East India Merchant Mr. Francis Lloyd my loving friend whom I had not seen in seven yeeres or more before who beareing of my intention desired to have a sight of the rude manuscript which after some time he returned me and offering to adde some what thereunto touching the incouragement for a plantation at Madagascar and the assured great benefit by trade from thence to all parts of the world by making or setling there a Magazine or store house for trade into all Christian and heathen Kingdomes which his free offer I thankefully accepted knowing his intelligence in the Easterne parts of the world to be second to none of this Nation he haveing been many times imployed Factor and Purser of the Admirall ship into India and five times at Madagascar and often visited those many rich kingdomes and got great experience in the trades trafficke and commerce of them all from place to place which now he having performed I have here into inserted yet not desirous to attribute vain gloriously to my self nor to detract from his deeper judgement far beyond my owne who never was but once in India and that but one yeare and halfe that time a close prisoner not for any crime but in malice and revenge of a leud President and counsell in India I have caused his advice and intelligence to be marked with some marke or signe and his name in the margenâ—t thereby to be distinguished and knowne from what is of my owne weake capacity and so to giue him his due desert far surpassing mine and second in that kinde to none in England Therefore gentle reader I intreat thee to accept both our endeavours and harty well wishings to Gods glory his Majesties honour and the welfare of our endeared native Country in good part which we referre to thy charitable censure The Contents CHAP. I. The occasion of printing this rude Treatise or pamphlet Prince Ruperts intent to plant at Madagascar Master Walter Hamonds book in praise of this Island will give good incouragement for a plantation be that is Lord or King of Madagascar may easily in good time be Emperour of all India also the cheapnesse of necessaries both for backe and belly to be had out of India for the present reliefe of the planters p. 1 CHAP. II. The Countries scituation under the Tropick of Caprieorne the healthfulnesse of the Country Augustine Bay a cheâ—â—e and excellent harbour for multitude of ships the pleasantnesse and fertility of the Country a second land of Canaan or a Paradice of the world the Portugals rich trade to Mussambeg on the coast of Malindia p. 4. CHAP. III. Hogs in Malinda have stones in their mawes as pretious as rich Iewels the affection of the inhabitants to our Nation above all others Portugall Fryers staine to accompany the King of Madagascar at his death to heaven great store of wilde Foule and Turkies the envy of the East India Company against a plantation may give the better encouragement thereunto no Gold Silver nor any rich commodity of so high esteeme in Madagascar as red Cornelian Beads p. 7. GHAP. IIII. The comlinesse of the Natives though naked yet personable and of pleasant countenance their weapons not dangerous or of great annoyance their small use and unskilfullnesse in labour or manufacture great probability of sugar and spices at Madagascar the praise of the Island comparable with the land of Canaan p. 11. CHAP. V. The Idolatrous worship of God or the Devill the Natives addicted to theft and robbery A project of the Bishops disposed to plant at Madagascar Madagascar sauegard rashly attained unto p. 15. CHAP. VI Great incouragement to the plantation the cheapenesse of cloathing or apparell to be had out of India for the use of the planters the rich attire for persons of quality to be had there exceeding cheape all sorts of hearbs roots fruits and foules to be had in plentifull abundance in Madagascar trees yeelding great store of pleasant liquor nothing inferiour to wine and sugar in England the excellent vertue of India Mirabolins p. 20. CHAP. VII The cheapenesse of all sorts of eattell and food at Madagascar the Turkies before mentioned in Mr. Lloyds intelligence are not so large and good as ours and I rather accompt the Sants or such like fowle but being all over speckled blacke and white our people give them the name of Turkies the great benefit to be made by dayries at Madagascar with the meanes to accommodate the making of butter and cheese in that hot Country as also for poudering of Beefe and brewing of good Beere p. 24. CHAP. VIII The accommodation and meanes for dayries brewing of beere and powdering of meat for the use of ships at sea the meanes to make Saltpeter cheaper then in India or elsewhere all sorts of excellent materialls for building to be had in Madagascar poore artificers may live by their labours in all sorts of manufacture out strip all Nations of the world for the price of their labour trade and commerce to and from Madagascar will exceede in benefit all other p. 27. CHAP. IX The Riches to be aecrewd by Trade between England and India may all be converted by a free Trade to the Planters at Madagascar the benefit of particular commodities to and from between India and Persia the Piscash of a Chain of Gold given by Podomsee though of 500. pound Valew not comparable to the benefit he received by fraight and custome in his Massie Treasure in Pearles the Massie rich Trade of Pearles and Diomonds from Persia into India c. p. 30. CHAP. X. The mighty losse to the Portugalls in Customes by the losse of Ormus which might haue been turned to the benefit of the English who Conquered it and indiscreetly deserted it to the benefit of the Persians p. 34. CHAP. XI A brave Sea fight with the Portugals upon the coast of India another brave Sea fight with one English ship against many Portugals in the gulfe of Persia the Portugals cruelty te our men taken prisoners in coole blood p. 38. CHAP. XII The Portugals mediation for peace with the English Nation the Persians valuation of Ormus at twenty Millions of treasure now they are possessed thereof which the English might have enjoyed if they had had wise Governours Committees and Agents of the India corporation the exceeding folly of the East India court in sending treasure into Persia to touch at Surrat where the money being inverted in commodities would have turned almost to double money profit the unconsionable custome of India Courts in not shipping out our own rich native commodities which would yeeld good profit but transporting much Gold and Silver to their countries losse and proofe of their ill office to the Common-wealth the way to drive a rich trade into India without transportation of treasure Multitude of English commodities beneficiall for transportation into India to save exportation of treasure if the India courts were good members of the common-wealth the beneficiall trade in
A BRIEFE Discovery or Description Of the most Famous Island Of MADAGASCAR or St LAURENCE in Asia neare unto East-India With Relation of the Healthfulnesse Pleasure Fertility and wealth of that Countrey comparable if not transcending all the Easterne parts of the world a very Earthly Paradise a most sitting and desirable place to settle an English Colony and Plantation there rather then in any other part of the knowne world Also the Condition of the Natives their inhabiting their affability Habit Weapons and manner of living the plenty and cheapsieÌ„sse of Food Flesh Fish and Fowle Orenges and Lemonds Sugar Amber-Greece Gold Tortle-shels and Drugs and many other Commodities sit for Trade and Commerce to be had and gotten there at cheaper Rates then in India or elsewhere Also trading from Port to Port all India and Asia over and the great profit gained thereby The chiefest place in the world to enrich men by Trade to and from India Persia Moco Achine China and other rich Easterne Kingdomes I being the fittest place for a Magazine or Store-house of Trade between Europe and Asia farre exceeding all other Plantations in America or elsewhere Also the excellent meanes and accommodation to fit the Planters there with all things needfull and superfluous for backe and belly out of India neare adjacent at one fourth part of the price and cheaper then it will cost in England yea Fat Bullocks Sheep Goats Swine Poultrey Rice and Wheat and Barley reasonable c. exceeding cheap for the value of twelve pence or one shilling English will purchase or buy of the Natives as much as 5 6 7 pounds or more in England in this famous Island at their first arrivall which no other Countrey hath afforded By R. B. and Francis Lloyd Merchants The second Edition corrected and amended London Printed for Iohn Hardesty at the Signe of the Black-spread Eagle in Duck-lane 1647. TO His most Royall and I trust in God yet Most Gracious Soveraigne Lord King CHARLES of England c. and to the Right Honourable the Peeres Lords and Commons Assembled in the High and Honourable Court of Parliament MOst Gracious Sacred and dread Soveraigne and most Honourable pious Peares and Commons in Parliament Assembled The despicable condition of my poor Estate ruined through envy malice and revenge abroad in India and cruelly oppressed by deep ingratitude partiality and injustice at home in England the weaknesse and infermity of my decrepit person debillitated by along continued sicknesse now almost six yeares compleat with my simple Ignorant and weak understanding yet true loyall hearty affection to my King and Countryes glory and renowne right Humbly and in all Lowly and Reverend Submission to Your Highnesse and Honours Vertues and Authority craves pardon and remission for my boldnesse in interrupting your most serious and most weighty affaires of State with the dull apprehension of my zeale and affection to Gods glory the Honour of my gracious Soveraigne and his most Royall Posterity and the welfaire and accommodation of my indeared native Country which hath induced or rather impulsed and coacted me to come to counsell before I am called and to lend the opinion of an unintelligent and unfortunate Merchant concerning the aptnes accommodation and assured great benefit of this Kingdom of England by settling a considerable Plantation in the most famous Island of the world Madagascar or Saint Lawrence and that thereby the glory of Almighty your Majesties Honour and the Common-wealths happinesse may redownd to all the world as well out of Asia as Affryca or rather more and better in hopefull or assured expectation as out of America and other parts of the world May it therefore please your Highnesse and Honours to pardon my servent zeale and affection to this worthy designe which if the Lawes of England did forbid or give causion to the projectors of new busines to the Common-wealth under paine of losse of life if their projects proved hurtfull to the same as that as I take it of the Lacedemonians or some otherwell governed Common-wealth and such law perhaps not hurtfull to this Kingdome yet would I adventure without any hope or expectation to my selfe of reward or accommodation to exhibit this project so apparently beneficiall to the common-wealth in my own strong confident opinion if so be it should please his Royall Majesty and the Honourable High Court of Parliament to undertake it as abusinesse of State and of great consequence to this Kingdoms its welfare and Indempnity To insist upon a large Epistle were obnoxious to Your Majesty and Honours weighty and importent affaires and my dull apprehention with the tymorousnesse of my deep offence in such bold presumption forbids me to take that unpleasing task upon me I verily acknowledge it a transcendent haughty presumption in me to exhibit so rude and unpollisht a Pamphlet to Your Highnesse and Honours perusall yea to the meanest of the Honourable House of Commons which though it cannot expect gracious acceptance from any yet if it incurre not unto me thereby Your Majesties and Honours just indignation for my impulsed zeale to my King and Countryes good out of the small experience and weake iniuditious apprehention of my unfortunate travels untill such time as more juditious and better intelligent persons by their more skilfull prevalent perswasive pens give better incouragement for speedy and effectuall means to proceed in so weighty yea most hopefull successefull a businesse I shall have some cause yet to rejoyce in the depth of my misery and affliction in the meane time my daily earnest Prayers to God shall be for his abundant blessings spirituall and temporall to his Sacred Majesty and his most Royal Posterity the Right Honourable High Court of Parliament and all His Majesties true Loyall Subjects and that the Lord Jesus would please to break in peeces the most hurtfull Cords of Contention with the spirit of truth and concord and put away from all them that prosesse his name the offence of quarrels and dissention among them that we may be joyned together in one minde in truth love and Christian Charity to the praise honour and glory of God Almighty and such shall be ever the prayers Of Your Sacred Majesties and Your Honours most Loyall Subject and Servant Richard Boothby To the Reader COurteous Reader this Booke was intended to have been divulged in August anno 1644. but many lets have impeded the same my owne weaknesse of body the hinderance of a captious licencer blameing the rudenesse of the stile and my placeing Madagascar in Asia which he would needs have to be in Affrica but whether in Asia or Affrica I yet rest unresolved by the opinion of some Sea-men accounting it in Asia some detracâ—nesse it hath had by long detention of some cheife member of Parliament to whom I committed the perusal which their multitude of more weighty affaires would not admit time for it's perusall and lastly occasioned by the visit in my long continued sicknesse of an
sorts as appeareth by the aboundant divers shapes of of their shels curious to behold and the shels of esteeme in England by Iohn Tredescant and Master Slade dwelling about Lambeth who treasured up such to please curious people and to adornish rocks and water-workes in gardens of great persons of which sort Master Slade had of me gratis some quantity And without all question this Country farre transcends and exceeds all other Countries in Asia Affrica and America planted by English French Dutch Portugall and Spaniards and is likely to prove of farre greater value and esteeme to that Christian Prince and Nation that shall plant and settle a sure habitation therein then the West Indies is to the King and Kingdome of Spaine And it may well be compared to the land of Canaan that floweth with milke and hony a little world of it selfe adjoyned to no other land within the compasse of many leagues or miles or the chiefest paradice this day upon Earth This gallant Island of Madagascar doth afford these severall rich commodities as followeth Amber-Greece Gold the old Earle of Denbigh brought from this Island of Madagascar Gold land which he presented to the Kings Majesty and the Councel board and I was at the Councell board when this Gold sand was in question and approved of And there is also Tortle shels which doe sell at Surrat for twelve shillings per pound Copper Alloes Cicatrina excellent good Rice Honey and Wax Dragons Bloud divers rich Gums Ebbany Sandle wood Cohooe wood which doth sell at Surrat for foure pence per pound Tamerin and divers rich Drugs you may get by slaves of both sexes and timber either to Persia or else to Moco in the red sea 50000 pounds per annum and your slaves will put you to little charges for they doe live upon rice and water This Island of Madagascar is about nine hundred miles in length There is many Kings upon this Island the south part of it lies in 25 degrees and 35 min. and the northerne part short of the equinoctiall the inhabitants goes handsome in their accoutrements and speake the Arabian Tongue and they have Juncks which they Trade to and fro to the foure Islands which lies about thirty leagues off viz Joanna Malalo Combro and the Majottes and to the Coasts of Malindia The Island of Saint Laurence is a gallant place for to have a Magazine or Randezvouze for the Coast of Malindia lies off this Island forty or fifty leagues The Portugals hath a great fortification at Mussambeg therein and upon these coasts the Portugals get most of their riches and drives all their Trade in India otherwise it was impossible for them to hold out so long because of their great losse both by the English and Dutch The Portugals drives such a gallant Trade upon this Coast from 26 degrees south latitude to 3 degrees north latitude they get great store of Gold Elephants teeth Wax Amber-greece and divers sorts of rich Gums and comodities which cost the Portugals a very small matter for they trade with Knives Bels Pentathoes Barbars-aprons course Calicoes looking-glasses c. I have been taking of a Juncke twenty eight yeeres since which came from this coast of Malindia laden with Elephants teeth Amber-greece and rich Gums The Portugals comming from Mussambeg and bound for India they alwayes touch at the Island of Saint Laurence and there they buy slaves for their plantation I have beene about seaventeen yeeres since taking of a Junck which was laiden with slaves of both sexes and Sandall wood which came from Mussambeg and so to Saint Laurence and their laden and bound for Goa as we found by a Portugall passe If I may be worthy to advice after a trade is once setled at Madagascar what a brave gallant trade may be had upon the coast of Malindia three or foure smal ships may be imployed all the yeere long coasting and trading along the coast from 26 degree south latitude to 3 degrees north latitude and putting off course Indian commodities may lade your ship with rich Commodities much acceptable and vendable in those parts so that you need not to carry any Mony out of England into India CHAP. III. Hogs in Malinda have stones in their mawes as pretious as rich Iewels the affection of the inhabitants to our Nation above all others Portugall Fryers slaine to accompany the King of Madagascar at his death to heaven great store of wildo Foule and Turkies the Envy of the East India Company against a plantation may give the better incouragement thereunto no Gold Silver nor any rich commodity of so high esteeme in Madagascar as red Cornelian Beads THe East India Company they have sent out about twenty five yeeres since Elephants teeth in the ship by me for the Elephants teeth is in great request all over India the Portugals doe put 2000 Tuns yearely off which they get on the coast of Malindia also on this coast there are many wilde Hogs and in the mawes of them there growes stones which the Portugals cals Petra le Porkco which is mighty in request and esteeme in all India and Asia for expelling of Poyson The like thing is not to be had in the world for that purpose for your Beazor stone is not in that request by many degrees and little esteemed of in those parts for the Portugals do drive a very great Trade in India and Asia by this excellent Jem which they call Petra le Porkco I have read of it and likewise in a Manuscript of the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Row when he was imployed Lord Embassador by His Majesty King Iames into the East India for to settle the Trade for the East India Company in those orientall parts wherein he doth write farre more at large then I doe expresse It is conceived by divers wise men where these Hogs are on the coast of Malindia that the soyle is very good and that it doth afford excellent good grasse herbs fruits and drugs which is the chiefe cause of the extraordinary goodnesse and vertue of the stones which growes in the said Hogs mawes which is in that great esteeme and request all over India and Asia that none can parallel it This said coast of Malindia is neare adjoyning to Madagascar likewise there is above 1500 Tuns of Wax yeerely which is brought from the coast of Malindia to India which is in great request rich Gums and divers sorts of Drugs also the Portugals bring great store of very sine Gold and Amber-greece from Mussambeg to Goa So that all the world may understand what rich Trade the Portugall hath on the coast of Malindia and hath for this many hundreds of yeares maintained a very strong Garrison at Mussambeg for their is 100 peeces of Ordnance in their Castle I am confident the richest and best trade the Portugall hath in Asia cannot parallel this on the coast of Malindia furthermore if Saint Laurence Island had once a plantation set led what
act of Commerce more proper to my vocation as may give more incouragement for the proceedings herein then in any other already setled in the parts of America for as our English proverbe hath it That there is no service like to the service of a King nor no fishing comparable to the fishing in the Sea So I will adde a third true proverbe that there is no trading or commerce equivolent for profit to that of East India and the parts adjacent and the more beneficiall by the comodity of the fruitfull rich Iland of Saint Laurence or Madagascar its scituation or placing neare India Persia the red Sea Achin Jaua major Bantam Jombee Maccassar Mallabar the five Kingdomes as I take it of Decanij Golicunda Bengala and China c. and multitudes of rich Kingdomes in and neare India which being inhabited with Christians would prove the Magazine for trade of all the Orientall parts of the World as of late Ormus in Persia was so accounted and at present with us in Europe Amsterdam or Holland is held in that estimation And great possibility there is in my simple opinion that what Prince soever of Christendome is once really possest and seated in strength in that brave fruitfull and pleasant Island by computation three times as big as England may with ease be Emperour or sole monarch of East India with all her multitude of rich and large Kingdomes which no doubt but the eyes of many Princes of Europe are fixed upon it but that great disturbance in most parts thereof as at present unhappily in England doe hinder and give impediments to their wished designes which in zeale to Gods glory my Gratious Soveraigne his honour and my native Country its welfare and prosperity I from the bottome of my heart wish that some more learned and perswasive pen then mine rude and ignorant might prevaile with his gratious Majesty King Charles the right Honourable high Court of Parliament and all true hearted able persons of Nobility Gentry c. to take in hand though in these obstructive times to adventure each man some small proportion of meanes throughout this Kingdome which though but small to every particular person yet no doubt would amount to a considerable sum of mony sufficient to undergoe that action as a businesse of state which for the better accomodation therein that plantation may be served for a time withall necessaries both for backe and belly and also superfluity out of India for one fourth part of a penny or three parts of four cheaper then out of England to other plantations in America as farre distant if I be not deceived from England as that Country is from India or further That I may give such advice and incouragement as my weake capacity shall conceave I will descend to some particulars CHAP. II. The Countries scituation under the Tropick of Capricorne the healthfulnesse of the Country Augustines bay a chiefe and excellent harbour for multitude of ships the pleasantnesse and fertility of the Country a second land of Canaan or a Paradice of the world the Portugals rich trade to Mussambeg on the coast of Malindia ANd first to the scituation of the place I mean Augustine Bay the cheife harbour in that Iland it is seated and placed neare the Tropick of Capricorne in 23 degrees of South Latitude The Country is as all those parts so neare the Line are hot but yet in my opinion not so hot as Surrat in India which lyeth in 21 degrees north latt neare the tropick of Cancer during my abode there above three moneths in Iune Iuly August and September 1630. I could ever indure to weare an English suit and that of cloth which I could never so well brooke in India and is of so healthfull condition or constitution that in almost foure moneths of our abode there being about 460 persons in two ships the Charles and the Ionas we did not bury one man in all that time nor to my knowledge was there any sicke and besides the Company we met with foure ships out of England at that place which continued with us making merry refreshing and feasting about three weekes in which ships could not be lesse by my computation then 600 men at least and also another ship that came with us out of India and abode with us a longer time and departed from us to returne into India three or foure dayes or some short time before the English fleet came in containing in her 150 men yet not one of all these great numbers dyed or were sicke during their abode there to my best remembrance That haven that we all anchored in is called Augustines Bay a very large and safe harbour for Shipping which skilfull seamen can discribe better then my selfe and may containe by report of some 1000 or more or many hundred saile of ships in good and sure hold for Anchoring of great depth within a bow shoot of shore or thereabouts The Country about the Bay is pleasant to the view replenished with brave woods rockie hils of white marble and low fertile grounds what is within the land I can say little having never beene above a mile from the sea side but many of our men which have stragled further have given their good report thereof as also the fame and report of others that have either read or heard of the riches of this Country that the same aboundeth with mines of Gold and Silver and other minerals moreover that in the Island is a large plaine or champion country of Meadow or Pasture ground as big as all England which if it be so which I am somewhat doubtfull of for the large extent yet without question very large in many places must by reasonable consequence afford multitude and variety of Foules and Beasts and other creatures for food cloathing necessary use and delight and no doubt but such low grounds affordeth also store of large and small Rivers Tanks and Ponds replenished with multitude of good Fish water Fowles c. and it is apparently manifest or very probable by the quantity of brave fat Oxen Cowes Sheepe and Goats brought downe and fold unto us by the natives for refreshing so many people that the Country is very fertile selling us brave fat Oxen for about eight nine or tenne pence an Oxe worth by computation in England six seven eight or tenne pounds an Oxe and after that rate for Goats and Sheepe or a little dearer they sold also good Capons for three halfe pence or two pence a peece and excellent good Orenges and Lemmons reasonable and the common men dranke good store of Milke though out of their Callibasses not very cleanly the Bay or creeke neare the Bay affordeth us store of excellent Fish of many sorts as Pikes Mullets Breames and many others which I cannot call to minde their names and shell-fish as Crawfish Shrimps Prawnes and some Lobsters and some Oysters and sure the place affordeth abundance and variety of shell-fish of strange
foure moneths which Portugals Dutch Danes c. have undertaken to far remoter parts at great danger and hazard to plant themselves and in no comparison for profit and pleasure with Madagascar or Saint Laurence I pray God the Kings Majesty and the State of this Kingdome may take it into speedy consideration least they be prevented by some other Nation who no doubt have curious eyes and intents to this designe as of late the right honourable the Earle of Southampton and the noble Gentleman Mr. Iohn Craven brother to the right honourable the Lord Craven who intending to send out ships and Planters to the Island of Mauritious beyond Saint Laurence and had disbursed many thousand pounds to that intent yet neglecting speedy opportunity the Dutch hearing of their honourable designe made more speedy hast and prevented them and have now planted in that Island to their great renowne and accommodation in time and great losse to those honourable persons and this Nation All sorts of fruits hearbs rootes and flowers of great esteeme in India of what Nation soever may be transported thither and will assuredly grow in so rich and fruitfull grounds and for more speedy growth if those transported out of Europe or England saile at the first for want of skill to preserve the seed c. in regard of the length of the voiage yet those out of India not above one fourth part of the way may be brought good both to sow or to plant as raddish lettice carrets turnips onions and mustard seed and many other of moreworth then these in England And no doubt but this Island affords if not may easily be transported thither those excellent trees for good and pleasant liquor drink as Toddy and Palmito trees which trees distill by art taken from them plenty of excellent drinke no way inferiour if not better then white wine and sugar especially the Palmito wine but the Toddy wine except some of the best sort tasteth as if it did come out of Hornes therefore if not there already may be transported the Coco nut tree which yeeldeth a nut as big as a childs head whose kernell is excellent meate and of that fruite is made also oile vinegar and other dainties and the tree it self yeelds threed or yarne fine and course to make ropes cordage cables for ships and many other uses There may be also had many other trees of excellent fruits as Mirabolins and Plantans which our English tearm them Apples of paradice wherewith the Serpent beguiled Eve the Mirabolins and Plantans from the trees are farre dantier in tast then our Apricocks and what they are preserved are well known to Confectioners and Phisitions for health and pleasure The Plantan growes by clusters as a too or more or lesse together as big as a large beane cod and is so pleasant in tast cutting it in small pieces as parsnips to butter men use to eate it continually at meales with viniger pepper and salt to abate the sweetnesse and the tree being about the bignesse of a reasonable Apple tree beares no boughs but great leaves an ell long or longer and both leaves and body are excellent meat for Cowes for the body is no harder then a well growne cabbidge and may be cut downe by a good sword at a blow two or three my selfe have cut down many at Moalala to carry aboard the ship to feed cattell that we bought their to preserve There is five sorts of Mirabolins the one is like our Apricocks or great plum the stone is eight square it is an excellent preserve and in great request and sells very deare in Persia and elsewhere the other foure sorts is used in phisicke the Doctors and Drugsters can tell the severall names vertue and quality concerning the foure elements of mans body in India there is some of these Marabolins worth fifty or a hundred pound a piece which holding in the parties hand which is sicke will cure him of his disease suddenly or forthwith either of the bloody flux and feaver and two other diseases which I have forgotten Now for to make it appeare the curious vertue of these foure sorts of Marabolins which cures diseases holding them in the hand is thus at the time of the yeare when they prune or lop their trees they doe cut off all the branches and boughs only one sprig left and it is a hundred to one that the tree heares for if one tree beares a hundred will not but die but commonly one in a hundred will beare but one or two Mirabolins at the most will grow upon that one sprig of the tree for all the vertue doth grow out of the tree into one or two Mirabolins which are of the bignesse of an Apple which will cure severall diseases holding of one of these Mirabolins in the hand of the party which is sick This is very true and certaine which divers Banian Doctors and Brachmans hath told me they are very deare and scarce for to be had for great men in the Country doe buy them if any of our English Doctors did but know the vertue of these great Mirabolins they would be worth a thousand pounds a piece and it would be a present for a King But for the foure small sorts of Mirabolins are in great plenty in India and very cheape for I bought three thousand weight after the rate of a sarthing a pound and sold them here in England for three shillings foure pence a pound by the great which the Drugsters sells them for six shillings eight pence per pound I do believe their be divers trees of Mirabolins which doe grow on the Island of St. Laurence or else they may be easily planted by reason the clymat doth agree with India for their be many sorts of trees and plants which grow in the Island of Madagascar which do grow in India and equal of raste and goodnesse The defect of Cammels Horses Asses Mules Elephants Bussels and Persia sheepe of high esteem in India may have their race or breed from Persia and bred up in Saint Laurence and a more rich and fruitfull Country will yeeld a great price in India and brought to Saint Laurence by English or Indian shipping at cheape rates a Horse in Persia to be bought for 567 or 8 pounds is worth in India 20 30 40 50 or 60 pounds or more according as they prove CHAP. VII The cheapenesse of all sorts of cattell and food at Madagascar the Turkies before mentioned in Mr. Lloyds intelligence are not so large and good as ours and I rather accompt the Saâ—ts or such like fowle but being all over speckled blacke and white our people give them the name of Turkies the great benefit to be made by dayries at Madagascar with the meanes to accommodate the making of butter and cheese in that hot Country as also for poudering of Beefe and brewing of good Beere THe Persia sheepe are of great price in India and their skins are as soft
the India company of which none have yet made tryal of or very few are not nor should not have been prejudiciall to the company in no degree As Gun-powder and Sope for a penny a pound better then our Castle Sope dying stuffes and the ingredients thereto and skill to make the Colours to hold as in India Pintadoes which our English dyers much effects and desires as I have heard say the Art thereof and the Art of laying on Gumlack in colours upon Turners waâ—e much desired in England also Cammels haire for Beaver-makers and Felt-makers brought over rough and unpickt and sold by Turkey Merchants for about 18. per pound but might be had cheaper in India and Persia then in Turkey and the haires thereof being pickt out in India as at home it costeth the Beaver maker 9 pence per pound the picking may be done in India for a penney the pound or thereabouts and takes away almost one half of the weight then its worth 4. shilling per pound and is farre lesse Bulkey and more fitting for transportation and is better haire then that brought out of Turkey as a Pattern of a Felt made in Persia shewed to a Beaver-maker Master Rogers by name who vallued the Felt at 30. shillings and cost me in Persia not aboue five shillings at the most and from thence by his advice its possible to bring Felts ready fitted to the Block for any fashion in request at farre cheaper rates then to be made in England also in these distractive murdering killing times of warre Buffe to be made in India would prove an excellent good and profitable commodity to be made much better of their strong Busttle hides and far cheaper then at home Persia sheepe-skins an excellent Fur fine and warme worne by Princes in Christendome and usefull to make Cover-lidds like Ruggs for great Persons Bedds bring soft as Silk and finely Curled and of a Grayish colour of which I know none but my selfe have ever made tryall of and sold them to good profit and more might have made of them but that I sold them to a friend I would have put many commodities to the tryall of making their which the Countrey yet affords not as Fustians strong Dimmities fine and course Buckerams black and in colours all sorts of Tapes made of calico fine and course broad and narrow Leather Tand or untand and in colours Goat-Skins Parchment and Paper fitted to the sizes in England and Guilded Leather for Hangings curious Painted and Guilded Bedsteeds Stooles Chaires round Tables inlaid with mother of Pearle Aggets and Cornelians Quilts Curtains and hangings of Silk Pintadoes and fine imbrodred guilted Cappes Wastcoats and underbreeches for men excellent for use and cheape and some for women both for rich and poor Covers for Bookes of all sizes excellent good and cheape Estridge-Feathers Leather and Paper Fannas curiously wrought and guilded for Gentle-women Beadâ—s Pendants and Rings of many sorts of Stones as Christall Agget Cornelion Jasper Elitropian c. Agget Cups and Dishes of severall sorts and Turtle Shels with curious Chests Cabinets and Boxes of Ivory and Ebony inlay'd with severall materials Silk of all sorts China Persia and India Velvets Sattens Taffities Damasks Persia Mellicks wrought with Gold and India Cottens also variety of desirable Stones of severall sorts fit for Tomb-makers Chimny Peeces and Pavements for Noblemen and great persons Summer-Roomes cut and carved in severall Fashions Formea and Figures according to Musters in other materials in regard of their cheapnesse and workeman-ship in cutting such hard Stones in India will be of much Accompt in this Kingdom and â—se where among persons of severall qualities conditions and Arts The variety of severall commodities is so great and their quantities to be had in these parts that I should spend a great deale of time and Paper in recounting them and yet should not be able to reckon up halt their numbers for new will daily be found out if open or free Trade were once on Foot all which would convert to the benefit of the plantation at Saint Lawrence or Madagascars and no doubt but imploy much more shipping and men to be made active and skilfull Marriners and Seamen then yet that trade hath produced If I had made another voyage into India I would have endeavoured to have transported Maultilers distillers of Strong-waters Brewers of Beer and Wine makers of Tobacco Cutters to have made India Tobacco Curers to have made India Tobacco ill cured there as good as Vrinas or other Countreyes of farre greater esteem in Persia yet that of India yeelded in Persia as before mentioned foure for one Gardiners Painters or good Picture makers Clock-makers c. with mowâ—â— and their utensels to teach the Indians the use of Hay-making 〈◊〉 of which in time of drought commonly 6. or 7. 〈…〉 and almost starved which might also 〈…〉 my Countrey-men I would also have 〈…〉 of Flax and Hempe by transporting seed thither which it should take effect and grow as in cooler Countreys Chritian Linnen as I call it would be made there and brought into all parts of Christendome at farre cheaper rates then now it is at and be of more esteeme in India and other Eastern Countreys then Callicoes or other heathen Linnen and all these things whatsoever mentioned in this Treatise the plantation at Madagascar or Saint Lawrence may have the benefit and accommodation thereof either by manufacture already made or to be put in practice there in regard of the cheapnesse of the labours of men women and Children in India at a penny three halfe pence or two pence a day to maintain themselves and families and much more cheaper may it be done at Madagascar where all sorts of better diet may be had cheaper then in India and slaves both in Madagascar and India and other parts may be bought for a trifle besides the Plantation once setled multitude of arts men would flock out of India and other parts to live among Christians where they may be more free from injustice and wrong tirranny and oppression then in any Eastern or Asian Kingdoms else besides yet one thing more I have forgot concerning defence against Forraign Enemies or Natives for Forraign Enemies that requires greater Judgement then for mine fortification defensive and offensive to which I referre my Censure but for defence or offence against the Natives Salvages its more ease to defend or resist then in any other habitable places of the world where English have seated themselves For as I understand it they the Salvages else-where have not onely Darts but Bowes and Arrowes more dangerous to annoy a farre off and more numerous to discharge as also great knotty Clubbs but here at Saint Lawrence they have no weapons but Darts and of them not numerous nor easie to carry and for defence of or from them I will make bold to lend my advice In India Buffe as before mentioned may be had in great quantities and very cheape
exportation and importation whose welfare prosperitie and felicity I wish as my owne these Merchants I say or other if they have lived at whom or abroad in credit which the Banians of India make good inquiry after and demean themselves civilly in India not rioting and lavishing in those unhealthfull and dangerous sinnes to purse body and soule Sha viva venus deport themselves affably and courteously towards the Banians who themselves will doe no great wrongs nor offer affront to any but will patiently beare all affronts and not resist in word or deed but yet perhaps will conceale malice along time untill opportunity to wreake private revenge they shall never want credit to far greater summes then they shall either need or reasonably desire I will yet make bold to adde somewhat more to the furtherance of this plantation If such course or better as wiser men then my selfe shall conceive be taken to encourage adventurers as was used at the first plantation of Virginia it would peradventure prove succesfull in my weake apprehension this is to allot every adventurer a 100 acres of Land for every 12 pound 10 shillings or lesse disbursed upon superscription in a brooke to that purpose and proportionable for smaller summes of monies though but 20 shillings adventure but none lower which my foolish conceit leades me to imagine will make the adventures to rise to a greater and more considerable sum to set that worke afoote more speedily laying aside the advancement by way of Lottery so much asperced with infamy for robbing of poore people and waste ull expence of a vast summe so collected as in the last project for Virginia unlesse upon better approbation and prevention by the States of this Kingdome moreover to allot every labouring man or artificer that will adventure his person and beare his owne charge a 100 acres of land free inheritance and if some reasonable proportion be alotted to women in that kinde it may peradventure adde incouragement to them the sooner to adventure their persons in the voyage also to proportion to every apprentice youth boy or young maide or girle transported at their matters câ—arge after the expiration of seven yeares the inheritance of a 100 acres more or lesse as wiser judgements shall better approve of And no doubt but if Commission be given to the Iustices of every County and Corporation in England with incouragement of the Godly Ministers in their severall parishes to incite men thereunto by application of the glory done to God to conver ignorant soules to Christianity to adde honour and renowne to their gratious Soveraigne and is royall posterity by enlargement of his dominions to accommodate the welfare of their own native Country and comfort to their poore Christian Brethren therein with the great hopefull assurance to raise their owne fortunes and posterity to great wealth and dignity to frame bookes for superscriptions to that purpose and shew their forwardnesse by their owne good example it will draw on adventurers apace and cause that most worthy famous Plantation to flourish suddenly And if freedome of customes be for a time remitted as at present to the adventurers to Trenedado in America it will also adde greater incouragement to the undertakers of this worthy noble action CHAP. XV The valour of the English Nation against the Salvages in Virginia and new-England also of the Spaniards against a civil nation in America or the west Indies also of the Spaniards and Portugals against the Brasilians and against the Indians a mighty warlike nation also the designe of other Nations jeering us for not setling a plantation somewhere in India for our succour and defence ought to stirre us up to such an enterprize the honour and blessing of a pious christian nation to settle true religion among Idolatrous heathen people to Gods glory and honour The barbarous cruell oppression of the Dutch against the English at Amboyna in east India being to mighty and to strong for the English to resist IF any yet object the difficulty of setling a hrme plantation in this excellent country of Madagaicar in regard of the large extent thereof and multitude of inhabitants therein as Moses foretold what the children of Israell might pretend saying in their hearts this nation is more then I how can I cast them out Moses made reply and said thou shalt not feare them but remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharoah and unto all Egypt for the Lord thy God is among you a God mighty and dreadfull and surely if we of England take this worke in hand to Gods glory as they did though not to cast out but to convert soules so shall the Lord our God doe unto all the people whose face we feare either to convert or to confound them let us againe consider this peoples nakednesse their want of Armes and unskilfullnesse in managing warre against experienced and well fenced souldiers and let them also take notice of our nations valour paines and enterprizes of greater difficulty and hazard and no way so comparable for pleasure profit conveniency and accommodation as in Virginia and New England and let them moreover call to minde the valour of the Spaniards in America in conquering the great and rich Empire of west India with a handfull of men in comparison of the multitudes of the people therein who as I take it being long since and many yeares past since I read that story with 300 orse entred the great City of Mexico and tooke their Emperour prisoner in the company of multitudes of this people riding in his throne of State upon mens shoulders Let them yet not also forget the Spaniards or Portugals their conquest over Brasillia that populous nation and of the Portugals in East India forceing trade and commerce and building strong Cities and Forts inhabiting therein in very prime places of India as Goa Dua Damon Dabull Muscat Mallaco c. maugre the opposition of a mighty warlike Emperous the great Mogull and the like at Ormus in Persia volens nolens that most famous antient warlike Nations King and Kingdome of Persia in an Island within three leagues of his maine Land that afforded not the planters any succour at all not so much as timber to build or wood to make fires withall or cattell or graine to feed upon or grasse to sustaine cattell no not so much as a drop of fresh water to quench their thirst in so hot a clymate but what the dewes from heaven afforded them or they brought with them or forced their sustenance from the Persian and Arabian coasts neare adjacent and yet brought their admirable worke to royall perfection building that famous sumptuous rich strong City and Castle therein surpassing the chiefe Cities of the world for wealth for which it was accounted as the Diamond in the Ring so the chiefest Citie for wealth in the round ring of the world untill the English for wrong ' sustained by or from the Portugals over came it and beate them