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

The continual Wars which the Portuguese have maintain’d against the Brasilians, have hindred them from Setling any where but along the Sea-side, where their Residences are divided into thirteen Præfectures or Lordships, by them call’d Capitanias; the Southermost whereof being 1. St. Vincent, hath a City of the same Denomination, which lies near a River that coming out of the Ocean runs round in the Countrey, and so returns into the Sea.

2. Sanctos los Leyes, which reckons four hundred Houses and three Sugar-Mills. Here great Ships take in their Lading in the middle of the City.

3. Hitauhacin, the most Southern, is inhabited by the Portuguese. Twelve Leagues from thence up into the Countrey the Jesuits have built the Village St. Paulo, near the Gold-Mines that lie in the Mountains, extending from East to West thirty Leagues. This Village, long since containing eighty Houses, is inhabited by Brasilians and a mix’d People; the Way thither is troublesom, over rough Mountains, and Ways overgrown with Brambles.

On the Island Britioga, at a sandy Inlet which makes a good Harbor, lies a Fort for defence of the Haven St. Vincent: and since the English, Anno 1582. sunk a Ship there, a second Fort hath been built to prevent the coming in up the River; yet notwithstanding Captain Thomas Candish ran by both the Forts, and burnt St. Vincent, but spar’d Sanctos.

Before the River which washes St. Vincent, appears the Island Sebastian, pretty large, wooddy, and well stor’d with Venison; It hath wholsom Water, good Herbage, and a secure Road for Ships against all Winds.

Farther into the Sea appears the high and rocky Isles Alcatraces, as also Victorio des Busires, Porto des Castellanos, Monte de Frigo, Muella, and Queimadas.

The Nature of the Tupinikinsi, Natives of St. Vincent.

The Natives of St. Vincent, which are in League with the Portuguese, are call’d Tupinikinsi, inhabiting the Mountains which extend above twenty eight Leagues up into the Countrey: They maintain continual Wars against the Carioes, a civiliz’d People, and white of Complexion, as also against the Cupin Imbas on the North, and a nameless People bordering on Peru. Moreover, the Miramumins, a very wild People, range all the Countrey over, but are much lessen’d since the Portugueses Arrival.

Sect. III.
Rio de Janeiro.

First Discovery and Possession of Rio de Janeiro.