Guam. 
‘History. 
GUA 
the mixed race of Spaniards and natives from the Phi- 
lippines. But to preserve these troops from the hazard 
of idleness, and to procure them ample subsistence, 
hy? were occupied in cultivating a tract called the Roy- 
al 
omain, separate from all other property. By such . 
humane and prudent measures, while the natives are 
reclaimed to habits of industry, their principles and 
morals, aided by an innate placid disposition, undergo 
an absolute alteration ; yet this patrioticindividual was 
afterwards persecuted by the clergy of Manilla. 
The history of Guam is marked by some singular 
and interesting features. It was discovered in the year 
1521, by Magellan, who ascertained that it belonged to 
a cluster of nine principal islands, and a number of 
smaller islets, which he first calied De Velas, trom the 
sails of the canoes, but afterwards Ladrones, from the 
propensity of the natives to theft. Guam appeared to 
enjoy a delightful climate ; it was covered with fruits, 
and afforded the means of supporting a colony ; there- 
fore the Spaniards having already established them- 
selves in the Eastern Seas, resolved upon making a set- 
tlement here. The inhabitants were a wild and savage 
race; but equally savage with themselves, the Euro- 
peans, in usurping their territories, carried fire and 
sword along with them. In violating the religion of 
their fathers, they endeavoured to inculcate the prin- 
ciples of Christianity ; but instead of adhering to its 
mild and benevolent doctrines, they practised the most 
horrible cruelties to enforce belief. While their rude 
opponents might have been gained by conciliation, a 
war of extermination was unrelentingly prosecuted, be- 
cause their demands, alike ungenerous and unjust, were 
resisted, At this early period, the nine islands of the 
group were calculated to contain 60,000 inhabitants, of 
whom 20,000 belonged to Guam. But they gradually 
fell under the barbarity of their invaders, too well skilled 
in warfare. After a long interval of suffering, a measure 
was at length adopted by the natives, which is scarcely 
to be paralleled in history: They resolved to allow their 
race to be extinguished in themselves, that posterit: 
might not be able in their misery to reproach them wit 
existence. Thus the women drank deleterious potions 
to procure abortion at the moment, and to prevent their 
having any future offspring ; and this outrage against 
nature was so obstinately persisted in, that about 60 
years ago, the total population of the group had de- 
creased to 800 or 900 persons. The Spaniards, how- 
ever, had awakened from their error, and learning the 
benefit of conciliation, found means to collect the whole 
in the island of Guam. There it continued to augment 
during twenty years, to about 1500, since which time 
we have no further accounts of it ; but most probably it 
is much more considerable, or part may have colonized 
the neighbouring islands. During these convulsions 
the invaders did not escape with impunity, and on one 
occasion when the natives rose upon them, all the mis- 
sionaries were massacred ; but on another, when their 
numbers were small, they proved unsuccessful, and all 
except 100 evacuated the island, leaving the Spaniards 
in peaceable possession of it. Afterwards they became 
accustomed to the yoke, and a quiet, peaceable, and in- 
offensive race has now sprung up to promote instead of 
resist the objects of the settlers. > 
Guam is of importance as a Spanish establishment, 
from its position and great fertility: the galleons from 
Acapulco to Manilla, so much the object of capture to 
hostile nations, were wont to put in here for refresh- 
ments, besides which, .a vessel came annually from the 
Philippines. It is said that the natives of the neigh- 
bouring islands have become more warlike of late, and 
534 
GUA 
seem disposed to make conquests of other territories ; 
but whether they disturb the European colonies is not 
explained. In concluding these observations,’ we may 
cite the words of a French navigator, who made a short 
residence in Guam, which will satisfactorily illustrate 
its properties. “ In traversing’ this island, we discover. 
ed how lavish nature has been of picturesque and agree« 
able places. Enchanting spots were met with in our 
excursions, where she had bestowed every thing, and 
where the hand of man had made no ? ts. 
Ennui was banished: here all was united for the enjoy= 
ment of solitude : verdure, shade, coolness, and the pers 
fume of flowers: crystalline fountains were seen spring. 
ing from the rocks: the song of innumerable birds) ro 
heard ; and groves appeared ‘of cocoas, © ; 
oranges, citrons, and an infinity of fruits rsper 
sed among the foliage of trees, all cultivated by the 
operation of nature alone. Here, too, they presented a 
pleasing disorder, which art has never been able'to imi« 
tate. I could not quit this: delightful abode without 
regret, where life might be passed in satisfaction.” 
It seems doubtful whether the actual position of 
Guam is completely ascertained. Dampier, after a very 
long run, lays it down in’ Latitude 13°21’ North, Lon- 
gitude 125° 11' West: later navigators place it in 13° 
25’ North Latitude, and 155° 10’ East Longitude ; and 
La Perouse, probably from observation, fixes the har- 
bour of Umata in 13° 10’ North Latitude. 9 (¢) ~ 
GUAMANCA, Guamanasa, or Huamanea, is the 
name of a city and province in Peru. The re 
originally founded by Pizarro in 1539, as a mii sta- 
tion for the trade between Lima and’Cusco. “It was 
built at first on the site of an Indian village of the same 
name; but, in memory of a victory gained over the 
Ynca, was called by the Spaniards San Juan de la Vit- 
toria. It was situated in the vicinity of the Andes, in 
a barren district; but, after the subjugation of the Pe- 
ruvians, was removed to its present site, in 13° South 
Lat. in a more fertile territory, about sixty lea 
east-south-east from Lima. It stands upon the decli- _ 
vity of a mountainous ridge, not remarkable for its’ 
height ; but still so far above the rivers, as to be scanti- 
ly supplied with water. About twenty noble families 
reside in the centre of the town, in spacious houses of 
a considerable height, built partly of stone, and covered 
with tiles, and surrounded with extensive gardens. "It is 
skirted with suburbs of Indian habitations, which are 
chiefly built of stone, and, though low in the walls, as 
is generally the case in the inland towns of South Ame- 
rica, yet add considerably to the appearance of the city. 
It contains a splendid cathedral, and a seminary for the 
service of the church, under the title of St Christopher ; 
a university, with professors Wil cera divinity, 
and law, and endowed with privi equal to that of 
Lima ; and also several chapels convents, a hospi« 
tal, and a college of Jesuits. It is governed by a cor- 
regidor, assisted by the principal nobility, who form a~ 
corporate body, out of which are chosen the alcaldes, 
to superintend the several departments of the police of 
the city, and the jurisdiction of the province. 
The province or diocese lying eastward of Lima, is 
of very considerable extent, and is divided into the fol- 
lowing districts :—Guamanga, which contains the ca- 
pital of the province, is very fertile and populous. Its 
climate is temperate, and it abounds in various kinds of 
grain, fruit, and cattle. “It contains several mines, but 
few of them are worked ; and ‘its aj Itural wealth 
is fortunately the principal object of attention to the 
inhabitants. A princi veo of its commerce consists 
in bend leather, for the soles of shoes; and great quan« 
