THE Great Earthquake At Quito in Peru Which destroyed a great Number of the SPAINIARDS IN THE WEST INDIES.
UPon the Twenty day of June Anno Domini One Thousand Six Hundreth Ninty Eight, There happened a most dreadful Earthquake near Quito, two Mountains opening, from whence issued a prodigious quantity of Water and black Mud, and overflow'd the Countrey. The River Ambato and some others, swell'd to such a Degree, that they ruin'd a great Number of Gradens, Houses and Mills, and drowned much People and Cattel. The Earthquake was principally felt from Rio Bambo to Chimbo, and from Quito to Mignel, where it did great mischief: The Town of Ambato is utterly ruined, and most of the Inhabitants drowned in their Beds: The Town of Patate 4 Leagues distant was overflowed, but all the People exeept 200 escaped, the Mud having stoped the Water, afforded them time to retire to a Neighbouring Mountain. Tacunga is utterly destroyed, with most of the Inhabitants; & most of the Churches and Houses of Rio Bambo are overturned, but all the People, except 40 escaped. Letters also from Popajan of the 10th. of September last give account, that they had heard terrible Roarings under Ground, which puts them into a General Consternation, and one of the Volcano's of Pasto is broke out into dreadful Smoak and Flames, with extraordinary Noise: