winde and weather aâ—omming Seasons Galen Com. 35. lib. 1. de nat hum Bad foode and discommodities of the Sea Disposition of bodie Sagamos is a Sauage word which Signifieth a Lord a ruler or a Captaine The author his exercise in New France The labour of the minde The pietie of the Author of this Historie Amos. 5. verse 10. Of Children Of aged folkes Aduice for the sicknesses of New France Good Wine Hearbs in the spring time Stooues Stooues in gardens The countrie of the Armouchiquois 100. leagues distant from Port Royall The Sweatings of the Sauages Ecclesi 3. verse 12. and 22. Meanes of mirth Necessitie of hauing women into the country Tree of life Sasafras Monsieur Champlein is now this present yeare 1609. in Canada Monsieur De Monts his voiage for the discouery of new Lands Kinibeki 60. legues from Saint Croix Plin lib. 3. cap. 1. Fabulous tales of the riuer Norombega Pemtegoet Oiection Answer An other Fabulous report of the Riuer of Norombega Note this well The great Bancke of Newfoundland Banquereau banc Iacquet Kinibeks The bay of Marchin 1607. Chouakoet The ground manured Vines Malebarre The Armouchiquois traitours and theefes Shoulds stretching farre into the sea Violent death of a Frenchman of Saint Mallos The swiftnes of the Armouchiquois 1606. Monsieur DeMonts difficultie in his enterprise The mortalitie of the English in Virginia like that of the Frensh in New France Virginia is in 36. 37. 38. degrees of latitude Praise of the temper of Virginia Bad fare the chiefe cause of the sicknes Things needfull The second voyage made by Monsieur Du Pont-Grauè The arriuall of Monsieur Du Pont. 1605. Transmigration from S. Croix to Port Royal. New buildings The returne of Monsieur de Monts into France Traffike with the Sauages Beuers Otters and Stagges Tabaguia is a Sauage tearme signifying banket Hand Mils Exod. 11. ver 4. 5. The number of the dead Fault in their buildings The furniture of Monsieur Du Pont to go to the discouery of new lands The wracke of their Bark Causes of delay in establishing the dwelling place of the French men The comparing of these later voiages The blame of them who at this day despise the manuring of the ground Gods punishments The third voiage made by Monsieur de Poutrincourt Monsieur De Poutrincourt accepteth the voiage of New France The causes of the Authors voiage Psal 5. 4. The parting from Paris The praises of Rochell Croquans Signifying hookes why so called Negligence in the keeping of the Ionas Hyred workmen negligent The courage of Monsieur De Monts and his associates The frontiers ought to be furnished with good Souldiers The Ministers doe pray for the conuersion of the Sauages Math. 18. vers 12. 132. Custome of the ancient Christians carying the Eucharist in their voyages Saint Ambrose in his funerall oration for his brother Hardnesse to come foorth from a Port. Bad suspition of Captaine Foulques The diligence and care of Monss-De Poutrincourts * A place so called neere Rochell 13. of May. 1606. Meetings of ships Meeting of a Pirate or outlawed Neptunes sheepe Why is the sea stormie about the Açores Westerly windes ordinary in the Westerne Sea from whence the windes doe come Psal 135. Porpeses doe prognosticate storms The way to take them The description of the Porpese The Porpeses hot bloud doth comfort the sinewes A Beauers taile is dainty meate Stormes and their effects Calmes wearisome Whirlewinde what it is how it is made the effects thereof Plin. lib. 2. cap. 48. The maruellous assurance of the good Mariners in their sea-labours The boldnes of a Switzer at Laon. The 18. of Iune A ship An other ship The vailing of Marchands ships to a ship Royall Computatiof the voyage Sea water milke warme then colde Great cold The reason of this Antiperistase and the cause of the Ices of New-found-lande In the 16. chapter Second experience Warnings neere the great Bancke Birds called by Frenchmen Godes Fouquets Happefoies What the sound is and how it is cast The arriuall to the fish Bancke Of the word Bancke and description of the fishing Bancke The fishing of Cod. Happe-foyes Why so called Sea-dogges skinnes Excellent sawsiges made with the inwards of Codd Men saued vpon a banck of Ice The weather in those seas contrary then in ours The causes of mists on the West sea A small bancke A Mariner fallen by night in the sea Land markes The discouery of S. Peters Ilands Plain discovery of the Land Cap. Breton The Bay of Campseau Eight daies Gods fauour in danger Calme weather Maruellous odours cumming from the land The boording of two shalopes The Sauages goodly men Matachiaz be carkanets necklaces bracelets and wrought girdles During the mists at sea it is faire wether on land A discommoditie brings a commodity The care of the sauages for their wiues The departing of some of our company going aland The Sauages doe trauell much way in small time Mistes Calmes The perill of many Mariners Drunkennesse causeth diuers perils Port du Rossignoll Port au Mouton What growes in the land at Port au Monton Le Cap de Sable Long Iland The Bay S. Mary The arriuing to Port Royall Difficulties in comming in The beauty of the Port. Sagamos signifieth Captain Praises of the two Frenchmen left alone in the fort of Port-Royall The tilling of the ground The meeting with Monsieur Du Pont. Ioseph Acosta lib. 4. ca. 30. Land like to that which God promised to his people Deut 8. vers 7. 8. Deuter. 11. vers 10. Heereupon the 3. chap. A bundance of brookes Iron stones Mountaines of Brasse Lakes and brooks vpon the mountaines The forme of a Raine bow vnder a caue They trauell three leagues in the woods Country well watered Coniecture vpon the spring of the great Riuer of Canada Which is the first mine Sowing of corne 20 Of August Cause of the voyage made into the country of the Armou thiquois A whale in Port Royall Parting from Port Royall Faire Rie found at S. Croix Their meaning is to plant beyond Malebarre to the Southward A ditch profitably made What store of workemen and labourers in New France Their exercise and maner of life Mussels Lapsters Crabs Good prouision of wilde-fowle What quantity of bread and wine Preseruatiue against the sicknesse of New France A cleare and pure aire Allowance * A kinde of stagge or red Deere The liberall naâ—ure of the Sauages Châ—rcoale made in New France What earth is in the medowes Ellans in the Medowes Pemptegoet Kinibeki The bay of Marchin Confederacy The riuer of Olmechin Port De Choüakoet An Iland of vines The riuer of Olmechin The galantnesse of the Sauages Port de la Heve The Sauages doe paint their faces The Oration of Messamoet Messamoets affection to the French men The largesse and liberality of Messamoets The Sauages be liberall A Corne country beanes pumpions and grapes Bessabes Englishmen Asticou A very good Port. The agility of the Armouchiquois Happy people if
daies Baie Françoise or the French Baie Port Royall the Riuer of l'Equille a Copper Myne the mischiefe of golden Mines of Diamonds Turkie stones CHAP. IIII. The description of the riuer Saint Iohn and of the Isle Saint Croix the man lost in the woods found out 16. daies after examples of some strange abstinencies the discords of the Sauages deferred to the iudgement of Monsieur de Monts the fatherly authoritie among the said Sauages what husband they chuse to their daughters CHAP. V. A farther description of the Iland Saint Croix the enterprise of Monsieur de Monts difficult and generous yet prosecuted through enuie thereturne of Monsieur de Poutrincourt into France the perils of the voiage CHAP. VI. The buildings of the I le Saint Croix the Frenchmens discommodities in the said place vnknowen sicknesses of their causes of the people that be subiect to it of Diets badde Waters Aires Windes Lakes corruption of Woods seasons disposition of bodies of young of old the Authors aduise touching the gouernment of health and cure of the said diseases CHAP. VII The discouery of new lands by Monsieur de Monts fabulous tales and reports of the riuer and fained towne of Norombega the refuting of the Authors that haue written therof fish bankes in New found land Kinibeki Chouäcoet Malebarre Armouchiquois the death of a French man killed mortalitie of Englishmen in Virginia CHAP. VIII The arriuall of Monsieur du Pont to Saint Croix the habitation transferred into Port Royall returne of Monsieur de Monts into France the difficultie of hand Milles the furniture of the said Monsieur du Pont for the discouery of new lands beyond Malebarre Shipwracke Forecast for the returne into France Comparison of these voiages with them of Florida the blame of those that dispraise the tillage of the land CHAP. IX The first motiue and acceptation of the voiage by Monsieur de Poutrincourt together with the Author into New France their departure from Paris to goe into Rochell CHAP. X. The name of our shippe called the Ionas the shallow water of Rochell is the cause of the hard going out Rochell a reformed towne the common people is insolent Croquans the accident of the shipwracke of the Ionas new preparation weake Souldiers are not to be placed vpon frontiers the Ministers of Rochell doe pray for the couersion of the Sauages the smal zeale of ours the Eucharist carried in voiages by the ancient Christians the diligence of Monsieur de Poutrincourt at the very point of shipping CHAP. XI Their departure from Rochel Sundry meetings of ships and Pirates stormy sea about the Açores and whence it proceedes Why the West-windes are frequent in the West-sea From whence the windes doe come Porpeses doe prognosticate stormes Meanes to take them The describing of them Of stormes Their effects Of calmes What is a Gust of winde How it is made The effects thereof The bouldnesse of Mariners how reuerence is giuen to the Kings ship The supputation of the voyage Hot sea then coold The reason of it And of the Banckes of Ise in New-found-land CHAP. XII Of the great Bancke of Morues or Coddes Of the sound Our comming to the said Bancke The description thereof The fishing of New-land-fish And of birdes The greedinesse of the birdes called by French-men Happe-foyes Diuers perils Gods fauours The causes of frequent and long mistes in the Westerne-sea Land markes The sight of it Maruellous odours The boording of two Shaloupes The landing at the Port Du Mouton The comming to Port Royall Of two French-men remaining there alone among the Sauages CHAP. XIII The happy meeting of Monsieur du Pont His returne to Port Royall Reioycing Description of the confines of the said Port Coniectures touching the head and spring of the great riuer of Canada Sowing of corne Monsieur du Ponts return into France Monsieur de Poutrincourts voyage vnto the country of the Armouchiquois Faire Rie sprung foorth without tillage The exercises and maner of liuing in Port Royall The Medowes of the riuer de l'Equille CHAP. XIIII Their departing from the I le Saint Croix The bay of Marchin Choüakoet vines and grapes The liberality of the Sauages The land and people of the Armouchiquois The cure of an Armouchiquois wounded The simplicity and ignorance of that people Vices of the Armouchiquois Suspition People not caring for clothes Cornesowed and Vines planted in the Armouchiquois countrie Quantity of grapes Abundance of people dangerous sea CHAP. XV. Dangers vnknowen language The making of aforge and of an ouen Crosses set vp Plenty A conspiracy Disobedience Murther The flight of three hundred against ten The agility of the Armouchiquois Bad company dangerous The accident of a musket that did burst The Sauages insolency Their timorosity impiety and flight The fortunate Port A bad sea reuenge The counsell and resolution for the returne New perils Gods fauours Monsieur de Poutrincourts arriuall at Port Royall How he was receiued CHAP. XVI The Condition of the corne which they sowed The institution of the order of bon-temps The Sauages behauiour among the French-men The state of Winter Why raines and fogges be rare in this season Why raine is frequent betweene the Tropiques Snow profitable to the ground the state of Ianuarie Conformity of weather in the ancient and New France Why the spring is slow The tilling of gardens Their crop A water mill A Manna of Herrings Preparation for the returne Monsieur de Poutrincourts inuention The Sauages admiration Newes from France CHAP. XVII The arriuall of the French Monsieur de Monts his society is broken and why The Couetousnesse of them that rob the dead Bonfires for the Natiuity of the Duke of Orleans The departing of the Sauages to goe to wars Sagamos Membertou Voyages vpon the Coast of the French Bay Base traficke The towne of Ouïgoudi How the Sauages doe make great voyages Their bad intention A steele Mine Sea woules or seales voyces The state of the I le Saint Croix The Sauages loue towards their children the returne into Port Royall CHAP. XVIII The Port de Campseau our departure from Port Royall Fogges of eight daies continuance A Raine-bow appearing in the water The Port of Saualet Tillage an honourable exercise The griefe of the Sauages at Monsieur De Poutrincourt his going away Returne into France Voyage into Mount S. Michell The fruites of New France presented to the King A voyage into New France after the returne of the said Monsieur De Poutrincourt into France The second Booke COntaining the customes and maners of life of the West Indians of New France compared to them of the ancient people of these parts and specially to them that bee in one and the selfe same parallele and degree CHAP. I. Of the Natiuitie custome of the Hebrewes Cimbres Frenchmen and Sauages CHAP. II. Of the imposing of names the abuses of them that giue the names of Christians to Infidels Names haue not beene giuen without occasion CHAP. III. Of the
it than other more Southerly nations Witnesse the Hollanders Frizeland men and other thereabout amongst whom the said Hollanders doe write in their nauigations that going to the East Indies many of them were taken with the same disease being vpon the coast of Guinie a dangerous coast bearing a pestiferous aire a hundred leagues farre in the sea And the same I meane the Hollanders being in the yeere 1606 gone vpon the coast of Spaine to keepe the same coast and to annoy the Spanish Nauie were constrained to with-draw themselues by reason of this disease hauing cast into the sea two and twentie of their dead And if one will heare the witnesse of Olaus magnus writing of the Northerly Nations of which part himselfe was let him hearken to his report which is this There is saith he yet an other martiall sicknesse that is a sicknesse that afflicteth them which follow the warres which tormenteth and afflicteth them that are besieged such whose limbes thickned by a certaine fleshy heauinesse and by a corrupted bloud which is betweene the flesh and the skinne dilating it selfe like wax they sinke with the least impression made on them with the finger and disioineth the teeth as ready to fall out changeth the white colour of the skinne into blew and causeth a benumming with a distaste to take Physicke and that disease is called in the vulgar tongue of the countrey Sorbut in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per aduenture because of this putrifying softnesse which is vnder the skinne which seemeth to proceede of indigesting and salt meats and to be continued by the cold exhalation of the walles But it shall not haue so much force where the houses are inward wainscotted with boords If it continue longer it must be driuen out by taking euery day wormwood as one expelleth out the roote of the stone by a decoction of stale Beere drunke with butter The same Author doth yet say in an other place a thing much to be noted In the beginning saith he they sustaine the siege with force but in the end the Souldier being by continuance weakned they take away the prouisions from the inuaders by artificiall meanes subtilties and ambushments specially the sheepe which they carry away and make them to grase in grassie places of their houses for feare that through want of fresh meats they fall into the lothsomest sicknesse of all sicknesses called in the country language Sorbut that is to say a wounded stomacke dried by cruell torments and long anguishes for the cold and indigesting meats greedily taken seeme to be the true cause of this sicknesse I haue delighted my selfe to recite heere the very words of this Author because he speaketh thereof as being skilfull and setteth foorth sufficiently enough the land disease of New France sauing that he maketh no mention of the stiffening of the hammes nor of a superfluous flesh which groweth and aboundeth within the mouth and that if one thinke to take it away it increaseth still but well speaketh he of the bad stomacke For Monsieur De Poutrincourt made a Negroe to be opened that died of that sicknesse in our voyage who was found to haue the inward parts very sound except the stomacke that had wrinckles as though they were vlcered And as for the cause proceeding from salt meats it is verie true there are many other causes concurring which feed and entertaine this sicknesse Amongst which I will place in generall the bad food comprehending with it the drinks then the vice of the aire of the countrey and after the euill disposition of the bodie leauing the Physicians to sift it out more curiously Whereunto Hippocrates saith that the Physicion ought also carefully to take heed in considering the seasons the windes the aspects of the Sunne the waters the land it selfe the nature and situation of it the nature of men their maner of liuing and exercise As for the food this sicknesse is caused by cold meats without iuice grosse and corrupted One must then take heed of salt meats smokie mustie raw and of an euill sent likewise of dried fishes as New-found land fish and stinking Raies Briefly from all melancholy meates which are of hard digesting are easily corrupted and breed a grosse and melancholie bloud I would not for all that be so scrupulous as the Physicians which do put in the number of grosse and melancholie meates Beeuesflesh Beares wilde Bores and Hogges flesh they might as well adde vnto them Beuers flesh which notwithstanding we haue found very good as they do amongst fishes the Tons Dolphins all those that carie lard among the birds the Hernes Duckes and all other water birds for in being an ouer curious obseruator of these things one might fall into the danger of staruing and to die for hunger They place yet among the meats that are to be shunned bisket beanes and pulse the often vsing of miâ—ke cheese the grosse and harsh wine and that which is too small white wine and the vse of vineger Beere which is not well sodden nor well scummed and that hath not hoppes enow Also waters that runne thorow rotten wood and those of lakes and bogges still and corrupted waters such as is much in Holland and Frizeland where is obserued that they of Amsterdam are more subiect to paulfies and stifning of sinewes than they of Roterdam for the abouesaid cause of still and sleepie waters which besides doe ingender dropfies dysenteries fluxes quarten agues and burning feuers swellings vlcers of the lights shortnesse of breath ruptures in children swelling in the veines sores in the legges finally they wholly belong to the disease whereof we speake being drawen by the spleene where they leaue all their corruption Sometimes this sicknesse doth also come by a vice which is euen in waters of running fountaines as if they be among or neere bogges or if they issue from a muddie ground or from a place that hath not the Suns aspect So Pliny reciteth that in the voiage which the prince Caesar Germanicus made into Germany hauing giuen order to his armie to passe the riuer of Rhine to the end to get still forward in the countrie he did set his campe on the sea shore vpon the coast of Frizeland in a place where was but one onely fountaine of fresh water to be found which notwithstanding was so pernicious that all they that dranke of it lost their teeth in lesse than two yeeres space and had their knees so weake and disiointed that they could not beare themselues Which is verily the sicknesse whereof we speake which the Physicians doe call Stomaccacè that is to say mouthes sore and Scelotyrbè which is as much to say as the shaking of thighs and legs And it was not possible to finde any remedie but by the meanes of an hearbe called Britannica or Scuruie-grasse which besides is very good for the sinewes against the sores and accidents
in the mouth against the Squinancie and against the biting of serpents It hath long leaues drawing in colour to a dark greene and produceth a black roote from which liquor is drawen as well as from the leaf Strabo saith that the like case hapned to the army that Aelius Gallus brought into Arabia by the commission of Augustus the Emperor And the like also chanced to king S. Lewes his armie in Egypt as the Lord de Ioinuille reporteth Other effects of bad waters are seene neere vnto vs to wit in Sauoy where the women more than men because they are of a colder constitution haue commonly swellings in their throats as bigge as bottels Next to waters the aire is also one of the fathers and ingenderes of this sicknes in boggy and watrish places and opposit to the South which is most often rainy But there is yet in New France another bad quality of the aire by reason of lakes that be thicke there and of the great rottennes in the woods whose odour the bodies hauing drawen vp during the raines of Autumne and winter easily are ingendred the corruptions of the mouth and swelling in the legges before spoken and a cold entreth vnsensibly into it which benummeth the limbes stifneth the sinewes constraineth to creepe with cruches and in the end to keepe the bed And for as much as the windes doe participate with the aire yea are an aire running with a more vehement force than ordinary and in this quality haue great power ouer the health and sicknesses of men we will speake some thing of it not for all that straying ourselues from the sequell of our historie The Easterly winde called by the Latins Subsolanus is held for the healthfullest of all and for that cause wise builders giue aduice to set their buildings towards the aspect of the East The opposit to it is the winde called Fauorinus or Zephirus which our Sea-men doe name West which in these parts is milde fructifying The Southern winde called Auster by the Latines is in Affrica hot and drie But in crossing the Mediterranian sea it gathereth a great moistnes which maketh it stormy and putrifying in Prouence and Languedoc The opposite to it is the Northern winde otherwise called Boreas Bize Tramontane which is colde and drie chaseth the cloudes and sweepeth the airie region It is taken for the holsommest next to the East winde But these qualities of the winde found and noted in these parts make not one generall rule thorow ouer all the earth For the North-winde beyond the Equinoctiall line is not colde as in these parts nor the South-winde hot because that by a long crossing they borrow the qualities of the regions thorow which they passe besides that the South-winde at his first issue is cooling according to the report of those that haue trauelled in Affrica In like maner there be regions in Perou as in Lima and the plaines where the North-winde is vnholsome and noysome And thorow all that coast which is aboue 500. leagues in length they take the South-winde for a sound and fresh cooling winde and which more is most milde and pleasant yea also that it doth neuer raine by it according to that which Ioseph Acosta writeth of it cleane contrary to that we see in this our part of Europe And in Spaine the East-winde which we haue said to be sound the same Acosta saith that it is noisome and vnsound The winde called Circius which is the North-west is so stormie and boistrous in the Westerly shores of Norwege that if there be any which vndertaketh any voyage that way when that winde bloweth he must make account to be lost and cast away And this winde is so colde in that region that it suffereth not any tree small or great to grow there So that for want of wood they must serue thēselues with the bones of great fishes to seeth or rost their meats which discommodity is not in these parts In like sort we haue had experience in New France that the North-winds are not for health And the North-east which are the colde strong sharpe and stormy Aquilons yet worse which our sicke folkes and they that had wintred there the former yeare did greatly feare because that likely some of them drooped away when that winde blew for indeed they had some sensible feeling of this winde As we see those that bee subiect to ruptures endure great pangs when that the South-winde doth blow And as we see the very beasts to prognosticate by some signes the change of weather This noisome qualitie of winde proceedeth in my iudgement from the nature of the countrie thorow which it passeth which as we haue said is full of lakes and those very great which be as it were standing and still waters Whereto I adde the exhalation of the rottennesse of woods that this winde bringeth and that in so much greater quantitie as the North-west part is great large and spacious The seasons are also to be marked in this disease which I haue not seene nor heard of that it beginnes to work neither in the spring time Summer nor Autumne vnlesse it be at the end of it but in Winter And the cause thereof is that as the growing heat of the Spring maketh the humours closed vp in the winter to disperse themselues to the extremities of the body and so cleareth it from melancholy and from the noisome humors that haue beene gathered in Winter so the Autumne as the Winter approcheth draweth them inward and doth nourish this melancholie and blacke humor which doth abound specially in this season and the Winter being come sheweth foorth his effects at the costs and griefe of the poore patients Galen yeldeth a reason for the same saying that the humors of the bodie hauing beene parched by the burning of the Summer that which may rest of it after the heat is expulsed becommeth foorthwith colde and drie That is to say colde by the priuation of the heat and drie in as much as in the drying of these humors all the moistnesse that was therein hath been consumed And thereby it commeth that sickenesses are bred in this season and the farther one goeth the weaker nature is and the vntemperate coldnesse of the aire being entred into a bodie alreadie thereto disposed doth handle it as it were at a becke and at will without pitie I would adde willingly to all the foresaid causes the bad foode of the sea which in a long voiage brings much corruption in mans bodie For one must of necessity after foure or fiue daies liue of salt meate or to bring sheepe aliue and store of poultry but this is but for Masters and Commanders in ships and we had none in our voyage but for to reserue and multiplie in the land whither we did go The mariners then and passengers doe suffer discommoditie as well in the bread as in meat and drinke the biskit
cordes not only to the maine top and to the very height of the maine mast but also without ladder steps to the top of another mast fastened to the first held onely with the force of their armes and feet winding about the highest tacklings Yea much more that if in this great tossing and rowling it chanceth that the maine saile which they call Paphil or Papefust be vntied at the higher ends he who is first commanded will put himselfe stradling vpon the maine yard that is the tree which crossed the maine mast and with a hammer at his girdle and halfe a dosen nailes in his mouth will tie againe and make fast that which was vntied to the perill of a thousand liues I haue sometimes heard great account made of a Switzers bouldnesse who after the siege of Laon and the citie being rendered to the Kings obedience climbed and stood stradling vpon the thwart branch of the crosse of our Ladies church steeple of the said towne and stood there forked wise his feet vpward But that in my iudgement is nothing in regard of this the said Switzer being vpon a firme and solide body and without motion and this contrariwise hanging ouer an vnconstant sea tossed with boistrous windes as we haue sometimes seene After we had left these Pirats spoken of before we were vntill the 18. of Iune tossed with diuers and almost contrary windes without any discouery but of one ship far off from vs which we did not boord and yet notwithstanding the very sight thereof did comfort vs. And the same day we met a ship of Honfleur wherein Captaine La Roche did command going for New-found-landes who had no better fortune vpon the sea then we The custome is at sea that when some particular ship meeteth with the King his ship as ours was to come vnder the lee and to present herselfe not side by side but bias wise Also to pull down her flagge as this Captain La Roche did except the flagge for shee had non no more had we being not needfull in so great a voyage but in approaching the land or when one must fight Our sailers did cast then their computation on the course that we had made For in euery ship the Master the Pilot and Masters Mate doe write downe euery day of their courses and windes that they haue followed for how many houres and the estimation of leagues The said La Roche did account that they were then in the Fourty fiue degrees and within a hundred leagues of the Bancke Our Pilot called Master Oliuer Fleuriot of Saint Maloe by his computation said that we were within 60. leagues of it And Captaine Foulques within 120. leagues I beleeue he gaue the best iudgement We receiued much contentment by the meeting of this ship and did greatly encourage vs seeing wee did begin to meete with ships seeming vnto vs that wee did enter in a place of acquaintance But by the way a thing must be noted which I haue found admirable and which giueth vs occasion to play the Philosophers For about the same 18. day of Iune wee found the sea-water during three daies space very warme and by the same warmth our wine also was warme in the bottome of our ship yet the aire was not hotter then before And the 21. of the said moneth quite contrarie we were 2. or 3. daies so much compassed with mistes and coldes that we thought our selues to be in the moneth of Ianuary and the water of the sea was extreame colde Which continued with vs vntill we came vpon the said Bancke by reason of the said mistes which outwardly did procure this colde vnto vs. When I seeke out the cause of this Antiperistase I attribute it to the Ices of the North which come floating downe vpon the coast and sea adioyning to New-found-land and Labrador which wee haue said else-where is brought thither with the sea by her naturall motion which is greater there then else-where because of the great space it hath to runne as in a gulfe in the depth of America where the nature and situation of the vniuersall earth doth beare it easily Now these Ices which sometimes are seene in banckes of tenne leagues length and as high as Mountaines and hils and thrice as deepe in the waters holding as it were an Empire in this sea driue out farre from them that which is contrary to their coldnesse and consequently doe binde and close on this side that small quantity of milde temperature that the Summer may bring to that part where they come to seat and place themselues Yet for all that I will not deny but this region in one and the selfe-same paralell is somewhat colder then those of our part of Europe for the reasons that we will aleage heereafter when we shall speake of the fowlnesse of seasons Such is my opinion being ready to heare another mans reason And being mindefull heereof I did of purpose take heed of the same at my returne from New France and found the same warmenesse of water or very neere though it was in the Moneth of September within fiue or six daies sailing on this side of the said bancke whereof we will now intreate CHAP. XII Of the great Bancke of Morues or Coddes of the Sound our comming to the said Bancke the description thereof the fishing of New-found-land-fish and of birds the greedinesse of birds called by Frenchmen Hap-foyes that is to say liuer-catchers diuers perils the fauours of God the causes of frequent and long mistes in the Western sea Land-markes the sight of it maruellous odours the boording of two Shaloupes the landing at the Port du Moutton the comming into Port Royall of two Frenchmen remaining there alone amongst the Sauages BEfore wee come to the Bancke spoken of before which is the great Bancke where the fishing of greene Cod-fishes is made so are they called when they are not dry for one must goe alande for the drying of them the sea-faring-men besides the computation they make of their course haue warnings when they come neere to it by birds which are knowen euen as one doth them of these our parts returning backe into France when one is within 100. or 120. leagues neere it The most frequent of these birds towards the said Bancke be Godes Fouquets and other called Happe-foyes for a reason that we will declare anone When these birds then were seene which were not like to them that we had seene in the middest of the great sea we began to thinke our selues not to be farre from the said Bancke Which made vs to sound with our lead vpon a Thursday the 22. of Iune but then we found no bottom The same day in the euening we cast againe with better successe for we found bottome at 36. fadams The said sound is a peece of lead of seuen or eight pound waight made piramidall wise fastened at one or diuers lines and
Sunne did but begin to cheere the earth and to behold his Mistres with an amorous aspect when the Sagamos Membertou after our praiers solemnely made to God and the break-fast distributed to the people according to the custom came to giue vs aduertisment that he had seene a saile vpon the lake which came towards our Fort. At this ioyfull newes euery one went out to see but yet none was found that had so good a sight as he though he be aboue 100. yeeres old neuerthelesse we spied very soone what it was Monsieur De Poutrincourt caused in all diligence the small Barke to be made ready for to goe to view further Monsieur De Champ-dorè and Daniel Hay went in her and by the signe that had beene told them being certaine that they were friends they made presently to be charged foure Canons 12. fawkonnets to salute them that came so far to see vs. They on their part did not faile in beginning the ioy to discharge their peeces to whom they rendered the like with vsury It was onely a small barke vnder the charge of a yong man of Saint Maloes named Cheualier who being arriued at the Fort deliuered his letters to Monsieur De Poutrincourt which were read publikely They did write vnto him that for to helpe to saue the charges of the voyage the ship being yet the Ionas should stay at Campseau Port there to fish for Coddes by reason that the Merchants associate with Monsieur De Monts knew not that there was any fishing farther than that place Notwithstanding if it were necessary he should cause the ship to come to Port Royall Moreouer that the society was broken because that contrary to the King his Edict the Hollanders conducted by a traiterous Frenchman called La Ieunesse had the yeare before taken vp the Beuers and other Furres of the great riuer of Canada a thing which did turne to the great dammage of the Societie which for that cause could no longer furnish the charges of the vnhabiting in these parts as it had done in times past And therefore did send no body for to remaine there after vs. As we receaued ioy to see our assured succour we felt also great griefe to see so faire and so holy an enterprise broken That so many labours and perils past should serue to no effect and that the hope of planting the name of God and the Catholike faith should vanish away Notwithstanding after that Monsieur De Poutrincourt had a long while mused heereupon he said that although he should haue no body to come with him but onely his family he would not forsake the enterprise It was great griefe vnto vs to abandon without hope of returne a land that had produced vnto vs so faire Corne and so many faire adorned gardens All that could be done vntill that time was to finde out a place fit to make a setled dwelling and a land of good fertility And that being done it was great want of courage to giue ouer the enterprise for another yeare being passed the necessity of maintaining an habitation there should be taken away for the land was sufficient to yeeld things necessary for life This was the cause of that griefe which pierced the hearts of them which were desirous to see the Christian Religion established in that country But on the contrary Monsieur De Monts and his associates reaping no benefit but losse and hauing no helpe from the King it was a thing which they could not doe but with much difficulty to maintaine an habitation in those parts Now this enuy for the trade of Beuers with the Sauages found not onely place in the Hollanders hearts but also in French Merchants in such sort that the priuiledge which had beene giuen to the said Monsieur De Monts for ten yeares was reuoked The vnsatiable auarice of men is a strange thing which haue no regard to that which is honest so that they may rifle and catch by what meanes soeuer And thereupon I will say moreouer that there haue beene some of them that came to that country to fetch vs home that wickedly haue presumed so much as to strip the dead and steale away the Beuers which those poore people doe put for their last benefit vpon them whom they bury as we will declare more at large in the booke following A thing that maketh the French name to be odious worthy disdain among them which haue no such sordide quality at all but rather hauing a heart truly noble and generous hauing nothing in priuate to themselues but rather all things common and which ordinarily doe present gifts and that very liberally according to their ability to them whom they loue and honor And besides this mischiefe it came to passe that the Sauages when that we were at Campseau killed him that had shewed them the Sepulchers of their dead I need not to alleage heere what Herodote reciteth of the vile basenesse of King Darius who thinking to haue caught the old one in the nest as saith the prouerbe that is to say great treasures in the Tombe of Semiramis Queene of the Babylonians went away altogether confounded as wise as he came thither hauing found in it a writing altogether contrary to the first hee had read which rebuked him very sharply for his auarice and wickednesse Let vs returne to our sorowfull newes and to the griefe thereof Monsieur De Poutrincourt hauing propounded to some of our company whether they would tarry there for a yeare eight good fellows offered themselues who were promised that euery one of them should haue a hogshead of wine and corne sufficiently for one yeare but they demanded so great wages that they could not agree So resolution was taken for the returne Towards the euening wee made bonfires for the natiuity of my Lord the Duke of Orleans and began afresh to make our Canons and falconets to thunder out accompanied with store of Musket shots hauing before sung for that purpose Te Deum Laudamus The said Cheualier bringer of the newes had borne the office of Captaine in the Ship that remained at Campseau in this condition there was giuen to him for to bring vnto vs six Weathers 24. Hens a pound of Peper 20. pounds of Rice as many of Raisens and of Prunes a thousand of Almonds a pound of Nutmegs a quarter of Cinamon two pounds of Maces halfe a pound of Cloues two pounds of Citron rindes two dozen of Citrons as many Orenges a Westphalia gamon of Bacon and six other gamons a hogshead of Gascoine wine and as much of Sacke a hogshead of poudred Beefe foure pottles and a halfe of oile of Oliue a Iar of Oliues a barrell of Vinegar and two Sugar-loaues but all that was lost through Gutter-lane and we saw none of all these things to make account of Neuerthelesse I haue thought good to name heere these wares
Bucklers fishing lines Rackets the Sauages Canowes or boates and their fashion Canowes made of willowes of paper of leather of hollowed trees the originall of the fables of the Syrens or Mermaidens long trauels through the woods pottery of Earth the tillage of the ground the ancient Germans had no lands proper or peculiar to them the Sauages are not laborious how they manure the land double sowing and double Haruest How they liue in Winter the Sauages townes of the originall of townes the first builders in the Gaulles of the word Magus Philosophy hath beene first found out by the Barbarians the plaies and games of the Sauages CHAP. XVIII The womens exercices the woman is called pierced or hollowed the women are saued in bringing foorth of Children of purification the hard condition of the women among the Sauages ges of mattes currying and dressing of leather their making of Baskets Purses Dies Dishes Matachiaz Canowes the loue of the Sauage women towards their husbands their chastity A faire obseruation vpon the Hebrew names of the man and of the woman CHAP. XIX Of Ciuilitie the first Ciuilitie is the obedience to God and to the parents the Sauages be Slouenly at their Banquets for want of linnen the repast of the ancient Gaullois and Germains of the arriuing of the Sauages into any place their Greetings likewise of the Greekes Romans and Hebrewes of the saluting in Sneezing Item in the beginning of Letters of the Farewell the Sauages reuerence to their Fathers and Mothers Curse to him which honoreth not his Father and his mother CHAP. XX. Of the Vertues and Vices of the Sauages the Principles of Vertue are invs euen from our birth of force and greatnesse of courage the ancient Gaullois were without feare the Sauages are reuengefull wherin temperance consisteth whether the Sauages are indued therewith wherein Liberalitie consisteth the Sauages Liberality they disdaine the couetous pelting Merchants their Magnificence Hospitality Piety towards their Fathers and Mothers of their Iustice the execution of Iustice the incredible euasion of two Sauages prisoners wherein the Sauages be diligent and slothfull CHAP. XXI Of Hunting the originall thereof to whom it belongeth to what end Kings are chosen hunting the image of War the first end thereof the interpretation of one verse of the 32. Psalme all Sauages doe hunt when and how the discription of the hunting of the Ellan or Stagge the Sauages hounds the Sauages haue Rackets at theirfeet when they hunt their continuance in hunting faire inuention of them for the Kitching their womens duty after the hunting the fishing or hunting of the Beuer the discription of the same her admirable building how she is taken from whence anciently the Beuers did come Of Beares Leopards the discription of the beast called Nibachés Wolues Conies c. the Cattell of France do profit well in New France Maruellous multiplicatin of Beasts of the beasts of Florida and of Brasill the Sauages are truely noble CHAP. XXII Of Hauking the Muses doe delight in hunting hawking is a noble exercise How the Sauages take their fowle Ilands swarming with birds the foules of Port Royall Of a bird called Niridau of glistering flies Turky or Indian Cocks the foules of Florida and of Brasill CHAP. XXIII Of Fishing a comparison betweene Hunting Hauking and Fishing an Emperour delighting himselfe in Fishing Plato his absurdity Fishing permitted to Churchmen the feeding vpon fish is the best and wholesomest food euery Fish dreads the Winter and withdraweth himselfe they returne in the Spring time a manna of Smelts Heerings Pilchers Sturgeons and Salmons the maner of taking of them by the Sauages the abuse superstition of Pythagoras the Sanctorum of New found land fishermen of the shell Fish of Port Royall the fishing of the Codde whether Cods doe sleepe the cause why fishes sleepe not fishes hauing stones in their heads as the Codde doe feare Winter Oile or traine of fish the fishing of the Whale wherein the hardinesse and bouldnesse of the Sauages is to be admired Hippopotames the infinite multitude of Mackerels the Idlenesse of the people of this day CHAP. XXIIII Of the Land which is the good ground Terra Sigillata is in New France the fructifying of Monsieur de Poutrincourts Sowings which is the good Dung of Turkie or Indian Wheat called Mahis how the Sauages doe mend their grounds how they Sowe the temperature of the Aire doth serue to production Barnes vnder ground the cause of the slothfuluesse of the Sauages of the hither lands neere vnto vs Hempe of Vines when they were first planted in Galia of Trees Tabacco and the maner and vse of it the foolish greedinesse after Tabacco the Vertues thereof the error of Belle-forest of the rootes called Afrodiles or ground Nuts a consideration vpon the miserie of many people the tilling of the ground is a most innocent exercise Gloria adorea of the Fruit trees and others of Port Royall of Florida and of Brasill the despising of Mines Fruits to be hoped in new France CHAP. XXV Of the war to what end the Sauages doe make war The Orations of the Sauages Captaines their surprises the maner to foretell the euent of the war the succession of Captaines the Sauages armes of excellent Archers from whence comes the word Militia the cause of the Sauages feare their maner of marching in War a warlike dance how the Sauages doe vse the victory of the Victime sacrifice Punishment the Sauages will not fall into their enemies hands the trophies of their enemies heads of the ancient Gaullois of the moderne Hungarians CHAP. XXVI Of Funerals the lamenting for the dead the burying of them is a worke of humanity the custome of the Sauages in this respect of the preseruing of the dead bodies of the mourning of the Persians Aegyptians Romans Gascons Brasilians Floridians Souriquois Hebrewes Queenes of France Thracians Locrians ancient Christians the burning of the moueable goods of the deceassed a faire lesson to the Couetous the customes of the Phrigians Latins Hebrewes Gaullois Germains and Sauages for this respect the burying of the dead What people doe bury them who burne them and who preserue them Of the funerall gifts shut vp in the sepulchers of the dead the same reprooued the couetousnesse of the Infringers of Sepulchers Noua Francia The three late voyages and plan tation of Monsieur De MONTS of Monsieur Du Pont grauè and of Monsieur De Poutrincourt into the Countries called by the Frenchmen La Cadia lying to the Southwest of Cap Breton together with an excellent seuerall Treatie of all the commodities of the said Countries and maners of the naturall inhabitants of the same CHAP. I. The Patent of the French King to Monsieur DE MONTS for the inhabiting of the Countries of La Cadia Canada and other places in new France HENRY by the grace of God King of France and Naturre To our deare and welbeloued the Lord of Monts one of the ordinarie Gentlemen of our Chamber greeting
tillage of the ground which notwithstanding is almost the onely vocation where innocencie remaineth And thereby commeth that euerie one shunning this noble labour our first Parents and ancient Kings exercise as also of the greatest Captaines of the World seeking to make himselfe a Gentleman at others costes or else willing onely to learne the trade to deceaue men or to claw himselfe in the Sunne God taketh away his blessing from vs and beateth vs at this day and hath done a long time with an iron rodde so that in all parts the people languisheth miserably and we see the Realme of France swarming with beggers and vagabonds of all kindes besides an infinite number groaning in their poore cottages not daring or ashamed to shewfoorth their pouertie and miserie CHAP. IX The first motiue and acceptation of the voyage by Monsieur De Poutrincourt together with the Author into New France their departure from Paris to goe into Rochel ABout the time of the before mentioned shipwracke Monsieur De Monts being in France did thinke carefully vpon the meanes how to prepare a new supplie for new France Which seemed hard and difficult to him as well for the great charges that that action required as because that Prouince had beene so discredited at his returne that the continuing of these voyages any longer did seeme vaine and vnfruitfull Besides there was some reason to beleeue that no bodie would aduenture himselfe thither Notwithstanding knowing Monsieur De Poutrincourt his desire to whom before he had giuen part of the land according to the power which the King had giuen him which was to inhabite in those parts and there to settle his family and his fortune together with the name of God he wrote vnto him and sent a man of purpose to giue him notice of the voyage that was in hand Which the said Monsieur De Poutrincourt accepted of leauing all other affaires to attend on this action though he had sutes in law of great weight to the prosecuting and defence whereof his presence was very requisite And that at his first voyage he had tried the malice of some which during his absence prosecuted against him with rigour and at his returne gaue ouer and became dombe He was no sooner come to Paris but that he was forced to depart not hauing scarse time to prouide for things necessarie And I hauing had that good happe to be acquainted with him some yeeres before asked mee if I would take part in that businesse whereunto I demanded a daies respit to answer him Hauing well consulted with my selfe not so much desirous to see the countrie for I knew well that there was woods lakes and riuers and that one must goe ouer seas which I had before done in the Straights as to bee able to giue an eie iudgement of the land whereto my minde was before inclined and to auoid a corrupted world I engaged my word vnto him being induced thereto specially for the vniustice done to me a little before by some Presidiall Iudges in fauour of a Parsonage of eminent qualitie whom I haue alwaies honored and reuerenced Which sentence at my returne hath beene recalled by order and sentence of the Court of Parliament for which I am particularly obliged to Monsieur Seruin the King his Aduocate Generall to whom doth belong properly this Eloge attributed according to the letter to the most wise and most magnificent of all Kings Thou hast loued Iustice and hated iniquitie So it is that God awakeneth vs sometimes to stirre vs vp to generous actions such as be these voiages which as the world doth varie some will blame other some will approoue But without answering any body in this respect I care not what discourses idle men or those that cannot or will not helpe mee may make enioying contentment in my selfe and being readie to render all seruice to God and to the King in those remote lands that beare the name of France if either my fortune or condition call me thither for there to liue in quiet and rest by an acceptable pleasing labour and to shun the hard and miserable life whereto I see reduced the most part of men in this part of the World To returne then to Monsieur De Poutrincourt as he had dispatched some businesses he inquired in some Churches if some learned Priest might be found out that would goe with him to relieue and ease him whom Monsieur De Monts had left there at his voiage whom we thought to be yet liuing But because it was the Holy weeke in which time they are imployed and waite on confessions and shriuings there was none to bee found some excusing themselues vpon the troubles and discommodities of the sea and the length of the voyage other deferring it till after Easter Which was cause that none could be had out of Paris by reason the season hasted on time and tyde tarry for no man so then we were forced to depart There rested to finde out fit and necessary workemen for the voyage of New France whereunto was speedilie prouided price agreed vpon for their wages and mony giuen before hand in part thereof to beare their charges to Rochell where the rendes vous was at the dwelling houses of Master Macquin and Master Georges worshipfull Marchants of the said Towne the associates of Monsieur De Monts which did prouide our furniture and prouision Our meaner people being gone three or fower daies after we tooke our way to Orleans vpon Good Friday for there to solemnise and passe our Easter where euery one accomplished the dutie vsuall to all good Christians in taking the spiritual food that is to say the holy Communion seeing we did vndertake and were going on a voyage From thence we came downe the riuer Loyre to Saumur with our cariage and from Sawmur we went by Touars and Maran to Rochell by hackney horses CHAP. X. The name of our Ship called the Ionas The shallow water at Rochell is the cause of the hard going out Rochell a reformed Towne the common people is insolent Croquans the accident of ship-wracke of the Ionas new preparation weake souldiers are not to be placed vpon the frontiers The Ministers of Rochell doe pray for the conuersion of the Sauages the smalzeale of ours the Eucharist caried in voiages by the ancient Christian the diligence of Monsieur De Poutrincourt at the very point of Shipping BEing come to Rochell we found there Monsieur De Monts and Monsieur De Poutrincourt that were come in Post and our ship called the Ionas of the burthen of 150. tonnes readie to passe out of the chaines of the Towne to tary for winde and tyde The tyde I say because that a great ship laden cannot come to sea from Rochell but in spring tydes vpon the new and full moone by reason that in the towne roade there is no sufficient depth In the meane while we made good cheare yea so good that we did long
We are taught I beleeue it so that though there were but one man to be saued our Lord Iesus Christ had not disdained to come as well for him as he hath done for all the world In like maner one must not make so smal account of the saluation of these poore people though they swarme not in number as within Paris or Constantinople Seeing it auailed me nothing in demanding for a Church-man to administer the Sacrament vnto vs be it during our nauigation or vpon the land The ancient custome of the Christians came into my minde which going in voyage did carry with them the holy bread of the Eucharist and this did they because they found not in all places Priests to administer this Sacrament vnto them the world being then yet full either of Heathens or Heretickes So that it was not vnproperly called Viatic which they carried with them trauelling on the way yet notwithstanding I am of opinion that it hath a spirituall meaning And considering that we might be brought to that necessity not hauing in New France but one Priest onely of whose death wee heard when we came thither I demanded if they would doe vnto vs as to the ancient Christians who were as wise as we I was answered that the same was done in that time for considerations which are not now at this daie I replied that Satirus Saint Ambroses brother going on a voyage vpon the sea serued himselfe with this spirituall Physicke as we read in his funerall oration made by his said brother Saint Ambrose which he did carry in Orario which I take to be a lynnen cloth or taffita and well did it happen vnto him by it For hauing made ship-wracke he saued himselfe vpon a bord left of his vessels wracke But I was as well refused in this as of the rest Which gaue mee cause of wondring seeming to me a very rigorous thing to be in worse condition then the first Christians For the Eucharist is no other thing at this day then it was then And if they held it precious we doe not demand it to make lesser account thereof Let vs returne to our Ionas Now shee was laden and brought out of the towne into the roade there resteth nothing more than fit weather tide which was the hardest of the matter For in places where is no great depth as in Rochell one must tarry for the high tydes of the full and new Moones and then paraduenture the winde will not be fit and so one must deferre till a fortnights time In the meane while the season goeth away as it was almost with vs. For we saw the houre that after so many labours and charges we were indanger to tary for lacke of winde because the Moone was in the waine and consequently the tyde Captaine Foulques did not seeme to affect his charge making no ordinary stay in the ship and it was reported that other Merchants not being of Monsieur De Monts his societie did secretly solicite him to breake off the voyage And indeed it hath beene thought that he caused vs to make wrong courses which kept vs two monethes and a halfe at sea as heereafter we shall see Which thing the said Monsieur De Poutrincourt perceiuing himselfe tooke vpon him the charge of Captaine of the ship and went to lie in her the space of fiue or six daies for to get out with the first winde and not to loose the opportunity In the end with much a doe the eleuenth day of May 1606. by the fauour of a small Easterly winde he went to sea and made our Ionas to be brought to the Palisse and the next day being the 12. of the same moneth came againe to Chef de bois which be the places where ships put themselues for shelter from windes where the hope of New France was assembled I say the hope because that of this voyage did depend the continuance or totall breach of the enterprise CHAP. XI Their departure from Rochell Sundry meetings of ships and Pirats Stormy Sea about the Açores and whence it proceeds Why the West windes are frequent in the West sea From whence the winds doe come Porpeses doe prognosticate stormes meanes to take them the describing of them of stormes their effects of Calmes what is a gust of Winde how it is made the effects thereof the boldnesse of mariners how reuerence is giuen to the Kings ship the supputation of the voyage hot sea then cold the reason of it and of the banckes of Ice in New-found Land THe Saturday Whitsoneue 13. of May we weighed our anckers and sailed in open sea so that by little and little wee lost the sight of the great towers and town of Rochell then of the Iles of Rez Oleron bidding France farewell It was a thing fearefull for them that were not vsed to such a dance to see them caried vpon so moueable an ellement and to be at euery moment as it were within two fingers bredth to death We had not long sailed but that many did their endeuour to yeeld vp the tribute to Neptune In the meane while we went still forward for there was no more going backe the plancke being once taken vp The 16. of May we met with 13. Holanders going for Spaine which did inquire of our voyage and so held their course Since that time we were a whole moneth seeing nothing else out of our floting towne but Skie and water one ship excepted neere about the Açors well filled with English and Dutchmen They bare vp with vs and came very neere vs. And according to the maner of the sea we asked them whence their ship was They told vs they were New-found-land men that is to say going a fishing for New-found-land-fish And they asked vs if we would accept of their companie we thanked them therupon they dranke to vs and we to them and they tooke another course But hauing considered their vessell all set with greene mosse on the belly and sides we iudged them to be Pirates that they had of a long time beaten the sea in hope to make some prise It was then that we began to see more than before Neptunes sheepe to skip vp so doe they call the frothy waues when the sea beginneth to sturand to feele the hard blowes of his Trident. For commonly in that place before named the sea is stormy If one aske me the cause why I wil answer that I thinke it to proceed of a certaine conflict between the East westerly windes which doe encounter in that part of the sea and especially in Summer when the West windes doe rise vp and with a great force pierce and passe thorow a great distance of sea vntill they finde the windes of these parts which doe resist them Then it is dangerous for a ship to be at these windy encounters This reason seemeth the more probable vnto me in this
nor any wise swadled in cloutes The Cimbres did put their new borne children into the snow to harden them And the Frenchmen did plunge theirs into the riuer Rhine to know if they were legitinate for if they did sinke vnto the bottome they were esteemed bastards and if they did swimme on the water they were legitimate meaning as it were that French-men ought naturally to swim vpon the waters As for our Sauages of New France when that I was there thinking nothing lesse than on this History I tooke not heed of many things which I might haue obserued But yet I remember that as a woman was deliuered of her child they came into our Fort to demand very instantly for some grease or oyle to make the child to swallow it downe before they giue him the dugge or any food they can render no reason for this but that it is a custome of long continuance Whereupon I coniecture that the diuell who hath alwaies borrowed ceremonies from the Church as well in the ancient as in the new law would that his people so doe I call them that beleeue not in God and are out of the Communion of Saints should be anointed like to Gods people which vnction he hath made to be inward because the spirituall vnction of the Christians is so CHAP. II. Of the imposition of names AS for imposition of names they giue them by tradition that is to say they haue great quantity of names which they chuse and impose on their children But the eldest sonne commonly beareth his fathers name adding at the end some diminutiue as the eldest of Membertou shall be called Membertouchis as it were the lesser or the yonger Membertou As for the yonger Son he beareth not the Fathers name but they giue him such name as they list And hee that is borne after him shall beare his name adding a syllable to it as the yonger of Membertou is called Actaudin he that commeth after is called Actaudinech So Memembourré had a sonne named Semcoud and his yonger was called Semcoudech It is not for all that a generall rule to adde this termination ech For Panoniacs yonger Sonne of whom mention is made in Membertous warre against the Armouchiquois which I haue described in the Muses of New France was called Panouiagués so that this termination is done according as the former name requireth it But they haue a custome that when this elder brother or father is dead they change name for to auoid the sorrow that the remembrance of the deceassed might bring vnto them This is the cause why after the decease of Memembourré Semcoud that died this last Winter Semcoudech hath left his brothers name and hath not taken that of his father but rather hath made himselfe to be called Paris because he dwelt in Paris And after Panoniacs death Panoniagues forsooke his name and was by one of our men called Roland which I finde euill and vndiscreetly done so to prophane Christians names and to impose them vpon Infidels as I remember of another that was called Martin Alexander the Great though he was an Heathen would not that any should beare his name vnlesse he should render himselfe woorthy thereof by vertue And as one day a souldier bearing the name of Alexander was accused before him to be voluptuous and lecherous he commanded him either to forsake that name or to change his life The Brasiliens as Iohn De Leri saith whom I had rather follow in that which he hath seene than a Spaniard impose names to their children of the first thing that commeth before them as if a bow and string come to their imagination they will call their child Ourapacen which signifieth a bow and a string and so consequently In regard of our Sauages they haue at this day names without signification which peraduenture in the first imposing of them did signifie some thing but as the tongues do change the knowledge thereof is lost Of all the names of them that I haue knowen I haue learned none sauing that Chkoudun signifieth a Trowt and Oigoudi the name of the riuer of the said Chkoudun which signifieth to see It is very certaine that names haue not beene imposed to what thing soeuer without reason For Adam gaue the name to euery liuing creature according to the property and nature thereof and consequently names haue beene giuen to men signifying something As Adam signifieth Man or that which is made of earth Euah signifieth the Mother of all liuing Abel weeping Cain possession Iesus a Sauiour Diuell a Slanderer Satan an aduersarie c. Among the Romans some were called Lucius because they were born at the breake of day Others Caesar for that the Mothers belly was cut at the birth of him that first did beare this name In like maner Lentulus Piso Fabius Cicero c. all nick-names giuen by reason of some accident like our Sauages names but with some more iudgement CHAP. III. Of the feeding of their Children ALmighty God shewing a true Mothers duty saith by the Prophet Esay Can a woman forget her child and not haue compassion on the Sonne of her wombe This pity which God requireth in Mothers is to giue the brest to their children and not to change the food which they haue giuen vnto them before their birth But at this day the most part make their brests to serue for alurements to whoredome and being willing to set themselues at ease free from the childrens noise do send them into the Country where peraduenture they be changed or giuen to bad nurses whose corruption and bad nature they sucke with their milke And from thence come the changelings weake and degenerate from the right stocke whose names they beare The Sauage women beare a greater loue than that towards their yong ones for none but themselues doe nourish them And that is generall thorowout all the West Indies likewise their brests are no baites of loue as in these our parts but rather loue in those lands is made by the flame that nature kindleth in euery one without annexing any arts to it either by painting amorous poisons or otherwise And for this maner of nursing their children are the ancient German women praised by Tacitus because that euery one did nurse their Children with her owne brests and would not haue suffered that another besides themselues should giue sucke to their children Now our Sauage women do giue vnto them with the dugge meats which they vse hauing first well chawed them and so by little and little bring them vp As for the swadling of them they that dwell in hot Countries and neere the Tropicks haue no care of it but leaue them free vnbound But drawing towards the North the mothers haue an euen smooth boord like the couering of a drawer or cupborod vpon which they lay the child wrapped in a Beauer fur vnles it be too hot and tied thereupon with some swadling band whom they carry on their
seeing that the nature of the soile and of the woods is all one In September after that this vermine is gone away there grow other flies like vnto ours but they are not troublesome and become very bigge Now our Sauages to saue themselues from the stinging of these creatures rubbe themselues with certaine greases and oiles as I haue said which make them foule and of a tawnish colour Besides that alwaies they lie on the ground or be exposed to the heat and the wind But there is cause of wondering wherefore the Brasilians and other inhabitants of America betweene the two Tropikes are not borne blacke as they of Africa seeing that it seemeth it is the selfesame case being vnder one and the selfesame parallell and like eleuation of the Sunne If the Poets fables were sufficient reasons for to take away this scruple one might say that Phaeton hauing done the foolish deed in conducting the Charet of the Sunne onely Africa was burned and the horses set againe in their right course before they came to the New world But I had rather say that the heat of Lybia being the cause of this blacknesse of men is ingendred from the great lands ouer which the Sunne passeth before it come thither from whence the heat is still carried more abundantly by the swift motion of this great Heauenly torch Whereunto the great sands of that Prouince doe also helpe which are very capable of those heates specially not being watered with store of riuers as America is which aboundeth in riuers and brookes as much as any Prouince in the World which doe giue perpetuall refreshing vnto it and makes the region much more temperate the ground being also there more fat and retaining better the dewes of Heauen which are there abundantly and raines also for the reasons abuesaid For the Sunne finding in the meeting of these lands those great moistnesses he doth not faile to draw a good quantitie of them and that so much the more plentifully that his force is there great and maruellous which makes there continuall raines especially to them that haue him for their zenith I adde one great reason that the Sunne leauing the lands of Africa giueth his beames vpon a moist element by so long a course that he hath good meanes to sucke vp vapors and to draw together with him great quantitie thereof into those parts which maketh that the cause is much differing of the colour of these two people and of the temperature of their lands Let vs come to other circumstances and seeing that we are about colours I will say that all they which I haue seene haue blacke haires some excepted which haue abram colour haires but of flaxen colour I haue seene none and lesse of red and one must not thinke that they which are more Southerly be otherwise for the Floridians and Brasilians are yet blacker than the Sauages of New found land The beard of the chinne which our Sauages call migidoni is with them as blacke as their haires They all take away the producing cause thereof except the Sagamos who for the most part haue but a little Membertou hath more than all the others and notwithstanding it is not thicke as it is commonly with Frenchmen If these people weare no beards on their chinne at the least the most part there is no cause of maruelling For the ancient Romans themselues esteeming that that was a hinderance vnto them did weare none vntill the time of Adrian the Emperour who first began to weare a beard Which they tooke for such an honour that a man accused of any crime had not that priuiledge to shaue his haires as may be gathered by the testimonie of Aulus Gellius speaking of Scipio the sonne of Paul As for the inferiour parts our Sauages doe not hinder the growing or increasing of haires there It is said that the women haue some there also And according as they be curious some of our men haue made them beleeue that the French women haue beards on their chinnes and haue left them in that good opinion so that they were very desirious to see some of them their maner of clothing By these particularities one may vnderstand that all these people haue generally lesser haires than we for along the body they haue none at all so farre is it then that they be hairie as some thinke This belongeth to the inhabitants of the Iles Gorgades from whence Hanno the Carthaginien captaine brought two womens skinnes which he did set vp in the temple of Iuno for great singularitie But heere is to bee noted what we haue said that our sauage people haue almost all their haires blacke for the Frenchmen in one and the selfesame degree are not commonly so The ancient authors Polybius Caesar Strabo Diadore the Cicilian and particularly Ammian Marcellin doe say that the ancient Gaullois had almost all their haires as yellow as gold were of high stature and fearefull for their gastly lookes besides quarelsome and readie to strike a fearefull voice neuer speaking but in threatning At this time those qualities are well changed For there are not now so many yellow haires nor so many men of high stature but that other nations haue as tall As for the fearefull lookes the delicacies of this time haue moderated that and as for the threatning voice I haue scarse seene in all the Gaules but the Gascons and them of Languedoc which haue their maner of speech some what rude which they retaine of the Gotish and of the Spaniard by their neighbourhood But as for the haires it is very farre from being so commonly blacke The same author Ammian saith also that the women of the Gaules whom he noted to be good shrewes and to bee too hard for their husbands when they are in choler haue blue eies and consequently the men and notwithstanding in that respect wee are much mingled which maketh that one knoweth not what rarenesse to chuse for the beautie of eies For many doe loue the blue eies and others loue them greene which were also in ancient time most praised For among the Sonnets of Monsieur de Couci who was in old time so great a clerke in loue matters that songs were made of it greene eies are praised The Germans haue kept better than we the qualities which Tacitus giueth them likewise that which Ammian reciteth of the Gaullois In so great a number of men saith Tacitus there is but one fashion of garments They haue blue eies and fearefull their haires shining as gold and are very corpulent Pliny giueth the same bodily qualities to the people of the Taprobane saying that they haue redde haires their eies blue and the voice horrible and fearefull Wherein I know not if I ought to beleeue him considering the climate which is in the 8 9. and 10. degrees onely and that in the kingdome of Calecute farther off than the Aequinoctial line the men are blacke But as for
Babylon containing that he of her successors that had neede of mony should make it to be opened and that he should finde there euen as much as he would haue Whereof Darius willing to make triall found in it nothing else but other letters speaking in this sorte Vnlesse thou wert a wicked man and vnsatiable thou wouldst not haue through couetousnesse so troubled the quiet of the dead and broken downe their Sepulchers I would thinke this custome to haue beene onely among the Heathen were it not that I finde in Iosephus his history that Salomon did put in the Sepulcher of Dauid his father aboue three millions of gould which were rifled thirteene hundred yeeres after This custome to put gould into the Sepulchers being come euen to the Romans was forbidden by the twelue tables also the excessiue expences that many did make in watering the bodies with precious liquors and other mysteries that we haue recited heeretofore And notwithstanding many simple and foolish men and women did ordaine by will and testament that one should bury with their bodies their ornamentes ringes and iewels which the Greekes did call entaphia as there is a forme seene of it reported by the lawyer Scaeuola in the bookes of the Digestes Which was reprooued by Papiniam and Vlpian likewise ciuill lawyers in such sort that for the abuse thereof the Romans were constrained to cause that the Censors of the womens ornamentes did condemne as simple and effeminated them that did such thinges as Pluturch saith in the liues of Solon and Sylla Therefore the best course is to keepe the modesty of the ancient Patriarches and euen of king Cyrus whom we haue mentioned before on whose tombe was this inscription reported by Arrian Thou that passest by whomsoeuer thou beest and from what parte soeuer thou commest for I am sure that thou wilt come I am that Cyrus who got the dominion to the Persians I pray thee enuie not this little parcell of grounde which couereth my poore body So then our Sauages are not excusable in putting all the best ornamentes they haue into the Sepulchers of the dead seeing they might reape commodity by them But one may answer for them that they haue this custome euen from their fathers beginning for we see that almost from the very time of the floud the like hath beene done in this hither world and giuing to their dead their furres Matachias Bowes Arrowes and Quiuers they were thinges that they had no neede of And notwithstanding this doth not cleere the Spaniardes from blame who haue robbed the Sepulchers of the Indians of Perou and cast the bones on the dunghill nor our owne men that haue done the like in taking away the Beuers skinne in our New-France as I haue said heeretofore For as Isodorus saith of Damiette in an Epistle It is the parte of enemies voide of all humanitie to robbe the bodies of the dead which cannot defende themselues Nature it selfe hath giuen this to many that hatred doth ceasse after death and doe reconcile themselues with the deceassed But riches make the couetous to become enemies to the dead against whom they haue nothing to say who torment their bones with reproach and iniury And therefore not without cause haue the ancient Emperors made lawes and ordained rigorous paines against the spoilers and destroiers of Sepulchers All praises be giuen to God The Errata PAge 8. for I le of Sand or Sablon or Sand. read I le of Sablon or Sand. p. 9. for Pourtrincourt r. Poutrincourt p. 14. for Peron r. Perou p. 42. for haue raised r. haue beene raised ib for toones r. tonnes p. 52. for Point r. Pont. Idle and banished men imploied in this businesse The setting foorth out of New-hauen Danger A perillous storme Winde commonly good in March for the New found lands The I le of Sablon or Sand. Port du Rossignol Le Port da Moutton Capitol Milan About 100. Planters Deliberation vpon the returne into France Store of Conies The English Porte Campseau Port. Note heere the good nature and diligence of the Sauages La Baye des Iles. The Ice cōmeth farther to the South than Campseau Monsieur Du Pont goeth to Canada to trade for Furres Cap De Sable or the Sandie Cape Saint Maries Baye Faire place to inhabite Mines of Iron and Siluer An accident of a man lost in the woods the space of 16. daies La Baye Françoise The riuer of L' Equille Port Royal. A Copper Mine In the 28. and 29 chap. of the second booke of the whole volume vntranslated Things first to be prouided in new Plantation Nota. Esaiah 52. vers 5. Patronius Arbiter Ecclesiast 31. ver 8. 9. 10. Diamonds Turky stones Saint Iohns Riuer Dangerous comming in The fall of a Riuer 1608. Vines Great grapes among the Armouchiquois Abundance of fishes The Commoditie of voyaging by the riuer The I le of S. Croix 20. leagues from S Iohns riuer He that will possesse a land ought to place himselfe in the maine or firme land Returne to the Baie of Saint Marie where the lost man was found again The long I le Cheries Plin. lib. 7. Cap. 2. Iohn Wier in the treatie De ieiuniis comment Ibidem Ibidem Euagrius lib. 1. of the Ecclesiasticall historie cap. 3. Baronius vpon the Martyrol Rom. 9. Ian◠The Sauage submit themselues to the censure of Monsieur De Monts in in their variances The fathers authoritie in mariage The cause the of Sauagespleaded before Monsieur De Monts Store of Salmons Beuers Matachias be laces beades bracelets or such trinckets The description of the I le of Saint Croix The fruitfulnesse of the Soile The Iland halfe a league in compasse Store of Mussels Enuy vpon the priuiledge granted to Monsieur De Monts vpon Beuers The returne of Monsieur De Poutrincourt into France The first perill The second danger Necessitie maketh vs seeke to God The diuellishnesse of reuengefull desire The third danger Their return at New hauen The fourth perill The building at the I le of S. Croix Three discōmodities in wintering at S. Croix Wickednesse of manie Christians The riuer of Roan Vnknowen Sicknesses The number of the dead and sicke Dangerous moneths Hippocrates Northerly people subiect to the land disease of New France Olaus magnus Lib. 16. cap. 5◠Euill disposition of the body corrupteth the meates A medicine for the stone It is in the 9. booke ca. 38 This is to be noted Sorbut or Scoruie The opening of a dead bodie Causes of the said disease In the beginning of the book De aere aquu loc What foode causeth the land disease Bad waters Plin. li. 25. 〈…〉 Stomaccacè Scelotyrbè Britannica an herbe Strabo Monsieur d◠Ioinuille The Gouitres of Sauoye What aire is against health Windes What windes be healthfull and vnhealthfull The windes haue not one and the selfe same qualitie in all places Lib. 3 cap. 3. Olam magnus Lib. 1. Cap. 10. Sicke folkes and beasts doe feele the