Tracing Thomas Gage

A Glimpse Into the 17th Century Central America

Thomas Gage (c. 1603-1656) was a Catholic Priest during the time he underwent the following journey. His initial plan was to travel to the Philippines from Spain, but due to travel restricitons places by Spain, he attempted to sneak there via passage through the Spanish Americas. Gage never made it to the Philippines and instead spent the next decade in what is today termed Central America before traveling home to England.

The following depicts images of some of the locations Gage traveled through or stayed alongside their descriptions for comparison purposes. Most of the images are from a century or two after Gage's travels. Please note that original spellings are preserved.

Thomas Gage's account of his time in the Americas was published in 1648, over two decades after he first arrived in what is today Mexico in 1625. He spent the next decade traveling and living in present day Central America and recorded some of his observations.

A picture of the cover of The English-American his Travail by Sea and Land: or, A New Survey of the West-India's. The entire cover is text listing the title, locations Gage traveled, and the publisher information.

San Juan de Ulúa, Heroica Veracruz, Veracruz, México

"All the strength of this Towne is first the hard and dangerous entrance into the Haven; and secondly, a rock which lyeth before the Town lesse then a Musket shot off; upon which is built a Castle, and in the Castle a slight Garrison of Souldiers. In the Town there is neither Fort, nor Castle, nor scarce any people of warlike mindes. The Rocke and Castle are as a Wall, defence, and inclosure to the Haven, which otherwise lyeth wide open to the Ocean, and to the Northern Winds. No Ship dares cast anchor within the Haven, but onely under the Rock and Castle..."  [1] 

Mexico City, Mexico

"The situation of this City is much like that of Venice; but onely differs in this, that Venice is built upon the Sea-water, and Mexico upon a lake, which seeming one, indeed is two; one part whereof is standing water; the other ebbeth and floweth according to the wind that bloweth. That part which standeth, is wholesome, good, and sweet, and yeeldeth store of small fish. That part which ebbeth and floweth, is of saltish, bitter, and pestiferous water, yeelding no kind of fish, small or great."  [2] 

An image of a city on a lake. There are people in the foreground overlooking rows of houses and a tall wall dividing the inner and outer sections of the city. In the background, there are boats upon the lake and mountains in the background.

Oaxaca, Mexico

"...from hence wee came to the City of Guaxaca, which is a Bishops Seat, though not very bigge, yet a faire and beautifull City to behold. It standeth fourescore leagues from Mexico in a pleasant valley... This City, as all the rest of America, except the Sea Towns, lyeth open without walls, Bulwarkes, Forts, Towers, or any Castle, Ordnance or Ammunition to defend it. It may consist of at the most two thousand Inhabitants... The Valley is of at least fifteen miles in length, and ten in breadth, where runneth in the midst a goodly River yeelding great store of fish."  [3] 

Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico

"The next chief Town and most considerable after Capalita is Tecoantepeque; this is a Sea Town upon Mar del Zur, and a harbour for small vessels, such as Trade from those parts to Acapulco and Mexico, and to Realejo and Guatemala, and sometimes to Panama. Here upon some occasions Ships which come from Peru to Acapulco doe call in. It is a port no farther safe, then that no English or Holland Ships doe come thereabouts, which if they did, they would there find no resistance, but from thence would finde an open and easie Rode over all the Countrey."  [4] 

Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

"But when I came neere and least thought of it, I found my self in it without entring through walls, or gates, or passing over any bridge, or finding any watch or guard to examine who I was; but passing by a new built Church, standing neere a place of dunghils, where were none but mean houses, some thatched, and some tyled, and asking what Town that was, answer was made me that it was the City of Guatemala, and that that, being called St. Sebastian, was the onely Parish Church of the City."  [5] 

Glancing at the Terrain

What Happened to Gage?

After remaining in Antigua Guatemala for 7 years, Gage eventually decided to return to England. Upon his return, he discovered he had been disowned in his absence as he had become a Dominican priest against his father's wishes instead of a Jesuit.  [6] 

Notes

[1] Gage, 23.

[2] Gage, 43.

[3] Gage, 85.

[4] Gage, 87.

[5] Gage, 118.

[6] Gage, 181-182, 200-212.