The Island Margareta, discover’d by Christopher Columbus, Anno 1498. contains thirty two Leagues in circumference, hath many Woods and Pastures, yet little fresh Water. To the Eastward of it lie the Cliffs Testigos, where it is very mountainous, as also on the East. Round about the same are delicious Fish, without which the Natives could not live, because the brackish Soil produces but little Provision.
The Pearl-Fishing of Margareta.
The chiefest thing for which this Island Margareta is famous, is the Pearl-Fishing, for which in times past a great Trade was driven, though of late it is come to little or nothing. The Spaniards, with inhumane cruelty, taught the Negro’s to Dive for the Pearls, for those that were not nimble or dextrous enough, they beat unmercifully, dropt scalding Wax or scalding Oyl upon them, or stigmatiz’d them with hot Irons. The Pearl-Banks were cover’d with five, six, seven, or eight Fathom Water; from whence the Negro’s pull’d the Oysters with such force, that the Blood gush’d out of their Mouths and Noses when they came above Water to breath; after which, to refresh them, they receiv’d a Glass of Wine and a Pipe of Tobacco. The Spanish Kiay receiv’d a fifth part of the best Pearls that were taken here; but whether the Oysters have forsaken this Place, or their growth hinder’d by often Fishing for them, we know not, but however it is, few Pearls are found here of late years, which makes Margareta to be more and more deserted.
The Nature of the Island of Cubagua.
Between the Main Continent of Paria lie the Islands Cubagua and Coche; the first whereof hath an unfruitful and sultry Soil, without either Trees, Birds, and four-footed Beasts, except Pock-Wood, Sea-Fowls, or Parrots; and Castilian Hogs being carry’d thither, change their Nature strangely; for in a short time their Claws grow long and crooked.
The City Nova Cadiz built there, but at length totally deserted.
The King of Spain us’d formerly to receive fifteen thousand Ducats yearly for his fifth part of the Pearls that were taken; which Gain invited many thither, who built the Town Nova Cadiz on Cubagua in the Year 1521. but when the Arayans demolish’d the Monks Cloyster on Paria, the Spaniards, being three hundred in number, fled from Nova Cadiz to Hispaniola, where the High Court, displeas’d at their cowardly deserting the Place, gave them but cool Entertainment, and sent five Ships under the Command of Jacomo de Castellan to Cubagua, to build new Store-houses in Nova Cadiz, which was afterwards re-inhabited; but when the Pearl-Fishing ceased, the Island and Town was at once deserted.
Opposite to Margareta lies the Promontory Araya, behind which lies a salt Lake, in which is found abundance of Salt, not onely above, but under the Water; with which the English, Spanish, and Dutch Ships are fraighted.
Du Verne’s Description of the Salt-pans on Araya.
Isaac du Verne describes the Salt-pans on Araya thus: “Round about the same (saith he) the Ground is craggy, barren, and of a brackish taste, and destitute of fresh Water, which is therefore fetch’d three Leagues farther out of a Brook, flowing from the Mountain Bordones into the Bay of Comena; likewise all manner of Provisions are brought from other Parts. Westward from the Point Araya there is a convenient Harbor where the Ships take in their Salt. Three hundred Paces from the Shore lies a great Salt-pan, where the Salt being first beat in pieces, is carry’d in Wheel-barrows to the Ships. The little Salt-pan produces less Salt, and lies also out of the way, which makes few Ships take in their Lading from thence.”