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Chap. III.

The very large and rich Island called Hispaniola,
lieth siituate in the altitude of seventeen
degrees, and an half. The greatest part, thereof
extendeth from East to West, twenty degrees,
Southern latitude. The circumference

is of three hundred Leagues; the length one
hundred and twenty; its breadth almost fifty;
being more or less, broad or narrow, at
certain places. I shall not need here to insert,
how this Island was at first discovered;
it being known unto the World, that it was

performed by the means of Christopher Columbus,
in the year 1492; being sent, unto this
purpose, by Ferdinand, the Catholick, then
King of Spain. From which time, unto this
present, the Spaniards have been continually
possessors thereof. There be upon this Island,
many very good, and strong Cities,
Towns, and Hamlets; as also it aboundeth in
a great number of pleasant, and delicious,
Country Houses, and Plantations: All which
are owing unto the care, and industry, of the
Spaniards, its inhabitants.

The chief City, and Metropolis of this Island,

is called Santo Domingo; being dedicated un-
St. Dominick, from whom it deriveth this name.
It is situated towards the South, in a place
which affordeth a most excellent prospect. The
Country round about being embelished, with
innumerable rich plantations, as also verdant
Meadows, and fruitful Gardens; all which
do produce plenty, and variety, of excellent,
and pleasant fruits, according to the nature
of those Countries. The Governour of the
Island maketh his residence in this City; which
is as it were, the Store house of all the other Cities,
Towns and Villages; which from hence
do export, and provide themselves, with all
necessaries whatsoever for human Life. And
yet hath it this particularity, above many other
Cities in other places, that it entertaineth
no external commerce with any other Nation
then its own, the Spaniards. The greatest
part of the inhabitants are rich, and substantial
Merchants, or such as are shop-keepers, and
do sell by retail.

Another City of this Island, is named San
Tiago, or in English, St. James, as being consecrated
unto the Apostle of that Name.
This is an open place, without either Walls,
or Castle; situate in the altitude of nineteen
degrees of Southern latitude. The greatest
part of the inhabitants thereof are Hunters,
and Planters; the adjacent territory, and soil,
being very proper for the said exercises of its
constitution. The City is surrounded with
large, and delicious Fields, as much pleasing
to the view, as those of Santo Domingo: And
these abound with all sorts of Beasts, both
VVild, and Tame; from whence are ta'ne an
huge number of Skins, and Hides, that afford
unto the Owners, a very considerable traffick.

Towards the Southern parts of this Island
is seen another City called Nuestra Sennora de
Alta Gracia. The territory hereof produceth
great quantities of Cacao, which occasioneth
the inhabitants, to make great store of the richest
sort of Chocolat. Here groweth also much
Ginger, and Tobacco; and much Tallow is prepared
of the Beasts, which here abouts are hunted.

The inhabitants of this beautiful Island of

Hispaniola, often go, and come in their Canows,
unto the Isle of Savona, not far distant from
thence, where is their chief fishery; especially of
Tortoises. Hither those Fish do constantly resort
in huge multitudes, at certain seasons of
the year, there to lay their eggs, burying them
in the sands of the Shore. Thus by the heat
of the Sun, which in those parts is very ardent,
they are hatched, and continue the propagation
of their Species. This Island of Savona
hath little, or nothing that is worthy consideration,
or may merit any particular description,
as being so extreamly barren, by reason
of its Sandy Soil. True it is, that here
groweth some small quantity of Lignum Sanctum
or Guajacum; of whose use we have already
said something in another place.

VVestwards of the City of Santo Domin-

go is also situated another great village called
by the Name of El Pueblo de Aso, or the
Town of Aso. The inhabitants of this Town
drive a great commerce, and traffick, with
those of another Village, which is placed in
the very middle of the Island, and is called
San Juan de Goave, or St. John of Goave. This
place is environ'd with a magnificent prospect
of Gardens, Woods, and Meadows. Its territory
extendeth above twenty Leagues inlength; and
grazeth an huge number of Wild Bulls, and
Cows. In this village scarce dwell any others,
then Hunters, and Butchers; who flay the beasts
that are killed. These are for the most part
a mungrel sort of people of several Bloods.
Some of which are born of white European
people and Negros, and these are called Mulatos.
Others are born of Indians, and white
people; and such are termed Mesticos. But others
are begotten of Negros, and Indians,
and these also have their peculiar Name, being
called Alcatraces. Besides which sorts of
people, there be several other species, and races,
both here and in other places of the West Indies.
Of whom this account may be given, that
the Spaniards love better the Negro Women,
in those Western parts, or the tawny Indian
Females, than their own white European
race. When as peradventure, the Negros and Indians
have greater inclinations to the white women;
or those that come near them, the tawny,
then their own. From the said village are exported
yearly, vast quantitiesof Tallow, and Hides;
they exercising no other traffick, nor toil. For
as to the Lands, in this place, they are not
cultivated, by reason of the excessive dryness
of the soil. These are the chiefest places, that
the Spaniards possess, in this Island, from the
Cape of Lobos, towards St. John de Goave, unto
the Cape of Samana, nigh the Sea, on the
North side; and from the Eastern part, towards
the Sea, called Punta de Espada. All the rest
of the Island, is possesled by the French; who
are also Planters, and Hunters.

This Island hath very good Ports for ships

from the Cape of Lobos, to the Cape of Tiburon,
which lyeth on the Western side thereof.
In this space of Land there be no less, then
four Ports, which exceed in goodness, largness,
and security, even the very best of England.
Besides these, from the Cape of Tiburon, unto
the Cape of Donna Maria, there be two very
excellent Ports, and from this Cape, unto the
Cape of St. Nicols, there be no less, then twelve
others. Every one of these Ports, hath also
the confluence of two or three good Rivers,
in which are found several sorts of Fish, very
pleasing to the palate; and also in great plenty.
The Country hereabouts, is sufficiently
watered, with large, and profound Rivers,
and Brooks; so that this part, of the land
may easily be cultivated, without any great
fear of drougths; it being certain, that better
streams are not to be found, in any part
of the World. The Sea coasts, and Shoars,
are also very pleasant; unto which the Tortoises
resort, in huge numbers; there to lay
their eggs.

This Island was formerly very well peopled,
on the North side thereof, with many Towns
and Villages. But these being ruined by the
Hollanders, were at last, for the greatest part
deserted by the Spaniards.