be ministred but whereas the ancient Kings of England acâ—ording to Moses his example sate in pâ—rson in the seat of Iustice to right the greater affairs of their Subjects as William Lambeâ—â— sheweth in King Alfred Edgar Canutus c. and proves out of the Kings Oath out of Bractoâ— Britain â—axon Laws c. King William not only continued this but besideâ— erâ—cted some other Câ—urtâ— of â—ustice as the Exchequer and certain Courts and Sessions to be held four times every year â—appointing both Iudges some to hear causes others to whom appeals should be made but none from them and also Praefects to look to good orders Those last Polydor calleth Iustices of Peace but their instruction seems to be far later and no less is his errour on the other side in saying the Conquerour first instituted Sheriffs and the trial by twelve men which were both ancienter 4 And because the Conquerour for honour of Bishops caused them to remove from small obssure places to Cities of more renown we have therefore reserved to this last â—lace that division of this Kingdome which is according to Iurisdiction Episcopal Formerly in the year of Salvation 636. Honorius the first Archbishop of Canterbury first divided England into Parishes which at this day are contained under their several Diocesans and these again under their two Metropolitanes Canâ—erbury and York in manner following CANTERBVRY Bishopricks Counties Parishes Canterbury Kent 257. Rochester 98. London Essex 623. Middlesex Hertford-shire part Lincoln Lincoln-shire 1255. Leicester-shire Huntington Bedford-shire Buckingham-shire Hertford-shire part Chichester Hertford-shire 250. Sussex Winchester Hant-shire 362. Surrey Wight Isle Gernesey Isle Iersey Isle Salisbury Wilt-shire 248. Bark-shire Exeter Devon-shire 604. Corne-wall Bath and Wells Sommerset-shire 388. Gloucester Gloucester-shire 267. Worcester Worcester-shire 241. Warwick-shire Litchfield and Coventry Warwick shire part 557. Stafford-shire Derby-shire Shrop-shire part Hereford Shrop shire part 313. Hereford-shire Ely Cambridge-shire 141. Ely Isle Norwich Norfolke 1641. Suffolk Oxford Oxford-shire 195. Peterborow Northampton 293. Rutland-shire Bristow Dorset-shire 236. Glamorgan Landaffe Monmouth-shire 177. Brecknock-shire Radnor-shire S. David Pembroke-shire 308. Caermarden Bangor Caernarvon-shire 107. Anglesey Isle Merioneth-shire Denbigh-shire S. Asaph Devon-shire part 121. Flint-shire part  YORK  York York-shire 581. Nottingham-shire Chester Cheshire 256. Richmond-shire Cumberland part Lanca-shire Flint part Carlile Cumberland part 93. Westmorland Durham â—urham 135. Northumberland Sodor Man Island 17. Total Bishopricks 27. Parishes 9285. 9 To speak nothing of these twenty eight Flamins the Priests of Idolatry and the three Arch-Flamins whose seats were at London Caerlion and York all of them converted by King Lucius into Christian Bishops Sees let us only insist upon the three last by the same King appointed to be Metropolitanes over the rest among whom London is said to be chief whose first Christian Archbishop was Thean the builder of S. Peters Church in Cornhill for his Cathedral as by an ancient Table there hanging was affirmed and tradition to this day doth hold Our British Historians do bring a succession of fifteen Arch-bishops to have sate from his time unto the coming of the Saxons whose last was Vodius slain by King Vortiger for reprehending his heathenish marriage with Rowen the Daughter of Hengist At what time began the misery of the Land and of holy Religion both which they laid waste under their prophane feet until Ethelbert of Kent the first Christian Saxon King advanced Christianity and Augustine to the Archbishoprick of Caâ—terbury when London under Melitus became subject to that See 6 At Caerlion upon Vske in the time of the great Arthur sate Dubritius a man excellently learned and of an holâ— conversation he had sate Bishop of Landaffe a long time and with Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops greatly impugned the Pelagian Heresie infecting at that time the Island very far whose fame and integrity was such that he was made Archbishop of all Wales but grown very old he resigned the same unto Daviâ— his Disciple a man of greater birth and greater austerity of life who by consent of King Arthur removed his Archbishops See unto Menevia a place very solitary and meet for meditation the miracles of the man which are said to be many changed both the name of the place into his own and robbed Caerlion of her Archiepiscopal seat This See of S. Davids as in an ancient Register belonging to that Church is recorded had seven Bishops Suffragans subject unto it which were Exeter Bath Hereford Landaffe Bangor S. Asapâ— and â—ernes in Ireland notwithstanding either for want of Pall carried into Britany by Archbishop Sampson in a dangerous infection of sickness or by poverty or negligence it lost that jurisdiction and in the days of King Henry the first became subject to the See of Canterbury 7 York hath had better succesâ— than either of the former in retaining her original honour though much impaired in her circuit challenging to have been sometime Metropolitane over all the Bishops in Scotland and although it was made equal in honour and power with Canterbury by Pope Gregory as Beda relateth and had twelve suffragan Bishopricks that owed obedience onely four now acknowledge York their Metropolitane but Canterbury the Superiour for William the Conquerour thinking it dangerous to have two in like authority lest the one should set on his Crown and the other 〈◊〉 it off left York to be a primate but Canterbury only the primate of all England 8 That Lichfield was made an Archiepiscopal See by Pope Hadrian the first at the suit of Offa the great King of Mercia is manifested by Matthew of Westminster unto whose Iurisdiction were assigned the Bishopricks of Winchester Hereford Leicester Sidnacester Helmham and Dunwich and whose first and last Archbishop was Aldwin That Winchester also had intended an Archiepiscopal Pall the same Author recordeth when Henry Bloys of the Bloud Royal greatly contended with the Archbishop of Canterbury for superiority under the pretence of being Cardinal de latere to him an Archiepiscopal Pallâ— was sent with power and authority over seven Churches but he dying before that the design was done the See of Winchester remained in subjection to Canterbury And that long before the See of Dorchester by Oxford had the Iurisdiction of an Archbishop is apparent by those provinces that were under his Diocess which were Winchester Oxford Lincoln Salisbury Bristow Wells Litchfield Chester and Exeter and the first Bishop of this great circuit Derinus was called the Apostle and Bishop of the West Saxons which in his next successor was divided into two parts Winchester and Dorchester and not long after into Lichfield Sidnacester and Legecister and lastly the See removed from Dorchester to Lincoln as now it is And thus far for the division of this Realm both Politick and Ecclesiastick as it hath stood and stands at this day 9 But the whole Islands division by most certain Record was anciently made when Iulius Agricola drew a trench or fortification
Morda in the West twenty and five miles the whole in circuit about extending to one hundred thirty four miles 3 Wholesome is the Air delectable and good yielding the Spring and the Autumn Seed-time and Harvest in a temperate condition and affordeth health to the Inhabitants in all seasons of the year 4 The Soil is rich and standeth most upon a reddish Clay abounding in Wheat and Barley Pit-coals Iron and Woods which two last continue not long in league together It hath Rivers that make fruitful the Land and in their Waters contain great store of fresh-fish whereof Severn is the chief and second in the Realm whose stream cutteth this County in the midst and with many winding sporteth her self forward leaving both Pastures and Meadows bedecked with flowers and green colours which every where she bestoweth upon such her attendants 5 This River was once the bounds of the North-Britains and divided their possession from the Land of the Saxons until of latter times their began to decay and the Welsh to increase who enlarged their lists to the River Dee So formerly had it separated the Ordovices from the Cornavâ—â— those ancient Inhabitants mentioned by Ptolomy The Ordovices under Caractacus purchased great honour whilst he a Prince of the Silures removed his Wars thence among them where a while he maintained the Britains liberty with valour and courage in despite of the Romans His Fort is yet witness of his unfortunate Fight seated near Clune-Castle at the confluence of that River with Temd where in remembrance of him the place is yet called Caer-Caradoc a Fort of his won by P. Ostorius Lieutenant of the Romans about the year of Grace 53. The Cornavii were seated upon the North of Severn and branched into other Counties of whom we have said 6 But when the strength of the Romans was too weak to support their own Empire and Britain emptied of her Souldiers to resist the Saxons set foot in this most fair Soil and made it a part of their Mercian Kingdom their line likewise issued to the last period and the Normans beginning where these Saxons left the VVelshmen took advantage of all present occasions and brake over Severn unto the River Dee to recover which the Normans first Kings often assayed and Henry the Second with such danger of Life that at the Siege of Bridge-North he had been slain had not Sir Hubert Syncler received the Arrow aimed at him in stepping betwixt that Shaft and his Soveraign and therewith was shot thorow unto death In the like danger stood Henry Prince of Scotland who in the strait Siege of Ludlow begirt by King Stephen had been plucked from his Saddle with an Iron-hook from the Wall had not Stephen presently rescued him Anno 1139. 7 This then being the Marches of England and VVales was sore afflicted by bloody broils which caused many of their Towns to be strongly walled and thirty two Castles to be strongly built Lastly into this County the most wise King Henry the Seventh sent his eldest Son Prince Arthur to be resident at Ludlow where that fair Castle became a most famous Princes Court And here King Henry the Eight ordained the Council of the Marches consisting of a Lord President as many Counsellors as the Prince shall please a Secretary an Attorney a Soliciter and four Iustices of the Counties in Wales in whose Court were pleaded the Causes depending and termly tried for the most part in presence of that honourable President 8 But the Shire-Town Shrewsbury for circuit trade and wealth doth far exceed this and is inferiour to few of our Cities her buildings fair her streets many and large her Citizens rich her trade for the most part in the Staple Commodities of Cloth and Freeses her Walls strong and of a large compass extending to seventeen hundred paâ—es about besides another Bulwark ranging from the Castle down unto and in part along the side of Severn thorow which there are three entrances into the Town East and West over by two fair Stone-Bridges with Towers Gates and Bars and the third into the North no less strong than them over which is mounted a large Castle whose gaping chinks do doubtless threaten her fall This Town is governed by two Bailiffs yearly elected out or twenty four Burgesses a Recorder Town-Clerk and Chamberlain with three Sergeants at Mace the Pole being raised hence from the degrees of Latitude 53 16 minutes and from West in Longitude 17 degrees 27 minutes 9 Yea and ancienter Cities have been set in this Shire such was Râ—xalter or Wroxcester lower upon Severn that had been Vriconium the chiefest City of the Cornavii Vfocâ—nia now Okenyateâ— near unto the Wrekin and under Red-Castle the Ruins of a City whom the Vulgar report to have been famous in Arthurs daies but the pieces of Romish Coins in these three do well assure us that therein their Legions lodged as many other Trenches are signs of War and of Blood But as Swords have been stirring in most parts of this Province so Beads have been hid for the preservation of the whole and places erected for the maintenance of Votaries in whom at that time was imputed great holiness in Shrewsbury many at Coulmere Stow Dudley Bromfield Wigmore Hamond Lyleshill Bildas Bishops-Castle and Wâ—nloke where in the Reign of Richard the Second was likewise a rich Mine of Copper But the same blasts that blew down the Buds of such Plants scattered also the Fruits from these fair Trees which never since bare the like nor is likely any more to do That only which is rare in this Province is a Well at Pitchford in a private mans yard whereupon floateth a thick Skum of liquid Bitumen which being clear off to day will gather the like again on the Morrow not much unlike to the Lake in the Land of Iewry This Shire is divided into fifteen Hundreds wherein are seated fourteen Market-Towns and hath in it one hundred and seventy Churches for Gods sacred and divine Service CHESTER Petrus Kaerius caeelavit The County Palatine of CHESTER CHAPTER XXXVI CHESSE-SHIRE the County Palatine of Chester is parted upon the North from Lancashire with the River Mercey upon the East by Mercey Goit and the Dane is separated from Darâ—y and Stafford-shires upon the South toucheth the Counties of Shrop-shire and Flint and upon the West with Dee is parted from Denbigh-shire 2 The form of this County doth much resemble the right Wing of an Eagle spreading it self from Wirall and as it were with her Pinion or first Feather toucheth York-shire betwixt which extreams in following the windings of the Shires divider from East to West are 47 miles and from North to South twenty six miles The whole Circumference about one hundred forty two miles 3 If the affection to my natural producer blind not the judgment of this my Survey for Air and Soyl it equals the best and far exceeds her Neighbours the next Counties for although the Climate be cold and toucheth
half Plough-land And the Bovata or Oxgang presumed in Law for Land in Granary was suited in number of Acres to that Yard-land of which it was a Moity Thus except in the Fens laid out per Leucas quarentenas miles and furlongs stands all ameasurement of Land in this Shire which containeth in Knights Fees 53 one half 2 fifts and a twentieth part And in full estimation of rent and worth rose in the time of the Conquerour to 912 l. 4 s. and now payeth in Fifteen to the King 871 l. 9 s. 7 d. ob and in tenth from the Clergy 142 l. 6 s. q. 4 This County in discision of Titles and administration of Iustice did at the first as the Germans our Ancestors Iura per pagos vicos reddere Every Township by their Friburgâ— or Tenemental as Triers and the Baron Thain or Head Lord there or the Decanus a good Freeholder his Deputy as Iudge determining all Civil causes a representation of this remaineth still in our Court-Leet Aboue this and held twelve times a year was our Hundred or Wapentake Quae super decem Decanos centem Friburgos judicabat Here the Iudges were the Aldermen and Barons or Freeholders of that Hundred Aegelwinus Aldermannuâ— tenuit placitum cum â—oto Hundredâ— saith the Book of Ely This Court had Cognoscence of Causes Ecclesiastical as Temporal therefore the Iudge or Alderman ought to be such as Dei leges hominum jura studebat promovere thus it went although the Conquerour commanded Ne aliquis de legibus Episcopalibus amplius in Hundredo placita teneret The next and highest in this Shire was Generale placitum Comitatus the County or Sheriffs Court to which were proper Placita Civilia ubi Curia Dominorum probantur desecisse Et si placitum exurgat inter Vavasores duorum Dominorum tractetur in Comitatu The Iudge was the Earl or Sheriff The Tryers Barones Comitatus Freeholders Qui liberas in eo terras habent not Civil onely but Probats of Wills Questions of Tithes Et debâ—â—a vera Christianitatis Iura were heard and first heard in this Court. Therefore Episcopus Presbyter Ecclesiae Quatuor de melioribus villae were adjuncts to the Sheriff Qui dei leges seculi negoâ—ia justa consideratione definirent The Lay part of this liveth in a sort in the County and Sheriff Turn the Spiritual about the Reign of King Stephen by Soveraign connivence suffered for the most into the quarterly Synode of the Clergy from whence in imitation of the Hundred Court part was remitted to the Rural Deaneries of which this Shire had four And these again have been since swallowed up by a more frequent and superiour jurisdiction as some of our civil Courts have been There being now left in use for the most of this Shire for Causes Criminal View of Frankpleg by grant or prescription A Session of the Peace quarterly and two Goal deliveries by the Soveraigns Commission and for Civil Causes Couâ—ts of Mannours or of the County monthly and twice by the Iudges of Assise yearly The Office of Execution and custody of this County is the Sheralfey of old inheritable untill Eustachius who by force and favour of the Conquerour disseised Aluric and his heires forfeited it to the Crown but since it hath passed by annual election and hath united to it the County of Cambridge 5 Having thus far spoken of the Shire in general next in observation falleth the Shire-Town Huntington Hundandun or the Hunters Downe North seated upon a rising bank over the rich meadowing river Ouse interpreted by some Authors the Down of Hunters to which their now common Seal a Hunter seemeth to allude Great and populous was this in the foregoing age the following having here buried of fifteen all but three besides the Mother-Church S. Maries in their own graves At the reign of the Conquerour it was ranged into four Ferlings or Wardes and in them 256 Burgenses or Housholds It answered at all assessments for 50 Hides the fourth part of Hurâ—tington Hundred in which it standeth The annual rent was then 30 l. of which as of three Minters there kept the King had two parts the Earl the third the power of coyâ—age then and before not being so privatley in the King but Borows Bishops and Earls enjoyed it on the one side stamping the face and stile of their Soveraign in acknowledgement of subordinacy in that part of absolute power and on the reverse their own name to warrant their integrity in that infinite trust 6 The Castle supposed by some the work of the elder Edward but seemingly by the Book of Doomesday to be built by the Conquerour is now known but by the ruines It was the seat of Woltheof the great Saxon Earl as of his succeeding heirs until to end the question of right between Sentlice and the King of Scots Henry the second laid it as you see yet doth it remain the head of that honour on which in other Shires many Knights Fees and sixteen in this attended Here David Earl of this and Arguise Father of Isabel de Brus founded the Hospital of S. Iohn Baptist And Loveâ—ote here upon the Fee of Eustace the Vicount built to the honour of the blessed Virgin the Priory of Black Cannons valued at the Suppression 232 l. 7 s. ob Here at the North end was a house of Fryers and without the Town at Hinchingbrook a Cloister of Nuns valued at 19 l. 9 s. 2 d. founded by the first William in place of S. Pandonia at Eltesly by him suppressed where near the end of the last Henry the Family of the Cromwells began their Seat To this Shire-Town and benefit of the neighbour Countries this River was Navigable until the power of Grâ—y a minion of the time stopt that passage and with it all redress either by Law or Parliament By Charter of King Iohn this Town hath a peculiar Coroner profit by Toll and Custom Recorder Town-Clerks and two Bayliffs elected annually for government as at Parliament two burgesses for advice and asâ—ent and is the Lord of it self in Fee-farm 7 The rest of the Hundred wherein this Shire Town lieth is the East part of the County and of Hurst a Parish in the center of it named HURSTINGSTON it was the Fee-farm of â—amsey Abbey which on a point of Fertile Land thrust out into the Fens is therein siâ—uate founded in the year 969 to God our Lady and S. Benedict by Earl Aylwin of the Royal bloud replenished with Monks from Westbury by Oswald of York and dedicated by Dunstan of Canterbury Archbishops By Abbot Reginald 1114 this Church was re-edified by Magnavill Earl of Essex not long after spoiled and by Henry the third first of all the Norman Princes visited when wasted with the Sicilian wars Regalis mensae Hospitalitas ita abbreviata fuit ut cum Abbatibus Clericis viris satis â—umilibus Hospitia quaesivit prandia This Monastery the shrine of two
several noted Rivers the chief whereof are Iames River formerly called Powhatan the denomination of a very potent King of this Countrey at the time of the English first adventuring thither this River is found navigable 50 leagues or thereabout 2. York River otherwise Pamaunke in the language of the natives which lies about 14 miles Northward from the other and is navigable 26 Leagues 3. Rapaâ—anock or Topahanock the last River of Virginia Northward and navigable 40 leagues 4. Patowmec River mentioned in the Description of Mary-Land to which part of the Countrey this River also belongs Besides these greater Rivers there are some others of lesser note which fall into them as into Poâ—hatan or Iames River Southward Apameâ—uck Eastward Quiyonycohanuc Nansamund and Chesopeac Northward Chickamahania into Pamaunkee Payankatank The English Plantation here is divided into 22 Counties on the Eastern shore Northampton County in Acomac on the Western shore Carotuc Iames Henrico Charles York Glocester Surry Hartford Warwick Lancaster New Kent Surrey Middlesex Nansemund Lower Norfolk Northumberland Westmorland Northampton Warwick Isle of Wight and Rappahanoc in each of which are monthly held those inferior County Courts where matters not of highest concernment or relating to life are tried and from whence appeals are made to the Quarter Court at Iames-Town where all criminal and Civil Causes are determined and where the Governor and Counsel sit as Iudges The Metropolis or chief Seat of the English here is Iames-Town or rather Iames-City so denominated in honour of King Iames where the Quarter Courts General Assemblies and Secretaries Office are kept This Town adorned with many fair Brick-houses and other handsome Edifices is situated in a Peninsula on the North-side of Iames River The other Towns and Places of chief note are Elizabeth City seated nearer the mouth of the same River on the same side near which at a place nam'd Green-spring Sir William Berkley the present Governor hath a very pleasant Mansion-house built of brick Henricopolis or Henry's Town so denominated from Prince Henry living when it was first built seated in a commodious place about 80 miles from Iames City Dale's gift so named from Sir Thomas Dale Deputy Governor of the Place in the year 1610 at whose charge it was built and a Colony here planted besides others of less note some whereof still retain the Indian names as Wicocomoco c. which doubtless are by this time increased to a very considerable number in regard of the amplitude and grandeur to which by the continual access of people this Plantation is of late arrived VIRGINIA and MARYLAND The Description of Mary-Land IT was in the year 1631 that his late Majesty gave a grant to George Lord Baltimore for the possessing and planting the Southern part of New-Netherland now New-Yorkshire lying toward Virginia when upon his Embassy to the States of Holland they declared by publick writing their dissent to what-ever had been acted by any of their subjects in prejudice of his Majesties Right and Title in those parts as hath been already mentioned Crescentia was the name first in designation for this Countrey but it being left to his Majesty at the time of his signing of the Bill to give it what denomination he judged fittest he was pleased in honour of his Royal Consort Queen Mary to erect it into a Province by the name of Mary-Land which Patent upon the death of his Lordship before the final ratification thereof was not long after confirmed under the Broad-Seal of England bearing date Iune 20 Ann. 1632 to his Son and Heir Coecilius the now Lord Baltimore investing him his heirs and successors with the Sovereignty attended with all Royal Prerogatives both Military and Civil as absolute Lords and Proprietors of the said Province saving only the Allegiance and Sovereign homage due to his Majesty his Heirs and Successors of whom they were to hold it as of his Majesties honour of Windsor for the yearly payment at the Castle of the said honour of Windsor on every Easter Tuesday of two Indian Arrows of those parts and the fifth part of all the Gold and Silver Oar which should happen to be found there The next year after this Patent had past viz. in the year 1633 a Colony of about 200 in all Servants and Planters whereof some persons of quality was sent over by the Lord Proprietor under the Conduct of his Lordships two Brothers Mr. Leonard and Mr. George Calvert the first of whom was made Governor of the Province for his Lordship and from thence forward this Plantation hath prospered and by the several supplies since sent very much increased to which good success the good Government of the said Mr. Leonard and his strict observance of his Lordship's prudent instructions very much conduced The first place they pitch'd upon to plant themselves in was Yaocomaco now St. Maries which the Governor purchased of the Natives for never hath any forcible or violent invasion of any mans right been made here by any of his Lordships Ministers with such commodities as they brought from England though at so much the more easie rate in regard of their pre-intentions to leave this place as thinking it their safest course to remove farther off from their too potent and valiant Neighbours the Sesquehanocks After the happy restauration of his present Mâ—jesty viz. in the year 1661 the Lord Proprietors only Soâ— Mr. Charles Calvert went over into these parts his Fathers Lieutenant in which charge he hath continued ever since in great tranquility and prosperity and with general contentment and satisfaction by his obliging carriage to all that live under his Government or have any interests or concerns in the Province This Province according as it is bounded and set out by the forementioned Patent extends one way from the most Northernly part which bounds it to the South and from which it is parted by the Southernly bank of the River Patowmeck to New-York or the most Southernly part of New-England which bounds it Northward and from the Atlantick Ocean and Delaware-Bay Eastward to the true Meridian of the first Fountain of the River Patowmeck Westward The Climate here in Summer time inclines to an extraordinary heat and in Winter is very cold but both the heat of the Summer is very much allayed by cool Breeses and the cold of the Winter is of short continuance so that the Country is accounted sufficiently healthful and of late agrees well enough with English bodies since the abatement and almost extinction through the regulation of diet felling of the woods c. of that distemper called the Seasoning which used to be very fatal to the English at their first landing This Countrey is for the most part champain the Soil fruitful and abounding with many sorts of fruits and other commodities which are common in our parts of the World and for those that are peculiar it cannot be imagined that in so small a distance and even in the same Country as
America The Sugar-canes are planted all the year loâ—g and yield better Sugar when refin'd though not altogether so white than that of Brasile Nor is there wanting here store of Tobacco in which also a considerable Trade is driven The chief Fruits besides what are familiar here with us are Pomegranats Citrons Dates Oranges Limes Macows Iâ—niper-apples Papayers Custard-apples Momins Acaâ—ous Monbains Indian-figs Prickled-apples Prickled-pears Icacos Cocos Plantinâ— Bonanos Guavers and Pine-apples accounted the most delicious of Indian-fruits The other most peculiar trees are the Locust-tree the Mastick-tree Redwood the Prickled yellow-wood the Iron-wood-tree the Cassia Fistula Coloquintida Tamarinds Cassaâ—y the Poison-tree the Phystick-nut the Calibash a sort of Gourd the Mangrass-tree of a large compass the Roucon of whose bark ropes are made the Lignum vitae before-mentioned and the Palmâ—to The other Plants are but the same with what are common here so likewise the Beasts except Asinegos and Birds Some sorts of Fish there are peculiarly belonging to this and the rest of the Caâ—ibbess as Snappers Terbums Cavallos Parrat-fish Coney-fish and Green Turtles esteemed by many a very great delicacy Likewise some kinds of Insects as Musketoes Cockroches Merrywings which sting much in the night but the most remarkable is a very little Fly term'd Cayonyoâ— whose wings cast such a sparkling light that the Indians catching them have been observed to make use of them in stead of candels by tying them to their hands or feet As small as this Island is it is said to have been divided in former times into several petty Nations who with their puny Kings used to go to War each against the other selling the Prisoners they took to the Europeans that came thither to traffick Their habitation is thought to have been chiefly in Caves of which there are several in this Island both very deep and large enough to hold each of them 500 men they are now become the refuges and sculking-places of the Negro-slaves that run away The most usual drinks of the Countrey are Mobby which is an infusion of Potatoes in water as Plantiâ— of Plantins in water Perino of Casaru-root Beveridhe a drink made of Spring-water juice of Oranges and Sugar also Crippo Kill-devil and Punch but above all Wine of Pines a most delicious drink doubtless as made of so delicious a fruit The whole Island is so taken up in Plantations that there are no more vacancies of building than what the ground imployed requires is divided into eleven Precincts or Parishes containing in all 14 Churches and Chappels four of these Parishes are very well built and have the name and repute of noted Towns as 1 St. Michael heretofore called Bridge-Town or Indian-Bridge having several fair Streets of handsome well-built Houses though seated in a place somewhat low and moorish and by consequence unhealthful namely in the bottom of Caerlisle-Bay in the Southern part of the Island a very large Bay and capable of giving harbour to no less than 500 Ship at a time secured with two strong Forts opposite to each other with a Platform in the midst well mounted with great Guns and commanding the Road. The chief of these â—orts called Charles-Fort is seated on Nedhams Point this Town being the principal Emporium of this Isle is grac'd with the Courts of Iudicature the residence of the Governor or his Deputy the Store-houâ—es of Merchants and Factors whence the Inhabitants are furnished with forreign Commodities for those which are the product of the Isle which they bring in exchange 2 Sprights-Bay now Little Bristol about four leagues from St. Michaels Southward it is a place of good Trade and concourse well guarded by two strong Forts 3 St. Iames's not far from Bristol it is a place of good Trade fortified with a large Platform and Brestworks and affording a safe Harbour â—ot Ships here are kept the monthly Courts for this Precinct 4 Charles Town seated on Oyster-Bay two leagues from St. Michâ—el Northward and guarded by two strong Foâ—ts the one on the North-side the other on the South-side of the Town with a Platform in the midst In this Town are kept weekly Markets and the monthly Courts for the Precinct also along the Sea-coast are these places of note viz. Maxwels-Bay Austins-Bay Fowl-Bay the Hole Spikes-Bay Black-Rock Balises-Bay Long-Bay Clarkes-Bay and Constance-Bay The water which supplies this place is chiefly in Pools and Ponds besides Wells and Cisterns belonging to most houses for the receâ—t of rain-water but of Rivers there are only reckoned two if the first be not rather to be accounted a Lake since it runs but a very little way into the Land the other they call the River Tuigh on the surface of whose waters there swims an Oil which being gathered thence is usually burnt in Lamps The Estate of a Master Planter here consists chiefly in servants and Negro-slaves and of these three Classes or Orders the whole Islands consists the Masters live not only in all manner of plenty and delight for besides Beef Mutton Pork Kid Pease Beans and excellent Roots they have all variety of Fish and Fowl and plenty of Wine Strong-waters and English Beer and Ale but also in full stretching ease having their Overseers to manage their business for them who calls the Servants and Slaves to their work by ringing of a Bell at six a clock in the morning and one after dinner and dismisses them at eleven at noon and six at night orders them their several tasks and corrects them for all misorders and neglect of their duties The Servants have this advantage of the Slaves that their servitude lasts but for five years which time being expir'd they either acquire Plantations of their own or have good allowances for working under the chief Planters The Negroes on the other side who are bought like beasts in a Fair are kept in perpetual bondage they and their children and therefore though the Christian Servants are also bought yet double the price is given for the Negroes viz. twenty pound a piece for the men fifteen for the women The diet clothing and lodging is very hard both for servants and slaves but the servants have a double allowance of clothes and their accommodation of lodging much better Sunday which is allowed as a day of respit from the Masters labour the most ingenious spend in some kind of manufacture for their own benefit others in wrestling dancing and such like recreations For the better administration of Government and putting in execution the Laws of this Countrey which if not the same have a very near correspondence with ours in England excepting some that are peculiar to the place The Island is divided into four circuits in each of which there is a Court of Iudicature for civil Causes from whence appeals may be made to the Supreme Court which Supreme Court is in the nature of our Parliament both as having a Legislative Power and consisting of three Estates namely the Governor or his Deputy ten
called Pintâ—hâ— a stately and pleasant Seat the Royal Mansion of the King of the Nahissans who is an absolute Monarch About fifty miles from Sapon is Akâ—â—atzy a small but well-peopled Island lying upon the direct course of the River and bearing South and by West governed by two Kings the one Superintendent over their Martial affairs the other over their Hunâ—ing and Husbandry Thirty miles farther South-west from Akenatzy are the Oâ—nock Indians dwelling in a Town built round a Field in which they usually practice their sports and exercises of activity Their Houses are built some of Reed and Bark some of Watling and Plaister Their Government is Democratical Fourteen miles South-west of the Oenocks dwell the Shackory Indians whose Countrey abounds in Antimony Forty miles farther South-west is Watary Thirty miles farther Westward is Sara lying more towards that ridge of the Apalatâ—an Mountains by the Spaniards called Suala where great quantities of Cinabar are found South-west from thence is Wisacky over a continued marish ground overgrown with reeds this Town is subject to the King of Ushery on which also this King hath his Royal Seat about three miles from the Town and this is the utmost Town South-west that I find mentioned belonging to Carolina To the North over the Suala Mountains lie the Rickockans but back again North-east returning on the other side of the River toward Virginia is the Town of Katearas a place of notable Trade and the Seat of the proud Emperor of the Toskiroros called Kascusara or Kascous There are also the Towns of Kasriocam and Mencherink which though on the Virginian side of the River Rorenock yet are accounted rather belonging to Carolina The Countrey as it is now in possession of the English is divided and governed according to a platform and model drawn up by my Lord Shaftsbury with the consent and approbation of the rest of the Lords Proprietors judged by many serious persons that have perused it of equal advantage to the Inhabitants with any that ever hath been yet experienced in respect of the equal ballance of the interests of all parties The whole Province is divided into several Counties each containing forty square plats of 12000 acres a piece of these square plats eight are to be divided among the Lords Proprietors that is each to have one with the title of a Signory eight more among the Nobility of which there are to be three in every County a Landgrave and two Cassiques only the Landgrave to have double the proportion to the two Cassiques that is four to their two a piece the rest containing 24 acres falls to the people and this division is to be observed alike in every County by which means one fifth of the Land comes to the Proprietors another to the Nobility and three to the People The Signories or Lands belonging to the Proprietors are to be hereditary and descend with the Dignity to their Heirs and in like manner the Baronies The Parliament which is to be Biennial is to consist of the Proprietors the Nobility and for the people one chosen out of every District by the Freeholders which representatives are to have a free Vote in the making of Laws the force whereof is determined to set a time viz. sixty years or thereabouts to prevent the incumbrances and mischiefs arising from the multiplicity of rules and penalties which the longer a Law continues are liable to be increased and perplexed by the cunning of such as make a gain by the practice of the Law Besides the Parliament which hath the Legislative Power there are eâ—ght supreme Courts for the dispatch of all publick affairs The first is that of the Palatine for so the eldest of the Proprietors is stil'd who hath power to call Parliaments and dispose of publick affairs The second is the Chief Iustices for the judging of Criminals and trial of Causes about Right and Propriety The third is the Chancellor's Court which is for the passing of Charters and managing the grand affairs belonging to the Province The fourth is the High-Constablâ—s which is for the ordering of the Land-Militia The fifâ—h is the Admirals for the disposing of the Naval-Forces and other Maritime affairs The sixth is the High Stewards which inspects into the business of Trade The seventh is the Treasurers which looks after the incomes and disbursements of the publick Stock or Treasury The eighth is the Chamberlain's which marshals and orders the ceremonies and fashions in all great Marriages Burials and publick Solemnities All these Courts each of which consists of one Proprietor and six Counsellors whereof two are chosen by the Nobility and two by the People joyned together make up the Council of State or Grand Council by which all affairs of highest concernment are managed and to which the last appeal lies in all Causes belonging to them There is also a Court in every County and in every District another in each of which to prevent long Suits whereby the people suffer only to enrich a numerous Tribe of glib-tongu'd Orators no Cause is tried above once only an appeal to be made from an inferior to a superior Court till it come to the Proprietors Court where the last determination is made without farther appeal neither indeed are there any mercenary Pleaders allowed And farther to prevent the occasion of Controversies and Sâ—â—â—s in Law there is to be a Register of all Grants and Conveyances of Land Lastly to prevent all disturbance and annoyance to publick or private weal and safety strict enquiry is to be made into the conversations of such as shall be found to have neither estates not employments such provision being to be made as shall take away all excuses of following illegal courses nor are any to be suffered to make a Trade of begging who have ability of body and are obliged by necessity to work since it is apparent that idleâ—ess and beggery are the source of all those villanies which by the hand of Iustice bring so many to untimely ends whose lives might otherwise haply have one way or other conduced to the service of their King or Countrey and that it must needs be much more advantagious to the publick to prevent the necessity of inflicting capital punishments than to inflict them when deserved As to the Government in point of Religious affairs there is only this to be observed that a free toleration and liberty of Conscience is granted to all excepting in the case of Atheism Profaneness and debauchery of life as destructive to all Government and humane Society whereas ceremonies and indifferent circumstances in Religion are judged to tend most to disturbance when most strictly and rigorously imposed A Map of EAST INDIA The Description of India INDIA by the Ancients simply so denominated but by the Moderns sirnamed Orientalis for distinction sake in regard America or the new found World is usually stil'd India Occidentalis or the West-Indies is that Region of Asia which under one appellation