An account of the first voyages and discoveries made by the Spaniards in America containing the most exact relation hitherto publish'd, of their unparallel'd cruelties on the Indians, in the destruction of above forty millions of people : with the propositions offer'd to the King of Spain to prevent the further ruin of the West-Indies / by Don Bartholomew de las Casas, Bishop of Chiapa, who was an eye-witness of their cruelties ; illustrated with cuts ; to which is added, The art of travelling, shewing how a man may dispose his travels to the best advantage.

A particular Account of what the Spaniards did in Hispaniola.

AT this Island the Spaniards arriv'd in their first Voyages, and here began to persecute and murder the Indians, taking away their Wives and Children, and using 'em, or rather abusing 'em at their pleasure. They devour'd all that these poor Creatures had amass'd together for their Subsistence with a great deal of Care and Labour, not content with what they freely offer'd 'em as far as their Po∣verty and the meanness of their Condition would permit: for they are satisfied with what is of pure Necessity, not troubling themselves with superfluities,

or laying up great stores before hand. One Spa∣niard would consume in a day, that which would have suffic'd three Indian Families of ten Persons each, for the space of a whole Month. This ill treatment and spoil soon made the Inhabitants of this Island lose the Esteem they had conceiv'd of the Spaniards, whom they at first look'd upon as mes∣sengers from Heaven: so that at length they began to hide their Wives and Children, and whatever Goods they had from 'em. Some retired into Caves, others fled up into the Mountains to avoid meeting with the Spaniards who now appear'd so terrible and cruel to 'em. The Spaniards did not content them∣selves to beat 'em, and to offer 'em many other Indignities, but cut their Throats in cold Blood: and without any respect either to Age or Quality, put their Princes, and the Governors of their Cities to death: They came to that height of Impudence and Villany, that a Spanish Captain had the Insolence to abuse the Wife of the greatest King of the Island. This vile fact drove 'em quite to despair, so that from that time they sought means of dri∣ving the Spaniards out of their Country; they be∣took themselves to Arms, and did what they could to defend themselves against these Tyrants: but the Weapons they us'd were neither capable of defending them, nor of offending their Enemies to any purpose; and were more like those that Chil∣dren use to play with, than such as are fit for Soul∣diers to use in War.

The Spaniards, who were mounted on fine Horses, and armed with Lances and Swords, look'd upon Enemies so meanly equip'd with the greatest Con∣tempt, and committed the most horrible Slaughters with Impunity. They pass'd through the several Cities and Towns, sparing neither Age nor Sex, but kill'd Women and Children as well as Men:

They rip'd up Women with Child, that Root and Branch might be destroy'd together. They laid Wagers one with another, who should cleave a Man down with his Sword most dexterously at one blow; or who should take his Head from his Shoulders most cleverly; or who should run a Man through after the most artificial manner: They tore away Chil∣dren out of their Mothers Arms, and dash'd out their Brains against the Rocks; others they threw into the River, diverting themselves with this bru∣tish Sport, and giving great shouts while they saw 'em in this misery: And to add insulting Scoffs to their Cruelty, advis'd 'em to struggle in the Water, and try if they could save themselves from drowning. They held up the Bodies of Mothers and Children together upon their Lances: they set up Gibbets, and hang'd up thirteen of these poor Creatures in honour to Jesus Christ and his twelve Apostles (as they blasphemously express'd themselves): They kindled a great Fire under these Gibbets, to burn those they had hang'd upon 'em: They cut off the Hands of those they sav'd alive, and sent 'em away in that miserable condition, bidding 'em carry the News of their Calamities to those that were retir'd into the Mountains to escape the Spaniards.

They erected a small Scaffold, supported with Forks and Poles, upon which to execute their Chiefs, and those of the most considerable quality among 'em. When they had laid 'em at length upon this Scaffold, they kindled a gentle Fire, to make 'em feel themselves die gradually, till the poor Wretches after the most exquisite Pain and Anguish, attended with horrible Screeches and Outcries, at length ex∣pir'd. I one day saw four or five Persons of the highest Rank in this Island burn'd after this manner. But the dreadful Cries this Torment extorted from 'em, incommoding a Spanish Captain; and hindring

his Sleep, he commanded 'em to be presently strangled. But a certain Officer whose Name I know, and whose Relations are well known at Se∣ville, put Gags into their Mouths to hinder 'em from making a Noise, that he might not be depriv'd of the brutish Pleasure of broiling them gently, till they breath'd out their Souls in this Torment. I have been an Eye-witness of all these Cruelties, and an infinite number of others which I pass over in silence.

And because these poor People took all the care they could to hide themselves from a Generation of Men so barbarous and wicked as the Spaniards, who had no Sentiment of Humanity, Honour, or Reli∣gion left, but acted as if they were made for nothing else but to destroy Mankind; to add further to their brutish Cruelty, they taught Dogs to go a hunting for these poor Wretches, and to devour 'em as if they had been Beasts. And because the Indians after they had been provok'd with so many unheard of Injuries, now and then kill'd one of them when they met with 'em stragling; the Spaniards made a Law among themselves to massacre a hundred In∣dians for every Spaniard they should kill.

Of the Kingdoms contain'd in the Island of Hispaniola.

HIspaniola contains five great Kingdoms, the Kings of which were very powerful, and go∣vern'd all the other Chiefs, whose number is very great: yet there are some independent Countries which have their particular Lords, and are not subject to any of those Kings. One of these Kings they call Magua, which signifies a Plain, his Name

being taken from the situation of his Kingdom, which is extremely pleasant. This Plain is 80 Leagues in extent from South to North, but is only five, eight, and sometimes ten Leagues in breadth. 'Tis encompass'd on every side with high Mountains; 'tis water'd with a great number of Brooks and Rivers, of which there are twelve that come not behind those famous Rivers the Ebre, the Duere, and the Guadalquivir for bigness. The Rivers that water this Plain, especially those falling down from a Mountain that looks towards the West, abound with Gold. This Mountain bounds the Province of Cibao, where the Mines bearing that Name produce that pure Gold of the fineness of 24 Carrats, so much talk'd of in Europe. The So∣veraign of this Kingdom was call'd Guarionex; he had under him such powerful Subjects, that one of 'em could bring 16000 Men into the field for the King's Service. I knew some of these Indian Lords. This King was very submissive to the Kings of Spain, and express'd a great deal of Affection to them. His Humour was mild and peaceable; and his Soul capable of every Vertue. He once or∣der'd all his Subjects to bring him each of 'em a great Purse of Gold; but finding they were not in a condition to answer his Requirement, he remitted half this Tax. The Inhabitants of this Island have not the Art of extracting Gold out of the Mines. This Cacique voluntarily offer'd himself to the Ser∣vice of the King of Spain, on condition the Queen Isabella would take care that those Lands should be cultivated, which the Spaniards inhabited at their first Arrival in the Indies, extending about the space of 50 Leagues towards St. Domingo: for he said his Subjects had no Experience or Skill to extract Gold out of the Mines. If this Condition had been ac∣cepted, he would faithfully and joyfully have accom∣plished

his Promise, which would have been of vast advantage to the King of Spain, who might have taken above three Millions of Gold every year out of these Mines; and consequently there might now have been fifty Cities in this Province as fine as Seville.

But what greateful Acknowledgments did the Spaniards return to the kind Offers of this Prince, who gave such Proofs of his Good-will to 'em, and sincere desire to serve 'em? They cover'd him with Shame and Infamy, his Wife was violated (as has been said) by a Spanish Captain, a Wretch un∣worthy of the Christian Name. This Prince might have waited for an opportunity to revenge himself of this Outrage, but chose rather to retire and live in Obscurity and Exile in the Province of one of his Subjects, voluntarily abidicating his Kingdom and Government. The Spaniards being inform'd of the place of his Retreat, pursued him with the utmost Fury, without giving him time to hide himself. They cruelly declar'd War against that Indian Lord that had given him Sanctuary, and had receiv'd him with a becoming Humanity and Respect; they ravag'd all his Country, and never left off their Cruelties till they had found and seiz'd this Fugitive Prince, whom they loaded with Chains, and put on Ship∣board to be carried into Spain as their Prisoner. This Vessel was cast away in the Voyage, a great many Spaniards drown'd, and an incredible sum of Gold and Silver lost: Among the rest there was a prodigious lump of Gold as big as a great Loaf, which weighed 3600 Crowns. Thus did the Ven∣geance of God meet with 'em for the enormous Crimes they had committed in the Indies.

The second Kingdom is called Marien, where there is a fine Port just at the end of the other Kingdom on the North-side: This Kingdom is

larger than Portugal, and more fruitful, and was stor'd with vast numbers of Inhabitants; there are divers Mountains in it, and several Mines abounding with Gold and Copper. The Name of the King of this Country was Guacanagari, who had divers Lords under his Jurisdiction. 'Twas in this Coun∣try that famous Pilot who first discover'd America landed. Guacanagari receiv'd him with all imagi∣nable Hospitality and Civility; he made the best Entertainment he could for all the Spaniards who accompanied him: when their Ship was sunk, they were receiv'd at this Prince's Court as kindly as if they had been in the Houses of their own natural Relations: here they met with all manner of Re∣freshments and Recruits the Country afforded, which were given 'em with great Expressions of Humanity and Compassion on the account of their Hardships. This King afterwards to secure himself from the barbarous Usage of the Spaniards, when they began to commit their Massacres in his Country, abandon'd his Kingdom, and was forc'd to retreat into some of the remote Mountains, where he died with the Fatigues and Inconveniencies to which he was ex∣pos'd. Those Indian Lords that depended on him found no better Treatment, but perish'd under that horrible Slavery to which the Spaniards had reduc'd 'em.

Maguana is the third Kingdom of this Island, and is an admirable Country, both for Health and Fruitfulness. Here is made the best Sugar in Ame∣rica. Caonabo was the King of it, who surpass'd all the other Kings both in regard of his Power, the Riches of his Kingdom, and the Respect and Cere∣mony with which he was honour'd. This Prince not keeping on his Guard, nor at all distrusting what Tricks the Spaniards design'd to play him, was surpriz'd in his own House by the Artifices they had

laid to insnare him. He was put in a Ship to be carried into Spain, and there were at the same time six Vessels in the Port ready to set Sail, when all on a sudden there rose a horrible Tempest, which batter'd the Ships to pieces and sunk 'em, with all the Spaniards that were on board. King Caonabo loaded with Chains perish'd, together with the Vessel in which he was embarqu'd. The Almighty was pleas'd to display his just and terrible Judgment by this sudden Storm, in destroying so many Spa∣niards, and thereby punishing the Crimes they had committed in abusing the poor Indians. This King had three or four Brothers, all of 'em valiant and couragious Princes; who being much provok'd at the unjust Captivity of the King, their Brother and Soveraign, and inform'd of the Ravage and Massa∣cres the Spaniards had made in other neighbouring Kingdoms, and after all hearing the News of the fatal End of their Brother, betook themselves to Arms, and sought means of revenging themselves on their Enemies. The Spaniards attack'd 'em with their Cavalry, which is very formidable to the Indians, whom they soon conquer'd, and made so prodigious a Slaughter among 'em, that half the Kingdom was depopulated and became desert after this Defeat.

Xavagua is the fourth Kingdom of Hispaniola, and is as it were the Heart and Centre of all this Island; the Language of it is the most refin'd and polite. The People of this Kingdom are the most civiliz'd, and their Manners more cultivated than those of other parts of the Country: and there are a greater number of great Lords and Persons of Quality among 'em. These People are better shap'd, and have a finer Aspect than those of the other King∣doms. The King's Name was Behechio, he had a Sister call'd Anacaona; both of 'em heap'd their Fa∣vours

on the Spaniards when they landed in their Country, and with a great deal of Generosity sav'd 'em from Death, which they could not otherwise have avoided: They left no Stone unturn'd to shew themselves obliging to the Kings of Spain. After Behechio's Death his Sister Anacaona continued ab∣solute Mistress of the whole Kingdom. One day the Governor of the Island, accompanied with 60 Horse and 300 Foot, sends a Summons to about 300 of the greatest Lords of the Country to attend his Person. These few Horsemen alone were able to have ravag'd and laid waste not only all this Island, but even the whole Continent, so defenceless were these poor People. The Indian Nobles, not at all suspecting any treacherous Design, were by the Go∣vernor's Order brought into a House cover'd with Straw, which he commanded to be set on fire, where they perish'd miserably. Those of 'em who attempted to escape were pursued by the Spanish Troopers, and kill'd without Mercy. They also kill'd a vast multitude of the common People, cut∣ting 'em and running 'em through with their Swords and Lances. This same Governor caus'd Queen Anacaona, who had the soveraign Authority after the Death of her Brother (as has been said) to be hang'd, that he might disgrace the Memory of that Princess as much as he could by so vile and igno∣minious a Death. If at any time a Spaniard, either touch'd with the Sentiments of Compassion, or prompted with those of Avarice, thought fit to spare one of these poor Wretches for his own Ser∣vice; another would come transported with Rage, and fall upon him in his presence, and either run him through the Body, or cut off his Legs, so as to render him unserviceable. Some of these Indians who escap'd this Massacre retir'd into an Island not above eight Leagues distant from this Kingdom, to

shelter themselves from the Fury of the Spaniards; but these were condemned by the Governor to perpetual Slavery.

The Name of the fifth Kingdom is Hiquey: Hi∣quanama the Queen, who govern'd it, tho very much advanc'd in Years and decrepit, was hang'd by order of the Spaniards, who tormented an infinite number of the Inhabitants of this Kingdom by di∣vers kinds of cruel Punishments. Some they burn'd alive, they cut off the Arms and Legs of others, and made Slaves of the rest. There are so many things to be said of the ill Treatment and Cruelty the Spaniards exercis'd against the People of this Island, that 'tis impossible to recount 'em all; and if that could be done, the recital of 'em would ap∣pear incredible: and yet the Indians gave the Spa∣niards no occasion to engage in so barbarous a War against 'em, and to commit such Violences upon 'em; but one may truly say, these poor Creatures liv'd in as great Subjection and Obedience to the Spaniards, as the most submissive and obsequious Order of Monks do in the most regular and well-disciplin'd Monastery; so that there was no lawful occasion given 'em to rob those of their Property, or condemn 'em to a rigorous Slavery, who had found means of escaping their bloody Massacres. 'Tis further to be observ'd, that the Indians offer'd no Affront to the Spaniards when they first arriv'd in America: So that they had no colourable Pretext for Revenge, or the least right to punish 'em after so cruel a manner. As for those Sins, the Punishment of which God has reserv'd to himself, such as Hatred, Envy, the passionate desire of Revenge, the Spa∣niards had no occasion to reproach 'em on this ac∣count, since these People have scarce more Strength and Courage than Children of ten Years old. On the other side, the Indians had a thousand just Rea∣sons

to make War with the Spaniards, tho these had no reasonable pretence to treat them as they did with a barbarity equal to that of the most savage and inhuman Tyrants.

After this unjust War was ended with the De∣struction and Massacre of all the Inhabitants of these Countries, having reserv'd few besides the Women and Children, they divided these among themselves, some keeping 30 of them, others 40, others 100, some 200, according to the Interest they had in the Tyrant of the Island, whom they honour'd with the Title of Governor; for 'twas he that gave 'em these Indians, on condition they would cause 'em to be instructed in the Maxims of the Catholick Reli∣gion, tho the Persons to whose care he committed 'em were the most ignorant, cruel, covetous, and vitious of all Mankind. These (as might well have been expected) took no care to instruct 'em; but confined the men to the Mines to get out Gold with incredible Toil and Labour; they us'd the Women for Husbandry and Tillage, tho this last was a La∣bour hard enough for men of the most robust and vigorous Constitution. They fed 'em only with Herbs, or such like Food, that had but little Sub∣stance or Nourishment in it: So that the Milk dry'd up in the Breasts of the Women that gave suck, and their Children in a little time pin'd away and dyed with Faintness and Hunger. The Men having no Conversation with the Women, but dwelling in se∣parate Houses, there could be no farther propaga∣tion of Children by 'em. Thus at length the Men perish'd in the Mines with Hunger and Labour, the Women dyed under the pressure of their servitude in the Fields; so that all the Inhabitants of this po∣pulous Island were exterminated in a short time. And indeed if the same course were taken every where else, all Mankind would be destroy'd in the

space of a few Years. The Spaniards oblig'd these poor Creatures to carry Burdens of fourscore or a hundred pound weight for a hundred or two hun∣dred Leagues. And that they might travel the more at ease, they would make these Indians carry them in Chairs and Horse-litters on their Shoulders: They us'd 'em like Beasts of Burden to carry their Utensils, and what they pleas'd either for their Pro∣fit or Pleasure, so that the Backs and Shoulders of these poor Slaves were black with Bruises occasion'd by the great weight of their Burdens. These in∣credible Fatigues did not secure 'em from Blows with Cudgels and Whips, accompanied with Curses, nor from a great many other Punishments. But 'twould be endless to describe all the Miseries these unfortunate People were made to suffer; it would require whole Volumes, and the reading of so de∣plorable a Story would deeply affect and soften eve∣ry Mind not quite divested of Humanity.

It is to be observ'd that the Destruction and Deso∣lation of these Provinces began since the Death of the most serene Queen Isabella, who departed this Life in the Year 1504. Before this time the Spa∣niards never durst exercise their Cruelties on the People of this Island, nor destroy their Country: if they offer'd 'em any Violence, 'twas as it were by stealth, and with great Precaution. But after the Death of this Princess, the Desolation became gene∣ral. Before this fatal time, they took great care to conceal whatever Hardships they made these People endure, because the Queen was marvellously zealous both to promote the Instruction and Salvation of the Inhabitants of this new World, and to advance their Temporal Advantages; and accordingly she gave us many Examples of her Piety and Zeal.

In whatever part of America the Spaniards set their Feet, they perpetrated the same abominable

Villanies and Massacres, to oppress and exterminate these poor Innocents. They seem'd to take Plea∣sure in the invention of new kinds of Torments, and their Fury augmented every day more and more, till God Almighty provok'd by so many hor∣rid Crimes, abandon'd 'em to a reprobate Sense, and permitted 'em to fall as it were from deep to deep, and from one Precipice to another.

Of the Islands of St. John and Jamaica.

IN the Year 1509 the Spaniards went into the Islands of St. John and Jamaica (which resemble delicious Gardens) with the same Intentions and De∣signs they had carried on in the Island of Hispaniola. Here they committed a world of Robberies and Cruelties, just as they had done in other places where-ever they came. The Marks of their De∣vastations and Murders were every where to be seen. They laid all places desolate where they arriv'd, exposing Men to the Mercy of Beasts. And after having inflicted all sorts of Torments on 'em, put 'em in the Mines to work like Slaves as long as they liv'd. They entirely depopulated these Countries, so that in these two Islands, where there were com∣puted to have been above 600000. Inhabitants be∣fore their Arrival, there are scarce 200 now to be found: The rest being all destroy'd with Misery and Hardship, and that without having any Pains taken with 'em to instruct 'em in our Religion, or to administer the Sacraments to 'em.

Of the Island of Cuba.

THE Spaniards pass'd into the Island of Cuba in the year 1511, which contains as much ground in length as from Vallidolid to Rome. There were formerly fine and flourishing Provinces to be seen, fill'd with vast numbers of People, who met with no milder or kinder Treatment from the Spaniards than the rest. On the contrary, they seem'd to have redoubled their Cruelty upon those People. There happen'd divers things in this Island that de∣serve to be remark'd. A rich and potent Cacique nam'd Hathuey was retir'd into the Isle of Cuba, to avoid that Slavery and Death with which the Spa∣niards menac'd him: and being inform'd that his persecutors were upon the point of landing in this Island, he assembled all his Subjects and Domesticks together, and made a Speech to 'em after this man∣ner. You know (said he) the Report that is spread abroad, that the Spaniards are ready to invade this Island; and you are not ignorant of the ill Ʋsage our Friends and Country-men have met with at their hands, and the Cruelties they have committed at Hayci (so Hispaniola is called in their Language) they are now coming hither with a design to exercise the same Outrages and Persecutions upon us. Are you ignorant (says he) of the ill Intentions of the People of whom I am speaking? We know not (say they all with one Voice) upon what account they come hither, but we know they are a very wicked and cruel People. I'll tell you then (reply'd the Cacique) that these Europeans worship a very cove∣tous sort of God, so that 'tis difficult to satisfy him; and to perform the Worship they render to this Idol, they'll exact immense Treasures of us, and will use their utmost

Endeavour to reduce us to a miserable state of Slavery, or else to put us to death. Upon which he took a Box full of Gold and valuable Jewels which he had with him, and exposing it to their view: Here is (says he) the God of the Spaniards, whom we must honour with our Sports and Dances, to see if we can appease him, and render him propitious to us; that so he may command the Spaniards not to offer us any Injury. They all applauded this Speech, and fell a leaping and dancing round the Box, till they had quite tired and spent themselves. After which the Cacique Hathucy resuming his Discourse, continued to speak to them in these terms: If we keep this God (says he) till he's taken away from us, he'll certainly cause our Lives to be taken from us; and therefore I am of opinion 'twill be the best way to cast him into the River. They all approv'd of this Advice, and went all together with one accord to throw this pretended God into the River.

The Spaniards were no sooner arriv'd in the Isle of Cuba, but this Cacyque who knew 'em too well, began to think of retreating, to secure himself from their Fury, and resolv'd to defend himself by force of Arms, if he should happen to meet with them; but he unfortunately fell into their Hands: and be∣cause he had taken all the precautions he could to a∣void the Persecutions of so cruel and impious a Peo∣ple, and had taken Arms to defend his own Life, as well as the Lives of his Subjects; this was made a capital Crime in him, for which he was burn'd a∣live. While he was in the midst of the Flames, tied to a Stake, a certain Franciscan Frier of great Piety and Vertue, took upon him to speak to him of God and our Religion, and to explain to him some Arti∣cles of the Catholick Faith, of which he had never heard a word before, promising him Eternal Life, if he would believe, and threatning him with eter∣nal

Torment, if he continued obstinate in his Infi∣delity. Hathuey reflecting on the matter, as much as the Place and Condition in which he was would permit, ask'd the Frier that instructed him, whe∣ther the Gate of Heaven was open to the Spaniards; and being answer'd that such of 'em as were good men might hope for entrance there: The Cacyque, without any farther deliberation, told him, he had no mind to go to Heaven, for fear of meeting with such cruel and wicked Company as they were; but would much rather choose to go to Hell, where he might be deliver'd from the troublesom sight of such kind of People: To so great a degree have the wicked Actions and Cruelties of the Spaniards dishonor'd God and his Religion in the Minds of the Americans.

One day there came to us a great number of the Inhabitants of a famous City, situate above 10 Leagues from the place where we lodg'd, to com∣plement us, and bring us all sorts of Provisions and Refreshments, which they presented us with great marks of Joy, caressing us after the most obliging manner they could. But that evil Spirit that pos∣sess'd the Spaniards put 'em into such a sudden Fury against 'em, that they fell upon 'em and massacred above 3000 of 'em, both Men and Women, upon the spot, without having receiv'd the least Offence or Provocation from 'em. I was an Eye-witness of this Barbarity; and whatever endeavours were us'd to appease these inhuman Creatures, 'twas im∣possible to reduce 'em to Reason; so resolutely were they bent to satiate their brutal Rage by this barbarous Action.

Soon after this I sent Messengers to the most noted Indians of the Province of Havane, to encourage and engage 'em to continue in their Country, and not to trouble themselves to seek remote places to hide in, and advis'd 'em to come to us with assurance

of our Protection. They knew well enough what Authority I had over the Spaniards, and I gave 'em my word, no Injury should be offer'd 'em: for the past Cruelties and Massacres their Country-men had suffer'd, had spread Fear and Terror through all the Country; and this Assurance I gave 'em was with the Consent and Advice of the Captains and other Officers. When we enter'd into this Province, two and twenty of their Chiefs came to us, and the ve∣ry next Morning the Commander of our Troops, without any regard to the Promise that had been made 'em, would needs sentence 'em to be burnt, pretending 'twas best to put these People to death, because they might one time or other use some Stra∣tagem to surprize and destroy us: And I had all the difficulty in the world to prevent 'em from throwing 'em into the Fire.

The Indians of Havane seeing themselves reduc'd to a state of severe Slavery, and that there was no Remedy left, but they were irrecoverably undone, began to seek Refuge in the Deserts and Mountains, to secure themselves if possible from Death: Some strangled themselves in despair; Parents hang'd themselves, together with their Children, to put the speedier end to their Miseries by Death. Above two hundred Indians perish'd here after this manner, to avoid the Cruelty of the Spaniards; and abun∣dance of them afterwards voluntarily condemn'd themselves to this kind of Death, hoping thus in a moment to put a period to the Miseries their Per∣secutors inflicted on 'em.

A certain Spaniard who had the Title of Sove∣raign in this Island, and had three hundred In∣dians in his Service, destroy'd a hundred and sixty of 'em in less than three Months, by the excessive Labour he continually exacted of 'em. The Recruits he took to fill up their places were destroy'd after

the same manner; and he would in a short time have unpeopled the whole Island, if Death, which took him out of the way very happily for those poor Wretches, had not shelter'd 'em from his Cruelties. I saw with with my own Eyes above six thousand Children die in the space of three or four Months, their Parents being forc'd to abandon 'em, being condemn'd to the Mines. After this the Spaniards took up a Resolution to pursue those Indians that were retir'd into the Mountains, and massacred mul∣titudes of 'em; so that this Island was depopulated and laid waste in a very little time. And 'tis a most lamentable Spectacle to see so fine a Country thus miserably ruin'd and unpeopled.

Of the Continent.

IN the Year 1514, a merciless Governor, destitute of the least sentiment of Pity or Humanity, who was deservedly accounted a barbarous Tyrant, and cruel Instrument of the Wrath of God, pierc'd into the Continent, being follow'd by a great many Spaniards, all animated with the Spirit, and pur∣suing the Designs of their Leader. Tho some of his stamp had enter'd the Continent before him, and had kill'd a great many People, yet they had only exercis'd their Robberies and Cruelties on the Sea-Coasts. But he of whom I am now speaking, surpass'd all his Predecessors in Cruelty and Impiety. He was not content to ravage the Sea-Coasts, but laid waste great Kingdoms and vast Countries, and destroy'd an infinite number of Indians in the gross Darkness of their Idolatry. He run through above fifty Leagues of the finest Country in the World, and carried Desolation with him where-ever he

went, ruining in a little time the most pleasant and fruitful Country in the West-Indies. There were before the Arrival of this Tyrant, abundance of Villages, Towns and Cities, that excell'd those of all the neighbouring Countries. This Country a∣bounds more in Gold than any yet discover'd. The immense Riches that have fill'd Spain since she has traded to the Indies, have been chiefly drawn out of the Mines of the Country of which I am now speaking.

The Governor of this new World invented va∣rious kinds of Torments to constrain the Inhabitants to give him all the Gold they had heap'd together. In one Progress which some of his Captains made by his Order to pillage and rob the People of their Riches, they put above forty thousand of 'em to the Sword; others they burnt, others they expos'd to be devour'd by Dogs, and the rest they destroy'd with divers other kinds of cruel Punishments.

The wretched Ignorance of those that have been sent to govern the Indies, has occasion'd a great ma∣ny Mischiefs and Disorders, and hinder'd the Con∣version of the Indians: for what they endeavour'd to perswade 'em by their Words, was contradicted by their Actions; and the Sentiments of their Minds were no ways conformable to the Pretensions of their Tongues. They commanded the Indians to embrace the Christian Religion upon pain of Death, they menac'd 'em with cruel Slavery, or the most exquisite Tortures, to force 'em to turn Christi∣ans, or to swear Allegiance to the King of Spain: As if the Son of God, who dy'd for the Redemption of Men, had ordain'd those whom he sent to preach the Gospel, and to declare the Kingdom of God, to constrain People that liv'd peaceably in their own Country, to make profession of his Doctrine, on pain of being plunder'd of their Goods, of being

separated from their Wives and Children, of losing their Liberty, and of being condemn'd to a cruel Death, without having ever been instructed in the Maxims and Principles of our Religion. And the poor Creatures must be oblig'd to render an exact Obedience to a King they had never seen or heard of, till they were inform'd of him by these Messen∣gers of his that treated 'em so inhumanly.

This bloody and impious Governor, urg'd with the insatiable desire of heaping up Treasure, pilla∣ged the Indians that dwelt both in the Villages and Cities with Impunity, while they little thought of securing themselves against his Robberies. He or∣der'd his Souldiers to go privately to the places where they suspected any Gold was to be found, and to declare his Orders to the Inhabitants of this new World after the following manner.

Caciques and Indians of this Continent, we are come to de∣clare to you that there is but one God, one Pope, and one King of Spain, who is Lord and Master of the Country you inhabit; we therefore require you to come immediately and take the Oath of Allegiance to him.

After such kind of Preambles as these, they would choose the Night to fall sud∣denly upon these poor Wretches, when laid fast asleep, without having taken any measures to secure themselves from the Artifices of their Enemies, who would set fire to their Houses, which being thatch'd with Reeds and Straw, were burnt to Ashes in an instant. The Women and Children were de∣vour'd by the Flames almost before they had time to consider where they were. They massacred such as made a shift to escape the Fire, or kept 'em for Slaves; they used Tortures to force 'em to tell where they had hid their Gold. They printed Marks on their Bodies with red hot Branding-irons; and after all these Cruelties, us'd their utmost dili∣gence

to make a strict search for the Gold of these miserable People, of which they got vast Quantities together, besides Pearls and Diamonds, which the Indians gave 'em to avoid their Fury. All the Spa∣niards who had any Office or Place of Trust, com∣mitted the same Rapine; every one sent as many Souldiers as he could to make their Progresses, and ravage all the Country. The first Bishop that was sent into America, imitated the Conduct of these covetous Governors, and made use of his Servants to procure himself a share of the Spoil. The Spa∣niards in a little time carried away above three Millions out of this Kingdom; of which vast Sum the King of Spain had scarce 3000 Crowns for his share. Here were above 800000 People slaughter'd; and the succeeding Governors continued the like Massacres till they had destroy'd the rest of the Na∣tives.

I must not pass over in silence one Action com∣mitted in this Country by the Governor, of whom I have been speaking. A Cacique, whether volun∣tarily or out of fear I know not, gave him the weight of 9000 Crowns in Gold: This great Sum not con∣tenting the Spaniards, they tied this unhappy Prince to a Stake, and setting fire to his Feet, endeavour'd by this means to extort a greater quantity from him. This Torment being intolerable to him, he gave 'em the weight of 3000 Crowns of Gold more, which he had reserv'd; upon this they renew'd their Tortures, to get still more out of him: but whether he had no more to give 'em, or whether he was resolv'd they should exact no more of him, he ex∣pir'd amidst their Tortures. They put to death many of the most considerable Persons of this Kingdom after the same cruel manner.

A Company of Spaniards happening to light on a Body of Indians that had retreated into the Moun∣tains,

to avoid the Tyranny of their Persecutors, in a great rage fell upon the poor Wretches, and killing all the Men they could catch, carried away three or fourscore Women Prisoners. The Indians that escap'd being highly incens'd, came in Arms to attack the Spaniards, to try if they could oblige 'em to let go their Prey: These seeing the Indians draw near 'em, and being unwilling to surrender the Booty they had taken, stab'd the Women and Maids in the presence of their Husbands and Fathers, who were seiz'd with Horror and Despair at the sight of so lamentable a Tragedy; and smiting their Breasts, cry'd out, O merciless Men! O cruel Spa∣niards! who can murder poor Women that never offended you without Pity! And indeed they must be more sa∣vage and bloody than Beasts of Prey, who can be capable of such brutish Actions as these.

One of the greatest Lords of this Country, whose Name was Paris, had a House about ten or fifteen Leagues distance from Panama; he was very rich, having a great quantity of Gold in his possessi∣on. When the Spaniards came to his House, he re∣ceiv'd 'em with as much Kindness and Civility as if they had been his Relations. He frankly gave the Captain the value of 15000 Crowns: This Captain, and the Spaniards that accompanied him, concluded that this Indian must needs have immense Treasures, from the parcel of Gold he had given 'em; and since they had undertaken this Journey on purpose to rob him, to make the more sure of succeeding in their Design, they pretended they would be gone, and accordingly took their leave of him, but re∣turn'd in the middle of the Night, and rushing into the City unexpectedly, they set it on fire, and de∣stroy'd abundance of the Citizens in the Flames, and carried away thence 50 or 60000 Crowns. A Person of the most considerable Quality of any in

this City escap'd the fury of this Fire; and after a Respite of three or four days, having got as many Men together as he could, fell upon the Spaniards by surprize, kill'd about fifty of 'em, and retook all the Spoil of the City which they had burnt, and particularly the Value of 40000 Crowns, of which they had plunder'd him: the rest of the Spaniards made the best of their way and escap'd, but not without a great many Wounds. Soon after this they return'd with a greater Force to attack this Cacique, and destroy'd the greatest part of his Troops, making Slaves of the rest.

Of the Province of Nicaraqua.

IN the Year 1522, the forementioned Governor undertook to subdue the Province of Nicaraqua. The great Fertility of this Country, the Goodness of the Air, and the vast number of the Inhabitants cannot be sufficiently express'd. There were Cities in this Province four Leagues in length. The great quantities of excellent Fruits that grow there, drew together those great multitudes of People. These Cities being situate in vast Plains, the People had no Mountains near in which to hide themselves; besides, the Climat is so sweet, and the Country so agreeable, that the Inhabitants could not easily re∣solve to quit it, and consequently were the more expos'd to the Outrages and Persecutions of the Spaniards; yet they suffer'd all with as much pa∣tience as was possible, that they might not be oblig'd to change their Dwelling. And tho these People are naturally of a mild and peaceable Temper, the Governor, or rather the Tyrant, with the Ministers of his Cruelty, resolv'd to treat the Indians of this

Province after the same manner he had done those of other Kingdoms. Here he committed so many Enormities, such Robberies and Massacres, that 'tis impossible for any Pen to relate 'em all. He sent 50 Troopers into this Province, which is bigger than the Country of Rousillon, who massacred almost all the Inhabitants, without any regard to Age, Sex or Quality. If these poor Creatures fail'd to bring 'em a certain measure of Corn which they exacted of 'em, or did not send into their Service such a number of Slaves as they demanded, they kill'd 'em without Mercy. And this being a plain Country (as has been said) there was no place to shelter 'em from the Spanish Horse, who pursu'd 'em with the utmost Fury.

The General permitted these Villains to commit all the Insolencies and Robberies they pleas'd, and to take as great a number of Prisoners as they desir'd. These they sometimes loaded with Chains of sixty or eighty Pound weight; so that of 4000 Captives, scarce six were able to endure this Fatigue, the rest all dy'd by the way under the intolerable weight of their Fetters. That they might not have the trouble to open the Chains of such as dy'd with Hunger, Thirst, Weariness and Toil, they cut off their Heads. When the Indians saw the Spaniards pre∣pare for these kind of Journeys, well knowing they were never likely to see their Friends and Country∣men any more, they, with many deep Sighs and Groans, and floods of Tears, utter'd their Com∣plaints after this manner. Time was (say they) when we have travell'd these Journeys to serve the Christi∣ans, and have been suffer'd after a certain space of time to return home to our Wives and Children, but now there is no hope of any such return; and this Separation must be for ever.

One day a Fancy came into the Governors Head,

to make a new distribution of the Indians; he took 'em away from those for whom he had no kindness, and gave a greater number to those he respected. This chopping and changing of Slaves occasion'd a great scarcity for one Year, there being but a very small Crop on the ground. The Spaniards endea∣vour'd to supply this defect by taking from the In∣dians all the Corn and other Provisions which they had laid up in store for the Subsistence of their Families. This Disorder produc'd a Famin among 'em, which destroy'd above thirty thousand People. There was one Woman so intolerably press'd with Hunger, that she kill'd her Child to appease her Appetite.

All the Cities and Fields round 'em are like plea∣sant Gardens, which the Spaniards cultivated ac∣cording to the share each one had assign'd him by Lot: and to save their own Revenues, they fed up∣on the Stores that belong'd to the Indians, and liv'd at their Charge, devouring in a few days what these poor People had been a long time getting together with a great deal of Care and Toil. There was no Spaniard but had an Estate of his own, and kept abundance of Indians in his House to manure his Land, and to do other Domestick Business: and none of these were exempted from Slavery, their Nobles, their Women and Children were made to work day and night for the advantage of the Spaniards, who exacted Tasks of 'em quite beyond their Strength, and miserably wore 'em out with excess of Labour and Hardship. They drove 'em out of their Houses, and took possession of 'em; they seiz'd their Goods and Lands, and instantly consum'd their Provisions, thus reducing 'em to extreme necessity. Many of 'em dy'd under the heavy Burdens they oblig'd 'em to carry on their Shoulders as far as the Port, which was above 30 Leagues; for hither they made 'em bring

Planks and pieces of Timber for the building of Vessels. They forc'd 'em to go and seek for Honey and Wax in the Mountains, where they were de∣vour'd by Tygers: Women big with Child were not exempted from these hard Services, and often perish'd together with their Fruit, under the pressure of this rigorous Slavery.

That which contributed yet farther to unpeople this Province, was the liberty the Spaniards took to exact of the Caciques, and richest Indians, a great number of Slaves. This kind of Tribute was au∣thoriz'd by the Governor, and levied with a great deal of Severity; for he threaten'd to burn 'em alive if they fail'd to send him a Recruit of fifty Slaves every three Months, or as often as he should give order: tho the Indians have no great number of Slaves ordinarily, and 'tis much if a Cacique has three or four among his other Domesticks. If a Father had two Children, the Spaniards would take away one of them, or two if he had three: The Parents must submit, with how great Reluctancy soever; but their Children were not ravish'd from 'em without abundance of Tears and dolorous Complaints; for they have a very tender Affection to their Off∣spring, and breed 'em up with abundance of Care. This kind of Tribute being often extorted, all this Kingdom was in a few years depopulated. There arriv'd five or six Ships here every year, which were laden with Slaves, whom they transported into Peru and Panama, and there sold 'em, where they died in a little time; for it has been confirm'd by many Experiments, that those Indians that are trans∣ported from their Native Country into other Cli∣mats, seldom live long: And that which contri∣buted to kill 'em the sooner, was the neglect of sup∣plying 'em with sufficient Sustenance, and the ex∣cessive Labour with which they were over-charg'd.

In the space of a few Years there were above 500000 Slaves drawn out of this Province, tho they were all burn free: and during the War that was made against 'em, there dy'd about fifty or sixty thousand besides these: the rest were condemn'd to cruel Slavery, in which a considerable number dy'd every day. There are about four or five thousand People still to be found in this Province; but it was once one of the best peopled Countries in all Ame∣rica: And in a little time in all appearance the rest will be destroy'd by the ill Treatment they conti∣nually suffer.

Of New Spain.

NEw Spain was discover'd in the year 1517, and the year following the Spaniards began to ra∣vage it, and to massacre the Inhabitants, tho they pretend to go out of Europe to people this Country. Their Violences and Oppressions arriv'd to such a height, that they had no regard either to God or the King, but forgot both that they were Men and Christians. Since they came into this Country, there has been nothing but Rapine and Spoil, Massacres, and buring of Cities, nothing but Tyranny and Violence; so that they have in a short time depo∣pulated and ruined vast Kingdoms from one end to t'other. The remembrance of the Villanies and Cruelties committed there, has cast such a Terror into the minds of the Natives, that they can't think of a Spaniard without trembling. They have not yet left off tormenting 'em; on the contrary they rather grow worse and worse, and their Perse∣cutions augment every year. The Spaniards since they first enter'd into New Spain have destroy'd

450000 by violent Deaths in and about Mexico. This Country contains four or five Kingdoms, that come not short of the Kingdom of Spain for Ex∣tent, Fertility, and Plenty of all things: Here were Cities to be seen more populous than Toledo, Seville, Vallidolid, Saragossa, or Barcelona; for tho all these Cities are well stor'd with Inhabitants, those of the new World are yet more populous. The Country of which I am now treating is above 1800 Leagues in compass. Here the Spaniards have kill'd above four Millions of People by Fire and Sword, and o∣ther violent Deaths, both Men, Women and Chil∣dren, within the space of 480 Leagues. They call the Countries they have got by their unjust and cruel Wars, their Conquests, into which they en∣ter'd with the bloody design of exterminating the Inhabitants, and behav'd themselves worse than Turks, or the greatest Enemies of the Christian Name would have done. I don't now reckon in the number of those they have kill'd, such as have pe∣rish'd in Slavery, or dy'd under the Hardships of their Tyrannical Oppressions. No Tongue is capa∣ble of describing to the life all the horrid Villanies perpetrated by these bloody-minded Men. They seem to be the declar'd Enemies of Mankind, and act as if they were destin'd to destroy the whole Human Race: And how accuratly soever one en∣deavours to relate the Cruelties and Ravages of the Spaniards, the thousandth part of it cannot be utter'd.

A more particular Account of New Spain.

IN the flourishing and famous City of Cholula, which contain'd more than thirty thousand Fa∣milies, the principal Inhabitants, together with the Priests, led by him whom they look'd upon as their High-priest, came with abundance of Solemnity and Pomp to meet the Spaniards; and that they might receive 'em with the greater Honour and Respect, they had order'd matters so amongst themselves, that those of the highest quality in the City should conduct the Spaniards to their Houses, and give 'em the best Entertainment they could. Notwithstand∣ing this, the Spaniards resolv'd upon the spot to make a horrible slaughter of 'em, thereby to render themselves the more formidable, and to spread Ter∣ror through all the Country. And this method they us'd to observe in every Country through which they pass'd, viz. to make a great Massacre at their first Arrival, that the People, who are as meek as Sheep, might not look upon 'em without dread. They deputed some to go and treat with the chief Men of the City, and places adjacent, to engage 'em to come and meet 'em, that they might confer together. These were no sooner come to 'em, but they put 'em in Chains, while the Inhabitants of the City knew nothing of this Treachery. They demanded 6000 Indians of 'em to carry their Bag∣gage, their Utensils and Provisions: When they were come, they shut 'em up in divers Yards, and 'twas a miserable Spectacle to see the poor Wretches prepare to carry the Burdens they were to lay upon 'em. They were almost stark naked, and stoop'd down prostrating themselves upon the Ground, sub∣mitting

like Sheep to the Blows and Wounds these Tyrants gave 'em. When they were all thus pound∣ed in several Courts or Yards, part of the Spaniards arm'd with Lances and Pikes fill'd up the Avenues to hinder the Indians from escaping, while the rest put 'em to the Sword; so that none of these escap'd. Two or three days after they found some of them among the Carcases all cover'd with Wounds and Blood, that had been left for dead; these cry'd for Mercy, and beg'd they might be suffer'd to live; but these bloody Men were not at all soften'd by their Groans and Tears, and the submissive manner in which they ask'd their Lives, but cut 'em in pieces upon the spot with a kind of nameless Cruelty. Above a hundred of the principal Indians of this place were put in Irons, and kept alive as yet: But the Commander of the Spaniards order'd Stakes to be fix'd in the Ground, and these unhappy Peo∣ple to be fasten'd to 'em and burnt. The King of the Country happen'd to make his Escape, and re∣tir'd into a Temple with thirty or forty attending him, hoping to find Sanctuary there: Here he de∣fended himself for a whole day. But the Spaniards, who never gave Quarter to any one whom they found in Arms, set fire to the Temple, and burnt all that were in it. They cry'd out of the midst of the Flames: O vile and cruel Men! what hurt have we done you, that you should kill us after this manner? Be gone, be gone to Mexico, where our King Monte∣çuma will punish you according to your deserts. 'Tis said the Spanish Commander was at play during this Tragedy; and that when the Flames had quite con∣sum'd these poor Indians, in a Transport of barba∣rous Joy, shall I say? or Fury, he utter'd these words: Nero, says he, beholding from Mount Tarpeius the Flames that laid Rome in Ashes, heard the Cries of his Citizens without any Emotion of Compassion.

The Spaniards made another great Massacre in the City of Tepeaca, which is a yet finer and larger City than the former, and comprehends in it a greater number of Houses. Here they kill'd a mul∣titude of the Inhabitants with their Lances and Swords. They afterwards went to Mexico, where King Monteçuma accompanied with his Nobles, and those of the most distinguished Rank in his Court, entertain'd the Spaniards with all sorts of Divertise∣ments, to testify how mightily they were pleas'd with their Arrival. The King's Brother came to meet 'em with a splendid Retinue; he made 'em noble Presents in Gold and Silver, and gave 'em rich Stuffs painted with divers Colours: the King himself receiv'd 'em at the entrance of the City with all his Court, being carried upon a Golden Frame, or Chair of State, and conducted 'em to the Palace that was provided for 'em. But the same day they seiz'd this unfortunate Prince, who thought of no∣thing less, and posted fourscore Souldiers to guard him, having loaded him with a heavy Chain. This Action put all the Indians in a Consternation and Fear. But to augment their Terror, they contriv'd to signalize their Cruelty by some memorable Action. All the Nobility of the City was engag'd in repre∣senting Plays and Shows, and in dancing round the place where their King was imprison'd, to allay the Troubles of his Mind during his Captivity; in these Plays they expos'd to view all their Riches and Mag∣nificence. These were the Demonstrations of their Joy, and of the desire they had to please the Spa∣niards. The Nobles and Princes of the Blood, ac∣cording to their several degrees, were employ'd in these Plays and Dances (as I have said) round about their Prince's Prison; so that there were about the Palace two thousands young Men that were the very flower of the whole Kingdom, and the Pride and

Glory of the Court of King Monteçuma: While they were thus engag'd, the Commander of the Spaniards with one of his Troops came to fall upon 'em. He had sent the rest of his Souldiers into the other quarters of the City, where the People were using the like Divertisements, ordering 'em to seem to join in with these Indian Sports, as if they were mightily pleas'd with 'em, but withal giving 'em a word to put these Dancers at a certain time to the Sword. Accordingly they fell upon 'em, pro∣nouncing the word St. James, which was the Signal for massacring these poor naked Indians, that were in no condition to defend themselves from Souldiers arm'd with Swords and Lances: with these they made large Wounds in the tender Bodies of the young Noblemen of Mexico, who were all massacred, and not so much as one of 'em escap'd. The Indians in the other parts of the City were seiz'd with so much Horror and Trouble, that they knew not where to seek for shelter to secure themselves from the fury of these Cut-throats, whom they loaded with a thousand Curses. Since this time they don't forget to celebrate the memory of this barbarous Action with their Sighs and Tears, and have put this day in the Rank of their most unfortunate ones, since in it they lost in a moment the most illustrious Nobility of the whole Kingdom.

The Indians who had suffer'd the Imprisonment of their King with so much patience, hearing of the Massacre of so many young Noblemen, could not but express their Detestation of this so bloody and wicked a Fact, and took up Arms to revenge them∣selves: and tho Monteçuma had forbidden 'em to offer the Spaniards any Violence, they attack'd 'em vigorously, and kill'd divers of 'em, and the rest were constrained to retreat. The Spaniards put a Dagger to their Prince's Breast, and shew'd him in this

posture to his Subjects through a Window, hoping the sight of it would oblige 'em to lay down their Arms, which the Prince himself likewise command∣ed them to do; but they were too much provok'd now to obey even his Orders. They chose one to head 'em, and having put all their Troops under his Command, attack'd the Spaniards so furiously, and fought with so much obstinacy, that these con∣cluding they were not able to withstand 'em, left the City, and retreated in the middle of the night; which the Indians perceiving, pursu'd 'em, and kill'd a great number of 'em as they pass'd the Rivers. However the Spaniards return'd soon after with a greater Strength, and assaulted and took the City, in which they made a horrible slaughter, and burnt those Indians that were of greatest Note.

After they had committed all this Cruelty and Spoil in the City of Mexico, they carried Desolation with them into the Province of Panuco, which is not above twenty Leagues distant from it, and here exercised their ordinary Barbarity. This Province was mightily stock'd with People: but since the ar∣rival of the Spaniards, the greatest part of 'em has been cut off. The Province of Tute-peca, and that of Colima underwent the same Fate; each of which Provinces is as big as the Kingdoms of Leon and Castile.

'Tis to be observ'd that the Spaniards invaded these Provinces only to plunder and inslave the In∣habitants. One of the first things they did was to oblige 'em to take the Oath of Allegiance to the King of Spain; which if they refus'd to do, they were presently massacred, or made Slaves. They declar'd those of 'em Rebels who came not to meet the Spaniards, and to submit to their unjust and cruel Orders. Those of the highest rank among the In∣dians were accus'd of this Crime, and this was im∣prov'd

against 'em to the King of Spain, without considering that 'tis a plain Rule in Law, that none can be term'd Rebels but Subjects that are revolted from their Prince.

There's no good Christian will make any dif∣ficulty to conclude, that such Missionaries as the Spaniards have not the Qualifications necessary to insinuate the Maxims of our Religion into these People, who are naturally free, and know not how to bear the Haughtiness and Insolence with which they have been treated: for they are peremptorily told, you must without any more ado submit to the Obedience of a Foreign Prince, whom you never saw nor heard of; and if you refuse so to do, we'll cut you in pieces; and this no sooner said but done. But that which is more unaccountable is, that those who yield a blind Obedience to all they command 'em, are no better treated than the others; for they are made miserable Slaves, they exact intolerable Tasks of 'em, and condemn 'em to all sorts of Tor∣ments: So that whole Provinces, both Men, Women and Children, are destroy'd in a short time: Nay, those whom they kill outright are the happier sort, as having an end put to their Miseries in a moment. But when they are forc'd by Menaces to promise Fidelity and Obedience to a Foreign Prince, can it be pretended they are oblig'd to it in Conscience, when this suppos'd Duty is neither founded on the Laws of God, nor those of Nations? Besides, the Threatnings that are made 'em are capable of ter∣rifying Men of the greatest Courage and Resolu∣tion; wherefore all the Promises obtain'd by such menaces have no value nor obliging force. I pass over in silence the Affronts, the Insults and Injuries that were offer'd the King of Mexico. In a word, they have violated all the Laws of Nations, and infinitely wrong'd and abus'd the poor Indians. This

is all the Service the Spaniards have done these People.

The Governor of this new World, supported by his imaginary Titles, sent two Captains, scarce in∣ferior to himself in Impiety aad Cruelty, into the Kingdoms of Guatimala, which are situate towards the South: they pierc'd as far as the Kingdoms of Naco and Gaymura, which extend Northward for the space of about 300 Leagues; these Kingdoms border upon that of Mexico. These Captains tra∣vell'd both by Sea and Land, accompanied with a good party of Horse, and a considerable number of Foot.

The Captain whose Lot it was to travel into Gua∣timala, did a world of mischief there (the other soon dying) he carried Desolation with him every where, and fill'd this Kingdom with Blood and Ruin, to render the Spaniards formidable even to future Generations. I am of opinion, that the mischief this Captain did here surpass'd whatever the Europeans had done before in the new World. He went by Sea, and carried Sword and Fire throughout all the Coasts. Some of the Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Yucatan, which is in the way to the Kingdoms of Naco and Gaymura, made him magnificent Presents: yet as soon as he had enter'd their Country, he sent his Souldiers into every part of it, who committed horrible Spoil, and massacred an infinite number of these poor People. A furious Spaniard at the head of 300 Men, enter'd the Country adjoining to Gua∣timala, set fire to all their Cities, and cut the throats of all the Inhabitants, without giving any quarter: he carried away what Booty he could, and continued to pillage the Country for the space of sixscore Leagues. This Captain had rebell'd, and revolted against his General; and his design in ruining the Country after this manner was to put the Spaniards

out of a condition to pursue him, by preventing their finding Subsistence in a Country thus ruin'd, and by exposing 'em to the fury of the Indians, who would omit nothing to revenge upon 'em the Injuries and Mischiefs they had receiv'd from their Com∣panions, which fell out accordingly: For the Spanish General attempting to pursue this Rebel, was kill'd by the Indians. Those that succeeded him exer∣cised all manner of Cruelties on 'em, and reduc'd al∣most all of 'em to Slavery, after they had spoil'd 'em of all their Goods, Provisions, Clothes, Corn, Wine and other necessaries of Life. The Provinces of Naco and Hondure, which were like Gardens of Pleasure, were turn'd into melancholy Deserts, al∣tho this Country was very full of People. 'Tis impossible to reflect on these things without being sensibly touch'd and soften'd into Compassion, tho one were naturally of an obdurate and sowr Tem∣per. They kill'd two Millions of People in this Country in less than ten years; so that there are scarce two thousand left in all the vast Extent of it; and these are groaning under a heavy yoke of Bon∣dage. When they propos'd to 'em to take the Oath of Allegiance to the King of Spain, they would give 'em no time to deliberate; they must imme∣diately obey, or else die by Fire or Sword.

Of the Kingdom of Guatimala.

THE Spaniards signaliz'd their entrance into this Kingdom by divers Massacres, tho the King came to meet 'em in his Chair of State supported by his Slaves, follow'd by a great number of his Lords, and with Trumpets and Drums before him, to give the greater Testimony of Joy; he shew'd 'em all

the Courtesy and Civility in the world, manifested a great deal of Kindness in readily supplying 'em with plenty of Provisions, and gave 'em whatever they could reasonably desire. The Spaniards lodg'd without the City the first night, thinking they should not be secure enough in a place so well fortified. The next day they engag'd the Prince of the place to come out to 'em with the greatest part of the Persons of Quality, obliging to bring with them a certain quantity of Gold. The Indians made answer that 'twas impossible for them to do what was re∣quir'd, because their Country did not yield this Me∣tal. However this refusal so mov'd the Indignation of the Spaniards, that for no other Offence, without any formal Process, they cast 'em all alive into a great Fire. The most considerable Inhabitants of these Provinces, seeing their Masters so cruelly treated, only because they gave not the Spaniards all the Gold they demanded, retir'd with all speed into the Mountains, ordering the common People to submit to the Spaniards as their Masters, and giving 'em a strict charge by no means to give the least notice of the places where they were gone to hide themselves. Abundance of these poor People came accordingly to the Spaniards, begging of 'em to receive them into the number of their Servants, and promising to serve 'em faithfully as far as they were capable. The Spanish Commander roughly answer'd 'em, that he would not so receive 'em, but cut 'em to pieces without Mercy, unless they would discover the places whither their Masters were re∣treated; the Indians replied, they did not know: however they readily offer'd themselves, their Wives and Children to their Service; and said, they would continue in their Houses expecting their Or∣ders; they further told 'em, they might treat 'em as they pleas'd, 'twas in their power either to kill

'em, or to save 'em alive to employ 'em in their service. The Spaniards upon this went into their Villages and Towns, and found these poor Indians with their Wives and Children busy at their Work, and in great security, believing they had no need to fear the Spaniards would attack 'em; yet these blood-thirsty Men massacred 'em without pity. After this they went to another great Town, the Inha∣bitants of which confiding in their Innocence, thought themselves in no great danger; but this whole Town was destroy'd in less than two hours, and the Mas∣sacre was so general, that no Age, nor Sex, nor Quality met with Pity, but all were put to the Sword, unless such as fled before the arrival of the Spaniards.

The Indians at length finding it impossible either by their Patience, their Submissions, or their Presents to soften the cruel and savage Temper of the Spa∣niards, who cut their Throats without any reason, or any sentiment of Pity, resolv'd to get together in a body, and take Arms to defend themselves: for seeing Death was inevitable to 'em, and become a ne∣cessary Evil, they chose rather to die with Weapons in their hands, thereby to sell their Lives at as dear a rate as they could, and to revenge themselves as much as possible on their Persecutors, than to suffer their Throats to be cut like Sheep without making any resistance. They wanted effectual Arms, they were quite naked, and knew their Strength was much inferior to that of their Enemies; they had no Horses, nor did they understand the use of 'em in Battel: they had to do with a furious and warlike Enemy that gave 'em no quarter, and design'd no∣thing but their Extirpation. They therefore thought it necessary to use Stratagems: it came into their heads to make Pits up and down the ways by which the Spaniards were to pass, and to cover 'em with

Straw and Leaves that they might not be perceiv'd, that so their Horses might fall in 'em, and break their Necks or Legs. Some of the Spaniards were two or three times taken in these Traps, but afterwards took care to avoid 'em, and resolv'd to cast all the Indians they could take into these Pits, whether Men, Women or Children, of what Age or Con∣dition soever; they threw in Women big with Child, and old Men as well as others, till they had quite fill'd 'em. It was a most lamentable sight to see some Women empaled together with their Chil∣dren, and so expos'd to the fury of greedy Dogs, and others run through with Lances and Halberts. They burnt one of the greatest Lords of the Coun∣try with a gentle Fire, and insultingly told him 'twas to do him the more honour, that they put him to death after this manner. These Butcheries and Cru∣elties were committed for seven years together. The Reader may conjecture what multitudes of poor Indians were slaughter'd during so tedious and bloody a Persecution.

'Tis fit to be remark'd, that the Spaniards were receiv'd with great Acclamations, and with all the demonstrations of a sincere Joy in the Province of Cuzcatan, which is situate on the Sea-side, and ex∣tends forty or fifty Leagues in length. In this Pro∣vince is the famous City of St. Saviour; Cuzcatan is the Metropolis of the Province. These People sent 30000 Indians to the Spaniards laden with Indian Poultry, and all other Provisions the Country would afford in great abundance. After they had receiv'd these Presents, the Spanish General order'd his Men to choose as many Indians as each of 'em desir'd for their Service, while they remain'd in that Province: Accordingly one took a hundred, another fifty, as they had occasion to carry their Baggage. These poor Wretches serv'd them with all the care and

diligence they could, and were even ready to wor∣ship 'em. At length the General demanded of 'em a great quantity of Gold, that being the main busi∣ness for which he came: they with a great deal of Humility and Submission, told him they would readi∣ly give him all they had, and presently got together all the Lances they had, which were made of Cop∣per gilt, and which they took for pure Gold by the looks of it. The General soon made trial of it, and finding what it was, address'd himself to the Spa∣niards in these terms: We must carry Destruction with us (says he) through all this Country, seeing here's no Gold to be found: Every one of you may keep the Indians you have chosen for your perpetual Slaves: You may load 'em with Chains, and brand 'em with the marks of their Slavery: Which was immediately done: For they printed the King's Arms with a hot Iron upon all they could take. Those of 'em that escap'd, provok'd with the ill Treatment which they every where met, assembled all the Indians they could to make an Effort to deliver themselves from the Persecutions of their Enemies by force of Arms; but their En∣terprize was not successful, so that an incredible number of 'em was kill'd.

After this Expedition the Spaniards return'd to Guatimala, where they built a City; but God was pleas'd by his just Judgment utterly to overthrow, and destroy it. They kill'd all without Mercy whom they suppos'd to be in a condition to incommode 'em by their Arms, and the rest were condemn'd to Slavery. They extorted from 'em a Tribute of Boys and Girls, and sent 'em into Peru to be sold. The other Inhabitants of this Kingdom, which is 100 Leagues in length, were likewise destroy'd. Thus one of the most pleasant and fruitful Countries in the World was reduc'd to a melancholy Desert. The Governor himself has freely confess'd, that this

was the most populous Country in the West-Indies, not excepting Mexico it self, which is certainly true. In this noble Country the Spaniards have de∣stroy'd no less than four or five Millions of Men in fifteen or sixteen years, and continue every day to treat those that remain after the same manner.

These inhuman Creatures were wont when they declar'd War against any City or Province, to bring with 'em as many of the conquer'd Indians as they could, to make 'em fight against their Country-men; sometimes they had fifteen or twenty thousand of these new Subjects among 'em. But because they were not able to furnish 'em with all necessary Pro∣visions, they allow'd 'em to eat those other Indians whom they took in War, so that in their Camp they had Shambles stor'd with human Flesh. Infants were kill'd in their sight, and then broil'd and eaten; Men were slaughter'd like Beasts, and their Legs and Arms dress'd for food; for the Indians like the taste of those Parts better than others. The News of these horrible Practices soon alarm'd the neigh∣bouring Countries, and fill'd 'em with Terror and Consternation.

Many of the Indians were worn out with carrying the Tackle of the Spanish Ships, which they would needs have brought from the North to the South Sea, which are 130 Leagues distant: They made 'em carry Anchors of a great weight all this long way; they laid great Guns upon the naked Backs of these poor Creatures, under the weight of which they were not able to stand; so that the greatest part of 'em dy'd by the way, not being able to en∣dure these Fatigues. To increase their Misery, they divided their Families, taking Husbands from their Wives, and Wives from their Husbands; their Daughters were taken from 'em, and given to the Seamen and Souldiers to satisfy their Lust, and to

appease their murmuring. They fill'd the Ships with Indians, and suffer'd 'em to perish with Hunger and Thirst; because they would take no care to fur∣nish 'em with Necessaries. But to give a particular account of all their Cruelties would require large Volumes, the view of which would astonish all that should have the curiosity to look into 'em.

The Spaniards had two powerful Fleets destin'd to the same purpose of destroying the poor Indians. How many Parents have they bereav'd of their Children! How many Children of their Parents! of how many Adulteries and other infamous Practi∣ces have they been the Causes, the Actors, and Ac∣complices! How many People have they inslav'd! What Miseries and Calamities have they not brought upon this new World! What Fountains of Tears have they open'd! What Rivers of Blood have they pour'd out! How many Lives have they taken away after such a manner as might render 'em yet more miserable in the other World! which is a melan∣choly Reflection both in regard of the Indians who have suffer'd so many Cruelties, and of the Spaniards who have been the Authors of so much Mischief and Villany.

Of New Spain, of Panuco and Xalisco.

AFter the Spaniards had committed all the fore∣mention'd Cruelties and Massacres in New Spain, there came to Panuco another Tyrant as bar∣barous and unmerciful as the former. He loaded his Ships with multitudes of the Natives, and carried 'em to Cuba and Hispaniola, where they were sold for Slaves: so that in a little time he render'd the whole Country destitute of People. Fourscore of

these Indians (tho they have reasonable Souls as well as other Men) were exchang'd for one Horse. When the President of the City of Mexico was made Governor of all New Spain, there were also a great many Assessors and Auditors made, who all rul'd like so many petty Tyrants, and committed un∣parallel'd Cruelties and Outrages in the exercise of their Offices. They acted such abominable things, and made the Country so desolate in a very little time, that if the Franciscan Monks had not oppos'd their Disorders with a great deal of Courage and Resolution, and had not the Royal Council by their Messages given Orders for the preservation of this Province, all New Spain had been ruin'd in less than two years, and been made as desolate as Hispaniola. One of the President's Companions employ'd eight thousand Indians to make a Wall round his Garden, but he gave 'em neither Wages nor Victuals; so that they almost all dy'd before the Work was fi∣nish'd: neither the hard Labour they endur'd, nor their Death could make this merciless Man relent.

After the former General, of whom we have spoken above, had made an end of destroying and wasting the Province of Panuco, and was inform'd that the Royal Council would arrive in a little time, he advanc'd farther into the Country, hoping to find some new Province on which to exercise his wonted Rapine. He forc'd fifteen or twenty thou∣sand Indians to attend him, to carry the Spaniards Baggage and Provisions, which they did till they all died in the way except two hundred. He came at length into the Province of Mechuaca, about forty Leagues from Mexico. The King of this Province very civilly came out to meet him, and was as offi∣cious to serve him as could be desir'd; but for his reward was loaded with Irons, because suppos'd to have a great Treasure by him; and the better to

extort great Sums from him, he was made to suffer a great many Torments. His Hands being tied to a Stake, and his Legs stretch'd out, they drop'd burning Pitch on 'em, and basted his Body with boiling Oil from time to time, that his Skin might be gradually roasted. Over against him stood a fu∣rious Souldier with a Bow shooting Arrows into his Breast: Another let loose hungry Dogs to bite and tear him in every part; all these Tortures were to make him confess where he had hid his Gold: And these Cruelties would have been continued longer if a Franciscan Frier had not happen'd to come and rescue him out of their hands; however he could not save his Life, for he expir'd soon after. Many Caciques and great Men of this Province were put to death after this manner, to make 'em confess where they had hid their Gold and Silver.

About this time there arriv'd another Person in this Country, who was more greedy of Money, than solicitous about the Salvation of the poor Indians. He happen'd to find some of their Idols which they had hid, (for the Spaniards would very seldom give themselves the trouble to inform these Idolaters of the True God) Upon this he imprison'd the most considerable Persons in the Nation, till they should discover to him where they had put their Idols, be∣cause he suppos'd theirs were made either of Gold or Silver; but he fail'd in his Expectation: however to mend the matter, he impos'd great Sums on the Indians, which they were to pay for the redemption of their Idols, that they might worship 'em after their wonted manner. These are the Improvements the Spaniards have been making in the West-Indies, and this is their Zeal for the Glory of God and Re∣ligion.

After this Tyrant had run through the whole Province of Mechuaca, and pillaged it, he came to

Xalisquo, a Country very populous and fruitful, and the most famous in all America; there are Towns in it of seven Leagues in length. These Indians, as the others had done before, came out to meet him with great expressions of Joy; but he soon left up∣on 'em the marks of his Cruelty, which he had cul∣tivated by long Experience. The noble Presents made this Tiger could not mollify him. His design was to heap together a great quantity of Gold, this was the only Idol he ador'd; and all means were in∣different to him, so he could but attain his end. He set fire to all the Cities through which he pass'd, and destroy'd 'em to the very Foundation. He kept those of the highest Dignity prisoners, after he had inflicted divers kinds of Torments on 'em. The Spaniards loaded all the Indians they could take here with Chains, which was a great number. The Soul∣diers made Women big with Child carry their Bag∣gage, till they fainted and sunk under their Burdens with hunger and weariness. Others not able to carry both the heavy Burdens they gave 'em, and their Children too, were forc'd to leave these by the way, by which means a prodigious number of Chil∣dren perish'd.

A Spaniard attempting to ravish a Virgin in the presence of her Mother, the Mother did what she could to hinder him; upon which, to prevent her from farther opposing his brutish design, he drew his Sword and cut off her Arms, and afterwards kill'd her Daughter because she would by no means consent to his filthy Desires, but resisted him with a virtuous Indignation and Courage to her last breath.

Four thousand and five hundred of these poor In∣dians were branded with a hot Iron by the Spaniards, who mark'd 'em thus for Slaves, tho they were born free and independent. The very Children,

as well as those that were grown to maturity, suffer'd this Punishment and Infamy: They pretended they had right to make a great number of 'em Slaves, to defray the Charge of their long Travels; and that they might lawfully make these poor Creatures endure all sorts of Torments, to force 'em to de∣clare where they had hid their Gold: Some of 'em they burnt, others were torn in pieces by hungry Dogs; they cut off the Feet, Hands, Arms, Tongues, and sometimes the Heads of others, to terrify the rest by these sad Spectacles, that they might oblige 'em the more easily to submit to Slavery, or to shew 'em the places where they had secur'd their Trea∣sure. And all these things were acted with the knowledg and consent of the Governor, who would sometimes order more Blows to be given 'em, when they were beat or whip'd, to compleat their Mi∣sery.

Fourscore Towns and Villages at least were burnt in the Kingdom of Xalisco: Which tragical sight, together with all the various Cruelties they suffer'd every day, so provok'd the Indians, that they arm'd themselves and fell upon the Spaniards, and kill'd some of 'em: after which Expedition they fled up into the Mountains, but at length were massacred in this place of Refuge by other Spaniards who made Excursions through these Provinces to lay 'em waste. They put all of 'em to the Sword who made any offer to defend themselves, so that this place became a horrible scene of Blood: And there is scarce any Remnant of this once numerous People left. The Spaniards were certainly blinded, harden'd and aban∣don'd by the Almighty, that they made no Reflection on the Laws of God or Men, which all forbid the exercise of such Violence as they have been guilty of in America. They had no just occasion given 'em to drive the Inhabitants of those Provinces from

their Native Country by force of Arms, and to massacre 'em so barbarously: they did not consider how unjust and criminal these Outrages were, and how contrary it was to all the Laws of Nations, for them to treat those who had never injur'd 'em with so much Cruelty. They pretend the Wars they have made against these People are just and lawful; that God hath left 'em to their Mercy, and that they have right to make such Conquests as these, and to destroy all these Nations: So that it seems they would fain make God himself Partner with 'em in their Tyranny and Wickedness; and one may well apply the words of the Prophet Zechariah to 'em: Feed the flock of the slaughter; whose Possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the Lord, for I am rich; and their own Shepherds pity them not. Chap. 11. 4, 5.

Of the Kingdom of Yucatan.

A Very profligate Person who had neither Ho∣nour nor Conscience, was made Governor of the Kingdom of Yucatan in the year 1526; which Dignity he procur'd by his Lies and Artifices, and the false accounts of Matters which he sent to the King of Spain. A method which other Tyrants have hitherto likewise follow'd to obtain places of Trust: For under the umbrage of the Title of Go∣vernor, which seems to give some Dignity and Au∣thority to all they do, they take the liberty to ex∣ercise their Robberies and Violences with Impunity. The Kingdom of Yucatan contain'd a prodigious number of People; the Air of this Country is very temperate and pleasant: it has great plenty of Fruits, and all the Necessaries of Life; it exceeds

Mexico it self in Fertility: There is more Wax and Honey found in this than in any other part of America that has been yet discover'd. This Kingdom is 300 Leagues in compass. The Inhabitants of it are more polite, more civiliz'd, and better disciplin'd in Morals, and in what belongs to the good order of Societies, than the rest of the Indians. There is a remarkable Prudence and Justness of Mind in them, which is not to be found in others. These natural Endowments without doubt ought to have encouraged Christians to take the pains to instruct 'em in the knowledg of the true God; and they seem'd to have no small disposition to receive the Maxims of the Catholick Religion. The Spaniards might have built great and flourishing Cities in so pleasant and commodious a Country, where they might have liv'd in the midst of Pleasure and Plenty, as it were in another Earth∣ly Paradise: but their Stupidity, their Avarice, and the enormous Crimes they have committed in Ameri∣ca have render'd 'em unworthy of these Advantages. They attack'd these poor Indians, who liv'd in pro∣found Peace and Security, with the utmost Violence of a cruel War, and massacred a prodigious num∣ber of 'em, tho the number of the Spaniards was but three hundred. This Country produces no Gold; if the Spaniards could have found any Mines there, they would have condemn'd the Indians to 'em, who must have perish'd with Hunger and Hard∣ship. These covetous Wretches esteem'd Gold more than Souls, which were purchas'd by the Blood of Jesus Christ; they made Slaves of those whom they sav'd alive, and fill'd the Ships they had brought to the Coasts of this Kingdom with 'em, and so ex∣chang'd 'em for Wine, Oil, Vinegar, salt Pork, Horses, and all other Necessaries. They would give fifty or a hundred of the handsomest young Girls for a measure of Wine, Oil or Vinegar, and would

sell a hundred or two of lusty well-made young Men at the same rate. They swop'd a Prince's Son for a Cheese, and a hundred Persons of Eminency for a Horse. They continued in this Country till they heard of the Riches of Peru, the News of which made 'em leave it immediately, and thus their Per∣secutions ended in the Kingdom of Yucatan. How∣ever, before they went they committed all the Ex∣cesses and Disorders that can be imagin'd against both God and Men: so that those three hundred Leagues of one of the finest Countries in the World, that was very rich and full of People before their arrival, were in a little time reduc'd to a vast Desert.

'Tis not easy to believe the Account of all the villanous Actions they committed in this Kingdom: I'll recite but two or three particular Facts. They had prepar'd fierce Dogs which they kept hungry to go a hunting after the poor Indians; as they were hunting they lighted on a Woman that was sick, who not being in a condition to fly to avoid being devour'd of the Dogs, hang'd her self, after she had hang'd a Child she had with her of a year old; the Dogs presently camt to her, and began to devour her: but a certain Frier that was happily there perceiving the Child not to be yet quite dead, bap∣tiz'd it.

When they quitted this Kingdom, they invited the Son of one of the Princes of the Country to accompany 'em, who shew'd a great unwillingness to abandon his Country to follow 'em, on which they threatned to cut him in quarters if he did not con∣sent to their desire. The Child still persisting in the same mind, one of the Spaniards drew his Sword and cut off both his Ears: This ill Treatment how∣ever could not make him alter his purpose, upon which this Brute cut off his Nose and Lips, and

laugh'd while he was committing this barbarous Action.

Another brag'd that he had got many Indian Women with Child, that he might sell 'em for the more Money. Some of the Spaniards have been so in∣human as to give Infants to their Hounds when they were hungry: they would take these poor Babes by the two Legs, and violently tear 'em asunder into two pieces, and then feed their Dogs with 'em, They were left of God to such a reprobate mind, that they made no more account of human Crea∣tures, that were ransom'd by the Blood of Jesus Christ, than of Beasts.

I pass over an infinite number of other unheard of Cruelties, which surpass all Imagination. When these covetous and ambitious Tyrants left the King∣dom of Yucatan to go in search after the greater Riches of Peru, four Franciscan Friers came thither to comfort these miserable People, and to endeavour by their preaching to bring those that had escap'd the fury of the Spaniards to the knowledg of the true God. The same Friers were very earnestly soli∣cited by many other Indians to come into their Country likewise to teach 'em the Maxims of their Religion. They assembled in great companies to inform themselves what sort of Men these Religious. Persons were, who call'd one another Father and Brother, to inquire into their true designs, and to know wherein they differ'd from other Spaniards, who had exercis'd so much Cruelty over all the West-Indies. They were willing to entertain 'em on con∣dition they would come alone to instruct 'em, with∣out any other Spaniards to attend 'em; which the Friers promis'd very readily, assuring 'em they would not offer 'em the least Injury. The Governor of New Spain likewise now order'd 'em to promise the Indians, that they should be treated more kindly

for the time to come, and should find no farther oc∣casion to complain of the Spaniards Severity. Thus these Religious Men began to preach the Gospel of Christ with a great deal of Zeal, and inform'd these People moreover of the good Intentions of the King of Spain towards 'em; so that in about forty days time, they brought all their Idols to throw 'em in the fire: they as readily brought their Children, whom they bring up with a great deal of tenderness and fondness, to be instructed; and built both Houses and Churches for these Friers with all the Affection and Forwardness imaginable. All the several Pro∣vinces strove with great Emulation for their Com∣pany, their Zeal was so great for the new Religion they preach'd to 'em. So that what the Governors could never obtain of the Indians in many years, these Friers accomplish'd in a very little time: for the Princes and Great Men of these Provinces, at the head of their People in a General Assembly, voluntarily submitted to the Government of the King of Spain, whom they acknowledg'd for their Soveraign, and put themselves under his Protection; as may be seen by the account these Friers sent into Spain sign'd with their own hands.

These pious Men were transported with Joy to find a door open'd to 'em to preach the Gospel in these vast Provinces, to those that had escap'd the Barbarity of the several Governors, who had massa∣cred such prodigious numbers. About this time there came into these parts eighteen Spanish Troo∣pers with twelve foot Souldiers, who brought with them abundance of Indian Idols which they had taken out of other Provinces; the Commander of these Souldiers sent for one of the principal Chiefs of the Nation, and commanded him to take these Idols and distribute 'em throughout the Country, and to bring him Indian Men and Women in exchange for

'em, threatning him with a severe War if he re∣fus'd to obey him. This Prince was so terrified with these Menaces, that he carried away all these Idols, and dispos'd 'em in the several Cities of his Province, requiring the People in the name of this Spanish Captain to worship these false Gods, and to render 'em all the Honour and Service they were formerly wont to do. To recompense this Action they gave him liberty to make as many Slaves as he pleas'd. The Indians, frighted with the threatnings that were made 'em, deliver'd up their own Children; he that had two gave one, and he that had three gave two. This was the Event of this impious Traffick, the Cacyque being forced to obey the Or∣ders of the Spanish Captain. One of these ungodly Wretches, whose name was John Garcia, being taken dangerously sick, and ready to expire, bethought himself that he had a considerable number of these Idols under his Bed; and therefore order'd an In∣dian Woman that he kept to sell 'em, telling her she might make a good market of 'em, the matter of which being very valuable, he told her every Image was at least fairly worth an Indian in exchange. This was the Spaniards last Will and Testament, and these were the marks he gave of the pious dis∣position of his Mind, and in the midst of such Cares as these he gave up the Ghost. By this Story it may easily be conjectur'd what good Examples the Spa∣niards set before the Indians, and what progress the Catholick Religion is likely to make among these People; who being Eye-witnesses of such Actions as these, easily perceive that the Europeans have so little sentiment of Religion, that they don't much care whether poor Infidels be reduc'd to pay the true God that Worship and Honour they owe him, or not. It can hardly be said that Jeroboam's Crime, who caus'd two Golden Calves to be cast, and ob∣lig'd

his Subjects to worship 'em, is more hainous than that of the Spaniards, who drive such an abo∣minable trade with Idols, and occasion so much scandal by this shameful kind of Traffick. This is the manner of their Conduct and Behaviour in the new World. They sacrifice every thing to their detestable Avarice, and sell Christ Jesus himself for Gold. They are every day renouncing him, and dishonouring his Religion by the many infamous Crimes of which they are guilty.

The Indians seeing the Spaniards still continue to ruin their Country, notwithstanding all the express Promises the Friers had made 'em that they would abstain for the future from their wonted Robberies; and that instead of mending their own Lives, they brought Idols even from other Countries to expose to sale among them, who had voluntarily resign'd their own to the Friers to be committed to the Flames, being resolv'd to worship but one God in their Country for time to come: Seeing all this (I say) they were extremely enrag'd at the Spa∣niards, and no less provok'd against the Friers, whom they accosted after this manner. Why (say they) have you deceiv'd us thus by your false Promises? Did not you assure us the Spaniards should no more invade and oppress us? Why have you burnt our Gods, to bring us strange Gods out of other Countries? Are these better or mightier than our own? The poor Friers endeavor'd to appease 'em as well as they could, tho they scarce knew how to answer their Complaints, having no good Reasons to offer to excuse the matter. How∣ever they applied themselves to the Spaniards, re∣proach'd 'em for having so exceedingly scandaliz'd the Indians, and conjur'd 'em to leave the Country, which they absolutely refus'd to do; and which was still more vile and unworthy, they perswaded the Indians that they had not come into their Country

but at the request of these Friers: Which pretence had the success they desired; for the Indians giving credit to these Stories, resolv'd to kill the poor Friers; but some of 'em giving 'em notice of the Design, they made their escape in the night. After they were gone, the Indians perceiv'd they were im∣pos'd on, and receiv'd full information of the Malice of the Spaniards, and the base trick they had play'd 'em, and therefore dispatch'd a Message to the Friers to entreat 'em to return, and forgive the fault they had committed, assuring 'em they heartily repented of their Ingratitude.

These pious Men that were devoted to the Ser∣vice of God, and animated with an ardent Zeal for the Salvation of Souls, confiding in the Protesta∣tions of the Indians, return'd to 'em according to their request, and were receiv'd as if they had been Angels come down from Heaven: they continued three or four Months among 'em, receiving abun∣dance of respect and kindness from 'em. The Spa∣niards, who still refus'd to quit the Country, tho the Vice-roy had expresly order'd 'em so to do, and had us'd all his Authority to oblige 'em to it, were declar'd Rebels and Traitors; however this did not hinder 'em from continuing their Rapine and Inso∣lence. And tho the Friers were satisfied they would not always escape with Impunity, yet they fear'd it might be a long time before they receiv'd their De∣serts; and considering moreover that the continual Insults they made on the Indians, depriv'd them of the liberty of preaching to 'em, upon the whole they thought meet to resolve to leave this Kingdom, which was depriv'd of the light of the Gospel by the Malice of the Spaniards: and thus these poor Indians who manifested such good Inclinations to∣ward Christianity, were abandon'd to their former Darkness and Idolatry, in which they continue to

this day, while those profligate Wretches still by the same Obstacles in the way of their Conversion. When these Friers were constrain'd to retire out of the Country, the Indians began to imbrace the Chris∣tian Religion with a great deal of Zeal and Fervor; but being unhappily depriv'd of all means of In∣struction, they wither'd like tender Plants, for want of Water.

Of the Province of St. Martha.

THE Province of St. Martha was famous for the rich Golden Mines that are near it, and for the fruitfulness of its Soil. The People are nume∣rous, and very skilful in getting Gold out of the Mines, which easily engag'd the Spaniards to go thi∣ther, and that in great numbers; they made conti∣nual Excursions over all this fine Country to ravage and spoil it; they massacred vast numbers of the Inhabitants, took away all their Gold, and fill'd their Ships, which serv'd 'em for Magazines, with the Booty. They soon laid waste this flourishing Province by the Robberies and Villanies they committed: they did the greatest mischief upon the Sea-coasts, but they soon after pierc'd higher up into the Country, where they endeavour'd to make a Settlement. The Country being rich and fertile, divers Spanish Cap∣tains successively invaded it with their Troops, and the last was still more cruel and inhuman than his Predecessor. They seem'd ambitious to outvie one another in the Enormity of their Crimes and Villa∣nies. In the year 1520, a Spanish General attended with a great many Souldiers enter'd into this Pro∣vince with a resolution of ruining it entirely. He continued there for seven years together, and carried

away an immense Treasure with him; at last he was condemn'd to be banish'd, and dyed in his Exile without shewing the least token of Repen∣tance. Those who succeeded him went on to mas∣sacre those Indians that he and other Tyrants had spared; they made both the common People, and the Nobility of this Province suffer most horrible Torments, to oblige 'em by the violence of their pain to discover their Gold: they laid this Coun∣try waste for above 40 Leagues, not leaving one soul alive; tho this Province was well stock'd with Inhabitants before their arrival.

To give a particular Relation of all the Extrava∣gances, Massacres and Desolations, of all the Impie∣ties and Villanies committed by the Spaniards in this Province against God, against the King, and against the innocent Indians, would require a large Histo∣ry: I must therefore content my self to pass over many Circumstances after a cursory manner. The Bishop of this Province, writing to the King of Spain in the year 1541, among other things thus expresses himself: Great Sir, To redress the Grievances of this Province, it ought to be deliver'd from the Ty∣ranny of those that ravage it, and committed to the Care of Persons of Integrity, who will treat the Inha∣bitants with more kindness and humanity; for if it be left to the mercy of the Governours, who commit all sorts of Outrages with impunity, 'twill be destroy'd in a very little time. The same Bishop farther adds in his Let∣ter: The ill Conduct of the Governours may well engage your Majesty to deprive 'em absolutely of their Places, to relieve these Provinces; and if this course be not taken, the disease will be incurable. I am necessitated to let your Majesty know, that the Spaniards who come into this New World, live here rather like Devils than Christians; they neither serve God nor the King; they violate all the Laws of God and Men with Impuni∣ty.

Nothing can be a greater hindrance to the Conversi∣on of the Indians, than the ill Treatment and Persecu∣tion they make 'em suffer continually. These People na∣turally love peace and quietness; but the barbarous usage they meet with from the Spaniards, inspires 'em with horror and indignation against all Christians, whom they there∣fore call in their Language Yares, that is to say, Devils. Nor is it without reason that they appear so odious and abominable to these poor Creatures, since the Actions they see 'em commit, are more like those of Devils, than of reasonable Creatures, or Christians. For while the Indians see the Officers as well as Souldiers commit such detestable Crimes; they believe the Laws of Christianity authorize these inhuman Actions, and that neither our God nor our King forbids 'em. 'Tis to no purpose to pretend to undeceive 'em, and remove these Prejudices, as the Case stands; 'tis but only to expose the Laws and Religion of Christ the more to the Contempt of these Ido∣laters. The Indians now begin to defend themselves from the Spaniards by force of Arms; and choose rather to perish together at once than to suffer a thousand deaths by the Cruelty of these unmerciful Men. Your Majesty has more Servants in this New World than you imagine; for there are none who bear Arms in these vast Coun∣tries, and make it their business to plunder, kill, and burn, but give out that they are employ'd here in your Majesty's business, and endeavour to perswade the World that 'tis by your Majesty's Order, and for your Interest, that they do all this Mischief to the Indians: tho the Truth is, they use 'em after this violent manner, only to enrich themselves by plundering 'em of all they have. It seems absolutely necessary for your Majesty to stop the Course of these Robbers by some Exemplary Punishment; and that your Majesty declare you will have none of their Services, who so highly dishonour God and Religion.

Thus far the Letter which the Bishop of St. Mar∣tha wrote to his Catholick Majesty: By which it

may be conjectur'd how the Spaniards have abus'd the poor Indians. They in derision and scorn call those the Warlike Indians, that fly into the Moun∣tains to save their Lives. And when they force these miserable People, to travel in rough and dif∣cult ways, sweating under the great Burdens they oblige 'em to carry, not content with having overloaded 'em, they aggravate their misery by beating 'em unmercifully, and bruising their Fa∣ces with the pommels of their Swords, till the poor Wretches driven to despair with all this Op∣pression, often cry out, I can hold out no longer; kill me out-right; put an end to my Miseries by a speedy Death. And many deep sighs accompany these Expressions, which sometimes they are scarce able to utter, their Strength is so exhausted with their Toil, their Weariness, and the unmerciful Blows which they give 'em, without any regard to their other Miseries.

Of the Province of Carthagena.

THIS Province is situate about 50 Leagues dis∣tance from that of St. Martha Westward, and borders on the Country of Cenu; it stretches along the Sea-shore as far as the Gulf of Voaba, the space of a hundred Leagues; and is still larger on the South-side. All this Country from the year 1498. to this time hath suffer'd great Persecutions from the Spaniards, who have exercised a World of violence, and made a great many Massacres here, till they have made all this Country as desolate as that of St. Martha. But I begin to be weary of men∣tioning so often the Barbarity and Impiety the Spa∣niards have discovered in America.

Of the Pearl-Coast, and the Island of Tri∣nidado.

THE Spaniards have made horrible Ravage and Spoil from the Coast of Paria quite to the Gulf of Venecuela, which is the space of above 200 Leagues; and after having committed their wonted Robberies, have taken as many Indians as they could, and either sold 'em, or made Slaves of 'em themselves, contrary to the promises often made 'em, that they would treat 'em as their Friends, and as a free People; which Protestations they ne∣ver took care to observe. And tho these poor People did 'em all the good Offices they could, and were very ready to serve 'em on all occasions; tho they liberally gave 'em all they had to subsist on them∣selves; yet 'tis not to be express'd with what Inju∣ries and Mischiefs the Spaniards requited all this kind∣ness. I purposely omit a great many Disorders which they committed along this Coast, being willing to insist only on those matters that are most remarka∣ble.

The Isle of Trinidado is larger and more fruitful than that of Sicily, it is join'd to the Continent on that side where it touches Paria; the Inhabitants are a very honest sort of People, teachable enough, and well inclin'd to Virtue. A Spanish Captain, ac∣companied with 60 Cut-throats like himself, invad∣ed this Country in the year 1510, and immediate∣ly commanded the Indians to come to him, pretend∣ing he was come to live peaceably with them in the Island; who receiv'd him and his Company with as great Testimonies of kindness, as if they had been their own Children. The chief men of

the Country as well as the common People all wait∣ed on 'em with abundance of alacrity and joy; they every day brought 'em a quantity of Provisions suffi∣cient for a much greater number of men: For the Indians are very much given to hospitality, and rea∣dily supply Strangers with all the Necessaries they have. In a little time the Spaniards would needs make 'em build a vast house, that all the Indians might lodg together in the same place; they us'd this Artifice to catch 'em in the snare they were preparing for 'em. When the work was carried up about the height of two men, they inclos'd a great many Indians within, that the work might be the sooner finish'd, as they pretended; but the de∣sign was to hinder any Communication between them that were within and those that were with∣out: part of the Souldiers kept the doors of the house with their Weapons in their hands to prevent any from going out; another part went in among 'em with their naked Swords, threatning to cut their Throats, if they made any stir or disturbance; and so bound 'em all like so many Sheep. If any one attempted to make his escape, they immediately cut him in pieces; however divers of 'em escaped, some whole and others wounded, who joining with those that had not yet been shut up in this fatal House, and arming themselves with Bows and Ar∣rows to the number of 200, retir'd into another House, where they thought themselves secure, if they could defend the door against the Spaniards; but these set it on fire on the other side, and cruel∣ly destroy'd these poor Creatures. After this bar∣barous Expedition they retreated into the Island of St. John with about 180 Prisoners, who had suffer'd themselves to be bound; where they sold half of 'em, and the rest in Hispaniola. When I severely reprov'd this Captain for his perfidiousness and cruelty, he

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satisfied himself with making me this answer: Don't you trouble your self about these matters; they that sent me gave me Orders to act after this manner, and to take all those by force that I could not bring away under the shadow and pretence of Peace. The Spaniards were guilty of a world of such base Actions, in seizing these Indians contrary to their promises that they would treat 'em like Friends.

Let any one now make reflection on the Conduct of the Spaniards, and see if they have any appea∣rance of right to reduce the Inhabitants of America, as they do, to such a miserable state of bondage. It was resolv'd among the Dominican Friers to send some of their Order, to display the Light of the Gospel among the Indians that liv'd in the gross dark∣ness of Idolatry, and were out of the way of Sal∣vation: They first sent one that was a Licentiate in Divinity, of great reputation for his Piety and Vir∣tue, who took with him a Lay-brother: they both went through this Country to seek a commodious place for the building of a Monastry; and conferr'd with some of the Inhabitants what measures to take to succeed in this design. When the other Friers were arriv'd, the Indians receiv'd 'em as if they had been Messengers sent from Heaven; they manifested abun∣dance of affection to 'em, heard what they said with great attention, as far as they were capable of understanding them; for these religious Persons not being yet sufficiently acquainted with their Language, were constrain'd to make use of signs to express their meaning.

No sooner was the Ship that brought the Friers gone off, but there came another full of Souldiers, who made use of Treachery and Artifice, according to their wicked Custom, to seize the Prince of this Na∣tion, unknown to the Friers. This Prince's name was Alfonso, which was given him either by the Friers, or

some other Spaniards; for these Indians take upon 'em Christian Names with a great deal of Joy; and before they are instructed in our Mysteries, very eagerly de∣sire to be baptized. This Prince Alfonso, together with his Princess, not aware of the Artifices of the Spaniards, and the deceitful trick they had resolv'd to play 'em, were perswaded to go on board one of their Ships, and many other Indians did the like, being all made to believe there was a great Feast prepar'd for 'em; and they needed the less importunity to entice 'em into the Ship, because they suppos'd the Friers, in whom they put abundance of Cofidence, had Inte∣rest and Authority enough among the Soldiers to se∣cure 'em from all manner of danger: otherwise they would not have so easily trusted themselves in the hands of the Spaniards. The very moment they enter'd the Vessel, these perfidious Men set sail, and carried 'em to Hispaniola, where they sold 'em for Slaves. All the Country was alarm'd at the sad tidings that the Spaniards had carried away their Prince and Princess; and came in Crowds to seek the Friers, who narrowly escap'd being kill'd by 'em. These good men were extreamly griev'd at the treachery us'd with these poor People; and would rather have died than suffer'd these Outrages to be on all occasions committed against 'em, if they could have prevented 'em, because these were the great obstacles that hinder'd 'em from embracing the Catholick Religion. However, the Indians were ap∣peas'd by the promises the Friers made 'em, that they would write by the first Vessel that should go to Hispaniola, to procure their Prince and Prin∣cess to be sent back. Accordingly a Vessel being in a little time prepar'd for this Voyage, they made use of the opportunity to write to Hispaniola, to engage these Robbers to restore their Prey, which they obstinately refus'd to do, the Governours of

that Island having had a share in the Booty. These good Friers who had given their word to the Indians, that their Prince Alfonso and his Princess should be restor'd to em in four months, seeing twice four Months elaps'd without any hope of their return, were oblig'd to prepare for death; there was now no way to avoid shedding their blood for the Glory of Christ, and in his Service, which Sacrifice they had offer'd in the ready disposition of their Minds to suffer before they came from Spain: In short, they were massacred by the Indians, who believed they were Accomplices of the foremention'd Trea∣chery; and thought their suspicion well founded, because the Friers had promis'd to redress their Grievance in four months time; and yet they saw these promises produc'd no effect: Besides, these Barbarians make no great difference between those religious Men that go to the Indies only to instruct and preach to 'em, and the Spanish Souldiers who go thither only to enrich themselves by robbing 'em. However, these good Fathers were unjustly put to death; and one may without scruple place 'em in the Order of Martyrs, and conclude they are now enjoying God in the glory of Heaven. They obe∣diently resign'd themselves to go into America ac∣cording to the direction of their Superiours, and had no other intention in their Voyage, but that of preaching the Christian Faith to these Idolaters, and of putting 'em in the way of Salvation, with a resolution to suffer any hardships, or even death it self, in the prosecution of so pious a Design.

The cruel Treatment the Indians met with from the Spaniards occasioned 'em likewise to kill two Dominican Friers about the same time. There was in these Provinces, near the Gulf of Codera, a City, the Prince of which was nam'd Higuerote; who was naturally of a sweet and amicable temper, and his

Subjects civil and complaisant: when the Spaniards came first ashore in his Country, the Inhabitants treat∣ed 'em with abundance of Kindness; they supplied 'em with Provisions and Stores in great plenty; and omitted nothing they were capable of doing to refresh and recruit 'em after the fatigues and troubles of their Voyage. This Prince had sav'd the lives of a great many Europeans, who had ex∣ercis'd their Cruelty and Oppression in other Pro∣vinces, when they came to his Coasts half dead with hunger and weariness; and after he had recruited 'em with his good Entertainment, sent 'em safe and in a good state of health to the Isle of Pearls, which was the ordinary Residence of the Spaniards, tho he might have securely kill'd 'em all, without being ever suspected of the fact. Upon this the Spaniards were so well perswaded of Higuerote's good inclina∣tion toward 'em, that they took his house for their home, and were as kindly entertain'd in it as they could expect to be in their own. While this Coun∣try thus enjoy'd a profound Peace, a Spanish Captain coming ashore there, invited divers of the Inhabitants to come on board his Vessel; which they often did, from the entire confidence they had in the repeated Promises the Spaniards made 'em that they would do 'em no injury: At length when many of 'em were got into the Ship, the Captain gave a Sig∣nal to put out to Sea, and sail'd directly for the Isle of St. John, where he sold all the poor Creatures, whom he had thus perfidiously surpriz'd. I soon after arriv'd in the same Island, where I saw this Robber, and had a particular account given me of the Circumstances of this villanous Action; and it seems, to compleat the Crime, he utterly destroy'd this Prince's City. These things were not well re∣sented by the rest of the Spaniards that us'd to cruise up and down the neighbouring Coasts to pillage 'em;

for they could not but abhor the Action of this Cap∣tain, that he should by so infamous a piece of Trea∣chery abuse this Indian Chief, who had done 'em so many good Offices from time to time, and was wont to entertain 'em as if they had been his own Chil∣dren.

The Spaniards took away above two Millions of Men from the Coasts of these Provinces, and trans∣ported 'em into the Islands of Hispaniola and St. John, where the greatest part perish'd in the Mines, or by other Hardships which they made 'em suffer. It would produce Compassion in the hardest Hearts, to see these Coasts that were once so full of People now absolutely desert. It has been observ'd by ma∣ny Trials, that one third part of the Slaves which the Spaniards take on board their Vessels die by the way, besides those they kill when they search their Houses to take these poor Wretches away. The end the Spaniards propose to themselves, which is to get Riches at any rate in the world, induces 'em to commit all this Violence; they carry away great numbers of Slaves, to produce considerable Sums of Mony, and yet take but a small quantity of Provi∣sions in their Ships to maintain all these People, for fear of being at too great a charge in transporting 'em; nay sometimes they have scarce enough for the Spaniards that man the Ship: so that many of the Indians perish miserably with Hunger and Thirst; and sometimes they cast the greatest part of 'em over board, to preserve the rest. A certain Pilot told me, that in a Voyage he once made from the Lucay Islands to Hispaniola, which is about se∣venty Leagues, he had no need either of a Com∣pass, or the observation of the Stars to guide his Vessel; for he assur'd me the floating Bodies of the Indians that had been thrown into the Sea, serv'd for his Guide throughout this Passage, and

conducted him straight to the port to which he was bound.

To see the Indians arrive in any Island where they design to sell 'em, can't but excite Compassion and Trouble in every Mind that is not divested of all Sentiments of Humanity: To see a great number of Men. Women and Children stark naked, and so worn out with Hunger and Hardship, that many of 'em can scarce stand, and others fall down with Faint∣ness; and to see 'em divided into several Companies like Sheep, Husbands separated from their Wives, and Children from their Parents; for the Spaniards are wont to divide 'em by ten or twenty in a Com∣pany, and then to cast Lots which share each Man shall have. This is the trade of these Pirats, who arm and fit out Vessels on purpose to carry away these poor Wretches from their own Houses, to in∣rich themselves by selling 'em for Slaves. When a Spaniard happens to have an old or sick Man fall to his share among the rest, he'll complain of such a Lot, and say to his Companions, Why d'ye give me this old Fellow that's good for nothing? he is not worth his keeping: What shall I do with this sick Slave, that will only be a charge to me, and can do me no Service? 'Tis easy to see by all this how little account they make of these People, and what little regard they have to the Rules of Christian Charity; 'tis too evident they neither have any love to God, nor to their Neighbour, tho on these two (as our Saviour says) both the Law and the Prophets depend.

The detestable Cruelty and Tyranny of the Spa∣niards in insnaring and seizing these poor Indians, when they go in quest of 'em to inslave 'em, and employ 'em in fishing for Pearls, is scarce to be ima∣gin'd. The Torments they make these unfortunate People endure, can scarce be compar'd to any less than those of Hell. What they suffer in the Gold

Mines, tho very terrible, yet is far inferior to that we are now relating. They make 'em dive in the Sea five or six fathom under water (where they are forc'd to hold their Breath) to take up Mother of Pearl; and when they come up to the surface of the Water with Nets full of those Shells, to get a little Breath, if they keep above water something longer than ordinary to refresh themselves a little, a mer∣ciless Spaniard who attends with a Boat, beats and abuses 'em without measure, and often takes 'em by the hair of the head, to force 'em again under water, to continue their fishing. They feed 'em with a little Fish and a piece of dry hungry Bread, and don't give 'em a Belly full of that neither; they have no other Bed than the hard ground on which they make 'em sleep in their Chains, for fear they should run away. They are often drown'd in fishing thus for Pearl, or else devour'd by a sort of Sea∣monsters, that will swallow a Man whole, so that they hear no more of 'em.

'Tis no hard matter to perceive by what has been said, that the Precept of Christian Charity is ill ob∣serv'd in this kind of fishing, seeing these poor Slaves are expos'd to imminent danger of perishing both in Soul and Body. The Avarice of the Spa∣niards, who mind nothing but Gain, is such, that they scarce take any care to instruct their Slaves, and to fortify 'em by communicating the Sacraments to 'em. They oppress 'em with so much Labour and Fatigue, that they die in a little time; and 'tis impossible Men should continue long under water without Respiration, and endure the great Con∣straint they suffer in holding their Breath: The coldness of the Water sometimes makes 'em vomit Blood; and they soon die, partly by having their Stomachs so violently press'd by long holding of their Breath under water, and partly by the ex∣cessive

Cold they endure, which causes that flux of Blood of which I have just now spoken. Tho they have naturally black Hair, the Fatigue they undergo changes the colour of it; so that it becomes like the Hair of Sea-wolves. The foam of the Sea sticks so fast to their Shoulders, and in such a manner, that they look more like Monsters than Men. By this fishing trade the Spaniards have destroy'd all the People of the Lucay-Islands, which were the most skilful and experienc'd in this Employment; and the reason why one of those Indians was sold for fifty Crowns or more, and sometimes for a hundred, was be∣cause they were marvellously dextrous at swimming and diving. However, those of other Provinces were employ'd too in this work when they could take 'em; so that by this means an infinite number of People have been destroy'd.

Of the River Yuya-pari.

THIS Province is water'd by the River Yuya-pari, tho the source of it is two hundred Leagues distant. A Spanish Captain once had the boldness to go up this River to penetrate farther into the Country, and to ravage and spoil it. He massacred abundance of People in his way, laid the Coun∣try waste with Fire and Sword, and ruin'd them by whole Families, while they were peaceably en∣joying themselves in their Houses, and thought of nothing less: But after all this mischief, himself pe∣rish'd miserably, and his Souldiers quarrel'd and destroy'd one another. They that afterwards came into this Country succeeded him in his Cruelties, and are still laying it waste; they commit abundance of Massacres and Robberies there with Impunity, and

seem to undertake their long Voyages and Journeys on purpose to precipitate an infinite number of Souls into Hell, that were redeem'd by the Blood of the Son of God.

Of the Kingdom of Vençuela.

IN the year 1526, the King of Spain, abus'd by the Artifices of some ill-designing People, who made use of a thousand fetches and excuses to conceal from him the great Devastations the Spaniards had made in the new World, to the great prejudice of the Glory of God, the Christian Religion, and the Salvation of the poor Indians, gave the Government of the Kingdom of Vençuela, which is bigger than all Spain, to several Flemish Merchants, with full Jurisdiction and Power to do what they pleas'd there, and to dispose of the Country as they thought convenient. They accordingly enter'd it with three hundred Men, and found the People there to be of a meek, tractable and peaceful Disposition, as indeed the Indians generally are when left to their natural Temper, and not enrag'd by the Abuses so often offer'd 'em. These were still more brutish and cruel than those Spaniards of whom we have been hitherto speaking: They exceeded Tygers, Wolves and Lions in Barbarity, when they saw themselves Masters of this great Kingdom, in pos∣session of it, and the Jurisdiction of it entirely put into their hands: they thought they had ample li∣berty to do there whatever they pleas'd, and that they might satisfy their Covetousness at any rate, and by all the methods they could imagine, tho never so unjust. They took no care but how to heap up vast Treasures of Gold and Silver; and the abo∣minable

means they us'd to this end, shew'd they had no regard either to God or their Prince; nay, they seem'd to have utterly forgotten that them∣selves were Men, having put on such an inhuman and savage Fierceness; or to come yet nearer to their true Character, they appear'd like so many Devils in the shape of Men.

They ran through these rich and pleasant Pro∣vinces, and instantly laid the Country waste for forty Leagues together, wherein were fruitful Vallies of a prodigious extent, and Towns and Villages stor'd with great quantities of Gold. The destruction they made was so general, that scarce a Man was left to carry the News of the Cruelties they ex∣ercised in this Kingdom to other Provinces: none but those that hid themselves in Caves and Holes of the Earth, could escape the Sword of these furious and inhuman Creatures. They invented new kinds of Punishments wherewith to torment 'em, to force 'em to part with their Gold by discovering the places where they had hid it: After this manner they destroy'd three or four Millions of People. The Instances of three or four Facts will sufficiently dis∣cover how these Brutes behav'd themselves in this Kingdom.

One of the first things they did, was to seize him, whom they look'd upon as the Soveraign Prince of the whole Kingdom; they loaded him with Irons to get the more Gold out of him: they endeavour'd by the Tortures to which they put him, to make him discover the places where he had secur'd his Treasures; but he had the good fortune to escape their hands, and fly into the Mountains: His Sub∣jects surrounded him, and hid him in the Woods; but their number was too great to be long conceal'd: so that the Spaniards pursued 'em with Swords in their hands, and made a dreadful Massacre among

'em; others of them they took alive, and sold for Slaves.

Before the Spaniards had took their King Prisoner, they were receiv'd in all these Provinces with sing∣ing, dancing, and all the highest demonstrations of Joy, as if come to bring Peace and Plenty with 'em into the Country: They frankly and voluntarily gave 'em immense Sums of Gold and Silver; for which all the Compensation they had was to be run through, and cut with Lances and Swords, and massacred without pity. One day when they came out to meet the Spaniards to do 'em the more ho∣nour, the Flemish Commander having order'd a great number of 'em to assemble together in a cer∣tain House, cut 'em all in pieces immediately, only some of the poor Wretches got upon the Beams to avoid the fury of the Souldiers; upon which this Commander caus'd the House to be fir'd, and de∣stroy'd them in the Flames. The whole Country was soon turn'd into a Desert; for all that escap'd the Souldiers Rage retir'd into the Mountains.

The Spaniards after this pass'd into a vast Pro∣vince upon the Confines of that of St. Martha, where they found the Natives following their ordi∣nary business in profound Peace. All the while they continued here they liv'd at the charge of the In∣dians, who serv'd 'em with as much Affection and Diligence, as if they had ow'd their Lives to 'em: nay, they bore with their troublesom Humors, and continually receiv'd ill Treatment from 'em with in∣credible Patience. The Indians moreover to qualify their ill Temper, brought 'em a prodigious quanti∣ty of Gold, and many other things of great value. Yet these Tyrants, when upon the point of leaving 'em, instead of gratefully acknowledging all the good Offices they had receiv'd of 'em, resolv'd to put 'em all to the Sword. The Flemish General

(who has since been suppos'd to be a Heretick, be∣cause he never went to Mass himself, nor suffer'd others to go) commanded his Men to take all the Indians with their Wives and Children, and put 'em into some very large place capable of containing 'em all; and then to declare to 'em that if they had a mind to redeem their Liberty, with that of their Wives and Children, they must necessarily lay down a certain Sum, which this unjust Governor had tax'd 'em according to his own capricious Humour; and to urge 'em the more to answer his Requirement, he barbarously prohibited his Men to give any Victuals to these poor Creatures, till each of 'em had paid the Sum impos'd on him. Many of 'em sent to their Houses for the Sum demanded, being willing to do what they could to redeem their Liberty, and to have leave to go seek something to eat: Yet they were no sooner got out of the Clutches of this co∣vetous Governor, but he instantly sent Soldiers to take 'em again, and subject 'em to the same Confine∣ment from which they had ransom'd themselves with so much difficulty: so that they dy'd in this Captivity with Hunger and Thirst, unless they spee∣dily bought their Liberty again, which they forc'd 'em to do by this barbarous usage. So that many of 'em were taken and retaken thus three or four times, and every time oblig'd to ransom themselves with great Sums. Those that were not able to pay the Tax laid upon 'em, continued in this cruel Prison till they pin'd away with Hunger and Misery. Thus was this opulent Province that abounded with Gold, made desolate in a very little time. There was one pleasant and fertile Vale ravag'd by these Brutes, which extended no less than forty Leagues; they burnt a Town in it consisting of a thousand Houses. After this resolving to advance farther into the Country to discover a new way to Peru, they made

use of a multitude of Indians in this Journey, whom they loaded with Chains, and their Baggage toge∣ther: those that fainted under their Burdens with weariness, they kill'd upon the spot, cutting of their heads; and divided the Burdens of them that died among the Survivors.

If one could exactly describe all the Ravage and Massacres the Spaniards commited in this Province, together with all the Towns they fir'd, so deplora∣ble a Story would fill every Reader with horror, and almost surpass belief. Many other Tyrants came afterward into this Province, who follow'd the steps of the former in searching for Gold and other Trea∣sure; but they found the Country so burnt, pillag'd and desolate, tho it had heretofore been both very populous and fertile, that they themselves could not but stand amaz'd to think what Cruelties the poor Indians had endur'd.

All these Violences were plainly prov'd by the Procurator of the Treasury of the Council of the West-Indies. The Acts and Proceedings made in this Affair are yet preserv'd upon record; yet not one of these Tyrants was ever put to death for the Injuries offer'd these poor Indians: so that all the Process that was made against 'em prov'd to ve∣ry little purpose. Those Ministers of Justice that have been hitherto sent into the Indies have regard∣ed nothing but their Interest; and studied how to enrich themselves without taking the trouble to examin and punish the Crimes of these Tyrants, who did so much mischief, and committed so many Outrages on the poor Indians. They content them∣selves to say in general, that such and such have committed great Crimes, and abus'd the Inhabitants of the New World; that they have lessen'd the King's Revenues to such a degree. But when they have made these loose and general Enquiries, they go no

farther: Whereas more effectual Remedies ought to be used to stop the Course of all these Mischiefs. There is not so much care taken as to evidence and verify these matters; nor do they give their Acts and Proceedings all the Life and Authority they ought: for to discharge their Duty faithfully to God and the King, they should make such Tyrants as these restore all the Plunder they have so unjustly got. And 'twould be no difficult matter to prove that they carried out of this Kingdom of Vencuela above 3 Millions of Gold, having utterly ruined the Country for 40 leagues together in the space of 17 years; for so long they continued spoiling this noble and fruitful Region. They have cheated the King of above 2 Millions of his Revenues; nor can they ever be able to repair the damage they have done this delicious Country, unless the ma∣ny thousand People they have cruelly murder'd could be rais'd again from the dead. What I am now speaking of, only respects the King's tem∣poral Interest, which they have so ill manag'd, with∣out saying any thing of their Blasphemies, their Impieties and Outrages committed immediately a∣gainst the Divine Majesty. And who shall make reparation for the loss of so many Souls they have precipitated into Hell, in not suffering the Missio∣naries to instruct 'em? These are the Fruits of their detestable avarice and profanity. As soon as ever they enter'd this Kingdom, they several times loaded divers Ships with great numbers of Indians, whom they carried into the Isle of St. Martha, and sold for Slaves. Great multitudes of these poor Creatures were likewise carried into Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Isle of St. John, to the number at least of a million of Men. The Royal Council has been sufficiently inform'd of all these Disorders and Cruelties; but they are pleas'd to connive at 'em,

and are as willing to shut their Eyes, and take no notice of all the Robberies and Villanies the Spa∣niards have committed on the Coasts of the Isle of St. Martha; tho they might have easily hinder'd all this mischief if they had applied themselves to it. 'Twas the infamous Avarice of these Tyrants, that induc'd 'em to take so many Indians to sell 'em for Slaves: and the very same covetous humour and phrenzie has seiz'd all the Europeans that have hi∣therto set foot in America. Their Custom has been to take the poor Indians out of their houses, with their Wives and Children, to load 'em with Chains, to mark 'em like Sheep that they might distinguish 'em one from another, and afterwards to sell 'em as if they had been born Slaves.

Of those Provinces of the Continent called Florida.

THREE merciless Tyrants have invaded these Provinces one after another since the year 1510, all animated with the same Spirit, and mov'd by the same designs. They all committed the same Outrages throughout this Country, to put them∣selves by robbing and pillaging into a capacity of buying places of honour and profit, far above their quality: but God was pleas'd to punish 'em after a very signal manner; for they all came to a misera∣ble end; they were buried in the ruins of those Houses, which they had built with the Spoils of so many miserable People whom they had ruin'd and murder'd. Thus were these Provinces left de∣solate. These Brutes would doubtless have com∣mitted yet more Villanies, had not the just Judg∣ment of the Almighty shorten'd their days, and pu∣nish'd

'em in this Country for the Massacres and Robberies they had committed in other parts of the Indies.

When they came into Florida, they found it plen∣tifully stor'd with People, who were wise and well disciplin'd both in Civil Affairs, and in Morals: they immediately began to cast a Terror through∣out the Country by I know not how many Massa∣cres; so that the poor Indians who had never known any thing like it, were put into a mighty Consternation. The Spaniards us'd 'em instead of Beasts of burden to carry their Arms, Utensils and Provisions: yet the Inhabitants of one great Town express'd abundance of Joy at their arrival, enter∣tain'd 'em with the best they had, and furnish'd 'em with plenty of Provisions as long as they continued there; they offer'd 'em 600 of their strongest men to carry their Baggage, and look to their Horses. Yet the Spanish General was so little touch'd with the courtesie of these People, that he kill'd their Prince with a Lance, that so he might be in a better condition to pillage them, who little thought of such a bloody fact as this, and other Cruelties with which their barbarous Guests requited their kind∣nesses. They with their Swords and Lances kill'd all the Inhabitants of another Town, who stood upon their Guard, and endeavour'd to defend themselves from the Hostilities of these Tyrants. They put Men and Women, great and small, Mas∣ters and Servants all to the Sword, without any respect either to Age, Sex or Quality. In another Village a Spanish Captain kill'd above 200 Indians: he cut off the Lips and Noses of others, and sent 'em away in this condition to terrify the rest of the Country by so horrible a sight. These Cruelties hinder'd the success of the Missions of our Aposto∣lick Men in the Indies, who had no good reasons to

produce to these poor Wretches to excuse such Barbarities as these. One may easily guess by this Instance what love the Indians must have for the Ca∣tholicks, and what confidence they can put in their Promises. What Idea can they have of God, when he is described to 'em as infinitly good and merciful? What can they think of his Law, which they are told is so holy and just; when they see those that profess to observe it, not scruple to commit all these Crimes?

Most of these cruel Villains perish'd miserably without the least contrition or repentance; and tho God is infinitely gracious and merciful, there is reason enough to fear they are condemn'd to eter∣nal Torments.

Of the River de la Plata, or Silver-River.

SEveral Spanish Captains have undertaken Voyages to the Silver-River, since the year 1502. The Country upon it is of a vast extent, and contains ma∣ny great Kingdoms and noble Provinces. The In∣habitants are a very rational and civil sort of Peo∣ple, and live at a considerable distance from the other Indians; which render'd it an easy matter to the Spaniards to molest 'em with impunity, and to exercise all their wonted Rapine and Cruelty among 'em. They every where carry with 'em the same design of enriching and making themselves great and powerful at the cost of these unhappy People, whom they plunder of their Treasure, as if it were the spoil of a just and lawful War. Wher∣ever they come, they use the same ways and means to compass their design; they torment and kill the People, pillage and destroy the Country, ruining whole Nations to possess themselves of their Gold and Silver.

On the Banks of the Silver-River they have de∣stroy'd divers great Provinces and Kingdoms; and cut the Throats of multitude of Indians, treating 'em with all the Cruelties they could invent: for when they were at this vast distance from Spain, they did not much fear the King's Authority; be∣lieving the remoteness of the place where they com∣mitted their Crimes, would secure 'em from the danger of suffering for 'em. This hope of impu∣nity made 'em more barbarously cruel in this Coun∣try than in others; so that they liv'd here after the most licentious manner imaginable, without the least regard to Law or Justice. However some of their Actions have been reported to the Council of the Indies. A certain Governor one day command∣ed his Souldiers to enter into a Town, and massa∣cre all the Inhabitants, if they should refuse to give 'em what provisions they wanted. The Sol∣diers prompted by this Order, and supported by the Authority of the Governor that sent 'em, kill'd 5000 of these poor Creatures; who looking on the Spaniards as their declared Enemies, were not willing to trust 'em, or to have any commerce with 'em; and therefore hid themselves, not so much to avoid giving 'em what they as'kd, as to escape the points of their Swords. The other In∣dians were so terrified by this slaughter, that they readily offer'd themselves in great numbers to serve the Spaniards. These Indians when they were one day call'd by the Governour to receive some orders from him, I know not by what hap, made some de∣lay to present themselves before him; upon which he commanded 'em to be deliver'd up to another Nation of Indians who were their mortal Enemies. The poor Wretches as soon as they heard this cruel Sentence, cried out most hideously, entreating the Spaniards with tears in their Eyes rather to kill 'em

outright with their Swords and Lances, than to abandon 'em to the rage of their sworn Enemies. Nor could they by any means be got out of the house were they were; upon which the Spaniards hew'd 'em in pieces one after another; while the poor Indians complain'd to 'em of their barbarity, expres∣sing themselves with hearts full of anguish and despair after this manner: We came voluntarily to meet you, to offer our Service to you, and to shew you all the re∣spect we could; and all the return you make to our kind∣ness is to murder us without pity. Our Blood that is dash'd on every side upon the Walls of this House shall be an everlasting witness of your cruelty, and cry for ven∣geance against you for the unjust death you make us suffer. 'Tis impossible to reflect on this Action without be∣ing mov'd both with horror and compassion.

Of the great Kingdoms and Provinces of Peru.

A Spanish Commander with a great number of Soldiers enter'd these Kingdoms with the Ti∣tle of Governour; and with a Resolution to heap up a vast Treasure in a little time. He had already given some proofs of his skill and capacity on the Continent; and he every day perfected himself more and more in the Art of cutting of throats and pillaging. He was naturally cruel, without Faith, Honour or Religion; he knew no other God than Gold or Silver, and therefore gave him∣self liberty to commit all sorts of Crimes, to get these Metals any way in the world. He did abundance of mischief in the large Provinces of Peru. 'Tis not possible to represent to the life what Persecuti∣ons the Inhabitants of this rich Country underwent; and what cruel sorts of death they were made to

suffer, to extort their Gold and Silver from 'em.

When this Governour first enter'd Peru, he rifled divers Villages, and took away prodigious quantities of Gold. He then pass'd into an Island (not far from this Kingdom) which is very pleasant, fruit∣ful and populous. The Prince of this Island, toge∣ther with the Inhabitants, came out to meet the Spa∣niards, and received 'em with great joy and civility. But in the space of six months, which time the Spa∣niards continued here, they consum'd all the Corn and other Provisions they found in the Island. After this they discover'd that the Indians had hid some Corn under ground, to keep against a time of scarcity, for the subsistence of their Wives and Children; which they were constrain'd to leave to the discretion of the Spaniards, who took possession of it as their own Pro∣perty; and hereby reduc'd these poor People to the utmost necessity. Soon after this they left the Island, but first kill'd a great many of the People, and car∣ried away the rest with 'em for Slaves. Thus by the many Cruelties they committed, this Island is quite depopulated.

From hence they went into the Isle of Tumbala, which is situate near the Continent; here they mas∣sacred all the Inhabitants that fell into their hands. The rest frighted at this cruel slaughter, fled every way they could to avoid 'em; and tho they did this only to save their Lives, it was interpreted a Rebel∣lion against the King of Spain; but was only an Ar∣tifice of this Tyrant to entrap these miserable Peo∣ple, that he might make 'em surrender to him all the Gold and Silver they had: which they brought to him in great quantities, while he still demanded greater, being resolv'd to leave 'em nothing: And when he had strip'd 'em of all they had, he told them he receiv'd 'em into the number of the King of Spain's Subjects, and pretended a great deal of kind∣ness

to 'em, promising he would treat 'em as his friends, and not do 'em the least hurt for the time to come. This Hypocrite was for plundering the Indians, and terrifying 'em with menaces of the King of Spain's displeasure; but had the Policy not to receive 'em into the number of this Prince's Vas∣sals, till he had robb'd 'em of all they had. And yet the Title of the King of Spain's Subjects did not secure 'em for the future from his Insults and Robberies.

The name of the Soveraign Prince and Empe∣ror of all these Kingdoms was Atabalipa, who brought with him an innumerable Army of naked men, who made use of a ridiculous sort of Wea∣pons, not understanding the force of the Spaniards Swords and Lances, and Horses, with which these Indians had never been acquainted; he advanc'd his Troops near the Spaniards, crying with a great deal of courage, Where are these Spaniards? I'll never leave 'em till they have made me satisfaction for all my Subjects that have been kill'd by them; of all my Towns which they have burnt, and of all my Riches which they have carried away. The Spaniards came to meet this Prince in good order and well-arm'd, and made a horrible slaughter among his Souldiers; they took the King himself, who was carried on a stately Seat upon the Shoulders of his Subjects. This Prince finding himself in this miserable Condition, began to treat with 'em about his Ransom, for which he promised to give 'em 4 Millions of Crowns: for this Sum they engag'd to give him his Liberty; yet would not stand to their own Agreement, but obliged him to assemble all his People, who to obey their Prince's order came together in Crowds. This King bore such a sway in the minds of his Subjects, that he boasted that the Leaves of the Trees in the Woods durst not move without his order. He told

the Spaniards he was their Prisoner, and they had now power to put him to death if they pleas'd. Upon this they held a Council of War to deliberate what to do with him; and resolv'd to burn him with a gentle Fire: only there was one Captain not quite so inhuman as the rest, who told 'em they ought to content themselves with strangling him, and then burning him after he was dead. When the King was inform'd that he was condemn'd to die, he thus express'd himself; Why will ye needs put me to death? What Crime have I committed against you? Did you not promise to restore me my Liberty, pro∣vided I would pay that Fine of Gold you impos'd on me? Have not I given you a greater Sum than you demanded? However if you are resolv'd to kill me first send me at least to the King of Spain. But all his Complaints, all his just Reproaches and Protestations could not hinder them from burning him. 'Tis easy to see that the Spaniards had no right to make War with this Prince and to treat him so inhumanly. But the Captivity of this King, the Sentence of Death pronounc'd against him, and the Cruelty with which they put it in execution, after they had extorted such vast Treasures from him, all sufficiently disco∣ver the Genius of these Tyrants, and of what In∣justice and Violence they have been guilty both against the Princes and People of the new World.

I have a Letter from a Monk of the Order of St. Francis written to the King of Spain, by which it will appear how the Spaniards behav'd themselves towards the Indians: The very Terms of which Letter I'll here set down.

I, Frier Mark de Xlicia of the Order of St. Francis, General of all the Monks of the said Order in Peru, who came into this Country with the Spaniards that first in∣vaded it, do testify what I have seen with my own Eyes of

the manner of their treating the People of this new World. Having been an Eye-witness, I have a certain knowledg of the Disposition and Manners of the Inhabitants of Pe∣ru; they are a meek, good-humour'd and peaceable Na∣tion, and have shewn a great deal of Affection and Re∣spect to the Spaniards; I have seen 'em give 'em great Sums of Gold and Silver, and Pearls of a great value very readily; they render'd 'em all the Services they could require of 'em with all the diligence that could be reasonably desir'd. They never offer'd to make War with 'em, nor so much as to put themselves in a posture of Defence, till they had receiv'd all imaginable Injuries from 'em, and were thereby constrained to it contrary to their Inclina∣tions. They gave the Spaniards as many Men and Women as they needed for their Domestick Business; and when they had receiv'd 'em into their Towns and Villages with all the Honours they could think of, they supplied 'em liberally with all the necessary Accommoda∣tions of Life.

I farther testify, that the Spaniards without having receiv'd the least occasion of Offence from the Indians, seiz'd their great Cacique Atabalipa, soon after they enter'd his Country, and burnt him after they had receiv'd four Millions of Gold of him, and after having taken immense Sums out of his Province without any Resistance. They inflicted the same Punishment on Cochilimaca his Captain General, when he came to meet them in an ami∣cable manner with many other Noblemen of Peru. A few days after another great Lord of the Province of Quitonia suffer'd the same fate; for the Spaniards burnt him without having the least occasion given 'em for so cruel an Action: With the like Barbarity and Injustice they burnt Schapera the Prince of the Canaries. They also burnt the feet of Aluis, the first and greatest Lord of the Province of Quitonia, and put him to a great many other Torments to make him reveal K. Atabalipa's Treasures, of which he was utterly ignorant, as it evi∣dently

appear'd by the sequel. They condemn'd Coco∣pagaganga to the same Punishment, who was Prince of the Province of Quitonia: He suffer'd himself to be over perswaded by the Treaties of Sebastian Banalcaçar a Spanish Captain, to come in an amicable manner and surrender himself to the Spaniards; this Captain having given him his word that no Injury should be done him; yet, contrary to this promise, he was burnt alive, with several Caciques besides: and I have been inform'd, that the Spaniards design'd to shew no Mercy to any Indian in the Country.

I moreover affirm, that I my self have seen the Spa∣niards in several places cut off the Noses, Ears and Hands of Indian Men and Women, without any Provo∣cation, in cold Blood (as it seem'd) purely for the sake of doing Mischief, which is a most inexcusable sort of Bar∣barity. I have seen the Spaniards set their fierce and hungry Dogs at the Indians to tear 'em in pieces and de∣vour 'em. And I have seen 'em set fire to so many Towns and Villages, that 'tis impossible I should recollect the number of 'em. 'Tis certain they have torn Children from their Mothers Breasts, and thrown 'em with all their might as far as they could, to divert themselves with this brutish Sport. I have often been a Witness of many other Cruelties of this nature, which have fill'd me with Dread and Horror; but I should be too prolix and tedious to give the Detail of 'em.

I protest, that once the Spaniards when they had as∣sembled the greatest number of Indians they could in three great Houses, set fire to 'em and burnt 'em all alive, without any reason, having not receiv'd the least affront from 'em. And a certain Priest, whose name was Ocana, happening to attempt to take a young Child out of the Flames, a Spaniard that saw him, took the Child from him, and immediately cast it again into the Fire, where it was burnt with the rest. This Spaniard the same day be committed this black and cursed Action, died suddenly

as he was going to the Camp; and I was of opinion that his Carcase ought not to be interred.

I have seen the Spaniards send Deputies to the Ca∣ciques and chief Indians, to engage 'em to come and meet 'em without fear, promising 'em to employ their In∣terest with the King of Spain on their behalf: but as soon as they were come upon the Credit of the Promises that had been given 'em, they were burnt without Pity or any formal Process. Two of the most illustrious and conside∣rable Indians were burnt in my sight, one at Andonia, and the other at Tumbala. All the Efforts I made to secure 'em from the Flames, and to get 'em out of the hands of these bloody Wretches, were to no purpose; my Discourses and Exhortations made no impression on 'em. I can say with a good Conscience, and in the presence of God, that so far as I have been able to learn, by the long time I have been among 'em, the Inhabitants of Peru have never fomented any Mutiny or Rebellion, or done the least Injury to the Spaniards, who have treated them so inhu∣manly; but whatever Torments they have suffer'd, they seem'd to have laid aside the thoughts of Revenge. And when they found the Spaniards were always deceiving 'em, and breaking the Promises they made 'em; when they found they treated 'em with so much Tyranny, contrary to all Law and Equity; and that they did not scruple to commit all sorts of Outrages against 'em, they rather chose to die, than to be continually expos'd to such Mi∣series.

I have been inform'd by the Accounts the Indians themselves have given, that there is a great deal more Gold among 'em undiscover'd than has been yet found; the ill Ʋsage and Cruelty of the Spaniards having made 'em conceal it: and they are resolv'd never to discover it while they are treated with so much Injustice and Tyranny, but will rather die as their Companions have done, who have been put to death with so much Cruelty. The Injuries offer'd these poor Indians are very hainous Sins in the

sight of God, and contrary to the Interest and Service of the King, who has been cheated of more Treasure in Peru than would keep all the People in Castile.

Thus far the Letter of that Monk, which was confirm'd by the Attestation of the Bishop of Mexi∣co: He was an Eye-witness of what he here relates, for he went through this Country for the space of fourscore or a hundred Leagues, and continued there nine or ten years, in a time when there were but few Spaniards there. But as soon as it was reported in Spain that this new World was so full of Gold, there presently came four or five thousand People, who spread themselves through these noble Pro∣vinces, and possess'd five or six hundred Leagues of the Country, which they entirely ruined, commit∣ting all those Disorders and Crimes that have been mention'd before. They have destroy'd a great ma∣ny more People here than this Frier takes notice of in his Letter: and without having any fear of God before their Eyes, or any regard to the King, or the least sentiment of Compassion to their fellow-Creatures, they have almost destroy'd one half of Mankind; for in the Provinces of Peru alone they have kill'd above forty Millions of People.

A few days after what I have related above, they kill'd a great Queen with Arrows made of Reeds; she was Wife to Prince Elingue, who still governs this Province in quality of King: the Spaniards did what they could to seize this Prince's Person, and omitted no Tricks and Artifices to accomplish it; this was the occasion of his Revolt against the Spa∣niards, and he has ever since continued their declar'd Enemy. They took his Queen contrary to the Rules of Equity and Justice; and 'tis said they kill'd her at a time when she was big with Child, meerly to vex and grieve the King her Husband, who lov'd her

very tenderly. If all the Massacres the Spaniards have committed in Peru should be recounted, every one would be astonish'd at the recital, and the num∣ber of 'em after an exact Computation would sur∣pass all probability, and appear too great to be believ'd.

Of the new Kingdom of Grenada.

A Great number of Spaniards went from Vene∣çuela, the Isle of St. Martha, and Carthagena in the year 1536, to make a Discovery of Peru: Di∣vers others went up higher, three hundred Leagues beyond St. Martha and Carthagena, to discover those excellent Countries that were very fertile, and full of People of a mild and sociable Temper; where is abundance of Gold and precious Stones found, especially Emeralds: they gave this King∣dom the name of New Grenada, because the Cap∣tain that first set his foot in it was born at Grenada. They that accompanied him were very profligate Men, and extremely cruel; they shed human Blood without any scruple or remorse, for they had been long accustom'd to all sorts of Wickedness, and therefore 'tis the less to be wonder'd at that they have committed so many Crimes in this New Grenada, where they abandon'd themselves to all manner of Abominations. I shall only mention some Instances of 'em, because an exact recital of their Cruelties would fill the Minds of all that read this History with too much Horror.

A certain Governor that could not get his share of the Booty another had got before him in ra∣vaging this new Kingdom of Grenada at his pleasure, tho he could have seconded him with all his heart

in the Cruelties and Robberies he committed here; yet being enrag'd to see such a valuable Prey escape him, thought meet to appease his Trouble after a sort, and to revenge himself on the other by making authentick Informations confirm'd by the concur∣rent Testimony of many Witnesses, which expos'd to light all the Vexations, Murders and Cruelties which this Tyrant had been guilty of in New Gre∣nada. The said Informations were read in the Coun∣cil of the Indies, where they have been hitherto pre∣serv'd, and are yet to be seen.

In these Informations the Witnesses depose, that this new Kingdom enjoy'd a settled Peace before the Spaniards came thither; that the People shew'd 'em all the kindness imaginable as soon as they came a∣mong 'em; that they maintain'd the Spaniards with their Labour, and the Fruit of the Ground which they manur'd; that they gave 'em prodigious quan∣tities of Gold, and abundance of precious Stones, amongst others a great many Emeralds; that they freely brought 'em whatever was most valuable in their Cities, the Government of which the Spa∣niards divided among themselves when they had can∣ton'd 'em into several parts: for this they counted a proper method, the better to compass their design of heaping together all the Gold they could possibly find.

When the Indians were first subjugated to the Tyranny of the Spaniards, the chief Captain, who was General of the rest, took possession of the King's Person as well as of the Country, and kept him Prisoner for five or six Months, without any reason in the World, demanding Gold and Emeralds of him continually. This King, whose name was Bogata, in the midst of his fears, promis'd the Spanish Ge∣neral to deliver up all the Gold-plate he had, hoping by this means to get out of the hands of this Tyrant:

he sent a great many Indians to his House to fetch these precious Goods; and at the several turns they made he gave the Spaniard a great quantity of Gold and Emeralds; who was not content with all this, but threaten'd to kill him. Accordingly he commanded this unfortunate King to be brought be∣fore him to receive his Sentence. This is the Treat∣ment these Tyrants give the most illustrious Persons of the new World: This haughty General pro∣nounc'd a fatal Sentence against this Prince, by which he was condemn'd to most horrible Torments if he did not immediately send for all the Gold he had: Accordingly this Tyrant's Executioners laid hold of the King, stretch'd him out at length upon the ground naked, and pour'd boiling Rosin upon his Belly; besides this, they put his feet into a Fire, hav∣ing fasten'd his Neck to a Stake fix'd in the ground, while two of these Hangmen held him by the Arms. The cruel General came from time to time to look upon him while this Torture continued, threatning to take away his Life if he did not speedily deliver up his Gold. God seem'd by his Providence to sig∣nify his Displeasure against these Cruelties, in suf∣fering the City where they were committed to be consum'd with Fire in a moment. The rest of the Spaniards took pattern by their General, and fill'd up his steps: And having no other trade than that of tormenting the Indians, and cutting 'em in pieces, they practised the same Villanies in divers parts of this Kingdom: They inflicted terrible Punishments on several Caciques, and all their Subjects, who too imprudently depended on the good words and pro∣mises the Spaniards made 'em: And this after they had given 'em incredible Sums of Gold, and many Emeralds. These Presents, tho so valuable, could not soften their obdurate Hearts, and render 'em civil to their Benefactors▪ The Tortures to which

they put the Indians were to make 'em bring yet more Gold and precious Stones; and the same motive has induc'd 'em to burn all the great Lords of the Country with a slow fire. A great multitude of Indians one day came to meet the Spaniards with a great deal of humility and simplicity (as their man∣ner is) to offer 'em their service, supposing them∣selves safe; but while they were sleeping without any apprehension of danger, being faint and weary, a Spanish Captain commanded his men to massacre 'em all, which was accordingly executed. This was done to strike the whole Country with terror and consternation, and to fright the Inhabitants out of their Gold by the horror of so tragical a Spectacle. The General made his Souldiers swear how many Caciques and Indians each of 'em had kill'd, and how many they had reserv'd alive for their Slaves; these he immediately order'd 'em to bring out into the most publick place of their City, and made 'em there cut off the heads of 4 or 500 of these poor Creatures. Divers Witnesses have depos'd that this Captain order'd the hands and no∣ses of many Indians both Men and Women to be cut off, and exercis'd other unheard of Cruelties among 'em. He sent into Bogata's Province to enquire who had succeeded that Prince, whom he had so inhu∣manly put to death: The Men he sent to make this Discovery took as many Indians as they could; such of 'em as could not tell the name of their late Prin∣ce's Successor, were barbarously abus'd, some of 'em had their Arms and Legs cut off; others were ex∣pos'd to the fury of greedy Dogs, and soon torn in pieces by 'em.

They fell upon a great number of Caciques and Indian Noblemen by a treacherous surprize in the middle of the Night, after they had assur'd 'em they need not fear any affront or abuse from them. The

innocent Indians confiding in these fair promises, were come down out of the Mountains where they had hid themselves, to lodg in the Cities, not sus∣pecting the ill design the Spaniards had against 'em: However these perfidious men surpriz'd 'em, and cut off the Hands and Arms of all they took, let∣ting 'em know they were chastiz'd after this severe manner for not telling the name of their late King's Successor. Another time the General sent a great par∣ty of Soldiers into a City to make war with the In∣habitants, because they sent him not a basket of Gold which he had demanded: they made these poor people suffer a thousand Outrages, and massacred vast numbers of 'em. They inhumanly cut off the no∣ses and hands both of Men and Women, and gave others to be devour'd by their Dogs, which were wont to be fed with human flesh.

The people of one of these Provinces, seeing 5 or 6 of their Chiefs burnt to death with a slow fire, were frighted by this horrible sight into the mountains to shelter themselves from the Spaniards; they were about 5 or 6000: hereupon the Spanish Commander sent a Company of Soldiers to pursue 'em, and treat 'em as Rebels. 'Tis hard to imagine by what right they assum'd an Authority to punish people as rebels, that were free-born, and did not in the least depend on 'em. When the Spanish Soldiers were got into this Mountain, they fell on the poor Indians, who were naked and disarm'd, with a fury like that of Wolves and Lions, when they set upon a flock of Sheep to devour 'em; till at length they were so spent and fatigu'd meerly with slaughtering these poor Creatures, that they were forc'd to give over a while to take breath; after which they renew'd this Massacre with more vigour. And to cut short their bloody work, they threw down the greatest part of these Indians headlong

from the top of the Mountain, which was very high. It has been depos'd by those that were Eye-witnesses of this Tragedy, that they forc'd above 700 of these poor Indians all together down this Precipice, so that they look'd like a Cloud as they fell; they were all dash'd in pieces by this dreadful fall, and died miserably.

The Spaniards push'd on this barbarous Expedition to the utmost; for they made a diligent search in all the remote Corners of the Mountain, and gave no quarter to any they found; those they could catch were either cut to pieces, or after many wounds cast down from the top of the Mountain. Nor did these Cruelties satisfy 'em, but they shut up divers Indi∣ans both Men and Women, whom they had reserv'd for Slaves, in a house cover'd with straw, which they set on fire and so consum'd 'em. They likewise went to the City of Cola, where they took abun∣dance of People, with about 15 or 20 of their Great Men; they expos'd these to the fury of their Dogs, which devour'd 'em, having first cut off the hands and feet both of Men and Women; and fix'd these sad Spoils on Poles, that they might be obvious to the view of all, and that the dreadful sight might cast terror and amazement in the minds of all that surviv'd.

The Ravage and Cruelties these bloody-minded Men exercised in this new Kingdom of Grenada are so great, that if the King of Spain dos not apply a spee∣dy remedy, and set bounds to their excessive Avarice and insatiable thirst of Gold, that whole Kingdom will soon be destroy'd, and the Land lie unculti∣vated and unimprov'd, for want of Inhabitants.

In the space of 2 or 3 years, since this Kingdom has been discover'd, they have without the fear of God or Man put the Inhabitants to death, without any emotion or pity to see so much human blood

pour'd out. There are now scarce any People to be found there after all these Massacres. There are divers fine large Provinces near New Grenada; this Country is called Popoyan and Cali, and is above 50 leagues in extent, which they also have ruined, and made as desolate as the former. Here they have so slaughter'd the people, that this once po∣pulous Country is now quite destitute of Inhabitants. Those that come from thence relate such terrible things of the Spaniards proceedings there, that one can't hear their sad Stories, without being pierc'd with trouble and compassion in a very sensible man∣ner. In these Provinces they have ruin'd many fine Cities from one end to t'other; so that they now lie buried in their own Ashes: there are scarce any of the ruins of those Cities to be seen, which once contain'd above 2000 Houses. In a word, this Coun∣try which was full of Villages, Towns, and Cities for the space of 50 leagues, is now so bare, that there's scarce any token remaining to signifie there ever were any such buildings.

Some of the Spaniards came from Peru into New Grenada and Popoyan through the Province of Qui∣tonia; others of 'em came to Cali by the way of Carthagena and Vraba, but all join'd together to car∣ry on the same design, spoiling a Country of 600 leagues in extent of all its Riches, and extirpating all the Inhabitants after they had plunder'd 'em. When this cruel War was ended, the Spaniards took some of the Indians, whom they had reserved for Slaves, into their service, and caus'd the heads of se∣veral of their Companions to be cut off in their sight to terrify 'em; telling 'em they must all expect to undergo the same fate, if they did not serve 'em faithfully. By the recital of such barbarous Actions as these, the Reader may easily imagin how the Spa∣niards behave themselves towards the Indians in the

several parts of America. They feed their fierce Dogs with human flesh, on purpose to accustom 'em to tear Men in pieces, and devour 'em. They car∣ry these Dogs with 'em wherever they go, and barbarously murder the poor Indians, to feed these savage Curs with their flesh. They'l say one to ano∣ther, Give me a quarter of that Indian to make my Dog a feast; and when I kill one, I'll pay you again. They commonly hunt in the morning with these Dogs; and when ask'd by their fellows what luck they have had, they answer according to their success. Sometimes one will say, I am content, my Dogs have kill'd about a score of 'em; so that one would think they were speaking of Wolves or wild Boars. Can any thing be imagin'd that exceeds such horrible Cruelty as this? And all these Barbarities have been prov'd and averred by strict Examinations made and produc'd before the Council of the Indies.