THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA a.d. 



1595. 

 duct shippes by sea, any thing neere the saide countrie. 



Orellana, of whom the river of Amazones taketh name, 

 was the first, and Don Antonio de Berreo (whom we 

 displanted) the last : and I doubt much, whether he 

 himselfe or any of his yet know the best way into the 

 sayde Empire. It can therefore hardly be regained, if 

 any strength be formerly set downe, but in one or two 

 places, and but two or three crumsters or gallies built, 

 and furnished upon the river within : The West Indies 

 have many portes, watering places, and landings, and 

 nearer then three hundred miles to Guiana, no man 

 can harbour a shippe, except he know one onely place, 

 which is not learned in haste, and which I will under- 

 take there is not any one of my companies that knoweth, 

 whosoever hearkened most after it. 



Besides by keeping one good Fort, or building one 

 towne of strength, the whole Empire is guarded, and 

 whatsoever companies shall be afterwardes planted within 

 the land, although in twentie severall Provinces, those 

 shall be able all to reunite themselves upon any occasion 

 eyther by the way of one river, or be able to march by 

 land without either wood, bogge, or mountaine : whereas 

 in the West Indies there are fewe townes or Provinces 

 that can succour or relieve one the other, eyther by 

 land or sea: By land the countries are either desert, 

 mountaynous, or strong enemies : by sea, if any man 

 invade to the Eastward, those to the West cannot in 

 many moneths turne against the brize and Eastern wind, 

 besides the Spaniards are therein so dispersed, as they 

 are no where strong, but in Nueva Espanna onely: 

 the sharpe mountaines, the thornes, and poysoned [III. 662.] 

 prickles, the sandie and deepe wayes in the valleys, the 

 smothering heate and aire, and want of water in other 

 places are their onely and best defence, which (because 

 those nations that invade them are not victualled or 

 provided to stay, neither have any place to friend 

 adjoyning) doe serve them in steede of good armes 

 and great multitudes. 



429 



