46 



THE COAST OF 



Audience of 



They have no kind of vice amongft them, nor any occafion for magi- 

 flrates to decide differences, and preferve the peace. They have fome notions 

 of a fupreme being, and pay their adorations to the fan, which they fuppofe 

 influences every thing, and governs the world. They hkewiie ufe a ceremony 

 in the burial of their dead, who are fewed up in a mat, and not laid in their 

 grave length ways, but upright on their feer, with their faces diredly to the 

 ea/l. 



When the duke of Albemarle was governor of yamaica, the Mufquitos put 

 themfelves under the protedion of die crown of Great-Britain, and their 

 king received a commiffion from his grace under the feal of that ifland. They 

 liave ever fince been fteady in their alliance with the Englijlj, and very ufeful 

 to them on many occafions. 



When the king dies, the next male heir goes to 'Jamaica, with three or 

 four principal men, to certify that he is next in blood, and receives in foim a 

 commiflion to be king of the Mufquitos and till this is obtained, he is not 

 acknowledged by them, though after all, he is little more than a nominal king 

 unlefs they are at war, having no revenues, and very few prerogatives j being 

 obliged, in time of peace, to fifh and fowl for the fupport of himfelf and 

 his family. He hath indeed fome diftinftion fhewn him, and now and then 

 prefents made him by the governor of yamaica, and the Engli/Jo trader?, who 

 frequently touch there. Neither hath he any guards ; and yet we never 

 heard of any plot, rebellion, or infurredtion in that kingdom. 



, The Mufquitos have a very great affedlion for the Britijh nation ; 

 and are fo fond of every thing that belongs to us, that they are never 

 eafy till they have obtained an Englifo name. Our feamen give 

 the common people fuch chriftian and firnames as they think pro- 

 per ; and their war captains, or great men, the titles of fome of our 

 principal nobility. 



Valadolid, called by the Indians, Comayagua, is the principal city in the 

 province of Honduras. It ftands on a river tX. the diftance of eighty miles from 

 the fea, and is pleafantly feated in a valley, and for a Spanijh inland city well 

 inhabited. It is a bifhopric which was removed in 1558 from Triixtllo ; is 



the 



