: The Introduction, Vv 
—— ni 
it was taken in 1596. by one Shirley, to whom ics people fub- 
mitted, 
The Ifland Famaica, had this name at the time of its firft Dif- 
covery by Columbus *. The Spaniards write ic either Jamaica, Fa-* Col c. 54. 
mayca ot Xamaica, 7 Confonant and X, amongft them, being pro- 
nounc'd as a Greek X. It afterwards was called St. Fago; tbut foont Martyr. 
obtained again its firft name, which it retain’d when it was taken“ 
by the Englifh Army, fent into thefe parts under General Venables 
in the year 1655. The Defcendents and Pofterity of Columbus 
were, and are ftill called Dukes of Veragua and Vega, and Mar- 
quefles of Famaica. Columbus had this Ifland given him and _ his 
Heirs by the Crown of Spain, in place of feveral Privileges and 
Duties he was by agreement to have had, as firft Difcoverer and 
Admiral of thefe Seas, which were, after coming to the knowledge 
of them, thought too great for a Subject to enjoy. It is called 
la Jamaique by the French, and Gjamaica, by the Italians. The {fland 
of Antego, one of the Antifles or Cartbes, had the fame name wich 
this Ifland given it by the Indians, but it was foon changed to that 
of Santa Mori del Antigua from whence the prefent name is by cor- 
ruption || derived. Il Cob. c. 47: 
Jamaica lies in that part of the North Sea, which wafhes the Eaft 
fide of the Continent of America. This Sea is called the Mare Boreale, 
Septentrionale, or Mar del Nort, to diftinguifh it from the Pacific or 
South Sea, called Mar del Zur, which lies Weft of the main Land of 
America, Xt lies nearer the Continent or Main, than moft of the 
other confiderable American Ifles; which Iflands, as it were, guard 
it from the violence of the Winds, and great Atlantic Ocean, and 
render it fitter for the produce of the Manufaéture and Trade of 
thofe parts, than any of chem. Jt has many Cayos, commonly 
called Keys, Shoals and Rocks tound it, whereby ignorant Sailers 
are incommoded. Ic lies to the South: Welt of England at about 
fifteen hundred Leagues, or four choufand five hundred Miles di- 
ftance from it. It has to the Eaft of ic Adi/paniola, or Santo Do- 
mingo, about thirty five Leagues diftant. To the North Cuba 
diftant about twenty Leagues, to the South Porto Belo, and to 
the South-Eaft Santa Martha, both about one hundred and fixcy 
Leagues off, and it has alfo Cartagena one hundred and forty Leagues 
diftant. Thele three laft places are on the Continent of Ame- 
rica and very great places for Trade, Cartagena tor Gold and Silver, 
Portobelo for the fame, Cafcarilla, the Bark of Peru, or Fefuits 
Powder, and Sarfaparilla, and Santa Martha for Pearls, all which 
are brought to Jamaica, in exchange for Blacks and European Com- 
modities. Befides, it lies near Campeche and Vera Cruz, the firft a 
very confiderable place for Logwood, and the other being the Port 
(5) Town 
