Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/17

 Rh

this was a Distemper altogether new in Europe, Africa and Asia, before it was brought from the West-Indies. The Diseases mention'd by the before-cited Authors being different from that Distemper, both in Symptoms and Cure, only perhaps communicated somewhat after the same manner; I have seen some such singular Cases, attended with considerable inconveniences and Fears, and yet not at all pocky.

The 25th of September, 1493. Christopher Columbus set Sail a second time for Hispaniola, and discover'd the Caribes. After he came to the Fort he had left, † he found all the Spaniards dead, and this account of them from the Indians, that so soon as he had sail'd for Spain, mortal Discords had arisen about Gold and Women, each of the Spaniards pretending to barter for himself; and to take as many, and what Women he pleas'd, without being satisfied with what was thought reasonable, and allotted them by the Cacique, Indian Captain, or King; that some of them had gone on these Errands towards the Mines, where one Caunape, a Cacique, had killed most of them, and come and burnt their Fort, whereby the remainder flying had been drown'd, and were perished.

‖ After Columbus's Return to Hispaniola, he went to discover the South side of Cuba, thinking that to be the Continent, and not an Island.

He was inform'd in the other Isles, that in Jamaica was Gold, wherefore he went towards it, discover'd it on Sunday the 3d of May 1494. and on Monday the next day, he came thither. He found none of that Metal, but great Number of Canoes and armed Inhabitants, who had better Understandings than those of the other Islands, and who oppos'd his Landing. Some of them were hurt by Guns, and the rest yielded, and were peaceable. Columbus, as he coasted the North side, was extremely pleas'd with this Island, thinking it surpassed any he had yet seen, for Verdure, Fertility, Victuals, &c. which he judged to come from its being water'd with Showers drawn thither by the Woods, which he had observ'd to produce the like in the * Canaries and Madera before their being clear'd of Trees.

When Columbus, in † his third Voyage, had been to discover the Continent, he met with very contrary Winds and Currents (which ran always here Westwardly) so that he was forc'd to this Island, where his Ships being worm-eaten, could carry him no farther.