and sometimes dye miserably for lacke of sustenance It is here to be noted that all this South part of the Continent knowne by the name of New France From Cape Britton to Cape Crux was in the yeare 1621. granted by King Iames to Sir William Alexander a Scotch-man who sent forth one since to discover it and gave it a new name of New Scotland but we heare of nothing of worth performed by him or those who were employed by him New England THe next part of the Continent adjoyning to New France formerly accounted a parcell thereof is New England lying between the degrees of 41 and 45. The most Noâ—th-east part of it as yet least discovered by our English beginneth at the River Penobscot which the French call Pentegovet near to the River Haute The next are the Rivers Kinibequi over against Ile Bacchus 13 leagues then Willims Bay 15 more and Tragabigsana alias Cape Anna five more But the most safe and most convenient commings in as lying nearest to the English Plantations are Hender Bay Accomack and Milford Haven near Cape Cod all within 34 leagues of Cape Anna opposite to the Bristow Plantation The Natives bordering neare these Ports have divers names and have many little Villages whereof Sagadehoc Mascosqueck Penobscot and the Mattahunts inhabiting two plesant Islands are chiefe The greatest part of the Countrey as our Country-man Captaine Iohn Smith reporteth aboundeth with variety and store of wholsome cattell fowles fish fruits rich Furres and timber for service whereunto having added the excellent fertillity of the soyle for all manner of culture and the sweet and wholsome temperatue of the climate He doubteth not to compare New England with the most approved Countries of Europe And I find his commendation seconded if not exceeded by the Company of Adventurers for the Plantation there For the goodnesse of the soyle they compare it to Devonshire For the temperature of the ayre to France but yet upon farther enquiry from divers of our English who have been there and have taken a more exact view lately of this Countrey I am certainly informed that in regard of fertility it commeth far short of old England And now will I very briefly impart unto you as far as is requisite what hath beene performed by our Nation in those parts In the yeare 1606. King Iames did under the Great Seale Licence a Plantation there which was undertaken by some Noble men and some Mâ—rchants conditionally that neither should plant within an hundred miles the one of the other The first Colony consisting of an hundred husbandmen sent at the charge for the most of the Lord Chiefe Justice Popham under the government of George Popham in the yeare 1609. entered the great River Saga de Hoc and by the bankes of the said River setled themselves where they continued for the space of one yeare and then returned into England for that they were not able to provide for themselves by reason of the death of both the Pophams by whose care and charge they were chiefly governed and sustained But their unexpected returne was so displeasing to many other Adventurers here as that for a good while after they cast off all care of any further Plantation there Hereupon the French fell upon those parts but they were easily and suddenly beaten out by Captaine Argall After this with far greater preparation was Captaine Hobson sent forth out of England with two of those Natives who were intended for Interpreters as having gotten some little knowledge of our English tongue in the time of more than two yeares abode here But the voyage was frustrated by reason that the Natives then were very much incensed with our English men because one Hunt an English-man had not long before most perfidiously allured twenty of them into his Shippe under pretence of Commerce and so perfidiously carried them away and sold them for slaves unto the Spaniard A third and fourth voyage was performed in the yeare 1614 and 1615 by Captain Iohn Smith but those neither with any good successe for in the former he neither discovered any golden or silver Mines nor yet found any such usefull Whales as he expected And in the other voyage he was taken by the French Pirates and by them for a while detained A fifth voyage accompanied with a Colony of 19. families set forth from Plimmouth in the beginning of September in the yeare 1620. and on the nineteenth of November following they entered a nooke of the Sea ten miles from Cape Cod and there they stayed untill the sixteenth of December But not liking the place they removed to another more fertill and more commodious over against Milford Haven where having built them a Towne called Plimmoth they have continued for more than twenty yeares And since within these twelve yeares last past many hundreths of families have resorted either to new Plimmouth or they have made other plantations as those of Bristall neare Cape Anna and Connock neare Hinders Bay where they have continued a good while every yeare better and better accommodated with necessary provision for life and not without some indifferent intercourse and correspondency with the Natives upon whom they have thus far wrought toward the bringing them to God as that they usually acknowledge the God of the English to be good but their god which they call Tanto to be nought And yet for feare of the Devill by whom they are expresly prohibited they dare not frequent our Plantatione nor confer with our men about Christian Religion so often as they would Neither indeed is it likely our men should be able to doe any good upon those in respect of a happy conversion to Christ so extreamely seduced and hardened infidels unlesse they were better able to give them Law and by a holy violence compell them as it were to come in which may be done without any colour of injustice or cruâ—lty as tending both to their temporall and eternall felicity especially unlesse they had a greater power and meanes to take away their young children whereby they might become ours and so be brought to the knowledge of Christianity which they might successefully impart unto their miserable seduced parents at least they would be sure to sticks fast to thâ—t most blessed and saving doctrine they learned in their youth And this rule ought generally to be observed in all other our Plantations in America either made or to be made I might adde many other generall and particular observations concerning New England but it would not agree with my former proposall which was not to write all of any place but somewhat of every place Wherefore leaving those who are desirous of farther information to many English Authors who have more fully writ of that Countrey I proceed to the Dutch Plantation New Netherland AS the bounds of New England West-ward and by the South endeth with the Promontory Malebare So the Dutch Plantation beginneth there and extendeth it selfe more Westward and
withdraw themselves when Keymish who first discovered the genuine and best Navigable streame of the great River Oronoque within eight dayes saile and entrance thereunto came up to the Port of Morequito where finding his hopes of assistance from the Natives frustrated and himselfe not able to encounter the Spaniards he forthwith for feare of surprizall taketh downe the River againe and so in the fifth moneth after his setting forth out of England returnned thither safe againe though without any good successe at all After this I find no further attempt to have beene made by the English upon Guiana but that of Sir Walter himselfe Anno 1617. when he had beene fourteene yeeres prisoner to the great retarding of his intended prosecution of Guiana The successe of this voyage was little answerable to the great preparation thereof For though he went forth at his owne and friends charge with seven good ships well manned and provided yet he brought no treasure home And no mervaile for as he no lesse truly then boldly writeth to Sir Ralph Winwood from Christophers Island his whole designe what ships what men what Ammunition he would take with him as also what time he would set forth hence and what branch of Oronoque he intended to goe up to Guiana were all made knowne to the Spaniard before he could get out of the Thames by King Iames to whom he was enforced by oath before he could get liberty to goe to discover the foresaid particulars Upon which notice speedy directions were sent from the Court of Spaine to draw up forces three times as many as ours were from Porto-Rico Nuequo-Reygno and other neerest adjoyning parts to surprize them unexpectedly Yet such was the courage and resolution of our men that they went up to Saint Thomas and tooke it and in it some store of rich Tobacco but the Spanish forces purposely abandoned the Towne for the better defence of the mines so that ours could not take them which by reason of Woods lying on every side neare unto them with 200 Musqueteers they easily defended A more then probable argument that the Spaniard was then possessed of those golden mines then sought by the English else would they not have left their Towne and betooke themselves to the defence of them And Sir Walter Raleigh in his foresaid letter maketh good proofe of it in naming the men in whose possession they then were and he further confidently affirmeth that he was sufficiently able to make good what he writ by the King of Spaâ—nes severall grants to severall persons as also by the Spanish Register books wherein appeare the abundance of Treasure the mines as then discovered afforded by the great summes thence arising yeerly from the Kings fifth part And certainly had the Spanish King not feared learned and experienced Raleighs future and greater discovery and prosecution of Guiana he would never so eagerly have pursued him unto death as he did which yet he had not soone effected had it not beene for his pensioners here some noble ignoble English men overpowerfull with King Iames the reputed Solomon of his time as now they are much more with his Successour much inferiour to his father in wisdome From that time to this the English hopes being chrushed in losse of so worthy a Commander there hath beene either none or little venturing from England to Guiana But the Netherlands since that have made so many yearely voyages up the River Oronoque as farre as Saint Thomas encouraged by the great returne made from thence not of gold but of rich Tobacco as that some of their skilfull Pilots were as well able to direct the best and safest way thither as our Water-men are able to describe the passage from Dover to London the very cause as is generally conceived why being growne so expert in that River they were some yeers since so severely prohibited by the King of Spaine to trade any more there You have heard of Guiana as it bordereth Westerly on both sides Oronoque as much as can be conveniently expressed in so short an Epitome You shall now heare more briefly how it lyeth to the East Ocean accordâ—ng to the pincipall Rivers as they fall betweene Oronoque and Amazon The first great River of any note from Winkebery the most Southerne and best navigable arme or streame of Oronoque is Essequebe very broad but withall very shallow in the mouth of it where it falleth into the Ocean It is affirmed by the natives bordering upon both sides of it to arise within one dayes journey of golden Manoa the prime City of Guiana but both our English and the Dutch who have diligently endeavoured to make entrance into the continent by this River have found it in two or three dayes not passable by reason of many great vvaterfals three times as high and more heady then is the fall of London-bridge The Inhabitants about this River neerest to sea are called Arwaci as barbarous but not so inhumane cruell as are the Caribs who possesse the more inland Couâ—try They are continually at vvarre betweene themselves yet both great enemies to the Spaniard and not to be trusted by us or any other Christian Nation when they are able to doe mischiefe The soyle especially about 20 miles from sea is exceeding fertill the Commodities are Christall and a kind of wood very usefull and much desired for dying the best colours The next River of note is Berbice lying somewhat above the sixth degree the Land adjoyning is as the former possessed by the Arwaci but is farre inferiour in regard of fertility and the forenamed merchantable Commodities The next two Rivers or rather two in one is Sarname upon the sixth degree and Iâ—otera that falleth into Sarname three miles before it emptieth it selfe into the Ocean The Inhabitants hereof being men-eaters and very false in performing their promises are of all others least to be trusted neither indeed are the Commodities thereabout of that worth being upon the matter onely Brasil-wood as might invite men to venture farre into the Country Twelve miles more to the South is Marawyny a River of a wide and deepe mouth affording above twenty leagues convenient passage for vessels of burthen though yet the comming up from sea into it is very difficult The inhumanity and infidelity of the borderers is as great as the other and the Commodities the Land affordeth of as little worth and therefore seldome frequented either by us or the Netherlands From hence more and more to the South five other Rivers of greater note have their fall into the East Ocean The first is Cajana inhabited by the Caribs whose fall is computated to be twenty leagues from Marawiny the head of it to be more then fifty from the South-west The second and third Cauwo and Wio much upon the middle betweene the fourth and fifth degree inhabited by the Yayi and Shebaij have their rising to the South-west further into the continent The most Southern of the five great
us of a more than ordinary protection and direction That hitherto we have been lesse successefull in our voyages that way we way justly impute it to this that as yet they have not been undertaken with such a generall consent and with such a full reference to Gods glory as was requisite And so your Petitioner having delivered his apprehension herein more briefely than so weighty a matter might well require he submits all the premises to your more full deliberation and conclusion which he humbly prayeth may be with all convenient speed the only best way under God to make it the better successefull WEE whose names are here under-written having been upon occasion acquainted with a motion intended to be made by Master William Castell Parson of Courtenhall in the County of Northampton to the High and Honourable Court of Parliament now assembled concerning the propagation of the glorious Gospell of Christ in America As we do well approve of the motion so we do humbly desire his reasons may be duly considered And so good a work furthered their wiser judgements may resolve upon to which we humbly submit the same Iohn Moseley D. D. Raâ— Brownricke D. D. Thomas Bambrig D. D. Robert Sanderson D. D. Richard Alleyne D. D. Daniel Featly D. D. Matthius Styles D. D. Edmond Stanton D. D. Stephen Denison D. D. Edw. Williamot D. D. Ionathan Brown D. D. Iasper Fisher D. D. Hanniball Potter D. D. Anthony Clapton D. D. Thomas Drayton D. D. Iohn Grant D. D. Ministers of London George Walker Iames Palmer Edward Malbury Ioseph Caryll Edmond Calamy Adoniram Byfield William Price Richard Maden Iames Batty Matth. Griffeth Ephrâ—im Paget Robert Pory William Ianeway Nathaniel Barry Ministers of severall other Counties Iohn White Dorsetshire William Ford Iohn Pyns , Somersetshire Zachery Caudry Leistershire Henry Paynter Devonshire Stephen Marsholl Samuel Ioyner Essex Iohn Ward Suffolke Ier. Buroughes Northfolke Iohn Rawlinson Darby Moses Capell William Rhet Kent Francis Charliot Richard Gifford Buck. William Englesby Hertford Other worthy Ministers of the Diocesse of Peterburrough where the Petitioner liveth Daniel Caudery Ieremy Whittaker Iohn Barry Iames Cranford Samuel Craddock David Ensme Edmond Castell Samuel Male Daniel Rogers Benjamin Tomkins Richard Cook Richard Trueman Iohn Guderick William Spencer Edmond Iames Iohn Baynard George Iay Francis Presse Miles Berket Francis Atturbury Ieremy Stephens Iohn Ward Peter Fawtract William Malkinson THe motion made by Master William Castell Minister of the Gospell for propagating of the blessed Evangell of Christ our Lord and Saviour in America we conceive in the generall to be most pious Christian and charitable And therefore worthy to be seriously considered of all that love the glorious Name of Christ and are zealous of the salvation of soules which are without Christ and without God in the world wishing the opportunity and fit season the instruments and meanes and all things necessary for the prosecution of so pious a worke to be considered by the wisdomes of Churches and civill powers whom God hath called and enablad with Piety Prudence and Policy for matters of publick concernment and of so great Importance And beseeching the Lord to blesse all their consultations and proceedings for the advancing and establishing the Kingdome of Jesus Christ Alexander Henderson Robert Blare R. Bailly M. Gallaspie N. Smyth M. Borthrick AN ORDINANCE Of the LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in Parliament Whereby Robert Earle of Warwicke is made Governour in Chiefe and Lord High Admirall of all those Iâ—ands and other Plantations inâ—abited planted or belonging to any his Majesties the King of Englands Subjects within the bounds and upon the Coasts of America And a Committee appointed to be assisting unto him for the better governing strengthning and preservation of the said Plantations but chiefly for the advancement of the true Protestant Religion and farther spreading of the Gospell of Christ among those that yet remaine there in great and miserable blindenesse and ignorance WHereas many thousands of the Natives and good Subjects of this Kingdome of England though the oppression of the Prelates and other ill affected Ministers and Officers of State have of late yeares to their griefe and miserable hardship been inforced to transplant themselves and their families into severall Ilands and other remote and desolate parts of the West Indies and having there through exceeding great labour and industry with the blessing of God obtained for themselves and their families some competent and convenient meanes of maintenance and subsistance so that they are now in a reasonable well setled and peaceable condition But fearing least the outragious malice of Papists and other ill-affected persons should reach unto them in their poor low but as yet peaceable condition and having beene informed that there hath beene lately procured from his Majesty severall grants under the Great Seale for erecting some new Governours and Commanders amongst the said Planters in their afore-mentioned Plantations Whereupon the said Planters Adventurers and Owners of land in the said forreign Plantations have preferred their Petition unto this present Parliament that for the better securing of them and their present estates there obtained through so much extreame labour and difficulty they might have some such Governours and government as should be approved of and confirmed by the authority of both Houses of Parliament Which Petition of theirs the Lords and Commons having taken into consideration and finding it of great importance both to the safety and preservation of the aforesaid Natives and Subjects of this Kingdome as well from all forraigne invasions and oppressions as from their owne intestine distractions and disturbances as also much tending to the honour and advantage of his Majesties Dominions have thought fit and do hereby Constitute and Ordain Robert Earle of Warwick Governour in chiefe and Lord High Admirall of all those Ilands and other Plantations inhabited planted or belonging to any his Majesties the King of Englands Subjects or which hereafter may be inhabited planted or belonging to them within the bounds and upon the Coasts of America And for the more effectuall speedier and easier transaction of this so weighty and important a businesse which concernes the well-being and preservation of so many of the distressed Natives of this and other his Majesties Dominions the Lords and Commons have thought fit that Philip Earle of Pembrooke Edward Earle of Manchester William Viscount Say and Seale Philip Lord Wharton Iohn Lord Roberds Members of the House of Peeres Sir Gilbert Gerard Knight and Baronet Sir Arthure Haselrig Baronet Sir Henry Vane junior Knight Sir Benjamin Rudyer Knight Iohn Pym Oliver Cromwell Dennis Bond Miles Corbet Cornelius Holland Samuel Vassall Iohn Rolles and William Spurstow Esquiers Members of the House of Commons shall be Commissioners to joyn in aide and assistance with the said Earle of Warwick chiefe Governour and Admirall of the said Plantations which chiefe Governour together with the said Commissioners or any four of them shall hereby have power and authority
up at root and seek to impeach or to supplant him in the West Indies By part of which course that 〈◊〉 Queen of most gracious memory had heretofore almost brought him on his knees And this our undertaking if it please God to blesse it must needs effect it sooner and quicker the whole body of the Kingdome being united and concurring in a perpetuall supply to this action so that he will have no free time given him to rest Moreover this will be a meanes not only to save but to fill his Majesties Coffers enabling the people to give him liberally and often the Kings ships will have little to doe but to guard the Coasts for the Sea-warre will chiefly be made at the charge of the Subject Thus Sir Dudley Digs I doubt not but that in short time both King and people shall be safe at home and feared abroad To conclude I shall be very glad to heare any man make Objections against this Designe so that he doe it with an intention to refine and perfect the work but if any man shall speake against it with a minde to hinder and destroy it I must intreat him to pardon me if I doe scarce think him to be a good Englishman AN INTRODVCTION To the WORKE THE West-Indies as usually knowne by the name of America were first found out by Christopher Columbus in the yeare 1493. at the expence of Ferdinand King of Castile much furthered by Isabella his Queen who Pawned all her Jewels to advance the Christian â—aith and to augment the revenuâ— of that Crowne A worthy Princely act as highly to be commended as the late pawning of the Jâ—wels of the English Crowne is justly to be condemned for the suppressing of the Gospell in the purity of it and the exceeding weakning if not utter ruining both of King and Kingdome But though this New World for so it may be justly styled as being of a vast extent much larger than Asia and never heard of before was first thought of and in three voyages not without divine inspiration and assistance discovered by that worthy Columbus yet one Americus who after made a more full discovery hath been honourâ—d with the name of it This goodly Countrey was first proffered to one of our Kings Henry the seventh a very wise Prince who yet unhappily refused to be at any charge in the discovery supposing the learned Columbus to build Castles in the ayre but the motion being afterwards entertained by the said King Ferdinand Castile the least of the three Kingdomes of Spain became Commander of them all and by reâ—son of the incredible treasure yearely brought from thence his successors are now become formidable to all Christiane Nations yeâ— are designed by the Jesuits the Popes grand Enginiers to be the sole absolute Monarckes of all Christendom A plot yet to bee prevented by our King and State if timely thought upon in sending forth a considerable Navy whereby we may best suppresse the Spaniards overswelling greatnesse and the most subtill designes of Jesuits who have bewitched no inconsiderable number of seeming Protestants here to beleeve that the King and Grandees of Spaine intend good to this Kingdom it being most apparent that that Indian treasure by them disposed first raised and still foments these never sufficiently to be deplored combustions in Ireland and England I shall say nothing of the causes that moved Columbus to undertake this strange voyage nor yet how it came to be first inhabited as being by many espâ—cially by Acosta so fully related Thus much in generall is necâ—ssarily to be observed that in respect of latitude it is extended well nigh from the South to the North-pole It hath to the East Europe and Africa from which it is divided by the wide German and Atlanticke Sea sometimes by more sometimes by lesse distance of leagues nearer to Africa than Europa To the West it hath Asia and those Southerne parts of the world as yet remaining to be discovered how large the Sea is that divides America from Asia is as little knowne some are of opinion that it is but a narrow Sea but it is more probable to prove very wide The forme of this spacious Country is irregular in respect of its many turnings and windings putting out and taking in againe both by sea and land The North part of it hath a Mediterranean Sea wherein lye those great Islands Portu-Rico Hispaniola Iamaica and Cuba every way comparable to England were it not for the more constant temperature of this our incomparable Climate There are likewise at least a thousand lesser Islands all lying within this Mediterranean Sea which make many parts of the Continent of this Northeâ—ne America to be farre distant one from another in regard either of longitude or latitude New-found-Land the most North-east part as yeâ— discovered is distant from the most North-west parts of Calfornia which are likewise the farthest as yet discovered full 90 degrees amounting to 1800 league either of them by little and little drawing nearer the one to the other untill they come within a degree and an halfe of the Tropick of Cancer and then from the most southerne part of Florida to Cullacan bordering upon the South-west seas of Nova Hispania which differ not much in latitude the longitude both by sea and land doth not exceed above thirty degrees And afterwards in some places more in others lesse this North America in a great disproportion falleth to the Equinoctiall where from the most Eâ—sterne part of Guiana to the most Western of Popaian the longitude is computated at 35 dâ—grees as for the latitude that also differeth very much The Northerne corner reacheth to the 53 degree the Nore-west so farre as it is yet discovered but to 48 the maine body of it falling between those corners which by some are fitly compared to hornes riseth no farther then the 24 degree The forme of the South part of America beyond the Equinoctiall is no lesse irregular the generall description whereof I here forbeare as intending in this booke to write onely of the Northerne part Now for the method which I have proposed to my selfe in the particular description hereof it is thus I shall begin with the most Northerne part thereof which is New-found-Land from whence keeping the Sea-coast the course I intend to observe constantly through-out this Discovery I shall forthwith fall upon our chiefe English plantations and so taking view of Florida lying upon the Sea-coast for many hundred leagues between Virginia and Nova-Histania so farre as the Mediterranian Sea will permit I shall God assisting retuâ—ne againe and surveigh the Islands great and small comming in betweene the two parts of the Continent which as I said before in some places being farre more in others farre lesse are divided the one from the other Having done with the Islands I am againe to bend Westward and according to the Sea-coast to proceed with all the pâ—rts of that part of this North America falling
King of England to that purpose but because a more full Discovery hath since been made by two worthy French-men Quarteri and Champlâ—ri from whose much approved relations I shall here briefely impart unto you what I conceive requisite for us to know These two worthy French-men tell us that all the discovery they madâ— of this part of America more than ever as yet hath been made was by the great River Canada falling from the West about an hundred leagues into the North part of St. Laurence Gulfe and by the Southerne Ocean Westward I shall therefore in this my briâ—fe Relation trace them in their long Voyages this way beginning with that part of New France that bordereth on both sides Canada where they made their first enterance Only let me take notice of some Promontories lying beâ—ween the South Ocean and Canada River not much frequented for that the comming in unto them hath often proved dangerous the seas being in most places very narrow by reason of the foresaid great Islands and many more which formerly did and now doth cause them who trade thither to steere a more safe course above the said Islands more to the North-east between them and New-found-Land They are knowne by these names Cape de Esperance and Bay de Chaleux somewhat above the 48 Port Gachepe upon the 49 Cape de Bontoneriers and Cape Evesque between the degrees of 50 and 49. From which last Cape beginneth the fall of Canada best known and most usually used by the West-side of Natiscotâ—â— whereunto answereth on the North-side the River of Cheschedec more than thirty leagues distant for such is the widenesse of that River there affirmed to be The next cape on the South-side whereunto the River Magaret on the North answereth is de Chate remote from the former neare thirty leagues Above these somewhat neare opposite But 20 leagues remote from the former lye the Rivers Lesquemin to the North and Montonne to the South The farthest navigable parts of this great river are on the North Tadousac a good haven at the falling of the heady River Saguâ—nay from the North-west as yet but very little discovered and the River May on the South-side The other part of Canada not navigable with any great vessell was yet attâ—mpted by Quartery to good purpose and after upon a further search Champlany is affirmed to reach yet 300 lâ—agues to the South-west The principall places by them observed are Orleance and Sault thirty leagues from Tadousac then follow Quebec 20 Mary River 60 Lake Pierto 100 leagues more Now concerning the goodnesse of this soyle and climate the condition of the Natives and what hath been here performed by the French It may suffice to know that the land oâ— the North side of Canada from the fall of it to the River Saguenay as far as is yet discovered is found to be mountenous wooddy and barren besides the comming up the River on that side is found much more dangerous than that â—o the South which also in many places requireth carefull circumspection But then the land is much more fruitfull and convenient to trade for Bevours and rich Furres the grand commodity here to be expected by reason there are more store of Natives to trade withall In the generall all this part of the Countrey is judged to be over cold in Winter to be well inhabited though yet it be constantly affirmed that the Natives might live very plentifully there were they not carelesse in sowing planting and making timely provisions and so prodigall in spending in two or three moneths what might serve them the whole year Sure it is that the French have taken a great opinion of it for besides many voyages formerly made they have from the yeare 1608. to the year 1616. made six voyages under the conduct of the fore-named Champlany and it is no lesse certaine that the French have continuall trading thither as finding good returne especially for Bevours skins The other part of New France adjacent to the South Ocean beginning where we came up in Saint Laurence Gulfe on the West-side of Ile Britton are Port Camseau and Port de Savelette somewhat above the 45 degree of latitude then halfe a degree more to the South follow Bay de Toutes and Port Elaine The first ful thirty the second neare fifty leagues from Savelette then Bay Senne Margurite River and Cape Heve all these follow one after another for a degree farther Yet more to the South-west follow Port de Rosignall Cape de Sable Port Courante and Cape Forcu one after another for the space of 35 leagues From Cape Forcu beginneth a great Inlet Sea called Bay Francoyse of 15 leagues wide at the first enterance but after a while it is narrowed more and more as it runneth backward towards the North-east full 30 leagues into the Continent And into this bosome of Sea are many good havens but that the comming up unto them is not so good They are knowne by these names Marys Bay Port Royall and Port aux Mines about five leagues distant the one from the other And here it is to be observed that the turning in of the foresaid bosome of the sea neare as far to the North-east as the Gulfâ— of Saint Laurence environeth that part of New France as the French call Cade On the South-west side of Bay Francoyse are Cape Range Saint Iohns River Port Coquilles and the River Croix Now the temprature of this part of this Country is better then the other as not being so excessive cold but the goodnesse of the soyle is in the generall not so good as is that part which is called Canada lying on the South-side of the River Canoda Yet the French have taken so good liking thereof that the Lord de Monts and the Lord de Poutrincourt have made some voyages thither in person and spent great part of their estates in setling Plantations there whereof there was great hope of good successe untill the yeare 1611. and 1613. the then Queene Regent of France who hath since proved the Fire-brand of Christendome after the murder of her Husband Henry the fourth by Jesuits sent some of that hellish fraternity thither in favour of her holy Father the Pope and the King of Spain to disturbe the Plantations as no doubt her deare daughter our now dreadfull Queene hath doth and will unhappily endevour to do â—y the counsell of her greatest favourites Spanish pentions especially if we shall presume to plant or trade in those much richer Southerne Countries which the Spaniard proudly challengeth as his inheritance Touching the Native Inhabitants here I will say no more but that they are much of the same condition with those who border about Canada men of no religion living without God in the world deluded and captivated by Satan and their Priests which they call Autonoins The Country in Sommer affordeth them sufficient food but for want of due provision for Winter they then are often exceedingly pinched
and commanding the Natives as they please Many other remarkable passages touching this part of Virginia are to be found in Captaine Smiths Discourse thereof The greater and more fertill part of Virginia is the Southerne found out as I said by Sir Walter Raleigh and since amply described by our country-man Master Harcourt who affirmeth that there are great store of Deere Conneys and big Squirrils which afford very sweet and wholesome nourishment and no lesse abundance of Fowle as Peacocks Partridges Stock-doves Cranes Hernes Swans Geese as also of Fish as Sturgeon Herring Rayes Mullets Plaice Soles Trouts Eeles and many more beside infinite store of all kind of Shell-fish and all of these very usefull for mans sustentation There are likewise in this Southerne part many Merchantable commodities besides ample provision of almost all things necessary for shipping which with a competent supply of men and Ammunition from England might within a short time by Gods blessed assistance command the Northerne parts of America where would be found silver and gold sufficient though they never went over the Line to abate the over-swelling greatnesse of the Spaniard by whom the Papacy is only supported and all Protestant Churches at this present so extreamely perplexed There was in the yeare 1546 a small Colony sent into this part of Virginia at the charge of Sir Walter Raleigh but finding themselves not able long to resist the Natives they returned into England A Second Expedition was undertaken in the yeare 1585 by Sir Richard Grinvill who continued not long there but left a Colony of an hundred and seven under the command of Sir Raphael Lane who being greatly distressed by the Natives were next yeare brought back again by Sir Francis Drake The last voyage we reade of was undertaken at the charge of the said Sir Walter Raleigh by Master With 1587 who finding the former Colony gone and himselfe not able to make good the Plantation returned Florida THE next adjacent Countrey unto Virginia to the West and Southwest is Florida containing a very large tract of gronnd not yet fully discovered it hath the Island Cuba to the South and runneth South-west to the River de Palmas about forty miles distant from Panuco a Province of Nova Hispania The temperature of the aire differeth not much from that of Castile in Spain it is for the most part very fertill but it seemeth not to have in it any rich mines either of gold or silver or not to have been regarded by the Natives who not long since would not take the pains to take up any of the great store of gold and silver which was usually cast upon that coast by reason of many shipwracks which the Spaniard suffered in bringing such treasure thorow the dangerous Straits of Bahema from Nova Hispania and the South of America the soile is as fertil if not more fertill than any part of Virginia and aboundeth with greater store and varieâ—y of flesh fish fowle and fruit than that doth Great store of gold and silver is found there which they who have written of Florida impute rather to frequent Shipwracke than to any Mines growing there because they have farre the greater store neare the Sea-coast though yet there be a constant report of many golden Mines in the Apalaci Mountaines which divides Florida from the South part of Virginia but it is certaine that many of the Sea-shores afford store of Amber Grise The Inhabitants are of a tawny colour of great stature and well compacted bodies very expert Archers exceeding active fierce and manly in their manner of assault Their Religion is the same or not much differing from that of their Neighbours a meere worship of Devils wherein they are greatly deluded by their Priests who are great Magicians They hate the Spaniard extreamly more willingly they entertaine and joyn their forces with the French and other Christian Nations against them They consist of many petty Governments which usually infeft and weaken one another in that respect easie to be subdued though they were better provided for war than they are The Spaniard as also the French have made many voyages into Florida The first Spanish Expedition was undertaken in the year 1512. from the Isle of Portorico by Portius from whom it received the name for that the face of the Country hath a resemblance of a continuall spring but this Expedition proved to be of none effect A second voyage was undertaken in the yeare 1520 by Vasques from Hispaniola who performed nothing memorable there save only this infamous act of inviting many of the Natives into his ships where once abâ—ord he hoysed sayle and carried them into miserable bondage A third voyage was made to as little purpose by Narvesius Anno 1526 who stayed so long in the search of the South-west part of Florida which is the most barren part as they were faine to eat one another The most remarkable was undertaken by Ferdinando à Soto from the yeare 1536 unto 1541 in which time he with his Armie of nine hundred foot and five hundred horse were the greater part consumed having not found out what they chiefly sought after any golden or silver mines the remainder of his souldidiers which were not a fourth part of those he brought from Cuba were after his death under the conduct of Ludovicus Moscosus brought into Nova Hispania not without great difficulty being often fiercely set upon and prosecuted by the Natives After which very chargeable and unprosperous voyage of Hernandus the Spaniard for many yeares did intermit any further search of Florida which indeed was never throughly by them as having searched no further than that part of the Countrey which lyeth opposite to the Gulfe of Nova Hispania and not within and beyond the Straits of Bohema lying towards Virginia which is by many degrees the more fertill soyle and most abounding with treasure and rich merchantable commodities After this the French with two of the Kings ships every way wel provided by the procurement of Colinus that most worthy Admirall of France under the conduct of Ribaldus set forth to Florida in the yeare 1542 where they arrived within two moneths at the River of Dolphines lying about the 30 degree and from thence following the Sea-coast towards the North they came to a very safe Port which they named Port Riall neare unto which they built Charles Fort about the degree of 32 neare adjoyning to the Sea-coast of Virginia But by reason of great civill war that as then happened very fierce in France a long expected supply being not sent from thence a mutiny arose among his souldiers so as Ribaldus though ha was well entertained and supplyed by the Natives was inforced to returne into France after some discovery made of the North-east part of Florida not without the losse of some men though of more money And in his returne for want of victuals they killed one of their owne men and had hardly ever againe recovered France
in the same longitude with Porto Rico though many degrees distant to the North in regard of latitude I must either here insert or leave out It lyeth within a degree and a halfe of South Virginia not so easie to be come unto in regard it hath but one and that none of the best Ports to land in Besides it is as much if not more then any other place infested with most tempestuous fearfull winds called Huracans The soyle and temperature is farre inferiour to any part of Virginia and yet is it inhabited no lesse then with a thousand English Who no doubt when the wisedome of the Kingdome shall thinke convenient to send a strong Navy into America will be forward to remove and improve their plaâ—â—â—â—ion into a more convenient and richer soyle Caribb Islands TO the the East of Porto-Rico begin the Carib or Caniball Islands so called for that the Natives are men-eaters for the most part they fall one within another sometimes in a double sometimes in a threefold squadron from the degree of eighteen and a halfe to somewhat more then the sixteenth degree of latitude I will onely mention them as they lye in their severall ranks from East to West Anegado and Virgines Angotllo and Virgin Granda Saint Martin Saba and Crus Saint Bartoline and Saint Estasio Barbada Nieves and Saint Christopher Antigua and Monserata Desseada and Gnadalupe Mary Glande Sanco and Aâ—stin From whence the Carib Islands Dominica Martimno Saint Lucia Saint Vincent Beria and Granada fall downe to the twelfth degree of latitude by a proportionable bending much like a bow towards the West from Anegado to Grâ—â—ada Onely Barbados lyeth to the East more then twenty leagues out of the foresaid bow-bending figure Of these Barbados Saint Christopher and Nieves now in possession of our Countrymen are most spatious and in all respects fitter for plantation except Dominica Matinino and Granada which though they be not inhabited by Spaniards yet beside the sustaining of 1000. Savages either of them affordeth the Spanish Navy in its yeerly voyage to the South Continent of America good stone of provision at very small rates foure Porkets and six Hens for one hatchet I say no more of these Islands but this though they be thought scarce worth looking after by the Spaniards yet would they sustaine 20000 men I might here passe Westward againe with the Islands of Margarita Cobana Coetz and many more which lye upon the matter directly Westward not farre remote from Granâ—da Andalusia and Veneuella the neerest part of the continent Southward by coasting whereof to Martha Nicuragua and so to Nova Hispania I might more perspicuously and conveniently have concluded this my present discovery of the North America but then I must leave out two great Islands of good note and which is of twenty times more concernment the most spatious Guiana by our judicious Countryman Sir Walter Raleigh and others most admired and applauded for health wealth and pleasure Though therefore it be somewhat out of my way and doe a little obscure my proposed method by the Mediterranian sea of America yet I may not by any meanes leave them out as falling many degrees on the North side of the equinoctiall unlesse it be one part of Guiana which to the South-east goeth over the line somewhat more then a degree taken up onely with severall branches of the great River Amazon and many small Islands dispersed in them of no great worth The Islands between Granada and Guiana to the South-west are Tabago and Trinidado I shall quickly have done with them and from thence begin in a second Booke my discovery of Guiana and the rest of the Continent taking it according to the severall regions thereof as I shall find them neerest agreeing to the Sea-coasts so farre as the Mediterranian will permit us that is as farre as Nava Hispania Tabago now in possession of the Dutch lyeth to the South-east full thirty leagues from Granada and upon eight miles to the East of Trinidado It hath many good harbours but the comming in unto them especially toward the West is dangerous by reason the seas there are very boystrous and not free from sands and shelves It is constantly reported by the Dutch who should best know it as having many yeeres possest it to afford many rare fruits and hearbs variety of Fowles and Fish and not to be utterly destitute of foure-footed beasts wholesome for nourishment as having good store of Indian Hogs and Armadillos both which afford good food Trinidado now possessed as is credibly reported by the Forces of the present most illustrious Admirall of England the Earle of Warwicke lyeth according to the severall farre distant parts and corners thereof betweene the eighth and tenth degree of latitudge For though Sir Walter Raleigh a judicious Traveller place point Curiapan which the Spaniards call Punco de Gallo the most Northerne part but in the eighth degree yet the Dutch according to Oviedus upon more exact calculation found it to come neere to the tenth degree Besides this about fifteene miles to the South there is another convenient Haven called Point Blanco after which directly to the South betweene the Island and the falling of foure or more branches of the great River Oronoque from Guiana there is a very shallow narrow sea not above three miles over and not above 11 or 12 foot deepe howbeit by reason of foure or five Islands which come between them that sea is heady and rough This Island is according to Herea his observation two hundred leagues from Hispaniola sixty from Granada In length according to Oviedus it is twenty five in breadth twenty leagues Concerning the fertility of the soyle Authors agree not Herea reporteth it to be barren in the generall but Sir Walter Raleigh acknowledgeth it to be so onely in that part which is next adjoyning to Curiapan but the rest of the Island to be sufficiently fruitfull especially of Indian graine and such Roots as the Americans usually make their Bread and Beere of besides great store of Deere and Hogges and other wilde Beasts of which the Inhabitants may feed plentifully Good probability there is that some Golden Mineâ— may be found there but as yet what hath beene digged there is acknowledged by the said Sir Walter Raleigh and by another of our Countrymen Sir Robert Dudley to be but Marcaâ—ite which though it shine like Gold yet it it of no value The onely great Towne in all Trinidad is Saint Ioseph the Merchantable Commodity there is Tobacco The second BOOKE GVIANA AND now being to proceed with Guiana I know no better course than to follow those who have gone before me who by ascending and descending the grand Rivers I meane Oronoque to the North Amazon to the South as also many others which fall betweene them into the east Ocean have made the onely discovery which have as yet beene made thereof And no marvaile for those great Rivers doe on every side inviron Guiana
then three from Manoa the cheife City so as keeping his course as he acknowledgeth he did downe Orinoque running directly North-East from thence there was then no hope of finding what he so eagerly sought for but instead thereof received both in his forces and provisions much losse many of them perishing by water his small vessels being split upon rockes or overwhelmed and swallowed with the violence of the streame and many of them killed by the Natives The first place of note he arrived at was the Province of Amapaia which he affirmed to be rich in gold and though for the greatest time of his abode there which was six moneths he was feircely infefted by the inhabitants yet at length after the concluding of a peace betweene them he obtained eight Images of gold as curiously made as any in Europe which he sent to the King of Spaine The River of Oronoque running on the East side of Amapaia is said to be twelve miles broad and about seven or eight hundreth miles from its fall into the Ocean From hence getting over to the South-East side of Orinoque he sought very diligently to have found an entrance into Guiana but could finde none all places being stopped up with high unpassable mountaines And although he met with divers Rivers both on the one and on the other side of Orinoque yet he professed he could not learne the name of them but onely of the River Caroly neither could he as he pretended for want of the use of Geography expresse of what degrees they were so as he utterly despaired of obtaining any good successe in this voyage untill he came to Emeria where he found store of provision and the inhabitants of a more peaceable and civell disposition The petty King thereof was called Carapana a man of a hundred yeeres of age who in his youth had beene often at the Islands of Trinidado and Margaâ—ita where he traded with the Christians there and learned much from them how to governe his people Berea having staid here some good space of time and having as he conceived gained sufficient knowledge of Guiana betaketh himself without staying anywhere downe the River Oronoque directly to Trinidado from thence not long after he sent backe againe to Carapana who directed them to Morequito Lord of Aramaia as having better knowledge of Guiana living foure or five dayes journey from Magureguaira This Morequito had some few yeeres before brought much gold to Gumana and withall had so highly extolled the great riches of Guiana as that Vedes the Governour of Margarita sought to have obtained a patent thereof from the King of Spaine but was prevented by Berea which so troubled Moreâ—uito for his acquaintance Vedes sake with whom he had much ingratiated himselfe as that though he feared openly to deny Bereas request in sending guides with his men to trucke with the Guianians for gold Yet privily upon their returne which is reported to have beene with much store of gold he caused them to be mutthered neare the bankes of Oronoque one onely escaping to informe Berea of this 〈◊〉 act which he conceiving to have beene plotted by Morequito sent a good part of the men he had at Trinidado to take him and to spoyle his Covntry Before whose coming Morequiâ—o hearing of it fled to Vides for succour but being within a while demanded in the King of Spaines name he was delivered and executed whose execution so displeased the borderers of Oronoque as he thought it not safe ever after to venture with a few men to trafficke that way neither was his strength now sufficient to make his way wherefore expecting sufficient forces from other parts of the Spaniards dominions neerest adjoyning he staid so long at Trinidado untill he was surprized by Sir Walter Raleigh in the yeere 1596. Here then Bereas discovery of Guiana being interrupted it is meet I forbeare any further relation thereof untill I have shewed you what was performed by our worthy Countryman the said Sir Walter Raleigh in his first expedition thither after which as being after it in time the conclusion of Bereas discovery as also of Captaine Kemish and others who were imployed by learned and expert Raleigh that way will more seasonably follow After six weekes and two dayes departure from England Sir Walter Raleigh though he staid seven dayes at Tenerife one of the Canary Islands in expectation of Captaine Preston arived at Trinidado and tooke it within foure dayes where loosing no time in the prosecution of his intended designe for Guiana after diligent search the narrow sea betweene Trinidado and the fall of Oronoque being so shallow and shelvie more especially those branches of the said River all that was then discovered being sound by his Sea-men not above nine foot deepe at high water he was enforced to leave his ships and with a hundred men thronged together in two barges and three whirreys to crosse that narrow sea and to venture up the River by those branches wherein when they had rowed foure dayes his owne barge came a ground so as they were in some feare whether they should ever have got her off againe such was the shallownesse of the River when the flowing of sea had left them After this for many dayes more they wandred here and there for want of a good Pilot not knowing which streame to take the streams multiplying so exceedingly upon them by reason of the many great and small Islands that lye in this wide bottome of Oronoque computated by the most judicious Geographers neare a hundred miles wide from South-east to North-west After they fell upon those Islands commonly called Trivitivans the Inhabitants whereof commonly goe by the name â—awani and Waraweâ—kâ— who in regard they are commonly overflowne from May to September they live in houses upon trees very artificially built their food being Indian bread fâ—â—h and venisons prepared before hand Here they happened on a Pilot more expert then the former who yet within few dayes was out of his knowledge where againe it was their good hap to meet with a 〈◊〉 much more expert one Martin an Arwacan whom 〈◊〉 â—ooke in a Canoa with some others going down Amana one 〈◊〉 the greatest armes of Oronoque to Margarita with store of bread both the Pilot and the bread were of singular use to Sir Walter Raleigh and his almost fainting company without which they had undoubtedly beene much straightned for going any further But by direction they quickly attained unto Arowacy on the South side of Oronoque whereof Toparimaca being Lord entertained them kindly and furnished them with provisions as also with another Pilot yet more experienced in the crosse perplexed streames of Oâ—onique as they grew higher to Guâ—â—na From Arowacy bending their course almost directly Westward they pasted by a great Isle called Arrowâ—pana twenty miles in length and six in breadth and at nighâ— cast Ancour at Ocawyta not one third part so bigge The next night they stayed under Putayma Island from whence
remote parts being seized upon the rest shall be possessed by us in his good time who is the onely disposer of the earth The Inland Provinces Zacatacas Topia and Nova Biscaya lying between the Calfornian sea and the upper part of the gulf of Mexico Between Cullacan and Panuco of the same latitude upon the Tropicke of Cancer and between Cinaloa and the River Escondido foure degrees higher to the North neere the 28. degree of the North latitude containe much ground more rich then any in regard of the many silver mines but yet poorer then any in regard of the small sustentation they afford for the life of man Ybara imployed by Velascus Anno 1554. discovered in the Province of Zacatecas five exceeding rich silver Mines one that is known by the name of the Province forty leagues from Guaâ—dalaira then those of Ellerena Saint Martin Avinno and Dios which last being neere to the rising of the River Panuco at least 100. leauges from the North-sea is somewhat fertill The abundant store of treasure taken forth of these rich mines may be guessed at by the 600. Spaniards who are here continually imployed in digging and by the tax of the fifth part amounting to 50000l yeerly The other mines belonging to Topia and Biscaia Eâ—dehe Barbara and Iuan afford as much treasure and better provision for life Cibola Quivira and Nova Mexico three other Provinces are yet much more to the North by many degrees From the most Southerne parts of Cibola to the most Northern of Nova Mexico not lesse then fifteen so as they must needs be of a very large extent the longitude being considered with the latitude But the relations of these most Westerne North parts of America are so variously reported and so contradicted as little can here be set downe for certaine A Fryar Marke de Niza in a relation to the Viceroy telleth wonders concerning the riches the stately buildings the most pleasant inviting habitations in Cabola But Vasquius de Cornado who thereupon was presently sent away to make a further discovery with 150. horse and 200. foot finding nothing worth his great travaile and cost certified so much to the Viceroy with an ample expression of his and his souldiers detestation of the Fryars fained relation Quivira which Gomara and Herrea likewise place in the 40. degree of the north latitue is by both said to be barren and not much inhabited The greatest riches here that serve to feed and cloth and carry them are infinit number of beasts resembling in regard of their greatnesse our greatest horse and Oxen and their Pels are said to afford wool not inferiour to some of ours Nova Mexico is as I said placed yet many degrees more to the north-west of which unlesse I would endeavour to delude the Reader to write little or nothing is to write best Gonsalez de Mendoca in a little Narrative Printed at Madrill anno 1589. maketh a strange relation of what had bin lately performed by one Augustinus Ruyz one of his owne more hollow then holy fraternity how by his powerfull Preaching to Savages not much inferious to his Founder Saint Francis who is said to Preach to wilde Beasts converted instantly two great Provinces of Nova Mexico Concht and Tiguria But withall he confesseth that for the killing of a zealous it might more truely he said of a foolish over-venturous Fryar amongst men who in regard of the knowledge of Christ are but beasts one Anthonius de Espiro I cannot thinke him to be inspired with any better spirit then that of The Antichrist of Rome made flaughter of more then forty thousand poore silly ignorant Indians who had never learned to distinguish what their hollow Fathers were better then other cruell mercilesse Spaniards He telleth us of many thousands converted to the Christian faith by the Preaching of Fryars no better inspired then was the foresaid Anthonius A strange thing that a few ignorant Fryars should doe more in a few dayes then all their Spanish Clergy did in one hundred and seventy yeeres in places farre neerer He telleth us also as doth his brother de Benavides in a more late Narrative of the conquering of Peri Tebe Queres Tompires and many more sained Provinces of Nova Mexico and of the exceeding progresse of the Faith in those parts All which and many more their incredible expressions are fit to be cast off being in all probability but the subtile fictions of Spanish Popish Factors who like travellers take liberty to lye and like Lap-wings to devert and carry us from those knowne places as are every way convenient for habitation and yeeld such increible yeerely Revenue to the Spanish King Monarch who would be of Christendom that all the reformed Churches of Christendom for the present extreamlybleed for it witnes England and Ireland which are now set on fire ready to perish unlesse the great God of Heaven and earth be pleased to put in and redeem both from the most detestable imaginations and most bloody contrivements of Spanish Pentioners the Popes grand Engeneers who have caâ—tivated our King and seek to undoe the whole Kingdome that they may have their yeerly 3 or 4000 livre. Pensions continued But he that dwelleth on high seeth and laugheth their wicked Councels to scorne And I doubt not but the wisedome of this present Parliament inspired and assisted from above will finde out these wicked men the prime troublers of our Church and Kingdome and bring them here to condigne punishment Which I have good cause confidently to beleeve because they are so forward and zealous as appeareth by a late Ordinance to propagate the Gospell in America the onely best way to continve it here in the purity and power of it which is and shall be my constant prayer to God for these so extreamly distressed Churches and Kingdomes The Southerne Description of America God permitting shall shortly be set forth in another Booke FINIS