The merchants mappe of commerce wherein, the universall manner and matter of trade, is compendiously handled. The standerd and currant coines of sundry princes, observed. The reall and imaginary coines of accompts and exchanges, expressed. The naturall and artificiall commodities of all countries for transportation declared. The weights and measures of all eminent cities and tovvnes of traffique, collected and reduced one into another; and all to the meridian of commerce practised in the famous citie of London. By Lewes Roberts, merchant. Necessary for all such as shall be imployed in the publique affaires of princes in forreigne parts; for all gentlemen and others that travell abroad for delight or pleasure, and for all merchants or their factors that exercise the art of merchandizing in any part of the habitable world.

CHAP. XII.

Of MEXICANA, and the Provinces thereof.

MExicana containeth the northerne tract of America, and comprehendeth these distinct Provinces. * 1.1

• 1 Mexico.
• 2 Quivira.
• 3 Nocaragua.
• 4 Iucutan.
• 5 Florida.
• 6 Virginia.
• 7 Nurembega.
• 8 Nova francia.
• 9 Corterialis.
• 10 Estotilandia.

Mexico giveth name to halfe America, now knowne by the name of nova Hispania, whence the Kings of Spaine stile themselves Hispaniarum Reges; it was very populous before the arrivall of the * 1.2 Spaniards, who in 17. yeares slew 6. millions of the Inhabitants, rosting some, cutting off the members, and putting out the eyes of others, and casting them living to be devoured of wild beasts; to which place now is found no trade nor commerce by any Nation, save onely to the subjects of this King, and to such onely as are

known for naturall borne Spaniards, though at first the same was granted by Isabella to the natives of Castile onely, and Andalusia; but now indifferently to all.

The commodities that this Countrey is found to afford for Mer∣chandise * 1.3 is principally gold and silver mines, sugar, tobacco, ginger, tallow, hides, and some spices not known to our ancestors till the discovery thereof; and amongst others not to be forgotten that admirable tree called Metle, which by them is planted and dressed * 1.4 as we doe our Vines, having 40. kinds of leaves serving to severall uses, for when they are tender they make of them conserves, paper, flax, mantles, matts, shooes, girdles and cordage: on these leaves grow certaine hard prickles so strong and sharpe, that they use them instead of sawes: from the root of this tree cometh a juyce, like unto sirrop, which being sodde becometh honey, if purified be∣cometh sugar; or otherwise thereof is made both wine and vine∣gar: the rinde rosted healeth hurts and sores, and from the top∣boughes issueth a gumme which is an excellent Antidote against poyson.

This Countrey is divided into 4. divisions, the first is nova Gali∣cia, * 1.5 the chiefe Towne thereof is called Saint Michael a Colonie of the Spaniards. The second is Mechuacan, one of the best Coun∣tries of new Spaine abounding in mulberry trees, silke, honey, waxe, and store of fish of all kinds; the principall Towne is Sinsonso, and the chiefe Havens are at Saint Anthonies, and at Saint Iames; or * 1.6 as the Spaniards called it Saint Iago. The third Province is Gu∣stacan, the chiefe City is Ilascalan, yeelding for beauty and state * 1.7 precedencie to Mexico, and none other in all these parts, the principall part is Uillarico, a wealthie Town, as the place through which all the traffique of old and new Spaine doth passe. The * 1.8 fourth is Mexico, wherein that famous City of Mexico is seated: now the seat of the Spanish Uiceroy and Archbishop of new Spaine, this City is said to be scituated in a Lake upon certaine Ilands, as Uenice doth, every where interlaced with the pleasant currents of fresh and Sea waters, and carrieth a face of more civill govern∣ment then any other in America, though nothing, if compared with any in Europe: the Lake is said to be 50. Miles in compasse; on whose banks are found many pleasant Townes and houses: also it is said that 50. thousand Wherryes are seen here continually plying, and affords such quantity of fish that the same is worth 20000. Crownes yearely. The City of Mexico it selfe is 6. Miles in compasse, containing 6000. houses of Spaniards, and 6000. of Indians: it hath also a Printing-house, a Mint and an Vniversity; and some Churches of note that beautifie the same: it was vanqui∣shed by Fernando Cortes in Anno 1521. with an Armie 100000. A∣mericans, onely 900. Spaniards, 80. horse, 17. pieces of small ordi∣nance; in 13. Brigantins and 6000. Wherries, most of the Ameri∣cans were of Ilascalan, who were ever adversaries to the Mexi∣cans;

for which cause that City doth injoy many immunities to this day; and to conclude, according to the opinion of an English tra∣veller, whose relation I herein follow; Foure things are here re∣markable for beauty, their apparell, their women, their horses and their sticats: and thus much shall serve of Mexico.

The second Province is Quivira, seated on the most westerne * 1.9 parts of America, in which are two Provinces, Cibola taking its name from the chiefe City subdued by Francisco Vasques, in Anno 1540. and Nova Albion discoverd by that famous Sea-man Sir Fran∣cis Drake An. 1585. and by him so called: the chiefe commodities and riches of this Count•…•…ey is kine, some men being owners of 40. thousand, and these serve to the Inhabitants here, as we say of our ale to drunkards in England, meat, drinke and cloth and more too; for first the hides yeeld them houses, or to say more properly the covering of them, their bones, bodkins, their haire thred, their sinewes ropes, their hornes, maws and bladders, vessels, their dung fire, their calfe-skins budgets to draw and keep water, their blood for drinke; and lastly their flesh for meat, &c.

The third is Nicaragua, being South-east from Mexico, with which it agreeth in nature both of soyle and Inhabitants, and ac∣counted * 1.10 for its pleasantnesse, Mahomets paradise, having trees in * 1.11 great abundance, of that strange nature, that a branch touched by the hand of any man, withereth presently. The chiefe Citie is Nova Grenada, and Lea a Bishops Sea. The commodities thereof are, hony, waxe, cotton, and bal•…•…am in great abundance; it is ex∣treame * 1.12 hot, and therefore not to be traveld by day, but by night: their winter beginneth in May, and from thence raineth for six moneths; the other six very faire and dry; and the day and night being here of equall length.

The fourth is Iucatan, and was discovered in Anno 1517. which in the language of the place, signifieth, What say you? which * 1.13 was the answer the Inhabitants gave the Spanyards that first de∣manded of them the name of their Countrey; and since by this meanes retaines that name by the Spanyards. The chiefest Citie is Campechio, whence comes that wood so well knowne in Europe; also here is the Iland called by the Spanyard, Santo Crux, wherein * 1.14 is a Citie of that name well fortified by them.

The fifth is Florida, discovered by the English, under the conduct of Sebastian Cabbot, Anno 1467. then possessed by the Spanyards * 1.15 in Anno 1527. and called Florida; afterward the French got foo∣ting here in Anno 1562; but the Spanyards unwilling the French should be eye-witnesses of their rich bootie, waged warre with them so long, that there was not a man left on either side to main∣taine the quarrell; and then was Florida againe in 1567 abando∣ned: the Spanyards now hold here three strong Forts, St. Iames, St. Philip, and St. Augustin; which last was taken and burnt by Sir Francis Drake 1586. which since is repaired, and that is all the

Spanyards hold here at this day; desiring (as it seemes) neither to plant further himselfe, nor suffer other to doe it.

The sixth is Virginia, wherein is said to be rich Veines of Allom, * 1.16 Pitch, Tarre, Rosen, Turpentine, Cedar, Grapes, Oyles, plentie of Sweet Gummes, Dies, Tymber trees, Mines of Iron and Copper, and a∣bundance of Frait, Fishes, Beasts, and Fowle; it was discovered at the charges of Sir Walter Rawleigh in Anno 1584; and in honour of our Virgin Queene, called Virginia. The chiefe Towne is called Iames Towne, and of late dayes the northerne part of this Uirginia, being b•…•…tter discovered than the other, is called New England, full of good new Townes and Forts; whither many persons dis∣contented with the forme of our Ecclesiasticall Government, are (said to be) the principall Planters, and is likely in a short time to prove a happie and flourishing Plantation.

The seaventh is Terra Corterialis; on the South whereof runs * 1.17 that famous river of Caneda, rising out of the hill Hombuedo, run∣ning nine hundred miles, and found navigable for eight hundred thereof; this Country was discovered by Gasper Corteralis a Portu∣gall in Anno 1500. and affords onely some rich skins and furres for commodities and Merchandise. The chiefe Towne thereof is Brest, Cabomarso, and others of little note.

The eighth is Nurembega, and the chiefe Towne carrieth that * 1.18 name, in possession of the French; other things remarkeable I finde not observable therein.

The ninth is Nova Francia, discovered by Iaques Cartier, a * 1.19 French-man, in Anno 1534. inhabited besides the Natives, with some few French-men. The chiefe Townes are Canada, and next Sanguinai, seated both upon two rivers so called, affording onely some skins and furres, especially Bevers, which thence by the French are transported into Europe.

The last and tenth is Estotiland, called by us New-found-land; by the English discovered in Anno 1527. who imposed the names * 1.20 upon the Capes and Rivers which now they hold, where some have gone to plant, but the cold hath beene found to be too ex∣treame for the English constitution; but in the Summer season the Seas here are found to abound with Fish in such abundance, that a man may take in an houres space a hundred great Fishes, which being opened, salted and dried upon the rocks and braches, * 1.21 are hence transported to all parts of Europe; and knowne in England by the name of New-land fish; in French by the name of Morleux; in Italie, Bacalio; and in Spaine, Abadeses: five hundred sayle great and small doe from England yearly sayle to this coast, and to a place called the Banke, a sand of 15 in 20 fadome deepe, thirtie leagues off of this Coast; and these depart from our Coast about the end of Februarie, and arriving there about the middle of Aprill, unrigge their shippes, set up boothes and cabanets on the shore in divers creekes and harbours, and there with fishing pro∣visions

and salt, being their fishing in Shallops and Boats, continue it till September, and in this time doe not onely catch as many fish as will lade their shippes, but also as many as will lade vessels of greater burthens, that in the Summer come hither from England and other parts, to buy up the same, and purposely to transport it for Spaine, Italie, and other Countries: and this fishing en∣ded and the cold beginning, they leave their stations and booths and repairing aboord their shippes, lade their fish, and rigging their vessels, returne to their native homes, where these fishermen winter, and then become husbandmen; so that their lives may be compared to the Otter, which is spent halfe on land, and halfe in Sea.

This fishing is found to be wonderfull beneficiall to our we∣sterne parts of England, whose Inhabitants confiding upon the constancie of the yearly fishing upon this Coast, it is usuall with them to sell the said fish either by tale or by the hundred waight in England by contract, before they either depart their homes, or before the said fish be caught, at profitable rates; and when their Summer is once spent, and that the cold approacheth, and that the fish beginneth to leave the Coast, they returne contented to their Families; where oftentimes in Winter they merrily spend, what thus in Summer they have painfully fisht for.

Other notes of trading, worthy observations, at my there-be∣ing in my younger dayes, I observed not. The Waights and Coines of England passing there currant amongst the English, and the price of fish once generally Cut at their fishing Stales, doth afterward in liew of Coine, by way of Commutation, all that yeare passe cur∣rant for all needfull Commodities, and is esteemed as a valuable consideration amongst them from one man to another: and thus much for the Provinces and Cities of Mexicana.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mexicana and the Provinces thereof.
• * 1.2

  Mexico.
• * 1.3

  Commodities of Mexico.
• * 1.4

  Metle an admi∣rable tree.
• * 1.5

  S^t. Michael.
• * 1.6

  Sinsons.
• * 1.7

  Ilascalan.
• * 1.8

  City of Mexico
• * 1.9

  Quivira 2.
• * 1.10

  Nicaragua 3.
• * 1.11

  An admirable tree.
• * 1.12

  Nova Grenada.
• * 1.13

  Iucatan 4.
• * 1.14

  Campechio.
• * 1.15

  Florida 5.
• * 1.16

  Virginia 6.
• * 1.17

  Corterialis 7.
• * 1.18

  Nurembega 8.
• * 1.19

  Nova Francia 9.
• * 1.20

  Estotiland 10.
• * 1.21

  Fishing in the New found land.