and great riches confessed that they had taken three Portugall prizes The Spaniards at first receiued them on good conditions but some villaines seeing their wealth murthered them for which this Auditor had sentenced Roderigo de Fuentes with others as his Letter to the King of Spaine importeth Now had there then beene a Virginian or Bermudan Plantation how easily might they haue attained thither the Boat at least and escaped that butchery I could hither adde instructions from the English Indian Ships 1604. and 1608. from Captaine Fenton 1582. from the Earle of Cumberlands Voyages before related in the yeares 86. 89. 91. 93. 96. 97. and from Master Candish Master Dauis and others But we haue made too long a Virginian Voyage hauing no better freight then Arguments which the Times doe now promise if not worthy wise mens approbation yet good mens indulgence where in a weake body and manifold weighty imployments the willingnesse of a heart truely English sincerely Christian may seeme tolerable if not commendable pardonable if not plausible Another labour remaines to set downe rules and proiects of best fecibility and accomplishing this noble worke but I am onely a Freeman no Councellour of that Plantation and haue neither Lands there nor other aduenture therein but this of my loue and credit which with the allegiance to my Soueraigne and desire of the publike good of this Kingdome is more to me then all the treasures of America I seeke the good and not the goods of England and Virginia I follow the hand of God which haue giuen England so many rights in Virginia right naturall right nationall right by first discouery by accepted trade by possession surrendred voluntarily continued constantly right by gift by birth by bargaine and sale by cession by forfeiture in that late damnable trechery and massacre and the fatal possession taken by so many murthered English Gods bounty before his iustice now hath giuen vs Virginia that we should so in iudgement remember mercy as to giue Virginia againe to God in Christian acknowledgement of his goodnesse and mercy of his word and workes and in our owne more serious conuersion to prepare that of Virginia God goeth before vs in making this designe honorable to Religion to Humanity to our Ancestors to our King to our Kingdome God goeth before vs and hath giuen Virginia so rich a portion to allure and assure our loues in multiplying our people and thereby our necessities enforcing a vent in endowing Virginia with so large a iointure so temperate so commodious for the climate compared with other Countries beyond other Countries in her own diuersified Lands Seas Riuers in so fertile a soyle in so strong sweete stately delicate Woods and Timbers in her naturall hopes of Wines of Silkes of the bodies of Natiues seruile and seruiceable in Drugges Irons and probability also of other Mines in all materials for Shipping and other buildings God goeth before vs in offering that meane to saue that which wee seeke and spend in other perhaps enemies Countries to breede vp Marriners to train vp Souldiers to exercise labourers by transportation of English and Europaean creatures to plant another England in America enriched with the best things of Europe to giue vs Fish Tobacco and other present improuements as earnest of future better hopes and that in these times which haue so manifold necessities thereof in regard of monies men and trades decayed in regard of neighbour plantations in the probabilities of a South-Sea glory and in the case of obtruded warre obtruding on vs absolute necessity and including and concluding euery way so manifold vse God the Father Sonne and holy Ghost which goe before vs in these things if not in miraculous fire and cloudy pillars as when Israel went to Canaan yet in the light of reason and right consequence of arguments come into vs and fillvs with the spirit of wisedome and vnderstanding the spirit of counsell and of fortitude the spirit of knowledge and the feare of the Lord I may adde the spirit of vnity and counsell that he may vouchsafe to goe with vs and we with him and after him to Uirginia Amen O Amen Be thou the Alpha and Omega of Englands Plantation in Virginia O GOD. The end of the ninth Booke ENGLISH DISCOVERIES AND PLANTATIONS IN NEW ENGLAND AND NEW-FOVND-LAND WITH THE PATENT AND VOYAGES TO NEW-SCOTLAND Relations also of the Fleets set forth by Queene Elizabeth against the Spaniards THE TENTH BOOKE CHAP. I. A briefe Relation of the Discouerie and Plantation of new-New-England and of sundry Accidents therein occurring from the yeere of our Lord 1607. to this present 1622. Published by the President and Councell and dedicated to the Princes Highnesse here abbreuiated WHen this Designe was first attempted some of the present Company were therein chiefly interessed who being carefull to haue the same accomplished did send to the discouery of those Northern parts a braue Gentleman Cap. Henry Challons with two of the Natiues of that Territorie the one called Maneday the other Assecomet But his misfortunes did expose him to the power of certaine strangers enemies to his proceedings so that by them his Company were seized the ships and goods confiscated and that Voyage wholly ouerthrowne This losse and vnfortunate beginning did much abate the rising courage of the first Aduenturers but immediately vpon his departure it pleased the Noble Lord Chiefe Iustice Sir Iohn Popham Knight to send out another shippe wherein Captayne Thomas Hanam went Commander and Martine Prinne of Bristow Master with all necessary supplyes for the seconding of Captayne Challons and his people who arriuing at the place appointed and not finding that Captayne there after they had made some Discouerie and found the Coasts Hauens and Harbours answerable to our desires they returned Vpon whose Relation the Lord Chiefe Iustice and we all waxed so confident of the businesse that the yeere following euery man of any worth formerly interessed in it was willing to ioyne in the charge for the sending ouer a competent number of people to lay the ground of a hopefull Plantation Hereupon Captaine Popham Captaine Rawley Gilbert and others were sent away with two ships and an hundred Landmen Ordnance and other prouisions necessary for their sustentation and defence vntill other supply might be sent In the meane-while before they could returne it pleased God to take vs from this worthy member the Lord Chiefe Iustice whose sudden death did so astonish the hearts of the most part of the Aduenturers as some grew cold and some did wholly abandon the businesse Yet Sir Francis Popham his Sonne certaine of his priuate friends and other of vs omitted not the next yeere holding on our first resolution to ioyne in sending forth a new supply which was accordingly performed But the ships arriuing there did not only bring vncomfortable newes of the death of the Lord Chiefe Iustice together with the death of Sir Iohn Gilbert the elder
dayly in Nauall forces answered by Martiall Spirits for Land and Sea seruice Thus did God blesse her that had glorified him in establishing his Truth notwithstanding the pouertie of the State at her entrance deepely indetted by her predecessours and the saint friendship or professed enmitie of Rome and all her disciples Thus shall it bee done to the Woman God will honour and more then thus for what was all the time of her reigne but vicissitudes of Treasons Warres and manifold externall and internall broyles and yet in an admirable working of Diuine Grace when had England so long and flourishing peace at home or glory and renowme abroad as if hee which brought light out of darknesse would permit all such contrary workings to bee the object of his goodnesse the fewell and materialls of her greatnesse Arthur Poole the fourth yeere of her reigne abused the greatnesse of his bloud with other conspirators to the Guisâ—â—n purposes but taken and sentenced receiued not bloudie reward from her mild and mercifull hand Pope Pius the fift denounceth her excommunicate discharging her Subiects from loyaltie and alleageance and arming them against her Ridolfi a Florentine playes the Merchant of Popish wares the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland take armes the Duke of Norfolke is entangled the French and Spaniard are perswaded by the Pope who promised also if need were to ingage to this purpose all the goods of the Sea Apostolike Chalices Crosses and holy Vestments Uitellius is commanded to inuade England with an Army from the Low-countries but God protected ELIZABETH and her Enemies abroad were disappointed the Traitors at home falling into their owne pit About the same time Edmund and Peter brethten to the Earle of Oâ—â—ond were busie in Ireland to inflame which rebellion Mendoza came out of Spaine but before it brake forth into any great combustion it was extinct Don Iohn of Austria enters next vpon the Stage for I omit Barues and Muthers Sir Henry Percie the B. of Ross his attempts and other Acts and Arts sauouring more of the Foxe then the Lion and pretended a peace whiles hee intended the deliuerance of the Scottish Queene and marrying her to make himselfe King of England and Scotland by helpe of fugitiues and fauour of the Pope and Guisians and in the midst of his warlike preparations suddenly dieth When Pius his impious curses had thus proued blessings hee deceaseth and Gregory his successour in the Papacie and malice to Queene ELIZABETH the great Founder of Seminaties gaping for no lesse then a Kingdome to his base sonne Iames Boncompagnâ— treateth with the Spaniard who had swallowed England also in his conceit Thomas Stukley an English fugitiue promiseth Ireland to the Popes bastard who in recompence giues him the titles of Marquesse of Lagen Earle of Wexford and Caterlough Vicount of Morough and Baron of Ross all places of note in Ireland and made him Generall of eight hundred Italian Souldiers the King of Spaine paying their wages But Sebastian King of Portugall which should haue conducted the Spanish forces against England being intangled with an African Expedition procured Sâ—â—cley to goe thither with him where both lost their liues And the Spaniard was now diuerted from English designes to those neerer of Portugall there imploying the forces intended against vs. Doctor Nicolas Sanders playeth the next part who hauing written in defence of the Popes visible Monarchy Ecclesiasticall and belched out the fowlest slanders of Queen ELIZABETHS parentage that Hell could deuise would make his writings visible by his deeds and with Iames Fitz Moricâ— an Irish Traitor hauing obtained to be the Popes Nuntio with a banner consecrated at Rome and some forces out of Spaine entreth Ireland there fortifieth and winneth Desmond to his partie San Ioseph 〈…〉 followeth with seuen hundred Italians and Spaniards with Armour for fiue thousand Their Fort is taken Fitz moricâ— first and after the Earle with many others slaine Sanders runnes mad and wandering vp and downe in the Woods and Mountaines dieth miserably the Country is pacified and ELIZABETH preuaileth The Seminaries Schooles of Treason were now erected at R 〈…〉 and Rhemâ—â— to become worse then that Troian Hoâ—se Cells of desperate Eâ—issaries incâ—ndaries of their owne Countrey Campion and others suffer seditious Bookes are written against the Queene whereby S 〈…〉 râ—ill was instigated to kill her Mendoza the Spanish Embassadour was commanded to depart out of England hauing practised with Throckmorton and others about an inuasion of the Land and to remoue the Queene About the same time in manner miraculously traiterous projects came to light by certaine papers of one Creighâ—â—â— a Scottish Iesuite who being taken by Dutch Pirates tare them and threw them into the Sea which would not bee accâ—ssary to Iesuiticall plots but by the helpe of the winde brought them backe to the Ship which being deliuered to Sir William Wade were ioyned again and reuealed new plots of the Pope the Spaniard and Guisians to inuade England Whereupon an Association was made by many thorow the Kingdome binding themselues by their hands and seales to prosecute all such to death as should attempt any thing against the life of the Queene Cardinall A 〈…〉 for the English Catholikes Ecclesiasticall Inglefield for the Larkes the Bishop of Rosse for the Queene of Scots were said to haue agreed to depriue the Queene and to disinherite King IAMES as a fauoâ—â—er of Heresie c. A. 1585. Doctor Parry whom Queene ELIZABETH had before pardoned his life being heartned by Ragazonius the Popes Nuntio in France and absolued in the Popes name by the Cardinall Comensis vndertooke to kill the Queene being thereunto incouraged by Allens booke teaching that excommunicated Princes may bee dispoyled of liues and Scepters His partner reueales him and his mischiefe lighted on himselfe Henry Earle of Northumberland brother of Thomas before executed at Yorke slew himselfe in the Tower and the Lord Chancellour three dayes after in the Starre Chamber declared that he had beene committed for traiterous deuises against the Queene and State the particulars whereof were then opened by the Atturney Popham seeking to set free the Queene of Scots to destroy the Queene and the Religion to haue dealt with Charles Paget termed Mope about these things with the inuasion of England c. The Burkes rebellion in Ireland fell out that yeere and many broyles which cost three thousand their liues at one time the title Mac-William in Connagh extinguished and the insolence of the Ilanders betwixt Scotland and England repressed The Spaniard arrested the English Ships in his Ports whence the Expeditions of the Earle of Cumberland and Sir Francis Drake before mentioned tooke their beginning and the Warres betwixt the two Kingdomes A. 1586. that prodigions plot of Sauage Balard Babington and the rest of that bloudy crue conspiring to kill the Queene was detected and the plotters were executed In 87. the French Embassadour a Guisian conferred
with Stafford to kill the Queene making great promises to that purpose And he and Moody were further treated with on that point by Trappius his Secretary which by Stafford was reuealed and preuented But whiles all pretended the freeing of the Queen of Scots by this meanes they shortned her dayes and freed her of her life The story is knowne and I shall not need to insist vpon these later things nor on Tyrones Tragicall rebellion the death of so many thousands English Irish Spanish noâ— Lopez his plot to poison the Queene c. I but propound these things to excite English thankfulnesse to God and hatred to that Whoore drunken with bloud which hath thus enchanted the Kings of the earth yea like the Legion Deuill hath broken all chaines of allegeance and hath initiated in hellish mysteries naturall sworne subiects to inuasion and mutuall massacres yea to account it tolerable lawfull commendable meritorious and in ordine ad deum necessary ô times ô monsters to kill and murther and hath made it a compendious way to win the Kingdome of Heauen by killing the Kings of the Earth And if the bloud of so many Saints from Abel to Zacharias were threatned to fall on Ierusalem sometimes the holy Citie what may be said of Rome whose Temporall Monarchy first founded in the bloud of Rhemus brother of Romulus proceeded in exiling their owne Kings and in exterminating worlds of men out of the world Caesar alone is said in fiftie battells to haue slaine 1192000. men besides what was slaine in his Ciuill Warres in a world of time together exceeded in the sanctitie of the bloud of so many thousand Saints and Martyrs in ten dismall persecutions and yet fell short of the pretended Catholike Rome that mysticall Woman drunken with bloud I dare boldly auer and by History make it good yea in great part to a iudicious obseruer the former parts of this Worke haue shewed that since the Papall challenge of Monarchy ouer Monarkes by Gregory the seuenth the Deuills thousand yeeres of imprisonment being expired Antichristian Rome hath by Sword Fire Warres Ciuill and Forraine and other inhumane immane diuellish furies procured the shedding of more humane bloud then euer Heathen Rome in farre longer time had shed to erect their Heathenish Empire from the dayes of Romulus which founded the Citie to Augustus which grounded and stablished the Empire and Tiberius vnder whom Christ was crucified Yea if you adde the persecutions of the succeeding Emperors till Iulian the Apostata yet haue the later Antichristian exceeded in numbers as much as the executions of Warres are vsually beyond all comparison of the Iudiciall and Legall I adde that as the Ethnike Romans spilt none except in persecutions but Ethnike bloud so the pretended Christan Romists except in the Indies and the Holy Land Wars shed none in this account but Christian. This may seem a prodigal speech prodigious paradox to those which know not the millions which perished in the Holy Land Wars set kept on foot about 200. yeers together by Papall ambition so many hundreths of thousands which perished in the same times by open warres made by the Popes Crusados against the Albigenses Waldenses and what other names it pleased them to giue to better men then themselues in almost eightie yeeres continued warres So many Ciuill Warres in Germany the subiects and competitors armed by Crusados against the Emperours till that Eagle was plucked where one Henry whom Hildebrand first deposed fought sixtie battells In England France Italy and other parts in the daies of King Iohn Fredericke the second Coâ—radâ— Memfred Phillip and others and after that the long Bohemian broiles drenched in bloud after Husses fire and lately so innumerable millions pauperis est numerare in America and the Ilands which these bookes plainly euince to haue beene written in bloud by Roman authoritie and pretence not to make mention of the Philippinas the East Indies the Wars in Sicile and Naples and the Greeke Empire first weakned and after by Roman ambition lost how many hundreth thousands hath France lost of Christians within these last hundreth yeeres how many more haue taken their fatall farewells in the Belgian quarrell How doe those Low-countries and Germany still flow in bloud That I speake not of our England and Ireland But I hate the thoughts of those things and therefore come to the 88. businesse that also set on worke from Rome the widest and openest passage from hell for his ingresse and egresse that was a Murtherer from the beginning and in the last ages turning himselfe into an Angell of light hath there established his principall Vicar vnder pretended titles and seemings of Christ and Christianitie Yea this is also remarkable that in the treasons against Queene Elizabeth and in those against our present Souereigne King Iames whom God long preserue by Watson Clerke Cobham c. at first and in the Master and Monster-peece which was now ready to breake forth with violence and virulence from Hell and to blow vp all other Treasons that of the Gun-powder Traitors still the busiest part of the Tragedie is committed to some Romish Priest or Iesuite who should fit and frame the resolute dissolutenesse of wild spirits to the execution of it or themselues The Master Workman I say not Beelzebub is the Pope as appeareth in those before mentioned and in this of 88. whose Bull declaratory against that Worthy of women followeth as the contents thereof are deliuered by Meteranus to whose labours in this Story wee are principally indetted It was to be published in the Popes name by Cardinall Allen after the Nauie had arriued in England to command the English to yeeld their obedience to the Duke of Parma From the Pope therefore wee will begin our 88 Story touching the preparation and successe of that Armada sirnamed inuincible CHAP. XI Octagesimus Octauus mirabilis Annus The Popes Bull the King of Spaines preparations the Duke of Medinas Expedition the Duke of Parmas Forces for the inuasion of England diuers Sea-fights twixt the English and Spanish Fleets the Sea flight of the Spanish and miserable disasters in their returne Their lies The Queens Religious Triumph SIxtus Quintus by diuine prouidence vniuersall Pastor of the Flock of Christ to whom by continued and lawfull succession the administration and charge of the Catholike Church pertaineth taking into consideration the miseries and calamities whereinto the famous Kingdomes of England and Ireland had falne which in times past were commended so much for Vertues Religion and Christian Pietie and Obedience and now by the impious and vniust Empire of Elizabeth pretended Queene and a few adhering to her not onely to haue come to a dissolute estate and dangerous to it selfe but also as infected and venemous members are wont to cause infection and disease to the whole body of Christians and wanting there the due remedies which elswhere by help of
the manuer and fashion of great Estates and Commaunders in the â—ars to giue out and pretend many things that indeed they intend not as well to make their names the more famous and terrible as also many times to amaze the world with false Alarums thereby either to hold their true purposes the more secret or at least to giue them the better speed and passage by diuerting the Enemyes A custome neither new nor vsuall and therefore not repeated as any extraordinary obseruation Iâ— this sort all things being ordered and repaired and our Generall returned with full Commission and resolution to proceed his Lordship in stead of the Merehoneur which was so weakened and disabled as that shee could not goe forth againe this iourney shipped himselfe in the Dewrepulse which was Vice-Admirall and our Vice-Admirall tooke vnto himselfe the Lyon in liew of the other And on Wednesday being the seuenteenth of August 1597. a little before sunne setting wee wayed our Ancors and set sayle but with much labour got out of Plimouth Road being forced to vse our Two-boates to set vs cleere of the Harbour the winde being somewhat slacke and scant Notwithstanding afterwards a sea-boord wee finding the weather more faâ—ourable held our course for the North cape and the three and twentieth of August wee fell athwart the Bay of Alchasher and at last bare full in with it The which course the Master of our Ship called Broadebant much disliked thinking it very inconuenient and perillous for so great a Fleet so wilfully to be imbayed vpon an Enemies Coast but yet followed the Generalls course The foure and twentieth of the same moneth being Bartholmew day wee met a soule storme in that Bay most extreamly violent for the time but lasted not aboue fiue or sixe houres In which storme the S. Matthew whereof Sir George Carew Master of the Ordnance was Captaine two houres before day falling into an head Sea hauing her Spright-sayle out brake ouer-boord her Bolt-spright and Fore-mast close to the Partners which for the Ships safetie was cut from her side In the Fore-top foure Mariners were drowned keeping their watch there and the fall of the Masts broke two Ancors and carried the third into the Sea vpon which disaster according to the manner of the Sea some Ordnance was discharged and many Lanternes hanged vpon the shrowdes to giue notice of her distresse in the night But after day light the Garland whereof the Earle of Southampton was Captaine drew neere to her succour who beholding with griefe the miserable estate that this Ship was in and likely to bee worse for that her Mayne Mast with the Ships rowling had loosened it selfe in the Partners and in danger to breake in the step which if it had done it would presently haue sunke her The Earle though hee was not able to take all the men out of her into his owne Ship being in number about seuen hundred persons yet hee was desirous and carefull to preserue as many as hee might And to that end sent his Pinnace to Sir George Carew praying him and as many as hee would select of his Company to come vnto him which noble offer of his Lordship the Master of the Ordnance as hee had reason thanfully receiued but hauing a more tender care of the losse of his Honour then of the hazard of his life would not forsake the Ship but made election rather to run the fortune of the rest of his company then to prouide for the particular safetie of himselfe and some other Captaines and Gentleman of good qualitie whereof hee had store This answere being returned the Earle was yet vnsatisfied and being desirous to saue as many as his Ship could well receiue and especially those of the better sort sent his Pinnace to the Saint Matthew againe perswading them not wilfully to lose themselues But the Captaine perseuered in his former resolution and when some gallant men of his company would gladly haue taken the Earles offer and haue left their consorts to their fortune Sir George Carew would in no wise suffer a man to depart because it should bee no discomfort to the rest but openly protested that both hee they and the Ship would altogether runne on fortune Whereupon the Earle seeing that his staying longer with the Saint Matthew could in no sort giue her men reliefe and fearing by staying too long to be farre ingaged in the Bay of Alchasher and to loose his Admirall followed the Fleet. These braue resolutions haue beene also vsed heretofore oftentimes by such as haue commanded in the Royall Ships and sometimes by the Admiralls themselues And it is well knowne to many Sea-men liuing at this day that Edward Earle of Lincolne High Admirall of England a valiant man and worthy Gentleman in the time of Queene Elizabeth being in seruice on the Narrow Seas with her Royall Nauie chanced in a tempest to fall with his Ship athwart a sand whereby shee was in great danger to bee bulged and lost whereupon the Captaine and Master of the Ship perswaded him in that extreamitie and danger to take the benefit of his Pinnace and saue himselfe aboord the next of the Fleet. But the Earle according to his honourable mind openly vowed and protested that no danger should cause him to leaue his company in distresse that for his loue had followed him to the Seas Besides said hee I honour the Queene my Mistresse so much to bring her word that I haue saued my selfe and lost her Ship and therefore let vs do our best to saue altogether for at this banquet wee will all drinke of one cup. Whereâ—n as hee gaue himselfe great glory and reputation so it seemed that fortune fauoured his vertue and courage for in the end with diligence and labour beyond all hope the Ship came safe off These extreamities and hazards on the Sea bring to my minde an accident worthy the relating and a piece of seruice not vnprofitable for Sea-men in like cases to bee obserued and this it is In the Queenes raigne about the time that the Pope and the King of Spaine sent forces into Ireland to ayd the Earle of Desmond who then rebelled in Munster there was sent to the Seas a Fleet of her Maiesties Ships whereof Sir Iohn Parrot was Admirall in the Reuenge and Sir William Gorges my Father in the Dread-naught Vice-Admirall who when they had performed their seruice on the Coast of Ireland and other places in their returne homewards the Vice-Admirall chanced to take an English Priate whose name was Deriuall a very valiant and skilfull Mariner This Deriuall the Admirall tooke aboord his owne Ship and kept him prisoner in the Bilbowes But so it fortuned that a great storme arising in the Narrow Seas the Fleet was scattered and Sir Iohn Parrats Shippe ranne vpon a Sand where a good time shee did dangerously beate hauing strucken all his Sayles and with euery Billow was like to bee
fully resolued all for England againe There came in this interim aboord vnto vs that stayed all night an Indian whom wee vsed kindly and the next day sent ashoare hee shewed himselfe the most sober of all the rest wee held him sent as a Spie In the morning he filched away our Pot-hookes thinking he had not done any ill therein being ashoare wee bid him strike fire which with an Emerald stone such as the Glasiers vse to cut Glasse he did I take it to be the very same that in Latine is called Smiris for striking therewith vpon Touch-wood that of purpose hee had by meane of a mynerall stone vsed therein sparkles proceeded and forth with kindled with making of flame The ninth wee continued working on our Store-house for as yet remayned in vs a desired resolution of making stay The tenth Captaine Gosnoll fell downe with the ship to the little Ilet of Cedars called Hills happe to take in Cedar wood leauing mee and nine more in the Fort onely with three meales meate vpon promise to returne the next day The eleuenth he came not neither sent whereupon I commanded foure of my companie to seeke out for Crabbes Lobsters Turtles c. for sustayning vs till the ships returne which was gone cleane out of sight and had the winde chopt vp at South-west with much difficulty would shee haue beene able in short time to haue made returne These foure Purveyers whom I counselled to keepe together for their better safety diuided themselues two going one wayes and two another in search as aforesaid One of these petie companies was assaulted by foure Indians who with Arrowes did shoot and hurt one of the two in his side the other a lusty and nimble fellow leapt in and cut their Bow-strings whereupon they fled Being late in the euening they were driuen to lie all night in the Woods not knowing the way home thorow the thicke rubbish as also the weather somewhat stormie The want of these sorrowed vs much as not able to coniecture any thing of them vnlesse very euill The twelfth those two came vnto vs againe whereat our ioy was encreased yet the want of our Captaine that promised to returne as aforesaid strooke vs in a dumpish terrour for that hee performed not the same in the space of almost three dayes In the meane wee sustayned our selues with Alexander and Sorrell pottage Ground-nuts and Tobacco which gaue nature a reasonable content Wee heard at last our Captaine to Iewre vnto vs which made such musike as sweeter neuer came vnto poore men The thirteenth beganne some of our companie that before vowed to stay to make reuolt whereupon the planters diminishing all was giuen ouer The fourteenth fifteenth and sixteenth wee spent in getting Sasafrage and fire-wood of Cedar leauing House and little Fort by ten men in nineteene dayes sufficient made to harbour twenty persons at least with their necessary prouision The seuenteenth we set sayle doubling the Rockes of Elizabeths Iland and passing by Douer Cliffe came to anchor at Marthaes Vineyard being fiue leagues distant from our Fort where we went ashoare and had young Cranes Herneshowes and Geese which now were growne to pretie bignesse The eighteenth we set sayle and bore for England cutting off our Shalop that was well able to land fiue and twenty men or more a Boate very necessary for the like occasions The winds doe raigne most commonly vpon this coast in the Summer time Westerly In our homeward course wee obserued the foresaid fleeting weeds to continue till we came within two hundred leagues of Europe The three and twentieth of Iuly we came to anchor before Exmouth CHAP. XI Notes of the same Voyage taken out of a Tractate written by IAMES ROSIER to Sir WALTER RALEIGH and of MACES Voyage to Virginia ELizabeths Iland is full of high timbred Oakes their leaues thrice so broad as ours Cedars straight and tall Beech Elme Hollie Wal-nut trees in abundance the fruit as bigge as ours as appeared by those wee found vnder the trees which had lien all the yeere vngathered Hasle-nut trees Cherrie trees the leafe barke and bignesse not differing from ours in England but the stalke beareth the blossomes or fruit at the end thereof like a cluster of Grapes fortie or fiftie in a bunch Sassafras trees great plentie all the Iland ouer a tree of high price and profit also diuers other fruit-trees some of them with strange barkes of an Orange colour in feeling soft and smooth like Veluet in the thickest parts of these Woods you may see a furlong or more round about On the North-west side of this Iland neere to the Sea-side is a standing Lake of fresh water almost three English miles in compasse in the miast whereof stands a woody ground an acre in quantitie or not aboue this Lake is full of small Tortoises and exceedingly frequented with all sorts of fowles before rehearsed which breed some lowe on the bankes and others on lowe trees about this Lake in great abundance whose young ones of all sorts wee tooke and eate at our pleasure but all these fowles are much bigger than ours in England Also in euery Iland and almost euery part of euery Iland are great store of Ground-nuts fortie together on a string some of them as bigge as Hennes egges they growe not two inches vnder ground the which Nuts wee found to bee as good as Potatoes Also diuers sorts of shell-fish as Scalops Mussels Cockles Lobsters Crabs Oisters and Wilkes exceeding good and very great But not to cloy you with particular rehearsall of such things as God and Nature hath bestowed on these places in comparison whereof the most fertile part of all England is of it selfe but barren wee went in our Light-horsman from this Iland to the Maine right against this Iland some two miles off where comming ashoare wee stood a while like men ranished at the beautie and delicacy of this sweet soyle for besides diuers cleere Lakes of fresh water whereof wee saw no end Medowes very large and full of greene grasse euen the most wooddy places I speake onely of such as I saw doe growe so distinct and apart one tree from another vpon greene grassie ground somewhat higher than the Plaines as if Nature would shew her selfe aboue her power artificiall Hard by wee espied seuen Indians and comming vp to them at first they expressed some feare but being emboldned by our courteous vsage and some trifles which we gaue them they followed vs to a necke of Land which wee imagined had beene seuered from the Mayne but finding it otherwise wee perceiued abroad Harbour or Riuers mouth which came vp into the Mayne and because the day was farre spent we were forced to returne to the Iland from whence we came leauing the Discouery of this Harbour for a time of better leisure Of the goadnesse of which Harbour as also of many others thereabouts there is small doubt
best in all those Ilands and it hath the sauorest pleasantest Oranges that are throughout all Portugall so that they are brought into Tercera for a present as being there very much esteemed and in my iudgement they are the best that euer I tasted in any place Angra in the Iland of Tercera is the chiefe Towne and Ruler ouer all the Flemish Ilands From Tercera Westward to the Iland named Flores are seuenty miles it is about seuen miles compasse it is also inhabited by Portugals hath no speciall merchandise but onely some wood it is full of Cattle and other necessary prouisions and lyeth open to all the world to whosoeuer will come thither as well Englishmen as others for that the inhabitants haue not the power to resist them A mile from thence Northward lyeth a little Iland of two or three miles in compasse called DeCoruo The inhabitants are of the same people that dwell in Flores Between those two Ilands and round about them the Englishmen doe commonly stay to watch the Ships that come out of the West for those are the first Ilands that the Ships looke out for and descry when they saile vnto Tercera wherby the inhabitants dobut little prosper because they are at the pleasure commandment of all that will come vnto them and take their goods from them as oftentimes it hapneth Yet for all their pouerty not to loose both lands and goods they must content themselues and saile with euery winde The I le of Tercera lyeth vnder thirty nine degrees in the same height that Lisbone lyeth and is distant from Lisbone lying right East and West two hundred and fifty Spanish miles Of certaine notable and memorable accidents that happened during my continuance in Tercera in which are related many English fleetes Sea-fights and Prizes THe second of October Anno 1589. at the Towne of Villa daâ— Praya in the Iland of Tercera two men being in a field hard without the towne were killed with lightning The ninth of the same month there arriued in Tercera 14. Ships that came from the Spanish Indies laden with Cochenile Hides Gold Siluer Pearles and other rich wares They were fifty in company when they departed out of the Iland of Hauana whereof in their comming out of the Channell eleuen sunk in the same Channell by foule weather the rest by a storme were scattered seperated one from the other The next day there came another Ship of the same company that sailed close vnder the Iland so to get into the Road where she met with an English Ship that had not aboue three cast Peeces the Spaniard twelue They sought a long time together which we being in the Iland might stand behold wherupon the Gouernor of Tercera sent two Boats of Musketiers to helpe the Ship but before they could come at her the English Ship had shot her vnder water and we saw her sinke into the Sea with all her sailes vp and not any thing seene of her about the water The Englishmen with their Boate saued the Captaine and about thirty others with him but not one peny worth of the goods yet in the Ship there was at the least to the value of 200000. Ducats in Gold Siluer and Pearles the rest of the men were drowned which might be about 50. persons among the which were some Friers and women which the Englishmen would not saue Those that they had saued they set on land then they sailed away The 27. of the same month the said 14. Ships hauing refreshed theselues in the Iland departed from Tercera towards Siuil and comming vpon the coast of Spaine they were taken by the English Ships that lay there to watch for them two onely excepted which escaped away the rest were wholly carried into England About the same time the Earle of Cumberland with one of the Queenes Ships and fiue or six more kept about those Ilands and came oftentimes so close vnder the Iland and to the Road of Angra that the people on land might easily tell all his men that he had aboord and knew such as walked on the Hatches they of the Iland not once shooting at them although they might easily haue done it for they were within Musket shot both of the Towne and Fort. In these places he continued for the space of two Moneths and sailed round about the Ilands and landed in Gratiosa and Fayael as in the description of those Ilands I haue already declared Here he tooke diuers Ships and Caruels which he sent into England so that those of the Iland durst not once put forth their heads At the same time about three or foure dayes after the Earle of Cumberland had beene in the Iland of Fayael and was departed from thence there arriued in the said Iland of Fayael six Indian Ships whose Generall was one Iuan Doryâ—s and there they discharged in the Iland fortie Millions of Gold and Siluer And hauing with all speede refreshed their Ships fearing the comming of the Englishmen they set saile and arriued safely in Saint Lucas not meeting with the enemy to the great good lucke of the Spaniards and hard fortune of the Englishmen for that within lesse then two daies after the Gold and Siluer was laden again into the Spanish Ships the Earle of Cumberland sailed againe by that Iland so that it appeared that God would not let them haue it for if they had once had fight thereof without doubt it had beene theirs as the Spaniards themselues confessed In the moneth of Nouember there arriued in Tercera two great Ships which were the Admirall and Viceadmirall of the Fleete laden with Siluer who with stormy weather were seperated from the Fleete and had beene in great torment and distresse and ready to sinke for they were forced to vse all their Pumps so that they wished a thousand times to haue met with the Englishmen to whom they would willingly haue giuen their Siluer and all that euer they brought with them onely to saue their liues And although the Earle of Cumberland lay still about those Ilands yet they met not with him so that after much paine and labor they got into the Road before Angra where with all speed they vnladed discharged aboue 5. Millions of Siluer all in peeces of 8. and 10. pound great so that the whole Ray lay couered with plates Chests of Siluer full of Ryals of eight most wonderfull to behold each Million being ten hundred thousand Ducats besides Pearles Gold and other stones which were not registred The Admiral chief commander of those Ships and Fleete called Aluuro Flores de Quiniones was sicke of the Neapolitan disease and was brought to land whereof not long after he dyed in Syuilia He brought with him the Kings broad Seale and full authority to be Generall chiefe commander vpon the Seas and of all Fleets or Ships and of all places Ilands or Lands wheresoeuer
to contradict Pourtrincourt in the execution of those decrees which had bin giuen forth by him as ciuill Magistrate of that place whereupon the Gentleman extreamely discontented and weary or contesting with him hauing said that it was his part to rule them vpon earth and theirs onely to guide him the way to heauen he returned backe to France leauing his Sonne Biencourt in his place Who being a youth at that time of more courage then circumspectnesse disdaining to be controuled by them whom he had enuited thither and scorning their insupportable presumption vsing spirituall armes for temporall ends and an imperious kinde of carriage who onely for spleene had excommunicated and branded him with a spirituall censure he threatned them by his temporall power with a more palpable punishment So that after much controuersie resoluing to separate themselues the two Iesuites taking a part of the Company with them went from thence to a place in new England called by them Mount Desart where they seated themselues and hauing a supply from the Queene Mother did plant sundry Fruit trees of the most delicate kindes in France such as Apricockes and Peaches neuer intending to remoue from thence At this time Sir Samuel Argall being then Gouernor of Virginia coasted alongst new England to traffique and discouer or to acquire things necessary for the Southerne Colony in these parts where the lands are reputed to be more fertil and the Seas more frequented did conceiue by a description made vnto him by the Sauages that there were some come from this part of the World to inhabit there and being iealous of any thing that might derogate from the honour or proue preiudiciall to the benefit of his Nation where their interest in this was easie to be apprehended he went whereas he was informed that they were and his vnexpected arriuall as it would seeme not onely amazed the mindes of the French but likewise preuenting their preparation and resolution he approached so neere to a Ship that lay before their Fort that hee beate them all that were therein with Musket shot from making any vse of their Ordnance saue one of the two Iesuites who was killed in giuing fire to a Peece Hauing taken the Ship they landed and went before the Fort summoning them that were therein to yeelde themselues who at the first made some difficulty asking a time to aduise but that being refused they priuately abandoned the Fort stealing out by some backe way into the Woods where they staied one night and the next day comming backe rendered themselues to Sir Samuel Argall who had lodged all that night within the Fort giuing vp the Patent they had from the French King to be cancelled He vsed them very curteously as their owne Writers doe make mention suffring such as had a minde to goe for France to seeke out Fishers Ships wherein they might be transported the rest that were willing to goe for Uirginia went thither alongst with him no man hauing lost his life but onely that one Iesuite who was killed whilst they made resistance during the time of the conflict Thereafter Father Biard the other of the Iesuites comming backe from Virginia with Sir Samuell Argall out of the indigestable malice that he had conceiued against Biencourt did informe him where he had planted himselfe offering as he did to conduct him thither As soone as they were entered within the Fort neere the vppermost of the Ilands Sir Samuel directed the Ship to ride at a reasonable distance to attend occasions before the Fort did land himselfe with forty of the best of his men vpon a Meddow where immediately they heard a peece of Ordnance from the Fort and he conceiuing since it was shot whilst it could doe no harme that it was done either but to giue terrour to them or to warne some that might happen to be abroad did make the greater haste towards the Fort where he presently entered finding it abandoned without any men at all left for the defence thereof He went vp the Riuer side fiue or six miles where he saw their Barnes and the ground where a great quantity of Wheate had grown which he carried with him to proue for Seede in Virginia he saw also their corne Milne very conueniently placed which together with the Barnes he left standing vntouched As for the Fruit it selfe he destroied it downe to the ground racing the French armes and leauing no Monument that might remaine to witnesse their being here After this Biencourt who had been somewhere abroad trauelling through the Countrey comming home desired to conferre with Sir Samuel Argall who did meete with him a part from the company vpon a meadow and after they had expostulated a space for what had past controuerting concerning the French and English little to these bounds at last Biencourt offered if hee might haue a protection from him to depend vpon our King and to draw the whole Furres of that Countrey to one Port where he would diuide them with him as likewise hee would show him good mettalls whereof he gaue him pieces the other refused to ioyne in any societie with him protesting that his Commission was onely to displant him and that if hee found him there thereafter hee would vse him as an enemy Biencourt labouring earnestly to haue had the Iesuit as he confessed with a purpose to hang him Whilest they were discoursing together one of the Sauages rushing suddenly forth from the Woods and licentiated to come neere did after his manner with such broken French as he had earnestly mediate a peace wondring why they that seemed to be of one Country should vse others with such hostilitie and that with such a forme of habit and gesture as made them both to laugh After Biencourt remouing from thence to some other Monsieur Champlein who had liued long here did carry a company with him from France of some fortie persons or thereabouts vp the Riuer of Canada whom hee planted on the North side thereof with a purpose to sue for a Factory drawing all the trade of that farre running Riuer within the hands of a few whom he doth command which a Plantation would haue dispersed in many parts otherwise if his desires had beene bended that way hee might haue planted many people there ere now the place is called Kebeck where the French doe prosper well hauing Corne by their owne labour which may furnish themselues for foode and likewise for a stocke to traffique with the Sauages with sundry other Fruites Rootes Vine grapes and Turkey Wheate Champlein hath discouered the Riuer of Canada from the Gulfe vpwards aboue 1200. miles finding in it sometimes such fals as he must carry his Boate a little way by land and then put it in againe He did many times come to great Lakes at the end whereof he did alwaies finde a Riuer againe and the last Lake where he came was a very huge one iudged to be three hundred miles in length by the
Witnesses of Antiquitie I haue already in due place produced Thomas Cowles Iuan de Fuca Thomas Dermer Sir Thomas Button Master Brigges besides the constant and generall report of all the Sauages from Florida to the great Riuer of Canada Now for the hopes of Uirginia by a South-Sea Discouery how neere is England that way to the Trade of both Indies that is of all the remoter World It stands midway betwixt vs and the most frequented Ports of the West which perhaps may shortly come to full age and sue out her Liuerie how euer hitherto kept in close Wardship and debarred the rights of common humanite that is the commerce with other Nations without discerning Friend and Foe Strange iealousie and worthy of iealous Suspicion to admit Trade in all European Ports not Siuill and Madrid excepted and to prohibit the same in all the East and West where it can lesse be prohibited there to repute all in nature of Pyrats and accordingly to make prize of ships goods and men which shall attempt to sayle that vast Ocean or offer Trade in any of those Habitations But leauing that to consideration of my Betters in the East both English and Dutch haue maintayned their iust Trade by force which by vniust force was denied and haue paid themselues largely for all losses sustayned by the Insultings or Assaultings of those Monopolians with gaine with honour that trade being almost denied to those iniurious deniers their owne reputation and traffique now bleeding which would haue cut the throates of all others aduentures of all other aduenturers I neither prophesie nor exhort vnto the like in the West Our prudent and potent Mother Elizabeth wan renowne and wealth in their owne harbours and Cities at home and no lesse in the remotest of their Lands and Seas Yea the South Sea by furthest compasse was neere to her long and iust armes and their Cacaplata and Saint Anne with other their richest Ships and Ports were ransacked by English Cacafuegos and the charges of those warres borne by those enemies which caused them Nulla salus bello pacem te poscimus omnes He whose words and workes hath euer beene Beati pacifici knowes best when and how to exact his and the Worlds right in the World of which God hath granted a Monopoly to no man and if others can embrace the whole Globe with dispersed habitations not to suffer his long arme to be shortned and the strong armes of his to be pinioned and forced to accept of a bounded and limited commerce in a little corner at others pleasure Once in iust and euen peace Virginia stands fit to become Englands Factor in America if war should happen both it and Bermuda are fit Senâ—â—nels and Scouts yea fit Searchers and Customers fit Watch-towers and Arsenals to maintaine right against all wrong-doers And for the South Sea if a passage be found neere vnto Uirginia as Master Dermer was confident vpon relations as he writ to me of a thousand witnesses wee then see Uirginias lap open yeelding her Ports and Harbours for the Easterne treasures to be the neerest way conueied by the West Yea if it be more remote as Chacke and Fuca relate yet hath Virginia an vsefull neighbourhood both for sicke men weatherbeaten Ships and prouisions exhaust in long Voyages to make them fitter for returne And if such passage were not at all yet the Mountaines of Virginia cannot but send Riuers to that Sea so that as the wealth of Peru is brought to Panama and thence by Land conuaied to the Ports of this Sea so may the wealth of the South Sea and the Regions of the West of America be that way passed to English hands The like may be said of the Ilands of Salomon the South vnknowne Continent which after-times may discouer probably as rich as the rest that I mention not the knowne Regions of the East already traded And although the passage be not yet perfectly knowne yet may the seasons and fittest opportunities and prouisions for that discouery be most easie from Uirginia and there if crossed with stormes or other diasters they may finde securest refuge and refreshing And if which God auert we may not haue the wares of peace yet the peace of warres that is a fit rendeuous and retiring place where to cheere and hearten to repaire and supply vpon all occasions is there offered by the aduantages of both Seas For in both that vast body must needes be of slow motion where the limmes are so disioynted and one member vnfit to helpe another by remotenesse And if it should but force the aduersary to maintaine Garrisons in his Ports on both sides to secure them from inuasion and a double Nauie of War in both Seas the one to secure the Coasts the other to secure his Shippes in the South Sea passing from the Philippinas or from one Port to another and in the North Sea to wafte his Treasures and Merchandise into Europe the wings of that Eagle would be so pulled with such costs that hee could not easily make inuasiue flight vpon his neighbours in these parts vea both those and these Dominions would be exposed to the easier inuasions of others Tam Marte quam Mercurio in Peace and Warre so vsefull may Uirginia and Bermuda be to this Kingdome Now if any say Medice cura teipsum and alleadge that they themselues are not able to stand against an enemy I answere first for Bermuda or Summer Ilands that little body is all heart and hath the strentgh of Nature and Art conspiring her impregnablenesse For the Rockes euery way haue so fortified the scituation that she would laugh at an Armada at a World of Ships where the straight passage admits not two Ships abreast to enter and hath ten Forts with Ordnance to entertaine them She feares no rauishment and as little needes she famishment so that vnlesse God for our sinnes or the Diuell by the worst of sinnes treason and the worst of his Sonnes some Iudas expose her to the Enemy she can know no other loue or Lord but English And for Virginia against the Sauages greatest fright Captaine Smith maintained himselfe without losse with gaine with thirty eight men against others she hath so fit places for fortification so fit meanes and materials to secure her as eye-witnesses report that the worst of enemies to be feared is English backwardnesse or frowardnesse like Sampsons Foxes either drawing backe or hauing fire at their tongues ends Now if Queene Elizabeth of glorious memory were able from England onely to annoy her enemies so great and potent so much and farre what may we in Gods name hope of a New England New found Land Bermuda and Uirginia already planted with English When vpon newes of the fall of that great Northen Starre the Duke of Braganzas brother spake of her as the Iesuites had slandered hold your peace brother said the Duke himselfe one then present related this to me had it not beene for her
night to the harbour that we were in at our entring which we call Flag-staffe Harbour because we found there the Flag-staffe throwne by the Sauages away These Sauages by all likelihood were animated to come vnto vs by reason that wee tooke nothing from them at Sauage Bay and some of them may be of those which dwell there For in no other place where we were could we perceiue any tokens of any aboade of them c. CHAP. VIII Captaine RICHARD WHITBOVRNES Voyages to New-found-land and obseruations there and thereof taken out of his Printed Booke IT it well knowne that my breeding and course of life hath beene such as that I haue long time set many people on worke and spent most of my daies in trauell specially in Merchandizing and Sea-Voyages I haue beene often in France Spain Italy Portugall Sauoy Denmarke Norway Spruceland the Canaries and Soris Ilands and for the New-found-land it is almost so familiarly knowne to me as my owne Countrey In the yeere 1588. I serued vnder the then Lord Admirall as Captaine in a Ship of my owne set forth at my charge against the Spanish Armado and after such time as that seruice was ended taking my leaue of his Honour I had his fauourable Letters to one Sir Robert Denuis in the Countie of Deuon Knight whereby there might be some course taken that the charge as well of my owne Ship as also of two other and a Pinnace with the victuals and men therein imploied should not be any way burthensome to me Wherein there was such order giuen by the then right Honorable Lords of the priuie Counsell that the same was well satisfied which seruice is to be seene recorded in the Booke at White-Hall Now to expresse some of my Voyages to the New-found-land which make most for the present purpose My first Voyage thither was about fortie yeeres since in a worthie Shippe of the burthen of three hundred â—un set forth by one Master Cotton of South-hampton wee were bound to the Grand Bay which lieth on the Northside of that Land purposing there to trade then with the Sauage people for whom we carried sundry commodities and to kill Whales and to make Traine Oyle as the Biscaines doe there yeerely in great abundance But this our intended Voyage was ouerthrowne by the indiscretion of our Captaine and faint-hartednesse of some Gentlemen of our Companie whereupon we set faile from thence and bare with Trinity Harbour in New-found-land where we killed great store of Fish Deere Beares Beauers Seales Otters and such like with abundance of Sea-fowle and so returning for England wee arriued safe at South-hampton In a Voyage to that Countrie about six and thirtie yeeres since I had then the command of a worthy Ship of two hundred and twenty tun set forth by one Master Crooke of South-hampton At that time Sir Humfrey Gilbert a Deuonshire Knight came thither with two good Ships and a Pinnace and brought with him a large Patent from the late most renowned Queene Elizabeth and in her name tooke possession of that Countrie in the Harbour of Saint Iohns whereof I was an eye-witnesse He failed from thence towards Virginia and by reason of some vnhappy direction in his course the greatest Ship he had strucke vpon Shelues on the Coast of Canadie and was there lost with most part of the company in her And he himselfe being then in a small Pinnace of twenty tun in the company of his Vice-Admirall one Captaine Hayes returning towards England in a great storme was ouerwhelmed with the Seas and so perished In another Voyage I made thither about foure and thirty yeeres past wherein I had the command of a good Ship partly mine one at that time own Sir Bernard Drake of Deuonshire Knight came thither with a Commission and hauing diuers good Ships vnder his command hee there took many Portugall Ships laden with Fish and brought them into England as Prizes Omitting to speak of other Voyages I made thither during the late Queens raign I will descend to later times In the yeere 1611. being in New-found-land at which time that famous Arch-Pirate Peter Easton came there and had with him ten saile of good Ships well furnished and very rich I was kept eleuen weekes vnder his command and had from him many golden promises and much wealth offered to be put into my hands as it is well knowne I did perswade him much to desist from his euill course his intreaties then to me being that I would come for England to some friends of his and sollicite them to become humble petitioners to your Maiestie for his pardon but hauing no warrant to touch such goods I gaue him thinkes for his offer onely I requested him to release a Ship that he had taken vpon the Coast of Guinnie belonging to one Captaine Rashly of Foy in Cornewall a man whom I knew but onely by report which he accordingly released Whereupon I prouided men victuals and a fraught for the said Ship and so sent her home to Dartmouth in Donen though I neuer had so much as thankes for my kindenesse therein And so leauing Easton I came for England and gaue notice of his intention letting passe my Voyage I intended for Naples and lost both my labour and charges for before my arriuall there was a pardon granted and sent him from Ireland But Easton houering with those ships and riches vpon the Coast of Barbary as he promised with a longing desire and full expectation to be called home lost that hope by a too much delaying of time by him who carried the Pardon Whereupon he failed to the Straights of Gibraltar and was afterwards entertained by the Duke of Sauoy vnder whom he liued rich I was there also in the yeere 1614. when Sir Henry Manwaring was vpon that Coast with fiue good Ships strongly prouided he caused me to spend much time in his company and from him I returned into England although I was bound from thence to Marsseâ—â—is to make sale of such goods as I then had and other imploiments c. In the yeere 1615. I returned againe to New-found-land carrying with mee a Commission out of the high Court of Admiraltie vnder the great Seale thereof authorising me to empannell Iuries and to make inquirie vpon Oath of sundry abuses and disorders committed amongst Fishermen yeerly vpon that Coast and of the fittest means to redâ—esse the same with some other points hauing a more particular relation to the Office of the Lord Admirall What was then there done by vertue of that Commission which was wholly executed at my owne charge hath bin at large by me already certified into the high Court of Admâ—â—altie Neuerthelesse seeing the same hath beene ouer slipt euer since not produced those good effects which were expected I will in some conuenient place of this Discourse set downe a briefe collection of some part of my endeuours spent in that seruice not doubting but it will be as auaileable for the
of Codfish it is well knowne vnto you Salmons Eeles Mackarell Herrings Lance Caplin Dog fish Hollibuts Flowkes Lobsters Crabs and Muskles All and more then all these are here in great plentie very good and sweet meat The wild fruit and berries are small Peares Cherries Nuts Resberries Strawberries Barberries Dewberrics Hurtleberries with others all good to eate Many faire Flowers I haue seene here which I cannot name although I had learned Gerrards Herball by heart But wild Roses are here both red and damaske as fragrant and faire as in England All our Corne and Seedes haue prospered well and are already growne almost to perfect maturitie c. THE SECOND PART OF THE TENTH BOOKE CHAP. X. Diuers Warlike Fleets set forth to Sea against the Spaniards by our English DEBORA Queene ELIZABETH of Glorious memory Her manifold Deliueries and Victories LOI the Man whose Mâ—se 〈…〉 s'd on Plantations New England Virgin Bermude Newfound-landed Lawrell for oliue take and make Relations Of Armes Harmes Fights Frights Flights Depopulations Romes Buls Spaines broyles Irelands 〈◊〉 Traitors branded GOD Angels Winds Seas Men Elizas Glory Conspire Shee outlines Death â—n Heauen in Story HAile greatest of English Names Glorious ELIZABETH Nor may wee after thy voyage and peregrination out of this World vnto thy true and heauenly home Country forget the great Acts of thy earthly Pilgrimage Thou wast indeed the Mother of English Sea-greatnesse and didst first by thy Generalls not salute alone but awe and trrrifie the remotest East and West stretching thy long and strong armes to India to China to America to the Peruvian Seas to the Californian Coast and New Albions Scepters Thou mad'st the Northerne Muscouite admire thy Greatnesse Thou gauest name to the North-west Straits Meta Incognita and the Southern Negros and Ilands of the South-vnknowne-continent which knew not humanitie were compelled to know Thee Thou imbracedst the whole earthly Globe in thy Maritime Armes thou freedst England from Easterlings and Lumbards borrowed legs and taughtst her not onely to stand and goe without helpe but become helpe to our friends and with her own Sea forces to stand against yea to stand vpon and stampe vnder feet the proudest of her foes Thou wast a Mother to thy Neighbours Scots French Dutch a Mirrour to the remotest of Nations Great Cumberland twelue voyages before recited are thine and the fiery vigor of his Martiall Spirit was kindled at thy bright Lamp quickened by the Great Spirit of ELIZABETH Drake Candish Iohn and Richard Hawkins Raleigh Dudley Sherley Preston Greenuile Lancaster Wood Raimund Leuison Monson Winter Frobisher Daâ—â—es and other the Star-worthies of Englands Sphere whose Planet-courses we haue before related acknowledge ELIZAS Orb to be their First and highest Mouer How many Royall Fleets did shee set forth In the yeeres 85. and 87. those vnder Sir Francis Drake before mentioned as that also in 95. vnder him and Sir Iohn Hawkins another Fleet 1590. vnder Sir Iohn Hawkins and Sir Martin Frobisher to the Ilands also 1591. the Iland Fleet vnder the Lord Thomas Howard now Earle of Suffolke that 1592. by Sir Iohn Burroughs and Sir Robert Crosse when the Madre de Dios was taken and another Carrike burnt An. 1594. Shee sent forth a Fleet to Brest where Frobusher was slaine Another 1599. vnder the Lord Thomas Howard A. 1600. vnder Sir Richard Leuison a Fleet to the Ilands 1601. another to Ireland A. 1602. vnder Sir Richard Leuison and Sir William Manson and another vnder the same Commanders 1603. as bequeathing in her fatall extreames Marine Actions and Glory to her Successour These and other her Sea-glories I purpose not here to dilate hauing already handled some of them but haue singled from the rest the actions of 88. 89. 96. and 97. praemising somthing as a Preface of the great deliuerances which God vouch safed that Virgin Queen That Church which is mystically called The woman drunken with the bloud of Saints had begun to persecute her from her birth Pope Clement the sixt decreeing against her Mothers mariage and Pope Paul the third thundring a terrible sentence against her Fathers Soueraigntie And although King Henry had first enacted against his daughters and after for them by Parliamentary authoritie yet when King Edward which vsed to call her his sweet sister Temperance was dead there wanted not some which extruded both the sisters and obtruded another succession Queene Mary dispersing that storme raised another wherein shee was exposed to the columnies of fairesoule-mouthed sycophants which would haue stained the reigne of that Queene otherwise branded as short bloudy vnfortunate with the slaughter of that Royall Virgin Story and others saying That in vaine the boughs of Heresie were lopped off if the Root were suffered to continue Long and straight imprisonment shee indâ—red and was forced by them to Masse Confession and externall profession of that Romish Catholiâ—â—sme which perhaps had not diuerted her enemies designe had not the peruersâ—st of her enemies Gardiner beene auerted by his owne death and had not also King Philip with the Spaniards enuied to the French so rich an Inheritance as by Queene M 〈…〉 death without â—ssue which could scarsly from her sicke and aged body be expect was likely to fall vpon Queene Mary of Scotland betrothed to the Dolphin of France whereby the Spanish greatnesse already embroyled enough was likely to bee ouermatched by the French increased with addition of three mightie Kingdomes Queene Mary dying and Cardinall Poole with many Prelates as it were attending her exequies with their owne with generall applause Shee was acknowledged Queen Her first care was to restore Religion notwithstanding the dangers thence incompassing her shee also reiected the mariage with King Philip whereof hee had treated with her by the Earle of Feria his Embassadour promising to procure thereunto the Popes dispensation neither admitted shee the offered match of Charles sonne to Ferdinand the Emperour and when Henry the French King by the Guisians was perswaded to challenge England to his sonne and daughter in law causing them to vse her title Francis Mary by the Grace of God King and Queene of Scotland England and Ireland and prepared Warres against her God tooke him out of the world being s 〈…〉 e at a Talt sport The new King and Queene continued their former challenge Title and Ensignes which gaue no small occasions of those euills which afterwards inuolued her breeding a great d 〈…〉 gust betwixt those two greatest Ladies which Christendome had both Heires to an absolute Souereigntie Shee expelled the French out of Scotland stablished the affaires of Ireland procured armour and weapons out of Germany caused much Artillery to bee cast of Brasse and Iron new Mynes of Brasse being sound at Keswicke and the stone Calammaris vsefull for Brasse-workes found here also prouision for Gunpowder was first at her commandement made here at home Barwicke fortified the Nauie furnished the Sea Townes imitating her example and increasing
Christian Princes he vseth to preuent abuses to maintaine Ecclesiasticall discipline For asmuch as Henry the Eight late King of England a Rebell and forsaker of the Sea Apostolike separated himselfe and his from the communion of Christians by force and Elizabeth the present Vsurper perseuereth therein not without great commotion and danger of the Neighbour Regions shewing her selfe obstinate and impenitent so that there is no hope that those Kingdomes may at any time be reformed and reduced to the exercise of Christian Religion true peace and quietnesse except shee be depriued of the administration of the Kingdome Therefore our most holy Father desiring as his Office requireth to prouide for this euill with present and strong remedies inspired to him from God to the health of the vniuersall Church incited as well by his owne as his predecessors affection and zeale alway borne toward England and moued by the continuall sollicitation vehement and importunate exhortation of very many and those principall men of the said Nation hee hath vsed great diligence with diuers Princes and especially with the Mightie and Catholike King of Spaine imploring his aide hereunto by the reuerence which hee beareth the Roman Sea by the old friendship and consanguinitie which his Family hath had with the Kings of England by his singular charitie and beneuolence formerly shewed to the Catholikes of that Countrey for obtaining by that meanes his desire of peace and quietnesse in his Neighbour Prouinces for his studie and readinesse towards the propagation of Catholike Religion and lastly for the furtherance of the common good of Europe hath besought him to confer all the Forces which God almightie hath giuen him hereunto that that Woman may bee deiected from her degree and that the euill men and hurtfull to mankind which adhere to her may be punished and that Kingdome may bee reduced to certaine reformation and quietnesse from which great good and many commodities to the Common-wealth might be to be expected Wherefore that bee might make knowns to all the world the Iustice of this Cause and the Subiects also of that Kingdome might fully he satisfied likewise that hee might denounce the iust iudgement of God against her It hath seemed meet to his Holinesse with the Declaratory Sentence made against this Woman to shew the cause also why he had so proceeded against her First because shee is an Heretike and Schismatike and therefore excommunicated of two Popes his predecessors contumacious disobedient to God and the supreme Sea Also shee tooke to her selfe with presumptious vsurpation supreme Authoritie and Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction ouer the Soules of Men against Nature Reason against all Lawes Diuine and Humane and that as well by vertue of the sentences giuen by Clement the Seuenth and Paul the Third as of the publike declaration of King Henry her Father Thirdly because shee vsurped the Kingdome against all right not onely in regard of the impediments aforesaid but also against the old Contracts in times past made betwixt the Sea Apostolike and the Kingdome of England in the time of Henry the Second when the said Kingdome reconciled if selfe to the Roman Sea for the murther of Saint Thomas of Canturbury At which time it was agreed that none should bee taken for lawfull King of England without consent of the Great Bishop which conuention or contract was after renewed by King Iohn and confirmed by Oath Which thing was most profitable and so established by the request of the Nobilitie and People For many and grieuous iniuries extorsions and other wrongs perpetrated by her and by others through her permission against the distressed innocent Subiects of both Kingdomes For seditions and rebellions betwixt the Inhabitants of neighbour Prouinces raised against their lawful Magistrate and naturall Prince by which shee seduced innumerable Soules and many potent Regions For entertainment giuen to Fugitiue Heretikes and Rebells wicked and publike malefactors and vndertaking their protection to the great losse and detriment of Christian Regions Also for sending to and procuring the Turke that our mightie and cruell Enemy to inuade Christendome and disturbe the setled Peace For the horrible and long persecution of the Saints of God for holy B B. ill handled spoyled imprisoned and diuers torments and miserable tortures and slaughters done to the members of the holy and Catholike Church For the inhumane and vniust imprisonment and crueltie lately exercised against the most gracions Princesse Mary Queene of Scotland which had fled into England hauing first receiued promise of securitie pretection and aide For abolishing the true Catholike Religion the profanation of holy Sacraments also of Monasteries Temples Persons consecrated to the memory of Saints and all other things which make or may help to eternall life And concerning Secular affaires and the State politike for that the ancient Nobilitie being reiected and excluded shee hath promoted obscure and vnworthy men to Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall dignities and by this meanes hath made a sale of Lawes and Rights and lastly for the absolute tyranny which shee vsurpeth and continually exerciseth to the great contempt of God oppression of the miserable People the losse of Soules and destruction of Countries Wherefore seeing those offences are of that nature and moment that some make her vncapable of the kingdome others make her vnworthy of life his Holinesse by the power of Almightie God and of Apostolicall authoritie committed to him doth renew the sentence of his predecessors Pius the Fifth and Gregory the Thirteenth whereby the said Elizabeth is excommunicated and depriued of her Kingdome And now by these present Letters the same Elizabeth againe excommunicateth and depriueth of all Royall Dignitie Titles Rights and pretences to the said Kingdomes of England and Ireland declaring her illegitimate and a true Usurper of the Kingdomes and absoluing the Subiects of that Land and all others from all dutie of Dominion Fidelitie and Obedience and from the Oath giuen to her or to any of her substitutes Further expresly commanding vnder paine of the anger of God Almightie that none of whatsoeuer condition or degree after hee shall haue notice hereof doe presume to yeeld her any obedience fauour or ayde whatsoeuer but that all may imploy all their power and indenour that due punishment may be taken of her that shee at length which hath separated her selfe by many wayes from God and his Church seeing her selfe for saken and destitute of all worldly refuge may be brought to acknowledge her fault and to subiect her selfe to the iudgement of the most High with all submission And therefore commands all and euery the Inhabitants of the said Kingdomes and all others that with all their power they execute the premisses withdrawing all helpe publike and priuate from the said person and her adherents and that as soone as they shall be hereof certisied they ioyne themselues to the Catholike
bee seene thirty leagues into the Sea 1434 Moyemon a large towne in the River Marwin 1283 Muccambro an Iland and Mountaine in Guiana 1272 Mumpara a plaine abounding with graines of gold 1284 Murther how punished in Guiana 1272. In Brasile 1342 Murther punished by the Indians with present death 1870 Muskitoes their venemous stinging 1556 Muso a towne in new Granada the exceeding benefit thereof to the King of Spaine 1420 Muske of a Crocodiles Cod 1228 Muske-Snake a sweet smelling Serpent of Brasile 130â— Mutinie like to receiue its deserved reward 1201 Mutinie the ouerthrow of a voyage 1260 Mutiny among the Spaniards 1436 Among the French in Florida 1603. Among the English in Virginia 1729 1730. In the Bermudas 1743 Mutinga aboundeth with Myues 1203 Mutton-Port 1620 N. NAguatex a towne in Florida 1553 Namaschet a towne vnder Massasoyt 1851. The Namaschets courteous entertainment of the English ibid. Names encreased according to the number of persons slaughtered among the Indians 1226 Names altered amongst the Indians according to their acts and disposition 1869. Names of certaine Englishmen assistants in the Plantation of the New-found-land 1888 Names of the English Knights fighting at the siege of Cadiz 1933. Names of the Captaines and chiefe officers in the Voyage to Azores 1939 Nansamund a River in Virginia 1692 Nanohiggansets threaten the English 1853. Their great superstition in doing sacrifice to their god Habbamoqui 1868 Naruaez his voyage ariuall at Dominica Saint Iago The Trinitie his shipwracke there his comming to the land of Marles 1500 1501 1499. His taking possession of a towne in Florida for the King of Spaine 1501. His ariuall at Apalachen and entertainment there his surprisall by other Indians his comming to Ante 1502 1503. His distressed successe 1504. And losse of men by the Indians ibid. His misery by thirst 1505. His companies extreame weaknesse 1509. With insufferable famine and mortalitie 1508 Napetuca a towne in Florida 1533 Naragooc a towne in Mawooshen 1875 Nations that are barbarous licenced by the Popes Bull to be subdued by violence 1602 Nauarre ouerthroweth the forces of the French King at the battell of Courtras 1942 Nauy of Queene Elizabeth sent to the Azores 1939 Navigation the advancement of Nations 1820 Nauigators instrâ—â—tions 1368 1373 Nausets a company of the Savages in new-New-England a hundred strong 1849 Nebamocago a towne bordering on the River Aponeg in Mawooshen 1874 Negligence like to endanger the losse of a great prize 1145 The Portingals for the West Negro's rebelling against the Spaniards 1434 Neguiwo an I le neere the River Sagodohoc in Mawooshen 1874 Nepios certaine inhabitants of Trinidad 1247 Niewoc an Ile in Mawooshen 1874 Neredoshan a towne on the River Aponeg 1874 Nets made to carie travelling strangers from towne to towne in Brasile 1242 New-France a great part of it thought to be sandie ground as far as Virginia 1634 1635. New-Frances commodities presented the King of France 1641. The inhabitants when first christened 1644 New-France inhabited by the Frenchmen because they hope to get a passage thence to China 1642 1644. The manner of trading in New-France 1626 New-Frances diseases how they may be escaped 1624 1625. New France the bounds thereof 1603. The probabilities of gold Mines there 1621. Diamonds Turkie stones there 1621. Grapes Fish and Cedars 1622 New-Mexico the towns thereof and building the inhabitants and their worshipping the Deuill 1561 Capt Newports voyage to Virginia and returne for England 1186 1705 1706. His supposed preiudice to the English plantation there 1717. His opposing Capt. Smith ibid. His proceeding to discouer Monacan in Virginia and successe 1778 New-England the New-found-land discouered and implanted by the English 1827. The climat very temperate agreeable to the bodies of the English making them liue longer then in other countreys the soyle fertile variety of nourishing hearbs and roots the coast full of commodious harbours and havens many Iles fit for plantation wood of all sorts in abundance 1831. The people haue our English Nation in good estimation and are tractable in trading the Sea is stored with all kind of Fish diuersity of wild foule Doues in great aboundance in time of Strawberries abundance of rich Furs 1831 1832. Great shews of Amber-greece and Pearle store of Whales in the Sea thereabout ibid. New-England described 1870. English corne and cattle prosper there 1878 New-found-land described the fertility of the soyle the temperature of the aire conueniencie of the Baies the inhabitants their nature and customes 1885. Herbs and flowers pleasant and medicinable great increase of corne store of Deere and other beasts great store of land and water-foule 1885. Store of trees fit to build with 1886. Great probabilitie of Mynes and fish in great abundance ibid. New-Plimmouth abounding with divers commodities of great worth and very necessary for mans sustenance Timber of all sorts diuers Mines of vnknowne worth store of fish Beauers and others 1840 Nicaragua Province 1446 1576 Saint Nicholas Bay 1146 Nicholas Sanders his slanders against Q. Elizabeth Hee obtaineth to be the Popes Nuncio entereth Ireland winneth Desmon runneth mad and dyeth miserably 1893 Nicorago a River 1185 Nilco a Province or territory in Florida one of the richest in all that country the townes inhabitants and commodities thereof 155â— Noblemen imployed in the voyage to the Azores 1939 Noble Personages voluntaries in 88. vnder the King of Spaines banner 1901 Nondacao a province in Florida wel inhabited the commodities thereof 1553 Norrack a Province neere the River Arwi in Guiana 1271 Gen. Norris his materiall education Generall of all the English Forcesâ— Martiall in the field vnder Conte Hohenlo Martiall of the field in England Generall of the Army in Frisland Lord President of Munster in Ireland 1916. Winneth great honour fame by his wel ordered retrait in the service before Gaunt 1962. His death 1968 Mr Norwoods relation of the Bermudas and the English plantation there 1797. seq Noert a famous Navigator among the Dutch 1191 Norumbega River and the fabulous narrations thereof 1625 Nose lost in cold weather 1â—05 Noua Galitia 1526 Noua Scotia a prosperous plantation by the dexterity of Sir Samuel Argall 1828. Noua Scotia a plantation in America 1871. Abundance of Strawberries and all kind of wild foule and very pleasant countrey 1873 Nunnez his relation of the Fleet which Pamphilo Naruaez was gouernour of in India 1499. seq His shipwracke 1500. His disastrous fortune by famine sicknesse labour and nakednesse amâ—ng the Indians 1509 1510. His comming after divers perils to the Indians-Auauarez 1514. His mishaps there and dangerous escaping of burning 1515. His curing the sicke by prayer and raising one from the dead 1516. His comming to the Harbudaos and the hungry shifts hee made there 1517 1518. His repute among the Savages their feare and admiration of him 1521 1522 1323. His travell to the South Sea and occurrents 1524 c. His meeting with his country-men 1526. His ariuall at Compostella and Mexico 1528
or fiue Friars one an Irishman Their Bookes Beades and Pictures cost aboue 1000. Duckets The Bishop of Tuccaman had sent for them to take possession of a Monasterie They learned of Master Iohn Drake who went in consort with Captaine Fenton cast away neere the Riuer of Plate his companie taken or slaine by the Saluages of which Iohn Drake and Richard Fairweather escaped with two or three others in a Canoa to the Spaniards and liued in those parts Here also they tooke Miles Philips left in the Countrey by Sir Iohn Hawkins After counsell taken they fell Aprill 3. with the Land of Brasil in 16. degrees and a Terse and watered in the Road of Camana They proceeded and anchored before the Towne of Baya and found in the Harbour eight Ships and one Caruell The next day they forced the Portugals to abandon foure of the best of those ships and towed them forth in despight of infinite store of great and small shot from the shoare and ships one Hulke hauing in her foure and twentie pieces of Ordnance The least of these prizes was 130. Tunnes After this they haled the Hulke and commanded the Master to follow them which he did together with a Caruell with fiftie Butts of wine They fetched reliefe from the shoare also in despite of innumerable Indians and all the enemies forces May 24. they tooke a ship of 120. Tunnes laden with Meale and Sugar But the voyage to the South Sea was defeated by some mens desire to returne in which Captaine Delamour tooke a small Pinnace The Fleâ—â—â—sish Hulke taken into the Fleet in stead of the George cast off furnished with her men suddenly tooke fire and perished Ship Men and Goods Septemb. 29. the residue reached the Coast of England after an vnprofitable and vnfortunate voyage IN the yeare 1587. when the Towne of Slewse was beseeged by the Duke of Parma Sir Roger Williams being Gouernour there the Earle put himselfe in person to make proofe of his valour in that seruice but at his arriuall found the Towne surrendred vnto the Duke the said Sir Roger being not able to hold out longer Anno 1588. amongst many of the Nobility which distributed themselues into diuers of her Maiesties Shippes vpon the approach of the Spanish Armada the Earle put himselfe aboord the Bonaduenture commanded by Captaine George Raymond when they wanne that honour that no Sea can drowne no age can weare out The Queene so accepted this Noble Earles resolution that she gaue him leaue the same yeare to goe as Generall and for his greater honour and ability was pleased to lend him the Golden Lion one of the Shippes Royall to be the Admirall which he victualled and furnished at his owne charge and aduenture hauing Commission to pursue his intended voyage towards the Spanish coasts vnder the broad Seale of England bearing date the fourth of October 1588. Attended with many braue Gentlemen he set forth about the end of October and in the Narrow Seas met with a Shippe of Dunkerke called the Hare laden with Merchandise for Spaine which after some fight he tooke and sent home But contrary windes first suspended and after that a storme which forced them to cut the maine Maste ouerboord depriued him of further hopes and ability to prosecute his true designes HIs spirit remaining neuerthelesse higher then the windes and more resolutely by stormes compact vnited in it selfe he procured a new of her Maiestie the Victory one of the Royal Nauie accompanied with the Meg and Margaret two small Ships and one Caruell which were set forth at his charges and manned with 400. Mariners and Souldiers the Admirall commanded by his Lordship and vnder him Captaine Christopher Lyster the Meg by Captaine William Mounson Viceadmirall the Margaret by Captaine Edward Careles alias Write Rereadmirall the Caruell by Captaine Pigeon The eighteenth of Iune they set forth from Plimmouth and within three dayes met with three French Ships Leaguers of New Hauen and Saint Maloes laden with New-found land fish two of them with the Margaret not able to endure the Sea were sent for England The thirteenth of Iuly his Lordship met with eleuen Dutch Ships which at first made shew to abide a fight and after a few shot yeelded and sent their Masters aboord shewing their Pasports from Hamborough Lubecke Bream Pomerland and Callice who confessed that they had goods aboord to the value of foure thousand fiue hundred pounds of a Iew of Lisbone which being deliuered and distributed his Lordship set saile for the Asores The first of August he had sight of Saint Michael and to disguise himselfe put forth a Spanish Flagge Espying foure Shippes in the Roade he resolued that night to cut their Cables and to bring them away which he accordingly performed before he was descried The Spaniards in three of them leaping into the Sea with much noise and outcry gaue the alarme to the Town which made many vaine shots at his Boate in the darke The fourth was the Falcon of London vnder the name of a Scottish Ship hauing a Scottish Pilot. The three Spaniards were laden from Siuill with Wine and Sallet Oyle The Pinnace tooke a small Shippe wherein was thirty tunnes of Madera wines same Wollen Cloath Silke and Taffata The Carracks were departed from Tercera eight dayes before He manned his Boates and obtained refreshing at Flores professing himselfe a friend to their King Don Antonio From thence rowing a shipboord the Boate was pursued two miles together by a monstrous Fish whose Finnes many times appeared about the gils aboue water foure or fiue yards a sunder and his iawes gaping a yard and a halfe wide not without great danger of ouerturning the Pinnace and deuouring some of the company but at the last they all escaped Here his Lordshippe met and accepted into consort Captaine Dauies with his Shippe and Pinnace a Shippe of Sir Walter Raleighs commanded by Captaine Markesbury and the Barke Lime Hauing intelligence that the Carracks were at Tercera he came vp to the road of Fyall the seuen and twentieth of August and descrying certaine Shippes at anchor close aboord the shoare he sent his Boates which boorded a Ship of 250. tunne armed with foureteene cast Peeces and continued fight till a supply of Boates came from the Fleete to second them and then recouered the prize The Spaniards except Iohn de Palma leapt all ouer-boord to swimme to the shoare which was so neere that the Ship was moored to the Castle from whence the great Ordinance plaied all the time of the fight onely it was not a play to the Master of the Caruell whose calfe of his legge was shot away This Shippe came laden from Port-Racco with Sugar Ginger and Hides The Ship-boates fetched also out of the Roade some other small Ships laden from Guinâ—ee with Elephants teeth Graines Coca nuts and Goate Skinnes most of which prizes he sent for England The
seuere course to remedie those things he assured himselfe it would be the ruine of our voyage Whereupon the next day I went on shoare to see my men trayned and calling all the Commanders before me rebuked them for those faults and gaue Articles both for their courses at Land and Sea reading to them my Commissions that they might know I had full power to execute those punishments I set downe for euery offence and assuring them I would not be slow in doing it if they offended The next day being the one and twentieth of Aprill I set saile and betwixt the Grand Canarie and Tenerife met with the Royall Defence a ship which should haue comne with mee out of England but being not readie followed me and thwart the Rocke after I was comne from thence met with a Caruell which by ten English men that were prisoners in Lisbone was stollen forth in the night They assured me word being brought thither that I was gone off the Coast they resolued to send forth the Carracks and that within a few dayes they would come forth Which I making knowne to all my Commanders they agreed with me that it was fit to spend some few dayes and looke for their comming so did we but not seeing them the yeere was so farre spent that I assured my selfe they were either gone by or would not goe this yeere their time for doubling the Cape of Buona Speranza being now past for they neuer went out so late but once and then were all forced to returne Though many would imagine the missing of this faire fortune should much haue troubled me I assure you it did not the reason I will let you know hereafter Now againe calling all the Captaines and Masters aboard me I first asked them whether they thought it was fit to tarry any longer vpon that hope telling them mine opinion how little reason there was in it and that longer stay might much hurt our other purposes to which all agreeing we resolued to proceede Then I asked whether they thought the time was not too farre spent to get Farnanbuco to which many answered No. And though I well knew what it was I would not reply till I had called two Portugall Pilots which I brought with me out of England old men that had at the least beene twentie times a piece there out of Portugall And asking their opinions they told vs that they had gone it at that time of the yeere but diuers times put backe and at their best passage beene sixe or seuen weekes in getting one degree To which there were that answered though sometimes it happened so yet it might fall out otherwise and if not though we should be long in getting thither yet there was assurance to win that place with ease and getting it to haue wealth enough Till this I kept secret what now euery occasion gaue mee fit time to vtter Hauing dispatched from mee a ship that was in Trade at the Canaries and bound for England and being so farre shot to the Southwards as I was sure not to meet with any going to the Northwards so as not any newes where I was could come into Spaine till it came out of the Indies which winning of time would giue me so good leisure to fortifie my selfe in the place whither I meant to goe as hardly I would bee supplanted till either wee honorably quitted the place or had supply you may see too griedie desire is a dangerous enemie for where I should haue but lightly touched this as yet I was almost entring into the bowels of my intention the time ripe I saw to speake more freely then I had done I told them I had aduisedly considered of all these things now pleaded and could as I thought before their speech haue giuen them so sufficient reasons for the shaping of some other course then Brasil as would haue stayed all these pleadings But I thought it better first to heare euery one speake his minde and then to vtter my conceit Which though I assured my selfe was the best for vs yet if any amongst them could giue reason against it I would not onely take it well but be drawne to them Then layed I before them how our men were alreadie many of them sicke and that vndoubtedly the crossing the Line would keepe those from recouering although the passage were as good as man could wish Besides I remembred them of intelligence giuen vs both vpon the Coast of Spaine and the Iland that the King had sent thither to defend the place against me six hundred Souldiers and also it was likely that he had giuen order that if they saw not themselues strong enough to resist that with their portable goods they should fleâ— into the Mountaines and set their Sugar and Brasill wood on fire then were we sure to haue nothing and lastly if wee beat long vnder the Line vndoubtedly the most of our men would fall sicke and then should we be forced to returne without doing any thing for to no other place could we goe once bearing vp vpon that occasion With this I pawsed to heare if there would be any thing said by them but not any speaking I told them I well perceiued by their silence the doubts my wordes had driuen into their mindes but not to conceale any longer from them that which hitherto I had for all their goods done the truth was I neuer had intention after I found I could not get out of England before Christmas to goe for Brasil but onely for the west Indies where there were many possibilities to make a voyage by as first the sacking of Margarita which they knew was rich then Porto Rico after that Saint Domingo then in Iuly the outward bound fleet would be in the Acoa where we could not misse them and if these gaue vs not content in the end of Iuly or August wee should meete the fleet at Cape Saint Antonio Many of these reasons I vttered more to carry my men with good liking thither then for any thought I had of diuers of them And my speech had desired successe for they all went with greedie desire and hopefull expectation I appointing them to make what haste they could to Dominica where we would stay one for another thinking it better to goe straggling thither then to goe togither there being possibilitie to meete some purchase by the way which we were in most likelihood of when we spred furthest Therefore we spred thus till we met at Dominica wee straggled all sauing the Alcedon the Centurian and two Flemmings laden with Corne which I tooke vpon the coast of Spaine and still carried alongst with me as chiefe meanes to effect my most desired purpose These with all the rest came safely to Dominica where wee carried our sicke people ashoare the three and twentieth of May and tarried till the first of Iune This Iland is onely inhabited by Indians that
the ninteenth of May the colour of the Sea began sensibly to alter that whereas before it was of a cleere azure it then began to incline to a deepe blacke We were that day a hundreth and sixtie leagues or thereabouts from the West Indies and held our selues so certainly in the height of Dominica that wee runne a due Westerly course It is not vnlikely but this colour will be found in the same place at another time And in such a course wherein besides the great difference of Cardes a man must bee forced to trust to a dead reckoning this may bee some helpe to a heedfull man Vpon Sunday in the euening his Lordship directed the Master to runne that night with an easie saile because he tooke himselfe neerer land then most of the Mariners would consent to being himselfe the first that both spyed and cryed land they were but few that did assent at the first some desired it so much that they durst not let themselues be ouer credulous others happily would haue had themselues the first discryers but his Lordship still made it land Wee set saile for the land and within two houres it was made to bee Matinino Leauing it therefore on the larboard side wee stood for Dominica and within an houre or thereabouts had it in kenning §. II. Description of Dominica and the Virgines Their landing on Port Ricco march fights and taking the Towne BY two in the afternoone wee were come so neere aboard the shoare that wee were met with many Canoes manned with men wholly naked sauing that they had chaines and bracelets and some bodkins in their eares or some strap in their nostrils or lips the cause of their comming was to exchange their Tabacco Pinos Plantins Potatoes and Pepper with any trifle if it were gawdie They were at the first suspicious that wee were Spaniards or Frenchmen but being assured that wee were English they came willingly aboard They are men of good proportion strong and straight limmed but few of them tall their wits able to direct them to things bodily profitable Their Canoes are of one Tree commonly in breadth but containing one man yet in some are seene two yonkers sit shoulder to shoulder They are of diuers length some for three or foure men that sit in reasonable distance and in some of them eight or nine persons a rowe Besides their Merchandise for exchange euery one hath commonly his Bowe and Arrowes they speake some Spanish words they haue Wickers platted something like a broad shield to defend the raine they that want these vse a very broad leafe to that purpose they prouide shelter against the raine because it washeth of their red painting laid so on that if you touch it you shall finde it on your fingers That night hauing with much a doe found land within a quarter of a mile of the shore we ankored for that night onely for though there were a good watering place and a very sweete riueret fast by vs yet his Lordship ment to way ankor the next morning and to beare in to another watering place wherewithall we certainly looked for a hot Bathe Their Oares wherewith they rowe are not laid in bankes as Ship-boates haue but are made like a long Battledoore sauing that their palmes are much longer then broade growing into a sharpe point with a rising in the middest of them a good way very like they are to blades of bigge Westerne Daggers that are now made with grauing The shankes of these Oares are of equall bignesse and at the top crosset like a lame mans crutch These they vse alwayes with both their hands but indifferently as they finde cause to steere this way or that way The next morning wee bore in to the North-west end of the Iland where we found a goodly Bay able to receiue a greater Nauie then hath beene together in the memorie of this age There his Lordship found the hote Bathe fast by the side of a very fine Riuer The Bathe is as hot as either the Crosse-bathe or Kingsbathe at the Citie of Bathe in England and within three or foure yards runneth into the Riuer which within a stones cast disburdeneth it selfe into the Sea Here our sicke men specially found good refreshing In this place his Lordship staied some six dayes in watering the whole Fleete which in that time was all come sauing the Frigat one of the blacke Pinnaces and one of the Flemmings which we hoped to be before vs for they haue directions It was held conuenient here to take a Muster of our companies and something better to acqâ—aint euery one with his owne colours but the weather was so extreamely foule that in three or foure dayes spent to this purpose there could be nothing done Vpon Wednesday therefore being the last of May it was resolued to stay no longer there but to come againe to ankor at the Uirgines and there bestow one day in training our men For that was our way to Saint Iohn de Puertorico whether his Lordship now declared it was his purpose to goe first of all By this time for his Lordship would not haue any thing done in that foule weather the other blacke Pinnace was taken down for a long Boate to serue for the more conuenient landing of our men That euening and the next morning all our men were brought aboord and on thursday night our sailes were cut for the Virgines To describe this Iland it heth North-west and South-east the soile is very fat euen in the most neglected places matching the Garden-plats in England for a rich blacke molde so Mountainous certaine in the places where we came neere the Sea-coasts that the Vallies may better be called Pits then Plaines and withall so vnpassably wooddie that it is maruailous how those naked soules can be able to pull themselues through them without renting their naturall cloathes Some speake of more easie passages in the Inland of the Iland which make it probable that they leaue those skirts and edges of their Countrie thus of purpose for a wall of defence These Hils are apparelled with very goodly greene Trees of many sorts The tallnesse of these vnrequested Trees make the hils seeme more hilly then of themselues happily they are for they grow so like good children of some happy ciuill body without enuie or oppression as that they looke like a proud meddow about Oxford when after some irruption Tems is againe cooched low within his owne banks leauing the earths Mantle more ruggie and flakie then otherwise it would haue bin yea so much seeme these natural children delighted with equalitie and withall with multiplication that hauing growne to a definite stature without desire of ouertopping others they willingly let downe their boughes which being come to the earth againe take roote as it were to continue the succession of their decaying progenitors and yet they doe continually maintaine themselues in a greene-good liking
to forgiue and true of word Sir Francis hâ—rd in reconciliation and constancie in friendship he was withall seuere and courteous magnaâ—imious and liberall They were both faultie in ambition but more the one then the other For in Sir Francis was an in sâ—tiable desire of honor indeed beyond reason He was infinite in promises and more temperate in aduersity then in better Fortune He had also other imperfections as aptnesse to anger and bitternesse in disgracing and too much pleased with open flattery Sir Iohn Hawkins had in him malice with dissimulation rudenesse in behauiour and passing sparing indeed miserable They were both happy alike in being Great Commanders but not of equall successe and grew great and famous by one meanes rising through their owne Vertues and the Fortune of the Sea Their was no comparison to bee made betweene their wel-deseruing and good parts for therein Sir Francis Drake did farre exceede This is all I haue obserued in the Uoyages wherein I haue serued with them R. M. A briefe recitall or nomination of Souldiers other Englishmens Voyages related at large in the printed Works of Master HAKLVYT OTher Voyages might here be inserted made by Englishmen into the Bay of Mexico as that by Captayne W. Michelson and William Mace of Ratcliffe in the Dogge 1589. which there tooke three shippes They held fight with a Spanish man of Warre who by fraud sought perfidiously to obtayne that which they could not by vnspotted Fortitude They put out a flagge of Truce and after kinde entertaynment aboord the English inuited them to their shippe where they assaulted them stabbing Roger Kingsâ—old the Pilot to the Heart staying others and forcing the rest to trust God and the Sea rather then the Deuill and the Spaniards thus swimming to their ship The valiant fight of the Content a small ship of Sir George Câ—reys Lord Hundsdon Lord Chamberlaine 1591. Iune 13. with three great Spanish ships each of six or seuen hundred and one small shippe and two Gallies farre more beeing slaine of the enemies then the English had to fight I leaue to Master Hakluyts report as also Captayne Christopher Newport his Voyage with three ships and a Pinnasse the same yeere which tooke and spoyled Yaguana and Ocoa in Hispaniâ—la and Truxillo besides other Prizes and in the way homeward were at the taking of the Madre de Dios. The next yeere Captayne Lane Gen. of Master Wats his fleete Captayne Roberts in the Exchange of Bristâ—ll and Captayne Beniamin Wood with foure shippes set forth by the Lord Thomas Howard Captayne Kenell of Lime-house and Captayne King of Ratcliffe Road with thirteene sayles before Hauana wayting for purchase Anno 1594. the Honourable Sir Robert Dudley set forth with two ships and two Pinnasses and made his Voyage to Trinidada and the Coast of Paria returning by the Iles of Granata Santa Cruez Santa Iuan de Puerto Rico Mona Zacheo and Bermuda In which Voyage he and his company tooke or sunke nine Spanish ships of which one was a man of Warre of sixe hundred tuns The particulars are related by himselfe in Master Hakluyt In him also the Reader may find the victorious Voyage of Captayne Amias Presten and Captayne George Summers both since Knights Anno 1595. in which the Iles of Puerto Santo and of Coche neere Margarita the Fort and Towne of Coro the Citie of Saint Iago de Leon were sacked and burnt the Towne of Cumana ransomed and Iamaica entred Sir Antonie Sherley Anno 1596. set forth from Hampton with nine ships and a Galley to Saint Iago Dominica Margarita Iamaica Bay of Honduras and homewards by New foundland This and Captayne Parkers Voyage 1596. to the same parts and Ports with his taking of Campeche the chiefe Towne of Iacatan and bringing thence a Frigat laden with the Kings Tribute Also the Voyages of Sir Walter Raleigh to Guiana and other intelligences of that Nation likewise Master William Hawkins his Voyages to Brasill and those of Reâ—iger and Borey Pudsâ—y Stephen Hare Sir Iames Lancasters taking of Fernambuc Fenton and Ward and Iohn Drakes Voyage after his departure from Fenton vp the Riuer of Plate and liuing fifteene moneths with the Sauages Anno 1582. All these I referre to the painfull labours of Master Hakluyt who hath well deserued of the English Nation and of these Neptunian Heroes that I mention not the many Voyages of others in those times of difference betwixt England and Spaine which here and there you shall finde mention of in these Relations Also Anno 1589. three ships were set forth by Master Chidlie and others for the Magellan Straites one of which arriued there and tooke there a Spaniard one of the foure hundred which had beene sent thither to inhabit which had long liued there alone the rest being famished They spent sixe weekes there with contrary winds and sixe only of their company teturned they also being racked on the Coast of Normandie as W. Magoths one of the sixe hath related These I doe but summarily mention as an Index rather to Master Hakluytâ— labours then with any intent to giue the discourse thereof But the strange fortunes of Peter Carder not hitherto published compell me to take speciall notice thereof which himselfe hath thus related CHAP. V. The Relation of PETER CARDER of Saint Verian in Cornwall within seuen miles of Falmouth which went with Sir FRANCIS in his Voyage about the World begun 1577. who with seuen others in an open Pinnasse or Shallop of fiue tuns with eight Oares was separated from his Generall by foule weather in the South Sea in October An. 1578. who returning by the Straites of Magellan toward Brasill were all cast away saue this one only afore named who came into England nine yeeres after miraculously hauing escaped many strange dangers aswell among diuers Sauages as Christians AFter Sir Francis Drake had passed the Straites of Magellan the sixt of September 1578. and was driuen downe to the Southwards in the South Sea vnto the latitude of fiftie fiue degrees and a terse with such accidents as are mentioned in his Voyage and returning backe toward the Straite againe The eight of October we lost sight of the Elizabeth one of our Consorts wherein Master Iohn Winter was who returned by the Straites againe as wee vnderstood afterward at our comming home into England according to his Voyage extant in print Shortly after his separation from our company our Generall commanded eight men to furnish our small Pinnasse or Shallop with eight men whose names were these my selfe Peter Carder aforesaid Richard Burnish of London Iohn Cottle and another both seruants to Master Iohn Hawkins Artyur a Dutch Trumpetor Richard Ioyner seruant to Vincent Scoble of Plimmouth Pasche Gidie of Salt Ashe and William Pitcher of London This company was commanded to waite vpon the ship for all necessary vses but hauing not passed one dayes victuals in vs nor any Card nor Compasse sauing only the
an houre we heard the Portugals ring a Bell presently Iasper Iorge the Portugall Pilot told vs that now was the time to land for he knew by that Bell that they were in the middle of their Masse and at that instant the Friar was holding vp the Bread of Sacrament before the people to worship it He had no sooner spoke but we were all on shoare and so marching to the Church we tooke euery mans sword without resistance and there we remayned till it was seuen of the clocke for the comming of our long Boat and the rest of our companie for we were but twentie three in all and we durst not take sack of the Towne with so few By that meanes some of the Portugals that were in their houses escaped with their persons and mony Here was good store of victuall and great store of Succats Sugars and Cassauie meale of the which wee made very good bread In the Church there were three hundred men beside women and children Assoone as wee had taken the sack of the Towne and placed all our men in order word was sent to our Generall of all that had beene done After the Generall had sent answere againe to the Towne all the Portugals were set at libertie and we fortified our selues in the Towne keeping onely seuen or eight of the chiefest and principall prisoners Master Cooke Captaine of the Vice-admirall went Captaine of all the companie that went aâ—hoare he fauoured me very much and commanded mee to take a Friars Cell to lodge in in the Colledge of Iesus where hee himselfe lodged with many Captaines and young Gentlemen It was my chance going vp and downe from Cell to Cell that I looked vnder a bed standing in a darke hole where I found a little chist fast nayled and the seames thereof were white with wheat flower I drew it forth and finding it of great waight broke it in pieces wherein I found 1700. Râ—als of eight each whereof contayneth foure shillings English This hole I tooke for my lodging and no man knew of my good purchase cloth shirts blankets and beds and such stuffe no man regarded The next day following being S. Steuens day the Portugals gaue vs a false alarum the Generall came also with all the ships into the Road and presently landed with two hundred men and commanded all the outward part of the Towne to bee burned Then hee gaue order for the building of a Pinnasse to row with twentie Oares and commanded all the ships that were in the Harbour to be set on fire At this Towne we tooke an English man called Iohn King which had beene there fifteene yeeres Our Generall lay in the Colledge of Iesus all the time that we were at Santos This Colledge had many back-wayes to the Sea-side and it happened one night that two Sauages being abused by the Portugals ran away and knowing the passages of the Colledge came in the night to the Generals bed-side and brought with them Turkies and Hennes The Generall being awaked by them cryed out for helpe One of them that could speake Portugall fell downe on his knees and said that hee came to craâ—â—e his fauour and not to offend him The morning following the Generall had discourse with these two Sauages and by them he knew of what strength the Portugals campe was and how that at his going out of the Towne they were determined to giue battaile likewise they told him of three great bags of mony and a jarre that was hid vnder the roote of a Fig tree and guided vs where we had three hundred head of Cattel which serued vs all the time we were there The Daintie being a small ship made a good voyage to Santos for shee came in before any of our fleet by the which meanes they laded her with Sugar and good commodities of the Portugals ships that were in the Harbour this ship went voluntarily with vs and hauing made a good voyage the Captaine told the Generall that he would returne for England the Generall answered that he was determined to send him into the Riuer of Plate and then with all his heart hee should returne We continued two moneths at Santos which was the ouerthrow of our voyage In the time that we were there many Canibals came vnto vs desiring the General that he would destroy the Portugals and keepe the Countrie to himselfe protesting to bee all on his side the Generall thanked them for their kindnesse and told them that at that time he had a farther pretence We found store of gold in this Towne that the Indians had brought from a place called by the Indians Mutinga and now the Portugals haue mynes there Many of our companie counselled the Generall to winter at this Towne but he would not by any meanes From our first setting forth from England till we came to Santos I had great loue to Christopher the Iapon because I found his experience to bee good in many things This Indian and I grew into such friendship one with another that wee had nothing betwixt vs vnknowne together I a long time hauing found him true I told him of the money I had found vnder the Friers bed with that hee told mee of some money that hee had got and wee swore to part halfe from thenceforth whatsoeuer God should permit vs to obtaine some foure dayes after that when we were ready to depart he told me that that time of the yeare was past wherefore it was best to hide our money in the ground and remaine in the Countrey I beleeuing his perswasions agreed to doe what he thought best thus we determined both that the same day we were to goe a shipboord that then he should take all the money in a Canoa and hide it by a Riuer side in the morning I deliuered all the money into his hands and he swore that in lesse then two houres he would returne but I staied aboue fiue houres and might haue tarried all my life for he was gone aboord the Ship afterward by good meanes I got mine owne againe and so our former friendship was parted Our men marched by Land from Santos to another Towne called San Uincent and in the way our men burned fiue Engenios or Sugar-mils the disorder of our men was such at their imbarking that if the Portugals had beene of any courage they might easily haue cut our throates the two Indians which came at night to the Generals chamber went with vs to the Straits We departed from Santos with a faire winde for the Straites of Magellan fourteene dayes we had faire weather the fifteenth day all the Masters and Captaines of the fleete comming aboord the Admirall wonne a great summe of money Two dayes after wee were becalmed and the Pilotes taking their height found it to be in the altitude with the Riuer of Plate And we being farre from the shoare did beare roome for Land determining to send the Daintie the
bigger then their middle others brake in the sides with a draught of water O if you did know the intollerable heate of the Countrie you would thinke your selfe better a thousand times dead then to liue there a weeke There you shall see poore Souldiers lie in troupes gaping like Camelians for a puffe of winde Here liued I three moneths not as the Portugals did taking of Physicke and euerie weeke letting of bloud and keeping close in their houses when they had any raine obseruing houres and times to goe abroad morning and Euening and neuer to to eate but at such and such times I was glad when I had got any thing at morning noone or night I thanke God I did worke all day from morning till night had it beene raine or neuer so great heate I had alwaies my health as well as I haue in England This Countrie is verie rich the King had great store of Gold sent him from this place the time that I was there the King of Angica had a great Citie at Masangana which Citie Paulas Dias gouernour of Angola tooke and scituated there and finding hard by it great store of Gold fortified it with foure Forts and walled a great circuit of ground round about it and within that wall now the Portugals doe build a Citie and from this Citie euerie day they doe warre against the King of Angica and haue burnt a great part of his Kingdome The Angicaâ— are men of goodly stature they file their teeth before on their vpper Iawe and on their vnder Iawe making a distance betweene them like the teeth of a Dogge they doe eate mans flesh they are the stubbornest Nation that liues vnder the Sunne and the resolutest in the field that euer man saw for they will rather kill themselues then yeelde to the Portugals they inhabit right vnder the line and of all kinde of Moores these are the blackest they doe liue in the Law of the Turkes and honour Mahomet they keepe manie Concubines as the Turkes doe they wash themselues euerie morning vpwards falling flat on their faces towards the East They weare their haire all made in plaits on their heads as well men as women they haue good store of Wheate and a kinde of graine like Fetches of the which they make Bread they haue great store of Hennes like Partridges and Turkies and all their feathers curle on their backes their houses are like the other houses of the Kingdomes aforenamed And thus I end shewing you as briefe as I can all the Nations and Kingdomes that with great danger of my life I trauelled through in twelue yeares of my best age getting no more then my trauell for my paine From this Kingdome Angica was I brought in Irons againe to my Master Saluador Corea de sa sa to the Citie of Saint Sebastian in Brasil as you haue heard Now you haue seene the discourse of my trauels and the fashions of all the Countries and Nations where I haue beene I will by the helpe of God make you a short discourse in the language of the Petiwares which language all the Inhabitants of Brasil doe vnderstand especially all the coast from Fernambucquo to the Riuer of Plate the which I hope will be profitable to all trauellers and of them I trust my paines shall be well accepted of First you must tell them of what Nation you are and that you come not as the Portugals doe for their wiues and children to make them bondslaues We are Englishmen as you all know that in times past had peace with you Now knowing the neede and want that you haue of all such things as before your Fathers had for the loue that both your ancestours and ours did beare one to another and for the loue and pittie that we haue of your want we are come to renew our ancieÌ„t amity Ore aqureiuua que se neering peramoya werisco Catadoro wareuy orenysbe beresoy Coeu pecoteue Cowauere pipope pewseua baresey opacatu baye berua oweryco coen pecoteue sou se-Core mandoare peramoya waysouba ore ranoya waysonua reseij eteguena rescij pecoteue pararaua oro in ibewith ore ramoya pereri socatumoyn go pacum §. V. The description of diuers Riuers Ports Harbours Ilands of Brasil for instruction of Nauigators RIo Grande is called by vs the great Riuer lately was conquered by a Portugall called Manuell Masquarenhas It is aboue two leagues broad in the mouth and on the South-east side standeth a great Fort made by the foresaid Manuell Masquarenhas that Countrie is plaine and sandy in many places especially neere the Sea and yeeldeth Sugar Canes in abundance On the coast are many great Bayes where the Indians doe oftentimes finde great store of Ambergreese within this place there is also store of Wood Pepper Ginger and Waxe Here inhabit a kinde of Canibals called Petywares these Canibals haue had trafficke a long time with France and amongst them there are many that can speake French which are Bastards begotten of Frenchmen On the coast of Brasil there are three Riuers of Paraeyua one is this that lieth next to Rio Gande the other is a great Riuer that runneth through the Countrie almost as farre as Lymo and commeth out betweene Cape Frio and Spirito Sancto the third is a faire Riuer that lieth betweene the Riuer of Plate and Saint Vincents This Pareyua whereof we speake is a faire great Bay where shipping being neuer so great may enter within this Bay vpon a hill you shall see a faire Citie and on the Sea side standeth two small Forts You may anker neere the shoare at the entrie of this Bay you shall see three hils of red earth on either side of the harbour which the Portugals call Barer as Mermethâ—es Guyana is a small Riuer that lieth by Paracua it belongeth to Iasper Desiquerd who was chiefe Iustice of all Brasil In the mouth of this Riuer standeth a great rocke which is continually couered with Sea Foules This Riuer hath two fadome water in the mouth a quarter of a mile within this Riuer on the South-west side you may take fresh water and great store of Cattell vpon this Riuer there are great store of Sugar Mils and continually you shall haue in this Riuer small Caruels that fish and carry Sugar from thence to Fernambuquo likewise here is great store of Brasil Pepper Ginger and Cotten Cocos Indian Nuts here likewise inhabit Petywares Etamariqua in the Indian language is a bed it is a point of the land like a Cape the point runneth halfe a mile into the Sea and vpon it the Portugals haue built a Towne you may anker very neere the shoare both on the South-west and on the North-east side of the Towne in seuen and eight fadome water All the Countrie till you come to Cape Augustin is low land and to saile from thence to Fernambuquo is no danger but the clifts which lye along the coast as
of them in a Pinnasse that was built by one named Howard the Keele whereof hee made of a Canoa which prooued a very fitting Pinnasse for those parts and Riuers This Pinnasse after our Generals death the Indians did breake a pieces because they thought wee would haue stolne away from them in her vnto the Spaniards And the rest of our company were placed in their Canoas all of vs furnished with our Caleeuers and so wee departed on our Iourney and Voyage on the sixe and twentieth of February on which day at night wee came to a place which wee named Mount Huntly where wee lodged in the Woods that night our Generall commanding vs to keepe a good watch which wee need not to haue done for the Indians themselues were very watchfull and wonderfull carefull of our Caleeuers and for to keepe our Powder drie after we had beene acquainted with them and very diligent for to please vs. The next day at night we came to a place called the Cou and there wee lodged and the next day following we came into the Riuer of Wia and there we found two or three of the Caribes Canoas but all their men were runne vp into the Woodes and from thence our Generall went vp farther into the Riuer where wee burned certaine of their houses not finding any people in them From whence our Generall purposed to haue gone farther into the Riuer of Caliane But the Indians did aduertize him that there was an English ship there whom the Generall knew to bee one Iohnson of Plimmouth that had beene some fourteene dayes before at Wiapoco and came thither in the way of Trade But our Generall would not suffer him so to doe for that he would not hinder himselfe and his company which our Generall at that time called to minde and therefore thought it not good to proceed in the Riuer because hee doubted that there would haue risen contention betwixt his company and Iohnsons and for that hee also misdoubted wee should haue wanted Bread and Drinke if hee should haue proceeded in his iourney and therefore returned to Wiapoco where we arriued all except one Canoa About the fourteenth day of March. Our Generall sent with foure of our Nation named Blake Owen Goldwell William Crandall and Henry Powell with commodities vp into the Countrey some thirtie leagues to a place called Urake to the Inhabitants there named Arwakes to trade with them And after our iourney by reason of such Raine and foule weather as wee had in the same most of our company fell sicke and for that they had no comfortable drinkes nor any comforts thaâ— sicke persons doe want diuers of them died of the Fluxe which the Indians as also the Disease called the Calenture know right well for to cure yet concealed it from our Generall But vnto vs after his death they did reueale which sicknesse amongst the company caused no small griefe vnto our Generall and chiefly to see such wants amongst them wherefore hee resolued with himselfe to goe for England which hee acquainted the company with promising them to returne as speedily as hee could with prouision Presently after he had shipped his prouision and such Commodities as hee had gathered together in the Countrey and was in a readinesse to depart for England he sickned of the Fluxe and died aboord his ship and was by Captaine Huntly secretly buried on the Land the twentieth of March whose death was so secretly kept by the Captaine and the Master of the ship that most of the company knew not thereof The reason was because there was prouision too little for them which were shipped and others of the company if they had knowne thereof would haue pressed to haue come with them Wherefore Captaine Huntly with Master Tederington our Preacher and others set saile from Wiapoco towards England on the second of Aprill 1605. promising a ship to returne vnto vs within seuen moneths God not hindering their intents which had happened for Sir Olaue Leigh to his great charge had prouided a great Fly-boat of the burthen of one hundred and seuenty tunnes furnished for to haue come for Wiapoco as I haue heard since my being here in London before Captaine Huntly his arriuall in England but it pleased God that she neuer came to Wiapoco so that we had no comfort of her being in number left at Captaine Huntlies departure out of the Countrey thirtie fiue persons of whom one named Richard Sacksie was by Captaine Leigh in his life time appointed to bee chiefe amongst vs who shipped himselfe into a ship of Middleborough who came into the Riuer about the first of May 1605. and fourteene more of our company with him and more that Zelander would haue carried if Sacksie would haue suffered him such was his kindnesse towards our Nation Hee gaue vnto vs such wine and other comforts as he had vnto our great reliefes His comming vnto vs to Wiapoco was to haue sold vnto our Generall Negroes whose kindnesse we did requite in helping him to such commodities as wee had and did get the Indians to prouide Cassaui and Guinea Wheate for bread with Potato Roots for his Negroes to eat who departed on the one and twentieth of May after he had bin some three weekes in the Riuer of Wiapoco for Point de Ray where he shipped of our company into his Countrimens ships some in one ship and some into others for Holland of which ships we heard that some of them were taken by the Spaniards and they were cast ouer-boord with the Hollanders The same day the Hollander departed which was the one and twentieth of May came vnto vs a French ship of Saint Mallors who dealt very kindly with vs wherefore wee did suffer him to trade with the Indians who did remayne there some two moneths vnto whom many strange Indians did bring their commodities and at his departure hee shipped ten of our men hee tooke Powder and other commodities of vs which we had for their passage into France leauing tenne of vs behind him of which two died before the ship was out of ken of vs Nicholas Wilkins and Andrew Vnderhill But within some fourteene dayes after two of those foure which our Generall had sent to trade vnto Urake came vnto vs not expecting euer to haue seene them the other two were drowned by the way These two named Owen Goldwell and William Candall which came to vs reported they had beene some fortie miles vp into the Land in a very plaine pleasant Countrey and brought commodities hereafter written of About the middle of Iuly our number of ten were all in good health spending our time in planting of Carow called Flaxe whereof we planted about twentie English Acres of Land and some Tabacco obseruing the manners and conditions of the people the nature of the Land and what commodities it yeeldeth and what commodities of ours are in most request with them
paces broad one hundred persons keepe together in one of those houses they are most artificially builded and thetched so that no raine commeth into them although in Aprill May and Iune and most of Iuly very extreame raine doth fall there Also they make Pots of earth which shew as if they were guilded and some of them will hold thirtie or fortie gallons of liquor they are very faire to behold and very sweete to keepe any thing in They make Baskets of diuers sorts most artificially and their beds which they call Hamakes they are some of them made of Cotten wooll and some of barkes of trees they vse to lye in them hanging They haue a great delight to paint themselues both men and women and especially when they goe to any Feast The women against their day of trauell in childe bearth make for that time a roome apart in the house whereunto they goe all alone and are deliuered without any helpe at all and presently after the childe is borne she calleth for her husband and deliuereth him the childe who presently washeth it in a pot of water and painteth it with sundry colours which seemed very strange vnto me that I did not heare the women once so much as to groane or to make any moane at all in all her time of her trauell if any one of them dieth they doe vse to make great moane for them some ten or twelue daies together after his death or longer according as the partie was beloued in his life time And touching such kinde of Beasts as are in the woods as well about Wiapoco as in other places of the Countrie There are great store of Deere Hares and Conies Hogges and many Monkies great and small blacke and greene which sorts are called Marmosites and great red ones as bigge as Baboones those the Indians doe kill and eate and there are Leopards and Porcupines and Lyons for in one place we did see a Lyon which the Indians had killed they brought all their boyes they had and did lay them on the Lyons backe and with a whip did giue euery of them three lashes wherefore they did so we could not learne but imagined it was because they should remember the place where the Lyon was killed also there are great store of Otters and a beast which is called an Aligator he hath a cod that smelleth like the Muske cod Of Foules I haue seene Cockes Hennes Duckes and Geese Partridges Wood-doues Herneshaws Shouellers and a foule of a crimson colour called Passeray Fiemingo great store of white foules which the Indians call Wakcrouses great store of Parrats and Parrakeits which flye there in sholes like Starlings here in England also there is a Parrat there as bigge as a great Hen blew and red very beautifull to behold and multitudes of foules of other sorts and Hawkes of diuers sorts in the woods and Riuers And of fish there are great abundance of all sorts both of fresh water fish and Sea fish and Crabbes great store and the Indians take their fish with a kinde of wood which they beate against some stone or other tree vntill one end thereof be all bruised and putting that into the Riuer presently the fish become drunke and run themselues on the shoare and swim aboue water as our Haddockes doe in England There are store of good Rootes and Plants with Fruites as the Pina and Plantine Potatoes Nappoyes and a fruite called of the Indians Poppoyes it is bigger then an Apple and very pleasant to eate and sundry sorts of Plums and other sorts of fruites whereof they make drinke very pleasant to be drunke There are these commodities at Wiapocco and in other places of the Countrie where I haue trauelled Woods of blacke red and yellow colours Tobacco Guinie pepper Cotten wooll Carow of vs called Flaxe Anoto Berrieâ— which dye a very faire Stammell colour Spignard whereof a precious Oyle may be made Gummes of diuers sorts Bee-waxe Feathers of the best sorts such as Ladies doe weare in their hats and other Feathers abundance There grow naturally in many places Sugar Canes and great abundance of Carow of it selfe called of vs Flaxe and of the Spaniard Pero Also they make Oyle which they paint themselues with of a kinde of Nut bigger then a Chestnut whereof are great abundance growing and the Manety stone is to be had in the Aracores Countrie and in no other place of the Indies that I haue heard of These things I noted but if so we had expected certainely for to haue had a Ship of our owne Nation to haue come vnto vs I my selfe and the rest of vs should haue beene encouraged to haue obserued more then I haue done Neither had we any store of commodities to trade vp in the Maine as the two Hollanders hath which are there and were left there at our comming from thence by Iohn Sims Master of a Ship called the Hope of Amsterdam of the burthen of one hundred tuns Fraughted by the Merchants of Amsterdam and by their Charter partie was bound to lye in the Riuer of Wiapoco and of Caliane six moneths time which he did for he lay with vs at Wyapoco from the twentieth of December vnto the twentieth of May following trading with the Indians and sought most after the Manitâ— stone and Carow which we call Flaxe They furnished there two Factors very well with Commodities which they left at Wyapoco They dealt very kindely with vs for he shipped all our whole company which were nine of vs. Taking our leaues of the Indians who were as vnwilling to part from our companies as we were willing to goe into our owne Countrie saying vnto vs that if any of vs euer came to them againe to trade with them No other Nation should trade there but we And after they knew of our departure whilest we remained amongst them they brought their children vnto vs for to name after our great mens names of England which we did They had often speech of Sir Walter Rawleigh and one came farre out of the Maine from Orenogâ—e to enquire of vs of him saying he promised to haue returned to them before that time After we had prouided our necessaries and such commodities as we had and had giuen the Indians great charge of the Hollanders Factors we shipped our selues and departed from Wiapoco on the last of May 1606. And from thence we went into the Riuer of Caliane where our Master Iohn Sims traded some thirtie dayes with the Caribes and other of the Indians This Sims was Masters mate of the Holland Shippe which Captaine Lee found in the Riuer of Wiapoco at his first arriuall there also he was Master of the Ship which the Indians aduertised vs was in the Riuer of Amazons and according to their saying God be thanked he came to vs to our Comforts After his departure out of the Riuer of Caliane he sailed vnto Trinidado
plunges by reason of a high going Sea which breaketh vpon the flats and shoalds especially at the next great Cape to the North of Arraway which in respect of the danger they passed there they named Point Perillous Then their Discouery vp the Riuer was fiftie leagues more where they found a Nation of Indians which neuer had seene white men or Christians before and could not be drawne to any familiar commerce or conuersation no not so much as with our Indians because they were strangers to them and of another Nation The Discouery of this Riuer is of great importance and speciall note affoording an entrance more behouefull for the searching and Discouery of the Inland parts of Guiana then any other Riuer yet knowne vpon the Coast for trending Westward vp into the Land it discouereth all the Countreyes and Nations to the Southward of Arricary Cooshebery Morrownia and Norrack which I haue mentioned before Many weekes they spent in this Aduenture still taking vp their Lodgings in the Woods at night Prouision of meate they wanted not for fish were euer plenty and at hand and the Woods yeelded either Deere Tigres or Fowle their greatest want was of bread and drinke which onely defect did hinder at that time the accomplishment of that Discouery For when the Indians perceiued their bread to be neere spent and their drinke to be corrupted they could not be perswaded to proceed hauing no meanes to supply their wants amongst the Arrawaries the Indians of that Riuer who would not freely trade with them vpon this first acquaintance but alwayes stood vpon their guard on the other side of the Riuer where they inhabited yet desiring to obtaine some of our English commodities and make triall of our Indians friendship affoorded some small Trade for their present reliefe during their abode in that Riuer So that of force they were constrained to breake off their Discouerie and hasten homeward But here their dangers ended not for as they returned arriuing at certaine Ilands called Carripoory and passing betweene them and the mayne Land much against the wils of all the Indians who knowing the danger of the place and more respecting their safetie then their owne being themselues all expert Swimmers would haue disswaded them from that hazard but they being ignorant of the perill would needs passe on and at the last met with such a Boore as the Seamen terme it and violent encounter of two tydes comming in which like two furious inraged Rammes or Bulles rushed together and oft retired backe to returne againe with greater violence vntill the one by force had ouer-borne the other that if next vnder God the diligent care and paines of the Indians had not preserued them they had been there destroyed and swallowed vp by that mercilesse Boore or breach of waters which God be thanked they escaped and returned home in safetie When I had as before taken possession at Gomeribo in presence of the said parties I deliuered the possession of that Mountaine to my Indian Anthony Canabre To haue hold possesse and enioy the same to him and to his Heires for euer of our Souereigne Lord King Iames his Heires and Successors as his subiect Yeelding and paying yeerely the tenth part of all Tabacco Cotton-wooll Annoto and other commodities whatsoeuer which should hereafter be either planted or growing within the said Mountaine if it were demanded The Indian most gladly receiued the possession vpon these conditions and for himselfe and his posteritie did promise to bee true Subiects vnto the Kings Maiestie his Heires and Successours And to pay the duties imposed vpon them and so that businesse being finished I returned againe to Wiapoco Now most worthy Prince there came vnto my knowledge an inconuenience happened by the carelesse negligence of the Master of my ship who had the charge of prouiding and laying in the prouisions and victuals for the Voyage which was the cause that I gained no present profit by it but left off all my Discoueries in the first beginning I had a purpose at that time to performe a businesse which might haue proued profitable and honourable vnto vs if I had beene able to haue stayed the time but it was not my chance to bee so fortunate for the Master his Mates and the Steward of my Ship came vnto me and told mee plainly that if I made any longer abode in that Countrey I would neuer in those ships returne into England or if I did aduenture it my selfe and all my Company would starue at Sea for want of Beere Syder and Water for all my Caske was spoyled because it was not Iron-bound the woodden hoopes flew off by reason of the heate of the Climate and our Beere and Syder whereof wee had good store did leake about the ship that we could hardly saue sufficient to releeue vs if wee made a longer stay vpon the Coast which was the Masters fault hauing had a speciall charge to be carefull of that onely point By this default I was constrained to make a vertue of necessitie and prepare my selfe for England and leaue my former purposes to be accomplished hereafter which shall be done God aiding me in time conuenient Then disposing of my company I appointed my Brother Captaine Michael Harecourt to remayne in the Countrey as chiefe Commander in my absence and to continue the possession on the Kings behalfe I gaue him directions to trauell abroad as occasion serued to discouer the Countrey to spend sometime at Cooshebery and sometime also in other places but to make his chiefest residence at Wiapoco the onely Rendeuouz for shippes that trade vpon that Coast and there to plant good store of Maix for our releife of bread and drinke which is the chiefest thing to be respected in those parts for other victuals wee need not take much care being alwayes easily prouided He performed his charge with great reputation discouered many goodly Prouinces and spacious Countreyes and worthily continued the possession full three yeeres compleate I left with him for his assistance Captaine Haruey who hath nobly vowed his time and fortune to be employed in the prosecution of this honourable action For his Lieutenant I appointed Master Edward Gifford a valiant and worthy Gentleman and I left also with him of Gentlemen and others about twentie more with all such necessaries as I could spare and thought conuenient for them and so commending them to God the eighteenth day of August I departed from Wiapoco and the day following arriued at Caiane At my comming to Caiane my Pinnasse receiued a leake which would haue proued dangerous if we had beene farre at Sea whereby enforced to attend the stopping thereof and new trimming of the Pinnasse and vnwilling to be idle in the meane space doing nothing I left my ships there to repaire theire defects and in my ship-boate departed thence the twentie three of August taking with me Captaine Fisher who hath euer beene since
was entred by the Spaniard the day of the three Kings but my company vrged me so farre that except I should seeme in all things to ouer-beare them in not condiscending to that which in the opinion of all but my selfe seemed profitable and best I could not but yeeld vnto though it carried a false colour as the end prooued for it was our perdition This all my company knoweth to be true whereof some are yet liuing and can giue testimonie But the Mariner is ordinarily so carried away with the desire of Pillage as sometimes for very appearances of small moment he looseth his Voyage and many times himselfe And so the greedinesse of spoile onely hoped for in ships of Trade which goe too and fro in this Coast blinded them from forecasting the perill whereinto wee exposed our Voyage in discouering our selues before we past the Coast of Callao which is the Port of Lyma To bee short wee haled the Coast aboord and that Euening wee discouered the Port of Valparizo which serueth the Citie of Saint Iago standing some twentie leâ—â—ues into the Countrey when presently wee descried foure shippes at an Anchor whereupon wee manned and armed our Boate which rowed towards the shippes they seeing vs turning in and fearing that which was ranne ashoare with that little they could saue and left vs the rest whereof wee were Masters in a moment and had the rifling of all the Store-houses on the shoare This night I set a good guard in all the shippes longing to see the light of the next morning to put all things in order which appearing I beganne to suruay them and found nothing of moment saue fiue hundred Botozios of Wine two or three thousand of Hennes and some refreshing of Bread Bacon dryed Beefe Waxe Candles and other necessaries The rest of their lading was plankes Sparres and Timber for Lyma and the Valleyes which is a rich Trade for it hath no Timber but that which is brought to it from other places They had also many packs of Indian Mantles but of no value vnto vs with much Tallow and Manteca de Puerco and abundance of great new Chests in which we had thought to bee some great masse of wealth but opening them found nothing but Apples therein all which was good Merchandize in Lyma but to vs of smal account The Merchandize on shore in their store-houses was the like and therefore in the same predicament The Owners of the ships gaue vs to vnderstand that at a reasonable price they would redeeme their ships and loading which I harkened vnto and so admitted certaine persons which might treate of the matter and concluded with them for a small price rather then to burne them sauing for the greatest which I carried with me more to giue satisfaction to my people then for any other respect because they would not be perswaded but that there was much Gold hidden in her otherwise she would haue yeelded vs more then the other three Being in this Treaty one morning at the breake of day came another ship towring into the harbor and standing into the shoare but was becalmed Against her we manned a couple of Boats and tooke her before many houres In this ship we had some good quantitie of Gold which shee had gathered in Baldiuia and the Conception from whence shee came Of this ship was Pilot and part owner Alonso Perezbueno whom we kept for our Pilot on this Coast till moued with compassion for that he was a man charged with wife and children we set him ashoare betwixt Santa and Truxillo Out of this ship we had also store of good Bacon and some prouision of Bread Hens and other victuall We gaue them the ship and the greatest part of her loading freely Here wee supplied our want of Anchors though not according to that which was requisite in regard of the burden of our ship for in the South Sea the greatest Anchor for a ship of sixe or eight hundred tunnes is not a thousand waight partly because it is little subiect to stormes and partly because those they had till our comming were all brought out of the North Sea by Land for they make no Anchors in those Countreyes And the first Artillerie they had was also brought ouer Land which was small the carriage and passage from Nombre de Dios or Porto Bello to Panama being most difficult and steepe vp hill and downe hill they are all carried vpon Negroes backes But some yeeres before my imprisonment they fell to making of Artillery and since they forge Anchors also We furnished our ship also with a shift of sailes of Cotton-cloth whiâ—h are farre better in that Sea then any of our double sayles for that in all the Nauigation of that Sea they haue little raine and few stormes but where raine and stormes are ordinary they are not good for with the wet they grow so stiffe that they cannot be handled In treating of the ransomes and transporting and lading the prouisions wee made choice of wee spent some sixe or eight dayes at the end whereof with reputation amongst our enemies and a good portion towards our charges and our ship as well stored and victualled as the day we departed from England we set sayle The time we were in this Port I took small rest and so did the Master of our ship Hugh Cornish a most carefull orderly and sufficient man because wee knew our owne weaknesse for entring into the Harbour wee had but seuentie fiue men and boyes fiue ships to guard and euery one moored by himselfe which no doubt if our enemies had knowne they would haue wrought some stratagem vpon vs for the Gouernour of Chily was there on shoare in view of vs an ancient Flanders Souldier and of experience wisdome and valour called Don Alonso de Sotâ— Mayor of the habit of Saint Iago who was after Captaine Generall in Terra firme and wrought all the inuentions vpon the Riuer of Chagree and on the shoare when Sir Francis Drake purposed to goe to Panama in the Voyage wherein he died As also at my comming into Spaine hee was President in Panama and there and in Lyma vsed mee with great courtesie like a Noble Souldier and liberall Gentleman hee confessed to mee after that hee lay in ambush with three hundred horse and foot to see if at any time we had landed or neglected our watch with Balsas which is a certaine Raffe made of Masts or Trees fastened together to haue attempted something against vs. Buâ— the enemy I feared not so much as the Wine which notwithstanding all the diligence and preuention I could vse day and night ouerthrew many of my people A foule fault because too common amongst Sea-men and deserueth some rigorous punishment with seueritie to be executed A league or better before a man discouer this Bay to the South-wards lieth a great Rocke or small Iland neere the shoare vnder which for a need
stand off to Sea close by The Admirall of the Spaniards with the other two were a sterne of vs some foure leagues the Vice-admirall a mile right to lee-wards of vs the Reare-admirall in a manner right a head some culuering shot and one vpon our loofe within shot also the Moone was to rise within two houres After much debating it was concluded that we should beare vp before the winde and seeke to escape betwixt the Admirall and the Vice-admirall which we put in execution not knowing of any other disgrace befallen them but that of the Reare-admirall till after our surrender when they recounted vnto vs all that had past In the morning at breake of day we were cleare of all our Enemies and so shaped our course alongst the Coast for the Bay of Atacames where we purposed to trim our Pinnace and to renew our wood and water and so to depart vpon our Voyage with all possible speede The Spanish Armado returned presently to Callao which is the Port of Lyma or of the Citie of the Kings It was first named Lyma and retaineth also that name of the Riuer which passeth by the Citie called Lyma the Spanish Armado being entred the Port the people began to goe ashore where they were so mocked and scorned by the women as scarce any one by day would shew his face they reuiled them with the name of cowards and golnias and craued licence of the Vice-roy to be admitted into their roomes and to vndertake the surrendry of the English Shippe I haue beene certified for truth that some of them affronted their Souldiers with Daggers and Pistols by their sides This wrought such effects in the hearts of the disgraced as they vowed either to recouer their reputation lost or to follow vs into England and so with expedition the Vice-roy commanded two Shippes and a Pinnace to be put in order and in them placed the chiefe Souldiers and Marriners of the rest and furnished them with victuals and munition The foresaid Generall is once againe dispatched to seeke vs who ranged the Coasts and Ports enforming himselfe what he could Some fiftie leagues to the North-wards of Lyma in sight of Mongon we tooke a Ship halfe loaden with Wheate Sugar Miell de Canas and Cordouan skins which for that she was leake and sailed badly and tackled in such manner as the Marriners would not willingly put themselues into her we tooke what was necessary for our prouision and fired her Thwart of Truxillo wee set the company of her ashoare with the Pilot which we had taken in Balparizo reseruing the Pilot of the burnt Shippe and a Greeke who chose rather to continue with vs then to hazard their liues in going ashore for that they had departed out of the Port of Santa which is in eight degrees being required by the Iustice not to weigh anchor before the Coast was knowne to be cleare It is a thing worthy to be noted and almost incredible with how few men they vse to saile a Shippe in the South Sea for in this prise which was aboue an hundred tunnes were but eight persons and in a Ship of three hundreth tuns they vse not to put aboue foureteene or fifteene persons yea I haue beene credibly enformed that with foureteene persons a Ship of fiue hundred tuns hath beene carried from Guayaquil to Lyma deepe loaden which is aboue two hundred leagues They are forced euer to gaine their Voyage by turning to wind-wards which is the greatest toyle and labour that the Marriners haue and slow sometimes in this Voyage foure or fiue moneths which is generall in all the Nauigations of this coast but the security from stormes and certainty of the Brese with the desire to make their gaine the greater is the cause that euery man forceth himselfe to the vttermost to doe the labour of two men In the height of the Port of Santa some seuen hundred and fiftie leagues to the West-wards lye the Ilands of Salomon of late yeares discouered At my being in Lyma a Fleete of foure saile was sent from thence to people them which through the emulation and discord that arose amongst them being landed and setled in the Countrey was vtterly ouerthrowne onely one Shippe with some few of the people after much misery got to the Philippines This I came to the knowledge of by a large relation written from a person of credit and sent from the Philippines to Panama I saw it at my being there in my voyage towards Spaine Hauing edged neere the coast to put the Spaniards on shore a thicke fogge tooke vs so that we could not see the land but recouering our Pinnace and Boate we sailed on our course till wee came thwart of the Port called Malabrigo It lieth in seuen degrees In all this Coast the currant runneth with great force but neuer keepeth any certaine course sauing that it runneth alongst the coast sometimes to the South-wards sometimes to the North-wards which now runneth to the North-wards forced vs so farre into the Bay which a point of the land causeth that they call Punta de Augussa as thinking to cleare our selues by rouing North-west we could not double this point making our way North North-west Therefore speciall care is euer to be had of the current and doubtlesse if the prouidence of Almighty God had not Freede vs we had runne ashore vpon the Land without seeing or suspecting any such danger his name be euer exalted and magnified for deliuering vs from the vnknowne danger by calming the winde all night the Suns rising manifested vnto vs our errour and perill by discouering vnto vs the land within two leagues right a head The current had carried vs without any winde at the least foure leagues which seene and the winde beginning to blow we brought our tackes aboord and in short time cleared our selues Thwart of this point of Angussa lye two desert Ilands they call them Illas de Lobos for the multitude of Seales which accustome to haunt the shore In the bigger is very good harbour and secure they lye in six degrees and thirty minutes The next day after we lost sight of those Ilands being thwart of Payta which lyeth in fiue degrees and hauing manned our Pinnace and Boate to search the Port we had sight of a tall Ship which hauing knowledge of our being on the coast and thinking her selfe to be more safe at Sea then in the harbour put her selfe then vnder saile to her we gaue chase all that night and the next day but in fine being better of saile then we she freed her selfe Thus being to lee-ward of the Harbour and discouered we continued our course alongst the shore That euening wee were thwart of the Riuer of Guyayaquill which hath in the mouth of it two Ilands the Souther-most and biggest called Puma in three degrees and the other to the North-wards Santa clara Puma is inhabited and is the place where they
â—ore seuerely prosecuted in England in time of peace then in any the Kingdomes of Christendome But the English haue all license either immediately from their Prince or from other thereunto authorized and so cannot in any sense be comprehended vnder the name of Pirats for any hostilitie vndertaken against Spaine or the dependancies thereof And so the state standing as now it doth if in Spaine a particular man should arme a ship and goe in warfare with it against the English and happened to be taken by them I make no question but the company should be intreated according to that manner which they haue euer vsed since the beginning of the warre without making further inquisition Then if he were rich or poore to see if hee were able to giue a ransome in this also they are not very curious But if this Spanish ship should fall a thwart his Kings Armado or Gallies I make no doubt but they would hang the Captaine and his company for Pirats My reason is for that by a speciall Law it is enacted that no man in the Kingdomes of Spaine may arme any ship â—and goe in warfare without the Kings speciall licence and commission vpon paine to be reputed a Pirate and to be chastized with the punishment due to Corsarios In England the case is different for the warre once proclamed euery man may arme that will and hath wherewith which maketh for our greater exemption from being comprehended within the number of Pirats With these and or like Arguments to this purpose to auoid tediousnesse I omit I conuinced all those whom I heard to haâ—pe vpon this string which was of no small importance for our good entreatie and motiues for many to further and fauour the accomplishment of the promise lately made vnto vs. One day after dinner as was the ordinary custome the Generall his Captaines and the better sort of his followers being assembled in the Cabbin of the Poope in conference an eager contention arose amongst them touching the capitulation of Buena Querra and the purport thereof Some said that onely life and good entreatie of the prisoners was to be comprehended therein others enlarged and restrained it according to their humours and experience In fine my opinion was required and what I had seene and knowne touching that point wherein I pawsed a little and suspecting the Worst feared that it might be a baite laid to catch me withall and so excused my selfe saying that where so many experimented Souldiers were ioyned together my young iudgement was little to be respected whereunto the Generall replied That knowledge was not alwaies incident to yeeres though reason requireth that the aged should be the wisest but an Art acquired by action and management of affaires And therefore they would bee but certified what I had seene and what my iudgement was in this point vnto which seeing I could not well excuse my selfe I condescended and calling my wits together holding it better to shoot out my bolt by yeelding vnto reason although I might erre then to stand obstinate my will being at warre with my consent and fearing my deniall might bee taken for discourtesie which peraduenture might also purchase mee mislike with those who seemed to wish mee comfort and restitution I submitted to better iudgement the reformation of the present assembly saying Sir vnder the capitulation of Buena Querra or faire warres I haue euer vnderstood and so it hath beene obserued in these as also in former times that preseruation of life and good entreatie of the prisoner haue beene comprehended and further by no meanes to bee vrged to any thing contrary to his conscience as touching his Religion nor to be seduced or menaced from the allegeance due to his Prince and Countrey but rather to ransome him for his moneths pay And this is that which I haue knowne practised in our times in generall amongst all Ciuill and Noble Nations But the English haue enlarged it one point more towards the Spaniards rendred a Buena Querra in these warres haue euer deliuered them which haue beene taken vpon such compositions without ransome but the couetousnesse of our age hath brought in many abuses and excluded the principall Officers from partaking of the benefit of this priuiledge in leauing them to the discretion of the Victor being many times poorer then the common Souldiers their qualities considered whereby they are commonly put to more then the ordinary ransome and not being able of themselues to accomplish it are forgotten of their Princes and sometimes suffer long imprisonment which they should not With this Don Beltran said This ambiguitie you haue well resolued And like a worthy Gentleman with great courtesie and liberalitie added Let not the last point trouble you but be of good comfort for I heere giue you my word anew that your ransome if any shall be thought due shall be but a couple of Grey-hounds for me and other two for my Brother the Conde de Lemes And this I sweare to you by the habit of Alcantera Prouided alwayes that the King my Master leaue you to my dispose as of right you belong vnto me For amongst the Spaniards in their Armadoes if there bee an absolute Generall the tenth of all is due to him and he is to take choise of the best where in other Countries it is by lot that the Generals tenth is giuen And if they be but two ships hee doth the like and being but one she is of right the Generals This I hardly belieued vntill I saw a Letter in which the King willed his Vice-roy to giue Don Beltran thankes for our ship and Artillery which hee had giuen to his Maiestie I yeelded to the Generall most heartie thankes for his great fauour where with he bound me euer to seeke how to serue him and deserue it In this discourse Generall Michaell Angell demanded for what purpose serued the little short Arrowes which we had in our ship and those in so great quantitie I satisfied them that they were for our Muskets They are not as yet in vse amongst the Spaniards yet of singular effect and execution as our enemies confessed for the vpper worke of their ships being Muskets proofe in all places they passed through both sides with facilicie and wrought extraordinary disasters which caused admiration to see themselues wounded with small shot where they thought themselues secure and by no meanes could find where they entred nor come to the sight of any of the shot Hereof they proued to profit themselues after but for that they wanted the Tampkings which are first to bee driuen home before the Arrow bee put in and as then vnderstood not the secret they reiected them as vncertaine and therefore not to bee vsed but of all the shot vsed now a dayes for the annoying of an Enemie in fight by Sea few are of greater moment for many respects which I hold not conuenient to treate of in publike A
for discouering and peopling of vnknowne parts not actually possessed by any Christian Prince dated March 25. A. Reg. 26. The 27. of Aprill 1584. he set forth two Barkes vnder the command of Master Phillip Amadas and Master Arthur Barlow which arriued on that part of America which that Virgin Queene stiled Virginia and thereof in her Maiesties name tooke possession Iuly 13. and hauing taken view and liking of the Countrey and had conference and trade with the Sauages obseruing aboue foureteene seuerall sweete smelling timber trees and many other commodities they returned with two of the Sauages Wanchese and Manteo and arriued in England in September Aprill 9. 1585. Sir Richard Greeneuile was sent by Sir Walter Raleigh with a fleete of seuen saile which landed in the I le of Saint Iohn Port Ricco May 12. and there fortified themselues and built a Pinnace The Spaniard promised to furnish them with victuals but did not whereupon they tooke two Frigates In Hispaniola they had friendly greetings and trade Iune 26. they anchored at Wocokon where by the vnskilfulnesse of Fernando the Master their Admirall strooke on ground and sunke In the 25. of Iuly the Generall returned for England and tooke a Spanish Ship of three hundred tunne richly Iaden by the way boording her with a Boate made of the boords of Chests which as soone as hee had boorded her fell in sunder and sunke at the Ships side In the Countrie was a Colonie left vnder the gouernment of Master Ralph Lane viz Master Phillip Amadas Master Hariot Master Acton Master Edward Stafford Master Prideox Captaine Vaughan and aboue a hundred others Master Lane writ from his new Fort in Virginia that if Uirginia had Kine and Horses in reasonable proportion no Countrie in Christendome were comparable to it They discouered from Roanoak to the Chesepians aboue one hundred and thirty miles to Chawanock North-West as farre The Sauages conspired against the English the principall was Pemisapan who lost his head in the quarrell in the beginning of Iune 1586. and Sir Francis Drake comming thither from the sacke of diuers Spanish Townes to visite the Colony on the nineteenth tooke the Colony with him in his victorious Fleete and brought them into Englaâ—d The same yeere had Sir Walter Raleigh prepared a ship of a hundred tun fraught with prouision for the Colonie which setting forth late arriued at Hartoraske immediatly after the departure of the Colonie which hauing sought in vaine she returned with her prouisions for England About a fortnight after her departure Sir Richard Greeneuile Generall of Virginia accompanied with three Ships arriued there and neither hearing of the Ship nor of the Colonie which he had left there the yeare before after long and vaine search he left fifteene men to hold possession of the Countrie in the I le of Roanoak furnished for two yeares and returned by the way making spoyle on the Townes of the Azores and there taking diuers Spaniards Master Thomas Hariot writ a large History of the Men Beasts Fishes Fowles Plants and Commodities of Virginia subscribed also by Master Ralph Lane extant in Master Hackluit his third Tome In the yeare 1587. Sir Walter Raleigh continuing his purpose of Plantation sent another Colonie of one hundred and fiftie persons vnder the gouernment of Master Iohn White to him he appointed twelue Assistants vnto whom he gaue a Charter and incorporated them by the name of Gouernour and Assistants of the Citie of Raleigh in Virginia These arriued on Iuly 22. at Hatoraske where they went on shore to seeke the fifteene men left there the yeare before with intent after to plant at the Bay of Chesepiok according to Sir Walter Raleigh his directions there to make their feate and Fort. By Manteo they learned how the Sauages had secretly assalted the fifteene English and slaine some the other being forced to flee it was not knowne whither Manteo was Christened and by Sir Walter Raleighs direction made Lord of Roanoak Mistris Dare the Gouernours daughter was deliuered of a daughter which was baptised by the name of Uirginia The Company were very important with the Gouernour to returne for England to supply their defects to which with much vnwillingnesse he yeelded Aug. 27. and Octob. 16. arriued in Ireland and after in England Anno 1590. the said Master Iohn White put to Sea with Ships and two Pinnaces with purpose for Virginia where they anchored at Hatorask in 36. 20. Aug. 15. They found some of the goods such as the Sauages could not make vse of and tokens as if they were at Croatoan but the winds violence permitted no further search and they returned to the Azores and after to England arriuing at Plimmouth Octob. 24. Master BARTHOLOMEVV GOSNOLDS Letter to his Father touching his first Voyage to Virginia 1602. MY duetie remembred c. Sir I was in good hope that my occasions would haue allowed mee so much libertie as to haue come vnto you before this time otherwise I would haue written more at large concerning the Countrie from whence we lately came then I did but not well remembring what I haue already written though I am assured that there is nothing set downe disagreeing with the truth I thought it fittest not to goe about to adde any thing in writing but rather to leaue the report of the rest till I come my selfe which now I hope shall be shortly and so soone as with conueniency I may In the meane time notwithstanding whereas you seeme not to be satisfied by that which I haue already written concerning some especiall matters I haue here briefely and as well as I can added these few lines for your further satisfaction and first as touching that place where we were most resident it is in the Latitude of 41. degrees and one third part which albeit it be so much to the Southward yet is it more cold then those parts of Europe which are scituated vnder the same paralell but one thing is worth the noting that notwithstanding the place is not so much subiect to cold as England is yet did we finde the Spring to be later there then it is with vs here by almost a moneth this whether it hapned accidentally this last Spring to be so or whether it be so of course I am not very certaine the latter seemes most likely whereof also there may be giuen some sufficient reason which now I omit as for the Acornes we saw gathered on heapes they were of the last yeare but doubtlesse their Summer continues longer then ours We cannot gather by any thing we could obserue in the people or by any triall we had thereof our selues but that it is as healthfull a Climate as any can be The Inhabitants there as I wrote before being of tall stature comely proportion strong actiue and some of good yeares and as it should seeme very healthfull are sufficient proofe of the
considering that all the Ilands as also the Maine where wee were is all Rockie Grounds and broken Lands Now the next day wee determined to fortifie our selues in a little plot of ground in the middest of the Lake aboue mentioned where wee built an house and couered it with sedge which grew about this Lake in great abundance in building whereof wee spent three weekes and more but the second day after our comming from the Maine wee espied eleuen Canoas or Boats with fifty Indians in them comming toward vs from this part of the Maine where wee two dayes before landed and being loath they should discouer our fortification wee went out into the Sea side to meete them and comming somewhat neere them they all sate downe vpon the stones calling aloud to vs as wee rightly ghessed to doe the like a little distance from them hauing sate a while in this order Captaine Gosnold willed mee to goe vnto them to see what countenance they would make but as soone as I came vp vnto them one of them to whom I had giuen a Knife two dayes before in the Maine knew mee whom I also very well remembred and smiling vpon me spake somewhat vnto their Lord or Captaine which sate in the midst of them who presently rose vp and tooke a large Beuer skinne from one that stood about him and gaue it vnto me which I requited for that time the best I could but I pointing towards captaine Gosnold made signes vnto him that hee was our Captaine and desirous to bee his friend and enter league with him which as I perceiued he vnderstood and made signes of ioy whereupon Captaine Gosnold with the rest of his companie being twenty in all came vp vnto them and after many signes of gratulations Captaine Gosnold presenting their Lord with certaine trifles which they wondred at and highly esteemed wee became very great friends and sent for meat aboord our Shalop and gaue them such meates as wee had then ready dressed whereof they misliked nothing but our Mustard whereat they made many a sowre face While wee were thus merrie one of them had conueighed a Target of ours into one of their Canoas which wee suffered onely to trie whether they were in subiection to this Lord to whom we made signes by shewing him another of the same likenesse and pointing to the Canoa what one of his companie had done who suddenly expressed some feare and speaking angerly to one about him as wee perceiued by his countenance caused it presently to be brought backe againe So the rest of the day wee spent in trading with them for Furres which are Beauers Luzernes Marterns Otters Wilde-cat skinnes very large and deepe Furre blacke Foxes Conie skinnes of the colour of our Hares but somewhat lesse Deere skinnes very large Seale skinnes and other beasts skinnes to vs vnknowne They haue also great store of Copper some very red and some of a paler colour none of them but haue Chaines Eare-rings or Collars of this metall they head some of their Arrowes herewith much like our broad Arrow heads very workmanly made Their Chaines are many hollow pieces semented together each piece of the bignesse of one of our reeds a finger in length ten or twelue of them together on a string which they weare about their neckes their Collars they weare about their bodies like Bandelieres a handfull broad all hollow pieces like the other but somewhat shorter foure hundred pieces in a Collar very fine and euenly set together Besides these they haue large drinking Cups made like Sculls and other thinne plates of Copper made much like our Boare-speare blades all which they so little esteeme as they offered their fairest Collars and Chaines for a Knife or such like triste but wee seemed little to regard it yet I was desirous to vnderstand where they had such store of this mettall and made signes to one of them with whom I was very familiar who taking a piece of copper in his hand made a hole with his finger in the ground and withall pointed to the Maine from whence they came They strike fire in this manner euery one carrieth about him in a Purse oftewd Leather a Minerall stone which I take to be their Copper and with a flat Emerie stone wherewith Glasiers cut glasse and Cutlers glase blades tied fast to the end of alittle sticke gently hee striketh vpon the Minerall stone and within a stroke or two a sparke falleth vpon a piece of Touch-wood much like our Spunge in England and with the least sparke he maketh a fire presently Wee had also of their Flaxe wherewith they make many strings and cords but it is not so bright of colour as ours in England I am perswaded they haue store growing vpon the Maine as also Mines and many other rich commodities which we wanting both time and meanes could not possibly discouer Thus they continued with vs three dayes euery night retiring themselues to the furthermost part of our Iland two or three miles from our Fort but the fourth day they returned to the Maine pointing fiue or sixe times to the Sunne and once to the Maine which we vnderstood that within fiue or sixe dayes they would come from the Maine to vs againe but being in their Canoas a little from the shoare they made huge cries and shouts of ioy vnto vs and wee with our Trumpet and Cornet and casting vp our caps into the aire made them the best farewell wee could yet sixe or seuen of them remayned with vs behinde bearing vs companie euery day in the Woods and helped vs to cut and carrie our Sassafras and some of them lay aboord our ship These people as they are exceeding curteous gentle of disposition and well conditioned excelling all others that we haue seene so for shape of body and louely fauour I thinke they excell all the people of America of stature much higher than wee of complexion or colour much like a darke Oliue their eye-browes and haire blacke which they weare long tyed vp behinde in knots whereon they pricke feathers of fowles in fashion of a Crownet some of them are blacke thinne bearded they make beards of the haire of beasts and one of them offered a beard of their making to one of our Saylers for his that grew on his face which because it was of a red colour they iudged to be none of his owne They are quicke eyed and stedfast in their lookes fearelesse of others harmes as intending none themselues some of the meaner sort giuen to filching which the very name of Sauages not weighing their ignorance in good or euill may easily excuse their garments are of Deere skinnes and some of them weare Furres round and close about their neckes They pronounce our Language with great facilitie for one of them one day sitting by mee vpon occasion I spake smiling to him these words How now sirrha are you
Oziers or twigs and the seames couered ouer with Rozen or Turpentine little inferiour in sweetnesse to Frankincense as we made triall by burning a little thereof on the coales at sundry times after our comming home it was also open like a Wherrie and sharpe at both ends sauing that the beake was a little bending roundly vpward And though it carried nine men standing vpright yet it weighed not at the most aboue sixtie pounds in weight a thing almost incredible in regard of the largenesse and capacitie thereof Their Oares were flat at the end like an Ouen peele made of Ash or Maple very light and strong about two yards long wherewith they row very swiftly Passing vp a Riuer we saw certaine Cottages together abandoned by the Sauages and not farre off we beheld their Gardens and one among the rest of an Acre of ground and in the same was sowne Tobacco Pompions Cowcumbers and such like and some of the people had Maiz or Indian Wheate among them In the fields we found wild Pease Strawberries very faire and bigge Goose-berries Raspices Hurts and other wild fruits Hauing spent three Weekes vpon the Coast before we came to this place where we meant to stay take in our lading according to our instructions giuen vs in charge before our setting forth we pared and digged vp the Earth with shouels and sowed Wheate Barley Oates Pease and sundry sorts of Garden Seeds which for the time of our abode there being about seuen Weeks although they were late sowne came vp very well giuing certaine testimonie of the goodnesse of the Climate and of the Soyle And it seemeth that Oade Hempe Flaxe Rape-seed and such like which require a rich and fat ground would prosper excellently in these parts For in diuers places here we found grasse aboue knee deepe As for Trees the Country yeeldeth Sassafras a plant of souereigne vertue for the French Poxe and as some of late haue learnedly written good against the Plague and many other Maladies Vines Cedars Okes Ashes Beeches Birch trees Cherie trees bearing fruit whereof wee did eate Hasels Wich-hasels the best wood of all other to make Sope-ashes withall Walnut-trees Maples holy to make Bird-lime with and a kinde of tree bearing a fruit like a small red Peare-plum with a crowne or knop on the top a plant whereof carefully wrapped vp in earth Master Robert Salterne brought to Bristoll We found also low trees bearing faire Cheries There were likewise a white kind of Plums which were not growne to their perfect ripenesse With diuers other sorts of trees to vs vnknowne The Beasts here are Stags fallow Deere in abundance Beares Wolues Foxes Lusernes and some say Tygres Porcupines and Dogges with sharpe and long noses with many other sorts of wild beasts whose Cases and Furres being hereafter purchased by exchange may yeeld no smal gaine to vs. Since as we are certainly informed the Frenchmen brought from Canada the value of thirtie thousand Crownes in the yeere 1604. almost in Beuers and Otters skinnes only The most vsuall Fowles are Eagles Vultures Hawkes Cranes Herons Crowes Gulls and great store of other Riuer and Sea-fowles And as the Land is full of Gods good blessings so is the Sea replenished with great abundance of excellent fish as Cods sufficient to lade many ships which we found vpon the Coast in the moneth of Iune Seales to make Oile withall Mullets Turbuts Mackerels Herrings Crabs Lobsters Creuises and Muscles with ragged Pearles in them By the end of Iuly we had laded our small Barke called the Discouerer with as much Sassafras as we thought sufficient and sent her home into England before to giue some speedie contentment to the Aduenturers who arriued safely in Kingrode aboue a fortnight before vs. After their departure we so bestirred our selues that our shippe also had gotten in her lading during which time there fell out this accident On a day about noone tide while our men which vsed to cut downe Sassafras in the Woods were asleepe as they vsed to doe for two houres in the heat of the day there came downe about seuen score Sauages armed with their Bowes and Arrowes and enuironed our House or Barricado wherein were foure of our men alone with their Muskets to keepe Centinell whom they sought to haue come downe vnto them which they vtterly refused and stood vpon their guard Our Master likewise being very carefull and circumspect hauing not past two with him in the shippe put the same in the best defence he could lest they should haue inuaded the same and caused a piece of great Ordnance to bee shot off to giue terrour to the Indians and warning to our men which were fast asleepe in the Woods at the noyse of which Peece they were a little awaked and beganne a little to call for Foole and Gallant their great and fearefull Mastiues and full quietly laid themselues downe againe but beeing quickned vp eftsoones againe with a second shot they rowsed vp themselues betooke them to their weapons and with their Mastiues great Foole with an halfe Pike in his mouth drew downe to their ship whom when the Indians beheld afarre off with the Mastiue which they most feared in dissembling manner they turned all to a iest and sport and departed away in friendly manner yet not long after euen the day before our departure they set fire on the Woods where wee wrought which wee did behold to burne for a mile space and the very same day that wee weighed Anchor they came downe to the shoare in greater number to wit very neere two hundred by our estimation and some of them came in their Boates to our ship and would haue had vs come in againe but we sent them backe and would none of their entertainment About the eighth or ninth of August wee left this excellent Hauen at the entrance whereof we found twentie fathomes water and rode at our ease in seuen fathomes being Land-locked the Hauen winding in compasse like the shell of a Snaile and it is in latitude of one and forty degrees and fiue and twentie minutes This by the way is not to be forgotten that our Captaine fell so much to the Northward because he would find high grounds where commonly the best Hauens are which also fell out to his expectation We also obserued that we could find no Sassafras but in sandie ground In our returne we brought our selues into the latitude of eight and thirtie degrees about the Açores for certaine causes and within fiue weekes space came from our Port of Uirginia into the Soundings of England but there being long encountred with Easterly winds we came at length into Kingrode the second of October 1603. The Discouerer was out fiue moneths and an halfe The Speedwell was out sixe moneths vpon the Voyage A Relation of the Voyage made to Virginia in the Elizabeth of London a Barke of fiftie tunnes by Captaine BARTHOLOMEW GILBERT in the yeere 1603. Written by
most of other Countries hauing beene experienced by implyments in discoueries and trauailes from his childehood and by opinion of others of good iudgement in our Ship Here are more good Harbours for Ships of all burthens then all England can afoord And farre more secure from all windes and weathers then any in England Scotland Ireland France Spaine or any other part hitherto discouered whereof we haue receiued any relation for besides without the Riuer in the channell and Sounds about the Ilands adioyning to the Mouth thereof no better riding can be desired for an infinite number of ships the Riuer it selfe as it runneth vp into the Maine very nigh fortie miles towards the great Mountaines beareth in breadth a mile sometimes three quarters and halfe a mile is the narrowest where you shall neuer haue vnder foure or fiue fathom water hard by the Shoare but six seuen eight nine and ten fathom at a low water And on both sides euery halfe mile verie gallant Coues some able to containe almost a hundred Sayle where the ground is excellent soft oaze with a tough clay vnder for Anker hold and where Ships may lye without either Anker or Cable onely mored to the Shoare with a Hazur It floweth by their iudgement sixteene or eighteene foote at a high water Here are made by nature most excellent places as Dockes to graue and Carine Ships of all burthens secured from all windes which is such a necessary incomparable benefit that in few places in England or in any other parts of Christendome Art with great charges can make the like It yeeldeth plentie of Salmons and other fishes of great bignesse and assuredly great probabilitie of better things therein to be found seeing about the Ilands wee had such certaine hope of Pearle and Oare Besides all these commodities innatiue to this Riuer the bordering Land is a most rich neighbour trending all along on both sides in an equall Plaine neither Mountainous nor Rockie but verged with a greene bordure of grasse doth make tender vnto the beholder of her pleasant fertility if by clensing away the woods shee were conuerted into Medow The Wood it beareth is no shrubbish fit onely for fewell but good tall Firre Spruce Birds Beech and Oake which in many places is not so thicke but may with small labour be made feeding ground being plentifull like the outward Ilands with fresh water which streameth downe in many places As we passed with a gentle winde vp with our Ship in this Riuer Any man may conceiue with what admiration wee all consented in ioy many who had beene trauellers in sundry Countries and in the most famous Riuers yet affirmed them not comparable to this they now beheld Some that were with Sir Walter Raleigh in his Voyage to Guiana in the Discouery of the Riuer Orienoque which eccoed fame to the worlds eares gaue reasons why it was not to be compared with this which wanteth the dangers of many Shoalds and broken grounds wherewith that was encombred Others preferred it farre before that notable Riuer in the West Indias called Rio Grande some before the Riuers of Burduna Orleance and Brest in France Naunce and the Riuer of Rhoane which although they be great and goodly Riuers yet it is no detraction from them to be accounted inferiour to this which not onely yeeldeth all the aforesaid pleasant profits but also appeared infallibly to vs free from all imagined inconueniences I will not preferre it before our Riuer of Thames because it is Natale solum Englands richest treasure but wee all did wish those excellent Harbours good Deepes in a continuall conuenient breadth and small tide gates to be as well therein for our Countrie good as wee found them here beyond our hopes in certaine for those to whom it shall please God to grant this Land for habitation which if it had with the other inseperable adherent Commodities here to be found then I would boldly affirme it to be the most rich beautifull large and secure harbouring Riuer that the world affordeth for if man should wish or Art inuent a Riuer subiect to all conueniencies and free from all dangers here they may take a view in a Plat-forme framed by Nature who in her perfection farre exceedeth all Arts inuention Wednesday the twelfth of Iune our Captaine manned his Shallop with seuenteene men and ran vp to the Codde of the Riuer where we landed leauing six to keepe the Shallop till our returne Ten of vs with our Shot and some armed with a Boy to carry Powder and Match marched vp into the Countrie towards the Mountaines which we descried at our first falling with the Land and were continually in our view Vnto some of them the Riuer brought vs so neere as we iudged our selues when we landed to haue beene within a league of them but we found them not hauing marched well nigh foure miles vp in the Maine and passed three great hils wherefore because the weather was parching hot and our men in their Armour not able to trauell farre and returne to our Pinnasse that night we resolued not to passe any further being all very weary of so tedious and laboursome a trauell In this march we passed ouer very good ground pleasant and fertile fit for pasture hauing but little wood and that Oake like stands left in our Pastures in England good and great fit timber for any vse some small Birch Hazell and Brake which might in small time be clensed with few men and made good errable Land but as it is now will feede Cattell of all kindes with Fodder enough for Summer and Winter The soyle is good bearing sundry Hearbes Grasse and Stawberries in many places are low thickets like our Copisses of small Wood And it doth all resemble a stately Parke wherein appeare some old trees with high withered tops and other flourishing with liuing greene boughes till we came to the Hils vpon which doe grow exceeding tall streight and excellent great timber of sundry kindes mast for Ships of foure hundred tunnes and at the bottome of euery hill a little run of fresh water but the furthest and last we came vnto ran with a great streame able a driue a small Mill. Wee might see in some places where Deere and Hares had beene and by the rooting of ground we supposed wilde Hogs had ranged there but we could descry no Beast because our noise still chased them from vs. We were no sooner come aboord our Pinnasse returning towards our Ship but wee espied a Canoa comming from the further part of the Cod of the Riuer Eastward which hasted to vs wherein with two others was he whom we accounted chiefe of his Company and his comming was very earnestly importuning to haue one of our men to goe lye with their Bashabe or Captaine as they now tearmed him who was there ashoare as they signed and then the next morning he would come to
our Ship with Furres and Tobacco This we perceiued to be onely a meere deuice to get possession of any of our men to ransome all those we had taken which their naturall pollicy could not so shaddow but we did easily discouer and preuent These meanes were by this Sauage practised because we had one of his kinsmen prisoner as we iudged by his most kinde vsage of him being aboord vs together Thursday the thirteenth of Iune by two a clocke in the morning because our Captain would take the helpe and aduantage of the Tide in the Pinnace with our Company well prouided and furnished with Armour and Shot both to defend and offend we went from our Ship vp to that part of the Riuer which trended West into the Maine to search that and wee carried with vs a Crosse to erect at that point which because it was not day-light we left on shoare vntill our returne backe when we set it vp in manner as the former And this we deligently obserued that in no place either about the Ilands or vp in the Maine or along the Riuer wee could discerne any token or signe that euer any Christian had beene before which either by cutting wood digging for water or setting vp Crosses a thing neuer omitted by any Christian trauailours wee should haue perceiued some mention left But to returne to our Riuer vp into which we then rowed by estimation twenty miles What profit or pleasure is described and truely verified in the former part of the Riuer is wholly doubled in this for the breadth and depth is such that any Ship drawing seuenteene or eighteene foote water might haue passed as farre as we went with our Shallop and by all our iudgements much further because we left it in so good depth which is so much the more to be esteemed of greater worth by how much it trendeth further vp into the Maine for from the place of our Ships riding in the Harbour at the entrance into the Sound to the furthest point wee were in this Riuer by our estimation was not much lesse then threescore miles From each Banke of this Riuer are diuers branching streames running into the Maine whereby is afforded an vnspeakeable profit by the conueniency of easie transportation from place to place which in some Countries is both very chargeable and not so fit by Carriages on Wane or Horsebacke Here wee saw store of Fish some leaping aboue water which we iudged to be Salmon for they were great All along is an excellent mould of ground the wood in most places especially on the Easterne side very thin chiefely Oake and small Birch bordering low vpon the Riuer all fit for Meddow and pleasant Pasture ground And in that space wee went wee had on both sides the Riuer many plaine places of cleere Meddow some of three or foure acres some eight or nine so as we iudged in the whole to be betweene thirty and forty acres of good grasse and where the Armes runne into the Maine there likewise went a space on both sides of the cleare grasse how farre we knew not In many places we might see pathes Beasts had made to come downe to watering And we all concluded as I verily thinke we might rightly that we should neuer see the like Riuer in euery degree equall vntill it pleased God we beheld the same againe for the further we went the more pleasing it was to euery man alluring vs still with expectation of better so as our men although they had with great labour rowed long and eate nothing for we carried with vs no victuall but a little Cheese and Bread yet they were so refreshed with the pleasant beholding thereof and so loath to forsake it as some of them affirmed they would haue continued willingly with that onely fare and labour two dayes but the Tide not suffering vs to make any longer stay because we were to come backe with the ebbe and our Captaine better knowing what was fit then we and better what they in labour were able to endure being very loath to make any desperate hazard where so little necessitie required thought it best to make returne because whether we had discouered was sufficient to conceiue that the Riuer ranne very farre into the Land for we passed sixe or seuen miles altogether fresh water whereof we all dranke forced vp by the flowing of the Salt which after a great while ebbe where we left it by bredth and depth of Channell was likely to runne by estimation of our whole companie an vnknowne way further And as our Captaine verily thought although hee then concealed it might possibly make a passage into or very nigh the South Sea which hee neither had commission nor time now to search but hath left that till his next returne if it shall so please God to dispose of him and vs. Friday the fourteenth of Iune early by foure a clocke in the morning with the Tide our two Boats and a little helpe of the winde we warped our shippe downe to the Riuers mouth and there came to an anchor about about eleuen a clocke Afterward our Captaine in the Pinnace searched the sounding all about the mouth and comming into the Riuer for his certaine instruction of a perfect description The next day being Saturday we weighed anchor and with a briese from the Land we sayled vp to our watering place and there stopped went ashoare and filled all our empty caske with fresh water Our Captaine vpon the Rocke in the middest of the Harbour made his certaine obseruation by the Sunne of the height latitude and variation exactly vpon all his Instruments 1. Astrolabe 2. Semisphere 3. Ring-instrument 4. Crosse staffe 5. And an excellent Compas made for the variation The latitude he found to be 43. degrees 20. minutes North. The variation 11. degrees 15. minutes viz. one point of the Compas Westward And it is so much in England at Lime-house by London Eastward The temperature affoorded to vs no speciall alteration from our disposition in England somewhat hotter vp into the Maine because it lieth open to the South but scarse yeelding a sensible difference to any of vs. The aire so wholsome as I suppose not any of vs found our selues at any time more healthfull more able to labour nor with better stomachs to such good fare as we partly brought and partly found Sunday the sixteenth of Iune the winde being faire and because wee had set out of England vpon a Sunday descried the Ilands vpon a Sunday and as we doubted not by Gods appointment happily fallen into our Harbour vpon a Sunday so now beseeching him with like prosperitie to blesse our returne into England and from thence with his good-will and pleasure to hasten and fortunate our next arriuall here Wee set sayle and quit the Land vpon a Sunday Tuesday the eighteenth day of Iune being not runne aboue fiue and thirty leagues from Land and our Captaine for his
certaine knowledge how to fall with the Coast hauing sounded euery watch and from fifty fathom had come in good deeping to seuenty and so to an hundred This day the weather being faire after the foure a clocke watch when he thought not to haue found ground before sounding in aboue a hundred fathom we had ground in foure and twenty fathom Wherefore our Sayles being downe one of our men presently cast out a hooke and before hee iudged it at ground was fished and haled vp an exceeding great and well fed Cod then there were cast out three or foure hookes more the fish was so plentifull and so great as when our Captaine would haue set sayle we desired him to suffer them to take fish a while because wee were so delighted to see them catch fish so great so fast as the hooke came downe some playing with the hooke they tooke by the backe And one of the Mates with two hookes at a Lead at fiue draughts together haled vp ten fishes all were generally very great some were measured This caused our Captaine not to maruell at the shoalding for he perceiued it was a fish-banke which for our farewell from the Land it pleased God in the continuance of his blessings to giue vs knowledge of Sunday the fourteenth of Iuly about six a clocke at night we were come into sounding in our Channell but for want of sight of the Sunne and Starre to make a true obseruation and with contrary windes we were constrained to beate vp and downe till Tuesday the sixteenth of Iuly when by fiue a clocke in the morning wee made Sylly from whence hindred with calmes and small windes Vpon Thursday the eighteenth of Iuly about foure a clocke wee came to anchor safâ—ly in Dartmouth which Hauen haply with Gods assistance wee made the last and first Harbour in England as the Termini of our Voyage A briefe Note of what profits we found the Countrie yeeld in the small time of our stay there Trees Oake of an excellent graine staight and great timber Elme Beech Birch very tall and great of whose Barque they make their Canoas Nut-hasle Hasle Alder Cherry tree Ash Mâ—ple Ewe Spruce Asp Fir in great abundance many other fruit trees which we know not Fowles Eagles Hernshawes Cranes Duks great Geese Swans Penguins Shark Crow Rauen Kite Soga Mewes Doues Turtles birds of sundry colours and many other fowles vnknown Beasts Deere red and fallow Beare Wolfe Beauer Otter Hare Conie Marterns Sables Hogs Porkespines Polcats Cats wilde great Dogs some like Foxes some like our other beasts the Sauages signe vnto vs with hornes and broad eares which we take to be Olkes or Loshes Fishes Whales Porpoise Seales Cod very great Haddocke great Herring Plaise Thornbacke Rock-fish Lobster great Crabbe Mussels Cockles Wilks Cunner-fish Lumpe-fish Whiting the Sauages signe vnto vs that they haue Tortoise very great Plants Fruits Herbs Tobacco excellent sweet and strong Vine wilde Strawberries Raspberries Gooseberries Hurtleberries Corant trees in abundance Rose bushes Pease which the Sauages signe to be very great in the Maine Ground-nuts Angelica a most soueraigne herbe and an herbe that spreadeth like Camomell and smelleth like sweet Marjoram great plenty Good Dies which appeare by their painting which they carrie with them in bladders Words which I learned of the Sauages in their Language Sunne or Moone Kesus Cod-fish Biskeiore A fish with hornes Manedo Lobster Shoggah Rock-fish Shagatocke Cockle-fish Hesucke Muskell Shoorocke Cunner-fish Tattaucke Crabbe Wussorasha Porpoise Muscopeiuck Plaise Anego Tortoise Romcaneeke Pease Ushcomono Tobacco Tomoch A leafe Mebeere A weed Cashterush A Firre tree Seteock A stone Nabscurr A Bowe Shoanor An Arrow Tobood Barke of a tree Mashquere Water Shamogoon Sand Cheemuck Crowe Cagagoose Haire Messer or Meris A beard Nicowur A Beare Rogsoo Beauer Paneah Otter Nymemano Rat Sanuke Polcat Pocamka Cat Pushuck Fallow Deere Coribo Hogge Madoso Red Deere Moosurr They tell vs of other beasts which they call Tasquus Pisho Narsim Teeth Ibider A hand and finger Breecke A Naile of the hand Cushe A legge Codd A foot Musseete Plum-tree Epsegan Strawberry Pishoa Gooseberry Shewanor Cherry tree Espegononino Corant tree Asheemena Rashberrie Kiskeemy A lippe Metoan Fire Squida The maine Land Bemoquiducke Sea Shoubbe Father Wado Sonne Usto Wane of the Sea Toboogg Pitch and Tallow Poco Wilde Rose Minusheck Birch Pasquar Sword Edagawancke Mountaine Machoucke Winde Puckchawsen Bloud Pagâgocun Red Paint Woroman Blacke Paint Cogosho A Dogge Remâ—ose A Ship or Boat Quiden An Oare Wuttohogauor A Garnepo Fly Chussuah Bread Paune Raine Soogoran A nose Peech-ten An Axe or Hatchet Tomaheegon A Knife Quodogon Oake Askabesse White Bone whereof they haue Chaines Girdles Bracelets Speesone The Cheeke Canoah A Shirt or Coat Tenoganuke The Chinne Queh An Eye Sheesuck Eylid Momon Forehead Scottoquah An Eare Fawwucke A fish-hooke Makeecon A Rainbow Shomogon The Names of their chiefe Gouernours whom they call Sagomoh 1. Bashabez 2. Abatuckquishe 3. Bdahanedo one of them we haue 4. Abokeesussick 5. Shurokinit 6. Psaheno 7. Mentoelmet 8. Ageemohuck 9. Mawermet 10. Chanacoboin 11. Amilquin 12. Muasacoromoneete These dwell vpon the Maine and weare an ornament of white bone vpon their head and Chaines and Bracelets and Girdles and haue their skinne garments laced with them The Names of our Virginians Bdahanedo Brother to the Bashabes Amocret his Brother Satacomoah Maneduck Scikaworrowse Thus haue I giuen thee the proceedings of Virginia and New Englands Discouerie for the originall beginning of the Discouerie Sir Sebastian Cabot was the first Discouerer both of it and the rest of the Continent of America The first Plantation was more Southerly by the charges of Sir Walter Raleigh as before is shewed The next yeere New Patents were obtained of his Maiestie for a double Plantation in these parts I trouble not the Reader with the whole Patent both because it hath sustained diuersified alteration diuision and subdiuision and because I more minde things there done than here for which cause I haue also omitted the Articles and instruction two dayes after dated signed and sealed with the Priuie Seale for the gouernment of the said Plantation of both which I haue the Copies by mee I onely here giue thee the beginning of the first Patent Aprill 10. 1606. CHAP. XIIII The description of the Ilands of Açores or the Flemish Ilands taken out of Linschoten with certaine occurrents and English acts THe Iles of Açores or the Flemish Ilands are seuen that is Tercera Saint Mary Saint George Gratiosa Pico and Faiael There are yet two Ilands called Flores and Coruo which are not contained vnder the name of Açores but yet at this day are vnder the gouernment of the same Ilands so that they are in all accounted nine Ilands They are called Açores that is to say Sparhawkes or Hawkes because that in their first discouery they found many Sparhawks in them wherof they hold the name although at this day there is not any there
called Mathias de Alburkerke sailed had only gotten to India as afterward newes thereof was brought ouer Land hauing beene at the least eleuen monethes at Sea and neuer saw Land and came in great misery to Malacca In this ship there died by the way two hundred and eightie men according to a note by himselfe made and sent to the Cardinall at Lisbon with the names and surnames of euery man together with a description of his Voyage and the misery they had indured which was only done because he would not lose the gouernment of India and for that cause he had sworne either to lose his life or to arriue in India as indeed he did afterwards but to the great danger losse and hinderance of his company that were forced to buy it with their liues and onely for want of prouision as it may well bee thought for he knew full well that if he had returned backe againe into Portingall as the other ships did hee should haue beene casheered from his Indian Regiment because the people began alreadie to murmurre at him for his proude and loftie minde And among other things that shewed his pride the more behind aboue the Gallery of his ship he caused Fortune to be painted and his owne Picture with a staffe standing by her as it were threatning Fortune with this Poesie Quero que vencas that is I will haue thee to ouercome which beeing read by the Cardinall and other Gentlemen that to honour him aboord his ship it was thought to be a point of exceeding folly But it is no strange matter among the Portingalls for they aboue all others must of force Let the Foole peepe out of their sleeues specially when they are in authoritie for that I knew the said Mathias de Alberkerk in India being a Souldier and a Captaine where he was esteemed and accounted for one of the best of them and much honoured and beloued of all men as behauing himselfe courteously to euery man whereby they all desired that he might be Vice-roy But when he once had receiued his Patent with full power and authoritie from the King to be Vice-roy hee changed so much from his former behauiour that by reason of his pride they all began to feare and curse him and that before he departed out of Lisbon as it is often seene in many men that are aduanced vnto state and dignitie The twentieth of Ianuary Anno 1591. there was newes brought out of Portingall into Tercera that the Englishmen had taken a ship that the King had sent into the Portingall Indies with aduise to the Vice-roy for the returning againe of the foure ships that should haue gone to India and because the ships were come backe againe that ship was stuffed and laded as full of goods as possible it might be hauing likewise in ready money fiue hundred thousand Duckets in Rials of eight besides other wares It departed from Lisbone in the moneth of Nouember 1590. and met with the Englishmen with whom for a time it fought but in the end it was taken and carried into England with men and all yet when they came there the men were set at libertie and returned into Lishone where the Captaine was committed Prisoner but hee excused himselfe and was released with whom I spake my selfe and he made this report vnto me At the same time also they tooke a ship that came from the Myne laden with Gold and two ships laden with Pepper and Spices that were to saile into Italie the Pepper onely that was in them being worth 170000. Duckets all these ships were carried into England and made good prize In the moneth of Iuly An. 1591. there happened an Earth-quake in the Iland of S. Michaell which continued from the six and twentieth of Iuly to the twelfth of August in which time no man durst stay within his house but fled into the fields fasting and praying with great sorrow for that many of their houses fell downe and a Towne called Villa Franca was almost cleane razed to the ground all the Cloysters and houses shaken to the earth and therein some people slaine The Land in some places rose vp and the Cliffes remooued from on place to another and some Hils were defaced and made euen with the ground The Earthquake was so strong that the ships which lay in the Road and on the Sea shaked as if the World would haâ—e turned round there sprang also a Fountaine out of the earth from whence for the space of foure dayes there flowed a most cleare water and after that it ceased At the same time they heard such thunder and noise vnder the earth as if all the Diuels in hell had beene assembled together in that place wherewith many died for feare The Iland of Tercera shooke foure times together so that it seemed to turne about but there happened no misfortune vnto it Earthquakes are common in those Ilands for about twenty yeares past there happened another earthquake where in a high Hill that lyeth by the same towne of Villa Franca fell halfe downe and couered all the towne with earth and killed many men The fiue and twentieth of August the Kings Armada comming out of Farol arriued in Tercera being in all thirty Ships Biskates Portugals and Spaniards and ten Dutch flye-boates that were arested in Lisbone to serue the King besides other small Ships Pataxos that came to serue as messengers from place to place and to discouer the Seas This Nauie came to stay for and conuoy the Sâ—â—ps that should come from the Spanish Indies and the flye-boates were appointed in their returne home to take in the goods that were saued in the lost Ship that came from Malacca and to conuoy it to Lisbone The thirteenth of September the said Armado arriued at the Iland of Coruo where the Englishmen with about sixteene Ships as then lay staying for the Spanish Fleete whereof some or the most part were come and there the English were in good hope to haue taken them But when they perceiued the Kings Army to be strong the Admirall being the Lord Thomas Howard commanded his Fleete not to fall vpon them nor any of them once to seperate their Shippes from him vnlesse he gaue commission so to doe notwithstanding the Vice-Admirall Sir Richard Greenfield being in the Ship called the Reuenge went into the Spanish Fleete and shot among them doing them great hurt and thinking the rest of the company would haue followed which they did not but left him there and sailed away the cause why they could not know which the Spaniards perceiuing with seuen or eight Ships they boorded her but she withstood them all fighting with them at the least twelue houres together and sunke two of them one being a new double Flie-boate of twelue thousand tunnes and Admirall of the Flie-boates the other a Biscaine But in the end by reason of the number that came vpon her she was taken but to their great losse
hornes and are feathered very artificially Pasphia was as good as his word for hee sent Venison but the Sawse came within few dayes after At Port Cotage in our Voyage vp the Riuer we saw a Sauage Boy about the age of ten yeeres which had a head of haire of a perfect yellow and a reasonable white skinne which is a Miracle amongst all Sauages This Riuer which wee haue discouered is one of the famousest Riuers that euer was found by any Christian it ebbes and flowes a hundred and threescore miles where ships of great burthen may harbour in safetie Wheresoeuer we landed vpon this Riuer wee saw the goodliest Woods as Beech Oke Cedar Cypresse Wal-nuts Sassafras and Vines in great abundance which hang in great clusters on many Trees and other Trees vnknowne and all the grounds bespred with many sweet and delicate flowres of diuers colours and kindes There are also many fruites as Strawberries Mulberries Rasberries and Fruits vnknowne there are many branches of this Riuer which runne flowing through the Woods with great plentie of fish of all kindes as for Sturgeon all the World cannot be compared to it In this Countrey I haue seene many great and large Medowes hauing excellent good pasture for any Cattle There is also great store of Deere both Red and Fallow There are Beares Foxes Otters Beuers Muskats and wild beasts vnknowne The foure and twentieth day wee set vp a Crosse at the head of this Riuer naming it Kings Riuer where we proclaimed Iames King of England to haue the most right vnto it When wee had finished and set vp our Crosse we shipt our men and made for Iames Fort. By the way wee came to Pohatans Towre where the Captaine went on shore suffering none to goe with him hee presented the Commander of this place with a Hatchet which hee tooke ioyfully and was well pleased But yet the Sauages murmured at our planting in the Countrie whereupon this Werowance made answere againe very wisely of a Sauage Why should you bee offended with them as long as they hurt you not nor take any thing away by force they take but a little waste ground which doth you not any of vs any good I saw Bread made by their women which doe all their drugerie The men takes their pleasure in hunting and their warres which they are in continually one Kingdome against another The manner of baking of bread is thus after they pound their wheat into flowre with hote water they make it into paste and worke it into round balls and Cakes then they put it into a pot of seething water when it is sod throughly they lay it on a smooth stone there they harden it as well as in an Ouen There is notice to be taken to know married women from Maids the Maids you shall alwayes see the fore part of their head and sides shauen close the hinder part very long which they tie in a pleate hanging downe to their hips The married women weares their haire all of a length and is tied of that fashion that the Maids are The women kinde in this Countrey doth pounce and race their bodies legges thighes armes and faces with a sharpe Iron which makes a stampe in curious knots and drawes the proportion of Fowles Fish or Beasts then with paintings of sundry liuely colours they rub it into the stampe which will neuer be taken away because it is dried into the flesh where it is sered The Sauages beare their yeeres well for when wee were at Pamonkies wee saw a Sauage by their report was aboue eight score yeeres of age His eyes were sunke into his head hauing neuer a tooth in his mouth his haire all gray with a reasonable bigge beard which was as white as any snow It is a Miracle to see a Sauage haue any haire on their faces I neuer saw read nor heard any haue the like before This Sauage was as lustie and went as fast as any of vs which was strange to behold The fifteenth day of Iune we had built and finished our Fort which was triangle wise hauing three Bulwarkes at euery corner like a halfe Moone and foure or fiue pieces of Artillerie mounted in them we had made our selues sufficiently strong for these Sauages we had also sowne most of our Corne on two Mountaines it sprang a mans height from the ground this Countrey is a fruitfull soile bearing many goodly and fruitfull Trees as Mulberries Cherries Walnuts Ceders Cypresse Sassafras and Vines in great abundance Munday the two and twentieâ—h of Iune in the morning Captaine Newport in the Admirall departed from Iames Port for England Captaine Newport being gone for England leauing vs one hundred and foure persons verie bare and scantie of victualls furthermore in warres and in danger of the Sauages We hoped after a supply which Captaine Newport promised within twentie weekes But if the beginners of this action doe carefully further vs the Country being so fruitfull it would be as great a profit to the Realme of England as the Indies to the King of Spaine if this Riuer which wee haue found had beene discouered in the time of warre with Spaine it would haue beene a commoditie to our Realme and a great annoyance to our enemies The seuen and twentieth of Iuly the King of Rapahanna demanded a Canoa which was restored lifted vp his hand to the Sunne which they worship as their God besides he laid his hand on his heart that he would be our speciall friend It is a generall rule of these people when they swere by their God which is the Sunne no Christian will keepe their Oath better vpon this promise These people haue a great reuerence to the Sunne aboue all other things at the rising and setting of the same they sit downe lifting vp their hands and eyes to the Sunne making a round Circle on the ground with dried Tobacco then they began to pray making many Deuillish gestures with a Hellish noise foming at the mouth staring with their eyes wagging their heads and hands in such a fashion and deformitie as it was monstrous to behold The sixt of August there died Iohn Asbie of the bloudie Flixe The ninth day died George Flowre of the swelling The tenth day died William Bruster Gentleman of a wound giuen by the Sauages and was buried the eleuenth day The fourteenth day Ierome Alikock Ancient died of a wound the same day Francis Mid-winter Edward Moris Corporall died suddenly The fifteenth day their died Edward Browne and Stephen Galthrope The sixteenth day their died Thomas Gower Gentleman The seuenteenth day their died Thomas Mounslic The eighteenth day there died Robert Penniugton and Iohn Martine Gentleman The nineteenth day died Drue Piggase Gentleman The two and twentieth day of August there died Captaine Bartholomew Gosnold one of our Councell he was honourably buried hauing all the Ordnance in the Fort shot off with many vollies of small shot After
RICHARD WIFFIN THO. ABBAY THO. HOPE and since enlarged out of the Writings of Capt. IOHN SMITH principall Agent and Patient in these Virginian Occurrents from the beginning of the Plantation 1606. till Ann. 1610. somewhat abridged CAptaine Bartholomew Gosnold the first mouer of this Plantation hauing many yeeres solicited many of his friends but found small assistants at last preuailed with some Gentlemen as M. Edward-Maria Wingfield Captaine Iohn Smith and diuers others who depended a yeere vpon his proiects but nothing could be effected till by their great charge and industrie it came to bee apprehended by certaine of the Nobilitie Gentrie and Merchants so that his Maiestie by his Letters Patents gaue Commission for establishing Councels to direct here and to gouerne and to execute there to effect this was spent another yeere and by that time three Ships were prouided one of one hundred Tuns another of fortie and a Pinnace of twentie The transportation of the Company was committed to Captaine Christopher Newport a Mariner well practised for the Westerne parts of America But their orders for gouernment were put in a Box not to bee opened nor the Gouernours knowne vntill they arriued in Virginia On the ninteenth of December 1606. wee set saile but by vnprosperous winds were kept six weekes in the sight of England all which time M. Hunt our Preacher was so weake and sicke that few expected his recouerie Yet although hee were but ten or twelue miles from his habitation the time we were in the Downes and notwithstanding the stormy weather nor the scandalous imputation of some few little better then Atheists of the greatest ranke amongst vs suggested against him all this could neuer force from him so much as a seeming desire to leaue the businesse but preferred the Seruice of God in so good a Voyage before any affection to contest with his godlesse foes whose disasterous designes could they haue preuailed had euen then ouerthrowne the businesse so many discontents did then arise had he not with the water of patience and his godly exhortations but briefly by his true deuouted examples quenched those flames of enuy and dissention Wee watred at the Canaries we traded with the Sauages at Dominica three weekes we spent in refreshing our selues amongst these West India Iles in Gwardalupa wee found a Bath so hot as in it we boiled Porck as well as ouer the fire And at a little I le called Monica wee tooke from the Bushes with our hands neere two Hogsheads of Birds in three or foure houres In Mevis Mona and the Virgin Iles we spent some time wherewith a loathsome beast like a Crocadil called a Gwayn Tortoses Pellicans Parrots and Fishes wee daily feasted Gone from thence in search of Virginia the Company was not a little discomforted seeing the Mariners had three daies passed their reckoning and found no Land so that Captaine Ratcliffe Captaine of the Pinnace rather desired to beare vp the Helme to returne for England then make further search But God the guider of all good actions forcing them by an extreame storme to Hull all night did driue them by his prouidence to their desired Port beyond all their expectations for neuer any of them had seene that Coast. The first Land they made they called Cape Henry where anchoring M. Wingfield Gosnoll and Newport with thirtie others recreating themselues on shoare Were assaulted by fiue Sauages who hurt two of the English very dangerously That night was the Box opened and the orders read in which Bartholomew Gosnoll Edward Wingfield Christopher Newport Iohn Smith Iohn Ratliffe Iohn Martin and George Kendall were named to be the Councell and to chuse a President amongst them for a yeere who with the Councell should gouerne Matters of moment were to be examined by a Iury but determined by the Maior part of the Councell in which the President had two voices Vntill the thirteenth of May they sought a place to plant in then the Councell was sworne M. Wingfield was chosen President and an Oration made why Captaine Smith was not admitted to the Councell as the rest Now falleth euery man to worke the Councell contriue the Fort the rest cut downe Trees to make place to pitch their Tents some prouide Clap-board to relade the Ships some make Gardens some Nets c. The Sauages often visited vs kindly The Presidents ouerweening iealousie would admit no exercise at Armes or Fortification but the Boughs of Trees cast together in the forme of a halfe Moone by the extraordinary paine and diligence of Captaine Kendall Newport with Smith and twentie others were sent to discouer the head of the Riuer by diuers small habitations they passed in sixe dayes they arriued at a Towne called Powhatan consisting of some twelue houses pleasantly seated on a Hill before it three fertill Iles about it many of their Cornfields the place is very pleasant and strong by nature of this place the Prince is called Powhatan and his people Powhatans to this place the Riuer is Nauigable but higher within a mile by reason of the Rockes and Iles there is not passage for a small Boat this they call the Falls the people in all parts kindly intreated them till being returned within twentie miles of Iames Towne they gaue iust cause of iealousie but had God not blessed the discouerers otherwise then those at the Fort there had then beene an end of that Plantation for at the Fort where they arriued the next day they found seuenteene men hurt and a boy slaine by the Sauages and had it not chanced a crosse Bar shot from the Ships strooke downe a Bough from a Tree amongst them that caused them to retire our men had all beene slaine being securely all at worke and their Armes in Dry-fats Heereupon the President was contented the Fort should be pallisadoed the Ordnance mounted his men armed and exercised for many were the assaults and Ambuscadoes of the Sauages and our men by their disorderly stragling were often hurt when the Sauages by the nimblenesse of their heeles well escaped What toile we had with so small a power to guard our workemen adayes watch all night resist our enemies and effect our businesse to relade the Ships cut downe Trees and prepare the ground to plant our Corne c. I refer to the Readers consideration Six weekes being spent in this manner Captaine Newport who was hired onely for our transportation was to returne with the Ships Now Captaine Smith who all this time from their departure from the Canaries was restrained as a prisoner vpon the scandalous suggestions of some of the chiefe enuying his repute who fained he intended to vsurpe the gouernment murder the Councell and make himselfe King that his confederates were dispersed in all the three Ships and that diuers of his confederates that reuealed it would affirme it for this he was committed thirteene weekes hee remained thus suspected and by that time the Ships should returne they
entertained him with strange coniurations Earely in a morning a great fire was made in a long house a Mat spred on each side on one of which he was set the guard went out and in came a great grim fellow skipping all painted with cole mingled with Oyle many Snakes and Weesels skins stuffed with Mosse their tailes tied together and meeting on the crowne of his head round about the tassell was a coronet of Fethers the skins hung round about his head shoulders backe and face With a hellish voyce strange gestures and passions with a Rattle in his hand hee began his inuocation and enuironed the fire with a circle of Meale After this three such other diuels rushed in with like trickes painted halfe blacke halfe red all their eyes painted white with some red stroakes along their cheekes These hauing danced a prettie while three more came in as vgly as the rest with red eyes and white stroakes ouer their blacke faces At last they all sat downe right against him the chiefe Priest in the midst and three on each hand All then with their Rattles began a song which ended the chiefe Priest laid downe fiue Wheate cornes and straining his armes and hand with such violence that he swet and his veines swelled hee began a short Oration at the conclusion whereof they gaue a short groane and then laid downe three graiues more Now they began their Song againe and then another Oration euer laying downe so many cornes as before till they had twice encircled the fire That done they take a bunch of little stickes prepared for that purpose and at the end of euery Song and Oration laid downe a sticke betwixt the diuisions of the Corne. Till night neither he nor they did eate or drinke and then they feasted merrily with their best prouisions Three dayes they vsed this Ceremonie thereby to know as they said whether hee intended them well or no. The circle of meale signified their Countrey the two circles of Corne the Sea-bounds and the stickes his Countrey They imagined the World to be flat and round like a trencher and themselues in the midst After this they brought him a bigge of Powder which they carefully preserued till the next spring to plant as they did their Corne because they would be acquainted with the nature of that sâ—ede Opitchapam the Kings brother inuited him to his house where hee welcommed him with as many Platters of Bread Fowle and wilde Beasts as did encompasse him but not any would eate with him reseruing the remainders in Baskets At his returne to Opechankanoughs all the Kings women and their children flocked about him as for their customary due to be merry with such fragments At last they brought him to Werowocomoco to Pohatan where aboue two hundred of his Courtiers stood wondring on him till Pohatan and his traine had put themselues in their greatest brauery Before a fire hee sat on a seate like a bedsted couered with a great robe made of Rarowcun Skinnes all the tailes hanging by on each hand did sit a yong wench of sixteene or eighteene yeeres of age along on each side the house two rowes of men and behinde them as many women with all their heads and shoulders painted red many of their heads bedecked with the white downe of Birds euery one adorned with some thing a great chaine also of white Beades about their neckes At his entrance before the King all the people gaue a great shout The Queene of Appanatucke was appointed to bring water to wash his hands another brought him a bunch of Feathers instead of a Towell to drie them Hauing feasted him in their best manner the held a consultation in conclusion whereof two great stones were brought before Pohatan and as many as could lay hold on him dragged him to them and thereon laid his head being ready with their clubbes to beate out his braines Pocahuntas the Kings dearest Daughter when no intreatie would preuaile got his head into her armes and laid her owne vpon his to saue him from death whereupon the Emperour was contented hee should liue to make him Hatchets and Beads Bels and Copper for her For they thought him like themselues of all occupations the King himselfe making his owne Robes Shooes Bowes Arrowes Pots Planting also Hunting and doing Offices no lesse then the rest Two dayes after Pohatan hauing disguised himselfe in the dreadfullest manner caused Captaine Smith to be brought forth to a great house in the woods and there vpon a Mat by the fire to bee left alone Not long after from behinde a Mat which diuided the house was made the dolefullest noise that euer hee had heard After this Pohatan with twenty more as blacke as himselfe came vnto him and told him that they were now friends and presently hee should goe to Iames Towne to send him two great Gunnes and a Grindstone for which hee would giue him the Countrey of Capahowolick and for euer esteeme hiâ— as his Sonne Nantaquaus Hee sent him thither with twelue guides When they came to the Fort Smith vsed the Sauages kindely and shewed Rawhunt Pohatans trusty seruant two Demiculuerius and a Milstone to carry to Pohatan somewhat too heauie for their carriage But when they saw him discharge them loden with stones on the boughes of a great tree hanging full of isickles the Ice and boughes comming downe with such furie the Sauages were halfe dead with feare and at last returning contented with toies and presents for Pohatan his women and childred This his returning safe to the Port once more staied the Pinnace her flight for England which till his returne could not set saile so extreame was the weather and so great the Frost His relation of the plenty he had seene especially at Werowocomoco where inhabited Powhatan that till that time was vnknowne so reuiued againe their dead spirits as all mens feare was abandoned Powhatan hauing sent with this Captaine diuers of his men loaded with prouision hee had conditioned and so appointed his trustie Messengers to bring but two or three of our great Ordnances but the Messengers being satisfied with the sight of one of them discharged ran away amazed with feare till meanes were vsed with gifts to assure them our loues ALL this time our cares were not so much to abandon the Countrie but the Treasurer and Counsell in England were as diligent and carefull to supply vs. Two tall Shippes they sent vs with neere one hundred men well furnished with all things could be imagined necessary both for them and vs. The one commanded by Captaine Newport the other by Captaine Nelson an honest man and an expert Marriner but such was the leewardnesse of his Ship that though he were within sight of Cape Henry by stormy contrary windes was forced so farre to Sea as the West Indies was the next land for the repaire of his Masts and reliefe of wood and water But Captaine
little tasted of those great proportions for their prouisions as they of our miseries that notwithstanding euer swayd and ouerruled the businesse though wee did liue as is said three yeeres chiefly of what this good Countrey naturally affordeth yet now had wee beene in Paradice it selfe with those Gouernours it would not haue beene much better with vs yet were there some amongst vs who had they had the gouernment would surely haue kept vs from those extreamities of miseries that in ten dayes more would haue supplanted vs all by death Thus you see the miserable ends of those vsurping Commanders for all their greatnesse Oratory and long being there and what is the want of owne man in Authoritie that is honest and valiant discreet and industrious and how easily that may also be blemished by ambitious indiscretion or what did binder them now in his absence they had not done much better then hee hauing all these aduantages But God that would not it should bee vnplanted sent Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Summers with one hundred and fiftie men most happily preserued by the Bermudas to preserue vs. But when those noble Knights did see our miseries being strangers in the Countrey and could vnderstand no more of the cause but by their coniecture of our clamours and complaints of accusing or excusing one another they imbarked vs with themselues with the best meanes they could and abandoning Iames Towne set saile for England But yet God would not so haue it for ere wee left the Riuer wee met the Lord de-la-ware then gouernour of the Countrey with three Ships exceeding well furnished with all necessaries fitting who againe returned them to the abandoned Iames Towne the ninth of Iune 1610. accompanied with Sir Ferdinando Waiâ—â—an and diuers other Gentlemen of sort Sir George Sommers and Captaine Argall he presently dispatcheth to repaire to the Bermudas to furnish them with prouision Sir Thomas Gates for England to helpe forward their supplies himselfe neglected not the best was in his power for the furtherance of the businesse and regaining what was lost But euen in the beginning of his proceedings his Lordship had such an incounter that after eight months sicknesse he was forced to saue his life by his returne for England In this time Argall not finding the Bermudas hauing lost Sir George Sâ—mers at sea fell on the coast of Sagadahock where refreshing himselfe he found a conuenient fishing for Cod. With a taste whereof he returned to Iames Towne from whence the Lord De-la-ware sent him to trade in the Riuer of Patawomeck where finding an English boy those people had preserued from the fury of Powhatan by his acquaintance had such good vsage of those kind Sauages that they fraughted his Ship with Corne wherewith he returned to Iames Towne and so for England with the Lord Gouernour yet before his returne the aduenturers had sent Sir Thomas Dale with three Ships men and cattell and all other prouisions necessarie for a yeere all which arriued the tenth of May 1611. Againe to second him with all possible expedition there was prepared for Sir Thomas Gates sixe tall Ships with three hundred men and one hundred Kine with other cattell with munition and all manner of prouision could be thought needfull and they arriued about the first of August next after safely at Iames Towne Sir George Somers all this time was supposed lost but thus it hapned missing the Barmudas hee fell also as did Argall with Sagadahock where being refreshed would not content himselfe with that repulse but returned againe in the search and there safely arriued But ouertoyling himselfe on a surfet died And in this Cedar Ship built by his owne directions and partly with his owne hands that had not in her any Iron but onely one bolt in her Keele yet well endured thus tossed to and againe in this mightie Ocean till with his dead bodie she arriued in England and at Whitchurch in Dorsetshire his body by his friends was honourably buried with mane volies of shot and the rites of a Souldier c. But thus much may serue as the argument of the discourses following and as the Prologue to the Virginian Scene where we will first produce M. Archer after whose succinct narration M. Strachies copious discourse shall feast you with the liuely expression of others miseries and Barmudas happy discouery in Rhetorickes Full sea and spring tide CHAP. V. A Letter of M. GABRIEL ARCHAR touching the Voyage of the Fleet of Ships which arriued at Virginia without Sir THO. GATES and Sir GEORGE SVMMERS 1609. FRom Woolwich the fifteenth of May 1609 seuenth saile weyed anchor and came to Plimmouth the twentieth day where Sir George Somers with two small Vessels consorted with vs. Here we tooke into the Blessing being the ship wherein I went fixe Mares and two Horses and the Fleet layed in some necessaries belonging to the action In which businesse we spent time till the second of lune And then wee set sayle to Sea but crost by South-west windes we put in to Faulemouth and there staying till the eight of Iune we then gate out Our Course was commanded to leaue the Canaries one hundred leagues to the Eastward at least and to steere away directly for Virginia without touching at the West Indies except the Fleet should chance to be separated then they were to repaire to the Bermuda there to stay seuen dayes in expectation of the Admirall and if they found him not then to take their course to Virginia Now thus it happened about sixe dayes after we lost the sight of England one of Sir George Somers Pinnasses left our company and as I take it bare vp for England the rest of the ships viz. The Sea Aduenture Admirall wherein was Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Somer and Captaine Newport The Diamond Vice-admirall wherein was Captaine Ratcliffe and Captaine King The Falcon Reare-admirall in which was Captaine Martin and Master Nellson The Blessing wherein I and Captaine Adams went The Vnitie wherein Captaine Wood and Master Pett were The Lion wherein Captaine Webb remained And the Swallow of Sir George Somers in which Captaine Moone and Master Somer went In the Catch went one Matthew Fitch Master and in the Boat of Sir George Somers called the Virginia which was built in the North Colony went one Captaine Davies and one Master Davies These were the Captatines and Masters of our Fleet. We ran a Southerly course froâ— the Tropicke of Cancer where hauing the Sun within sixe or seuen degrees right ouer our head in Iuly we bore away West so that by the feruent heat and loomes breezes many of our men fell sicke of the Calenture and out of two ships was throwne ouer-boord thirtie two persons The Viceadmirall was said to haue the plague in her but in the Blessing we had not any sicke albeit we had twenty women and children Vpon Saint Iames day being about one hundred
and fiftie leagues distant from the West Indies in crossing the Gulfe of Bahoma there hapned a most terrible and vehement storme which was a taile of the West Indian Horacano this tempest seperated all our Fleet one from another and it was so violent that men could scarce stand vpon the Deckes neither could any man heare another speake being thus diuided euery man steered his owne course and as it fell out about fiue or sixe dayes after the storme ceased which endure fortie foure houres in extremitie The Lion first and after the Falcon and the Vnitie got sight of our Shippe and so we lay a way directly for Virginia finding neither current nor winde opposite as some haue reported to the great charge of our Counsell and Aduenturers The Vnity was sore distressed when she came vp with vs for of seuenty land men she had not ten sound and all her Sea men were downe but onely the Master and his Boy with one poore sailer but we relieued them and we foure consorting fell into the Kings Riuer haply the eleuenth of August In the Vnity were borne two children at Sea but both died being both Boyes When wee came to Iames Towne we found a Ship which had bin there in the Riuer a moneth before we came this was sent out of England by our Counsels leaue and authority to fish for Sturgeon and to goe the ready way without tracing through the Torrid Zoan and shee performed it her Commander was Captaine Argoll a good Marriner and a very ciuill Gentleman and her Master one Robert Tindall The people of our Colonie were found all in health for the most part howbeit when Captaine Argoll came in they were in such distresse for many were dispersed in the Sauages townes liuing vpon their almes for an ounce of Copper a day and fourescore liued twenty miles from the Fort and fed vpon nothing but Oysters eight weekes space hauing no other allowance at all neither were the people of the Country able to relieue them if they would Whereupon Captaine Newport and others haue beene much to blame to informe the Counsell of such plenty of victuall in this Country by which meanes they haue beene slacke in this supply to giue conuenient content Vpon this you that be aduenturers must pardon vs if you finde not returne of Commodity so ample as you may expect because the law of nature bids vs seeke sustenance first and then to labour to content you afterwards But vpon this point I shall be more large in my next Letter After our foure Ships had bin in harbour a few dayes came in the Viceadmirall hauing cut her maine Most ouer boord and had many of her men very sicke and weake but she could tell no newes of our Gouernour and some three or foure dayes after her came in the Swallow with her maine Mast ouerboord also and had a shrewd leake neither did she see our Admirall Now did we all lament much the absence of our Gouernour for contentions began to grow and factions and partakings c. Insomuch as the President to strengthen his authority accorded with the Mariners and gaue not any due respect to many worthy Gentlemen that came in our Ships whereupon they generally hauing also my consent chose Master West my Lord de la Wars brother to be their Gouernour or president de bene esse in the absence of Sir Thomas Gates or if he miscarried by Sea then to continue till we heard newes from our Counsell in England This choice of him they made not to disturbe the old President during his time but as his authority expired then to take vpon him the sole gouenment with such assistants of the Captaines as discreetest persons as the Colonie afforded Perhaps you shall haue it blazoned a mutenie by such as retaine old malice but Master West Master Percie and all the respected Gentlemen of worth in Virginia can and will testifie otherwise vpon their oathes For the Kings Patent we ratified but refused to be gouerned by the President that now is after his time was expired and onely subiected our selues to Master West whom we labour to haue next President I cannot certifie you of much more as yet vntill we grow to some certaine stay in this our state but by the other Ships you shall know more So with my harty commendations I cease From Iames Towne this last of Angust 1609. CHAP. VI. A true reportory of the wracke and redemption of Sir THOMAS GATES Knight vpon and from the Ilands of the Bermudas his comming to Virginia and the estate of that Colonie then and after vnder the gouernment of the Lord LA WARRE Iuly 15. 1610. written by WILLIAM STRACHY Esquire §. I. A most dreadfull Tempest the manifold deaths whereof are here to the life described their wracke on Bermuda and the description of those Ilands EXcellent Lady know that vpon Friday late in the euening we brake ground out of the Sound of Plymouth our whole Fleete then consisting of seuen good Ships and two Pinnaces all which from the said second of Iune vnto the twenty three of Iuly kept in friendly consort together not a whole watch at any time loosing the sight each of other Our course when we came about the height of betweene 26. and 27. degrees we declined to the Northward and according to our Gouernours instructions altered the trade and ordinary way vsed heretofore by Dominico and Meuis in the West Indies and found the winde to this course indeede as friendly as in the iudgement of all Sea-men it is vpon a more direct line and by Sir George Summers our Admirall had bin likewise in former time sailed being a Gentleman of approued assurednesse and ready knowledge in Sea-faring actions hauing often carried command and chiefe charge in many Ships Royall of her Maiesties and in sundry Voyages made many defeats and attempts in the time of the Spaniards quarrelling with vs vpon the Ilands and Indies c. We had followed this course so long as now we were within seuen or eight dayes at the most by Cap Newports reckoning of making Cape Henry vpon the coast of Virginia When on S. Iames his day Iuly 24. being Monday preparing for no lesse all the blacke night before the cloudes gathering thicke vpon vs and the windes singing and whistling most vnusually which made vs to cast off our Pinnace towing the same vntill then asterne a dreadfull storme and hideous began to blow from out the North-east which swelling and roaring as it were by â—â—ts some houres with more violence then others at length did beate all light from heauen which like an hell of darkenesse turned blacke vpon vs so much the more fuller of horror as in such cases horror and feare vse to ouerrunne the troubled and ouermastered sences of all which taken vp with amazement the eares lay so sensible to the terrible cries and murmurs of the
to demaund of Powhatan willing him to returne vnto the English Fort both such men as hee detayned of ours and such Armes as he had of theirs in his possession and those conditions performed hee willed them to assure vnto Powhatan that then their great Werowance the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall would hold faire quarter and enter friendship with him as a friend to King Iames and his Subiects But refusing to submit to these demands the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall gaue in charge to the Messengers so sent to signifie vnto Powhatan that his Lordship would by all meanes publike and priuate seeke to recouer from him such of the English as he had being Subiects to his King and Master vnto whom euen Powhatan himselfe had formerly vowed not only friendship but homage receiuing from his Maiestie therefore many gifts and vpon his knees a Crowne and Scepter with other Ornaments the Symbols of Ciuill State and Christian Soueraigntie thereby oâ—liging himselfe to Offices of dutie to his Maiestie Vnto all which Powhatan returned no other answere but that either we should depart his Country or confine our selues to Iames Towne only without searching further vp into his Land or Riuers or otherwise hee would giue in command to his people to kill vs and doe vnto vs all the mischiefe which they at their pleasure could and we feared withall forewarning the said Messengers not to returne any more vnto him vnlesse they brought him a Coach and three Horses for hee had vnderstood by the Indians which were in England how such was the state of great Werowances and Lords in England to ride and visit other great men After this diuers times and daily hee sent sometimes two sometimes three vnto our Fort to vnderstand our strength and to obserue our Watch Guard and how our people stood in health and what numbers were arriued with this new Weroance which being soone perceiued our Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall forewarned such his Spies vpon their owne perill to resort no more vnto our Fort. Howbeit they would daily presse into our Block-house and come vp to our Pallizado gates supposing the gouernment as well now as fantasticall and negligent in the former times the whilest some quarter of a mile short of the Block-house the greatest number of them would make assault and lye in ambush about our Glasse-house whether Diuers times indeed our men would make out either to gather Strawberries or to fetch fresh water any one of which so stragled if they could with conueniencie they would assault and charge with their Bowes and Arrowes in which manner they killed many of our men two of which being Paspaheans who were euer our deadliest enemies and not to be reconciled at length being apprehended and one of them a notable villaine who had attempted vpon many in our Fort the Lord Gouernour caused them to be manacled and conuented before him and his Counsell where it was determined that hee that had done so much mischiefe should haue his right hand strocke off sending him away withall with a message to Powhatan that vnlesse hee would yet returne such Englishmen as he detayned together with all such their Armes as before spoken of that not only the other now Prisoner should die but all such of his Sauages as the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall could by any meanes surprize should runne the same course as likewise the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall would fire all his Neighbour Corne Fieldes Townes and Villages and that suddenly if Powhatan sent not to contract with him the sooner What this will worke with him wee know not as yet for this was but the day before our ships were now falling to Point Comfort and so to set sayle for England which ships riding before Weroscoick to take in their fraight of Cedar Clap-boord Blacke Wal-nut and Iron Oare tooke Prisoners likewise the chiefe King of Weroscoick called Sasenticum with his Sonne Kainta and one of his chiefe men And the fifteenth day of Iuly in the Blessing Captaine Adams brought them to Point Comfort where at that time as well to take his leaue of the Lieutenant Generall Sir Thomas Gates now bound for England as to dispatch the ships the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall had pitched his Tent in Algernoone Fort. The Kings Sonne Kainta the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall hath sent now into England vntill the ships arriue here againe the next Spring dismissing the old Werowance and the other with all tearmes of kindnesse and friendship promising further designes to bee effected by him to which hee hath bound himselfe by diuers Sauage Ceremonies and admirations And thus right Noble Ladie once more this famous businesse as recreated and dipped a new into life and spirit hath raysed it I hope from infamy and shall redeeme the staines and losses vnder which she hath suffered since her first Conception your Graces still accompany the least appearance of her and vouchsafe her to bee limmed out with the beautie which wee will begge and borrow from the faire lips nor feare you that shee will returne blushes to your cheekes for praysing her since more then most excellent Ladie like your selfe were all tongues dumbe and enuious shee will prayse her selfe in her most silence may shee once bee but seene or but her shadow liuely by a skilfull Workman set out indeed which heere hungerly as I am I haue presumed though defacing it in these Papers to present vnto your Ladiship After Sir Thomas Gates his arriuall a Booke called A true Declaration of Uirginia was published by the Company out of which I haue heere inserted this their publike testimonie of the causes of the former euils and Sir Thomas Gates his Report vpon Oath of Virginia THe ground of all those miseries was the permissiue Prouidence of God who in the fore-mentioned violent storme seperated the head from the bodie all the vitall powers of Regiment being exiled with Sir Thomas Gates in those infortunate yet fortunate Ilands The broken remainder of those supplyes made a greater shipwracke in the Continent of Virginia by the tempest of Dissention euery man ouer-ualning his owne worth would be a Commander euery man vnder prizing anothers value denied to be commanded The next Fountaine of woes was secure negligence and improuidence when euery man sharked for his present bootie but was altogether carelesse of succeeding penurie Now I demand whether Sicilia or Sardinia sometimes the Barnes of Rome could hope for increase without manuring A Colony is therefore denominated because they should be Coloni the Tillers of the Earth and Stewards of fertilitie our mutinous Loyteyers would not sow with prouidence and therefore they reaped the fruits of too deere bought Repentance An incredible example of their idlenesse is the report of Sir Thomas Gates who affirmeth that after his first comming thither be hath seene some of them eat their fish raw rather then they would goe a stones cast to fetch wood
But they delayed vs so as we went ashore they shot at vs we were not behinde hand with them killed some hurt others marched into the Land burnt their houses tooke their Corne and quartered all night ashoare The next day we went further vp the Riuer they dogged vs and called to know whither we went wee answered To burne all if they would not doe as we demanded and had beene agreed vpon They would they said bring all the next day so we forbare all hostilitie went ashoare their men in good numbers comming amongst vs but we were very cautious and stood to our Armes The Kings daughter went ashoare but would not talke to any of them scarce to them of the best sort and to them onely that if her father had loued her he would not value her lesse then old Swords Peeces or Axes wherefore shee would still dwell with the English men who loued her At last came one from Powhatan who told vs that Simons was run away to Nonsowhaicond which was a truth as afterwards appeared but that the other English man was dead that proued a lie for since M. Hamor whom I employed to Powhatan brought him to mee our Peeces Swords and Tooles within fifteene dayes should be sent to Iames Towne with some Corne and that his daughter should be my child and euer dwell with mee desiring to be euer friends and named such of his people and neighbour Kings as hee desired to be included and haue the benefit of the peace promising if any of our men came to him without leaue from mee he would send them backe and that if any of his men stale from vs or killed our cattell hee would send them to vs to bee punished as wee thought fit With these conditions wee returned and within the time limitted part of our Armes were sent and twentie men with Corne and promised more which he hath also sent Opachankano desired I would call him friend and that he might call me so saying Hee was a great Captaine and did alwayes fight that I was also a great Captaine and therefore he loued mee and that my friends should bee his friends So the bargaine was made and euery eight or ten dayes I haue messages and presents from him with many appearances that he much desireth to continue friendship Now may you iudge Sir if the God of Battailes had not a helping hand in this that hauing our Swords drawne killing their men burning their houses and taking their corne yet they tendred vs peace and striue with all alacritie to keepe vs in good opinion of them by which many benefits arise vnto vs. First part of our Armes disgracefully lost long agoe kept by the Sauages as Monuments and Trophies of our shames redeliuered some repaire to our Honor. Our catell to increase without danger of destroying our men at libertie to hunt freely for Venison to fish to doe any thing else or goe any whither without danger to follow the husbanding of our corne securely whereof wee haue aboue fiue hundred Acres set and God be praised in more forwardnesse then any of the Indians that I haue seene or heard of this yeeres Roots and Hearbs we haue abundance all doubt of want is by Gods blessing quite vanished and much plentie expected And which is not the least materiall wee may by this peace come to discouer the Countrey better both by our owne trauells and by the relation of the Sauages as we grow in familiaritie with them Powhatans daughter I caused to be carefully instructed in Christian Religion who after she had made some good progresse therein renounced publikely her Countrey Idolatry openly confessed her Christan Faith was as shee desired baptised and is since married to an English Gentleman of good vnderstanding as by his Letter vnto me containing the reasons of his marriage of her you may perceiue another knot to binde this peace the stronger Her Father and friends gaue approbation to it and her Vncle gaue her to him in the Church shee liues ciuilly and louingly with him and I trust will increase in goodnesse as the knowledge of God increaseth in her Shee will goe into England with mee and were it but the gaining of this one soule I will thinke my time toile and present stay well spent Since this accident the Gouernours and people of Checkahomanies who are fiue hundred Bow-men and better a stout and warlike Nation haue made meanes to haue vs come vnto them and conclude a peace where all the Gouernours would meet me They hauing thus three or foure times importuned me I resolued to goe so hauing Captaine Argall with fiftie men in my Frigot and Barge I went thither Captaine Argall with forty men landed I kept aboord for some reasons Vpon the meeting they told Captaine Argall noâ—ing â—ing but eight great men who gouerned them He told them that we came to be friends asked them if they would haue King Iames to be their King and whether they would be his men They after some conference betweene themselues seemed willing of both demanding if we would fight against their enemies he told them that if any did them iniury they should send me word and I would agree them or if their aduersaries would not then I would let them haue as many men as they would to helpe them they liked well of that and told him that all their men should helpe vs. All this being agreed vpon Captaine Argall gaue euery Counsellour a Tamahawk and a peece of Copper which was kindely taken they requested further that if their Boates should happen to meete with our Boates and that they said they were the Chikahominy Englishmen and King Iames his men wee would let them passe we agreed vnto it so that they pronounced themselues Englishmen and King Iames his men promising within fifteene dayes to come vnto Iames Towne to see me and conclude these conditions euery Bowman being to giue me as a Tribute to King Iames two measures of Corne euery haruest the two measures containing two bushels and a halfe and I to giue euery Bowman a small Tamahawke and to euery Counseller a suit of red cloath which did much please them This people neuer acknowledged any King before no nor euer would acknowledge Powhatan for their King a stout people they be and a delicate seate they haue Now Sir you see our conditions you and all worthy men may iudge whether it would not be a griefe to see these faire hopes frostbitten and these fresh budding plants to wither which had I returned had assuredly followed for here is no one that the people would haue gouerne them but my selfe for I had now come away had I not found a generall desire in the best sort to returne for England Letter vpon Letter request vpon request from their friends to returne so as I knew not vpon whom to conferre the care of this businesse in my absence whom I thought sit was generally distasted so as
at the Church a little within Ludgate London SIR IT was the nineteenth of May before I was fitted for my discouery when from Monahiggan I set sayle in an open Pinnace of fiue tun for the Iland I told you of I passed alongst the Coast where I found some antient Plantations not long since populous now vtterly void in other places a remnant remaines but not free of sicknesse Their disease the Plague for wee might perceiue the sores of some that had escaped who described the spots of such as vsually die When I arriued at my Sauages natiue Country finding all dead I trauelled alongst adaies iourney Westward to a place called Nummastaquyt where finding Inhabitants I dispatched a Messenger a dayes iourney further West to Poconaokit which bordereth on the Sea whence came to see me two Kings attended with a guard of fiftie armed men who being well satisfied with that my Sauage and I discoursed vnto them being desirous of noueltie gaue mee content in whasoeuer I demanded where I found that former relations were true Here I redeemed a Frenchman and afterwards another at Mastachusit who three yeeres since escaped shipwracke at the North-east of Cape Cod. I must amongst many things worthy obseruation for want of leisure therefore hence I passe not mentioning any place where we touched in the way to the Iland which wee discouered the twelfth of Iune Here we had good quarter with the Sauages who likewise confirmed former reports I found seuen seuerall places digged sent home of the earth with samples of other commodities elsewhere found sounded the Coast and the time being farre spent bare vp for Monahiggan arriuing the three and tieth of Iune where wee found our Ship ready to depart To this I le are two other neere adioyning all which I called by the name of King Iames his Iles because from thence I had the first motiues to search For that now probable passage which may hereafter be both honourable and profitable to his Maiestie When I had dispatched with the ships ready to depart I thus concluded for the accomplishing my businesse In regard of the fewnesse of my men not being able to leaue behind mee a competent number for defence and yet sufficiently furnish my selfe I put most of my prouisions aboord the Sampson of Cape Ward ready bound for Virginia from whence hee came taking no more into the Pinnace then I thought might serue our turnes determining with Gods helpe to search the Coast along and at Virginia to supply our selues for a second discouery if the first failed But as the best actions are commonly hardest in effecting and are seldome without their crosses so in this we had our share and met with many difficulties for wee had not sayled aboue forty leagues but wee were taken with a Southerly storme which draue vs to this strait eyther we must weather a rockie point of Land or run into a broad Bay no lesse dangerous Incidit in Syllam c. the Rockes wee could not weather though wee loosed till we receiued much water but at last were forced to beare vp for the Bay and run on ground a furlong off the shoare where we had beene beaten to pieces had wee not instantly throwne ouerboord our prouisions to haue our liues by which meanes we escaped and brought off our Pinnace the next high water without hurt hauing our Planke broken and a small leake or two which we easily mended Being left in this misery hauing lost much bread all our Beefe and Sider some Meale and Apparell with other prouisions and necessaries hauing now little left besides hope to encourage vs to persist Yet after a little deliberation we resolued to proceed and departed with the next faire winde We had not now that faire quarter amongst the Sauages as before which I take it was by reason of our Sauages absence who desired in regard of our long iourney to slay with some of our Sauage friends at Sawahquatooke for now almost euery where where they were of any strength they sought to betray vs. At Manamock the Southerne part of Cape Cod now called Sutcliffe Inlets I was vnawares taken prisoner when they sought to kill my men which I left to man the Pinnace but missing of their purpose they demanded a ransome which had I was as farre from libertie as before yet it pleased God at last after a strange manner to deliuer me with three of them into my hands and a little after the chiefe Sacheum himselfe who seeing me weigh anchor would haue leaped ouerboord but intercepted craued pardon and sent for the Hatchets giuen for ransome excusing himselfe by laying the fault on his neighbours and to be friends sent for a Canoas lading of Corne which receiued we set him free I am loth to omit the story wherein you would finde cause to admire the great mercy of God euen in our greatest misery in giuing vs both freedome and reliefe at one time Departing hence the next place we arriued at was Capaock an Iland formerly discouered by the English where I met with Epinew a Sauage that had liued in England and speakes indifferent good English who foure yeeres since being carried home was reported to haue beene slaine with diuers of his Countreymen by Saylers which was false With him I had much conference who gaue mee very good satisfaction in euery thing almost I could demand Time not permitting mee to search here which I should haue done for sundry things of speciall moment the wind faire I stood away shaping my course as the Coast led mee till I came to the most Westerly part where the Coast began to fall away Southerly In my way I discouered Land about thirtie leagues in length heretofore taken for Mayne where I feared I had beene imbayed but by the helpe of an Indian I got to the Sea againe through many crooked and streight passages I let passe many accidents in this iourney occasioned by treacherie where wee were compelled twice to goe together by the eares once the Sauages had great aduantage of vs in a streight not aboue a Bowe shot and where a multitude of Indians let flye at vs from the banke but it pleased God to make vs victours neere vnto this wee found a most dangerous Catwract amongst small rockie Ilands occasioned by two vnequall tydes the one ebbing and flowing two houres before the other here wee lost an Anchor by the strength of the current but found it deepe enough from hence were wee carried in a short space by the tydes swiftnesse into a great Bay to vs so appearing but indeede is broken land which gaue vs light of the Sea here as I said the Land treadeth Southerly In this place I talked with many Saluages who told me of two sundry passages to the great Sea on the West offered me Pilots and one of them drew mee a Plot with Chalke vpon a Chest whereby I found it a great Iland parted the two Seas they report the one
them long before we came Wee were no sooner come withing a league of the Land but a company of Fish as it were met vs and neuer left vs till wee were come to an ankor within the harbour and as soone as we had passed ouer our businesse and all things safe and in order with a Hooke and Line wee tooke more then our whole company was able to eate so that there was enough to feed many more The next day after the Sabbath wee went with our Net and Boat and if we would haue loaded two Boats wee might and so may you do day by day Fishes doe so abound and there be of these sorts Mullets Breames Hog-fish Rock-fish and Lobstars with more sorts of other Fish which I cannot name Turkles there be of a mightie bignesse one Turkle will serue or suffice three or foure score at a meale especially if it be a shee Turkle for shee will haue as many Egges as will suffice fiftie or threescore at a meale This I can assure you they are verie good and wholsome meat none of it bad no not so much as the verie Guts and Maw of it for they are exceeding fat and make as good Tripes as your beasts bellies in England And for Fowle we went the third day of our arriuall vnto the Bird Ilands as wee call them and vsing neither Stick nor Stone-bow nor Gun we tooke them vp with our hands so many as wee would that euerie one of the company were to haue some three some foure a piece three for a child boy or girle for a man foure then reckon what those that serued some fourescore people did amount vnto But this is for certaine if wee would haue brought awaie twice so many more we might Some sixe daies after our comming wee sent out for Hogges so the company which went out brought home some for the meate of them I hold your Mutton of England not of so sweet and pleasant a taste For the inclination of the weather considering in what climate it lies wee haue had for the space of some fortie daies no raine but verie coole and fresh gales of wind yet in the day time verie hot but wee agree with it verie well and not a man that had lien sicke or diseased but all likes well and followes and imploies themselues to one businesse or other For the fruites which the Land yeelds thâ—y bee the Mulberrie great store and Peares which haue in them a red liquor as the Pomgranat hat or somewhat redder but verie wholsome if you eate an hundred at one time you shall neuer surfet of them if you eate some proportion of them they will bind but if you exceed in eating of them then are they of the contrarie operation yet neuer any that hurt themselues by them eate they neuer so many It is certaine that one man eate aboue a peck of them in some ten houres and was neuer the worse We haue a kind of Berrie vpon the Cedar Tree verie pleasant to eate and for the Palmito Tree the top of it is a great deale sweeter and wholsomer then any Cabedge In some of our Ilands there growes Pepper but not so good as our Indian Pepper diuers sorts of other good things there is which the seuerall times of the yeere bring forth one after another but the top of the Palmito Tree is in season and good all the yeere Take a Hatchet and cut him or an Augar and bore him and it yeelds a very pleasant liquor much like vnto your sweet Wines it beares likewise a Berrie in bignesse of a Prune and in taste much like Also wee haue Oliues grow with vs but no great store many other good excellent things wee haue grow with vs which this short time will not permit mee to write of so largely as I might but this is of truth that Hogs Turkles Fish and Fowle doe abound as dust of the earth for Amber-greece and Pearle wee haue not had leasure in so few daies since our arriuall to goe looke out for the one or to fish for the other but the three men which were left there haue found of them both Also they haue made a great deale of Tobacco and if some would come that haue kill in making it it would be verie commodious both to the Merchant and to the maker of it And for the Silk-worme if any were brought ouer and some of skill to vse them there would bee very much good done with them for the verie Spider in these our Ilands doth weaue perfect fine Silke both Yellow and White The Timber of the Countrey consisteth of three sorts the one is the Cedar verie fine Timber to worke vpon of colour red and verie sweet the other sorts we haue no name for for there is none in the company hath seene the like in other Countries before we came c. A Copie of the Articles which Master R. MORE Gouernour Deputie of the Sommer Ilands propounded to the Company that were there with him to be subscribed vnto which both he and they subscribed the second of August in his house Anno 1612. which about the same time he sent into England to the Worshipfull Company of the Aduenturors WEe who haue here vnder subscribed our names being by the great goodnesse of God safely arriued at the Sommer Ilands with purpose here to inhabite doe hereby promise and bind our selues to the performance of the seuerall Articles hereafter following and that in the presence of the most glorious God who hath in mercy brought vs hither First We doe faithfully promise and by these presents solemnly binde our selues euer-more to worshâ—p that aforesaid only true and euerliuing God who hath made the Heauens and the Earth the Sea and all that therein is and that according to those rules that are prescribed in his most holy Word and euer to continue in that faith into the which wee were baptised in the Church of England and to stand in defence of the same against all Atheists Papists Anabaptists Brownists and all other Heretikes and Sectaries whatsoeuer dissenting from the said Word and Faith Secondly because the keeping of the Sabboth day holy is that wherein a principall part of Gods worship doth consist and is as it were the Key of all the other parts thereof wee do therefore in the presence aforesaid promise That wee will set apart all our owne labours and imployments on that day vnlesse it be those that be of meere necessitie much more vaine and vnfruitfull practises and apply our selues to the hearing of Gods Word Prayer and all other exercises of Religion in his Word required to the vttermost of our power Thirdly Seeing the true worship of God and holy life cannot be seuered we doe therefore promise in the presence aforesaid That to the vttermost of our power we will liue together in doing that which is iust both towards God and Man and in particular
we will forbeare to take the most holy name of God in vaine in ordinary swearing by it or any other thing or by scoffing or vaine abusing of his most holy Word or to vse cursing or filthy speeches or any other thing forbidden in Gods most holy Word as also to liue together without stealing one from another or quarrelling one with another or slandering one of another And to auoide all things that stand not with the good estate of a Christian Church and well gouerned Common-wealth as also to embrace the contrary as Iustice and Peace Loue and all other things that stand with the good and comfort of Societie Fourthly Whereas we are here together farre remote from our natiue soile of England and yet are indeed the naturall Subiects of our most Royall and gracious King IAMES of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. Wee doe therefore in the presence aforesaid solemnly promise euermore to continue the loyall Subiects of our said Soueraigne King his Heires and Successors and neuer to reuolt from him or them vnto any other whatsoeuer but euermore to acknowledge his Supreme Gouernment Fiftly Whereas wee were sent hither by diuers Aduenturers of the Citie of London and other parts of the Realme of England wee doe here in the presence aforesaid promise to vse all diligence for the good of the Plantation and not to purloyne or imbesell any of the prohibited commodities out of the generall estate but to vse all faithfulnesse as it becommeth Christians to doe as also to bee obedient to all such Gouernour or Gouernours or their Deputie or Deputies as are or shall be by them sent to gouerne vs As also to yeeld all reuerence towardes the Ministery or Ministers of the Gospel sent or to be sent Sixtly and lastly Wee doe here in presence aforesaid promise the Lord assisting vs that if at any time hereafter any forrain power shall attempt to put vs out of this our lawful possession not cowardly to yeeld vp the same but manfully to fight as true English men for the defence of the Common-wealth we liue in and Gospel wee professe and that whiles we haue breath wee will not yeeld to any that shall inuade vs vpon any conditions whatsoeuer I had thought hitherto to haue added a Letter of M. Hughes written from thence Dec. 21. 1614. and printed But our latter intelligence being more ample hath caused mee to omit him and others Yea all things in some and some things in all M. Norwood hath beene a diligent Surueyor of the place and accidents and hath giuen a Map of the one common to be sold and a briefe relation of the other But because his History of the Creatures is briefe I haue borrowed out of Captaine Smith what he had borrowed of Capt. Butler and others to giue the Reader more full satisfaction in that kind CHAP. XVII Relations of Summer Ilands taken out of M. RICHARD NORWOOD his Map and Notes added thereto printed 1622. The History of the Creatures growing or liuing therein being inlarged out of Capt. SMITHS written Relations SIr Thomas Gates and Sir George Summers hauing staied in Bermuda nine moneths with helpe of such things as they saued with the Sea-ven'ure and of such as they found in the Countrey had built of Cedar and rigged fit for the Sea two Vessels a Ship and a Pinnace and vpon the tenth of May 1610. departed toward Uirginia leauing onely two men behind them and carrying them store of prouision for the reliefe of the people there Vpon the foure and twentieth of May they arriued safely there and shortly after some of them returned to the Sommer Ilands againe for a further supply in the same Ship which they had formerly built there where Sir George Sommers dying his men did not according to his last charge giuen vnto them returne to Virginia but framed their course for England leauing behind them three men that staied voluntarily who shortly after found in Sommerset Iland which is a part of Sandys Tribe a verie great treasure in Ambergreece to the valew of nine or ten thousand pound sterling there hath also been found since diuers times of the best sort This new discouery of the Sommer Ilands being thus made knowne in England to the Virginian Company by these men which returned they sold it to some hundred and twentie persons of the same Company who obtained a Charter from his Maiestie and so hold it And toward the latter end of Aprill 1612. sent thither a Ship called the Plough with some sixtie persons to inhabite appointing Gouernour one Master Richard Moore a man ingenuous and carefull who since dyed in Sir Walter Rawlyes last voyage to Guiana a place as appeareth by our Moderne Geographers very rich and spatious But as I say he arriued there about the beginning of Iuly and found the foresaid three men that staied voluntarily very well Master Moore spent the three yeeres of his gouernment for the most part in fortifying the Countrey and trayning the people in Martiall exercises which custome hath beene continued by his successours hee built some nine or tenne Forts placing Oâ—dnance and Munition in them In his time the Lord sent vpon the Countrey a very grieuous scourge and punishment threatning the vtter ruine and desolation of it That it came from God I need not striue to proue especially considering it was generally so acknowledged by vs at that time The causes and occasions of it I need not name being very well knowne to vs all that then liued there which were about sixe hundred persons thought shortly after much diminished I will onely shew the thing it selfe which was a wonderfull annoyance by silly Rats These Rats comming at the first out of a Ship few in number increased in the space of two yeeres or lesse so exceedingly that they filled not onely those places where they were first landed But swimming from place to place spread themselues into all parts of the Countrey Insomuch that there was no Iland though seuered by the Sea from all other Lands and many miles distant from the Iles where the Rats had their originall but was pestered with them They had their Nests almost in euery Tree and in all places their Burrowes in the ground like Conies to harbour in They spared not the fruits of Plants and Trees neither the Plants themselues but eate them vp When wee had set our Corne they would commonly come by troupes the night following or so soone as it began to grow and digge it vp againe If by diligent watching any of it were preserued till it came to earing it should then very hardly scape them Yea it was a difficult matter after wee had it in our houses to saue it from them for they became noysome euen to the persons of men Wee vsed all diligence for the destroying of them nourishing many Cats wilde and tame for that purpose wee vsed Rats-bane and many times set fire
on the Woods so as the fire might run halfe a mile or more before it were extinct Euery man in the Countrey was enioyned to set twelue Traps and some of their owne accord set neere a hundred which they visited twice or thrice in a night Wee trayned vp our Dogs to hunt them wherein they grew so expert that a good Dog in two or three houres space would kill fortie of fiftie Rats and other meanes we vsed to destroy them but could not preuaile finding them still to increase against vs. And this was the principall cause of that great distresse whereunto wee were driuen in the first planting of the Countrey for these deuouring the fruits of the earth kept vs destitute of bread a yeere or two so that when wee had it afterwardes againe wee were so weaned from it that wee should easily neglect and forget to eate it with our meat We were also destitute at that time of Boats and other prouision for fishing And moreouer Master Moore had receiued warning from England that hee should expect the Spaniard that yeere yet they came not but with two ships attempting to come in and hauing their Boat before them to sound the way were shot at by the said Master Moore from Kings Castle and as we supposed one of them stricken through wherevpon they presently departed But as I say this expectation of them caused vs though in great necessitie to hasten the fortifications of the Countrey All these ioyntly but principally the Rats were the causes of our distresse for being destitute of food many dyed and wee all became very feeble and weake whereof some being so would not others could not stir abroad to seeke reliefe but dyed in their houses such as went abroad were subiect through weaknesse to bee suddenly surprized with a disease we called the Feages which was neither paine nor sicknesse but as it were the highest degree of weaknesse depriuing vs of power and abilitie for the execution of any bodily exercise whether it were working walking or what else Being thus taken if there were any in company that could minister any reliefe they would straightwayes recouer otherwise they dyed there Yet many after a little rest would be able to walke again and then if they found any succour were saued About this time or immediately before came thither a company of Rauens which continued with vs all the time of this mortalitie and then departed There were not before that time nor since so far as I heare any more of them seene there And this with some other reasons of more moment moued many to thinke that there was some other Ilands neere the Sommer Ilands betweene Uirginia and it and M. Moore in his time with some other of vs went forth in a Boat so far as then wee could conuemently of purpose to discouer it Since then it hath beene endeauoured by other and is yet as I heare to be further attempted And howsoeuer I am perswaded for certaine causes which I cannot here relate there is no such thing Yet would I not disanimate any from this enterprise for if they find any their labours will be well recompenced and though they find none yet might they discouer those parts so well that the passage to and from Virginia would be more safe and easie But to returne from whence wee haue digressed The extremitie of our distresse began to abate a little before M. Moores time of gouernment was expired partly by supplies out of England of victualland prouision for fishing and partly by that rest and libertie we then obtained the Countrey being fortified Yet the Rats encreased and continued almost to the end of Captaine Tuckers time although hee was prouident and industrious to destroy them but toward the end of his time it pleased God by what meanes it is not wel known to take them away insomuch that the wilde Cats and many Dogs which liued on them were famished and many of them leauing the Woods came downe to the houses and to such places where they vse to garbish their Fish and became tame Some haue attributed this destruction of them to the encrease of wild Cats but that 's not likely they should be so suddenly encreased rather at that time then in the foure yeeres before And the chiefe occasion of this supposition was because they saw such companies of them leaue the Woods and shew themselues for want of food Others haue supposed it to come to passe by the coolnesse of the weather which notwithstanding is neuer so great there as with vs in March nor scarce as it is in April except it be in the wind besides the Rats wanted not feathers of young Birds and Chickens which they daily killed and of Palmeto Mosse as wee call it to build themselues warme nests out of the wind as vsually they did Neither doth it appeare that the cold was so mortall to them seeing they would ordinarily swim from place to place and be very fat euen in the midst of Winter It remaineth then that as we know God doth sometimes effect his will without subordinate and secondary causes and sometimes against them So wee need not doubt but that in the speedy encrease and spreading of these Vermine as also in the preseruation of so many of vs by such weake meanes as we then enioyed and especially in the sudden remouall of this great annoyance there was ioyned with and besides the ordinary and manifest meanes a more immediate and secret worke of God Now to proceed M. Moores time of gouernment being expired Capt. Tucker succeeded arriuing there about mid-May 1616. who likewise gouerned according to the custome three yeeres which time hee spent for the most part in husbandring the Countrey planting and nourishing all such things as were found fit either for trade or for the sustentation and vse of the Inhabitants wherein hee trauelled with much diligence and good successe sending to some parts of the Indies for Plants and Fruâ—ts hee also adâ—ed to the Fortifications and made some Inclosures In his time viz. in the yeere 1617. was sent a Ship and prouision with men of skill for the killing of Whales but they arriued there too late to wit about the midst of April so that before they could make ready their Shallops and fit themselues the principall season for Whale-fishing was past For the Whale come thither in Ianuary and depart againe toward the latter end of May Yet they strook some but found them so liuely swift fierce after they were stricken that they could take none They yeeld great store of Oyle as appeared by one that draue to shoare on Sommerset Iland in Sandys Tribe and by another that we found not far from thence dead vpon a Rocke I also receiued by Captaine Tucker directions from the Aduenturers to diuide the Countrey and to assigne to each Aduenturer his shares or portion of Land and withall a description with notes touching the manner how they
from England sixe or seuen weekes before him and spent seuenteen weekes on the voyage which proued so tedious that many both Saylers and Passengers died In the end of Nouember arose such a storme that many great Trees were blown vp by the roots the Warwicke cast away the Garland forced to cut her Masts ouerboord Not long after happened another as fierce in which the Mount built by M. Moore for a Watch-tower was blowne vp by the roots and their winter crop of Corne blasted He began the new yeere with refortifying the Kings Castle and finding the Treasurer rotten tooke nine Peeces of Ordnance out of her Hee sent the Garland for England Hee finished the Church begun by Captain Kendall with great toile got three Peeces out of the wracked Warwick imployed a Dutch Carpenter of the former Dutch wrack to build Boates. A luckie fellow in February found a piece of Ambergreece of eight Ounces as hee had done twice afore and according to order of Court to preuent concealements had therfore thirtie pound an Ounce Two Dutch Frigots arriued conducted by Captaine Powell and much refreshed the Colony with Oyle and Bacon at cheape rates The Gouernour made a new platforme in place of the burned Redoubt and mounted seuen great Peeces on Cariages of Cedar The Ministers not being conformable to the Church of England nor vniforme with themselues in administration of the Sacrament and Matrimony Hee translated the Liturgie Booke of Garnsie and Iarsie void of the pretended scruples which was generally embraced and in his time practised and the Sabbaths obseruation proclaimed They rebuilded the Mount and diuers Boats was indangered with a Hericano one lost Finding a little Crosse erected where Sir George Summers his heart and entrailes were buried he caused a Marble stone brought out of England to bee handsomely wrought and an Epitaph engrauen in memory of that worthy Souldier and laid thereon inuironed with a square wall of hewed stone On the second of Iune began their Assizes in which their Lawes and Gouernment were reduced to the English forme The first of August was a generall Assembly in manner of a Parliament at Saint Georges diuers Articles concluded and being sent hither by the Company confirmed which for breuitie I omit The Magazine Ship soone after came in weake case thither hauing cast ouerboord twentie or thirtie of her people and had they staied at Sea a weeke longer were likely to haue all perished That aire soon mends or ends men in that case and those which died not soone after the landing recouered not without infection of others there 70000. weight of Tobacco was prefixed for her freight Commandement came now to entertaine no Ships but such as were sent from the Company to the Colonies great griefe which now were forced to a Magizane-Monopoly and debarred of occasionall reliefe Cap. Powell soone after came thither imployed by the States desiring admittance for wood and water which was denied with exceeding murmuring and exclaiming of the Colony The Magazine Ship arriued her Master dead and many passengers the rest sicke Then happened also in September a Spanish Wrack which comming from Carthagena with the Spanish Fleet lost their Ship on those Rockes and seuentie persons were saued some of which had beene rifled but their money to the value of one hundred and fortie pound restored them by the Gouernours meanes into whose hands they committed it for disbursment of their charges Some were sent away others forced to stay till their labours had procured meanes for their passage Hee made meanes to get out of the Wrack two Sakers and three Murtherers which were the same which Cap. Kendall had sold to Cap. Kerby who was taken by two men of War of Carthagena most of his men slaine or hanged hee wounded died in the Woods as these Spaniards related Three Bulwarkes were raised at Southampton Fort with two Curtens and two Iauelens Armes were distributed to all such as were able to vse them The Weauells which had at this time much hurt their Corne found a strange remedy For a proclamation being made that all Corne should be gathered by a day because many had lost some for want of gathering stâ—ll haunting the Ships for Aqua-vitae and Beere some bad husbands hastily gathered it and threw it on heapes in their houses vnhusked so letting it lye foure or fiue moneths Now the good husbands husked theirs and hanged it vp with much labour where the Flies did blow it which the others idlenesse as the euent shewed preuented that being thus found to be the best way to saue the corne and labour to let it lye in the huske Diuers places of fresh-water were now also luckily found out Another triall of whale-fishing was vainely attempted by a Ship which came from Uirginia who returned thither fraught with Lime-stone 20000. pound weight of Potatos c. Aprill and May were spent in building a Prison and perfecting some Fortifications and foure Sakers were gotten from the Spanish Wrack and mounted at the Forts One was hanged for buggering a Sow whose Cock in the time of his imprisonment vsed also to tread a Pig as if it had beene a Hen till the Pig languished and died and then the Cock haunted the same Sow About the same time two Chickens were hatched one of which had two heads the other is said to haue crowed loud and Iustily within twelue houres after it was out of the shell Other Peeces were got out of the Spanish Wrack and a Saker also out of that of Sir George Summers By a Barke going to Uirginia Captaine Butler his time expiring conueied himselfe thither leauing the gouernment to C. Felgate C. Stokes c. In the Kings Castle were mounted or sufficient platformes sixteen Peeces of Ordnance In Charles Fort two in Southampton Fort fiue betwixt which the Castle passeth the channel into the Harbor secured by twenty three Peeces of good Ordnance In Coups Ile is Pembrookes Fort with two Peeces Saint Georges channell is guarded by Smiths Fort and Payets Fort in which are eleuen Peeces Saint Georges Towne is commanded by Warwicks Fort with three great Peeces on the Wharfe before the Gouernours house are eight more besides the warning Peece by the Mount and three in Saint Katherines in all tenne Fortresses and fiftie two Peeces of Ordnance sufficient and seruiceable Hee left one thousand fiue hundred persons and neere one hundred Boates the I le replenished with prouisions fruites poultry c. Master Iohn Bernard was sent by the Honourable Company to supply his place who arriued within eight dayes of Captaine Butlers departure with two Ships and one hundred and fortie Passengers with Armes and all sorts of Munition and other prouisions During his life which continued but sixe weekes hee gaue good proofe of his sufficiency in reforming things defectiue He and his wife were both buried in one day and one graue and Master Iohn Harrison
chosen Gouernour till further order came from London The Wormes before mentioned are still troublesome and make them morning workes to kill them Caterpillers are pernicious to their fruits and Land Crabs are as thicke in some places as Conies in a Warren and doe much harme A Ship in which had beene much swearing and blaspheming vsed all the voyage perished the companies negligence iovially frolicking in their cups and Tobacco hauing landed certaine goods by accident the Powder fired and blew vp the great Cabbin some were taken vp in the Sea liuing in miserable torments eighteene were lost with this fatall blast the Ship also sunke with sixtie Barrells of Meale sent for Virginia and her other prouisions lost The Company haue sent Captaine Woodhouse in a Ship called the Tigre for that gouernment a man much commended and hopefull I haue beene told that there are three thousand persons of all sorts liuing there halfe of which number is able to beare Armes and exercised to that seruice CHAP. XIX Briefe intelligence from Virginia by Letters a supplement of French-Virginian Occurrants and their supplantation by Sir SAMVEL ARGAL in right of the English Plantation THe late alteration of Virginia Gouernment is vnknowne to none and most know of the frequent complaints both by priuate Letters and by Petitions to his Maiesty Now least any should hereupon thinke Virginia to be vnworthy of such our care and cost I haue out of one of the Planters priuate Letters transcribed a few words of grieuances and yet a magnifying of the Country that the English may be more blamed for want of Prouidence then the Region for defect of Natures best gifts Other things I could alleadge from others but my meaning is to amend things not to quarrell them and to awaken the care of good men rather then to recite the faults of the bad In one Letter dated Dec. 22. last past he hath these words The intollerable rates we pay here for commodities as ten pound sterling a hogshead of Meale sixteen shillings a gallon of Alligant three pound sterling a Henne and eight Chickens c. and so according to these rates for euery thing else lastly the heauy taxations that are laid vpon vs free men for building of Castles paying of publique debts for the not gathering of Sasafras c. so that it will come to my share with that that is paid and that that is to pay in Corne and Tobacco to at least twenty or fiue and twenty pound sterling this yeere so that when I haue paid this and paid my faithlesse seruants their wages I shal scarse haue good Tobacco enough left to buy my selfe for the next yeer a pint of Aquauitae c. Thus you see I neither warrant nor except against the truth but present the worst quarelled paralelled with the best complaints of great prizes of things not arising from plenty of money as you reade before in the conquest of Peru but from I know not what ill habit and indisposition of that Colony And least any man should withdraw his heart hand or purse therefore from that worthy work I haue out of the same mans Letters deliuered a commendation of the Countrey The Letters were written and dated 22. March 1624. and containe for substance none other then what before you haue read in others yet are more sutable to this time and purpose as later newes and fitter directories to the Phisitians of that Estate that at last the English honour may be vindicated against so base perils from Sauages and baser quarrels from and amongst our owne God prosper his Maiesties care and make those which are therein emploied not to seeke their owne good by hasty returnes much lesse other their fellow aduenturers euill by calumnies and vnderminings but Virginias prosperity of which Natures prosperity is thus related by one querulous of his owne losses and crosses His words are these Now concerning the state of the Country so much as I haue obserued I will relate vnto you First the Countrie it selfe I must confesse is a very pleasant Land rich in Commodities and fertile in soyle to produce all manner of Plants Hearbes and Fruites I haue seene here my selfe both Carrets Turneps Cabages Onyons Leekes Garlicke Tyme Parseley Pompions Muskmilion and Watermilions rare fruits and exceeding wholesome here are also Strawberries I haue lien downe in one place in my Corne field and in the compasse of my reach haue filled my belly in the place and for Mulberries I can when I list goe and gather a bushell at a time here is also a coole Fruite growing wildely on the ground much resembling a great Walnut with the greene rinde on it which reserues in it three admirable good tastes namely of Strawberries Rosewater and Sugar they were an exceeding great comfort to me in my last yeeres sicknesse and are admirable good against the bloudly fluxe English Wheate and Barley will grow here exceeding well I haue seene here growing as good English Wheate as euer I saw in England in all my life For Timber we haue the Oake Ashe Poplar blacke Walnut white Walnut Pines Gumme trees the Pines here afford admirable good Pitch and Tarre and serue split out in small peeces in many places of this Land instead of Candles but it will smeare one worse then a Linke here are also Peare trees which yearely bring forth Peares But there is a tree that passeth all Fruite trees which we call by the names of a Prissurmon tree which beareth a Plum much about the bignesse of a Peare plum I doe thinke it is one of the rarest Fruites in the world when they are ripe they eate naturally of themselues from the tree better then any preserued Plummes I euer tasted in England The Beasts that this Land is plentifully stored withall are Deere Beares in some parts Beauers Otters Foxes Hares Squirrels Roccounes Possucins names strange to you yet are they singular good meate the Roccouns tasting as well as Pigges flesh Indian Dogges here are as good meate with vs as your English Lambe English Cattell here increase and thriue very well as Kine Hogges Goates and Poultry Fowle here are abundance as Swans Brants Geese Turkies Herons Cranes Eagles fishing Hawkes Bussards Ducke and Mallard Sheldrake Dapchicke Partriches Pidgeons Crowes Blacke-birds and all manner of small Birds in abundance Our Riuers here are likewise rich by the abundance of Fish as Herings Shads Perch Eele Pike Carpe Cat-fish Rock-fish Gor-fish and Sturgeon If here were any that would make fishing for Sturgeon an occupation they might take inough to furnish this Land and also plentifully supply England I my selfe haue seene aboue twenty Sturgeon leape aboue water in lesse then two houres As for our Graine I thinke it produceth the plentifullest encrease of any Corne in the World for I haue seene one graine of Corne that by the assistance of growth and time hath yeelded a pint of Corne we haue here also Beanes and Pease I confesse here are
vngodly and inhumane also to deny the world to men or like Manger-dogges neither to eat hay themselues nor to suffer the hungry Oxe to prohibite that for others habitation whereof themselues can make no vse or for merchandise whereby much benefit accreweth to both parts They which doe this Tollunt è vita vitae societatem to vse Tullies phrase hominem ex homine tollunt to borrow Saint Ieroms in another matter The Barbarians themselues by light of nature saw this and gaue Ours kind entertainment in mutuall cohabitation and commerce and they hauing not the Law were a Law to themselues practically acknowledging this Law of Nature written by him which is Natura naturans in their hearts from which if they since haue declined they haue lost their owne Naturall and giuen vs another Nationall right their transgression of the Law of Nature which tieth Men to Men in the rights of Natures commons exposing them as a forfeited bond to the chastisement of that common Law of mankind and also on our parts to the seueritie of the Law of Nations which tyeth Nation to Nation And if they bee not worthy of the name of a Nation being wilde and Sauage yet as Slaues bordering rebells excommunicates and out-lawes are lyeble to the punishments of Law and not to the priuiledges So is it with these Barbarians Borderers and Outlawes of Humanity Armatenenti Omnia dat qui iusta negat If the Armes bee iust as in this case of vindicating vnnaturall inhumane wrongs to a louing and profitable Nation entertained voluntarily in time of greatest pretended amity On this quarrell Dauid conquered all the Kingdome of the Ammonites and leâ—â— it to his 〈◊〉 in many generations notwithstanding Moses had otherwise left a speciall caution for their security testifying that God had giuen it the sonnes of Lot and prohibiting inuasion to Israel That natural right of cohabitation and commerce we had with others this of iust inuasion and conquest and many others praeuious to this we haue aboue others so that England may both by Law of Nature and Nations challenge Virginia for her owne peculiar propriety and that by all right and rites vsuall amongst men not those mentioned alone but by others also first discouery first actuall possession prescription gift cession and liuery of seisin sale for price that I mention not the naturall Inheritance of the English their naturally borne and the vnnaturall outcries of so many vnnaturally murthered for iust vengeance of rooting out the authors and actors of so prodigious iniustice And first for discouery the English Spaniard and Portugall seeme the Triumuiri of the Worlds first discoueries the Spaniard and Portugall first opening the Eastern Western and Southern parts the English the Northern America and all known parts thence to the North Northeast I could bring authority for King Arthurs conquests aboue 1000. yeers since in Island Gronland Estotiland but I feare this would seeme too weake a foundation and which lyers get by lying discredit our other authorities lesse suspicious howsoeuer Authors of best note in Geography alledge those which reuerence of the truth makes me let passe And so I doe King Malgo soone after him and Saint Brandon and the Friar of Oxford which A. 1360. is said to discouer to the Pole and Owen Gwined Prince of North Wales his sonne Madock A. 1170. which conueyed a Colony as learned men thinke into the West Indies In all Antiquities as Uarro obserued there are somethings fabulous so I deeme the former something vncertaine as this last and somethings Historicall as that which we shall deliuer Robert Thorne in a Booke to Doctor Leigh writeth that his father with another Merchant of Bristol Hugh Eliot were the first discouerers of the New-found-lands and if the Mariners would haue beene ruled by their Pilot the Lands of the West Indies from whence the Gold commeth had beene ours What yeere this happened he expresseth not but the words import that it was before Columbus his discouery And before Columbus his discouery of the continent Sir Sebastian Cabot at the charges of K. Henry the seuenth with two Caruels in the yeere 1496. so him selfe in Ramusio the Map with his picture in the Priuy Gallery hath 1497. sailed to the New-found land which he called Prima Vista and the Iland S. Iohns because it was discouered on the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist from whence he sailed Northerly to 67. deg and a halfe hoping by that way to passe to Cathay but his mutinous company terrified haply with Ice and cold forced his returne which hee made along the Coast toward the Equinoctiall to the part of the firme land now called Florida and then his victualls failing he returned into England where by occasion of warres with Scotland the imploiment was laid aside Afterwards the same Sir Sebastian Cabot was sent A. 1516. by King Henry the eight together with Sir Thomas Pert Viceadmirall of England which after coasting this Continent the second time as I haue read discouered the Coast of Brasil and returned from thence to S. Domingo and Puerto Rico. Now Columbus his first discouery of the Ilands was in 1492. of the Continent in his third voyage in August 1497. or as others 1498. so that counting most fauourably for Columbus Cabot had discouered the Continent in Iune next before by one reckoning aboue a yeere by another aboue two yeeres before And indeed that New World might more fitly haue borne his name then America of Americus vesputius or of Columbus Cabot hauing discouered farre more of that Continent then they both or any man else in those Seas to wit from 67. degrees and an halfe to the Line and from thence Southerly to the Riuer of Plate Hee also was the principall mouer in the setting forth of Sir Hugh Willoughby in King Edwards time vnder whom he was constituted Grand Pilot of England with the annuall stipend of one hundred sixtie sixe pound thirteene shillings foure pence in which voyage Greeneland was discouered neither is there any other Willoughbys Land to be found but in erroneous Maps and the Russian Empire by the North Cape and the Bay of Saint Nicolas But for Uirginia as it was then discouered by Sir Seb. Cabot so it receiued that name from our Virgin-Mother Great Elizabeth in whose time formal actual possession was taken for her Maiesty the thirteenth of Iuly 1584. by Captain Philip Amadas and Captain Barlow whom Sir Walter Raleigh had sent thither with two Barkes furnished who also the next yeere 1585. sent Sir Richard Greenevile with seuen sayle which there left an English Colony vnder the gouernment of M. Ralph Lane A. 1586. hee sent another Ship of one hundred Tuns thither for their reliefe but the Colony being returned in Sir Francis Drakes Fleet shee returned also Sir Richard Greenevile also about a fortnight after their departure arriued with three Ships and not finding the Colonie
Mynes made them the seruants of Rome and Carthage and what their Mynes and mindes doe now I leaue them to others Once as the Mynes are in barrennest soyle and couetous men haue least euen when they are had of most money medijs vt Tantalus vndis so I haue heard that in Spaine is lesse Gold and Siluer then in other parts of Europe I dare not mention the proportions from both Spanish and English relation their vsuall money also to meddle with no more is of base mettall and their greatest summes computed by Marauedis lesse then our later tokens except which deuised for poorer vses of the poorest England of long time knowes no base monyes and hath seene plentie of Siluer and Gold of Wine and Oyle which grow not in her when Spaine which produceth these is fed with salads and drinketh water helped now and then with Hogges-kinne vnsauoury Wine The Indian Fountaines runne with golden and siluer streames sic vos non vobis not to themselues but into that Spanish Cisterne and these Cisternes are like those of the London Water-house which hath the Conduit Pipes alway open in the bottome so that a thousand other Cisternes hold more water then it so may it be said of the other it is not Concha but Canalis a Pipe rather then Cisterne a Cash-keeper rather then Owner and which is spoken of better things remaining poore makes many rich To proceed are not Myners the most miserable of Slaues toyled continually and vnto manifold deaths tired for others in bringing to light those Treasures of darknesse and liuing if they liue or if that bee a life in the suburbs of Hell to make others dreame of Heauen Yea Paradise the modell of heauen had in it no Minerals nor was Adam in his innocency or Noah after the Worlds recouery both Lords of all employed in Mines but in those happy workes which Uirginia inuiteth England vnto in Vines Gardening and Husbandry Neither let any man thinke that I pleade against the sourenesse of the Grapes like the Foxe which could not reach them but I seriously shew that they are calues and not men which adore the golden Calfe or Nabuchadnezzars great golden statue as if the body were not more then raiment and those things to be preferred to money for whose sake mony the creature of man base Idolatry where the Creator worships his creature was first ordained and still hath both vse and being Doe we not see in this respect that the Silkes Calicos Drugges and Spices of the East swallow vp not to mention the Belgian whirlepoole all the Mines of the West and that one Carricke carrieth more Rials thither then perhaps some whole Region in Spaine retaineth for vulgar vse And whence are English Portugals or Dutchmen fitted for that commerce as if America had ominously for other iust reason there is none beene called India as if the West were but drudge and factor for the East And what hath dispeopled the New World not leauing in some places one of Millions but Auri sacra fames others killing them in the Mines or they killing themselues to preuent the Mines Let it be riches enough that Sir Thomas Dale testified by Letters from thence and after his returne to me that foure of the best Kingdomes of Christendome were not for naturall endowments comparable to Virginia and which I haue heard of one which hath trauelled in all the best Regions of Europe and hath seene more of Virginia then perhaps any man else and which needes not speake for any gaine there or thence gotten as no reputed fauourite or fauourer of that Society and their actions that he hath seene no Country to be preferred for soile nor for commodious Riuers to be compared And if successe hath not beene correspondent to English hopes who seeth not the causes of those diseasters Diuision that taile-headed Amphisbana and many-headed monster deformed issue of that difformed old Serpent in some of the Colony there CoÌ„pany here hath from time to time thrust in her forged venomous tongue wherby they haue swolne with deadly poison of great thoughts of heart onely by pride doe men make contention with blinde-staring eyes of self-loue abounding in their own sense whence suspicions iealousies factions partialities to friends and dependants wilfull obstinacies and other furious passions haue transported men from Uirginias good and their owne Couetousnesse hath distorted others to minde earth and not heauen in hastinesse of more then speedy returne and present gaine forgetting that Godlinesse is the best gaine and that they are planting a Colony not reaping a haruest for a publike and not but in subordinate order priuate wealth A long time Uirginia was thought to be much encombered with Englands excrements some vicious persons as corrupt leuin sowring or as plague sores infecting others and that Colony was made a Port Exquiline for such as by ordure or vomit were by good order and physicke worthy to be euacuated from This Body whence not only lazie drones did not further the Plantation but wicked Waspes with sharking and the worst that is beggerly tyrants frustrated and supplanted the labours of others Caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt A prodigious Prodigall here is not easily metamorphosed in a Virginian passage to a thrifty Planter nor can there neede wiser choise or more industrious course in any vndertaking then is requisite in a Christian Colonies plantation amongst Infidels Which I suppose hath beene carefully by many Aduenturers practised and whatsoeuer faults happened by ignorance in the beginnings neglect of seasons riot slâ—ath occasionall wants of or in Gouernours or Gouernment abuses of Mariners trechery of Fugitiues and Sauages and other diseases which haue in part attended all new Plantatâ—ons and consumed many experience I hope by this time hath taught to preuent or remedy The late barbarous Massacre hinc illa lachrymâ— still bleedeth and when things were reported to be in better forwardnesse then euer in great part blasted those hopefull blossomes di 〈…〉 ointed the proceedings in the Iron workes Vineyards Mulberry plants and in sudden shifts for life exposed them to manifold necessities insomuch that many of the Principals being slain the rest surprised with feare reduced themselues almost from eighty to eight Plantations whereby pestered with multitude and destitute of Corne and other forsaken necessaries they incurred a grieuous and generall sicknesse which being increased by infection of some passengers tainted in their Ship-passage with corrupt Beere there followed a mortality which consumed about fiue hundred persons besides three hundred and fifty or thereabouts murthered in that Sauage-Massacre All which notwithstanding there remaine some haue if truely calculated and coniectured eighteene hundred persons for whose security and prouision it hath pleased his Maiesty to haue a Royall care as lâ—kewise the Honorable Lords of his Maiesties priuy Councell besides the honorable endeuours of the Councell and well affected members of that Society
Religion for which wee most honour her for which God did most blesse her she might iustly haue beene ranked with the ancients Romans England is a small thing as the Map sheweth to Spaine and yet we durst not looke out of doores for her and hers Thus worthily that worthy man of the Worthy of women in her time Great and glorious Elizabeth how didst thou contemne the Iberian threates How didst thou inuert diuert subuert their attempts How victoriously didst thou euade their inuinoible Inuasion how didst thou inuade the Inuaders at their gates in their ports how didst thou meete them in the Atlanticke pursue them to the South to the Indian Seas and round about the World How did the skie windes waues serue to a higher prouidence in thy deliueries in thy triumphs how often were the prodigious Carrikes of the East and prodigall Vessels of the West either staid at home for feare or driuen to fort-couert by the way or costly wafted on their way or burned in the way or sunke out of the way or carried quite a way to visite the English shoares and adornâ— the Trophees of great and glorious Elizabeth Rouze vp your braue spirits English hearts in loyall subiection to your Royall Soueraign be ready to offer right feare not to suffer wrong seeke the good and see the goods which Virginia offers Here could I wilder my selfe in thickets of arguments and could Muster more motiues and more necessarily concluding for Virginias aduancement if that which we desire not be enforced on vs then I haue already numbred in plantation and commerce Yea almost all those former arguments are pressed of necessity or offer their seruice voluntarily some more others no lesse seruiceable that way then to publike peace and traffique which also are securest when they neede not feare a Warre The honour of Religion defended by the Defender of the Faith of our Nation King Kingdome the Materials of Ships Mariners Armes Victuals Fishing Merchandise and Prize subseruient to each Voyage that one may supply if the other faile in crossed Voyages a conuenient receptacle for refreshing fit place of stay in not fitting and vnseasonable seasons a safe repository for spoiles gotten in expectation of greater purchase a redresse to weatherbeaten and storme-distressed Ships a refuge to such as the enemy hath battered and endangered an Hospitall for sicke wounded and presently vnseruiceable Mariners and Souldiers a storehouse to repaire Timbers Tackling and other prouisions to Ships and Men a fit meane in supplying vs from thence with necessaries to keepe those Monies in our owne hands whereby we are destitute of the principall sinewes of warre yea perhaps the enemy armed against vs a schoole and training place for our youth to endure labour and hardship and to prepare them like the Iewes in Nehemiahs time to vse the Sword with one hand and instruments of labour in the other an exercise to breede Men for longer Voiages a backedoore to breake out suddenly on the enemy an ambushment whiles Ships from hence thence shal at once be expected and he wâ—ich flees the one shall fall into the other a redoubling of our forces when they meete a safe harbour in Bermuda or in Virginia for a hundred sailes or many more to awaite all opportunities a place likely to yeelde to men of merit entertainment and reward a place yeelding opportunity by trade there to weaken our possible or probable enemies to whom now wee seeke for trade and consequently to weaken them by the want of our Commodities and to adde a double strength to our selues a place commodious to preuent warre by diuerting it to diuert it by preuenting to subuert the enemies Plantations by sudden assaults or force them to costly Garisons to euert their Merchandising by trade suspended surprized or defended with chargeable waftage to interuert their intelligence and profits to inuert the hearts of Malecontents and those hands which feare now curbeth and briâ—leth to conuert to our parts those which maintaine a fugitiue and wilde enmity with them to auert the profits of their Mines by other imployments and in a word to make that vse of others against them which their examples haue taught vs in acquiring the great Empires of Mexico and Peru with other parts of America which without the helpe of Indians against Indians banding themselues with a contrary faction such handfuls had neuer beene able to haue effected What shall I say more If others impotence and importunities force a War Uirginia and Summer Ilands seeme to this English body as two American hands eares feete two eyes for defence two Keyes as before is said for offence two Armes to get encompasse embrace two Fists to strike the Sword and Dagger Ship and Pinnace Castle and Rampire Canon Musket Arsenale and Peere and whatsoeuer God shall please to giue to humaine industry who giues all things of free grace but to such to whom he hath giuen grace freely to seeke them and is alway a facile and easie giuer but to them onely which loue not their ease and idle pleasure And although I am no Secretary of Gods Counsell for the Indies yet euent hath reuealed thus much of his will that no other Christian Nation hath yet gotten and maintained possession in those parts but the English to whom therefore wee may gather their decreed seruiceablenesse in Peace aduantagiousnesse in Warre and opportunity for both to be both Magazine and Bulwarke and ready euen by naturall scituation to sit on the skirts of whatsoeuer enemies which passe from America to Europe Three Spanish witnesses Acosta Ouiedo and Herrera haue related this in describing the course of that Nauigation yea all experience the Heauens also and Elements subscribe to it For such is the statute of the windes which all Shipping in that Sea must obey they must goe one way and returne another To the Indies the course from Europe is by the Canaries and thence entring the Tropike they meete with the Brises which are perpetuall Easterne windes or I know not what impetuosity by the motion of the heauens breathed into the lower aire betwixt the Tropikes and pressing all vapours and exhalations vnto that seruice in one or other point Easterly which force the Ships to returne neerer the American coast there to seeke as it were some alloy of that impetuous motion euen as you see Water-men in the Thames rowing against the tide to couet neere the shoare where the tide is weakest and thence passing the Tropike to seeke Westerly windes which from twenty seuen to thirty seuen doe there vsually remaine as wee see in Eddies caused by stronger motions Thus the Spanish Ships on the South Sea make one way from Acapulco to the Philippinas which is the Tropicke and another without in the height of Iapan to returne And thus in the Atlanticke the Ships from their seuerall ports come to the Hauana in Cuba and thence must take their course neere to Uirginia and Summer Ilands
Brother vnto Captaine Rawley Gilbert who at that time was President of that Councell But found that the old Captaine Popham was also dead who was the onely man indeed that died there that Winter wherein they indured the greater extremities for that in the depth thereof their Lodgings and stores were burnt and they thereby wondrously distressed This calamitie and euill newes together with the resolution that Captaine Gilbert was forced to take for his owne returne in thaâ— he was to succeed his Brother in the Inheritance of his Lands in England made the whole Company to resolue vpon nothing but their returne with the ships and for that present to leaue that Countrey againe hauing in the time of their abode there notwithstanding the coldnesse of the season and the small helpe they had built a prettie Barke of their owne which serued them to good purpose as easing them in their returning The arriuall of these people here in England was a wonderfull discouragement to all the first vndertakers in so much as there was no more speech of setling any other Plantation in those parts for a long time after only Sir Francis Popham hauing the ships and prouision which remayned of th Company and supplying what was necessary for his purpose sent diuers times to the Coasts for Trade and fishing of whose losse or gaines himselfe is best able to giue account Our people abandoning the Plantation in this sort as you haue heard the Frenchmen immediately tooke the opportunitie to settle themselues within our limits which beeing heard of by those of Virginia that discreetly tooke to their consideration the inconueniences that might arise by suffering them to harbour there they dispatched Sir Samuel Argall with Commission to displace them which he performed with much discretion iudgement valour and dexteritie For hauing seized their Forts which they had built at Mount Mansell Saint Croix and Port Reall he carried away their Ordnance he also surprised their Ship Cattle and other Prouisions which he transported to the Colonie in Virginia to their great benefit And hereby hee hath made a way for the present hopefull Plantation to be made in Noua Scotia which we heare his Maiestie hath lately granted to Sir William Alexander Knight one of his Maiesties most Honorable Councell of the Kingdome of Scotland to be held of the said Crowne and that not without some of our priuities as by approbation vnder writing may and doth appeare Whereby it is manifest that wee are so farre from making a Monopoly of all those Lands belonging to that Coast as hath beene scandalously by some obiected That wee wish that many would vndertake the like In this Interim there were of vs who apprehended better hopes of good that might ensue by this attempt being thereunto perswaded both by the Relations of our people that had indured the many difficulties whereunto such actions are subiected chiefly in the Winter Season and likewise by the informations giuen them by certaine of the Natiues that had beene kept a long time in their hands wherefore we resolued once more to trie the veritie thereof and to see if possibly we might finde some thing that might induce a fresh resolution to prosecute a Worke so pious and so honourable And thereupon they dispatched Captayne Hobson of the I le of Wight together with Captayne Herley Master Iohn Matthew Master Sturton with two Sauages the one called Epenow the other Manawet with Commission and directions fit for them to obserue and follow the better to bring to passe what was expected But as in all humane affaires there is nothing more certaine then the vncertaintie thereof so fell it out in this for a little before such time as they arriued vpon the Coast with the foresaid Sauages who were Naturals of those parts it happened there had beene one Hunt a worthlesse fellow of our Nation set out by certaine Merchants for loue of gaine who not content with the commoditie he had by the fish and peaceable Trade he found among the Sauages after he had made his dispatch and was ready to set sayle more Sauage-like then they seized vpon the poore innocent creatures that in confidence of his honestie had put themselues into his hands And stowing them vnder Hatches to the number of twentie foure carried them into the Straits where he sought to sell them for slaues and sold as many as he could get mony for But when it was vnderstood from whence they were brought the Friers of those parts took the rest from them and kept them to be instructed in the Christian Faith and so disappointed this vnworthy fellow of the hopes of gaine he conceiued to make by this new and Deuillish proiect This being knowne by our two Sauages formerly spoken of they presently contracted such an hatred against our whole Nation as they immediately studied how to be reuenged and contriued with their friends the best meanes to bring it to passe but Manawet dying in a short time after the shippes arriuall there and the other obseruing the good order and strong guard our people kept studied only how to free himselfe out of our hands and thereupon laid the plot very orderly and indeed effected his purpose although with so great hazard to himselfe and friends that laboured his rescue that Captayne Hobson and his whole Company imagined hee had beene slaine And though in the recouery of his bodie they wounded the Master of our ship and diuers other of our Company yet was not their Designe without the slaughter of some of their people and the hurts of other compassed as appeared afterward Hereupon Captaine Hobson and his Company conceiuing the end of their attempt to bee frustrate resolued without more adoe to returne and so those hopes that charge and Voyage was lost also for they brought home nothing but the newes of their euill successe of the vnfortunate cause thereof and of a Warre now new begun betweene the Inhabitants of those parts and vs. A miserable comfort for so weake meanes as were now left to pursue the conclusion of so tedious an Enterprise While this was a working we found the meanes to send out Captaine Iohn Smith from Plimmouth in a ship together with Master Dermer and diuers others with him to lay the foundation of a new Plantation and to try the fishing of that Coast and to seeke to settle a Trade with the Natiues But such was his misfortune as being scarce free of our owne Coast he had his Masts shaken ouer-boord by stormes and tempests his ship wonderfully distressed and in that extremitie forced to come backe againe so as the season of the yeere being almost spent wee were of necessitie enforced to furnish him with another ship and taking out the prouision of the first dispatched him away againe who comming to the height of the Westerne Ilands was chased by a French Pirate and by him made Prisoner although his ship
in the night escaped away and returned with the losse of much of her prouision and the ouerthrow of that Voyage to the ruine of that poore Gentleman Captayne Smith who was detayned Prisoner by them and forced to suffer many extremities before he got free of his troubles Notwithstanding these Disasters it pleased God so to worke for our incouragement againe as he sent into our hands Tasquantum one of those Sauages that formerly had beene betrayed by this vnworthy Hunt before named by whose means there was hope conceiued to worke a peace betweene vs and his friends they beeing the principall Inhabitants of that Coast where the fire was kindled But this Sauage Tasquantum being at that time in the New-found-land with Captaine Mason Gouernour there for the vndertakers of that Plantation Master Darmer who was there also and sometimes before imployed as wee haue said by vs together wiâ—h Captayne Iohn Smith found the meanes to giue vs intelligence of him and his opinion of the good vse that might bee made of his Employment with the readinesse of Captayne Mason to further any of our Attempts that way eyther with Boates or other prouision necessarie and resoluing himselfe to goe from thence aduised vs to send some to meete with him at our vsuall place of fishing to ayde him in his indeuour that they ioyning together might bee able to doe what he hoped would be very acceptable vnto all wel-wishers of that businesse Vpon this newes we dispatched the next season Cap. Rocraft with a company for that purpose in hope to haue met with Captaine Darmer but the care and discretion of Cap. Mason was such finding Captayne Darmers resolution to goe beyond his meanes that he perswaded him first to go for England that prouiding himselfe there as was requisite hee might proceed in time expedient which counsell he obserued as fit it was although our expectation of his ioyning with Captaine Rocraft was thereby disappointed Yet so it happened that Captaine Rocraft at his arriuall in those parts met with a French Barke that lay in a Creeke a fishing and trading which hee seized on and sent home the Master and Company in the same ship which hee went out in With this Barke and his owne Company he meant to keepe the Coast that Winter quarter being very well fitted both with Salt and other necessaries for his turne but as this was an Act of extremitie the poore man being of our owne Religion so succeeded it accordingly For in a short time after certaine of this Captaynes Company conspired together to cut his throate and to make themselues Masters of the whole spoyle and so to seeke a new Fortune where they could best make it This Conspiracie being discouered to the Captayne he let it go on till the time that it should haue beene put in execution when hee caught them in their owne traine and so apprehended them in the very instant that they were purposed to begin their Massacre But after hee had preuented the mischiefe and seized vpon the Malefactois hee tooke to his consideration what was best to bee done with them And being loth by himselfe to dispatch them as they deserued hee resolued to put them a shoare thinking by their hazard that it was possible they might discouer something that might aduance the publike and so giuing them some Armes for their defence and some victuall for their sustentation vntill they knew better how to prouide for themselues hee left them a place called Sawaguatock where they remayned not long but got from thence to Menehighon an Iland lying some three leagues in the Sea and fifteene leagues from that place where they remayned all that Winter with bad lodging and worse fare yet came all safe home saue one sickely man which dyed there the rest returned with the Shippe wee sent for Rocrafts supply and prouision to make a Fishing Voyage After these fellowes were landed the Captaine finding himselfe but weakely man'd and his Ship to draw too much water to Coast those places that by his instructions hee was assigned to discouer hee resolued to goe for Virginia where he had liued a long time before and had as hee conceiued many friends that would helpe him with some things that hee had occasion to vse Arriuing there he was not deceiued of his expectation for Sir Samuel Argall being their Gouernour and one that respected him much for his owne sake was the readier to helpe him in regard of the good hee wished to the businesse wherein he was imployed But all this could not preuaile for after that Sir Samuel Argall came from thence his departure being more sudden then was expected it fell out that the new Gouernour entred the Harbour and finding Rocraft ready to bee gone sent to him to command him to come aboord to speake with him which hee readily obeyed as soone as hee could fit his boat and men for that purpose And so leauing his Barke with her great Anker at head and taking with him the halfe of his company he was forced to stay aboard the new Gouernors Ship that night In the meane while a storme arising our Barke wanting hands to doe their labour droue a shoare and there sunke But yet the Gouernour and Captaine so laboured the next day when they knew thereof as that they freed her againe but that occasion forced our Captain to stay so long in the Countrey to fit himselfe a new as in the interim a quarrell fell out betweene him and another of that place so as Rocraft was slaine and the Barke sunke the second time and finally disabled from yeelding vs any benefit to this present But we not knowing this disaster and Captain Darmer arriuing with his Sauage out of New-found land dispatched him away the next season in a Ship wee sentagaine for the fishing businesse and assigned him a company to ioyne with Rocraft and his people Captain Darmer arriuing there and not finding Rocraft was a little perplexed and in doubt what to doe yet hearing by those Mutiners which hee found there that hee was gone for Virginia he was hopefull of his returne and liued in that expectation till such time as he heard by a Ship that came from thence to fish for the Colony the confusion of his fortune and the end of his masery in this world Then hee determined to take the Pinnace that the yeere before was assigned to Rocraft for him to make the Trade with and with her to proceed on his designe and so embarked himselfe and his prouision and company in her And leauing the Fisher-men to their labour he coasted the shoare from thence searching euery Harbour and compassing euery Cape-land till hee arriued in Uirginia where hee was in hope to meet with some of the prouision or company of Rocraft to help to supply him of what hee wanted as also to lay a Decke vpon his Pinnace that before had not any and now was
taught by experience the necessitie of hauing that defect supplied But those hopes failed him all being before that time ruined and dispersed so farre as he saw it in vaine to hope for helpe by that meanes and therefore attempted to make the best of what hee had of his owne And going to set his men a worke they all in few dayes after their arriuall fell sicke of a disease which hapned at that time in the Countrey so as now he was not onely forced to be without hope of their helping of him but must labour himselfe all hee could to attend and sustaine them but so God fauoured him that they recouered and in time conuenient he dispatched his businesse there and put himselfe to Sea againe resoluing to accomplish in his iourney backe to new-New-England what in his last Discouery he had omitted In his passage he met with certaine Hollanders who had a trade in Hudsons Riuer some yeeres before that time with whom he had conference about the state of that coast and their proceedings with those people whose answere gaue him good content Hee betooke himselfe to the following of his businesse discouering many goodly Riuers and exceeding pleasant and fruitfull Coasts and Ilands for the space of eightie leagues from East to West for so that Coast doth range along from Hudsons Riuer to Cape Iames. Now after wee had found by Captaine Rocrafts relation made the yeere before the hopes hee conceiued of the benefits that Coast would afford towards the vpholding of the charge for setling our Plantation by reason of the commodities arising by Fishing and Furres if a course might bee taken for the managing of that businesse as was fit for such a designe as well as for the aduancement of the publike good of our whole Nation and satisfaction of euery well disposed person that had a will to be interressed therein It was held to be most conuenient to strengthen our selues by a new Grant to bee obtained from his Royal Maiesty the rather finding that those of Uirginia had by two seuerall Patents setled their bounds and excluded all from intermedling with them that were not free of their Company and had wholly altered the forme of their Gouernment from the first ground layed for the managing the affaires of both Colonies leauing vs as desperate and our businesse as abandoned These considerations as is said together with the necessitie of setling our affaires bounds and limits dictinct from theirs made vs resolue to petition his Maiestie for the renewing of our Grant By which time the rumour of our hopes was so publikely spread abroad and the commodities of the Fish and Trade so looked into as it was desired that all that Coast might bee made free as well to those of Virginia as to vs to make their commoditie How iust or vniust that motion was wee will not argue seeing the businesse is ended By this meanes our proceedings were interrupted and wee questioned about it first by the Counsell of Virginia whom wee thought to haue beene fully satisfied therein before wee could haue way giuen vs for a new Patent both parties hauing beene heard by certaine of the Lords of the Councell and the businesse by them so ordered as wee were directed to proceed and to haue our Grant agreeable to the libertie of the Virginia Company the frame of our gouernment excepted but this order not being liked of it was againe heard and concluded Lastly the Patent being past the Seale it was stopt vpon new suggestions to the King and by his Maiesty referred to the Councel to be setled by whom the former Orders were confirmed the difference cleered and we ordered to haue our Patent deliuered vs. These disputes held vs almost two yeeres so as all men were afraid to ioyne with vs and we thereby left hopelesse of any thing more than that which our owne fortunes would yeeld to aduance our proceedings in which time so many accidents hapned vnto vs at home and abroad that wee were â—aine to giue order by the Ships wee sent a fishing for the retiring of Master Darmer and his people vntill all things were cleered and wee better prouided of meanes to goe through with our designe But this worthy Gentleman confident of the good likely to ensue and resolutely resoluing to pursue the ends he aymed at could not be perswaded to looke backe as yet and so refusing to accept our offer began againe to prosecute his Discouery wherein he was betrayed by certaine new Sauages who sodainly set vpon him giuing him fourteene or fifteene wounds but by his valour and dexteritie of spirit hee freed himselfe out of their hands yet was constrained to retire into Virginia againe the second time for the cure of his wounds where he fell sicke of the infirmities of that place and thereof dyed so ended this worthy Gentleman his dayes after he had remained in the discouery of that Coast two yeeres giuing vs good content in all hee vndertooke and after hee had made the peace betweene vs and the Sauages that so much abhorred our Nation for the wrongs done them by others as you haue heard but the fruit of his labour in that behalfe wee as yet receiue to our great commoditie who haue a peaceable Plantation at this present among them where our people both prosper and liue in good liking and assurednesse of their neighbours that had beene formerly so much exasperated against vs as will more at large appeare hereafter But hauing passed all these storms abroad and vndergone so many home-bred oppositions and freed our Patent which wee were by order of State assigned to renew for the amendment of some defects therein contained wee were assured of this ground more boldly to proceed on than before and therefore wee tooke first to consideration how to raise the meanes to aduance the Plantation In the examination thereof two wayes did first offer themselues The one was the voluntary contribution of the Patentees The other by an easie ransoming of the freedomes of those that had a will to partake only of the present profits arising by the Trade and Fishing vpon the Coast. The first was to proceed from those Noble-men and others that were Patentees and they agreed by order among themselues to disburse a hundred pounds a piece for the aduancement of such necessary businesse as they had in hand The second was to bee accomplished by setling such liberties and orders in the Westerne Cities and Townes as might induce euery reasonable man in and about them affecting the publike good or a regular proceeding in the businesse of Trade to embrace an vniformitie and to ioyne a communitie or ioynt stock together c. BVt this Countrey what by the generall and particular situation is so temperate as it seemeth to hold the golden meane and indeed is most agreeable to the nature of our owne which is made manifest by experience the most infallible proofe of all
abroad our Colours and went toward the Admirall before wee came vnto him he likewise strooke downe our Sayle and came vnder his lee demanding his pleasure the other ship which first shot vs all our Sayles being downe and shot our mayne Sayle in pieces lying on the Decke And forthwith the Admirall came on boord of vs with two and twentie men in their ships Boate with Rapiers Swords and halfe-pikes We being all in peace stood readie to entertayne them in peace But assoone as they were entred on boord of vs they did most cruelly beate vs all and wounded two of our Company in the heads with their Swords not sparing our Captayne nor any Also they wounded Assacomoit one of the Sauages aforesaid most cruelly in seuerall places in the bodie and thrust quite through the arme the poore creature creeping vnder a Cabbin for feare of their rigour and as they thrust at him wounding him he cried still King Iames King Iames King Iames his ship King Iames his ship Thus hauing beaten vs all downe vnder the Deckes presently they beat vs vp againe and thrust vs ouer-boord into their Boate and so sent vs on boord of the Admirall ship Neither would they suffer any of vs to speake a word to shew the cause of our passing the Seas in these parts Neyther regarded they any thing our Commission which the Captayne held forth vnto them in his hand vntill that the Admirall with the Company of foure other of the ships had rifled spoyled and deliuered all the Merchandize and goods of the ship among them which beeing done they also diuided vs beeing thirtie persons in all into the said fiue ships by seuen six fiue and foure to a ship Three of the former eight Sayle made Sayle away and neuer came neere vs neither were partakers of our spoyle Then they also repayred our Maine Sayle which was torne with the shot aforesaid and put their men into her And after because they could not make her to sayle well they tooke two of our men and put into her to helpe them the other fiue ships and our ship kept company two or three dayes together After this they separated themselues either from other not through any tempest or storme but through wilfull negligence or simple Ignorance by shaping contrary courses the one from the other So as not two of them kept company together My selfe and sixe more of our company in the Vice-Admirall of the burthen of one hundred and eightie tunnes called the Peter of Siuill the Captaynes name was Andreas Barbear beeing alone and hauing lost the company of the Fleet continued our course vntill the middle of December at which time being about twentie leagues off from the I le of Santa Maria one of the Iles of the Azores the Vice-Admiral and the whole company disliking the great Ignorance of the Pilot because he had told them ten dayes before that he was very neere the Ilands and had waited all this time and could find any of them entreated me very earnestly to shew my skill And the Pilot himselfe brought mee his Instruments and be sought mee most earnestly to assist him and to appease the company Whereunto by there much importunitie I yeelded And by Gods assistance on Christmasse Eeue after our English account I brought them safe to the Barre of Saint Lucas being the first ship of the whole Fleet that arriued there One of the ships of this Fleet by the great Ignorance of the Spanish Masters Pilots and Mariners was driuen beyond all the Coast of Spaine into Burdeaux in Gascayne In which shippe the Officers of the Admiraltie of France finding foure of our Englishmen prisoners vnder the Deckes in hold to wit Master Daniell Tucker who was our Cape Merchant Pierce Gliddon and two others did very friendly set them at libertie and the said Daniel Tucker presently arrested the Spanish ship and goods beeing of great value which of long time remayneth vnder arrest The good Duke of Medina hearing of the arriuall of certaine English prisoners taken here the Coast of the West Indies sent command to the Captaynes of the Spanish ships to bring foure of the chiefest to be brought before him Whereupon my selfe Master Thomas Saint Iohn Iohn Walrond our Steward and William Stone our Carpenter were brought before him The ship wherein Master Challous was was not yet come Master Dauid Neuill an Englishman dwelling in Saint Lucas was appointed our Interpretor And then the Duke required me vpon my oath to yeeld a true and faithfull answere according to the whole state and manner of our Voyage and proceedings which I did according to the former Relation afore written wherevpon his Excellencie replyed vnto the Spanish Captaynes which had brought vs saying it this bee true which this Englishman affirmeth you haue greatly wronged these men And so commanded them to prouide meate drinke and fit lodging for vs and to bring vs againe the next day before him They sent vs neuerthelesse to Siuill where wee were brought to a Dutchmans house called Signior Petro where we were reasonably lodged and entertayned that night The next morning being New yeeres day we were brought before the President of Siuill at the Contractation who hearing of our comming and not vouchsafing to speake with vs sent foure O 〈…〉 ers to vs and cast vs into Prison Where for the space of fiue dayes wee had publike allowance but such as poore men which were there Prisoners also did of their mereie bestow on vs. At length after many humble Sutes and earnest Petitions exhibited to the President we had a Riall of Plate allowed to each man a day which is sixe pence English whâ—ch by reason of the dearth of all sorts of victuall in those parts will not goe so far as three pence in England And so at seuerall times within one moneth after eleuen more of our Company were commi 〈…〉 to Prison as they came home whereof our Captaine was one Notwithstanding that the good Duke of Medina had discharged both him and all those of his Company which came into Spaine with him and willed him to goe home to the Court of England or to the Court of Spaine where he thought to haue best reliefe for his poore imprisoned Company Whereupon Nicholas Hine our Master and two more of our men wisely foreseeing what was like to bee the Issue made haste away out of the Citie and so got passage and escaped into England Before the comming of our Captaine to Siuill my selfe and eleuen more of my Company were examined before the President of the Contractation who finding no iust cause of offence in vs did often earnestly examine me of the manner and situation of the Countrie of Virginia together with the Commodities and benefit thereof And after the comming of our Captaine they likewise examined him to the same purpose We answered both to one purpose according to our Commission in writing which the Spaniards at our taking at
Sea had preserued and deliuered vp vnto the hands of the President Within few dayes after they gaue our Captaine and Master Thomas Saint Iohn libertie of mayne Prison vpon the securitie of two English Merchants which were Master William Rapier and Master Iohn Peckeford whereof the later is dwelling and maried in Siuill The rest of the Company being one and twentie in Prison continued still in miserable estate And about two moneths after Robert Cooke of London one of our Company fell sick of a Fluxe whereof he languished three moneths and more and by no meanes that wee could make could get him forth to bee cured although wee spent more then sixtie Rials in Supplicaues and Sutes to get him out At length being dead they caused his bodie to bee drawne vp and downe the Prison by the heeles naked in most contemptible manner crying Behold the Lutheran as fiue others of our Company beeing then in Prison beheld and so laid him vnder the Conduit and powred water into his dead bodie This done they cut off his Eares Nose and Members as the Spaniards themselues confessed vnto vs and so conueyed his bodie wee could neuer learne whether although we proffered them money to haue his dead corps to burie it Shortly after Nathaniel Humfrie our Boatswaine was stabbed into the belly with a Knife by a Spaniard which was a slaue in the Prison and fourteene dayes after dyed who beeing dead I went vnto the Keeper of the Prison desiring to buy his dead bodie to burie it and so for twenty Rials I bought his bodie and buried it in the field Then we be sought the President for Iustice on this slaue which had slaine our Boatswaine he demanded what we would haue of the slaue And we requested that as he had slaine an honest and worthy man of ours cause lesse that hee might die for it according to the Law The President answered no but if we would haue him condemned for two or three yeares more to the Gallies he should For said hee The King of Spaine will not giue the life of the worst Slaue that he hath for the best Subiect the King of England hath and so sent vs away with this answere Whereupon being out of all hope of Iustice with the President we repaired vnto the Regent being an Ecclesiasticall man one of the chiefest Iudges of the Citie desiring likwise Iustice on the Murtherer aforesaid who in kind tearmes promised vs Iustice and so willed vs to retaine counsell and Atturnies to prosecute our Sute which wee did accordingly and so after two moneths Sute and the cost of more then two hundred Rials on Lawyers Scribes and other Officers at length we had him hanged by the fauour of the Regent which otherwise we had neuer obtained And now I may not omit to shew how I got the libertie to haue the scope of the Citie for my Race to come and go Hauing beene three moneths in close Prison with our poore company as aforesaid At length I got the fauour of two Englishmen inhabiting in Siuill named Constantine Collins and Henry Roberts who did ingage themselues for me The Spaniards were very desirous to haue me to serue their State and proffered me great wages which I refused to doe affirming that this imployment which I had in hand was not yet ended vntill which time I would not determine any Then the Alcadie maior of the Contractation House and diuers others Merchants perswaded me to make them some descriptions and Maps of the Coast and parts of Virginia which I also refused to doe They being discontent with me sent mee againe to Prison where I continued two and twentie dayes and then I making meanes vnto my good friends borrowed money and so gaue diuers bribes vnto the keepers of the Prison whereupon they gaue mee libertie to goe abroad againe into the Citie at my pleasure And wayting euery day for some order from the Court of Spaine of our discharge there came none but delayes and prolonging of our troubles and miseries So as we began almost to despaire of libertie At length an honest Dutch Merchant dwelling in Siuill named Hanse Eloyse sent vnto mee to speake with me which when I came vnto him signified vnto me what he had learned of one of the Iudges of the Contractation who told him as he reported vnto me that the Spaniards had a great hate vnto me aboue all others because they vnderstood that I had beene a former Discouerer in Virginia at the bringing into England of those Sauages and that they thought it was by my instigation to perswade our State to inhabit those parts And because they had receiued so small knowledge of those parts by my confession and that they could not perswade mee to serue that State neither would make them any note draught or descriptions of the Countrie They resolued to bring to the Racke and torment me whereby to draw some further knowledge by confession from me before any discharge might come for vs. The which this honest Merchant considering and the Innocencie of our case gaue me to vnderstand And wished mee rather to flie and preserue my selfe then to stand to their mercie on the Racke I hearing this the next morning being the three and twentieth of October suddenly fled from Siuill and with me Master Thomas Saint Iohn aforesaid and one other of our Company named Iames Stoneman my Brother whom through great cost and charges bestowed on the Keepers of the Prison a little before I had got forth to bee cured of a Callenture Thus wee fled from Siuill leauing Master Henry Challons our Captaine at libertie vpon sureties and sixteene more of our Company in close Prison From thence on the fiue and twentieth of October wee came to a Mount in the Câ—ndado where finding no passage by any shipping into England France or Flanders Wee trauelled through Algaruie to the Port of Setunall and finding no passage there wee trauelled to Lasbone in Portugall Where wee arriued the one and thirtieth of October and there found ships readie bound to goe to England but the wind was contrary for fourteene dayes At the time of our abode at Lisbone wee vnderstood that three Carrickes were come from the East Indies whereof one was arriued safely at Lisbone tenne dayes before our comming thither Another was driuen to leeward and put in Veego as wee heard The third Carracke beeing at the I le of Tercera was so leake that they could not bring her home into Portugall but vnloaded her into three of the King of Spaines great Armadoes to bring the goods more safely to Lisbone Which Ships at there comming before the mouth of the Riuer of Lisbone in the night within three dayes after my comming thither were all cast away on certaine shoaldes there called Oscacâ—opos or as wee commonly call them the Catchops where of nine hundred men as the Portugalls reported but only thirtie seuen were saued and of the goods
that yeerely fish about Yarmouth where they sell their Fish for Gold and fifteene yeeres ago they had more then 116000. Sea-faring men The fishing shippes doe take yeerely two hundred thousand Last of fish twelue barrels to a Last which amounted to 3000000. pounds by the Fishermens price that fourteene yeeres agoe did pay for their Tenths 300000. pound which venting in Pumerland Sprussia Denmarke Lefland Russia Swethland Germany Netherlands England or else-where c. make their returnes in a yeere about 7000000. pounds and yet in Holland they haue neither matter to build ships nor Merchandize to set them forth yet by their industrie they as much increase as other Nations decay But leauing these vncertainties as they are of this I am certaine That the Coast of England Scotland and Ireland the North Sea with Ireland and the Sound New-found-land and Cape Blanke doe serue all Europe as well the Land Townes as Ports and all the Christian shipping with these sorts of Staple fish which is transported from whence it is taken many a thousand mile viz. Herring Salt-fish Poore-Iohn Sturgion Mullit Tunny Porgos Cauiare Buttargo Now seeing all these sorts of fish or the most part of them may be had in a Land more fertile temperate and plentifull of all necessaries for the building of ships Boates and houses and the nourishment of man the Seasons are so proper and the fishings so neere the habitations we may there make that New England hath much aduantage of the most of those parts to serue all Europe far cheaper then they can who at home haue neither Wood Salt nor Food but at great rates at Sea nothing but what they carrie in their ships an hundred or two hundred leagues from their habitation But New Englands fishings is neere land where is helpe of Wood Water Fruites Fowles Corne or other refreshings needfull and the Terceras Mederas Canaries Spaine Portugall Prouance Sauoy Sicilia and all Italy as conuenient Markets for our dry fish greene fish Sturgion Mullit Cauiare and Buttargo as Norway Swethland Littâ—ania or Germany for their Herring which is here also in abundance for taking they returning but Wood Pitch Tarre Sope-ashes Cordage Flaxe Waxe and such like Commodities we Wines Oyles Sugars Silkes and such Merchandize as the Straits affoord whereby our profit may equalize theirs besides the increase of shipping and Mariners And for proofe hereof With two ships sent out at the charge of Captaine Marmaduke Roydon Captaine George Laâ—gam Master Iohn Buley and W. Skelton I went from the Downes the third of March and arriued in New England the last of April where I was to haue stayed but with ten men to keepe possession of those large Territories Had the Whales proued as curious information had assured mee and my Aduentures but those things failed So hauing but fortie fiue men and boyes we built seuen Boates thirtie seuen did fish my selfe with eight others ranging the Coast I tooke a plot of what I could see got acquaintance of the Inhabitants 1100. Beuer skinnes a hundred Martines and as many Otters Fortie thousand of dry fish wee sent for Spaine with the Salt-fish traine Oyle and Furres I returned for England the eighteenth of Iuly and arriued safe with my Company the latter end of August Thus in sixe moneths I made my Voyage out and home and by the labour of fiue and fortie got neere the value of fifteene hundred pounds in those grosse Commodities This yeere also one went from Plimmouth set out by diuers of the I le of Wight and the West Countrie by the directions and instructions of Sir Ferdinando Gorge spent their victuals and returned with nothing The Virginia Company vpon this sent foure good ships and because I would not vndertake it for them hauing ingaged my selfe to them of the West the Londoners entertained the men that came home with me They set sayle in Ianuary and arriued there in March they found fish enough vntill halfe Iune fraughted a ship of three hundred tunnes went for Spaine which was taken by the Turkes one went to Uirginia to relieue that Colonie and two came for England with the greene fish traine Oyle and Furres within six moneths In Ianuary with two hundred pounds in cash for aduenture and six Gentlemen well furnished I went from London to the foure Ships was promised prepared for mee in the West Countrey but I found no such matter notwithstanding at the last with a labyrinth of trouble I went from Plimoth with a Ship of two hundred Tunnes and one of fiftie when the fishing was done onely with fifteene I was to stay in the Countrey but ill weather breaking all my Masts I was forced to returne to Plimoth where rather then lose all reimbarking my selfe in a Barke of sixtie Tuns how I escaped the English Pyrats and the French and was betrayed by foure Frenchmen of War I refer you to the description of New England but my Vice-Admirall notwithstanding the latenesse of the yeere setting forth with me in March the Londoners in Ianuary shee arriued in May they in March yet came home well fraught in August and all her men well within fiue moneths odde dayes The Londoners ere I returned from France for all their losse by the Turkes which was valued about foure thousand pounds sent two more in Iuly but such courses they tooke hy the Canaries to the West Indies it was ten moneths ere they arriued in New England wasting in that time their seasons victuall and health yet there they found meanes to refresh themselues and the one returned neere fraught with Fish and Traine within two moneths after From Plimoth went foure Ships onely to Fish and Trade some in February some in March one of two hundred Tuns got thither in a moneth and went full fraught for Spaine the rest returned to Plimoth well fraught and their men well within fiue moneths odde dayes From London went two more one of two hundred Tuns got thither in sixe weekes and within sixe weekes after with fortie foure men and boyes was full fraught and returned againe into England within fiue moneths and a few dayes the other went to the Canaries with dry fish which they sold at a great rate for Rials of eight and as I heard turned Pyrats I being at Plimoth prouided with three good Ships yet but fifteene men to stay with me in the Countrey was Wind-bound three moneths as was many a hundred saile more so that the season being past the Ships went for New-found-land whereby my designe was frustrate which was to me and my friends no small losse in regard whereof here the Westerne Commissioners in the behalfe of themselues and the rest of the Company contracted with me by Articles indented vnder our hands to be Admirall of that Country during my life and in the renewing of their Letters Patents so to be nominated halfe the fruites of our endeuours theirs the rest our owne being thus ingaged now the
Capawuck where Epenew should haue fraughted them with Gold Ore that his fault could be no cause of their bad successe howeuer it is alledged for an excuse I speake not this out of vain glory as it may be some gleaners or some was neuer there may censure mee but to let all men be assured by those examples what those Sauages are that thus strangely doe murder and betray our Coâ—ntrie men But to the purpose What is already writ of the healthfulnesse of the ayre the richnesse of the soyle the goodnesse of the Woods the abundance of Fruits Fish and Fowle in their season they still affirme that haue beene there now neer two yeeres and at one draught they haue taken one thousand Basses and in one night twelue hogsheads of Herring They are building a strong Fort they hope shortly to finish in the interim they are well prouided their number is about a hundred persons all in health and well neere sixtie Acres of ground well planted with Corne besides their Gardens well replenished with vsefull fruits and if their Aduenturers would but furnish them with necessaries for fishing their wants would quickly bee supplied To supply them this sixteenth of October is going the Paragon with sixtie seuen persons and all this is done by priuate mens purses And to conclude in their owne words should they write of all plenties they haue found they thinke they should not be beleeued For the twentie sixe sayle of Ships the most I can yet vnderstand is M. Ambrose Iennens of London and Master Abraham Iennens of Plimmoth sent their Abraham a Ship of two hundred and twentie Tuns and the Nightingale of Porchmouth of a hundred whose Fish at the first penie came to 3150 pounds in all they were fiue and thirty saile and wherein New found Land they shared sixe or seuen pounds for a common man in New England they shared foureteene pounds besides six Dutch and French Ships made wonderfull returnes in Furres Thus you may see plainely the yearely successe from New England by Virginia which hath bin so costly to this Kingdome and so deare to me which either to see perish or but bleede pardon me though it passionate me beyond the bounds of modesty to haue bin sufficiently able to foresee it and had neither power nor meanes how to preuent it By that acquaintance I haue with them I may call them my children for they haue bin my Wife my Hawkes my Hounds my Cards my Dice and in totall my best content as indifferent to my heart as my left hand to my right and notwithstanding all those miracles of disasters haue crossed both them and me yet were there not one Englishman remaining as God be thanked there is some thousands I would yet begin againe with as small meanes as I did at the first not for that I haue any secret encouragement from any I protest more then lamentable experiences for all their Discoueries I can yet heare of are but Pigs of my owne Sowe nor more strange to me then to heare one tell mee he hath gone from Billings gate and discouered Greenwich Grauesend Tilberry Quinborow Lee and Margit which to those did neuer heare of them though they dwell in England might be made seeme some rare secrets and great Countries vnknowne except the Relation of Master Dirmer But to returne It is certaine from Cannada and New England within these sixe yeares hath come neere 20000. Beuer Skins Now had each of those Ships transported but some small quantitie of the most increasing Beasts Fowles Fruites Plants and Seedes as I proiected by this time their increase might haue bin sufficient for a thousand men But the desire of present gaine in many is so violent and the endeuours of many vndertakers so negligent euery one so regarding their priuate gaine that it is hard to effect any publicke good and impossible to bring them into a body rule or order vnlesse both authority and money assist experiences It is not a worke for euery one to plant a Colony but when a House is built it is no hard matter to dwell in it This requireth all the best parts of art iudgement courage honesty constancy diligence and experience to doe but neere well your home-bred ingrossing proiectors shall finde there a great difference betwixt saying and doing But to conclude the Fishing will goe forward if you plant it or no whereby a Colonie may be transported with no great charge that in a short time might prouide such fraughts to buy of vs there dwelling as I would hope no Ship should goe or come empty from New England The charge of this is onely Salt Nets Hookes Lines Kniues Irish Rugs course Cloath Beades Glasse and such like trash onely for fishing and trade with the Sauages beside our owne necessary prouisions whose endeuours will quickly defray all this charge and the Sauages haue intreated me to inhabite where I will Now all these Ships till this last yeare haue bin fished within a square of two or three leagues and not one of them all would aduenture any further where questionlesse fiue hundred saile may haue their fraught better then in Island New found Land or elsewhere and be in their markets before the other can haue their fish in their Ships because New Englands fishing begins with February the other not till mid May the progression hereof tends much to the aduancement of Virginia and the Bermudas whose emptie Ships may take in their fraught there and would be a good friend in time of neede to the Inhabitants of New found Land c. CHAP. IIII. A Relation or Iournall of a Plantation setled at Plimoth in New England and proceedings thereof Printed 1622. and here abbreuiated WEdnesday the sixt of September the Winde comming East North-east a fine small gale we loosed from Plimoth hauing bin kindely entertained and curteously vsed by diuers friends there dwelling and after many difficulties in boisterous stormes at length by Gods prouidence vpon the ninth of Nouember following by breake of the day we espied Land which we deemed to be Cape Cod and so afterward it proued Vpon the eleuenth of Nouember we came to an anchor in the Bay which is a good harbour and pleasant Bay circled round except in the entrance which is about foure miles ouer from land to land compassed about to the verie Sea with Oakes Pines Iuniper Saffafras and other sweete Wood it is a harbour wherein 1000. saile of Ships may safely ride there wee relieued our selues with Wood and Water and refreshed our people while our Shallop was fitted to coast the Bay to search for an habitation there was the greatest store of Fowle that euer we saw And euerie day we saw Whales playing hard by vs of which in that place if wee had instruments and meanes to take them we might haue made a verie rich returne which to our great griefe we wanted Our Master and his Mate and others experienced in fishing professed wee might haue
they receiued much kindnesse sâ—t light both by it and vs. At length their Coastâ—rs returned hauing found in their iudgement a place fit for plantation within the Bay of the Massachusets at a place called by the Indians Wichaguscusset To which place the body of them went with all conuenient speede leauing still with vs such as were sicke and lame by the Gouernours permission though on their parts vndeserued whom our Surgeon by the helpe of God recouered gratis for them and they fetched home as occasion serued They had not beene long from vs ere the Indians filled our eares with clamours against them for stealing their Corne and other abuses conceiued by them At which we grieued the more because the same men in mine owne hearing had beene earnest in perswading Captaine Standish before their comming to solicite our Gouernour to send some of his men to plant by them alledging many reasons how it might be commodious for vs. But wee knew no meanes to redresse those abuses saue reproofe and aduising them to better walking as occasion serued In the end of August came other two Ships into our harbour the one as I take it was called the Discouerie Captaine Iones hauing the command thereof the other was that Ship of Master Westons called the Sparrow which had now made her Voyage of Fish and was consorted with the other being both bound for Uirginta Of Captaine Iones we furnished our selues of such prouisions as we most needed and he could best spare who as he vsed vs kindely so made vs pay largely for the things we had And had not the Almighty in his All-ordering Prouidence directed him to vs it would haue gone worse with vs then euer it had beene or after was for as we had now but small store of Corne for the yeere following so for want of supply we were worne out of all manner of trucking-stuffe not hauing any meanes left to helpe our selues by trade but through Gods good mercy towards vs hee had wherewith and did supply our wants on that kinde competently In the end of September or beginning of October Master Westons biggest Ship called the Charitie returned for England and left their Colony sufficiently victualled as some of most credit amongst them reported The lesser called the Swan remained with his Colony for their further helpe At which time they desired to ioyne in partnership with vs to trade for Corne to which our Gouernour and his Assistant agreed vpon such equall conditions as were drawne and confirmed betweene them and vs. The chiefe places aimed at were to the Southward of Cape Cod and the more because Tisquantum whose peace before this time was wrought with Masassowat vndertooke to discouer vnto vs that supposed and still hoped passage within the Sholes Both Colonies being thus agreed our Gouernour in his owne person supplied the Captaines place and in the month of Nouember set forth hauing Tisquantum for his Interpreter and Pilot who affirmed he had twice passed within the Sholes of Cape Cod both with English and French Neuerthelesse they went so farre with him as the Master of the Ship saw no hope of passage but being as he thought in danger bare vp and according to Tisquantums directions made for an harbour not farre from them at a place called Manamoycke which they found and sounding it with their Shallop found the channell though but narrow and crooked where at at length they harboured the Ship Here they perceiued that the Tide set in and out with more violence at some other place more Southerly which they had not seene nor could discouer by reason of the violence of the season all the time of their abode there Some iudged the entrance thereof might be beyond the Sholes but there is no certainty thereof as yet knowne That night the Gouernour accompanied with others hauing Tisquantum for his Interpreter went ashoare At first the Inhabitants plaied least in sight because none of our people had euer beene there before but vnderstanding the ends of their comming at length came to them welcomming our Gouernour according to their Sauage manner refreshing them very well with store of Venison and other victuals which they brought them in great abundance promising to trade with them with a seeming gladnesse of the occasion yet their ioy was mixed with much iealousie as appeared by their after practises for at first they were loath their dwellings should be knowne but when they saw our Gouernours resolution to stay on the shoare all night they brought him to their houses hauing first conuaied all their stuffe to a remote place not farre from the same which one of our men walking forth occasionally espied whereupon on the sudden neither it nor they could be found and so many times after vpon conceiued occasions they would be all gone bag and baggage But being afterwards by Tisquantums meanes better perswaded they left their iealousie and traded with them where they got eight hogsheads of Corne and Beanes though the people were but few This gaue our Gouernour and the Company good encouragement Tisquantum being still confident in the passage and the Inhabitants affirming they had seene Ships of good burthen passe within the Sholes aforesaid But here though they had determined to make a second assay yet God had otherwaies disposed who strucke Tisquantum with sicknesse in so much as he there died which crossed their Southward trading and the more because the Masters sufficiency was much doubted and the season very tempestuous and not fit to goe vpon discouery hauing no guide to direct them From thence they departed and the winde being faire for the Massachusets went thither and the rather because the Sauages vpon our motion had planted much Corne for vs which they promised not long before that time When they came thither they found a great sicknesse to be amongst the Indians not vnlike the Plague if not the same They renued their complaints to our Gouernour against that other Plantation seated by them for their iniurious walking But indeede the trade both for Furres and Corne was ouerthrowne in that place they giuing as much for a quart of Corne as we vsed to doe for a Beauers skin so that little good could be there done From thence they returned into the bottome of the Bay of Cape Cod to a place called Nauset where the Sachim vsed the Gouernour very kindely and where they bought eight or ten hogsheads of Corne and Beanes Also at a place called Mattachiest where they had like kinde entertainment and Corne also During the time of their trade in these places there were so great and violent stormes as the Ship was much endangered and our Shallop cast away so that they had now no meanes to carry the Corne aboard that they had bought the Ship riding by their report well neere two leagues from the same her owne Boate being small and so leake hauing no Carpenter with them as they durst scarce fetch wood or
of the afore said two moneths being both warmer and drier then in England In December we had sometimes faire weather sometimes frost and snow and sometime open weather and raine for in the latter end it was rainie and was open weather All these three moneths the winde was so variable as it would euery fortnight visite all the points of the Compasse The most part of Ianuary and February vnto the middle of March the frost continued the winde being for the most part Westerly and now and then Northerly notwithstanding three or foure times when the winde was at South it began to thaw and did raine That which fell in this season was for the most part Snow which with the heate of the Sunne would be consumed in the open places within a few dayes That which abode longest was in February During this time many dayes the Sun shone warme and bright from morning to night notwithstanding the length of this frosty weather small brookes that did run almost in leuell with a slow course were not the whole winter three nights ouer frozen so thicke as that the Ice could beare a Dogge to goe ouer it which I found by good proofe for euery morning I went to the brooke which runneth by our house to wash The Snow was neuer aboue eighteene inches thicke generally out of the drift so that the feare of wanting wood or water neuer tooke hold of vs for albeit we made no prouision for them yet at a minute of an houres warning we were furnished where there were Lakes of fresh water that stood still and did not run there is remained frozen able to beare a man almost three moneths and was not dissolued vntill the middle of Aprill But where the ayre had entrance and issue cut of them there was no frost When the winde in the winter time in England is at the North-east one moneth together the frost is greater and the cold more sharpe then it is here at all There was no moneth in all the winter that some of our company did not trauell in either by land or by water and lie abroad and drinke water in places distant two three foure and fiue leagues from our habitation and sometimes lay in the woods without fire and receiued no harme When Aprill came our Spring began and the first that did bud was the small Resen or the Corinth tree Our Company was not letted in working abroad in the woods and open ayre fifteene dayes the wholewinter We neuer wanted the company of Rauens and small Birds So that the doubt that haue bin made of the extremity of the winter season in these parts of New-found-land are found by our experience causelesse and that not onely men may safety inhabit here without any neede of Stoue but Nauigation may be made to and fro from England to these parts at any time of the yeare Concerning the healthfulnesse of these Countries we hauing bin now more then ten moneths vpon this Voyage of nine and thirty persons which was all our number which wintered here there are wanting onely foure whereof one Thomas Percy Sawyer died the eleuenth of December of thought hauing slaine a man in Rochester which was the cause being vnknowne vnto mee vntill a day before he died that he came this Voyage And one other called Iohn Morris Tyler miscarried the first of February by reason of a bruse The third called Marmaduke Whittington was neuer perfectly well after he had the small Poxe which he brought out of Bristoll with him who died the fifteenth of February And the fourth called William Stone hauing at the first onely a stiffenesse in one of his knees kept his bed ten weakes and would neuer stirre his body which lasinesse brought him to his end who died the thirteenth of Aprill Of the rest foure or fiue haue bin sicke some three moneths and some foure moneths who now are better then they were except one All of them if they had bad as good will to worke as they had good stomackes to their victuals would long since haue bin recouered One Richard Fletcher that is Master Pilot here and a director of the Fishing reported vnto me that he was one of the company consisting of forty persons that went in a drumbler of Ipswich called the Amitie to the North part of Ireland about eleuen yeeres agoe from London in the late Queenes seruice vnder the charge of one Captaine Fleming and continued there the space of two yeares In which time two and thirty died of the Scuruie and that onely eight of them returned home whereof the said Richard Fletcher was one So that the accident of death or sicknesse of any persons in these our parts of New-found-land is not to argue any vnhealthfulnesse of this Country no more then Ireland is to be discredited by the losse of those two and thirty men notwithstanding that there were to be had fresh victuals and many other helpes which this Country as yet hath not but in good time may haue From the sixt of October vntill the sixteenth of May our Company had bin imployed in making of a Store-house to hold our prouisions and a dwelling house for our habitation which was finished about the first of December with a square inclosure of one hundred and twenty foot long and nintie foot broad compassing these two houses and a worke house to worke dry in to make Boates or any other worke out of the raine and three peeces of Ordnance are planted there to command the Harboroughs vpon a platforme made of great posts and railes and great Poles sixteene foot long set vpright round about with two Flankers to scoure the quarters A Boat about twelue tuns big with a decke is almost finished to saile and row about the headlands six fishing Boates and Pinnesses a second saw pit at the fresh Lake of two miles in length and the sixt part of a mile broad standing within twelue score of our habitation to saw the timber to be had out of the fresh Lake in keeping two paire of Sawyers to saw plankes for the said buildings in ridding of some grounds to sow Corne and garden seedes in cutting of wood for the Collier in coling of it in working at the Smiths Forge Iron workes for all needfull vses in costing both by Land and Sea to many places within this Bay of Conception in making the frame of timber of a farre greater and fairer house then that which as yet we dwell in which is almost finished and diuers other things We haue sowed all sorts of graine this Spring which prosper well hitherto Our Goates haue liued here all this winter and there is one lustie Kidde which was yeaned in the dead of winter Our Swine prosper Pidgens and Conies will endure exceeding well Our Poultrie haue not onely laied Egges plentifully but there are eighteene yong Chickins that are a weeke old besides others that are a hatching The feare of wilde Beasts
reasonable weather both to anchor in and from thence to saile towards either the East West or South It hath three Armes or Riuers long and large enough for many hundred fayle of Ships to moare fast at Anchor neere asmile from the Harbours mouest close adioyning to the Riuers side and within the Harbour is much open land well stored with Grasse suffcient Winter and Summer to maintaine great store of ordinary Cattell besides Hogges and Geats if such beasts were carried thither and it standeth North most of any Harbour in the Land where our Nation practiseth Fishing It is neere vnto a great Bay lying on the North side of it called the Bay of Flowers to which place no Ships repaire to fish partly in regard of sundry Rockes and Ledges lying euen with the water and full of danger but â—niefly as I coniecture because the Sauage people of that Countrey doe there inhabite many of then secretly euery yeere come into Trinitie Bay and Harbour in the night time purposely to steale Sailes Lines Hatchets Hookes Kniues and such like And this Bay is not three English miles ouer Land from Trinitie Bay in many places which people if they might bee reduced to the knowledge of the true Trinitie indeed no doubt but it would bee a most sweâ—â— and acceptable sacrifice to God an euerlasting honour to your Maiesty and the heauenliest blessing to those poore Creatures who are buried in their own superstious ignorance The taske thereof would proue easie if it were but well begun and constantly seconded by industrious spirits and no doubt but God himselfe would set his hand to reare vp and aduance so noble so pious and so Christian a building The bottome of the Bay of Trinity lieth within foure leagues through the land South-west Southerly from Trinity as by experience is found and it comes neere vnto the Bay of Trepassey and the bottome of some other Bayes as I haue alreadie touched before Trepassey in like manner is as commodious a Harbour lying in a more temperate climate almost in 46. degrees the like latitude and is both faire and pleasant and a wholesome Coast free from Rockes and Shelues so that of all other Harbours it lies the South-most of any Harbour in the Land and most conueniently to receiue our Shipping to and from Uirginia and the Bermuda Ilands and also any other Shipping that shall passe to and from the Riuer of Canady and the Coast thereof because they vsually passe and returne in the sight of the Land of Trepasse and also for some other purposes as shall be partly declared in the following discourse The soile of this Countrie in the Vallies and sides of the Mountaines is so fruitfull as that in diuers places there the Summer naturally produceth out of the fruitfull wombe of the earth without the labour of mans hand great plentie of greene Pease and Fitches faire round full and wholesome as our Fitches are in England of which I haue there fed on many times the hawmes of them are good fodder for Cattell and other Beasts in the winter with the helpe of Hay of which there may be made great store with little labour in diuers places of the Countrie Then haue you there faire Strawberries red and white and as faire Raspasse berrie and Gooseberries as there be in England as also multitudes of Bilberries which are called by some Whortes and many other delicate Berries which I cannot name in great abundance There are also many other fruites as small Peares sowre Cherries Filberds c. And of these Berries and Fruits the store is there so great that the Marriners of my Ship and Barkes Companie haue often gathered at once more then halfe an Hogshead would hold of which diuers times eating their fill I neuer heard of any man whose health was thereby any way impaired There are also Herbes for Sallets and Broth as Parslie Alexander Sorrell c. And also Flowers as the red and white Damaske Rose with other kindes which are most beautifull and delightfull both to the sight and smell And questionlesse the Countrie is stored with many Physicall herbs and roots albeit their vertues are not knowne because not sought after yet within these few yeeres many of our Nation finding themselues ill haue bruised some of the herbs and streined some of the iuice into Beere Wine or Aquauite and so by Gods assistance after a few drinkings it hath restored them to their former health The like vertue it hath to cure a wound or any swelling either by washing the grieued places with some of the herbes boiled or by applying them so thereunto plaister-wise which I haue seene by often experience This being the naturall fruitfulnesse of the earth producing such varietie of things fit for foode without the labour of man I might in reason hence inferre that if the same were manured and husbanded in some places as our grounds are it would be apt to beare Corne and no lesse fertill then the English soile But I neede not confine my selfe to probabilities seeing our men that haue wintred there diuers yeeres did for a triall and experiment thereof sowe some small quantitie of Corne which I saw growing verie faire and they found the increase to be great and the graine very good and it is well knowne to me and diuers that trade there yeerely how that Cabbage Carrets Turneps Lettice and such like proue well there In diuers parts of the Countrie there is great store of Deere some Hares manie Foxes Squirrels Beuers Wolues and Beares with other sorts of Beasts seruing as well for necessitie as for profit and delight Neither let me seeme ridiculous to annex a matter of noueltie rather then weight to this discourse In the yeere 1615. it was well knowne to eight and fortie persons of my Companie and diuers other men that three seuerall times the Wolues Beasts of the Countrie came downe neere them to the Sea-side where they were labouring about their Fish howling and making a noise so that at each time my Mastiffe Dogge went vnto them as the like in that Countrie hath not been seene the one began to fawne and play with the other and so went together into the Woods and continued with them euerie of these times nine or ten daies and did returne vnto vs without any hurt The Land Fowle besides great number of small Birds flying vp and downe some without name that liue by scraping their food from the earth in the hardest winter that is there are also Hawkes great and small Partridges Thrush and Thrussels abundance very fat As also Filladies Nightingales and such like that sing most pleasantly There are also Birds that liue by prey as Rauens Gripes Crowes c. For Water-fowle there is certainly so good and as much varietie as in any part of the world as Geese Dâ—cks Pidgeons Gulls Penguins and many other sorts These Penguins are as bigge
Armie led by the Illustrious and victorious Prince Alexander Farnesius Duke of Parma and Deputie of the Catholike King with all the forces they can gather that they may assist the said depriuation and punishment of the parties afore said and the restitution of the holy Catholike Religion declaring that all which shall show themselues disobedient to this Mandate shall not escape deserued punishments Be it knowne further to all men that it is not the purpose of his Holinesse the Catholike King or the said Dukes Highnesse in this Expedition to oppresse the said Kingdomes or thereof to make conquest or to alter the Lawes Priuiledges or Customes thereof or to depriue any man there of his libertie or life except the rebellious and contumacious or to bring any change besides that which shall be iudged fit by common voyces of his Holinesse the Catholike Maiesty and the States of that Kingdome to the restoring and continuing of the Catholike Religion and the punishment of that Usurper and her adherents Certifying and securing all that all controuersies which may happen by the depriuation of that Woman whether they shall arise about priuate mens affaires or about the Royall Succession or betwixt the Clergy and Laity or whatsoeuer other discords they shall be all compounded and decided according to the Lawes Iustice and Christian equitie without any iniury or damage Neither shall it onely bee prouided conueniently that the Catholikes which haue suffered so many euills be not spoyled but fauour is also granted to all others which being penitent shall submit themselues vnto the Chiefe Commander of the Army And whereas by due information made wee are giuen to vnderstand that there are many innocents which through ignorance of Christian Faith hauing falne haue hitherto erred onely of ignorance being neuerthelesse reckoned amongst Heretikes wee purpose not at all to punish such persons but to inâ—ure patiently till by conference of learned men and good sound counsells they may be better instructed touching the truth and not shew themselues obstinate but desirous to preuent the effusion of Christian bloud and destruction of Countries which may be expected by the resistance of some wicked principall aduersaries Therefore by these Presents wee declare that it is not onely lawfull for all as well publike as priuate persons besides those which haue vndertaken this Expedition to lay band on the said Vsurper and other her adherents to take them and deliuer them to the Catholike side but also this deed shall bee esteemed of vs for a faithfull and singular seruice and shall be recompenced with very great rewards according to the qualitie of the persons taken or betrayed All others also which heretofore haue giuen ayde or shall hereafter assist to the punishment of the euill and the restitution of Catholike Religion in those Kingdomes shall receiue their reward and recompence increased by vs in Dignities and Honours as their good and faithfull seruice to the Common-wealth shall desire Wherein as much as may be care shall be had that reckoning and respect be holden of the antient and honourable Houses and Stockes of the said Kingdomes Lastly free accesse and safe conduct by these Presents is granted to all men which will ioyne themselues to the Catholike Armie and will bring thereto prouision furniture of warre and other necessaries full and liberall satisfaction is promised for all things which for the seruice and commoditie of the said Armie shall be supplied by them And all are admonished and plainly commanded that they doe their vtmost indeuour and diligence that by their meanes cause may bee remoued of vsing force in punishing those which shall neglect this Precept Further more the Holy Father in his fatherly loue and singular affection to this Expedition out of the Spirituall Treasure of the holy Church which is committed to his custody and dispensation doth liberally grant plenary Indulgences and remission of Sins to all those which shall bring any aid or fauour to the depriuation and punishing of the said persons and the reformation of both Kingdomes to wit after due penance Contrition and Confession had according to the Lawes of God and Men and the receiued custome amongst Christians NOw that all might bee carried more closely and that this Expedition might seeme made against the Low-countries rather then the English a solemne meeting was appointed first neer Ostend after at Bronckburg in Flanders for a treaty of peace with the Queene of England Henry Earle of Derby the Lord Cobham Sir Iames Croft D. Dale D. Rogers were sent Richardot plainly said that he knew not what might be put in practise in the meane time against England But the Prince and he being demanded if their were any enterprise of inuading England they vtterly denied any thoughts therof Count Aremberg Campignie Richardot Maes Garnier were the Princes Delegates and professed that they had sufficient Commission for treaty of peace First a truce was propounded by the English and by them â—eâ—â—ed Then the English required that the ancient leagues betwixt the Kings of England and the House of Burgundy might be renewed and confirmed that the Low-countrimen might iniov their priuiledges and libertie of conscience that Spaniards and forraine forces might be remoued that neither they nor their neighbours should haue cause to feare and then the Queene would redeliuer her foure Cautionary Townes They whiled them with such answere as suted to their purposes and long adoe was made in weauing and vnweauing Penelopes web till the Spanish Armada was vpon the Coast and the very Ordnance proclaimed in their eares a surcease from further illusions Then did Parma dismisse them pulled off his Visor vncasing the Fox and truly appearing in the Lions skin But let vs now come to take view of this Fleet and the preparations made for it The King of Spaine hauing with small fruit aboue twenty yeeres together waged warre against the Netherlands after deliberation with his Counsellours thereabout thought it most conuenient to assault them once again by Sea which had bin attempted sundry times heretofore but not with forces sufficient Vnto the which expedition it stood him now in hand to ioine great puissance as hauing the English people his professed enemies whose Iland is so situate that it may either greatly helpe or hinder all such as faile into those parts For which cause he thought good first of all to inuade England being perswaded by his Secretary Escouedo and by diuers other well experienced Spaniards and Dutchmen and by many English fugitiues that the conquest of that Iland was lesse difficult then the conquest of Holland and Zealand Moreouer the Spaniards were of opinion that it would be farre more behoouefull for their King to conquer England and the Low countries all at once then to bee constrained continually to maintaine a warlike Nauie to defend his East and West Indie Fleets from the English Drake and from such like valiant enemies And for the same purpose the King
were mustered eightie bands of Dutchmen sixtie of Spaniards six of high Germans and seuen bands of English fugitiues vnder the conduct of Sir William Stanlie an English Knight In the suburbs of Cortreight there were 4000. horsemen together with their horses in a readinesse and at Waten 900. horses with the troupe of the Marquesse del Gâ—â—sto Captaine generall of the horsemen Vnto this famous expedition and presupposed victory many potentates Princes and honorable personages hied themselues out of Spaine the Prince of Melito called the Duke of Pastrana and taken to be the Son of one Ruygomes de Silua but in very deede accompted among the number of King Philips base sons Also the Marquesse of Bargraue one of the sons of Arch-duke Ferdinand and Philippa Welsera Vespasian Gonsaga of the family of Mantua being for chiualâ—y a man of great renowne and heretofore Vice-roy in Spaine Item Iohn Medices base son vnto the Duke of Florence And Amadas of Sauoy the Duke of Sauoy his base son with many others of inferiour degrees At length when as the French King about the end of May signified vnto her Maiestie in plaine tearmes that she should stand vpon her guard because he was now certainly enformed that there was so dangerous an inuasion imminent vpon her Realme that he feared much least all her land and sea-forces would be sufficient to withstand it c. then began the Queenes Maiestie more carefully to gather her forces together and to furnish her own ships of warre and the principall ships of her subiects with souldiers weapons and other necessary prouision The greatest and strongest ships of the whole Nauie she sent vnto Plimmouth vnder the conduct of the right honorable Lord Charles Howard Lord high Admirall of England c. Vnder whom the renowned Knight Sir Francis Drake was appointed Vice-admirall The number of these ships was about an hundreth The lesser ships being 30. or 40. in number and vnder the conduct of the Lord Henry Seimer were commanded to lie betweene Douer and Caleis On land likewise throughout the whole realme souldiers were mustered and trained in all places and were committed vnto the most resolute and faithfull captaines And where as it was commonly giuen out that the Spaniard hauing once vnited himselfe vnto the Duke of Parma ment to inuade by the riuer of Thames there was at Tilburie in Essex ouer-against Grauesend a mighty army encamped and on both sides of the riuer fortifications were erected according to the prescription of Frederike Genebelli an Italian enginier Likewise there were certaine ships brought to make a Bridge though it were very late first Vnto the said Armie came in proper person the Queenes most roiall Maiestie representing Tomyris that Scithian warlike Princesse or rather diuine Pallas her selfe Also there were other such armies leuied in England The principal Recusants least they should stir vp any tumult in the time of the Spanish inuasion were sent to remaine at certain conuenient places as namely in the Isle of Ely and at Wisbich And some of them were sent vnto other places to wit vnto sundry Bishops and Noblemen where they were kept from endangering the state of the common wealth and of her sacred Maiestie who of her most gracious clemency gaue expresse commandement that they should be intreated with all humaniâ—ie and friendship The Prouinces of Holland Zeland c. giuing credit vnto their intelligence out of Spaine made preparation to defend themselues but because the Spanish ships were described vnto them to be so huge they relied partly vpon the shallow and dangerous Seas all along their coasts Wherefore they stood most in doubt of the Duke of Parma his small and flat-bottomed ships Howbeit they had all their ships of warre to the number of nintie and aboue in a readinesse for all assâ—yâ—s the greater part whereof were of a small burthen as being more meete to saile vpon their Riuers and shallow Seas and with these ships they besieged all the hauens in Flanders beginning at the mouth of Scheld or from the towne of Lillo and holding on to Greueling and almost vnto Caleis and fortified all their Sea-townes with strong garrisons Against the Spanish fleets arriuall they had prouided fiue and twenty or thirty good ships committing the gouernment of them vnto Admirall Lonck whom they commanded to ioine himselfe vnto the Lord Henry Seymer lying betweene Douer and Cales And when as the foresaid ships whereof the greater part besieged the hauen of Dunkerke were driuen by tempest into Zeland Iustin of Nassau the Admirall of Zeland supplied that squadron with fiue and thirty ships being of no great burthen but excellently furnished with Guns Mariners and Souldiers in great abundance especially with 1200 braue Musquetiers hauing beene accustomed vnto Sea-fights and being chosen out of all their company for the same purpose and so the said Iustin of Nassau kept such diligent ward in the Station that the Duke of Parma could not issue forth with his Nauie into Sea out of any part of Flanders In the meane while the Shanish Armada set saile out of the hauen of Lisbon vpon the 19. of May An. Dom. 1588. vnder the conduct of the Duke of Medina Sidonia directing their course for the Bay of Corunna alias the Groine in Gallicia where they tooke in souldiers and warlike prouision this port being in Spaine the neerest vnto England As they were sailing along there arose such a mighty tempest that the whole Fleet was dispersed so that when the Duke was returned vnto his company he could not escry aboue eighty ships in all whereunto the residue by little and little ioyned themselues except eight which had their Masts blowne ouer-boord One of the foure Gallies of Portingall escaped very hardly retiring her selfe into the hauen The other three were vpon the coast of Baion in France by the assistance and courage of one Dauid Gwin an English Captine whom the French and Turkish slaues aided in the same enterprise vtterly disabled and vanquished one of the three being first ouercome which conquered the two other with the slaughter of their Gouernour and souldiers and among the rest of Don Diego de Mandrana with sundry others and so those slaues arriued in France with the three Gallies set themselues at libertie The Nauie hauing refreshed themselues at the Groine and receiuing daily commandement from the King to hasten their iournie horsed vp sailes the 11. day of Iuly and so holding on their course till the 19. of the same moneth they came then vnto the mouth of the narrow Seas or English channell From whence striking their sailes in the meane season they dispatched certain of their small ships vnto the Duke of Parma At the same time the Spanish Fleete was escried by an English Pinnace Captaine whereof was Master Thomas Fleming after they had beene aduertised of the Spaniards expedition by their scoutes and espials which hauing ranged along the coast of Spaine were lately
moued with the renoune and celebritie of his name with one consent yeelded themselues and found him very fauourable vnto them Then Ualdez with forty or fiftie Noblemen and Gentlemen pertaining vnto him came on boord Sir Francis Drakes ship The residue of his company were carried vnto Plimmouth where they were detained a yeere and an halfe for their ransome Valdez comming vnto Drake and humbly kissing his hand protesting vnto him that he and his had resolued to die in battell had they not by good fortune fallen into his power whom they knew to be right curteous and gentle and whom they had heard by generall report to be most fauourable vnto his vanquished foe insomuch that he said it was to be doubted whether his enemy had more cause to admire and loue him for his great valiant and prosperous exploits or to dread him for his singular felicity and wisdome which euer attended vpon him in the wars and by the which he had attained vnto so great honor With that Drake embraced him and gaue him very honorable entertainment feeding him at his owne table and lodging him in his Cabbin Here Valdez began to recount vnto Drake the forces of all the Spanish Fleete and how foure mighty Gallies were separated by tempest from them and also how they were determined first to haue put into Plimmouth hauen not expecting to be repelled thence by the English ships which they thought could by no meanes withstand their impregnable forces perswading themselues that by meanes of their huge Fleete they were become Lords and commanders of the maine Ocean For which cause they marueiled much how the Englishmen in their small Ships durst approach within musket shot of the Spaniards mighty wodden Castles gathering the wind of them with many other such like attempts Immediately after Valdez and his Company being a man of principall authority in the Spanish Fleet and being descended of one and the same family with that Valdez which in the yeere 1574. besieged Leiden in Holland were sent captiues into England There were in the said ship 55. thousand Duckets in ready monie of the Spanish Kings gold which the souldiers merrily shared among themselues The same day was set on sire one of their greatest ships being Admirall of the squadron of Guipusco and being the ship of Michael de Oquendo Vice-admirall of the whole Fleete which contained great store of Gunpowder and other warlike prouision The vpper part onely of this ship was burnt and all the persons therein contained except a very few were consumed with fire And thereupon it was taken by the English and brought into England with a number of miserable burnt and scorched Spaniards Howbeit the Gunpowder to the great admiration of all men remained whole and vnconsumed In the meane season the Lord Admirall of England in his ship called the Arke-royall all that night pursued the Spaniards so neere that in the morning hee was almost left alone in the enemies Fleete and it was foure of the clocke at afternoone before the residue of the English Fleete could ouertake him At the same time Hugo de Moncada Gouernour of the foure Galliasses made humble suite vnto the Duke of Medina that hee might be licenced to encounter the Admirall of England which liberty the Duke thought not good to permit vnto him because he was loath to exceede the limits of his Commission and charge Vpon tuesday which was the 23. of Iuly the Nauy being come ouer against Portland the wind began to turne Northerly insomuch that the Spaniards had a fortunate and fit gale to inuade the English But the Englishmen hauing lesser and nimbler ships recouered againe the vantage of the winde from the Spaniards whereat the Spaniards seemed to be more incensed to fight then before But when the English fleet had continually and without intermission from morning to night beaten and battered them with all their shot both great and small the Spaniards vniting themselues gathered their whole Fleete close together into a roundell so that it was apparant that they ment not as yet to inuade others but onely to defend themselues to make haste vnto the place prescribed vnto them which was neere vnto Dunkerk that they might ioyne forces with the Duke of Parma who was determined to haue proceeded secretly with his small ships vnder the shadow and protection of the great ones and so had intended circumspectly to performe the whole expedition This was the most furious and bloudy skirmish of all in which the Lord Admirall of England continued fighting amidst his enemies Fleete and seeing one of his Captaines a farre off he spake vnto him in these words Oh George what doest thou Wilt thou now furstrate my hope and opinion conceiued of thee Wilt thou forsake mee now With which words hee being enflamed approached forthwith encountered the enemy and did the part of a most valiant Captaine His name was George Fenner a man that had beene conuersant in many Sea-fights In this conflict there was a certaine great Uenetian ship with other small ships surprized and taken by the English The English Nauy in the meane while increased whereunto out of all Hauens of the Realme resorted ships and men for they all with one accord came flocking thither as vnto a set field where immortall fame and glory was to be attained and faithfull seruice to be performed vnto their Prince and Countrey In which number there were many great and honorable personages as namely the Earle of Oxford of Northumberland of Cumberland c. with many Knights and Gentlemen to wit Sir Thomas Cecill Sir Robert Cecill Sir Walter Raleigh Sir William Hatton Sir Horatio Palauicini Sir Henry Brooke Sir Robert Carew Sir Charles Blunt Master Ambrose Willoughbie Master Henry Nowell Master Thomas Gerard Master Henry Dudley Master Edward Darcie Master Arthur Gorge Master Thomas Woodhouse M. William Haruie c. And so it came to passe that the number of the English ships amounted vnto an hundreth which when they were come before Douer were increased to an hundred and thirty being not withstanding of no proportionable bignesse to encounter with the Spaniards except two or three and twnety of the Queenes greater ships which onely by reason of their presence bred an opinion in the Spaniards minds concerning the power of the English Fleet the Marriners and Souldiers whereof were esteemed to be twelue thousand The foure and twentie of Iuly when as the Sea was calme and no winde stirring the fight was onely betweene the foure great Galleasses and the English ships which being rowed with Oares had great vantage of the English ships which not withstanding for all that would not be forced to yeelde but discharged their chaine-shot to cut a sunder their Cables and Cordage of the Galleasses with many other such Stratagems They were now constrained to send their men on land for a new supply of Gunpowder whereof they were in great scarcitie
the Towne to beate vpon the same with their artillery In the afternoone were sent three hundred vnder the conduct of Captaine Petuiâ— and Captain Henry Poure to burne another Village betwixt that and Bayon called Borsis and as much of the Countrie as the day would giue them leaue to doe which was a very pleasant rich Valley but they burnt it all houses and corne as did others on the other side of the Town both that and the next day so as the Countrey was spoiled seuen or eight miles in length There was found great store of Wine in the Town but not any thing else for the other daies warning of the ships that came first in gaue them a respit to carry all away The next morning by breake of the day the Colonell generall who in the absence of the Generals that were on boord their ships commanded that night on shoare caused all our Companies to be drawne out of the Towne and sent in two troupes to put fire in euery house of the same which done we imbarked againe This day there were certaine Mariners which without any direction put themselues on shoare on the contrary side of the Riuer from vs for pillage The same day the Generals seeing what weake estate our Army was drawne into by sicknes determined to man and victuall twenty of the best ships for the Ilands of Azâ—res with Generall Drake to see if he could meete with the Indian Fleet and Generall Norris to returne home with the rest And for the shirting of men and victuals accordingly purposed the next morning to fall downe to the Ilands of Bayon againe and to remaine there that day But Generall Drake according to their appointment being vnder saile neuer strooke at the Ilands but put straight to Sea whom all the Fleet followed sauing three and thirty which being in the Riuer further then he and at the entrance of the same finding the winde and tide too hard against them were inforced to cast ancre there for that night amongst whom by good fortune was the Foresight and in her Sir Edward Norris And the night following Generall Norris being driuen from the rest of the Fleet by a great storme for all that day was the greatest storme we had all the time we were out came againe into the Ilands but not without great perill he being forced to turst to a Spanish Fisher-man who was taken two dayes before at Sea to bring him in The next morning he called a counsell of as many as he found there holding the purpose hee had concluded with Sir Francis Drake the day before and directed all their courses for England tarrying there all that day to water and helpe such with victuall as were left in wonderfull distresse by hauing the victuals that came last carried away the day before to Sea The next day he set saile and the tenth day after which was the second of Iuly came into Plimmouth where he found Sir Francis Drake and all the Queenes ships with many of the others but not all for the Fleete was dispersed into other harbours some led by a desire of returning from whence they came and some being possessed of the hulkes sought other Ports from their Generals eye where they might make their priuate commoditie of them as they haue done to their great aduantage Presently vpon their arriuall there the Generals dissolued all the armie sauing eight companies which are yet held together giuing euery Souldier fiue shillings in money and the armes he bare to make money of which was more then could by any meanes be due vnto them for they were not in seruice three moneths in which time they had their victuals which no man will value at lesse then halfe their pay for such is the allowance in her Maiesties ships to her Mariners so as there remained but ten shillings a moneth to be paid for which there was not any priuate man but had apparell and furniture to his owne vse so as euery common Souldier discharged receiued more in money victuals apparell and furniture then his pay did amount vnto CHAP. XIII A briefe and true report of the Honorable Voyage vnto Cadiz 1596. of the ouerthrow of the Kings Fleete and of the winning of the Citie with other accidents gathered out of METERANVS Master HACKLVYT and others AFter that Callis had beene taken by Cardinall Albert Archduke of Austria which afterwards by Papall dispensation married the Lady Isabella EugeniaClara Infanta who yet gouerneth the Belgians which acknowledge the Spaniard Queene Elizabeth thought it fitter to inuade the Spaniard at home then to expect his forces here The said Cardinall and Archduke of Austria had planted his vnexpected siedge before Callis and begun his vnwelcome battery on Wednesday the 17. of April 1596. and the Towne desired truce for foure and twenty houres which was reiected whereupon they yeelded themselues presently vpon condition of life and goods saued and sixe dayes cruce to be giuen them with liberty either to stay in the Citie or to goe to the Castle and if the King of Nauarre Henry the fourth the French King did not in that space relieue them they were to yeelde the Castle Most of them betooke themselues to the Castle and left their empty houses to the Conquerours The night before the truce expired they began to shoot at the Spaniards who had now made so fatall preparations that the next day Aprill 24. before noone they had beaten downe the wals and entered the Gouernour of the Towne and diuers others being slaine Queene Elizabeth meane while had prepared aide and the Souldiers and Ships at Leigh in Essex were detained by the windes which then were Easterly and instead of carrying the English thither brought hither the terrible thunders of the Spanish Ordnance insomuch that I haue heard that they shooke the looser glasse out of the windowes in Douer and filled the shoares of Essex Kent with the hideous reports of Calis her vnauoidable ruine And thus in so short time the Cardinall won that ancient Port by Strabo called Itium by Piolorâ—ey Gessoriacum as Meteranus collecteth which had cost the English eleuen moneths siedge before they vnder Edward the third tooke it An. 1346. They held it 202. yeers at which time Francis Duke of Gâ—â—se in the vnhappy daies of Queen Mary and by reason of her vnluckie ioyning with the Spaniards in their warres against the French recouered it in a few dayes vnlooked for battery to the French and therewith tooke not that Towne alone but the ioy of life also from that vnfortunate Queene both which seeming disasters were the price of Englands faire purchases both gaine and liberty in the dispersing of that Spanish cloud which from the time of the match had houered ouer vs and of the concomitant Antichristian Papall Mists which was a smoake from the bottomlesse pit to them which receiued it and a fire to them which refused it of what degree soeuer and in
with as much sumptuousnesse as they could get brauing therein their conquered Foes and setting to the shew of the world the fruits of their Ualour and Trauailes Whereas wee for the most part contrariwise going out brauely and returning home againe beggarly leaue no other testimony nor records of our Enterprises and Victories either to the liuing or to posteritie then the Merchants bookes wherin we are deep plunged euen to the morgage or sale of our Inheritance to conuert the true honor of Souldery into effeminate pompe and delicacy But now to the matter We hauing in this Fort repaired and supplied the defects of our weather beaten Nauie onely attended the fauour of the winds wherein it seemed the heauens were vtter enemies to our designes For during the space of an whole moneth together after wee were againe readie the weather stood flat opposite to our course insomuch that wee were not able to worke our selues out of the Harbour And in this consumption of Time we lost the best season of the yeere for our purpose and also greatly decayed our victualls and prouisions besides the number of our Souldiers and Mariners that daily diminished And about this time the Lord Rich finding himselfe as many others did altogether vnable to indure the inconueniences of the Seas in a long and toilesome voyage tooke his leaue of our Generall and gaue ouer the iourney In this extreamitie of contrary windes and crosse fortunes against which the policie and power of man could not preuaile our Generall with the aduice of his counsell resolued vpon some other course and to fashion his enterprises according to opportunitie and the proportion of the meanes that remained And thereupon cashing the greatest part of his Land Armie hee onely retained one thousand of the best Souldiers as was thought most of them being Companies brought out of the Low-Countries And also at that time hee discharged diuers of the smaller Ships and many of the Victuallers taking out of them such prouisions and store as remained to supply that which was spent and to lengthen out the time for those lesser numbers that were to be imployed And whilest these things were thus altering and ordering and committed to the care and charge of discreet Officers Our Admirall himselfe with his Reare-Admirall resolued to ride post to the Court to receiue further directions or approbation in that he intended for her Maiestie and the Lords of the Councell Leauing the charge both of the Nauie and Souldiers in his absence with the Lord Thomas Howard his Vice-Admirall and the Lord Mountioy his Leiftenant Generall by Land whom hee authorised together with the Counsell of Warre to marshall those affaires as occasion required Here by it may be easily coniectured what it is for men to vndertake Sea-actions that haue not great meanes to follow the same with prouisions and allowance of superfluitie to meet with lets and misaduentures and not to depend on the bare ordinary prouisions of a set proportion For by this great crosse of ours wee may well take knowledge how vncertaine and difficult it is to set out and prepare a Sea Army except it bee on the purse and defraies of a Prince able and willing to supply the expences and hinderances of such wast and accidents as doe many times happen by want of windes when all things else are in readinesse wherein oftentimes the ouerslipping and not taking of six houres aduantage of winde when it hath serued hath ouerthrowne a Uoyage And it hath to my knowledge so fallen out that some Ships that haue taken a present gale of a day by the benefit thereof haue performed their Uoyage and returning againe into the Harbour finding others of their consorts bound for the same place and ready at the same time still sticking fast at ancor by leesing the same opportunitie In this absence of our Generall at the Court there fell out such extreame stormy weather as that it greatly troubled and puzled our Ships both in Plimouth Road and in the Cat Water insomuch that many of their ancors came home and a Ship of the Reare-Admiralls of three hundred Tunnes called the Roe-buck draue a ground and bulged her selfe and so became vnseruiceable for that iourney although much paines and care was taken of all hands and specially by our Vice-Admirall himselfe in his owne person to haue preserued her During all this time of our abode in Plimouth which was some six or seuen weekes we neither found eyther want or dearth of any manner of victualls either in the Towne where our Mariners were daily resident or in the Countrey where the Land Army was quartered nor yet that extreame manner of inhaunsing the prices of all things vsed in London and in other places of the Realme vpon the extraordinary assembling of any such great troupes And withall it is strange to see how happily that poore corner of England doth often receiue and sustaine so many Armies and Fleets as doe there many times meet without any of those inconueniences or alterations that vpon the like occasion are found in many other more rich and fruitfull parts of the Kingdome Our Generall as is aforesaid hauing spent now sixe or seuen dayes in that iourney to the Court returned with a resolution to continue the voyage to the Seas and there as intelligence fell out to follow the best courses in spending the rest of the Summer and the remainder of his victualls all sorts being very sorry that so great preparations should haue vtterly qâ—ailed without effecting or attempting something of worth Wee therefore now proposed to our selues that by tarrying out till the last of October for the which time we were victualled after the Land Army was discharged wee might range the Coast of Spaine and so doe seruice in some of the Kings shipping or else lying in the height betweene the Rocke and the South Cape wee might intercept some Indian Fleet or Carrackes either outwards or homeward s bound or at the least wee might meete and fight with the Adelantado who was then saide to bee preparing of a Fleet and ready to put to the Seas Besides there was a brute giuen out thaâ— our Generall meant to attempt the Groyne or Ferrall and there to distresse some of the Kings shipping that lay in the Harbour But whatsoeuer pretences and speeches were giuen out for that matter both our Generall and the wisest of his Counsell of Warre did well enough knowâ— that the Groyne or Ferrall were then no morsells fit for our mouthes our Forces being so abated and those places so well warned and prouided for by our long delayes and impediments besides there was no likelihood that wee would euer ingage so many of her Maiesties best Ships within the circuit and mercy of those Harbours vpon so great disaduantage and hazard as they must haue adâ—entured in doing any good on any of them as they were then furnished But wee daily see that it is
Voyage Herein was Gods fauour and mercy mightily shewed towards all sides For by this Storme which so furiously for the time afflicted vs were wee and that Spanish Fleet vnder the Adelantado seuered and kept from incountring which had cost much blood and mischiese and to say a truth in all likelihood the worst might haue fallen to our shares For when wee had left the Ilands and were once crosse sayled for England I obserued that before the Storme diuers of our best Ships made all the haste they could homewards neuer following nor attending the Admirals course nor light Which is an Errour too much vsed amongst vs and very disorderly and dangerous as would haue beene well found if the Adelantado had then met with any of those straglers or with the Admirall himselfe homewards bound so stenderly accompanied Which manner of disorder and scattering in the Conduct of a Royall Nauie especially in so long a Voyage is very fit to bee straightly reformed These Spanish Flee-boates and Carauels had made many landings by stealth on that side of Cornewall and put the Countrey in great frights and amazements especially vpon the report of a great Fleet that was comming after them for England Whereupon our Reere Admirall from before the Saint Iues left the Seas and went a Land to take some order for the Countrey of Cornewall whereof hee was then her Maiesties Lieutenant seeing it then in much amazement and feare and so meant to goe ouer land to Plimouth there to meet with our Generall From the Road of Saint Iues the next morning wee in the Wast-spight set sayle for Kingroad and met with such foule weather as that ouer against the flat Holmes shee brake againe her Maine yard which was before broken and new fished in the beginning of this Voyage But at last with much adoe wee brought her about to Kingroad and within a few dayes after moored her safe in Hungread where I tooke speedie order for the paying and discharging of her men at the Spaniards cost and also for the repayring of her decayes By this time wee also had newes that our Admirall and the rest of our Fleet were safely met and arriued at Plimouth And at the same instant also wee had intelligence by a small man of Brasill but newly come from Corke in Ireland that Sir Iohn Norris President of Munster and the Lord Burgh Deputie of Ireland were both lately deceased Of which two men her Maiestie and the Realme had no small losse being both Martiall men of as great worth and seruice as England bred in many yeeres before And although it be no part of this matter to speake of them yet their Deathes being diuulged to vs at the same time cannot be thought vnfit or vnworthy by the way heere to be remembred and lamented After I had thus taken order with the Officers of the Ship at Bristoll I receiued Letters from the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Admirall for the accomplishing of that which I had already out of due consideration gone in hand withall I meane the discharging and paying of the Marriners and Souldiers being to the number of foure hundred men which would haue growne to a great and needlesse expense to haue kept them in pay and victuals vntill such time as I could haue sent vnto the Court to receiue directions backe againe for the same And therefore did first take vp monies vpon credit and then by the Drum make knowne in Bristow that there were Sugars Brasil wood and Fernanbuck aboord o r Ships which I would presently make sale of to those that would giue most for it and not merchand it vnder hand nor in secret to the preiudice and deceiuing of her Maiestie And therefore with the knowledge and aduice of the Master the Purser and Boatswaine of the Ship and the Customer and Searcher of Bâ—â—stow I landed those Wares in safe Cellers and sold them to the best Chapmen in publique testified vnder the hands of these Officers of the Citie and of the Ship for my discharge in that behaâ—â—e and made thereof fiue hundred pounds The which summe I deliuered to one Askew then Purser of the Wast-spight to the end that hee by his Booke might pay the Marriners and the Souldiers by the Powle as a care of mine for those poore-men vnder my Charge which was duely performed The which I haue beene the more precise to remember and notifie for that I tooke no small paines and care in getting those Sugars and Brasill wood aboard vs out of a torne Brasill 〈◊〉 that was ready to founder in the Seaâ— before Saint Michaels and abandoned to any that would aduenture to goe abâ—ord her to fetch away the lading Which businesse in that vacant time that the Ar 〈…〉 e lay at Villa Franca and we before S. Michaels Towne 〈◊〉 put my selfe and my Marriners vnto And I had not so much paines and trauell in the getting as trouble and vexation afterwards to preserue it whilest it was aboord when we came to Kingroad from the purloyning and stealing of the Marriners and Officers of the Ship And to say no more but a truth I dare thus much anouch and iustifie that if there had beene in some other of her Maiesties ships the like regard for these goods that were gotten and of the Prizes taken in this Iourney and as faithfully answered as were these that then for all the crosses and errours that had happened it had fully returned to her Maiestie the double value of all the Charges she had beene at for this Voyage But it was strange to see what carelesse courses were held in all such actions as were set out by the State and what poore returnes were made againe into the Exchequer And therefore more strange that the Prince could subsist so often to set out such chargeable Voyages without any manner of getting more then to particuler persons For so fell it out before in the Indian Voyage when Sancto Domingo and Cartagena were taken and sackâ— by Sir Francis Drake and when Cades in Spaine was surprised and sackt by the English Armie where was infinite wealth But that of Lisbona in Portugall vndertaken by Sir Iohn Norris where the Suburbes did so abound with Merchandize and Spicerie being wholly at the mercy and disposition of our Armie was to be excused for that our Shops kept not promise with him in comming vp the Riuer that should haue both assisted the land Armie with Munition and Victuals and also carried away those Spiceries and rich Merchandize wherein the Sea-men were greatly wanting and taxed by the generall voyce But in this Voyage wee all saw and knew that there were besides Brasill men three good Prizes taken that came from the Hauana laden with Cochynella and other rich Merchandize besides the Siluer Gold Pearle Ciuet Muske Amber-greece which was amongst the Passengers And those three Prizes whereof one was about 400. Tunnes by the report of those Merchants that came in them were
and benignity 1717. Virginians in want and pouerty 1725. a Virginian Sauages his Oration to Captaine Smith 1727. a Virginian smothered at Iames towne and recouered lunaticke and restored 1726 1727. Virgina Sauages offer to fight vnder English banners 1729. Virginian Sauages brought perforce to peace with the English 1769 1770. Virginia Sauages religion and disposition 1771. their countries described seasons climate beasts birds fishes and other rarities 1771 1772 1773. Virginian account of yeares 1774. Virginians kill some English ibid. their trecherous and bloody nature 1788 1789. Virginians worship the Deuill but loue him not 1790. their fearing the shadow of a Piece or Musket with their sowing gunpowder ibid. Virginians possesse some Pieces with munition after the massacre destroyed cattell ibid. Virginian plantations Presidency assumed by the Lord De la Ware its first successe 1754. 1755 1756. in what case it was left by the said Lord and the cause why he left it 1763. its commodities ibid. 1764. Virginias plantations benefit of corne by Captaine Argall 1765. its rarities ibid. Virginian affaires variety by the approach of diuers Captaines there 1766 1767 1768. its commodities vnworthy English inhabitants ibid. chiefe places the Bermuda City and Henrico ibid. its Forts 1768. Virginias eleuation aboue many countries 1770. Virginian affaires Anno 1617 1618 page 1774. Anno 1619 page 1775. the profits that may bee deriued thence ibid. Anno 1619 et 1620 page 1775 1775. the supplies from England in that time ibid. with Ships men and their employments there on what commodities for trading 1776 1777. Virginian benefactors 1777. Virginian affaires in the yeare 1621 page 1783. with the supply of men goods and Ships then sent with other accidents ibid. 〈◊〉 1784. and supplies with relation of matters of trading there 1784. Virginia's praises farther related 1717 w th the hopes to paxss thense to China 1786. Virginia's state before the massacre 1788. The massacre it selfe the plot and execution 1788 1789 1790. 1347. The Englishmen basely murdered in it ibid. A Virginian conuerted discovers the plots 1790. Virginiaes plantations necessaries without which it may not so wel be effected 1791 Virginiaes massacre supposed caâ—se seconded by a sicknesse 1792. It s authors end ibid. The supply thereof by King Iames 1793. Virginia commended and discommended according to mens diuers humours discovered in Letters 1806 1807. Virginia planted by French men 1807. They afterwards displanted by Sir Samuel Argall 1808. Virginia's possession and plantation by the English soundly and largely proved to be lawfull by a naturall and nationall right 1809 1810 1811. Virginia's first discouerie and discouerers 1812. Virginia rightly possessed by the English by acknowledgement of the Prince there 1813. By buying selling cession forfeiture ib. Virginiaes plantation advanceth Gods glory 1817 1818. Virginia's want of good exeused 1814 1815. Virginia-plantations losse by the massacre 1816. The number there since ibid. Virginia's plantation to the prosecuted and for what reasons 1826. seq As first Religion honour of the Nation c. 1816 Virginia deserues plantation for the profit 1817. For disburdening multitudes 1818. For a temperate climate ibid. For largenesse ibid. Commodious Rivers whose sliding embracements of the earth are fiuently described ibid. Siâ—kes Wines Mines drugs c. ibid. Materials for shipping 1820. Fishâ—ng 1821. Tobacco trading ibid. Hopes of passage to the South Sea 1822. For other reasons advantages 1824. For being a refreshment to ships tired with long voyages ibid. 1825 Virguano a towne inhabited by Savages in America neere Marwin 1285 A Vision 14â—8 Visitation of the sicke among the Indians the horrible hideous noise vsed by those miserable comforters 1860 Vitachaco a town in Florida 1534 Vlissingers take one of the Portingal Gallions 1909 Vllibaholi a walled towne of the Indians in Florida and the fashion of those walls 1541 Vndermining of townes 1919 Vnicornes horne saveth many from poison 1213 Vno a River 1223 Vomiting to death 1214. Vomiting procured by what Plants in Bermuda Ilands 1801 Vna a mountaine in the West-Indies 1285 A Vnicorne with a strange horne 1560. With haire as bigge as a finger ibid. Vnthankfulnesse in Spaniards towards their Indian Benefactors 1526 Voyages are commonly ouerthrowne by the Captaines giving way or too much yeelding lenity 1389. Voyages by the Lord of Cumberland 1141. 1142 seq Voyages by Sir Sebastian Cabot Sir Thomas Pert 1177. By Sir Iohn Hawkins Sir Fran. Drake ibid. seq Voyages by Capt. Michelson Capt. Newport Earle of Suffolke Sir Robert Dudley ibid. Voyages by Captaine Preston Capt. Summers Sir Anthony Sherley Capt. Parker Sir Walter Raleigh Mr Will. Hawkins ibid. Capt. Parker 1243 1244 seq Mâ—ddleton 1246 1247. Voyages by Reniger Borey Pudsey Steuen Hare Fenton Ward and Iohn Drake 1186. Voyages by Captaine Candish and Capt. Dauies 1191 1192 c. By Sir Richard Hawkins 1367. c. By Pamphilo Naruaez Spaniard 1500 1501 seq By Francisco Pizarro 1489 seq Voyages by Nunno de Guzman Spaniard 1556. seq Soto his Voyages and discoveries of Florida 1530. at large in seq Voyages by the the French and discoueries of Florida and Canada 1603. seq Voyages by Monseur de Montz 1620. seq Voyages from England the ships being furnished with two hundred pounds in Cash 1838. From Plimmouth to Bilboa with dry fish 1839. A voyage of seven sayle from the West-country 1839. Voyages to Virginia furnished by Sir Walter Raleigh 16â—5 1646. Voyage of Captaine Gosnol to Virginia Anno 1602. pag. 1647. seq Voyage by Mr Pringe to Virginia 1654. seq By Captaine Gilbert to the same 1656. seq By Capt. Weymouth to Virginia 1659. seq Avoyage to the Iâ—e of Azores by the Right Honorable Rob. Earle of Essex 1935. Voyages by Sir Thomas Gates 1734 seq By Captaine Argall 1758. Voyages to Sommer-Iland by the English 1793. seq An admirable voyage from the Bermudas to Ireland in a small boat 1803 Vparason a River nauigable in Brasile 1â—40 Vpanason a River in the Indâ—â—s very commodious for watering 1223 Vpsegon a towne in Mawooshen vnder the Lord Bashabes 1874 Vrarino towne a towne of Aâ—waccas and â—aâ—awogoto Savages in America 1283 Vraâ—itan an Iland in Brasile called by the Portingals Alqua 〈…〉 1241. It s description for Navigators ibid. Vrapo and Arieppo two Indian woods 1251 Vrine drunke for want of water 1188 Vrokere Indians so called 1286 Vrquam River 1364 Vtinama a Floridan towne 1533 A Vulcan a most dreadfull thing casting forth fire stones as great as a house causing vnwholsomnesse of thence-issuing waters 15â—9 Vupanqui his raigne ouer the inhabitants of Peru his acts and conquests his making a bridge of Oziers beautifying the Sunnes temple extent of his dominions transplantation of countries 1463 1464 Vzela a towne in Florida in America 1534 W. VVAbocâ—â—yaway an Arwacca towne in America 1286 Wacarimock mountaines neere the riuer O. enoco 1248 Walnuts thirty Ilands of thâ—m 1612 Wancoobanoua a valley abounding with gold-grains wasâ—ed from the
characters sort not to terrestriall fabrikes instanced in the Reuenge Thunderbâ—lt and this Resentance with the Iesus of Sir Io. Hawk Considerations for pretended Voyâ—ges Prouisions bâ—â—ter prouided at Plimoutâ— then at London Note Danger of Porâ—s open Parts requisite in a good Mariner Abuses of some Sea faring men Master Thomas Candish Master George Reymond Note He addes another remedie in taking away imprâ—sts The consequence of Instructs at departure False calking For preuention thereof Example See Cap. â—rings last Voyagâ— in which the Great Iames was oft endangered thereby Aduice for shooting at Sea Two English shâ—ps haue hâ—â—eby much wroâ—ged each other by mistaking The Madera Ilands Canarie Ilands Gorgosho The descâ—iâ—tion of Tenerif and the Pike Of a Tree in Fierro One M. Lewis Iackson now dwelling in Holboâ—â—e told me that A. 1618. he had beene in this Iland and seene this Tree which he thus described It is as big as an Oake of middle size the barke white like Haâ— dbeame sixe or seuen yards high with ragged boughs the leafe like that of the Bay white on the bottome and greene on the other side It beareth neither fruit nor flower It is scituate in the decliuitie of a Hill in the day it is withered dropping â—n the night a cloude hanging thereon yeelding water sufficient for the whole Iland which containeth 8000. soules and aboue 100000. beasts Camels Mules Goats c. It falls into a Pond made of bricke floored with stones very thight by pipes of â—ead conueighed from the Tree to it and thence diuided into seuerall Ponds through all the Iland They which dwell vp-hill fetch â—t in barrels They water therewith also their Corne-grounds The Pond holds 20000. tuns and is filled in a night He added a report perhaps deuised to keepe off busie fingers or with busie tongues to multiplie wonders that the Moores hauing taâ—en that Iland from the Christians went to fell that Tree but each blowe recoyled on the striker Hee affirmed also that hee had beene â—p the Pike of Teneriff two miles He saith the South side is healthfull the North very Aguish and subiect to Calentures and the Inhabitants on one side looke lustie on the other withered The first discouerers of these Ilands Exercises vpon the Southwards of the Canaries â—â—pe de Verde The vnwholsomnesse thereof The heate The Breze Another cause of Feuers is the dâ—wes which fall euery night so that the exceeding moisture and vnsoundnesse thereof causeth men lying or watching in the open aire to fall sicke The remedie The influence of the Moone in hot Countries Saint Iago Sacked by Manuel Serades Sir Francis Drake and Sir Anthony Sherley Fuego Fiery hill Brano good watering The Palmito The Plantan great leaues Placentia The Cocos their kindes Coquillos A third kinde Cyuet-Cats Munkeyes Parrots * Tawt or taught a Sea-terme sig stiffe and fast Morning and euening praier Change of water Error in reckoning Note The lesse of Edward â—otton Current-consideration New found-land Current Leuant Sea Brasil and South Sea Currents of smaller force neere the shore A discourse of the Scuruey or Scorâ—â—â—â— The signes Azores Strange effect of calmes The remedies By Diet. By shift By labour By early eating and drinking Ten thousand English dead of the Scuruie in 20. yeeres By sowre Oranges and Lemmons By Doctor Steuens water By Oyle of Vitry By the Aire of the Land The company sicke and dismayed Prouerbe Brasill Cape Saint Augustine Farnambuca Todos Santos De Vitoria Dangers of fire By heating of Pitch Vse of â—ugge Gownes Preuention Diuers ships as the Primrose Iesus of Lubeck Robuck Blacke Lion c. haue beene burned By hooping scuâ—ling of Caske Note By natures of waters By swearing An excellent order for shipswearing Custome feedâ— vice which seuerity starueth Pi hy discourse of diuers fishes and their description The Dolphin The Bonito The Sharke His mouth Superstition All-deuouring Three rowes of teeth Whelping Pilats â—â—shes Sea hawking and hunting Flying fishes Alcatrace The fight of the Whale with the Sword-fish and Thresher The strokes heard two leagues Of Whales see our Greeneland discourses li. 3. c. 2. 〈◊〉 Amber-greece Amber Corall Best times to passe the line froÌ„ the Northwards to the Southward Port of Santos For preuention of annoyances c. in Harbours S 〈…〉 rds periury Their punishment Note for that harbour The vertue of Oranges Distilling of Salt water Vnskilfulnesse of the Masters Mâ—te Prouidence of God and the caâ—â— of the Master Care of Steeridge Exquisit in the Spaniards and Portugals Cape Blanco Saint Ialmes Ilands alias Saint Annes Gannets Purslane Cherries Palmitos Purgatiues Artechoques or Prick-pears A good note to take or refuse vnknowâ— fruits Contagious water Waste losse of mâ—n Hawke burnt Sholes of Abrcoios Industry of the 〈…〉 ans They surprise 〈◊〉 French G 〈…〉 at Canoa San sebastian Wise stratagem The merry euents of a care full watch 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 Palmito Iland The creatures Cape Frie. Ienero Little Iland Isla Grand Shels of mother of Pearle Price of Negroes Cassaui meale And for Beuerage The manner of planning Iuca With the labour of the women The description of Brasil Its Hauens Strang worme Variation of the Compasse The ouerthrow of the Voyage by a perfidious man The cunning of Runnawayes Birds like Swans Such the Hollanders found in the Straits which they called Mayres Caughâ— with Line Hooke Proue good refreshment Care of the Patagones Land vnknowne A descriâ—tion of the same A caueat for comming suddenly to neâ—re an vnknowne Land Point Tremountaine Faire Iland Conduit-head Hawkins Maidenland Beds of Oreweed with white flowres Our comming to the Straits Description thereof Pedro Sarmiento buildeth San Philip. Hogs Ilands of Pengwins Note Since it hath bin plainly found that all the South part are Ilands Good prouision in the Straits The description of the Pengwin Hunting the Pengwin The keeping for store The Guls. Ducks Cunning Architecture Their neatnes Of Seales or Sea-woolues Description of the Seale Their Sentinel The second peopling of the Spaniards Elizabeths Bay The Riuer of Ieroniâ—â— Another channell Blanches Bay Obiection of waste Answere Warning against wormes which eate througâ—sâ—aps Of sheathing ships In Spaine and Portugall with double plankes With Canuas With burnt plankes In china with Varnish in England Best manner of sheathing The Naturaâ— Long Reach Mouth of the Straits Note Tempest English Bay The natiues houses Sloth cause of imagination Tobias Coue. Setting of the ship vpon a Rocke To the laborious God propitious Crabby Coue. Gods gracious deliuerance Voyage ouerthrowne by giuing way to murderers Edward Fenton and Master Thomas Candish Master William Hawkins The mending of an vnseruiceable Anchor Entertainment of time to auoid idlenesse A kind of hot Spice in the Straits In gathering of Wiâ—ters Barke Of Pearles in the Straits Discourse of Pearles how they breed Preuention of Rats The calamities they bring to a ship Backwardnes in the company Cape Desire South part of the Straits Ilands
last but a yeere Corne buried G 〈…〉 O 〈…〉 Called by their names Brimstone Hot Springs Gualua Spring 〈…〉 ing wood into stone Cedars common Sanguinbo wood White and yellow woods Teixo a kind of wood as hard as iron Inhabitants Souldiers Strangers The ayre a disease Strong windes S. Michael Saint Mary Gratiosa Earle of Cumberland Sâ—â— sup l. 6. c. 1. Saint George Fayael Fayael taken taken by Earle Cumberland Pico High Hill Pleasant Oranges C. 98. Flores Coruo C. 99. 40. Millions if the number be true Fiue Millions 〈◊〉 Sir M. Frobisher 1589. Note 1590. 280. men die in one ship in one Voyage by one mans vanitie 1591. Earthquake most terrible Prodigies Sir Richard Greenuile See Haâ— Tom. 2. This Storie penned by Sir Walter Raleigh There were but six of these Shippes the Queenes and Sir Richard Greenuile staid to recouer his men on shore 93. of his men were sicke He scorned to flye as the Master counseiled which had beene better and thought to made way thorow their squadrons and made some spring loose till the greatnesse of the S. Philip of 1500 tuns being in the winde of him becalmed his sailes so that the Reuenge could not feele her sailes nor helme and was boorded by the S. Philip and foure others These were beaten off and fifteen seuerall Armadas assailed her All her Powder was spent to the last barrell nor had first aboue 100. sound men to sustaine to the brunt Yet she endured fifteene houres fight fifteene Armadas by turne 800. shot many entries 53. sailes of men of warre and 10000. men to doe this After all this Sir R. Greenfield now wounded commanded to 〈◊〉 vp the Ship but the Captaine intreating to the contrary the Master was sent vnknowne to Sir R Greenfield to treat a composition with â—â—zan the Generall who yeelded their liues to be saued and to be sent for England the better soâ—t to pay ransome but free meane time fromprison and Gallie Almost 1000. of the enemies were slaine in this sight Thus haue I giuen you the briefe of Sir Walters report also to make this storie compleate Great storme Great hurts Reuenge reuenged with the losse of aboue 100. other ships of the Spaniards attending her fates as great a blow as 88. Note Caiaphas prophesieth God taketh part wiâ—h Lutherans So then the gates of hell preuaileth against their faith Two Ships of treasure taken by the English and 20. others of the Indian Fleete 1592 The first Colony to bee planted betwixt 34. 41. degrees of North latitude They to haue all the Lands c. for the space of fiftie miles West South-west from the place of their first plantings and all Mynes c The like East North-east with all Ilands for 100. miles in the Sea ouer against them 100. 〈…〉 hin the Land c. None to inhabit on the backside without their speciall licence in writing c. The next day Cap. Smith was suspected for a suppoâ—ed Mutinie though neuer no such matter Trade at Dominica Brutishnâ—sse of the Dominicans Fight betwixt a Whale the Thresher and Sword-fish Margalanta Guadalupa Bath very hot Meuis Bath at Meuis Commodities there Aprill Tortoises Meuis water vnwholsome Ed. Brookes faint with thirst Moneta Store of fowles We were driuen to try that night and by the storme were forced neere the shoare not knowing where we were They land in Virginia Strawberries Point Comfort Kecoughtan Tobacco Singing and Dancing A long oration A Flute made of a Reed Archers Hope Their Plantation at Iames Towne Land giuen These Sauages are naturally great â—hetues Their arrowes Yellow haired Virginian Riuer of Pohatan * Low Marshes Wee came downe the Riuer Bread how made Distinct habit of Maids and Wiues Sauage 160. yeeres old Bearded Cap. Newports departure The Sauages vse to sacrifice to the Sunne Death of Cap. Bart. Gosnold Miserable famine Gods goodnesse He was a made man * The rest is omitted being more fully set downe in Gap Smiths Relations * By later Patents this is extended further to the â—0 degrees c. The Latitude The temperature The winde The entrances Cape Henrâ— Cape Câ—arâ—es Cap. Smiâ—h The Country The Bay The Mountaines The soâ—â—e The Vallies Plaines The Riuer Powhatan Fals The branches Iames Towne The seuerall Inhabitants Free State R. Pamaunke The Inhabitants K. Pohatan Payankatank R. Toppahanock R. The Inhabitants Patawomeke R. Pawtuxunt R Bolus R. The head of the Bay Sasquesahanock Giantly people The description of a Sasquesahanough See the Map Long Spoone to eate with the Deuill Tockwhogh R. Rapahanock R. Kusk 〈…〉 awaock R. 〈…〉 ghcocomoco R. Accomack R. Chawonock The seuerall Languages Why there is little grasse Woods with their fruits Elme Walnuts Supposed Cypresse Mulberies Chesnuts Plummes Cheries Crabs Vines Chechinquamins Rawcomenes How they vse their fruits Walnut milke Gums Cedars Saxafras trees Berrics Mattoume Strawberries and other berries Herbes Wighsacan a medicinable root Pocones a small root Musquaspenne a root Parietarie Sassafras Onions See insâ— c. 14. of certaine Oxen found by Cap. Aryoll Their chiefe beasts are Decre Aroughcun Squirrels Assapanick a Squirrel flying Opassom Mussascus Be res The Beauer Otters Vetcunquoyes Foxes Doâ—s Martins Polcats Weesels and Mâ—â—kes Note Birds Fish hawkes â—â—sh Strange forme The Rocks How they diuide the yeere How they prepare the ground How they plant How they vse their Corne. How they vse their fish and flesh Planted fruits The commodities in Virginia or that may bee had by industry A proofe cattell will liue well The Commodities The numbers 700. men were the most seene together when they thought to haue surprised Captaine Smith A description of the people The Barbara The constituâ—on The disposition The possessions Their attire Fether Mantels Their ornaments Their buildings Their lodgings Their gardens How they vse their children The industry of their women How they strike fire Their order of diet How they make their Bowes and Arâ—owes Their Knife Their Targets and â—words Their Boats How they spirt Their Fishoo 〈…〉 Hunting labours How they hunt Hunting houses One Sauage hunting alone Their consultations Their enem 〈◊〉 Massawomekes Their offer of subiection Their manner of battell Their Musicke Their entertainment Their trade Their phisicke Their chirurgery Their charmes to cure Their God How they bury their Kings Their ordinary burials Their Temples Their ornaments for their Priests Their times of solem 〈…〉 Their Coniurations Their Altars C. Smith Sacrifices to the water Their solemne making of black-berries C. Smith Their resurrection A description of Powhatan His attendance watch His treasurie His Wiues His Successors The title of succession Their authoritie The tonor of their lands His manner of punishments Vanitie of Effeminate Planters Vanitie of self-seeking gloriosos Miserie of base idlenesse * I haue many written Treatises lying by me written by Capt. Smith and others some there some here af ter there returne but because these haue alreadie seene the light and containe a full relation of Virginian affaires I was
and Shooes Sawes Pick-axes Spades and Shouels Axes Hatchets Hookes Kniues Sizzers Hammers Nailes Chissels Fish-hookes Bels Beades Bugles Looking-glasses Thimbles Pinnes Needles Threed and such like They set saile from Kingrode the twentieth day of March. We set saile from Milford Hauen where the winds had stayed vs a fortnight in which space we heard of Queene Elizabeths death the tenth of Aprill 1603. In our course we passed by the Iles of the Açores had first sight of the Pike and afterward of the Iland of Cueruo and Flores and after we had runne some fiue hundred leagues we fell with a multitude of small Ilands on the North Coast of Virginia in the latitude of 43. degrees the 〈◊〉 of Iune which Ilands wee found very pleasant to behold adorned with goodly grasse and sundry sorts of Trees as Cedars Spruce Pines and Firre-trees Heere wee found an excellent fishing for Cods which are better then those of New-found-land and withall we saw good and Rockie ground fit to drie them vpon also we see no reason to the contrary but that Salt may bee made in these parts a matter of no small importance We sayled to the South-west end of these Ilands and there rode with our ships vnder one of the greatest One of them we named Foxe Iland because we found those kind of beasts thereon So passing through the rest with our Boates to the mayne Land which lieth for a good space North-east and South-west we found very safe riding among them in sixe seuen eight ten and twelue fathomes At length comming to the Mayne in the latitude of 43. degrees and an halfe we ranged the same to the South-west In which course we found foure Inlets the most Easterly whereof was barred at the mouth but hauing passed ouer the barre wee ranne vp into it fiue miles and for a certaine space found very good depth and comming out againe as we sailed South-westward wee lighted vpon two other Inlets which vpon our search we found to pierce not farre into the Land the fourth and most Westerly was the best which we rowed vp ten or twelue miles In all these places we found no people but signes of fires where they had beene Howbeit we beheld very goodly Groues and Woods replenished with tall Okes Beeches Pine-trees Firre-trees Hasels Wich-hasels and Maples We saw here also sundry sorts of Beasts as Stags Deere Beares Wolues Foxes Lusernes and Dogges with sharpe noses But meeting with no Sassafras we left these places with all the foresaid Ilands shaping our course for Sauage Rocke discouered the yeere before by Captaine Gosnold where going vpon the Mayne we found people with whom we had no long conuersation because here also we could find no Sassfras Departing hence we bare into that great Gulfe which Captaine Gosnold ouer-shot the yeere before coasting and finding people on the North side thereof Not yet satisfied in our expectation we left them and sailed ouer and came to an Anchor on the South side in the latitude of 41. degrees and odde minutes where we went on Land in a certaine Bay which we called Whitson Bay by the name of the Worshipfull Master Iohn Whitson then Maior of the Citie of Bristoll and one of the chiefe Aduenturers and finding a pleasant Hill thereunto adioyning wee called it Mount Aldworth for Master Robert Aldworths sake a chiefe furtherer of the Voyage aswell with his Purse as with his trauell Here we had sufficient quantitie of Sassafras At our going on shore vpon view of the people and sight of the place wee thought it conuenient to make a small baricado to keepe diligent watch and ward in for the aduertizement and succour of our men while they should worke in the Woods During our abode on shore the people of the Countrey came to our men sometimes ten twentie fortie or threescore and at one time one hundred and twentie at once We vsed them kindly and gaue them diuers sorts of our meanest Merchandize They did eat Pease and Beanes with our men Their owne victuals were most of fish We had a youth in our company that could play vpon a Gitterne in whose homely Musicke they tooke great delight and would giue him many things as Tobacco Tobacco-pipes Snakes skinnes of sixe foot long which they vse for Girdles Fawnes skinnes and such like and danced twentie in a Ring and the Gitterne in the middest of them vsing many Sauage gestures singing Io Ia Io Ia Ia Io him that first brake the ring the rest would knocke and cry out vpon Some few of them had plates of Brasse a foot long and halfe a foote broad before their breasts Their weapons are Bowes of fiue or sixe foot long of Wich-hasell painted blacke and yellow the strings of three twists of sinewes bigger then our Bow-strings Their Arrowes are of a yard and an handfull long not made of Reeds but of a fine light wood very smooth and round with three long and deepe blacke feathers of some Eagle Vulture or Kite as closely fastened with some binding matter as any Fletcher of ours can glue them on Their Quiuers are full a yard long made of long dried Rushes wrought about two handfuls broad aboue and one handfull beneath with prettie workes and compartiments Diamant wise of red and other colours We carried with vs from Bristoll two excellent Mastiues of whom the Indians were more afraid then of twentie of our men One of these Mastiues would carrie a halfe Pike in his mouth And one Master Thomas Bridges a Gentleman of our company accompanied only with one of these Dogs and passed sixe miles alone in the Countrey hauing lost his fellowes and returned safely And when we would be rid of the Sauages company wee would let loose the Mastiues and saddenly with out-cryes they would flee away These people in colour are inclined to a swart tawnie or Chestnut colour not by nature but accidentally and doe weare their haire brayded in foure parts and trussed vp about their heads with a small knot behind in which haire of theirs they sticke many feathers and toyes for brauerie and pleasure They couer their priuities only with a piece of leather drawne betwixt their twists and fastened to their Girdles behind and before whereunto they hang their bags of Tobacco They seeme to bee somewhat iealous of their women for we saw not past two of them who weare Aprons of Leather skins before them downe to the knees and a Beares skinne like an Irish Mantle ouer one shoulder The men are of stature somewhat taller then our ordinary people strong swift well proportioned and giuen to treacherie as in the end we perceiued Their Boats whereof we brought one to Bristoll were in proportion like a Wherrie of the Riuer of Thames seuenteene foot long and foure foot broad made of the Barke of a Birch-tree farre exceeding in bignesse those of England it was sowed together with strong and tough
and dresse it D j laboribus omnia venduâ—â— God sels vs all things for our labour when Adam himselfe might not liue in Paradice without dressing the Garden Vnto idlenesse you may ioyne Treasons wrought by those vnhallowed creatures that for sooke the Colonie and exposed their desolate Brethren to extreame miserie You shall know that eight and twentie or thirtie of the Company were appointed in the ship called the Swallow to trucke for Corne with the Indians and hauing obtained a great quantitie by trading the most seditious of them conspired together perswaded some and enforced others to this barbarous protect They stole away the ship they made a league amongst themselues to be professed Pirats with dreames of Mountaines of Gold and happie Robberies thus at one instant they wronged the hopes and subuerted the cares of the Colonie who dependiâ—g vpon their returne fore-stowed to looke-out for further prouision ther created the Indians our implacable enemies by some violence they had affered they carried away the best ship which should hâ—ue beene a refuge in extremities they weakened our forces by substraction of their armes and succours These are that scumme of men that fayling in their Piracie that being pinched with famine and penurie after their wilde rouing vpon the Sea when all their lawlesse hopes failed some remayned with other Pirates they men vpon the Sea the others resolued to returne for England bound themselues by mutuall Oath to agree all in one report to discredit the Land to deploâ—e the famine and to protest that this their comming away proceeded from desperate necessitie These are they that roared out the Tragâ—call Historie of the man eating of his dead Wife in Virginia when the Master of this ship willingly confessed before for tie witnesses that at their comming away they left three monethes victuals and all the Cattell liuing in the Fort sometimes they reported that they saw this horrible action sometimes that Captaine Dauies said so sometimes that one Beadlâ— the Lieutenant of Captaine Dauies did relate it varying this report into diuersitie of false colours which bold no likenesse and proportion But to cleere all doubts Sir Thomas Gates thus relateth the Tragedie There was one of the Company who mortally hated his Wife and therefore secretly killed her then cut her in pieces and hid her in diuers parts of his House when the woman was missing the man suspected his House searched and parts of her mangled bodie were discouered to excuse himselfe he said that his Wife died that he hid her to satisfie his hunger and that hee sed dady vpon her Vpon this his House was againe searched where they found a good quantitie of Meale Oat-meale Beanes and Pease He thereupon was arraigned confessed the Murder and was burned for his horrible villany Now shall the scandalous reports of a viperous generation preponderate the testimonies of so worthy Leaders Shall their venemous tongues blast the reputation of an ancient and worthy Peere who vpon the ocular certainty of future blessings hath protested in his Letters that he will sacrifice himselfe for his Countrie in this seruice if he may be seconded and if the Company doe giue it ouer hee will yet lay all his fortunes vpon the prosecution of the Plantation Vnto Treasons you may ioyne couetousnesse in the Mariners who for their priuate lucre partly imbezeled the prouisions partly preuented our Trade with the Indians making the Matches in the night and forestalling our Market in the day whereby the Virginians were glutted with our Trifles and inhaunced the prices of their Corne and Victuall That Copper which before would haue prouided a bushell would not now obtaine so much as a Pottle Ioyne vnto these another euill there is great store of Fish in the Riuer especially of Sturgeon but our men prouided no more of them then for pâ—esent necessitie not barrelling vp any store against that season the Sturgeon returned to the Sea And not to dissemble their folly they suffered fourteene nets which was all they had to rot and spoyle which by orderly drying and mending might haue beene preserued but being lost all helpe of fishing perished The state of the Colony by these accidents began to finde a sensible declining which Powhatan as a greedy Vulture obseruing and boyling with desire of reuenge hee inuited Captaine Rateliffe and about thirty others to trade for Corne and vnder the colour of fairest friendship hee brought them within the compasse of his ambush whereby they were cruelly murthered and massacred For vpon confidence of his fidelitie they went one and one into seuerall houses which caused their seuerall destructions when if but any fixe had remained together they would haue beene a Bulwarke for the generall preseruation After this Powhatan in the night cut off some of our Boats he draue away all the Deere into the farther part of the Countrey hee and his people destroyed our Hogs to the number of about sixe hundred hee sent one of his Indians to trade with vs but layed secret ambushes in the Woods that if one or two dropped out of the Fort alone they were indangered Cast vp the reckoning together ward of gouernment store of idlenesse their expectations frustrated by the Traytos their market spoyled by the Mariners our Nets broken the Deere chased our Boats lost our Hogs killed our trade with the Indians forbidden some of our men fled some murthered and most by drinking of the brackish water of Iames Fort weakened and indangered famine and sicknesse by all these meanes increased here at home the monyes came in so slowly that the Lord Laware could not bee dispatched till the Colony was worne and spent with difficulties Aboue all hauing neither Ruler nor Preacher they neither feared God nor man which prouoked the wrath of the Lord of Hosts and pulled downe his iudgements vpon them Discite iustitiam moniti The Councell of Virginia finding the smalnesse of that returne which they hoped should haue defrayed the charge of a new supply entred into a deepe consultation and propounded amongst themselues whether it were fit to enter into a new contribution or in time to send for home the Lord La-ware and to abandon the action They resolued to send for Sir Thomas Gates who being come they adiured him to deale plainly with them and to make a true relation of those things which were presently to be had or hereafter to be hoped for in Virginia Sir Thomas Gates with a solemne and sacred oath replied that all things before reported were true that the Countrey yeelded abundance of Wood as Oake Wainscot Walnut Trees Bay Trees Ashe Sarsafrase liue Oake greene all the yeere Cedar and Fir which are the materialls of Soape ashes and Pot ashes of Oyles of Walnuts and Bayes of Pitch and Tâ—r of Clapboards Pipe-staues Masts and excellent boards of fortie fiftie and sixtie length and three foot breadth when one Firre tree is able to make the maine Mast of the greatest Ship in England He
anouched that there are incredible varietie of sweet woods especially of the Balfamum tree which distilleth a precious Gumme that there are innumerable white Mulberry trees which in so warme a climate may cherish and feede millions of Silke-wormes and returne vs in a very short time as great a plenty of Silke as is vented into the whole world from all the parts of Italy that there are diuers sorts of Minerals especially of Iron oare lying vpon the ground for ten Miles circuite of which wee haue made a triall at home that it maketh as good Iron as any is in Europe that a kinde of Hempe or Flaxe and Silke Grasse doe grow there naturally which will affoord stuffe for all manner of excellent Cordage That the Riuer swarmeth with all manner of Sturgeon the Land aboundeth with Vines the Woods doe harbour exceeding store of Beauers Foxes and Squirrels the Waters doe nourish a great encrease of Otters all which are couered with precious Furres that there are in present discouered Dyes and Drugges of sundry qualities that the Orenges which haue beene planted did prosper in the winter which is an infallible argument that Lemmons Sugar Canes Almonds Rice Aâ—niseede and all other commodities which wee haue from the Straights may be supplied to vs in our owne Countrey and by our owne industry that the Corne yeeldeth a terrible encrease more then ours and lastly that it is one of the goodliest Countries vnder the S 〈…〉 e enterueined with fiue maine Riuers and promising as rich entrals as any Kingdome of the earth to w 〈…〉 the Sunne is no neerer a neighbour CHAP. VII The Voyage of Captaine SAMVEL ARGAL from Iames Towne in Virginia to seeke the I le of Bermuda and missing the same his putting ouer toward Sagadahoc and Cape Cod and so backe againe to Iames Towne began the nineteenth of Iune 1610. SIr George Summers being bound for the I le of Bermuda with two Pinnaces the one called the Patience wherein he sailed himselfe set saile from Iames Towne in Uirginia the ninteenth of Iune 1610. The two and twentieth at noone we came to an anchor at Cape Henry to take more balast The weather proued very wet so wee road vnder the Cape till two of the clocke the three and twentieth in the morning Then we weighed and stood off to Sea the wind at South-west And till eight of the clocke at night it was all Southerly and then that shifted to South-west The Cape then bearing West about eight leagues off Then wee stirred away South-east The foure and twentieth at noone I obserued the Sunne and found my selfe to bee in thirtie sixe degrees fortie seuen minutes about twentie leagues off from the Land From the foure and twentieth at noone to the fiue and twentieth at noone sixe leagues East the wind Southerly but for the most part it was calme From the fiue and twentieth at noone to the sixe and twentieth about sixe of the clocke in the morning the winde was all Southerly and but little And then it beganne to blow a fresh gale at West South-west So by noone I had sailed fourteene leagues East South-east pricked From the sixe and twentieth at noone to the seuen and twentieth at noone twentie leagues East South-east The wind shifting from the West South-west Southerly and so to the East and the weather faire but close From the seuen and twentieth at noone to the eight and twentieth at noone sixe and twentie leagues East South-east the wind shifting backe againe from the East to the West Then by mine obseruation I found the ship to be in thirtie fiue degrees fiftie foure minutes From the eight and twentieth at noone to the nine and twentieth at noone thirtie sixe leagues East by South the wind at West North-west Then by my obseruation I found the ship to be in thirtie fiue degrees thirtie minutes pricked From the nine and twentieth at noone to the thirtieth at noone thirtie fiue leagues East South-east The winde shifting betweene West North-west and West South-west blowing a good fresh gale Then by my obseruation I found the ship to be in thirtie foure degrees fortie nine minutes pricked From the thirtieth of Iune at noone to the first of Iuly at noone thirtie leagues South-east by East the winde at west then I found the ship in thirtie foure degrees pricked From the first of Iuly at noone to the second at noon twentie leagues East South-east southerly the wind West then I found the ship to bee in thirtie three degrees thirtie minutes pricked the weather very faire From the second at noone to the third at foure of the clocke in the afternoone it was calme then it beganne to blow a resonable fresh gale at South-east so I made account that the ship had driuen about sixe leagues in that time East The Sea did set all about the West From that time to the fourth at noone seuenteene leagues East by North the wind shifting betweene South-east and South South-west then I found the ship to bee in thirtie three degrees fortie minutes the weather continued very faire From the fourth at noone to the fifth at noone ten leagues South-east the wind and weather as before then I found the ship to be in thirtie three degrees seuenteene minutes pricked From the fixt at noone to the sixt at noone eight leagues South-west then I found the ship to be in thirtie two degrees fiftie seuen minutes pricked the wind and weather continued as before only we had a small showre or two of raine From the sixt at noone to the seuenth at noone seuenteene leagues East by North then I found the ship to be in thirtie three degrees the wind and weather as bâ—fore From the seuenth at noon to the eight at noone fourteene leagues North-east then I found the ship to be in thirtie three degrees thirtie two minutes the wind and weather continued as before From the eâ—ght at noon to the ninth at noone fiue leagues South-east there I found the ship to be in thirtie three degrees twentie one minutes the wind at South-west the weather very faire From the ninth at noone to the tenth at noone fiue leagues South the wind westerly but for the most part it was calme and the weather very faire From the tenth at noone to the eleuenth at noone it was calme and so continued vntill nine of the clocke the same night then it began to blow a reasonable fresh gale at South-east and continued all that night betweene South-east and South and vntill the twelfth day at noone by which time I had sailed fifteene leagues West southerly then I found the ship in thirtie three degrees thirtie minutes From that time to foure of the clock the twelfth day in the morning twelue leagues West by North the wind all southerly and then it shifted betweene South and South-west then wee tacked about and stood South-east and South-east by South so by noone I had sayled fiue leagues South-east by East
neerest Streets of the Suburbs the Battel and the Arrereward stood in Armes all the night in Field neere to Alcantara Before morning Captaine Wingfield by direction from the Colonell generall Sir Roger Williams held guard with Sir Edward Norris his Regiment in three places very neere the Towne wall and so held the same till the other Regiments came in the morning About midnight they within the Towne burnt all their houses that stood vpon their wall either within or without least we possessing them might thereby greatly haue annoyed the Towne The next morning Sir Roger Williams attempted but not without perill to take a Church called S. Antonio which ioyned to the wall of the Towne and would haue been a very euill neighbor to the Towne but the enemy hauing more easie entry into it then wee gained it before vs. The rest of that morning was spent in quartering the Battell and Arrereward in the Suburbs called Bona Uista and in placing Musquetiers in houses to front their Shot vpon the wall who from the same scowred the great Streets very dangerously By this time our men being thorowly weary with our sixe dayes march and the last nights watch were desirous of rest whereof the enemy being aduertised about one or two of the clocke sallied out of the Town and made their approach in three seuerall Streets vpon vs but chiefly in Colonell Brets quarter who as most of the Armie was being at rest with as much speed as he could drew his men into Armes and made head against them so thorowly as himselfe was slain in the place Captaine Carsey shot thorow the thigh of which hurt hee died within foure dayes after Captaine Carre slaine presently and Captaine Caue hurt but not mortally who were all of his Regiment This resistance made as well here as in other quarters where Colonell Lane and Colonell Mâ—dkerk commanded put them to a sudden foule retreat insomuch as the Earle of Essex had the chase of them enen to the gates of the high Town wherin they left behind them many of their best Commanders their troupe of Horsemen also came out but being charged by Captain Yorke withdrew themselues againe Many of them also left the streets and betooke them to houses which they found open for the Sergeant Maior Captain Wilsonâ—lew â—lew in one house with his owne hands three or foure and caused them that were with him to kill many others Their losse I can assure you did triple ours as well in qualitie as in quantitie During our march to this place Generall Drake with the whole Fleet was come into Cascais and possessed the Town without any resistance many of the Inhabitants at their discouery of our Nauie fled with their baggage into the Mountaines and left the Towne for any man that would possesse it till Generall Drake sent vnto them by a Portugall Pilot which he had on boord to offer them all peaceable kindnesse so farre forth as they would accept of their King and minister necessaries to the Armie he had brought which offer they ioyfully imbraced and presently sent two chiefe men of their Town to signifie their loyaltie to Don Antonio their honest affections to our people Whereupon the Generall landed his Companies not farre from the Cloister called San Domingo but not without perill of the shot of the Castle which being guarded with sixtie fiue Spaniards held still against him As our Fleet were casting anker when they came first into that Road there was a small ship of Brasil that came from thence which bare with them and seemed by striking her sailes as though she would also haue ancred but taking her fittest occasion hoised againe and would haue passed vp the Riuer but the Generall presently discerning her purpose sent out a Pinnace or two after her whâ—ch forced her in such sort as she ran her selfe vpon the Rocks all the men escaped out of her and the lading being many chests of Sugar was made nothing worth by the Salt water In his going thither also he tooke Ships of the Port of Portugall which were sent from thence with fifteene other from Pedro Vermendes Xantes Sergeant Maior of the same place laden with men and victualls to Lisbon the rest that escaped put into Setâ—â—el The next day it pleased Generall Norris to call all the Colonels together and to aduise with them whether it were more expedient to tarry there to attend the forces of the Portugall Horse and Foot whereof the King had made promise and to march some conuenient number to Cascais to fetch our Artillery and Munition which was all at our ships sauing that which for the necessity of the seruice was brought along with vs whereunto some carried away with the vaine hope of Don Antonio that the most part of the Town stood for vs held it best to make our abode there and to send some three thousand of our Artillery promising to themselues that the Enemy being well beaten the day before would make no more sallies some others whose vnbeliefe was very strong of any hope from the Portugall perswaded rather to march wholly away then to be any longer carried away with the opinion of things whereof there was so little appearance The Generall not willing to leaue any occasion of blot to be laid vpon him for his speedie going from thence nor to lose any more time by attending the hope of Don Antonio told them that though the expedition of Portugall were not the onely purpose of their iburney but an aduenture therein which if it succeeded prosperously might make them sufficiently rich and wonderfull honourable and that they had done so much alreadie in triall thereof as what end soeuer happened could nothing impaire their credits yet in regard of the Kings last promise that hee should haue that night three thousand armed men of his owne Country he would not for that night dislodge The King of Portugall whether carried away with imagination by the aduertisements he receiued from the Portugalls or willing by any promise to bring such an Armie into his Countrey thereby to put his fortune once more in triall assured the Generall that vpon his first landing there would be a reuolt of his subiects After two nights staying at Lisbon the King as you haue heard promised a supply of three thousand Foot and some Horse but all his appointments being expired euen to the last of a night all his Horse could not make a Cornet of fortie nor his Foot furnish two Ensignes fully although they carried three or foure colours and these were altogether such as thought to inrich themselues by the ruine of their neighbours for they committed more disorders in euery place where we came by spoile then any of our owne The Generall as you see hauing done more then before his comming out of England was required by the King and giuen credite to his many promises euen to the breach of the last he
desisted not to perswade him to stay yet nine daies longer in which time hee might haue engaged himselfe further then with any honor he could come out off againe by attempting a Town fortified wherein were more men armed against vs then we had to oppugne them withall our Artillery and Munition being fifteene miles from vs and our men then declining for there was the first shew of any great sicknesse amongst them Whereby it seemeth that either his Prelacie did much abuse him in perswading him to hopes whereof after two or three daies hee saw no semblance or hee like a silly louer who promiseth himselfe fauour by importuning a coy mistresse thought by our long being before his Towne that in the end taking pittie on him they would let him in What end the Friers had by following him with such deuotion I know not but sure I am the Laitie did respite their homage till they might see which way the victorie might sway fearing to shew themselues apparantly vnto him least the Spaniard should after our departure if we preuailed not call them to account yet sent they vnderhand messages to him of obedience thereby to saue their owne if he became King but indeed very well contented to see the Spaniards and vs crie by blowes who should carry away the Crowne For they be of so base a mould as they can very well subiect themselues to any gouernment where they may liue free from blowes and haue libertie to become rich being loth to indure hazzard either of life or goods For durst they haue put on any minds thorowly to reuolt they had three wonderfull great occasions offered them during our being there c. The 〈◊〉 morning seeing no performance of promise kept the Generall gaue order for our marching away himselfe the Earle of Essex and Sir Roger Williams remaining with the stand that was made in the high street till the whole Armie was drawne into the Field and so marched out of the Towne appointing Captaine Richard Wingfield and Captaine Anthony Winfield in the Arrereward of them with the shot thinking that the enemy as it was most likely would haue illued out vpon our rising but they were otherwise aduised When we were come into the Field euerie Battalion fell into that order which by course appertained vnto them and so marcâ—ed that night vnto Cascais Had wee marched thorow his Countrey as enemies our Souldiers had beene well supplied in all their wants but had wee made enemies of the Suburbs of Lisbon wee had beene the richest Armie that euer went out of England for besides the particular wealth of euery house there were many Ware-houses by the water side full of all sorts of rich Merchandizes In our march that day the Gallies which had some what but not much annoyed vs at Lisbon for that our way lay along the Riuer attended vs till we were past S. Iulians bestowing many shot amongst vs but did no harme as all 〈…〉 ng that they strooke off a Gentlemans leg and killed the Sergeant Maiors Mâ—ile vnder him The Horsemen also followed vs afarre off and cut off as many sicke men as were not able to hold in march nor we had carriage for After we had beene two 〈…〉 es at Cascais wee had intelligence by a Friar that the enemy was marching strongly towards vs and then came as farre as S. Iulian which newes was so welcome to the Earle of Essex and the Generallâ— as they offered euery one of them to giue the Messenger an hundred Crownes if they found them in the place for the Generall desiring mothing more then to fight with them in field roome dispatched that night a Messenger with a Trumpet by whom 〈◊〉 a Cart 〈…〉 to the Generall of their Armie wherein he gaue them the lie in that it was by 〈◊〉 reported that 〈◊〉 dislodged from Lisbon in disorder and feare of them which indeed 〈◊〉 most false for that it was fiue of the clocke in the morning before wee fell into Armes and then 〈◊〉 in such â—ore as they had no courage to follow out vpon vs. Also he challenged him therein to meet him the next morning with his whole Armie if hee durst attend his comming and there to try out the iustnesse of their quarrell by baâ—â—â—ll by whom also the Earle of Essex who preferring the 〈◊〉 of the cause which was his Countries before his owne safetie sent a particulas Cattell offering himselfe against any of theire if they had any of his qualitie or if they would 〈◊〉 admit of that six eight or ten or as many as they would appoint should meet so many of theirs in the heart of our battell to 〈◊〉 their fortunes with them and that they should haue assurance of their returne and honourable intreatie The Generall accordingly made all his Armie readie by three of the clocke in the morning and marched euen to the place where they had encamped but they were dislodged in the night in great disorder being taken with a sudden feare that we had been come vpon them as the Generall was the next day certainely informed so as the Trumpet followed them to Lisbon but could not get other answere to either of his Letters but threatning to bee hanged for daring to being such a message Howbeit the Generall had caused to be written vpon the backside of their Pasport that if they did offer any violence vnto the Messengers he would hand the best prisoners he had of theirs which made them to aduise better of the matter and to returne them home but without answerd A 〈…〉 Armie came to Cascais and the Castle summoned the Castellan thereof granted that vpon fiue or six shot of the Canon he would deliuer the same but not without sight thereof The Generall thinking that his distresse within had been such for want of men or victuals as he could not hold it many dayes because hee saw it otherwise defensible enough determined rather to make him yeeld to that necessitie then to bring the Canon and therefore onely set a guard vpon the same least any supply of those things which hee wanted should bee brought vnto them But hee still standing vpon these conditions the Generall about two dayes before hee determined to goe to Sea brought three or foure Peeces of battery against it 〈◊〉 vpon the first â—ire whereof he surrendered and compounded to goe away with his baggage and Armes hee had one Canon two Culuerings one Basiliske and three or foure other F 〈…〉 Peeces threescore and fiue Souldiers very good store of Munition and victualls enough in the Castle insomuch as hee might haue held the same longer then the Generall had in purpose to tarry there One company of Footmen was put into the guard thereof till the Artillery was taken out and our Armie imbarked which without hauing that sort we could not without great perill haue done When we were readie to set saile one halfe of the Fort being by order