A BRIEF Description of the Ports, Creeks, Bays, and Havens, of the West India: Translated out of the Castlin tongue by I F. The Original whereof was directed to the mighty Prince Don Charles, King of Castille, etc.  
Imprinted at London, by Henry Bynneman. Anno. 1578.   

To the right worshipful Sir Humphrey Gilbert Knight.  
THere came to my hands of late (right worshipful) a notable piece of work, of the Ports, and of divers rare things both of the east and West Indians, written by Martin Fernandes Denciso, about Anno. 1518. then Dedicated to Don Charles King of Castille, and after called in about twenty years past, for that it revealed secrets that the Spanish nation was loath to have known to the world. And finding in the same work the Longitudes and Altitudes of many Islands, and of the Ports of the tract of the firm land of America, I thought good to translate out of Spanish into English some part of the same Calling to mind, that your worship was the first man of our nation that gave light to our people for the finding out of the north-west strait, and that now you mean in proper person, and that at your own charges, to take some noble voyage and discovery in hand, to leave behind you renown to your family, and honour and profit to your country: I could not but honour you in heart. And to make some show of my good will, I desired much to present some thing to you, and was sorry that I had no notable work of matter of Navigation to Dedicated unto you, meet for your so great worthiness. But yet such as this is, I dedicated it unto you, beseeching you most humbly to take the same in good part, and to way the good will of the giver, as very great persons of high honour have done, when little trifles have been given them by others of low degree. And Sir, albeit this small gift (in respect of ministering any knowledge to you yourself) may seem nothing, in that you do understand the tongues, wherein this and many other knowledges of high value, lie hid from our Seamen, although not from you: yet this may for our mere English Seamen, Pilots, Mariners, etc. not acquainted with foreign tongues, bring great pleasure (if it fortune our Mariners or any other of our Nation, to be driven by wind, tempest, currents, or by other chance to any of the Islands, Ports, Havens, Bays or forelands mentioned in this Pamphlet,) and so it may also in the voyage, be a mean to keep them the more from idleness, the Nurse of villainy, and to give them also right good occasion by way of example, upon any new Discovery, to take the Altitude and Latitude, to set down the tract of the Islands, the natures of the soils, and to note the quality of the air, the several benefits that the Soils and the Rivers yield, with all the discommodities and wants that the same places have, and if our Country men fortune the rather to be awaked out of their heavy sleep wherein they have long lain, and the rather hereby be occasioned to shun bestial ignorance, and with other nations rather late than never to make themselves shine with the brightness of knowledge, let them give Sir Humphrey Gilbert the thanks, for whose sake I translated the same. And thus committing your worship to the great Neptune, the great God of the Christians that ruleth land and Sea, I leave you to your voyage, and to the government of that mighty God, who never planted in any man so high courage, with so much desire to great attempts, but to some great end, as heretofore in many hath been seen, and as the sequel in your happy successes no doubt shall be found, as England and the whole world shall out of question witness. From London the xiv. of May. 1578.  
Your worships at commandment john Frampton.   

A brief description of the Ports Creeks, Bays, and Havens of the West India.  
FRom the Island called Fierro, unto the Island of saint Nicholas, are two hundredth leagues: the Island of saint Nicholas lieth South Southweast, and from thence to the Island called Fuego are xl leagues: that Island lieth directly South, and from thence to the Cape of S. justin, which standeth in the other side of the Equinoctial line, are four hundred leagues. The cape of S. Austin lieth South Southweast, with the 
The cape of saint Austin.  Island called Fuego, & standeth in eight degrees on the other side of the Equinoctial towards the South: and from the Cape of S. Austin unto the gulf & river of S. Francis are 
The river of saint Francis.  forty five leagues, the coast lieth south-west: the river of saint Francis standeth in ten degrees towards the south: this is a good port & it hath a good river. From that river unto the 
The Bay.  Bay of all Saints are seventy leagues: the Bay lieth south-west, & by south, in xiij degrees, and there remaineth in the midst port Royal, which is a good port, and hath good rivers. The Bay of all Saints hath within it certain little Islands, and within these are two good rivers. In the direction towards the coast, the land lieth low, and the people are naked, & eat bread of roots. It is a barren country. From the Bay of all Saints to the port called Seguro are lxxx leagues, the coast lying south & by west. port Seguro standeth m xvij. degrees, this is a port and a River, and it is a good port. From port Seguro unto the cape which is beyond Golfo Formoso, that is to say, the fair gulf, are one hundredth and ten leagues, and the coast lieth south south-west: and between these two are many dry and shallow places, which lieth on sea board twenty and xxx leagues: and passing them, you shall find near the land bars, and shoals, which have upon them three or four fathom water of depth, and near towards the end of the shoals, standeth the gulf of Saint Thome, whereunto adjoineth the gulf of Barrosas. 
Saint Thome.   
And passing those shallow places, there lieth cape Formoso, that is to say, the fair cape, in xxij degrees and a half: and being past the fair cape, there appeareth a gulf between two lands, and it seemeth to have a league in breadth, and three or four in length: and at the end thereof is the river called Delgado, this is a good port, a good country, and good people, although that they be naked. From this gulf to Cape Frio, that is to say, the cold cape, are xuj leagues: cape Frio standeth in xxiij degrees and a half, this cape hath before it an Island adjoining, and the fair cape an other, & between these other little islands. From the cold Cape the coast doth turn to the Northwest and by North xxv leagues, & from thence it turneth north-east other twenty leagues, and maketh the Cold cape like to an Island: and between him and the land there is a good gulf, with many small Islands in the 
Cold Cape.  midst: and from this gulf unto the gulf of the Mangues are xx. leagues. That of the Mangues hath two islands at the end of it, and it is great, & hath twenty leagues at the mouth. From this gulf unto the river of S. Francis are .lxxv. leagues. And that of saint Francis lieth Southweast in xxv degrees, and before that of saint Francis lieth the river of the Cananca, which is a good river, and in the midst of this coast lieth the cape of saint Sebastian, which entereth four leagues into the sea, and towards the east part of it, standeth the port of 
Saint Sebastian.  Gregorio: and to the west part lieth the port of Terrerias, which is a good gulf, and bathe an Island in the midst. All this coast hath many little islands before it. From the port of saint Francis unto the river Delas Bueltas, that is to say, the crooked river, are lx leagues, the coast lieth South, the crooked river standeth in xxix degrees, and near to the river of saint Francis toward the land lieth an Island, which hath in length xxv. leagues, and toward the land he seemeth in circle obliqne: and round about the same is the Sea, and hath 〈◊〉 leagues in breadth: and towards the ●●rme land lieth the gulf and river called Reparo, and the river of Bayadas. From the crooked river unto the Cape saint Mary are lxxx leagues. The cape saint Mary standeth in xxxv degrees, and a little past this cape, entereth in a river more than twenty leagues of breadth, where be people that do eat man's flesh. This coast is all full of shoals. And before cape saint Mary are certain small Islands. In all these coasts from cape saint Mary unto cape saint Austin groweth much Brasill and little other thing of any profit in it.  
And seeing that we have spoken of the coast that lieth from the cape of saint Austin towards the pole Antarctic: let us return to speak of that which is towards the part of the pole Arctic, which is called the North pole. I say that from the cape of saint Austin unto the river Maravon are three hundredth leagues: Maravon lieth west, in seven degrees 
Maravon.  and a half, it is a great river, and hath more than xu leagues in breadth, and right leagues within the land. It hath many Islands, and in this river within the land xl leagues, there is near to the said river a Mountain, whereupon groweth trees of Incense, the trees be of a good height, & the bows be like to Plum trees, & the Incense doth hung at them, as the yet doth at the tiles of a house in the winter season when it doth freeze. In this river were taken four Indians in a small boat called in the Indian language a canoe, that came down by the river, and there was taken from them two stones of Emeralds, the one of them being as great as a man's hand▪ They said that so many days journey going upward by the river, they found a rock of that stone. In likewise there was taken from them two loa●s made of flower, which was like to cakes of Soap, and it seemed that they were kne●●ed with the liquor of Balsamo. All this coast from the cape of saint Austin unto Maranon is a clear coast and deep, but near to the river are certain shoals towards the East part. And by the west part the river is deep, and it hath a good entry. From this river Maranon, unto the river which is called the Sea of fresh water, art xxv leagues: 
The Sea of fresh water.  this river hath lx leagues of breadth at the mouth, and carrieth such great abundance of water, that it entereth more than xx. leagues into the Sea, and mingleth not itself with the salt water: this breadth goeth xxv leagues within the land, and after it is divided into parts, the one going towards the southeast, and the other towards the south-west. That which goeth towards the south-west is very deep and of much water, and hath a channel half a league of breadth, that a Carrake may go up through it: and the tides be so swift, that the ships have need of good cables. The river of this port is very good, and there have been some that have entered fifty leagues within it, and have seen no Mountains. The Indians of this country have their lips made full of small holes in four parts, and through those holes be put small rings, and likewise at their ears: and if any man ask of them where they had their gold, they answer, that going up by the river so many days journey, they found certain mountains that had much of it, and from those mountains they brought it when they would have it, but they made no great account of it, for they neither buy nor cell, and amongst them is nothing but change. In this country they eat bread of roots, and Maiz, and they eat certain roots which they call Aies and Batatas, but the Batatas be better than the other roots, and being raw they have a smell of Chestnuts: they are to be eaten roasted. These Indians do make wine of the fruit of Date trees, which fruit is yellow in colour, & is as great as a little doves egg, and being in season is good to be eaten, and of him proceedeth good wine, and is preserved for a long time. These kind of people do make their houses with upper rooms, and they sleep in them, as also all their habitation is in the upper rooms, and that which is allow, they leave it open: and also they use certain mantles of cotton wool, and these they tie at the ends with ropes, and the one end of the rope they make fast to one part of the house, and the other end to the other part of the house: and in these they lie, and be their beds, and these kind of beds be used in all the Occidental India, and there is not in any part of India any chambers that the people do use to lodge in aloft from the ground, nor they make any high rooms, but only in this part of India, and in all other places they make their houses without any lofts or chambers, and they cover their houses with the leaves of Date trees, and of grass. And from this fresh water Sea unto Paria, the coast lieth west northwest, and all full of shoals that the ships can not come near to the land. There is from this river to Paria two hundredth and fifty leagues. In this fresh water sea, the tides do ebb and flow as much as they do in britain, and standeth in six degrees and half. Paria standeth on the other side of the Equinoctial toward the North, in seven degrees: In Paria 
Paria.  the sea floweth but little, and from Paria towards the west the sea doth not flow. From the entry of the gulf of Paria unto the cape that litth towards the west, are thirty five leagues, & from thence the coast turneth towards the North-east, other xxxv leagues, and from thence the coast turneth towards the west. Before this gulf standeth the Island 
The Trinity.  of the Trinity, and towards the west doth appear the gulf of Paria like to half a round Circle, after the fashion of a diameter: and at the end of this circle is the entry in of Paria, and at this entry there is between the land and the Island right leagues, & on the other side there is but little space between the Island and the land, but it is deep, and hath a good entry: this Island of the Trinity hath in length xxv leagues, and as many in breadth, & standeth in. viii▪ degrees, and is inhabited of many people, and as yet not under subjection. Here the Indians do use to shoot with bows, and arrows which are of a fathom in length, made of reeds, which grow in that country, and at the end of them is artificially wyned a piece of wood very strong, unto the which piece of wood at the end of it, they put a bone of a fish, in place of an arrow head: these kind of bones be harder than Diamonds and every one of them be three or four fingers long, and they are taken out of a fish that hath three of these bones, one upon the back, and one under every wing: but that which groweth upon the back is the strongest and the greatest. In this Island the people sayeth that there groweth gold, and in this Island and in Paria groweth reeds so great, that they make staves of them, and carry of them into Spain. Likewise there be popinjays very great and gentle, and some of them have their foreheads yellow, and this sort do quickly learn to speak, and speak much. There be likewise in the gulf of Paria pearls, although not many, but very good and great. Paria hath many Islands towards the north part of it, until you come to the Island of saint Christopher, and from saint Christopher, to the Island called Espanola, be other islands that lieth towards the North-east. The names of these islands are as followeth: The first and nearest Island to Paria is called the Island of Mayo, this is but a small Island: there is a fruit growing in it that the cask of it smelleth like to Beniamyn: 
The Island of Mayo.  likewise there is Rosine in certain trees, which they use for Incense, and Aimasticke. This Island standeth in ten degrees and a half: the Island of Tabaco in ten: Santa Lucia and the Ascension in xj. degrees and a half: the Baruada in twelve degrees: Martinino in twelve degrees and a half: the Dominica in xiij and a half: Gwadalupe and the Deceada in xv. degrees: Monserate and the Antigua in xuj degrees: Baruada in xvij Baruada is compassed about with shoals: 
●andes.  the Redonda in xu degrees and a half: saint Christopher in xvij. degrees and a half: saint Bartolome and saint Martin in xviij. degrees and a half: Sombrero in xix. and a half: the Anegada in twenty the Virgins in xix and twenty Sancta Crus in xviij. and a half: saint john in. xix and xx. and in twenty and a half. From the Trinity to saint john be two hundredth and forty leagues. All the other Islands which I have named, be in the midst of these two, and be all Cannibals, a people which eateth man's flesh, and they go to the sea in small boats 
Canibal●.  called Canoes to make war, one of them with an other, and as many people as they take one of an other, they carry to their own Islands, and if they be men they eat them, and if they be women they serve them as slaves: and if any of the men that they take one of an other be lean, they put them to fat, and when they be fat they eat them, and they say that which is sweetest to be eaten in a man is the fingers, and the thinnest of the belly: these do use to shoot with bows and arrows, and if they go to make war, and do understand that such as they go unto, be stronger than they, than they leave that place and go to another. In all these Islands they say there is gold: in that of Gwadalupe hath been gold found and gathered, but by reason they be not in subjection, there is no certainty of it. The Island of saint john is a good Island, and 
Saint john.  it hath two good ports: one of them standeth towards the north, which is called port Rico, and the town that is in it is of Christians, and it is a good town, although that it is not great: and the other is called saint German, in this Island is gathered much gold, and all is fine gold: this Island is thirty. leagues long and lieth East & West, and in breadth twenty. From this Island to the Island called Espanola are xuj. leagues, and the Island called the Mona, standeth well near in the midst between both, which is a little Island. 
The Island called Espanalo.  At the beginning of the land called Espanola is the Cape of Higuei, which standeth in twenty degrees: from this cape of Higuei, unto the cape of Tiburon, which is the cape and end of the Island, are one hundredth and sixty leagues: they lie east and west: from the cape of Higuei unto the Saona, which is near to the entering in at the port of Higuei, are xu leagues. 
Higuei.  The Saona lieth south-west in. x●x. degrees and a half. Saint Catherine standeth in as many. From the entry of the port of Higuei unto the entry of the port of saint Domingo, the coast lieth west. and are xxxv leagues: and from saint Domingo to Acuia are twenty: Acuia lieth west. From 
Saint Domingo.  Acuia to the Beata are twenty leagues. The Beata standeth from Acuia Southweast in xix. degrees. From the Beata to Yaquimo are five and twenty leagues. From Yaquimo to the Cavana are forty leagues. Yaquimo and the Cavana lieth in twenty degrees. From the Cavana lieth out a cape from the land into the Sea towards the South, cyght leagues, and from thence the coast turneth West Northwest unto cape Tiburon. There is from one cape to the other xxv leagues. Before the Cavana standeth an Island which is called 〈◊〉 and between it and the Cavana is should, and the channel lieth near to the land, & an other lieth at the end of the Island. From the cape of Tiburon the coast turneth towards the East unto Yaragua three score and ten leagues, until it come near to the Island of Guanabon. In this three score and ten leagues the Island called Espanola hath not in breadth more than twenty or two and twenty leagues. From Yaragua the coast turneth towards the Northwest and by North, unto the cape of saint Nicholas. There is from Yaragua to the cape of saint Nicholas fifty and five leagues, and the cape of saint Nicholas being doubled, the coast turneth towards the east unto port Royal: and from the cape of saint Nicholas to port Royal be fifty leagues. This port Royal is the best port of the Island saving that it is out of the way of all trade, and therefore they go not to it. From port Royal to the port of Plata, are five and thirty leagues: from the port of Plata to the Cape de Cierpe, are forty leagues: the coast lieth East Southeast. From the Cape of Cierpe unto the cape of Higuei are eight and twenty leagues. And from the Cape of Higuei to the cape of Tiburon are one hundredth and eighty leagues, and that is the length of this Island. It hath in breadth from the Beata to port Royal ninety leagues: the South part of it standeth in xix and twenty degrees: the North part in xxiiij This Island is inhabited with Christians. There is gathered in it much gold: there cometh every year from this Island to Castille, 400000. Castellanos & more, every Castellano is worth vij shillings of our money of England. It is a country of much flesh, and also of much fresh fish: the cattle do multiply much, because there is no kind of vermin that do hurt them. In all this Island the Cows and Mares do bring forth young ones, once every year, and the young Mares and 
The manners of the Island called Espanola.  young Cows be with fool when they be but a year and a half old. The grass is always green and never waxeth dry: the trees be always green, with their leaves as they be here in the month of May and june. They eat bread of a root which they call Casavi. There be other roots like to Turnips, which be called Aies, and also Batatas, but the Batatas be better, and there be fields full of them as be here of sown fields. There is also a fruit which is called Pinas, which be of the making of a Pine apple, but they be greater: the trees that beareth them be like to the Canes or stocks of Lilies, and Flure de Luce's. When they be in season they turn yellow like to wax: the smell of it is so much & so sweet, that it smelleth in all the house where they be. It is of a marvelous goodly savour although that the taste of it be somewhat eager. There is also an other fruit of trees which is called Mameis, which is as great, & like to a doves egg, of a tawny colour, being within three kernels, the meat of it is like to a Peach, somewhat read. The people of this Island were Idolaters & naked, although that now they be turned Christians. The women do wear a kind of apparel, which they call there Naguas, made in such sort, that it covereth them from the waste to the knees: and they which be Virgins, go naked as they were borne: & when any woman hath lost by'r Virginity, immediately she doth cover herself, and if she have no Naguas, she putteth before her a leaf tied on with threads made of Cotton will, wherewith she covereth her Secrets, and that leaf they call there Pampanillia. and when any of these women are with child, or give suck to any child, there is no man that will company with her for any thing in the world: they say it is sin to company with her at that time. And when any woman is with child, her husband taketh an other until his wife be delivered of her child, and as long as she giveth suck: and when any man dieth that is of estimation, they did make a great hole in the ground, where they used to put him in, and they put him in sitting: and put in also with him both meat and drink, and they cover the hole with timber and with earth, and left open a strait mouth, where a man might go in: to these came their wives, and such as loved them well, and went in to him, and put in meat, and after that they were entered in, the mouth was covered with timber and earth: and so they were left all within, and they said that they went to bear him company to the other world, where they should have better cheer and more pleasure. And now there is in this Island many towns of Christians, the principal town is Sancto Domingo, where is a good port and river: and likewise there is the best trade of all the Island: & this is towards the south part: & at the north part is the port of Plata: but the town is little, and the port is not very good: and by this means the trade is little. In this Island be many mountains of Salt, and rocks of Salt. From the cape of Saint Nicholas to the Island of Cuba are. xiv leagues: the Island of Cuba lieth west, it hath in length two hundredth and twenty leagues: and in 
Cuba.  breadth by the cape de Crus fifty leagues, and by the other parts by some ways thirty leagues, and other some twenty. It is a good Island: and in it is much victual, and much wild foul, Pigeons, Geese and Partriche, and many popinjays. The country is full of Mountains, there is gathered in it much gold, although that it is not so fine as that of the Island called Espanola. The people be idolaters, the one part of it is inhabited with Christians. The end of the land which standeth next to the cape of saint Nicholas is in xxiiij degrees and a half, and that which lieth towards the west, is in xxvij degrees. The point of the cape de Crus is xxiij degrees. 
Cape de Crus.  This Island of Cuba hath at the north part of it above two hundredth small Islands, and they be all inhabited with 
Small Islands.  people, which people be not very black, & be of a good growth both the men and also the women: but there is no flesh to eat in these Islands: their meat is fish, roots, and bread made of roots, and the blades of grass: and if any of the people be carried to other places, if they do give them flesh to eat, immediately they die, if the flesh which they eat be not very little in quantity. Toward the south part of Cuba, is the Island called jamaica, and this of jamaica, lieth west from the cape of Tiburon. There is from the cape of Tiburon, which is in the Island of Spanola unto jamaica. xx. leagues, and in the midst 
jamaica.  between both lieth the Navaca, which is a little small rocky Island, being plain and unprofitable. jamaica lieth East, and West, it hath in length fifty leagues, and in breadth xxv it is a fruitful Island, and hath much corn growing in it, and hath all kind of victual, such as they use to eat, which sufficeth their necessity, and groweth upon the same Island: there is much cattle, and many trees of cotton wool: they gather much Cotton wool in it, whereof they make store of cloth, but there is no gold: there is also great abundance of Fish. And there be a certain kind of little beasts, that have the snout and tail like to a Rat, and the body like to a Coney, and these be called Hutias, whose flesh is good to eat, and there are multitudes of them. From the end of the Island of Cuba towards the Northwest, hath appeared a great country, it is thought to be a firm land. And seeing that we have spoken of the Islands, let us return to the coast of Paria, 
Paria.  where we began to speak of the Islands: I say, after that you go from Paria, the coast of the land turneth toward the West: there is from the mouth of the gulf of Paria unto the cape that standeth upon the gulf of Aliosar seventy five leagues: the gulf of Aliosar lieth West and by North, in nine degrees and a half, and there remaineth in the midst the gulf of all Saints: near to the gulf of all Saints towards the west there entereth a cape of a land into the Sea three leagues: and near to this Cape towards the North eight leagues into the sea, there be Islands and rocks called the Friars, which be a company of small Islands like to rocks. And towards the West part from the Friars is the Island called Margarita, which is an Island that hath xx. leagues from the East to the West: and from the North 
Margarita pearls.  to the South twelve Round about all this Island are fished fine pearls, in great quantity. And in the gulf of Aliofar, they fish pearls also, but in this Island be more quantity, and greater, and towards the South side are moste and greatest: and the Cape of Aliofar being doubled, a gulf of Sea doth return between two lands towards the East, more than five and twenty leagues of breadth: in this gulf be fished many pearls, and much Aliofar: the shells wherein they breed be like to Cockle shells, but they be greater and brighter within them, like to the self same pearls, but without they be of the colour of cockles: they fish great quantity of them. From the end of the gulf Aliofar unto the Cape which standeth upon the port Flechado called Tucuraca, he sour score leagues: Tucuraca standeth in nine degrees and a half, and there remaineth in the midst the cape of small Islands, and before it is the port called Solo, and the port called Canafistola, and after him is port Flechado, and hath many islands before him: all this coast is of much fishing, and in it are trees of Canafistola, which doth bring forth there Canes so great as a great Lance, and are very good. And as it hath abundance of substance, it doth putrefy sooner than that which we have here. The ports Flechado and Canafistola standeth in eight degrees. This country hath much victual: 
Cana fistola.  there is in it many popinjays, Pearls, & Aliofar. The Indians of this country do use to shoot with bows, & their arrows be a fathom long: there are growing great recdes as big as a good staff. Fron Tucuraca to the cape of saint Roman are xlv. leagues. The cape of Saint Roman standeth Southweast and by South, in xj degrees: the cape of saint Roman entereth into the sea twenty leagues, and the land is not past three or four leagues broad, and toward the cast lieth the port of Coriana: and towards the west port of the Pico, they be good ports. There are from them to the cape twenty leagues, they are in ten degrees. From the cape of saint Roman unto the cape of Coquibacoa are three small Islands Trianglewyse, between these two capes is one gulf of sea in shape four square, and at the cape of Coquibacoa entereth in from this gulf an other little gulf within the land four leagues, and at the 
Coquibacoa.  end of him near to the land there lieth a great rock, which rock is plain upon the top, and upon it standeth a village of houses of Indians which is called Veneciuela, and it standeth 
Veneciuela.  in ten degrees. Between this gulf of Veneciuela and the cape of Coquibacoa, the water turneth within the land towards the West, and in this turn standeth Coquibacoa. Here hath been found weight, and touch for gold, in the Town, which is great: and the Indians do say that they bring the gold from within the land, xxv. leagues, and when they go thither they carry with them the weight & the touch, whereby they know what they bring. In all the West India hath not been found weight, but in this place. The town of Coquibacoa is great, and a good town, and of good peaceable people. In Veneciuela be people of a tall growth: and there are goodlier women than are in any other part of that country. There are good Pearls, and well grown, although not so many as in the Margarita. Here the Indians do use Lances of xxv foot long, and things to shoot withal like to darts. From the Cape of Coquibacoa, unto the cape Dela Vela are xl leagues. The cape Dela vela lieth west northwest in 
Cape Dela vela.  xii. degrees & a half and near to this cape Dela vela is a good port, with a little Island before it, which lieth west: & being past cape Dela vela the coast turneth south & by west, & lieth low, and likewise all the land from the cape Dela Vela is low land. From the cape Dela Vela to Tucuraca are xxx leagues: Tucuraca standeth in xj degrees and a half, & is a good port. Fron Tucuraca to Sancta Marta are xxv leagues: Sancta Marta lieth west in. xj degrees and a half, and is a good port: 
Tucuraca.  it hath a small Island before it, & is the best port of all this coast. This country of Sancta Marta is a country that is watered by sluices, and the corn and things which they sow 
Sancta Marta.  and plant, they do water, with their own labour: it is an open ground, and hath height mountains, and without any thing growing in them. The sand of the rivers is altogether stony sand, of the colour of gold, and it showeth as though that it were all gold. There are in this Island many Hogs, and much Dear. There is found in the power of the Indians, much gold and copper, and also much gilded Coper. The Indians do say that they guilt the Coper with an herb that groweth in that country, which being stamped, and the juice taken out, and the Coper being washed therewith and put to the fire, it turneth to the colour of most fine gold, and it riseth more or less in colour, according to the quantity of the herb that is put to it. The people be fierce and warlike, they use bows, and their arrows be little bigger than quarrels, which they anoint with an herb that is so full of poison, that it is a great chance (when they hit any man) if he escape, being wounded with that herb: one of the things wherewith they make that herb, are certain apples which be in that country, 
apples of poison.  & are of the greatness and colour of the wild Apples of this country. The tree that doth carry them is like to a small Pear tree of this country. As soon as any man hath eaten one of them, immediately it turneth to worms within his body, which grow so great & eat so much of the body, that they kill him: this is known to be so by reason. I caused it to be experimented, in one that was given to a Dog to eat, which within four hours was turned all into worms in the body, and so we found it when we caused the Dog to be opened, for to see the effect of the Apple. And if any man do put himself under one of these trees in the shadow, immediately his head beginneth to ache: & if he do continued there long, his face beginneth to swell, & to trouble his sight: and if by chance he sleep under the tree, immediately he loseth his sight: all this I have seen by experience. Before you come to Sancta Marta there is Yaharo, which is in the side of the snowy mountains. Yaharo as a good port and standeth in a good country: and there 
Yaharo.  be Orchards of trees of divers sorts of fruits to be eaten, & among them there is one like to Oranges, & when the fruit is in season to be eaten it turneth yellow, and the meat that is within it is like to butter: It hath a good savour, and hath the taste so good & so soft, that it is marvelous. The mountains that lie full of Snow, begin from Sancta Marta: and near to Yaharo is the highest part of them, and they show upon the tops as white as if they were Snow, and from thence they reach to Veneciuela, and so into the country within, it is not 
Mountains with Snow.  known how far, for that the country is not yet in subjection, nor the Indians do give any more reason of them, but that they reach very far into the country. This Mountain is upon the top plain, and there be many towns of Indians upon it, and many lakes of standing water. In Sancta Marta is gathered much Cotton wool, and the Indians do make store of cloth of it, which is a thing to be seen, and they make it of many colours: they do make of Popingayes feathers, Peacocks and of other birds which be in that country, certain things like to Diadems, very great, that the gentlewomen do put on their heads, which things hung down upon their shoulders in one piece unto their girdle: like to the ends of a bishop's Mitre: & this is so well wrought, that it is marvel to see the diversity of the colours, and the work, and the art thereof: and as the colours be natural and of themselves, they show so well, that no artificial work of such as is wrought here, is so good nor so acceptable unto the sight. From Sancta Marta the coast turneth south twenty leagues: and in the turning cape of Sancta Marta standeth Garia, where be a naughty kind of people: and right before this wild country entereth into 
Garia.  a River very great, which goeth from the Mountains that lie full of Snow: and he is so great, that this water entereth a great way into the Sea without any mingling of itself with the salt water: and from thence the coast lieth West, unto the port of Zamba. Zamba is a good port, and standeth in eleven degrees and a half. From Sancta Marta to Zamba be five and twenty leagues: the land of this coast is plain, and low without Mountains, and it is all very fair meadow ground, and a country well inhabited: the men have their hear cut, the women go covered from the waste downward. They are good people and burte no body, but such as do hurt them first. Zamba hath towards the West part of it four Islands of sands, which lieth near the land, and round about them be shoals: they reach ten leagues into the 
Islands of Sands.  Sea, but between them and the land where the Cape De Loyo delo gato standeth, there may pass ships from Zamba unto the Cape of canoe which is two leagues. From Carta gena be twenty leagues, and they be all shoals of the Islands of sands. Before the Cape of canoe there is a rock which riseth a little above the water, which rock they call canoe, but by reason it is seen, it is not dangerous. And a little before about two leagues from thence, are the ports of Carta gena The ports of Carta gena have an Island 
The ports of Carta gena.  in the midst, which standeth not out of the compass of the other land, and by the one and the other side of this Island, there is a port, but that of the east part hath the better entry, the Island is called Gnodego: he hath two leagues in length, and half a league in breadth, and is well inhabited of Indians being fisher men. The people of this Country be tall, but both men and women go all naked as they were borne: they are warlike people, and use bows and arrows: they shoot all their artowes with a naughty herb, and the women do likewise fight as well as the men. I had prisoner a girl of eyghten or twenty years of age, who did affirm that she had killed eight Christian men before she was taken prisoner. In this place groweth the herb Iperboton, 
Iperboton.  wherewith they heal the wounds of the herb which is poison, and with this Herb they say that Alexander healed Ptholome. In this Country and towards the West parts the Indians do eat bread of the grain of Maiz, ground: and they make of it good bread, which is of much substance: and of the self same meal of Maiz being sodden in kettles and great tinages in much water, they make wine to drink: and it is wine o● much substance, good, and of a good savour. The Indians do use to drink a great cup full of it when they rise in the morning without eating any thing else with it, and therewith they go to their daily labours, and be there labouring the greatest part of the day, without eating any other thing. The Christians that are in that Country do use the like, and they say that it is there in that Country: and a man endureth to labour with it all one day without eating any other thing, if he drink two times thereof.  
The herb Iperboton wherewith they heal the herb that is poison, they say that the juice of his toot is as good for the sight as for to heal the herb of poison, and that there is of it in Carmania, and in the Mountain Atalantes, which are in the coast of Getulia. In this country of Carta Gena is in the power of the Indians much Copper▪ and there is likewise gold, but not much: and they say that twenty leagues from that Country towards the Southweast is much gold, and whosoever will may go thither for it.  
From Carta gena to the Islands of Caramari which lieth 
Cara●●●●.  West, are eight leagues, these Islands be all low, and no ship can pass between them. From the islands of Caramari, unto the Islands of Baru be ten leagues: between these of Baru and the land may pass ships if they be not very great, and being past these Islands of Baru, more towards the West is the port of Cenu, which is a great Bay, and hath his entry by the East part, and it is a good sure port. There is 
Cenu.  from Carta gena, to Cenu. xxv. leagues: Carta gena lieth East in ten degrees and a half, and Cenu towards the West in ix. degrees: in that of Cenu they make much Salt: the people be strong and warlike: they use bows, and their arrows be set with poison. Ill men and women go naked. When any man of great authority die, or any child of his, they take their guts out of their bodies, and wash them with certain things, and anoint them, and upon them they put Cotton wool, died with divers colours, which they put again into the body, and being coloured therewith, they put them into a bed made after the fashion of the beds of that country, and they hung him up in the house, near to the place where they make their fire: and so they keep him It happened to me, that I took a town called Catarapa, where we found more than xx. that were hanged after this sort in the houses. In this country of Cenu is much gold in the power of the Indians, & very fine, and it is mingled and hath his foundation of Silver, and there is no part of it Copper, which the Indians do say they bring from certain Mountains, from whence the river of Cenu doth come forth, from certain places that they call Mocri, and an other Cubra, and an other Cud●: and the earth that they have in those places is somewhat red, and 
An earth of gold.  they gather it in rivers & valleys: and when it raineth they cast nets overthwart the rivers & valleys, and as the water increaseth, it bringeth grains of gold as great as an egg & they remain in the nets: & in this sort they gather the greatest grains: & that which they gather, they bring to the town which is called Cenu, being ten leagnes from the Sea upon the river, & there they work it, and do what they will with it. I took an Indian Gentleman prisoner, that said to me, that he had gone to this place three times, and had seen it gathered after that sort, and also that he himself had gathered it. This country of Cenu hath great store of victual grown in the Country. Their bread and Wine is made of the meal of Maiz, as it is in Carta Gena. Likewise there be roots, whereof they make bread, as in the Island of Cuba, and jamaica, and the Espanola, but it is of another quality: for that of the Islands is nought, and if any do eat of it, he dieth, as though he had eaten Arnike: and also if any beast eat of it, or drink of the water that cometh out of it, he dieth. And to make bread of it, they grate it, and after they press it, and when it remaineth as dry as powder, they make bread of it: and that which groweth in this City of Cenu, and in all the Country hereabout, they eat them raw, and roasted, for they are very good to be so eaten, and of a good savour.  

A Protestation.  
I Did require two Indian Gentlemen of Cenu, in the behalf of the King of Castille, that they should be subject to the King of Castille, and that he would give them to understand, that there was one God alone, which was three persons in one, and did require them, that they would leave unto him that Country, seeing that it did appertain to him: and if they would live in it as they were, that they should give to him the obedience, as unto their Lord, and also should give him in token of obedience, some thing every year, even so much as they themselves would name, and if they would this do, the King would give them rewards and gifts, and help against their enemies, and would put among them learned men & Priests, that should show them that which doth appertain to the faith of Christ: and if any of them would not turn Christians, they should not be compelled by force, against their wills, but they might remain as they were before, and they answered me to that I said that there was but one God, and this God governed the Heaven and the Earth, and was Lord of all. It liked them very well, who said, that they thought it to be true: and they said, that they were Lords of their own Country, and had no need of any other Lord. Then I required than again that they should do it, & not doing it, I would make war against them, & would take their Town, & would kill as many as I took, or would keep them prisoners, and cell them for slaves. They answered me, that first they would put my head upon a staff, & they laboured to do it, but they could not, for we took the town by force, although they shot at us an infinite number of arrows, & all poisoned with herbs, wherewith they wounded two of our men, and both died, although their wounds were but small. After I took prisoner an Indian Gentleman, of those w●ich I spoke of before, that had declared to me of the mines of Vocri, whom I found to be a man of much truth, & kept his promise in all things. And after this sort are all the wars of those countries. Fron this river of Cenu, unto the Gulf of Vraba, are. xxv leagues. The gulf of Vraba lieth towards the West in eight degrees. All this Country is full of Mountains, & a naughty kind of people: they are all Cannibals, & eat man's flesh. They use to shoot with bows and arrows which are poisoned. Five leagues from the River of 
Cannibals.  Cenu towards the West, is an Island called the stronng Island, welnecre a league from the land. In this Island is much salt made, and nearer the Gulf is another, called the Tortuga. The Gulf of Vraba hath. xiv leagues of length within the land, & 
The Gulf of Vraba  of breadth in the mouth an entry uj or vij leagues, farther in five, and near the cape four. At the entry toward the East he hath certain shoals, which entereth in more than two leagues into the Sea athwart of the mouth & entry, and they go well-near over the one half of the entry towards the West part of the Gulf. And there is five leagues within the Gulf, the Darien, which is inhabited with Christians, and there they gather fine gold in a River that descendeth from certain high Mountains. In these Mountains be many Tigers & Lions, and divers other beasts, and Cats with long tails, and be like to Apes, but that they have great tails. There are also Swine, & many great beasts as great as kine, fat, which be of a grey colour, and have their feet like to kine, the head like to a Moil, with long ears, their flesh being good to eat. There be also many other beasts. I took that Town, which was the first that was taken in that Country, and I saw all these beasts, and it was told me, that they had seen Ownees. I saw none, but I saw a river that passeth by the town of Darien, wherein were many lizards that were great, & so gross in the body as a Calf: and if they see any man, dog, or pig near the water, they come out of it, and fall upon him, and if they catch him, they carry him into the water, & eat him. I happened to kill the first that was killed, & I saw cast at him more than ten Lances, and as they struck upon him, they rebounded, as though they had stricken upon a Rock. And after that, a servant of mine went athwart of him, and thrust him at one blow into the midst of his body, and then we killed him, and being dead and taken on land, we found that he had upon his back from his neck to the tail a shell that covered him all, which was so strong, that no Lance could pass it: and under that from the middle of the body downward near to the guts, he was as other lizards are, and by that part of his body he was thrust in with the Lance. His mouth was three spans long from the snout to the lower end of the teeth: he had in a side two rows of teeth, the most fierce that I have seen, or had been seen by any of them that were with me. He was fleyne & his flesh was eaten, it was white & good, & smelled like to musk, and good in eating. I saw also the flesh of Tigers & of Lions. I saw certain men kill Lions alone by themselves. 
Lions.  The Tigers are greater of body than the Lions are, and 
Tigers.  their feet are very strong, and of great force, but they are heavy, for they run slowly & are of little courage. It happened that a Tiger went after a man a league, until he came to a town, & the man never went but his accustomed pace, & the Tiger after him three or four spears length bebind, & in a league that they went together, he durst not to fasten with the man. The lizards in 
Lizards.  the month of january and February do breed in this order fellowing When the Sun is hottest in the day, they come for the of the water into the sands, and with their four feet they make a hole, and there lay their eggs, and after they be laid, they cover them with the sand, and with the heat of the Sun. The lizards be engendered in those eggs, and after they make a hole in them, and they come forth of the eggs into the sands, and so they go into the water. The eggs be as great as a Goose egg, and greater. They have no shells, but certain skins. They be good to eat, and of a good savour, & every Lizard doth lay at one time lx. or lxx. eggs. Likewise there be others called Yaguanas, which be great, and like 
Yaguanas.  to Lizards, and these have round heads, and from the forepart of the head to the tail, he carrieth brustels of hear, standing up very fierce. They be of a russet colour, and somewhat in colours: these go into the Mountains. The sight of them is fearful, but they hurt no body, by reason they take them alive, and kill them with staves. These are good meat, & their flesh is much esteemed in that country. Their eggs be of a good taste. In these Countries is much wild foul of divers sorts, which are good flesh. There are abundance of green Popingeys, and some great ones of many colours, read, blue, black, and green, which are fair to behold. Their flesh is good and sweet: and others that are as little as grey Sparrows, which be green and fair. In this country are great fishings of good fish: and also there be Date trees that do carry fruit as great as a doves egg, some yellow, and other of the Rose colour, but they have great stones: their taste is somewhat sharp. In this Country are little beasts like to Pigs of a month old, these have their feet and heads like to a little Horse, with little ears, and they be all covered with a shell from the ears to the tail, and be like to a Horse covered. They are fair to behold. They feed like to Horse. In this country are Coneys and Partridges, and many goodly birds. And the bread and Wine of this Country is made of Maiz, (as it is said:) The people are tall of growth, and Idolaters. There are some of them that believe, that there is no other thing, but to be borne▪ and to die. There be among them Lords, whom they honour much. And he that is a great Lord, they call Tiba, and others that be not so great, Quin●s. Before this River of Darien, entereth in another River very great in this gulf of Vraba, and he entereth in by six or seven months, 
A great River.  although they be but should, and no ship can enter in at them, if they be greater than small boats: but within the mouth he is great, and fifteen and twenty fathom deep, and a mile broad, & hath abundance of water, by reason that xl. leagues within the land there joineth with him great rivers, which cometh from the East part of the Mountains, where the River of Cenu springeth: and the first river that joineth with him, is that of Dabayne. In the springs of this River, and of another which is before this, they say that there are great mines, but the truth is not known, but the Indians do say it. And there hath been taken in the power of Indians, pieces of fine gold, that weighed seven and eight hundred weight. In the little rivers of this great river, are many places drowned up, and in them are many Indians, and have their houses and habitations upon trees, for that under them is all water, and they live by fishing. This gulf of Vraba hath on the other part of the Mountain of Darien towards the South, another gulf, called the gulf of Saint Michael, and there is from the one to the other xxv. leagues & more. There is this difference between than: 
The Gulf of S. Michael.  in the gulf of Darien and Vraba, the Sea doth not flow one palm, and in that of Saint Michael, it floweth as much as in Britain. And of this coast of the gulf of Saint Michael I will speak hereafter. And now I do return to the gulf Vraba, and do say, that from the entry in of the gulf of Vraba, unto the port De Careta, are fifteen leagues. Careta lieth Northwest, 
Careta. Number de Dios.  in nine decrees and half. From the Port Perdido, to Number de Dios, the coast lieth West North West. Number de Dios standeth in ten degrees and half, and there are in the midst Conegie, Pocurosa, and the bay of Saint Blaze. There are from the port Perdido to Conogie seven leagues. From Conogie to Pocurosa ten. From Pocurosa to the bay of Saint Blaze, five. From the bay to Number de Dios six. In all this country 
Pocurosa.  they call men Omes, and the women Iras. The men go naked, and they use to bring tied at their middle with a small cord certain Snails shells of the Sea, and into these shells they put their members, and some do carry a thing like to a fonnell of gold, wherein they put their members. The Women go all covered from the waist downward with waste coats of cotton will, and wear rings put through their ears, and many other things, and chains of gold. There hath been found amongst the Indians much gold, although that much of it is course, and in value of ten and twelve kuyllats and less, and they call this Giamin. In the South part of this country is found gold in the Rivers, and as it hath not been much sought till now, it hath not been known. I have seen a grain gathered in a River, which weighed seven Ducats. From Nombre de Dios to Veragua, are five and thirty leagues. Veragua is 
Veragua.  towards the West in ten degrees. And near to Number de Dios is Port Bello, which is a good Port. It hath at the entry of it a little Island, and in the midst another. The Country of this coast is full of sharp Mountains, and barren. From Veragua the coast turneth North to the cape of Gracias Adios, threescore leagues. The cape of Gracias 
The cape of Gracias Adios.  Adios standeth in fourteen degrees. And near to Veragua is the Furmia, and after Corobora, and after that certain Islands, compassed about with shoals: and from the cape of Gracias Adios the coast turneth West▪ to the cape of Caxines, where is an Island, and is thirty leagues distant. And from the cape of Caxines the coast turneth towards the North threescore and fifteen leagues, unto the cape de Lagar, and all these threescore and fifteen leagues be shoals, and entereth into 
Sholde●.  the Sea towards the East threescore leagues: and from this cape to the cape of the Island of Cuba, are one hundred and twenty leagues. The cape of Cuba lieth North. From the cape of Lagar, unto the cape of Fondura, are five and thirty leagues. The coast lieth West. The cape of Lagar, and that of 
The cape Lagar.  Fondura, standeth in xuj degrees, and being past the cape of Fondura, is a Gulf that entereth xu leagues within the land, and in the entry it hath xviij leagues of length, and farther in xxv. From this cape, to the bay of S. Thome, are lx leagues, and the coast lieth West. And near to the bay entereth one end of 
The bay of S. Thome.  the land into the sea twenty leagues towards the Northwest, and at the end of the land is the entry of the bay of S. Thome, and the bay doth return upon the cape Southeast xlv leagues, and carrieth in length and breadth xu leagues. And at the entry in of this gulf towards the West, appeareth another little round gulf full of small islands. From the mouth of this gulf, to the Port of the Figueras, are xxx leagues. The coast lieth Northwest, and it is all shoals. The entry of the Gulf of S. Thome standeth in xix degrees and half. It entereth in at the East part, for by the West part it is all shoals. The cape of the Figueras standeth in xxj degrees, and from this place the discoverers 
The cape of the Figueras.  returned, and past no farther: & they found in this Country trees of oak, with acorns like to ours, and many birds different from those of this Country: and hens as great as Geese: and they found tokens & shows of much gold, for they found great pieces of gold in the power of Indians. And now I do return to the Gulf of S Michael, & to the coast of the other 
The Gulf▪ of Saint Michael.  side towards the South. The Gulf of S. Michael lieth north-east & Southweast, with that of Vraba, there are xxv leagues of land between the one and the other. That of S. Michael is towards the Southweast, & it hath at the entry in ten leagues, & of length xxv And towards the Southweast lieth the Island of Pearls. There is from the Gulf to the Island ten leagues. 
An Island of Pearls.  This Island is plentiful of victual. There is in it many birds, & so many conies, that they enter into the houses to breed. And round about it on every side, is much fishing of great Pearls, and very fine. I saw one of the fashion of a little pear, the best and greatest that I have seen. The entry of the Gulf of Saint Michael, standeth in six degrees. From the entry of the Gulf of Saint Michael, the coast lieth West, seven leagues unto the Cacike Tamao. The coast lieth xxviij leagues toward the Northwest, and by West, to the River of Tubanama. 
Tamao.  This River of Tubanama hath at the entry an Island 
Tubunama  in triangle, which causeth him to have two mouths: it is a good River, and a good Country, well inhabited, and of much victual, and great fishing: there is in it much gold. In this coast the Sea doth ebb and flow much. From this River to Panama are twenty leagues, and the coast lieth West, and there is in the midst the River called Chapanere, and the 
Panama.  River Pacora, which are in a good country, and where as is 
Pacora.  gold, and the people are good. Panama hath an Island towards the Sea near the land. Fron Panama to the cape of Chiru are twenty leagues, and the coast lieth West and by South, & there is 
Chiru.  in the midst Perequete and Tabora. From Chiru towards the West appeareth a gulf obliqne, in the midst whereof dwelleth the Cacike Paris, an Indian Gentleman of great power, and the richest in that coast: and there remaineth in the midst 
Paris.  Nathan and Estora, which are good towns. All this coast from the Gulf of Saint Michael to Chiru and Paris, be from six to seven degrees. The country is plain and good, and of much victual of all sorts, and in all that country is much gold. From Paris lieth a point of the land into the Sea twenty leagues, and being past the point, the coast turneth to the North-east, until it come hard to the cape of Gracias a Dios, and all the Country is fruitful, and a rich Country of gold, whereas are many good towns. In this Country they do compass about the towns with timber, for fear of Tigers, and Lions, that they come not by night into the houses. From the Gulf of Vraba & Saint Michael, to the end of the cape of Gracias Adies, are two hundred leagues: and all this Country hath not in breadth more than thirty, and where it is most forty leagues, and all are good people and rich, and a fruitful country. There they use no bows, nor herb of poison, but Lances and Darts. And there are in this Sea towards the south many Islands, where is as much gold and Pearls, as the Indians do say. And they say that there is a country where the people that do inhabit it, have books, and do write and read as we do.  
Now seeing that we have spoken of that part that is from the Island of Fierro, towards the West, and Northwest, let us speak of one piece of land which is in this second part towards the North, which land is called the land of Labrador. This land of Labrador standeth in lvij degrees: it standeth Northwest from Calizia, and East and West with Scotland. This land of Labrador hath towards the West part of it the country of Bacallaos, which is a country of much fishing, and a great country: and the Bocallaos standeth West from Galizia, and part of them West and by north, and this country hath many ports, and good: Much of the country is inhabited, and there are many Islands before it, all inhabited. They say there is in it great quantity of Furs, and very fine. The land of Labrador is towards the North from the Acores. There is from the Acores to the land of Labrador three hundredth leagues, and from Galizia to the land Labrador three hundredth and fifty. And there is from Galizia to the land of Cavallaos five hundredth and thirty leagues. The land of Cavallaos standeth in forty nine, and in fifty degrees.   
FINIS.