350 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



tyman we understood what strength the Spaniards had, how 

 far it was to their city, and of Don Antonio de Berreo the go- 

 vernor, who was said to be slain in his second attempt of 

 Guiana, but was not. While we remained at Puerto de los 

 Hispanioles, some Spaniards came aboard us to buy linen of 

 the company, and such other things as they wanted, and also 

 to view our ships and company ; all which I entertained 

 kindly, and feasted after our manner. By means whereof, I 

 learned, of one and other, as much of the estate of Guiana as 

 I could, or as they knew. 



" I sent captain Whiddon, the year before, to get what 

 knowlege he could of Guiana ; and the end of my journey, 

 at this time, was to discover and enter the same. But my in- 

 telligence was far from truth ; for the country is situate above 

 six hundred English miles farther from the sea than I was 

 made believe it had been. 



'* But because there may arise many doubts, and how this 

 empire of Guiana is become so populous, and adorned with so 

 many great cities, towns, temples, and treasures, I thought 

 good to make it known, that the emperor now reigning is 

 descended from those magnificent princes of Peru, of whose 

 large territories, of whose policies, conquests, edifices, and 

 riches, Pedro de Cieza, Francisco Lopez, and others, have 

 written large discourses. For when Francisco Pacaro, Diego 



