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98
J New SxTOtyi 0/ ée Weft-Indies.
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and other neceffaries. I could not but accept of this good offer ; and fo with this iraploy-
mentl remained in that City from Aprill to the end of September, where I was much
efteemed of by the Bifhop and Governour, but efpecially by the Prior, who would -never
ride about the Country for his recreation, but he would take me with him, whereby I
had occafion to note concerning the Province, riches, commodities, and government of
Chiapa what in the entiling Chapter I fhall faithfully commend unto the Preffe.
r y
H   A   P.
XV.
DefcrihingtheComtryof Chiapa , withthe chiefeft Towns and Commodities
belonging unto it.
THough Chiapa in the opinion of the Spaniards be held to be one of the pooreft
Countries of America ; becaufe in it as yet there have been no mines difcovered,
por golden fands found in the rivers, nor. any haven upon the South fea, whereby com-
modities are brought in and carried out,, as to Mexico, Guaxaca, and Guatemala ;. yet J
may fay it exceedeth moft Provinces in the greatneffe and beauty of fair Towns, and
yeeldethtononeexceptitbeto^^m^; nay itfurpaffeth all the reft of America m
that one, and famous and moft populous Town of Chiapa ofthe Indians. And it ought
pot to be fo much flighted by the Spaniards as it is, if they would look upon it as ftanding
ietweenMextcoandGuatemala,whofe ftrength might hezMAmericaes flrength,and whofe
weakneffemay prove dangerous to all that flourifhing Empire, for the eafy entrance
into it by the river of Tabafco, ©r for its near joyning and bordering unto fucatan.
Befides, the commodities in it are fuch as do uphold a confiant trading and commerce a-
mongft the inhabitants themfelves, and with other neighbouring Countries, and from no
onepart of America doth Sfaingytmore Cochinil then from one of the Provinces of
Chiapa; the Towns alfo being great and populous, by their yearly pole tribute do add
much to the King of S pains revenues.
This Country is divided into three Provinces, to wit,Chiapa,Zeldales,and Zoques ;
Whereof Chiapa it felf is the pooreft. This contains the great Town ofChiapa ofthe Indi-
ans, and all the Towns and farmes North-ward towards Maquilapa, and Weft-ward the
Priory of ComitIan, which hath fome ten Towns, and many farmes of Cattle, Horfes,and
Mules fubjed unto it; and neighbouring unto it lyeth the great valley of Capambaftla,
which is another Priory reaching towards Soconuzco. This valley glorieth in the great
river which hath its fpring from the mountains called Cuchumatlanes, and runneth to
Chiapa of «he Indians, and from thence to Tabafco. It is alfo famous for the abundance of
fifh which the river yeeldetb, and the great ftore of Cattell which from thence nynflter
food and provifion both to the City of Chiapa, and to all the adjacent Towns. Jfhongh
Chiapa the City, and Comitlan as ftanding upon the hils, be exceeding cold, yet this valley
tying low is extraordinary hot, and from May to Michaelmas is fubjed to great ftormes
and tempefts of thunder and lightning. The head Town where the Priory Hands, is called
Copanab4la,çonf\Çâng of above eight hundred Indian inhabitants.But greater then this is
Izquintenango at the end ofthe valley and at the foot of the mountains of Cuchumatlanes
Southward. And yet bigger then this is the Town of St. Bartholomew Northward at the
other end ofthe valley, whiclfin length is about fourty miles, and ten or twelve only in
breadth. All the reft of the Towns lie toward Soconuzco, and are yet hotter and more
fubjed to thunder and lightning, as drawing nearer unto die South fea coaft.Befides the
abundance of Cattell, the chief commoditie of this valley confifteth in Cotton-wooll,
Whereof are made fuch ftore of mantles for the Indians wearing, that the Merchancs far
and near come for them. They exchange them to Soconuzco and Xuchutepeques tor Cacao*
whereby they are well ftofed of that drink. So that the inhabitants want neither fifh
{whichthey have from the river) nor flefh (for that the valley abounds with
Cattell) nor clothing (for of that they fpare to others) nor bread, though not ot
wheat, for there growes none; but Indian Maiz they have plenty of; and befides they
are exceedingly ftored with fowles and Turkeys, fruits, Hony, Tgbawo and Sugar-
canes.