UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT LOS ANGELES
A N
ACCOUNT
OF THE
European Settlements
I N
AMERICA.
IN Six PARTS.
I. A fhort Hiftory of the Dif-
covery of that Part of the
World.
II. The Manners and Cuftoms
of the original Inhabitants.
III. Of the Spanifh Settlements*
IV. OfthePortuguefe.
V. Of the French, Dutch,
and Danifli.
VI. OftheEnglifh.
Each PART contains
An accurate Defcription of the Settlements in it,
their Extent, Climate, Productions, Trade, Genius
and Difpofition of their Inhabitants : the Interefts of
the feveral Powers of Europe with refpe<5t to thofe
Settlements ; and their Political and Commercial
Views with regard to each other.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
The THIRD EDITION, with IMPROVEMENTS.
LONDON:
Printed for R. and J. DODSLEY in Pall- Mall.
MDCCLX.
d-
T H E
PREFACE.
BO
affairs of America have lately en-
a great deal of the public attention.
Before the prefent war there were but a very
few who made the hiftory of that quarter of
the world any part of their Jludy ; though the
,
matter is certainly very curious in itfelf, and
22 extremely interefting to us as a trading people.
The hiftory of a country which, though vafl
in extent, is the property only of four nations ;
and which, though peopled probably for aferies
f a g es -> * s n fy known to the reft of the world
for about two centuries, does not naturally af-
ford matter for many volumes. Tet it is cer-
tain, that to acquire a proper knowledge of the
s hiftory of the events in America, an idea of
x its prefent flate, and a competent judgment
2 of its trade, a great deal of reading has
been found requifite. And 1 may add, that
3 the reading on many parts of this fubjeSt is
dry and difgufting ; that authors have treated
A 2 on
t Tbe PREFACE.
on if, fome without a fufficient knowledge of the
fubjett, and others in fuch a manner as ns
knowledge ofthefubjecl in the author could ;;z-
duce any body to become readers. That fome are
loaded with a lumber of matter that can inter eft
wry Jew, and that others obfcure the truth in
many particulars, to gratify the low prejudices
of parties, and I may fay of nations. Whatever
is written by the Englijh fettled in our colo-
nies, is to be read with great caution ; bccaufe
very few of them write without a bias to the
interefl of the particular province to which
they belong, or perhaps to a particular faction
in that province. It is only by comparing the
printed accounts with one another, and thof?
With the be (I private informations, and correct-
ing all by authentic matter of record, that one
f an difcover the truth j and this hath been a
matter of fame difficulty.
With regard tc the joreign fcttlemexfs, re-
Courfe was had to the bejl printed accounts of
travellers and others -, and in fome points to
private information from intelligent traders.
The PREFACE.
The materials for the foreign fettkments are
far from being as perfeff, or as much to be
depended upon as we could wijh ; it was very
feldom that I could venture to tranfcribe any
thing directly from them without fome addition
or fome corrective.
In the hifiorical part of this work, I fixed
my eye principally on fome capital matters,
which might the moji fully engage and beft
reward the attention of the reader $ and in
treating of t ho ft I dwelt only upon fuch events
asfcemed to me to afford fome political inftruc-
tion, or to open the characters of the principal
a ft or s in thofe great fcenes. The affairs which
feemed moft worthy of an account of any
length, are thofe fplendid and remarkable
events of the difcovery of America, and the
conqueft of the only two civilized kingdoms it
contained.
In treating of other parts, I have given fo
much of the hiftory of each country as mayferve
tojhew, when and upon what principles it was
planted, to enable the reader the better to judge
f
The PREFACE.
of its prefent condition, tfhefe accounts are very
Jhort -, and con/ldering of what fort of matter
fuch hiftories are compofed, I believe I Jhall
deferve as much for what I have omitted, as
for what I have inferted. If I could not write
well upon any fubjeSt, I have endeavoured
always to write concifely.
My principal view in treating of the f eve -
ralfettlements, was to draw every thing towards
their trade, which is the point that concerns
us the moft materially -, for which reafon I
have but little confidered their civil, and yet
lefs their natural hiftory, further than as they
tended to throw fome light upon the commerce
of thefe countries > except where the matters
ivere very curious, and ferved to diverjify the
work.
It is not to be expected that a performance of
this kind can be written equally throughout.
In fome places the f lib] eel: rcfufes all ornament j
and the matter, dry in itfelf, is by no art to
be made other wife: in fome a contagion commu-
nicated from the dulnefs of materials, which
yet
The PREFACE.
yet 'were neceffary to the work, may probably
appear-, in many, and perhaps the mofl blame-
able parts, the author alone mujl be anfwer-
able.
Having fpoken perhaps a little too hardly
of my materials, 1 muft except the ajjiftance
I have had from the judicious collection called
Harris's voyages. There are not many finer
pieces than the hiftory of Brazil in that col-
lection -, the light in 'which the author fets the
events in that hiftory is fine and infinitive -, an
uncommon fpirit prevails through it ; and his
remarks are every whe r e ft r iking and deep. The
little Jketch I have given in the part of Port u-
guefe America, ij it has any merit, it is entire-
ly due to that original. However the accounts
given of many things in that part of his
work, which relates to the Englijh and French
fettlements may be defective, and fuited ra-
ther to the ancient than to the prefent ftate
of affairs in that part of the world: his
remarks have rarely this fault \ and where 1
differ from him in any refpefl, it is with defe-
rence
tte PREFACE.
Knee fs the judgment of a 'writer to whom
this nation is much obliged, for endeavouring
every where with fo much good fenfe and elo-
quence to roufe that fpirit of generons enter-
prize, that can alone make any nation power-
ful or glorious.
A TVT
ACCOUNT
OF THE
EUROPEAN SETTLEMENTS
IN
AMERICA.
VOL. I.
B
'
- , '-.
QT
[3
PART I.
The difcovery of America^ and
reduEiion of Mexico and Peru.
CHAP. I.
The ftate of Europe before the difcovery of
America. The pro] eft &f Columbus. His ap-
plication to federal courts. His fuccefeful
application to that of Spain. His voyage.
The dijcovery of the Bahamas, and Greater*
Antilles,
iHERE was an extraordinary
coincidence of events at the
time that the difcovery of A-
merica made one of the prin-
cipal jtheinventionofprintingj
the making of gunpowder,
the improvement of navigation, the revival
of ancient learning, and the reformation ; all
of thefe confpired to change the face of
Europe entirely. At this time the principal
monarchies began to knit, and to acquire
the ftrength, and take the form they have
B 2 at
4 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
at this day. Before this period the manners
of Europe were wholly barbarous ; even in
Italy, where the natural mildnefs of the
climate, and the dawning of literature had a
little foftened the minds of the people, and
introduced fomething approaching towards
politenefs, the hiftory preceding this sera, and
indeed for fome time after it, is nothing but
one feries of treafons, ufurpations, murders,
and mafTacres : nothing of a manly courage,
nothing of a folid and rational policy. Scarce
any ftate had then very exteniive views, or
looked much further than to the prefent ad-
vantage. They did not well comprehend the
Complicated fyftem of interefts that Europe
formed even long before this. Lewis the
eleventh, who was looked upon as one of
the wifeft princes in his time, and one who
facrificed every thing to his ambition, facri-
ficed one of the faireft objects of that am-
bition to a pique, which fince his time could
have little influence on the counfels of any
prince. His fon, Charles the eighth, as he
won Italy without either courage or conduct,
fo he loft it by a chain of falfe meafuies,
fuch as we may venture to fay has no pa-
rallel in later times. A wild romantic
courage in the Northern and Weftern parts
of Europe, and a wicked policy in the Ita-
lian ftates, was the character of that age. If
we look into the manners of the courts,
there
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 5
there appear but very faint marks of culti-
vation and politenefs. The interview between
our Edward the fourth and his brother of
'France, wherein they were both, caged up
like wild beafts, (hews difpofitions very-
remote from a true fenfe of honour, from
the dignity of their flations, or any juft ideas
of politenefs and humanity. All the anec-
dotes which remain of thefe and other
courts, are in the fame fpirit.
If the courts had made fuch poor ad-
vances in policy and politenefs, which might
feem the natural growth of courts at any
time, both the courts and the people were
yet lefs advanced in ufeful knowledge. The
little learning which then fubfiited, was
only the dotage of the fcholaftic philofo-
phy of words ; together with the infancy of
politer learning, which only concerned
words too, tho' in another way. The ele-
gance and purity of the Latin tongue was
then the higheft, and almoft the only point
of a fcholar's ambition. Mathematical learn-
ing: was little valued or cultivated. The true
o
fyitem of the heavens was not dreamed of.
There was no knowledge at all of the real
form of the earth ; and in general the ideas
of mankind were not extended beyond their
fenfible horizon.
In this (late of affairs Chriftopher Co*-
lumtxis, a native of Genoa, undertook to
B 3 extend
6 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
extend the boundaries which ignorance had
given to the world. This man's defign arofe
from the juft idea he had formed of the figure
of the earth ; though the maps, more erro-
neous than his conjectures, made him miftake
the object. His defign was to find a paflage
to China and India by the Weftern ocean. It
is not improbable, that befides the glory at-
tending fuch a difcovery, and the private ad-
vantages of fortune he might propofe to de-
five from it, Columbus had a further incen-
tive from national jealoufy and refentment.
Venice and Genoa were theft almoft the only
trading powers in Europe; and they had no
other fupport of their power but their com-
merce. This bred a rivalmip, a jealoufy, and
frequent wars between them ; but in traffick
Venice was much fuperior ; me had drawn to
herfelf almoft the whole commerce of India,
always one of the mod valuable in the world,
and then carried on only by the way of Egypt
and the Red Sea. An emulation of this kind
might probably have put Columbus on finding
another and more direct pafTage to the Ealt-
Jndies, and by that means transferring this
profitable trade to his own country. But nei-
ther that which he fought, nor that which he
found, was deftined form's country. However,
he performed the duty of a good citizen, and
made his firft propofal at home ; at home it
was rejected. Difcharged of this obligation,
he
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA.. 7
he applied to the court of France, and rpeeting
no better fuccefs there, he offered next his
fervices to our Henry the feventh. This
prince was rather a prudent fteward and ma-
nager of a kingdom than a great king, and
one of thofe defenfive geniufes who are the
laft in the world to relifh a great but proble-
matical defign. It is therefore no wonder that
his brother, whom Columbus had employed
to follicit in England, after feveral years fpent
here, had little fuccefs in his negotiation. But
in Portugal, where he applied hirnfelf after his
failure here, his offers were not only rejected,
but he was infulted and ridiculed ; he found,
however, in thefe infults, and this ridicule, a
new incitement to purfue his fcheme, urged
forward by theftings of anger and reientment.
Laft of all he exercifed his intereft and his
patience for eight years together at the court
of Ferdinand and Ifabella. There is a fort of
enthufiafm in all projectors, abfolutely nccef-
fary for their affairs, which makes them proof
againft the moft fatiguing delays, the moft
mortifying difappointments, the moft mock-
ing infults j and what is feverer than all,
the prefumptuous judgments of the ignorant
upon their defigns. Columbus had a fuffident
fhare of this quality. He had every day,
during this long {pace, to cambat with every
objection that want of knowledge, or that a
ikl.fe knowledge could propofe. Some held
B 4 that
8 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
that the known world, which they thought
was all that could be known, floated like a vaft
fcum upon the ocean ; that the ocean itfelf
was infinite. Others, who entertained more
juft notions, and believed that the whole of
the earth and waters compofed one vaft globe,
drew a confequence from it as abfurd as the
former opinion. For they argued, that if
Columbus mould fail beyond a certain point,
the convexity of this globe would prevent his
return. As is ufual in fuch cafes, every one
abounded with objections. His whole time
was fpent in fruitlefs endeavours to enlighten
ignorance, to remove prejudice, and to van-
quifh that obftinate incredulity, which is of
-all others the greateft enemy to improvement,
rejecting every thing as falfe and abfurd, which
is ever fo little out of the track of common ex-
perience i and it is of the more dangerouscon*
fequence, as it carries a delufive air of coolnefs,
of temper and wifdom. With all this, he had
yet greater difficulties from the interefts of
mankind, than from their malignity and igno*
ranee. The expence of the undertaking, in-
confiderable as this expence was, was at the
bottom the chief fupport of the other ob-
jections, and had more weight than all the reft
together. However, with an affiduity and
firmnefs of mind, never enough to be admired
and applauded, he at length overcame all diffi-
culties > and, to fyis inexpreiTible joy, with a
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 9
fleet of three (hips, and the title and com-
mand of an admiral, fet fail on the third of
Auguft, 1492, on a voyage the moft daring
and grand in the defign, and in the event of
which the world was the moft concerned of
any that ever yet was undertaken.
Jt muft not be omitted here, in honour to
the fex, and in juftice to Ifabella, that this
fcheme was firft countenanced, and the equip-
ment made by the queen only ; the king had
no fhare in it ; fhe even raifed the money
neceflary for the defign upon her own jewels,
I do not propofe to relate all the particulars
of Colum bus's voyage in a track now fo well
known, and fo much frequented ; but then
there was no chart to direct him, no lights
from former navigators, no experience of the
winds and currents particular to thofe leas,
He had no guide but his own genius, nor any
thing to comfort and appeafe his companions,
difcouraged and mutinouswith the length and
hopelefsnefs of the voyage, but fome indica-
tions which he drew from the cafual appear-
ances of land birds, and floating fea~weeds,
inoft of them little to be depended upon, but
which this wife commander, well acquainted
with the human heart, always knew how
to turn to the bed advantage. It was in this
expedition that the variation of the compa(s
was firft obferved ; an appearance which has
ever fmce puzzled all philofophers, and which
at
io An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
at this' time made a great impreffion upon
Columbus's pilots ; when in an unknown and
boundlefs ocean, far from the road of former
navigation, nature itfelf feemed altered, and
the only guide they had left, appeared to
be upon the point of forfaldng them. But
Columbus, with a wonderful quicknefs and
fagacity, pretended to difcover a phyfical
caufe for this appearance, which, though it
did not fatisfy himlelf, was plaufible enough
to remove fomething of the terrors of his ma-
riners. Expedients of this kind were daily
wanting, and the fertile genius of this dif-
coverer invented them daily. However, by
frequent ufe they began to lofe their effect ;
the crew infifted on his returning, and grew
loud and infolent in their demand. Some even
talked of throwing the admiral overboard.
His invention, and alrnoft his hopes were
near exhaufted, when the only thing which
could appeafe them happened ; the clear dif-
covery of land, after a voyage of thirty-three
days, the longeft ever any man was known
to be from fight of fhore before that time.
They landed on one of the iflands now
called Lucayos, or Bahamas, which is remark-
able for nothing but this event ; and here it
was, that the two worlds, if I may ufe the ex-
preffion, were firft introduced to one another ^
a meeting of an extraordinary nature, and
which produced great changes in both. The
firft
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. u
firft thing Columbus did, after thanking God
for the fuccefs of his important voyage, was to
take pofleflion oftheiflandin the name of their
Catholic majefties, by fetting up a crofs upon
the more ; great multitudes of the inhabi-
tants looking on, ignorant and unconcerned at
a ceremony which was to deprive them of their
natural liberty. The flay of the Spaniards in
this ifland was but fhort; they found from the
extreme poverty of thepeople, thatthefe were
by no means the Indies, which they fought for.
Columbus at his departure very prudently
took with him fome of the natives, that they
might learn the Spanim tongue, and be his
guides and interpreters in this new fcene of
affairs ; nor were they unwilling to accom-
pany him. He touched on feveral of the
iflands in the fame clufler, enquiring every
where for gold, which was the only object of
commerce he thought worth his care, becaufe
the only thing that could give the court of
Spain an high opinion of his difcoveries. All
directed him to a great ifland called Eohio, of
which they fpoke extraordinary things, and
principally that it abounded in gold. They
told him it lay to the Southward. To the
Southward he fleered his courfe, and found
the ifland, which he called Hifpaniola, no
ways inferior to the reports; commodious har-
bours, an agreeable climate, a good foil, and,
what was o?moft confequence, a country that
pro-
12 Ail ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
promifed from fome famples a great abun-
dance of gold j inhabited by an humane and
hofpitable people, in a ftate of (implicity fit,
to be worked upon. Thefe circumftances
determined Columbus to make this ifland the
center of his defigns, to plant a colony there,
and to eftablifh things in fome permanent or-
der before he proceeded to further difcoveries.
But to carry his defigns of a fettlement here,
and his fchemes of future difcoveries into
execution, it was necefTary that he mould re-
turn to Spain and equip himfelf with a pro-
per force. He had now collected a fufficient
quantity of gold to give credit to his voyage
at court, and fuch a number of cur iofi ties of
all kinds as might ftrike the imaginations, and
engage the attention of the people. Before
he parted, he took care to fecure the friend-
(hip of the principal king of the ifland by
carefles and prefents, and under pretence of
leaving him a force fufficient to affift him
againft his enemies, he laid the ground- work
of a colony. Fie built a fort, and put a fmall
garrifon of Spaniards into it, with fuch di-
rections for their condudt as might have en-
fured their fafety and the good offices of the in-
habitants, if the men had not been of that kind,
who are incapable of acting prudently either
from their own or other people's wifdom.
He did every thing to gain the efteem of the
natives, by the juilicej and -even generofity of
hi?
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 13
his dealings, and the politenefs and humanity
with which he behaved upon every occafion.
He (hewed them too, that though it was not
in his will, it was not the lefs in his power to
do them mifchief, if they acled fo as to force
him upon harfher meafures. The furprizing
effects of his cannon, and the marpnefs of the
Spanifh fwords, of which he made an inno-
cent oflentation, convinced them of this.
When the Spaniards firft arrived in that
country, they were taken for men come from
heaven j and it was no wonder, confidering
the extreme novelty of their appearance, and
the prodigious fuperiority they had in every
refpect over a people in all the nakednefs ot
uncultivated nature. Whatever therefore the
Indiansgot from them, they valued in an high
degree, not only as curious and ufeful, but
even as things facred. The perfons of the
Spaniards were refpedted in the fame light.
Columbus, who knew the value of opinion,
did all he could to keep them in their error ;
and indeed no action of his, either of weak-
nefs or cruelty, could furnifh matter to un-
deceive them. For which reafon, on his de-
parture, he left the people with the beft in-
clinations imaginable to inirle his infant co-
lony. And when he defired fome of their-
habitants to carry into Spain, he was more at
a lofs whom he fhould accept, than how he
iltould prevail upon them to go.
CHAP.
14 -dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
CHAP. II.
The difcovery of the Caribbees. Columbus re*
turns to Europe, His behaviour at Li/Ion.
His reception at Barcelona by Ferdinand and
Ifabella. Second voyage of Columbus The
condition of the Spaniards in Hifpaniola. T. he
city of Ifabella built , and a Spanijh colony
fettled. A voyage for better dij cover ing the
coaft of Cuba.
ON his return homewards, ftill attentive
tohisdefign,he aimed atfuchdifcoveries
as could be profccuted without deviating con-
fiderably from his courfe. He touched upon
feveral iflands to the Southward, and difco-
vered the Caribbees, of the barbarity of whofe
inhabitants he had heard terrible accounts in
Hifpafniola. He had before landed upon Cu-
ba in his paffage from the Bahamas. So
that in this his firft voyage, he gained a ge-
neral knowledge of all the iflands, which lie
in fuch an aftoniming number in that great
fea which divides North and South America*
But hitherto he neither knew nor fufpe&ed
any continent between him and China.
He returned to Europe after an abfence of
above (ix months, and was driven by a great
ftorm into the harbour of Lifbon. This he
did not look upon as a misfortune > fince here,
he
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 15
he had the fatisfaction of convincing the Por-
tuguefe demonftratively of what an error they
were guilty in rejecting his propofals. It was
now his turn to triumph. Thofe who want
fagacity to difcern the advantages of an offer,
when it is made to themfelves, and treat it
with the greateft fcorn, are always moft ftung
with envy when they actually fee thefe advan-
tages in the hands of another. The Portu-
guefe had fome time before this begun to
make a figure : their (hips had coafted Africa
for a greater length than any had done before
them, which opened to them a profitable trade
to Guinea. This gave them a reputation.
They confidered difcovery as their proper pro-
vince ; and they were enraged to fee that the
Caftilians were now let into the fame path, in
confequence of an offer which they had re-
jected. Some propofed to murder the ad-
miral j but all were agreed to treat him in the
moft unworthy manner. However, their de-
fign of infultinghim gave Columbus an oppor-
tunity at once of gratifying his refentment,
maintaining his own dignity, and afferting the
honour of the flag of Caftile. He fent to the
king at his firft entering the harbour, to de-
fire a liberty to come up to Lilbon andrefrefh,
as he had his mafter's orders not to avoid his
ports ; adding, that he was not from Guinea,
but the Indies. An officer of the king of Por-
tugal came aboard him with an armed force,
and
1 6 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
and ordered him to come amore, and give an
account of himfelf to the king's officers. Co-
lumbus told him he had the honour of ferving
the king of Caftile, and would own himfelf
accountable to no other. The Portugefe then
delired him to fend the mafterof his (hip; this
he likewife refufed, faying, that the admirals of
Caftile always chofe rather to die than deliver
up themfelves, or even the meaneft of their
men ; and if violence was intended, he was
prepared to meet force with force. A fpirited
behaviour, in almoft any circumftance of
ftrcngth, is the moft politic as well as the
moft honourable courfe ; we preferve a re-
fpecl: at leaft by it, and with that we generally
preferve every thing ; but when we lofe re-
fpeft, every thing is loft. We invite rather
than fuffer infults, and the firft is the only
one we can refift with prudence. Columbus
found this j the officer did not purfue his de-
mands ; the admiral had all the refreshments
he wanted ; and was even received at court
with particular marks of diftinction.
From Lifbon he proceeded to Seville - t the
court was then at Barcelona. But before he
went to give an account of his voyage, he
took all the care he could to provide for ano-
ther. He wrote an abftra<5l of his proceedings,
and fent with it a memorial of all fuch things
as were neceffary for the eftablimment of a co-
lony, and for further difcoverics. Soon after he
began
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 17
began his journey to Barcelona, every where
followed by the admiration and applaufes of
the people, who crouded to fee him from all
parts. He entered the city in a fort of triumph.
And certainly there never was a more innocent
triumph, nor one that formed a more new and
pleafing fpe<tacle. He had not deflroyed, but
difcovered nations. The Americans he brought
with him appeared in all the uncouth finery
of their own country, wondered at by every
body, and themfelves admiring every thing
they faw. The feveral animals, many highly
beautiful, and all ftrangers to this part of the
world, were fo difpofed as to be feen without
difficulty j the other curiofities of the new
world were difplayed in the moft advantage-
ous mannerj the utenfils, the arms, and the
ornaments of a people fo remote from us in
Situation and manners ; fome valuable for the
materials} even the rudenefs of the workman-
fhip in many made them but the more curious,
when it was confidered by whom, and with
what inflruments they were wrought. The
gold was not forgot. The admiral himfelf
clofed the proceffion. He was received by the
king and queen with all imaginable marks of
efteem and regard, and theyordereda magnifi-
cent throne to be erected in publick to do him
the greater honour. A chair was prepared far
him, in which he ft, and gave in prefence of
the whole court a full and circumftantial ac-
VOL, I, C coup:
1 8 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
count of all his difcoveries, with that com-
pofedncfs and gravity, which is fo extremely
agreeable to theSpanifh humour, and with the
modefty of a man who knows he has done
things which do not need to be proclaimed
by himfelf. The fuccefsful merit of Colum-
bus was underftood by every body j and when
the king and queen led the way, all the
grandees and nobility of the court vied with
each other in their civilities and carefles.
Thefe honours did not fatisfy Columbus.
He prepared with all expedition for a fecond
voyage. The difficulties attending the firft
were all vanifhed. The importance of the
object appeared every day more clearly, and
the court was willing to fecond the vivacity of
his defires to the full. But before his depar-
ture there was one thing which they judged
wanting to give them a clear and unqueftion-
able right to the countries, which mould be
difcovered. This was a grant of them from
the pope. The Portuguefe fome time before
had a grant of fuch lands as they mould dif-
cover within certain latitudes j and this grant
made a fimiliar one to the Spaniards appear
the more necefTary. The pope accordingly
gave a very ample bull in their favour, very
liberally conceding countries, of which he
was fo far from having any pofleffion, that
he had no knowledge of them. The limits
of this grant was a line drawn from pole to
pole,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 19
pole, an hundred leagues to the Weftward
of the Azores. On the other fide no bounds
at all were fet. This was afterwards a fubjeft
of much controverfy between the crowns of
Spain and Portugal, the latter having got a
grant of all that mould be difcovered to the
Eaft, as the former had of all to the Weft-
ward ; thole who drew the bulls not having
known enough of the figure of the earth to
fee, that thefe grants muft necefTarily clafh ;
and the powerswhich defired them,were per-
haps not lorry to find their pretenfions fuch
as they might extend or contract at pleafurc.
Whatever the validity of this ample grant
might be, Columbus was made governor with
the higheft authority over all that it contained.
But he had fomewhat with him more material
for his poffeffion than any charters. This was
a fleet of feventeen fail of (hips, with all man-
ner of neceflanes for fettlement or conqueft,
and fifteen hundred men on board, fome of
them of the bed families in Spain. With
this fleet he fet fail on his fecond voyage the
25th of September, 1493. He gave each of
the captains inductions for their courfe fealed,
with orders not to open them, unlefs indiftrefs,
and feparated from the fleet, that he might
create fuch an abfolute dependence of all up-
on himfelf, as (hould preferve an uniformity
in their dellgns. On the fecond of November
they made land, which is the ifland now
C 2 called
2O An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
called Dominica. But his defign was firft to
fettle his colony before he attempted any new
difcovery, therefore he made no fray here, nor
at feveral .other illands at which he touched
before he could make Hifpaniola.
On his arrival he found the fort he had
built utterly demolimed, and all his men
killed. The Spaniards had firft fallen out
amongft themfelves, upon the ufual fubjects
of ftrife, women and gold ; and afterwards
preferving as little harmony with the natives,
and obferving no decency in their behaviour,
or juftice in their dealings, they quickly loft
their efteem, and were every man murdered,
after having been difperfed into different parts
of the ifland. The prince, whom they were
left, to defend, was himfelf wounded in their
defence, and bore this mark of his affection
and good faith, when Columbus returned to
the ifland. The admiral very wifely forbore
to make any nice enquiry into the affair, or to
commence hoftilities in revenge for the lofs of
his foldiers j but he took the moft effectual
meafures to prevent fuch an evil for the fu-
ture ; he chofe a more commodious ftation
for his colony, on the North-eafr. part of the
ifland, which had a good port, great conve-
niency of water, and a good foil, and lay near
that part where he was informed the richer!
mines of the country were found : in grati-
tude to his royal patronefs he called it Ifabella.
He
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 21
He engaged in the fettlement with great
warmth, and never allowed himfelf a mo-
ment's repofe from fuperintending the forti-
fications, the private houfes, and the works
of agriculture ; in all which the fatigue was
infinite ; for he had not only the natural dif-
ficulties attending all fuch undertakings, but
he had the infuperable lazinefs of the Spani-
ards to contend with. So that fpent with the
fatigues of fo long a voyage, and the greater
fatigues he had endured fince he came on more,
he fell into a dangerous illnefs. Of this acci-
dent feveral of his men took the advantage to
begin a rebellion, to undo all he had done,
and to throw every thing into the moft terrible
confufion. Thefe people on their leaving
Spain, had fancied to themfelves that gold was
to be found every where in this country, and
that there required nothing further to make
^mple eftates, than to be tranfported into it ;
but finding their miftake, and that inftead of
receiving thefe golden mowers without any
pains, they fared ill, laboured hard, and that
their profpefts of a fortune, if any at all, were
remote and uncertain, their difcontent became
general j and the mutinous difpoiitionincreafed
fofaft, and was carried to fuch extremities, that
if the admiral had not recovered at a very criti-
cal time, and on his recovery had not acted in
the mofl refolute and effectual manner, all his
hopes of a fettlement in Hifpaniola had been
C 3 at
22 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
at an end. He was fatisfied with imprifoning
fome of the chiefs. This was neither a time
nor a place for very extenfive or rigorous juf-
tice. He quelled thisfedition, but he faw at
the fame time that his work was not yet done;
he faw another danger, againft which he was
to provide with equal diligence. He had good
reafons to apprehend, that the Americans were
not well afteded to their new guefts, and'might
probably meditate to cut them off, whilft they
faw them divided amongft themfelves. To
prevent this, as well as to banim idlenefs from
amongft his men, and to revive military dif-
cipline, he marched into the heart of the
country, through the moft frequented parts
of it, in order of battle, colours flying, and
trumpets founding, with the flower of his
troops, to the mountains of Cibao; where lay
the richeft mines thcndifcovered in the ifland.
Here he built a fort to fecure this advantage-
ous poft, and overawe the country; and then
he returned in the fame pomp and order, to
the inexpreflible terror of the inhabitants,who
had now no profpecl of withftanding a force,
which to them feemed more than human.
In this expedition Columbus made great
oflentation of his cavalry. This was the firft
time the Indians of America had ever feen
horfcs. Their dread of thefe animals and their
riders were extreme ; they thought both form-
ed but one animal, and the impetuofity of their
charge
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 23
charge appeared irrefiftible to thefe naked and
ill-armed people. Wherever they appeared,
thofe Indians, who intended any hoftility, im-
mediately fled; nor did they think the inter-
vention of the deepeft and moft rapid rivers
any fecurityj they believed that the horfes
could fly, and that nothing was impoffible to
creatures fo extraordinary. But Columbus
did not rely upon thofe prejudices, though he
made all imaginable ufe of them ; knowing
that thofe things which appear moft terrible
at firft, become every day lefs affecting by ufe,
and that they even grow contemptible, when
their real power is once well known. For
which reafon he neglected none of his former
methods of cultivating the affections of the
natives j he ftill fhewed them all manner of
refpect, and when he had taken two perfons
of their nation, who had committed fome acts
of hoftility, and was at the point of putting
them to death, he pardoned and fet them free
at the interceffion of a prince of the country,
with whom he was in alliance. On the other
hand, he faw how neceffary it was to preferve
a ftrict difcipline amongft the Spaniards, to
keep them from that idlenefs to which they
had fuch a propenfity, and which naturally
retarded the growth of the colony, at the fame
time that it nourifhed difcontent and fedition.
He employed them in cutting roads through
the country, a work which the natives never
C 4 at-
34 dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
attempted themfelves, nor now endeavoured
to oppofe, though it be one of the beft inftru-
ments of enflaving any barbarous people.
This wife governor ofcferved befides, that the
Spaniards conformed with great difficulty to
{he Indian manner of living, to which, how-
ever, they were necefBtated, but from which,
for want of ufe, they fuffered great hardships.
To remedy this evil, he daily fent out fmall
parties upon expeditions into the country ;
from which he derived two material advan-
tages. Firft, he enured, by degrees, all his peo-
ple to the manner of living in the country j
and fecondly, he taught them to know it per-
fectly, left a war fhould find them unprovided
in the only point in which the Indians were
their fuperiors, and a point which in a woody
and mountainous country is certainly of the
greatest importance. All this he did without
any material hazard to the fum of his affairs.
At home he endeavoured to withdraw the
{Spaniards from their romantic hopes of mi-
raculous treafures, and to fix them to a rational
and induftrious courfe of life. He reprefent-
cd to them, that there was no real wealth but
what arofe from labour; and that a garden, a
corn ground, and a mill, w^re riches more to
their prefent purpofe, than all the gold they
were in expectation of meeting in the Indies.
Jn fhort, he laboured for the eftablimment of
this colony with as much affiduity, as though
his
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 25
his views had extended no further j at the' fame
time that he meditated the greateft difcoveries,
and confidered thofe things which had afto-
nimed the world, only as the earneft of his
future performances.
I have before mentioned his having put in
at Cuba. The country from fome fpecimens
feemed a rich difcovery ; but whether it was
an ifland, or a part of fome great continent,
he was altogether uncertain. Now that he
had got his colony to take firm root in the
Indies, he prepared with all expedition to
afcertain this point, and to pufh his difcoveries
to the utmoft, in which he had fucceeded
hitherto fo happily.
CHAP. III.
The difficulties attending the voyage. "Jamaica
difcovered. Columbus returns to Hifpaniola.
The Spaniards rebel. A war with the In-
dians of that country. They are conquered.
Their fcheme Jcr flawing the Spaniards.
THIS voyage was more remarkable for
the hardfhips which the admiral and his
men fuffered, than for any confiderable difco-
veries it produced. As he endeavoured to coaft
along the Southern more of Cuba, he was en-
tangled in a labyrinth of an innumerable mul-
titude
26 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
titude of iflands, amongft which he reckoned
1 60 in one day. They were moft of them
pleafant and well inhabited, affording our na-
vigator an agreeable meditation on this fertility
of nature, where the world looked for nothing
but a barren ocean. Thefe iflands, Colum-
bus, who had a grateful mind, in which the
memory of his benefaftrefs was always upper-
moft, called Jardin de la Reyna, or the queen's
garden, in honour of queen Ifabella. But
their number and fertility made little amends
for the obftru&ion they gave Columbus in the
courfe of his navigation. The coaft abfolutely
unknown, among fo many rocks, fands, and
fhelves, the fudden and violent ftorms, the
tornadoes, and the terrible thunder and light-
ning fo conftant between the tropics, obliged
him to keep a continual watch, and held his
mind upon a conftant ftretch ; the voyage was
extended to an unprofitable length by thefe
difficulties; and being driven out to lea, the
worft difafter of all befel them. Their pro-
viiions fell fhort. In this extremity they were
obliged to come to a very narrow and bad al-
lowance, in the diftribution of which the ad-
miral fared nothing better than the reft. In
this unremitted fatigue of body and of mind,
in famine and in danger, his ufual firmnefs
began nearly to forfake him -, but it could go
no further than to oblige him to remark in his
journal, that no intereil of his own ihould
ever
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 27
ever oblige him to engage again in fuch an en-
terprife. They were at laft relieved by the
appearance of Jamaica, where they were hof-
jtitably received, and fupplied with Caffava
bread and water. From thence they proceed-
ed, mortified and difappointed, to Hifpaniola,
not being able to come to any certainty con-
cerning Cuba, other than that they under-
ftood from fome of the inhabitants that it was
an ifland. This difappointment, and the in-
finite fatigue and difficulty of the voyage,
threw Columbus into a lethargy, which was
near being fatal to him, and of which he was
fcarcely recovered when they arrived at the
harbour of Ifabella.
Here they found all things in confufion, and
the colony in the utmoft danger of being a fe-
cond time utterly deftroyed ; as if its profpe-
rity or deftru&ion depended upon the prefence
or abfence of Columbus. For no fooner was
he failed, than the Spaniards, who were very
difficultly retained in their duty by all his ftea-
dinefs and wifdom, broke through all regu-
lations, laughed at government and difcipline,
and fpread themfelves over the ifland, com-
mitting a thoufand diforders, and living at free
quarter upon the inhabitants, whofe hatred
to them was worked up to fuch a point, that
they wanted only the word from their princes
to fall on and mafTacre the whole colony ;
a thing by no means impracticable, in its
prefent
28 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
^
prefent difbrder. Four of the principal fove-
reigns of the ifland took advantage of this dif-
pofition, and united to drive out thofe impe->
rious intruders. None adhered to them but
one called Gunacagarry, the fame prince whom
Columbus from the firft had taken fo much
pains to oblige. In his dominions fome of
the Spaniards found protection. The other
princes had already commenced hoftilities, and
one of them killed fixteen of the Spaniards,
who were taking no uniform meafures to op-
pofe them; neither in their prefent anarchy
could it be well expected.
In this condition was the ifland on the ar-
rival of Columbus, whofe firft bufinefs was to
collect the fcattered fragments of the colony,
and to form them into a body. This he was
the better able to accomplim, becaufe the pre-
fent danger added a weight to his authority ;
but it was neceflary that he (hould lofe no time.
He was refolved to act with what force he had,
rather than wait until the union of the iflanders
might be better cemented againft him, and they
might find fome leffer matters in their favour to
raife their courage, and abate their terror of
the Spanim arms. He therefore firft marched
againft the king, who had killed the fixteen Spa-
niards ; as it was an enterprife coloured with
an appearance of juftice, and becaufe that
prince happened to be the worft prepared to
receive him. He was eafily fubducd, and fe-
veral
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 29
veral of his fubjedls fent prifoners into Spain.
The fecond whom Columbus dcfigned to at-
tack being better prepared againfl force, he
was refolved to circumvent him by fraud, and
got him into his power by a flratagem, which
did no honour to his fincerity, and rather
fhewed great weaknefs in this unfortunate
barbarian, than any extraordinary contrivance
in thofe who deceived him.
The other princes were not terrified at thefe
examples. Their hatred to the Spaniards in-
creafedj and perceiving that all depended upon
a fudden and vigorous exertion of their ftrength,
they brought an immenfe army, it is faid of
one hundred thoufand men, into the field,
which was arrayed in the largeft plain in that
country. Columbus, though he had but a
fmall force, did not fcruple to go out to meet
them. His army confided but of two hun-
dred foot, twenty horfe and twenty wolf dogs.
The latter part of this army has a ludicrous
appearance ; but it was a very ferious matter
amongft a people no better provided with
arms offenfive or defenfive than the Indians.
Neither was it rafli in Columbus to venture an
engagement againft forces fo vaftly fuperior in
numbers ; for when fuch numbers are no bet-
ter fkilled or armed than thefe were, their mul-
titude is in fact no jufl caufe of dread but to
themfelves. The event was anfwerable : the
victory was decifive for the Spaniards, in which
their
30 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
their horfes and dogs had a conliderable {hare ;
the lofs on the fide of the Indians was very
great. From that day forward they defpair-
ed, and relinquimed all thoughts of diflodging
the Spaniards by force. Columbus had but
little difficulty in reducing the whole ifland,
which now became a province of Spain, had a
tribute impofed, and forts built in feveral parts
to enforce the levying of it, and to take away
from this unhappy people all profpect of li-
berty.
In this affeding fituation they often afked
the Spaniards, when they intended to return to
their own country. Small as the number of
thefe ftrangers was, the inhabitants were ex-
tremely burthened to fubfift them. One Spa-
niard confumed more than ten Indians j a cir-
cumftance which ihews how little this people
had advanced in the art of cultivating the earth,
or how lazy they were in doing it, fince
their indigence reduced them to fuch an
extreme frugality, that they found the Spani-
ards, who are fome of the moft abftemious
people upon earth, exceffively voracious in the
comparifon. Their experience of this, joined
to their defpair, put the Indians upon a pro-
ject of ftarving out their invaders. In purfu-
ance of this fcheme, they entirely abandoned
the little agriculture which they practifed,
and unanimoufly retired into the moil barren
and impracticable parts of the ifland. This
ill-
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 31
ill-advifed ftratagem compleated their ruin.
A number of people crouded into the worft
parts of the country, fubfifting only upon its
Spontaneous productions, were foon reduced
to the moft terrible famine. Its fure attendant
epidemical ficknefs purfued at its heels ; and
this miferable people, half famifhed and lef-
fened a third of their numbers, were obliged
to relinquifh their fcheme, to come down into
the open country, and to fubmit once more to
bread and fetters.
This conqueft, and the fubfequent ones
made by the feveral European nations, with as
little colour of right as confcioufnefs of doing
any thing wrong, gives one juft reafon to
reflect on the notions entertained by mankind
in all times concerning the right of dominion.
At this period few doubted of the power of
the pope to convey a full right to any country
he was pleafed to chalk out ; amongft the faith-
ful, becaufe they were fubject to the church ;
and amongft infidels, becaufe it was meritorious
to make them fubjecl: to it. This notion began
to lofe ground at the reformation, but another
arofe of as bad a tendency ; the idea of the
dominion of grace, which prevailed with fe-
veral, and the effects of which we have felt a-
mongft ourfelves. The Mahometan great merit
is to fpread-the empire and the faith ; and none
among them doubt the legality of fubduing
any nation for thefe good purpofes. The Greeks
held,
32 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
held, that the barbarians were naturally de-
figned to be their flaves, and this was fo general
a notion, that Ariftotle himfelf, with all his pe-
netration, gave into it yery ferioufly. In truth,
it has its principle in human nature, for the
generality of mankind very readily flide from
what they conceive a fitnefs for government, to
a right of governing ; and they do not fo readi-
ly agree, that thofe who are fuperior in endow-
ments mould only be equal in condition. Thefe
things partly palliate the guilt and horror of a
conqueft, undertaken with fo little colour, over
a people whofe chief offence was their creduli-
ty, and their confidence in men who did not
deferve it. But the circumftances of Colum-
bus, the meafures he was obliged to preferve
with his court, and his humane and gentle
treatment of this people, by which he mi-
tigated the rigor of this conqueft, take off
much of the blame from him, as the neceffity
of taking up arms at all never arofe from his
conduct, or from his orders. On the contrary,
his whole behaviour both to the Spaniards and
Indians, the care he took to eftablifh the one
without injury to the other, and the conftant
bent of his policy to work every thing by
gentle methods, may well be an example to
all perfons in the fame fituation.
Since I have digreffed fo far, it will be the
more excufable to mention a circumftance re-
corded in the hiftory of this fettlement. Ame-
rica
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 33
rica was then, at leaft thefe parts of it were,
without almoft any of thofe animals by which
we profit fo greatly. It had neither horfes,
nor oxen, nor fheep, nor fwine. Columbus
brought eight fows into America, and a fmali
number of horned cattle. This was the flock
which fupplied, about two hundred years ago,
a country now the moft abounding in thefe
animals of any part of the known world ; in
which too it has been a bufinefs for this cen-
tury paft, to hunt oxen merely for their hides;
An example which mews how fmall a num-
ber might originally have ferved to produce all
the animals upon earth, who commonly pro-
create very faft to a certain point, and when
they arrive at it, feem much at a frand.
CHAP. IV.
Complaints again ft Columbus. A per f on is fent
to enquire into his conduft. He returns to
Spain. He is acquitted. He fets out on his
third voyage, He dijcovers the continent of
South America. He Jails to Hifpaniola.
WHILST Columbus was reducing this
wealthy ifland to the obedience of the
crown of Caftile, and laying the foundations of
the Spanim grandeur in America, his enemies
were endeavouring with pains as indefatigable
to ruin him in Spain. Some of the perfons
VOL. I. D prin-
34 <An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
principally concerned in the late diforders, fled
to Spain before his return; and there to jultify
their own conduct, and gratify their malice,
they accufed him of neglecting the colony,
and of having deceived their majefties and the
adventurers with falfe hopes of gold, from a
country which produced very little either of
that metal or any thing elfe that was valuable.
Thefe complaints were not without effect ;
and an officer, fitter by his character for a fpy
and informer than a redreffer of grievances,
was fent to infpect into his conduct; in which
manner of proceeding there was certainly a
policy as erroneous, as it was unjuil and in-
grateful. At that diftance from the fountain
of authority, with an enemy at the door, and
a mutinous houibold, a commander ought al-
ways to be trufted or removed. This man
behaved in a brutifh and infolent manner, like
all fuch perfons, who unconfcious of any
merit of their own, are puffed up with any
little portion of delegated power. Columbus
found that he ftaid here to no purpofe under
fuch difgraceful terms ; and that his prefence
at court was abfolutely neceffary to his fupport.
He determined to return once more to Spain,
convinced that a long abfence is mortal to one's
intereft at court, and that importunity and at-
tendance often plead better than the moft
folid fervices. However, before he departed,
he exerted the little remains of authority he
had
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 35
had left, to fettle every thing in fuch a manner,
as to prevent thofe diforders which hitherto
he had always found the certain confequence
of his abfence. He built forts in all the mate-
rial parts of the ifland, to retain the inhabi-
tants in their fubjecYion. He eftablifhed the
civil government upon a better footing, and
redoubled his diligence for the difcovery of
mines, which were to be the great agents in
his affairs; nor did he altogether fail of fuccefs.
It was the fate of this great man to have
his virtue continually exercifed with troubles
and diftreffes. He continued his courfe to
Spain in the latitude of 22, not having at that
time difcovered the advantageous method of
running into the Northern latitudes to meet
the South-weft winds : they therefore made
very little way; a fcarcity enfued, in which
they were reduced to fix ounces of provifion
a day for each perfon. On thefe occafions
the admiral fared no better than the common
failor ; yet in this diftrefs his hunger did not
get the better of the tendernefs and humanity
which diftinguifhed his character. He re-
fufed to liften to the preffing inftances of his
crew, who were very earneft in this diftrefs to
have the Indian prifoners thrown overboard to
leflen the confumption of provifions. In this
voyage his fkill was as remarkable as his mag-
nanimity. He had nine experienced pilots in
his fleet; yet not one of them could tell where
D 2 they
36 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
they were, after having been a full month
from the fight of the laft land. This length of
time perfuaded them they muft be very near
Europe, andjthey were therefore for crouding
fail to make and as foon as poffible. But Co-
lumbus, upon fure obfervations, maintained
they were but a little to the Weftward of the
Azores, and therefore ordered his fails to be
ilackened for fear of land. His prediction- was
fulfilled, and the Azores relieved them next
morning. This, added to a feries of predic-
tions and noble difcoveries, made his fkill feem
fomething prophetic, and exalted his charac-
ter in this refpect above all the feamen before
his time ; and indeed confidering his oppor-
tunities of improvement, and what he did
himfelf to improve his art, he will perhaps
appear inferior to none who have fucceeded
him.
All the accufations and prejudices againft
the admiral vaniftied altnoft as ibon as he ap-
peared. He brought fuch testimonies of his
fidelity and good behaviour, as filenced all ca-
lumnies which arofe on that head ; and the
large fpecimens of gold and pearl he produced,
refuted all that was faid on the poverty of the
Indies. The court was fully convinced of the
importance of the new colony, the merit of its
governor, and the neceffity of a fpeedy fup-
ply. But the admiral's enemies were not
idle, though they were filenced j they con-
tinued
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 37
tinued to throw all manner of obftruclions in
his way; which was a thing not difficult in a
country, where every thing is executed with
much phlegm and langour, and where thofe
forms and mechanical methods of bufinefs,
necefTary perhaps in the common courfe of
affairs, but ruinous in great defigns, are more
exactly oblerved, than any where elfe. It was
therefore with great difficulty that he was able
to procure any relief to be fent to Hifpaniola,
but with much greater, and after a thoufand
delays and difappointments, that he was him-
felf enabled to fet out on a difcovery of more
importance than any of the former.
He defigned to Hand to the Southward
from the Canaries, until he fhould come under
the equinoctial line, and then to proceed di-
rectly Weftward, until Hifpaniola ihould bear
to the North-weft from him, to try what
opening that might afford to India, or what
new iflands or what continent might reward
his trouble. He therefore flood away to the
Cape de Verd iflands, and then South-weft.
In this navigation a thick fog, which inter-
cepted the light of the fun and ftars, envel-
loped them for leveral days ; and when this
cleared off, the heats wei e grown fo exceflive,
that the men could not venture between decks.
The fun being at this time nearly vertical, the
heavy rains which fall at this ieafon between
the tropics, without abating the heat, added
D 3 much
38 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
much to their diflrefs. At laft a fmart gale
fprang up, and they went before it feventeen
days to the Weftward. The admiral, who
could have no fecond to fupply his place,
fcarce allowed himfelf a moment's fleep j but
in this, as in all his voyages, had the whole
burthen of every thing upon himfelf; this fa-
tigue threw him into a fit of the gout j but
neither the fatigue nor the diforder could re-
move him from the deck, or make him abate
of his ufual vigilance. His provifions, how-
ever, being damaged by the heat, the wine
cafks, many of them burft, and the wine be-
ing foured in thofe that held, obliged him to
alter the courfe he intended to keep South-
ward, and to decline fome points to the North-
weft, hoping to fall in with fome of the Ca-
ribbees, where he intended to refit and take
in provifions, to enable him to continue his
difcoveries.. -But he had not failed long, when
from the round-top a feaman faw land, which
was an ifland on the coaft of Guiana, now
called Trinidad, Having paffed this ifland and
two others, which lie in the mouth of the great
river Oronoquo, he was furprized and endan-
gered by a phaenomenon he had never feen
before. The river Oronoquo, at all times
very great, at this time augmented tenfold by
the rains we have juft mentioned, ruming into
the ocean with an .immenfe and rapid flood,
meets the tide j which rifes here to a great
height,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. $9
height, and comes in with much ftrength ;
and both being pent up between the iflands,
and reverberated from one to another, caufed
a conflict extremely terrifying to thofe who had
not been accuftomed to it, and were ignorant
of the caufe, as Columbus was at this time.
But failing further he found plainly that he
was in frefh water, and judging rightly that it
was probable no ifland could fupply fo vaft a
river, he began to fufpecl: he had difcovered
the continent. But when he left the river,
and found that land continued on to the Weft-
ward for a great way, he was convinced of it.
Satisfied, in fome meafure, with this difcovery,
he yielded to the uneafinefs and diftrefTes of his
crew, and bore away for Hifpaniola, favoured
by a fair wind and thofe currents which fet
ftrongly to the Weftward all along the North-
ern coaft of South America.
In the courfe of this difcovery the admiral
landed in feveral places, and traded with the
inhabitants, amongft whom he found gold and
pearl in tolerable plenty. Contrary to the
cuftom of many navigators, who behave
wherever they go as if they never intended to
come there again, he every where ufed the
natives with great civility, and gave them
what they judged the full value of their com-
modities j little bells, bits of glafs and of tin,
with fome trifling apparel, being exchanged
for gold-duft and pearls, and much to the
D 4' fatif-
40 4n ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
fatisfaction of both parties, who thought they
had each over-reached the other, and indeed
with equal re'afon.
C H A, P. V.
Columbus finds the Spaniards of Hifpaniola in
rebellion. His me a fur ts to fupprcjs it. New
complaints again ft him in Spain. He is fu-
perfeded in the government, andfent to Spain
in irons.
HE arrived at Hifpaniola the igth of
Auguft, 1498, quite worn down with
ficknefs and continual watching, the neceflity
of which was rather increafed than diminished
as he came nearer home, amongft fuch a mul-
titude of iflands and ihoals as filled thofe feas,
at this time little known ; add to this, that a
current, fetting ftrongly Weft ward towards s
the continent, threatened every moment, with-
out the greateft attention, to carry him out of
his courfe. So waded was he with the fa-
tigue, that his brother, whom he had left in
his place, fcarce knew him at his return. And
he found that he was likely to have as little
repofe upon land as at fea.
The admiral's authority had fuffered fome
cHminmkm, from the ill-judged ftep of fending
a check upon his motions before he left Hif-
paniola - 9 and the encouragement this gave to
all
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 41
all forts of murmurings and complaints againft
government, fowed the feeds of a rebellion,
which fprung up in the colony foon after he left
it. But this rebellion was more dangeroufly
formed than either of the former. For in the
firft place, the rebels had regularly appointed
themfelves a chief, called Francis Roldan ; a
man whom the admiral had left in a confider-
able poft : this gave it an uniformity and
credit. And fecondly, they gained the Indians
to their party, by pretending to be their pa-
trons, and the artertors of their liberty. Then,
to eftablifh themfelves the more fecurely, they
made a feceffion from the uncorrupted part of
the colony, and fettled in another part of the
ifland, which formed an afylum for all idle
and feditious perlbns, by whom they were
continually reinforced.
In this threatening ftate of things, the admi-
ral having found his forces in no condition to
act offenfively againft the rebels, did what he
could to break their force, and diflblve that
union which made them formidable. He be-
gan by publishing a free pardon for all that
chofe to cancel their crimes by a timely fub-
miffion. Obferving befides, that many were
very deiirous of returning to Spain, he gave
them to understand they might go with the
mips which brought the laft fuccours. He did
not intend to perform this latter part immedi-
ately, but he knew that his offers would ftag-
ger
42 An ACCOUNT of -the EUROPEAN
ger fome ; and that in affairs of this nature, it
is every thing to gain time. He wrote to court
a full account of his late difcoveries, and fent
famples of the wealth they yielded. He took
the fame opportunity of defcribing the dif-
tracted ftate of the colony, defiring that 50
or 60 men might be fent by every fhip,
which he promifed to replace by as many of
the rebels. He propofed this plan, left the
Spanilh power mould be weakened in thofe
parts, by diminiming their men, or kept in as
dangerous a ftate, by harbouring fuch as were
ill difpofed to the public good. He added
very judicioufly to his requeft that fome reli-
gious men and able lawyers might be fent
him, as the moft effectual means of intro-
ducing, and preferving obedience and order.
He then entered into negociations with the
chiefs of the rebels ; he granted them all they
demanded, and even invidioufly placed their
principal commander, Roldan, in fuch an of-
fice as flattered his pride, though without
augmenting his power. Thus things were
brought into fomething of regularity, without
any ftruggling or violence ; and Roldan him-
felf, though in his former office of chief jugde
of the ifland, contributed moft of all towards
bringing thofe who ftood out to obedience.
There arofe a difference between them j and
they flew again to arms ; but on their firft
motion, Roidan, by virtue of his authority,
feized,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 43
feized, condemned, and executed feveral. By
this reft were awed, all the connection broke
off irretrievably, between the head and body
of the rebels, and all done without having any
part of the offence, that might be given
by this feverity, charged to the admiral.
He now began juft to breathe in a little
tranquility, acquired by the fevereft labours,
whilft a new ftorm was gathering againft him
from the quarter of the court. His old im-
placable enemies uniting with fome of the re-
bels, who had lately tranfported themfelves
into Spain, renewed the clamour againft him.
They heaped upon him all manner of calum-
nies ; they accufed him of a defign of fetting
up for himfelf ; and as they charged him in
Hifpaniola with cruelty and tyranny to the In-
dians, here they reverfed the charge, and ac-
cufed him of a popularity amongft that people,
dangerous to his and their allegiance. They
added to thefe, what could not fail to work
on national prejudices, that Columbus was a
ftranger, and had not a proper refpect for the
Spanifh nobility. They complained that great
debts were due to them > that all ways of re-
covering them were fhut up. In fhort, the
king and queen never went abroad without
being purfued and perfecuted, by the clamours
of thefe pretended fuitors of juftice. Wearied
out with fuch complaints, they fent a judge,
with power to enquire into the admiral's con-
duct,
44 dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
dud:, and authorized, if he fhould find the
accufations proved, to fend him into Spain,
and remain himfelf as governor in his room.
They, made it the judge's mtereft to condemn
him.
This judge, who was extremely poor, and
had no other call but his indigence to un-
dertake the office, no fooner landed in Hifpa-
niola, than he took up his lodging in the ad-
miral's houfe, for he was then abfent. He
next proceeded to feize upon all his effects ;
and at laft fummoned him and his brothers to
appear. In the mean time, he encouraged all
manner of accufations, without regarding the
character of the accufers, or the probability or
confiftency of their accufations. In confe-
quence of thefe, he apprehended the admiral
and his brothers, and with the laft marks of
infult and dignity, loaded them*-with irons,
and embarked them to be tranfported prifoners
into Spain.
The captain of the veffel, touched with re-
fpect for the years and great merit of Colum-
bus, offered to take off the irons; but he did
not permit it. " Since the king has com-
" manded, that I (hould obey his governor,
" he (hall find me as obedient to this, as I
" have been to all his other orders. Nothing
" but his commands thai! re -cafe me. If
" twelve years hard (hip and fatigue ; if con-
<c tinual dangers and frequent famine ; if the
" ocean,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 4$
" ocean, firfl opened, and five times pafTed
" and repalled, to add a new world abounding
" with wealth to the Spanifh monarchy j and
" if an infirm and premature old age, brought
' on by thofe fervices, deferve thefe chains as
" a reward j it is very fit I mould wear them
" to Spain, and keep them by me as memo-
" rials to the end of my life."
Great minds, though more apt to forgive
injuries, perhaps, than common fouls, do not
eafily lofe the memory of the wrongs that are
done them. Columbus afterwards carried
thefe irons with him wherever he went j they
hung conftantly in his chamber, and he order-
ed them to be buried with him.
The new governor made a more effectual
provifion for the reward of his fervices -, for,
befides confifcating the greateft part of the ad-
miral's effects, which he converted to his own
ufe, to flatter the people, he permitted an un-
bounded liberty, by which he ruined the royal
revenue, and was near ruining the colony too,
paft all reparation, if the court had not recalled
him in time, and fet a perfon to fucceed him
of greater judgment and firmnefs, though of
little more real virtue.
CHAP.
46 Jin ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
CHAP. VI.
The difcoverifs of Americus Vefputhis, and other
adventurers. What caufed the fpirit of dif-
covery.
ABOUT this time the fpirit of difcovery
began to fpread itfelf widely ; and pri-
vate adventurers, both in Spain and Portugal,
ftimulated by the gold which from time to
time was remitted to Europe by Columbus,
made equipments at their own expence. In
one of thefe the famous Americus Vefputius
commanded ; he had got into his hands the
charts of Columbus, in his laft voyage, and
he failed the fame courfe. But as he was a
man of addrefs and great confidence, and was
befides an able feaman and good geographer,
he found a way of arrogating to himfelf the
firft difcovery of the continent of America,
and called it by his own name ; which it has
ever fmce retained, though no body has any
doubt concerning the real difcoverer. For this
I believe no other reafon can be given, than
that America is perhaps a better founding
word than Columbia, and is more eafily pro-
nounced with the others, in enumerating the
feveral divifions of the earth : a trifling matter,
and influenced by trifling caufes. But the
glory of Columbus ftands upon foundations of
another fort.
Pinzon,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 47
Pinzon, one who attended the admiral in
his firft voyage, equipped a fquadron at his
own expence ; and was the firft who croffed
the line at the fide of America, and entered
the great river Maranon, or the river of Ama-
zons.
The Portuguefe, notwithftanding the pope's
exclufi ve grant, turned their thoughts to Ame-
rica, and difcovered the Brazils, which make
the moft valuable part of their prefent poflef-
fions, when they have loft what was confider-
ed as their original right, and which never
was fo advantageous to them.
What animated thefe adventurers, at the
fame time that it fixes a ftain upon all their
characters and defigns, is that infatiable thirft
of gold, which ever appeared uppermoft in
all their actions. This difpofition had been a
thoufand times extremely prejudicial to their
affairs : it was particularly the caufe of all the
confufion and rebellions in Hifpaniola : yet it
is certain, that if it were not for this incentive,
which kindled the fpirit of difcovery and colo-
nization firft in Spain and Portugal, and after-
wards in all parts of Europe, America had
never been in the ftate it now is ; nor would
thofe nations ever have had the beneficial colo-
nies, which are now eftablifhed in every part
of that country. It was necelTary there Ihould
be fomethmg of an immediate and uncommon
grin, fitted to ftiike the imaginations of men
forcibly,
48 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
forcibly, to tempt them to fuch hazardous de-
figns. A remote profpect of commerce, and
the improvement of manufactures, by ex-
tending of colonies, would never have an-
fwered the purpofe j thofe advantages come to
be known only by reafon and deduction, and
are not confequently of fo 'finking a nature.
But to go out with a few baubles, and to re-
turn with a cargo of gold, is an object readi-
ly comprehended by any body, and was con-
fequently purfued with vigour by all. The
fpeculative knowledge of trade, made no part
of the ftudy of the elevated or thinking part
of mankind, at that time. Now it may be
juftly reckoned amongft: the liberal fciences;
and it makes one of the moft confiderable
branches of political knowledge. Commerce
was then in the hands of a few, great in its
profits, but confined in its nature. What we
call the ballance of trade, was far from being
well underftood ; all the laws relative to com-
merce were every where but fo many clogs
upon it. The imports and duties charged on
goods, were laid on without diftinction or
judgment. Even amongft ourfelves, the moft
trading and reafoning people in Europe, right
notions of thefe matters began late, and ad-
vanced flowly. Our colonies were fettled
without any view to thofe great advantages
which we draw from them. Vffginia was
conftrucled out of the wrecks of an armament
3 deftined
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA,' 49
deftined on a golden adventure, which firft
tempted us to America. And thofe who fet-
tled New England and Maryland, meant them
only as afylums from religious perfecution. So
that if America had not promifed fuch an in-
undation of treafure, it could only have fup-
plied a languid commerce, which would have
habituated the natives by degrees to our Eu-
ropean manners, and fupplied them with
equal arms. Then it would have been next
to impoffible to have made thofe extenfive
fettlements in that new world. So certain it
is, that we often reap differently from what
we have fown ; and that there mud be fome
ftrong ad:ive principle to give life and energy
to all defigris, or they will languish, let them
be ever fo wifely concerted.
VOL. I. E CHAP
50 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
CHAP. VII.
Columbus again acquitted. Undertakes a fourth
voyage. Dijcovers the coaft of Terra Firma
and the ifthmus of Darien. Returns to Hif-
pamola. His reception there. Purfues his
difcoveries to the coaft of Terra Firma. He
is driven to yamaica, and foipwreched on
that ijland. His diftrejfes there. The rebel-
lion of his men> 'which he fuppreffes. He
leaves the ijland and returns to Spain. His
reception there. He dies.
NO fooner was Columbus arrived in Spain,
in this difgraceful manner, than the
court difavowed, and highly blamed the con-
duit of their governor. And now, according
to the giddy cuftom of men, who act with-
out plan or principle, they acquitted Colum-
bus of all the charges againft him, with as
little enquiry into their validity, as they before
ufed when upon the fame charges they un-
juftly condemned him. Reftitution and re-
ward were promifed him, and he wanted ve-
ry few incentives to engage once more in dif-
coveries. His ambition was to arrive at the
Baft-Indies, and fo to furround the globe.
This had really an influence upon his own
mind, and he knew nothing could fo much
influence thofe of the king and queen. On
this
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 51
this profpeft he was again fitted out with a
fleet, promifing to reduce both Eaft and Weft-
Indies, under the dominion of their Catholic
majefties.
He embarked upon his fourth voyage in
May 1502. His defign was to ftand directly
for the coaft of South-America, and keep
along the Northern fhore until he mould come
to the place where he heard an obfcure ac-
count of fome narrow ftreight, (whether a
ftreight or ifthmus was not fo clear from the
accounts he had ;) and by this, if a ftreight,
he hoped to pafs into the great South-Sea.
After fo very long a voyage as his had been to
America, and the difcovery of a continent
which was not that of India nor that of
China ; he faw clearly that the maps were no
longer in the leaft to be relied on j he there-
fore depended folely upon his own ideas. He
reviewed the bearings of all the countries
which his former experience, or his late dif-
eoveries had opened to him ; he confidered
the figure of the earth in general ; he reafon-r
ed upon the ballance and diftribution of the
land and water ; and comparing all thefe l^e
concluded, that beyond the continent he had
difc6vered was another ocean, probably as
great or greater than that he had formerly
patted ; if this were fo, then it was probable
too that thefe oceans had fome communica-
tion. He judged it to be near thoie places
E a fmcc
An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
fince called Veragua and Nombre de Dios ',
but not thinking his (hips fit for that voyage,
he propofed to put into Hifpaniola to refit,
and to make fome new difpofitions.
Columbus, whilft he navigated and refided
in the Weft-Indies, was extremely diligent in.
his obfervations upon the nature of the air,
the feafons, the meteors, rains and winds ;
and how each of thefe feemed to affect the
others ; nor was he lefs fagacious in drawing
prognoflics from the remarkable appearances
in all j at this time he judged from obfervations
that a great hurricane was approaching. Be-
fore he entered the harbour he notified his
arrival to Obando the governor, with the na-
ture of his defign and the condition of his
veflelsj defiring at the fame time that the
fleet which he undeiftood to be on the point
of fetting fail for Europe, mould in confi-
deration of the approaching hurricane defer
their departure for fome days. But it was
his deftiny that ingratitude fhould purfue him
every where, and perfecute him in every
fhape. For the governor, without any caufe,
not only refufed to hearken to his advice
about the failing of the (hips, but abfolutely
denied him permifiion to enter into harbour,
to fave his life in that iQand which he him-
felf had difcovered and fubdued. He had
nothing to do but to draw up as clofe to
the fhore as he could. The florin came
on
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 53
on the next night ; but Providence favour-
ing his innocence, and affifting his capacity,
brought him fafe through it, though as ter-
rible a ftorm as had ever happened in thofe
feas. The fleet of twenty fail, which againft
his advice had put to fea, fuffered the pu-
nifhment due to their temerity. Only four
efcaped the ftorm, fixteen perifhed. Amongft
thofe which were loft, was the {hip ~ which
carried back that governor to Spain, who
had fent Columbus thither in fo opprefiive
and fcandalous a manner j amongft the four
that were faved, was one that had on board
fome treafure, all that could be refcued from
the pillage of the admiral's fortune. So that
whilft he was mortified at this fhameful in-
ftance of human gratitude, Heaven feem-
ed to declare in his favour, and to condemn
and punifh it. His character was highly
raifed by the prediction of the ftorm, and by
his behaviour in it; for to his, and his bro-
ther's good conduct, the fafety of his little
fleet was juftly attributed. His brother was
a navigator and philofopher, fecond only to
the admiral, very ufeful to his affairs, and a
comfort and affiftance in all his misfortunes,
by his capacity and the goodnefs of his heart.
After he had weathered the ftorm he left
this ifland, in which he had lo furprizing an
inftance of ingratitude, in purfuit of more
matter to employ it. In this voyage he dif-
E 3 covered
54 -An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
covered all the coaft of Terra Firma to the
ifthmus of Darien, where he hoped to have
found a paflage to the South-Sea. In this he
was difappointed, but he was not difappointed
in the other part of his projecft; for every
where as he advanced, he became more fen-
fible of the value of his discoveries on the
continent. He found a people more civilized
flnd more abounding in gold than the ifland-
ers. He entered a harbour, which from its
excellence he called Porto Bello, well known
iince as one of the greateft openings by which
the Spanim commerce is carried on between
the two worlds. Here the admiral deligned
to eftablifh a colony, under the command of
his brother, propofing to return to Europe
himfelf to obtain the requifites for a compleat
fettlement. But the avarice and infolence of
his men raifed the country upon him, and
obliged him to relinquish his deiign, without
having an opportunity of doing any thing
more than (hewing his judgment in the choice
of the (ituation, and his own and brother's
bravery in extricating their men from the ca-
lamities in which their folly had involved
them.
Driven from hence, and finding his veflels
in fo bad a condition, that it was by no means
advifeable to proceed upon further difcoveries,
he quitted the continent, after having difco-
vered the Eaftern fide of the ifthmus of Da-
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 55
rien, and the whole more as far as G ratios
o Dios in the gulph of Honduras. He then
flood over to Hifpaniola. His voyage was
made under a thoufand difficulties of the fe-
vereft kind j the veflels fo leaky, that the
crew had not a moments refpite from the
pump, and fcarce any provifion remaining to
refrem them after their labours. To compleat
the fum of their calamities a violent florm
arofe, in which the mips fell foul of one an-
other. But though he providentially wea-
thered this florin, it was now fcarcely poffible
to keep his fhip above water, and he was glad
to make Jamaica, where he was a fecond
time relieved from the greateft dangers and
diftreffes. \
But a diftrefs of almoft as bad a nature ex-
ercifed his invention here. His fhips were
abfolutely unfit for fervice beyond all poflibi-
lity of being repaired ; no means of getting
new ; the inhabitants fufpicious, and the ill
behaviour of his men gave daily occafion to
increafe thofe fufpicions. In this diftrefs, he
prevailed upon fome of the hardieft and moft
faithful of them to pafs over in -a canoo to
Hifpaniola, to reprefent his calamitous fitua-
tion to the governor, and to beg veffels to
carry them off.
Eight months did the admiral remain in this
ifland, without the leafl intelligence from his
meflengers, or affiflance from the governor*
E 4 The
56 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
The natives grew exafperated at the delay of
the Spaniards, and the weight of fublifting
them, which was a heavy burthen on the
poverty of the Indians. Provisions therefore
came in very fparingly. Things even threat-
ened to grow much worfe j for the feamen,
who are at beft unruly, but think that all dif-
ciplinp ceafes the moment they fet foot on
land, mutinied in great numbers. By this
mutiny the admiral's authority and ftrength
was confiderably weakened, whilft the na-
tives were exafperated by the diforders of the
mutineers ; but Columbus found means to re-
cover his authority, at leaft among the Indians.
Knowing there would fhortly be a vifible
eclipfe of the moon, he fummoned the prin-
cipal perfons in the ifland $ and by one who
underitood their language told them, that
the God whom he ferved, and who create^
and preferves all things in heaven and earth,
provoked at their refuting to fupport his fer-
vants, intended a fpeedy and fevere judgment
upon them, of which they mould iliorrly fee
manifeft tokens in the heavens, for that the
moon would, on the night he marked, ap-
pear of a bloody hue, an emblem of the de-
ftruclion that was preparing for them. His
prediction, which was ridiculed for the time,
when it came to be accomplifhed (truck the
barbarians with great terror. They brought
him plenty of provifions ; they fell at his feet,
and
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 57
and befought him in the moft fupplicating
flile to deprecate the evils which threatened
them. He took their provifions, comforted
them, and charged them to attone for their
paft fin by their future generofity.
He had a temporary relief by this ftrata-
gem, but he faw no profpect of getting out
of the ifland, and purfuing thofe great pur-
pofes to which he had devoted his life. The
mutiny of his men was in danger of growing
general, when every thing feemed to be fet-
tled by the fight of a (hip in the harbour,
fent by Obando, the governor of Hifpaniola.
The governor refolved not only to abandon,
but to infult this great man in his misfortunes 3
the captain of the vefTel was a mortal enemy
to the admiral, and one of the perfons prin-
cipally concerned in thofe rebellions, which
had formerly given him fo much trouble.
The defign of this captain was only to be a
witnefs of the diftreis of his affairs j for he
came aihore, forbidding his crew all manner
of communication with the admiral or t his
men ; and after delivering to Columbus an
empty letter of compliment, embarked with-
out even flattering him with the leaft hope
of relief.
Thus abandoned, his firmnefs and prefence
of mind alone did not forfake him. The
arrival of this {hip for a moment reconciled
his men to obedience \ but when they faw it
depart,
58 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
depart, they were almoft unanimoufly on
the point of making off all authority, and
abandoning themfelves to the moft defperate
courfes. The admiral, without betraying the
leaft fign of difappointment or grief, told them
in a chearful manner, that he had a promife
of an immediate fupply : that he did not de-
part in this fhip, becaufe me was too fmall
to carry off all the Spaniards who were with
him ; and that he was refolved not to leave
the ifland until every man of them might en-
joy the fame conveniency. The eafy and
compofed air of the admiral himfelf, and
the care he manifefted for his people, fupe-
rior to his own prefervation, reconciled their
minds, and made them attend their fate with
patience. But he knew his delay might be
very tedious in this ifland, and that as long
as there remained a receptacle to which every
ill humour among his men might gather,
his affairs would grow worfe every day. He
found thofe that ftill adhered to him firmly
attached to his caufe j he therefore came to a
refolution of taking vigorous meafures with
the reft. He fent his brother, a fenfible and
refolute man, with a proper force, and well
armed, to treat with them j and in cafe of
obftinacy to compel them to obedience. They
met, and the captain of the mutineers, grown
infolent with a long courfe of licentioufnefs
and rapine, not only rejected the admiral's
propofal,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 59
propofal, but offered violence to his brother ;
who ufmg this as a fignal to his men, pre-
pared for iuch an accident, they fell upon the
rebels with fo much refolution, that ten lay
dead in a moment with their chief; difor-
dered by the unexpected attack, the reft fled,
and foon after were obliged to fubmit.
Thus the admiral pacified every thing with
equil fpirit and addrefs, fometimes giving way
to the ftorm, and temporizing when he doubt-
ed his ftrength ; but when he was affured of
it, always employing it with refolution and
effect; turning every incident, even the mod
unfavourable, to /his advantage; and watch-
ing every change of nature, and every mo-
tion of the human mind, to employ them in
his purpofes. It is the principal thing which
forms the character of a great man, to be rich
in expedients ; the ufe Columbus made of the
eclipfe was truly ingenious. It may be faid,
that fuch a thing cannot be imitated amongft
a civilized people. I grant it. But the way
to imitate great men is not to tread in their
fleps, but to walk in their manner. There
is no people who have not fome points of ig-
norance, weaknefs, or prejudice, which a pe-
netrating mind may difcover, and ufe as^the
moft powerful instruments in the execution
of his defigns. Such a knowledge as this,
is the only thing which gives one man a real
fuperiority over another j and he who under-
1 ftands
60 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
ftands the paffions of men, and can entirely
command his own, has the principal means
of fubduing them in his hands.
The admiral might have fpent his whole
life in this miferable exile, if a private man,
moved with efteem for his merit, and com-
panion to his misfortunes, had not fitted out
a mip for his relief. This brought him to
Hifpaniola. The governor, who refufed to
contribute any thing to his coming, when he
came received him with that overacted com-
plaifance and (hew of friendmip, which fo
often fucceeds the greateft infolence in bafe
minds, and which they praclife with fo little
fhame and remorfe to the perfons they have
before loaded with the greateft injuries. The
admiral bore this like every thing elfe ; and
convinced that a difpute with a governor in
his own jurifdiclion would bring him little
advantage or honour, he haftened every thing
for his departure to Spain, where he arrived
after a voyage in which he was tofled by
moft terrible ftorms, and failed feven hundred
leagues after he had loft his main-maft.
He was now grown old, and feveiely af-
flicted with the gout. The queen his pa-
tronefs was dead j and the king, of a clofe
and diiTembling difpofition, and a narrow
mind, was the only perfon he had to footh
his misfortunes, or pay the reward which was
due to his labours. But he received neither
comfort
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 61
comfort nor reward. The performance of
his contract was deferred upon frivolous pre-
tences ; and he employed the clofe of his life,
as he had done the active part of it, in a court
follicitation ; the moft grievous of all employ-
ments to any man, the moft hopelefs to an
old man. Vanquished at laft by years, fa-
tigues, and difappointments, he died with
thofe fentiments of piety, which fupported
him through the misfortunes of his life, and
added a finiihing, which nothing elfe could
give to his greatnefs of mind, and all his
other virtues.
CHAP. VIII.
'The charafter of Columbus. Some reflexions on
the condutt of the court of Spain. ,
'Enceforward, in treating of the pro- .
grefs of the Spaniih difcoveries and
arms, inftead of deligns laid in fcience, and
purfued with a benevolent heart and gentle
meafures j we are but too often to {hew an
enthufiaftic avarice, urging men forward to
every act of cruelty and horror. The cha-
racter of this firft difcoverer was extremely
different from that of all with whom he
dealt, and from that of moft of thofe who
purfued his difcoveries and conquefts j fome
with a vigour and conduct equal, but all with
virtues
62 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
virtues very much inferior. In his character
hardly is any one of the components of a truly
great man wanting. For to the ideas of the
moft penetrating philofopher, and a fcheme
built upon them worthy of a great king, he
joined a conftancy and patience, which alone
eould carry it into execution, with the for-
tune of a private man. Continual florms at
fea, continual rebellions of a turbulent people
on more, vexations, difappointrnents, and ca-
bals at court, were his lot all his life; and
thefe were thfe only reward of fervices which
no favours could have rewarded fufficiently.
His magnanimity was proof againft all thefe,
and his genius furmounted all the difficulties
they threw in his way, except that of his pay-
ment, the point in which fuch men ever meet
with the worft fuccefs, and urge with the lead
ability. That furprizing art, poffefTed by fo
few, of making every accident an inftrument
in his detigns j his nice adjuftment of his be-
haviour to his circumftances, temporizing, of
a<fling vigoroufly as the occafion required, and
never letting the occafion itfelf pals by him ;
the happy talent of concealing and governing
his own paffions, and managing thofe of others;
all thefe confpire to give us the higheft idea
of his capacity. And as for his virtues, his
dilinterefted behaviour, his immoveable fide-
lity to the ungrateful crown he ferved, the
juft policy of his dealing with the Indians,
his
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 63
his caution againft giving them any offence,
and his tender behaviour to them when con-
quered, which merited him the glorious title
of their father, together with his zeal to have
them inftruded in the truths of religion, raife
him to the elevated rank of thofe few men
whom we ought to confider as examples to
mankind, and ornaments to human nature.
I hope it will be forgiven me if I add a
remark upon the conduct of the court of
Spain with regard to this great man. Though,
as we faw all along, this conduct was equally
unjuft and impolitic, forry I am, that no lef-
fon of inftruction can be drawn from the
event, which was in all refpe<5ls as fortunate,
as the meafures purfued were ungrateful and
imprudent. But there was a coincidence of
events at that time, which does not always
happen fo opportunely to juftify an ungrateful
and narrow policy. It is certain that fome
men are fo poffefTed with their defigns, that
when once engaged, nothing can difcourage
them in the purfuit. But great and frequent
difcouragements are examples to others, which
will at leaft certainly have an effect, and will
terrify men from forming fuch defigns at all.
Then the fpirit of invention and enterprize
dies away j then things begin to ftagnate and
to corrupt ; for it is a rule as invariable in po-
litics as it is in nature, that a want of proper
motion does not breed reft and {lability, but a
motion
64 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
motion of another kind ; a motion unfeen
and inteftine, which does not preferve but
deftroy. The beft form and fettlement of a
ftate, and every regulation within it, obeys
the fame univerfal law ; and the only way to
prevent all things from going to decay, is by
continually aiming to better them in fome re-
fpect or other ; (fince if they are not better,,
they will furely be worfe,) and to afford an
attentive ear to every project for this purpofe.
I am fenfible that it rhuft frequently happen,
that many of thefe projects will be chimerical
in themfelves, and offered by people of an
appearance and manner not very prejudicing
in their favour. But then I am fatisfied too,
that thefe men mufl in the nature of things
have fomething odd and fingular in their cha-
racter, who expofe themfelves, and defert the
common and certain roads of gain, in purfuit
of advantages not certain to the public, and
extremely doubtful to themfelves.
It is equally true, that if fuch people are
encouraged, a number of vifionary fchemes
will be offered. But it is the character of
pride and lazinefs to reject all offers, becaufe
fome are .idle, as it is a weaknefs and credu-
lity to liften to all without distinction. But
furely, if judgment is to have any mare in our
conduct, it is the province of judgment to iift,
to examine, to diftinguifh the ufeful from
the foolim, the feafible from the impracti-
cable, '
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 65
cable, and even in the midft of the vifions of
& fruitful and difordered brain, to pick out
matter which a wife man will know how to
qualify and turn to ufe, though the inventor
did not. Cromwell, partly from his circum-
ftances, but more from his genius and difpo-
fition, received daily a number of propolals
of this kind, which always approached him
in a fanatical drefs, nnd were mixed frequently
with matters the moll: remote from probability
and good fenfe ; and we know that he made
a fignal ufe of many thing? of this kind.
Colbert fpent much of his time in hearing
every fcheme for the extending of commerce,
the improvement, of manufactures, and the
advancement of arts j fpared no pains or ex-
pence to put them in execution, and bounti-
fully rewarded and encouraged the authors of
them. By thefe means France advanced du-
ring the reign of Lewis the fourteenth, and
under this minifter more than it had done in,
many reigns before ; and by thefe means, in
the midft of wars, which brought that king-
dom and all Europe to the brink of deftruc-
tion ; amidft many defaults in the royal cha-
racter, and many errors in his government,
a feed of induftry and enterprize was fqwn,
which on the firft refpite of the public cala-
mities, and even while they opprefied that
nation, rofe to produce that flourishing inter-
nal and external commerce and power, that
VOL. I. F diftin-
66 jfln ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
diftinguilhes France, and forms its ftrength at
this day, though a lefs active reign, and mi-
nifters of a different character have fucceeded.
On the contrary, it was always the character
of the court of Spain to proceed very flowly,
if at all, in any improvement -, and to receive
fchemes for that purpofe with coldnefs and
difdain. The effects upon the power of that
monarchy were at lafl anfwerable. With re-
gard to America, the conqueft as well as the
difcovery was owing wholly to private men ;
the court contributed nothing but pretenfions
and patents.
CHAP. IX.
The difcovcries and conquefts of Balboa. Velaf-
quez fends Cortes on the Mexican expedition.
The jtate of the Mexican empire. Cortes
makes an alliance with the Tlafcalam.
AN ancient painter drew a fatyrical pic-
ture of Cimon the Athenian. He re-
prefented this commander afleep, and Fortune
drawing a net over cities to put them into his
pofleffion. There never were princes to whom
this reprefentation could be applied with
more juftice, than to. king Ferdinand and his
fucceffor the emperor Charles. Without
forming any plan in the cabinet, without
ifluing a penny out of their treafury, without
fending
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA* 67
fending a regiment from their troops, private
adventurers amongft their fubje&s put them
into pofleffion of a greater, and a more wealthy
territory, than ever the moft celebrated con-
querors had acquired by their valour, or
their wifdom. Nor was this conqueft more
extraordinary for the trivial means by which
it was accomplifhed, than for the (hortnefs of
the time in which it was effected j for from
the departure of Columbus, which was in the
year 1492, to the entire reduction of Chili,
which was in 1541, feven great kingdoms,
inhabited by a vaft number of warlike and
Wealthy nations, were made to bow under the
Spanim yoke. After the difcoveries of Co-
lumbus had enlarged the fphere of induftry
to acftive minds, fuch a fpirit of enterprize
went abroad, that not only thofe perfons
whofe indigence might have driven them
from their native country, but perfons of the
firft rank went over to fettle in America.
Gold was the fpur to all thofe adventurers,
of whatever rank ; and this with a romantic
fpirit of chivalry, made the greateft hazards
appear but common matters in their eyes.
And indeed in a country wholly uncivilized,
under the burning zone, and in many places
extremely unhealthy, the temperance of the
Spaniards, their hardinefs under fatigue, and
the patience and perfeverance which make
the moft mining part of their character, en-
F 2 abled
68 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
abled them to engage in enterprizes, and to
furmount difficulties, to which any other peo-
ple had certainly been unequal.
Vafco Nunez de Balboa made a confid^r-
able figure amongft thefe adventurers; he
was a man of a graceful prefence, a liberal
education, a hardy conflkution, and that
kind of popular bravery, which recommends
a man who engages in defperate expeditions,
where he muft have more authority from his
perfon than his place. This man firft fur-
rounded Cuba, conquered, and left it. He
did not there find the treafures which he ex-
pected. He therefore relinquished the glean-
ings of this field to thofe who had a more
moderate ambition, and a more faving induf-
try. He fought new ground, he followed
the tracks of Columbus to Darien, gained
the friendship of fome of the Caziques, and
conquered others. He was the firft who dif-
covered the South- Sea. He fettled a colony
upon that coaft, and built the city of Panama.
But according to the fate of all the firft ad-
venturers in this new world, indeed according
to the fate of moft who engage in new un-
dertakings, he never lived to reap the fruit
of his labours. He found himfelf fuperfeded
by one who had only difcernment enough of
his merit to raife his jealoufy and envy, and
who could make no other ufe of the difcove-
ries of this great man, than to increafe his
own
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 69
own private fortune. This man was a poli-
tician and a courtier, and having in feveral in-
flances bafely injured Balboa, he was too wife
to flop there, but under a pretended form of
juftice cut off his head, and confiscated his
eftate.
Some time after the fettlement of Cuba,
Don James Velafquez obtained the govern-
ment ; a man of good fenfe in common affairs,
but fo much miftaken, as to imagine he could
act a great part by deputy ; and that too in cir-
cumftances, wherein a man who had but little
capacity could do him but little fervice, and
he that could do much would certainly do it
for himfelf. The continent of America was
now very well known, and the fame of the
greatnefs and wealth of the Mexican empire
ipread every where. This infpired Velafquez
with a fcheme of reducing fome part of this
opulent country under his obedience. He
pitched upon Hernando Cortes to command
in this expedition, in which he certainly made
a very right judgment. There was no man
amongft the Spaniards, who to an adventur-
ous difpoiition, then common to them all,
knew fo well to join a cool and fteady con-
duel, to gain love whilft he preferved refpect ;
not to ihift his fchemes according to occasions,
but perilling uniformly in a well-judged de-
fign, to make every inferior action and event
fubfervient to it j to urge ilill forward ; to ex-
F 3 tricate
70 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
tricate himfelf out of difficulties into which
he was brought by bold actions, not by mean
fubterfuges, but by actions yet bolder. This
was the character of the man already in high
reputation, whom Velafquez chofe to conquer
for him.
The embarkment was made at St. Jago de
Cuba, and Cortes was to take in fome rein-
forcements at the Havanna. But he was hard-
ly departed, when Velafquez grew jealous of
him ; and without confidering that Cortes was
of that heroic difpofition, in which a blind
obedience is rarely a principal ingredient, he
took the ill-judged ftep of removing him from
the command of an army, which in fome
fort might be confidered as his own, fince he
had much influence on the foldiers, and that a
confiderable part of the expence of the ar-
mament bad been fupplied by himfelf. When
this order, which was to deprive him of his
command, arrived to Cortes, he was not long
before he came to a refolution. He explained
the whole matter to his foldiers ; he mewed
them how uncertain the intentions of Velaf-
quez were, and how much all their hopes
were like to be fruftrated by the inconftancy
of his difpofition. The event was prepared.
The foldiers declared to a man, that they were
fubjects only to the king of Spain, and knew
no commander but Cortes. The army and
the general, thus bound to each other by their
mutual difobedience, failed for Mexico.
The
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 71
The empire of Mexico was at that time
governed by a prince called Montezuma, the
eleventh who reigned from the firft monarch
who had conquered the country. The em-
pire was elective, and the merit of Monte-
zuma had procured him the election. A prince
of capacity and courage, but artful, hypocri-
tical, and cruel. This empire, founded on
conqueft, was increafed by his victories. By
himfelf, or by his generals, he had abfolutely
fubdued feveral kingdoms and provinces j fe-
veral were made tributary, and others, which
were not abfolutely fubdued, were influenced
by his power to an entire obedience to his
will. His armies were the berl in that part
of the world, and prodigiouily numerous. In
this fituation, and fo headed was the empire
of the Mexicans, when Cortes came to prove
its ftrength, with an army of no more than
five hundred foot, and not quite fixty horfe.
He did not come a ftranger into the country,
to encounter a force which he dared to en-
gage only becaufe he was ignorant of it. He
had long made every poffible enquiry from the
Spaniards and Indians into every circumftance
of its internal weaknefs or power ; its allies,
its enemies, and the intereits which deter-
mined them to be allies or enemies. Weigh-
ing all thei'e, and knowing, that along with
great hopes, great dangers likewife lay before
him, he made his retreat yet more dangerous
F 4 by
72 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
by his diiobedience to the governor of Cuba ;
and when he landed on the continent, he
made it impoffible, for he burned his mips.
But though he had made a retreat impoiTible,
he had fumething elie to 1 encouiage him to
go forward, than the impoiTibility of retiring.
He had great hopes that many of thefe ftates,
who were kept in a forced fubjeclion, or a
flavim dread of Montezuma, would -gladly
tarn this new and alarming appearance from
themfeives againft that monarch, and under
the banner of thefe formidable ftrangers, arm
thernfelves to fhake off the ancient tyranny,
which always appears the worft, without
forefeeing confequences, to which more civi-
lized nations have frequently been as blind as,
they. It happened accord'ng to his expec-
tations.
The Zempoallan?, a nation tributary to
Montezuma, as foon as they had fufficient
proofs of the power of the Spaniards, at the
expence of feveral of their neighbours, who
attempted to oppofe their progrefs, threw off
the Mexican yoke, gladly put themfeives un-
der the protection of Cortes, and earned it by
the large reinforcements which they added
to his army. Montezuma was foon made ac-
quainted with thefe meafures. For according
to the cuftom of that well-regulated kingdom,
he had ports fo ftationed, that in a little time
he had notice of whatever happened in the
remote
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 73
remote parts of his empire. The difpatches
which were fent him, were painted cloaths,
exactly reprefenting every circumftance of the
hufinefs of which he was to be informed ;
the figures were interfperfed with characters
to explain what muft neceilarily be wanting
in the picture. So far, but no farther, had
this people advanced in the art of writing. As
well informed as the emperor was of every
particular of this invafion, and of the defec-
tion of his tributaries, he acted not at all con-
formably to the greatnefs of his former exploits.
He took the worft method which a great
prince ever did upon fuch an occaiion, which
was, to temporize. He let the Spaniards fee,
by fome trifling arts which he ufed to oppofe
them, that he did not look upon them as his
friends, and at the fame time neglected to act
againil them as fo formidable an enemy re-
quired. They made daily advances in the
country. His enemies were encouraged, his
tributaries made infolent, and his fubjects
and allies utterly difpirited ; whilft the Spa-
niards, in a variety of engagements, which
they had with the petty princes of the coun-
try, railed their reputation by a train of vic-
tories, and began to be confidered as invinci-
ble. Cortes, like the great commander he
was, took advantage of this irrefolute difpo-
fition in Montezuma, and ufed every poflible
means to cherifli it. He always fent back
what
4 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
what prifoners his new allies had taken, with
prefents, and every profeffion of efteem and
regard to their mafter, and with the ftrongeft
aflurance of a defire of preferving peace 5
requefting to fee Montezuma, and to confer
with him upon fome matters which he faid
he had in charge to deliver to him from his
mafter the emperor of the Romans.
There was at that time a celebrated republic
on the coaft of Mexico, towards the gulph,
called Tlafcala. This people were faid to be
fo powerful, as to be able to arm four hundred
thoufand men. Powerful as they were, though
not fubdued, they were yet awed by the great-
nefs of the Mexicans. This awe, or perhaps
a better policy, induced them to give a check
to the Spaniards. But in the manner of Mon-
tezuma's proceedings they would not oppofe
them publicly, and therefore could not op-
pofe them effectually. Some nations, on
whom they had prevailed to fall upon the
Spaniards, were over and over again defeated,
together with thofe troops the Tlafcalans had
fent clandeftinely to their afliftance. At laft,
by degrees, declaring themfelves more openly,
as the danger preffed them, they drew a
large army into the field, which was routed
by the troops of Cortes ; few indeed in num-
ber, but infinitely fuperior in arms, and now
grown familiar with victory. The confe-
quence of this battle was the alliance of the
Tlaf-
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 75
Tlafcalans with their conqueror, which they
entered into with the lefs difficulty, as they
were to ferve againft the Mexicans, and might
now hope to ferve with fuccefs. Cortes,
however, did not chufe to truft this untried
and forced alliance too far, nor at the fame
time to deprive himfelf entirely of the fuc-
cour it produced. He therefore took a mid-
dle courfe, and accepting three thoufand of
their men, he held on his rout to Mexico.
CHAP. X.
Cortes builds La Vera Cruz, He marches to
Mexico. His reception by Montezuma. Cor-
tes imprifons Montezuma. That prince's fira-
tagem to gain his liberty 5 the conference of
it.
BEFORE Cortes began his expedition to
Mexico, he had built a ftrong fortrefs at
the principal port on the coaft, to open a paf-
fage for fuccours, whenever his fuccefs fhould
make intereft enough to procure them. This
he called La Vera Cruz, and it has fince be-
come a city, remarkable for the great traffic
carried on between thefe opulent countries and
Old Spain.
During the Tlafcalan war, in which the
Spaniards fuffered fomething, and had every
thing to apprehend, Montezuma took no
fleps,
j6 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
ftepfi, but lay by watching the event, in hopes-
that the Tlafcalans might defeat the troops of
Cortes at their own expeace ; or if rhe Spa-
niards proved victorious, he might then have
the merit of not having ufed hostilities againft
them. He loft both parties by this double
conduct ; fuch an iniidious neutrality betrays
nothing but the weak policy of him who ufes
it. However, as a fair correfpondence flill
fubfifted between them, he ufed every means
he could to difluade Cortes from his propofed
journey to Mexico. At laft he took a ftep,
worfe judged than all v the bad ones he had
hitherto taken. He fent to the Spaniards a
very large and magnificent prefent, of every
thing his dominions afforded valuable, but
principally a vaft quantity of gold and preci-
ous ftones ; offering at the fame time yet
more, and perfuading them to return to their
own country. If any perfon in the army was
unwilling before this to proceed, he now
changed his mind. All- were convinced that
they ought to advance with fpeed to porTefs
the fountain of that wealth, of which this
rich donation was but an inconsiderable rivulet.
Montezuma, baffled in all his fchemes to
keep the Spaniards at a diftance, having ufed
himfelf to (Lifting meafures, until they weie
in a degree grown habitual, found Cortes at
the gates of Mexico before he was refolved
how he mould receive him. It was now
almoft
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 77
almoft too late for force. He therefore dif-
fembled his concern with the beft grace he
could, and received him with all the honours
a monarch can beftow, when he would dif-
play his own magnificence, and mew his fenfe
of extraordinary merit. Cortes was lodged in
a palace fpacious and grand, after the manner
of the country. All his Spaniards were, lodged
with him 3 but he took care to place a train
of artillery at his gate.
Thus ported without a blew in the heart, of
this great city, the capital of the new world,
he was for a while at a lofs what meafures to
purfue, for fecuring himfelf in a conqueft of
fuch importance. Having received more than
he could reafonably have afked, there was
no caufe of complaint, and confequently no
advantage to be colourably taken. He had
only to wait for fome of thole critical incidents,
upon whofe ufe all great matters depend,
and without which the greater! genius muft
be at a (land. It was not long before one of
thefe occurred.
Two Tlafcalans arrived in difguife at Mexico,
who brought him an account that a general
of Montezuma had attacked fome of his
confederare Indians ; that the garrifon of
Vera Cruz had gone out to their defence ;
and that though the Mexicans were repulfed
with lofs, the Spaniard?- were greatly endan-
gered, many wounded, and one killed, whole
head,
78 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
head, by the order of Montezuma, was carri-
ed through all the cities and villages of their
country, to deftroy the reverence in which
they held the Spaniards, and to undeceive
them in a notion they had conceived, that
thefe ftrangers were immortal. This intel-
ligence alarmed Cortes. He knew that opi-
nion was one of the ftrongefl fupporters of
his little force ; that things of this kind never
flop at their beginnings ; that Montezuma,
while he carefTed him in his city, was disjoin-
ing his allies, and diftrefiing his garriion
abroad, and that no time was to be loft in
dilatory counfels ; that he muft keep alive
the memory of his former exploits. He
therefore took a refolution worthy of a brave
man, in a difficulty made for his capacity.
He armed himfelf in the beft manner, and
with five of the moft faithful and belt refol-
ved of his officers, went directly to the palace
of Monteznma. Thirty of his men attend-
ed at fome diftance. Guards of Spaniards
were placed at the principal avenues to the
palace.
It was ufual for Montezuma's guards to
withdraw, out of refpect, when he had any
conference with Cortes. On this occafion,
as foon as he was admitted to audience, he
charged the emperor with the outrages com-
mitted by his orders, in terms of great refent-
ment. The emperor difavows them. But
Cortes,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 79
Cortes, after having paid him the compli-
ment of not fuppofing him capable of fo
mean a diffimulation, affured him, that he
was himfelf entirely fatisfied of his inno-
cence ; but that others had fears which were
not eafily removed : that to fatisfy the Spani-
ards, he muft give fome folid proof of his
confidence in them ; which he could effec-
tually do no otherwife than by his removing
without delay to their quarters. A requeft
of this nature ftartled Montezuma, who never
was ufed to any voice but that of the humbled
fubmiffion. However, he faw plainly that
Cortes did not make fo extraordinary a requeft
but with a refolution of making it be com-
plied with. He faw the neceffity, and he
yielded to it.
Thus was the metropolis of an vaft and
powerful empire, inhabited by an innume-
rable multitude of warlike people, entered
without refiftance by an handful of men,
who came to overturn its liberty. And thus
was one of the greateft princes on earth,
renowned for his wifdom and valour, feized
n his palace, in the midft of his capital, at
noon-day, and carried prifoner without noife
or violence, by fix perfons, to be difpofed
of at their pleafure.
The people, confounded and enraged to
find one whom they always ufed to revere
as a god, treated in this unworthy manner,
furrounded
8o An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
furrounded the quarters of the Spaniards to
punifh this facrilege, and refcue their captive
prince. But Cortes, who well understood
the confequence of the fteps he had taken,
was not alarmed. He knew that he had
now in his hands an engine, which was
capable of doing any thing. Montezuma
went out to appeafe the people, allured them
that he was there of choice, and (which was
true) that the Spaniards were wanting in no
inftance of refpect due to his character and
dignity.
This appeafed and difperfed the people.
But Montezuma, whofe unfortunate .cir-
cumftances obliged him to act as an inftru-
O
ment to his own captivity, could enjoy no
reft, though allowed the attendance of the
principal officers of his court, and indulged
by the Spaniards in every thing but his li-
berty. Long revolving, he at laft contrived
a fcheme, which he judged, without his
appearing to concur with them, might alarm
his Subjects with a fcnfe of their danger, or
oblige the Spaniards to depart by the reafon-
ablenefs of his propofals. He had always
liberty of going abroad with a guard of Spa-
niards under pretence of doing him honour.
He now defired to hold a council of the
ftates of his empire, that in concurrence they
might fatisfy Cortes and his affociates in the
amplefl manner. This council was conve-
ned,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 81
ned, in which Montezuma, in a premedita-
ted fpeech, fet forth the origin of his nation ;
the prophecies extant among them, that a
people of the fame race fhould arrive, to
whom this empire mould be fubject ; that
the people were now arrived who were the
object of thofe prophecies, and fprung from
this origin, to whom the gods had deftined
univerfal empire, and who, by their great
accompli (hments and furprizing bravery, me-
rited their high deftination : then he fo-
lemnly declared himfelf tributary to the em-
peror of the Romans ; he exhorted his people
on their part to a due obedience j and ended
by telling them, that as he had himfelf pre-
pared a prefent from his treafures worthy of
this emperor, he expected that every one of
them, in proportion to his ability, would
teftify his loyalty to their new matter, and
his regard to the merit of his general, and
thofe brave men that attended him, that
they might be enabled to depart fpeedily to
their own country, with that opinion of their
brethren the Mexicans, which their affection
to them, and their obedience to their common
mafter, deferved.
At firft a dead filence fucceeded this ha-
rangue ; the whole afTembly were confounded
and ftruck dumb with grief, indignation and
furprife. Then followed a mixed cry, as eich
perfon wts affected by fome particular part
VOL. I. G of
82 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
of the general calamity. The luftre of their
empire was tarnimed, their religion to be pro-
faned, their freedom furrendered, their empe-
ror degraded ; what was worfc, degraded by
himfelf ; could they believe their ears ? Was
it Montezuma who had fpoken in fuch a
manner ?
The defign of Montezuma was until this
moment a fecret to Cortes j he was furprifed,
and fomething chagrined at an artifice, the
invention of which he now penetrated very
clearly. But his furprife did not confound or
perplex him in the part he faw it was proper
for him to act. Without any embarrafs-
ment, he feconded the harangue of Monte-
zuma by a fpeech, which was well inter-
preted, wherein he flrongly urged the propri-
ety, and infmuated the necefllty of an entire
obedience to their prince, and an imitation
of his conduct. Difordered as the affembly
was, yet flill held by a facred reverence to
their emperor, influenced by the hope of
the fudden departure of the Spaniards, and
referving themfelves for a better occalion, they
followed Montezuma's example, and paid
homage to Cortes, in that dumb and fuilen
fubmiffion with which fierce fpirits yield
to neceffity. He received it, and thanked
them, as a man thanks his debtor for a ready
payment.
Cortes
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 83
Cortes faw that this empty homage fecu-
red him nothing ; but he knew that the
gold, which was to accompany it, would be
of real fervice in cancelling the ill impreffi*
ons made by his difobedience, in Spain. In
Mexico he might look upon himfelf as
fecure ; he had the perfon of the emperof:
in his hands ; he had his forces in the capi-
tal j he had lately flruck a terror into all, by
feizing the general, who had committed
hostilities againft the Spaniards. He got the
emperor to difavow his conduct, and condemn
him as a traitor. By their joint authority,
this unhappy man, guilty of nothing but obe-
dience to his lawful mafter, and zeal for his
country, was burned alive in the public
fquare of Mexico. But neither this horrid
example, nor the imprjfonment of their em-
peror, nor the late acknowledgment of the
emperor Charles, was fufficient to make the
Mexicans infeniible to the difgrace they fuf-
fered, nor of the danger which hung ovef
them. They began to confult how they
might deliver themfelves. Some propofed to
cut off the communication with the con-
tinent, and hold the Spaniards befieged in
their quarters ; for the city of Mexico is an
ifland in a great lake, and communicates with
the continent by four great cauieways, ex-
tremely curious for contrivance and folidity.
Whilft they were ripening their fchemes, a
G 2 report
84 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
report came to Cortes, that fome words had
dropt from a Mexican concerning the practi-
cability of deftroying one of thefe caufevvays.
From this word, (for he heard no more) this
watchful and fagacious commander judged
of the whole contrivance. Without how-
ever taking notice of it publicly, he imme-
diately orders two brigantines to be built to fe-
cure his retreat, if a retreat mould prove the
wifeft meafure. In the mean time he kept
a ftricl: difcipline in his army ; and to pre-
ferve reverence from the Indians, he prohibi-
ted their approaching his quarters when his
men were aileep, and feverely punimed thofc
of his foldiers who flept out of the times and
places appointed for that purpofe, All this
while no preparations for his departure.
CHAP. XI.
The attempts of Montezuma to make the Spani-
ards leave Mexico. The arrival of Narvaez
to take the command from Cortes. Cortes
leaves Mexico. Defeats and takes Narvaez
. prifoner. 'The Spaniards in Mexico befieged.
Cortes raifes the fige. Montezuma is killed.
4
MONTEZUMA, fick with impatience
of his confinement, and feeing that
he daily loft his authority amongll the peo-
ple by the pufillanimous appearance of his
conduct,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 85
conduct, as foon as he perceived that any
fpirited action on his fide would be feconded
with equal fpirit by his fubjects, he roufed
his dormant magnanimity, and in fpite of
the condition he was in, he fent for Cortes,
and addrefled him in this manner : " Cortes,
the defires of my fubjects, my own dignity,
and the commands of my gods, require that
you mould depart my empire. You are fen-
fible how much I valued your friendfhip,
and how effectually I have fhewn that I
valued it. But after fo many profeffions of
good- will upon your fide, and fo many proofs
of it upon mine, after every pretence of bu-
finefs is over, wherefore do you delay your
return ? I have yielded homage to your
matter, I am ready to obey him ; I have
fent him prefents, (or (hall I call it a tribute)
worthy of myfelf and of him : your whole
army is loaded, even to an inconvenience,
with their darling gold. Would they have
more ? they mall have more. But then,
when they mail have fpoken their largeft
whiles, and fatisfied their moft eager deiires,
I infill upon it that they depart immediately j
or they may find, in fpite of the condition
1 am in, of which condition, for your fake,
and for my own, I mall fpeak but little,
that Montezuma has yet courage enough
to vindicate his honour, and friends in Mexi-
co who will not fail to revenge the wrongs
he fliall fuffer."
G 3 Cortes
86 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
Cortes perceived fomething of an unufual
refolution and fternnefs in the emperor's
countenance whilft he fpoke. He therefore
fent orders, before the interpreter began to
explain his fpeech, that the Spaniards (hould
ftand to their arms, and wait his commands.
His anfwer was refolute, but not fuch as to
drive the emperor to defpair. He lamented
the jealoufy which their common enemies
had occafioned ; that for his part he was
fecured from all fear by his own courage,
and the bravery of his own troop<- ; but
fince he was fo unfortunate as to find he
could not longer enjoy the honour of a con-
verfation he had fuch reafbn to efteem, con-
iiflently with the emperor's repofe, he would
depart as foon as {hips could be built, for
on landing he had been obliged to burn his
own. This anfwer foothed Montezuma ; he
refumed his good humour, he promifed to
load his army with gold at his departure, and
gave immediate orders that every thing (hould
be prepared for fitting out the (hips in the
fpeedieft and ampleft manner. But Cortes
gave orders, which where full as well obey-
ed, to the perfon he appointed for the equip-
ment, to delay it upon every poffible pretence.
He expected daily the return of the mef-
fengers he had fent into Spain, to follicit his
pardon and fuccours, with the continuance
of the command.
Whilft
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 87
Whilft he was entertained with thefe ex-
pectations, and with finding out pretences to
defer his departure, an exprefs arrived from
Sandoval, his governor at La Vera Cruz, in-
forming him of the arrival of eighteen mips,
in which was an army of eight hundred foot,
and two hundred horfe, under the command
of one Narvaez, who was fent by his old
enemy Velafquez, the governor of Cuba, to
fuperfede him in the command, to treat him
as a rebel, and fend him in chains to Cuba.
The governor feized the meflengers, who
were fent by Narvaez, to require him to
furrender, and fent them prifoners with this
account to Cortes. There never was a time
wherein the firmnefs and capacity of this
commander in chief were put fo ftrongly to
the proof. On one hand, here was an army
in weapons and courage equal to his own, in
numbers vaftly fuperior, and above all, ftrength-
ened with the name of royal authority. The
Mexicans, ill-affected before, would rejoice
in this opportunity to fall upon him. On
the other hand, muft he refign the con-
quefts he had made with fuch infinite
toils and hazards, into the hands of his
mortal enemy, and in return to bear the
name, and receive the punifhment of a
traitor ? There was little room to hope for
an accommodation. The thoughts of a fur-
render were intolerable. One way only re-
mained, to conquer Narvaez. His own ccu-
G 4 rage
88 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
rage and conduct ; his foldiers, habituated
to victory, and endeared to him by common
dangers and triumphs ; his reputation, and
the fignal providence which always attended
him, would combat upon his fide. Above
all, no time was to be loft in fruitlefs counfels.
He fent an exprefs to Sandoval, his governor
in La Vera Cruz, to evacuate that place, and
join him in his route with what men he had.
He allembled his forces, and found them to a
man attached to his intereits, and ready to
hazard every thing in fupport of them. He
Jeft . eighty men in Mexico, picked from his
troops, recommending them to Montezuma,
and him to them. With this fmall garrifon
he dared to entruft Mexico and all his vaft
hopes there ; but the imprifoned emperor
was himfelf a garrifon, from the reverence
his fubjtcts b re him. Before he fet out, he
releafed the prifoners which Sandoval had fent
him, uftng the feverity of his officer to dif^
play his own clemency. He care fled them
extremely, loaded them with prefents for
tbemfelves, and the principal officers of Nar-
vaez's army, and did every thing to create
himfelf a party there by his generofity. He
fent at the fame time very advantageous terms
of accommodation to the general himfelf, but
took care to follow and fecond his amba-
fadors with all the power he could raife.
This, with Sandoval's reinforcement, did not
amount
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 89
amount to three hundred men ; but with thefe,
and fome confederate Indians, he marched
with all imaginable diligence to Narvaez's
quarters.
Narvaez, elated with the fuperiority of his
army, would hearken to no terms, though he
was much prefTed to it by his principal officers,
who difcovered plainly that this quarrel could
only end in the ruin of their party, or that of
the Spanifh intereft in Mexico. Mean time
Cortes, little imcumbeaed with baggage, and
lefs with a dilatory genius, advanced by forced
marches. He was but a fmall diftance from
the enemy's quarters, when the rains came on,
and as ufual in that country, fell very heavily.
Cortes knowing that the ill difpofitions of the
fky were circumftances favourable to a 1 fur-
prize, inviting to defperate enterprizes, and
that they are always leaft prejudicial to thofe
in motion, having perfect intelligence of the
difpofition of Narvaez's army, and having dif-
poled his troops in fuch a manner as not to
fall upon one another, and to a<ft in concert,
he ordered them, when they mould enter the
town, where the enemy was pofted, to keep
in clofe to the houfes, that they might not
fuffer by the artillery, which was fo placed as
to play upon the middle of the ftreet. Having
made this difpofiticn, he marched to attack
the camp, on one of thofe gloomy and tern-
peftuous nights. Though he directed every
thing
90 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
thing with the utmoft fecrecy, Narvaez had
intelligence of his approach, but he laughed
at it; and not underftanding the nature of a
prudent rafhnefs, could not believe that Cortes
would make fuch an attempt in fuch a feafon,
but went to fleep, without taking fufficient care
that it ihould not be difturbed. Security in
the general is ea-Uy followed by that of every
one elfe. Corte a (Faulted the town in three
bodies, and wrral every one in the adverfe
party ran in confufion to his arms, and op-
pofed without command or uniformity, as
each man was attacked, the whole army was
routed. The quarters of Narvaez were at-
tacked by Cortes's divifion, and the men routed
there as elfewhere. Narvaez himfelf fhame-
fully taken in bed, fell into his hands. " Value
yourfelf, faid he, my lord Cortes, on your for-
tune in making me your prifoner ! ' But Cortes,
with a fmile of indignation, anfwered, <f That
he thought this by far the leaft action he had
performed, fince he came into the new world."
When the morning came on, the difperfed
army of Navaez began to form into bodies,
and to difcover the inconfiderable force which
the night before had defeated them. Their
firft motion, diftracted with fhame and an-
ger, was to fall upon the conquerors, and re-
cover the honour they had loft. But when
they found that their general was a prifoner,
their artillery feized, and the advantageous
poft
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 91
poft they had occupied in the enemy's poffef-
fion, and numbers amongft themfclves well-
affeded to Cortes, they liftened at laft to his
propofals, recommended as they were by the
polite and infinuating behaviour of which he
was mafter, and that open and unbounded
generofity he (hewed to every one. They all
enlifted under his banner, and agreed to (hare
his fortune. Thus did this accident, which
feemed to threaten inevitable deftruction to
the affairs of Cortes, prove the moft effectual
method of reftoring them to an excellent con-
dition, wholly by means of the wifdom of his
meafures, and of that vigour and activity with
which he purfued them. His army now con-
fifted of above a thoufand men after replacing
his garrifon at La Vera Cruz, in which for-
trefs he left Narvaez a prifoner.
This victory, and the reinforcement it pro-
cured, came at a moft critical time ; for hardly
had he begun to adjuft matters for his return
to Mexico, when an exprefs arrived that his
affairs there were in a moft dangerous condi-
tion. Alvaradc , whom he had left to com-
mand at his departure, though a brave and
able man, had too great a contempt for the
Indians, and too little a difcernment for the
nice circumftances he was in, to manage with
that juft mixture of firmnefs and yielding, by
which Cortes had hitherto fo ballanced the
hopes and fears of the Mexicans, that he ne-
var
92 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
ver gave them an entire opportunity of know-
ing their own ftrength. This man, either
difcovering, or pretending at leaft to difcover,
that fome of the chief men in the city, who
were met in the great temple, were afTembled
to confult how to expel the Spaniards, fud-
denly furrounded the place, and murdered
all the perfons of rank who compofed the
affembly.
This cruel and precipitate action fired the
whole people. Enraged at what they had al-
ready fuffered, and what they law plainly
they were yet to expect, their late ignominious
patience, the fear of the Spanifh arms, their
inbred refpect for Montezuma, were all loft
in their fury. Should they flay, until on va-
rious pretences they were all butchered ?
Montezuma, either forgetful of his office and
dignity, or unable to exert it, could protect
them no longer. Gods and men allowed
them to defend themfelves, and arms were in
their hands. The flame, fo furious in the
capital, fpread itfelf with equal fwiftnefs and
rage over all the country, and all were vowed
and hearty for the deftruction of the Spa-
niards. In this extremity Alvarado (hewed
as much biavery as he had done imprudence
in bringing it on. He redoubled his watch
on the emperor - f he obliged him to exert the
remains of his authority in his favour, and
fortifying his quarters in the bell manner the
time
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 93
time would admit, he flood out the ftorm
and repulfed the Mexicans in feveral attacks.
But their fury, far from relenting at the fre-
quent and bloody repulfes they met, redoub-
led by their lories. They exercifed the be-
fieged day and night, with the moft vigorous
affaults 5 and to cut off their retreat, found
means to burn the brigantines which Cortes
had built.
Cortes, who was obliged to make fo rapid
a march from Mexico, to defend himfelf a-
gainft Narvaez, was compelled by an equal
necefiity to march from Zempoalla to Mexico,
to relieve his forces, and preferve his moft ef-
fential interests there. The Mexicans, like
all people who have not reduced the art of
war to fome rule, fuffered their eagernefs in
purfuing one advantage, to let another material
one lie neglected. For whilft they pufhed
on the fiege of the Spanim quarters with great
vigour and diligence, they took no effectual
care of the avenues to the city, or to cut off
all fuccours from the befieged. Cortes en-
tered the city without refinance. He foon
routed thofe who inverted the poft of the Spa-
niards, and brought them a relief of which
they ftood in the greateft need.
The arrival of fo formidable a body of
troops, held the Mexicans fome time in fuf-
pence ; but in fpite of the fatal error of ad-
mitting them into their city, which had now
inex-
94 ^ n ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
inexcufably been a fecond time committed,
and in fpite of the fuccefs every where at-
tending the Spanifh arms, they came to a re-
folution of continuing hostilities. But things
wore another face fince the arrival of Cortes.
No longer fatisfied with defending his quar-
ters, he fallied out and defeated them feveral
times with great (laughter. However, as he
found that he fuffered more by the leaft lofTes
than the Mexicans by the greateft, he kept
ciofe for fome time, fuffering the enemy to
approach, in hopes of making one lad effort,
to appeafe them by the authority of Monte-
zuma. This unhappy prince, reduced to the
fad neceflity of becoming the inftrument of
his own difgrace, and of the ilavery of his
people, appeared on the battlements, and ad-
drefied his fubjects with every argument he
could ufe to prevail with them to difperfe.
But this expedient was not attended with the
ulual iuccefs. The Mexcicans, by an habit
of living without rule, had many of them
loft much of that refpedt, which, even to
adoration, every one of them ufed to pay their
prince ; they anfwered him with reproaches ;
an J a ftone from an uncertain hand ftruck him
with gieat violence in the temple. The Spa*
niaidb curried him to his apartment. Here he
refufed to fuffer any dreffings to be applied to
his wound, but wrapping his head in his gar-
ment, ga/e himfelf up a prey to fhame and
grief;
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 95
grief j and in a few days died, lefs of his
wound, which was but inconfiderable, than
of forrow and indignation, on feeling that he
had fo far loll the cfteem and love of his fub-
jects. There are other accounts of the death
of Montezuma, but this appears the mofl
probable.
Thus died this great prince, more remark-
able for the great virtues by which he afcend-
ed the throne, and thofe qualities by which he
held it in fo much luftre for many years, than
for his fteadinels and wifdom in defending it
when attacked by a formidable enemy. It
has happened thus to many great men. When
Lucullus and Pompey attacked Tigranes, king
of Armenia, we do not fee any thing in him
of the conqueror of fo many kings. Even
his conqueror Pompey was not himfelf, after
having enjoyed in glory for a long time a
power acquired by the greateft exploits. Se
effe magnum oblitus eft. It is natural whilft
we are railing ourfelves, and contending a-
gainft difficulties, to have our minds, as it
were, fining, and our faculties intent and
conftantly awake. The neceffity of our af-
fairs obliges us to a continual exercife of what-
ever talents we poflefs j and we have hope to
animate and urge us onward. But when we
are come to the fummit of our deiires, the
mind fuffers itfelf to relax. It is grievous to
contend a- new for things, of which we have
long
96 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
long looked upon ourfelves as fecure. When
we have no longer any thing to hope, we
have then every thing to fear. Thus ener-
vated by this profperity, and difcompofed with
this fear, we become ftiff and irrefolute to
action ; we are willing to ufe any temporizing
meafures, rather than hazard on an adventure
fo much power and reputation. If Monte-
zuma had made an early ufe of his flrength,
he had flrength enough, after many lofTcs, to
have kept Cortes far enough from his capital ;
but having once entered upon fhifting and
dilatory courfes, this brave and active enemy
gave his affairs a mortal blow, by feizing his
capital and his perfon. The reft was all a
confequence which no prudence could pre-
vent, of a plan of conduct imprudent and ill
laid originally.
CHAP. XII.
Guatimozin chofen emperor by the Mexicans.
He be/ieges the Spaniards in their quarters.
Obliges Cortes to retire out of the city. Dif-
frej/es him in his retreat. The battle of
Otumba. Cortes retreats to Tlafcala.
AS foon as the Mexicans were apprized of
the death of their emperor, they fet
about the election of a fucceflbr. They im-
mediately caft their eyes upon Guatimozin,
nephew
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 97
nephew and fon-in-law of Montezuma, a
man fit to command at fuch a time ; of a per*
fon graceful, a body flrong and robuft, and of
a foul full of the moft undaunted courage.
Though no more than twenty-four years old,
the reputation of his early exploits procured
him the authority of age, and a penetrating
genius ferved him for experience. He was no
fooner called to this unfteady throne, than he
took meafures to prevent the Mexicans from
their diforderly and cafual attacks, and to make
them act with defign and uniformity. He
examined thoroughly into the caufe of their
former mifcarriages ; and conildering every
thing, he found that the Indians in their pre-
fent condition, could never hope for any fuc-
cefs in open action ; he refolved therefore to
fpare his men as much as poffible, until his
own invention and time might teach them
better methods of fighting. On thefe ideas
he caufed all aiTaults to ceafe j then he cut off
the caufeways which joined the city to the
continent, and at the fame time ftrongly bar-
ricaded the ilreets, refolvinsr to ftarve an ene-
o
my which fecmed unconquerable by any other
means j a meaiure, which though it has with
us no extraordinary appearance, fhewed no
fmall fagacity in Guatimozin, becaufe it was
what had never been before practifed amongfl:
the military ftratagems of this people, and in-
vention is the character! (lie of gen]us.
VOL, I. H Frotjf
98 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
From henceforward the whole method of
the war was changed, the Spaniards grew
every day more and more ftreightened for pro-
vifions, and whenever they fallied out, though
they flew great numbers of their opponents,
the many canals of the city, and barricade be-
hind barricado, after fome fuccefsful progreis,
obliged them, vanquifhed by mere wearinels,
to return without effect to their quarters. The
Spaniards, invincible by the Indian arms, were
not proof againft famine, Cortes faw that no-
thing was left for his fecurity, but as fpeedy
a retreat as poflible ; and though this muit
neceffarily lofe them the moft confiderable
part of the treafure they had amafled, it was
what leaft afflicted him. He encouraged his
troops, by chearfully relinquishing his own
part, not' to attempt burthening themfelves
with a treafure which they might confider as
lying at an advantageous intereft, until they
(hould, as they certainly would, be enabled to
return with a fufficient force to reclaim it.
The refolution of retreating being now
taken, and all things difpoied for it, a queftion
arofe, whether it were better made by day or
in the night. On this the council of war was
divided; and their reafons feeming pretty
equal, a perfon amongft them, a fort of aftro-
loger, who paffed for a prophet, and as fuch
was much refpefted by the greater part of the
army, promifed them certain fuccefs if they
I retreaed
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 99
retreated by night. Certain it is, that when
meaiures are dubious, fuperftitious determi-
nations have great ufe ; for as reafon cannot
eafily determine the right way, that method
which fuperftition fixes upon, is by the weight
it has from thence, purfued with the greater
chearfulnefs and effecl:.
The general was guided by the prophet,
and he difpofed every thing for his retreat
with great judgment. He caufed the ufual
fires to be lighted in every part of his quar-
ters. Some of his boldefl and moil active
men led the van. The prifoners, artillery,
and heavy baggage were in the center. He
himfelf, with one hundred of his choiceft
troops, formed the rear. With wonderful
order and filence, and without any interrup-
tion, did the Spaniards march until they came
to the firft breach in the caufeway. Here a
portable wooden bridge which Cortes had
prepared, was laid over ; but when the artil-
lery and horfes had pafled, it was wedged fo
clofely into the flones that bordered the caufe-
way, that it could not be removed, and there
was yet another breach. But they were foon
called from attending to this by a more pref-
fing danger; for as nothing could elude the
vigilance of the new emperor, he found out
their intention of retreating, and difpofed all
along the fides of the caufeway an infinite
multitude of canoes, with orders to preferve
li 2 the
joo An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
the greateft filence, and not to attempt any
thing until a fignal was given. The darknefs
of the night favoured the fcheme. And now
perceiving that the Spaniards were under fome
embarraffment, the Mexicans took this advan-
tage, and all at once, with great order, pour-
ed in their arrows ; raifing at the fame time
a mod tremendous (bout, fwelled with the
barbarous found of all their martial inftru-
ments of mufic. The Spaniards were not
wanting to themfelves, but behaved with fig-
nal bravery. It were needlefs, and almoft im-
poffible to relate all the deltruc"tion of that
horrid night. The Indians at firft attacked
in good order, but the fj'rft ranks being re-
pulled, and the diftant canoes preffing on to
action, the whole attack was thrown into
confufion. The Indians drowned or ilaugh-
tered one another : however, they frill pretfed
on with untameable fuiy. Thoufands, im-
patient of the delay their remote fituation
caufed them, leapt from their canoes, and
climbing up the caufeway in the front where
it was interrupted, broke in upon the Spa-
niards, with a torrent hardly refiftible. In
* ' j
vain this naked multitude was hacked to
pieces by the Spanim fwords, in vain were
they tumbled upon one another by hundreds
into the lake ; new warriors fucceeded thofe
that were killed, and the Spaniards, actually
weaned out, were in danger of being wholly
cut
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 101
cut oft; when making one vigorous effort
in the front, they happily cleared that poft,
and by a beam which they cafually met, they
pafTed over one by one j or, as fome fay, filling
the intervals with the dead bodies of their
enemies, they gained the main land. Cortes
came over with the firft, for in the confufion
of the night, their former order was in a
good meafure loft, and took care as fa ft as
his men got over to form them, in order to
fecure the paflage for the reft. Then return-
ing to thofe who were behind, by his prefence
and example, he animated them to renew the
fight, and drawing up a part of his men on
both fides of the caufeway, he ordered the
reft to file off from the center. In this man-
ner the firft light faw the Spaniards clear out
of the city. Cortes halted at a fmall diftance,
that thofe whom the confufion and the night
had difperfed, might have an opportunity of
rejoining the reft of the army.
Happily they were not purfued, for as foon
as the dawning light unveiled the field of
battle to the Mexicans, the poffeffion of which
they bought by fuch a profufion of their
own blood, they perceived among the flain
two fons of Montezuma. Thefe were a-
mongft the prifoners, and were pierced by
the arrows of the Mexicans in the promifcuous
and undiftinguifhed carnage of the preced-
ing night. For fome time they were con-
H 3 founded
1O2 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
founded and ftruck dumb with horror at this
fight j their fentiments of loyalty returned j
their monarch, almoft their god, lately pro-
faned by their own violence ! now their hands
imbrued in the blood of his children ! A
general deadnefs and confternation enfued.
They muft not add to their impiety by ne-
glecting the obfequies due to the deceafed. In
the mean time the Spaniards, favoured by
this circumftance, purfued their retreat with-
out moleftation. But this fecurity lafted a
fhort time : all the allies of the Mexicans al-
ready in arms, and divided into feveral flying
parties, hung over the army of Cortes, and
harrafled it without intermiffion ; they attack-
ed him in front, in rear, in flank, by open
force, by ambufcade, by furprize. Provifion
grew extremely fcarce on his march ; and
now it was that Cortes (hewed a firmnefs un-
der his lolTes, a vigilance againft inceflant at-
tacks, fo various in time and manner, and a
courage which enabled him to repulfe them,
which have been exceeded by nothing in
Jiiftory.
The principal army of the Mexicans, whilft
he contended with fuch difficulties from the
flying parties, took another route, and pouring
in three columns into a plain, where their
number might be of moft avail, they covered
the whole of an extended valley, which lay
directly in his road to Tlafcala : this was call-
ed
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 103
cd the valley of Oturnha. They concealed
their purpofes with all imaginable care. To
blind the Spaniards, they ordered feveral vil-
lages to give them a friendly reception. But
Cortes did not fuffer this to relax his vigilance,
not allowing himfelf to be deceived by any
appearances of friendfliip (hewn by men,
whofe intereft it was not to be his friends ;
convinced as he was, that a furprize of all
things was indeed very prejudicial to the af-
fairs of a general, but that it was mortal to
his reputation. He drew indications of theif
fentiments towards him, from the manners,
the geftures, and the countenances of thole
he treated with in his march j and perceiving
that many {hewed unufual figns of content
and exultation, he judged not without reafon
that it could not be favourable to him. He
therefore difpofed every thing in fuch a man-
ner as that his troops were neither difordered,
nor his courage abated, when from an emi-
nence they difcovered the extended plains
of Otumba darkened as far as the eye could
reach with the myriads of their enemies. The
Spaniards, animated by their fuperiority in
arms, and their former victories, and the
Tlafcalans, by the prefence of fuch allies,
and their hatred of the Mexican name, be-
haved with great bravery and fuccefs j nei-
ther were the Mexicans inferior in animofity
and courage. But it wa^s Cortes himfelf who
H 4 deter-
tb4 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
determined the fortune of the day. Nothing
he ever heard was either forgot, or fuffered
to be an ufelefs burthen upon his memory*
He remembered to have heard from the
Mexicans, that the fortune of the field with
them ever followed that of the royal ftan-
dard. This was a net of gold, elevated on a
gilded flarT, and fplendid with plumes of a
thoufand colours. Great exigencies alone
brought it into the field, and it was entrusted
to none, but the care of the general, who fat
on a chair fumptuoufly adorned, and lup-
ported on men's moulders in the center of
the armies to view the whole battle, to be a
witnefs of the behaviour of all his troops,
and to give orders as the occafion required,
Cortes pretending to make his principal effort
in a quarter remote from the ftandard, em-
ployed all his foot in that fervice ; but head-
ing the horfe himfelf with feme of his bra-
vefl officers, informing them of his defign,
and animating them with the hopes of a
fpeedy decifion, he flung himfelf with fury
ggainft the part that feemed leaft diftant from
the center. After difperfing and overturning
whole battalions, they penetrated to the cho-
fen body of nobles, who guarded the general
and ftandard. Here the refiftar.ee was greater,
Uut it was foon overcome, and Cortes's own
lance met the general, who was overthrown,
fcnd the flandani taken. All the other ftan-
dards
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 10$
dards were ftruck directly, and the Mexicans
fled every way which their fear and confufion
hurried them. They loft twenty thoufand
men in this battle, and a fpoil infinite. This
victory gave Cortes an undifturbed paflage to
Tlafcala, and a welcome reception amongft
his allies there.
CHAP. XIII.
Spaniards fent againft Cortes join him. He
marches again to Mexico. A confpiracy a-
gainft his life baffled.
LET us now turn our eyes to Mexico.
No fooner were the Spaniards departed,
than Guatimozin ordered the city to be forti-
fied in fuch a manner as to fecure himfelf
againfl their entrance a third time. He found
that a thoufand Tlafcalans were killed in this
retreat, upwards of two hundred Spaniards,
(the greateft lofs they had yet in America,) and
a great number of horfes. He cut off the
heads of the Spaniards, and of their horfes, no
lefs dreaded, and lent them to all the neigh-
bouring nations, as an infallible token of his
victory j as a fure proof that he was refolved
to keep no meafures with the enemy, and
to ftir them up to their utter deftruction. He
fucceeded fo well, that numberlefs petty na-
tions, well inclined to the Spaniards, fell off,
and
io6 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
and many that were wavering were confirmed
in the Mexican intereft. By this means feve-
ral adventurers, that from the fame of Cortes
had landed to join him, were cut to pieces be-
fore they gained his army. But the negotia-
tion to which Guatimozin bent all his force,
was that with Tlafcala, becaufe this was Cor-
tes's chief ftrength. He fent large prefents,
and ambafTadors of ability, with excellent in-
ftrudb'ons, to detach them from the Spanifh
intereft ; who executed their commiflion fo
well, that they caufed a great divilion in their
favour in the councils of that republic. But
Cortes making his military exploits fubfervi-
ent to his negotiations, and his fkill in nego-
tiation affiftant to his exploits, baffled them
at length with great addrefs, but not without
great difficulty ; and the Tlafcalans were con-
firmed in his friendship.
Whilft a general has an obedient and well
united army, he has an engine in proper order
to work in his deiigns, and he can then
execute them with eafe ; but the greateft trial
of his capacity is to defend himfelf againft a
foreign enemy, and wreftlc with a domeftic
fedition at the fame time. The foldiers of
Narvaez, fince Cortes's return from Mexico,
where they were obliged to leave fo coniider-
able a part of their booty, now hopelefs of
the expedition, began to mutiny, and de-
manded to be fent home directly to Cuba ;
nor
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 107
nor were his other troops free from fome part
of the infedion. Whatever could be done
by preferving them in action, without too
great a fatigue ; whatever a feafonable yield-
ing, without forfeiting authority ; in fhort,
whatever an able commander could do in fuch
circumftances, was done by Cortes, without
any other effect than that of palliating the
difeafe ; the indifpofition ftill continued.
Whilft he ftruggled with thefe difficulties,
which nearly overpowered him, his old ene-
my, James Velafquez, looking on the fuccefs
of Narvaez's expedition as a thing certain,
fent a fhip to get intelligence of his proceed-
ings, and about thirty men to reinforce him.
The perfon who commanded at the port for
Cortes, no fooner faw the {hip in the offing
than he went on board her, and upon the
captain's enquiry after Narvaez, he allured
him he was well, and as fuccefsful as he
could wifh. Not doubting this, the captain
and his men landed, and were immediately
made prifoners. Finding how affairs were
really circumftanced, they admired the con-
queror, commended the flratagem, and chear-
fully joined the army.
Much about the fame time the governor of
Jamaica, and he too a determined enemy of
Cortes, fent three mips with a fmall body of
troops, in hopes of tearing from him fome
part of his conquefts. Thefe fhips were dif-
perfed
An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
perfed in a ftorm, and were involved in many
difficulties ; but what is fingular, they all,
though feparated, came to one and the fame
refolution, which was to revolt from the com-
mander, and join Cortes the moment they
came on fhore : fo that the enemies of Cortes
now no leis than three times relieved him, by
the very methods which they took to diftrels
his affairs. Thefe advantages, though im-
proved to the utmoft by Cortes, were certainly
not at all the refult of his contrivance. There
is a fpecies of a fplendid good fortune neceffary
to form an hero, to give a luftre to his wif-
dom and courage, and to create that confi-
dence and fuperiority in him that nothing elfe
can give, but which always makes a principal
part of an heroic character. Without this, it
is impoflible for any man, however qualified,
to emerge. Cortes was not only fortunate,
by being freed from the moft terrible em-
barraffment by the arrival of thefe fuccours,
which were never intended as fuch ; but much
about the fame time (hips arrived from
Spain, bringing, on the account of fome pri-
vate perfons, a reinforcement of men and mi-
litary ftores ; and from the court an authen-
tic approbation of his conduct, and a con-
firmation of his command.
Fortified with thefe, he yielded to the mu-
tinous importunities of fuch of his foldiers as
were earned to depart ; and though he dimi-
n iflied
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 109
nifhed his numbers contiderably by this flep,
he judged it better to have a well-difciplined
army than a great one, and knew that little
could be expeded from men who were drag-
ed unwillingly to action ; at the fame time
that their cowardice or (edition would infecl:
the reft. After the departure of the mutineers,
he found he had ftill above nine hundred
Spanim foot, eighty-fix horfe, and eighteen
pieces of cannon. With thefe, and with the
affiftance of a vaft body of Tlafcalans, and
allies of various nations, whom admiration and
fear of Cortes, or hatred to the Mexicans, had
brought under his banner, he once more pre-
pared to attack Mexico, which was the grand
object of his undertakings. The city was fo
advantageoufly fituated, and he knew at this
time fo well fortified, that nothing could be
done without a force on the lake. To cut off
their fupplies, he ordered the materials of
twelve brigantines to be got ready, in fuch a
manner as only to need being put together
when they mould arrive at Mexico. Thefe
were carried upon the moulders of his Indian
allies. His route to Mexico cannot be fo much
confidered in the light of a march, as a con-
tinued train of ambufcades and battles, fome
of which were fought with the mod nume-
rous armies, and with circumstances not fuit-
ed to the brevity of my purpofe to relate. la
all thefe he was fuccefsful, though- his ene-
mies
i ro An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
mies may be faid, with little exaggeration, to
have difputed with him every foot of ground
between Tlafcala and Mexico.
At laft that city ihewed itfelf, rifmg from
the midft of a noble lake, furrounded with a
number of moft populous cities, as her at-
tendants upon every fide, and all fubjecl: to
her power. The Spaniards looking on this
as their goal, revived their courage, and for-
got the difficulties of their march j and the
Tlafcalans, in perfect fury of military delight,
wanted the fteady hand of Cortes to reftrain a
courage, which he commended and kept alive
by his example and words, whilft he modera-
ted its ardor. Before he began the attack of
Mexico, he fpent fome time m reducing all
the neighbouring cities from which it might
derive any fuccour. He cut off the aqueducts
which fupplied Mexico with water, that of the
lake being brackim. and he got ready his
brigantines with all imaginable diligence to
cut off all relief from that quarter.
Whilft his attention was wholly employed
in the profecution of the war, an old Spaniard,
who had long ferved, difcovered to him a
confpiracy of the moft dangerous nature. An-
tonio de Vilefana, a private foldier, but a man
bold and defperate in any bad purpofe, and
fubtle in contriving it, had formed a confpi-
racy with feveral others to kill Cortes, and the
principal perfons upon whom he relied, and
then
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. in
then to return to Vera Cruz, from whence
they might eafily pafs to Cuba, and fecurc
their pardon by the merit they mould make
of this action with James Velafquez. They
were urged to this refolution by the fatigue of
thofe innumerable dangers and difficulties they
had palled, and by the defpair of overcoming
thofe which yet lay before them ; without
confidering that by this wicked action, they
muft rather produce new difficulties than
overcome the old. Others of more confe-
quence were drawn in, and the confpiracy
had been fo far formed, that the time and
manner of killing the general was fettled, and
the perfon fixed, upon whom they intended to
devolve the command.
When Cortes was apprifed of this confpi-
racy, without any hurry which might give
notice that he had difcovered it, yet, with-
out loiing a moment to take advantage of the
difcovery, with four or five of his principal
captains, he went directly to the quarters of
Vilefana, who, aftonimed at feeing him, made
half his confefiion by the fear he difcovered.
Cortes had him thrown immediately into
irons, and then ordering every body to retire,
he examined himfelf into all the particulars of
the affair, and the names of the perfons
concerned. Vilefana made a full confeffion,
and ended it by producing a paper in vindica-
cation of their proceeding, which had been
figned
U2 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
figned with the names of all the confpirator. 1 ?.
Cortes was not a little furprifed to fee amongft
them, the names of perfons upon whom he
had great reliance. However, he difTembled
his concern, and ordered Vilefana to be im-
mediately executed. He was {hewn to all
the army hanging by his tent door. Cortes
informed none of the friends he moft trufted
with the paper he had received ; but fum-
moning the army, he gave them an account
of the horrid confpiracy that had been formed
againft his life ; that he had punimed the
perfon principally concerned, but that it was
with fatisfadtion he was left ignorant of his
accomplices, by the care the criminal took
in deftroying a paper, which he believed
might have made great difcoveries. For his
part, as he had punimed, and was refolved
ieverely to puniih any flagitious attempt a-
gainft his life or authority, fo he was deter-
mined to order both in fuch a manner as to
give jult caufe of complaint to no man ; and
if by any accident he had done fo, he was
ready to give him all reafonable fatisfaclion.
Proceeding thus, Cortes had the advantage of
knowing who they were that wifhed him ill j
at the fame time that they remained unap-
prifed of the difcovery he had made, and en-
deavoured to prevent it by a more diligent
performance of their duty : he now appointed
a guard upon his perfon.
Hardly
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 113
Hardly had Cortes fupprefTed this confpi-
racy, and made the proper ufe of a baffled
attempt againft his authority, which was to
ftrengthen and increafe it, than a difficulty of
fomething of a fimilar nature engaged him,
and from which he extricated himfelf with
the fame courage and prudence. The general
of the Tlafcalans envying his glory, and per-
haps fearful of the confequence of the entire
deftruclion of the Mexicans, though enemies
to his own country, perfuaded a confiderable
body of the people to quit the Spanim camp*
Cortes immediately ordered him to be purfued.
This general had formerly been an enemy to
Cortes, and oppofed him in the council of his
nation j but when he faw the general cur-
rent in his favour, he made a timely change,
and came entirely into his interefts. He had
now relapfed, and was therefore not to be
trufted any more. Cortes gave orders to thofe
who purfued him to put him to death. The
Tlafcalans who revolted were eafily prevailed
upon to return ; and fo dexteroufly did Cortes
reprefent this affair, that neither the Tlafcalans
in his army, nor the republic, nor even the
father himfelf of the general, condemned him
for what he had done.
VOL. I. J CHAP,
H4 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
CHAP. XIV.
Tbejiege of Mexico. Terms of accommodation
refufed by the Mexicans. The Spaniards re-
pulfed by a ftratagem of Guatimozin. A new
ftratagem of Guatimozin. He his taken. 'The
city Jurrenders. Guatimozin tortured. Cor-
tes fuperfeded in his government. Reflections
on the Spanijh cruelties.
THESE internal diforders being com-
pofed, he turned his fortitude and wif-
dom againft his open enemies. Three prin-
cipal caufeways led to the city, which three
towns or fuburbs defended upon the fide of
the continent. Within were trenches and
barricadoes one behind another the whole
length of the way. Cortes ordered three at-
tacks upon thefe towns, and the caufeways
which they defended. The brigantines acted
upon the water. Through the whole length of
the fiege-, the bravery of the Mexicans, in
defence of every thing which was dear to
them, was not more remarkable than the in-
genuity by which they baffled the attacks of
the Spaniards, and attacked them in their
turn. On land, on water, by open force, by
ftratagem, by every method, they plied each
other inceffantly day and night. But the Spa-
niards, invincible under the command of Cor-
i tes,
SETTLEMENTS m AMERICA. 115
tcs, had the advantage fo far, that with infi-
nite daughter they gained thefe pofts which
fecured the caufeways upon the fide of the
country, at the fame time that they cleared
the lake fo, that a canoe of the enemy did
not dare to appear upon it.
Cortes gained thefe advantages, but he faw
how dearly he had bought them j he reflected
how it would tarnifh his glory to deftroy fo
beautiful a city, and drench it in the blood of
its unfortunate inhabitants j and coniidering
what fupernatural exertions of ftrength had
been frequently (hewn by a defpairing people,
in the laft convulfive ftruggle for their reli-
gion, life, and property, he made ufe of the
advantages he had gained to recommend the
terms of accommodation, which he refolved
to fend in to the befieged. He required no
more than the acknowledgment of the em-
peror of the Romans, and the confirmation
of his right of fucceeding ceded to him by
Montezuma, and long acknowledged by the
mod authentic prophecies of the nation, and
fuch a fecurity as might fettle the performance
of this.
Guatimozin, who had done all that bravery
and military fkill could perform to fave his
country, finding the means mod fuited to his
years and inclinations unfuccefsful, though full
of that noble pride which becomes and fup-
ports the royal character, was now as willing
I 2 to
1 1 6 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
to fave it by the milder and furer way of
accommodation. But the priefts, who had
much influence in the council, either fearful
of lofmg their power, or through an honeft,
though blind zeal, denounced vengeance from
their gods upon all who could think of fub-
miffion, and promifed a certain fuccefs to thofe
who ftood up in defence of their jeligion.
They had great weight, and the whole coun-
cil, contrary to the opinion of the emperor,
became unanimous in refufing all terms. Gua-
timozin, who yielded to the general fenti-
ment with regret, and faw the unhappy con-
fequence but too clearly, refolved to fall with
the fame fpirit that he had lived. " Then,
faid he, fince you are determined to hazard
every thing, prepare to acl: in a manner wor-
thy of that refolution. Me, you (hall never
find wanting to you, or to myfelf. Thefe
are the laft good terms you are to exped:.
Whatever henceforward you demand through
neceffity, will be anfwered with pride and
cruelty. Therefore, henceforward, let no man
prefume to fpeak of peace, be our exigencits
what they will ; the nrft that dares to do it
(hall certainly die ; even the piiefts them-
felves j they are moft concerned to fupport
the oracles of their gods."
When he had faid this, with a {tern and
determined countenance, he went out of the
afTembly, and ordered the whole city under
arms.
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA 1 17
arms. Cortes, on the other fide, as foon as
he found that his propofals were rejefted, laid
afide all thoughts but thofe of violence, and
commanded a general affault to be made at
the three caufeways all at once, and to carry
fire and fword into the heart of the city. He
commanded himfelf in the principal attack.
The caufeway was broke down before him,
and the breach formed a ditch of fixty feet
wide. On the other fide appeared a fortifi-
cation of earth and planks. He ordered the
brigantines to the fide of the caufeway, to
favour the attack, and directing his cannon
againft the fortification, made fo furious a fire
that is was foon demolimed ; and the defend-
ers galled by the incefiant fhot, which made
a moft terrible havock, could maintain the
port no longer. Cortes, under the fire of his
cannon, and with the help of his brigantines,
panned over the ditch, and loft no time to pof-
fefs himfelf of the other fide, leaving one of
his captains with a detachment to fill it up,
and fecure a retreat, in cafe it mould be found
neceffary. Then he advanced to attack the
remaining barricadoes of the Mexicans, who
made a brave defence. The battle raged fu-
rioufly, and as the Spaniards gained ground,
their dangers and lofles grew every moment
greater. They had now advanced amongft
the buildings, from whence they were oppreff-
ed with a mixt florm of darts, arrows, (tones,
I and
n8 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
and boiling water. Before them flood a chofen
body of the Mexican foldiers, who made a
reibiute ftand. During this conflict, the cap-
tain who had been potted to fill up the ditch,
thinking it an inglorious employment to be
employed as a pioneer, whilft his companions
were in fuch hot action, advanced with all
his men, and deferted the neceffary work he
was employed in.
No fooner had Guatimozin, whofe eyes
were every where, perceived this motion, than
he took advantage of it. He ordered thole
who were in the front of the Spaniards to
flacken their efforts ; for as night came on
faft, he thought it better to allow the enemy
to gain fome ground, that he might fall on
them with more advantage in their retreat.
Cortes as quickly perceived this flacknefs, and
the caufe which produced it. He found that
the breach of the caufeway was abandoned,
that night approached, and that there was
little hope of a lodgment in the city at that
time. He therefore began to retreat in the
beij: order he could, fetting fire to the houfes,
that he might not be incommoded by them
)n his next attack. But fcarcely was the re-
treat begun, when their ears were alarmed by
the dreary found of the facred trumpet, fo
called becaufe it was permitted to the priefts
alone to found it ; and that only when they
Animated the people on the part of their gods.
The
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 119
The found was doleful, continued, and ftrong,
infpiring a contempt of death, and a dark re-
ligious fury. Immediately enfued a horrid
cry, which refounded from all parts j and
this was followed by an attack of more than
common rage upon the rear of the Spaniards,
which was broke entirely, after a gallant and
bloody ftand. All order was now loft. The
general's commands were drowned in the cry
and tumult of the fight j the Tlafcalans who
were in the front threw themfelves precipi-
tately into the trench ; fome made a fruitlefs
oppoiition, others attempted to gain the bri-
gantines, whilft the Mexicans on more, in ca-
noes, wading, or fwimming, upon every fide,
aflaulted and flaughtered them with the moft
horrid cries, and a rage almoft inconceiveable.
With difficulty Cortes and fome of his troops
efcaped on board the brigantines, wounded
and defeated. A thoufand Tlafcalans lay dead
upon the caufeway, many Spaniands, and fcarce
any efcaped without a wound. What was
the faddeft circumftance of all, forty were
taken prifoners, of whofe deftiny there was
no doubt. The other attacks had no better
fuccefs, though in them the lofs was not fo
conliderable. The officer, whofe imprudence
had occafioned this misfortune, came to Cor-
tes, with tears acknowledging his crime, and
defiring to warn, it out with his blood 5 but
Cortes, though rigid in his difcipline, faw
I 4 that
1 20 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
that this was no time to difpirit the army
with examples of feverity.
Nig at came on, but it brought no reft to
the afflicted Spaniards, fince darknefs could
not conceal from them the triumph of the
Mexicans, and the fate of their friends. They
faw the whole city mining with lights, and
heard it refounding with the diflonance of
barbarous mufic, and all the marks of an hor-
rid joy. So great were the fires and illumi-
nations, that they could fee diftinclly the men
in motion, and all things preparing for the
death of the prifoners, attended with the mor-
tifying circumftance, that they were to be fa-
crificed to their falfe gods. Cortes, in the
midft of all thefe calamitous circumftances,
which lay heavy about his heart, aflumed an
air of tranquillity, endeavouring to comfort
his foldiers with the hope of a timely revenge,
and taking all neceflary care that they mould
not be attacked unawares. This care was
nsceflary j for before morning appeared, the
Mexicans, elated with their late victory, and
under the aufpices of thofe gods, whom they
believed they had rendered propitious by the
human blood which warned their altars, and
animated by the found of the confecrated
trumpet, fallied out to attack the Spaniards in
their quarters. The attack was violent, but
repelled at length with -an incredible flaughter
of the Mexicans.
Guati-
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 121
Guatimozin was not disheartened. He pre-
pared for new aflaults, and had his ruined
works repaired to endure thofe afTaults, which
fhould be made againft himfelf. Not relying
foleJy on force, he fpread a report amongft
all the neighbouring nations that Cortes was
killed ; to them he lent the heads of the Spa-
nia ds, who had been facrificed, informing
them, that the god of war, appeafed by a fa-
critice fo agreeable to him, had audibly de-
clared in favour of the Mexicans, threatened
vengeance on thofe who refitted them, and
foretold that in eight days time the Spaniards
mould be all deftroyed. The credit of this
oracle amongft all the Indians, and the deter-
minate time aicertained for its completion,
gave it the air of truth j for falfehood delights
in general terms and equivocations, whereas
the precile manner of fpeaking truth, is one
of the maiks by which we guefs at it. In facl:,
this ftratageui had its effed:, many tribes of
Indians, who were upon the point of joining
Cortes, embraced the Mexican intereft; the
more prudent fufpended their refolution ; but
Guatimozin did not want emiflaries even in
the Spaniih camp, who terrified the Indian
allies with this prophecy. Even the Tlafca-
lans were upon the point of deferting him.
when Cortes counteracted this ftratagem in
the wifeft manner poffible. He refolved to
fufpend all manner of operations againft the
city
122 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
city for thefe eight days, to demonftrate the
falfity of this oracle, and to hinder it from
being ever again ufed as an inftrument to work
upon the credulity of his confederates. He
prevailed upon the Tlafcalans to wait the de-
termination. In the mean time he ftrongly
fortified his camp.
Guatimozin was fenfible that the effect of
his policy muft be weakened every day, and
with that idea employed every hour of the
day or night to affault Cortes's camp, but al-
ways with ill fuccefs. This great commander
was always on his guard ; and his troops ad-
vantageouily pofted, bid defiance to every
thing of an Indian attack. At laft the eight
days expired, and with them the terror of
the confederate Indians. The ftratagem now
operated as powerfully againft thofe who con-
trived it, infomuch that all the neighbouring
nations, before fufpended by the uncertain
event of thefe mighty ftruggles, declared in
favour of Cortes, who by this fortunate turn
in a little time found himfelf at the head of
two hundred thoufand men. This was the
laft hope of the Mexicans. All that follow-
ed was only the departing agony of that ft ate.
The city was aflaulted with redoubled vigour,
and now reduced by {laughters, fatigue and
famine ; the Mexicans faw the fuperior ftar
of Cortes gain the afcendant. The town was
penetrated upon all fides, yet the befieged de-
fended
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 123
fended every flreet j and their inceflant (bovv-
ers of darts and ftones from the tops of the
houfes, made the progrefs of the befiegers
flow and bloody. In this extremity, Guati-
mozin did every thing that could juftify the
hopes of the Mexicans when they called him
to the throne, every thing that was worthy of
one refolved to die a king. But when he
found that all hope of diflodging the enemy
was utterly at an end, his troops half famifh-
ed, exhaufted in numbers and in flrength,
and no part tenable, he determined to leave
the tity tc cl riin the beft terms it could from
the conquercitu and to feek himfelf a more
pioiperous opportunity at a diftance. For
this purpofe he renewed the treaty with the
Spaniards, and took the opportunity of this
ceiTation of arms to put himfelf and his fa-
mily, with fome of the braveil and moft faith-
ful of his nobility, on board fome periaguas,
attempting to efcape to the continent ; but
Cortes apprehending this very thing, ftation-
ed his fleet in fui h a manner, that he was
intercepted, and foon out of a condition of
making any defence. He went on board the
Spanifh commander, with an air of dignity
and compofufe, betraying neither fear nor fur-
prize, and deiired no favour, but that the ho-
nour of his wife and her attendants might be
fpared. The Spanim captain attended but
little to him, endeavouring to prevent the
efcape
124 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
efcape of the nobility; but Guatimozin de-
fired him not to be anxious about them. " Not
one of thefe men will fly, fays he, do not
fear it, they are come to die at the feet of
their fovereign." The captain, admiring the
conftancy of the man, and the fidelity of his
fubjects, conducted him to Cortes. The ruins
of the city of Mexico were now delivered up
to the Spaniards. With it fell that empire,
and the liberty of all the Indian nations, which
filled that vaft country now called New Spain,
who either flid gradually from alliance to fub-
jection, or defending themfelves without fuc-
cefs, were made, and treated as flaves.
The curiofity of the reader will doubtlefs
be interefted to know the fates of the captains
of the conquering and conquered parties in
this war. For fome time the treatment of
Guatimozin was fuch as fitted an unfortunate
brave man, in the hands of thofe who could
eftimate virtue by other ftandards than its for-
tune ; and fuch was his treatment, whilft the
authority of Cortes was fufficient to protect
him. But the infernal avarice of his troops,
which at once excited and difgraced their
courage, not fatisfied with the plunder of this
opulent city, believed that there were fome
latent treafures, within the knowledge of the
emperor, which far exceeded all the reft that
they had yet poflefled. They often follicited
the captive emperor with promifcs and threats
to
SETTLEMENTS m AMERICA* 125
to make a difcovery, but to no purpofe ; at
laft a number of villains, Juan de Alderete at
their head, a name deferving to be remem-
bered to its everlafting infamy, feized upon
him, and proceeding to the moil abominable
cruelty, laid him upon burning coals, to ex-
tort a difcovery of his wealth. But their wick-
ednefs could neither extort a difcovery of
his wealth, nor the fatisfa&ion even of a de-
claration that he had none to difcover. His
countenance did not betray the leaft yielding
or weaknefs under the torture j "Tome of his
principal counfellors fuffered along with him,
and with equal conftancy. At laft, one of
thofe unhappy men, overcome by the force
of torments, almofl fuperior to human ftrength,
turned his eyes, fainting with anguifh, upon
his matter, and uttered a doleful cry ; but
Guatimozin anfwered him only by faying,
" Do you think I lie upon rofes ?" The fuf-
ferer, ftruck dumb with thefe words, and
flifling every murmur that might difhearten
the others, or difturb Guatimozin, expired in
an ad: of obedience to his prince. This wick-
ednefs was committed without the knowledge
of Cortes. He was no fooner apprifed of
what was doing, than he rumed in upon the
villains, and refcued their prey, mangled as
it was, from their further fury. However,
this was but a fhort refpite. This prince,
confcious of his own dignity, and feniible of
the
126 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
the bafe ufage he received, either endeavoured
to ftir up commotions, or was fufpected of
fuch a defign, and Cortes being obliged to
fubmit the humanity of his nature to the
cruel neceffity of politics, ordered him to be
executed.
As for Cortes himfelf, neither his great
fuccefs, nor the vaft treafures which he fent
into Spain, could fecure him from his ene-
mies j by whofe unwearied zeal for his ruin,
he faw himfelf fuperfeded in the government
of a country*, conquered by himfelf with fo
much toil and danger, and which in any other
hands had never been effected. He died in
Spain, having received a title and fome other
rewards from Charles the Vth, for whom he
had acquired an empire ; but by his own de-
fire he was carried to Mexico, and buried there.
It was the policy of Spain at that time to give
great encouragement, and extenfive grants, to
all adventurers ; but when any great difcovery
was made, or conqueft atchieved, they always
fent another to reap the benefit of the firfl
adventurer's labours. This was a policy un-
doubtedly good with regard to one object, the
fecurity of the conquered country j but like
all unjuft policy, it had altogether as ill an
effect another way ; the new governors, hun-
gry and rapacious, and fcarce confidering the
Indians as human creatures, murdered vaft
numbers of them ; and exhaufting them by
an
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 127
an intolerable flavery, in hopes of a fudden
gain, they depopulated the country in fuch a
manner, as to abate very much the advantages
which Spain might have derived from fo ex-
tenfive a conqueft. Cortes himfelf was not
free from the imputation of cruelty j the bi-
fhop of Chiapa, a good man, who was fent
purpofely to make an enquiry into complaints
of this kind, gives a very unfavourable repre-
fentation of his conduct. He accufes him of
having- deftroyed four millions of people in
New Spain. It is certain, whether by his
connivance or not, but partly by the neceffity
of war, and partly by the avarice and info-
lence of the conquerors, vaft numbers of the
Indians perimedj but on the other hand, it
appears that the bifhop of Chiapa was an ene-
my to Cortes, which though a good man
otherwife, muft detract from his credit not a
little, efpecially as other hiftorians differ from
him in this point. Befides, I am well fatis-
fied, that great allowance muft be made for
exaggerations in the number of inhabitants
thefe countries are faid to have contained.
More populous, I believe, they were than
the entirely uncivilized parts of North or
South America ; but it can hardly be thought
they were fo full of people as they are repre-
fented to have been, if we can truft to any of
the rules by which we ufually judge in this
matter, nor confequently could they have fuf-
fered
128 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
fered fuch lofles in fo fhort a time, without
being utterly depopulated, which certaifcly
they were not.
Since I am on the fubject of thefe cruel-
ties, and fince they are things fo frequently
mentioned, I cannot help obferving, that the
accounts are by no means founded upon any
tolerable methods of calculation, but thrown
down at random ii\ a declamatory way, with
a defign yet further to blacken the Spanifh
adventurer j men certainly wicked enough,
though reprefented without any heightening
colours. The truth is, that great numbers,
perhaps almoft as great as are charged, have
really perifhed ; but then it was in a feries
of years, by being reduced to flavery in the
mines, and other laborious occupations, to
which the Americans are of all people, by
their conftitutions, the moft unequal, and by
being disheartened by a flate of unpolitical
and defperate flavery, the greateft enemy in
the world to increafe.
There is a notion likewife pretty common,
that thefe cruelties were committed partly, if
not wholly, upon a religious account, and at
the inftigation of the priefts j but in reality it
was quite otherwife. This unfortunate peo-
ple found their only refuge in the humanity
which yet remained in the clergy, and the
influence they had on the Spaniards, through
the clergy, who went on thefe adventures,
were
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 129
were generally not the rnoft zealous for reli-
gion, and were, as the Spanifh clergy com-
monly are, ignorant enough, and fo little
principled in the fpirit of the religion they
profefled, or indeed in the nature of the hu-
man mind, that they could boafl as a very
glorious thing, that one of them had bap-
tized feveral thoufands of Indians in one day,
without the help of any miracle for their con-
Ver(ion> and with a degree of good life, which,
to fay the beft, was nothing more than com-
mon. But of any murders committed by
them, or at their mitigation, 1 find little or
no proof at all.
C H A P. XV.
'The Jcheme of Pizarro and Almagro for the
conquejl of Peru, Their characters. Ihe
ftate of the empire of Peru at that time*
The taking of the ynca Atabalipa.
E SIDES Mexico, there was but one
country in America which in any fort
deierved the name of a- civilized kingdom,
and that was Peru. During the latter part of
the Mexican war, the Spaniards became ac-
quainted with the fame and wealth of this
country. After Pediaria was appointed go-
vernor over the conquefts of Balboa, his lieu-
tenants reduced all that large tract which is
VOL. L K now
130 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
now called Terra-firma, committing barbari-
ties worthy the man under whofe authority
they afted. Amongft all the adventurers who
acted under his commiffion, none have made
themfelves fo famous as thofe of whom we
are going to fpeak.
As if it were dtftined that every thing in
this new world fhould be carried on in a new
and extraordinary manner, three citizens of
Panama, private men, and advanced in years,
undertook the conqueft of Peru, a country
known to them only by report, but by the
fame report faid to be rich, extend ve, po-
pulous, and powerful. The names of thefe
adventurers were, Francis Pizarro, Almagro,
and Ferdinand Lucques, a prieft, and a man
of confiderable fortune. They entered into
this engagement in the moft folemn manner.
Lucques faid mafs, an oath of mutual fidelity
was plighted, the facrament was divided into
three parts, Lucques took one, and delivered
the other two to his confederates. The firft
expedition, in confequence of this confede-
racy, was made under extraordinary difficul-
ties, and with very little fuccefs. Pizarro,
who commanded, fpent two years in the
fhort navigation between Panama, and the
Northern extremity of Peru, a voyage now
made frequently in two weeks, lince the
winds and currents are known. He landed,
and found that the wealth of the country was
as
AMERICA, 131
as great as he imagined ; and that the refift-
ance he was like to meet in endeavouring td
poflefs himfelf of it, would be full as confi-
derable. This he put to the proof very ear-
ly, by taking the rafh ftep of attacking thd
inhabitants at his firft landing ; and thus let-
ting them fee all at once the worfl of his in-
tentions. The difficulties he met with, and
the refinance his ill conduct occafioned in thd
country, obliged him to return without effect-
ing any thing confiderable. But neither he 3
nor his aflbciates, after fuch a length of time,
or fuch greatnefs of expence, were deterred
from the profecution of their fcheme. It was
agreed that Pizarro mould go into Spain to
obtain an exemption from the government of
Pedraria, and to get for themfelves the grant
of whatever they Should conquer. Pizarro
(who though not the monied man, was the
foul of the enterprize) was to be chief go
vernor, with the property of two hundred
leagues along the fea-coaft. Almagro they
agreed fhouid be adelantado, or king's lieu-
tenant j and Lucques, who was a prieft, was
to be firft biihop and protector of the In-
dians. The other profits of the enterprize
were to be equally divided. But as this was
an enterprize of ambitious avarice, there was
little faith obferved. Pizarro follicited only
his own fuit in Spain, and obtained for him*
feif alone the property of the land, the go-
K 2 vernmeut,
132 Jin ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
vernment, the lieutenancy, every thing which
he was capable as a layman of taking ; Al-
magro was forgot, and to Lucquez was left
his eventual bifhoprick.
On his returr, this too early difcovery of
breach of faith was like to ruin all ; but Pi-
zarro, who knew how to retreat as well as to
advance, yielded up to Almagro every thing
he could reafonably defire, and nothing now
obftrudled the embarkation, which, after all,
did not exceed one hundred and eighty men.
Before we proceed, it may not be unnecef-
fary to fay fomething of the perfons who had
the conduct of this great undertaking. Francis
Pizarro was the baftard fon of a gentleman
of good family. His education was as irre-
gular as his birth, he could not even read ;
but then he had a great deal of that capacity
and fitnefs for the world, which is obtained
by much ftruggling in it, and by being early
made dependent on a man's own induftry.
Hardened to life, dexterous in affairs, never
fetting his heart upon a part of his defigns
whilft the total was at ftake, of a penetrating
fagacity into the nature of man, artful, bold,
diflemblmg, and cruel. Almagro had like-
wife enough of that defperate bravery and
tough nefs of body and mind, fo neceffary in
a deiign of this fort. In their birth there was
no confiderable difference. Pizarro was a
baftard, Almagro a foundling. Pizarro owed
nothing
SETTLEMENTS /;/ AMERICA 133
nothing to education ; Almagro depended
wholly upon his natural parts. But Almagro,
bred from his infancy in the camp, had all
the foldierly qualities, patient, laborious, and
temperate j far from the craft and diffimu-
lation of Pizarro, he was all opennefs and
gcnerofity, knew not what avarice was, and
his cruelty, the common diftemper of all the
adventurers in this part of the world, was
much mitigated by the intercourfe he had
with an Indian woman, who by degrees,
foftened the rigour of a veteran feafoned to
blood, into fome companion to her unhappy
countrymen.
The empire of Peru was governed by a race
of kings, which they called yncas. The
twelfth in fucceffion was then upon the throne.
The firft of this race, named Mango Capac,
was a prince of great genius, with that mix-
ture of enthufiafm, which fits a man to make
great changes, and to be the legiilator of a
forming nation. He obferved that the peo-
ple of Peru were naturally fuperftitious, and
had principally a veneration for the fun. He
therefore pretended that he was defcended
from that luminary, whofe authority he was
defigned to bear, and whofe worfhip he was
by that authority to enforce. By this perfua-
fion, eafily received by a credulous people,
he brought a large territory under his jurif-
diction j a larger was fubdued by his arms;
K 3 but
134 <dn, ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
but he made ufe both of the deceit and the
force for the moft laudable purpofes. He
united and civilized Hie difperfed and barba-
rous people ; he bent them to laws and arts j
he foftened them by the institutions of a be-
nevolent religion ; in fliort, there was no part
0f America in which agriculture and the arts
were fo much and fo well cultivated, nor
where the people were of a milder nature,
find more ingenuous manners. The yncas
^lefcended, as they imagined, from fo facre4
an original, were themfelves refpected as di-
vinities. In none, even of the Afiatic coun-
tries, was there fo entire an obedience to the
royal authority. But here it was rather filial
than flavim. As to the character of the Pe-
ruvians themfelves, they feem to have had a
ftrong refemblance to the ancient Egyptians :
like them, under a iky conftamly ferene, they
were a people induftrious and ingenious -, cul-
tivating the arts, but without bringing them
to perfection ; inclined to fuperftition, and of
a foft unwarlike temper.
The ynca Guaiana Capac having conquered
the province of Quito, which now makes a
part of Spanim Peru, to fecure himfeif in the
pofleiTion, married the daughter of the natural
prince of the country. By her he had a fon
called Atahualpa, or Atabalipa. By a former
marriage he had a fon named Huefcar, heir
pf his other dominions. On his death Huefcar,
his
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 135
his cldeft fon, claims his whole dominions,
both hereditary and acquired. Atabalipa, the
youngeft, without pretending to the reft,
would keep Quito as his right by the double
title of fon to the conqueror, and to her whofe
inheritance that kingdom was, fortified befides
by the will which the dying ynca had made
in his favour. This difpute kindled a civil
war, which after feveral turns of fortune,
ended at laft in favour of Atabalipa j he not
only routed his brother's armies, and over-
run his dominions, but actually held him a
prifoner in the tower of Cufco.
Such was the face of affairs when the Spa-
niards arrived in Peru, whofe remarkable ap-
pearance and furprizing feats of arms were
every where fpread about the country, and
caufed a general alarm. As ufual in frightful
rumours, new fuperftitions begin, or old ones
are revived to increafe the confufion. There
fubiifted a tradition amongft the Peruvians,
that one of their ancient princes had a dream
which he ordered carefully to be recorded.
He imagined that he faw a man cloathed all
over, even to his feet, with a long beard, and
leading in his hand an animal, fuch as he had
never feen before ; and that at the fame time
he was clearly informed of the will of the
gods, that fuch a man fhould rule that coun-
try. A Spaniard, whom Pizarro had fent
upon an embafTy to Atabalipa, as foon as he
K 4 was
136 An ACCOUNT cf the EUROPEAN
was difcovered leading his horfe upon fome
occafion that made him difmount, agreed io
well with this dream, that it is incredible how
foon it fpread into the remoteft parts of the
country, and with how great a terror it ft ruck
the whole nation.
Atabalipa, newly feated upon a precarious
throne, was not the leaft alarmed at this event,
for a new-erected power has every thing to
fear from whatever fets the people's minds,
ftill unfettled, upon a new motion. He re-
folved, if poffible, that his enemies ftiould
take no advantage of the arrival of thofe
flrangers, by engaging them by all means to
his own intereft. He therefore received the
embaffadors which Pizarro had fent with the
greateft marks of honour, though their dif-
courfe, confifting itfelf of very impertinent
matter, was very ill interpreted to him, as
was his to them. He even went out to meet
Pizarro with a vaft number of attendants, to
whom he gave the ftricteft charge upon no
account to offer the leaft injury to the flran-
gers, as they were thofe of whom his prede-
cerTor had foretold, and of the fame divine
original, children of the fun. But Pizarro,
who advanced with other notions to the inter-
view, foon convinced him that a contrary
caution was more necefTary. They met near
a celebrated temple, the Spaniards drawn up
in order of battle, and a party in ambufcade.
This
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 137
This circumftance leaves us in no doubt as to
the defign of Pizarro. The firft perfon who
addrefled himfelf to the ynca, was father Vin-
cent, a friar, who was not afhamed to make
his chara&er the instrument of fo bafe a crime.
He advanced with a crofs in his hand, and
began a moft unfeaibnable difcourfe upon
the birth and miracles of Chrift, exhort-
ing him to become a chriftian, on the pain
of eternal punifhment. Then he fpoke with
equal eloquence of the emperor of the Ro-
mans, preffing him with the fame ftrength
of argument to become a fubject to that em-
peror ; threatening him in cafe of obftinacy,
that Gcd would harden his heart as he did
Pharaoh's, and then punifh him with the
plagues of Egypt ; with other miferable fluff,
worfe interpreted. The ynca, though utter-
ly aftonifhed at matter fo unaccountable, be-
haved with decency and gravity, telling him,
that he believed that he and his companions
were children of the fun, recommended him-
felf and his fubjeds to their protection, and
made no doubt but they would behave to them
in a manner worthy the offspring of fo bene-
ficent a deity.
Whilft thefe difcourfe> continued, the Spa-
nifh foldiers, whofe leaft bufinefs to Peru was
to liften to fermons, obferving a considerable
quantity of gold in the neighbouring temple,
had their zeal immediately ftirred up, and a
party
138 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
party of them began to pillage it. The priefts
made fome oppofition. A difturbance enfued,
and a great noife, which fo alarmed our ad-
venturing apoftle, that he let fall his crofs
and breviary in his fright, and turned his
back upon his intended profelyte. The Spa-
niards who were not concerned in the pillage,
feeing him fly, either that they judged the
heathens had offered their prieft fome vio-
lence, or that Pizarro made ufe of this fig-
nal to them to fall on, immediately drew
their fwords, attacked the guards and atten-
dants of the ynca, defencelefs through a re-
ligious obedience to their fovereign's com-
mand, and with every circumftance of the
moft deliberate and mocking barbarity, llaugh-
tered five thoufand, which was near the
whole number of the Indians, who fell with-
out any anxiety for their own lives, preffing
forward with all the zeal and officioufnefs of
a moft heroic loyalty to the chair of their
prince, to expire at his feet j and as fall as
one fet of his fupporters were {lain, the others
fucceeded with eagernefs to fupply their pla-
ces, and mare their fate. The ynca at laft was
dragged down, and made a prifoner, by an
act pf the moft unparallelled treachery, exe-
cuted with a cruelty that has hardly an ex-
ample, and can admit of no excufe. The
plunder of his camp, rich beyond the idea of
any European of that time, was their reward.
The
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 139
The unfortunate prince was not wanting to
himfelf in his captivity. Seeing that his li-
berty had fallen a facrifke to their avarice,
he hoped to relieve himfelf by working upon
the fame difpofition. He began to treat of
his ranfcm, and promifed fuch fums as afto-
nifhed the Spaniards into an agreement j nor
was the performance unequal. On this oc-
cafion not only the ancient ornaments and va-
luable furniture, amarTed by a long line of
magnificent kings, were brought out ; but
the hallowed treafures of the moft venerated
temples were given without fcruple, to fave
him who was the fupport of the kingdom
and the religion. Whilft thefe were pre-
paring, three Spaniards, who were fent to
Cufco to fuperintend in the work, had means
of conferring with Huefcar, who quickly
finding their foible, and the ufe his brother
had made of it, made bitter complaints of the
injuries he had fuffered, begging the Spaniards,
as the patrons of the opprefled, to embrace
his caufe, promifing threefold the treafure
for their affiftance, which Atabalipa was to
pay for his ranfom. He received a very fa-
vourable anfwer. Mean time the Spaniards
treated the ynca with all manner of civility,
admitted his attendants to him, but no talk
of his liberty. As foon as he had been ap-
prifed of Huefcar's negotiation with the Spa-
niards, and Almagro's arrival with an addi-
tional
140 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
tional force, he began to be under great ap-
prehenfions. To eafe himfelf upon one fide,
he fent immediate orders to have Huefcar put
to death.
The arrival of Almagro, on the other hand,
caufed fome embarraffment in Pizarro's affairs.
This commander rinding that Pizarro had
feized the ynca with immenfe treafures, and
having already experienced his ill faith, con-
fulted with his principal officers about leaving
Pizarro's part to himfelf, and feeking their
fortune elfewhere. Whilft this was in agita-
tion, his fecretary, moved by fome reient-
ment to his matter, gave Pizarro notice of
the defign. In an inftant Pizarro faw how
difadvantageous fuch a ftep muft prove to
him, with fo fmall a force, all refources at a
diftance, and the country exafperated by the
deteftable action he had lately committed.
He faw that all depended upon removing every
fufpicion from the breaft of Almagro. For
this purpofe, and as fomething of an ill mind
appeared in his moft mafterly actions, he be-
gan by facrificing the fecretary. He informed
Almagro of his tieachery. Next, though
gold was the great object of his undertakings;
yet he knew how to relinquish fome part to
fecure the reft. He agreed to divide the fpoil
equally between Almagro and himfelf, and
to make no diftinction between the foldiers of
either in the diftribution. This made an
entire
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 141
entire and hearty reconciliation ; which wa?
no fooner concluded than the ynca's ranfom
came in.
Bat this vaft treafure, the capital objedl of
all their labours and villainies, no fooner came
into their pofTeffion, but in its confequences
it was very near being the utter ruin of their
affairs. It is faid, and not improbably, that
the whole exceeded the fum of one million
five hundred thoufand pounds flerling, a fum
vaft at the prefent time ; then it was a pro-
digy. On the dividend, after deducting a
fifth for the emperor, and the (hares of the
chief commanders and officers, each private
foldier had above two thoufand pounds Eng-
lifti money. They had now made a fortune
even beyond their imaginations; but the fol-
diery was ruined, the greateft part of the
army infifted upon being difcharged, that they
might enjoy their fortunes in quiet. This
propofal ill fuitcd with the ambitious views of
the commanders. Almagro was for proceed-
ing in the ufual way, to inforce obedience by
the feverity of military difcipline ; but Pizarro
oppofed him. " Let them go, fays he, they
cannot do us better fervice ; here we mall
have them mutinous and cowardly foldiers, at
home they will act for us as recruiting officers
with great fuccefs ; for when it mall be feen
that common foldiers of fo little merit as they,
have made fuch large fortunes, we (hall not
long
142 An ACCOUNT of the URCPEA&
long want better men to fuppy their places."
The defire of the foldiers was complied with,
and as many as chofe to go, who were no in-
confiderable number, departed. In due time
the fagacious prophecy of Pizarro was ac-
complimed, and their army never wanted re-
inforcements.
CHAP. XVI.
The murder of the ynca. A difpute between
Pizarro and Almagro. They are reconciled,
Almagrds expedition to Chili. The Peru-
vians renew the war, and befiege Cufco. Al-
magro returns and defeats them, Almagro
renews the quarrel with Pizarro, but is de*
feated and put to death.
IN the mean time the unfortunate Atabalipa,
the greatnefs of whofe ranfom only con-
vinced the Spaniards of the necefiity of never
releasing him, endeavoured to take advantage
of his captivity, to know the genius and man-
ners of fhis people. Amongft all their ac-
complimments, there was nothing he fo much
admired as the art of reading and writing^
This appeared almoft incomprehenfible to
him, though he faw clearly the ufe of it. He
was at a lofs to know whether he mould con-
iider it as a natural endowment, or as an ac-
quifition of art. To difcover this, he one day
defired
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 143
defired a foldier to write the name of God
upon his nail : he carried this about the army,
deliring feveral to explain it, which they all
did, to his wonder and fatisfa&ion. At laft
he (hewed it to Pizarro, but Pizarro blufhed,
and could make nothing of it. The ynca
then perceived it was no natural gift, but
owing to education ; the want of which he
thus difcovered in Pizarro, and flighted him
for it. This mortified the general, and his
difguft, joined to his natural cruelty, and a
policy he thought he faw in the proceeding,
made him haften the fate he had fome time
before determined for his unhappy prifoner.
That nothing might be wanting to the bold-
nefs and atrocioufnefs of their barbarity, they
proceeded again ft him by way of trial, and
by the forms of law.
A charge was exhibited, digefted under fe-
veral heads, ift, For being an idolater, adly,
For having many concubines. 3dly, For waft-
ing the treafures of the kingdom, and railing
taxes fince the coming in of the Spaniards.
And laftly, For the murder of his brother
Huefcar. An attorney-general was appointed
to manage the accufation, and an advocate
appointed from amongft themfelves affigned
for his defence. In vain did the more nu-
merous and better part of the army protefl
againft this proceeding, and lodge an appeal
to Spain j in vain did they alledge their want
of
144 dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
of power to judge a foreign prince for
crimes, and the abfurdity of the crimes wit
which this prince was charged. Before fuch
judges, and with fuch an advocate to defend
him, the ynca was condemned to be burned
alive. To compleat this violation and mockery
of all laws, human and divine, the fame fa-
ther Vincent, who had fo fignalized himfelf
upon a former occafion, was fent to comfort
and inftruct him in his lad moments. The
chief argument which he ufed to convert him
to chriftianity was, that on his embracing the-
faith, inftead of being burned, his fentence
fhould be mitigated to flrangling. This prince
fubmitted to baptifm, and was immediately
ilrangled in prifon. Pizarro gave the final
ftroke to his hardened and fhamelefs villainy,
by giving him a magnificent funeral, and go-
ing into mourning.
The death of the ynca was no fooner fpread
abroad, than the principal nobility at Cufco
fet up the brother of Huefcar j Pizarro fet
up a fon of Atabalipa j and two generals of
the Peruvians fet up for themfelves. Thus
was this wretched country torn to pieces at
once by foreigners, and by a domeftic war
amongft themfelves. Yet fuch is the prefe-
rence of any fort of fpirit roufed within a
nation, to a lethargic inactivity, that the Pe-
ruvians gained fome confiderable advantages
over the Spaniards, even in this diflra&ed con-
dition,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 145
dition, and took feveral prifoners, amongft
whom was the attorney-general, whom they
put to the death he deferved without any
great formality. The reft of the prifoners,
as foon as they were informed of their having
protefted againft the emperor's death, they
generoufly releafed. Thefe advantages gained
by the Peruvians, made the Spaniards liften
to a treaty ; for Pizarro was equally ready at
all times to make a peace, or to break it, as
his affairs required. He made ufe of this in-
terval to fettle the Spaniards in the country.
It was now that he laid the foundations of the
famous city of Lima. But as foon as he judged
hiinielf in a condition to profecute it, he re-
newed the war with the Indians, and after
many difficulties, made hjmfelf matter of Cuf-
co, then the capital of the empire.
But whilft he was thus by force and fraud
eftabli thing himfelf every where, the whole
fabric of his deiigns was fhaken by a frefh
difpute between him and his collegue Alma-
gro. Thefe commanders had little mutual
affection, and lefs confidence in each other's
honour and integrity ; for fimilarity of man-
ners is no ground of friendftip, but where
the manners are good in themfelves. Their
common necelfities, it is true, obliged them
for a time to keep a fair appearance ; but each
fatisned of the other's ill intentions, watched
an opportunity Qf being before-hand in fome
VOL. I. L fmifter
146 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
finifter advantage. New grants and fupplies
had lately arrived from Spain. Pizarro ob-
tained two hundred leagues along the fea-
coaft, to the Southward of his former govern-
ment. Almagro had a grant of two hundred
more to the Southward of Pizarro's. Judg-
ing, or pretending he judged, that the weal-
thy and important city of Cufco was not in-
cluded within Pizarro's grant, he immediately
ceafed to aft in fubordination to him, and
claimed this city as his property. Pizarro's
brother, who commanded for him, abfolute-
ly refuied to deliver up the place. Almagro
infifted on it with equal obftinacy, and they
were on the point of deciding the difpute by
the fword, when Pizarro, the moment he
had notice of the quarrel, fet out from Lima,
where he was at that time indifpofed, and
notwithftanciing his infirmity, with incredible
expedition arrived at Cufco. He told his col*
legue, that he was not unable nor afraid to
fupport the juftice of his claim by arms j but
he chofe rather to convince him by reafon j
that the ties which fubfifted between them,
and their common neceffities, would always
touch him with concern when he mould be
compelled to violent courfes ; which how-
ever they might end with regard to the com-
petitors, would certainly be much more in
favour of the common enemy. He demon-
flrated to him that Cufco was indubitably
within
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 147
within his (Pizarro's) government, and ended
in alluring him, that as he would defend his
own right with all his force, fo he was equally
willing to employ all that force, with all his
treafure, and all his coun-fel, and whatever af-
fiftance he could give, to put Almagro into
poffeffion of whatever was really his right j
that this lay yet more to the Southward than
Cufco, and was a country no way inferior in
its ric.es, and the eafinels of its conqueft.
This timely appearance of Pizarro, his dex-
terous management, and judicious mixture of
firmnefs and flexibility, made fuch an im-
preflion upon Almagro, that he was once more
reconciled ; and adding as many of Pizarro's
troops to his own as he judged necefTary, he
penetrated with great danger and difficulty in-
to Chili, lofing many of his men whilll: he
pailed over mountains of an immenfe height,
and always covered with fnow. He fucceeded
notwithstanding in a good meafure in his
defigns, for he reduced a valuable and confi-
derable part of that country.
There was undoubtedly in the four hun-
dred leagues which Pizarro had iblicited for
himfelf, enough of land to fupply any reafon-
able ambition, and fomething to fpare, to fe-
cure the quiet poffeffion of the reit ; but his
eagernefs after a large territory, made him
blind to the folly of dividing his troops, and
fending Almagro upon a wild diftant expedi-
L 2 tion ;
148 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
tion ; and yet he confidered this as a mafter-
piece of policy. A little time, however, con-
vinced him to the contrary. No fooner did
the ynca perceive this divifion of the Spanifti
troops, than he defired leave from Pizarro's
brother, who managed affairs for him at Cuf-
co, to aflift at a folemn feftival of his nation,
which was to be held at fome diftanee. This
feaft was in reality a fort of an aflembly of
the dates of the kingdom. The ynca having
obtained permiffion to aiTift at it, made ufe of
this opportunity to reprefent to his fubjedbs in
the moft pathetic manner, the mifery to
which the nation was reduced ; the fettle-
inent of the Spaniards, the cities they had
built, the garrifon they kept at Cufco, and
the gtf-aiti they had on his own perfon. That
for their fakes he was now refolved to hazard
that perfon, and every thing that was dear to
him ; that now was the time to make an ef-
fort with fuccefs, when their enemies, divided
amongft themfelves, had feparatcd in fearch
of other kingdoms, to fatisfy an ambition that
nothing could fatiate. The whole aflembly
united in thefe fentiments ; they roufed the
country every vvheie, and the Spaniards who
remained in Peru were not able to prevent
the ynca from laying fiege to Cufco, with an
army of two- hundred thoufand men. The
garrifon under Ferdinand Pizarro, though
confirming of no more than feventy men, yet
with
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA 149
with their artillery, the fillies made with their
horfe, and affifted by the ignorance of the
Peruvians in carrying on a fiege, their defence
was as fuccefsful as it was brave.
News was brought to Almagro of the dan-,
gers to which Culco was expofed, and the
universal infurreclion of the Peruvians. Re-
linquilhing his new conquefls, he haftened
back to preferve his old with great expedition j
though on his return he luffered as much
from drought and heat, as in his progrefs he
had endured from cold. At his approach the
Indians raifed the fiege, and he was joyfully
received into Cufco by Ferdinand Pizarro,
and the garrifon, almoft exhaufted' by the
length of the defence.
After all thefe Ions: and laborious marches.
O
Almagro was extremely fatigued, and thought
it hard, that now in the wane of his life he
mould be driven with infinite toil upon new
conquefls, while Pizarro fat down at eafe to
enjoy alone the fruits of their common la-
bours. He refolved to renew his claim to
Cufco ; he had now a fort of right to it by
having raifed the fiege, and he had a ftrengtn
fufficient to fupport that right. Ferdinand
and Gonzalo, the two brothers of Pizarro,
making fome oppofition, were thrown into
prifon, and their little army either joined him,
or (hared the fame fate.
L 3 Pizarro,
150 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
Pizarro, unacquainted with the arrival of
Almagro, or the flep he had taken, had got
together an army for the relief of Cufco,
who were near the town before they found
they had an enemy of any other fort than the
Indians to contend with. Almagro, after ha-
ying tried in vain to feduce their fidelity, en-
gaged and routed them. On this advantage,
his friends reprefented to him, that now was
the happy hour of his fortune, and that he
ought to employ it to eftabiifh himfelf be-
yond all poflibility of being moved. That
he ought to put the Pizarros, his prifoners,
to .'learn, and march directly to Lima, to feize
upon his rival, who never could be heartily
reconciled to h<m, and whilft he remained in
pofferTion of the fea-coaft, could never want
means cf making his enmity terrible. Al-
magro had humanity enough to reject: the
fir ft part of this counfei, and vveaknefs enough
not to hearken to the laft. If he marched
into another's government, he trembled at the
name of a rebel; and for fear of the name
expofed himfelf to fuffer the punimment of
the thing ; not confidering, that having once
cmbrued his hands in civil blood, he ought
never to ftop till his end was gained ; that
conquer! alone could decide the queftion of
their right j and that he who had the greater
force, would have the beft means of protec-
tion, if he was in the wrong. Whilft he deli-
berated
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 151
berated what courfe to take, Gonzalo Pizarro
made his efcape with an hundred of thofe
who were affected to his caufe.
It was the intereft of Pizarro, who found
himfelf in no immediate condition to carry
on the war, yet pofleiTed all the means of be-
ing reinforced, to keep matters from coming
to an extremity ; it was Almagro's to bring
them to a fpeedy ifTue ; and in this knowledge
of the management of time, when to lie by
to gain it, and when to ufe the prefent mo-
ment, the great Ikill in bufmefs, lo little un-
derftood, depends almoft entirely. Pizarro
had recourfe to the old way of treaty j he
promifed largely, he offered a fea-port, and
agreed to fubmit the decifion of all their dif-
putes to the royal audience j but as a preli-
minary, he infilled on the releafe of his bro-
ther Ferdinand. Experienced as Almagro was
in Pizarro's faith, he gave up the only pledge
that could fecure it. The moment Ferdi-
nand was releafed, he was put at the head of
the reinforcements Pizarro had long expected,
and now received ; and as he was a man of
capacity, he prepared to ad: with vigour. The
treaty was forgot.
The country which held for Almagro was
feparated from that which Pizarro poirefTed,
by vaft mountains paffable only in fome fleep
and dangerous defiles. Almagro's counfellors
advifed him by all means to pofl his troops in
L 4 fuch
152 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
fuch a manner as to oppofe his enemies in
thofe paiTes ; but fo infatuated was he with
a falfe fecurity, that he refufed to fend any
troops to occupy thofe important ports, which
were feized by the enemy without the leaft
oppofition. He had, however, one refource
left, and that a good one. The town of Cufco
was well fortified, had a good garrifon, and
the enemy was ill provided for carrying on
the fiege. But as he had prejudiced his af-
fairs before by dilatory mealures, he now
compleatly ruined them by precipitation and
temerity. He turned his back upon the ad-
vantages of his fituation, and refolved, con-
trary to the opinion of all his officers, to ha-
zard his fortune in the field : confident of his
own fuperiority, and full of contempt of the
enemy, whom he believed to be raw troops.
But he found too late, that they were veterans
of great bravery, and exact difcipline. The
engagement was w^rm ; in which Almagro
and his troops behaved in fuch a manner as
not to difgiace their former exploit?; but af-
ter a gallant ftruggle, they were in the end
entirely defeated. Alrmgro himfelf was taken
prifoner, and fell, at the age of feventy- three
v-.irs, a victim to a rafhnefs fcarce excufeable
i a young foldier'j but to the laft degree blame-
able in an experienced commander, who
being fuppofed to have long eftablifhed his
reputation for courage beyond all doubt, ought
to
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 153
to model his conduct only by his own expe-
rience, and the circumftances of the affair in
which he is engaged.
Pizarro having got the rival, who had
caufed him fo many apprehenlions, into his
hands, refolved to hew him no mercy. In
fpite of Almagro's age, which, as it might re-
move his fears, ought to have given room for
pity ; in fpite of their common warfare, their
dangers and triumphs ; in fpite of every fenti-
ment of gratitude for what this unfortunate"
man had contributed to his greatnefs, and in
fpite of his late mercy to his brother ; all
which were pathetically and flrongly urged by
Almagro, to fuffer an old man, and a prifoner
too, after fo many fruitlefs toils, to die quietly
in his bed, Pizarro was deaf to every thing
but a barbarous policy, which made him fub-
rnit every virtue to the fecuring the meanefl
part of his defigns. Almagro was formally
tried, fentenced, and then ilrangled in prifon.
His body was afterwards beheaded publickly
on a fcaffold, and for a long time denied
burial. A negro flave interred it by ftealth.
Amidft the pity which this barbarous execu-
tion caufed, people could not forbear recol-
leding the unhappy fate of Atahualpa, and
the mare which Almagro had in it.
CHAP.
154 ^ ACCOUNT *f the EUROPEAN
CHAP. XVII.
*fbe final difperfion of the Peruvian army. The
confpiracy againjl Pizarro. He is murdered.
WHILST this civil war raged, the ynca
took a very extraordinary refolution.
He difbanded his troops and retired to the
mountains ; <c Becaule, fays he, whilft we are
in arms, their fear of us will be a means of
uniting the Spaniards, but if we difperfe,
they will certainly deftroy each other.*' A re-
folution this, which at firft view has fome-
thing mafterly, but it is only when viewed in
one light. When their natural prince is fled,
the people who muft be governed, may give
the reins of government into the hands of the
enemy. An army once difperfed is got toge-
ther again with great difficulty j and on the
other hand, a civil war is by no means a cer-
tain deftruction to thofe who are engaged in
it : and indeed by the reafon of the thing, and
by the event, it was an ill-judged ftep, the
fcheme of a barbarous prince, who was far
from being a confummate politician.
It was very ruinous to the Peruvians, that
happening to be divided amongft themfelves
when the Spaniards came in, they fufFered
them to interfere in their parties ; but it was
of yet worfe confequence that when the Spa-
niards
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 155
niards were afterwards divided, they interfered
themfelves in the Spanim parties. Almagro
and Pizarro had armies of Indians, by which
thofe people were habituated to obey them,
and to be interefted in their fuccefs ; this,
joined to the want of any regular plan of de-r
fence on the part of their king and comman-
ders, fubdued that empire to Pizarro with
fmall trouble, if we confider the greatnefs of
the object. But having atchieved fo great a
conqueft, it only made Pizarro acquainted
with other great tracts which were rich, and
might be added to them. He followed the
tracks of Almagro into Chili, and reduced a
confiderable part of the country. Orellana,
one of his commanders, pafled the Andes,
and failed down to the mouth of. the river
of Amazons ; an immenfe navigation, which
difcovered a rich and delightful country, but
as it is moftly flat, and therefore not abound-
ing in minerals, the Spaniards then, and ever
(ince, neglected it.
The death of Almagro, and the influence
it had upon the conduct of Pizarro, is a ftrik-
ing example how neceflary it is for a great
man to have an awe upon him from fome
oppofition, that may keep his prudence alive,
and teach him to have a watch upon his paf-
lions. Not content with a territory upwards
of eight hundred leagues long, and of a pro-
digious breadth, riches fuch as none of the
kings
156 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
kings of his country had ever poflefled, a ju-
rifdidlion little Icfs than royal, and an abfolute
fecurity for the extinction of the only perfon
who had any pretenlions againft him, either
through a jealoufy which often haunts the
happieft fortune, or through a pride which
cannot bear even the appearance of any who
had once withftood his power, he took a re-
folution entirely to cut off all that had ever
adhered to his rival ; he did not know when
the iffue of blood ought to be flopped -, nor
that examples of feverity on a few create ter-
ror and fubmiffion, but that threats of gene-
ral deftruclion produce nothing but defpair
and defperate refolutions. He was not fatif-
fied with putting many to death, but iflued a
proclamation, inhibiting under the fame pe-
nalty, that any perfon mould harbour, or even
relieve an Almagrian with the neceffaries of
life. This party was yet numerous, though dif-
perfed and lurking about the country. The
heads of them finding Pizarro implacable, en-
tered into a confpiracy to murder him. They
did not want adherents in the city, fo that
they found means of concealing themfelves
until their plot fhould be ripe for execution ;
but by fome means Pizarro difcovered their
defigns, and fuffered them to know he had
difcovered them. Alarmed at this informa-
tion, they faw nothing could happen but death
at any fide. Twelve of the chiefs marched
into
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 157
into the ftreets at noon-day, with their fwords
drawn, crying out, " Long live the king !
but let the traitor die ;" and croffing the great
fqnare of Lima, made directly to Pizarro's
palace ; the reft followed in different parties.
The people all the while fufpended, and in
that inactive amazement which the execution
of a bold and fudden enterprize generally in-
fpires, made no oppofition. The confpira-
tors fecured the avenues ; and Pizarro, not
alarmed until he was furrounded by his ene-
mies, fell under their fwords, after having
fold his life dearly.
J
Thus died Pizarro, by an event extremely
memorable. A great conqueror, in the city
he had himfelf built, in his own palace, a-
midft his guards murdered at noon-day by
the hands of a fmall number of fugitives. The
Peruvians had the fatisfaction to fee the fe-
cond of their conquerors cut off by the fame
fword that had afflicted themfelves.
CHAP.
158 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
CHAP. XVIII.
Zbung Almagro made governor. The new vice-*
Vaca di Caftro arrives. Puts to death
ymmg Almagro. Puts an end to the Jatfions,
<md"f titles the province. He is recalled. Gon-
i Pizarro raifes a rebellion, and ufurps
. rcernmcnt. Peter de la Gafca made vice-
roy. Defeats the troops of Pizarro, and puts
him to death.
WHEN Pizarro had fallen in confe-
quence of thofe cruel and ill-judged
fleps which he took for his fecurity, the Al-
magrians, elate with their fuccefs, and grow-
ing into a formidable body, feized upon the
city, and proclaimed the natural fon of old
Almagro governor j a youth not twenty years
of age, but of a courage and capacity not ab-
folutely unequal to a charge of fuch impor-
tance, undertaken in circumftances fo critical.
But though the Almagrians fucceeded beyond
their hopes, by the confternation caufed by
the fuddennefs of the attempt, and the general
diflike to the cruel procedure of Pizarro ; the
major part of the Spaniards were far from ac-
quiefcing in this irregular nomination of a go-
vernor. A confiderable number, and thofe
of the beft men, declared, that without inte-
refting themfeives in the quarrel of either
party,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 159
party, they would wait for the emperor's de-
termination, which they expected hourly, and
to which alone they were refolved to conform
themfelves.
In this ftate of things the new governor
Vaca di Caftro arrived. This man was of a
good family, aad by profeffion a lawyer ; but
through a more rigid adherence to the ftricl:-
eft ideas of right and juftice than is fuitable
to the coarfenefs of practice, he did not make
that figure in his profeffion to which his great
capacity entitled him. But what kept him
backward at the bar, recommended him firft
to the knowledge, and afterwards to the efteem
of his matter the emperor Charles the Vth,
who was a man of too much difcernment not
to be ftruck with a character fo fmgular as
was that of one who was a lawyer, without
exercifing the trade of law, and lived at court
without being a courtier. Therefore, without
any folicitation of his own, without any re-
commendation from a minifter or favourite,
this man's plain unoftentatious virtue placed
him in an employment of fo great a truft.
When he arrived in the Indies he {till pre-
ferved his character. He adled like one who
came neither to acquire friends nor fortune,
but folely to do his duty j and he fhewed fa-
vour or difapprobation to all in proportion as
they performed their's. Indian or Spaniard
was entirely alike to the equality of his ju-
ftice.
160 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
ftice. He flattered nobody, he threatened
nobody, and whilft he lived with all the mo-
defty of a private man, he fupported all the
dignity of a governor.
He was hardly landed, when young Alma-
gro fent him an embaffy, explaining the rea-
fons of his conduct, and propofing terms 5
but Caftro anfwered him, that he was come
under the emperor's authority, folely to do
him and every body juftice, of which, if a
good fubjecl:, he could have no room to com-
plain ; if a bad one, he muft prepare to feel
it : he knew no other terms. This was new
language to governors in this part of the world,
who almoft forgot they had a fuperior. Al-
magro therefore was refolved to abide the for-
tune of war, rather than fubmit without fuch
terms as might enfure him the government of
his father's province at leaft. On the other
hand, Caftro would hear of no terms between
a king and his fubjects, and therefore fet
himfelf at the head of his troops, which were
compofed of thofe who had refufed to obey
Almagro, and gave him battle. The vidory
was on his fide, but not without a bloody
difpute.
Several of Almagro's officers, in hr>pes of
procuring favour for themfelves, betrayed his
caufe in the battle ; but Caftro was far from
thinking their treachery to their leader, could
be reckoned a fervice to the crown, and there-
fore
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 161
fore fpared none of them in the numerous exe-
cutions he found it neceflary to make on this
occafion. None of the fufferers was more
pitied than Almagro, who behaved with the
utmoft gallantry in the engagement, as he
had done with much humanity and honour
upon moft occaiions. He was taken and be-
headed.
The feverity of this procedure, whilft it
terrified every body, drew no odium upon the
governor, who acted clearly without prejudice,
or felf-intereft. They looked on thefe exe-
cutions like judgments from heaven which
afflict us bitterly, but leave no room for mur-
mur or complaint againft the hand that inflicts
them. To the followers of Pizarro, who
valued themfelves on their late fervice, and
murmured that they were not rewarded bet-
ter than he thought they deferved, he mewed
little favour. He told them he could well
diftinguifh between what was done out of a
fpirit of party, and what proceeded from a
principle of loyalty to their fovereign ; that
they might look upon themfelves as very hap-
py that he fuffered their laft action to oblite-
rate the memory of all their others. In Ihort,
he proceeded with fuch conftancy, that the
Spaniards were reduced to an entire fubjection,
and the Indians treated by them as fellovv-
iubjects and fellow-creatures. The clergy he
made to attend diligently to the duty of their
VOL. I. M function,
1 62 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
function, and to the converfion of the In-
dians, rather than to the acquifition of their
gold. He modelled the adminiftration of ju-
ftice in the exacteft manner. He founded
feveral towns, and eftablifhed fchools and col-
leges in them, and placed the royal revenues
on fuch a footing, that the conqueft of Peru
became immediately a great public advantage,
which formerly was little more than an ob-
ject of private plunder. But whilft he re-
mained himfelf poor among fome of the rich-
eft confifcations that ever were made, and
whilft he enriched the royal treafury with
moft prodigious remittances, the great men
at court received no prefents. This induced
them to get a number of judges appointed,
whofe authority over-ruled that of Caftro.
The end was anfwered. Difputes arofe ; the
colony was unfettled $ appeals and complaints
innumerable came home, and prefents from
all fides. But what anfwered the prefent end
of the courtiers, was near flopping up the
fpring of bribery for the future. In the con-
fufion that arofe from fuck claming jurifdic-
tions, and the fchemes of men intent upon
their own interefts, it was not hard for Gon-
zalo, the brother of the famous Pizarro, to
avail himfelf of the general difcontent, and
to fet himfelf at the head of a party.
It was now no longer a difpute between go-
vernors about the bounds of their jurifdictions ;
Gonzalo
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 163
Gonzalo Pizarro only paid a nominal fubmif-
fion to the emperor. He ftrengthened daily,
and even went fo far as to behead a viceroy
who was fent to curb him. There was a
fleet at this time in the South-Seas, and he
had addrefs enough to gain the admiral to his
interefts; by which means he was able to
over-awe the coaft of Mexico, and prevent;
any force coming againft him from that part,
He even entertained hopes of gaining the
Spaniards in that kingdom to join in his revolt.
The court, juftly alarmed at this progrefs,
having felt the ill effect of fending men who
were recommended to their pofts by impor-
tunity and cabal, as they had experienced the
beneficial confequences of employing perfena
whofe character only pleaded for them, they
fent a licentiate in divinity, called Peter de la
Gafca, a man differing only from Caftro, that
he was of a milder and more infinuating be-
haviour, but with the fame love of juftice,
the fame greatnefs of foul, and the fame dif-
interefted fpirit. This mildnefs of character
fuited the circumftances of the times, as well
as the rigid juftice of Caftro did thofe in which
he was appointed j for as the revolt was now
almoft general, he could find no friends but
fuch as he could make ; for though he wa
inverted with the ampleft authority from
Spain, he neither carried men to enforce it,
M a JIQJ
164 -An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
nor money ; and the whole fuccefs of the ex-
pedition refted folely in his own capacity.
When he arrived in Mexico, he declared
that his was a peaceable profeffion ; that he
came not to exercife feverities, but to heal by
gentle meafures the effects of thofe which
were formerly exercifed. He even wrote a
very obliging letter to Pizarro, perfuading him
to fubmit, and offering him a free pardon for
himfelf and his affociates. In the mean time
he was not wanting in more vigorous mea-
fures ; but by his engaging addrefs, and the
reputation of his probity, raifed large fums of
money, and fome hundreds of men. Pizarro
puffed up by his fuccefs, received the embaf-
fador with great haughtinefs, and fent his an-
fwer, which was likewife that of his affociates,
by the admiral ; it was in effect, that neither
would he yield up his government, nor would
they fubmit to have any other governor. The
admiral had inftruclions to try what bribery
would do, and if that failed, to fire the city
of Panama, and bring off the new viceroy
prifoner. However, during their conferences,
the affair took abfolutely another turn, and
the admiral, inftead of conveying Gafca a pri-
foner to Peru, tranfported him thither with
all his forces, returning to his allegiance him-
felf, and perfuading all his adherents to be
hearty in the royal cauft. The viceroy did not
at all alter the profeffions and behaviour he
had
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA 165
had ufed in Mexico, but every where pro-
claiming peace and pardon, at the head of a
powerful force, he drew the cities of Lima and
Cufco from the party of Pizarro ; who find-
ing himfelf obliged to evacuate the moft con-
fiderable places ,of ftrength, with very un-
equal forces hazarded a battle, in which he
was made prifoner. He was foon after con-
demned and executed, with thofe who had
been the chief inftruments of his rebellion.
Such an ill ftar governed all thofe who had
a mare, in the reduction of Peru ! Almagro be-
headed ; his fon Sharing the fame fate ; Pi-
zarro murdered in his own palace ; his bro-
ther Ferdinand kept a prifoner twenty-three
years ; and his other brother Gonzalo, as we
have juft feen, fuffering death as a traitor. The
new governor having by neceflary feverities
quieted his province, took effectual care to
heal its diforders by the arts of peace, and to
compleat what Caftro had been obliged to
leave unfinifhed. He fettled the civil govern-
ment, the army, and the mines, upon fuch
a bafis as made the province worthy to be
plundered by future viceroys. He carried
over two millions to the royal treafury, paid
all his debts, and fate down as poor in Spain as
he had left it.
The reduction of the great empires of Peru
and Mexico, makes almoft the only thing
very much worth infifting upon in the Ame-
M 3 rican
j66 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
rican hiftory. A few fkirmifhes with a favage
people, and fome voyages and difcoveries ex-
actly refembling each other, changing only
the names and fituations,is the matter, which,
in my opinion, unprofitably fills fo many vo-
lumes, and contains very little of either cu-
riofjty or inftruction. However, when I come
to treat of the feveral European fettlements
particularly, I fhall not omit to mention any
thing in their hiflory that contains either the
one or the other.
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 167
&&yw^^
P A R T II.
7%e Manners of the Americans.
CHAP. I.
The perfons of the Americans. Their drefs and
way of living. Their manner of cornier/ing.
Their hojpitality. Their temper. Their re-
ligion and fuperftitions. Their medicine.
THE Aborigines of America, through-
out the whole extent of the two vaft
continents which they inhabit, and amongft
the infinite number of nations and tribes into
which they are divided, differ very little from
each other in their manners and cuftoms;
and they all form a very ftriking picture of the
moft diftant antiquity. Whoever confiders
the Americans of this day, not only ftudies
the manners of a remote prefent nation, but
he ftudies, in fome meafure, the antiquities
M 4 of
1 68 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
of all nations ; from which no mean lights
may be thrown upon many parts of the an-
cient authors, both facred and profane. The
learned Lafitau has laboured this point with
great fuccefs, in a work which deferves to
be read amengft us much more than I find
it is.
The people of America are tall, and ftrait
in their limbs beyond the proportion of moft
nations : their bodies are ftrong ; but of a fpe-
cies of ftrength rather fitted to endure much
- hardfhip, than to continue long at any fervile
work, by which they are quickly confumed ;
it is the ftrength of a beaft of prey, rather
than that of a beaft of burthen. Their bo-
dies and heads are flattim, the effect of art ;
their features are regular, but their counte-
nances fierce ; their hair long, black, lank,
and as ftrong as that of a horfe. No beards.
The colour of their (kin a reddifh brown,
admired amongft them, and improved by the
conftant ufe of bear's fat and paint.
When the Europeans firft came into Ame-
rica, they found the people quite naked, ex-
cept thofe parts, which it is common for the
moft uncultivated people to conceal. Since
that time they have generally a coarfe blanket
to cover them, which they buy from us. The
whole fafhion of their lives is of a piece j
hardy, poor, and fqualid ; and their educa-
tion from their infancy is folely directed to fit
their
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 169
their bodies for this mode of life, and to form
their minds to inflict and to endure the great-
eft evils. Their only occupations are hunt-
ing and war. Agriculture is left to the wo-
men. Merchandize they contemn. When
their hunting feafon is paft, which they go
through with much patience, and in which
they exert great ingenuity, they pafs the reft
of their time in an entire indolence. They
deep half the day in their huts, they loiter
and jeft among their friends, and they ob-
ferve no bounds or decency in their eating and
drinking. Before we dilcovered them they
wanted fpirituous liquors; but now, the ac-
quirement of thefe is what gives a fpur to
their induflry, and enjoyment to their repofe.
This is the principal end they purfue in their
treaties with us ; and from this they fufifer in-
expreffible calamities ; for, having once be-
gun to drink, they can preferve no meafure,
but continue a fucceflion of drunkennefs as
long as their means of procuring liquor lafts.
In this condition they lie expofed on the earth
to all the inclemency of the feafons, which
waftes them by a train of the moft fatal dif-
orders ; they perifh in rivers and marfhes ;
they tumble into the fire ; they quarrel, and
very frequently murder each other; and in
fhort, excefs in drinking, which with us is
rather immoral than very deftrucftive, amongft
this uncivilized people, who have not art
enough
170 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
enough to guard againft the confequencc of
their vices, is a public calamity. The few
amongft them who live free from this evil,
enjoy the reward of their temperance in a
robuft and healthy old age. The diforders
which a complicated luxury has introduced,
and fupports in Europe, are ftrangers here.
The character of the Indians is ftriking.
They are grave even to fadnefs in their de-
portment upon any ferious occafion ; obfer-
vant of thofe in company; refpectful to the
old ; of a temper cool and deliberate ; by
*vhich they are never in hafte to fpeak before
they have thought well upon the matter, and
are fure the perfon who fpoke before them
has finifhed all he had to fay. They have
therefore the greateft contempt for the viva-
city of the Europeans, who interrupt each
other, and frequently fpeak all together. No-
thing is more edifying than their behaviour in
their public councils and affemblies. Every
man there is heard in his turn, according as
his years, his wifdom, or his fervices to his
country have ranked him. Not a word, not
a whifper, not a murmur is heard from the
reft while he fpeaks. No indecent condem-
nation, no ill-timed applaufe. The younger
fort attend for their inftruction. Here they
learn the hiftory of their nation ; here they
are inflamed with the fongs of thofe who ce-
lebrate the warlike actions of their anceftors ;
and
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 171
and here they are taught what are the interefts
of their country, and how to purfue them.
There is no people amongft whom the
laws of hofpitality are more facred, or exe-
cuted with more generofity and good-will.
Their houfes, their proviiion, even their
young women are not enough to oblige a
gueft. To thofe of their own nation they
are likwife very humane and beneficent. Has
any one of them fucceeded ill in his hunt-
ing ? has his harveft failed ? or is his houfe
burned ? He feels no other effect of his mif-
fortune, than that it gives him an opportunity
to experience the benevolence and regard of
his fellow-citizens, who for that purpofe have
all things almoft in common. But to the
enemies of his country, or to thofe who have
privately offended, the American is implacable.
He conceals his fentiments, he appears recon-
ciled, until by fome treachery or furprize he
has an opportunity of executing an horri-
ble revenge. No length of time is fufficient
to 'allay his refentment ; no diftance of place
great enough to protect the object ; he crofles
the fleepeft mountains, he pierces the moft
impracticable forefts, and traverfes the moft
hideous bogs and deferts for feveral hundreds
of miles, bearing the inclemency of the fea-
fons, the fatigue of the expedition, the ex-
tremes of hunger and thirft with patience
and chearfulnefs, in hopes of ftirprizing his
enemy,
172 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
enemy, on whom he exercifes the moft Shock-
ing barbarities, even to the eating of his flefh.
To fuch extremes do the Indians pufh their
friendship or their enmity ; and fuch indeed
in general is the character of all Strong and
uncultivated minds.
Notwithstanding his ferocity, no people
have their anger, or at leaft the fhew of their
anger, more under their command. From
their infancy they are formed with care to
endure feoffs, taunts, blows, and every fort
of infult patiently, or at leaft with a com-
pofed countenance. This is one of the prin-
cipal objects of their education. They efteem
nothing fo unworthy a man of fenfe and con-
ftancy, as a peevifh temper, and a pronenefs
to a fudden and ram anger. And this fo far
has an effect, that quarrels happen as rarely
amongft them when they are not intoxicated
with liquor, as does the chief caufe of all
quarrels, hot and abufive language. But hu-
man nature is fuch, that as virtues may with
proper management be engrafted upon almoft
all forts of vicious paffions, fo vices naturally
grow out of the beft difpofitions, and are the
confequence of thofe regulations that produce
and Strengthen them. This is the reafon
that when the paffions of the Americans are
roufed, being Shut up, as it were, and con-
verging into a narrow point, they become
more
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 173
more furious ; they are dark,, fullen, treache-
rous and unappeafable.
A people who live by hunting, who inha-
bit mean cottages, and are given to change
the place of their habitation, are feldom very
religious. The Americans have fcarce any
temples. We hear indeed of fome, and thofe
extremely magnificent, amongft the ancient
Mexicans and Peruvians ; but the Mexicans
and Peruvians were comparatively civjjized
nations. Thofe we know at prefent in any
part of America are no way comparable to
them. Some appear to have very little idea
of God. Others entertain better notions ;
they hold the exiftence of the Supreme Being,
eternal and incorruptible, who has power
over all. Satisfied with owning this, which
is traditionary amongft them, they give him
no fort of worfhip. 'There are indeed nations
in America, who feem to pay fome religious
homage to the fun and moon ; and as moft
of them have a notion of fome invifible be-
ings, who continually intermeddle in their af-
fairs, they difcourfe much of demons, nymphs,
fairies, or beings equivalent. They have ce-
remonies too, that feem to (hew they had
once a more regular form of religious wor-
fhip ; for they make a fort of oblation of their
firft fruits ; obferve certain ceremonies at the
full moon, and have in their feftivals many
things that very probably came from a religious
origin,
174 <d* ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
origin, though they perform them as things
handed down to them from their anceftors,
without knowing or enquiring about the rea-
fon. Though without religion, they abound
in fuperftitions j as it is common for thofe
to do, whofe fubfiftence depends like theirs,
upon fortune. Great obfervers of omens and
dreams, and pryers into futurity with great
eagernefs, they abound in diviners, augurs,
and magicians, whom they rely much upon
in all affairs that concern them, whether
of health, war, or hunting. Their phyfic,
which may rather be called magic, is en-
tirely in the hands of the priefts. The iick
are naturally prone to fuperftition, and hu-
man help in fuch cafes is generally found fo
weak, that it is no wonder that in all coun-
tries and ages, people have amufed them-
felves in that difmal circumftance of human
nature, with the hope of fupernatural afllft-
ance.
Their phyficians generally treat them, in
whatever diforder, in the fame way. That
is, they nrft enclofe them in a narrow cabbin,
in the midft of which is a ftone red hot ; on
this they throw water until the patient is well
foaked with the warm vapour, and his own
fweat ; then they hurry him from the bagnio,
and plunge him fuddenly into the next river.
This is repeated as often as they judge necef-
{ary ; and by this method, extraordinary cures
are
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 175
are fometimes performed. But it frequently
happens too, that this rude method kills th
patient in the very operation, efpecially in the
new diforders brought to them from Europe ;
and it is partly owing to this manner of pro-
ceeding, that the fmall-pox has proved fo much
more fatal to them than to us. It muft not
be denied that they have the ufe of fome
fpecifics of wonderful efficacy ; the power of
which they however attribute to the magical
ceremonies with which they are conftantly
adminiftered. And it is remarkable, that
purely by an application of herbs they fre-
quently cure wounds, that with us refufe to
yield to the moft judicious methods.
CHAP. II.
The government of the Americans. Their coun-
cils. Their orators. Their fe aft s. Their man-
ner of adminijlering juftice.
LIBERTY in its fulleft extent is the
darling pallion of the Americans. To
this they facrifice every thing. This is what
makes a life of uncertainty and want, fup-
portable to them j and their education is di-
rected in fuch a manner as to cherifh this dif-
pofition to the utmoft. They are indulged in
all manner of liberty j they are never upon
any account chaftifed with blows ; they are
rarely
176 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
rarely even chided. Reafon, they fay, will
guide their children when they come to the
ufe of it j and before that time their faults
cannot be very great ; but blows might abate
the free and martial fpirit which makes the
glory of their people, and might render the
fenfe of honour duller, by the habit of a fla-
vim motive to action. When they are grown
up, they experience nothing like command,
dependence, or fubordination ; even ftrong
perfuafion is induftrioufly forborn by thofe
who have influence amongft them, as what
may look too like command, and appear a
fort of violence offered to their wiil.
On the fame principle, they know no pu-
nimment but death. They lay no fines, be-
caufe they have no way of exacting them
from free men j and the death, which they
fometimes inflict, is rather a confequence of
a fort of war declared againft a public enemy,
than an act of judicial power executed on a
citizen or fubject. This free difpofition is
general -, and though feme tribes are found in
America, with an head whom we call a king,
his power is rather perfuafive than coercive,
and he is reverenced as a father, more than
feared as a monarch. He has no guards, no
prifons, no officers of juftice. The other
forms, which may be confidered as a fort of
ariftocracies, have no more power. This
latter is the more common in North America.
In
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 177
In fome tribes there are a kind of nobility,
who, when they come to years of difcretion,
are entitled to a place and vote in the councils
of their nation ; the reft are excluded. But
amongft the Five nations, or Iroquois, the
moft celebrated commonwealth of North
America, and in fome other nations* there is
no other qualification abfolutely necefTary fof
their head men, but age, with experience and
ability in their affairs. However, there is ge-
nerally in every tribe fome particular ftocks
which they refpecl:, and who are confidered
in fome fort as their chiefs, unlefs they fhew
themfelves unworthy of that rank ; as among
the tribes themfelves there are fome, who,
an account of their number or bravery, have
a pre-eminence over the reft j which, as it is
not exacted with pride and infolence, nor
maintained by tyranny on one hand, fo it is
never difputed on the other when it is due.
Their great council is compofed of thefe
heads of tribes and families, with fuch whofe
capacity has elevated them to the fame degree
of confederation. They meet in a houfe, which
they have in each of their towns for the pur-
poie, upon every folemn occafion, to receive
ambaffadors, to deliver them an anfwer, to
fing their traditionary war fongs, or to com-
memorate their dead. Thefe councils are
public. Here they propofe all fuch matters
as concern the ftate, which have already been
VOL. I, N digeftcd
178 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
digefted in the fecret councils, at which none
but the head men affift. Here it is that their
orators are employed, and difplay thofe ta-
lents which diftinguifh them for eloquence
and knowledge of public bufmefs ; in both of
which fome of them are admirable. None
elfe fpeak in their public councils j thefe are
their ambafTadors, and thefe are the commif-
fioners who are appointed to treat of peace or
alliance with other nations. The chief fkill
of thefe orators confifts in giving an artful
turn to affairs, and in expreiling their thoughts
in a bold figurative manner, much ftronger
than we could bear in this part of the world,
and with geftures equally violent, but often
extremely natural and expreffive.
When any bulinefs of confequence is tranf-
acted, they appoint a feaft upon the occafion,
of which almoft the whole nation partakes.
There are lefTer feafts upon matters of lefs
general concern, to which none are invited
but they who are engaged in that particular
bufinefs. At thefe feafts it is againft all rule
to leave any thing ; fo that if they cannot
confume all, what remains is thrown into the
fire, for they look upon fire as a thing facred,
and in all probability thefe feafts were an-
ciently facrifices. Before the entertainment
is ready, the principal perfon begins a fong,
the fubjecl: of which is the fabulous or real
hiftory of their nation, the remarkable events
which
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA.
which have happened, and whatever matters
may make for their honour or inftrudlion.
The others fing in their turn. They have
dances too, with which they accompany their
fongs, chiefly of a martial kind ; and no fo-
lemnity or public bufmefs is carried on with-
out fuch fongs and dances. Every thing is
tranfacled amongft them with much cere-
mony ; which in a barbarous people is necef-
fary ; for nothing elfe could hinder all their
affairs from going to cbnfuiion $ befides that
the ceremonies contribute to fix all tranfa&ions
the better in their memory.
To help their memory, they have bit&
of fmall mells or beads of different colours*
which have all a different meaning, accord-
ing to their colour or arrangement. At the
end of every matter they difcourfe upon^
when they treat with a foreign irate, they de-
liver one of thefe belts. If they mould omit
this ceremony, what they fay paiTes for no-
thing: Thefe belts are carefully treafured up
in each town, and they ferve for the public
records of the nation ; and to thefe they oc-i
cafionally have recourfe, when any conteiU
happen between them and their neighbours;
Of late, as the matter of which thefe beltd
is made is grown fcarce, they often give. force
{kin in the place of the wampum, for lo
they call thefe beads in their language, and
Deceive in return prcfents of a more valuable
N 2 nature
180 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
nature ; for neither will they confider what our
com miffi oners fay to be of any weight, unlefs
fome prefent accompanies each propofal.
The fame council of their elders which
regulates whatever regards the external poli-
cy of the ftate, has the charge likewife of its
internal peace and order. Their fuits are few
and quickly decided, having neither propeity
nor art enough to render them perplexed or
tedious. Criminal matters come before the
fame jurifdi&ion, when they are fo flagrant
as to become a national concern. In ordinary
cafes, the crime is either revenged or com-
promifed by the parties concerned. If a mur-
der is committed, the family which has loft
a relation, prepares to retaliate on that of the
offender; They often kill the murderer, and
when this happens, the kindred of the laft
perfon flam look upon themfelves to be as
much injured, and think themfelves as much
juftified in taking vengeance, as if the violence
had not begun amongft themfelves. But in
general things are determined in a more ami-
cable manner. The offender abfents himfelf j
his friends fend a compliment of condolance
to thofe of the party murdered ; prefents are
offered, which are rarely refufed ; the head of
the family appears, who in a formal fpeech
delivers the prefents, which confift often of
above fixty articles, every one of which is
given to cancel fome part of the offence, and
to
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA 181
to afluage the grief of the fuffering party.
With the firft he fays, " By this I remove the
hatchet from the wound, and make it fall
out of the hands of him that is prepared to
revenge the injury :" wirh the fecond, " I dry
up the blood of that wound ;" and fo on, in
apt figures, taking away one by one all the ill
confequences of the murder. As ufual, the
whole ends in mutual feafting, fongs, and
dances. If the murder is committed by one
of the fame family, or cabbin, that cabbin
has the full right of judgment, without ap-
peal, within itielf, either to punifh the guilty
with death, or to pmlon him, or to force
him to give tome recompence to the wife or
children of the ilain. AH trfis while the fu-
preme authority of the nation looks on un-
concerned, and never roufes its fbength, nor
exerts the fulnefs of a power more revered
than felt, but upon fome fignal occafion.
Then the power feems equal to the occafion.
Every one haftens to execute the orders of
their fenate ; nor ever was any inftance of dil-
loyalty or rebellion known amongft this peo-
ple. Governed as they are by manners, not
by laws, example, education, and the con-
ftant practice of their ceremonies, gives them
the moft tender affection for their count! y,
and infpires them with a moft religious regard
for their constitution, and the cuftoms of
their anceftors,. The want of laws, and of
N 3 an
$82 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
an univerfal ftrong coercive power, is not per-
ceived in a narrow focietv, where every man
j ' j
has his eye upon his neighbour, and where
the whole bent of every thing they do is to.
ftrengthen thofe natural ties by which fociety
is principally cemented. Family love, rare
amongft us, is a national virtue amongft
them, pf which all partake. Friendfhips
there are amongft them, fit to vie with thofe
cif fabulous antiquity ; and where fuch friend-
fhip.s are feen to grow, the families concerned
congratulate themfelves as upon an acquifition,
that promifes to them a mutual ftrengtb,
and to their nation the greateft honour and
advantage.
CHAP. III.
^heir mournings for their dead. The Jeaft of
fouls. Tke American ivomen^ their occupa-
tions. T'heir marriages and divorces.
THE lofs of any one of their people,
whether by a natural death, or by war,
is lamented by the whole town he belongs
to*. In fuch circumftances no bufmefs is
taken in hand, however important, nor any
rejoicing permitted, however interefting the
occalion,
* The towns are fmall, and except the affairs of war, or ftate,
they have no bufmefs to employ them, for the greateft part of
the year, after the hunting ieafon is over.
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. j8?
y
occafion, until all the pious ceremonies due
to the dead are performed. Thefe are always
performed with the greateft folemnity. The
dead body is warned, anointed, and painted,
fo as in feme meafure to abate the horrors of
death. Then the women lament the lofs
with the moft bitter cries, and the moft hide-
ous howlings, intermixed with fongs, which
celebrate the great actions of the deceafed,
and thofe of his anceftors. The men mourn
in a lefs extravagant manner. The whole
village attends the body to the grave, which
is interred, habited in their moft fumptuous
ornaments. With the body of the deceafed
are placed his bow and arrows, with what he
valued moft in his life, and proviiions for the
long journey he is to take ; for they hold the
immortality of the foul univerfally, but their
idea is grofs. Feafting attends this, as it
does every folemnity. After the funeral, they
who are nearly allied to the deceafed, con-
ceal themfelves in their huts for a confider-
able time to indulge their grief. The com-
pliments of condoiance are never omitted,
nor are prefents wanting upon this occafion.
After fome time they revilit the grave; they
renew their forrow ; they new cloath the re-
mains of the body, and act over again the fo-
lemnities of the firft funeral.
Of all their inftances of regard to their de-
ceafed friends, none is fo ftriking as what
N 4 they
$84 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
they call the feaft of the dead, or the feaft of
fouis. The day for this ceremony is appoint-
ed in the council of their chiefs, who give
orders for every thing, which may enable
them to celebrate it with pomp and magni-
iicence. The riches of the nation is cxhauiied
on this occafion, and all their ingenuity dif-
played. The neighbouring people are invited
to partake of the feaft, and to be witnefles of
the folemnity. At this time, all who have
died fince the laft folemn feaft of that kind,
are taken out of their graves. Thofe who
have been interred at the greateft diftance
from the villages are diligently fought for,
and brought to this great rendevcus of can-
caffes, Jt is not difficult to conceive the hor-
j-or of this general difinterment. I cannot
paint it in a more lively manner than it is
4one by Lafitau.
'' Without queflion, fays he, the opening
f thefe tombs difplay one of the moft ftrik-
ing fcenes that can be conceived; this hum-
bling pourtrait of human mifery, in fo many
images of death, wherein me feems to take
a pleafure to paint herfelf in a thoufand va-
rious ihapes of horror, in the fev.eral carcaf-
fes, according to the degree in which corrup-
tion has prevailed over them, or the manner
jn which it has attacked them. Some appear
dry and withered ; others have a fort of parch-
ment upon their bones j feme look as if they
were
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 185
were baked and fmoaked, without any ap-
pearance of rotten nefs ; fome are juft turning
towards the point of putrefaction ; whilft
others are all fwarming with worms, and
drowned in corruption. I know not which
ought to flrike us moll, the horror of fo
Shocking a fight, or the tender piety and af-
fection of thefe poor people towards their de-
parted friends j for nothing deferves our ad-
miration more, than that eager diligence and
attention wkh which they difcharge this me-
lancholy duty of their tendernefs ; gathering
up carefully even the fmalleft bones ; hand-
ling the carcafTes, difguftful as they are, with
every thing loathfome; cleanfing them from
the worms, and carrying them upon their
fhoulders through tirelome journeys of feveral
days, without being difcouraged by their in-
fupportable flench, and without fufFering any
other emotions to arife, than thofe of regret,
for having Io(l perfons who were fo dear to
them in their lives, and fo lamented in their
death/'
This flrange feiiival is the mod: magnifi-
cent and folemn which they have : not only
on account of the great concourfe cf natives
and ftrangers, and of the pompous reinter-
ment they give to their dead, whom they
drefs in the fineft fkins they can get, after
having expofed them fome time in this pomp ;
but for the games of all kinds which they ce-
lebrate
j86 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
lebrate upon the occafion, in the fpirit of thofc
which the ancient Greeks and Romans cele-
brated upon fimilar occafions.
In this manner do they endeavour to footh
the calamities of life, by the honours they
pay their dead ; honours, which are the more
chearfully paid, becaufe in his turn each man
expects to receive them hirnfelf. Though
amongft thefe favage nations this cuftom is
imprefled with flrong marks of the ferocity of
their nature, an honour for the dead, a ten-
der feeling of their abfence, and a revival of
their memory, are fome of the mod excel-
lent inftruments for fmoothing our rugged
nature into humanity. In civilized nations
fuch ceremonies are lefs practifed, becaufe
other inftruments for the fame purpofes are
lefs wanted ; but it is certain a regard for the
dead is ancient and univerfal.
Though the women in America have gene-
rally the laborious part of the ceconomy upon
themfelves, yet they are far from being the
flaves they appear, and are not at all fubject
to the great fubordination in which they are
placed in countries where they feem to be
more refpedled. On the contrary, all the ho-
nours of the nation are on the fide of the wo-
men. They even hold their councils, and
have their {hare in all deliberations which con-
cern the ftate ; nor are they found inferior to
the part they acT:. Polygamy is practifed by
fome
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 187
fome nations, but it is not general. In moft
they content themfelves with one wife, but
a divorce is admitted, and for the fame caufes
that it was allowed amongft the Jews, Greeks,
and Romans. No nation of the Americans
is without a regular marriage, in which there
are many ceremonies ; the principal of which
is, the bride's prefenting the bridegroom with
a plate of their corn.
Incontinent before wedlock, after marriage
the chaftity of their women is remarkable.
The punifhment of the adulterefs, as well as
that of the adulterer, is in the hands of the
hulband himfelf ; and it is often fevere, as in-
flicted by one who is at once the party and
the judge. Their marriages are not fruitful,
feldom producing above two or three chil-
dren, but they are brought forth with lefs
pain than onr women fufler upon fuch occa-
fions, and with little confequent weaknefs:
Probably, that fevere life which both fexes
lead, is not favourable to procreation. And
the habit unmarried women have of procuring
abortions, in which they rarely fail, makes
them the more unfit for bearing children af-
terwards. This is one of the reafons of the
depopulation of America ; for whatever lories
they fuffer, either by epidemical difeafes or
by war, are repaired ilowly.
CHAP.
i88 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
CHAP. IV.
The Indian manner of preparing for <war. The
fongs and dances. Their taking the field.
Their method of difcovering and attacking the
enemy. Their cruel treatment of their pri-
f oners of war.
ALMOST the fole occupation of the
American is war, or fuch an exercife
as qualifies him for it. His whole glory con-
fifts in this j and no man is at all confidered
until he has increafed the ftrength of his
country with a captive, or adorned his houfe
with the fcalp of one of its enemies. When
the Ancients refolve upon war, they do not
always declare what nation it is they are de-
termined to attack ; that the enemy, upon
whom they really intend to fall, may be off
his guard. Nay, they even fometimes let
years pafs over without committing any a6l
of hoftilitVj that the vigilance of all may be
unbent by the long continuance of the watch,
and the uncertainty of the danger. In the
mean time they are not idle at home. The
principal captain fummons the youth of the
town to which he belongs ; the war kettle is
fet on the fire j the war fongs and dances
commence j the hatchet is fet to all the vil-
lages of the fame nation, and to all its allies,
the
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 189
the fire catches, the war fongs are heard in
all parts, and the moft hideous howlings con-
tinue without intermiffion day and night over
that whole tract of country. The women add
their cries to thofe of the men, lamenting
thofe whom they have either loft in war, or
by a natural death, and demanding their
places to be fupplied from their enemies, fti-
mulating the young men by a fenfe of mame,
which women know to excite in the ftrongeft
manner, and can take the beft advantage of
when excited.
When by thefe, and every other means,
the fury of the nation is raifed to the greateft
height, and all long to embrew their hands
in blood, the war captain prepares the feaft,
which confifts of dogs flem. All that par-
take of this feaft receive little billets, which
are fo many engagements which they take to
be faithful to each other, and obedient to
their commander. None are forced to the
war ; but when they have accepted this billet,
they are looked upon as lifted, and it is then
death to recede. All the warriors in this af-
fembly have their faces blackened with char-
coal, intermixed with dames arid ftreaks of
vermilion, which give them a moft horrid
appearance. Their hair is drefled up in an
odd manner, with feathers of various kinds.
In this alTembly, which is preparatory to their
military expedition, the chief begins the war
fong ;
190 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
fong ; which having continued for fome
he raifes his voice to the higheft pitch, and
turning off fuddenly to a fort of prayer, he
addrefles himfelf to the god of war, whom
they call Arefkoui, " I invoke thee, fays
he, to be favourable to my enterprize ! I in-
voke thy care upon me and my family ! I in-
voke ye likewife, all ye fpirits and demons
good and evil ! All ye that are in the ikies,
or on the earth* or under the earth, to pour
deftrucTJon upon our enemies, and to return
me and my companions fafely to our country."
All the warriors join him in this prayer with
fhouts and acclamations. The captain renews
his fong, ftrikes his club againft the flakes of
his cottage^ and begins the war dance, accom-
panied with the mouts of all his companions,
which continue as long as he dances.
The day appointed for their departure be-
ing arrived, they take leave of their friends ;
they change their cloaths, or whatever move-
ables they have, in token of mutual friend-
fhip j their wives and female relations go out
before them, and attend at fome diftance from
the town. The warriors march out all dreft
in their fineft apparel, and moft movvy orna-
ments, regularly one after another, for they
never march in rank. The chief walks ilowly
on before them, tinging the death fong,
whilft the reft obferve the moft profound fi-
lence. When they come up to their women,
they
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 191
they deliver up to them all their finery, put
on their worft cloaths, and then proceed as
their commander thinks fit.
Their motives for engaging in a war are
rarely thofe views which excite us to it. They
have no other end but the glory of the victory,
or the benefit of the flaves which it enables
them to add to their nation, or facrifice to
their brutal fury ; and it is rare that they take
any pains to give their wars even a colour of
juftice. It is no way uncommon among them
for the young men to make feafts of dogs
flefh, and dances, in fmall parties, in the
midft of the moft profound peace. They fall
fometimes on one nation, and fometimes on an-
other, and furprize fome of their hunters,
whom they fcalp and bring home as prifoners.
Their fenators wink at this, or rather encou-
rage it, as it tends to keep up the martial fpi-
rit of their people, inures them to watchful-
nefs and hardfhip, and gives them an early
tafte for blood.
The qualities in an Indian war are vigi-
lance and attention, to give and to avoid a
furprize; and patience and ftrength, to en-
dure the intolerable fatigues and hardmips
which always attend it. The nations of Ame*
rica are at an immenfe diftance from each
other with a vaft defart frontier, and hid in
the bofom of hideous, and almoft boundlefs
forefts. Thefe muft be traverfed before they
meet
192 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
meet an enemy, who is often at fuch a di^
fiance as might be fuppofed to prevent either
quarrel or danger. But notwithstanding the
fecrecy of the deftination of the party that
firft moves, the enemy has frequent notice of
it, is prepared for the attack, and ready to
take advantage in the fame manner of the
leaft want of vigilance in the aggreflbrs. Their
whole art of war confifts in this : they never
fight in the open field, but upon fome very
extraordinary occafions j not from cowardice,
for they are brave ; but they defpife this me-
thod, as unworthy an able warrior, and as an
affair in which fortune governs more than
prudence. The principal things which help
them to find out their enemies are the fmoke
of their fires, which they fmell at a diflance
almoft incredible ; and their tracks, in the
difcovery and diftinguiming of which they
are polTeffed of a fagacity equally aftoniming j
for they will tell in the footfteps, which to us
would feem mofl confufed, the number of
men that have panned, and the length of time
fince they have paffed \ they even go fo far
as to diftinguiflh the feveral nations by the dif-
ferent marks of their feet, and to perceive
footfteps, where we could diftinguifh no-
thing lefs. A mind diligently intent upon
one thing, and exercifed by long experience,
will go lengths at firft view fcarcely credible,
But
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA 193
But as they who are attacked have the
fame knowledge, and know how to draw the
fame advantages from it, their great addrefs is
to baffle each other in thefe points. On the
expedition they light no fire to warm them-
felves, or prepare their victuals, but fubfift
merely on the miferable pittance of fome of
their meal mixed with water j they lie clofe
to the ground all day, and march only in the
night. As they march in their ulual order
in files, he that clofes the rear diligently co-
vers his own tracks, and thofe of all who
preceded him, with leaves. If any flream
occurs in their route, they march in it for a
confiderable way to foil their purfuers. When
they halt to reft and refrefh themfelves, fcouts
are fent out on every fide to reconnoitre the
country, and beat up every .place where they
fufpect an enemy may lie perdue. In this
manner they often enter a village, whilft the
ftrength of the nation is employed in hunt-
ing, and maflacre all the helplefs old men,
women, and children, or make prifoners as
many as they judge they can manage, or have
flrength enough to be ufeful to their nation.
They often cut off fmall parties of men in
their huntings ; but when they difcover an
army of their enemies, their way is to throw
themfelves flat on their faces amongft the
withered leaves, the colour of which their
bodies are painted to refemble exactly. They
VOL, I. O gene-
194 -dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
generally let a part pafs unmolefted, and then
rifing a little, they take aim, for they are ex-
cellent markfmen, and fetting up a mod tre-
mendous (hout, which they call the war cry,
they pour a ftorm of mufquet-bullets upon
the enemy ; for they have long fince laid afide
the ufe of arrows ; the party attacked returns
the fame cry. Every man in hafte, covers
himfelf with a tree, and returns the fire of
the adverfe party ; as foon as they raife them-
felves from the ground to give the fecond fire.
After fighting fome time in this manner,
the party which thinks it has the advantage
rufhes out of its cover, with fmall axes in
their hands, which they dart with great ad-
drefs and dexterity j they redouble their cries,
intimidating their enemies with menaces, and
encouraging each other with a boaftful dif-
play of their own brave actions. Thus being
come hand to hand, the conteft is foon de-
cided ; and the conquerors fatiate their favage
fury with the moft mocking infults and bar-
barities to the dead, biting their flem, tear-
ing the fcalp from their heads, and wallow-
ing in their blood like wild beafts.
The fate of their prifoners is the moft fe-
vere of all. During the greateft part of their
journey homewards they fuffer no injury.
But when they arrive at the territories of the
conquering ftate, or at thofe of their allies,
the people from every village meet them, and
think
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 195
think they (hew their attachment to their
friends by their barbarous treatment of the
unhappy prifoners ; fo that when they come
to their ftation, they are wounded and bruif-
ed in a terrible manner. The conquerors en-
ter the town in triumph. The war captain
waits upon the head men, and in a low voice
gives them a circumftantial account of every
particular of the expedition, of the damage
the enemy has furTcred, and his own lofles in
it. This done, the public orator relates the
whole to the people. Before they yield to the
joy which the victory occailons, they lament
the friends which they have loft in the purfuit
of it. The parties mod nearly concerned are
afflicted apparently with a deep and real for-
row. But by one of thofe ftrange turns of
the human mind, famioned to any thing by
cuftom, as if they were difciplined in their
grief, upon the fignal for rejoicing, in a mo-
ment all tears are wiped from their eyes, and
they rufli into an extravagance and phrenzy of
joy for their victory.
In the mean time the fate of the prifoners
remains undecided, until the old men meet,
and determine concerning the diftribution. It
is ufual to offer a Have to each houfe that has
loft a friend ; giving the preference according
to the greatnefs of the lofs. The perfon who
has taken the captive attends him to the door
of the cottage to which he is delivered, and
O 2 with
196 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
with him gives a belt of wampum, to mew
that he has fulfilled the purpofe of the expe-
dition in fupplying the lofs of a citizen. They
view the prefent which is made them for
fome time, and according as they think him
or her, for it is the fame, proper or improper
for the bufinefs of the family, or as they take
a capricious liking or difpleafure to the coun-
tenance of the victim, or in proportion to
their natural barbarity, or their refentment for
their loiTes, they defline concerning him, to
receive him into the family, or fentence him
to death. If the latter, they throw away the
belt with indignation. Then it is no longer
in the power of any one to fave him. The
nation is affembled as upon fome great folem-
nity. A fcafFold is raifed, and the prifoner
tied to the ftake. Inflantly he opens his death
fong, and prepares for the enfuing fcene of
cruelty with the moft undaunted courage. On
the other fide, they prepare to put it to the
utmoft proof, with every torment, which the
mind of man ingenious in mifchief can in-
vent. They begin at the extremities of his
body, and gradually approach the trunk. One
plucks out his nails by the roots, one by one;
another takes a finger into his mouth, and
tears off the flefh with his teeth ; a third
thrufts the finger, mangled as it is, into the
bole of a pipe made red hot, which he
fmoaks like tobacco. Then they pound his
toes
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 197
toes and fingers to pieces between two ftones ;
they cut circles about his joints, and games in
the flefhy parts of his limbs, which they fear
immediately with red-hot irons, cutting and
fearing alternately; they pull off this flefh
thus mangled and roafted, bit by bit, de-
vouring it with greedinefs, and fmearing their
faces with the blood, in an enthufiafm of hor-
ror and fury. When they have thus torn off
the flefh, they twift the bare nerves and ten-
ders about an iron, tearing and fnapping them;
whilft others are employed in pulling and ex-
tending the limbs themfelves, in eveiy way
that can increafe the torment. This conti-
nues often five or fix hours together. Then
they frequently unbind him to give a breath-
ing to their fury, to think what new torments
they (hall inflicl:, and to refrefh the ftrength
of the furferer, who wearied out with fuch a
variety of unheard-of torments, often falls
immediately into fo profound a ileep, that
they are obliged to apply the fire to awaken
him, and renew his fufferings.
He is again fattened to the flake, and again
they renew their cruelty ; they ftick him all
over with fmall matches of a wood that eafily
takes fire, but burns flowly ; they continu-
ally run (harp reeds into every part of his
body ; they drag out his teeth with pincers,
and thruft out his eyes ; and laftly, after hav-
ing burned his flefh from the bones with flow
O 3 fires ;
198 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
fires ; after having fo mangled the hody that
is all but one wound ; after having mutilated
his face in luch a manner as to carry nothing
of human in it ; after having peeled the {kin
from the head, and poured a heap of red-
hot coals, or boiling water on the naked fkull;
they once more unbind the wretch, who
blind and daggering with pain and weaknefs,
affaulted and pelted upon every fide with
clubs and ftones, now up, now down, fall-
ing into their fires at every ftep, runs hither
and thither, until fome of the chiefs, whe-
ther out of compaflion, or weary of cruelty,
puts an end to his life with a club or a dag-
ger. The body is then put into the kettle, and
this barbarous employment is fucceeded by a
feaft as barbarous.
The women, forgetting the human as well
as the female nature, and transformed into
fomething worfe than furies, a6t their parts,
and even outdo the men in this fcene of hor-
ror. The principal perfons of the country
fit round the flake fmoaking and looking on
without the leafr. emotion. What is mofl ex-
traordinary, the fufferer himfelf, in the little
intervals of his torments, fmoaks too, appears
unconcerned, and converfes with his tortur-
ers about indifferent matters. Indeed, during
t)ie whole time of his execution, there feems
a contefl between him and them which fhall
exceed, they in inflicting the mofl horrid
pains,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 199
pains, or he in enduring them with a firm-
nefs and conftancy almoft above human. Not
a groan, not a figh, not a diftortion of coun-
tenance efcapes him ; he poffefles his mind
entirely in the midft of his torments j he re-
counts his own exploits, he informs them
what cruelties he has inflicted upon their
countrymen, and threatens them with the
revenge that will attend his death j and tho*
his reproaches exafperate them to a perfect
madnefs of rage and fury, he continues his
reproaches even of their ignorance in the art
of tormenting, pointing out himlelf more ex-
quifite methods, and more fenfible parts of
the body to be afflicted. The women have
this part of courage as well as the men ; and
it is as rare for any Indian to behave other-
wife, as it would be for an European to fufTer
as an Indian.
I do not dwell upon thefe circumftances of
cruelty, which fo degrade human nature, out
of choice; but as all who ment ! Dn the cu-
ftoms of this people have infilled upon their
behaviour in this refpect very particularly,
and as it feems necefTary to give a true idea
of their character, I did not chufe to omit
it. It ferves to {hew too, in the flrongeft
light, to what an inconceiveable degree of
barbarity the paffions of men let loofe will
carry them. It will point out to us the ad-
vantages of a religion that teaches a compaf-
O 4 fieri
An ACCOUNT of tie EUROPEAN
fion to our enemies, which is neither known
nor praftifed in other religions ; and it will
make us more fenfible than fome appear to
be of the value of commerce, the arts of a
civilized life, and the lights of literature j
which if they have abated the force of fome
of the natural virtues by the luxury which
attends them, have taken out likewife the
fling of our natural vices, and foftened the
ferocity of the human race without enervat-
ing their courage.
On the other hand, the conftancy of the
fufferers in this terrible fcene (hews the won-
derful power of an earthly inftitution, and a fe-
rocious thirfl of glory, which makes men
imitate and exceed what philofophy, or even
religion can effecl:.
The prifoners who have the happinefs to
pleafe thofe to whom they are offered, have a
fortune altogether oppofite to that of thofe
who are condemned. They are adopted into
the family, they are accepted in the place
of the father, fon, or hufband that is loft ;
and they have no other mark of their capti-
vity, but that they are not fuffered to return
to their own nation. To attempt this would
be certain death. The principal purpofe of
the war is to recruit in this manner; for
which reafon a general who lofes many of
his men, though he mould conquer, is little
better than difgraced at home j becaufe the
SETTIEMENTS in AMERICA! 201
end of the war was not anfwered. They
a're therefore extremely careful of their men,
and never chufe to attack but with a very
undoubted fuperiority, either in number or
fituation.
The fcalps which they value fo much are
the trophies of their bravery $ with thefe
they adorn their houfes, which are efteemed
in proportion as this fort of fpoils is more nu-
merous. They have folemn days appointed
upon which the young men gain a new name
or title of honour from their head men j and
thefe titles are given according to the quali-
ties of the perfon, and his performances ; of
which thefe fcalps are the evidence. This is
all the reward they receive for the dangers
of the war, and the fatigues of many cam-
paigns, fevere almoft beyond credit. They
think it abundantly fufficient to have a name
given by their governors ; men of merit them-
felves, and judges of it j a name refpected by
their countrymen, and terrible to their ene-
mies. There are many other things fit to
engage the curiofity, and even afford matter
of inftrudtive reflection, in the manners of
this barbarous people ; but thefe feem to be
the moil ftriking, and fitter! to be infifted
on in a work which is to give a general idea
of America. The prefent fettlements, their
commerce and productions, ought to be al-
lowed their proper room. In which I pro-
pofe
2O2 dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
pofe to treat, firft of the Spanifh colonies,
as the firft difcovered and largeft object,, and
that in which the reft of Europe, though ex-
cluded, is the moft concerned. The Portu-
guefe, as neareft in place and rank, {hall be
fecond. The French (hall next be confi-
dered. The Englifh (hall be referved to the
laft, as the moft important to ourfelves.
End of the SECOND PART,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA.
203
PART HI.
SPANISH AMERICA.
- . -
CHAP. I.
A general defcriptkn of America.
HAVING defcribed with as much con-
cifcnefs as the fubject would bear, the
manners of the original inhabitants of Ame-
rica, as we had before that related the moft
remarkable adventures of its difcoverers and
conquerors ; it will be neceflary to view
more minutely, what and how advantageous
a country thefe conquefts and difcoveries have
added to the world j and what are the views,
interefts, and characters of thofe, who at
prefent poffefs the greateft part of that ex-
tenfive region.
America extends from the North pole to
the fifty-feventh degree of South latitude ; it
is
204 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
is upwards of eight thoufand miles in length ;
it fees both hemifpheres ; it has two fummers
and a double winter j it enjoys all the variety
of climates which the earth affords ; it is
warned by the two great oceans. To the
Eaftward it has the Atlantic ocean, which
divides it from Europe and Africa. To the
Weft it has another ocean, the great South-
Sea, by which it is disjoined from Afla. By
thefe feas it may, and does carry on a direct
commerce with the other three parts of the
world. It is compofed of two vaft continents,
one on the North, the other upon the South,
which are joined by the great kingdom of
Mexico, which forms a fort of ifthmus fif-
teen hundred miles long, and in one part, at
Darien, fo extremely narrow, as to make the
communication between the two oceans by no
means difficult. In the great gulph, which is
formed between this ifthmus and the North-
ern and Southern continents, lie an infinite
multitude of iilands, many of them large,
moft of them fertile, and capable of being
cultivated to very great advantage.
, America in general is not a mountainous
country, yet it has the greateft mountains in
the world. The Andes, or Cordilleras, ran
from North to South along the coaft of the
Pacific ocean. Though for the moft part
within the torrid zone, they are perpetually
covered with fnow, and in their bowels con-
tain
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA'. 205
tain inexhauflible treafurcs. In the province
of St. Martha in South America are likewife
very great mountains, which communicate
with the former. In North America we
know of none confiderable, but that long
ridge which lies to the back of our fettle-
ments, which we call the Apalachian, or Al-
legeney mountains ; if that may be at all con-
fidered as a mountain, which upon one fide
indeed has a very great declivity, but upon
the other is neajly on a level with the relt of
the country.
Without comparifon, America is that part
of the world which is the beft watered j and
that not only for the fupport of life, but for
the convenience of trade, and the intercourfe
of each part with the others. In North
America the great river Miffifippi rifing from
unknown fources, runs an immenfe courie
from North to South, and receives the vafl
tribute of the Ohio, the Ouabache, and other
immenfe rivers, fcarcely to be poftponed to
the Rhine or the Danube, navigable almoft
to their very fources, and laying open the in-
moft receiles of this continent. Near the
heads of thefe are five great lakes, or rather
feas of frefh water communicating with each
other, and all communicating with the ocean
by the river St. Laurence, which pafles through
them. Thefe afford fuch an inlet for com-
merce as muft produce the greateft advan-
tages,
206 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
tages, whenever the country adjacent fhall
come to be fully inhabited, and by an in*
duftrious and civilized people. The Eaftern
fide of North America, which is our portion,
befides the noble rivers Hudfon, Delaware,
Sufquehanna, Patowmack, fupplies feveral
others of great depth, length, and commo-
dious navigation. Many parts of our fettle-
ments are fo interfered with navigable rivers
and creeks, that the planters may be faid,
without exaggeration, to have each a harbour
at his own door.
South America is, if pofiible, in this re-
fpect, even more fortunate. It fupplies much
the two largeft rivers in the world, the river
of Amazons, and the Rio de la Plata. The
firft rifing in Peru, not far from the South-
Sea, pafles from Weft to Eaft, almoft quite
through the continent of South America, na-
vigable for fome fort or other of veffels all the
way, and receiving into its bofom a prodigi-
ous number of rivers, all navigable in the
fame manner, and fo great, that Monfieur
Condamine found it often almoft impoffible
to determine which was the main channel.
The Rio de la Plata rifing in the heart of the
country, {hapes its courfe to the South- Eaft,
and pours fuch an immenfe flood into the
fea, that it makes it tafte frefh a great many
leagues from the more j to fay nothing of the
Oronoquo, which might rank the foremoft
amongft
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA! 207
amongft any but the American rivers. The
foil and produces in fuch a variety of climates,
cannot fatisfadlorily be treated of in a general
defcription; we mall in their places confider
them particularly.
All America is in the hands of four na-
tions. The Spaniards, who, as they firft dif-
covered it, have the largeft and richeft {hare.
All that part of North America, which com-
pofes the ifthmus of Mexico, and what lies
beyond that towards the river Miffifippi on
the Eaft, the Pacific ocean to the Weft and
North-Weft j and they poflefs all South Ame-
rica, excepting Brafil, which lies between
the mouth of the river of Amazons and that
of Plata along the Atlantic ocean ; this be-
longs to Portugal. That part of North Ame-
rica which the Spaniards have not, is divided
between the Englim and French. The En-
glim have all the countries which incircle
Hudfon's Bay, and thence in a line all along
the Eaftern more to the thirtieth degree of
North latitude. France claims the country
which lies between this and the Spanim fet-
tlements to the Weft, and fecures an inter-
courfe with them by the mouths of the Mif-
fifippi, the Mobile, and of the river St. Lau-
rence, which are the only avenues of navi-
gation to this very extenfive country. The
multitude of iflands which lie between the
two continents, are divided amongft the Spa-
niards,
208 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
niards, French, and Englifh. The Dutck
poflefs three or four fmall iflands, which, in
any other hands, would be of no confequence.
The Danes have one or two, but they hardly
deferve to be named amongft the proprietors
of America.
CHAP. II.
he climate and foil of New Spain. Animals.
Its vegetable produce.
THE order which I intend to obferve
in treating of the Spanifli colonies is,
after having fet forth their fituation, their cli-
mate, and the nature of the foil, to defcribe
thofe commodities in which they trade , to
give a clear and concife account of their me-
thod of manufacturing them ; and then to
lay open the manner of their dealing in them,
as well as that by which they carry on their
foreign commerce. Laft of all I mall fay
fomething of the genius and temper of the
inhabitants ; of fuch cufl6ms of theirs as are
remarkable, and of their civil policy, and of
their military, fo far as they are come to my
knowledge, or as they are worthy the atten-
tion of the reader. The exacl: divifion of the
provinces, the courfes of the rivers, the di-
fiances of places, the dimenfions of harbours
and their foundings j all thefe, as they are in-
finitely
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA 209
finitely better known from maps and charts,
fo it would be impertinent and tedious to fill
up this fhort work with them, which pro-
poles to give, even mort as it is, a defcription
of every thing that may tend to a juft notion, of
America; and therefore cannot facrifice mat-
ters of more moment to the defcription of
things, of which a far better idea may be ac-
quired by other means to thofe whom they
concern j and to thofe whom they do not in-
terefl, who are far the majority, mart be
tedious and uninftruclive.
The firft country which the Spaniards fee-*
tied upon the continent of America was
Mexico j and it ftill continues their principal
fettlement, whether we coniider its number
of inhabitants, its natural wealth, or its ex-
tended traffic. As it lies for the moft part
within the torrid zone, it is exceffively hot $
and on the Eaftern coaft, where the land is
low, marmy, and constantly flooded in the
rainy feafons, it its likewife extremely un-
wholfome ; neither is that coaft pleafant in
any refpecl ; incumbered for the mod part
with almoft impenetrable woods of man-
grove trees, of a bare and difagreeable afpect,
and which extend into the water for a con-
fiderable way. The inland country ailumes
a more agreeable afpect, and the air is of a
better temperament ; here the tropical fruits
grow in great abundance ; the land is of a
VOL. L P good
210 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
good variety, and would not refufe any fort of
grain, if the number or induftry of the in-
habitants were any way proportioned to the
goodnefs of the foil. But on the Weftern
iide the land is not fo low as on the Eaftern,
much better in quality, and full of plantations.
It is probable the Spaniards chufe to leave
the Eaftern coaft in its prefent ftate of rude-
nefs and defolation, judging that a rugged and
unwholfome frontier is a better defence againft
an European enemy, than fortifications and
armies, to be maintained at a vaft expence ;
or than the ftrength of the inhabitants, made
by the climate effeminate and pufillanimous,
and kept fo by policy : and indeed it would
be next to impoffible to make any confider-
able eftablifhment on that coaft, that could
effectually anfwer the purpofes of any power
in Europe, without ftruggling with the great-
eft difficulties j and as for a fudden invafion,
the nature of the country itfelf is a good for-
tification. In general, few countries under
the fame afpecl: of the heavens, enjoy more
of the benefits of nature, and the neceffaries
of life ; but, like all the tropical countries,
it rather is more abundant in fruits than in
grain. Pine apples, pomegranates, oranges,
lemons, citrons, figs, and cocoa nuts, are here
in the greateft plenty and perfection. Vines-
and apples require temperate climates.
The
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 21 j
The number of their horned cattle is in at
manner infinite ; Ibme private perfons are faid
to have pofTefled forty thoufand head ; many
are wild, and a very corifiderable trade is
driven in their hides and tallow, but the ex-
treme heat prevents their turning the flem to
any account in commerce. Swine are equally
numerous, and their lard is much in requeli
all over this country, where it is ufed inftead
of butter. Sheep are numerous in Mexico,
but I do not find that wool is an article of any
great confideration in their trade ; nor is it
probable that it is of a good kind, as it is
fcarce ever found ufeful between the tropics,
where it is hairy and fhort, except only in
Peru j and that is the produce of (heep cf a
fpecies very different from that in the reft of
America ; as Peru is itfelf remarkably diffe-
rent in climate from all other countries under
the torrid zone. But cotton is here very good,
and in great plenty. It is manufactured large-
ly, for as it is a light wear, fuitable to the cli-
mate, and all other cloathing being extrava-
gantly dear, it is the general wear of the in-
habitants j the woollens and linens of Europe
being rather luxuries, and worn only by per-
fons of fome condition. Some provinces pro-
duce filk, but not in that abundance or per-
fection to make a remarkable part of their
export; not but that the country is very fit for
that, and many other things valuable, which
P 2 ais
212 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
are but little cultivated ; for the gold and fil-
ver, which makes the glory of this country,
and in the abundant treafures of which it ex-
ceeds all the world, engages almoftthe whole
attention of the inhabitants, as it is almoft
the only thing for which the Spaniards value
their colonies, and what alone receives the
encouragement of the court ; therefore I {hall
infift moft largely upon thefe articles. After
that I (hall fpeak of thofe commodities, which
are produced here of moft importance in fo-
reign commerce, and reft upon them in pro-
portion to their importance. Thefe are cochi-
neal, indigo, and cacao, of which chocolate
is made. As for fugar and tobacco, and in-
digo, though no part of the world produces
better than Mexico ; and as for logwood,
though it be in a manner peculiar to this
country ; yet as the firft is largely raifed and
manufactured elfe where, and as our own
commerce in the two laft is what chiefly in-
terefts an Englim reader, I mall referve them
to be treated of in the divifion I allot to the
Englim colonies.
CHAP.
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 113
CHAP. III.
The gold and fifoer mines. The manner cf pu-
rifying thofe metals. Some thoughts on the
generation of metals. Of the quantity of thofe
metals produced in the Spanijh Weft-Indies.
IT is not known with certainty, whether
all, or fome provinces only of New Spain,
produce mines of gold and (ilver. It is, how-
ever, allowed that the chief mines of o;old
are in Veragua and New Granada, confining
upon Darien and Terra Firma. Thofe of
iilver, which are much more rich as well as
numerous, are found in feveral parts, but in
none fo much as in the province of Mexico.
But all the mines, whether of gold or iilver,
are generally found in the mountainous and
barren parts; nature often making amends one
way for her failures in another.
Gold is found either in the fand of rivers,
native, and in fmall grains, or it is dug out of
the earth in the fame condition in fmall bits,
almoft wholly metallic, and of a tolerable
purity j or it is found like the ore of other
metals in an aggregate opaque mafs, in a
mixture of earth, ftone fulphur, and other
metals. In this ftate it is of all colours,
red, white, blackiih, and making little or no
.oftentation of the riches it contains. Some-
P 3 times
2/4 <d- n ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
times it forms part of the ornament of fome
beautiful ftones, which arc of various lively
Colours, interfered with filaments of this
metal, quite native. Lapis lazuli is one of
thefe, which has always fome fmall portions
of gold ; but this golden ftreaking is often
extremely fallacious, and has betrayed many
into ruinous expences ; for in feveral * ftones
thefe fine veins have been nothing more than
marcafite : however, fuch marcafites or fire-
ftcnes are found in mines, which contain real
gold. But gold, howfoever found, whether
native, or in what is called the ore, is feldom
or never without a mixture of other metals,
generally filver or copper.
The gold mines, though they contain the
richeft of all metals, it is remarkable moft
frequently difappoint the hopes, and ruin the
fortunes of thofe who engage in them ; tho'
neither the labouring of the mine, nor the
purifying the metal, is attended with fuch an
expence as what thofe are obliged to, who.
work mines of the inferior metals. For the
vein is, of all others, the moft unequal ;
fometlmes very large, full, and rich j then it
often decays by a quick gradation, and is
fometimes fuddenly loft. But the ends cf the
veins are, on the other hand, often extremely
rich j they are called the purfe of the vein ;
and when the miner is fo happy as* t? light
on
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 215
on one of thefe purfes, his fortune is made
immediately.
When the ore is dug out, the mod ufual
method is to break it to pieces in a mill, ex-
actly refembling thofe large ones we ufe for
grinding apples, wherein a mill-Hone fet on
end is made to turn in a circular channel of
ftone. When the ore is thus broke, and the
gold fomewhat feparated from the impure
mafs, they add to the whole a quantity of
quickfilver. Quickfilver has, of all other bo-
dies, the greateft attraction with gold, which
therefore immediately breaks the links which
held it to the former earth, and clings clofe
to this congenial fubftance. Then a rapid
ftream of water is let into the channel, which
fcouring away (through a hole. made for the
purpofe) the lighter earth, by the brifknefs of
its current, leaves the gold and mercury pre-
cipitated by its weight at the bottom. This
amalgama, or pafte, is put into a linen cloth,
and Iqueezed fo as to make the quickfilver
feparate and run out. To compieat this fepa-
ration, it is necefTary to fufe the metal, and
then all the mercury flies off in fumes.
But in many parts of Spanifh America, ano-
ther way of getting and purifying gold is
practifed. When by fure tokens they know
that gold lies in the bed of a rivulet, they
turn the current into the inward angles, which
time and the ftream have formed \ whilft this
P 4 runs,
2i 6 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
runs, they dig and turn up the earth to make
it the more eafily diffolved and carried off.
When the furface is thus completely warned
away, and they are come to a fort of ft iff
earth, which is the receptacle of gold, they
return the ftream into its former channel,
and dig up the earth as they find it, which
they carry to a little bafon lomewhat, in the
form of a frnith's bellows. Into this they
turn a fmall but a lively ftream to carry off the
foreign matter, whilft they facilitate the ope-
ration by ftirring the mafs with an iron hook,
which diffolves the earth, and gathers up thp
ftones, which are carefully thrown out that
they may not interrupt the paffages that carry
off the earth. By this means the gold loof-
ened from the grofs matter, which adhered
to it, falls to the bottom, but mixed fo inti-
mately with a black heavy fand, that none of
the gold can be perceived, unlefs it happens
to be a pretty large grain. To feparate it
from this fand, it is put into a fort of wooden
platter, with a little hollow of about the depth
of half an inch at bottom. This platter they
fill with water, and turning the mafs about
brifkly with their hands for fome time, the
fand pafles over the edges, and leaves the gold
in fmall grains, pure, and of its genuine co-
lour, in the hollow at the bottom. Thus is
gold refined without fire or mercury, merely
t>y warning. The places where ihis is per-
formed
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA^ 217
formed are called therefore Lavaderos by the
Spaniards. There are many more methods
of extracting and purifying this precious metal,
but thefe are the moft common ways ufed by
Spaniards in their Indies.
Silver is the metal next in rank, but firft in
confequence in the Spanifh traffic, as their
mines yield a much greater quantity of the
latter than of the former. It is found in the
earth under different forms, as indeed the ore
of all metal is. Such is the diverfity of ores
in this refpect, that nothing but a long ex.-
perience in this particular branch can exadtly
afcertain the fpecies of the metal, which al-
moft any ore contains at firft view. I have
feen fpecimens wherein the filver, almoft pure,
twined itfelf about a white ftone, penetrating
into the interfaces in the fame manner that
the roots of trees enter into the rocks, and
twift themfelves about them. Some are of an
afh -coloured appearance, others fpotted of a
red and blue, fome of changeable colours,
and many almoft black, affecting fomewhat of
a pointed regular form like cryftals. I cannot
find that it is ever found ingrains or fand, na-
tive, as gold is.
The manner of refining filver does not dif-
fer eflentially from the procefs which is em-
ployed for gold. They are both purified up-
on the fame principle ; by clearing away as
much of the earth as can be, with water ; by
uniting,
218 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
uniting, or amalgamating it with mercury ;
and afterwards by clearing off the mercury it-
felf, by draining and evaporation. But the
management of filver in this refpecl: is much
more difficult than that of gold ; becaufe this
metal is much more intimately united with
the foreign matters with which it is found in
the mine ; and its attraction with mercury is
much weaker ; therefore there is great care
taken in the amalgamation, and it is a long
time before they are perfectly mixed. A
quantity of fea-falt is likewife added. No
filver is had by mere warning.
The chymifts have talked very freely of the
production of thefe and other metals in the
earth ; of the fait, fulphur, and mercury that
compofe them, and the manner in which thefe
fubftances are united and changed ib as to
form metals and minerals of every fpecies.
Some have recourfe to the fun as the great
agent in this procefs, efpecially in gold and
filver, as the moft worthy fuch an operator.
Others call in the aid of fubterraneous fires
and central heat. But in reality they have ad-
vanced very little that is fatisfactory upon this
fubjedt. They have never by any method of
joining the matters, which they have afligned
as the conftituent parts of metals, in any
proportions whatfoever ; nor by any degrees
of their great agent fire, been able to make
metal of that which was not metal before.
Neither
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 219
Neither have they found what they allot as
the component parts of all metals in fuch a
manner in all, as to enable them to fix any
common principle for their generation. Some
they cannot analyfe by any art, as gold j they
indeed define it a composition of a very fub-
tile mercury, and a fulphur as fubtile.
But how this comes to be known, when
no procefs hitherto difcovered, has been able
to extract either of thefe from gold, they
who have advanced fuch things ought to
tell. It is reafonable to believe, that there is
fome plaftic principle in nature, perhaps
fomething analogous to the feminal principle
in plants and animals, whatever that is,
which does not, as we know, refemble any
known body, nor is compofed of any com-
bination of known bodies j but powerful of
itfelf to combine and vary fuch a part of the
common flock of matter as it is fitted to
operate upon, which it draws to itfelf, and
caufes to form an animal, or a plant, or a mi-
neral, or metal, of this or that nature, ac-
cording to the original nature of the feed.
Suppofe a plant fubjected to all the torture of
the chymical queftion : you find it contains
various matters ; an earth, water, oil, fait,
fpirit, and in the three laft perhaps fome-
thing fpecific, and differing from other plants.
But neither the fame quantities of fimilar
matter, nor thefe very matters themfelves, can
ever
22O An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
ever come to form a plant like the original, or
any thing like a plant at all, becaufe the fe-
minal virtue is wanting, nor is it perhaps
difcoverable. And as for the other matters,
they are the inert parts of the plant ; with-
out power themfelves, they are the materials
with which, and on which the feminal virtue
acts, to organize the mafs, to fpread the bran-
ches, to fhoot out the gems, to mature the
fruit, and in fhort to perform all the func-
tions of a complete plant. The fame may be
faid of animals. And why not of minerals,
though of a lefs nice organization ? Why
(hould they not have the femmal principle too,
which operating by its own power, and in a
way of its own, upon the elements of air,
earth, water, oil, and fait, is capable of pro-
ducing iron, copper, gold, filver, and other
metals. The want of this will always hin-
der us from being able to produce any metal
from other than metalline ingredients, though
we mould take fuch things as refemble the
ingredients they yield upon an analyfis, and
in the fame quantities in which we find them.
This I do not fay as favouring the notion that
ftones and metals vegetate exaclly like plants.
That thefe are often found where they had
formerly been exhaufted, and that they are
known to extend their dimenfions, is pretty
certain ; but that they affimilate the hetero-
geneous matter which increales their bulk,
in
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 221
in a manner analogous to plants, I cannot
venture to propofe. It mufl be allowed that
filver has been found, and I have fo feen it,
extending itfelf among the interfaces of ftones,
not unlike ivy and other parafite plants ; yet
as a metal no way differing from it, or at all
inferior, is extracted from ores, which have
an appearance altogether different, and which
too is the ufual way, it is probable the manner
in which they grow is not the fame.
What I had to fay of gold and filver, as
both are found, and the latter in vaft quanti-
ties, in Mexico, I thought it proper, for the
fake of avoiding repetitions, to bring them
under this head, though all the reft of the
Spanifh territories produce largely of both.
Of the plenty of gold and filver, which
the mines of Mexico afford, great things have
been faid, and with juftice ; as this, with
the other Spanifh colonies in America, in a
manner furnifh the whole world with filver ;
and bear a great proportion in gold to the
whole of what the world produces. A late
very judicious collector of voyages fays, that
the revenues of Mexico can hardly fall fhort
of twenty-four millions of our money. He
founds this upon a return made by the bifhops
of their tenths, which, without doubt, were
not over-rated j and that thefe amounted to
one million and a half flerling ; that thefe arc
about a fourth of the revenues of the clergy ;
and
222 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
and that the eftates of the clergy are about the
fourth part of the whole revenues of the
kingdom, which at this rate amount to twen-
ty-four millions Englim. He takes another
method of computing the wealth of this pro-
vince, which is, by the fifth paid to the king
of the gold and filver dug out of their mines.
This he obferves in the year 1730 amounted
to one million of marks in filver, each mark
equivalent to eight ounces j fo that if we
compute this filver at five (hillings per ounce^
then the inhabitants receive from their mines
ten millions in money. What a prodigious
idea muft this calculation give us of the united
product of all the American mines ? How
much muft be allowed in this account for the
exaggeration of travellers, and the oftentation
of Spaniards, I will not pretend to determine.
The plate circulated in trade, or lying dead
as the ornament of churches and houfes,
though a great deal is undoubtedly employed
in all thefe ways, did not feem to me to juf-
tify fo vaft a computation ; but as the gentle-
man who has confidered this point with un-
common attention is of another opinion, I
tvave any further obfervation upon it,
CHAP,
SETTLEMENTS m AMERICA. 223
CHAP. IV.
Of cochineal and cacao.
, the next commodity for
value which they export, is ufed in dye-
ing all the feveral kinds of the fmeft fcarlet,
crimfon, and purple. After much difpute
about the nature of this curious drug, it feems
at laft agreed, that it is of the animal kind;
an infect of the fpecies of the gall infeds.
This animal is found adhering to various
plants, but there is only one which commu-
nicates to it the qualities which make it va-
luable in medicine and manufactures. This
plant is called opuntia by the botanifts. It
conlifts wholly of thick fucculent oval leaves,
joined end to end, and fpreading out on the
iides in various ramifications. The flower is
large, and the fruit in fhape refembling a fig ;
this fruit is full of a crimfon juice, and to this
juice it is that the cochineal infecl: owes its
colour.
When the rainy fcafons come on, they
who cultivate this plant, cut off thofe heads
which abound moft with fuch infects, as are
not yet at their full growth j and preferve
them very carefully from the weather and all
other injuries. Thefe branches, though fepa*
rated from their parent flocks, preferve their
frefhnefs
224 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
frefhnefs and juices a long time ; and this en-
ables the infect not only to live out the rains,
but to grow to its full fize, and be in readinefs
to bring forth its young, as foon as the incle-
mency of the feafon is over. When this
time comes on, they are brought out, and
placed upon the proper plants, difpofed in
little nefts of fome mofly fubftance. -As foon
as they feel the enlivening influence of the
frefh air, they bring forth in three or four
days from their expofure at fartheft. The
young fcarce bigger than a mite, runs about
with wonderful celerity, and the whole plan-
tation is immediately peopled j yet what is
fomewhat fingular, this animal, fo lively in
its infancy, quickly lofes all its activity, and
attaching itfelf to fome of the leaft expofed,
and moft fucculent part of the leaf, it clings
there for life, without ever moving, not wound-
ing the leaf for its fuftenance, but fucking
with a probofcis, with which it is furnifhed for
this purpofe.
What is not lefs remarkable than the way
of life of this animal, is the nature of the
male, which has no appearance of belonging
to the fame fpecies ; far from being fixed to a
fpot, he has wings, and is, like the butterfly,
continually in motion ; they are fmaller than
the cochineal, and conftantly feen amongft
them, and walking over them without being
fufpected by thofe who take care of the infect,
of
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA
of being a creature of the fame kind, though
they believe that the cochineals are impreg-
nated by them. But it is the female cochi*
neal only which is gathered for ufe.
They make four gatherings a year, which
are fo many generations of this animal. When
they are fufficiently careful, they brufh off the
infects one by one with a fort of hair pencils,
and take them as they fall - y but they often
brufh the whole plant in a carelefs manner,
fo that fragments of it are mixed with the
cochineals, and themfelves mixed, the old
and young together, which carelefsnefs abates
much of the value; but what chiefly makes
the goodnefs of this commodity, is the man-
ner of killing and drying the cochineals, which
is performed three ways ; the firft is by dip-
ping the bafket in which it is gathered into
boiling water, and afterwards drying them in
the fun, this the Spaniards call renegrida,
The fecond method is by drying them in
ovens made for the purpofe ; this, from its
grey colour, veined with purple, is called
jafpeade. The third manner- is, when the
Indians dry them on their cakes of maize
which are baked on flat ftones ; this laft is
the word kind, as it is generally overbaked,
j
and fomething burned. They call it negra.
This drug has a very uncommon good
quality, and the more extraordinary as it be-
longs to the animal kingdom, and to the molt
VOL, I.
An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
perimable of that kind, that it never decays.
Without any other care than having been put
by in a box, fome have been known to keep
fixty, fome even upwards of a hundred years,
and as fit for the purpofes of medicine, or
manufacture, as ever it was. It is ufed in
medicine as a cordial and fudorific, in which
intentions few things anfwer better. . And
indeed as it anfwers fuch good purpofes in
medicine, is fo elTential in trade, and pro-
duced only in this country, it may be confi-
dered in all markets as equivalent to gold or
filver, by the certainty and quicknefs of the
fale. It is computed they annually export no
lefs than nine hundred thoufand pound weight
of this commodity.
The cocao, or cacao of which chocolate is
made, is a confiderable article in the natural
hiftory and commerce of New Spain. It
grows upon a tree of a middling fize ; the
wood is Ipungy and porous, the bark fmooth,
and of a cinamon colour : the flower grows
in bunches between the ftalk and the wood,
of the form of rofes, but fmall, and without
any fcent. The fruit is a fort of pod, which
contains the cacao, much about the fize and
fhape of a cucumber. Within there is a pulp
of a mofb refrefhing acid tafte, which fills up
the interfaces between the nuts before they
are ripe j but when they fully ripen, thefe
nuts are packed up wonderfully clofe, and in
a moft
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA, 227
a moft regular and elegant order ; they have
a pretty tough mell, and within this is the oily
rich fubftance, of which chocolate is made.
This fruit grows differently from our Euro-
pean fruits, which always hang upon the
fmall branches j but this grows along the
body of the great ones, principally at the
joints. None are found upon the fmall, which,
though it is a manner of vegetation unknown
here, prevails in feveral other plants within
the tropics. This cacao is a very tender trecj
equally impatient of the wind, heat or cold,
and will flourim only in the made ; for which
reafon in the cacao walks, they always plant
a palm-tree for every one of cacao. I need
fay little of the ufe of this fruit ; it is gene-
ral amongfl: ourfelves, and its virtues well
known ; but however the great external call
for it may be, the internal confumption is
much greater ; io that in Mexico and Terra
Firma, in fome provinces of which latter it
is found in the greateft perfection, their fo-
reign arid domeltic commerce in this article
is immenfe, and the profits fo great, that 4
fmall garden of the cacao's is faid to produce
twenty thoufand crowns a year. Though I
believe this to be exaggerated, it (hews, how-
ever, in what a light of profit this commo-
dity is coniidcred. At home it makes the
j
principal part of their diet, and is found who!-
ibme, nutritious, and fuitable to the climate.
This
228 ^ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
This fruit is often confounded with the cocoa
nut, which is a fpecies wholly different.
CHAP. V.
trade of Mexico. Some account of that city.
The fairs of Acapidco, and La Vera Cruz.
^he flota and regifler flips .
H E trade of Mexico may be confidered
Jj[_ as confifting of three great branches
by which it communicates with the whole
world ; the trade with Europe by La Vera
Cruz ; the trade with the Eaft-Indies by Aca-
pulco j and the commerce of the South-Sea
by the fame port. The places in New Spain,
which can intereft a ftranger, are therefore
three only, La Vera Cruz, Acapulco, and
Mexico.
Mexico, the capital of the kingdom, the
refidence of the viceroy, the feat of the fir ft
audience or chamber of juftice, and an arch-
bifhopric, is certainly one of the richeft and
moft fplendid cities, not only in America, but
in the whole world. Though no fea-port
town, nor communicating with the fea by
any navigable river, it has a prodigious com-
merce, and is itfeif the center of all that is
carried on between America and Europe on
one hand, and between America and the
Eafl-Indies on the other 5 for here the prin-
cipal
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 229
dpal merchants reticle, the greateft part of the
bufinefs is negotiated, and the goods that pafS
from Acapulco to La Vera Cruz, or from
La Vera Cruz to Acapulco, for the ufe of the
Philippines, and in a great meafure for the
ufe of Peru and Lima, all pafs through this
city, and employ an incredible number of
horfes and mules in the carriage. Hither all
the gold and filver come to be coined, here
the king's fifth is depofited, and here is -
wrought all that immenfe quantity of utenfils
and ornaments in plate, which is every year
fent into Europe. Every thing here has the
greateft air of magnificence and wealth ; the
fhops glitter upon all fides with the expofure
of gold, filver, and jewels, and furprize yet
more by the work of the imagination upon
the treafures which fill great chefts piled no
to the ceilings, whilft they wait the time of
being fent to Old Spain. It is faid that] the
negro wenches, who run by the coaches of the
ladies there, were bracelets of gold, pearl
necklaces, and jewels in their ears, whilft the
black foot-bovs are all over covered with
4
lace and embroidery. It cannot exactly be
afcertained what number of people are in this
city. It is certainly very confiderable, by
many not made lefs than feventy or eighty
thoufand. This city itfelf is well and regu-
larly built, though the houfes are not lofty;
the monafteries are numerous, and richly eh-
3 dowed,
2-30 -An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
4owed, and the churches extravagantly rich
in their ornaments, though comparatively poor
in the tafte of their architecture.
The port neareft to this city is Acapulco,
upon the South-Sea, upwards of two hundred
miles jdiftant from the capital. Acapulco it-
felf has one of the deepeft, fecureft, and mod
commodious harbours in the South-Sea, and
indeed almoft the only one which is goo4
upon the Weftern coaft of New Spain. The
entrance of the harbour is defended by a caftle
of tolerable ftrength ; the town itielf is but ill
built, and makes every way a miferable figure,
except at the time of the fairs, when it intirely
Changes its' appearance, and becomes one of
the moft considerable marts in the world.
^About the month of December, the great
galleon, which makes the whole communica-
tion that is between America and the Philip-
pines, after a voyage of five months, and failr
Jng three thoufand leagues without feeing any
pther land than the Little Ladrones, arrives
here loaded with all the rich commodities
of the Eaft j cloves, pepper, cinamon, nut-
fnegs, mace, china, japan wares, callicoes
plain and painted, chints, muilins of every
fort, .fi-lks, precious ftones, rich drugs, and
gold duft. At the fame time the annual
fhip from Lime comes in, and is not com-
puted to bring lefs than two millions of pieces
pf eight in filver, befides quickfilver, cacao,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 231
drugs, and other valuable commodities, to be
laid out in the purchafe of the commodities
of the Eaft-Indies. Several other (hips from
different parts of Chili and Peru meet upon
the fame occafion ; and befides the traffic
for the Philippine commodities, this caufes a
very large dealing for every thing thofe coun-
tries have to exchange with one another, as
well as for the purchafe of all forts of Euro-
pean goods. The fair lafls fometimes for thirty
days. As foon as the goods are difpofed of,
the galleon prepares to fet out on her voyage
to the Philippines with her returns, chiefly in
filver, but with fome European goods too,
and fome other commodities of America. J
fpeak here, as though there were but one
veflel on the trade with the Philippines j and
in fact there is only nominally one trading v'ef-
fel, the galleon itfelf, of about twelve hun-
dred tuns j but another attends her commonly
as a fort of convoy, which generally carries
fuch a quantity of goods as pretty much dif-
ables her from performing that office. The
galleon has often above a thoufand people on
board, either interefted in the cargo, or mere-
ly pafTengers ; and there is no trade in which
fo large profits are made ; the captain of the
veffel, the pilots, their mates, and even the
common failors, making in one voyage, what
in their feveral ranks may be confidered as
ealy fortunes. It is faid by the writer of lord
AnfonV
232 -An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
Anfon's voyage, that the jefuits have the pro-
fits of this (hip to fupport their millions ; and
jf fo, their gains muft be extremely great,
2nd muft add much to the confequence of a
Society which has as great a reputation for its
riches as its wifdom.
This commerce to fo vaft a value, though
o
carried on directly between the king of Spain's
.own dominions, enriches them in proportion
but very little ; the far greater part of every
jhing that comes from the Philippines, being
the produce, or the fabric of other countries;
the Spaniards add none. ef the artificial value
of labour to any thing. The Chinefe are
largely interefted in this cargo, and it is to
them they are indebted for the manufacturing
fuch of their plate, as is wrought into any
better fafhion then rude ingots, or inelegant
Coins. When this fair is over, the town is
comparatively deferted ; however, it remains
for the whole year the moft considerable port
jn Mexico, for the trade with Peru and Chili,
which is not very great. The Eaft- India
goods brought here are carried on mules to
Mexico, from whence what exceeds their
own confumption is fent by land carriage to
La Vera Cruz, to pafs over to Terra Firma,
to the iflands, and fome even to Old Spain,
Chough in no great quantity.
From the port of La Vera Cruz it is that
the great wealth of Mexico is poured out
upon.
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 233
upon all the old world j and it is from this
port alone, that they receive the numberlefs
'luxuries and neceffaries that the old world
yields them in return. To this port the an-
nual fleet from Cadiz, called the flota, arrives
about the latter end of November, after a
paffage of nine weeks. This fleet, which
fails only from Cadiz, confifts of about three
men of war as a convoy, and fourteen or fif-
teen large merchant mips, from four hundred
to one thoufand tuns burthen. They are load-
ed almoft with every fort of goods which
Europe produces for export ; all forts of
woollens, linens, filks, velvets, laces, glafs,
paper, cutlery, all forts of wrought iron,
watches, clocks, quickfilver, horfe furniture,
fhoes, ftockings, bocks, pictures, military
ftores, wines and fruits, ib that all the trading
parts of Europe are highly interested in the
cargo of this fleet. Spain itfelf fends out little
more than the wine and fruit. This, with
the freight and commiflions to the merchant,
and the duty to the king, is almoft all the ad-
vantage which that kingdom derives from her
commerce with the Indies. It is ftrictly pro-
hibited to load any commodities on board this
fleet without entering the goods, the value,
and the owner's name, in the India houfe at
Seville ; and when they return, they muft
bring a certificate from the proper officer
{here, that the goods were duly landed, and
in
234 dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
in the proper port. They arc not permitted
to break bulk upon any account until they
arrive at La Vera Cruz, nor are they furfered
4
to take in any other than Spanish pafFengers,
nor them without a licence firft obtained at
the India houfe.
Jealoufy is the glaring character of the
court of Spain, in whatever regards their
American empire ; and they often facrifice the
profperity to an exceffive regard to the fecu-
rity of their poffeffions. They attend in thi$
trade principally to two objects ; the exclu-
iion of all flrangers from any mare in it, and
the keeping up the market for fuch goods as
they fend ; and they think both thefe ends
beft anfwergd by fending out only one annual
fleet, and that from one only port in Spain,
and to one port only in Mexico. Thefe
views, which would be impolitic in any
power in Europe befides, are judicious enough
in Spain ; becaufe the goods they fend belong-
ing moftly to ftrangers, and the profits upon
the fale in the Indies being the only thing
that really accrues to themfelves, it is cer-
tainly right to confult primarily how they
{hall get the greateft returns upon the fmallefi
quantity of goods. It would be quite other-
wife, if all, or moft of what they fend abroad,
.were their own produce or manufacture.
They are undoubtedly right too in keeping
the trade very carefully to themfelves, though
perhaps
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 235
perhaps the means taken to attain this end,
will not be thought fo rational. By fuffering
all the trade to be carried on only between
two ports, they difcourage in the old world
all their towns from that emulation, which
would not only enable them to traffic in fo-
reign commodities, but in time to fet up fa-
brics of their own ; whereas now, with re-
gard to the export of their commodities, they
ftand upon the level of ftrangers ; they can-
not carry their produce diredtly to the beft
market ; and it is very certain, that even tri-
fling difcouragements operate very powerfully
where the commercial fpirit is weak, and the
trade in its infancy. Againj in the new world,
this confinement of the trade encourages in-
terlopers, and an illicit commerce, too gainful
for any regulation to prevent, and which may
afford fuch bribes as will difarm the moil ri-
gid juflice, and lull the moft attentive vigi-
lance. So that in reality it may greatly be
doubted, whether the precautions, fo fyftema-
tically purfued, and improved from time to
time with fo much care and forefight, are at
bottom of moft advantage or prejudice to that
nation. It was probably fome confederation
of this kind, that firft gave rife to the cuftom
of regifter mips : it was found that this con-
fined commerce fupplied its extenfive object
very imperfectly j and that thofe who were
t watch to pour in counterband goods, would
take
236 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
take advantage of this want of a regular fup-
ply from Spain. When therefore a company
of merchants of Cadiz or Seville, judge that
goods muft be wanting at any certain port in
the Weft-Indies, the courfe is, to petition the
council of the Indies for licence to fend a
{hip of three hundred tuns, or under, to that
port. They pay for this licence forty or fifty
thoufand dollars, betides prefents to the of-
ficers, in proportion to the connivance necef-
fary to their defign ; for though the licence
runs to three hundred tuns at the utmoft, the
veffel fitted out is feldom really lefs than fix
hundred. This fbip and cargo is regiftered
at the pretended burthen. It is required too,
that a certificate be brought from the king's
officer at the port to which the regifter fhip is
bound, that (he does not exceed the fize at
which me is regiftered ; all this paiTes of
courfe j thefe are what they call regifter (hips,
and by thefe the trade of Spanim America
has been carried on principally for fome years
paft, fome think as much to the prejudice of
their trade, as contrary to all their former
maxims in carrying it on. But to return to the
flota.
When all the goods are landed, and dif-
pofed of at La Vera Cruz, the fleet takes in
the plate, precious ftones, cochineal, indigo,
cacao, tobacco, fugar, and hides, which are
their returns for Old Spain. Sometimes in
May,
SETI LEMENTS in AMERICA. 237
M#y, but more frequently in Auguft, they
ar.er ready to depart. From La Vera Cruz
they fail to the Havanna in the ifle of Cuba,
which is the place of rendezvous where they
meet the galleons j another fleet which carries
on all the trade of Terra Firma by Cartha-
gena, and of Peru by Panama and Porto-bello,
in the lame manner that the fiota ferves for
that of New Spain. When they arrive at this
port, and join the galleons and the regifter
mips that colled: at the fame port from all
quarters, fome of the cleaned and beft failing
of their veflels are difpatched to Spain, with
advice of the contents of thefe feveral Meets,
as well as with treafure and goods of their
own, that the court may judge what indulto
or duty is proper to be laid on them, and what
convoy is necefTary for their fafety. Thefe
fleets generally make fome ftay at the Havanna
before all the (hips that compofe them are
collected and ready to fail. As foon as this
happens they quit the Havanna, and beat
through the gulph of Florida, and palling
between the Bahama iflands, they hold their
courfe to the North-Baft, until they come to
the height of St. Auguftin, and then fleer
away to Old Spain. When the flota has left
La Vera Cruz, it has no longer the appear-
ance of a place of confequence j it is a town
in a very unhealthy fituation, inhabited fcarcc-
ly by any but Indians, Meztezes, or negroes.
All
238 An AccciuNT of the EUROPEAN
All the merchants of any confequence refide
at Tome diftance, at a place called Los An-
gelos. This town may contain about three
thoufand inhabitants.
CHAP. VI.
<Three forts of people in New Spain. The whites.,
Indians, and negroes ; the characters of thoje.
rfke clergy -, their characters, 'The civil go-
vernment, its character.
THE inhabitants of New Spain are
compofed of people of three different
races ; whites, Indians, and negroes, or the
feveral mixtures of thofe. The whites are
either born in Old Spain, or they are Creoles ;
thofe who are native Spaniards are moftly in
offices, or in trade, and have the fame cha-
racter and manners with the Spaniards of
Europe ; the fame gravity of behaviour, the
fame natural fagacity and good fenfe, the fame
indolence, and yet a greater (hare of pride and
ftatelinefsj for here they look upon the being
natives of Old Spain as a very honourable
diftinction, and are in return looked upon by
the Creoles with no fmall (hare of hatred and
envy. The latter have little of that firmnefs
and patience which makes one of the finefl
parts of the character of the native Spaniard.
They have little courage, and are univerfally
SETTLEMENTS m AMERICA. 239
weak and effeminate. Living as they do in a
conftant enervating heat, forfeited with wealth,
and giving up their whole time to loitering
and inactive pleafures, they have nothing bold
or manly to fit them for making a figure in
active life ; and few or none have any tafte
for the fatisfaclion of a learned retirement.
Luxurious without variety or elegance, and
expenfive with great parade, and little con-
veniency, their general character is no more
than a grave and fpecious infignificance.
They are temperate at their tables and in
their cups, but from idlenefs and conftitution,
their whole bufinefs is amour and intrigue;
thefe they carry on in the old Spanim tafte, by
doing and faying extravagant things, by bad
muficj worfe poetry, and excefiive expences.
Their ladies are little celebrated for their cha-
ftity or domeflic virtues ; but they are ftill
a good deal reftrained by the old-famioned
etiquette, and they exert a genius which is
not contemptible, in combating the reftraints
which that lays them under.
The clergy are extremely numerous, and
their wealth and influence cannot be doubted
among fo rich and fuperftitious a people. It
is faid, that they actually poflefs a fourth of
the revenues of that whole kingdom -, which,
after all abatements, certainly amounts to fe-
veral millions. And as to their numbers, it is
not extravagant to fay, that priefts, monks,.
and
240 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
and nuns of all orders, are upwards of one
fifth of all the white people, both here and
in the other parts of Spanish America. But
the clergy here being too ignorant in general
to be able inftruclors by their preaching, and
too loofe and debauched in their own man-
ners to inftruct by their example, the people
are little the better for their numbers, wealth
or influence. Many of them are no other
than adventurers from Old Spain, who with-
out regard to their character or their vows,
ftudy nothing but how to raife a fudden for-
tune, by abufing the ignorance and extreme
credulity of the people. A great deal of at-
tention is paid to certain mechanical methods
of devotion. Moral duties are little talked
of. An extreme veneration for faints, lucra-
tive to the orders they have founded, cr are
fuppofed to patronize, is flrongly inculcated,
and makes the general fubject of their fer-
mons, deiigned rather to raife a fiupid admi-*
ration of their miracles, than an imitation of
the fanclity of their lives. However, having
faid this, it muft be confidered as all general
obfervations, with the reafonable allowances ;
for many of the dignified clergy, and others
among them, underfland, and praclife the
duties of their ftation ; and fome whole or-
ders, as that of the jefuits, are here as they
are elfewhere, diftinguifhable for their learn-
ing, and the decency of their behaviour. And
certainly,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 241
certainly, with all their faults, in one refpedt
their zeal is highly commendable ; that they
are the caule of feveral charitable founda-
tions } and that they bring the Indians and
blacks into fome knowledge of religion, and
in fome meafure mitigate their flavery. This
too has a good political effect:, for thofe flaves
are more faithful than ours, and though in-
dulged with greater liberty, are far lefs dan-
gerous. I do not remember that any infur-
rection has been ever attempted by them,
and the Indians are reduced to more of a ci-
vilized life, than they are in the colonies of
any other European nation.
This race of people are now, whatever
they were formerly, humble, dejected, timo-
rous, and docile; they are generally treated
with great indignity. The ftate of all peo-
ple fubjected to another people, is infinitely
worfe than what they fuffer from the prefTure
of the worft form, or the worft adminiftra-
tion of any government of their own.
The blacks here, as they are imported
from Africa, have the fame character as the
blacks of our colonies ; ftubborn, hardy, of
an ordinary understanding, and fitted for the
grofs flavery they endure.
Such are the characters of the people, not
only of New Spain, but of all Spanifh Ame-
rica. When any thing materially different
occurs, I mall not fail to mention it.
VOL. I. R The
242 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
The civil government is adminiftered by
tribunals, which here are called audiences,
confifting of a certain number of judges, di-
vided into different chambers, more refem-
bling the parliaments in "France than our
courts. At the head of the chief of thefe
chambers the viceroy himfelf prefides when
he fees fit. His employment is one of the
greateft truft and power the king of Spain has
in his gift j and is perhaps the richeft govern-
ment entrufted to any fubject in the world.
All employments here are held only by na-
tive Spaniards, and by them but for a certain
limited time; moft not above three y fc ears.
Jealoufy, in this refpect, as in all others rela-
tive to the Indies, is the fpirit that influences
all their regulations ; and it has this very bad
effe<5l; that every officer, from the higheft
to the loweft, has the avidity which a new and
lucrative pofl infpires j ravenous becaufe his
time is fhort, he opprefles the people, and
defrauds the crown j another fucceeds him
with the fame difpoiitions ; and no man is
careful to eftablim any thing ufeful in his
office, knowing that his fucceflbr will be fure
to trample upon every regulation which is not
fubfervient to his own interefts ; fo that this
enflaved people has not the power of put-
ting in ufe the fox's policy, of letting the
firft (warm of bloodfuckers ftay on, but is
obliged to fubmit to be drained by a con-
ftant
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 243
ftant fucceffion of hungry and impatient
harpies.
There are fome troops kept in New Spain,
and a good revenue appropriated for their
maintainance, and for the fupport of the for-
tifications there ; but the foldiers are few ; ill
cloathed, ill paid, and worfe difciplined ; the
military here keep pace with the civil and
ecclefiaftical administration, and every thing
is a jobb.
CHAP. VII.
New Mexico. Its difcovery. Climate. Pro-
dutfs. T^he Englifh claim to California.
NEW Mexico lies to the North and
North-Eaft of New Spain. Its bounds
to the North are not afcertained, Taking in
California, it has the great South-Sea to the
Weft, and to the Eaft it is bounded by the
French pretenfions on the Miffifippi. This
country lies for the moft part, within the
temperate zone, and has a moft agreeable cli-
mate, and a foil in many places productive of
every thing for profit or delight. It has rich
mines of filver, and fome of gold, which
are worked more and more every day ; and
it produces precious ftones of feveral kinds ;
but it has no direct intercourfe with any part
of Europe. The country is but little known
R 2 at
244 ^ n ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
at all to Europeans ; and the Spanifli fettle-
ments they are comparatively weak; how-
ever, there are every day increafing in pro-
portion as they difcover mines ; which are
here not inferior to any that have been dif-
covered in the other parts of America. The
inhabitants are moftly Indians, but in many
places lately reduced by the Spanifh miffio-
naries to chriftianity, to a civilized life, to
follow trades, and to raife corn and wine,
which they now export pretty largely to Old
Mexico. This ufeful change was principally
efFe&ed at the expence of a Spanifh noble-
man, the marquis Velafco, whom the reve-
rend author of lord Anfon's voyage calls, for
that reafon, a munificent bigot.
The famous peninfula of California is a
part, and far from an inconfiderable part of
this country. It has a place finely fituated for
trade, and has a pearl fifhery of great value.
It was firft difcovered by the great conqueror
of Mexico Hernando Cortes. Our famous
admiral and navigator Sir Francis Drake land-
ed there, and took pofTeffion of it in 1578 ;
and he not only took poffeffion, but obtained
the beft right in the world to the pofTefTion ;
the principal king having formally inverted
him with his principality. However, I do
not find that we have thought of afTerting
that right fince his time j but it may proba-
bly employ, in fome future time, the pens of
thofe
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 245
thofe lawyers who difpute with words, what
can only be decided by the fword, and will
afford large matter upon the right of difco-
very, occupancy and fettlement.
CHAP. VIII.
The climate and foil of Peru. Its produce, ^tbe
mines, the coca and herb of Paraguay.
THE conqueft of Peru, atchieved in fo
extraordinary a manner, brought into
the power of Spain a country not lefs weal-
thy, and nearly as extenfive as Mexico j but
far beyond it for the conveniency of habita-
tion and the agreeablenefs of the climate.
Like Mexico it is within the torrid zone; yet
having on one fide the South-Sea, and on the
other the great ridge of the Andes through
its whole length, the joint effeds of the ocean
and the mountains temper the equinoctial
heat in a manner equally agreeable and fur-
prifing. With a iky for the moft part clou-
dy, which fhields them from the rays of the
vertical fun, it never rains in this country.
But every night a foft benign dew broods
upon the earth, and refrefhes the grafs and
plants fo as to produce in fome parts the
greateft fertility ; what the dew wants in per-
fecting this, is wrought by the vaft number
of ftreams, to which the frequent rains and
R 3 the
246 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
the daily melting of the fnow on thofe afto-
nifhing mountains give rife ; for thofe moun-
tains, though within the tropics, have their
tops continually covered with fnow, which is
an appearance unparallelled in the fame cli-
mate. Along the fea coaft Peru is generally
a dry barren (and, except by the banks of the
rivers and ftreams we have mentioned, where
it is extremely fertile, as are all the valleys in
the hilly country.
The caufe of the want of rain in all the flat
country of Peru, is difficult to be affigned ;
though the agents in it are not improbably
the conftant South- Weft wind, that prevails
there for the greateft part of the year ; and
the immenfe height of the mountains, cold
with a conftant fnow. The plain country be-
tween, refreshed as it is on the one hand by
the cool winds that blow without any varia-
tion from the frigid regions of the South,
and heated as uniformly by the direct rays of
the equino&ical fun, preferves fuch an equal
temper, that the vapour once elevated can
hardly ever defcend in rain : But in the moun-
tainous part of the country, by the alternate
contraction and dilation of the air from the
daily heats, and the fucceeding colds, which
the fnows communicate in the abfence of the
fun, as well as from the unequal temper of
the air which prevails in all hilly places, the
rain falls very plentifully 5 the climate in the
moun-
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 247
mountainous countries is extremely change-
able, and the changes fudden.
All along the coaft of Peru, a current fets
ftrongly to the North; further out to fea
it panes with equal rapidity to the South.
This current probably moves eddywife ; for
having run as far as its moving caufe impels
it, it naturally pafTes back again where it has
leaft refiftance. The ignorance of this dou-
ble current made the navigation in the South
feas originally very uncertain and fatiguing;
but now the courfe is, for thole who pafs
from Chili to Peru, to keep in to the more in
their paiTage to Callao, and on their return to
ftand out a great many leagues to fea, and take
the Southern current homewards. The fame
method, but reverfed, is obferved in the voyages
between Panama, and all the other Northern
countries, and the ports of Peru.
The commodities of Peru, for export, may
be reduced to thefe articles. Firft, nlver and
gold ; fecondly, wine, oil, and brandy ; thirdly,
Vigonia wool ; fourthly, jefuits bark ; fifthly,
Guinea or Jamaica pepper. Ofthefirft of
thefe articles we have already treated in our
defcription of Mexico. The mines of gold
in Peru, are almoft all in the Northern part,
not very remote from Lima $ thofe of nlver
almoft wholly in the Southern. The voyagers
who treat of this country, are generally pretty
diffufe in their accounts of the principal places,
R 4 where
248 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
where mines are found ; but it does not there-
fore give us encouragement to infift much on
thefe particulars ; becaufe they contain very
little inftruftion in themfelves; and if they
were things in their own nature inftrudive,
it would be little to the purpofe to dwell upon
what is continually changing. New mines
are daily opened, and the old exhaufted or
deferted. The towns fhift with the mines.
A rich mine is always founder of a town in
proportion to its produce j the town which it
fubfifts, when the mine is exhaufted, difap-
pears. Indeed the great mines of Poton* in
the province of Los Charcas, are the inheri-
tance of ages ; and after having enriched the
world for centuries, ftill continue the inex-
hauftible fources of new treafure. They are
not however quite fo valuable now as former-
ly j not fo much from any failure of the vein,
as from the immenfe depth to which they have
purfued it, which by the greater labour ne-
eeflary, leflens the profit on what it yields, in
proportion as they defcend j befides new mines
are daily opened, which are worked at a lefs
expence : fo that the accounts we have had
of the great number which inhabited the city
of Potofi, when Mr. Frezier was in that
Country, muft have fince fuffered fome abate-
ment. It had then upwards of feventy thou-
fand fouls, Spaniards and Indians; of which
the latter were fix to one.
The
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 249
The Spaniards oblige this unfortunate peo-
ple to fend annually a certain number from
the villages of the adjacent country, who are
compelled to work for a limited time; after-
wards they may return. But having loft the
fweetnefs of their former connections, they
that furvive this flavery commonly fettle in
the city of Potofi. It is incredible how thefe
mines (the moft terrible fcourge with which
God could afflict the inhabitants,) have con-
tributed to depopulate this country. Worfe
they are than fword or peftilence; equally
fatal to their lives j and where thofe eicape,
they are embittered by the circumftance of an
ignominious flavery, without any profpecl: of
end or mitigation. The effects of this fervi-
tude would be yet more fatal, if it were not
for the ufe of an herb which the inhabitants
call coca, to which they afcribe the moft ex-
traordinary virtues, and which they conftant-
ly ufe. Its qualities feem to be of the opiate
kind, and to have fome refemblance to thofe
of tobacco ; for it produces a kind of ftupid
compofure. It is an antidote againft poifons
and poifonous effluvia, and makes thofe
who ufe it, fubfift a long time without food.
Though neceflary to thofe only who work in
the mines, it is ufed for pleafure by all the
Indians, who chew it conftantly, though it
makes thofe who ufe it ftink in a moft offen-
five manner. This herb is gathered by the
Indians
250 -<& ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
Indians with many fuperftitious ceremonies,
to which they attribute its virtues -, for which
reafon it is in many parts of Peru, with equal
fuperftition, ftriclly forbidden ; the Spaniards,
as well as the Indians, giving the credit of its
effeds to magic, and allowing to thefe more
than they deferve ; for they think the Indians
fuperiority in ftrength owing principally to
them. However, notwithstanding the feve-
rity of the inquilition, which is eftablifhed in
all the Spanim dominions with great terror,
neceffity makes them wink at the practice,
where the mines are worked.
They make ufe of another prefervative, an
infufion of the herb of Paraguay ; fomething
of the nature of tea. The confumption of
this in Peru by all ranks of people is prodi-
gious. Above 1 8,000 hundred weight is an-
nually brought into Chili and Peru, and is
worth, when the duty is paid, not lefs than
80,000 pounds flerling. The fineft of this
Ipecies of tea comes from the country of the
jefuits,
CHAP.
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 251
CHAP. IX.
The wines of Peru. *The 'wool. The lamas and
vicunnas, Jheep of Peru. Jefuits bark.
Guinea pepper. The dung of Iquiqua. Quick-
Jilver mines.
TH E Southern part of Peru which lies
without the tropic of Capricorn, pro-
duces wine in great plenty, but not in a per-
fection proportionable. The Spaniards diflike
and leave it to the Indians and negroes, chuf-
ing rather, what may feem odd, to regale in
the brandy of the fame wine, which is like-
wife made and exported in large quantities,
not only to all parts of Peru, but to Panama,
and the ports of -New Spain. The greateft
quantity is made near a place otherwife of no
confequence, called Moquaga ; here it is faid
they make annually of wine and brandy one
hundred thoufand jars, which Mr. Frezier
reckons at three million two hundred thou-
fand Paris pints. A vaft quantity in a fmall
territory. The value of this produce is four
hundred thoufand pieces of eight. Other
places trade in wine, fuch as Pifco, but of a
goodnefs not fuperior. Oil is likewife had in
Peru, but both the wine and oil are moftly
the produce of thofe places that lie beyond
the Southern tropic.
Wool
252 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
Wool makes one of the moft valuable
commodities of the growth of this country.
And it is not more remarkable for its fine
long ftaple, than for the fingularity of the
animal which carries it. It is fheered from
a fort of fheep, which they call lamas and
vicunnas ; the lamas have fmall heads, re-
fembling in fome meafure both an horfe and
fheep ; the upper lip is cleft like that of the
hare, through which, when they are enraged,
they fpit even to ten paces diftance, a fort of
envenomed juice, which, when it falls on the
ikin, caufe a red fpot and great itching. The
neck is long like that of a camel -, the body
refembles that of a fheep, but the legs are
much longer in proportion. This animal has
a difagreeable fmell, but its flefh is good ; and
it is extremely ufeful, not only for the wool,
which is very long and fine, but as it is a beaft
of burden, ftrong, patient, and kept at a very
eafy expence. It feldom carries above one
hundred and fifty pound weight, but then it
carries that weight a vaft way without tiring,
eats very little, and never drinks. As foon
as night comes the lama lies down, and no
blows can get him to move one foot after the
time he deftines for his reft and food.
The vicunna is an animal refembling the
lama, pretty much as the dromedary does the
camel. He is fmaller and fwifter, with a far
finer wool, but otherwife exactly like the
lama
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 253
lama in all refpects. The wool of thefe crea-
tures is almoft as fine as filk. Probably the
famous fheep of Cachemir, of whofe wool
they make the little white cloths fo much
valued in India, is of this fpecies. I cannot
afcertain what quantity of this wool is ex-
ported manufactured or raw out of Peru,
either to New or Old Spain ; but I have rea-
fon to believe it is not at all inconfiderable.
The fourth great article of their commerce
is jefuits bark, fo well known in medicine as
a fpecific in intermitting diforders, and the
many other great purpofes, which experience
daily finds it to aniwer. The tree which pro-
duces this valuable bark, grows principally in
the mountainous parts of Peru, and that moft
and beft in the province of Quito. Conda-
mine informs us, that it grows on the hither
fide of the Andes, no way inferior to the Pe-
ruvian in quantity and goodnefs ; the befl is
produced on the high and rocky grounds;
and it is not fingular in this, for it feerns in
a good meafure to be the cafe of all plants,
whofe juices are much more ftrong and ef-
fective when elaborated in fuch fituations.
The tree which bears it is about the fize of a
cherry-tree ; its leaves are round and indent-
ed; it bears a long reddifh flower, from
whence arifes a fort of hufk, which envelopes
a flat and white kernel, not unlike an almond.
This bark was firfl introduced in France by
the
254 '-An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
the cardinal Lago, a jefuit, about the year
1650. Hence it had its name of jefuit's bark.
It is faid to have been difcoverd by the acci-
dent of an Indian's drinking in a fever of the
water of a lake into which fome of thefe
trees had fallen, and by which he was cured.
This medicine, as ufual, was held in defiance
for a good while by the faculty ; but after an
obftinate defence, they have thought proper
at laft to furrender. Notwithftanding all the
mifchiefs at firft forefeen in its ufe, every body
knows that it is at this day innocently and ef-
ficacioufly prefcribed in a great variety of cafes ;
for which reafon it makes a confiderable and
valuable part of the cargo of the galleons.
Guinea pepper, Agi, or as it is called by
us, Cayenne pepper, is a very great article in
the trade of Peru, as it is ufed all over Spa-
nim America in almoft every thing they eat.
This is produced in the greateft quantity in
the vale of Arica, a diftricl in the Southern
parts of Peru, from whence they export to
the annual value of fix hundred thoufand
crowns. The diftricT: which produces this
pepper in fuch abundance, is but fmall, and
naturally barren ; its fertility in pepper, as
well as in grain and fruits, is owing to the
advantage of a fpecies of very extraordinary
manure, brought from an ifland called Iqui-
qua. This is a fort of yellowim earth, of a
fetid fmell. It is generally thought to be dung
of
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 255
of birds, becaufe of the fimilitude of the fcent,
that feathers have been found very deep in it,
and that vaft numbers of fea fowls appear
upon that and all the adjacent coafts. But on
the other hand, whether we look upon this
fubftance as the dung of thefe fea fowls, or a
particular fpecies of earth, it is almoft equally
difficult to conceive how the fmall ifland of
Iquiqua, not above two miles in circumfe-
rence, could fupply fuch immenfe quantities ;
and yet after fupplying upwards of twelve fhip
loads annually for a century together for the
diftant parts, and a vaftly larger quantity for
the ufe of the neighbourhood, it cannot be
obferved that it is in the leaft diminished, or
that the height of the ifland is at all leflened.
But thefe are matters, which to handle pro-
perly, requires a more exadT; knowledge of all
the circumftances relating to them, than can
be gathered from travellers.
Quickfilver is a remarkable article in their
trade, becaufe the purification of their gold
and filver depends upon it. I do not find that
any other part of the Spanifh America pro-
duces it ; fo that Mexico and Terra Firma are
fupplied from Old Spain with all they want
of that mineral, which is brought them on
the king's account only j except that fome ar-
rives from Peru in a counterband manner. In
Peru likewife it is monopolized by the crown.
The principal mine of this extraordinary fub-
ftance
256 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
fiance is at a place called Guancavelica, where
it is found in a whitim mafs, refembling brick
ill burned ; this they pound, and put it into a
furnace vaulted at the top ; it is laid upon an
iron grate covered with earth. Through this
the fire pafles, and volatilizing the mineral,
it is raifed in a fmoke, which rinding no paf-
fage but through a little hole contrived for
that purpofe, it rumes through it into a fuc-
ceffion of little round veflels, united to each
other by the necks ; here the fmoak circu-
lates, and it condenfes by means of a little
water at the bottom of each veffel, into which
the quickfilver falls in a pure heavy liquid.
The men who work in the mines of this mi-
neral, are yet more fubject to difeafes than
thofe who toil in the others, and they make
ufe of the fame prefervatives of Paraguay
tea and coca.
CHAP. X.
he character of the Peruvians. 'Their divifions.
The Indian fejlival. Honours paid to a de-
fcendant of the ynca.
THE manners of the Spaniards and
Creolians of Peru refemble, with little
difference, thofe of the Spaniards and Creo-
lians of Mexico, other than that the natives
of Peru feem to be of a more liberal turn,
and
S E T T L fc M E N T S in A M E k I C A.
and of greater ingenuity ; but they are for the
greater part equally deftitute of all cultivation.
The flavery of the Indians is here yet more
fevere. The magiftrate and the prieft devour
their whole fubftance ; and every Spaniard,
as fome authors report, iilfults them with
impunity. The traveller takes as much of
their proviiion as he pleafcs, and decides for
himfclr what he mall pay, or whether he
fhall pay any thing at all. Complaints are
anfwered with new indignities, and with
blows, which it is a crime to return. This
cruel irregular bondage contributes to difpeo-
ple this country even more than the metho-
dical tyranny of the government. To avoid
the plunder he is hourly fubject to, the m af-
ter of the family often raifes no more grain
than what juft fufrlces for the fuftenance of
his family ; this he buries, and he keeps the
fecret of his hoard to himfelr, only drawing
out daily juft fo much as lerves for the ufe of
the day. If he chances to die fuddeniy, the
family ftarves; if a bad feafon comes, the
calculated produce falls fhort, and they are
all reduced to beggary. Yet worfe, they are
even the Haves of Haves ; for the Spaniards
encourage their negroes to treat them with
the greateft infolence; and they politically
keep up a rancour, now grown inveterate be-
tween thefe two races of people. They are
forbidden, under the feVereil penalties, to
VOL. I. S marry
258 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
marry, or to have an unlawful intercourfe to-
gether. Divifion is the great inftrument in
which the Spaniards truft for the prefervation
of their colonies. The native Spaniard has
alone all the lucrative offices, civil, ecclefiaf-
tical, and military. He defpifes the Creolian.
The Creolian hates and 'envies him. Both
contemn and maltreat the Indians, who, on
their fide, arc not infenfible of the indignities
they fufTer. The blacks are encouraged to
trample on the Indians, and to confider their
interefts as altogether opposite j whilft the In-
dians in their nominal freedom look with an
envious difdain upon the flavery of the ne-
groes, which makes them their mafters.
What is extraordinary, the Spaniards, not
content with reducing this unhappy nation
under fo cruel a yoke, as if they thought it
nothing, unlefs they were thoroughly fenfi-
ble of its weight, fufTer the Indians to cele-
brate an annual feftival, in which plays are
reprefented, commemorating the overthrow
of their own ftate. Thefe are adted with all
the horrid and aggravating circumftances
which attended this event ; and the people
are at this time fo enraged, that the Spaniards
find it dangerous to go abroad. In the city
of Lima, there is annually celebrated a fefti-
val of this kind, with a grand proceffion,
wherein they carry in a fort of triumph the
remaining defcendant of the yncas of Peru,
and
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 259
and his wife; who at that time receive all
imaginable honours in the moil melancholy
pomp, from a race bowed down with the fenfe
of the common bondage of prince and peo-
ple. This throws the moft affecting gloom
over the feftival that renews the image of their
former freedom. To this remaining ynca the
viceroy of Peru does homage when he enters
upon his government. The ynca fits upon a
'lofty ftage, and the viceroy makes his obei-
fance upon an horfe, who is taught to kneel
upon the occafion. This manner of proceed-
ing may be thought of the moft refined ftrain
of infolent tyranny, and to be as unpolitic as
it is infulting; but it is not impofTible that
thofe vents, which they fuffer the indignation
of the people to take, may carry off a fpirit,
that might otherwife break out in a much
more fatal manner. Whether by the divifion
they keep up, or by thefe vents, or by the
management of the clergy, or by whatever
means, the Spaniards preferve their conquefts
with very little force ; the Indians are even
armed, and make a confiderable part of their
militia ; it is true, they are interdicted the ufe
of weapons without licence j but licence is
procured without much difficulty. They
Have likewife a large number of free blacks,
and they too are formed into companies in
their militia. Certain it is, that both in the
Spanifh and Portuguefe colonies, they find
S 2 llavery
260 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
flavery compatible enough with great licence
in fome re! peels, and both with the fecurity
of the mailers. Things deferving our con-
lideration ; as we do not feem to excel in the
conciliating arts of government in our colo-
nies, nor to think that any thing is to be ef-
fected by other inilruments than thofe of ter-
ror and rude force.
CHAP. XI.
The cities of Peru y Lima, Cufco, and Quito ;
a defcription of them. Callao, its trade and
dejlruftion. The viceroy oj Peru. His ju-
rifdiflion, and revenues.
THERE are three cities in Peru famous
for their opulence and trade j Lima,
Cufco, and Quito. Lima lies in the Northern
part of Peru, in the latitude of 12 South,
and 299 longitude from Teneriffe. It ftands
about two leagues from the fea, upon a river
called Rimac, fmall and unnavigable. This
city is the capital of Peru, and of all South
America; it extends in length about two
miles, and in breadth about one and a quar-
ter; its diftant appearance, from the multitude
of fpires and domes, is extremely majeftic,
and when you enter it you fee the ftreets laid
out with the greatefl regularity, cutting each
other at equal diftances and right angles ; the
houfes,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 261
houfes, on account of the equality of the
climate, are flightly roofed, as they are built
low and of light materials, to avoid the con-
fequences of earthquakes, frequent and dread-
ful in this country. But they are elegantly
plaiftered and painted on the outfide, ib as to
have all the appearance of freeflone, To add
to the beauty and convenience of this city,
moft houfes have a garden, watered by cuts
drawn from the river j each man commands
a little running dream for his own ufe ; in a
hot and dry country as this is, no fmall mat-
ter of convenience and delight. Here is a
grand walk by the river-fide two hundred fa-
thom long, confifting of five rows of fine
orange trees. To this the company reforts at
five in the evening drawn in their coaches
and calafhes *. Such is the opulence of this
city, that, exclufive of coaches, there are
kept in it upwards of five thoufand of thefe
carnages.
Lima has fifty-four churches, taking in
the cathedral, the parochial, and conventual ;
thirteen monafteries of men, (belides fix col-
leges of jefuits) one of which contains feven
hundred, and another five hundred friars and
fervantsj twelve nunneries, the principal of
S 3 which
f The calafh refembles that fort of coach which is called
a Vis a Vis, but is drawn only by a fingle horfe or mule, and
goes on a fingle pair of wheels; yet fometimes by the gilding
and other decorations the price of a calafli amounts to a thou-
fand crowns.
262 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
which has not lefs than three hundred nuns ;
and twelve hoipitals, beiides foundations for
the portioning of poor girls. The number
of whites is not lefs than 10,000; and the
whole of the inhabitants of all cafts and co-
lours are faid not to fall fhort of 60,000 fouls.
They tell a very remarkable fact, that may
help us to fome idea of the vaft wealth of
this city. When their viceroy the duke de
la Palata made his public entry in 1682, they
caufed two of the principal ftreets to be paved
with ingots of filver, that had paid the fifth
to the king, of between twelve and fifteen
inches long, four or five in breadth, and two
or three in thicknefs; the whole of which
could not amount to lefs than fixteen or fe-
venteen millions fterling. But nothing can
give a true idea of the vaft wealth of Lima,
except the churches, which the moil judici-
ous travellers fpeak of with aftoniihment -,
and feem incapable of defcribing, on account
of that amazing profufion of gold, filver, and
precious ftones with which every thing (even
the walls) is in a manner totally covered. The
tide of this vaft wealth is fed from fources as
copious; this city being the great magazine for
almoft all the plate of Pern, which is coined
here ; for the large manufactures and natural
products of that kingdom ; for thofe of Chili ;
and for all the luxuries and conveniences
brought from Europe and the Eafl-Indies.
The
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 263
The trade of the French to Peru, during
O
the general war in Europe which was caufed
by the difputes about the Spanrfh fucceffion,
made this city decay not a little by diffufing
the commerce, of which before it was the
center, amongft the other towns which lie
along the coaft ; but as that privilege has been
fince taken away, Lima began to revive again
and continued in great fplendor until the year
1747, when a moft tremendous earthquake,
which entirely devoured Callao the port be-
longing to it, laid three fourths of this city
level with the ground. The deftrudion of
Callao was the moft perfect and terrible that
can be conceived j no more than one of all
the inhabitants efcaping, and he by a pro-
vidence the moft fingular and extraordinary
imaginable. This man was on the fort that
overlooked the harbour, going to ftrike the
flag, when he perceived the lea to retire to
a confiderable diftance; and then fwelling
mountain high, it returned with great vio-
lence. The inhabitants ran from their houfes
in the utmoft terror and confulion ; he heard
a cry of miferere rife from all parts of the
city j and immediately all was filent ; the fea
had entirely overwhelmed this city, and bu-
ried it for ever in its bofom ; but the fame
wave which deftroyed the city, drove a little
boat by the place where the man flood, into
which he threw himfelf and was laved. What
S 4
264 An ACCOUNT of the EUR OPE A N
is remarkable too in this affair, Mr. Frezier,
who was in Peru in the year 1714, and from
whom I have part of my materials, on con-
fidering the iituation of this town and the na-
ture of the country, ventured to prophefy for
it the deftruction, which we have feen ac-
complimed in our days. Whilft this town
fubfifted, it contained about 3000 inhabitants
of all kinds, had five convents, and pbiTerTed
the fineft port in all Peru. Here were the
rich warehpufes furnimed with all the goods
of Europe, which being landed by the gal-
leons at Porto-bello were brought over land
to Panama, and thence tranfported hither by
the armadilla, or fleet, with a convoy of three
.men of war referved for this purpofe. To
this port arrived the annual (hip from Aca-
pulco loaden with all the products of the
Eaft j from Chili it received vaft quantities of
corn, dried beef and pork, leather, tallow,
plank, and feveral forts of woollen good?,
particularly carpets like thofe of Turkey.
From the Southern ports of Peru were brought
fugars, wine and brandy, naval ftores, cacao
Vigonia wool and tobacco. From Mexico it
had pitch and tar, woods for dying, and that
balfam, which we improperly call of Peru,
fince it comes from Guatimala. As the port
of Callao is fo excellent, and as it is that by
which the trade of Lima wholly, and that of
ali Peru in a great meafure, mud be carried
on,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 265
on, we cannot doubt but that a new city is
already bulk there; and that Lima is reuored
to its former luftre ; efpecially as this lat'er is
the center of fo vaft a trade, and the ieat of
fo great a government. For to the viceroy of
Peru, both Chili and Terra Firma are lub-
ject. His fettled falary is 40,000 pieces of
eight yearly ; his perquifites are great ; as of-
ten as he goes to Callao, he is intitled to 3000
pieces of eight for that little airing ; he has
10,000 for every progrefs into more diftant
parts ; he has the fole difpofal of above a
hundred great magiftracies ; and, in ihort, the
granting of all triennial employments both ci-
vil and military throughout the extent of his
ample jurifdiclion. It cannot therefore be
doubted that his perquifites, even his lawful
ones, ( for there are many others ) at leaft
double the value of his faiary. And certain-
ly, whatever the king of Spain may lofe by
the bad ceconomy in his affairs, no prince in
the world has fuch means of rewarding the
fervices of his fubjecls, without any imme-
diate burden upon his own revenues.
Cufco, the capital of the ancient empire,
is ftill a very confiderable city ; it is at a good
diftance from the fea, and iltuated in the
mountainous part of the country; it has not
lefs than forty thoufand inhabitants, three
parts Indians who are very induftrious and
ingenious. Though little inftrudted in the
art
-s66 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
art, a tafle for painting prevails, and fome
performances of the -Indians of Cufco and
Quito have met with applaufe in Italy. An
incredible quantity of pictures are painted
here, and are difperfed all over Peru and
Chili. They have here likewife, manufactures
of bays and cotton, and they work largely
in leather in moft of the ways in which it
is ufed.
Quito is likewife an inland town fituated
in the moft Northern part of Peru ; it is a
very confiderable place, and equal to any in
Peru for the number of inhabitants, which
are between fifty and fixty thoufand j and it
carries on a very extenfive trade with Lima,
in manufactures of wool, cotton, and flax,
which are wrought in the city and its diftrict,
and fupply the greater part of the confump-
tion of the poorer fort all over this kingdom.
Few mines are worked in this diftridt, tho'
thought to abound in minerals j they receive
plate in return for their own manufactures,
and fend it to Carthagena in return for thofe
of Europe.
It is not eafy to calculate the number of in-
habitants in Peru, becaufe we have none of
thofe data which are necefTary to ground fuch
a calculation. There are feveral very large
and populous towns difperfed through that
country ; but in many places it is little better
than a defart - y partly for want of water, but
much
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 267
much more generally through the pride of
one part of the people, the miferable fubjec-
tion of the other, and the floth of all. The
mines undoubtedly contribute largely to depo-
pulate the country, by turning the inhabitants
from agriculture and manufactures, employ-
ments that prolong life and provide for it, to
the working of metals extremely pernicious
to health, and which makes them depend
upon others for their necefTary fuftenance.
The nations which are poor in refpecT: of gold,
and induftrious from that poverty, have not
the leaft reafon to envy the wealth of the
Peruvians ; who, amidft all that extravagant
glare that dazzles the eye, live penurioufly
and fordidly ; and are often in extreme want
in a country, which in many places is one of
the moft fertile in the world. In facl, the
countries which employ their men in arts and
in agriculture, and receive their return in gold
and filver from the countries which abound
in thofe metals, may be confidered as the real
proprietors of the mines -, the immediate pof-
feflbrs, only as their ftewards to manage, or
as their Haves to work them j whilft they are
employed themfelves only at an eafy labour,
friendly to life, and necerTary to their well-
being.
CHAP.
268 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
CHAP. XII.
The temperature of the air in Chili. The foil.
Its fertility. A description of the principal
towns. The trade of Chili.
I Mmed iately to the Southward of Peru lies
Chili, extending itfelf in a long narrow
flip, along the coaft of the South-Sea, in the
South temperate zone. The air here is re-
markably clear and ferene. Scarce any changes
happen for three parts of the year. Very
little rain falls during that period. But the
benign dews every night, and the many rivu-
lets which the neighbourhood of the Andes
fupplies them, fertilize the plain country, and
make it produce as much corn, wine, oil,
and fruits, as the number of the inhabitants,
which is very fmall, or their induftry, which
is but moderate, will fuffer them to cultivate.
If it were under a more favourable govern-
ment, and better peopled, there is hardly
any part of the world which could enter into
competition with this. For at the fame time
that it enjoys a very healthful air, and is
warmed by an heat no way oppreffive, it bears
many of the tropical fruits that would thrive
no where elfe out of the torrid zone. It is
luxurient on the furface with every thing for
profit and delight ; and beneath it is rich to
profufion
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 269
profufion with veins of gold, filver, copper,
lead, quickfilver, and iron. Thofe of gold
are the moft wrought ; and indeed there is
fcarce a rivulet in the country in which gold
is not found in fmaller or greater plenty j but
want of people, which is here more felt than
in the other Spanifh fettlements, hinders them
from working all their mines ; and what is
worle, from improving the furface of their
country to any thing like the degree ofper-
fedion to which it might be brought. For
in this whole extent of country, upwards of
twelve hundred niiles in length, and from three
hundred to five hundred miles in breadth, it
is not reckoned they have much above twenty
thoufand whites fit to bear arms, and about
three times that number of Indians, blacks,
and mulattoes. Yet with fo few hands, and
thofe not the mod induftrious, they export
annually from the ports of Chili, to Callao,
and other parts of Peru, corn enough to fup-
port fixty thoufand men, for no country in
the world is more prolific in grain of every
fpecies; they export betides great quantities
of wine ; hemp, ( which is railed in no other
part on the South-Seas, ) hides, tallow, and
falted provifions j to fay nothing of the gold,
and other minerals, v/hich form their principal
wealth. The people are much employed in
pafturage j and cattle are here in fuch plenty,
that an ox fatted may be had for four dollars j
a great
270 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
a great proof of the fertility of a country
where there is no fcarcity of money. But as
they have a confiderable trade in dried and
falted beef, hides, and tallow, they conftantiy
drive great numbers of horned cattle from the
other fide of the Andes, from the province
of Tucuman in Paragua. Chili has but a
very few beads of prey, and thofe timorous ;
and although toads, fnakes, and fcdrpions,
are here as numerous as in other hot coun-
tries, they are found entirely harmlefs.
There are in Chili four towns of fome note,
either on the fea, or near it 3 St. Jago which
is the capital, and contains about 4000 fami-
lies, La Conception, Coquimbo or La Serena,
and Baldivia. The three firft of thefe towns
are laid out in a manner exactly refembling
each other, the ftreets, like thofe of Lima,
cutting one another fo as to form fquares like
thofe of a draft board. They have all gar-
dens between the houfes, and running waters
drawn from the neighbouring rivers to ferti-
lize them ; but the houfes are fo low and
meanly built, ( mud walls, and thatch in
fome, ) that they rather refemble agreeable
country villages than cities of bufinefs and
grandeur. However, fome of the houfes are
well furnimed, and it is faid, that in St. Jago
there are many, which have the meaneil
utenfils of the kitchen, of gold and filver. As
for Baldivia, it is not more remarkable for
being
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 271
being the ftrongeft fortrefs in the South-Seas,
than for the manner in which it is peopled ;
for hither the criminals from Peru and the
other parts of Chili are tranfported, either for
a time, or for life, and obliged to labour
upon the fortifications and other public works.
What is fingular ; thefe criminals are at once
the prifoners and the jailors ; for the garrifon
of the place, the whole corps, foldiers and
officers, is formed of no other. The town
contains about two thoufand fouls, and all of
them banimed people, or the defcendants of
fuch.
The maritime trade of Chili is entirely con-
fined to what they carry on with Peru, one
or two ports of New Spain, and Panama.
Their lliips rarely penetrate the flraits of Ma-
gellan, or pafs Cape Horn. But they have
a confiderable inland commerce with Tucu-
man, Buenos-Ayres, and other parts of Pa-
raguay, from which they get the herb of Pa-
ragua, bees-wax, and cattle.
CHAP. XIII.
'The Spaniards in this province but few. 'The
Americans, their character. Some free.
AS in Chili they are weak in men, have
a large body of independent Indians,
ill-affected to them on their borders, as the
Dutch
272 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
Dutch once attempted an eftablimment here,
and that other people have nourished projects
of the fame nature, they are extremely cau-
tious and watchful on the coaft, and the
country is immediately in arms upon every
alarm, which is given when any fhip appears
off the coaft that is not of Spanifh built.
Yet, notwithstanding all their caution, their
fecurity is rather owing to the fyftem of Eu-
rope, of which it is a part to keep the Spa-
nim poffeffions in the hands of the prefent
proprietors, and to the difficult and danger-
ous paliage of the ftraits of Magellan or Cape
Home, for any European armament of force,
than either to their own ftrength or vigilance.
The Indian inhabitants of Chili are a brave
and warlike people, who defended their liber-
ties vigorouily, made feveral fuccefsful infur-
redions, killed Peter Baldivia the conqueror
of the country, and maintained a war againft
the whole Spanifh power in that part of the
world for feveral years ; which was only ter-
minated en the part of feveral of the nations
near the mountains, by an honourable peace,
which is preferved to this day. None can be
more jealoufly watchful than this people of
their freedom. They traffic indeed with the
Spaniards, but with fo much caution, and un-
der limitations fo ftrict, that they can take
very little advantage of this communication.
As for thofe who are obliged to fubmit, it is
to
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 273
to a yoke nothing near fo heavy as that which
opprefTes the people who inhabit the other
Spanifh provinces; partly from the better
terms which were procured ; and partly from
the fear of a nation, whom they have expe-
rienced to be brave, and know to be iurround-
ed with many, who are of the fame blood,
and have defended their freedom with better
fuccefs. A good example, even in the un-
fortunate, how much a brave defence of li-
berty may contribute to procure, if nothing
elfe, yet a more tolerable fervitude. The In-
dians of this country have more refemblance
to thofe of North America, though more hu<-
mane and civilized in their manners, than to
the Peruvians and Mexicans. Here they have
lefs fuperftition naturally ; and far from having
that exceffive veneration, which thofe na-
tions had for their kings, they have no kings
at all, and very little form of government ;
each family being fovereign within itfelf, and
independent. The bufinefs which concerns
them all, is tranfaded in the aflemblies of all 5
and the plurality of voices decides. They are
. much given to liquor j and they practife po-
lygamy, which in America is not common.
However, the Spanifh miffionaries have now
made a confiderable progrefs amongft thefei
free nations ; they have a college for the edu-
cation of the Indian youth ; and their influence
is a great means of preferving peace between 1
VOL, L T the
274 ^ n ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
the Spanifh fettlements and the free Indians
on their borders, which, without their ailifr.-
ance, would be difficult. For though they
liften to the Spanifh priefts, they preferve a
very juft terror of falling under their govern-
ment, and no fmall hatred to the people.
CHAP. XIV.
The climate of Paraguay. Its rivers. The
province of La Plata. The town of Buenos-
j4yres. Its trade.
THE country of Paraguay, or La Plata,
fhuts up the Eaftern fide of a confide-
rable part of Chili and Peru j whence extend-
ing over a tract of country, above a thoufand
miles broad, it bounds Brazil upon the Weft,
and upon the South butts upon the Atlantic
ocean ; being fifteen hundred miles at leaft in
length, from the mouth of the great river
Plata to its Northern boundary the country
of the Amazons. This vaft territory is far
from being wholly fubdued or planted by the
Spaniards. There are many parts in a great
degree unknown to them, or to any other
people of Europe. In fuch a vaft country, i
and lying in climates fo different, for it lies 1
on the Northern frontier under the equinoc- |
tial line, and on the South advances to the :
thirty-feventh degree of latitude, far into the ''
South
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 275
South temperate zone, we muft expect to
meet great diverfity of foil and produdt How-
ever, in general this great country is fertile 5
the paftures particularly are fo rich that they
are covered with innumerable herds of black
cattle, horfes and mules j in which hardly
any body thinks it worth his while to claim
a property. Any perfon takes and breaks
them according to his occafions.
This country, besides an infinite number
of fmaller rivers, is watered by three princi-
pal ones, which unite near the fea, to form
the famous Rio de la Plata. The firft is Pa-
raguay, from whence the country is denomi-
nated; this forms the main channel. It has
its origin from a great lake in the center of
South America, called the lake of Xarayes,
and runs in a courfe nearly North and South.
Parana, which rifes amongft the mountains
on the frontiers of Brazil, runs a floping
courfe to the South-Weft, until it joins the
Paraguay at a great diftance from the ocean
about the twenty-feventh degree of South
latitude. Uraguay rifes likewife upon the
fame fide, and runs almoft an equal courfe
before it meets thofe united rivers at no great
diftance from the ocean, with which it mixes,
along with them.
The principal province which concerns us
in this vaft trad', is that which is called Rio
de la Plata, towards the mouth of the above-
T 2 mentioned
276 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
mentioned rivers. This province, with all the
adjacent parts, is one continued level, inter-
rupted by not the leaft hill for feveral hun-
dreds of miles every way j extremely fertile
in moft things j but contrary to the general
nature of America, deftitute of woods ; this
want they endeavour to fupply by plantations
of every kind of fruit trees ; all which thrive
here to admiration. The air is remarkably
fweet and ferene, and the waters of the great
river are equally pure and wholfome j they
annually overflow their banks ; and on their
recefs, leave them enriched with a flime,
which produces the greateft plenty of what-
ever is committed to it.
The principal town is Buenos-Ayres, on
the South fide of the river j it was fo called
upon account of the excellence of the air.
This town is the only place of traffic to the
Southward of Brazil; yet its trade, confi-
dering the rich and extenfive country to which
it -is the avenue, is very inconfiderable. No
regular fleet comes here, as to the other parts
of Spanifh America, two, or at moft three
regifter mips, make the whole of their regu-
lar intercourfe with Europe. Their returns
are very valuable, confifting chiefly of gold,
filver, fugar and hides. I cannot learn that
they have opened any confiderable mines in
this province; but it is probable there are
rich ones in the provinces which lie to the
Eaftward
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 277
Eaflward of the Andes ; befides it is certain
that a good deal of gold is returned from
Chili, for the mules, cattle and tea which are
fent thither ; and that filver from the province
of Los Charcas in Peru is fent upon the fame
account, for the moft part by land carriage.
There is befides a tolerable water carriage ;
for a large river, called Pilcomayo, rifes not
far from the mines of Potofi, which winding
amongft the openings of the Cordillera, dif-
charges itfelf at laft into the Paraguay ; and
this river is navigable to the very fource, al-
lowing for the interruption of fome falls,
which is the cafe of the river of Plata itfelf.
By this way it is, I judge, that a great quan-
tity of filver comes to Buenos-Ayres. In-
deed it is in great plenty in that province ;
and thofe who have now and then carried
on a counterband trade to this country, have
found it far more advantageous than any other
whatfoever. The benefit of this counterband
is now wholly in the hands of the Portuguefe,
who keep magazines for that purpofe in the
adjacent parts of Brazil.
CHAP.
278 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
CHAP. XV.
The territory ofthejcfuits in Paraguay. Their
manner of fettling and governing it. Tbe
obedience of the people. Some refactions on
the late tranfaffions there.
THE trade of Paraguay, and the man-
ners of the people, are fo much the
fame with thofe of the reft of the Spanim
colonies in South America, that nothing fur-
ther can be faid on thole articles ; but it
would be' inexcufable to quit the country
without faying fornahing of that extraor-
dinary fn-cies of commonwealth which the
jefuits have erefted in the interior parts.
About the middle of the laft century thofe
fathers reprefented to the court of Mndrid,
that their want of fuccefs in their miffions
was owing to the fcandal which the immo-
rality of the Spaniards never failed to give,
and to the hatred which their infolent beha-
viour caufed in the Indians wherever they
came. They infinuated, that if it were not
for that impediment, the empire of the gofpel
might, by their labours, have been extended
into the mod unknown parts of America;
and that all thofe countries might be fubdued
to his catholic mayfly's obedience without ex-
pence and without force. This remonftrance
i was
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 279
was Mened to with attention j the fphere of
their labours was marked out; an uncon-
troulcd liberty was give,n to the jefuits with-
in thefe limits ; and the governors of the ad-
jacent provinces had orders not to interfere,
nor to fuffer any Spaniard to enter into this
pale without licence from the fathers. They
on their part agreed, to pay a certain capita-
tion tax in proportion to their flock ; and to
fend a certain number to the king's works
whenever they mould be demanded, and the
miffions mould become populous enough to
fupply them.
On thefe terms the jefuits entered upon the
fcene of action, and opened their fpiritual
campaign. They began by gathering toge-
ther about fifty wandering families, whom
they perfuaded to fettle ; and they united
them into a little townfhip. This was the
flight foundation upon which they have built
a fuperftructure, which has amazed the world,
and added fo much power, at the lame time
that it has brought fo much envy and jeaioufy
on their fociety. For when they had made
this beginning, they laboured with fuch inde-
fatigable pains, and with fuch maftcrly policy,
that, by degrees, they mollified the minds of
the moft favage nations ; fixed the moft ram-
bling j and fubdued the moft averle to govern-
ment. They prevailed upon thoufands of va-
rious difperfed tribes of people to embrace
T 4 their
28q An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
$h.eir religion, and to fubmit to their govern^
ment; and when they had fubmitted, the
jefuits left nothing undone, that could conduce
to their remaining in this fubjection, or that
could tend to increafe their number to the
degree requifite for a well-ordered and potent
fociety ; and their labours were attended with
fuccefs.
It is faid, that from fuch inconfiderate be-
ginnings, feveral years ago, their fubjecls a-
mounted to three hundred thoufand families.
They lived in towns j they were regularly
clad ; they laboured in agriculture j they ex-
ercifed manufactures. Some even afpired to
the elegant arts. They were inftrudted in
the military with the moft exadl difcipline ;
and could raife lixty thoufand men well
armed. To effed: thefe purpofes, from time
to time they brought over from Europe feve-
ral handicraftmen, muiicians, and painters.
Thefe, I am told, were principally from Ger-
many and Italy.
We are far from being able to trace with
the exactnefs they deferve, all the fleps which,
were taken in the accomplimment of fo ex-
traordinary a conquer! over the bodies and
minds of fo many people, without arms or
violence ; and differently from the methods
of all other conquefts ; not by cutting off a
large part of the inhabitants to fecure the
reft, but by multiplying their people, whilft
they
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 281
they extended their territory. Their own ac-
counts are not very ample, and they are par-
tial to themfelves without doubt. What fome
others have written is with a glaring pre-
judice againft them. The particulars which
feem bell: agreed upon by both (ides, are the
only ones to be mentioned.
It is agreed then, that in each miffion or
diftrict ( the country is divided into forty-feven
diftricls ) a jefuit prefides in chief. But ma-
giftrates are fettled in every town anfwerable
to thofe in the Spanim cities - y thefe are al-
ways Indians, elected by the people, and ap-
proved by the prefiding jefuit : on folemn oc-
cafions they appear in rich robes of ceremony,
attended with a fuitable retinue, and every
thing which may make for the dignity of
their government. The people which com-
pofe this commonwealth are compofed chiefly
of two nations or tribes, one called Garanies,
the other Chiquitos. The latter are active,
lively and ingenious, therefore their ceconomy
is more left to themfelves; and they have
fomething of property, but there is fomething
too in common. Amongft the Garanies there
is no property ; every thing is done under the
public eye, and for the public ; for otherwife
this people, natural lazy and ftupid to the
laft degree, would be in perpetual want. Each
man's labour is allotted him in proportion to
his ftrength, or to his fkill in the profeffioa
which
282 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
which he exercifes. The product is brought
faithfully into the public magazines ; from
whence he is again fupplied with all things
which the managers judge to be expedient
for the fuftenance of himfelf or his family:
All neceflaries are diftributed regularly twice
a week; and the magazines always contain
fuch a ftock of proviiions and goods of every
kind, as to anfwer not only the ordinary exi-
gencies, but to provide againft a time of fear-
city, or for thofe whom accidents, age, or in-
firmities, have difqualified for labour. Thus
want is never known amongft them ; their
villages are cleanly and decent, greatly ex-
ceeding thofe of the Spaniards in their neigh-
bourhood. Their churches are particularly
grand and richly adorned ; and fervice is in
them performed with all the folemnity and
magnificence of cathedrals ; nor are good
voices and instruments wanting.
They provide early for the marriage of
their young people, as well to prevent difor-
ders, as to multiply their fubjecls. Here, as
intereft can be no motive to the union, there
are few difficulties attending it. The young
man applies to the governing jefuit, informs
him of his defire of marriage, and names the
party : me is confulted, and if there is no ob-
jection upon her part, they are immediately
married. They are fupplied with all necef-
faries for their eftablimment from the public
ftores,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA.' 283
ftores, and they have at the fame time their
tafk allotted them, by which they are to make
amends for what they have received, and to
provide for others in their turn.
The Indian magiftrate is obliged continually
to watch over the minuteft actions of his
people, and to give the jefuit an exact account
of the ftate of his diftrict, and the merit and
demerit of the people which it contains. They
are rewarded or punifhed according to this
report. The punimment for fmaller crimes
is by imprifonment, for greater by whipping,
from which it is faid not even the principal
magiftrates are exempted. Capital punifh-
ments they do not inflict, as indeed crimes
deferving fuch punimment are rarely com-
mitted amongft them. The correction is re-
ceived by all, not only with patience, but ac-
knowledgment. The rewards are feldom
more than benedictions, and fome flight
marks of the jefuits favour, which make thofe
men entirely happy.
Nothing can equal the obedience of the
people of thefe miffions, except their con-
tentment under it. Far from murmuring,
that they have only the neceffaries of life, by
a labour which might in fome degree procure
them the conveniencies of it, they think
themfelves a diftinguifhed and favoured peo-
ple in wanting them j and they believe their
obedience a duty, that not only fecures their
order
284 dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
order and repofe in this world, but the very
beft means of infuring their happinefs in the
next. This is carefully inculcated j and in-
deed befides their attention to the govern-
ment, the jefuits are indefatigable in their in-
ftructions in the doctrines of religion, the re-
gularity of life, and the contempt of this
world. And by what I can find, the Indians
under their jurisdiction are an innocent people,
civilized without being corrupted.
The jefuits who govern them, are faid to
be extremely ftrict in preferving their privilege
in keeping all ftrangers from amongft them.
If any fuch fhould by accident, or in his jour-
ney, arrive in the country of the miffions, he
is immediately carried to the prefbytery, where
he is treated for a day, or two at moft, with
great hofpitality, but regarded with no lefs
circumfpection. The curiolities of the place
are mewed him in company with the jefuit,
and he can have no private converfation with
any of the natives. In a reafonable time he
is civilly difmifled, with a guard to conduct
him to the next diflricl:, without expence,
where he is treated in the fame manner, until
he is out of the country of the miffions. Cau-
tions altogether as ftrict, and in the fame fpirit,
are obferved, when the natives are obliged to
go out of their own territory to ferve in the
king's works, or when any part of their troops
are called out for his fervice. They fhun all
manner
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 285
manner of converfation with Grangers, upon
whom they look with a fort of horror -, and
fo return, uninformed and untainted, into
their own country as they left it.
I am fenfible, that many have reprefented
the conduct of the jefuits in this million in a
very bad light ; but their reflections appear to
me not at all fupported by the facts upon
which they build them. To judge perfectly
of the fervice they have done their people,
we muft not confider them in a parallel with
the flourishing nations of Europe, but as com-
pared with their neighbours, the favages of
South America, or with the ftate of thofe In-
dians who groan under the Spanim yoke.
Conndering it in this, which is the true light,
it will appear, that human fociety is infinitely
obliged to them for adding to it three hundred
thoufand families in a well-regulated com-
munity, in the room of a few vagabond un-
taught favages. And indeed, it can fcarce be
conceived, that the government has not fome
extraordinary perfection, which has a princi-
ple of increafe within it, which draws others
to unite themfelves to the old flock> and
fhoots out itfelf a luxuriance of new branches.
Neither can we, by any means, blame a
fyftem which produces fuch falutary effects $
and which has found that difficult, but happy
way, that grand defideratum in politics, of
uniting a perfect fubjection to an entire con-
tent
286 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
tent and fatisfadion of the people. Matters,
which, it were to be wimed, were ftudied
with more attention by us, who content our-
felves with railing at the diligence of an ad-
verfary, which we ihould rather praife and
imitate ; and who in our affairs feldom think
of uling any other inftruments than force or
money.
This commonwealth has lately become a
jfubject of much converfation, upon account
of the ceffion which has lately been made of
part of that territory to the crown of Portu-
gal. It is well known, that the inhabitants
of feven of the millions refufed to comply
with this divifion, or to fuffer themfelves to
be transferred from one hand to another, li|:e
cattle, without their own confent *. We
are informed by the authority of the gazette,
that the Indians actually took up arms ; but
notwithstanding the exaclnefs of their difci-
pline, they were ealily, and with a conli-
derable flaughter, defeated by the European
troops, who were fent to quell them. It
feems to have been ill-judged in this people,
who had never feen any real fervice, nor
were headed by officers who had feen any,
without which the beft difcipline is but a fort
of play, to have hazarded a battle with troops
from
* The jefuits have been entirely difgraced at the court of
Portugal, for the ftiare they are faid to have had in this re-
fiftance.
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 287
from Europe. They ought rather to have
firft habituated themfelves to action by at-
tacking fmall parties, by cutting off convoys,
by little furprizes, until by ufe and fuccefs in
fmaller matters, they were intitled to hazard
the fum of their affairs in the open field.
However, it is not improbable, that this op-
pofition will roufe the indolence of the Spa-
niards, and make them take the government
of the country out of the hands it is in at
prefent. If they do, it is not difficult to fore-
fee, that the fame depopulation, the fame dif-
trefs, and the fame difcontent, which diftin-
guimes the Indians in the reft of the Spanifh
provinces, will be fbon equally vifible in this.
It will not be difficult for them to effect the
reduction of this country ; for the jefuits have
too large and valuable an intereft in Old
Spain, as well as in the new world, to difpute
it with the court, whenever they mail de-
mand in good earneft to have this country
furrendered ; if it be true, that the jefuits
have really fuch influence on the inhabitants
as is attributed to them.
It was not originally fuch bad policy, as it
may feem, to have, intruded the jefuits with
fo great a power j fince a little time will mew,
that they have given them a territory un-
known, unpeopled, and uncultivated, which
they have the certain means of repoffeffing
when they pleafe, fubdued, peopled, and
cultivated.
288 An ACCOUNT of tie EUROPEAN
cultivated. As to its wealth, it is hard to fay
any thing certain ; the jefuits deny it. And
truly, if they acted with a perfect policy,
they would never have fuffered any mines of
gold or filver to be opened in that country.
Of this matter I have no information upon
which I can depend.
CHAP. XVI.
*Terra Firma. Its extent and produce. 'The
cities of Panama^ Carthagena, and Porto-
bello. 'The galleons, rfhe ifle of Cuba. *The
Havanna. Hifpaniola. Porto Rico. Re-
feflio7is on the policy of Spain with regard to
the colonies.
THE Spaniards have not made any fet-
tlements in the other divifions of South
America, which they claim to the Southward
of Buenos- Ayres, nor to the Northward, ex-"
cept in Terra Firma, of which we mall fay
fomething. The country of the Amazons,
though prodigioufly large, wonderfully fer*-
tile, and watered by fb noble a river, is al-
moft entirely neglected. . The river of Ama*-
zons, called alfo Maranon, and Orellana,
which waters and gives its name to this coun*-
try, arifing from the union of feveral ftreams
that fall from the Cordillera, runs a courfe of
no lefs than noo leagues j it flows for the
greatef
SETTLEMENTS in A M E R c i A.
greater part through a level country covered
with the faireft and loftieft forefts m the
world, in which it forms an innumerable
multitude of delightful iflands ; and receiving
on both fides the copious tribute of feveral
rivers ahrioft equal to- itfelf in greatnefs, in-
creafing in breadth to a fortoffea, and to ^
depth which in fome parts has been in vain
fearched with a line of upwards an hundred
fathoms, it rufhes at length into the Atlantic
ocean by two mouths of an aftonifhing wide-
nefs, the principal being 45 leagues broad,-
the fmaller not lefs than twelve. The coun-
try on this fine river has no other inhabitants
than Indians, fome favage, fome united un^
der Spanim and Portuguefe miffionaries.
The country of Patagonia is likewife of a
vaft flretch to the Southward of Buenos--
Ayres, all in the temperate zone/ and extend-
ed all along the Atlantic ocean. It is a plain
country without trees ; but this is the cafe of
the delightful and fertile country of Buenos-
Ayres. It is faid likewife to be barren and
defart ; but what is certain, it is unfettled by
any European nation, and little known, tho'
rt lies open for any power that can avail itfelf
of a favourable opportunity to eftabliili a oo~-
kmy there.
The laft province, according to the order
I have obferved, though not of the lead con-
fequence in the Spanifh American dominions,^
VOL. I. W to
290" An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN*
is Terra Firma ; a vafl country, above 2000?
miles in length, and 500 broad. Bordering
on Mexico, Peru, and Amazonia, it ftretches
all along the North lea, from the Pacific
ocean to the mouth of the river of Ama-
zons upon the Atlantic. It is divided into
twelve large provinces. They all contain a
vaft deal of high and mountainous country,
particularly the province of St. Martha, where
there are faid to be hills furpaffing TenerifFe
itfelf in height, thefe hills communicate with
the Andes. The valleys are deep and nar-
row, and for a great part of the year flooded ;
but though Terra Firma is on the coaft, the
moft unpleafant and moft unhealthful coun-
try in the torrid zone, the plain grounds are
extremely fertile ; produce corn enough, when
cultivated, all kinds of the tropical fruits j
rich drugs ; cacao, vanilla, indigo, piemento,
guaiacum, fariaparilla, and balfam of Peru.
No country abounds more in rich and luxu-
riant pafturage, or has a greater {lock of black
cattle. Their rivers have rich golden fands ;
their coafts have good pearl fiiheries ; and
their mines formerly yielded great quantities
of gold > but at prefent they are neglected or
exhaufted ; fo that the principal wealth of
this kingdom aiifes from the commerce of
Carthagena; and what treafure is feen there,
is moftty the return for European commodi-
ties which are fent from that port to Santa-
fe,
SETTLEMENT s in AMERICA. 291
fe, Popayan, and Quito : and rubies and eme-
ralds are here found in plenty j but the value
of precious floncs depending more on fancy
than that of gold or filver, this trade has con-
fiderably declined.
This province has a very confiderable ihare
of the trade of Europe; not only on account
of its own produce and demand, but becaufe
all the intercourfe of Peru and Chili with Old
Spain is carried on through this country, for,
as we have mentioned, Carthagena fupplies.
Its capital city Panama is the great barcadier of
the South-Sea. Hither is brought all the trea-
fure which the rich mines of Peru and Chili pay
to the king, or produce upon a private account.
The city of Panama is fituated upon one
of the bed harbours in all refpects, of the
South- Seas. Ships of burden He fafe at
fome diftance from the town j but fmaller
veffels come up to the walls. In this bay is
a pearl fifhery of great value. The town,
one of the largeft in America, is faid to con-
tain five thoufand houfes, elegantly built of
brick and ftone, difpofed in a femicircular
form, and enlivened with the fpires and
domes of feveral churches and monafteries.
It is covered on the land fide with an agree-
able country, diveriified with hills, valleys,
and woods. The town ftands upon a dryand
tolerably healthful ground, and has a great
and profitabk trade with Peru, Chili, and
U 2 the
292 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
the Weftern coaft of Mexico, chiefly for
provifions of every fort both of the animal
and vegetable kinds; corn, wine, fugar, oil,
with tallow, leather, and jefuits bark. In
the neighbourhood of this city they raife no-
thing; and yet, by traffic and their conve-
nient fituation, there are few cities more abun-
dantly fupplied with all things for neceffity,
convenience, or luxury. Their trade with
the Terra Firma and with Europe is carried
on over the iilhmus of Darien, and by the
river Chagra.
The fecond town of confederation in Terra
Firma, is Carthagena, which ftands upon a
peninfula, that enclofes one of the fafeft and
beft defended harbours in all the Spanifli
America. The town itfelf is well fortified,
and built after the elegant famion of moft of
the Spanifh American towns, with a fquare
in the middle, and flreets running every way
regularly from it, and others cutting thefe at
right angles. This town has .many rich
churches and convents ; that of the jefuits is
particularly magnificent. Here it is that the
galleons on their voyage from Spain put in
firft, and difpofe of a considerable part of their
cargo; which from hence is diftributed to
St. Martha, the Caraccas, Venezuela, and
moft of the other provinces and towns in the
Terra Firma.
The-
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 293
The fleet which is called the galleons, con-
fifts of about eight men of war, of about
fifty guns each, defigned principally to fupply
Peru with military ftores j but in reality, laden
not only with thefe, but with every other
kind of merchandize on a private account 5 fo
as to be in bad condition for defending them-
felves, or protecting others. Under the con-
voy of thefe fail about twelve merchant (hips,
not inferior in burden. This fleet of the
galleons is regulated in much the fame man-
ner with the flotas, and it is deftined for the
exclufive commerce of Terra Firma and the
South-Sea, as the flota is for that of Mexico.
No fooner is this fleet arrived in the haven
of Carthagena, then exprerTes are immediately
difpatched to Porto-bello, and to all the ad-
jacent towns, but principally to Panama j that
they may get ready all the treafure which
is depofited there, to meet the galleons at
Porto-bello; in which town, ( remarkable for
the goodnefs of its harbour, which brings
fuch a furprifing concourfe here at the time
of the fair, and the unwholfomenefs of the
air, which makes it a defart at all other
times ) all the perfons concerned in the vari-
ous branches of this extenfive traffic aflem-
ble; and there is certainly no part of the
world where bufinefs of fuch great importance
is negociated in fo fhort a time. P'or in about
a fortnight the fair is over j during which the
U 3 difplay
294 <dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
difplay of the gold, filver, and precious
ftones, on the one hand, and of all the cu-
riofity and variety of the ingenious fabrics of
Europe on the other, is aftonifhing. Heaps
of wedges and ingots of filver are tumbled
about on the wharfs like common things. At
this time an hundred crowns are given for a
poor lodging, a thouiand for a (hop, and pro~
vifion of every kind is proportionably dear ;
which may help us to iome idea of the pro-
fits made in this trade. The treafure is brought
hither from Panama, by a very dangerous
road, upon mules. The other goods, fugar,
tobacco, and drugs, are tranfported on the
river Chagra.
When the galleons have taken in their re-
turns, they fleer together to the Havanna,
which is the place of rendezvous of all the
ihips concerned in the Spanifh American
trade.
The Havanna is the capital city of the
ifland of Cuba, it is foliated upon an ex-
cellent harbour upon the Weftern extremity
of the ifland. This city is large, containing
not lefs than two thoufand houfes, with a
pumber of churches and convents ; but then
it is the only place of confequence upon the
noble ifland of Cuba, which lies in the lati-
tude 20, and extends from Eaftto Weft near
feven hundred miles in length, though in
breadth it is difproportioned, being but from
one
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 295
one hundred and twenty to feventy miles.
. However, it yields to no part of the Weft-
Indies in the fertility of its foil, or in excel-
lence of every thing which is produced in that
climate. But the Spaniards, by a feries of the
moil inhuman and impolitic barbarities, having
exterminated the original inhabitants, and
not finding the quantities of gold in the
iflands which the continent afforded, they
have left this as well as Hifpaniola; of which
the French now porTefs the greater part, and
Porto Rico, a large, excellent, and fertile
ifland, comparatively fo many defarts. The
commerce between thefe iilands, and the
Spanifh continent, is carried on by the Barle-
vento fleet, confifting of fix mips of good
burden and force, who annually make the
tour of all thefe iflands, and the coafl of Terra
Firma, not only to carry on the commerce
between thofe places, but to clear the fea of
pirates and illicit traders. Now and then a
regifter mip from Old Spain is bound to one
or other of thefe iflands. Hitherto the Spa-
niards feemed rather to keep them, to prevent
any other nation from growing too powerful
in thofe leas, than for any profit they expected
to derive from them. -And it is certain, that
if other nations fhould come entirely to pof-
ieis the whole of the iflands, the trade of the
American continent, and perhaps the continent
itielf, would be entirely at their mercy. How-
U 4 ever,
An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEA M
r, of late, the Spaniards have taken fom'e
fteps towards the better fettlement of Porto
Rico. They are beginning to open the Ame-
rican trade to fome other towns in Spain be
fides Cadiz. They have made a difference in
point of duty between their own manufactures
and thofe of foreigners. They are, in mort,
opening their eyes to the true intereft of their
country, and moving their hands, though
ilpwly, to promote it.
Unto this time, the tide of wealth, that
conftantly flowed from America into Spain,
ran through that kingdom like a hafty torrent,
which, far from enriching the country, hur-
ried away with it all the wealth which it found
jn its paffage. No country in Europe receives
fuch vaft trealures as Spain. In no country
in Europe is feen fo little money. The truth
is, from the time that the Indies fell into the
hands of Spain, the affairs of that monarchy
have been conftantly going backward. In
America their fettlernents were carried on
conformably to that genius, and to thofe
maxims, which prevailed in their government
in Europe. No means of retaining their con-
quefts but by extirpating the people j no
fchemes for the advancement of trade j no
attempts at the reformation of abufes, which
became venerable in proportion to the mif-
ehiefs they had fuffered by them.. In govern-
ment,
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 297
jsient, tyranny; in religion, bigotry ; in trade,
monopoly.
When the Spaniards found, to their am-
bition which was boundlefs, that they had
joined a treafure which was inexhauftible,
they imagined there was nothing too vaft for
them to compafs. They embraced a thoufand
projects at once j many of them noble ones in
theory, but to be executed with different in-
ftruments in different parts of the world, and
all at a vaft expence of blood and treafure.
Trie wars, which were the refult of thefe
fchemes, and the Indies, which were to fup-
port them, were a continual drain, which car-
ried off their people, and deftroyed all in-
duftry in thofe who remained. The treafure
which flowed in every year from the new
world, found them in debt to every part of
the old ; for to the reft of their revenues they
had forgot to add that, which is a great reve-
venue itfelf, and the great fupport of all the
others, ceconomy. On the contrary, an ill
order in their finances at home, and a de-
vouring ufury abroad, fwallowed up all their
treafure, whilft they multiplied the occafions
for it. With the beft fcheming heads in
Europe, they were every where outwitted;
with the braveft and beft difciplined troops
they were almoft always defeated ; with the-'
greateft treafures, they were in want; and
their armies were ill provided, and ill paid.
Their
29$ -An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
Their friends exhaufted them by trade j their
enemies by plunder. They faw new flates
arife out of the fragments of their dominions ;
and new maritime powers ftart up from the
wrecks of their navy. In fhort, they pro-
voked, troubled, and enriched all Europe ;
and at laft defifled through mere want of
fttength. They were inactive, but not quiet;
and they were enervated as much by their
lazinefs during this repofe, as they had been
weakened before by their ill-judged activity.
All this happened in a country, which
abounded with men of capacity as much as
any ftate in Europe, and often with men of
great capacity at its head. But their talents
took a wrong turn; their politics were al-
ways more abroad than at home ; mor6 em-
ployed in weakening their neighbours, than in
ftrengthening themfelves. They were wife
in the concerns of foreign courts ; they were
facisfied with being formal in their own do-
meftic bufinefs. They relied too much upon
their riches ; and the whole ftate, being
.moulded into a fyftem of corruption from the
top to the bottom, things grew at laft Ib bad,
that the evils themfelves became a fort of re-
medies ; and they felt fo feverely the confe-
quences of their former conduct, that they
have for fome years paft turned their thoughts
into a very good channel ; and they may in
lime, and with perfeverance, rife again, whilft
others
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 299
others fhall fall, by adopting the abufes which
brought them to ruin.
At prefent the politics of Spain, with re-
gard to America, feem to be, to preferve
South America, and particularly the naviga-
tion of the South-Seas, as much as poiTible
to themfelves; to deftroy effectually the
counterband trade, and to encourage the ex-
port of their own manufactures,, Of us they
have long (hewn a remarkable jealoufy ; a
much greater than of the French, whom they
fee quietly fettling in the neighbourhood of
New Mexico j and who are growing certainly
in the Weft-Indies in a far greater degree
than we are. I (hall not pretend to account
for this diftinftion.
End of the T H i R D PART.
300 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
PART IV.
*tfje Portuguefe Settlements.
CHAP. I.
An account of the difcovery of Brazil. The
method of fettling it. Conquered by the Dutch.
Reconquered by the Portuguefe.
IT is very rare that any material difcovery,
whether in the arts, in philofophy, or in
navigation, has been owing to efforts made
directly for that particular purpofe, and deter-
mined by the force of reafonings a priori.
The firft hints are owing to accident} and dif-
coveries in one kind prefent themfelves volun-
tarily to us, whilft we are in fearch of what
flies from us in fome other. The difcovery
of America by Columbus was owing originally
to a juft reafoning on the figure of the earth ;
though the particular land he difcovered was
far
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA.
far enough from that which he fought. Here
was a mixture of wife defign and fortunate ac-
cident; but the Portuguefe difcovery of Brazil
may be confidered as merely accidental. For
failing with a confiderable armament to India,
by the way of the Cape of Good Hope, but
fianding out to fea to avoid the calms upon
the coaft of Africa, the Portuguefe fleet fell in
upon the continent of South America. Upon
their return they made fo favourable a report
of the land they had diicovered, that the
court refolved to fend a colony thither. And
accordingly made their firft eftablifhment; but
in a very bad method, in which it were to be
wimed they had never been imitated. This
was by baniming thither a number of crimi-
nals of all kinds. This blended an evil dif-
pofition with the firft principles of the colony,
and made the fettlement infinitely difficult by
the diforders infeparable from fuch people,
and the offence which they gave the original
inhabitants. This fettlement met with fome
interruption too from the court of Spain, who
conlidered the country as within their domi-
nions. However, matters were accommo-
dated by a treaty, in which it was agreed, that
the Portuguefe mould poffefs all that tracl: of
land that lies between the river Maranon, or
ef the. Amazons, and the river Plate.
When their right was thus confirmed, the
Portuguefe puriued the fettlement with great
vigour.
302 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
vigour. Large grants were made to thofe
who were inclined to become adventurers;
and almoft all the nobility of Portugal pro-
cured interefts in a country which promifed
fuch great advantages. The natives were in
moft parts fubdued, and the improvement of
the colony advanced apace. The crown in a
little time became attentive to fo valuable an
acquifition ; the government was new mo*
delled, many of the exorbitant grants recalled,
and all things fettled upon fo advantageous a
footing, that the whole fea coaft, upwards of
two thoufand miles, was in fome meafure
fettled, to the honour of the induftry and
courage of the firft planters, and infinitely to
the benefit of the mother-country. The
Portuguefe conquefts on the coaft of Africa
forwarded this eftablifhment, by the number
of negroes it afforded them for their works ;
and this was the firft introduction of negroes
into America, of which at prefent they form
a large part of the inhabitants.
In the very meridian of their profperity,
when the Portuguefe were in pofTeilion of fo
extenfive an empire, and fo nourifhing a trade
in Africa, in Arabia, in India, in the ifles of
Afia, and in one of the moft valuable parts
of America, they were ftruck down by one
of thofe incidents, that by one blow, in a
critical time, decides the fate of kingdoms.
Don Sebaftian, one of their gteateft ^princes-,
it*
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA,
in an expedition he had undertaken againil
the Moors, loft his life ; and by that accident
the Portuguefe loft their liberty, being ab-
forbed into the Spanifh dominions.
Soon after this misfortune, the fame yoke
that galled the Portuguefe, grew fo intolerable
to the inhabitants of the Netherlands, that
they threw it off with great fury and indigna-
tion. Not fatisfied with creeling them/elves
into an independent ftate, and fupporting their
independency by a fuccefsful defensive war,
fiufhed with the juvenile ardor of a growing
commonwealth, they pursued the Spaniards
into the remoteft recefles of their extensive
territories, and grew rich, powerful, and ter-
rible, by the fpoils of their former mafters.
Principally, they fell upon the porTeffions of
the Portuguefe j they took almoft all their
fortrefTes in the Eaft-Indies, not fufficiently
defended by the inert policy of the court of
Spain 5 and then turned their arms upon Bra-
zil, unprotected from Europe, and betrayed
by the cowardice of the governor of the then
principal city. And they would have overrun,
the whole, if Don Michael de Texeira, the
archbimop, defcended from one of the no-
bleft families in Portugal, and of a fpirit fu-
perior to his birth, had not believed, that in
fuch an emergency, the danger of his coun-
try fuperfeded the common obligations of his
profeffion. He took arms, and at the head
of
304 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
of his monks, and a few fcattered forces, put
a flop to the torrent of the Dutch conqueft.
He made a gallant ftand until fuccours ar-
rived ; and then refigned the commiffion with
which the public necefTity and his own virtue
had armed him, into the hands of a perfon
appointed by authority. By this ftand he
faved feven of the captainships, or provinces,
out of fourteen, into which Brazil is divided ;
the reft fell into thcv hands of the Dutch,
who conquered and kept them with a bravery
and conduct, which would deferve more ap-
plaufe, if it had been governed by humanity.
The famous captain y prince Maurice of
NafTau, was the perfon to whom the Dutch
owed this conqueft, the eftablifhment of their
colony there, and that advantageous peace
which fecured them in it. But as it is the
genius of all mercantile people to defire a
fudden profit in all their deiigns ; and as this
colony was not under the immediate infpec-
tion of the States, but fubjecl: to the company
ealled the Weft-India company, from prin-
ciples narrowed up by avarice and mean no-
tions, they grudged that the prefent profits of
the colony mould be facrificed to its future
fecurity. They found,; that the prince kept
up more troops, and creeled more fortrefo,
than they thought neeefjary to their fafety ;
and that he lived in a grander manner than
they thought became one in their fervice,
They
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 36 jf
They imagined that a little official ceconomy
was the principal quality neceiTary to form a
great conqueror and politician ; and therefore
they were highly difplealed with their gover-
nor prince Maurice, whom they treated in
iuch a manner as obliged him to refign.
Now their own fchemes took place. A
reduction of the troops ; the expence of for-
tifications laved ; the charge of a court re-
trenched j the debts of the company ftridtJy
exacted ; their gains increafed cent per cent,
and every thing flourishing according to their
befl ideas of a flouriming Hate. But then, all
this fine fyftem in a fhort time ended in the
total lofs of all their capital, and the entire
ruin of the Weft-India company. The hearts
of fubjects were loft by their penurious way
of dealing, and the feverity of their proceed-
ings. The enemy in their neighbourhood
was encouraged by the defencelefs ftate of
their frontiers, and both operated in fuch a
manner, that Brazil was reconquered by the
Portuguefe ; cKongh after a ftruggle, in which
the States exerted themfelves vigoroufly ; but
with that aggravated expenee, and that ill
fuecefs, which always attends a late wifdom,
and the patching up a blundering fyftem of
conduct. A ftanding leflbn to thofe people
who have the folly to imagine they confult
the happinefs of a nation, when by a pre-
tended tendernefs for fame of its advantages-^
VOL. I.- X they'
306 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
they neglecl: the only things that can fupport
it, the cultivating the good opinion of the
people, and the keeping up a proper force.
CHAP. II.
The climate of Brazil. Of the Brazil wood.
TH E name of Brazil was given to this
country, becaufe it was obferved to
abound with a wood of that name. It ex-
tends all along a tradl of fine fea coaft upon
the Atlantic ocean upwards of two thouland
miles, between the river of Amazons on the
North, and that of Plate on the South. To
the Northward the climate is uncertain, hot,
boifterous, and unwholibme. The country,
both there, and even in more temperate parts,
is annually overflowed. But to the South-
ward, beyond the tropic ot Capricorn, and
indeed a good way beyond it, there is no part
of the world that enjoys a more ferene and
wholfome air j refrefhed with the foft breezes
of the ocean on one hand, and the cool
breath of the mountains on the other. Hi-
ther feveral aged people from Portugal retire
for their health, and protracl: their lives to a
long and eafy age.
In general, the foil is extremely fruitful,
and was found very fufficient for the comfort-
able fubfiflence of the inhabitants, until the
mines
SETTLEMENTS /;/ AMERICA. 307
mine of gold and diamonds were difcovered,
Thefe, with the fiigar plantations, occupy fo
many hands, that agriculture lies neglected ;
and in confequence Brazil depends upon Eu-
rope for its daily bread.
The chief commodities which this country
yields for a foreign market are, fugar, tobacco,
hides, indigo, ipecacuanha, balfamof Ccpaibo,
and brazil wood* The laft article, as it in a
more particular manner belongs to this coun-
try, to which it gives its name, and which
produces it in the greateft perfection, it is not
amifs to allow a very little room to the de-
fcription of it. This tree generally flourifhes
in rocky and barren grounds, in which it
grows to a great height, and considerable
thicknefs. But a man who judges of the
quantity of the timber, by the thicknefs of
the tree, will be much deceived; for upon
ftripping off the bark, which makes a very
large part of the plant, he will find from a
tree as thick as his body, a log no more in
compafs than his leg. This tree is generally
crooked, and knotty like the hawthorn, with
long branches, and a fmooth green leaf,
hard, dry, and brittle. Thrice a year bunches
of fmall flowers moot out at the extremities
of the branches, and between the leaves,
Thefe flowers are of a bright red, and of a
ftrong aromatic and refreihing fmell. The
wood of this tree is of a red colour, hard and
X 2 dry.
308 An ACCOUNT of tie EUROPEAN
dry. It is ufed chiefly in dying red, but not
a red of the beft kind ; and it has feme place
in medicine as a ftomachic and reftringent.
CHAP. III.
The trade of Brazil. Its interccurfe with
Africa. 'The fettlement of the river Amazons
and Rio 'Janeiro. The gold mines. The
commonwealth of the Paulijh. The diamond
mines.
TH E trade of Brazil is very great, and
it increafes every year. Nor is this a
wonder; fince they have opportunities of fup-
plying themfelves with ilaves for their feveral
works, at a much eafier and cheaper rate than
any other European power, which has fettle-
ments in America. For they are the only
European nation which has taken the pains
to eftablifh colonies in Africa. Thofe of the
Portuguefe are very con fide rable, both for
their extent and the numbers of their inhabi-
tants ; and of courie they have advantages in
that trade which no other nation can have.
For befides their large eftablifhment on the
Weflern more of Africa, they claim the whole
coaft of Zanguebar on the Eaftern fide, which
.in part they poiTefs; befides feveral other large
territories, both on the coaft and in the coun-
try; where ieveral numerous nations acknow-
ledge
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 309
kdge themfelves their dependents or fubje&s.
This is not only of great advantage to them,
as it increafes their (hipping and feamen, and
ftrengthens their commercial reputation, but
as it leaves them a large field for their flave
trade ; without which, they could hardly ever
fupply, upon any tolerable terms, their fettle -
ments in Brazil, which carry off fuch num-
bers by the feverity of the works, and the un-
wholfomenefs of fome part of the climate;
nor could they otherwife extend their planta-
tions, and open fo many new mines as they
do, to a degree which is aftoniming.
I own I have often been furprized, that our
African traders fhould chufe fo contracted an
object for their flave trade, which extends to
little more than fome part of the Gold coaft,
to Sierra Leone, and Gambia, and fome
other inconsiderable ports; by which they
have depreciated their own commodities, and
raifed the price of flaves within thefe few
years above thirty per cent. Nor is it to be
wondered ; as in the tract, in which they
trade, they have many rivals ; the people are
grown too expert by the conftant habit of
European commerce ; and the flaves in that
part are in a good meafure exhaufted; where-
as, if fome of our veflels pafled the Cape of
Good Hope, and tried what might be done
in Madagafcar, or on thofe coafts which in-
deed the Portugu^efe claim, but do not, nor
X 3 can-
310 An ACCOUNT cf the EUROPEAN
cannot hold, there is no doubt but that they
would find the greater expence and length of
time in palling the Cape, or the charge of li-
cences which might be procured from the
Baft-India company, amply compenfated. Our
African trade might then be considerably en-
larged, our own manufactures extended, and
our colonies fupplied at an eafier rate than
they are at prefent, or are likely to be for the
future, whilft we confine ourfelves to two or
three places, which we exhauft, and where
We fhall find the market dearer every day.
the Portuguefe from thele fettlements, and
this extenlive range, draw every year into
Brazil between forty and fifty thoufand flaves.
On this trade all their other depends, and
therefore they take great care to have it well
fupplied, for which purpofe the lituation of
Brazil, nearer the coafl of Africa than any
other part of America, is very convenient; and
it co-operates with the great advantages they
derive from having colonies in both places.
Hence it is principally, that Brazil is the
richeft, moft flourishing, and moft growing
eflablifhment in all America. Their export
of fugar within forty years is grown much
greater than it was, though anciently it made
almoft the whole of their exportable produce,
and they were without rivals in the trade. It
is finer in kind than what any of ours, the
French, or Spaniih fugar plantations fend us.
Their
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 311
Their tobacco too is remarkably good ; and
they trade very largely in this commodity to
the coaft of Africa, where they not only fell
it direclly to the natives, but fupply the mips
of other nations, who find it a necefTary ar-
ticle to enable them to carry on the Have and
gold duft trade to advantage. The Northern
and Southern parts of Brazil abound in horned
cattle; thefe are hunted for their hides, of
which no lefs than twenty thoufand are fent
annually into Europe.
The Portugueie were a confiderable time
poflefTed of their American empire, before
they difcovered the treafures of gold and dia-
monds, which have fmce made it fo confider-
able. After the expultion of the Dutch, the
colony remained without much attention from
the court of Portugal ; until in 1685, a mi-
nifter of great fagacity advifed the then mo-
narch to turn his thoughts to fo valuable and
considerable a part of his territories. Here-
prefented to him, that the climate in the bay
of All-Saints, where the capital flood, was
of fuch a nature as to deaden the activity and
induftry of the people ; but that the North-
ern and Southern extremities of Brazil in a
more temperate climate, invited them to the
cultivation of the country. The advice was
taken. But becaufe it was found that the
infolence and tyranny of the native Portu-
gueie always excited the hatred of the native
X 4 Brazilians,
312 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
Brazilians, and confequently obftructed the
fettlements, they were refolved to people the
countries, which were now the object of their
care, with thofe who are called Meftizes ;
that is, a race fpi:ung from a mixture of Eu-
ropeans and Indians, who they judged would
behave better ; and who, on account of their
connexion in blood, would be more accept-
able to the Brazilians on the borders, who
were not yet reduced. To com pleat this de-
|ign, they veiled the government in the hands
of priefts, who aded each as governor in his
own parim or diftrift. And they had the
prudence to chufe with great care fuch men
as were proper for the work. The confe-
quence of thefe wife regulations was foon ap-
parent ; for without noife or force, in fifteen
years they not only fettled the lea coaft, but
drawing in vaft numbers of the natives, they
fpread themfelves above an hundred miles
more to the Weft ward than the Portuguefe
fettlements had ever before extended. They
opened feveral mines, which improved the
revenues ; the planters were eafy, and feveral
of the priefts made no inconfiderable fortunes.
The fame of thefe new mines drew toge r
ther a number of defperadoes and adventurers
of all nations and colours, who not agreeing
with the moderate and limple manners of the
inhabitants of the new fettlements, nor rea-
dily fubmitting to any orcjer or reftraint elfe-
where.
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 313
where, retired into a mountainous part of the
country, but fertile enough, and rich in gold ;
where, by the accefllon of others in their
own circumftances, they foon became a for-
midable and independent body, and fora long
time defended the privileges they had aiTumed
with great courage and policy. They were
called Paulifts, from the town and diftricl:
called St. Paul, which was their head quar-
ters. But as this odd commonwealth grew
o
up in fo unaccountable a manner, fo it pe-
rimed in a manner altogether unknown in
this part of the world. It is now heard of
no longer. The king of Portugal is in full
pofTeffion of the whole country; and the
mines are worked by his fubjecis and their
flaves, paying him a fifth. Thefe mines
have poured almoft as much gold into Europe
as the Spanifli America had of filver.
Not many years after the difcovery of the
gold mines, Brazil, which for a century had
been given up as a place incapable of yielding
the metals for which America was chiefly va-
lued, was now found to produce diamonds
too ; but at firft of fo unpromifing a nature,
that the working of the mines was forbidden
by the court of Portugal, left without making
any compenfation by their number, they
might depreciate the trade which was carried
on in thofe ftones from Goa. But in fpite of
this prohibition, a number were from time to
time
314 dn ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
time fmuggled from Brazil ; and fome too
of fuch great weight, and high luftre, and
trantparency, that they yielded very-little to
the fineft brought from India. The court
now perceived the importance of the trade,
and accordingly refolved to permit it, but un-
der fuch reftriclions as might be fufficiently
beneficial to the crown and fubjecl: ; and at
the fame time preferve the jewels in that
fcarcity which makes the principal part of
their value. In 1740 the diamond mines
were farmed at one hundred and thirty-eight
thoufand crufadoes, or about twenty-fix thou-
fand pounds fterling annually, with a prohi-
bition againft employing more than fix hun-
dred Haves at a time in the works. It is pro-
bable that this regulation is not very ftrictly
complied with, the quantity of diamonds is
much increafed, and their value of courfe
funk fince that time. It is true, that diamonds
of the very firft rank are nearly as dear as
ever. None of the diamonds or Brazil have
io high a luftre as the firft rate of Golconda j
and they have generally fomething of a dufky
yellowifli cart ; but they have been found of
a prodigious fize. Some years ago we had
an account in the news papers of one fent to
the king of Portugal, of a fize and weight
almoft beyond the bounds of credibility ; for
it was faid to weigh fixteen hundred carats,
or fix thoufand ieven hundred and twenty
5 g rainb 5
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 315
grains ; and confequently muft be worth fe-
veral millions.
CHAP. IV.
Regulation of the Port uguefe trade. The de-
fer ipt ion of St. Salvador, the capital of Bra-
zil. The fleets for that city. Rio yaneiro
and Fernambucca.
THE trade of Portugal is carried on
upon the fame exclufive plan, on
which the feveral nations of Europe trade
with their colonies of America ; and it more
particularly refembles the Spanim method, by
fending out not fingle (hips, as the conveni-
ency of the feveral places, and the ideas of
the European merchants may diredt ; but by
annual fleets which fail at ftated times from
Portugal, and compofe three flotas bound to
as many ports in Brazil ; to Fernambucca,
in the Northern part; Rio Janeiro, at the
Southern extremity; and the bay of All-
Saints, in the middle. In this laft is the ca-
pital, which is called St. Salvador, where all
the fleets rendezvous on their return to Por-
tugal. This city commands a noble, fpacious
and commodious harbour. It is built upon
an high and fteep rock, having the fea upon
one fide, and a lake forming a crefcent, in-
verting it almoft wholly, fo as nearly to join
the
316 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
tke Tea on the other. This fituation makes
it in a manner impregnable by nature; but
they have betides added to it very ftrong for-
ftfkations. All thefe make it the ftrongeft
place in America. It is divided into an up-
per and lower town. The lower coniifts only
of a ftreet or two, immediately upon the har-
bour, for the convenience of lading and un-
lading goods, which are drawn up to the
higher town by machines. The ftreets in
the upper town are laid out as regularly as
the ground will admit, and are handfomely
built. They had forty years ago in this city
above two thoufand houfes, and inhabitants
proportionable ; a fumptuous cathedral ; feve-
ral magnificent churches, and many convents,
well built and endowed. The Portuguefe
fleet lets out from LHbon in its voyage hither
in the month of February.
I can get no accounts, precife enough to be
depended upon, of the towns of Fernam-
bucca or Parayba, and the capital of the Rio
de Janeiro, to enable me to be particular about
them. Let it fuffice that the fleet for the
former of thefe fets out in March ; and for
the latter in the month of January ; but they
all rendezvous in the bay of All-Saints, to
the number of an hundred fail of large (hips,
about the month of May or June, and carry
lo Europe a cargo little inferior in value to
the treaiures of the flota and galleons. The
gold
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA. 317
gold alone amounts to near four millions iler-
ling. This is not at all extracted from the
mines of Brazil ; but as they carry on a large
direct trade with Africa, they bring, efpecially
from their fettlement at Mozambique, on the
Eaftern fide of that continent, befides their
flaves, vaft quantities of gold, ebony, and ivory,
which goes into the amount of the cargo of
the Brazil fleets for Europe. Thole parts of
Brazil which yield gold, are the middle and
Northern parts on the Rio Janeiro and Bay
of All-Saints. They coin a great deal of the
gold in America ; that which is coined at Rio
Janeiro bears an R, that which is ftruck at
the Bay is marked with a B.
To judge the better of the riches of this
Brazil fleet, the diamonds it contains muil
not be forgot. For if the mines rented to
the crown in the year 1740, at twenty-fix
thoufand pounds a year, it will be a very fmall
allowance to fay, that at lean: five times
more is made out of them ; and that there
is returned to Europe in diamonds to at leaft
the value of one hundred and thirty thoufand
pounds. This, with the fugar, which is
principally the cargo of the Fernambucca
fleet, the tobacco, the hides, the valuable
drugs for medicine and manufactures, may
give fome idea of the importance of this
trade, not only to Portugal, but to all the
trading powers of Europe. The returns arc-
not
318 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
not the fiftieth part of the produce of Portu-
gal. They confiit of the woollen goods of all
kinds of England, France, and Holland j the
linens and laces of Holland, France, and
Germany ; the filks of France and Italy 3
lead, tin, iron, copper, and all forts of uten-
fils wrought in thefe metals from England ; as
well as falt-fifh, beef, flour, and cheefe, Oil
they have from Spam. Wine, with fome
fruits, is nearly all with which they are fup-
plied from Portugal.
Though the profits in this trade are great,
very few Portuguefe merchants trade upon
their own flocks ; they are generally credited
by the foreign merchants, whofe commodi-
ties they vend, efpecially the Englim. In
fhort, though in Portugal, as in Spain, all
trade with their plantations is ftrictly inter-
dicted to ftrangers ; yet, like all regulations
that contradict the very nature of the object
they regard, tfhey are here as little attended to
as in Spain. The Portuguefe is only the
truftee and factor ; but his fidelity is equal to
that of the Spanifh merchant; and that has
fcarce ever been fhaken by any public or
private caufe whatfoever. A thing furprifing
in the Portuguefe; and a fhiking inftance
amongft a people fo far from remarkable
for their integrity, of what a cuflom origi-
nally built upon a few example?, and a con-
fequtnt reputation built upon that, will be
able
SETTLEMENTS/;? AMERICA. 319
able to effect in fucceffion of men of very dif-
ferent natural characters and morals. And fo
different is the fpirit of commercial honefty
from that of juitice, as it is an independent
virtue, and influences the heart.
The Englifh at prefent are the mod inte-
refted, both in the trade of Portugal for home
confumption, and of what they want for the
life of the Brazils. And they defer ve to be
moft favoured, as well from the fervices they
have always done that crown, and from the
ftipulations of treaties, as from the coniidera-
tion that no other people confumes fo much
of the products of Portugal. However, partly
from our own fupinenefs, partly from the
policy and activity of France, and partly
ifrom the fault of the Portuguefe thernfelves,
the French have become very dangerous ri-
vals to us in this, as in moft other branches of
our trade. It is true, that though the French
have advanced fo prodigioufly, and that there
is a fpirit of indultry and commerce railed in
moft countries in Europe, our exports of ma-
nufactures, or natural produds, have by no
means leffened within thefe laft forty years j
which can only be explained by the extending
our own, and the Spanifh and Portuguefe co-
lonies, which increafes the general demand.
But though it be true, that we have rather ad-
vanced than declined in our commerce upon
the whole, yet we ought to take great care not
320 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
to be deceived by this appearance. For if vrc
have not like wile advanced in as great a pro-
portion to what we were before that period,
and to our means fince then, as our neigh-
bours have done in proportion to theirs, as I
apprehend we have not, then, I fay, we have
comparatively declined ; and mall never be
able to preferve that great fuperiority in com-
merce, and that diftinguifhed rank of the
firft commercial and maritime power in Eu-
rope, time muft be eflential to preferve us in
any degree, either of commerce or power.
For if any other power of a more extenfive
and populous territory than ours, mould come
to rival us in trade and wealth, he muft come
of neceffity to give law to us in whatever re-
lates either to trade or policy. Notwithftand-
ing that, the want of capacity in the mini-
fters of fuch a power, or the indolence of the
fovereign, may protract the evil for a time, it
will certainly be felt in the end, and will
fhew us demonftratively, though too late,
that we muft have a great fuperiority in trade,
not only to ourfelves formerly, but to our
neighbours at prefent, to have any at all which
is likely to continue with us for a long time.
CHAP-
SETTLEMENTS in AMERICA 321
CHAP. V.
The character of the American Portitguefe. The
ft ate of the negroes. The government,
THE pourtrait which the moft judici-
ous travellers give us of the manners
and cuftoms of the Portuguefe in America,
is very far from being favourable to that peo-
ple. They are reprefented as a people at
once funk in the moft effeminate luxury, and
prad'ifing the moft defperate crimes. Of a
difTembling hypocritical temper ; of little ho-
nefty in dealing, or lincerity in coriverfation ;
lazy, proud, and cruel. They are poor and
penurious in their diet, not more through
neceflity than inclination. For, like the in-
habitants of moft Southern climates, they
are much more fond of (how, ftate, and at-
tendance, than of the joys of free fociety,
and the fatisfaftions of a good table. Yet
their feafts, felddm made, are fumptuous to
extravagance.
The luxury, indolence, pride, and cruelty
of the mafters, has, amongft other eaufes,
been very juftly attributed to their being
bred up amongft flaves, having every bufinefs
entirely done by fuch ; and to their being
permitted to keep a prodigious number of
negroes* not for their field work, nor for
VOL. I. Y domeftic
322 An ACCOUNT of the EUROPEAN
domeflic employments, but merely to wait
upon them, and to form their train. Thefe
become more corrupted than their matters,
who make them the inftruments of their
crimes ; and giving them an unbounded and
fcandalous licence, employ them whenever
they want to terrify or revenge, as bullies
and afTaflinS. And indeed nothing can be
conceived more fit to create the worft difor-
ders, than the unnatural junction of flavery
to idlenefs, and a licentious way of living.
They are all fuffered to go armed, aad
there are vaft numbers who have merited er
bought their freedom ; and this is fuffered
in a country where the negroes are ten to
one.
But this picture, perhaps too highly co-
loured for thofe whom it is intended to re-
prefent, is by no means applicable to all the
Portuguefe of Brazil. Thofe by the Rio
Janeiro, and in the Northern eaptainmips,
are not near fo effeminate and corrupted as
thofe of the Bay of All-Saints, which being
in a climate favourable to indolence and de-
bauchery, the capital city, and one of theoldeft
Settlements, is in all refpefts worfe than any of
the others.
The government of Brazil is in the vice-
roy, who refides at St. Salvador. He has
two councils, one for criminal, the other for
civil affairs ; in both which he prefides. But,
to
SETTLEMENTS /V AMERICA. 323
to the infinite prejudice of the fettle ment,
all the delay, chicanery, and multiplied ex-
pences incident to the worft part of the law,
and practifed by the moil corrupted lawyers,
flourish here ; at the fume time that juftice is
fo lax, that the greateil crimes often pafs
with impunity. Formerly the judges could
not legally punifn any Portuguese with death.
And it is not difficult to imagine, how much
fuch a licence in fuch a country muft have
contributed to a corruption, that it may be
the bufinefs of fucceffions of good magiftrates,
and ages of good difcipline, to reftore to
foundnefs. Upon the river of Amazons, the
people, who are moftly Indians, and reduced
by the priefts fent thither, are flill under the
government of thefe paftors. The feveral di -
vifionsof this country are called millions.
As the Portuguefe have been, once difpof-
fefled of this country by the Dutch, and
once endangered by the French, their mif-
fortunes and dangers have made them wife
enough to take very effectual meafures for
their future fecurity. St. Salvador is a very
ftrong fortification ; they have others that are
not contemptible j befides a good number of
European regular troops, of which there are
two regiments in St. Salvador. The militia
too is regimented, amongft whom they reckon,
fome bodies of Indians, and free negroes 5
and indeed at prefent Brazil feems to be in as
Y 2 little
324 -^ ACCOUNT, &c.
little danger as the fettlements of any power
of America, not only from their own internal
flrength, their remotenefs, and the intolerable
heat and unhealthinefs of a great part of the
climate, but from the intereft that moft of
the flates in Europe who are concerned in
that trade, have to keep it in the hands of
the Portuguefe.
THE
THE
CONTENTS
Of the FIRST VOLUME.
PART I.
difcovery of America, and the re-
duElion of Mexico and Peru.
CHAP. I.
E ft ate of Europe before the dif cover y of
-* America. The project of Columbus. His ap-
plication to federal courts. His Juccefsful
application to that of Spain. His voyage.
The dijcovery of the Bahamas, and Greater
Antilles. page 3
CHAP. II.
The difcovery of the Caribbees. Columbus re-
turns to Europe. His behaviour at Lifbon.
His reception at Barcelona by Ferdinand and
Jfabella. Second voyage of Columbus. The
condition of the Spaniards in Hifpaniola. Ike
city of Ifabella built, and a Spanifi colony
fettled. A voyage for better difcovering the coaft
of Cuba. .14
CHAP. III.
The difficulties attending the voyage. Jamaica
difcovered. Columbus returns to Hifpaniola.
Y 3 The
CONTENTS.
The Spaniards rebel. A ivar 'with the In-
dians of tbat country. They are conquered.
*Ibeir jcbcme for ftarving the Spaniards. 25
CHAP. IV.
Complaints againft Columbus. A perfon is Jent
to enquire into his conducJ. He returns- to
Spain. He is acquitted. He fets out on his
third voyage. He difco'vers the continent of
South America, He fails to Hifpaniola. 3 3
CHAP. V.
Columbus jinds the Spaniards of Hijpaniola in
rebellion. His me afar es to fupprefs it. New
complaints againft him in Spain. He is fu-
perfeded in the government, and Jent to Spain
in irons, 40
CHAP. VI,
fhe difcoveries of Amcricus Vefputius^ and other
adventurers. What caujed the fpirit of dif~
Cheery, 46
CHAP, VII,
Columbus again acquitted, Undertakes a fourth
voyage, Difcovers the coaft of Terra Firma
and the ifthmus of Darien. Returns to Hif^
His reception there, Purfues his
difcoveries
CONTENTS.
difcoveries to the coajl of Terra Ftrma. He
is driven to Jamaica, and foipwreckcd on
that ijland. His diftrejfes there. The rebel-
lion of his men, which he fupprejfcs. He
leaves the ijland and returns to Spain. His
reception there. He dies. 50
CHAP. VIII.
The character of Columbus. Some refeftims on
the conduct of the court of Spain. 6 1
CHAP. IX.
The difcoveries and conquefts of Balboa. Vc-
lajquez fends Cortes on the Mexican expedition.
The \ftate of the Mexican empire. Cortes
makes an alliance with the llafcalans. 66
CHAP, X.
Cortes builds La Vera Cruz. He marches to
Mexico. His reception by Montezuma. Cor-
tes imprifons Montezuma. That prince's ftra-
tagem to gain his liberty ; the conference of
if. 7$
CHAP. XI.
The attempts of Montezuma to make the Spani*
ards leave Mexico. The arrival of Narvaez
to take tfa command from Cortes. Cortes
Y 4 leaves
CONTENTS.
leaves Mexico. Defeats and takes Narvaess
prifoner. 'The Spaniards in Mexico befieg-
ed. Cortes raifes the fiege. Montezuma is
killed. 84
CHAP. xir.
Guatimczin chofen emperor by the Mexicans.
He bejieges the Spaniards in their quarters.
Obliges Cortes to retire out of the city. Dif-
trejjes him in his retreat. "The battle of
Olumba. Cortes retreats to Tlafcala. 96
CHAP. XIII.
Spaniards fent againfl Cortes join him. He
marches again to Mexico. A conspiracy a-
gainjl his life baffled. jpj
C H A P. XIV.
tfhe fieve of Mexico. Terms of accommodation
f O \S \s
.refused by the Mexicans. Ihe Spaniards re-
gulfed by ajlratagem of Guatimozin. A new
firalagem of Guatimczin. He is taken. The
city fur renders. Guaiimozin tortured. Cor-
fes fuperfeded in his government. Reflexions
on the Spanijh cruelties. 114
CHAP. XV.
The fcheme of Pizarro and Almagro for the
conquejl of Peru. Their characters. 'The
fate
CONTENTS.
ft ate of the empire of Peru at that time.
The taking of the ynca Atabalipa. 129
CHAP. XVI.
The murder of the ynca. A difpute between
Pizarro and Almagro. They are reconciled.
Almagro s expedition to Chili. The Peru-
vians renew the war. and be fie? e Cufco. dl-
J O */
magro returns and defeats them. Almagro
renews the quarrel with Pizarro, but is de-
feated and put to death. 142
,C H A P. XVIJ.
The final difperfion of the Peruvian army. The
conf piracy againft Pizarro. He is murdered.
154
CHAP. XVIII.
Young Almagro made governor. The new vice-
roy Vaca di Caftro arrives. Puts to death
young Almagrp. Puts an end to the ja ffions,
and fettles the province. He is recalled. Gon-
zalo Pizarro raifes a rebellion, and ufurps
the government. Peter de la Gafca made vice-
roy. Defeats the troops of Pizarro y and puts
him to death. 158
CONTENTS.
PART II.
'The Manners of the Americans.
CHAP. I.
The perfons of the Americans, Their drefs and
<way of living, Their manner of converjing.
Their bofpitality. Their temper. Their re-
ligion and fuperftitions. Their medicine, j 7
CHAP. II.
The government of the Americans. Their coun-
cils. Their orators. Their feafls. Their man-
ner of adminijlering jujiice* 1 7 c
CHAP. III.
Tbetr mournings for their dead. The feaft of
fouls. The American women, their occupa-
tions. Their marriages and divorces. 182
CHAP. I\fc
The Indian manner of preparing for 'war. The
fongs and dances. Their taking the field.
Their method of dij 'covering and attacking the
enemy. Their cruel treatment of their pri-
fonersofwar. 188
PART
CONTENTS.
PART III.
SPANISH AMERICA.
CHAP. I.
A general defer iption of America. 203
CHAP. II.
The climate and Joil of New Spain. Animals.
Its vegetable produce. 208
CHAP. III.
*Ihe gold and /river mines. T'he manner of pu-
rifying thofe metals. Some thoughts on the
generation of metals. Of the quantity of thofe
metals produced in the Spanifo Weft-Indies.
213
CHAP. IV.
Of cochineal and cacao. 223
CHAP. V.
ffle trade of Mexico. Some account of that city.
T'he fairs of Acapulco, and La Vera Cruz.
T^he fata and regifter Jhips. 228
CHAP. vi.
Three forts of people in New Spain. he whites t
Indians > and negroes ; the characters of thofe.
CO N T E N T S.
The clergy ', their characters. The civil go-
vernment, its char after. 238
CHAP. VII.
New Mexico. Its difcovery. Climate. Pro-
duels. The Englijh claim to California. 243
CHAP. VIII.
The climate and foil of Peru. Its produce, The
mines , the coca and herb of Paraguay. 245
CHAP. IX.
The wines of Peru. The wool. The lamas and
vicunnas, Jheep of Peru. Jefuits bark. Gui-
nea pepper. The dung of Iquiqua. >uick-/ilver
mines. 251
CHAP. X.
The character of the Peruvians. Their divifwns.
The Indian feftival. Honours paid to a de-
Jcendant of the ynca. 256
CHAP. XL
The cities of Peru, Lima, Cufco, and Quito ;
a defcriptiori of them. Cal/ao, its trade and
JeftruStion. ' The viceroy of Peru. His ju*>
r if diet ion, and revenues. 260
CHAP.
CONTENTS.
CHAP. XII.
The temperature of the air in Chili. The foil.
Its fertility. A defer Iptlon of the principal
towns. 'The trade of Chili. 268
CHAP. XIII.
The Spaniards in this province but few. The
Americans, their character. Some free. 271
C H A P. XIV.
The climate of Paraguay. Its rivers. The
province of La Plata. The town of Buenos-
Ayr es. Its trade. 274
CHAP. XV.
The territory of thejefuits in Paraguay. Their
manner of fettling and governing it. The
obedience of the people. Some reflections on
the late tranf actions there. 278
CHAP. XVI.
Terra Firma. Its extent and produce. The
cities of Panama, Carthagena, and Porto-
bello*. The galleons. The ijle of Cuba. The
Havanna. Hifpaniola. Porto Rico. Rc-
flettiom on the policy of Spain 'with regard to
the colonies. 2 1 8
PART
CONTENTS.
PART IV.
The Portuguese fettlements.
CHAP. I.
An account of the -difcovery of Brazil. The
method of fettling it. Cwquered by the Dutch.
Reconquered by the Portuguese. 300
CHAP. II.
'The climate of Brazil. Of the Brazil wood.
306
CHAP. III.
The trade of Brazil. Its intercourse with Africa.
The fettlement of the river Amazons and Rio
"Janeiro, 'The gold mines. The commonwealth
of the Paulifls. The diamond mines. 308
CHAP. IF.
"Regulation of the Portuguefe trade. The de-
fcription of St. Salvador, the capital of Bra-
zil. The fleets for that city. Rio Janeiro
.and Fernambucca. 3 i 5
C H A P. V.
The character of the American Portuguefe. The
Jlatt of the ?icgrcs. The government. 321
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