saw a man running after our boats that were going along the coast who made signes vnto vs that we shoulde retourne towarde the sayd Cape againe We séeing such signes began to tourne toward him but he séeing vs come began to flée so soone as we were come on shoare we set a knife before him and a woollen girdle on a little staffe and then came to our ships again That day we trended the sayde land about nine or ten leagues hoping to finde some good harborough but it was not possible for as I haue sayd alreadie it is a very low land enuironed round about with great shelues Neuerthelesse we went that day on shore in foure places to sée the goodly and swéete smelling trées that there were we founde them to be Cidrons Ewe-trées Pines white Elmes Ashes Willowes with manye other sortes of trées to vs vnknowen but without any fruit The groundes where no wood is are very faire and al full of peason white and red gooseberies strawberies blackeberies and wilde corne euen like vnto Rie that it séemeth to haue bene sowen and plowed This Countrey is of better temperature than any other that can be séene and very hote There are many Thrushes Stockdoues and other byrdes to be short there wanteth nothing but good harborough ¶ Of the Baie called Saint Lunario and other notable Baies and Capes of lande and of the qualitie and goodnesse of those groundes THe next day being the seconde of Iuly we discouered and had sight of land on the Northerne side towarde vs that dyd ioyne vnto the lande abouesayd all compassed about and we knewe that it had about * in déepth and as muche athwart we named it Saint Lunarios Baie with our boates we went to the Cape toward the North and founde the land and grounde so lowe that for the space of a league from land there was but halfe a faddome water On the Northeast side from the sayde Cape about seauen or eight leagues there is another Cape of lande in the middest whereof there is a Baie fashioned triangle wise verye déepe and as far as we could ken from it lieth Northeast The said Baie is compassed about w t sands and shelues about ten leagues from land and there is but one faddome water from the saide Cape to the banke of the other ther is about fiftéene leagues We being a crosse the sayde Capes discouered another lande and Cape and as farre as we coulde ken it lay North by East All that night the weather was very ill and great windes so that we were constrained to heare a small sayle vntill the next morning being the thirde of Iuly that the winde came from the West and we sayled Northwarde to haue a sight of the lande that we had left on the Northeast side aboue the lowe landes among whiche high and lowe landes there is a Gulfe or Breach in some places about sixe and twenty faddome déepe and fiftéene leagues in breadth with varietie of landes hoping to finde some passage thyther we went euen as the passage of the Castels The sayde gulfe lyeth Easte Northeast and West Southwest The grounde that lyeth on the South side of the sayde gulfe is as good and easie to be wrought and full of as goodly fieldes and meadowes as anye that euer we haue as plaine and smoothe as anye die and that which lyeth on the North is a Countrey altogither hillie full of woods and very high and great trées of sundry sortes among the rest there are as goodly Ceders and Firre trées as possibly can be séene able to make mastes for ships of thrée hundered Tunne Neyther did we sée anye place that was not full of the sayde trées excepted two onlye that were full of goodly medowes with two very faire Lakes The middest of the sayde Baie is seauen and fourtie degrées and halfe in latitude ¶ Of the Cape of Hope and of Saint Martins Creeke howe seuen boats ful of wilde men came to our boate wold not retire themselues but being terrified with our Colubrins and lanches we shot at them they fled with great hast THe Cape of y e said South land was called The Cape of Hope through the hope that there we had to finde some passage The fourth of Iuly we went along y e coast of y e sayd land on the Northerly side to finde some harborough where we entred into a Créeke altogither open on y e South where there is no succour against y e wind we thought good to name it S. Martines Creeke Ther we stayed frō the fourth of Iuly vntil the twelfth while we were there on Monday being the sixth of y e month seruice being done we w t one of our boates went to discouer a Cape point of lande y t on the Northerne side was about seauen or eight leagues from vs to sée whiche way it did bend being within halfe a league of it we sawe two cōpanies of boats of wilde men going frō one land to the other theyr boates were in nūber about fiue fortie or fifty One parte of the whiche came to the sayde pointe and a great number of the mē went on shore making a grét noyse beckning vnto vs that we shoulde come on lande shewing vs certaine skinnes vppon péeces of Woodde but bicause we hadde but one onely boate we woulde not goe to them but went to the other side lying in the sea they séeing vs flée prepared two of their boats to follow vs with whiche came also fiue more of them that were comming from the sea side al which approched néere vnto our boate dauncing and making many signes of ioye and myrth as it were desiring our friendship saying in theyr tongue NAPEV TONDAMEN ASSVRTAH with manye other that we vnderstoode not But bicause as we haue said we had but one boate we wold not stande to theyr curtesie but made signes vnto them that they should turne backe which they would not do but with great furye came toward vs and sodainely with their boates compassed vs aboute and bycause they woulde not awaye from vs by any signes that we coulde make we shotte of two péeces among them whiche did so terrifie them that they put themselues to flight towarde the sayde pointe makyng a great noyse and hauing stayde a while they began a new euen as at the first to come to vs againe being come néere our boate we strucke at them with two launces which thing was so great a terrour vnto them that with greate hast they began to flée and would no more follow vs. ¶ How the sayde men commming to our shippes and our men going toward them both parties went on land and how the saide wilde men with great ioye beganne to traficke with our men THe next daye part of the sayde wilde men with nine of their boates came to the point and entrance of the créek where we with our ships were at road We being aduertised of theyr cōming went
about fiue or sixe Ilandes very pleasaunt and thereby riseth the end of the Lake about 15. leagues beyond they all do come into one That day wée landed in one of the saide Ilands and met with fiue men that were hunting of wild beasts who fréely and familiarly came to our boates without anye feare as if we hadde euer béene brought vp togither Our boates beyng somewhat neare the shoare one of them tooke our Captaine in his armes and caried him on shoare as lightly and as easilie as if he had bene a child of fiue olde so strong and sturdy are those people We founde that they had a greate heape of wilde Mice that lyue in the water as big as a Conny and very good to eate which they gaue vnto our Captaine who for a recompence gaue them kniues and glazen Beades Wée asked thē with signes if that was the way to Hochelaga they aunswered yea and that we had yet thrée dayes sayling thither ¶ Howe our Captaine caused our Boates to be mended and dressed to goe to Hochelaga and bycause the way was somewhat difficult and harde we left our Gallion behinde and howe we came thither and what entertainement wee had of the people CHAP. 6. THe nexte day our Captaine séeyng that for that tyme it was not possible for our Gallion to goe on anye further hée caused oure Boates to bée made readye and as muche munition and victualles to bée putte in them as they coulde well beare ◠hée departed wyth them accompanyed wyth manye Gentlemen that is to saye Claudius of Ponte Briand Cup-bearer to the Lorde Dolphin of Fraunce Charles of Poueray Iohn Gouion Iohn Powlet with twēty and eight marriners and Mace Iallobert and William the Britton who had the charge vnder the Captain of the other two shippes to go vp as farre as they could into that riuer we◠sailed with good and prosperous weather vntill the ninetéenth of October on whiche daye we came to the towne of Hochelaga distant from the place where we had left our Gallion 45. leagues In whych place of Hochelaga and all the waye we went we met with many of those countrimen who brought vs fishe and suche other victualles as they had still dauncing and greatly reioycing at oure comming Our Captaine to lure them in and to kéepe them our friends to recompence them gaue them kniues beades and such small trifles wherewith they were greatly satisfied So soone as we were come néere Hochelaga there came to méete vs aboue a thousand persons men women and children who afterwarde did friendly and merely entertaine and receyue vs as anye father woulde do his childe whiche he had not of long tyme séene the men dauncing on one side the women on an other and likewise the children on an other after that they brought vs great store of fish of their breade made of Millet casting them into oure Shippes so thicke that you would haue thoughte it to fall from heauen Whiche when our Captaine sawe he wyth many of hys companye wente on shoare so soone as euer we were alande they came clustring aboute vs making very muche of vs brynging theyr yong children in theyr armes onely to haue oure Capitaine his company to touch them making signes and shelves of great myrth gladnes that lasted more than halfe an houre Our Captaine séeyng theyr louing kindnesse and entertainment of vs caused all the women orderly to be set in araye and gaue them Beades made of Tin and other suche small trifles and to some of the men he gaue kniues then he returned to the boates to supper and so passed that night all whiche while all those people stoode on the shoare as neare oure boates as they might making great fiers and dauncing very merily still crying Aguiaze which in their tongue signifieth Myrth and Safetie ¶ How our Captayne with fiue Gentlemen and twentie armed men all well in order went to see the Towne of Hochelaga and the scituation of it CHAP. 7. OVr Captayne the next day very earely in the morning hauing very gorgeously attired himselfe caused all his company to be set in order to go to sée the Towne and habitation of those people and a certaine Mountayne that is somewhat néere the Citie with whome went also fiue Gentlemen and twentie Marriners leauing the rest to kéepe and looke to our Boates we tooke with vs thrée men of Hochelaga to bring vs to the place All along as we went we founde the way as well beaten and frequented as can be the fayrest and best Countrey that possibly can be séene full of as goodly great Oakes as are in any wood in France vnder whiche the ground was all couered ouer with faire Akornes After we had gone about foure or fiue leagues we met by the way one of the chiefest Lords of the Citie accompanyed with manye mo who so soone as he saw vs beckned and made signes vnto vs that we must rest vs in that place where they had made a great fire and so we did After that we had rested oure selues there a while the sayd Lord began to make a long discourse euen as we haue sayd aboue they are accustomed to do in signe of mirth and frendship shewing our Captayne and all his company a ioyfull countenance and good will who gaue him two hatchets a paire of kniues and a Crosse which he made him to kisse and then put it about his necke for whiche he gaue our Captayne heartie thankes This done we wente along and about a league and a halfe farther we beganne to find goodly and large féeldes full of suche Corne as the Countrey yéeldeth It is euen as the Millet of Bresill as great and somewhat bigger than small Peason wherewith they liue euen as we do with ours In the midst of those féelde is the Citie of Hochelaga placed néere and as it were ioyned to a great Mountaine that is tilled round aboute very fertile on the toppe of whiche you may sée verye farre wée named it Mounte Roiall The Cittie of Hochelaga is rounde compassed aboute with timber with thrée course of Rampires one within another framed like a sharpe Spire but layde acrosse aboue The middlemost of them is made and builte as a directe line but perpendicular The Rampires are framed and fashioned with péeces of Timber layde along on the grounde very well and cunningly ioyned togither after their fashion This enclosure is in heigth aboute two roddes It hathe but one Gate or entrie thereat whiche is shutte with piles stakes and barres Ouer it and also in many places of the wall there be places to runne along and Ladders to gette vp all full of stones for the defence of it There are in the Towne aboute fiftie houses aboute fiftie paces long and twelue or fiftéene broade builte all of woodde couered ouer with the barke of the woodde as broade as any boorde very finely and cunningly ioyned togither Within the sayde Houses there are manye roomthes Lodgings and
Chambers In the middest of euery one there is a greate Courte in the middle whereof they make their fire They liue in commons togither then do the Husbandes Wiues and Children eache one retire themselues to their Chambers They haue also on the toppe of their Houses certayne Garets wherein they kéepe their Corne to make their bread withall they call it CARRACONNY which they make as héereafter shall followe They haue certayne péeces of woodde made hollowe like those whereon wée beate oure Hempe and with certayne Béetles of woodde they beate their Corne to powder then they make paste of it and of the paste Cakes or else Tartes then lay them on a broade and hote stone and then couer it with hote Tiles and so they bake their Bread in stead of Ouens They make also sundrye sortes of Pottage with the sayde Corne of Pease and of Beanes whereof they haue greate store also with other fruites as Muske Millions very greate Cowcombers They haue also in their Houses certayne Vessels as bigge as anye Boate or Tunne wherein they preserue and kéepe their fishe causing the same in Sommer to be dryed in the Sunne and liue therewith in Winter whereof they make greate prouision as we by experience haue séene All their viandes and meates are without any tast or sauoure of salt at all They sléepe vpon barkes of Trées layde all along vpon the grounde with the Skinnes of certayne wilde Beastes wherewith they also cloth and couer themselues The thing most pretious that they haue in all the Worlde they call it ESVRONY it is as white as any Snowe they take it in the Riuer of Cornibotz in the manner as héere followeth When any one hath deserued death or that they take any of their enimies in Warres first they kill him then wyth certayne great kniues they giue great â—lashes and strokes vppon the buttockes flanckes thighes and shoulders then they cast the same body so mangled downe to the bottome of the Riuer in a place where it is called Esurgny and there leaue it tenne or twelue houres then they take it vp againe and in the cuttes finde those Of them they make beades and weare them aboute their neckes euen as we do them of golde accompting it the preciousest thing in the Worlde They haue this vertue and propertie in them they wyll stoppe or stench any bléeding at the nose for we haue proued it These people are giuen to no other exercise but onely to husbandrie and fishing wherewith to liue they haue no care of any other wealth or commoditie in this world for they haue no knowledge of it and that is bycause they neuer trauell and goe out of theyr Countrey as those of Canada and Saguenay do albeit the Canadians with eyghte or nine Villages more alongst that Riuer bée subiectes vnto them ¶ How we came to the Towne of Hochelaga and the entertaynemente there we had and of certayne giftes oure Captayne gaue them with diuers other things CHAP. 8. SO soone as we were come néere the Towne a greate number of the inhabitoures thereof came to presente themselues before vs after their fashion making very much of vs we were by our guides brought into the midst of the Towne They haue in the middlemost parte of their houses a large square place béeing from side to side a good stones cast where we were brought and there with signes were commaunded to stay then suddaynely all the Women and Maydens of the Towne gathered themselues togither parte of which had their armes full of yong Children and as manie as could came to rubbe our faces our armes and what parte of the bodye soeuer they could touch wéeping for verye ioy that they saw vs shewing vs the best countenance that possible was desiring vs with theyr signes that it woulde please vs to touche theyr Children That done the menne caused the Women to withdrawe themselues backe then they euery one late downe on the ground round about vs as if they would haue shewen and rehearsed some Comedie or other shew then presently came the Women agayne euery one bringing a fouresquare Matte in manner of Carpettes and spreading them abroad on the ground in that place then they caused vs to sit vpon them That done the Lord King of y e country was brought vpon nine or ten mens shoulders whome in theyr toung they call AGOVHANNA sitting vpon a great Stagges Skinne and they layde him downe vpon the forsayde mattes néere to our Captayne euery one beckning vnto vs that he was theyr Lord and King This Agouhanna was a manne aboute fiftie yeares olde he was no whitte better apparelled than any of the rest onely excepted that he had a certaine thing made of beasts Skinnes called Riccâ— like a redde towell and that was in steade of his Crowne He was full of the palsey and his members shronke togither After he had with certayne signes and beckes saluted our Captaine and all his company and by manifest tokens bidde vs all welcome he shewed his legges and armes to our Captaine and with signes desired him to touch them and so he did rubbing them with hys owne hands then did Agouhanna take the wreath or crown he had about his head and gaue it vnto our Captaine that done they broughte before him diuerse diseased men some blinde some criple some lame and impotent and some so olde that the heare of their eyeléeds came downe and couered their Chéekes and laide them al along before our Captaine to the ende they mighte of him be touched for it séemed vnto them that God hadde bene descended and come downe from Heauen to heale them Our Captaine séeing the misery and deuotioÌ„ of this poore people recited the Gospel of Saint Iohn that is to saye In the beginning was the word touching euerie one that were diseased praying to God that it wold please him to open the harts of this poore people and to make them knowe his holy worde and that they might receiue baptisme and Christendome that done he toke a booke in his hande with a lowde voyce redde all the passion of Christ worde by word that al the bystanders might hear him al which while this poore people kept silence were maruellously attentiue loking vp to heaueÌ„ imitating vs in gesturs TheÌ„ hâ— caused he men al orderly to be set on one side y e womeÌ„ on another likewise the children on another and to the chiefest of them he gaue Hatchets to the other kniues and to the women beades and such other smal trifles Then where the children were he caste rings counters and branches made of Tin whereat they séemed to be verie gladde That done our Captaine commaunded Shawâ—es and other musical instrumeÌ„ts to be sounded which when they heard they were very merrie Then we toke our leaue and wente to our boate the womeÌ„ séeing that put themselues before to stay vs and brought vs out of their meates that they had made readie for vs as fishe
say from the sayd seauen Ilandes where from side to side there is seauen leagues where are also two great Riuers that come downe from the hilles of Saguenay and make diuers very dangerous shealues in the Sea At the entrance of those two Riuers we saw many and great store of Whales and sea Horses Ouerthwart the sayd Ilands there is another little Riuer that runneth along those marrish groundes about thrée or foure leagues wherein there is great store of water fowles From the head of that Riuer to Hochelaga there is about thrée hundred leagues the originall beginning of it is in the riuer that commeth from Saguenay which riseth and springeth among high and stéepe hilles it entreth into that Riuer before it commeth to the prouince of Canada on the North side That riuer is very déepe high and straight wherefore it is very dangerous for any vessell to goe vpon it After that riuer followeth the prouince of Canada wherein are many people dwelling in open boroughes and villages There are also in the circuite and territorie of Canada along and within the sayd riuer many other Ilands some great and some small among whiche there is one that conteyneth aboue tenne leagues in length full of goodly and high trâ—eâ— and also many Vines You may go into it from both sides but yet the surest passage is on the South side On the shoare or bancke of that Riuer Westward there is a goodly faire and delectable sâ—ce or Créeke conuenient and fitte for to harborough Shippes Hard by there is in that Riuer one place very narrow déepe and swift running but it is not passing the third part of a league ouer-against the which there is a goodly high péece of land with a Towne therein and the Countrey about it is very well tilled and wroughte and as good as possibly can bée séene That is the place and abode of Donnacona and of our two men we tooke in our firste voyage it is called Stadagona But before we come to it there are foure other peopled Townes that is to say Ayraste Starnatan Tailla whiche standeth vppon a hill and Scitadin and then Stadagona vnder whiche Towne toward the North the Riuer and Porte of the holy Crosse is where we stayd from the fiftenth of September vntill the sixtéenth of May 1536. and there oure Shippes remayned drie as we haue sayde before That place béeing past we found the habitation of the people called Teguenondahi standing vpon an high Mountayne and the valley of Hochelay whiche standeth in a Champaigne Countrey All that Countrey is full of sundrye sortes of woodde and many Vynes vnlesse it be about the places that are inhabited where they haue pulled vp the Trées to till and laboure the grounde and to builde their Houses and Lodgings There is greate store of Stagges Déeres Beares and other suche lyke sortes of Beastes as Connies Hares Martons Foxes Otters Weasels Badgers and Mice excéeding greate and diuers other sortes of Venison They cloath themselues with the Skinnes of those Beastes bycause they haue nothing else to make them apparell withall There are also many sortes of Birds as Cranes Swannes Cigneâ—s wild Géese white and gray Duckes Thrushes blacke Birdes Turtles wilde Pigeons Leuites Finches redde breastes Stares Nightingales Sparrowes and other Birdes euen as in France Also as we haue sayde before the sayde Riuer is the plentifullest of Fish that euer hath of any man bin séene or heard of bycause that from the head to the end of it according to their seasons you shall find all sorts of fresh water fish and salt There are also many Whales Porpoâ—ses Seahorses and Adhothuis whiche is a kinde of Fish that we had neuer séene nor heard of before They are as great as Porpoises as white as any Snow their bodyâ— and head fashioned as a gray hound they are woont alwayes to abide betwéene the fresh and salt water which beginneth betwéene the Riuer of Saguenay and Canada ¶ Of certayne aduertisements and notes giuen vnto vs by those Countreymen after our returne from Hochelaga CHAP. 12. AFter our returne from Hochelaga we haue dealte traffickt and with great familiaritie and loue haue bin conuersant with those that dwelt néerest vnto our Shippes excepte that sometimes we had strife and contention with certayne naughtie people full sore againste the will of the others We vnderstoode of Donnacona and of others that the sayde Riuer is called Saguenays Riuer and goeth to Saguenay béeing somewhat more than a league farther Weast North-weast and that eyght or nyne dayes iourneys beyond it will beare but small Boates. But the right and readye way to Saguenay is from that Riuer to Hochelaga and then into another that commeth from Saguenay and then entreth into the foresayde Riuer and that there is yet one moneths sayling thither Moreouer they tolde vs and gaue vs to vnderstande that there are people clad with cloth as we are very honest and many inhabited Townes and that they haue great store of Golde and redde Copper and that aboute the land the sayd first Riuer to Hochelaga and Saguenay is an Iland enuironed rounde about with that and other Riuers which beyond Saguenay enter into two or thrée great Lakes and that there is a Sea of fresh water found and as they haue heard say of those of Saguenay there was neuer manne heard of that â—ounde out the way and end thereof for as they tolde vs they themselues were neuer there Moreouer they tolde vs that where we had lefte oure Galion when we â—ente to Hochelaga there is a Riuer that goeth Southweast from whence there is a whole moneths sayling to goe to a certayne lande where there is neyther Yse nor Snow séene where the inhabitours do coÌ„tinually warre one against another where is great store of Oranges Almonds Nuttes and Apples with many other sortes of fruites and that the men and women are cladde with Beastes Skinnes euen as they we asked them if there were any Gold or red Copper they answered no. I take this place to be toward Florida as farre as I could perceyue and vnderstand by their signes and tokens ¶ Of a strange and cruell disease that came to the people of Stadagona wherwith bycause we did haunt their company we wer so infected that there died 25. of our companye CHAP. 13. IN the moneth of December we vnderstoode that the Plague or Pestilence was come to the people of Stadagona in such sort that before we knew of it according to their confession there were dead aboue 50. wherevpon we forbad them neyther to come néere our Forte nor about our Ships or vs. And albeit we had driuen them from vs the sayd vnknowen sicknesse beganne to spread it selfe amongst vs after the strangest sort that euer was eyther heard of or séene in so much as some did lose all their strength and could not stand on their féete then did theyr legges swell their sinnowes shrinke as blacke as any cole To others all their Skinnes was
named Margaulz And albeit the said Ilandâ— be 14. leagues from the maine lande notwithstanding Beares come swimming thither to eate of the saide Byrdes and our men founde one there as greate as any Cowe and as white as any Swanne who in their presence leapt into the sea and vpon Whitson-monday folowing our voyage towarde the lande we mette hir by the way swimming towarde lande as swiftly as wée coulde saile so soone as we sawe hir we pursued hir with our boates and by maine strength tooke hir whose flesh was as good to be eaten as the fleshe of a Calfe of two yeares olde The Wednesday following beyng the 27. of the moneth we came to the entrance of the Bay of the Castels but bycause the weather was ill and the greate store of Ice wée founde we were constrayned to enter into an harborough about the saide entraunce called Carpunt where bycause wée could not come oute of it we stayed till the 9. of Iune that thence wée departed on hope with the aide of God to saile further than the said Carpunt which is in latitude 51. degrées ¶ The description of the newe founde lande from Cape Razo to the Cape of Degrade THe lande from Cape Razo to the Cape of Degrade whiche is the point of the entrance to the Bay that trendeth from head to head toward North northest and South southweast al this part of land is parted into Ilands one so néere the other that there are but small riuers betwéene them thorowe the whyche you may passe with little boates and therfore there are certaine good harbourghs among whyche is that of Carpunt and that of Degrade In one of these Ilands that is the highest of them all béeyng on the toppe of it you maye playnely sée the two lowe Ilandes that are neare to Cape Razo from whence to the Porte of Carpunt they counte it twentie and fiue leagues and there are twoo entraunces thereat one on the East the other on the South side of the Iland But it is to be noted that from the side and pointe of the Easte bycause that euerye where there is nothing else but shelues and the water is very shallowe you muste goe aboute the Ilande towarde the West the length of halfe a Cable or thereaboute and then to goe towarde the South to the said Carpont Also you are to take héede of thrée Shelues that are in the Chanel vnder the water and towarde the Iland on the Easte side in the Chanell the water is about two faddome déepe and cleare grounde The other trendeth toward East northeast and on the West you may go on shoare ¶ Of the Ilande whiche now is called Saint Katherins Ilande GOing from the Point of Degrade and entring into the sayde Baye towarde the Weast and by North there is some doubt of two Ilandes that are on the right side one of the whiche is distant from the saide pointe 3. leagues and the other 7. either more or lesse than the first beyng a lowe and plaine land and it séemeth to be parte of the maine lande I named it Saint Katherines Ilande in which toward Northeast there is verye drye soile but aboute a quarter of a league from it very ill ground so that you muste goe a little about The saide Iland and the Porte of Castelles trend towarde North northeast and South southweast and they are about 15. leagues asunder From the saide Porte of Castels to the Porte of Gutte whyche is in the northerne parte of the said Bay that trendeth towarde East northeast and Weast southweast there are twelue leagues and an halfe and aboute two leagues from the Porte of Balances that is to say the thirde parte athwarteth the sayde Bay the deapth being sounded it is about 18. faddoâ— and from the said Porte of Balances to the White Sands 〈◊〉 Weast southweast there is 15. leagues but you must â—ike héede of a shelfe that lyeth about 3. leagues outward from the sayd White Sands on the Southweast side aboue water like a Boate. ¶ Of the place called White Sandes of the Ilande of Brest and of the Ilande of Byrdes the sortes and quantitie of Byrdes that there are founde and of the Porte called the Islettes WHite Sandes is a Roade in the whiche there is no place garded from the South nor Southeast But towarde South southweast the said roade there are two Ilandes one of the which is called Brest Iland and the other the Ilande of Byrdes in whiche there is great store of Godetz Crowes with red beakes and redde féete they make their néestes in holes vnder the ground euen as Connies A point of land being passed about a league from White Sands there is a Port passage found called the Islettes a better place than White Sandes and there is great fishing From the saide Porte of the Islettes vnto another called Brest the circuite is aboute ten leagues This Porte is in latitude 51. degrées and 55. minutes and in longitude * From the Islettes to that place there are many other Ilandes and the saide Porte of Brest is also amongst those Ilandes Moreouer the Ilands doe compasse more than 3. leagues from the said Brest beyng lowe and ouer them are the other landes aboue mentioned séene ¶ Howe we wyth our Shippes entred into the Porte of Brest and sayling onwarde towarde the Weast we past amidst the Islettes which were so many in number that it was not possible to tel them and how we named theÌ„ the Islettes VPon the 10. of Iune we with our Ships entred into the Port of Brest to furnish our selues with water and wood and to make vs readye to passe the saide Bay Vpon Saynt Barnabas day seruice being heard we with our boates went beyond the said Porte toward the Weast to sée what harboroughes were there we passed throughe the midddest of the Islettes which were so many in number that it was not possible they might be told for they continued about 10. leagues beyonde the saide Porte We to rest our selues stayed in one of them a night and there we found greate store of Duckâ— egges and other byrdes that there doe make their neastes we named them all the Islettes ¶ Of the Porte called S. Antonies Porte S. Seruans Porte Iames Carthiers Porte of the riuer called S. Iames of the customes and apparell of the inhabitors in the Iland of White Sandes THe next day we passed the saide Ilandes and beyonde them all we found a good Hauen whyche we named S. Antonies Hauen and howe one or two leagues beyonde we founde a little riuer toward the Southwest coast that is betwéene two other Ilandes and is a good harborough There we sette vppe a Crosse and named it S. Seruans Porte and on the Southwest side of the said Porte and riuer about one league there is a small Ilande as round as any Ouen enuironed about with many other little Ilandes that giue notice to the saide Portes
Further about two leagues there is an other greater riuer in whiche they tooke good store of Salmon that we named S. Iames his Riuer Beyng in the sayde riuer we sawe a Shippe of Rochell that the night before had passed the Porte of Brest where they thought to haue gone a fishing but the marriners not knowing where they were we with our boates approched neare vnto it and did directe it to another Porte one league more toward the Weast than the saide riuer of S. Iames which I take to be one of the beste in all the Worlde and therefore wée named it Iames Carthiers Sound If the foile were as good as the harboroughes are it were a great commoditie but it is not to be called the new Land but rather Stones and wilde Furres and a place fitte for wilde beastes for in all the Northe Ilande I didde not sée a Cartâ—oade of â—ood earth yet went I on shoare in many places and in the Iland of White Sandes there is nothyng else but Mosse and small Thornes scattered here and there withered and drye To be shorte I beléeue that this was the lande that God allotted to Caine. There are men of an indifferent good stature and bignesse but wilde and vnruly they weare their haire tyed on the top like a wreath of Hay and put a woodden pin within it or any other such thing in steade of a naile and wyth them they binde certaine birdes feathers They are clothed with beastes skinnes as wel the men as womeÌ„ but that the womeÌ„ go somwhat straightlier and closer in their garmentes than men doe wyth their wastes gyrded they paint themselues with certaine Roan coloures their Boates are made of the barke of a trée called Boul wyth the whyche they fishe and take greate store of Seales and as farre as we coulde vnderstande since oure commyng thither that is not their habitation but they come from the maine lande out of hotter Countreys to take of the sayde Seales and other necessaries for theyr lyuing ¶ Of certaine Capes that is to say the double Cape the pointed Cape Cape Roiall and the Cape of Milke of the Mountaines of Barnes of the Ilandes of Doâ—e houses and of the greate fishing of Cods VPon the 13. of that moneth we came to our Shippes agayne with our boates on purpose to saile forwards bycause the weather was faire vpon Sundaye we caused seruice to be saide then on Monday being the 25. of the moneth we departed from Brest and sailed toward the South to take a viewe of the landes that there we had séene that séemed vnto vs to be two Ilandes but when we were amiddest the Bay we knew it to be firme lande where was a greate double Cape one aboue the other and therfore wée named it the Double Cape In the entrance of the Bay we sounded and founde it to be an hundred faddome rounde aboute vs. From Brest to the double Cape there is about 20 leagues and aboute fiue or sixe leagues beyond we sounded againe and founde 20 faddome water The saide lande lyeth Northeast and Southweast The nexte day being the 16. of the moneth we sailed along the saide coaste towarde Southweast and by South aboute 35 leagues from the double Cape where wée founde very stéepe and wilde hilles among the whyche were séene certaine small Cabbans whyche we in the Countrey call Barnes and therfore we named them the Hilles of the Barnes The other Lands and Mountaines are all craggie cleft and â—utte and betwixt them and the sea there are other Ilandes but lowe The day before through the darke mists and â—ogges of the weather we coulde not haue sighte of any lande but in the euening we spyed an entraunce into the lande by a ryuer among the saide Hilles of Barnes and a Cape lying toward the Southwest about 3. leagues froÌ„ vs. The saide Cape is on the top of it blunt pointed and also towarde the Sea it endeth in a pointe wherefore we named it the pointed Cape on the north side of whiche there is a plaine Iland And bycause we would haue notice of the said entrance to sée if there were any good Hauens we stroke saile for that night The next day being the 17. of the Moneth we had stormie weather from Northeast wherefore we tooke our way toward the Southwest vntil Thurseday morning and we went about 37. leagues til we came athwart a Bay full of rounde Ilandes like Doue houses and therefore wée named them the Doue houses And from the Bay of Saint Iulian from the whyche to a Cape that lyeth South and by weast which we called Cape Riall there are 7. leagues and toward the Weast Southweast side of the saide Cape there is another that beneath is all craggie and aboue round On the North side of whiche about halfe a league there lyeth a lowe Ilande that Cape we named the Cape of Milke Betwéene these two Capes there are certaine lowe Ilandes aboue whiche there are also certaine others that shew that there 〈◊〉 some riuers About two leagues from Cape Roiall we sounded and found tenne faddome water and there is the greatest fishing of Coddes that is possible for staying for our companie in lesse than an houre we tooke aboue an hundred of them ¶ Of certayne Ilands that lie betweene Cape Roiall and the Cape of Milke THe nexte daye being the eyghtenth of the Moneth the winde with such rage turned against vs that we were constrayned to go backe toward Cape Royall thinking there to find some harborough and with oure Boates wente to discouer betwéene the Cape Royall and the Cape of Milke and found that aboue the low Ilands there is a great and very déepe Gulfe within which are certaine Ilands The sayd Gulfe on the South side is shutte vp The foresayd low grounds are on one of the sides of the entrance and Cape Royall is on the other The sayde lowe groundes do stretche themselues more than halfe a league within the Sea It is a playne Countrey but an ill soyle and in the middest of the entrance thereof there is an Iland The sayde Gulfe in latitude is fortie eyght degrées and an halfe and in Longitude * That night we found no harborough and therefore we launched out into the Sea leauing the Cape toward the Weast ¶ Of the Iland called S. Iohn FRom the sayde daye vntill the 24. of the moneth being S. Iohns day we had both stormie weather and winde against vs with such darknesse and mistes that vntill Saint Iohns day we could haue no sight of any land and then had we sight of a Cape of land y e from Cape Royall lieth Southweast about 35. leagues but that day was so foggie and mistie that we could not come néere land and bycause it was S. Iohns day we named it Cape S. Iohn ¶ Of certayne Ilands called the Ilands of Margaulz and of the kinds of beastes and birds that there are found Of the Iland of Brion and Cape
Dolphin THe nexte daye being the 25. of the moneth the weather was also stormie darke and windie but yet we sayled a part of the day toward Weast North-weast and in the euening we put our selues athwart vnto the second quarter that thence we departed then did we by our compasse know that we were North-weast and by Weast about seauen leagues and an halfe from the Cape of S. Iohn and as we were aboute to hoyse sayle the wind turned into the North-weast wherefore we went toward North-east about fiftéene leagues and came to thrée Ilands two of whiche are as stéepe and vpright as any wall that it was not possible to climbe them and betwéene them there is a little clift These Ilands were as full of Birds as any fielde or meddow is of grasse that there do make their nestes and in the greatest of them there was a great and infinite number of those that we cal Margaulz that are white and bigger than any Géese which were feuered in one part In the other were only Godetz Isoli but towarde the shoare there were of those Godetz and greate Apponatz like to those of that Ilande that we aboue haue mentioned we went downe to the lowest part of the least Iland where we kild aboue a thousand of those Godetz Apponatz We put into our Boates so many of them as wée pleased for in lesse than one houre we might haue filled thirtie such boates of them we named them the Ilands of Margaultz About fiue leagues from the sayde Ilandes on the Weast there is another Iland that is about two leagues in length and so much in breadth there did we stay all night to take in water and wood That Ilande is enuironed rounde about with sande and hath a very good roade about it thrée or four faddome déepe Those Ilands haue the best soyle that euer we saw for that one of their féelds is more woorth than all the new land We foūd i◠all full of goodly trées medowes champaines full of wild peason blomed as thicke as ranke and as faire as any can be séene in Brittayne that they séemed to haue bin plowed and sowed There was also great store of gooseberies strawberies damaske roses parseley with other very swéete and pleasant hearbes About the said Iland are very great beastes as great as Oxen which haue two great téeth in their mouths like vnto the Elephant and liue also in the Sea We saw one of them sléeping vpon the banke of the water we thinking to take it went to it with our Boates but so soone as he heard vs he cast himselfe into the Sea We also sawe Beares and Woolues we named it Brions Iland About it towarde South-east and North-weast there are great medowes As farre as I could gather and comprehend I thinke that there be some passage betwéene the new land and Brions land if so it were it would be a great shortning as well of the time as of the way if any perfection coulde be founde in it Aboute foure leagues from that Ilande towarde West South-weast there is firme lande that séemeth to be as an Ilande compassed aboute with little Ilands of sandes There is a goodly Cape which we named Cape Doulphin for there is the beginning of good groundes On the seauen and twentith of Iune we compassed the said landes about that lie Weast South-weast a farre off they séeme to bée little hilles of sande for they are but lowe landes we coulde neyther goe to them nor land on them bycause the winde was against vs. That daye we wente fiftéene leagues ¶ Of the Iland called Alezai and of S. Peeters Cape THe next day we went along the said land aboute tenne leagues till we came to a Cape of redde lands that is all craggie within the which there is a bracke looking toward the North. It is a very low Countrey There is also betwéene y e sea a certain poole a plaine fielde and frō that Cape of land◠and y e poole vntill to another Cape there is about 14. leagues The land is fashioned as it were halfe a circle all compassed about with sand like a ditch ouer which as farre as ones eye can stretch there is nothing but marrish groundes and standing pooles And before you come to the first Cape very néere the mayne lande there are two little Ilands Aboute fiue leagues from the seconde Cape towarde South weast there is another Iland very high and poynted which we named Alezai The first Cape we named S. Peeters Cape bycause vpon that day we came thither ¶ Of the Cape called Orleans Cape of the Riuer of Boates of wild mens Cape and of the qualitie and temperature of the Countrey FRom Brions Iland to this place there is a good sandie ground and hauing sounded toward South-weast euen to the Shoare about fiue leagues we found 12. faddome water and within one league 6. and very néere the shoare rather more than lesse But bycause we would be better acquaynted with this stonie and rockie ground we stroke our Sayles lowe and athwart The nexte daye being the last of the moneth saue one the winde blewe South and by East We sayled Westwarde vntill Tuesday morning at Sunne rising béeing the last of the moneth without any sighte or knowledge of any lande except in the euening towarde Sunne sette that we discouered a Land whiche séemed to bée two Ilandes that were beyond vs West south-weast about nine or tenne leagues All the next day till the nexte morning at Sunne rising we sayled Westward about fortye leagues and by the way we perceyued that the lande wée hadde séene like two Ilandes was firme lande lying South south-east and North north-weast till to a verye good Cape of lande called Orleans Cape All the sayde lande is lowe and playne and the fairest that may possibly be séene full of goodly meddowes and Trées True it is that we could finde no harborough there bycause it is all full of shelues and sandes We with our boates went on shore in many places and among the reste we entred into a goodly riuer but very shallow which we named the riuer of boats bycause that there we saw boats ful of wild men that were crossing the riuer We had no other notice of the sayde wilde men for the winde came from the Sea and beate vs againste the shore that we were constrained to retire oure selues with our boates toward our shippes till the next day morning at Sunne rising being the firste of Iuly we sayled Northeast in which time there rose great mystes stormes and therefore we strucke our sayles till two of the clocke in the after noone that the weather became cleare and there we had sight of Orleance Cape of another about seuē leagues from vs lying North and by East and that we called Wilde mens Cape On the Northside of this Cape aboute halfe a league there is a very dangerous shelf and banke of stones Whilest we wer at this Cape we
which as yet we had not séene and of the Iland of the Assumption which we had founde departing from the sayde land which thing so soon as we had done and that we were certifyed no other passage to be there we came to our shippe againe whiche we had left at the said Ilands where is a good harborough the water being about nine or ten faddome In the same place by occasion of contrarie winds and foggie mystes we were constrayned to stay not being either able to come out of it or hoyse sayle til the four twentith of the month On which day we departed came to a hauen on the Southerly coast about 80. leagues from the said Ilands This hauen is ouer against thrée flat Ilāds y t lye amidst a riuer bycause on the half way of y e sayd Ilands the said Hauen toward the North there is a verye great riuer that runneth betwéene the high low Ilands more than thrée leagues into the sea it hath many shelues there is not altogither one fadome water so that the place is very dangerous from bank to bancke of the saide shelues there is either xv or xx yardes All the Northerly cost rūneth East Northeast and South Southwest The saide hauen wherin we stayed is as it were but a sluce of the waters that rise by the floud and but of smal accompt we named them S. Iohns Isleetes bycause we founde them and entred into thē the day of the beheading of that Saint Aboute fiue leagues afore you come to the said hauen Westward there is no passage at al but only with little boates The hauen of S. Iohns Islettes dryeth vp all the waters that rise by flowing yea if it flowe a faddome The best place to harborough ships therin is on the South part of a certaine little Islande that is ouer against the sayde hauen whereby the bancke or shore of of the Iland riseth Vpon the first of September we departed out of the said hauen purposing to go towarde Canada and about 15. leagues from it towarde West Southwest amidst y e riuer there are thrée Ilandes ouer against the whiche the riuer runneth swift and is of a great depth it is that which leadeth and runneth into the Countrey and kingdome of Saguenay as by the two wilde men of Canada it was tolde vs. Thys riuer passeth and runneth along very high and stéepe hilles of bare stone where very little earth is and notwithstanding there is greate quantitie of sundrie sortes of trées that growe in the sayde bare stones euen as vppon good and fertile ground in such sorte that we haue séene some so great as well woulde suffise to make a maste for a shippe of fortie Tunne burden and as gréene as possible can be growing in a stonie rocke without any earth at all At the entraunce of the sayd riuer we mette with foure boates ful of wilde men whiche as farre as we coulde perceyue verye fearefullye came toward vs so that some of them went backe agayne the other came as neare vs as easilye they might heare and vnderstond one of our wilde men who tolde them his name and then toke acquaintaunce of them vpon whose word they came to vs. The nexte day being the seconde of September we came out of the riuer to goe to Canada and by reason of the Seas flowing the tide was verie swifte and daungerous for that on the South part of it there lye two Ilandes about whiche more than thrée leagues compasse lye manye greate stones and but two faddome water and the flowing amidst those Ilandes is verye vnconstante and doubtefull that if it hadde not bene for our boates we hadde bene in great dāger to loose our liues and coasting along the saide dry sands there is more than fiftéen fadome water About fiue leagues beyonde the riuer of Saguenay Southweast there is another Ilande more Northerly acrosse whiche are certaine highe péeces of lande and thereaboutes we thought to haue caste Ancker on purpose to staye the nexte tide but we could sound no ground by thrée score fadome within a flighte shoote from shoare so that we were constrayned to winde backe to the sayde Ilande where wée sounded againe and founde eightéene faddome The nexte mornyng we hoysed saile and wente thence sayling further on where wée hadde notice of a certayne kinde of fishe neuer to-fore of anye manne séene or knowen They are aboute the bignesse of a Purpois yet nothing like them of bodye verye well proportioned headed lyke Graye-houndes altogither as white as Snowe wythout anye spotte within which Riuer there is great quantitie of them they do liue altogyther betwéene the Sea and the freshe Water These of the Countrey call them ADHOTHVYS they folde vs that they be very sauorye and good to be eaten Moreouer they affirme none to be foūd else-wher but in that riuer The sixth of the month the weather being calme faire we went about fiftéene leagues more vpward into the riuer and there lighted on an Iland that looketh Northward and it maketh a little hauen or créeke wherin are many innumerable great Tortoyzes continuallye lying about that Ilande There are likewise great quantitie of the said Aphothuys taken by the inhabitours of the Coūtry so that there is as gret concourse and méeting in that place as is at Bordeous in Fraunce at euery tide This Iland is in length about thrée leagues and in bredth two and is a goodly and fertile plot of ground replenished with many goodly and great trées of manye sortes Among the rest ther are many Filburde trées which we found hanging full of them somewhat bigger and better in sauour than ours but somewhat harder and therefore we called it The Iland of Filburdes The seuenth of the month being our Ladies euen after seruice we went from that Ilande to goe vp higher into the riuer and came to the Fourteene Ilandes seauen or eight leagues from the Ilande of Filburdes where the Countrey of Canada beginneth one of which Ilandes is ten leagues in length and fiue in bredth greatlye inhabited of such men as onlie liue by fishing of suche sortes of fishes as the riuer affourdeth according to the seasō of them After we had cast Ancker betwéene the sayde Ilande and the Northerly coast we went on lande and tooke our two wilde men with vs méeting with many of those Countrey people who woulde not at all approch vnto vs but rather fledde from vs vntill our two men beganne to speake vnto them telling thē that they wer Taignoagny Domagaia who so soone as they had takē aquaintance of thē began greatly to reioyce dauncing and shewing many sorts of ceremonies and many of the chiefest of thē came to our boats brought many Eles other sorts of fishes with two or thrée burdens of great Millet wherwith they make their bread many gret mus◠milions The same daye came also manye other boates full of those Countreymen and
riuer in an Iland that lyeth ouer against Saguenay where they had bene the night before as they were going a warfaring in Honguedo with two hundereth persons men women and children who being all asléepe in a â—ort that they had made they were assaulted by the saide Toudamans who put fire rounde aboute the â—ort and as they would haue come out of it to saue themselues they were al slaine onely fiue excepted who escaped For which losse they yet sorrowed shewing with signes that one day they woulde be reuenged that done we came to our shippes againe ¶ The manner how the people of that Country liue and of certaine conditions of their Faith manners and customes CHAP. 10. THis people beléeue no whit in God but in one whoÌ„ they caâ— Cudruaâ—gni theâ— say that often he speaketh with theÌ„ and telleth them what weather shall followe whether good or badde Moreouer they say that when he is angrye wyth them hée casteth duste into theyr eyes they beléeue that wheÌ„ they die they go into the Stars and thence by little and little descend downe into the Horizon euen as the Stars doe and y e then they go into certaine gréene fieldes full of goodly faire pretious trées floures and fruites After that they had giuen vs these things to vnderstand we shewed them their errour and tolde that their Cudruaigni did but deceiue them for hée is but a Diuell and an euill spirite affirming vnto them that there is but one only God who is in Heauen and who giueth vs all necessaries being the creatour of all himselfe and that onely we must belieue in him moreouer that it is necessarie for vs to be baptized otherwise we are dampned into Hel. This and manye other things concerning our faith and religion we shewed them all whiche they did easâ—ly belieue calling their Cudruaigni Agouiada so that very ernestly they desired and prayed our Captaine that he woulde cause them to be baptised and their Lorde Taignoagny Domagaia and all the people of the towne came vnto vs hoping to be baptised but bycause we did not throughely knowe theyr minde and that there was no bodie coulde giue them our beliefe and religion to vnderstande we excused our selues desiring Taignoagny and Domagaia to tell the reste of theyr Countreymenne that we woulde come againe another time and bring Ministers and Priestes with vs for without them they coulde not be baptised whiche they dyd easilye belieue for Domagaia and Taignoagny hadde séene many children baptised in Brytain whileâ— they were there Whiche promise when they hearde they séemed to be verie gladde They liue in common togither and of such commodities as their Countrey yéeldeth they are indifferentlye well stoared the inhabitours of the Towne of _____ cloath themselues with the skinnes of certaine wilde beasts but verie miserably In Winter they weare hosen and shoes made of wilde beastes skinnes and in Sommer they goe barefooted They kéepe and obserue the rytes of matrimony sauing that euerye one weddeth two or thrée wiues whiche theyr husbandes being deade doe neuer marrye agayne but for the deathe of theyr husbandes weare a certayne blacke wéede all the dayes of their life besmearing all their faces with cole duste and grease mingled togyther almoste halfe a quarter of an inche thicke and by that they are knowen to be Widowes They haue a filthye and detestable vse in marrying of their maydens and that is thys they putte them all after they are of lâ—wfull age to marrie in a common place as harlots frée for euerie manne that will haue to doe wyth them vntill such tyme as they finde a matche Thys I saye bycause I I haue séene by experience manye housen full of those Damosels euen as our scholes are full of children in Frauncâ— to learne to reade Moreouer the misrule and riot that they kéepe in those houses is verie greate for verie want onlyâ— they sporte and dallye togither shewing what soeuer God hathe sent them They are no men of greate labour They ploughe theyr groundes with certain péeces of wood as big as halfe a sworde on whiche grounde groweth theyr corne The call it Offici it is as bigge as our small Peason there is great quantitie of it growing in Brasil They haue also great store of muske Milions Pompons Gourdes Cowcombers Peason and Beanes of euerye coloure yet differing froÌ„ ours There groweth also a certain kind of Herb wherof in Sommer they make greate prouision for all the yeare making great accompt of it and only men vse of it and first they cause it to be dryed in the Sunne then weare it aboute their neckâ— wrapped in a little beastes skin made like a little bagge with a hollow péece of stone or wood like a pipe then when they please they make pouder of it and then put it in one of the endes of the sayd Cornet or pipe and laying a cole of â—re vppon it at the other ende sucke so long that they â—ll their bodies full of smoke till that it commeth out of their mouth and nostrils euen as out of the Tonnel of a Chimny They say that this doth kepe them warm and in health they neuer go without some of it about theÌ„ We our selues haue tryed the same smoke and hauing put it in our mouthes it â—ed that they had filled it with Pepper dust it is so hote The â—omen of that Countrey doe labour muche more than the men as well in fishing wherto they are greatly giuen as in â—illing and husbanding theyr grouÌ„ds and other things as wel the meÌ„ as women and children are very much more able to resist colde than sauage beastes for we with our own eyes haue séene some of theÌ„ when it was coldest which cold was extrâ—eme raw and bitter come to our ships stark naked going vppon Snowe and Ise which thing séemeth incredible to them that haue not séene it When as the Snowe and Ise lyeth on the ground they take great store of wilde beasts as Fâ—unes Stagges Beares Martons Hares and Foxes 〈◊〉 diuerse other sortes whose fleshe they eate rawe hauing 〈◊〉 dryed it in the Sunne or smoke and so they doe their fishe As farre forth as we coulde perceiue and vnderstande by these people it were a very easie thing to bring theÌ„ to some familiaritie and ciuilitie and make them learne what one woulde The Lord GOD for his mercies sake lesse there vnto his helping hande when hée séeth cause Amen ¶ Of the greatnesse and deapth of the sayd Riuer and of the sortes of Beastes Birdes Fishes and other things that we haue seene with the scituation of the place CHA. 11. THe sayd Riuer beginneth beyond the Iland of Thassumpcion ouer against the high Mountaynes of Honguedo and of the seauen Ilands The distance ouer from one side to the other is about 35. or 40. leagues In the middest it is aboue 100. faddome deepe The surest way to sayle vpon it is on the South side and towarde the North that is to