2. Thirty Leagues Westward from this City lies another call’d Gratias a Dios, begun by Captain Gabriel de Royas, Anno 1530. that so he might be near the Gold-Mines: But because the Natives kept the new Inhabitants in continual alarm, and daily Storm’d the unfinished Fortifications, Royas was necessitated to leave off building any farther, the rather, because none came to his assistance from the neighboring Garrison.
Six years after Gonzales de Alvarado undertook this Work, and built the City on a Rocky Mountain; which, though otherwise barren, produc’d lusty Horses and strong Mules.
St. Pedro.
3. San Pedro, though lying under a hot and unwholsom Climate, us’d formerly to be a brave City of Trade; but it is gone much to decay since Golfo Dolce hath been discover’d, because from that Bay the Commodities are carried in Barques up into the Countrey.
Juan de Puerto de Cavallos.
4. The Village Juan de Puerto de Cavallos, inhabited by Factors and Moors: It receiv’d that Denomination, because not far from it several Horses were forc’d to be thrown over-board in a Storm. Though it be but ill fortifi’d, yet it hath an exceeding large Haven. Captain Christopher Newport arriving here Anno 1591. found two hundred Houses, and in them a considerable Booty left, notwithstanding four Ships richly laden had lately set Sail from thence.
Six years after Newport, Capt. Ant. Sherly re-took the Place, and leaving the Haven open for Pyrats, Alphonsus Coriado judg’d it convenient to remove the Trading Place to Amatique; he built the Village Thomas de Castilla, and fortifi’d the same against all manner of Assaults.
Behind Cavallos lies the Valley Naco, which is exceeding fruitful, being situate between high Mountains, where formerly was found plenty of Silver.
Truxillo.