America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the Nevv VVorld / Containing the Original of the Inhabitants, and the Remarkable Voyages Thither. The Conquest of the Vast Empires of Mexico and Peru, and Other Large Provinces and Territories, with the Several European Plantations in Those Parts. Also Their Cities, Fortresses, Towns, Temples, Mountains, and Rivers. Their Habits, Customs, Manners, and Religions. Their Plants, Beasts, Birds, and Serpents. With an Appendix, Containing, Besides Several Other Considerable Additions, a Brief Survey of What Hath Been Discover'd of the Unknown South-land and the Arctick Region.

by John Ogilby

Situation and Description of Guaxata.

Between Los Angelos and Guatemala, lies the Bishoprick of Antiquera or Guaxata largely taken; it hath on the North, the Bay of Mexico; on the South, Mare del Zur; on the East, Jucatan and Chiapa which is one of the Provinces of Guatimala; on the West, Tlascalla.

Division.

The Countrey extendeth it self upon the South Sea about an hundred Leagues in length, but from the Sea to the Borders of Tlascalla, one hundred and twenty; Eastward not above half so much; having a good Air, and a Soil no less fruitful, especially in Mulberry-Trees, and abundance of Silks, which the Countrey affordeth, more than any other Province of America besides; nor is it less rich in Mines of Gold and Silver, there being scarce a River in the whole Countrey, but the Sands of it are said to be Tinctur’d more or less with that yellow Metal; also Crystal and Copperess. It yieldeth likewise great plenty of Cassia and Cochinele, two rich Commodities; and the People generally, if they would take pains, might be the wealthiest, ’tis thought, of any other in America: But whether it be through any voluntary contempt of Riches, or through any natural sloathfulness, as yet they seem to Pine in the midst of plenty, living, for the most part of them, little better than from Hand to Mouth; nevertheless, exceeding liberal of what they have, especially to such as bear the Habit of Religion, and attend the service of their Souls; maintaining in a plentiful and good manner, as ’tis said, no less than one hundred and twenty Convents of Religious Men, of several Orders, in this onely Province; besides Hospitals, Schools for the training up of Youth, and other places of publick Charity; it is said also to have three hundred and fifty Villages, and near as many brave Countrey Houses. It is subdivided into many particular Provinces; which, because they are many and but small, in comparison of some other, we may call Wapentakes, or Hundreds, rather than Provinces: The principal whereof are these that follow, viz. 1. Misteca. 2. Tutepecque. 3. Zapoteca. 4. Guazacoalco. 5. Gueztaxatla: and 6. the Valley of Guaxata, from whence Cortez, after the Conquest of Mexico, had his Title given him by the Emperor, Marquess of the Valley. It is the richest and most pleasant part of the whole Province, extended in a continu’d Tract together, full sixteen Leagues or more, lying about fourscore Southward of Mexico, and wanting neither Mines of Gold and Silver, nor any other of the prime and best Commodities of the New-World.

Languages.

In this Countrey they speak thirteen sorts of Languages, of which the Mexican is most us’d.

Poisonous Herb.

Amongst the Plants which grow here, is an exceeding Poysonous Herb, which kills those whosoe’re pluck it, though a long time after, that is to say, if it be of a Years growth, it kills not before the Years end; if a Moneth old, at the Moneths end; if a Day, on the same.

This Countrey formerly suffer’d also many inconveniencies by Earthquakes, but of late they are somewhat abated, which the Spaniards ascribe to Martialis, Protector of the Cathedral at Antequera.

Misteca is divided into Alta and Baxa, both of which have Rivers and Brooks that afford Gold, whither the Indian Women taking Provisions, go for several days, and gather Gold in Troughs, which they exchange at the Spanish Markets for Provisions.