Africa being an accurate description of the regions of Ægypt, Barbary, Lybia, and Billedulgerid, the land of Negroes, Guinee, Æthiopia and the Abyssines : with all the adjacent islands, either in the Mediterranean, Atlantick, Southern or Oriental Sea, belonging thereunto : with the several denominations fo their coasts, harbors, creeks, rivers, lakes, cities, towns, castles, and villages, their customs, modes and manners, languages, religions and inexhaustible treasure : with their governments and policy, variety of trade and barter : and also of their wonderful plants, beasts, birds and serpents : collected and translated from most authentick authors and augmented with later observations : illustrated with notes and adorn'd with peculiar maps and proper sculptures / by John Ogilby, Esq. ...

The Island of St. Thomas.

THe Island of St. Thomas, in Portuguese, St. Thomee, because first of all discover'd on that Saints Day; yet Thevet calls it Santas Honore, and the Barqarians, Ponkas; it lieth in the Ethiopian Sea, right under the Equi∣noctial Line, (which comes through the City, and the great Church, and there∣fore no Latitude hath been ascribed to it) and not far from the Cape of Lopez Gonsalvez. It bears an Oval form about thirty Miles in Circumference, and in length and breadth twelve Miles.

The chief City, call'd Pavosan, or Pavaose, through which run two small Rivers, hath its situation on an even place, on the North-side of the Bay, some∣what more longer than round, and about half a days walking in compass; containing about fifteen hundred Houses, every one ten Stories high. On that side towards the Sea-coast defended with some Breast-works of Stone, which the Portuguese Governor raised in the Year Sixteen hundred and seven, commanding every one that passed backwards and forwards by the City, to

bring one Stone towards the Building. The Houses are erected of white and hard Wood like Oak, which grows there on the Spot; before, behind, and also on the top, cover'd with Planks made fast together. There stand onely on the whole Island three Stone Houses, in one of which the Governor dwelleth.

The City boasts of three Churches, whereof the biggest is intitled Conceptio, or, The Church of the Conception of the Virgin Mary; next, the Church of Isabella, whereto adjoyns an Hospital, and the Church of St. Sebastian, a small one, standing by the Castle. But several other Churches stand without the City, as St. Anthonies, two Musquets shot distant; and somewhat nearer, St. Johns: then you may see the Church of Maitre de Dios, or The Mother of God; about a Mile from the City, towards the South-east; and about two Miles from it towards the East, Trinitado, or The holy Trinity; and about three Miles towards the South-east, the Church of St. Anna.

The Castle of St. Sebastian, * 1.1 seated on an out-lying Corner, at the North-side of the City and of the Bay, is a handsom Building of Stone, to the heighth of twenty five Foot, and both of it self, and by the conveniency of the place whereon it stands, seems almost impregnable: The Garrison within con∣sists of a hundred Soldiers, well stor'd and provided with Ammunition and Victuals; besides, continual Supplies are, and may be brought thither by Sea without hindrance.

The Ground is moistned by several Brooks and Rivers of clear and fresh Water, to their great enriching.

On the middle of this Island rises a Woody Mountain, continually cover'd with Snow, whence divers Brooks and Streams draw their originals.

The Air is very hot and untemperate, moist, unwholsom, inimical to the People of Europe, who seldom attain there to the age of fifty years, whereas the Natives, a People that have but little Blood, oftentimes arrive to above a hundred. Some affirm, that a young Man in his growth coming thither; shall never grow bigger, but always remain at his first Stature; and that a dead Corps laid in the Ground, will rot and decay in four and twenty hours.

The cause of this unwholsomness hath been imagin'd to proceed from the over-great Heats, and damp Fogs. Some have reported, that this malign in∣temperature doth not spread over the whole, but confin'd chiefly to the City, and occasion'd by the low situation thereof: for from the Rain-water which falls down abundantly from the Hills to the Valleys, are exhal'd noysom Va∣pors, which afterwards fall down in the Evenings and Mornings, with an of∣fensive influence; whose fume or dewy stream receiv'd into the Body, corrupts and irritates the Blood: for the avoiding which direful hazards at those times, the Portuguese there resident keep within their Houses.

But this Air loses some of these ill qualities in June, July, and August, by rea∣son of the South-east and South-west dry and cool Winds; which blowing over from the Coast of Ethiopia, refresh the Countrey, and clear the Air, to the great advantage of Strangers, although the Natives receive detriment thereby.

These Islanders, as all others under the Equinoctial, have two Winters, not in respect of Cold, but onely of Moistures, one in March, and another in Sep∣tember; at which time the Sun shines from the Vertical Point upon the Inhabi∣tants Heads, without making a Shadow either to the North or South; which happens twice a year at Noon.

The reason of this double Winter seems to proceed from the violent attra∣ctions of Heat, caus'd by the scorching beams of the Sun, which so fill the Air

with watry Exhalations, that the Sun, as clouded therewith, shines not out, and so those dusky Vapors dissolve themselves in great and continuing Rains, the onely sign of Winter, the over-heated Air hardly chill'd thereby.

The rainy Moneths continue from December to April, when all the low Land lies under Water. Our Summer-Moneths, May, June, July, and August, make their Spring; and with them Summer begins when the Sun first enters into the beginning of Capricorn, and continues till it comes to the beginning of Aries, that is, in December, January, February, and the beginning of March; and then the Air is very moist and hot, so that Foreigners keep themselves in places under ground, yet oftentimes can neither escape great Sicknesses or Death; where∣as the Natives being of a cold and dry Constitution, live in good health: yet when the heat arrives at the heighth, it makes the Inhabitants themselves so faint, that they can scarce go, and the Ground so hot, that they must wear Shooes with double Soles and thick Corks, to save their Feet from scorching.

The Sicknesses which proceed from the untemperate heat, * 1.2 are burning and pestilential Fevers, seizing Strangers in eight days time, first by shivering and coldness, afterwards with heat through all their Limbs, for two hours toge∣ther, and with such violence, that the infected Party oftentimes on the fourth, or seventh, or at longest on the fifteenth day, dies; but if he out-live that time, he grows well again on a sudden, and so may continue, except he prejudice himself by gluttony or drinking; for the best Medicine is a moderate Diet, to eat little and fast much; besides, to purge the Body with Juice of Cassia Fi∣stula, and sometimes to breath a Vein, and take away superfluous Blood.

The Sickness call'd Bitios de Ku, ranges here also, being cured with Juice of Lemons, as before related.

The Pox is so customary to the Natives, that they make nothing of it, but suddenly and with great ease cure it, by means of Quicksilver, yet proves mor∣tal to many Strangers; who ought therefore to be very careful how they med∣dle with the black Women, by reason of the inequality of their Constitutions.

The Dropsie is very frequent, which they cure by applying outwardly the Oyl of Coco-Nuts, and the Juice of several Herbs, of which the Negro's have good knowledge.

Above a Century of years since, the Kings of Portugal hearing of the fruit∣fulness of the Soil, sent some over thither, who died through the unwholsom∣ness of the Air: Again he sent others, who went first into Guinee, from thence to Angola, and at last setled on this Island, that they might as it were Pedetentim, step by step, be enabled to endure the evil temperature thereof.

Some have reported, that John King of Portugal sold the Jews for Slaves, up∣on their refusing to embrace the Christian Religion, and Baptizing their Chil∣dren, sent them thither; from whence the Islanders seem to be extracted.

No small number of sick and dead Men had the Netherlanders on this Island, when in the Year Sixteen hundred forty one, under the Command of Admiral Jol, otherwise call'd Houtebeen, they overcame this Island: for there scarce re∣main'd twelve sound and healthful Men in a Company; and Jol himself, with most of the other Commanders died: Nay, the Distemper came at last with such wide paces amongst them, that there scarce remain'd any to be upon the Watch, or stand Sentinells, and not Sea-men enough to Man two Ships: where∣fore they sent to Prince Maurice in Brasile for Soldiers, Provisions, and Wine for refreshment. Most of them died of great pains in their Heads; some of the Gri∣ping in the Guts in three or four days. The causes whereof might be their too

much eating of Black Sugar, or the Milk of Coco-Nuts, which occasions Loos∣ness; but indeed the principal cause was those malignant Fogs, against which they had no shelter. This venomous Air caus'd a greater Destruction amongst the People of the Admiral Peter Verdoes, coming thither with his Fleet in the Year Sixteen hundred and ten, in November; when within fourteen days there died above a thousand, of which the Admiral himself, and the other Admiral Storm, together with seventeen Sea-Commanders, and all the Land-Officers except one. Nay, the Disease raged at length among them with so great fury, that the Bellies of some being open'd, their Cauls were turn'd to Water.

The Ground is tough, * 1.3 and of a yellowish Russet Colour; and by reason of the many Mists, which fall every Night, it grows soft, like Wax, and becomes fit to produce all sorts of Grain, Fruits, and Plants. The goodness and fertility thereof appears by this; That so soon as a plain Place is left untill'd, or laid waste, Trees grow upon it, and shoot up to a great height in few days, which the Blacks cut down and burn, to plant the Sugar-Canes in their Ashes, which grow every where in the Valleys, but yield less Juyce than those in Brasile.

The Canes Planted in the fore-mention'd Ashes, must have five Moneths time to ripen in: For that which is Planted in January, is Cut in June; and that of February, in July: And in this manner they Cut and Plant all the Year through. The full-grown Canes, when cut, are grownd small in Water-Mills, which the Portuguese call Ingenhas; or by the Labor of Slaves or Oxen, in places where there are no Rivers: Afterwards they put the Juyce into great Kettles, and boyl it over the Fire, to cleanse it; and with the Refuse they feed the Hogs, which eating nothing else, grow exceeding fat, and are esteem'd such wholesom and sweet Flesh, that they Diet therewith the Sick, to recover them to their Health.

Seven Ships Lading of Sugar this Island sends forth every Year; that is, Four for Portugal, two for the Canary and Madera Islands, and one for England: And there might be a great deal more made, and also whiter; but they want Pots and other Necessaries to cleanse it, and also Refiners to work it.

The Portuguese have sent for many Artists from the Maderas, to make their Sugar whiter and harder; but could never effect the same, the Air making their Labor fruitless, because it doth not suffer it to dry: And therefore the Sugar-makers are necessitated to set the Loaves upon low Planks inclos'd round, and to set them upon Boughs of thick dry Wood, which being set on Fire, make no Flame nor Smoak, but at length glimmer like glowing Coals, and so dry it, as in Stoves. Before the coming of the Portuguese, there grew no Sugar-canes, nor Ginger; but they brought them thither, and planted them.

In the Year Sixteen hundred forty five, there stood on this Island four and fifty Mills, which every one had their Moneths to grind, and could make every Year twelve or fourteen Tun of Sugar. In the Year Sixteen hundred and ten, there were sixty one Mills, which the Hollanders ruin'd; so that ever since they have for the most part been able to do nothing, for want of Coppers, and Slaves to work.

The Corn never attains to its full growth, because the over-fatness of the Soil, and the exceeding Moisture, hinders the due Ripeness. There are many Vineyards, which have all the Year Grapes, both white and red, ripe and un∣ripe; also sweet and soure Oranges, Lemmons, Citrons, Pomegranates, Coco-Nuts, Figs, Water-Melons, Peaches, Olives, Almonds, and such like; but the Fruits never grow to a full perfection, because these Plants have need of a

closing and drying Coolness, which here they want. The want of Corn, Nature hath supply'd to the Inhabitants by Roots, as Potatoes, or Ignames, their usual and chiefest Food, of which they have four sorts; one call'd Benyn; the second, Achorere; the third, Maniconge; and the fourth Saffranee, according to the Places from whence brought to this Island. The two first are the best; the one for its sweetness, and the other for its longest keeping good. The next is Mandihoka; but they eat little of it, rather sending it to Angola.

In Brasile they plant much of it; onely the Root grows nothing near so thick there, as in these places. And here you must observe, That the Juyce must be prest out of the Brasilian Mandihoka, being so hurtful and poysonous, that if any one should chance to eat of it unpress'd, he would run the hazard of his Life: But on this Island they immediately dry it as it is Grownd, with∣out pressing, of which none get any hurt or damage by eating.

Banano's also, Bakovens, Kussu-Apples, two or three sorts of Jojoos, or small Beews, and Turky-Wheat, or Maiz, may be had there; and Pesigos, a Fruit grow∣ing on a Tree of the same name, somewhat hairy on the out-side, which must be cut off; and then you have a little Meat, over a soft Stone, yet pleasant to the taste, and of a cooling quality.

Another Fruit call'd Kola, of the bigness of a Walnut, grows on very high Trees, in a light green Shell or Cod: It consists chiefly in four or five sharp red Kernels, lying close together; they taste like a raw Chessnut, but somewhat bitterish; yet a draught of Water after it, makes it seem sweet. They drive a good Trade herewith to Lovando St. Paulo, whither they carry it by Shipping.

Neither do they want Palmito-Trees, out of which the Inhabitants make Wine, and out of the Kernel of the Fruit extract by Decoction Palm-Oyl, which they send over to Angola.

Of the Cotton growing there, the Inhabitants make sad and light blue co∣lour'd Clothes, like those of Benyn, but nothing neer so good; however, transported to Lovando St. Paulo, they yield sufficient profit.

Lastly, Cabbith-Trees, call'd Musen, and by the Egyptians, Mauz; and by the Islanders, Abellance, which in a Years time grows very high: Besides Pot∣herbs, Cabbages, Turneps, Sallads, Lettuce, Parsley.

They cannot complain of want of Cattel, having Swine, Cows, Sheep, Goats, Rams, and some small Horses. Nor of Fowl; Turkeys, Geese, Tur∣tle-Doves, Hens, Moor-Hens, Sparrows, Linnets, Paraquetoes, and several other sorts of Birds, breeding there in abundance.

Neither are the Sea or Rivers less kind, yielding several sorts of Fish. In short, This Island might with reason enough be term'd a happy Habitation, if the Air was but of a good temper.

The offensive Vermin are of three sorts: Wasps, much bigger than ours in Europe, grievously tormenting all that go into the Woods upon any occasion: Pismires, which eat up all they find, even to the grown Sugar-Canes; but they die upon the change of Weather: And Rats, great Enemies also to the Su∣gar-Plants.

The Inhabitants are of two sorts: Portuguese, which first found this Island desolate, and inhabited the same; and Blacks, sent thither from Angola to work. Those which are born on this Island, of a Portuguese Father and Mo∣ther, though they have liv'd there a long time, are white, like the Portuguese; but the Children of a Portuguese-Man and a Black-Woman, are Brown, or Yel∣low, and therefore call'd Mulatos. There us'd every Year to be sent from

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Lovando St. Paulo thither, about five thousand young Blacks for Slaves.

The Native Portuguese go clothed like their Countreymen, * 1.4 and the Negro-Merchants with their Families follow the same Mode; but the Slaves, as well Men as Women, go naked, onely with a Clout or Palmito-Leaf before their Privacies.

They make Bread of Potatoes, * 1.5 and drink Palm-Wine, or Water, or Goats Milk. In the time of great Heat, five or six Families come together, to eat their Meals in company, in Caves under Ground, where every one brings his own Food, and his own Houshold-stuff.

The Commodities carried from thence to other Places, consist chiefly in Muscovado-Sugar, yearly made to the quantity of a hundred thousand Arabe, every Arabe being thirty two Pounds, being pack'd in Leaves, and brought over to Europe; the afore-mention'd Cotton Clothes, the Fruit Kolas, and such like. The Merchandise transported thither by the Portuguese, and others, were Linnen of several kinds, all sorts of colour'd Yarn, Says, Silk Stockings, French Serges, mix'd Hair-Says, Axes, Chopping or Hewing-Knives, Iron, Salt, Lin∣seed Oyl, Red Copper in Plates, Copper Kettles, Rosin, Pitch, Tar, Ropes, Earthen Sugar-pots, of bigness to contain twenty or thirty Pound weight; Brandy, and all sorts of Strong-waters, Canary-Wine, Olives, Capers, fine Flow'r, Butter, Cheese, and such like.

The Revenues which the Portuguese have yearly from this Island, * 1.6 amount to a considerable Sum: For all Exported Goods must pay the Tenth of every thing for Custom to the King, either in Ready Money, Sugar, Palm-Oyl, or Clothes. Of Slaves brought from one place to another, they give one out of ten. Those which fish with a Net at the Shore, answer every fifth Fish: And for the Fishing with a Canoo in the Sea, for every eight days they must pay the Value of three Pence: Nay, every Plant which the Countrey produceth must pay somewhat to the King.

All the Inhabitants are Christians, * 1.7 except some Slaves, or Merchants, which have not constant Habitations there.

The Archbishop of Lisbon sends thither a Suffragan-Bishop, to supervise Church-Affairs, who holds his Episcopal See in the Principal City.

The Civil Government is manag'd by a Commander in Chief, sent thither by the Crown of Portugal. He keeps his Residence in the Chief City Pavoason, attended with a Judge, to administer Justice to the People.

The Inhabitants, * 1.8 as well in the City as the Countrey, bring all their Diffe∣rences before the Governor and Judge, to be decided; but may appeal from thence to Lovando St. Paulo. They are also bound to furnish the Governor, the Castle, and other Places of Guard, with Fire-wood; and to Build or Repair his House at their own Charges; and also all Bridges; and to keep all Roads and Ways clean and good.

During the War between the Crown of Portugal, and the States of the Uni∣ted Provinces, this Island was in the year Sixteen hundred forty one, on the se∣cond day of October, overcome in the following manner. Jol, whom we men∣tion'd before, landed with his People two Miles from Pavoason, by a Sugar-Mill at St. Anns, where he took his Repose that Night, and the next day the Ships came under the Castle, and the Soldiers march'd thither by Land; where arriving, they found all void either of People or Garrison; onely the place was Fortifi'd by six Pieces of Ordnance: From thence, having reduc'd it, they went to the great Fort, surrounded with a Wall of twenty eight Foot

high; where after a long Fight, for want of Ladders to scale the Walls, they were necessitated to Retreat, with the loss of many Men: But the City Pavaoson they easily gain'd, being void of Citizens, Soldiers, and all moveable Goods. Afterwards the foremention'd Fort was surrendred by the Governor, who with eighty Garrison-Soldiers, Blacks, Whites, and Mulatos, march'd out, and with five and twenty Soldiers of the Kings Band, were Shipp'd over to Lisbon. In the Fort came to the Victors hands six and thirty great Pieces of Ordnance, of which twenty were of Brass; abundance of Powder, Match, and Bullets; but Victuals scarce for one Moneth. The City and Fort thus taken, the Ad∣miral Jol caused the Portuguese to be call'd into the City again, to Treat with him upon Equitable Concerns; whereupon two of the chiefest came and bought off the Destruction of the Mills, and preservation of their Canes, for five thousand and five hundred Crusadoes, and ten thousand Arohas of Sugar: But the Kings Revenue and Treasure came to the Victors. Formerly, in the year Sixteen hundred and ten, this Island had been master'd by the Dutch, the City burnt, and the Plunder, consisting of a thousand Chests of Sugar, a great many Elephants Teeth, Silk, Woollen Cloth, and one and twenty Pieces of Ordnance, Shipp'd away. But the Admiral himself, and the Vice-Admiral, together with seventeen Seas, and all the Land-Officers except one, and the number of a thousand poor Soldiers, died there, as hath been already men∣tion'd.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Castle St. Sebastian.
• * 1.2

  Unwholsomness of the Air.
• * 1.3

  The Soil.
• * 1.4

  Apparel.
• * 1.5

  Food.
• * 1.6

  Revenues.
• * 1.7

  Religion.
• * 1.8

  Government.