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Part V
Part V
After that I had resolved Topiawari, lord of Aromaia, that I could not
at this time leave with him the companies he desired, and that I was contented
to forbear the enterprise against the Epuremei till the next year, he freely
gave me his only son to take with me into England; and hoped that though he
himself had but a short time to live, yet that by our means his son should be
established after his death. And I left with him one Francis Sparrow, a
servant of Captain Gifford, who was desirous to tarry, and could describe a
country with his pen, and a boy of mine called Hugh Goodwin, to learn the
language. I after asked the manner how the Epuremei wrought those plates
of gold, and how they could melt it out of the stone. He told me that the
most of the gold which they made in plates and images was not severed from
the stone, but that on the lake of Manoa, and in a multitude of other rivers,
they gathered it in grains of perfect gold and in pieces as big as small
stones, and they put it to a part of copper, otherwise they could not work it;
and that they used a great earthen pot with holes round about it, and when
they had mingled the gold and copper together they fastened canes to the
holes, and so with the breath of men they increased the fire till the metal
ran, and then they cast it into moulds of stone and clay, and so make those
plates and images. I have sent your honours of two sorts such as I could by
chance recover, more to shew the manner of them than for the value. For I did
not in any sort make my desire of gold known, because I had neither time nor
power to have a great quantity. I gave among them many more pieces of gold
than I received, of the new money of twenty shillings with her Majesty`s
picture, to wear, with promise that they would become her servants
thenceforth.
I have also sent your honours of the ore, whereof I know some is as rich
as the earth yieldeth any, of which I know there is sufficient, if nothing
else were to be hoped for. But besides that we were not able to tarry and
search the hills, so we had neither pioneers, bars, sledges, nor wedges of
iron to break the ground, without which there is no working in mines. But
we saw all the hills with stones of the colour of gold and silver, and we
tried them to be no marcasite, and therefore such as the Spaniards call El
madre del oro or `the mother of gold,` which is an undoubted assurance of
the general abundance; and myself saw the outside of many mines of the spar,
which I know to be the same that all covet in this world, and of those more
than I will speak of.
Having learned what I could in Canuri and Aromaia, and received a
faithful promise of the principallest of those provinces to become servants
to her Majesty, and to resist the Spaniards if they made any attempt in our
absence, and that they would draw in the nations about the lake of Cassipa
and those of Iwarawaqueri, I then parted from old Topiawari, and received his
son for a pledge between us, and left with him two of ours as aforesaid. To
Francis Sparrow I gave instructions to travel to Macureguarai with such
merchandises as I left with them, thereby to learn the place, and if it were
possible, to go on to the great city of Manoa. Which being done, we weighed
anchor and coasted the river on Guiana side, because we came upon the north
side, by the lawns of the Saima and Wikiri.
There came with us from Aromaia a cacique called Putijma, that commanded
the province of Warapana, which Putijma slew the nine Spaniards upon Caroli
before spoken of; who desired us to rest in the port of his country, promising
to bring us unto a mountain adjoining to his town that had stones of the
colour of gold, which he performed. And after we had rested there one night I
went myself in the morning with most of the gentlemen of my company over-land
towards the said mountain, marching by a river`s side called Mana, leaving
on the right hand a town called Tuteritona, standing in the province of
Tarracoa, of which Wariaaremagoto is principal. Beyond it lieth another
town towards the south, in the valley of Amariocapana, which beareth the
name of the said valley; whose plains stretch themselves some sixty miles
in length, east and west, as fair ground and as beautiful fields as any man
hath ever seen, with divers copses scattered here and there by the river`s
side, and all as full of deer as any forest or park in England, and in every
lake and river the like abundance of fish and fowl; of which Irraparragota is
lord.
From the river of Mana we crossed another river in the said beautiful
valley called Oiana, and rested ourselves by a clear lake which lay in the
middle of the said Oiana; and one of our guides kindling us fire with two
sticks, we stayed awhile to dry our shirts, which with the heat hung very
wet and heavy on our shoulders. Afterwards we sought the ford to pass over
towards the mountain called Iconuri, where Putijma foretold us of the mine.
In this lake we saw one of the great fishes, as big as a wine pipe, which they
call manati, being most excellent and wholesome meat. But after I perceived
that to pass the said river would require half-a-day`s march more, I was not
able myself to endure it, and therefore I sent Captain Keymis with six shot
to go on, and gave him order not to return to the port of Putijma, which is
called Chiparepare, but to take leisure, and to march down the said valley
as far as a river called Cumaca, where I promised to meet him again, Putijma
himself promising also to be his guide. And as they marched, they left the
towns of Emperapana and Capurepana on the right hand, and marched from
Putijma`s house, down the said valley of Amariocapana; and we returning the
same day to the river`s side, saw by the way many rocks like unto gold ore,
and on the left hand a round mountain which consisted of mineral stone.
From hence we rowed down the stream, coasting the province of Parino.
As for the branches of rivers which I overpass in this discourse, those shall
be better expressed in the description, with the mountains of Aio, Ara, and
the rest, which are situate in the provinces of Parino and Carricurrina. When
we were come as far down as the land called Ariacoa, where Orenoque divideth
itself into three great branches, each of them being most goodly rivers, I
sent away Captain Henry Thyn, and Captain Greenvile with the galley, the
nearest way, and took with me Captain Gifford, Captain Caulfield, Edward
Porter, and Captain Eynos with mine own barge and the two wherries, and went
down that branch of Orenoque which is called Cararoopana, which leadeth
towards Emeria, the province of Carapana, and towards the east sea, as well
to find out Captain Keymis, whom I had sent overland, as also to acquaint
myself with Carapana, who is one of the greatest of all the lords of the
Orenoqueponi. And when I came to the river of Cumaca, to which Putijma
promised to conduct Captain Keymis, I left Captain Eynos and Master Porter
in the said river to expect his coming, and the rest of us rowed down the
stream towards Emeria.
In this branch called Cararoopana were also many goodly islands, some of
six miles long, some of ten, and some of twenty. When it grew towards sunset,
we entered a branch of a river that fell into Orenoque, called Winicapora;
where I was informed of the mountain of crystal, to which in truth for the
length of the way, and the evil season of the year, I was not able to march,
nor abide any longer upon the journey. We saw it afar off; and it appeared
like a white church-tower of an exceeding height. There falleth over it a
mighty river which toucheth no part of the side of the mountain, but rusheth
over the top of it, and falleth to the ground with so terrible a noise and
clamour, as if a thousand great bells were knocked one against another. I
think there is not in the world so strange an overfall, nor so wonderful to
behold. Berreo told me that there were diamonds and other precious stones on
it, and that they shined very far off; but what it hath I know not, neither
durst he or any of his men ascend to the top of the said mountain, those
people adjoining being his enemies, as they were, and the way to it so
impassable.
Upon this river of Winicapora we rested a while, and from thence marched
into the country to a town called after the name of the river, whereof the
captain was one Timitwara, who also offered to conduct me to the top of the
said mountain called Wacarima. But when we came in first to the house of the
said Timitwara, being upon one of their said feast days, we found them all as
drunk as beggars, and the pots walking from one to another without rest. We
that were weary and hot with marching were glad of the plenty, though a small
quantity satisfied us, their drink being very strong and heady, and so rested
ourselves awhile. After we had fed, we drew ourselves back to our boats upon
the river, and there came to us all the lords of the country, with all such
kind of victual as the place yielded, and with their delicate wine of pinas,
and with abundance of hens and other provisions, and of those stones which we
call spleen-stones. We understood by these chieftains of Winicapora that their
lord, Carapana, was departed from Emeria, which was now in sight, and that he
was fled to Cairamo, adjoining to the mountains of Guiana, over the valley
called Amariocapana, being persuaded by those ten Spaniards which lay at his
house that we would destroy him and his country. But after these caciques of
Winicapora and Saporatona his followers perceived our purpose, and saw that we
came as enemies to the Spaniards only, and had not so much as harmed any of
those nations, no, though we found them to be of the Spaniards` own servants,
they assured us that Carapana would be as ready to serve us as any of the
lords of the provinces which we had passed; and that he durst do no other till
this day but entertain the Spaniards, his country lying so directly in their
way, and next of all other to any entrance that should be made in Guiana on
that side. And they further assured us, that it was not for fear of our coming
that he was removed, but to be acquitted of the Spaniards or any other that
should come hereafter. For the province of Cairoma is situate at the mountain
foot, which divideth the plains of Guiana from the countries of the
Orenoqueponi; by means whereof if any should come in our absence into his
towns, he would slip over the mountains into the plains of Guiana among the
Epuremei, where the Spaniards durst not follow him without great force. But in
mine opinion, or rather I assure myself, that Carapana being a notable wise
and subtle fellow, a man of one hundred years of age and therefore of great
experience, is removed to look on, and if he find that we return strong he
will be ours; if not, he will excuse his departure to the Spaniards, and say
it was for fear of our coming.
We therefore thought it bootless to row so far down the stream, or to
seek any farther of this old fox; and therefore from the river of Waricapana,
which lieth at the entrance of Emeria, we returned again, and left to the
eastward those four rivers which fall from the mountains of Emeria into
Orenoque, which are Waracayari, Coirama, Akaniri, and Iparoma. Below those
four are also these branches and mouths of Orenoque, which fall into the east
sea, whereof the first is Araturi, the next Amacura, the third Barima, the
fourth Wana, the fifth Morooca, the sixth Paroma, the last Wijmi. Beyond them
there fall out of the land between Orenoque and Amazons fourteen rivers, which
I forbear to name, inhabited by the Arwacas and Cannibals.
It is now time to return towards the north, and we found it a wearisome
way back from the borders of Emeria, to recover up again to the head of the
river Carerupana, by which we descended, and where we parted from the galley,
which I directed to take the next way to the port of Toparimaca, by which we
entered first.
All the night it was stormy and dark, and full of thunder and great
showers, so as we were driven to keep close by the banks in our small boats,
being all heartily afraid both of the billow and terrible current of the
river. By the next morning we recovered the mouth of the river of Cumaca,
where we left Captain Eynos and Edward Porter to attend the coming of Captain
Keymis overland; but when we entered the same, they had heard no news of his
arrival, which bred in us a great doubt what might become of him. I rowed up a
league or two farther into the river, shooting off pieces all the way, that he
might know of our being there; and the next morning we heard them answer us
also with a piece. We took them aboard us, and took our leave of Putijma,
their guide, who of all others most lamented our departure, and offered to
send his son with us into England, if we could have stayed till he had sent
back to his town. But our hearts were cold to behold the great rage and
increase of Orenoque, and therefore [we] departed, and turned toward the west,
till we had recovered the parting of the three branches aforesaid, that we
might put down the stream after the galley.
The next day we landed on the island of Assapano, which divideth the
river from that branch by which we sent down to Emeria, and there feasted
ourselves with that beast which is called armadillo, presented unto us before
at Winicapora. And the day following, we recovered the galley at anchor at the
port of Toparimaca, and the same evening departed with very foul weather, and
terrible thunder and showers, for the winter was come on very far. The best
was, we went no less than 100 miles a day down the river; but by the way we
entered it was impossible to return, for that the river of Amana, being in
the bottom of the bay of Guanipa, cannot be sailed back by any means, both the
breeze and current of the sea were so forcible. And therefore we followed a
branch of Orenoque called Capuri, which entered into the sea eastward of our
ships, to the end we might bear with them before the wind; and it was not
without need, for we had by that way as much to cross of the main sea, after
we came to the river`s mouth, as between Gravelin and Dover, in such boats as
your honour hath heard.
To speak of what passed homeward were tedious, either to describe or name
any of the rivers, islands, or villages of the Tivitivas, which dwell on
trees; we will leave all those to the general map. And to be short, when we
were arrived at the sea-side, then grew our greatest doubt, and the bitterest
of all our journey forepassed; for I protest before God, that we were in a
most desperate estate. For the same night which we anchored in the mouth of
the river of Capuri, where it falleth into the sea, there arose a mighty
storm, and the river`s mouth was at least a league broad, so as we ran before
night close under the land with our small boats, and brought the galley as
near as we could. But she had as much ado to live as could be, and there
wanted little of her sinking, and all those in her; for mine own part, I
confess I was very doubtful which way to take, either to go over in the
pestered^50 galley, there being but six foot water over the sands for two
leagues together, and that also in the channel, and she drew five; or to
adventure in so great a billow, and in so doubtful weather, to cross the seas
in my barge. The longer we tarried the worse it was, and therefore I took
Captain Gifford, Captain Caulfield, and my cousin Greenvile into my barge; and
after it cleared up about midnight we put ourselves to God`s keeping, and
thrust out into the sea, leaving the galley at anchor, who durst not adventure
but by daylight. And so, being all very sober and melancholy, one faintly
cheering another to shew courage, it pleased God that the next day about
nine o`clock, we descried the island of Trinidad; and steering for the
nearest part of it, we kept the shore till we came to Curiapan, where we
found our ships at anchor, than which there was never to us a more joyful
sight.
[Footnote 50: Crowded.]
Now that it hath pleased God to send us safe to our ships, it is time to
leave Guiana to the sun, whom they worship, and steer away towards the north.
I will, therefore, in a few words finish the discovery thereof. Of the several
nations which we found upon this discovery I will once again make repetition,
and how they are affected. At our first entrance into Amana, which is one of
the outlets of Orenoque, we left on the right hand of us in the bottom of the
bay, lying directly against Trinidad, a nation of inhuman Cannibals, which
inhabit the rivers of Guanipa and Berbeese. In the same bay there is also a
third river, which is called Areo, which riseth on Paria side towards Cumana,
and that river is inhabited with the Wikiri, whose chief town upon the said
river is Sayma. In this bay there are no more rivers but these three before
rehearsed and the four branches of Amana, all which in the winter thrust so
great abundance of water into the sea, as the same is taken up fresh two or
three leagues from the land. In the passages towards Guiana, that is, in all
those lands which the eight branches of Orenoque fashion into islands, there
are but one sort of people, called Tivitivas, but of two castes, as they term
them, the one called Ciawani, the other Waraweeti, and those war one with
another.
On the hithermost part of Orenoque, as at Toparimaca and Winicapora,
those are of a nation called Nepoios, and are the followers of Carapana, lord
of Emeria. Between Winicapora and the port of Morequito, which standeth in
Aromaia, and all those in the valley of Amariocapana are called Orenoqueponi,
and did obey Morequito and are now followers of Topiawari. Upon the river of
Caroli are the Canuri, which are governed by a woman who is inheritrix of that
province; who came far off to see our nation, and asked me divers questions of
her Majesty, being much delighted with the discourse of her Majesty`s
greatness, and wondering at such reports as we truly made of her Highness`
many virtues. And upon the head of Caroli and on the lake of Cassipa are the
three strong nations of the Cassipagotos. Right south into the land are the
Capurepani and Emparepani, and beyond those, adjoining to Macureguarai, the
first city of Inga, are the Iwarawakeri. All these are professed enemies to
the Spaniards, and to the rich Epuremei also. To the west of Caroli are divers
nations of Cannibals and of those Ewaipanoma without heads. Directly west are
the Amapaias and Anebas, which are also marvellous rich in gold. The rest
towards Peru we will omit. On the north of Orenoque, between it and the West
Indies, are the Wikiri, Saymi, and the rest before spoken of, all mortal
enemies to the Spaniards. On the south side of the main mouth of Orenoque are
the Arwacas; and beyond them, the Cannibals; and to the south of them, the
Amazons.
To make mention of the several beasts, birds, fishes, fruits, flowers,
gums, sweet woods, and of their several religions and customs, would for the
first require as many volumes as those of Gesnerus, and for the next another
bundle of Decades. The religion of the Epuremei is the same which the Ingas,
emperors of Peru, used, which may be read in Cieza and other Spanish stories;
how they believe the immortality of the soul, worship the sun, and bury with
them alive their best beloved wives and treasure, as they likewise do in Pegu
in the East Indies, and other places. The Orenoqueponi bury not their wives
with them, but their jewels, hoping to enjoy them again. The Arwacas dry the
bones of their lords, and their wives and friends drink them in powder. In the
graves of the Peruvians the Spaniards found their greatest abundance of
treasure. The like, also, is to be found among these people in every province.
They have all many wives, and the lords five-fold to the common sort. Their
wives never eat with their husbands, nor among the men, but serve their
husbands at meals and afterwards feed by themselves. Those that are past their
younger years make all their bread and drink, and work their cotton-beds, and
do all else of service and labour; for the men do nothing but hunt, fish,
play, and drink, when they are out of the wars.
I will enter no further into discourse of their manners, laws, and
customs. And because I have not myself seen the cities of Inga I cannot avow
on my credit what I have heard, although it be very likely that the emperor
Inga hath built and erected as magnificent palaces in Guiana as his ancestors
did in Peru; which were for their riches and rareness most marvellous, and
exceeding all in Europe, and, I think, of the world, China excepted, which
also the Spaniards, which I had, assured me to be true, as also the nations of
the borderers, who, being but savages to those of the inland, do cause much
treasure to be buried with them. For I was informed of one of the caciques of
the valley of Amariocapana which had buried with him a little before our
arrival a chair of gold most curiously wrought, which was made either in
Macureguarai adjoining or in Manoa. But if we should have grieved them in
their religion at the first, before they had been taught better, and have
digged up their graves, we had lost them all. And therefore I held my first
resolution, that her Majesty should either accept or refuse the enterprise ere
anything should be done that might in any sort hinder the same. And if Peru
had so many heaps of gold, whereof those Ingas were princes, and that they
delighted so much therein, no doubt but this which now liveth and reigneth in
Manoa hath the same humour,^51 and, I am assured, hath more abundance of gold
within his territory than all Peru and the West Indies.
[Footnote 51: Hakluyt reads `honour.`]
For the rest, which myself have seen, I will promise these things that
follow, which I know to be true. Those that are desirous to discover and to
see many nations may be satisfied within this river, which bringeth forth so
many arms and branches leading to several countries and provinces, above
2,000 miles east and west and 800 miles south and north, and of these the
most either rich in gold or in other merchandises. The common soldier shall
here fight for gold, and pay himself, instead of pence, with plates of
half-a-foot broad, whereas he breaketh his bones in other wars for provant^52
and penury. Those commanders and chieftains that shoot at honour and abundance
shall find there more rich and beautiful cities, more temples adorned with
golden images, more sepulchres filled with treasure, than either Cortes found
in Mexico or Pizarro in Peru. And the shining glory of this conquest will
eclipse all those so far-extended beams of the Spanish nation. There is no
country which yieldeth more pleasure to the inhabitants, either for those
common delights of hunting, hawking, fishing, fowling, and the rest, than
Guiana doth; it hath so many plains, clear rivers, and abundance of pheasants,
partridges, quails, rails, cranes, herons, and all other fowl; deer of all
sorts, porks, hares, lions, tigers, leopards, and divers other sorts of
beasts, either for chase or food. It hath a kind of beast called cama or
anta,^53 as big as an English beef, and in great plenty. To speak of the
several sorts of every kind I fear would be troublesome to the reader, and
therefore I will omit them, and conclude that both for health, good air,
pleasure, and riches, I am resolved it cannot be equalled by any region either
in the east or west. Moreover the country is so healthful, as of an hundred
persons and more, which lay without shift most sluttishly, and were every day
almost melted with heat in rowing and marching, and suddenly wet again with
great showers, and did eat of all sorts of corrupt fruits, and made meals of
fresh fish without seasoning, of tortugas, of lagartos or crocodiles, and of
all sorts good and bad, without either order or measure, and besides lodged in
the open air every night, we lost not any one, nor had one ill-disposed to my
knowledge; nor found any calentura or other of those pestilent diseases which
dwell in all hot regions, and so near the equinoctial line.
[Footnote 52: Provender, food.]
[Footnote 53: The tapir.]
Where there is store of gold it is in effect needless to remember other
commodities for trade. But it hath, towards the south part of the river, great
quantities of brazil-wood, and divers berries that dye a most perfect crimson
and carnation; and for painting, all France, Italy, or the East Indies yield
none such. For the more the skin is washed, the fairer the colour appeareth,
and with which even those brown and tawny women spot themselves and colour
their cheeks. All places yield abundance of cotton, of silk, of balsamum, and
of those kinds most excellent and never known in Europe,of all sorts of gums,
of Indian pepper; and what else the countries may afford within the land we
know not, neither had we time to abide the trial and search. The soil besides
is so excellent and so full of rivers, as it will carry sugar, ginger, and all
those other commodities which the West Indies have.
The navigation is short, for it may be sailed with an ordinary wind in
six weeks, and in the like time back again; and by the way neither lee-shore,
enemies` coast, rocks, nor sands. All which in the voyages to the West Indies
and all other places we are subject unto; as the channel of Bahama, coming
from the West Indies, cannot well be passed in the winter, and when it is at
the best, it is a perilous and a fearful place; the rest of the Indies for
calms and diseases very troublesome, and the sea about the Bermudas a hellish
sea for thunder, lightning, and storms.
This very year (1595) there were seventeen sail of Spanish ships lost in
the channel of Bahama, and the great Philip, like to have sunk at the
Bermudas, was put back to St. Juan de Puerto Rico; and so it falleth out in
that navigation every year for the most part. Which in this voyage are not to
be feared; for the time of year to leave England is best in July, and the
summer in Guiana is in October, November, December, January, February, and
March, and then the ships may depart thence in April, and so return again into
England in June. So as they shall never be subject to winter weather, either
coming, going, or staying there: which, for my part, I take to be one of the
greatest comforts and encouragements that can be thought on, having, as I have
done, tasted in this voyage by the West Indies so many calms, so much heat,
such outrageous gusts, such weather, and contrary winds.
To conclude, Guiana is a country that hath yet her maidenhead, never
sacked, turned, nor wrought; the face of the earth hath not been torn, nor the
virtue and salt of the soil spent by manurance. The graves have not been
opened for gold, the mines not broken with sledges, nor their images pulled
down out of their temples. It hath never been entered by any army of strength,
and never conquered or possessed by any Christian prince. It is besides so
defensible, that if two forts be builded in one of the provinces which I have
seen, the flood setteth in so near the bank, where the channel also lieth,
that no ship can pass up but within a pike`s length of the artillery, first of
the one, and afterwards of the other. Which two forts will be a sufficient
guard both to the empire of Inga, and to an hundred other several kingdoms,
lying within the said river, even to the city of Quito n Peru.
There is therefore great difference between the easiness of the conquest
of Guiana, and the defence of it being conquered, and the West or East Indies.
Guiana hath but one entrance by the sea, if it hath that, for any vessels of
burden. So as whosoever shall first possess it, it shall be found unaccessible
for any enemy, except he come in wherries, barges, or canoas, or else in
flat-bottomed boats; and if he do offer to enter it in that manner, the woods
are so thick 200 miles together upon the rivers of such entrance, as a mouse
cannot sit in a boat unhit from the bank. By land it is more impossible to
approach; for it hath the strongest situation of any region under the sun, and
it is so environed with impassable mountains on every side, as it is
impossible to victual any company in the passage. Which hath been well proved
by the Spanish nation, who since the conquest of Peru have never left five
years free from attempting this empire, or discovering some way into it; and
yet of three-and-twenty several gentlemen, knights, and noblemen, there was
never any that knew which way to lead an army by land, or to conduct ships by
sea, anything near the said country. Orellana, of whom the river of Amazons
taketh name, was the first, and Don Antonio de Berreo, whom we displanted, the
last: and I doubt much whether he himself or any of his yet know the best way
into the said empire. It can therefore hardly be regained, if any strength be
formerly set down, but in one or two places, and but two or three crumsters^54
or galleys built and furnished upon the river within. The West Indies have
many ports, watering places, and landings; and nearer than 300 miles to
Guiana, no man can harbour a ship, except he know one only place, which is not
learned in haste, and which I will undertake there is not any one of my
companies that knoweth, whosoever hearkened most after it.
[Footnote 54: Dutch, Kromsteven or Kromster, a vessel with a bent prow.]
Besides, by keeping one good fort, or building one town of strength, the
whole empire is guarded; and whatsoever companies shall be afterwards planted
within the land, although in twenty several provinces, those shall be able all
to reunite themselves upon any occasion either by the way of one river, or be
able to march by land without either wood, bog, or mountain. Whereas in the
West Indies there are few towns or provinces that can succour or relieve one
the other by land or sea. By land the countries are either desert,
mountainous, or strong enemies. By sea, if any man invade to the eastward,
those to the west cannot in many months turn against the breeze and eastern
wind. Besides, the Spaniards are therein so dispersed as they are nowhere
strong, but in Nueva Espana only; the sharp mountains, the thorns, and
poisoned prickles, the sandy and deep ways in the valleys, the smothering heat
and air, and want of water in other places are their only and best defence;
which, because those nations that invade them are not victualled or provided
to stay, neither have any place to friend adjoining, do serve them instead of
good arms and great multitudes.
The West Indies were first offered her Majesty`s grandfather by Columbus,
a stranger, in whom there might be doubt of deceit; and besides it was then
thought incredible that there were such and so many lands and regions never
written of before. This Empire is made known to her Majesty by her own vassal,
and by him that oweth to her more duty than an ordinary subject; so that it
shall ill sort with the many graces and benefits which I have received to
abuse her Highness, either with fables or imaginations. The country is already
discovered, many nations won to her Majesty`s love and obedience, and those
Spaniards which have latest and longest laboured about the conquest, beaten
out, discouraged, and disgraced, which among these nations were thought
invincible. Her Majesty may in this enterprise employ all those soldiers and
gentlemen that are younger brethren, and all captains and chieftains that
want employment, and the charge will be only the first setting out in
victualling and arming them; for after the first or second year I doubt not
but to see in London a Contractation-House^55 of more receipt for Guiana than
there is now in Seville for the West Indies.
[Footnote 55: The whole trade of Spanish America passed through the Casa de
Contratacion at Seville.]
And I am resolved that if there were but a small army afoot in Guiana,
marching towards Manoa, the chief city of Inga, he would yield to her Majesty
by composition so many hundred thousand pounds yearly as should both defend
all enemies abroad, and defray all expenses at home; and that he would besides
pay a garrison of three or four thousand soldiers very royally to defend him
against other nations. For he cannot but know how his predecessors, yea, how
his own great uncles, Guascar and Atabalipa, sons to Guiana-Capac, emperor of
Peru, were, while they contended for the empire, beaten out by the Spaniards,
and that both of late years and ever since the said conquest, the Spaniards
have sought the passages and entry of his country; and of their cruelties used
to the borderers he cannot be ignorant. In which respects no doubt but he will
be brought to tribute with great gladness; if not, he hath neither shot nor
iron weapon in all his empire, and therefore may easily be conquered.
And I further remember that Berreo confessed to me and others, which I
protest before the Majesty of God to be true, that there was found among the
prophecies in Peru, at such time as the empire was reduced to the Spanish
obedience, in their chiefest temples, amongst divers others which foreshadowed
the loss of the said empire, that from Inglatierra those Ingas should be again
in time to come restored, and delivered from the servitude of the said
conquerors. And I hope, as we with these few hands have displanted the first
garrison, and driven them out of the said country, so her Majesty will give
order for the rest, and either defend it, and hold it as tributary, or conquer
and keep it as empress of the same. For whatsoever prince shall possess it,
shall be greatest; and if the king of Spain enjoy it, he will become
unresistible. Her Majesty hereby shall confirm and strengthen the opinions of
all nations as touching her great and princely actions. And where the south
border of Guiana reacheth to the dominion and empire of the Amazons, those
women shall hereby hear the name of a virgin, which is not only able to defend
her own territories and her neighbours, but also to invade and conquer so
great empires and so far removed.
To speak more at this time I fear would be but troublesome: I trust in
God, this being true, will suffice, and that he which is King of all Kings,
and Lord of Lords, will put it into her heart which is Lady of Ladies to
possess it. If not, I will judge those men worthy to be kings thereof, that by
her grace and leave will undertake it of themselves.
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