonderfull to see the strange devises of fountains of water which are about the gardens; but much more strange and wonderfull to see the resort of Coaches, and gallants, and Ladies, and Citizens from _Mexico_ thither, to walke and make merry in those desart pleasures, and to see those hypocrites, whom they looke upon as living Saints, and so think nothing too good for them, to cherish them in their desart conflicts with Satan. None goes to them but carries some sweet-meats, or some other dainty dish to nourish and feed them withall; whose prayers they likewise earnestly solicite, leaving them great almes of mony for their masses; and above all, offering to a picture in their Church, called our Lady of _Carmel_, treasures of diamonds, pearles, golden chaines and crownes, and gownes of cloth of gold and silver. Before this picture did hang in my time twenty lampes of silver; the worst of them being worth a hundred pound; truely Satan hath given unto them what he offered Christ in the desart, All these things wil I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me; all the dainties and of all the riches of _America_ hath he given unto them in that their desart, for that they daily fall downe and worship him. In the way to this place there is another Towne yet called _Tacubaya_, where is a rich Cloister of Franciscans, and also many gardens and orchards, but above all much resorted to for the musicke in that Church, wherein the Friers have made the _Indians_ so dexterous and skilfull, that they dare compare with the Cathedrall Church of _Mexico_. These were the chiefe places of mine and my friends resort, whilst I abode about _Mexico_, which I found to be most worth a History, and so thought fit here to insert them, and so passe on to the other parts or Provinces of _Mexico_.

Next to this is the Province of _Guastachan_, which lieth in the rode from _St. John de Ulhua_ to _Mexico_, which is not so poore as _Heylin_ maketh it, for that now it doth abound with many rich farmes of Sugar, and of Cochinil, and reacheth as farre as the Valley of _Guaxaca_ which is a most rich place. The chiefe City of this Province was wont to be _Tlaxcallan_, whereof I have formerly spoken; but now the City of _Guaxaca_ which is a Bishops seat, and _Xalappa_ which is also of late made a Bishops seat, makes it more famous. It glorieth also in _Villa Rica_ a Port Towne very wealthy, because all the traffique betwixt the Old and New _Spains_ do passe through it. The _Spaniards_ have in it two rich Colonies, called _Pamico_, and _St. James_ in the valleys. The third Province of _Mexico_ is called _Mechoacan_, which containeth in circuit fourscore leagues. It is also an exceeding rich countrey, abounding in Mulberry trees, silk, hony, wax, black-amber, works of divers coloured feathers, most rich, rare, and exquisite, and such store of fish, that from thence it tooke its name, _Mechuoucan_, which signifieth a place of fishing.

The language of the _Indians_ is most elegant and copious, and they tall, strong, active, and of very good wits, as may be seen in all their workes, but especially in those of feathers, which are so curious, that they are presented for rich presents to the King and Nobles of _Spaine_. The chiefe City of this Province is _Valladolid_ a Bishops-seat; and the best Townes are _Sinfonte_, which was the residence of the Kings of this countrey. There is also _Pascuar_ and _Colima_ very great Townes inhabited by _Indians_ and _Spaniards_. There are also two good havens, called _St. Anthony_, and _St. James_, or _Santiago_. This country of _Mechoacan_ was almost as great as the Empire of _Mexico_, when _Cortez_ conquered those parts. The King that was then of _Mechoacan_ was called _Caconzin_, who was a great friend unto _Cortez_, and a servitor to the _Spaniards_, and willingly yeelded himselfe as vassall to the King of _Spaine_; yet such was the cruelty of _Don Nunio de Guzman_, the first Ruler and President of the Chancery of _Mexico_ after the conquest, that understanding he was put out of his office, he tooke his journey against the _Teuchichimecas_, and carried in his company five hundred _Spaniards_, with whom and six thousand _Indians_ which by force he tooke out of _Mechoacan_, he conquered _Xalixco_ which is now called the new _Galicia_. And as for this purpose hee passed through _Mechoacan_, he tooke Prisoner the King _Caconzin_, (who was quiet and peaceable and stirred not against him) and tooke from him ten thousand markes of plate, and much gold and other treasure, and afterwards burned him, and many other _Indian_ Gentlemen and principall persons of that Kingdome, because they should not complaine, saying that a dead dog biteth not. They were in this Kingdome as superstitious and idolatrous as in the rest of _America_. No divorcement was permitted amongst them, except the party made a solemn oath, that they looked not the one on the other stedfastly and directly at the time of their marriage. In the burying likewise of their Kings they were superstitious, cruell, and Idolatrous. When any King of _Mechoacan_ happened to be brought to such extremity of sicknesse that hope of life was past; then did he name and appoint which of his sons should inherit the state and Crown, and being known the new King or heir presently sent for all the Governours, Captains, and valiant souldiers, who had any office or charge, to come unto the buriall of his father, and he that came not, from thenceforth was held for a Traitour, and so punished. When the death of the old King was certaine, then came all degrees of estates, and did bring their presents to the new King for the approbation of his Kingdome: But if the King were not throughly dead, but at the point of death, then the gates were shut in, and none permitted to enter; and if he were throughly dead, then began a generall cry and mourning, and they were permitted to come where their dead King lay, and to touch him with their hands. This being done the carkasse was washed with sweet waters, and then a fine shirt put upon him, and a payre of shooes made of Dear skinne put on his feet, and about his ankles were tied bells of gold, about the wrists of his hands were put bracelets of Turkises and of gold likewise; about his neck they did hang collars of pretious stones and also of gold, and rings in his eares, with a great Turkise in his neither lip. Then his body was laid upon a large Beere whereon was placed a good bed under him; on his one side lay a bow with a quiver of arrowes, and on his other side lay an Image made of fine mantles of his own stature or bignesse, with a great tuffe of fine feathers, shooes upon his feet, with bracelets and a collar of gold. While this was a doing, others were busied in washing the men and women, which should be slain for to accompany him into hell. These wretches that were to be slain, were first banqueted and filled with drinke, because they should receive their death with lesse paine. The new King did appoint those who should die for to serve the King his father; and many of those simple soules esteemed that death so odious for a thing of immortall glorious. First six Gentlewomen of noble birth were appointed to die; the one to have the office of keeper of his jewels, which he was wont to weare; another for the office of cup-bearer; another to give him water with a bason and Ewer; another to give him alwaies the Urinall; another to be his Cooke; and another to serve for Landress. They slew also many women, slaves, and free-maidens for to attend upon the Gentlewomen, and moreover one of every occupation within the City. When all these that were appointed to die were washed, and their bellies full with meat and drinke, then they painted their faces yellow, and put garlands of sweet flowers upon each of their heads. Then they went in order of procession before the Beere, whereon the dead King was carried; some went playing on instruments made of Snail shells, and others played upon bones and shells of Sea Tortois, others went whistling, and the most part weeping. The sons of the dead King and other Noble men carried upon their shoulders the Beere where the Corps lay, and proceeded with an easie pace towards the Temple of the God called _Curicaveri_; his kinsmen went round about the Beer singing a sorrowfull song. The officers and houshold-servants of the Court, with other Magistrates and Rulers of justice bare the Standards and divers other Arms. And about midnight they departed in the order aforesaid out of the Kings Palace with great light of fire-brands, and with a heavy noyse of their trumpets and drummes. The Citizens which dwelt where the Corse passed, attended to make clean the street. And when they were come to the Temple, they went four times round about a great fire which was prepared of Pine tree to burn the dead body. Then the Beer was laid upon the fire, and in the meane while that the body was burning, they mawled with a club those which had the garlands, and afterward buried them four and four as they were apparelled behind the Temple. The next day in the morning the ashes, bones and jewels were gathered and laid upon a rich mantle, the which was carried to the Temple gate, where the Preists attended to blesse those divellish reliques, whereof they made a dow or paste, and thereof an Image, which was apparelled like a man, with a visor on his face, and all other sorts of jewels that the dead King was wont to weare, so that it seemed a gallant Idoll. At the foot of the Temple staires they opened a grave ready made, which was square, large, two fadome deepe, it was also hanged with new mats roundabout, and a faire bed therein, in the which one of the Preists placed the Idoll made of ashes with his eyes towards the East part, and did hang round about the walls Targets of gold and silver, with bowes and arrows, and many gallant tuffes of feathers with earthen vessels, as pots, dishes, and platters, so that the grave was filled up with houshold-stuffe, chests covered with leather, apparel, Jewels, meate drinke and armour. This done, the grave was shut up and made sure with beames, boardes, and floored with earth on the top. All those Gentlemen who had served or touched any thing in the buriall, washed themselves and went to dinner in the Court or yard of the Kings house without any table, and having dined they wiped their hands upon certain lockes of Cotton-wooll, hanging downe their heads, and not speaking any word, except it were to aske for drinke. This ceremonie endured five daies, and in all that time no fire was permitted to be kindled in the City, except in the Kings house and Temples, nor yet any corne was ground, or market kept, nor any durst goe out of their houses, shewing all the sorrow that might be possible for the death of their King. And this was the superstitious manner of burying the Kings of _Mechoacan_. This people did punish adultery most rigorously; for to commit it was death as well for the man as the woman. But if the adulterer were a Gentleman, his head was decked with feathers, and after that he was hanged, and his body burned; and for this offence was no pardon, either for man or woman. But for avoiding of adultery they did permit other common women, but no publike and ordinary stewes. Now the _Indians_ of _Mechoacan_ are greatly taken with the popish devices, and are strong in that religion, as any part of _America_.

The fourth and last Province of the Countrey or Empire of _Mexico_, is called _Galicia nova_, and is watered with two very great rivers, the one named _Piastle_, and the other _San Sebastian_. This Province glorieth in many great Townes of _Indians_; but especially in six, inhabited both by _Indians_ and _Spaniards_; the first and chiefest is _Xalisco_, taken by _Nunio de Guzman_ 1530. when he fled from _Mexico_ in a rage, and tooke prisoner and burned the King of _Mechoacan_. The second is _Guadalaiara_. The third _Coanum_. The fourth _Compostella_. The fifth, _St. Espirit_. The sixth, _Capola_, which now is called _Nova Mexico_, new _Mexico_. And here it is that the _Spaniards_ are daily warring against the _Indians_ which live Northward, and are not as yet reduced nor brought under the _Spanish_ yoake and government. They are valiant _Indians_, and hold the _Spaniards_ hard to it; and have great advantage against them in the rocks and mountaines, where they abide and cut off many _Spaniards_. Their chief weapons are but bowes and arrowes, and yet with them from the thick Woods, hils and rockes they annoy and offend the _Spaniards_ exceedingly. I have heard some _Spaniards_ say that they flie and climbe up the rocks like Goates; and when they draw nigh unto them, then they cry out with a hideous noise shooting their arrowes at them, and in an instant are departed and fled unto another rock. The reason why the _Spaniards_ are so earnest to pursue and conquer these _Indians_, more then many others of _America_, which as yet are not brought in subjection to the _Spaniards_, is for the many Mines of silver and treasure of gold which they know to bee there. They have got already sure possession of part of those riches in the Mines, called St. _Lewis Sacatecas_, from whence they send all the silver that is coyned in the Mint houses of _Mexico_ and the City of _Angels_, and every yeere besides to _Spain_ in silver wedges at least six Millions. But the further the _Spaniards_ goe to the North, still more riches they discover; and faine would they subdue all those Northern parts (as I have heard them say) lest our _English_ from _Virginia_, and their other plantations, get in before them. I have heard them wonder that our _English_ enter no further into the maine land; surely say they, either they feare the _Indians_, or else with a little paultry Tobacco they have as much as will maintaine them in lazinesse. Certainly they intend to conquer through those heathenish _Indians_, untill by land they come to _Florida_ and _Virginia_, (for so they boast) if they bee not met with by some of our Northern Nations of _Europe_, who may better keep them off then those poor _Indians_, and may doe God greater and better service with those rich Mines, then the _Spaniards_ hitherto have done.

Thus having spoken somewhat of the foure Provinces of _Mexico_, which was the first member of the division _Mexican_ and _Peruan_; Now I shall briefly say somewhat further of three more Countries belonging to the _Mexican_ or Northern Tract as opposite to the _Peruan_, omiting _Florida, Virginia, Norumbega, Nova Francia Corterialis_, and _Estotilandia_, because I will not write as many doe by relation and hearsay, but by more sure intelligence, insight and experience. In my first division next to _Mexico_, I placed _Quivira, Jucatan_, and _Nicaragua_; of these three therefore I shall say a little, and then some what of the _Peruan_ part. _Quivira_ is seated on the most Western part of _America_, just over against _Tartary_, from whence being not much distant some suppose that the Inhabitants first came into this new World. And indeed the _Indians_ of _America_ in many things seeme to bee of the race and progenie of the _Tartars_, in that _Quivira_ and all the West side of the Country towards _Asia_ is farre more populous then the East towards _Europe_, which sheweth these parts to have been first inhabited. Secondly, their uncivility, and barbarous properties tell us that they are most like the _Tartars_ of any. Thirdly, the West side of _America_ if it bee not continent with _Tartary_, is yet disjoyned by a small straight. Fourthly, the people of _Quivira_ neerest to _Tartary_, are said to follow the seasons and pasturing of their cattell like the _Tartarians_. All this side of _America_ is full of herbage, and injoyeth a temperate aire. The people are desirous of glasse more then of gold; and in some places to this day are Cannibals. The chief riches of this Country are their Kine, which are to them as we say of our Ale to drunkards, meat, drink and cloth, and more too. For the Hides yeeld them houses, or at least the coverings of them; their bones bodkins, their hair thred, their sinews ropes; their horns, mawes and bladders, vessels; their dung, fire; their Calve skinnes, budgets to draw and keepe water; their blood, drink; their flesh, meat.

There is thought to bee some traffique from _China_, or _Cathaya_, hither to those parts, where as yet the _Spaniards_ have not entred. For when _Vazquez de Coronado_ conquered some part of it, hee saw in the further Sea certaine ships, not of common making; which seemed to bee well laden, and bare in their prowes, Pelicans, which could not bee conjectured to come from any Country, but one of these two. In _Quivira_ there are but two Provinces knowne unto us, which are _Cibola_, and _Nova Albion. Cibola_ lyeth on the Eastside, whose chief City is of the same name, and denominates the whole Province. The chief Town next to _Cibola_ is called _Totontaa_, which is temperate and pleasant, being situated upon a River so called. The third Town worth mentioning is called _Tinguez_, which was burnt by the _Spaniards_; who under the conduct of _Francisco Vasquez de Coronado_ made this Province subject to the King of _Spain, Anno Dom._ 1540. And since this Town of _Tinguez_ hath been rebuilt and inhabited by the _Spaniards_; There is a goodly Colledge of Jesuites, who only preach to the _Indians_ of that country. _Nova Albion_ lyeth on the West side towards _Tartary_, and is very little inhabited by the _Spaniards_, who have found no wealth or riches there. Our ever Renowned and Noble Captain Sir _Francis Drake_ discovered it, entred upon it, and hee named it _Nova Albion_, because the King that then was, did willingly submit himself unto our Queen _Elizabeth_.

The Country abounds with fruits pleasing both the eye and the Palate. The people are given to hospitality, but withall to witchcraft and adoration of devils. The bounds between this _Quivira_ and _Mexico_ Empire is _Mar Virmiglio_, or _Californio_. The third Kingdome belonging to the _Mexican_ part and Northern Tract is _Jucatan_; which was first discovered by _Francisco Hernandez de Cordova_, in the year 1517. It is called _Jucatan_, not as some have conceited from _Joctan_ the son of Heber, who they thinke came out of the East, where the Scripture placeth him, _Gen._ 12. 23. to inhabite here, but from _Jucatan_ which in the _Indian_ tongue, signifieth, what say you? for when the _Spaniards_ at their first arriving in that Country did aske of the _Indians_ the name of the place, the Savages not understanding what they meaned, replyed unto them _Jucatan_, which is, what say you? whereupon the _Spaniards_ named it, and ever since have called it _Jucatan_. The whole Country is at least 900 miles in circuit, and is a _Peninsula_. It is situated over against the Isle of _Cuba_; and is divided into three parts, first _Jucatan_ it selfe, whose Cities of greatest worth, are _Campeche, Valladolid, Merida, Simaricas_, and one which for his greatnesse and beauty, they call _Caire_. This Country among the _Spaniards_ is held to bee poor; the chief Commodities in it are hony, wax, Hides, and some Sugar, but no Indigo, Cochinil, nor Mines of silver; There are yet some drugs much esteemed of by the Apothecaries, _Cana fistula, Zarzaparilla_ especially; and great store of _Indian Maiz_. There is also abundance of good Wood and Timber fit for shipping, whereof the _Spaniards_ doe make very strong ships, which they use in their voiages to _Spain_ and back again. In the yeer 1632. the _Indians_ of this Country in many places of it were like to rebell against their _Spanish_ Governour, who vexed them sorely, making them bring in to him their Fowles and Turkies (whereof there is also great abundance) and their hony and wax, (wherein hee traded) at the rate and price which hee pleased to set them for his better advantage; which was such a disadvantage to them, that to enrich him they impoverished themselves; and so resolved to betake themselves to the Woods and Mountaines; where in a rebellious way they continued some Months, untill the Franciscan Fryers, who have there great power over them, reduced them back, and the Governour (lest hee should quite lose that Country by a further rebellion) granted to them not onely a generall pardon in the Kings name, but for the future promised to use them more mildly and gently.

The second part of it is called _Guatemala_, (wherein I lived for the space of almost twelve yeers) whose Inhabitants have lost formerly halfe a million of their kinsmen and friends by the unmercifull dealing of the _Spaniards_; and yet for all the losse of so many thousands, there is no part of _America_ more flourishing then this with great and populous _Indians_ Townes. They may thank the Fryers who defend them daily against the _Spaniards_ cruelty, and this yet for their owne ends; for while the _Indians_ flourish and increase, the Fryers purses flourish also and are filled. This Country is very fresh and plentifull. The chief Cities are _Guatemala, Cassuca_, and _Chiapa_; whereof I shall speak more largely hereafter. The third part of _Jucatan_ is _Acasamil_, which is an Island over against _Guatemala_ which is now commonly called by the _Spaniards Sta Cruz_, whose chief Towne is _Sta. Cruz_.

The fourth and last Country of the division of the _Mexican_ part and Northern Tract of _America_ (which is under the _Spanish_ Government, and my best knowledge and experience) is _Nicaragua_, which standeth South East from _Mexico_, and above foure hundred and fifty leagues from it. Yet it agreeth somewhat with _Mexico_ in nature both of soile and Inhabitants. The people are of good stature, and of colour indifferent white. They had, before they received Christianity, a setled and politick forme of Government; Onely, as _Solon_ appointed no Law for a mans killing of his father, so had this people none for the murtherer of a King, both of them conceiting, that men were not so unnaturall, as to commit such crimes. A theef they judged not to death, but adjudged him to be slave to that man whom hee had robbed; till by his service hee had made satisfaction: a course truely more mercifull and not lesse just, then the losse of life.

This Countrey is so pleasing to the eye, and abounding in all things necessary, that the _Spaniards_ call it _Mahomets_ Paradise. Among other flourishing trees, here groweth one of that nature, that a man cannot touch any of its branches, but it withereth presently. It is as plentifull of Parrets, as our Countrey of _England_ is of Crowes; Turkies, Fowles, Quailes and Rabbets are ordinary meat there. There are many populous _Indian_ Townes (though not so many as about _Guatemala_) in this Countrey; and especially two Cities of _Spaniards_, the one _Leon_, a Bishops Seat, and the other _Granada_, which standeth upon a Lake of fresh water, which hath above three hundred miles in compasse, and having no intercourse with the Ocean, doth yet continually ebbe and flow. But of this Countrey, and of this City especially I shall say somewhat more, when I come to speake of my travailing through it.

Thus I have briefly touched upon the _Mexican_ part, and so much of the Northern Tract as is under the King of _Spain_ his Dominion, leaving more particulars, untill I come to shew the order of my being in and journeying through some of these Countries. I will now likewise give you a glimpse of the Southern Tract, and _Peruan_ part of _America_. Which containeth chiefly five great Countries or Kingdomes, some in whole, and others in part, subject to the Crown of _Spain_ and _Portugal_, which are, first _Castella aurea_; secondly, _Gujana_; thirdly, _Peru_; fourthly, _Brasile_; fifthly, _Chille_. But I will not fill my History with what others have written of the foure last named Countries, wherein I was not much; but what I could learne of _Peru_, I will briefly speak, and so come to the first _Castella aurea_, through which I travailed. _Peru_ is held to be yet more rich a Countrey then is _Mexico_; for although it hath not the conveniency of trafique by the North Sea, which _Mexico_ hath; but doth send the Commodities in it to _Panama_, and from thence transports them either over the straight _Isthmus_, or by the River _Chiagre_ to _Portabel_ upon the North Sea; yet the Countrey is farre richer then _Mexico_, by reason of the more abundance of Mines of silver which are in it. The mountaines named _Potosi_ are thought to be of no other metall, which the King of _Spain_ will not have to be opened until they have exhausted those which are already discovered and digged, and have found the _Spaniards_ worke enough, and yeelded them treasure enough ever since they first conquered those parts. The soile is very fruitfull of all such fruits as are found in _Spain_. The Olives are bigger then those of _Spain_, the oyle sweeter and cleerer. The Grapes yeeld also a wine farre stronger then any of _Spain_, and there is much made, by reason it cannot conveniently bee brought from _Spain_. There is likewise wheat in great store; and all this fruitfull soile lyeth low under high Mountaines which divide betwixt _Indians_ not as yet conquered and _Brasile_. But those Mountaines are a great helpe unto those pleasant Valleys with the waters that fall from them; for in all those parts inhabited by _Spaniards_ towards the South Sea, it is most certain and most observable that it never raineth, in so much that the houses are uncovered on the tops, and onely matts laid over them to keep off the dust, and yet is this Countrey what with the waters that fall from the Mountaines, what with the morning and evening dewes, as fruitfull and plentifull as any Countrey in the World. The chief City is called _Lima_, where there is a Viceroy and a Court of Chancery, and an Arch-Bishop. It hath a Port some two miles from it named _Callau_; where lie the ships that convey yearly the treasure of that Kingdome to _Panama_. There lie also other ships, which trafique to the _East-India's_, and to all the Coasts of _Guatemala_, and to _Acapulco_ the Southern Haven of _Mexico_. This Port of _Callau_ is not so strong as the great, nay inestimable wealth that is commonly in it and in the City of _Lima_ should require, for I have heard many _Spaniards_ say, that in the yeare 1620. a few ships of _Hollanders_ (as some say) or of _English_ (as others affirme) appeared before the Haven waiting for the ships that were to convey the Kings revenews to _Panama_, and hearing that they were departed (though by a false report) followed them, and so forsooke the attempting to take the _Callau_; which certainly had they manly attempted, they had taken it, and in it the greatest treasure that in any one part of the world could have beene found. But the _Spaniards_ seldome see thereabout foraine ships, and so live more carelesly in securing or strengthning that Coast. Though _Peru_ bee thus rich in fruits and Mines, yet _Chille_ farre exceedeth it in gold; which edgeth the _Spaniards_ to a constant and continuall Warre with the Inhabitants, which are a strong, warlike, and most valiant people. They are grown as skilfull in the use of weapons, swords, Pistols and Muskets as the _Spaniards_, and have taken many _Spaniards_, men and women prisoners; and or the _Spanish_ women have had so many children, called _Mestizoes_, that by them (who have proved most valiant) they have much increased both their strength and skill. They hold the _Spaniards_ hard to it, and the War is become the most dangerous of any the _Spaniards_ have; in so much that the Counsell of _Spain_ doth pick out from _Flanders_ and _Italy_, the best souldiers to send them thither. And a Captaine that hath served long, well and faithfully in _Flanders_, by way of credit and promotion is sent to the Warres of _Chille_, to fight for that great treasure of gold, which certainly is there. The _Spaniards_ have in it three faire Cities; the _Conception_ (which is a Bishops Seat) and _Santiago_, and _Valdivia_. This last is so named from one _Valdivia_, who was Governour of it, and the first cause and author of those Wars.

This man was so extraordinarily covetous of the gold of that Countrey, that hee would not let the _Indians_ possesse or injoy any of it themselves; but did vex them, whip, and beat, yea and kill some of them, because they brought him not enough, and imployed them daily in seeking it out for him, charging them with a tax and imposition of so much a day: which the _Indians_ not being able to performe, nor to satisfie an unsatiable minde and greedy covetousnesse, resolved to rebell, but so that first they would fill and satiate his heart with gold so that hee should never more covet after that yellow and glittering metall. Wherefore they joyned and combined themselves together in a warlike posture, and tooke some quantity of gold and melted it, and with it resolutely came upon _Valdivia_ the Governour, saying, O _Valdivia_ we see thou hast a greedy and unsatiable minde and desire after our gold; wee have not been able to satisfie thee with it hitherto; but now wee have devised a way to satiate this thy greedy covetousnesse; here is now enough, drink thy full of it; and with these words they tooke him, and powred the melted gold downe his throat, wherewith he died, never more coveting after that bright and shining drosse, and naming with his name and death that City of _Valdivia_, and with his covetousnesse leaving a rebellion which hath continued to a cruell and bloody War unto this day.

_Guiana_ and _Brasile_ I shall omit to speak of, not having been in any part of them. _Brasile_ is little talked of by the _Spaniards_, belonging to the Crowne of _Portugall_, and now part of it to the high and mighty States of the _Netherlands_, who will better satisfie by their Histories, and acquaint _Europe_ with the riches that are in it.

I return unto the first part mentioned by me in the Southern and _Peruan_ Tract, which was said to bee _Castella aurea_, golden _Castile_, so called for the abundance of gold that is found in it. This containeth the Northern part of _Peruana_, and part of the _Isthmus_, which runneth between the North and South Sea. Besides the gold in it, yet it is admirably stored with silver, Spices, Pearls, and medicinall Herbes. It is divided into foure Provinces. The first is called _Castella del oro_; the second, _Nova Andaluzia_; the third _Nova Granada_; the fourth, _Carthagena. Castella del oro_ is situated in the very _Isthmus_, and is not very populous by reason of the unhealthfulnesse of the aire, and noisome savour of the standing pooles. The chief places belonging to the _Spaniards_, are first _Theonimay_, or _Nombre de Dios_ on the East; the second, which is six leagues from _Nombre de Dios_ is _Portabel_, now chiefly inhabited by the _Spaniards_ and Mulattoes, and Blackmores, and _Nombre de Dios_ almost utterly forsaken by reason of its unhealthfulnesse. The ships which were wont to anchor in _Nombre de Dios_, and there to take in the Kings treasure, which is yeerly brought from _Peru_ to _Panama_, and from thence to the North Sea, now harbour themselves in _Portabel_; which signifyeth _Porto bello_, a faire and goodly Haven, for so indeed it is, and well fortified at the entrance with three Castles, which can reach and command one another. The third and chiefe place belonging to the _Spaniards_ in _Castella del oro_ is _Panama_, which is on the Westside and upon the South Sea. This City and _Nombre de Dios_ were both built by _Didacus de Niquesa_. And _Nombre de Dios_ was so called, because _Niquesa_ having been crossed with many mischances and misadventures at Sea, when hee came to this place greatly rejoyced, and bad his men now goe on shore in _Nombre de Dios_, in the name of God. But as I have before observed, the aire being here very unhealthy, the King of _Spain_ in the yeare 1584. commanded the houses of _Nombre de Dios_ to be pulled downe, and to be rebuilt in a more healthy and convenient place: which was performed by _Peter Arias_ in _Portabel_. But being now upon _Nombre de Dios_, I should wrong my Country if I should not set out to the publike view the worth of her people shewed upon this place, and to this day talked on and admired by the _Spaniards_, who doe not only remember Sir _Francis Drake_, & teach their children to dread and fear even his name for his attempts upon _Carthagena_ and all the coast about, and especially upon _Nombre de Dios_, and from it marching as farre as the great mountaine called _St. Pablo_ towards _Panama_: but furthermore keep alive amongst them (and in this my History it shall not die) the name of one of Sir _Francis Drake_ his followers and Captains named _John Oxenham_, whose attempt on this coast was resolute and wonderfull.

This Noble and gallant Gentleman arriving with threescore and ten souldiers in his company as resolute as himselfe, a little above this Towne of _Nombre de Dios_ drew a land his ship, and covering it with boughes, marched over the land with his Company guided by _Black-mores_, untill he came to a river. Where he cut downe wood, made him a Pinnace, entred the South-sea, went to the Island of Pearles, where hee lay ten daies waiting for a prize, which happily he got (though not so happily after kept it) for from that Island he set upon two _Spanish_ ships, and finding them unable to fight, he speedily made them yeeld, and intercepted in them threescore thousand pound weight of gold, and two hundred thousand pound weight in barres or wedges of silver, and returned safely again to the maine land. And though by reason of a mutiny made by his owne Company he neither returned to his country nor to his hidden ship; yet was it such a strange adventure as is not to be forgotten, in that the like was never by any other attempted, and by the _Spaniards_ is to this day with much admiration recorded.

Much part of this _Castella aurea_ as yet is not subdued by the _Spaniards_, and so doubtlesse a great treasure lieth hid in it for that people and nation whose thoughts shall aspire to find it out. In the year 1637. when I chanced to be in _Panama_ returning homewards to my Country, there came thither some twenty _Indians_ Barbarians by way of peace to treate with the President of the Chancery concerning their yeelding up themselves to the government of the King of _Spaine_. But as I was informed afterwards at _Carthagena_, nothing was concluded upon, for that the _Spaniards_ dare not trust those _Indians_, whom they have found to have rebelled often against them for their hard usage and carriage towards them. These _Indians_ which then I saw were very proper, tall and lusty men, and well complexioned; and among them one of as red a haire as any our nation can shew; they had bobs of gold in their eares, and some of them little pieces of gold made like a halfe moone hanging upon their neither lips, which argues store of that treasure to be amongst them. Unto this country is joyning _Nova Andaluzia_, which hath on the North side _Castella del oro_, and on the South _Peru_; The best Cities in it are _Tocoio_, now by the _Spaniards_ called _St. Margarets_, and another called _S. Espiritu. Nova Granada_ is situated on the South side of _Carthagena_, and from the abundance and fertility of _Granada_ in _Spaine_ it hath taken its name. The chiefe Townes and Cities in it are six. First _Tungia_, which is supposed to be directly under the _Æquator_. The second is _Tochaimum_. The third, _Popaian_, the richest of them all. The fourth, _Sta. Fee_, or _St. Faith_, an Archbishops seat, and a Court of Justice and Chancery, governed like _Panama_ and _Guatemala_, by a President and six Judges, and a Kings Attorney and two high Justices of Court, who have six thousand duckats a yeer allowed them out of the Kings treasure. The fifth City is _Palma_; and the sixth _Merida_. From _Carthagena_ through this countrey of _Granada_ lieth the rode way to _Lima_ in _Peru_, all by land. This Country is very strong by reason of the situation of it much amongst stony rockes, which compasse and environ it, and through which there are very narrow passages. Yet it is full of pleasant valleys which do yeeld much fruit, Corne and _Indian_ Maiz. There are also in it some Mines of silver, and many golden sanded rivers. _Carthagena_, which is the last Province of _Castella aurea_, hath also a very fruitfull soil, in the which groweth a tree, which if any one do touch, he will hardly escape a poysoning.

The chiefe Cities in it are, first _Carthagena_, which Sir _Francis Drake_ in the yeer 1585. surprised, and (as the _Spaniards_ affirme) burned most part of it, and besides inestimable sums of money, took with him from thence 230 peeces of Ordnance. I dare say now it hath not so many; yet it is reasonable well fortified; though not so strong as _Portabel_. It is a faire and gallant City and very rich, by reason of the pearles which are brought to it from _Margarita_, and the Kings revenues, which from all _Nova Granada_ are sent thither. It is a Bishops seat, and hath many rich Churches and Cloisters. It is not governed by a Court of Justice and Chancery as _Sta. Fee_ is, but onely by one Governour. It hath been often moved to the Councell of _Spaine_ to have some Galleys made to runne about those Seas, and that _Carthagena_ bee the chiefe harbour of them. From this City received _England_ the losse of that little Island named _Providence_ by us, and by the _Spaniards Sta. Catalina_, which though but little, might have been of a great, nay greater advantage to our Kingdom, than any other of our plantations in _America_; which the _Spaniards_ wel understood when they set al their strength of _Carthagena_ against it; but I hope the Lord hath his time appointed when we shall advantage our selves by it again. To this City of _Carthagena_ cometh every yeer also in small Frigots most of the Indigo, Cochinil & Sugar, which is made in the country of _Guatemala_, the _Spaniards_ thinking it safer to ship these their goods in little Frigots upon the lake of _Granada_ in _Nicaragua_, & from thence to send them to _Carthagena_ to be shipped with the Galeons that come from _Portabel_ with the treasure of _Peru_, than to send them by the ships of _Honduras_, which have often been a prey unto the _Hollanders_. These frigots were thought by the _Spaniards_ to come too neer the reach of _Providence_, and therefore it hath been their care and providence to remove us from this reach of their Frigots. The second great Towne of this Countrey of _Carthagena_ is _Abuida_. The third _Sta. Martha_, which is a rich government of _Spaniards_, and doth much fear our _English_ and _Holland_ ships; it is seated on the river _de Abuida_, otherwise called _St. John_ and _Rio di Grand_. There is also _Venezuela_ and _New-Caliz_, great, rich, and strong Townes. And these three last regions, _Andaluzia Nova, Nova Granada_, and _Carthagena_ are by the _Spaniards_ called _Tierra firme_, or firme land, for that they are the strength of _Peru_ from the North, and the basis of this reversed _Pyramis_.

Thus have I brought thee, Gentle Reader, round about _America_, and shewed thee the Continent of that biggest part of the world; from the which thou mayst observe the power and greatnesse of the King of _Spain_, who hath got under his Scepter and Dominion so many thousand miles, which were they reckoned up, would be found to be more then are about all _Europe_. But not only is _America_ great and spatious by land, but also by sea, glorying in more and some greater Islands, then any other part of the world. It would but cause tediousnesse, and seem prolixity to number them all up, which is a worke hard and difficult, for that many as yet are not knowne nor inhabited, and whose goodnesse and greatnesse is not discovered; for the Islands called _Lucoidas_ are thought to be foure hundred at least. Therefore I will omit to be over tedious and prolixe, and will but briefly speake of the best and chiefe of them, taking them in order from that part of the Continent, _Carthagena_, where even now I left thee. But in the first place calls upon my pen the Jewel Island called _Margarita_, which is situated in the sea nigh unto _Castella aurea_, and not farre distant from two other Islands, named _Cubagna_ and _Trinidado_. True it is this Island of _Margarita_ is by some much slighted for want of corne, grasse, trees and water; in so much that it hath been knowne sometime that an inhabitant of that Island hath willingly changed for a Tun of water a Tunne of wine. But the great abundance of pretious stones in it maketh amends for the former wants and defects; for from them is the name of _Margarita_ imposed on that Island. But especially it yeeldeth store of pearles, those gemmes which the Latine writers call _Uniones_, because _nulli duo reperiuntur indiscreti_, they alwaies are found to grow in couples. In this Island there are many rich Merchants, who have thirty, fourty, fifty _Black-more_ slaves only to fish out of the sea about the rockes these pearles. These _Black-mores_ are much made of by their Masters, who must needs trust them with a treasure hidden in the waters, and in whose will it is to passe by of those they find, none, few, or many. They are let downe in baskets into the Sea, and so long continue under the water, untill by pulling the rope by which they are let downe, they make their sign to taken up. I have heard some say that have thus dealt in pearles, that the chief meat they feed their _Black-mores_ with, is roast-meat, which maketh them their wind & breath longer in the water. From _Margarita_ are all the pearles sent to be refined and bored to _Carthagena_, where is a faire and goodly street of no other shops then of these Pearle-dressers. Commonly in the moneth of _July_ there is a ship or two at most ready in that Island to carry the Kings revenue, and the Merchants pearles to _Carthagena_. One of these ships are valued commonly at threescore thousand, or fourscore thousand duckats, and sometimes more; and therefore are reasonable well manned; for that the _Spaniards_ much feare our _English_ and the _Holland_ ships. The yeare that I was in _Carthagena_, which was 1637. a ship of these laden with pearles was chased by one of our ships from the Island of _Providence_ (by some it was thought to be our ship called the _Neptune_) which after a little fighting had almost brought the poore _Spaniard_ to yeeld his pearles, and had certainly carried away that great treasure (as I was informed in _Carthagena_ foure daies after the fight by a _Spaniard_ who was in the ship of _Margarita_) had not two other ships of _Holland_ come between to challenge from our _English_ man that prize, alleadging their priviledge from the mighty States united for all prizes upon those seas and coast. And whilst our _English_ and _Hollander_ did thus strive for the Pearles, the _Spanish_ ship ran on shore upon a little Island, and speedily unladed and hid in the woods part of the treasures, and perceiving the _Hollander_ coming eagerly in pursuit of it, the _Spaniard_ set on fire the ship, and neither _Spaniard, English_, nor _Hollander_, enjoyed what might have been a great and rich prize to _England_. From _Carthagena_ was sent presently a man of Warre to bring home the pearles hid in the wood, which were not the third part of what was in the ship.

_Jamaica_ is another Island under the power of the _Spaniards_, which is in length 280. miles, and 70. in breadth, which though it exceed _Margarita_ in sweet and pleasant streames and fountaines of water, yet is far inferiour to it in riches. Some Hides, some Sugar, and some Tobacco are the chiefe commodities from thence. There are only two Townes of note in it, _Oristana_ and _Sevilla_; here are built ships which have proved as well at sea, as those that are made in _Spaine_. This Island was once very populous, but now is almost destitute of _Indians_; for the _Spaniards_ have slain in it more then 60,000; in so much that women as well here as on the Continent did kill their children before they had given them life, that the issues of their bodies might not serve so cruell a nation. But farre beyond the two former is the Island of _Cuba_, which is three hundred miles long, and seventy broad, which was first made knowne to _Europe_ by _Columbus_ his second navigation. This Island is full of Forrests, Lakes, and mountaines. The aire is very temperate, the soile very fertill, producing brasse of exact perfection, and some gold though drossie hath formerly been found in it. It aboundeth also with Ginger, Cassia, Masticke, Aloes, some Cinnamon, Cana fistula, Zarzaparilla, and Sugar, and hath of flesh, fish, and fowles great plenty; but especially such store of sea Tortois, and Hogs, that the ships at their returne to _Spaine_ make their chiefe provision of them. My selfe chanced to take physicke there, and whereas I thought that day I should have a fowle or rabbet after my physicks working, they brought me a boyled peece of fresh young Porke, which when I refused to eat, they assured me it was the best dish the Doctors did use to prescribe upon such daies.

The chiefe Cities of this Island are _Santiago_ on the Northerne shore, built by _James de Valasco_, a Bishops seat, and secondly, _Havana_, which is also on the Northerne shore, and is a safe Rode for ships, and the staple of merchandize, and (as the _Spaniards_ call it) the key of all the _West-India's_, to lock up or unlock the doore or entrance to all _America_. Here rideth the King of _Spaines_ Navy, and here meet all the Merchant ships from severall ports and Havens of all those Countries afore-named, whether from the Islands or from the Continent: in a word here commonly in the month of _September_ is joyned all the treasure as I may say of _America_, all the King of _Spains_ revenews, with as much more of Merchant goods, which the yeer that I was there were thought to be in all the worth of thirty millions. And the ships which that yeer there did meet to strengthen one another were 53. saile, and set out sooner that yeer then any other upon the 16. of _September_, having that day a faire wind to wafte them homewards through the Gulf of _Bahama. Havana_ therefore being the store-house of all _Americaes_ treasure, it hath been the _Spaniards_ chiefe care to fortifie that; and truely it is so strong, that the _Spaniards_ hold it impossible to be taken, and doe boast of foure impregnable forts, to wit at _Antwerp, Millan, Pamplona_, and _Havana_. This hath two strong Castles, the one at the point or entrance of the Haven toward the Sea; the other more within, on the other side almost over against it; which two Castles (the passage in the mouth of the haven being so narrow, that one onely ship in breast may enter) will keep and defend the Port from many hundred saile. I was my selfe in the great and chiefe Castle, and truly found it very strong, though by land I judged it might be as easily taken, as other strong Castles here in _Europe_ have been overpowerd by a great and powerfull army. It hath in it besides many others, twelve peeces of Ordnance of brasse exceeding great, which they call The twelve Apostles. But for all this strength of the _Havana_, it could not once defend six or seven millions (according to the _Spaniards_ owne account) which the one part of the Kings Navy brought from St. _John de Ulhua_ to the sight of this impregnable fort, and protected with such twelve Apostles. It was as I take it the yeer 1629. when that ever renowned _Hollander_ (whom like unto our _Drake_ the _Spaniards_ to this day fear and tremble at, calling him _Pie de Palo_, that is, wooden leg) waited at the Cape of _St. Anthony_ for the _Spanish_ fleet of _Nova Hispania_; which according to his expectation coming, he manly set upon it, saluting and welcoming the great treasure in it with a full side of roaring Ordnance; the sound was more dolefull then joyfull and welcome to the _Spaniards_, who thought it safer sleeping in a whole skinne, then to be unquieted by fighting, and with the sight of torne and mangled bodies, by _Mars_ his furious and fiery balls, and so called a Councell of warre to resolve what they should doe to save the Kings great treasure which was intrusted to them in those ships. The result of the Councell was to flie and with some discharging of their Ordinance to defend themselves, untill they could put into a river in the Island of _Cuba_, not far from _Havana_ called _Matanzos_. There were in that fleet of _Spaine_ many gallants and Gentlemen, and two Judges of the Chancery of _Mexico_, which were that yeer sent to _Madrid_ as guilty in the mutiny before mentioned, there was in it of my acquaintance a Dominican Frier, named Frier _Jacintho de Hozes_, who had been sent to those parts to visit all the Dominican Cloisters of _New-Spaine_, and had got of bribes at least eight thousand duckats (as I was informed the yeer after by a Frier his companion, whom he sent from _Havana_ to _Guatemala_ to make knowne to his friends his losse of all that hee had got, and to beg a new contribution to helpe him home) there was also in that fleet _Don Martin de Carillo_; who was the Inquisitor and Commissioner to judge the Delinquents in the fore-mentioned mutiny of _Mexico_, who was thought to have got twenty thousand duckats cleer; besides these a Bishop, and many rich Merchants, all under the command of _Don Juan de Guzman y Torres_ Admirall to all the fleet. They all fled for their lives and goods; but the gallant _Hollanders_ chased them. The _Spaniards_ thinking the _Hollanders_ would not venture up the river after them, put into _Matanzos_; but soone after they had entred, they found the river too shallow for their heavy and great bellied Galeons, and so run them up on ground; which done, the better and richer sort escaped to land, endeavouring to escape with what wealth they could; some got out Cabinets, some bags; which the _Hollanders_ perceiving came upon them with bullet messengers, which soone overtooke and stopt their flying treasures. Some few Cabinets were hid, all the rest became that day the gallant _Pie de Palo_ or the wooden legd Captaines prize for the mighty States of _Holland_. The Frier _Hozes_ was got into a boat with his Cabinet under his habit, which had in it nothing but chaines of gold, diamonds, Pearles and pretious stones; and halfe a dozen _Hollanders_ leapt into the boat after him, and snatched it from him, as his owne friend and companion related after to us in _Guatemala. Don Juan de Guzman y Torres_ the Admirall when he came to _Spaine_ was imprisoned, lost his wits for a while, and after was beheaded. Thus in the sight of impregnable _Havana_ and of those 12 brazen Apostles, was _Holland_ glorious and made rich with a seven million prize.

But before I end this Chapter, I may not forget the chiefest of all the Islands of this new world, which is called _Hispaniola_, & formerly by the natives _Hatie_, which lamenteth the losse of at least three millions of _Indians_ murthered by her new Masters of _Spaine_. This Island is the biggest that as yet is discovered in al the world; it is in compasse about 1500. miles, and enjoyeth a temperate aire, a fertill soile, rich mines; and trades much in Ambar, Sugar, Ginger, Hides, and Wax. It is reported for certaine that here in twenty daies herbes will ripen and roots also and be fit to be eaten, which is a strong argument of the exact temperature of the aire. It yeeldeth in nothing to _Cuba_, but excelleth it in three things especially; first in the finenesse of the gold, which is here more pure and unmixed; secondly, in the increase of the Sugar, one Sugar Cane here filling twenty and sometimes thirty measures; and thirdly, in the goodnesse of the soile for tillage, the corne here yeelding an hundred fold. This fertility is thought to be caused by four great rivers, which water and enrich all the four quarters of the Island; all four doe spring from one only mountaine, which standeth in the very midst and center of the Country, _Juna_ running to the East, _Artihinnacus_ to the West, _Jacchus_ to the North, and _Naibus_ to the South.

This Countrey is so replenished with Swine and Cattell, that they become wild among the woods and Mountaines, so that the ships that saile by this Island, and want provision, goe here a shore where it is little inhabited and kill of Cattell, wild swine and bores, till they have made up a plentifull provision. Much of this Countrey is not inhabited, by reason that the _Indians_ are quite consumed. The chief places in it are first St. _Domingo_, where there is a _Spanish_ President and Chancery with six Judges and the other officers belonging to it, and it is the Seat of an Archbishop, who though hee enjoy not so much yeerly rent and revenues as other Archbishops, especially they of _Mexico_ and _Lima_; yet hee hath an honour above all the rest, for that hee is the primate of all the _India's_, this Island having been conquered before the other parts, and so bearing antiquity above them all. There are also other rich Townes of trading, as _Sta. Isabella, S. Thome, S. John, Maragna_, and _Porto_. And thus hath my pen run over Sea and Land, Islands and most of the Continent that is subject to the _Spaniards_ to shew thee, my Reader, the state of _America_ at this time. It is called _America_ because _Americus Vespusius_ first discovered it; though afterwards _Columbus_ gave us the first light to discern these Countries both by example and directions. Besides the factions spoken of before between the Native _Spaniards_ and those that come from _Spain_, there is yet further in most parts of it, but especially in _Peru_ a deadly faction and mortall hatred between the _Biscains_ and the _Spaniards_ of _Castile_ and _Estremadura_, which hath much shaken the quiet state of it, and threatned it with rebellion and destruction.

There are in all _America_ foure Archbishopricks, which are _Sto. Domingo, Mexico, Lima_, and _Sta. Fee_, and above thirty inferiour Bishops. The politick Administration of Justice is chiefly committed to the two Viceroyes residing at _Lima_ and _Mexico_, and with subordination unto them unto other Presidents, Governours, and high Justices, called _Alcaldes Majores_; except it be the President of _Guatemala_, and of _Santo Domingo_, who are as absolute in power as the Viceroyes, and have under them Governours, and high Justices, and are no wayes subordinate to the former Viceroyes, but onely unto the Court and Councell of _Spain_.

CHAP. XIV.

_Shewing my journey from_ Mexico _to_ Chiapa _Southward, and the most remarkable places in the way._

Having now gone round _America_ with a brief and superficiall description of it, my desire is to shew unto my Reader what parts of it I travailed through, and did abide in, observing more particularly the state, condition, strength, and Commodities of those Countries which lie Southward from _Mexico_. It is further my desire, nay the chief ground of this my History, that whilst my Country doth here observe an _English_ man, become _American_, travailing many thousand miles there, as may bee noted from St. _John de Ulhua_ to _Mexico_, and from thence Southward to _Panama_, and from thence Northward againe to _Carthagena_, and to _Havana_, Gods goodnesse may bee admired, and his providence extolled who suffered not the meanest and unworthiest of all his Creatures to perish in such unknowne Countries; to be swalled by North or South Sea, where shipwracks were often feared; to bee lost in Wildernesses where no tongue could give directions; to bee devoured by Wolves, Lions, Tigers, or Crocodiles, which there so much abound; to fall from steepy rocks and mountaines, which seeme to dwell in the aereall Region, and threaten with fearefull spectacles of deep and profound precipices, a horrid and inevitable death to those that climbe up to them; to bee eaten up by the greedy Earth which there doth often quake and tremble, and hath sometimes opened her mouth to draw in Townes and Cities; to bee stricken with those fiery darts of Heaven and thunderbolts which in winter season threaten the Rockes and Cedars; to bee inchanted by Satans Instruments, Witches and Sorcerers, who there as on their own ground play their prankes more then in the parts of Christendome; to be quite blinded with _Romish_ Errors and Superstitions, which have double blinded the purblind heathenish Idolaters; to bee wedded to the pleasures and licentiousnesse, which doe there allure; to bee glutted with the plenty and dainties of fish, flesh, fowles, and fruits, which doe there entice; to bee puffed up with the spirit of pride and powerfull command and authority over the poor _Indians_, which doth there provoke; to bee tied with the Cords of vanity and ambition, which there are strong; and finally to be glewed in heart, and affection to the drosse of gold, silver, Pearls, and Jewels, whose plenty there doth bind, blind, captivate and enslave the soule. Oh I say, let the Lords great goodnesse and wonderfull providence bee observed who suffered not an _English_ stranger in all these dangers to miscarry, but was a guide unto him there in all his travailes, discovered unto him as to the espies in _Canaan_, and as to _Joseph_ in _Egypt_ the provision, wealth and riches of that world, and safely guided him back to relate to _England_, the truth of what no other _English_ eye did ever yet behold. From the moneth of _October_ untill _February_ I did abide with my friends, and companions the Fryers under the command of Fryer _Calvo_ in that house of recreation called St. _Jacintho_, and from thence injoyed the sight of all the Townes and of what else was worth the seeing about _Mexico_. But the time I was there, I was carefull to informe myself of the state of _Philippinas_, whither my first purposes had drawne me from _Spain_. It was my fortune to light upon a Fryer and an acquaintance of some of my friends, who was that yeer newly come from _Manila_ whither I was going; who wished mee and some other of my friends as wee tendred our soules good never to goe to those parts, which were but snares and trap-dores to let downe to hell, where occasions and temptations to sinne were daily, many in number, mighty in strength, and to get out of them, _labor & opus_, hard and difficult. And that himself, had not he by stealth gotten away (and that to save his soul) certainly he had never come from thence; who had often upon his knees begged leave of his superiours to returne to _Spain_, and could not obtaine it. Many particulars wee could not get from him, nor the reasons of his coming away; Onely hee would often say that the Fryers that live there are devils in private and in those retired places where they live among the _Indians_ to instruct and teach them; and yet in publick before their superiours and the rest of Fryers they must appeare Saints, they must put on the cloak of hypocrisie to cover their inward devilishnesse, they must bee cloathed with sheeps skins though within they bee _lupi rapaces_, ravenous Wolves, ravening after their neighbours Wives, and ravening after their neighbours wealth; and yet with all this unpreparednesse, with this outward, seeming and frothy sanctity, and inward hellishnesse and deep rooted worldlinesse and covetousnesse, when the Superiours command and please to send them, they must goe in a disguised manner to _Japan_ or _China_ to convert to Christianity those people though with perill and danger of their lives. Many such like discourses wee got out of this Fryer; and that if wee went to live there, we must bee subject to the penalties of many Excommunications for triviall toyes and trifles, which the Superiours doe lay upon the Consciences of their poore Subjects, who may as soone strive against the common course of nature not to see with their eyes, nor hear with their eares, nor speake with their tongues, as to observe all those things which against sense, reason and nature with grievous censures and Excommunications are charged and fastened upon them. Hee told us further of some Fryers that had despaired under those rigorous courses, and hanged themselves, not being able to beare the burden of an afflicted and tormented Conscience; and of others that had been hanged, some for murthering of their rigid and cruell Superiours; and some that had beene found in the morning hanging with their queanes at the Cloister gates, having beene found together in the night, and so murthered and hanged up either by the true Husband, or by some other who bare affection to the woman. These things seemed to us very strange, and wee perceived that all was not gold that glistred, nor true zeal of soules that carried so many from _Spain_ to those parts; or if in some there were at first a better and truer zeale then in others, when they came to _Philippinas_, and among those strong temptations, wee found that their zeale was soone quenched. This reason moved mee and three more of my friends to relent in our purposes of leaving of _America_, and going any further, for wee had learned that _maxime, qui amat periculum, peribit inco_; and, _qui tangit picem, inquinabitur abea_; He that loveth the danger, shall fall and perish in it; and hee that toucheth pitch shall bee smeared by it. Wherefore wee communed privately with our selves, what course wee might take, how wee might that yeer return back to _Spain_, or where wee might abide, if wee returned not to _Spain_. For wee knew, if our Superiour _Calvo_ should understand of our purposes to goe no further, he would lay upon us an Excommunication to follow him, nay and that hee would secure us in a Cloister prison untill the day and time of our departure from _Mexico_. Our resolutions wee made a secret of our hearts; yet could not I but impart it to one more speciall and intimate friend of mine, who was an _Irish_ Fryer, named _Thomas de Leon_, whom I perceived a little troubled with so long a journey as was at hand, and found often wishing hee had never come from _Spain_; and as soon as I had acquainted him with what I meant to doe, hee rejoyced and promised to stay with mee. The time was short which wee had to dispose of our selves; but in that time wee addressed our selves to some _Mexican_ Fryers and made knowne unto them, that if our Superiour _Calvo_ would give us leave, wee would willingly stay in _Mexico_ or in any Cloister thereabouts, untill wee could better fit our selves to returne to _Spain_ againe. But they being natives and borne in that Countrey discovered presently unto us that inveterate spight and hatred which they bare to such as came from _Spain_; they told us plainly that they and true _Spaniards_ born did never agree, and that they knew their Superiors would bee unwilling to admit of us; yet furthermore they informed us that they thought we might be entertained in the Province of _Guaxaca_, where half the Fryers were of _Spain_ and half Criolians and Natives; but in case wee should not speed there, they would warrant us we should be welcome to the Province of _Guatemala_, where almost all the Fryers were of _Spain_, and did keep under such as were Natives born in that Country. It did a little trouble us to consider that _Guatemala_ was three hundred leagues off, and that we were ignorant of the _Mexican_ tongue, and unprovided of mony and horses for so long a journey. But yet we considered _Philippinas_ to be further, and no hopes there of returning ever again to Christendome; wherefore we resolved to rely upon Gods providence onely, and to venture upon a three hundred leagues journey with what smal means we had, and to sell what Books and small trifles we had to make as much money as might buy each of us a horse. But while we were thus preparing our selves secretly for _Guatemala_ wee were affrighted and disheartned with what in the like case to ours happened. A Fryer of our company named Fryer _Peter Borrallo_, without acquainting us or any other of his friends with what he intended, made a secret escape from us, and (as after we were informed) took his way alone to _Guatemala_. This so incensed our Superior _Calvo_, that after great search and enquiry after him, he betook himself to the Viceroy begging his assistance and Proclamation, in the publick Market place, for the better finding out his lost sheep, and alleadging that none ought to hide or privily to harbour any Fryer that had been sent from _Spain_ to _Philippinas_ to preach there the Gospell, for that the foresaid Fryers were sent by the King of _Spain_, whose bread they had eate, and at whose charges they had been brought from _Spain_ to _Mexico_, and at the same Kings charges ought to bee carried from _Mexico_ to _Philippinas_; and therefore if any Fryer now in the half-way should recant of his purpose of going to _Philippinas_, and should by flight escape from his Superiour and the rest of his company, the same ought to be punished as guilty of defrauding the Kings charges. This reason of _Calvo_ being a politicke and state reason prevailed so farre with the Viceroy, that immediately hee commanded a Proclamation to bee made against whosoever should know of the said _Peter Borrallo_ and should not produce him to his Highnesse, or should harbour him or any other Fryer belonging to _Philippinas_ from that time forward until the ships were departed from _Acapulco_; and that whosoever should trespasse against this Proclamation, should suffer imprisonment at his Highnesse his will and and pleasure, and the penalty of five hundred Duckats to bee paid in at the Kings Exchequer. With this Proclamation _Calvo_ began to insult over us, and to tell us, wee were the Kings slaves under his conduct, and that if any of us durst to leave him (for hee was jealous of most of us) hee doubted not but with the Viceroy his assistance and Proclamation he should find both us and _Peter Borrallo_ out to our further shame and confusion. This did very much trouble us, and made my _Irish_ friend _Thomas de Leon_ his heart to faint, and his courage to relent, and utterly to renounce before mee his former purposes of staying and hiding himselfe; yet hee protested to mee, if I was still of the same minde, hee would not discover mee; but seeing his weaknesse, I durst not trust him, but made as if I were of his minde. Thus I betooke my self to the other three of my friends (of whom one was _Antonio Melendez_ that had beene the first cause of my comming from _Spain_) whom I found much troubled, doubtfull and wavering what course to take.

They considered if wee should flie, what a shame it would be to us to be taken and brought back to _Mexico_ as prisoners, and forcedly against our wills to be shipped to _Philippinas_; they considered further if they went, what a slavish and uncomfortable life they should live in _Philippinas_, without any hopes of ever returning again to Christendom; yet further they looked upon the Viceroy his Proclamation, and thought it hard to breake through the opposition and authority of so great a man; and lastly in the Proclamation they beheld the estimation that _Calvo_ had of them, as of slaves and fugitives to be cried in a publike Market place. But after all these serious thoughts our only comfort was that _Peter Borallo_ was safely escaped, and (as we were informed) had been met farre from _Mexico_ travailing alone towards _Guatemala_. And we thought, why might not we escape as well as he. Then I told them that my resolution was to stay, though alone I returned either to _Spaine_, or tooke my journey to _Guatemala_; the rest were glad to see mee resolute, and gave their hands that they would venture as much as I should. Then we set upon the time when we should take our flight, and agreed that every one should have a Horse in readinesse in _Mexico_, and that the night before the rest of our company should depart from _Mexico_ towards _Acapulco_ to take shipping, we should by two and two in the evening leave _St. Jacintho_, and meet in _Mexico_ where our Horses stood, and from thence set out and travaile all the night, continuing our journey so the first two or three nights and resting in the day time, untill we were some twenty or thirty leagues from _Mexico_. For we thought the next morning _Calvo_ awaking and missing us would not stop the journey of the rest of his company for our sakes, to search and inquire after us; or if he did, it would be but for one day or two at the most, till he had inquired for us in _Mexico_, or a dayes journey in some of the common or beaten rodes of _Mexico_, where we would be sure he should not heare of us; for we also agreed to travail out of any common or knowne rode for the first two or three nights. This resolution was by us as well performed and carried on, as it had been agreed upon, though some had been fearfull that a counsell betwixt foure could never be kept secret, nor such a long journey as of nine hundred miles be compassed with such small means of money as was among us, for the maintenance of our selves and Horses; for after our Horses were bought, we made a common purse, and appointed one to be the purse-bearer, & found that amongst us all there were but twenty duckats, which in that rich and plentifull country was not much more then here twenty _English_ shillings, which seemed to us but as a morning dew, which would soone be spent in provender only for our Horses; yet we resolved to goe on, relying more upon the providence of God, then upon any earthly meanes; and indeed this proved to us a far better support then all the drosse of gold and silver could have done; and we reckoned that after we had travailed fourty leagues from _Mexico_, and entred without feare into the rode, we had for our twenty duckats neer fourty now in our common purse. The reason was, for that most commonly we went either to Friers Cloisters who knew us not, or to rich farmes of _Spaniards_ who thought nothing too good for us, and would not onely entertaine us stately, but at our departure would give us money for one or two daies journey. All our feare was to get safely out of _Mexico_, for wee had been informed that _Calvo_ had obtained from the Viceroy officers to watch in the chiefest rodes both day and night untill he had departed with his Traine of Friers to _Acapulco_.

And for all the Viceroy his Proclamation we got a true and trustie friend, who offered to guide us out of _Mexico_ by such a way as we needed not to feare any would watch for us. So with our friend and a map about us to guide us after he had left us in the morning, we cheerfully set out of _Mexico_ about ten of the clock at night, about the middle of _February_, and meeting no body about _Guadalupe_ which was the way wee went out (though the contrary way to _Guatemala_, which on purpose we followed for feare the true way should be beset) we comfortably travailed all that night, till in the morning we came to a little Town of _Indians_, where we began to spend of our small stock, calling upon the _Indians_ for a Turkey and Capon to break our fast with our friend and guide before he returned to _Mexico_. Breakefast being ended we took our leaves of him, and went to rest, that we might be more able to performe the next nights journey, which was to Crosse the Countrey towards _Atlisco_, which is in a valley of twenty miles about at least, and doth give it the name of the valley of _Atlixco_ and is a valley much mentioned in all those parts, for the exceeding great plenty of wheat that is there reaped every yeer, and is the chief sustenance and reliefe of _Mexico_ and all the Townes about. In this Valley are many rich Townes of _Spaniards_ and _Indians_; but we shunned to enter into them, and went from farme to farme out of the high-waies, where we found good entertainment of those rich Farmers and Yeomen, who bare such respect unto the Preists, that truely they thought themselves happy with our company. Here we began to shake off all fear, and no more like Bats and Owles fly in the night, but that we might with more pleasure enjoy the prospect of that valley, and of the rest of the Countrey we travailed by day; yet still crossing the Countrey, we went from thence towards another valley called the valley of _St. Pablo_, or _Pauls_ valley, which though it be not as big as the valley of _Atlisco_, yet is held to be a richer valley; for here they enjoy a double harvest of wheat every yeer. The first seed they sow is watered, and growes with the common season raine; and the second seed which they sow in summer as soone as their first harvest is in, when the season of raine is past, they water with many Springs which fall into that Valley from the mountaines which round beset it, and let in the water among their wheat at their pleasure, and take it away when they see fit. Here live Yeomen upon nothing but their farms, who are judged to worth some twenty thousand, some thirty thousand, some fourty thousand duckats. In this valley we chanced to light upon one farme where the Yeoman was country-man to my friend _Antonio Melendez_, borne in _Segovia_ in _Spaine_, who for his sake kept us three daies and nights with him. His table was as well furnished as the table of a Knight might be, his side board full of silver boules and cups, and plates instead of trenchers; he spared no dainties which might welcome us to his table, no perfumes which might us delight in our chambers, no musick (which his daughters were brought up to) which might with more pleasure help to passe away the time. To him _Antonio Melendez_ made known our journey towards _Guatemala_; and from him we received directions which way to steere our course untill we might be thoroughly free from feare and danger; here we began to see the great providence of God, who had brought us being strangers to such a friends house, who not onely welcomed us to him, but when we departed gave us a guide for a whole day, and bestowed upon us twenty duckats to helpe to bear our charges. From this valley wee wheeled about to _Tasco_, a Towne of some five hundred Inhabitants which enjoyeth great commerce with the Country about by reason of the great store of Cotton-wool which is there. And here we were very well entertained by a Franciscan Frier, who being of _Spaine_ made the more of us, knowing we came from thence. Here we got into the rode of _Guaxaca_, and went to _Chautla_, which also aboundeth with Cotton-wool, but in it we found no entertainment but what our owne purses would afford us. Next to this place is a great Town called _Zumpango_, which doth consist of at least eight hundred Inhabitants, many of them very rich both _Indians_ and _Spaniards_. Their commodities are chiefly Cotton-wooll, and Sugar, and Cochinil. But beyond this Town are the mountaines called _la Misteca_, which abound with many rich and great Townes, and doe trade with the best silke that is in all that Country. Here is also great store of Wax and Hony; and _Indians_ live there who traffique to _Mexico_ and about the Countrey with twenty or thirty mules of their own, chopping and changing, buying and selling commodities, and some of them are thought to be worth ten, or twelve, or fifteen thousand duckats, which is much for an _Indian_ to get among the _Spaniards_, who thinke all the riches of _America_ little enough for themselves. From these mountaines of _Misteca_ to _Guaxaca_ we saw little observable, only Townes of two or three hundred inhabitants; rich Churches, well built, and better furnished within with lampes, candlesticks, crownes of silver for the severall statues of Saints; and all the way wee did observe a very fruitfull soil for both _Indian_ and _Spanish_ wheat, much Sugar, much Cotton-wool, Hony, and here and there some Cochinil, and of Plantins, and other sweet and luscious fruit great store; but above all great abundance of cattel, whose Hides are one of the greatest commodities that from those parts are sent to _Spaine_. Some reported that about _Misteca_ formerly much gold had been found, and the _Indians_ were wont to use it much, though now they will not be knowne of any, lest the greedinesse of the _Spaniards_ bring them to misery and destruction, as it hath their neighbours about them. Also it is reported for certaine that there are Mines of silver, though as yet the _Spaniards_ have not found them.

There are many Mines of Iron which the _Spaniards_ will not busie themselves in digging, because they have it cheaper from _Spain_; from hence wee came to the City of _Guaxaca_, which is a Bishops Seat, though not very bigge, yet a faire and beautifull City to behold. It standeth fourescore leagues from _Mexico_ in a pleasant valley from whence _Cortez_ was named _Marques del Valle_, the Marquesse of the Valley. This City, as all the rest of _America_, except the Sea Towns, lyeth open without walls, Bulwarkes, Forts, Towers, or any Castle, Ordnance or Ammunition to defend it. It may consist of at the most two thousand Inhabitants, and are governed by a _Spanish_ High Justice called _Alcalde Major_, whose power reacheth over all the Valley, and beyond it as farre as _Nixapa_, and almost to _Tecoantepeque_, a Sea Towne upon _Mar del Zur_. The Valley is of at least fifteen miles in length, and ten in breadth, where runneth in the midst a goodly River yeelding great store of fish. The Valley is full of Sheep and other Cattell, which yeeld much Wooll to the Clothiers of the City of _Angels_, store of Hides to the Merchants of _Spain_, and great provision of flesh to the City of _Guaxaca_, and to all the Townes about, which are exceeding rich, and doe maintaine many Cloisters of Fryers, and Churches with stately furniture belonging unto them. But what doth make the Valley of _Guaxaca_ to bee mentioned farre and neer, are the good horses which are bred in it, and esteemed to bee the best of all the Country. In this Valley also are some farmes of Sugar, and great store of fruits, which two sorts meeting together have cried up the City of _Guaxaca_ for the best Conserves and Preserves that are made in _America_. In the City there are some six Cloisters of Nuns and Fryers, all of them exceeding rich; but above all is the Cloister of the Dominican Fryers, whose Church treasure is worth two or three Millions; and the building of it the fairest and strongest in all those parts, the walls are of stone so broad, that a part of them being upon finishing when I was there I saw Carts goe upon them, with stone and other materials. Here are also two Cloisters of Nuns, which are talked of far and neer not for their religious practices, but for their skill in making two drinkes which are used in those parts, the one called _Chocolatte_ (whereof I shall speake heereafter) and the other _Atolle_, which is like unto our _Almond_ Milk, but much thicker, and is made of the juyce of the yong _Maiz_ or _Indian_ wheat, which they so confection with spices, musk, and sugar, that it is not onely admirable in the sweetnesse of the smell, but much more nourishing and comforting the stomack. This is not a Commoditie that can bee transported from thence, but is to be drunk there where it is made. But the other, _Chocolatte_, is made up in Boxes, and sent not onely to _Mexico_ and the parts thereabouts, but much of it is yeerly transported into _Spain_. This City of _Guaxaca_ is the richer by reason of the safety they enjoy for the carriage of their Commodities to and from the port of St. _John de Ulhua_ by the great River _Alvarado_ which runneth not far from it; and although the Barkes come not to the City of _Guaxaca_, yet they come up to the _Zapotecas_, and to St. _Ildefonso_, which is not farre from _Guaxaca_. And the carelessenesse of the _Spaniards_ here is to be wondred at, that all along this River which runneth up into the heart of their Country, they have built as yet no Castles, Towers, or watch-houses, or planted any Ordinance, trusting onely in this, that great ships cannot come up, as if Frigots or smaller Barks, such as they themselves use, may not bee made to annoy them. But of _Guaxaca_ I shall say no more, but conclude that it is of so temperate an aire, so abounding in fruits, and all provision requisite for mans life, so commodiously situated between the North and South Sea, having on the North side St. _John de Ulhua_, and on the South _Tecoantepeque_ a small and unfortified harbour, that no place I so much desired to live in whilest I was in those parts as in _Guaxaca_, which certainly I had attempted as I travailed by it, had I not understood that the Criolian or Native Fryers were many and as deadly enemies unto those that came from _Spain_ as were the _Mexicans_. And this their spight and malice they shewed whilest wee were there, to an ancient and grave old Fryer Master in Divinity, who living had been for learning the Oracle of those parts. This old man died when I was there, and because when hee lived they could pick no hole in his Coat, being dead they searched his chamber, and finding in a Coffer some moneys which hee had not made knowne to his Superiour when living (which they would reduce to a sinne against his professed poverty, called Propriety, and subject to the censure of Excommunication) they reported that hee had died excommunicated, and might not injoy their Christian buriall in the Church or Cloister, and so ignominiously buried their old Divine, and with him his Credit and reputation in a grave made in one of their Gardens. A thing much talked on as scandalous to all the City and Country, which they salved with saying hee was excommunicated; but the truth was, he was of _Spaine_, and therefore at his death they would shew their spight unto him. For certainly they could not doe it for the sinne of Propriety which by him had been committed in his life; and to them all may be well said what our Saviour said to the Jewes bringing to him a woman found in adultery to bee stoned, Whosoever of you is without sinne, let him cast the first stone; for all of them, yea even the best Fryers that live in _America_, are some way or other, much or lesse guilty of the sinne of Propriety which they professe and vow against. With this which wee saw with our eyes, besides what with our eares wee had heard of discords and factions amongst them, wee thought _Guaxaca_ was no place for us to live in; so after three dales we made haste out of it, and departed towards _Chiapa_, which lyeth three hundred miles from thence. And for our comfort in our further travailing we were informed in _Guaxaca_, that in most Towns of the Rode through that country, the _Indians_ had an order from the High Justice to give unto Fryers travailing that way either horse to ride on, or to carry their carriages and provision of food freely without mony, if they had none, so that at their departure they should write it down in the town booke what they had spent, not abiding above foure and twenty houres in the Town; which expences of travailers the _Indians_ afterwards at the yeers end of their ordinary Justice and Officers were to give an account of with carrying their Towne book unto the _Spanish_ justice to whom they belonged, and by so doing these expences were allowed of to bee discharged by the common Towne Purse or Treasure, for the which a common plot of ground was alloted to bee yeerly sowen with wheat or _Maiz_. With this charitable relief and help of the Townes wee conceived better of the rest of our long journey, and hoped to compasse it with more ease. And so joyfully we went on, and the first place where wee made triall of this order was at a great Town called _Antiquera_, where wee freely called for our fowles and what other provision we saw in the Town, fed heartily on them, and the next day when we were to pay and to depart, wee called for the Town book, subscribed our hands to what wee had spent ourselves and horses, and went our way, praising the discretion of the Justices of that Country, who had setled a course so easy and comfortable for us, especially who had but shallow purses for our long journy. Yet we found in some small Towns that the _Indians_ were unwilling, and (as they alleadged) unable to extend this Charity to us, being foure in company, and bringing with us the charge likewise of foure horses, which made us sometimes make the longer journey that wee might reach unto some great and rich Towne. The next to _Antiquera_ in that Rode is _Nixapa_, which is of at the least eight hundred Inhabitans, _Spaniards_ and _Indians_, standing upon the side of a River, which wee were informed was an arme of the great River _Alvarado_. In this Town is a very rich Cloister of Dominican Fryers, where we were well entertained; & in it there is a picture of our Lady, which superstitiously they fancy to have wrought miracles, and is made a pilgrimage from far and neere, and consequently hath great riches and Lampes belonging unto it. This is counted absolutely one of the wealthiest places of all the Countrey of _Guaxaca_; for here is made much Indigo, Sugar, _Cochinill_; and here grow many trees of _Cacao_ and _Achiotte_, whereof is made the _Chocolatte_, and is a commodity of much trading in those parts, though our _English_ and _Hollanders_ make little of it when they take a prize of it at Sea, as not knowing the secret virtue and quallity of it for the good of the stomack. From hence we went to _Aguatulco_ and _Capalita_, also great Towns standing upon a plain Country full of Sheep and Cattell, abounding with excellent fruits, especially _Pines_ and _Sandia's_, which are as big as Pumpions, and so waterish that they even melt like snow in the mouth, & cool the heat which there is great, by reason it is a low and Marsh kind of ground, lying neer the South Sea. The next chief Town and most considerable after _Capalita_ is _Tecoantepeque_; this is a Sea Town upon _Mar del Zur_, and a harbour for small vessels, such as Trade from those parts to _Acapulco_ and _Mexico_, and to _Realejo_ and _Guatemala_, and sometimes to _Panama_. Here upon some occasions Ships which come from _Peru_ to _Acapulco_ doe call in. It is a port no farther safe, then that no _English_ or _Holland_ Ships doe come thereabouts, which if they did, they would there find no resistance, but from thence would finde an open and easie Rode over all the Countrey. Upon all this South Sea side from _Acapulco_ to _Panama_, which is above two thousand miles by land there is no open harbour, but this for _Guaxaca_, and _La Trinidad_ for _Guatemala_, and _Realejo_ for _Nicaragua_, and _Golfo de Salinas_ for small vessels in _Costa Rica_, and all these unprovided of Ordnance and Ammunition, all open dores to let in any Nation that would take the pains to surround the World to get a treasure. This port of _Tecoantepeque_ is the chiefe for fishing in all that Countrey; wee met here in the wayes sometimes with fifty, sometimes with a hundred mules together laden with nothing but salt fish for _Guaxaca_, City of the _Angels_ and _Mexico_. There are some very rich Merchants dwell in it, who trade with _Mexico, Peru_ and _Philippinas_, sending their small vessels out from Port to Port, which come home richly laden with the Commodities of all the Southerne or Easterne parts. From hence to _Guatemala_ there is a plaine Rode along the Coast of the South Sea, passing through the Provinces of _Soconuzco_ and _Suchutepeques_; but wee aiming at _Chiapa_ tooke our journey over the high Rocks and Mountaines called _Quelenes_, travailing first from _Tecoantepeque_ to _Estepeque_, and from thence through a desert of two dayes journey, where wee were faine to lodge one night by a spring of water upon the bare ground in open wide fields, where neither Town nor house is to bee seene, yet thatcht lodges are purposely made for travailers. This plain lyeth so open to the Sea, that the wind from thence blow so strongly and violently that travailers are scarce able to sit their horses and mules; which is the reason no people inhabit there, because the windes teare their houses, and the least fire that there breaks out, doth a great deale of mischief. This plaine yet is full of Cattell, and Horses and Mares, some wild, some tame; and through this windy Champaigne Country with much adoe we travailed; though my self thought I should even there end my daies, for the second day being to reach to a Towne, and my three friends riding before, thinking that I followed them, evening now drawing on they made more hast to find the Town. But in the meane while my horse refused to goe any further, threatning to lie downe if I put him to more then hee was able. I knew the towne could not be far, and so I lighted, thinking to walke and lead my horse, who also refused to bee led, and so lay downe. With this a troop of thoughts beset mee, and to none I could give a flat answer. I thought if I should goe on foot to finde out the Towne and my company and leave my horse there sadled, I might both lose my selfe, and my horse and saddle; and if I should find the Towne and come in the morning for my horse, the plain was so wide and spatious, that I might seeke long enough, and neither finde him, nor know the place where I left him, for there was nothing neere to marke the place, nor where to hide the saddle, neither hedge, tree, shrub, within a mile on any side. Wherefore I considered my best course would bee to take up my lodging in the wide and open wildernesse with my horse, and to watch him lest hee should wander and stray away, untill the morning or untill my friends might send from the towne to see what was become of mee; which they did not that night, thinking I had taken my way to another Town not far from thence, whither they sent in the morning to enquire for me. I looked about therefore for a commodious place to rest in, but found no choice of lodgings, everywhere I found a bed ready for mee, which was the bare ground; a bolster onely or pillow I wanted for my head, and seeing no bank did kindly offer it selfe to ease a lost stranger, and pilgrime, I unsadled my weary Jade, and with my saddle fitted my head in stead of a pillow. Thus without a supper I went to bed in my Mothers owne bosome, not a little comforted to see my tired horse pluck up his spirits, and make much of his supper, which there was ready for him, of short, dry and withered grasse, upon which hee fed with a greedy and hungry stomack, promising mee by his feeding that the next day he would performe a journey of at least thirty or forty miles. The poor Beast fed apace, my careful eye watched him for at least an houre, when upon a suddain I heard such an hideous noise of howling, barking, and crying, as if a whole Army of dogs were come into the wildernesse, and howled for want of a prey of some dead horse or mule. At first the noise seemed to be a pretty way off from mee; but the more I hearkened unto it, the nigher it came unto mee, and I perceived it was not of dogs by some intermixt shriekings as of Christians, which I observed in it. An observation too sad for alone man without any helpe or comfort in a wildernesse, which made my haire to stand upright, my heart to pant, my body to bee covered with a fearfull sweat as of death. I expected nothing else, not knowing from whence the noise proceeded; sometimes I thought of Witches, sometimes of devils, sometimes of _Indians_ turned into the shape of beasts, (which amongst some hath beene used) sometimes of wild and savage beasts, and from all these thoughts I promised my self nothing but sure death, for the which I prepared my selfe recommending my soule to the Lord, whilst I expected my body should bee a prey to cruell and mercilesse beasts; or some instruments of that roaring Lion who in the Apostle goeth about seeking whom he may devoure. I thought I could not any waies prevaile by flying or running away, but rather might that way runne my selfe into the jawes of death; to hide there was no place, to lie still I thought was safest, for if they were wild beasts, they might follow their course another way from mee, and so I might escape. Which truly proved my safest course, for while I lay sweating and panting, judging every cry, every howling and shrieking an alarm to my death, being in this agony and fearfull conflict till about midnight, on a suddain the noise ceased, sleep (though but the shadow of death) seized upon my wearied body, and forsook me not, til the mornings glorious lamp shining before my slumbering eies and driving away deaths shadow greeted me with life & safety. When I awaked, my soul did magnifie the Lord for my deliverance from that nights danger, I looked about & saw my horse also neer the place where I had left him, I sadled him presently with desire to leave that wildernesse and to find out my company, and to impart unto them what that night had happened unto mee; I had not rid above a mile, when I came to a brook of water, where were two waies, the one straight forward along the desart, where I could discover no Towne, nor houses, nor trees in a prospect of five or six miles at least; the other way was on the left hand, and that way some two or three miles off I saw a wood of trees, I imagined there might be the Towne; I followed that way, and within a quarter of a mile my Horse beganne to complaine of his poore provender the night before, and to slight me for it; I was fain to light and lead him; and thus againe discouraged with my Horse, and discomforted for the uncertainty of my way, looking about I spied a thatcht house on the one side of the way, and one on Horse-back, who came riding to mee; it was an _Indian_ belonging to that house which was the farme of a rich _Indian_, and Governour of the next Towne, of whom I asked how farre it was to the Town of _Estepeque_, he shewed me the trees, and told me that a little beyond them it stood, and that I should not see it untill I came unto it. With this I got up againe and spurred my sullen jade, untill I reached unto the trees, where he was at a stand and would goe no further. Then I unsadled him, and hid my saddle under some low shrubs, and leaving my horse (whom I feared not that any would steale him) I walked unto the Towne which was not above halfe a mile from thence, where I found my three friends were waiting for me, and grieved for the losse of me, had sent to another Towne to enquire for me; it was the least thought they had that I had been a lodger in the desart. When I related unto them and to the _Indians_ the noise and howling that I had heard, the _Indians_ answered me that that was common musick to them almost every night, & that they were Wolves and Tigres which they feared not, but did often meet them and with a sticke or hollowing did scare them away, and that they were onely ravenous for their Fowles, Colts, Calves or Kids. After a little discourse I returned with an _Indian_ to seeke my Horse and saddle, and in that Towne I sould my wearied _Mexican_ beast, and hired another to _Ecatepeque_ whither we went all four friends again in company. Where note that in this plain and champaigne country of _Tecoantepeque_ are five rich and pleasant Townes full of fruits and provision of victuall, all ending in _Tepeque_, to wit, _Tecoantepeque, Estepeque, Ecatepeque, Sanatepeque_, and _Tapanatepeque_. Now from _Ecatepeque_ wee could discover the high mountaines of _Quelenes_, which were the subject of most of our discourse to _Sanatepeque_, and from thence to _Tapanatepeque_. For we had been informed by _Spaniards_ and Travailers in the way, that they were the most dangerous mountains to travail over that were in all those parts; and that there were on the top of them some passages so narrow, and so high, and so open to the boisterous winds that came from the South-sea, which seemed to lie at the very bottom of them; and on each side of these narrow passages such deep precipices among rocks, that many times it had happened, that the wind blowing furiously had cast downe Mules laden with heavy carriages downe the rockes, and likewise Horse-men had been blown down both Horse and man. The sight of the rockes and mountaines did terrifie us, and the report of them did much affright us; so that in all this way we did conferre which way to take, whether the rode way to _Guatemala_ which lieth under those mountaines along the coast by the Country of _Soconuzco_, from whence (though out of our way) we might have turned to _Chiapa_, or whether we should steer our right course to _Chiapa_ over those mountains, which we had been informed, we might safely passe over if the winds did not blow too boisterously. We resolved that when wee came to _Tapanatepeque_ we would choose our way according as the winds did favour or threaten us, but however to _Chiapa_ we would goe, because there we had understood was the Superiour and Provinciall or all the Dominicans of those parts, (to whom we ought to addresse our selves) and also because we would see that famous and much talked of Province of _Chiapa_. In _Sanatepeque_ wee met with a Frier who gave us stately entertainment, and from thence gave us _Indians_ to guide us to _Tapanatepeque_, and a letter to the chiefe of the Towne (which also was at his command) to give us Mules to carry us, and _Indians_ to guide us up the mountaines. Here the rest of our Horses also failed us, but their wearinesse was no hinderance to us, for the _Indians_ were willing to give us as much or more then they had cost us, because they were true _Mexican_ breed, and all the way we went to _Chiapa_ and through that country to _Guatemala_ the Towns were to provide us of Mules for nothing. We came to _Tapanatepeque_ (which standeth at the bottome and foot of _Quelenes_) on Saturday night, and with the letter we carried were very much welcomed and entertained well by the _Indians_.

This Towne is one of the sweetest and pleasantest of any we had seen from _Guaxaca_ thither, and it seems God hath replenished it with all sorts of comforts which Travailers may need to ascend up those dangerous and steepy rockes. Here is great plenty of cattel for flesh, and rich _Indians_ which have farmes, called there _Estantia's_, in some a thousand, in some three or four thousand head of cattell; fowles here are in abundance, fish the best store and choisest of any Towne from _Mexico_ thither; for the Sea is hard by it, and besides there runneth by it a small river which yeelds divers sorts of fish. From the mountaines there fall so many springs of water, that with them the _Indians_ water at their pleasure their gardens which are stored with much herbage and sallets. The shade which defends from the heat (which there is great) is the daughter of most sweet and goodly fruit trees, and of Orange, Lemmon, Citron and Fig leaves. The Sabbath morning was so calme that we desired to make use of it, lest by longer delayes the winds should stay us, or force us to the coast of _Soconusco_. But the _Indians_ intreated us to bee their guests at dinner, not doubting but the weather would hold, and promising us to provide us strong and lusty Mules, and provision of fruits, and fried fish, or fowles, or what our selves desired. We could not refuse this their kind offer, and so stayed dinner with them. After dinner our Mules were brought, and two _Indians_ to guide us and carry our provision, which was some fried fish, and a cold rosted Capon, with some fruit as much as might suffice us for a day, for the chief ascent and danger is not above seven leagues, or one and twenty _English_ miles, and then beyond the top of the mountaines three miles is one of the richest farms for Horses, Mules, and Cattel, in all the Countrey of _Chiapa_, where we knew we should be welcomed by one _Don John de Toledo_, who then lived there. Though these mountaines shew themselves with severall sharp pointed heads, and are many joyned together, yet one of them is only mentioned in that Country by the Travailers, which is called _Maquilapa_, over the which lieth the way to _Chiapa_. To this high, steepy, and craggy _Maquilapa_ we tooke our journey after dinner, and were by the proud mountaine that night well entertained, and harboured in a green plot of ground resembling a meadow, which lay as a rib of the one side of that huge and more then _Pyrenian_ monster. The _Indians_ comforted us with the shews of faire weather, and told us that they doubted not but the next day at noone we should be at _Don John de Toledo_ his _Estancia_, or farme. With this we spread our supper upon the green table-cloth, and at that first meale eat up our Capon and most of the provision of our cold fried fish, leaving only a bit for our mornings breakefast, the springs of water like Conduit-pipes, trickling downe the rockes, gave us melodious musicke to our supper; the _Indians_ fed merrily, and our Mules contentedly, and so the fountaine Nymphes sung us asleep till morning, which seemed to us as calme and quiet as the day before, and encouraged us hastily to snatch that bit which we had left and so up from breakefast, to say merrily, up to _Maquilapa_. We had not winded the mountaine upwards much above a mile, when the higher we mounted, the more we heard the wind from above whistling unto us, and forbidding us to goe any further. We were now halfe way up, and doubtfull what wee should doe, whither go forward, or returne to _Tapanatepeque_ to eat more fish, or to stay where we were a while untill the weather were more calme, which we thought might be at noone or towards evening. The _Indians_ told us that about a mile further there was a fountaine of water, and a lodge made under trees on purpose for Travailers that were either benighted or hindred by the winds to compasse their journey up the mountaine. Thither we went with much adoe, hoping the wind would fall; but still the higher we climbed, the stronger we felt the breath or _Æolus_, and durst not like the people called _Psilli_ (of whom _Herodotus_ writeth) march against him, least as they in stead of a victory found a grave in the sands where they met to oppose him, so we in stead of ascending should by a furious blast be made to descend into those deep and horrid precipices, which truely threatned death, and offered themselves to be a grave unto our torne and mangled bodies. We liked the fountaine very well, and the lodge better for the harbour of trees which compassed it about. The wind kept on breathing, and we stood still fearing, till the day was so farre spent that we had no hopes of going back, or forward. Of any supper we despaired that night, who would have been glad now to have picked a bone of a Capons leg, or to have sucked a fishes head, and saw there was nothing for us, but only to feed our hungry stomackes with the remembrance of the plenty the night before. Thus gazing one upon another, and sometimes looking down to the fountaine, sometimes looking up to the trees, we perceived amongst them a Lemmon tree, full of small and very sowre green Lemmons. It was not with us as with _Tantalus_ who could neither injoy the fruit above him, nor the waters beneath him; we could and did most greedily catch and snatch the Lemmons, which were sawce for no meate, but onely to fill an empty stomack; with them wee supped and tooke our rest. The next morning the wind was rather stronger then calmer, and we as strong the second day as the first in our purpose of staying there, and not turning our backes like Cowards. The _Indians_ were also willing to stay yet one day longer; so we fell to our breakefast of Lemmons which were somewhat coole to a fasting stomack, and relished nothing the better with a draught from the cleere fountaine. And of what we left on the tree we made our dinner and supper, adding to our water what we saw the _Indians_ did drinke, who had their small bags full of powder of their Maiz, of which first making cakes as dry as bisket they then grind them to powder, and when they travaile, carry with them that powder to drink with water. This wee thought might bee more nourishing to us, then Lemmons and water onely, and so for that day we bought of them halfe a bagfull of powder giving for it in our want and necessity four rials, or two _English_ shillings, which out of _Maquilapa_ and that our feare of starving might not be worth above a penny; and yet this was but weake nourishment for our feeble bodies. Thus we waited all Tuesday for the laying of the wind, resolving the next morning either to goe up the hill, or downe againe to _Tapanatepeque_. But on Wednesday morning the wind seeming to be somewhat laid, we purposed to stay till noon hoping then it would be sure travailing; but it ceased not but rather increased a little; whereupon one of our company resolved to goe upwards a mile or two on foot, and trie the passages, and the danger of the wind and to bring us word againe; for we thought our feare might be greater then the danger, who had heard much talke, but had not as yet seen any thing worth our feare. Up therefore went our friend, who staid from us neer two houres, and then returning backe he told us he thought we might get up leading our Mules by the bridles. But what with further questions and debates the time passed away, so that we thought it might be too late; and for that day we put off our journey untill the next morning, resolutely purposing to goe forwards altogether if the wind were not much increased. So that day we fell again to our green crabby Lemmons, water and Maiz powder, all which we found had much weakned our bodies and feared if we continued there any longer they might hasten our death. Wherefore on Thursday morning (the wind being as the day before) commending our selves first unto the protection of that Lord whom the winds and sea obey, we mounted up upon our Mules (leaving our names written in the barke of a great tree, and the dayes we stayed there without food) and so went upward. Wee perceived no great danger in the wind a great while, but some steps and passages upon stony rockes we feared for the narrownesse of them, and there we lighted, thinking our selves safer upon our own two feet, then upon the four feet of a beast. But when we came up to the very top of _Maquilapa_ (which signifies in that tongue, A head without haire) we perceived truly the danger so much talked of, and wished our selves again with our green Lemmons in the way to _Tapanatepeque_, for we found it indeed a head without haire, a top without a tree or branch to shelter a fearfull Traveller; the passage that lieth open to the sea may be no more than a quarter of a mile, but the height and narrownesse of it stupefieth, for if we looke on the one side, there is the wide and spatious South-sea lying so deep and low under it that it dazleth the eies to behold it; if wee looke on the other side, there are rockes of at least six or seven miles depth; whose sight doth make the stoutest and hardest heart (though like themselves) to quake and quiver; so that here the sea expects to swallow, there the rockes threaten to tear with a downfall, and in the midst of those dangers in some places the passage is not above an ell broad. We needed better cordialls for that quarter of a mile then feeding three daies upon green Lemmons and water, and durst not man our selves so much as to goe through it upon our Mules; we lighted, and gave the _Indians_ our Mules to lead, and we followed them one by one not daring to walk upright for fear of head giddinesse with looking on either side, but bowing our bodies we crept upon our hands and feet as neere unto the trackes which beasts and Travailers had made as we could without hindering our going. And when we had got to the end of that passage, and where the mountaine was broader, and the trees promised reliefe, we then looked back boldly, and accused of folly both our selves and all other Travailers that sought no other way though ten miles about, to avoid that danger both for man and beast. From thence joyfully we made haste to _Don John de Toledo_, who made us welcome and gave us some warme broath to comfort our stomacks, which were so weake that no sooner had wee eat any thing, but presently we cast it up againe; till after many sups of broath and wine we recovered strength towards night, and eat our suppers; there we stayed two daies; and thus thoroughly refreshed wee went to _Acapala_ a very great Towne of _Indians_ in the Province of _Chiapa_, standing by the same river that passeth by _Chiapa_, which is called _Chiapa de Indios_, or _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_, to distinguish it from another _Chiapa_, called _Chiapa Reall_ the Roial _Chiapa_, or _Chiapa de Espanoles, Chiapa_ of the _Spaniards_. From _Acapala_ we went first to _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_, which standeth almost as low as _Maquilapa_ is high, seated upon a river as broad as is the _Thames_ at _London_, which hath its spring from the mountaines called _Cuchumatlanes_, in the rode from _Chiapa Real_ to _Guatemala_, and runnes towards the Province of _Zoques_, where it entreth into the river of _Tabasco_. But of this _Chiapa_ I will speak a little more in the next Chapter, and now onely say that here we were joyfully entertained by those Fryers, who looked upon us as members belonging to the Corporation of that their Province, and assured us that the Provinciall and chief Superiour would be very glad of our coming, who wanted _Spanish_ Fryers to oppose the Criolians and Natives who strived to get a head as they had done in _Mexico_ and _Guaxaca_. Here we understood that the Provinciall was not above one daies journey from thence. Here also we met with our friend _Peter Borallo_, who had come before us alone, and made his escape from _Mexico_: he comforted us much with the good and kind usage which he had found there; yet he told us how _Calvo_ was gone with the rest of his traine from _Mexico_ to _Acapulco_, & from thence was shipped with them to _Philippinas_; but that at his departure he had writ a letter of bitter complaints unto the Superiour of _Chiapa_ and _Guatemala_ against him and us four, desiring the Provinciall not to entertaine us, but to send us backe to _Mexico_, to be shipped from thence the next yeer unto _Philippinas_; which letter was not regarded; but much slighted by the Provinciall. After we had been a week feasted in _Chiapa_, we thought it now fit to present our selves to the Provinciall (whose name was Fryer _Peter Alvarez_) that from him we might receive judgement, and know whether we should stay in that Province, or be forced to return to _Spaine_, for in no other part of _America_ we could be entertained. We found the Provinciall in a little Towne called _St. Christopher_, between _Chiapa_ of the _Indians_ and the Roiall _Chiapa_, recreating himselfe in the shady walkes, which are many sweet and pleasant in that small Towne; where also there is store of fish, and great abundance of rare, and exquisite fruits. He entertained us very lovingly with faire and comfortable words, with a stately dinner and supper, and before we went to bed, to shew his humility hee did unto us what Christ to his Disciples, hee washed our feet. The first day he said little or nothing unto us concerning our continuing in that Country; but the next day he discovered unto us his full resolutions, with many wile and cunning sophismes. For first he read unto us the letter which _Calvo_ had writ unto him against us, glossing upon it how ill we had done in forsaking our first love and calling to _Philippinas_, and the danger many _Indian_ soules might bee in by reason of our not going thither to convert and instruct them, whose gifts and abilities he supposed might have been more profitable and comfortable to those souls, then those who in our stead and absence should be sent amongst them. And secondly hee told us how wee had frustrated the King of _Spaines_ good hopes of us who had allowed us means and maintenance from _Spain_ to _Mexico_, hoping that by us many soules of _Indians_ in _Philippinas_ might bee saved. Thirdly, hee told us that hee looked upon us as his prisoners, in whose power it was to imprison us, and to send us Prisoners to _Mexico_ to the Viceroy, to bee shipped from thence to _Manila_, according to _Calvo_ his demand. But for the present hee would not let us know what hee meant to doe with us; Onely hee bad us not to bee discouraged, but to be merry and recreate our selves, and that after dinner wee should know more from him, when he had received an answer to a Letter which hee had writ unto the City of _Chiapa_ concerning the disposall of our persons. These reasonings of the grave and old Provinciall did not a little sad our hearts; for the losse of soules, and King of _Spain_ his intentions and charity charged upon us, and imprisonment spoke of by the by, were words which seemed of a very high straine, and so could hardly bee digested by us; this mornings breakfast had quite taken away from us our stomack to our dinner. And thus wee departed from the presence of the venerable Fryer _Peter Alvarez_, and betooke our selves to a shady walke under Orange trees belonging to the house where this Superiour was. In this shade wee conferred with our selves upon the words of _Alvarez_, and finding them of so high a nature, as involving soules, a King, and imprisonment, we thought verily wee should bee sent back to _Mexico_, and from thence like fugitive slaves bee forced to _Philippinas_. Here my hopes of ever more seeing _England_ were lost; _Antonio Melendez_ his heart panted, wished himself again upon the highest top of _Maquilapa_; another wished himselfe with old _Calvo_ at Sea sailing to _Manila_, though it were but to help him scrape his rusty Gammons of Bacon.

The motion was made to make an escape from _Alvarez_, as wee had done from _Calvo_; but to this answer was made, that whither so ever wee went, not knowing the Country, wee should bee discovered; and that put case the worst, wee should bee sent to _Mexico_, wee might better escape in the way, then there where wee were. At last I told the rest, that I could conceive no hard nor harsh usage from that smiling and loving countenance of the Provinciall, nor after that his low and humble act of washing our feet the night before; and that I thought verily hee wished us well for having come so far to offer our selves for fellow-labourers in that harvest of souls belonging to his charge, and whom wee knew wanted such as we were newly come from _Spain_ to oppose the Criolians or Natives faction in that Province; alleadging furthermore the example of our friend and companion _Peter Borallo_, whom hee had already incorporated into that province, and could doe no lesse with us without partiality and acceptation of persons. And lastly, my opinion was, that in case wee ought not to be entertained there, yet the Provinciall would not send us back to _Mexico_, there to be disgraced and affronted, but would give way unto us to returne to _Spain_, or whither else wee would, with some relief and mony in our purses. Whilst wee were thus troubled, and in this sad and serious discourse, old _Alvarez_ it seemes had been eying of us from his window, and as _Joseph_ could not long suppresse and keep in the expressions of a loving and tender heart unto his brethren; so this good Superior perceiving that we were troubled with what he had said unto us, sent his companion unto us to comfort us; which wee easily perceived by his discourse when hee came unto us. For as soone as hee came hee asked us why wee were so sad and melancholy? hee told us, the Provinciall also had observed that wee were troubled. But, said hee, bee of good cheare; bee confident that the Provinciall wisheth you very well, and needeth such as you are, and having come into his Dominion to thrust your selves upon his mercy, by harsh and unkind usage hee will not doe what Martiall Law forbids a hard hearted Souldier to doe unto his enemy upon such termes. Many such comfortable words did he speak unto us; and told us further that the Provinciall had been much censured by the Criolian party for entertaining of _Peter Borallo_; and that now they would stir worse seeing four more come to weaken their faction; and therefore hee desired to bee well advised concerning us, and to carry our businesse with such discretion, as might give little offence to those who were apt to judge and censure the best of all his actions. And finally hee did assure us, that wee should never bee sent back as prisoners to _Mexico_ by the Provinciall, who in case hee could not entertaine us in _Chiapa_, or _Guatemala_, would further us with all his favour, and friends, and money in our purses to return againe to _Spain_. These reasons were heart fainting Cordials unto us, and stomack preparatives to a good dinner, to which by the sound of a bell wee were invited. When wee came in, the loving, smiling, and fatherly countenance of the good Provinciall did chear us more then all the cheare that waited for us upon the table in severall dishes, all which were seasoned to our palates with the sauce of the comfort, which the Provincials messenger had brought unto us in the shady Orange walke in the garden. The great provision of fish and flesh, with fruits and sweet meats were yet to us a strong argument that wee were very welcome; for what wee fed on that day, might well become a Noble mans Table; besides in many passages of our discourse wee perceived that good old _Alvarez_ his heart was overjoyed with our comming to him. Dinner being ended the Provinciall desired to play a game at Tables with us round about, saying hee would not win our money, because hee judged us poore after so long a journey. But thus hee setled the game and sport; that if he did win, we should say for him five _Pater Nosters_, and five _Ave Maries_; but if wee wun, wee should win our admittance, and Incorporation into that Province. This sport pleased us well, for our winnings wee judged would be to us more profitable at that time, then to winne pounds, and our loosings we valued not; besides wee were confident all went well with us, when from the favour of the Dice, wee might challenge that favour which with many weary journeys wee had come to seek above foure hundred miles. The sport began, and wee young blades taking one by one our turnes were too hard for the old man, who (as wee perceived) would willingly bee the loser, that his very losses might speak unto us what through policy and discretion hee would not utter with words. Yet wee boldly challenged our winnings, which as soone as wee had ended our game were now surely confirmed unto us by the returne of an _Indian_ messenger, who that morning had been sent to the City of _Chiapa_ for advice and counsell from the Prior and the chiefe of the Cloister concerning our disposal, and now was returned with an answer from the Prior, who in his letter expressed great joy unto the Provinciall for our comming, and so from the rest of the Seniors of the Cloister, and did earnestly begge of the Superiour, that hee would send us to him to bee his guests, for that our case had beene his owne some ten yeers before, for hee had also at _Mexico_ forsaken his company to _Philippinas_, and fled to _Guatemala_, where for his learning and good parts hee had been as a stranger much envied by the Criolian faction; but now hee hoped hee should have some to side with him against such as spighted and maligned him. Old _Alvarez_ was much taken with his letter, and told us hee must pay what hee had lost, and that the next day he would send us to _Chiapa_, there to abide untill hee tooke further care of us, to send us to other parts of the Country, to learne the _Indian_ languages, that wee might preach unto them. This discourse being ended wee betooke our selves again to the Garden which smelled more of comfort then before dinner, and to our shady walks which now offered us a safer protection then they had done in the forenoone, countenancing that protection which we had gained from the Provinciall.

Here we began to praise God, who had looked upon us in our low estate, not forgetting the wise and politick Provinciall, who though hee had lost his games for our comfort, wee would not hee should lose our prayers, which there wee offered up to God for his health and safety. And so till supper time wee continued our discourse in the Garden fuller of mirth and pleasant jests, then wee had done before dinner, snatching now and then at the Oranges and Lemmons, which were there both sowre and sweet, eating of some, and casting some one at another, but especially at him who had wished himselfe with _Calvo_ dressing his rusty Bacon, whom we strived to beat out of the garden by force of Orange and Lemmon bullets; which sport we continued the more willingly, because wee perceived the good Provinciall stood behind a Lattice in a Balcony beholding us, and rejoycing to see our hearts so light and merry. Wee had no sooner beat _Calvo_ his friend out of the garden, when the bell to supper sounded a retreat to us all, and called us again to meet our best friend _Alvarez_, who had furnished us a Table againe like that at noone. After supper hee told us that the next morning hee would send us to _Chiapa_, for that the Prior had writ unto him he would meet us in the way with a Breakfast at a Towne called St. _Philip_; wherewith wee conceited very highly of our selves to see that Provincialls and Priors were so forward to feast us. Yet before we went to bed, the Provinciall would try again a game at Tables with every one of us, to see if now hee could beat us that had been too hard for him at noon. The matter of our game was now altered, and what we played for was this; if the Provinciall wun, wee were to bee his Prisoners, (which mystery wee understood not till the next day, for the old man was crafty and Politick, and knew hee could winne of us when he listed, for hee was an excellent gamester at Tables) but if wee wun of him, hee was to give us a box of _Chocolatte_, which was a drinke wee liked very well. The Game went on, and wee every one of us one by one were losers, yet understood not how wee should bee his Prisoners, but slighted our losses. Yet for all this the merry Provinciall told us, hee was sory wee had lost, and wished wee might never bee prisoners to a worse enemie then hee; and that wee should perceive it, hee would comfort us each one as a Prisoner with a box of _Chocolatte_, to drinke for his sake, and to comfort our hearts, when most wee should find them discomforted for our losses. Wee understood not his meaning till the next day at noone, but thought it was a jest and a word of sport and mirth, like many such like which in his discourse had come from him.

With this wee tooke our leaves, and went to bed with light and merry hearts. In the morning two Mules of the Provinciall and two of his Companion were sadled for us, and at least a dozen _Indians_ on horse back waited for us to conduct us up a steepy hill and through woods to the Towne of St. _Philip_. After our breakfast the good Provinciall imbraced us, and bad us farewell, desiring us to pray for him; and not to bee discouraged by any thing that might befall us, assuring us hee wished us very well, and would doe what lay in his power for our good; yet so, that hee must use policy and discretion to stop the mouths of the Criolians, whom hee knew hated both him and us. Thus we departed with Waits and Trumpets sounding before us, which rebounded an Echo all the way up the hill from us to old _Alvarez_ whom we had left in a low bottome compassed about with hils on every side. Wee had no sooner ascended up to the top of the Mountaine, when we discovered a little Valley, and in it the City of _Chiapa_ of the _Spaniards_; with two or three small Villages, of which one was St. _Philip_ at the bottom of the Mountaine, which we were to descend. The Trumpets which still went sounding before us were a sufficient and loud Alarme to St. _Philips_ Inhabitants of our coming, and a warning for the speedier hastening of our second breakfast, for the which the cold morning aire (which wee found somewhat piercing upon the Mountaine) had whetted and through prepared our stomacks. We had not got down the Mountaine halfe a mile, when wee met with a matter of twenty gallant _Indians_ on horse-back with their trumpeters sounding before them, and behind them came upon a stately Mule the Prior of _Chiapa_, (whose name was Father _John Baptist_) a merry fat Fryer, who calling us his brethren fugitives from _Philippinas_, told us wee were welcome to that country, and to him especially, and that in the next St. _Philip_ he would shew us better sport, then any _St. Philip_ in all the _Philippinas_ Islands could have shewed us, if wee had gone thither. Thus with a pleasant discourse, and many merry conceits from the good Prior wee soone came downe the hill, where the whole Village of St. _Philip_ waited for us both men and women, some presenting unto us nosegaies, others hurling Roses and other flowers in our faces, others dancing before us all along the street, which was strowed with herbes and Orange leaves, and adorned with many Arches made with flowers and hung with garlands for us to ride under untill wee came to the Church, where for halfe an houre wee were welcomed with the best musick from the City of _Chiapa_, which the Prior had hired to come with him to entertaine us. Our Musick being ended, fat Father _John Baptist_ stood up and made a short speech unto the _Indians_, giving them thankes for their kind and pompous entertainment of us his speciall friends, and that their soules might gaine by it, hee granted unto them a plenary indulgence of all their sinnes past to bee gained by as many of them as should visit that Church the next Lords Day either before or afternoon. And thus from the Altar wee went unto our breakfasting Table, which was furnished with many well seasoned dishes of salt and well peppered and spiced meats, all fit to make us relish better a cup of _Spanish Pier Ximeny_ which the Prior had provided for us. After our salt meats, came such rare and exquisite sorts of sweet meats made by _John Baptist_ his best devoted Nuns of _Chiapa_, that the like wee had not seen from St. _John de Ulhua_ to that place. These were to prepare our stomacks for a Cup of _Chocolatte_, with the which we ended our breakfast. But whilst all this was gallantly performed by the Prior, it was a hard Riddle unto us, what hee often repeated unto us saying, Brethren break your fast well, for your dinner will be the meanest as ever yee did eate in your lives, and now enjoy this sweet liberty which will not last long unto you. Wee observed the words, but knew not what to make of them, till wee came unto the Cloister. After our breakfast the _Indians_ shewed us a little sport in the Market place, running races on horse-back, and playing at _Juego de Canna's_; which is to meet on horseback, with broad Targets to defend their heads and shoulders while passing by they hurle Canes, or darts one at another, which those _Indians_ acted with great dexterity.

Thus the good Prior of _Chiapa_ feasted us, and permitted us to injoy our liberty as long as it seemes it had beene agreed upon by letters between him and the Provinciall, which was till it might be dinner time in the Cloister of _Chiapa_, where wee were to bee before noone. The time drew neere, and we had from St. _Philip_ to the City of _Chiapa_ some two _English_ miles to ride; Wherefore the Prior commanded our Mules to bee brought; the waits and trumpets gave warning to the Town of our departure; and so with many horsemen, with dances, Musick and ringing of Bells wee were as stately and joyfully conducted out of the Town, as wee had been inducted into it. At the first halfe miles end the Prior gave thankes unto the _Indians_, and desired them to return, the Cloister being neer where wee expected another kinde of entertainment, not using in the City and Cloister that pompe and state, which in the Country might bee allowed. The _Indians_ tooke their leaves of us; and on we went with onely two as guides before us. Within halfe a mile of the City, the Prior and a companion of his stopped, and tooke out of his pocket an order from the Provinciall, which he read unto us, to this effect, That whereas we had forsaken our lawfull Superior _Calvo_ in the way to _Philippinas_, and without his licence had come unto the Province of _Chiapa_, hee could not in conscience but inflict some punishment upon us before he did enable us to abide there as members under him; therefore hee did strictly command the Prior of _Chiapa_, that as soone as wee should enter into his Cloister, hee should shut us up two by two in our chambers, as in prisons, for three daies, not suffering us to goe out to any place, save onely to the publick place of refection (called Refectory) where all the Fryers met together to dine and sup, where at noon time we were to present our selves before all the Cloister sitting upon the bare ground, and there to receive no other dinner, but only bread and water; but at supper we might have in our chambers, or Prisons, what the Prior would be pleased to allow us. This was the Penance enjoined upon us by the wise and cunning Provinciall. This newes at the first was but sowre sawce, or a dry Postpast after a double sumptuous breakfast; it was a dolefull ditty to us after our Musick, and dances, to heare of a treble fast after our feast; to heare of imprisonment after so great liberty. We now began to remember the Provincialls winnings at Tables the night before, and the mystery thereof, and began to thinke how comfortable his boxes of _Chocolatte_ would be unto us after a meale of bread and water. Now wee called to minde the short dinner the Prior had told us at St. _Philips_ wee were like to have that day, and of the liberty hee bad us then make much of. But the good Prior seeing us sad upon a suddaine, and our countenances changed, smiled upon us, wishing us not to thinke the worse of him, nor of the Provinciall, who did that out of Policy, and to stop the Criolians mouths, whom he knew would murmur, if no punishment were inflicted upon us. Hee assured us, after our imprisonment, of honours and preferments, and that as long as wee were with him, wee should want no incouragement; and that after a bread and water dinner hee could send us to our chambers a Supper, that should strongly support our empty stomacks, and furre and line them well for the next foure and twenty houres. With these incouragements on wee went to the Cloister of _Chiapa_, where wee were welcomed by most of the Fryers, but in some few wee noted a frowning and disaffected countenance. We were no sooner conducted to our chambers, when the bell sounded to dinner for the rest, and cryed aloud to us Penance with bread and water. Downe wee went to the common dining place, and thanks being given, the Fryers sitting round the tables, wee foure _Philippinian Jonahs_ (so some Criolians were pleased to term us) betook our selves to the middle of the Refectory, where without cushions, stooles, seats or forms, wee sate upon the bare ground crosse legged like Tailors, acting humility now for our disobedience unto slovenly _Calvo_. While the first dish was presented round the tables, to each of us was presented a loafe of reasonable bignesse, and a pot of pure Crystall water, whereof wee fed and dranke most heartily though with full stomacks from a double breakfast before. Yet even here in this publick Act of shame and disgrace (which wee knew was usuall among Fryers for lesse faults then ours) we had this comfort, that we had a Prior and Provinciall for friends, and that that punishment came from a friendly hand, whose Chocolatte wee had to comfort our fasting bodies; and secondly, wee knew that wee should have that night in our prison chambers a better supper than any of those before us, who fed upon their three or foure dishes. But thirdly, it was our comfort that at that very time a Criolian Frier also sate upon the ground with us (of whose company we had been informed by some friends before wee went into the refectory) for some love letters which had been intercepted between him and a Nun of that City, tending to much uncivility, and breaking their oath of professed chastity. But when I perceived this Frier to looke discontentedly upon us, I chose my place as neer unto him as I could, and hearing him mutter within himselfe against us, calling us disobedient _Philippinian Jonahs_, I softly and friendly spoke unto him with these two following Hexameters, which suddenly came unto my mind about his misdemeanor.

_Si Monialis Amor te turpia scribere fecit, Ecce tibi frigidæ præhent medicamina lymphæ._

But my good neighbour snuffing and puffing at my suddain muse, seemed to be more discontented then before, and would faine withdraw himselfe by degrees from mee, not rising up (for that was not lawfull to doe till dinner had been ended) but wrigling his elbowes and shoulders scornefully from me, whom in like manner I followed, cleaving friendly to him with this verse,

_Solamen misera est socios retinere Panettes,_

Hee thought I followed him to steale away his loafe from him. This new found word, _Panettes_, had almost choaked him, had not hee made use of the medicinall water which stood before him; of the which he dranke a good draught, whereby I perceived his courage against me and my friends was tamed, and I told him, I hoped his burning wanton love was cooled.

Thus with my Criolian neighbours company my bread and water went down cheerfully; and dinner being ended, we were again conducted to our chambers, where we dranke a cup of old _Alvarez_ his _Chocolatte_. The _Castilian_ Friers flocked unto our prisons, some to talke with us, some bringing us conserves and sweet-meats, others other dainties, which they had prepared to helpe our digestion of bread and cold water. My suddain verses to my Criolian neighbour were presently noysed about the Cloister, and were the chiefe subject of our talke that afternoone. Our supper was provided for us according to the promise and generous spirit of the Prior, who also honoured our prison that night with his owne and two other Friers company supping with us all in one chamber together. And thus we passed our three daies of imprisonment merrily and contentedly, wishing we might never suffer harder usage in any prison then we had done in this, which was not to us such a punishment as did bring with it the privation of any liberty of enjoying the company of friends, of feasting with them, but onely the privation of the liberty of our legs to walke about those three daies; and this rather an ease then a punishment, for that we wanted rather rest, then much stirring after so long and tedious a journey as we had compassed from _Mexico_ thither. We were no sooner set at liberty, but we presently found the Provinciall and Prior ready to dispose of us so, that in lieu of our imprisonment we might receive honor and credit. Two were sent into the Country to learne some _Indian_ language, that so they might be beneficed and preach unto the _Indians_. My selfe and another desired to goe farther to _Guatemala_, that there we might practise Philosophy and Divinity in the famous Universitie of that City. Nothing that we desired was denied unto us, onely the time was thought not fit untill _Michaelmas_, because then the schooles were renewed, and new Orders setled. In the meane time the Provinciall having also heard of my verses _ex tempore_ to the Criolian Frier, and knowing that the _Latin_ tongue is better grounded in _England_ then among the _Spaniards_ (who abuse poore _Priscian_ and daily breake his pate with foolish soloecismes) and considering the want hee had of a Master of the _Latine_ tongue to supply a Lecture of Grammar and Syntax to the youthes of _Chiapa_ in a schoole in that Cloister, which brought a sufficient yeerly stipend unto the Covent, desired me to accept of that place untill such time as he should take care to send me to _Guatemala_, promising me all incouragements in the meane time fitting, and that I should when I would go about to see the Country (which I much desired) and also that out of the schoole annuity I should have my allowance for bookes, and other necessaries. I could not but accept of this good offer; and so with this imployment I remained in that City from _Aprill_ to the end of _September_, where I was much esteemed of by the Bishop and Governour, but especially by the Prior, who would never ride about the Country for his recreation, but he would take me with him, whereby I had occasion to note concerning the Province, riches, commodities, and government of _Chiapa_, what in the ensuing