Spilbergen’s Expedition.
A Dutch Admiral, one Joris Spilbergen, after he had done the Spaniards all the mischief he could along the South Sea, ran with five Sail under the Fort Acapulco, which fir’d ten Guns at him; whereupon, the Dutch Admiral Manning a Boat, with a white Flag, they agreed upon a Cessation, and the Spaniards went aboard of the Admiral, to whom Pedro Alvares, and Francisco Menendus, having been a considerable time in Holland, and speaking the Language of that Countrey very perfect, promis’d that all his Demands should be satisfi’d; yet Spilbergen was suspicious that the Spaniards had a design upon him, wherefore he came and lay close under the Castle with his five Sail, and made ready his Guns: But this suspicion was soon clear’d, when Alvares and Menendus proffer’d to stay as Hostages, till the Governor of the Town sent the Admiral thirty Oxen, fifty Sheep, some hundreds of Poultry, Coals, Oranges, Cittrons, and the like fresh Provisions; as also Wood and Water; during which time, the Prisoners being set at liberty, several Persons of Quality came to visit the Admiral, amongst whom was Captain Castilio, one that had serv’d twenty years in the Low-Countrey Wars; and Melchior Hernando, Nephew to the Vice-Roy of New-Spain, who desirous to see the Ships that durst set twice upon Rodrigo de Mendose, Admiral of the King of Spain’s mighty Fleet, stood amaz’d that such little Frigats durst Ingage with so many great Spanish Ships; and carry’d the Admiral’s Son to the Governor of the City, call’d Georgius Perro, who civilly entertain’d him: Eight days Spilbergen spent here at Acapulco, admiring the courteous Entertainment of the Spaniards, and the more, because that having News but eight Moneths before of the Dutch Fleet setting out, they had in that short time made all things ready for resistance, the Fort having seventeen Brass Guns, and four hundred Soldiers, besides many Noblemen and Reformades, whereas at other times there us’d not to be above forty Men, and four Guns in the same.
Sect. II.
Mechoacan.
Bounds and Description of Mechoacan.
The next Province of New Spain is the Bishoprick of Mechoacan, which hath on the North-East, Panuco; on the East, Mexicana, properly so call’d; on the South part, Tlascalla; on the West, the Main Ocean, or Mare del Zur; and last of all, more directly Northward, Xalisco, which is a Province of New Gallicia: The Name signifieth in the American Language, as much as A Fish Countrey; and so it is, having many fair Lakes and Rivers in it, abundantly well stor’d with Fish. The Countrey so exceedingly pleasant and healthful, that ’tis usual for sick Persons of other Provinces to come hither to recover their health, only by the benefit of a good Air. The Soil so abundantly fertile of all sorts of Grain, that of four measures of Seed, it hath been often observ’d, they have reap’d the next Harvest, more than so many hundred measures of the same Grain. Very well Wooded; and by reason of its many Rivers and fresh Springs, equally rich in good Pasture: and besides great plenty of Medicinal Herbs and Plants, it affordeth good store of Amber nigh the Sea Coasts, Mulberry-trees, and consequently Silks; much Honey, Wax, and divers other Commodities, both for necessity and pleasure. The People of the Countrey are generally tall, of a strong active Body, and a good Wit, especially in comparison of other Natives; not unskilful in divers curious Manufactures, the most excellent Feather-Pictures, afore-mention’d, being said to be found in this Province. They seem more generally inclin’d to the Humors and Customs of the Spaniards, than any other Americans; and receiv’d the Preaching of Christian Religion, when time was, with much willingness; so that the Countrey is now entirely Christian, and divided into several Parishes.
Languages belonging to the Mechoacans.
The Languages which are spoken in Mechoacan are several, as the Otomian, Chihcimian, and the Mexicans, which is common through all New Spain, and the Tarascan, a neat and brief Language, which properly belongs to this Countrey.
Tygers.
The Lions and Wilde Dogs of this Countrey devour great numbers of Cattel yearly, yet the greatest mischiefs happen from the Tygers, which often fetch People out of their Houses, notwithstanding the Doors are lock’d, for they break in thorow the Walls and Roofs, with much eagerness and strength: Of the greatness whereof, Jacob Bontius tells us this story, That the Governor Peter Carpentier set a Trap without the Walls of Batavia, of great Timber, Pleited with Iron, Baiting it with a Goat; which taking effect, the Tyger that was caught therein, impatient of such close Imprisonment, rent the Timber, and getting out, left the Goat untouch’d.
Hugo Linschot relates, That the Tygers in the West-Indies hurt no Spaniards, exercising their cruelty onely on Indians; and that finding a Black and a White Man sleeping together, they devour the Black and not the White: How far these assertions deserve to be credited, may appear by an evident contradiction of the first, for it is well known, many Spaniards in the West-Indies have been eaten by the Tygers.