| Summary |
Description: An anonymous English translation dating from around 1880 of Antonio de Herrera's work of 1601. After outlining the sea routes between Spain and various parts of the New World, with details on the lengths of the voyages, weather, channels, and safe harbours, Herrera discusses the organisation of the colonies by "audiencia", beginning with Santo Domingo, Mexico, and Guadalajara, and including Guatemala, Panama, Peru, Quito, Lima, Bogotá, New Granada, La Plata, and Chile. For each audiencia, he notes its location, size, climate and natural resources, as well as important cities and dioceses. Herrera goes on to describe Spanish interests in Asia: the Spice Islands, Philippines, the China coast, Japan, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. There are sections on the organization and powers of the Consejo de Indias (Council of the Indies) and the Inquisition, the distribution of tithes for maintenance of churches and clergy, and the colonial system of audiencias, viceroyalties, governments, and bishoprics. In conclusion, Herrera lists the officers of the Consejo de Indias and the governors and viceroys of New Spain and Peru through 1601. The translator himself has also added a chronological table of the governors of Peru from 1530 to 1736, which he copied from Ernesto Otto Ru?ck's 'Gui?a de Bolivia.'. |
