These Regions know no neighbourhood either of Turkes or Moores , or of any other Nation which attempteth warre vpon co●●●ning Countreys . The land which we h●●● discouered is all seated within the To●●● Zone , and a great tract thereof reacheth vnto the Equinoctiall Circle , which is eleuated 〈◊〉 them to 90. degrees aboue the Horizon , and in some places a little lesse . And if 〈◊〉 successe prooue answerable vnto the hop●● there will be found Antipodes vnto the better part of Africke , vnto all Europe , and to the greater portion of Asia . But you must obserue , that as the Countreys which wee haue discouered in 15. degrees of latitude , are better then Spaine , so the other which are opposed to their eleuation , must by proportion and analogie prooue some terrestriall Paradise .

All those quarters swarme with an incredible multitude of Inhabitants , wherof some are white , others blacke and in colour like vnto those which the Spaniards call Mu●●●● or halfe - Moores , & others of a mingled complexion . Some weare their haire long , black , and scattered , others haue their haire crisped and thicke , & others very yellow and bright . Which diuersitie is an apparant argument , that there is commerce and communication amongst them . And this consideration together with the bounty which Nature hath bestowed on the soile , their inexperience of Artillerie and Guns , and their vnskilfulnesse in labouring in Mines , with other semblable circumstances , doth induce mee to inferre , that all the Countrey is rich & well-peopled . It seemeth they know little what belongeth to artificiall trades ; for they haue neither fortifications nor walles , and liue without the awe of Kings or lawes . They are a simple people cantoned into seuerall sexts , and factions , & exercise much disagreement amongst themselues . The Armes which they vse are bowes and arrowes , which are not poisoned or steeped in the iuice of venemous hearbes , as the custome is of many other Countreys ; They do also carrie clubs , truncheons , pikes , darts to hurle with the arme , all which are framed only of wood . They doe couer themselues from the waste or girdling-place downe to the halfe of their thighes , they are very studious of cleanlines , tractable , gleeful , & wonderously addicted to be gratefull vnto those that doe them a courtesie , as I haue experienced many times . The which doth build in me a beliefe , that with the assistance of God , if they may be gently and amiably intreated , they will bee found very docible and easie of manage , and that wee shall without much worke accommodate our selues vnto them . And it is most necessary to obserue this way of sweetnes , especially in the beginning , that the inhabitants may be drawne along to this so holy and sauing an end , whereof we ought to take a particular care and zeale , aswell in small things , as in matters of more importance . Their houses are built of wood , couered and tiled with Palme-tree leaues , they haue pitchers and vessels made of earth , they are not without the mysterie of weauing , and other curiosities of that kind . They worke on Marble , they haue Flutes , Drummes , and wooden spoones , they set apart certaine places for Oratories & prayers , and for Church-yards . Their Gardens are artificially seuered into beds , bordered and fashioned with distinct limits ; Mother of Pearle and the shels which containe Pearle , they haue in much vse and estimation , of which they make wedges , rasors , sawes , culters , and such like instruments ; They also doe make thereof Pearles and great beads to weare about their neckes . They that doe dwell in the Ilands , haue boates very artificially made , and exceedingly commodious for sailing , which is a certaine argument that they confine vpon other Nations that are of a more polished and elegant behauiour . And this also they haue of our husbandry , that they cut Cockes and gelde Boares .

Their bread is vsually made of three sorts of rootes , which grow there in great abundance . Neither doe they imploy much labour in making this bread , for they doe onely roste the rootes vntill they are soft and tender . They are very plesant to the taste , wholsome and nourishing , they are of a good length , there being of them of an Ell long , and the halfe of that in bignesse .

There is great store of excellent fruits in these Countreys . There are sixe kindes of Maple trees , Almond trees of foure sorts , and other trees called Obi , resembling almost in fruit and greatnesse our Quince trees . Innumerable Wallnut trees are found there , and of Citron trees the Barbarians haue no dearth , nor of other great and excellent fruits , which we haue seene and tasted . They haue moreouer Sugar-Canes , large in size and in great plenty , they haue knowlegde of our ordinarie Apples ; they haue Palme-trees without number , out of which there may easily bee drawne a iuice , which will make a liquor alluding much to wine , as also whey , vineger , and hony , the kernels thereof are exceeding sweet . And they haue fruits which the Indians call Cocos , which being greene doe make a kind of twine , and the pith is almost like in taste vnto the creame of milke : When they are ripe they serue for meat and drinke both by land and sea . And when they wither and fall from the tree , there sweateth out an oyle from them , which is very good to burne in lampes , and is medicinable for wounds , and not vnpleasant to be eaten . Of their rindes or barkes there are made bottles , and other like vessels , and the inner skin doth serue for tow or mosse to stop and close vp the leakes in shippes . Men doe make Cables and other cordage of them , which are of sufficient strength to draw a Canon , and are fit for other domesticke vses . But that which is more speciall , they do there vse the leaues of Palme trees , which they amasse together , to make sailes of them for vessels of small bulke and burthen . They make likewise fine thinne mattes of them , and they doe serue for tiles to couer the house without , and for hangings to cloath the house within . And these houses are built of the branches of trees that are streight and long , of which they doe likewise make pikes , and other sorts of weapons , as also oares to row with , and vtensils for the house . You are to note , that these Palme-trees resemble Vines , from whence they gather their materials for Wine all the yeere long , which they make without much cost , or labour . Amongst their herbage and garden fruits ; Wee haue seene Melons , Peares great and little , and sundry sorts of pot-hearbes . And they haue also beanes . For flesh , they are stored with a great number of Hogges which are like vnto ours , they haue Hennes , Capons , Partriges , Duckes , Turtles , Pigeons , Stocke-doues , and Goats , as one of my Captaines doth relate . And the Indians themselues haue assured vs that there are Cowes and Oxen. There are also sundry sorts of fish , Harghi , Persereyes , Lize , Soles , Troutes , Shads , Macabises , Casanes , Pampani , Pilchards , Thorne-backs or Skate-fish , Cuculi , Congers , Porposes , Rochets , Muskles , Lobsters , and many other , the names whereof I cannot now remember . But it is probable that there are diuers other kinds , since those which I haue recounted were taken hard by our ships . And vpon ripe and serious consideration of that which I haue represented vnto you , a man may easily collect , that such plentifull and different varieties of all things , may yeeld large meanes to inhabite there , with great and singular delights . There is stuffe for Marchpanes and sweet confections of all sorts , without borrowing any spice for the composition of them elswhere . And for my Mates the Marriners , besides those particulars which I haue before set downe , there will be no want of Gammons , Sausages , and other salt meats which hogges doe yeeld ; neither of vineger , spiceries , and other sauces that serue for delicacy , and to awake the appetite . And you must obserue , that many of these things , are the same with those which wee haue in our parts , and possibly they are there in greater abundance ; by all which it is easily to be coniectured , that this Countrey is fit for the production of all that which groweth in Europe .

The riches which I haue seene in those parts , is Siluer and Pearle ; another Captaine in his Relation , doth report that he hath seen Gold , which are the three most precious darlings that lie and are cherished in the bosome of Nature . Wee haue also both of vs seene many Nutmegs , much Masticke , Ginger , and Pepper . There is also Cinnamum ; and it is likely that Cloues may bee found in those parts , since so many other sorts of Spiceries and aromaticall drugges doe prosper there ; and that the rather , because these Countryes lie very neere the parallell of the Iles of Terr●natte , Bachian , and the Moluccos . There an● likewise materials for all sorts of silke , and we● haue seene Anise-seed , and excellent good Ebony , as also other kinds of wood proper for the building of as many shippes as one will desire , and stuffe to make sailesf or the same . Three sorts of materials there are wherewithall to make cordage , and one o●● them is very like vnto our hempe . More ouer out of the oyle of Cocos , whereof I haue already made mention , there is a kind of bi●tuminous stuffe extracted , called Galagald which may bee well vsed for pitch . They make also a kinde of rosen with which the Indians pitch their boats , which they call Piraques . And since there are Goates and Cowes in those parts , without question we● shall haue Goat-skins , leather , tallow , and flesh in full abundance . The Bees which we haue seene there doe make proofe , that there will be no scarcety of hony and waxe . And there is good appearance to discouer many other things which are not yet known , to say nothing touching thefor me and site of the Countrey . Vnto all which if that be adioyned , which the industry of man may contribute to those parts , since there is such aboundance of commodities which the Countrey it selfe doth yeeld , and such hope to transport thither those things which grow with vs , the best and choisest whereof that Peru and new Spaine bring foorth , I haue resolued to transferre thither ; it is to be hoped , that this will so enrich that Countrey , that it will be able to nourish and furnish not only the Inhabitants of the same , and those of America , but giue an accession vnto Spaine it selfe both of riches and extent of Command : and this may be accomplished after the maner which I haue proiected , and will vnfold vnto those which shall lend an assisting hand for the guiding and consummation of this worke .

Now by that land which we haue already discouered outwardly and along the shores , without entrance into the inward parts , we doe conceiue a certaine argument , that as much riches , commodities , and greatnesse , may be hoped for from thence , as we haue already in these Countreyes . And you may be pleased to vnderstand , that my principall ayme was to take a view only of these ample regions which wee haue discouered : for by reason of many sickenesses which haue weakened me , and some other chances whereof I will at this time make no mention , I was not able to suruay all which I desired , neither could I in a full moneth haue seene all that , which I was of my selfe inclinable to view .

You are not to make your iudgement of the Indians that inhabit these Countreys , according to the honour of the people here , or conceiue them to be affected with the same desires , pleasures , necessities , or estimation of things that we are : But you are to make account that they are a people whose care is studiously placed vpon this , that they may liue easily in this world , and passe their dayes with the least paine and perturbation they can . And this is indeed their practise , for they doe not bestow themselues on those things , which with such vexation and torment we here labour to obtaine .

There are found in this Countrey as many comodities , both for the support & delectation of the life of man , as may be expected from a soile that is manureable , pleasant and very temperate . It is a fat and a fertile land , wherein many places Clay is found , which will prooue of excellent vse to build houses , and to make tiles and brickes , and will serue for Whatsoeuer is vsually made of earth . There is no dearth of Marble and other good stones , wherewith if there be occasion there may be built structures of greater State and Magnificence .

The Countrey aboundeth in wood , fit for all workes and vses , whereunto the same is commonly put . There are spatious & goodly plaines , and fields that are diuided and interlaced with brookes , trenches , and riuers . There are great and high rockes , sundry torrents , riuers great and little , on which water-milles for corne may with much commodiousnesse be built and placed , as also Engins to make Sugar , Tucking-milles , Forges , and all other instruments which in their vse doe require water .

We haue found Salt-pits there , and which is a note of the fertilitie of the soile , there are in many places Canes whereof some are fiue or sixe handfuls thicke , with fruit answerable to that proportion . The top of that fruit is very small and hard , and the skin thereof is exceeding sweet . There are also Flints for fire , equall in goodnesse with those of Madrid . The bay of Saint Iames and Saint Philip hath twenty leagues of banke , and is without mudde ; Into which there is a sure and safe entrance both by day and night . It is sheltered and couered with many houses , which in the day time we haue seene a farre off to send foorth smoake , and in the night to shew foorth fire .

The Hauen called The true Crosse is of that spacious capacitie , that it is able to containe a thousand Shippes . The botome as I haue said is without mudde , and hath a blackish coloured sand wherewithall it is couered . There are no gulfes or deepe pits , but an assured and easie anchorage in what part soeuer you will , from forty to halfe a fadome ; and it is betweene the mouthes of two riuers , the one whereof is as great as that of Quadalguiuer , & hath mud of a fadom deepe , ouer which our Shaloppes and boates did passe .

For the other riuer , when our Skiffs went to water there , they found the entrance safe and easie . And a man may from the very mouth of the riuer take in as much fresh water as he will . The place where ships may be vnloaded hath three leagues of grauell , mingled with little flints blackish and very heauie , which will serue for balaste for shippes . The banke is straight and vnited , on which much greene grasse doth grow and prosper , and that makes me to conceiue that the Sea doth not beat or rage thereupon ; I obserue that the trees are streight , and the branches not dismembred , which is a token that there are no tempests there . Touching the Port , besides the commodities which I haue already discoursed of , there is one of maruellous pleasure and contentation . And that is , that at the dawning of the day you shal heare from a wood which is neere at hand , a sweet and various harmony of a thousand birdes of all sorts , among which we could distinguish the Nightingales , Black-birds , Quailes , Goldfinches , Swallowes almost without number , Parrochitos , and one Parret we marked there , and creatures of sundrie other kinds , euen downe to Grasse-hoppers , and Field-crickets .

Euerie Morning and Euening wee receiued a most odoriferous sweet smell , sent vnto our nostrells from the infinite diuersitie of Flowers and Hearbes which grow there , amongst which we obserued the blossomes of Oranges and Basil . All which ( with a number of other varieties ) doth make vs thinke that the ayre is cleare and healthie , and that the nature of the place is of a good temperature . The Hauen & the Bay are therfore of the greater estimation , because they haue the neighbourhood of so many goodly Ilands that are there , and especially of those seuen , which are said to haue two hundreth leagues of extent : and surely one of them ( which is some twelue leagues distant from the Hauen ) is fiftie leagues in circuit . In briefe SIR , I doe affirme vnto your Maiestie , that you may giue commaund to haue a goodly and great Citie built in this Port and Bay , which are in fifteene degrees and fortie minutes of the Southerne Eleuation , and those that shall inhabite there , shall haue plentie of riches , and all other conueniencies which they can desire . Time will shew and discouer all these commodities , and in this place there may be made the discharge and vnloading of all the wares and merchandizes of the Countries of Chilly , Peru , Panania , Macaraqua , Guttimala , New-Spaine , Terre-natte , and the Philippines , all which Countries are vnder the commaund of your Maiestie . And if you shall acquire vnto your selfe the Dominion of these Seigniories which I do now present , I doe make so great an esteeme of them , that besides their being the Key of all the rest , they will ( in my opinion ) prooue another China or Iapan , and equallize the other rich Ilands which are on this side of Asia , in trafique of curious and pretious merchandizes , to speake nothing of the augmentation and extent of your power , and the establishment which you may make vnto your selfe of your Dominions , by the accession of so great a Countrie . That which I haue giuen vnto your viewe in my discourse , is of much slendernesse , in regard of that which I doe probably conceiue of this land , the which I am readie to make appeare in the presence of Mathematicians . Neither will I vexe this paper to demonstrate vnto you , that these Countries will be able at the first aboord to nourish twentie thousand Spaniards . In summe , this is SIR , the world whereof Spaine is the Center , and that which I haue related , is the nayle by which you may iudge of the whole bodie , which I pray you to take into your obseruation .

You may iudge by that which I haue alreadie represented , what the goodnesse and temperature of the ayre is : whereunto this may be added for a further testimonie , that although all our Companie were strangers , yet neuer a one of them was sicke , albeit they were in continuall trauell and labour , and did sometimes sweat , and sometimes take wet . They dranke water fasting , and fed manie times on that which the earth did there bring forth . Neither had they any regard to keepe themselues from the Serenes , nor from the Moone or Sunne , which indeed in those parts is not ouer-vehement . Onely about Mid-night , they couered themselues with Wooll , and did lye and repose themselues thereupon . And for the Inhabitants , they are commonly healthie , and many of them verie aged , although they haue nothing but the bare earth for their pallet : which is an argument of the wholesomenesse and purenesse of the soyle . For if it were a wet and weeping ground , or had any viciousnesse in the mould , they would raise their lodgings higher from the earth , as they doe that liue in the Philippines , and other Countries which I haue viewed . And this is further confirmed by their Flesh and Fish , which although it bee vnsalted , yet will it keepe sweete , and without corruption two daies . And the fruits which are brought from thence are exceeding good , as wee had proofe by two that I tooke care to bring along with mee , although they had not their full maturitie and grouth when I gathered them from the Tree . Wee haue not seene any barren and sandie ground , nor any Thistles , or trees that are thornie or whose rootes doe shew themselues , no Marishes or Fennes , no Snow vpon the Mountaines , no Snakes or Serpents , no Crocodiles in the Riuers , no Wormes that vse with vs to hurt and consume our Grayne , and to worke vs so much displeasure in our houses , no Fleas , Cater-pillers , or Gnats . This is a Prerogatiue that hath the aduauntage of all the priuiledges that nature hath bestowed on other places , and is worthie to be compared , or rather preferred before any delicacie of the Countries of India , some of which are abandoned and vnhabited , meerely by reason of these incommodities , and of sundrie others that are distastfull vnto the Inhabitants , as my selfe haue oftentimes beene witnesse .

These ( SIR ) are the vertues and excellencies of the Countries which I haue discouered , of which I haue already taken the possession in the name of your Maiestie , and vnder your Royall-Banner , as appeareth by the Acts which I keepe safely in my power , whereunto I proceeded after this ensuing manner .