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 J<f. iOranoe 
 3\0 
 
 -*- ' " ■ 
 
ACCOUNT 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 European Settlements 
 
 I N 
 
 AMERICA. 
 
 In Six Parts. 
 
 I. A fliort Hiftory of the 
 Difcovery of that Part of 
 the World. 
 
 II. The Manners and Cuf- 
 toms of the original Inha- 
 
 ' bitants. 
 
 III. Of the Spanifti Settle- 
 ments. 
 
 IV. Of the Portuguefe. 
 
 V. Of the French, Dutch, 
 and DaniHi. 
 
 VI. Of the Engliftj. 
 
 Each Part contains 
 
 An accurate Defcription of the Settlements in it, 
 their Extent, Climate, Produdlions, Trade, Ge- 
 nius and Difpofition of their Inhabitants: the In- 
 terefts of the feveral Powers of Europe with re- 
 fpeft tothofe Settlements*, and their Political and 
 Commercial Views with regard to each other. 
 
 In two volumes. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 The Fourth Edition, with Improvements. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for J, D o d s l e y, in Pall-Mall. 
 MDCCLXV. 
 
V. I 
 
P R E F A C E. 
 
 *T^H E affairs of America have lately en* 
 gaged a great deal of the public attention. 
 Before the prefent war, there were but a very 
 few who made tht, hijlory of that quarter of 
 the world any part of their Jludy ; though the 
 matter is certainly very curious itf elf , and ex- 
 tremely interejling to us as a trading people, 
 
 The hijlory of a country which, though vaft 
 in extent, is the property only of four nations ; 
 and which, though peopled probably for afe- 
 ries of ages, is only known to tbe.reji of the 
 world for abqut two centuries, does notnatur* 
 ally afford matter for many volumes, Tet it 
 is certain, that, to acquire a proper knowledge 
 of the hijlory of the events in America, an 
 idea of its prefent Jlate, and a competent judg- 
 ment of its trade, a great deal of reading has 
 been found requifite. And I may add, that 
 
 a 2 the 
 

 PREFACE. 
 
 ibe reading on many parts of this fubjeSi is 
 dry and dijgujling ; tJoat authors have treated 
 en ity fome without a fufficicnt knowledge of 
 ihefubjeSlt and others inftich a manner as no 
 knowledge of the fubjeSl in the author could 
 induce any body to become readers. That fome 
 are loaded with a lumber of matter that can 
 inter ejl very few ; and that others obfcure the 
 truth in many particulars, to gratify the low 
 prejudices of parties, and, I may fay, of na^ 
 tions. Whatever is written by the Englifh 
 fettled in our colonies, is to be read with great 
 caution-, becaufe very few of them write with'' 
 out a bias to the inter eji of the particular prO' 
 vince to which they belong,or perhaps to a par" 
 ticular faSlion in that province. It is only by 
 comparing the printed accounts with one am- 
 ther, and thofe with the bejl private injorma- 
 tions, and correSling all by authentic matter 
 of record, that one can difcover the truth ; 
 and this hath been a matter of fome difficulty. 
 
 With regard to the foreign fettlements, 
 recourfe was had to the beji printed accounts 
 
 2 of 
 
• PREFACE. 
 
 cf travellers and others ; and, in fome points, 
 to private informauion from intelligent trad- 
 ers, The materials for the foreign fettle- 
 ments are far Jrom being as perfeSl, or as 
 much to be depended upon, as we could wifi ; 
 it was very feldom that I could venture to 
 tranfcribc any thing diredily from them witht 
 out fome addition or fome correSlive, , . 
 
 Inthe hijlorlcal part of this work, I fx- 
 ed my eye principally on fome capital matters, 
 
 , which might the mofi fully engage and befi 
 reward the attention of the reader ; and in 
 treating ofthofe I dwelt only uponfuch events 
 as feeined to me to afford fome political in- 
 
 flru5lion, or to open the charaSlers of the 
 principal aSlors in thofe great fcenes. The 
 affairs which feemed mofi worthy of an ac- 
 count of any length, are thofe fplendid and 
 remarkable events of the difcovery of Ame- 
 rica, and the conqueji of the only two civil" 
 
 ^ ized kingdoms it contained. 
 
 In treating of other parts, I have given Jo 
 much of the hiftory of each country as may 
 
 ferve 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 ferve to Jhew, when and upon what princi^ 
 pies it was planted, to enable the reader the 
 better to judge ofitsprefent condition, Thefe 
 accounts are very Jhort -, and, conjidering of 
 what fort f matter fuch hijiories arp com^ 
 pofedy I belitve I Jhali deferve as much for 
 what 1 have omitted, as for what I have 
 inferted. If I could not write well upon 
 any fubjeSl, I have endeavoured always to 
 write concifely* 
 
 f 
 % 
 
 'ii 
 
 , My principal v:ew, in treating of the fe-* 
 veral fettlements, was, to draw every thing 
 towards their trade, which is the point that 
 concerns us the moji materially ; for which 
 reafon, I have but little conjidered their civil, 
 and yet lefs their naturd hijiory, further 
 than as they tended to th; ow fome light upon 
 the commerce of thefe countries -, except where 
 t^'e matters were very curious, andfervedto 
 dlverjify the work, ^..^ . , /^ 
 
 It is not to be expeSled that a performance 
 of this kind can be written equally throughout, 
 
 ^•:, , . .. •■ ; .\- .-f. In 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In fome places, tbe fubjeSi refufes all orna* 
 ment ; and the matter, dry in iifelf, is by 
 ': no art to be made othefimfc : infofne, a con* 
 tagidri communicated from the dulnefs of ma-* 
 terials, which yet *were necejfary to the "Work, 
 may probably appear j in many, and perhapt 
 the mofi blameable parts, the author alone 
 muji be anfwerabkm 
 
 Having fpoken perhaps a little too hardly 
 of my materials, I muft except the qffijlance 
 I have had from the judicious colleSiion called 
 Harris s Voyages, Inhere are not many finer 
 pieces than the hifiory of Brazil in that col-- 
 leSiion ; the light in which the author Jets the 
 events in that hifiory is fine and inftru6livei 
 an uncommon Jpirit prevails through it ; and 
 his remarks are roery where firiking and 
 deep, The little Jketcb I have given in the 
 part of Portuguefe America, if it has any 
 merit, is entirely due to that original, How^ 
 ever the accounts giv^n of many things in that 
 part of his work which relates to the Englijb 
 and Fre7ichfettlements may be defedJive, and 
 
 fuitcd 
 
i>t 
 
 I* 
 
 1 1 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 fuited rather to the ancient than to the pre^ 
 
 fentjiate of affairs in that part of the world: 
 
 his remarks have rarely this fault ; and where 
 
 J differ from him in any refpeB^ it is with 
 
 deference to the judgment of a writer to whom 
 
 this nation is much obliged^ for endeavouring 
 
 every where with fo much good fenfe andelo^ 
 
 quence to roufe thatfpirit of generous enter^ 
 
 prize J that can alone make any nation power-' 
 
 ful or glorious^ ' -, -.(^jiitV^ x\ .^.o-'^\ -^mrsAl 
 
 A. D; 1 76 1, -"i iN^\\\\\\ <A4jV''.^^»Vi«A\^4'.*, '\o 
 
 Iv. 
 
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 CON- 
 
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 t'V ^ T *. 
 
 
 
 CON TENTS 
 
 v.s\v..i(3 Of the First Volume. ■ 
 
 •t"A\; ,« A" ■ ■ • ; .■ ■■'•■ ■ .) 
 
 ^ PART I. 
 
 Tthe difcovery of America^ and the re* 
 duEiion of Mexico and Peru, ■" 
 
 C H A p. I. 
 
 THE ^^/^ o/* Europe before the dtfcovery of 
 America, The proje£i of Qohimbus, His 
 application to feveral courts. His fuccejf- 
 , ful application to that of Spain, His: .voyage, 
 The dtfcovery of the Bahamas, and. Greater 
 Antilles. ...V..V. ,vv.i,,v page 3 
 
 A\«V>ii.V» ciWUi 
 
 C. 
 
 CHAP. It: 
 
 \ X.*.'i\\'i'\'<^\ 
 
 \*\. 
 
 T^he dtfcovery of the Car'ibbees, Columbus re- 
 turns to Europe. His behaviour at Lijbon. 
 Jlis reception at Barcelona by^ Ferdinand cmd 
 Ifabelta. Second voyage of Columbus. T'he 
 ^). condition of the Spaniards in Hifpamola. 
 The city of Ifabella built t and a Spanijh colony 
 fettled, A voyage J or better difcovering the 
 (oaji of Cuba, 14 
 
 Yql. I, b The 
 
■I 1 
 
 ' 
 
 ■ i' ■• 
 
 :| 1 
 
 '14 ■ 
 ih 
 
 Hi: 
 
 » 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Tilje difficuit'tes attending the voyage, ^amaioct 
 
 d'lfcovered. ^ Columbus returns to Hifpaniota. 
 
 The Spaniards rebel, A war with the Indians 
 
 of that country, T^ hey are conquer id, Iheir 
 
 Jcheme Jor Jlarving the Spaniards, 2j 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Complantts againji Columbus, Aperfon is fent 
 
 to enquire into his conduCi, He returns to 
 
 Spain. He is acquitted. He Jets out on his 
 
 third voyage, . He djcovers the continent of 
 
 ^ ^ South. America, HefailstoHijpanlola, 33 
 
 -%.a-.'a\.. i^Vi 
 
 CHAP. V. ':^^'- 
 
 ' Coliimbus finds the Spaniards of Hifpaniota in 
 
 
 rebellion. His meajures tofupprefs It . 
 complaints againfi him in Spain. • He is fu- 
 perfededin the government t and fent to Spain 
 in irons, jj^q 
 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 .-..A''- A-O 
 
 ^^Be^difcoveries ofAmericus Fejputius, affd other 
 '■ '■ adventurers. What caufed thejpirit of dif- 
 
 •"*'*< covery, ' •. ; 46 
 
 C HAP. 
 
 S 
 
^ CONTENTS. fe 
 
 ■*'.,• '■ . - ■ ■ ■» ■■ 
 
 CHAP. VII. . -^ '} 
 
 Columbus again acquitted. Undertakes a fourth 
 voyage. Difcovers the coaji nfTcrra Firma 
 nndthe ifihmus of Darien. Returns to Hif" 
 pa7iioia. His reception there. Purfues bis 
 {iifcoveries to the coaji of Terra Firma. He 
 is driven to fanmicay andfiipwrecked on that 
 ijland. His dijlrejjes there. The rebellion of 
 his men, lohich he fuppreffes. He leaves the 
 ijland and returns to Spain. His receptiofi 
 there. He dies. ca 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 *f « ^, •vtt . ^ 
 
 The charaBer of Columbus. Some reflexions on 
 thi^ conduH of the court of Spain, 6 1 
 
 >-M'v ' ■ ^ . ^«- ■■ • -. 
 
 C II A P. IX.» vvAi^x^^U 
 
 The difcaveries andconquefts of "Balboa, Vclaf 
 quez fends Cortes on the Mexican expedition. 
 The Jlate of the Mexican empire. Cortes 
 makes an alliance with the Tlafcalans, 
 
 C H A P, X, 
 
 Cortes builds "La Vera Cruz, He marches t9 
 Mexico. His reception by Montezuma. Cer^ 
 tes imprifons Monte^um^i, That prince' sjlra^ 
 
 b ^ tavern 
 
 /- '■' 
 
1 
 
 
 I i; 
 
 a 
 
 
 iv e O N T e N T S; ^ 
 
 /^^^/« ifd? i^^/y? /fis liberty ; />6f confequenCi 
 
 of it. ; . : A i: : 75 
 
 O^V;V 
 
 C H A P, . XI. ^^-^^0 > 
 
 ^^he attempts of Montezuma to make the Spani- 
 ards leave Mexico, ^he arrival of Narvaez 
 to take the command Jrom Cortes. Cortes 
 
 >n/ leaves Mexico. Defeats and takes Narvaez 
 fr if oner. The Spaniards in Mexico, bejieged, 
 Cortes raifes the fi^ge. Montezuma is 
 hilled. nV\ .v H 
 
 1. 1 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 '\V 
 
 .. ^ 
 
 Cuatimozin chofen emperor by the Mexicans, 
 
 . . Jle bejieges t^e Spaniards in their quarters. 
 
 ;.. Obliges Cortes to retire out of the city, Dif 
 
 trejjes him in his retreat. The battle of 
 
 Qtumba, Corles retr^ts to Tlafcala, 96 
 
 5,V; .... . C H.A„P..,XIII., .r:v.vv...^. ' 
 
 Ppani^rds fent againfi Cortes join him. He 
 marches again td Mexico, A cqnfpiracy a- 
 gainji his life baffled. 105 
 
 chap" XIV, 
 
 jfhefege of Mexico-^ ^erms of\'acccmmodation 
 ^',r;ejujed by tJfr'^exJf^fis, ''ihe Spaffiards re- 
 
 li^UvA 1' " "' - o . .- . pulfed 
 
C O N T E N T S. ,-t 
 
 pulfed by aflratagem of Guatimozin* A new 
 liratagemof Guatimbzin, He is taken, The 
 city fur renders, Guatimozin tortured. Cor-- 
 tes fuperfeded in his government , Refexions 
 on the Spanijh cruelties, J '>i. '. -. 114 
 
 v^\ \ 
 
 i^VW-'V 
 
 C H A P. XV. 
 
 He 
 
 acy ^- 
 
 ^hefcheme ofPizarro and Almagrofor the con- 
 queji of Peru, Their char aSiers, The fate 
 
 ' of the empire of Peru at that time. The tak^ 
 ing of the ynca Atabalipa, 129 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 The murder of the ynca, A dijpute between 
 Pizarro and Almagro, They are reconciled^ 
 Almagrds expedition to Chili, The Peruvi^ 
 ans renew the war,, and befiege Cufco, Al^ 
 magro returns and defeats them, Almagro 
 renews the quarrel with Pizarro^ but is de^ 
 feated and put to death, li^z 
 
 C H A p.' XVII. 
 
 The final difperfion of the Peruvian army. The 
 (onjpiracy agaiji Pizarro, He is murdered, 
 
 154 
 
 }dation 
 'ds re- 
 pulj'ed 
 
 '^■. 
 
 ^i 
 
 CHAP. 
 
I!':' 
 
 01 CONTENTS. 
 
 ,r:a* .v^^- CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 • 2'(^fmg Almagro made governor* *The new vice- 
 X r roy Vac a di Cafirojirrives. Puts to death 
 young Almagro. Puts an end to the factions ^ 
 and fettles the province. He is recalled. Gon- 
 zalo Pizarro raifes a rebellion, and ufurps the 
 government. Peter de la Gajia made viceroy. 
 Defeats the troops of PizarrQi ^fid puts him 
 ., to death, . „.; . . i^S 
 
 o--* 
 
 ^VX . .1, A li O 
 
 v.\ •• 
 
 
 
 
 
 -3 
 
 PART 
 
C O N T E NTS. 
 
 n 
 
 va 
 
 .'J. 
 
 A. 
 
 
 P A R T II. 
 
 V 
 
 The Manners of the Amerkanu 
 
 C IJ A P, I. 
 
 'The perfons of the Americans . Their drefs and 
 
 <. way of living. Their manner of converfng, 
 
 ' Their hofpitality. Their temper. Their re~ 
 
 Hgion andfuperjlitions. Their medicine, 167 
 
 .'(."^AuVnK 
 
 CHAP. II, 
 
 ,WUV'^^*\' 
 
 The government of th^ Americans, Their coun^ 
 
 ci/s. Their tf rat ors. Their feafis. Their mau" 
 
 . ner of adminijieringjujiice, ij^ 
 
 '.\ 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Their mournings for their dead. The feaft of 
 fouls. The American wpment their occupa- 
 tions ^ Their marriages and divorces •_ 18^ 
 
 CHAP. IV, ^^^^^AO 
 
 The Indian manner of preparing for war. The 
 », fongs and dances, 'I heir taking the field. 
 
 Their method of difcpvering and attacking the 
 ^, enemy. Their cruel treatment of their prifon- 
 
 tn of war^ ^<* ' ' -* . ..^y: 188 
 
 PART 
 
lilt 
 
 m 
 
 \kl 
 
 yjii 
 
 CON T E NT S. 
 
 ti A rr 
 
 PART iir. 
 
 ^•T^ 
 
 S P AN"! S H AM E R I C A. 
 C H A p. I. - 
 
 •i- 
 
 -. ^Av^^ -v. a;^ / . 
 
 
 vf general ^efci'tpflon of America, ^..^./..^^S 
 
 7'i^^ climate and foil of New Sfain, Animals^ 
 Its vegetable produce, 2oS 
 
 
 
 C H A P, III, 
 
 V: .^i\^^ 
 
 ^be gold and fiver minei, '^e manner ofpuri^ 
 
 fying tbofe mtals. Somf thoughts on the ge^ 
 
 neration of metals. Of the quantity of tbofe 
 
 •\ metals produced in the Spaniftf JVeJi-lndies^ 
 
 >' ' "■:■"'. ... 213 
 
 s . • 
 
 Of cocbinenj; end caca9* ' ^ "^ ^23 
 
 v.; v .■ .h'i? •• C -fl A- P» . V, ^ ^,,;^Vv.l ^^:? 
 
 fhe'trad^jf Mexico, Some accottnf of that 
 
 . city, ¥he fairs of Jcapuka and' La Vera 
 
 J Cruz, i'h pta and regilierfiips, . 228 
 
 c- '^ C H A Pi 
 
 Ill 
 
 !il!i' 
 
\. 
 
 203 
 
 irnalso 
 
 20» 
 
 fpurt- 
 be ge- 
 iftbofe 
 dksn 
 
 213 
 
 223 
 
 •.•T» 
 
 of that 
 
 id 
 
 Vera 
 228 
 
 A P. 
 
 CONTENTS* 
 CHAP. VI; 
 
 tx 
 
 ^bree forts of people in New. Spain, The Whites^ 
 
 Jttdtans, and Negroes ^ the cbaraBers ofthofe. 
 
 1 ^be clergy t tbeir cbaraSiers. . l^k( civil go- 
 
 c mernment, its charaBer*' . Z^^ 
 
 C HAP. VII. 
 
 Ne^ M^xiCit. Its difiovery, Cliffiafv, Pro" 
 \i Ju^Si %be Englifi claim to California, 243 
 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 
 Tbe climate and foil of Peru. Its produce. The 
 . \ min^s, the coca and herb of Paraguay, 245 
 
 ^\' 
 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 4*a« tV-<\tr. «» 
 
 The wines of Peru. The wool. The lamas and 
 ^ vicunnas,y fheep&f Peru, Jefuits bark, Gui" 
 ^nea pepper. The dungof Iquiqua,. ^ickfiher 
 
 . mines. 251 
 
 C H A P. X. 
 
 ft k 
 
 The charaSier of the Peruvians, Their divi/ions. 
 
 The Indian fejiitsal,' Honours f aid to a de^ 
 
 fcendant of the ynca. ^^ -s:^:^. 25^ 
 
 ■fri 
 
 
 » <\'> 
 
 \ 
 
 CHAP. 
 
i 
 
 t CONTENT.^. 
 
 CHAP. XL 
 
 7'J^e cities of PerUfLimat Cufco, and Sluitoi 
 . a defcription of them. Cailao, its trade and 
 - defiruSiion, ^he viceroy of Peru, His ju» 
 £. rifdidlion, and revenues, ,„,.„,.. 260 
 
 CHAP. xir. 
 
 ^be temperature of the air in Chili, I'hefoiL 
 Its fertility. A defcription of the principal 
 towns, the trade of Chili, 268 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 ^'r^ 
 
 l!be Spaniards in this province but few. The 
 Americans, their charaSier, Some free, 271 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 The climate of Paraguay, Its rivers. The pro* 
 ^ vinceofLaPlata, T he town of Buenos- Ayr es, 
 \ Its trade, - 274 
 
 » 
 
 CHAP. XV. -^ 
 
 The territory ofthejefuits in Paraguay. Their 
 manner of fettling and governing it. The 
 obedience of the people. Some rejiexions on the 
 late tranJa£lions there, 278 
 
 . ;; ' c A A p. 
 
C O N T E N T S, 
 
 ^i 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 7erra Firma, Its extent and produce. Thi 
 cities of Panama, Carthagena, and PortO" 
 bello. The galleons. The tjle of Cuba, Tht 
 Havanna. Hifpaniola, Porto Rico, Rc" 
 flexions on the policy of Spain with regard t9 
 the colonies, 2 1 8 
 
 
 Vi 
 
 P A R T IV. 
 
 77je Portugiiefe Settleme?2t5^ 
 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 
 >T 
 
 Art account of the difcovery of Brazil, The 
 method of fettling it. Conquered by the Dutch. 
 Reconquered by the Portuguefe, 300 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 The climate of Brazil. Of the Brazilwood. 
 
 360 
 
 
 CHAP. 
 
' I 
 
 ^u 
 
 CON TE NT S. 
 
 fJ>e trade of Brazil. Its inter courfe with Afri- 
 
 , ca, ^be fettlement of the river Amazons 
 
 ,^ and Rio Janeiro, "The gold mines.^ ^he 
 
 commonwealth of the Paulijis. Jhediamnd 
 
 ^ mmes.^ ^^,.^ . . :...... ^08 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Regulation of the Porfuguefe trade. The de- 
 fcriptton of St. Salvador, the capital of Bra- 
 zil. "Thefeets for that city. Rio Janeiro 
 and Fernamhucca. ' nie 
 
 ,X{1^^V- 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 i \"w 
 
 I'he cbaraSler of the American Portuguefe. The 
 Jateof the Negroes. The government. 32 £ 
 
 00? , 
 
 ' ,.-A 
 
 ^^::^^\ 
 
 .v.;.-;. 
 
 
 ji /I A n 
 
 * \ . .. A'Tj 
 
 >^>w::^\^::^^ -^.V'^^O ' Sxj:^:<^ \. ^^yMf^^-^ 
 
 O'^l 
 
 
 i-i ^ 
 
 . i 
 
 4L V « A «-» 
 
 A N 
 
 <i iiiii 
 
v^ 
 
 AN 
 
 ACCOUNT 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS 
 
 I N 
 
 AMERICA- 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 tt 
 
 B 
 
vi 
 
 4 
 
 i 
 
 ■m 
 
 I'M ' 
 
 v; ;v 
 
 : ;i 
 
 
 ■ »■•■ 
 
 t: 
 
 
 ': o 
 
 ii ii ..1 1 : .'1 
 
 
 'ft 
 
 
 ."A 
 
 1 r'i A 
 
 .1 ..' '.) V 
 
i 
 
 [3] 
 
 V • •■> * 
 
 '."' C"> 
 
 PART I. 
 
 7^^ difcovery of America^ and the 
 reduEiion of Mexico and Peru, 
 
 • \ CHAP. I. 
 
 ^he ft ate of "Europe before the difcovery of 
 America. T^heprojeSi of Columbus. His 
 application to feveral courts. Hisfuccejf- 
 
 . ful application to that of Spain, His voyage, 
 'The difcovery of the Bahamas, and Greater 
 Antilles. 
 
 HERE was an extraordinary 
 coincidence of events at the 
 time that the difcovery of A- 
 merica made one of the prin- 
 cipal; the invention of print- 
 ing, the making of gunpow- 
 der, the improvement of navigation, the re- 
 vival of ancient learning, and the reformation; 
 all of thefe confpired to change the face of 
 Europe entirely. At this time the principal 
 monarchies began to knit, and to acquire 
 the flrength, and take the form, they have 
 
 B 2 at 
 
M 
 
 4 j^ln Account of t/je European 
 
 at this day. Before this period, the manners 
 of Europe were wholly barbarous; even in 
 Italy, where the natural mildnefs of the 
 climate and the dawning of literature had a 
 little foftened the minds of the people, and 
 introduced fomething approaching towards 
 politenefs, the hiftory preceding this aera, and 
 indeed for fome time after it, is nothing but 
 one ferics of treafons, ufurpations, murders, 
 and mad'acres : nothing of a manly courage, 
 nothing of a folid and rational policy. Scarce 
 any ftatc had then very extenlive views, or 
 looked much further than to the prefent ad- 
 vantage. They did not well comprehend the 
 complicated fyftem of interefts that Europe 
 formed even long before this. Lewis the 
 eleventh, who was looked upon as one of 
 the wifed princes in his time, and one who 
 facrificed everything to his ambition, facri- 
 ficed one of the faireft objeds of that am- 
 bition to a pique, which fmce his time could 
 have little influence on the counfels of any 
 prince. Plis fon, C^ arles the eighth, as he 
 won Italy without either courage or condudt, 
 fo he loft it by a chain of falfe meafures, 
 fuch as we may venture to fay has no par- 
 allel in later times. A wild romantic 
 courage in the Northern and VVeftern parts 
 of Europe, and a wicked policy in the Ita- 
 lian ftates, was the character of that age. If 
 we look into the manners of the courts, 
 
 there 
 
 ./I • 
 
 ii 
 
 W. 
 
Settlements tn America. 5 
 
 there appear but very faint marks of cultiva- 
 tion and politcnefs. The interview between 
 our Edward the fourth and his brother of 
 France, wherein they were both caged up 
 like wild beafts, ihews difpofitions very re- 
 mote from a true fenfe of honour, from the 
 dignity of their ftations, or any juft ideas of 
 politenefs and humanity. All the anecdotes 
 which remain of thefe and other courts, are 
 in the fame fpirit. 
 
 If the courts had made fuch poor ad- 
 vances in policy and politenefs, which might 
 feem the natural growth of courts at any 
 time, both the courts and the people were 
 yet lefs advanced in ufeful knowledge. The 
 little learning which then fubfifted, was 
 only the dotage of the fcholaftic philofophy 
 of words ; together with the infancy of po- 
 liter learning, which only concerned words 
 too, though in another way. The elegance 
 and purity of the Latin tongue was then 
 the higheft, and almoft the only point of a 
 fcholar's ambition. Mathematical learning 
 was little valued or cultivated. The true fy- 
 Item of the heavens was not dreamed of. 
 There was no knowledge at all of the real 
 form of the earth; and in general the ideas 
 of mankind were not extended beyond their 
 fenfible horizon. 
 
 In this ftate of affairs Chriftopher Co- 
 lumbus, a native of Genoa, undertook to 
 
 B 3 extend 
 
.1 
 
 
 6 ^/2 Account of the European 
 
 extend the boundaries which ignorance had 
 given to the world. This man's defign arofe 
 from the jufl idea he had formed of the figure 
 of the earth ; tho' the maps, more erroneous 
 than his conjectures, made him miftake the 
 objed:. His defign was to find a pailhge to 
 China and India by the Wellern ocean. It is 
 not improbable,", tb.at befides the glory attend- 
 ing fuch a difcovcry, and the private advan- 
 tages of fortune he miglit propofe to derive 
 from it, Columbus had a furihcr incentive 
 from national jealoufy and rclcntmcnt. Ve- 
 nice and Genoa were then almoll: the onlv 
 trading powers in Europe i and they had no 
 other Uipportof their pov/er but their com- 
 merce. This bred a rivalihip, a jealoufy, and 
 frequent wars between them i but in trafiick 
 Venice v/as much fuperior; flie ]>ad drawn to 
 herfelf almofi the whole commerce of India, 
 always one of the moft valuable in the world, 
 and then carried on only by the way of Egypt 
 and the Red Sea. An emulation of this kind 
 might probably haveputCulumbusonfinding 
 another and more diredf palfage to the Eall- 
 Indies, and by that means transfering this 
 profitable trade to his ow?i country. But nei- 
 ther that which he fought, nor that which he 
 found, was delHned for his country. However, 
 he performed the duty of a good citizen, and 
 made his firfl propofal at home j at home it 
 was rejeded. Difcharged of this obligation, 
 
 he 
 
 
 ( IM 
 /I 
 
I 
 
 e had 
 ai'oie 
 
 figure 
 
 >neou9 
 
 ke the 
 
 hge to 
 
 ,:,Itis 
 
 .ttcnd- 
 
 ad van- 
 derive 
 
 ccntivc 
 
 :. Ve- 
 
 be only 
 had no 
 
 Ir com- 
 ply, and 
 
 I trafiick 
 rawn to 
 f India, 
 
 e world, 
 
 )f Egypt 
 
 ;his kind 
 
 n finding 
 le Ealt- 
 ring this 
 But nei- 
 
 Ivvhich he 
 lowever, 
 izen, and 
 : home it 
 bUgation, 
 he 
 
 I 
 
 SETTLEMEf^Td in AMERICA. ^ 
 
 he applied to the court of France, andmecting 
 no better fucccfs there, he offered next his 
 fervices to our Henry the feventh. This 
 prince was rather a prudent ftfiward and ma- 
 nager of a kingdotti than a great king, and 
 one of thofe defenfive geniufes who are tho 
 laft in the world to relifh a great but proble- 
 matical defign. It is therefore no wonder that 
 his brother, whom Goruttibus bad employed 
 to follicit in England, after fcveral years fpent 
 here, had little fuccefsin his negotiation. But 
 in Portugal, where he applied himfelf after his 
 failure here, his offers were not only rejedted 
 but he was infulted and ridiculed ; he found, 
 however, in thefe infults, and this ridicule, a 
 new incitement to purfue his fcheme, urged 
 forward by the flings of anger and refentment. 
 Laft of all he exercifed his intereft and his 
 patience for eight years together at the courtof 
 Ferdinand and Ifabella. There is a fort of en- 
 thufiafmin all projectors, abfolutely necelTary 
 for their affairs, which makes them proof 
 againft the moft fatiguing delays, the moft 
 mortifying difappointments, the moft /hock- 
 ing infults; and, what is feverer than all, the 
 prefumptuousjudgmentsof theignorantupon 
 their defigns. Columbus had a fufficient 
 fhare of this quality. He had every day, 
 during this long fpace, to combat with every 
 objection that want of knowledge, or that a 
 falfe knowledge, could propofe. Some held 
 
 B 4 that 
 
I!: 
 
 # ^« Account of f he Evro?e ah 
 
 that the known world, which they thought 
 was all that could be known, floated like a vafl: 
 fcum upon the ocean; that the ocean itfelf 
 was infinite. Others, who entertained more 
 juft notions, and believed that the whole of 
 the earth and waters compofcd one vaft glooc, 
 drew a confequence from :t as abfurd as the 
 former opinion. For they argued, that if 
 Columbus fhould fail beyond a certain point, 
 the convexity of this globe would prevent his 
 return. As is ufual in fuch cafes, every one 
 abounded with objedtions. His whole time 
 was fpent in fruitlefs endeavours to enlighten 
 ignorance, to remove prejudice, and to vah- 
 quifh that obftinate incredulity, which is of 
 all others the greateft enemy to improvement, 
 rejedting every thing as falfe and abfurd, which 
 is ever fo little out of the track of common ex- 
 perience; and it is of the more dangerous con- 
 fequence, as itcarries a delufiveair of coolnefs, 
 of temper and wifdom. With all this, he had 
 yet greater difficulties from the interefts of 
 mankind, than from their malignity and ig- 
 norance. The expence of the undertaking, in- 
 confiderable as this expence was, was at the 
 bottom the chief fupport of the other objec- 
 tions, and had more weight than all' the reft 
 together. However, with an afliduity and 
 firmnefs of mind, neverenough to be admired 
 and applauded, he at length overcame all diffi- 
 culties; and, to his inexpreffible joy, with a 
 
 fleet 
 
 ■■,4.V 
 
Settlements in America. 9 
 
 jBeet of three fhips, and the title and com- 
 mand of an admiral, fet fail on the third of 
 Auguft, 1492, on a voyage the moft daring 
 and grand in the defign, and in the event of 
 which the w^orld was the moft concerned, of 
 any that ever yet was undertaken. 
 
 It muft not be omitted here, in honour to 
 the fex, a^d in juftice to Ifabella, that this 
 fcheme was firft countenanced, and the equip- 
 ment made by the queen only ; the king had no 
 fharein it; flieeven raifed the money necef- 
 fary for the defign upon her own jewels. 
 
 I do not propofe to relate all the particulars 
 of Columbus's voyage in a track now fo well 
 known, and fo much frequented; but then 
 there was no chart to direct him, no lights 
 from former, navigators, no experience of the 
 winds and currents particular to thofe feas. 
 He had no guide but his own genius, nor any 
 thing to comfort and appeafe his companions, 
 difcouraged and mutinous with the length and 
 hopelefsnefs of the voyage, but fome indica- 
 tions which he drew from the cafual appear- 
 ances of land birds and floating fea- weeds, ' 
 moft of them little to be depended upon, but 
 which this wife commander, well acquainted 
 with the human heart, always knew how to 
 turn to the beft advantage. It was in this ex- 
 pedition that the variation of the compafs was 
 firft obferved; an appearance which has ever 
 iince puzzled all philofophers, and which at 
 
 this 
 
'-'"'ll 
 
 Ij III 
 
 i 
 
 lo ^/2 Account of the European 
 
 this time made a great impreflion upon Co- 
 lumbus's pilots; whrii in an unknown and 
 boundlefs ocean, far from the road of former 
 navigation, nature itfelffeemed altered, and 
 the only guide they had left, appeared to be 
 upon the point of TDrfaking them. But Co- 
 lumbus, with a wounderful quicknefs and fa- 
 gacity, pretended to difcover a phyfical caufe 
 for this appearance, which, tho' it did not 
 fatisfy himfelf, was plaufible enough to re- 
 move fomethingof the terrors of his mariners. 
 Expedients of this kind were daily wanting, 
 and the fertile genius of this difcoverer in- 
 vented them daily. However, by frequent 
 ufe, they began to lofe their efFed:; the crew 
 infilled on his returning, and grew loud and 
 infolent in their demand. Some even talked 
 of throwing the admiral overboard. His in- 
 vention, andalmoflhis hopes were near ex- 
 haufted, when the only thing which could 
 appcafe them happened; the clear dilcovery 
 of land, after a voyage of thirty-three days, , 
 the longeft ever any man was known to be 
 from fight of fliore before that time. 
 
 They landed on one of the iflands now call- 
 edLucayos, or Bahamas, which is remarkable 
 for nothing but this event; and here it was, 
 that the two worlds, if I may ufe the expref- • 
 fion, were firfl introduced to one another; 
 a meeting of an cxtrordinary nature, and 
 which produced great changes in both. The 
 
 firft 
 
II 
 
 •Settlements in America. 
 
 firft thing Columbus did, after thanking God 
 for thelucceisof liis important voyage, vva:;t:> 
 takepoflcflionof thcilbiid in the name of their 
 Catholic majefties, by fettin^^ up acrofs upon 
 thefliore; great multitudes of the inhabitants 
 lookingon, ignorantand unconcerned at a ce- 
 remony which was to deprive them of their 
 natural liberty. The flay of the Spaniards in 
 this ifland was but (hort; they found,from the 
 extreme poverty of the people, that thcfewerc 
 by no means the Indies, which they fought for. 
 . Columbus at his departure very prudently 
 took with him fome of the natives, that they 
 might learn the Spanifli tongue, and be his 
 guides and interpreters in this new fcene of 
 affairs; nor were tliey unwilling to accom- 
 paay him. He touched on feveral of the 
 illands in the fame clufter, enquiring every 
 where for gold, which was the only object of 
 commercehe thought worth his care, becaufe 
 the only thing that could give the court of 
 Spain an high opinion of his difcoveries. All 
 diredted him to a great iQand called Bohio, of 
 which they fpoke extraordinary things, and 
 principally that it abounded in gold. They 
 told him it lay to the Southward. To the 
 Southward he fleered his courfe, and found 
 the ifland, which he called Hifpaniola, no 
 ways inferior to the reports 3 commodioushar- 
 bours, an agreeable climate, a good foil, and, 
 what was of moft confequence, a coun try that 
 
 pro- 
 
•lit 
 
 I 
 
 :. Ill 
 
 ly 
 
 I 
 
 ■Ii; 
 
 m 
 
 I il 
 
 12 -r^// AccoO^JT o/*//6^ European 
 
 promifed from feme famplcs a great abun- 
 dance of gold; inhabited by an humane and 
 hofpitable people, in a ftate of fimplicity fit 
 to be worked upon. Thefe circumftances 
 determined Columbus to make this ifland the 
 center of his defigns, to plant a colony there, 
 and to eftablifh things in fome permanent order 
 before he proceeded to further difcoveries. 
 But to carry his defigns of a fettlement here, 
 and his fchemes of future difcoveries into ex- 
 ecution, itwas neceflary that he (hould return 
 toSpainandequiphimfelfwithaproperforce. 
 He had now colled:ed a fufficient quantity 
 of gold to give credit to his voyage at court, 
 and fuch a number of curioiities of all kinds 
 as might ftrike the imaginations, and engage 
 the attention of the people. Before he parted, 
 he took care to fecure the frienddiip of the 
 principal king of the idand by carelTes and 
 prefents^ and cnder pretence of leaving him 
 a force fuflicien. lO aflift him againft his ene- 
 mies, he laid the ground-work of a colony. 
 He built a fort, and put a fmall garrifon of 
 Spaniards into it, with fuch directions for 
 their condudt as might have enfured their 
 fafety and the good offices of the inhabitants, 
 if the men had not been of that kind, who 
 ^re incapable of adting prudently either from 
 thei/ own or other people's wifdom. He did 
 every thing to gain the elleem of the natives, 
 by the juftice, and even generofity of hisdeal- 
 
 4 i"oS> 
 
 ''M'i 
 
 'iii'i'l 
 
Settlements in America. 13 
 
 ings, and the politenefs and humanity with 
 which he behaved upon every occafion. He 
 (hewed them too, that tho' it was not in his 
 will, it was not the lefs in his power to do 
 them mifchief, if they aded foas to force him 
 uponharrtiermeafurcs. ThefurprizingcfFedts 
 of his cannon, and the fliarpnefs of the Spanifli 
 fwords, of which he made an innocentoflen- 
 tation, convinced them of this. 
 
 When the Spaniards firft arrived in that 
 country, they were taken for men come from 
 heaven; and it was no wonder, confidering 
 the extreme novelty of their appearance, and 
 the prodigious fuperiority they had in every 
 refpedt over a people in all the nakednefs or 
 uncultivated nature. Whatever therefore the 
 Indiansgotfrom them, they valued in an high 
 degree, not only as curious and ufeful, but 
 even as things facred. Theperfonsof the 
 Spaniards were refpeded in the fame light. 
 Columbus, who knew the value of opinion, 
 did all he could to keep them in their error; 
 ai.d indeed no adtion of his, either of weak- 
 nefs or cruelty, could furnifh matter to un- 
 deceive them. For which reafon, on his de- 
 parture, he left the people with the beft in- 
 clinations imaginable to nurfe his infant co- 
 lony. And when he delired fome of the in- 
 habitants to carry into Spain, he was more at 
 a lofs whom he fhould accept, than how he 
 fliould prevail upon them to go. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 V.'L 
 
14 ^^2 Account of the European 
 
 4 
 
 \\ \' : V . I ( ilitf ! ' 
 
 '^ f I _- 
 
 m 
 
 'II 
 
 
 I;i 
 
 1 i ii( 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 The difcovcry of the Carihbees. Columbus re^ 
 turns to 'Europe. His behaviour at Lijbon. 
 His reception at Barcelona by Ferdinand and 
 Ifabella, Second voyage of Columbus. The 
 condition of the Spaniards in Hifpaniola, 
 The city of Ifabeila built, and a Spanijh co- 
 lony fettled. A voyage for better dif cover ^ 
 
 • ing the coaji of Cuba, • 
 
 ■.» -- - . ;••''': 1 • > j ■ ,• .■■■ 
 
 ON his return homewards, ftill attentive 
 to his delign, he aimed at luch difcoveries 
 as could beprofecuted without deviating con- 
 fiderably from his courfe. He touched upon 
 feveral iilands to the Southward, and difco- 
 vered the Carihbees, of the barbarity of whofe 
 inhabitants he had heard terrible accounts in 
 Hifpaniola. Hehad before landed upon Cuba 
 in his paffage from the Bahamas. So that in 
 thishii; firil voyage, he gained a general know- 
 ledge of all the idands, which lie in fuch an 
 aftoniiliing number in that great fea which 
 divides North and South America. But hi- 
 therto he neither knew nor fufpecTied any 
 continent between him and China. 
 
 He returned to Europe sfter an abfenceof 
 
 abo/efix niontlij^, and was driven by a great 
 
 ftoruii intothebarbourof LifDon. This he did 
 
 not look upon as a misfortune j lince here, 
 
 i, i\ i\ J .. he 
 
 .0' 
 
 ilMiii 
 
 fll 
 
'ft 
 
 jH: 
 
 r^ 
 
 Settlements tn America. 15 
 
 he had the fatisfadtion of convincing the Por- 
 tuguefedcmonftratively of whatan error they 
 were guilty in rejecting his propofals. It was 
 now his turn to triumph. Thofewho want 
 fagacity to difcern the advantages of an offer, 
 when it is made to themfelves, and treat it 
 with thegreateil: fcorn, are always moft ftung 
 with envy when they adluaDy fee thefe advan- 
 tages in the hands of another. The Portu- 
 guefe had fome time before this begun to 
 make a figure : their {hips had coafted Africa 
 for a greater length than any had done before 
 them, which opened to them a profitable trade 
 to Guinea. This gave them a reputation. 
 They confidereddifcovery astheirproper pro- 
 vince; and they were enraged to fee that the 
 Caftilians were now let into the fame path, in 
 confequence of an offer vvhich they had re- 
 jedted. Some propofed to murder the admi- 
 rah but all were agreed to treat him in the 
 moft unworthy manner. However, their de- 
 fignofinfultinghimgaveColumbusan oppor- 
 tunity at once of gratifyi: g his refentment, 
 maintaininghis own dignity, andafferting the 
 honour of the flag of Caflile. He fent to the 
 king at his firfl entering the harbour, to de- 
 firea liberty to come up toLifbon and refrefh, 
 as he had his mafler's orders not to avoid his 
 ports; adding, that he was not from Guinea, 
 but the Indies. Anofficeroftheking of Por- 
 tugal came aboard him with an armed force, 
 5 and 
 
I'f 
 
 t\: 
 
 16 An Account of the European 
 
 and ordered him to come afliore, and give an 
 accountofhimfelf to the king's officers. Co- 
 lumbus told him he had the honour of ferving 
 the king of Caftile, and would own himfelf 
 accountable to no other. The Portugefe then 
 defired him to fend the mafter of his (hip j this 
 he like wife refufed, faying, that the admirals of 
 Caflile always chofe rather to die than deliver 
 up themfelves, or even the meaneft of their 
 men ; and if violence was intended, he was 
 prepared to meet force with force. A fpirited 
 behaviour, in almoll any circumftance of 
 ftrength, is the moft politic as well as the 
 moll honourable courfe; we prefervea relJDedt 
 at leaft by it, and with that we generally 
 preferve every thing ; but when we lofe re- 
 fped, every thing is loft. We invite rather 
 than fufFer infults, and the £rft is the only 
 one we can relift with prudence. Columbus 
 found this j the officer did not purfue his de- 
 mand ', the admiral had all the refrefhments 
 he wanted; and was even received at court 
 with particular marks of diftindlion. 
 
 From Lifbon he proceeded to Seville; the 
 court was then at Barcelona. But before he 
 went to give an account of his voyage, he 
 took all the care he could to provide for ano- 
 ther. He wrote an abftradtof his proceedings, 
 and fent with it a memorial of all fuch things 
 
 %as were neceffary for the eftablifhment of a co- 
 lony, and for further difcoveries. Soon after he 
 
 .;- begaa 
 
ean 
 
 Co- 
 ving 
 
 nfelf 
 
 then 
 this 
 
 ■alsof 
 
 eliver 
 
 their 
 
 lewas 
 
 )irited 
 
 ice of 
 
 as the 
 
 refpeft 
 
 nerally 
 
 ofe re- 
 rather 
 
 le only 
 
 umbus 
 
 his de- 
 ments 
 
 tt court 
 
 ile; the 
 jfore he 
 |age, he 
 for ano- 
 jedings, 
 things 
 of aco- 
 afterhe 
 began 
 
 Settlements in America. 17 
 
 began his journey to Barcelona, every where 
 followed by the admiration and applauff^s of 
 the people, who crouded ro fee him from all 
 parts. He entered the city in a fort of triumph. 
 And certainly there never was a more innocent 
 triumph, nor one that formed a more new and 
 plealing fpedtacle. He had not deftroyed, but 
 difcovered nations. The Americans he brought 
 with him appeared in all the uncouth finery 
 of their own country, wondered at by every 
 body, and themfelves admiring every thing 
 they faw. The feveral animals, many highly 
 beautiful, and all ftrangers to this part of the 
 world, were fo difpofed as to be fcen without 
 difficulty J the other curiofities of the new 
 world were difplayed in the moft advantage- 
 ous manner ; the utenfils, the arms, and the 
 ornaments of a people fo remote from us in 
 fituation and manners; fome valuable for the 
 materials; even the rudenefs of the workman- 
 fliip in many made them but the more curious^ 
 when it was confidered by whom, and with 
 what inftruments they were wrought. The 
 gold was not forgot. The admiral himfelf 
 clofcd the proceffion. He was recei. ed by the 
 king and queen with all imaginable marks of 
 efteem and regard, and they ordered a magnifi- 
 cent throne to be eredled in publick to do him 
 the greater honour. A chair was prepared for 
 him, in which he fat, and gave^ in prefence of 
 the whole court, a full and circumftantial ac- 
 VoL. I. C count 
 
■.i)l., 
 
 , 'it 
 
 
 • ■ :4^:. 
 
 |8 ^« Account ^/y&t' European 
 
 count of allhisdifcoveries, with that compofcd- 
 nefs and gravity, which is fo extremely a- 
 greeable to the Spanifh humour, and with the 
 modefty of a man who knows he has done 
 things which do not need to he proclaimed by 
 himfelf. The fuctefsful merit of Columbus 
 v/as underflood by every body -, and when the 
 king and queen led the way, all the grandees 
 and nobility of the court vied with each other 
 in their civilities and carefles. 
 
 Thefe honours did not fatisfy Columbus. 
 He prepared with all expedition for a fecond 
 voyage. The difficulties attending the firft 
 were all vaniflied. The importance of the 
 object appeared every day more clearly, and 
 the court was willing to lecond the vivacity of 
 his defires to the full. But before his departure 
 there was one thing which they judged wanting 
 to give them a clear and unqueftionable right 
 to the countries, which fhould be difcovered. 
 This was a grant of them from the pope. 
 The Portugucfefome time before had a grantof 
 fuch lands as they llioulddifcover within certain 
 latitudes ; and this grant made a limilar one 
 to the Spaniards appear the more necefTary. 
 The pope accordingly gave a very ample 
 TduU in their favour, very liberally conceding 
 countries, of which he was fo far from hav- 
 ino' any pofTeffion, that he had no knowledge 
 of them. The limits of this grant was a 
 line drawn from pole to pole, an hundred 
 
 . .leagues 
 
 ,« 
 
 
►fed- 
 y a- 
 1 the 
 done 
 edby 
 mbus 
 n the 
 .ndees 
 other 
 
 mbus. 
 fecond 
 
 le firft 
 of the 
 
 Y' 
 
 and 
 
 icity of 
 
 parture 
 
 granting 
 
 le right 
 
 :overed. 
 ; pope, 
 grantof 
 
 n certain 
 lar one 
 eceffary. 
 ample 
 mceding 
 rom hav- 
 lowledge 
 It was a 
 hundred 
 leagues 
 
 Settlements in America. 19 
 
 leagues to the Weftward of the Azores. On 
 the other fide no bounds at all were fet. 
 This was afterwards a fubjedl of much con- 
 troverfy between the crowns of Spain and 
 Portugal, the latter having got a grant of all 
 that fhould be difcovered to the Eaft, as the 
 former had of all to the Weftward; thofe 
 who drew the bulls not having kncvvn enough 
 of the figure of the earth to fee, that thefe 
 grants muft neceffarily clafli j and the powers 
 which defired them, were perhaps not forry 
 to find their pretenfions fuch as they might 
 extend or contradt at pleafure. 
 
 Whatever the validity of this ample grant 
 might be, Columbus was made governor with 
 the higheft authority over all that it contained. 
 But he had fomewhat with him more material 
 for his pofleffion than any charters. This was 
 a fleet of feventeen fail of fhips, with all man- 
 ner of necellaries for fettlement or conqueft, 
 and fifteen hundred men on board, fome of 
 them of the beft families in Spain. With this 
 fleet he fet fail on his fecond voyage the 2 5th 
 of September, 1493. -^^ g^^^ t2^Q\\ of the 
 captains inftrucftions for their courfe fealed, 
 with ordersnot to open them, unlefsin diftrefs, 
 and feparated from the fleet, that he might 
 create fuch an abfolute dependence of all upon 
 himfelf, as fhould prefervc an uniformity in 
 their defigns. On the fecond of November 
 they made land, which is the illand now called 
 
 C 2 ' Dominica. 
 
If 
 
 t '[ 
 
 nil 
 
 '' : 'liJ' 
 
 i': 'i; 
 
 
 20 j^n Account 0/ t/je European 
 
 Dominica. But his delign was firfl: to fettle 
 his colony before he attempted any new difco- 
 very, therefore he made no ftay here, nor at 
 feveral other iilands at which he touched before 
 he could make Hifpaniola. 
 
 On his arrival he found the fort he had built 
 utterly demolifhed, and all his men killed. 
 The Spaniards had firfl: fallen out amongft 
 themfelves, upon the ufual fubjeds of ilrife, 
 wom^n and gold , and afterwards preferving as 
 little harmony with the natives, and obferving 
 no decency in their behaviour, of juflice in 
 their dealings, they quickly loll their efteem> 
 and were every man murdered, after having 
 been difperfed into different parts of the ifland. 
 The prince, whom they were left to defend, 
 was himfelf wounded in their defence, and 
 bore this mark of his affedlion and good faith, 
 when Columbus returned to the ifland. The 
 admiral very wifely forbore to make any nice 
 enquiry into the affair, or to commence hofti- 
 lities in revenge for the lofs of his foldiersj 
 but he took the moft effedual meafures to 
 prevent fuch an evil for the future ; he chofe 
 a more commodious ftation for his colony, on 
 the North-eaft part of the ifland, which had 
 a good port, great conveniency of water, 
 and a good foil, and lay near that where he 
 was informed the richefl; mines of the coun- 
 try were found : in gratitude to his royal pa- 
 tronefs, he called it Ifabella, He engaged 
 1 . in 
 
 

 Settlements m America. 21 
 
 in the fcttlement with great warmth, and 
 never allowed himfelf a moment's rcpofe from 
 Superintending the fortifications, the pri- 
 vate houfen, and the works of agriculture ; 
 in all which the fatigue was infinite j for 
 he had not only the natural difficulties at- 
 tending all fuch undertakings, but he had 
 the infupcrable lazinefs of the Spaniards to 
 contend with. So that, fpent with the fitigues 
 of fo long a voyage, and the greater fatigues 
 he had endured fince he came on fhore, he 
 fell into a dangerous illncfs. Of this acci- 
 dent fcveral of his men took the advantage to 
 begin a rebellion, to undo all he had done, 
 and to throw every thing into the moft terrible 
 confufion. Thefe people, on their leaving 
 Spain, had fancied to themfelves that gold was 
 to be found every where in this country, and 
 that there required nothing further to make 
 ample eftates, than to be tranfported into it; 
 but, finding their miftake, and that, inftead of 
 receiving thefe golden Ihowers without any 
 pains, they fared ill, laboured hard, and that 
 their profpeds of a fortune, if any at all, were 
 remote icd uncertain, their difcontent became 
 general; and the mutinous difpofition incrcafed 
 lb faft, and was carried to fuch extremities, that 
 if the admiral had not recovered at a very criti- 
 cal time, and on his recovery had not adled in 
 the moft refolute and effedlual manner, all his 
 hopes of a fettlement in Hifpaniola had been 
 
 C 3 m 
 
li ''"I'll! ! 
 Ill 
 
 i 
 
 
 ,i\.» 
 
 22 -^;? Account o/'//^^' European 
 
 at an end. He was fatisfied with imprifonlng 
 fome of the chiefs. This was neither a time 
 noraplacefor very extenfiveorrigorous juftice. 
 He quelled this fedition, but he faw at the 
 fame time that his work was not yet done; he 
 faw another danger, againft which he was to 
 provide with equal diligence. He had good 
 reafons to apprehend, that the Americans were 
 not well afleded to their new guefts, and mig!it 
 probably meditate to cut them off, whilft they 
 law them divided amongft themfelves. To 
 prevent this, as w^ell as to banifli idlenefs from 
 amongft his men, and to revive military difci- 
 pline, he marched into the heart of the coun- 
 try, through the moft frequented parts of it, in 
 order of battle, colours iiying, and trumpets 
 founding, with the flower of his troops, to 
 the mountains ofCibaoj where lay the richeft 
 mines then difcovered in the ifland. Here he 
 built a fort to fecure this advantageous poft, 
 and overawe the country; and then he returned 
 in the fame pomp and order, to the inexprelii- 
 b^; ^rror of the inhabitants, who had now no 
 prolpedt of withftanding a force, which to them 
 feemed more than human. 
 
 In this expedition Columbus made great 
 oflentation of his cavalry. This was the firft 
 time the Ind ans of America had ever feen 
 horfcs. Their dread of thefe animals and their 
 riders were extreme; they thought'both formed 
 but one animal, and the impetuofity of their 
 ..4 ' ^,'> ' charge 
 
 ■" . i ■ ■ M^^ 
 
 
 i 
 
jning 
 time 
 ftice. 
 at the ' 
 e; he 
 vas to 
 I good 
 s were 
 mig!it 
 ft they 
 . To 
 s from 
 r difci- 
 coun- 
 ff it, in 
 jmpets 
 Dps, to 
 licheft 
 lere he 
 s poft, 
 ^turned 
 xpreiii- 
 [low no 
 to them 
 
 great 
 the firft 
 'er feen 
 nd their 
 I formed 
 of their 
 charge 
 
 ■ V 
 
 Settlements m America. 23 
 
 charge appeared irrefiftible to thefe naked and 
 ill-armed people. Wherever they appeared, 
 thofe Indians, who intended any hoftility, im- 
 mediately fled J nor did they think the inter- 
 vention of the deepeft and mofl rapid rivers 
 any fecurity; they believed that the horfes 
 could fly, and that no ,g was impoflible to 
 creatures fo extrordiiiury. But Columbus did 
 not rely upon thofe prejudices, though he made 
 all imaginable ufe of them; knowing that 
 thofe things which appear mort: terrible at firft, 
 become every day lefs afi:e6tingby ufe, and that 
 they even grow contemptible, when their real 
 power is once well known. For which rca- 
 fon, he negledted none of his former methods 
 of cultivating the afl'edions of the native"? ; he 
 ftill fliewed them all manner of refpedt, and 
 when he had taken two perfons of their na- 
 tion, who had committed fome ads of hofti- 
 lity, and was at the point of putting them to 
 death, he pardoned and fet them free at the 
 interceflion of a prince of the country, with 
 whom he was in alliance. On the other hand, 
 he faw how necefl^ary it was to preferve a ftri(5t 
 difcipline amongft the Spaniards, to keep them 
 from that idlenefs to which they had fuch a 
 propenfity, and which naturally retarded the 
 growth of the colony, at the fame time that 
 it nourifhed difcontent and fedition. He em- 
 ployed them in cutting roads through the 
 country, a work which the natives never at- 
 
 C 4 tempted 
 
IS 
 
 J*' 
 
 Hi 
 
 24 ^// Account o/"/^<f European 
 
 tempted themfelvcs, nor now endeavoured to 
 oppole, though it be one of the beft inftru- 
 ments of enllaving any barbarous people. 
 This wife governor obferved befides, that the 
 Spaniards conformed with great difficulty to 
 the Indian manner of living, to which, how- 
 ever, they were neceffitated, but from which, 
 for want of ufe, they fufFered great hardlhips. 
 To remedy this evil, he daily fent out fmall 
 parties upon expeditions into the country; from 
 which he derived two material adf^antages. 
 Firft, he enured, by degrees, all his people to 
 the manner of living in the country ; and fe- 
 condly, he taught them to know it perfectly, 
 left a war fliould find them unprovided in the 
 only point in which the Indians were their 
 fuperiors, and a point which in a woody and 
 mountainous country is certainly of the greateft 
 importance. All this he did without any ma- 
 terial hazard to the fum of his affairs. At 
 home, he endeavoured to withdraw the Spani- 
 ards from their romantic hopes of miracu- 
 lous treafures, and to fix them to a rational and 
 induftrious courfe of life. He reprefented to 
 them, that there was no real wealth but what 
 arole from labour; and that a garden, a corn 
 ground, and a mill, were riches more to their 
 preient purpofe, than all the gold they were 
 in expectation of meeting in the Indies. In 
 Ihort, he laboured for the eftublifliment of this 
 
 colony with as much affiduity, as though his 
 
 i . _ :....... ^ ,. . views 
 
Settlkments in America. 25 
 
 yi'ews had extended no further ; at the fam^ 
 time that he meditated the greateft difcoveries, 
 andconfidered thofe things which had aftonifli- 
 ed the world, only as the earned of his future 
 performances. 
 
 I have before mentioned his having put in at 
 Cuba. The country, from fome fpecimens, 
 Teemed a rich difcovery ; but whether it was an 
 ifland, or a part of fome great continent, he 
 was altogether uncertain. Now that he had 
 got his colony to take firm root in the Indies, 
 he prepared with all expedition to afcertain this 
 point, and to pufh his difcoveries to the ut- 
 moft, in which he had fucceeded hitherto fo 
 happily. • ■ ■ - • 
 
 .' I 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 The difficulties attending the voyage. 'Jamaica 
 
 difcovered, Columbus returns to Htfpaniola, 
 
 The Spaniards rebel. A war 'with the Indians 
 
 of that country. They are conquered. Their 
 
 Jcheme for Jiarving the Spaniards. 
 
 THIS voyage was more remarkable for 
 the hardlhips which the admiral and his 
 men fuffered, than for any conliderable difco- 
 veries it produced. As he endeavoured to coaft 
 along the Southern (hore of Cuba, he was en- 
 tangled inalabyrinth of an innumerable multi- 
 • tude 
 
 % 
 
ka 
 
 111 
 
 It 
 
 I 
 
 I' 
 
 
 
 '■ I 'it'; 
 
 Hf^ 
 
 26 ^n Account oft/je European 
 
 tudcof iflands, amongft which he reckoned i6a 
 in one day. They were mofl of them plea- 
 fant and well inhabited, affording our naviga- 
 tor an agreeable meditation on this fertility of 
 nature, where the world looked for nothing 
 but a barren ocean. Thefe iflands, Colum- 
 bus, who had a grateful mind, in which the 
 memory of his benefadtrefs was always upper- 
 moll:, called Jardin de laReyna, or the queen's 
 garden, in honour of queen Ifabclla. But 
 their number and fertility made little amends 
 for the obflrudlion they gave Columbus in the 
 courfe of his navigation. The coaft abfolutely 
 unknown, among fo many rocks, fands, and 
 fhelvcs, the fudden and violent florms, the 
 tornadoes, and the terrible thunder and light- 
 ning fo conftant between the tropics, obliged 
 him to keep a continual watch, and held his 
 mind upon a conflant ftretch; the voyage was 
 extended to an unprofitable length by thefe 
 difficulties; and being driven out to fea, the 
 worft: difafler of all befel them. Their pro- 
 vifions fell fliort. In this extremity they were 
 obliged to come to a very narrow and bad al- 
 lowance, in the diflribution of which the ad- 
 miral fared nothing better than the reft. In 
 this unremitted fatigue of body and of mind, 
 in famine and in danger, his ufual firmnefs 
 began nearly to forfake him; but it could go 
 DO further than to oblige him to remark in his 
 journal, that no iiitereft of his own fliould 
 
 ever 
 
 ii , ^i 
 
 i« 
 
a 
 
 ^ 
 
 ;di6o 
 I plea- 
 aviga- 
 lity of 
 Dthing 
 olum- 
 ch tht; 
 upper- 
 queen's 
 . But 
 imends 
 s in the 
 blutely 
 is, and 
 IS, the 
 d light- 
 obHged 
 iield his 
 age was 
 jy thefe 
 fea, the 
 eir pro- 
 ley were 
 I bad al- 
 i the ad- 
 eft. In 
 )f mind, 
 firmnefs 
 could go 
 irk in his 
 n fliould 
 ever 
 
 ■> 
 
 Settlements in Ameripa. ?7 
 
 ever oblige him to engage again in Uich an en- 
 terprife. They were at laft relieved by tlit- ap- 
 pearance of Jamaica, where they were hoi f)i- 
 tably received, and fupplicd v/ith CallUva bread 
 and' water. From thence they proceeded, 
 mortified and difappoin ted, to liiipaniola, not 
 being able to come to any certainty concern- 
 ing Cuba, other than that they underlVjod 
 from fome of the inhabitants that it was an 
 ifland. This difappointment, and the infinite 
 fatigue and difHculty of the voyage, threw 
 Columbus into a lethargy, which was near 
 being fatal to him, and of which he was fearccly 
 recovered when they arrived at the harbour 
 of Ifabella. 
 
 Here they found all things in confufion, and 
 the colony in the utmoft danger of being a fe- 
 cond time utterly deftroyedi as if its profperity 
 or deftrudtion depended upon the prefence or 
 abfence of Columbus. For no fooner was he 
 failed, than the Spaniards, who were very 
 difficultly retained in their duty by all his ftea- 
 dinefs and wifdom, broke through all regu- 
 lations, laughed at government and difcipline, 
 and fpread thenifclves over the illand, com- 
 mitting a thoufand diforders, and living at free 
 quarter upon the inhabitants, whofe hatred to 
 them was worked up to fuch a point, that they 
 wanted only the word from their princes to 
 fall on and mafifacre the whole colony j a thing 
 by no means impracticable, in its prefeiu 
 
 diforde". 
 
' 'II 
 
 :ii 
 
 "i.J. 
 
 
 28 An Account of the European 
 
 diforder. Four of the principal fovereigns of 
 the ifland took advantage of this difpofition, 
 and united to drive out thofc imperious in- 
 truders. None adhered to them but one called 
 Gunacagarry, the fame prince whom Colum- 
 bus from the firft had taken fo much pains to 
 oblige. In his dominions fome of the Spaniards 
 found protection. The other princes had 
 already commenced hoftilities, and one of 
 them killed fixteen of the Spaniards, , ho were 
 taking no uniiorm mcafures to oppofe them j 
 neither in their prefent anarchy could it be well 
 expedcd. 
 
 In this condition was the ifland on the arri- 
 val of Columbus, whofe firft bufinefs was to 
 collect ihe fcattcred fragments of the colony, 
 and to form them into a body. This he was 
 the better able to accomplish, becaufe the pre- 
 fent danger added a weight to his authority ; 
 but it was neceflary that he fliould lofe no time. 
 He was refolved to act with what force he had, 
 rather than wait until the union of the iflanders 
 might be better cemented againft him, and they 
 might find fomelcfler matters in their favour to 
 raife their courage, and abate their terrorof the 
 Spanilh arms. He therefore firft marched a- 
 gainft the king, who hid killed the fixteen 
 Spaniards; as it was an enterprife coloured 
 with an appearance of juftice, and becaufe that 
 prince happened to be the worft prepared to 
 receive him. He was eafily fubdued, and fe- 
 
 " ' veral 
 
 .*! 
 
 llHl'li! 
 
Settlements in America. 29 
 
 veral of his fubjedts fent prifoners into Spain, 
 The fecond whom Columbus deiigned to at- 
 tack being better prepared again (l force, he 
 was refolved to circumvent him by fraud, and 
 got him into his power by a ftratagem, which 
 did no honour to his iincerity, and rather fhew- 
 ed great weaknefs in this unfortunate barba- 
 rian, than any extraordinary contrivance in 
 thofe who deceived him. 
 
 The other princes were not terrified at thefe 
 examples. Their hatred to the Spaniards in- 
 creafedi and perceiving that all depended upon 
 a fudden and vigorous exertion of their flrength , 
 they brought an immenfe army, it is faid of 
 one hundred thoufand men, into the field, 
 which was arrayed in the largeft plain in that 
 country. Columbus, though he had but a 
 fmall force, did not fcruple to go out to meet 
 them. His army confifted but of two hun- 
 dred foot, twenty horft, and twenty wolf dogs. 
 The latter part of this army has a ludicrous 
 appearance ; but it was a very ferious matter 
 amongft a people no better provided with 
 arms ofFenfive or defenfive than the Indians. 
 Neither was itrafli in Columbus to venture an 
 engagement againft forces fo vaftly fuperior in 
 numbers ; for when fuch numbers are no bet- 
 ter Ikilled or armed than thefe were, their* 
 multitude is in fadt no juft caufe of dread but 
 to themfelves. The event was anfwerable j 
 the victory was decifive for the Spaniards, in 
 
 which 
 
 ■a 
 
l; \ 
 
 I. : 
 I; 
 
 'i' j 
 
 30 ^n Account offA^ European 
 
 which their horfes and dogs had a confiderable 
 iharci the lofs on the lide of the Indians was 
 very great. From that day forward they def- 
 paired, and relinquifhed all thoughts of dif- 
 iodging the Spaniards by force. Columbus 
 had but little difficulty in reducing the whole 
 ifland, which now became a province of Spain, 
 had a tribute impofed, and forts built in feveral 
 parts to enforce the le^^y'ng of it, and to take 
 away from this unhap^^y people all profpedt of 
 liberty. 
 
 In this affeding lituation they often afked 
 the Spaniards, when they intended to return to 
 their own country. Small as the number of 
 thefe ftrangers was, the inhabitants were ex- 
 tremely burthened to fubfift them. One Spa- 
 niard couxumed more than ten Indians ; a cir- 
 cumftance which Ihews how little this people 
 had advanced in the art of cultivating the earth, 
 or how lazy they were in doing it, fmce their 
 indigence reduced them to fuch an extreme 
 frugality, that they found the Spaniards, who 
 are fome of the moft abftemious people upon 
 earth, exceffively voracious in the compari- 
 fon. Their experience of this, joined to their 
 defpair, put the Indians upon a projedt of 
 starving out their invaders. In puriuance of 
 this fcheme, they entirely abandoned the little 
 agriculture which they praiSlifed, and unani- 
 nioufly retired into the mod barren and im- 
 pra(^icable parts of the iiland. This ill-ad- 
 
 vifed 
 
lerable 
 iis was 
 ey def- 
 of dif- 
 umbus 
 whole 
 'Spain, 
 feveral 
 to take 
 fpedt of 
 
 I afked 
 ;turn to 
 aber of 
 ere ex- 
 ile Spa- 
 acir- 
 
 people 
 e earth, 
 ce their 
 extreme 
 s, who 
 le upon 
 )mpari- 
 to their 
 ojedt of 
 lance of 
 he little 
 
 unani- 
 ind im- 
 3 ill-ad- 
 vifed 
 
 Settlements /« America. 31 
 
 vifed ftratagem conn pleated their ruin. A 
 number of people crouded into the worft parts 
 of the country, fublifting only upon its fpon- 
 taneous productions, were foon reduced to the 
 moft terrible famine. Its fure attendant epi- 
 demical ficknefs purfued at its heels ; and this 
 miferable people, half familhed a^ i lefTened 
 a third of their numbers, were obliged to re- 
 linquifti their fcheme, to come down into the 
 open country, and to fubmit once more to 
 bread and fetters. 
 
 - This conqueft, and the fubfequent ones 
 made by the feveral European nations, with as 
 little colour of right as confcioufnefs of doing 
 any thing wrong, gives one juft reafon to re- 
 fled: on the notions entertained by mankind in 
 all times concerning the right of dominion. 
 At this period, few doubted of the power of 
 the pope to convey a full right to any country 
 he was pleafed to chalk out; amongft the 
 faithful, becaufe they were fubject to the 
 church ; and amongft infidels* becaufe it was 
 meritorious to make them fubjed: to it. This 
 notion began to lofe ground at the reformation, 
 but another arofe of as bad a tendency j the idea 
 of the dominion of grace, which prevailed 
 with feveral, and the effeds of which we have 
 felt amongft ourfclves. The Mahometan great 
 merit is to fpread the empire and the faith; and 
 none amongft them doubt the legality of fub- 
 duing any nation for thefe goodpurpofes. The 
 
 Greeks 
 
U' 
 
 .!M 
 
 32 An Account of the European 
 
 Greeks held, that the barbarians were natur- 
 ally deligned to be their flaves, and this was (o 
 general a notion, that Ariflotle himfelf, with all 
 his penetration, gave into it very ferioufly. In 
 truth, it has its principle in human nature, for 
 the generality of mankind very readily Hide 
 from what they conceive a fitnefs for govern- 
 ment, to a right of governing; and they do not 
 fo readily agree, that thofe who are fuperior in 
 endowments (hould only be equal in condition. 
 Thefe things partly palliate the guilt and horror 
 of a conqueft, undertaken with fo little colour, 
 over a people whofe chief offence was their 
 credulity, and their confidence in men who did 
 not deferve it. But the circumftances of Co- 
 lumbus, the meafures he was obliged to pre- 
 ferve with his court, and his humane and gen- 
 tle treatment of this people, by which he mi- 
 tigated the rigor of this conqueft, take off 
 much of the blame from him, as the necefiity 
 of taking up arms at all never arofe from his 
 conduft, or from his orders. On the contrary, 
 his whole behaviour both to the Spaniards and 
 Indians, the care he took to eftablifh the one 
 without injury to the other, and the conftant 
 bent of his policy to work every thing by gen- 
 tle methods, may well be an example to all 
 perfons in the fame fituation< 
 
 Since I have digreffed fo far, it will be the 
 more excufable to mention a circumftance re- 
 corded in the hiftory of this fettlesnent, Ame- 
 rica 
 
 
 ,'-<A 
 
itur- 
 ^as fo 
 thall 
 . In 
 ;, for 
 flide 
 vern- 
 o not 
 ior in 
 iition. 
 lorror 
 olour, 
 their 
 ho did 
 )f Co- 
 o pre- 
 i gen- 
 ie mi- 
 ke otf 
 ceflity 
 )m his 
 itrary, 
 ds and 
 he one 
 )nftant 
 ly gen- 
 to all 
 
 be the 
 nee re- 
 Ame- 
 rica 
 
 Settlments in America.' 33 
 
 rica was then, at leaf I thefe parts of it were, 
 without almoft any of thofe animals by which 
 we profit fo greatly. It had neither horfes, 
 nor oxen, nor (heep, nor fwine. Columbus 
 brought eight fows into America, and a fmall 
 number of horned cattle. This was the ftock 
 which fupplied, about two hundred years ago, 
 a country now the moll abounding in thefe 
 animals of any part of the known v/orld ; in 
 which too it has been a bufinefs, for this cen- 
 tury paft, to hunt oxen merely for their hides. 
 An example which fhews how fmall a number 
 might originally have ferved to produce all the 
 animals upon earth, who commonly procreate 
 very fail: to a certain point, and when they 
 arrive at it, fcem much at a ftand. 
 
 C H A P. IV. 
 
 Complaints againjl Columbus. A per/on is fent 
 to enquire into his conduct. He returns to 
 Spain, He is acquitted. Hefets out on his 
 third voyage. He difcovers the continent of 
 South America. He fails to Hijpaniola. 
 
 WHILST Columbus was reducing this 
 wealthy ifland to the obedience of the 
 crown of Caftile, and laying the foundations of 
 the Spanifh grandeur in America, his enemies 
 were endeavouring with pains as indefatigable 
 to ruin him in Spain. Some of the perfcns 
 Vol. I. D prin-" 
 
I I 
 
 I '! 
 
 hm 
 
 ' 1 
 
 t'l. 
 
 ^ hi' 
 
 34 -^« Account o/*Mf European 
 principally concerned in the late diforders, fled 
 to Spain before his return; and there, to juftify 
 their own condudl, and gratify their malice, 
 they accufed him of negleding the colony, and 
 of having deceived their majefties and the ad- 
 venturers with falfe hopes of gold, from a 
 country which produced very little either of 
 that metal or any thing elfe that was valuable. 
 Thefe complaints were not without effedl j and 
 an officer, fitter by his charader for a fpy and 
 informer than a rcdrefler of grievances, was 
 fent to infpedl into his condud; inwhichman- 
 ner of proceeding there was certainly a policy 
 as erroneous, as it was unjufl and ingrateful. 
 At that diftance from the fountain of autho- 
 rity, with an enemy at the door, and a mutin- 
 ous houfliold, a commander ought always to 
 be trufted or removed. This man behaved in 
 a brutifli and infolent manner, like all fuch 
 perfons, \yho, unconfcious of any merit of their 
 own, are puffed up with any little portion of 
 delegated power. Columbus found that he 
 ftaid here to no purpofe under fuch difgraceful 
 terms; and that his prefence at court wasab- 
 folutely neceffary to his fupport. He deter- 
 xnined to return once more to Spain, convinc- 
 ed that a long abfence is mortal to one's inter- 
 eft at court, and that importunity and attend-* 
 ance often plead better than the moft folid fer- 
 vices. However, before he departed, he ex- 
 erted the little remains of authority he had 
 ' left. 
 
 i 
 
 ■A 
 
 
 i 
 
 % 
 
 v* 
 j!^' 
 
 11 
 9 
 

 Settlements /« America. 35 
 
 left, to fettle every thing in fuch a manner, as 
 to prevent thofe diforders v^'hich hitherto he 
 had always found the certain confequence of 
 his abfence. He built forts in a!l the material 
 parts of the ifland, to retain the inhabitants in 
 their fubjedion. He eftablifhed the civil go- 
 vernment upoa a better footing, and redoubled 
 his diligence for the difcovery of mines, which 
 were to he the great agents in his affairs; lor 
 did he altogether fail of fuccefs. ' ' 
 
 It was the fate of this great man to have 
 his virtue continually exercifed with troubles 
 and diftrefles. He continued his courfe to 
 Spain in the latitude of 22, not having at that 
 time difcovered the advantageous method of 
 running into the Northern latitudes to meet 
 the South-weft winds : they therefore made 
 very little way 5 a fcarcity enfued, in which 
 they were reduced to fix ounces of provifion a 
 day for each perfon. On thefe occafions the 
 admiral fared no better than the common 
 failor; yet in this diftrefs his hunger did not 
 get the better of the tendernefs and humanity 
 which diftinguifhed his character. He re- 
 fufed to liften to the prefling inftantcjs of his 
 crew, who were very earneft in this diftrefs to 
 have the Indian prifoners thrown overboard to 
 leiTen the confumption of provifions. In this 
 voyage his Ikill was as remarkable as his mag- 
 nanimity. He had nine experienced pilots in 
 his fleet; yet none of them could tell where 
 
 D 2 they 
 
■■ I 
 
 jil An Account of the Eo rope an 
 
 they were, after having been a full month 
 from the fight of the firft land. This length of 
 time perfuaded them they muft be very near 
 Europe, and they were therefore for crouding 
 fail to make land as foon as polllble- But Co- 
 lumbus, upon fure obfervations, .maintained^ 
 they were out a little to the Weftward bf the 
 Azores, and therefore ordered his fails to be 
 flackened for fear of land. His predidion was 
 fulfilled, and the Azores relieved them next 
 morning. This, added to a feries of predic- 
 tions and noble difcoveries, made hi« ikill feem 
 fomething prophetic, and exalted his charac- 
 ter in this refpedl above all the feamen before 
 his time; and indeed,- considering his oppor- 
 timities of improvement, and what he did 
 himfelf to improve his art, he will perhaps 
 appear inferior to none who have fucceeded 
 him. ,'- ";' 
 
 All the accufations and prejudices againfl: 
 the admiral vanilhed almoft as foon as he ap- 
 peared. He brought fuch teftimonies of his 
 iidelity and good behaviour, as filenced all ca- 
 lumnies which arofe on that head j and the 
 large fpecimens of gold and pearl he produced, 
 refuted all that was faid on the poverty of the 
 Indies. The court was fully convinced of the 
 importance of the new colony, the merit of its 
 governor, and the neceflity of a fpeedy fup- 
 py. But the admiral's enemies were not 
 idle, though they were filenced ; they con- 
 tinued 
 
 
 ^% 
 
 % 
 
 ^1 
 
 1 i 
 
Settlements in America. 37 
 
 tinued to throw all manner of obftrudtlons in 
 his wayi which was a thing not difticult in a 
 country, where every thing is executed with 
 much phlegm and langour, and wherC'thofe 
 forms and mechanical methods of bufinefs, ne- 
 cefTary perhaps in the common courfe of affairs, 
 but ruinous in great defigns, are more exadlly 
 obferved, than any where elfe. It was therefore 
 with great difficulty that he was able to procure 
 any relief to be fent to Hifpaniola, but with 
 much greater, and after a thoufand delays and 
 difappointments, that be was himfelf enabled 
 to fet out on a difcovcry of more importance 
 than any of the former. 
 
 He defjgned to ftand to the Southward from 
 the Canaries, until he fhould come under the 
 equinodial line, and then to proceed diredtly 
 Wellward, until Hifpaniola fliould bear to 
 the North-weft from him, to try what open- 
 ing that might afford to India, or what new 
 iflands or what continent might reward his 
 trouble. He therefore ftood away to the 
 Cape de Verd iflands, and then South-weft. 
 In this navigation a thick fog, which inter- 
 cepted the light of the fun and ftars, envel- 
 oped them for feveral days j and when this 
 cleared off, the heats v/ere grown fo exceffive, 
 that the men could not venture between decks. 
 The fun being at this time nearly vertical, the 
 heavy rains which fall at this feafon between 
 the tropics, without abating the heat, added 
 
 D 3 much 
 
' Hi 
 
 Ti'llHt^''' 
 
 It; 
 
 s. 
 
 m 
 
 
 r' 
 
 38 v^// Account ^/^d? European 
 
 much to their didrefs. At laft a fmart gale 
 fprang up, and they went before it feveiiteen 
 days to the Weft ward. The admiral, who 
 could have no fecond to fupply his place, 
 fcarce allowed hinifelf a moment's fleep ; but 
 in this, as in all his voyages, had the whole 
 burthen of every thing upon himfelf; this fa- 
 tigue threw him into a fit of the gout -, but 
 neither the fatigue nor the diforder could re- 
 move him from the deck, or make him abate 
 of his ufual vigilance. His provifions, how- 
 ever, being damaged by the heat, the wine 
 cafks many of them burft, and the wine be- 
 ing foured in thofe that held, obliged him to 
 alter the courfe he intended to keep South- 
 ward, and to decline fome points to theNorth- 
 weft, hoping to fall in v/ith fome of the Ca- 
 ribbces, where he intended to refit and take in 
 provifions, to enable him to continue his dif- 
 coveaes. But he had not failed long, when 
 from the rounS top a feaman faw land, which 
 was an illand on the coaft of Guiana, now 
 called Trinidad. Having pafled this ifland and 
 two others, which lie in the mouth of the 
 great river Oronoquo, he was furprized and 
 endangered by a phaenomenon he had never 
 feen before. The river Oronoquo, at all times 
 very great, at this time augmented tenfold by 
 the rains we have juft mentioned, rufhing into 
 the ocean with an immenfe and rapid liood, 
 meets the tide ; which rifes here to a great 
 
 height, 
 
Settlements /« America. 39 
 
 height, and comes in with much flrength ; 
 and both being pent up between the ifliinds, 
 and reverberated from one to another, caufcd 
 a con Aid: extremely terrifying to thole who had 
 not been accuftomed to it, and were ignorant 
 of the caufe, as Cokimbus was at this time. 
 But faihng further he found plainly that he 
 was in freHi water, and judging rightly that it 
 was probable no illand could fupply fo vaft a 
 liver, he began to fufpe(ft he had difcovercd 
 the continent. But when he left the river, 
 and found that land continued on to the Weft- 
 -ivard for a great way, he was convinced of it. 
 Satisfied, in fome meafure, with this difcovery, 
 he yielded to the uneafinefs and diftrefles of 
 his crew, and bore away for Hifpaniola, fa- 
 voured by a fair wind and thofe currents which 
 fet ftrongly to the Weft ward all along the 
 Northern coaft of South America. 
 
 In the courfe of this difcovery the admiral 
 landed in feveral places, and traded with the 
 inhabitants, amongft whom he found gold and 
 pearl in tolerable plenty. Contrary to the 
 cuftom of many navigators, who behave 
 wherever they go as if they never intended to 
 come there again, he every where ufed the 
 natives with great civility, and gave them 
 what they judged the full value of their com- 
 modities; little btlls, bits of glafs and of tin, 
 with fome trifling apparel, being exchanged 
 forgold-duft and pearls, and much to th^ 
 
 D 4 fatif- 
 
':t 
 
 40 yin Account oft/je European 
 fatisfaction of both parties, vfho thought they 
 had each over-reached the other, and indeed 
 with equal rcalcn. 
 
 C H A P. V. 
 
 I 
 
 Columbus JInds the Spaniards of Hijpan'tola in 
 rebellion. His meafures to fupprefs it. New, 
 complaints againji him in Spain. He is fu- 
 perj'edcdin the government, and fent to Spain, 
 
 , in irons. 
 
 HE arrived at Hifpaniola the 19th of 
 Auguft, 1498, quite worn down with 
 licknefs and continual watching, the neceflity 
 of vhich was rather increafed than diminifhed 
 as he came nearer home, amongft fuch a mul- 
 titude of iflands and fhoals as filled thofe feas, 
 at this time little known i add to this, that 
 a current, fetting (Irongly Weftward towards 
 the continent, threatened every moment, with- 
 out the greateft attention, to carry him out of 
 his courTe. So wafted v/as he with the fati- 
 gue, that his brother, w.iom he had left in his 
 place, fcarce knew him a: his return. And he 
 found that he was likely to have as little repofe 
 upon land as at fea. 
 
 The admiral's authority had fuffered fome 
 diminution, from the ill-judged ftep offending 
 a check upon his motions before he left Hil- 
 paniola; and the encouragement this gave to 
 
 all 
 
 i '.i'-i 
 
 ■■^n 
 
 I..1,: 
 
Settlements m Amtrica. 41 
 
 all Torts of murmurings and complaints againfl 
 government, fowed the feeds of a rebellion, 
 which fprung up in the colony foon after he left 
 it. But this rebellion was more dangeroufly 
 formed than cither of the former. For in the 
 firrt: place, the rebels had regularly appointed 
 themfelves a chief, called Francis Roldan ; a 
 man whom the admiral had left in a confider- 
 able pod : this gave it an uniformity and cre- 
 dit. And fecondly, they gained the Indians to 
 their party, by pretending to be their patrons, 
 and the affertors of their liberty. Then, to 
 eftablifh themfelves the more fecurely, they 
 made a feceffion from the uncorrupted part of 
 the colony, and fettled in another part of the 
 ^fland, which formed an afylum for all idle and 
 ieditious perfons, by whom they were conti- 
 nually reinforced. 
 
 In this threatening ftate of things, the admi- 
 ral having found his forces in no condition to 
 ad offenfively againft the rebels, did what he 
 could to break their force, and diflblve that 
 union which made them formidable. He be- 
 gan by publifhing a free pardon for all that 
 chofe to cancel their crimes by a timely fub- 
 mifiion. Obferving beiides, that many were 
 very defirous of returning to Spain, he gave 
 them to underftand they might go with the 
 ihips which brought the laft fuccours. He did 
 not intend to perform this latter part immedi- 
 ately, but he knew that his oiFers would ftag- 
 
'H 
 
 El 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 l!it 
 
 
 it 
 
 #1 
 
 42 ^« Account £/* /^^ European 
 
 gerfome; and that, in affairs of this nature, it 
 is every thing to gain time. He wrote to court 
 a full account of his late difcoveries, andfent 
 famplts of the wealth they yielded. He took 
 the fame opportunity of dcfcribing the dif- 
 traded ftate 01 the colony, defiring that 50 or 
 60 men might be fent by every fhip, which he 
 promifed to replace by as many of the rebels. 
 He propofedthis plan, left the Spanifh power 
 lliould be weakened in thofe parts, by dimi- 
 nifliing their men, or kept in as dangerous a 
 ilate, by harbouring fuch as were ill difpofed 
 to the public good. He added very judici- 
 oufly to his requeft that fome religious men 
 and able lawyers might be fent him, as the 
 moft effectual means of introducing and 
 preferving obedience and order. He then 
 entered into negociations with the chiefs of 
 the rebels; he granted them all they demand- 
 ed, and even invidioufly placed their princi- 
 pal commander, Roldan, in fuch an office as 
 flattered his pride, though without augment- 
 ing his power. Thus things were brought 
 into fomething of regularity, without any 
 ftruggling or violence; and Roldan himfelf, 
 though in his former office of chief judge of the 
 ifland, contributed inoft of all towards bring- 
 ing thofe who ftocd out to obedience. There 
 arofe a difference between them ; and they 
 flew again to arms; but on their firft motion, 
 Roldan, by virtue of his authority, feized, 
 
 5 ^""" 
 
 1 
 
 ■kS 
 
 -r - 
 
Settlements in America. 43 
 
 conde.nned, and executed feveral. By this the 
 reft were awed, all the connexion broke off 
 irretrievably, between the head and body of the 
 rebels, and all done without having any part 
 of the offence, that might be given by this 
 feverity, charged to the admiral. 
 
 He now began juft to breathe in a little 
 tranquillity, acquired by the fevereft labours, 
 whilft a new ftorni was gathering againft him 
 from the quarter of the court. His old im- 
 placable enemies,uniting with fome of the re- 
 bles who had lately tranfported themfelves 
 into Spain, renewed the clamour againft him. 
 They heaped upon him all manner of calum- 
 nies ; they accufed him of a deiign of fetting 
 up for himfelf ; and as they charged him in 
 Hifpaniola with cruelty and tyranny to the In- 
 dians, here they reverfed the charge, and ac- 
 cufed him of a popularity amongft that people, 
 dangerous to his and their alliance. They 
 added to thefe, what could not fail to work on 
 national prejudices, that Columbus was a 
 ftranger, and had not a proper refpedt for the 
 Spanilh nobility. They complained that great 
 debts were due to themj that all ways of re- 
 covering them were ftiut up. In fliort, the 
 king and queen never went abroad without 
 being purfued and perfecuted, by the clamours 
 of theie pretended fuitors of juftice. Wearied 
 out with fuch complaints, they fent a judge, 
 with power to enquire into the admiral's con- 
 dud. 
 
It 
 
 lilp^ ' 
 
 w 
 
 fJ 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 t '■ 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 aj^H 
 
 V 
 
 M 
 
 \ '■ 
 
 !)|H 
 
 j : 
 
 'Ini 
 
 i .'.1 
 ill . 
 
 
 i 
 t 
 
 [ 
 
 1 
 
 . i 
 
 ill 
 
 ' ^',: 
 
 m 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 Til 
 
 1 w 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 'ii% 
 
 !, 
 
 ijf 
 
 rttm. ' 
 
 1 
 
 i ! ' 
 
 ('111 
 
 i 
 
 iip 
 
 iW' 
 
 .: n : 
 
 ■■■ f ■ 
 
 i : 
 
 I ^ V ' i 
 
 h-^\. 
 
 flj'' 
 
 t *' 
 
 
 
 
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 1- 
 
 
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 il 
 1 
 
 44 -^« Account ^/>^^ Euro 'E AN 
 
 du<5t, and authorized, if he fhould find the 
 ^ccufations proved, to fend him into Spain, 
 and remain himfelf as governor in his room. 
 They made it the judge's intereft to condemn 
 him. 
 
 The judge, w^ho was extremely poor, and 
 had no other call but his indigence to un- 
 dertake the office, no fooner landed in Hifpa- 
 niola, than he took up his lodging in the adt 
 miral's houfe, for he was then abfent. He 
 next proceeded to feizc upon all his efFe<!ts; 
 and at laft fummoned him and his brothers to 
 appear. In the mean time, he encouraged all 
 manner of accufations, without regarding the 
 character of the accufers, or the probability or 
 confiftency of their accufations. In confe- 
 quence of thefe, he apprehended the admiral 
 and his brothers, and, with the lail marks of 
 infult pnd dignity, loaded them with irons, 
 and embarked them to be tranfported prifoners; 
 into Spain. 
 
 The captain of thevefiel, touched with re- 
 fpedt for the years and great merit of Colum- 
 bus, oflrered to take off the irons ; but he did 
 not permit it. ** Since the king has com-p 
 manded, that I fliould obey his governor, 
 he fhall find me as obedient to this, as I 
 have been to all his other orders. Nothing 
 but his commands iliall reieafe me. If 
 twelve years hardiliip and fatigue; if con- 
 tinual dangers and frequent famine ; if the 
 
 *•* ocean. 
 
 «< 
 
 (C 
 
 €t 
 
 it 
 
 tt 
 
 tt 
 
<c 
 
 «( 
 
 « 
 
 ■ Settlements /« America. 45 
 
 ocean, firfl: opened, and five times pafled and 
 repafTed, to add a new world abounding with 
 wealth to the Spanifh monarchy ; and if an 
 ** infirm premature old age, brought on by 
 •« thofe fervices, deferve tbefe chains as a re- 
 *« ward; itisveryfitlfhouldwearthemtoSpain, 
 ** and keep them by me as memorials to the 
 " end of my life." 
 
 Great minds, though more apt to forgive in- 
 juries, perhaps, than cotnmon fouls, do not 
 cafily lofe tlbe memory of the wrongs that are 
 done them.' Columbus afterwards carried thefe 
 irons with him wherever he went ; they hung 
 conftantly in his chamber, and he ordered them 
 to be hurled' with them'. 
 "■■ The new governor made a more efFedual 
 provifionforthereward of his fervices; for, be- 
 fides confifcating the gre^teft part of the admi- 
 ral's effedls, which he converted to his own ufe ; 
 to flatter the people, he permited an unbound- 
 ed liberty, by which he ruined the royal revenue, 
 and was near' ruining the colony too, paft all 
 reparation, if the court had not recalled him in 
 time, and fet a perlbn to fucceed him of greater 
 judgment and firmnefs, though of little more 
 real virtue. 
 
 
 CHAP, 
 
46 • An Account of the European 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 7he difcoveries of Americus VefputiuSy and other 
 adventurers. What caufed thefpirit of dif- 
 covery, 
 
 ABOUT this time the fpirit of difcovery 
 began to fpread itfelf widely ; and pri- 
 vate adventurers, both in Spain and Portugal, 
 ftimulated by the gold which from time to 
 time was remitted to Europe by Columbus, 
 made equipments at their own expence. In 
 one of thefe the famous Americus Vefputius 
 commanded j he had got into his hands the 
 charts of Columbus, in his laft voyage, and 
 he failed the fame courfe. But as he was a 
 man of addrefs and great confidence, and was 
 befides an able feaman and good geographer, 
 he found a way of arrogating to himfelf the 
 firil: difcovery of the continent of America, 
 and called it by his own name ; which it has 
 ever lince retained, though no ,body has any 
 doubt concerning the real difcoverer. For 
 this, I believe, no other reafon can be given, 
 than that America is perhaps a better founding 
 word than Columbia, and is more ealily pro- 
 nounced with the others, in enumerating the 
 feveral divifions of the earth ; a trifling matter, 
 and influenced by trifling caufes. But the 
 glory of Columbus ftands upon foundations of 
 another fort. 
 
 Pinzon, 
 
Settlements in America. 47 
 
 Pinzon, one who attended the admiral in 
 his firft voyage, equipped a fquadron at his 
 own expence; and was the firft who crolTed 
 th^ Hne at the fide of America, and entered 
 the great river Maranon, or the river of Ama- 
 zons. 
 
 The Portuguefe, notwithftandingthe pope's 
 exclufive grant, turned their thoughts to Ame- 
 rica, and difcovered ihe Brazils, which make 
 the moft valuable part of their prefent poflef- 
 fions, when they have loft what was confidered 
 as their original right, and which never was fo 
 advantageous to them. 
 
 What animated thefe adventurers, at the 
 fame time that it fixes a ftain upon all their 
 characters and defigns, is that infatiable thirft 
 of gold, which ever appeared uppermoft in 
 all their adions. This difpofition had been a 
 thoufand times extremely prejudicial to their 
 affairs : it was particularly the caufe of all the 
 confufion and rebellions in Hifpaniola : yet it 
 is certain, that if it were not for this incentive, 
 which kindled the fpirit of difcovery and colo- 
 nization firft in Spain and Portugal, and after- 
 wards in all parts of Europe, America had 
 never been in the ftate it now is ; nor would 
 thofe nations ever have had the beneficial colo- 
 nies, which are now eftabliHied in every part 
 of that country. It was nccelTary there Ihould 
 be fomething of an immediate and uncommon 
 gain, fitted to ftrike the imaginations of men 
 
 forcibly^ 
 
' It 
 
 ,ji?- 
 
 mwP 
 
 ;'l'!^^ 
 
 a 
 
 it 
 
 i i 
 
 I::, 
 
 -'. : 
 I^V ■ 
 
 !'■ i : 
 
 4B ^-^ Account oft^e European 
 
 forcibl- , to tempt them to fuch hazardous dc- 
 figns. A remote profpeft of commerce, and 
 the improvement of manufadlures, by ex- 
 tending cf colonies, would never have an- 
 fwered the purpofe; thofeadvimta^es come to 
 be known only by reafon and dcduilion, and 
 are not confequently of fo ftriking a nature. 
 But to go out with a few baubles, and to re* 
 turn with a cargo of gold, is an objed readily 
 comprehended by any body, and was confe- 
 quently purfued with vigour by all. The 
 fpeculative knowledge of trade made no part 
 of the fl;udy of the elevated or thinking part 
 of mankind, at that time. Now, it may be 
 juftly reckoned amongft the liberal fciences^ 
 and it makes one of the moft confiderable 
 branches of political knowledge. Commerce 
 was then in the hands of a few, great in its 
 profits, but confined in its nature. What we 
 call the ballance of trade, was far from being 
 well underftood ; all the laws relative to com- 
 merce were every where but fo many clogs 
 upon it. The impods ad duties charged on 
 goods, were laid on without diftindtion or 
 judgment. Even am-ongft ourfelves, themoft 
 trading and reafoning people in Europe, right 
 notions of tliefe matters began late, and ad- 
 vanced flowly. Our colonies were fettled 
 without any view to thofe great advantages 
 which we draw from them. Virginia was 
 conftru(5tcd out of the wrecks of an armament 
 I defined 
 
 K : 
 
Settlements in Ame.iica. 49 
 
 deftined on a golden adventure, which firft 
 tempted us to America. And thofe who fet- 
 tled New England and Maryland, meant them 
 only as afylums from religious perfecution. So 
 that if America had not promifed fuch an in- 
 undation of treafure, it could only have fup- 
 plied a languid commerce, which would have 
 habituated the natives by degrees to our Eu- 
 ropean manners, and fupplied them with equal 
 arms. Then it would have been next to im- 
 poffible to have made thofe extenfive fettle- 
 ments in that new world. So certain it is, that 
 we often reap differently from what we have 
 fown i and that there muft be fome ftrong ac- 
 tive principle to give life and energy to all de- 
 figns, or they will languifh, let them be ever 
 fo wifely concerted. 
 
 m 
 
 Vol. I. 
 
 E 
 
 C H A P. 
 
50 y^n Account of the EuROPEAfl- 
 
 C II A P. VII. 
 
 tniimhus again acquitted. Undertakes afourtB 
 
 •oyage. D if covers the coaf of 'Terra Firma- 
 
 a: id the ifihnms of Darien, Returns to Hf- 
 
 puL.Ja. His reception there, Purfues his 
 
 difcoveries to the coajl of Terra Firma. He 
 
 is driven to Jamaica^ and Jhipwre eked on that 
 
 ifland. His dijireffes there, The rebellion of 
 
 his men, ivhich he fupprejjes. He Imves the 
 
 if and anjd returns to Spain. His reception 
 
 there. He dies. 
 
 NO Iboner was Columbus arrived in Spain^ 
 in this difgraceful manner, than the 
 court difavowed and highly blamed the con- 
 du(5t of their governor. And now, according 
 to the giddy cnftom of men who ad:!: with- 
 out plan or principle, they acquited Colum- 
 bus of all the charges againft him, with as 
 little enquiry into their validity, as they before 
 ufed, when, upon the fame charges, they un- 
 juftly condemned him. Reflitution and re- 
 ward were promifed him, and he wanted very 
 few incentives to engage once more in difco- 
 veries. His ambition was to arrive at the Eaft- 
 Indies, and fo to furround the globe. This 
 had really an influence up©n his own mind, 
 and he knew nothing could fo much influence 
 thofe of the king and queen. On this pro- 
 
Settlements /;; America. 51 
 
 Ipeifl he was again fitted out with a fleet, 
 promifing to reduce both Eaft and Weft-In- 
 dies, under the dominion of their Catholic 
 majefties. 
 
 He embarked upon his fourth voyage in 
 May 1502. His defign was to ftand diredlly 
 for the coaft of South-America, and keep 
 along the Northern (hore until he ' /^uld come 
 to the place where he heard an <.»bt ire ac- 
 count of fome narrow ftreigK (w .Jther a 
 flreightor ifthmus was not f J.c. : from the 
 accounts he had) ; and by this, : ' a ftreight, 
 he hoped to pais into the ^ ^a^ South-Sea. 
 After fo very long a voyage as iiis had been to 
 America, and the difcovery of a continent 
 which was not that of India nor that of 
 China, he faw clearly that the maps were no 
 longer in the leaft to be relied on ; he there- 
 fore depended folely upon his own ideas. He 
 reviewed the bearings of all the countries 
 whic!i his former experience or his late difco- 
 Veries had opened to him; he confidered the' 
 figure of the earth in general ; he reafoned up- 
 on theballance and diftribution of the land and 
 water; and comparing all thefe he concluded, 
 that, beyond the continent he had difcovered 
 was another ocean, probably as great or greater 
 than that he had formerly palTed ; if this were 
 fo, then it was probable too that thefe oceans 
 ha i fome communication. He judged it to be 
 near thofe places fince called Veragua and 
 
 E 2 Nombre 
 
w 
 
 '}§$■ jin Account of i/je European 
 
 Nombre de Dios ; but not thinkin; his fliips; 
 fit for that voyage, he propofcd to put into 
 Hifpaniok to refit, and to make fomc new 
 dilpofitions. 
 
 Cokimbus, whilil he navigated and relided 
 in the Weft-Indies, was extremely diHgent in 
 his obfcrvations upon the nature of the air, the 
 feafons, the meteors, rains and winds; and 
 how each of thefe feemed to afFedt the others; 
 nor was lie kfs fagacious in drawing prognof- 
 tics from the remarkable appearances in all; 
 at this time he judged from obfervations that a 
 great hurricane was approaching. Before he 
 entered tlie harbour, lie notified his arrival to 
 Obando the governor, with the nature of his 
 dcfign and the condition of his veffels ; defir- 
 ing at the fame time that the fleet, which he 
 underftood to be on the point of fetting l;iil for 
 Europe, fliould in conlideration of the ap- 
 proaching hurricane defer their departure for 
 ibme days. But it was his deftiny that in- 
 gratitude fhould purfue him him every where, 
 and perfecute him in every {hape. For the 
 governor, without any caufe, not only refufed 
 to hearken to his advice about the failing of 
 the fliips, but abfolutely denied him permif- 
 lion to enter into harbour, to fave his life in 
 that ifland which he himfelf had difcovered 
 and fubdued. He had nothing to do but to 
 draw up as clofe to the fhore as he could. The 
 Itorm came on the next night; but Provi- 
 dence 
 
Settlements in America. 53 
 
 dence, favouring his innocence and aflifting 
 his capacity, brouglit him fife through it, 
 though as terrible a ftorm as had ever hap- 
 pened in thofe feas. The fleet of twenty 
 iail, which againft his advice had put to fea, 
 fuffered the punifliment due to their teme- 
 .^ity. Only four efcaped the ftorm, fixtcen 
 periflied. Amongft thofe which were loft, 
 was the (hip which carried back that go- 
 vernor to Spain, who had fent Columbus 
 thither in fo opprefllve and fcandalous a man- 
 ner ; amongft the four that were faved, was 
 one that had on board fome treafure, all 
 that could be refcued from the pillage of the 
 admiral's fortune. So that whilft he was 
 mortified at this (hameful inftance of human 
 gratitude, Heaven feemed to declare in his 
 favour, and to condemn and punifti it. His 
 character was highly raifed by the predidion 
 of the ftorm, and by his behaviour in it; 
 for to his, and his brother's good condu(5t, 
 the fafety of his little fleet was juftly attri- 
 buted. His brother was a navigator and 
 philofopher, fecond only to the admiral, very 
 ufeful to his affairs, and a comfort and affift- 
 ance in all his misfortunes, by his capacity 
 and the goodnefsof his heart. 
 
 After he had weathered the ftorm, he left 
 this ifland, in which he iiad fo furprizing an 
 inftance of ingratitude, in purfuit of more 
 matter to employ it. In this voyage he dif- 
 
 E 3 covered 
 
 ; i 
 
 li 
 
 m 
 
 %A 
 
' III 
 
 f 
 
 ' 
 
 ¥^ 
 
 54 j^n Account ofi/je European 
 
 covered all the coafl; of Terra Firma to the 
 ifthmus of Daricn, where he hoped to have 
 found a pafl'age to the South- Sea. In this he 
 was difappointcd, but he was not difappointcd 
 in the other part of his projedl ; for every 
 where as he advanced, he became more (en- 
 iible of the value of his difcoverics on the 
 continent. lie found a people more civilized 
 and more abounding in gold than the ifland- 
 ers. He entered a harbour, which from its 
 excellence he called Porto Bello, well known 
 fince as one of the greateft openings by which 
 the Spaniih commerce is carried on between 
 the two worlds. Here the admiral defigncd 
 to cftablifli a colony, under the command of 
 his .brother, propofing to return to Europe 
 himfelf to obtain the requifites for a compleat 
 fettlement. But the avarice and infolence of 
 his men raifed the country upon him, and 
 obliged him to rclinquifli his defign, without 
 having an opportunity of doing any thing 
 more than fliewing his judgment in the choice 
 of the lityation, and liis own and brother's 
 bravery in extricating their men from the ca- 
 lamities in which their folly had involved 
 them. 
 
 Driven from hence, and finding his veflels 
 in fo bad a condition that it was by no means 
 advifeable to proceed upon further difcoveries, 
 he quitted the continent, after having difco- 
 vered the Eaftern fide of the ifthmus of Da- 
 " ' . rien. 
 
'■Hfl 
 
 Settlements m America. $^ 
 
 ricn, and the whole rtiore ;is far aj Gr.icios 
 o Dios in the gulph of Honduras. He tlien 
 flood over to Hifpanioln. His vovagc was 
 jiiade under a thouflind difhculties of the fc- 
 vercrt: kind ; the vcfl'els fo leaky, that the 
 crew had not a moment's refpite from the 
 pump, and fcarce any provifion remaining to 
 refrefh them after their labours. To compleat 
 the fum of their calamities a violent liorm 
 arofe, in which the fliips fell foul of one ai: 
 other. But though he providentially wea- 
 thered this ftcrm, it was now fcarccly poflible 
 to keep his (hip above water, and he was glad 
 to make Jamaica, where he was a fecond 
 time relieved from the greateft dangers and 
 jdiftrefTes. 
 
 But a diftrefs of almoft as bad a nature ex- 
 ercifed his invention here. His fhips were 
 abfolutely unfit for fervice, beyond all poflibi- 
 lity of being repaired ; no means of getting 
 new; the inhabitants fufpicious, and the ill 
 behaviour of his men gave daily occaiion to 
 increafe thofe fufpicions. In this diftrefs, he 
 prevailed upon fome of the hardieft and moft 
 faithful of them to pafs over in a canoo to 
 Hifpaniola, to reprefent his calamitous fitua- 
 tion to the governor, and to beg veflels to 
 carry them otF. 
 
 Eight months did the admiral remain in this 
 jiland, without the leaft intelligence from his 
 meffengers, or affiftance from the ^jovernor. 
 
 E 4 ' The 
 
 f 
 
 II 
 
ii, ;' 
 
 i; '■>• 
 
 i:! 
 
 56 An Account oft&e European 
 
 The natives grew exafperated at the delay of 
 the Spaniards and the v/eight of fubfifting 
 them, which was a heavy burthen on the 
 poverty of the Indians. Provifions therefore 
 came in very fparingly. Things even threat- 
 ened to grow much worfe ; for the feamen, 
 who are at beft unruly, but think that all dif- 
 cipline ceafes the moment they fet foot on 
 land, mutinied in great numbers. By this 
 mutiny the admiral's authority and ftrength 
 was conliderably weakened, whilft the na- 
 tives were exafperated by the diforders of the 
 mutineers ; but Columbus found means to re- 
 cover his authority, at leaft among the Indians. 
 Knowing there would fliortly be a vilible 
 eclipfe of the moon, he fummoned the prin- 
 cipal perfons in the ifland ; and by one who 
 underftood their language told them, that 
 the God whom he ferved, and who created 
 and preferves all things in heaven and earth, 
 provoked at their refuiing to fupport his fer- 
 vants, intended a fpeedy and fevere judgment 
 upon them, of which they fhould fhortly fee 
 manifeft tokens in the heavens, for that the 
 moon would, on the night he marked, r^p- 
 pearof a bloody hue, an emblem of the de- 
 firudtion that was preparing for them. His 
 predidlion, which was ridiculed for the time, 
 when it came to be accompliflied Ilruck the 
 baibarians with great terror. They brought 
 Jiim plenty of proviftons ; they fell at his feet, 
 
 , ^^' ■ and 
 
Settlements in America. 57 
 
 afld befought him in the moft fupplicating ftile 
 to deprecate the evils which threatened them. 
 He took their provifions, comforted them, 
 and charged them to attone for their paft fm 
 by their future generofity. 
 
 He had a temporary relief by this ftrata- 
 gem, but he faw no profpedt of getting out 
 of the ifland, and purfuing thofe great pur^ 
 pofes to which he had devoted his life. The 
 mutiny of his men was in danger of growing 
 general, when every thing feemed to be fet- 
 tled by the fight of a fhip in the harbour, 
 fent by Obando, the governor of Hifpaniola. 
 The governor refolved not only to abandon, 
 but to infult this great man in his misfortunes. 
 The captain of the veflel was a mortal enemy 
 to the admiral, and one of the perfons prin- 
 cipally concerned in thofe rebellions, which 
 had formerly given him fo much trouble. 
 The defign of this captain was only to be a 
 witnefs of the diftrefs of his affairs j for he 
 came afhore, forbidding his crew all manner 
 of communication with the admiral or hisj 
 men; and after delivering to Columbus an 
 empty letter of compliment, embarked with- 
 out even flattering him with the leaft hope of 
 relief. 
 
 Thus abandoned, his firmnefs and prefencc 
 of mind alone did not forfake him. The ar- 
 rival of this fhip for a moment reconciled his 
 men to obedience ; but when they faw it de- 
 { part. 
 
 
 
 'i 
 
 
 ii 
 
 i t 
 
itii 
 
 58 ^f2 Account oft^e European 
 
 part, they were almoft unanimoufly on the 
 point of Ihaking off all authority, and aban-*- 
 doning themfelves to the moft defperate cour- 
 fes. The admiral, without betraying the lealt 
 fign of difappointment or grief, told them in 
 ja chearful manner, that he had a promife of 
 an immediate fupply : that he did not depart 
 ^nthis {hip, becaufe flie was too fmall to carry 
 off all the Spaniards who were with him ; and 
 that he was refolved not to leave tlie ifland 
 until every man of them might enjoy the 
 fame conveniency. The eafy and compofed 
 air of the admiral himfelf, and the care he 
 manifefted for his people, fuperior to his 
 own prefervation, reconciled their minds, 
 and made them attend their fate with pati- 
 ence. But he knew his delay might be very 
 tedious in this ifland, and that as long as there 
 remained a receptacle to which every ill hu- 
 mour among his men might gather, his af- 
 fairs v/ould grow worfe every day. He found 
 thofe that ftill adhered to him firmly attached 
 to his caufe ; he therefore came to a refolu- 
 taon oi' taking vigorous meafures with the 
 reft. He lent his brother, a fenfible and rcr 
 folute man, with a proper force, and well 
 a'-mc(^, to treat with them; and in cafe of ob- 
 /Vinacy to compel them to obedience. They 
 met, and the captain of the mutineers, grown 
 iftfolent with a long courle of licentioufnefs 
 and rapine, not only rejected the admiral's 
 
 propofal. 
 

 Settlements in America. 59 
 
 propofal, but offered violence to his brother i 
 who ufing this as a fignal to his men, prepared 
 for fuch an accident j they fell upon the rebels 
 with fo much refolution, that ten lay dead in 
 a moment with their chief j difordered by the 
 unexpected attack, the reft fled, and foon af- 
 ter were obliged to fubmit. 
 
 Thus the admiral pacified every thing with 
 equal fpirit and addrefs, fometimes giving way 
 to the Aorm, and temporizing when he doubt- 
 ed his ftrength -, but when he was aflured of 
 it, always employing it with refolution and 
 efteft; turning every incident, even the moft 
 unfavourable, to his advantage ; and watch- 
 ing every change of nature, and every mo- 
 tion of the human mind, to employ them in 
 his purpofes. It is the principal thing which 
 forms the charadler of a great man, to be rich 
 in expedients ; the ufe Columbus made of the 
 eclipfe was truely ingenious. It may be faid, 
 that fuch a thing cannot be imitated amongft a 
 civilized people. I grant it. But the way 
 to imitate great men is not to tread in their 
 ftcps, but to walk in their manner. There is 
 no people who have not fome points of ignor- 
 ance, weaknefs, or prejudice, which a pene- 
 trating rnind may difcover, and ufe as the moft 
 powerful inftruments in the execution of his 
 defigns. Such a knowledge as this, is the 
 only thing which gives one man a real fuperio- 
 fity over another; and he who underftands the 
 
 paffions 
 
 l; 
 
 'I 
 
 % 
 
 " ■'ii 
 
pi 
 
 mt 
 
 60 -^« Account o/'//5^ European 
 
 paflions of men, and can entirely command 
 his own, has the principal means of fubduing 
 them in his hands. 
 
 The admiral might have fpenthis whole life 
 in this miferable exile, if a private man, moved 
 with efteem for his merit, and compaflion to 
 his misfortunes, had not fitted out a iliip for 
 his relief. This brought him to Hifpaniola. 
 The governor, \vho refufed to contnbutc any 
 thing to his coming, when he came received 
 him with that overaded complaifai:ccam3 (hew 
 of friendfliip, which fo often (ncc( cJs the 
 greateft infolence in bafe minds,, a'ii which 
 theypradtife with fo little ihame an " remorfe 
 to the perfons they have before lor d with 
 the greateft injuries. The ainiral ?)cre ibis 
 like every thing elfe; and, convinced that a 
 difputewid' i' governor in his ownjyrifdidtion 
 ■would bring him li.tle advantage or honour, 
 haftencd evtty '^bi ig for his departure to 
 Spain, where he arrived after a voyage in 
 "which he was tolTed by moft terrible ftorms, 
 and failed feven hundred leagues after he had 
 loft his main-maft. 
 
 He was now grown old, and feverely af- 
 flifted with the gout. The queen his pa- 
 tronefs was dead ; and the king, of a clofe 
 and diirembling difpofition, and a narrow 
 mind, was the only perfon he had to footh 
 his misfortunes, or pay the reward which was 
 dup to his labours. But he received neither 
 
 comfort 
 
 ■>. -i^ 
 
Settlements in America. 6'i 
 
 comfort nor reward. The performance of 
 his contradl was deferred upon frivolous pre- 
 tences ; and he employed the clofe of his life, 
 as he had done the adive part of it, in a court 
 follicitation ; the moft grievous of all employ- 
 ments to any man, the moft hopelefs to an 
 old man. Vanquifhed at laft by years, fa- 
 tigues, and difappointmfents, he died with 
 thofe fentim^nts of piety, whicii fupported 
 him through the misfortunes of his life, and 
 added a finifliing, which nothing elfe could 
 give to his greatnefs of mind, and all his other 
 virtues. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 \-% 
 
 
 !'''t; 
 
 I'he charaSier of Columbus. Some reflexions on 
 the conduB of the court of Spain, 
 
 HEnceforward, in treating of the pro- 
 grefs of the SpaniQi difcovf^ries and 
 arms, inftead of defigns laid in f( ,ice, and 
 purfued with a benevolent heart ad gentle 
 meafures; we are but too often '^o fhcw an 
 enthufiaftic avarice, urging men xorward to 
 every adt of cruelty and horro- , The cha- 
 radter of this firft difcoverer \,as extremely 
 different from that of all with whom he 
 dealt, and from that of moft of thofe who 
 purfued his difcoveries and conquefts ; fome 
 with a vigour and conduct equal, but all with 
 
 virtues 
 
 
 
 M 
 
62 -^« Account o//^r European 
 
 virtues very much inferior. In his charafter 
 hardly is any one of the components of a truly 
 great man wanting. For to the ideas of the 
 moft penetrating philofopher, and a fcheme 
 built upon them worthy of a great king, he 
 joined a conftancy and patience, which alone 
 could carry it into execution, with the for- 
 tune of a private man. Continual florms at 
 fea, continual rebellions of a turbulent people 
 Oil Ihore, vexations, difappointments, and ca- 
 bals at court, were his lot all his life ; and 
 thefe were the only reward of forvices which' 
 no favours could have rewarded fufficiently. 
 His magnanimity was proof againft all thefe, 
 and his genius iarmounted all the difficultici 
 they threw in his way, except that of his pay- 
 ment, the point in which iiich men ever meet 
 with the word fuccefs, and urge with the leaft 
 ability. That furprizlng art, pofTefled by fo 
 few, of mailing every accident an inflrument 
 in his defigns ; his nice adjullment of his be- 
 haviour to his circumllanccs, temporising, or 
 adling vigoroufly as the occafion required, and 
 never letting the occafion itfelf pafs by him ; 
 the happy talcntofconcealing and governing his 
 owii paiiions, and managing thole of others; all 
 thefe conrpirc to give us the higheft idea of his 
 capacity. And as for his virtues, his difinter- 
 efted behaviour, his immoveable fidelity to the 
 ungrateful crown he lerved, the juft policy of 
 his dealing with the Indians, his caution 
 c againft 
 
Settlements in America. 6^ 
 
 agalnfi: giving them any offence, and his ten- 
 der behaviour to them when conquered, vv^bich 
 merited him the glorious title of their father, 
 together u^ith his zeal to have them inftruded 
 in the truths of religion, raife him to the ele- 
 vated rank of thofe few men whom we ought 
 to conlider as examples to mankind, and orna- 
 ments to human nature. 
 
 I hope it will be forgiven me if I add a re- 
 mark upon the condudt of the court of Spain 
 with regard to this great man. Though, as 
 w^e faw all along, this condudt was equally un- 
 juft and impolitic, forry I ^m, that no lefibn 
 of inllrud:ion can be dravv r. from the event, 
 which was in all refpecfts as fori unate, as the 
 meafures purfued were ungrateful and impru- 
 dent. But there was a coincidence of events 
 at that time, which dees not always happen fo 
 opportunely to juftify an ungrateful and nar- 
 row policy. It is certain that fome men are 
 fo poffeffed with their defigns, that, when once 
 engaged, nothing can difcourage them in the 
 purfuit. But great and frequent difcourage- 
 ments are examples to others, which will at 
 leaft certainly have an effedt, and will terrify 
 men from forming fuch deligns at all. Then 
 the fpirit of invention and enterprize dies 
 away; then things begin to flagnate and to cor- 
 rupt; for it is a rule as invariable in politics as 
 it is in nature, that a want of proper motion 
 does not breed reft and ftability, but a motion 
 '• of 
 
 iHi 
 
 
 'I 
 
 
 ^i 
 
<{ 
 
 ilt 
 
 I'r 
 
 I 
 
 ;'[ 
 
 64 ^« Account o/fhe European 
 
 of another kind; a motion unfeen and intef- 
 tine, which does not preferve but deftroy. 
 The beft form and fettlement of a ftate, and 
 every regulation within it, obeys the fame 
 univerfal law ; and the only way to prevent all 
 things from going to decay, is by continually 
 aiming to better them in fome refpedt or other 
 (lince if they are not better, they will furely 
 be worfe), and to afford an attentive ear to 
 every projedt for this purpofe. I am fenfible 
 that it muft frequently happen, that many of 
 thefe projects will be chimerical in themfelves, 
 and oiFered by people of an appearance and 
 manner not very prejudicing in their favour. 
 But then I am fatisfied too, that thefe men 
 muft in the nature of things have fomcthing 
 odd and fingular in their character, who ex- 
 pofe themfelves, and defert the common and 
 certain roads of gain, in purfuit of advantages 
 not certain to the public, and extremely doubt- 
 ful to themfelves. 
 
 It is equally true, that, if fuch people are 
 ciiLuuiugcd, a number of vilionary fchemes 
 will be offered. But it is the character of 
 pride and lazinefs to rejed all offers, becaufe 
 Jbiiie are idle, as it is a weaknefs ai\d cretlu- 
 lity to liften to all without diilindion. But 
 furely, if judgment is to have any fliare in our 
 condud, it is the province of judgment to lift, 
 to examine, to diftingui(h the ufeful from 
 the foolifh, the feafible from the impradi- 
 
 cable. 
 
Settlements In America* 6^ 
 
 cable, and even in the midil of the vifions of a 
 fruitiul and difoixlcrcd brain, to pick out mat- 
 ter which a wife man will know how to qua- 
 lify and turn to ufc, though the inventor did 
 not. Cromwell, partly from his circum- 
 flanccs, but more from his genius and diipo- 
 lition, recei\'ed daily a number of propofils of 
 this kind, which always apnroached him in a 
 fanatical drefs, and were mixed frequently with 
 matters the moft remote from probability and 
 good fenfe j and we know that he made a fignal - 
 ufeof many things of this kind. 
 
 Colbert fpent much of his time in hearing 
 every fcheme for the extending of comniercc, 
 the improvement of manufadlurcs, and the 
 advancement of arts; fpared no pains or ex- 
 pence to put them in execution, and bounti'- 
 fully rewarded and encouraged the authors cf 
 them. By thefe means France advanced du- 
 ring the reign of Le\"\'is tlie fourteenth, and 
 under this minifler, more t'iian it had done in 
 many reigns before; and by thefe means, in 
 the midit of wars winch hrou<}ht that kins;- 
 dom and all Europe to the brink of dedrudlion, 
 amidd; many deiauUs in the royal character 
 '»\nd many errors in his government, a feed of 
 liuluilry and enterprise was fown, v.'hich, on 
 the firi't refpite of the public ci.lamities, and 
 even while ihcy oppelied that nation, rofe to 
 produce that fiounlhing internal and external 
 commerce and power, that diilinguiibes 
 Vol. I. ' F France, 
 
 / 
 
 \ 
 
I' i 
 
 66" An ArcoiJNT of the European 
 
 France, and forms its ftrcngth at this day, 
 thougli a Ids adive reign and minillers of 
 a different charadler have fiicccedcd. On the 
 contrary, it was always the character of the 
 court of Spain to proceed very flowly, if at 
 all, in any improvement; and to receive 
 fchcmes for that purpofe with coldnefs and dif- 
 dain. The effedts upon the power of that mo- 
 narchy were at laft anfwerahle. With regard 
 to America, the conquefl: as well as the dif- 
 covery was owing wholly to private men ; the 
 court contributed nothing but pretenfions and 
 patents. 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 The difcoverks and conqucfts of Balhoa, Velaf 
 * quez fends Cortes on the Mexican expedition. 
 The fate of the Mexican empire. Cortes 
 ■ makes an alliance with the Tlafcalans. • 
 
 AN ancient painter drew a fatyrical pidlurc 
 of Cimon the Athenian. He repre- 
 fented this commander afleep, and Fortune 
 drawing a net over cities to put them into his 
 poflcffion. There never were princes to whom 
 this reprefentation could be applied with more 
 juflice, than to king Ferdinand and his fuc- 
 ceilor the emperor Charles. Without form- 
 ing any plan in the cabinet, without iiTu- 
 ing a penny out of their treafury, without fend- 
 ing 
 
I 
 
 Settlements in America. 67 
 
 ing a regiment from llieir troops, private ad- 
 venturers atnonp;(l: their fubjcOs put them into 
 pofTefiion of a (t; re .iter, and i more wealthy ter- 
 ritory, than ever the moil celebrated conquer- 
 ors had acquired by their valour, or their 
 wifdoni. Nor was this conqueft more extra- 
 ordinary for the trivial means by which it was 
 accompliflied, than for the fliOitnefs of the 
 time in which it was effedVed ; for from the 
 departure of Columbus, which was in the 
 year 1492, to the entire redu61ion of Chili, 
 which was in 1541, (even great kingdoms, 
 inhabited by a vaft number of warlike and 
 wealthy nations, were made to bow under the 
 ^ Spanifh yoke. After the difcoveries of Co- 
 lumbus had enlarged the fphcrc of induflry to 
 adivc minds, fuch a fpirit of enterprize went 
 abroad, that not only thofe pcrlons v/hofe 
 indigence might have driven them from their 
 native country, but pcrfons of the firfl rank 
 went over to fettle in America. Gold was 
 the fpur to all thofe adventurers, of whatever 
 rank; and this, with a romantic fpirit of chi- 
 valry, made the greatefl hazards appear but 
 common matters in their eyes. And indeed 
 in a country v.'holly uncivilized, under the 
 burning zone, and in many places extremely 
 unhealthy, the temperance of the Spaniards, 
 their hardinefs under fatigue, and the pati- 
 ence and perfeverancc whick make' the mofl 
 fhining part of their character, enabled them 
 
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 (716)872-4503 
 
 
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 68 An Account of the European 
 
 to engage in enterprizes, and to furmount 
 difficulties, to which any other people had cer- 
 tainly been unequal. 
 
 Vafco Nunez de Balboa made a confider- 
 able figure amongft thefe adventurers; he 
 was a man of a graceful prefence, a liberal 
 education, a hardy conftitution, and that 
 kind of popular bravery, which recommends a 
 man who engages in defperate expeditions, 
 where he mufl have more authority from his 
 perfon than his place. This man firft fur- 
 rounded Cuba, conquered, and left it. He 
 did not there find the treafures which he ex- 
 pected. He therefore relinquiflied the glean- 
 ings of this field to thofe who had a more 
 mo'^eratc ambition, and a more faving induf- 
 try. He fought new ground, he followed 
 the tracks of Columbus to Darien, gained 
 the friendfliip of fome of the Caziques, and 
 conquered others. He was the firft who dif- 
 covered the South -Sea. He fettled a colony 
 upon that coaft, and built the city of Panama. 
 But according to the fate of all the firft ad- 
 venturers in this hew world, indeed according 
 to the fate of moft v/ho engage in new un- 
 dertakings,^ he never lived to reap the fruit of 
 his labours. He found himfelf fuperfeded by 
 one who had only difcernment enough of his 
 merit to raife his jealoufy and ^xwy^ and who 
 could make no other ufc of the difcoveries of 
 
 this 
 
 great 
 
 man, than to increafe his own 
 
 private 
 
 V 
 
« 
 
 Settlements in America. 69 
 
 private fortune. This man was a politi- 
 cian and a courtier, and having in feveral in- 
 ftances bafely injured Balboa, he was too wife 
 to ftop there, but under a pretended form of 
 juftice cut off his^ head, and confifcated his 
 ellatc. 
 
 Some time after the fettlement of Cuba, 
 Don James Velafquez obtained the govern- 
 ment; a man of good fenfe in common affairs, 
 but fo much miftaken, as to imagine he could 
 adt a great part by deputy; and that too in cir- 
 cumftances, wherein a man who had but little 
 capacity could do him but little fervice, and 
 he that could do much would certainly do it 
 for himfelf. The continent of America was 
 now very well known, and the fame of the 
 greatnefs and wealth of the Mexican empire 
 fpread every where. This infpired Velafquez 
 with a fcheme of reducing fome part of this 
 opulent country under his obedience. He 
 pitched upon Hernando Cortes to command in 
 this expedition, in which he certainly made a 
 very right judgment. There was no man 
 amongil the Spaniards, who to an adventur- 
 ous difpofition, then common to them all, 
 knew fo well to join a cool and fteady con- 
 dudl, to gain love whilflhe prcfervcd refpecSt ;- 
 not to (hiFt his fchemes according to cccalions, 
 but perfifting uniformly in a well-judged de- 
 lign, to make every inferior adtion and event 
 fubfervient to it; to urge Rill forward ; to ex- 
 
 F 3 tricate 
 
 llii 
 
 n. 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 1;1 
 
m 
 
 1 
 
 70 -^/2 Account 0/'/^^ European 
 
 tricate himfclf out of difficulties into which 
 he was brought by bold adtions, not by mean 
 fubterfuges, but by adions yet bolder. This 
 was the character of the man already in high 
 reputation, whom Velafquez chofe to conquer 
 for him. 
 
 The embarkment was made at St. Jago de 
 Cuba, and Cortes was to take in fome rein- 
 forcements at the Havanna. But he was hardly 
 departed, when Velafquez grew jealous of 
 him J aAd, without conlidering that Cortes was 
 of that heroic difpofition in which a blind 
 obedience is rarely a principal ingredient, he 
 took the iil-judged ftep of removing him fronfx 
 the command of an army, which in fome fort 
 might be coniidercd as his own, fmce he had 
 much influence on the foldiers, and a con- 
 iiderable part of the expence of the armament 
 had been fupplied by himfclf. When this or- 
 der, which was to deprive him of his com- 
 mand, arrived to Cortes, he was not long be- 
 fore he came to a refolution. He explained the 
 whole matter to hisibldiersj he fliewed them 
 how uncertain tiie intentions of Velafquez 
 were, and how much all their hopes were 
 li':e to be fruftrated by the incondancy of his 
 difpofition. The event was prepared. The 
 foldiers declared to a man, that they were fub- 
 jeds only to the king of Spain, and knew no 
 commander but Cortes. The army and the 
 
 general. 
 
M 
 
 Sei'Tlements in America. 71 
 
 general, thus bound to each other by their mu- 
 tual difobeciience, iailed for Mexico. 
 
 The empire of Mexico was at that time 
 governed by a prince called Montezuma, the 
 eleventii who reigned from the firfl monarch 
 who had conquered the country. The em- 
 pire was elective, and the merit of Montczmn.i 
 had procured him the election. A prince of 
 capacity and courage, but artful, hypocritical, 
 and cruel. This empire, founded on conquell", 
 was increafed by his vidories. .By himfelf, or 
 by his generals, he had abfolutely fubdued le- 
 veral kingdoms and provinces; feveral were 
 made tributary, and others, which were not 
 abfolutely fubdued, were influenced by his 
 power to an entire obedience to his will. His 
 armies were the bed in that part of the world, 
 and prodigioufly numerous. In this fituation, 
 and fo headed,was the empire of the Mexican?, 
 when Cortes came to prove its flrength, with 
 an army of no m^ore than five hundred foot, 
 and not quite fixty horfe. He did not come a 
 itranger into the country, to encounter a force 
 which he dared to engage only becc ufe he vvas 
 ignorant of it. He had long made every pof- 
 fible enquiry from the Spaniards and Indians 
 in every circumftance of its internal v/eaknefs 
 or power; its allies, its enemies, and the in- 
 terells which determined them to be allies or 
 enemies. Weighing all thefe, and knowing 
 that,alongwith great hopes, great dangers like- 
 
 F 4 wife 
 
 :':iB 
 
 
^ I 
 
 72 A/2 Account of the European 
 
 wife lay before Iiim, he made his retreat yet 
 more dangerous by difobedicnceto the governor 
 of Cuba; and when he landed on the conti- 
 nent, he made it impofiible, for he burned his 
 fliips. But tliough he had m-ade a retreat im- 
 poffible, he had fomething more to encourage 
 him to go forward, than the impolTibility of 
 retiring. lie had great liopes that many of 
 thofe llatcs, who were kept in a forced fub- 
 jedion or aflaviflidrcadof IVlontezuma, would 
 gladly turn this new and alarming appearance 
 from thcmfelvcs againft that monarch, and, un- 
 der the banner of thefe formidable ftrangers, 
 arm thcmfclvesto fliake ofFthe ancient tyran- 
 ny, which always appears the worfl", without 
 forefeeingccnfcquences, to which moreciviliz- 
 ed nations have frequently been as blind as they. 
 It happened according to his expedations. 
 
 The Zempoallans, a nation tributary to 
 Montezuma, as foon as they had fufiicient 
 proofs of the power of the Spaniards, at the 
 expence of feveral of their neighbours, who 
 attempted to oppofe their progrcfs, threw off 
 the Mexican yoke, gladly put themfelves un- 
 der the protection of Cortes, and earned it by 
 the large reinforcements which they added to 
 his army. Montezuma was foon made ac- 
 quainted with thefe meafures. For, according 
 to the cuftom of that well-regulated kingdom, 
 he had pofis. fo Rationed, th;:t in a little time 
 Jic had notice of whatever happened in the 
 4 remotQ 
 
Settlements in America. 73 
 
 remote parts of his empire. The difpatches 
 which were fent him, were painted cloaths, 
 exadlly reprcfenting every circumftance of the 
 bufinefs of which he was to be informed ; the 
 figures were interperfed with charadters to 
 explain what muft neceflarily be wanting in 
 the pidure. So far, but no farther, had this 
 people advanced in the art of writing. As well 
 informed as the emperor was of every particu- 
 lar of this invafion, and of the dcfed:ion of 
 his tributaries, he adted not at all conforma- 
 bly to the greatnefs of his former exploits. 
 He took the worll: method which a great 
 prince ever did upon fuch an occafion, which 
 was, to temporize. He let the Spaniards fee, 
 by fome trifling arts which he ufcd to oppofe 
 them, that he did not look upon them as his 
 friends, and at the fame time neglected to adt 
 againft them as fo formidable an enemy re- 
 quired. They made daily advances in the 
 country. His enemies were encouraged, his 
 tributaries made infolent, and his fubjeds 
 and allies utterly difpirited; whilft the Spa- 
 niards, in a variety of engagements which 
 they had with the petty princes of the coun- 
 try, raifed their reputation by a train of vic- 
 tories, and began to be confidered as invinci- 
 ble. Cortes, like the great commander he 
 was, took advantage of this irrefolute difpoli- 
 tion in Montezuma, and ufed every poffible 
 rncans to cherilh it He always fent back 
 
 wh4t 
 
 ■!| 
 
 ill 
 
 'K'l 
 
 "n 
 
 ' '1* 
 
 ■ 1* I 
 
 
 i:l 
 
 hi 
 
I: 
 
 i i! 
 
 f^ -^« Account o/"//^^ European 
 
 what prilbners his new allies had taken, with 
 prefents, and every profeffion of efteem and re- 
 gard to their mafler, and with the ftrongefl: af- 
 furance of a defire of preferving peace ; re- 
 queuing to fee Montezuma, and to confer with 
 him upon fume matters which he faid he had 
 in charge to deliver to him from his mailer the 
 emperor of the Romans. 
 
 There was at that time a celebrated republic 
 on the coaft of Mexico, towards the gulph, 
 called Tlafcla. This people were faid to be fo 
 powerful, as to be able to arm four hundred 
 thoufand men. Powerful as they were, tho' 
 not fubdued, they were yet awed by the great- 
 nefs of the Mexicans. This awe, or perhaps 
 a better policy, induced them to give a check 
 to the Spaniards. But, in the manner of Mon- 
 tezuma's proceedings, they would not oppofe 
 them publicly, and therefore could not oppofe 
 them eitedually. Some nations, on whom 
 they had prevailed to fall upon the Spaniards, 
 were over and over again defeated, together 
 with thofe troops the Tlafcalans had fent 
 clandeftinely to their afliftancc. At laft, by 
 degrees, declaring themfclves more openly, as 
 the danger preffed them, they drew a large 
 army into the field, which was routed by the 
 troops of Cortes ; few indeed in number, but 
 infinitely fuperior in arms, and now grown fa- 
 miliar with vidory. The confequencc of this 
 battle was the alliance of the Tlrfcalans with 
 
 their 
 
Settlements /;/ America. 75 
 
 their conqueror, which they entered into with 
 thelefs ditiiculty, as they were to fervc againfl: 
 the Mexicans, and might now hope to lerve 
 with fuccefs. Cortes, however, did not chufe 
 to trufl this untried and forced alliance too 
 far, nor at the (lunc time to deprive himfelf 
 entirely of the fuccourit produced. He there- 
 fore took a middle courfe, and, accepting three 
 thouland of dieir men, he held on his rout to 
 Mexico, 
 
 C H A P. X. 
 
 1 
 
 Cortes builds La Vera Cruz, He marches to 
 Mexico, His reception by Montezuma. Cor^ 
 tes imprifons Montezuma, That prince' sjira- 
 tagem to gain his liberty j the confequence 
 of it. 
 
 BEFORE Cortes began his expedition to 
 Mexico, he had built a fttong fortrefs at 
 the principal port on the coaft, to open a paf- 
 fage for fuccours, whenever his fuccefs fhould 
 make intereft enough to procure them. This 
 he called La Vera Cruz, and it has iince be- 
 come a city, remarkable for the great tratfic 
 carried on between thefe opulent countries and 
 Old Spain. 
 
 During the Tlafcalan war, in which the 
 Spaniards lutFered fomethmg and had every 
 thing to apprehend, Montezuma took npfleps, 
 
 but 
 
 ! i\ 
 
 '■■M 
 
 Vi 
 
 if] 
 
 m 
 
:l 
 
 76 y/// Account of t/je European 
 
 but lay by, watching the event, in hopes that 
 the Tlalcalans might defeat the troops of Cor- 
 tes at their own expencej or, if the Spaniards 
 proved vidorious, he might then have the 
 meritof nothavingufcdhoflilities againft them. 
 He loft both parties by this double conduft ; 
 fuch an infidious neutrality betrays nothing but 
 the weak policy of him who ufes it. How- 
 ever, as a fair correfpondence ftill fubfifted be- 
 tween them, he ufed every means he could to 
 difl'uade Cortes from his propofed journey to 
 Mexico. At laft he took a ftep, worfe judged 
 than all the bad ones he had hitherto taken. . 
 He fent to the Spaniards a very large and mag- 
 nificent prefent, of every thing his dominions 
 afforded valuable, but principally avaft quan- 
 tity of gold and precious ftones ; offering at 
 the fame time yet more, and perfuading them 
 to return to their own country. If any per- 
 fon in the army was unwilling before this to 
 proceed, he now changed his mind. All 
 were convinced that they ought to advance 
 with fpeed to pofTefs the fountain of that 
 wealth, of which this rich donation was but 
 an inconfiderable rivulet. 
 
 Montezuma, baffled in all his fchemes to 
 keep the Spaniards at a diftance, having ufed 
 himfelf to lliifting meafures until they were 
 in a degree grown habitual, found Cortes at 
 the gates of Mexico before he was refolved 
 how he (hould receive him. It was now al- 
 
 moft 
 
 !ii: 
 
Settlements in America. yy 
 
 mod too late for force. He threfore diflein- 
 bled his concern with the beft grace he could, 
 and received him with all the honours a mon- 
 arch can beftow, when he would difplay his 
 own magnificence and (hew his fenfe of ex- 
 traordinary merit. Cortes was lodged in a pa- 
 lace fpacious and grand, after the manner of 
 the country. All his Spaniards were lodged 
 with him j but he took care to place a train of 
 artillery at his gate. 
 
 Thus ported without a blow in the heart of 
 this great city, the capital of the new world, 
 he was for a while at a lols what meafures to 
 purfue, for.fecuring himfelf in a conqueft of 
 fuch importance. Having received more than 
 he could rcafonably have alked, there was no 
 caufe of complaint, and confequently no ad- 
 vantage to be colourably taken. He had only 
 to wait for feme of thofe critical incidents, 
 upon whofe ufe all great matters depend, and 
 without v/hich the greatefl genius muft be at 
 a ftand. It was not long before one of thefe 
 occurred. 
 
 Two Tlafcalans arrived in difguife at Mexi- 
 co, who brought him nn account that a ge- 
 neral of Montezuma had attacked fome of his 
 confederate Indians i that the garrifon of 
 Vera Cruz had gone out to their defence ; 
 and that, though the Mexicans were repulfed 
 with lofs, the Spaniards were greatly endan- 
 gered, many wounded, and one killed, whofe 
 
 head. 
 
 ^ii 
 
i{ ; 
 
 ,'■ 
 
 «v 
 
 78 An Account of the European 
 
 head, by the order of Montezuma, was carried 
 througli all the cities and villages of their 
 country, to dcftroy the reverence in which 
 they held the Spaniards, and to undeceive 
 them in a notion they had conceived, that 
 thefe Grangers were immortal. This intel- 
 ligence alarmed Cortes. He knew that opi- 
 nion was one of the ftrongeft fupporters of 
 his little force ; that things of this kind never 
 flop at their beginnings; that Montezuma, 
 while he carelTed him in his city, was disjoin- 
 ing his allies, and diftreffing his garrifon 
 abroad ; and that no time was to be loft in 
 dilatory counfels; that he muft keep alive 
 the memory of his former explots. He 
 therefore took a refolution worthy of a brave 
 man, in a difficulty made for his capacity. 
 He armed himfelf in the heft manner, and 
 with five of the moft faithful and heft refol- 
 ved of his officers, wentdiredly to the palace 
 of Montezuma. Thirty of his men attend- 
 ed at fome diftance. Guards of Spaniards 
 were placed at the principal avenues to the 
 palace. 
 
 It was ufual for Montezuma's guards to 
 withdraw, out of refpedt, when he had any 
 conference with Cortes. On this occafion, 
 as foon as he was admitted to audience, he 
 charged the emperor with the outrages com- 
 mitted by his orders, in terms of great refent- 
 ment. The emperor difavows them. But 
 
 Cortes, 
 
Sfttlemf.nts in America. 79' 
 
 Cortes, after having paid him the compli- 
 ment of not fuppofing him capable of fo 
 mean a diHlmulation, alTiircd him, that he 
 was himfelf entirely fatisfied of his inno- 
 cence ; but that others Jiad fears which were 
 not eafily removed : that, to faticfy th*^ Spani- 
 ards, he muft give fomc folid proof of his 
 confidence in them ; which he could effec- 
 tually do no otherwife than by his removing 
 without delay to their quarters. A requcft 
 of this nature ftartled Montezuma, who never 
 was ufed to any voice but that of the humblell 
 fubmiflion. However, he law plainly that 
 Cortes did not make fo extraordinary a requeft 
 but with a refolution of making it be com- 
 plied with. He faw the neceflity, and he 
 yielded to it. 
 
 Thus was the metropolis of a vaft and 
 powerful empire, inhabited by an innumer- 
 able multiude of warlike people, entered 
 without refiftance by an handful of men, 
 who came to overturn its liberty. And thus 
 was one of the greatefl: princes on earth, re- 
 nowned for his wifdom and valour, feized in 
 his palace, in the midft of his capital, at noon- 
 day, and carried prifoner, wit! out noife or vio- 
 lence, by fix perfoiis, to be difpofed of at their 
 pleafurc. 
 
 . The people, confounded and enraged to 
 
 find one whom they always ufed to revere 
 
 as a god, treated in this unworthy manner, 
 
 5 liirrounded 
 
 1 I 
 
11 1 
 
 
 80 -^« Account <5,^//6^ European - 
 
 furrounded the quarters of the Spaniards to 
 punifh this facrilege, and refcue their captive 
 prince. But Cortes, who well underilood 
 the confequence of the fteps he had taken, 
 was not alarmed. He knew that he had 
 now in his hands an engine, which was 
 capable of doing any thing. Montezuma 
 went out to appeafe the people, aiTured them 
 that he was there cf choice, and (which was 
 true) that the Spaniards were wanting in no 
 inftance of refpcd: due to his character and 
 dignity. 
 
 This appeafed and difperfed the people. 
 But Montezuma, whofe unfortunate cir- 
 cumiliances obliged him to ad: as an inftru- 
 msnt to his own captivity, could e^joy no 
 reft, though allowed the attendance of the 
 pricipal oiiicers of his court, and indulged 
 by the Spaniards in every thing but his li- 
 berty. Long revolving, he at laft contrived 
 a fcheme, 'which he judged, without his 
 appearing to occur with them, migiit alarm 
 his fubjects with a fenfe of- their danger, or 
 oblige the Spaniards to depart b-^ the reafon- 
 ablencfs of his propofals. He had always 
 liberty of going abroad with a guard of Spa- 
 niards under pretence cf doing him honour. 
 He now delired to hold a council of the 
 ftates of his empire, that in concurrence they 
 might faiisfy Cortes and his ailbciates in the 
 ampleft manner. This council was conve- 
 ned. 
 
Settlements m America. 8i 
 
 ned> in which Montezuma, in a premedita- 
 ted fpeech, fet forth the origin of his nation ; 
 the prophecies extant among them, that a 
 people of the fame race fliould arrive, \o 
 whom this empire fhould be fubjed; that 
 the people were now arrived who were the 
 obje(S of thofe prophecies,. and fprung from 
 this origin, to whom the gods had deftined 
 univerfal empire, and who, by their great 
 accomplifhments and furprizing bravery, me- 
 rited their high deflination : then he fo- 
 lemnly declared himfelf tributary to the em- 
 peror of the Romans ; he exhorted his people 
 on their part to a due obedience ; and ended 
 by telling them, that, as he had himfelf pre- 
 pared a prefent from his treafures worthy of 
 this emperor, he expected that every one of 
 them, in proportion to his ability, would 
 teftify his loyalty to their new mafter, and 
 his regard to the merit of his general and 
 thofe brave men that attended him, that they 
 might be .<^nabled to depart fpeedily to their 
 own country, with that opinion of their bre- 
 thren the Mexicans, which their affection to 
 them, and their obedience to their common 
 mafter, defer ved. 
 
 At firft a dead lilcnce fucceedcd this ha- 
 rangue -y the whole aircinbly were confounded 
 and Ilruck dumb with grief, indignation and 
 furprife. Then followed a mixed cry, as each 
 perfon' was afFed:ed by feme particular part 
 Vol. I. G of 
 
 
 I 
 
 f fl'i 
 
 
 1 -;' 
 
 ii 
 
il 
 
 1 
 
 82 Au Account of the European 
 of the gen ^ral calamity. The luftre of their 
 empire was tarniflied, their religion to be pro- 
 fained, their freedom furrendered, their empe- 
 ror degraded ; what was worfe, degraded by 
 himfelf ; could they believe their ears ? Was 
 it Montezuma who had fpoken in fuch a 
 manner ? 
 
 ; The defign of Montezuma was until this 
 moment a lecret to Cortes; he was furprifed 
 and fomething chagrined at an artifice., the 
 invention of which he now penetrated very 
 clearly. But his furprife did not confound or 
 perplex him in the part he faw it was proper 
 for him to ad:. Without any embarralT- 
 ment, he feconded the harangue of Monte- 
 zuma by a fpeech, which was well inter- 
 preted, wherein he ftrongly urged the propri- 
 ety, and infinuated the neceflity, of an entire 
 obedience to their prince and an imitation of 
 his condu<fl. Difordered as the aflembly was, 
 yet ftill held by a facred reverence to their em- 
 peror, influenced by the hope of the fudden 
 departure of the Spaniards, and rdlerving them- 
 selves for a better occafion, they followed Mon- 
 tezuma's example, and paid hcmage to Cortes, 
 in that dumb and fuUen fubmiflion with v^hich 
 fierce fpirits yeld to neceflity. He received it, 
 and thanked them,' as a man thanks his debtor 
 for a ready payment. 
 
 -Cortes 
 
 ■m. 
 
?-. 
 
 • Settlements in America. 83 
 
 Cortes faw- that this empty homnge fecured 
 him nothing j but he knew that the gold, 
 which was to accompany it, would be of real 
 fcrvice in cancelling the ill imprefiions made 
 by his difobedience, in Spain. In Mexico he 
 might look upon himfelf as fecure ; he had 
 the perfon of the emperor in his hands ; he 
 had his forces in the capital ; he had lately 
 ftruck a terror into all, by feizing the general, 
 who had committed hoftilities againft the 
 Spaniards. He got the emperor to difavow 
 his condu<3:, and condemn him as a trai- 
 tor. By their joint authority, this unhappy 
 man, guilty of nothing but obedience to his 
 lawful mafler and zeal for his country, was 
 burned live in the public fquare of Mexico. 
 But neither this horrid example, nor the im- 
 prifonment of their emperor, nor the late 
 acknowledgment of the emperor Charles, 
 was fufficient to make the Mexicans infenfible 
 to the difgracc they fuffered, nor of the dan- 
 ger which hung over them. They began to 
 confult how they might deliver themfelves. 
 Some propofed to cut off the communication 
 with the continent, and hold the Spaniards 
 befieged in their quarters ; for the city of 
 Mexico is an ifland in a great lake, and com- 
 municates with the continent by four great 
 caufcways, extremely curious for contrivance 
 and folidity. Whilft they were ripening 
 their fchemes, a report came to Cortes, that 
 
 G 2 i^:>mG 
 
 m 
 
 « 
 
 i lA 
 
 
 Dili 
 
 m 
 
 I 
 
H 
 
 ^4 An Account of tJoe Europeam 
 
 fome words had dropt from a Mexican con- 
 cerning the practicability of deftroying one of 
 thefe caufeways. From this word (for he 
 heard no more) this watchful and fagacious 
 commander judged of the whole contrivance. 
 Without however taking notice of it pub- 
 licly, he immediately orders two brigantines 
 to be built to fecure his retreat, if a retreat 
 fhould prove the wifefl meafure. In the mean 
 lime he kept a ftrid: difcipline in his army ; 
 and to prcferve reverence from the Indians, 
 he prohibited their approaching his quarters 
 when his men were afleep, and feverely pu- 
 nifhed thofe of his foldiers who flept out of 
 the times and places appointed for that pur- 
 pofe. All this while no preparations for his 
 departure. 
 
 C H A P. XI. 
 
 ^he attempts of Montezuma to make the Spani^ 
 ards leave Mexico', The arrival of Narvaez 
 to take the command from Cortes, Cortes 
 leaves Mexico, Defeats and takes Narvaez 
 prifoner, The Spaniards in Mexico bejieged. 
 ' Cortes raifes thejicge, Montezuma is killed. 
 
 MONTEZUMA, fick with impatience 
 of his confinement, and feeing that 
 he daily loft his authority amongft the peo- 
 ple by the pufillanimous appearance of his 
 4 conduct. 
 
Settlements in America. 85 
 
 condudt, as foon as he perceived that any 
 fpirited adion on his fide would be feconded 
 with equal fpirit by his fubjedts, roufed his 
 dormant magnanimity, and, in fpite of the 
 condition he was in, fent for Cortes, and 
 addrefled him in this manner : " Cortes, the 
 defires of my fubjedVs, my own dignity, and 
 the commands of my gods, require that you 
 fhould depart my empire. You are fenfible 
 how much I valued your friendfhip, and how 
 effedlually I have lliewn that I valued it. 
 But, after fo many profeffions of good-will 
 upon your fide, and fo many proofs of it up- 
 on mine, after every pretence of bufinefs is 
 over, wherefore do yon delay your return ? 
 1 have yielded homage to your mafter, I am 
 ready to obey him ; I have fent him prefents 
 • (or fhall I call it a tribute ?) worthy of myfelf 
 and of him : your whole army is loaded, even 
 to an inconvenience, with their darling gold. 
 Would they have more ? they (hall have more. 
 But then, when they (hall have fpoken tneir 
 largeft wi(hes, and fatisfied their moft eager 
 defires, I infifl: upon it that they depart im- 
 mediately ; or they may find, in fpite of the 
 condition I am in, of which condition, for 
 your fake and for my own, I (hall fpe'-.k but 
 little, that Montezuma has yet courage 
 enough to vindicate his honour, and friends 
 in Mexico who will not fail to revenge the 
 wrongs he fliall fufFer." 
 
 G 3 Cortes 
 
 * 
 
 i:fi 
 
 
 % 
 
 '4 
 
 

 li 
 
 t# ^« Account ^ if/^^ European 
 
 Cortes perceived fomething of an unufual' 
 refolution and fternnefs in the emperor's 
 countenance whilft he fpoke. He therefore 
 fcnt orders, before the interpreter began to » 
 explain his fpeech, that the Spaniards Should 
 iland to their arms, and wait his commands. 
 His anfwer v/as refolute, but not fuch as to 
 drive the emperor ' to defpair. He lamented 
 the jealoufy which their common enemies had 
 occafioned; that, for his part, he was fe- 
 curcd from dl fear, by his own courage and 
 the bravery of his own troops; but, fince 
 he was b unfortunate as to find he could not 
 longer enjoy the honour of a convcrfation he 
 had fuch reafon to efteem, conlitlentiy with 
 the emperor's repofe, he would depart as foon » 
 r.s fhips could be built, for on landing he had 
 been obliged to burn his own. I'his anfwer 
 foothed Montezuma i he rcfumed his good 
 iiumour, he promifed to load his army with 
 gold at his departure, and gave immediate 
 orders that every thing fliould be prepared for 
 fitting out the fhips in the fpeedieft and am- 
 pleftmanne.. But Cortes gave orders, which 
 were full as well obeyed, to the perfon he 
 appointed for the equipment, to delay it upon 
 every poiiible pretence. He expctted daily 
 the return of the mellengers he had lent into 
 Spain, to follicit his pardon and fuccours, 
 with the continuance of the command . 
 ''■■ • ., Whilil 
 
 ii 
 
 ' nil 
 ill 1 1 
 
Settlements in America. 9>y 
 
 *^ Whilft he was entertained with thefe ex-' 
 pedtations, and with finding out pretences to 
 defer his departure, an exprefs arrived from 
 Sandoval, his governor at I..a Vera Cruz, in- 
 forming him of the arrival of eighteen fl^ips, 
 in which was an army of eight hurulred foot, 
 and two hundred horfe, under the command 
 of one Narvaez, who was fent hy his old 
 enemy Velafquez, the goverroi* of Cuba, to 
 fuperfede him in the command, to treat him 
 as a rebel, and fend him in chains to Cuba. 
 The povernor fcized the meiTenf-ers, who 
 were lent by Narvaez to require' him to 
 furrcnder, and fent them prifoners with this 
 account to Cortes. There never was a time 
 wherein the firmnefs and capacity of this 
 commander in chief were put fo (Irongly to 
 the proof. On one hand, here was an army 
 in weapons and courage equal to his own, in 
 numbers vaflly fuperior, and aboyp all, ftrength- 
 ened with the name o^ royal authority. The 
 Mexicans, ill-atredled before, would rejoice 
 in this opportunity to fall upon him. On the , 
 other hand, mrfl he refign the conquells he 
 had made with fuch infinite toils and hazards 
 into the hands of his mortal enemy, and in 
 return to bear the name and receive the pu- 
 nilhment of a traitor ? There was little room, to 
 hope for an accommodation. The thoughts 
 of a furrender were intolerable. One way 
 only remained, to conquer Narvaez. His own 
 
 G 4 courage 
 
 III 
 
 
I i!' 
 
 88 jIn Account of tie European 
 
 courage and condud; his foldiers, habituated 
 to vidtory; and endeared to him by common 
 dangers and triumphs; his reputation, and 
 the fignal providence which always attended 
 him, would coiiibat upon his fide. Above 
 all, no time was to be loft in fruitlefs counfels. 
 He fcnt anexprefs to Sandoval, his governor 
 in La Vera Cruz, to evacuate that place, and 
 join him in his route with what men he had. 
 He aflembled his forces, and found them to a 
 man attached to his interefts, and ready to 
 hazard every thing in fupport of them. He 
 left eiglity men in Mexico, picked from his 
 troops, recommending them to Montezuma, 
 and him to them. With this fmall garrifon 
 he dared to entruft Mexico and all his vaft 
 hopes there ; but the imprifoned emperor was 
 himfelf a garrifon, from the reverence his fub-. 
 jeds bore him. Before he fet out, he releafed 
 the prifoners which Sandoval had fent him, 
 ufing the feverity of his officer to difplay his 
 own clemency. He carefied them extremely^ 
 loaded them with prefents for themfelves 
 and the principal officers of Narvaez's army, 
 and did every thing to create himfelf a party 
 there by his generofity. He fent at the fame 
 time very advantageous terms of accommo- 
 dation to the general himfelf, but took care 
 to follow and fecond his ambaffadors with all 
 the power he could raife. This, with San- 
 doval's reinforcement, did not amount to. 
 
 three 
 
 \ 
 
Settlements in America. 89 
 
 three hundred men; but with thcfe, and 
 fome confederate Indians, he marched 
 with all imaginable diligence to Narvaez's 
 quarters. 
 
 Narvaez, elated with the fuperiority of his 
 army, would hearken t*^ no terms, though he 
 was much preffed to it by his principal officers, 
 who difcovered plainly that this quarrel could 
 only end in the ruin of their party, or that of 
 the Spanifh intereft in Mexico. Mean time 
 Cortes, little incumbered with baggage, and 
 Icfs with a dilatory genius, advanced by forced 
 marches. He was but a fmall diftance from 
 the enemy's quarters, when the rains came on, 
 and, as ufual in that country, fell very heavily. 
 Cortes, knowing that the ill difpofitions of the 
 iky were circumflances favourable to afurprize, 
 inviting to defperate enterprizes, and that they 
 are always leaft prejudicial to thofe in mo- 
 tion, having perfedt intelligence oJ^' the dif- 
 pofition of Narvaez's army, andhav^jgdifpofed 
 his troops in fuch a manner as not to fall upon 
 one another, and to adt in concert, he ordered 
 them, when they fhould enter the town where 
 the enemy was pofted, to keep in clofe to the 
 houfes, that they might not fuffer by the ar- 
 tillery, which was fo placed as to play upon 
 the middle of the ftreet. Having made this 
 difpofition, he marched to attack the camp, on 
 one of thofe gloomy and tempeftuous nights. 
 Though he directed every thing with the ut- 
 
 moll 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 
I 
 
 ■f 
 
 
 I 
 
 90 -^;7 Account ^//^^ European 
 
 1110(1 fecrccy, Narvaez had intelligence of his 
 approach, but he laughed at it j and, notun- 
 dei (landing the nature of a prudent raftinefs, 
 could nc t believe that Cortes would make fuch 
 an attempt in fuch a feafon, but went to lleep, 
 without taking fufficient care that it fhouldnot 
 be difturbed. Security in the general is ea- 
 iily followed by that of every one elfe. Cor- 
 tes afl'aulted the town in three bodies, and' 
 whilft every one in the adverfe party ran in 
 . confufion to his arms, and oppofed without 
 command or uniformity as each man was at- 
 tacked, the vvhole army was routed. The 
 quarters of Narvaez were attacked by Cortcs's 
 divifion, and the men routed there as elfe- 
 where. Narvaez himfelf, fliamefully taken ia 
 bed, fell into his hands. *' Value yourlelf, 
 faid he, my lord Cortes, on your fortune in 
 making me your prilbner!" But Cortes, with a 
 fmile of indignation, anfwered, ** That he 
 thou^i;ht this by far the leaftadtion he had per- 
 formed, fince he came into the new world." 
 
 When the morning came on, the difperfed 
 army of Narvaez began to form into bodies, 
 and to difcover the inconfiderable force which 
 the night before had defeated them. Their 
 jfirft motion, diftradted with Ihame and anger, 
 was to fall upon the conquerors, and recover 
 the honour they had loft. But, when they 
 found that their general was a prifoncr, their 
 artillery feized, and the advantageous poft 
 5 they 
 
Settlements m America. gr 
 
 they had occupied in the enemy's polVeflion, 
 and numbers amonr-ilthemlclves v/cll affc(5ted 
 to Cortes, they Hikned at lait to his propofals, 
 rcccomended as they were by tlie pohte and 
 infinuating behaviour of which he was maftcr, 
 and that open and unbouudcd frcncrolity he 
 /hewed to every one. They all eiilillcd under 
 his banner, and agreed to Ihare his fortune. 
 Thus did this accident, which leemcd to 
 threaten inevitable dellrudion to the affairs of 
 Cortes, prove the mod: effectual method ot re- 
 floring them to an excellent condition, wholly 
 by means of the wifdom of his meafurcs, and 
 of that vigour and adivity with which he pur- 
 fued them. His army now confifled of above 
 athoufand men, after replacing his garrifon at 
 La Vera Cruz, in which fortrefs he left Nar** 
 vaez a prifoner. t 
 
 This vidlory, and the reinforcement it pro- 
 cured, cams at a moft: critical time; for hardly 
 had he begun to adjull: matters for his return 
 to Mexico, when an exprcfs arrived that his 
 affairs there were in a moil dangerous condi- 
 tion. Alvarado, whom he had left to com- 
 mand at his departure, though a brave and 
 able man, had too great a contempt for the 
 Indians, and too little a difcernment for the 
 nice circumffances he was in, to manage with 
 that juft mixture of iirmnefa and yielding, by 
 which Cortes had hitherto fo balianced the 
 hopes and fears of the Mexicans, that he ne- 
 v' -. vcr 
 
 1 1 
 
 ^!f 
 
 . 1 
 
 rill 
 
 
I 
 
 y 
 
 92 An Account of the European 
 
 vcr gave them an entire opportunity of know- 
 ing their own ilrength. This man, either 
 difcovering, or pretending at lead to difcover, 
 that fome of the chief men in the city, who 
 were met in the great temple, were affcmbled 
 to confult how to expel the Spaniards, fud- 
 denly furrounded the place, and murdered 
 all the perfons of rank who compofed the 
 afTembly. 
 
 This cruel and precipitate adlion fired the 
 whole people. Enraged at what they had al- 
 ready fuftered, and what they faw plainly 
 they were yet to expedt, their late ignominious 
 patience, the fear of the Spanifh arms, their 
 inbred rcfpe<^ for Montezuma, were all loft 
 in their fury. Should they ftay, until on va- 
 rious pretences they were all butchered ? Mon- 
 tezuma, either forgetful of his office and 
 dignity, or unable to exert it, could protect 
 them no longer. Gods and men allowed 
 them to defend themfelves, and arms were in 
 their hands. The flame, fo furious in the 
 capital, fpread itfelf with equal fvt^iftnefs and 
 rage over all the country, and all were vowed 
 and hearty for the deftru(^ion of the Spa- 
 niards. In this extremity, Alvarado (hewed 
 as much bravery as he had done imprudence 
 in bringing it on. He redoubled his watch 
 on the emperor j he obliged him to exert the 
 remains of his authority in his favour, and, 
 fortifying his quarters in the beft manner the 
 . . time 
 
Settlements tn America. 93 
 
 time would admit, he Aood out the florm 
 and repulfed the Mexicans in feveral attacks. 
 But their fury, far from relenting at the fre- 
 quent and bloody repulfes they met, redoub- 
 led by their loflcs. They exercifed the be- 
 fieged, day and night, with the mod: vigorous 
 affaults ; and to cut off their retreat, found 
 means to burn the brjgantines which Cortes 
 had built. 
 
 Cortes, who was obliged to make fo rapid a 
 march from Mexico, to defend himfelf againft 
 Narvaez, was compelled by an equal neceffity 
 to march from Zempoalla to Mexico, to re- 
 lieve his forces and preferve his moft eflcntial 
 interefts there. The Mexicans, like all peo- 
 ple who have not reduced the art of war to 
 fome rule, fuffered their eagernefs in purfuing 
 one advantage to let another material one lie 
 negledled. For, whilft they puflicd on the 
 fiege of the Spanirti quarters with great vigour 
 and diligence, they took no effectual care of 
 the avenues to the city, or to cut off all fuc- 
 cours from the befieged. Cortes entered the 
 city without refiftancc. He foon routed thofe 
 who inverted the poft of the Spaniards, and 
 brought them a relief of which they flood in 
 the greateft need. 
 
 The arrival of Co formidable a body of 
 troops held the Mexicans fome time in fuf- 
 pencej but, in fpiteof the fatal error of ad- 
 mitting them into their city, which had now 
 
 inex- 
 
 m 
 
 ■i 
 
 'Hi 
 
 'h 
 
ill; ! 
 
 94 -^«Accoui^T o/" //6<r Europe A f^ 
 
 iiiexcufably been a fecond time commited, 
 ,and in fpite of tlie fuccefs every where at-? 
 tending the Spanilh arms, they came to a re- 
 
 • loiution of continuing hoftilities. But things 
 wore another face fince the arrival of Cortes* 
 No longer fatisfied with defending his quar- 
 ters, he faillied out and defeated them feveral 
 times with great flaughter. However, as he 
 found that he fufFered more by the leaft lofles 
 than the Mexicans by the greateft, he kept 
 dole for fome time, fuftering the enemy to 
 approach, in hopes of making one laft effort, 
 to appeafe them by tije authority of Monte- 
 zuma. This unhappy prince, reduced to the 
 fad neceflity of becoming the inftrument of 
 his own difgrace, and of the llavery of his 
 people, appeared on the battlements, and ad- 
 dreffed his fubjects with every argument he 
 could ufe to prevail with them to difperfe. 
 But this expedient was not attended with the 
 ufual fuccefs. The Mexicans, by an habit 
 of living without rule, had many of them 
 loft much of that refped, which, even to 
 adoration, every one of them ufed to pay their 
 prince; they anfwered him with reproaches ; 
 and a ftone from an uncertain hand ftruck him 
 with great violence in the temple. The Spa- 
 niards carried him to his apartment. Here he 
 refufed to fuffer any drefiings to be applied to 
 his wound; but, wrapping his head in his gar- 
 ment, gave himfelf up a prey to fhame and 
 
 • . . grief; 
 
• Settlements in ^^mericA. 95 
 
 grief; and in a few days died, lefs of his 
 wound, which was but inconfidcrable, than 
 of forrow and indignation, on feeling that he 
 had To far loft the efteem and love of his fub- 
 jedts. There are other accounts of the death 
 of Montezuma, but this appears the moft 
 probable. 
 
 Thus died this noble prince, more remark- 
 able for the great virtues by which he afcended 
 the throne, and thofe qualities by which he 
 held it in fo much luftre for many years, thaa 
 for his fteadinefs and wifdom in defending it 
 when attacked by a formidable enemy. It has 
 liappened thus to many great men. When 
 Lucullus and Pompey attacked Tigranes king 
 of Armenia, we do not fee any thing in him 
 of the conqueror of fo many kings. Even his 
 conqueror Pompey was not himlclf, after hav- 
 ing enjoyed in glory for a long time a power 
 acquired by the greateft exploits. Sc ejje 
 magnum oblitus ejf. It is natural whilfl we 
 are railing ourfclves, and contending againfit 
 difficulties, to have our minds, as it v/ere, 
 flrung, and our facilities intent and conllantly 
 awake. The necefilty of our affairs oblis-cs 
 us to a continual exercife cf whatever talents 
 we poflefs j and we have hope ; d animate and 
 urge us Onward. But whew we are come to 
 the fummit of our dclires, the mind fuffcrs 
 itfelf to relax. It is grievous to contend a-new 
 foi- tiungs, of which we have long looked 
 
 
 :!ii 
 
 upon 
 
 ■ \ 
 
v.f 
 
 96 ^n Account oftAe European 
 
 upon ourfelves as fecure. When we have no 
 longer any thing to hope, we have then every 
 thing to fear. Thus enervated by this prof- 
 perity, and difcompofed with this fear, we 
 become ftifF and irrefolute to adtion; we are 
 willing to ufe any temporizing meafures, ra- 
 ther than hazard on an adventure fo much 
 power and reputation. If Montezuma had 
 made an early ufe of his power, he had 
 ftrength enough, after many loffes, to have 
 kept Cortes far enough from his. capital; but, 
 having once entered upon fhifting and dilatory 
 courfes, this brave and adive enemy gave his 
 affairs a mortal blow, by feizing his capital 
 and his perfon. The reft was all a confe- 
 quence, which no prudence could prevent, of 
 a plan of conduct imprudent and ill laid ori- 
 ginally. 
 
 CHAP. XII. , 
 
 Guatimozin chofen emperor by the Mexicans, 
 He bejieges the Spaniards in their quarters. 
 Obliges Cortes to retire out of the city, Dif- 
 trejjes bim in his retreat. The battle of 
 Otumba, Cortes retreats to Tlafcala, 
 
 AS foon as the Mexicans were apprized of 
 the death of their emperor, they fet 
 about the eledion of a fucceffor. They im- 
 mediately caft their eyes upon Guatimozin, 
 
 nephew 
 
%. 
 
 Settlements /yz America. 97 
 
 nephew and fon-in-law of Montezuma, a 
 man fit to command at fiich a time; of a pcr- 
 fon graceful, a body iirong and robiiH-, and of 
 a foul ftdl of the moH undaunted courage. 
 Though no more than twenty-four years old, 
 the reputation of his early exploits procured 
 him the authority of age, and a penetrating 
 genius ferved him for experience. He was no 
 fooner called to this uniieady throne, than he 
 took meafures to prevent the Mexicans from 
 their diforderly and cafual attacks, and to make 
 them adl with defign and uniformity. He 
 examined thoroughly into the caufe of their 
 former mifcarriages j and confid.r'ng every 
 thing, he found that the Indians in their pre- 
 fent condition, could never hope for any fi:ccefs 
 in open adlion ; he refolved tlierefore to fpare 
 his men as much as poflible, until his own in- 
 vention and tim,e might teach them better me- 
 thods of f ghting. On thcfe ideas he caufed 
 all allaults to ceafej then he cut olf the caufe- 
 ways which joined the city to the continent, 
 and at the fame time flron^^lv barricaded the 
 ifreets, refolving to flarve an enemy which 
 feemed unconquerable by any other means; a 
 meafure, which though it has with us no ex- 
 traordinary appearance, ihewed no fmall faga- 
 city in Guatimozin, becauie it was what had 
 never been before practilal aniongft the mili- 
 tary llratagems of this people, and invention is 
 
 the characteriflic of genius. 
 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 m 
 
 ill 
 
 ■■I 
 
 Vol. I. 
 
 11 
 
 From 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
98 An Account o/"//'^ European 
 
 From henceforward th'e whole method of the 
 war was changed, the Spaniards grew every 
 dtiy moreand more ftreightened for provifions; 
 and whenever they faUied out, though they flew 
 great numbers of their opponents, the many 
 canals of the city, and barricado behind barri- 
 cade, after fome fuccefsful progrefs, obliged 
 them, vanquiflied by mere wearinefs, to return 
 without effedt to their quarters. The Spani- 
 ards, invincible by the Indian arms, were not 
 proof againfl famine. Cortes faw that nothing 
 was left for his fecurity, but as fpeedy a retreat 
 as poffible ; and though this muft neceflTarily 
 lofe them the moft conliderable part of the 
 treafure they had amailed, it was what leaft 
 afflifled him. He encouraged his troops, by 
 chearfully relinquifliing his own part, not to 
 attempt burthening themfelves with a treafure 
 which they might confider as lyiiig at an ad- 
 vantageous interell, until they Ihould, as they 
 certainly would, be enabled to return with a 
 fufBcient force to reclaim it. 
 
 The refolution of retreating being now tak- 
 and all things difpofed for it, a queftion 
 
 en 
 
 arofe, whether it were better made by day or 
 in the night. On this the council of war was 
 divided i and their reafons fccming pretty 
 equal, a perfon among them, a fort of aitrolo- 
 ger, who paffed for a prophet, and as fuch was 
 much refpeded by the greater part of the ar- 
 my, promifed them certain fuccefs if they re- 
 treated 
 
Settlements in America. 99 
 
 treated by night. Certain it is, that, when 
 meafures are dubious, fuperflitious determina- 
 tions have great ufc ; for as reafon cannot eafily 
 determine the right way., that method which 
 fuperftition fixes upon is, by the weight it has 
 from thence, purfued with the greater chear- 
 fulncfs and effect. 
 
 The general was guided by the prophet, and 
 he difpofed every thing for his retreat witli 
 great judgment. He caufed the ufual fires to 
 be lighted in every pa't of his quarters. Some 
 of his boldeft and moft active men led the 
 van. The prifoners, artillery, and heavy 
 baggage were in the center. He himfelf, with 
 one hundred of his choicell: troops, formed 
 the rear. With wonderful order and filence, 
 and without any interruption, did the Spani- 
 ards march until they came to thefiril: breach 
 in the caufeway. Here a portable v/oodezi 
 bridge, which Cortes had prepared, was laid 
 ever; but when the artillery and horfes had 
 pafied, it was v/edged fo clofely into the 
 llones that bordered the caufeway, that it 
 could not be removed, and there v,'as vet ano- 
 ther breach. But they were foon called from 
 attending to this by a more predlng danger; 
 for, as nothing could elude the vigilcnceof the 
 new emperor, he found out their intention 
 of retrcathin;, and difpofed all alon?- the fides 
 of the caufeway an infinite multitude of ca- 
 noes, with orders to prekrve the greatefl fi- 
 ll 2 lence. 
 
 m 
 
 i i 
 
100 An Account of the European 
 
 Icnce, and not to attempt any thing until a 
 lignal was given. The diiiknefs of the night 
 favoured the fcheme. And now, perceiving 
 that the Spaniards were undcM' fome embarrall- 
 ment, theMexic.ns took this advantage, and 
 all at once, with great order, poured in their 
 arrows; raifmg at the lame time a mofl tre- 
 meiidous Ihout, fwelled with the harbarous 
 found of all their martial inilruments of mu- 
 fic. The Spaniards were not wanting to 
 themfelves, l^ut behaved with fignal bravery. 
 It were needlefs, and almoil: impoffible, to 
 reUite all the deftrudion of that horrid night. 
 The Indians at firft attacked in good order, 
 but tht^ firft ranks being repulfed, and the 
 diflant canoes prefllngon to attion, the whole 
 attack was thrown into confufion. The In- 
 dians drowned or flaughtered one another: 
 however, they ftill prelfed on with untamea- 
 bl^ fury. Thoufands, impatient of the delay 
 their remote iituation caufcd them, leapt froni 
 their canoes, and, climbing up the caufeway 
 in the front where it was interrupted, broke 
 in upon tlie Spaniards, with a torrent hardly 
 leiiiLible. in vain this naked multitude was 
 hacked to pieces by the Spanifh fwc;rds, in 
 vain were they tumbled upon one another by 
 hundreds into the lake; new warriors fuc- 
 tcc ded thofe that* were killed, and the Spani- 
 aios, idually wearied out, were in danger 
 cf being wholly cut otf ; when, making one, 
 ^ ; ■ I ^,. vigorous 
 
Settlt^ments in America. ioi 
 
 vigorous cRort in the front, they happily 
 cleared that poft, and by a b.-aiii which liicy 
 cafually met, they pafled over one by one; 
 or, as fome fay, filh!ng the intervals vith the 
 dead bodies of their enemies, they giliiied the 
 main land. Cortes came over with the firfb, 
 for in the confufion of the ni^:;ht, th.rir for- 
 mer order was in a good "meafure !oO, and 
 took care as fall; as 1ms men gof 'ivc;r to form 
 them, in order to fecure the paifags for the 
 refi:. Then returning?; to thole who were be- 
 hind, by his prelence and example, lie afii- 
 mated them to renew the fiu'it, and drawins: 
 up a part of his men on both iidcs of the 
 canfeway, he ordered the refl to file off from 
 the center. In this manner the iirft light 
 law the Spaniirds clear out of the city. Cor- 
 tes halted at a fmall diftance, that thofe 
 whom the confufion and the u'vAm had dif- 
 perfed, might have an opportunity of 
 the reft of the army. 
 
 Happily they were not purfued; for as fooii 
 as the dawninjj: light unveiled the field of 
 battle to the Mexicans, the poirefilon of which 
 they bought, by fuch a profiilion of their 
 own blood, they perceived among the fain 
 two Ions of Montezuma. Theie were a- 
 mongft the prifoners, and were pierced by 
 thearrov/s of the Me>ncans in the promilcuous 
 and undiltinguiilied carnage of the preced- 
 ing night. For fome time they were con- 
 
 H 3 founded 
 
 rejoming 
 
 ^m 
 
 :■ 
 
 vii 
 
 ■•:|i 
 "I 
 
 «' ':a 
 
V ! 
 
 I I 
 
 
 102 yl/i Account off/je European 
 
 founded and Anick dumb with horror at this 
 fight; their fentiments of loyalty returned; 
 their monarch, almoil their god, lately pro- 
 faned by their own violence ! now their hands 
 imbrued in the blcod of his children ! A 
 general deadnefs and conflcrnation enfued, 
 I'hey muil not add to their impiety by ne- 
 gledting the obfequies due to the deceafed. In 
 the mean time the Spaniards, favoured by 
 this circumflance, purfucd their retreat with- 
 out moleftation. But this lecurity lafted a 
 fliort time: all the allies of the Mexicans, al- 
 ready in arms and divided into feveral flying 
 parties, hung over tiic iirmy <'f Cmtes, and 
 narrafled it without intcrmiihon ; they attack- 
 ed him in front, in rear, in ihmk, by open 
 force, by ambufcade, by furprize. Provilion 
 grew extremely fcarcc on his march ; and 
 now it was that Cortes Ihewcd a ill mneis un- 
 der his lolles, a vit^ilance a[>-ain(l inceffant at- 
 tacks fo various in time and manrtcr, a. id a 
 courage which enabled him to repulfe them, 
 wdiich have been exceeded by nothing in 
 hiftory. 
 
 The principal army of the Mexicans, whilft 
 he contended W'ith inch diiFicuUics irom the 
 Hying parties, took another route, and pour- 
 ina; in three columns niLo a nlain, where their 
 number might be of mull avail, they covered 
 the whole of an extended valley, vvhicli lay 
 dirc'^lly in his road to TLifcala ; this was called 
 i ■ ■ ■ the 
 
Settlements in America. 103 
 
 the valley of Otumha. They concealed their 
 purpofes with all imaginable care. To blind 
 the Spaniards, they ordered feveral villages to 
 give them a friendly reception. But Cortes 
 did not fuffer this to relax his vigilance, not 
 allowing himielf tc be deceived by any ap- 
 pearances of friendfliip ihewn by men, whofe 
 intercfl: it was not to be his friends j convinced, 
 as he was, that a furprize of all tilings was 
 indeed very prejudicial to the affairs of a ge- 
 neral, but that it was mortal to his reputa- 
 tion. He drew indications of their fenti- 
 ments towards him, from the manners, the 
 geftures, and the countenances of thofe he 
 treated with in his march ; and, perceiving that 
 many ihewed unufual (igns of content and ex- 
 ultation, he judged, not without reafon, that it 
 could not be favourable to him. He therefore 
 difpofed every thing in fuch a manner as that 
 his troops were neither difordered, nor his 
 courage abated, when from an eminence they 
 difcovered the extended plains of Otumba 
 darkened as far as the eye could reach with 
 the myriads of their enemies. The Spaniards, 
 animated by their fuperiority in arms and 
 their former vid:ories, and the Tlafcalans, by 
 the prefence of fuch allies and their hatred 
 of the Mexican name, behaved with great 
 bravery and fuccefs ; neither v/ere the Mexi- 
 cans inferior in animofity and courage. But 
 it was Cortes himfelf who determined the 
 
 H 4 fortune 
 
 
 I 
 
 f^ ':! 
 
I* 
 
 104 -^// Account ^/'//^f EuRopi AN 
 
 fortune of the day. Nothing he ever heard 
 'Was either forgot, or fufi'ercd to be an ufelefs 
 burthen upon his memory. lie remembered 
 to have heard from the Mcxicanb, that the 
 fortune of the field with them ever followed 
 that of the royal fiandard. Tiiis was a net 
 of gold, elevated on a r>ilded Half, and Ipl.n- 
 did With plumes of a thouiand colours. Great 
 exigencies alone brought it into the field, and 
 it was entrulled to Done but the care of the 
 general, who fat on a chair fumptucAilly a- 
 dorncd, and fupported on men's Ihouldiirs in 
 the center- of the armies, to view the whole 
 •-battle, to be a v/itnefsof the behaviour of all 
 his roops, and to give orders as the occafion 
 required. Cortes, pretending to make his 
 principal effort in a quarter remote from tlie 
 llandard, employed all his foot in that fervice j" 
 but, heading ihehorie Limfclf with fome of 
 his braved officers, informina: them of his 
 defign, and animating them with the hopes 
 of a fpeedy decifion, he flung himfelf with 
 fury againll the part that feemed leafi: dillant 
 from the center. After difperfing and over- 
 turning whole battalions, they penetrated to 
 the chofen body of nobles, who guarded the 
 general and fraridard. Here the reiiiiance was 
 greater, out it was foon overcome, and Cor- 
 tes's own lance met the general, who was 
 overthrown, and the Ifandard taken. All the 
 other itandar4s were llruck diredlly, and the 
 
 Mexicans 
 
Y ' Settj.fments /;/ America. 105 
 
 Mexicans fled every way which their fear and 
 confuiion hurried them. They loft twenty 
 thouland men in this battle, and a Ipoil infi- 
 nite. This vidory gaves Cortes an undiliurb- 
 ed paflage to Thilcala, and a welcome recep- 
 tion amongft: his allies there. , .. . 
 
 • •:■.■ . ■/ 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 Spaniards fent agahijl Cortes join htm. He 
 marches again to Mexico. A conf piracy a- 
 gainjl his lije baffled. 
 
 LET us now turn our eyes to Mexico. 
 No Iboner were the Spaniards departed, 
 than Guatimozin ordered the city to beforti- 
 lied in Tuch a manner as as to fecure himfclf 
 againfl their entrance a third time. He found 
 th^t a thoufand Tlafcaians were killed irl this 
 retreat, upwards of two hundred Spaniards 
 (the grcatell lofs they had yet in America), and 
 a great number of horfes. He cut off the 
 heads of the Spaniards, and of their horfes, no 
 lefs dreaded, and fcntthem to all the neigh- 
 bouring nations, as an infallible token of his 
 vicloryj as a fure proof that he was refolved 
 to keep no meafures with the enemy, and to 
 ilir them up to iheir utter deflrudion. He 
 fuccecded fo well, that numberlefs petty na- 
 tions, well inclined to the Spaniards, fell off, 
 
 and 
 
 ■ 
 
 
1^ 
 
 i 
 
 If I 
 
 io6 y^/i Account of tie European 
 
 and many that were wavering were confirmed 
 in the Mexican intcrcft. By this means feve- 
 ral adventurers, that from the fame of Cortes 
 had landed to join him, were cut to pieces be- 
 fore they gained his army. But the negotia- 
 tion to which Guatimozin bent all his force, 
 was that with Tlafcala, becaufe this was Cor- 
 tcs's chief ftrength. He fent large prefents, 
 and ambaffadors of ability, with excellent in- 
 llrudtions, to detach them from the Spaniih 
 intcrcft; who executed their commiflion fo 
 well, that they caufed a great divifion in their 
 favour in the councils of that republic. But 
 Cortes,making his military exploits fubfervicnt 
 to his negotiations and his ikill in negotiation 
 affiliant to his exploits, bafHed them at length 
 with great addrefs, but not without great dif- 
 ficulty ; and the Tlafcalans wer^ confirmed in 
 •his friendfliip. 
 
 Whilft a general has an obedient and well- 
 united army, he has an engine in proper order 
 to work in his defigns, and he can then exe- 
 cute them with eale ; but the greateft trial of 
 his capacity is to defend himfelf againft a fo- 
 reign enemy and wreftle with a domeftic fe- 
 dition at the fame time. The foldiers of Nar- 
 vaez, fince Cortes's return from Mexico, where 
 they were obliged to leave fo confiderable a 
 part of their booty, now hopelefs of the expe- 
 dition, began to mutiny, and demanded to be 
 fent home diredly to Cuba; nor were his other 
 4 troops 
 
Settlements in America. 107 
 
 troops free from fomc part of the inri:(flion. 
 Whatever could be done by prcfcrving them 
 in adtion, witiiout too great a fatigue j what- 
 ever a fcafonablc yielding, without iorfeiting 
 authority; in fliort, whatever an able com- 
 mander could do in fuch circumllancesi was 
 done by Cortes, without any other Qii'<it\ than 
 that of palliating the difeafe; the indilpofition 
 Aill continued. 
 
 Whillt he ftrugglcd with thcfe ditlicultics, 
 which nearly overpowered him, hir. old ene- 
 my, James Velafquez, looking on the fucccfs 
 of Narvaez's expedition as a thine; certain, 
 fent a (hip to get intelligence of his proceed- 
 ings, and about thirty men to reinforce liim. 
 The perfon who commanded at the port for 
 Cortes, no fooner fiw the Ihip in the ofring 
 than he went on board her; and, upon tlie cap- 
 tain's enquiry after Narvaez, he ailured him 
 he was well, and as fuccefsful as he could 
 wifli. Not doubting tliis, the captain and his 
 men landed, and were immediately made pri- 
 foncrs. Finding how affairs were really cir- 
 cumftanced, they admired the conqueror, 
 commended the ftratagem, and chearfully 
 joined the army. 
 
 Much about the fame time the governor of 
 Jamaica, and he too a determined enemy of 
 Cortes, fent three lliips with a fmall body of 
 troops, in hopes of tearing from him fomc 
 part of his conqueits. Thefe fhips were dif- 
 
 perfed 
 
 ! : I" 
 
 -S! 
 
 :. HI 
 
 ^'1 
 
!■ ; 
 
 H 
 
 ii !i 
 
 io8 ^« Account ^'V/^^ European 
 
 perfed in a florm, and were involved in many 
 difficulties j but, what is lingular, they all, 
 though feparated, came to one and the fame 
 relblution, which was, to revolt from the com- 
 mander and join Cortes the moment they 
 came on fliore : fo that the enemies of Cortes 
 now no lefs than three times relieved him, by 
 the very methods which they took to dillrefs 
 his affairs. Thefe advantiges, though im- 
 proved to the utmoft by Cortes, were certainly 
 not at all the refult of his contrivance. There 
 is a fpecies of a fplendid good fortune necelfary 
 to form an hero, to give a luilre to his wifdom 
 and courage, and to create that confidence 
 and fuperiority in him that nothing elfe can 
 give, but Vv'hich always- makes a principal part 
 of an heroic charaClcr. Without this, it is 
 impoilible forany man, however qualified, to 
 emerge. Cortes was not only fortunate, by 
 being freed from the moft terrible embarraii- 
 ment by the arrival of thefe fuccours, which 
 were never intended as fuch ; but much about 
 the fame time ih'ips arrived from Spain, bring- 
 ing, on the account of fome private perions, a 
 reinforcement of men and military flores; and 
 from the court an authentic approbation of 
 his condud", and a confirmation of his com- 
 mand. 
 
 Fortified with thefe. he yielded to the mu- 
 tinous importunities of fuch of his foldiers as 
 were earneft to depart; and, though he dimi- 
 
 nilhed 
 
Settlem£nts in America. 109 
 
 niflied his numbers confiderably by this ftep, 
 he judped it better to have a well-difcipHned 
 army than a great one, and knew that little 
 could be expefted from men who were dragged 
 unwillingly to adion ; at the fame time that 
 their cowardice or fedition would infedt the 
 reft. After the departure of the mutineers, he 
 found he had ftill above nine hundred Spaniili 
 foot, eighty-fix liorfe, and eighteen pieces of 
 cannon. With thefe, and with the afliftance 
 of a vafl body of Tlafcalans, and allies of va- 
 rious nations, whom admiration and fear of 
 Cortes or hatred to the Mexicans had brought 
 under his banner, he once more prepared to 
 attack- Mexico, which was the grand objedtof 
 his undertakings. The city was fo advantage- 
 oufly fituated, and he knew at this time (o 
 well fortified, that nothing could be done v.ith- 
 out a force on the lake. To cut off their fup- 
 plies, he ordered the materials of twelve bri- 
 gantines to be got ready, in fuch a manner as 
 only to need being put together wh'^n ihcy 
 Ihould arrive at Mexico. Ti.ele were carried 
 upon the {boulders of his Indian allies. Kis 
 route to Mexico cannot befo mucji coufidered 
 in the light of a march, as a continued train 
 ^f ambufcades and battles, fome of which 
 were fought with the mofl numerous armies, 
 and with circumftanccs not fuited to the bre- 
 vity of my purpofe to relate. In all thefe he 
 was fuccefsful, though his enemies may be 
 
 laid. 
 
 .IvS 
 
 ^'^f 
 f 
 
 
 m 
 
I' 'I 
 
 l\ 
 
 no ^;z Account c/*/^^ European 
 
 faid, with little exaggeration, to have difputed 
 with him every foot of ground between Tlaf- 
 cala and Mexico. 
 
 At i aft that city {hewed itfelf, rifing from 
 the midft of a noble lake, furrounded with a 
 number of moft populous cities, as her attend- 
 ants upon every fide, and all fubjedl to her 
 power. The Spaniards, looking on this as their 
 goal, revived their courage and forgot the 
 difficulties of their march -, and the Tlafcalans, 
 in perfed fury of military delight, wanted the 
 fteady hand of Cortes to reftrain a courage, 
 which he commended and kept alive by his 
 example and words, whilft he moderated its 
 ardor. Before he began the attack of Mexico, 
 he fpent fome time in reducing all the neigh- 
 bouring cities from which it might derive any 
 fuccour. He cut off the aqueducts which fup- 
 plied Mexico with water, that of the lake be- 
 ing brackifli; and he got ready his brigantines 
 with all imaginable diligence, to cut off all re- 
 lief from that quarter. 
 
 Whilft his attention was wholly employed 
 in the profccution of the war, an old Spaniard, 
 who had long ferved, difcovered to him a con- 
 fpiracy of the moft dangerous nature. Anto- 
 nio de Vilcfana, a private foldier, but a man 
 bold and dcfperate in any bad purpofe^ and 
 fubtle in contriving it, had formed a confpiracy 
 with feveral others to kill Cortes and the prin- 
 cipal pcrfons upon whom he relied, and then to 
 
 return 
 
Settlements //^ America. hi 
 
 return to Vera Cruz, from whence they might 
 eafily pafs to Cuba, and fecure their pardon by 
 the merit they ftiould make of this adtion 
 with James Velafquez. They were urged 
 to this refolution by the fatigue of thofe innu- 
 merable dangers and difficulties they had pafT- 
 ed, and by ihe defpair of overcoming thofe 
 which yet lay before them ; without confider- 
 ing that, by this wicked adlion, they muft ra- 
 ther produce new difficulties than overcome 
 the old. Others of more confequence were 
 drawn in ; and the confpiracy had been fo far 
 formed, that the time and manner of killing 
 the general was fettled, and the perfon fixed, 
 upon whom they intended to devolve the 
 command. 
 
 When Cortes was apprifcd of this confpi- 
 racy,- without any hurry which might give 
 notice that he had difcovered it, yet, without 
 lofmg a moment to take advantage of the dif- 
 covery, with four or five of his principal cap- 
 tains, he went directly to the quarters of Vi- 
 lefana, who, aftonifficd at feeing him, made 
 half his confeffion by the fear he difcovered. 
 Cortes had him thrown immediately into 
 irons; and then, ordering ever/ body to retire, 
 he examined himfelf into all the pariiculars of 
 the aft'air, and th«: namCvS of the peribns con- 
 cerned. Vilefana made a full confeJion, and 
 ended it by prouucing a paper in vindication 
 of their proceeding, which had been ligned 
 
 with 
 
 ' i\ 
 
 thi 
 
i- 
 
 I 
 
 jj,'i 1 
 
 112 -^i Account ^//^d' European 
 
 with the names of all the confpirators. Cortes 
 was not a little furprifed to fee amongft them, 
 the names of perfons upon whom he had great 
 reliance. However, he diffembled his con- 
 cern, and ordered Vilefana to be immediatly 
 executed. He was fhewn to all the army 
 hanging by his tent door. Cortes informed 
 none of the friends he moft trufted with the 
 paper he had received; but, fummoning the 
 army, he gave them an account of the horrid 
 conlpiracy that had been formed againfl his 
 life ; that he had punidied the perfon princi- 
 pally concerned ; but that it was with fatis- 
 faction hewss left ignorant of his accomplices, 
 by the care the criminal took in deflroying a 
 paper, which he believed might have made 
 great difcoveries. For his part, as he had 
 punifhed, and was refolved fevcrely to punifli, 
 any flagitious attempt againft his life or au- 
 thority, lb he was determined to order both 
 in fuch a manner as to give jui1; caufe of com- 
 plaint to no man ; and if by any accident he had 
 done fo, he was ready to give him all rea- 
 fonable latisfadtion. Proceeding thus, Cortes 
 had the advantage of knowing who they were 
 that wiflied him ill ; at the fame time that they 
 remained unappriled of the difcovery he had 
 li^ade, and endeavoured to prevent it by a more 
 diligent performance of their duty : he now 
 appointed a guard upon his perfon. 
 
 - -^^ Hardly 
 
i 
 
 Settlements /« America. 113 
 
 Hardly had Cortes fiipprefled this confplracy, 
 and made the proper ufe of a baffled attempt 
 againft his authority, which was to ftrengthen 
 and increafe it, than a difficulty of fomcthing 
 of a fimilar nature engaged him, and from 
 which he extricated himfclf with the fame 
 courage and prudence. The general of the 
 Tlafcalans, envying his glory, and perhaps fear- 
 ful of the confequence of the entire deftrudtion 
 of the Mexicans, though enemies to his own 
 country, perfuaded a conliderable body of the 
 people to quit the Spani(h camp. Cortes im- 
 mediately ordered him to be purfued. This 
 general had formerly been an enemy to Cortes» 
 and oppofed him in the council of his nation; 
 ^ut, when he faw the general current in his 
 favour, he made a timely change, and came 
 entirely into his interefts. He had now relapf- 
 ed, and was therefore not be trufted any more, 
 Cortes gave orders to thofe who purfued him 
 to put him to death. The Tlafcalans who re- 
 volted were eafily prevailed upon to return ; 
 and fo dexteroufly did Cortes reprefent this af- 
 fair, that neither the Tlafcalans in his arm), 
 nor the republic, nor even the father himfelt 
 of the general, condemned him for what he 
 had done^ 
 
 
 i ■.' 
 
 
 r 1 
 
 Vol. I, 
 
 t 
 
 CHAP. 
 
 
 
 ■ h 
 
114 ^« Account. o/'/-^^ European 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 
 W 
 
 Tbejicgc of Mexico, Terms of accommodation 
 rcfufed by the Mexicans. Ihe Spaniards re- 
 pulfd by a jlratagem of Guatimozin, A new 
 Jlratageni of Giiatimozin. He is taken. Tbe 
 city fur renders. Giiatimozin tortured. Cor- 
 tes fuperfeded in his government. Reflexions 
 on the Spa7iiJJj cruelties. 
 
 THESE internal diforders being com- 
 pofed, he turned his fortitude and wif- 
 dom againft his open enemies. Three prin- 
 cipal caufeways led to the city, which three 
 towns or fuburbs defended upon the fide of 
 the continent. Within were trenches and 
 barricadoes one behind another the whole 
 length of the way. Cortes ordered three at- 
 tacks upon thcfc towns, and the caufeways 
 which they defended. The brigantines aded 
 upon the water. Through the whole length 
 of the fxCge, the bravery of the Mexicans, in 
 defence of every thing v/hich was dear to them, 
 'was not more remarkable than the ingenuity 
 by which they baiilcd the attacks of the Spa- 
 niards, and attacked them in the!:" turn. On 
 land, on v/ater, by open force, by ftratagem, 
 by every method, they plied each other in- 
 cciiantly day and night. But the Spaniards, 
 invincible under the command of Cortes, had 
 
 rr 
 
Settlements /« AMERicAk ii^ 
 
 the advantage fo far, that with infinite flaugli- 
 ter they gained thefe ports which fecuied the 
 caufeways upon the fide of the country, at 
 the fame time that they cleared the lake fo, 
 that a canoe of the enemy did not dare to ap- 
 pear upon it. 
 
 Cortes gained thefe advantages, but he Ca.w 
 how dearly he had bought them ; he rciicifced 
 how it would tarnifh his glory to djftroy fo 
 beautiful a city> and drench it in the blood of 
 Its unfortunate inhabitants j and, confidering 
 what fuoernatural exertions of flren<^th had 
 been frequently flicwn by a dcipairing people, 
 in the laft convulfive flrus(^le for their reli- 
 gion, life, and property, he made ufe of the 
 advantages he had gained to recommend the 
 terms of accommodation, which he refolved 
 to fend into the befieged. He required no 
 more than the acknowledgment of the em- 
 peror of the Romans, and the conlirmation 
 of his right of fucceeding ceded to him by 
 Montezuma, and long acknowledged by the 
 moil: authentic prophecies of the nation, and 
 fuch a fecurity as might fettle the performance 
 of this. 
 
 Guatimozin, who had done all that bravery 
 and military Hull could perform to fave his 
 country, finding the means moil fuited to his 
 years and inclinations unfaccefsful, though full 
 of that noble pride which bccomec and fup- 
 ports the royal character, was liow as willing 
 .,-..,. I 2 'to 
 
 m 
 
 II 
 
1 
 
 1 ' 
 
 
 l('M: 
 
 ill.!. 
 
 
 ii6 -<^;; Account o/"/^^ European 
 
 to fave it by the milder and fiirer way of 
 accommodation. But the priefts, who had 
 much influence in the council, either fearful 
 of lofing their power, or through an honefV, 
 though blind, zeal, denounced vengeance from 
 their gods upon all who could think of fub- 
 miflion, and promifed a certain fuccefs to thofe 
 who flood up in defence of their religion. 
 They had great weight j and the whole coun- 
 cil, contrary to the opinion of the emperor, 
 became unanimous in refufing all terms. Gua- 
 timozin, who yielded to the general fenti- 
 ment with regret, and faw the unhappy con- 
 fequence but too clearly, refolved to fall with 
 the fame fpirit that he had lived. " Then, 
 faid he, fincc you are determined to hazard 
 every thing, prepare to adt in a manner wor- 
 thy of that refolution. Me, you fhall never 
 find wanting to you, or to myfelf. Thefe are 
 the laft good terms you are to expe<fl. What- 
 ever henceforward you demand through ne- 
 ceflity, will be a., n'ed with pride and cru- 
 elty. Therefore, henceforward, let no man 
 prefume to fpeak of peace, be our exigencies 
 what they will ; the firft that dares to do it 
 ihall certainly die; even the p* iefts themfelvesi 
 they are moft concerned to lu jport the oracles 
 of their gods." 
 
 When he had faid this, with a ftern and 
 determined countenance, he went out of the 
 aflembly, and ordered the whole city under 
 
 arms. 
 
Settlements in America. i 17 
 
 arms. Cortes, on the other fide, as foon as 
 he found that his propofals were rejected, laid 
 aiide all thoughts but thofe of violence, and 
 commanded a general afiault to be made at 
 the three caufeways all at once, and to carry 
 fire and fword into the heart of the y. He 
 commanded himfelf in the princ^ al pttack. 
 The caufeway was broke down before him, 
 and the breach formed a ditch of fixty feet 
 wide. On the other fide appeared a fortifica- 
 tion of earth and planks. He ordered the 
 brigantines to the fide of the caufeway, to 
 favour the attack, and dire<Sting his cannon 
 againfi: the fortification, made fo furious afire 
 that is was foon demolifhed ; and the defend- 
 ers, galled by the inceflant (liot, which made 
 a molt terrible havock, could maintain the 
 poft no longer. Cortes, under the fire of his 
 cannon and with the help of his brigantines, 
 pafiTed over the ditch, and loft no time to pof- 
 fefs himfelf of the other fide, leaving one of 
 his captains with a detachment to fill it up, 
 and fecure a retreat, in cafe it fhould be found 
 necefTary. Then he advanced to attack the 
 remaining barricadoes of the Mexicans, who 
 made a brave defence. The battle raged fu- 
 riouily, and as the Spaniards gained ground, 
 their dangers and lofles grew evc<y moment 
 greater. They had now advanced aniongft 
 the buildings, from whence they wereopprelf- 
 cd with amixt ftormof darts, arrows, Itones, 
 
 r ^ and 
 
 m 
 
 I 
 
 'If' 
 
iH' 
 
 
 118 j^n Account cfthe European 
 
 and boiling water. Lefore them ftood acho- 
 fen body of the Mexican foldiers, who made 
 a rdbhite ftand. During this conflict, the 
 captain who had been polled to fill up the 
 ditcli, thinking it an inglorious employment 
 to be employed as a pioneer whilft his com- 
 panions were in llich hot adtion, advanced 
 with all his men, and deferted the necellary 
 work he was employed in. 
 
 No looner had Guatimozin, whofe eyes 
 were every where, perceived this motion, than 
 he took advantage of it. He ordered thofe 
 who were in the front of the Spaniards to 
 flacken their efforts j for, as night came on 
 faft, he thought it better to allow the enemy 
 to gain fbme ground, that he might fall on 
 them with more advantage in their retreat. 
 Cortes as quickly perceived this (Incknefs, and 
 the caufe which produced it. He found that 
 tlie breach of the caufcway was abandoned, 
 that night approached, and that there was 
 little hope of a lodgment in the city at that 
 time. He therefore began to retreat in the 
 beft order he could, fctting fire to the houfcs, 
 that he migiit not be incoirunoded by them 
 in his next attack. But fcarcely was the re- 
 treat begun, when their ears were alarmed by 
 the dreary found of the facred trumpet, lb 
 called bccaulc it was permitted to the priefts 
 alone to found it; and that o!ily vv'hen they 
 animated the people on the part of their gody. 
 
 .' The 
 
Settlements in America. 119 
 
 The found was doleful, continued, and ftrong, 
 infpiring a contempt of death, and a dark re- 
 ligious fury. Immediately enfued a horrid 
 cry, which refounded from all parts; and 
 this was followed by an attack of more than 
 common rage upon the rear of the Spaniards, 
 which was broke entirely, after a gallant and 
 bloody ftand. All order was now loft. The 
 general's commands were drowned in the cry 
 and tumult of the fight; the Tlafcalans who 
 were in the front threw themfelves precipi- 
 tately into the trench i fomemadea fruitlefs op- 
 pofition, others attempted to gain the brigan- 
 tines, whilft the Mexicans on ihore, in canoes, 
 wading or fwimming, upon every fide, af- 
 faulted and flaughtered them with the moft hor- 
 rid cries, and a rage almoft inconceivable. 
 
 With difficulty Cortes and fomeof his troops 
 efcaped on board the brigantines, wounded 
 and defeated. A thoufand Tlafcalans lay dead 
 upon thecaufeway, many Spaniards, and fcarce 
 any efcaped without a wound. What was the 
 faddeft circumftance of all, forty were taken 
 prifoners, of whofe deftiny there was no doubt. 
 The other attacks had no better fuccefs, 
 though in them the lofs was noi. foconfiderable. 
 The officer, whofe imprudence had occafioned 
 this misfortune, carne to Cortes, with tears 
 acknowledging his crime, and defiring to wafli 
 it out with his blood ; but Cortes, though 
 rigid in his difcipline, faw that this was no 
 
 I 4 time 
 
 
i! I 
 
 (1; ; 
 
 " 
 
 1 
 
 •;.; 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 ^i 
 
 120 yf/z Account V /'^t' European 
 
 time to dijpirit the army with example^ of 
 feverity. 
 
 Night came on J but it brought no reft to 
 the afflidtcd Spaniards, fince darkncfs could 
 not conceal from them the triumph of the 
 Mexicans and the fate of their friends. They 
 faw the whole city (hining with lights, and 
 heard it refounding with the diflbnance of bar- 
 barous muiic and all the marks of an horrid 
 joy. So great were the fires and illuminations, 
 that they could fee diftinftly the men in mo- 
 tion, and all things preparing for the death of 
 the prifoncrs, attended with the mortifying 
 circumftanccf that they were to be facrificed 
 to their falfe gods. Cortes, in the midft of 
 all thefe calamitous circumftances, which lay 
 heavy about his heart, afTumed an air of tran- 
 quillity, endeavouring to comfort his foldiers 
 with the hope of a timely revenge, and tak- 
 ing all necefl'ary care that they Ihould not be 
 attacked unawares. This care was neceflary ; 
 for, before morning appeared, the Mexicans, 
 elated with their late vi(5tory and under the 
 aufpicesof thofegods whom they believed they 
 liad rendered propitious by the human blood 
 which washed their altars, and animated by 
 the found of the confecrated trumpet, fallied 
 out to attack the Spaniards in their quarters. 
 The attack was violent, but repelled at length 
 ^ith an incredible llaughter of the Mexicans. 
 
 I 
 
 Guati- 
 
 e ' ♦ - • 
 
Settlements in America, 121 
 
 Guatimozin was not dlfticartened. He pre- 
 pared for new afl'aults, and had his ruined 
 works repaired, to endure thofe afTaults which 
 ihould be made againft: himfelf. Not relying 
 ^ ifolely on force, he fpread a report amongft all 
 the neighbouring nations that Cortes was 
 killed; to them he fent the heads of the Spa- 
 niards, who had been facrificed, informing 
 them, that the god of war, appeafed by a fa^ 
 crifice fo agreeable to him, had audibly de- 
 clared in favour of the Mexicans, threatened 
 vengeance on thofe who refifted them, and 
 foretold that in eight ( .lys time the Spaniards 
 (hould be all deftroyed. The credit of this 
 oracle amongft all the Indians, and the deter- 
 minate time afcertained for its completion, 
 gave it the air of truth; for falfchood delights 
 in general terms and equivocations, whereac 
 the precife manner of fpeaking truth, is one 
 of the marks by which we guefs at it. In fad", 
 this ftratagem had its efFedt ; many tribes of 
 Indians, who were upon the point of joining 
 CorteSj embraced the Mexican intereft; the 
 more prudent fufpended their refolution ; but 
 Guatimozin did not want emiflaries even in 
 the Spanifti camp, who terrified the Indian 
 allies with this prophecy. Even the Tlafca- 
 lans were upon the point of deferting him, 
 when Cortes counteracted this ftratagem in 
 th" wifeft manner poflible. He refolved to 
 fu "pend all manner of operations againft the 
 [.',..: ' ' city 
 
f 
 
 122 -^/z Account ^/'^'/^i' European 
 
 city for thefe eight days, to demonftrate the 
 fallity of this oracle, and to hinder it from 
 being ever again ufed as an inftrument to work 
 upon the credulity of his confederates. He 
 prevailed upon the Tlafcalans to wait the de- 
 termination. In the mean time he ftrongly 
 fortified his camp. 
 
 Guatin^ozin was fenfible that the effed of 
 his policy muft be weakened every day, and 
 with that idea employed every hour of the day 
 or night to alTault Cortes's camp, but always 
 with ill fuccefs. This great commander was 
 always on his guard; and his troops, advan- 
 tageoufly pofted, bid defiance to every' thing 
 of an Indian attack. At lafl- the eight days 
 expired, and with them the terror of the con- 
 federate Indians. The ftratagem now operat- 
 ed as powerfully againft thofe who contrived 
 it, infomuch that all the neighbouring nations, 
 before fufpended by the uncertain event of 
 thefe mighty ftruggles, declared in favour of 
 Cortes, who by this fortunate turn in a little 
 time found himfelf at the head of two hun- 
 dred thoufand men. This was the lafl hope 
 of the Mexicans. All that followed was only 
 the departing agony of that ftate. The city 
 was afl'aulted with redoubled vigour, and now, 
 reduced by {laughters, fatigue, and famine, 
 the Mexicans faw the fuperior ftar of Cortes 
 gain the afcendant. The town was penetrated 
 upon all fides, yet the befieged defended every 
 
 ilreet; 
 
Settlements m America. 123 
 
 ftreet ; and their incefl'ant fhowers of darts and 
 ftones from the tops of the houfes, made the 
 progrefs of the befiegers flow and bloody. la 
 this extremity, Guatimozin did every thing 
 that could juftify the hopes of the Mexicans 
 when they called him to the throne, every 
 thing that was worthy of one refolved to die a 
 king. But when he found that all hope of di(^ 
 lodging the enemy was utterly at an end, his 
 troops half famifhed, exhaufted in numbers 
 and iii ftrength, and no part tenable, he de- 
 termined to leave the city to obtain the heft 
 terms it could from the conquerors, and to 
 feek himfelf a more profperous opportunity 
 at a diftance. For this purpofe he renewed 
 the* treaty with the Spaniards, and took the 
 opportunity of this celHition of arms to put 
 himfelf and his family, with fome of the braveft 
 and moft faithful of his nobility, on board 
 fome periaguas, attempting to efcape to the 
 continent; but Cortes, ppprehending this very 
 thing, Rationed his fleet in fuch a manner, 
 that he was intercepted;, and foon out of a 
 condition of making any defence. He went 
 on board the Spanilh commander, with an 
 air of dignity and compofure, betraying nei- 
 ther fear nor furprizc, and defired no favour, 
 but that the honour of his wife and her at- 
 tendants might be fpared. The Spanilh cap- 
 tain attended but little to him, endeavouring 
 to prevent the efcape of the nobility ; but 
 
 Gua- 
 
 i 
 
 
 ••■■•«% 
 
1 1 
 
 ''l' 
 
 ^24 -/^/2 Account f/" A European 
 
 Guatimozin defired him not be anxious about 
 them. ** Not one of thefe men will fly, fays 
 he, do not fear it, they are come to die at the 
 feet of their fovereign." The captain, ad- 
 miring the conftancy of the man and the fide- 
 lity of his fubjedts, conduced him to Cortes. 
 The ruins of the city of Mexico were now 
 delivered up to the Spaniards. With it fell 
 that empire, and the liberty of all the I'idian 
 nations,which filled that vaft country nc v\' .call- 
 ed New Spain, who either flid gradually from 
 alliance to fubjed:ion, or, defending themfelves 
 without fuccefs, were made, and treated as 
 flaves. , 
 
 The curiofity of the reader will doubtlefs 
 be interefted to know the fates of the captains 
 of the conquering and c )nquered parties in 
 this war. For fome time the treatment of 
 Guatimozin was fuch as fitted an unfortunate 
 brave man, in the hands of thofe who could 
 eftimate virtue by other ftandards than its for- 
 tune; and fueh was his treatment, whilft the 
 authority of Cortes was fufficient to proted: 
 him. But the infernal avarice of his troops, 
 which at once excited and difgraced their 
 courage, not fatisfied with the plunder of this 
 opulent city, believed that there were fome 
 latent treafures, within the knowledge of the 
 emperor, which far exceeded all the reft that 
 they had yet poiTeffed. They often follicited 
 the captive emperor with promifes and threats 
 / . to 
 

 Settlements in America. 125 
 
 to make a difcovery, but to no purpofe ; at 
 laft a number of villains, Juan de Alderete at 
 their head, a name deferving to be remem- 
 bered to its everlafting infamy, feized upoa 
 him, and proceeding to the moft abominable 
 cruelty, laid him upon burning coals to ex- 
 tort a difcovery of his wealth. But their wick- 
 ednefs could neither extort a difcovery of 
 his wealth, nor the fatisfaction even of a de- 
 claration that he had none to difcover. His 
 countenance did not betray the leaft yielding 
 or weaknefs under the torture ; fome of his 
 principal counfellors fuiFered along with him, 
 and with equal conftancy. At laft, one of 
 thofe unhappy men, overcome by the force 
 of torments, almoft fuperior to human ftrength, 
 turned his eyes, fainting with anguilli, upon 
 his maftcr, and uttered a doleful cry; but 
 Guatimozin anfwercd him only by faying, 
 ** Do you think I lie upon rofes ?" The fuf- 
 ferer, ftruck dumb with thefe words and 
 fti fling every murmur that might difliearten 
 the others or difturb Guatimozin, expired in 
 an a6t of obedience to his prince. This wick- 
 cdncfs was committed without the knowledge 
 of Cortes. He was no fooner apprifed of 
 what was doing, than he rulhed in upon the 
 villains, and refcued their prey, mangled as 
 it was, from their further fury. However, 
 this was but a fhort refpite. This prince, 
 confcious of his own dignity and fenfible of 
 ^' > the 
 
 :i I ll 
 
In 
 
 I'U. 
 
 I 
 
 l.i 
 
 I!!' 
 
 III 
 
 126 -^« Account o/"/^^ European 
 
 the bafe ufage he received, either endeavoured 
 to ftir up commotions, or was fufpeded of 
 fuch a defign -, and Cortes, being obliged to 
 fubmit the humanity of his nature to the 
 cruel neceffity of politics, ordered him to be 
 executed. 
 
 As for Cortes himfelf, neither his great 
 fuccefs, nor the vaft treafures which he fent 
 into Spain, could fecure him from his ene- 
 mies } by whofe unwearied zeal for his ruin, 
 he faw himfelf fuperfeded in the government 
 of a country, conquered by himfelf with fo 
 much toil and danger, and which in any other 
 hands had never been effeded. He died in 
 Spain, having received a title and fome other 
 rewards from Charles the Vth, for whom he 
 had acquired an empire ; but by his own de- 
 fire he was carried to Mexico, and buried there. 
 It was the policy of Spain at that time to give 
 great encouragement, and extenfive grants, to 
 all adventurers} but when any great difcovery 
 was made, orccnquellatchieved, they always 
 fent another to reap the benefit of the firft 
 adventurer's labours. This was a policy un- 
 doubtedly good with regard to one object, the 
 fecurity of the conquered country; but, like 
 all unjuft policy, it had altogether as ill an 
 effe(5t another way; the new governors, hun- 
 gry and rapacious, and fcarce confidering the 
 Indians as human creatures, murdered vaft 
 numbers of them; and, exhaufiing them by 
 4 an 
 
 m 
 
Settlements /« America. 127 
 
 an intolerable flavery, in hopes of a fudden 
 gain, they depopulated the country in fuch a 
 manner, as to abate very much the advantages 
 which Spain might have derived from fo ex- 
 tenfive a conqueft. Cortes himfelf v^ras not 
 free from the imputation of cruelty ; the bi- 
 ihop of Chiapa. a good man, who was Cent 
 purpofely to m-uKe an enquiry into complaints 
 of this kind, gives a very unfavourable repre- 
 fentation of his conduit. He accufes him of 
 having deflroyed four millions of people in 
 New Spain. It is certain, whether by his 
 connivance or not, but partly by the neceflity 
 of war and partly by the avarice and info- 
 lence of the conquerors, vaft numbers of the 
 Indians perished : but, on the other hand, it 
 appears that the biihop of Chiapa was an ene- 
 my to Cortes; which, though a good man 
 otherwife, muft detradi: from his credit not a 
 little, efpecially as other hiftorians differ from, 
 him in this point. Bcfides, 1 am well fatis- 
 fied, that great allowance muft be made for 
 exaggerations in the number of inhabitants 
 thefe countries are faid to have contained. 
 More populous, I believe, they were than 
 the entirely uncivilized parts of North or 
 South America ; but it can hardly be thought 
 they were fo full of people as they are reprcr- 
 fented to have been, if wc can truft to any of 
 the rules by which we ufually judge in this 
 matter, nor confcqucntly could they have fuf- 
 .?/^vu, , . fered 
 
 «'■ (' >M 
 
 M 
 
 m 
 
 1'^ 
 
 i 
 
 r I 
 
 'li 
 
128 An Account of the European 
 
 fered fuch lofles in fo fliort a time, without 
 being utterly depopulated, which certainly 
 they were not. 
 
 Since I am on the fubjedt of thefe cruelties, 
 and lince they are things fo frequently men- 
 tioned, I cannot help obferving, that the ac- 
 counts are by no mTians founded upon any to- 
 lerable methods of calculation, but thrown 
 down at random in a declamatory way, with a 
 defign yet further to blacken the Spanifh ad- 
 venturers ', men certainly wicked enough, 
 though reprcfented without any heightening 
 colours. The truth is, that great numbers, 
 perhaps almoft as great as are charged, have 
 really perifhed ; but then it was in a feries of 
 years, by being reduced to flavery in the mines, 
 and other laborious occupations, to which the 
 Americans are of all people by their confti- 
 tutions the moft unequal, and by being dif- 
 heartened by a ftate of unpolitical and defpe- 
 rate flavery, the greateft enemy in the world 
 to an increafe. 
 
 There is a notion likewife pretty common, 
 that thefe cruelties were committed partly, if 
 not wholly, upon a religious account, and at 
 the inftigation of the priefts ; but in reality it 
 was quite otherwife. This unfortunate peo- 
 ple found their only refuge in the humanity 
 which yet remained in the clergy, and the 
 influence they had on the Spaniards; though 
 the clergy, who went on thefe adventures, 
 
 were 
 
 I i- 
 
 li 
 
'i m 
 
 'Settlements m AMERicA. 129 
 
 were generally not the moll zealous for religi- 
 on, and were, as the Spanifh clergy commonly 
 are, ignorant enough, and fo little principled 
 in the fpirit of the religion they profefled, or 
 indeed in the nature of the human mind, that 
 they could boaft, as a very f;lorious thing, that 
 one of them had baptized leveral thoufands of 
 Indians in one day, without the help of any 
 miracle for their converlion, and with a degree 
 of good life, which, to fay the beft, was no- 
 thing more' than common^ But of any mur- 
 ders committed by them, or at their inftiga- 
 tioji, I find little or no proof at all. ; 
 
 ■>ms[K.. CHAP. XV. muv:>-^ .hL:i 
 
 ■ ■ ' f, 
 
 ThefchemeofPizarro and Almagrofor the con^ 
 
 qiiejl of FefUi Their char adders. The ft ate 
 
 of the empire of Peru at that time. The tak^ 
 
 ' ing of the yncii Atabalipa. i. r 
 
 BESIDES Mexico, there was but one 
 country in America which in any fort 
 deferved the name of a civilized kingdom, 
 and that was Peru. During the latter part of 
 the Mexican war, the Spaniards became ac- 
 quairitfd with the fame and wealth of this 
 Country.' After Pedraria was appointed go- 
 vernor over the conquefts of Balboa, his lieu- 
 tenants reduced all that large tract which is 
 - Vol. I. K now 
 
 
 \-m 
 
 ■i'''i 
 
I Pi 
 
 130 yift Account qft^e European 
 
 now called Tcrra-firrna, committing barbari- 
 ties worthy the man under whofe authority 
 they afted. . Jh mongft all the adventurers who 
 aidled ujider his commifiion, none have made 
 themfelves fo famous as thofe of whom we 
 are going to fpeak. 
 
 As if (it wcjfe deftined that every thing in 
 this new sJ^orld fliould be carried on in a new 
 iind extraordinary manner, three citizens of 
 Panama,, p-ivate men, and advanced in years, 
 -undertook the conqueft of Peru, a country 
 kQ,owTi :to them only by report, but by the 
 fame report faid to be rich, extenfive, popu- 
 lous, and powerful. The names of thefe ad- 
 venturers were, Francis Pizarro, Almagro, 
 and Ferdinand Lucque^, a priefl, and a man 
 of confiderable fortune. They entered into 
 •this engagement in the moft folemn manner. 
 Lucques faid mafs, an oath of mPlual fidelity 
 was plighted, the facramcnt was divided into 
 "three parts, Lucques took one, and delivered 
 the other two to his confederates. The firft 
 expedition, in confequence of this confede- 
 racy, was made under extraordinary difficul- 
 ties and with very little fuccefs. Pizarro, 
 who commanded, fpent two years in the 
 ftiort navigation between Panama and the 
 Northern extremity of Peru, a voyage now 
 made frequently in two weeks, frnce the 
 winds and currents are known. He landed, 
 and found that the wealth of the country was 
 
 a 
 
 as 
 
^I 
 
 Settlements in America. 131 
 
 as great as he imagined; and that the refift- 
 ance he was like to meet in endeavouring to 
 polTefs himfelf of it, would be full as confi- 
 derable. This he put to the proof very ear- 
 ly, by taking the rafh ftep of attacking the 
 inhabitants at his firft landing; and thus let- 
 ting them fee all at once the worft of his in- 
 tentions. The difficulties he met with, and 
 the refinance his ill condud: occaiioned in the 
 countryj obliged him to return without effed:- 
 ing any thing cohfiderable. But neither he 
 jior his aflbciates, after fuch a length of time 
 or fuch greatnefs of expence, were deterred 
 from the profecution of their fcheme. It was 
 agreed that Pizarro fhould go into Spain, to 
 obtain an exemption from the government of 
 Pedraria, and to get for themfelves the grant 
 of whatever they fhould conquer. Pizarro 
 (who, though not the monied man, was the 
 foul of the enterprize) was to be chief go- 
 vernor, with the property of two hundred 
 leagues along the fea-coaft. Almagro they 
 agreed fhould be adelantado, or king's lieu- 
 tenant; and Lucques, who was a prieft, was 
 to be firft bifliop and protedtor of the In- 
 dians. The other profits of tlie enterprize 
 were to be equally divided. But as this was 
 an enterprize of ambitious avarice, there was 
 little faith obferved. Pizarro follicited only 
 his own fuit in Spain, and obtained for him- 
 felf alone the property of the lapd, the go- 
 
 K 2 vernment. 
 
 
 ■\ 
 
 iIbH 
 
 P:"^ 
 
 "J! 
 
 
 ■ .J 
 
 M 
 
 'i¥ns^':i 
 

 m 
 
 r i 
 
 iwm 
 
 1 
 
 f- 
 
 : ,1 
 
 J •' 
 
 
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 ' )l! 
 
 »' 
 
 ■ ij' 
 
 ■ ^iJ 
 
 # 
 
 
 
 ■; 
 
 ill 
 
 l.i. 
 
 132 vf/2 AcccuN r ^/'/>6^ European 
 
 vernment, the lieutenancy, every thing which 
 he was capablt as a layman of taking ; A]lma- 
 gro was forgot, and to Lucquez was left his 
 eventual bifhoprick. 
 
 On his return, this too early difcovery of 
 breach of faith was like to ruin all j but Pi- 
 zarro, who knew how to retreat as well as to 
 advance, yielded up to Almagro every thing he 
 could reafonably deiire ; and nothing now ob- 
 ftruded the embarkation, which, after all, did 
 not exceed one hundred and eighty men. 
 
 Before we proceed, it may not be unnccef- 
 fary to fay fomething of the perfons who had 
 the condudt of this great undertaking. Francis 
 Pizarro was the baftard fon of a gentleman of 
 good family. His education was as irregular 
 as his birth, he could not even read ; but then 
 he had a grei^t deal of that capacity and fit- 
 nefs for the w orld, which is obtained by much 
 ftruggling in it, and by being early made de- 
 pendent on a man's own induftry. Hardened 
 to life, dextrous in affairs, never fetting his 
 heart upon a part of his defigns whilft the to- 
 tal was at flake, of a penetrating fagacity into 
 the nature of man, artful, bold, diflembling, 
 tand cruel. Almagro had likewife enough of 
 ; tiiat defperate bravery and toughnefs of body 
 ;and mind, fo ncceilary in a defign of this 
 vfort. in their birth there was no confiderable 
 -iditFerence. Pizarro was a baftard, Almagro 
 -a ibuadling, Pizarro owed nothing to edu- 
 
 ttar/aiffi!)'/' 
 
 cation i 
 
 \ % 
 
 Mil' 
 
Settlements /V? America. 133: 
 
 cation j Aim agro depended wholly upon his. 
 natural parts. But Almagro, bicd from his , 
 infancy in the camp, had all the foldierly 
 qualities, patient, laborious, and temperate j 
 far from the craft and dirfimuiation of Pi- 
 zarro, he was all openncfs and generofity, 
 knew not what avarice was, and his cruelty, 
 the common deftemper of all the adventurers 
 in this part of the world, was mujh mitigated 
 by the intcrcourfe he had v/ith an liidian 
 woman, who, by degrees, foftencd the rigour 
 of a veteran feafoned to blood, into fome 
 compafliop to her unhappy countrymen. 
 
 The empire of Peru was governed by a race 
 of kings, which they called yncas. The 
 twelfth in fucceUion was then upon the throne. 
 The firll of this race, named Mango Capac, 
 was a prince of great genius, with that mix- 
 ture of enthufialnirf which fits a man to make 
 great changes, and to be the legillator of a 
 forming nation. He obferved that the peo- 
 ple of Peru were naturally fuperiiitious, and 
 had principally a veneration for the fun. He 
 therefore pretended that he was defcended 
 from that luminary, whofe authority he was 
 deligned to bear, and whofe worihip he was 
 by that authority to enforce. By this per- 
 fuafion, eafily received by a credulous peo- 
 ple, he brought a large territory under his 
 jurifdidionj a larger was fubdued by his 
 arms ; but he made ufe both of the deceit 
 
 K 3 and 
 
 
 :XM 
 
134 '^^ Account of the European 
 
 and the force for the moft laudable pitr- 
 pofes. He united and civilized the difperfed 
 and barbarous people ; he bent them to laws 
 and arts j he foftened them by the inftitu- 
 tions of a benevolent religion; in (hort, 
 there was no part of America in which agri- 
 culture and the arts were fo muv h and fo well 
 cultivated, nor where the people were of a 
 milder nature, and more ingenuous man- 
 ners. The yncas, defcended as they ima- 
 gined, from fo facred an original, were them- 
 felves refpedted as divinities. In none, even 
 of the Afiatic countries, was there fo entire 
 an obedience to the royal authority. But here 
 it was rather filial than flavifh. As to the 
 charader of the Peruvians themfelves, they 
 feem to have had a ftrong refemblancfi to the 
 ancient Egyptians : like them, under a fky 
 conftantly ferene, they were a people induftri- 
 ous and ingenious ; cultivating the arts, but 
 "without bringing them to perfedtiou; in- 
 clined to fuperftition, and of a foft unwar- 
 like temper. 
 
 The ynca Guaiana Capac having conquered 
 the province of Quito, which now makes a 
 part of Spanifh Peru, to fecure himfelf in the 
 pofleflion, married the daughter of the natural 
 prince of the country. By her he had a fon 
 called Atahualp?., or Atabalipa. By a former 
 tnarriage he had a fon named Huefcar, heir of 
 his other dominions. On his death Huefcar, 
 
 his 
 
 li 
 
 y 
 
 y 
 
Settlements /;/ Amkrica. 135' 
 
 liis cldcfl fon, claims his wliolc dominions,' 
 both hereditary and Jicqui red. Atabiilipa, the 
 youngeft, without preicndiiif^ to the reft, • 
 would keep Quito as his right by the double 
 title of ion to the conqueror, and to her whole 
 inheritance that kiiuloni w.is, I'ortificd bcfidcs 
 by the will which the dying ynca had made in 
 his favour. This difputc kindled a civil war, 
 which, after fevcral turns of fortune, ended ac • 
 lad in favour of Atabalipa j he not only rout(^d 
 his brother's armies and over-run his domi- 
 nions, but adlually held him a prifoner in the 
 tower of Cufco. 
 
 Such was the face of affliirs when the Spa- 
 niards arrived in Peru, whofc remarkable ap- 
 pearance and furprizing feats of arms were 
 every where fpread about the cQuntry, and 
 caufeda general alarm. As ufual in frightful 
 rumours, new fuperftitions begin, or old ones^ 
 are revived, to incrcafe the confuliofi. Theref 
 fubfiftcd a tradition amongil the Pcrpvrans,*^ 
 that one of their ancient princes had'Udi'fe-ctm' 
 which he ordered carefully to be iecioniedi' 
 He imagined that he favra mari cBkithied'' all' 
 over, even to his feet, with along bearti, and 
 leading in his hand an animal, fuch ashehad 
 never {cen before ; and that at the fantie time 
 he was clearly informed of the vnW of the 
 gods, thatfucha man fhould rule that coun- 
 try. A Spaniard, whom Pizarro had fent 
 upon an cmbafly to Atabalipa, as foon as he 
 
 K 4 was 
 
 ^ •« • --im 
 
136 An Account of the European 
 
 was difcovered leading his horfe upon fomeoc- 
 calion that made him difmount, agreed fo well 
 with this dream, that it is incredible how foon 
 itfpread into the remoteft parts of the coun- 
 try, and with how great a terror it ftruck the 
 whole nation. 
 
 Atabalipa, newly feated upon a precarious 
 throne, was not the leaft alarmed at this event ; 
 for a new-eredted power has every thing to 
 fear from whatever fets the people's minds, 
 flill unfettled, upon a new motion. He re- 
 folved, if poflible^ that his enemies fliould 
 take no advantage of the arrival of thof^ 
 llrangers, by engaging them by all means to 
 his own intereft. He therefore received the 
 cmbaiTadors, which Pizarro had fent, with the 
 greatefi marks of honour, though their dif- 
 cpurfe, confining itfelf of very impertinent 
 matter, vyas very ill interpreted to him, as 
 ^was his to them. He even went out to meet 
 Pizarro with a vaft number of attendants, to 
 whom he gave the ftridteft charge upon no 
 account to offer the leaft injury to the ftran- 
 gers, as they were thofe of whom his prede- 
 Kreflbr tad foretold, and of the fame divine 
 original, children of the fun. But Pizarro, 
 who advanced with other notions to the inter- 
 view, foion convinced him that a contrary 
 ^aution was more neceflary. They met near 
 a celebrated temple, the Spaniards drawn up 
 
 ambufcade. 
 
 \^ 
 
 party 
 
 JX 
 
 this 
 
■■ Settlements in America. 137 
 
 This circumftance leaves us in no doubt as to 
 the defign of Pizarro. The firft perfon who 
 addrelTedhimfelftotheynca, was father Vin- 
 cent, a friar, who was" not afliamed to make 
 his charader the inftrument of fo bafea crime. 
 He advanced with a crofs in his hand, and 
 began a moft unfeafonable difcourfe upon the 
 birth and miracles of.Chrift, exhorting him 
 to become a chriftian, on the pain of eter- 
 nal punifliment. Then he fpoke with equal 
 eloquence of the emperor of the Romans, 
 prefling him with the fame ftrength of ar- 
 gument to become a fubjedl to that emperor ; 
 threatening him, in cafe of obftinacy, that 
 God would harden his heart as he did Pha- 
 raoh's, and then punilh him with the plagues 
 of Egypt; with other miferable fluff, worfe 
 interpreted. The ynca, though utterly afto- 
 nifhed at a matter fo unaccountable, behaved 
 with decency and gravity, telling him, that 
 he believed that he and his companions were 
 children of the fun ; recommended himfelf 
 and his fubjedsto their prote(Stionj and made 
 no doubt but they would behave to them in a 
 manner worthy the offspring of fo beneficent 
 a deity. 
 
 Whilfl thefe difcourfes continued, the Spa- 
 nifh foldiers, whofe leafl bufinefs to Peru was 
 to liflen to fermons, obferving a confiderable 
 quantity of gold in the neighbouring temple, 
 had their zeal immediately ftirred up, and a 
 •jflT ' ' party 
 
 
 

 m 
 
 \'> 
 
 f.i 
 
 I: 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 138 jitt Account of the European 
 
 party of them began to pillage it. The priefts 
 made fome oppolition. A difturbance enfu- 
 ed, and a great noife, which fo alarmed our 
 adventuring apoftle, that he let fall his crofs 
 and breviary in his fright, and turned his back 
 upon his intended proielyte. Thofe Spaniards 
 who were not concerned in the pillage feeing 
 him fly, either that they judged the heathens 
 had offered their priefl fome violence, or that 
 Pizarro made ufe of this fignal to them to 
 fall on, immediately drew their fwords, at- 
 tacked the guards and attendants of the ynca, 
 defencelefs through a religious obedience to 
 their fovereign's command, and with every 
 circumftance of the moft deliberate and (hock- 
 ing barbarity flaughtered five thoufand, 
 which was near the whole number of the In- 
 dians, who fell without any anxiety for their 
 own lives, prefling forward with all the zeal 
 and officioulnefs of a moft heroic loyalty to the 
 chair of their prince, to expire at his feet; 
 and as faft as one fet of his fupporters were 
 ilain, the others fucceeded with eagernefs to 
 fupply their places, and fliare their fate. The 
 ynca at laft was dragged down, and made a 
 prifoner, by an ad of the moft unparalleled 
 treachery, executed with a cruelty that has 
 hardly an example and can admit of no ex- 
 cufe. The plunder of his camp, rich beyond 
 the idea of any European of that time, was 
 their reward. 
 
 The 
 
 < ;* 
 
Settlements /;/ America. 139 
 
 The unfortunate prince was not wanting to 
 himfelf in his captivity. Seeing that his li- 
 berty had fallen afacrifice to their avarice, he 
 hoped to i»elieve himfelf by working upon the 
 fame difpofition. He began to treat of his 
 ranfom, and promifed fuch fums as aftoni(hed 
 the Spaniards into an agreement j nor was the 
 performance unequal. On this occafion, not 
 only the ancient ornaments and valuable fur- 
 niture, amafled by a long line of magnificent 
 kings, v/ere brought out; but the hallowed 
 treafures of the moft venerated temples were 
 given without fcruple, to fave him who was 
 the fupport of the kingdom and the reli- 
 gion. Whilft thefe were preparing, three 
 Spaniards, who were fent to Cufco to fuper- 
 intcnd in the work, had means of conferring 
 with Huefcar, who, quickly finding their foi- 
 ble and the ufe his brother had made of it, 
 complained bitterly of the injuries he had 
 fuffercd; begging the Spaniards, as the patrons 
 of the oppreifed, to embrace his caufe, pro- 
 mifing threefold the treafure for their aflift- 
 ance, which Alabalipa was to pay for his ran- 
 fom. He received a very favourable anfwer. 
 Mean time the Spaniards treated the ynca 
 with all manner of civility, admitted his at- 
 tendants to him, but no talk of his liberty. 
 As foon as he had been apprifed of Huefcar's 
 negotiation with the Spaniards and Almagro's 
 arrival with an additional force, he began to 
 
 be 
 
I f' 
 
 140 -^^/ Account ^/>^/f European 
 be under great apprehenfions. To eafe him- 
 felf upon one fide, he fent immediate orders 
 to have Huefcar put to death. 
 
 The arrival of Almagro, on the other 
 hand, caufed fome embarrafiment in Pizarro's 
 affairs. This commander, finding that Pi- 
 zarro had feized the ynca with immenfe trea- 
 fures, and having already experienced his ill 
 faith, confulted with his principal officers 
 about leaving Pizarro's part to himfelf and 
 feeking their fortune elfewhere. Whilft this 
 was in agitation, his fecretary, moved by 
 fome refentment to his mafter, gave Pizar- 
 ro notice of the defign. In an inilant Pi- 
 zarro faw how difadvantageous fuch a ftep 
 muft prove to him, with fo fmall a force, all 
 refources at a diftance, and the country ex- 
 afperated by the deteftable adtion he had 
 lately committed. He faw that all depended 
 upon removing every fufpicion from the 
 breaft of Almagro. For this purpofe, and 
 as fomething of an ill mind appeared in his 
 moll mafterly adtions, he began by facrific- 
 ing the fecretary. He informed Almagro 
 of his treachery. Next, though gold was 
 the great object of his undertakings, yet he 
 knew how to relinquifh fome part to fecure 
 the reft. He agreed to divide the fpoil 
 equally between Almagro and himfelf, and 
 to make no diftindtion between the foldiers of 
 either in the diftribution. This made an 
 
 
 h Mill 
 
Settlements /« America. 141 
 
 entire and hearty reconciliation j which was 
 no fooner concluded than the ynea's ranfom 
 came in. 
 
 But this vaft trcafure, the capital objedt of 
 all their labours and villainies, no fooner came 
 into their pofleffion, but in its confequences 
 it was very near being the utter ruin of their 
 affairs. It is faid, and not iiiiprobably, that 
 the whole exceeded the fum of one million 
 five hundred thoufand pounds fterling, a fum 
 vaft at the prefent time ; then it was a pro- 
 digy. On the dividend, after deducting a 
 fifth for the emperor, and the fharesof the 
 chief commanders and officers, each private 
 foldier had above two thoufand pounds Eng- 
 lifli money. They had now made a fortune 
 even beyond their imaginations ; but the fol- 
 diery was ruined, the greateft part of the 
 army infifted upon being difcharged, that they 
 might enjoy their fortunes in quiet. This 
 propofal ill fuited with the ambitious views of 
 the commanders. Almagro was for proceed- 
 ing in the ufual way, to enforce obedience by 
 the feverity of military difcipline j but Pizarro 
 appofed him. ** Let them go, fays he, they 
 cannot do us better fervice; here we Ihall 
 have them mutinous and cowardly foldiers, at 
 home they will adl for us as recruiting officers 
 with great fuccefs ; for when it fhall be feen 
 that common foldiers, of fo little merit as they, 
 have made fuch large fortunes, we (hall not 
 
 long 
 
 I) ;.] 
 
 I 
 
 M 
 
 i' > 
 
 
 
 
 ■11 
 
i ' 
 
 142 An Account of the European 
 
 long want better men to fupply their places." 
 The delire of the foldiers was complied with, 
 and as many as chofe to go, who were no in- 
 confiderable number, departed. In due time, 
 the fagacious prophecy of Pizarro was ac- 
 complifhed, and tneir army never wanted re- 
 inforcements. , 
 
 . C H A P. XVL 
 
 ^he murder of the ynca, A difpute between 
 pizarro and Almagro. They were reconciled. 
 Almagros expedition to Chili, The Peruvi^ 
 iins renew the war, and bejiege Ctfco, Al" 
 magro returns and defeats them, Almagro 
 renews the quarrel with Pizarro, but is de^ 
 feated and put to death, 
 
 IN the mean time the unfortunate Atabalipa, 
 the greatnefs of whofe ranfom only con- 
 vinced the Spaniards of the neceffity of never 
 relealing him, endeavoured to take advantage 
 pf his captivity, to know the genius and man- 
 ners of this people. Amongft all their ac- 
 complishments, there was nothing he fo much 
 admired as the art of reading and writing. 
 This appeared almoft incomprehenfible to 
 him, though he faw clearly the ufe of it , He 
 was at a lofs to know whether he fhould con- 
 fider it as a natural endowment, or as an ac- 
 quifition of art. To difcover this, he one day 
 
 defired 
 
I 
 
 Settlements in America. 143 
 
 defired a foidier to write the name of God 
 upon his na 1 : he carried this about the army, 
 deliring fcveral to explain it, which they all 
 did, to his wonder and fatisfadtion. At laj[l 
 he (hewed it to Pizarrc, but Pizarro blufhed, 
 and could make nothing of it. The ynca 
 then perceived it was no natural gift, but ow- 
 ing to education j the want of which he thus 
 dilcovered in Pizarro, and flighted him for it. 
 This mortified the general, and his difguil, 
 joined to his natural cruelty and a policy he 
 thought he faw in the proceeding, made him 
 haften the fate he had fome time before de- 
 termined for his unhappy prifoner. That no- 
 thing might be wanting to the boldnefs and 
 atrocioufnefs of their barbarity, they proceeded 
 f»gainft him by way of trial and by the forms 
 of law. 
 
 A charge was exhibited, digefted under fe- 
 veral heads, i ft. For being an idolater. 2dly, 
 For having many concubines. 3dly, For waft- 
 ing the treafures of the kingdom, and railing 
 taxes fmce the coming in of the Spaniards. 
 And laftly. For the murder of his brother 
 Huefcar. An attorney-general was appointed 
 to manage the accufation, and an advocate ap- 
 pointed from amongft themfelves affigned for 
 his defence. In vain did the more numerous 
 and better part of the army proteft againft 
 this proceeding, and lodge an appeal to Spain; 
 in vain did they alledge their want of power 
 
 to 
 
 li 
 
 JiU I:. 
 
 ; ; :fi 
 
 
 i% 
 
 ■ m 
 
 I-- 
 I' 
 
 r 
 
 %: 
 
 
144 ^// Account o/'Z/^^ European 
 
 to judge a foreign prince for any crimes, and 
 theabfurdity of the crimes with which this 
 princ war arged. Before fach judges, and 
 with i-idi 'H advocate to defend him, the 
 ynca wis cor Jemned to be burned alive. To 
 com pleat this elation and mockery of all 
 laws, human and divine, the fame father Vin- 
 cent, who had fo fignalized himfelf upon a 
 former occafion, was fent to comfort and in- 
 flru(5t him in his laft moments. The chief 
 argument which he ufed to convert him to 
 chriftianity wa.^, that, on his embracing the 
 faith, inftead of being burned, hi§ fentence 
 fhould be mitigated to ftrangling. This prince 
 fubmitted to baptifm, and was immediately 
 flrangled in prifon. Pizarro gave the final 
 llroke to his hardened and fhamelefs villainy, 
 by giving him a magnificent funeral, and go- 
 ing into mourning. 
 
 The death of the ynca was no fooner fpread 
 abroad, than the principal nobility at Cufco 
 fet up the brother of Huefcarj Pizarro fet 
 up a fon of Atabalipa; and two generals of 
 the Peruvians fet up for themfelves. Thus 
 was this wretched country torn to pieces at 
 once by foreigners and by a domeftic war 
 amongll themlelves. Yet fuch is the prefer- 
 ence of any fort of fpirit rouftd within a 
 nation, to a lethargic inactivity, that the Pe- 
 ruvians gained fome confiderable advantages 
 over the Spaniards, even in this diflra^^d con- 
 ^^^i dition. 
 
Settlements in America. 145 
 
 ditlon, and took feveral prifoners, nmongft 
 which was the attorney- general, whom they 
 put to the death he delerved without any great 
 formahty. The reft of the prilbnery, aslboii 
 as they were informed of their having pror- 
 tefted agai nft the emperor's death, they gener- 
 oufiy relealed. Thefe advantages gained by 
 the Peruvians made the Spaniards liften to a 
 treaty ; for Pizarro was equally ready at v:X 
 times to make a peace, or to break it, as ': 's 
 affairs required. He made ufe of this interval 
 to fettle the Spaniards in the country. It 'as 
 now that he laid the foundations of the fam^a^ 
 city of Lima. But as foon as he judged hirn- 
 felf in a condition to profecute it, he renewed 
 the war with the Indians, and, after many dif- 
 ficulties, made himfelf mafter of Cufco, then 
 the capital of the empire. 
 
 But, whilft he was thus by force and fraud 
 eftabliiliing himfelf every where, the whole 
 fabric of his defigns was (haken by a freih 
 difpute between him and his collegue Almagro. 
 Thefe commanders had little mutual affedticn, 
 and lefs confidence in each other's honour and 
 integrity; for fimilarity of manners is no 
 ground of friendftiip, but w here the manners 
 are good in themfelves. Their common ne- 
 ceffities, it is true, obliged them for a time, 
 to keep a fair appearance; but each, fatisfied 
 of the other's ill intentions, watched an op- 
 portunity of being before-hand in fome finiftcr 
 
 Vol. I. I* advan- 
 
 
 (if 
 
li; ji 
 
 •II 
 
 in 
 
 ! ,m 
 
 146 j^n AccovjiT of tbe'EvRovEAU 
 
 advantage. New grants and fupplies had 
 lately arrived from Spain. Pizarro obtained 
 two hundred leagues along the fea-coaft, to 
 the Southward of his former government. 
 Ahnagro had a grant of two hundred more to 
 the Southward of Pizarro's. Judging, or 
 pretending he judged, that the wealthy and 
 important city of Cufco was not included with- 
 in Pizarro's grant, he immediately ceafed to 
 aft in fubordination to him, and claimed this 
 city as his property. Pizarro's brother, who 
 commanded for him, abfolutely refufed to de- 
 liver up the place. Almagro infifted on it 
 with equal oblHnacy j and they were on the 
 point of deciding the difpute by the fword, 
 when Pizarro, the moment he had notice of 
 the quarrel, f«.t out from Lima, where he was 
 at that time indifpofed, and, notwithftanding 
 his infirmity, with incredible expedition ar- 
 rived at Cufco, He told his collegue, that he 
 was not unable nor afraid to fupport the juftice 
 of his claim by arms ; but he chofe rather to 
 convince him by reaicn j that the ties; which 
 fubfiftcd between them, and their common 
 neceffities, would always touch him with 
 concern when he (hould be compelled to vio- 
 Jentcourfes; which, hov/ever they might end 
 with regard to the competitors, would certainly 
 be much more in favour of the common ene- 
 my. He demonftrated to him that Cufco 
 was indubitably within bis (Pizarro's) govern- 
 ment 
 
 'Ml 
 

 Settlements in America. 147 
 
 went, and ended in afTuring him, that, as he 
 would defend his own right with all his force, 
 fo he was equally willing to employ all that 
 force, with all his treafure, and all his coun- 
 fcl, and whatever afliftance he could give, to 
 put Almagro into pofl'eflion of whatever was 
 really his right ; that this lay yet more to the 
 Southward than Cufco, and was a country no 
 way inferior in its riches, and the eafinefs of 
 its conqueft. 
 
 This timely appearance of Pizarro, his dex- 
 terous management, and judicious mixture of 
 firmnefs and flexibility, made fuch an impref- 
 lion upon Almagro, that he was once more re- 
 conciled ', and, adding as many of Pizarro's 
 troops to his own as he judged necefiary, he 
 penetrated with great danger and difficulty into 
 Chili, lofing many of his men whiift he palled 
 over mountains of an immenfe height, and al- 
 ways covered with fnow. He fucceeded not- 
 withftanding in a good meafure in his defigns, 
 for he reduced a valuable and confiderable part 
 of that country. 
 
 There was undoubtedly in the four hundred 
 leagues which Pizarro had folicited for him- 
 felf, enough of land to fupply any reafonable 
 ambition, and fomething to fpare, to fecure 
 the quiet poflelTion of the reflj but his eagcr- 
 nefs after a large territory made him blind to 
 the folly of dividing his troops, and fending 
 .Almagro upon avyild diftant expedition; and 
 
 L 2 yes 
 
 'I 
 
148 u^n Account offbe European 
 
 yet he confidered this as a mafler-piccc of 
 policy. A h'ttle time, however, convinced 
 him to the contrary. No fooner did the ynca 
 perceive this diviljon of the Spanifli troops, 
 than he delired lc:;ive from l*izarro's brother, 
 who maniiged affi:irs for him at Cufco, tu 
 alTill at a folemn feftival of his nation, which 
 was to be held at fome diftpnce. This feafl 
 was in reality a fort of an alTcmhly of the rtates 
 of the kingdom. The yncn, having obtained 
 permiflion to aflift at it, made ufe of this op- 
 portunity to reprefent to his fubjedts, in the 
 moll pathetic manner, the mifery to which 
 the nation was reduced; the fettlement of the 
 Spaniards, the cities they had built, the gar- 
 riibn they kept at Cufco, and the guard they 
 had on his own perfon. That, for theirfakes, 
 he was now refolved to hazard that perfon 
 and every thing that was dear to him ; that 
 now was the time to make an effort with fuc- 
 cefs, when their enemies, divided amongft 
 themfclves, had feparated in fearch of other 
 kingdoms, to fatisfy an ambition that nothing 
 could fatiatc. The whole affembly united in 
 thele fen timents j they roufed the country eve- 
 ry where, and the Spaniards who remained in 
 Peru were not able to prevent the ynca from 
 laying liege to Cufco, with an army of two 
 hundred thoufa^nd men. Though the garrifon 
 under Ferdinand Pizarro confided of no 
 more than feventy men, yet, with their artil- 
 i./ V \ery, 
 
Settlements m AMr:uit:A. 149 
 
 Ktv, the fallics mule vviili tlioir Iiorll*, an-l 
 afliiled by the i^noiMncc of x\v'. Pciu>'I.iiis 
 in carryini^ o\\ a licgc, their detcnce was as 
 lucccitlul us it was hravc. 
 
 News was brou;i:bt to Ahnar^ro cf the dan- 
 gcrs tt^ vv'hich CAiico \\7is c,N:;')ored, and the 
 uiiivcrf;'.! infurrcCtion of tlic i'cruvian.. Tic- 
 linquiihinghisiicv/concnicdti, he hallencd b.ick 
 to prclerve iiiii old with gr('A»- expediti;;n ; tho' 
 on hiis return he fufu red n.s : ach frotn drought 
 and heut, as- in his pro^^;ltl.' he had endured 
 from cold. At his approach tiie indi.iiis r.uf- 
 ed the liege, and he was joyfully received iiuo 
 Cufeo by rerdinaiul I'iiiurro, -xv-'S the i».uri- 
 fon, ahnoil exhaultcd by tlie length of tiie 
 defence. 
 
 After all thefe long and laborious m irclies, 
 Almao;ro was extremely fuiLj^ied, ',n\A thouiiht 
 it hard, that now in the wane of his hfc he 
 fliould be driven with inlinite toil unon new 
 conquefis, while Pizarro fit down at eale to 
 enjoy alone the fruits of their common la- 
 bours. He rcfolved to renew his claim to 
 Cufco; he had now ii fort of right to it by 
 having raifed the fiege, and he had a llrength 
 futHcient to fupport that right. Ferdinand 
 sand Gon ^-alo, the two brothers of Pizarro, 
 making fomeoppodtion, were thrown iaio pri- 
 son, aiid their little army either joined him, or 
 ihi^red the fame Otc, 
 
 ^ L 3 . Pizarro, 
 
 '% 
 
 I, 
 
 m 
 
 
 •< 
 
[' i 
 
 ijo An Account ofi/je European 
 
 Pizarro, unacquainted with the arrival of 
 Almagro or the ftep he had taken, had got 
 together an army for the relief of Cufco, who 
 were near the town before they found they had 
 an enemy of any other fort than the Indians 
 to contend with. Almagro, after having tried 
 in vain to feduce their fidelity, engaged and 
 routed them. On this advantage, his friends 
 reprefentcd to h'm, that now was the happy 
 hour of his fortune, and that he ought to 
 employ it to eftablifli himfelf beyond all pof- 
 iibility of being removed. That he ought to 
 put the Pizarros, his prifoners, to death, and 
 march directly to Lima, to feize upon his ri- 
 val, who never could be heartily reconciled to 
 him, and whilfl he remained in pofTeflion of 
 thefea-coaft, could never want means of mak- 
 ing his enmity terrible. Almagro had huma- 
 nity enough to rejedl the firfl part of this 
 counCel, andweaknefs enough not to hearken 
 to the laft. If he marched into another's go- 
 vernment, he trembled at the name of a rebel ; 
 and, for fear of the name, expofed himfelf to 
 fuffer the punilhmentof the things not con- 
 fix .jig that, having once embrued his hands 
 in civil blood, he ought never to flop till his 
 end was gained j that conqueft alone could 
 decide the queflion of their right; and that 
 he who had the greater force would have the 
 befl means of protedtion, if he was in the 
 Whilit he deliberated what courfe 
 
 . to 
 
 wrong. 
 
Settlements /« America. 151 
 
 to take, Gonzalo Pizarro iHLide his efcspe with 
 an hundred of thoie who were aifeded to his 
 caufe. 
 
 It was the interefl of Pizarro, who found 
 himfelf in no immediate condition to carry 
 on the war, yet pofl'effed all the means of be- 
 ing reinforced, to keep matters from coming 
 to an extremity; it was Ahuagro's to bring 
 them to a iJDeedy iifnc; and, in this knowledge 
 of the management of time, when to he by 
 to gain it and when to ufe the prefent mo- 
 ment, the great fkiil in bulinefs, fo little un- 
 derftood, depends almoft entirely. Pizarro 
 had recourfe to the old way of treaty ; he 
 promifed largely, he offered a fea-port, and 
 agreed to fubmit the. decifion of all their dif- 
 putes to the royal audience ; but, as a prelimi- 
 nary, he infifted on the releafe of his brother 
 Ferdinand. Experienced as Almagro was in 
 Pizarro's faith, he gave up the only pledge that 
 could fecure it. The moment Ferainand was 
 releafed, he was put at the head of the rein- 
 forcements Pizarro had long expecfled, and now 
 received j and, as he was a man of capacity, 
 he prepared to ad; with vigour. The treaty 
 was forge ' 
 
 The country which held for Almagro was 
 feparated from that wliich Pizarro polfefied, 
 by vaft mountains paifable only in fome fteep 
 and dangerous defiles. Almagro's counfellors 
 advifed him by all means to poll his troops in 
 
 • L 4 ' fuch 
 
 
 1 'iV 
 
 i 
 
 ■4 
 
 i 
 
 ■ fi 
 
 41 
 
I ' i 
 
 ; 1; 
 
 hi i 
 
 I 
 
 ' it 
 
 152 A» Account off/:)e Eu?.opean 
 fuch a manner as to oppofe his enemies in 
 thofe pallesi but fo infatuated was he with 
 a falfe fecurity, that he refufed to fend any 
 troops to occupy thofe important pofts, which 
 were feized by the enemy without the leaft 
 oppofition. He had, however, one refource 
 left/ and that a good one. The town of Cufco 
 was well fortified, had a good garrifon, and 
 the entmy was ill provided for carrying on the 
 fiege. But, as he had prejudiced iiis affairs 
 before by dilatory meafures, he now com- 
 pieatly ruined them by precipitation and teme- 
 rity. He turned his back upon the advan- 
 tages of his fituation, and refolved, contrary 
 to ihe opinion of all his oiticer&, to hazard 
 liis fortune in the field j .confident of his own 
 fuperiority, and full of cpntempt of the ene- 
 my, whom he believed to be raw troops. But 
 he found too late, that they were veterans of 
 great bravery, and exadt difcipline. The en- 
 gagement was v/arm ; in which Almagro and 
 his troops behaved in fuch a manner as not to 
 difgrace their iormer exploits; but, after a gal- 
 lant ftruggle, they were in the end entirely 
 defeated. Almagro himfelf was taken pri- 
 foner, ..nd fell, ac the age of feventy-three 
 years, a victim to a raflinefs fcarce excufeable 
 in a young foldier; but to the laft degree 
 blameable in sn experienced commander, who, 
 being fupp^fjd to have long eflablifhed his re- 
 putation for courage beyond ail doubt, ought 
 tr. . • ; to 
 
m 
 
 Settlements m AmePvICA. 153 
 
 to model his condudlonly by his own experi- 
 ence, and the circumilanccs of the afFair in 
 which he is engaged. 
 
 Pizarro, liavinggot the rival whohadcauf- 
 ed him fo many apprehenlions into his hands, 
 rcfoh. d to ftiew him no mercy. In fpite of 
 Almagro's age, which, as it might remove his 
 fears, ouglit to have given room for pity j in 
 fpite of their common v^arfare, their dangers 
 and triumphs ; in fpite of every fentiment of 
 gratitude for what this unfortunate man had 
 contributed to his greatnefs, and in fpite of his 
 late mercy to his brother; all which were pa- 
 thetically and ftrongiy urged by Almagro, to 
 fu tier an old man, and a prifoner too, after fo 
 many fruitlefs toils, to die quietly in his bed; 
 Pizarro was deaf to every thing but a barbar- 
 ous policy, which made him fubmit every vir- 
 tue tofecuring the meanell part of his defigns. 
 Almagro was formally tried, fentenced, and 
 then Itrangied in prifon. His body was after- 
 wards beheaded publickly on a fcaftbld, and for 
 a, long time denied burial. A negro Have in- 
 terred it by ileal th. Am.idil the pity which 
 this barbarous execution caufed, people could 
 not forbear recollefting the unhappy fate of 
 Atahualpa, and the fliare which Ahnagro had 
 in it. 
 
 
 CHAP. 
 
154 ^n Account of tfjc EuKOPEAH 
 
 C H A P. XVII. 
 
 Ill '^ 
 
 II 
 
 '■if 
 
 Thejinal dijpcrjion of the Penrcian army. H^hg 
 c 01 f piracy cgaljl Pizarro. He is murdered, 
 
 WHILST this civil war raged, the ynca 
 took a very extraordinary refolution. 
 He difbanded his troops and retired to the 
 nxotintains; ** Becaufc, ilivs he> whilflweare 
 ill arms, their fear of us v^ill be a means of 
 uniting the Spaniards; but, if we difpcjfc^ 
 the'- will certainly deftroy each other." A re- 
 foIuUon this, wliich at firft view has fomt - 
 thing maflerly, but it is only when xuewer' \\\ 
 one light. When their natural prince i^ ded, 
 the people who muiP be governed may give 
 the reins of governmciii. i'-^ic the hands of the 
 enemy. An army once difper' ;d is got toge- 
 ther again with great auiivuity j and, on tJie 
 other hand, a civil war is by no means a certain 
 deftrudlion to thofe who are engaged in it: and 
 indeed, by the reafon of the thing and by the 
 event, it was an ill-judged ftep, the fcheme of 
 a barbarous prince, who was far from being a 
 tonfummate politician. 
 
 It was very ruinous to the Peruvians, that, 
 happening to be divided amongfl themfelves 
 when the Spaniards came in, they fuffered 
 them to interfere in their parties ; but it was of 
 yet v'^rfe conf^jquence that, when the Spaniards 
 
 were 
 
■■; tn 
 
 P 
 
 
 Settlements m America. 155 
 
 were afterwards divided, they hilerfcred tbem- 
 ielves in the Spanifh parties. Alnjagro and 
 Pizarro had armies of Indians, Sy which thofe 
 people were habituated to obey them, and to 
 be intereiled in their fuccefs j this, joined to 
 the wantof any regular plan of defence on the 
 part of their king and commanders, fubdued. 
 that empire to Pizarro with fmall trouble, i*^ 
 we conlider the greatnefs of the objedt. But 
 having atchieved fo great a conqued, it only 
 made Pizarro acquainted with othergreat trads 
 which were rich, and mitrht be added to them. 
 He followed the tracks of Almagro into Chili, 
 and reduced a conliderable part of the country. 
 Orellana, one of his commanders, pafled the 
 Andes, and failed down to the mouth of the 
 river of Amazons; an immenfe navigation, 
 which difcovered a rich and delightful country; 
 but, as it is moftly ilat, and therefore not 
 abounding in minerals, the Spaniards then, and 
 ever fince, ncgledcd it. 
 
 The death of Almagro, and the influence it 
 had upon the condudt of Pizarro, is aftriking 
 example how necelTary it is for a great man to 
 have an awe upon him from fome oppofition, 
 that may keep his prudence alive, and te ch 
 him to have a watch upon his paflions. Not 
 content with a territory upwards of eight hun- 
 dred leagues long, and of a prodigious breadth, 
 riches fuch as none of the kings of his country 
 had ever poffelled, a jurifdidon little lefs than 
 
 royal. 
 
! I 
 
 I ;i, 
 
 ii! 
 
 l!^ ii 
 
 id ii'i 
 
 I 
 
 SI 
 
 [5 I !'■ 
 
 'i 
 
 156 -^// Account ^/"/i^^ European 
 royal, and an abfolute fecurity for the extinc- 
 tion of tlie only perfon who had any preten- 
 lions againft him, either through a jealoufy 
 which often haunts the happieft fortune, or 
 through a pride which cannot bear even the 
 appearance of any who had once withftood his 
 power, he took a refolution entirely to cut off 
 all that had ever adhered to his rival ; he did 
 net know when the UTue of blood ought to be 
 Hopped j nor that examples of feverity on a 
 few create terror and fubmiffion, but that 
 threats of general dcftrudion produce nothing 
 butdefpair anddefperatc rcfokitions. He was 
 »ot fatished with putting iv any to death, but 
 illued a proclamation, inliibiting, under the 
 fame penalty, that any perfon flKudd harbour, 
 or even relieve an Almugrian with the necef- 
 faries of life. This party was yet numerous, 
 though .I'fporfed and lurking ahoai. the coun- 
 try. 'J 'he heads of them, tandiiig Pizarro im- 
 placable, entered into a conspiracy to murder 
 him. They did not want adherents in the city, 
 fo that they found means of concealing them- 
 felves until their plot ihould be ripe for exe- 
 cution ; but by fome means Pizarro dikovered 
 their defigns, and iufrercd them to know he 
 had difcovered them. Alarmed at this infor- 
 mation, they faw nothing could happen but 
 death atany fide. Twelve of the chiefs march- 
 ed into the ftreets at noon-day, with their 
 fword'^ drawn, crying out, ♦• Long live the 
 
 king! 
 
Settlements in America. 157 
 
 king ! but let the traitor die;" and, croiring the 
 great fquare of Lima, made directly to Pi- 
 zarro's palace ; the reft followed in different 
 parties. The people all the while fufpended, 
 and in that inadtive amazement which the ex- 
 ecution of a bold and fudden ^nterprize gene- 
 rally infpires, made no oppoiition. The con- 
 fpirators fecured the avcnuipsj and Pizarro, 
 not alarmed until he was furrounded by his 
 enemies, fell under their fwords after having 
 fold his life dearly. 
 
 Thus died Pizarro, by an event extremely 
 memorable. A great conqueror, in t): . city 
 he had himfelf built, in his own palace, a- 
 midft his guards, murdered at noon-day by the 
 hands of a fmall number of fugitives. The Pe- 
 ruvians had the fatisfadlion to fee the fecond of 
 their conquerors cut off by the fame fword that 
 had affliittcd themfelves. 
 
 ■ 1-, 
 
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 1/ .: 
 
 CHAP- 
 
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 158 j^n Account o/'/^^ European 
 
 CHAP. XVIII. 
 
 Toung Almagro made governor, 'The new vice- 
 roy Vaca di Cajiro arrives. Pu^s to death 
 
 . young Almagro, Puts an end to the factions, 
 and Jetties the province. He is recalled, Gon- 
 zalo Pizarro raifes a rebellion^ and ufurps the 
 government. Peter de la Gafca made viceroy. 
 Defeats the troops of Pizarro, and puts him 
 to death. . i 
 
 WHEN Pizarro had fallen in confe- 
 quence of thofe cruel and ill-judged 
 fteps which he took for his fecurity, the Al- 
 magrians, elate with their fuccefs, and grow- 
 ing into a formidable body, fcized upon the 
 city, and proclaimed the natural fon of old 
 Almagro governor} a youth not twenty years 
 of age, but of a courage and capacity notab- 
 lolutely unequal to a charge of Tuch impor- 
 tance, undertaken in circumftances fo critical. 
 Tlwl though the Almagrians fucceeded beyond 
 their hopes, by the conllernation cauled by 
 the fuddennefsof the attempt, and the general 
 diflike to the cruel procedure of Pizarro j the 
 major part of the Spaniards were far from ac- 
 quiefcing in this in egular nomination of a go- 
 vernor. A confiderable number, and thofe of 
 the beft men, declared, that, without interft- 
 ing themleives in the auarrel of either party, 
 
 - they 
 
Settlements hi America. 159 
 
 tlicy would wait for the cmpv ror's determina- 
 tion, which they expelled hourly, and to 
 whi<:h alone they were refolvcd to conform 
 themfelves. 
 
 In this ftate of things the new governor 
 Vaca di Caftro arrived. This man was of a 
 good family, and by profeffion a lawyer ; but, 
 through a more rigid adherence to the llridcft 
 idea of right and juftice than is fuitable to the 
 coarfenefs of prai^icc, he did not make that 
 figure in his profcflion to which his great ca- 
 pacity entitled him. But what kept him back- 
 ward at the bar, recommended him firft to the 
 knowledge, and afterwards to the efteem, of 
 his mafler the emperor Charles theVth, who 
 was a man of too much difcernment not to be 
 Ih-uck with a character fo fingular as was that 
 of one who was a lawver without exercifini^ 
 the trade of law, and lived at court without 
 being a courtier. Therefore, without any 
 folicitation of his own, without any recom- 
 mendation from a miniftcr or favourite, this 
 man's plain unofUntatious virtue placed him 
 in an employment of fo great a trulh When 
 he arrived in the Indies, he llill prelerved his 
 charadti3r. Headed like one who came nei- 
 ther to acquire friends nor fortune, but folely 
 to do his duty J and he {hewed favour or dif- 
 approbation to all in proportion as they per- 
 formed tlieir's. Indian or Spaniard was en- 
 tirely alike to the equality of his juitice. He 
 
 blattered 
 
:1:: 
 
 I 
 
 i6o An Account of the European 
 
 flattered nobody, he threatened nobody ; and, 
 whilft he hved with all the rnodefty of a pri- 
 vate man, he fupported all the dignity of a 
 governor. 
 
 He was hardly landed, when young Alma- 
 gro fent him an embafTy, explaining, the rea- 
 fons of his conduct, and propofing terms; 
 but Caftro anlweretl him, that he was come 
 under the emperor's authority, foiely to do 
 him and every body juftice, of which, if a 
 good fubjedt, he could have no room to com- 
 plain; if a bad one, he muil prepare to feel 
 it: he knew no other terms. This was new 
 langungc to governors in this part of the world, 
 who almoll forgot tiicv had a hiperior. Al- 
 magro therefore was refolvcd to abide the for- 
 tune of war, rather than fubmit without fuch 
 tenn-^ as might enfure him the government of 
 his father's province at lealf. On the other 
 hand, Caftro would hear of no terms between 
 a king and his fubjeds, and therefore fet 
 himfelf at the head of his troops, which were 
 compofcd of thofe who had refufed to obey 
 Almagrc, and gave him battle. The victory 
 was on his fide,, but not without a bloody 
 difpute. 
 
 Seve'ral of Almagro's officers, ia hopes of 
 procuring favour for themfelves, betrayed his 
 caule in the battle ; but Caftro was far from 
 thinking their treachery to their leader could 
 be reckoned a fervice to the crown, and there- 
 fore 
 
Settlements in America. i6r 
 
 fore fpared none of them in the numerous exe- 
 cutions he found it necclTary to make on this 
 occafion. None of the fuft'crcrs was more 
 pitied than Almagro, who behaved with the 
 utmort: gallantry in the engagement, as he 
 had done with much humanity and honour 
 upon moft occafions. He was taken and be- 
 headed. 
 
 The feverity of this procedure, whilft It 
 terrified every body, drew no odium upon the 
 governor, who a(!ted clearly without prejudice 
 or felf-intereft. They looked on thefe exe- 
 cutions like judgments from heaven, which 
 afflicft us bitterly, but leave no room for mur- 
 mur or complaint againft the hand thatinflids 
 them. To the followers of Pizarro, who 
 valued themfelves on their late fervice, and 
 murmured that they were not rewarded better 
 than he thought they deferved, he (hewed lit- 
 tle favour. He told them he could well dif- 
 tinguifli between what was done out of a fpirit 
 of party, and what proceeded from a princi- 
 ple of loyalty to theirfovereign; that they might 
 look upon themfelves as very happy that he 
 fuffered their laft adion to obliterate the me- 
 mory of all their others. In fliort, he pro- 
 ceeded with l\ich conftancy, that the Spani- 
 ards were reduced to an entire fubjedlion, and 
 the Indians treated by them as fellow-fubjeds 
 and fellow-creatures. The clergy he made to 
 attend diligently to the duty of their fundion. 
 
 Vol. I. M and 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
 
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 I.I 
 
 11.25 
 
 us 
 us 
 
 UUi. 
 
 iiiiim 
 
 U III 1.6 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. 145S0 
 
 (716)873-4303 
 

1:1 
 
 fft. 
 
 !' 
 
 162 yl;i Account of'i/jeEuRovE A^ 
 
 and to the converfion of the Indians, rather 
 than to the acquifition of their gold. He mo- 
 delled the adminillration of juflice in the ex- 
 adeft manner. He founded feveral towns, 
 and eil:abliilied fchools and colleges in them, 
 and placed the royal revenues on fuch a foot- 
 ing, that the conqucft of Peru became im- 
 mediately a great public advantage, which for- 
 merly was little more than an objecfl of private 
 plunder. But, whild he remained himfelf poor 
 among Tome of the richell: confifcations that 
 ever were made, and whilll: he enriched the 
 royal treafury with moft prodigious remit- 
 tances, the great men at court received no pre- 
 fents. This induced them to get a number of 
 judges appointed, whofe authority over- ruled 
 thatof Caftro. The end was anfwered. Dis- 
 putes arofe j the colony was unfettled ; ap- 
 peals and complaints innumerable came home, 
 and prefents from all fides. But whiit an- 
 fwered the prefent end of the courtiers, was 
 near flopping up the fpring of bribery for the 
 future. In the confufion that arofe, from fuch 
 claftnng jurifdidions and the fchemes of men 
 intent upon their own interefts, it was not hard 
 for Gonzalo, the brother of the famous Pi- 
 zarro, to avail himfelf of the general difcontent, 
 and to fet himfelf at the head of a party. 
 
 It was now no longer a difpute between go- 
 vernors about the bounds of their jurifdidionsj 
 Gonzalo Pizarro only paid a nominal fubmif- 
 
 fion 
 
Settlements /;/ America. 163 
 
 lion to the emperor. He flrengthened daily, 
 and even went fo far as to behead a viceroy 
 who was fent to curb him. vThere was a fleet 
 at this time in the South-Seas, and he^had ad- 
 drefs enough to gain the admiral to his interefts; 
 by which means he was able to over-awe the 
 coaft of Mexico, and prevent any force coming 
 againft him from that part. He even enter- 
 tained hopes of gaining the Spaniards in that 
 kingdom to join in his revolt. - 
 
 The court, juftly alarmed at this progrefs, 
 having felt the ill effedt of fending men who 
 were recommended to their pofts by impor- 
 tunity and cabal, as they had experienced the 
 beneficial confequences of employing perfons 
 whofe charadter only pleaded for them, 
 fent a licentiate in divinity, called Peter de la 
 Gafca, a man differing only from Caftro, by 
 being of a milder and more infinuating be- 
 haviour ; but with thcfime love of juilice, 
 the fame greatnefs of foul, and the fame dif- 
 interefted fpirit. This mildnefs of charader 
 fuited the circumftances of the times, as well 
 as the rigid juftice of Caftro did thofe in which 
 he was appointed ; for, as the revolt was now 
 almoft general, he could find no friends but 
 fuchas he could make; becaufe, though he was 
 inverted with the ampleft authority from Spain, 
 he neither carried men to enforce it, nor mo- 
 ney i and the whole fuccefs of the expedition 
 refted folely in his own capacity. . 
 
 M 2 When 
 
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164 An Account 0^/^^ European 
 
 When he arrived in Mexico, he declared 
 that his was a peaceable profeffion ; that he 
 came not to exercife feverities, but to heal by 
 gentle meafuresthe efFe<flsofthofe which were 
 formerly exercifed. He even wrote a very o- 
 bliging letter to Pizarro, perfuading him to 
 fiibmit, and offering him a free pardon for him- 
 felf and his affociates. In the mean time, he 
 vvas not wanting in more vigorous meafures; 
 but, by his engaging addrefs and the reputation 
 of his probity, raifed large furas of money, and 
 fome hundreds of men. Pizarro, puffed up 
 by his fuccefs, received the embaffador with 
 great haughtinefs, and fenthis anfwer, which 
 was likewife that of his ailbciates, by the ad- 
 miral ; it was, in effedl, that neither would he 
 yield up his government, nor would they fub- 
 mit to have any other governor. The admiral 
 had inftrudtions to try what bribery would do, 
 and, if that failed, to fire the city of Panama, 
 and bring off the new viceroy prifoner. How- 
 ever, during their conferences, the affair took 
 abfolutely another turn, and the admiral, in- 
 stead of conveying Gafca a prifoner to Peru, 
 tranfported him thither with all his forces, re- 
 turning to his allegiance himfelf, and perfuad- 
 ing all his adherents to be hearty in the royal 
 caufe. The viceroy did not at all alter the pro- 
 feffions and behaviour he had ufed in Mexico 5 
 but, every where proclaiming peace and pardon 
 at the head of a powerful force, he drew the ci- 
 2 ties 
 
tl 
 
 Settlements in America. 165 
 
 ties of Lima and Cufco from the party of Pi- 
 zarro; who, finding himfelf obliged to eva- 
 cuate the mod conliderable places of ftrength, 
 with very unequal forces hazarded a battle, in 
 which he was made prifoner. He was foon af- 
 ter condenlned and executed, with thofe who 
 had been the chief inftruments of his rebel - 
 Jion, 
 
 Such an ill ftar governed all thofe who had a 
 (hare in the reduction of Peru! Almagro be- 
 headed j hisfon fharingthe fame fate; Pizarro 
 murdered in his own palace j his brother Fer- 
 dinand kept a prifoner twenty-three years -, and 
 his other brother Gonzalo, as we have juft feen, 
 fuffering death as a traitor. The new governor, 
 having by necellary feverities quieted his pro- 
 vince, took effedual care to heal its diforders 
 by the arts of peace, and to compleat wh ■ t Caf- 
 tro had been obliged to leave untinifhed. He 
 fettled the civil government, the army, and 
 the mines, upon fuch a bafis as made the pro- 
 vince worthy to be plundered by future vice- 
 roys. He carried over two millions to the royal 
 treafury, paid all his debts, and fate down as 
 poor in Spain as he had left it. 
 
 The redudlionof the great empires of Peru 
 and Mexico makes almolt the only thing very 
 much worth infixing upon in the American 
 hirtory. A few fkirmiilies with a favage peo- 
 ple, and fome Voyages and difcoveries exadlly 
 rcfembling each other, changing only the names 
 
 M 3 and 
 
 : m 
 
 V 
 
 1 «;l 
 
 m 
 
i66 An Account of the European 
 
 and fituations, is the matter, which, in my 
 opinion, unprofitably fills fo many volumes, 
 and contains very little of either curiofity or 
 inftrudlion. However, when I come to treat 
 of the feveral European fettlements particular- 
 ly, I fliall not omit to mention any thing in 
 their hiftory that contains either the one or the 
 other. 
 
 JEnd of the FjRST Part. 
 
 PART 
 
Settlements in America. 167 
 
 '■-. n 
 
 op-^^e^^*'^3^^^'S^-i^3e>^j?v^^^.^r'^3ei^^ 
 
 PART 
 
 n. 
 
 It! 
 
 l%e Manners of the A7?ierkans, 
 
 -' C H A P. I. : 
 
 I'/je pcrfofis of the Americans. Their drcfs a?id 
 way of living. Their mariner of conijcrjing. 
 Their hofpitality. Their temper. Their re- 
 ligion andfuperjlitions. Their medicine, 
 
 THE Aborigines of America, throughr 
 out the whole extent of the two vaft 
 continents v/hich they inhabit, and amongft 
 the infinite number of nations and tribes into 
 which they are divided, differ very little frora 
 each other in their manners and curtomsi 
 and they all form a very ftriking pidure of the 
 moft diflant antiquity. Whoever confiders 
 the Arnericans of this day, not only ftudies 
 the manners of a remote prefent nation, but 
 he ftudies, in fome meafure, the antiquities 
 
 M 4 ;,^ of 
 
 1 
 
 ■■•mi 
 
■??i. ■ I 
 
 i68 ^// Account o/*//5f European 
 
 of all nations; from which no mean light^i 
 may be thrown upon many parts of the an- 
 cient authors, both facred and profane. The 
 learned Lafitau has laboured this point with 
 great fuccefs, in a work which deferves to 
 be read amongft us much more than I find 
 it is. 
 
 The people of America are tall, and ftrait 
 in their limbs beyond the proportion of mod 
 rations: their bodies are ftrong; but of a fpe- 
 cies of ftrcngth rather fitted to endure much 
 hardHiip, than to continue long at any fervile 
 work, by which they are quickly confumed; 
 it is the Itrength of a iDeafl of prey, rather than 
 that of a beaft of burthen. Their bodies and 
 heads are flattifh, the eftedt of art; their fea- 
 tures are regular, but their countenances 
 fierce; their hair long, black, lank, and as 
 llrong as that of a horfe. No beards. The 
 colour of their fkin a reddifh brown, admired 
 amongft them, and improved by the conftant 
 ufe of bear's fat and paint. 
 
 When the Europeans firft came into Ame- 
 rica, they found the people quite naked, ex- 
 cept thofe parts, which it is common for the 
 moft uncultivated people to conceal. Since 
 that time they have generally a coarfe blanket 
 to cover them, which they buy xirom us. The 
 whole fafhion of their lives is of a piece; 
 hardy, poor, andfqualid; and their education 
 iVom thuir infancy is folely direded to fit their 
 '' '" - . bodies 
 
H 
 
 Settlements in America. 169 ' 
 
 bodies for this mode of life, and to form their 
 minds to inflidt and to endure the greatefl: evils. 
 Their only occupations are hunting and war. 
 Agriculture is left to the women. Merchan- 
 dize they contemn. When their hunting 
 feafon is paft, which they go through with 
 much patience, and in which they exert great 
 ingenuity, they pafs the reft of their time inan 
 entire indolence. They fleephalf the day in 
 their huts, they loiter and jcfl: among their 
 friends, and they obferve no bounds or de- 
 cency in their eating and drinking. Before 
 we difcovered them, they had no fpirituous 
 liquors; but now, the acquirement of thefe 
 is what gives a fpur to their induftry, and 
 enjoyment to their repofe. This is the prin- 
 cipal end they purfue in their treaties with 
 us J and from this they fuffer inexpreflible 
 calamities ; for, having once begun to drink, 
 they can preferve no meafures, but continue a 
 fucceflion of drunkennefs as long as their 
 means of procuring liquor lafts. Jn this con- 
 dition they lie expofed on the earth to all the 
 inclemency of the feafons, which wafles them 
 by a train of the moft fatal diforders -, they 
 perifli in rivers and marflies; they tumble 
 into the fire ; tljey quarrel, and very fre- 
 quently murder each other; and, in (hort, ex- 
 cefs in drinking, which with us is rather im- 
 moral than very dellructive, amongft this un- 
 pvilized people, who have not art enough to 
 ' « ^ guard 
 
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 HH 
 
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 1 
 
170 An Account of the European 
 
 guard againfl: the confequence of their vices, 
 is a public calamity. The few amongil them, 
 who live free from this evil, enjoy the reward 
 of their temperance in a robuft and healthy old 
 age. The diforders which a complicated lux- 
 ury has introduced, and fupports in Europe, 
 are Grangers here. 
 
 The character of the Indians is ftriking. 
 They are grave even to fadneO in their deport- 
 ment upon any ferious occafion j obfervant of 
 thofe in company ; refpe<5tful to the old; of a 
 temper cool and deliberate j by which they 
 are never in hafte to fpeak before they have 
 thought well upon the matter, and are fure 
 the perfon who fpoke before them has finiflied 
 all he had to fay. They have therefore the 
 greateft contempt for the vivacity of the Eu- 
 ropeans, who interrupt each other, and fre- 
 quently fpeak all together. Nothing is more 
 edifying than their behaviour in their public 
 councils and aflcmblies. Every man there is 
 lieard in his turn, according as his years, his 
 wifdom, or his fervices to his country, have 
 ranked him. Not a word, not a whifper, 
 not a murmur, is heard from the reft while he 
 ipeaks. No indecent condemnation, no ill- 
 timed applaufe. The younger fort attend for 
 their inftrudion. Here they learn the hiftory 
 of their nation; here they are inflamed with 
 the fongs of thofe who celebrate the warlike 
 action of their anceftors; and here they are 
 
 • taught 
 
Settlements in America. 171 
 
 taught what are the intcrefts of their country, 
 and how to purfuc tliem. 
 
 Tliere is no people amongft whom the laws 
 of hofpitality are more facred, or executed 
 with more generofity and good-will. Their 
 houfes, their provilion, even their young wo- 
 men, are not enough to oblige a guelt. 7'o 
 thofe of their own nation they are likewife ve- 
 ry humane and beneficent. Has any one of 
 them fucceeded ill in his hunting ? has his 
 harveft failed ? or is his houfe burned ? He feels 
 no other effedt of his misfori me, than that 
 it gives him an opportunity to experience the 
 benevolence and regard of his fellow-citizens, 
 who for that purpofe have all things almoll in 
 common. But to the enemies of his country, 
 or to thofe who have privately offended, 
 the American is implacable. He conceals his 
 fentiments, he appears reconciled, until by 
 Jfome treachery or furprize he has an opportu- 
 nity of executing an horrible revenge. No 
 length of time is fufficient to allay his rcfent- 
 ment; no diftance of place great enough to 
 protedt the obje<^j he crolies the fteepeft 
 mountains, he pierces the moll impracticable 
 forefts, and traverfes the moft hideous bogs 
 and deferts for feveral hundreds of miles, bear- 
 ing the inclemency of the feafons, the fatigue 
 of the expedition, the extremes of hunger 
 and thirlt, with patience and chearfulnefs, 
 in hopes of furprizing his enemy, on whom 
 
 he 
 
 !! 
 
 
 Mil 
 
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 ■I I 
 
 I 
 
 ■M 
 

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 ;• •': 
 
 ,^72 -^// Account ^//6<? Europ'ean 
 he exercifes the moil: fliocking barbarities, even 
 to the eating of his flelh. To fueh extremes 
 do the Indians pu(h their friendfliip or their 
 enmity ; and fuch indeed in general is the 
 charader of all ftrong and uncultivated minds. 
 Notwithftanding this ferocity, no people 
 have their anger, or at leaft the fhew of their 
 anger, more under their command. From 
 their infancy they are formed with care to 
 endure feoffs, taunts, blows, and every fort 
 
 , of infult patiently, or at leaft with a com- 
 pofed countenance. This is one of the prin- 
 cipal objeds of their education. They efteem 
 nothing fo unworthy a man of fenfe and con- 
 ftancy, as a peevifti temper, and a pronenefs 
 to a fudden and ralh anger. And this fo 
 far has an effed, that quarrels happen as 
 rarely amongft them when they are not in- 
 toxicated with liquor, as does the chief caufe 
 of all quarrels, hot and abufive language. 
 But human nature is fuch, that, as virtues 
 may with proper management be engrafted 
 upon almoft all forts of vicious paffions, fo 
 vices naturally grow out of the beft difpofi- 
 tions, and are the confequence of thofe re- 
 gulations that produce and ftrengthen them. 
 This is the reafon that, when the palfions 
 of the Americans are roufed, being fliut up, 
 as it were, and converging into a narrow 
 poiiit, they become more furious; they 
 
 a|:c 
 
 I i 
 
 ! 
 
Sf/I'TLFMents in America. 173 
 
 ae dark, fullen, treacherous and unappca- 
 fible. 
 
 A people who live by hunting, wlio inha- 
 bit mean cottages, and arc given to change 
 the place of their habitation, arc fcldom very 
 religious. The Americans have fcarcc any 
 temples. We hear indeed of fomc, and thole 
 extremely magnificent, amongll the ancient 
 Mexicans and Peruvians; but the Mcxicars 
 and Peruvians were comparatively civilized 
 nations. Thofe we know at prefent in any 
 part of America are no way comparable to 
 them. Some appear to have very little idea 
 of God. Others entertain better notions; 
 they hold the exiitence of the Supreme Being, 
 eternal and incorruptible, who has power 
 over all. Satisfied with owning this, which 
 is traditionary amongft them, they give him 
 no fort of worfhip. There are indeed nations 
 in America, who feem to pay fome religious- 
 homage to the fun and moon ; and, as moft 
 of them have a notion of fome invifible be- 
 ings, who continually intermeddle in their af- 
 fairs, they difcourfe much of demons, nymphs, 
 fairies, or beings equivalent. They have ce- 
 remonies too, that feem to fliew they had 
 once a more regular form of religious wor- 
 ship; for they make a fort of oblation of thdr 
 firli: fruits; obferve certain ceremonies at the 
 full moon; and have in their feftivals many 
 things that very probably came from a religious 
 
 origin. 
 
 i 
 
 :' ■^> 
 
174 ^« Account ^V^^ European 
 
 origin, though they perform them as things 
 handed down to them from their anceftors, 
 without knowing or enquiring about the rea- 
 fon. Though without religion, they abound 
 in fuperftitionsj as it is common for thofe 
 to do, whofe f ibfiftence depends, like theirs, 
 upon fortune. Great observers of omens and 
 dreams, and pryers into uturity with great 
 cagernefs, they abound in diviners, augurs* 
 and magicians, whom they rely much upon 
 in all affau's that concern tliem, whether 
 of health, war, or hunting. Their phyfic, 
 which may rather be called magic, is en- 
 tirely in the hands of the prieiLs. The fick 
 are naturally prone to fuperftition, and hu- 
 man help in fuch cafes is generally found fo 
 v/eak, that it is no wonder that, in all coun- 
 tries and ages, people have amufed them- 
 fclves, in that difmal circumftance of human 
 nature, with the hope of fupernatural aflift- 
 ance. 
 
 Their phyficians generally treat them, in 
 whatever diforder, in the fame way. That is, 
 they firft enclofe them in a narrox/ cabbin, 
 in the midil: of v hich is a ftone red hot; on 
 this they throw water, until the patient is well 
 ibaked with the warm vapour and his own 
 fweatj then they hurry him from the bagnio, 
 and plunge him fuddenly into the next river. 
 This is repeated as often as they judge necef- 
 faryj and by this method extraordinary cures 
 
 are 
 
' 1 H 
 
 Settlements in America. 175 
 
 are ibmetlmes performed. But it frequently 
 happens too, that this rude method kills the 
 patient in the very operation, efpecially in the 
 new diforders brought to them from Europe; 
 and it is partly owing to this manner of pro*- 
 ceeding, that the fmall-pox has proved fo much 
 more fatal to them than to us. It muft not be 
 denied that they have the ufe of fome fpecifics 
 of wonderful efKcacyi thepowerof which they 
 however attribute to the magical ceremouies 
 with which they are conftantly adminiftered. 
 And it is remarkable, that purely by an ap- 
 plication of herbs they frequently cure wounds, 
 which with us refufe to yield to the moft judi- 
 cious methods. 
 
 CHAP. ir. 
 
 The government of the Atncncans . Their conn- 
 ctls. Their orators. Their feafts. Their 7nan- 
 ner ofadminijieringjtijiice. 
 
 LIBERTY, in its fuUeft extent, is the 
 darling pafTion of the Americans. To 
 this they facrifife every thing. This is what 
 makes a life of uncertainty and want fupport- 
 able to them ; and their educanon is directed 
 in fuch a manner as to cherifh this difpolition 
 to the utmoft. They are indulged in all man- 
 ner of liberty; they are never upon any ac- 
 count chaftifed v/ith blows ; they are rarely 
 
 evea 
 
 ;■)! 
 
 
176 -^« Account 0/*/-^^ European 
 
 even chidden. Reafon, they fay, will guide 
 their chilaren when they come to the ufe of 
 it ', and before that time their faults cannot be 
 very great : but blows might abate the free 
 and martial fpirit which makes the glory of 
 their people, and might render the fenfe of 
 honour duller, by the habit of a Havilh motive 
 to action. When they are grown up, they 
 experience nothinglike command, dependence, 
 or fubordination; even ftrong perfualion is in- 
 duftrioufly forborn by thofe who have influ- 
 ence amongft them, as what may look too 
 like command, and appear a fort of violence 
 offered to their will. / 
 
 On the lame principle, they know no pu- 
 nishment but death. They lay no lines, be- 
 caufe they have no way of exadling them 
 from free men; and the death, which they 
 fometimes inflid:, is rather a confequence of 
 a fort of war declared againft a public enemy, 
 than an adl of judicial power executed on a 
 citizen or fubje(5l. This free difpofition is 
 general; and, though fome tribes are found in 
 America with an head whom, we call a king, 
 his power is rather perfuafive than coercive, 
 and he is reverenced as a father, more :han 
 feared as a monarch. He has no guards, no 
 prifons, no officers of juftice. The other 
 forms, which may be confidered as a fort of 
 ariftocracy, have no more power. This 
 latter is the more common in North America. 
 
.Settlements /« America. 177 
 
 In fome tribes there are a kind of nobility, 
 who, when they come to years of difcretion, 
 are entitled to a place and vote in the councils 
 of their nation : the reft are excluded. But 
 amongft the Five nations, or Iroquois, the 
 moft celebrated commonwealth of North- 
 America, and in fome other nations, there is 
 no other qualification abfolutely neceffary for 
 their head men, but age, with experience and 
 ability in their affairs. However, there is 
 generally in every tribe fome particular ftocks 
 which they refpedt, and who are confidered 
 in I'ome fort as their chiefs, unlefs they fhew 
 themfelves unworthy of that rank ; as among 
 the tribes themfelves there are fome, who, on 
 account of their number or bravery, have a 
 pre-eminence over the reft ; which, as it is 
 not exa<5led with pride and infolence, nor 
 maintained by tyranny on one hand, fo it is 
 never diiputed on the other when it is due. ' 
 Their great council is compofed of thele 
 heads of tribes and families, with fuch whofe 
 capacity has elevated them to the fame degree 
 of confideration. They meet in a houfe, which 
 they have in each of their towns foi the pur- 
 pofe, upon every folenin occafion, to receive 
 ambaftadors, to deliver them an anfwer,«to 
 ling their traditionary war fongs, or to com- 
 memorate their dead. Thele councils are 
 public. Here they propofe all fuch matters 
 concerning the ftatc, as have already been 
 . Vol. I, N digefted 
 
 
 4 
 
 -ff 
 
'i ! 
 
 \.l 
 
 178 ^« Account ^/i5^ European 
 
 digefted in the fecret councils, at which none 
 but the head men aflift. Here it is that their 
 orators are employed, and difplay thofe ta- 
 lents which diftinguifli them for eloquence 
 and knowledge of public bufinefs ; in both of 
 which fome of them are admirable. None 
 elfe fpeak in their public councils ; thefe are 
 their ambafladors, and thefe are the commif- 
 lioners who are appointed to treat of peace or 
 alliance with other nations. The chief fkill 
 of thefe orators confifts in giving an artful 
 turn to affairs, and in expreffing their thoughts 
 in a bold iBgurative manner, much ftronger 
 than we could bear in this part of the world, 
 and with geftures equally violent, but often 
 extremely natural and expreflive. 
 
 When any bufinefs of confequence is tranf^ 
 adted, they appoint a feaft upon the occafion, 
 of which almoft the whole nation partakes. 
 There are lefler feafts upon matters of lefs 
 general concern, to which none are invited 
 but they who are engaged in that particular 
 bufinefs. At thefe fearts it is againft all rule 
 to leave any thing; fo that if they cannot 
 confume all, what remains is thrown into the 
 fir^j for they look upon fire as a thing facred, 
 and in all probability thefe feafts were an- 
 ciently facrifices. Before the entertainment 
 is ready, the principal peyfon begins a fong» 
 the fubjedt of which is the fabulous or real 
 hiftory of their nation, the remarkable events 
 
 - which 
 
Settlements in AivtERicAi 179 
 
 which have happened, and whatever matters 
 may make for their honour or inftrudlion. 
 The others fing in their turn. They havp 
 dances too, with which they accompany their 
 fongs, chiefly of a martial kind ; and no fo-^ 
 lemnity or public bufinefs is carried on with- 
 out fuch fongs and dances. Every thing is 
 tranfadted amongft them with much cere- 
 mony ', which in a barbarous people is necef- 
 faryj for nothing elfe could hinder all their 
 affairs from going to confufion j befides that 
 the ceremonies contribute to fix all tranfadti- 
 ons the better in their memory. 
 
 To help their memory, they have bits of 
 fmall Ihells or beads of different colours, 
 which have all a different meaning, according 
 to their colour or arrangement. At the end 
 of every matter they difcourfe upon, when 
 they treat with a foreign ftate, they deliver 
 one of thefe belts. If they fhould omit this 
 ceremony, what they fay paifes for nothing. 
 Thefe belts are carefully treafured up in each 
 town, and they ferve for the public records of 
 the nation ; and to thefe they occafionally have 
 recourfe, when any contells happen between, 
 them and their neighbours. Of late, as the 
 matter of which thefe belts is made is grown 
 fcarce, they often give fome fkin in the place 
 of the wampum, for fo they call thele beads 
 in their language, and receive in return pre- 
 fents of a more valuable nature j for neither 
 
 N 2 Will 
 
 1^ 
 
 M 
 
,i •'( 
 
 i8o An AccovuT of t^eEv ROT tAU 
 
 will they confider what our commiffioners fay 
 to be of any weight, unlefs fome prefent ac- 
 companies each propofal. 
 
 The fame council of their elders which 
 regulates whatever regards the external poli- 
 cy of the ftate, has the charge likewifc of its 
 internal peace and order. Their fuits are few 
 and quickly decided, having neither property 
 nor art enough to render them perplexed or 
 tedious. Criminal matters come before the 
 fame jurifdidion, when they are fo flagrant 
 as to become a national concern. In ordinary 
 cafesj the crime is either revenged or com- 
 promifed by the parties concerned. If a mur- 
 der is committed, the family which has loft 
 a relation prepares to retaliate on that of the 
 offender. They often kill the murderer, and 
 when this happens, the kindred of the laft 
 perfon flain look upon themfelves to be as 
 much injured, and think themfelves as much 
 juftified in taking vengeance, as if the violence 
 had not begun amongft themfelves. But, in 
 general, things are determined in a more ami- 
 cable manner. The offender abfents himfelf ; 
 his friends fend a compliment of condolancc 
 to thofe of the party murdered ; prefents are 
 offered, which are rarely refufed : the head of 
 the family appears, who in a formal fpeech 
 delivers the prefents, which confift often of 
 above lixty articles, every one of which is 
 given to cancel fome part of the offence and 
 
 to 
 
i 
 
 Settlements in America. i8i 
 
 to afluage the grief of the fuffering party. 
 With the firft he fays, ** By this I remove the 
 hatchet from the wound, and make it fall 
 out of the hands of him that is prepared to 
 revenge the injury :" with the fecond, " I dry 
 up the blood of that wound i" and fo on, in 
 apt figures, taking away one by one all the ill 
 confequences of the murder. As ufual, the 
 whole ends in mutual feafting, fongs, and 
 dances. If the murder is committed by one 
 of the fame family, or cabbin, that cabbin 
 has the full right of judgment, without ap- 
 peal, within itfelf, either to punifli the guilty 
 with death, or to pardon him, or to force 
 him to give fome recompence to the wife or 
 children of the llain. AH this while the fu- 
 preme authority of the nation looks on un- 
 concerned, and never roiifes its ftrength, nor 
 exerts the fulnefs of a power more revered 
 than felt, but upon fome fignal occafion. 
 Then the power feems equal to the occafion.- 
 Every one haftens to execute the orders of 
 their fenate ; nor ever was any inftance of dif- 
 loyalty or rebellion known amongft this peo- 
 ple. Governed as they are by manners, not 
 by laws 5 example, education, and the con- 
 ftant practice of their ceremonies, give them 
 the moft tender afFedlion for their country, 
 and infpire them with a moft religious regard 
 for their conftitution, and the cuftoms of 
 jheir anceftors. The want of laws, and of 
 
 N ^ m 
 
 I 
 
 ' I 
 
if 
 
 182 An Account of the European 
 
 an univerfal ftrong coercive power, is not per- 
 ceived in a narrovv^ fociety, where every man 
 has his eye upon his neighbour, and where 
 the whole bent of every thing they do is to 
 flrengthen thofe natural ties by which fociety 
 is principally cemented. Family love, rare 
 amongft us, is a national virtue amongft 
 them, of which all partake. Friendfliips 
 there are amongft them, fit to vie with thofe 
 of fabulous antiquity j and where fuch friend- 
 ihips are feen to grow, the families concerned 
 congratulate themfelves as upon an acquifition, 
 that promifes to them a mutual ftrength, and 
 to their nation the greateft honour and ad-' 
 vantage, 
 
 CHAP. Ill, 
 
 '^heir mournings for their dead. The feajl of 
 ■ fouls. The American women^ their occupa^ 
 tions. Their marriages and divorces, 
 
 TH E lofs of any one of their people, 
 whether by a natural death, or by war, 
 .is lamented by the whole town he belongs 
 to *'. In fuch circumftances no bufinefs is 
 taken in hand, however important, nor any 
 rejoicing permitted, however interefting the 
 
 • The towns are fmall, and, exccp»: the affairs of war or Hate, 
 they have no bufinefs to employ them, for thq greatell pare of 
 (hi' year, after the hunting (calon is over. 
 
 A «- occafionjj 
 
Settlements in America. 183 
 
 occaHon, until all the pious ceremonies due 
 to the dead are performed. Thefe are always 
 difcharged with the greateft folemnity. The 
 dead body is wafhed, anointed, and painted, 
 fo as in fome meafure to abate the horrors of 
 death. Then the w men lament the lofs 
 with the moll bitter cries, and the moft hide- 
 ous bowlings, intermixed with fongs, which 
 celebrate the great adions of the dcceafed, 
 and thofe of his anceftors. The men mourn 
 in a lefs extravagant manner. The whole 
 village attends the body to the grave, which 
 is interred, habited in their moft fumptuous 
 ornaments. With the body of the deceafed 
 are placed his bow and arrows, with what he 
 valued moft in his life, and proviiions for the 
 long journey he is to take : for they hold the 
 immortality of the foul univerfally, but their 
 idea is grofs. Feafting attends this, as it 
 does every folemnity. After the funeral, they 
 who are nearly allied to the deceafed con- 
 ceal themfeives in their huts for a conlider- 
 able time, to indulge their grief. The com- 
 pliments of condolance are never omitted, 
 nor are prefents wanting upon this occafion. 
 After fome time, they revilitthe grave; they 
 renew their forrow ; they new cloath the re- 
 mains of the body, and adt over again the 
 folemnities of the firft funeral. 
 
 Of all their inftances of regard to their dc- 
 ceafed friends, none is fo ftriking as what 
 
 N 4 they 
 
 ;' {A 
 
I! I? 
 
 I 1' 
 
 184 ^/i Account 0/*/^^ European 
 
 they call the feaft of the dead, or the feaft of 
 fouls. The day of this cerembny is appoint- 
 ed in the council of their chiefs, who give 
 orders for every thing which may enable 
 them to celebrate it with pomp and magni- 
 ficence. The riches of the nation are exhaufted 
 on this occafion, and all their ingenuity dif- 
 played. The neighbouring people are invited 
 to partake of the feaft, and to be witnefles of 
 the folemnity. At this time, all who have 
 died fince the laft folemn feaft of that kind 
 are taken out of their graves. Thofe who 
 have been interred at the greateft diftance 
 from the villages are diligently fought for, 
 and brought to this great rendezvous of car- 
 cafl'es. It is not difficult to conceive the hor- 
 ror of this general dif-interment. I cannot 
 paint it in a more lively manner than it is 
 done by Lafitau. • - 
 
 ** Without queftion, fays he, the opening 
 of thefe tombs difplay one of the moft ftrik - 
 ing fcenes that can be conceived ; this hum- 
 bling pourtrait of human mifery, in fo many 
 images of death, wherein ftie feems to take 
 a pleafure to paint herfelf in a thoufand va- 
 rious fliapes of horror, in the feveral carcaf- 
 fes, according to the degree in which corrup- 
 tion has prevailed over them, or the manner 
 in which it has attacked them. Some appear 
 dry and withered j others have a fort of parch- 
 ment uppn their bones -, fome look as if they 
 
 were 
 
 i 'I 
 
Settlements m America. 185 
 
 were baked and fmoaked, without any ap- 
 pearance of rottennefs; feme are juft turning 
 towards the point of putrefadtion j whilft 
 others are all fwarming with worms, and 
 drowned in corruption. I know not which 
 ought to ftrike us mod, the horror of fo 
 fhocking a fight, or the tender piety and af- 
 feclion of thefe poor people towards their de- 
 parted friends ; for nothing deferves our ad- 
 miration more, than that eager diligence and 
 attention with which they difcharge this me- 
 lancholy duty of their tendernefs ; gathering 
 up carefully even the fmalleft bones j hand- 
 ling the carcalTes, difguftful as they are, with 
 every thing loathfome ; cleanfing them from 
 the worms, and carrying them upon their 
 flioulder^ through tirefome journeys of feveral 
 days, without being difcouraged by their in- 
 fupportable ftench, and without fufteringany 
 other emotions to arife, than thofe of regret, 
 for having loft perfons who were fo dear to 
 them in their lives, and fo lamented in their 
 death." 
 
 This ftrange feftlval is the moft magnificent 
 and folemn which they have : not only on ac- 
 count of the great concourfe of natives and 
 flrangers, and of the pompous re- interment 
 they give to their dead, whom they drefs in 
 the fineft fkins they can get, after having ex- 
 pofcd them fome time in this pomp j but for 
 jhe games of all kinds whigh they (jelebratc 
 
 upon 
 
r I 
 
 i86 An Account of the European 
 
 upon the occafion, in the fpiritof thofc which 
 the ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated up* 
 on nmilar occafions. 
 
 In this manner do they endeavour to footh the 
 calamities of life, by the honours they pay their 
 dead; honours, which are the more chearfuUy 
 bellowed, becaufe in his turn each man experts 
 to receive them himfelf. Though amongft 
 thefe favagc nations this cuftom is imprefled 
 with ftrong marks of the ferocity of their na- 
 ture 5 an honour for the dead, a tender feeling 
 of their abfence, and a revival of their meniory, 
 are fome of the moft excellent inftruments for 
 fmoothing our rugged nature into humanity. 
 In civilizeu nations ceremonies are lefs prac- 
 tifed, becaufe other inftruments for the fame 
 purpofes are lefs wanted ; but it is certain a 
 regard for the dead is ancient and univerfal. 
 
 Though the women. in America have gene- 
 rally the laborious part of the ceconomy upon 
 themfelves, yet they are far from being the 
 /laves they appear, and are not at all fubjedt to 
 the great Subordination in which they are placed 
 in countries where they feem to be more re- 
 fpe£ted« On the contrary, all the honours of 
 the nation are on the fide of the woman. They 
 even hold their councils, and have their (hare 
 in all deliberations which concern the flate; 
 nor are they found inferior to the part they adt. 
 Polygamy is pradtifed by fome nations, but it 
 js not general. In mofl they content themfelves 
 
 with 
 
 y! 
 
Settlemfnts in America. 187 
 
 with one wife ; but a divorce is admitted, and 
 for the fame caufes that it was allowed amongd 
 the Jews, Greeks, and Romans. No nation 
 of the Americans is without a regular marriage, 
 in which there are many ceremonies; the prin- 
 cipal of which is, the bride's prefenting the 
 bridegroom with a plate of their corn. 
 
 Incontinent before v/edlock, after marriage 
 the chaftity of their women is remarkable. 
 The punifhment of the adulterefs, as well as 
 thatof the adulterer, is in the hands of the huf- 
 band himfelf ; and it is often fevere, as inHidled 
 by one who is at once the party and the judge. 
 Their marriages are not fruitfwl, feldom pro- 
 ducing above two or three children, but they 
 are brought forth with Icfs pain than our wo- 
 men fuffer upon fuch occafions, and with little 
 confequent wcaknefs. Probably, that fevere 
 life, which both fexcs lead, is not favourable to 
 procreation. And the habit unmarried women 
 have of procuring abortions, in which they 
 rarely fail, makes them the more uniit for bear- 
 ing children afterwards. This isone of the rea- 
 fons of the depopulation of America; for what- 
 ever lofles they fuffer, either by epidemical 
 difeafes or by war, are repaired flowly. 
 
 
 CHAP. 
 
io8 ^n Account of the European ■ 
 
 i.n.?. 
 
 ?!:/:»■•„ 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 V \ 
 
 The Indian manner of preparing for war. The 
 
 fongs and dances. Their taking the field. 
 
 Their method of difcovering and attacking the 
 
 enemy . Their cruel treatment of their prifon- 
 
 '■ ers of war, 
 
 ALMOST the fole occupation of the 
 American is war, or fuch an exe^cife 
 as qualifies him for it. His whole glory con- 
 iifts in this j and no man is at all confidered 
 until he has increafed the ftrength of his 
 country with a captive, or adorned his houfe 
 with a fcalp of one of its enemies. When 
 the .Ancients refolve upon war, they do not 
 always declare what nation it is they are de- 
 termined to attack j that the enemy, upon 
 whom they really intend to fall, may be off 
 his guard. Nay, they even fometiines let 
 years pafs over without committing any ad: 
 of hoftility, that the vigilance of all may be 
 unbent by the long continuance of the watch, 
 and the uncertainty of the danger. In the 
 mean time they are not idle at home. The 
 principal captain fummons the youth of the 
 town to which he belongs; the war kettle is 
 fet on the fire ; the war fongs and dances 
 commence j the hatchet is fent to all the vil- 
 lages of the li\me nation, and to all its allies ^ 
 'i K ' : • ' the 
 
Settlements w America* 189 
 
 the fire catches ; the war fongs are heard in 
 all parts ; and the moft hideous howlings co.i- 
 tinue without intermiflion day and night over 
 that whole tradt of country. The women add 
 their cries to thofe of the men, lamenting 
 thofe whom they have either loft in war or b/ 
 a natural death, and demanding their places 
 to be fupplied from their enemies ; ftimulat- 
 ing the young men by a fenfe of fliame, which 
 women know how to excite in the ftrongeft 
 manner, and can take the beft advantage of 
 when excited. 
 
 When by thefe, and every other means, 
 the fury of the nation is raifed to the greateft 
 height, and all long to embrew their hands 
 in blood, the war captain prepares the feaft, 
 which confifts of dogs flelh. All that par- 
 take of this feaft receive little billets, which 
 are fo many engagements which they take to 
 be faithful to each other, and obedient to 
 their commander. None are forced to the 
 war; but when they have accepted this billet, 
 they are looked upon as lifted, and it is then 
 death to recede. All the warriors in this af- 
 fcmbly have their faces blackened with char- 
 coal, intermixed with daflies and ftreaks of 
 vermilion, which give them a moft horrid 
 appearance. Their hair is drefted up in an 
 odd manner, with feathers of various kinds. 
 In this aftembly, which is preparatory to their 
 iriilitary expedition, the chief begins the war 
 
 fong; 
 
 ■M 
 
"I I: 1 
 
 190 An Account of the European 
 
 fong ; which having continued for fome tlmtf^ 
 he raifes his voice to the higheft pitch, and^ 
 turning off fuddenly to a fort of prayer^ 
 addreifes himfelf to the god of war, whom 
 they call Arefkoni : ** I invoke thee, fays 
 he, to be favourable to my enterprize ! I in- 
 voke thy care upon me and my family ! I in- 
 voke ye likewife, all ye fpirits and demons 
 good and evil ! All ye that are in the Ikies, 
 or on the earth, or under the earth, to pour 
 deftrudlion upon our enemies, and to return 
 me aiid my companions fafely to our country." 
 All the warriors join him in this prayer with 
 fhouts and acclamations. The captain renews 
 his fong, ftrikes his club againft the ftakes of 
 his cottage, an4 begins the war dance, accom- 
 panied with the (houts of all his companions, 
 which continue as long as he dances. 
 
 The day appointed for their departure be- 
 ing arrived, they take leave of their friends) 
 they change their cloaths, or whatever move- 
 ables they have, in token of mutual friend- 
 (hip; their wives and female relations go out 
 before them, and attend at fome diftance from 
 the town. The warriors march out all dreft 
 in their iineft apparel and mofl fhowy orna- 
 ments, regularly one after another, for they 
 never march in rank. The chief walks flowly 
 before them, finging the death fongi 
 
 on 
 
 whilft the rell obfcrve the moil profound fi- 
 lence. Whv^n they come up to their women, 
 
 they 
 
 !: i 
 
Settlements in America. 191 
 
 they deliver up to them all their finery, put on 
 their worft cloaths, and then proceed as their 
 commander thinks fit. 
 
 Their motives for engaging in a war are 
 rarely thofe views which excite us to it. They 
 have no other end but the glory of the vidory, 
 or the benefit of the Haves which it enables 
 them to add to their nation, or facrifife to 
 their brutal fury; and* it is rare that they take 
 any pains to give their wars even a colour of 
 juftice. It is no way uncommon among them 
 for the young men to make feafts of dogs 
 flefli, and dances, in fmall parties, in the 
 midft of the moil profound peace. They fall 
 fometimes on one nation, and fometimes on 
 another, and furprize fome of their hunters, 
 whom they fcalp and bring hgme as prifoners- 
 Their fenators wink at this, or rather encou- 
 rage it, as it tends to keep up the martial fpi- 
 rit of their people, inures them to watchfulnefs 
 and hardfliip, and gives them an early tafte for 
 blood. 
 
 The qualities in an Indian war ore vigi- 
 lance and attention, to give and to avoid a 
 furprize; and patience and ftrength, to en- 
 dure the intolerable fatigues and hardships 
 which always attend it. The nations of Ame- 
 rica are at an immenfe diftance from each 
 other, with a vaft defart frontier, and hid in 
 the bofom of hideous, and almoft boundlefs 
 iforefts. Thefe murt be traverfed before they 
 
 meet 
 
 ■JM 
 
I! 
 
 192 ^/2 Account g/"^^^ European 
 
 meef an enemy, who is often at fuch a dif-* 
 tance as might be fuppofed to prevent either 
 quarrel or danger. But, notwithftanding the 
 fecrccy of the deftination of the party that 
 firft moves, the enemy has frequent notice of 
 it, is prepared for the attack, and ready to 
 take advantage in the fame manner of the 
 leaft want of vigilance in the aggreflbrs. Their 
 whole art of war conlift^s in this : they hever 
 fight in the open field, but upon fome very 
 extraordinary occafions; not from cowardice, 
 for they are brave ; but they defpife this me- 
 thod, as unworthy an able warrior, and as an 
 aftair in which fortune governs more than 
 prudence. The principal things which help 
 them to find out their enemies, are the fmoak 
 of their fires, which they fmell at a diftance 
 almoft incredible; and their tracks* in the 
 difcovery and diftinguifliing of which, they 
 are poflefledof g fagacity equally aftonifbingj 
 for they will tell in the footfteps, which to us 
 would feem moll: confufed, the nnmber of 
 men that have palled, and the length of time 
 lince they have palled; they even go fo far 
 as to diftinguifli the feveral nations by the dif- 
 ferent marks of their feet, and to perceive 
 footfteps, where we could diftinguilli nothing 
 lefs. A mind diligently intent upon one thing, 
 and exercifed by long experience, will go 
 lengths at firft view fcarcely credible. 
 
 But 
 
 I \'< 
 
Settlements in America. 193 
 
 But as they who are attacked have the fame 
 knowledge, and know how to draw the fame 
 advantages from it, their great addrefs is to 
 baffle each other in thefe points. On the ex- 
 pedition they h'ght no fire to warm themfeh'es, 
 or prepare their vidtual, but i'ubfif]; merely 011 
 the miferable pittnceof fome of their meal 
 mixed with watery they lie clofe to the ground 
 all day, and march only in night. As they 
 march in their ufual order in files, he that 
 clofes the rear diligently covers his own tracks, 
 and thofe of all who preceded him, with 
 leaves. If any flream occurs in their route, 
 they march in it for a confiderable way to foil 
 their purfuers. When they halt to rell and 
 refrefh themfelves, fcouts are fent out on every 
 fide to reconnoitre the country, and beat up 
 every place where they fufpedt an enemy may 
 lie perdue. In this manner they often enter 
 a village, whilft the flrength of the nation is 
 employed in hunting, and mafl'acre all the 
 helplels old men, women, and children, or 
 make prilbners as many as they can manage, 
 or have flrength enough to be ufeful to their 
 nation. 
 
 They often cut off fmall parties of men \x\ 
 their huntings; but when they difcover an ar- 
 my of their enemies, their way is to throw 
 themfelves flat on their faces amongft the with- 
 ered leaves, the colour of which their bodies 
 are painted to refemble exactly. They gene- 
 
 \oL, I. p rally 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 i Hi 
 
 m 
 
 ■HlfllK! 
 
 Ifflffli 
 
 ^^n 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 m 
 
 
 lln 
 
 i| 
 
 1 
 
 d! 
 
 9 
 
p= 
 
 !- 
 
 ^k.' 
 
 Ik 
 
 lirl 
 
 
 194 ^n Account of the European 
 
 rally let a pnrt pafs unmolefted \ and then, rifing 
 a little:, they take aim, for they are excellent 
 marklrncn, and fetting up a moft tremendous 
 il)oar, which they call the v/ar-cr,', they pour 
 a ftorm of rnufquet-bullcts upon the enemy i 
 for they hnve long fince laid afide the ufe of 
 i^rrows : the party attacked returns the fame cry. 
 Fvery man in halle covers himfelf with a tree, 
 and returns the fire of the adverfe party, as 
 foon as they raife themfelves from the ground 
 to give the fecond fire. 
 
 After fighting fometime in this manner, the 
 party which thinks it has the advantage ruHies 
 out of its cover, with fmall axes in their hands, 
 which they dart with great addrefs and dexte- 
 rity ; they redouble their cries, intimidating 
 their enemies with menaces, and encouraging 
 each other with a boaftful difplay of their own 
 brave adions. Thus being come hand to hand, 
 the contelt is foon decided ; and the conquer- 
 ors fitiate their favage fury with the moft 
 Ihocking infults and barbarities to the dead, 
 biting their lielh, tearing the fcalp from their 
 heads, and wallowing in their blood like wild 
 hearts. 
 
 The fate of their prifoners is the moft fe- 
 vere of all. During the greateft part of their 
 journey homewards they fuffer no injury. 
 But when they arrive at the territories of the 
 conquering ftate, or at thofe of their allies, 
 the people from every village meet them, and 
 
 think 
 
 fill 
 
1)^ 
 
 Settlements in America. 19- 
 
 thlnk they (hew their attachment to their 
 friends by their barbarous treatment of the 
 unhappy prifoners j fo that, when they come 
 to their ftation, they are wounded and bruifed 
 in a terrible manner. The conquerors enter 
 the town in triumph. The war captain waits 
 upon the head men, and in a low voice gives 
 them a circumftantial account of every parti- 
 cular of the expedition, of the damage the 
 enemy has fuffered, and his own lofles in it. 
 This done, the public orator relates the whole 
 to the people. Before they yield to the joy 
 which the vi(5tory occalions, they lament the 
 friends which they have loft in the purfuit of it. 
 The parties moft nearly concerned are afflicted 
 apparently with a deep and real forrow. But, 
 by one of thofe ftrange turns of the human 
 mind, fafliioned to any thing by cuftom, as 
 if they were difciplined in their grief, upon 
 the lignal for rejoicing, in a moment all 
 tears are wiped from their eyes, and they ruQi 
 intoan extravagance andphrenzy of joy for their 
 vidory. 
 
 In the mean time the fate of the prifoners 
 remains undecided, until the old men meet, 
 and determine concerning the diftribution. It 
 is ufual to offer a flave to each houfe that has 
 loft a friend ; giving the preference according 
 to the greatnels of the lofs. The perfon who 
 has taken the captive attends him to the door 
 of the cottage to which he is delivered, and 
 
 . O « with 
 
 m 
 
 ■i? 
 
 » ^1 
 
J • 
 
 [ r » 
 i. 
 
 II! 
 
 I' ''■ I 
 
 'i . 
 
 196 An AccouKT of the European 
 
 with him gives a belt of wampum, to ihew 
 that he has fulfilled the purpofe of the expe- 
 dition, in fupplying the lols of a citizen. They 
 view the prefent which is made them for 
 fome time; and, according as they think him 
 or her, for it is the fame, proprior improper 
 for the bufmefs of the family, or as they take 
 a capricious liking or difplealare to the coun- 
 tenance of the vidiim, or in proportion to 
 their natural barbarity or their refentment for 
 their lofTes, they deftine concerning him, to 
 receive him into the family, or fentence him 
 to death. If the latter, they throw away the 
 belt with indignation. Then it is no longer 
 in the power of any one to fave him. The 
 nation is alfembled as upon fome great folem- 
 nity. A fcaffold is raifed, and the prifoner 
 tied to the ftake. Inftantly he opens his death 
 fong, and prepares for the enfuing fcene of 
 cruelty with the moft undaunted courage. On 
 the other fide, they prepare to put it to the 
 utmofl proof, with every torment, which the 
 mind of man ingenious in mifchief can in- 
 vent. They begin at the extremities of his 
 body, and gradually approach the trunk. One 
 plucks out his nails by the roots, one by one; 
 another takes a finger into his mouth, and 
 tears off the fiefli with his teeth; a third 
 thrufts the finger, mangled as it is, into the 
 bole of a pipe made red hot, which he 
 fmoaks like tobacco. Then they pound his 
 . . ■ ; toes 
 
i 
 
 Settlements w America. 197 
 
 toes and fingers to pieces between two ftones ; 
 they cut circles about his joints, luid g:i(bes in 
 the flefhy parts of his limbs, wiiich they irar 
 immediately with red-hot irons, cutting and 
 fearing alternately; tliey pul^ oft' thi-; ^e(h 
 thus mangled and rcafled, bit by bit, devour- 
 ing it with greedineis, and Ime.iring their 
 faces with the blood, in an cnthufiafm of hor- 
 ror and fury. When they have thus torn oA' 
 the flefli, they twifl the bare nerves and ten- 
 dons about an iron, tearing and fnapping them; 
 whilft others arc employed in pulling and ex- 
 tending the lirnbs themfelves, in every way 
 that can increafe the torment. This continues 
 often five or fix hours together. Then they 
 frequently unbind him, to give a breathing to 
 their fury, to think what new torments they 
 fhall inflidl, and to refredi the llrength of the 
 fufferer, who, wearied out with fuch a variety 
 of unheard-of torments, often falls immedi- 
 ately into fo profound a fieep, that they are ob- 
 liged to apply the fire to awaken him, and 
 renew his fufferings. 
 
 He is again faftened to the flake, and again 
 they renew their cruelty ; they fUck him all 
 over with fmall matches of wood that ealWy 
 takes fire, but burns (lowly j they continu- 
 ally run iharp reeds into every part of his 
 body; they drag out his teeth with pincers, 
 and thruft out his eyes ; andlaftly, aftter hav- 
 ing burned his flclli from the bones with flow 
 
 O 1 fires J 
 
 il 
 
 • ',<,: 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
:' I 
 
 198 An Account of the Euroi'ean 
 
 iires ; after having fo mangled the body that 
 it is all but one wound j after having mutilated 
 his face in fuch a manner as to carry nothing 
 human in it ; after having peeled the fkin 
 from the he id, and poured a heap of red-hot 
 coals or boiling w^ater on the naked fkull ; 
 they once more unbind the wretch, who, 
 blind and ftaggering with pain and weaknefs, 
 alTaulted and pelted upon every fide with 
 clubs and ftones, now up, now down, fall- 
 ing into their fires at every flep, runs hither 
 aiKl thither, until one of the chiefs, whe- 
 ther out of compalTion or weary of cruelty, 
 puts an end to his life with a club or a dagger, 
 '^he body is then put into the kettle, and this 
 barbarous employment is fucceeded by a feaft 
 as barbarous. 
 
 The women, forgetting the human as well 
 as the female nature, and transformed into 
 fomething worfe than furiesi ad: their parts, 
 and even outdo the men, in this fcene of hor- 
 ror. The principal perfons of the country 
 iit round the (lake fmoaking and looking on 
 without the leaft emotion- What is molt ex- 
 traordinary, the fufferer himfelf, in the little 
 intervals of his torments, fmoaks too, appears 
 unconcerned, and converfes with his tortur- 
 ers about indifferent matters. Indeed, during 
 the whole time of his execution, there feems 
 a contefl between him and them which fhall 
 exceed, they in infliding the moll horrid 
 v 2 pains. 
 
Settlements in America. 1^9 
 
 pains, or he in enduring thcni with a firm- 
 nefs and conftancy almoil above huivan. Not 
 a groan, not a figh, not a diilortion of coun- 
 tenance, elcapes liim ; he poilcircs his mind 
 entirely in the midft of his torments; he re- 
 counts his own exploits, he informs them 
 what cruehics he has inHicled upon their 
 countrymen, and threatei.s them with the 
 revenge that will attend his death ; and, iho' 
 his reproaches exafpcrate them to a perfe<!:t 
 niadnefs of rage and fury, he continues his 
 reproaches even of their ignorance in the art of 
 tormenting, pointing out himfelf more ex- 
 quifite methods, and more fenfible parts of 
 the body to be afflicted. The women have 
 this part of courage as well as the men ; and it 
 is as rare for any Indian to behave otherwife, 
 as it would be lor an European to fufter as an 
 Indian. 
 
 I do not dwell upon thefe circumftances of 
 cruelty, which fo degrade human nature, out 
 of choice; but, as all who mention thecu- 
 ftoms of this people have infilled upon their 
 behaviour in this refpeft very particularly, 
 and as it feems neceifary to give a true idea 
 of their charadler, I did not chufe to omit 
 it. It ferves to lliew too, in the ftrongeil 
 light, to what an inconceivable degree of 
 barbarity the paffions of men let loofe will 
 carry them. It will point out to us the ad- 
 vantages of a religion that teaches a compaf- 
 
 O 4 fion 
 
 I 
 
 
 Ij 
 
I'l 
 
 200 yf/; Account o/"//6? European 
 
 lion to our enemies, which is neither known 
 nor pnidlilcd in other rchgions j and it will 
 make us morefenfible, than fonic appear to be, 
 of the value of commerce, the art of a civil- 
 ized life, and the lights of literature ; which, 
 if they have abated the force of fomc of the 
 natural virtues by the luxury which attends 
 them, have taken out likcwife the iHtig of 
 our natural vices, and foftencd tlic ferocity 
 of the human race without enervating their 
 courage. 
 
 On the other hand, the conilancy of the 
 fuft'ercrs in this terrible fcene (hews the won- 
 derful power of an early iniUtution, and a fe- 
 rocious thirll: of glory, which makes men imi- 
 tate and exceed what philofophy, or even reli- 
 gion, can effe(fl. 
 
 The prifoners who have the happinefs to 
 pleafe thofe to whom they aro offered have a 
 fortune altogether oppofite t^. ihat of thofe 
 who are condemned. They are adopted into 
 the family, they are accepted in the place 
 of the father, fon, or hulband, that is loft ; 
 and they have no other mark of their capti- 
 vity, but that they are not fuffered to return 
 to their own nation. To attempt this would 
 be certain death. The principal purpofe of 
 the war is to recruit in this manner; for 
 which reafon a general who lofes many of 
 his men, though he fhould conquer, is little 
 |)ctter than difgraced at home ; becaufe the 
 ha ■ ■• ' .;/ •/ end 
 
Setti.f.mf.nts /// America. 201 
 
 end of the war was not anfwercd. They 
 arc therefore extremely careful of their men, 
 and never chufe to attack hut with a very 
 undouhted fupcriority, either iji number or 
 fituation. 
 
 The fcalps which ihey value fo much are 
 the trophies of their bravery j with thefe 
 they adorn their houfci;, which areefteemed 
 in proportion as this fort of fpoils is more nu- 
 merous. They have folemn days appointed, 
 upon which the young men gain a new name 
 or title of honour from their head men ; and 
 thefe titles are given according to the quali- 
 ties of the pcrfon, and his performances; of 
 which thefe fcalps are the evidence. This is 
 all the reward they receive for the dangers of 
 the war, and the fatigues of many campaigns, 
 fevere almoft beyond credit. They think 
 it abundantly fufhcient to have a name given 
 by their governors; men of meoit themfelves, 
 and judge"^. of it; a name refpefted by their 
 countrymen, and terrible to their enemies. 
 There are many other things fit to engage the 
 curiofity, and even afford matter of inlh'udtive 
 reflexion, in the manners of this barbarous 
 people; but thefe fcem to be the moil ftrik- 
 ing, and fitted to be infifted on in a woric 
 which is to give a general idea of America. 
 The prefent fettlements, their commerce and 
 productions, ought to be allowed their proper 
 room. In which I propofe to treat, firft of 
 *' " - I • the 
 
 111- 
 
 '"•mi 
 
 
 
 Mm 
 
 
 iH 
 
 
 iffl 
 
 
 wHk 
 
 < 't 
 
 H 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 H 
 
 fj 
 
 1 
 
 J 
 
 ■ 1 
 
 H 
 
 i 
 i 
 
 n 
 
2o3 An Account of the European 
 
 the Spanifti colonies, as the firft difcovered and 
 largeft objedt, and that in which the reft of 
 Europe, though excluded, is the moft con* 
 cerncd. The Portuguefe, as neareft in place 
 and rank, {hall be fecond. The French (hall 
 next be conlidered. The Englifh fliall be re- 
 ferved to the laft, as the moft important to 
 ©urfelves. 
 
 End of the Second Part. 
 
 PART 
 
Settlements /;/ America, 203 
 
 ^^"^^/^^,j^*'Sl,:?v!'3e^-p'*^^"^3e^»^ 
 
 PART III. 
 
 SPANISH AMERICA, 
 
 VV;«ViS.W«Wt«t".«t 1 itVit a-Vrat , ?ataW awt'VVWW.V at-a">VI«««'ST.'a".T(i«.'atJ»««t;«t;aK«Wi!W 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 yf genera/ defcriptio7i of America. 
 
 HAVING defcribed, with as much con- 
 cifenefs as the fubjedt would bear, the 
 manners of the original inhabitants of Ame- 
 rica, as we had before that related the moft 
 remarkable adventures of its difcoverers and 
 conquerors j it will be neceffary to view 
 more minutely, what and how advantageous a 
 country thefe conquefts and difcoveries have 
 added to the world j and what are the views, 
 intercfts, and characters of thofe, who at 
 prefent pofTefs the greateft part of that exten- 
 sive region. 
 
 America extends from the North pole to 
 
 the iifty-feventh degree of South latitude i it 
 
 . ...,.., . . - is 
 
 (hi 
 ill 
 
 it'll 
 
 II 
 
 i 
 
 »| 
 
 .1 
 
 'Em 
 
 1 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 i9K 
 
 
 Ini' 
 
 \ 
 
 I^Bb 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 ■1 
 
 11^1 
 
 
 ij 
 
■ ( 
 
 11 
 
 I'H 
 
 204 -^/2 Account (9/'/^t? European 
 
 is upwards of eight thoufand miles in length; 
 it fees both hemifpheres j it has two fummers 
 and a double winter ; it enjoys all the variety 
 of climates which the earth afibrds ; it is 
 wafhed by the two greal oceans. To the 
 Eaflv/ard it has the Atlantic ocean, which 
 divides it from Europe and Africa. To the 
 V/eft it has another ocean, the great South- 
 Sea, by which it is disjoined from Afia. By 
 thefe feas it may, and does, carry on a dired: 
 commerce with the other three parts of the 
 world. It is compofed of two vaft continents, 
 one on the North, the other upon the South, 
 which are joined by the great kingdom of 
 Mexico, which forms a fort of ifthmus fif- 
 teen hundred miles long, and in one part, at 
 Darien, fo extremely narrow, as to make the 
 communication between the two oceans by no 
 means difficult. In the great gulph, which is 
 formed between this ifthmus and the North- 
 ern and Southern continents, lie an infinite 
 multitude of iflands, many of them large, 
 moft of them fertile, and capable of being 
 cultivated to very great advantage. 
 ' America in general is not a mountainous 
 country, yet it has the greateft mountains in 
 the world. The Andes, or Cordilleras, run 
 from North to South along the coaft of the 
 Pacific ocean. Though for the moft part 
 within the torrid zone, they are perpetually 
 covered with fnow, and in their bowels con- 
 tain 
 
Settlements in America. 205 
 
 tain inexhauftible treafures. In the province 
 of St. Martha in South America are likewile 
 very greai mountains, which communicate 
 with the former. In North America we 
 know of none confiderable, but that long 
 ridge which lies to the back of our fettle- 
 ments, which we call the Apalachian, or Al- 
 legeney, mountains; if that may be at all con- 
 Udered as a mountain, which upon one fide 
 indeed has a very great declivity, but upon 
 the other is nearly on a level with the reli of 
 the country. 
 
 Without comparlfon, America is that part 
 of the world which is the bell; watered; and 
 that not only for the fupport of life, but for 
 the convenience of trade, and the intercourfc 
 of each part with the others. In North 
 America the great river MilTiIippi, riling from 
 iinknown fources, runs an immenfe couric 
 from North to South, and receives the vaft 
 tribute of the Ohio, the Ouabache, and other 
 immenfe rivers, fcarcely to be poilponed to 
 the Rhine or the Danube, navioraule almofl: 
 to their very fources, and laying open the in- 
 moft recefles of this continent. Near the 
 b«":^.ds of thele are five great lakes, or ratncr 
 feas of frefh water, communicating with each 
 other, and all with the main ocean, by 
 the river St. Laurence, which palTes through 
 them. Thefc afford fuch an inlet for com- 
 merce as mujft produce the greateft advan- 
 . •. - tages. 
 
 
 ■ jj^lll 
 
 
 « 
 
 ' 1 
 
 i 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 H 
 
'II 
 
 :( 
 
 I 
 
 ■1 
 
 206 -^« Account f?/"^^^ European 
 
 tages, whenever the country adjacent (hall 
 come to be fully inhabited, and by an in- 
 duftrious and civilized people. The Eaftern 
 lide of North America, which is our portion, 
 befides the noble rivers Hudfon, Delaware, 
 Sufquehanna, Patowmack, fupplies feveral 
 others of great depth, length, and commo- 
 dious navigation. Many parts of our fettle- 
 ments are fo interfeded v/ith navigable rivers 
 and creeks,, that the planters may be faid, 
 without exaggeration, to have each a harbour 
 at his own door. 
 
 South America is, if poflible, in this re- 
 fpedt, even more fortunate. It fupplies much 
 the two largelt rivers in the world, the river 
 of Amazons, and the Rio de la Plata. The 
 firft, rifing in Peru, not far from the South- 
 Sea, palfes from Weft to Eaft, almoft quite 
 through the continent of South America, na- 
 vigable for fome fort or other of veflels all the 
 way, and receiving into its bofom a prodigi- 
 ous number of rivers, all navigable in the 
 fame manner, and fo great, that Monfieur 
 Condamine found it often almoft impoffible 
 to determine which was the main channel. 
 The Rio de la Plata, riling in the heart of the 
 country, (hapes its courfe to the South-Eaft, 
 and pours fuch an immenfe flood into the 
 fea, that it makes it tafte frefti a great many 
 leagues from the fliore j to fay nothing of the 
 Oronoquo, which might rank the foremoll 
 
 amongft 
 
Settlements /« America. 207 
 
 amongft any but the American rivers. The 
 foil and products, in fuch a variety of climates, 
 cannot fatisfadorily be treated of in a general 
 defcription j we {hall, in their places, confider 
 them particularly. 
 
 All America is in the hands of four na- 
 tions. The Spaniards, who, as they firft diC" 
 covered it, have the largeft and richeft (hare. 
 All that part of North America, which com- 
 pofes the ifthmus of Mexico, and what lies 
 beyond that towards the river Miffifippi on 
 the Eaft, the Pacific ocean to the Weft and 
 North-weft ; and they poflefs all South Ame- 
 rica, excepting Bra^l, which lies between 
 the mouth of the river of Amazons and that 
 of Plata along the Atlantic ocean ; this be- 
 longs to Portugal, That part of North Ame- 
 rica which the Spaniards have not, is divided 
 between the Enelifti and French. The En- 
 glifh have all the countries which incirclc 
 Hudfon's Bay, and thence in a line all along 
 the Eaftern fhore to the thirtieth degree of 
 North latitude. Fiance claims the country 
 which lies between this and the Spanifh fet- 
 tlements to the Weft, and fecures an inter- 
 courfe with them by the mouths of the Mif- 
 fifippi, the Mobile, and of the river St. Lau- 
 rence, which are the only avenues of navi- 
 gation to this very extenfive country. The 
 multitude of Iflands, which lie between the 
 two continents, are divided amongft the Spa- 
 niards, 
 
 /ite). 
 
 
 1 
 
 H 
 
 i 
 
 'Ps'li 
 
 1 
 
 ill 
 
 1 
 
 mi 
 
 : 1 
 
 m 
 
 fn 
 
 Wm 
 
 ' m 
 
 VEf 
 
 
 1 
 
 III 
 
2o8 An Account of the European 
 
 niards, French, and Englifli. The Dutch 
 poflefs three or four fmall iilands, which, in 
 any other hands, would be of no confequence. 
 The Danes have one or two j but they hardly 
 dcferve to be named amongft the proprietors 
 of America. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 ^he climate and foil of New Spain, Animals, 
 Its vegetable produce. 
 
 TH E order which I intend to obferve 
 in treating of the Spaniih colonies is, 
 after having fet forth their fituation, their cli- 
 mate, and the nature of the foil, to defcribe 
 thofe commodities in which they trade ; to 
 give a clear and concife account of their me- 
 thod of manufacturing them ; and then to 
 lay open the maaner of their dealing in them, 
 as well as that by which they carry on their 
 foreign commerce. Lafl of all, 1 ihall fay 
 fomething of the genius and temper of the 
 inhabitants j of fuch cuftoms of theirs as are 
 remarkable, and of their civil policy, and of 
 their military, fo far as they are come to my 
 knowledge, or as they are worthy the atten- 
 tion of the reader. The exadt divifion of the 
 provinces, the courfes of the rivers, the di- 
 ftances of places, the dimenfions of harbours 
 and their foundings ; all thefe, as they are in- 
 finitely 
 
Settlemknts in America, 
 
 20< 
 
 finitely better known from maps and clinrts, 
 fo it\^'ould be impertinent and tedious to fill up 
 this fliort work with them, which propoles to 
 give, even ihortas it is, a dcfcription of every- 
 thing that may tend to a juft notion of Ame- 
 rica; and therefore cannot facrififc matters of 
 more moment to the defcription of things, of 
 whicli a far better idea may be acquired by 
 other means to thofe wliom they concern ; and 
 to tlicfe whom they do not interefl, who 
 are far the majority, muft be tedious and un- 
 infcructive. 
 
 '^Ihe firlt country wliich the Spaniards fet- 
 tled upon the continent of America was Mex- 
 ico; and it lliil continues tl\eir principal fet- 
 tlcment, whctlier we confider its ni'.mber of 
 inhabitants, its natural we.^'ltii, or its extended 
 traffic. As it lies for tlie moil pare within the 
 torrid zone, it is exccfliv. ly hot ; and on the 
 Eafcern coall, where the land is low, marfliy, 
 and confiantly flooded in the rainy feafons, it 
 is liivcwife extremely unwholefome; neither 
 is that coaft pleafint in any reipctit; incum- 
 bered for the miOU p:.rt with ah-noil; impene- 
 trable woods of Uiangrcve trees, of a bare 
 and difagrceable afpecc, and v/hicli extend 
 into the water for a coniiderable way. The 
 inland country aifumes a n">ore agreeable af- 
 peft, and the air is of a better temperamerit ; 
 here the tropical fruits grow in great abund- 
 ance; the land is of a good variety, and would 
 
 Vol. I, /" P not 
 
 \ i 
 
 
III 
 
 210 An Account of the European 
 
 not rcfufe any fort of grain, if the number err 
 induftry of the inhabitants were any way pro- 
 portioned to the goodnefs of the foil. But on 
 the Weftern fide the land is not fo low as on 
 the Eaftern, much better in quality, and full 
 of plantations. 
 
 It is probable the Spaniards chufe to leave 
 the Ealtern coaft in its prefent ftate of rude- 
 nefs and defolation, judging that a rugged and 
 unwholcfome frontier is a better defence againll 
 an European enemy, than fortifications and 
 armies, to be maintained at a vaft expence; 
 or than the ftrength of the inhabitants, made 
 by the climate effeminate and pufillanimous, 
 and kept (o by policy : and indeed it would be 
 next to impoltible to make any confiderable 
 eftablifhmcnt on that coaft, that could effec- 
 tually anfwer the purpofes of any power in 
 Europe, without ftruggling with the greateft 
 difficulties ; and as for a fudden invafion, the 
 nature of the country itfelf is a good fortifi- 
 cation. In general, few countries, under the 
 fame afped o^ *^ heavens, enjoy more of the 
 benefits of nature and the neccffaries of life; 
 but, like all the tropical countries, it rather is 
 more abundant in fruits than- in grain. Pine 
 apples, pomegranates, oranges, lemons, cit- 
 rons, figs, and cocoa l' ts, are here in the 
 greateft plenty and perfection. Vines and ap- 
 ples require temperate climates. 
 
 The 
 
Settlements //i America. 2it 
 
 ^he number of their horned cattle is in a 
 manner infinite ; fome private perfons are faid 
 to have poilefled forty thoufand herd ; many 
 are wild, and a very confiderable trade is dri- 
 ven in their hides and tallow, but the extreme 
 heat prevents their turning the i\''^' to any ac- 
 count in commerce. Swine equally nu- 
 merous, and their lard is much in requeft all 
 over this country, where it is ufed inftead of 
 butter. Sheep are numerou'^ in Mexico, but 
 I do not find that wool is an article of any 
 great confideration in their trade j nor is it 
 probable that it is of a good kind, as it is fcarce 
 ever found ufeful between the tropics, where 
 it is hairy and lliort, except only in Peru; and 
 that is the produce of fheep of a fpecics very 
 different from that in the reft of America; as 
 Peru is itfelf remarkably different in climate 
 from all other countries under the torrid zone. 
 But cotton is here very good, and in great 
 plenty. It is manufadured largely, for, as it is 
 very light and fuitable to the climate, and all 
 other cloathing being extravagantly dear, it is 
 the general wear of the inhabitants; the wool- 
 lens and linens of Europe being rather luxu- 
 ries, and worn only by perfons of fome con- 
 dition. Some provinces produce filk, but not 
 in that abundance or perfectiou to make a re- 
 markable part of their export ; pot but that 
 the country is very fit for that, and many other 
 things valuable, which are but little cultivat- 
 
 P 2 edj 
 
 '1 
 Ml 
 
 VM 
 
 II 
 
212 yf« Account o/*/^^ European 
 cd; for the gold and filver, which make the 
 glory of this country, and in the abundant 
 treal'ures of which it exceeds all the world, 
 cngnge almoft the whole attention of the in- 
 habitants, as theyarealmoft the only things for 
 which the Spaniards value their colonies, and 
 what alone receive the encouragement of the 
 court i therefore I lliall infill moft largely upon 
 thefc articles. After that, I fhall fpeak of thofe 
 commodities, which are produced here of 
 moft importance in foreign commerce, and rell 
 upon them in proportion to their importance. 
 Thefe are cochineal, indigo, and cacao, of 
 which chocolate is made. As for fugar, and 
 tobacco, and indigo, though no part of the 
 world produces better than Mexico; and as for 
 logwood, though it be in a manner peculiar 
 to this country ; yet, as the firft is largely raifed 
 and manufadUired ellewhere, and as our own 
 commerce in the two lafl is what chiefly in- 
 terefts an Engliih. reader, I fhall rcferve them 
 to be treated of in the divifion I allot to the 
 Englilh colonies. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Settlements in America. 213 
 
 " C II A P. III. 
 
 The gold and fiher mines. The manner of purl- 
 Jying tboje metals. Some tbougbis on the ge- 
 neration of metals. Of the quantity of thoje 
 metals produced in tbe Spanijl^ JJ^'eJl-Indies. 
 
 IT is not known with certainty, whether all 
 or feme provinces only ot New Spain 
 produce mines of gold and lilver. It is, how- 
 ever, allowed that the cliief mines of gold are 
 in Veraguaand Nev/ Granada, confining upon 
 Darien and Terra Firma. Thofe of filver, 
 which arc much more rich as well as numer- 
 ous, are found in fevcral parts, but in none fo 
 much as in the province of iMcxico. But all 
 the mines, whether of gold or filver, are ge- 
 nerally found in the mount.iinous and barren 
 parts; nature often making amends one way 
 ior her failures in another. 
 
 Gold is found either in the fand of rivers, 
 native, and in Imall grains, or it is dug out of 
 the earth in the fame condition in fmall bits, 
 almod wholly metallic, and of a tolerable pu- 
 rity ; or it isfound, like the oie of otherinetals, 
 in an aggregate o|.)aque mafs, in a mixture of 
 earth, llone, ful|:hur, and other metals. In 
 this ftate it is of all colours, red, white, black- 
 i(h, and making little or no oilentation of the 
 riches it contains. Sometimes it forms part 
 
 ' P 3 @l^ 
 
 t'JCl 
 
 ' I 'ii 
 
IC I 
 
 214 An Account o/'/^t' Europe am 
 
 of the ornament of fomc beautiful ftones, 
 which arc of various lively colours, interfered 
 with filaments of this metal, quite native. 
 Lapis lazuli is one of thcfe, which has always 
 fome fmall_ portions of gold j but this golden 
 llreaking is often extremely fallacious, and has 
 betrayed many into ruinous expences; for 
 in fcveral ftones thcfe fine veins have been no- 
 thing more than marcafite : however, fuch 
 marcafites or fire-ftones are found in mines, 
 which contain real gold. But gold, how- 
 ioever found, whether native or in what 
 is called the ore, is feldom or never without a 
 mixture of other metals, generally filver or 
 copper. 
 
 The gold mines, though they contain the 
 richefl of all metals, it is remarkable, moft 
 frequently difappoint the hopes, and ruin the 
 fortunes, of thofe who engage in them; tho* 
 neither the labouring of the mine, nor the 
 purifying the of metal, is attended with fuch an 
 expence as what thofe are obliged to, who 
 work mines of the inferior metals. For the 
 vein is, of all others, the moft unequal j 
 fometimes very large, full, and rich; then it 
 often decays by a quick gradation, and is 
 fometimes fuddenly loil. But the ends of the 
 veins are, on the other hand, often extremely 
 rich; they arc called the purfe of the vein; 
 gild when the miner is fo happy as to light 
 
SF.TTI.FMrNTS /// AmFRICA. 21 5 
 
 on one of thcfc purfes, his fortune is made 
 immediately. 
 
 When the ore is dug out, the moft ufual 
 method is to break it to pieces in a mill, ex- 
 actly rcfembling thofe large ones we ufe for 
 grinding apples, wherein a mill-ftone fet on 
 end is made to turn in a circular channel of 
 jflone. When the ore is thus broke, and the 
 gold fomewhat feparated from the impure 
 mafs, they add to the whole a quantity of 
 quickfilver. Qiiickfilver has, of all other bo- 
 dies, the greateft aUracftion with gold, which 
 therefore immediately breaks the links which 
 held it to the former earth, and clings clofe to 
 this congenial fubftance. Then a rapid ftream 
 of water is let into the channel, which, fcour- 
 ing away (through a hole made for the purpofe) 
 the lighter earth, by the brifknefs of its cur- 
 rent, leaves the gold and mercury precipitated 
 by its weight at the bottom. This amalgama, 
 or parte, is put into a linen cloth, and fqueezed 
 fo as to make the quickfilver feparate and run 
 out. To compleat this feparation, it is necef- 
 lary to fufe the metal, and then all the mer- 
 cury flies off in fumes. 
 
 But in many parts of Spanifli America, ano- 
 ther way of getting and purifying gold is prac- 
 tifed. When by fure tokens they know tiiat 
 gold lies in the bed of a rivulet, they turn the 
 current into the inward angles, which time 
 and the flream have formed -, whilft; tliis runs, 
 '.' V P 4 they 
 
 'I 
 
 ■hi 
 
 
 }*.■ 
 
 
 '■'Jr. 
 
 
 Im^: 
 
 
 mm 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wt 
 
 -i; 
 
 <ffH| 
 
 i 
 
 
 it 
 
 
 ■If 
 
 
 •I 
 
 
2i6 Jn Account of the European 
 
 they dig and turn up the cartli, to make it the 
 more ealily diliolved and carried off. VvHien 
 the furface is thus complete. y \va(licd away, 
 and tliey d^e come toafortof ilia earth, which 
 is the receptacle of gold, they return the^iream 
 into its former channel, and dig up the earth 
 as they find it, which, they carry to a little 
 bafon iumewliat in tlie form of a fmith's bel- 
 lows. Into this they turn a finall but a lively 
 flream, to carry oif tlie fc ign matter, whilll 
 they facihtate the operatioii by liirring the 
 mafs with an iron hook, which diilolves the 
 earth, and gathers up the ftones, which are 
 carefully thrown out that they may not inter- 
 rupt the paiilujLS that carry otf the earth. ]^y 
 this means the gold, loofencd from the grofs 
 matter which adhered to it, falls to the bot- 
 tom, but m-xed fo intimately with a black 
 heavy fand, that none of the gold can be per- 
 ceived, unlcfs it liappens to be a pretty large 
 grain. To feparate it f'-om this fand, it is 
 put into a fort of wooden platter, with a lit- 
 tle hollow of about the depth of half an inch 
 at bottom. This platter they fill with water, 
 and, turning the mafs about briHily with their 
 hands for iome time, the fand paffes over the 
 edges, and leaves the gold in fmall grains, 
 uure, and of its genuine colour, in the hollow 
 at the bottom. I'hus is gold refined with- 
 out lire or mercury, merely by walhing. The 
 places where this is performed are called 
 ' K -i there- 
 
Settlements in America. 217 
 
 therefore Lavaderos by the Spaniards. There 
 are many more methods of extrading and 
 purifying this precious metal; but thefe are the 
 moil: common ways ufed by the Spaniards in 
 their Indies. 
 
 Silver is the metal next in rank, but firil: in 
 confequence in the SpaniHi traffic, as their 
 mmes yield a much greater quantity of the 
 latter than of the former. It is found in the 
 earth under different forms, as indeed the ore 
 of all metal is. Such is the diverfity of ores 
 in this refped, that nothing but a long ex- 
 perience in this particular branch can exactly 
 afcertain the fpecies of the metal, which al- 
 moll: any ore contains at firit view. I have 
 feen fpecimens wherein the filver, almoil pure, ' 
 twined itfelf about a white ftone, penetrating 
 into the interllices in the fame manner that 
 the roots of trees enter into the rocks, and 
 twift thcmfelves about them. Some are of an 
 afh-coloured appearance, others fpotted of a 
 red and blue, Ibme of changeable colours, and 
 many aimoft black, affedting fomewhat of a 
 pointed regular form like cryllals. I cannot 
 hnd that it is ever found in grains or fand, na- 
 tive, as gold is. 
 
 • The manner of refining filver does not dif- 
 • fer cfientially from the proccfs which is em- 
 ployed lor gold. They are both puriiied upon 
 the lame principle; by clearing away as much 
 of the earth as can b-j, with' water; by unit- 
 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 1- m 
 
 lit- 
 
 
 
 '4mi 
 
 ing 
 
K? 
 
 H 
 
 • fi: 
 
 I: 
 ,li 
 
 i: 
 
 1 i 
 
 
 2i8 ^« Account 0/*//^^ European 
 
 ing or amalgamating it with mercury; and 
 afterwards by clearing off the mercury itfelf, 
 by ftraining and evaporation. Cutthe manage- 
 ment of Silver in this refpedt is much more 
 difficult than tliat of gold ; becaufe this metal 
 is much more intimately united with the for- 
 eign matters with which it is found in the mine; 
 and its attraction with mercury is much weak- 
 er: therefore there is great care tak ;l in the 
 amalgamation, and it is a long timfc before 
 they are perfectly mixed. A quantity of fca- 
 falt h like wife added. No filver is had by 
 mere waftiing. 
 
 The chemifts have talked very freely of the 
 production of thefe and other metals in the 
 earth J of the fait, fulphur, and mercury, that 
 compofc them; and the manner in which thefe 
 fubftancesare united and changed, fo as to form 
 metals and minerals of every fpecies. Some 
 have recourfe to the fun as the* great agent in 
 this procefs, efpecially in gold and filver, as 
 the mod worthy fuch an operator. Others 
 call in the aid of fubterraneous fires and cen- 
 tral heat. But in reality they have advanced 
 very little that is fatisfadory upon this fubjedt. 
 They have never, by any method of joining the 
 matters which they have alfigned as the con- 
 flituent parts of metals, in any proportions 
 whatfoever, nor by any degrees of their great 
 agent fire, been able to make metal of that 
 which was not metal before. Neither have 
 
 they 
 
Settlements in America." 219 
 
 they found what they allot as the component 
 parts of all metals in fuch a manner in all, as 
 to enable them to fix any common principle 
 for their generation. Some they cannot ana- 
 lyfe by any art, as gold; they indeed define it 
 a compofition of a very fubtile mercury, and a 
 fulphur as fubtile. 
 
 But how this comes to be known, when 
 no procefs hitherto difcovered has been able 
 to extradt either of thefe from gold, they 
 who have advanced fuch things ought to 
 tell. It is reafonable to believe, that there is 
 fome plaflic principle in nature, perhaps 
 fomething analogous to the feminal principle 
 in plants and animals, whatever that is, 
 which does not, as we know, refemble any 
 known body, nor is compofed of any com- 
 bination of known bodies; but powerful of 
 itfelf to combine and vary fuch a part of the 
 common flock of matter as it is fitted to 
 operate upon, which it draws to itfelf, and 
 caufes to form an animal, or a plant, or a mi- 
 neral, or metal, of this or that nature, ac- 
 cording to the original nature of the feed. 
 Suppofea plant fubjed;ed to all the torture of 
 the chemical queftion : you find it contains 
 various matters ; an earth, water, oil, fait, 
 fpirit, and in the three laft perhaps fome- 
 thing fpecific, and differing from other plants. 
 But neither the fame quantities of fimilar 
 matter, nor thefe very matters themfelves, can 
 
 ever 
 
 M 
 
 .^i 
 
 ■ .s > wv 
 
 \\ II 
 
 
:i 
 
 |- 
 
 ft 
 
 11- 
 
 r 
 
 !' 
 
 ^20 ^/i Account of t/je Europe AfJ 
 
 ever come to form a plant like the original, or 
 any thing like a plant at all, becaule the le- 
 minal virtue is wanting -, nor is it perhaps 
 difcovcrable. And as for the other matters, 
 they are the inert parts of the plant ; with- 
 out power themfelves, they are the materials 
 with which, and on which, the feminal virtue 
 ads, to organize the mafs, to fpread the bran- 
 ches, to Ihoot out the gems, to mature the 
 fruit, and in fliort to perform all the func- 
 tions of a complete plant. The fame may be 
 faid of animals. And why not of minerals, 
 though of a lefs nice organization ? Why 
 Ihould they not have the feminal principle too, 
 which, operating, by its own power and in a 
 way of its own, upon the elements of air, 
 earth, water, oil, and fait, is capable of pro- 
 ducing iron, copper, gold, filver, and other 
 metals. The want of this will always hin- 
 der us from being able to produce any metal 
 from other than metalline ingredients, though 
 we (liould take fuch things as refemble the 
 ingredients they yield upon an cnalyfis, and 
 in the fame quantities in which we iind them. 
 This I do not fay as favouring the notion that 
 ilones and metaLs vegetate exactly like plants. 
 That thefe are often lound where they had 
 formerly been exhaufted, and that they are 
 known to extend their dimenfions, is pretty 
 certain i but that they allimilate the hetero- 
 geneous matter which increafcs their bulk, 
 
 ' in 
 
Settlements in America. 221 
 
 in a manner analogous to plants, I cannot 
 venture to propofe. It muft be allowed that 
 filver has been found, and I have fo feen it, 
 extending itfelf among the interftices of ftones, 
 not unlike ivy and other parafite plants j yet, 
 as a metal no way differing from it, or at all 
 inferior, is extracted from ores, which have 
 an appearance altogether different, and which 
 too is the ufual way, it is probable the manner 
 in which they grow is not the fmie. 
 
 What I had to fay of gold and filver, as 
 both are found, and the latter in vaft quanti- 
 ties, in Mexico, I thought proper, for the 
 fake of avoiding repetitions, to bring under 
 this head, though all the rell of the Spanilh 
 territories produce largely of both. 
 
 Of the plenty of gold and filver, which 
 the mines of Mexico atford, great things have 
 been faid, and with jnftice; as this, with 
 the other Spanilh colonies in America, in a 
 manner furnifli the whole world with filver -, 
 and bear a great proportion in gold to the 
 whole of what the world produces. A late 
 very judicious colledlor of voyages fays, that 
 the revenues of Mexico can hardly fall fhort 
 of twenty-ibur millions of our money. He 
 founds this upon a return made by the bifhops 
 of their tenths, which, witiiout doubt, were 
 not over-rated ; and tliat thefe amounted to 
 one million and a half ilerling ; that thefe are 
 about a fourth of the revenues of the clergy ; 
 
 .4 and 
 
 ; xii 
 
 iilM 
 
 ■ .m\ 
 
 m 
 

 222 An AccouMT of the Europea!ii 
 
 and that the eftates of the clergy are about the 
 fourth part of the whole revenues of the king- 
 dom, which at this rate amount to twenty- 
 four milUons Enghfh. He takes another me- 
 thod of computing the wealth of this pro- 
 vince, which is, by the fifth paid to the king 
 of the gold and filver dug out of their mines. 
 This, heobferves, in theyear 1730, amounted 
 to one million of marks in filver, each mark 
 equivalent to eight ounces 5 fo that if we 
 compute this filver at five (hillings per ounce, 
 then the inhabitants receive from their mines 
 ten millions in money. What a prodigious 
 idea muft this calculation give us of the united 
 produtSt of all the American mines ! How 
 much muft be allowed in this account for the 
 exaggeration of travellers, and the oftentation 
 of Spaniards, I will not pretend to determine. 
 The plate circulated in trade, or lying dead 
 as the ornaments of churches and houfes, 
 though a great deal is undoubtedly employed 
 in all thefe ways, did not feem to me to juf- 
 tify fo vaft a cornputation; but, as the gentle- 
 man who has confidered this point with un- 
 common attention is of another opinion, I 
 wave any further obfervation upon it. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Settlements in America. 223 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Of cochineal and cacao, 
 
 COCHINEAL, the next commodity for 
 value which the - export, is ufed in dye- 
 ing all the feveral kinds of the fineft fcarlet, 
 crimfon, and purple. After much difpute 
 about the nature of this curious drug, it feems 
 at laft agreed, that it is of the animal kind ; 
 an infed: of the fpecies of the gall-infe(5ls. 
 This animal is found adhering to various 
 plants, but there is only one which commu- 
 nicates to it the qualities which make it va- 
 luable in medicine and manbfadlures. This 
 plant is called Opuntia by the botanifts. It 
 confifts wholly of ihick fucculent oval leaves, 
 joined end to end, and fpreading out on the 
 Udes in various ramifications. The flower is 
 large, and the fruit in fhape refembling a fig ; 
 this fruit is full of a crimfon juice, and to this 
 juice it is that the cochineal infedt owes its 
 colour. 
 
 When the rainy feafons come on, they who 
 cultivate this plant, cut off thofe heads which 
 abound moft with fuch infedts, as are not yet 
 at their full growth -, and preferve them very 
 carefully from the. weather and all other in- 
 juries. Thefe branches, though feparated 
 from iheir parent flocks, preferve their frefli- 
 
 nels 
 
El) I 
 
 11 
 
 i 
 
 
 1 
 
 WKU 
 
 1 
 
 m 
 
 !l 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 1 i 
 
 w 
 
 n 
 
 '1! 
 
 ill 
 
 li 
 
 224 u^n Account ofdw European 
 
 nefs and juices a long time; and this enables 
 the infcd not only to live out the rains, but to 
 grow to it'., full fize, and be in readinefs to 
 bring forth its young, as foon as the incle- 
 mency of the feafon is over. When this 
 time comes on, they are brought out, and 
 placed upon the proper plants, difpofed in 
 little nefts of fome m.olfy fubflance. As foon 
 as they feel the enlivening influence of the 
 frelh air, they bring forth in three or four 
 days from their cxpofure at f^utheft. The 
 young, fcarce bigger than a mite, runs about 
 with wonderful celerity, and the whole plan- 
 tation is immediately peopled ; yet, what is 
 fomevvhat lingular, this animal, fo lively in 
 its infancy, quickly lofcs all its aftivity, and, 
 attaching itleif to fome of the leall expoled 
 and moll fucculent part of the leaf, it clings 
 there for life, without ever moving, not wound- 
 ing the leaf for its fuflenance, but fucking 
 with a probofcis, with which it is furniflied 
 for this purpofe. 
 
 What is not lefs remarkable than the way 
 of life of this animal, is the nature of the 
 male, which has no appearance of belonging 
 to the fame fpecies ; far from being fixed to a 
 fpot, he has wings, and is, like the butterfly, 
 continually in motion ; they are fmalier than 
 the cochineal, and conflantly fecn amongft 
 them, and walking over them without being 
 fufpeded by thofe who take care of the infedr, 
 
 ' of 
 
SETTLEMENTS hi AmF.RICA. 22 
 
 t)f being a creature of the fame kind, though 
 they believe that the cochineals are impreg- 
 nated by them. But it is the female cochi- 
 neal only which is gathered for ufc. 
 
 They make four gatherings in a year, which 
 are fo many generations of this animal. When 
 they are futhciently careful, they bruih off the 
 infects one by one with a fort of hair pencils, 
 and take them as they fall ; but they often 
 brufli the whole plant in a carclefs manner, 
 fo that fragments of it are mixed with the 
 cochineals, and themfelves mixed, the old 
 and young together, which carelciTnefs abates 
 much of the value; but what chiefly makes 
 the goodncls of this commodity is, the man- 
 ner oi* killing and drying the cochineals, which 
 is performed three ways j the firft is by dip- 
 ping the balket in which it is gathered into 
 boiling water, and afterwards drying them in 
 the fun ; this the Spaniards call renegrida. 
 The fecond method is by drying them in 
 ovens made for the purpofe ', this, from its 
 grey colour, veined with purple, is called 
 jafpeade. The third manner is, when the 
 Indians dry them on their cakes of maize 
 which are baked on flat ftones 3 this laft is the 
 worfl: kind, as it is generally overbaked, and 
 fomething burned. They call it negra. 
 
 This drug has a very uncommon good 
 quality, and the more extraordinary as it be- 
 longs to the animal kingdom, and to the moil 
 
 Vol. 1. Q^ pcridi-' 
 
 *;'! 
 
 '. m 
 
 ' JmI' 
 
fill 
 
 226 . ./In Account of the European 
 
 perin^ahlc of that kind, that it iv-'vcr decays. 
 Without uny other care than Iiaving heen put 
 by in a l)ox, fome have been known to keep 
 iixty, ibme even upwards oF a hundred years, 
 and as fit for the purpcics of medicine, or 
 manufadure, as ever it was. It is ufed in 
 medicine as a cordii^l i.nd fudorific, in which 
 intentions few things anfwer better. And 
 indeed, as it anfwers fnch good purpofes in 
 medicine, is fo ellential in trade, and pro- 
 duced only in this country, it may he confi- 
 dercd in all markets as equivalent to gold or 
 filvcr, by the certainty and quicknefs of the 
 fale. It is computed they annually export no 
 lefs than nine hundred thoufand pound weight 
 of this commodity. 
 
 The cocao, or cacao, of which chocolate is 
 made, is a conliderable article in the natural 
 hillory and commerce of New Spain. It 
 grows upon a tree of a middling lize ; the 
 wood is fpungy and porouf, the bark fmooth, 
 and of a cinamon colour : the flower grows 
 in bunches between theflalks and the wood, 
 of the form of rofes, but fmall, and without 
 any fcent. The fruit is a fort of pod, which 
 contains the cacao, much about the lize and 
 Iliape of a cucumber. Within there is a pulp 
 of a moil refrefliing acid tafte, which fills up 
 the intcrftices between the nuts before they 
 are ripe ; but, when they fully ripen, thefe 
 liuts are packed up wonderfully clofe, and in 
 
 a mod 
 
Settlkments in Amfj^icA. 227* 
 
 & moil: regular nnd elccjant order j they have 
 a pretty tough fliell, and within this is the oily 
 rich fuhftancc, of which chocolate is made. 
 This fruit grows differently fl'om our Euro- 
 pean fruits, which always hang upon the 
 fmall branches ; but this [■rows along the 
 body of the great ones, principally at the 
 joints. None are found upon the fmall, which, 
 though it is a manner of vegetation unknown 
 here, prevails in feveral other plants withiii 
 the tropics. This cacao is a very tender tree, 
 equally impatient of the wind, heat or cold, 
 and will flourifh only in the Ihade; for which 
 rcafon, in the cacao walks, they always plant 
 a palm-tree for every one of jacao. I need 
 ^Ay little of the ufe of this fruit ; it is gene- 
 ral amonsffl: ourfelves, and its virtues well 
 known ; but, however the great external call 
 for it may be, the internal confumj^tion is 
 much greater : fo that in Mexico and Terra 
 Firma, in fome provinces of which latter it 
 is found in the greateft perfection, their fo- 
 reign and domeflic commerce in this article 
 is immenfe, and the profits fo great, that a 
 •fmall garden of the cacao's is fud to proflucc 
 twenty thoufand crowns a year ; though I 
 believe this to be exan:a;erated: it fliews, how-^ 
 ever, in what a light of profit this commo- 
 dity is confidered. At hon^e it makes the 
 principal part of their diet, and ii; found whok;- 
 Ibme, nutritious, and fuitablc to the climate. 
 
 0^2 This 
 
, 
 
 i 
 
 228 An Account of the European 
 
 This fruit is often confounded with the cocoa 
 nut, which is a fpccics wholly different, 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 ^Thc trade of Mexico, Some account of that 
 . city. Tie fairs of Aca^'^ulca and La Vera 
 Cruz. The f Ota and rcgijler Jhips, 
 
 TH E trade of Mexico may be confidered 
 as confiiling of three great branches 
 by which it communicates with the whole 
 world ', the trade with Europe by La Vera 
 Cruz J the trade with the Eafl-Indies by Aca- 
 pulco i and the commerce of the South-Sea 
 by the fame port. The places in New Spain, 
 which can intereft a ftranger, ?.re therefore 
 three only. La Vera Cruz, Acapulco, and 
 Mexico. 
 
 Mexico, the capital of the kingdom, the 
 refidence of the viceroy, the feat, of the firft 
 audience or chamber of juftice, and an arch- 
 bilhopric, is certainly one of the richeft and 
 moft fplcndid citiesj. not only in America, but 
 in the whole world. Though no fea-port 
 town, nor communicating with the fea by 
 any navigable river, it has a prodigious com- 
 merce, and is itfelf the center of all that is 
 carried on between America and Europe on 
 one hand, and between America and the 
 Eaft-Indies on the other i for here the prin- 
 cipal 
 
Settlements in America. 229 
 
 •cipal merchants refide, the greatefl part of the 
 bufinefs is negotiated ; and the goods fent 
 from Acapulco to La Vera Cruz, or from 
 La Vera Cruz to Acapulco, for the ufc of the 
 Philippines, and in a great meafure for the 
 ufe of Peru and Lima, all pafs through this 
 city, and employ an incredible number of 
 horfes and mules in the carriage. Hither all 
 the cold and filver come to be coined, here 
 the king's fifth is depofited, and here is 
 wrought all that immenfc quantity of utenfils 
 and ornaments in plate, which is every year 
 fent into Europe. Every thing here has the 
 grcateft air of magnificence and wealth ; the 
 Ihops glitter upon all fides with the expofure 
 of gold, filver, and jewels, and furprize yet 
 more by the work of the imagination upon 
 the treafures which fill great chefts piled up 
 to the cielings, whiUt they wait the time of 
 being fent to Old Spain. It is faid that the 
 negro wenches, who run by the coaches of the 
 ladies there, wear bracelets of gold, pearl 
 necklaces, and jewels in their ears, whilfl the 
 black foot-boys are all over covered with 
 lace and embroidery. It cannot exactly be 
 afcertained what number of people are in this 
 city. It is certainly very confiderable, by 
 many not made lefs than feventy or eighty 
 thoufand. This city itfelf is well and regu- 
 larly built, though the houlbs are not lotty ; 
 the mojiafteries are numerous, and richly cn- 
 , , 0^3 dowed. 
 
 
tu 
 
 230 y^/i Account oftL' European 
 
 dowed, and the churches extravagantly rich 
 in their ornaments, though comparatively poor 
 in the tatle of their architedure. 
 
 The port neareft to this citv is Acapulco, 
 upon the South-Sea, upwards of two hundred 
 miles didant from the capital. Acapulco it- 
 felf has one of the deeped, fccureil:, and moft 
 commodious harbours in the South-Sea, and 
 indeed almoll the only one which is good 
 upon the Wetlern coaft of New Spain. The 
 entrance of the harbour is defended by acaftle 
 of tolerable flreneth ; the tov/n itfelf is but ill 
 built, and makes every way a miferable figure, 
 except at the time of the fairs, when it intirely 
 changes its appearance, and becomes one of 
 the moft confiderable marts in the world. 
 About the month of December, the great 
 palleon, which makes the whole communica- 
 tion that is between America and the Philip- 
 pines, after a voyage of five months, and fail- 
 ing three thoufand leagues without feeing any 
 other land than the Little Ladrones, arrives 
 here loaded with all the rich commodities 
 of the eaft j cloves, pepper, cinamon, nut- 
 megs, mace, china, japan wares, callicoes 
 plain and painted, chints, muilins of every 
 fort, fdks, precious ftcnes, rich drugs, and 
 gold duft. At the fame time the annual 
 ihip from Lima comes in, and is not com- 
 puted to bring lefs than two millions of pieces 
 {4' eight in filv^r, befides quickfilver, cacao, 
 
 drues, 
 
 '^"t 
 
Set TLEMENTs in America. 
 
 231 
 
 dmgs, and other valuable commodities, to be 
 laid out in the purchafe of the commodities 
 of the Eaft-Indies. Several other fhips from 
 different parts of Chili and Peru meet upon 
 the fame occafion ; and, bclides the tratiic 
 for the Philippine com.moditics', this caufes a 
 very large dealing for every thing thofc coun- 
 tries have to exchange with one another, as 
 well as for the purchafe of all forts of Euro- 
 pean goods. The fair lafts fometimes for thirty 
 days. As foon as the goods are difpofed of, 
 the galleon prepares to fet out on her voyage 
 to the Philippines with her returns, chiefly in 
 filver, but with fome European goods too, 
 and fome other com.modities of America. I 
 fpeak here, as though there were but one 
 veffel on the trade v/ith the Philippines j and 
 in fa6l there is only nominally one trading vef- 
 fel, the galleon itfelf, of about twelve hun- 
 dred tuns ; but another attends her commonly 
 as a fort of convoy, which generally carries 
 fuch a quantity of goods as pretty much dif- 
 ables her from performing that office. The 
 galleon has often above a thoufand people on 
 boards either interefted in the cargo, or mere- 
 ly paflengers ; and there is no trade in which 
 fo large profits are made; the captain of the 
 veffel, the pilots, their mates, and even the 
 common lailors, making in one voyage, what 
 in their feveral ranks may be confidered as 
 cafy fortunes. It is fiid, by th ; writer of Lord 
 
 0^4 Anfon's 
 
 'r^. \ 
 
232 ^/2 Account (5/ //6i? European 
 
 Anfon's voyage, that the jefuits have the pro- 
 fits of thivS fliip to fupport their miffions; and 
 if fo, their gains mull: be extremely great, 
 and muft add much to the confequence of a 
 fociety which has as great a reputation for its 
 riches as its wifdom. 
 
 This commerce to fo vaO: a value, though 
 carried on diredly between the king of Spain's 
 own dominions, enriches them in proportion 
 but very little ; the far greater part of every 
 thing that comes from the Philippines being 
 the produce, or the fabric, of other countries ; 
 the Spaniards add none of the artificial value 
 of labour to any thing. The Chinefe are 
 largely interefted in this cargo, and it is to 
 them they are indebted for the manufafturing 
 of fuch of their plate, as is wrought into any 
 better fafliion than rude ingots or inelegant 
 coins. When this fair is over, the town is 
 comparatively deferted ; however, it remains 
 for the whole year the moft confiderable port 
 in Mexico, for the trade with Peru and Chili, 
 which is not very great. The Eaft-India 
 goods brought hither are carried on mules to 
 Mexico, from whence what exceeds their 
 own confumption is fent by land carriage to 
 La Vera Cruz, to pafs over the Terra Firma, 
 to the illands^ and fome even to Old Spain, 
 though in no great quantity. 
 
 From the port Of La Vera Cruz it is that 
 the great weall;h of Mexico is poured out 
 
Settlements in America. 233" 
 
 upon all the old world; and it is from this 
 port alone, that they receive the numberlefs 
 luxuries and necsflaries that the old world 
 yields them in return. To this port the an- 
 nual fleet from Cadiz, called the flota, arrives 
 about the latter end of November, after a 
 paflage of nine weeks. This fleet, which 
 fails only from Cadiz, confifts of about three 
 men of war as a convoy, and fourteen or fif- 
 teen large merchant fhips, from four hundred 
 to one thoufand tuns burthen. They are load- 
 ed almoft with every fort of goods which 
 Europe produces for export ; all forts of 
 woollens, linens, filks, velvets, laces, glafs, 
 paper, cutlery, all forts of wrought iron, 
 watches, clocks, quickfilver, horfe furniture, 
 ihoes, {lockings, books, pidlures, military 
 ftores, wines, and fruits j fo that all the trading* 
 parts of Europe are highly interefted in the 
 cargo of this fleet. Spain itfelf fends out little 
 more than the --vine and fruit. This, with 
 the freight and commiiiigns to the merchant 
 and the duty to the king, is almoft all the ad- 
 vantage which that kingdom derives from her 
 commerce with the Indies. It is ftriclly pro- 
 hibited to load any commodities on board this 
 fleet without entering the goods, the value, 
 and the owner's name, in the India-houie at 
 Seville; and when they return, they mult 
 bring a certificate, from the proper officer 
 there, that the goods werfc duly landed, and 
 
 in 
 
 '■*.i 
 
 h 
 
 ir 
 
 •iii 
 
I" ! 
 
 i 1 
 
 4 
 
 234 v:/« Account ^//^^ European 
 
 in the proper port. They are not permitted 
 to break bulk upon any account until they 
 arrive at La Vera Cruz, nor are they fuffered 
 to take in any other than Spanifh paiTengers, 
 nor them without a licence firll obtained at 
 the India-houfe. 
 
 Jealoufy is the glaring charader of the 
 court of Spain, in whatever regards their 
 American empire; and they often facrifife the 
 profperlty to an exceffive regard to the fecu- 
 rity of their poffeflions. They attend ii: this 
 trade principally to two objects ; the exclu- 
 iion of all Itrangers from any fhare in it, and 
 the keeping up of the market for fuch goods as 
 they fend j and they think both thefe ends 
 belt anfwered by fending out only one annual 
 fleet, and that from one only port in Spain, 
 and to one port only in MexicQ. Thefe 
 views, which would be impolitic in any 
 power in Europe befides, are judicious enough 
 in Spain; becaufe, the goods they fend belong- 
 ing moftly to llrangers, and the profits upon 
 the fale in the Indies being the only thing 
 that really accrues to themfelves, it is cer^ 
 tainly right to confult primarily how they 
 {hall get the greateft returns upon the fmalleft 
 quantity ot goods. It would be quite other- 
 wife, it all, or mod of what they fend abroad, 
 were their own produce or manufacture. 
 They are undoubtedly right too in keeping 
 the trade very carefully to themfelvec, though 
 
 perhaps 
 
Settlements in America. 235 
 
 perhaps the means taken to attain this end 
 will not be thought (o rational. By fuffering 
 all the trade to be carried on only between 
 two ports, they difcourage in the old world 
 all their towns from that emulation, which 
 would not only enable them to traffic in fo- 
 reign commodities, but in time to fct up fa- 
 brics of their ownj whereas now, with re- 
 gard to the export of their commodities, they 
 fland upon the level of flrangers j they can- 
 not carry their produce diredtly to the bell 
 market; and it is very certain, that even tri- 
 fling difcouragements operate very powerfully 
 where the commercial fpirit is weak, and the 
 trade in its infancy. Again ; in the new world, 
 this confinement of the trade encourages in- 
 terlopers, and an illicit commerce, too gainful 
 for any regulation to prevent, and which may 
 afford fuch bribes as will difarm the moll ri- 
 gid juflice and lull the moil attentive vigi- 
 lance. So tliat in reality it may greatly be 
 doubted, v^-hether the precautions, lofyllema- 
 tlcally purfued, and improved from time to 
 time with fo much care and foreiight, are at 
 bottom of molt advantage or prejudice to thac 
 nation. It was probably fome conlideratioii 
 of this kind, that firfl gave rife to the cuftom 
 of regifter Ihips : it was found that this con- 
 fined commerce fupplied its extenlive object 
 very imperfedlly; and that thofe who were 
 $it watch to pour in contraband goods would 
 
 take 
 
 'il 
 
 
 '!f-'!l 
 
236 -^wAccouNT o/"/;^^' European 
 take advantage of this want of a regular fup- 
 ply from Spain. When therefore a company 
 of merchants of Cddiz or Seville judge that 
 goods muft be wanting at any certain port in 
 the Weft-Indies, the courfe is, to petition the 
 council of the Indies for licence to fend a 
 Ihip of three hundred tuns, or under, to that 
 port. They pay for this licence forty or fifty 
 thoufand dollars, befides prefents to the of- 
 ficers, in proportion to the connivance necef- 
 fary to their defign ; for, though the licence 
 runs to three hundred tuns at the utmoft, the 
 veffel fitted out is feldom really lefs than fix 
 hundred. This (hip and cargo is regiftered 
 at the pretended burthen. It is required too, 
 that a certificate be brought from the king's 
 officer at the port to which the regifter (hip is 
 bound, that Ihe does not exceed the fize at 
 which (lie is regiftered; all this pafies of 
 courfe ; thefe are what they call regifter (hips, 
 and by thefe the trade of Spanifti America 
 has been carried on principally for fome years 
 paft, fome think, as much to the prejudice of 
 their trade, as contrary to all their former 
 maxims in carrying it on. But to return to 
 the flora. 
 
 When all the goods are landed and dif- 
 pofed of at La Vera Cruz, the feet takes in 
 the plate, precious ftones, cochine.il, indigo, 
 cacao, tobacco, fugar, and hides, which are 
 their returns for Old Spain. Sometimes in 
 . :. ■.:^ May, 
 
^ Settlements in America. I'i^y 
 
 May, but more frequently in Auguft, they 
 are ready to depart. From La Vera Cruz 
 they fail to the Havanna in the ifle of Cuba, 
 which is the place of rendezvous where they 
 meet the galleons; another fleet, which carries 
 on all the trade of Terra Firma by Cartha- 
 gena, and of Peru by Panama and Porto-bello, 
 in the fame manner that the flota ferves for 
 that of New Spain. When they arrive at this 
 port, and join the galleons and the regifter 
 fhips that colled at the fame port from all 
 quarters, fome of the cleaned: and bed failing 
 of their vell'els are difpatched to Spain, with 
 advice of the contents of thcfe feveral fleets, 
 as well as with treafure and goods of their 
 own, that the court may judge what indulto or 
 duty is proper to be laid on them, and what; 
 convoy is necefiary for their fafety. Thefe 
 fleets generally make fome flay at the Havanna 
 before all t'le fliips that compofe them are 
 collected and ready to fail. As fcon as this 
 happens, they quit the Havanna, and beat 
 through the gulph of Florida, and, pafling 
 between the Bahama iflands, hold their courfe 
 to the North-Eaft, until they come to 
 the height of St. Auguftin, and then fteer 
 away to Old Spain. When the flota has left 
 La Vera Cruz, it has no longer the appear- 
 ance of a place of confequence ; it is a town 
 in a very unhealthy iituation, inhabited fcarcely 
 by any but Indians, Meztezes, or Negroes. 
 
 All 
 
 
 
 <v^ 
 
I'll 
 
 238 j^}2 Account of f&eEvRoPEAiJ 
 
 All tlie merchants of any confcquence refide at 
 fome diftance, at a place called Los Angelos. 
 '"his * vn may contain about three thoufand 
 
 .irshfibJ ants. 
 
 C H A 
 
 P. 
 
 VI. 
 
 T'hrccfof ti of people in New Spain. The Whitest 
 Indians, and Negroes , the charaBers ofthofe. 
 J he clergy, their charaSlers. T^he civil go- 
 ijernmenti its character * 
 
 THE inhabitants of New Spain arc 
 compofed of people of three different 
 races; Whites, Indians, and Negroes, or the 
 feveral mixtures of thofe. The Whites are 
 either born in Old Spain, or they are Creoles; 
 thofe who are native Spaniards are moflly in 
 offices, or in trade, and have the fame cha^ 
 radler and manners with the Spaniards of 
 Europe; the fame gravity of behaviour, the 
 fame natural fagacity and good fenfe, the fame 
 indolence, and yet a greater Ihare of pride and 
 llatelinefs ; for here they look upon the being 
 natives of Old Spain as a very honourable 
 diftindion, and are in return looked upon by 
 the Creoles with no fmall fliare of hatred and 
 envy. The latter have little of that iirmnefc: 
 and patience which makes one of the fined 
 parts of thecharadter of the native Spaniard. 
 They have little courage, and are univerfally 
 
 weak 
 
Settlements /« America. 239 
 
 weak and effeminate. Living as they do in a 
 conftant enervating heat, furfeited with wealth, . 
 and giving up their whole time to loitering and 
 ina(5tivc pleafures, they have nothing bold or 
 manly to lit them for making a figure in adlive 
 life; and few or none have any tafte for the 
 fatisfadtion of a learned retirement. Luxu ' ^ns 
 without variety or elegance, and expenfive ./i' \ 
 great parade and little conveniency, th r gt . 
 neral charader is no more than a e' c nd 
 fpecious infignificance. 
 
 They are temperate at their tabk op-^ in ' 
 their cups, but, from idlenefs and conititution, 
 their whole bufinefs is amour and intrigue; 
 thefe they carry on in the old Spanifh tafte, by 
 doing and faying extravagant things, by bad 
 mufic, worfe poetry, and excefiive cxpences. 
 Their ladies are little celebrated for their cha- 
 flityor domeflic virtues; but they are ftill a 
 good deal retrained by the old-faihioned eti- 
 quette, and they exert a genius, which is not 
 contemptible,incombatingtherefl:raints which 
 that lays them under. 
 
 The clergy are extremely numerous, and 
 their wealth and influence cannot be doubted 
 amongft fo rich and fuperftitious a people. It 
 is faid, that they adually poilcfs a fourth of 
 the revenues of that whole kingdom; which, 
 after all abatements, certainly amounts to fe- 
 veral millions. And as to their numbers, it is 
 not extravagant to fay, that priefls, monks, 
 .V and 
 
 
 
I I 
 
 
 1: 
 
 240 y^n Account qfih EyRoPEAM 
 
 and nuns of all orders, are upwards of one 
 fifth of all the white people, both here and 
 in the other parts of Spanifh America. But, 
 the clergy here being too ignorant in general 
 to be able inflrudors by their preaching, and 
 too loofe and debauched in their own man- 
 ners to inftrudl by their example, the people 
 are little the better for their numbers, wealth, 
 or influence. Many of them are no other 
 than adventurers from Old Spain, who, with- 
 out regard to their charadler or their vows, 
 ftudy nothing but how to raile a fudden for- 
 tune, by abufing the ignorance and extreme 
 credulity of the people. A great deal of at- 
 tention is paid to certain mechanical methods 
 of devotion. Moral duties are little talked 
 of. An extreme veneration for faints, lucra- 
 tive to the orders they have founded or arc 
 fuppofed to patronize, is ftrongly inculcated, 
 and makes the general fubjedt of their fer- 
 mons defigned rather to raife a flupid admi- 
 ration of their miracles, than an imijtation of 
 the fandtity of their lives. However, having 
 laid this, it mufl be conlidered as all general 
 obfervations, with the reafonable allowances; 
 for many of the dignified clergy, and others 
 among them, underfland, and pradtife, the 
 duties of their flation ; and fome vvhole or- 
 ders, as that of the jefuits, arc here, as they 
 are elfewhere, diftinguifhable for their learn- 
 ing and the decency of their behaviour. And 
 
 certainly. 
 
/ 
 
 Settlemei^ts /« America. 241 
 
 certainly, with all their fiiults, in one rcfpcdl: 
 their zeal is highly commendable) that they 
 are the canfe of fpveral charitable foundations i 
 and that they bring the Indians and blacks 
 into fomc knowledge of religion, and in fomc 
 meafure mitigate their flavery. This too has 
 a good political cfFedtj for thofe flaves arc 
 more faithful than ours, and, though indulged 
 with greater liberty, are far lefs dangerous* 
 I do not remember that any infurredlion has 
 been ever attempted by them j and the Indians 
 are reduced to more of a civilized life, than 
 they are in the colonies of any other Euro* 
 pean nation. 
 
 This race of people are now, whatever they 
 were formerly, humble, dejedted, timorous, 
 and docile; they are generally treated with 
 great indignity. The ftate of all people fub- 
 jedted to another people is infinitely worfe 
 than what they fuffer from the preiTure of the 
 word form, or the worfl adminiftration, of any 
 government of their own. 
 
 The blacks here, as they arc importect 
 from Africa, have the fame character as the 
 blacks of our colonies; ftubborn, hardy, of 
 an ordinary underftanding, and fitted for the 
 grofs flavery they endure. 
 
 Such are the chara(5ters of the people, not 
 only of New Spain, but of all Spani(li Ame- 
 rica. When any thing materiaily different 
 occurs, I (hall not fail to mention it. 
 
 Vol. I. R The 
 
 'i' 
 
 V.J 
 
 ■i;r! 
 
 .),r^ 
 
 m 
 
 (■,1 
 
'! 
 
 242 jin Account of the European 
 
 The civil government is adminiftered by 
 tribunals, which here are called audiences, 
 confiding of a certain number of judges, di- 
 vided into different chambers, more refem- 
 bling the parliaments in France than our 
 courts. At the head of the chief of thefe 
 chambers the viceroy himfclf prefideii when 
 he fees fit. His employment is one of the 
 greatcft truftand power the king of Spain h'^s 
 in his gift} and is pernaps the richeft govw. 
 ment entrufted to any fubjett in the worl .. 
 All employments here are held only by nat- 
 ive Spaniards, and by them but for a certain 
 limited time; moft not above three years. 
 Jcaloufy, in this refpedt, as in all others rela- 
 tive to the Indies, is the fpirit that influences 
 all their regulations; and it has this very bad 
 effedt ; that every officer, from the higheft 
 to the loweft, has the avidity which a new and 
 lucrative poll infpires; ravenous becaufe his 
 time is fhort, he opprefles the people and 
 defrauds the crown; another fucceeds him 
 with the fame difpofitions; and no man is 
 careful to eftablifli any thing ufeful in his 
 office, knowing that his fuccellbr will be furc 
 to trample upon every regulation which is not 
 fubfervient to his own interefts; fo that this 
 cnllaved people has not the power of put- 
 ting in ufe the fox's policy, of letting the 
 firit fwarm of bloodfuckers ftay on, but is 
 obliged to fubmlt to be drained by a con- 
 
 ii ilant 
 
 4 ■- J it. ' 
 
Settlements in Amerita. 24^ 
 
 ftant fuccefTion of hungry and impatient 
 harpies. 
 
 There are fomc troops kept in New Spain, 
 and a good revenue appropriated for tbeir 
 maintenance, and for the fupport of the for- 
 tifications there J but the foldicrs arc few; ill 
 cloathed, ill paid, andworfe difciplined; the 
 military here keep pace with the civil and 
 ecclefiaftical ac^iiiniftration, and every thing 
 is a jobb. 
 
 CHAP. VII. . 
 
 :i\ 
 
 New Mexico, Its difcovery. Climate, Pro* 
 diiSls. The Englijh claim to California, 
 
 NEW Mexico lies to the North and 
 North-Eaft of New Spain. Its bounds 
 to the North are not afcertained. Taking in 
 California, it has the great South-Sea to the 
 Weft, and to the Eaft it is bounded by the 
 French pretenfions on the Miflifippi. This 
 country lies for the moft part within thq 
 temperate zonC, and has a moft agreeable cli- 
 mate, and a foil in many places produ(5tive of 
 every thing for profit or delight. It has rich 
 mines of lilver, and fome of gold, which 
 are worked more andmofe every dayj and it 
 produces precious ftones of feveral kinds -, but 
 it has no diredt intercourfe with any part of 
 Europe. The country is but little known : t all 
 
 R 2 . , %» 
 
 :4' li.' 
 
 :| 
 
 1\\ 
 
 1 
 
 
 ■ m 
 
a- ' ■ a 
 
 I 
 
 244 ^// Account ^//^^ European 
 
 to Europeans; and the Spanidi fettlements 
 there are comparatively weak; however, they 
 are everyday increafing in proportion as they 
 difcover mines ; which are here not inferior 
 to any that have besn difcovered in the other 
 
 f^arts of America. The inhabitants are moftly 
 ndlans; but in many places lately reduced, 
 by the Spanifh miffionaries, to chriftianity, to 
 a civilized life, to follow trades, and to raife 
 corn and \ ine, which they now export pretty 
 largely to old Mexico. This ufeful change 
 was principally cffedted at the expence of a 
 Spanifh nobleman, the marquis Velafco, 
 whom the reverend author of lord Anion's 
 voyage calls, for that reafon, a munificent 
 bigot. 
 
 The famous peniniula of California is a 
 part, and far from an inconfiderable part, of 
 this country. It is a place finely fituated for 
 trade, and has a pearl filhery of great value. 
 It was difcovered by the great conqueror of 
 Mexico, Kernando Cortes. Our famous admi- 
 ral and navigator Sir Francis Drake landed 
 there, and took pofleffion of it in 1578; and he 
 not only took poifeffion, but obtained the bed 
 right in the v/orld to the pofieffion; the prin- 
 cipal king having formally inverted him with 
 his principality. However, I do not find that 
 we have thought of allbrting that right fince 
 his time; but it may probably employ, in fome 
 future age, the pens of thofe lawyers who 
 
1* * 
 
 Settlements In America. 
 
 difpute with words what can only be decided 
 by the fword, and will afford large matter up- 
 on the right of difcovery, occupancy, and fet- 
 tlement. 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 :'^T^'X 
 
 l^he climate and foil of Peru. Its produce, Tfje 
 mineSf the coca and herb of Faragiiay, 
 
 ' I '^HE conqueft of Peru, atchieved in /b 
 JK' extraordinary a manner, brought into 
 the power of Spain a country not lefs weal- 
 thy and nearly as extenfive as Mexico ; but 
 far beyond it for the conveniency of habita- 
 tion and the agreeablenefs of the climate. 
 Like Mexico, it is within the torrid zone ; yet, 
 having on one fide the South-Sea, and on the 
 other the great ridge of the Andes through 
 its whole length, the joint effcds of the ocean 
 and the mountains temper the equinodial 
 heat in a manner equally agreeable and fur- 
 prifing. With a fky for the moft part clou- 
 dy, which {hields them from the rays of the 
 ve 'cal fun, it never rains in this country. 
 But every night a foft benign dew broods 
 upon the earth, and refreihes the grafs and 
 plants fo as to produce in fome parts the 
 greateft fertility j what the dew wants in per- 
 fecting this, is wrought by the vaft number 
 of flreams, to which the frequent rains and 
 . ■. ^ . P- 3 the 
 
 
 ■A: . \< 
 
 
 I 
 
Hi 
 
 m 
 
 246 ^tt Account off^e European 
 
 the daily melting of the fnow on thofe afto- 
 nifhing mountains give rife ; for thofe moun- 
 tains, though within the tropics, have their 
 tops continually covered vi^ith fnow, which is 
 an appearance unparalleled in the fame cli- 
 mate. Along the feacoall, Peru is generally a 
 dry barren fand, except by the bank of the 
 rivers and ftre.ims we have mentioned, where 
 it is extremely fertile, as are all the valleys in 
 the hilly country. 
 
 The caufe of the want of rain in all the fidt 
 country of Peru is difficult to be afiigncd ; 
 though the agents in it are not improbably the 
 conllant South-Weft wind, that prevails there 
 for the grcateft part of the year; and the im- 
 menfe height of the mountains, cold with a 
 conftant fnow. The plain country between, 
 refrcflied as it is on the one hand by the cool 
 winds that blow without any variation from 
 the frigid regions of the South, and heated as 
 uniformly by the dired rays of the equinocTii- 
 al fun, preferves fuch an equal temper, that 
 the vapour once elevated can hardly ever de- 
 fccnd in rain : But in the mountainous part o.t 
 the country, by the alternate contraftion and 
 dilatation of the air from the daily heats and the 
 fucceeding colds, which the fnows commu- 
 nicate in the ablence of the fun, an v/ell as 
 from the unequal temper of the air which 
 prevails in all hilly places, the rain falls very 
 |-)]erit;fully i the climate in the mountainous 
 
 countries 
 
Settlements in America. 247 
 
 countries is extremely changeable, and thv; 
 changes fudden. 
 
 All along the coaft of Peru, a current fets , 
 ftrongly to the North ; further out to fca, it , 
 pafles with equal rapidity to the South. This 
 current probably moves eddy wife j for, having,, 
 run as far as its moving caufe impels it, it na- 
 turally pafles back again where it has leafc re- 
 fiflance. The ignorance of this double cur- 
 rent made the navigation in the South- Seas 
 originally very uncertain and fatiguing; but 
 now the courfe is, for thofe who pafs from 
 Chili to Peru, to keep in to the fliore in their 
 pafTage to Callao, and on their return to ftand 
 out a great many leagues to Tea, and take the 
 Southern current homewards. The fame me- 
 thod, but reverfed, is obferved in the voyages 
 between Panama, and all the other Northern 
 countries, and the ports of Peru. 
 
 The commodities of Peru, for export^ may 
 be reduced to thefe articles. Firft, filverand 
 gold; fecondly, wine, oil, and brandy; third- 
 ly, Vigoniawool; fourthly, jefuits bark; fifth- 
 ly, Guinea or Jamaica pepper. Of the firft 
 of thefe articles" we have already treated in 
 our defcription of Mexico. The mines of 
 gold in Peru ;ire ahiioll: all in the Northern 
 part, not verj remote from Lima ; thole of 
 lilver almoil ^^'holly in the Southern. TliC 
 voyagers who treat of this country are gene- 
 rally pretty diffufe in their accounts of the 
 
 R 4 principal 
 
 j;,«.ii! 
 
 
 i J' 
 
 -m 
 
sasss 
 
 [i 
 
 i3 
 
 I 
 
 
 243 j4f2 Account of the European 
 
 principal places, where mines are found i but 
 it does not therefore give us encouragement to 
 infift much on thefe particulars, becaiife they 
 contain verylittleinftrudtion inthemfeWes; and 
 if they were things in their own naturqinftru<5t- 
 ive, it would be little to the purpofe to dwell 
 upon what is continually changing. New 
 mines are daily opened, and the old exhaufted 
 or defcrted. The towns fhift with the mines. 
 A rich mine is always the founder of a tov ; in 
 proportion to its produce j the town whLJi it 
 fublifts, when the mine is exhauHcd, Jal^p- 
 pears. Indeed the great mine? of Poioii in 
 the province of Los Charcas, are vhe nheri- 
 tance of ages; and, after having ^nriui.fcd the 
 world for centuries, iKil continue the ynex- 
 hauftible f).;:r'es of new treafure. 1 bey are 
 not however \\i\\t'-. u; valuable now as former- 
 ly i, not ^ mucl: M ji:} ny fiilure of i;he vein, 
 as from the immwi.j.e uepth to which they have 
 purfued it, which, by the greater labour ne- 
 teifary, lefiens the profit on wliat it yields, in 
 proportion as they defcend^ befides, new mines 
 are daily opened, whicli are worked at, a lefs 
 expence : lo that the accounts we have had of 
 the great number which inhabited the city of 
 Potofi, when Mr. Frezier was in that country, 
 muft have fincc fuffered fome abatem.nt. It 
 had then upwards of ieventy thoufand fouls, 
 Spani;''.rds and Indians i of which the latter 
 were iix to one. 
 
 The 
 
 $"4^ 
 
 1 ),['.• 
 
 I' 1 
 
Settlements /« America. 249 
 
 The Spaniards oblige this unfortimate peo- 
 ple to fend annually a certain number from the 
 villages of the adjacent country, who are com- 
 pelled to work for a limited time j afterwards 
 they may return. But, having loft the fweet- 
 nefs of their former connexions, they that fur- 
 vive this flavery commonly fettle in the city of 
 Potofi. It is incredible how thele mines (the 
 moft terrible fcourgc with which God could 
 alflid: the inhabitants) have contributed to de- 
 populate this country. Worfe they are than 
 fword or peiiilence ; equally fatal to their lives ; 
 and where thcfe eicape, they are embittered 
 by the circumftance of an ignominious flaveiy, 
 without any profpedl of end or mitigation. 
 The effeds of this fervitude would be yet more 
 fatal, if it were not for the ufe of an Iicrb 
 which the inhabitants call coca, to wl.ich 
 they afcribe the moft extraordinary virtues, and 
 which they conftantly ufe. Its qualities feem 
 to be of the opiate kind, and to have f le re- 
 femblance to thofe of tobacco i for it | jduces 
 a kind of fiupid compofure. It is an ;intidote 
 againft poifons and poifonous effli la, and 
 makes thofe who ufe it fubfift a long time 
 without food. Though neceffary t taofe only 
 who work in the mines, it is ufed for pleafure 
 by all the Indians, who chew it conftantly, 
 though it makes thofe who ufe it ftink in a 
 moil oftenfive manner. This herb is gathered 
 bv the Indians with many fuperftitious cere- 
 monies. 
 
 
 li !' 
 
 
 
 A, ; 
 
 t-,i 
 
250 ./f« Account of the European 
 
 monies, towhichthey attribute its virtues j for 
 which reafon it is, in many parts of Peru, with 
 equal fuperftition, ftridtly forbidden j the Spa- 
 niards, as well as the Indians, giving the cre- 
 dit of its effedts to magic, and allowing to thefe 
 more than they deferve^ for they think the In- 
 dians fuperiority in ftrength owing principally 
 to them. However, notwithftanding the fe- 
 verity of the inquifition, which is eftabliflied 
 in all the Spanilh dominions with great terror, 
 necellity makes them wink at the pra(Sice, 
 where the mines are worked. 
 
 They make ufe of another prefervative, an 
 infulion of the herb o'' Paraguay j fomcthing of 
 the nature of tea. The confumption of this in 
 Peru by all ranks of people is prodigious. A- 
 bove 18,000 hundred weight is annually 
 brought nito Chili and Peru, and is worth, 
 when the duty is paid, not lefs than 8o,coo 
 pound fieri ing. The fitoft of this fpecies of 
 tea comes ft"om the country of the jefuita. < 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Settlements in America. 251 
 
 Viv 
 
 ■< ' CHAP. IX. 
 
 u 
 
 
 Ihe wines of Peru. The wool. The lamas and 
 viciinnas, Jheep of Peru. 'Jefuits hark. Gui- 
 nea pepper, The dung oflquiqua. ^ikkjther 
 mines, 
 
 TH E Southern part of Peru, which lies 
 without the tropic of Capricorn, pro- 
 duces wine in great plenty, but not in a per- 
 fection proportionable. The Span5;irds dillike 
 and leave it to the Indians and n; n jes, chuf- 
 ing rather, what may feem odd, to regale in 
 the brandy of the fame wine, which is like- 
 wife made and exported in large quantities, 
 not only to all parts of Peru, but to Panama, 
 and the ports of New Spain. The greateft 
 quantity is made near a place otherwife of no 
 confequcnce, called Moquaga; here, it is faid, 
 they make annually of wine and brandy one 
 hundred thoufand jars, which Mr. Frezier 
 reckons at three million two hundred thou- 
 fand Paris pints. A vaft quantity in a fmall 
 territory. The value of this produce is four 
 hundred thoufand pieces of eight. Other 
 places trade in wine, fuch as l^ilco, but of a 
 goodnefs not fuperior. Oil is likewife had in 
 Peru; but both the wine and oil aremoltly the 
 produce of thofe places that lie beyond the 
 i^outhern tropic. 
 
 Wool 
 
 ( ;i- 
 
 m 
 
 $. 
 
 ■i'a 
 
iili 
 
 a^2 y^« Account o/'Z/^^ European 
 
 Wool makes 6ne of the mod valuable com- 
 modities of the growth of this country. And 
 it is not more remarkable for its fine long fta- 
 ple, than for the lingularity of the animal 
 which carries it. It is fhccrcd from a fort of 
 Iheep, which they call lamas and vicunnas; 
 the lamas have fmall heads, refemblingin fome 
 meafure both an horfe and fheep ; the upper 
 lip is cleft like that of the hare, through which, 
 when they are enraged, they fpit, even to ten 
 paces diftance, a fort of envenomed juice, 
 which, when it falls on the fkin, caufes a red 
 foot and great itching. The neck is long like 
 that of a camel i the body refembles that of a 
 fheep, but the legs are much longer in propor- 
 tion. This animal has a difagreeable fmell, 
 but its flefli is good ; and it is extremely ufe- 
 ful, not only for the wool, which is very long 
 and fine, but as it is abeaft of burthen, ftrong, 
 patient, and kept at a very eafy expence. It 
 Icldom carries above one hundred and fifty 
 pound weighti but then it carries that weight 
 a villi way without tiring, eats very little, and 
 never drinks. As foon as night comes, the la- 
 ma lies down \ luid no blows can get him to 
 move one foot after the time he deftincs for his 
 reft and food. 
 
 The vitunna is an animal refembling the 
 lama, pretty much as the dromedary docs the 
 camel. He is fmaller and fwifter, with a far 
 finer wool, but otherwife exactly like the lama 
 
 in 
 

 Settlements in America. 253 
 
 in all refpects. The wool of thefe creatures is 
 almoft as fine as filk. Probably the famous 
 ftieep of Cachemir, of whofe wool they make 
 the little white cloths fo much valued in India, 
 is of this fpecies. I cannot afcertain what 
 quantity of this wool is exported, manufadlured 
 or raw, out of Peru, either to New or Old 
 Spain ; but I have reafon to believe it is not all 
 inconfiderable. 
 
 The fourth great article of their commerce 
 is jefuits bark, fo well known in medicine as 
 a fpecific in intermitting diforders, and the 
 many other great purpofes, which experie ^ce 
 daily finds it to anfwer. The tree which pro- 
 duces this valuable bark grows principally in 
 the mountainous parts of Peru, and that moil 
 and bell in the province of Quito. Condamine 
 informs us, that it grows on the hither fide of 
 the Andes, no way inferior to the Peruvian in 
 quantity and goodnefs ; the bed is produced 
 on the high and rocky grounds j and it is not 
 fingular in this, for it feems iii a good meii- 
 fure to be the cafe of all plants, whofe juices 
 are much more llrong and effedive when ela- 
 borated in fuch fituations. The tree which 
 bears it is about the fize of a cherry-tree; its 
 leaves are round and indented ; it bears a long 
 reddiih flower, from whence arifes a fort of 
 hufk, whicli envelopes a flrit and white kernel, 
 not unlike an nhiiond. This bark was firlt 
 introduced in France by the cardinal Liigo, a 
 
 jefuit. 
 
 
 ■I 
 
 ■5 
 
 ■|i: 
 
 % 
 

 1 
 i 
 
 254. >^« Account ^/i^^ European 
 
 jefuit, about the year 1650. Hence it had its 
 name of jefuit's bark. It is faid to have been 
 difcovered by the accident of an Indian'sdrink- 
 ing in a fever of the water of a lake into which 
 fome of thefe trees had fallen, and by which 
 he was cured. This medicine, as ufual, was 
 held in defiance for a good while by the fa- 
 culty ; but, after an obftinate defence, they 
 have thought proper at lafl to furrender. Not- 
 withftanding all the mifchiefs at firfl forefeen 
 in its ufe, every body knows that it is at this 
 day innocently and efficacloufly prefcribed in a 
 great variety of cafes; for which reafcn it 
 makes a confiderable and valuable part of the 
 cargo of the galleons. 
 
 Guinea pepper, Agi, or, as it is called by 
 us, Cayenne pepper, is a very great article in 
 the trade of Peru, as it is ufed allover Spa- 
 nilh America in almoft every thing they eat. 
 This is produced in the greatefl quantity in 
 the vale of Arica, a diftridt in the Southern 
 parts of Peru, from whence they export it to 
 the annual value of fix hundred thoufand 
 crowns. The diftrid: which produces this 
 pepper in fuch abundance is but fmall, and 
 naturally barren j its fertility in pepper, as 
 well as in grain and fruits, is owing to the 
 advantage of a fpeciesof a very extraordinary 
 manure, brought from an ifland called Iqui- 
 qua. This is a fort of yellowiili earth, of a 
 fetid fmell. It is generally thought to be dung 
 
 of 
 
Settlements in America. 255 
 
 of birds, becaufe of the fimilitude of the fcent; 
 feathers having been found very deep in it, 
 and vaft numbers of fea fowls appearing 
 upon that and all the adjacent coafls. But, on 
 tne other hand, whether we look upon this 
 fubftance as the dung of thefe fea fowls or a 
 particular fpecies of earth, it is almoft equally- 
 difficult to conceive how the fmall ifland of 
 Iquiqua, not above two miles in circumfer- 
 ence, could fupply fuch immenfe quantities ; 
 and yet,after fupplying upwards of twelve fliip 
 loads annually for a century together for the 
 diftant parts, and a vaAly larger quantity for 
 the ufe of the neighbourhood, it cannot be 
 obferved that it is in the lead diminished, or 
 that the height of the ifland is at all lelTened. 
 But thefe are matters, which, to handle pro- 
 perly, require a more exadt knowledge of all 
 the circumftances relating to them, than can 
 be gathered from travellers. 
 
 Quickfilver is a remarkable article in their 
 trade, becaufe the purification of their gold 
 and filver depends upon it. I do not find that 
 any other part of the Spanifli America pro- 
 duces it ; fo that Mexico and Terra Firma are 
 fupplied from Old Spain with all they want 
 of that mineral, which is brought them on 
 the king's account only j except that fome ar- 
 rives from Peru in a contraband manner. In 
 Peru likcwife it is monopolized by the crown. 
 The principal mine of this extraordinary fub- 
 
 itance 
 
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 ftance is at a place called Guancavelica, whef6 
 it is found in a whitilh mafs, refembling brick 
 ill burned } this they pound, and put into £i 
 furnace vaulted at the top ; it is laid upon an 
 iron grate covered with earth. Through this 
 the fire paffes j and, volatilizing the mineralj 
 it is raifcd in a fmoke, which, finding no paf- 
 fage but through a little hole contrived for 
 that purpofe, rufhes through into a fuccef- 
 iion of little round vefTels, united to each 
 other by the necks j here the fmoak circu- 
 lates, and it condenfes by means of a little 
 water at the bottom of each vcffel, into which 
 the quickfilver falls in a pure heavy liquid* 
 The men who work in the mines of this mi- 
 neral are yet more fubjedt to difeafes than 
 thofe who toil in the others j and they make 
 ufe of the fame prefervatives of Paraguay, 
 tea and coca. 
 
 C H A P. X. 
 
 ^he character of the Terumans. Their dhifons, 
 The Indian feJiivaL Honours paid to a de^ 
 fcendant of the ynca, 
 
 TH E manners of the Spaniards and 
 Creolians of Peru refemble, with little 
 difference, thofe of the Spaniards and Creo- 
 Jians of MexicO;, other than that the natives 
 of Peru feem to be of a more liberal turn, 
 . . ' 4 , and 
 
Settlements /;; America. 257 
 
 and of greater ingenuity ; but they are for the 
 greater part equally deftitute of all cultivation. 
 The llavery of the Indians is here yet more 
 fevere. The magiftrate and the pried devour 
 their v^rhole fubftance; and every Spaniard, 
 as fome authors report, infults them with 
 impunity. The traveller takes as much of 
 their provilion as he pleafes, and decides for 
 himfelf what he (hall pay, or whether he 
 ihall pay any thing at all. Complaints are 
 anfwered with new indignities, and with 
 blows, which it is a crime to return. This 
 cruel irregular bondage contributes to difpeo- 
 ple this country even more than the metho- 
 dical tyranny of the government. To avoid 
 the plunder he is hourly fubjedt to, the maf- 
 ter of the family often railes no more grain 
 than what juft fuffices for the fuflenance of 
 his family ; this he buries, and keeps the 
 fecret of his hoard to himfelf, only drawing 
 out daily juft: fo much as ferves for the ufe of 
 the day. If he chances to die fuddenly, the 
 family ftarves; if a bad feafon comes, the 
 calculated produce falls fliort, and they are 
 all reduced to beggary. Yet worfe, they are 
 even the flaves of flaves ; for the Spaniards 
 encourage their Negroes to treat them with 
 the greateft: infolence ; and they politically 
 keep up a rancour, now grown inveterate, be- 
 tween thefe two races of people. They are 
 forbidden, under the fcverell penalties, ta 
 Vol. I. ' • § • marry 
 
 plti 
 
 ktj 
 
 [•'. ^i; .: 
 
 ' , ■''•(IV 
 
 
 r'* 
 
 ■hm 
 
258 -^« Account o/'f/^t' European 
 
 marry, or to have an unlawful intercourfe to- 
 gether. Divifion is the great inftrument in 
 which the Spaniards truft for the prefervation 
 of their colonies. The native Spaniard has 
 alone all the lucrative offices, civil, ecclefiaf- 
 tical, and military. He defpifes the Creolian. 
 The Creolian hates and envies him. Both 
 contemn and maltreat the Indians, who, on 
 their fide, are not infenfible of the indignities 
 they fuFer. The Blacks arc encouraged to 
 trample on the Indians, and to confider their 
 interefts as altogether oppofite ; whilft the In- 
 dians in their nominal freedom look with an 
 envious difdain upon the ilavery of the Ne- 
 groes, which makes them their mafters. 
 
 What is extraordinary, the Spaniards, not 
 content with reducing this unhappy nation 
 under fo cruel a yoke, as if they thought it 
 nothing unlefs they were thoroughly fenfi- 
 ble of its weight, fuffer the Indians to cele- 
 brate an annual feftival, in which plays are 
 reprefented, commemorating the overthrow 
 of their own flate. Thefe are adted with all 
 the horrid and aggravating circumftances 
 which attended this event ; and the people 
 are at this time fo enraged, that the Spaniards 
 find it dangerous to go abroad. In the city 
 of Lima, there is annually celebrated a fefti- 
 val of this kind, with a grand proceflion, 
 wherein they carry ir a fort of triumph the 
 remaining defcendant of the yncas of Peru* 
 
 and 
 
ind 
 
 Settlements in America. 259 
 
 and his wife j who at that time receive all 
 imaginable honours in the moft melancholy 
 pomp, from a race bowed down with the fenfe 
 of the common bondage of prince and peo- 
 ple. This throws the moft affed:ing gloom 
 over the feftival that renews the image of their 
 former freedom. To this remaining ynca the 
 viceroy of Peru does homage when he enters 
 upon his government. The ynca fits upon a 
 lofty ftage, and the viceroy makes his obei- 
 fance upon a horfe, who is taught to kneel 
 upon the occafion. This manner of proceed- 
 ing may be thought of the moft refined ftrain 
 of infolent tyranny, and to be as unpolitic as 
 it is infaltingi but it is not impofiible that 
 thofe vents, which they fufi'er the indignation 
 of the people to take, may carry off a fpirit, 
 that might otherwife break out in a much 
 more fatal manner. Whether by the divifion 
 they keep up, or by thefe vents, or by the 
 management of the clergy, or by whatever 
 means, the Spaniards preferve their conquefts 
 with very little force ; the Indians are even 
 armed, and make a confidcrable part of their 
 militia ; it is true, they are interdidted the ufe 
 of weapons without licence j but licence is 
 procured without much difliculty. They 
 have likevy'lfe a large number of free blacks, 
 and they too are formed into companies in 
 their militia. Certain it is, that, both in the 
 Spanilh and Portuguefe colonies, they find 
 
 S 2 llavery 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 M w^ 
 
 
 m 
 
26o An AccouNt of the European 
 
 flavery compatible enough with great licence 
 in fome refpects, and both with the fecurity 
 of the mafters. Things deferving our con- 
 fideration j as we do not feem to excel in the 
 conciliating arts of government in our colo- 
 nies, nor to think that any thing is to be ef- 
 feded by other inftruments than thofe of ter- 
 ror and rude force. 
 
 -1. 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 H'he cities of Peru, Lima, Cufco, and ^ito ; 
 . a defcription of them, Callao, its trade and 
 
 dejirudlion. The viceroy of Peru. Hisju- 
 
 rifdiSiion, and revenues. 
 
 «-5-t1 
 
 THERE are three cities in Peru famous 
 for their opulence and trade; Lima, 
 Cufco, and Quito. Lima lies in the Northern 
 part of Peru, in the latitude of 12 South, 
 and 299 longitude from TenerifFe. It flands 
 about two leagues from the fea, upon a river 
 called Rimac, fmall and unnavigable. This 
 city is the capital of Peru, and of all South 
 America -, it extends in length about two 
 miles, and in breadth about one and a quar- 
 ter ; its diftant appearance, from the multitude 
 of fpires and domes, is extremely majeftic ; 
 vxnd when you enter it you fee the ftreets laid 
 out with the greateft regularity, cutting each 
 other at equal diftances and right angles j the 
 4 : ..; houfes. 
 

 Settlements in America. 261 
 
 houfes, on account of the equality of the 
 climate, are (lightly roofed, as they are built 
 low and of light materials, to avoid the con- 
 fequences of earthquakes, frequent and dread- 
 ful in this country. But they are elegantly 
 plaiftered and painted on the outlide, fo as to 
 have all the appearance of free-ftone. To add 
 to the beauty and convenience of this city, 
 moft houfes have a garden, watered by cuts 
 drawn from the river ; each man commands 
 a little running ftream for his own ufe j in a 
 hot and dry country as this is, no fmall mat- 
 ter of convenience and delight. Here is a 
 grand walk by the river-fide two hundred fa- 
 thom long, confiding of five rows of fine 
 orange trees. To this the company reforts at 
 five in the evening drawn in their coaches 
 and cala(hes *. Such is the opulence of this 
 city, that, exclufive of coaches, there are 
 kept in it upwards of five thoufand of thefe 
 carriages. 
 
 Lima has fifty-four churches, taking in 
 the cathedral, the parochial, and conventual; 
 thirteen monafteries of men (befides fix col- 
 leges of jefuits), one of which contains (even 
 hundred, and another five hundred friars and 
 fervants ; twelve nunneries, the principal of 
 
 • The calafli refembles that fort of coach which is called a Vis 
 a Vis, but is drawn only by a fingle horle or mule, and goes on a 
 fingle pair of wheels ; yet fometimcs by the gilding a*id other deco- 
 rations the price of a caJafli amounis to a thoufand crowns. 
 
 S 3 which 
 
 M>^' 
 
 r^, 
 
 1 
 
 
 ^ 
 Uifh 
 
 ' 1:1 1 1 
 
 mm 
 
 \ 
 
!<l 
 
 262 An Account of the European 
 
 which has not lefs than three hundred nuns ; 
 and twelve holpitals, befidcs foundations for 
 the portioning of poor girlso The number 
 of whites is not lefs than ! 0,000 j and the 
 whole of the inhabitant . of all cafts and co- 
 lours are faid not to fall Ihort of 60,000 fouls. 
 They tell a very remarkable fadt, that may 
 ' help us to fome idea of the vaft wealth of 
 this city. When their viceroy the duke de 
 la Palata made his public entry in 1682, they 
 caufed two of the principal ftreets to be paved 
 with ingots of filver, that had paid the fifth 
 to the kingj of between twelve and fifteen 
 inches long, four or five in breadth, and two 
 or three in thicknefs; the whole of which 
 could not amount to lefs than fixteen or fe- 
 venteen millions flerling. But nothing caa 
 give a true idea of the vaft wealth of Lima,, 
 except the churches, which the moft judici- 
 ous travellers fpeak of with aftonifliment; 
 and feem incapable of defcribi ng, on account 
 of that amazing profufion of gold, filver, and 
 precious Itones with which every thing (even 
 the walls) is in a manner totally covered. The 
 tide of this vaft wealth is fed from fources as 
 copious; this city being the great magazine for 
 almoft all the plate of Peru, which is coined 
 here; for the large manufactures and natural 
 products of that kingdom j for thofe of Chili; 
 and for all the luxurit:^ and conveniences 
 brought from Europe and the Eaft-Indies. 
 
 The 
 
Settlements in America. 247 
 
 The trade of the French to Peru, during 
 the general war in Europe which was caufed 
 by the difputes about the Spaniih fucceflion, 
 made this city decay not a little, by difFufing 
 the commerce, of which before it was the 
 center, amongft the other towns which lie 
 along the coall ; but,as that privilege has been 
 lince taken away, Lima began to revive again 
 and continued in great fplendor until the year 
 1747, when a moft tremendous earthquake, 
 which entirely devoured Callao the port be- 
 longing to it, laid three fourths of this city 
 level with the ground. The deftrudlion of 
 Callao was the mofi: perfedl and terrible that 
 can be conceived j no more than one of all 
 the inhabitants efcaping, and he by a pro- 
 vidence the moft fmgular and extraordinary 
 imaginable. This man was on the fort that 
 overlooked the harbour, going to ftrike th^ 
 flag» when he^perceived the fea to retire to 
 a confiderable diftance; and then fwelling 
 mountain high, it returned with great vio- 
 lence. The inhabitants ran from their houfes 
 in the utmoft terror and confufion ', he heard 
 a cry of Miferere rife from all parts of the 
 city ; and immediately all was filent -, the fea 
 had entirely overwhelmed this city, and bu- 
 ried it for ever in its bofom 3 but the fame 
 wave which deftroy'd the city, drove a little 
 boat by the place where the man ftood, into 
 which he threw himfelf and was faved. What 
 
 
 ';. H' 
 
 ii 
 
 ''I'll 
 
 ■\•^■■ 
 
 ■■> iji , 
 
 ■ i 
 
 ■' ■# 
 
 ■ 1 
 
 m 
 
 it 
 
 f fv/ 
 
 S4 
 
 IS 
 
 (111 
 
I 
 
 164 -«4« Account o/'/i6^ European 
 
 is remarkable too in this affair, Mr. Frezler, 
 who was in Peru in the year 1714 and from 
 whom I have part of my materials, on con- 
 fidering the fituation of this town and the na- 
 ture of the country, ventured to prophefy for 
 it the deflrudion, which we have feen ac- 
 complilhed in our days. Whilft this town 
 fubfifted, it contained about 3000 inhabitants 
 of all kinds, had five convents, and pofleffed 
 the fined: port in all Peru. Here were the 
 rich warehoufes furnifhed with all the goods 
 of Europe, which being landed by the gal- 
 leons at Porto-bcUo were brought over land 
 to Panama, and thence tranfported hither by 
 the armadilla, or fleet, with a convoy of three 
 men of war referved for this purpofe. To 
 this port arrived the annual fliip from Aca- 
 pulco loaden with all the products of the 
 Eaft ; from Chili it received vaft: quantities of 
 corn, dried beef and pork, leather, tallow, 
 plank,, and feveral forts of woollen goods, 
 particularly carpets like thofe of Turkey. 
 From the Southern ports of Peru were brought 
 fugars, wine, and brandy, naval ftores, cacao, 
 Vigonia wool, and tobacco. From Mexico it 
 had pitch and tar, woods for dying, and that 
 balfam, which we improperly call of Peru, 
 iince it comes from Guatimala. As the port 
 of Callao is fo excellent, and as it is that by 
 which the trade of Lima wholly, and that of 
 all Peru in a great meafure, mull be carried 
 r: • .s. « on. 
 
Settlements in America. 265 
 
 on, we cannot doubt but that a new city is 
 already built therci and that Lima is reftored 
 to its former luftre ; efpecially as this latter is 
 the center of fo vaft a trade, and the feat of fo 
 great a government. For to the viceroy of 
 Peru, both Chili and Terra Firma are fubjedl. 
 His fettled falary is 40,000 pieces of eight 
 yearly; his perquifites are great; as often as 
 he goes to Callao, he is intitled to 3000 pieces 
 of eight for that little airing; he has 10,000 
 forevery progrefs into more diftant parts; he 
 has the fole difpofal ot above a hundred great 
 magiftracies; and, in fhort, the granting of all 
 triennial employments both civil and military 
 throughout the extent of his ample jurifdic- 
 tion. It cannot therefore be doubted that his 
 perquifites, even his lavtrful ones (for there 
 are many others), at lead double the value of 
 his falary. And certainly, whatever the king 
 of Spain may lofe by the bad oeconomy in 
 his affairs, no prince in the world has fuch 
 means of rewarding the fervices of his fubjedts, 
 without any immediate burden upon his own 
 revenues. 
 
 Cufco, the capital of the ancient empire, is 
 ftill a very conliderable city; it is at a good dif- 
 tance from the fea, and lituatedin the moun- 
 tainous part of the country ; it has not lefs than 
 forty thoufand inhabitants, three parts Indian.s, 
 who are very induftrious and ingenious. 7'iio' 
 little inftruded in the art, a tafte for paint- 
 
 
 
 p 
 
 iil 
 
 ii 
 
 m 
 
 i; 
 
 ■ \ 1 
 
 1 
 
 v4'' 
 
 :¥ 
 
 'm 
 
 •;. . 
 
 ■■( 
 
 1 '■! y 
 
 
266 -/^« Account o/'/i^^ European 
 
 ing prevails, and fome performances of the 
 Indians of Cufco and Qiiito have met with 
 applaufe in Italy. An incredible quantity of 
 pidturcs are painted here, and are difperfed all 
 over Peru and Chili, Th«y have here like- 
 wife manufadures of bays and cotton, and 
 they work largely in leather in mod of the ways 
 in which it is ufed. 
 
 Quito is likewife an inland town fituated in 
 the moll Northern part of Peru ; it is a very 
 confiderable place, and equal to any in Peru 
 for the number of inhabitants, which are be- 
 tween fifty and fixty thoufand ; and it carries 
 on a very extenfive trade with Lima, in ma- 
 nufactures of wool, cotton, and flax, which 
 are wrought in the city and its diftridt, and 
 fupply the greater part of the confumption of 
 the poorer fort all over this kingdom. Few 
 mines are worked in this diftrid:, tho' thought 
 to abound in minerals; they receive plate in 
 return for their own manufadures, and fend it 
 toCarthagena in return for thofe of Europe. 
 
 It is not eafy to calculate the number of in- 
 habitants in Peru, becaufe we have none of 
 thofe data which are ncceflary to ground fuch a 
 calculation. There are feveral very large and 
 populous towns difperfed through that country^; 
 but in many places it is little better than a de- 
 fart j partly for want of water, but much 
 more generally through the pride of one part 
 of the people, themiferable fubje(Sion of the 
 
 other. 
 
Settlements in America. 267 
 
 other, and the floth of all. The mines un- 
 doubtedly contribute largely to depopulate the 
 country, by turning the inhabitants from agri- 
 culture and manufactures, employments that 
 prolong life and provide for it, to the working 
 of metals extremely pernicious to health, and 
 which makes them depend upon others for 
 their neceffary fuftenancc. The nations which 
 are poor in refpedt of gold, and induftrious 
 from that poverty, have not the leafl: reafon to 
 envy the wealth of the Peruvians; who, amidfl 
 all that extravagant glare that dazzles the eye, 
 live penurioufly and fordidly j and are often 
 in extreme want in a country, which in many 
 places is one of the mort: fertile in the world. 
 In fafl, the countries which employ their men 
 in arts and in agriculture, and receive their re- 
 turn in gold and filver, from the countries 
 which abound in thofe metals, may be confi- 
 dered as the real proprietors of the mines; the 
 immediate poiTeliors, only as their llewards 
 to manage, or as their flaves to work them ; 
 whilft they are employed themfelves at an 
 eaiy labour, friendly to life, and neceflary 
 to their well-bein?. 
 
 n 
 
 h'i 
 
 It* I 
 
 M 
 
 
 >.-{: 
 
 CHAP. 
 
268 -^Vi Account 0/*/;$^ European 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 TJiie temperature of the air in Chili. The foil. 
 Its fertility, A defer iption of the principal 
 towns, ihe trade of Chili, ^ 
 
 IMmediately :o the Southward of Peru lies 
 Chili, cxcending itfelf in a long narrow 
 flip, along the coaft of the South-Sea, in the 
 South temperate zone. The air here is re- 
 markably clear and ferene. Scarce any changes 
 happen for three parts of the year. Very 
 little rain fiills during that period. But the 
 benign dews every night, and the many rivu- 
 lets which the neighbourhood of the Andes 
 fupplies them, fertilize the plain country, and 
 make it produce as much corn, wine, oil, and 
 fruits, as the number of the inhabitants, which 
 is very fmall, oi their induftry, which is but 
 moderate, will fuffer them to cultivate. If it 
 were under a more favcural le government, 
 and better peopled, there is hardly any part of 
 the world which could enter into competition 
 with this. For at the fame time that it enjoys 
 a very healthful air, and is warmed by an heat 
 no way oppreflivc, it bears many of the tro- 
 pical fruits that would thrive no where elfe 
 out of the torrid zoiie. It is luxuriant on the 
 furface with every thing for profit and delight; 
 and beneath it is rich to profufion with veins 
 
 of 
 
Settlements /« America. 269 
 
 of gold, filver, copper, lead, quickfilver, 
 and iron. Thofe of gold are the mofl 
 wrought; and indeed there is fcarce a rivulet 
 in the country in which gold is nor found in 
 fmaller or greater plenty ; but want of people, 
 which is here more felt than in the other Spa- 
 ni{h fettlements, hinders them from working 
 all their mines ; and, what is worfe, from im- 
 proving the furface of their country to any 
 thing like the degree of perfedtion to which it 
 might be brought. For in this whole extent 
 of country, upwards of twelve hundred miles 
 in length, and from three hundred to five hun- 
 dred miles in breadth, it is not reckoned they 
 have much above twenty thoufand whites fit 
 to bear arms, and about three times that num- 
 ber of Indians, Blacks, and Mulattoes. Yet, 
 with fo few hands, and thofe not the mofl 
 induftrious, they export annually from the 
 ports of Chili, to Callao, and other parts of 
 Peru, corn enough to fnpport fixty thoufand 
 men, for no country in the world is more 
 prolific ingrain of every fpecies; they export 
 befides great quantities of wine, hemp (which 
 is raifed in no other part on the South-Seas), 
 hides, tallow, and fp'ted provifions; to fay 
 nothing of the gcJd, and other minerals, 
 which form their principal wealth. The peo- 
 ple are much employed in paluirage j and cat- 
 tle are here in fiich plenty, that an ox fatted 
 may be had for four dollars; a great proof of 
 
 the 
 
 I.' 
 
 ■|i 
 
 11,1 i St 
 
 I 
 
 ■'•if! 
 
!1 
 
 270 An Account of the Europiean 
 
 the fertility of a country where there is no 
 fc.?rcity of money. But as they have a con- 
 liderable trade in dried and falted beef, hides, 
 and tallow, they conftantly drive great num- 
 bers of horned cattle from the other fide of 
 the Andes, from the province of Tucuman in 
 Paragua. Chili has but a very few hearts of 
 prey, and thofe timorous; and although toads 
 fnakes, and fcorpions, are here as numerous as 
 in other hot countries, they are found entirely 
 harmlefs. 
 
 There are in Chili four towns of fome note, 
 either on the fea, or near it ; St. Jago which 
 is the capital, and contains about 4000 fami- 
 lies. La Conception, Coquimbo or La Serena, 
 and Baldivia. The three firft of thefe towns 
 are laid out in a manner exactly refembling 
 each other, the ftreets, like thofe of Lima, 
 cutting one another fo as to form fquares like 
 thofe of a draft board. They have all gar- 
 dens between the houfes, and running waters 
 drawn from the neighbouring rivers to ferti- 
 lize them; but the houfes are fo low and 
 meanly built (mud walls, and thatch in 
 fome) that they rather refemble agreeable 
 country villages than cities of bufinefs and 
 grandeur. However, fome of the houfes are 
 well furniflied, and it is faid, that in St. Jago 
 there are many, which have the meaneft uten- 
 fils of the kitchen, of gold and lilver. As 
 for Baldivia, it is not more remarkable for 
 
 being 
 
Settlements in America. 
 
 271 
 
 being the ftrongcft fortrefs in the South-Seas, 
 than for the manner in which it is peopled ; 
 for hither the criminals from Peru and the 
 other parts of Chili are tranfported, either for 
 a time or for life, and obliged to labour up- 
 on the fortifications and other public works. 
 What is Angular ; thefe criminals are at once 
 the prifbners and the jailors; for the garrifon 
 of the place, the whole corps, foldiers and 
 officers, is formed of no other. The town 
 contains about two thoufand fouls, and all of 
 them baniflied people, or the defcendants of 
 fuch. 
 
 The maritime trade of Chili is entirely con- 
 fined to what they carry on with Peru, one or 
 twoportsof New Spain, and Panama. Their 
 Ihips rarely penetrate the ftraits of Magellan, 
 or pafs Cape Horn. But they have a confider- 
 able inland commerce with Tucuinan, Bue- 
 nos- Ayres, and other parts of Paragua, from 
 which they get the herb of Paragua, bees- wax, 
 and cattle. . . 
 
 ■ , .1 ! 
 
 1. ■ 
 
 1:1, 
 
 
 flF*^. 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 Ti'he Spaniards in this province but few. The 
 Americans^ their chara^er. So?nefree, 
 
 AS in Chili they are weak in men, have a 
 large body of independent Indians, ill- 
 affeded to them on their borders ; as the 
 
 Dutch 
 
 I* 
 
 ll 
 
 ( I 
 
 i 
 
}\l 
 
 272 u4n Accoi/NT of t6e Europe Ait 
 
 Dutch once aitempted an eftabli(hment here, 
 and as other people havenouri(hedproje6lsof 
 the fame nature 5 they are extremely cautious 
 and watchful on the coaft, and the country is 
 immediately in arms upon every alarm, which 
 is given when any fliip appears off the coaft 
 that is not Spani(h built : yet, notwithftand- 
 ing all their caution, their fecurity is rather 
 owing to the fyftem of Europe, of which it 
 is a part to keep the Spanifh pofTenions in the 
 hand of the prefent proprietors, and to the 
 difficult and dangerous palTage of the ftraits 
 of Magellan or Cape Home, for any European 
 armament of force, than cither to their own 
 ftrength or vigilance. 
 
 The Indian inhabitants of Chili are a brave 
 and warlike people, who defended their liber- 
 ties vigoroully, made feveral fuccefsful infur- 
 redions, killed Peter Baldivia the conqueror 
 of the country, and maintained a war againft 
 the whole Spanifli power in that part of the 
 world for feveral years j which was only ter- 
 minated, on the part of feveral of the nations 
 near the mountains, by an honourable peace, 
 which is prefervcd to this day. None can be 
 more jealoufly watchful than this people of 
 their freedom. They traffic indeed with the 
 Spaniards, but with fo much caution, and un- 
 der limitations fo ftritft, that they can take 
 very little advantage of this communication. 
 As for thofe who are obliged to fubmit, it is 
 r • .to 
 
Settlements m America. 273 
 
 to a yoke nothing near fo heavy as that which 
 opprefTcs the people who inhabit the other 
 Spanifli provinces ; partly from the better 
 terms v/hich were procured *, and partly from 
 the fear of a nation, whom they have expe- 
 rienced to be brave, and know to be furround- 
 ed with many, who are of the fame blood> 
 and have defended their freedom with better 
 fuccefs. A good example, even in the un- 
 fortunate, how much a brave defence of li- 
 berty may contribute to procure, if nothing 
 elfe, yet a more tolerable fervitude. The In- 
 dians of this country have more refemblr- ,/ 
 tothofeof North America, though more V.; 
 mane and civilized in their manners, than • / 
 the Peruvians and Mexicans. Here they ha . •" 
 lefs fuperftition naturally 5 and, far from having 
 that excefTive veneration which thofe nations 
 had for their kings, they have no kings at all, 
 and very little form of government ; each fa- 
 mily being fovereign within itfelf, and inde- 
 pendent. Thebulinefs which concerns them 
 all, is tranfadled in the alTemblies of all j and 
 the plurality of voices decides. They are rr, uc 1 
 given to liquor ; and they pradtife polygamy, 
 which in America is not common. How- 
 ever, the Spani{h miflionaries have now made 
 a confiderable progrefs amongft thefe free na- 
 tions; they have a college for the education of 
 the Indian youth; and their influence is a great 
 means of preferving peace between the Spanifh 
 Vol. 1. T fettle- 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 * 
 
 
 
274 ^// Account o///6f European 
 fettleinents and the free Indians on their bor- 
 ders, wh.ich, without their afllftance, would 
 be diilicult. For, though they lillen to the 
 Spanifh priefts, they prelcrve a very jufl; terror 
 of fidiing under their government, and no 
 fmall hatred to the people. 
 
 CHAP. XIV. , 
 
 The climate of Paraguay. Its rivers. The 
 pro'vince of La Plata. The towti of Buenos- 
 Ayr es. Its trade. 
 
 LaPh 
 
 THE country of Paraguay, 
 Ihuts up the Eaftern iide of aconfider- 
 able part of Chili and Peru; whence extend- 
 ing over a tradt of country, above a thoufand 
 miles broad, it bounds Brazil upon the Weft, 
 and upon the South butts upon the Atlantic 
 ocean j being fifteen hundred miles at leaft in 
 length, from the mouth of the great river Plata 
 to its Northern boundary the country of the 
 Amazons. This vail: territory is far from be- 
 ing wholly fubdued or planted by the Spaniards. 
 There are many parts in a great degree un- 
 knovv'n to them, or to any other people of Eu- 
 rope. In fuch a vaft country, and lying in 
 climates fo different, for it lies on the North- 
 ern frontier under the equino<5tial line, and 
 on the South advances to the thirty feventh 
 degree of latitude, far into the South temper- 
 2 I- ' . ate 
 
.*.'l 
 
 ate 
 
 Settlements in America. 275 
 
 ate zone,' we muft expeft to meet great di- 
 verfity of foil and produdl. However, in ge- 
 neral, this great country is fertile; the paftures 
 particularly are {o rich that they are covered 
 with innumerable herds of black cattle, horfes, 
 and mules ; in which hardly any body thinks 
 it worth his while to claim a property. Any 
 perfon takes and breaks them according to his 
 occafions. 
 
 This country, befides an infinite number of 
 fmaller rivers, is watered by three principal 
 ones, which unite near the fea, to form the 
 famous Rio de la Plata. The firft is Paraguay, 
 from whence the country is denominated; this 
 forms the main channel. It has its origin from 
 a great lake in the center of South America, 
 called the lake of Xarayes, and runs in a 
 courfe nearly North and South. Parana, which 
 rifes amongft the mountains on the frontiers 
 of Brazil, runs a floping courfe to the South - 
 Weft, until it joins the Paraguay, at a great 
 diftance from the ocean, about the twenty- 
 feventh degree of South latitude. Uraguay 
 rifes likewife upon the fame fide, and runs al- 
 moft an equal courfe before it meets thofe united 
 rivers at no great diftance from the ocean, with 
 which it mixes, along with them. 
 
 The principal province which concerns us, 
 in this vaft tradt, is that which is called Rio de 
 la Plata, towards the mouth of the above-men- 
 tioned rivers. This province, with all the ad- 
 ^ . . T 2 jacent 
 
 1' X. '■ 1; 
 
 ,fc 
 
 If 
 
 m 
 
 I* 
 
 1, |M 
 
 i t- 
 
m i 
 
 276 y^n Account oft/je European 
 jacent parts, isone continued level, interrupted 
 by not the Icaft hill for feveral hundreds of 
 miles every way ; extremely fertile in moft 
 things ; but, contrary to the general nature of 
 America, deftitute of woods; this want they 
 endeavour to fupply by plantations of every 
 kind of fruit trees; all which thrive here to 
 admiration. The air is remarkably fweet and 
 ferene, and the waters of the great river are 
 equally pure and wholcfome; they annually 
 overflow their banks ; and, on their recefs, 
 leave them enriched with a ilime, which pro- 
 duces the greatcil plenty of whatever is com- 
 mitted to it. 
 
 The principal town is Buenos-Ayres, on the 
 South fide of the river j it was lb called upon 
 account of the excellence of the air. This 
 town is the only place of traffic to the South- 
 ward of Brazil ; yet its trade, confidering the 
 rich and extenfive country to which it is the 
 avenue, isvcry conliderable. No regular fleet 
 comes here, as to the other parts of Spanifh 
 America ; two, or at tnoii three, rcgiflier (hips 
 make the whole of their regular intercourfe 
 with Europe. Their returns are very valuable, 
 conliiling chiefly of gold, filver, fugar, and 
 hides. I cannot learn that they have opened 
 any confiderable mines in this province; but it 
 is probable there are rich ones in the provinces 
 which lie to the Eaftward of the Andesj be- 
 fidesj it is certain that a good deal of gold is 
 
 returned 
 
Settlements in America. 277 
 
 returned from Chili, for the mules, cattle, and 
 tea, which arefent thither; and that filver from 
 the province of Los Charcas in Peru is fent 
 upon the fame account, for the moft part by 
 land carriage. There is befides a tolerable 
 water carriage ; for a large river, called Pilco- 
 mayo, rifes not far from the mines of Potofi, 
 which, winding amongfl: the openings of the 
 Cordillera, difcharges itfelf at laft into the Pa- 
 raguay ; and this river is navigable to the very 
 fource, allowing for the interruption of fome 
 falls, which is the cafe of the river of Plata 
 itfelf. By this way it is, I judge, that a great 
 quantity of filver comes to Buenos-Ayres. 
 Indeed it is in great plenty in that province ; 
 and thofe who have now and then carried on 
 a contraband trade to this country, have found 
 it far more advantageous tharj any other what- 
 foever. The benefit of this contraband is 
 now wholly in the hands of the Portugucfe, 
 who keep magazines for that purpofe ia the 
 adjacent parts of Brazil. 
 
 'li.' I 
 
 f' 
 
 Hi,; 
 
 ' 1; 
 
 I 
 
 yi' 
 
 i 
 
 3 
 
 CHAP, 
 
 
278 y^// Account ©/"//^^ European 
 t 
 
 C H A P. XV. 
 
 ^he territory ofthejcfuits in Paraguay. Their 
 manner of fettling and governing it, The 
 obedience of the people. Some reflexions on the 
 late tranfaclions there. 
 
 THE trade of Paraguay, and the manners 
 of the people, are fo much the fame 
 with thofe of the rert of the Spanifh colonies 
 in South America, that nothing further can be 
 faid on thofe articles 5 but it would be incx- 
 cufable to quit the country without faying 
 fomething of that extraordinary fpecics of 
 commonwealth which the jefuits have eredted 
 in the interior parts. '* 
 
 • About the middle of the laft century thofe 
 fathers reprefented to the court of Madrid, 
 that their want of fuccefs in their miflions 
 was owing tothefcandal which the immorality 
 of the Spaniards never failed to give, and to 
 the hatred which their infolenf behaviour 
 caufed in the Indians wherever they came. 
 They infinuated, that, if it v/ere not for that 
 impediment, the empire of the gofpel might, 
 by their labours, have been extended into the 
 moft unknown parts of America; and that all 
 thofe countries might be fubdued to his ca- 
 tholic majefty's obedience, without cxpence 
 and without force. This remonftrance was 
 
 liftened 
 
Settlements in America. 279 
 
 liftened to with attention j the fphere^of their 
 labours was marked out; an uncontroulcd 
 liberty was given to the jefuits within thcfc 
 limits; and the governors of the adjacent 
 provinces had orders not to interfere, nor 
 to fufter any Spaniard to enter into this pale, 
 without licence from the fathers. They on 
 their part agreed, to pay a certain capitation 
 tax in proportion to their flock j and to fund 
 a certain number to the king's works when- 
 ever they (hould be demanded, and the mif- 
 (ions fhould become populous enough to fup- 
 ply them. 
 
 On thefe terms, the jefuits entered upon the 
 fcene of adion, and opened their ipiritual 
 campaign. They began by gathering toge- 
 ther about fifty wandering families, whom 
 they perfuaded to fettle j and they united 
 them into a little townfhip. This was the 
 flight foundation upon which they have built 
 a fuperftrudure, which has amazed the world, 
 and added fo much power, at? the fame time 
 that it has brought on fo much envy and jealoufy, 
 to their fociety. For when 'they had made 
 this beginning, they laboured with fuch inde- 
 fatigable pains, and with fuch mafterly policy, 
 that, by degrees, they mollified the minds of 
 the moft favage nations; fixed the mofl ram- 
 bling; and fubdued the mod averfe to govern- 
 ment. They prevailed upon thoufands of va- 
 rious difperfed tribes of people to emorace 
 
 T 4 their 
 
 
 ; 
 
 ll'l 
 
 i| 
 
 Si: 
 
 \ 
 
 f 
 
 H 
 
 (:l 
 
I! 
 
 280 ^/z Account o/'/^f European 
 
 their religion, and to fubmit to their govern- 
 ment; and when they had fubmitted, the 
 jcfuits left nothing undone, that could con- 
 duce to their remaining in this fubjedtion, or 
 that could tend to increafe their number to the 
 degree requifite for a well-ordered and potent 
 foclety J and their labours were attended with 
 fuccefs. 
 
 It is faid, that, from fuch inconfiderate be- 
 ginnings, feveral years ago, their fubjedts a- 
 mounted to three hundred thoufand families. 
 They lived in towns; they were regularly 
 clad ; they laboured in agriculture ; they ex- 
 crcifed manufadlures. Some even afpired to 
 the "legant arts. They v/ere inflrudted in the 
 military with the moit exadt difcipline ; and 
 could raife lixty thoufand men well armed. 
 To efFedt thefe purpofes, from time to time, 
 they brought over from Europe feveral han- 
 dicraftmen, muficians, and painters. Thefe, 
 I am told, were principally from Germany 
 and Italy. 
 
 We are far from being able to trace, with 
 the exadtnefs they deferve, all thefteps which 
 were taken in the accomplifliment of fo ex- 
 traordinary a conqueft over the bodies and 
 minds of fo many people, without arms or 
 violence; and differently from the methods of 
 all other conquefts ; not by cutting off a large 
 part of the inhabitants to fecure the reft, but 
 by n7^ultiplying their people, whilft they ex- 
 ' ' tended 
 
a- 
 
 Skttlemf.nts in America. 2S1 
 
 tended their territory. Their own accounts 
 are not very ample, and they are partial to 
 thcmli Ives without doubt. What Tome others 
 have written is with a glaring prejudice againlt 
 them. The particulars which feem bell a- 
 greed upon by both fides are the only ones to 
 be mentioned. 
 
 It is agreed then, that in each miflion or 
 diflrift (the country is divided into forty-leven 
 diftricts) a jefuit prefidcs in chief. But ma- 
 giftratts arci fettled in every town, anfwcrahlc 
 to thole in the Spanilh cities ; thefe arc al- 
 ways Indians, ele<^ted by the people, and ap- 
 proved by the prefiding jefuit : on folemn oc- 
 cafionsjthey appear in rich robes of ceremony, 
 attended ^ith a fuitable retinue, and every- 
 thing which may make for tie dignity of 
 their government. The people which com- 
 pofe this commonwealth are compofed chiefly 
 of two nations or tribes, one called Garanies, 
 the other Chiquitos. The latter are a^ivc, 
 lively and ingenious, therefore their ceconomy 
 is more left to themfeivesj and they have fomc- 
 thing of property, but there is fomething too 
 in common. Amongft the Garanies there is 
 no property j every thing is done under the pub- 
 lic eye, and for the public; for otherwile this 
 people, naturally lazy and ftupid to the lall 
 degree, would be in perpetual want. Each 
 man's labour is allotted him in proportion to 
 Jiis ftrength, or to his ikill in the profeffion 
 
 which 
 
 il4 
 
 M 
 
 \ 
 
 mi 
 
 i 
 
'>&■ 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 2S2 j^n Account oftlie European 
 
 which he exercifes. The prodiidt is brought 
 faithfully into the public magazines ; Loin 
 whence he is again fupplied with all things 
 which the managers judge to be expedient 
 for the fuftenance of himfelf or his family^. 
 All necefl'aries are diftributed regularly twice a 
 week ; and the magazines always contain fuch 
 aftock of provilions and goods of every kind, 
 as to anfwer not only the ordinary exigencies, 
 but to provide againft a time of fcarcity, or 
 for thofe whom accidents, age, or infirmities, 
 have difqualified for labour. Thus want is 
 never known amongft them ; their villages are 
 cleanly and decnt, greatly exceeding thofe of 
 the Spaniards in their neighbourhood. Their 
 churches are particularly grand and richly ad- 
 orned ; and fervice is in them performed 
 with all the folemnity and magnificence of ca- 
 thedrals; nor are good voices and initruments 
 Vv'anting. 
 
 They provide early for the marriage of t'neir 
 young people, as well to prevent diibrders, as 
 to multiply their fubjedts. Here, as intereft 
 can be no motive to the union, there are few 
 diinculties attending it. The young man ap- 
 plies to the governing jefuit, informs him of 
 his defire of marriage, and names the party : 
 ihe is confulted, and, if there is no objedlion 
 .upon her part, they are immediately married. 
 They are fupplied with all neceflaries for their 
 cftablifliment from the public ftores, and they 
 
 have 
 
Settlemf?:i? in America. 283 
 
 have at the fame time their ta/k allotted them, 
 by which they are to make amends for what 
 they have received, and to provide for others 
 in their turn. 
 
 The Indian magiflrate is obliged continually 
 to watch over the minuted adlions of his peo- 
 ple, and to give the jefuit an exafl account of 
 theftate of his diftrid, and the merit and de- 
 merit of the people which it contains. They 
 are rewarded or puniflied according to this re- 
 port. The punilhment for fmaller crimes is 
 by imprifonment, for greater by whipping, 
 from which it is faid not even the principal 
 magiilrates are exempted. Capital punilh- 
 ments they do not inflid, as indeed crimes 
 deferving fuch punishment are rarely commit- 
 ted amongft them. The corredlon is received 
 by all, not only with patience, but acknow- 
 ledgement. The rewards are feldom more 
 than benedidions, and fome flight marks of 
 thejefuits favour, which make thofe men en- 
 tirely happy. 
 
 Nothing can equal the obedience of the peo- 
 ple of thefe miflions, except their content- 
 inent under it. Far from murmuring, that 
 they have only neceflaries of life, by z labour 
 which might in fome degree procure them the 
 conveniencies of it, they think themfelves a 
 diliinguilhed and favc-jred people in wanting 
 them ; and they believe their obedience a duty, 
 iliat not only fecures their order and repofe in 
 
 this 
 
 m 
 
 it: % 
 
 
 Hi':.] 
 
 -!f''!i'"'i' 
 1 if' •', 
 
 m 
 < , • Iff 
 
 '.■:'. V-y, 
 
rl 
 
 2S4 An Account ^/i&^ European 
 
 this world, but the very heft means of infur- 
 ing their happinefs in the next. This is care- 
 fully inculcated j and indeed, befides their 
 attention to the government, the jefuits are 
 indefatigable in their inftruitions in the doc- 
 trines of religion, the regularity of life, and 
 the contempt of this world. And, by what I 
 can find, the Indians under their jurifdidion 
 are an innocent people, civilized without be- 
 ing corrupted. 
 
 The jefuits, who govern them, are faid to 
 be extremt;lyftrid in preferving their privilege 
 in keeping all ftrangers from amongfl them. 
 If any fuch Ihould, by accident or in his jour- 
 ney, arrive in the country of the miffions, he 
 is immediately carried to the prefby tery, where 
 he is treated for a day, or two at moft, with 
 great hofpitality, but regarded with no lefs 
 circumfpedion. The curiofities of the place 
 are fliewed him in company with the jefuit, 
 and he can have no private converfation with 
 any of the natives. In a reafonable time, he is 
 civilly difmifled, with a guard to condudthim 
 to the next diftridt, without expen.ce, where 
 he is treated in the fame manner, until he is 
 out of the country of the miflions. Cautions 
 altogether as ftridt, and in the fame fpirit, are 
 obferved, when the natives are obliged to go 
 out of their own territory to ferve in the king's 
 works, or when any part of their troops are 
 called out for his fervice. They ihun all man- 
 
 ner 
 
'ill 
 
 Settlements in America. 28^ 
 
 nerofconverfationwith ftrangers, upon whom 
 they look with a fort of horror ; and fo return, 
 uninformed and untainted, into their own 
 country as they left it. 
 
 I am fenfible, that many have reprefented 
 the condudt of the jefuits in this milTion in a 
 very bad light ; but their reflexions appear to 
 me not at all fupported by the fa<5ts upon 
 which they build them. To judge perfedly 
 of the fervice they have done their people, 
 we muft not confider them in a parallel with 
 the flourilhing nations of Europe, but as com- 
 pared with their neighbours, the favages of 
 South America, or with the ftate of thofe In- 
 dians who groan under the Spanifh yoke. 
 Confidering it in this, which is the true light, 
 it will appear, that human fociety is infinitely 
 obliged to them for adding to it three hundred 
 thoufand families in a well-regulated com- 
 munity, in the room of a few vagabond un- 
 taught favages. And indeed, it can fcarce be 
 conceived, that the government has not fome 
 extraordinary perfedtion, which has a princi- 
 ple of increafe within it, which draws others 
 to unite themfclves to the old ftock, and 
 flioots out itfelf a luxuriance of new branches. 
 Neither can we, by any means, blame a 
 fyflem which produces fuch falutary efFedls; 
 and which has found that difficult, but happy 
 way, that grand defideratum in politics, of 
 uniting a perfecSt fubje(5tion to an entire con- 
 tent 
 
 ^:i' 
 
 It 
 
 |H 
 
286 An Account of the European 
 
 tent and fatisfadion of the people. Matters, 
 which, it were to be --/viQied, were ftudied 
 with more attention by us, who content our- 
 felves with railing at the diligence of an ad- 
 verfary, which we fliould rather praife and 
 imitate j and who, in our affairs, feldom think 
 of uiing any other inftruments than force or 
 money. 
 
 This commonwealth is now become a 
 fubjedt of much converfation, upon account 
 of the cefllon which has lately been made of 
 part of that territory to the crown of Portu- 
 gal. It is well known, that the inhabitants 
 of i^vtxi of the miflions refufed to comply 
 with this divifion, or to fuffer themfelves to 
 be transferred from one hand to another, like 
 tattle, without their own confent *. We are 
 informed, by the authority of the Gazette, 
 that the Indians actually took up arms ; but, 
 notwithftanding the exadnefs of their difci- 
 pline, they were eafily, and with a confi- 
 derable Daughter, defeated by the European 
 troops, who were fent to 'j^uell them. It 
 feems to have been ill-judged in this people, 
 who had never feen any real fervice, nor were 
 headed by otiicers who had i^^xi any, with- 
 out which the befh difcipline is but a fort of 
 play, to have hazarded a battle with troops 
 . . : from 
 
 * The jefuits have been entirely diigrac;d at the court of 
 Portugal, tor the- Ihare they are laid to have had in this re- 
 
It 
 
 le, 
 re 
 1- 
 of 
 
 of 
 re- 
 
 Settlements in America. 287 
 
 from Europe. They ought rather^o have firll 
 habituated themfelves to adtion by attacking 
 fmall parties, by cutting off convoys, by ht- 
 tle furpiizes, until, by ufe and fuccels in fmaller 
 matters, they were intitled to hazard the fum 
 of their affairs in the open field. However, 
 it is not improbable, that this oppofition will 
 roufe the indolence of the Spaniards, and 
 make them take the government of the coun- 
 try out of the hands it is in at prefcnt. If 
 they do, it is not difficult to forefee, that the 
 fame depopulation, the fame diftrefs, and the 
 fame difcontent, which diftinguifli the In- 
 dians in the reft of the Spanifli provinces, 
 will be foon equally vifible in this. It will 
 not be difficult for them tocffedl the redudion 
 of this country; for thejefuits have too large 
 and valuable an intereft in Old Spain, as 
 well as in the new world, to difpute it with 
 the court, whenever they fliall demand in good 
 earneft to have this country furrendered; if 
 it be true, that the jefuits have really fuch 
 influence on the inhabitants as is attributed to 
 them. 
 
 It was not originally fuch bad policy, as it 
 may feem, to have intrufted the jefuits with fo 
 great a power ; fince a little time will fliew, 
 that they have given them a territory un- 
 known, unpeopled, and uncultivated, which 
 they have the certain means of repoffeffmg 
 when they pleafe, fubdued, peopled, and cul- 
 tivated. 
 
 I 
 
 ill 
 
 
 
 nil 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 i. 
 
 ! 
 
 ■ • * 
 
 * 
 
 1 illu 
 
 i 
 
 '\\'- iji 
 
 
 , i 'A 
 
 1 
 
 : iii 
 
 "1 
 
 
 '!!^-' 
 
 I! 
 
2^8 An AccovnT of f&eEu HOVE AH 
 
 tivated. As to its wealth, it is hard to fay 
 any thing certain; the jefuits deny it. And 
 truly, if they adled with a perfcdl: policy, they 
 would never have fuffered any mines of gold 
 or lilver to be opened in that country. Of 
 this matter I have no information upon which 
 I can depend. 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 Terra Firma. Its extent and produce, The 
 cities of Panama, Carthagena, and Porto- 
 hello. The galleons. The ijle of Cuba. The 
 Havanna. Hifpaniola. Porto Rico. Re- 
 flexions on the policy of Spain with regard to 
 the colonies. 
 
 THE Spaniards have not made any fet- 
 tlements in the other divilions of South- 
 America, which they claim to the Southward 
 of Buenos-Ayres, nor to the Northward, ex- 
 cept in Terra Firma, of which we (hall fay 
 fomething. The country of the Amazons, 
 though prodigioully large, wonderfully fer- 
 tile, and watered by fo noble a river, is al- 
 mofl entirely negleftcd. The river of Ama- 
 zons, called alio Maranon and Orellana, 
 which waters and gives its name to this coun- 
 try, arifing from the union of feveral ftreams 
 that fall from the Cordillera, runs a courfe of 
 nokfs than iioo leagues; it flows for the 
 . greater 
 
Settlements in America. 289 
 
 greater part through a level countrj^ covered 
 with the fairefl and loftiefl forells in the world, 
 in which it forms an innumerable multitude 
 of delightful iflands ; and receiving on both 
 lides the copious tribute of feveral rivers almoft 
 equal to itfelf in greatnefs, increafing in 
 breadth to a fort of fea, and to a depth which 
 in fome parts has been in vain fearched with a 
 line of upwards an hundred fathoms, it rullies 
 j^t length into the Atlantic ocean by two 
 mouths of an aftonilhing widenefs, the prin- 
 cipal being 45 leagues broad, the fmaller not 
 lefs than twelve. The country on this fine 
 river has no other inhabitants than Indians, 
 fome favage, fome united under Spaniih and 
 Portuguefe milTionaries. 
 
 The country of Patagonia is likewife of a 
 vaft ftretch to the Southward of Buenos- 
 Ayres, all in the temperate zone, and extend- 
 ed all along the Atlantic ocean. It is a plain 
 country without trees ; but this is the cafe of 
 the delightful and fertile country of Buenos- 
 Ayres. It is faid likewife to be barren and 
 defert ; but, what is certain, it is unfettled by 
 any European nation, and little known, tho' 
 it lies open for any power that can avail itfelf 
 of a favourable opportunity to eftablidi acolony 
 there. 
 
 The laft province, according to the order I 
 have obferved, though not of the leail: confe- 
 c[uence in the Spaniih American dominions, h 
 
 Vol. I. JU Terra 
 
 ir: 
 
 
 fi 
 
 j I • M' 
 
 ii! 
 
 ii' 
 
 i'-JWi 
 
 
 w 
 
 I'v 
 
250 ^71 ACCOUKT of t/je EUROPKAU 
 
 Terra Firmaj a vaft country, above 2000 miles 
 in length, and 500 broad. Bordering on Mex- 
 ico, Peru, aijd Amazonia, itftrctches all 
 ^long the North fea, from the Pacific ocean to 
 the mouth of the river of Amazons upon the 
 Atlantic. It is divided ijto tv/elve large pro- 
 vinces. They all cont iin a vaft deal of high 
 and mountainous country, particulirly the 
 province of St. Martha, where there are faid 
 to be hills furpaffingTenerift'e itfclf in height. 
 Thefe hills communicate with the Andes. 
 The valleys are deep and narrow, and for a 
 great part of the year flooded; but though 
 Terra Firma is on the coaft, the moft un- 
 pleafant and moft unhealthful country in the 
 torrid zone, the plain grounds are extremely 
 fertile; produce corn enough, when culti- 
 vated, all kinds of the tropical fruits ; rich 
 drugs; cacao, vanilla, indigo, piemento, gua- 
 iacunV, farfaparilla, and balfam of Peru. No 
 country abounds more in rich and luxuriant 
 pafturage, or has a greater ftock of black 
 cattle. Their rivers have rich golden finds ; 
 their coafts have good pearl fiftieries; and 
 their mines formerly yielded great quantities 
 of gold ; but at prelent they are neglected or 
 exhaulled ; fo that the principal wealth of 
 this kingdom arifes from the commerce of 
 Carthugena; and what treafure is feen there 
 is moftiy th« return for European commodi-- 
 ties which are fent from that port to Santafe, 
 '2 ' ■ Popayan, 
 
..'*« 
 
 SETTi.r.MrNTs in America, 
 
 •9» 
 
 Popnyan, and Quito : and rubies and eme- 
 ralds are here found in plenty; but, the value of 
 precious Itones depending more on fancy tliaii 
 that of gold or filver, this trade has confider- 
 ably declined. 
 
 This province has a very confiderablc (liare 
 of the trade of Europe; not only on account 
 of its own produce and demand, but bccaulc 
 all the intercourfe of Peru and Chili with Old 
 Spain is carried on through tiiis country, for, 
 as we have mentioned, C'arthagena fupplies. 
 Its capital city Panama is the great barcadier of 
 the South-Sea. Hither is brought all the trea- 
 fure v/hich the rich mines of Peiu and Chili 
 
 pay 
 
 to the kino;, or produce 
 
 P 
 
 upon a private 
 
 account. 
 
 The city of Panama is fituated upon one of 
 the beft harbours, in all refpeds, of the South- 
 Seas. Ships of burden lie lafe at P.>me dillance 
 from the town ; but fmaller veflels co!ne up 
 to the walls. In this bay is a pearl filhery of 
 great value. The town, one of the largcil in 
 America, is faid to contjin five thoufand 
 houfes, elegantly built of brick and flone, dif- 
 pofed in a femicircular form, and enlivened 
 with the fpires and domes of leveral churches 
 and monafteries. It is covered on the land 
 {^diO. with an agreeable country, diverfified with 
 hills, valleys, and v/oods. The town Hands 
 upon a dry and toleral^ly healt'ilul ^.round, and 
 has a great and profitable trade with Pci 
 
 u, 
 
 
 ■ III 
 
 i'.( 
 
 §^ 
 
 U 2 
 
 Chili 
 
 i 
 
292 u4n Account of the European 
 
 Chili, and the Weftern coaft of Mexico, 
 chiefly for provifions of every fort both of the 
 finimaland vegetable kinds; corn, wine, fugar, 
 oil, with tallow, leather, and jefuits bark. 
 Ill the neighbourhood of this city they raifc 
 nothing; and yet, by traffic and their conve- 
 nient fituation, there are few cities niore abun- 
 dantly fupplied with all things for necefTity, 
 convenience, or luxury. Their trade with th^ 
 Terra Firma and with Europe is carried on o- 
 ver the ifthmus of Darien, and by the river 
 Chagra. 
 
 The fecond town of confideration in Terra 
 Firma, is Carthagena, which ftands upon a 
 peninfula, that enclofes one of the fafefl and 
 beft defended harbours in all the Spani(h Ame- 
 rica. The town itfelf is well fortified, and 
 built after the elegant falhion of mod of the 
 Spanidi American towns, with a fquare in the 
 middle, and ftreets running every way regu- 
 larly from it, and others cutting thefe at right 
 angles. This town has many rich churches 
 and convents , that of the jefuits is particu- 
 larly magnificent. Here it is that the galleons 
 on their voyage from Spain put in firft, and 
 difpofe of a confiderable part of their cargo i 
 which from hence is diftributed to St. Mar- 
 tha, the Caraccas, Venezuela, and moft of 
 the other provinces and towns in the Terra 
 Firma. 
 ' • The 
 
Settlements /// America. 293 
 
 The fleet which is called the galleons con- 
 iifts of about eight men of war, of about fifty 
 guns each, defigned principally to fupply Peru 
 with military ftores ; but in reality, laden not 
 only with tnefe, but with every other kind of 
 merchandize on a private account; fo as to be 
 in bad condition for defending themfelves, or 
 protecting others. Under the convoy of thefe 
 fail about twelve merchant fliips, not inferior 
 in burden. This fleet of the galleons is re- 
 gulated in much the fame manner with the 
 flotas, and it is deftined for theexclufive com- 
 merce of Terra Firma and the South-Sea, as 
 the flota is for that of Mexico. 
 
 No fooner is this fleet arrived in the haven of 
 Carthagena, than cxpreffes are immediatly dif- 
 patched to Porto-bello, and to all the adjacent 
 towns, but principally to Panama ; that they 
 may get ready all the treafure which is depo- 
 fited there, to meet the galleons at Porto-bello; 
 hi which town, (remarkable for the goodnefs 
 of its harbour, which brings fuch a furprifmg 
 concourfe here at the time of the fair, and the 
 unwholfomcnefs of the air, which makes it a 
 dcfart at all other time) all the perfons con- 
 cerned in the various branches of this exten- 
 live traffic aflTemble ; and there is certainly no 
 part of the world where bufinefs of fuch great 
 importance is negociated in fo (hort a time. 
 For in about a fortnight the fair is over -, dur- 
 ing which the difplay of the gold, filver, and 
 
 •'-";. U 3 precious 
 
 iihi 
 
 1 1 
 
294 -^^' Account of the European 
 
 precious ftones, on the one hand, and of all 
 the curiofity and variety of the ingenious fa- 
 brics of Europe on the otlier, is aftonifliing. 
 Heaps of wcd:ics and ingots of filver are tum- 
 bled about on t !ic wharls like common things. 
 At this time an hundred crowns are given for 
 a poor lodging, a thoufand for a fliop, and 
 provifion of every kind is proportionably dear; 
 which may help us to fome idea of the profits 
 made in this trade. The trcafure is brought 
 hither from Panama, by a very dangerous 
 road, upon mules. The other goods, fugar« 
 tobacco, and drugs, are tranfportcd on the 
 river Chagra. i 
 
 When the galleons have taken in their re- 
 turns, they fteer together to the Havanna, 
 which is the place of rendezvous of all the 
 fhips concerned in the Spanifli American 
 trade. 
 
 The Havanna is t-ie capital city of the 
 iiland of Cuba, it is fituated upon an excellent 
 harbour upon the Weftern extremity of the 
 ifland. This city is large, containing not lefs 
 than two thoufand houles, with a number of 
 churches and convents; but then it is the only 
 place of confequence upon the noble iiland of 
 Cuba, which lies in the latitude 20, and ex- 
 tends from Eaft to Weft near feven hundred 
 miles in length, though in breadth it is dif- 
 proportioned, being but from one hundred 
 and twenty to feventy miles. However, it 
 
 ^ ' yields 
 
f 
 
 If- 
 
 :d 
 
 lit 
 
 Is 
 
 Settlements /// America. ^55 
 
 yields to no part of the Wcft-Indits in the 
 fertility of its foil, or in excellence of evf:ry 
 thing which is produced in that dim tc. But 
 the tipiiniards, hy a feries of the nioit inhu- 
 man and impolitic barharities, havin(.>; exter- 
 minated the original inhabitants, and not find- 
 ing the quantities of gold in theiilands which 
 the continent aftbrded, they have left this, as 
 well as Hifpaniola, of which the French now 
 poffefs the greater part, and Porto Rico, a 
 large, excellent, and fertile ifland, compara- 
 tively fo many defarts. The commerce be- 
 tween thefe iflands and the Spanilh continent, is 
 carried on by the Barlevento fleet, confining of 
 fix fhips of good burthen and force, who an- 
 nually make the tour of all thefe iflands, and 
 the coaft of Terra Firma, not only 10 carry on 
 the commerce between thofe places, but to 
 clear the fea of pirates and illicit traders. 
 Now and then a regifler (hip from Old Spain 
 is bound to one or other of thefe illands. Hi- 
 therto the Spaniards feemed rather to keep 
 them, to prevent any other nation from grow- 
 ing too powerful in thofe feas, than for any 
 profit they expected to derive from them. 
 And it is certain, that if other nations (hould 
 come entirely to pofl'efs the whole of the illands, 
 the trade of the American continent, and 
 perhaps the continent itfelf, would be entirely 
 ^t their mercy. However, of late, the Spa- 
 niards have taken fome fteps towards the bet- 
 
 i 
 
 -! 
 
 u 
 
 tef 
 
296 y^; AccouNT^/^<f European 
 
 ter fettlement of Porto Rico. They are be- 
 ginning to open the American trade to fome 
 other towns in Spain befides Cadiz. They 
 liavc made a difterence in point of duty be- 
 tween their own manufadures and thofe of 
 foreigners. They are, in fhort, opening their 
 eye to the true intereft of their country, and 
 moving their hands, though (lowly, to pro- 
 mote it. 
 
 Upon this time, the tide of wealth, that 
 Gonftantly flowed from America into Spain, 
 ran through that kingdom like a hafty torrent, 
 which, far from enriching the country, hur- 
 ried away with it all the wealth which it found 
 in its paifage. No country in Europe receives 
 fuch vaft treafures as Spain. In no country 
 in Europe is feen fo little money. The truth 
 is, from the time that the Indies fell into the 
 hands of Spain, the affairs of that monarchy 
 have b-en conflantly going backward. In 
 America their fettlements were carried on 
 conformably to that genius, and to thofe 
 maxims, which prevailed in their government 
 in Europe. No means of retaining their con- 
 quers but by extirpating the people; no 
 fchernes for the advancement or trade 5 no 
 attempts at the reformation of abufes, which 
 became venerable in proportion to the mif- 
 chiefs they had fuffsred by them. In govern- 
 ment, tyranny; in religion, bigotry i in trade, 
 monopoly. 
 •5.:^ J- u When 
 
Settlements in AtvIerica. 297 
 
 When the Spaniards found, to their anibi-^ 
 tion which was boundlefs, that they had joined 
 a treafure which was inexhauftible, they ima- 
 gined there was nothing too vaft for them to 
 compafs. • They embraced a thoufand projefts 
 at once ; many of them noble ones in theory, 
 but to be executed with different inftruments 
 in different parts of the world, and ill at a vaft 
 expence of blood and treafure. The wars, 
 which were the refult of thefe fchemes, and 
 the Indies, which were to fupport them, 
 were a continual drain, which carried off their 
 people, and deftroyed all induftry in thofe who 
 remained. The treafure which flowed in everv 
 year from the new world, found them in debt 
 to every part of the old; for to the reft of their 
 revenues they had forgot to add that, which 
 is a great revenue itfelf, and the great fupport 
 of all the others, oeconomy. On the con- 
 trary, an ill order in their finances at home, 
 and a devouring ufury abroad, fwallowed up 
 all their treafure, whilft they multiplied the 
 occafions for it. With the beft fcheming heads 
 in Europe, they were every where outwitted; 
 with the braveft and beft difciplined troops^ 
 they were almoft always defeated ; with the 
 greateft treafures, they were in want; and 
 their armies were ill provided, and ill paid. 
 Their friends exhaufted them by trade; their 
 enemies by plunder. They faw new ftates 
 arife out of the fragments of their dominions ; 
 
 and 
 
 1 ! 
 
 ! ,i! 
 
 ■ sill 
 
 1 ! ; 
 
298 -/^Account g/'//6f European 
 
 and new maritime powers ftart up from the 
 wrecks of their navy. In fliort, they provok- 
 ed, troubled, and enriched all Europe; and at 
 laft defifted through mere want of ftrength. 
 They were inad:ive, but not quiet ; and they 
 were enervated as much by their lazinefs dur- 
 ing this repofe, as they had been weakened 
 before by their ill-judged activity. 
 
 All this happened in a country, which ab- 
 ounded with men of capacity as much as any 
 Hate in Europe, and often with men of great 
 capacity at its head. But their talents took a 
 wrong turn ; their politics were always more 
 abroad than at home; more employed in weak- 
 ening their neighbours, than in ftrengthening 
 themfelves. They were wife in the concerns 
 of foreign courts; they were fatisfied with 
 being formal in their own domeftic bufinefs. 
 They relied too much upon their riches ; and 
 the whale ftate, being moulded into a fyftem 
 of corruption from the top to the bottom, 
 things grew at laft fo bad, that the evils them- 
 felves became a fort of remedies ; and they 
 felt fo feverely the confequences of their for- 
 mer conduct, that they have for fome years 
 paft turned their thoughts into a very good 
 channel ; and they may in time, and with per- 
 feverance, rife again, whilft others fliall fall, 
 by adopting the abufes which brought them 
 
 to ruin. 
 
 . • - ■ / At 
 
Settlements in America. 299 
 
 At prefent the politics of Spain, with regard 
 to America, feem to be, to preferve South 
 America, and particularly the navigation of the 
 South-Seas, as much as pofiible to themfelves; 
 to deftroy efFedtually the contraband trade, 
 and to encourage the export of their own 
 manufactures. Of us they have long fliewn a 
 remarkable jealoufy 5 a much greater than of 
 the French, whom they fee quietly fettling in 
 the neighbourhood of New Mexico; and who 
 are growing certainly in the Weft-Indies in a 
 far greater degree than we are. I fhall not 
 pret'^nd to account for this diftindtion. 
 
 
 End of the Third Part. 
 
 A 
 
 i.-" 
 
 
 .';,'* ' * 
 
 ' > i 
 
 ' '«■'; 
 
 '.■30 
 
 
 r 
 
 - 'M -'■■■ ' 
 
 
 > f* • , 
 
 '■\i ■-■ 
 
 
 
 i - 
 
 ■ \ 
 1 
 
 • 
 
 PART 
 
 ■) .ir) 
 
 i 
 
 !! 
 I ill 
 
 11 'i''\ 
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 HI 
 
 i| 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 ! 
 
30Q An Account g/'/^^ Europe ajt 
 
 ,i 
 
 i^f'^^^if'^s^'^^i^'^'^-^'^^^ 
 
 t; mP art 
 
 IV. 
 
 • - r- ■ • ■ ■ • ; ; 
 
 ^e portuguefe Settlements* 
 * : CHAP. L 
 
 ot Jj-^ 
 
 ^« account of the difcovery of Brazil. The 
 method of fettling it. Conquered by the Dutch, 
 "Reconquered by the Portuguefe, 
 
 T T is very rare that any material difcovery, 
 i whether in the arts, in philofophy, or in 
 navigation, has been owing to efforts made 
 diredly for that particular purpofe, and deter- 
 mined by the the force of reafonings a priori. 
 The firft hints are owing to accident; and dif- 
 coveries in one kind prefent themfelves volun- 
 tarily to us, whilft we are in fearch of what 
 flies from us in Ibme other. The difcovery of 
 America by Columbus was owing originally to 
 a juft reafoning on the figure of the earth, tho* 
 the particular land he difcovered was far 
 
 enough 
 
 
 
Settlements /» America. 3oj[ 
 
 CJiongh from that which he fought. Here 
 was a mixture of wife delign and fortunate ac- 
 cidenti but the Portuguefe difcovery of Brazil 
 may be confidered as merely accidental. For 
 failing with a confiderable armament to India, 
 by the way of the Cape of Good Hope, but 
 ilanding out to fea to avoid the calms upon 
 the coafl of Africa, the Portuguefe fleet fell in 
 upon the continent of South America. Upon 
 their return jhey made fo favourable a report 
 of the land they had difcoyefed, that the court 
 refolved to fend a colony thither. And accord- 
 ingly made their firft eftablifliment ; but in a 
 very bad method, in which it were to be wiihed 
 they had never been imitated. This was by 
 banifhing thither a number of criminals of all 
 kinds. This blended an evil difpofition with 
 the firft principles of the colony, and made 
 the fettlement infinitely diflicult by the difor- 
 4ers infeparable from fuch people, and the of- 
 fence which they gave the original inhabitants. 
 This fettlement met with fome interruption 
 too from the court of Spain, who confidered 
 the country as within their dominions. How- 
 ever, matters were accommodated by a treaty, 
 in which it was agreed, that the Portuguefe 
 {hould poflefs all that trad: of land that lies 
 between the river Maranon, or of the Ama- 
 zons, and the river Plate. 
 
 When their right was thus confirmed, the 
 
 Portuguefe purfued the fettlement with great 
 
 . viijour* 
 
 i ;IJ 
 
 
 ' M 
 
 ; ■)■ 
 
 ] ' ilt 
 
 \H 
 
 I' 
 
 VI 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 5 1 ;■ ■ 
 
 \m 
 
302 ^« Account o/"/^^ European 
 
 vigour. Large grants were made to thofc 
 who were inclined to become adventurers ; and 
 almoft all the nobility of Portugal procured 
 interefts in a country which promifed fuch 
 great advantages. The natives were in mod 
 parts fubdued, and the improvement of the 
 colony advanced apace. The crown in a little 
 time became attentive to fo valuable an acqui- 
 sition j the government was new modelled, 
 many of the cxorbitants recalled, and all things 
 fettled upon fo advantageous a footing, that 
 the whole fea coaft, upwards of two thoufand 
 miles, was in feme meafure fettled, to the 
 honour of the induflry and courage of the 
 firft planters, and infinitely to the benefit of 
 the mother-country. The Portuguefe con- 
 quefts on the coaft of Africa forwarded this 
 eftablifliment, by the number of Negroes it 
 afforded them for their works ; and this was 
 the firft introdudion of Negroes into America, 
 of which at prefent they form a large part of 
 the inhabitants. 
 
 In the very meridian of their profperity, 
 when the Portuguefe were in poffeflion of fo 
 extenfive an empire, and fo flourifliing a trade 
 in Africa, in Arabia, in India, in the iHes of 
 Afia, and in one of the moft valuable parts of 
 America, they were ft ruck down by one of 
 thofe incidents, that by one blow, in a 
 critical time, decides the fjite of kingdoms. 
 Don Sebaftian, one of their greateft princes. 
 
 in 
 
9 
 
 SETTLrMFNTS /'// AMERICA. 3O3 
 
 in an expedition he had undertaken agaiiift the 
 Moors, loft his life ; and by that accident the 
 Portuguefe loft their liberty, being abibrbed 
 into the Spanifh dominions. 
 
 Soon after this misfortune, the fame yoke 
 that galled the Portuguefe, grew fo intolerable 
 to the inhabitants of the Netherlands, that 
 they threw it oft' with great fury and indigna- 
 tion. Not fatisfied with eredting themfelves 
 into an independent ftate, and fupporting their 
 independency by a fuccefsful defenfive war, 
 fluQied with the juvenile ardor of a growing 
 commonwealth, they purfued the Spaniards 
 into the remoteft recefles of their extenfive 
 territories, and grew rich, powerful, and ter- 
 rible, by the fpoils of their former mafters. 
 Principally, they fell upon the pofteflions of 
 the Poi tuguefe J they took almoft all their 
 fortreffes in the Eaft- Indies, not fufficiently 
 defended by the inert policy of the court of 
 Spain; and then turned their arms upon Bra- 
 zil, unprotected from Europe, and betrayed 
 by the cowardice of the governor of the then 
 principal city. And they would have overrun 
 the whole, if Don Michael de Texeira, the 
 archbiihop, delcended from one of the no- 
 bleft families in Portugal, and of a fpirit fu- 
 perior to his birth, had not believed, that in 
 fuch an emergency, the danger of his coun- 
 try fuperfeded the common obligations of his 
 profeliion. He took arms, and at th^i head of 
 '. , his 
 
 1. 
 
 I 
 
 ■■ I 
 
 
 t / 
 
 H 
 
304 An Account of the European 
 
 his monks, and a few fcattered forces, put a 
 flop to the torent of the Dutch conqueft. He 
 made a gallant iland until fuccours arrivcii ; 
 and then rcligned the commiflion with which 
 the public neccfiity and his own virtue had 
 armed him, into the hands of a perfon appoint- 
 ed by authority. By this ftajid he faved {Qvtn 
 of thccaptainlhips, or provinces, out of four- 
 teen, into which Brazil is divided; the rcilfell 
 into the hands of the Dutch, who conquered 
 and kept them with a bravery and condudt, 
 which would deferve more applaufe, if it had 
 been governed by humanity. 
 
 The famous captain, prince Maurice of 
 Naffau, was the perfon to whom the Dutch 
 owed this conqucll, the eftabli(hment oftlieir 
 colony there, and that advantageous peace 
 ■which fecured them in it. But as it is the 
 genius of all mercantile people to defire a 
 fudden profit in all their defigns; and as this 
 colony was not under the immediate infpeci- 
 tion of the States, but fubjedt to the company 
 called iii^ Weft-India company, from prin- 
 ciples narrowed up by avarice and mean no-r 
 tions, they grudged that the prefent profits of 
 the^ colony Ihould be facrififed to its future 
 fecurity. They found, that the prince kept 
 ^p more troops, a:">v ' ereded more fortrefles, 
 than they thought neceflary to their fafety ; 
 and that he lived in a grander manner than 
 they thought became one in their fervice, 
 I Tb':'y 
 
1:! 
 
 I 
 
 Settlements /» America. 305 
 
 They imagined that a little official ceconomy 
 was the principal quality neceflary to form a 
 great conqueror and politician ; and therefore 
 they were highly difpleafedwith their governor 
 prince Maurice, whom tb'^v treated in fuch a 
 manner as obliged him .cfign. 
 
 Now their own fchcmes took place. A re- 
 duction of the troops; the expence of fortifi- 
 cations favcd; tht, charge of a court retrenched; 
 the debts of the company ftridly exacted j their 
 gains increafed cent per cent, and every thing 
 £ourifliing according to their beft: ideas of a 
 flouriihing ftate. But then, all this fine fyftem 
 in a (hort time ended in the total lofs of all 
 their capital, and the entire ruin of the W.:ft- 
 India company. The hearts of fubjedts were 
 loft, by their penurious way of dealing and 
 the feverity of their proceedings. The ene- 
 my in their neighbourhood was encouraged, by 
 the defencelefs ftate of their frontiers; and 
 both operated in- fuch a manner, that Brazil 
 was reconquered by the Portuguefe j though 
 after a ftruggie, in which the States exerted 
 themfelves vigoroufly; but with that aggravated 
 expence, and that ill fuccefs, which always 
 attends a late wifdom, and the patching up of 
 a blundering fyftem of con^udt. A ftanding 
 leftbn to thofe people who have the folly to 
 imagine they confult thehappinefs of a nation, 
 when, by a pretended tendernefs for fome of 
 its advantages, they neglect the only things 
 
 Vol, I, X that 
 
 Sill 
 |i: 
 
 H^i 
 
306 -^« Account ^/"M^ European 
 
 that can fupport it, the cultivating of the goocl 
 opinion of the people, and tlie keeping up of a 
 proper force. 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 ir 
 
 I • 
 
 T/je climate of BraxIL Of the Brazil wood. 
 
 TH E name of Brazil was given to this 
 country i» becaufc it was obferved to 
 abound with a wood of that name. It ex- 
 tends all along a tradt of fine fea coaft upon 
 the Atlantic ocean upwards of two thoufand 
 miles, between the river of Amazons on the 
 North, and that of Plate on the South. To 
 the Northward, the climate is uncertain, hot, 
 boifterous, and unwholfome. The country, 
 both there and even in more temperate parts, 
 is annually overflowed. But to the South- 
 ward, beyond the tropic of Capricorn, and 
 indeed a good way beyond it, there is no part 
 of the world that enjoys a more ferene and 
 wholfomeair; refrefhed with the foft breezes 
 of the ocean on one hand, and the cool breath 
 of the mountains on the other. Hither feve- 
 ral aged people from Portugal retire for their 
 health, and protradt their lives to a long and 
 eafy age. 
 
 In general', the foil is extremely fruitful, 
 and was found very fufficient for the comfort- 
 able fubfiftence of the inhabitants, until the 
 I mines 
 
■ Settlements /;/ America. 307 
 
 mines of gold and diamonds were difcovered. 
 Thefe, with the fugar plantations, occupy fo 
 many hands, that agriculture lies negledted 1 
 and, in confequence, Brazil depends upon Eu- 
 rope for its daily bread. 
 
 The chief commodities which this country 
 yields for a foreign market are, fugar, tobacco, 
 hides, indigo, ipecacuanha, balfam of Copaibo, 
 and brazil wood. As this laft article in a 
 more particular manner belongs to this coun- 
 try, to which it gives its name, and which 
 produces it in the greateft perfedlion, it is not 
 amifs to allow a very little room to the defcrip- 
 tion of it. This tree generally flourilhes in 
 rocky and barren grounds, in which it grows 
 to a great height and confiderable thicknefs. 
 But a man who judges of the quantity of the 
 timber, by the thicknefs of the tree, will be 
 much deceived; for,!ipon Gripping off the bark, 
 which makes a very large part of the plant, he 
 will find, from a tree as thick as his body, a log 
 no more in compafs than his leg. This tree 
 is generally crooked, and knotty like the haw- 
 thorn, with long branches, and a fmooth 
 green leaf, hard, dry, and brittle. Thrice a 
 year, bunches of fmall flowers Ihoot out at the 
 extremities of the branches, and between the 
 leaves. Thefe flowers are of a bright red, 
 and of a ftrong aromatic and refrefhing fmell. 
 The wood of this tree is of a red colour, hard 
 and dry. It is ufed chiefly in dying red, but 
 
 X 3 not 
 
 ! \ 
 
 :\\\ 
 
 c' ll 
 
 HI 
 
 ■■■•!•( 
 
 II 
 
 
 '!'f. J 
 
 * !l1 
 
 V 
 
3o8 ^/i Account o/"/^^ European 
 not a red of the heft kind ; and it has Ton^ 
 place in medicine as a ftomachic and reftrin'* 
 gent. • ''■ • 
 
 :^ CHAP. III. :, :. 
 
 t/jc trade of Brazil. Its hitcrcourfc ivlth ^^fri^ 
 • ca, 'The Jcttlemcnt of the rhcr Amazous 
 '^'Cnd Rio Janeiro. Tbc gold mines. Uf:e 
 '■ commotiwealth of thcVaidifis, J he diamond 
 ■ wines. , . , 
 
 THE trade of Brazil Is very great, and 
 it incrcaks every year. Nor is this a 
 ■\vonderi fincethey have opportunities of fup- 
 plying thcmfelves with Haves for their feveral 
 works, at a much eaficr and cheaper rate than 
 any other European power, which has fett';- 
 ments in America. For they are the only 
 European nation which has taken the pains to 
 cftablifh colonies in Africa. Thofe of the 
 Portuguefe are very confiderable, both for 
 their extent and the numbers of their inhabi- 
 tants ; and of courfe they have advantages in 
 that trade which no other nation can have.. 
 For, befides their large cilablilhment on the 
 Weftern {hore of Africa, they clatm the whsole 
 coaft of Zanguebar on the Eaftern fide, which 
 in part they pofTefs j befides feveral other large 
 territories, toth on the coaft and in the coun- 
 try; where feveral numerous nations acknow- 
 ledge 
 
 >■ 
 
* t ,<- 
 
 
 Settlements in America. 309 
 
 ledge thcmfelves their dependents or riibic(5Vs, 
 This is not only of great advantage to them, 
 as it increafcs their ihipping^nd fcamen and 
 ftrengthcns their commercial reputation, but 
 as it leaves them a large field for their flavc 
 trade; without which, they could hardly ever 
 fupply, upon any tolerable terms, their fcttle- 
 ments in Brazil, which carry off fuch num- 
 bers, by the feverity of the works and the un- 
 wholfomenefs of fome part of the climate ; 
 nor could they otherwife extend their planta- 
 tions, and ( 'pen fo many new mines as they do, 
 to a degree which is ailonifhing. 
 
 I own, I have often been furprized, that our 
 African traders (hould chufe fo contracted an 
 objedt for their Have trade, which extends to 
 little more than fome part of the Gold coafl, 
 to Sierra Leone, and Gambia, and fome other 
 inconfiderable ports; by which they have de- 
 preciated their own commodities, and raifed 
 the price of flaves within thefefcwyears above 
 thirty per cent. Nor is it to be wondered ; as 
 in the trad^, in which they tr.ide, they have 
 many rivals ; the people are grown too expert, 
 by the conftant habit of European commerce ; 
 and the Haves in that part are in a gof)d mea- 
 ibre exhaufted i whereas, if fome of our vef-r 
 fels palled the Cape of Good Hope, and tried 
 what might be done in Madagafcar, or on 
 thofe coafts which indeed the Portuguefe 
 claim, but do not nor cannot hold, there h 
 
 * ■ X J n» 
 
 1 1 
 
310 An Account cf the European 
 
 no doubt but that they would find the greater 
 expence and length of time in pafling the Cape^ 
 or the charge of licences which might be pro^ 
 cured from the Eaft-India company, amply 
 compcnfated. Our African trade might then 
 be confiderably enlarged, our own manufac- 
 tures extended, and our colonies fupplied at an 
 euficr rate than they are at prefent, or are likely 
 to be for the future, whilft we confine our- 
 felves to two or three places, which we exh. uft^ 
 and where we fhall find the market dearer 
 every day. The Portuguefe, from thefc fettle- 
 ments and this extenfivc range, draw every 
 year into Brazil between forty and fifty thou- 
 jfand flixves. On this tr^^de all their other de- 
 pends, and therefore ihey take great care to 
 have it well fupplied, for which purpofe the 
 fituationof Brazil, nearer the coaft of Africa 
 than any other part of America, is very con- 
 venient y and it co-operates with the great ad- 
 vantages they derive from having colonies in 
 both places. 
 
 Hence it is principally, that Brazil is the 
 rlcheft, moft flourifhing, and moft growing 
 ell abli (lament in all America. Their export 
 of fugar within forty years is grown much 
 greater than it was, though anciently it made 
 almofl the whole of their exportable produce, 
 and they were without rivals in the trade. It 
 is finer in kind than what any of ours, the 
 French, or Spanifli fugar plantations fend ujII 
 :r" '' ■ ' ' Their 
 
 ■/ 
 
 % 
 
%. 
 
 Settlements /;/ America. 311 
 
 Their tobacco too is remarkably good ; and 
 they trade very largely in this commodity to 
 the coaft of Africa, where they not only fell 
 it diredly to the natives, but fupply the fhips 
 of other nations, who find it a neceffary ar- 
 ticle to enable them to carry on the flave and 
 gold dufl trade to advantage. The Northern 
 and Southern parts of Brazil abound in horned 
 cattle; thefe are hunted for their hides, of 
 which no lefs than twenty thoufand are fent 
 annually into Europe. 
 
 The Portuguefe were a confiderable time 
 pofl'effed of their American empire, before 
 they difcovered the treafures of gold and dia- 
 monds, which Lave fince made it fo confider- 
 able. After the explolion of the Dutch, the 
 colony remained without much attention from 
 the court of Portugal; until in 1 685, a minifter 
 of great fagacity advifed the then monarch to 
 turn his thoughts to fo valuable and confider- 
 able a part of his territories. He reprefented 
 to him, that the climate in the bay of All-Saints, 
 where the capital flood, was of fuch a nature 
 as to deaden the adlivity and induftry of the 
 people ; but that the Northern and Southern 
 extremities of Brazil, in a more temperate cli- 
 mate, invited them to the cultivation of the 
 country. The advice was taken. But, becaufe 
 it was found that the infolence and tyranny of 
 the native Portuguefe always excited the ha- 
 t*ld of the native Brazilians, and confequently 
 
 X 4 obftrudled 
 
 ,iii . 
 
 t 
 
312 ^« Account ^//^(f European 
 
 obflrud:cd the fcttlements, they were refolved 
 to people the countries, which were now the 
 objedt of their care, with thofe who are called 
 Meftizesi that is, a race fprung from a n^JXr 
 . ture of Europeans and Indians, who they 
 , judged would behave better; and who, oii 
 account of their connexion in blood, would be 
 more acceptable to the Brazilians on the bor- 
 ders, who were not yet reduced. To com-r 
 pleat this delign, they vefted h.2 government 
 in the hands of priefts, who a(5t:ed each as go-!- 
 vernor in his own parifli or diftrift. And 
 hey had the prudence to chufe with great 
 care fuch men as were proper for the work. 
 The confequence of thefe wife regulations 
 was loon apparent; for, without noife or force, 
 in fifteen years, they not only fettled the fea 
 . coaft, but, drawmg in vaft numbers of the 
 natives, they fpread themfelves above an hun- 
 dred miles more to the Weft ward than the 
 Portuguefe fettlements had ever extended. 
 They opened fcveral mines, which improved 
 the revenues ; the planters were eafy, and fe- 
 veral of the priefts made no inconiiderable 
 fortunes. 
 
 The fame of thefe new piines drew toge- 
 ther a number of defperadpes and adventurers 
 of all nations and colours j who, not agreeing 
 with the moderate and fimple manners of the 
 inhabitants of the new fettlements, nor readily 
 fubmitting to any order or reftraint elfewheije, 
 
 - retired 
 
 ;r 
 
 ^■m^ M:i0lifi M 4^ 
 
 V.'J 
 
 V 
 
 
Settlements in America. 313 
 
 retired into a mountainous part of the coun- 
 try, but fertile enough, and rich in gold j where, 
 by the acceflion of others in their own cir- 
 cumftances, they foon became a formidable 
 and independent body, and for a long time 
 defended the privileges they had aflumed with 
 great courage and policy. They were called 
 Paulifts, from the town and diftridl called St. 
 Paul, which was their head quarters. But, as 
 this odd commonwealth grew up in fo unac- 
 countable a manner, fo it perifhed in a man- 
 ner altogether unknown in this part of the 
 world. It is now heard of no longer. The 
 king of Portugal is in full polTeflion of the 
 whole country J and the mines are worked by 
 his fubjedts and their flaves, paying him a 
 fifth. Thefe mines have poured almoft as 
 much gold into Europe as the Spanifli Ame- 
 rica had of lilver. 
 
 Not many years after the difcovery of the 
 gold mines, Brazil, which for a century had 
 been given up as a place incapable of yielding 
 the metals for which America was chiefly va- 
 luedi was now found to produce diamonds 
 too ; but at firft of fo unpromiiing a nature, 
 that the working of the mines was forbidden 
 by the court of Portugal, left, without making 
 any compenfation by their number, they 
 might depreciate the trade which was carried 
 on in thofe ftones from Goa. But, in fpite of 
 this prohibition, a number were from time to 
 . time 
 
 
 
 II 
 
 ■lii 
 
 t 
 
314 -^/2 Account ^//^^ European 
 
 time fmugglcd from Brazil; and feme too 
 of fuch great weight, and high luftre and 
 tranlparency, that they yielded very little to 
 the fineft brought from India. The court 
 now perceived the importance of the trade, 
 and accordingly refolved to permit it, but un- 
 der fuch reftridions as might be fufficiently 
 benericial to the crown and fubjedl ; and at 
 the lame time preferve the jewels in that 
 icarcity which makes the principal part of 
 their value. In 1740, the diamond mines 
 were farmed at one hundred and thirty-eight 
 thoufand crufadoes, or about twenty-fix thou-^ 
 fand pounds fterling annually, with a prohi- 
 bition againft employing more than fix hun- 
 dred flaves at a time in the works. It is pro- 
 bable that this regulation is not very ftridtly 
 complied with; the quantity of diamonds be- 
 ing much increafed, and their yalue of courfo 
 funk, iince that time. It is true, that diamonds 
 of the very firft rank are nearly as dear as 
 ever. None of the diamonds of Brazil have 
 fo high a luftre as the firft rate of Golconda j 
 gnd they have generally fomething of a dufky 
 yellowifti caft ; but they have been found of 
 a prodigious fize. Some years ago we had 
 an account in the news papers of one fent to 
 the king of Portugal, of a fize and weight 
 almoft beyond the bounds of credibility j for 
 it was faid to weigh fixteen hundred carats, 
 or fix thoufand feven hundred and twenty 
 •„.u: ^ grainsi 
 
Ti 
 
 i 
 
 Settlements in America. 
 
 315 
 
 grains; and confequently mijft be worth feve- 
 lal millions. 
 
 C H A P. IV, - 
 
 Regulation of the Portuguefe trade. The de- 
 Jcription of St. Salvador, the capital of Bra^ 
 zil. The fleets for that city, Rio Janeiro 
 and Fcrnambuccdi 
 
 THE trade of Portugal is carried on 
 upon the fame exclufive plan, on 
 which the feveral nations of Edrope trade 
 with their colonies of America; and it more 
 particularly refembles the Spanifli method, by 
 fending out not lingle fliips, as the conveni- 
 ency of the feveral places and the ideas of 
 the European merchants may dired j but by 
 annual fleets, which fail at llated times from 
 Portugal and compofe three flotas bound to 
 as many ports in Brazil; to Fernambucca, 
 in the Northern part; Rio Janeiro, at the 
 Southern extremity; and the bay of All- 
 Saints, in the middle. In this laft is the ca- 
 pital, which is called St. Salvador, where all 
 the fleets rendezvous on their return to Por- 
 tugal. This city commands a noble, Ipacious, 
 and commodious harbour. It is built upon 
 an high and fl:eep rock, having the fea upon 
 one fide, and a lake forming a crefcent, in- 
 yefting it almoft wholly, fo as nearly to join 
 
 the 
 
3^^ An AccouwT of the European 
 
 the fea on the other. This fituation makes it 
 in a manner impregnable by nature ; but they 
 have befides added to it very ftrong fortifica- 
 tions. All thefe make it the ftrongeft place in 
 America. It is divided into an upper and 
 lower town. The lovirer confifts only of a 
 ilreetortwo, immediately upon the harbour, 
 for the convenience of lading and unlading 
 goods, which are drawn up to the higher 
 town by machines. The ftreets in the upper 
 town are laid out as regularly as the ground 
 will admit, and are handlbmely built. They 
 had forty years ago in this city above two 
 thoufand houfes, and inhabitants proportion-- 
 able ; a fumptuous cathedral ; leveral magni- 
 ficent churches, and many convents, well 
 built and endowed. The Portuguefe fleet fets 
 out from Lifbon in its voyage hither in the 
 month of February, 
 
 I can get no accounts, precife enough to be 
 depended upon, of the towns of Fernambucca 
 or Parayba, and the capital of the Rio de Ja- 
 neiro, to enable me to be particular about 
 them. Let it fuffice that the fleet for the for- 
 mer of thefe fets out in March ; and for the 
 latter in the month of January ; but they all 
 rendezvous in the bay of All-Saints, to the 
 number of an hundred fail of large fhips, 
 about the month of May or June, and carry 
 to Europe a cargo little inferior in value to the 
 treafures of the flota and galleons. The gold 
 
 alonq 
 
Settlements in America. '317 
 
 alone amounts to near four millions fterling. 
 This is not all extradted from the mines of 
 Brazil ; but, as they carry on a large dired: 
 trade with Africa, they bring, efpecially from 
 their fettlement at Mozambique, on the Eaft- 
 ern (ide of that continent, belidcs their llaves, 
 vaft quantities of gold, ebony, and ivory, 
 which goes into the amount of the cargo 0/ 
 the Brazil fleets for Europe. Thofe parts of 
 Brazil which yield gold, are the middle and 
 Northern parts on the Rio'Janeiuand Bay of 
 All-Saints. They coin a great deal of gold 
 in America; that which is coined at Rio Janeiro 
 bears an R, that which is llruck at the Bay is 
 marked with a B. 
 
 To judge the better of the riches of this 
 Brazil fleet, tl:e diamonds it contains mull 
 not be forgot. For if the mines rented to 
 the crown in the year 1740, at twenty-fix 
 thoufand pounds a year, it will be a very fmall 
 allowance to fay, that at lead five times more 
 is made out of them ; and that there is re- 
 turned to Europe in diamonds to at le?ft the 
 value of one hundred and thirty thoufand 
 pounds. This, with the fugar, which is 
 principally the cargo of the Fernambucca 
 fleet, the tobacco, the hides, the valuable 
 drugs for medicine and manufadures, may 
 give fome idea of the importance of this trade, 
 not only to Portugal, but to all the trading 
 powers of Europe. The returns are not the 
 
 fiftieth 
 
3i8 y^» Account ^/^^ European 
 
 fiftieth part of the produce of Portugal, They 
 confift of the woollen goods, of all .cinds, of 
 England, France, and Holland; the linens 
 and laces of Holland, France, and Germany; 
 the filks of France and Italy ; lead, tin, iron, 
 copper, and all forts of utenlils wrought in 
 thefe metals, from England j as well as falt- 
 li(h, beef, flour, and chcefe. Oil they have 
 from Spain. Wine, with fome fruits, is 
 nearly all with which they are fupplied from 
 Portugal. 
 
 Though the profits in this trade are great, 
 very few Portuguefe merchants trade upon 
 their own ftocks ; they arc generally credited 
 by the foreign merchants, whofe commodities 
 they vend, efpecially the Englifh. In fliort, 
 though in Portugal, as in Spain, all trade 
 with their plantations is firidly interdidted to 
 flrangers ; yet, like all regulations that con- 
 tradid the very nature of the objedl they re- 
 gard, they are here as little attended to as in 
 Spain. The Portuguefe is only the truftee and 
 fadtor; but his fidelity is equal to that of the 
 Spanifli merchant; and that has fcarce ever 
 been fhaken by any public or private caufe 
 whatfoever. A thing furprifingjin the Portu- 
 guefe ; and a flriking inllaiice amongft a peo- 
 ple fo far from remarkable for their integrity, 
 of what a cuftom originally built upon a few 
 examples, and a confequent reputation built 
 upon' that, will be able to effect in afuccefiion 
 
 of 
 
'I 
 
 Settlements tn America. 319 
 
 of men of very different natural charadters 
 and morals. And fo different is the fpirit of 
 commercial honefly from that of juftice, as 
 it is an independent virtue, and influences the 
 heart. 
 
 The Englifh at prefcnt are the moft inter- 
 efled, both in the trade of Portugal for home 
 confumption and of u^hat they virant for the 
 ufe of the Brazils. And they deferve to be 
 moft favoured, as vi^ell from the fervices they 
 have always done that crown and from the 
 ftipulations of treaties, as from the confideratiort 
 that no other people confumes fo much of the 
 products of Portugal. However, partly from 
 our own fupinencfs, partly from the policy and 
 adlivity of France, and partly from the fault 
 of the Portuguefe themfclves, the French have 
 become very dangerous rivals to us in this, 
 as in moft other branches of our trade. It is 
 true, though the French have advanced fo pro- 
 digioufly, and there is a fpirit of induftry 
 and commerce raifed in moft countries in Eu- 
 rope, our exports of manufactures or natural 
 produds have by no means leifened within 
 thefe laft forty years ; which can only be ex- 
 plained by the extending of our own, and the 
 Spanifh and Portuguefe colonies, which in- 
 creafes the general demand. But, though it be 
 true, that we have rather advanced than de- 
 clined in our commerce upon the whole, yet 
 we ought to take great care not to be deceived 
 
 by 
 
 fl 
 
 It: 
 
 irp 
 
 It 
 
 iii 
 
 ^._ Ai-» 
 
 -4^ 
 
320 -^« Account o/'//6^ European 
 
 by this appearjincc. For if we have not like- 
 wife advanced in as grcaf a proportion to what 
 we were before that period, and to our means 
 iince then, as our neigh boujs have done in 
 proportion to theirs, as I apprehend we have 
 not, then, 1 fay, v/e have comparatively de- 
 clined ; and fhall never be able to prefervc that 
 diftinguiflied rark of the firll commercial and 
 maritime power in Europe, time muft be ef- 
 fential to preferve us in any degree, either of 
 commerce or power. For if any other power, 
 of a more extenfive and populous territory than 
 ourSjfhouldcometo rival us in trade and wealth, 
 he mull come of neceffity to give law to us in 
 whatever relates either to trade or policy. 
 Notwithftanding that the want of capacity 
 in the miniflers of fuch a power, or the indo- 
 lence of the fovereign, may protract the evil 
 for a time, it will certainly be felt in the end, 
 and will (hew us demon ftratively, though too 
 late, that we muft have a great fuperiority in 
 trade, not only to ourfelves formerly, but to 
 our neighbours at prefent, to have any at all 
 which is likely to continue with us for a long 
 time. 
 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Settlements in America. 321 
 
 I I » 
 
 C H A P.* V. 
 
 ^he charaBer of the American Portugttefe» The 
 fiate of the Negroes, Thego'vernment, 
 
 THE pourtrait which the mod judici- 
 ous travellers give us of the manners 
 and cuftoms of the Portuguefe in America, 
 is very far from being favour?Hle to that peo- 
 ple. They are reprefented as a people at 
 once funk in the moft effeminate luxury, and 
 pradtifing the moft defperate crimes. Of a 
 diffembling hypocritical temper; of little ho- 
 nefty in dealing, or fincerity in converfation ; 
 lazy, proud, and cruel. They are poor and 
 penurious in their diet, not more through 
 neceflity than inclination. For, like the in« 
 habitants of moft Southern climates, they 
 are much more fond of fliow, ftate, and at- 
 tendance, than of the joys of free fociety 
 and the fatisfadtion of a good table. Yet 
 their feafts, feldom made, are fumptuous to 
 extravagance. 
 
 The luxury, indolence, pride, and cruelty 
 of the mafters has, amongft other caufes, 
 been very juftly attributed to their bein? 
 bred up amongft flaves, having every bufineS 
 entirely done by fuch ; and to their being 
 permitted to keep a prodigious number of 
 N^grdes, not for their field work, nor for 
 »' Vql. I. Y domeftic 
 
322 w^;; Account ^//'f European 
 domeftic employnients, but merely to wait 
 upon them, and to form their train. Thele 
 become more corrupted than their mafters, 
 who make them the inftruments of their 
 crimes; and, giving them an unbounded and 
 fcandalous licence, employ them, whenever 
 they want to terrify or revenge, as bullies 
 and aflaflins. And indeed nothing can be 
 conceived more fit to create the worfl dikr- 
 ders^ than the unnatural junction of flaver/ 
 to idlenefs and a licentious way of living. 
 They are all fufFered to go armed, and there 
 are vaft numbers who have merited or bought 
 their freedom; and this is fuffered in a country 
 where the Negroes are ten to one. 
 
 But this piZlure, perhaps too highly co- 
 loured for thofe whom it is intended to repre- 
 fent, is by no means applicable to all the Por- 
 tuguefe of Brazil. Thofe by the Rio Janeiro, 
 and in the Northern captainlhips, are not near 
 fo effeminate and corrupted as thofe of the Bay 
 of All-Saints, which,being in a climate favour- 
 able to indolence and debauchery, the capital 
 city, one of the oldeft fettlements, is in all re- 
 fpedls worfe than any of the others. 
 
 The governraent of Brazil is in the vice- 
 roy, who refides at St. Salvador. He has 
 two councils, one for criminal, the other 
 for civil affairs ; in both which he prefides. 
 But, to the infinite prejudice of the fettle- 
 ment, all the delay, chicanery, multiplied 
 ^^ cxpcnces 
 
323 
 
 Settlements in America, 
 
 cxpcnces incident to the word part of the 
 law, and pradlifed by the mod: corrupted 
 lawyers, flourilh here; nt the lame time that 
 juftice is fo lax that the grcarefl: crimes often 
 pafs with impunity. Formerly the judges 
 could not legally puniili any Portuguelc with 
 death. And it is not diHicult -to imagine, 
 how much a licence in fuch a country muft 
 have contributed to a corruption, that it 
 may be the buliners of lucceliions of good 
 magiftratcs, and ages of good difcipKne, to 
 reftore to foundncfs. Upon the river of Ama- 
 zons, the people, who are moftly Indians 
 and reduced by the priefts fent thither, arc 
 Itill under the government of thefe paftors. 
 The feveral divilions of this country are called 
 millions. 
 
 As the Portuguefe have been once difpof- 
 felled of this country by the Dutch, and 
 once endangered by the French, their mif- 
 fortunes and dangers have made them wife 
 enough to take very effedual meafures for 
 their future fecurlty. St. Salvador is a very 
 flrong fortification ; they have others that are 
 not contemptible ; befides a good number of 
 European regular troops, of which there arc 
 two regiments in St. Salvador. The militia 
 too is regimented, amongft whom they reckon 
 fome bodies of Indians, and free Negroes j 
 and indeed at prefent Brazil feems to be in as 
 little danger a? the fettlements of any power 
 
 Y 2 of 
 
 
324 -An Account, &c* : "! 
 
 of America, not onlf from th^ir own internal 
 ftrength, their remotenefs, and the intolerable 
 heat and unhealthinefs of a great purt of the 
 climate, but from the interefl that mofl of 
 the flates in Europe, who are concerned in that 
 trade, have to keep it in the hands of the 
 Portuguefe. . 
 
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 End of the First Volume. 
 
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