Farther along the Coast is Monte Christo, the West Cape of Natividad; to the East of which there is a great Bay call’d Port Real.
This Island is so full of Harbours, that he that will Coast it, cannot well miss of one where he pleaseth, most of which afford fresh Meat and good Water.
Moreover, Hispaniola hath many brave Rivers, the chiefest of which are Hayna; Nizao, along whose Shore the first Sugar-Canes were planted; Neyba, a great River; Yaquimo; Yaqui, which Columbus call’d Rio de Oro, because the Ground thereof glitter’d like Gold; and lastly, the Rivers Nicayagua, amongst whose Sands is Gold; Nigua, which borrows its Denomination from the fore-mention’d leaping Insect; the swift Stream Juno, whose Banks are crown’d with handsom Houses; and Jaquin, which hath many Salt-pans.
The Rivers Itabo, Ocoa, Cepi, Bia, Cazui, Sanate de Plata, and Chiabon, have some one, others more Sugar-Mills upon them.
But the chiefest River is Ozama, broad, and so deep, that the biggest Vessel may lie close by the Shore; and also washes St. Domingo.
Description of the City of St. Domingo.
This City, the Metropolis of all the Isles round about, was built by Bartholomeus Columbus, and was peopled Anno 1494. after which it flourish’d eight years, when, a terrible Storm blowing the same down to the Ground, Nicholas Olanda remov’d it to the Western Shore of Ozama, that the Spaniards, who had for the most part setled towards the West, might not be necessitated to Ferry over: but the first place stood much more conveniently, being not onely provided of a Fountain of sweet Water, but also freed of those unwholsom Vapours which daily rise with the Sun at this new-built City. To prevent the inconvenience of crossing to the foremention’d Fountain, of which the Inhabitants found themselves oftentimes in great want, Olanda went about to lead the neighboring River Hayna into the Ozama, but the Design not being prosecuted, bereav’d Domingo of the onely thing which would have made it able to stand in competition with any City in the World; for it lies on a Plain, the South side whereof is wash’d by the Sea; the East side, by the River; on the North and West are many delightful Fields.
The City, which in a manner is built square, is divided into long straight Streets, full of fair Houses after the Spanish manner: in the middle thereof is a square Market-place, with a handsom Church, the Yard whereof is encompass’d with a high Wall, which upon occasion would serve for a place of great Defence.
The Collectors of the King of Spain’s Revenue dwell in stately Palaces; and the Dominicans, Franciscans, and Monks De la Merced, have brave Cloysters, besides two more for the Nuns.
The Latine School and Hospital belonging to the City, are Endow’d with great yearly Revenues.