Peru

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

Peruvia is the noblest Country of all the new World, which lyeth almost wholly betweene the Aequinoctiall and the Tropick of Capricorne. It was so called from a Haven and River of the same name. The bounds thereof are on the North new Granada, Castella aurea, and the River and Haven Peru, on the West is the Ocean or Mar del Zur, that is, the Southerne Sea: on the South the Province Chilus: and on the East the Mountaines, and it is 1800. leagues long. But it is now devided into three parts according to the situation of the Country: into the Plaine: into the Sieras or Mountaines, and into Andes or that which lyeth beyond the Mountaines. The Plaine of Peruvia neere the Sea-coast doth reach almost 1500. Italian miles. And the greatest breadth of it is 60. miles. But this part is sandy, full of Desarts, and for the most part barren. But yet it hath many greene flourishing Meddowes which lye by the bankes of the Rivers which doe water them, and make them fruitfull, so that they yeeld good store of all kinde of Corne, and Cotton of divers colours. The Mountainous Country reacheth from the North to the South, above 1000. leagues in length, and in some places lesse. But these Mountaines are very cold, and Snow doth often fall upon them, neither doe they beare any trees, so that the Inhabitants do make their fire with a kind of turffes. The Andes also are Mountaines but they lie in a continued ridge without any Valleies between them, & the Province Collao lieth between these and the other Mountaines, which is also full of Mountaines, & subject to cold but yet very populous. The Mountaine Country as Laevinus Apollonius witnesseth doth farre exceed the Maritime Country, for populousnesse, and frequency of Citties, and for the happinesse of the soyle and ayre, and therefore Kings and Noblemen are wont to seate themselves therein. For Chamaecerasia, and others like it doth bring forth Mulberries which are used to grow amongst Bushes, also Lettice, Cabbages, and great Radishes, sweet Marjoram, and other Hearbs, and plenty of all other things which the Spaniards first sowed. But especially it yeeldeth such abundance of Corne, that a pint and ½. being sow'd will yeeld, 50. or 100. or sometimes 200. which truely deserveth admiration; because they use but little care in their Tillage or Husbandry. Peruvia is thought to bee the richest Country for Gold and Silver in all the World. Moreover the Province of Peruvia hath many Citties, the chiefe whereof are Portus Vetus, Michael•a, Trugillum, Regium or Lima, Arequipa, Quito,* 1.6 Cusco, Argyropolis, and Potosium. The five first whereof in regard of their commodious situation, and conveniency for trading, the Spaniards first tooke, and built them after the Europaean fashion. Concerning the manners of the Peruvians Laevinus Apollonius writeth thus in generall. They are all distinguished into three chiefe Nations,* 1.7 every one which have severall kindes of people under them: these Nations are unlike and different in languahe: and sometimes they were wont to goe out of their bounds to warre one against another, and to revenge injuries, before all the Province even to the Aequinoctiall Line came to belong to the Territory of Gynacana. The Women weare a woollen garment which hangeth down to their ankles.* 1.8 The men weare a kinde of shirte which reacheth downe to the calfes of their legs, and upon it a Mantle. And though they weare one kinde of Garment thorow the whole Country on their bodies: yet their head-attire is wonderfull different, for every one of them according to the usuall custome of their Country doe weare wreathed Garlands, some plaine, and some of divers colours, but every one different. They still retaine their naturall rudenesse and simplicity in their manner of trading which is ridiculous to us: they know not their owne inexhausted treasure of Gold and Silver, of which they use great ill-favour'd pieces, but yet they delight in Golden or Silver Pictures or Emblemes.

PERUVIA is the noblest Country of all the New World, it is now devided into three parts, namely, the Plaine, the Mountaines, and the Andes. The Plaine of Peruvia reacheth 500. leagues by the Sea-coast, and is 10. or 15. leagues broad, but this part is sandy, and full of desarts, and for the most part barren, for it hath no Springs, nor Lakes, neither is it watered with any showers, but as it is moistned with a kinde of humour or dew which the Inhabitants call Garva. But yet there are greene fruitfull meddowes which lye by the bankes of the Rivers, which in the Winter time doe overflow them, which maketh them yeeld both store of Cotton, and all kinde of Corne. The Inhabitants of this Country are poore, living under Trees, and among Reedes, and doe feed on Fish, and raw flesh. The mountainous is extended in a long space of ground some hundred leagues from the North to the South. These Mountaines are very cold, neither doe they beare any Trees, so that the Inhabitants are faine to burne a kinde of pitchie Turfe. Here are Lions, Wolves, black Beares, Goates, and a kinde of beast like a Cammell, of the Wooll whereof they make Cotton Garments, in the Valleys of these Mountaines there liveth a populous Nation, who are more witty and civill than the former. The Andes also are Mountaines, which runne along with a continued ridge, without any Valleys, and they are chiefly two, commonly call'd Cordeleras, which are almost 1000. leagues long, and equally distant one from another, in which there are great store of Goates, wilde Sheepe, Apes and Parrots; the soyle also is very fruitfull, and doth yeeld all kinde of Pulse, and divers Sallet hearbs. And especially there is the hearbe Coca, (of which there are many fabulous reports) whose leaves are like a Shrub, which the Graecians call Rhus, the Latines call it Tanners hearb, which as it is found by experience, if it be carryed in ones mouth, it takes away the appetite from meate and drinke, but it encreaseth valour and strength. There is a Vice-roy that governeth all this Province, under whose jurisdiction are the Chilenses, also Salomons Ilands, and toward the West the Country of the Silver River. It hath three Seats of Judgement, Quito, Limam, and Las Charcas. The first whereof Quito doth containe more Countries, as Pogaya, Quixos, Cavelas, Iuan de Salinas, Pocomoros; and it is 24. leagues in length neere the Aequinoctiall Line, even to the Seate of Justice at Lima. Many poisonous hearbes doe grow in this Country, and they doe get Gold out of the Cordillerian Mountaines, but afterward it was prohibited, they doe also digge Salt-peter from thence. The second Seate of Judgement is at Lima, which reacheth from the North Southward, from the 6. degree of Altitude, to the 16. or 17. and so runneth forward 120. leagues. The chiefe Citty hereof is Lima, built in a Plaine 2. leagues from the Southerne Sea, by a River which is a small streame in Summer, but in Winter it hath store of water. The third Provinciall Seate of Judgement is at a place call'd Charcas, it is situate in 17. degrees of latitude, by the River Lambopulla, and it containeth many Regions and Countries, which are amply describ'd in Authors.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome

PERƲ is an Empire or Kingdom, so rich, and great, that all America Meridionalis, or at least the half of that America, sometimes takes the name of Peruviana, Peru, taken more precisely, extends it self, more or less, according to the diversity of Authors: It is for the most part between the Equinoctial Line, and the Tropick of Capricorn, where it hath more then 600 Leagues length; and if we add the Part of Popayan, which is on this side the Line, and which depends on the Chamber of Quito, in Peru; and that part of Tucuman, which is beyond the Tropick of Capricorn, and which depends on the Chamber de la Plata,* 1.2 in Peru; its length will not be much less than a 1000 Leagues. Its breadth is likewise very diverse, esteeming what the Spaniards more absolutely possess. Its breadth will not be above one hundred, or sometimes two or three hundred Leagues; if we add all the Estates that lie upon the Amazon, unto the Confines of Brazile, we may make account of 6 or 700 Leagues of breadth. According to some Authors, this Country is divided into three Parts, and all different from one another; which Parts are, the Hill-Countries, the Andes, and the Plains. The Hill-Countries are twenty Leagues broad,* 1.3 at the narrowest; the Andes, as much; and the Plains, Ten Leagues, and something more; and each part extends it self the whole length of the Country. The Hill Countries are bare and naked; the Andes well cloathed with Woods and Forrests; and the Plains, well furnished with Rivers, together with the benefit of the Sea; yet, in many places, the earth is sandy and dry, which makes it unfit for Grains, or Fruits. In the Hill-Countries, their Summer beginneth in April, and endeth in September, during which time they have fair weather; and from September to April, which is their. Winter, it raineth: This Part is much subject to Winds, which it receiveth from the Coast, which bringeth a difference in the weather; some Winds bringing Snow, others Thunder, others Rain, and others Fair Weather; and where there falleth but little Rain, it is observed to be the more Fertil in Corn and Fruits. On the Andes, it is said to rain continually; whereas, in the Plains, seldom, or never; and their Summer beginneth in October, and endeth in April; so that when it is Summer here, it is Winter with those in the Hill-Countries; And its observed, that a man, in one daies journey, may see Summer and Winter, so that at his setting forth he may be in a manner frozen, and before night scorched with heat.

• 1.4That part of Peru, best known, and on the Mer del Sud, hath been by the Spaniards divided into three Audiences, viz, Quito, Lima, and De la Plata: That of Quito is the most Northern; that of De la Plata the most Southern; and that of Lima, in the middle; and each of these Audiences hath divers Provinces. Quito holds part of Popayan, part of the true Peru, Los Quixos, or La Canela, Pazamoros or Gualsongo, and likewise St. Juan de las Salinas. That of Lima, holds the true Peru, where there were several Provinces, which the name of Peru hath swallowed up. And the Audience De la Plata holds the Provinces of Tucuman, and De los Charcas, and these Provinces comprehend aboundance of other lesser ones, the knowledge of which is little necessary.

• 1.5The Audience of Quito is about the Equinoctial Line, and is 2 or 300 Leagues long, and large. The Quarter of Popayan, subject to this Chamber, hath the Cities of Popayan, Cali, Timana, and others, which we have already treated of, with Popayan, in Terra Firma. The Quarter of Peru, subject to Quito, hath the Cities of, 1. St. Francisco del Quito, or simply Quito; once one of the principal Cities the Ynca's of Peru, being the Regal Seat of their Kings, where they had a magnificent Palace. Its Streets are strait, broad, and well ordered, and its Houses well built; is adorned with a fair Cathedral Church, two Convents of Dominican and Franciscan Friars, as also with the Courts of Judicature: once very large, but at present, it hath not above Five hundred Houses of natural Spaniards, Two or three thousand Houses Inhabited by the Natives; and in its Territory near a hundred Villages, where the Natives also reside; since the Spaniards became Masters of Peru, they have made this a place of good strength, being well Fortified, and as well stored with Ammunition. 2. Rio Bamba, of no note, except for its ancient Palace of the Kings of Peru. 3. Cuenca, seated in a Country well stored with Mines of Gold, Silver, Brass, and Veins of Sulphur. 4. Loxa, seated in a sweet and pleasant Valley, between two Rivers, the Inhabitants are well furnished with Horses and Armour, which is the chiefest part of their Wealth. 5. St. Michael de Piura, of no great account, except it be for its being the first Colony which the Spaniards planted 6. Peru. in St. Jago de Guayaquil, of some note; seated near the influx of the River Guayaquill, at the bottom of an Arm of the Sea. 7. Castro de Vili, another Colony of Spaniards. 8. Porto Viejo, seated not far from the Sea-shore, but of no account, by reason of the badness of its air; its Port-Town is Mantu, nigh to which is a rich Vein of Emeralds. 9. Juan. And 10. Zamora de los Arcaides, both so called in reference to two Cities of those names in Spain; and these are the Cities, or Colonies, which the Spaniards possess in the Audience of Quito, which have been established, at divers times, and not long after the Conquest of Peru.

• 1.6The air of the Country is sufficiently temperate, though under the Line, it is Fertil in Grains and Fruits, well stored with Cattle especially with Sheep; and also plentifully furnished both with Fish and Fowl; but the Fertility of the Country is most seen about, or near Quito, and Porto Viejo; near Lona and Camora are Mines of Gold, near Cuenca, Mines of Silver, Quicksilver, Copper and Iron: Near Porto Viejo, Mines of Emeralds, and about Guayaquil is found Salsaparilla.

• 1.7The Province or Country, DE LOS QƲIXOS, otherwise de la Canella, is Eastward of Quito: Its chief Cities are, 1. Baesa, built in 1559 by Giles Ramirez de Avila, Eastward of Quito about eighteen Leagues, now the Residence of the Governour. 2. Archidona, twenty Leagues, South-Eastwards of Baeza. 3. Avila, so called in reference to Rimerez de Avila; and 4. Sevilla del Oro, all Colonies of Spaiards: The Country is Mountainous, rude, and unfertil; yet produceth a Cinnamon-Tree, which pruned, the tree, bark, and leaves are Cinnamon; but the Fruit is by much the best, and most perfect.

• 1.8PAZAMOROS, South of de la Canella, hath three Cities, or Colonies of Spaniards, viz. 1. St. Juan de las Salinas, or Valladolid; 2. Loyola, or Cambinama; And 3. St. Jago de las Montannas: The Air of the Country is said to be healthful, the soil indifferent fruitful, and feeds many Cattle; and also abounds in Mines of Gold. Los Quixos, and Pazamoras depend as to their Spiritual Government on the Bishop of Quito.

• 1.9The Audience of LIMA, is at present most famous of all, by reason of the Cities of Lima and Cusco; this having been formerly the Metropolis of the Empire of the Ynca's, and the other being the present Residence of the Vice-Roy of Peru; and this Audience comprehends the true Peru; the chief depending Cities, besides Lima and Cusco, are, 1. Arnedo, seated in a Valley among Vineyards. 2. La Santa, or la Parsilla, seated in a Valley, nigh to which are rich Mines of Silver. 3. Truxillo, scituate on the Bank of a small, but pleasant River, about two Leagues from the Sea, where it hath a large, but unsafe Haven, and in a pleasant Valley; the Town indifferently well built and large, and beautified with four Convents of several Orders. 4. Miraflores, about 5 Leagues from the Sea, in the valley of Zanu, of some note for the abundance of Sugar Ganes that grow there. 5. Cachapoyas, or St. Juan de la Frontiera, of good account in former times for furnishing the Kings of Peru with handsom women. 6. Leon du Guanuco, rich and pleasantly seated, and beautified with some Religious Houses, a Colledge of Jesuits, and in former time with a stately Palace of the Kings. 7. Areguipa scituate at the foot of a flaming Mountain, in the valley of Quilca, made happy by a flourishing soil, and temperate air. 8 Valverde seated in a valley of the same name, which yields plenty of Vines, from which they make good Wine; the Town is indifferent large, being Inhabited by about 500 Spaniards besides Natives; and beautified with a fair Church,* 1.10 an Hospital, and three Fryeries. The City of Lima is two Leagues long, and one broad, seated in a pleasant valley, being begirt with sweet Fields and delightful Gardens, below which is its Port Collao. The Houses in this City are well built,* 1.11 its streets large, and so ordered that most of the chief take their rise from the Market-place; It is said to consist of 10000 ordinary Families, besides Passengers, and those that come hither for trade, which are many, by reason the riches of Peru that yearly pass through this City to go to Spain, which hath not a little encreased its wealth. The City encloses several fair Edifices and Churches,* 1.12 among which these following may not be forgotten: viz. The Palaces of the Vice-Roy and Archbishop, then the Cathedral Church built after the Model of that of Sevil in Spain, and endowed with an Annual Revenue of 30000 Ducats, also the Courts of Judicature, the Colledges and Monasteries; also its four Hospitals, to wit, one for the Clergy, another for the Spaniards, a third for the Indians, and the fourth for the Widdows: The air about this City is healthful, temperate, alwaies serene, and the soil the most fertil of all Peru.

• 1.13Among the other Cities Cusco is the chief among those of the Provinces of the Hill-Countries, and the Andes, being by much the most famous; having been the Residence of the Ynca's, or Peruvian Kings, who for the more beautifying this City ordered all their Nobility to build each of them a Palace for their Residence; at present it is of the greatest account in all this Country, as well for its beauty and greatness, as for its populousness, being said to be the habitation of about 3000 Spaniards, and 10000 Natives; besides Women and Children. Besides these Palaces, It is adorned with a Cathedral, and 8 Parish Churches, four Convents of Religious Orders, a Colledge of Jesuits, a stately Temple dedicated to the Sun, also several Baths about the City, and abundance of very fair Houses, in the fields. Its scituation is betwixt two pleasant and useful Rivers; and begirt with Mountains.

• 1.14The Country for the most part is fruitful, they have good pastures, which are well stocked with Cattle, they gather abundance of Coca, have excellent Venison, and the Country generally well furnished with Rivers, in which they take good Fish.* 1.15 It yields many Mines of Gold and Silver about Cusco, and particularly of Gold at St. Juan del oro, at Oropesa Vermillion; and Quicksilver, between Arnedo, and Port de Guajara, and likewise at Barranca are rich salt pits.

The Inhabitants of Guanuco, and of Chachapoyas, are the most civilized of Peru. There are yet every where a great number of these Indians, there being esteemed under the jurisdiction of Truxillo, 50000 Tributaries, 30000 in that of Guanuco, as many in Guamanga, 50000 in that of Arequipa, and 100000 in the jurisdiction of Cusco, &c. There are likewise others who yield no obedience to the Spaniards, among which are the Manatiens not far from Cusco, who maintain themselves in their Mountains; who often butcher and eat those Spaniards they can entrap.

• 1.16The Province DE LA PLATA, or de los Chaecas, is South of Peru, and under the Tropick of Capricorn. It is divided into two or three other lesser parts, to wit, de los Charcas, de la Sierra, and of Tucuman, This last is quite beyond the Tropick, and we will describe it with Paraguay, or Rio de la Plata, with which it shall best agree. The two others are for the most part on this side that Tropick. The chief City is de la Plata, that is of Silver; and this City gives sometimes its name to the Province; is the Residence of an Archbishop; dignified with the seat of the Governour, the Courts of Judicature, and beautified with a fair Cathedral, besides several Religious Houses. The City is seated in a pleasant and fruitful soil. Its Houses well built, and so large, that within its walls are the habitations of 800 natural Spaniards, beside 60000 Natives Tributaries, under its Jurisdiction. Its Mines by reason of the incommodities of the waters, were abandoned so soon as those of Potossi were discovered, which, since this discovery, from a small Village is now become a very considerable and large Town, of two Leagues Circuit, being Inhabited by about 40 or 50000 Spaniards, besides about 30000 Natives, and others, that work in the Mines. It is seated below the Mountain, which bears the same name, from whence they have their Silver. A City esteemed free because of its large and ample priviledges; the Officers for the Treasure of the Province residing here, being also much frequented by Merchants, which come hither to trade for their Silver, bringing them several Commodities in exchange that they have need of, so that I may say, it is plentifully furnished with all Commodities, as well for delight, as necessity. The other Cities are Neuestra Sennora, de la Pax, or Villanueva, Oropesa and Chicuito a City of Indians; Then Sancta Crux de la Sierra; and in Tucuman St. Jago del Estera, Neuestra Sennora de Talavera, and St. Michael or Tucuman.

• 1.17That which is most observable in this Province are the Silver Mines, de la Plata, de Porco, and above all those of Potossi, being the most famous in the world, though yielding nothing but Silver. It is observed of this Mine, that it hath four principal veins, the first which is called the rich; was Registred the 21 of April 1545. and the others in little time after. These Enregisters are made to take notice of the time granted to those which discover the Mines, to whom they belong, defraying the charge, and paying to the King the right of a fifth part. It is said that the rich Mine had its Metal out of the Earth, in fashion of a Rock, or like a Chrest of 300 Foot long, 12 or 15 broad, and 10 or 12 deep. And that which is likewise observable, is that all these Veins are towards the Sun rising, and not one towards its setting: they have now exhausted all that was the best and easiest to take away, and the Miners are descended into the Earth, some to 500, others to 10, or 1200 Degrees of depth. The Rich vein yielded the moiety of good Silver; but now scarce will Quintal of Ore yield two Ounces of pure Silver; yet some will say that the Catholick King receives for his fifth part, near two millions of Crowns yearly. Account is made of 20000 men, working in these Mines, and of 50000 Indians, which go and come to the City of Potossi, to trade.

SANCTA CRƲX DE LA SIERRA, or the Holy Cross of the chief Mountain of its little Province, is East of Potossi, but inclosed with many barbarous Nations on the West and South; among others, the Chirigudgues, which are a sort of People not to be reduced to order, though between La Sierra and Tucuman. The Country is hot, but sometimes oppressed with cold and sharp winds; the Land hath Grains, Mayz, Wine, and feeds much Venison.

• 1.18The Ynca Garcilasso de la Vega hath given us a very fine History of Peru, of its Ynca's or Kings, with their Riches, great Revenues, Policies, and Forces: as to their Wealth, it was shewed by the vast Treasures which the Spaniards became Masters of; all their moveables, besides Rooms full of several sorts of Images, being of Gold and Silver, together with several Rooms filled with Treasure. Their Policy was shewed in the management of their Affairs, and enlargement of their Territories, treating their Subjects kindly and lovingly; and allowing them share in the spoils of other Countries, meerly to endear them, and gain their affections; and by these, and the like means, they were much reverenced, and faithfully served by their Subjects. And lastly, as to their Forces, we may conclude them to have been great, if we look back upon their great and many victories they have gained, as also of the Civil Wars maintained between the first Spanish Chiefs that Conquered this great Empire, though with no small pains,* 1.19 expences, and loss of men. The People are said to be of a strong and healthy constitution, couragious and warlike, great Dissemblers, ignorant of Letters, much given to Drink; were formerly so barbarous, that they adored only Beasts, or those inanimate things, which they might make use of, or which they feared might hurt them; sacrificing not only Fruits and Beasts, but likewise Men and Women taken in War, and sometimes their own Children.

• 1.20Among the rarities of this Country, here is a Plant, which, if put into the hands of a Sick person, will immediately discover whether he shall die or recover; for, if he, at the putting it to his hand, look of a chearful countenance, then it is a sign of his recovery; but if sad, and troubled, a sure sign of death. They have another Plant, of which the North-part, regarding the Mountains, beareth its Fruits only in Summer, and the Southern-parts, towards the Sea, in the Winter season only.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

PERƲ is so considerable a Region, that the Spaniards thought fitting to comprehend under that Name, all the other parts of Southern America. It is almost all under the Torrid Zone, and yet it has not the Qualities of the Countreys of our Hemisphere, that are in the same Zone. There are three sorts of Countreys very different from one another, the Plain, the Mountainous, and the Andes. The Plain, which borders upon the Sea, and where it hardly ever rains, is sandy, and subject to Earthquakes, and but ten or twelve Leagues in breadth. The Mountainous, which has full twenty, consists in Valleys, in Hills, and Mountains, where it is very cold. The Andes, that are as broad as the Mountainous part, and where there be almost always continual Rains, are Mountains excessively high, and nevertheless fertile and well peopled: so as under the Name of Peru, many more Territories have been contained than those that have been conquered.

The Spaniards have a Vice Roy in this Countrey, where they have particularly fortified Arica, as a Sea-Port, whether are brought the Commodities of Lima, and the Riches of Potosi. They invaded this Kingdom under Pizarra, in the Year 1525. the Civil Wars which followed, did for some time retard the absolute Conquest. The Indians not being able to defend themselves, pay them Tribute. The King of Spain draws immense Sums from the Mines of Peru; the principal Towns have almost all of 'em some, and the Fond of Earth is there often of Gold and Silver; for which reason Peru is without contradiction, the richest Countrey in the World. It is certain, that the Spaniards brought from thence to the value of above twenty Millions of Ducats, in the first Voyage they made thither. The security of the Ways is so great, that Commodities often to the worth of three or four hundred thousand Ducats are frequently conducted under the Convoy only of four Musqueteers.

The Incas had reign'd hereditarily in Peru for above three hundred years, before the coming of the Spaniards. They had caused there to be made two Royal High-ways, the one in the Plain, where they were at great Charges in setling the Sand; and the other in the Mountains, where it was necessary to fill up several Valleys. These Ways were each of 'em five hundred Leagues in length, and there were Houses where Travellers were entertain'd by the Inhabitants, with all the care and civility imaginable. The same Incas had also caused Temples to be built to the Sun, to the Moon, and the Stars, which they called the Moons Waiting Gentlewomen, to Lightning, to Thunder, and the Rain-bow, which they said was the Executioner of the Kings Justice. Some say, that their Policy resembled in some manner that of the Greeks and Romans; that their Government was full of Ease, Franchises, and Liberality. They divided the World into three parts, High, Low, and Subterranean, signifying thereby, Heaven, Earth, and Hell. Atabalippa, one of the last of those Incas, said, The Pope was not wise, to give away what belonged not to him; and that he the said Atabalippa, had right to prefer the Divinity of the Sun, before that of a Crucified Man: He likewise threw down upon the ground a Breviary that was offered him, because it spoke not a word, and they had made him hope it would tell him fine things. This unhappy Prince having been defeated and taken by the Spaniards at Camamalca, offered as much Gold as a Room seven and twenty foot in length could hold, seventeen in breadth, and proportionably high, to the half of its height: Notwithstanding which, he was put to death, as a Conspiratour and a Tyrant. It is not to be wondred at the abundance of the Incas Gold and Silver, since they had in Gold all the Animals and Plants they had the knowledge of, and had Temples, where they plac'd a number of Statues of pure Gold, and an infinite company of Precious Stones: those rich Fabricks have been demolish'd by the Spaniards, in hopes of finding Gold in the Materials and joyning of the stones, which were cemented with it, tho' they were of a prodigious bigness.

The Provinces of Peru, are Quito, los Reyes, los Charcas, la Sierra. Quito has a great deal of Gold, Cotton, and Medicinal Herbs, and a Town of the same Name, the ancient abode of the Inca Guainacapa. The Province de los Reyes, has the finest Cities of the Countrey, Lima and Cusco. Lima is new, and one of the best of all America: Its great Trade, as well as the Residence of the Vice-Roy, and of the Arch-bishop, have rendred it the Capital of Peru. Callao, a Sea-port Town, two Leagues from Lima, is capable of receiving and securing several Ships. Cusco, built four hundred years before the Spaniards took it, is very Populous, because the Kings kept commonly their Court there, and oblig'd the Caciques, or Lords of the Countrey, to build each a House there, and make it the place of their Childrens Residence. There is in the Province de los Charcas, the Cities de la Plata, and Petosi; this last, one of the best inhabited in all the West Indies: It has all the Conveniencies and Delights of Life; and for that reason several persons go to dwell there. The Silver Mines of its Mountain are really the richest in the World; they are in no wise subject to the Inconveniencies of the Waters, which commonly incommode other Mines. The King of Spain drew thence formerly every year above a Million of Ducuts for his Fifth; but since, they are much diminished. The Spaniards are not sparing of proclaiming from time to time the discovery of other Mines in their Provinces of America.

1695. A New Body of Geography by A. Sewall & T. Child.

PERU, PERUA, or Peruense Regnum.

This Region is so considerable, that it gives name to the Southern America. It belonged anciently to the Incas, but now the Spaniards have it. The situation of it is in the Torrid Zone, between the 1 and 6 Deg. of Northen Latitude, and between the 1 and 27 Degree of Southern, which makes it in length 660 Leagues, and between the 288 and 315 Degree of Latitude▪ so that the breadth of it in the widest place, in the Province of Charcas is about 224 Leagues. It is bounded on the North by Terra Firma; on the West by the Sea of Peru; on the South by Chili and Plata, and on the East by Rio de la Plata and Amazonia.

PERƲ may be considered as the different Countries, the Plain, the Mountains, and the Andes, where the Air is different and indeed unwholsom. The Plains which joyn to the Sea are sandy, and have seldom or never any Rains fall upon them. The Mountains consist of Valleys, Skirts and Tops, where it is very cold. The Andes are very high Mountains, very Fruitful and Populous, and they have often Rain there. This Region is the richest Treasure upon Earth, and the be•t Flower in the C•own of Spain. This Country was first Discover'd by Francis Pizaro a Spaniard in 1525, and he made hims lf Master of it by the co•s nt of two Brothers, who contended for th• Crown: He also ••rangled one King, called the King o• A•••a••pa, contrary to the promise he had made •o h•m. The insatiable desire which he had for Gold▪ ma•e him commit infinite Barbarities and M••••••s upon the poor Indians, under the pretence of R••••ion Pizaro was justly punished for it. Earth•ledge• are there frequent and dangerous. In the year •ledge• there happen'd so violent an one, that the City •ledge•lo was swallow'd up. By the Rivers sides the So•• pr•duces an abundance of Corn, Maiz, Sugarcanes, Cotton. excellent Wine, and that admirable Plant called Coca, whose Leaf being put into the Mouth. nourisheth and preserves from Thirst and Hunger. They have a great number of Ostriches, and Sheep so large, that they use hem for Drawing and Carriage; also springs of hot Water. Some of their Rivers and Lakes have Salt at the bottom though the Water of them be fresh. Besides their Mines of Mercury, Synoper, or Vermilion, they have such an abundance of Gold and Silver every where, that they cannot tell how to dig it when they have found it; so that when Pizaro came there, their Ki•chin-Vessels were all of Gold, and their Houses covered with Plates of it. It is certain that the King of Spain hath had out of the Mine at Potosi in less than 50 years, for his fifth part above 111 Millions weight at 3 Royals and a quarter the weight, as Linc•st, Herrara, Acosta, Garcelassor and Bartholomeo de Cassa relate. It is so safe Travelling upon their ways, that they often carry the value of 400000 Ducats with 4 Musqueteers. They have a great number of Horses and other Beasts, Tigers, Bears, Corigons, which have under their Belly a skin like a sack, where they carry their young ones till they are able to Travel; and a Plant called Copariboy, a sovereign Medicine for all Wounds, and a special Antidote against Poyson.

The Natives are very simple, inconstant, and regardless of their Words. The People of the Mountains are great Dissemblers, and more Ingenious: The Women are very modest, and most faithful to their Husbands of all the Americans. These People are whiter than the Spaniards.

They worshipped the Sun in former times, but believed there was a God more Powerful, whom they call Pachacamac. The Subjects of the King of Spain follow the Catholick Religion. The Christians there are looked upon by those that are not yet Converted, as Monsters for Malice and Barbarity, because of the strange Cruelties they have exercised upon them; which is the reason that the Manatians and other People that live upon the Mountains, kill as many of them as they can meet.

The Incas Reigned sufficiently there for more than 300 years before the coming of the Spaniards. Pisaro and Almagro, Captains for Charles V. have almost extinguished that Royal Family in favour of the Crown of Spain. The People of the Mountains always oppose the Spaniard: They chuse a Captain or Cauque from among themselves for their Governor. The Incas or Ingas, had made two common Roads, one through the Plains, another through the Mountains, each 500 Leagues in length, and placed Houses at such a distance upon them to lodge and supply Strangers, that they might Travel quite through them without Charge. It is said that their Government had some resemblance to that of the Greeks and Romans; that it was very easie and commodious to all the World; that they divided the World into Three parts, The Superior Inferior and Subterranean; which signifie Heaven, Earth, and Hell. Atabalipa, one of their Kings said one day to a Spaniard, That the Pope of that time was no wise Man, for giving them that which did not belong to him. This unhappy Prince being taken by the Spaniards, offer'd for his Liberty as much Gold as a Room 27 Foot long, 17 Foot wide, and of an height proportionable, would hold: But this would not save his Life, but he was cruelly put to Death. Several Authors report, that the Incas had all manner of Beasts and Plants which they could imagine, formed in Gold, according to the full bigness and shape of every one of them; and that they had several Temples, in which they had many Statues of pure Gold, with infinite quanties of Precious Stones.

Peru is divided into three Audiences, and divers Provinces, as is visible in the following Table, with the chief Cities in each of them.

Peru hath three Audiences, or Parliaments.

• 1. Of Quito in 4 Provinces.
  • 1. Part of Popegan.
    • ...Popegan,
    • ...Madrigal.
  • 2. Quito Propria,
    • ...Quito
    • ...Porteniejo.
  • 3. Lesquixos,
    • ...Balsa, Avila.
      • ...Valadolid
      • S. John of Salines.
  • 4. Pacamores and Chanele.
• 2. Of Reyos, or Lima.
  • ...Lima,
  • ...Cusco,
  • ...Guemanga,
  • ...Truxillo,
  • ...Ariquipa.
• 3. Of Charchas, or Plata.
  • ...Plata,
  • ...Lapaz,
  • ...S. Cruz, de la Sierra,
  • ...Potosi,
  • ...Ponso.

• People.
  • ...Tomependa,
  • ...Viticos,
  • ...Atavillos,
  • ...Trama,
  • ...Guanias,
  • ...Tambopala,
  • ...Manatiens.
• Mountains.
  • The Andes.
• Lakes.
  • ...Liguna-fridissima,
  • ...Chincacocha,
  • ...Tiquicaca,
  • ...Paria,
  • Laguna, the Great.
• Rivers.
  • Xauxo, or, Maraguan.
    • Which farther is called
  • ...Amazone.