1st Edition

The English-American A New Survey of the West Indies, 1648

By Thomas Gage Copyright 2005
    472 Pages
    by Routledge

    468 Pages
    by Routledge

    First published in 1928.
    'Can be safely named unique and can never quite lose its value.' Times Literary Supplement.
    'This should be bought not borrowed.' Saturday Review
    The publication in 1648 of the first authentic account of the provinces of New Spain and Central America by a well-known and educated Englishman excited widespread interest, and The English-American found many readers even though the country was in the midst of revolution. It played an important part in reviving the anti-Spanish policy of Elizabeth and describes at first hand a stage of American society that was virtually unknown.
    A. P. Newton's introduction places the book against the background of its time, which is vital in order to understand many of Thomas Gage's allusions. Although abridged from the original, the full chapter headings of the First Edition and the original numbering have been preserved.

    1. Of the mission sent by the Dominicans to the Philippines in the year 1625 2. Of the Indian Fleet that departed from Cadiz, Anno Dom. 1625 and of some remarkable passages in that voyage 3. Of our discovery of some islands, and what trouble befell us in one of them 4. Of our further sailing to St John de Ulhua, alias Vera Cruz; and our landing there 5. Of our landing at Vera Cruz, otherwise St John de Ulhua, and of our entertainment there 6. Of our journey from St John de Ulhua to Mexico; and of the most remarkable towns and villages in the way 7. A description of the town of Tlaxcala 8. Concluding the rest of our journey from Tlaxcala to Mexico, through the city of Angels, and Guacocingo 9. Shewing some particulars of the great and famous City of Mexico in former times, with a true description of it now, and of the state and condition of it the year 1625 10. Shewing my journey from Mexico to Chiapa southward, and the most remarkable places in the way 11. Describing the country of Chiapa, with the chiefest towns and commodities belonging unto it 12. Shewing my journey from the city of Chiapa unto Guatemala, and the chief places in the way 13. Describing the dominion, government, riches, and greatest of the city of Guatemala, and country belonging unto it 14. Shewing the condition, quality, fashion, and behaviour of the Indians of the country of Guatemala since the Conquest, and especially of their feasts and yearly solemnities 15. Shewing how and why I departed out of Guatemala to learn the Poconchi language, and to live among the Indians, and of some particular passages and accidents whilst I lived there 16. Shewing my journey from the town of Petapa into England; and some Chief passages in the way 17. Shewing how, and for what causes, after I had arrived in England, I took yet another journey to Rome, and other parts of Italy, and returned again to settle myself in this my country

    Biography

    Thomas Gage, A. P. Newton