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IK THE . . .-; - NEW WORLD. By the Rev. Mr, Cooper, Embelliflied with Copper-plate Cuts, LONDON, Printed for E, N e w B E r y, the Corner of St. Paurt Church- Yard, 1780. * if. US li?:^ »'■,.. ( ;» AM " ' ' ' • " ; I .s'''.'\^^l . f ii *i P in '■ .f'-'i! ;-!H m<' ffii ;.-S%i mu iA •'%.V[ f m \0 ^*>>i d I- SJt p. IF"' .1 ry , m. PREFACE. M » . « H E Hiftory of South America, like all other hiftories of newly difcovercd countries, has been fo intervowen with fable, as in fome meafurc to deter the youthful ftudent from employing his time in the purfuit of Tribes ; for in that light fabulous hiflories muft generally be con- fidcred. ' *, -, , . The Spanifli Adventurers to the New World were moftly illiterate men, whofc principal purfuits were gold and filver. On their return to their native flate, their reprefentations were guided by intercft and vanity ; and, alhamed of having made no obfervations on the rude arts, manufaftures, and genius, of the people they had conquered, they fabricated ftories the moll wild, romantic and ridiculous, A 2 tt 4 *'^tl: ( .rt It. « , ■ . i» '^t . W .1 .' '•'.'" 4!;*i ■■•143 ' V. ., It,* ruff '•i-i.. J' f|ji».;i.;,;v!fi •■(>'» 'r% I" TV f ■ l\ VS.: If 1"'' ''S 1 a4 Preface. to which the Spaniih writers of thofe davs gave a helping hand. The literary world is undoubtedly much obliged to the labour, genius, and atten- tion, of Dr. Robertfon, whofe cxtenfivc and polite conne6lions enabled him to procure information for his Hiftory of America, which few other individuals could perhaps have obtained. We have therefore carefully confulted and followed that work, by the affiftance of which we may venture to fay, that we have now the pleafure of laying before our youthful Readers fuch an epitome of The Hijltny tf Scuth yfmeriia as may by no means be confidered as fabulous, but as founded on the moft authentic materials and au- thorities. -\ ' ' * *■-. ■ ' •» » 4 A- 111''"- " CONTENTS. CONTENTS. C H A P. I. Origin of navigation. — Introdu6lion of commerce. — Rude -ftate of navigation among the ancients. — State of navigation and commerce among the Egyptians, — Phenicians, — Jews, — Carthaginians, — Greeks, and Romans. — Difcoveries of the ancients by land. — Imperfeft ftate of Geography among the ancients. — Commerce preferved in the Eaftern em- pire. — Revival of commerce and navi- gation in Europe. — The crufades fa- vourable to commerce. — The invention of the mariners compafs. — Firft regular plan of difcovery. — The Portuguefe double Cape Non. — Difcovery of Porto Santo, — Of Madeira. — The Portuguefe double Cape Bojador, and advance within the tropics. — The Cape de Verci Ifi.ands and the Azores difcovered. — The Por- tuguefe crofs the line, — Tlicy difcover the Cape of Good Hope. . . P. i. C H A P. II. Birth and education of Columbus, — He enters into the fervice of the Por- tugueije, — He forms the idea of a new courle to India, — He applies to the Genoefe, — Then to Portugal, and after- wards to Spain, — Propofes his plan to Henry VIII. of England, — His treaty A3 w'ilk ■''.if ■•ri\ in , < M • t ;■ rM. ,-*• ■ ', •, •♦>..i(|i'| w ^. K* ^' ■■ :'■ •*? • -1 l^''^'"■ '^■'■:^,;, 1. Contents. with Spain, — He fets fail oi> his voyage, — His crews are filled with alarms and apprehcnfions. — Land difco- vered. — Firfl: interview with the na- , tives. — Columbus aflumes the Title of admiral and vice-roy, — He dilcovers Cuba and Hifpaniola. — Lofcs one of his Ihips, — His diftrefles, — Rclblvcs to return to Europe, — Arrives in Spain, and receives the higheft marks of ho- nour. — He fets fail on his fecond voy- age. — Builds the town of Ifabella, — Dilcovers the ifland of Jamaica, — The Indians take arms againft the Spa- niards. — Columbus attacks and defjats thein. — He taxes them. — Returns to Spain. — He fets fail a third time. — He dil- covers Trinidad. — Troubles at St. Do- min;5o. — ThePprtuguefefiilto tlieEalt- Indies by the way of the Cape of Good Hope. — From whom the name of AMt' RICA was given to the New World.— The Portugucfe difcovcr the Brafil. — Columbus ient in chains to Spain. — Is there tbt at libertv. — Sails a fourth time on difcoveries. — Is wrecked on the coall of Jamaica. — Death of Columbus. 25 CHAP. HL State of the colony in Hifpaniola. — New difcoveries and fettlements. — Dieg:o Co- luii)b]a,s appointed govciQOr of Hilpa- niob.— V' 1^., Contents. niola. — Sets fail for that ifland. — New difcoveries made. — Attempts made to fettle on the continent. — Difcovery of Florida. — Difcoveries of Balboa. — He enters the South Sea, — And returns. — Pedrarias Davila appointed governor of Darien. — His bad condudl. — Balboa publickly executed, through the treache- ry and intrigues of Pedrarias. — Further attempts at difcovery. — The ftate of Hlfpaniola under Don Diego Colum- bus. — Death of Ferdinand, and acceflion of Charles the Fifth. — New difcoveries made towards the Weft.— Difcovery of Yucatan. — Are attacked by the Indians, and defeat them. — The Spaniards quit that place. — Arrive at Campeachy. — Meet with a defeat on landing to take in water, and are forced to return to Cuba. — Voyage of Juan de Grijalva. — He difcoveis New Spain. — Touches at Tabafco, and then at Guaxaca. — Lands on the ille of Sacrifices, and thea touches at St. Juan de Ulua. . ^i CHAP. IV Vafl; extent of the New World. — Its prodigious mountains. — Rivers and Lakes. — Temperature of tlie climate. — Its original rude ftate. — Its animals.— Infects and oept lies. — Birds. — Soil. — How was America firft peopled? — Charadkr '.,■■ ''* V * i -n , '<:«,*■ •%t 1 '1 >'. n W* Vv- "M 'ii ,, "'4 » si I.t - » ' ' .. r i .5 '■'■3 ''• ' . . t'' J ' ■i/i^V¥| t , , 'If •I'' Hi ^ t t IP- i ' t ,' i ' Contents. Charaftcr and condition of the original Americans. — The firft difcovcrers of the New World moftly illiterate men. — The bodily conflitution of the South Americans. — Their complexion. — H.ive fmall appetites. — None of them d« formed. — State of their health and diieafes. — Power and qualities of their nrnds. — The active eftbrts of their minds few and languid. — Domeflic union. — The condition of the American women humiliating and miferable. — P ir jntal afFeflion and filial duty. — Mode of fubfiftencc. — Fifhing, hunting, and agriculture. — The Americans di- vided into fmall communities. — Had no notion of property. — Their method of carrying on war. — Their drefs and or- naments. — Habitations. — Their arms — Domcftic utenfils and cookery. — Their canoes — Ideas of Religion. — Their phyiicians, — Dancing, gaming, and drinking, their favourite amufements. — Deftroy the aged and incurable. — Their general character 76 CHAP. V. Velafquez makes preparations for the invafioii of New Spain. — Ferdinando Cortts undertakes the command of that expedition. — His forces. — Cortes f«tl fail with his little armament. — Arrives Ci Contents. —Arrives in Mexico. — Rich prefents fent from Montezuma to Cortes. — Charaftcr of Montezuma. — Cortes rc- figns his commiffion, and is chofen by his officers and followers chief-juftice and captain-general of the new colony. — He proceeds to Zimpoalla. — From thence to Quiabiflan. — Builds a town there, and forms alliances. — Cortes dc- ftroys his own fleet. — Advances into the country. — Concludes a peace with the Hafcalans. — Sets out for Mexico. — The Spaniards aftoniflied at the diftant view of that city. — Firfl: interview be- tween Cortes and Montezuma. — Dan- gerous fituation of the Spaniards in Mexico. — Montezuma feized as a pri- foner, and carried to the Spaniih quar- ters. — Montezuma's fon, and five of his officers, burnt alive, by order of Cortes. — The Mexican monarch ac- knowledges himfelf to be a vafTal of the king of Caftile. — A new Spanifh arma- ment arrives at Mexico, fitted out by Velafquez to deftroy Cortes — Cortes attacks Narvaez in the night, defeats his forces, and takes him prifoner. — The greater part of the Spanifh prifoners enter into the fervicc of Cortes. — The Mexicans take up arms againft the Spaniards. — Montezuma flain by his own people. — Cortes abandons the city •f Mexico. — The Mexicans defeat hhn.— Is 1 , • r '"' *!■ \ ' I *: fl •>' i4 .■ 4, ^ v •J > ^^i ■ .If ^^'U\ l^ ♦' "; n ■• • •• ^M 'Ml'"'-*! ■*;•;■ r I' I I !«'*■■».* j' 'l-' Contents. Is reduced almoft to famine. — The battle of Otiimba. — Cortes receives con- liderable reinforcements. — Builds and launches feveral brigantines on the lake. — The brigantines defeat the Mexi- can canoes on the lake. — Attacks the city of Mexico, Cortes defeated and wounded, forty of his men taken, and facrificed to the god of war. — Cortes again attacks the city, and takes tlie emperor prifoner. — The Spaniards much difappointed in their expe6lations of the riches the conqueft of this city would afford them. — Cruel treatment of the emperor — The whole province of Mexico fubdued by the Spaniards. — The ftraits of Magellan difcovered. — Death of Magellan. — Cortes appointed captain- general and governor of New Spain. — Sets out for the court of Caftlle. — The reception he meets with there.— Returns toNewSpain, and difcovers California. — • Death of Cortes 103 ' CHAP. VI. Fir/1: attempts to difcovcr Peru unfuccefs- ful. — Pizarro, Almagro, and Luque, undertake that bufnicfs. — Pizarro fcts fail from Panama on his firft expedi- tion. — Experiences great hardfhips. — Difcovers Peru. — I'he Spaniards are furprifed at the riches and fertihty of that country.— Returr\ to Panama.— Pizarro CONTEKTS. Pizarro is fcnt to Spain, where he gets himfelf appointed captain-general, &c.of the new difcoveries. — Pizarro fails on another expedition, and lands in Peru.— Commences hoftilities. — Limits of the the Peruvian empire. — A civil war rages in Peru at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards. — Pizarro turns that circum- fiance to his advantage. — State of his forces.— Arrives at Caxamalca.— Treacheroufly feizes on the perfon of the Inca. — Muffacre of the Peruvians.— Almagro arrives with reinforcements.— Divifion of the immenfe ranfom of the Peruvian Inca. — 'I'he Inca put to death. — Pizarro leaves Caxamalca, and marches to Cuzco. — He takes pofleffion of that capital, and feizes on immenfe treafures. — Pizarro fets out for Spain — • His reception there. — Sets out on his return to Peru. — Settles differences there with his afTociate Almagro. — Pizario builds the city of Lima. — Ahnagro marches towards Chili. — An infurrec- tion in Peru. — The Peruvians befiege Cuzco. — Engage Almagro, and are de- feated. — Civil war among the Spa- niards.— Almagro defeated, tried, con- demned, and executed. — Progrefs of the Spanifh arms. — Chili conquered.—— Treachery and ingratitude of Orellana. — Miferable condition of the followers of Pizarro, in confec^ueuce of that treache- r '*^!-^^\ -■»*.■ ''«>3: • ''[{■^ ^■ ■' .•'►/iVMIrl ■>K. *.* '. '., iti:\ '' ' 1 '■■; 1 »1 ■ -■■ U, :' '!>■'' ■ 1 . a'' 1 ,.'.■ .^ , l- n3 ♦t , ' .■■,;i-'^ • ■>'''^M ■ :- -u ^ ' :ikl| m^-' Ml' WWHr • ! mm: \''^/ !«"*%•♦ (S'^l: )f%'' I *. A.. Contents. i-y. — Francifco Pizarro murdered in his palace. — Almagro proclaimed governor of the city. — Vaca de Caftro arrives at Quito, and affumes the name of gov«?r- ncr.— Difputcs between him and Al- magro.— The emperor reforms the go- vernment of his American dominions. — Sends over a vice-roy, who is killed in battle. — Pedro dc la Gafca fent out as prefident of Peru. — Gonzalo Pizarro afFumes the government, oppofes Gafca, is defeated, tried, and put to death. — Gafco fets out for Spain. — His reception there ' • • ^33 < i, e rn ; CONCLUSION. / ^ Political inftitutions and national manners of the Mexicans and Peruvians. — Origin of the Mexican monarchy. — The city of Mexico, when foundea.— Splendour and power of their monarchs, — Their wars. — Funeral rites. — Agriculture. — o*! Temples, and other public buildings.— .-: Religion of the Mexicans. — Peruvian antiquity doubtful. — Abfolute power of . their Incas The filver mines of *£ Profi. — — The Peruvian wars condu(3e4 -f with humanity. — Their improved flatc tij* of agriculture. — Tafte in their build- .-«- ings. — The Peruvians of an unwarlikc - J'pirit ,/».#, l6i ii'. . i .1 I* I CktC THE THE HISTORY ... , ^■ O F SOUTH America. I •? .• * CHAP. I. S y J- «. / > »'* O nice and complicated are the arts of navigation and fliip-building> that thejr. require the ingenuity and experience off muny fucceeding ages, to bring them ta- any tolerable degree of perfection. The rate or canoe, which at firft fervcd to convey a favage over a river, that ob-> ftru£led him in the chafe, gave rife ta. the invention of conftruifting a veficlcap-^i a\)le of carrying a number of people ipi Mety to a diflant coaft. Many efforts were made, many experiments were tried, and much labour and invention employed, before this important undertaking was accoinplifhed. *^v, ^ lu proportion as the art of navigation encrealld, men became more acquainted B with ■ 1 n. ' 1 • ■■ y, .'I'll I < "IK * . . . ■ ..•-■fi , ■ ,' ^ -til ,'''•■■ I m ■'■n: n • >• - * • i\ i' -4 J'^'.f b-**": n- J i t-i I >>> 4 Tme til St ok V OP with each other, and a commercial in* tercourfe commenced between remote na- tions. Men muft have made fome con- fiderable advancements towards civillza-^ tion^ before they acquired the idea of property, and afcertained it fo perfecJlh^, as to be acquainted with the moft fimple of all contradls, that of exchanging by barter one rude commodity for anotljer. However, as foon as this important right Was eftabliflied, and every individual felt, that he had an exclufive title to poflefs or alienate whatever he had acquired by his own labour or dexterity, the wants an4 ingenuity of his nature fuggefted to him, a new method of encreafing his acquifitions and enjoyments, by difpoung of what ap- peared to him fuperfluous, in order to procure what was neceflary or defirable in the pofleffion of others. As navigation and commerce extended, fo in courfe did the intercourfe of remote nations- The ambition of conqueft, or the neceflity of procuring new fettlements, were no longer the folc motives of viliting diftarit lands. The defire of gain became a new fpuf to adtivity, roufcd adventurers, and fent them out on long voyages, in the purfuit of countries, whafe produce or want might encreafe that/ circulation, which nourlfhcs and gives vigour to com- nierw« Trade proved a great fource of ^* difcovcry, m- SovTfi America* m difcovcry, it opened unknown fcas, it penetrated into new regions, and contri- buted more than any other caufe, to bring men acquainted with the fituation, the jnature, and commodities of the different regions of the earth, j . The ftrufture of the veffels ufed by the ancients was very rude and imperfe6l, and their method of working them on the ocean Was >very defedlivc. Though the property of the magnet, by which it attradts iron,, was well known to the ancients, its more important and amazing virtue of pointing to the poles had entirely efcaped their obfervation. Deftitute of this faithful guide, which now condufts the pilot with fo much certainty in the unbounded ocean, during the daiknefs of jiight, or when the heavens are covered with clouds, the ancients had no other method of regulating their courfe than by obferving the fun and ftars. Their na- vigation was confequently uncertain and timid. They dared not even to quit fight of land, but crept alopg the coaft, expofed to all the dangers, and retarded by all the obftru£lions, unavoidable in holaing fuch an aukward courfe. An incredible length oi time was requifite for performing voyages, which are now finiflied in a fliort fpace. Even in the mildeft climates, ^n4 in feas the leaft tempeftuous, it was ;i ^ B:> onljr < ■ 1 .'•r-ij&'- li;:. m 4 Thx History or only during the fummer months that tlie ancients ventured out of their harbours, the remainder of the year being loft in in- aftivity. ** < The Egyptians, foon after the eftablifh- ment of their monarchy, are reported to have commenced a trade between the Arabian Gulph, or Red Sea, and the weftern coaft of the great Indian continent. The commodities, which they imported from the Eaft were carried by land from the Arabian Gulph to the banks of the Nile, and conveyed down that river to the Mediterranean ; but the fertile foil and mild climate of Egypt, producing all the ne- ceflaries and comforts of life, the Egyptians had no inducements to undertake long and hazardous voyages. The Phenicians poflefled a fpirit more favourable to commerce and difcovery than the Egyptians. They had not, like the natives of Egypt, any diftinguifhing peculiarity in their manners and inftitu- tions ; tney were not addifted to any fmgular and unfocial form of fuperftition, and could mingle with other nations with- out fcruple or reluftance. The territory they poflefled was neither large nor fertile, and commerce was the only fource from which they could derive opulence or power. The trade, therefore, carried on by the Phenicians of Sidon and Tyre was more extenfive South America. ^^ cxtenfive and enterprifing than that of any ftate in the ancient world. In many of the places to which they reforted, they planted colonies, and communicated to. the rude inhahitants fome knowledge of their art$ and improvements. The Jews, encouraged by the riches they faw the Phenicians acquiring from commerce, fecmed defirous to endeavour to partake of it. Solomon fitted out fleets^ which under the direftion of Pheniciah pilots, failed from the Red Sea to Tarfhifh and Ophir ; but the fingular inftitutioii of the Jews, the obfervance of which was enjoined by their Divine Legiflator, with an intention of preferving them a feparatc people, uninfedted by idolatry, prevented their being numbered among the nations, which contributed to improve navigation, or to make any material or ufeful dif- coveries. The Carthagenians caught the fpirit of commerce from the Phenicians and Jews. The commonwealth of Carthage applied to trade and naval affairs with the greatcft fuccefs. They extended their navigation, chiefly towards the weft and north, and vifited not only all the coafts of Spain, but thofe of Gaul, and penetrated at laft into Britain. They made confidcr- ablfe progrcfs by land, into the interior provinces of Africa, traded wjth fome of <* ,. r '>Vvi4,'»ii it's* '. - I, '■;( ■6 The History of lip* ^M^^i 1' r* P" '! it mm them, and fubjeftcd others to their empire. They failed along the weftcrn coaft of that great continent, almoft to the tropick of Cancer, and placed feveral colonies, in order to civilize the natives, and accufton^ them to commerce, .. It is evident that the Phcnicians, who inftrufted the Greeks in many ufeful arts and fcienc^es, did not communicate to them that extenfive knowledge of nayigatioh, which they themfelves poffeffed j nor did the Romans imbibe that commercial fpirit and ardour for difcovery, which diftin- gulfhed their rivals the Carthagenians. Though Greece be almoft encompailed by the fea, which formed many fpacious bays and commodious harbours ; though it ba furrounded by a vaft number of fertile iflands, yet, nowithftanding fuch a favour- able fltuatioD, vvhich feemed to invite that ingenious people to apply themfelves to navigation, it was long before this art ^.ttained any degree of perfediion among them. Even at the time, when the Greeks engaged in the famous enterpriz^ againft Troy I their knowledge ixx navdl affairs feems not to haye been much improved. Theit veflels wer^ of iiiconfiderable bur- then^ and mpftly without decks., Thefe Jhad only one maft^ and they were ftrangers to the ufe of ^cho^rs. All their opera- tions ifl failing wer€ cl.u^fy a^4 \|i.nflk.ilful. .South America. ' ff The expedition of Alexander the Great into the Eaft, confiderably enlarged the fphere of navigation and of geographical knowledge among the Greeks, He founded a great city, which he called Alexandria, near one of the mouths of the river Nile, that by the Mediterranean fea, and the neighbourhood of the Arabian Gulf, it might command the trade both of the Eaft and Weft, This fituatioa was chofen with fuch difcernment, that Alexandria foon became t;he chief com* ^i^rcial city in the world. The progrcfs made by the Romans in navigation and difcovery, was ftill more inconfiderable than that of the Greeks, The genius of the Roman people, their military education, and the fpirit of their laws, concurred to difcourage tbem from commerce and naval affairs. It was the neceffity of oppofing a formidable rivals not the defire of extending trade, which flrft prompted them to ^im. a»t maritimQ power.. As foon as the Romans acquired a tafto for the luxtii:ies of the Eajft, the tradet with India thrgugh Egypt was puflied with mw vigour^ afid carried on to greatw atept^ By frequenting tile Indian con-* ^inent, navigaitors. became acquainted with ' the periodical coui^f^ of thg winds,, which,^ , ir\ tli^ Qf;^^ xJm {^mxm^^ ^KQ^ fro«a tndxa^ .'r' '»\n vi ■■■m .-Ik-: t '< 1 . * M :*f ; I ll' ff Tnk History of India, blow with little variation during one half of the year from the eaft, and during the other half blow with equal lleadinefs from the weft. Encouraged by this obfervation, they abandoned their ancient flow and dangerous courfe along the coaft, and as foon as the wefteni xnonfoon fet in, took their departure from Ocelis, at the mouth of the Arabian Gulf, and ftretched boldly acrofs the ocean. The uniform diredlion of the wind, fup- plying the place of the compafs, and rendering the guidance of the ftars kf^ neceffary, conducted them to the port ot Mufiris, on the weftern fhore of the Indian continent. There they took on board their cargo, and returning with the eaftern monfoon, finiflied their voyage to the Arabian gulf within the year. This part of India, now known by the name of the Malabar coaft, fecms to have been the utmoft limits of ancient navigation in that quarter of the globe. The. difcovery of this ne>v method of failing to India, is the moft confrderablc improvement in navigation made by the Komans during the continuance of their power. Tn ancient timcs^ the knowledge ♦ t remote countries was more frequently rxquired by land than by fea ; and the Romans, f^'om their particular diflike to iparitimc affairs, may be faid to have ' ' • totally South America; 9 totally negkded the latter, though a much more preferable way to make difcoverics, being more eafy~ and expeditious. If we rejeft fabulous and obfcure ac- counts, if we clofely abide by the light and information of authentic hiftory, without giving way to the conjeftures of fancy, or the dreams of etymologifts, we muft conclude, that the knowledge which the ancients had acquired of the habitable globe was very confined and fuperficial. In Europe, the extenfive provinces in the eaftern part of Germany were little known to them. They were almoft tO;* tally unacquainted with the vaft countries which are now fubjeft to the kings of Denmark, Sweden, Pruflia, Poland, and the Ruffian empire. The more barren regions, which ftretch within the ardlic circle, were quite unexplored. In Africa, their rcfearches did not extend far beyond the provinces which border on the Medi- terranean, and thofe fituated on the weftern fhorc of the Arabian gulf. In Afia, they were unacquainted with all the fertile and delightful countries beyond the Ganges, which furnifh the moft valuable commo- dities for the European commerce with India; nor do they feem to have ever penetrated into thofe immenfe regions, occupied by the wandering tribes, which they called by the general name of . $cythiansx ..rM »i'' •! ■♦.4 B m :.' ^ -i vf * •, ■ • MM ^o The History op m * ^ k'^'^, Scythians, and now pofleffe4 by Tartars of various denominations, and by the Afiatic Ruffian fubjedls. But however in^perfecft or inaccurate the geographical knowledge which the Greeks and Romans had acquired may appear, in refpedl of the prefent improved ftate of that fcience, their progrefs in difcovery will feem confiderable, and the extent to which they carried navigation and com- merce, muft be confidered as great, when compared with the ignorance of early times. Geography continued to improve under the Romans fo long as they remained in their powerful ftate; but when the barbarians broke in upon them, the con- sequence of luxury and effeminacy, the Sciences then dwindled, and difcoveries xeafed to be made. Conftantinople, after the dcftrudlion of the Roman empire^ though often threatened by the fierce invaders, who fpread defqla^ tion over the reft of Europe, was fo fortunate as to efcape their deftruftive rage. The knowledge of ancient arts ;md difcoveries were preferved in that city, .a tafte for fplendour and elegance ftill fubfifted, the productions and luxuries of foreign countries were in requefl, and commerce continued to flourim in Con- ftantinople, when it was almoft extinfl in every othe^ part of Europe. .^nunr, :.^ . Much SbUtH AMERtCA. II Much about the fame timej a gleam of light and knowledge broke in upon the Eaft* The Arabians, having contrafted fome relifti for the fciences of the people whofe empire they had contributed to overturn, tranflated the books of fevcral of the Greek philofophers into their own language. The ftudy of geography in I ourfc became an early objedl of attention to the Arabians; but that acute and ingenious people Cultivated chiefly the ipeculative and fcicntific parts of geography . la order to afcertain the figure and dimen* lions of our earth, they applied the prin- ciples of geometry, they had recourfe to ailronomical obfervations, and employed experiments and operations, which Europe, in more enlightened times, have eagerly adopted and imitated« The calamities and defolation brought upon the weftern provinces of the Roman empire by its barbarous conquerors, by degrees were forgotten, and in fome mea* fuie repaired. The rude tribes which fettled there, acquiring infenfibly fome idea of regular government, and fome rclifli for the functions and comforts of civil life, Europe awakened, in fome de- gree, from its torpid and inadlive ftate, the firft fymptoms of which were difcerned in Italy. The acquifition of theie roufed" induftry, and gave motion and vigour to all { * M <>' -It. ■* Vji ^ '■■1 {Ut . : , ',, ,1) ;! ^^v^;',>' • i!y it- ' ■i- m, "-I iA')^ "k li"*'/ ^ (• . r3 .'■\ 12 The History of mi' , ^IH,^ V '!:-i.it '■i-i,,' all the a6live powers of the human mind; foreign commerce levived, navigation was attended to, and great pains taken to unprove it, ^ — , From that period, the commercial fpirit of Italy became aflive and enterprifing. Venice, Genoa, and Pifa, rofe from in- conCderable towns, to be populous and wealthy cities; their naval power en- creafed, their veflels frequented not only all the ports in the Mediterranean, but venturing fometimes beyond the ftraits, vifited the maritime towns of Spain, France, the Low Countries, and England. , While the cities of Italy were thus advancing in their career of improvement, nn event happened, the moft extraordinary perhaps in the hiftory of mankind, which, iriftead of ol)ftru(5ting the commercial pro- grefs of the Italians, contributed to i*:s encreafe. The martial fpirit of the Eu- ropeans, heightened and inflamed by re- ligious zeal, prompted them to attempt the deliverance of the Holy Land from the dominion of Infidels. Vaft armies, com- pofed of all the nations in Europe, moved towards Afia on this ftrange enterpriie. The Genoefe, Pifans, and Venetians, fur- niflied the tranfports to carry them thither, and fupplied them with provifions and military ftoies. Befides the immcnfe funu which they received on this account, they obtuiiKfi South America. »3 M- obtained commercial privileges and efta- bli/hments. From thefe fourccs prodi- gious wealth flowed into the cities above mentioned. This was accompanied with a proportional encreafe of power, and by the end of the Holy War, Venice, in particular, became a great maritime ftate, poflefling an extenfive commerce and ample territories. Communications being thus opened between Europe and the weftern provinces; of Afia, feveral perfons were encouraged to advance far beyond the countries, in which the crufaders carried on their opera- tions, and to travel by land into the more remote and opulent regions of the Eaft. The wild fanaticifms, which fecm at that period to have mingled in all the fchemes of individuals, no lefs than in all the councils of nations, firfl incited men to enter upon thef»■ -•'.I'm n %-^ . i4 [i:?iJi&^^^i' rim ■ ■^$ ■» ■.. • "I :)i t4 The History or a needle or flender rod of iron, as to point towards the poles of the earth, was happily difcovered. The ufe which might be made of this in direfting navigation, was im- mediately perceived. From hence, that moft valuable^ but now familiar inftrument, the mariners compafs, was formed. As foon as navigators found by means of this, that at all feafons, and in every place, they could difcover the North and South with (o much eafe and accuracy^ it became no longer neceflary to depend merely on the light of the flars, and the obfervation of the fea-coaft. They gradually abandoned their ancient timid and lingring courfe along the fhore, launched boldly into the ocean, and relying on this new guide, could fteer in the darkeft night, and under the moft cloudy fky, with a fecurity and prccifion hitherto unknown. The com- pafs may be faid to have opened to man the dominion of the fea, and to have put him in full pofleflion of the earth, by enabling him to vifit every part of it. About* the year 1 365, Providence feemed to have decreed, that at this period men Were to pafs the limits within which they had been fo long confined, and open to themfelves a more ample field, wherein to difplay their talents, their enterprifc, and courage. The firft confidcrable efforts towards this were not made by any of the niorc Mk:C .^ South Am£rica. ^5 'H' more powerful ftates of Europe, or by thofe who had applied to navigation with the greatcft afliduity and fuccefs. The glory of taking the lead in this bold attempt was referved for the Portuguefe, whofe kingdom was die fmallcft and leaft power- ful of any in Earope. As the attempts of the Portuguefe to acquire the knowledge of thofe parts of the globe, with which mankind were then unacquainted, not only improved and extended the art of naviga- tion, but roufed fuch a fpirit of curionty and enterpize, as led to the difcovery of the New World, of which we arc perfently to give the hiftory. Various circumftances urged the Portu- guefe to exert their adlivity in this new direction, and enabled them to accomplifh undertakings apparently fuperior to the na- tural force of their monarchy. John I. king of Portugal, furnamed the Baftard, having obtained fecure poflcflion of the crown, in the year 141 1, foon perceived, that it would be impoflible to prefcrvc public order, or domeftic tranquility, without finding fome employment for the rcftlefs fpirit of his fubjefks. With this view, he affembled a numerous fleet at Lifbon, compofed of all the ihips he could fit out in his own kingdom, and of many hired from foreigners. This great armament, fitted out in 141 a, was dcftincd to attack : . C 2 the '•aiv^ *M-\,; ,:C^- .. . V J,,»- t 5" - • r .an, I <' .,"! ( 1 1 w't,; 'I ■ f >< . •■» ,t / 4 I 1 6' •J. The History of the Moors fettled on the coaft of Barbary, While the fleet was equipping, a few veflels were appointed to fail along the weftern fliore of Africa, bounded by the Atlantic ocean, and to difcover the unknown coun- tries fituated there. The peculiar fituation of Portugal was an invitation to this new undertaking, and the genius of the age being favourable to the execution of it, it proved fuccefsful. The veflels fent on the difcovery doubled the formidable Cape Non, which had ter- minated the progrefs of former navigators, arid proceeded one hundred and fixty miles beyond it, to Cape Bojador. As its rocky cliffs, which ftretched a confiderable way into the Atlantic, appeared more dreadful than the promontory they had pafTed, the Portuguefe commander was afraid to at- tempt to "fail round it, but returned to Lifbon,rnore fatisfied with having advanced fo far, than afhamed of not having gone farther. * * - ' - Though this voyage was in itfelf incon- fiderable, yet it encreafed the paflion for difcovery, which began to fhew itfelf in Portugal. The fortunate iffue ot the king's expedition againft the Moors of Barbary, added ftrength to that fpirit in the nation, and pufhed it on to new under-* takings. In order to render thefe fucceff- fi>l, it W5S neccflary, . that they fliould be conducted South Amehica. ^f conduced by a perfon, who poflcfled abi-.! lities capable of difcerning what was attain- able, who enjoyed Icifure to form a regular fyftem for profecuting difcovery, and who was animated with ardour, that would per-* fevere in fpite of obftacles and repulfes. Happily for Portugal, fhe found all thefe qualities in Henry dukeof Vifeo, the fourth fon of king John, That prince, in his early youth, having accompanied his father in his expedition to Barbary, diftinguiflied himfelf by many deeds of valour. To the martial fpirit, which was the chara6i:eriftic of every man of noble birth at that period, he added all the accomplifliments of a more enlightened and polifhed age. He culti- vated the arts and fciences, which were then little known, and defpifed by perfons of his exalted fituation. He was parti- cularly fond of the ftudy of geography, and he early acquired fuch a knowledge of the habitable globe, as difcovered the greal probability of finding new and opulent countries, by failing along the coafl of Africa. The commencement of every new under- taking is ufually attended with triflng fuc- cefs. In the year 141 H, he fitted out a iingle fliip, and gave the command of it to two gentlemen of his houfehold, who otFered themfelves as volunteers to condudt the enterpuife. He inilrufled them to C 3 double h:".' " h J" ,1 "■ f ':—»' \\ ^%. ,» ' •*-4 ■*; y^'\ I'l' '-1, >.('di., "» ^ '*^'' •*,■• 'v % ,1 .<.' ,« ' ' * ■ . ''. r, [' ,>," 1"" .t 1 . ,'• ■■> (f ■ ■ 1 «8 The Histtory of J.i »4,"itf,-^"." mi *•;■>. : » I B|.il< •;, V -.ft double Cape Bojador, and thence to fteer towards the fouth. They held their courfc •long the ihore, the mode of navigation which ftill prevailed, when a fudden fquall of wind arofe, which drove them out to fea, and, when they expelled every mo- ment to perilh, it blew them on an un- Icnown ifland, which, from their happy efcape, they named Porto Santo. They inftantly returned to Portugal with the news oif their difcovcry, and were received by Henry with the applaufe and honour due to fortunate adventurers. The next year Henry fent out three fliips under the fame commanders, in order to make a fettlement in Porto Santo. From this ifland they obferved towards the fouth a fixed fpot in the horizon,, like a fmall black cloud. They were, by degrees, led to conje6lure it might be land, and fleer- ing towards it, they arrived at a confide- rable ifland, uninhabited and covered with wood, which on that account they called Madeira. As it was Henry's principal objeft to render his difcoveries ufeful to his country, he immediately equipped a fleet to carry a colony ot Portugucie to thefc iflands. He took care that they fliould be furniflied not only with the feeds, plants, and domeftic animals, common in Europe ; but, as he forefaw that the warmth 9f the climate, and fertility of the io\h ? . . ^ ^ vvouW South America; ^» ;srouId prove favourable to the rearing of pther produ(Slions, he procured flips of th& vine from the ifland of Cyprus, the rich wines of which were then in great requeft,^ and plants of the fugar cane from Sicily, into which it had been lately introduced. Thefe throve fo profperoufly in this new country, that the advantage of their cul- ture was immediately perceived, and the fugar and wine of Madeira foon became confiderable articles of commerce, fronx which die Portuguefe derived great advan- tage. ^ , . . ., , Thefe important fuccefles gave a ipur to the fpirit of difcovery, and induced the Portuguefe, inftead of fervilely creeping along the coaft, to venture into the open, fea. They doubled Cape Bojador, in 1433, and advanced within the tropics. In the courfe of a few years, they difcovered the river Senegal, and all the coaft extending from Cape Blanco to Cape de Verde. The Portuguefe had hitherto been guided; in their difcoveries, or encouraged to at- tempt them, by the light and inforraatioi^ they received from the works of the ancient mathematiciai s and geographers; but, whea they began to enter the torid zone,^ the notions which prevailed among the anci- ents, that the heat was there fo. intenfe as to render it infupportable, deterred them^ for fpmc time, from proceeding. How- ever, .#ii^ "li** ■■yCtfj i> k ■i-r^f . I ^i'll II 1 ■ i I \ I ' ' ' ' 1 It, 1 ■ - I ' J' I r iTTi m:.. *■•>. '>* "^. '1 to The History or 111 ■ ' i^.,"-i .i^fe ,i,rl I A- <«.. ever, notwifhftanding thcfe unfavourable appearances, in 144.9 the Portuguefe dif-. covered the Cape de Verde iflands, which lie ofF the promontory of that name, and foon after the ifles called Azores. As the former of thcfe are above three hundred miles from the African coaft, and the latter nine hundred miles from any continent, it is evident, that, the Portu- guefe had made great advances in the art of navigation. ^ ' The pailion for difcoveries received an unfortunate check by the death of prince Henry, whofe fuperior knowledge had hitherto dire6led all the operations of the difcoverers, and whofe patronage had en- couraged and protedled them. However, xiotwithftanding all the advantages they derived from hence, the Portuguefe, during his life, did not advance, in their utmoft progrefs towards the fouth, within five degrees of the equino6lial line; and, after their continued exertions for half a century, hardly fifteen hundred miles of the coaft of Africa were difcovercd. The Portuguefe, in 147 1, ventured to crofs the line, and, to their aftonifliment, found tliat region of the torid zone, which was fuppofed to be fcorched with intole^ rable heat, to be habitable, populous, and fertile. .. •- . '.. * * :. .. . ; . .» Under South America. 21 Under the direftion of John II. in 14.84, a powerful fleet was fitted out, which advanced above fifteen hundred miles beyond the line, and the Portuguefe, for the firft time, beheld a new heaven, and obfervcd the ftars of another he-* mifphere. ' By their conftant intercourfe with the people of Africa, they gradually acquired fome knowledge of thofe parts of that country, which they had not vifited. The information they received from the natives, added to what they had obferved in their own voyages, began to open prof-* pefts of ,a more extenfive nature. They found, as they proceeded fouthward, that the continent of Africa, inflead of extending in breadth, according to the doftrine of Ptolemy, appeared fenfibly to contradl: itfelf, and to bend towards the Eaft. This induced them to give credit to the accounts of the ancient Phenician voyages round Africa, which had long been confidered as fabulous, and gave them reafon to hope, that by following the fame route, they might arrive at the Eaflt Indies, and engrofs that commerce, which had fo long contributed to enrich other powers. In i486, the conduft of a voyage for this purpofe, the moft dangerous and diffi-. cult the Portuguefe had ever embarked in, was cntrufted to Bartholomew Diaz, wha ftrctchc4 •^^r^N'ir* .4 \Z'. ^ *■' a' " ! 1 I V" I 'm \ ■'• ■''■!-! ••*. •i'' ' „■■ ■ K 1'; U I ' V. I hi' r: ,. *'t •'•s'r. .4 ■ I jf^ '■i-. ■^f 22 The History ot ftretched boldiy towards the South, and proceeding beyond the utmofl limits to which his countrymen had hitherto ad- vanced, difcovered near a thoufand miles of a new country. Neither the combined powers of violent tempefts, and the frequent mutinies of his crew, nor even the cala- mities of famine, which he fuiFered from loofing his ftore-fhip, could deter him from the purfuit of his grand objeft. In fpite of all, he at laft difcovered that lofty promontory, which bounds Africa to the South ; but he did nothing more thaa difcover it. The violence of the winds, the fliattered condition of his ihips, and the turbulent fpirit of his failors, com* pelled him to return after a voyage of fixteen months. The King of Portugal, as he now entertained no doubt of having found the long defired route to India, gave this promontory the name of The Capt of Good Hope, Thefe fanguine ideas of fuccefs were ftrengthened by the intelligence the King received over land, in conlequence of his embafly to AbyfGnia. Covillam and Payva, by the King's inftruftions, had repaired to Grand Cairo. From this city, they travelled in company with a caravan pf Egyptian merchants, and embarking on the Red Sea, arrived at Arden in Arabia. 7'hcrQ thev fcparated : Pay va failed di^- redlly • \ South America# reflly towards Abyffinia ; Covillam em- barked for the Eaft Indcis, and having vifited Calecut, Goa, and other cities of the Malabar coaft, returned to Sofala, on the caft (ide of Africa, and thence to Grand Cairo, which Payva and he had iixed upon as their place of meeting. The former, however, was unfortunately and cruelly murdered in Abyffinia ; but Covillam found at Cairo two Portugefc Jews, whom the King of Portugal had Jifp^ched after them, in order to receive an account of their proceedings, and to communicate to them new inftruftions. By one of thefe Jews, Covillam tranfmitted to Portugal a journal of his proceedings by feaand land, his remarks upon the trade of India, together with exaft maps of thef coafts on which he had touched ; and from what he himfelf had obferred, as well as" from the information of fkilful feamen in different countries, he concluded, that by failing round Africa, a paffage might be found to the Eaft Indies. The happy coincidence of Covillam*s report and opi- nion with the difcovcries lately made by Diaz, left hardly anyihadow of doubt with refpe^l to the poffibility of failing from Europe to India. However, the vaft length of the voyage, and the furious ftdrifis, which Diaz had encountered near the Cape of Good Hope^ alarmed and in- timidated « *^^\. if ( , 4 t t' ^. ,«' I f, -J . / ■V-, I I - ) , I.': i i,-t' )■ t i» r:" V'i 'f. f .V. A , . *■ ,■ • s >■ ■■ m mm O",' KHJ,, iSi ^U' !■ S-5 '«' !fr;i*t| ;1 211 'v »y ^ ' 24 The History of timidated the Portuguefc to fuch a degree, although they were become adventurous and Ikilful mariners, that fomc time was requifite to prepare their minds for this dangerous and extraordinary voyage. Memorable Events n cor did in this Chattn, . Introduftion of commercial purfuits. , Imperfedlions of navigation among the ancients. — .. , , - . . . Navigation and commerce of the Egyp- tians, rhenicians, Jews, Carthaginians, Greeks, and Romans^ The firft regular plan of difcovery formed by the Portugucfe. . The ufe of the mariners compafs dif- covered about 1322. The Portuguefe double Cape BojaJcr about the year 1412. ' . *,> .; - Attempts to difcover a new route to the Eaft Indies. Voyage of Bartholomew Diaz, in i486, who penetrated as far as the Cape of Gocd Hope. ,- ' .,j . t\ . K, .. .- ' ■. !}■•■■ 'I * -• r' '^:i ' ' , ■ ■#- K .- ''■ ; ; :; ^f^^■-^t*^ *■ ^^^ '' *; _ ; -, ,, ^■^-^"^•'- :*■'% i-^-rJ ff ' CII '--'■- ■'" ^■''^i..,tr^^ t- i'>'^^'^*-\:. ; South America. CHAP. II. 35 Christopher columbus, a fubjedt of the republic of Genoa, was among the foreitioft of thofe foreigners, whom the fame of the difcoveries made by the Portuguefe had allured into their fervice* Though neither the time nor place of his birth are certainly known, yet it is on all hands agreed, that he was defcended from an honourable family re- duced to indigence by misfortunes. As his anceflors were accuftomcd to a fea- faring life, Columbus became naturally fond of it himfelfj and very early difcovered thoie talents for that profeffion, which plainly indicated the great man he was one day to be* He applied with uncommon ardour to the ftudy of the Latin tongue, geography, aftronomy, and the art of drawing. Thus qualified, in 1461, at the age of fourteen, he went to fea, and began his career on that element, which con- duced him to fo much glory. In 1467, he repaired to Lifbon, where many of his countrymen were fettled^ They foon conceived fuch a favourable opinion of his merit and talents, that they warmly folicited him to remain in their kingdom, where his naval Ikill and ex- D pencncc ^ 4. .'i .».• ■i ,> . >-v V ■■'■ -A J, ■n^>r If .1 I 'i ♦ '■■: ( 1- , • ,. ■■m -If ' ' f ,A ■fl ■I,'' » ;, ♦ r' 26 The History o^ ■t¥' «•■< ^ it g,443 . , It, perience could not fail of rendering him confpicuous. ^ r- » n To find out a paflage by fea to the Eaft Indies, was the great objedt in view at tliat period. From the time that the Por* tuguefe doubled Cape de Verde, this was the point at which they aimed in all then- navigations. The tedioufnefs of the courfe, which the Portuguefe were pur- fuing, naturally led Columbus to confider, whether a fliorter and more diredl paflage to the Eaft Indies^ than that projected by failing round the African continent, might not be found out. After revolving long and ferioufly every circumftance fuggefted by his fuperior knowledge in the theory, as well as praftice of navigation, after comparing attentively the obfervations of modern pilots, with the hints and con- jedlures of ancient authors, he at laft concluded, that by failing direftly towards the Weft, acrofs the Atlantic ocean, new countries, which probably formed a part of the vaft continent of India, muft in* fallibly be difcovered. ' ' Filled with thcfe ideas, he laid his fchcme before the fenate of Genoa, and making his country the firft tender of his fervice, oflTered to fail under the banners of the republic, in quell: of the new regions he expefted to difcover ; but they inconfi- dcratcly rejected his propofal, as the dream >i|if. il,i»l||IK^ an, new South America* ^? -.-f ^ of a chimerical projeflor. He then fub- mitted his plan to the Portuguefe, who endeavoured to rob him of the honour, by fending another perfon privately to purfue the fame track propofed by him ; but the pilot, chofen to execute Columbus's plan, had neither * the genius nor the for- titude of its author. Contrary winds arofe, no fight of approaching land ap- peared, his courage failed, and he returned to Lifbon, execrating a plan, which he had not abilities to execute. Columbus no fooner difcovcred this diflionorable treatment, than he inftantly quitted Portugal in difguft, and repaired to Spain about the clofe of the year 1484. Here he refolved to propofe it in perfon to Ferdinand and Ifabella, who at that time governed the united kingdoms of Caftilc and Arragon. He alfo fent his brother to England, to propofe his plan t^ Henry VIII. .. . .. ... After a long fucceflion of mortifying circumftances and difappointments, Ifabella was pcufuaded to fend for Columbus to court. The cordial reception he there met with from the aueen, together with the near profpefl of letting out upon that voyage, which had fo long been the objedl of his thoughts and wifhes, foon effaced the remembrance of all that he had fufFered in Spain, during eight tedious years of D 2 " folicitation ^■' 'i^ I > ^ .« % ^^ ■'j: • I .1. ■«' . > .;^ ^1 1? >' (A\ ■ . ' I ' : %' .[^y •!ii-l ^T-/ ' 1 *. fK I In, .^. ']■ «8 The flfisTORY of '■n^:m?^ '■ r»»i.i:' .;!!i|' 1..?^ felicitation and fufpence. The ncgocia- tion now went forward rapidly, and a treaty with Columbus was figned on the xyth of April, 1492. ' The chief articles of it were, i. Fer- dinand and Ifabella, as fovercigns of the ocean, conftituted Columbus their high admiral in all the feas, iflands, and con- tinents, which fliould be difcorered by his induftry; and ftipulated, that he and his heirs fhould enjoy this office, with the fame powers and prerogatives, which be* longed to the high admiral of Caftile, within the limits of his jurifdi6tion. 2. They appointed Columbus their viceroy in all the iflands and continents which he ihould difcover ; but if, for the better adminiftration of affairs^ it fhould here* after be neceflfary to eftabliih a feparate governor in any of thofe countries, they authorifed Columbus to name three per- fons, of whom they would choofe one for that office ; and the dignity of vice- roy, with all its immunities, was likewifc to be hereditary in the family of Columbus. J. They granted to Columbus and his neirs, for ever, the tenth of the free profits accruing from the produdions and com- merce of the countries which he fhould difcover. 4. They declared, that if any controverfy or law-fuit Ihould arifq with fcfpcdl to any mercantile trs^nfacStion in South America. ^9 the countries which fhould be difcovered, it fhould be determined by the folc autho- rity of Columbus, or of judges to be appointed by him, 5, They permitted Columbus to advance one eight part of what fhould be expended in preparing for the expedition, and in carrying on com- merce with the countries which he fhould (lifcover, and entitle him, in return, tQ an eighth part of the profit. Ferdinand, though his name appears conjoined with that of Ifabella in this tranfa6lion, refufcd to take any part in it as King of Arragon, his diftrull of Cq- lumbus being very violent. After all .the efforts of Ifabella and Co- lumbus, the armament was not fuitablc, either to the dignity of the power who equipped it, or to the importance of the fervice to which it was deftined. It con* fifted of three vcfTels. The largefl, a fliip of no confiderable burden, was commanded by Columbus, as admiral, who gave it the name of Santa Maria, Of the fecond, called the Pinta, Martin Pinzoa was captain, and his brother Francis pilot. The third, named the Nigna, was under the command of Vincent Yancz Pinzon. Thefc two were light vcflels, hardly fu- perior in burden or force to large boats. The fum employed in the whole of thi» equipment did ^lot cxcee4.40QpU D 3 Qti «^ *ii' ^<>i'*:^''A--''f\ i ": i H -h - *t ..'■ T j,v i7- *k i^' ■ 1 "♦■>.; M 4 , .>.«..( .. . ,.v (<», * 1'^ L'k J. ''IT .'^' ■ ii lit' 4.>:, t ir" ' lit'. 'Hi;:'"' lU , '« ► . ' M 'J 3^ The History 01? On the 34 day of Auguft, 1492^ Columbus fet fail, a little before fun-rile, in prefence of a vaft crowd of fpe£latois, who fent up their fuppJications to heaven for the profperous ifliie of the voyage, which they wiHied rather than expeded. Columbus fleered diredlly for the Canary Iflands, from whence he departed on the ht\\ of September. In the /hurt run to the Canaries, the fliips were found to be i"o crazy and ill appointed, as to be very improper for a navigation, which was cx- pe6led to be both long and dangerous. ♦ i Columbus, on leaving the Canaries, held his courfe due weft, left immediately •the ufual track of navigation, cind ft retched into unfrequented and unknown feas. By the 14th of September, the fleet was about two hundred leagues to the Weft of the Canary iflands, at a greater diftancc from land than any Spaniard had been feefore that time. Columbus early dif- covcred from the fpirit of his followers, that he muft prepare to ftruggle, not only >vith the unavoidable difficulties, which 'might be expefled from the nature of his ?uadertaking, but with (uch as were likely '.to arife from the ignorance and timidity of -the people under his command. All the art and addrejTs he was raafter of was hardly fu^cicnt to qviell the mutinous difpoiition of his failors, .who grew the jnorc tur- • • ' ; ^jT bulciir, South America. 3^ buleiit, in proportion as their diftance encreafed from home. On the nth of 06lober, Columbus Avas lb confident of being near land, that he ordered the fails to be furled, and the fliips to lie by, keeping ftri6t watch, left they ihould be driven on fliorc in the night. During this interval of fufpcnce and expe6lation, no man fhut his eyes, all kept iipon deck, gazing intently towards that quarter where they expefted to dif- covcr the land, which had been fo long the oh}e£t of their wifhe^s. A little after midnight, the joyful found of Ian J/ land! was heard from the Pinta, which kept always a- head of the other ftiips ; but, having been fo often deceived by fallacious appearances, every man was now become flow of belief, and waited, in all the anguifli of uncertainty and impatience,, for the return of day. On the 1 2th ot October, as foon zs morning dawned, all doubts and fears were difpelled. From every fliip an ifland was feen about two leagues to the North, Avhofe flat and verdant fields, well ftorcd with wood, and watered with many ri- vulets, prefented the afpcdk of a delightful country. The crew of the Pinta in- flantly began the Te Deum^ as a hynm of th;mkfgiving to God, and were joined by •thofe of the other Jliips, vvith tears of joy ^^ and '" . ' 'I J" -»• H k' .■'■H f; fy , '■I ■ 1-. '■■' .1;/ col 1» .w U It f ■ J' IW It Ift^ \ I, .t"l mkf. ;t1W%';f ft 3' The History op and tranfports of congratulation, They then on their knees begged pardon of Columbus for the mutinous fpirit they had fhewn, acknowledged his fuperior abilities, and promifed implicit obedience to his will in future. The boats being manned and armed as foon as the fun arofe, they rowed towards the ifland with their colours difplayed, warlike mufic^ and other martial pomp. As they approached the coaft, they faw it povered with a multitude of people, whom the novelty of the fpccSacle had drawn to- gether, whofe attitudes and geftures ex- prefled wonder and aftonifliment at the ft range objefts before them. He landed in a rich drefs, with a fword in his hand. His men followed, and kneeling down, they ail kiflcd the ground which they had fo long defired to fee. They then took folemn poflcffion of the country for ths crown of Caftile and Leon. The drefs of the Spaniards, the white- nefs of their (kins, their beards, their arms, appeared ftrangc and furprifing to the natives. The vaft machines in which thev had traverfed the ocean, that fcemed to move upon the water with wings, and uttered a dreadful found refcmbling thun- der, accompanied with lightning and fmoke, ftruck them with fuch teror, that they began to coniidcr t;hcra as children of i- . the South America. 3J the Sun, who had dcfcended to vifit mortals here below. • i The Spaniards were no lefs furprifed at the novelty of their fituation. Every herb, flirub, and tree, was different from thofe which flouriflied in Europe. The inhabitants appeared in the fimple inno- cence of nature, entirely naked. Their Wack hair, long and uncurled, floated upon their fhoulders, or was bound in treflcs round their heads. They had no beards, and every part of their bodies was pcrfedly fmooth. Their complexion was of a du(ky copper colour, their features fingular, rather than difagreeable, and their afpeft gentle and timid. They were fliy at firft through fear, but foon became familiar with the S[)aniards, and with tranfports of joy received from them hawks-bells, glafs heads, or other baubles, in return for which they gave fuch pro- vifions as they had, and fome cotton yarn, the only commodity of value that they could produce. Thus in the firft inter* view between the inhabitants of the new and old worlds, every thing was conduced amicably, and to their mutual fatisfaftion. Columbus now afTumed the title and authority of admiral and viceroy, and called the ifland he had difcovered San Salvador, It is one of that large clufter of iflands called the Lucaya or Bahama ifles. It is fituatcd '.mm K f «i . r .il ill ,1 "^ .wH-;-** ( '■'6 • i,\J ■■■J- '' , im 111 I I ten W jVt IT''* *1 '■«•*¥. ■■ • ill" ■K „,(r I Ti 1^-' il' :*"^'C'?* V| «■•■'■;.■ ,M- '■ * "■'« «V'^ ':w 34 The History of fituated above 3000 miles to the weft of Gomera, from which the fquadron took its departure, and only four degrees to the fouth of it. It foon appeared evident to Columbus that this was but a poor place, and confe- quently not the objedi: of his purfuit. But, conformably to his theory concerning the difcovery of thofe regions of Afia, which ftretched towards the eaftj he concluded that San Salvador was one of the iflcs, which geographers defcribed as fituated in the vaft ocean adjacent to India ; but he was herein miftaken. Having obferved, that moft of the people whom he had feen wore fmaU plates of gold, by way of orna- ment, in their noflrils, he eagerly enquired where they got that precious metal. They pointed to vards the fouth, and made him comprehend by figns, that gold abounded in countries fituated in that quarter. In confequence of this intelligence, he failed to the fouthward, and faw- feveral Iflands. He touched at thofe of the largeft, on which he beftowed the names of St. Mary, Fernandina, and Ifabella ; but, as all his enquiries were after gold, and none of them produced any, he made no ftay in any of them. He afterwards difcovered Cuba, and foon after fell in with Hifpa* niola. j*- IS 4- * ^oIumbuS| M South America.' ^5 Coluir.bus, ftill intent on difcovering the mines which yielded gold, failed from hence on the 24th of December, '492* The great variety of bufinefs in which he was engaged having prevented Co- lumbus from taking any fleep for two days, he retired at midnight, in order to take fome repofe, having committed the helm to the pilot, with ftrift injunftioa not to quit it for a moment* The pilots dreading no danger, careleflly left the hc^lm to an unexperienced cabin-boy, and the jhip, carried away by a current, was daflied againft a rock* The violence of the fhock awakened Columbus* He ran up to the deck, where all was confufion and defpair^ healone retaining prcfence of mind. How-* ever, all his endeavours were in vain ; tho veffel opened near the keel* and filled fo faft with water that its lofs was inevitable. The boats from the N igna faved the crew, and the natives in their canoes did every thing in their power to ferve them, by vvhoTe ailiftancc they faved almoft every thing that was valuable. ... 4 The diftrefs of Columbus was at this; time very great. The Pinta had failed away from him* and he fufpetSled was treacheroufly gone to Europe* There re* mained but one veflcl, and that the frndlleft and moft craxy of the fquadron, to traverfe tuch a vaft ocean, and carry fo many men back to Europe- He relolved therefore to leave t I .(Vi*..-: ■ -; f ■.. . \ .?|.'!-,;, .'.■■A ■■ ' r .■.'K, ;:1 i 1 V >• ill h'>-.i« mm 36 The History of leave a part of his crew on the illaiul, that, by rcfiding there, they might Icam the language of the natives, ftudy their difpofitions, fearch for mines, and pre- pare for the commodious fettlement of the colony, with which he propofed to return. Having fettled this bufincfs with his men and the natives, he built a fort, and placeJ in it the gwns faved out of his own Ihip. He appointed thirty-eight of his people to remain on the ifland, under the command Diego de Arada, and furniflied them with every thing requifitc for the iubfiftance or defence of the infant colony. * Having thus fettled matters, he left Navidad on the 4th of January, 1493, and ftretching towards the eaft, difcovercd and gave names to moft of the harbours on the northern coaft of the ifland. On the 6th he decried the Pinta, and foon came up with her, after an abfence of fix weeks. Pinzon endeavoured to juftify his condu(3, and though Columbus was by no means fatisfied in his own mind, yet he thought it prudent to diflemble at prefent, and ac- cordingly received him again into favour. Pinzon, during his abfcence from the ad- miral, had vifited feveral harbours m the ifland, had acquired fome gold by traffic with the natives, but had made no diico- very of any importance- Columbus, 'tfw ( f> {, *^-. ^' » ..n. • South America. 37 Columbus now found it necciTary, from the condition of his fhips, and the icniper of his men, to return to Europe. Ac- cordingly, on the 1 6th of January, he diredled his courfe towards th.:^ north-eaft, and foon loll fight of hmd, The /oyage was profperous to the .4th of February, when he was ovetaken by io violent a ftorm, that all hopes of i'urviving it were given up. At length Providence inter- pofed to fave a life referved for other pur- pofcs ; and, after experiencing a fecortd llorm ahnoH: as dreadful as the firft, he arrived ar the Azores, then Lilhon, and reached Spain on the i 5*-h of March, in the port of Palos, fevcn months and eleven days from the time when he fet out from thence upon ];is vovare. Columbus was received, on his landing, with all the honours due to his great abi- lities ; and Ferdmand and Ifabella were no lefs aftoiiiilied than delighted with this iinexpevSted event. Every mark of honour, that gratitade or admiration could fuggeft, was conferred upon Columbus. Letters pa- tent were illued, confirming to him and his heii's all the previleges contained in the capitulation concluded at Santa Fe ; his family was enobled,' and the king, queen, and courtiers, treated him as a peribn of 4he higbefl rank. J>ut what pleafed hiui moft was an order to e([uip, without delav^ aa armament of fuch force, as mieht enable 4 : I •'r.' *: . V'li 4 . ' ■ » ' ", >%\ -J ... i'** i/. '■ ■ . '■"■''. ■ ■•*•■' -'^^ T' >■ - ■! t * V ''I'M W •k ■ \' 'V i ■*! . 4 1 :i\ a ■'' ! ■ I ::^:^ :' "I'ti-' jS The History of him not cnl\ to take poffefficn of the conn- trie.; he hac al..-:idy dif.overcd, but to go m feiui-h of thole more opulent regions, whicli he 11:111 coi^fidencly exnedled to find. v^auL!v>u.> as r cidinnnd was, and aver fe to every thing ne.v and adventurous, pre- paianons for a iecond expedition v^ ere car- ried on with a ra^)idity ujuiiiia! in Spain, and to an extent that would !>e deemed not in. onfiderah'e in the prefent age. The fleet CO lillted of Seventeen fliips, Tome of tvliich were of good burthen. It had on board 1 5C0 pei:<>ns, amoi\g whom were ^nariV of noble families, who had ferved in honourable it at ions. Eveiy thing being ready, Cokimbus fet fail fiom the bay of Cadiz on the 25th of Sei)ten]ber, 14Q3, and arrived at Hiipaniola on the 7 2(1 of November. When he ap- peared o.r Navidad, from the ifatir 1 in which he hid left the thirtv-eic^ht men under the command of Arada, he was afloiiiiiied that none of them appeared; and rx.^filed every moment to fee them running with tranfports of joy to welcome their ^ounttvmen. But he loon foun.^ that t!ie imprudent and Hcentious bciia- viour oi his men had roufed the relcnt- ment of the natives, uho at lail dcftroved them all a^id burned their fort. He then tr*u:ed out the plan of a town in a large plain, near a fpacious bav, and obliged evci y j^ei foa to puc his hand to a worL South America. 39 wor^, on which tlicir common Tifcty de- pended. This rifino^ city, the Hrlt that the Euiopenns founded in the New World, he named Ifahella, in honour of his patro- nefs the queen of Cafiile. His followers loudly complained of heing obliged to turn builders, where they ex- pe6led to meet with riclies and luxuries. He therefore found it necefTary to proceed in quefl of thofe golden ihadovvs. Hav- ing fettled every thins; refpectini; the go- vernment of the new colony in his ahfence, lie weighed anchor on the 24th of April, 1494., vAJth one fhip and two fm all harks under his command. During a tedious voyage of fuli five months, he hnd a trial of almoft all the numerous hardihips, to which perfons of his profciUon are expofed, without making any difccverv of impor- tance, except the iiland of Jamaica. On his return to Hilpaniola, he met with his hrother Batlio-omcw at Ifahella, after an abfence of near thirteen ^eirs, which gave him ineA^^'ieffible joy. He could not have arrived more feafonably, as the Spaniards were not only threatened with famine, but even v-ith an infurrevflion of the natives, owing to the fluVnefa! liber- ties the new fettlers tool: with the womea and property of the Indians, 'who united their forces to drive thefe formidable inva- ders from the fettlemcnts, of which they had violently taken poffciTion, E % On K, V-B » ^ ■'! > ■. > ^ev '■' X\ i(. ' V ' ■ \ : I > f .. \ 4 I « ^ i k *^V'Jl . ( .1; 1 .'*! ' S^ • •■■.':? ■■ ■ ■ U\ 1^ "'V r. 1 Kt I" **>,•'» ■ ■•', mi^-' ; » !P-?*>: ^i'^:^ II 1 I?/ :r"^!' 40 Tti>" History of On tlif 24tb of March Columbus took the tit'id with his little army, which con- fiftci! only of 2CO loot, twenty horfe, and tu 'ntv brcT' c!o|n^«^ ; ardhowftrnngt loever it iT^av ietm, to m ntion the laft as com- poling part of a military force, they W(tc not ptirhaps the leaft formidai^le and de- ilrutMive f the whole, v\hen employed agriinit naked and timid Indians. If we -may b lifn-e ti\e Spamfli hiftonans, the Indran a: my amounted to loo.oco m'='n ; but rh( Y wc re in[norani of the arts of war, and had orhing but clubs and arrows for their defence. Columbus ai ticked them during; the ni^ht, and obtained \\x\ caly and bloody vidory. Many were killed, more takf n prifoners, and re uccd to lervitude; and To thoroughly were the teft inrimidate'l, that they abanc-oned thcmrdvt's to defpairj conliuering their enemies as invmciblc. v^olumbus en>p o ed fevral months in march. nc, through the ifland, and in fub- jccnng it to the Spam lb government, without meeting with any oppofition. He impoftd a tribute upon al' the inhabitants above fourteen years of age. Each pcr- fon v\ho lived in thofe diftiifts where gold was ivvaiiu> was obliged to pav quarterly as much goid-duft as filled a hawk's hell ; from th' !e iri otiur parts of the country, twenty pounds of cotton were demanded. ' This {■! ■;■ ■■-.;? »a - ' ^ _ ' > ■ .■ ' . • t '" ' **ii < I .,■ 'id ".I ,. ■ , ' .4 '.':.> ;.'^'it^l 1 ^* ■. t ''. ■ >m '■ -.'If •.'■L- i!^ h¥l». '^* iN' . Ij :<' 'it lit' ■' * * '^' It ' • ??••« "' ' " I'll mkm ■ '^ , '■[•%^„ 'M'^M- ,f .^ Hill iI'^lW 4« The History or burden, and but indifferently provided for fo long and dangerous a navigation. He failed in a differ nt direction to what he had hitherto done, in order to fill in with the coaft of India, On the firft of Auguft, the man flationed in the round top furprifed them with the joyful cry of /^W. They fto)d towards it, and difco- vered a confidcrable ifland, which the admiral called Trinidad, a name it flill retains. He did not arrive at Hifpaniola till the 30th of Auguft, when he found the affairs of the colony in fuch a fitu^tion, ss afforded him no profpeft of enjoying that repofc, of which he ftood fo much in need. v * Many revolutions had happened in that country during his abfence. His brother, the deputy -governor, in conlequence of the advice the admiral gave him before his departure, had removed the colony from Ifabclla to a more commodious flation, on the oppofite fide of the ifland, and laid the foundation of St. Domingo. The natives were foon after reduced to the Spanifli yoke, which appeared fooppreffivc to them, that they rofe in their own defence, but were eafily conquered. At the fame tin)?, Roldon, whom Columbus had placed in a flation, which required him to be the gardiar^ of order and tranquillity^ pcrfuadcd the colony to rife in arms, • * South America. 43 Sucli was the diftrafted ftate of the colony when Columbus arrived at St. Do- mingo; but liis wifdom and moderation foon brought every thing to order. While Columbus was "thus engaged in the Weft, the ipirit of difcovery did not languifh in Portugal. Emmanuel, who inherited the enterprifing genius^ of his predeceflbrs, peififted in their grand fchemc of opening a paflage to the Eaft Indies by the Cape of Good Hope ; and foon after his acceflion to the throne, he equipped a fquadron for that important voyage^ He t' ve the command of it to Vafco de Gari A man of noble birth, pofleffed of virtue, prudence, and courage, equal to the ftation. The fquadron, like all thofe fitted out for difcovery in the infancy of navigation, was extremely feeble, con- fifting only of three veflcls, of neither hurthen nor force adequate to the f rvice. He fet fail from Lilbon on the 9th of uly, 1497, and ftanding towards the iouth, had to ftruggle tor four month? with contrary windt, before he could reach the Cape of Good Hope : Here their violence began to abate, and during an interval of calm weather, in the latter end of Novemb r, Gama (doubled that formidable promontory, which had fo long been the boundary of navigation, and di- veiled his courfe towards ihe north-faft, ' ' alonfl; I ■it I ■ Hi-! .'.'■ .ri. • «' ■<■ /.^.f "' 4, '» ' U" •11 i ^'0' '^*-i t 1 .1^ ?*'! !%:■■ "^ ■ $ ■•'I ■ r 44 The History of KW^'.' ■ v^;!U'f ^oB^W^n^i <^ ■' t •^In^ii W^ K I^P' '.- f'wSjWt-' ■ ■■;■'':;> f "I, • ''■ 'l I iitii l«t!,'' alons; the African coaft. He touched at fevcial ports, and after v;in)us adventures, Jie came to an anchor before the city of M'iieida. Gama now purfue i his voyage witb alnM)ft abfolute c^*rtainty of fucccls, and, under the conduft of a Mahometan pilot, he arrived at Calecut, upon the coaft of Malabar, on the 22d of May, 14q8. What he beheld of the wealth, the po- puloufneis, the cultivation, the induftry, and arts of this highly civilized country, far exceeded any idea that he had foiiiicd, from the imperft£t accounts, which the Europci-ns had liitherto received of it. But as he poflcfled neither fufFicient force to attempt a fettlement, nor [ roper coui- jBodlties, with which he could carry on commerce of any confequence, he haftened back to Portneal, with an account of Hs fuccefs in pcrform'ng a voyage the longed, as well as moft difficult, that had ever been mndefmce thciirlt invention of navigation. He landed at Lifbon, on the 14th of September, 1409, two years, two months, and live dajs irom the time he left that pert. Amerigo Vefpucci, a Florentine gcntlc- nian, liaving accompanied Ojeda in a V( yagc \o the new world, on his return Xianfmitttd an account of his adventures ;u.d dnccveries to one of his countrymen j aa South America. 45 and labouring with the vanity of a traveller to magnify his own exploits, he had the addrefs and confidence to frame his narra- ti' e, fo as to make it appear, that he had the glory of having firPc difcovercd the continent in the new world. The coun- try, of which Amerigo was foppofed to be the difcoverer, came gradually to be called bv his name. By the univerfal conlent of nations, America is the name bcftowed on this new quarter of the globe. J\\Q bold pretcnfions of a fortunate im- poftor have robbed the difcoyerer of the new world of a d.ftinftion which be- longed to him. The name of Amerigo has fupplanted that of Columbus, and it is now too late to recrefs the injury. During the laft year of the fourteenth century, Pedro Alvarez Cabral was fitted out by the king of Portugal, in Order tocairyon trade, or attempt conqucfts, in India,, to which place Gama had juft iluvvn tlicm the way. In order to avoid the coaft of Africa, where h^ was certain of meeting with variable breezes, or fre- quent caliijs, which might retard his voyag. , C bral ftood out to {c.^j and kept in ^ar to the Weft, that, to his furprife, lie loudd h>mfelf upon the fliorc of an unknown country, in the tenth degree beyond the line. The country with which lie iell in belongs to that province in South America, '. #' i.f • fi ■*.'■■■ . s. )m • ■,-.■*■ '^^ „^... ■I K,*% .»"*i 46 The' History of ail?. 1^5^;.:?^;$' t> ■^r^il •^.'.* 'f'iij''^.• 'Htti'' America, now known by the name of Brafil, He landed, and having formed a very high idea of the fertihty of the foil, and af^reeablenefs ot the climate, he took poffeffion of it for the crown of Portugal, and difpatf^hed a fhip to Lifbon with an account of this event, which appeared to be no lels important than it was uncxpeftcd. While the Spaniards and Portuguefe were daily acquiring more enlarged ideas of the extent and opulence of that quarter of the globe which Columbus had m.adc known to |hcm, he himfelf, far from enjoying the tranquillity and honours, with which his fervices fliould have been rccompenfcd, was ftruggling with every diftrefs, in which the envy and malevolence of the people under his command, or the in- gratitude of the court which he ferved, could involve him. As toon as the court of Sf>ain be- gan to be prejudiced againft Columbus, a fa* tal refolution was taken. Francis de Bova- dilla, a knight of Calatrava, was appointed to repair to Hifpaniola, with full powers to enquire into the conduft of Columbus ; and, if he fhould find the charge of mal- adm.miftration proved, to fuprcedc? him, and aflume the government of the ifland. It was impoflible to cfcape, when this prepofferous commiffion made it the in- tereft of the judge to pronounce th« pcrfon, whom Ke was fent to try, guilty of South America, 47 ofeverj^ charge. What followed cannot at all appear lurprifing: Columbus was fcnt to Sp^in loaded with chains. Fortunately, his voyage to Spain was extremely fhort, where he arrived on the 23d of November, 1500. As foon as Ferdinand and Ilahella were informed that Columbus was brought home a priibner, and in chains, they were alhamed of their conciu6t, and dreaded the ccnfure of all Europe, They inftantly iffued orders to fet Colum*>us at liberty, invited him to court, and remitted him money to enable him to appear there in a manner fuitable to his rank. On his ^yppearance at court, the modeft manner in which he told his tale, ^nd related his grievances, were felt by every one, the new governor of Hifpa- niola was recalled, and Ovando was lent in his room. While the neceffary fteps were taking for fecuring the prolperity and welfare of the colony which Columbus, had planted, hehimlelfwas engaged in the unpleafant einploymcnt of foliciting the favour of aa ungratetul court, and, notwithftanding all his merit and fcrvices, he folicited in vain. After attending the court of Spain for near two years, as an humble fuitor, he found it impofliblc to remove Ferdinand's pre- judices and apprehenlions, and perceived ^t length, that he laboured in vain^ when he * r '■ ' ?'t ,.!(? ■' Hr- '^ I ■, ■ >v''; , » *■ .'1 ■( (>' I T I. ■ Ir ,^%- |j,>&,:.: filf' ^ t; #' *4 i. r- 48 The History of l'..'*'!i ^' ■»»!., iiii. ■.; he urged a claim of ju^ice or merit with an interefted, ungenerous, ;ind unfeelinoj prince, . Flowever, Columbus, at laft, pr vailed on the court of Spain to fit him out on his fourth expedition, which they were per- fuaded to eml^ark in, on the promifcd hope of his finding out a fhorter and fafer route to the Eaft Indies. He accordingly failed from Cadiz on the 9th of May, 1502, with only four fmall harks, th : largcft of which did not exceed fcventy ions in burden. On his arrival at Hifpaniola, he met with the moft ungenerous treatment from the new governor Ovando, who would not fufFer him to enter their liar-* bours. ' After various and fruitlefs attempts to difcover a paflage to tht- Indian ocean, Columbus met with all the dirafl:(^rs to which navigation is expofed. Furious hurricanes, with violent florms of thun- der and lightning, threatened his do- Uruc^ion, and at h■*:% ■ T. s ^ V <;. 1X ■■jf ,*■ ^ I'M ■fy ^M 4J. ^.•♦t•,• \'^-. !(:.[ »!« K vN$ ^ .4.. t- »■ 5:! < ♦<■ ^ s *i ^f- ■ '>/ ^',. ,:a' .4^- «*> . " • . . ♦•♦; ,* r< V ^ M !«■«.■'■-■' ir.'t. 'IF',^.'' i ..H.y \- -t', m: '*,^*' I! fi «'• '<»f ' m;;:^^ h/*' m I'iir p- < f:: ;, 1 i 1 " iV': South America. 49 his men, anu the infamous condaft of the governor of Hilpaniola, till fome fhips appeared, vhen the Spaniards quitted an ifland in which the unfeeling j aloufy of Ovando had futFered them to languifli above a year. • n^ On the 1 2th of September, 1504, he fet fail for Spam with two fhips, and his ill fortune purfucd him even in his paflagc home, being overtak n by a ftorm, rnd with the greateft difficulty got b ck to Spain. On his arrival, he received the fatal news of the death of his patronefs Qiicen Ifabella. : . - - . Columbus, difgufted with the ingra- titude of a monarch, whom he had ferved with fuch fidelity and luccefs, exhaufled with the fatigues and hardfhips he had endured, and broken with the infirmities theie brought upon him, he end d his His at Valadolid, on the 20'h of May, 1506^ in the 59th year of his age. Memorable Events recorded in this Chapter^ 1492; Columbus fets out on his iirft . Diicovc s the illands of Cuba and Hi'paniola. M93 Cokunhus fcts out on his fccond voyage. V. 'I .■4' ^ , n.i ft li. . t ' ^V- , ■■■■ 'J J *, 'i i\ "^m • !. y'i If. '■ ■ •»■' ill's ■'1 4 ■,:li :#" I'f ■4 :>' SO 1494 1498 1499 1500 1503 IS€>6 The History of Difcovers tlie \{land of Jamaica. Third voyage of Columbus. He difcovers the continent of America. The Portuguffe fail to the Eaft Indies by the way of the Cape of Good Hope. On what account the name of America was given to the New World. Columbus fent in chains to Spain. He fets out on his fourth voyage. Searches in vain for a pafTage to ths Eaft Indies. Shipwrecked on the ifland of Jamaica. Death of Columbus* ^i^m'^^^ ■*tt \ V . [&'« *!!; CHAP. m. tit of ime of to tll8 South America. CHAP. III. 51 T HE colony of Hifpaniola, before the death of Columbus, had gradually acquired the form of a regular and prof- pcrous ftate. The humane folicitudc of Ifabclla to protcil the Indians from op- preffion, and particularly the proclamation, by which the Spaniards were prohibited to compel them to work, for fome time, it is true, retirded the progrefs of improve- ment. The natives, confidering every exemption from toil as a fupremc felicity, defpifcd every allurement and reward by which they were invited to labour. The Spaniards were not numerous enough, either to work the mines, or cultivate the foil, the diftempers peculiar to the climate having carried off great numbers. In order to lave the colony from ruin, Ovando ventured to relax the rigour of fome royal edifts that had been fent to him. He made a new diftribution of the Indians among the Spaniards, and compelled them to labour for a ftated time, in digging the mines, or in cul- tivating the giounds; but, in order to fcreen himfelf from the imputation of having lubjefttd them again to fcrvitude, he enjoined their matters to pay them a Fa certain % ■ . .* It V 4- i: 1 ^ A. » .■■\M ■'■■K^'V*ii * , M > t*. ■'. ih- •.,■" \ 4i| .it. \ t> 5« The History of 1 1.. certnn fum, as the price of t'\' ir work. But the Indians, afrcr cnjo ing; ieipi:c from oppifflion, though chirlni^ a fhort interval, now feit the yok of bondage to he lb galling, that they ma 'c fevcral attempts to vindicate their own liberty. However, thev vveic fubdued as often as they role, and ih^ ti -atmnt they rcc ^ived from Ovando was both cruel and trea- cherous. The attention of the Spaniards was fo much engroff d by their operations in the mines of Hif aniola, that the fpirit of difcovcry lan^^uifli i for fome time. In 1508, Juan Ponce dc Leon, who com- manded under Ovando n the caftcrn diftricl of Hiipaniola, paffcd over to im ifland of St. Juan de Puerto Rico, wiiioh Colum us had difcov' red in his lecond voyage, and penetrated into the interior parts of the country. As he found the foil to be fertile, and expected, from forue fymptons, as well as from the i* formation of the inhai^itants, to difcovtr mines of gold in the mountains, Ovam'o peMnitted him to attempt making a fcti'ement in the ifland. In a few years, Tuerto Rico was fuhjecScd to the Spaniih government, the natives were reduced to fcrvituir, and being treated with the fame inronlidi^ratc rigour as their neighbours in Hifpaniola, the race of original inhabitants, worn out ScuTH America, 53 worn out with fatigue and fufferings, was foon exterminated. Sehaftian de Ocampo, by the command rf Ov^ndo, failed round Cuba, and firft difcov red, with certainty, that this country, which Columbus once fuppofed 10 be a part of the continent, was only a I'-rge iiland. This voyage round Cuba was one of the laft occurrences under the adminiftration of Ovando. Ever fince the death of (Viumbus, his fon Don Diego had beea employed in foliciting Ferdinand to grant him the offices of Vice-roy and Admiral in the New World, together with all the other immunities and profits which dcfccnded to him by inheritance, in con- feqiience of the original capitulation with his father. But if thefe dignities and revenues appeared fo confidcrable to Ferdinand, th;it, at the expence of being deemed unjuft, as well as ungrateful, he had wicftcd them from Columbus, it i$ not furprizing that he fl\ou!d be un- wiiling to confer them on his fon. Ac- cordingly Don Diego walled two years in iiU( iliint but fruitleis importunity. Weary of this, he endeavoured at length to ob- tain, by a legal fentcnre, what he could rot procure trom tlic fiivour of an inte- Tcilcd nmnarch. He commenced a fuit agiuUl Ferdinand before the council F ':» which ■:«^ .,«•' I ■■I ''( yi.^n:h' ■ :;.^' ' '''^ I u ■'^^ TV I ■:ii' 54 The History of I'J, which managed Indi m affairs, and that court, with an integrity which reflefts honour upon its procee^^ings, decided againft the king, a»d confirmed all the privileges ftipulated in the capitulation. Ferdinand ftill fliewed his r pugnance to do Diego juftice, nor would he at laft have done any thing, had he not been in a manner forced to it by a powerful party, raifed in conkquence of the marriage of Don Diego with Donna Maria, daughter of Don Ferdinand, great commendator of Leon, and brother of the duke of Alva, a nobleman of the firfl rank, and nearly related to the king. The duke and his family efpoufed fo warmly the caufe of their new ally, that Ferdmand could not refift their folicitations. In 1509, he recalled Ovando, and ap-^ pointed Don Diego his fucceffor, though even in conferring this favour, he could not conceal his jealoufy ; for he allowed him to affumc only the title of governor, and not that of vice-roy. Don Diego immediately fet off for Hifpaniola, attended by his brother, his uncle, his wife, whom the courtefy of the Spaniard! honoured with the title of vice-queen, and a numerous retinue of both fexcs, born of good families. He lived with a fplendour and magniiicencc hitherto unknown ia the New World; and the South America. 55 the family of Columbus feemed no\/ to enjoy the honours and rewards due to his invvntive genius, of which he himfelf had . been cruelly defrauded. The colony it- felf acquired new luftre by the acceffion of fo many inhabitants, of a different rank and charafter from moft of thofe, who had hitherto emigrated to America, and many of the moft illuftrious families in the Spanifh fettlements are defcendcd from the perfons, who at that time ac- compan-icd Don Diego Columbus. Juan Diaz de Solis, about this time, fctout, in conjunftion with Pinzon, upon new difcoveries. They failed due South, towards the equinoftial line, which Pinzoa had formerly croffed, and advanced as iar as the fortieth degree of fouthern latitude. They were aftonifhed to find, thnt the continent of America ftretched, on the right hand, through all this vafl extent of ocean. They landed in different places, to tak^ poffcffion in the name of their Ibvercign ; but though the country spp^artd to be extremely fertile and in-t viting, thtir force was lo fmall, having brer: fitted out rather for difcovery thaa making fettlements, th^t they left no co-» lony hthind them. Th.ir voyage, how- cvtr, ferved to give the Spaniards moro cxiilted and adccjuate ideas, v^ ith refpeft . to the dimenlions of the New World. Private ift ^:i .1' ■ i 'ib '■■„■ I .'■^ 1t 'if " .)p. I' ■ ;fj.' ^ '• tail ^ t' ■I '^|i fci i.t ,1 il I ft il fl S6 The History of Private adventurers attempted to make fettlements on the new continent ; but the lofs c f their fliips by various accidents upon unknown coafts, the difeafes p - culiar to a climate the moft noxious in ill America, the want of provifions, un- avoidable in a country imperfectly culti- vated, diffentions ..mong themfelves, and the inceflant hoftilitics of the natives, involved them in a iucccffion of calamities, the bare recital of which would fir ike my readers with horror. Notwithftanding the unfortunate ifluc of this expedition, the Spaniards were not deterred from engaging in new fchemes of a fimilar nature. Juan Honcc de Leon, in 1512. fitted out three ihips at his own expcnce, for a voyage of discovery, and his reputation foon drew together a re- fpeftable body of followers. He diredled his courfe towards the Lucayo illands; and, after touching at feveral of them, as well as of the Bahama iil( s, he flood to the Southweft, and difcovcrccl a country hitherto unknown to the Spiniards, which he called Flori ia, either becaufe he fell in with it on Palm Sunday, or on ac- count of its gay and beautiful appearance. He attempted to land in dihf' rent places, but met with fuch vigorous oppoiit on from the natives, who were fierce and warlike, as convinced him^ that an en- creale South America, 57 crc^ife of force was rcquifite to efFeft a fettlement, SarisHed with having opened a communication with a new couiUrv, of whofc value and importance he conceived Ycrv fanguine hopes, he returned to Puerto Rico, through the channel now known by the name of the Gulf of Florida. Soon after the expedition to Florida, a difcovery of much greater importance was made in another part of America, Bal oa, having been raifed to the government of the fmall colony at Santa M iria in Darien, made frequent inroids into the adjacent country, and coUeftcJ a conli- derable quantity of gold, which abounded more in that part of the continent than in the illands. In one of thefe excurfions, the Spaniards contended with fuch eager- r.cis about the divifion of Tone gold, that they were at the point of pioccecing to acls of violence againft one another. A young Indian prince, who was prefent, allonlihed a the hii^h value they fet upon i thing, of which h^ did not difcern the tne, tumble J the gold out of the balance with indignation, anH, turning to the Spaniards, '^ Why do you quarrel," (faid he) <^' ^bout ft-ch a trifle ? if you are fo palhonately fond of goUl, as to abandon your own country, and to difturb the tranquillity of diftant nations for its fake, I Will condud you to a region, where this 1 ^ ■*ft^-v.'':V' 1 1 ^ ^f' ■ *■! ..■4 V ; ( , '.I ... w.,:'-i 1. V < If 0> U'lY y il'V« >• ■i ]-m ik^ p.iit«fti> ...»tti pii ir k • ; ' t< !i 'M< i' M 4: ^1 u i'l'l. ii !! Y' 1^ Vf 41 ^ 58 The History of this metal, which fecms to be the chief objeft of your aclmir«ition and clcfirc^ is fo common, that the meaneft utenfils arc formed of it," Balboa and his companion*?, tranfported with what they heard, eagerly enquired where this happy country lay, and how they might arrive at it. He* informed them, at the diftance of fix funs, that is, of fix days journey towards the South, they fliould difcover another ocean, near to which this wer.lty kingdom was fituatcd; but, if they intended to attack that power- ful ftate, they muft affimble forces far fuperior in number and ftrcniith to what they were at prefent. This was the firft information which the Spaniards received concerning the fouthern ocean, or the opulent and extcnfive country, known afterwards by the nnmc of Peru. Balboa, having muftercd all the force? he could, which amounted only to 190 men, fet out on this important expedition on the firft of September, 1513, about the time that the periodical rains b gan to abate. Though their guides had rc- pre'ented the breath of the illhmus to be only a journey of fix days, they Ind already fpent twcnty-tive in forcing their way through the woods and mountains* Many of ihem were ready to fink under iuch uninterrupted fatigue in that fultry climate, mountains. South America, 59 climate, feveral were leized with the dif- eafes peculiar to the country, and all be- came impatient to reach the period ef their labours and fufterings. At length, the Indians aflured them, that from the top of the next mountain they fhould difcover the ocean which was the obje6l of their wiflies. When, with infinite toil, they had climbed up the greater part of that ftecp afcent, Balboa commanded his men to halt, and advanced alone to the fummit, that he might be tlie firfl who fliould enjoy fuch a fpc6tac!c which lie had fo long de- fired. As foon as he beheld the South Sea ftretching in endlefs profpecl below him, he fell on his knees, and lifting up his hands to hei^ven, returned thanks to God, who had condu6led him to a difcovery fo beneficial to his country, and fo honour- able to himfelf. His followers, obferving his tranfports of joy, ruflied forward to join his wonder, exultation, and gratitude. They held on their courfe to the Ihore, with great alacrity, when Balboa advancing lip to the middle in the w\aves, with his buckler and fword, took pofTeffion of that ocean in the name of the king his mafter, and vowed to defend it. That part of the great Pacific or South- em ocean, which Balboa firft difcovered, ilill retains the name of the Gulf of St. Michael, which he gave to it, and is fitu- ated i»* ■• )'i ■ • • ■ •v' • ( ¥■ V. ' ' ■■. t ,r.- , ; *!■.. fV ''^^ r i» (,► 1 60 The History of :...> ,1 1 ' 1,* ^1, i'i < t I '111 I' I i^^'iit ill Mm: •' *'r-i»'*i\v "i- '' Ml," ' ' 1 1 H 1 l. tited to the eaft of Panama. From fcveral of the petty princes, who governed in the diftridls adjacent to that gulf, he extorted provifions and gold by force of arms; Others fent them to him voluntarily. To- gether with the acquifition of this wcahli, which ferved to (bothe and encourage his followers, he received accounts which ccd- firmed his fanguine hopes of future and more extenfive benefits from this expedi- tion. All the people on the coail of tlie South Sea concurred in informing him, that there was a mighty and opulent king- dom fituated at a conliderable diilance towards the fouth-eaft, where gold was found in plenty. Though the information Balboa received from the people, on the coaft, as wcl! as his own conjedlures and hopes, made liiai extremely impatient to vifit this unknov;ii Country, his prudence reftraincd him fioiii attempting to invade it with a handful of men, exhaufted by fatigue, and weakcistd by difcaies. He determined to lead baci; his followers to their fcttlenicnt at Sar.ti Maria in Darien, and to return next fcaioa with a force more adequate to fuch an ardu- ous enterprize. He reached Santa Maria after an abl'cnce of four months, with grc;it- er glory and more treafure, than the Spani- ards ever had acquired in any former c."-:- peditioa in tlie Ktw World. T T SouTfi America. 6i He took care to acquaint tlie court of Spain with the important diicovery he had made, and demanded a reinforcement of a thoufand men, in order to attempt the conqueft of that opulent country, concern- ing which he had received fuch inviting intelligence. The meannefles and jealoufies of Fer- dinand, and the advice of men around him worfe than himfelf, induced him to fuper-* cede Balboa, rhe moft proper man he could have employed, and to appoint Pedrarias Davila goven>or of Darien. He gave him the command of fourteen (lout vclfels, and twelve hundred foldiers. Thefe were fitted out at the public expcnce, and granted with a liberality unufual to Ferdinand. Perdrarias reached the gulf of Darien without any remarkable accident, in July, 1514; but his ill condudt, and bafe treat- ment of Balboa, flopped all operations, and nearlv ruined this flourilTiinp: col on v- hoth parties fent home complaints to Spaia againft each other. At length, Ferdinand became fenfible of his imprudence in fupc reeding the moft aftive and experienced ofEcer he had in the New World, and, by way of compenfation to Balboa, he appointed him lieutenant- governor of the countries upon the South Sea, with very cxtenfive privileges and G authority. 1 t ' / 1 ■,■4. . (' -if' 1 ' • ■ h.^'' ^'' 4. 'f V '-y\ J- * '-Ml •*■* 4'.. ^U^\:/ '>','' ' ''*' * t ■ ^^me^-A •h 1 ' ll!^**!"*.^! -^^is* . 'i 1, 3; I ■«'': .1 ''^ 62 The History of autliority, at the fame time ordering Pc- drarias to iupport him in all his operations, and to confult him on every meafure which he himfclf purfued. Surely nothing could he more ridiculous and abfurd in Ferdhiand than this condu6l ! Padrarias now con« ccivcd the moft implacable hatred to Bal- boa, and, though he afterwards feemed fo far reronciled to him, as to give him his daughter in marriage, he foon found means falfely to accufe him of high treafon, had him tried, condemned, and publicly exe- cuted, in 1517. Pedrarias, notwithftand- hig the violence and injuftice of his pro- ceedings, was not only fcreened from pu- nifhment by the powerful patronage of the infamous bifliop 'of Burgos, an inveterate enemy to real merit, but continued in the govern men t> « While matters were thus going forward in Darien, feveral importan tevents occurred with refpevSi: to the difcovery, the conqueft, and government of other provinces in the New World. Ferdinand was f© intent upon opening a communication with the Mo- lucca or Spice Iflands by the weft, thatf in the year 15 15, he fitted out two iliips at his own expence, in order to attempt fuch a voyage, and gave the command of them to Juan Diaz de Solis, who was deemed one of the moft fkilful navigators in Spain, He ftood along the coaft ot ; V ^ -»,' < ■ South rr- ! ——--=•: . r. 7".:s; -^??^ -~^ rVI iilll; P v_=---^- z^-- M-^- ■ 3--:^ ^:ii=^ - , ^. ^~- 1 •"f. "'^ 1 ^ A iUi fi ter^_ j:: ^ /.i^-<" ^mKS ;?,'.«. '^^* ■ .ijjjui/iiii' ' 1 #.. --'liir*?^^ ^1 ';'i '^. .H .'t J ' ,. V / '■ ■ >,',:■■ ■■■<* ■ ,1 i'l!""' 'WV'^.^'| . J1 »"1 ir, f i I * ;^'«i,*^ .;■■ WhM mil- ' nfe^^^ ' 1. M i^^'!''' ' "' '' ^R'W^ Ft' f ' ml mH'^'" iv<- jf}'* 1^ Mr!?!'). 'if i ■ ■ ^ I, yj'* t'X. j^'Vv;t r, .,'. '■*.i *v * f>! r. % I fc-: „K>- 1,!^ -^, r . .«-. •■^jT'li', mm. 1 ' ;•* ' P| . h •ft .1 -;* . "',-' 4- :.«!, -Mt V i South America, 63 South America, and on the firft of January, 1516, he entered a river which he called Janeiro, where an extenfive commerce is now carried on. From thence he pro- ceeded to a fpacious hay, which he fuppo- fed to be the entrance into a ftrait that communicated with the Indian ocean ; but, upon advancing farther, he found it to be the mouth of Rio de Plata, one of the vaft rivers, by which the fouthern continent of America is watered. In endeavouring to make a dcfccnt in this country, De Solis and feveral- of his crew were flain by the natives; who, in fight of the fliips, cut their bodies in pieces, roafted and devoured them. Difcouraged by the lofs of their commander, and terrified at this fliocking fpedacle, the furviving Spaniards fet fail for Europe, without aiming at any further difcovery. Though this attempt proved abortive, it was not without benefit : it turned the, attention of ingenious men to this courfe of navigation, and prepared tlie way for a more fortunate voyage. While difcoveries were thus going for- ward, Hifpaniola continued as their prin- cipal colony, and the feat of government. Don Diego Columbus wanted neither in- clination nor abilities to have rendered the members of this colony, who were mofl: immediately under his direftion, profpe- rous and h appy but he was circumfcribed • V A' » ', i G 2 in ■>. , '',1, s iri'j r '■'■i.- 'y^Z tfi . 1 i m 64 The History of in all hh oneiations by the fufoicious po- licy of Ferdlnan J, who on every occafioii, and under the moll frivolcub* pretexts, re- trenche i his privileges, and en-.ouraged the treaiurer, the iiHlj;e>, and oth. r iubor'- dinate officers, to rounrci a6l his meafures, and to difpute hi> nutb-" 'ly. In fliort, Ferdinand's conduct was (0 unojenerous, as obliged J^^on Dicrr'-^ vo quit Hifpaniola, and repair to Spain, la order to leek rcdreis for his injuries. On the death of Ferdimnd, in 15 17, Charles V. took poltLlTion of the govern- ment. Diego Velal'qnez, who conquered Cuba in the year 1511', Hill retained the government of that ifland, as the deputy of Don Diego Columbus, though he fel- dom acknow'cdgcd his iuperior, and aim- ed at rendering his o^n authority altoge-^ ther independ \nt. Uiulcr his prudent ad- miniftration, Cuba became oncoftlie inoft fiouriihing of the Spnnifh fettlements. The fame of this drew many pcrfons from the other colonies, expe6^ing there to find fome permanent eflabbfiiment, or fome employment for their aftivity. As Cuba lay to the weft of all the i Hands pofTcffcd by the Spaniards, and as the ocean which fli etches beyond it towards that quarter. had not liitherto been explored, tlicfe cir- cun /lances naturally invited the inhabi- tants to attempt new difcovcries, • ; An ^ s. South Am¥:rica. 65 An expedition for this purpofe, in which acHvity and refokuion might conduct tp fudden wealth, was more iuited to tlie ge* nius of the age, tlian the patient induilry rcquifite in clearing ground, and manu- flouring fugar. Hence it happened, that feveral officers who had fcrved under Pe-" drnrias in Darien, entered into an affoci- ation to undertake a voyage of difcovery* They perfuaded Francifco Hernandez Cordova, an opulent planter in Cuba, aiiJ a man of great courage, to join with them in the adventure, and chofe him to be their commander. Vehilciuez not ^ nly approved of the defign, but affilted ia carrying jt on. Three fmalls veffels were purchafed, and furnifhed with every tiling rcquifite either for trafSc or war. An hundicd and ten men embarked on board them, a.'vd failed from St. Jago dc Cuba on t!ic 8th of February, 15 17. • On the twenty-firfl: day, after their departure from St. Jago, tht y Jaw land» whicli proved to be Cape Catoche, the partem point of that iarg(' pcninfula pro* jcfting from the continent of America, wliieh ftill retains its original name of Yucatan, As they approached the ihore, five canoes came oiFfull of people decently ciad in cotton garments : an ailonifhin^^ %l^t tQ the Spaniards, who had found * G 2 CYQiy ^^i \* » ■ ;( II 'r !■ ■ ! «^r; M0m: ' ■ : ',^: pence fitted out fourfliips for the voyage. Two hundred and forty volunteers, among whom were feveral perfons of rank and fortune, embarked in this cnterprife. The command of it was given to Juan dc Grijalva, a young man of knovvn mciit and courage, with inftrudions attentively to obfervc the nature of the countries which lie fliould difcover; to barter for gold; and, if circumftances v/erc inviting, to fettle a colony in fome proper ilation. He failed from St. Jago de Cuba, on the £th. of April, 15 18. . They held the fame courfe as in the fbnr:cr yoyage^ and at lalt reached P<> tonch.an^ South America, 69 tonchan, where the laft adventurers haci been fo roughly handled. The defirc of avenging their countrymen who hnd been flain there, concurred with their ideas of good policy, in prompting them to land,, that they might chaftize the Indians with fuch exemplary rigour, as would ftrike terror into all the people around them; but, though they difmibarked all tlieir troops, and carried afliore fome field pieces, the Indians fought with fuch cou- rage, that the Spaniards with d'iiiculty gained the vi6lory ; and were confinncd in their opinion, that the inhabitants of this country would prove more formidable enemies than any they had met with iii other parts of America. From Potonchan, tliey continued their voyage towards tlie weft, keeping as near as poffibie to the fliore, and calling an- chor every evening, from dread of the dangerous accidents to which* they might be expoled in an unknov/n fea. During the day their eyes were tiu'ned continually towuds land, with a mixture of f^rprize and wonder at the beauty ;>[' the country^ as well as the novelty of the objcdts they belicld. Many village^ wer«^ fcattered along the coaft, in which tlicy could diftin^uifli ftouics of ftone tluU api>earcd white and lofty at a diltance. ()ne of the foldieis happening to remark, that this country rcfcmbletj %f' ' -t , ■A' .''I ^ ^ ' -^ >*\ , . il » A »iW" .^. ■V ' ' !• 'i ^^1 .' 70 The History of rcfemWed Spain in its appearance, Grijalvn, with univerfal ;ipplauie, called it New Spain, the name which ftill diftingulflies this cxtenlive and opulent pi evince of the Spanifh empire in America. On the 9th of June, they landed in a river, which the natives called Tahafco, and the fame of their viftory at Polonchaa having reached this pl.ice, the chief not only received them amicably, hut heftowcd prefents upon them of inch value, as con- firmed the high ideas, which the Spaniarus had formed with refpeft to the wealth and fertility of the country. Thefe ideas were raifed ftill higher, by what occurred at the place where they next touched. This was confiderabiy to the welt of Tahafco, in the province fmce knowMi by the name of Guaxaca. There they were received w 'h the refpc6t due to fuperior beings. 1 he pco])le perfumed them as they landed »vvith gum copal, and preiented to them as ofilr- jngs the choiceft delicacies of tlieir coun- try. They were extremely fond of trading with their new vifitants, and in fix thivs the Spaniards obtained ornaments of golti, of curious workmanihip, to the value of fifteen thoui'and pclbs, in exchange for European toys of fmall price. The two prif oners, whom Cordova had broiiglit from Yucatan, iiad hitherto flrvcd :; . in- teipreters; but as they were unacquainted With Jed in a Tabalco, otonchaa cliief not belTiowcd ', as con- SpaniaruS /ealth and ideas were rrcd at the This was abafco, in le name of rived VI "li gs. 'Ihe indcd »vvith m as ofilr- ;l-,eir coun- J of trading ts of gold. the vahie icchange for The two k1 hrouglit crvcd r.s in- aaccjuan South America, 71 with the language of iWvs country, the Spaniards learned from the i]ci:r.Oi by figns, that they were tlie fubjcCts of a great monarch, called Montezuma, whole dominions extended over that and many other provinces. Leaving this province, with which he had fo much reafon to be contented, Gri- jalva continued his courfe towards the w^eft. He landed on a fmall illand, which he na- med the liie of Sacrifices, hecaufe there the Spaniards beheld the ho^'nd fpedlacle of hu- man vi6lims, which the barbarous fuper- ftitions of the natives offered to their gods. He touched at another fmall illand, which he called St. Juan de Ulua. From this place he difpatclied Pedro de Alvarado, one of his officers, to Velaiquez, wit!) a full account of the important dif- cov erics he had made, and with all the treafure that he had acquired by trafficking with the natives. After the departure of Alvarado, lie Inmfelf, \A.ith the remaining vcffels, proceeded along the coall as fix as the river Panuco, the country flill ap- pearing to be well peopled, fertile, and opulent. It was the opinion of feveral of Gri- jalva s officers, that it was not enough to have difcovered thofe delightful regions, to have pcrfoimcd, at their diilerent or w ith landing-j)laccs, the empty ceremony of A taking ^^r .vjf %%.. .■■ ! 4 :; r ' ■< ■ 'V'' y « • •• J 1. ■ ""i ,■"11 r y J ' *p rt' < ■; -I ! , 4 ' »i » ■■ ■ n^/.^ '■'.'■(f. « 71 Th£ History of taking pofTeflion of them for the crown of Cafiilc, and that their glory was incom- plete, unlcfs ihev planted a colony in Tome proper liation, which might not only fecure tfle Spanifh nation a footing in the country; but, with the reinforcements they WLTe Certain of receiving, might gradually iu!)- jcft the whole to the dominion of tlic^ir fo- vercign. Ho'"evcr, the iquadron had now been above five months at lea, the greater part of their provifions were exIiauH-ed, nd what rcmaiiied of their Itores fo much •A C4 LJ|al|:^: rv^ corrupted by 'ihc heat of the climate, ns |1hM'(^' V "^ . to be ahiioft unfit foriii'c; they had loft y fome ^ntn by deaili, and others were fickly; the country was crouded with people, who feemed to be intelligent as well as brave, and tlicy were ui^lcr the government of cne pow^.ful monarch, who could brin^^ them to a6t againit their invaders with united for. ,. To plant a colony uiu'er fo many coi lefpoiKiiiig difficulties, ap[K\arc(l a matter too hazardous to be attempted. Thoue:h Griialva was not witiiout am'oi- tion and couraee, vet he was deflitute oi the. fuperior abilities rccniiiitc to form and execute fo extenfive a plan. Fie judo^cd ic more prudent to return to Cuba, having fulfilled the purpofe of hi^ voyage, and jK:com')lillied every thing, which the ar- mament he commanded enabled lum to perform. He retuined to St. Jago dJ Cub.i, South America. 73 :owii of i iiicom- in lome ly fecure country; ey wi^re iilly iul)- thi'ii io- hnd now le greater xluuifl-ed, s fo muca imatc, ns f had loft -re fickly ; ople, who \ as bravc,^ rnment ot mkl brino; iders with V unuer io ar»nearcd itteinptcci. out anvJi-^ cftitute of , form and e iudc;cvl it 1 )A. having i)yage, an J Ich the ar- •a him to Jago dc Cub.. Cuba, on the 26th of Odobcr, from wlience he had failed about fix months, without having met with any material accident. As this was the longcft, fo it had been the mod fuccefsful voyage the Spaniards had hitherto m.ade in the New World, They had difcovered that Yucatan was not an ifland, as they had fuppofed, but part of the great continent of America. From Potonchaa tlicy had purfued their courfc for many hundred miles along a coall: formerly unexplored, ftrctching at firft towards the welt, and tlien turning to the north. All the country they dif- covered appeared to be no lefs valuable than extenfive. As foou as Avarado reached Cuba, Velaiquez, tranfported with fuccefs fo far beyond his moil: fanguine cxpe£)ations, immediately difpatched a perfon of confidence to carry this impor- tant intelhgence to Spain ; to exhibit the rich produ6lions of the countries which had been difcovered by his means ; and to folicit fuch an increafe of authority, as might enable and encourage him to attempt theconqueft of them. Witliout waiting for the return of his meffenger,or for the arrival of Grijalva, of whom he was become fo jealous or diftruftful that he refolved na longer to employ him, he began to pre- pare fuch a powerful armament, as might; H provQ .♦■■> ,.'1 \ i 4\ M / **..d'l' r.. i'l. ,. i '^^ !• 1 t) im^'^^-^^ .A ■ W*'' . \ 7+ The History of prove equal to an entcrprife of fo much danger and importance. The little and mean jealoufies. v/hich the Spaniards feem naturally to entertain of every man of merit, is a very fingular hlemifli in the chara6ter of tliat nation. The expedition, for vvrhich Velafqucz was now preparing with fo much aidoiir and a-6livity, had in its views conqueft3 far beyond what the Spanifh nation had hitherto accompliflied. It led them to the knowledge of a people, who, if com- pared with thofe tribes of South America, and the Weft Indies, with whom they were hitherto acquainted, were infinitely moie civilized, and far better acquainted wi'Ji the arts of war, and the fciences in gen- eral. Before we proceed to the hiilory of events extremely different from thole we have already related, it may not be nn- proper to take a view of the ilalc of the Kew World, fuch as it was when fi nl diicovered, and to contemplate the policies and manners of the rude uncultivcd tribes by whom the different parts of it were occupied, and with whom the Spaniar.i^ at this time had intercourfe. This Hiall be the fubjecl of our next chapter. • * .. , Min:ord!i South America. 75 Memorable Events recorded in this Chapterm "1, k\ 1 i, , 1505 1508 3510 1512 15^3 15^7 1518 War with the American Indians. New difcovcries and fettlements. Diego Columbus appointed gover- nor of Hifpaniola. Cuba conquered. Florida difcovered. ■ t The South Sea difcovered. Pedrarias appointed governor ol Darien. ^ Balboa executed by the order of the treacherous Pedrarias. Death of Ferdinand, king of Spain ; fucceeded by Charles V. Yucatan difcovered. Campeachy difcovered. ' Grijalva difcovers New Spain, Tobafco> Guaxaca, and St. Juan de Ulua. • . ■r\ ^.^fU* * '^^^ lit 5 •;). H 2 CHAP. ■\ ' »■' :■;. »l! IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k A y. fA 1.0 I.I 11.25 liiiia 12.5 |5o ■^" ilBHI lAO 2.0 U 11.6 V] ^>. Hiotographic Sciences Corporation J V ^ \ c\ ^\ WiiS 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 873-4S03 76 The History or ii! ■'v> ^ mi r ' ■V .''if is!'" f, CHAP. IV The World is immenfe extent of the New a circumflance thac firikes us with wonder. America is remarkable, not only for its magnitude, but for its pofiiion. It irretches from th:^ northern polar* circle to a high fouthcrn latitude, abov< iittcen hundred miles beyond the furthelt exire- mity of the old continent on that fide of the line. Next to its extent, the grandeur of the obje6ts which it prefents to our view is moft apt to firike the eye of an obferver. Nature feems to have carried on her operations upon a larger fcale, with a bolder hand, and to have dilVmguiihed the features of this coun- try by a peculiar magnificence. The mountains of America are much fuperior in height to thofe in the other divifions of the globe. Even the plain of Quito, which may be confidered as the bale of the Andes, is elevated farther above the fea, than the top of the Pyrenees. From thofe lofty mountains defcend rivers pro- portionably large, with which the fi:reanis in the ancient continent are not to be compared, either for length or courfe, or the va ft body of water, which they roll towards the ocean. Their lakes are no left SotrTH America. 77 lefs confpicudus for grandeur than their mountains and rivers. They may pro- perly be termed inland leas of frefli water. The temperature of the climate of America, and tiie different laws to which it is fubjedl with refpei^l to the diftributioii of heat and cold, are marks which parti- cularly dillinguifh it from other parts of the earth. Throughout all theie vaft regions, there were only two monarchies remarkable for extent of territory, or diftinguifl:ed by any progrefs in improve- ment. The reft of their continent was poffefled by fmall independent tribes, de- ftitute of arts and induftry, and neither capable to corrcft the defeats, nor de- firous to meliorate the condition of that part of the earth allotted to them for their habitation. Countries, occupied by fuch people, were almoft in the fame ftate as if they had been without inhabi* tants. Nothwithftanding the vaft extent of America, and the variety of its climates, the different fpecies of animals peculiar to it are much fewer in proportion, than thofe of the other hemifphere. In the illands, there are only four kinds of quadrupeds knt)wn, -the largeft of which did not exceed the fize of a rabbitr On the continent, the variety was greater ; and though the individuals of each kind .If' ^ iff; ^. li' •> "I4,i« m ■ '-I,'- li ' I **'» H coald 78 The History of r.^'^ r^:.i, ^■^^ ^;:*. ■M • could not fail of multiplying exceedingly, when alinoit unniolefted by men, who were neither fo numerous, nor fo united in fociety, as to be formidable enemies to the animal creation, yet the number of difl:in£t fpecies mull be confidercd as ex- tremely fmall. To the caufes, which checked the growth and vigour of the more noble animals, may be attributed the propagation and encreaie of reptiles and infefls. The air is often darkened with clouds of infe6ls, and the ground covered with ihocking and noxious reptiles. The American birds of the torrid zon'", like thofe of the fame climate in Aih and Africa, are decked in plumage, wliich dazzles tlie eye with the beauty of its : colours; but nature, fatisfled with cloth- ing them in this gay drefs, has denied moft of them that melodv of found, and variety of notes, which catch and delight ' the ear. Let mv voathful readers lio.) here, and paufe for a while ; through all the conditions and circumftanccs of lili\ they will find, on reflection, tliat the hand of Providence has diftributed thin?,s ' more equally than they are aware of, a > Well in the human, as in the fcatiiciccl race. ^ ^ In a continent fo cxtenfive as America), ■ the nature of ilie foil mult be vaiioiu^. '. . . In South America. 79 In each of its provinces, we find fome diilinguifliing peculiarity, the delcription of which belongs to thofe who'write their particular hiflory, and would bean idle attempt to dcfcribe in this epitome. How America was fkiH peopled, by what courfe mankind migrated from one continent to the other, and in what quar- ter it is mofl probable the communication was firfi: opened between them, are matters for which we have little grounds to go upon beyond that: of conjedlure. The theories and fpeculations of ingenious men, with re {peel to this fubjeft, would fill iTiaiiy volumes ; but they are often fo v/i!d and chimerical, that it would be offering an infult to the underflanding of our readers, to attempt either to enumerate or refute them, even provided the limits of this work would admit of it. To enquire into the charadler and con- dition of the American Jiations, at the time when tliCy became known to the Europeans, defer vcs more attentive con- fidcration, tliLiii the enquiry concerning their original. The difcovery of the New World enlarged the fphere of contem- plation, and preientcd nations to our view m a fLatie very rude arid uncultivated. The greater part of its inhabitants were (iianv'cij to indufh'v and labour, ionorant Qt aits, impeif^^wlly acquainted with the nature ■•f :■ > "J "-i^l .til J 1 ■ 1 .*'i %' ■ i • ,.!t 'f.'-,: ■.!■■»! <■ *.*• f- -■•^ -Y^ r.fef, '^?l, ^■M4 go The History of Ift,. V ' !'■ ^■* ■S. . ml .J. 1 nature of propertjs and enjoying almoft without reil:riger, or ftruggling with hardfliiips, they had little leiiure, and lefs cnpa-city, for any fpecu- lative enquiry. Eager to tal e nofTeffion of a country of fuch extent ai d o ulcnce, and happy in finding it occupied by in- habitants fa "ricapahle to defend it, they baftily pronounced \\icxtx to be a wMetched 4>r4er V' < SouVh America. 8t order of men, formed merely for fervitude; and were more employed in computing the pn fits of tlielr labour, than in en- qu'f'T'g into the operations of their niHuis, or the I'jafon of their cuftoms and inftitutions. . The human body is lefs afFe6led by climate than that of any other animal. Some animals arc confined to a particular region of the globe, and cannot exift beyond it ; while others, though they may he l)rought to bear the injuries of a foreign climate, ceafc to multiply when carried from their native air and foih Even fuch as ieem capable of being na- turalized in various climates, feel the efFefl of every remove from their proper ftation, and gradually dwindle and de^ generate from the. vigour and perfe6lion peculiar to their fpecies. Man is the only living creature, whofe frame is at once fo hardy and fo flexible, that he can fpread over the whole earth, become the inhabi- tant of every region, and thrive and multiply under every climate, though not without fome attending inconveniences. The complexion of the Americans is of a reddifh brown, nearly rcfembling the colour of copper. 1 heir perfons arc of a full fize, extremely ftrait,and well proportioned; but they are more remarkable for agility than ilrength. As the external form of the Americans -t '■t'i m i^, ■♦'i'l/ ,t ** 'hm ■-■1 i»*lij' H. :.J ¥»,, 4.., . ft \^ K." X 92 The History or ''♦T I ^1 '"'i- ^ 1X1 !■.;»' 1 , i MA , w, ' y^^v" i, '-r. I I'.' "a' ' • I P * Ml 1 > 'X. Americans leads us to fufpedl, lliat tllere is fome natural debility in their frame, the fmallnefs of their appetite for food has been mentioned by many author? as a confirmation of this fufpicion. Tlie quantity of food which men confume varies according to the temperature of the climate in which they live, the de- gree of aftivity which they exert, and the natural vigour of their conllitutions. Under the enervating heat of the torrid zone, and where men pafs their days in indolence and eafe, they require lefs nourifhment than the adlive inhabitants of temperate or cold countries. ' Notwithftanding the feeble make of tlie Americans, hardly any of them are de- formed, mutilated, or defedlive in any of their fenfes. All travellers have been flruck with this circumftance, and have celebrated the uniform fymmetry and perfe6i:ion of their external figure. In the fimplicity of the lavage flate, when man is not opprefied with labour, or enervated by luxury, or difquletcd with care, we are apt to imagine, that ,his life will flow on almoft untroubled by difeafe or fufFering, until his days be terminated, in extreme old age, by the gradual decays of nature. We find, ac- cordingly, among the Americans, as well as among other rude people, perfons, '" - : whole South America, 83 whofe clecrepid and flirivillcd forms feem to indicate an extraordinary length of life ; but as moil of them are unac- quainted with the art of numbering, and all of them as forgetful of what is part, as they are improvident for what is to come, it is impoffible to afcertain their age with any degree of prccifion. Whatever may be the fituation in which man is placed, he is born to fuffer; and liis difeafes, in the favage ftate, though fewer in number, are, like thole of the animals, whom he nearly re- Icinhles in his mode of life, more violent and more fatal. If luxury engenders and nouriflies diftempers of one fpecies, the rigour and diftrefs of favage life bring on thofe of another. As men, in this itate, are wonderfully improvident, and their means of fubfiftencc precarious, they often pafs from extreme want to exuberant plenty, according to the viciffitudes of fortune in the chafe, or in confequence of the various degree of abundance, Vv'ith which the earth affords to them its produftions in ditferent feafons. Their inconfidcratc gluttony in the one fitua- tion, and their fevere abftinence in the other, are equally pernicious. The ftrength and vigour of favages are at fome feafons, impaired by what they fuifer from fcarcity of food 5 at others, • » they If- 'C'fl .'■4 » ' ,.«'i '^1 1 r»i , -• I.J e ■ \! Vt, ^' - Pi ■ ■/M 84 The History or i^ ■ W they are afflidled with diforders arifing from indigeftion and a fuperfluity of grofs aliment. Thefe are fo common, that they may be confidcred as the unavoidable confequence of their mode of fubfilling, and cut oiF confiderable numbers in the prime of life. There are other diforders, to which they are continually exposed, owing to the inclemency of different feafons. In the favage ftate, hardfliips and fatigues violently aflault the con- flitution ; in polilhed focieties, intem- perance undermines it. It is not eafy to determine, which of them operates with moft fatal effe<5ls, or tends moft to abridge human life. . The thoughts and attention of a favage are confined within the fmall circle of objc61:s, immediately Conducive to his prefcrvation or enjoyment. Every thing beyond that is beneath his obfervations, or is entirely indifferent to him. Like a mere animal, what is before his eyes interefts and affefls him ; what is out of iight, or at a diftance, makes little im- preffion. They follow blindly the impulfe of the appetite they feel, but are entirely regardlefs of diftant confequcnces, and even of thofe removed in the leall degree from immediate apprehenfion, r , ^ The adive efforts of their minds ( >' >l k ti' i;, S6 The History of if' t, It i, '!■ (i It M^^: i To •'*■'. ^ ■,!f.;.i« ., 11 *T : ?; tries, the marriage union fabfiftcd during life ; in others, the imj)atience of the Americans under reltrainr. of any lrec.es, together with their natural levity and caprice, prompted them lo dillolve it on very flight pretexts, and often without afligning any caufe. I'he fituation of tlie American wonicn, Jn whatever hglit we cunlider thenj, was equally humiliating and miierable. Among many people of America, ihe marriage contracSl is properly a purchafe. The man buys his wife of her parents. Though unacquainted with the ufe of money, or with fuch commercial tranf- adtions as take place in more improved fociety, he knows how to give an equi- valent for an obje6l he defires to poncfs. In fome places, the fuitor devotes his fervice for a certain time to the parent of the maid whom he courts ; in otijers, he hunts for them occafionally, or ailiils in cultivating their fields, and forming their canoes ; in others, he ofters prelents of fuch things as arc deemed moft valuable on account of their ufcfulncfs or rarity. In return for tlicfc, he receives his wife ; and this circuuiftance, added to the low eftimation of women among lavages, leads |iim to coniider her as a ll^iiale lervant whom he has purchafcd, and whom he has a title to treat as an infcvlur. The con- . ditiou South America. 87 »(* • dition of an American woman is To pe- culiarly grievous, and their dcprciTiOii To complete, that iervitude is a name too mild to dcfcrihe their wretched fiate. A wife, amoni^ moft tribes, is no better than a beaft of burden, ddlined to every office of labour and fatigue. While the men loiter out the day in floth, or fpend it in amufement, the women are con- demned to inceffint toil. I'aflcs are im- pofed upon them without pity, and fer- vices are received without complacence or gratitude. Every circumftance reminds women of this mortifying inferiority. They muft approach their lords with reverence, regard them as more exalted bcin j^ , and are not permitted to cat in thcii prefcnce. The Americans are not deficient in aft'e6tion and attachment to rlieir oftspriiig. They feel the power of this inflindl in its tuil force, :iud as long as their J^rogeny copriiiuc feeble and helplefs, no people exccvd them in tcndcrnefs and care. In the limpii Jty of t!ie favage Hate, the af- fedioiv of parents, hlvC the inflindlive foiidneis of animal^^^ cenfes almoft entirely as foon as their oji'spring attain maturity. Little in(lru6tion fit^ them for that mode of hf^- to which tlicy are deftined. The parenrs, as if tbeif duty were accomplifiied, when they have conducted their children * 1 2 through . vM 1 'Q .M*'- y :f *■ ' '■ ll 11 -I ikl ''^^■::<;i.'; *^ ■■- it' ■: '!lll.'S .',. if-'" ?..;■; 'f .'^ ■ '^B: I V ^ ill •s, I. I, u, li^ I' ,. i' 11 \. - ? :, i: i Y 1; : >n h M * a3 The History of through the helplefs years of infancy, leave them afterwards at entire liberty, \n an American hut, a father, a mother, and their poileritv, live together like perfons aflembled by accident, without feeming to feel the obligation of the duties mutually arifmg from fuch connexion. Though the people of America may be all comprehended under the general de- nomination of favage, the advances they had made in the art of procuring to them- felves a certain and plentiful fubfiftence, were very unequal. On the vaft plains of South America, man appears in one of the rudeft ftates, in which he poffibly can exift, feveral tribes depending entirely upon the bounty of nature for fubfiftence. They difcover no folicitude, they employ little forefight, and fcarcely exert any induftry, to fecure what is neceffary for their fupport. The roots which the earth produces fpontaneoufly, the fruits, the berries, and the feeds, which they gather in the woods, together with lizards and other reptiles, which multiply amazingly with the heat of the climate in a fat foil, moiftened by frequent rains, fupply them with food during fome part of the year. At other times they live upon fifli ; and nature feems to have indulged the lazinefs of the South American tribes by her liberalities in this way. The vaft rivers of SoOTH America. 89 of that part of America abound with an infinite variety of delicate fifti, and are lb numerous as to be caught with little trouble. None but tribes contiguous to great rivers can fupport themfelvcs in this manner. The greater part of the Ame- rican nations, difpcrfed over the forefts with which their country is covered, do not procure fubfiflence with the fame facility ; but are obliged to obtain it by hunting, which in many parts is their principal occupation, and which requires itrenuous exertions. As game and fifli are the principal food of the Americans, their agriculture is neither extenfivc nor laborious. Their principal productions in this line ar« maze, manioc, plantain, potatoes, and pimento. All the fruits of their induftry, together with what their foil and climate produced fpontaneoufly, afforded them but a fcanty maintenance. Though their dcniaiids for food were very fparing, they hardly ralfed what was fufficicnt for their own confumption. ' In America, tlie word nation is not of the fi:me import as in other parts of the globe. It is applied to fmall focieties, perhaps not exceeding two or three hundred perfons, but occupying provinces larger tlian feme kingdoms in Europe. In the provinces which border on the I 3 Oronoco, t" "'♦1. T. *, 't ■ ■ ' *L? k.g 'X'- '■■ 'ill ''' 'i .1 ' 'I 1" ^: 'I "••tils'- *^ if !!: I; ; ■n l" .;i' 1 1 90 The History of Oronoco, one may travel feveral huncTred miles, in d fferent direftions, without finding a fingle hut, or obfcrving the footfteps of a human creature. ,The Americans had no idea of property-a As the animals on which the hnntcr feeds are not bred under his infpeftion^i nor nourifhed by his care, he can claim no right to them while they run wild in ^ the foreft. The forefts, or hunting grounds, are deemed the property of the tribe, from whicli it has a title to exclude every rival nation ; but no individual arrogates a right to any diftricl of thefe, in preference to his fellow-citizen. We fliall now proceed to take a curfory view of their art of war. Savage nations, in carrying on their public wars, arc in- fluenced by the fame ideas, and animated with the fame fpirit, as in profecutinjr private vengeance. The max ins by which they regulate their military opeiations, though extremely different from thofe, which lake place among more civilized •and populous nations, are well fuitcd to their own political ftatc, and the nature of the countrv in which they aft. They never take the fielJ in numerous bodies, as it would require a greater effort cf forelight and induilry, than is ufual amonj . favages, to provide for their lul fiftcncs, during a niaich of fomc hundred mil s tiM-OU^»> Soxjth America. 91 tlirou^h drearv forefts, or during a long voyage upon their lakes and rivers. Their armies are not encumbf^red with baggage or military ftoics. Each warrior, bcfides his arms, carries t m?t and a imall bag of pounded maize, and with thefe he is completely equipped for any lervice. "While nt a diftance from the enemies frontier, t: ey dilp rfe through the woods, an 1 fupport tli. mfelves with the game they kill, and the fifh they catch. '1 he man- mer in which they attack their eneiTi es, the trcaim.nt o their prilbners, iind the furprizing fortitude they flicw in bearing the nicfl cruel tortures, IxMng nearly the fame amoiiJ!^ the houtU American Indians as amonfT ihofe of the North, we fliall net here repeat what we have already men- tioned on that head in our Hiftory of North America. I» the warmer and more mild climates of America, cone of the rude t ibcs were cloaincd. 'i o mofi; of ihcm Nature had not even fu?:gefte:. any U!ea of impropriety oNKmcr rJ.occther uncover u As under a mild c imaic there wl's rutic need oi any defence f.cm t!,c injuries of the air, and their cxtreiiv,^ iiulolen'C iliunncd • vc ry ipecies of iah(u^F to vvhied it was noi urii^ed by absolute r.eceilhly, all lie inhabitaivsof the illes, iwA a conlk:cra J:;^ part ( ) lac people on ihc couliiKal, ici^ained in this Hate Tl I " ■ T ' ■ f. ' . 1' .'F /J J Tp'"^ ••'•''1.1 1 .*£■ "1 + ( » I ^,•■^,■.:..••rl ' ** ■ ".*1-J i'' ■;:■■': " 'm m : H.;1 Hi n i/'»f^ II 111 ; ;:f I- ! 1 " I 'I n lii 9a The History of ih!;' ftate of naked fimplicity. Others t^rcre fatisfied with fome flight covering, fuch as decency required ; but though naked, they were not unadorned. They faftcned bits of gold or lliells, or fhining ftones, in their ears, their nofes, and cheeks. They ftained their ikins with a great variety of figures, and they fpent much time, ^nd fubmit^ed to great pain, in or- namenting their perfons in this fantaflic manner. In one part of their drefs, which, at firft fight appears the moft fingular and capricious, the Americans h iVe difcovered confiderablc fagacity in providing againft the chief inconveniences of their climate, which is often fultry, and moift to excels. All the different tribes, which remain unclothed, arc acuftomed to anoint and rub their bodies with thegreafe of animals, with vifcous gums, and with oils of dif- ferent kinds. By this they check that profufe perfpiration, which in the torrid zone, waftes the vigour of the frame, and abridges the period of human life. By this too they provide a defence agaiiill the extreme moifture during the rainy fcafon# They likewife, at certain feafons, temper paint of different colours with thole unftious fubftinces, and bedaub them- fclves plentifully with that compofition. bli«4tu^d with this impenetrable varntfh, thc:r South America. 93 i" their fkins are not only proteftcd from the penetrating heat of the fun, but^ as all the innumerable tribes of infedts have an ant'pathy to the fmell or tafte of that niixtue, they arc delivered from their teazinr; perftcutions, which amidft forefts and marnics, efpccially in the warmer regions, u^ould have been wholely infup- portal) e in a ftate of perfcft nakednefs. Savage nations, being far from that ftate of improvement, in which the mode of livincr is conlidered as a mark of diftinftion, and unacquainted with thofc wants, which r'-quire a variety of ac- commodations, regulate the conftru£lioa of their houfes according to their limited ideas of neceflity. Some of the American tribes were fo extremely rude, and had advanced fo little beyond the primeval fimplicity of nature, that they had no houies at all. During the day, they took Ihclier from the fcorching rays of the fun un er thick trees, and at night they formed a fhed with their branches and leaves. In ilie rainy feafons, they retired into caves, formed by the hand of nature, or hollowed out by their own induftry. Others, who had no fixed abode, and roamed through the foreft in queft of game, fojourncd in temporary huts, which they erected with little labour, and abandoned without any concern. Clubs p, A ' ■ .,/ 1- V.,;H li ' t'. \r - • 'V :iii tt m mi 58 The History of or gallantry, are feldom common to tlie two Texes, but executed by the men and p women apart. i ' The Americans are unlverfally fond- of I ganiing. Though they are at other times fo indifferent, phlegmatic, lilent, and j| animated with fo few dcfires, as (bon as %^. they engage in play, they become rapa- %' gious, impatient, noify, and almoft frantic I, with eigjernefs. Their furs, their do- \ meftic utenfils, their' clothes, tlieir arms, \ are flaked at pl^y, and when all is loil-, high as their fenfe of independence is, ^ in a wild emotion of hope or defpair, tliey will often rilk their perional liberty upon a fingle bet. Among feveral tribes, fuch ^ gaming parties are frequently made, and become their moft agreeably entertainment at every great feftival. ^ The fame caufes that contribute to render them fond of play, is the caufe of drunkennefs among them. It feems to have been one of the firft exertions of the human ingenuity to di-fcover fome compo- fition of an intoxicating quality; and II there is hardly any nation fo rude, or fo |i deftitute of invention, as not to have fucceeded in this fatal refearch. The moft barbarous of the American tribes have been fo unfortunate as to attain this , art ; and even thofe, which are fo deficient in knowledge, as not to be acquainted witl> South America. 99 the method of giving an inebriating ftrength to liquors by fermentation, can accomplifh the f -me by fomc other means. It is cuftomary with the Americaii Indians, when tlieir parents and other relarions become old, or labour under any diftemper which they have not art enough to cure, to put an end to their lives, in order to i.e relieved from the burden of tending and fupportirig them. The fame hardfhips and difficulty of procuring fub- fiftence, which prevent flwages, in fome cafes, from rearing their children, prompt them to deftroy the aged^ and mfirm. The declining ftate of the one is as helplefs as the infancy of the other; and the American thinks he does nothing more than his duty, in eafing his father or friend of a burthenfome life of oain and difcafe. A hardnefs of heart and infenfibility of feeling are remarkable in all favagc nations. Their minds, roufed only by ftrong emotions, are little fufccptiblc of gentle, delicate, or tender atfcdtions. When any favour is done him, he neither feels gratitude, nor thinks of making any return. The high idea of independence among the Americans nourifties a fullen refcrve, which keeps them at a diftancc from each other, " ' K 2 A favagc^ H *i ly • - ,'* if u-<^ 100 The History or m '■.. « if";; ,1 .>:^ II' -..'V <.c:. l-r f . ,1' ■■Id '.il. A lavage, frequently placed in fituations of danger or diftrefs, depending on no one but himfelf, and wrapped up in his own thoughts and fchemes, is a fcrious and melancholy animal. The American, when notcngag'^d inadlion, often fits whole days in one pofturc, without opening his Ii[)s. When they engage in war or the chacc, they ufually march in a line at feme diftancc fron> each other, and do not ex- change a fingle word. Even in their canoes, the fame profound filence is ob- fervcd; and nothing but intoxicating liquors or joUity attending their dances, can at any rate render them in the leaft convcrfabie. , ., We may attribute the refined cunning, with which they form and execute their fchemes, to the fame caufes. With the American Indians, war is a fyftem of craft, in which they truft for fuccefs to ftratagem more than to open force, and have their invention continually at work to circum- vent and furprife their enemies. The people of the rude tribes of America are remarkable for their artifice and duplicity. The natives of Peru were employed above thirty years, in forming the plan of an infurrcftipn^ which took place under the vice-royalty of the Marquis dc Villa Garcia i and though a great number of people South i^iMERicA. 101 people of different ranks, were let into the fecret, yet not a fyllable of it tranfpired during all that period; no man bLtrayed his truft, or by i^n unguarded look, or im- prudent word, gave rife to any fufpicion of what was meditating. However, let us not fuppofe that the Americans were without their virtues^ among which fortitude and courage were remarkably confpicuous Accuftomed as the Indians are to continual alarms, they grow familiar with danger; courage be- comes an habitual virtue, refulting na- turally from their lituation, and Itreng- thened by conftant exertions. They arc naturally attached to the community of which they are members. From the nature of their political union, we Ihould be led to fuppofe this tie to be very feeble ; but each individual freely and cheerfully undertakes the moft perilous fervice, when the community deems it neceflarv. They have a fierce and deep- rooted antipathy to t!ie enemies of their country, and that zeal for the honoui: of their tribe, which prompts them, to brave dangei' in the purfuit of triumph, and to endure the moft exquifite tor- nitnts, without a groan, that it may not be difiionoured. F'ar from com* K 3 plaining \ ■>'■ ♦..•■ t .'.i'l '.A *■ <> il \*> 1^-M ♦ IC2 . The History of plaining of th' ir own fituation, or view- ing t;jtU of men in a more improved Hate with admiration or envy, they regard themiclvcs as the llandard of excellence, as being the beft entitled, as well as the mofl: perfc£lly qualiMed; to enjoy real happinefs. '11 n 1 t irdf*^»r> m •I •; . 4 It CHAP. .if- .( » ''■Lit', >*",'^ or view- SoiTTH America, CHAP. V. id3 x\mBITION and avarice united to^ induce Velafquez to prepare for the con- qucft of New Spain, fo that when Grijalva returned to Cuba, he found the armament deftined to attempt the conqueft of that rich country he had difcovered, almoft complete and ready to fail. Velafquez knew not whom to entruft with the com- mand of this important expedition. Though he was of a mort afpiring ambition, and not deftitute of talents for government, he pofleffed neither fuch courage, nor fuch vigour and activity of mind, as to under- take in perfon the conduft of the arma- ment he was preparing. He meanly wilh- ed to find fome p&rfon, who had bravery and abilities equal to the undertaking, but would attribute all the honour and glory to him. After fome time fcarching for fuch a perfon, and finding that no man of abilities would fubmit to fuch di grace- ful terms, he at laft appointed Fernando Cortes to the command. Cortes was a man of noble blood, but whofe family was of moderate fortune: he Wds a good fol- dier, and every way qualified for fuch aa undertaking... i ■ n ^:.4>^ ■3% T 1% ^^'l i; k\ ■' /,::«i f ♦ •til I . \ *, * f'' r. H-: ;! 'J V*. *?''*■ ''>*.ff^: '^% C X S *K :> K I " ■ s !i: A ;l'l *i; ^ V r ^^i k ■ i r r -O I Ik; ^ ;i)i ) N f I >1 Ifii t n ^ r I M i ■^^:.# ^l,^^ ;rv, ^v frilJII ij) South America %\ 'Ir'l' l:i):-;M-!>"ni. '!'/'! ^i i 105 terms, which he did by means of 9n in- terpreter, that he appronchc ' their country with moft friendly fentiments, an'^ came to propofe matters of great importpnce to the welfare of their prince and his king- dom, which he would unfold more fully, in perfon, to the governor an'^ the general. Next niorning, without waiting for any anfwer, he landed his troops, his horfes, and artillery; and having chofcn proper ground, began to erc£l huts for his men, and fortify his camp. The Mexicans treated the Spaniards With the greatefl civility, but wifhed to divert theig^from their intention of vilit- ing the capital, where the emperor Mon- tezuma refided. For this purpofe, they commenced a ncgociation. by introducing a train of an hundred Indians loaded with prefcnts, lent from Moni^zuma to Cortes. The magnificence of thefe were fuch as became a great monarch, and tar exceeded any i.^ea the Spaniards had hitherto formed of his wealth. Thev were p aced upon mats fpread on the ground, in Tucli order arlhewed them to the o-reiteft ad- vantage. Cortes and his officers viewed with admiration the various manufaf lures of the country; cotton ftutFs fo fine, and of fuch delicate texture, as to reiemble filks; pifturcR of animals, trees, and other natural objcfts, formed with featht is of diftcrcat ii , ; J- > 1 % i. V '''''■■ -•'Xm t till ,.•' * (If :| 1 4 ■' #1 1\ .^:i Jii " 1 06 The History of )'f '*ii* b;/. .1 tf| ^:«; *i»i •j: ■ r *>!? IT different colours, difpofcd and minglai with fuch Ikill and elegance, as to rival the works of the pencil in truth and beauty of imitation ; but what more particularly attracted the attention of the Spaniards, was the amazing quantity of unwrought gold anJ lilver, . n" the profulion of pearls and precious ftones, the produce of the country. Thefe rich prefents, inftead of inducing the Spaniards to quit Mexico, made them the more rtfoliite to make a conqueft of jt. Cortes infilled on vifiiing the ki.ig in his capital, and declared he would not Jeave the ifland till that was granted. Of all the princes wno had fwayed the Mexi- can fceptre, Montezuma was the moft haughtv, violent, and impatient of con- troul. His fubjcdls viewed him with awe, mnd his enemies with terror. The former te governed with unrelenting rigour, and the latter he reduced to awe by the power of his arms. However, though his power and tyranny kept his fubjects and neigh- bours in awe, yet he wanted thofe quali- ties of mind, which were nccciiaty to in- timidate and fubdue bis new vifiiv)rs. Montezuma, from the moment the Spaniards appeared on his coaft, diicovered fymptonis of timidity and embarraffin-^nt. Inftead of taking fuch reiolutions ab his power enabled him, he deliberated with an anxiet^ South Amfrica. 107 anxiety and hclitation that did not efcape the notice of the meaneil of his courtiers. He fpcnt his time in fruitlefs negociations with the Spaniards, and thereby railed their courage and conicquence. In the mean time, Cortes was watching the opportunity to throw ofl all conncflions with Velalquez, whofc natural jcaloufy had induced him to endeavour to deprive Cortes of the command of ? he expedition before he failed. He got the confidence of the officers and foldicrs, and, having affemhled a council, lie reiign'.d the com- miflion he had received from Velafquez, and was immediately chofen chief-juftice and captain-general of the new colony, Cortes owed much of his fucccls to the Mexican gold, which he diftributed with a liberal hand among both friends and opponents, and thereby brought all to be of one mind. Having thus fettled every thing to the fatisfaftion of his army, by engaging it to join him in dilclaiming any dependtnce on ti>e governor of Cuba, he thought he might now ventuie to tjuit the camp, in which he h d hitherto remained, and advance into th'^ country. To this he was encouraged by an cvf nt no Icis fortunate than fealbnable. He received a proffer of fricndfliip from tiic cazique of Zimpoalla, aconfidcrable town at nr> great diftancCt He found by their Oitffage, ^ - thai y f ■t . , vi^: "'^-^^A #1. M ' f^ .">! ,', ■' » 'it .,"1. ^ >'■ ■ i( ,1 ■A .: ^''Mi^>^ " it-" m .'?'r Uil : w ' io8 The History of that they \vci*e filled with fuch dread and hatred of Montezurm, that nothing could be more acceptable to them, than a prol- pe£t of deliverance from the oppreffions iindrr which they groaned. Cortes was highly delighted to find, that ihe great empire he intended to attack was not uni- ted, nor its fovereij^n beloved. Some officers, whom Cortes had em- ployed to lurvey the coaft, having difro- vercd a village about forty miles to the northward, which, as well on account of the fertility of tiie foil, as commodiouf- nefs of the harhour, fcemed to be a more proper ftaiion for a fettlcment tlian that where he was encamped, he determined to remove thither; Zimpoalla lay in his way, where the cazique welcomed him in tbc manner he had reafon to cxpeft. He re- ceived Cortes with refpeft, almoll ap- proacning to adoration, and like one to whom he looked up as a deliverer. Froni ihe cazique he learned many particulars with relptft to the charadlcr of Montezu- ma, whom he reprefented as a tyrant, haughty, cruel and fufpicious. Cortes aflured the cazique, that one great objcci: of the Spaniards in vifiting a country fo ten otc from their own, was to redrds grievances, and to relieve the opprelTcd. Ha ing taken his leave of the caziq» c, Ic coiiupucd his m^rcb to Quiabifian. South America. 109 vx The fpot his officers had chofen as a pro- per fituatioB, appeared fo well to meet his approbation, that he immediately marked out ground for a town. The houfes to he ercdled were onlj^hiits; but thefc were to »e furrounded with fortifications, of fufficient ftrength to refift the affaults of an Indian army. Every one, even Cortes not excepted, gwe an helping hand to the crefting of fortifications, fo eflcntial to the prcfcrvation of every individual of the colony. His next care vvas to form an alliance with the neighbouring kingis, whom he taught to defpife their emperor, by gradually infpiring them with an high opinion of the Spaniards, as beings of a luptrior order, and irrdlftible in arms, Cortes perceiving that fomc of his mc*n grew tired of their prefent purfuits, and had even formed the plan of making their cfcape to Cuba in one of the fhips, faw no hopes of fuccefs, but in cutting ofFall poflibillty of retreat, and reducing hii men to the neccffity of adopting the fame refolutions with which he himfelf was ani- mated, cither to conquer or perifli. With this view he determined to deftroy his fleet, and his addreft in perfuading his followers to adopt his ideas, was not infe- rior to the boldnefs of the undertaking. With univerfal confent the fliips were drawn alhore, and aftor ftripping them of L their * 1 m "d 4 J . t!? .t' « I ^i.:. yil \A ■ -V I t ■•t '*' 'H XIO The History of ',1 ■I i ", i 'J 3l 4 their fails, rigging, iron work, 2nd what- ever clfc might bit of ufe, they were broken in pieces. Thus, from an effort of mag- nanimity, to which there is rothing pa- rallel in hiftory, five hundred men volun- tarily confented to be (hut up in a hoftilc country, filled with powerful and unknown nations; and, having precluded every nieans of efcape, left themfelves without any refourcc but what their own perfcve- rance and valour could procure Them, and on which every thing now depended. On the i6th of Auguft, 15x9, Cortes began his march from Zimpoalla, with five hundred men, fifteen horfe, and fix field pieces* The remainder of his troops, (ponfifting chiefly of fuch as from age or infirmity were lefs fit for aftive fervicc, he left as a garrifon in Villa Rica, under the command of Efcalante, an officer of merit, and warmly attached to the intereft pf CortL^. The firft war he engaged in was with the Hafcalans, who advanced againft hin\ with numerous armies, and attacked Jiim in various forms, with a degree of valour and perfeverance, to which the Spaniards had feen nothing equal in the lMe\y World. Tfee Hafc^lanSj^ however, were at laft glad to fue for peace, feeing jh ir own people fo dreadfully deftroycd, v.Li}e tb^ Spanif^rds re^iained unhurt. South America, fVai were broken <;' "W I? h\^-\l . «• r :5 pi i K'%4 RSt'f \ J III the evening, Montezuma returned to vifit his guefts with the fame pomp as in their firft interview. He told Cortes, that from what he liad heard and feen of him and his followers, he was convinced, that they were the very perfons, whofe appearance the Mexican traditions and prophecies taught them to expedl, in order to reform their conftitutions and laws ; that he had accordingly received them, not as ftrangers, but as relations of the fame blood and parentage, and dellrtrd that they might confider themfelves as maftcrs in his dominions, for both himfelf and his fubjedls ftiould be ready to comply with their will, and even to prevent their wiflies. The three fubfequent days were employed in viewing the city; the ap- pearance of which, fo far fuperior in the order of its buildings, and the number of its inhabitants, to any place the Spaniards had beheld in America, filled them with wonder and furprife. Though the novelty of thefc obje(5ls amufed the Spaniards, yet they were not without their alarms on account of their fafety. The allies of the Spaniards aflured Cortes, that the Mexican pricft» had, in the name of the gods, counfelled their fo- vereign to admit the Spaniards into the capital, that he might cut them ofF there at one bIo» with pcrfcft fccurity. Cortt« j;., South America, "5 Cortes very plainly perceived, that his deft ru6l ion was intended ; it was therefore neceffary to extricate himfelf out of the difficulties, in which one bold ftep had involved him, by venturing upon another frill bolder. The fituation was trying, but his mind was equal to it ; and, after revolving the matter with deep attention, he fixed upon a plan no lefs extraordinary than daring. He determined to fcizc Montezuma in his palace, and to carry him as a prifoner to the Spanifh quarters. The plan being properly fettled between Cortes and his officers, this powerful prince v as leized by a few ftrangers, ia the midft of his capital, at noon day, and carried off as a prifoner without oppofition or bloodflied. Hiftory contains nothing parallel to this event, either with reipe£l to the temerity of the attempt, or the fuccefs of the execution ; and were not all the circumftances of this extraor- dinary tranfadtion authenticated by the moft unqucftionable evidence, they would appear io wild and extravagant, as to go far beyond the bounds of reafon and probability. On the 4th of December, 15 1 91 Qiialcopoca, the fon of Montezuma, add five of the principal officers who fervcd under him^ wevc brought prifoners to the capital, form.-illy tried by a Spanifh ' * court* '^^^■1 1 ' .•'tvij 4 ;■ : ■Ji ' i M. 4 'tit 5# vM •ill . .'(f* ,'*^ f * '•^§1 to<, > •f. If)' ii6 The History op court-martial, and, though they had a6led no other part than what became loyal fuhjefts and brave men, they were con- demned to be burnt alive, which was im- mediately put in execution. The rigour with which Cortes puniflied the unhappy perfons, who firft prefumed to lay violent hands upon his followers, feems to have made all the impreflions he dcfircd. The fpirit of Montezuma was not only over- awed, but fubdued. Duruig fix months that Cortes remained in Mexico, the Monarch continued in the Spanifli quar- ters, with an appearance of an entire fatisfadlion and tranquillity, as if he had refidcd there, not from conftraint, but through choice. His minifters and officers attended him as ufual, he took cognizance of all affairs, and every order was iffued in his name. The external afpedl of government appearing the fame, and all its ancient forms being fcrupuloufly ob- ferved, the people were fo little fcnlible of any cliange, that they obeyed the mandates of their monarch with the fame fubmiffive reverence as ever. Thus, by the fortunate tcm«rity of Cortes in feizin;^ Montezuma, the Spaniards at once ftcurcJ to thcmfclves more extenfive authority in the Mexican empire, than it was pofhbls to have acquired in a long courfe of time by open force ; and tlicy cxcrcifed more abf(>lut« South America. 1^7 abfolute fway in the name of another, than they could have done in their own. Cortes, encouraged by fo many in- jflnnccs of the monarch's tame fubmiffion to his will, ventured to put it to a proof ftill more trying. He urged Montezuma to acknowledge himfelf a vaffal of the king of Caftilc, to hold his crown of him as luperior, and to fubjeft his dominions to the payment of an annual tribute. With this requifition, the laft and moft humbling that can be made to one poflefled of fovereign authority, Montezuma was fo obfequious as to comply. The tx&i of fubmiffion and homage was executed with all the formalities the Spaniards were pleafcd to didlate. The next aitcmpt Cortes made was to alter their religion, which had fuch an cflefi: upon the Mexicans, that they deter- mined to dcflroy the Spaniards if they perfifted in it ; and even Montezuma himfelf had cxpreffed his wifti to Cortes, that he would think of returning home. While things continued in this critical fituation, Cortes, anxious about what was paft, uncertain with refpcdl to the future, and much oppreflcd by the late declaration of the Mexicans, he received an account of fome (hips having appeared on the coaft. He idly imagined, that his meflcngcrs wcr^ returned from Spain, and that the com'* - • plction .-.f In -> I '■•-' .'111 m '.■ -"t^i ' I i ,1 i:..: ;l:vl >t., I a '51! ^;^''1 iiS The History or :....i i I '■':f.. «. i pletion of all his hopes and wiflies were at hand. However, a courier foon hrought certain information, that the armament was fitted out hy Velafqucz, governor of Cuba, and, infteaxl of bringing the aid they cxpe6lcd, threatened them with immediate dcilrudlion. This armament was com- manded by Pamphilo dc Narvacz. Cortes was now greatly alarmed, as Narvaez fecmcd determined to ru#n him, having received orders from Velafquez to feize him, and fend him to Cuba in irons, Cortes at firft attempted to treat with his enemies ; but finding that impoflible, he marched againft them with an army in- finitely inferior to theirs, and rufliingupon them in the night, obtained a complete vidtory. Narvaez was wounded, taken prifoncr, and put in irons. This viftory proved the more accept- able, as it was gained with little blood- ihed, only two foldiers being killed on the fide of Cortes, and two officers, with fifteen private men, of the adverfc fadlion. Cortes treated the vanquiflied not like enemies, but as countrymen and friends, and ofFercd to fend them back immedia- tely to Cuba, or to take them into his fervicc, as partners in his fortune, on equal terms with his own foldiers. The greater part of them accepted the offer, and vied with each other in profefllons of L ^ fidelity UK South America. "f fidelity and attachment to a general, whofc recent fuccefTcs had given them Tuch a ftriking proof of his ahilitics. Thus, by a feries of events no lefs fortunate than uncommon, CortCvS not only efcaped from the dertru£tion that feemed inevitable, hut, when he had leaft reafoH to expe<5l it, was placed at the head of a thouland rciolutc Spaniards. While Cortes was engaged in this biifiiiefs, the Mexicans feized the oppor- tunity of his abfence to take up arms, to which they had been more particularly urged by the cruelty and treachery of Alvarado, whom Cortes had left in the city, in order to take care of the royal prifoner, and keep the natives in awe. On the 24Jth of June, 1520, Cortes marched back to the city, and took quiet pofTeffion of his ancient ftation. How- ever, being too much elated with his fuc- cefs, he neglefted to vilit Montezuma, and embittered the infult by expreffions full of contempt for that unfortunate prince and his people. This being remoured about, they flew to arms in every quarter, and attacked the Spaniards in their for- tifications. Though the artillery pointed againft their numerous battalions, crowded together in narrow ftreets, fwept oiFmuU titudes at every difcharge, though every |)lov7 of the opanifti weapons fell with mort4 ."If; f % m ■. >■ ■) V^?,i I*' -.'I t ■ ^: -^1 '51 •■ ■■.'''" I * i-^* i ■m <.. •fH I20 The History or I' *\ f"^ 1 If IV ■rr i it mortal efFeft upon their naked bodies, the violence of the aflault by no means abated. Frefh men rulhed forv^'ard to occupy the places of the flain, and meetinfj; with the fame fate, were fucceeded by others no Icfs intrepid and eager for vengence. The utmoft efforts and abilities of Cortes, fcconded by the difciplined valour of his troops, were hardly fufficient to defend the fortifications of the Spaniards, into which the Mexicans had nearly forced their way. Cortes was now willing to try whir effeil the fight of the emperor woiiM have upon his fubjedls. He was accord- ingly brought on the ramparts, from whence he addreffed the Mexicans, ex- horting them to peaceable meafu res, which fo enraged them, that he was foon wounded by two arrows, and the blow of a ftonc on his temples brought him to the ground. The Spaniards carried him to his apart- ments ; but he was fo broken and dejcdcd by the feverity of his fate, that he tore off the bandage from his wounds, and foon expired. Soon after the death of Montezuma, Cortes found it abfolutcly neceffary to abandon the city. He attempted his retreat by night, but the Mexicans, who had watched all his motions, fell upon him in his march, and deftroycd nearly South America. 121 one half of his army. All the artillery, ammunition, and bap;gage, were lolt, nnd only a very finall portion of the treafure tlvey had amaifcd was laved. Many of the fokliers, havinrr lb overloaded them- fclves with bars of gold as rendered tlicm unfit for adlion, and retarded their flight, fell ignominioully the victims of their own iiicon fide rate avarice. Cortes dirc£tcd his march towards a rifing ground at fome httle diftance, and havii>g fortunately difcovered a temple htuated on an eminence, he took poffefiion pf it. He there found not only the Jheltet for which he wiflied, but, what was no kfs wanted, fome provifions to refrefli his men. On leaving this place, they marched for fix days with little refpite, and under cfxitinual alarms, numerous bodies of tlic Mexicans hovering around them, and baraffing them in front, rear, and flank, with great boldnefs. As the barren coun- try through which they palled afforded hardly any provifions, they were reduced to feed Oi: berries, roots, and the i\z\ks of green maize; and, at the very time that faiuinc was dcprefliing their fpirits and walling their ftrength, their fituation re- t|aircd the moft vigurous aqd unrcmittir^ exert ions of courage and activity, Amidft thcfc complicated dillrclies, one circum- ilancc fuppoitcd and aninaatcd the Spa- M niards^ -> M ■ * , 4, '4' • ■ ( '1 ' \ • S- iff* :■■'' A * till 122 The History or $1 * Vt' ■ * *y^- 1 , |tl ■ -I n-' It.' ffT'i ' iA- h m ' \'> m 1 * '1 rwf- ■ M n: f^ w- 3i m /' »*cJ crfed the moft numerous battalions. However, while thefe gave way in one quarter, a firefli fupply of enemies advanced from another, and the Spaniards, though fuc- cefsful in every attack, were ready to fnk under thefe repeated efforts, with- out feeing any end of their toil, or any hope of viftory. Cortes now obferved, that the great ftandard of the empire, which was carried before the Mexican general, was advancing. He fortunately recolledied to have heard, that on the fate of it depended the event cf every battle. He therefore affembled a few of his braveft officers, whofe horfes were ftill capable of fervice, and placing hrmfelf at their head, pufhed forwards towards the ftandard, with an impetuofity that bore down every thing before it. A chofen body of nobles, who guarded th« ftandard, made fome refiftancc, but were foon vanquifhed. Cortes, with a flrok« of his lance, wounded the Mexican general, and threw him to the ground. One of the Spanifh officers alighting, finifhed his life, and feized the imperial ftandard. The inftant thtir leader fell, and their ftandard, to which all dircftcd their eyes, wa« no M 2 longer *■ 4,11 i 'J^ ^'^1 1 >S' „.' '^. V . 1 1 rif I ,'.' I :.»} mi Ear ! ^i ».{ a t i If* !. -'■'^1?, iiii^y ¥. 4- 4 ■ ■^1 », 'I, "J* i: I » . > .HI*?*.- 124 Tii£ History of longer to be feeii, an univerfal panic ftrucV the Mexicans, every enfign was lowered, each foldier threw avray his weapons, aihi every one made the bcft of his way to the mountains. The Spaniards, who were not in a condition to purfue them, con- tented thcmfelves with collecting the fpoils of the field, which were fo valuable, as to be fomc compenfation for the wealth they had loft in the city of Mexico. After this vi£tory, Cortes difpatched an officer of confidence with four Ship5 of Nnrvacz/s to Hifpaniola and Jamaica, to engage adventurers, and to purchafe horfes, gunpowder, and other military ftores. As he knew it would be in vain to attempt the redudlion of Mexico, unlcft he could fecure the command of the lake, he found means to procure materials for building twelve brigantines, fo that they might be carried thither in pieces, ready to be put together, and launclied, when- ever he ihould want them. » \ , ' While he was harafl'ed and perplexed with the mutinous difpofition of his troops* two fhips arrived, with a fupply of men and military ftores, fent by the governor of Cuba, not to aflift Cortes, but with 4 view to complete his ruin. His addrcfs* however, brought them over to his views- He now found his army reinforced with ijio Spaniards, and twenty horfes. » ' Soon South Amjrjga. 125 Soon after this four Ships arrived at Vera Ciu7, from Hifpanioln, viritli two hundred foldiers, eigthy horfes, and two battering cannon, and a coafijer^jble fiipply of ammunition and arm^* On the 28th of April, J52I1 all the Spanifti troops, together with the auxiliary Indians, wjcre drawn up on the bqinks of the canal j and with extraordinary military pomp, heightened and rendered more lolemii by the celebration of the rpoft facrecj rights of religion, the hrigantines were launched. Cortez now determined on jpaking an at- tack on the city of Mexicq. The hrigan- tines. no fopner appeared before the city, than the lake was covere4 wil:h innumerable canoes, \yhi(ch made biit a feeble reliftancc againft thefe vcflels, mani).e(| by Europeans. The hrigantines, with tjie utmoft eafc, broke through their fieel>lp opponents, overfet many canoes, and difljpated the whole armament with fuch flaughter, as convinced the IVIexicans, that it was not in their power to contend with th^p Spaniards on the watery element. Cortes now determined to attgck the city, ajid for this purpofe he made ;»II the wife prepaaations an abk general could do ; but, owing to his orders n^t being properly obfcrved, he was at laft repulfcd, received fome dangerous wounds, and would hayc been taken fay ^he JVIexicans^ M 3 Iwl i ! :\ ' A-\ 1 11 'Vv'i- -■■■■ '.I '•■I ■A l^ i>\" U^"^ ¥■ it iA ■ ft. »«;• :»*. t »y i K;' i'' m 'M ^f!' IL r. ii. , 126 TttB History op had not fome Spanifli officers rcfcucd him at the cxpcnce of their lives. Forty Spaniards fell alive into the hands of the Mexicans, who facrificed thofe unhappy vi6lims, in the moft cruel manner, to their god of war. However unpromifing an afpcft matters wore at prefent, Cortes had a mind that rofc above all difficulties. He foon found himfelf enabled to renew the attack on the city of Mexico, in which he proved ib fortunate, that he took the emperor Guatimozin prifoner, who feemed worthy of a better fate. When the emperor was conducted to Cortes*, he appeared neither with the fuUenfiercenefs of a barbarian, nor with the dejedtion of a fupplicant. *' I have done (faid he, addreffing himfelf to the Spanifh general) what became a monarch. 1 have defended my people to the laii extremity. Nothing now remains but to die. Take this dagger, (laying his hand on one which Cortes wore) plant it in my breafty'and put an end to a life, which can no long America. South America^ 127 America. It lafted twcnty-fiyc days, of which hardly one paflcd without fomc Cngular effort on the part of the hcfiegcrs or the bcficgcd. The great abilities of Guatimozin, the number of his troops, llic peculiar fituation of his capital, fo far counterbalanced the fuperiority of the Spaniards in arms anddifcipline, that they muft have relinquifhed the enterprizc, had they trufted for fuccefs to thcmfelves alone ; but Mexico was overturned b/ Its own tyranny, and the jealoufy of its neighbours. The Spaniards were no fooner mafiers of the city, than they fet about feeking for the profufe riches they expcdled it would produce ; but they were liercin fadly difappointed. The foldiers could collect only an inconfiderable booty amidll ruins and defolation, and this difappolnt- incnt excited them almoft to an open rebellion againft Cortes. Arguments, entreaties, and promifes, were employed in order to foothe them ; but with fo Iktle cfFedl, that Cortes, with a view to check this growing fpirit of dlfcontent, gave way to a deed, which ftains the glory of all his great ailions. The un- happy monarcTi, together with his chief fa- vourite, were given up to be tortured, in or- 4cr to force from them a difcovery of the roy al • . %, •. . trealures. PI » !l '• 1 1 hi ,.'t I! '^r ¥ P: 128 The History or ^ii m "^A , i> P ■f ■ r treafures, which it was fuppofed ilicj h:xA concealed. Guatimozin bore whatever the refined cruelty of his tormentors could infiidl with the invincible fortitude of an american warrior. His fellow fufferer^ finking under the violence of his angiiifli, turned his forrowful eyes towards hi« mafter, which fcemed to implore his per- niifliion to reveal all he knew ; but the high-fpirited prince, darting on him a look of authority, mingled with fcom, checked him by afking, ** Am I qow repofing on z bed of flowers r" His favorite felt tl:^; reproach, perfevered in his dutiful filence, and expired. Cortes was fo much afliamcd of this horrid fcene, that he refcucd the royal viilim from the hands of hh tor- turers, and thereby prolonged a life de- voted to future miferies. The fate of the capital, as both parties had conjcdlurcd, decided that of the em- pire, and the provinces fubinittcd, cue after another, to the conquerors^ Cortes, being now more at Icifurc, began to form fchemcs of difcovery, and to complete tlu5 original plan of Columbus, by finding a paflage to the Eait Indies by tliat quarter of the world they were then in ; but he did not then know that this fchenie had been undertaken and accomplilhed. Ferdinand Magellan, a . Portugucfe gcmlexnan, on the loth of Aii^ufl, 15 if), South Ab^erica. 129 failed from Scvile with five Ships, and, ^{t€V touching at the Canaries, ftooJ di- re6lly South along the coaft of An^erica, and on the •12th of January, 1520, reached the river De la Plata. Frorn hence he continued his courfe, after having con- quered the mutinous difpofition of his crew, and at length difcovered, near the fifty-third degree of latitude, the mouth of a ftrait, into which he entered, in fpitc of the murmurs and reiponftrances of the people under his commend. After failing twenty days in that winding dangerous channel, to which he gave his own name^ and where one of his iliips defcrtcd him, the great Southern Ocean opened to his view, when he fhcd tear$ of joy and gra- titude for th?it hijppy difcovery. After enduring inexprcffihle hardfhips, from the want of provifions and other nccefiarics, on the 6th of March? 1521, they fell in with a cluftcr of fmall hut fertile iflands, which afforded them rc- frefhments in fuch ahundance, that their health was fooii re-ertahliflied. This ex- tcnfivcfca Magellan called i\\Q Pacific Ocean^ which name it ftill hears. He afterwards dilcovercd the Philippine ifl^nds, and wa$ there killpd by the barharoi^s natives. John Scbaftian del Cano prpfecutcd the expedition after the death of Magellan. After vifiting many of the fmijljer illands, fcatterci} in the caftcrn part of the Indian ^ii' ■; 4« \^l I • n *- • • I ■A \ 'r)! ■^Mi J'-. i\"i, ^ [>^r ft' "i t !»,»* % «!,' l#. 4h^ ' ' f '^ ^; NJ , >i rt . .^.!' I"*' -.V Ki'' ^ • ■i> p: 1^ ^i^ 1 • jBP^P' f Ik?'?' " • Spf^';' ' H|gMt HC '■ H«[^. «,.^ ' 130 The History OF Ocean, they touched at the great ifland of Borneo, and at length landed in Tidore, one of the Moluccas. He followed the courfe of the Portuguefe by the Caj>c of Good Hope, and, after many dilaiicrs and fufFerings, he arrived at St, Lucar on the yth of September, 1522, having failed round the globe in the fpace of three years and twenty-eight days. But let us return to the tranfa<3ions in New Spain. At the time that Cortes was acquiring fuch vaft territories for his native country, and preparing the way for future conquefts, it was !»is fingnlar fate not only to be deftitutc ot any commiflion or au- thority from the iOvcrci<^n, wliom he was ferving with fuch fucc^:i^ful zeal, but to be regarded as an undutifu! and feditious fubjeft. The court of Spain fent a perfon to fuperfcHe him, to fcize his perfon, and confifcatc his effefts ; but Cortes tri- umphed over all his enemies, and was appointed Captain-General, and Governor of New- Spain. The jcaloufies and ingratitude of the court of Spain threw fo many obftacles ia the way of Cortes, that his government became very uneafy to him, and the court went fo far as to fend pcribns to enquire into his conduct, and to bring him to juftice, fhould his intercfted judges find him guilty. He refolved, however, not to cxpofe himfelf to the ignominy of South America, ^$^ a trial, in that country, which had heen the fccnc of his triumphs ; and, without waiting for the arrival of his judges, to repair dircftly to Caftile, and commit himfelf and his caufe to the juftice and gc- nerofity of the King. The Emperor Charles, having now nothing to apprehend from the defigns of Cortes, received him at Court like a perfon, whom confgious innocence had brought into the prefencc of his mafter, and who was entitled, hy the eminence of his fervices, to the higheft marks of :% ^■■'''wt , i» m 3 i'M 1 r\ ^^ t- m * • ^B?'^ 1 ■■ ^^'j,^ 1 i K^ k WM C:'> ■ ■''■■n^M ' .■*-.ii fcMK'-T"" .'*,,£ S!Sv* ■ ■'*• ; yif(. :.^ pjPj.' >4 ;■' ^fcSfc'i " -•* ,'■■ ' t^Sffi^' •*".'•• SI if Hr W'- ' ■'•' r.' ■ ■4 '' I?: • f .'1 . «,., ' i3« TJHE HiiTORY OP His grievances received no redteft, his claims were urged without efFcft, and fevcral years pafled in fruitlefs applications to minifters and judges : an occupation the moft irkforhc and mortifying to a man of fpirit. Cortes finiflied his mortal career on the fecond day of December, 1547, in the fixty-fecond year of his age, having experienced the fame fate with that of all the pek-fons who diftinguifhed themfelvcs in the difcovery or conqweft of the New World : envied by his coteitiporarics, and ill requited by the courts he ferved, he has been admired and celebrated by fucceeding ar:-'^s. 4-J Remarkable Events recorded in this Chapter, 151 8 Cortes is fcnt by Velafquez to conquer New Spain. 1519 Lands his troops in New Spain, . , Deftroys his own fleet. Sets out for Mexico with his little army. 1520 Montezuma acknowledges himfelf a valFal of Spain. Death of the Emperor Montezuma. 1 52 1 The conqueft of all Mexico, fol- lowed by the taking of the city. The Strait of Magellan difcovercd. J522 Cortes appointed Captain- general ^^ and Governor of New Spain. 1536 Cortes difcovers California. • l5i|.o Keturns homc^ and there dies. CHAP. VI. South America, CHAP. VI. J 33 H E difcovery of the Southern Occah by Balboa excited a fpirit of adventure in tlie colonies of Darien and Panama, wh« fighed after the imaginary wealth of thofe unknown regions. Several armaments were fitted out in 1523, in order to explore and take poHcfTion of the countries to the Eaft ol Panama, but under the condudl of leaders, whofe talents and refburces were unequal to the attempt. They proved unfuccefsful, and thereby damped the ar- dour of others. Three perfons fettled in Panama, whofe names were Francifco Pi/arro, Diego de Almagro, and Hernando Luque, refolved to attempt the difcovery of Peru, not- withftanding the ill fuccefs of former ad- venturers. Tliefe three men were dellined to overturn one of the moft extend ve empires on the face of the earth ; though Pizarro Was a baftard, with very little education; Almagro, a foundling; and Luque, aprieftandfchoolmafterat Panama. Each engiiged to employ his whole for- tune in this adventure. Pizarro, being the pooreft of the three, undertook the de- partment of the greriteft fatigue and danger, and to command in perfori the armament Jj deftinecf •..I ■1, 1v V' ) l ii 134 The History or dcftincd for the difcovcry. Almagro waj to conduit the fuppJics of provifions and reinforcements of troops, of which Pizarro might ftand in need. Luquc was to re- main at Panama to negociate with the governor, and fuperintend whatever was carrying on for the general good. As the fpirit of enthufiafm uniformly ac- companied that of adventure in the New World, and by that ftrange union both acquired an encreafe of force, this con- federacy, formed by ambition and avarice, v.'as confirmed by the moft fc!emn aft of religion. Luque celebrated mafs, divided a confecrated hofl into three, and referving one part to himfelf, gave the other two to his aflbciates, of which they partook, and thus, in the name of the Prince of Peace, ratified a contradl, of which plunder and bloodfl)cd were the principal cbjedls in view. On the 14th of November, 15251 Pizarro fet fail from Panama with a fingic veflel, of fmall burthen, and 112 men. His voyage, however, was attended with great difficulties and hardfhips. After remaining five months in the ifland of Gorgona, noted for the moft unhealthy climate in that region of America, a veflcl arrived from Panama. This tranfported them with fuch joy, that all their former fyfferings wtrt forgotten. Their hopes rcvivcdi South America. 135 revived, and Pizarro found little difEculty to induce not only his own followers, but alio the crew of the veflel from Panama, to refumc his former fchemc with no lefs ardour. Inftcad of returning to Panama^ they ftood towards the South-eaft, and^ more fortunate in this than in any of their paft efforts, on the twentieth day after departure from Gorgona, they difcovered the coall of Peru. After touching at fcveral villages on the coaft, they landed at Tumbcz, a place of feme note, about three degrees fouth of the line, diftinguifhcd for its ftately temple, and a palace of the Incas, or fovereigns of the country. There the Spaniards feafted their eyes with the firft view of the opulence and civilization of the Peruvian empire. They beheld a country fully peopled, and cultivated with an appearance of regular induftry ; the natives decently cloathed, and poneflcd of ingenuity fo far furpaffing the other inhabitants of the New World, as to have the ufe of tame and domeftic animals. But what chiefly attracted their notice, was fuch a fliow of gold and filver, not only in the ornaments of their perfons and temples, but in feveral veflels and latcnfils for common ufe, formed of thofc precious metals, as left no room to doubt that they abounded with profufiots hi th« country. Pizarro and his companions N 2, now I'- a 1 ■ > II 'J I ■* i\ 1:: 1 • i'M it V ■ •■ u W'^ a % hi I*. . '^i "5 * r."M^ # A ^Hp| "J.inlj ' -i.t--; mBSlP^ ''••' .,. li^BmmiiM ?.(i>.";i; J'^v '■ ■ . . 136 Th]5 History of now fcemcd to have attained the coin* pletion of their moft fanguine hopes, and fancied that all their wilhes ^nd dreams of rich domains, and incx- hauftible treafurcs, would foon be rea- lized. ^ • Pizarro, having explored the country SIS far as it was neccffary to afcertain the importance of the dilcovery, procvircd from the inhabitants fome of their Llamas, or tame cattle, to which the Spaniards g^vc the name of fliecp; fome velFcls of gold and filver, as well as fome fpecimens of their other works of ingenuity; and two young men, whor)i he propojed to inftru6t in the Caftilian language, that they might fcrve as interpreters in the expedi- tion he meditated. With thefe he arrived ^t Panama, towards the clqfc of the third year from the time of his departure thence. No adventurer of the age fufFered hardfhips or encountered dangers, which equal thole to which he was expofcd during this long period. On their arrival at Panama, Pizarro pould not prevail on the governor to aflift him in the conquell of Peru; his ^ffociutes therefore fent him to Spain to negociate, ^yhere he managed matters more to his pwn intereft than to theirs. On the 26th .^f July, 1528, Pizarro was appointed governor, captain-generali aqd adeUiUado ■»"' «*t*k '^ * *■ la, Plzarro SottTtt Amjerica. 137 of the countries he had difcovered, an4 hoped to conquer, with fupreme autliority, civil as well as military : thus he iccured to himfelf whatever his boundlefs ambitipn could drfire* After all the efforts of Pizarro and his aflbciates, three fmall veffels, with 180 foldiers, 36 of whom were horfemen, com- pofed the whole of the armament. With this contemptible force, in February, 15 31, Pizarro did not hefitatc to fail to invade a great empire. He no fooner landed in Peru, than he began hoftilities, by which imprudent con- dndl his followers were expofed to famine, fatigue, and difeafes of various kinds- However, they at length reached the pro- vince of Coacjue; and having furprizcd the principal fettlement of the natives, they feized there, veffels and ornaments of gold and (ilvcr to the amount of thirty thoufand pcfos, with othc" booty of fuch value, as difpclled all their fears, and in- fpired the moil dcfponding with fanguine hopes. The dominions of the foverelgns of Peru, at the time that the Spaniards in- vaded them, extended in length, from north to fouth, ahove hftcen hundred miles along the Pacific Occ.^.n. Its breadth, from eafl to wefl, was much leis confide- rable, being uniformly bounded by thp - N 3 , y^A it ^ it -n .•' '' H ■im ,j I , ' rV **l H m If. ■^.AJi a «'i- .^:'i M^i *H *4 w Ah ..); a .'I ■ A! ■ * .' A ''.:■ 138 The History of vaft ridge of the Andes, ft retching from its one extremity to the other. Pizarro, foon after his landing in Peru, difcovered that a civil war was carrying €)n in that country. By thefe means Ivc was permitted to purfue his operations unmolefted, and advanced to the centre of a great empire, before one cfFort of its power was exerted to ftop his career. Tiie firft complete information the Spaniards received of this war, was by meflcngcrs from Huafcar, one of the contending pari- ties, fent to Pizarro, in order to folicit his aid againft his opponent Atahualpa. Pizarro at once perceived the importance of this intelligence, and forcfaw fo clearly all the advantages, which might be deri- ved from this divided ftate of the kingdom he had invaded, that^ without waiting for the reinforcements he expelled from Panama, he determined to pufli fon^^ard, while inteftine difcord put it out of tbc power of the Peruvians to attack him with their whole force, and while by taking part, as circumftances fliould incline him, with one of the competitors, he might be enabled with greater cafe to crufh then both* Strange as it may appear, Pizarrd marched into the heart of the country attended by his followers, confifting only * ^f 62^horf6men, and 102 foot foldiers, cf South America. J 39 IvKom twenty were armed with crofs- bows, and three with muflcets. Pizarro, in the coufc of his march, received an cmbaflhdor from the inca of Caramalca^ who brought him very valuable prefents from that prince, accompanied with a profFer of his alliance. Pizarro, according to the ufual artifice of his countrymen in America, promiled every thing, without meaning to fulful any thing but what his intereft diredled. In confequence of thefe declarations, the Spaniards were permitted to march where they pleafed. On entering Caxamaica, Pizarro took poflcflion of a large court, on each fide of ^hich was a houfe, which the Spanifh hiflorians calls a palace of the Inca, and on the other a temple of the Sun, the whole furrounded with a ftrong rampart or wall of earth. When he had poftcd his troops in this advantageous fituation, and had feen what profufion of riches th« Inca pofleflcd, Pizarro treacheroufly feized on his perfon, during the interview to which the monarch had invited him. While the Inca was engaged in conference with the Spaniards, Pizarro gave the fignai of aflault. At once the martial mufick ftruck up, the cannon and mufkets began to fire, the hdrfe fallied out fiercely t« the charge, and the infantry rufliea on fw9r€ in hand. The Peruviaasi aftpniihed at 1*1 ;, ..41, .■•,f ■'m ft .1 >> 4 m lit 140 Thj: HisTORY or €■ I ■ li t k. -': 1H* ' at the fuddennefs of an attack which they cjid not expe6l, and difmaycd with the deftruftive efFedls of the fire-arms, and the irrefiftable imprelfipn of the cavalry, fled with univcrfal conftcrnation in every quarter, without attempting cither to an- noy the enemy, or to defend themfelves. Pizarro, at the head of his followers, ad- vanced direcSlly towards the Inca; and, though his nobles crowded around him with officious zeal, and fell in numbers at his feet, while they vied one with another in facrificing their own lives, that they might cover the facred peribn of their king, the Spaniards fooa penetrated to the royal feat, and Pizarro, fcizing the Inca by the arm, dragged him to the ground, and carried him as a prifoner to ^ his quarters. The fate of the monarch precipitated the flight of his followers- The Spaniards every where purfu^d them, and with a deliberate and unrelenting bar- barity, continued to flaughter the wretch- ed Peruvians, who never attempted to re- fift. The carnage did not ceafe till the clofe of the day put an end to it, when above four thoufand Peruvians lay dead gn the fpot. Not a fingle Spaniard felh por was any one wounded but Pizarro himfelf, whofe hand was flightly hurt. - Thie plunder the Spaniards acquired on this tpail^rc; W4s far beyond every thing tbev South America. 141 t!iev had Ibrmed in their minds of the wealth oi ?cru, and thev were lb tranf- ported wi^h the value of tlic acquifition^ as well as the gi^atncfs of their fuccefs, that thev paflcci the night in thofe extra- vagant exultations natural to indigent ad- venturers on fo fudden a change in their affairs. The captive monarch coiifcl at firffc hardlv helicve what he law to be real, and the dejection into which Ivj funk was in proportion to the height of grandeur from which he had fallen. However, the Inca foon dlfcovcrcd the ru!in, or to allure the Spaniards to fix their refidence in it. Pizarro, in marching through the country, had been itruck with the beauty and fertility of the valley of Rimac, one of the moft exten- five itnd beft cultivated in Peru. There, on the banks of a fmall river, of the fame name with the vale which it waters and enriches, at the diftance of fix miles from Callao, the moft commodious harbour in the Pacific Ocean, he founded a city, which he deftined to be the capital of his government. On the i8th of January, 1535, he gave it the name of Cindad dc Ids Reyes, either from the circumftance of hnvmg laid the firft ftone, at that fea- fon when the church celebrates the feftival of the Three Kings, or, as is more pro- bable, in honour of Juana and Charles, the fovercigns of Caftile. This name it ftill retains among the Spaniards in all legal and formal deeds, but it is better known to foreigners by that of Lima^ a corruption of the ancient appella- tion of the valley in which it is firuated. Under his intpc(^"lion, the buildings ad- vanced with fuch rapidity, that it foon O afiumed k ) 1 |,v f; fl 146 The History or hit K \ 1 • ; > ^:1 i 1 . ,, ;' * i . ■ ' 1 1 ., 1 " ' ¥ '1 ^Q^j. Il l!'! ■ .,'1 , i 't : » , •J i m Ki>^y- f ^ ' '^ fei r afTumed the form of a city, whicli, by z magnificent palace that he ercfted (or himfelf, and by the ftately houfes built by Tcveral of his officers, gave a ftreng proof of the grandeur it was at laft to acquire, Ahnagro, as agreed on between him and Pizarro, fet out for Chili; but on his march, he met with fo many hardfliips and difficulties, that many of his men died with fatigue. They no fooncr entered on the fertile plains of Chili, than tlicy met with new difficulties to encounter. They there found a race of men vrry different from the people of Peru, intfrcpid, hardy, independant, and in their bodily conftitution, as well as vigour of fpirit, nearly refembling the warlike tribes in North America. Though filled with wonder at the firft appearance of the Spa-^ niards, and ftill more attoniflied at the operation of their cavalry, and the cffcfts of their fire-arms, the Ciulefe ibon recov* ercd fo far from their furpri^c, as not only to defend thcmi'elves with.-4)bftinacy, but to attack their new enehucs with more determined fiercenels than any American nation had hitherto diicovercd. The Spaniards, however, continued to penetrate into the country, and coiledtcd fome confiderable quantities of gold, when they were recalled to Peru by an unex- pc^ed event. The • * South America. 147 The Inca of Peru, having oSferved the inconfideratc fccurlty of the Spaniards in dilpcrling their troops, and that only a handful of foldiers remained in Cuzco, thought that the happy period was at length come for vindicating his own rights, for avencrins: the wropc^s of his country, and extirpating its oppreflbrs. The Inca, who was the prifoner of Pi- zarro, obtained permifii .n from him to at- tend a great fcftival, which was to be celebrated a few leagues from the capital. Under pretext of that folcmnity, the great men of the empire were aficmbled. As foon as the Inca joined lliem, the flandard cf war was erefled, and, in a (hort time^ all the fighting men, from the confines of Quito to the frontiers of Chili, were in arms. Many Spaniards, living fecurely on the fettlcments allotted them, were mafficrcd. Several detachments, as they inarched carelcfsly through a country which fcemcd to be tamely fubmiffive to ttiicir dominion, were cut oft" to a man. The Spanifh writers aflcrt, that the Peru- vian army amounted to 200,000 men^ aowi with this powerful army, and their Inca at the head of it, they laid liege to Cu7xo. During nine months they carried on the ficgc with inccflant ardour, and in various forms. The Inca, in fpite of the valour of the Spaniards, recovered pollei^ .1 O 2 lion ii ■i. ■1 ,1, . I'i' I'f iv^i y* ' :'■ ^ *' 1 r fv '' i M^, i ■ ' ty y 'C ■ ■■i. r ; ; '-:.«^ U^'i ' „ V '^^ lA^ M. ,*.>y,«, k-i a*> ■ 1 148 The History of fion of one half of his capital; and, in their various efforts to drive him out of it, PIzarro loft one of his brothers^ and fomc other pcrfons of note. Almagro arrived at Cuzco in a critical moment. The Inca at firft endeavoured to gain the friendlhip of Almagro; but after many fruitlefs overtures, defpairing of any cordial union with a Spaniard, he attacked him by furprize with a numerous body of chofen troops. However, the Spanifh dil'cipline and valour maintained their ufual fuperiority. The Peruvians were repulfed with fuch flaughter, that a great part of their army difperfed, and Almagro proceeded to the g itcs of Cuzco without oppoiicion. The Spaniards had no fooner got rid of their Peruvian enemies, than they begin to quarrel among thcmlelves, and the ^hmc at laft burft out into a civil war. Though countrymen and friends, the I'ubjcfts of the fame fovereign, each with the royal ftandard difplaycd j and though they be- held the mountains that furroundcd ihc plain in wh ch they were drawn up, cc^^r- cd with a vaft multitude of Indians, af- fembled to enjoy the fpcftacle of tlicir mutual carnage, and prepared to attack whatever party remained mailer of the field ; fo fell and implacable was the ran- cour which had taken polfeiHon of every ^ brcail» South America, 149 kreaft, that not one pacific council, not a finglc overture towards accommodation, proceeded from either fide. Almagro was' defeated and taken, tried by the Pizarros as guilty of treafon, and condemned and executed, in 1538. However rapid the progrefs of the Spaniards had been in South America fince Pizarro landed in Peru, their avidity of dominion was not yet fatisfitd. The officers to whom Ferdinand Pizarro gave the command of different detachments, penetrated into feveral new provinces, and though lome of them were expofed to great hardmips in the cold and barren regions of the Andes, and others fufFered diTirefs not inferior amidtt the woods and marfhes of the plains, ihey made difcovcries and coaqucfts which not only extended their knowledge of the country, but added confiderabiy to the territories of Spain in the New World. Pedro dc Valdivia re illumed Amagro*s fcheme of invading Chili, and notwithftanding the fortitude of the natives in defending their poircfli- ons, made fuch progrcls in the conqueft of the country, that he founded the city of St. J.'.go, and gave a beginning to the cllabhlhinent of the Spanilli dominions in thiit province. Cionzaio Pizarro, whom his brother Fi\.uciil;o had made governor ot Quito, O 3 had •if .' I -.f i ,!?■ «'! f m- fh it; A' ?Jm N #" II- '1 ' V ^. I* '•i < =,,t m •'4 : Ail ■i 1. i-- f^ 150 The History op had cntruftcd one of his confidential ofE- cers, named Orellana, with an expedition on difcoveries, appointing a proper place where they wxrc to meet; but this young pfEcer began to fancy himfclf independent, and, tranfported with the predominant p.aflion of the age, formed fchemcs of diftinguifhing himfelf as a difcoverer, and treacheroully abaadoned hi* friend and employer. , , It is impoffible to defcrlbe the confter- nation of Pizarro, when he diJ not find the bark at the confluence of the Napo and Maragnon, where he had ordered Orellana to wait for him; but that treach- erous fervant, after having made fou.c difcoveries, got back to Spain, and there magnified his wonderful exploits. In the merin time, Pizarro was twelve hundred miles from Quito; and, in that long march back to their capital, the Spaniards encountered hardfliips greater thiiu tlio^e they had endured in their progrcis out- ward, without the alluring hopes that then foothed and animated them under their fufFerings. Hunger compelled ih.cm to feed on roots and berries, to eat ell their dogs and horfes, to devour the moil loathfomc reptiles, and even to knaw the leather of their faddles and fword bells. Four thoufand Indians, and two hundred and ten Spaniards pcrifhcd in this v;ih.i •' ' and South America. 151 and cVifaftcrous expedition, which con- tinuevi near two years. Thofe that got back to C^iito were naked like favages, and fo emaciated with famine, or worn out with fatigue, that they had more the appearance of fpeftrcs than. men. ^ Gonzalo Pizarro was not much more happy on his arrival at his government of Quito, where he found every thing in a ftatc little (hort of open rebellion againlt his brother Francifco. The young Al- magro, after the execution of his father, never loft fight of taking revenge of Pi- zarro. He poflcired all the qualities whicli captivate the afFeflion of Ibldiers; he was of a graceful appearance, dexterous at 2tjl martial cxcercifcs, bol^, open and generous, he feemed to be formed tor command; and as his father, confcious of hi;* own inferiority from the total want of education, had l>cen extremely attentive to have him inftrufted in every fcience becoming a gentleman, the accomplifh- nicnts lie had acquired heightened the refpj i1 of lus followers, as they gave him d)ftin£lion and eminence among illiterate advcniurcrs. In this youn^; man the Al- inagrians found a point of union which they wanted, and looking up to him as their heaJ, were ready to undertake any thing to promote his intereft. Their af- i^dio;) for Aiuvgio was not the only in- cilcmcnt. '1^1 -.1 V ' 1 i ^: ^' i;^;; ss5v* i If If.' i 1 H, i* f 'K f .' 1 t y ^ ■*i » f^ '>" t . 't .» 'I' 1 ■ M i A- ^ I 1 *': 152 THE HISTORY OF citement^ being urged on by their own diftrcffes. Many of them, dcftitutc of common neceiTaries, and weary of loiter- ing away life a burden to their chief, or to fuch of their ailbciates as had faved fomc remnant of their fortune from pillage and confifcation, fighed for an occafion to exert their aftivity and courage, and began to deliberate how they might be avenged on the author of all their mifery. Juan de Harrada, an officer of great abili- ties, who had the charge of Almagro't education, took the direction of their confultations, with all the zeal which this connection infpired, and with all the authority which the afcendency that he was known to have over the mind of his pupil gave him. On Sunday, the 6th of June, 1541, at midnight, the feafon of tranquillity and repofe in all fultry climates, Harrada, at the head of eighteen of the moft determi- ned confpirators, fallied out of Almagro's houfe in complete armour, and drawing their fwords, haftily advanced towards the governor's houie. Their aflbciatcs, warned of their motions by a ligtial, were in arms at different ftations to fupport ihcin. Though Pizarro was ufually furrounded by fuch a numerous train of attendants, as fuited the magnificence of tlie moft •pulent fubjcft of the age in which he t ■ lived, South America. ^53 livcci, yet he was juft rilen from tabic, and moil of his doineftics had retired to their own apartments, fo that the confpi- rators pafl'ed through the two outward courts of the palace unobferved. They were at the bottom of the ftaircafe, before a page in waiting could give the alarm to his mafter, who was converfing with a few triends in a large hall. The governor, whofe fteady mind no form of danger could a'.ter, ftarting up, called for arms- and commanded Francifco de Chaves to make faft the door; but that officer, who did not retain fo much prefence of mind as to obey this prudent order, running to the top of the ftaircafe, wildly alked the confpirators what they meant, and whither they were going. Inftead of anfwering, they ftabbed him to the he irt, and burft into the hall. Some of the perfons who were there threw themfelves from the windows, others attempted to fly, and a few, drawing their fwords, followed their leafier into an inner apartment. The con- fpirato s, animated with having the objedt of their vengeance now in view, rufhed forward after them. Pizarro, with no other arms than his fword and buckler, defended the entry, and fupported by his half brother Alcantara, and his lictle knot of friends, he maintained the unequal con- Uft with intrepidity worthy of his paft exploits. M M i i '54 The History or '. n •" * ■ .A f> exploits, and with the vigour of a youthful combatant, ** Courage, (cried he) com- panions, we are. yet enow to make thofc traitors repent of their audacity.*' But the armour of the confpirators proteiled thcni. while every thruft they made took efFed. Alcantara fell dead at his brother's feet, and his other defenders were mortally wounded. The governor, unable any longer to parry the many weapons furi- oufly aimed at him, receive : a deadly riiruft full in his throat, funk to the grounrl, and expired. ! As foon as Pizarro was killed, the affuf- lins ran out into the ftrects, and waving their bloody fwords, proclaimed the death of the tyrant. Al)out two hundred of their affociates having joined them, they conduced young Alm^gro in folenin pro- ceffion through the city, and afTcmbiing the magiflrates and principal citizens, compelled them to acknowledge hira as lawful fucceffor to his father m his go- vernment. Matters were not properly fett'ed, when the arrival of Vaco de Caftro, who afiiimcd the title of governor, threw every thing again into frelh confufion. Caftro and Almagro both took the field. The for- mer, knowing his ftrength to be far fupe- rior to that of the enemy, he was impatient to determine the conteft by a battle. Nor did ;!'i f»;sHna m iili ^'a ■!i:ii!i'ii I'l: :! li'i iiil i Miiiti!*L HHiH m u~:^^^.^t- ■ .Mm ^w ^=^^.J^ /i ^'^ ■ xH ^nJB Ki:??'*-?: il^« ■ iMir-- -r^ '**'***'^ >^ 1 V: \ y \ 11. :i; '4' :^*d ' t' , m§^-^ ■ 1 . H^lsv } ^K^='"' ■'1 Iffisff'^'"^ ■ . « |M[;Mi'|, V ^M*^' ;» ' I 5r' ) i\»i • « 1^- y*.>, 1' '.r fy'n v.';(^l;:^ii|f South America. ^55 did tlie followers of Almagro, who had no hopes of obtaining a pardon for a crime lb atrocious as the murder of the £T)vernor, decline that mode of decifion. On the 1 6th of September, 1542, they met at Chupaz, about two hundred miles from Cu'/co, and foui^ht with all the fierce animolity infpired by the violence of civil rags the rancour of pivate enmity, the egernefs of revenge, and the laft ef- forts of delpair. Viflory, after rcnjaining long doubtful, declared at laft for ^aco de Cftio. 1 he carnage was great in proportion to the number ot combatants. Of fourteen liundred men, the total amount of the armies on both fides, five hun* ilrcd lay dead on the field, and the num- ber of the wounded wus ftill greater. Of ihc prilbnrrs, Caftro condemned fome to death, others were banifhed Peru, and AUnagro b^'ing taken, was publickly be- headed. I'hc fcrltrf;? of the emperor were ex- ceedingly hurt at the recital of ib many aclions Ihockiiig to humanity. He per* ceivcd, that relieving the Indians from opprcliion Vv'as but one ilep towards ren- dering his poflcflions in the New World a v;ilu;:ble ;icqu:fition, and would be of httlc avail, unlcfs he could circumfcribe the power and ufurpitions of his owa {uhjccls ihcic. Wiih this view, he formed a body I •1 ',. I H m n\A ';; I m'-' V ,■; '1 . ». j-, ; r. '56 The History or a body of laws, containing many falutary appointments with refpeft to the conftitu- tion and powers of the fuprcme council of the Indies; concerning the ftation and jurifdiftion of the royal audiences in dif- ferent parts of America; and the order of government, both ecclefiaftical and civil. Notwithftanding thefc regulations, Peru was haftening to the higheft pitch of anarchy and confufion. Caftro however, by his wife and prudent mcafures, for fome time averted the ftorm, A viceroy was fent over by the emperor, and, foon afer his arrival in Peru, he was firft im- prifoned, and, after obtaining his liberty, and raifing an army to fupport his autho- ritv, was flain in batth*. In this critical fituation, the emperor fent over Pedro dc la Gafca as prefident of Peru, who, by his moderation and good management, might have done great things, had not Gonzalo Pizarro, Supported by a ftrong party, aflumed the government of Peru, Gafca, perceiving that force mull be em- ployed in order to accompliTh the purpofc of his miflion, col!e£lcd troops in all quarters. On the 9th of April, 1548, as tlie two parties moved forward to the chnrgc, they exhibited a very lingular appearance, in that of Pi/arro, compofcd of men enriched witk ^.^ South America. ^57 with the fpoils of the moft opulent country in America, every ciTicer, and almoft all the private nicn, were clothed in ftufts of fiik or b'ocade, embroidered with gold and filver; and their horfes, their arms, their ftan^^ards, were adorned with all the pride of military pomp« That of Gafca, though not fo fplendid, exhibited what was no lefs (Iriking. He himfelf, accom- panied by the archl>if!iip of Lima, the bifhops of Qiiito and Cu/xo, and a great number of ccclcfiaftics, marchinp; along the lines, blelfcd the men, and cnccu^ uz^d them to a refolute difcharQ-e of their dutv, which could not fail that dav of rcftoring Peru to peace and tranquility. When both armies were JL;fl: ready to engage, fevera! of Pi/arro's principal offi- cers fct fpurs to their horfes, and went over to Gafca, and many others filehtly flipped away. Fizarro, feeing all irre- trievably joit, cried out in amazement to a few officers, who flill faithfully adhered to him, '* "^Vhat remains for us to do?'* ' — *^ Let us rufli (replied one of them) upon the enemy's firmeft battalion, and flic like Romans." Pi/arro, dejeflcd with fuch a reverfe of fortune, had not fpirit to follow this foldierly counfel, and, with a tamencfs difgraceful to his former frtme, he lurrendered to one of Gafca's officers. Gafca, liappy in this bloodlefs viftorv, ? did 1^ 1 y*-*- Fmw""*^ .4 .1 158 The History of did not {lain it with cruelty, Plzarro, and a imall number of the moft diftin- guifhed or notorious offenders, were capi- tally punilhcd. Pi/arro was helieadcd on the clay after he furrende(rcS the rebellion in Peru. ' ^ 1550 Returns to Spain, and is made Bilhop of Palcncia. r South America. i6i H CONCLUSION. AVING now taken a review of ths con- queil of the two great empires of Mexico and Peru, very little more I'eems worthy of notice ia the Hillorv of South America, than to mentioa u tew civciimftanccs relative to their political iiillitutions and national manners. According to the account of the Mexicans thtmlelves, their empire was not of long con- liiuiance. They relate, that their country was oriL^inally polleired, rather than peopled, by fmuil independent tribes, whole manners and mode of lire relembled thole of the rudcfl lava* ges in South America. About a period cor re f- j^oiiding to the beginning of the tenth ceLtury in the Chrillian ajra, leveral tribes moved iu Iticccllive mis'rations from unknown reo'.ons to- warils the north and north-vvefl, and lertled in different provinces of Aaahuac, the ancient name of New Spain. Thcic, more civilized than the original inhabitants, began to torm them to the arts of focial life. At length, to* wards the commencement of the thirteenth cen- tury, the Mexicans, a people more poliflied than any of the former, advanced from the borders of the Californian gulf, and took pof- feffion b[ the plains adjacent ro a great lake near the centre of the country. After reliding ther« about fifty yeari they founded a town, fmce diilinguiihed by tht- name of Mexico^ which from humble beuinulnos loon p:rew to be the molt conhderablc city in the New Vv^orld. The Mexicans, long after they weie eUablifi\cd in their new pofieiiions, continued, like cither mar- lica, uuacQJaint^d vrith rc?;;l J i"if k«^,q. X r fe 4 .l 1 i •?;i.* 162 The History of dominion; and were goTcrned in peace, anJ condiu'ted in war, by I'uch as were entitled to pre-eminence by their wifdom or their ralour. Among them, as in other Hates, whole power and'^enitories become extenlive, the fuprcmc authority centered at lail in a iinglc perlon ; and when the Spaniards under Cortes invaded the countrv, ]Montcziim:i was the ninth momirch in order, who had Iwayed the Mexican Iceinrc, not by hereditary right, but by election. Such is the traditional talc of the Mexicans coiicein- iniT the progrefs of their own empire, vvhleh, according to this iiccount, mull have been but of fliort duration. While the jurifdic^tion of the Mexican mo- narch s \^'as I'mited, it is probable that much ollentat'oa was not exercifed; but as their au- thority became more e-xtoDllve, the fplcndour of their government crcrei'ed. It was in this lafl Hate the Spaniards beheld it, and ftruck with the appearance of j\Iontczuma*s court, they dcfcribe its pomp at great length, and with much admiration. The number of hi^ attendants, tlie order, the iilcncc, and the r .- verencc with which they ferved him; the vafl extent of his royal maiilion, the variety of apartments allotted to ditterent oilicers, and tliC cftentation with which his Jor doci cr public s entlilcd pon thciu ut temple :w Spain, lagnlHceut the iifcciit , and foLir- )f a f(]uarc fe on each Lng" grada- niinatcd m here were I altHr* oil reaier (kill nay Lclicvc Ics ot the al nobllltv. nfiblc, and apartments rrcfponding II the Mcx- rcmahis of ;o centuries ucftotNe\r )Ie, that in thib boafted li( appeared, ented, pcr- eally were; tes nt their cruel in an perdition In Mexico was gloomy and frightful ; its divinities weie cloathcd with tenor, and delighted in vcnp^eance. Thev vveie exhibited to the ueo- pie under dcte liable torms, which created hor- ror. The hgures oi ierj ents, tyy;ers, and ether detractive animals, decorated their tem- ples. Feafls, moitilic.;tioni, and penances, all rigid, and many of them txcruei icing to an ex- treme degree, were the mcan^ emploved to ap- pe.»fc the vvuith of their gods, and the Mexicans never approached their altars without ipriukhng ihcm with blood drawn irum their own bodies; but of all otteringb, human lacrifices were deemed the moll acceptable. The empire of Feru boails of an higher an- tiquity than that of Mexico. According to the traditionary accounts collected by the Spaniards, it had fubiilled four hundred years under twelve fuccellive monarchs; but the knowledge of their ancient flory, which the Peruvians could communicate to their con- querors, muft have been both imperfect! and uncertain. L ke the other American nations, they were totally unacquainted with the ait of writing, and deftitute of the only means, by which the memory of p ift tranfacfions can be prefervcd with any degree of accuracy. The authority of the Inca was unlimited and abfolute, in the moft exteniive mcani»ig of the words. Whenever the decrees of a prince are conlidcred as the commands of the divinity, it is not only an a6t of rebellion, but of im- piety, to difputc or oppofe his will. Obedience becomes a duty of reli.\ 'fc IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 ^liai I.I 1.25 2.5 ■u ». I 2.2 Mill u 1^ V] v: y^ V 'W V Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSIO (716) 873-4903 i66 The History of I' «j km •4^ him, nothing rem lins but to fubmit with im-. plicit re^pe^^t. This muft neccifarily be the cftedt of every government eftabliflied on pre- tenlions of mtcrcourfc with fupcrior po\Ners. Such accordingly wa:; the bhnJ fubmillioa which the Peruvians yielded to their fovcrcign.' The Incas of Peru were immcnfely rich in gold and filver, long before they knew any^ thing of the rich filver mines of Potoii, which were accidentally difcovcred in the year iS45» by an Indian, as he was clambering up th« mountains, in purfuit of a Llama which had itraycd from his flock. Soon after the mines of Sacotecas in New Spain, little inferior to the other in value, were opened. From that time fucccilive difcoveries have been made ir| both colonies, and filver nrncs are now fo nu- merous, that the working of them, and of fome few mines of gold in the province of Tierra Firme, and the new kingdom of Gra- nada, has become the capital occupation of the Spaniards, and is reduced into a fyilem no leiit complicated than interelting. To return : the wars, in which the I neat en- gaged, were carried on with alpiritvery different ix'oxn thofe of other American nations. They fought not, like lavages, to dcllroy and exter- minate, or, like the Mexicans, to glut blood- thirfty divinities with human facriiices. They conquered in order to reclaim and civilize the Tanquifticd, and to infufe the knowledge of their own inftitutions and arts. Prifoncrs fecm not to have been expofcd to the infults and tortures, which were their lot in every other part of the New World. The Incas took the people whom ihey fubdued under their protedtion, and ad- mitted t with iin- ily be the d on pre- or powers. fubmillioa fovc reign. cly rich ia knew any toil, which year 1545, ing up th« which had the mines inferior to From that &n made in now fo nu- m, and of province of \m of Gra- ation of the iiem no his le Inca! en- ivy different >n». They '' and exter- glut blood- :es. They civilize the dgc of their rs fcem not nd tortures, part of ths eople whom in, and ad- mitted i.-;i nm mWi UHVbil'' .^1 m * > >;tV 1 'V' >(.' * . ji»» ►, .1 * » South America. 167 minted them to a participation of all the advan- tages enjoyed by their ori^jinal fubje(^ls, in Peru, agriculture, the art of primary nc- cefTitv in loclal life, was more extentive, and carried oji with greater fkill, than in any ether part of America. The Spaniards, in their pro- gicis through the country, were lb fully fuppHcd with provifions of every kind, that in the relation of their adventures we meet with few of thofc difmal fcenes of diftrcfs, occafioned by famine, in which the conquerors ot INIe^dco were fo often involved. The quantity of foil under cultiva- tion was not left to the difcrction of individuals, but regulated by public authority, in proportion to the exigencies of the community. F^vcn tho calamity of an unfruitful feafon was but little felt ; lor the produc'l: of the lands confccrated to the Sun, as well as thofe lit apart for the Incas, being depoiited in the public flore-houfes, it there remained as a ftated provifion for timet of fcarcity. The ingenuity of the Peruvians was alfo con- fpicuous in the conftruclion of their houfes and public buildings. In the exteniive plains, which llretch along the Pacific Ocean, where the Iky if perpetually ferene, and the climate mild, their houfes were very properly built only of flight materials ; but in the higher regions, where rain falls, where the vlcillitudes of feafons are known, and their rigour felt, houfes were con- ftru6led with greater folidity. They were gc* nerall^ of a fquare form, the walls about eight feet high, built with bricks hardened in the Sun, without any windows, and the door low an4 (trait. Simple as thcfe ftriu'lurcb were, and rude AS the maCcriaU may fcem to be, of which ihcy m. ]: M '.'' < *t*M h I ■ «>;« •^ 1,1 !■ ' ? V'/ll . vv. B ■**■»', -*■ ■r x68 The History, &c. were formed, thcv were fo durable, that many of them ftill fubfift in difierent parts of l^erii, lonsj after every monument, that might have conveyed to us any idea of the domeftic Ibte of the other American nations, h;is vanifhed from the face of the earth. It was in the temples confccrated to the Sun, and in the buildings dcftined for the refidence of their monarchs, that the Peruvians difplayed the utmoft extent of their art and contrivance. The delcriptions of them by (ome of the Spanifh writers, who had an opportunity of contemplating them, while, in fomc mealure entire, might have appeared highly exaggerated, if the ruins which ftiil re- main, did not vouch the truth of their relations. The unwarlike Spirit of the Peruvians wag the moft remarkable, as well as the moft fatal defe^fl in their characfi^er. The greater part of the rude nations of America oppofed their in- vaders with undaunted ferocity, though with little condu^l or fuccefs. The Mexicans main- tained the flruggle in defence of their liberties with fuch perfevering fortitude, that it wai with difficulty they triumphed over them. Peru was fubdurd at once, and almoft without rcfiftance ; and the moft favourable opportuni- ties of regaininc; their freedom, and of crudiing their opprefibrs, were loft through the timidity #f the people. tiJA THE END. that many rts ot' Peru, might have leftic Hate of mlfhed from the temples le buildings )narch8, that )ft extent of slcrlptions of rs, who had hem, while, ive appeared hich iViil re- leir relations, Tuvians was he moft fatal eater part of )red their in- thongh with Jxicans main- :heir liberties that it was over them. moft without le opportuni- d of cruHiing \ the timidity