fit for such a personage with so braue and great attendance for some small number of aduentrous Gentlemen to make discoueries and lie in Garrison ready vpon any occasion to keepe in feare the inconstant Saluages nothing were more requisite but to haue more to wait play than worke or more commanders and officers than industrious labourers was not so necessarie for in Virginia a plaine Souldier that can vse a Pick-axe and spade is better than fiue Knights although they were Knights that could breake a Lance for men of great place not inured to those incounters when they finde things not sutable grow many times so discontented they forget themselues oft become so carelesse that a discontented melancholy brings them to much sorrow and to others much miserie At last they stood in for the coast of New-England where they met a small Frenchman rich of Beuers and other Furres Though wee had here but small knowledge of the coast nor countrie yet they tooke such an abundance of Fish and Fowle and so well refreshed themselues there with wood and water as by the helpe of God thereby hauing beene at Sea sixteene weekes got to Virginia who without this reliefe had beene in great danger to perish The French-men made them such a feast with such an abundance of varietie of Fish Fowle and Fruits as they all admired and little expected that wild wildernesse could affoord such wonderfull abundance of plentie In this ship came about two hundred men but very little prouision and the ship called the Treasurer came in againe not long after with fortie passengers the Lord la Wares ship lying in Virginia three moneths wee victualled her with threescore bushels of Corne and eight Hogsheads of flesh besides other victuall she spent whilest they tarried there this ship brought vs aduice that great multitudes were a preparing in England to bee sent and relied much vpon that victuall they should finde here whereupon our Captaine called a Councell and writ to the Councell here in England the estate of the Colonie and what a great miserie would insue if they sent not prouision as well as people and what they did suffer for want of skilfull husbandmen and meanes to set their Ploughs on worke hauing as good ground as any man can desire and about fortie Bulls and Oxen but they wanted men to bring them to labour and Irons for the Ploughs and harnesse for the Cattell Some thirtie or fortie acres wee had sowne with one Plough but it stood so long on the ground before it was reaped it was most shaken and the rest spoiled with the Cattell and Rats in the Barne but no better Corne could bee for the quantitie Richard Killingbeck being with the Captaine at Kekoughtan desired leaue to returne to his wife at Charles hundred hee went to Iames towne by water there he got foure more to goe with him by land but it proued that he intended to goe trade with the Indies of Chickahamania where making shew of the great quantitie of trucke they had which the Saluages perceiuing partly for their trucke partly for reuenge of some friends they pretended should haue beene slaine by Captaine Yearley one of them with an English peece shot Killingbeck dead the other Saluages assaulted the rest and slew them stripped them and tooke what they had But fearing this murther would come to light and might cause them to suffer for it would now proceed to the perfection of villanie for presently they robbed their Machacomocko house of the towne stole all the Indian treasure thereout and fled into the woods as other Indians related On Sunday following one Farfax that dwelt a mile from the towne going to Church left his wife and three small children safe at home as he thought and a young youth she supposing praier to be done left the children and went to meet her husband presently after came three or foure of those fugitiue Saluages entred the house and slew a boy and three children and also another youth that stole out of the Church in praier time meeting them was likewise murdered Of this disaster the Captaine sent to Opechankanough for satisfaction but he excused the matter as altogether ignorant of it at the same time the Saluages that were robbed were complaining to Opechankanough and much feared the English would bee reuenged on them so that Opechankanough sent to Captaine Argall to assure him the peace should neuer be broken by him desiring that he would not reuenge the iniurie of those fugitiues vpon the innocent people of that towne which towne he should haue and sent him a basket of earth as possession giuen of it and promised so soone as possibly they could catch these robbers to send him their heads for satisfaction but he neuer performed it Samuel Argall Iohn Rolfe A relation from Master Iohn Rolfe Iune 15. 1618. COncerning the state of our new Common-wealth it is somewhat bettered for we haue sufficient to content our selues though not in such abundance as is vainly reported in England Powhatan died this last Aprill yet the Indians continue in peace Itopatin his second brother succeeds him and both hee and Opechankanough haue confirmed our former league On the eleuenth of May about ten of the clocke in the night happened a most fearefull tempest but it continued not past halfe an houre which powred downe hailestones eight or nine inches about that none durst goe out of their doores and though it tore the barke and leaues of the trees yet wee finde not they hurt either man or beast it fell onely about Iames towne for but a mile to the East and twentie to the West there was no haile at all Thus in peace euery man followed his building and planting without any accidents worthy of note Some priuate differences happened betwixt Captaine Bruster and Captaine Argall and Captaine Argall and the Companie here in England but of them I am not fully informed neither are they here for any vse and therefore vnfit to be remembred In December one Captaine Stallings an old planter in those parts being imployed by them of the West countrie for a fishing voyage in New-England fell foule of a Frenchman whom hee tooke leauing his owne ship to returne for England himselfe with a small companie remained in the French barke some small time after vpon the coast and thence returned to winter in Virginia The gouernment surrendred to Sir George Yearley FOr to begin with the yeere of our Lord 1619. there arriued a little Pinnace priuatly from England about Easter for Captaine Argall who taking order for his affaires within foure or fiue daies returned in her and left for his Deputy Captaine Nathaniel Powell On the eâ—ighteenth of Aprill which was but ten or twelue daies after arriued Sir George Yearley by whom we vnderstood Sir Edwin Sands was chosen Treasurer and Master Iohn Farrar his Deputy and what great supplies was a preparing to be sent vs
and gathered these Observations One Salvage hunting alone vseth the skinne of a Deere slit on the one side and so put on his arme through the neck so that his hand comes to the head which is stuffed and the hornes head eyes eares and every part as artificially counterfeited as they can devise Thus shrowding his body in the skinne by stalking he approacheth the Deere creeping on the ground from one tree to another If the Deere chance to find fault or stand at gaze he turneth the head with his hand to his best advantage to seeme like a Deere also gazing and licking himselfe So watching his best advantage to approach having shot him he chaseth him by his bloud and straine till he get him When they intend any warres the Werowances vsually haue the advice of their their Priests and Coniurers and their allies and ancient friends but chiefely the Priests determine their resolution Every Werowance or some lustie fellow they appoint Captaine over every nation They seldome make warre for lands or goods but for women and children and principally for revenge They haue many enemies namely all their westernly Countries beyond the mountaines and the heads of the rivers Vpon the head of the Powhatans are the Monacans whose chiefe habitation is at Rasauweak vnto whom the Mowhemenchughes the Massinnacacks the Monahassanughs the Monasickapanoughs and other nations pay tributes Vpon the head of the river of Toppahanock is a people called Mannahoacks To these are contributers the Tauxanias the Shackaconias the Ontponeas the Tegninateos the Whonkenteaes the Stegarakes the Hassinnungaes and divers others all confederates with the Monacans though many different in language and be very barbarous liuing for the most part of wild beasts and fruits Beyond the mountaines from whence is the head of the river Patawomeke the Salvages report inhabit their most mortall enemies the Massawomekes vpon a great salt water which by all likelihood is either some part of Cannada some great lake or some inlet of some sea that falleth into the South sea These Massawomekes are a great nation and very populous For the heads of all those rivers especially the Pattawomekes the Pautuxuntes the Sasquesaâ—anocks the Tockwoughes are continually tormented by them of whose crueltie they generally complained and very importunate they were with me and my company to free them from these tormentors To this purpose they offered food conduct assistance and continuall subiection Which I concluded to effect But the councell then present emulating my successe would not thinke it fit to spare me fortie men to be hazzarded in those vnknowne regions having passed as before was spoken of but with 12 anâ— so was lost that opportunitie Seaven boats full of these Massawomekes wee encountred at the head of the Bay whose Targets Baskets Swords Tobaccopipes Platters Bowes and Arrowes and every thing shewed they much exceeded them of our parts and their dexteritie in their small boats made of the barkes of trees sowed with barke and well luted with gumme argueth that they are seated vpon some great water Against all these enemies the Powhatans are constrained sometimes to fight Their chiefe attempts are by Stratagems trecheries or surprisals Yet the Werowances women and children they put not to death but keepe them Captiues They haue a method in warre and for our pleasures they shewed it vs and it was in this manner performed at Mattapanient Having painted and disguised themselues in the fiercest manner they could devise They divided themselues into two Companies neare a hundred in a company The one company called Monacans the other Powhatans Either army had their Captaine These as enemies tooke their stands a musket shot one from another ranked themselues 15 a breast and each ranke from another 4 or 5 yards not in fyle but in the opening betwixt their fyles So the Reare could shoot as conveniently as the Front Having thus pitched the fields from either part went a messenger with these conditions that whosoever were vanquished such as escape vpon their submission in two dayes after should liue but their wiues and children should be prize for the Conquerours The messengers were no sooner returned but they approached in their orders On each flanke a Serieant and in the Reare an Officer for Lieutenant all duly keeping their orders yet leaping and singing after their accustomed tune which they onely vse in Warres Vpon the first flight of arrowes they gaue such horrible shouts and screeches as so many infernall hell hounds could not haue made them more terrible When they had spent their arrowes they ioyned together preâ—tily charging and retyring every ranke seconding other As they got advantage they catched their enemies by the hayre of the head and downe he came that was taken His enemy with his wooden sword seemed to beat out his braines and still they crept to the Reare to maintaine the skirmish The Monacans decreasing the Powhatans charged them in the forme of a halfe Moone they vnwilling to be inclosed fled all in a troope to their Ambuscadoes on whom they led them very cunningly The Monacans disperse themselues among the fresh men wherevpon the Powhatans retired with all speed to their seconds which the Monacans seeing tooke that advantage to retire againe to their owne battell and so each returned to their owne quarter All their actions voyces and gestures both in charging and retiring were so strained to the height of their qualitie and nature that the strangenesse thereof made it seeme very delightfull For their Musicke they vse a thicke Cane on which they pipe as on a Recorder For their warres they haue a great deepe platter of wood They cover the mouth thereof with a skin at each corner they tie a walnut which meeting on the backside neere the bottome with a small rope they twitch them together till it be so tought and stiffe that they may beat vpon it as vpon a drumme But their chiefe instruments are Rattles made of small gourds or Pumpeons shels Of these they haue Base Tenor Countertenor Meane and Treble These mingled with their voyces sometimes twenty or thirtie together make such a terrible noise as would rather affright then delight any man If any great commander arriue at the habitation of a Werowance they spread a Mat as the Turkes doe a Carpet for him to sit vpon Vpon another right opposite they sit themselues Then doe all with a tunable voice of shouting bid him welcome After this doe two or more of their chiefest men make an Oration testifying their loue Which they doe with such vehemency and so great passions that they sweat till they drop and are so out of breath they can scarce speake So that a man would take them to be exceeding angry or stark mad Such victuall as they haue they spend freely and at night where his lodging is appointed they set a woman fresh painted red with Pocones and oyle to be his bed-fellow Their manner
carpet of the earth and withall shall marke how the heauens heare the earth and the earth the Corne and Oile and they relieue the necessities of man that man will acknowledge Gods infinite Prouidence But hee that shall further obserue how God inclineth all casuall euents to worke the necessary helpe of his Saints must needs adore the Lords infinite goodnesse neuer had any people more iust cause to cast themselues at the very foot-â—toole of God and to reuerence his mercie than this distressed Colonie for if God had not sent Sir Thomas Gates from the Bermudas within foure daies they had almost beene famished if God had not directed the heart of that noble Knight to saue the Fort from fiering at their shipping for many were very importunate to haue burnt it they had beene destitute of a present harbour and succour if they had abandoned the Fort any longer time and had not so soone returned questionlesse the Indians would haue destroied the Fort which had beene the meanes of our safeties amongst them and a terror If they had set saile sooner and had lanched into the vast Ocean who would haue promised they should haue incountered the Fleet of the Lord la Ware especially when they made for New found land as they intended a course contrarie to our Nauie approaching If the Lord la Ware had not brought with him a yeeres prouision what comfort would those poore soules haue receiued to haue beene relanded to a second distruction This was the arme of the Lord of Hosts who would haue his people passe the red Sea and Wildernesse and then to possesse the land of Canaan It was diuinely spâ—ken of Heathen Socrates If God for man be carefull why should man bee ouer-distrustfull for he hath so tempered the contrary qualities of the Elements That neither cold things want heat nor moist things dry Nor sad things spirits to quicken them thereby Yet make they musicall content of contrarietie Which conquer'd knits them in such links together They doe produce euen all this whatsoeuer The Lord Gouernour after mature deliberation deliuered some few words to the Companie laying iust blame vpon them for their haughtie vanities and sluggish idlenesse earnestly intreating them to amend those desperate follies lest hee should be compelled to draw the sword of Iustice and to cut off such delinquents which he had rather draw to the shedding of his vitall bloud to protect them from iniuries heartning them with relation of that store hee had brought with him constituting officers of all conditions to rule ouer them allotting euery man his particular place to watch vigilantly and worke painfully This Oration and direction being receiued with a generall applause you might shortly behold the idle and restie diseases of a diuided multitude by the vnitie and authoritie of this gouernment to be substantially cured Those that knew not the way to goodnesse before but cherished singularitie and faction can now chalke out the path of all respectiue dutie and seruice euery man endeuoureth to outstrip other in diligence the French preparing to plant the Vines the English labouring in the Woods and grounds euery man knoweth his charge and dischargeth the same with alacritie Neither let any man be discouraged by the relation of their daily labour as though the sap of their bodies should bee spent for other mens profit the setled times of working to effect all themselues or as the Aduenturers need desire required no more paines than from six of the clocke in the morning vntill ten and from two in the afternoone till foure at both which times they are prouided of spirituall and corporall reliefe First they enter into the Church and make their praiers vnto God next they returne to their houses and receiue their proportion of food Nor should it bee conceiued that this businesse excludeth Gentlemen whose breeding neuer knew what a daies labour meant for though they cannot digge vse the Spade nor practice the Axe yet may the staied spirits of any condition finde how to imploy the force of knowledge the exercise of counsell the operation and power of their best breeding and qualities The houses which are built are as warme and defensiue against wind and weather as if they were tiled and slated being couered aboue with strong boards and some matted round with Indian mats Our forces are now such as are able to tame the furie and trecherie of the Saluages Our Forts assure the Inhabitants and frustrate all assaylants And to leaue no discouragement in the heart of any who personally shall enter into this great action I will communicate a double comfort first Sir George Sommers that worthy Admirall hath vndertaken a dangerous aduenture for the good of the Colonie Vpon the 15. of Iune accompanied with Captaine Samuel Argall hee returned in two Pinaces vnto the Bermudas promising if by any meanes God will open a way to that Iland of Rocks that he would soone returne with six moneths prouision of flesh with much crosse weather at last hee there safely arriued but Captaine Argall was forced backe againe to Iames towne whom the Lord De la Ware not long after sent to the Riuer of Patawomeke to trade for Corne where finding an English boy one Henry Spilman a young Gentleman well descended by those people preserued from the furie of Powhatan by his acquaintance had such good vsage of those kinde Saluages that they fraughted his ship with Corne wherewith he returned to Iames towne The other comfort is that the Lord la Ware hath built two new Forts the one called Fort Henry the other Fort Charles in honour of our most noble Prince and his hopefull brother vpon a pleasant plaine and neare a little Riuilet they call Southampton Riuer they stand in a wholsome aire hauing plentie of Springs of sweet water they command a great circuit of ground containing Wood Pasture and Marsh with apt places for Vines Corne and Gardens in which Forts it is resolued that all those that come out of England shall be at their first landing quartered that the wearisomnesse of the Sea may bee refreshed in this pleasing part of the Countrie and Sir Thomas Gates hee sent for England But to correct some iniuries of the Paspahegs he sent Captaine Pearcie Master Stacy and fiftie or threescore shot where the Saluages flying they burnt their houses tooke the Queene and her children prisoners whom not long after they slew The fertilitie of the soile the temperature of the climate the forme of gouernment the condition of our people their daily inuocating of the Name of God being thus expressed why should the successe by the rules of mortall iudgement bee disparaged why should not the rich haruest of our hopes be seasonably expected I dare say that the resolution of Caesar in France the designes of Alexander the discoueries of Hernando Cortes in the West and of Emanuel King of Portugal in the East were not encouraged vpon so firme grounds of state and
swallowed their death Surely it is impossible any should now be vrged to doe his best and although they knew it that place all men did so shun yet they spread all the faile they could to attaine them for not long it was before they strucke vpon a rocke till a surge of the sea cast her from thence and so from one to another till most luckily at last so vpright betwixt two as if she had beene in the stocks till this they expected but euery blow a death But now behold suddenly the wind giues place to a calme and the billowes which each by ouertaking her would in an instant haue shiuered her in peeces become peaceable and still so that with all conueniency and ease they vnshipped all their goods victuall and persons into their Boats and with extreme ioy euen almost to amazednesse arriued in safetie though more then a league from the shore without the losse of a man yet were they in all one hundred and fiftie yet their deliuerance was not more strange in falling so happily vpon the land as their feeding and preseruation was beyond their hopes for you haue heard it hath beene to the Spaniards more fearefull then an Vtopian Purgatory and to all Sea-men no lesse terrible then an inchanted den of Furies and Deuils the most dangerous vnfortunate and forlorne place in the world and they found it the richest healthfullest and pleasantest they euer saw as is formerly said Being thus safe on shore they disposed themselues to search the Iles for food and water others to get a shore what they could from the ship not long Sir George wandred but found such a fishing that in halfe an houre with a hooke and line he tooke so many as sufficed the whole company in some places they were so thicke in the Coues and so great they durst not goe in left they should bite them and these rocke fish are so great two will load a man and fatter nor better fish cannot be Mr. Shelly found a Bay neere a quarter of a mile ouer so full of Mullets as none of them before had euer seene or heard of the like the next day seeking to kill them with fis-gigs they stracke so many the water in many places was red with bloud yet caught not one but with a net they caught so many as they could draw a shore with infinite number of Pilchards and diuers other sorts great craw-fishes in a night by making a fire they haue taken in great quantity Sir George had twice his hooke and line broke out of his hand but the third time he made it so strong he caught the same fish which had pulled him into the Sea had not his men got hold of him whereby he had his three hookes againe were found in her belly At their first hunting for hogs they found such abundance they killed 32 and this hunting fishing was appointed to Captaine Robert Walsingham and Mr. Henry Shelly for the company in general they report they killed at least 500. besides Pigs and many that were killed by diuers others for the birds in their seasons the facility to make their cabens of Palmera leaues caused many of them vtterly forget or desire euer to returne from thence they liued in such plenty peace and ease But let vs remember how the Knights began to resolue in those desperat affaires many proiects they had but at last it was concluded to decke their long boat with their ship hatches which done with all expedition they sent Master Rauen a very sufficient Mariner with eight more in her to Virginia to haue shipping from thence to fetch them away three weekes or a moneth they expected her returne but to this day she was neuer more heard of all this time was spent in searching the Iles now although God still fed them with this abundance of plenty yet such was the malice of enuy or ambition for all this good seruice done by Sommers such a great difference fell amongst their Commanders that they liued asunder in this distresse rather as meere strangers then distressed friends but necessity so commanded patience had the victory Two ships at this time by those seuerall parties were a building in the meane time two children were borne the Boy was called Bermudas the Girle Bermuda and amongst all those sorrowes they had a merry English mariage the forme of those Iles you may see at large in the Map of Mr. Norwood where you may plainly see no place knowne hath better walls nor a broader ditch But hauing finished and rigged their two new Cedar ships with such prouisions they saued from the Sea-aduenturer they left amongst the Rocks they called the one the Patience the other the Deliuerance they vsed Lime and Oile as May did for Pitch and Tar. Sir George Summers had in his Barke no Iron at all but one bolt in her Keele now hauing made their prouisions of victuall and all things ready they set saile the tenth of May 1610. onely leauing two men behinde them called Christopher Carter and Edward Waters that for their offences or the suspition they had of their iudgements fled into the woods and there rather desired to end their daies then stand to their trials and the euent of Iustice for one of their consorts was shot to death and Waters being tied to a tree also to be executed had by chance a Knife about him and so secretly cut the Rope he ran into the woods where they could not finde him There were two Saluages also sent from Virginia by Captain Smith the one called Namuntack the other Matchumps but some such differences fell betweene them that Matchumps slew Namuntack and hauing made a hole to bury him because it was too short he cut of his legs and laid them by him which murder he concealed till he was in Virginia The foure and twentieth of the same moneth they arriued in Virginia at Iames towne where they found but threescore persons as you may reade at large in the History of Virginia of the fiue hundred left by Captaine Smith also of the arriuall of the Lord Laware that met them thus bound for England returned them backe and vnderstanding what plenty there was of hogs and other good things in the Bermudas was desirous to send thither to supply his necessary occasions whereupon Sir George Summers the best acquainted with the place whose noble minde euer regarded a generall good more then his owne ends though aboue threescore yeeres of age and had meanes in England sutable to his ranke offered himselfe by Gods helpe to performe this dangerous voyage againe for the Bermudas which was kindly accepted so vpon the 19. of Iune he imbarked in his Cedar ship about the burthen of thirty tunnes and so set saile Much foule and crosse weather he had and was forced to the North parts of Virginia where refreshing himselfe vpon this vnknowne coast he could not bee diuerted from the search
that behaved himselfe towards vs as a most faithfull English man he set forward The next day by breake of day we landed and got beyond their houses where seeing them sit by the fire we assaulted them The miserable soules amazed fled into the Reeds where one was shot through and we thought to haue beene fully revenged but we were deceiued for they were our friends come from Croatan to gather their corne because they vnderstood our enemies were fled after the death of Master How and left all behinde them for the birds But they had like to haue payd too deare for it had we not chanced vpon a Weroances wife with a childe at her backe and a Salvage that knew Captaine Stafford that ran to him calling him by his name Being thus disappointed of our purpose we gathered the fruit we found ripe left the rest vnspoyled and tooke Menatonon his wife with her childe and the rest with vs to Roanoak Though this mistake grieued Manteo yet he imputed it to their own folly because they had not kept promise to come to the governor at the day appointed The 13. of August our Salvage Manteo was Christened and called Lord of Dassamonpeack in reward of his faithfulnesse And the 18th Ellinor the Governours daughter and wife to Ananias Dare was delivered of a daughter in Roanoak which being the first Christian there borne was called Virginia Our ships being ready to depart such a storme arose as the Admirall was forced to cut her Cables and it was six dayes ere she could recover the shore that made vs doubt she had beene lost because the most of her best men were on shore At this time Controversies did grow betwixt our Governour and the Assistants about choosing one of them 12. to goe as Factor for them all to England for all refused saue one whom all men thought most insufficient the Conclusion was by a generall consent they would haue the Governour goe himselfe for that they thought none would so truly procure there supplyes as he Which though he did what he could to excuse it yet their importunitie would not cease till he vndertooke it and had it vnder all their hands how vnwilling he was but that necessity and reason did doubly constraine him At their setting sayle for England waighing Anchor twelue of the men in the flyboat were throwne from the Capstern by the breaking of a barre and most of them so hurt that some never recovered it The second time they had the like fortune being but 15. they cut the Cable and kept company with their Admirall to Flowres and Coruos the Admirall stayed there looking for purchase but the flyboats men grew so weake they were driuen to Smerwick in the West of Ireland The Governour went for England and Simon Ferdinando with much adoe at last arrived at Portsmouth 1587. The Names of those were landed in this Plantation were Iohn White Governour Roger Bayley Ananias Dare. Simon Ferdinando Christopher Couper Thomas Stevens Iohn Samson Thomas Smith Dionis Haruie Roger Prat. George How Antony Cage With divers others to the number of about 115. The fift Voyage to Virginia vndertaken by Mr. Iohn White 1589. THe 20. of March three ships went from Plimouth and passed betwixt Barbary and Mogadoro to Dominico in the West Indies After we had done some exployts in those parts the third of August wee fell with the low sandy Iles westward of Wokokon But by reason of ill weather it was the 11 ere we could Anchor there and on the 12. we came to Croatan where is a great breach in 35 degrees and a halfe in the Northeast poynt of the I le The 15. we came to Hatorask in 36. degrees a terse at 4. fadom 3 leagues from shore where we might perceiue a smoake at the place where I left the Colony 1587. The next morning Captaine Cooke Captaine Spicer their companies with two boats left â—ur ships and discharged some Ordnance to giue them notice of our comming but when we came there we found no man nor signe of any that had beene there lately and so returned to our Boats The next morning we prepared againe for Roanoack Captaine Spicer had then sent his Boat ashore for water so it was ten of the Clocke ere we put from the ships which rode two myles from the shore The Admirals boat being a myle before the other as she passed the bar a sea broke into the boat and filled her halfe full of water but by Gods good will and the carefull stearage of Captaine Cook though our provisions were much wet we safe escaped the wind blew hard at Northeast which caused so great a current and a breach vpon the barre Captaine Spicer passed halfe over but by the indiscreet steering of Ralph Skinner their boat was overset the men that could catch hold hung about her the next sea cast her on ground where some let goe their hold to wade to shore but the sea beat them downe The boat thus tossed vp and downe Captaine Spicer and Skinner hung there till they were drowne but 4. that could swim a little kept themselues in deeper water were saued by the meanes of Captaine Cook that presently vpon the oversetting of their boat shipped himselfe to saue what he could Thus of eleuen seuen of the chiefest were drowned This so discomfited all the Saylers we had much to do to get them any more to seeke further for the Planters but by their Captaines forwardnes at last they fitted themselues againe for Hatorask in 2 boats with 19 persons It was late ere we arrived but seeing a fire through the woods we sounded a Trumpet but no answer could we heare The next morning we went to it but could see nothing but the grasse and some rotten trees burning We went vp and downe the I le and at last found three faire Romane Letters carved C.R.O. which presently we knew to signifie the place where I should find them according to a secret note betweene them me which was to write the name of the place they would be in vpon some tree dore or post and if they had beene in any distresse to signifie it by making a crosse over it For at my departure they intended to goe fiftie myles into the mayne But we found no signe of distresse then we went to a place where they were left in sundry houses but we found them all taken downe and the place strongly inclosed with a high Palizado very Fortlike and in one of the chiefe Posts carued in fayre capitall Letters CROATAN without any signe of distresse and many barres of Iron two pigs of Lead foure Fowlers Iron shot and such like heauie things throwne here and there overgrowne with grasse and weeds We went by the shore to seeke for their boats but could find none nor any of the Ordnance I left them At last some of the Sailers found divers Chists had beene hidden and digged vp
with neare 50. Salvagâ—s came towards vs. Being vnwilling they should see our building we went to exchanged with them Kniues Hatchets Beades Bels and such trifles for some Bevers Lyzards Martins Foxes wilde Catte skinnes and such like We saw them haue much red Copper whereof they make chaines collars and drinking cups which they so little esteemed they would giue vs for small toyes signified vnto vs they had it out of the earth in the Mayne three dayes they stayed with vs but every night retyred two or three myle from vs after with many signes of loue and friendship they departed seaven of them staying behind that did helpe vs to dig and carry Saxafras and doe any thing they could being of a comely proportion and the best condition of any Salvages we had yet incountred They haue no Beards but counterfeits as they did thinke ours also was for which they would haue changed with some of our men that had great beards Some of the baser sort would steale but the better sort we found very civill and iust We saw but three of their women and they were but of meane stature attyred in skins like the men but fat and well favoured The wholesomenesse and temperature of this climate doth not onely argue the people to be answerable to this Description but also of a perfect constitution of body actiue strong healthfull and very witty as the sundry toyes by them so cunningly wrought may well testifie For our selues we found our selues rather increase in health and strength then otherwise for all our toyle bad dyet and lodging yet not one of vs was touched with any sicknesse Twelue intended here a while to haue stayed but vpon better consideration how meanely we were provided we left this Island with as many true sorrowfull eyes as were before desirous to see it the 18. of Iune and arrived at Eâ—mouth the 23 of Iuly But yet mans minde doth such it selfe explay As Gods great Will doth frame it every way And Such thoughts men haue on earth that doe but liue As men may craue but God doth onely giue Written by Iohn Brierton one of the Voyage A Voyage of Captaine Martin Pring with two Barks from Bristow for the North part of Virginia 1603. BY the inducements and perswasions of Mr Richard Hackluite Mr Iohn Whitson being Maior with his brethren the Aldermen most of the Merchants of the Citie of Bristow raised a stocke of 1000l. to furnish out two Barkes the one of 50. tuns with 30. men and boyes the other 26. tuns with 13. men and boyes having Martin Pring an vnderstanding Gentleman and a sufficient Mariner for Captaine and Robert Salterne his Assistant who had bin with Captaine Gosnoll there the yeare before for Pilot. Though they were much crossed by contrary windes vpon the coast of England and the death of that ever most memorable miracle of the world our most deare soveraigne Lady and Queene Elizabeth yet at last they passed by the westerne Isles and about the 7. of Iune fell vpon the north part of Virginia about the degrees of fortie three Where they found plentie of most sorts of fish and saw a high country full of great woods of sundry sorts As they ranged the coast at a place they named Whitson Bay they were kindly vsed by the Natiues that came to them in troupes of tens twenties thirties and sometimes more But because in this Voyage for most part they followed the course of Captaine Gosnoll and haue made no relation but to the same effect he writ before we will thus conclude Lay hands vnto this worke with all thy wit But pray that God would speed and perfit it Robert Salterne A relation of a Discovery towards the Northward of Virginia by Captaine George Waymouth 1605. imployed thether by the right Honorable Thomas Arundell Baron of Warder in the Raigne of our most royall King IAMES VPon tuesday the fift of March we set sayle from Ratcliffe but by contrary winds we were forced into Dartmouth till the last of this moneth then with 29. as good sea men all necessary provisioÌ„s as could possibly be gotten we put to sea and the 24 of Aprill fell with Flowres and Coruos We intended as we were directed towards the Southward of 39. But the winds so crossed vs wee fell more Northwards about 41. and 20. minuits we sounded at 100. fathom by that we had run 6 leagues we had but 5. yet saw no land from the mayne top we descryed a whitish sandy clift West North-west some 6. leagues from vs but ere we had run two leagues further we found many shoules and breaches sometimes in 4. fadom and the next throw 15. or 18. Being thus imbayed among those shoules we were constrained to put back againe which we did with no small danger though both the winde and weather were as fayre as we could desire Thus we parted from the Land which we had not before so much desired and at the first sight reioyced as now we all ioyfully praysed God that he had delivered vs from so eminent danger Here we found excellent Cod and saw many Whales as we had done 2. or 3. daies before Being thus constrained to put to sea the want of wood water caused vs take the best advantage of the winde to fall with the shore wheresoever but we found our Sea cards most directly false The 17. of May we made the Land againe but it blew so hard we durst not approach it The next day it appeared to vs a mayne high land but we found it an Island of 6. myles in compasse within a league of it we came to an anchor and went on shore for wood water of which we found sufficient The water gushing forth downe the rocky clifts in many places which are all overgrown with Firre Birch Beech Oke as the Verge is with Gousberries Strawberries wild Pease and Rose bushes and much foule of divers sorts that breed among the rockes here as in all places els where we came we found Cod enough From hence we might discerne the mayne land and very high mountaines the next day because we rode too open to the Sea we waighed and came to the Isles adioyning to the mayn among which we found an excellent rode defended from all windes for ships of any burthen in 6.7.8.9 or 10. fadom vpon a clay oze This was vpon a Whitsonday wherefore we called it Pentecost Harbour Here I cannot omit for foolish feare of imputation of flattery the painfull industry of our Captaine who as at Sea he was alwayes most carefull vigilant so at land he refused no paines but his labour was ever as much or rather more then any mans which not onely incouraged others with better content but also effected much with great expedition We digged a Garden the 22. of May where among our garden-seeds we sowed Pease and Barley which in 16. dayes grew
mouth are the Kecoughtans who besides their women children haue not past 20. fighting men The Paspaheghes on whose land is seated Iames Towne some 40. myles from the Bay haue not past 40. The river called Chickahamania neare 250. The Weanocks 100. The Arrowhatocks 30. The place called Powhatan some 40. On the South side this river the Appamatucks haue sixtie fighting men The Quiyougcohanocks 25. The Nandsamūds 200. The Chesapeacks 100. Of this last place the Bay beareth the name In all these places is a severall commander which they call Werowance except the Chickahamanians who are governed by the Priests and their Assistants or their Elders called Caw-cawwassoughes In sommer no place affordeth more plentie of Sturgeon nor in winter more abundance of foule especially in the time of frost I tooke once 52 Sturgeons at a draught at another 68. From the later end of May till the end of Iune are taken few but yong Sturgeons of two foot or a yard long From thence till the midst of September them of two or three yards long and few others And in 4 or 5 houres with one Net were ordinarily taken 7 or 8 often more seldome lesse In the small rivers all the yeare there is good plentie of small fish so that with hookes those that would take paines had sufficient Foureteene myles Northward from the river Powhatan is the river Pamavnkee which is navigable 60 or 70 myles but with Catches and small Barkes 30 or 40 myles farther At the ordinary flowing of the salt water it divideth it selfe into two gallant branches On the South side inhabit the people of Youghtanund who haue about 60 men for warres On the North branch Mattapament who haue 30 men Where this river is divided the Country is called Pamavnkee and nourisheth neare 300 able men About 25. myles lower on the North side of this river is Werawocomoco where their great King inhabited when I was delivered him prisoner yet there are not past 40 able men Ten or twelue myles lower on the South side of this river is Chiskiack which hath some 40 or 50 men These as also Apamatuck Irrohatock and Powhatan are their great Kings chiefe alliance and inhabitants The rest his Conquests Before we come to the third river that falleth from the mountaines there is another river some 30 myles navigable that commeth from the Inland called Payankatanke the Inhabitants are about 50 or 60 serviceable men The third navigable river is called Toppahanock This is navigable some 130 myles At the top of it inhabit the people called Mannahoacks amongst the mountaines but they are aboue the place we described Vpon this river on the North side are the people Cuttatawomen with 30 fighting men Higher are the Moraughtacunds with 80. Beyond them Rapahanock with 100. Far aboue is another Cuttatawomen with 20. On the South is the pleasant seat of Nantaughtacund having 150 men This river also as the two former is replenished with fish and foule The fourth river is called Patawomeke 6 or 7 myles in breadth It is navigable 140 myles and fed as the rest with many sweet rivers and springs which fall from the bordering hils These hils many of them are planted and yeeld no lesse plentie and varietie of fruit then the river exceedeth with abundance of fish It is inhabited on both sides First on the South side at the very entrance is Wighcocomoco hath some 130 men beyond them Sekacawone with 30. The Onawmanient with 100. And the Patawomekes more then 200. Here doth the river divide it selfe into 3 or 4 convenient branches The greatest of the least is called Quiyough trending Northwest but the river it selfe turneth Northeast and is still a navigable streame On the Westerne side of this bought is Tauxenent with 40 men On the North of this river is Secowocomoco with 40. Somewhat further Potapaco with 20. In the East part is Pamacaeack with 60. After Moyowance with 100. And lastly Nacotchtanke with 80. The river aboue this place maketh his passage downe a low pleasant valley overshaddowed in many places with high rocky mountaines from whence distill innumerable sweet and pleasant springs The fift river is called Pawtuxunt of a lesse proportion then the rest but the channell is 16 fadome deepe in some places Here are infinit skuls of divers kindes of fish more then elswhere Vpon this river dwell the people called Acquintanacksuak Pawtuxunt and Mattapanient Two hundred men was the greatest strength that could be there perceived But they inhabit together and not so dispersed as the rest These of all other we found most civill to giue intertainement Thirtie leagues Northward is a river not inhabited yet navigable for the red clay resembling bole Armoniack we called it Bolus At the end of the Bay where it is 6 or 7 myles in breadth it divides it selfe into 4. branches the best commeth Northwest from among the mountaines but though Canows may goe a dayes iourney or two vp it we could not get two myles vp it with our boat for rockes Vpon it is seated the Sasquesahanocks neare it North and by West runneth a creeke a myle and a halfe at the head whereof the Eble left vs on shore where we found many trees cut with hatchets The next tyde keeping the shore to seeke for some Salvages for within thirtie leagues sayling we saw not any being a barren Country we went vp another small river like a creeke 6 or 7 myle From thence returning we met 7 Canowes of the Massowomeks with whom we had conference by signes for we vnderstood one another scarce a word the next day we discovered the small river people of Tockwhogh trending Eastward Having lost our Grapnell among the rocks of Sasquesahanocks we were then neare 200 myles from home and our Barge about two runs and had in it but 12 men to performe this Discovery wherein we lay aboue 12 weekes vpon those great waters in those vnknowne Countries having nothing but a little meale oatemeale and water to feed vs and scarce halfe sufficient of that for halfe that time but what provision we got among the Salvages and such rootes and fish as we caught by accident and Gods direction nor had we a Mariner nor any had skill to trim the sayles but two saylers and my selfe the rest being Gentlemen or them were as ignorant in such toyle and labour Yet necessitie in a short time by good words and examples made them doe that that caused them ever after to feare no colours What I did with this small meanes I leaue to the Reader to iudge and the Mappe I made of the Country which is but a small matter in regard of the magnitude thereof But to proceed 60 of those Sasquesahanocks came to vs with skins Bowes Arrows Targets Beads Swords and Tobacco pipes for presents Such great and well proportioned men are seldome seene for they seemed like Giants to the English yea and
hardie in the coldest mornings they them wash in the rivers and by painting and oyntments so tanne their skinnes that after a yeare or two no weather will hurt them The men bestow their times in fishing hunting warres and such man-like exercises scorning to be seene in any woman-like exercise which is the cause that the women be very painefull and the men often idle The women and children doe the rest of the worke They make mats baskets pots morters pound their corne make their bread prepare their victuals plant their corne gather their corne beare all kind of burdens and such like Their fire they kindle presently by chafing a dry pointed sticke in a hole of a little square peece of wood that firing it selfe will so fire mosse leaues or any such like dry thing that will quickly burne In March and Aprill they liue much vpon their fishing wires and feed on fish Turkies and Squirrels In May and Iune they plant their fields and liue most of Acornes Walnuts and fish But to amend their dyet some disperse themselues in small companies and liue vpon fish beasts crabs oysters land Tortoises strawberries mulberries and such like In Iune Iuly and August they feed vpon the rootes of Tocknough berries fish and greene wheat It is strange to see how their bodies alter with their dyet even as the deere wilde beasts they seeme fat and leane strong and weake Powhatan their great King and some others that are provident rost their fish and flesh vpon hurdles as before is expressed and keepe it till scarce times For fishing hunting and warres they vse much their bow and arrowes They bring their bowes to the forme of ours by the scraping of a shell Their arrowes are made some of straight young sprigs which they head with bone some 2 or 3 ynches long These they vse to shoot at Squirrels on trees Another sort of arrowes they vse made of Reeds These are peeced with wood headed with splinters of christall or some sharpe stone the spurres of a Turkey or the bill of some bird For his knife he hath the splinter of a Reed to cut his feathers in forme With this knife also he will ioynt a Deere or any beast shape his shooes buskins mantels c. To make the noch of his arrow he hath the tooth of a Beaver set in a sticke wherewith he grateth it by degrees His arrow head he quickly maketh with a little bone which he ever weareth at his bracert of any splint of a stone or glasse in the forme of a heart and these they glew to the end of their arrowes With the sinewes of Deere and the tops of Deeres hornes boyled to a ielly they make a glew that will not dissolue in cold water For their warres also they vse Targets that are round and made of the barkes of trees and a sword of wood at their backes but oftentimes they vse for swords the horne of a Deere put through a peece of wood in forme of a Pickaxe Some a long stone sharpned at both ends vsed in the same manner This they were wont to vse also for hatchets but now by trucking they haue plentie of the same forme of yron And those are their chiefe instruments and armes Their fishing is much in Boats These they make of one tree by burning and scratching away the coales with stones and shels till they haue made it in forme of a Trough Some of them are an elne deepe and fortie or fiftie foote in length and some will beare 40 men but the most ordinary are smaller and will beare 10 20 or 30. according to their bignesse In stead of Oares they vse Paddles and stickes with which they will row faster then our Barges Betwixt their hands and thighes their women vse to spin the barkes of trees Deere sinewes or a kind of grasse they call Pemmenaw of these they make a thread very even and readily This thread serveth for many vses As about their housing apparell as also they make nets for fishing for the quantitie as formally braded as ours They make also with it lines for angles Their hookes are either a bone grated as they noch their arrowes in the forme of a crooked pinne or fish-hooke or of the splinter of a bone tyed to the clift of a little sticke and with the end of the line they tie on the bait They vse also long arrowes tyed in a line wherewith they shoote at fish in the rivers But they of Accawmack vse staues like vnto Iauelins headed with bone With these they dart fish swimming in the water They haue also many artificiall wires in which they get abundance of fish In their hunting and fishing they take extreame paines yet it being their ordinary exercise from their infancy they esteeme it a pleasure and are very proud to be expert therein And by their continuall ranging and travell they know all the advantages and places most frequented with Deere Beasts Fish Foule Roots and Berries At their huntings they leaue their habitations and reduce themselues into companies as the Tartars doe and goe to the most desert places with their families where they spend their time in hunting and fowling vp towards the mountaines by the heads of their rivers where there is plentie of game For betwixt the rivers the grounds are so narrowe that little commeth here which they devoure not It is a marvell they can so directly passe these deserts some 3 or 4 dayes iourney without habitation Their hunting houses are like vnto Arbours covered with Mats These their women beare after them with Corne Acornes Morters and all bag and baggage they vse When they come to the place of exercise every man doth his best to shew his dexteritie for by their excelling in those qualities they get their wiues Fortie yards will they shoot levell or very neare the marke and 120 is their best at Random At their huntings in the deserts they are commonly two or three hundred together Having found the Deere they environ them with many fires betwixt the fires they place themselues And some take their stands in the midsts The Deere being thus feared by the fires and their voyces they chase them so long within that circle that many times they kill 6 8 10 or 15 at a hunting They vse also to driue them into some narrow poynt of land when they find that advantage and so force them into the river where with their boats they haue Ambuscadoes to kill them When they haue shot a Deere by land they follow him like bloud-hounds by the bloud and straine and oftentimes so take them Hares Partridges Turkies or Egges fat or leane young or old they devoure all they can catch in their power In one of these huntings they found me in the discovery of the head of the river of Chickahamania where they slew my men and tooke me prisoner in a Bogmire where I saw those exercises
of trading is for copper beads and such like for which they giue such commodities as they haue as skins foule fish flesh and their Country Corne. But their victualls are their chiefest riches Every spring they make themselues sicke with drinking the iuyce of a roote they call Wighsacan and water whereof they powre so great a quantitie that it purgeth them in a very violent manner so that in three or foure dayes after they scarce recover their former health Sometimes they are troubled with dropsies swellings aches and such like diseases for cure whereof they build a Stoue in the forme of a Doue-house with mats so close that a few coales therein covered with a pot will make the patient sweat extreamely For swellings also they vse small peeces of touchwood in the forme of cloues which pricking on the griefe they burne close to the flesh and from thence draw the corruption with their mouth With this roote Wighsacan they ordinarily heale greene wounds But to scarrifie a swelling or make incision their best instruments are some splinted stone Old vlcers or putrified hurts are seldome seene cured amongst them They haue many professed Phisicians who with their charmes and Rattles with an infernall rout of words and actions will seeme to sucke their inward griefe from their navels or their grieued places but of our Chirurgians they were so conceited that they beleeued any Plaister would heale any hurt But 't is not alwayes in Phisicians skill To heale the Patient that is sicke and ill For sometimes sicknesse on the Patients part Proues stronger farre then all Phisicians art Of their Religion THere is yet in Virginia no place discovered to be so Savage in which they haue not a Religion Deere and Bow and Arrowes All things that are able to doe them hurt beyond their prevention they adore with their kinde of divine worship as the fire water lightning thunder our Ordnance peeces horses c. But their chiefe God they worship is the Devill Him they call Okee and serue him more of feare then loue They say they haue conference with him and fashion themselues as neare to his shape as they can imagine In their Temples they haue his image euill favouredly carved and then painted and adorned with chaines of copper and beads and covered with a skin in such manner as the deformitie may well suit with such a God By him is commonly the sepulcher of their Kings Their bodies are first bowelled then dried vpon hurdles till they be very dry and so about the most of their ioynts and necke they hang bracelets or chaines of copper pearle and such like as they vse to weare their inwards they stuffe with copper beads hatchets and such trash Then lappe they them very carefully in white skins and so rowle them in mats for their winding sheets And in the Tombe which is an arch made of mats they lay them orderly What remaineth of this kinde of wealth their Kings haue they set at their feet in baskets These Temples and bodies are kept by their Priests For their ordinary burials they dig a deepe hole in the earth with sharpe stakes and the corpse being lapped in skins and mats with their iewels they lay them vpon stickes in the ground and so cover them with earth The buriall ended the women being painted all their faces with blacke cole and oyle doe sit twenty-foure houres in the houses mourning and lamenting by turnes with such yelling and howling as may expresse their great passions In every Territory of a Werowance is a Temple and a Priest two or three or more Their principall Temple or place of superstition is at Vitamussack at Pamavnkâ—e neare vnto which is a house Temple or place of Powhatans Vpon the top of certaine red sandy hils in the woods there are three great houses filled with images of their Kings and Devils and Tombes of their Predecessors Those houses are neare sixtie foot in length built arbour-wise after their building This place they count so holy as that but the Priests Kings dare come into them nor the Salvages dare not goe vp the river in boats by it but they solemnly cast some peece of copper white beads or Pocones into the river for feare their Okee should be offended and revenged of them Thus Feare was the first their Gods begot Till feare began their Gods were not In this place commonly are resident seauen Priests The chiefe differed from the rest in his ornaments but inferior Priests could hardly be knowne from the common people but that they had not so many holes in their eares to hang their iewels at The ornaments of the chiefe Priest were certaine attires for his head made thus They tooke a dosen or 16 or more snakes skins and stuffed them with mosse and of Weesels and other Vermines skins a good many All these they tie by their tailes so as all their tailes meete in the toppe of their head like a great Tassell Round about this Tassell is as it were a crowne of feathers the skins hang round about his head necke and shoulders and in a manner cover his face The faces of all their Priests are painted as vgly as they can devise in their hands they had every one his Rattle some base some smaller Their devotion was most in songs which the chiefe Priest beginneth and the rest followed him sometimes he maketh invocations with broken sentences by starts and strange passions and at every pause the rest giue a short groane Thus seeke they in deepe foolishnesse To climbe the height of happinesse It could not be perceiued that they keepe any day as more holy then other But onely in some great distresse of want feare of enemies times of triumph and gathering together their fruits the whole Country of men women and children come together to solemnities The manner of their devotion is sometimes to make a great fire in the house or fields and all to sing and dance about it with Rattles and shouts together foure or fiue houres Sometimes they set a man in the midst and about him they dance and sing he all the while clapping his hands as if he would keepe time and after their songs and dauncings ended they goe to â—heir Feasts Through God begetting feare Mans blinded minde did reare A hell-god to the ghosts A heaven-god to the hoasts Yea God vnto the Seas Feare did create all these They haue also divers coniurations one they made when I was their prisoner of which hereafter you shall reade at large They haue also certaine Altar stones they call Pawcorances but these stand from their Temples some by their houses others in the woods and wildernesâ—es where they haue had any extraordinary accident or incounter And as you travell at those stones they will tell you the cause why they were there erected which from age to age they instruct their children as their best records of antiquities
Vpon these they offer bloud Deere suet and Tobacco This they doe when they returne from the Warres from hunting and vpon many other occasions They haue also another superstition that they vse in stormes when the waters are rough in the Rivers and Sea coasts Their Coniurers runne to the water sides or passing in their boats after many hellish outcryes and invocations they cast Tobacco Copper Pocones or such trash into the water to pacific that God whom they thinke to be very angry in those stormes Before their dinners and suppers the better sort will take the first bit and cast it in the fire which is all the grace they are knowne to vse In some part of the Country they haue yearely a sacrifice of children Such a one was at Quiyoughcohanock some ten myles from Iames Towne and thus performed Fifteene of the properest young boyes betweene ten and fifteene yeares of age they painted white Having brought them forth the people spent the forenoonâ— in dancing and singing about them with Rattles In the afternoone they put those children to the roote of a tree By them all the men stood in a guard every one having a Bastinado in his hand made of reeds bound together This made a lane betweene them all along through which there were appointed fiue young men to fetch these children so every one of the fiue went through the guard to fetch a childe each after other by turnes the guard fiercely beating them with their Bastinadoes and they patiently enduring and receiuing all defending the children with their naked bodies from the vnmercifull blowes that pay them soundly though the children escape All this while the women weepe and cry out very passionately prouiding mats skins mosse and dry wood as things fitting their childrens funerals After the children were thus passed the guard the guard tore down the trees branches boughs with such violence that they rent the body and made wreaths for their heads or bedecked their hayre with the leaues What els was done with the children was not seene but they were all cast on a heape in a valley as dead where thâ—y made a great feast for all the company The Werowance being demanded the meaning of â—his sacrifice answered that the children were not all dead but that the Okee or Divell did sucke the bloud from their left breast who chanced to be his by lot till they were dead but the rest were kept in the wildernesse by the young men till nine moneths were expired during which time they must not converse with any and of these were made their Priests and Coniurers This sacrifice they held to be so necessary that if they should omit it their Okee or Devill and all their other Quiyoughcosughes which are their other Gods would let them haue no Deere Turkies Corne nor fish and yet besides he would make a great slaughter amongst them They thinke that their Werowances and Priests which they also esteeme Quiyoughcosughes when they are dead doe goe beyond the mountaines towards the setting of the sunne and ever remaine there in forme of their Okee with their heads painted with oyle and Pocones finely trimmed with feathers and shall haue beads hatchets copper and Tobacco doing nothing but dance and sing with all their Predecessors But the common people they suppose shall not liue after death but rot in their graues like dead dogs To divert them from this blind Idolatry we did our best endevours chiefly with the Werowance of Quiyoughcohanock whose devotion apprehension and good disposition much exceeded any in those Countries with whom although we could not as yet prevaile to forsake his false Gods yet this he did beleeue that our God as much exceeded theirs as our Gunnes did their Bowes Arrowes and many times did send to me to Iames Towne intreating me to pray to my God for raine for their Gods would not send them any And in this lamentable ignorance doe these poore soules sacrifice themselues to the Devill not knowing their Creator and we had not language sufficient so plainly to expresse it as make them vnderstand it which God grant they may For Religion 't is that doth distinguish vs From their bruit humor well we may it know That can with vnderstanding argue thus Our God is truth but they cannot doe so Of the manner of the Virginians Government ALthough the Country people be very barbarous yet haue they amongst them such government as that their Magistrates for good commanding and their people for due subiection and obeying excell many places that would be counted very civill The forme of their Common-wealth is a Monarchicall government one as Emperour ruleth ouer many Kings or Governours Their chiefe ruler is called Powhatan and taketh his name of his principall place of dwelling called Powhatan But his proper name is Wahunsonacock Some Countries he hath which haue beene his ancestors and came vnto him by inheritance as the Country called Powhatan Arrohateck Appamatuck Pamavnkee Youghtanund and Mattapanient All the rest of his Territories expressed in the Mappe they report haue beene his severall Conquests In all his ancient inheritances he hath houses built after their manner like arbours some 30. some 40. yards long and at every house provision for his entertainement according to the time At Werowcomoco on the Northside of the river Pamavnkee was his residence when I was delivered him prisoner some 14 myles from Iames Towne where for the most part he was resident but at last he tooke so little pleasure in our neare neighbourhood that he retired himselfe to Orapakes in the desert betwixt Chickahamanâ—a and Youghtanund He is of personage a tall well proportioned man with a sower looke his head somwhat gray his beard so thinne that it seemeth none at all his age neare sixtie of a very able and hardy body to endure any labour About his person ordinarily attendeth a guard of 40 or 50 of the tallest men his Country doth afford Every night vpon the foure quarters of his house are foure Sentinels each from other a flight shoot and at every halfe houre one from the Corps du guard doth hollow shaking his lips with his finger betweene them vnto whom every Sentinell doth answer round from his stand if any faile they presently send forth an officer that beateth him extreamely A myle from Orapakes in a thicket of wood he hath a house in which he keepeth his kinde of Treasure as skinnes copper pearle and beads which he storeth vp against the time of his death and buriall Here also is his store of red paint for oyntment bowes and arrowes Targets and clubs This house is fiftie or sixtie yards in length frequented onely by Priests At the foure corners of this house stand foure Images as Sentinels one of a Dragon another a Beare the third like a Leopard and the fourth like a giantlike man all made evill favouredly according to their best workemanship He hath as
three barricoes that such puddle that never till then we ever knew the want of good water We digged and searched in many places but before two daies were expired we would haue refused two barricoes of gold for one of that puddle water of Wighcocomoco Being past these Isles which are many in number but all naught for habitation falling with a high land vpon the mayne we found a great Pond of fresh water but so exceeding hot wee supposed it some bath that place we called poynt Ployer in honor of that most honourable House of Mousay in Britaine that in an extreame extremitie once relieued our Captaine From Wighcocomoco to this place all the coast is low broken Isles of Morap growne a myle or two in breadth and ten or twelue in length good to cut for hay in Summer and to catch fish and foule in Winter but the Land beyond them is all covered over with wood as is the rest of the Country Being thus refreshed in crossing ouer from the maine to other Isles we discouered the winde and waters so much increased with thunder lightning and raine that our mast and sayle blew ouerbord and such mighty waues ouerracked vs in that small barge that with great labour we kept her froÌ„ sinking by freeing out the water Two dayes we were inforced to inhabite these vninhabited Isles which for the extremitie of gusts thunder raine stormes and ill wether we called Limbo Repairing our saile with our shirts we set sayle for the maine and fell with a pretty convenient riuer on the East called Cuskarawaok the people ran as amazed in troups from place to place and diuers got into the tops of trees they were not sparing of their arrowes nor the greatest passion they could expresse of their anger Long they shot we still ryding at an Anchor without there reatch making all the signes of friendship we could The next day they came vnarmed with euery one a basket dancing in a ring to draw vs on shore but seeing there was nothing in them but villany we discharged a volly of muskets charged with pistoll shot whereat they all lay tumbling on the grownd creeping some one way some another into a great cluster of reedes hard by where there companies lay in Ambuscado Towards the euening we wayed approaching the shoare discharging fiue or six shot among the reedes we landed where there lay a many of baskets and much bloud but saw not a Salvage A smoake appearing on the other side the riuer we rowed thither where we found two or three little houses in each a fire there we left some peeces of copper beads bells and looking glasses and then went into the bay but when it was darke we came backe againe Early in the morning foure Salvages came to vs in their Canow whom we vsed with such courtesie not knowing what we were nor had done hauing beene in the bay a fishing badâ— vs stay and ere long they would returne which they did and some twentie more with them with whom after a little conference two or three thousand men women childreÌ„ came clustring about vs euery one preseÌ„ting vs with something which a little bead would so well require that we became such friends they would contend who should fetch vs water stay with vs for hostage conduct our men any whither and giue vs the best content Here doth inhabite the people of Sarapinagh Nause Arseek and Nantaquak the best Marchants of all other Salvages They much extolled a great nation called Massawomekes in search of whom we retâ—â—â—ed by Limbo this riuer but onely at the â—ntâ—ance is very narrow and the people of small stature as them of Wightcocomoco the Land but low yet it may proue very commodious because it is but a ridge of land betwixt the Bay and the maine Ocean Finding this Easterne shore shallow broken Isles and for most part without fresh water we passed by the straites of Limbo for the Westerne shore so broad is the bay here we could scarce perceiue the great high clifts on the other side by them we Anchored that night and called them Râ—ccards Cliftâ—s 30. leagues we sayled more Northwards not finding any inhabitants leauing all the Easterne shore lowe Islandes but ouergrowne with wood as all the Coast beyond them so farre as wee could see the Westerne shore by which we sayled we found all along well watered but very mountanous and barren the vallies very fertill but extreame thicke of small wood so well as trees and much frequented with Wolues Beares Deere and other wild beasts We passed many shallow creekes but the first we found Nauigable for a ship we called Bolus for that the clay in many places vnder the clifts by the high water marke did grow vp in red and white knots as gum out of trees and in some places so participated together as though they were all of one nature excepting the coulour the rest of the earth on both sides being hard sandy grauell which made vs thinke it Bole-Armoniack and Terra sigillata When we first set sayle some of our Gallants doubted nothing but that our Captaine would make too much hast home but hauing lien in this small barge not aboue 12. or 14. dayes oft tyred at the Oares our bread spoyled with wet so much that it was rotten yet so good were their stomacks that they could disgest it they did with continuall complaints so importune him now to returne as caused him bespeake them in this manner Gentlemen if you would remember the memorable history of Sir Ralph Layne how his company importuned him to proceed in the discovery of Moratico alleadging they had yet a dog that being boyled with Saxafras leaues would richly feede them in their returnes then what a shame would it be for you that haue bin so suspitious of my tendernesse to force me returne with so much provision as we haue and scarce able to say where we haue beene nor yet heard of that we were sent to seeke You cannot say but I haue shared with you in the worst which is past and for what is to come of lodging dyet or whatsoeuer I am contented you allot the worst part to my selfe As for your feares that I will lose my selfe in these vnknowne large waters or be swallowed vp in some stormie gust abandon these childish feares for worâ—e then to past â—s not likely to happen and there is as much danger to returne as to proceede Regaine therefore your old spirits for returne I will not if God please till I haue 〈◊〉 the Massawomeks found Patawomek or the head of this water you conceit to be endlâ—sse Two or 3. dayes we expected winde wether whose aduerse extremities added such discouragement that three or foure fell sicke whose pittifull complaints caused vs to to returne leauing the bay some nine miles broad at nine and ten fadome water The 16. of Iune we fell with the riuer Patowomek
feare being gone and our men recovered we were all content to take some paines to know the name of that seuen mile broad riuer for thirtie myles sayle we could see no inhabitants then we were conducted by two Savages vp a little bayed creeke towards Onawmanient where all the woods were layd with ambuscado's to the number of three or foure thousand Salvages so strangely paynted grimed and disguised shouting yelling and crying as so many spirits from hell could not haue shewed more terrible Many brauado's they made but to appeale their fury our Captaine prepared with as seeming a willingnesse as they to incounter them But the grazing of our bullets vpon the water many being shot on purpose they might see them with the Ecco of the of the woods so amazed them as downe went their bowes and arrowes and exchanging hostage Iames Watkins was sent six myles vp the woods to their Kings habitation We were kindly vsed of those Salvages of whom we vnderstood they were commanded to betray vs by the direction of Powhatan and he so directed from the discontents at Iames towne because our Captaine did cause them stay in their country against their wâ—lls The like incounters we found at Patowomek Cecocawonee and diuers other places but at Moyaones Nacotchtant and Toegs the people did their best to content vs. Hauing gone so high as we could with the bote we met diuers Saluages in Canowes well loaden with the flesh of Beares â—eere and other beasts whereof we had part here we found mighty Rocks growing in some places aboue the grownd as high as the shrubby trees and diuers other solid quarries of diuers tinctures and diuers places where the waters had falne from the high mountaines they had left a tinctured spaÌ„gled skurfe that made many bare places seeme as guilded Digging the growne aboue in the highest clifts of rocks we saw it was a claie sand so mingled with yeallow spangles as if it had beene halfe pin-dust In our returne inquiring still for this Matchqueon the king of Patawomeke gaue vs guides to conduct vs vp a little riuer called Quiyough vp which we rowed so high as we could Leauing the bote with six shot and diuers Salvages he marched seuen or eight myle before they came to the mine leading his hostages in a small chaine they were to haue for their paines being proud so richly to be adorned The mine is a great Rocky mountaine like Antimony wherein they digged a great hole with shells hatchets and hard by it runneth a fayre brooke of Christal-like water where they wash a way the drosse and keepe the remainder which they put in little baggs and sell it all ouer the country to paint there bodyes faces or Idols which makes them looke like Blackmores dusted over with siluer With so much as we could carry we returned to our bote kindly requiting this kinde king and all his kinde people The cause of this discovery was to search this mine of which Newport did assure vs that those small baggs we had giuen him in England he had tryed to hold halfe siluer but all we got proued of no value also to search what furrs the best whereof is at Cuscarawaoke where is made so much Rawranoke or white beads that occasion as much dissention among the the Salvages as gold and siluer amongst Christians and what other mineralls riuers rocks nations woods fishings fruites victuall and what other commodities the land afforded and whether the bay were endlesâ—e or how farre it extended of mines we were all ignorant but a few Beuers Otters Beares Martins and minkes we found and in diuers places that aboundance of fish lying so thicke with their heads aboue the water as for want of nets our barge driuing amongst them we attempted to catch them with a frying pan but we found it a bad instrument to catch fish with neither better fish more plâ—nty nor more variety for smal fish had any of vs euer seene in any place so swimming in the water but they are not to be caught with frying pans some small codd also we did see swim close by the shore by Smiths Iles and some as high as Riccards Clifts And some we haue found dead vpon the shore To exprest all our quarrels trecheries and incounters amongst those Salvages I should be too tedious but in breefe at all times we so incountred them and curbed their insolencies that they concluded with presents to purchase peace yet we lost not a man at our first meeting out Captaine euer obserued this order to demand their bowes and arrowes swordes mantells and furrs with some childe or two for hostage whereby we could quickly perceiue when they intended any villany Hauing finished this discouery though our victuall was neere spent he intended to see his imprisonment-acquaintances vpon the riuer of Rapahanock by many called Toppahanock but our bote by reason of the ebbe chansing to grownd vpon a many shoules lying in the entrances we spyed many fishes lurking in the reedes our Captaine spotting himselfe by nayling them to the grownd with his sword set vs all a fishing in that manner thus we tooke more in owne houre then we could eate in a day But it chansed our Captaine taking a fish from his sword not knowing her condition being much of the fashion of a Thornback but a long tayle like a ryding rodde whereon the middest is a most poysoned sting of two or three inches long bearded like a saw on each side which she strucke into the wrest of his arme neere an inch and a halfe no bloud nor wound was seene but a little blew spot but the torment was instantly so extreame that in foure houres had so swolen his hand arme and shoulder we all with much sorrow concluded his funerall and prepared his graue in an Island by as himselfe directed yet it pleased God by a precious oyle Docter Russell at the first applyed to it when he sounded it with proâ—e ere night his tormenting paine was so well asswaged that he eate of the fish to his supper which gaue no lesse ioy and content to vs then ease to himselfe for which we called the Island Stingray Isle after the name of the fish Hauing neither Chirurgian nor Chirurgery but that preseruatiue oyle we preseÌ„tly set sayles for Iames towne passing the mouthes of the riuers of Payankatank Pamavnkee the next day we safely arriued at Kecougtan The simple Salvages seeing our Captaine hurt and an other bloudy by breaking his shinne our numbers of bowes arrowes swords mantles and furrs would needes imagine we had beene at warres the truth of these accidents would not satisfie them but impatiently importuned vs to know with whom Finding their aptnesse to beleeue we fayled not as a great secret to tell them any thing that might affright them what spoyle we had got and made of the Massawomeks This rumor went faster vp the river then our Barge that arrived at
Thus was that summer when little wanted consumed and spent and nothing done such was the gouernment of Captaine Ratliffe but onely this discovery wherein to expresse all the dangers accidents and incounters this small number passed in that small Barge by the scale of proportion about three thousand myles with such watery dyet in those great waters and barbarous Countries till then to any Christian vtterly vnknowne I rather referre their merit to the censure of the courteous and experienced Reader then I would be tedious or partiall being a partie But to this place to come who will adventure with iudgements guide and reason how to enter Finds in this worlds broad sea with winde and tyde Ther 's safer sayle then any where beside But 'cause to wanton novices it is A Province full of fearefulnesse I wiss Into the great vast deepe to venter out Those shallow rivers let them coast about And by a small Boat learne there first and marke How they may come to make a greater Barke Written by Anthony Bagnall Nathanaell Powell and Anas Todkill CHAPTER VII The Presidency surrendred to Captaine Smith the Arrivall and returne of the second Supply And what happened THe tenth of September by the Election of the Councell and request of the Company Captaine Smith receiued the Letters Patents which till then by no meanes he would accept though he was often importuned therevnto Now the building of Ratliffes Pallace stayed as a thing needlesse the Church was repaired the Store-house recouered buildings prepared for the Supplyes we expected the Fort reduced to a fiue-square forme the order of the Watch renewed the squadrons each setting of the Watch trained the whole Company euery Saturday exercised in the plaine by the west Bulwarke prepared for that purpose we called Smithfield where sometimes more then an hundred Salvages would stand in an amazement to behold how a fyle would batter a tree where he would make them a marke to shoot at the boats trimmed for trade which being sent out with Lieutenant Percy in their Iourney incountred the second Supply that brought them backe to discover the Country of Monacan How or why Captaine Newport obtained such a private Commission as not to returne without a lumpe of gold a certaintie of the South sea or one of the lost company sent out by Sir Water Raleigh I know not nor why he brought such a fiue peeced Barge not to beare vs to that South sea till we had borne her over the mountaines which how farre they extend is yet vnknowne As for the Coronation of Powhatan and his presents of Bason and Ewer Bed Bedstead Clothes and such costly nouelties they had beene much better well spared then so ill spent for wee had his favour much better onely for a playne peece of Copper till this stately kinde of soliciting made him so much overvalue himselfe that he respected vs as much as nothing at all As for the hyring of the Poles and Dutch-men to make Pitch Tar Glasse Milles and Sope ashes when the Country is replenished with people and necessaries would haue done well but to send them and seauentie more without victualls to worke was not so well aduised nor considered of as it should haue beene Yet this could not haue hurt vs had they beene 200. though then we were 130 that wanted for our selues For we had the Salvages in that decorum their harvest being newly gathered that we feared not to get victuals for 500. Now was there no way to make vs miserable but to neglect that time to make prouision whilst it was to be had the which was done by the direction from England to performe this strange discovery but a more strange Coronation to loose that time spend that victualls we had tyre and starue our men hauing no meanes to carry victuals munition the hurt or sicke but on their owne backes How or by whom they were inuented I know not but Captaine Newport we onely accounted the Author who to effect these proiects had so guilded mens hopes with great promises that both Company and Councell concluded his resolution for the most part God doth know they little knew what they did nor vnderstood their owne estates to conclude his conclusions against all the inconveniences the foreseeing President alledged Of this Supply there was added to the Councell one Captaine Richard Waldo and Captaine Wynne two auncient Souldiers and valiant Gentlemen but yet ignorant of the busines being but newly arriued Ratliffe was also permitted to haue his voyce Mr Scrivener desirous to see strange Countries so that although Smith was President yet the Maior part of the Councell had the authoritie and ruled it as they listed As for clearing Smiths obiections how Pitch and Tarre Wainscot Clapbord Glasse and Sope ashes could be provided to relade the ship or provision got to liue withall when none was in the Country and that we had spent before the ship departed to effect these projects The answer was Captaine Newport vndertooke to fraught the Pinnace of twentie tunnes with Corne in going and returning in his Discovery and to refraught her againe from Werowocomoco of Powhatan Also promising a great proportion of victualls from the Ship inferring that Smiths propositions were onely devices to hinder his iourney to effect it himselfe and that the crueltie he had vsed to the Salvages might well be the occasion to hinder these Designes and seeke revenge on him For which taxation all workes were left and 120 chosen men were appointed for Newports guard in this Discovery But Captaine Smith to make cleare all those seeming suspitions that the Salvages were not so desperate as was pretended by Captaine Newport and how willing since by their authoritie they would haue it so he was to assist them what he could because the Coronation would consume much time he vndertooke himselfe their message to Powhatan to intreat him to come to Iames Towne to receiue his presents And where Newport durst not goe with lesse then 120. he onely tooke with him Captaine Waldo Mr Andrew Buckler Edward Brinton and Samuel Collier with these foure he went over land to Werowocomoco some 12 myles there he passed the river of Pamavnkee in a Salvage Canow Powhatan being 30 myles of was presently sent for in the meane time Pocahontas and her women entertained Captaine Smith in this manner In a fayre plaine field they made a fire before which he sitting vpon a mat suddainly amongst the woods was heard such a hydeous noise and shreeking that the English betooke themselues to their armes and seized on two or three old men by them supposing Powhatan with all his power was come to surprise them But presently Pocahontas came willing him to kill her if any hurt were intended and the beholders which were men women and children satisfied the Captaine there was no such matter Then presently they were presented with this anticke thirtie young women came naked out of the woods onely covered
Commission I was content to be overrulâ—d by the maior part of the Councell I feare to the hazard of vs all which now is generally confessed when it is too late Onely Captaine Winne and Captaine Waldo I haue sworne of the Councell and Crowned Powhatan according to you instructions For thâ— charge of this Voyage of two or three thousand pounds we haue not receiued the value of an hundred pounds And for the quartred Boat to be borne by thâ— Souldiers over the Falles Newport had 120 of the best men he could chuse If he had burnt her to ashâ—s one might haue carried her in a bag but as she is fiue hundred cannâ—t to a navigable place aboue the Falles And for him at that time to find in the South Sea a Mine of gold or any of them sent by Sir Walter Raleigh at our Consultation I told them was as likely as the rest But during this great discovery of thirtie myles which might as well haue beene done by one man and much more for the value of a pound of Copper at a seasonable tyme they had the Pinnace and all the Boats with thâ—m but one that remained with me to serue the Fort. In their absence I followed the new begun workes of Pitch and Tarre Glasse Sope-ashes and Clapboord whereof some small quantities we haue sent you But if you rightly consider what an infinite toyle it is in Russia and Swethland where the woods are proper for naught els and though there be the helpe both of man and beast in those ancient Common-wealths which many an hundred yeares haue vsed it yet thousands of those poore people can scarce gâ—t necessaries to liue but from hâ—nd to mouth And though your Factors there can buy as much in a week as will fraught you a ship or as much as you please you must not expect from vs any such matter which are but a many of ignorant miserable soules that are scarce able to get wherewith to liue and defend our selues against the inconstant Salvages finding but here and there a tree fit for the purpose and want all things els the Russians haue For the Coronation of Pâ—whatan by whose advice you sent him such presents I know not but this giue me leaue to tell you I feare thâ—y will be the confusion of vs all ere we heare from you againe At your Ships arrivall the Salvages harvest was newly gathered and we going to buy it our owne not being halfe sufficient for so great a number As for the two ships loading of Corne Nâ—wport prâ—mised to provide vs from Powhatan he brought vs but foureteene Bushels and from the Monacans nothing but the most of the men sicke and neare famished From your Ship we had not provision in victuals worth twenty pound and we are more then two hundred to liue vpon this the one halfe sicke the other little better For the Saylers I confesse they daily make good cheare but our dyet is a little meale and water and not sufficient of that Though there be fish in the Sea foules in the ayre and Beasts in the woods their bounds are so large they so wilde and we so weake and ignorant we cannot much trouble them Captaine Newport we much suspect to be the Authour of those inventions Now that you should know I haue made you as great a discovery as he for lesse charge then he spendeth you every meale I haue sent you this Mappe of the Bay and Rivers with an annexed Relation of the Countries and Nations that inhabit them as you may see at large Also two barrels of stones and such as I take to be good Iron ore at the least so devided as by their notes you may see in what places I found them The Souldiers say many of your officers maintaine their families out of that you send vs and that Newport hath an hundred pounds a yeare for carrying newes For every master you haue yet sent can find the way as well as he so that an hundred pounds might be spared which is more then we haue all thâ—t helpe to pay him wages Cap. Ratliffe is now called Sicklâ—more a poore counterfeited Imposture I haue sent you him home least the company should cut his throat What he is now every one can tell you if he and Archer returne againe they are sufficient to keepe vs alwayes in factions When you send againe I intreat you rather send but thirty Caâ—penters husbandmen gardiners fisher men blacksmiths masons and diggers vp of trees roots well provided then a thousand of such as we haue for except wee be able both to lodge them and feed them the most will consume with want of necessaries before they can be made good for any thing Thus if you please to consider this account and of the vnnecessary wages to Captaine Newport or his ships so long lingering and staying here for notwithstanding his boasting to leaue vs victuals for 12 monâ—ths though we had 89 by this discovery lame and sicke and but a pinte of Corne a day for a man we were constrained to giue him three hogsheads of that to victuall him homeward or yet to send into Germany or Poleland for glasse-men the rest till we be able to sustaine our selues and relieue them when they come It were better to giue fiue hundred pound a tun for those grosse Commodities in Denmarke then send for them hither till more necessary things be provided For in over-toyling our weake and vnskilfull bodies to satisfie this desire of present profit we can scarce ever recover our selues from one Supply to another And I humbly intreat you hereafter let vs know what we should receiue and not stand to the Saylers courtesie to leaue vs what they please els you may charge vs with what you will but we not you with any thing These are the causes that haue kept vs in Virginia from laying such a foundation that â—re this might haue given much better content and satisfaction but as yet you must not looke for any profitable returnes so I humbly rest The Names of those in this Supply were these with their Proceedings and Accidents Captaine Peter Winne Captaine Richard Waldo were appoynted to be of the Councell Master Francis VVest brother to the Lord La VVarre Gent. Thomas Graues Raleigh Chroshaw Gabriel Beadle Iohn Beadle Iohn Russell William Russell Iohn Cuderington William Sambage Henry Leigh Henry Philpot. Harmon Harrison Daniel Tucker Henry Collins Hugh Wolleston Iohn Hoult Thomas Norton George Yarington George Burton Thomas Abbay William Dowman Thomas Maxes Michael Lowick Master Hunt Thomas Fâ—rrâ—st Iohn Dauxe Tradsmen Thomas Phâ—lps Iohn Prat. Iohn Clarke Ieffrey Shortridge Dionis Oconor Hugh Winne Dauid ap Hugh Thomas Bradley Iohn Burraâ— Thomas Lâ—vander Henry Bell. Master Powell David Ellis Thomas Gibson Labourers Thomas Dawse Thomas Mallard William Tayler Thomas Fox Nicholas Hancock Walker Williams Floud Morley Rose Scot. Hardwyn Boyes Milman Hilliard Mistresse Forrest and Anne Burras her maide eight Dutch men and
see nothing but miserable complaints therefore vnder your correction to rectifie all is with all expedition to passe the authority to them who will releeue them lest all bee consumed ere the differences be determined And except his Maiestie vndertake it or by Act of Parlament some small tax may be granted throughout his Dominions as a Penny vpon euery Poll called a head-penny two pence vpon euery Chimney or some such collection might be raised and that would be sufficient to giue a good stocke and many seruants to sufficient men of any facultie and transport them freely for paying onely homage to the Crowne of England and such duties to the publike good as their estates increased reason should require Were this put in practice how many people of what quality you please for all those disasters would yet gladly goe to spend their liues there and by this meanes more good might be done in one yeere then all those pety particular vndertakings will effect in twenty For the Patent the King may if he please rather take it from them that haue it then from vs who had it first pretending to his Maiesty what great matters they would doe and how little we did and for any thing I can conceiue had we remained still as at first it is not likely we could haue done much worse but those oft altering of gouernments are not without much charge hazard and losse If I be too plaine I humbly craue your pardon but you requested me therefore I doe but my duty For the Nobility who knowes not how freely both in their Purses and assistances many of them haue beene to aduance it committing the managing of the businesse to inferiour persons amongst whom questionlesse also many haue done their vtmost best sincerely and truly according to their conceit opinion and vnderstanding yet grosse errors haue beene committed but no man liues without his fault for my owne part I haue so much adoe to amend my owne I haue no leisure to looke into any mans particular but those in generall I conceiue to be true And so I humbly rest Yours to command I. S. THus those discords not being to be compounded among themselues nor yet by the extraordinary diligences care and paines of the noble and right worthy Commissioners Sir William Iones Sir Nicholas Fortescue Sir Francis Goston Sir Richard Sutton Sir Henry Bourgchier and Sir William Pit a Corante was granted against Master Deputy Farrar and 20. or 30. others of that party to plead their causes before the right Honourable the Lords of his Maiesties Priuy Councell now notwithstanding all the Relations Examinations and intercepting of all Letters whatsoeuer came from thence yet it seemes they were so farre vnsatisfied and desired to know the truth as well for the preseruation of the Colony as to giue content and doe all men right they sent two Commissioners strictly to examine the true estate of the Colony Vpon whose returne after mature deliberation it pleased his royall Maiesty to suppresse the course of the Court at Deputy Farrars and that for the present ordering the affaires of Virginia vntill he should make a more full settlement thereof the Lord Viscount Mandeuile Lord President of his Maiesties Priuie Councell and also other Priuy Councellors with many vnderstanding Knights and Gentlemen should euery Thursday in the afternoone meet at Sir Thomas Smiths in Philpot lane where all men whom it should concerne may repaire to receiue such directions and warrant for their better security as more at large you may see in the Proclamation to that effect vnder the great Seale of England dated the 15. of Iuly 1624. But as for the relations last returned what numbers they are how many Cities Corporations townes and houses cattle and horse they haue what fortifications or discoueries they haue made or reuenge vpon the Saluages who are their friends or foes or what commodities they haue more then Tobacco their present estate or what is presently to be put in execution in that the Commissioners are not yet fully satisfied in the one nor resolued in the other at this present time when this went to the Presse I must intreat you pardon me till I be better assured Thus far I haue trauelled in this Wildernesse of Virginia not being ignorant for all my paines this discourse will be wrested tossed and turned as many waies as there is leaues that I haue writ too much of some too little of others and many such like obiections To such I must answer in the Companies name I was requested to doe it if any haue concealed their approued experiences from my knowledge they must excuse me as for euery fatherles or stolne relation or whole volumes of sofisticated rehearsals I leaue them to the charge of them that desire them I thanke God I neuer vndertooke any thing yet any could tax me of carelesnesse or dishonesty and what is hee to whom I am indebted or troublesome Ah! were these my accusers but to change cases and places with me but 2. yeeres or till they had done but so much as I it may be they would iudge more charitably of my imperfections But here I must leaue all to the triall of time both my selfe Virginia's preparations proceedings and good euents praying to that great God the protector of all goodnesse to send them as good successe as the goodnesse of the action and Country deserueth and my heart desireth FINIS THE FIFTH BOOKE THE GENERALL HISTORIE OF THE BERMVDAS now called the Summer Iles from their beginning in the yeere of our Lord 1593. to this present 1624. with their proceedings accidents and present estate BEfore we present you the matters of fact it is fit to offer to your view the Stage whereon they were acted for as Geography without History seemeth a carkasse without motion so History without Geography wandreth as a Vagrant without a certaine habitation Those Ilands lie in the huge maine Ocean and two hundred leagues from any continent situated in 32. degrees and 25. minutes of Northerly latitude and distant from England West South-West about 3300. miles some twenty miles in length and not past two miles and a halfe in breadth enuironed with Rocks which to the North-ward West-ward and South-East extend further then they haue bin yet well discouered by reason of those Rocks the Country is naturally very strong for there is but two places scare two vnlesse to them who know them well where shipping may safely come in and those now are exceeding well fortified but within is roome to entertaine a royall Fleet the Rocks in most places appeare at a low water neither are they much couered at a high for it ebbs and flowes not past fiue foot the shore for most part is a Rocke so hardened with the sunne wind and sea that it is not apt to be worne away with the waues whose violence is also broke by the Rocks before they can come to the shore it is very
vneuen distributed into hills and dales the mold is of diuers colours neither clay nor sand but a meane betweene the red which resembleth clay is the worst the whitest resembling sand and the blackest is good but the browne betwixt them both which they call white because there is mingled with it a white meale is the best vnder the mould two or three foot deep and sometimes lesse is a kinde of white hard substance which they call the Rocke the trees vsually fasten their roots in it neither is it indeed rocke or stone or so hard though for most part more harder then Chalke nor so white but pumish-like and spungy easily receiuing and containing much water In some places Clay is found vnder it it seemes to be ingendred with raine water draining through the earth and drawing with it of his substance vnto a certaine depth where it congeales the hardest kinde of it lies vnder the red ground like quarries as it were thicke slates one vpon another through which the water hath his passage so that in such places there is scarce found any fresh water for all or the most part of the fresh water commeth out of the Sea draining through the sand or that substance called the Rocke leauing the salt behinde it becomes fresh sometimes we digged wells of fresh water which we finde in most places and but three or foure paces from the Sea side some further the most part of them would ebbe and flow as the Sea did and be leuell or little higher then the superficies of the sea and in some places very strange darke and cumbersome Caues The aire is most commonly cleere very temperate moist with a moderate heat very healthfull and apt for the generation and nourishing of all things so as many things transported from hence yeeld a farre greater increase and if it be any liuing thing it becomes fatter and better by this meanes the country is so replenished with Hens and Turkies within the space of three or foure yeeres that many of them being neglected forsake the houses and become wilde and so liue in great abundance the like increase there is in Hogs tame Conies and other Cattle according to their kindes There seemes to be a continuall Spring which is the cause some things come not to that maturity and perfection as were requisite and though the trees shed their leaues yet they are alwaies full of greene the Corne is the same they haue in Virginia and the West-Indies of this and many other things without plowing or much labour they haue two Haruests euery yeere for they set about March which they gather in Iuly and againe in August which they reape in December and little slips of Fig-trees and Vines doe vsually beare fruit within the yeere and sometimes in lesse but we finde not the Grapes as yet come to any perfection the like fertility it hath in Oranges and Limons Pomgranates and other things Concerning the serenity and beauty of the skie it may as truly be said of those Ilands as euer it was said of the Rhodes that there is no one day throughout the 12. moneths but that in some houre thereof the sun lookes singularly cleere vpon them for the temperature it is beyond all others most admirable no cold there is beyond an English Aprill nor heat much greater then an ordinary Iuly in France so that frost and snow is neuer seene here nor stinking and infectious mists very seldome by reason of the maine Ocean there is some wind stirring that cooles the aire the winter they haue obserues the time with ours but the longest daies and nights are shorter then ours almost by two houres We found it at first all ouergrowne with weeds and plants of seuerall kinds as many tall and goodly Cedars infinite store of Palmetoes numbers of Mulberies wild Oliue-trees store with diuers others vnknowne both by name and nature so that as yet they become lost to many vsefull imployments which time and industry no doubt will one day discouer and euen already certaine of the most notorious of them haue gotten them appellations from their apparent effects as the Prickell-peare which growes like a shrub by the ground with broad thick leaues all ouer-armed with long and sharpe dangerous thornes the fruit being in forme not much vnlike a small greene Peare and on the outside of the same colour but within bloud red and exceeding full of iuice with graines not much vnlike the Pomgranat and colouring after its nature The poysoned weed is much in shape like our English Iuy but being but touched causeth rednesse itching and lastly blisters the which howsoeuer after a while passe away of themselues without further harme yet because for the time they are somewhat painfull it hath got it selfe an ill name although questionlesse of no ill nature Here is also frequently growing a certaine tall Plant whose stalke being all ouer couered with a red rinde is thereupon termed the red weed the root whereof being soked in any liquor or but a small quantity of the Iuice drunke alone procures a very forcible vomit and yet is generally vsed by the people and found very effectuall against the paines and distempers of the stomacke A kinde of Wood-bind there is likewise by the Sea very commonly to bee found which runnes vpon trees twining it selfe like a Vine the fruit somewhat resembles a Beane but somewhat flatter the which any way eaten worketh excellently in the nature of a purge and though very vehemently yet without all perill Contrary to this another small tree there is which causeth costiuenesse there is also a certaine Plant like a bramble bush which beares a long yellow fruit hauing the shell very hard and within it a hard berry that beaten and taken inwardly purgeth gently There is another fruit much like our Barberies which being beaten or brused betweene the teeth sets all the mouth on an extreme heat very terrible for the time to auoid which they are swallowed downe whole and found of the same or better operation then the red Pepper and thence borroweth the name In the bottome of the Sea there is growing vpon the Rocks a large kinde of Plant in the forme of a Vine leafe but far more spread with veines in colour of a pale red very strangely interlaced wouen one into another which we call the Feather but the vertue thereof is altogether vnknowne but only regarded for the rarity Now besides these naturall productions prouidences paines since the Plantation haue offered diuers other feeds plants which the soile hath greedlily imbraced cherished so that at this present 1623. there are great abundance of white red and yellow coloured Potatoes Tobacco Sugarcanes Indicos Parsnips exceeding large Râ—dishes the American bread the Cassado root the Indian Pumpian the Water-millon Musk-millon the most delicate Pine-apples Plantans and Papawes also the English Artichoke Pease c. briefly
whatsoeuer else may be expected for the satisfaction either of curiosity necessity or delight Neither hath the aire for her part been wanting with due supplies of many sorts of Fowles as the gray and white Hearne the gray and greene Plouer some wilde Ducks and Malards Coots and Red-shankes Sea-wigions Gray-bitterns Cormorants numbers of small Birds like Sparrowes and Robins which haue lately beene destroyed by the wilde Cats Wood-pickars very many Crowes which since this Plantation are kild the rest fled or seldome seene except in the most vninhabited places from whence they are obserued to take their flight about sun set directing their course towards the North-west which makes many coniecture there are some more Ilands not far off that way Sometimes are also seene Falcons Iar-falcons Ospraies a Bird like a Hobby but because they come seldome they are held but as passengers but aboue all these most deseruing obseruation and respect are those two sorts of Birds the one for the tune of his voice the other for the effect called the Cahow and Egge bird which on the first of May a day constantly obserued fall a laying infinite store of Eggs neere as big as Hens vpon certaine small sandie baies especially in Coupers I le and although men sit downe amongst them when hundreds haue bin gathered in a morning yet there is hath stayed amongst them till they haue gathered as many more they continue this course till Midsummer and so tame feareles you must thrust them off from their Eggs with your hand then they grow so faint with laying they suffer them to breed take infinite numbers of their yong to eat which are very excellent meat The Cahow is a Bird of the night for all the day she lies hid in holes in the Rocks where they and their young are also taken with as much ease as may be but in the night if you but whoop and hollow they will light vpon you that with your hands you may chuse the fat and leaue the leane those they haue only in winter their Eggs are as big as hens but they are speckled the other white Mr. Norwood hath taken twenty dozen of them in three or foure houres and since there hath beene such hauocke made of them they were neere all destroyed till there was a strict inhibition for their preseruation The Tropicke bird is white as large as a Pullet with one onely long Feather in her taile and is seldome seene far distant from other of the Tropicks another small Bird there is because she cries Pemblyco they call her so she is seldome seene in the day but when she sings as too oft she doth very clamorously too true a Prophet she proues of huge winds and boysterous weather there were a kinde of small Owles in great abundance but they are now all slaine or fled some tame Ducks Geese and Pigeons there are but the two latter prosper not Concerning vermine and noisome creatures there are not many but onely Rats and Cats there increased since the Plantation but how they agree together you shall heare hereafter The Musketas and Flies are also too busie with a certaine India Bug called by the Spaniards a Cacarootch the which creeping into Chests they eat and defile with their ill-sented dung also the little Ants in summer time are so troublesome they are forced to dry their figs vpon high frames and anoint their feet with tar wherein they sticke else they would spoile them all ere they could be dryed Wormes in the earth also there are but too many so that to keepe them from destroying their Corne and Tobacco they are forced to worme them euery morning which is a great labour else all would be destroyed Lizards there were many and very large but now none and it is laid they were destroyed by the Cat. Certaine Spiders also of very large size are found hanging vpon trees but instead of being any way dangerous as in other places they are here of a most pleasing aspect all ouer drest as it were with Siluer Gold and Pearle and their Webs in the Summer wouen from tree to tree are generally a perfect raw silke and that as well in regard of substance as colour and so strong withall that diuers Birds bigger than Black-birds being like Snipes are often taken and snared in them as a Net then what would the Silke-worme doe were sheâ— there to feede vpon the continuall greene Mulbery But aboue all the rest of the Elements the Sea is found most abundantly liberall hence haue they as much excellent Fish and as much variety as need be desired The most of which being vnknowne to our Northerne parts got there new names either for their shapes or conditions as the large Rocke-fish from his like hew and haunting amongst the Rocks the fat Hog-fish from his swine-like shape and shout for this is not the old knowne Hog-fish with brussels on his backe the delicate Amber-fish from his taste and smell Angell-fish Cony-fish the small yellow taile from that naturall painting the great Growper from his odde and strange grunting some of them yet knowne to the Americans as the Purgoose the Cauallo the Gar-fish Flying-fish and Morerayes the rest are common to other Continents as the Whale in great numbers the Sharke the Pilot-fish the Sea-Breame the Oyster and Lobster with diuers others twenty Tortoises haue beene taken in a day and some of them will affoord halfe a bushell of Egges and suffice to feed forty men at a meale And thus haue you briefely epitomized Mother Natures benefits to this little yet dainty spot of earth neither were it ingenuity to conceale wherein shee inclineth to the Stepdame especially since the particulars are so few as rather requisite Antidotes against idlenesse to rouse vp industry then any great cause of much distaste much lesse despaire and of those to speake troth there are onely two viz. the Winds and the Wormes especially in the Spring and Autumne and thus conditioned as yet we will let rest these small Ilands in the midst of this mightie and maine Ocean so inuironed on euery side by infinite numbers of vncertaine scattered Rocks lying shallowly hid vnder the surface of the water a league two three foure or fiue to Sea to the which aduantagers added by art as hereafter you shall heare at large and finde described in the Map It may well be concluded to be the most impregnable place in the world and although the Amber Greece Pearles nor Tobacco are of that quantity and certainty to be relied vpon to gaine wealth yet by practise and experience they finde by Silke Saffron Indico Madar Sugar-canes Wine Oile and such like great profit may be expected yet were those hopelesse in regard of their conueniency to nourish and maintaine themselues and releeue them shall visit them with wood water and other necessaries besides what an eye-sore they are already becommed to them that haue them not and how
deare and pretious to them that haue them I thinke none will deny but they are well worth the keeping and so we will proceed to the accidents that befell the first finders also the proceedings of the first Planters and their successors Master Norrod Thomas Sparkes and diuers others A briefe relation of the shipwracke of Henry May. HOw these Iles came by the name of Bermudas or the infinite number of blacke Hogs or so fearefull to the world that many called them the I le of Deuils that all men did shun as Hell and perdition I will not expostulate nor trouble your patiences with those vncertaine antiquities further then thus our men found diuers crosses peeces of Spanish monies here and there Two or three wracks also they found by certaine inscriptions to bee some Spanish some Dutch some French but the greatest rumour is that a Spanish ship called Bermudas was there cast away carrying Hogges to the West-Indies that swam a shore and there increased how the Spaniards escaped is vncertaine but they say from that ship those Iles were first called Bermudas which tilt then for six thousand yeares had beene namelesse But the first English-man that was euer in them was one Henry May a worthy Mariner that went with Captaine Lancaster to the East-Indies 1591. and in their returne by the West-Indies being in some distresse sent this Henry May for England by one Mounsier de la Barbotier to acquaint the Merchants with their estate The last of Nouember saith May we departed from Laguna in Hispaniola and the seuenteenth of December following we were cast away vpon the North-west of the Bermudas the Pilots about noone made themselues Southwards of the Iles twelue leagues and demanded of the Captaine their Wine of hight as out of all danger which they had but it seeme they were either drunke or carelesse of their charge for through their negligences a number of good men were cast away I being but a stranger amongst fiftie and odde French-men it pleased God to appoint me to be one of them should be saued In this extremity we made a raft which we towed with our Boat there were but six and twentie of vs saued and I seeing scarce roome for the one halfe durst not passe in amongst them till the Captaine called me along with him leauing the better halfe to the seas mercy that day we rowed till within two houres of night ere we could land being neere dead with thirst euery man tooke his way to seeke fresh water at length by searching amongst many weeds we found some raine water but in the maine are many faire Baies where we had enough for digging Now it pleased God before our ship split we saued our Carpenters tooles some Nailes Sailes and Tacklings wherewith we went roundly to worke and built a Barke of eighty tunues In stead of Pitch we made Lime mixed with Tortoise oyle and as the Carpenters calked her I and another paied the seames with this plaster which being in Aprill became quickly dry and as hard as a stone In Aprill it was so hot we feared our water would faile two great Chests wee made which we calked as our ship those we stowed on each side our maine Mast filled them with water and thirtie liue Tortoises wee found many Hogges but so leane wee could not eat them the tops of the Palmetaberries was our bread and the iuyce we got out of the trees we cut downe our drinke and of the leaues which are more then an Ell long we couered our Cabens made our beds and found many of those prouisions as is related but little foule weather The eleuenth of May it pleased God to set vs cleere of the I le after wee had liued there fiue moneths and the twentieth wee fell with Cape Britton neere New found Land where refreshing our selues with wood and water and such things as we could get of the Saluages it seemed a good Countrey but we staied not past foure houres before we set saile for the banke of New found land where wee met many ships but not any would take in a man of vs vntill it pleased God we met a Barke of Fawmothe which receiued vs for a little time and with her we tooke a French ship wherein I left Captaine de la Barbotier my deare friend and all his Company and in August arriued at Falmouth in this honest English Barke 1594. Written by me Henry May. The first English ship knowne to haue beene cast away vpon the Bermudas 1609. From the relation of Mr. Iordan Master Iohn Euens Master Henry Shelly and diuers others YOu haue heard that when Captaine Smith was Gouernor of Virginia there were nine ships sent with Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers and Captaine Nuport with fiue hundred people to take in the old Commission and rectifie a new gouernment they set saile in May and in the height of thirty degrees of Northerly latitude they were taken with an extreme storme or rather a part of Hericano vpon the fiue and twentieth of Iuly which as they write did not onely separate them from the Fleet but with the violent working of the Seas their ship became so shaken torne and leake she receiued so much water as couered two tire of Hogsheads aboue the ballace that they stood vp to the middles with Buckets Baricos and Kettles to baile out the water Thus bailing and pumping three daies and three nights without intermission and yet the water seemed rather to increase then diminish in so much that being all vtterly spent with labour were euen resolued without any hope to shut vp the hatches and commit themselues to the mercy of the Sea which is said to be mercilesse or rather to the mercy of Almighty God whose mercy farre exceeds all his workes seeing no sense or hope in mans apprehension but presently to sinke some hauing some good and comfortable waters fetched them and dranke one to another as taking their last leaues vntill a more happy and a more ioyfull meeting in a more blessed world when it pleased God out of his most gracious and mercifull prouidence so to direct and guide their ship for her most aduantage That Sir George Somers all this time sitting vpon the poupe scarce taking leisure to eat nor sleepe couing the ship to keepe her as vpright as he could otherwaies she must long ere that needs haue foundered most wishedly and happily descried land whereupon he most comfortably incouraged them to follow their worke many of them being fast asleepe this vnlooked for welcome newes as if it had bin a voice from heauen hurrieth them all aboue hatches to looke for that they durst scarce beleeue so that improuidently forsaking that taske which imported no lesse then their liues they gaue so dangerous aduantage to their greedy enemy the salt water which still entred at the large breaches of their poore wooden castle as that in gaping after life they had well-nigh
skull of a man that had fine yellow hare still on it and some of the flesh vnconsumed a Knife a Pack-needle and two or three old Iron things was bound vp in a Sailers canuase Cassocke also a paire of cloth Breeches in the lesse bundle we found likewise of the same powder and the bones and head of a little childe about the legs and other parts of it was bound strings and braslets of white beades there was also a little Bow and some other odde knacks the prettiest we tooke and couered againe the corps as they were not farre from thence were two of their houses where were a great deale of their miserable houshold stuffe which we left as wee found and so returned to our Boat and lay aboord that night Many arguments we had to make here our Plantation or not in the Intrim Mistris White was brought to bed of a young sonne which was called Perigrine and a Sailer shooting at a Whale his peece flew in peeces stocke and all yet he had no hurt A foolish boy discharging his fathers peece hard by halfe a barrell of Powder and many people by it it pleased God it escaped firing so that no hurt was done But to make a more certaine discouery where to seat our selues Captaine Standish Master Caruer William Branford Edward Winsloe Iohn Tilly Edward Tilly with diuers others to the number of seuenteene vpon the sixt of December set saile and hauing sailed six or seuen leagues we espied eight or ten Saluages about a dead grampus still following the shore we found two or three more cast vp by the ill weather many we see in the water therefore we called it Grampus Bay Ships may ride well in it but all the shore is very shallow slats of sand at last seuen or eight of vs went a shore many fields we saw where the Saluages had inhabited and a buriall place incompassed with a Palizado so we returned to our Shallop in the night we heard a hideous cry and howling of Wolues and Foxes in the morning as we were ready to goe into our Shallop one of our men being in the woods came running crying Indians Indians and with all their Arrowes flying amongst vs some of our men being in the boat and their Armes a shore so well it chanced Captaine Standish with two or three more discharged their peeces till the rest were ready one Saluage more stout then the rest kept vnder a tree till he had shot three or foure Arrowes and endured three or foure Musket shot but at last they all fled this was about breake of day in the morning when they saw vs and we not them Hauing the wind faire we sailed along the coast 8. or 10. leagues thinking to haue got to a Harbour where one of our company had beene within 8. leagues of Cape Cod for neither cricke nor Harbour in this bay we could finde and the wind so increased our Rudder broke and our Mast flew ouer-boord that we were in danger to be cast away but at last it pleased God we were in a harbor we knew not thinking it one we were acquainted with this we found to be an I le where we rid that night and hauing well viewed the land about it and founded the Bay to be a good Harbour for our ship compassed with good land and in it two faire Iles where there is in their seasons innumerable store of all sorts of fish and fowle good water much plaine land which hath beene planted with this newes we returned to our ship and with the next faire wind brought her thither being but within the sight of Cape Cod in the meane time Goodwife Alderton was deliuered of a sonne but dead borne Vpon the 28. of December so many as could went to worke vpon the hill where we purposed to build our Platforme for our ordnance which doth command all the Plaine and the Bay and from whence wee may see far into the Sea and be easily impailed so in the afternoone we went to measure out the grounds and diuided our company into 19 families alotting to euery person halfe a poule in bredth and three in length and so we cast lots where euery man should lie which we staked out thinking this proportion enough at the first to impale for lodgings and gardens Francis Billington from the top of a tree seeing a great water some three miles from vs in the land went with the Masters Mate and found it two great Lakes of fresh water the bigger fiue or six miles in circuit and an I le in it of a Cables length square the other three miles in compasse full of fish and fowle and two brooks issuing from it which will be an excellent helpe in time for vs where they saw seuen or eight Indian houses but no people Foure being sent a mile or two from our plantation two of them stragling into the woods was left for comming to a Lake of water they found a great Deere hauing a mastiue Bitch and a Spanell with them they followed so farre they could not finde the way backe that afternoone it rained and did freeze and snow at night their apparell was very thin and had no weapons but two sickles nor any victuals nor could they finde any of the Saluages habitations when the night came they were much perplexed that they had no other bed then the earth nor couerture then the skies but that they heard as they thought two Lions roaring a long time together very nigh them so not knowing what to doe they resolued to climbe vp into a tree though that would be an intollerable cold lodging expecting their cōming they stood at the trees root and the bitch they held fast by the necke for shee would haue beene gone to the Lions or what they were that as it chanced came not nigh them so they watched the tree that extreme cold night and in the morning trauelling againe passing by many lakes brooks and woods and in one place where the Saluages had burnt 4. or 5. miles in length which is a fine champion Country in the afternoone they discouered the two Iles in their Bay and so that night neere famished they got to their Plantation from whence they had sent out men euery way to seeke them that night the house they had built and thatched where lay their armes bedding powder c. tooke fire and was burnt the Coast is so shoule the ship rides more then a mile from the Fort but God be thanked no man was hurt though much was burnt All this time we could not haue conference with a Saluage though we had many times seene them and had many alarums so that we drew a Councell and appointed Captaine Standish to haue the command of all martiall actions but euen in the time of consultation the Saluages gaue an alarum the next day also as wee were agreeing vpon his orders came a tall Saluage boldly
small diuisions will effect little but such miserable conclusions as both the French and we too long haue tried to our costs Now commonly 200000. fish will load a ship of 100. tunnes in New-found land but halfe so many will neere doe it in New-England which carried to Toloune or Merselus â—here the custome is small and the Kintall lesse then 90. English pounds weight and the prise when least 12. shillings the Kintall which at that rate amounts to 1320. l. starling and the ship may either there be discharged or imployed as hath beene said to refraught for England so that the next yeere she may be ready to goe her fishing voyage againe at a farre cheaper rate then before To this adde but 12. tuns of traine oile which deliuered in New found land is 10. l. the tun makes 120. l. then it is hard if there be not 10000. of Coâ—â—fish which also sold there at 5. l. the 1000. makes 50. l. which brought to England in somes places yeelds neere halfe so much more but â—f at Mersâ—lus it be sold for 16. d. the Kentall as commonly it is and much dearer it amounts to 1760. l. and if the Boats follow the fishing â—ll the 15. of October they may take 80000. more which with their traine in Nâ—w-found land at 4. l. the 1000. will amount to 320. l. which added to 1320. l. with 120. l. for Oile and 10000. of Cor-fish 50. l. and the ouerplus at Merselus which will be 440. l. make the totall 2250. l. which diuided in three parts according to their custome the Victualer hath for the former particulars amounting to 420. l. 751. l. so all the charge defraied hee gaines 331. l. 11. s. then for the fraught of the ship there is 751. l. and so much for the Master and his company which comparing with the voiages hath beene made to New-England you may easily finde which is the better though both bee good But now experience hath taught them at New-Plimoth that in Aprill there is a fish much like a Herring that comes vp into the small Brookes to spawne and where the water is not knee deepe they will presse vp through your hands yea though you beat at them with Cudgels and in such abundance as is incredible which they take with that facility they manure their land with them when they haue occasion after those the Cod also presseth in such plenty euen into the very Harbours they haue caught some in their armes and hooke them so fast three men oft loadeth a Boat of two tuns in two houres where before they vsed most to fish in deepe water The present estate of New-Plimoth AT New-Plimoth there is about 180 persons some cattell and goats but many swine and poultry 32 dwelling houses whereof 7 were burnt the last winter and the value of fiue hundred pounds in other goods the Towne is impailed about halfe a mile compasse In the towne vpon a high Mount they haue a Fort well built with wood lome and stone where is planted their Ordnance Also a faire Watch-tower partly framed for the Sentinell the place it seemes is healthfull for in these last three yeeres notwithstanding their great want of most necessaries there hath not one died of the first planters they haue made a salt worke and with that salt preserue the fish they take and this yeare hath fraughted a ship of 180. tunnes The Gouernour is one Mr. William Bradford their Captaine Miles Standish a bred Souldier in Holland the chiefe men for their assistance is Master Isaak Alderton and diuers others as occasion serueth their Preachers are Master William Bruster and Master Iohn Layford The most of them liue together as one family or houshold yet euery man followeth his trade and profession both by sea and land and all for a generall stocke out of which they haue all their maintenance vntill there be a diuident betwixt the Planters and the Aduenturers Those Planters are not seruants to the Aduenturers here but haue onely councells of directions from them but no iniunctions or command and all the masters of families are partners in land or whatsoeuer setting their labours against the stocke till certaine yeeres be expired for the diuision they haue young men and boies for their Apprentises and seruants and some of them speciall families as Ship-carpenters Salt-makers Fish-masters yet as seruants vpon great wages The Aduenturers which raised the stocke to begin and supply this Plantation were about 70. some Gentlemen some Merchants some handy-crafts men some aduenturing great summes some small as their estates and affection serued The generall stocke already imploied is about 7000. l. by reason of which charge and many crosses many of them would aduenture no more but others that knowes so great a designe cannot bee effected without both charge losse and crosses are resolued to goe forward with it to their powers which deserue no small commendations and encouragement These dwell most about London they are not a corporation but knit together by a voluntary combination in a society without constraint or penalty aiming to doe good to plant Religion they haue a President Treasurer euery yeere newly chosen by the most voices who ordereth the affaires of their Courts and meetings and with the assent of the most of them vndertaketh all ordinary businesses but in more weighty affaires the assent of the whole Company is required There hath beene a fishing this yeere vpon the Coast about 50. English ships and by Cape Anne there is a Plantation a beginning by the Dorchester men which they hold of those of New-Plimoth who also by them haue set vp a fishing worke some talke there is some other pretended Plantations all whose good proceedings the eternal God protect and preserue And these haue beene the true proceedings and accidents in thosâ— Plantations Now to make a particular relation of all the acts and orders in the Courts belonging vnto them of the anihilating old Patents and procuring new with the charge paines and arguments the reasons of such changes all the treaties consultations orations and dissentions about the sharing and diuiding those large territories confirming of Counsailers electing all sorts of Officers directions Letters of aduice and their answers disputations about the Magazines and Impositions suâ—ers for Patents positions for Freedomes and confirmations with complaints of iniuries here and also the mutinies examinations arraignements executions and the cause of the so oft reuolt of the Saluages at large as many would haue had and it may be some doe expect it would make more quarrels then any of them would willingly answer such a volume as would tire any wise man but to read the contents for my owne part I rather feare the vnpartiall Reader wil thinke this rather more tedious then necessary but he that would be a practitioner in those affaires I hope will allow them not only needfull but expedient but how euer if you please to beare with