After this they march’d Westward, and found the eminent Village Acoma, mention’d before, built on an exceeding high Rock, to which led onely a narrow Path up a pair of Stairs cut in the Rock; as also many Wells to receive Rain, besides what they have out of a River, led by Moats round about their Plough’d Lands. The Spaniards staying here three days, were Entertain’d with all sorts of good Meat, Dances and Drolls.
From hence travelling twenty four Leagues more Westerly, they entred the Province of Zuny; where the erected Crosses which had remain’d there till that time, were sufficient testimonies of Cornaro’s having been there, after he was deserted by Andreas de Cuyocan. Casper de Mexico, and Antonius de Guadalajara, being setled on Zuny, (otherwise call’d Cibola) and speaking the Indian Tongue better than their Native Language, inform’d Espejus, that sixty days Journey farther lay a great Lake, whose Shores were crown’d with many brave Villages, inhabited by a People which wore Golden Armlets and Ear-rings; whither Franciscus Vasquez had gone a second time, had not Death prevented him. This Information so encourag’d Espejus, that notwithstanding it was so great a Journey, yet he resolv’d to venture thither, though the Monk Beltran and most of his Company perswaded him to the contrary; whereupon Beltran return’d: After which Espejus went on to the said Lake; whither he was accompanied with a hundred and fifty Indians. Having gone twenty six Leagues, he found a populous Province, whose Borders he no sooner approach’d, but he was told, That if he was willing to lose his Life, he and his Party might enter into a forbidden Dominion; yet notwithstanding this threatning Message, he wrought so much upon the Casique by the Presents which he sent him, that he was permitted to come in freely; nay, the Inhabitants of Zaguato strow’d Meal on the Earth for the Spaniards to go over, and presented Espejus at his departure with forty thousand Cotton Cloaks, and a considerable quantity of Plate, which he sent with five of his Soldiers, and all the Cibolan Indians, back to Cibola, keeping onely four Companions and one Guide, with whom he travell’d forty one Leagues Westward; where he found a Mountain, to the top whereof led a broad Path; which ascending, he took up Silver Oar with his own Hand. The several sorts of People that inhabited here were all civil and courteous, living in good fashion, in pretty large Houses, built on the Banks of a pleasant River, shaded with Vines and Nut-Trees, and thick planted with Flax: They inform’d Espejus, that near a River which runs eight Miles towards the North Sea, were such stately Palaces, as could not be beheld without great admiration. But Espejus going back a plain Road to Cibola, found not onely those whom he had sent from Zaguato, but also Beltran, with the other Soldiers, who having been detained there by the Civilities and kind Entertainments of the Indians, were now upon returning home; so that Espejus was left alone with eight Soldiers, who resolv’d to venture their Lives and Fortunes with him. They travell’d along the River Del Norte, through the Provinces De los Guires and Habutas, whose Mountains, over-spread with Pine-Trees and Cedars, have many rich Mines. The Natives wore painted Cotton Cloaks, and dwelt in stately Houses five Stories high. At the Borders of the Realm Los Tamos they were stopt, and not permitted to come on farther; wherefore being but few in number, and several of them sick, they judg’d it convenient to cross the River De las Vaccas (so call’d from the abundance of Cows that were thereabouts) to the River Conchos and the Village Bartholomew, where Espejus was inform’d, that Beltran was long before his arrival gone to Guadiana.
And now that we may have the better Account of New Mexico (which Ruyz, Espejus, and Beltran endeavor’d to discover) it will be necessary to begin with the first original thereof, according as several ancient Histories make mention.
First original of the New Mexicans.
The most ancient Possessors of that part of Northern America call’d New Spain, were for their fierce and salvage Nature call’d Chichimecæ, who dwelling in Caves, fed on Moles, Rabbets, Hedghogs, Serpents, Roots and Herbs. Whilst the Women accompanied their Husbands in their Travels, the Children were put into Baskets, and hang’d in a Tree. No manner of Government was to be found amongst them. They never Till’d their Ground till the Navatlacans came from New Mexico (which was anciently divided into two Countreys, Aztlan and Teuculhuacan) to New Spain; after which they Sow’d their Lands.
The Navatlacans (who us’d to dwell in Houses, worship Images, plough their Lands, and obey their Governors) were divided into six Tribes, each Tribe possessing their limited Bounds: and there goes a Tradition, That out of six Pits that are to be seen in New Mexico, the Navatlacans had their original. The time when they deserted New Mexico, as their most authentick Histories or Records declare, was (according to our computation) Anno 940. and they farther affirm, that they spent forty years in a Journey, which might have been travell’d in a Moneth: The reason of which tediousness was, because they rested in all places where they found a fruitful Countrey; but as they had advice from their diabolical Spirits, which (as they say) appear’d visibly to them, they still went on farther and farther, yet left behind those that were aged, sick, and decrepid, building convenient Houses for them, and appointing Overseers to look after them. The Ruins of the Houses are yet to be seen on the Way along which they pass’d.
The six Tribes divided themselves after this manner: Four of them setled round about the great Lake of Mexico. The Sichumilans taking the South part, built, besides two other Towns, a Metropolis of their own Name, as the Chalcans on the North. The Tapunecans built Azcapuzalco in the West, which signifies A Pismires Hole, because of the abundance of Inhabitants. The Eastern part was taken up by the Chalhuans. And all these Names have a peculiar signification; the first signifies People of Flowry Fields; the second, People of Mouthes; the third, People of Bridges; and the fourth, Crooked People. Not long after, the Tatluicans, a strong People, went over the Mountains on the other side of the Mexican Lake, where they built several Towns on a hot, yet fruitful Soil, the chiefest whereof they call’d Quahunachua, that is, A Place where an Eagles Voice is heard. The Tlascaltecans went near the Snowy Mountains, one of which, being between Mexico and De los Angelos, vomits horrid Flames and Smoke up into the Skie. Here scattering up and down, they built several Villages, besides the City Tlascalla; the Inhabitants whereof assisted the Spaniards, as hath been related in the taking of Mexico, for which good Service they live free, without paying any Tribute.
When these six Tribes came first from Mexico thither, the Chichimecans made little or no resistance against them, but hid themselves amongst the Rocks: yet some of them not long after taking courage, flew to Arms, and had without doubt destroy’d the Tlascallans, had not a subtile Plot sav’d them: for under a shew of Friendship they falling on the unarm’d Chichimecans, kill’d every Man of them.
Joseph de Acosta tells us, that Anno 1586. he saw a Grave in Mexico, wherein a Chichimecan of a Gygantick size lay buried.
After this Conquest gotten by the Tlascallans, the fore-mention’d six Tribes liv’d in Peace and Quiet, and strengthned themselves the more by Marrying into one anothers Families.