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Lorsque le document ast trop grand pour Atra raproduit en un soul cliche, il est film* A partir da Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en baa. wt prenent le nombre d'imegea nicessaira. Las diagrammas suivants illustrant la mMhode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 ! - * ^mCIiXiIAM l^A.VOR I..UD. 7i/6iis/hu/MH,.''iAc ^^^^6 SyHNiw^cry //u- tlrncr iyS:SFiuf£tC3ktfv^li*n ■^i HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE MOST CELEBRATED VOYAGES, TRAVJELS, AKD DISCOVERIES, * * - ^ROM THE, * TIME OF COLUMBUS TO T«E 1>RESENT PERIOD. *«N«napisindetuUt(d!b»Mfedula)Ibm.** Ot>.'j: By WILLIAM MAVOR. LL.I>. VOL. L lu/^63tuni^J&/im L N D X: PRINTED FOR E. NEWHERY, «T. PAUL'S CHURCM SfAfLD, ^790/'^ ^ •'• ■», ■J '.Mt^iHiii^i'^^ii. ^ 14350- ne CONTENTS OF VOL. I. piRSTrvyageofCoiumhus, - » ** Second Voyage of Columimst - Third Voyage of Columbus t - Fourth and lafi Voyage of Co^mbuit <•> Biographical Notices oftbeCabots^ and their Dif- coveries, ... Biographical Notices t>f Americus Vefputm, and his DifioverieSy . . - Difcoveries of the Spaniards, from the Death tf Columbus, to the Expedition of Hernando Cortex, - - - Brief Account pf the Conjueft ef Mexico, by Her' nando CorteZy - - Brief Account of the Conqueft of Peru, hy Francis Pizarro, .... General Character and Defcription of the Ahori- ginal Americans t . • . Firji Voyage of Vafquez de Gama^ to the Bap In* dies $ with a preliminary Dijertation on the antecedent Difcoveries of the Portuguefe, - Voyage of Pedro Alvarez de Cabral, to tie Eafl Indies, ... Second Voyage of Vafquez de Gama, to the Eefi Indies, .... General View of the Progrefs and the Decline of the Portuzuefe Intereft in the Eafl Indies, - The Voyage of Ferdinand Magellan, Hound the fVorfd, . . Page I 3« 5S «S 9f tot t*t t4i V. H . V «> ft^ . IHMBl'.'riMf «•'»•• • «^^r»t t ' 'ft M««.;. "r-'V IVAl^ivt, 1. .^b«UA^*.« •■# v,4i»t;i*. ;i'- ':x;^y^. tL v3»A % - .' .i'v; U->'Ov K .V* ift-»"i!?.''.w > j!*vr.> ^ I jM'iT: ,> VI X • • '^ 4 . K; S^, \xr\: .^■*ii *\ t • ■ -> • s •• ^ A -uMw i'»c Ik, ' «it^ t fe» '^\ \v'^'^y \ > \\ **«4"« I "*\ DEDICATION. J TO THE KING. \ ■ » SIRE, ' IT h the peculiar glory of Your Majesty's reign, that it has en- larged the bounds of fcience, increaf- cd the accommodations and comforts [of life, and extended the refearches of [knowledge, as far as the daring fpirit of lifcovery can penetrate, or man exilt. Under Your Majesty's aufpices, we ave feen feas explored and lands laid ■ : • ' • . I ■ ' : ) . . pen, where Europeans had never ven- A tured Vol, L DEDICATION. *? it^ Cured before. We have fcen too, that difcovery has been made fubfei^vient to the mod valuable purpofes of hu- man life, by a reciprocal exchange of the bleffings of different climates. The fruits, roots, and animals of our own country have been tranfplanted with fuccefs into the iflands of the remoteft eaft; and that rich production, the bread-fruit-tree, will foon, we truft, fo- lace the natives of the extremeft weft. While thofe important ends were more immediately in view, inferior objcftsi have not been neglefted. From the la-^ hours and pbfervations of navigators, th( cxtenfion of fcientific knowledge hai been blended with the moft intereflin^ amufc' DEDICATION. ftttiurement ; and the folitary iludent, the commercial adventurer, and indeed ^very clafs and defcription of men, caa attend a Byron, a Wallis, a Cook, a MuLGRAVE, or a BtiGH through thofe voyages which Your Majesty's wifdom planned ; and reap the benefit of the acquis tion, or enjoy the plea-» fure of the narrative, without the dan- ger and the toil. To whom then can a new collec- tion of voyages and travels with more propriety be dedicated than to Your Majesty ? From you. Sire, the moa important of them originated. At once diflinguifhed as the patron and judge of whatever adds elegance to A 2 life. DEDICATION. Ufe, or folidity to amufement ; of what- ever expands the wing of fciencbj or humanizes the heart, thofe works, whofe profelfed intention is to promote fiich important objefts, have fome claims to Your Majesty's proteQion. Gn this bafis I reft my hope, that the prefent attempt will not be difregarded. Long may Your Majesty's virtues illumine the world, and late receive their welUear«ed reward in another, i^. the fervent prayer of, SIRE, YOUR majesty's MOST DEVOTED SUBJECT AND SERVANT, Lendcn^ OSicUr i8, 1796. WILLIAM MAYOR. PREFATORY INTRODUCTION, I MAYOR. IN the early ages of the worlr], the migra-* tions of mankind were few. Their wants being circumfcribed by their ignorance of lux- uries, they generally paiTed a kind of vegetative life on the fpot where they were born. Their views extended no farther than to the procuring (imple neceflaries; and few countries, where men have fixed their reudence, are lb fteril and inhofpitable as not to fupply thofe. Tlie admirers of uncultivated or favage life recur with pleafure to thofe days when hunting was the chief amuiement; milk anfi herbs the principal fupport of man ; and nature the guide land the modeller of his paffions. By degrees, however, ambition crept in to difturb his re* [pofe : he longed to enjoy a more fertile fpot, Iwhich his neighbour occupied ; to poffefs more jnumerous flocks and herds ; and to lodge in [more artificial and commodious dwellings. lAmbition paved the way to commerce ; and commerce ended in civilization and refinement. |By thefe, the wants of mankind were multi*- >lied, and the mind gained a new ftimulus from le deiire of fupplying them. Hence arts are A3 encouraged^ PREFATORY INTRODUCTION. i encouraged, diligence rewarded, and cvcrv fa- culty of the Ibul, roufed from the torpor pt ill- ation, ftahs into lite and motion. ' "[ Such were the progrefiTive fteps by ^^hich the human kind advanced from fnnplicity to artificial exrftence. And if the former has hs admirers, it cannot be denied but that the latter has given rife to all the energies which exalt the man above the brute and confer on him an unequivocal claim to pre-emineiice in the fcale of being. We will not deny but that commerce occa- fions as many wants as it relieves ; and that, if indolence is blifs, we iliould have been happier without it. But man was not deftined for in- a6livity; and when his labours are directed to a proper point, they either afford individual profit or plenfure; either benefit himfelf or the community. ' The noblefl: principles of the foul lay dor- mant, till adfcititious wants called them into adlion. Who could fliew generofity, when none flood in need of affiftance ? who could difplay the virtues of charity and humanity, when all were on a level in property and enjoy- ments ? By extending the bounds of knowledge and of induftry, we have increafed the empire of happinefs ; he who makes us acquainted with what we knew not before, is furely a benefadtor to his kind ; and he who fupplies a want which another feels, though intereft may diredt his diligence, will always be claimable in the fccde of poliiihed fociety, From PREFATOHY INTRODUCTION. From this fhort dedudlion, which wc con-» fider as explanatory of the principles from which the fubjodls of our intended labours ori- rginated, it will evidently appear, that though cu- riofity may have a6luated fome minds, yet the defireofgain and the profecution of commerce were the principal caufes of the eaiigrations of men, and of their advances in refinement. In proporti'on as thefe have had an influeriCO on human condudb, new countries have been explored ; and the whole race of men has beea united by a tie, lefs piu'e, indeed, than the focial, : but no lefs permanent in its operations and efFefks, But various caufes confpired to prohibit the free intercourfe of nations in early ages ; and hence, general civilization was late in taking place. Before the difcov^ry of the maguctic [needle, a few coufting voyages limited the pur- fuits of the moft a6bive and the moft inrjuiii* Itive ; and travellers were equally rare. After this noble invention, by degrees, the [thirll of gold or the love of novelty prompted interprifmg fpirits to extend their intercourie* "very * attempt brought new accef&ons of )leafure or profit. A Columbus difcovered a lew world, and De Gama laid open the trea- [ures of the eaft, with more facility than the broduce of a fmglc kingdom can be co .veyed from one extremity to the other. Since that period, Europe at lead, has been rapidly advancing in all the arts that embeliifh tnd dignify life ; and the refearches and narra- livesof tlic adventurous voyager and the curious traveller rftEFATOKT XKTRO»VCT!0«« f V i '. i ! traveller have frequently amufed the mJoIent, 6r inArudled the inquiiitive. Man, indeed, as a citi!i^n of the world, feeU a natural intcfeft in all that concernvS Ws fel-- liyvf men. The rudeft traits of feature or of charadker, in didant nations, ferve to excite him, by iingularity ; or to folace him, by com- parifon. He enters into the views ofthofe who have ftrove to entertain or inftrudt him, with a relifli proportioned to the dangers tliey have encountered, or the diligence and refolu- tion they have difplayed; and hence, of all fludies, not abfolutely neceffary to his well- being, in a flate of poliflied fociety, none are more cherilhed than thofe which combine ho- ifeltv with information, through the medium of Voyages and Travels. Of thefe, our own country has produced a luxuriant and valuable crop ; but whatever me- rit particular works of this kind may have, there is no general collection that is not be- come obfolete by time, or imperfe(5k by fubfe- quent difcoveries. The early accounts tranf- mitted to us are, perhaps, lefs chargeable with intentional fallacy than unavoidable ignorance. When fcience was at a low ebb in general, it cannot be fuppofed, that the interelled adven- turer, or even the diligent enquirer, was al- ways able to discriminate with exadtnefs, or to record with iidelity. Much, therefore, that has been accumulated by former afliduicy, will be defervedly rejedled by modern tafte and 'karning. It is only repeated touches that can produce FRErATORY INTRODUCTION. produce any thing like perfe6lion ; and though jfome of our pre leceffors have done all that cir- |cuml>ances would allow, fubfequent examina- tion and difcovery have proved, that much ftill remains to be done, to gratify the judicious, md to pleafe the curious. Purchase's Pilgrims, of antiquated date, rere fuperfeded by Churchill's Colledtions, [arris's might be confidereJ as a rival publi- cation of the latter. A st ley's Vova2;es and [Fravels followed. Thefe are the grand works, m this fubjedl, in our lan?,uage, which can be lamed in a colle£live and refpectable light; md the lad of them was publilhed upwards o£ Xalf a century ago. Since that period, finglc' "oyages and Travels have been multiplied to m amazing degree ; and as the lad enquirer has ilways the beft chance of obtaining excelknce, md of courfe has ufed all the new lights and fifcoveries ; whatever relates to manners, to >il, to climate, to produce, to natural or artificial curiofities, are.mofl: advantageoully lie wed through the medium of recent publica* ions. But the expence attending the purchafe of compltte collection of fcattered works on ic fubjedt of voyages and travels ; the time ley would confume to read them all ; and the ttle intereft that general readers caa take in irticjular parts, interlarded as they are with |alc geog|:aphical defcriptions and unfcienti- ^ ic remarks, fuggefted the propriety and utili- I' of fuch a feleSion as might fatisfy without fatiguing. Pl&FATORT IKTKODITCTZON, fitiguing) and convey the moil requiffte in* formaiian at a price too limited to be regarded. To accomplifh this, we have thpueht pro- per to give a hiftorical account of th<; moi^ celebrated and intereftine voyages, travels, dif* coveries, and {hip wrecks, di veiled, as far as pof&ble, of technical phrafes and cumbrous niinutias. Our plan is, to concentrate the i^ide range of publications on this iubjedk into a narrow compafs, ajid to deliver them in uni- form didlion and conne6ked narrative ; to pre* fcrve every circumftance that can amufe or in(lru6^, to entertain the fancy, and to huma- nize the heart. Chara6ter and incident are the principal traits we wiih to feize ; and by apt reflections, to make man the friend of man, is our leading aim. To this end, our labours have been invariably dire(Sked, whatever may be our fuccefs ; and though of this we do not de- fpair, we are animated by higher views and 0iore honourable motives, than thofe which can arife from a wifti to gratify vicious tafte, or conciliate worthlefs favour, at the cxpence of the approbation of the wife and the good, and the dictates of confcience and duty. We confefs we have written with an eye to youthful innocence and female delicacy. Our pages, therefore, wc trull will not offend, ihould they fail to pleafe. To deferve praife, may require the efforts of fuperior genius or application; but to avoid jufl blame) is furely in an author's own power, ■ To PBBFATORY INTRODUCTION* To the public, we owe this brief and candid explanation of our femiments and intentions : we are ambitious of its patronage, and have Iftudied to deferve it. The engravings which at once embellifh and illuftrate this work, will, in point of execution^ be found fuperior to any that have hitherto been offered in fimilar publications. In a word^ no expence has been fpared to render this new Colle6tion of Voyages and Travels worthy a place in the pocket, the parlour, or the library, and to gain it admifllon into fchools and femu narics tor either fex. CON- '», ■? n-'. lifco ^e n froni froi LIS Ittl /"arc igal ■4 J I ■- s DISCOVERT OF AMERICA. ':j-j.n'M,-u'ij.' . •■•• , • ^b^V '••) ' 1- '^):'.1: r j *VM- •• ; COLUMBUS, rrnwcib kid ;iii) . V'lnon-.^i'';. ,• •••'■.. iONVlNCEB that it gratifies the bcl! feel- ings of the human heart, jto gain information refpeding thofe who have benefited mankind; by^ lifcoveries, or eiiUghtencd them by kiiowledge, re mean, as far as poffible, to give a'lhort bio5- ^i7af>hical account^of the voyagers and traveUersy from whofe laboliurs we have fele^ed the fubjed: )t fiittr yolumesi'' ' ^ The hiflory o£ the illudripus name with whicli re commence ouf W(^k, is fo conneded with his rdyiiges and difdoveries; that it is beft deliiieated from them. Of the parentage and early education »f CiHumbus, little is authentically known. He mi born at Ge^cia in 1442 $ and will eveir be one )f the moft diiftin|ui{hed honours of that i&te* [is father, it is fuppofed, was a wool«-comber, ^nd that himfelf was at firft dedined for the fame xupation. Be that as it may, it appears, that le fludied mathematics with ailiduity and fucceft \t the univerfity of Pavia j and this ftudy, after- wards carried into adion, by the praftice of «•<• dgatioti, led him to form \xi&ix notions o^ Vol. i B . Sfl i li , !. 2 » FIRST VOYAGE OF figure pf ^CTT^ntl), tlan ^ny ^^^s cotttemporariejr, aixl'to ext«id' thfc boundaries of knowledge and of the world. The correct idea this^reatinind had conceived of the terraqueous globe, gave'birth to his y^defign j but the imperfe^ion of -all the |naps then to be confulted, made him miftake the obje6t. He pro- pofed to find a nearer p^flage to the Indies and China, by failing welhvard. Venice and Genoa, J at that tinje, caigrolf^d almpll the. whole* trade of f Europe ; ' aftd, in confequence, a rivalry and jeal- -oufy, which had given rife to frequent wars, al- ways exifted between cli^m. Venice, however, maintained her fuperiority : ihe had drawn to lierTelf nearly Irhecolle^ed commerce of the EaU, .which had been hitherto cwvi^d on by way of Egypt and tbe iled Sea., ; li odv/ .. Ju jColumbus was a Balive Of the rival ilate, it is probabde.that a fplritiof patriotifm firil animat- mA his views t)f difcovering a>niiore dired paifage to India J :and>,by thatimeansi »f transferring this lucrative -trade to his own country. Buttimi^l jpaiijtion^, mnforced by iftcif^dulitjr, deprived Genoa 4>£ the. advantages iuteii4^d. |br Jher. Columbus! Jiaving discharged. the duty of a good citizen* by! anakin^ in vain his firftproppfal of profecuting] ndifcovcries for the benefit of hi* country, felt| iiiiinfdf fee from the oWig^tiojft which nature iiad dmpoied on his lervioe^. His m^t application | was to the court of Frjince, but wit,h no bet;ter; fuccefs. Henry VII, then fiUcid the throne of\ ^England } and to tliat.plance Colupibus difpatchr| eid his. brother Bartholomew on the fame bufinel^^., This ill-fated adventurer wa^ taken and plunder- ed by pixates on his pailage, and» on his arrival in| London, \vas reduced to fuch eaiLtreme poverty,C that he courd not make a fufficiently decent ap- pearance to demand an audience of the king. But )erfevering diligence feems to have befcn cnariic- eriftic of this family. Bartholomew, by drawih^' nd felling maps and charts, foon acquired feme tputation; and having equipped himfelf in a koper flyle for gaining accefs to the Engliili fove-' feign, obtained this honour in 1488; and Ifhet rith fuch encouragement, that he a6lually enter- ed into an agreement with Henry on behalf of lis brother, feveral years before Chriftopher had Inally fecured a patron. It is well known, how- ever, that this country loft the honour that was }ut within its grafp. While Bartholomew was foliciting the Englifh mrt, the great projector, his brother, had niade perfonal application to the government of Ppr- igai, where he experienced nothing but ridicule |nd contempt. In fuperior minds there is a firmnefs that rifes )ove ordinary difappointments, iind in all projec- )rs there is an enthufiafm, abfolutely neceflary to ive efficacy to their fchemes. Columbus was not be depreflcd. He now repaired to Caftile, and Fered his fervices to J'erdinand and Ifabella. For [ght years he fubmitted to delays, to infults, andf I the prefumption of ignorance, till his patience [as at laO; exhaufted ; and he had adually takeil ive of Caftile, in order to proceed to England in left of his brother, with whofe fortune he was. [tally* unacquainted. He was, however, unex- ^6tedly recalled by the queen, Ifabella, at the [rneft importunity of her confeflbrj and her ijefty was now prevailed on to accede to the ^mands of Columbus, and to furnifh him with mey for his expedition. ' B 3 The f :\ » • 'I ' Sr 4 tmSTXOX AOB OF .Xbe who werij averfe to the voyage ; but Pinzon, the captain, bej ing an able feaman, foon. repaired the damage and they proceeded on their voyage till Tuefdayl when the rudder again gave way, and forced tha admiral , a fecond time to lie by. This accidentj the fuperftltious and t|ie fearful interpreted as aij ^1-omenj but Columbus rightly obferved, thaj i;io omen could be evil where men wejre engageif in a good defign, Witli fome diflftculty, the! flieerc COLUMBUS. 5 kefred the dlfabled iliip as far as the Canaries, ^hicb thevdilcovered early on Thurfday morning. Here the admiral refitted and improved his leet J and having laid in provifions, wood, and 'ater, fet fail from Gomera on the C)th of Septem- ber, (landing to the wcftvard with a light wind, [n three days they loft light of Ferro, the remoteft tnown land j and apprehenfion drew tears from lumbers, when they refleded that they might fee no more. To cheer this deje6lion, Columbus it before his crews the fure prolpe6ts of wealth id profperity ; by his own conduft animated the [efponding into new vigour ; and by a harmlefs rtifice, which their general ignorance could not !te6t, difguil'ed the progrcfs they daily made, [at they might not think themfeWes fo far from pir native land, as they really were. But time was not to be difguifed. On the 12th' September, being then ofte hundred and fifty [agues weft of Ferro, the admiral difcovercd the >dy of a large tree, which from appearances had ig been floating on the waves. Here he per- Hved a current fetting ftrongly to the north-eaft; [d having advanced lifty leagues farther, for the * time, was fenfible of the variation of the mag- tic needle, which increafing with his progrefs, ifounded and aftoniflied him fiill more. >n the 14th, the crew of the La Nina had beeii reeably furprifed at the fight of a heron and a |pic bird ; and next day they faw the fea in a |nner covered with green and yellow weeds, long which they difcovered a live lobfter, which |de them reafonably conclude they were in tlie Rnity of land. 'our days after, the captain of the La Pinta bg a-head, lay ta for the admiral, and inform- B 3 ed ' 6 FIRST VOYAGS; OP ed him, that- he had feen a gi*eat number of birds Aying to the we ftward, fo that he foon expected they Ihould defiTy the land, which even thei) he fancied was vilible. But the admiral being con- vinced it was an illufion, notwithllandingHhe fe- licitations of his people, was determined not to al- ter his courfe. l>^xt day, however, obferving a number of fea-gulls, which he conjedtured could not take very diilant flights, he began himfelf to entertain hopes of approaching the land 5 but could find no foundings. Three days after, they caught an aquatic fowl,^ faw abundance of fea weeds, and were vilited by three finging birds. Next day they obferved a tropic bird j and fell in with fuch a quantity of weeds, as rendered them apprehenfive their courfe might be impeded. Thefe minute circumftances, in any other voy- age, would be unworthy of remark j but when we conlider the daring fpirit that condu6ted this, and the important confequences it involved, every | thing that develbpes its progrefs will continue to 3 Jntereft, while the world lafts. The wind having hitherto been right aAern, the] mariners were under the moll dreadful apprehen- lions of its conftantly keeping in the fame direc- tion, which would have prevented their return ; but about this period, it fljifted to the fouth-weft, "vvhich^ though contrary, gave the adnairal great fatisfadlion, as it afforded him an opportunity ol allaying his people'^ fears. Yet in ipite of argu-f ment and remoniilrance, the murmurs of difcon| tent became more loud ; and a mutiny would moH probably have enfued, had not the wind agair ihifted, and the hopes of nearing land again beeii| revived, from the fight of a pigeon, and the flig^'l of fcveral fmall birds from the weft. COtUMBUS. J But the mortification from difappolntmeiit rofo in proportion to the frequency that the failors had been elated by promifing figns. They now not on- [ly loudly exclaimed a^MinS thftir coiixmander, for expofing them to unavailing dangers from delufive theories, or felf-interefted mc/Mvesj but they af- I firmed, that they had already fufficiently evinced I their own courage and perlcverance, and began to j talk of compelling Columbus to return. It was^ even propoied to throw him overboard, and to pretend, on their return, that he cafually fell into [the ocean, while intent on making ohfervations. The admiral was not ignorant of this mutinous [difpofition j and he exerted uncommon addrefs in teeping it from breaking out into a6ts of violence, ►le alternately urged the claims of duty, and the [egal authority with which he was ir^vefted, which le was determined not to relinquifli but with life, le fometimes reproached them for their impa- [tience and pufiUanimity ; then demonftrated the jweaknefs of their fears, foothed their anxiety, and )ainted hope in fuch colours, as to diftradk their refolution, and difarm their rage. It was not till the 25 th of September, about fun? fet, that his diftreiling profpe6k began in the leali fo' brighten. At that moment Pinzon, being ahead )f the admiral, on a fudden called out ** Land, ^andl" end pointed to the fouth-weft, where they percjiived fometmng like an ifland, at the itmoft extent of vifion. This appearance was [b grateful to the men, that they returned thanks fo God with the moft fervent devotion; and "iough the more CQrre«5t judgment of Columbus taught him to expefit a fallacy, in compliance with [heir clamorous demand, he flood ta\vards the fuppofed iHand the greateft part of the night j but 8 FIRST VOYAGE OF fiUtt ii but m the morning, they law it vanifh into air, and defpondency and difaffection returned. The fteady intrepidity of the admiral ttill enabled him to perfevere. In three days more, the ci^rrents became irregular j and gulls and flying filh fur- rounded the fliips in abundance. The appearance of birds at intervals, during this hazardous voyage, was a circumdance pecu- liarly fortunate, as it kept hope alive, or revived it when almoft extinct. On the 3d of Oftober, having again loft fight 6f thofe welcome vifitors, the mariners conje6\ured they had palfed between fome iflands, and earneftly entreated the admiral to dire6': his courfe to one fide or the other, in queft of the land which they imagined had been left. Being unwilling to lofe the favourable breeze that carried him to the weftward, or to lefTen the reputation of his undertaking by a dere- liction of his obje6t on the fuggeftions, or by the menaces of others, he abfolutely refufed to com- ply. This fortitude, inftead of inrpiring confi- dence, as it ought, obtained the appellation of ob- ftinacy and niadnefs ; and the failors were actually on the point of taking fome defperate refolution, when a flight of fparrows and other birds from the weft once more allayed their impetuofity. Some imperfe(5t figns of land appeared on the ^th of Oi!*tober j but difappointment had fo often fucceeded to expeftation, that no one would ven- ture to pronounce it, though a penfion of thirty crowns for life had been pronlifed to him who fhould firft defcry land. The Nina, however, be- ing the bcft failer, and confequently ahead, fired a gun, and hoifted her colours in token of this agreeable difcovery j but the farther they advanc- cd| the more they were convinced of the decep- " ♦ tion. • > OOLUMBTJS. ■ • ^ ion. ' Next day, large flights of fea-fowl and lall-land birds confoled them for thedifappoint- lent} and Colpmbus being fully perfuaded, that le latter coiald not take very diftant excurfions, imitation of the PojJtuguefe who had difcover- many illands by following the dire6\ion of fuch ^irds, altered his courfe, and ftood to tlie fouth^ reft, after having run feven hundred and fitty jagues to the weftward of the Canaries. Notwithftanding his adoption of a plan fo fre* luently attended with fuccefs, the continued rifits of different kinds of birds, and a fenfiblc lange in the air which became impregnated with; ragrance, the animofity of the crew was now lifed to the higheft pitch, and a ftorm was ready burft on the commander, which would have rerwhelmed them all in ruin. The event of the 1 1th, however, ferved to con- fince the moft obftinate and incredulous, that land )uld not be diftant. On this day the admiral [ifcovered a green mfh and a large rock filh j and le crew of the Pinta took up a ftafF curioufly rroughf, together with a fmall board, and ob- irved abundance of weeds newly walhed from leir native banks. The people of the Nina too, id the pleafure to perceive a thorn branch load- with red berries. Being now afliired of the vicinity of land, the Imiral harangued his men at night, reminded lem of the goodnels of the Almighty in granting lemNfavourablc weather, and exhorted them to vigilant) as he expeded to fee land next day j id, in addition to tlie peniion we have named, romifed a velvet doublet to diftinguifh the firfl; ifcoverer. He had {carcely retired to his cabia jfpre he perceived, /hat feemed to be a light on Ihorej m PIRSt VdY'A6fe OF (liore; and this being pointed out to, ^ft unconfcious of its power of harm. They ^aarksi however, of war, that peft of civilized well as favage life; and being interrogated by s how they came by their fears, they anfwered e fkme nianper, that they had received thera heir own defence, when repelling the aggref- 9s of the inhabitants of other iflands that wifli- to enilave them. cext morning, a great number of Indians came board in their canoes. Thefe are formed by vating the trunk of a tree, and are rowed with m ii m ■fi'i' i! 13 FIRST VOYAOt OT ^ith paddles. Some were Very ifmallf otlxei were capable of containing forty peribns. > The Indians wore neither jewels nor any kind^ of metal, except fmall plates of gold f^ifpended from their noftrils, which precious metal, as- they iignified by ligns, came frdiii the ibuth and fouth-. iweft, wh^e there were great and popiklous- conn < ^tries. Jf.-hii' • . . ' 'i *■ , km. ' , . ;. Every article of European produce or manufao ture, however inlignilicant, wasgrafped at with avidity J and feme of them Wcrfe happy to ex- chatige a quantity of well-fpun cotton, weighing: twenty-five p6unds, for three (mall pieces of bralij coin hot worth a farthing. " They did not indeed? feem impreffed with a belief, that thefe article! were valuable in themfelvesj but novelty gav( 1 them a charm; and they innocently and igno rantly wiihed to poflefs fome memorial of a taa* delcended from heaven, as they elteemed th| whites. .. ii ^Im The admiral, leaving the place where he* fir landed, coafted along the illand in his boatt'<^tli| north-weft, attended by an immenie concou#fe ofj iliore, who expreffed their wonder and felicitatioil by a variety of gefturcs. He difcovered a moi capacious bay or harbour ; reached a peerceiving th^t tii . • \ " UjI COLUMBUS. 13 inhabitants differed little from thofe he had juft left, he continued his courfe ftili weftward, and mchored oil the coa:ft of an illand extending from iorth-weil to fouth-'caft, about t\venty<-eiglit leagues, which he denominated Fernanda. In jiis paflfage thither, he took up an Indian at fea ia p. fmall canoe,. who carried a balket containing a ttring of glafs-beads and two fmall pieces of Por** tugTiefe coin, which had been exchanged at St, Halvador. It appeared he had been difpatched to [ernanda with the important news of what had lappened. The admiral treated him with great :iviiity, and put him on Ihore with fome toys, that he might give a favourable report to the peo- )le he was about to vilit. .pi ' u i j . ; r . i The fuccefs of this expedient fully anfwered (he expectation of Columbus, No fooner did he ipproach the illand, than the natives crowded^ round him in their canoes, to barter their commo-* lities, which were limilar to thofe where he touched at firft j but the inhabitants of this illand jvinced a fuperior iliare of fagacity and addrefs, r'he w^omen here wore girdles of cotton cloth. ?he natives lived in a kind of tents, almofl defti- ^ute of furniture j and their beds were formed of lets fufpended from two pofts. The only domef- iic animal was the dog, which however did not »ark. The feas fupplied abundance of fifh. This iiland affording only fimple neceflarics, /olumbus proceeded to another, which he called [fabella. In beauty, fertility, and extent, this fal* Lceeded what he had yet fecn. Enamoured of pidurefque appearance, the admiral landed t6 le poiTefiion, and to view its beauties. Here le ear was delighted with the melody of birds fo wmcrous,t]iat their flight ahnoftobfcured the day, i. Vol. I, C V Near i«V ■r>i U4 FIB8T VOYAGE OP : ii !! n ifi i mm i if m ^iear one of the lakes, of which there were feveral, ithe Spaniards killed a large alligator, which they afterwards ikinned and ate. This animal is tiftceiiicd by the Indians the mofl delicioi^s food. [■ . Hriving inveftigated the produce of Ifabella, tlie admiral, unwilling to lofe more time, among illands which, though beautiful, afforded no pre- cious metals, fet fail with a fair wind for an ex- tenfive country, extolled by the Indians for its riches i and arrived on the north fide of Cuba on the 28th of Odober. This ifland exhibited an enchanting variety of hills and dales, woods and plains ; and from the largenefs of its dreams, he rightly conjedured it mull be of conliderable magnitude. In order to obtain intelligence, Columbus an- chored in a fpacious river, whofe banks were fliaded with tall trees, bearing bloifoms and fruits with which he was perfectly unacquainted. The Spaniards landed and entered two houfes, which liad been deferted by the natives through fright.! .1 hey however injured nothing, and foon re-em« barking, continued their courfe weftward, till they -arrived at another river, to which they gave the name of de Mares. This being ftill moreconii- derable than the other, the Ihips proceeded up it: to fome diitance^ between banks all along inha- bited. Here too the natives had fled, and carried their moft valuable effeds to the mountains, ■which appeared lofty and clothed with ftatel/i trees of the fined verdure. Senfible that without fome intercourfe with the Indians he could never gain diQ information he wilhed, and fearful of increaiing their terror, by landing a number of men, Columbus ordered two Europeans, attended by a native of St. Salva^ 4or COLtTMliUS. tS lor and another of Cuba, who had ventured iboard, to travel up the^ country, and to endeavour conciliate the confidence arid good -will of the ihabitants. In the mean while, he directed the lips to be careened. In a few days the tM^o mdrengers rrtitrned, ac- companied by the Indian king aftd his fon, and informed the admiral, that they had proceeded iwelve leagues into the country, where they found a town of fifty wooden houfes covered with traw, containing about one thotifand people; that [hey were met by the principal inhabitants, who iceived them in the nioft friendly manner, and [reated them with all the hofpitality in their )wer. Their attention indeed bordered on vene- ition» This favourable reception they owed to leir Indian attendants, who gave a very favour- Jble report of the new v'ifitors. On taking leave, a great number of the natives ^ropofed to accompany them to the fhips. This per they declined j and would accept of none pt the cacique, or king, and his fon, under whofe roteftion they experienced great refpeft. In re- irn for tliefe civilities, the two princes were )urtcoufly entertained by the admiral. In this cxcurfion, they faw a variety of birds id fowls J but no quadrOpeds fave dogs. The md in general was well cviltivated j and befides le bread-root and a fpecies of beans, produced penty of maize of which a well-tafted flour was lade. The principal manufafture was cottoni tthered from trees of fpontaneous growth. Of lis the natives exchanged confiderable quantities )r the moft infignificant articles. As this plant ras only applied to the making of hammocks, .jA,'.... Q 2 '■ : and Ml! ^y 16 f:"rst voyaoe. op and fhort aprons for the females, its value wai little regarded here. Neither gold, pearls, nor fpices were the known produce of this iiland; but theJndian« pointed to a country called Bohio, wher^ they iigniiied that all thefe articles abounded. In Gonfequence of this information, the admi* ral refolved ta vilit it* But before his departure, he fecured twelve- of the natives, men, women, and children, wiiom he intended to carry to Spain; and fo little imprellion' did this feizure occafion, that the hulband of one of the females came on board in his canoe, and requefted to accompany his wife and children, which was readily granted. . For fome days the wind was contrary, and the attempts to reach Bohio were vain. In this in- terval, Martin Alonzo Pinzon took advantage of the fwiftnefs of his veflel, and left Columbus in the night, that he might anticipate his fucceD, and engrofs the wealth of Bohio to himfelf. Thus deferted by one of his contorts, and the "weather rendering it dangerous to keep the fea, Columbus returned to another har- bour in Cuba, which he called St. Catharine's; while his crews were employed in wooding and watering here, he accidentally difcovered ligns of gold on fome ftones in the river j and law mountains covered with pines, fufficient tor the largeft mafts, and plenty of oak for planks. In his run along the coaft to the fouth%eaft, he found many large rivers and excellent harbours, and was fo charmed with the beauties of the country, that he was almolt tempted to fix his habi- tation here for life. Sailing up one of the rivers, Jie perceived a very large canoe drawn on laud, jisd another in the w;;%ter, which though fonned of i ts value was COtUMBUS. if \f the tnink of a lingle tree, \vr% feventy fcfit mg>and capable of carrying fifty men. Cobim- us, having coaftcd the ifland for one huri- red and fix leagues, again fet fail for Bohio, rhich, though only fixteen leagues diftant, the urrents prevented him from reaching till next lay, which being the feaft of St. Nicholas, he [ave the name of that faint t and guarded with the utmoU fidelity. Soon after this calamity, the hofpi table prince J^ whofe name was Guacanagari, paid a vifit of| condolence to the admiral, and bewailed his lofs with the moft amiable fenfibility. He told him he might command his whole fortune, prefented J him with fome vizors enriched with plates ot] gold; and obferving with what avidity the Spa- niards regarded that metal, promifed to procured a quantity of it from a place called Cebao. In eans were only.feven in Umber, they met the favages with great intrepid Ity, cut one with a. fword in the buttock, and [ot another with an arrow in the brealt, on lich the whole party lied with precipitation. ic admiral was not difpleafed at this ikirmiili, he imagined its event might increafe the fecu- of the colony left on the coaft. [Columbus, continuing his courfe with a fair ind, made fuch progrcfs that, on the 9th of jbruarj', according to the pilot's reckoning, ly were fouth of the Azores j but by the ad- iral's account, which proved to be right, they ^re one hundred and fifty leagues to the weit< jiefavourableweatherwhichhadhithertoattendt them, now began to change : the wind increaf- [to a hurricane, and the billows ran mountains ph. For fome days, the veflelo were toiled at mercy of the ftorm, during which the two )s feparated; and each fuppofing the other perifhed, the crews betook themktlves to a6ts [devotion, and the admiral vowfd to go on a ;rimage to our lady of Guadaloupe j but the went farther : they fwore to walk barefoot their fliirts, to the firft church dedicated to the (in, they could find. In tempefts and dif- ^fes; the Spaniards are itill known to leek refuge 24 FIRSt VOYAGB OP in inch kind cif iuperftition : it is the ftrong hold' of ignorance and the laft which it quits. A fcarcily of provilions increafed their cala- mity ; and the fbip wanting baliaft, wa^ in dan- ger of being overfet. For this laft defeiSt, the in- genuity of Columbus difcovered an ex,pedient. He ordered his calks to be tilled with fea-water ; i^ and with a view to inimortality, even when on-^ the brink of dellru6tion, he wrote a brief account of his difcoveries on two ikins of parchment, which he wrapped in oil-cloths covered with wax; and having incloled them in two leparate ? calk6> cornmitted them to the lea. m The ilorm continued till the 1 5 th of February, when one of the iiiilors dilcovered land from the round top, which proved to be St. Mary, one of the^l Azores, where, after four days fpent in inccflant labour, they came to an anchor. The inhabitants -1 of this iilaind humanely lent frelli provilions onj^ board, and many compliments from their govern nor, who exprelTed his aftoniihment at the fuel Gefs of the expedition, and feemed to rejoice at I the difcoveries that had been made. Nor werfj the natives leh furprifed, that the ihip had beeij able to weather a Ilorm of fifteen day* continiil ance : thefe gave the admiral and his crew intij mat ion of an hermitage in the vicinity d«diciitc to the bleifed virgin, and at this they refolved t| perform their vows. No Iboner, however, had the boat and or half of the (:^mpany come on fliore to fulfil th| penance, and had begun their naked procelTiofl than they were made prifoners by the governol who had planted men in ambulh on purpoii| Columbus having waited in vain for the returj of the boat, from day-break till uooii, beii^an fufpei ^0 C6timtV9. ^Sf ^ufped fomc treachery; and failing round a point, ^o gain a view of the hermitage, perceived a lumber of Portuguefe enter the boat, with a pew, as he apprehended, of attacking the caraval. i^he prudence of Columbus wais on its guard; [e hoped to be able to fecure the Portuguefe )mmander as ^tt hf^ltage, by inviting' him on )ard; but iindihg he kept aloof, the admiral mianded the reafon of fuch an outrage on the^ )anilh nation, and threatened the confeiquences. |*he Portuguefe Captain declared that what had ien done was by the exprefs order of the king ; whkli Columbus fuppoled a rupture had ^ken place between the two crowns, and fwore would ni^ver quit his fhip, ttJI he had taken hundred prifonerSj and deilirpyed the whole He now returned to the port he had left; but sxt day the wind increafing, he loft his- anchors, id was forced out to fea, with no more than ^ree able failoirs on ooard. The Weather after- irds becoming mild, he endeavoured to recover illand of St. Mary, which he reached on the ^ft. Soon after a boat was difpatched to him in governor's name with five men and a'notary, to jquire whence the Ihip came, and if ihe actual- Icarried the king of Spain's cbinmiflion. Being Jisfied in thele particulars, they returned, and lercd the prifoners to be releafed. It feems i object and the orders of the Portuguefe were jfecure the admiral's perfon ; but this*fcheme U rendered abortive by his prudent caution. .olumbm' agaiii fet foil with ^ favourabld id ; bat fo©n another tempeft overtook him ; he narpdwly efcaped fhipwreck on the rock Lilbon. . Pwvideiice, however, ftili favoured ''ot. I. D him, " In 1 'illii ^6 FIRST VOYAOB, OP him, and with great exertions, he at laft anchor^ ^d in the river Tagus. On this h.e di.fpatched an exprefs by land to their Catholic nxajefties with the news of his arrival, and ano^er to the king of Portugal, requ^iling his perou^on to anchor before the city. On the 5th pf March, an grmed boat came along lide of the admiral, and required him to give an account of himfelf to the king's officers, as was cuftomary on entering that river. The fpirit of Columbus would not fufter him to fub- mit to this indignity. As the king of Spain's admiral, he gave them to underftand, that he could not comply. The Portuguefe finding him refolute, demanded a fight of the Spanifli mo- narch's letter: this was readily produced; on which a fui table report being made, the com- mander inimedifitely came on board with milita- ry mufic, and many exprefl[ion§ of friendly con- gratulation. No fooner was the nature of the ; voyage blazqnjed in Lilbon, than the whole rivet| was covered with boats. The Indians and the! particulars of the dilcovery were irrefiftible hO'| velties and attra6)tions. The king himfelf ieDt| prefents of neceflaries and refreihments, acconi| panied with felicitations; atid defired to fe^ Columbus before he left his dominions. The adi miral ait firii hefitated -, but reflecting that tb^ two nations were at p^ace, he at laft acceded d the fovercign's requeft, and^:R^a-ited on his majef| ty at the palace of Valparailb, about nine league from Lilbon. The king or4er^d ajl the iM}biliti pf his court to to advance; a^d meet him j anf when the admiral was introduced into his pre^ fence, he infilled on his being coveiced* and iittini down. Having heard the. xcd\^ gi hi« adveni . td ilf-es with apparent plealure, he offered to fup* )ly him with whatever he ftood in need of; lough he could not help obferving,that the right if conqueft belonged i6 him, as Colnmbus had irft been in the fervice of Portugal. The admi* il modeftly affigned his reafons for being of A tifFerent opinion. *' It is very well," replied the Ling, ** juftice will doubtlefs be done." Confiderable offers were made to re-engage the idmiralj and every honour and diftin6tion were )aid him. The king even fent to inform him, ifter the interview, that flionid he be difpofed to [ravel to Caftile by land, every accommodation oit |he road ihould be provided him ; Columbus, rith fuitable acknowledgments, declined this Uttering offer ; and fetting fail from Lilbon, jame to an anchor in the port of Palos, on the 1 5th of March, after an abfence of more than fcven months. The people attended his landing in proceffien; ^nd thanks to the Almighty for his protedion, rare mixed witli admiration of the h^ro who had iccefsfully encountered fo many dangers, and laid ^pen new regions of Which, however, the import- ince could not even be Cdnje6tured. By this time, ^inzon was arrived in Galicia, and was'eager to [arry the firfl news of the difeoveries to court ; It being forbid to proceed without the admiral [nder whofe condu^ he failed, the repulfc mad^ ich an impreffion on his mind, that he fell fick, Ind returning to his native place, in a few days breathed his lafl. Meanwhile Columbus fet out for Barcelona, rhere the court then reiided; and his whole mrney might be compared to a triumph. AH mks flocked round him, eager to fee this intre-» D 2 pid .■».,.«, ■fe-.»fo S8 FIRST VOYAGE OF '|)id adventurer, and the Indians in his train. He reached Barcelona about the middle of April, and new diftin6J;ions awaited him. The greets could fcarcely contain the crowds that piffled on him; and to heighten public curiofity, the pro* dudions of the n<:vw-di (covered regions were car- ried uncovered. To do-him more fignal honour, their majefties ordered their royal throfie to be placed in public, on which they lea ted themfelVes under a canopy of cloth of gold. When the ad- miral approached to kifs hands, tliey ftood up, and caufed him to be feated in their prefence, and treated him as a grandee of the firft clafs. Co- lumbus then recited the principal particulars of his voyage, the difcoveries he had made, and the hopes he entertained of finding ftill more import- ant acceffions to the dominions of Spain. He piewed the Indians as they appeared in theit na- , tive climes ; ahd difplayed the riches of the new world. Having finifhed his narrative, their ma- jeilies kneeling down, thanked God, with tears i of gratitude, which a6t of devotion was immedi* ately followed by a grand Te Deum. . Never was man treated with more honour and ; dillindion than Columbus at this period. In the| king's excurfions round Barcelona, he kept himi always by his fide; an honour which had never! been conferred but on princes of the blood j and; which, perhaps, was more invidious than defir- able. But the regard of their majefties for the admi-l ral was not confined to unfubftantial forms : he was gratified with new patents, confirming and en- larging his former privileges ; and extending his , viceroyalty and command over all the countries, he had difcovered, or might difcover in future. ; . The! iP- more the fuccefs of this expedition was can- liVpd, the more important it appeared j and it IS immediately refolved, that Columbus fhould turn with a powerful armament to profecutc difcoveries. Not fatisfied with this, the king (patched an ambaflador to Pope Alexander VI. obtain his apoftolic fan^ion to the new do- mions, and an exclufive title to future difcove ts in the fame quarter. The holy father made difficulty in complying with this requeft ; and if he had been lord of the world, drew a line )m pole to pole at the diltance of one hundred Igues to the weftward of the Azores, and be- |wed this exteniive track of the globe on their Jtholic majefties. Such was the original title [Spain to America, fuperadded to the right of :overy. In vain ihall we trace the foundation [either, to validity, from religion or jufticej but ibition, intrenched behind power, is fatisfied |th the femblance of truth. .t this moment it is a queftion undecided, if [rope loft or gained more by the difcovery of lerica, or rather by colonizing it. Columbus,, ^vever, will ever enjoy the pre-eminence that is to fuperior penetration and perfeverance ; can we contemplate his humane and cn- itened condu6t in general, without paying the tribute of our praife. D 3 DISCO- tl Icn Ith im DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. f' ■• i ' ■■■I 1 *■■ X ^ ^n ■ X ,i.f. • W- SECOND VOYAGE O F COLUMBUS, 'HE fame and merits of Columbus already made the malignant paflions of jealoufy and rankle in the hearts of thofe who had op- fed his original plans, or wilhed to detraA from fuccefs. But all thofe emotions were for the jfent ftifledj and the neceffary meafures be- concerted for the profecution of his future lertakings, with an activity proportioned to the |e6ts in view, in a ihort fpace, a fleet of feven- veffels was equipped, ftored with provi(ions» )lements for improvements, and commodities traffic. Many artizans and labourers were ^aged ; and fo great was the third of gold, that ibers were defirous of entering into this fervice* rond what could be accepted. The admiral krided himfdf to fifteen hundred perfons of all [criptionsj and having taken on board fome I the mofi: ufefiil European animals, fet fail the road of Cadiz, on the 23th of Septem- 1493, and immediately ftood for the Canary inds, where he intended to take in refrefh- its. He arrived at the Grand Canary on the ad 32 SECOND VOYAOR OF 2cl of October ; and on the 7th contintied hin| voyage for the Weft Indies, as they were now called, in contradiftin6tion to the Eaft. ^ A prolperous gale attended them for four hun-j dred leagues to the weftward of Gomera; norj did they fall in with any hf the weeds, whichj had been fo plentiful in the former voyage. On' the 26th, at night, the mariners perceived thofef lights which they call the body of St. Elmo, td ■which they fang litanies and prayers, in full con^ fidence that no danger would now enfue froral any ftorm, however violent. On the 2d of November, a great alteration h i:he winds and Iky took place 5 and it poured down torrents of rain. From this the admiral Concluded they were near land ; nor was hi wrong in his conjedlure 5 for, at day-break, the| defcried a high mountainous illand, about fq ven leagues to the weftward, which he nameJ Dominica, becaufe it was difcovered on Sundaj morning. Three other iflands were difcovere in the vicinity j when the people, affembling o( the poop, fang Sa/ve regina, and returned thanl' to God for their profperous voyage. The eaj iide of Dominica aftbrding no convenient an chorage> they flood over to another ifland» whic Columbus named Marigalante, from his ovi\ ihip y and landing, took poifeftioii with the ufu folemnlties. He foon failed to another iiland, which he d(| nominated St. Mary of Guadaloupe, in conforr ty to a promife made to the friars of a. conveij bearing that name. At the diftance of two leagu'j from this ifhore, they efpied a very high rock, minatingan a point, from which gufhed a natiir calcade with prodigious noiie. Having lande 0? X- for COLUMBUS. 33 le men, they advanced to a kind of town, jch was abandoned by all the inhabitants, ex^ fome children, to whofe arms they tied a prefents, in token of amity. Here they faw fe, a variety of parrots, and feveral fruits, [icularly pine apples of exquilite talte and fla- y They refrained from meddling with any le domeftic utenfils or manufadtures, that the res might conceive the better opinion of the ility of their vifitors. [cxt day, the admiral fent two boats afhore» )en, if polfible, fome communication with lativesj and the crews foon returned with roung men, who, it appeared, had been in a )f captivity. The boats, returning again for joftlie people who had been left behind, found )men in their company, who had fled to their fftion. Thefe the admiral prefented with beads )ells, and difmifled, contrary to their inclin* IS J for they wer-e no fooner landed, than the )bees robbed them in tlie iight of their be* 5. Next opportunity they had, thefe creatures leapt into the boat, and implored roteftion of the Spaniards, giving them to jrfland, that the illanders had eaten their huf' and retained them in Slavery. They wer« fore brought on board, when they gave the ral to underfland„that towards the fouth were [i Aands and a large continent; and theypoint' the iituation of Hifpaniola. For this ifland ibus would inftantly have proceeded, had re of his captains and eight .men been on athout leave. To recover them* he fent afhore with mufquets and trumpets, to le iignal of recal. This expedient proving :efsful, Ae ordered forty pien, under Q^pr taia II m m 84 SECOND V0YA6E OP tain Hoidea, to range the country, and td mnj obrervations on its produce. They reportj that they found maftic, aloes, fanders, g\mi frankincenfe, and abundance of cotton j \\: birds of various fpecies were in abundance, that they crolfed feveral rivers, fome of whii were deep and fpacious. While abfent on this excuriion, the ftragglj returned of their own accord, and faid they been bewildered in the woods j but to puj their prefumption, the captain was ordered ia irons, and the men were abridged of their ufj allowance. Having made this example of ceflary feverity, Columbus himlelf landed j entering fome of the houfes, found plenty of ( ton, raw and fpun, and numbers of human ihi and bones fufpended in baskets. The nati| feemed to live and lodge more comfortably t| any of thofe he had vilited in his firfl: voyage! On the 10th of November, he failed in qj of Hifpaniola, and paiTed an ifland whichl called Mountferrat, from its extraordinary tlS tion J the inhabitants of which, he learned,! been totally devoured by the Caribbees. Inl progrefs, he pafTed illands to which he gavej refpedive names of St. Mary Rodonda, Anti| and St. Martin, near the laft of which he to an 'anchor -, and, on weighing, found pied coral adhering to the flukes. On account ofl Weather, he again anchored at another iilj wiiere they fecured four women and three c| ren, and foon after fell in with a canoe, in wl were four men and a woman. Thefe feeii| efcape was impra6ticable, put themfelves pofture of defence j and the female difcha an arrow with fuch force, that it adually pi« a ' COLUMBUS. 35 rong target. The canoe being accidently rfet, they betook themfelves to fwimming, one of them ufed his bow with as much dex- ty as if he had been on land. All the males eunuchs, and had been ca lira ted by the Ibbees to increafe their fatnefs. departing from thence, Columbus continued :ourfe; leaving to the northward fifty illands, le largeft of which he gave the name of St. ila, and to the reft that of the Eleven Thoui Virgins. He then anchored in a bay, oa reft $de of what he called St. John Baptift, re the mariners caught plenty of fiih. In the lity of the bay, they vifited fome well-built ^s with a fquare in front, and flanked on the with cane-towers, having their tops inter- ^n with greens. the 14th he arrived in the bay of Samana [ifpaniola, where he fent on iliore one of hia m natives, now a convert to Chriftianity, [undertook for the lubmilfion of his country- From thence he proceeded for the town itivity; and coming to an anchor in the port [onte .Chrlftoj fome of his men difcovered )odies of n^en, with a rope about their necks, ided on a Hind gf crofs. This did not au- ^ell } but vfl^ther the fufFerers were Chrifti- nativeSi they could not tell. - . Lt day a number of Indians came on board, apparent confidence rand cordiality 3 and, mncing feyeralSpanilh words, the apprehen- of tl^e adn^iral bega^ to be allayed. On the. )w, however, his doubts were at an end j for,r ichoring near the town of Nativity, fomet [us C9n[\e ftlQiig iid^ and t^ wl feemed to have!! been dead a month. Riinfi'ihatiii with regret and refcntment on this difaftroj event, he received a vifit from the brother of tli cacique, who informed him, that he Had fcarce| laikd, before the colony began to'qu^el ; ea(| perlbn endeavouring to amafs as much gold, ni to monopolize as many women as luited his al f^tite or )iis avarice j that having committedj murder on one of their alfociates, ten of thd had retired into the dominions of Caunabb vj was lord of the mines, by whom they were to death, and who afterwards deftroyed the to^ with all the inhabitants. He farther reprefeJ ^, that Guacanagari having efpoufed the caJ of the Spaniards, was wounded in the conflii and in Confeqoence was now under confinemej T-hi«: ftory c?ia6tly tallied With intelligence | ceived from fortie Spdtikrds, who had been it wp thfe'Countr}' to reconnoitre. Theadmil therefore paid the CAciqufS a vifit next day, was received' with every token of afleetion concern. The prince repieated -the' melaiiciij tale with marks of uhfeigneJ regret j ahd played his own wounds and thofe of his mi wliiclthad been received in defence of the I'etij COLUMBUS. ' 37' ;nt. Compliments of condolence being pafTed, cacique prelented the admiral with eight Ings of white, red, and green ftones, a firing of id beads, a regal crown of the fame metal, and ;e calaballies full of gold dull, weighing about pounds. In return for fuch valuable arti- 5, Columbus gave him toys to the amount of [ee reals, which he highly prized ; and though fremely ill, infifted on attending his gueft to fleet, where he firft faw fome horfes, with )rize. He was afterwards inflru6ted in the teries of the chriftian religion, which, with le hefitation, he embraced. ?he admiral being difgulled at the light of a Je which had been the fcene of fo many dif- rs, failed to the eaftward with his whole fleet ; paffing the fmall though pleafant ifles of ite Chrifto, anchored before an Indian town, jre he defigned to plant a colony, [aving landed thofe that were intended for lers in a commodious plain, he built a tower '^hich he gave the appellation of Ifabella. fpot lay under a rock, on which a fort might jafily ere6ted ; the harbour was large, and in vicinity ran a ftream of excellent water, from jch the town might conveniently be fupplied. [no great diftance, the mines of Cebao were to lie. To afcertain this, the admiral dif- ;hed a captain and fifteen men ; and on the ^f February, he fent off twelve of his fhips to iile under the command of Antonio de Torres, [he party fent to explore the country, inform- the admiral, that on the fecond day, they to the pafs of an almofl: inaccelTible moun- h and at the diftance of every league, found [cique, by whom they were hofpitably receiv- OL. I. £ ed 39 SECOND VOYAGE OV ed. On the fixth day, they reached the miny of Cebao, where they a6tually faw the IndiaE colleding gold from a fmall river, as they al'teij wards did from many others of the sfame proj vince. This grateful intelligence affifted to reviv the admiral, who had experienced a fit of fid nefs from fatigue; and on the 12th of March lig fet out for Cebao, well attended by men on foi| and horfeback, leaving, however, a ftrong giiar| under the command of his brother Diego CI lumbus. This precaution he took in conll quence of a confpiracy which he had detedfj and quelled on board, and likewife to fecure it fettlers from any fudden attack. He took fu(| neceflaries with him as he judged proper build a fort in the province of Cebao, for tlj prote6tion of thofe he meant to leave there ;| gather gold j and to intimidate the natives, inarched his people through their villages rank and file with arms and accoutremenl ti;|impets founding, and colours flying. The habitants feemed to have no idea of private pij perty: they endeavoured to make free wlj whatever pleafed their fancy, and fhewed fil prize at meeting with a repulfe. The whj way was agreeably diverfified with pleafij mountains, covered with wild vines, and n ous forts of fragrant trees. On the 14th of March, the adtoiral proceeij for the river of Canes 5 and foon reached anoti to which he gave tlie appellation of the Goldj ver, becaufe here he difcovesed fome grains oft precious metal. Having with fome difficulty pa^ this large volume of water, he found a con fid able town with the doors barricadoed againft COLUMBUS. 3$ th canes. He entered the province of Cebao the lOth, which though not very fertile. Ids plenty of grafs, and is watered by rivers funding in gold. [is firft attention was dire6ted to the building Fa fort in the centre of the mines, and in a li- Ition naturally ftrong. This fortification he led the caftle of St. Thomas. It was garrifon- [by fifty-fix men, under the condud of Peter [rgarite. ^he admiral having communicated his inftruc- is and advice to the garrifon, fet out on his irn for Ifabella, where he found cucumbers melons raifed from European feeds, fit for the and ears of wheat, which had been fown uonths, ripe and luxuriant. Vetches ■ •' d crop in twenty-five days, and fugar- ;s budded in the fame fpace. Columbus faw admired the fertility of the foil ; nor were the late and the water lefs agreeable to his les. raeflenger arrived on the 1ft of April, with [Uigence, that the cacique Caunabo was pre- |ng to attack the fort of St. Thomas. To this imbus gave little credit, as he did not fuppofe \ natives had either refolution or force to make impreflion on it ; but wilhing to leave every Ig in quiet, before he proceeded on farther [overies, he difpatched a reinforcement of fe- ty men. Meanwhile he completed his town, [ch was regularly difpofed, and fupplicd with jr by an artificial canal. He like wife refolv- Ito fend all the fuperfluous hands back to In, European provifions beginning to fail, and [health of feveral, in confequence, appearing lecline. The more robuft^ he ordered to tra- £ 2 verfd 40 SECOND VOYAGE OP in verfe the ifland, that they might make difcovo ries, and become habituated to the Indian diet. Accordingly four hundred Spaniards departe from Ifabella on the 29th of April, a'nd havinj croifed the river del Oro, apprehended a caciqiij whom, ^^'ith his brother, they fent to the admiri in irons for breach of truft. Another caciquj relying on the fervices he had done the Spauij ards, accompanied the prifoners to Ifabella, order to intercede for their liberation. The ^^ miral received him courteoufly, and, to enhancl the value of the favour he intended to granl commanded the delinquente to be brought oi[ for execution. The mediator, with a flood tears, begged for their lives, which were grantel to his friendlhip and folicitations. Immediatej after their releafe, a perfon on horfeback arriv(| from St. Thomas's, who told the admiral that had refcued fourSpaniards, who had been takeni] the cacique's fubje6ts by way of reprifal, and tl: four hundred perfons fled at the very light of I horfe. Columbus having made preparations for a ne expedition, left a council, of which his brothj was prefident, to govern in his abfence. He tbj failed to Cuba ; and on the 3d of May difcove ed Jamaica, where he was inforihed there plenty of gold. This ifland appeared beautiij in the extreme. A number of natives camei board to barter proviflons for toys. Coalliij along the fliore, he icnt out his boats to foui] when they were unexpe6tedly furrounded armed canoes. The Spaniards, however, not ing intimidated, fainted the aflailants witlij flight of arrows, by which feveral were wounde and the reft fled with precipitation. The adnl ^ *-"**w ^OL.I irations for a nc .vhicli his brott abfence. He thj of May difcove forihed there ppeared beautin :' natives came toys. Coaftiil lis boats to foup| y furrounded , however, not aifailants witli] ral were wouudef ition. The adnj w W^A W'5 ^4-W ij!-::;' f>>' :j '«^r«'-''; .^;''l ffW /f^r //icf ^' ///'r,f. " /»ty.^» ht ; . '"> / tl COLUMBUS. 4t having repaired his ihip, flood over again, for Sa, determined to difcover whether it was an id cr a continent. The fame time a young laica Indian requefted to accompany Colum- to Spain ; and, in fpite of the remonftrances lis countrymen and friends, periifted in his ^lution. It is needlefs to ^ y he met with a reception. taving reached the point of Cuba, which he )minated Cabo de Santa Cruz, he v/as over- m by a dreadful ftorm of thunder and light- He found the whole fea in thi« quarter rfperfed with little fandy iflands, which ren- the navigation very dangerous. Clofe to the ;, fome of them, however, were very plea- and therefore he ftyled them the Queen's len. On thefe, they faw fcarlet-coloured fes, abundance of turtles, and an infinite itity of finging birds. The veiy air was im- [nated with fragance, and the fenfes were re- ted with delight. one of the channels feparating thefe iflands, obferved fome fifliermen in a canoe, exer- their vocation after a new and curious A firing being tied round the tail of fome filhes, called reves, which had been taught icounter their fellows of the deep, by cling- [faft to them, both are drawn up together. Spaniards faw them catch a tortoife by thiA IS 5 the reve being wound round its; neck. It is [that thefe decoy fiflies w^ill fometimes attack [s of the largell iize. The Indians made a ;nt to the admiral , of the filhr they had |ht J for which he gave them a fuitable re- He now began to be in greit want of lHons'f and his health was much iiiipaired £ 3 by iWi^-'. I : nic: 42 SECOND VOYAGE OP by fatigue, and want of reft, which he could n venture to enjoy amid fuch a dangerous naviga tion. On the 22d of May, Columbus landed on ch' of thci'e larger, furrounding illands, to whicli k gave the name of St. Mary. Here he entered | ' town, abandoned by the inhabitants ; where !i| found nothing but filh and dogs. Continuing voyage to the north-reaft, he became ftill embarralfcd by the vaft number of flats ai iilands which opened in unvaried fuccelhon his view. \Vith all his precautions, the Ihip wl xrequently aground ; and feeing no probable tc| mination of the dangers he inceifantly encoiiEJ tered, he was induced to relinquifh his defign | making the circuit of the illand, till he ihoulcl rt| turn to Spain. The admiral now touched again at Cuba. 0| this occaiion one of the mariners having afceiij ed a tree, faw about thirty perfons armed wij fpears and ftaves called macanasj and amoq them one clad in a white veft, reaching to knees, and carried by two men drefled in a limil] manner, with complexions as fair as SpaniarJ As thefe Indians hadily retired, Columbus iiei day fent feveral people on iliore to afcertain truth of this report, but without fuccefs. Some canoes coming otf with a fupply of vi ter and provifions, one of the Indians was tained as an interpreter} on promife, howevj of being fet at liberty as foon as he had givl the intelligence required. From him the ad:| ral vas given to underftand, that. Cuba was jlland J that the king never deigned to acklrj his ,fubje<5ts but by figns ; and that the furrouif ing coait was low^ and full of iilets. COLUMBUS. . 43. [Next' day they fell in with fuch a number of rtle8, that they a6tually covered the fea j while fun was darkened by a cloud of fea-crows. ^ey likewife law fuch fwarms of butterflies, it the face of day was obfcured from morning night, when a deluge of rain fwept them all lOn the 13th of June, Columbus anchored in illand about thirty leagues in circumference, lich he named Evangclifta j and having wood- and watered, dire6ted his courfe fouthward j foon found himfelf embayed. Returning to coaft of Cuba, he flood to the eaflward ; and ^the 30th his Ihip ran aground, and iftuck fo that it was with great difficulty and fome lage Ihe could be got off. While in this vi- ity, they were vilited by an old cacique, dur- the celebration of mafs. To this fervice he led to pay great attention ; and, at its con- [iion, lignified his belief in the exiftence of a freme Being, the rewarder of virtue, and the liiher of vice in a future ftate. ?he admiral put again to fea on the l6th of The winds and rains conliderably incom- led him at firft ; but as he approached Cape iz, he was overtaken by fuch a fudden ftorm, before the fails could be furled, the lliips* \c well nigh overfet. Nor was this ftorm the evil : they had alfo to contend with famine. ddentially, however, they reached Cape [z, where the Indians fupplied them with caf- bread, abundance of filh, and ftore of fruits. IS refreilied, they llbod for Jamaica, and ping it to the weftward, found it furnillied excellent harbours, and replete with inha-^ nts. 44 SECOND /Voyage of On the 20th of Auguft, Columbns made the fouth fide of Hifpaniola, near Cape Tiberoon, which he then called Gape St. Michael. Soon after, a cacique came on board', who accofted him by name, and pronounced fome Spanifh words. Towards the end of the month, having loft fight of the other two fliips under his command, he anchored near the ifland of Alto Velo. Here the crew killed eight feals, and caught abundance of pigeons and other birds, which being unaccuf- tomed to the cruelty of man, had not learned the neceffity of flying from his approach. At the end of fix days, the miflling fliip joined. The admiral then coafted along Hifpaniola, where they had a view of a fpacious plain, fo po- pulous, that for a league it feemed to be one con- tinued city ; and near it lay a large lake. Here the natives came on board j and informed them, that the colony at Ifabella was well. This pleaf- ing information being received, he difpatched nine men acrofs the ifland, to inform the planters of his arrival on the coaft. Proceeding eaftward, he fent his boats afliore for water, near a popu- lous town, whence the inhabitants fallied with bows and poifoned arrows, to oppofe a landing. They even produced fome ropes, with which they menaced to bind the intruders j but feeing the Spaniards advance without difmay, they threw away their arms, and made a tender to the admi- ral of all they poflefled. Obferving an uncommon fifli of great magni- tude fporting in the waves, and judging from other indications, that a ftorm was approaching, the admiral wiflied to find a place of fecurity to anchor in j and had the good fortune to difcover an iflai^d^ near the eaft part of Hifpaniola^ called COLUMBUS. 45 by the natives Adamanai. Here being flielter- ed, he oblerved an eclipfe of the moon, which [was followed by a tempeft for fome days fuccef- j lively. Having weathered the ftorm, and reach- ed the eafteni point of Hifpaniola, he pafled over to a little ifland, named Mona by the Indians j and in his paflage from thence to St. John de Borriguen, he was feized with a pcllilential and lethargic fever, which foon deprived him of his Imemory and reafon. In this dilemma, his peo- Iple refolved to proceed to Ifabella, where they [arrived in five days ; and the admiral recovered [his fenfes, on the fever leaving him) but was [long in a feeble convalefcent flate. At Ifabella he had the felicity of finding his [brother Bartholomew, who, on leaving the court )f England, where, we have previoully mention- ed, he had been in treaty, received intelligence from Charles, king of France, of his brother's fuc- :efs J and by this monarch, he was fupplied with [one hundred crowns to profecute his journey to [Spain. Unfortunately, the admiral had failed on lis fecond expedition before his arrival at Seville 5 mt their Catholic majefties foon enabled him to )urfue the fame track with a fleet of three fliips. Bartholomew was conftituted, by the admiral, lovernor of the Indies. This title occafioned fome difpute, and expofed Columbus to the oblo- juy of his adverfaries. The difference was, how- ever, compromifed ; and he was allowed to bear the appellation of Lieutenant of the Indies. Thus, though the power was the fame, the word that ixprefled it was changed. Man has always been the dupe of terms. The fociety and afllftance of Bartholomew was real confolation to the admiral, who by the mifcon- 46 SECOND VOYAGE OP mifcondu^l of Peter Margarite, found himfelf in- vylvcd in quarrels with the natives: This inlb-l lent officer, inftead of obeying the orders of fco- lumbus, encamped with the party with which he had been entrufted to traverfe the country, about ten leagues from Ilabella, whence he dilpatched menacing letters to the council. Finding it im- poflible to ufurp the fiipreme dire6tion as he wifhed, and dreading the return of the admiral, he embarked in the firft fhip bound for Spain,] leaving his men without a leader. Thefe fol« lowing their own inclinations, difperfed about I the countiy, robbed the natives, carried off the| women j and committed fuch atrocities as alien- ated the aftedions of the Indians, and induced! them to think of revenge. Indeed, had the caciques and their dependant! lords been firmly united, they might eaiily havel emancipated themfelves from the Spaniih yoke.l But jealoufy will always prevent unanimityl among rival powers, even where their intereft isl the fame. Guacanagari continued firm in hisl profelFions, and had even incurred the refentmentl of his brother fovereigns, foi: the faithful part hel had aded. A neighbouring cacique had killedl one of his women 5 Caunabo, the lord of the! mines, had ftoUen a fecond : to revenge the death! of the one, and to recover the other, he earneftlyl implored affiflance. The admiral, out of gratitude] undertook to redrefs his wrongs. Befides he hadl an intereft in fomenting dilfentions between the! Indian chiefs. Policy and morality have ever been] at variance, and Columbus ftudied the latter ! On the 24th of March 1405, the admiral, inj company with Guacanagari, fet out from Ifabella,! to profecute tlie war againft his Indian foes^ whoj bad COLUMBUS. 47 Jiad aflemblcd an army of one hundred thoufand I men ; while the PJuropeans did not exceed two [hundred,, with twenty horfes, and as many dogs. Never were fuch difproportionate armies op- I pofed to each other. On the fecond day, Colum- bus being in light of the enemy, divided his army I into two bodies, giving the comn.and of one to his brother Bartholomew, that, by a double attack, the attention of the Indians might be diilra6ted, land their confulion increafed. The firft difcbn t jrc [of the Spanilh crofs bows and mufquets tiirew them into fome diforder ; but when the Europc- [ans advanced with horfes and dogs, the timid ar;d [undifciplined multitude fled in conllernation nnd [difmay. Numbers were flain and taker: priioM- ;rsj among the latter was Caunabo, with all his dves and children. This cacique confefled; that le had killed twenty of the Spaniards who vvcre irft left at Nativity, and that his intentioii was to attack Ifabella. Such a confedion con- irmed by actual rebellion, if it deferves the lame, were judged fo criminal, that the admiral letermined to fend him and all his family to the tribunals of Spain. This fignal vi6tory and the captivity of Cauna- )o fo intimidated the Indians, that in the fpt^ce )f a few months, the admiral reduced the whoi.i [fland } and impofed a quarterly trib;^<.e on the latives. Peace became fo well confirmed, that a |Iingle Spaniard could travel o^^cx the whole iiland dthout moleftation, and even experience hof- )itality and regard. The colony, however, by change of climate and of food, was nearly reduc- ed to one-third of the number originally landed It Ifabella. During '48 SFXOND VOYAGE OP During this interval of repofe, the Spaniards made themlelves acquainted 'with the manners and cuftoms of the natives, r^nd the produdtipnsl of iflands they had not hitherto vilited. With re gard to religion, every cacique had a detached] houfe fet apart for the lodging and fervice of cer- tain wooden images, denominated Cemis, before| which they prayed, and ufed peculiar rites. Cau- nabo being interrogated refpe6ting his conditionl after death, replied, that in a futute ftate he iliould be removed to a certain vale, where he ihould aflbciate with his parents and predeceflbrs,! and enjoy every fenfual pleafure, with the highell| relilh, unrellrained. Hifj^aniola being now in a flate of fubmiffion,| and the colony ellabliihed and protected, the ad- miral refolved to rev i fit Spain, to give an account] of his proceedings, and to refute the charges of fome malicious accufers. He therefore embark- ed on the 10th of March, 1496, on board two| ihips, with two hundred and twenty-five Spani- ards and thirty Indians, and immediately fteered] for the eaftward. The wind proving unfavourable and provifionsl falling Ihort, he was obliged to Hand to thel fouthward, and on the 9th of April anchored atl Marigalante. Next day he failed to Guadaloupej and fending his boats aihore, the crews were oppofed by a number of armed women, whc rulhed out of a wood. The mariners refting 01 their oars, ordered two of their Indian femalesl to fwim to land, and inform the iflanders, that| provifions were their only objefts, for which thej would rnake a liberal return. Thefe Amazons having underftood tlie dej maad; pointed to the northward^ where thcij hulbandi COLUMBtTS. 49 hnibanc^s would fiipply them. Accordingly, on the fliips coafliiig round, a number of people came down to the beach, and let fly a fliower of arrows at the boats. It was at laft found necef- fary to difcharge a broadfid.e from the , ihips againft thefe determined illanders. On this they inllantly lied, abandoned their houfes, and left them to the mercy of the Spaniards. Their effects, being now confidcred as lawful plun- der, were feized without rcmorfe, and their houfes deftroyed. A fufficient quantity of bread was found to fupply the wants of the ihips ; and in fome of the dwellings, which were all fquar^, they difcovered honey, wax, and fome imple- ments of iron. A man's arm, roafting on a fpit, appeared to have been the intended meal of one family. * The admiral now difpatched forty men to obtain intelligence of the country, who return- ed next day with ten women and three boys, among whom was the fpoufe of a cacique. This hidy, notwithftanding her fleetncfs, was fecured by a Canary man, whom (lie hoped and attempt- ed to make her prey. Thefe women were enor- moufly corpulent and clumfy j they had long hair flowing down to the flioulders, and were fwathed with cotton from the ankle to the knee. This was the only drefs they wore. The captive prin- cefs faid the if) and was inhabited by women only ; and that among thofe who oppofed the landing were only four men. At certain feafons I of the year, it appeared, that the males vifited them for a ibort fpace, and then retired. This I was likewife the cafe in another ifland, poflefled by the fame fort of Amazons, who feemed to be [endowed witfi a mafculinc undeiftanding, and Vol. I. ' F flrength 50 SECOND VOYAGE OF ilrength not common among the males of thig| climate. The fhips being furnifhed with a fupply ofl neceiraries, let fail from Guadaloupe on the 20th| of April, after the admiral had difmilTed the captive females, except the princefs and herl daughter, who preferred accompanying Caunabo to Spain. This man it appeared was one of their countrymen, though he had rifen to be a caciquc| of Hifpaniola. When the fliips were about one hundred I leagues well from the Azores, provifions began to run fliort, and the crews were obliged to be put to a fhort allowance. On the 8th of June, feveral days after all the reckonings of the pilots | had been out, but exa6tly as the admiral calcu- lated, they made the land of Odenicra, between I Lifbon and Cape St. Vincent, hy this time the famine was fo fevere, that fome propofed to eat| the Indians, while others recommended their be- ing thrown overboard to leflen the confumption.l The admiral reje6ted both thofe propofals witbl difdain, and exerted his utmoft addrefs to proted] the wretched captives. Next morning his hu- manity received its recompence inafightof landJ which fo well accorded with his predidion, that| his men began to think him infpired. The admiral being landed, fet out for Burgos,| where their Catholic majefties were then cele- brating the nuptials of their fon Prince John wilhl Margaret of Auftria. He met with a favourablel reception j laid before the king and queen. fpeci-l mens of the various produ6liou'i he had accumu-l lated in his voyage j and prefented them with al confiderable quantity of gold duft^ pieces of that! metalj COLUMBUS. 51 e a cacique I metal, and articles of manufadture, enriched with I its plates. His next bufinefs was to vindicate h s conduft from feme afperfions, with which envy had tar- liiiflied his character. In this he apparently fuc- [Ceeded to his wiflies ; but when he requefted to ibe fent back with fnpplies to the colony, which I he juftly reprefented as being in want of men and neceffaries, fo dilatory was the court, that I many months elapfed before he could obtain the I©bje6t of his wiihes. At laft an incompetent re- I lief was . fent off in two fhips, under the com- Imand of Peter Fernandez Coronell. The admi- ral was once more reduced to the ncceffity of un- heeded folicitatiori. The Spanilli miniftry thwarted his defigns; their majefties perhaps were jealous of his fuperior chara6ter j and the lilhop of Burgos, a man of confiderable influ- ence, exerted all the arts of low cunning to bring Ihim into difgrace. This perfon was the invete- Irate enemy of Columbus j and in the fequel it Iwill appear, was the chief author of his calami- ties. F2 DISCO- DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. THIRD VOYAGE o p COLUMBUS, THAT patient fortitude and perfeverance,. which were chara^teriftic of Columbus, en- abled him at laft to carry his point. He for- warded and fuperintended his new expeditior with all poffible diligence ; and at laft, on the 30th of May 1498, fet fail from the bay of St. Lucar de Barrameda with fix Ihips filled with ne- ceffarics for the fettlers; refolving to prol'ecute his difcoveries with frefh alacrity. On the 9th of June, he took in refrefhments at Madeira ; and on the 19th reached Gomera. Here a French fhip having captured three Spa- jiilh veffels, put to fea with them, on the appear- ance of the fquadron. The admiral being in- formed of this capture, ordered his fhips to chafe, but the French efcaped by dint of failing. • Columbus now proceeded to Ferro, from which he difpatched three of his fiiips to Hifpaniok, un- der approved officers, while he with the reft ihould fail towards the Cape Verd Iflands, and from thence direiSt his views to the difcovci)' bf the contiueut, F 3 On 54 THIRD VOYAGE OP On the 25th of June, the admiral came to an anchor in Bona Vifta, where he found a few houfes for the accommodation of lepers, who arc; landed here for a cure. The Portuguefe who had the charge of the ifland fupplied Columbus with fuch articles as they could fpare j and upon his enquiring how the leprofy was healed, was in- formed, that the patients truft chiefly to the tem- perature of the air, and the flefh of tortoifes, with the blood of which they were externally anointed. . Turtles and goats were extremely numerous in this ifland, of the latter of which many are falted and fent to Portugual. At St. Jago, the admiral wiflied to take on board fome cows and bulls for his plantation in Hifpaniola j but finding fome difficulty and de- lay in obtaining this obje6t, he failed without ac- complifliing it ; refolving to fl:eer fouth-well till he fliould reach the line, and then to alter his courfe to wefl:. He proceeded accordingly : but proviflons and water falling fliort, he determined to change his dire6tion and make for Hifpaniola. He therefore fl:ood to the northward, when one day, about noon, a failor from the round-top faw land to the weflward, about fifteen leagues diftant, ftretching towards the north-eafl: as far as the eye could reach. The mariners fung the Salve Regina j and the admiral gave the new- difcovered land the name of Trinity, from the circumflance of three mountains prefcnting themfelves to his view at once. Continuing his courfe due weft, he difcovered the conti nent at the diftance of twenty-five leagues, on the Ifl: of Augufl: j but miflaking it for another ifland, gave it the appellation of Ifla Santa. Columbus COLUMBUS. 55 Columbus, for better fecurity, proceeded to a more wefterly point of land, denominated del Arenal. In his way he was followed by a canoe with twenty-five men, who flopped within mul- ket fhot, and Ihouted aloud. He endeavoured to allure them to the ihip, by difplaying fome brafs ornaments and looking glaffes ; but this expedient proving, in this inftance, ineffe6tual, he ordered one of his men to afcend the poop, and play on the tabor and pipe, while his compani- ons danced round him. No fooner did the Indi- ans hear the mafic, and obferve the gefticulations of the Spaniards, than they took them for a fig- nal of war, and prepared for a refolute defence. The favages however retired on a difcharge of crofs bows from the ihip j but they went along fide of another caraval, without apprehenfion j and fome civilities were interchanged between them and the captain. Their complexions were pretty fair j they had long hair tied with firings, and wore girdles of cotton cloth. Having watered his fhips at Arenal, from ar- tificial trenches which he found on the ftiore, he proceeded north-weft to another mouth or chan- nel, which he called Boca del Drago, and which is formed by a point of Trinity iiland meeting another from the continent. In the midft of the Boca del Drago he anchored j and here the cur- rents were fo ftrong, and the roaring of the waves fo terrible, that the mariners were filled with confternation and fear. They however efcaped without damage ; and the admiral again weigh-^ ing anchor, failed along the fouth coafi of Paria, as he'called it, which he then conjectured was an ifland j and hoped to find a palTlige northward to Hifpaniola; but in this he was at lail undeceived^ Ihe 56 THIRD VOYAGB OP The bonts beiiis: fent on fliore on tlie 5tli of Anguli, found plenty of fruits and wood; and oblervcd traces of the natives who fled at their approach. A little farther down the coaft, a ca- noe with throe men came oft', and met with the iifnal kind reception and prefents from the admi- ral, after which they were fent aihore, where a number of the Indians were afiVmbled. Thefe being fatisfied of the pacific difpofition of th*; Spaniards, commenced a traffic with them. The males covered tluir heads andwaifts with cotton cloth ; but the females were in a ftate of perfert nudity. They feemed more civilized and trad- able than the Hifpaniolans ; but like them, Ihcwed the greatell predile6tion for brafs toys and bells. Nothing valuable appearing among the pro- ductions of this quarter, fave a few inconfidera- ble plates of gold fufpendcd from the necks of (bme of the natives, Columbus taking fix of the Indians on board, and failing weftward, touched at two lofty and well-peopled iflands, which feemed more rich than thofe he had left. The inhabitants wore firings of beads or pearls round their arms, and had heavier plates of gold. The admiral having purchafed fome of the pearls, which he was informed were found to the weft- ward and northward of Paria, fent off fome boats to enquire into the circumftances of this valuable fifhery. The natives received the Spa- niards with every mark of amity and hofpitality, and expreffed their defire to live with the Euro- peans in thofe fentiments, Columbus, continuing to fail weftward, found the water become more fhallow 5 and having re- connoitered the coaft by meaus of one of his imaller COLUMBUS. 57 Ifinaller veflela, difcovercd that what appeared to Ibc iflands, was one continuous continent. He therefore obligfd to return to the eaft- h^as ward ; and, with fonie difficulty, palled the ftraights lying between Paria and Trinity ifland. He now failed along the coaft of Paria ; and af- ter pa fling fome iilands, entered the harbour of Domingo on the 30th of Auguft, where his bro- [tlicr had built a city of that name. Columbus, almoft blind with inceflant watch- fulnefs, and quite exhaufted with fatigue, now [flattered himfelf with the hopes of repofing in the bofom of peace and tranquillity. Alas! his expedations were vain : the whole ifland was in I a (late of confufion j the greater number of the fettlers were dead j a new and dreadful difeafe, which poifons the fprings of life, had attacked about one hundred and fixty; a confiderable party had rebelled under a perfon whom he had confti- tuted chief juftice j and, to complete his chagrin^ the three fliips difpatched from the Canaries were not arrived. After a tedious voyage, in which a great part of the provifions wis fpoiled, thefe veffels, however, at laft arrived. The admiral's brother having informed him of the circum- Ibnces of the revolt, he was refolved to tranfmit an account of it to their Catholic majefties ; and as the rebels complained of being detained on the ifland, a free paflage was oflfered to fuch as were defirous of returning to Spain. After many altercations, it was fettled that the admiral fhould deliver up to Roldan, the ring- leader of the revolt, two good ihips well provid- ed, to tranfport him and his adherents to Spain : that he fhould ifl'ue an order for the payment of their falaries and wages to the day of their de? parture 5B THIRD VOYAGE OP parture ; and that within fifty days from the rati- fication of this convention, the malcontents fhould quit the ifland. Matters being thus compro- mifed, the admiral gave orders for equipping the fliipsj but from the fcarcity of ftores and the tur- bulence of the weather, fome time having elapfed before they could be brought round to Xaragua, the port from which the embarkation was to be made, Roldan changed his intentions ; and tak- ing advantage of the unavoidable delay that had intervened, he renounced the ftipulations, and re- fufed to depart. The officer, who conducted the ihips to their deftined port having in vain ex- horted the rebels to acquiefcence in their original engagements, entered a proteft againft their pro- ceedings ; and returned to the admiral, to whom he reported Roldan's objeftions. Columbus well knowing the difafFe6tion of his own people, was eager to heal this new breach ; and confenting to a conference with the rebel chief, it was ftipulat- cd } that the admiral fliould fend home fifteen of I Roldan's followers in the firft iliip bound for' Spain ; that thofe who remained on the ifland ihould have lands and honfes in lieu of pay j that an a6t of amnefty fhould be publifhed ; ' and Roldan himfelf reinflated in his office of perpetu- al judge. Having at lafl adjufled this irkfome affair, Columbus feint out a captain with a body of men, who were to traverfe the ifland and re- duce the rebellious Indians ; while he himfelf propofed to return to Spain, and to take his brother the lieutenant with him. In the meanwhile Alonzo de Ojeda arrived with four fhips from a cruife, and putting into Yaquirao, not only committed unprovoked out- jrages on the Indians^ but began to tamper with the COLUMBtTS. 8§ the Spaniards. To thefe he infinuated, that Ciueen Ifabella was in a declining (late of health, and that after her deceafe, Columbus would find no protedtion at court} but, on the contrary, would fall a victim to the enmity of Ojedti's kinfman, the intriguing bilhop of Burgos. Thefe proceedings having reached the ears of the admiral, he difpatched lloldan with twenty- one men againll him ; who, coming upon hiin iiiddenly, rendered efcape or reliftance imprafti- cable. On this, Ojeda altered his tone, excufed his landing on a pretence of wanting provifions, aSd declared he had no intention to dillurb the quiet of the ifland. He then recQianted fome dif- coveries and adventures on the coaft of Paria ; and concluded with a promife, that he would foon fail round to Domingo, and have a perfonal interview with the admiral. Notwithftanding^thefeprofeffions, he failed to the province of Xaragua, where he feduced a number of perfons that had lately been in rebellion -, and arrogated to himfelf and Caravajal a fuperintend- ingpowerover the admiral, by the appointment of their Catholic majefties. He even inlligated fome to attempt force to carry tlK3i^ wi flies j but being oppofed by the found pafrt of the Spaniards, a tu- mult enfued, in which fome lives were loll ; and Roldan being again fent to attack him, forced the intruder to take refuge on board his fliips. By a ftratagem, the juftice got pofleliion of his boat. This obliged him to confent to a treaty, and to leave the coaft. Soon after his departure, anotner commotion was raifed by one of the former partizans of Rol- dan, who wilhcd to marry the daughter of Ca- nua. 60 THIRD VOYAGE OF nua, queen of Xaraguaj but being oppofed in this defign, he concerted meafures for taking oii'| the chief jultice. Roldan having obtained intel* ligence of his intentions, concerted his plan lb I well, that he fclzed the chief confpirators j aiid| being directed by the admiral to puniih them ac- cording to law, one of the ringleaders was I hanged, others baniflied, and fome left to the dii'-| pofal of Columbus. This example of fevere punifhment, which was I become abiblutely neceii'ary for the maintenance of fubordination, had fuch a falutary efFeft, that tranquillity was reftored throughout the whole ifland, both among the fettlers and natives. About this time, gold mines of the molt fuperior| richnefs were difcovered j and every perfon began to labour in them on his own account, paying,! however, one-third of his produce to the king*. So profperous was this trade, that one man has been known to collect forty ounces in a day -, and ©ne lump of pure gold was difcovered, weighing! no lefs than one hundred and ninety fix ducats. While the zeal and a61:ivity of Columbus were I difplaying themfelves, in appealing the troubles and promoting the profperity of Hifpaniola, fur | the honour and intereft of their Catholic majef- ties, he had little reafon to apprehend, that a I Itorm was collecting againft him at home, and juft ready to burfl on his head. During the late commotions, a number of complaints had been preferred againft him by thofe whofe criminal views he thwarted. He had been reprefented in the worft colours, that ingenious malice could devile ; and the friends of the compjainers being | reinforced by his private enemies about court, ^ " fuch I ■ Ct)LUMBUS» 61 fuch a clamour was raifed in Caftlle, that the [ T^ople crowded round their majefties, demanding I jurtice againft the proud and imperious foreigner, I who had opprelled and drawn from their native country, to death and ruin, fo many of the Spa- iiilh gentry. That mob, M^hich a few years be- fore, ahuoft idolized him for his difcoverics, now inveighed againll him on this very account, as being deftru6tive to their countrymen ; and the court who wiflied, no doubt, to reap the benefit of his labours without the tax that gratitude end original conditions impofed, at laft yielded to the importunity. Their Catholic majellies gave a commiffion to one Francis de Bovadilla, a perlbn in low circumftartces, to proceed for Hif- paniola, und^r the title of infpeftor general. By virtue of his authority, he was to take cognizance I of the admiral's conduiftj and if he found him guilty, he was to fend him to Spain, and fupply his place. This licence blinded his juftice and ftimulated his ambition ; for no fooner was the ijifpe6tor arrived at St. Domingo, than he took pofleffion of the admiral's palace. He then af* iembled all thofe whom he found difafFe6ted to Columbus or his brother ; declared* himfelf go- vernor 5 and, to attach the people to his intereft, ; proclaimed a general remiffion for t\\'t;nty years to come. His next ftep, was to require the ad- miral's prefencej and to enforce this, he dif- ! patched the king's letter, which ran in the fol- lowing tenor. It is worthy of being preferved, las it fliews how little reliance is to be put in the gratitude of princes^ or in the ftability of fa- ivour. ' Vol. I. G 61 THIRD VOYAGE OP to D. ChriJIopher Coiumbuj, our Admiral of the Ocean, WE have ordered the commendary, Fran- cis de Bovadilla, the bearer, to acquaint you with I fome things from us. Therefore we defire you to yield him entire credit and obedience. Given] at Madrid. May 21, 1499. By command of their high- ( gjo-ned < "^"^ i^ING. neffes, Mic. Perez de A- j *=» \\, THE QueenJ lamazon. Columbus did not hefitate to obey this fum- mons. Ke fet out immediately for St. Domingo, | to wait on Bovadilla, who clapt him and his bro- ther Diego in irons on Ihip-board j and placing! a ftrong guard over him, denied him all accefs of| his friends. A procefs was then inftituted againft the ad- miral and his brother : their enemies were ad- mitted as evidences; and no depolitions were fol abfurd, incoherent, or malicious as to be rejected on that account. It was determined to convidi him, that Bovadilla might retain his ftation. Bartholomew, the lieutenant, was not yet re- turned from Xaragna, and it is probable he I might h'lve rcfcued his brother by force of arms, had not the admiral requefted him quietly to fubmit io the authority of the new governor. The conlcioufnefs of innocence would not fufFer this great man to attempt a defence by force. No fooner had Bovadilla fecured the perfons of the brothers, than he gave politivp orders to the captain of the fhip, on landing, t(*^e»«rer them to Fonefca, the implacable enemy of Columbus. | The new govtrnor then began to fquander the king's I COLUMBUS, 6f king's treafures among his creatures j to counte- nance profligacy and oppreflion j and to overturn. all the lalutary regulations of his eminent prede- j ceiror. Andrew Martin, the captain of the veflel which carried Columbus, alhamed of feeing fuch a man in irons, wifhed to knocTc them off. The admiral infilled on wearing them, during the whole of his paffage, obferving -, that he was re- folved to keep them as a memorial of the reward of his fervices. This refolution he never chang- ed : the fetters were always prefcrved as the moft precious relics, and, at his own requeft, buried in the fame coffin with him. On the 20th of November 1500, having arriv- ed at Cadiz, he wrote a letter to their majeftics, giving an account of his treatment. He received a very gracious anfwer, in which concern for his fufterings was joined with cenfure of Bovadilla's conduft. He was invited to court, with a pro- mife, that he fliould iliortly be reinftated in all his honours. On his arrival at Granada, the king and queen confirmed by words their obliging intimations in their reply ; and alTured him he Ibould have am- ple fatisfadion. In the mean time, having or- d^.red an inveltigation to take place, and the ac- cufations appearing malicious and frivolous, he was moft honourably acquitted. A new governor was nominated for Hifpaniola to redrefs the ad- miral's grievances, and to oblige Bovadilla to make reftitution. This power was delegated to Nicholas de Obando, a man of abilities, but in • iidious and revengeful. At the fame time, it was refolved, that Columbus Ihould be fent on fome G 2 voyage 64 THIRD VOYAGE, BcC, voyage of profit and honour, till Obanda flioiiH lettie the atFairs of Hifpaniola. But the admiral chagrined at the ingratiude he had experienced, and apprehenfive of future difgrace from the ma- chinations of his enemies, declined the enterprize, till he was ftrongly folicited by their majeftics, and alfured of tlicir z(;alous prote6tioQ« DISCO- DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS, A SQUADRON of four (hips, with one hun- dred and forty men on board, being equipped, under the fuperintendance of Columbus, he fr.t fail from Cadiz on the 9th of May 1501, for Ar- ziila, in order to relieve the Portuguefe, who were reported to be in great diftrefs ; but before he arrived, the Moors had raifed the iiege. He therefore proceeded immediately for the Grand Canary, where he arrived on the 20th, and took in ■wood and water for his voyage. On the eveningof the 25th heweighed and flood for the Weft Indies, with fuch a propitious gale, that he reached Martinico on the 15th of June 5 and foon after, ftanding to the weftward among the Caribbee iflands, he fteered for Domingo with a view of changing one of his fhips which proved a bad failerj and hoping afterwards to continue his voyage to the coaft of Paria, in queft I of the ftraight which he fuppofed lay near Vua- gua and Nombre de Dios. But that the new governor, fent out to regu- llate the affairs of the colony and to recal Bova- G 3 dilla 66 FOURTl »ND LAST VOYAGE OP dilla, might not appear to be taken by furprize, he (lifpatched before him one of his captains to lignify the reafon of his purfuing this courfe. So little inclined was the governor to aflift the ad- miral with another fhip, he would not even al- low him to enter the port ; and difregarding the prediAion of Columbus, who forefaw an ap- proaching Itorm, permitted a fleet of eighteen fail to put to fea for Spain, having on board Bova- dilla and the rell of the admiral's opponents. This fquadron, however, had hardly weathered the eaftern extremity of Hifpaniola, before they were overtaken by a terrible tempeft, in which the commodore, with Bovadilla and almoft all the principal rebels foundered, and not more than three or four ihips of the whole were faved ; while Columbus, aware of the impending dan- ger, llieltered himfelf under the land in the bell pofition he could. But the wdnd foon rofe to a perfect hurricane, and his three conforts were I forced out to fea. The Bermuda, commanded b/| Bartholomew^ Columbus, was faved by the admir- able Ikill and dexterity of this accompliihed (ai- manj being a bad failer, her danger had been moft imminent. In a few days, the ibips all joined the admiral in the port of Azua. Though a revengeful temper and a fuperlHtious mind I might have found confolatlon in the idea, that this dreadful tempelt had been the deflruftion of his enemies, Columbus felt more chagrin than la- tisl^dtion when he retle6te.d, that he was denied Hielter in that very country he had difcovered, and annexed to the crown of Spain, in whole | fervice he Hill laboured. His enemies, lefs libe- ral, lefs enlightened, afcribed this ftorm to uvv gic; and to give weight to thii belief, the onlyl lliip COLUMBUS. ' Cf lip out of eighteen that arrived in Spain was [he Aguja, on board of which were four thoufand jclbs of gold, the property of the admiral. Unwilling to enter into difputes with the go- vernor, Columbus refrefhed his men in the bed nanner he could in the port of Azua, and thence failed to an harbour of Brafil, called Gracchimo )y the Indians. I eaving this, he was fo becalm- ed, that inftead of continuing his courfe, he was carried by the currents near Jamaica. However, [after fome delay, Handing fouthwardfor the con- tinent, he reached the iflands of Guanara, near Ithe country now called Honduras, where Bartho- llomew landed, and found a numerous population, land fome pieces of lapis calaminaris, which the jfeamen miftook for gold. While he remained here, he defcried a large canoe with an awning made of palm tree leaves, under which the women and children were flieltered from the weather; and though the velfel was manned by twenty-five flout Indians, they fuffered them- jfelves to be captured without the leafl refiflance'. This velfel being replete with goods and do- meftlc utenfils, gave him a favourable opportuni- ty of becoming acquainted with the commodities of the country. On examining the cargo, it was found to confift of quilts and coUon fhirts, of va^ rious Colours, togetlier with long flieets, in which the wooien wrapped themfelves, long wooden fwords, fliarpened on each fide with Hints, hatchets and copper bells. The provi- fions confided of fuch roots and grain as were ufual in Hifpaniola, and a ki;id of fermented li- quor made from maize. They had likewife abundance of cocoa-nuts, which being the re- prefcntative of coin liere, were proportionably -* valued. C9 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF valued. Thefe people feemed to have a duel fenfe of modeliy and decency j which dfcoruiij of manners made fuch a favourable imprellion on the admiral^ that he ordered them to be treated | with peculiar refpe6t, reftored their canoe ; f^\, changed for European articles fiich 'commodities I as he wilhed to retain, and difmiifed them well pleafed. One old man, however, who cheerfully undertook the office of interpreter, and feemed to be a perfon of wifdom and chaiader among his countrymen, was kept during the courfe ot' the voyage ; and having acquitted himfelf with fide, lity in the department he undertook, was at laft| difcharged with many valuable prefents. Though the admiral foon learned from this in. I telligent guide, that a people of great wealth, politenefs, and ingenuity, inhabited a country to the weft ward J yet, conceiving he could at any time fail thither from Cuba, for the prefent, he refolved to explore the imagined itraight in tliR] continent, through which he might penetrate into the South Sea, and thus reach the fpicc countiy. A mifconception of the Indian's mean- ing had given rife to the fuppoiition, that fuch a ftraight exifted : '* they intended to defcribe au ifthmus, which Columbus miftook for a narrow gulph, extending from fea to fea. In queft of this ftraight, he failed towards a point on the continent, which he named Cailnns, from the quantity of trees growing there, bearing a fruit fo called by the Hifpaniolans. In the vi- cinity of this cape, he faw people with painted Ihirts, like coats of mail, fafficiently ftrong to de- fend them againft the. weapons of the country, or even the Itroke of a fword. Farther to the eall- ward, near Cape Gracias a Dies, the natives were ^ of COLUMBUS. iff )f a favagc afpcd, and cannibals. Sailing ftill \o windward, on Sunday Augiift 14 1502, Bar- tholomew Columbus with a large party went liliore to hear mafs, and, on the following Wed- lefday, took poli'cliion of the country for their jl^atholic inajcities. Inunt' diately, above one hun- Ired Indians laden with provilions ran down to pie ihore •, but perceiving the boats, fuddenly re- ared in lilcnce. The lieutenant alcribing this to [imidity, employed the interpreter to ingratiate limielf with them by means of trinkets and bells, diich were fo acceptable, tiiat next day they re- turned in greater numbers, bringing with them lens, geele, fifli, and other kinds of provifions. The country, though low, was beautifully ver- lant ', producing pines, oaks, palms, and mirabo- lans. Among the quadrupeds were deer, and a fpecies of leopard. The features of the inhabit- ints refembled thofe of the iflands already de- tcribed : they covered their loins j and every na- tion fpoke a language of its own. Their bodies md arms were ornamented with different figures Indented by fire. They feemed to have no reli- gion ', but oil feftivals they painted their faces of rarious colours, fo as to make a moft terrific ap- )earance. The wind and currents being qpntrary, the ad- liral fpent feventy days in failing fixty leagues |o the eailward. On the 14th of September, he reached Gracias a Dios, fo called, becaufe the [and trending olF to the fouth, gave him an op- ortunity of profecuting his voyage with the hade-wind. On the lOth, the boats being fent ailiore to ater, one of them, with all the men, was unfor- [uiiately loil by a violent furf or rippling, occa- _ fioned fO FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OP iioned by the conflift of the current and tLel wind. To this river he gave the appellation of De la Difgracia, or Difafter. Running farther to the fouthward, he anchored near the town of CaJ riari, in the vicinity of an ifland named Gluiriviri, which in population, foil, and fituation, was dif. tinguifhed above every place he had yet vifited. The town was watered by a large river, on the banks of which a multitude of people appeared, fome armed with bows and arrows, others with palm-tree lances pointed with fifh bones, and a third defcription with clubs. They feemed to have been colle6ted to defend their country from invafion j but being fatisfied of the pacific dif-l polition of the Spaniards, they eagerly wifhed to] barter their commodities, confiiling of arms, cot* ton, flieets, and guaninis, which are ornaments of| gold for the neck, for articles of European manu- facture ; but the admiral, to give the favages thc| higheft idea of their vifitors, as if they were fU' perior to all mercenary views, prefented.theral with trinkets, for which he would not fufFer any thing to be taken in exchange. This ferved only to whetten their delire for traffic ; they invited the Spaniards to land ; but finding they couldl not fuiceed, they retlied, leaving every article they had received in a fmall heap on the fiiore.l The Indians, conceiving that the ftrangers dif* trulted their fincerity, fent down an ancient man] of a majeftic prefence, with a flag on a fl:atF, at- tended by two young women, having guaninisl about their necks. Thefe females, at the earneft| requefi: of their guide, were fent on board the ad- miral ; and be'ng handfomely entertained, werel difmiffcd to rejoin the veteran, and about fifty of| his countrymen on the beach. Nextl COLUMBUS. • ft Next day the lieutenant going afhore, two of the Indian chiefs taking him by the arms, with a Igentle violence, made him fit down on the grafs Ibetween them. Thus lituated, he began to in- terrogate them, and ordered the fecretary to write lown their anfwers. But having themfelves per- formed f'ome magic ceremonies before they ap- )roached the Spaniards, they conceived that pen, Enk, and paper were the inftruments of forcery imong the ftrangers, and fled in great confterna- tion, when they were produced. Bartholomew found means to quiet their apprehen lions, and af- terwards vilitcd their town, where he faw feveral tombs in a large wooden ftru6tare covered with canes. They appeared to polfefs the art of embalm- ing the dead. Over each of the fepulchres was a )oard, carved with the figures of beafts, or the effi- ries of the deceafed, with the native ornaments. The appearance of the country, and the man- lers of the inhabitants excited the admiral's de- Ifire to become better acquainted with both. He therefore ordered feven of the Indians to be fecur- sd, and feleftingtwoof the moft intelligent look- ing perfons among them, difmifled the reft with |;refents, afluring them, that their companions were letained for no other reafon but to a6t as guides md interpreters, and that in a ftiort fpace they lould be fet at liberty. This detention, how- ever was afcribed to avarice ; and next day, four imbafladors arrived with a prefent of two wild logs to ranfom their countrymen. The deputies |ivcre treated with the greateft civility, well re- paid for their hogs, and fent away fatisfied, tliat 10 harm would befal their comrades on board. Que of the failors having caught a wild cat of txlraordinary ^q, compared with the fame ani- mal f2 FOURTH AND LAST rOYAGE OP mal in Europe, the crew entertained themfelve!| with letting it loolc on one of the hogs, which had been brought for a prefent- Though naturally very ferocious, no fooner did it fee the rat, than it ran about the cUjck in a fright. The admiral perceiving this, ordered a hog to be brought near| the cat in confinement, which immediately wind- ing its tail about the hog's fnout, and with itsl fore leg faftening on the poll, would foon have difpatched it, had not the attendants interpoicd. From thefe circumftances it was clear, that thofel cats hunt like the European wolves. On the 5th of October, the admiral enteredl the fpacious bay of Caravaro, in which are many! iflets. On one tof thefe fmall iflands they dif- covered twenty canoes, and their crews hard byl them on the ihore, without the leafl article oil drefs or ornament, fave little plates of gold roundl their . necks. I'hefe betrayed no fymptoms ofl fear, but readily exchanged a gold plate weigli- ing ten ducats for three horfe-bellsj and gavel the Spaniards the agreeable intimation, that gold| was abundant in that neighbourhood. Next day, a boat's crew met with ten tanoesl full of people, who declining to part with theirl gold plates, the admiral ordered two of them tol be taken, for the fake of obtaining information! by means of the Cariari interpreters. Thefe con- firmed the report of gold being found at the dif*| tance of two days journey up tbe country. ■ Sailing from thence, the admiral, fome daysl after, entered the river Guaiga, where his boatj] were violently alfaulted by a party of one hun- dred Indians j who refolutely ran into the waterl up to the middle, brandifhing lances, blowingl horns, and fliewing every mark of averfion and! defiance.! COLUMBUS. 73 defiance. The peaceable demeanour of the Spa- niards foon appealed thefe hoftile menaces ; and for a fpAV horfebclls, the natives exchanged gold plates to the value of one hundred and fifty du- cats. Next day, however, they lay in ambufcade, and perceiving, that no one would venture to Imd without lecurity, they ruihed into the wa- ter, and repeated the fame infults as on the pre- ceeding day. The Spaniards being exafperated at their inlblence, wounded one of them with an arrowy and, at the fame time, a cannon being fired, they fled in the greateft conflernation. Then four men landing, invited them by figns to return J on which they laid down their arms, and entered into peaceable traffic. Columbus having procured fpecimens of the produce of this part of the country, proceeded to Catiba ; and calling anchor in the mouth of a large river, faw the natives preparing for defence. However, they fent two deputies along fide in a canoe J and thefe having difcourfed with the in- terpreters, came on board the admiral, and pre- I'eated him with their plates, for which he made them a fatisfattory return. Amity being thus eflablilhed, the Spaniards went afliore, and found the king furrounded by a number of his fubje^ts, from whom he was in no refpe6t diftinguifhed, but by a lingle leaf of a tree, which in fome de- gree protected him from the rain. The fovereign having firft exchanged his gold plate, his people fpcedily followed his example. At this place was feen a confiderable mafs of wall, apparently conftruded of Hone and lime j the firft trace that had been difcovered of archite6lural fkill in the new worlJ. Sailing to the eallward, the admi- ral palled Cobravo, and feveral towns of great Vol, I. . H trade. A'^o. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I UilM 12.5 150 ■^~ Hi^ 12.2 I'll 1 8 1!^ 1^ i4 , < 6" ► Vi HiotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WnSTH.N.Y. 14S80 (716) S72-4S03 ^^^ 74 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAOS OT trade, among which was Veraguq, where the In- 1 dians faid the gold was colle6i:ed, and the plates made. On the 2d of Novemher, he entered a harbour, to which he gave the appellation of Porto Bello, from its beautiful lituation. The weather proving unfavourable for proceeding, l)e| continued here for feven days, during whict fpace, a conftant communication and commerce | was Ic^-^t up with the natives. Leaving Porto Bello, the admhal direfted his I courfe to the eaflward -, but next day was forced back 5 and running in among the iflands near the continent, where the town of Nombre de DiosI now ftands, called the place Puerta de Baftimen- tos, from the quantity of proviiions. A boat, well | manned, being fent in purfuit: of a canoe, the In- dians on board it were fo terrified, that they I leaped into the fea, and in fpite of all the efforts of the Spaniards, efcaped by dint of diving and fwimming. Here Columbus remained for a I fortnight, when he failed for Guiga, where a bo- dy of three hundred Indians appeared ready to| open a trade with the Spaniards. Without mak- ing any delay here, he put into a fmall confined I port, which he named Retrete, capable of con- taining no more than fix fliips, with an entrance not more than twenty paces wide. In this place he lay nine days, at firfl trading very familiarly with the Indians, till the infolence of one of the failors provoked them to open hofl:ility. Their courage increafing daily with their numbers, and the admiral having in vain endeaVoured to allay the commotion, found it abfolutely necefifary to alter his deportment, to prevent their aggrelfion. He therefore ordered his men to fire fpme pieces 9!" cannon, which thejr anfwered with noife and C0LUMBU8. 75 Ivociferation, as if they defpifed the explolion, i which they believed to be the effed of thiinder,. On this one of the great guns was loaded with fliot, and the ball falling in the midft of a party aflerabled on a hillock, convinced them that they had fomething more than noife to apprehend. Ever after they kept out of fight. Thefe people were tall and well-lhaped. In the harbour, alli- Igators were numerous. Thefe animals flept alhore, and emitted a mulky fcent. They ap-. peared ravenous when they could take an ad- jvantage j but cowardly when attacked. The admiral perceiving that the winds conti- Inued to blow with violence from the eaftern quarter, and that he was precluded from trading with the inhabitants of this coaft, refolved to fa- tisfy himfelf in regard to the authenticity of the report, concerning the mines of Veiagua, and ac- [cordingly failed back to Porto Bello. f^ext day, the wind fhifted; and for fome [time the weather was fo boifterous, that a man could fcarcely fland on deck. The clouds feem- ed to be melting into a deluge 3 the whole air ap- peared like a fheet of lightning j and the thunder rolled incefTantly over their heads. Themarincrs« worn out with fatigue, and terrified with this unu» fual commotion of the elements, were driven to defpair. AmidA this danger and diftra6tion, they I were in the utmoft peril of being overwhelmed [by a dreadful water-fpout, which rifing from the fea, about the thicknefs of a butt, feemed to I reach the clouds, and burft with a tremendous ! roar. To darken their profpe6t, they loft fight of one of the fhips ; and it was not till the end of three days/ that they found Ihe was fafe. H:& At 76* FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF At this crifis, when almoft hope was loft, a calm enfued, of two days continuance^ during which they were furrounded by fliarks fo voracU ous, that they were caught with any bait. In the belly of one, an entire turtle was found alive. Though thefe fifties were regarded as ominous, and their flefli but indifferent food, the lailors beginning to be preffed with famine, ate them with great eagernefs. Indeed all their fea ftores were confumed, except their bifcuit; and this I was fo full of maggots, from the heat and moif- ture of the climate, that they generally ate it in the dark, to conceal the difguit of the vermin | with which it was filled. On the 17 th of December, Columbus repofed| his crews for three days in a harbour eaft of Pen- non, called Huiva by the natives. Here they ob- ferved, that the natives livid rn huts erc6fced in I the tops of trees, to fecure them from wild beafts, and land floods, or enemies of their own fpecies; for war frequently raged along the coaft. On quitting this harbour, a new ftorm arofe, and they were obliged to take flielter in another port, The 3d of next month, the weather became more moderate J but as if Providence had refolved to thwart the expedition, no fooner were they again under fail, than the wind freftiened and became contrary; and they were buffeted about by the waves, till they were driven back to one of their | former ports. After fome repairs and laying in a frefti llock| of fuch provifions as the country fupplied, Co- lumbus once more fet out ; but he was fo per- J)lexed with currents, and fatigued with tempellsl and' contrary winds, that he gave this coaft the appropriate name of de Contraftes, or the Coaft of Contention. At dOLUMBUS. JJ At laft he reached the river of Veragua, whofe waters were very lliallow j but the boats proceed- ed up to the town, near which the gold mines were faid to lie. At tirft the Indians flood on their guard, and menaced oppolition^ but our Indian interpreter giving a favourable reprefent- ation of the views and conduft of llrangers, they were appeafed j and bartered a^^^^y twenty plates I of gold, and fome grains of the fame metal in tEeir native ftate, which they faid had been col- lected in defolate mountains, at a very great dif- Itance. Two of the (hips, w^ith the adrtiiral on board, Iweut up a river in the vicinity, to which he hac} given the appellation of Betblem j and here they found the Indians ready to exchange their com- modities, particularly liili, which at certain fea- fons of the year fwim up the rivers in incredible IHioals. The other fhips having j6ined, Bartholo- [mew, the lieutenant, went up the river with the Iboats to the city of Uuibio -, the king, who hear- png of his delign, in token of friendihip, met hirn pn his canoe Next day he vifited the admiral, md after an hour's converfation, and an inter- change of prefents, he departed extremely gratis led. ' Soon after, the river fwelled by the floods fo fuddenly and io high, that the admiral's Ihip jarted her cable, and ran foul of another veiTel^ by which accident both were in imminent danger )f being loft. This prodigious rife was fuppofed \o be occalioned by fome cloud having burll on "le lofty mountains of Veragua. On the 6th of February 1503, the lieutenant md lixty-eight men afcended the river to the ca- Ji^ue's town, on purpofe to enquire the neareft H 3 road 7B POURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF road to the mines. In confequence of the intel- ligence received, they travelled fevcral leagues, and arriving at the place where they were dired- 1 ed, gathered fome gold about the roots of large and lofty trees. As tlie fole aim of the journey was to obtain information refpeding the mines, the party returned well pleafed with their adven- ture j though it afterwards appeared, that the mines of Vcragua lay much nearer, and that they had been purpofely fent to the mines of Urira,a| nation at war with Quibio. A few days having elapfed, the lieutenant witlil fifty men fet out again for the river Urira, feven leagues weft ward of Bethlem j and next day had an interview with the cacique, when fome plates of gold were exchanged. The Spaniards werel then condu6ted to the town, where they werel jhofpitably and entertained and lodged. Soon af-f ter their arrival at this place, the neighbouring! cacique of Dururi waited pn them : he had a nur merous retinue, and feveral plat& of gold werel bartered by his people. The ne"s^ of gold beiiigl found moft grateful to the ears of the SpaniardsJ this cacique pleafed the lieutenant, Ijy informingl him, that in the interior parts, there were caf ciques who pofleffed abundance of gold, and! maintained armed men like the Spaniards. Bartholomew fending back a part of his men to| the fhips, proceeded with the remainder to Zo barba, where he faw above fix leagues of grouniS jfull of maize, in good cultivation. Here the naj tives were kindly attentive j and furniflied hin with fome plates of gold j but having advance a great way from the ftiips, and found no plac more convenient for a colony, which it was inj tended to fettle, than Bethlem, he returned wit a goo COLUMBUS. ' yg 3 good quantity of gold, and a relblution wa? now taken to leave a colony here of eighty men under his command. The neceffary difpolitions being made, they began to ereft timber houfes^ covered with palm leaves, in the vicinity of Beth- lem river j and feveral pieces of cannon, ammu- nition and provilions were lodged in the maga7 zine apart j while other ftoreii were placed on boafd one of the fhips, the G«llega, for the ufe of the colony. As fifli abounfed on the coaft, they had an ample fupply of^ts and other fiihing tackle. The Indian mjp of catching fifli here was with hooks made of tbrtoife Ihell. Pilchard? were their ufual prey. In the middle of their canoes, from ftem to ftern, they had a partition of palm leaves two yards high j and piying about the river, made a noife with their oars fo as to alarm the fiih, i^ich miftaking the leaves for land, frequently ;i4krted againft them, and fell iur to the canoe. A^Th^i* principal beverage was a kind of beer made 'Of maize. They alfo made a pleafant wiq/gjf palms. Every thmgliaving been provided for the com- fort and fig;u;rity of the new colony, the admiral was determined to return to Spain; when his voyage was effedually retarded by the lownefs of the water in the river, which would not float his ihips, as well as by a terrible furf, which threa- tened dcftru6tion to any veflel on the Ihore. This circumftance was the more unfortunate, as the rains were paft, which alone could fwell the river.; and the ihips' bottoms were perfe6tly worm-eaten. To complete the calamity, it was cafually difcovered, that Quibio intended to de- ftroy the fettlement, as having been formed con- trary to his inclination and that of his people. In «> FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OP In this dangerous dilemma, the admiral concert- ed meafures with his brother. It was therefore propofed to take the cacique and his principal men prifoners, and to carry them hoftages to Spain. Accordingly the lieutenant and feventy men proceeded to the village of Veragua, where he received a meflage from the cacique, defiring he would come up to his houfe, which Hood apart on a hill. He had now occafion for all his ad- drefs. He refolved to accept the invitation with five men only j having ordered the reft to follow two and two at fome diftance, and, on hearing the report of a mulket, imitiediately to furround the houfe. Quibio meeting the lieutenant at the door, was immediately feized j and the iignal be- ing given, the Spaniards encircled the houfe. The prince being taken, about thirty attendants made no oppolition. But. as they were conveying the cacique on board, he found means to leap in- to the river 3 and darknefs letting in, it was im- poflible to recover him, or to know the event. After a fruitlefs fearch, the party returned over- whelmed with ihame and vexation. Finding it impradicable to recover the fugitive Indian, the lieutenant and his .men came on board the admiral, and prefented the plunder of Quibio's houfe, which was pretty confiderable. A fifth part was dedu6fced for their Catholic ma- jefties ; and the reft diftributed among the party engaged in the expedition. The river being again fwelled by the rains, Columbus found means, though with much diffi- culty, to get over the bar into the fea. He then waited for a fair wind to carry him to Hifpaniola, from whence he purpofed fending fupplies to his new fettlement. During this interval, tlie boat providea* COLUMBUS. SI Iprovidentially went alhore, and was the probable llalvation of a number of Spaniards. For Cluibio |no Iboner faw the (liips at fea, than he refolved |to attack the fettlement ; and the furrounding [woods facilitated the enterprize. But the lieu- Itcnant, with undaunted refolution, fallied out on Ithe enemy, and compelled the favages to retire, Ijuft as the boat reached the fhore. In this en- Icounter, a Spaniard was killed and feven wound- led, among whom was the lieutenant himfelf. The enemy, however, again and again returned |to the charge ; and the fpirit of the Europeans [was thus broken as well as their number re- Iduced. Meanwhile the admiral waited impatiently for Ifavourable weather to fend the only boat afhore iwhich remained, for intelligence previous to his Heaving the coaft j and in this interval, fome of the Iprlfoners efcaped in the night, and the reft hanged Ithemfelves in defpairj fo that no hoftages for [Quibio's peaceful demeanour were left. From Ithe inclemency of the elements, no boat could [live ; and the anxiety of Columbus increaling^ jhe engaged one of his pilots to fwim ailiore f'^r liiitelligence. This hazardous enterprize he hap • [pily accomplifhed, and returned with a melan- Icholy detail of attacks without, and animolities within. Bartholomew found it impracticable to Imaintain his authority; and the lettlers were [unanimous in nothing but in quitting the place. [The admiral feeing no other alternative than to expofe the fettlers, among whom was his own brother, to certain deftru6tion, or to take them on board, did not hefitate what line of condu6l to Jpurfue. He received and accommodated the co- [lonifts in the befl manner that the circumstances of 82 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF of his fhips would permit. All the goods and ftores were carried off j and nothing of value left, except the hulk of the fhip intended for the ufe of the fettlement, which was found too rotten to I be of farther fervice. The admiral having yielded to imperious cir- 1 cumftances, which fruftrated his reafonable ex* pc6tations of deriving credit and advantage from erefting a fettlement on the continent, failed along the coaft to the eaftvv-ard, contrary to the judgment of all his pilots, who thought it polliJ ble to reach Domingo by bearing to the north. The fuperior nautical Ikill of Columbus and his brother taught them otherwife. They were neverthelefs | expofed to the obloquy of ignorance j and mur- murs and apprehenfions were fpread, that he had I it in contemplation to fail diredtly for Spain, without having taken in proviiions adequate to| the voyage. Having reached Porto Bello, he was obliged to| leave another of his Ihips, which was totally de- cayed. He then paffed Porto Retrete, together I with a number of minute iflands; and having | weathered the point of Marmora on the conti' nent, on the ift of May, he flood to the north,! with both wind and currents fetting from the] eall. The principal navigators affirmed, that he was] already to the eaftward of the Caribbees 5 but he liimlelf was fearful he fljould not yet be able to fetch Hifpaniola, and his judgment was verified. After a run of feverai days, he found himfelf among the ifland's called the Queen's Garden, ten leagues to the fouthward of Cuba. By this time the Ihips were fo leaky that they could icarcely be managed by the pumps ; the flrength of COLUMBUS. 83 Lf the crews was exhaullcd ; and they were at [a fliort allowance of very indifferent fare, had it been unlimited. In this melancholy lituation, they were overtaken by a ftorm. The two Ihips ran foul of each other, and had nearly foundered; [however Providence again favoured the admiral ; [with difficulty they got clear, and dropped their Janchors. What increafed their thankfulnefs was, (to find in the morning, that only one ftrand of the jcable was left uncut : had this given way, they, (muft have been daihed on pointed rocks. The weather having become moderate, Colum- [bus failed to an Indian town in Cuba, named iMattaia, where he laid in fome refrelliments. 5ut finding it impoffible to bear up for Hifpaniola, le flood over to Jamaica, with the fhips almoft [full of water, in fpite of all their exertions. At laft he reached the harbour of Sant?. Gloria, well guarded by rocks ; and finding it impoffible to ^eep the Ihips longer afloat, he ran them aground, Ifide by fide, and ordered fheds to be made on their (decks for the prote6tion of his men. By this ex- (pedient he had the crews more under , control jthan if they had been on land, and better guard- led from any attack of the natives. With that [wifdom which always marked his conduft, he (appointed two perfons to fuperiritend the market, (that equal juftice might be done on both fides 5 (and the Indians, fure of honourable treatment, (might be ready to fupply him with provifions, (or to engage in traffic. Thefe regulations were (alike grateful to his own men, who were well Ifupplied, and to the Indians who frequeritly ex- [changed their animals and provifions for a bit of jtin^ a few glafs beads^ or a hawk's bell. A chief was / S4 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OP was fometimes complimented with a red cap, a fmall looking-glafs, or a pair of fciiTars. But though they were now freed from the! preffure of want and immediate danger, tliij was not the fcene of their reft. The admiral I next confulted how to tranfport the party to Hifpaniola, and after mature deliberation,.it was refolved, that two canoes fliould be difpatched] thither with an account of their misfortunes, and a prelling folicitation to the governor, to fend a fhip for their relief. James Mendez dt Segura, the admiral's fecretar}% embarked in 0De| canoe with fixteen men, Spaniards and Indians; and the command of the other was given tol Bartholomew Fiefco, a Genoefe gentleman, whol had the fame number of hands. This laft had! orders to return immediately with the newsofi their fafe arrival; while Mendez fliould continue! his route over land to St. Domingo. The men left, foon began to grow iickly froml the fatigue they had undergone, and a change of| diet J and illnefs always fofters a fpirit of dilcon- tent. They now caballed againft the admiral,! as if he had no wilh to return to Spain; tlieyl anticipated the refufal of the governor of Hiipaf niola to graqt any afliftance from his previouil condu6tj they even fuggefted that the canoJ were loft, or fome tidings would have been rf| ceived from the fecretary. Hence they conclud- ed, that it was their beft plan to leave the admi-l ral, who was very ill of the gout, and to follow their companions to Hifpaniola, where their de fertion would be a paffport to the governor's h\ vour. Two brothers of the name of Porras Averq the fuggefters and fupporters of thefe fentimcnts 'and columbCs. 85 and iis the biihop of Burgos, the fworn foe of Columbus, kept one of their iifters in quality of concubine, they did n )t donbt but they fliould m«-et with proteftion in Spain. Thefe infi- iiuations had their full effe6tj and about forty- eight of the men having fallen into their line, preparations were diligently made for the execu- tion of their defign. Matters being ripe for a difcovery, on the 2d cf January 1504, Captain Francis de Porras, who had been eleded leader, afcending the quarter- deck, where the admiral lay confinec} in bed, info- lently demanded the reafon why he did not return to Spain, but kept his men to peplh in fuch a fituation. Columbus, fufpeding a confpiracy, calmly replied, that it was impoflible to return to Spain without a veflel j that both intereft and duty prompted him to be gone^ and that for the gratification of his people, he would fummon all his officers to confult on the means of forwarding their wilhes. This mild remonftrance had no effe^ on Porras. He faid it w^as now too late to wade words; that if the admiral did ;iot imme- diately embark he might flay alone. Then raif- ing his voice, he exclaimed, " I am going to " Spain with thofe who are inclined to follow me." By this his adherents joined in the excla- mation, and immediately took poffeflion of dif- ferent parts of the ihip, fo that upioar and con- fufion were univerfal. The noife of this tumult roufed the admiral from his bed of ficknefs : he ftarted up, and was only withheld from rufhing into the midft of the confpirators, by the affec- tionate redraints of his fervants, who dreaded he might be murdered. The lieutenant, after bravely rufliing out on the mutineers, was dif- VoL. !• ' I armed 85 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF armed and confined, having caution^ Porras In vain to reiied on his condnft, which, would meet with exemplary punifhment. The riiiff. leader difregarding this advice, and feizing ten canoes -vhich had been purchaled of the Indians by Columbus, embarked with all his adherents,! who exprefled the fame exultation as if they had already been landed in Spain. On this occafionJ fome who had not joined in the conlpiracy, de- fpairing now of relief, defired to be taken on board, to the infinite forrow of the admiral and his few remaining followers. Had the whole been in health, it is probable that none but his brother and his domeflics would have Remained I in their duty. The mutineers coafting along the eaft fide of I Jamaica, committed all manner of outrages on the natives, and defired them to apply for redrcfi| and indemnity to the admiral, who was the au- thor of all their calamities j and to put him to| death, fliould he deny them fatisfactici). Having carried their malice as far as diaboli- cal invention would go, they began their voyage | for Hifpaniola, with fome Indians, whom they compelled to a6t as rowers. They had not, how- ever, made four leagues from land, when the I wind, which was contrary, began to frefhen, and| the fea to rife and to fill the canoes. Being un- acquainted with the mode of navigating fuch| Veiiels, they thought to lighten them by murder- ing the Indians, and throwing their bodies intol the ocean. This inhuman defign they executed | on iomej others being thrown overboard alive, fwam till they were exhaufled, then hanging bjrl the canoes for breath, the deteftabie monfters cut! oS their hands ; and in this manner eighteen pc-l riihed.1 COLUMBUS. 87 I rifted. Probably not one would have efcaped, 1 had not a few been fayed oat of a cruel charity to cany them back to Jamaica; as they found it I impracticable to proceed. Having J*elanded on this ifland, a council was held 5 when fonie pro- pofed that they Ibould take advantage of the winds and currents to run over to Cuba, whence jthepafTage to Hifpaniola was lliort: others ad- I vii'ed attempting to make their peace with the admiral, but a majority of voices agreed, that after it became calm, they fliould piirfue their [former voyage. Having waited a month for a favourable opportunity of leaving the ifland, and and having made two unfuccefsful efforts, they at laft marched by land to the weftward, plun- dering the natives as they advanced. The firft care of the admiral, was to efface the bad impreflions which the mutineers had made on the Indians, and in this he fortunately fuc- ceeded} for they fupplied him with pro viiions as before. His next objedt was to recover his peo- ple by the fupplies he could procure for their re- lief. But the Indians attending no farther to agriculture than was abfolutely necelfary for their own fubfiftence, began to feel a fcarcityj [ and the admiral being in a lituation that no longer challenged obedience and refpe6t, they became indifferent about his wants. The fagacity of Columbus, ever prompt at expedients, fupplied him with a mofl extraordinary refource lor re- trieving his chara<5ter and credit with the fa- ivages. Knowing by calculations, that in three I days there would be an eclipfe of the moon, he fent an Indian of Hifpaniola to aflemble the chiefs I of the diftri6t, on an affair of importance to them all. Having obeyed the fummons, he told tliem by 1 2 his 88 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OP his Tnterpreter, that he and his people^ were Chrhlians, and believed in God who created ths heaven and the earth, protefted the righteous, and punilhed the wicked j and therefore would notfufferthe rebellious Spaniards to pafs over to Hilpaniola, though he had by his Providence conduced the meflengers lent by him, becaufe their defign was laudable j that the fame Al- mighty, and AU-juft being was incenfed againft the Indians for becoming negligent in fupplying his people with provilions, and was determined to punilh them with plague and famine. As a token of which, they would that very night fee the moon rife with an angry and bloody afpeft, to denote the misfortunes that were about to enfue. As fear or belief operated on the mind, this prophecy had different effe6ts. But when they perceived the moon in reality eclipfed, and darknefs increafing as ihe rofe, univerfal con fternation prevailed. They came running from all quarters, laden "With provifions; and with loud cries and lamentations fupplicated the admiral to intercede with God in their behalf j and that for the future they would be attentive to all his wants. Having obtained this promife, Colum- bus faid he would ufe his influence with the Supreme; and accordingly (hut himfelf up, while the Indians remained without, howling in the moll piteous manner, and imploring his affift- ance. When he perceived the eclipfe about to decreafe, he came out, and bad them be of good cheer j his prayers for them had been heard ; and that God had forgiven them, on condition cfl their being kind and holpitable to the Chrill:ians> It) con£rinatipn of this^ he alTiured them, the/ would COLUMBUS. 89 would fpcfdilyfec the moon lay afide her wrathful afpe6t, and fhine with her former fplendor. This prognoftic being verified, they adored the God of the Chriftians; and ever after continued to fupply him and hig men to the utraoft of their abilities} for though they muft have obferved cclipfes before, they thought it impojfible to predict them, and therefore confidered Colum- bus as an immediate agent of the Deity. On a review of this artifice, we cannot refrain from obferving, that it was llrongly tin6tured with impiety and prefumption j but it was furely lefs culpable than many which the profelTed fer- vaiits of the Supreme Being have ufed to promote Ids honourable ends. Eight months had nowelapfedfince the depart- ure of the meflengers to Hifpaniola; and even the firmed refolution began to waver. It was generally fuppofed they had perifhed in the fea, or been maf- facred by the Hifpaniolan Indians. Thefe ap- prehenfions were confirmed by the information of feme of tile natives of Jamaica, who faid they had feen a canoe overfet, driven on the coaft by the tide. Every day adding ftrength to fear, a new confpiracy was formed j at the head of which was one Bernard, an apothecary. The plan was to defert the admiral in imitation of the for- mer mutineers; but happily this was rendered abortive by the arrival of a fliip from Hifpaniola. The captain, whole name was James de Efcobar, having come to an anchor, vifited the admiral with compliments from the governor, who being, he faid, unprovided with a Ihip fufficient for the purjKife of tranfporting fo many men, had fent him a prefent of a calk of wine and tv/o flitches of bacon. Paving delivered tiiis commillion, J. 3 without fj6 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OP without waiting for a reply, he weighed anchor, and failed again the fame evening. Though Co- lumbus was flung to the foul by this abrupt de- parture, he concealed his emot.on ; and affeded to fay, that the caraval had failed by his direc- tions j becaufe being too finall to take the whole party, he was determined they Ihould not* be le- parated. This declaration once more lilenced the confpirators. But the truth was, the governor of Hifpaniola, being jealous left Columbus, on his return to Spain, Ihould fupercede him, had lent to reconnoitre his iituation, with a view of de- ftroying him. By the arrival of this fliip, how- ever, Columbus had received undoubted intelli gence, that his meffengers had been able to dil- charge their miffion 5 and he indulged the hope, that their remonftrances would procure him at laft the wifhed for relief. Thefe refolute adventurers, faithful to their charge, had contended with many difficulties in their palTage, but at laft furmounted them all. For two days they continued rowing and pad- dling, during which they fuftained the extremes pf thirft, heat, and fatigue ; and feme of the Indians aftually died for want of refrefliment. At the end of the fecond day, they began to fuf- pe6t that they had miifed the right courfe, and defpondency began to feize them j but obferving the moon rife over-land, which proved to be a fmall ifland about eight leagues from Hifpaniola, their hopes revived with the profped. For this fpot they rowed with intenfe efforts 5 and hext morning going alhore, found it barren anddefolate; but it furnillied water, of which fome drank to fuch an excefs, as to produce drop- fies and other dangerous diftempers. Having re- '' ' freilied COLUMBUS. 91 frefhcd thcmfelvcs in the beft manner thqr could> they fleered their courfe for Cape St. Michael>tho neareft land in Hifpaniola^ where they fafely ar- rived.. Fiefco, having repofed himfelf two days, would have returned to the admiral as agreed ; but neither failors nor Indians would ac- company him. As for Mendez^ though he la-^ houred under a quartan ague, he fet out immedi- -«tely forXaragua, and fet forth the admiral's fitu-^ ation to the governor ; who, after much importu- nity, gave him permiffion to piirchafe a ihip at St. Domingo. This veflfel afterwards failed for Ja- maica, from whence Columbus dipatched her with packets for their Catholic Majeflies. A defire of reconcileation for the benefit of all parties, prompted the admiral to attempt to bring the Porras back to their duty. To enforce his arguments, he fet before them the profpe6t of a fpeedy voyage to their own country ; informing them he had received a promife of being relieved by a caraval from Hifpaniola; and in confirmation ofthe truth of this, fentthem apart of his pre- fent^. The ring-Jeaders, dreading a re-union, employed all their eloquence to difTuade their ad- herents from accepting the pvopofals ; and word was fent back, that they were ready to depart peaceably for Hifpaniola, if the admiral would fiimifli them with a veffel : or if he had but one, affign one half of it for their acconmiodation 1 and in the meantime divide the* clothes and com- modities in his pofleffion with them. To this ar- rogant demand was added a threat, that if he re- fufed to comply, they would come and ftrip him by force. This menace they a6tually refolved to put into execution, and marched down within a ihort dii*- 3 tance 92 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF tance of the wrecks. Columbus being informed of their intention, detached fifty men well armed, under the conunand of his brother, enjoining him to expoflulate with the rebels, and to refrain from hoftilities, unlefs firft attacked. The lieu- tenant having advanced within bow-fhot of the mutineers, deiired a conference with their cap- tain. This condefcenfion being afcribed to fear, was treated with contempt ; and they immediate- ly fell upon his men in fure hopes of vi6tory. Their expe6tations, however, were difappoin ted. At the liril charge, live out of fix of the moft re- folute, who had fworn to cut their way through, were brought to the ground, and among them the two moll daring of the confpirators. As for their leader, Francis de Porras, he was taken prifoner; when the reft turned their backs and fled. The lieutenant, having gained a com- plete victory, returned to the Ihips with his pri- foners. Himfelf was wounded in the hand, and another gentleman, being pierced with a fpear, afterwards died. This was the only lofs that the friends of Columbus fuftained. The intrepid pilot, indeed, who fwam afliore as formerly men- tioned, had a moft miraculous efcape for his life. This man being fpent with wounds, fell over the rocks during the fray, and was not difcovered till next evening, when fome Indians found him ftill alive. His IkuU was laid open, fo that his brains appeared} his arm was almoft amputated; the calf of one leg hung by a ligament ; and one foot was fliced from the heal to the toes. Notwith* ftanding thefe defperate wounds, he fo terrified the Indians who approached him, with curfes and threats, that they fled in the utmoft confternation ; but the admiral being apprized of his fituation, ordered COLUMBUS. ' g$' ordered him all the medical affiftancein his power, and, to the lurprize of every one, he recovered. To prevent future ainmofities, and a fcarcity of provifions on board, the admiral detained Por- ras in confinement ; and appointed a proper pcr- fon to command and lead about the captive male- contents, for the convenience of finding iubfiftcnce, in exchange for fuch conmiodities as they had been fiipplied with. All diffenfions among the Spaniards being thus compofed, the Indians became fenfible of the danger of giving them offence 5 and afiiduouily fupplied them with provifions. A year had now elapled fince the Spaniards were wrecked on Ja- maica. The ihip which Mendez had purchafed, atlaft arrived; and Columbus, with his whole company, embarked on the 28th of June, and, af- ter a troubjefome voyage, reached St. Domingo on the 13th of Auguft 1504. Here the governor received him with the moil fawning attentions ; but as a proof that his hofpitalities were only af- feftation, he fet Porras at liberty, and even threat- ened to puniih thofe who had been mofi active in apprehending him. As foon as the admiral's fliip had been refitted, and another engaged for the accommodation of his friends, he failed for Europe on the 2d of September. But before they had been two leagues at fea, the maflof his confort came by the board, on which fhe was fent back to be repaired, while he proceeded on his voyage. After being difmafted in a violent florm, and ftiuggling with many difficulties, as well as a fit of the gout, Columbus at laft arrived in the port of St. Lucar de Barrameda. He had no fooncr landed than he heard, with unfpeakable regret, of the death of his munificent patronefs; Ifabella ; a blow P4 FOURTH AND LAST VOYAGE OP blow which he never recovered. Ferdinand, in- deed, treated him with courteous attention j but gave ftrong intimations, that the terms he had Itipulated for himfelf were too advantageous, and wilhed to propofe coming to a new agreement. This however never took place ; the negociations entered into were interrupted by the acceilion of Philip to the throne of Caftile, and Columbus, worn out with infirmities and chagrin, yielded up the ghoft at Valadolid on the 20th of May 150(), in the lixty-fourthyearof his age. His remains were conveyed, by the king's order, to Seville, where, fonie authors fay, he was magnificently interred, in the monaftery of the Carthufians ; and that a monument was ere6ted to his m^^mory, charged with this infcription, A CASTILIA Y A LEON. MEUVO MUNDO D£0' COLON. Which may be thus tranflated. TO CASTILE AND LEON, A NEW WORLD WAS GIVEN BY COLUMBUS. Others affert, that his monument only e?cifts at Se- ville; forthat his body was buried at St. Doniingo, in the chancel of the cathedral ; and an article in the public prints from Spain, on the late ceilion of Hifpaniola to France, feems to confirm this be- lief. For we read, that the remains of Columbus were to be transferred, with great pomp, from St. Domingo to Cuba. Such were the adventures and the end of Co- lumbuft# a man whom all poflerity will view with admiration, and honour with applaufe. The ingratitude he experienced is tlie ufual return for Icrvices COLUMBUS. g5 fervice in 1467* lis father was a native of Venice 5 and he cdu- [:ated his fon in all thofe branches of mathemati- tal learning to which conmiercc had then given Vol. L J& celebrity. 98 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OP celebrity. Before Sebaftian was twenty years of I age, he had performed feveral voyages, and, by thus adding pra6tice to theory, he early became eminent in the fcience of navigation. The firft voyage of importance in which Se. badian Cabot was engaged, feems to have been that made by his father John, who had obtained! a commiffion from Henry VII. for a difcovery of I a north-weft paliage to India, the favourite ob-f je6t of Columbus. They failed from Briftol la the fpring of 1494, and purfuing their courfe with favouring gales, on the 24th of June law Newfoundland, to which they gave the name of Prima Vifta, or Firft Seen. Going alhore, oa| a fmall illand on this coaft, they gave it the ap. pellationof St. John's, from its being difcoveredl on th<*. day dedicated to St. John the Baptift, The ifland was barren j but the fea aboundedl ■with filh. The natives were dreffed in Ikins, andl armed with bows, arrows, pikes, wooden clubsJ darts, and flings. They returned to Englandl with three favages on board, made a report of| their difcoveries, and met with a gracious recep- tion. Cabot, the father, dying foon after, al new patent was granted to his ion Sebaftian, whol fet fail again on the 4th of May 1497, beforel Columbus commenced his third voyage. Hel failed as high as 67 deg. 30 min. north latitude,! proceeding from thence down to 56 deg. and then! explored the coaft of America as low as 38 deg.l This part of the continent, he exprefsly fays, wasl afterwards named Florida. His provifions begin-[ ning to be exhaufted, he failed back; and,! touching at Newfoundland, returned to England! with a full cargo of tlie productions of the couaj tries he hid yifited. TUB CAB0T8. 99 It Is probable that Sebafllan Cabot made feve- |ral voyages to complete his difcovery of the coaft . of Newfoundland. A map •©£ his difcoveries, drawn by himfelf, with his effigien annexed, was Ihungup in the private galkry at Whitehall. Purchas, with the partiality of a man who feels I for the honour of his country, exprcflfes fome in- dignation, that the new world lliould be called i America, when Cabot difcovered its continent I before Americus Vefputius, or even Columbus I himfelf. Newfoundland was certainly the firft of our plan- Itationsj and the fpirit of enterprife, to which the difcoveries of Cabot gaverjfe, paved the-* ly to the naval power, the commerce, and the glory of this nation. While Spain was debilitated nnd render- ed indolent by the riches poured into her bofom, from the difcoveries of Columbus, it was the bet- ter fortune of England to fecure a foil and climate [which gave a new ftimulus to exertion, and ren- j dered her fons more hardy and more brave. Of the hiftory of a man, who indubitably firft difcovered the continent of America, every trace lis interefting to a Briton. But, for the fpace of twenty years, no vefliges of his labours appear. ' In the eighth year of Henry VIII, he again ap- pears on the ff age : he was then furniflied with a good fliip of the king*s, to profecute difcoveries, tl^rough the intereft of bir Thomas Pert, vice-ad- miral of England, Itfeems he had then altered his plan; and intended to fail by the fouth to the Eaft Indies. For this purpofe he proceeded to Brafil: but failing in his delign, he fhaped his courfe for Hifpaniola and Porto Rico; and after carrying on fome traffic there, ^returned to Eng- K a land 100 BIOGRAPniCAt NOTICES OF land without much increaiing his former repu tation. Difappointcd, and probably nfglcftcd in con- fequence of his failure, he left England, and en- tered into the lervice of Spain, in which he rofe to the higheft rank, and fignalized himfelf ii; many hazardous attempts to promote the views of his employers. Fortune, however, frowned upon him. In an intended voyage to the Mo- luccas, through the Straights of Magellan, his men became mutinous, and his projefi was fnif. trated. He, however, failed up the rivers Plat^ and Paraguay, built feveral forts, and di^vered and reduf.ed a rich and fertile traft of country under the dominion of Spain. After fpending live years in America, he returned in chagrin j and met but with a cold reception. Thefe circumftances confpired to make him anxious to return to his native country : about the latter end of the reign of Henry VIII. he he again fettled at Briftol. A Ipirit of commerce beginning to be diffufed in England, Cabot, in 1552, was a6tive in an en- terprife to fit out fome ihips for the difcovery of the northern parts of the world ; and thereby to open new fcenes of adion, and new channels for traffic. The expedition took place with the pa- tronage of government} and this was the firll voyage made to Ruflia, and the foundation of that intercourfe which has fince fublifted between the two nations. Upon this firft fuccefs, a Ruffian compimy was formed, of which Cabot was confti- tuted governor for life. After an adive life, fpent in the mofl honour- able purfuits, and chiefly employed in the fervice ^' his country, he died upwards of feventy years of age, age THE CABOTS. ■ 101 Though his fame muft be allowed to be far inferior to that juftly due to Columbus, his claims, as an original difcoverer, were infinitely fuperior to thofe of Americus Vefputius. But fortune, feconded by caprice, have given the latter a name, which we (hall now fee was neither me- rited nor juft^... K3 BIOGRAPUI- BIC AME IVIER fron Florence, "^ difcovered |ind navig: ^uefe had I more inti JDfliteratu] tiftoryof t nated the khelineof Ind to wh kiven an e We hay great nian kis enemi< Ihew it bd lailed nih Ami Impaticnc clandeftin the draug the ha /Atholic BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF \americus vesputius, AND HIS DISCOVERIES. MERICUS VESPUTIUS was defcended from an ancient and honourable family at Florence, where h.e was born in 1451. He early iifcovered a tafte for philofophy, mathematics, tnd navigation. The difcoveries of the Portu- ^uefe had called the attention of the ftudious to 1 more intimate acquaintance with thofe branches |)f literature which are conne£ted with the natural kiftory of the earth and of mankind ; and had ani- lated the enterprifing to fignalize themfelves in [he line of adventure, which they had pointed out, pfid to which the genius of a Columbus had juft given an eclat that never could be fuppofed. We haye obferved, that after the return of this great man from his fecond voyage, the malice of iis enemies and the jealoufy of the court begaii [o Ihew itfelf. Alonzo de Ojeda, an officer who ^ad lailed with him, having joined his intereft /ith Americus Vefputius, who burned with an impatience to partake the glory of *-he admiral, clandeftinely obtained from the Billiop of Burgos ihe draughts and plans which he had depofited h the hands of that prelate, by order of their catholic Majeftiesj and being furniilied with four 104 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES Of four ihips^ according to fome writers, fet fail fronj Cadiz on the 20th of May, 1497. Vefputius, whofe fuperior rank or addrefs feemed to have! made him confidered as the principal, fell in with ' the coall of Paria, and ran along it as far as Terra | Firma and the Gulph of Mexico 5 and, after an abfence of eighteen months, returned to Spain, He did not pretend to dilpute with Columbus the original. difcovery of the Weft Indies ; but wiilied to have it believed, that he had firft found out the continent. To effeftuate this, heisfaidto have falfified dates, for which he has been fe-| verely cenfured j and being an excellent geogra- pher and draftlman, as well as a plaufible writer,] he blended different accounts together ; and ini' poling on the greateft part of Europe, gained anl honour to which he had no right 5 that of giving his name to the new world. But no doubt now! remains to whom this diftin6tion ought to have] been due ; and though we muft allow that Ame- rica, as the name of a quarter of the globe, affi- mulates better with the reft than Columbia would I have done j had the firft difcoverer of the continent been entitled to beftow an appellation on it, we have feen that this belonged to neither, but to| Cabot. Some months having elapfed, after the retumi of Americus Vefputius from his firft voyage, he| performed a fecond with fix fliips, under the au- Ipices of Ferdinand and Ifabella. It feems, how- ever, that the femblance of juftice to Columbusl was kept up in the commiliion which Americiisl and other following adventurers received j tlieyj were interdided from coming to an anchor with- in fifty leagues of any place where thiat navigatorl had touched, lal AMP.RICUS VESrUTIUS. 105 In this fccond voyage, or as fome will have it, Ithe firft, Americus proceeded to the Antilla iflands, hnd from thence to the coafts of Guiano and Ven- Jnezuela j and returned fafe to Cadiz in the month lof November 1 500 ; bringing back with him Imany precious {tones and other valuable commo- Idities, difcovered in the courfe of his expedition. [His I'ervices were as ill requited by the Spaniards las thofe of the man he wifhed to rival and fup- plaiit i and the ingratitude he experienced made Ihim willing to abandon the intereft of that country. Emanuel, King of Portugal, hearing of the Jifaff'e6tion of Americus, and jealous of the fuc- ccfs of their Catholic Majeflies, held out propo- |fals to this navigator, which were readily ac- cepted. Engaged in the fer\"ice of Portugal, Americus fet fail from Liibon with three ihips in May 1501. le firft ran down the coaft of Africa as far as the coaft of Angola, and then Handing over for the Imerican continent, fell in with the Brafils, R'hich he entirely difcovered and explored as far 33 Patagonia to the fouth, and the river La Plata lorth., He then failed back to Sierra Leona j jnd keeping along the coaft of Guinea, returned io Lilbon, after a voyage of fixteen months. His Portuguefe Majefty, elated with this fuc- cefs, and grateful to its author, foon equipped iix 'lips, of which he gave Americus the command, to profecute farther difcoveries. In this new koyage, it was his intention to ftand along the coaft of America to the fouth, in order to difcovcr paflage to the Molucca iflands by the weft. He fxamined the coaft from the Bay of All Saints, is far as ike river Curabado j but being furniih- ed I09 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, &:C. cd with provifions for no more than twenty months, ami being detained by contrary winds; live months on the conil he had dilVovered, he \v;ij| obliged to return to Portugal. He died at Tir- cera in 1514 j and is delervedly ranked among I \lic nioll celebrated navigators. • V. » , » ii. DISCOVERIES c. ifln twenty rary wind,! M at 'IViJ kcd among IdISCOVERIES of the SPANIAflDS, FROM THE DEATH OF COLUMBUS, TO THB EXPEDITION OF HERNANDO CORTEZ. IN (he. old world, the barbarians dcfolated the abodes of civilization and fcience ; in the new, the Ibns of knowledge defolated the country of the barbarians, and almoft exterminated them- lelves. ' * At the recital of the enormities praftifed by the Spaniards on the natives of the Weft Indies, huma- nity turns pale, and the real Chriftian ihudders to think, that perfons, pretending a belief in the mild dilates of religion, lliould difgracc it by fuch fla- grant cruelties. No fooner was Columbus dead than the fucceeding governors, who were gene- rally nominated by t'lie court of Spain, in con- tempt of the rights of his pofterity, endeavoured JOVERIESB*^ purchafe the fame advantages by the blood of the inhabitants, which that great and amiable man had obtained by his good fenfe and huma- nity. Thefe iflands Were replete with mines of gold, the real (ituations of which were known to. the Indians alone. The accurfed paflion of ava- rice, for which even the natural infirmities of luan does not furniili a temptation or an excufe^ too 108 SPANISH DISCOVERIES. too furious to leek the gentle means of perfua- fion, hurried on the Spaniards to a6ts of the nioll ihocking violence and barbarity, againft all v;ho were fuipe^ted of concealing their treafures. 1\ flaughter once begun, no bounds were fet to its rage. Hifpaniola, which contained thrte mil- lions of inhabitants, was depoptilated in a few- years ; and Cuba, which had fix hundred thou- fand, foon ihared the fame fate. Bartholomew de la Cafas, an eye witnefs of thofe worfe than Gothic depopulations, fays, that the Spaniards went out with dogs to hunt after men. The un- happy favages, almoft naked and unarmed, were purl'ued like wild beafts into dens and forefts, worried by dogs, deilroj^ed by fliot, or furprifed and burnt in their habitations. But let us turn from this difgraceful view to the progrefs of difcovery. At the time of the demife of Columbus, Nicholas de Obando was governor of Hifpaniola. He had lignalized his diligence by furveys of the coafts, and his inhu- manity, \)y dividing the Indians among the Spa- niards, by whom they were at bcfl confidered as ilaves. Gold was the univerfal purfuit; and though there was more than one hundred and £fty thoufand pounds flerling annually produced from this ifland, it was far from fatisfying the covetoufneis of thofe who were employed in amailing it. Juan Ponce de Le^n was commander of a pro- vince under Obando j and being informed Jby the Indians that gold was plentiful in Porto Rico, he obtained a licence from the governor to colonize it. While thus employed, Don Diego Columbus came out as his father*s fucceflbr, to take upon hirai'elf the.gQvernment of Hifpaniola^ and had ; , , . ... brought 8i>ANI9H DISCOVERIES. 109 (brought with him from Spain a new governor for Porto Rico. Ponce difputing his authority, the young admiral fet them both afide, and in- vefted Michael Cerron with that office. How- ever, Ponce, by intriguing with the enemies of die family of Columbus, procured a commiflion from Spain for feizing Cerron, whom he fent pri- foner to Spain. Ponce now fet about conquering the ifland ; and notwithftanding the kindnefs with which the Indians had treated him, he firft [enilaved, and then nearly exterminated them. Cerron, fupported by the reprefentations of I Columbus, again prevailed 5 and was fent back. to poffefs his former employment. Ponce, thus reduced to the rank of a private man, fitted out two ihips for making new difcoveries j and on the 2d of April 1512, fell in with land unknown. to the Spaniards, in latitude 30 deg. 8 min. and believing it to be an ifland, named it Florida, [from its beautiful appearance. About the fame time, Alonzo de Ojeda, who [had ferved under Chriftopher Columbus, being defirous of making new Settlements, obtained a grant of all the land which had been difcovered on the continent ; but Diego NicuefTa, a man of fiiperior wealth interpofing, came in for a moiety I of the grant. The court of Spain allowed the [former all the country called Andalufia, and the i latter that of Golden Caftile. In thefe arrange- ments the claims of the younger Columbus, to whom they belonged in right of his father's dif- [covery, were entirely overlooked. Each of thefe adventurers fitting out two vef- I fels, foon began to quaiTel about their refpe£tive rights; but having adjufted their difputes, they ilcft Hifpaniola towards the end of 1510. Ojeda Vol. I. - L in « no SPANISH DISCOVERIES. in a few days arrived at Carthagena, where \h Indians prepared to oppole him j being irritated! by Ibme injuries they had received from Ibveral Spanilh adventurers. They were men of lanr, ftature, and botli fexes were extremely exne with the bow. Ojeda, by means of feme prieii and interpreters, endeavoured to pacify theni and to prevail on them to fubmit to the Spaniili yoke, and to adopt its religion. He then at tempted to open a traffic with them ; but find- ing them irreconcileable, he fell upon them, kill. ed numbers, took their town, and feized ail thJ gold he could find. He then inarched foJ leagues within land; but having divided liiij men into fmall parties, they were every when cut off with flights of poilbned arrows. Ojedai and another were the only furvivors of feveiityl perfonswho had landed. Happily for this adventurer, his partner Nicuj effa now appeared on th* coaft ; and being in. formed of the calamity, generoufly told his rival, that they ought to bury their animolities in ob- livion, and unite in revenging the death of tlieiri countrymen. They accordingly landed four hun- dred men, and, marching againll the Indians, burnt one of their towns, captured a conliderable number, and poffeffed themfelves of abundance of gold. Having obtained this victory, they feparated, to purfue their refpedive plans. Ojeda fixed a fettlement on the eaftern promontory of the iftli- mus of Darien ; and called the town St. Sebal- tian. Soon finding that the natives were exaf- perated at this infringement of their territorial! rights, he difpatched one of his captains to Hil- paniola for a fupply of men and provifions ; andl ini SPANISH DISCOVERIES. Ill If, the meanwhile drew intrenchments round the town. However, being loon in want of ne- reiraries, he was obliged to make excurfions into the country, by which he loll many of his men ; land notwithftanding the arrival of confiderable reinforcements and fiiccours, they were foon i(Tm reduced to the ntmoll dittrefs, Hungvr Iforced them out ; while the Indians conftantly Idrote them back with lofs. From this dillrefling iituation, the dexterity land prefence of mind of a perlbn named Nunez (de Balboa, ferved to relieve them. This perlbn jvasof a good family and poflefled great abilities. [He had formerly failed along that coaft, and had jafterwards obtained a refpedable fettlement in [Hifpaniola. But having committed fome irre- gularities, he was in danger of being put to peath. In this dilemma, he contrived to be put on board the Ihip fent to Hifpaniola for fuccours, in a bread calk; and having remained thert^ fome days, at laft ventured to make his appear- jance. The captain, whofe name was Encilb, was ftartled at the fight. He had been ordered 'not to give any prote6lion to offenders; and* I though what had happened, was without his knowledge, he threatened to fet Nunez alhore on the fiill defert place he came to. The inter- coirion of the principal perfons on board prevail- ed in his favour, and Encifo was pacitied. Nunez obferving that the company were in de- fpair, wiflied to ingratiate and diltinguilli him- fclf. He told them, that they had no reafon to? defpond ; that at the bottom of the gulph there' was a very large town in a fruitful foil, and a fine climate ; that the Indians, though warlike,. La did 112 SPANISH DISCOVERIES. did not make ufe of poifoned arrows? ; and to] conclude, he advifed them to fail thither. This refolution being adopted, they failed to [ the river Darien, and found the defcription of Nunez verified. The cacique and his people, hearing that the Spaniards were approaching, fe- cured their wives and children j and with five! hundred men took their Hand on a fma'.l emi- nence. The Spaniards fell upon them with im- petuofity 5 inftantly put them to flight ; and en- tering their town, found it full of provifions. The plunder they met with was confiderable; and fo great was the trepidation of the Indians, that they retired a confiderable way from the ihore. The fuccefs of this enterprife gained the pro- je«5tor much reputation. It was unanimoufly agreed to fettle a colony here, and to call it St. Mary the ancient of Darien. Nunez now plotted to be revenged on Enclfo for his threat, and this officer forsvarded the fcheme againll himfelf, by ordering that none of the company ihould trade with the Indians for gold, on pain of death. This gave rife to a fng- geftion, that Encifo wifhed to monopolize this valuable metal to himfelf; and fo artfully did Nunez work on the paffions and prejudices of the party, that it was refolved to throw off all al- legiance to Encifo. To give a colour to their conduct, they pretended that his authority was expired ; as they were now out of the limits of Ojeda's government, from whom he had received his appointment. They now chofe magiflrates like thofe in Spain, at the head of whom was Nunez ; bat foon difliking this form of govern- ment SPANISH DISCOVERIES. 11 Wnt ne\v cHrputes arofe which were, howeAer, terminated by the arrival of Col men a res with two. lliips laclfii with provifions and military flores, [intended tor Niciu'tia. Colmenarcs hnd put into a port about lixty lleagues diftance from this place, where fending his men on lliore to water, they were fnddenly attacked by the Indians, who wounded forty-five of tiie Spaniards with poifoned arrows, and ftav- fd the boat. All the wounded died, fave one. Thi^ otKcer expe6ting to have found either Oje- da's or Nicuelfa's party on the eaft fide of the bay, was I'urprifed, and began to be apprehenfive they were all dead. He, however, ordered fome pieces of cannon to be fired, and fires to be light- ed on the tops of the rocks, as a fignal that their friends were on thecoaft. Thefe being obferved [and repeated by the fettlement at Santa Maria, Col- menarcs fteered for the place j and making a li- Iberaldiftribution of provifions among them with^ I out dirtinO:ion, prevailed on them to fubmit to the government of Nicuefla. That gentleman, after parting wath Alonzo de Ojeda, met wMth a violent tempeft, when Lopez de Olana, his lieutenant, perceiving the fliips fe- parated, conceived the defign of deferting his patron ; but failing in his projeft of making him- lelf independent, he failed to Veragua, the place of rendezvous, where he endeavoured to perfuade the people to return t6 Hifpaniola, alleging, that Nicuefia mull have periihed. Meanwhile a flial- lop brought intelligence that he was llranded on the coaft ; and was now in a miferable fituation. The heart of Olana relented at this intelligence. He immediately fent back the fliallop with ne- cc0arics and rcfrclliments, which faved >»Iicuefia L 3 and 114 SPANISH DISCOVEBIES. and his men from perifhing. Neverthelefs ht clapped his lieutenant in irons for his perfidious intentions, and threatened to fend him to Spain. Nicuefla now eftablilhed a colony on the banks of the river Bethlem, where Columbus had for- merly made an abortive attempt 5 but provifions foon failing, he failed from thence with a part of! his men for Porto Bello. Here the Indians op- pofed his landings on which he proceeded to Nombre de Dios, where he began to ered a for- trefs. The fame fatality attended him here. He was foon obliged to fend to Columbus, requefting af- fiftance j but fcarce was the veflel departed when Colmenares arrived to his relief. This captain was fo aftedted at feeing the diftreffed and mifer- able appearance of Nicueffa and his people, that he could not refrain from fhedding tears. He ilrove all in his power to comfort and affift tliem; and told Nicueffa the favourable profpefts that awaited him at Santa Maria. This ferved to revive his fainting fpirits ; but forgetting his wretched condition, and the grati- tude he owed that party for their voluntary ac- ceptance of him as governor, was fo elated and imprudent as to declare, that he fhould pofl'efs himfelf of their gold, and punifh them alfo for prefuming to fettle within his territory. An in- fatuation feemed to attend him. He ftruck out of his way to view fome iflands 3 and one of his fhips getting the ftart of him, gave the fatal in- formation to the colony} and it was determined he fliould not be fnfFered to land. After an imprudent and unnecefTary delay, he anchored at Santa Maria 5 when with furprife, he found their determination to reje6t him. He| now SPANISH DISCOVERIES. ^ 115 now changed his tone and fupplicated they would hear him. He even ventured afhore for that pur- pofe, but was obliged to feek fafety by flight. His next attempt was to foften them, by befeech- ing they would accept him as a companion, if [ they difclaimed his authority ; and on that fail ! ing, he even implored they would detain him as a I prifoner, as he would rather die than return to ^ombre de Dios. Notwithftanding this humili- ation, they cruelly forced him and feventeen of his men into an old rotten bark, and they were heard of no more. "While we blame this man's imprudence, we cannot help pitying his fate. He had fhewn forae generofity to a rival, and it is not likely he would have made an improper ufe of his power over friends. Nunez de Balboa now took the lead, and diftinguiftied himfelf for his good con- duft. He made fome important difcoveries ; and was the firft European who had a view of the Great South Sea, which paved the way to the conqueft of Peru. We will now briefly detail the events that led to the conqueft of Mexico. Though all the com- miflions beftowed on the above adventurers were fo many infringements of the original patent granted to Columbus, his fon was even blamed for not fuccouring them as much as lay in his power. A conftant jealoufy attended his fteps j and of this he was fo fenflble, that he exerted himfelf to the utmoft, to fecure to himfelf thofe countries to which he had legal pretenfions, in virtue of hig father's contraft. Being informed that the court of Spain was de- firous of planting a colony in Cuba, he refolved to anticipate the meafure 3 and for this purpofe made Il6 SPANISH DISCOVERIES. made choice of James Velafqiiez, tlie wealthieft and moft refpe6ted of all the inhabitants in Hif. paniola, to condu(!^ the enterprize. But before we proceed, it may entertain our readers to give them an anecdote of one of the cacique's of Cuba, on hearing of the intended colony. This mnn aflembled the moft warlike of his people witi] due folemnity ; and reminding them of the fufferings they had endured under the tyranny of the Spa- niards, told them that the whites committed all thefe outrages for the fake of a great lord, of whom they were very fond, and whom he would fhew them. Then taking feme gold out of a little balket, he added, " This is the lord whom they " adore J him they follow, and are now coming " hither in fearch of him. Let us therefore make *' a feftival and dance to him,thatwlien they come, " he may enjoin them not to hurt us." They ac- cordingly began to dance and fing. At laft Hatuey, for that was the cacique's name, admon- ished the afTembly j that though they fliould con- ceal this lord of the Chriftians in their very bow- els, the Spaniards would find him out ; and that the beft way was to caft him into the midft of the river, which was immediately performed. No fooner were the Spaniards in Hifpaniola in- formed, that Valafquez was going to colonize Cuba, than many of them refolved to accompany him. A-bout three hundred men having nliein- bled, they embarked on board four'iliips ; and in November 1511, landed at a port called Palina, in the territories of the facetious Hatuey. This cacique flood upon the defenfive, taking advan- tage of the woods, where the Spaniih horfe could not penetrate. In this manner the warfare was carried on for two months. The Indians hid tlicmielvcs SPANISH DISCOVERIBS. 117 thctnfelvcs in the moft retired forefts; but wherever they appeared, they were hunted like wild beafts. Hatuey at lafl withdrew to the nioft inacceflible places ; but having had the mif- fortune to be taken, he was ordered by the worfe than favage Velafquez to be burnt alive. After this inhuman example of feverity, the Indians yielded to their fate. -The governor now divided the native Indians among the fettlers, as Obando had done before at Hifpaniola; and founded a town on the north fide of the iHand at a place called Barracoa. A party from Jamaica foon joined the fettlers in Cuba. Among the reft came a gentleman named Pamphilio de Narvaez with thirty archers under his command, who was well received by Velafquez, Ji,nd fent into the province of Bayamo, a fine champaign country^ at fifty leagues dif- tance. While on the road, he and his party were attacked in the night by a confiderable body of. the natives ; but Pamphilio mounting his horfe, they were fo terrified at the fight of that noble j animal, which they had never feen before, that they fled into a diftant part of the country ; and Velafquez fending a detachment to join Narvaez, I he foon made himfelf mailer of the whole pro- vince. When Cuba was firft planted, it was fo over-? rim with woods, that a perfon might travel near feven hundred miles under the fhade of various kinds of trees, particularly red cedars, of which the natives made canoei, capable of containing fifty or fi^xty men. For fome time, after the Spaniards fettled here, I they found pure gold in the rivers abundantly 5 but this foon began to fail. This iiland however - • IS 118 SPANISH DISCOVERIES. is dill one of the moft important belonging to the crown of Spain. Its principal towns are now St. Jago and the Havannah. Velafquez having eftablillied his power in Cu- ba, was ambitious of proving himfe^f independ- ent of Columbus, under whom he had hitherto av in the night, at laft they diicovered a large river but lb Ihallow that it would not admit of Ibips of burden. This the Spaniards named Rio de Gri- jalva, and failing up it in fonie boats, foou per- ceived the Indians watching their motions, with fifty canoes full of armed men. Both parties feemed jealous of each other.: at laft the Spani- ards fent two Indian converts, Julian and Mvl- chior, to inform the Indians that they were come on bufinefs, which thfcy trufted would be miuii- ally agreeable. On this fome of the Indians drew near, when the interpreters were ordered to inform them, that the Spaniards were tiie fub- je6ts of a great king, to whom mighty prince paid obedience J that it would be for th( ir adv;iii- tage to put themfelves under his protettion, and in the meantime to fupply them, his fubjeds, with provilions. To thefe propofals the natives prudently replied, that they would furnilh them with provilions ; but having a king of their own, they could not fee what right Itrangers had to Willi to impofe a new one on them. They warn- ed them to beware of incenfing a people who had twenty-four thoufand armed men j and gave them to underltahd, that they would not be lb ealily managed as the inhabitants of Potanchan, They concluded with obferving, that they would! faithfully report what they had heard to their i chiefs, who were now allembled to decide on! peace or war. Ihe commodore made them I fome prefents, and charged them to return with an anfwer, or he Ihould be obliged to enter their | town, though not with an hoftile intention. The deputies having delivered their melTagel from the Spaniards^ it feems the chiefs thought peacel SPANISH DISCOVERIES. 123 peace preferable to M^ar ; and therefore fent a number of their people laden with fiHi, poultry, bread, and fruit for the ufe of the fliips. Thefe heing freed from their burdens, fpread their mats on the ground, and covered them with fome beautiful works in feathers. They then commu- nicated to the Spaniards, that it was the intention of their lord to vifit the (hips on the morrow. -At the time appointed, the cacique appeared with a numerous retinue, unarmed j and without fhcwiiig any fymptoms of jealoufy, went on board (jrijalva's ihip. The commodore was a genteel ynniig man, and had on a loofe coat of crimfon velvet, a cap of the fame, and other rich orna- ments of drefs. He received the chief with re- tpedj and both fitting down, a conference by means of] interpreters began. After fome time the cacique rofe; and ordering a trunk to be jirocluced, took from it plates of gold, and boards covered with gold for armour; and trying the HirTerent pieces on Grijalva, at laft fitted him with a complete fuit of golden armour, prefenting him at tlie fame time with various ornaments in i'enthers and gold. The commodore then put a very fine fiiirt on the cacique, and his own coat of crimfon velvet. He likewile furniilied him with a new pair of Ihoes, fome firings of beads, and other trinkets, moft efiimable in the eyes of Indians. The at- tendants of the cacique alio came in for a fhare of thefe prefcuts. The» richnefs of the armoinr with which Gri- jalva had been invefted, amounting to no lefs than three thoufand pieces of eight, ftimulated tiie avarice of the Spaniards; and made them M a eager 124 SPANISH DISCOVSniES. eager to fettle in a country fo produdtive of wealth. The commodore, nnwilling to offend the na- tives by a protracted Hay, proceeded farther ; and came to a town named Agualunco, where the in- habitants appeared nt a diftance carrying targets of tortoifelhell, which glittering in the fun, gave the Spaniards the idea they were gold. Sailing from thence, they faw feveral fpacious rivers, and in one of therh the Indians waving pipces of white cloth affixed to poles, as if invit- ing them to land. On this a captain and feme mulketeers were fent alhore, with orders to give notice, if the natives put themfelves in a warlike pofture. It may be proper to obferve» that the Spani- ards were now within the confines of the potent empire of Mexico ; thp throne of which was then filled by Montezuma. This prince hearing of the exploits of the Spaniards, and the defire they (hew- ed to explore countries over which they had no right, began to be apprehenfive and vigilant. He therefore gave diredions to his governors to en- tertain thefe ftrangers with civility, to penetrate as far as poflible into their views, and to tranfmit him an account of all their motions. In conformity to thefe inftrudions, no fooner were the Spaniards landed than the Mexicans offered them fowls, bread, and fruit, and per- fumed them with gum copal in a fire-pan, Mon- tejo, the captain of the Spanifh party fent intelli- gence to the commodore, in what manner he was received 5 on which he brought up the ihips, and landed his men. Grijalva was treated with great refped : a trafl[ic with the Indians commenced } and SPANISH DISCOVERIES. 125 and In fix days, the Spaniards procured, by bfirter, as much gold as was valued at fifteen thoul'and picres of eight. The roniinadore having made fome prefents of jndsfriificant vahie to the principal perlbns, took poiil'dion of the country for the Kinc^ of Spain. l^e. then embarked, and patTing feveral illands, {winded in one where he found a temple contain- ing tcveral idols, and four priefts drefled in black mitJtles, who had that very day iacrifictd two bavs, who were difcovered with their hearts torn nut ; a piece of cruelty which ihocked even the iingmnaxy Spaniards. Grijalva, tarrying at this ifland feveral days, thought proper to difpatch Alverado, one of his (•IfictTs, to Velafquez with news of his difcoveries, ?.\\d all the valuables he had obtained from the Indians. Velafquez, notwithftanding his fuccefs, received an unfavourable imprellion of the com- inodore. through the artifices of Alverado, who wiihed to plant a colony among the new difcove- lie:*. In the meanwhile, Grijalva coafting along, fame to the mouth of the river Tarala, to which he gave the appellation of St. Anthony. Here he careened his fliip ; and began a traffic with the Indians for gold. Some of them brought very bright copper axes, which the Spaniards miftaking for gold, purchafed fix hundred of them 'f and the natives w^ere fo well pleafed with the returns they obtained, that they would have willingly parted with their whole flock. Thus avarice for once was caught in its own fnare. From this place the commodore fet fail for Cu- ba dire6t -, and in forty-five days arrived at the port of Melaiicas, with gold to a confiderable M 3 amount, 126 SPANIiH niSCOVEltlES. amount, cxclulive of what he had forwarded by Alverado. In this port he received a letter from Velafquez, ordering him to expedite his return to St. Jago, where another expedition was fitting out. When he arrived here, he met with a re- ception very inadequate to his deferts and his faithful fervices: he found himfelf fuperfeded, and Hernando Cortez appointed to the command of the new undertaking. j:- ■A BRIEF f BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO, BY HERNANDO CORTEZ. HAVING traced the difcoveries of the Spa- niards, fromtbe iflandsto the continent of America, it does nowfall within the province we h ive airumed, to particularize every fettlement or minute difcovery, nor to mark the progreflive Iteps by which the principal nations of Europe apportioned, among theml'elves, countries over which they had no right, and which they in ge- neral plundered and depopulated with unfeeling avarice and barbarity. There was fomething, however, fo ftupendous in the conquefts of Mexico ai\,d Peru, that man- kind muft ever feel an intereft in the recital. The hiftory of thofe eveo^ji is as honourable to European courage and capacity, as it is difgrace- ful to the principles and CQildu6l: o^ thfe chief ac- tors on the ftage. In vali fhall the nations of Europe plume themfelves on fuperior refinement j in vain fliall they boaft of a pure religion and a corre6l fyllem of morals, while they feel no com- punftion in enflaving the ignorant favage, in monopQlizing fiis wealth, oi in occupying his laud. 128 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. land. The excelfes of the Huns and the Vandals are the execration of every reflecting mind; but if we view, with unprejudiced optics, the tranfac- tions of fome of the mofl enlightened people of the earth, in the mirror of truth, we fliall be brought to allow with fhame, that, though igno- rance may admit of fome palliation, knowledge, which is only applied to perpetrate greater crimes "with fyllemati(!'eire6tj can find neither extenua- tion nor excufe. Biit to return. It havltig been determined to fit out an expedition for the continent of Ame- rica, to take advantage of circumlbnces, and to enrich the adventurers and their employers with gold, Hernando Cortez w^as appointed com- mander. This gentleman was born at Medflin, a town of Ellremadura in S|)ain; and being breJ to a military life, refolved to pulh his fortune in the Weft Indies, whither he failed in 1504, with letters of recommendation to his kinfman Don Nicholas deObando, then governor of Hifpaniola, He was received by his relation with due cordi- ality, and kindly entertained) but nothing could divert his propenfity to arms j and Hifpaniola be- ing in a ftate of peace, he delired leave to ferve in Cuba, where war ftill raged /Ogainft the na- tives, Arriving there, he diftinguiihed himi'elf as a valiant foldier and able commander ; and was afterwards appointed chief magi (Irate, or alcalde of St. Jago. This iituation he filled when the expedition to the continent was plan- ned; and being flelhed in jalood, was deemed a proper perfon to conduct the enterprize. His commiflion being made out as captain ge- neral of the fleet, and of the countries he Ihould 4ifcover and fubdue for Spain, he fet fail from Cuba CONQUEST OP MEXICO. 12,9 I Cuba on the 18th of November 1519, with ten j'mall veffcls, not exceeding one hundred tons bur- Iden. His whole compliment of men was about fix hundred} he had befides eighteen horfes, and [afmall number of field-pieces. Palling over his previous tranfadions and ad- 1 ventures, we find him on the coaft of Mexico, with j a force fcarcely adequate for the reduction of a jingle town, or the maintenance of a fingle pofl, he~propofes to fubdue an empire of confiderable [power and great extent. An empire, rich in re- Ifcurces, and inhabited by millions of Indians, Ipallionately attached to war, and governed by a varlike chief, Montezuma, the terror of whofe [anns had been felt by the neighbouring nations j and whofe abilities in the fciencQ of government [were by no means contemptible. Held this expedition happened in very remote ages, fo romantic are the circumftances attending \ i(, that it would have ranked, in point of authenti- I City with the Argonauticorthelaboursof Hercules. ' Kfver was more achieved by lefsimprobablemeans. 'I \w. empire of Mexico had fubfi fled for many cen- [ tiiries : its inhabitants were far advanced in refine- iiTicnt, and remote from barbarilmj they were !intelli<;ent, and in fome degree learned. Like the ancient Egyptians, wliofe wifdom is fomuch admired in this particular, they know the annual I revolution of the fun, with a precilion which I could fcavcely have been expeded from a people unacquainted with letters. They fixed the period I of the year at three hundred and fixty-five days [nearly. Their fuperlority in military affairs, wa§ the obje6l of admiration and terror over the re- |mote parts of the continent ; and their conflita- |tiuii^ founded on the furebafis of religion an4 law, 130 CONGUEST OF MEXICO. law, feemed as permanent as time itfelf. The I cities difplayed magnificence in archite6ture, and! opulence in their decorations. But all thele ad- vantages combined could not fee ure Mexico fioim the unequal prowels of Spain. Cortez, in his march, met with but a timid and' fpiritlefs oppoiition from the nations along thecoaft of this empire. They were terrified at the very ap. pearance of a people whom they fuppofed of a higher order, and of invincible itrength. The warlike animals, on which the Spaniili officers were mounted, had before this time difcomfited the In- dians with a fight ; the artificial thunder ilfiiinsp from their hands, \\ hich was afcribed to a preter- natural origin; the wooden cafl:les, which wafted I them over the ocean, from lands too remote to be conceived by the inhabitants of the newf World, fi:ruck them with fuch a panic and a\ve,| that when they began to recover thenifelves, it| was too late to prevent the confequences. Wherever the Spaniards advanced, they fparcdl neither fex nor age, neither things facred nor profane. At laft the people of Flafcala, ami I fome other maritime fiates, defpairing of beiiij| iable to oppofe them by force, or deprels thembv cunning, entered into an alliance Vv'ith their in- vaders} and join their armies to thofe of in- 1 vincible conquerors, as they were reputed. When divifions once ,take place in a c JuntiT,] ruin is fure to enfue. They w^ho fupport the in- vaders, or encourage the foe, and they who op-l pofe, are foon involved in one common dangcr| and difgrace. Cortez, being thus reinforced by new auxilia- ries, marched on towards Mexico : and, in hisl progrefs, difcovers a volcano of fulphur and falt-j petrel . CONQUEST OF MEXICO. 131 (pftre, from whence he could fupply himfelf with powder. ,. This was fortunate beyond his hopes. kloiitezuma heard of his advance with irrefolu- 'tioii, nor dared to oppofe it. Yet the Spanilh writers, probably to magnify the greatnefs of I their exploits, reprefent this fovereign as com- manding thirty tributary princes, each of whom (Oiild bring one hundred thoufand men into the IHeld. A monarch, thus formidable in his own country, I dares not relift a handful of Spaniards, aided by a few natives, w^hofe fidelity a\ ould be iliaken by the firft reverfe of fortune. Such was the differ- reiice between the inhabitants of the two worlds; or fuch was the effect of fear produced by the I fame -f the Spanilh victories, which fiew like lighr*'- before them. Afi '' iv-me fecjble efforts to avert the impend- ing fiorni, Montezuma fent a rich prefent of gold ' to Cortez, which only ferved to whet his avarice ; [and make him more anxious to polfefshis undi- Ivided treafures. The emperor became daily more deprefTed and devout. He reforted to the temples j he increaf- Itd the number of human facrifices j and at length ali'embling his magicians, ordered them, on pain I of death, to llupify or overcome the Spaniards by their incantations. A confidcrable number of thefe necromancers fet outj but having perform- !ed their incantations without ef^^cd, they return- ed and told Montezuma, that his ruin was de- creed, and the difiblution of his empire at 'hand. The fuperftitlous prince was petrified with I this report. At lall, recovering his fpeech, he ex- claimed, ** If. our gods fori'ake.us, let the *' ftrangera 132 CONAUEST OP MEXICO. " ftrangers come. It would be dilhonouraWe tol *' turn our backs on misfortunes ; but," addttd he I " I lament the old men, women, and childrcu'l " who cannot defend themfelves.'* '[ From this moment, he gave up all for loft. I and began to prepare for the reception of the! Spaniards. Cortez, purluing his march, was vi- lited by one of Montezuma's nephews. He was al young man of an agreeable afpe6t, and was carried! on the Ihoulders of his fervants, inachairadoniedl with curiouily diverlified plumage. He no Iboutrl alighted, than his attendants began to fweep thel ground, and form a circle for him. Cortez, adJ vancing to the door of his apartment, receivej him with a low bow, which the prince returnedj by touching the earth and then his lips with hisl right hand. This falutation palled, he fat downj and welcomed Cortez and his captains with aiil cafy air. He defcanted on the amicable diipoii- tion of Montezuma j and enumerated the ditii-| culties that lay in his way to a vilit of Mexico, from the lierility of lad feafon j fo that ftrangerjl could not expert to be liberally provided for,! when the natives themfelves were in want. Aft«[ this, he received a prefeut of fome fi6\itioi»| jewels, with which he feemed highly delighted; and immediately fet out to report his embaliy. The Spaniards marching with their ufuai cir- cumfpedion and order, after palling througlil fome of the moft fplendid cities in the empire,! at laft had a light of Mexico, diftinguilhed abovel all the reft by the height of its towers, and thel grandeur and multiplicity of its buildings, ije-l fore they had advanced half way, they were md\ by about four thoufand nobles and officers of thel cityi who, having paid their obeifance, faced! aboutf CONCIUEST OP MEXICO. 133 jjjoiit and proceeded before the troops. At a fiTiall diftance from Mexico, the caufeway, over the lake in which it flood, was croffed by a bul- wark of ftone } and the entrance into the city was fecured by gates, a draw bridge, and a fe- cond fortification. The nobles had no fooher paired on the other fide of the bridge, than they formed a lane for the army to pafs through. A Ijpacious ftreet fbon fainted their view, the houles of which were uniformly built, and the windows Ud battlements filled with fpe6tators. Nobody, Ijiowever, was feen in the flreets, as the emperor i ordered them to be cleared} having himfelf Irefolved to fhew Cortez an extraordinary mark of liis favour, by coming in perfon to receive him. Scarce had the Spaniards entered the city, [vheii they perceived the firfl troop of the royal Iretinue, confifting of two hundred noblemen, ichly and uniformly habited, who, approach- iig the flrangers, with eyes fixed on the ground, ell back on each fide. Then appeared another ompany, flill more fplendidly dreffed, in the entre of whom was Montezuma, in a chariot of urnilhed gold,furrounded with beautiful plumes, ndcarried on the Ihouldersof his favourites. Over is head four perfons neld a canopy of green fea- liers, interwoven with filver. He w;is immedi- tely preceded by three officers with golden rods, ivhich from time to time were lifted up, as a ignal of the emperors approach; that all might all proftrate and hide their faces. Cortez difmounted at a fmall difta'uce, when lontezuma did the fame, and walked on carpets ivhich were fpread in the flreet. His pace was ow and folemn; and. he leaned on two of his oufins, who governed large provinces. He was Vol, L N about 134 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. about forty years of age, of a middle ftature, and! good prefencej but his conftitution feemed ratherl delicate than robuft. Hi.s nufe was aquiline, hisl eyes lively* his hair Ihort, his complexion fairl for a Mexican, and his look pen five, but majef-l tic. He wore on his head a kind of golden miJ trej and was dreifedina mantle of fine cottonJ covered with gold, pearls, and precious ftonesj carelefsly fufpended on his Ihoulders. His llicesl refembled the Roman fandals, with foles of gold.l Cortez hallily advanced, and made a profoundl reverence, which Montezuma returned in thel manner of his country, already defcribed. Atl this the Mexicans were greatly afloniilied^ asl none of their emperors had ever fliewn fuch conJ defcenfion before. Cortez wore about his neckj a chain of glals, in imitation of diamonds and! emeralds, which he had referved as a prefent fori his firft audience J and coming up to the emperor,! threw it about his neck. The princes who lupi ported Montezuma, with fome emotion, iignificdl that it was not lawful to approach fo near ; but! the emperor reprimanding them, bowed his head] to Ihew that he accepted the prefent ; and in re- turn, put a rich ornament, of crimfon Ihells andl gold, round the neck of Cortez. The Spanilhl general then made a lliort fpeech, to which thej emperor made a fuitable reply. Thus ended tliel firit interview ; the particulars of which ^ve| thought it might be entertaining to record. It was on the 8th of November 1519, thatl Cortez entered the city of Mexico. A palacc| was immediately fet apart for the ftrangers: which had been built by Montezuma's father^ and was large enough to accommodate the wholij army. It was ereded of flone?, flanked witli towersl CONftUEST OF MEXICO. 135 towers J. and many of the apartments were fnr- nilhed with cotton hangings and ornamental feather work. The chairs were formed of folid nieces of wood j and the bedfteads had curtains like pavilions. The beds themfelves and the bolfters were of pahn mats. I Cortez had no fooner diftrlbnted his guards, and placed his artillery befor* Jie gates, than he foiffid a fplendid banquet provided for him and his officers, and plenty of provifions for all his fol- diers, with many Mexican attendants who wait^ ed on them in profound lilence. In the evening, Cortez received a vifit from the emperor, who came in the fame flate as before. The Spaniard met him in the principal fquare j and both entering the apartment together, Mon- tezuma feated himfelf, and ordering a chair to be brought for Cortez, is faid to have addrefled him in the following terms : ** Before you ex- " plain the particulars of your embafly, illuftri- " cus captain, let you and I lay afide the preju- " dices we have each imbibed of the other, from '' the mifreprcfentations of common fame. You *' have in fome quarters heard that I am a god j " that my power is invincible, and my riches '' immenfe ; that my palaces are covered with *' gold ; and that the earth groans beneath the " weight of my treafures. On other occafions, '' you have been informed, that I am a tyrant, " infolent, cruel, and unjult. By both reprefen- " tiitionsyou have been eciuallyimpofedon. This " arm of fieili and blood Ibews that I am a mor- tal, and thefe walls and -roofs demonllrate that that my palaces are not covered with gold. From thefe' inllances before your eyes, you N 3 " may (( i<( i(( 136 CONaUEST OF MEXICO. t( €< i( €€ t( €t ft €( €< t< (t it It it ft tt ft ft tt tt ft tt tt tt ft ft ft ft tt ft tt tt may likewife conclude that the account of niy vices is alfo exaggerated by my enemies. '' We have alfo received various contradiftory fentiments of you. Some have affirmed you are gods, who grafp the thunder, control the elements, and compel the beafts of the foreft to obey your commands. You have been re- prefented by others as proud, vindidive, vo- luptuous, and tranfported with an infatiable cupidity for gold. Yet I now fee, that I have been alike deceived by thefe jarring accounts. You are formed like other men, and only dif: tinguiflied from us by the peculiarities of yourj country. The beafts that fo readily obey youj are large deer, trained up to difclpline. Your arms, that produce lightning, I conceive to be barrels of metal, and their effe6t, like that] of our farbacans, proceeds from air comprelF- ed and ftriving for vent j and as to fire, noifej and fmoke, they furely originate from inchant ment. In a word, we believe that the great prince, to whom you pay obedience, is a de- fcendant of Quezalcoal, lord of the feven caves of the Navatlaques, and lawful fove reign of the feven nations that gave rife to the Mexican empire. For, from the tradition oi many ages, we know that he left thefe coun tries to conquer new regions in the eaft, with! a promife, that in procefs of tirne his defcend- ants ihould return to new-model our laws, and reform our government. We have therefore al- ready determined, that every thing Ih all be done for the honour of a prince, who is the offspring of fuch an illuftrious progenitor." To this harangue, Cortez replied, " \ve have it is true, Sire, heard very oppolite accounts of youi CONftUEST OP MEXICO. 137 Iff your charader, which has been extolled by « fome, and vililied by others ; but as the Spa- «' niards have penetration enough to diftingtiilli [«the colours of dilcourle, we have given no " credit either to your flatterers or your foes j « but came into your prefence with full aflur- « ance of your being a great and equitable j<' prince. You juftly conclude we are mortal ; <' tliough more intelJigent and valiant than your U valfals. Our beafts are not deer, but are of a « more generous breed of animals, fond of war, « and afpiring with a kind of ambition to the 'f glory of their matters : and as to our arms, " they are fabricated by human induftr)% with- "out the aliiftance of magic j an abominable " art which we deteft. I am come as ambafTa- r dor to your majefty from the moft powerful y' monarch on whom the fun flieds his beams at " his firlt riling. He defires to be your friend "and confederate J and though, according to r your traditions, he might pretend to be more r abfolute in thefe dominions, he wifhes to ar- y' rogate tc^himfelf no authority, but to promote " your advantage, and to convince you that you " have departed from the worlliip of the true r God, in order to pay your adoration to infen- r fate wood, carved by your own hands, to r which you inhumanly facrifice your fellow^ '♦' creatures." Having ended his fpeech, Montezuma arofe, [faying, ^' I accept the friendfhip and confede- " racy of the great defcendant of Quezalcoal j r but all gods are good, and yours may be fo r ivithout prejudice to iiQine. In the mean r while, repofe yourfelvcs j you are in your own r houfe, where vou fhall be pundually ferved [' with all pomble refpea." 138 .CONftUEST OF MEXICO. He then ordered feme very valuable pre fcntJ •to be introduced, and to be given to Corttz- and with a cheerful air, diftributed fome jewels among the Spaniards who were prefent. Next day Cortcz had an audience at the em- peror's palace. This magnificent building Jladl thirty gates that communicated with as many ftreets. The principal front took up one fide ofl a fpacious fquare, and was compofed of red,! white, and black jafper, beautifully polillied; and, in a large Ihield over the gate, were repre- fented Montezuma's arms ; a griffin with ex-| panded wings, holding a tiger in its talons. After paiiing three fquares,. they reached thel emperor's apartments ; the walls of which werel covered with cotton liangings, intermixed with furs ; and the interior rooms were hung with a| beautiful kind of tapeftry, formed of plumes of various colours. The floors were covered withl mats, and the roofs were of cyprefs, cedar, and! other odoriferous woods, adorned with toliagesl and other relievos ; and though the ufe of iiailsl was unknown to the Mexicans, the qjelings were! fo contrived, that the planks fupported each otberJ Montezuma, who was ftanding alone, advanc{ ed to meet Cortez, and the cuftomary falutationsj pafTed. Then, being feated, the emperor entered into converfation with great affability, and alkedl a number of pertinent queftions ; obferving ho\v[ much the Mexicans were obliged to the dercendj ants of their firft king j and feemed to exult in having the prophecies fulfilled in his reign. Cortez, turning the difcourfe on religion, inj veighed againfl human facrifices with lad warmth, that Montezuma baniflied human tleil^ from his table. Sou CONCIUEST OF MEXICO. '139 Some days after, the emperor, who was ftill I much attached to the luperllitLons of his countr)', conducted Cortez and fome of his principal offi- cers to the chief temple, that they might be fpec- tators of its magnificence. He explained the particulars of their worlliip with fuch folemnity, that the Spaniards could fcarcely refrain from laughter ; and Cortez himfelf, tranfported by an unle^albnable zeal, cried out, " allow me. Sire, to " fix the crofs of Chrift before thofe images of « the devil? and you will fee whether they de- " ferve adoration or contempt." Montezuma and his priefts felt enraged at this propofal ; but iliewed a more liberal mind than their pretended reformers, as they not only allowed the Spaniards to fit up a chapel, but frequently attended dur- I ing the celebration of mafs. We beg leave to fabjoin a {hort defcription of the imperial city of Mexico. It was divided into two parts J one, the relidence of the lower clalfes-; the other, appropriated to the court and the no- bility. Both parts contained about (ixty thou- fand families. This capital ftood in an extenlive phiin, environed by rocks and lofty mountains, jfroni which many rivulets ifluing, formed a va- ! riety of beautiful and fpacious lakes. The two largeft lakes had a communication with each I other ; and one of them was frefli and the other fait. The city of Mexico flood in the middle of the faline lake in 19 deg. 13 min. north latitude, yet enjoyed a mild and falubrious cli- mate. It was joined to the main land by three noble caufeways. Tl^e ftreets were ftraight and \vide, and interfered by a number of canals, on which fifty thoufand canoes of different fizes plied. All tke public edifices were built of done. The 140 CONftURST OF MEXICO. The temples were peculiarly fpacions and maoni. iicent $ and the ornaments of ibme of the idolj were of inellimable value. The emperor had feveral pleafure houfes, fitted! lip in various ftyles, and with the richcll decnra-l lions. He had alfo a houfe of forrow, to whichl he retired on any public calamity, or private lul^.l He had two queens, the daughters of tributaryl princes j and an amazing number of concubinesJ feleded from among the fairelt ladies of his doJ minions. Thele, when difmifled, were afterwardJ married to perlbns of the iirfl quality. To bel noticed by the emperor, was a pailjport to female| honour and diftindion. Such was the capital of Mexico, when the SpaJ niards arrived j and fuch were the coi^duft audi habits of the emperor on the throne. He fcf^niedl to load Cortez, day after day, with new marksl of his generofityj he anticipated all his wantj,| and ftudioully prevented the pQlfibility of break' ing with him. Cortez, however, was diilruftfulj that under this affected politenefs, fome deiis;n| was concealed which might involve him and hisl followers in fudden ruin. But he could find iiol pretence for violence i an4 he kept himfelf on| his guard againlt furprii'e. Civilities and prelents were full heaped upon! him, with a moll munincent hand : the Spaniardj being tired of inadion, would have been morel delighted to have found an excufe for coramenc{ ing hoftilities. ** Think nothing gain'd, whilej ♦' aught ungain'd remains," feems to have been! the motto he adopted, At laft the wilhed-forj opportunity prefented itfelf. In order to fecure a communication by feaJ to receive the requilite reinforcements^ the Spa- ^ nil] CONaUEST OF MEXICO. 141 pilTi general had erected a fort, and left a fmall jprrilbn behind him at Vera Cruz, which has pace become the emporium of American and fearopeafi commerce. He undcrftood, that the Ijndians in that vicinity had attacked this garrifon Ijn his abfence, and that a Spaniard was killed in Itheadion. It was even inlinuatedj that Montezu- na himfelf was privy to the aggreHion j and had lirued orders, tliat the head of the llain S;)aniar :1s [ihoiild be carried through his proviiK-is, t.> dt liroy an abfurd, though prevailing belief, that the Europeans were immortal. On receiving this intelligence, fo favouraVik to [lis wilhes, Cortez waited on the emperor in ptr» fcin, attended by a few of his moft fai^Uflil and experienced otficers. To the charge of trea- phery, Montezuma pleaded innocent ; and Cortez ||eemed to hear him with pleafure, and to give bis declaration the molt implicit credit. But at fame time, with an inliduous policy he alleged, Ihat the Spaniards in general would nev<;r be convinced of it, unlefs he returned along with liira to their reiidence, which would remove all [ealoufy between the tv/o nations. The fpirit of Montezuma rofe at the idea of this indignity ; b felt it in its full force j he helituted j but, awed by fear, at lall: he complied. The fuccels of this interview Aiewed the fuperi" Drity of European addrefs. A powerful monarchy In the middle of his own palace, and furrounded Dv his guards, refigned iiin» elf a prifoner into [lie hands of a few fii angers, who came to de» land him. Cortez was now poireffed of an en- gine which he coulc^ direct to every purpofej and which alone could accomplilh all his fchemes. riie Mexicans entertained a refped bordering oi^ religious 142 CONQUEST OF MEXICO. religious veneration for their prince. Cortez, h keeping him in his power, and allowing him to enjoy every external of royalty, fave lil)ert\ maintained an eafy fovereignty over Mexico, h governing its head. At the fame time, by ftudy. ing the emperor's charafter, and flattering and m dulging all his foibles and paffions, he workd himfelf into his moft entire affedion. Did the Mexicans, by continued intercourfe and fami^ liarity with the Spaniards, fliew any abatemenJ of their original refpedt, Montezuma was eraj plo)^ed to teach them a more obfequious polite-| nefs. Was a tumult excited through the cruelty or avarice of thefe invaders, Montezuma afcend-l ea the battlements of his prifon, and harangued his people into fubmiflion and forbearance. This farce was continued fo long, that repeti-l tion became vapid, and both Spaniards and naj lives were iick of the degrading fervility of tliJ emperor. But it was fortunate for the prince) that, with his charafter and confequence, he fooii loft his life. While he was one day fliamefulljl proftitutinghisdignityand his talents, in defendina the enemies of his country, and juftifying tliein enormities ; a ftone from an unknoM'n hand ftriick him on the temple, which in a lliort tiid occafioned his denth. The Mexicans liberated from the mock aiithoj rity of a fovereign, who was compelled to coj operate with his enemies, againft the intere{lso| his country, eleft a new prince, the famous Guaj timozin j who from the beginning difplayed ai( implacable animofity againft the Spanifti namel Under his conduct, the miferable Mexicans rullij ed into battle, againft thofe men whom they haij once confidered as divinities. Various conflif enluedl CONaUEST OF MEXtCO. 143 ItDfuedj and numerous were the turns of for* Lne that both fides experienced. But by the liexterous management of Cortez, it was found limpoHible to deprive the Spaniards of the foot- jinor they had gained in Mexico, l^he grandees lot this country had agreed to pay the crown of ISpain the immenfe fum of fix hundred thoufand Iniarks of pure gold by way of tribute, exclufive lofaiuimazing quantity of precious Hones* The Ififth part of this diftrubuted among the foldiers, lb}' gratifying their avarice, ftimulated their cou- We ; and made them difregard dangers, when feh rewards awaited their exertions^ Xumerous, however^ were the efforts which k Mexicans made to recover their independ- tiice. Unfortunately they did not a6fc in con- tert ; nor was their policy equal to their pnwer. Their valour and their numbers, even their de- fpair, gave way before what they emphatically pamed the Spanifli thunder. At lall Guatimozin and the emprefs were taken brilbners 3 and to fpare the eifulion of his fub- (eds blood, he requefted them to fubmit to the Ipauilh general. The voice of the emperor al- ayed the ftorm of war, and a temporary peace (nfued. This was the prince whofe fortitude I'ill be for ever memorable. When' he lay jretched on burning coals, by order of one of le receiver*s of the King of Spain*s exchequer, I'ho infli6ted the torture to force him to difcover ito what part of the lake he had thrown his [■ealures, faid to his high prieft, condemned to le Tame dreadful puniihment, and who loudly tprelfed his fenfe of excruciating pain, ** Do you imagine that I lie on a bed of rofes ?" The |igh prieft kept filence j and died in an ad of itiful obedience to his fovercign. Guatimozin i44 CONftUEST or MEXICO. Guatimozin himfelf was faved from this fate^ but Cortez finding one confpiracy lucceed an! other, and the natural love of liberty and inde pendence to be ilill ftrong in the breads of tii^ Mexicans, at laft hanged the emperor and tw] other Indian princes, who were faid to be his acl complices in a plot againft the Spaniards. Thiil Mexico ceafed to be an empire, and togethel with Caftile d'Or, Darien, and other provincfij Submitted to the arms of Spain. The inhabit] ants, in general, were either exterminated, or re] tiled to the mountains. Cortez, finding himfelf eftabliihed, began t| relmild the city of Mexico, which had beenal] moft demolilhed by repeated attack and defence But all his conquefts and all his fuccefs could no| fecure him in peace. When the Indians ceafe to plot for his deftru6tion, his own countrynieil entered into confpiracies againft him. He haj enemies too, who endeavoured to prejudice hin with his fovereign Charles V. To invalidate thj effects of injurious reprefentations againft hir he vifited Europe in 1528, when iie was gracioull] received by his prince, had feveral towns and vilj iages fettled upon him, and obtained the title Marquis of Guaxaca. Next year he returned to Mexico ; but afteil wards being embroiled with the viceroy of thai province, he made a fecond voyage to Spain, anl died in a village near Seville on the 2d of De cember 1554, in the fixty-third year of his ^i By his own dire6tion, his corpfe was carried t| New Spain. His fame for courage and pollcl cannot be tarnilhed; farther we difdain to beftoil purpraife, BTvIEl BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THB CONQUEST OF PERU BY FRANCIS PIZARRO. :o ; but aftej VASQUEZ NUNEZ DE BALBOA, part of whofe adventures have already been re- [corded, having eflabliflied himfelf in the go- vernment of Santa Maria, immediately applied jMmfelf to make fuch ufe of the power he had jobtained, as might fecure him a continuance of lit. And he wifely judged, that nothing would |more effedtually preferve his elevation, than the accumulation of gold, and the extent of his dif- coveries for the benefit of Spain. With thefe views, he exerted himfelf to the tttmoft to difcharge the duty of a prudent gover- nor, and to gain an afcendency over the natives by a humane regard to their welfare 5 though he Jook care to eafe them of their gold. But what is parted with willingly, cannot be coniidered as [oft. He alfo fitted out feveral expeditions on iifcoveries in the South Sea, and in one of them ("eceived the firft intimation of the extenfive em- pire of Peru. Having taken poflel^on of Callile i'Oro, in the name of their Catholic Majefties, be now thought that he had done enough to ob* literate all his former irregularities, and there" Vol. I. , lord 146 CONaUEST OP PERU. fore difpatched an agent to Spain with the kinw' money, and an account of his proceedings. Unfortunately he had been fuperfeded before a: opportunity prefented itfelf of clearing up his con du6t,anddifplayinghis fervices. Pedrariasd'Avila, one of the mofl fanguinary monlters that ever dil graced human nature, had been appointed gover nor of Golden Caftile, and arrived at Sant; Maria with a powerful fleet in July 1514. Ku nez yielded him all imaginary refped ; an though ambition was his favourite vice, refignei his authority without a murmur. This ill-re quited officer afterwards found means to obtai a clearing of his charadter, and remuneration foi his fervices, in the appointment of lord lieute nant of the countries on the South Seas. B Pedrarias, jealous of his worth and envious of hii fuccefs, had him tried on the moft frivoloi charges j and he fufFered death as a traitor, f( no other crime but for ferving his prince with zeal and fidelity that refle&d Ihame on hii enemy." Such was the fate of Vafquez Nunez de Bal| boa in the forty-fecond year of his age. He hai built the town called Panama with incredibl labour ; he had extended the difcoveries on t coalt fo far, that Peru was in profpe6tj am though fortune did not allorw him to reap thi laurels of the conquell, he cannot be denied i reputation of pointing out the way. This introduftion feemed necellary to connei the hiftory of important difcoveries. Whether il happened, that Spain, being engaged in a multi| plicity of other concerns, did not find leifure attend to new and diftant difcoveries, or that t! accounts hitherto received of Peru were imperft CONaUEST OP PERU. 14/ not credited, certain it is, that after difFerent xpeditions proje6ted by Pedrarias had tailed, this xtenlive country, more important than Mexico tfelf, was reduced by the endeavours, and at the pence of three private perfons. The firft, and the life and foul of the enter- iril'e was Francis Pizarro, a native of Truxillo, the province of Eftremiidura in Spain. Some iT his-country writers fay he was a nobleman by lirth, while others maintain that he was an ille- itimate fon of an officer at Truxillo, who fuffer- him to be expofed as a foundling. His re- luted father, however, being difcovered, he was ibllged to maintain him ; but he gave him no ind of education ; when the conqueror of a ighty empire, he could neither read nor write I is younger days were fpent in feeding hogs; lut at length he ran away from his. charge, and mtering on board a fhip bound for the Weft I.i - b, diftinguillied himfelf both in Hifpaniola Ind Cuba for a bold and enterprifing genius. It afterwards ferved under Nunez de Balboa, id having acquired a handfome fortune, fet- led in Panama as foon as it was built. Here he emed difpofed to end his days in the enjoyment ■peace, till the thirft of gold ftimulated him to lake overtures to Pedrarias, the governor, for a QinmiHion to profecute difcu^^eries in the South ea; which having obtained, with a confirmation I'ona the court of Spain, he took in as affociates |iego de Almagro and Ferdinando de Luques, [he former was of fuch an obfcure origin, that liough he was named from the place of his birth, hiftorian has been able to trace his father : le latter was a prieft, and a man of large for- me. O 2 Tbii I l4d coKauEsT OF pert;* This triumvirate, which eternized the infam\ of their names, were at firft the butt of ridicule to the fober and refle6ting part of their country- men. Their proje6t was treated as wild and vi- lionary j and that it would infallibly end in the ruin of the undertakers, was the common predic- tion. But without regarding the opinion of the world, they folemnly pledged themfelves toeacl other, that no dangers or difafters fhould diverl] them from their enterprife j and that they Ihould equally participate in the advantages to be ac^ quired. To llrengthen their refolution, and to bind them ftill more clofely to each other, they called in the aid of religion. Having attended high mafs, which was celebrated by de Luquesi they received the facrament from his hands. Hj broke the confecrated wafer into three pieces j took the firft himfelf, and gave the others to hi) companions, as a token that they would purfu^ their prefent delign with no lefs eagernefs tha? if their eternal happinefs depended on the event! It was about the middle of November 1524] that Pizarro fet out for the conqueft of Peru] with two hundred and fifty foot, fixty horfe, anif twelve fmall pieces of cannon, drawn by flavei from the conquered nations. When we refledj that the Peruvians were impreffed with the (ml prejudices with the Mexicans in favour of th| Spanilh nation, and befides were of a conftituj tion more effeminate and unwarlike, it need noj be confidered fo extraordinary, after what haj been related of the conqueft of Mexico, thai Pizarro Ihould be able, with this inconfiderabli force, to make a deep and indelible impreflioij on the Peruvian empire. Particular circumj Xtances alfo confpired to favour his undertaking whicll CONftUEST OF PERU. 14^ Ifhlch, as they tend to develope fomething of the Ihiftoiy, religion, and ftate of the human mind in llhis new world, it may not be improper to ftate. The original founder of the Peruvian empire Ifas Mango Capac, a man who gifted with powers jbeyond the level of his kind, and calm and dif- Ipaflionate himfelf, by nicely difcriminating the paflions of his fellow creatures, was able to work upon them with eft*e6t, and turn them to his own profit and glory. He obferved that the eople of Peru were naturally addided to fuper- Itition j and that they had a peculiar veneration tfor the orb of day. He pretended therefore to descended from that glorious luminary, whofe I'orfliip he was fent to eftabliih, and whofe au- llliority he was entitled to exercife. By this ro- nantic fi6tion, which was extremely well adapt' ltd to the prejudices of thofe on whom he in- lended to impofe, he eafily duped a credulous people; and by this artifice alone, brought a tonfiderable extent of territory under his jurif- jlidion. The foundation of his empire being lus laid on fuperftition, he extended his domi- jions ftill farther by arms. But, to his honour be it recorded that, whether he employed fraud br force, it was with a view of promoting hap- pinefs, and fixing its influence. He united and fivilized the roving and barbarous tribes ; he lent them to laws, and inured them to arms 5 ^e foftened them by the inftitution of a benevo- ent religion j and in proportion as he exalted leir fpirit by patriotifm, he fubdued their hearts \y the effe&. of principle. In no part of Ame- jica had agriculture and tl>e arts made fuch re- larkable progrefs ; or men advanced fo far in le refinements that embellilh life. 3 A race 150^ COlJaUEST <)P PBRty. A race of princes fucceeded Mango, dilUn- guilKed by the title of Yncas, and revered by their fubjefts as the undoubted defcendants of their great God, the fun. The twelfth of thefe now filled the throne, who was named Atabali- Ea. His father Guaiana Capac had extended his ereditary dominions by the addition of the pro- \"ince of Quito, which now conftitutes a part of Spanilli Peru. To fecure himfelf in the poffef- lion of this conquefl, he had married the daugh- ter of the legitimate prince of that country ■, and of this marriage was fprung the reigning empe- ror. His elder brother, Huefcar, by a different mother, had claimed the fuccellion to the whole | of his paternal dominions, not excepting Quito, which devolved on Atabalipa by a double con- nection. A civil war had been kindled on this I account 5 which, after various turns of fortune, and greatly weakening the empire, terminated in| favour of tbe younger brother 3 who now detain- ed Huefcar a prifoner in the tower of Cufco, the| capital of the Peruvian empire. Thus the feeds of anarchy were engendered; I and the caufe of diflblution had begun to operate, before the arrival of Pizarro. In this feeble and! disjointed ftate of the empire, the ominous pre- diftions of religion joined their force to human I calamities. Prophecies were recorded, and] dreams were recolleded, which foretold the fub- jugation of the empire byperfons unknown, whofel defcription was fuppofed to correfpond with that! of the Spaniards. In particular, tliey had an old| tradition, which had been univerfally received, that the elder fon of one of ttieir yncas, in ancientl day«, had feen a ftrange kind of phantom whol called himfelf Virachoca, or offspring of the im ^ Hi COKaUKST OP PERI7. 151 flisdrfcfs and appearance were entirely different ^001 thofe of the Peruvians 5 his beard was long, I ])is garments flowed down to his feet, and in his ind he held an animal abfolutely unknown to I the young prince. This fable was fo firmly be- lieved, and fo deeply rooted in the minds of the Peravians, that they no fooner faw a Spaniard with aJbeard, his legs covered, and holding his horfe by the bridle, than they exclaimed, *' See U there is the Ynca Virachoca," or the fon of Itbefun. ' • Under fuch impreflions Atabalipa, inftead of loppoiing the Spaniards, fet himfelf to procure their favour. *' Thefe people," faid the emperor, " are meflengers of the gods 5 let us be feen to l" do nothing to offend them 5 but on the con- I'' trary, ufe our utmofl endeavours to gain them « by civilities." Pizarro, however, whofe tem- per partook of /the meannefs of his education, had no conception of gentle dealings with a peo- ple he falfely deemed barbarians} but who in jte, though lefs expert in the cruel arts of hu- Inian d»flru6tion, were more civilized than him- felf. In conformity, therefore, to his deteilable way of thinking, while he was engaged in a con- Iference with Atabalipa, his men, as previoufly jinftrudted, furioufly attacked the guards of that Iprince without provocation, and having butcher- led five thoufand of them as they were preffing Iforward to protect the facred perfon of their mo- Inarch, feized Atabalipa himfelf, whom they car- |ried off to the Spanifh quarters. Pizarro having thus got pofTeffion of the em- Iperor without refiftaocje* paight be already faid Ito be mailer of Peru 5 for the inhabitants of thig jcountry were as ftrongly attached to their fove- reign^ 152 CONftUEST OF PERU. reign, as were the Mexicans. They foon began to treat with the Spaniards about his ranfom* and on this melancholy occafion, the ancient or- naments of royalty, amafled by a long line of I magnificent kings, the hallowed treafures of the moft folemn temples were produced to liberate | him, who was regarded as the life of the king- dom, and the fupport of religion. While Pizarro was engaged in this negocIa-| tion, by which he hoped to accumulate an im- nienfe quantity of golc, without at laft delivering! lip the emperor, the arrival of his aflbciate Al- magro. threw his affairs into fome embarralfment. I The external fliew of amity between thefe men was folely founded on the principle of avarice, and] a bold enterprizing fpirit, to which nothing appear- dd too difficult or dangerous, that could gratify! their predominant paflion. When their interefts, tlierisfore, happened to clalh, it was not probable that any mealures could be kept between them. [ Pizarro arrogated to himfelf the moft confider- able iliare of the treafure for the emperor's ran- fom, becaufe he was the chief inftrument in ac- quiring it. On the contrary, Almagro infifted] on an equal divilion ; and at laft, left the com- mon caufe ftiould fuffer by their difcord, this] difpofition was acceded to. The ranfom was prepared without delay, al fum far exceeding their conception, yet incapablej of fatiating their avarice. It is faid to have ex- ceeded a million and a half fterling, which,! coniidering the value of money at this time, wasj prodigious. After deducting the fifth for the King of Spain, and the fhares of the chief com- manders and officers, each private foldier receiv^ ed above two thoufand pounds fterling. Witt fuel] COlfaVEST OF PERU. 139 Ibch a fortune it was not to be expeded, that a mercenary army would willingly fubmit to the rigours of military difcipline. No fooner were they in polTeflion of fuch a treafure, than they ^gan to iniiA on being difbanded, that they might enjoy the fruits of their labours in quiet. Pizarro had. policy enough to comply with this demand^ fenfible that the defire of increafing their prefent acquifitions would ftill detain a con* fiderable number in his army } and that thofe who returned with fuch magnificent fortunes, would induce new adventurers to purfue the fame Heps for the acquirement of gold. Thefe faga- cious reflexions were abundantly verified. It iwas impoflible to fend out more proper recruiting |oificers than tliofe who had themfelves reaped uch amazing profits by the field : new adven- turers conftantly arrived; and his armies were onllantly fupplied with the necefTary reinforce- ents. The immenfe ranfom which had been brought brward for the redemption of Atabalipa, ferved nly as a reafon to avarice for detaining him longer in coiffinement, till they could afcertain f he had not another treafure to gratify their cu- idity. But whether they believed, that the iends of the emperor had no more to give, or ere unwilling to employ the troops in guarding prince who had no more to beftow ; or that Pi- arro had conceived an averfion againfl the Pe- ivian emperor, which fome circumftances give IS reafon to fuppofe ; certain it is, that by his ommand this ill-fated prince was put to death. ^0 juftify this cruel proceeding, a fuit v, as infti- uted againft him, on pretence that he was an Idolater^ tliat he kept a number of concubines^ and 154 CONaVBST OF PERU. and other charges of fimilar impertinence. The only equitable accufation brought againft hinil was, that he had dilpatched his brother Huefcar • and even this was confiderably palliated, by the circumftance of its being well known, that this prince had been plotting againft the emperor, in order to place himfelf on the throne. But when it is confidered that, according to the law of nor tions, no foreign power ought to interfere in the domellic arrangements of an independent people, this pretence will fall to the ground. To the eternal infamy of the Spaniards, the unhappy Atabalipa h?.ving been fentenced to be burned, had his puniihment commuted to ftrangling, on condition of his turning Chriftian. He received the rite of baptifm, which it was impolhble he could underftand, in the evening, and next morn- ing was no more. Upon the death of the ynca, a number of candidates ftarted to fill the vacant throne. The principal nobility fan6tioned the I pretenfions of the full brother of Huefcar. Pi- zarro fet up a fon of Atabalipa ; and two of the| Peruvian generals endeavoured to eftabliili them- felves by the affiftance of the army. Thefe dif- tra6tions, as might have been fuppofed, would I have facilitated the conquefts of Spain, and have been fatal to the interefts of Peru. At the pre- fent period, however, they had not the effed that might have been expedked. The candidates fought againft each other with animofity, and! inured their partizans to arms. A quiet inoffen- five people is accuftomed to blood 5 and fuch is I the preference of national fpirit, from whatever caufe excited, to a total lethargy, that in the I courfe of thefe inteftine commotions, the inha- bitants of Peru aftumed fome courage againft thel Spaniards || CONttUEST OP PERU. 155 Spaniards} whom they juftly confidered as the primary caule of all their calamities. The lofles which the Europeans experienced in thefe contefts were lefs important in them- felves than in their ultimate confequences. They lellened that opinion of invincibility which had been attached to their arms; and which they jiad^been fo anxious to keep up and difleminate among the inhabitants of the new world. This confideration induced Pizarro to conclude a truce i and he employed the interval in laying the foundation of the famous city of Lima, and providing for the permanent eilabliihment of the Spaniards in this country. Embracing the lirft favourable opportunity of renewing the war, the Spaniards again took the field; and after furmounting many difficulties land dangers, Pizarro at laft made himfelf matter lofCufco, the capital of the empire. Thishap- Ipened in 06tober 1532. On entering the city, Ifrom which the inhabitants had fled, and carried Iwhat was moft valuable with them, 4ie flill found Itreafures immenfe. As it was the cuftom of the 5untry to bury with their grandees the beft part of their riches, the conquerors rifled the fepul- chre^ ; and found them as rich as the habitations of the living. The plunder of Cufco has been computed to equal the fum formerly advanced ^or the ranfom of Atabalipa. Pizarro now in- cited the inhabitants to return to their dwellings, fearful left by driving them to defperation^ the ^hole empire might unite againll him. The [ndians accepted the propofal, and even the ynca lade fome overtures of accommodation. While fuccefs had fo far attended the Spani- rds, new grants and levies arriyed from the mo- ther 156 CONaUEST OF P3SRTT. ther country. Pizarro obtained two hundrei leagues along the fea-coaft to the fouthward o] what had been originally granted him ; and All rnagro two hundred leagues to the fouthward oj Pizarro's government. This divifion rjccalioneij a warm difpute between the two chiefs, eaq reckoning Cufco within the limits of his diftriiS 3ut the dexterity of Pizarro etFefted a reconciii| ation. He perfuaded his rival, that the countr which really belonged to him lay to the fouthj ward of Cufco ; that it was no way inferior ii riches or fertility, and might be as eafily con] quered as Peru. To enforce this argument, hi offered him his afliftance in the expedition, thj fuccefs. of which he deemed indifputable. Almagro, that he might have the honour fubduing a kingdom for himfelf, liftened to tlij advice j and having united as many of Pizario'j foldiers to his own, as he judged necefTary, pene trated with great danger and difficulty into Chi i| But danger and difficulty vanifli at the profpec of gold. He pafTed mountains of immenfJ height, and covered with eternal fnow, with thj lofs of many of his men, and the greateft part oi his baggage. Thefe mountains were the Cordill leras. At length he 'arrived in Copayapu, fubj je6t to the Ynca of Pern j and in a Ihort timj reduced a confiderable part of the circumjaceuj country. The Peruvians had now gained policy fron their intercourfe \nth the Spaniards, and foni| knowledge of the art of war. This divifion the troops of the enemy did not efcape their no tice. They made an efibrt to regain their capi tal, in which, while Pizarro was indifpofed anj Almagro at a diftance^ they were well nigh fu(| QcUi CONftUEST OF PERtT. 15/ Icefsfiil. The latter, however^ having received intelligence of the liege of Cufco, immediately abandoned his vievvs of diftant conqueft, and re- turned to fecure the grand object of their former labours. He foon raifed the liege of Cufco, with an infinite llaaghter of the aflailants ; but hav- ing now the merit of obtaining poflbflibn of the city, he was unwilling to relinquifli it to Pizarro, wlio was approaching with an army, and knew of no other enemy but the Peruvians. This bone of contention occafioned a long and bloody ftmggle between the chiefs and their re- fpedive parties, in which the turns of fortune were various, and the refentment fierce on both fides ; becaufe the fate of the vanquifhed was certain deftru6tion. Such at laft was the fate of [ Almagro, who in an ?dvanced age, fell a vi6tim to the fecurity of a rival, in whofe dangers and triumphs he had long participated j and with whom, from the beginning of the enterprize, he had been clofely connected . During the cburfe of this civil war, many Peru'ians lerved in the Spanifli armies, and learned from the practice of Chriftians to butcher one another with fuccefs. That paflive and blinded nation, however, at laft opened their eyes, and took a very remark- able refolution. They faw the ferocity of the Europeans, their implacable refentment, their in- fatiable avarice j and they conjedured, that the exercife of thofe palhons would never fuller the contefts to fubfide. " Let us retire," faid they " from among them, let us fly to our mountains; " they will fpeedily deftroy one another, and ** then we may return in peace to our former ha- " bitations." Thisrefolution wasinftantly putin pradice, TJie Peruvians difperfed, and left the Vol. I. F Spaniard* 158 CONftUEST OP PERU. Spaniards in their capita]. Had the force of the | combatants been exa6Uy equal, this lingular po- licy of the natives might have been attended! with the expefted fuccefs. But the viftcry of Pizarro put an end to Almagro's life and to the| hopes of the Peruvians. Pizarro now freed from a rival, and mnfter ofl the richeft empire in the world, was ftill Ipurred on by ambition to undertake new enterpriies. The fouthern countries into which he had fome- tinie before difpatched Almagro, prelented the richeft field for difcoveiy and conqueft. He therefore proceeded in the track of Almagro into Chili, and reduced another part of that country. Orellana, one of his captains pafled the Andes,! and failed down to the mouth of the river ofl Amazons. On the banks of this immenfe navi-[ gatioh, feme of the women having attended tWir hulbands into battle, as was not unufual in! America, were found among the ilain in armour.l This gave rife to the fiction of a warlike race ofl females, refembling the ancient Amazonj. Tlwl country through which Orellana paifed was lichl and delightful in the fruits of the earth j but as| it A\ as chiefly champaign, and therefore not plen* tiful in minerals, the Spaniards difregardcd it;| and have never yet made any fettlement - here. Pizarro, fortunate in molt of his unde\takings,l without a fuperior to control or a rival to oppofej him, now gave a loofe to the natural ferocity his temper j and behaved with unfeeling crueltH to all who had not concurred in his defigns, audi implicitly obeyed his commands. This brutal! condud raifed a confpiracy againft him. Hi«l enemies were driven to dcfperation : they faw ml end of their niiferies, but by difpatching PizanoT CbNaUBOT OP PERU. 159 lor therafelves. They refolved on the former j jnd aflalfinatccj the tyrant in his own palace, in the city of Lima, which he had founded. This blow was flruck on the 26th of June 1541, Pi- jarro when he fell was lixty-five years old. He had never been married, and though he cohabit- ed with the daughters and (ifters of the yncas, as well-^s with others, it is not known that he left any children behind him. His ignorance ren- dered him contemptible, his cruelty deteftable, and his fate was unlamented*. The partizans of old Almagro now declared his fon of the fame name viceroy ; but the great- eft part of the nation, though not averfe to the confpiracy which took off Pizarro, refufed to concur in this determination. They waited the orders of the Emperor Charles V. then King of Spain, who fent over Vaca di Caftro, a man of the ftri6teft probity, to be their governor. By him the young Almagro was defeated ; and being tried and condemned, loft his life, together with the chief fupporters of his caufe. De Caf- ! tro, by his wifdom and integrity, was admirably qualified to heal the wounds of the colony j and to place every thing on the molt advantageous footing, both for it and for the mother country. By his prudent conduct:, the mines of La Plata and Potoii, which had hitherto fupplied the pri- vate plunderer, were converted into obje6ts of ! public utility to the court of Spain. The parties, whicli had agitated the province from the very j beginning, were either crufhed or (ilenced j and tranquillity was again reftored to Peru. It appears, however, that de Caftro, truft- jing, perhaps, too much to a confcious inte- grity, had negleded the ufual precautions of P 2 guilt. l60 CONaCEST OP PERU. guilt, in iecuring the favour of the miniftry b» bribes or promiles. By their advice, a council was fent out to control Caftro j and the colony was again unfettled. The parties juft compofed began to rage anew ; and Gonzalo, the brother of the famous Pizarro, fet himfelf ^t the head of his brother's partizans, with whom many new malecontents had joined interefts. It was now! longer a private dilpute between governors, about the bounds of their jurifdidion. Gonzalo Pizar- ro paid no more than a nominal fubmiflion to the king. He daily acciunulated llrength and refources j and even went fo far, as to decapitate a governor who had been fent to curb him. He attached to his intereft the admiral of the Spa- nilh fleet in the South Seas ; by whofe means he propofed to prevent the landing of troops from Spain 5 and in the plenitude of his prefumption, meditated to unite the inhabitants of Mexico in his revolt. In this wretched lituation flood affairs, when the Spanifh court, fenfible of its millake in fend- ing men into America from the influence of mi- nions and the felicitations of cabals, without any regard to chara6ter and virtue, difpatcbed with unlimited authority Peter de la Gafga, a man of equal integrity with Caftro, but fuperior in the arts of addrefs. Thefe, however, were not ufed to cloak vice or mafk hypocrify : a na- tural love of juftice, a greatnefs of foul, and a I difinterefted fpirit, were inherent qualities ia both; but Gafga fet off thefe amiable qualities to advantage by tlie foft polifh of conciliating | inanners. All thofe who had not loined in Pizarro's re- volt, began to flock under his flandard; and I manj CONaUEST OF PERU. l6l many of Pizarro's partizans, charmed with the behaviour of Gafga, forfook their old connec- tions. The admiral was gained over by iniinu- ation to return to his duty and allegiance ; and Plzarro himfelf was offered a full indemnity on the fame terms. But lb intoxicating are the ideas of royalty, that Pizarro chofe rather to ha- zard irretnevable ruin than fubmit to any officer of Spain. With thofe of his partizans, who ftill remained faithful to his caufe, he determin- ed to rilk a battle. He was vanquifhed and taken prifoner ; and his execution fpeedily fol- lowed. Thus the brother of him who had added Pern to the dominions of /Spain, fell a neceflary facrifice for the fecurity of the acquilition. P3 GENERAL GENERAL CHARACTER AND DESCRIPTION ^ OF THE ABORIGINAL AMERICANS*. 'T^HE fuccefsful difcoveries, and valuable ac- X quilitions of the Spaniards on the rich conti- oentol South America, foon excited the attention of other European nations to purl'ue finiilar meafures bvlimilar means : but the detail of their different t;xj)editions, and of the resolutions that have taken place, neither fall;* within our plan, nor would it be generally interefting. It is futficiently known, that flouriihing colonies and independent ftates now exiii, which were planted along that very extenfive coaft, reaching from the mouth of the rivfr St. Lawrence in North America, to Rio dc la Plata in the South, fome of which fpread far within land -, belides the illands in the gulph of Mexico and elfewhere. A defcriptlon of thefe falls within thfi province of the geographer alone 5 hut before we proceed in our intended courfe, it may not be amifs to throw together the general * Chiefly taken from Lafitau, Major Rogers's account of North Annerica, Colonel Bouquet's expedition againft the Ohio Indians, Guthrie's Geogiaphy, &c. &c. ** obfervations l54 DESCRIPTION OF THE obfervations of various writers on the original In- habitants of this vaft continent} to preferve the traces of chara6tcr which time may obliterate, or an intercourfe with Europeans efface. Such a difquifiticn will be no Jefs gratifying to him who reads for pleafnre, than to him who reads for profit. It will aihft the fpeculations of the phi- lofopher, and amule the leifure of the bufy. When the veil was withdrawn that hid one half of the world from the other, the Europeans found the natives of the new-difcovered regions immerf- ed in what they reckoned barbarifm ; but which, however, ought rather to be charafterifed as a Hate of honeft independence and noble fimplicity. If we except the inhabitants of the two potent empires of Mexico and Peru, who, as we have feen, were comparatively refined, the natives of America in general were unacquainted with every European art. Even agriculture itfelf, one of the firfi: and by far the mod ufeful art, was little known, or little cultivated. The principle dependence for fupplying the wants of animal life, was on hunting the wild beads which the mountains and forefls abundantly fupplied. This exercile, which is here a ferious and important iludy, gives a ftrength to the frame and agility to the limbs, unparalleled among other nations. To the fame caufe, perhaps, it is owing, that in climates not too warm, their bodies are mv commonly itraight, and well proportioned. They are mufcular and vigorous, with flattilh heads, which is the effect of art ; their features are jegularj but their modes of life give a fiercenel's to their afpe^ts. Their bair is long, black, and of a fi:rong texture. The colour of the ikin is a reddilh brown; this is the tint molt admired among ABORIGINAL AMERICAK5. l65 Lnong; them, and is therefore heightened by the |nfe of bear's greafe and paint. The charader of thefe people is formed on, |ind influenced by their circumftances and way of living. Conftantly occupied in procuring the means of a precarious fubfiflence by hunting 5 and frequently at the fame time engaged in war with their neighbours, their tepiper is little fuit- [edto gaiety, nor fubje6t to an exhilaration of fpirits. They are therefore generally grave to I fadnefs : they poffefs none of that giddy vivacity, I that high flow of foul which are peculiar to fomc Dations in other parts of the world, and they de- Ifpife them. Their deportment is regular, mo- |deft, and refpe6tful to thofe with whom they af- fociate. Unacquainted with the pleafing arts of I converfation, of faying trifles agreeably, or com- plimenting to be complimenteaagain ; they fel- dom fpeak but when they have fomething import- ant to obferve. All their aftions, words, and even looks, are calculated to anfwer fome pur- pofe, and convey fome meaning. This is natu- ral to iiien who are always engaged in laborious piirliiits, and ignorant of elegant araufements. Their lublillence wholly depends on their own toil and exertions : their lives, their liberty, all that is dear may be loll by a momentary inatten- tion to the views and defigns of their enemies. Having no obje6ts to attach them to one place more than another, they rove wherever the ne- j ceiTaries of life are to be found in the greateft abundance. Cities and towns, the refult of la- bour and application to arts, they have none. For this reafon, the various tribes or nations are broken into fmall focieties, compared with civi- |lized countries, in whichi mutual wants and a reciprocal TI^ZT-i 165 DESCRIPTIOK OP THE reciprocal interchange of benefits have congre gated numerous individuals into one politicall band. Theie fniall tribes are thinly dilperfedJ they are inlulated by a defert frontier, which it is an aggreliion to pafs ; and hid in the bofor of everlalling and almoft impenetrable forefts. A certain fpecies of government is eftablillie^ in every particular fociety, which with little va- riation prevails over the greateft part of this con- tinent. Their manners and modes of life beino nearly fimilar, fo are their civil inftitutions alfo.| Devoid of arts, -iches, or luxury, the inftni- ments of fubjeftion in polilhed fociety^ audi the incentives to obtain rule, an American has! no means of rendering himfelf confiderablel among his countrymen, but by a fuperiority in| perfonal qualities, or mental endowments. But as nature has not been very lavilh in herl diftindtions, and the means of education are the fame to all, there is a great degree of eqnalityl among them, and a defire to maintain it. Hencel liberty is the prevailing paflion, to which alll others are fubfervient; and their government,] influenced by this fentiment, is as effe6tually fe- cured as by the wileft political regulations. Theyl are far, however, from defpiiing an authority,| which they confider as legitimate, or from dil- claiming a fubjeftion to its decrees. The voice! of wifdom is heard with regard j the experienccl of the aged is refpefted by the young ; and tlipvl are ready to enlift under the banner^-of the chief! whofe prowefs has entitled him to diftinftionj whofe military addrefs has infpired them withj confidence. In every tribe, therefore, the power of a fin* gle chief, or of the colledive body of the elder prevails;! ABORIGINAL AMERICANS. 16/ Iprfvalls ; and as the government inclines more to the one or the other, it may be regarded as mo- narchical or ariilocratical; but founded on talents hjone. Where war is the frequent peft, the pow- er of the chief is predominant, becaufe the necef- fity of having a leader was the origin ofhisfupe- Iricrity; and the continual exigencies of the (late kill continue to lupport and enhance the right Ito command. The power of tlie chieftain, how- Lver, is rather kept up by perfuaiive arts, than Icoercive reftraints : he is reverenced as a father Irather than dreaded as a monarch. He maintains Ino guards, he commands no prifons, he appoints Ino officers of juftice; and one a6k of unjuft vio- lence or arbitrary fway would hurl him from his jrauk and his power. In the other form of government, the power Df the elders is equally limited and exercifed for Ifunilar ends. In fome tribes, indeed, there is a kind of hereditary ariftocracy, which having gain- ed influence by time, has proportionable efl:e6ts. 3ut this fource of power, fo ulieful in nations that are civilized, by which we annex to the defcend- snt the merit of the anceftor, is too refined an fdea to be very common among the natives of imerica. In moft focieties, therefore, age alone |s fufticient to create refpeft, influence, and au- lority. It is age which teaches experience, and experience is the only fource of knowledge, among a people untutored in art which antici- sates years. Bufinefs is here tranfaded with . a fimplicity vhich realizes the defcriptions of early ages. The heads of families aflemble on a fpot appoint- W for the purpofe ; and here thofe of the nation f'ho are moll diftinguilhed for eloquence or wif- dom. ^>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) O . ^O ^ ^A^ > .v^ /-c^^"^' 1.0 BIO ■^ Hi IIIII2.2 ui tii - lis IM I.I IU& 1.25 \U%^ % ^-^ '^^.* ^wV '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STRHT WBBSTM.N.Y. 145M (716)872-4303 ^>' '^ IL l69 DSSCRIPTION OP THE dom, have an opportunity of difplaying thelrl talents in the public difcuffion. The Indian ora-l tor, flawery, figurative, ftrong, but unrefined inl his expreflion, accompanies his words with cor- refponding geftures. When the bufinefs is dif-l patched, they appoint a feaft on theoccafion, andl almoft the whole nation partakes of what ftoresl they poffefs. Every feaft is enliv .ned with a fongJ in which the real or fabulous exploits of their| heroes are recorded. They have dances too, par- taking of the military charafter, and thefe are| the conftant accompaniment of a feaft. Some- times, in their wide excurfions after prey, two! different nations meet. If no animofity fubfiilsl between them, they behave to each other in thcl raoft friendly and courteous ftyle. But if they! happen to be in a ftate of hoftility, which is tool often the cafe j^ or if there has been no previoujl intercourfe between- them, for all who are noti friends are deemed enemies, they difplay the moftj favage fury in inftant fight. War and hunting are the only occupations of the men. As to every domeftjc concern, evenl agriculture, where it is attended to, falls to the! province of the women. Among a people where! there is fo little property, it might be fuppofedl wars would be rare. This unfortunately is not! the cafe. A very fimple caufe will fometimesl give rife to hoftilities. An accidental rencoun-r tre or interference, a defire to revenge fome loftl friend, or to make prifoners to aflift in hunting,! is a fufficient excule for proceeding to extremi{ ties. Their wars are either undertaken by pri- vate adventurers, or attire inftance of the whole community. In the latter cafe, all the youthsJ who are difpofed to go to battle, for no one isl ^ compeil^ ABORIGINAL AMERICANS. l60 IfOQipelled, give the chief a bit of wood, as a Ipledgethat they will ftand by him. Nothing is undertaken or tfanfaded without many forms Ijnd ceremonies. Thefe are deemed facred and leflential^ and are regarded as binding when once aifed. The deftined leader falls for feveral days, dur- ling which he is fequeftered from company, and lindulges in the vifionary belief of dreams, |vhich the heated imagination is apt to produce orrefpondent to the wiih excited. A variety rf other fuperftitions are pra6tifed. One of the |moft terrible we fhall particularize : It is fetting lie war-kettle on the iire, as a fyiftbol of the |deftru6tion That awaits their foes. Among fome nations it is certain that this fymbol had a precife leaning. They adtually devoured thofe whom . hey took prifoners ; and now, when this inhu- nan pradice is by no means very frequent, they preferve the emblem to roufe their indignant paffions. Then they difpatch a porcelain, or arge Ihell, to their allies, inviting them to unite iind drink the blood of their enemies. The fame love, the fame refentment animate friends : no bold medium is known. Friendlhip and enmity |ire here carried to the higheft pitch. This is fhat may naturally be expected from their pecu- liar circumftances : the more that principle, i^hich is the fpring of focial affeftions, is reftrain- 1, the more violently it operates. The Ameri- cans, living in fmall focieties, feeing few obje6ts, knd knowing few perfons, become enthufiafti- bally attached to thofe^«^e£ts and perfons, and fremiferable when they'lfeel a deprivation. Too )nfined in their ideas, their breafts are incapa- pe of expanding to general benevolence 5 evea VoL.I* U ordinary 170 DESCRIPTION OF THB ordinary humanity is thought a weaknefs. BuJ \i^hile this renders them crud and favage to thei] enemies, it adds a new force, to their partial friendihipsor their particular confederates. With] out carrying this refle6tion along in the mind, i| would be impoilible to account for many of theij actions. Having finiihed the previous ceremonies oi war, they black their faces with charcoal, inter] mixed with ftreaks of red, which gives thei a moll ferocious and horrid appearance. Thejl then exchange their cloaths with their frienc and difpofe of whatever articles they value moll among the women, who accompany them to i diftance, to receive thofe pledges of love, ihoulj their feparation be eternal. War being conmienced, the grand qualitie are vigilance to prevent furprife, and attentioi] to give one : and in thefe refpe6ks the Indiai are fuperior to all other nations. Accuilomed til a wandering life, their perceptions fharpened bj keen iieceffity, and in every refpedt followinj nature, their external fenfes have acquired a de| gree of acutenefs which is almoft incredible They can trace out their enemies at an immenfil diftance by the fmell of their fires, and by the tracli of their feet, imperceptible to anr European eye I but whicli they can count and diilinguifh with thj utmoil precifion* They can even difcriminate thj different nations with which they are acquainte and can determine the exaft time when the) pafTed, where no European, with the affiftanc of glafles, could didinguiih a trace. Thefe advanj tages, however, areoffmall importance, becauif their enemies no lefs poffefs them* When the go ovLi, therefore^ they avoid making ufe of an thin ABORXOtlTAL AMERICANS. IjT] ling by which they might hazard a difcovery. [They refrain from the ufe of fires j they lie clofe Ito the ground by day, and travel only by night j land advancing in files^ he who clofes the rear^ Icovers with leaves the veiliges that are left. Iwhen they halt for refrefliment, fcouts are fent [out to reconnoitre every fpot where an enemy can Ibc concealed. In this manner, they enter una- Iwarerthe territories of their foesj and while the Ijlower of the men are perhaps abroad in hunting, Imairacre all the women, children, and aged per- Ifons, or make prifoners of as many as they can jcarry off or employ. But ihould the enemy be apprized of their de- Ifign, and advance to the combat in arms, they Ithrow themfelves flat on the ground among the Iwithered herbs and leaves; and Parting all at once Ifrom their ambuih, with a tremendous ihout, af- liaii their foes. The party attacked returns the jiame cry. Where trees can be ufed as a ihelter, leach retires behind one, till prepared to repeat the Iblow ; and thus does the battle continue till one (party is fo far weakened, as to be incapable of farther refiftance. But Ihould the force on both Ifides remain nearly the fame, the fierce fpirits jof the favages, inflamed by the lofs of their jfriends, can no longer fubmit to regular attack lor ordinary precautions. They abandon the dif- Itant war ; they rulh on each other with clubs land hatchets, magnifying their own courage, and linfulting the foe with the moft bitter invectives. iDeath now appears in a thoufand hideous fbrms. iHcedlefs of any thing but revenge, they trample Ion the wounded ; they infult even the dead j they jfcalp J they wallow in blood j and even devour pe ^efli with a mad ferocity. The flame rages CI 2 OQ 1^2 DESCRIPTION OF TRB on till refiftance dies away. The prifoners are then fecured. Unhappy n\cn ! the fate of theirl flaughtered companions was mild to theirs. The! conquerors, as they approach their own villagej fet up a hideous howl, to bewail the friendsl they nave loft : they approach in a melancholyl and ftem gloom. A raeflenger precedes them ;l and the women, with frightful fhrieks, come out to mourn their private lolTes. When they reach their abodes, the chief in a low tone relates to| the elders a circumftantial account of the expe- dition, with all its turns. The orator then pro- claims this intelligence to the people 5 and as hel recounts the names of thofe who have fallen, the cries of the females increafe. The men too join in the expreffion of forrow, according as each is conne6ted with the deceafed by the ties of blood | or friendfliip. The laft ceremony is the procla- mation of vidory. Each individual then endea- vours to forget his private misfortunes, and joins! to celebrate the triumphs of his tribe. The fhrieks are fufpended, the tears wiped away ; and, by a wonderful traniition, they pafs from the I •bitternefs of grief to the extravagance of exulta- tion. But the treatment of the prifoners yet re- mains to be detailed; it is that which chiefly! charaderizes the favages ; it is that which ihocks| the civilized, and fhews the advantages of refine- ment. It has been already obfeiTcd, that among the] Indians, general philanthropy is a principle un- felt. Intenfe in their affedions for their friends,! they appear infenlible that their enemies can be | too inhumanly tormented. The feelings of na- ture are loft in their rage j and ftom the indivi- 1 dual ABORIGINAL AMERICAKS. l73 al who has injured, the fame refentment is ex- Itended to all his tribe. The prifoners, aduatcd by the fame principles, Hn(nv what awaits them, and prepare for the Lent. The perfon who has taken the captive lattends him to the cottage ; when, according to Itbe diftribution made by the elders, he is to be Idelivered up to fupply the lofs of a member of their community. If thofe who receive him Ithink his fervices will be ufeful 4:0 them, he is (immediately adopted into the family and be- leomes one of its number in every refpe^t. But lif they have no occafion to augment their fociety, lorifrefentment for the lofs of their friends fti- Imulates them to feek revenge on all who were ac- Iceflary to it, the fentence is inevitable death. In this cafe, all who have received the fame Ifevere doom are collected j and the whole nation lisaffembled, as if to celebrate fome diftinguiihed Ifeftival. A fcaftbld is ere6ted, where the pri- Ifoners, being tied to the ftake, commence the [death fong, and prepare for their approaching Ifatewith undaunted mind. Their ungenerous land favage enemies, on the other hand, are de^ Itermined to put their courage to the proof, by Itlie moft exquifite tortures. They begin the Iwork of death at the extremities of the body, [and gradually approach the vitals. One plucks mt the nails of the captive by a flow procefs, mother tears off the flefh of a finger with his Iteeth, and a third thrufts the lacerated member [nto the bowl of a red-hot pipe, which he fmokes filce tobacco. They then pound the toes and fin- ders to pieces between ftones i they ftrip the flelli Jvith their teeth, and trace circles about the pints, and galhcs in tlie niufcular parts, which Q J they 174 DBSCRIPTION OF THB they immediately fear with red-hot irons, tut ting, burning, and pinching alternately. ThJ fle&, thus mangled and roafted, is ibmetimes del vouied with greedinefs morfel by morfel, whilJ the blood ferves to fmear their faces^ and to givj the tormentors a look as infernal as their heartsl Having torn off the flefli, they twift the barJ nerves and twidons about an iron, tearing anj fnapping them; while others are employed in ftrctching the limbs every way that ingenuitjl can devife, to increafe the torment. This procef^ continues for five or fix hours together j and fuel i? the ftrength and fortitude of favages, that it ha fometimes been extended to days. To protrad the work of death, they fometimeJ unbind the captive, to give a refpite to their fu-| ry, and to invent new inflictions. He is agaii fattened to the ftake, and again they renew thei^ cruelty. Even amid the temporary refpite the fometimes give him, it has been known that i profound fleep has overtaken the vidim, and tliall tlie application of fire was neceflary to awak? him. He is now iluck over with matches oj wood, eafily kindled, but flow in confuming: they pierce the body in every part with reedsj they pull out the teeth, they fcoop out the eyes; and laflly, having mangled the frame in fuch manner that it is only one continued woundj having mutilated the face fo as to leave nothing human in it, and carried barbarity to its mol exalted pitch, they again unbind the wretchj Now blind, faultering, falling, aflailed with fl:one and clubs, and paflive of the worft, one of the chiefs, perhaps, wearied of cruelty, rather than faj tiated with revenge, gives him a coup-de-graca with a dagger or a club. The body is then comH xnitted er: andfuci ABOSIOINAL AMERICANS. 175 pitted to the kettle, and a barbarous feaH is the rinding up of this difmal tragedy. In moll countries the female charafter is dif- knguilhed for a fuperior degree of foftnefs and lanity ; here the women if poflible outdo the en in this fcenc of horror, while the principal erfons of the country form a circle round the jke, and fmoke on without emotion. But rhat will moft furprife is, that the fufFerer him- felf, in the intervals of his torments, fmokes too, ud converfes with indifference. Indeed, feldom jloes a groan efcape him amidll the mofl: aggra* Mted fufferings. He endures them all with a jfortitude and a conftancy more than human. He Difeifes his mind unmoved; not a diilortion of ace betrays the anguilh he endures. He re- ounts his exploits $ he boafls what cruelties iie ^as infli6ted on their countrymen, and menaces bem with the revenge that will attend his death, lough exafperated to madnefs by his re- proaches, he continues his infults, upbraids them irith their ignorance in the fcience of torment^ igj and points out more efficacious means. Even the women poffefs the fame degree of i^efo- ition and torture : to fuffer without emotion ii [he pride, the glory of an Indian. Such is the lorce of inbred habits^ and a ferocious thirft of fame. We have dwelt the larger on thefe circum- Rances of cnielty, becaufe they illuftrate a pofi- lion we wilh to enforce. Degrading as fuch re- [itals are to human nature, they fliould not be leard in vain. Such an inconceivable degree of [arbarity, paffions carried to fuch a pitch, iliew ^hat man is without the refinements of fociety j id prove the value of a condud iiiflueaced by the 179 DESCRIPTION OF THB the dilates of Chriftianity. This amiable, thij heavenly religion teaches conipa|!ion to our verJ enemies, which is neither recommended or pracl tifed in other inftitutions. But though the im] prellions of a pure religion will be always mod deeply felt, and therefore the moft permanent we are not a little indebted to the light of literal ture, to the intercourfe of conmierce, and to thj arts of civilization, for that pre-eminence ovel favage life which it is our felicity to poflefs. bJ thoi'e advantages, combined with revelation, thd the fting is taken from our natural vices> and thj ferocity of our tempers is fubdued. The hlftory of human nature does not furnilll a Uronger contrail than this cruelty of the faj vages towards thofe with whom they are at war and the warmth of their a|Fe6tion to their friendsl and thefe, in an extended fenfe, confift of all thofl who form the fame fociety, or are joined in allil ance with it. Their indiftinft notions of privat| property may partially account for thisj buj more is to be afcribed to the force of genuin^ attachment. It is not only with their propert that they are ready to ferve their friends ; theij lives, their honour, are devoted to the fame endj their houfes, their provifions, even their young wc .men ar^ freely conferred on their guefts. Has friend been unfuccefsful in hunting ? has his harveil failed? has his hut been deilroyed by tempeftoj fire? He feels no other effect of his calamit than as it gives him an opportunity to experienc the benevolence and regard of his fellow citizens! But to the enemies of his nation, or to his prij vate offender, the American is implacable, Hj conceals his fentimeQts, and he broods ove revenge, whenever the blow can be (truck wit unerring aim. Isi o length of time is fufficient t| ABORIGINAL AMERICANS. X'JJ Pay his refentment ; no diftance of place to pro- i the objd6k of his fury. He crofl'es raoun- ^Ds, he pierces forefts, he traverfes bogs and de- bearing the inclemency of the feafon, the tigue of the expedition, and the extremes of 3ger and thirft with patient cheerfulnefs, in Ipes of furprifing his enemy, and of executing \ liorrid revenge. Such are the extremes of [iendihip and enmity among favages; and all ong but uncultivated minds feel the fame ge- ral bias. [But what we have hitherto faid of the flrength ftheir friendlhip conveys but a faint idea of the extent to which they carry this lovely virtue, lis not only the living, but the dead who are obje6ts of attachment and regard. *When \^ member of the fociety is cut off, he is la- ented by the whole with a thoufand demonftra- bns of genuine forrow. One of the moft re- rkable ceremonies ufed on this melancholy ocr ion, and which difcovers both this intenfenefs Y the continuance of their grief, is what they nominate the feaft of fouls. This day of aw- form is appointed by public order; and nO re is negle6ked to render the celebration mag- [ficently folemn. The neighbouring tribes are rited to join in the folemnity. On this occa- |)n, all who have died fince the laft commemo- tion (which is renewed every eight or ten years) dilinterred, and brought to the general ren- kzvous of corruption. It is- impoflible to defcribe the horror of this pne in more lively terms than thofe which Lafi- has ufed. Unqueftionably, fays he, the open- of thefe tombs difplay^ one of the moft ftrik- fcenes that can be conceived; this humbling portrait I 178 9B8CRI>TX0N OF TH8 portrait of human mifery> in fo many images I deathi wherein ihe feems to take a pleafure paint herfelf in a thoufand various ihapes of hJ ror, accordii g to the degree in which corrupti] has prevailed o.er them, or the manner in whi] it has attacked them. Some appear dry aj withered; others have a fort of parchment their bones ; fome look as if they were baked aJ fmoked, without any appearance of putridit] * ibme are juft verging to the point of putrefadic while others are fwarming with worms, and) mafs of corruption. I know not which ought I Urike us moft; the horror of fuch a ihockii iight, or the tender pity and aiFe6tion of th^ poor people towards their departed friends, nothing deferves our admiration more, than th eager zeal and attention with which they charge this melancholy duty of their refped; thering up carefully even the minuteft boiiil handling the carcafes, difguflful as they are wij every thing loathfome, cleaniing them from worms, and carrying them on their ihouldd through tirefome journeys of feveral days, witi out finking under their burden, or the offcj livenefs of the' fmell, and without fufFering emotions to intrude, but thofe of regret for ha ing loft perfons fp dear to them in life, fo lameo ed in death. Having brought the remains into their d tages, they prepare a feaft in honour of the dea during which their heroic a6tions are celebralej and all the tender intercourfes that took pb between them and their furviving friends are] ouAy called to mind. Even the flrangers, yl fometimes attend from very remote tribes, join the tender condolenpe; and the natural ihiief ABORIGINAL AMEftlCAKS, Ifg the females prove, that they are penetrated ith the iharpeft forrow. The dead are then led out to be re-interred. A large pit is dug the ground; and thither, at a certain time, h perfon, attended by his family and friends^ ches in folemn lilence, bearing the dull of a and tender relation. When they arc all vened, the dead bodies are depofited in the it together, with what valuables they moft ef* med, and even the prefents of Grangers ; and n the torrent of grief breaks out afrelh, Af- this they defcend into the pit ; and each fup- bhimfelf with a little of the earth, which is ferved with religious care. The bodies, rang- in order, are covered with frefh furs, and over ife with bark, on which they heap wood, earth, id ftones. Then taking a laft adieu^ they re- to their homes. We havejuft obferved, that the Indians offer eral prelcnts to the dead of whatever they ilue moft highly. This univerfal cuftom among em, and which is diiTeminated over various rts of the world, where there exifts no common igin nor even accidental communication, arifes im a rude notion of the immortality of the This dodrine is firmly believed among le Americans j and is the bails of all their reli« )n. When the foul is feparated from the iy, they conceive that it ilill continues to fver round it, and to require, and take delight the fame things as were formerly beloved. 5r a certain period, however, they fuppofe It it forfakes this dreary flate, and wings its jht far weftward into the land of fpirits. They |ve even made difcrlmination, in their creeds in other world: fomei particularly eminent warriors^ l80 * DESCRIPTION OP THB warriors, they imagine poflefs a high degree felicity in another life ; enjoy a ftation for huni ing.and filhing which never fails; and entj into the fruition of every fenfual delight withoi] the labour of purfuit. The fouls oT thofe, the contrary, who have afted daftardly or bee unfortunate in war, they fet down as extremej miferable. Thus the ftudy of war, which forms the prir cipal ingredient in their character, deeply tin(i tures their religion alfo : Areikoui, or tlie God / Battle, is the fupreme deity of the Indians. Hir they invoke before they take the field ; and ac cording as they fancy, he is more or lefs propj tious to their entreaties, they conclude their er terprifes will be more or lefs fuccefsful. SomI nations pay, adoration to the fun and mooni among others are many traditions relative to th| creation of the world, and their peculiar the gony. In point of inconfiftency and abfurdit]( thefe traditions outdo the Grecian fables. Bui religion is not the prevailing character of thij people J aiid except when they think they havj immediate occafion for the favour of the goda they pay them no kind of homage. Like all rude nations, however, they are ftrongly addiftj ed to fuperftition. They believe in the exiftenc of a number of good and bad fpirits, or genii] who control the affairs of men, and have the dii tribution of happinefs or mifery. It is from thj evil genii, in particular, that their maladies an fuppofed to proceed 3 and from the good, thai they expert a cure. The miniflers of the genii are the jugglers, who are alfo the only phyfi] cians among the Americans. Thefe they imaj gine to be infpired by the good genii, moft comj 2 inonlj ABOBlGXNAL AMERICANS. 181 iBonly in their dreams> with the gift of prefcience 5 |ind are therefore called in to the ailiilance of Ithc fick, "whofe fate they are judged capable of hredi^ting, by the intervention of their familiar lipirits. But thofe invifible agents are extremely Ifcnple in their fyftem of phylic : they dire6t the [jugglers to treat all dileafes nearly 5n a iimilar Imanner ; and, perhaps, the fimplicity of medical Iprefcriptions is the bed fecurity of the patient, [even where men have gained all poflible fcnow- lledge in the healing art. The fick Indian is ge- Inerally inclofed in a narrow cabin, in the midfl m which is a ftonc red hot j on this they pour Iwater till he is well foaked with the warm fluid land his own perfpiration. Then they hurry him Ifrom the bagnio, and plunge him fuddenly into Ithe ncareft river. This coarfe mode of treat- Imcnt performs many extraordin^ary cures, while |it likewife hurries numbers to the grave. The Jugglers have alfo the ufe of fome noftrums of (wonderful efficacy j and almofl every favage is dexterous in the cure of wounds. But the aids of magic are always called in^ to give power to \t application of remedies. Though religion is npt a very prevailing fenti- lent among the favages, religious impoftors are |as numerous here as in any country ; and fome Df them a6t their part with much dexterity and {fuccefs. Thefe, when their character is onoe bblifhed on the popular belief of their fuper- Jatural powers, not only prefcribe laws and ob- ifervances, but even undertake to unfold the aiyfteries of futurity, and to folve and interpret ifions and dreams. They, in general, reprefetlt ie other world as a place abounding with an lexhauftible plent/ of every thing deiirable; Vox.. I. R and 162 DSSCRIFTXON OP THS and that the full and exquiiite gratification oi all the fenfes ihall be the reward of the condu{ they-prefcribe. Hence the Indians meet deatl with a ftoical apaihy. The news, that they have but a few hours to live, communicates no alannj An American, on the brink of eternity, ha- rangues his family and friends with fpirit and compofure ; and gives his dying advice with the iame colle6ted mind« as if he was dire6ting k daily occupations. It will immediately be recognifed, that the preceding remarks apply chiefly to the Nort American Indians. In our account of the con- quefis of Mexico and Peru it appeared, that the original inhabitants of South America were ver different. Such of the inhabitants of the nev world as firft fell under the obfervation of Euron peans, differed eflentially from thofe we hav( jull defcribed, and from the generality of people in the ancient hemifphere. Hiey differed in| features and complexion; th^ were not onl; averfe to toil, but apparently incapable of endiir«| img it J and when forcibly roufed from their na- tive indolence, and compelled to work, they funi under talks which the inhabitants of the old world would have executed with eafe. Thii hnbecility of conftitution feemed endemial inl South America. The Spaniards were alfo flruckj with the moderation of their appetites for foodj The conftitutional temperance of the natives far exceeded the nioft rigid abflinence of mortified hermits; while, on the other hand, the appetite of the Spaniards appeared to them infatiably vo-l racious ; and they afhrmed, that one European! would confume ten times as much as they did| But thouglv their demands were fo moderateJ *i. ASORIGIKAL AMERICANS. 183 Itheir agriculture was fcarcely equal to their own confumption. Many of the South American Inatives confined their indAftry to the rearing of la few plants, which a genial foil and warm cli- (jaate nurtured without much care. In fhort, the inhabitants of South America, Icoinpared with thofe of the North, are generally more feeble in their frames, and lefs vigorous in Itheir mental efforts. Their fpirit is more mild land gentle j but they are enervated by indolence land a love of pleafure, and timid and irrefolute [in all their purfuits. In South America, the natives had made fome Iprogrefs in refinement : in North America, nei- Ither the foil nor the climate was favourable for Ihixurious indulgencies 5 and, therefore^ the cha- jrader of the natives is more ftrongly marked, land poffefl'es mbre energy. If, however, wc Iproceed to the countries bordering on Cape jHorn, we fhall find the fame hardy race as in Ithe forefts of the north. Climate has more in- luence on human nature than fome are willing ^0 allow J and though the virtues of the foul lay exift in any, the energy both of the body land the mind will vary with extremes. Under Ithe pole and the line they are either cramped by Icold or enervated by heat : in the temperate jzones, throughout the known world, man has al- ways made the greateft progrefs towards perfec- tion j where neither peculiar inflitutions nor lodes of education have tended to cramp or de - )are the natural faculties with which he was 3orn. R2 FIRST WAS IWITH A P TSCEDEI hPHOl J 1 beei Iplied to Iwhen tiw Iwhat was Ian engine Itiil in the Pofleffe lated abov lures, and Iterprife, i iPortugue] Iby fea, w |low the i It was, lofthelnj jJohn, ths Iglory the; |conquefts creafes oi long, a FIRST VOYAGE OF WASQUEZ DE GAMA, TO THE EAST INDIES, IwiTH A PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION ON THE AN- TECEDENT DISCOVERIES OF THE FORTUGUESE. THOUGH the polarity of the magnet had been difcovered about 1300^ it was not ap- Iplied to the pnrpofes of navigation till 1405^ [when the Portuguefe feem to have converted Iwhat was before an objeft of curiolity only, into Ian engine the moft powerful and the moft ufe- |fol in the hiftory of human inventions. Pofleffed of luch a difcovery, favourably fitu- lated above all other nations for maritime adven- Itiires, and being animated with the fpirit of en- Iterprife, it is not to be wondered at, that the IPortuguefe early gained celebrity for expeditions Iby fea, which at laft roufed other nations to fol- low the fame career. It was, however, to the zeal and magnanimity lof the Infant, Don Henry, the fifth fon oi King |John> that this nation Hands indebted for all the [glory they have acquired by their difcoveries and conquells in the oriental regions : and what in- ireaies our admiration is, that at this junifture, long, a dangerous civil war had but jufl been E 3 compofed. 18(5 PIRST VOYA«E OF compofed. The power of the king, too, was faj from being great j his finances were extremclj low, and his country fo indifferently peopled] that he was obliged to have recourfe to othe| nations, for men to recruit his armies, and {{ make up the complement of his fleets. Noj were thefe confiderable, when compared witl; . the navies employed by the King of Spain anc the Republics of Italy. Yet under all thefe dif^ advantages, the fpirit of trade and navigatior not only fprang up, but grew and profpered and this too while many of the ftatefmen were averfe to fuch undertakings j weighing rather the certain expence, than the probable gain. But the zeal of the clergy overcame the oppofition of the npbility j they were infpircd with a zeal for propagating the Chriftian religion in new coun- tries, and they promoted their difcoveiy to the] Vtmoft, By balancing the powers of the Portuguefel with the conquefts they made in the eaft, wej Ihall be led to entertain a very high opinion of their exertions, and of the beneficial confe- quences which refulted from their fuccefsful| difcoveries, Don Henry, the patron of enterprife, was al prince endowed with all the great qualities which difl:inguifli heroes from ordinary men. He had manifefted his courage, in his youth, inl his wars againft the Moors j but his mind was too noble to value himfelf on the arts of deftriic- tion, however fplendid. He wiftied to profecutc only fuch defigns as might be beneficial to the| human race. Animated with this refolution, he made him- felf mailer of the Canaries, by purchafing thai VASaUEZ DE GAMA. 187 snt which the King of Caftile had made to llaciot de Bethancourt. This gentleman, for a aluable confideration, refigned his rights into be hands of Prince Henry, about 1406. Fer- Jljnand de Caftro, at that time mafter of the jirince's lioufehold, was fent to take pofleflion of bem. Having now got the key to the coaft of Africa, he foon began to fit out fliips for difco- |reiy in that quarter, and manned them with the Doft able navigators he could procure. The utraoft limits of the continent of Africa, towards the fouth-weft, at that time known to (lie Portuguefe, was Cape Chaunar, called alfo Cape Non. It projedls from the foot of Mount itlas. The veffels now fent out proceeded about bo degrees farther to Cape Bojadore 5 but they \4 not courage to double it. In 1418, Triftan hz difcovered the Ifle of Porto Santo. The^ hext year, the Portuguefe fell in with the valu- Ible illand of Madeira, to which they gave that pame, from its being covered with wood. In 143p, a Portuguefe captain doubled Cape Bojadore, which fome coniider as the Cape Cana^ tea of Ptolemy. The next year they ventured ret fiirther to Cape Blanco j and foon after dif- [overed the Rio del Oro, with feveral iilands oi^ tie coaft, Nuno Triftan doubled Cape Verd in 1446 y |nd two years after, Gonzalo Vallo failed to the lands known by the appellation of the Azores, It that time they were uninhabited, and were ettled by this commander, who did not, how- [ver, vilit the iflands of Flores and Corvo. Thefei pre afterwards occupied by fome Flemings. In 1449, the Cape Verd iilands were dilcover- under the patrqnage pf pgft Henry. The progrefs \ Ifld ' FtRST VOYAGE OP pfogrefs mdde by that prince gave great fatisfac tion to the fovereign of Portugal, who, to rj ward his zeal, made him a grant of Madeira an| Porto Santo. The Infant, however, judged requifite, according to the pra6tice of the timej to obtain the fandion of the Holy See. To neg tiate this, he fent an ambalTador to Pope Martin^ The Holy Father, being well difpofed to beftov that which coft him nothing, made a free granl to the crown of Portugal of all that Ihould bj difcovered in that dire6tion to the Indies. Th] Papai bull is dated in 1444, and was afterward confirmed by three of his fuccelTors, whicli however, gave rife to ferious difputes. Judging from the reverence then paid to thj court of Rome, we muft confefs, that Princ Henry ihewed much political fagacity in tiiil tranfaftion. For, by pretenciing that all counl tries were to be difpofed of at the will and pleaj fure of Rome, he fecured his Holinefs' confeni to whatever he demanded ; and he well kneJ that whatever was fan6tioned by his grant, woiiW infallibly be fupported by the thunder of the vaj tican. This great prince died in 1463 j the con] tinent of A.frica under his aufpices having beeif difcovered from Cape Non to Cape Sierra Leonaj which laid the foundation of all the fubfequen] acquilitions. In 1471, Pedro d'Efcovar difcovered the Iflan^ of St. Thomas and Prince's Ifland ; and foon af ter Anno Bueno, nOw corruptly called Annobonl In 1484, Don Cam, a Portuguefe, failed to thd coaft ofCongo, and having received information that a Chriftian prince reigned in Ethiopia, hj magnified his power fo much on his return, thai John IL who'was^hea on the throue^ difpatched m VASQUBZ DB OAMA. 18^ trudy meifengers to afcertain the truth of bat he had heard cqi^cerning this Chriftian [incc, whom he judged to be Prefter John; and [the fame time to gain more fatisfadory ac- Dunts of the ftate of the Indies. The perfons lio were intrufted with this charge were Pedro povillan and Alphonfo de Pay va, who had IriS orders to commit to writing whatever they emed worthy of remark ; but more particular- |f, the (ituation of places, and the navigation of te coaft of Ethiopia, by which it was rightly onjeftured, a new route might be found to the odies. Our travellers being perfefl mafters of he Arabic tongue, proceeded to Alexandria and fairo, and from thence to the port of Aden in rabia, whiere they had ^n opportunity of con* rfing with traders of air nations, and many na- tves of India. This enabled them toaccumu- pte a vaft quantity of ufeful information, which bey tl^ought would be highly gratifying to the fing. Here they judged it expedient to fepa- ite : the one to make a tour of the Indies, and he other to proceed to the court of Ethiopia. Accordingly, Pedro de Covillan fet out for the Indies -, and having made an exa6t map of the Joafts, croffed the fea to Africa ; and after hav^ ng vifited ibme of the principal ports in the rabian Gulph, arrived- at Sofala, fully convinc- [d, from many concurring teliimonies, that a Wt and eafy paflage might be found to the |aft, round the continent of Africa. Elated with hefe fentiments, he made the beft of his way to pairo, where he hoped to rejoin his companion. put he had the forrow to hear, that De Payva had sen murdered on the road to Ethiopia. For fome I^ FIRST VOYAGE Ol^ fome time he was irrefolute how he could fulfil the obje6ts of his miflion j but after ture reflexion, he determined to acquaint king by letter of the dilcoveries he had mac and then to purfue his route to Ethiopia. T( refolution iliewed his zeal in the caufe in wbij he was engaged, and his ardent defire of fatisi ing the prince he ferved. He began his fecol journey with the fame good fortune as he h] executed the firft ; and was extremely well ceived by Alexander, Emperor of Abyffinia, wl was much flattered by the profpe6t of the frienl fhip of fuch a powerful prince as the Kingf Portugal ; and promifed to difpatch the amballj dor with letters expreflive of that impreffic However, Alexander during fuddenly, his fucd for not only treated Covillan with coolnefs, b| with difrefpcfl: and cruelty ; refufed him leal to return home, and detained him till it was col eluded in Portugal, that fome fatal accident hj befallen him. However, he lived to recover i liberty. -»■ While his Portuguefe Majefty endeavoured I gain a due knowledge of the ftate of the Indil by land, he was not inattentive to the profecuti( oif the fame objeft by fea. To facilitate this dj fign, he employed Bartholomew Diaz, one of courtiers, to proceed ftill farther along the coij of Africa. This man, to great prudence deep Ikill in navigation, united invincible cc rage ; and in I486 he executed his commiffij with equal condudt and fuccefs. He carried oj with him feyeral negroes, who had long been| his (ervice : thefe he fet afhore at differe places, Well dreffed and furnifhed with fon gooi VASaUBZ DE OAMA. IQl s, on purpole to allure the natives by the of kindnels and generofity. fter coalling. along, fariher than any naviga- [had hitherto done, he arrived in view of a cape, where meeting with moft unfavour- I weather, and loiing his victualling bark, his ^jnutinied, on the pretext that llorms and nine were too much to encounter at once. the captain reprefented to them, that the ler could not be efcaped by returning, and Lt the only means they had of preventing the Iter, was to proceed till they could reach fome ce where refreiliments were to he had. He prevailed on them to double the cape, and [fail fome diflance beyond it, where he erefted lone crofs, as he had done wherever he touch- jalong the coaft, by way of taking poifeilion in mafter's name. Having obtained a fmall ply of provi lions, he returned j and had the fortune to fall in with his ilore ihip, in |ich, of nine men left when they parted, only ee furvived, and one of thefe died of joy at |ing the captain. fter performing a voyage of iixteen months feven days, and difcovering upwards of one ifand miles of the coaft beyond the former Jits, he arrived at Lilbon in December 1487. laving given a full detail of his expedition, particularly iniifted on the danger and difii- |ty he had found in doubling that ftupendous lontory, which he named Cabo Tormentofo, Ithe Stormy Cape. But the king, from the Its thrown on the fubjeCt by Covillan's letters, |ich had arrived fafe, knew how to form a it judgment of the value of this difcovery, therefore called it Cabo del Buena Efperan- za. 192 FIRST VOYAOB OP 2a, or the Cape of Good Hope *, a name whii it has ever retained. The coincidence betwel the accounts of the navigator and the ambairad] convinced the king, that the paflage was nc open } and that one voyage more would ccr plete the dil'covery of a dire6t palfage by fca the Indies. But while John revolved this great defign in mind, and bulied himfelf in contriving the meal of accomplilhing it with honour to himfelf a( advantage to his country, the Eternal Uulcri all called him to another {late of being. In lail illnefs he nominated his coufin, Don £r nuel, who had alfo married his iider^ his heir ai{ fiicceflbr. A\'hen this prince afcended the throne of Port gal he was in the fiower of his age, and poiTeifj thofe qualities, in an eminent degree, which dil nify a king. He had an excellent capacity, mud penetration, and a correct judgment j but, pofl'ej ing an amiable diffidence of his own abilitij and being well aware, that the execution of predecellor's projeds would be attended with large expence, he privately declined cntcriil into them without confulting his council. T| ilatefmen being, however, put in pofTeflion of i the information that had been collected, eit by the reigning prince or his couiin King Job were extremely divided in their opinions. Sod preifed him to purfue the Heps of his ancefio and to complete .vith glory what they had beg with reputation; while others vehemently pofed the profecution of this defign 5 and * It is with the fincereft fatlsfaflion the writer reflc£ls)i this valuable Cape is now in the poilel&on of bis couo M ly it remain fo to the end of time ! VASaUEZ DE OAMA. ICiS Bth Men he was affailed, as is ufual, with fur h •laufible arguments, that neither eoiild confute [(be other^ and rcafon hung in the balance of ||i]fpenle. The advocates for the new navigntion contend- |ed, that the commerce of the call had bt'en the Ifource cf wealth and power to every empire that Ibad poflTelTed it j that Providence feemed to have thrown to it into the lap of tlieir nation, and Ithcrefore, it would neither be honourable nor lidvantageous to rejc6t it 5 that the chief difticul- Itics were now overcome, and fearcely any thing Iremained but to take pofleliion of what all the Ivorld was eager to enjoy, though none but them- Ifdves knew how to reach ; that the engrofling Ifo rich a trade to Portugal would balance tlie [narrow limits of its lovereignty, and put it on a evcl with its more potent neighbours ; that, in 5ne, there was no lels danger to be apprehended rom abandoning the defign, than benefit to be expected by its prolecution j (ince it w as proba- ble their ambitious neighbours, the Spaniards, i^ould purfue and arcompliih this grand fcheme j ind thus enable them to eft'eCt whatever the lull of power might tempt them to try. On the other fide, it was alleged, that there Rere many things more apparently neceflfary |o the well-being of Portugal than fuch expen-» ive expeditions, which involved an uncertain Tue, fince much land remained to be cultivat- at home, and fuch internal improvements light be adopted as would enrich the kingdom Hthout difiant dependencies; that the popula- jion of Portugal was too fmall for its own ex- jent, and would be ftill more reduced by foreign fonqucfis j that all their diicoveries and acquifi- VoL. I, S tioiis 194 FIRST VOYAGE OP tions hitherto had only furniflied a few negroei?, elephants' teeth, exotic birds, and curiolities that the golden dreams which had amufed tliei for a century, had ended in delufion ; and that finally, even the fuccefs of the undertaking might! be detrimental to Portugal, as itwaspoliible her in terells at home might be facrificed to thofc abroadj Thefe deliberations, in which the caufe was; canvaffedwith acutenefs, though they did abfo- lutely carry the king to abandon the defign which had been recommended to him with the lali breath of the prince to whom he owed his throne, yet for a long time retarded his prepara- tions, and determined him to purfue the project in fuch a manner as would fecure him from the difgrace of ferious lofs, if he did not reap the full harveft of glory. At laft, however, fearing left other powers Ihould take advantage of his ne- gle6t, efpecially as the Spaniards were vigorouily pulhing forward their difcoveries, he came to a final refolution, to fend out a few iliips only with a fmall number of men ; thus endeavouring to avoid extremes, and to fteer, as it were, a middle courfe between the difcordant opinions of iiis council. In confequence of this determination, in the fpring of 1497, he ordered four ihips to be equip- ped for his expedition ; of thefe three were arm- ed veffels, and the other a ftore ihip. The whole force confifted of no more than one hun- dred and fixty foldiers and feamen. Hence it will be extremely apparent, that jt is not a for- midable arrfiament, or a vail expenoe, that is ne- ceffary to the accomplifhment of a great defign 1 but the choice of a good officer, perfe6tly mafter of his plan, and polfeiring a refolution equal to Hi VASQUEZ DE GAMA. ICfb [its completion. All the maritime expeditions, [from the beginning of the world to this period of time, are not comparable to what were per- forpied by Chriftopher Columbus and Valquei; [de Gama, in the narrow compafs of fevcn }'ears, wkh a joint force fcarcely adequate to man a [iifty gun fhip in the prefent day. Before we enter on the hiftory of a voyage, Nvhich laid open the treafures of the eaft by a new and eafy communication by fea, it jnay not be amifs to premife, that hitherto the fpices and other valuable productions of India and China, were brought in the junks and barks of thofe countries to the port of Adlu, then a great commercial city on the fouthern coaft of Arabia Felix. Here thefe vefTels unloaded and return- ed, while the merchants of Adlu, partly relading the goods in^heir own fhips, and partly fending them by land carriage to Jeddo, conveyed them up the lied Sea to the port of Suez. They were then landed, and tranfported on camels and car- |riages over the ifthmus to the river Nile*, a paiTage • Several of the Kings of Egypt, fenfibleof the vaft advantages I that would accrue tothem from acommunicatlon between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, endeavoured to cut one, at different times, with imnienfe labour and expence. Herodotus informs us, that in the time of Pharoah Necho, or Nechus, this work was attempted, but obliged to be abandoned, after one hundred and I twenty thoufand men had pcriflied in the undertaking. This fchenje was again relumed under the Ptolemies, and again relin- quiihed, from the ftupid apprehenfion that the Red Sea, being higher than Egypt by three cubits, would be in danger o* over- flowing the land. However, the expedient of a canal was adopt- ed, to communicate between the Red Sea and the Nile } upon which the ports of the latter began to grow very opulent and re- I Qowncd } and the cities of Coptus and Berenice, in particular, the 5 % mart ig6 FIRST VOYAGE OP a pafTagc of about fifty miles, and from thence tc Alexandria, where the Venetian merchants, whc had monopolized that commerce, received theinj and dilfeminated them over all Europe. Such was the fituation of affairs at the aerawcl are now to treat of. The pcrfon honoured \vith| the command of the expedition for the difcoveri of the Indies was Don Vafquez de Gama, a Por- tuguefe nobleman of various diftinguiihed ta- lents, and particularly ikilled in navigation. Hel was appointed admiral on this occafion, and! hoifted his flag on board the St. Gabriel, of no more than one hundred and twenty tons burden.] The other fliips were the St. Raphael, command- ed by Paul de Gama, the admiral's brother; andl the Berrio, commanded by Nicholas Coello, be- iides a bark laden with proviiions. Thefe IhipsI fet fail from Belem on the 8th of July 1497, and after encountering continual ftorms, in which they frequently defpaired of being faved, had the good fortune at lad to enter a large bay, to which they gave the appellation of St. Helena, | from its having been difcovered on the day de« dicated to that faint. The inhabitants of this ifland were of fmalll ftature, ill-favoured and black. When thejr fpoke, they fetched their breath as if they were lighing; they were clothed in the Ikins of wild beafts J and armed with ilakes hardened in the I fire, and pointed with the horns of beafts. The admiral ordered fearch to be made fori Ibme river, but without fuccefs j however, they| found water next day. Gama, in his perambu^ mnrt of all the Indian merchxnd'ze. ))rc)ught this canril to ruin and diiuA:. But neglect, in timet lationsi VASaUEZ DE GAMA. 107 ations, having picked up a native, who was ga- lihering honey, carried him on board ; but as they could not underftand each other, he was loon after well drefled and fet on fliote. Next day, about fifteen of the inhabitants, pleafed with the attention their countryman had received, came down to the beach ; and the admiral meet- ing them difplayed gold, pearl, and Ipices; but finding, from the indifference with which they viewed thofe articles, they were unacquainted [with their value, he prefented them with Imall bells, tin rings, and counters, which were highly I acceptable. In return, they fupplied their be- nefactors with fuch provifions as the country af- I forded j but this friendly intercourfe was of fliort duration. A young Portuguefe having a defire to vifit their towns, was received by the natives with great holpitality, and invited to partake of a feal. This food difagreeing with his flomach, he rofe andretiredwith figns of loath ing and difguftj while the natives attended him to the fliore. Sufped- ing they might have fome intentions to injure him, he called out for help ; when fome of his pompanions landing, behaved in fuch a manner as made the Indians confider the Portuguefe as their enemies. They foon returned with their lances J and while the admiral and his officers were ftanding unarmed, they fell upon them, and wounded four of them, among which num- ber was De Gama himfelf. The Portuguefe having revenged this att^ack, though they were certainly the tirft aggreflbrs, let fail froni St. Helena on the l6th of Novem- ber, and in two days came in light of the Cape of Good Hope, which they doubled on the 20th, with trumpets founding and other deiiuonilrations S3 of 198 TIRST VOYAGE OK jpf joy. As they coafted along, the country cxI hibited a pleaiiiig piofpe^t of woods and lawns, abounding with flocks and herds. The admiral having run ieventy leagues beyond the cape, en^ tered a bay to which he gave tiie name of Angra de San Bias. The country in the vicinity of this bay appeared very fertile, and abounded wit! elephants and bulValoes. A party of the natives were obferved hovering round them, in a few days after their arrival; up- on which the admiral landed with all his menJ well armed and prepared for either event : but on throwing fome fmall bells towards the ne-j groes, fome of them alTumed refolution enougl to approach and pick them up, and at laft to re-l ceive them from the hand. The admiral now ex-T changed a few red caps for ivory bracelets. A few days after, about two hundred nativcsl came down with twelve oxen and four flieepjl and on the Portuguefe landing, began to playl on a kind of mufical inftrument, refembling a| flute, which they accompanied with the voice. The admiral llriking in with this humour, order- ed the trumpets to found, while his men min- gled in the dance along with the natives, and| thus the day palTed in mirth and feilivity. Not long after a number of men and women I returned with cattle, of whom the Portuguefe | purchafed an ox ; but perceiving fome of the ne- groes armed and ikulking behind the buihes,! the admiral began to fufpeft treachery, and or- dered his men to retire to a place of fecurity. The negroes followed them fome way, and at lall joined in a body, as if they intended to fight.| Pe Gama, unwilling to proceed to extremities, WitWrew his boats, an4 ordered two pieces oil » Qrdnaucef TASaUEZ PE 6AMA. 1^0 I ordnance to be fired, which fo terrified the ne-* groes that they fled without their arms. The admiral afterwards fent fome of his men afhore to ereft a pillar charged with a crofs and the King of Portugal's arms; but the natives pulled it down again before their faces. ^On leaving this place they were foon over- taken by violent ilorm. On Chrittmas day they faw land, to which they gave the name of Ter- ra de Natal. They then proceeded to a river called De los Reyes. Here De Gama fent two men alliore to obtain intelligence refpeding the country and its produce. On thofe dangerous employments he had malefadors^ to ferve. A kind of traffic commenced j and fo much was it carried on to the fatisfadion of the natives, that the king of the country was induced to pay th<5 admiral a vifit on board. Again drawing near land on the 1 1th of Janu- ary, the boats were manned to view it. In fail- ing along, they faw many negroes of both fexes, who feemed mild and inoffenfive. The admiral then fent one of his men, who was well verfed in the languages of Africa, with an attendant, to wait on the king, who received them with affa- bility, and difmilied them with prefents. His majefly, in return, received a red jacket, a cap, and a pair of flockings, of the fame colour, with which he was fo delighted, that he ftrutted about in his finery among his fubje6ts, who clapped their hands in token of joy and admiration. He likewife invited a young Portuguefe gentleman to vilit him, and entertained him with fowl and millet. The admiral alfo received a prefent of fowls J and fo grateful was the reception he had met within this pluce^ tliathe called it the Land q£ Good 200 FIRST VOYAGE OF Good People. The houfes were wholly of ftraw| and apparently there was a greater number of fe- males than males. They uled bows and arrowj pointed with iron ; and fhewed an ama/ing par- tiality for linen, which they purchalied on an\ terms their circuraftances would allow. Departing from thence on the 15th of January, they proceeded along a low flat coaft, covered with large and lofty trees, as far as Cape Cori- entes : milfing a fight of Sofala, which lay in the way. On the 24th they entered the mouth of ; very large river, up which De Gama proceeded! with his boats ; and had the pleafure to obfervef that the natives underftood fomething of navigaJ tion, no traces of which had hitherto been feen] Tjie country they vifited is now called Cuatna: its coaft is generally low, but full of trees. Herd the negroes came off in their boats without the leafl hefitation ; and behaved to the Portuguefij with the familiarity of old friends. This condu6 dei'erved a reciprocal return : the admiral treated them with bells and other toys moll acceptabld to their tafte. No one on board underftood thein language, fo (igns were the only interchange o| thoughts they could enjoy. On the third day, two perfons of rank arrivei] in their boats, on purpofe to vifit the admiral] They wore aprons larger than the refl of thei| countrymen ; and one had his head covered witj a handkerchief wrought with filk, the othe with a green fatin cap. De Gama entertaineJ them courteoufly, and made them prefents of ap] parel, and other articles, on which they feemedtd fet little value. It appeared, from figns, that thej wereof a diftant country, and that large fliips wer no novelty to them. They then produced fome caj lie TASaUEZ DE GAMA. 201 jicofor fale J at fight of which the admiral was tnetrated with joy, and all on board were elc- Jated with the hopes of foon reaching the trea- Bcres of the Kift. This river, therefore, obtain- the appellation of the River of Good Signs, nd here he erefted a pillar, carved with a cru- |[i^x and the Portuguefe arms. They left this river on the 24th of January, od,3fter a voyage of more than a month, defcried kbur illands, from one of which feveral boats ad- lanced, and made figns for the fliips to wait their oming up. No fooner had the admiral dropped nchor, than the boats approached, full of peo- ble of a good flature, with a dark complexion ; m clothed in various coloured calico. They |ifed the Arabian tongue ; and on being cnter- aiued on board by fie Gama, they feemed to kjoy themfelves, and were as communicative as tould be wiihed. They informed him, that the pame of their ifland was Mofambique, and was jfubjed to the king of Ciuiloa j and that it con- lained a town peopled with merchants who trad- ed to India, and imported its valued produdions* The foil in the neighbourhood of Mofambique ras marfhy, and therefore unwholefome. The houfes were built of clay, and thatched with |raw J but a great number of iliips reforting [hither, rendered the town commercial and po- Julous. The trade was chiefly in the hands of Ihe Arabian merchants, who, in their naval ar^ [hite-Itiue, made ufe of wooden pegs inftead of Jails, and mats made of palm-tree leaves inftead |f fails. 1 hey knew the ufe of the compafs, had Dme aftronomical inftruments, and were furniih- U with fea-charts of tolerable accuracy, Th^ 202 FIRST VOYAGE Of The (heik, with his attendants, taking the Pol tnguefe for Moors or Turks, vifited the firft ilij that entered the harbour ; but finding none th] could converfe with them, they foon returned However, they were not wanting in hoipitalit] The fheik requefted leave to come on b(jar| and De Gama, to prepare for his arrival, ordere the fick men to be removed, and his own Ihip be manned with the flower of the crews. TIJ chief appeared richly drefled : he had previouil] Ihewn a contempt for hawk's bells, trinkets, an| toys, and expre^Ted his wonder that the admin did not fend him fcarlet. He h^d a militar guard, with drums and ivory trumpets. IJ Gama received him with marked refpe6t j aiil conduced him to the cabin, while his retinues mained in the boats. An apology was made fd not fending a prefent of fcarlet cloth, becaulj none had been brought. The iheik and his cor pany made themfelves welcome on board ; anl taking the ftrangers for Turks, delired to fej their bows, and their books of the law. Tlij admiral informed him, that they came from thi weft, and belonged to a country bordering o| Turkey j that they had no books of their lav with them; but orders were immediately givci to produce different kinds of armour, and t| Ihew its ufe, which greatly excited the llKikI admiration. De Gama requefted his vi1U(J would fupply him with two pilots; and thej being readily provided, engaged to perform tlij voyage for a reward of thirty crowns each and i coat. This friendly intercourfe, however, was bii| of fhort duration. The chief no fooner difcovef ed that the ftrangers were Chriftians, than hj condul VASaUEZ DE 6AMA. 203 [i(lu6b began to betray lymptoms of enmity j and jl'eemed to be plotting for the dellrucStion of Gama and his fleet. However, the admiral Watered his fliips by force, keeping the Moors at idiftance for fear of the ordnance. The tnmylt, owever, was not allayed ; and the admiral, to ttfnge the infults he had received, battered own the town with his great guns, and drove lie inhabitants into the country. He- took a few pfoners, and, among the reft, a pilot. Plainly perceiving that a longer ftay here ^ould be attended with danger, De Gama fteer- to another ifland at a (hort diftance, and from bence to Quiloa ; but ftrefs of weather obliging |ini to return, an Arabian pilot he had brought at with him, wiflied to be carried to Melinda, ihis way to Mecca j and as he was now furnilli- iwitli another pilot, to this aflent was given. be weather proving favourable, they again put ifea and made for Mombalfa, a city which the [ilots obferved was chiefly inhabited by Chrift- uis. Here they arrived on the 27th of April ; |ut as the Ihips lay without the bar, a bark ap- jroached them in the night with one hundred Hied men in the Turkilh drefs, and were pro- dding to board them, had not the admiral in- Ifted on no more than four being admitted. pofe who came forward, appeared to be .above lie common rank ; but, with a wife precaution, lliey were delired to lay afide their arms before fey were taken on board. *De Gama, however, ^tLrtained them in a handfome manner j *on Ihich they acquainted him, that the king hear- pgof their arrival, had fent his compliments of pngratulation, and offered to load the iliips |ith fpices5 obferying, at the fame time, that there \ 204 FIRST VOYAGK OP there were many Chriftians on the ifland, whic fo far coincided with the report of th-? pilot^ The next day, the king feat a prefent of fo^i fruit to the admiral. The deputies profeire| themfelves Chriltians j and advifed him to ar proach the city and call anchor in the harbouJ where the king could with more facility givj proofs of his deiire to oblige him. r De Gama, from fo many favourable Indicatlonj concluding they were iincere, exprelTed his gra titude, and promifed to comply with his majej ty's requeft. To pave the way to a favourablj reception, as well as to obtain fome general iaj formation, he fent two of his exiles, with prefent to the king. Thefe were treated with mucj hofpitality, and were indulged with a view the city. They obferved many prifoners in ironj were introduced to two Chriftian merchansi and difmifle'^i by his majefty with famples corn and fpices, and with orders to communij cate to the admiral, that he might there be fup plied with gold, iilver, and other valuable cor modities at a lefs rate than elfewhere. An offer fo flattering, and apparenty fo difm terefted, could not be refufed j and the nex morning, the admiral prepared to enter the hail bourj but the fliip ftriking on a ihoal, he agaij caft anchor; when the pilots inftantly jumpej into the fea, and were taken up by the native This created fome fufpicion of the king's iE tentions. Indeed, his extreme civility from th firft favoured llrongly of diflimulation ; and muj have put De Gama on his guard. It after war! appeared, that having heard of the tranfadioij at Mofambique, this perfidious prince meditate to deftroy the Portuguefe, while the ihips layij VASaUEZ DB CAMA. 205 lie harbour ; but the accident we have mention- fruftrated tliat Icheme. He, however, loon oncerted another, with a low cunning,. which troved he was fearful of ufing open force. Dur- Dg night, the watch of the flag-ihip perceived he cable fliaking, and on looking round, faw fcveral men fwimming about, and cutting it with beir fwords, to fet the Ihip adrift. Others had Jot among the tackle of another ihip : but on eing difcovcred, they plunged into the fea, and ram to f )me boats which were ready to receive lem. It was now impoflible to doubt of the treachery this people, and vain to hope for any advan- ages to be derived from flaying longer among kern J the admiral, therefore, refolved to proceed ()rMelinda, without delay. Having got clear the Bay of Mombaffa, he foon after fell in \i\h two fambucos, or pinnaces, one of which he aptured. She had feventeen men on board, ad a confiderable quantity of gold and iilver. ame day he reached Melinda, which is only Ighteen leagues diftaiice from Mombaffa, and [tuated in 3 deg. fouth latitude. The city of Melinda Hands on the moft level art of a coaft gencrallj' rocky, and is encompaff- with palms, and various fruit ^rees* It was confiderable extent : the ftreets Were fpacious, id the houfes built of ftone, feveral ftories high, [ith terraces on the top. The natives appeared I'arthy, ftrong, and well proportioned. They lore turbans of filk and gold ; and, from the lift downwards, were clothed with filk and |tton Huffs J feme wore fhort cloaks of calico. ting celebrated archers, they feldom appeared ithout their bows and arrows. IVoL.i. ' 1 The 206 FIRST VOYAGE OP "The admiral felt a high degree of fatisfa^lic at tlie fight of fach a city, bearing fome refei blance to thofe in his native land j and came an anchor within a league of it. Nobody, how ever, came on board ; and it is probable, tha the capture of the pinnace made them confidef cd as pirates. An Arabian prifoner, who hal engaged to procure pilots, was therefore fet o| Ihore 5 and being conducted to the king, infor ed his majcfty, that the admiral was defirous entering into an alliance with him. The kin] returned a very fatisfaftory anfwer, accompanie with a prefent of three Iheep, a quantity oranges and fugar-canes. A hat, three brafs ba fons, fome fmall bells, and two fcarfs were fer for his majeity's acceptance. Next day, Dfc Gama approached nearer thj city, and anchored clofe by the velfels of fome Ii dian Chriftians, where the king fent a d^putatic to inform him, that he meant to vilit him in pei{ fon on the morrow. In the meanwhile the crev of the Indian ihips came on board with tl king's permillion. They were perfonable peopl^ of a brown complexion. Their religious ritfl appeared to have been mixed with many Pagal fuperftitions. When the Portuguefe prefentedf pi6ture of the Virgin Mary and fome of the apol ties, the Indian Chridians not only fell down anl worlhipped it j but daily repaired with offering of pepper and other things which they ridiculod ly laid before the reprefentation of the virgii The King of Melinda came according to his a]| pointment, in a large boat with many attendant He was dreffed in a gown of crimfon damalll lined with green fatin, and wore a rich iilk tu{ ban. He was feated in an elegant chair^ curiouj VASaUEZ DE OAMA. ^0^ inlaid with wire, on a filk cufhion, with an- ler by him, on which was placed a hat of rimfon fatin. Near him flood an old man> rho held a rich fword with a filvcr Icabbard. lis retinue were alfo richly drefled j and a band ^f muficians performed on fackbuts and flutes. [He latter were eight fpans long, and very neat- hy executed. De Gama met the king in his boat adorned Iwith flags, attended by his principal othccrs. Af- Itcr mutual falutations, at the. king s rt^fjutft he Iftepped into his boat. His majefty viewed him land his men with minute attention, interrogated him in relation to the country he came from, the name of his fovereign, and the motives that in- duced him to take fuch a diftant voyage. Thefe queftions being fatisfaftorily anfwcred, the king promifed to furnifli him with a pilot to Calicut, and invited him to participate in the amufements of the place. The admiral excufed himfelf for the prefent, but promifed to take that pleafure in his return 5 and to give the king a proof of his friendly intentions, made him a prefent of all tlw Iprifoners he had lately taken. The prince, highly delighted with this acquifi- tion, was afterwards rowed up to the iliips, I which he beheld with furprize. The firing of the ordnance gratified and altoniflied him pro- digioufly. He complimented the admiral by ob- ferving, that he never faw men who pleafed him |fo much as the Portuguefej and expreffed his wifli that he had fome of them to ailift in his wars. It was on the 22d of April, that De Gama left Melinda, and inftead of tracking the coaft as he had hitherto done^ refolved to truft himfelf to T 2 the reen his Ihips. While thus employed, two brij antines appeared, with drums beating and trur pets founding, and five more were dilcoverd near the ihore. The Makbars faid they wei pirates, who, under the colour of friendlhil plundered all the veffels that fell in their wa) Being thus apprifed of his danger, the admir gave orders to fire on them as foon as they ca within reach of his guns. This unexpe^ed rj ception made them retreat with all po^ible ex]: dition. Among the immenfc multitudes that crowdj to fee the ihips, came a perfon apparently aboj forty years of age, and of a different countrf Immediately as he landed, he ran up to theaj miral, and then to the other captains^ embracij them with the utmoft familiarity 3 and havij By to per Dt only g ^em, thai thur f( at they > a comp friendl I Though tfpicion, Bd two lo ^nt on ft. fith De G bich flill be admin Hired of 234 VOYAGE 01? Portuguefe, in fpite of all their eflTorts. De Cai bral, on taking pofleffion of them, being inform] cd that they belonged to a prince allied to thj King of Melinda, and that they were proceedinj from the gold mines of Sofala, difmiflfed then untouched, out of compliment to a fovereign wh^ 1 n r^yc /^ ■ 1 - rt ly to permit him to viiit them -, which he had Dt only granted, but ordered him to acquaint bem, that whatever his kingdom produced was thur fervice. He concluded with deiiring. It they would favour him with a cheefe to fend a companion of his on fhore, as a* pledge of friendly reception he had met with. Though this gave the admiral juft grounds for fpicion* he neverthelefs ordered him a cheef^ id two loaves j which the ftrangej* accordingly ^nt on fhorC) and continued his convevfatioa rith De Gama, with an inquifitive minutenefs, fhich flill rendered him the more fufpeded, le admiral's brother, taking an opportunity, en- lired of fome of the natives who this lingular Ton was > and received for anfweo that he was a U 3 pirate • • FEDRO ALVAREZ DE CABRAL. 235 Inncl as his brother, and promote his intereft with Izeal. It was alio agreed, that the next day a Ideputy fliould be fent on ihore to ratify thcv Itreaty, and this interview ended with the moft Ipromifmg appearances of a cordial and adyan- Itaffeous alliance between the contrading nations. ici wuius uicu wiiu Kiiiaiicis, nc was oapu/icu ui der the name of Jafper de Gama, and render^ eiTential fervices to the Portuguefe. It was on the 5th of 06tober, that De Gar left this coad, and dircfted his courfe for Meli| da. In this long paflhge he experienced an ternation of ftorms, calms, and contrary wine and his men became fo tainted with the fcui that peft of mariners on difbnt voyages, that more than llxteen men in each fliip were fit fervice. To prevent their ovcrlliooting Melinc they dropped anchor every night. When thj had arrived within ten leagues of that city, cif large boats, filled with. foldiers, appeared fteeri^ towards the fliips ; but, on receiving the firll they tacked about and fled. ■nana oi ci Irated by Berrio, ai ^f the dif Liibon, ar The admi bip to be bired can Br 1499, |two mont len. » On his paid him, iifcoverie condu6k irough "VI tongratuli 236 • VOYAGE OP town with all his ordnance, and fet on ihore th< amballador, who had vilited the court of Porlu^ gal, attended by rotne Portuguefe, who cairiei rich prefcnts and a letter from King EinauuelJ The prefents were fo fatisfadtory to his majellyj that next day he made his appearance on a horro richly capariibned with furniture received t'ror lliand ot bt. J ago ', but the two mips being fepa- pted bjr a violent ftorm, the commander of the Berrio, anxious to carry the earlieft intelligence of the difcoveries to the king, failed diredtly for lifbon, and on the 10th of July put into Cufcais. The admiral having touched at St. Jago, left his up to be refitted, and failing from thence in a liired caraval, arrived fafe at Belem, in Septem- sr I4gg, after a long voyage of two years and ^wo months, with the lofs of more than half his len. On his landing, every mark of honour was paid him, every demonllration of joy attended his iifcoveries. The king fent leveral gentlemen to condu6t him to court; and immenfe crowds, irough which he pafled, joined in the tribute of Congratulation. He was honoured with the title PEDnO ALVAREZ DE CABRAL. 237 admit them to his prefence. He, however* Iravc free permillion for every perfon to come on Ifliore. The admiral on this fent Alonzo Herti»- io, with an interpreter, to inform the zamorin, Itbat he was comniillioned to fettle a trade and |triendihip with him, the fole view of his coming.*; dnd therefore r#»nnf fti^rl V>nftarf«»B tlia* h^ rr>;»kf world by a path never attempted, and which hij own original mind alone fugge^ed: De Gamd only proiecuted and completed the difcoveries o| others $ he knew there was a country to whicli he was bound, though the road had never been traced ; and he met with few novelties which hd might not reafonably expert to find. — To Co] lumbus, every thing was new. If we Compaq their refpe6tive difcoveries in their important and coniequences, the general deciiion of th^ judgment will probably be in favour of that oj •Columbus. The eaft is only the hot bed ol luxury, the enervating foil where man dwinj dies into the flave, or arrogates to himfelf thj power of a tyrant. America prefents a field li its great variety of climate, where the humaa powers may one day perhaps es^paud beyond theii prefei 238 VOYAGE OF of lodge covered with tapeftry, at the farthd end of which fat the zamorin, crofs-legged on cufliion, in an alcove, from the top of whicl hung a cloth of ftate, of crimfon velvet. Nothing could be more fplendid, or more ricl than the drefs of the zamorin. His head wal rnvprpH with a ran nf friAd cloth : anH frnm Wu PEDRO ALVAREZ DE CAbA|^. 239 imonn/and to be permitted to fettle a faftory ^t Calicut, which lliould be conftantly fupplied nth Eurt)pean commodities j and requefted that,' ithel' by way of exchange" or for. money, he light be allowed to lade his (liip» with fpices. The terms of this embafly appeared highly fiatr erine^ to the zamorin t and he infrtrmpd fh> a.U '2?ftl JP Voyage op rim, the admiral coming on, boArcl> ordered thofc who had been retaken, to be put under thi hatches, and lent to the emperor to complain o| the conduct of the rell j promiifing to deliver uj thofehe had detained, as foon as his men on ihore and baggage were reftored. This fliews that neither party yet thought ij mi, lo tnat tie Cabral iS;Cntitlcd to rpi^k at with .an Americuft Vefputius or a Cabot, j |0n the arrival of De Gama from his voyagft^- kh laid open the Indies, expectation was ihly railedi and it was imn>ediately refolved to ofeaite the advantages, jufl difclofipd to view, Kth alliduity^and perfeverance. For this pur- Ve, thirteen vcirels of different iizes were fitted [t, and the command was given to Pedro Alva** de Cabral. His force confifted of one thou-, nd two hundred men ; exclufive of eight Fran-^ bn friars, eight chaplains, and a chaplain ijor. This part of the complement may excite Kmilej for, though thefe religious might be |e to preach, how could they make themfelves ierftood ? Unlefs they had poiTeiTed the gift jtongues, their labours in this ftage of the in* tercourfe thought It PEDRO ALVAREZ D^ CAB kant, who were immediately font od an elegant houfe was provide [orrea> the factor, in which he .mig erchandife. The grandfather of [as farther appointed to inftru6t cuftoms and ul'ages of the commerce of the intry. However, the Guzcrat merchant hav- care r Ayrefe* dge hii*^ oftagefi r in ttii|78> and obliged one of them to put back Liibon. Having coUed:ed bis fquadron agaij witb the above exception, he proceeded on voyage, and fteered to the Ibuth-weft, to k« clear of the coafl of Guinea. Sailing in tl courfe, on the 24th of April, one of the failc difcovered land, to the inexpreffible joy and ib prize of the admiral. The pilots c6uld not ii gine that it was a continent j but took it forj large ifland. They however, cruifed along coaft for a whole day, and theii ventured ihore, where they found an infinite number people entirely naked ; and neither refembli^ the negroes nor the £aft Indians. The par that had landed made a report, that there fafe anchorage in the vicinity^ on which the fle approached to the land* VOYAGE OF ciOR^of gold, for the admiral to carry tc »rtugal, i& confirmation of his amicable inten] ^.ons. Tkl emperor alio ordered, that a flag tth the^ll^ of Portugal, fhould be fixed oi B top oPHiis edifice After this unequivoca^ mark of the zamorin's pleafure, a commercial in] tercourfe becan to commence between the nal Dached them, knelt with the Portiigucfc; hnS- Ked all their gellures,^ and lidened with nt- Btion to a lermon, which was delivered on the> liiou. hfiO'j oi l^!)>'*vC This difcovcry feemed of fo great ixnportance, \it the admiral immediately difpatch^d a fhSp Portugal with :advice. This intelligence was lh)j acceptable to the mother country j and iligh' Braiil has ieen various revolutions and BDges fince its firft dlfcovery, it has long re* lined the mofi valuable appendage of his Faith- ' Majcfty. A free intercourfe was inftantly bliibed between the natives and the Portu- f(t in De CabraKs fquadron ; they vifited each w, and interchanged civilities without the re-- i^e of fufpicion. Vol. I. The 1% ?BDRO ALVARBZ DE CAfil^^ 24$ 'alicuty and fecured. This engagement gave the liamorin a very exalted idea of the braveryof |the Portuguefe, who with one fmall ilfip attadk- another of fix times the magnitude ^nd nun^ jber of men ; and he laviihly publiihed his fentl- lents on the occafion. ifk no. which was adorned with plumes oi tcathcH Some alfo wore feather ornaments from the waii to the knee. The women feemed to pride thcr felves in combing and drelfrng their hair, whil the men were ihaved from the forehead to crown. Such as affected iineryylufpended ftc of various colours and fometimcs (hells from thej ears* noi^rils, and lips. They were very dextei archers, and their arrows, being pointed with bones> were capable of doing much eKeeutio^ Hunting was their principal fupport; as for a^ culture, it was fcarcely attended to. They ha boats made of tlie bark of trees large enough contain thirty men j and while one party lK>ard paddled thefe veiTels along, another the water to difturb the filhes, which riling the furface, were caught in large csdibafhes. ... TM If ^ «> 244 # VOYAGE or third for monopoly, or the love of conqucl . fpread over fome of the mod fertile countries theearthi #* The zamorin, to pacify the importunity of thj Arabians, affured them of his invariable friend iliip, and that he would not defert their intereft^ teatncn n the wail ride ther lair, whill ead to aded fton^ from tbej f dextei ;d with emecutic as for af^ Thcyb \ enough B party tiother ' :h rifing bafhes. t> employed, an<>iher kept plying thfm with Kquor, till th^y o uld I'and no longer ) and then iicreed in their turn. To re-vcnge an injury, or an infult, was the onljr retext f( r war. The fe people never thought of )la«-ging iheir territories, but only of defending ^em. 'i heir prilbners were treated with that rant of generous feeling, which diHinguifhcs icivilized nations -, and, from various te(timo- lies, th^re is too much reafon to believe, that ^^y ne ther thought it unlawful or improper to and eat them. Yet, we mull not credit all tat is faid on this fubje^t : the aboriginal ^rafilians, tbony;h uncultivated, were naturally lild; and we fhould hope, in general> abhor* eot of fuch deteAable crimes. X2 The of conqiic countries I>EDR0 ALVAREZ DE CABm|i* 245 ming to an open rupture with the Portuguefe. [Immediately, one of the principal perfons among them began publicly to take innis lading, and, the tunity of thHbetter to fucceed in his fcheme, formed a cabal iable frieudHwith fome of his countrymen, and fuch of the leir intereft^natives as were moft friendly to the new intereft. r ▲ „..:_ . /".--J-j aL_ r.CL_ lUterintr en uiiconncdcd jarsun of fcnfc* n noDfenfe, which the deluded (pcftators ronfulf ed as the rttWt of divine infpiration. Thcfc i poftors were conflantly attended by the crecliilc multitude with every mark of refped and jo; and neither married nor (ingle females wc thought to be diftionoured by their *embraccii. Such are the accounts tranfmitted to us of tli inhabitants of Rrafil, when it was firil knov to Europeans. De Cabral left here two vids, whole fentence had been changed to trj Iportation, and of whom he had fcveral on boa Thcfc were kindly ufcd by the Indians •, and oi of them acquiring the language, was long ukli to his country in the capacity of interpreter. Setting fail from the coaft of Brafil, the fl Aeered for the Cape of Good Hope, and met t uli con 246 ^w VOYAGE OF high, and, at this time, feventy men, including the friars, were within its bounds j but, exclufivj of their fwords, they had only a few crofs how^ A fmall party of Arabs at firft advancing, thj Portuguefe hoped to be able to defend their gates But the numbers of the aflailants rapidly increai ./T f> >■«■■ 111^ 9 \ irvi Vtwii-iiCc, Siiu liic waves lo iwcil |o the lui^ht of mountains. This dreadful tcm- td \al\vd tufuty days, in all iU horrors, >»hile vtry moment threatened death j but at length noderating, they found that they' had paiTed the lape of Good Hope. During this horm the lips had been fcparated ; but afterwards, all Dined company, fave one, which, after incredible lifaAcrs, at lall reached Portugal with only fix len alive. The admiral fell in with the coaft of Afua m |;deg. fouth latitude ; and had a profpe^t of a puntry pleafant and full of flocks, fiut the na- |ves declining to have any commerce with him, cruized along the coaft. Coming in (ight of Imc iflands near the continent, he obferved two [ips at anchor, which, flipping their cables, cn- ivourtd to efcape j but were captured by the X 3 Portugucfe, > PRDRO ALVAREZ DC CABrII. "^4^ was fent by the zamorin, refolved on a fe* ere revenge. He therefore gave orders for at- fecking ten large Arabian veflels in the harbour ; id after an obflinate confli6t, and the deflruc- |ion of many of the attacked, the fliips were aptured, and the furviving Arabs compelled to 210 , f ItlST VOt AQE OP their mutual int;ereft j and x^oncluded with ftflul iug him> that the priibners he had taken wit him, (hould be well treated, and fent back wit the next Portuguefe fleet to their native land. Steering along the coaft, De Gama fell in wit feveral fmall iflands, from one of which pinnacj came off with fifh and other provifions. Tl Portuguefe received thefe people kindly, ar having fet up a crofs on the fhore, named tl place Santa Maria. About a week after, th^ caft anchor near fix fmall iflands, where he wj fupplied with fowls, gourds, and milk. At tl fame time the natives informed, him, that country abounded with • cinnamon, which wj confirmed by the report of fome Portuguefe on fliiore for the purpofe> who reported that the law entire woods of cinnamon. From hence he reached the Anchediva ifland five in number, where the admiral refolved to d reen his Ihips. While thus employed, two brij antines appeared, with drums beating and trur pets founding, and five more were difcoverd near the fliore. The Makbars faid they wej pirates, who> under the colour of friendfliii plundered all the veflels that fell in their wa| Being thus apprifed of his danger, the admir gave orders to fire on them as foon as they can wdthin reach of his guns. This unexpe^edrj ception made them retreat with all poflible exj dition. Among the immenfc multitudes that crowdj to fee the fliips, came a perfon apparently aboj forty years of age, and of a different countrf Immediately as he landed, he ran up to theaj miral, and then to the other captains, embracir them with the utmofl familiarity j and havij VASaUEZ DE GAMA. 221 jcle his compliments in the Italian language, lid him he was a Chriftian, and a native of ly'f that having been taken by pirates in his oath, while accompanying his parents in a voy- ge to Greece, had run through a variety of mif- brtunes -, and had hitherto been deprived of all ;s of vifiting his native land. He informed be admiral, that he had been forced to enter in- the fervice of the Mahometan prince, named abay, the fovereign of an iiland at twelve leagues ^ftance, named Goa -, that he had been obliged I comply with the external forms of the religion Mahomet 5 but that he was dill a Chriflian in |is heart. He added, that he was prime niinif- and confidant of his fovereign ; and hearing bat there were certain ftrange Ihips at.Calicuty ^hofe crews were clothed from head to foot, and )ke a language unknown in the Indiek. he |idged them to be Chriilians, and entreated Sa- ay to permit him to vifit them j which he had 9t only granted, but ordered him to acquaint bem, that whatever his kingdom produced was their fervice. He concluded with defiring. It they would favour him with a cheefe to fend a companion of his on fhore, as a* pledge of lie friendly reception he had met with. Though this gave the admiral juft grounds for fpicion, he ncverthelefs ordered him a cheeffc lid two loaves } which the ftrangej* accordingly fnt on fliore, and continued his converfatioa [ith De Gama, with an inquifitive minutenefs, Mch ftill rendered him the more fufpeded, lie admiral's brother, taking an opportunity, en- ured of fome of the natives who this iingula|r Ton was ', and received for aafweo that he was a U 3 pirate 222 FIRST VOYAGE Ot pirate^ and Had vilited other ihips that had bee on the coafl. De Grama being apprized of thil ordered hJTO to be catried on board and whippe] in ordeit to obtain a confeflion of his fituation ar intentions. This punifhmcnt having no effe^ he inhumanly cauied him to be hoifted up by] puUy, in a mod indecent and excruciating for After he had been lifted up in this manner tli fourth time, he confefled, that he was a Polij Jew 'j and that Sabay meditating an attack the Portuguefe fhips, had fent him to afcertal their ftrength and mode of fighting. This hai |ng fome veriiimilitude, the admiral thenfei| him under the hatches, and hcd him cured the injury he had received} telling him, for] confolation, that he did not defign to make| Have of him, but would carry him to Portugal, furniih the king with what information had fa{ Ipn under his notice in the country. Being terwards ufed with kindnefs, he was baptized d der the name of Jafper de Gama, and render^ eiTential fervices to the Portuguefe. It was on the 5 th of 06kober, that De Gar left this coail, and directed his courfe for Melij da. In this long paflage he experienced an ternation of ftorms, calms, and contrary wine and his men became fo tainted with the four that peft of mariners on diftant voyages, that nj more than fixteen men in each fliip were fit fervice. To prevent their ovcrfliooting Melind they dropped anchor every night. When thl had arrived within ten leiigues of that city,cigj large boats, filled with. foldiers, appeared fleerir towards the Hiips 5 but, on receiving the firft fij they tacked about and fled. VAiaVtt Dfi dAMA. 22^ The admiral experienced the fame friendly re eption at Melinda as he had done in his pafTage but. Having ftaid five days to take in refreih- nents, and received on board an ambaflador from lie king to his Portuguefe Majefty, he burned one of his ihips, the St. Raphael, and diftributed th^. men among the other two. Indeed, with fuch 1 reduced number of hands, it would have been ipoflible to navigate them all. De Gama reached Zanzibar, a pretty large land in 6 deg. fouth latitude, on the 27th of Fe- bruary. The prince, though a Mahometan, courte- cnfly entertained the Porti^t^efe 5 and furnifhed ^em with what fupplies hi ■ .^rritories produced, Jothing happened wortb >C remark till the 25'th of April, when they again doubled the Cape of Good Hope, that grand barrier which had fo long been regarded as the nefilm ultra of naviga- Jtion. They now direded their courfe to the illand of St. J ago 5 but the two Ihips being fepa- Wed bjr a violent ftorm, the commander of the [Berrio, anxious to carry the earlieft intelligence of the difcoveries to the king, failed di redly for "ji(bon, and on the 10th of July put into Cufcais. The admiral having touched at St. Jago, left* his lip to be refitted, and failing from thence in a liired caraval, arrived fafe at Belem, in Septem- ber 149P, after a long voyage of two years and |two months, with tlie lofs of more than half his len. On his landing, every mark of honour was paid him, every demonitration of joy attended his iifcoveries. The king fent feveral gentlemen to Conduft him to court; and immenfe crowds, irough which he pafled, joined in the tribute of tongratulation. He was honoured with the title ^24 FI&ST VOTAGB OF of Don ; he was permitted to quarter the roya arms, and had an annual penfion of three thou| fand ducats aiiigned him. The other captaii received likewiib honours and rewards 5 and thj king, fo liberal to others^ made a moil extra] vagant appropriation to himfelf. In additio/ to his former defcription, he aflumed the loftl titles of Lord of the Conqueft and Navigation 0) Ethiopia, Arabia, Perlia, and the Indies. PubliJ thankfgivings were offered up throughout Portu] gal for the fuccefs of this difcovery j and feaftj and entertainments were generally celebrated) Even thofe who had long oppofed the defign a( impracticable, now grew aihamed of their oppo] iition ', and became zealous in the caufe they ha(j once contemned. If we compare the difcoverieis of Columbus and De Gama, the palm of navigation muft be allow] cd to the former. Columbus difcovered a ne\ world by a path never attempted, and which hij own original mind alone fuggei^ed: De Gamd only prolecuted and completed the difcoveries o| others j he knew there was a country to whlcl he was bound, though the road had never been traced ; and he met with few novelties which U xnight not reafonably expeft to find. — To Coj lumbus, every thing was new. If we compad their refpe6tive difcoveries in their importand and confequences, the general deciiion of thd judgment will probably be in favour of that oj Columbus. The eaft is only the hot bed ol luxur}% the enervating foil where man dwinj dies into the flave, or arrogates to himfelf tbj power of a tyrant. America prefents a field in its great variety of climate, where the humail powers may one day perhaps e^^pand beyond theij prefeiij VAsavez Ds gAma* 225 cient limits^ and the ingenuity of man, lliar* ened by the ncceflity of labour and induftry, vf explore new paths of fcience, and open new venues to happinefs and enjoyment. From this avourable reprefentation, however, we muft for ver exclude the greateft part of the American lands, or, as they are called, the Weft Indies. Similar caufes will always produce fimilar effeds, ie fame climate and fome of the fame produc- kons diftinguiih both the Baft and Weft Indies ; )at if we eftimate the happinefs and the comfort^ man, for which alone countries were made, fe fhall here find the Eaft preferable to the Weft. ^hile the flave-trade, that approbrium of huma- liitjr, that difgrace to religion, continues, we are llmoft tempted to wifti that the fccne of fuch lormous wickednefs had never exifted, or had kever been difcovered. VOYAGE )r- sstit Dcrr . • • 1 * T^O Yr. OJJO • ( iF the I * ditioii; Jot, howeve: Iman of n (ofeffion. el, Portqg hfil, fo.th kft with .an J On the an lliich laid . ghly railed lofecute the p alfiduit Ife, thirteei [t, and the ! de Cabra M two hun can friars, lijor. This limile 5 for Je to preac] Iderfiqod ? jtongues, tJ '!3£' VOYAGE OF ^^i • )IDR0 ALVAREZ DE GABRAL, 1 .. < itj%''> A ^ J .4,' . . - , . .1 . ; .r V. t' » AV TO THE east: IN DIES. I' J 1.- '• ■ 0,V' F the gentleman who condudted this cxpe- dition, Uttlfi feems to be known. It can- Jttt, however, be doubted, bujt he muft have been man of rank^ and highly diflinguifhed in hii^ pfpffion. To hiiOrii3:we fhall fee in the fe- el, PortngalJ^irindebted for the difeoveiy of; ^afil, fo that De Qabral is .entitled., to /ai^k at |ft with .an Attiericus Vefputius or a jCabot. } J On the arrival of De Gama from his voyage>- lliich laid open the Indies, expectation was/ jhly raifed, and it was imn^ediately refolved to ofecute the, ad vantages, juft difcloffd to view>, fith affiduity^and perfeverance. For this pur- Ife, thirteen veflels of different fizes were fitted [t, and the command was given to Pedro Alva* de Cabral. His force confifted of one thou-i nd two hundred men j exclufive of eight Fran-; [can friars, eight chaplains, and a chaplain Jijor. This part of the complement may excite Ifinilej for, though thefe religious might be |e to preach, how could they make themfelves Iderftood ? Unlefs they had poffefled the gift jtongues, their labours in this ftage of the in- tercourfe i2S Voyage op tercourfe between Europe and t)ie eaft, mud ha^ been either nugatory or ridiculous. Howevel like the difciples of Mahomet, they had ordej to convert by argument or by th^ fword. Cabral, at his departure, received from tl king tlie flag of the crois, and was inftrufteJ that, in cafe the Zamorin of Calicut voluntarij confented to the fettling of a fa,6tory, he w^ privately to be influenced againfl: buffering tl Arabians to participate in the trade ; and in th^ condition it was to be reprefented, that Portnga by its imports, would fupply all his demands the moft moderate te;ms j and, by its exports, tal off the manufadtures of his country to advantagj This was the grand outline of inflru^ion for tt condii^ of the commodore. -On thegthof March 150Q, the fleet fet fail and having pafled the ifland of St. Jago, thj inet with ci^ violent ftorm which difperfed tl ftips, and' olsliged one of iheni to put back Lilboa; ' -Hi^ving coUe^ed his Squadron agaij With the above exception, he proceeded on vo^ragefi'iand flieered to the fouth-weft, to kc clear of the coaft of Guinea. Sailing in tl courfe, on the 24th of April, one of the I'aik difcovered land, to the inexpreflible; joy and fu prize of ^e £ldmiral. The pilots cOuld not ii gine that it was a continent j but took it for| large ifland. They however, cruifed along coaft for a whole day, and thert ventured fhore, where they found an infinite number people entirely naked ; and neither refemblii| the negroes nor the Eaft Indians. The par that had landed made a report, that there fafe anchorage in the vicinity^ on which the fie approached to the land* PEDRO ALVAREZ DE CABRA&. 22g, The natives taking alann at this unufual ap- irance, retired to the hills 5 and>ileemed to iratch the motions of the Portuguefe. Juft a^ hey were going to launch their boats, in-order I attempt fome intercourfe with them> a ilidden orm drove the fhips. from their anchors^and car- li^ them down the coalito a harbour which they ailed Puerto Seguroi or Safe Harbour. Here m Indians were fecured, and being clothed by Cabrars order, .were prefented with froall jrrors, brafs rings, and bells, and fent on ihore. |)n this, a great concourfe of the inhabitants le down to the fliore finging, dancing/found> ^g horns, and lea^piug in all tlie exisltaiion of Thefe favourable appearances prompted the liralto land: andyit being Eiifter-day, an al- was ere6ted und^r a tree, where the Portu* liefe fang mafs. The Indians peaceabiy up" [oached them, knelt with the Pdrtuguefei M(ifti«i' fted all their geftures,v and liftened with at-^^ ition to a lermon, which was delivered ow the? tea fiou . 1 ' ' -:) rl i mi r.1 i ^'i 1> ^ ' itno:> Di'^'i/s^'t [This difeovery feieraed of fo great importance^ It the admiral immediately difpatchM a ihlp I Portugal with :advice. This intelligence was 5hly acceptable to the mother country j' and igb Braiil has feeii various revolutions and liabgcs fince its firft dlfcovery, it has long re- ined the mo& valuable appendage of his Faith- Majefty. A free intercourfe was inftantly ^liibed between the natives and the Portu- Rfe in De CabraVs fquadron ; they vifited each and interchanged civilities without the re-- 7e of fufpicion. Vol. h X The 230 VOYATSE OF The country produced maize and cotton, anti appeared abundantly fertile. A ftone crols waj cre£ted to denote pofleflioh, whence this colonj was at firft called Santa Cruz, but its name waJ afterwards changed to" Bralil, from the trees f^ called, in which it abounds. The fertility anc beauty of the foil are not fuperior to the falubrlj ty of the climate, for here the natives live to very extended age. Several large rivers and ai ihfinite number of delightful ftreams water thij countiy. The plains are fpacious, and the whol^ fece of nature beautifully diverfified. At this period, the natives were ftrangers t(j every kind. of learning; and reftrained by n(| laws but thofe of nature. They had no fuperloi] except when they were engaged in war. Oi| Aich occafions, the man moft diftinguifhed fo bravery was elevated to t-he rank of general Few oif them, wore any drefs except on the heao whith was adorned with plumes of featherii Some alfo wore feather ornaments from the waij to the knee. The women feemed to pride ther felves in combing and dreffing their hair, whll| the men were fhaved from the forehead to crotvn. Such as affefted finery, lufpended ftod of various colours and fonaetimes fhells from thej ears> noftrils, and lips. They were very dextei archers, and their arrows, being pointed wifhfi^ bonest were capable of doing much eKecQtioi| Hunting was their principal fupport ; as for a^ culture, it was fcarcely attended to. They ha boats made of tlie bark of trees large enough contain thirty men ^ and while one party T>oard paddled thefe veffels along, another the water to difturb the fillies, which rifing the furface. were caught in large calibafhes. ... TW ¥£t)RO ALVAREZ. DE CABRAL. 231 Their dwellings were fmall woodcii- luits* [tbatched with reeds, and . furrounded with .pali>- sdces. Several familiej^, connedted by the ties Ijf fiiendfliip, lived within the lame inclofure j ^Dd between them, the moft affe^lionate regard, general, lubiifted. Divorces were allowed foir lip moll trifling otience j and if the wives provr ltd unfaithful, the/ might either be killed or fold Ifor (laves. i Among a people, where manufaftures and ommeice were iVarcely known, much activity of ))ody or of mind could lot be expe6ted. They, liOv\ever, indulged in feafting, linging, anddanc- jrg. In their dances they difplayt d little agility, laving formed a ring, inftead of varied motions, tliey remained on th6 fame fpot, beating the ground with their feet, and keeping meafurc. I'ith their ibngs, which were compof^d to cele- brate their own exploits. While one fet was 11^ employed, another kept plying them with Diquor, till they could l^and no longer 5 and then Ifucceed in their turn. To revenge an injury, or an inifult, was the only- pretext f ( r war. Thefe people never thought of plarging their territories, but only of defending lem. 'Iheir prifoners were treated with that rant of generous feeling, which diftinguifhes icivilized nations 5 and, from various teftimo- iiies, there is too much reafon to believe, that ley ne ther thought it unlawful or improper to ^11 and eat them. Yet, we muft not credit all bat is faid on this fubje6t : the aboriginal |irafilians, though uncultivated, were naturally aild; and we fhould hope, in general, abhor* ent of fuch deteflable crimes. X2 The tl36 VOYAGE OF The only enemy that molefted the rcrjofe the firaliliansy was a wild and favage race inb biting the mountains. Among this people, mu der was the only punifhable crime, and life f life the ufual expiation. But if the murder efcaped, his neareft relations were delivered ii as (laves to the heirs of the deceafed^ when a refentment ceafed. Among the BrafilianSy fuperllition had Ion; prevailed and taken deep root. Omens were o ferved, and Torcery pradtifed by a particular o der of men, who were held in high veneratior and confulted on all emergencies. Thefepei fons generally carried an arrow, at the extremi of which hung a calibaih, within which thi kindled the leaves of a certain plant, and inha ing the fmoke by their noftrils, loon became in ioxicated. They then rolled their eyes am threw their bodies into a variety of contortions uttering an unconneded jargon of fenfe am nonfenfe, which the deluded fpe6tators conlidei ed as the effect of divine infpiration. Thefe 1 poftors were conftantly attended by the crediilo multitude with every mark of reiped and jo and neither married nor fingle females wei thought to be diflionoured by their'embraces. Such are the accounts tranfmitted to us of tl inhabitants of Brafil, when it was firft knov to Europeans. De Cabral left here two vi6ts, whole fentence had been changed to tra fportation,.and of whom he had feveral on boari Thefe were kindly ufed by the Indians ; and or of them acquiring the language, was long ufef to his country in the capacity of interpreter. Setting fail from the coaft of Brafil, the fli ileered for the Cape of Good Hope, and met t . ' \xi\ PEDRO ALVAREZ 1>E CABRAL. 233 sfad concomitants of that coail, florms and tem« tfts. For the firft time they faw a water-fpout, lOD the 28th of May, and being unacquainted nth this phenomenon, confidered it as an indica- |tion of fair weather j but fuddenly, fuch a terri- ble hurricane arofe, that four of the ihips were [dafhed againft each other, and, with every perfon on board, funk, without the poUibility of grant- jlng them relief. Among thofe who found a ratery grave, was the celebrated Bartholomew )iaz, who had firft doubled the Cape, and paved |the way to the Indies. The remainder of the fleet ras half filled with water j and for the fpace of two days, they had no other profped than of fol- )wing the fate of their unfortunate companions. h the third day, the wind feemed to abate, but Kt was only during the interval of its veering to jinother point, from whence it began to blow I'ith increafed violence, and the waves to fwell |o the height of mountains. This dreadful tern- ^eft lafled twenty days, in all its horrors, while /ery moment threatened death ', but at length loderating, they found that they had paiTed the 'ape of Good Hope. During this ftorm the lips had .been feparated j but afterwards, all Dined company, fave one, which, after incredible [ifaflers, at laft reached Portugal with only fix aen alive. The admiral fell in with the coaft of Africa in |7 deg. foutli latitude j and had a profped of a ountry pleafant and full of flocks. But the na- [ves declining to have any commerce with him, cruized along the coaft. Coming in fight of lime iflands near the continent, he obferved two fips at anchor, which, flipping their cables, en- ivoured |:o efcape 3 but were captured by the X3 Portugucfe, 234 VOTAGE OP Portuguefe, in fpite of all their efTorts. De Cai bral, on taking pofTellion of them, being inform] cd that they belonged to a prince allied to tU King of Melinda, and that they were proceeding from the gold mines of Sofala, difmiffed ther untouched, out of compliment to a fovereign wh^ had {hewn himfelf fo partial to the Portuguefe. The admiral touched at Mofambique, and pre Tiding himfelf with a pilot, continued his courfij to Quiloa. Being arrived there, he difpatched meflenger to Ibrahim, the king, informing hii that he had letters for him from his PortuguefJ Majel^, in terms of friendfhip and alliance | and that, as his royal mailer had exprefsly forbiJ him to go on fhore, he hoped his majefty would honour him with an interview on the water! Ibrahim received the communication with fenfil ble pleafure, and inftantly forwarded fome prel fents to the commander, with a promife of meetj ing him next day. Accordingly, he came in richly ornamented veffel, attended by a large n\ tinue fplendidly drefled, a kind of 238 ■r VOYAGE OF of lodge covered with tapeftry, at the fjtrtht end of which fat the zamorin, crofs-legged on cufliion, in an alcove, from the top of whicl| hung a cloth of ftate, of crimfon velvet. Nothing could be more fplendid, or more rid than the drefs of the zamorin. His head waj covered with a, cap of gold cloth j and from hij cars depended brilliants, compofed of diamonds fapphires, and pearls. Round his waift he wor| a piece of white calico embroidered with gold the reft of his body, was naked. His arms, fror the elbow to the wrift, were loaded with brace) lets of the moft coftly ftones j his fingers and toe were covered with rings, and on his great tc was a ruby of the brighteft luftre But all thij was furpafled by the richnefs of his girdle, whicl| was wholly covered with precious ftones fet \\ gold, and caft a dazzling luftre. Near the em| peror ftood a chair of ftate ; and his litter waj entirely compofed of gold and filver, fprinkW with jewels. There were alfo three golden truraj pets and feventeen of filver, the mouths of whicf were fet with gems ; and (ilver lamps and cen| fors fmoked with the fweeteft perfumes, fome little diftance from the zamorin ftood hij two brothers, and, a little farther off, a train o| nobles. The admiral, on his admiflion, intended t| *i..ve kifl'ed the zamorin's hand j but being inforr ed that was not the etiquette, he defifted j anj was feated in a f;hair next his majefty, the highej honour that could be thewn him. He then de liver'^d his letters of credence, written in Arabic which being rea I, he next communicated h3 melfage, importing, that the King of Portugij was anxious to cultivate a friendlWp with th ' zamorii PEDRO ALVAKEZ DE CABi|^. 23§ jmorin, and to be permitted to fettle a faftory ^t Calicut, which Ihould be conftantly fupplied ritli Eurt)pean commodities j and requefted that, ither by way of exchange- or for, money, he light be allowed to lade his fliipsj with fpices. [he terms of this embafly appeared highly flat- erin^ to' the zamorin ; and he informed the ad- liral, that his mailer fliould be welcome to [whatever his city fupplied. -While the conference was going on, the pre- jhts were introduced. • They conlifted of a wrought filver bafon gilt, a fountain of the fame; filver cup with a gilt' cover, two wedges of l^old, four cufhions, two cloths of gold, and two ' crimfon velvet, a cloth of ftate, of ftripe velvet, jced with gold, a very fine carpet, and two rich pieces of arras. , After the audience, the zamorin told the adr liral, that he might either retire to the fhips or Bodgings ; that he muft fend for the hoftages> [who, being unaccuftomed to thefea, he was cer- lin, would neither eat nor drink on board j but adding, that if he came next day to conclude the sgotiation, they Should be again committed as pledges for his fecurity. :* - This aufpicious beginning was in danger of Ibeing blafted, by fome unreafonable jealoufy on [both fides. The admiral having reached the fea- 5de, a fervant, belonging to one of the hofiages R'ent before in a pinnace, by order of fome of ^he zamorin's officers of flate, to acquaint them ^hat the admiral was coming on board. This they no fooner heard, than they leaped into the ^ea, in order to get off in the pinnace, but fome of them were retaken. The reft, however, got Dff^ and among tliem the cutival. In the inte- rim^ '2?tO Jjr Voyage op rim, the a^iral coming on, board, ordered thofe u'ho had been retaken, to be put under thfl hatches, and lent to the emperor to complain oj the condudl of the relt ; promi:(ing to deliver uj thole. he had detained, as foon as his men on ihore and baggage were reftored. This fliews that neither party yet thought i\ advifable to trull the other. Next day, how^ ever, the zamorin, with one thoufand two hun^j dred men came down to the water lide, and fent on board the admiral's men and baggage, and nc lets than thirty pinnaces ; attended to fetch bad the lioftages. While they were helitating, oi both fides, about the delivery, the eldefl of th( pledges and anotheir perfon jumped overboard] One of them was again recovered j and was or] dered to be clofely watched j but no rcquiii'cior being made of him in three days ; and the adi miral obferving that he could not be brought ts eat, at lall difmifled him ; on which, two Portu*! guefe, ft ill on liiore, were fent back. . Some days after this elapfed witl>out an • intel-i ligence from the emperor 5 on wfeich the admin ral refolved to fend a meflenger.ito leara if h^ was difpofed to finifh the treaty begUn, in whici cafe he pr^pofed to fend his chief fa6^or or ihore, provided hoftages were delivered as before] Fear and fufpicion had, however, fo flrongl/ •poireffed all on board, that Francifco Correa waj the only perfon who would engage to deliver tU meflage. On his landing, he was handfomeli received, and the zamorin told him, that ij would give him pleafure to have the trade fetj tied, and made no difficulty in trufting the Por tuguefe with hoftages. He nominated, as hij pledges, the two nephews of a rich Guzerat merj - - • 2 chdiiA oarc r Ay res?* dge bisl oitage|l '^jStor in PEDRO ALVAREZ D^ CAB kant, who were immediately fcnt nd an elegant houfe was provide [orrea> the factor, in which he mig erchandife. The grandfather of J farther appointed to inftru6t cuftoms and ufages of the commerce of the intry. However, the Guzerat merchant liav- lig a prediledion tor the Arabian traders, fold |ie Portiigiiefe commodities at what price was. IFered, and advifed Correa to give as much for inerchandife of India as was alked. When- |rer the faftor had an audience of the zamorin, 16 of the Arabian merchants were prefent to |)untera6t his meafures ; and they even pre;ail- lon the Admiral of Calicut to proceed to fome bs indicating ;4ioftilities. ■:'■ • v^ i pe Cabraf, acquainted with thefe movements, kd appreheniive that he migh* be attacked hy the pperial fleet, if"h[c' remained in the harbour, eighed anchor and ftood out to fea, that he fght deliberate itf fecurity on what was to be- life. The 2amoi?itt, on this, {&tit for Correa, [d being apprized of the reafons th^t" induced' iCabral toMeave the harbour, deiired he would queft his return, and gave prompt' orders for Irating the machinations of the Arabians/ alfo removed the Gusserat merchant from his' |tendance on Correa, and fubftituted ai^other" fon, named Oofebequin, who, though a Turk, partial to the Portuguefe. And to prevent ifaftor from being interrupted by the Arabian rchants, and to give him an equal opportuni-* [of trading to advantage, beftowed on him the' Jtuity of a houfe near the fea-fide. Tliis id of gift was confirmed by figning and fealing ^inftrurtienti which was afterwards wrapped^ '^01.7 1. Y up •*» VOYAGE OF cioc%of gold, for the admiral to carry U t]%al, la confirmation of his amicable inten] ons. Till emperor aUb ordered, that a flas th the^|n|s of Portugal, fhould be fixed o^ e top oFmis edifice After this unequivocs mark of the zamorin's pleafure, a commercial in] tercourfe began to commence between the na{ tives and the Portuguefe, and their former jeaj loufies feemed to die away. Wiiile thefe tranfa6tions wete going on, Di Cabral was made acquainted, that a large Ceylc nefe fhip, with feveral elephants on board, wa bound to Cambaya, and that the commande having refufed to acconmiodate the zamoril with one of thofe animals, it would be a grate ful piece of fervice, if the Portuguefe would caj ture the veflel: This feems neither very honoi able nor politic ; but the admiral, to oblige thj ^amoriUiv gave him to underfland that he woulj attack the flvip, though he rcprefented the attemj as dangerous. : Senfible, however^ of his own fu periority, he allotted only one Ihip for this et terprife*; and gave the cpmmand to Pedro Attaj da. Soajtfce were the Portuguefe prepared for tl engagei;neiit>, when the ftiip appeared, while s^amofin waited the event with earnefi: imp^ tience. Attaida inftantlybore down upon he till his guns: could bear with effect ; and openit upon the ,C(?ylonefe, kill^ a number of the ra^ before they were near enough to do him any ' mage, and compelled them to endeavour to fa^ themftlves by flight. Night coming on, dxeycfcaj ed into the harbour of Cananore i but finding thj had not eluded the purfuit of the Portugu^l they again put to fea, and the engagement beir ibnewed^ they were forced into the harbour Calic FEDRO ALVAREZ DE CArIK^ t24$' 'alicut, and fecured. This engagement gave the liamorin a very exalted idea of the braveryof [the Portuguefe, who with one fmall flfip attadk- td another of fix times the magnitude and nun^ jber of men ; and he laviihly publilhed his fenti- lents on the occaiion. That malice, which had always been rankling lin the breafts of the Arabians againft the Portu- Iguefe^ was now exacerbated by envy. They [waited on the emperor in a body^ and with af- Ifefted zeal, reprefented the concern they felt at Ifceing his majefty*s partiality for the Grangers, (while hi? evinced little regard for thofe, whofe Jong-tried fidelity and fupport had entitled them Ito his entire confidence. They infinuated, that Ithe Portuguefe muft infallibly be pirates ; as it Iwas impoflible the fair profits of trade could en- lable them to take fuch diflant voyages. They [boldly affirmed, that it was the defign of the new [comers to take pofleflion of the city and plunder le country 5 that their faftory would foon be [converted to a fort j and, in fine, if his majefty [was determined to give fuch a diftinguilhed pre- [ference to the Portuguefe, it was their own in- [tention to remove to fome other town on the [coaft of Malabar, and carry their commerce with Ithem. The fuggeftions of thefe merchants, though ori- [ginating from fpite, have partly been verified by [fucceeding events. The fa6l:ory has too often [been converted into a fort j and the fimple na- tives have fallen vidims to the avarice or ambi- tion of ungrateful Enropeans, whom they were eager to oblige. On recording the ellablifhment jof the firft fadory in India, we feel the full jfcrce of this refiedion. How much mifery has the y 2 thirft if' i|9 VOYAGE or vr 244 f^f thirft for monopoly, or the love of conqucl . fpread over fome of the moll fertile countries theearthi V The zamorin, to pacify the importunity of thj Arabians, affured them of his invariable frieuc fliip, and that he would not defert their intereft^ He obferved, that he was defirous of trying th| courage of the Portuguefe in the late conflid and that it was for his own advantage and tha of his country to encourage their commercial in] tercourfe. The merchants were far from bein/ fatisfied with thofe reafons : and were more irrJ tated againft the Portuguefe than ever. TheJ publicly oppofed them, as far as they dared, i( the purchafe of fpices j and though the emperc himfelf had engaged that the fleet fhould laden in twenty days, three months elapfed be fore two ihips had laid in their full complement.] The admiral naturally. fufpe6ted that this dc lay could not arife but from the confent or cor iiivance of the zamorin, and therefore fent tj complain that, contrary to the profeilions whic] had been made, the Arabian fliips were fupplie with great facility and expedition, while i\ Portuguefe had conftant impediments thrown i| their way. This remonftrance roufed the er peror to aflert his authority ; he exprefled hj aftonilhment, that the Arabs fhould dare to dii obey his commands, by a clandeftine purchafe fpices, and ordered that the Portuguefe fhoulj have their lading completed out of the (lores aq cumulated by them, paying, however, a fai[ price for what was thus wrefted out of the hand of the eaftern merchants. This aft of fovereign power gave the Arabiar the opportunity which they long wifhed for, comini PEDRO ALVAREZ DE CAB] b1|l 245 3ming to an open rupture with the Portuguefe. Ilmmediately, one of the principal perfons among Ithem began publicly to take in his lading, and, the Ibetter to fucceed in his fcheme, formed a cabal [with fome of his countrymen, and fuch of the [natives as were moft friendly to the new intereft, [who perfuaded the faftor, that it was his duty, [in conformity to the imperial mandate, to feize [thefe fpices. Correa, caught by this fpecious ad- |?ice, recommended to the admiral to capture the [ihip. At firft he declined it, apprehenlive of the [confequences : but, on reiterated applications, [and the fa6tor engaging to anfwer for any danger [that might arife, De Cabral fent to inform the [captain that he muft not depart without his per- iiffion. But the Arabians, as was ^concerted [among them, difregarding this threat, the admi- [ral commanded his officers to arm the boats, and [tow the veflel, which was under fail, back again [into the harbour. ' The owner, a perfon of great (wealth and influence, highly enraged at this proceeding, though he had planned it, affembled [his friends and adherents, and repairing to the [palace, grievoufly complaining, that the PortU" juefe, after having amalTed more fpices and [drugs than they had, were yet difcontented, an4, Jike robbers and pirates, wifhed to feize the whole. [They therefore demanded permiffion to redrefs "lemfelyes, and to execute r-evenge for the injur The refolution of the zamorin, which had )nftantly been flu6tuating, now gave way to ^hefe reprefentations^j and he- intin^ated that ley might fatisfy themfelves. This fatal compliance with their wifhes being pbtained, they battened back to aflault the facto^ Jh? walls of this building were ten feet Y 3 high 246 ^ VOYAGE OP high, and, at this time, feventv men, includin^ the friars, were within its bounds j but, exclufiv of their fwords, they had only a few crofs bow A fmall party of Arabs at iirft advancing, th Portuguefe hoped to be able to defend their gate But the numbers of the aifailants rapidly increa ing, and the Portuguefe having already loft fivi men, with difficulty Ihut their gaCes, and be took themfelves to the walls with their crofs bows. Correa perceiving that the enemy amount ed to four hundred men, and that they wen countenanced by feveral naires, hoifted a flag o! diftrefs. The admiral being indifpofed, immediate! fcnt Sancho de Toar, with all the boats and ftrong detachment to the relief of the factory but this officer thought it dangerous to land i the face of fuch an enemy, or even to approaci too near the ihore. Meanwhile many of the be| iicged being wounded with an incefllmt fliowei of arrows and fpears, and perceiving the Arabi preparing their battering engines, they refolve • to abandon the faftory by a door opening to th water fide j but the enemy prefled them fo clof( ' ly, that only twenty efcaped. The greateft pa of the wounded died j and fifty were either kill| c4 or taken prifoners on the fpot. Among th former was Ay res Correa. The fon of that ge tleman, a boy about eleven years of age, who a ter wards was renowned for his bravery and ref( lution, was faved by the perfeverirtg efforts of failor, who fwam with him on board. The mei chandife loft on this occafioU amounted to foi thoufand ducats. The admiral was at once impreffed with grl and fired with refentxnent ; and finding no ap log > PP.DRO ALVAREZ DB gABRXl. 'TLAJ was fent by the zamorin, refolved on a fe- ere revenge. He therefore gave orders for at- fecking ten large Arabian veiTels in the harbour ; id after ad obflinate conflict, and the dedruc- |ion of many of the attacked, the ihips were aptured, and the furviving Arabs compelled to crve as failors. Three elephants were found in he prizes, which were killed and faltcd for rovilions, which began to grow fcarce. The pices and other goods were then taken out, and lie fhips burned in the fight of their owners and artizans. While this was tranfafting, the in- abitants ran up and down the city of Calicut, the greateft confternation and difmay, being ferrified at the fight of the flames, and the un« ipe6ted iflTue of the conteft. Here revenge ought to have Hopped, and fure- juftice was fatisfied ; but the admiral medi- ted more. He ordered his Ihips to fpread along lie (hore, and advance with their boats before hem as near it as poffible. The ordnance then egan to play on the town with great fury and ^fith much execution, both among the houfes id the citizens, who crowding together, to roid'or repel the danger, fell thick at every )t. Several of the temples. were demoliflied ; he palace of the zamorin was much injured j id thefovereign himfelf, who fled in the gene- il terror, narrowly efcajMid a bullet from one. of lie boats, which killed anaire ^Xoic behind him. Towards evening the cannonading ceaffcd, ud after an fneffedual attempt to fecure fome hips that were making for the port, the admi- il'^i^fued "his voyager to Cochin, in order to ^ttle a factory there, and ia his^palTage took two tbian ihips, .. la.^ j; inof ^ ^ . Such 248 #' V0YA6B OF Such was the ferious commencement of hof lities between the Europeans and the Indianii and the efFulion of blood has at intervals contid ed for ages. The natives of the eaft have foml times had their revenge, by feeing their counti and its produce fet the aggveffors againll one aj other J but furely trade might have been Carrie on without violence, or an encroachment on tl facred rights of the aboriginal inhabitants. De Cabral arrived before the city of Cochin the 20th of December. This place is lituated a river about 19 leauges fouth of Calicut, and h\ a fafe capacious port : the land within is low ar broke i into many iflands. The houfes here wej built after the fame fafhion as at Calicut, ai were inhabited by Pagans and Arabs. The te ritory being fmall and barren, provilions were no means plentiful 5 but there was an abundan^ n/f pepper. The king, whofe name was Trimui j^ara, was tributary to the Emperor of Calici and confequently was not rich ; but the condul of the Portuguefe to a fuperior, by whom he wj opprefled, gave him 3 ftrong parUality in the favour. ,;£j;r The admiral having anchored, difpatched Indian convert, named Michael Joghi, to it king, to announce his arrival, and to expiaj what had happened at Calicut, He farther dj fired leave to trade for fpices and other comraj dkies, either in exchange for merchandife money. The meflenger was one of the fed of the Br jnins who affed the utmoft contempt for fenfu enjoyments, and attempt to pleafe the Deity aufterities more than human, This perfon »QW ponverted to Chriftianity, and beboved v^ij grc PEDRO ALVAREZ DE CABRAL. '!l4g fat integrity. He returned with a lery polite and Jvilanfwer from hismajetty,who exprefled his joy Ithe arrival of the Portuguefe : and immediate- difpatched two of his principal naires as hof- iges, on condition that they might be changed jFcry day, becaufe, by the cuftoms of the coun- fhould they once eat on iliip-board, they can ever more appear in the prefence of royalty. The admiral, pleafed with this aufpicious be- toning, appointed Gonzalo Gil Barbifa his fac- k and gave him a clerk, an interpreter, and pur exiles as fervants. Some of the principal officers of ftate iramedi- |[ely conduced the fador to court j but here was one of the magnificence and grandeur of Cali- iit. The prince himfelf was indifferently clad ; |ie walls of his palace were without hangings, lid were furnilhed with feats railed in, where lie king fat without any external pomp. As )n as the factor was introduced, he prefented filver waihing bowl, full of faffiron, a filver i^er, with rofe water, and fome branches of co- The king accepted the prefent with appa- it pleafure, thanked the admiral in whofc flme it had been offered ; and having converfcd |)ine time with the fador, commanded that he |id his retinue ihould be well accommodated. The admiral was averfe to trulling more men ihore, apprehenfive of the misfortunes which jtended his fadory at Calicut j but the event Wed, that miftruft was here unneceffary. The lind ufage the Portuguefe experienced, the dif- ptch with which the fhips were laden, and the aiik alertnefs with which the natives rendered |em affitlance, ihewed that the profeilions of prince Vere the fentiments of his heart. The 250 VOYAGE OP The lading being completed, while the adr ral was on ihore, he received a vifit from t\ Indian Chririians, brothers, who exjxrefled th^ wiih to fail to Portugal, in order to vifit Ror and Jeruialem. Theie Chriftians were denor uated from St. 'Thomas, who having preach] the gofpel in the Eail, fuftered martyrdom m Madras. Cabral interrogated them whctl they belonged to the Latin or Greek churc and if the country from whence they came wholly peopled with Chriftians? One of the replied, that the inhabitants were a mixture Chriftians, Jews, Pagans, and Mahometans, fi( Syria, Egypt, Perfia, and Arabia; that Chriftians were fubjed to a tribute, and hi a quarter of the city to themfelves, in whij they were indulged with a church ; but it r either crofles, images, nor bells. He fartl fciid, that they had their own pope, under whc were twelve cardinals, and two patriarchs, w'i many archbifliops and biftiops, who refided Armenia j to which place all the clergy refortl for orders, and to obtain inftitution to their cuf or dignities, the jmifdidion of the pope exter ing over India and Catay. Thai; the two pat| archs reftded in thofe provinces, and the bilhc were difperfed in the different cities throu^ out this immenfe extent. Pie added, that thj fupreme head was called Cathojicos, and tl: their tonfure was made in the form of a crofs.l The admiral having h< ard this detail, read! granted their requett of conveying them to Pd tugal. Soon after this, meffengers arrived frd the kings of Cananore and Coulan, inviting t! Portuguefe to come and trade in their por where fpices ihould be furnilhed on the mod vantageo PEDBO ALVAREZ DE CABRAL. 251 itageous terms. The admiral returned his ac- iiowledgments, but declined accepting their liging invitations, having already completed 5 cargo ; but promiied to vilit them on his re- krn to the Indies. ?,)&i*.v [while the Portuguefe were thus amicably, ited at Cochin, the zamorin had been adiye in eparing to rever^ge the deftrudidn of hig^capi- A fleet of t\y.e.nty-five large ihips, :befide8 a* iber of fmaller ones, appeared on itl\e coaft, Ihen the King of Cochin, being informed of tho jtfign of this armament? immediately gave the luifite informatioa tQ the admiral,, arid offered all the affillance in his power. He flated kat there were fifteen thoufand men on board» ^d feemed apprehenfive of the confequences, om fuch an evident difparity of numbers. De abral returned his majefty his moft grateful inks J but afTured him that he'^fliouH l^e able make the zamorin repent of his temerity 5 kd having prepared his Ihips for an engagsmeht, tied dire^ly to meet the enemy. JAltorm ariling, and the wind proving contrary, was obliged to return, but next day procecd- 1 again in queft of the foe. However^ one ot beft ihi[)S, that commanded by Sancho.de oar, being miffing, he jjadged it advifableto mdon his deiign of an 'attack, and to ftecr bmewarda. The ^alicut fleet purfued him for (day; but were foon;fenfibie they could *nc(t^ jertake him. Thus prevented fron> retunnitig [Cochin, as he hadpropofed, he carried off the tages, contrary to the laws of r^tidni j ^^nd in lanner which left the fligma of ingratitude on ifelf. The miferable men abftained from food five days| but afterwards being preiTed hy the 253 VOYAGE OP the admiral to eat, were at laft reconciled their lituation; The milling Ihip having joined, they arrlvi on the coaft of Cananore, where the king repeai cd his invitation, which induced the admiral enter the port. The city of Cananore is ver large, and is iituated thirty-one leagues to t]\ north of Cochin. The bay forms a commodioi fiarbour, and the houles are earth covered wit dates. The furrounding country produces gii^ ger, cardamums, calfia, myrabolans, and tarns rinds, and all the necefTaries of life. The lak^ are full of alligators ; and we are gravely tol^ by the original narrator of this voyage, that tl adders are fo venomous as to kill Y/ith thel breath. In natural hi^oiy moft of the ancient V65 agers are mifefably deficient j and while theyii duljgelnrthte woncferful,, they facrifiee fcienee at truth. This we diould frequently have occafu to remark, were it our wilh to makei-emarks ol aj&furdities now exploded, and which can onl| be mentioned to excite a fmile. The king of this territory was one of the thre Independent princes of Malabar, but lefs opuleE than the Zamorin of Calicut or the King of Coij Ian. Here the admiral fhipped four hundre quintals of cinnamon and fome ginger 3 butt! Icing •fufjfvefting that the fmall quantity he bdugll arofe from a ^deficiency in pecuniary refourcj dfeccafiiohed from the Ibte he hadfuftained at Call cTot; fent in 'a moll generous manner, te^ ofFJ credit for What^ever' he might pleafe to havl De Cabral, having retuYned merited fhunks, miwilling to leave the king with imprefligns liift poverty; and to convince his majefty off rd^UfCMy diQ3ved'the meiTenger a large ff!ira PEDRO ALVAREZ DE CABRAL. 253 floneyj and afTured him that his ihibs bdA^ pV eady laden was the real reafon of hiS de'cliriii^g arger pwrcliafes at preltjnt. , '''i ;;; '^7,' So ixiendly wtts khk king, that he feht iii dtft- Daflkdor to his Portuguefe Jilajefty to cerrtfeht the itercourfe which had juil: begun. De Cabral jiow weighed from Cananore, and proceeded to trofs tlie fea that feparates India from Africa. (n this paflage he took a large Ihip ; but finding fie belonged to Cambaya, difmiffed her with ^flurances, that liis Portuguefe Majefty was at rar in India with none but the Zamorin of Ca- licut, and the Arabians of Mecca, from whom had fuffered indignities that demanded an |ideqaate retaliation. As they were approaching the African lliore, a kerrible Itorm arofe, in which the iliip command- ed by Sancho de Toar, one of the beit in the ^et, was driven on a bank, and ftuck faft. The pew and cargo were faved, and diftributed pmong the other veflels j after which ilie wa* burned, to prevent her falling into the hands of klie enemy. Nctwithftanding this precaution, pie King of MombaiTa, by much induftry, found leans to recover the great guns, which he efteem- kd a moft valuable treafure. The tempeft ftiil continuing, they palTed Meiinda without being pie to bring to, and at lall reached Mofambique, H'here they found it necelTary to refit the fliips. This being accomplillied, De Toar was dif- batched to examine the coaft of Sofala, wliile [he admiral proceeded on his voyage j and haviuj^ publed the Cape of Good Hope on the 22d of [ay, arrived at Lilbon on the laft day of July [501 , without any other material occurrence. Vol. I. Z This 254 VOYAGE OF ice. Thi« expedition had met with many difaftei and encountered a variety of difficulties. Of i tbtf fliips only fix returned, among which w^ be Toar, who fafely reached Liibon in a fe^ days after the admiral. iiA- ii j jt,iJ. jJi i.^kMfi ^ ,ri ^-^ SECOM SECOND VOYAGE OF VJSQUEZ DE GAM J, TO THS EAST INDIES. pHE Portuguefe, anxious to reap the car- lieft poflibJe fruits of their difcoveries, ex- ted all their fpirit and a6tivity for this purpofe. jefore the arrival of De Cabral^ Juan de Neuva* jnative of Galicia, and a moft accompli flied fea- m, had been fent out with another fleet to the iift. His orders were to touch at Sofala^ then JQiuiloa, and from thence to proceed to Call- \{\ and if he found De Cabral there, to put ifelf and his fquadron under the command of at admiral. De Neuva having found a letter San Bias, giving an account how matters |iod at Calicut and Cochin, afted with the ne- Taiy caution. He arrived fafe at Cochin, and ind that the king was highly and defervedly jcenfed againft De Cabral for carryi g away hjftages, and that the Moors and merchants taken every Itep to prejudice his majefty ainft the Portuguefe. He had, however, given fadory fome degree of protection j but with- money no fpices were to be procured at this Z 2 place. '•m 256 FIRST VOYAGE OP place. De Neuva being only furniilied wit coramoditiesi which he was to exchange, \vi obliged to proceed to Cananore ; but here u\ the Portnguele commodities were in too litt( eftimation to procure a lading ; and had not tl king become fponfor for a cargo, the ihips muj have returned empty. The zamorin, hearing that his enemies wei on the coaft, fitted oiU a powerful armament attack them wliile they lay at Cananore. Neuva, not intimidated by numbers, fleered ii to the middle of the liay,* and ordered his fliij to pour in broadfides in all dirc6tions, if the h\ dian fleet advanced.. A cannonade commenct before the enemy could approach near enough ufe their miliile weapons, and many of the] ihips were funk without doing the leaft injury i the Portuguefe. This i;ij)equal combat coull not laft long. A flag of truce was hung out the Indians, and after fomc inefleiStual artifid to entrap the Europeans, they returned to Cal| cut, baffled in all their aims. Pe Neuva havii taken in his lading, returned to Portugal with al his Ihips. After his departure a mciUhge wj brought to Cananore from the zamorin, to eij cufe his former condu6t j and offering fufficieD pledges for their fecurity, flK)uld the Portuguej be difpofed to renew their tiaffic. , This fliort iketch of a voyage, not very ir portant in itfelf, is a neccliary link in the chuj of tranfaAions. De Cabral, having made it appear incontef bly evident, that without the application of forcj it would be impoffible to form fcttlcments I India, his Portuguefe Majefly fent out thil fquadrons in March 1502 -, the flrft of ten M unc^ VASatJBZ DS 6AMA. 257 dcr the celebrated Vafqnez de Gama > the fe- nd of five under Vincent de Sodre ; and the ird of as many> under Stephen de Gama. The hole was to be fubordinate to Vafquez, to hom the king delivered the flag with great fo- mnity in the cathedral, and conferred on him e title of Admiral of the Eaftem Seas. With iim returned the ambafladors of Cochin and pananore, who had been much diftinguifhed and areffed at court. The two firft fquadrons fet jiil in March, the other followed about the be- (inning of May. Off Cape Verd, the admiral fell in with a fliip br Lifbon, richly laden with gold, which De {rama diTplayed to the Indian ambaifadors as a roof of the rich refources of his country. They andidly confefled, that this did not accord with lie reprefentations of the Venetian ambaifador Portugal ; for that he had given them to un- erlland, that without the afliftance of the Vene- (ans, the Portuguefe were too poor to put fhips fea. This mode of fupplanting their new ri- als in the commerce of the Eaft was not very lonourablej but where is honour to be found, pen intereft ftands in tlie way ? De Grama doubled the Cape without any re- Barkable occurrence, and then proceeded with Var of his fmalleft veflels for Sofala, while lie reft continued their voyage to Mofambique. [he king's orders were, to obferve the fituation of Dfala, its convenience for erecting a fort, and examine the gold of the country. Having itered into an amicable treaty with the king, obtained permiflion to ere6t; a fort j and mu- Bal prefents were exchanged. This tranfaftion ccupied twenty-five days, and the admiral took Z 3 his m 25S FIRST VOYAGS OF his leave with much fatisfadioii at having acj comphihed his objedt j "Sut in tui'ning out of thj river, had the misfortune to lofe one of his IhipJ Having reached Mofambique, where part oj his fleet had preceded him, he ftruck up a leaguJ with the king, who had manifelled io much rej lu^tance to it in his former voyage : and fartluii obtained permiflion to eflahlilh a factory : thJ obje6t of which was, to furnilh a depot of provil lions for fhips going and returning from India. On tlie I'ith of July he arrived at Ciuiloa; and in revenge for the ill ufage experienced by D^ Cabral, determined to compel the king to be| come tributary to Portugal. Ibrahim, thronglj fear, rather than refpe6t, waited on him, as foor as he arrived} when De Gama, knowing his per] fidious difpofition, threatened to confine liir imder the hatches, unleis he imnfiediately ftipuj lated to pay a tribute to his royal mafter. ThJ captive prince had now no alternative. He enj gaged to advance two thoufand miticals of gol(f yearly } but with his accuftomed duplicity, gavd as his pledge a wealthy Moor, named Mahometj whom he mortally hated, and was happy to gel rid of. Ibrahim being liberated on thefe condij tions, no fooner found himfelf fafe on iliore, thai he renounced his engagement j not fo much til fave the money, as to provoke the admiral to del flroy his fecurity j and the Moor finding himfelj trapped, was glad to purchafe his freedom bj paying the tribute himfelf. Having here formed a jun6tion with the reftoj the fleet, the admiral recommenced his voyage and pafling Melinda, watered in a large baj about eight leagues diitance, where he capturej feveral fhips. Oa reaching tlie coait of IndiJ VASaUEZ DE CAMA.T 25g i? fell in with a large veffel belonging to the ^ultan of Kgypt, which was richly laclen» and id many principal Moors on board, M'ho were bing on a pilgrimage to Mecca. This fliip he look after . a vigorous relillance j and going on pard, commanded the Moors to produce flieir ^erchandile, on pain of being thrown into the lea. They pretended that all their effe6ts were left at Calicut J but one of them having been bound hand and foot, and thrown overboard, the reft were fo intimidated at this dreadful exam- tie, that they produced their property. The (hildren were then carried into the admiral's lip, and the remainder of the plunder diftribut- kd among the foldiers. Not fatisfied with this, |he veflel, with all her paffengers, was ordered to fel on fire. But the Moors having broken up le iiatches, under which they were confined, ind quenched the flames, which began to rage around them, Stephen de Gama was ordered to (ay them on board. Defperate with the immi- nence of their danger, the paffengers received kim with great refolution, and even attempted [o burn the other Ihips. Night coming on, gavo refpite to this work of horror j but fo invete- rate was the rage of De Gama, that he ordered tlie Ihip to be clofely watched, that none might, by the favour of the darknefs, efcape to the "lore and elude his vengeance. During this, ireadful night, the poor Moors, with unavail- ing prayers, invoked thealiiflanceof the prophet,. The morning found the admiral relentlefs and mpitying. His brother boarded the veflel, and [etting fire to it, drove the Moors, who ft ill make p ineffe6tual ftruggle, into the poop. Some of le failors difdained to quit the Ihip till Hie was h^lf IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 11.25 1SL us IS 12.2 S Bi I* 1.1 f.*^ I- ^ Illlli4 ^ 4V/ 0> Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 ^ c\ \ V o i\ ►^ ^0^ VIRST V0YA6B OF half confumed j and the MQors> when the flames were rapidly approaching them, leaped into the fea with hatchets, and fwimming, attacked theii inhuman purfuers. To finifh this melancholj tale, of three hundred perfons, among whon^ were thirty women, n«u one efcaped the lire, the> fword, or the waves. Can humanity reai this without a tear ! can Chriftianity hear it with- out a blufh ! Thefe victims of unprovoked cruel-l ty will one day be heard at an impartial tribunal J where all the fame of De Gama, and all the In- dies, could he poffefs them, would be given tc iilence their voice ! The admiral having reached^ Cananore, fent to acquaint the king that he defired a conference with him. To facilitate this interview, a wood-l en bridge v^as conftru6ted, reaching a great way! into the fea, and fpread with carpets. At the! end of the bridge, towards land, was a houfe ot wood, likewife furnilhed with carpets. Thel king arrived firft, attended by an immenfe body] of naires, trumpets founding, and other inftru- ments of muiic playing before him. Soon after! came the admiral, accompanied by all the boatsl of the fleet, bearing flags, and fiirniihed with a| band i and was landed under a difcharge of ord- nance. Before him were carried two filver ba-l fons, giltj covered with pieces of coral, audi other valued articles in the Indies. At the head! of the bridge he was received by feveral naires J and the king meeting him at the door of thel houfe, embraced him, and they walked together to the room of audience, where two chairs of ftate were placed, on one of which his majefty fat| down, a mark of the higheft refpe6t to the admi« ral, according to the etiquette of the country. At ^t this audienpQ a trec^ty of ^unity and epmmerco ras concluded, and a fadory granted at Cana^ ore. Having laden ibme of the ihips h^re^ ho Jire6ted his couple to Calicut. When De Gama arrived in that port> he took kveral proas befprq it was difcqvere^ who hQ i:as 'j but forbore all hof^ilities ag^inl^ the place, til he fhould be able to afcertain the zamoriu*3 jlirpontion and 4^iigns. Jn a iliort tinae a boat le off carrying a flag of truce, with a Moor jlifguifed as a Francifcan friar, who being takea m hoard, apologized for the decfptiou of his Srefs, and owne4 it was affumed from tjie hope pf a ready reception an>ong the Portnguefe. Ho kought a meifage from the znmpriti in reiatioa |o the amicable adjuiiment of a treaty of com- lerce. The admiral, with firmnefs replied, that by negotiation of this kind would be premature, (ill the king had niade fatisfa6tion for the de-' Imdion of the f^6loiy, to which he was con-p fenting. Several days were fpcnt in fruitlefs meflagea md replies. De Gama, fufpeding that the only Dbjed of the zamoi'in was to gain time, fent to fclTure him, that if he did not receive a final and Ifatisfadory anfwer before noop, he would carry |fire and fword into the countrj', and' would be- [ih to execute hiS) yengeance on the prifoners in ^is poflfeflion. The aamorin, irrefolute in him-( Ifelf, and under the influence of the Moors, re*^ Iturned no anfwer. But no fooner was the ftipu- llated time expired, than De Gama flred a gun Iby way of flgnal to his captains, to hang up all Ithe Malabars in their rel'pe^ive Ihips. When |this fanguinary execution was. over, the admiral ordered the hands and feet of the vidims to bet ibrack im #IR8T V0TA6B OP ftruck ' oiF/ and fent on fhore to the zamorli with ai letter in Arabic, giving him to underftanc that fach returns he muil expert for his perfidj and artifice ; and that he would have fatisfadioj an hundred fold for the injuries and indignitit that had been offered to the Portuguefe. Without farther ceremony, he ordered thrci fliips to advance, in the nighty as clofe ks poiTi] bie to the fhore j and next morning they begai to batter the town> which was foon a heap oi ruins. Having glutted his revenge at Calicut, he de-l parted for Cochin, leaving Vincent de Sodrel with fix fhips, to fcour the coaft and intercept the Moorifh trade. No fooner had the admiral arrived at Cochin, than Trimumpara fent hod- ages on boards and perfonally waited for hii 6ri the Ihore. At this interview De Gama deli- vered the King of Portugal's letter and prefents.l The Prince of Cochin received both with expref-' ixons of pleafure j alfigned a houfe for f he ufe of thefadory, and fixed the rates at which fpicesl were to be delivered. This agreement was re-j duced to writing, and figned by Trimumpara.l In return for the Portuguefe prefents, which! were very coflly, confifling of a gold crown and] collar, a rich pavilion, and other valuable arti' cles ; he fent to his brother Emanuel two gold! bracelets fet with jewels, a Moorifh fafh for the] head, of filver tiffue, two large pieces of the fineft| calico, and a flone about the fize of a walnut, re- puted an antidote againfl poifon> which was| deemed a valuable rarity. While De Gama lay at Cochin, a meffengerl arrived from the zamorin, to acquaint him, that if he would return to Calicuti every thing Should bt VASQUBZ DE 6AMA. 263 fettled to his fatisfadion. The depaty was It in confinement, that he might be puniihed cafe of any new deceit. Having got this hoft- gefor his own fecurity, the admiral, contrary the advice of all his captains, determined to rocceed without convoy to Calicut : obferving. It in cafe of danger, he had the fhips of De re to retreat to. Being come into the road, the zamonn fent to form him, th£it next day every thing ihould be iduded betwixt them; and perhaps at the mo- ^nt he fpoke as he intended. But when once Ipropeniity to trick and cunning gains an af- idency over the mind, every opportunity of Kiblaying it is embraced with avidity, and the bliquities of deceit are preferred to the fhraight id of honour. De Gan^a was perceived to be iiprote6ted, having left his fhips behind him. lis induced the zamorin to have recourfe again violence. He fent out thirty proas to take the iiral i 'and fo fudden and unexpeded was this [tack, that he was obliged to cut his cables and ive himfelf by flight. 'Provoked with reafon at fo many repeated in* ices of treachery and duplicity, he ordered [e meffenger, in confinement, to be hanged,, on return to Cochin. At this the zamorin ex- fed great concern; but finding that he in |in plotted againil a man whofe fuperior addrefs f force always brought him offfafe, herefolved J turn his batteries another way, and to attempt |influence the King of Cochin againfi admitting Portuguefe into his ports. With this view« idifpatched a letter to tlie tributary prince, in |iich he depided the Europeans as robbers and lies, and r«prefeatedthedaBgerof eacourag'^ ing !^ ^IRSt VOtAGR bif m ittg thciW, as well as the dirpletiflii^ !t gave hli ^rrimumpata replied, that as they brought mj Tiey into his diominions, it was for his intereft fcncourage thettt 5 and that the zarnorin wouj not be willing, at his bare requeft, to abandc his old friends the Moors. To Jthis the zamorj I'ejoincd, that he was Ibrry to find the King Cochin preferred the friendlhip of ftrangers his ; ^nd threat^hed the confeqnences of a pal tiality fo litljUft. The King of Cochin gaVe him to underftanj that he difli*garded his niiihaices, and thiat would iiever do a bafe or perfidious aftk through fear. Of this cotrefpohdence. Be Gar knew nothitig till he wa* abotit to take His lea] of Cochin } when the king infbrtned him what had pafled, and declared hie would run riiks in the fervice of the Portuguefe. De Gai with many expreffions of gratitude, afiured hir that hid ifoyal mailer would never be unmindf tof iuch fteady faith -, and, in the name of his vefeigft, he engaged not only to defend prince, but even to enable him tb vahquifh cnemieSi ^tid extend his dominions oh th^ fuins. This declaratioh infpired tht king wij hew confidetice; and even his naires, if thj Hill retained fome prejudices againft the Port! gueie, began to dread the toufeqUences of th( enmity. The admiral, foon aftet failihg fr6m Cochj defcried a ^eet of twenty-ftlne large Ihlps, fitt dut by the iamorin to attack him. He immediaj ly bore doWn to give them battle ; and with thuch vigour did the Portuguefe aflail the tj that in 1^ ihort tiihe, many of them defertil th^r iliips> fought refuge in the Waves j wl . v' ' 2 otbl VASatTBZ t>]S 6AMA. thers crofwded fail, and made the th^fe, Where» m account of the fhoaIs> they knew the admiral |could not purfuc them. Many of the Moors ^ere killed^ and two fhips were taken, richly lladen with Chin^ Ware> filver veiTels, gilt, and lother coHly merchandife. But the moft remark- lable article on board, was a monftrous image of Igold, weighing thirty pounds. Its eyes were lemeralds ; and it was partially cov is gene* |rally confidcred as lawful. ' . I'his illand and city, which belonged to the Ikingdom of Deccan, were then in the polfeifion of lldalcan, an ufurper, who had endeavoured to ren- Ider himfelf independent of his fovereign j and Iwas at this time meditating to extend his power Iftill farther in Malabar. Being at this time ab- jfent, in prosecuting fchemes of aggrandizement, Llbuquerque took advantage of it j and regard- ing Goa as much the right of one ufurper as an- Dther, made a fudden attack, and carried the place without lofs or difficulty. But Idalcan hearing of this invafion foon flew |lo his capital j and the Portuguefe being in want jf provilions and other neceflaries to ftand a fiege, ^loa again fell into the hands of its former pof- feflbr ; but was almoft as fpeedily recovered by llbuquerque, who had received reinforcements rom Cochin. The Portuguefe next turned their attention to ic conqueft of Malacca j their ufual fuccefs at- tended them in this enterprife; audi they efta- uiOied faftories here and among the Banda Ifles, ind extended their fettlements from the Red Sea the Perfian Gulph. And exclufive of the abfo- ite command of the iflands, they were complete lailers, of the coafls of both the peninfulas of idia. Through thisvaft track their authority was in- ^ifputed, and their power unlimited : their trade ^as neither dilhirbed by individuals 3 nor the |ights they had aiiumed invaded by natives. To A a 3 the ^7(X VIEW OF THE ?ORTUGUB8E INTEREST the former indeed they fometimes affefted to granl licences, but they reftrided them to pairticulai ' articles, both of import and export ; and retainec to themfelves the privilege ot fupplying all the markets of Europe with fuch commodities as were eafieft of conveyance, and produced the moll considerable profit. Thus the commerce o( the eail was diverted from the channel in which it had fo long flowed 5 and Portugal rofe to opu- lence and refpeft on the decline of Venice anc Genoa. Nothing can more powerfully prove the flu6tuating nature of trade than this change j am though to the prefent day, the extention, or the monopoly of commerce is the pride of nations^ and the frequent caufe of their deftru6tion, the) have vet to learn what is folid and permanent wealth, and in what their true glory and gran- deur confifts. In the acquifition of riches and power, the Portuguefe, like all other nations whom hiftoi has recorded, forgot that the means by whicl wealth and dominion are obtained, muft be ex- erted for their prefervation. They grow wan- ton with fuccefs and intoxicated with afflin ence. They ruled over the wretched native^ with a feverity, which, too often, degeneratec into the moft inhuman cruelty ; they profti- tuted the facred name of religion, to the bafef and moft unworthy pui^pofes ; eftabliflied inquij iitions to puniili, where th^y had no right to ulJ more than the mild inftruments of convi£iionj and plundered the unhappy vi6tims of their avaj rice, under the pretence of rendering honour t(j that God, whofe laws they facrilegioufly violatj ^ Bigotry, which rifes in proportion to thj dereliflioJ IN THE lAST INDIES. 271 dereli6tion of principle, made them fird con* temptible, and then criminal. As they grew more completely vicious, they alfo became funk in effeminacy. They ilored their fernglios, like the princes of the eall ; and ' when fatiated with, enjoyment, forced the vic- tims of their inordinate pa (lions to betake them- felves to the moil ilaviin employments, and to yield to their cruel mailers the produce of their laboiirs. They copied all the excefles of the peo- ple they had fubdued; indulged themfelves in the Aiiatic pleafures of iinging and dancing girls, the only part of the natives which they did not involve in indifcriminate oppreflion; they learn*' ed to recline on fofas, and to be carried in palan* quins; and at laft carried on war in that luxuri* ous and di^pated manner which had enabled themfelves to fubdue the aboriginal inhabitants. The natural confequence of fuch depravity was, the contempt of the natives among whonf they had eflabliihed themfelves : at firft they were the objeds of terror ; at laft they became the butts of ridicule. The natives, deprived of luxurious in- dulgencies, began to recover their natural ener- gies, and they meditated to expel the invaders* Riiing in refolution, as the Portuguefe funk in effeminacy, they adually attacked one of their principal fettlements ; but by the vigorous cou" dud of Don Juan de Cailro, who had now fue- ceeded to the chief conmiand of the Portuguefe forces in India, they were repulfed ; and the dying embers of European fpirit feemed, for a time, to revive, and to difpel Ihe enervating fumes of Allan luxury. But this gleam was of ihort duration; the |loom retijirued with deeper ihades > for aa fooner 272 VIEW OP THE ^OHTXTGUESB^ INTEREST fooner was the ftorm blown over^ than they re- lapied into the fame inglri-ioafi and ina6tive ftatc, from which they were only roufed, when the calls of an infatiable avarice prompted them to the commiflion o£ every crime, difgraceful to human nature. Nor did they confine thefe depredations to the natives. Though thefe undoubted 'y were the ^reateft fufferers, becaufe the leaft capable of prote6ting themfelves, the intoxicated Portuguefe at laft preyed on ea. h other, the ftrong on the weak ; and the fame brutal lull of wealth, which Simulated them to torment and murder the id* ofFenfive Indians, tempted them to lay violent hands on each other. The vices of individuals corrupted the ftate ; crimes of the blackeft dye tindured the refolutions cf cabinets, and the con - du6t of commanders ; and the fucceifors to power began the lirft pradtice of their authority on their immediate predeceflors, in order to extort from them that wealth, which they had amalTed by means nefarious indeed, but which their followers intended mod religioufly to copy. While the manners of the Portuguefe were in this degenerate ftate, the natives now ufiited a fecond time to extirpate their detefl:ed tyrants. The court of Lifbon, on this, difpatched Ataida from Europe with fuccours and unlimited power, who for a while repelled the attacks of the exaf- perated natives. But though they failed in their attempt on Goa, which had been made the capi- tal, they fucceeded in depriving the Portuguefe of maqy of tbifcir lefs important poifeftions ; and other nations of Europe, not yet fo obnoxious to the inhabitants of Indoftan, appearing on its «oaitS| the firft occapiers gradually lofl their con- fequencej IN THE BAST INDIISS. 273 Ifequence; and many of their remaining fettle- men ts were wreiled from them by the Chriftiaa I powers. The only remains of 'the mighty conqucfts of I Portugal, in the eaftern quarter of the globe, are Goa, where a viceroy ftill refides and keeps up the Ihadow of the ancient fplendor of government, Macao, Diu, Daman, and Bailaim. Thefe at prefent arc very infigniiicant places j ^nd the ad- vantages ariiing from them inconfiderable, in the great Icale of trade, now carried on between the differe^^t parts of Europe and the empire of In* Idodan. The Britifh at this time are unrivalled lords of I the continent; but with whom, in the tide of events, the power may next refidcj belongs onlj to Omnifcience to determine. 1 THE FEL A ^° Vlx, ha\ Iboldnefs < lalways re Iraiy with Ito have b( Ito have dc |won. He was [man, and llndian as himlelf, ai larly empl ?eded De Iterminated )rmi\t.z, u! Coluinb fe never i\ k The jic Ocean Ind Vafqu( ftred the 1 K Panama. [rcumnavi ptQe was 3 THE VOYAGE ov FERDINAND MAGELLAN, ROUND THE WORLD. \ MONG thofe illuftrious navigators who I/jL have fhewn originality of conception and boldnefs of refolution, Ferdinand Magellan will lalways retain a diflinguifhed place. Contempo- Iraiy with Columbus and De Gama, he appears Ito have been animated with the fame fpirit, and Ito have deferved to participate in the laurels they Iwon. .1 He was a native of Portugal, born a gentle*- Iman, and bred a foldier. He had ferved in the Indian as well as African wars with credit to Ihlmfelf, and honour to his king j being particu- |larly employed in thofe expeditions which fuc- ?eded De Gama's difcovery, and which at length |terminated in the redudion of Malacca, Goa, and )rmi^il.z, under the dominion of Portugal. . Columbus went in fearch of a paffage which be never found, and found what he Jittle expe6t- td. The palTage from the Atlantic to the Paci- k Ocean was ftill a dciideratum in navigation ; liid Vafquez de Nunez de Balboa having difco- kred the la (I- mentioned fea from the mountains If Panama, Magellan conceived the idea of the frcumnavigation of the globe, which at that fine was not generally allowed to be round, 3 This 276 MAOELLAN*S VOYAGE. This grand idea, as it may be juftly called, when! we consider the age, he communicated to hisl court ; but being flighted in that particular, andj as it is faid, denied the fmall augmentation' of] half a ducat a month to his pay, he refolVed tol quit Portugal, and leek his fortune in other| countries. The court of Spain had fo much fignalized it-l felf by fuccefs in difcoveries, and the encourage-l ment it gave to adventurers, that Magellan natu-| rally turned his thoughts that way. Charles V.l one of the molt powerful princes that ever lived,! and in whpfe extenfive dominions the fun never! fet, at that time filled the throne of Spain. To| him, therefore, this officer applied ; and, to for- ward his views, did not fail to reprefent, that all] the Banda and Molucca Iflands mud of right, ac- cording to the papal decree, belong to him ; anc thefe he propofed to difcover by a weftern navi- gation. This projeft, which had for its object the ex- tenfion of dominion, as well as the returns of va- luable commerce, was peculiarly acceptable tc Charles. Without hefitation, he gave orders foi making the neceffary preparations, with as mud expedition as circumftances would allow. Noii did the eiftperor flop here : he conferred the orH der of St. Jago on Magellan and his companionJ Ruy Falero, as a fpur to this arduous undertaking] The Portuguefe ambaifador made ftrong oppoj iition to this fcheme j nor were there wantina fome courtiers, who envious of Magellan*s hoj nours, threw every impediment they could in th| Way of his expedition. He received aqd fubmitj ted to many infults on account of his country f and when all was juft ready for the embarkationl h? Magellan's votaob. Tjf Ihis hopes had nearly been f^uftated of reaping the honour of the project, by Ruy Falero conteft- ing with him the honour of bearing the royal ilandard. This matter being adjufted^ and hig rival perfuaded to remain at home on account of a precarious ftate of health, which was very un- equal to fuch a dili:ant and uncertain voyage, Magellan was inverted with the fole command of |the fquadron, and the buiinefs proceeded. This fquadron coniiiled of five fhips : the St. lAntonio bearing the admiral's flag 3 Juan de Car- Itagena, vice admiral ; the St. Jago^ commanded Iby Juan Roderiquez Serrano j and the Concep- Ition, Gafpar de Quefada mailer, and two others* JThefe fet fail from Cadiz on the 10th of Auguft 11517, and arriving in fafety at TenerifFe on the |2d of September, failed from thence for Rio Janei- ra, on the coaft of Bralil. After refrefhing at Ithis place, and taking in fuch neceifaries as this [voyage required, they purfued their courfe. This cotirfe, however, was not univerfally lagreed on. Various difputes arofe about it \ and Ifome were for adopting one plan, fome another. iThe fleet being anchored in St. Julian's river on |Eafter-day, and mafs being ordered to be cele- )rated on fhore, the three Captains, Luys de IMendofa, Gafpar de Gluczada, and Juan de Car* |tagena, -abfented themfelvesj a circumftance vhich filled the admiral with inquietude, be- caufe, from their xlifobcdience, as well as from )ther previous fymptoms, he had rcafon to fuf* id that a fpirit of difcontent pervaded the ma- jority of his fleet. Thus, like Columbus, his dif- [ficulties began at an 6arly period : becaufe where 10 one knew the courfe with certainty, each ar- rogated to himfelf as much right to judge of it another. Vol. I. B b la m 278 MAOELLAM^S VOTAOB. In' this dilemma, to.return with difgrace, wa^l what Magellan could hot brook; to proceed was] to encounter a variety of hardihips, at the fame time that he had every thing to apprehend from{ his own people. While contemplating his fitua- tion, and before he could come to any precife re- 1 folution, the weather began to grow fevere, andl the murmurs to increafe^ and a confpiracy of the! three captains being (Irongly fufpe^ed, the ad- miral was induced to call his own ihip*s crew to | arms. In the meantime, as Mendofa was read- ing a letter which he had received from the ad- 1 mlral, he was dabbed to the heart. At that in- flant a boat was manned with about thirty of the admirarsfirmeft friends, who, boarding the other ihips, took forty prifoners, who were fuppofed to be deeped in the confpiracy. Ctuezada alone was fentenced to be executed, and the body oif Men- dofa was quartered. Thus the oppolition was al- layed for the time by this aft of feverityj and proper meafures were concerted for the fleet to proceed, as foon as the feafon was favourable.! In the interim, Serrano was difpatched to exa- mine the American coaft, along which they were] to fail, in order to make the wiflied-for difcovery. If we may give credit to the Spanifh accounts! of this voyage, while they were thus detained onl the Braiilian coafl, they faw men of a gigantic! ftature, whofe voices, when enraged, refembledl bulls. One of thefe came on board, whofe face| was as frightful as his voice was terrific; anc fuch was his height, that an ordinary flzed Spani' ard could only reach to his waid. We confidei this, however, as the embellifhment of romance and are forry to fay, that this voyage, in general^ bears marks of a partiality for the marvellous. That a race abovti the common fize exifts or Magellan's voyage. 279 I this coaft, we fhall fee confirmed by future voy» {tgers, whofe authenticity we cannot difpute; but with all this exaggeration^ it feems the fa- |vage was peaceable in his deportment, and thankful for fuch trifling prefents as he received, till the Spaniards endeavoured to put fhackles I on his legs to fecure him ; and if he then roared, out like a bull, we need not wonder, fince the pro- vocation and the danger were fufficient to make him exert every faculty both of body and mind. He was drelfed in the Ikins of fome Urange wiM beaft; and we learn, that the people, in general, on this coaH, were habited in a iimilar manner. They are defcribed as ignorant and fuperflitious, believing that their country is haunted by evil fpirits, of whofe influence they are much afraid. Their weapons were bows and arrows. Their huts' were conilrufted with (kins, and portable from place to place. They devoured their meat with the voracioufnefs ci cannibals, without feeming to know any modes of previous drefiing it. They ufed a root, called Caper, inHead of bread, and drank valt quantities of water with their meals. The only religious ideas they feemed to pof- I fefs, centred in the belief of two beings, one of whom they termed Sebetos, who feemed to be fuperiorj and the other, whom they denominated Chelcule, a fubordinate kind of deity. In this barren country, fince called Patagonia, they fet up a crofs, and took polTeflion with the ufual fo- lemnities. Serrano, who, ds has been mentioned before, was difpatched on an expedition to reconnoitre the coaft, difcovered a river about a league broad, at the entrance, to which he gave the name of Saint Clare. He fpent fix days in examining it, B b a aw" 280 MAGILLANS VOTAGS. and fifbing for feals -, and was afterwards expof'- cd to a violent dorm, which dafhed his veffel onl the Ihore. The crew was faved from the fury] of the elements, only to fuffer the extremities oi famine on a barren coafl. In this miferable fltu-l ation, two of the people were fortunate enough! to convey intelligence to the admiral, who di{-| patched a veiTel to their afllifiance^ and thus faved | them from inevitable death. At lall, Magellan left the port of St. Julian J vliere he had flaid fo long with little fatisfac- tion, on the 24th of Auguil, fetting Juan de| Cartagena on ihore, together with Pedro San- chez Reyora, the prieft, for being principals in I the confpiracy. This punifliment was worfe than a thoufand deaths, as it tantalized them with life, while they were denied all its enjoy- ments, and even its neceffaries. They were left, indeed,, with a ftock of provifions, but werc| »ever heard of more. About the «nd of Odober, the fleet reached a| promontory which Magellan named Cape Vir- gin, and, percdving an inlet, fent to explore the I coaft. On receiving the different reports of the perfons deputed on "this expedition, a council of the chief officers and pilots was called, in which Kllevan Gomez, pilot of the Antonio, declared for returning home, and was followed by all the members, the admiral only excepted, who, with a refolutidn bordering on madnefs, declared, that in fpite of tempeft and famine, he was refolved to perfcvere. The Antonio being afterwards fent to explore a nearer paffage thari any^ which] they had yet a reafon to exped, the above pilot, together with the purfer, having ftabbed thcl mailer, carried the fhip home ; and the admiral,! having in vain endeavoured to come up with! herj . they foon ' came to Humuna,! hands an( a? pleafant iiland, and inhabited by a humanel their god people, ready to accommodate the vifitors withlfufFered t whatever refrefliments the place fupplied. Herelof thorns they recruited their exhaufted ftrength, and thenlpious frai paliing between feveral more iflands, toiached atlthat this Buthuan, where they were honourably entertain- dangers o ed by the king. The natives, though, certainly climate is unacquainted with Chriftian forms, were obfeiv After f ed, or fuppofed, by Magellan, to make the iign which aff of the crofs at their meals. The king s palac( fupplies p had no more external marks of grandeur than i ners, the hay loft* being raifed upon fuch high pofts> that April, h ■ I ... il mmm> MAGELLAN S VOYAOB. 285 it could nofbe entered without a ladder. Thefe lilanders regarded their guelts with particular admiration, and even treated them as fuperiors in the fcale of being. The foil was faid to be fo rich, that pieces of gold, of the iizo^ of hazel- nuts, and fome much larger, were fifted from the common mould of the country. The king was a comely man, of an olive com- plexion. He was clothed in cotton ; wore 9 dagger, with a gold haft, by his fide j and was decorated with a profufion of gold rings. Ma- gellan prefented his majefty with various colour- ed cloth, and diflributed glaifes, knives, and chryftal beads among his attendants. It is re- lated, that one of the iflanders offered a Spaniard a crown of gold and a collar for fix threads of chryfial beads, but that the admiral would not permit fuch an unequal traffic to be carried on. If this is true, it evinces a moderation, which few of the Spaniards were inclined to imitate in their diftant expeditions. The natives were a very lively people, and appeared to have no other religious rites among them, than a certain cere- mony, which they pra6tifed, of lifting up their hands and eyes towards heaven, and calling on their god Abba. We are farther told, that they fufFered their guefls to ere6t a crofs and a crown of thorns 5 but to this they were induced by a pious fraud of Magellan's, who perfuaded them, that this crofs would protedt them from the dangers of lightning and temped, to which this climate is very fubjed. After failing among feveral iflands, moil of which afforded fruits, goats, and poultry, which fupplies proved extremely beneficial to the mari- ners, the fleet arrived at Zubut on the 7th of ApriL Here they fired a falute oa entering the Larbour 284 MAGELLAN ft VOTAOB. harbour, which at firft threw the inhabiiantfl into great conlternation : but on the nature oi the compliment being explained, they were fjieedily reconciled to their guefts. The king, however, thought fit to demand tribute for touching on his coaih ; but this Magellan flaUyl refuled to pay. And his majefty having been toldl that thefe Grangers were Portuguefe, whofe coun<| trymen had ftormed Calicut, and were renowncdl for their military achievments in India, judged it.advifable to defift from his preteniions ; and to ftudy to render himfelf as agreeable as he] could. Magellan, we are gravely told, bad in- fluence enough to prevail on this prince, his I brother, and the queen to receive the rite of fpi- ritual ablution ; and that a total abolition ofl idolatry took place throughout his dominions inf the fhort fpace of eight days.' That the prince | or his people might be brought to the ufe of ex- ternal forms, is not very improbable; but that | they could be converted to Chriftianity was im- poflible. They could neither underftand the I language of Magellan, nor could he underdand theirs : principles they could acquire none, with- out this medium of communication ; but it is much to be feared, that, in former times, and perhaps now, rites are midaken for eflentialsjl and baptifm, which is only the initiatory cere- mony, is, by a figure of language, taken for reli- gion itfelf. ' After furmoioiting as many dangers a& man I could undergo j after feeing himfelf in poffefllion of his wiihes, and eflabli thing his chara6ter for difcernment and aftive Ikill to remoteft ages, the time was now approaching, that Magellan was to meet his fate. Leaving Zubut, he proceeded] to the Ifle of Mathan. This was under the go- verumentl ntiinions in llAGELtAN*S VOYAGE. ^395 srnment of two kings, from whom tfi^ Spani* irds 4emanded an acknowledgment of tribute. 'his being juAly refufed, an open rupture en- fuedi and the admiral, with only iixty Spani- irds> gave battle to the natives, whofe numberi ^ave bef.n calculated to amount to lix thoufand. [After a long and Iharp conflid) in which the ){s on the iide of the Indians was much lels Ithan Height have been expeded, and on both not I very confiderable^ Magellan, being too far ad" panced, was wounded with a poifoned arrow, ind pierced in th** head with a lance, which ter- unated his life and exploits. £ven his body Iwas never recovered. Some have maintained that he was difpatched Iby his own men, to whom his flridt difcipline had tendered him odious and intolerable. In former [periods of the voyage, this might have been the jcafe ', but now having reached a land of plenty, ind furmounted their principal diiiiculties, it can Ifcarcely be believed, that the Spaniards would Inik their own fafety by violating his. Indeed, Ithe moft authentic accounts of this unfortunate |tranfadion fay, that his men were much difcon- ;rted at his lofs. Though Magellan had not the honour of being [the firft circumnavigator of the globe, as he was cut off before the completion of his voyage, yet \Q fliewed the prafticability of the fcheme 5 and thofe who followed him had no more claims to >riginai difcovery than the followers of Columbus } they, indeed, went farther ; but they knew the rack in which they were to go. It is probable, however, that Magellan had wry little idea of meeting witli the ftraight that irs his name. His original thought was to )aik ^txg to the fouthwardt as the land trend- ed. J 286 MAGELLAN*! VOTAGB* cd, and by pcrfeverance, he perfuadcd himfcl that a boundary would be found to the new conj tinent as well as the old. By doubling the Ca^ of Good Hope, a pafTage was found into the In<| and obferved great Hate* His cal )ita' i . »«»i w n ij ff in iyfwwywiwpm xtiMUttiMttt^ ~^It|W'"SF' MAGELLAN S VOYAGE. 28/ pital contained twenty-five thoufand houfes* /amphoT; cinnamon, oranges, and lemons were ^he principal produdions of the country. While ley lay here, they were attacked by an Indian ieet which they defeated, taking an Indian prince prifoner, who, through negligence or de- ign, was permitted to efcape. Faffing fome other illands, they fleered for the [oluccas ; and, after fuftaining another ftorm, reached Tiridore, the chief of thefe iflands, on |the 8th of November. Thus one obje6l of the voyage was accompliihed, to fail to the Moluccas by the weft. They found thefe iflands to be five number, abounding in oranges, lemons, pome- granates, and rich fpices. The inhabitants were [oors and Pagans ; the latter of which, among )ther abfurdities, were faid to worfliip the firft Dbjeft they met in the morning ; though, in >int of fuperftition, the Mahometans, in gene- il, exceeded them. Having opened a warehoufe, an advantag where they took in affeftionate leave. The company was now reduced to forty -fix Spa- liards and thirteen Indians. In their c jurfe they jtbuched at Timor, where ginger and white fander rood abounded, as well as neceflfary provifions. From hence they intended to fhape their courfe for the Cape of Good Hope, but after long wait- ig for a favourable wind^ they ran down to la- titude 28t MAOELtAN^S VOTAGS. titude 42 deg. louth. Avoiding Mofambi^jit^ from an apprehenlion of meeting with the Por^ tuguefe, thefe adventvffers were reduced to tin kit diftrefs for proviiions. In this iituation the) reached the Cape de Verd Hands, whetci not J withflanding they had caufe for fear, fuch w^i their prefling want, that they chole rather td riik beiiig detained than to perifh with famine] At firft they were fupplied with proTiiions ; but] on landing again, thirteen of the crew Wetc feizn cd and made prifonei-s. The reft, fearful of th< fame fate, and unable to contend, fet fail witii- out them. Favourable gales attended their pro- grcfs, and, on the 7th of September, they arrivec in fafety at the port of St. Luc^r, under the conduct of John Sebadian Camo, aft6r circum- navigating the globd in three years and thirtj- feven days. Of the whole fquadron, only one fliip had the good fortune to return to Spain,] and of two hundred and thirty four officers anc feamen, the complement at fetting out, onl) thirteen Spaniards furvived to vxiit their nativi land. Don Sebaf^iaiT Camo was received with ver extraordinary honour by the Emperor Charles V^ who, to dillinguxih him and his pofldrity fo^ ever, alfigned him the terreftrial globe fcftr hi^ .arms, with the motto primus me ciucuMoedisJ Tl, Tou have Jirji furrounded me. He, likewifej came in for many liberal rewards, which, ha(f Magellan lived, would have been peculiarly hij due. BKO OF VOXVMI U iofambi^tt^ ith the Por^ luced to tin :uation the) f^hete^ not- r, fuch w^i « rather tc dth fattiineJ iiions; butj V Weit feiz^ irful of the t fail with- d their pro^ they arrivec under the ■t6r circuin- and thirtj- 1, only one I to Spainj officers an( ; out, onlj their nativi with ver Charles VJ oftesrity foij >be idr hii CUMOEDISJ likewifej ^hich, had culiarly hlj •h ■ ' >