Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-01

ed with di8eren; sorts OF military weapons
and armour, and proceeds
"Hese then is the description of the tenn
Iule and magazine OF Talonecn, which the
Spaniards who have been in Peru, and other
narts OF America, admired as the marvel Of
the new world. Afterwards it was asked OF
the indians what had induced them to anass
such riches and they answered that all The
lords of the country, and principally those OF
| their own province, made their grandeur
consist in the magnihcence of their temple.
Our people contentei themselves with this
answer immediately the intendants of the
Emperor, CHARLES The ffth,l in the train or
the army, for the purpose of receiving the
| fifth part of all the riches that should he
found, consulted about taking The rights OF
their sovereign. But Soto said, he could not
charge himself with any thing, as his men
| were sufficiently embarrassed with their arms
and provision they bad. TO carry, and that,
after the conquest Of Florida, The country
| would be divided, and that to whoever the
province of Cofaciqui might fall. would have
to pay the 6fth ofthe treasures that might be
| found in the temple oS Talomeco.
At the FIRST interview between this young
princess of Cofacqui and Soto,
"She united from her neck chain OF
pearls that went three times round, and hung
down to her girdle. She then made sign
TO the interpreter 10 take and give them to
| the general but, as lie declared that. by oil
fering them 10 him herself, the pearls would
| receive new lustre, she answered, that the
reserve OF persons OF her sex did not permit
this liberty. Soto replied, that certainly her
hand would enhance the value OF the pearls;
and, as she presented them only IN token of
peace, she would be doing nothing contrary
to good breeding, nor to her honor. These
words inspired her with becoming bold.
ness. and she Immediately arose up and gave
the pearls 10 tie general, who approached
| very politely to receive them. He then took
from bis finger very fine ruby, and present.
ed it 10 her, in sign of peace, which she ac-
cepted, and placed on her finger with pc
culiar grace. She then took leave of the ge-
neral, leaving the Spaniards filed vith ad
miration. Her beauty and understanding
had SO occupied them, they had not thought
of enquiring her name."
The highest eulogium is passed upon the
generosity and kindness of this young prin-
cess, who not only furnished them sbund-
antly with provision whilst in her dominons
but sent body other subjects to carry their
burdens for twenty leagues Of mountainous
country they had to pass into the next pro-
vince and that things might be better con-
Quoted, she sent four of her principal officers
TO command those Indians of service, with
orders, that, when they arrived at the con-
fines of the next province, they should go on
before, as her ambassadors, to the chief, to
intreat him to receive the Spaniards favora-
bly,, and in case of his refusal, to denouncs
war upon him on her part with threats to put
all to fire and slaughter in his country.
The next province was Gnachoule, whore
they were received in very honorable man
ner,and furnished with all necessaries in con-
sideration OF the princess Of Cofaciqui.-
From thence. after 80 leagues of march, they
arrived az the capital OF another province,
called lciaha, standing upon the point of all
Island more than 5 leagues long, and we're
kindly received. The general. as usual ,en-
curing what was particular in that country.
the Cacique informed him that at 80 leagues
from the Ca ital there were miHea Of this
| yellow metal for which he enquITed, and il
the general would send some of his people,
he would have them conducted and brought
back safely. Two of the Spaniards Offering
themselves, were sent IF with the Indian
guides. The next day the Cacique came to
see the general and gave him string Of
pearls two tathoms long, and as large as fl
berls; in return, the general gave him some
pieces of velvet and cloth, and asked him
where the pearl fishery was made the chief
answered that it was made in his province
That in the temple in the town Of Iciaha,
where his ancestors were inferred, there was
great quantity. which he might take athis
discretion. The general thanked him, and
said that he did not wish to take any thing
from the temple, and had only received bis
I L i