inroads of their neighbouring enemies; and they had learned to defend themselves without always despairing of success. His establishment in this country had introduced into his territories some knowledge of the Charaibean language, which had been diffused by his followers among the different orders of his newly acquired subjects. At the same time, it had improved their mode of warfare, and introduced among them the use of the bow and arrow, with which the native Hispaniolians had previously been unacquainted. Before this period a club or stick, which could hardly give a mortal blow, constituted their principal weapon. And even at the time when they were visited by Columbus, so inexpert were they in the use of the bow and arrow, which were made of wood, "that the ordinary dress of the Spaniards (says Raynal) was of itself an impenetrable armour against arrows of this kind, shot with so little dexterity."

*

The alliance which Cuanaboa had thus formed, was productive of some considerable effects, both on him and the natives with whom he mixed. The amiable disposition of Anacoana had somewhat softened his ferocity, but not subdued it; it had in some measure restrained his violence, but not repressed his uncivilized courage. He was still the savage Charaibee, though divested of that barbarous rapacity which marked his countrymen in time of war. On the contrary, he had introduced among the natives of Hispaniola some customs that were peculiar to the Charaibs, which he had imported from his native land.

Among other things, their funeral solemnities had imbibed a species of honourable barbarity, which in all probability had no existence among the natives before their alliance with the Charaibean chief. From the time of his being invested with

* This, among other circumstances, is a strong presumptive proof that the natives of the Leeward Islands could not have descended from the Arrowauks of the continent; for the Arrowauks were engaged in almost perpetual wars with the Charaibees. This latter point no historian has attempted to deny ; they must therefore have been provided with arms suitable to the occasion, as well as have been acquainted with the uses of them. But these particulars agree but indifferently with the condition of the natives of these islands. A people who from time immemorial had been able to withstand a formidable enemy, whose restless and sanguinary spirit would hardly allow them an interval of peace, could hardly lose sight of those methods of warfare which were capable of repelling so fierce a foe. But when we contem, plate the arms, the persons, and the dispositions of the Hispaniolians, we find in them nothing but disparity. And from thence the conclusion is not unnatural-that these people could never have been the military rivals of the Charaibees. It then follows that they could not be the descendants of the Arrowauks; because under existing circumstances their military degeneracy was almost impossible, and consequently we must seek their origin in some other region, and we have found none so probable as the Florida shores.

royalty, the custom had gained a partial footing, of sacrificing to the shrine of a departed cacique one or more of his most favourite wives or female attendants, to wait upon him in another life. This horrid usage however had but very partially prevailed. A few solitary instances were all that could be adduced in support of this practice, which in its origin was evidently of Charaibean extraction. How far its influence might have reached in the progress of time, or what revolutions might have taken place in consequence of this Charaib's inauguration, it is impossible to say. But no question can be made that his ascendant power would have been very great. Whether the ferocious customs of the Charaibees would have been introduced among the amiable inhabitants of the Leeward Islands, or whether their mild dispositions would have so far overcome the barbarous stranger, that they might have imitated his courage without adopting his inhumanity, and he have embraced their peaceable dispositions without losing sight of his native courage, the shortness of his reign would not suffer to be known. Most certainly some considerable change would have taken place; and probably the distinct manners which were then so visible, would have been melted down, in process of time, into one general mass.

The barbarous customs of the Charaibees had however so far gained an ascendency in his dominions, that the amiable Anacoana was induced to adopt, in part, his savage manners. When Behechio her brother, who had given her in marriage to the Charaibean chief, died, she immediately became possessed of his vast dominions, and inherited them as her right. Her brother had been embowelled and deposited in the cave of which we have already spoken; and by her orders a beautiful woman whose name was Guanahata Benechina was burned alive in the same vault, that she might administer to the felicities of her departed husband in another life.* Indeed some writers

* As the history and fate of Anacoana and her Charaibean husband is too interesting to be passed over in silence, the reader will grant me his indulgence for introducing it in this place, rather than among the calamities, which the natives, in their extermination, were obliged to undergo. To account for a custom so cruel in itself, as the sacrifice of so many women, who were best beloved by the departed chief, and which seems so inconsistent with the general character of the natives, I have been obliged to introduce their names, and now proceed to conclude their history.

Columbus having taken possession of the island for the king of Spain, looked round for a spot on which to fix a settlement. Having found one congenial to his wishes, he proceeded to erect a fort, in the building of which he was aided by the assistance of the natives, who laboured with the utmost cheerfulness to complete the ruin of themselves and families, by forging shackles which not all their united efforts could finally break.

Columbus having completed his fort, and reconnoitred the island, having

affirm that on the death of a cacique, the greatest part, if not all his most favourite women, were immolated; and that they

established a friendly intercourse with the natives, and fixed thirty-nine men with arms and ammunition in the fort, prepared to quit Hispaniola, and return to Spain with the tidings of his astonishing adventure. He had not long left the island, before the band of robbers whom he had unfortunately left behind him, threw off all restraint. The haughty, licentious, and tyrannical dispositions of these Spaniards, who were now no longer overawed by the presence of Columbus, burst forth with the most uncontroulable violence. Their insatiable thirst for gold, carried them into the interior of the countrys and their repeated inquiries after the precious metal, when the natives had no more to bestow, soon sunk them in their estimation. Their modes of conduct soon made them troublesome companions, and, from considering them és a superior race of beings, the natives would not allow them, in point of beha viour, to stand on an equal footing with themselves.

Before the Spaniards had rendered themselves thus suspicious, burdensome, and offensive, they were considered as a superior race of men. On their approaching to any of the Indian villages, the cacique, or some venerable Indian, went forth to meet them with every demonstration of respect. The common Indians in the mean while prostrated themselves before them, kissing their hands and feet, with a fondness approaching even to adoration. The trifling presents which the Spaniards bestowed, were received as favours of a most inestimable value, and were preserved with a degree of sacred veneration. The presence of the Spaniards was thought even to sanctify their dwellings, and they viewed their departure with the sincerest regret. " They gave the natives red caps, glass beads, pins, and knives, and little bells, and received gold in return." But the period of tranquillity was nearly at an end. The depredations of the Spaniards at length awakened the islanders from their supineness, and provoked them to revenge the insults which they had received. The natives with Cuanaboa the Charaibean chief at their head, attacked the Spaniards, most probably while they were engaged in some of their depredatory exploits, and completely cut them off, leaving not a single man alive. Having destroyed the Spaniards, they next proceeded to demolish the fort, which in the presence of Columbus they had contributed to raise.

The natives however were by no means unanimous on this occasion. Guacanahari, the cacique who had interested himself so much in the misfortunes of Columbus, was quite averse to the violent measures to which his countrymen had resorted in the case of the Spaniards; and he had defended them to the last extremity against the more violent and formidable tribe of Cuanaboa. On the return of Columbus from Europe, this venerable man appeared before him, covered with wounds which he had received in the defence of those marauders whom Columbus had left behind, and who had fallen victims to the irritated fury of the enraged Indians. At the same time he informed Columbus of the whole procedure; and pointed out Cuanaboa, as one who had borne an active part in the murder of the Spaniards,

By the relation which Columbus received from Guacanahari, “ it appeared clear to him (says Raynal) that the Spaniards had drawn this misfortune upon themselves, by their haughty, licentious, and tyrannical behaviour." Cuanaboa was however seized by the order of Columbus, who had now landed with considerable forces, capable of subduing, or acting towards the natives at his discretion. Cuanaboa being in the possession of the Spaniards, they had nothing further to fear from his prowess, and his followers were now left without a leader. He was put on board of a ship in order to be carried to Spain, to take his trial for the crimes which were preferred against him, but the ship foundered on her passage, and Cuanaboa and all the Spanish seamen perished; "the ship their coffin, and the sea their grave!"

submitted to their sufferings without any astonishing complaints. The despotism of the cacique inculcated a veneration, which operated much the same both in his life-time and after his death. Religion was introduced to give sanction to acts of barbarous absurdity. To resist the will of the cacique was not only base but impious; and he who offended this established rule, committed a crime which hardly admitted of any expiation. The commands of the monarch were implicitly obeyed, whe

The beautiful Anacoana being now left a widow, resided in the territory of Xaraguay, of which she became a female cacique by the death of her brother Behechio. Her territories extended from the fertile plains on which Leogane is now situated, to the western extremity of the island. "She had always (says Robertson) courted the friendship of the Spaniards, and loaded them with benefits; but some of the adherents of Roldan, having settled in her country, were so much exasperated at her endeavouring to restrain their excesses, that they accused her of having formed a plan to throw off the yoke, and to exterminate the Spaniards. Ovando, though he well knew what little credit was due to such profligate men, marched without further inquiry towards. Xaragua or Xaraguay, with three hundred foot and seventy horsemen.

"To prevent the Indians taking any alarm at this hostile appearance, he gave out that his sole intention was to visit Anacoana, to whom his countrymen had been so much indebted, in the most respectful manner; and to regulate with her the mode of levying the tribute payable to the king of Spain.

"Anacoana, in order to receive this illustrious guest with due honours, assembled the principal men in her dominions, to the number of three hundred; and advancing at the head of these, accompanied by a great crowd of persons of inferior rank, she welcomed Ovando with songs and dances according to the mode of the country, and conducted him to the place of her residence. There he was feasted for many days with all the kindness of simple hospitality, and amused with the games and spectacles usual among the native Americans upon such occasions of mirth and festivity. But amid the security which this inspired, Ovando was meditating the destruction of his unsuspicious entertainer and her subjects. And the mean perfidy with which he executed his scheme, equalled his barbarity in forming it.

"Under the colour of exhibiting to the Indians the parade of an European tournament, he advanced with his troops in battle-array towards the house in which Anacoana and the chiefs who attended her, were assembled. The infantry took possession of the avenues which led to the village. The horsemen surrounded the house. These movements were the objects of admiration without any mixture of fear, until upon a signal which had been concerted, the Spaniards suddenly drew their swords, and rushed upon the Indians, defenceless, and astonished at an act of treachery which exceeded the concep❤ tion of undesigning men. In a moment Anacoana was secured. All her attendants were seized and bound. Fire was then set to the house, and, without any examination or conviction, all these unhappy persons, the most illus trious in their own country, were consumed in the flames.

"Anacoana was reserved for a more ignominious fate. She was carried in chains to St. Domingo, the capital of the island, and after the formality of a trial before Spanish judges, she was condemned upon the evidence of those very men who had betrayed her, to be publicly hanged." Robertson's History of America.

It is useless to animadvert on the above narrative. The crimes which were committed by the Spaniards, are of such a flagrant nature, as to exhaust all the variety of language,

ther cruel or absurd; and the lives of his subjects depended on the cacique's voice. The declaration of his will and pleasure was sufficient to ensure obedience; he was under no necessity to assign reasons for his mandate; his judgment was deemed the fountain of rectitude, and his will was law. A dominion thus acquired over the mind of man, and guaranteed by the hopes and fears of another life, can have no bounds set to its operations. Superstition rivets the chain which ignorance and power conspired to forge; it binds its captives through life with more than iron fetters; and even death, among the natives of Hispaniola, was not able to dissolve the charm. Where the monarch is absolute, and governs his subjects without laws, an extensive empire can afford but little variety. The cruelty or humanity of the prince may appear in his decisions; but all that we behold, are either the incidents which rather belong to the private biography of the man than to the institutions of the politician, or the felicity and woe which alternately succeed each other. In such a situation the mind has no field in which to expatiate, and the power of selection hardly lies within its reach. Discrimination admits, in such cases, but of one division; on one side we behold unlimited power, and on the other the most abject submission; in that it is perfect despotism, and in this it is a horde of slaves.

Of their religious rites, and their views of an hereafter, something yet remains to be said; it would be treating them with injustice to pass over this article in silence, though the recital will place their theology in no very favourable point of

view.

It has been generally granted, and with justice, that no nation has yet been found, totally destitute of all knowledge of a supreme Being, and without any expectation of a future state. The views which have been entertained by savage nations, have indeed been at all times very obscure; but the facts themselves have been received, and some traces of them have always been discovered in every age and nation of the world.

"The invisible things of God from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead." Rom. i. 20. The evidence is therefore of universal application, and its language is too plain to be misunderstood. It is true that when "they knew God, they glorified him not as God; neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened; professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds,